Author Archives: daudupress

By Emmanuel Daudu

The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of three senior Police officers over cases of misconduct and abuse of office. Nine other officers were reduced in rank including a Commissioner of Police.

According to Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, in a press release he signed on Sunday, July 9th 2023,
the Commission took these decisions at the continuation of its 21st Plenary Meeting which began at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja on Thursday July 6th 2023 and presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, CFR, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission who stood in for Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase CFR, retired Inspector General of Police.

Dr. Arase had welcomed Members during the Plenary via zoom and commended them for fastidiously  attending to Disciplinary matters.
He opined that this is in line with his promise not to do Anything that will impede the career progression of any Officer.

The Commission during the Meeting also approved the compulsory retirement of an Assistant Commissioner and  directed a refund of all entitlements wrongly paid to him.
It approved posthumous promotion of late Inspector Ifeanyi Oroke to the next rank of ASP 11 for acts of gallantry and reinstated one dismissed Inspector Augustina Oko to take effect from the date she was dismissed.
The Commission also approved the punishment of severe reprimand on 16 officers and reprimand for another 18. It directed that letters of warning should be given to two other Officers.
The Commission had earlier approved the appeal for adjustment on the date of promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police of ACP Woke Iheanyi Kingsley and reinstatement of CSP Anaele Samuel Onuoha in compliance with a Court judgment.

The 21st Plenary Meeting of the Commission reconvenes on Tuesday, July 11th 2023.

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The ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture (EPSAO) project is currently supporting the pilot In-Mission Training of Staff Officers deployed to the ECOWAS Peace Support Operations (PSOs) mission in the Gambia. The training which commenced on the 3rd of July will end on the 7th of July 2023 in Banjul, the Gambia.

The aim of the training is to strengthen the capacities of the deployed personnel in understanding of the framework in which they are operating in.

“In-Mission Training” specifically refers to capacity building activities undertaken after the deployment of members of the military, police, or civilian peacekeeping personnel to peace missions.

It is envisaged that the training will help such individuals to implement the right operational procedures equivalent to their respective roles in PSOs.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, the Resident Representative of the ECOWAS in the Gambia, Her Excellency Mrs. Miatta Lily French, who was represented by Mr. Claude Kondor, stated that ECOWAS has been at the forefront in the search of sustainable peace and security within its Member States.

“Without peace and security, development and economic integration of the entire region will be very difficult to achieve”, he stated.

Mr. Kondor revealed that various protocols have been articulated and adopted to address the numerous security challenges that transformed the ECOWAS region into an epicenter of warlords and conflict entrepreneurs – including the 1999 Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security; the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance of 2001; the 2008 ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework and other key documents.

He highlighted that the objectives and expected outcomes of the In-Mission training are appropriate in equipping staff officers to carry out the correct operational procedures relevant to their roles and to ensure that Operating Procedures of both ECOWAS Headquarters and the ECOWAS Standby Force (ESF) Mission Headquarters are harmonized, standardized, and documented to simplify information flow and provide sufficient access for staff officers.

This training is organised by the ECOWAS Commission, Koffi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and GIZ-EPSAO project, which is co- funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The main objective of the EPSAO Project is to support the ECOWAS Commission in its mandate to prevent and manage conflict & security threats in West Africa. EPSAO is co–funded by EU & the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation & Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ.

……..Top European University’s Management Sends Special Greetings To UNESCO Laureate, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, Advisor & Fellow of GEPEA University, Europe & Zambia

…The Chancellor & President, GEPEA University, Prof Dr. Rajaul Abedin Describes VC CUICI, USA  As A Great Mentor Inspirational Leader.

The Chancellor & President, Top European University, GEPEA University, Europe & Zambia, Prof Dr. Rajaul Abedin has congratulated   His Excellency Sir Bashiru Aremu, the Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc., USA with its teaching hospital located at Santa Cruz Province Argentina, Brazil   South America ,Spain, and other official partners  Constituents campuses in government regulated universities worldwide and online operation. 

The Vice Chancellor & President, GEPEA University, Prof Dr. Rajaul Abedin sent in his goodwill messages to celebrate with his Colleague, Prof. Aremu Bashiru as he marks his birthday anniversary celebration in grand-style.

The media learnt this today being Friday, July 7, 2023 in a press statement personally signed by the Chancellor of GEPEA University, Europe & Zambia, Prof Dr Rajaul Abedin  which was made available to a group of Journalists in Asaba Delta State capital by UNESCO Laureate’s Executive Assistant on Media Publicity and Communication Matters, Comrade Sir Bieni Victor Emenike as top European University, GEPEA sends special greetings, happy and prosperous birthday wishes to the VC CUICI, USA.

