#The Atiku Institute for Development

[coochiequeens]

Ladies, please spread the word about this or reblog with other grant opportunities for women.

Deadline: 12-Apr-25

The Atiku Institute for Development is accepting applications for the Small Grants to support Women and Youth-Led Organizations.

The Next Funding Cycles are going to start soon! Don't you want to know them?

This initiative recognizes the role of Women-ted and Youth-led Organizations (WLOs S YLOS) in promoting gender equality, advocating for women’s rights, and addressing issues that disproportionately affect women and girls.

These organizations are instrumental in amplifying women’s voices and driving social economic, and political change. UNFPA the United Nations Population Fund, supports Women led and Youth led organizations through technical support and guidance for effective service delivery, accountability to affected populations, organizational management and sustainable development.

As part of its commitment to the Call-to-Action roadmap, UNFPA in partnership with the American University of Nigeria (AUN) and with funding from the Norwegian Government, is supporting WLOs 5 YLOS with micro-grants to enhance their capacity to respond to GBV In emergencies, including Initiatives in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRHI, livelihood and protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

This call for applications aims to extend small grants to 72 eligible and successful WLOs B YLOS across the BAY (Borne Adamawa and Yobo) states to support them to articulate and deliver capacity-building actions at community level prevention and response to GBViE, initiatives in SRHIE.

Target Organizations 

Women-led and Youth-led Organisations in Borno, Adamawa, and YOBE States

Eligibility Criteria 

You can only apply for one envelop:

Proposals most address thematic areas: GBViE, SRHIE, and Youth and Women empowerment.

Organizations must be women-led with more women in the board or organizational leadership positions.

Organizations must be youth-led, with at least 70% youth membership and staff.

Organizations must have a valid accounting system with separation of powers.

Organizations must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and provide verifiable copies of certificates with RC numbers.

Organizations shall provide photo evidence of their previous engagement Is) for the past 2 years.

Proposals that ensure disability inclusion and address “Leaving No one behind” are encouraged.

Proposal most seek to integrate Peacebuilding f, environmental protection programmes

For more information, visit Atiku Institute for Development.

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Gov. Fintiri Creates New Emirates and Chiefdoms, Curbs Atiku’s Influence

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has announced the creation of seven new chiefdoms and emirates in the state. This development is expected to not only reposition the traditional institution but also whittle down the influence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The new chiefdoms and emirates, announced during a statewide broadcast on Monday, include the Huba Chiefdom with its…

[akeliciousmedia]

Atiku Abubakar Arrives Yola for AUN Founders' Day Lecture

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar arrived in Yola, Adamawa State, this afternoon to attend the Founders’ Day lecture at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). The event focuses on advancing discussions around education and community development, areas Atiku has championed as the founder of the institution. His participation highlights his continued commitment to fostering progress in…

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By • Olalekan Fagbade Chicago University: Foreign Affairs Minister reacts to President Tinubu’s certificate saga The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has described the controversy surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s academic records from the Chicago State University (CSU) as mere distractions. It will be recalled that the University had on Monday released the academic records of President Tinubu to the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, following the order the US District Court in Northern Illinois. Atiku had approached the court seeking an order to compel the University to release the academic records of the president to him as they would boost his suit at the Supreme Court, where he has instituted a case to challenge Tinubu’s election in the February 25 poll. And in compliance with the court ruling, the CSU gave the Atiku's legal team a cache of documents connected to Tinubu’s education at the institution and copies of certificates with redacted names issued to other persons about the same time the Nigerian president finished from the school in 1979. However, reports emerged that the certificate the president obtained from the CSU was different from the one submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, prior to the election. Reacting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was featured on Channels Television on Wednesday, said the government is unbordered. He referred to the allegations as mere “frivolous issues” aimed at distracting the administration of Bola Tinubu. “There is a tendency to always try to distract people on such frivolous issues as opposed to facing the major issues of development. We don’t have time to waste on that. “Nobody is wasting time about certificate qualification for somebody who has been a governor of a state, served two terms, and has been on the national stage as a politician. “You remember that (former) President Buhari had to go through the same thing, where people were actually questioning whether he went to secondary school or not. Someone who had classmates and was the captain? He was a head boy,” he said.

