NIGERIAN NOTCH

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has described the performance of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine as very efficient and impressive ahead of the 2023 general elections. Chairman, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this when he visited some polling units in Abuja yesterday to observe the mock accreditation ahead of the polls. The mock accreditation began at exactly 8.00 am. Early voters who came for the accreditation, spent less than two minutes to complete the process. Those who had challenges with fingerprints were easily captured, using facial. Polling unit officers further said that the BVAS machine works faster with facial capturing than finger capturing. The INEC chairman who went round Abuja Area Council said he is optimistic about the performance of the BVAS and that the goal of INEC during the ongoing mock accreditation is to ensure the machines are working optimally before the general elections.

The Nigerian banking public continues to face hardship in accessing their funds as cash scarcity persists while alternative channels have remained problematic at best. Some these platforms include internet banking, kiosks, mobile apps, Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Point of Sale (POS) and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).  Data from the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement Systems (NIBSS) suggest that transactions worth at least N30 trillion are performed monthly using electronic platforms. And at a time when these electronic transactions are expected to surge due to the the Naira redesign and the shortage of physical cash, the platforms for these services are collapsing. This as experts say the downtime experienced by many of the banking applications and alternative channels has shown the lack of adequate investment in technology by the operators in the Nigerian financial industry. The woes of the banking public were further compounded by failure of banks’ USSD platform...

~ As Fuel, cash scarcity, worsens  They gave the warning as Nigerians battle worsening scarcity of the redesigned Naira notes and high cost of petrol.  The youths alleged of a plot by some elements to scuttle the 2023 general elections and scuttle Nigeria’s democracy.  Across the country, the citizens face severe difficulty in having access to the new notes, just as a litre of petrol now goes for over N450. 00.  The development has thrown families into untold hardships, with the new notes now being sold.  In a statement on Friday by the National President of the Ohanaeze Youths, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he said the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, should take action before it is too late.  The youths warned that the EndSARS protest would be a child’s play compared to what may befall the nation in the next few days.  “How do we explain a situation where our poor parents can no longer feed their children? “How do we explain a situation where our sick relatives a...

Prominent personalities and outstanding institution in Obowo were honoured at Obiri Obowo by Arise Africa Network Organization during the Obowo Decides Live Debate which held at Obiri Obowo Otoko, Obowo LGA Imo State. Obowo Decides Live Debate was the first if it's kind in the history of Obowo Politics.  Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu (IKEOHA OBOWO) a highly successful business mogul and current Senatorial Candidate of People's Democratic Party Okigwe Zone Senatorial Zone ,Dcn Chuka Obaego , a successful real estate mogul, fiancial consultant and serial entrepreneur. Member Finance Committee LP PCC, National Convener New Nigeria Integrity Movement (NNIM) was presented with Excellence Award.  Hon Uzoma Egbukichi and Amb Vitus Echendu -a Human Rights Activist were also recognized for their outstanding contributions to humanity. Obowo Decides Live Debate which held on Sunday 29th January at Obiri Obowo Hall was indeed a huge success. According to the Publisher of Arise Africa and Chair...

Imo patriots forum strongly condemns the press conference held by one Ikenga Ikeagwuoha ugochinyere as distasteful, inciting and misleading. Having  followed the self serving press conference of Mr. Ikenga Ugochinyere with carefulness and interest. It will take a discerning mind to uncover the unmistakable mischief embedded therein. It is a pity of immense dimension that a fellow who is aspiring to represent an entire Federal Constituency could not find time to sympathise with the family of the Sole Administrator of his local Government who was murdered in cold in his house in Ideato.  ONE WOULD THINK THAT THE GRUESOME ORDEAL OF THE IDEATO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN HONOURABLE CHRISTIAN OHIZU WAS PREMIDATED FOR SATISFACTION OF REVENGE FOLLOWING THE ALLEGATIONS OF AN ATTACK ON IKENGA. How low can a so called aspiring or acclaimed leader go. Leadership should be made of sterner stuff and not this flight of fantasy and infantile razzmatazz. By the way, circumspection is the ...

