The Kogi State chapter of the Social Democratic Party has called for the cancellation of the results of the November 11 governorship election from five Local Government Areas in the state.
SDP made the call at the gubernatorial election collation center where the party’s collation agent, David Edibu, submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission, calling for the cancellation of results in Okene, Okehi, Ogori Magongo, Adavi, and Ajaokuta Local Government Areas as well as some parts of Lokoja, alleging corrupt practices, votes buying and over voting.
He added that agents of the party were not allowed to get close to the polling units in the LGAs.
The state Returning Officer, Prof. Johnson Urame, received the petitions on behalf of the commission and assured the SDP that the petition would be reviewed.
The Peoples Democratic Party has said that they are keying into the petition of the SDP.
The PDP’s collation agent, Abubakar Mahmood, added that the number of malpractices in the said LGAs was alarming.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress while reacting to the call for cancellation, said that the PDP can not blame anyone for not bringing agents to the polling units.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Kogi State governorship election, Senator Dino Melaye, has called for the cancellation of the election due to the “irregularities that marred the election.”
Melaye, in a press conference on Sunday in Lokoja, the state capital, said that the irregularities that marred the Saturday election in all three Senatorial Districts were unprecedented in the history of the state, and should not be allowed to stand.
He described the exercise as ‘shameful and unhealthy’, regretting that the Independent National Electoral Commission “has not learnt any lesson to realise, ameliorate and palliate the problem they created for the democratic process during the general elections in the country, still repeating the same in the governorship election.
“Yesterday in the five Local Governments of Central Senatorial districts in Kogi State, there was no election. In the end, surprisingly, accreditation was done manually. The BVAS was not used. Prepared sheets manifested even before accreditation and evidence is all over the media.
“INEC as a matter of urgency must cancel the election. In many areas where I won, my agents were told there were no available result sheets to enter the results and we have evidence to back up these claims
“As I speak to you, it is shameful that this is what our democracy has descended to. INEC has manifested ever than before, that they can not be trusted, they are biased, they are compromised and they can not be neutral umpire.”
The two-term Senator representing Kogi West said that INEC officials and youth corps members were caught yesterday with prepared result sheets even before the commencement of the processes.
He added that a youth corps member was arrested with a prepared result and N1 million.
“They were deliberate suppression of my votes in Lokoja and Kogi Local Governments. This was deliberately done by Governor Yahaya Bello and APC to make sure that even their orchestrated arrangement didn’t come second.
“Because they do believe that there will be a second ballot and they believe if there is a second ballot, I have influence and tremendous support in the central and I can make an inroad in the East. So they preferred any other person to become second,” Senator Melaye posited.
The candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the ongoing governorship election in Kogi State, Mr Muritala Ajaka has called on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu to investigate the missing result sheets in some local government areas of the state.
Ajaka who cast his vote at the Okotonowa Polling Unit 005 in Owolapa Ward, Idah in Idah Local Government Area of the state, said the report he got from some local governments showed that some INEC officials were allegedly not doing their job professionally.
He said, “I feel happy. I thank God for this day. From what we are seeing it is clear I’m the one having the majority but the report I’m getting from Okene and Adavi (LGAs) has been forwarded to Abuja. They have not seen the original results sheet in Okene and Adavi and I hope the INEC chairman is updated with this because there is no way we are going to an election that the original results sheet is not there.
“That is not in the (electoral) guidelines. Everything about the INEC arrangement is perfect but their men in Okene and Adavi have compromised. They should question the returning officers in these local governments I mentioned.
“Apart from that, every other arrangement from INEC is 100 per cent perfect. This election is about the liberation of the people of Kogi state. I have the number and I have the people”, he said.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for a stop to the practice of off-season elections in Nigeria.
He expressed concern that if the country continued with off-season polls, a time would come when the presidential election might become an off-cycle election.