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2023 Elections: INEC budgets N3bn to fight electoral cases

The Independent National Electoral Commission has budgeted over N3bn to defend the results of the February 25 presidential and national assembly election and the March 18 governorship and state assembly polls. The PUNCH reports that several candidates who lost in the elections have filed petitions at the presidential and state election petition tribunals to challenge the outcome of the polls. So far, over 100 election petitions have been filed by aggrieved candidates and their parties across the country. The presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; the Labour Party, Peter Obi; the Action Alliance, Solomon Okangbuan; Allied People’s Movement, Chichi Ojei, have also filed petitions for the nullification of the presidential election results. INEC had on March 1 declared the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, as the winner of the February 25 presidential election, but the five candidates filed petitions seeking the nullification of the poll. Also, election petition tribunals in over 12 states have equally received petitions from National Assembly candidates who are not satisfied with the results of the just concluded elections. The states where the petitions had been received included Edo, Plateau, Ondo, Kwara, Ogun, Bayelsa, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Bauchi, Lagos and Niger states. Some aggrieved candidates had protested in Ogun and Nasarawa states, vowing to challenge the results of the elections in court. Last November, the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu lamented that the commission was handling over 600 cases in several courts across the federation. Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for over 300 judges that would handle election disputes, he revealed that the cases pending against the electoral body relate to the conduct of primaries by political parties. However, INEC in its Election Project Plan for the 2023 general election earmarked N3b for the prosecution of election-related cases. The document which was obtained on Sunday read, in part, “Litigation and prosecution: N2,104,965,000 (2022) and #3,087,195,425 (2023). Total, N5,192,160,425.’’ Legal drafting The INEC election project plan also showed that the electoral umpire budgeted N886.2m for legal drafting and clearance in 2022 and 2023. The commission allocated N337.4m for legal drafting and clearance in 2022 while N548.7m was budgeted for the same item for this year. The PUNCH could not confirm the number of lawyers the electoral commission would engage to handle the numerous election petition cases lodged at the tribunals. The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi said he did not know the number of solicitors that would be employed by the commission when asked on Sunday. But the PDP and the All Progressives Grand Alliance have chided the commission over the amount budgeted for litigations, saying INEC must be above board. Speaking in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, urged the media to ‘rise and condemn the wastefulness of INEC.’’ He said, “Nigerians should ask INEC why they are spending so much to defend election cases. We have condemned the conduct of the 2023 general elections by INEC. The media should rise and condemn the wastefulness of INEC. “How can an institution that spent over N300bn for BVAS use another N3bn for litigations? The expectation was that there would be no crisis of credibility after the deployment of BVAS.” Similarly, APGA National Chairman, Mr Victor Oye expressed worry over the huge amount the commission proposed to spend on the defence of the election it conducted. “It is very worrisome. This shows that there are likely to be more election petitions in 2023 than we had in 2019 (election). It is not a good development because this huge amount could have been deployed for more developmental purposes. “If elections are generally acceptable as free, fair and credible; there would be no need for these numbers of cases. This calls for INEC to be more responsible in the discharge of its constitutional mandate,” Oye submitted. APC spokesman But the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Felix Morka, argued that there was nothing ‘extraordinary’ in INEC’s plan to defend itself against the plethora of election petitions and other lawsuits slammed against it. While shying from commenting on the budget involved, Morka maintained that it was within the right of INEC to defend the conduct and outcome of the elections. He said, “I don’t know anything about their finances or budget for the election petition litigation. But what I can say is that INEC is the electoral umpire, the agency charged with the duty to conduct elections for Nigeria. That duty extends to litigating or defending any lawsuit arising from that election. “It is their legal responsibility to respond to or defend any petition brought against it in the conduct of the election. The law prescribes INEC functions and gives the commission powers that it would exercise, even in this instance. “I don’t see anything extraordinary about INEC electing to defend the election or bring forth its response to the petitions that parties have brought. That is what we expect and we think INEC is well within its authority to respond to those lawsuits by candidates or parties.” The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, however, disagreed with the APC’s position on the issue. Abure stated that his party and candidates were not intimidated by INEC’s N3bn war chest, which he alleged would eventually end up in private pockets. According to him, the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and all their supporters are optimistic that the judiciary would do the right thing. He also vowed that LP would pursue its cause for justice to the Supreme Court to reclaim its mandate. He stated, “We are all Nigerians and we saw what played out in the last elections. For us, we are determined to pursue the course up to the Supreme Court. “Even though a lot of people don’t have confidence in the judiciary, I believe once in a while the judiciary can still do the right thing. But we will give them the benefit of the doubt. “We are very hopeful and we are sure that if there is a time the judiciary would do the right thing, it has to be from this case. This is because what transpired in the last elections is indeed a rape of democracy.’’ Continuing, Abure noted, “All the gains of the evolution of democracy since 2015 when the then president Goodluck Jonathan conceded, all the amendments we have made to the Electoral Act and other achievements in the electoral process have been eroded and the country took back to the 2007 era. “This is a period where elections are openly rigged and security operatives won’t do anything, a situation where ballot boxes are snatched, voters are suppressed and where hate speech reigns. It is ridiculous to witness all these in the 21st century.” LP chair The LP chair reiterated that it was bad enough that the electoral umpire has several bad cases hence his belief that no amount of budget can stop Obi from reclaiming his mandate. He said, “If INEC had done the right thing, APC and PDP would have been a thing of the past by now. We are not intimidated by whatever money they are planning to use. But of course, we know they won’t spend the N3b on litigation. “That money will find its way into people’s pockets. We know the lawyers in INEC take their salaries from the Federal Government. Any legal process that the commission is filing is always free. So where do they plan to spend the N3b? It is another way to steal money. That is the truth of the matter. “What INEC has on its hands now are bad cases. No matter the grammar or what they write, it would amount to nothing. It is obvious on election days that the BVAS didn’t work that day. Were we able to transmit the election results from polling units? How exactly are they going to justify the report that their server shut down amid rigging in court?” However, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, expressed concern that INEC’s budget may not be enough to settle its legal fees because the commission was a party to all the election petitions filed by the candidates and their parties across the country. He said, “You know we have the best Electoral Act, but we didn’t change our attitude. So that’s why you see every contestant will challenge the election. And where everybody challenges the election, INEC must be a party. “So I wonder whether that amount will even be able to defend all the election petitions that will be filed all over the country. If they truly want to pay lawyers, I don’t know how that fund will be able to take care of litigation, witnesses, and other logistics.” Another senior lawyer, Afam Osigwe, on his part, stated that INEC was bound by law to defend its conducted elections, adding that the sufficiency or otherwise of the budgeted funds could not be debated. “What I’m saying is that INEC is by law to defend elections conducted by it. And in doing that, they will foot the expense of filing processes, foot travel expenses of their staff, and then the professional fees of private legal practitioners who may be engaged to defend them in those matters. “So, I will not be able to comment on the sufficiency or otherwise of the amount or to suggest that the amount is too much or too small. It may well not be enough, or they may well not utilise all of it. But court matters entail a lot of costs.” Read the full article

