Suspend NIN enforcement activities says Paradigm Initiative to NIMC - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The digital rights advocacy group, Paradigm Initiative has called for the immediate suspension of the enforcement of National Identification Number (NIN), as announced by the National Identity Management Commission, reports ITREALMS.

The NIMC, according to January 1st reports, has announced the commencement of the full enforcement of the use of the NIN by Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other bodies requiring the verification of individual’s identity in the country, such as security outfits, banks and other financial institutions. The commission also announced it was empowering other government agencies and private companies to collect citizens’ data on its behalf, a situation Paradigm Initiative finds disturbing.

According to Tope Ogundipe, Paradigm Initiative’s Director of Programs, “We have always been concerned about the ability of the Commission to ensure the protection of the data in their possession, in a country that has failed to put in place a data protection law. Full enforcement of NIN at this time could lead to denial of crucial services to millions of citizens who are not comfortable with sharing their data with the commission or its agents for good reasons.”

“While the harmonization of records and data might be a good step in the right direction for better accountability and statistical documentation in Nigeria, we consider the whole process premature at this time. There has to be a strong data protection law before citizens are forced to entrust their data to NIMC or other agencies of government,” Ogundipe added.

Weighing in on the issue, Paradigm Initiative’s Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan said, “Data protection is a core necessity in every society. It is a responsibility of the state and individuals alike to respect the privacy of citizens. Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees this unequivocally. There is no way that the right to a person’s privacy can truly be respected in the digital age without data protection laws, policies and mechanisms.”

The National Identity Management Commission is saddled with the mandate to establish, own, operate, maintain and manage the National Identity Database in Nigeria. The Commission ought to take data protection very seriously; including ensuring that before the execution of such a nation-wide database harmonization exercise, there is extant and comprehensive legislation on data protection.

Paradigm Initiative urges the NIMC to cease all activities regarding the mandatory registration and use of the National Identification Number (NIN) pending when the nation enacts a data protection law. We have been following the legislative process of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill (HB. 490) which contains comprehensive and internationally recognized provisions for data protection and we are confident that if the President assents to the Bill, the NIMC would have a sufficient data protection legislation to guide its activities.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Sanwo-Olu to boost healthcare for ‘Greater Lagos’ - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his readiness to boost healthcare delivery if elected, stressing his administration would dedicate a sizeable fraction of state budget to strengthen health services, reports ITREALMS.

The APC candidate spoke through his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, while receiving members of the Lagos chapter of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

The APC candidate revealed that his healthcare plan for the state, contained in his manifesto, was drafted not only to improve the quality of health service, but also to make it affordable to the populace. He said execution of his health programmes would be done in partnership with health professional bodies, including NANNM and Nigerian Medical Association.

Sanwo-Olu said the “overwhelming support” his candidacy enjoyed from Lagosians was based on people’s conviction in his manifesto, reiterating his readiness to serve the interest of all residents if elected.

He said: “We have a robust plan for the health sector in the state. Good health brings about productivity, which is a key element towards achieving our development blueprint to create greater Lagos for all. The wellbeing of the people is at the centre of our programmes and we must ensure health services get better.

“The responsibility before us is huge, but we know we will not achieve anything if we did not engage you. As a powerful stakeholder, we will engage you in the process of executing our plans to solve the challenges facing the health sector and making our hospital better.”

NANNMA chairman, Comrade Olurotimi Awojide, who led members of the association’s executive to the visit, described the APC candidate and his running mate as “perfect combination of brilliance and efficiency”, saying NANNM members had resolved to support their candidacy.

In a related development, a women support group, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat (BOSKOH), pledged to canvass support for the APC ticket in the grassroots.

Responding, Sanwo-Olu said his government would be fair to women, saying his aims to lead the state were rooted in his will to create a future the coming generation would be proud of.







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Pix: L-R: State PRO, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifery, Comrade Yetunde Ajose-Akano; All Progressives Congress Deputy Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Chairman, Lagos State Chapter, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwifery, Comrade Olurotimi Awojide; All Progressives Congress Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former President of the Association, Olufemi Tonade, during a solidarity visit by the Association to BOSMedia Office, Ikoyi Lagos……yesterday

Two books on Iba Gani Adams for launch in Lagos - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Plans have been concluded for the launch of two books on Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land in Lagos, Wednesday, reports ITREALMS.