Jonathan stated this during an interview with reporters after voting in Saturday’s off-cycle Bayelsa State governorship election at Ward 13 Otuoke, Ogbia LGA.
He described off-season as odd and not a global best practice, urging the National Assembly to ensure the practice was blocked.
The former president, while congratulating Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States for the peaceful conduct of the polls, said, “Basically this is an off-season election. I get worried about the issue of off-season elections, and I will use this unique opportunity to plead with the National Assembly that we need to block off-season elections.
“It is very odd, it’s not a global best practice. A country can elect its people at different times, like the American election and some countries. They may not elect everybody at the same time but the only time they go on to conduct elections, they elect everybody that is supposed to be elected.
“If we continue with this trend of off-season elections based on the interpretation of our law by a judicial officer, it will come to a time when the presidential election in Nigeria may be conducted off-season.
“Probably, that is time that the media and others will realize it. Look at the American (US) system, everybody knows when American elections will be conducted. That’s the standard in other countries.
“And when I say presidential election in Nigeria may be off-season one day, some may say ‘why, how?’. It almost happened in 2007 when I contested as running mate to the late President Yar’Adua.
“In that election, seven Justices presided over the case, three of them through their judgment held that the election be annulled, and four of them sustained it.
“If one of them had crossed over, by now, the Nigerian presidential election would have been off-season.”
Hajiya Halima Shehu, the newly appointed National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Program Agency NSIPA, has assumed office with a pledge to address operational issues and usher in life-transforming interventions.
During a press briefing held on Tuesday, Hajiya Halima Shehu acknowledged the criticisms that have plagued the NSIP programs, including concerns about transparency, accountability, fair beneficiary selection, realistic databases, and adequate publicity.
She emphasized the importance of improving these aspects, especially since the programs are now governed by a legal framework that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of the agency, the CEO, and stakeholders.
Addressing the critical issue of poverty, Shehu stressed its correlation with increased crime rates in society. She believes that by lifting people out of poverty, the crime rate can be reduced, making the country safer and more prosperous.
“Poverty as we all know, engenders crime in any society, the more the people are uplifted out of poverty the lesser the crime rate in any society” – She said
Shehu also disclosed a concerning statistic, stating that the number of poor and vulnerable individuals in Nigeria is significantly higher than those who can afford basic human necessities, with less than 30% of the population having been empowered by the NSIP programs to date.
The NSIP programs have been running since 2016, aiming to alleviate poverty across Nigeria. However, they have not yet achieved their goal of eradicating poverty in the country.
Shehu expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her and her team by President Bola Tinubu. She recognized the magnitude of the task before them and stressed the importance of focus, commitment, dedication, and collaboration with all stakeholders, both domestic and international, including development partners.
In conclusion, Shehu conveyed her confidence that, with the support of the Ministry and all stakeholders, NSIPA will turn President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” mandate into a practical reality for vulnerable Nigerians.
She also highlighted the need for resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the population in leading such a significant agency. Shehu thanked the audience and extended her blessings to NSIPA, the Ministry, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, concluding the press briefing with a message of hope for a brighter future for those in need.
In a significant step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and food security, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has officially launched the first-ever Harmonized Extension Manual in Nigeria and the National Agricultural Extension Policy.
This milestone event took place at the ongoing 6th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week, where delegates from across Africa gathered to discuss crucial issues in the agricultural sector.
The theme of the conference, “Harnessing Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services in Scaling Regenerative Agriculture and Nature-Based Solutions for Food System Transformation in Africa,” aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s renewed hope agenda, emphasizing the importance of agricultural extension services in achieving sustainable agricultural practices and food security.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Hon. Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, highlighted the primary focus of the Harmonized Extension Manual, which is to effectively disseminate and deploy agricultural innovations and technologies to end-users using appropriate extension methods.
This initiative is expected to benefit extension administrators, Subject Matter Specialists, Extension Agents, and farmers throughout the agricultural value chains.
