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Flood relief interventions: FG delivers second tranche to Bayelsa

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered the second tranche of food and
non-food items to Bayelsa state, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has disclosed

Special adviser to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Nneka Ikem Anibeze in a statement gave the latest update on the recent status of flood relief interventions to Bayelsa confirming that ongoing airlifting of the relief materials by the Nigerian AirForce which commenced on Tuesday 25th October 2022.
According to the statement, NEMA, through the South South zonal office, delivered assorted relief materials comprising food and non-food items for immediate distribution in Otegwe and Ibelebiri communities of Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa.

Following heavy flooding of the East West Road linking to the state,
the Nigerian Airforce intervened in airlifting operations of relief items from Benin Airport to Port Harcourt International Airport and the subsequent use of helicopters to move the items to the Helipad in Yenagoa, the state capital.

She listed Additional relief items delivered to include;
I. 1,000 pieces of mosquito nets;
II. 600 cartons of bath soap;
III. 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade;
IV. 1,000 pieces of children’s wear;
V. 1,000 pieces women’s wear;
VI. 1,000 pieces of men’s wear
VII. 8,000 pieces of nylon mats.
Food items;
I. 1,000 bags (10kg) of rice
II. 1,000 bags (10kg) of beans
III. 1,000 bags (10kg) of maize
IV. 75 bags (20kg) of iodized salt
V. 150 cartons of seasoning cube
VI. 75 kegs (20L) of Veg oil
VII. 75 cartons of tin tomato

According to the statement the additional relief materials are in addition to an earlier consignment delivered on Oct 8, 2022 which included:

I. 400 bags of 10 kg rice
II. 400 bags of 10kg maize
III. 300 bags of 10kg garri
IV. 50 kegs vegetable.oil
V. 200 cartons of tin tomato
VI. 200 cartons of indomie
VII. 200 bundles of roofing sheets
VIII. 200 bags of cement
IX. 40 bags of 3″nails
X. 50 sheets of zinc
The statement said “Despite heavy flooded routes along Kogi State and other locations on the way to Bayelsa State, delivery of the third consignment of relief items to Bayelsa state is in progress.
“NEMA has equally procured more relief items for a third intervention in less than a month to be delivered to the state as follows:
A. 1,000 bags (10kg) of rice
B. 1,000 bags (10kg) of beans
C. 1,000 bags (10kg) of garri
D. 300 bags (20kg) of iodized salt
E.200 cartons of seasoning
F.100 kegs (20L) of vegetable oil
G. 1,000 pieces of foam mattresses
H. 1,500 pieces of nylon mats
I. 1,000 pieces of blankets
J. 2,000 pieces of mosquito treated net
K. 800 pieces of Guinea brocade
L. 1,500 pieces of children’s wear
M. 500 pieces of wax prints.

Recall that Umar Farouq had directed NEMA’s intervention team which is presently in the state to collaborate with the State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigerian Navy in Bayelsa State, NNS Pathfinder in Rivers State, Nigerian Red Cross and Local Volunteers to carry out an in-depth assessment of the damage by the flood, for further assistance by the federal government.

The statement indicated that the Minister again sympathised with the government and good people of Bayelsa state as she assured the victims of government’s support always.

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AGOA/CBI: Okonjo-Iweala, Senator Natasha in Geneva discus trade

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At the ongoing 148th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) holding at the International Conference Centre, Geneva, Switzerland, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Senate Chairman on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, have taken time out to discuss trade

Senator Natasha who has been at the forefront of advocacy of export opportunities for Nigeria urged Dr Okonjo-Iweala to help facilitate access to global markets for Nigerian businesses, and enhance export capabilities to bolster economic growth and diversification.

She urged Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunities that African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) offer, respectively.

“It is my earnest expectation under the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to see Nigeria take advantage of these export opportunities through your support and by working closely with my office as the Senate Chairman on Local Contents,” she stated.

She expressed the believe that Nigeria amid the acute dollar shortages can tap the opportunities to boost its non-oil exports under AGOA to earn the much-needed foreign exchange for its economy.

In her remarks, the WTO Director-General lauded Senator Natasha for her valuable contributions and promised to look into her recommendations.

She also assured her readiness to collaborate with the Kogi lawmaker for the greater good of Nigeria, especially in the area of trade and commerce.

AGOA, a US trade initiative established in 2000, allows African nations to export various products, especially non-oil goods, to the United States on favourable terms, thereby promoting economic development and trade on the continent.

It has been a crucial lifeline for many African economies, offering opportunities to access the vast American market.

South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Lesotho, and Ghana dominated the 2022 non-oil AGOA exports, accounting for 90 per cent of the total non-oil AGOA exports in 2022, with Nigeria missing on the list.