According to the Secretary, Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Odifa Alfred in a press statement made available to ITREALMS, the books are in recognition of Gani’s outstanding contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria and promotion of Yoruba culture.

The books “Gani Adams: The 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land” and “Voice of Media, Voice of people” are set for public presentation by erudite scholars - Prof. Siyanbola Oyeweso of Osun State University and Prof. Akin Akinbode of University of Lagos and others, as part of activities to commemorate the first year anniversary of his installation.

He also said, the event would take place at the Banquet Hall, Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja on Wednesday, 9th January, 2019 by 10:00am.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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CIAL endorses Sanwo-Olu, demands special status for Lagos - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The umbrella body of all indigenes of Lagos, under the aegis of Committee of Indigenous Associations of Lagos State (CIAL), has set an agenda for the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reports ITREALMS.

CIAL, ITREALMS gathered expected that if Sanwo-Olu is elected in the next month’s general election, the APC candidate should restore the prestige of the state by pushing for a special status for Lagos. They also called for restoration of Lagos environment and incorporation of indigenes in the governance of the state.

At a consultative meeting held at the Awori House in Oregun, the association, which comprises leaders from all the five divisions of the state, endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu, with the agreement that he would get a special status for Lagos. They promised to stand behind the APC candidate in his effort to take the state to another level in development.

Describing the Awori, the indigenous Ikorodu, the Epe inhabitants as well as the people of Isale Eko extraction as “original stakeholders” in the Lagos project, Sanwo-Olu said his intention to govern the state was not to fulfil an agenda against any ethnic group making up the state. 

He said the meeting was necessary to listen to the concerns of the indigenes.

The APC candidate said his reason for running for the Lagos top seat was not for personal aggrandizement, but to deploy his three-decade of professional expertise spanning both public and private sectors to elevate the fortunes of the Lagos  for the benefit of residents and indigenes of the state.

He said: “Since I declared my intention to run for the governorship seat of our state, I have consulted widely with various interest groups and stakeholders in the Lagos project. I believe my consultation would not be complete  without meeting with the indigenes of the state. I’ve come to listen to your concerns as indigenes of Lagos.

“I am also a son of the soil. My lineage is a full-fledge Lagos. My father and grandfather are indigenes of Okepopo area of Lagos Island. In fact my great grandfather's house is still seating in Omididun in Lagos Island. My mother is of the Cole family of Lagos Island. I’m also married to a Lagosian, who has Brazilian and Yoruba ancestries. However, I am not seeking to become the governor of Okepopo or Lagos Island. I’m not fulfilling any agenda against any ethnic group whose people are part of indigenous people of Lagos. I will be the governor of all.”

Sanwo-Olu allayed the fears of the Awori indigenes of Lagos, noting that his government, if elected, would address all their grievances. 

Beyond the quality of his academic qualifications and professional experience, the APC candidate said the most valued credential he would bring to governance is his integrity. He promised not to betray the trust bestowed on him by the amalgamation of the indigenous Lagosians.

He said: “Integrity is my greatest qualification I am putting at stake in this race to govern Lagos. My five-point programmes contained in my manifesto are carefully designed to take Lagos to a new level of development. Everybody will be part of our government and no discriminatory agenda will be initiated against anyone, irrespective of ethnic group or status.”

Responding to some of the concerns raised by the Lagos indigenes, the APC candidate promised that his government would review the physical planning and environmental laws of the state, with the aim to restore sanity and improve the mega city status of the state.

He also said his administration would prioritise the provision of quality education that would be driven by technology. Under him, Sanwo-Olu said the state would revive its agriculture and improve transportation system.

On the much-talked about Agboyi-Ketu Bridge, Sanwo-Olu promised that it will be constructed and delivered by his administration if elected.

Sanwo-Olu dismissed the concern raised by Alhaja Aishatu Onitiri Kuye, that his choice of running mate was a discrimination against womenfolk. The APC candidate said he had always enjoyed working with women because of their efficiency and result-oriented, promising that women would be the driver of his government.

Prof Rasheed Ojikutu, one of the leaders of Awori extraction, and chairman of the coalition  described the meeting as family affair, saying it was the first time the Awori people would be united to meet and support a candidate they believed in.