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6195Khz 0458 1 MAR 2023 - BBC (UNITED KINGDOM) in ENGLISH from WOOFFERTON. SINPO = 55323. English, s/on @0458z w/Bow Bells int. then ID@0459z pips and newsday preview. @0501z World News anchored by Neil Nunes. Two trains have collided in northern Greece with the loss of at least 32 lives and dozens of people injured, emergency services say. Rescuers have been working through the night to try to free passengers who were on one of the trains when it crashed near the city of Larissa. The train said to be carrying some 350 passengers hit a freight train. Ruling party candidate Bola Tinubu has been declared the winner of Nigeria's disputed presidential election. The 70-year-old veteran politician got 36% of the vote, official results show. His main rival Atiku Abubakar polled 29%, and Labour's Peter Obi 25%. Their parties had earlier dismissed the poll as a sham, and demanded a rerun. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he will not allow France to become "the ideal scapegoat" in Africa, in a speech ahead of a trip to the continent from Wednesday. Some African countries have criticised France for failing to curb Islamist militancy in the Sahel region in particular. He will travel to Gabon, Angola, République of Congo and Democratic Republic of Congo. Three journalists from Egypt's most prominent independent news outlet, Mada Masr, have been referred to trial on charges of offending members of parliament from a pro-government party and misusing media channels. Rescuers recovered four more bodies, a day after a wooden sailboat carrying "migrants" (quotes are Rodney's, as they are obviously refugees) to Europe smashed onto rocks in stormy weather off southern Italy, bringing the death toll to 63, including at least 14 children. Tuesday marks another critical moment for US President Joe Biden's one-time student loan forgiveness plan. The Supreme Court is reconvening to hear two cases related to the programme, which could determine whether more than 40 million people in the US are able to have thousands of dollars in debt cancelled. Artificial intelligence (AI) can pick donor organs for transplant with much greater accuracy than humans, British researchers have said as they develop a new technology. Experts have secured more than £1 million in funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for a project that uses AI to increase the number of organs available for transplant. At the moment, surgeons must examine donor organs and assess whether they think they are good enough quality to be suitable for transplanting into patients. @0506z "Newsday" begins. MLA 30 amplified loop (powered w/8 AA rechargeable batteries ~10.8vdc), Etón e1XM. 200kW, beamAz 160°, bearing 47°. Received at Plymouth, United States, 6312KM from transmitter at Woofferton. Local time: 2258.