GEPEA University management in her Birthday message to UNESCO Laureate describes HRH Duke of Kingdom of Atlantis in Singapore, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, the University’s Advisor and Fellow Member of the Governing Board as a great mentor, inspiration teacher, an academia who has helped to place the Global Higher Educational & Research Institution on a global arena,  while wishing him long life, sound health and prosperity.

The Statement by the management of the Accredited Top European International Apex University For Higher Education & Research, Specializes awards, honors, recognition, trainings and certifications in  GEPEA University reads in parts: “H.E UNESCO Laureate, Professor & Advisor, FGEPEA, Europe & Zambia, Prof Sir Bashiru Aremu, Vice Chancellor, Crown University Int’l Chartered Inc, USA, happy birthday and my special prayers goes to almighty God for your long life, sound health and prosperity”.

“On the very special occasion of your life, how can we express our respect and admiration for you just in few words? You are not just a University Professor who has helped our University in many ways, you have been a mentor who helped us become the renowned University in the global arena that the governing body wanted to be”.

“There are no such words to describe you and your life learning guidance academia. You are the best inspirational teacher and advisor. Your every students had paved towards the success in their life.
With warmest Wishes & Regards. Chancellor & President, GEPEA University, Europe &  Zambia, Prof Dr Rajaul Abedin”.

Dr Salamatu Jidda-Fada, a Nigerian-born conservation scientist and educator who on Wednesday, July 12, 2923 will be awarded Honourary Doctorate in Science ( DSc), in Education by the Bangor University, Wales alongside ten other prominent personalties in the United Kingdom.

She was a research fellow at the Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, and visiting researcher in the School of Natural Sciences at Bangor University. Still based in Bangor, Salamatu works as a conservation consultant in promoting a greener Wales and is active in promoting environmental awareness amongst ethnic minority communities and the wider Welsh society. Stemming from her work as founder of the North Wales Africa Society, Salamatu contributed to the Welsh Government Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Group as a member and is the Vice Chair for Adult Learning Wales. She is also an advisory member of the RSPB Cymru and is the first black person to be elected as a Councillor for Bangor City Council.

According to a media report dated July 4, 2023, Bangor University will award honorary degrees this summer to 11 individuals from the worlds of science, law, sport, the arts and popular culture for their contribution to public life.

Graduations will take place in the University’s historic Main Building from Monday 10 to Friday 14 July. Working closely with the Student Union, the University has ensured a seamless graduation experience for our students, enabling timely completion of their degrees with accurate degree classifications despite the challenges brought on by a UK-wide marking boycott.

Other graduands for the honourary award are:

Steve Backshall MBE is one of television’s best-known wildlife presenters, naturalists, writers, and adventurers. He is an honorary lecturer at Bangor University where he teaches students about conservation, zoology and the wildlife filming industry. Steve’s lectures are among the most popular with plans afoot for live feeds from Steve’s filming locations and field trips.

Dr Tina Barsby OBE is a Bangor alumna and plant geneticist renowned for her scientific achievements and experience in the agricultural crop sector. She is the CEO of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany and the first female Chief Executive in the Institute’s 90-year history. An Agricultural Botany graduate from Bangor University, she was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year Honours List for services to agricultural science and biotechnology.

Richard Broyd OBE is a businessman,

conservationist, and philanthropist. Recognising the plight of beautiful country houses facing ruin, he founded Historic House Hotels. His first purchase was 17th century Bodysgallen Hall in Llandudno which ignited a passion for Wales. Richard donated the entire company and its assets to the National Trust, the largest single gift ever received by the charity. He maintains strong ties with North Wales and is an ardent supporter of Welsh charities, notably the Ffestiniog Railway and the reconstruction of the Welsh Highland Railway.

Dr Pauline Cutting OBE, a veteran war-zone surgeon, has lived in North Wales for the last 40 years. In the mid-1980s, she was a volunteer surgeon with Medical Aid for Palestine. At the Bourj al Bourajneh refugee camp, she fought to save lives amid constant bombardment. Dr Cutting was isolated from the world but eventually communicated the situation to journalists through a makeshift radio antenna. Her pledge ‘to live or die’ with those in the camp, reverberated around the world. Although retired, she still works one day a week as an emergency physician at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s A&E department where she was the hospital’s first consultant in emergency medicine.

Professor Iwan Davies was Vice-Chancellor of Bangor University from 2019 – 2022. He steered the University through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among his significant achievements was the announcement of an independent North Wales Medical School supported by Welsh Government. He is a leading authority on international commercial law with a particular interest in asset finance, IP and personal property law. A graduate of Aberystwyth, Cambridge, and Cardiff Universities, he is also a barrister, having been invited and called to the Bar for distinguished legal academic scholarship.