He urged members of the association to support the candidate, noting that Sanwo-Olu had the habit of fulfilling promises.

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Pix: Governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State (middle) flanked by the executive members of the committee of Indigenous Associations of Lagos State after a consultative meeting held in Oregun Lagos on Wednesday 2nd Jan, 2019.

4 hours of occupation by Dan-Ali - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The chief executive officer and Editor-in-Chief, Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust titles, Mannir Dan-Ali, has expressed dismay over the four hours occupation of the company offices across the country by military men, reports ITREALMS.

Dan-Ali in a press statement while reacting to the invasion made available to ITREALMS, said that for 4 hours on Sunday, January 6th 2019, Armed Soldiers who came in 5 vehicles occupied the head office of Media Trust Limited, publishers of the Daily Trust titles sending away journalists and other staff. Before the siege was called off at about 9.30 pm, the soldiers has ransacked the newsroom and carted away dozens of computers and effectively strangulated the production of the Monday edition of the paper.

According to him, earlier in the day at about 4 pm, another detachment of soldiers and plain cloth security officials went to the Maiduguri regional office of the company and conducted a search at the end of which they took away the Regional Bureau Chief, Uthman Abubakar and a reporter, Ibrahim Sawab. Neither the company nor the families of the 2 reporters have heard from them since.

"A production staff who was taken away from the Abuja head office alongside our computers was released after a period of detention at the Mogadishu barrack in Abuja," he said.

Dan-Ali also said that in Lagos, military men in 7 vehicles arrived our offices at Textile Labour House in Agidingbi at about 9 pm and remain there until the time of issuing this statement.

"We have not been told of the reason for the military operation against this newspaper but suspect it may have to do with the lead story of the Daily Trust on Sunday that dwelt on the military's effort to retake some towns recently reported to have been lost to insurgents. Another clue is that during the invasion of our premises both in Maiduguri and in Abuja, the military men were asking for the reporters who wrote the story," h declared.

Further, he said, "Media Trust Limited condemns this unlawful act and calls on the military authorities to release the 2 reporters arrested in Maiduguri and return the dozens of computers that were taken from our newsroom. We also like to thank our colleagues in the media and all others who have been calling and supporting us in our hour of need. We also appreciate the efforts of some government officials who insist that there is a better way of handling relations with the media."

Nenye Dom/GEE

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PAU commences MSc in Film Production - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The School of Media and Communication of the Pan Atlantic University has commenced a master’s degree programme in Film Production in the 2019/2020 academic session, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this plan to ITREALMS, at PAUs recent 15th Convocation, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Juan Elegido said the programme is about building on the work of its Nollywood Studies Centre.

According to the School of Media and Communication, “the MSc in Film Production draws from the deep interest of the School in film, epitomised by its successful running of the Nollywood Studies Centre for a decade now and its rich repertoire of movie archives and training activities.”

The course, SMC adds, will cover four key knowledge areas. These are Scripting and Directing for the Screen; Cinematography; Editing for the Screen and Sound Design for the Screen.

They would provide specialisation options in seven major film production areas of short film, documentary; interview and feature film. Others are serial drama, commercial filmlet and the music video.

The full-time programme will cover two semesters of nine months.

Dr Ikechukwu Obiaya, dean of the School of Media and Communication, said the programme “seeks to inculcate in the students the knowledge and the skills required for a successful career either in filmmaking or as an academic specialising in film. It will seek to animate the intersection of theory and practice in the philosophical, the entrepreneurial, the technological and aesthetic dimensions of the film.”

The School of Media and Communication has four studios, four editing suites and a 50 Apple workstations graphics and animation suite.

Uj N. Dominic/GEE

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Imo 2019: Ihedioha-Irona and Issue-based campaigns - ITREALMS

MondayCommentary@ITREALMS:

Last week, former member of the House of Representatives and Deputy Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Rt. Hon. Gerald Alphonsus Irona raised the bar, with a new level of political campaign, based on issues.

Speaking during an interactive session with media practitioners in Imo, Irona moved far away from the everyday rhetoric of political promises to critical issues on how to rebuild Imo State, as captured in the Ihedioha/Irona development plan. Of all that ex lawmaker said, some of the areas that really touched me are those that address transparency and accountability issues in governance; where he hammered on the need to open up government for effective citizens’ participation.