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CAN meets Tinubu, Atiku, Obi

CAN meets Tinubu, Atiku, Obi

The President, Christian Association of Nigeria, His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, says the country is facing a crisis of development and governance. He blamed the challenges on what he described as the “incoherent constitutional and institutional framework” of the country. The CAN President stated this during the first leg of an interactive session with 2023 presidential candidates organised…

[ladans-posts]

A look at some of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's official activities for the month of March

2nd March

VP Osinbajo presided over the Federal Executive Council at the Council Chambers in the Statehouse, Abuja.

It was announced after the meeting that President Buhari had approved the sum of $8.5 million for the evacuation of Nigerians stranded as a result of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

3rd March

Commissioned the Bankers House of the Chartered Bankers Institute in Abuja.

• Engaged with the cohorts of AIG-BSG Public Leadership Programs in the Statehouse, Abuja.

5th March

Paid a courtesy visit to the Olu of Warri HRM Ògíamẹ̀ Atúwàtse III at his palace in Warri, Delta State.

7th March

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo chaired the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return & Resettlement of Displaced Persons in the North East at the Statehouse Abuja.

It had in attendance the committee's Vice Chairman Prof. Babagana Zullum, other members, including the representatives of the North-East Development Commission and the National Commission for Refugees, Migration & Internally Displaced Persons.

8th March

Delivered remarks at the Coalition of Women’s National Summit in honor of International Women’s Day.

"Nigeria has almost an equal number of men and women, if we do not intentionally educate women it means we are not educating half of our population. There is no way we can get out of poverty if half of our population is uneducated".

9th March

Presided over the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Statehouse, Abuja.

10th March

Gave remarks at the Bible Society of Nigeria Christian Summit in Lagos State alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo as the guest of Honor and Father of the day.

11th March

Attended the coronation ceremony and

presentation of Staff of Office to the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland HIM Oba Dr. Moshood Olalekan Ishola Balogun Alli Okunmade II. Olubadan of Ibadanland in Oyo State.

ln attendance alongside the Vice President were the Governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, Sultan of Sokoto, Alaafin of Oyo, Ooni of Ife, amongst other dignitaries.

14th March

Presided over the PEBEC Meeting at the Statehouse, Abuja.

• Received in audience the leadership of the West African Examination Council Africa led by Hajiya Binta Abubakar (Chief Government Nominee) at the Statehouse, Abuja.

• Received in audience the DG National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development Agency (NIPIRD) Dr. Obi Adigwe and his delegation at the Statehouse, Abuja.

15th March

Received in audience the DG and Executive Officials of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission at the Statehouse, Abuja.

• On behalf of President Buhari declared open the 70th Annual Meeting of WAEC at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

16th March

Officially launched the Lancet Commission at the Frazier Suites, Abuja.

• Presided over the Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Statehouse, Abuja.

17th March

Received in audience a special envoy on road safety from the United Nations Secretary General led by Mr. Jean Todt at the Statehouse, Abuja.

18th March

Attended the Wedding Fatiha of Dr. Abdullahi Lawal Kazaure and Dr. Zulaiha Hassan Nasiha and commissioned projects constructed by the Zamfara State Government led by Governor Mattawale in Tudun Wada, Gusau, Zamfara State.