Gwyn Evans is former conductor of Beaumaris Brass Band. He has taught thousands of children in the surrounding area to play brass instruments for more than 25 years. He has led the Beaumaris Band to success in top British competitions, at the same time raising the quality and skills of young people whilst motivating them to take an interest in brass bands. In writing and adapting musical arrangements for the Beaumaris Band Gwyn is always keen to promote Welshness and Welsh musical culture and has taken it around the world.

Dafydd Iwan is a Welsh singer and nationalist politician who rose to fame writing and performing Welsh language folk music and ballads. From 2003-2010 he was the president of Plaid Cymru.

Dafydd is the Football Association of Wales’ cultural ambassador and led the singing of the official campaign song Yma o Hyd to support the national team at the World Cup in 2022 and to raise the profile of Wales and the Welsh language.

Dr Salamatu Jidda-Fada is a Nigerian-born conservation scientist and educator. She was a research fellow at the Centre for Evidence-Based Conservation, and visiting researcher in the School of Natural Sciences at Bangor University. Still based in Bangor, Salamatu works as a conservation consultant in promoting a greener Wales and is active in promoting environmental awareness amongst ethnic minority communities and the wider Welsh society. Stemming from her work as founder of the North Wales Africa Society, Salamatu contributed to the Welsh Government Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Group as a member and is the Vice Chair for Adult Learning Wales. She is also an advisory member of the RSPB Cymru and is the first black person to be elected as a Councillor for Bangor City Council.

Caradog ‘Crag’ Jones was the first Welshman to reach the summit of Everest in May 1995 at the age of 33. He graduated with a BSc Marine Biology & Oceanography degree from Bangor University in 1982. Following his successful climb, he gained popularity by hosting television programmes for young climbers and supporting Welsh climbing and walking groups. Currently working as a fisheries consultant, Crag continues to pursue climbing and expeditioning and has also taken up downhill mountain bike racing.

Dr Dafydd Owen led the multidisciplinary preclinical team that discovered PAXLOVID, the first FDA-approved oral treatment for Covid-19. He has 25 years of experience as a medicinal chemist in the design and synthesis of drug-like molecules at Pfizer Research & Development in the UK and US.

Emeritus Professor Gareth Ffowc Roberts, is a former Pro-Chancellor of Bangor University and a former member of its Council. A Mathematics graduate from Oxford University, Gareth worked extensively in education in Wales before becoming Principal of Coleg Normal, Bangor. After the college merged with the University of Wales, Bangor, Gareth became a Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Education. He played a key role in establishing the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol and oversaw Welsh medium provision at the University.

Bangor University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke, commented,

‘”Graduation ceremonies are the highlight of the academic year, celebrating the achievements and hard work of our students. We are really delighted to award honorary degrees to individuals who have made highly valued contributions to public life and who serve to inspire today’s young graduates as they embark on their careers.”

Source: Bangor News, Bangor University

By Immaculate Ayawa Aseva

Domak Group International has stated that it is passionate about developing a Community-Based Ecosystem of entrepreneurs across Africa pointing out that it would be training at list 25000 young men and women to help boost the economy of Nigeria  and Africa at large stressing further that it would be empowering a 100 youths with a million naira each.

This which was made known to journalists in Abuja on Thursday by the Chairman, Domak Group Int’l, His Excellency, Amb. Dr. Kingsley Azonobi during the Domak Entrepreneurship Sumit 2023 Global Press Conference, held at the National Merit House,  Maitama, Abuja-Nigeria was aimed at creating awareness ahead of the submit.

The event scheduled for 1-2 August, 2023 with the theme: “Impacting Africa Through Entrepreneurship Development”, seeks to address the issues bordering on self-employment, helping start-ups and small business owners.
“The goal is to establish and develop the mindset of all the young people that are willing to shape their future with their hands. The summit will focus on helping young people with the ability to work easily on their own pace, scheduled, and location”, he added.

Also speaking at the press conference, NANS’s  President, Umar Usman said the national students’ body has ventured into partnership with Domak Group in order to create a lifeline for students, both during their academic years and graduation.

Usman noted that the Senate of the Association would pass a resolution, mandating the Students Union Government of all Higher Institutions of learning to key into the scheme.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Domak Entrepreneurship, Dr. Hillary Emoh has also expressed optimism  in the dream of the convener and what he intends to achieve for the Nigerian student via the Summit.
“I am a part of it, I am in the planning and organizing team, and I am also working behind the scene to ensure that we have a hitch-free event. The packages the Summit is bringing is of immense economic and social value, and such whose effect would last a lifetime. I enjoin all students in Nigeria to with any doubt or reservation key into this program by registering for the Summit and fully participating in it”.

