Kano stands still for Kwankwaso ahead of Saturday’s presidential, national assembly elections

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23/02/2023

By Ismail Auwal

The Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Sen. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has arrived Kano ahead of Saturday’s general elections, after touring over 500 local governments out of 774 in the 36 states and Abuja.

Accompanied by the NNPP gubernatorial candidate, Engr. Abba K. Yusuf, his deputy Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, and all the three Senatorial candidates of the party in Kano state, Kwankwaso stormed Kano via Kaduna where he completed his rally yesterday.

Members of the NNPP in their hundreds of thousands and well-wishers of the former Kano state governor were sighted chanting and drumming their supports to the party candidates.

Kwankwaso is the second Kano citizen to secure a presidential ticket of a major political party after Malam Aminu Kano in the history of Nigerian politics. This gives an advantage to the party with hope that Kwankwaso could emerge the first Kano man to serve Nigeria as the democratically elected president.

Prior to today’s visit, the police in Kano had advised that all political parties to suspend their rallies to avoid clash, but in a letter sent to the new Commissioner of Police, the NNPP said it is not staging a rally but rather receiving its Presidential candidate who would be in Kano to join other Nigerians in exercising their civic rights on Saturday 25th of February, 2023.

A statement signed by the Chief Spokesperson of the NNPP Campaign Council, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair and credible 2023 general elections is our utmost concern and so, the party’s supporter will abide by the police security advises that are not motivated by the ruling party.

Sanusi said: “We have thwarted the APC scheme to deny our members, supporters and stakeholders their fundamental freedom of political association as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We welcome the development from the joint security operation of the army, police and civil defence personnel who have arrested over 300 political thugs assigned to orchestrate attack on the motorcade of our presidential candidate.

“We learned that two serving Local Government chairmen were also arrested in connection to the illegal possession of firearms. A notorious gang leader of APC thugs who has been known as the ruling party’s hit-man in now in the custody of police.

“We urged the police to ensure that all the political criminals and thugs arrested are brought to book to face the full wrath of the law,” Sanusi pleaded.

Police arrest two local council chairmen in Kano over possession of firearms

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23/02/2023

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By Ismail Auwal

The police in Kano have reportedly arrested Abdullahi Garba Ramat, the chairman of the Ungoggo Local Government, over unlawful possession of arms.

SAHELIAN TIMES gathered that Ramat was arrested alongside the Chairman of Rimin Gado Local Government, Mannir Dahiru Maigari.

At the time of writing this report the two chairmen have been transferred to state police headquaters in Bompai.

Details later

NNPP accuses Kano state DSS Director of bias

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23/02/2023

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By Ismail Auwal

Barely less than 48 hours to presidential election the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has accused the Department of State Services (DSS) of intimidating its members and carrying out raids on its campaign offices in the state.

Briefing reporters on the development, the party state chairman, Umar Doguwa, lamented that their youth and mobilisation directorates along Airport Road in Nasarawa Council of Kano State were shut by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) secret security for reasons yet unknown to them.

He said, “Three days to elections, men of the DSS in Kano have laid siege to the campaign office of the NNPP. The offices of the Directors of Support Groups and that of the Director of Youth Mobilisation were cordoned off by them.

“We write to draw the attention of the Director General of DSS to call his Command in Kano to order. Going to our offices to plant weapons with the intention of framing our campaign directors can neither change the result of the election nor can it change the mind of millions of our supporters.”

The party, therefore, called on the Federal Government, National Security Adviser (NSA), Minister of Defence, DSS Director General, Inspector General of Police, European Union Election Observation Mission, British High Commission in Nigeria and United States Embassy in Nigeria for urgent action.

But the secret police, in a swift reaction, said it had been neutral in carrying out its duties and had offered all political parties equal opportunities, saying it only retrieved dangerous weapons from campaign offices of some politicians.

The allegation by the NNPP, a leading opposition party in the state, came just a few days after the party accused the police leadership in the state of working with the state government to harass and arrest its members.

But when contacted, the spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said that its personnel only retrieved dangerous weapons like guns, swords, daggers and jackknives, among others, from some politicians.

Afunanya shared some pictures of dangerous weapons including clubs, cutlasses and guns said to have been recovered from the property with one of our correspondents via WhatsApp.

He said, “The property was searched with a warrant. This is not a true account of what happened. The DSS in Kano didn’t intimidate any political party in that state.

“The service is neutral and has offered all the parties equal opportunities to carry out their activities.”

Thugs attack NNPP supporters amid Kwankwaso’s homecoming in Kano

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23/02/2023

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By Aminu Kutama

Hoodlums have attacked and destroyed a number of cars belonging to supporters of the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), in Kano State.