The issue of opening up the government for improved accountability and citizens participation is very critical at this point, because, one of the basic things lacking in the present administration in Imo is accountability, which has led to large scale corruption in public service.

According to Irona, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is committed to running a transparent and participatory government. He outlined some of the practical steps they hope to take in realizing this, particularly, in putting in place, legal frameworks to prevent corruption and abuse of public offices.

As Chairman, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria-FOICN and an anti-corruption crusader, one will naturally expect that I will support candidates that are committed to the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and other transparency initiatives. This is true and that is where we are. As much as I know that the FOI Act is applicable to all levels of government (Federal, State and Local Government) and all arms of government, its adoption by states will show further commitment to its implementation.

I had earlier received assurances to the effect that Ihedioha and Irona are interested in having state versions of the Freedom of Information and Public Procurement Acts, as further commitment to implementing transparency initiatives in the state, if elected in 2019. Last weekend, the Deputy Governorship candidate, Hon. Gerald Irona said same to the hearing of over thirty media practitioners in Imo, whom he invited for a parley in his home town - Oguta. Considering the fact that the duo of- Ihedioha and Irona have no cases of corruption on their neck, coupled with the fact that none of them has a history of deceit, I believe him (Irona). For the avoidance of doubt, hear Irona:

“I have invited you to urge you to buy into our project, which is to rebuild Imo. Our overall objective is to entrench good governance in Imo State. You cannot have good governance without being accountable to the citizens that elected you. To have good governance, there is need for participatory media. For transparency and accountability to exist, there must be freedom of Information. We have a deliberate policy in our manifesto to adopt the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in Imo, in order to have transparency in governance. We will forward an Executive Bill to the Imo State House of Assembly to pass into law, the FOI Act, to enable us have a law that will empower citizens to access government held information in order to hold the government accountable and participate in governance.”

“It is our opinion that for there to be accountability in governance, there must also be due process in public procurement. To that effect, we will ensure that the Public Procurement Act, as passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President, is replicated here in Imo. It is our candid opinion that if we have an FOI law and a Public Procurement law in Imo state, there will be transparency, accountability and due process (in doing government business) and when vigorously implemented, shall lay a solid foundation for the good governance we have been yearning for in Imo State.”

“The PDP Governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday, unveiled the manifesto of the party and our focus shall be good governance, rule of law, qualitative education at all levels, with special interest in technical and finishing education; tourism, agriculture, health and infrastructural development.”

“To ensure that we are held accountable, we shall introduce periodic citizens’ dialogue - an interface between the government and the citizens, particularly, the media, community-based organizations, professional organizations, faith-based organizations and all other non-state actors (civil society). The forum shall be used to explain government policies, plans, decisions, programmes and activities to the citizens, with a view to getting feedback- their buy-in, suggestions, advice and involvement at every stage of the governance process. Ours shall be an inclusive and participatory government. Ours shall be a government built on trust and the fear of God.”

No doubt, it takes special courage, determination and commitment to agree to empower citizens to hold the government accountable. To have laws like the FOI and Public Procurement Act in place is indeed, the way to go. Studies have shown that most developed nations of the world anchored their development on access to information. Having a government that is committed to an FOI law means that a solid foundation for genuine development is being laid.

Again, most corrupt practices in public service take place through the procurement process. Having a law that clearly guides public procurement is another great feat that will help place Imo on the path of recovery, introduce sanity in public service and ensure that the people’s funds are utilized in a transparent manner to guarantee rapid development. This, no doubt, is the way to go.

While I await the submissions of other political actors in Imo State, the PDP team has raised the bar, with very critical developmental and transparency issues. Other political parties can only make serious impacts, if their campaigns are based on issues, with focus on not just what they plan to do, but how they plan to realize them.

The proposed periodic citizens’ dialogue is another great initiative that will help create platforms for effective engagement with citizens on government policies, programmes and activities.

For the Ihedioha/Irona camp, they have taken off on a good note. Next is to see to the training of Civil Society actors in Imo on the provisions and application of the Freedom of Information Act, as well as the Public Procurement Act. Joining the Open Government Partnership will also not be a bad idea.