• Along with Governor Mattawale & Chief of Staff Prof. Gambari met with First Class Emirs in Zamfara State.

• Attended the Turbaning of legal luminary Dr. Alimi as Mutawali of Ilorin by the Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari at the Emir's Palace, Ilorin.

21st March

• Commissioned the Toyota Service Centre in Oshodi, Lagos State.

• VP Osinbajo and wife Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo attended the North East Children's Learning Centre's 5th Year Anniversary at the NAF Centre in Jabi, Abuja.

22nd March

Joined President Buhari in a meeting with the Progressive Governors Forum at the Statehouse, Abuja.

[9jabreed]

How Atiku Helped To Become AfDB President – Adesina

How Atiku Helped To Become AfDB President – Adesina

President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has revealed how former Vice President Atiku Abubakar helped him to emerge as the head of the continental finance institution. Recall that Adesina was elected as the eighth elected AfDB president on May 28, 2015, and then re-elected in August 2020. Speaking at the 12th commencement ceremony of American University of Nigeria…

[freelanews-blog]

Accept your loss and move on – Guru Maharaji to Atiku

Guru Maharaj Ji, a Nigerian Spiritual Leader, has advised Atiku Abubakar of the PDP against filing an appeal at the Supreme court, to upturn the Judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal upholding Muhammadu Buhari as the duly elected President of Nigeria. Guru Maharaj ji gave this advice to Atiku in a Press Conference which held at his Spiritual Centre in Lagos. The Spiritual Leader urged Atiku Abubakar to congratulate President Buhari and move on in good faith. There is need to inform all contestants not to institute any further appeal in the Supreme Court. Rather they should congratulate and give support to Mr. President to allow him proceed in earnest to tackle matters of State which require urgent attention” “I would like to also congratulate all present for cooperating with me to disgrace the enemies of the people who predicted that there would be war in Nigeria before, if not during and or after the just ended general elections. “I singularly led the team to advise the blacks in the Diaspora right from the word not to vote for any other contestants other than President Buhari because we do not need any egregious leader who would wire, transform and steal all your wealth for developing Middle Eastern and European countries, as discovered during the first term of Mr. President.” “I am therefore congratulating the Judges in the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal for a job well done to confirm that the elections of President Buhari was fair, free and conducted in an atmosphere of peace. “This was given credence by all the local and foreign observers” “I would like through this medium, to allay the fears of the other members of the opposition groups who have been fingered for diverting moneys meant for public utilities for private use, not to be afraid.” Guru Maharaj ji said. The Spiritual Leader admonished all corrupt Politicians to surrender their loot to the government else they would be prosecuted by the law. “All they need do is to come out one by one to confess and handover what is left of how much they stole and they would be given soft landing, otherwise, they should be prepared for the worst should they wait to be caught unawares. IBB and Abdulsalam Coup cannot happen at this time”, he said. Read the full article

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181 million people benefit from AfDB as Buhari backs Adesina for re-election as AfDB President

Between 2015 and 2019, 181 million Africans have directly benefitted from Africa Development Bank (AfDB) investments in the continent, says Akinwunmi Adesina, the President of the continental body. Adesina revealed that of the 181 million Africans, the bank connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security. “In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security. “We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation,” he said. Akinwunmi, while speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday, appreciated Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank. According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in me. “When asked by former President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Minister of Agriculture, it was duty calling me to the land of my birth. “I served Nigeria to the very best of my ability. I thank God that Nigeria’s agriculture sector witnessed a much-needed transformation at the time. `With the strong support of President Jonathan and the then President elect, Buhari, we campaigned very hard for the position of the President of the African Development Bank. “It was a Nigeria effort, as all hands were on deck. “This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, and of course my dear indefatigable sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who ran a spirited campaign for me. “By God’s grace, I was elected President of the African Development Bank on May 28, 2015, exactly 24 hours after my term of office as Minister ended. “The nation jubilated as I became the first-ever Nigerian to be elected President of the bank since its establishment in 1964. “Once again, Nigeria gave me air in my lungs. “At the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard. “I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen. “The African Development Bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally. “There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop. “Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing. “I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporter of my re-election,” Adesina said. President Muhammadu Buhari has nominated Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. Read the full article

[report47]