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Obi tackles AG over insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians

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The Labour Party’s standard bearer in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has callout the Accountant General of the Federation over his insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians for staging a Workshop in London
He described the action as the highest level of insensitivity of the office in the face of the economic reality in the country.

Obi said Nigerians must resist and denounce such recklessness which he describef a clear a show of feelinglessness

Writing on his X handle on Saturday Obi said “Nigerians must vehemently denounce and condemn the decision of Nigeria’s Accountant-General’s Office to hold a workshop in London. This decision is not only unacceptable but also deeply troubling on multiple levels.

“Given the prevailing hardship in the country and the pitiable State of our national currency, any public function abroad amounts to insensitivity on the part of the government and any agency or individuals involved.

“First and foremost, it represents a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility and prudent expenditure of public funds. At a time when Nigeria is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation, currency devaluation, and a widening budget deficit, it is utterly irresponsible to squander taxpayer money on extravagant overseas workshops. The resources allocated for such purposes should be directed towards addressing pressing domestic needs, such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation.

“Furthermore, holding a workshop in London sends the wrong message to the Nigerian people and the international community. It perpetuates the perception of government officials indulging in luxury and extravagance at the expense of the common citizen. It fosters a culture of elitism and detachment from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians, who struggle daily to make ends meet amidst rising living costs and limited access to essential services.

“Moreover, there are serious questions regarding the necessity and effectiveness of conducting a workshop abroad, particularly in a city as expensive as London. Nigeria is home to numerous highly qualified professionals and experts who are more than capable of providing the required training and expertise. By outsourcing such activities to foreign countries the government not only undermines local expertise but also fails to leverage the wealth of knowledge and experience within its borders.

“Additionally, holding a workshop in London raises concerns about transparency and accountability in government procurement processes. There must be full disclosure and justification for why London was chosen as the venue, as well as how the selection of vendors and contractors was made. Any hint of impropriety or favouritism in awarding contracts for such events must be thoroughly investigated and addressed.”

He cocluded by saying that a new Nigeria is possible.

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Beam searchlight on INEC Chairman over Election Funds, ex – IPAC Chief urges EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commision(EFCC) has been urged to investigate the national Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakub, over his handlung of the funds released for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

A former National Legal Adviser of the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) , Barrister Chukwudi Ezeobika who made the call in Abuja on Tuesday, said many Nigerians, especially youths were displeased with the conduct of the 2023 general elections by the INEC.

Ezeobika, explained that mass exodus of youths out of the country shortly after the election was due to poor performance of the INEC.

He insisted that the INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmood “has remained the main reason why the Nigerian youths, have completely lost hope in the entity called Nigeria and have resorted to leaving the country in droves (JAPA Syndrome).”

In the statement, Ezeobika said that Prof. Mahmood, and the electoral body’s commissioners at the national and state levels “have not only destroyed the future of many youths in Nigeria by remaining partisan in the conduct of elections but has consistently, wilfully and deliberately misled the electorate on its programmes and schedule for elections since his appointment as the Chairman of INEC.

“From its bold supervision of parallel party primaries across the States of the Federation to its declaration of false and or unpopular Candidates as winners of elections and party primaries in Nigeria, the recklessness of the electoral umpire under Prof. Yakub Mahmood can not be overemphasized.

“The misinformation to and false education of Nigerians by Prof. Mahmood Yakub-led INEC on the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which is an electronic device designed to read Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and authenticate voters simultaneously as well as iReV which allows members of the public to create personal accounts and monitor uploaded results, increasing the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, has remained the greatest scam and falsehood in the history of elections in Nigeria.

“The cost of the inadequacies, inept and incompetence of Prof. Yakub Mahmood, in the discharge of his duties as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, can not be overemphasised.

“From personal costs on litigation to Nigerians (Nominees and Candidates alike), which runs into several billions of Naira yearly, due to their participation in the primaries and elections monitored and conducted by INEC, to the huge financial burden on taxpayers money budgeted yearly by the Nigerian government in prosecuting civil and criminal cases which stem from the unwholesome activities of the electoral body in the discharge of its constitutional duties, it is now evidently obvious that the continued retention of Prof. Yakub Mahmood, as the Chairman of INEC in Nigeria, is not only insulting but acutely reprehensible.

“In view of the foregoing, I call on the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede to redeem the corrupt and battered image of the electoral system in Nigeria by promptly investigating billions of taxpayers’ money budgeted and released to INEC under Prof. Yakub Mahmood for the conduct of elections in Nigeria.

“I call on the Commission to further investigate personal financial activities of Prof. Yakub Mahmood, as well as that of the Commissioners under him since their appointments

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