Ultimately, governance is about the people. Whatever any government does without involving the people will hardly make any serious difference. Engaging the people regularly will ensure that developmental projects address the needs of the people. With that, stakeholders will see it as their obligation to protect government property and get involved in the actual business of governance.

Imo people must resist criminal elements that will come to buy their votes with peanuts and food items. Remember, if you sell your votes for peanuts, you will suffer for four years or more, but, if you endure for few more weeks, you enjoy for the next four years and more.

With this development, civil society actors and citizens generally must use FOI state-level adoption and implementation as an advocacy issue to engage those seeking political offices, particularly, those wanting to be Governors in Imo and beyond.

For 2019, only issues-based campaigns shall fly. Let’s interrogate them NOW!

*Walter Duru, Ph.D

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ALTON reacts to Punch Newspapers editorial on NCC's telecom operators' illegalities - ITREALMS

ForTheRecords@ITREALMS:

The attention of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has been drawn to the Punch Newspaper’s Editorial of Wednesday, 2nd January, 2019 in respect of the above. ALTON wishes to set the records straight on some of the weighty allegations made in the Editorial.

Please note that we are not holding brief for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Rather, we are concerned about the low level of background information and apparent bias exhibited by the writers of the Editorial regarding telecommunication regulation and operations in Nigeria, and more importantly, regarding the service ecosystem for telecoms in Nigeria.

There is no doubt that the telecoms sector is the best regulated (if not an over-regulated) sector when compared with other sectors of the Nigerian economy. To its credit, the NCC has been a champion of regulatory best practices which emphasizes proactively addressing issues; rather than playing to the gallery by imposing draconian sanctions, as the Editorial seems to advocate. In fact, as the Editorial correctly notes, the NCC has on several cases imposed heavy sanctions on our members for infractions. While ALTON often disagrees with the NCC on some of these sanctions, it would be unfair for anyone to suggest that the Commission has been lax or overly accommodating of breaches of any kind.

We are also deeply concerned that although the Punch Editorial mentioned challenges faced by telecoms operators in Nigeria, it unfairly down-played the effect of these challenges on service provision.

It is on record that in 2001 when the industry was liberalized, many global players shunned the opportunity because of dearth of supporting infrastructure. Those who eventually took up the licenses paid as high as $285Million for each license on the assurance that the license fees would be used to build and/or improve supporting infrastructure, particularly power and transmission networks. 18 years after, operators are still left to self-provide power, transmission, security and other supporting infrastructure which are taken for granted in other jurisdictions. The Editorial itself attested to the fact that a single telecoms operator spent over N30billion on diesel per annum, which is one of the highest usage in the country today. This should be of concern to serious analysts.

Also, it is rather disturbing that the Editorial mentioned that issues of Right of Way (RoW), Multiple Taxation, Vandalisation of infrastructure, accessibility issues and shutting down of telecom infrastructure are rampant in Nigeria but claims that these are “weak arguments” for poor performance.

In the first place, we make bold to state that the quality of telecoms services in Nigeria is amongst the best in comparable jurisdictions, despite the challenges our members face in their day-to-day operations. Secondly, it is remarkable that despite the extremely high cost of providing services in Nigeria, the telecoms industry is the only sector where charges have been stable (even falling). Our members daily do battle the State, Local Government agencies who aggressively harass them to pay both legitimate and illegitimate taxes and levies which runs to several million Naira in some cases, they daily contend with high costs of diesel, frequent theft of equipment, etc. without increasing tariffs. It is on record that the cost of building one BTS site in Nigeria will build three similar structures in Ghana.

Despite all of these, our subscribers pay far less tariffs per minute than they paid five years ago, and data charges have continued to fall over the years as we struggle to democratize access to life-changing telecoms services. Indeed, we challenge the Punch to name any other service that has resisted inflationary trends as telecoms service. Not even the price of pure water has been as stable as telecoms services. ALTON members and the industry regulator deserve commendation for this feat, not scurrilous condemnation.