Buhari nominates Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as President of African Development Bank (AfDB)

President Buhari has nominated Akinwunmi Adesina for re-election as the President of African Development Bank (AfDB).   Akinwunmi, while speaking at an event in Lagos on Sunday, October 6th commended Buhari for nominating him for re-election for a second term as president of the bank. According to Adesina, Nigeria has invested so much in him. “When asked by former President Goodluck Jonathan to serve as Minister of Agriculture, it was duty calling me to the land of my birth. I served Nigeria to the very best of my ability. I thank God that Nigeria’s agriculture sector witnessed a much-needed transformation at the time. `With the strong support of President Jonathan and the then President elect, Buhari, we campaigned very hard for the position of the President of the African Development Bank. It was a Nigeria effort, as all hands were on deck. This included our former presidents and heads of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, and of course my dear indefatigable sister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who ran a spirited campaign for me. “By God’s grace, I was elected President of the African Development Bank on May 28, 2015, exactly 24 hours after my term of office as Minister ended. The nation jubilated as I became the first-ever Nigerian to be elected President of the bank since its establishment in 1964. Once again, Nigeria gave me air in my lungs. “At the African Development Bank, we have worked very hard. In my four years as President, we have connected 16 million people to electricity, provided 70 million people with improved agricultural technologies to achieve food security. We have also given nine million people access to finance from private sector companies, provided 55 million people with access to improved transport, and 31 million people with access to water and sanitation. “In all, 181 million people have directly benefitted from our investments. I am proud of all my staff and the Board of Directors whose hard work and relentless support have helped make this happen. The African Development Bank has continued to maintain its global AAA rating. Last year, the bank was rated the 4th most transparent institution globally. “There is still much to do. We have gone some way climbing the steep mountainside of Africa’s development, yet there is still much way to go until we reach the mountaintop. Nigeria again is giving me air in my lungs, to keep on climbing. I wish to immensely thank and appreciate President Buhari for nominating me for e-election for a second term as President of the African Development Bank and for being such a wonderful champion and supporte

Read the full article

[hardynwa]

Naira Scarcity: NGF tells Buhari to extend timeframe for policy implementation

The governors made their positions known in a statement signed by the Sokoto State Governor and Chairperson of the NGF, Aminu Tambuwal. The 36 state governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Tuesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the timeframe for the implementation of the Naira Redesign policy. The governors made their positions known in a statement signed by Sokoto State Governor and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal. In December 2022, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced new limits for cash withdrawal, specifically limiting daily withdrawals to N20,000 for individuals and N100,000 for corporate organisations. Similarly, the CBN announced the re-designing of the N200, N500 and N1000 and specified an implementation period of 45 days before shifting the deadline to 10 February. But since it introduced the policy, Nigerians have had difficulties accessing the new notes. The development has also worsened the hardship being faced by Nigerians, as there was an existing fuel scarcity crisis. These challenges have now led to protests and demonstrations in some parts of the country. The NGF, in its statement Tuesday, said that it does not doubt the good intention of the CBN to curb the excesses emanating from cash transactions and the imperative to migrate the country to digital financial services and cashless economy. “We note that this policy is intended to address the contradictions in our fiscal environment including the dysfunction that has resulted from large volumes of cash circulating outside the banking system, estimated at over 80%,” it said. “Understandably, the policy is designed to have been aimed at addressing the shortage of clean banknotes, the attendant negative perception of the CBN, the increased risk to financial stability and the threat of counterfeiting.” Atiku-Okowa AD However, the forum acknowledged the concern shown by experts and renowned institutions over the implementation of the policy as poor execution of the policy would hurt the economy and have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable. “Mr. President, a State by State analysis has shown that this policy will affect several intra State security arrangements which basically depend on cash transactions to ensure effective implementation,” the forum said. “Your Excellency, we also find the timing of these policies untenable. The new currency was unveiled between mid-December 2022 and January 2023, which essentially allows a 45-day window for implementation. “This period also coincides with the Christmas and new year festive season, which is traditionally a time of heightened commercial activity. The speed of implementation of the policy is a recipe for anarchy in the country and we urge a re-think of the policy.” Read the full article

[upshotre]