The attack, which happened on the Naibawa axis of the Kano-Kaduna road came when the supporters of Kwankwaso were to Kwanar Dangora Town to welcome the former governor of Kano on his homecoming rally before the Presidential Election on Saturday.

Eye witnesses disclosed to our correspondent that the thugs who arrived at the troubled spot in the afternoon, waylaid the NNPP convoy and attacked the supporters and their vehicles, while setting some of the vehicles ablaze.

However, a team of Nigerian Army personnel and officers of the Nigeria Police Force are presently stationed at the scene, after arresting some of the instigators.

Sahelian Times reports that, the presidential candidate, who is presently on his way to Kano city is accompanied by a huge crowd of supporters.

Earlier, the Kano State Police Command had on the back of a meeting with some political parties advised all the parties to shelve their plans to hold political processions on the final day of campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly seats.

Digital economy: FG’s focus on policy implementation through effective stakeholder engagement

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23/02/2023

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By Mubarak Umar

The Nigerian Government has continued to display its relentless effort by working tirelessly to develop a sustainable digital economy, as it recognises the critical role Information Technology (IT) sector plays in driving economic growth and development.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is the government body tasked with developing and regulating IT policies and programmes that support sustainable digital economy and improve taxation in Nigeria. However, to effectively develop and implement these policies, NITDA finds it pivotal to engage and interact with key stakeholders in the industry such as banks, financial and pension institutions, IT and telecommunications companies as well as taxpayers.

To achieve its mandate of implementing relevant policies, developing and regulating IT for sustainable development, NITDA recognises that it needs to work closely with stakeholders to develop effective policies and programmes. One of NITDA’s key stakeholders is the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which is responsible for tax collection in Nigeria.

To bridge communication gaps and bring people closer to its initiatives, NITDA in collaboration with and FIRS held a Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum in Lagos on the 21st of February, 2023 where they interacted with various stakeholders, including Banks, Financial Institutions, Cyber Companies, Insurance Companies, Telecommunications Companies (Telcos), Pension Managers, Taxpayers, and other relevant organisations. The aim of the engagement was to gather feedback on ways to improve payment timelines and provide better accountability to taxpayers.

The objective of the stakeholders’ engagement forum held by NITDA and FIRS, is to evaluate the progress made so far in the development of the digital economy sector and to appeal to stakeholders for prompt payment of relevant levies to fast-track critical development in this sector.

These levies are important sources of revenue that are needed to fund the development of the digital economy sector in Nigeria. The critical development in the digital economy sector that NITDA and FIRS are referring to includes initiatives such as the development of digital infrastructure, the promotion of digital entrepreneurship, and the creation of digital jobs. These initiatives are critical to the sustainable development of the digital economy sector in Nigeria.

The forum provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review and assess the progress made with the taxpayers’ monies that have been invested in the development of the digital economy sector in Nigeria. Stakeholders were able to evaluate the impact of the policies and programmes implemented so far, identify areas of success, and highlight areas that need improvement.

As Digital Economy continues to make massive impactful contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), stakeholder engagement is crucial to the development and implementation of effective policies that meet the needs and concerns of stakeholders. This will effectively promote the growth of the digital economy while improving taxation by making it easier for taxpayers to pay their dues.

By involving stakeholders in the policy development process, NITDA aims to identify their needs, concerns and interests and incorporate them into the policy framework. This approach is to ensure that policies are not only effective but also relevant to the stakeholders.

In addition, NITDA stakeholder engagement will help in building trust and collaboration between the Agency and its stakeholders. Through this engagement, NITDA can demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability, and also enhance policy adoption by increasing stakeholder buy-in and support.

NITDA is willing to build trust and confidence in the tax system, which can lead to greater compliance and increased revenue for the government. This can be achieved by providing regular reports on how taxpayers’ monies have been expended, demonstrating transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
During his presentation, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director-General of NITDA, eloquently highlighted the remarkable achievements that the agency has accomplished since its inception, as well as the current state of the Nigerian IT ecosystem. With an extensive understanding of the field, he also shed light on the challenges and potentials that exist in this burgeoning industry, painting a comprehensive picture of the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead.

Inuwa highlighted the Agency’s ambitious National Digital Skills Strategy Implementation, which aims to empower 95% Nigerians with digital literacy skills by the year 2030. He went on to discuss the exciting opportunities that this initiative will bring, including the training of one million developers who could potentially generate an impressive $20 billion in revenue annually, and hoping to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s human capital and drive economic growth in the digital age.

He emphasised that NITDA has several flagship initiatives and projects aimed at capturing value, one of which is the strategic development and incubation of talented individuals. According to research by Korn Ferry, it has been projected that there will be s a massive talent deficit of 85 million individuals globally by 2030, making the development of talent a crucial industry in its own. Through this focus on building and nurturing human capital, NITDA can position Nigeria at the forefront of the emerging digital economy, by equipping individuals with the necessary skills to thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.