ALTON agrees that there are service quality and ethical concerns in some segments of the telecoms industry. We assure that our members are assiduously working with the regulator and other stakeholders to tackle these concerns in the best interests of our subscribers. However, it would be most unfair to downplay the impact of service ecosystem issues as the Punch seeks to do. Demanding world class services without championing holistic improvements in supporting infrastructure which directly impact the quality of such services is rather cheap and disingenuous. When the Kogi State government recently shut down about twenty base stations in that State, over 150 other base stations in at least nine states and the FCT were affected and subscribers in these states suffered serious service disruptions. The loss to both the operators and Nigeria would be difficult to quantify. In how many other countries do operators have to grapple with this kind of problems?

We therefore call on the Punch newspaper and other media to support ALTON and the NCC in our efforts to drive awareness amongst Federal, State and Local on the need to protect telecoms infrastructure in the same way as power, security and other infrastructure are protected. This is the only way to guarantee improved services.

Finally, we invite Punch to use its platform to encourage other consumer services providers such as those in the Power, Banking, Aviation, Transportation and other services to deliver services at the same global standards being demanded from the telecoms industry. It just may be that the over-concentration of attention on the telecoms sector is one of the reasons why these sectors continue to take consumers for granted, providing services below par.

*Contributed by Engr. Gbenga Adebayo,  chairman, ALTON

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New Year 2019: Ositelu harps on one war

ITREALMS:

The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Mr. Isaac Babatunde Ositelu has harpped on only one war that must be won by Nigerians, which is the necessities of life, reports ITREALMS.

In his new year message for 2019 made available to ITREALMS, Ositelu  urged fellow Nigerians to join hands with him against this war through their votes.

Part of his address read:

"Fellow Nigerians I join you in celebrating the privilege to be alive to see yet another year in the cause of Nigeria history. As we usher in the new year - we need to remind ourselves that this a new year and therefore we need to do away our old ways including the old government and career politicians who have managed to turn our common wealth to personal wealth.

"Every four years we have the opportunity to change the direction, the leadership, the stewardship and the collective destiny of this country. Each time we have failed to do so. The simple definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. My fellow Nigerians - we are neither insane or brain dead. Therefore we can not continue to do the same thing or recycle career politicians and expect dividend of democracy. Our elite and political barons have taken us for granted by make empty promises and coming back to deny it over and over again.

"There is only one WAR to fight in this country, and that WAR is the fight for basic necessities of life and affordable accommodation (Nigeria dream). In 1984 we were led in a war against indiscipline. Where did it get us - NOWHERE. IN 2015 we started another war against corruption. Where did it led us - again to NOWHERE.

"Please I implore you to join our new movement been led by the ACCORD PARTY under the stewardship of Isaac Ositelu to fight for PEACE, PROSPERITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND MINIMUM STANDARD OF LIVING. To do this we need to do away with past. Don’t be deceived the present government of APC and the media acclaimed front run PDP are all part and parcel of the past we MUST do away with as a people and as a country.

"Shout it on the roof top - echo it on the street, in bus garage, beer parlor, blue, green and red light districts, the IDP camps, in churches, in mosques, amongst traditional religion and in every nooks and cranny of this great nation that we free at last. Free from poverty, free from joblessness, free from perpetual darkness, free from hunger, free from living in slumps. To get this new freedom, we have to be bold and stand firm to do what is best for ourselves, our children and our children’s children.

"Fellow Nigeria those who led us here will NOT give up without a though resistance. Be mindful because, they have the wherewithal, the money, the influence and the security apparatus to intimidate us. They will come again as they use to come every four - four years to induce you with palatable such monetary and other material gifts to buy your vote. Take their gift - it is part of our Commonwealth entrusted in their which they have illicitly stolen. But don’t vote for them.

"Your VOTE using your PVC is your weapon that will librate you and your family from poverty, insecurity and diseases. If you desire good standard of living, opportunity for self determination and functional government, instead of living in slumps then cast your vote for ACCORD party. The party of now and the future led by Isaac Ositelu the visionary leader. Let us proof the book makers and political pollsters wrong. A vote for ACCORD party is a mandate for good governance.

"As we match forward in this year, let us match forward with one common purpose to change the course of history for Nigeria and Nigerians once and for all by noting for ACCORD party massively in the forth coming election. Nigeria is the beacon of LIGHT- of hope to other African nation and to black race everywhere. The country that is set on high cannot be hide. No one light a candle and put it under a table. Your PVC is your light to shine into every corner of Nigeria darkness. If you have not collected your PVC - please go and collect it and use it wisely by voting massively for ACCORD party. Please let us avoid looking back to those who led us astray.