Bello promises Kogites Better Performance if given Second Term

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has promised to improve upon his present performance if given another term to serve the state as governor.     Bello, who made the promise on Thursday in Lokoja during a stakeholders meeting of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), also appealed to the people of the state not to lose hope in his administration.     According to him, the recent reconciliation of the two factions of the party in the state is also a pointer to a better tomorrow for the state.     Bello said his outstanding achievement was in the area of security where he said he was able to banish armed robbery, kidnapping and thuggery from the state.     “I confronted these ugly incidents headlong, and today the story has changed. ” We were able to institute infrastructure and integration of people into the administration that has been operating without sentiment.     He called on party members to remain committed and dedicated to its ideals, saying that this was the only way for it to emerge victorious in the coming governorship election. Two serving governors and a former governor attended the meeting where party members reiterated their preference for indirect primary to pick a candidate for the Nov. 16 governorship polls. The two serving governors in attendance were Alhaji Bagudu Atiku of Kebbi state and Alhaji Mala Bunni of Yobe State. The immediate past governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, was also present. Speaking in behalf of the visitors, Bagudu, who is also the Chairman of APC governors forum, commended members for their efforts which made President Muhammadu Buhari to win the presidential election in the state by a wide margin. He urged them to sustain their passion and love for the party, saying that they should ensure the victory of the party’s candidate in the Nov. 16 governorship election holding in the state. ” Gov. Yahaya Bello is a dynamic leader that the party is ever proud of. “He remains a gift of Providence that should be supported all the time ,” Bagudu said. The APC state Chairman, Alhaji Abdullai Bello, said that the party performed a rare feat in the last general elections when it won all the 25 seats in the state assembly. According to him, the party also won seven out of the nine House of Representatives positions and two out of the three senatorial seats available in the state. He commended members for making this possible, but warned against being carried away by the euphoria, as Bello must be returned for a second term in office to complete the good works he started in 2016. A former factional Chairman of the party, Mr Haddi Ametuo, said that the division in the party had been amicably resolved by Gov. Bello. According to him, the party is now one under the leadership of Abdulahi Bello as the state Chairman. He called on other aggrieved members to embrace the new development. Read the full article

[thisdaynews]

Presidential Election: Atiku reveals what he’ll do after tribunal’s verdict

New Post has been published on https://thebiafrastar.com/presidential-election-atiku-reveals-what-hell-do-after-tribunals-verdict/

Presidential Election: Atiku reveals what he’ll do after tribunal’s verdict

The presidential candidate of the PDP in the February 23, 2019, general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has said he will accept the verdict of the tribunal on his petition challenging the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the election.

Atiku, a former vice president, said he would not allow Nigeria to experience crisis or spilling of blood of innocent Nigerians for whatever reason, adding that he was more interested in institutional reforms that would enhance national development.

Speaking yesterday through Mr. Segun Showunmi, the Spokesman of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, at a media chat in Abuja, Atiku, expressed hope that the judicial officers would do what was expected of them by delivering judgement in line with their professional calling.

Showunmi explained that Atiku was not backed by foreign powers as being rumoured in some quarters, saying the Wazirin Adamawa would reclaim his “stolen mandate” at the court.

“We hope and pray that the cankerworm, nepotism, corruption and lack of integrity that has eaten deep into the fabrics of this society would be caught,” he said.

“We hope and pray that the cankerworm, nepotism, corruption and lack of integrity that has eaten deep into the fabrics of this society would be caught,” he said.

“But it’s up to the courts to demonstrate that they are immune. And I think this election tribunal will do its work. People want to know how it will go, and of course, we don’t have a choice, we will accept the verdict of history, we will accept the verdict of the court.

“However, there is no way you can edge it, Atiku is already the winner of the 2019 presidential election in the minds of the people.

For he is the leader of opposition now, Atiku is not going to be silenced with whatever the outcome will be,” he said.

[9jabreed]

Adesina reveals how Atiku contributed to his emergence as AfDB president

Adesina reveals how Atiku contributed to his emergence as AfDB president

President of the African Development Bank (AfFB), Akinwumi Adesina has stated that former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar contributed immensely to his emergence as head of the continental finance institution. This was stated by Adesina during his opening speech at the 12th commencement ceremony of American University of Nigeria (AUN), Adamawa state on Saturday. The AfDB president described Atiku…