The National Agricultural Extension Policy aims to provide a pragmatic, effective, and efficient demand-driven, pluralistic, ICT-enabled, and market-oriented extension service to all stakeholders, including youths, women, and individuals with special needs.
This policy seeks to optimize resources and promote sustainable agriculture and socio-economic development in Nigeria. Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving food security, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The government’s goal is to develop the agricultural sector to align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to zero hunger and improving agriculture and rural productivity. Nigeria’s current strategy is to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and reduce dependency on food imports.
The Minister expressed the government’s openness to suggestions that can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, and he hopes the conference will generate actionable solutions to the country’s agricultural challenges. Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi extended his appreciation to the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and development partners, including USAID, GIZ, IFPRI, and others, for their support in organizing this conference.
Their collective efforts culminated in the production of the Harmonized Extension Manual and the National Extension Policy Document, both of which were officially launched during the event.
The Minister concluded by declaring the Sixth Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week Conference open, wishing all participants a fruitful week-long deliberation as they work together to shape the future of agricultural extension services in Africa. This historic launch represents a significant step towards advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector and achieving food security.
Michelle Corzine, the USAID Nigeria Director, announced how the organization’s private-sector extension delivery model played a pivotal role in enabling Nigerian farmers to achieve a remarkable $1.2 billion in sales.
Ms. Corzine shared this remarkable success story at the ongoing Sixth Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week on Monday. The Nigerian agricultural extension service delivery system has long grappled with challenges in achieving food security and economic growth, primarily due to the significant extension agent-to-farmer gap.
Currently, the estimate stands at one extension agent for every 10,000 farmers, which severely limits the effectiveness of extension services, especially for smallholder farmers seeking to boost productivity.
To address this critical gap, USAID, in collaboration with its partners, implemented a private-sector extension delivery model. This innovative approach involved engaging nearly three hundred micro, small, and medium enterprises, which, in turn, provided extension messaging to more than six hundred thousand smallholder farmers.
The results were nothing short of extraordinary, as participating farmers realized an astounding $1.2 billion in sales due to the messaging and support they received from private sector extension services.
Notably, the private-sector delivery model also generated over five hundred job opportunities for the youth, contributing to economic growth and job creation in Nigeria. Over the past five years, USAID’s Feed the Future initiative, in partnership with the Nigerian government and the private sector, has worked tirelessly to enhance agricultural productivity, expand markets, bolster household resilience, and improve nutrition.
The commitment of the United States government, through USAID, to collaborate with the Nigerian government in catalyzing transformational shifts necessary for advancing agricultural development and stimulating economic growth is clear.
The success of the private-sector extension model demonstrates the potential for innovative solutions to bridge critical gaps in the agricultural sector, paving the way for a more prosperous and food-secure Nigeria.
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has once again demonstrated its steadfast commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards and complying with anti-corruption laws and regulations.
They proudly secured the top position in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) 2023 Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).
This remarkable achievement marks the second time that NDIC has achieved the prestigious first place, having previously been ranked first in the 2021 EICS.
The ICPC’s Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS) is an annual assessment tool designed to evaluate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria for their adherence to institutional ethics and integrity requirements.
The assessment covers key performance indicators in categories such as Management Culture and Structure, Financial Management Systems, and Administrative Systems.
In the 2023 EICS, which took place between March and July 2023 and involved 404 MDAs, the NDIC excelled with a score of 91.30%.
The EICS report underscores the ICPC’s commitment to reducing abuse of office and corruption by promoting ethics and integrity benchmarks within government agencies, contributing to more effective service delivery.
The NDIC’s consistent first-place ranking is a testament to their zero tolerance policy for corruption and their commitment to benchmarking operations with best practices.
In September this year, the Corporation earned 3 ISO Certifications after complying with requirements following a rigorous audit by MSECB, a leading international provider of Audit and Certification services.