  ....CD/HURIDE To Show Solidarity  Nigeria's general election in which the president and political office holders will be elected in February 2023 and March this year's general elections is under threat. Members of the Nigerian Police are allegedly threatening to boycott the all-important election following 6 months' arrears of salary owed them. A competent source close to us said the Federal Government and Police authority are owing Police officers from the rank of confirmed Inspector of Police about 6 months' arrears of salary. Consequently, the source said,   they have decided to embark on strike during the 2023 general election, although the Federal Government has been resisting their decision. But the CD/HURIDE, Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders'Foundation (HURIDE) and Campaign for Democracy (CD) South-East zone have condemned the six months' arrears of salary owed to the police officers and promised to join to support the officers until the...

  The Imo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has flagged off the free medical mission in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America. In his address at the Imo State Speacialist Hospital, Umuguma, Governor Uzodimma disclosed that the free medical mission is to support indigent Imo citizens with medical challenges.  The Governor commended the members of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America for their selfless services to Ndi Imo and the humanity at large.  Speaking earlier, the Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Success Prosper Ohayagha, disclosed the participation of Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri (FUTHO), Imo State Specialist Hospital Owerri, and Regents in the exercise. According to the commissioner, this is a way of helping indigent citizens and less privilege in the society by solving medical challenges free of charge with the Shared Prosperity Government of Senator Hope Uzodimma as "the total backbo...

Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR) has approved the appointments of Chief Ochiogu Ndubuisi as the President General of Ogbaru Relief Main Market. Also in the crucial appointment made on Saturday, January 28, Soludo also appointed Ikechukwu Paulinus Okeke as vice president; while Uchenna Obasi is the secretary general. Others include Bokuno Agu, Assistant Secretary; Uchenna Ndubuisi, Financial Secretary; Lawrence Ezeigbo, Treasurer; Chukwudi Obiora, P.R.O; Ekenedirichukwu Chinyeaka, 1st provost; Charles Anyaho, 2nd provost, and David Samson Chiedozie, 3rd provost. In a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, Sir Paul Nwosu, dated January 29, 2023, and made available to newsmen in Awka, Soludo urged those appointed into various positions in the market leadership to see their appointments as call to duty; and not to betray the confidence reposed in them by the state government. He urged them to pursue peace and good governance ...

The South East Zonal Organizing Secretary of the party, Dozie Ikedife (jnr), in an interactive session with journalists at his country home in Nnewi yesterday said that the APC members in the state are ready and prepared to meet with their Presidential candidate who will be visiting the state on the 31st of January 2023 on his ongoing national tour to state for the upcoming general election on the 25th of February 2023.  He said that preparations are on the top gear about the visit of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to Anambra, and that they are ready to give him a rousing welcome in Anambra.  Ikedife said that the APC standard bearer would enter Anambra enroute the Anambra International  Passengers and Cargo Airport, Umueri, in Anambra East LGA of the state; by 10am, where the leadership and supporters of APC in Anambra would be on ground to receive the presidential hopeful; after which Tinubu would drive straight to t...

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it is collaborating with the Nigeria Customs  Service to address the issue of cross border smuggling of petrol. NMDPRA reassured in a statement that there was sufficient  petrol of over 1.6 billion litres as at  January  26 both on land and marine. It said; “NNPC has additionally made firm commitment to supply more volume of PMS for the months ahead to guarantee national energy security and nationwide availability at government regulated price. “The current distribution hitch is heightened by activities of cross-border smugglers, who diverts PMS meant for Nigerian market to neighbouring countries where PMS prices are significantly higher than Nigeria’s regulated price. We are engaging and collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service to address this issue.” The statement read; “The price arbitrage between Nigeria and neighbouring countries has continued to grow due to inflation and th...