Inuwa stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration to achieve greater productivity. As he noted, “no one can whistle a symphony; it takes a whole orchestra to play it.” The agency firmly believes in the power of teamwork, recognising that while there are certain things that can only be accomplished by the government or the private sector alone, together, there are no limits to what can be achieved.

He added that NITDA is committed to forging strong partnerships and working collaboratively to co-create a thriving ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. By leveraging the strengths of all participants, the agency believes it can drive prosperity and success for the Nigerian IT industry and the wider economy.

Inuwa elaborated on the key priorities that the agency is currently focused on. These priorities include the implementation of the Nigeria Start-up Act, which is aimed at creating a more conducive environment for startups to thrive in the country.

Another priority is the completion of the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, which is a hub for tech startups and entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate. The agency is also working on the implementation of the National Data Strategy, which seeks to ensure the proper management and utilization of data in the country.

The adoption of blockchain technology is another area of focus for the Agency, as it has the potential to transform many industries in Nigeria. The implementation of the National Digital Skills Strategy is also a priority, as it seeks to equip the Nigerian workforce with the necessary digital skills to compete in the global economy.

Inuwa also highlighted the significance of the roadmap for AI adoption. According to him, the roadmap is designed to effectively leverage the power of AI, and is expected to play a role in tapping into the rapidly growing $13 trillion global market by 2030. This forward-thinking approach to AI implementation is expected to bring about numerous benefits, including increased efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in various sectors of the economy.

Inuwa is confident that by working together with stakeholders, a more prosperous Nigeria would be created. The vision is for Nigeria to lead the charge in Africa’s digital economy, and to become a nation that can compete on the global stage. With key stakeholders’ support and collaboration, he believes the vision will be a reality. Working in silos is not idealistic, it is time to work hand in hand to build a brighter future for our beloved country, one that is characterised by digital innovation, growth, and opportunity.

FG wins as Supreme Court adjourns Naira redesign case until March 3

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22/02/2023

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By Aminu Kutama

The Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned a case instituted by the state governments against the Federal Government challenging the implementation of the naira redesign.

The apex court adjourned the case to March 3 for judgement, after it earlier consolidated the suits instituted by over 12 state governments.

At the last hearing on February 15, seven states joined the three initial states as co-plaintiffs, while Edo and Bayelsa states joined the Federal Government as co-defendants. The court, however, refused to join Abia State in the suit on the ground that it came late with its originating summons.

The head of the 7-man panel, Justice John Okoro, granted the request for consolidation by other states and ordered consolidation of the ten suits into one.

Now, the plaintiffs in the suit are the Attorneys General (AGs) of Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, Ogun, Cross River, Sokoto, and Lagos states while the defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as well as the AGs of Bayelsa and Edo states.

Commencing arguments, counsel for the Federal Government, Kanu Agabi, said the Supreme Court held that all reliefs are rooted in section 20 of the CBN Act, therefore, the apex court has no jurisdiction to hear the suit as the action cannot commence with an Originating Summons.

He wondered why the plaintiffs did not bring the CBN governor to court as a respondent, after making reference to him 32 times in their Originating Summons.

He said the reliefs are against the CBN, yet they didn’t deem it fit to bring the CBN into the matter. He added that Nigerians had already began rejecting the old notes way before the President’s directive.

Agabi insisted that the President is not in violation of the Supreme Court order as under the constitution, the President is empowered to veto any legislation.

Counsels for Edo and Bayelsa States, also agreed that the suit be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.

Also, the Attorney General of Kano State, who is a co-plaintiff, argued that President Muhammadu Buhari sidelined members of the National Economic Council and only relied on the advice of the CBN governor in the implementation of the monetisation policy.

He added that the President decided to exercise his powers without consulting with the state governments as required by the law.

He further said that they have security report that there will be breach of law and order if nothing is done to address the issue of cash scarcity. He added that the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje is a member of the council and he told him that the issue was never discussed at the NEC meeting.

Rather, the President relied only on one member of the council, and the CBN governor ignored the finance minister and the vice president who is the chairman of the council.
The Justice pointed out that the President can direct that the old 200 naira notes be brought back as a legal tender, then he is under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

Also, the Attorney General of Jigawa stated that Section 148 of the constitution, compelled the President to seek the advice of the Jigawa State governor as a federating unit but the President did not do so in the Federal Government implementation of the redesign policy.

UK asks next Nigerian president to increase taxes, end fuel subsidy

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22/02/2023

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By Ismail Auwal

British High Comissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, has called on the next president of the country to increase taxes remove petrol subsidy.