The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has submitted a list of 427 lawyers across the country who have volunteered to render pro-bono services to the Commission

Speaking on investigation on the Conduct of some of its official, the INEC Chairman disclosed that the Nigeria Police has concluded its investigation on the conduct of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State and submitted the case file to the Commission. “Appropriate action will be taken in a matter of days and Nigerians will be fully informed”.

 He said: “We are presently looking at all the evidence of infractions during the election, including the prosecution of offenders. We are looking at the activities of all actors involved in the election, including some of our high-ranking officials.

Prof. Yakubu also confirmed that the Commission has received 215 case files from the Nigeria Police following their arrest and the conclusion of investigation into electoral offences arising from the 2023 General Election. He said “We are working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prosecute the alleged offenders.    

“They are not charging legal fees but by mutual agreement the Commission will provide a token amount to cover for filing fees/expenses. We are most grateful to NBA and its President, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, for this historic collaboration. Similarly, we are working with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) on the prosecution of cases relating to vote buying and associated violations”, he said.

Speaking on the Conduct of RECs and the Conduct of Future elections, the INEC Chairman noted that the work of the Commission is enormous, and urged Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to remain loyal to their oath of office.

Addressing the RECs, he said “we are commencing these debriefings with you because you are central to the conduct of elections. Many of you performed very well during the general election under extremely challenging circumstances. I commend you for that. However, a few of you did not properly manage the tasks lawfully bestowed upon you for which the Commission has taken some administrative action”

Commenting on the elections ahead, the INEC Chairman said, “as Resident Electoral Commissioners, you are no doubt aware, that there is no election season in Nigeria any longer. Numerous off-cycle and bye-elections are held throughout the period between one general election and another”.

He continued: “We are already confronted with four bye-elections as a result of resignation in the case of Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State and death in respect of Jalingo/Yorro/Zing Federal Constituency of Taraba State, Chibok State Constituency of Borno State and Chikun State Constituency of Kaduna State.

“Furthermore, the Commission is preparing for three off-cycle Governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States, which are scheduled for 11th November 2023. We have already published the final list of candidates for the elections, and campaign in public officially commenced on 14th June 2023. The Commission will soon commence the regular stakeholder engagements ahead of the elections”, the INEC Chairman added.

While making broad remarks about the 2023 General Election, the INEC Chairman, maintained that in order to learn the full lessons from the 2023 General Election, it is important to view the entire process before, during and after the election to make an informed assessment.

He argued that compared to some previous elections, the Commission believes that the 2023 General Election was one of the most meticulously prepared for in recent times.

According to him, “Learning from previous experiences, we started preparations immediately after the 2019 General Election, carefully ticking the necessary boxes over a four-year period. It is the need to learn from both the positives and the shortcomings that makes the stocktaking that we are embarking on today essential”.

Prof. Yakubu highlighted some of the positive takeaways from the recent General Election. He said “Among the positive stories is that the security challenge which threatened to derail the elections did not materialise. Concerns that the polls will be disrupted by the perennial insecurity across the country fizzled out on Election Day as the elections were largely peaceful”.

The Chairman noted that, “Despite currency and fuel challenges and widespread attacks on our personnel and facilities nationwide, the Commission proceeded with the election as scheduled. The first set of elections, the Presidential and National Assembly, held as planned for the first time in the last four General Elections conducted in the country. Accreditation of voters using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) has generally been scored very high by voters”.

According to him, “Our records show that the success rate for BVAS accreditation stands at 98% compared to the Smart Card Reader’s 29.2% during the 2019 General Election”.

The INEC Chairman further argued that despite the divergent opinions about the outcome of the election, the overall outlook suggests that it is a fair reflection of a complex multi-party democracy. He said “we wish to remind Nigerians that elections were held for a total of 1,491 constituencies made up of one Presidential, 28 Governorship, 109 Senatorial, 360 Federal Constituencies and 993 State Assembly seats. Our record shows that these elections have produced the most diverse outcomes ever recorded since 1999”.

He said: “Today, five political parties produced State Governors, seven parties won Senatorial seats, eight are represented in the House of Representatives and nine in State Houses of Assembly. Clearly, the 10th National Assembly is certainly the most diverse in party representation since 1999. In some States around the country, different political parties controlled the legislative and executive arms of Government”, he added.

 “What is clear from these records also is that the days of single party dominance of our national politics are probably gone. Furthermore, many prominent candidates lost in the constituencies they contested, and political parties lost in some of their presumed strongholds”, the INEC Chairman said.

On challenges of the General Election, Prof. Yakubu acknowledged that there were some challenges which according to him were “structural, infrastructural and human in nature”.

“Indeed, it is in furtherance of our determination to address the challenges as we prepare for future elections that the Commission is commencing its post-election review engagements today,” he added.