These achievements are possible due to the Corporation’s effective and ethical operational procedures aimed at instilling transparency and accountability.
The NDIC’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) played a pivotal role in the process, collaborating closely with the ICPC.
This collaboration included sensitizing NDIC staff, enhancing internal controls to prevent fraudulent practices, and ensuring strict compliance with established policies and procedures by the Corporation’s management.
The NDIC’s outstanding performance in the 2023 ICPC Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard underscores its unwavering commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards and serving as a beacon of integrity within the Public Service.
The Corporation remains dedicated to ensuring the safety of deposits and contributing to the stability of the financial system.
Dr. Maryam Ogundepo, President/Founder, Achana Legacy Foundation
𝘖𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘦, 𝘒𝘰𝘨𝘪 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦 – 𝘕𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 3, 2023
Ahead of the Kogi State governorship election, an impactful empowerment and campaign event took place today in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, emphasizing the crucial role of women in politics and their active participation in shaping the future of the state. Dr. Maryam J. A. Ogundepo, President and Founder of the Achana Legacy Foundation, delivered an inspiring speech at this gathering, where women from the five local government areas in Kogi Central Zone were duly represented.
The event which held to empower women as well as campaign for Alhaji Ahmed Usman-Ododo, APC Kogi State Gubernatorial Candidate, and was well attended by distinguished stakeholders, including Hajiya Hassiat Ozavize Suleiman, Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Mineral Resources Development Agency, as well as State party stalwarts, leaders, and a diverse audience of women and men.
In her address, Dr. Maryam Ogundepo highlighted the significance of women’s involvement in politics and community development. She introduced the Achana Legacy Foundation, a non-profit organization, and the Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Diaspora Network (WEND Network). The foundation and the affiliated network are dedicated to supporting underprivileged women and youth by providing immediate resources and vocational training to enable self-sufficiency.
Dr. Ogundepo emphasized the need for women to actively participate in politics and introduced the “10 x 10 x 10 1,000 Women Entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Diaspora for Ododo Campaign.” This initiative’s primary goal is to empower women entrepreneurs and encourage their active participation in the upcoming Kogi State gubernatorial elections scheduled for November 11th, as well as in politics more broadly.
The empowerment initiative includes support for ten women from each local government area across various categories in its first cycle; ten women with established businesses will receive resources to enhance their ventures. New business owners will benefit from training in areas such as bakery and other vocational skills. Additionally, the initiative aims to promote financial responsibility by providing training to ten women in Point of Sale (POS) business and prompt business transactions in rural communities. Ultimately a total of 50 women were beneficiaries of cash injection for their varying trades and businesses.
The event was not limited to them alone, as over 400 other attendees received relief materials, including food items and fabrics. Expectant mothers were provided with prenatal vitamins to support healthy baby growth during pregnancy.
Dr. Maryam Ogundepo stressed the importance of ensuring diversity and inclusivity among beneficiaries. She expressed the foundation’s commitment to rolling out similar initiatives all across Kogi State to benefit a broad spectrum of the population.
The event serves as a launchpad for numerous strategies aimed at ensuring a successful women empowerment campaign. Other strategies include fundraising events and the creation of a robust database management system, among various online and offline content geared to drive engagement and support.
The Achana Legacy Foundation and WEND Network have established partnerships with multiple women groups in Nigeria and the Diaspora across different fields, including Mining, aviation, agribusiness, civil service, grassroots women, and market women associations, among others. These collaborations aim to create a lasting impact, supporting young men and women, as well as individuals with disabilities in society.
Dr. Maryam Ogundepo expressed confidence that, with the maximum support and encouragement of all stakeholders, this initiative will positively impact Alhaji Ahmed Usman-Ododo’s campaign and the lives of millions of women across Kogi State. She stated that the candidate would no doubt consolidate on the success of the incombent administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, and humbly invited all to join in the success of this endeavor for the betterment of the people and the state.