Speaking on Tuesday in an interview on Channels Television, Laing also said the next president should address the issue of multiple exchange rates.

She added that the next president should build a “strong inclusion team” which will especially include youths and women.

“It is going to be the economy — number one — because that is holding Nigeria back. The economy failing is also causing a lot of insecurity,” she said.

“There are two or three key decisions that the incoming president has to take.

“Number one is to remove the fuel subsidy, but to do it in a way that protects the poor people.

“Secondly is to tackle the multiple exchange rates. Businesses will not invest in this country if they can’t secure their foreign exchange.

“Three, raise taxes. You have one of the lowest tax ratios in the modern world. Without raising revenue, you can’t invest in public services. And public services — infrastructure, education — are key to the future.”

NRC suspends train services ahead of elections

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22/02/2023

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By Aminu Kutama

Ahead of Saturday’s presidential election, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended train services in the country to enable Nigerians exercise their civic responsibilities.

The temporary suspension of train services will be from February 25 to February 27, 2023, the NRC said in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement signed by the Corporation’s Deputy Director of Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood list the routes suspended to include the Abuja–Kaduna, Warri–Itakpe, Lagos–Ibadan, and the Iddo Lagos-Ijoko train services.

“However, the management assures the general public of the normal train services recommencement on Tuesday 28th February, 2023,” the statement added.

Train services have been suspended in parts of the country in the last one year after attacks and derailment.

On March 28, 2022 terrorists attacked a Kaduna-Abuja train, killed some passengers and kidnapped others who later regain their freedom. Also, on January 7, 2023, passengers waiting to board a train in Edo State were abducted but freed days later.

The Corporation had also suspended its Abuja-Kaduna services in January following derailment at the Kubwa Station.

Just in: Buhari I’m meeting with security chiefs ahead of elections

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22/02/2023

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By Aminu Kutama

President Muhammadu Buhari has convened a National security council meeting at the State House.

The meeting which has all security chiefs in attendance, comes barely two days before the general elections and is expected to review the current security situation in Nigeria.

Before the meeting, the President presided over the launch of security equipment donated by the Coalition Against Covid-19 (CACOVID) at the Council Chambers.

More details shortly.

Bridging digital divide: NCC’s efforts to promote digital inclusion in Nigeria

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22/02/2023

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By Nuruddeen Sani

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector in Nigeria. Since the appointment of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta as Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the commission in 2015, the Nigerian Communications sector has witnessed significant growth and development. In this article, we will discuss the achievements of the Nigerian Communications Commission under the leadership of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

One of the most significant achievements of the NCC under Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has been the increase in the number of active telephone lines in Nigeria. Since taking office in 2015, the commission has overseen a rise in the number of active telephone lines in the country from 151 million to over 200 million. This increase is a result of the commission’s efforts to promote competition and investment in the telecommunications sector, which has led to the expansion of network coverage and the availability of affordable mobile phones and data services.

Another significant achievement of the NCC under Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta is the increase in broadband penetration in Nigeria. When he took office in 2015, broadband penetration in Nigeria was just 10%. However, through the commission’s efforts to promote the deployment of broadband infrastructure and the licensing of more broadband service providers, broadband penetration in Nigeria has now increased to 45.43%, as of December 2021. This increase in broadband penetration has had a significant impact on the country’s economy, as it has led to the growth of digital services and the creation of new job opportunities.

The NCC under Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has also made significant progress in addressing the issue of unsolicited text messages and calls, which have been a major source of annoyance for Nigerian mobile phone users. The commission has implemented a Do-Not-Disturb (DND) policy, which allows mobile phone users to opt-out of receiving unsolicited messages and calls. Through the DND policy, the NCC has been able to reduce the number of unsolicited messages and calls received by mobile phone users in Nigeria.

In addition, the NCC under Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has made significant progress in promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the Nigerian telecommunications sector. The commission has established a number of innovation hubs and incubation centers, which provide support and funding to tech startups and entrepreneurs in the telecommunications sector. Through these initiatives, the NCC has been able to promote the growth of the Nigerian tech ecosystem, which has led to the development of new digital services and the creation of new job opportunities.

Another significant achievement of the NCC under Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta is the establishment of the Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) across the country. The ECCs are designed to provide quick and efficient responses to emergency situations, such as accidents, fire outbreaks, and other disasters. Through the establishment of the ECCs, the NCC has been able to improve the country’s emergency response capabilities, which has helped to save lives and property.

The NCC under Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta has also made significant progress in promoting digital inclusion in Nigeria. The commission has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas in Nigeria. One of these initiatives is the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), which provides funding for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure in underserved and unserved areas of the country. Through the USPF, the NCC has been able to promote the availability of affordable and reliable telecommunications services in rural areas of Nigeria.

Sani Wrote from Kaduna