"Looking back to these same politicians who have gamed the system to enrich themselves and their families have nothing to offer us that will improve our life’s. We say no more to living in the slumps of Ajegunle, Makoko, Ogoni, Guadalajara and IDP camps. We say no to poverty, hopelessness, backwardness, diseases, infant mortality and short life span. Things that are obvious and basic necessity of life still remain luxury in our country because of incompetence and structural arrangement coined

"Welcome to new year of peace, prosperity and new government to be led by ACCORD party, that will take us to the promise land where Nigeria and Nigerian can fulfill their destiny and live up to their full potentials.

"Finally let me remind you again that your PVC is your weapon against all forms of insecurities and power blocks that have influence your destiny. The biggest and most powerful but ignored of all the power blocks is the masses and youth power block. Use your PVC wisely - by voting for a new Nigeria to be led by ACCORD government in the year.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Kwara Politics: Minister charges grassroots canvassers to ensure victory for APC - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Over 2,500 grassroots canvassers were inaugurated in Kwara State on Friday to engage in massive mobilisation of people from all the wards and polling units in the state to ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels in this year’s general elections, reports ITREALMS.

“These canvassers will be our victory army, the army that will dismantle the gargantuan edifice of corruption and misgovernance that has held our dear state down for too long,'' the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is also the leader of the party in the state, said at the inauguration of the canvassers at the Buhari/Osinbajo Project 2019 Office in Ilorin.

''This unprecedented move is our most potent weapon against the enemies of the state and the oppressors of the people,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the 'well-recruited, tested and trusted canvassers' will go from house to house in each of the 1,872 polling units in the state to tell the people why they must vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all the candidates of the APC in Kwara State in the 2019 general elections.

“Gathered here today are 1,872 canvassers representing the 18,720 canvasses. That is one canvasser per each polling unit across the 193 wards in Kwara State. We are also inaugurating today 193 ward coordinators, 193 ward secretaries, 193 ward women leaders and 193 ward youth leaders,'' he said.

The Minister said the stellar performance of President Buhari in reinventing governance and his pro-poor policies have made the job of the canvassers much easier.

“To the canvassers, if they ask you why President Buhari deserves a second term, tell them it is because he has leveraged his legendary integrity and acclaimed management of resources, human and material, to reinvent governance and make a difference in the lives of Nigerians. Therefore, he needs another four years to consolidate his great achievements,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed then went ahead to reel out the Administration's achievements, starting with the Social Investment Programme (SIP) which, he said, is benefiting a total of 10 million people directly nationwide.

He said the Buhari Administration is feeding 9.3 million pupils in 45,394 schools in 26 states and employing 100,000 cooks under the Home Grown School Feeding Programme; that the Administration is paying conditional cash transfer of N5,000 monthly to about 300,000 most vulnerable households and that over 1.5 million people nationwide have benefited from the interest-free loans to petty traders under the TraderMoni Scheme.

“The Administration has retaken every inch of Nigeria's territory from insurgents, flushedv them out of their safe havens and put them on the run. Road projects are ongoing across very state of the country, turning the country into one huge construction site. Kwara is a beneficiary, as those who have travelled on the Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa and the Ajase-Ipo-Offa road can testify,” the Minister said.

Alhaji Mohammed used the occasion to assure all the APC candidates for this year's elections that the recent court judgment in respect of the state executive council of the party has not affected the validity of their candidature.

''They remain the authentic candidates of our great party and should go about their campaigns without any fear of being disqualified,'' he said.

In his remark, the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the 2019 general election represents the struggle by the poor in Nigeria to take back the country from the rich.

He commended the people of Kwara for kick-starting the political revolution that will dismantle the self-serving structures of the rich in the country.

“What you are seeing is the modern day Tunisia. You know the Arab Spring started from Tunisia, when a poor man just set himself on fire and the revolution started all over the country. Today, Kwara is leading the revolution to change Nigeria. Power must return to the people.

“We are gathered here today to peacefully take back power from the rich and handover to the poor. That’s what APC stands for,” he said.

He charged the people to rise up and defend the APC from the gang-up by the elite, who will always prefer to hold down the poor from attaining self-fulfillment in life.

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