Voice of Nigeria Broadcasting Service

Nigeria’s SGF votes in Adamawa State

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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February 25, 2023

The Secretary General of the Federation Boss Mustapha has successfully cast his vote in his polling unit at 002 Dogiere in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.

Boss Mustapha after casting his vote at 12:40 pm told Newsmen that he was impressed with the conduct of the elections in the state.

He applauded the efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) Machine, saying he was able to finish his voting process within two minutes.

The SGF who later went around polling units immediately after voting to monitor the voting process in Yola town called on Nigerians to exercise their voting rights in a peaceful manner.

He said so far the hitches encountered in Yola were very minimal, and he, therefore, commended INEC officials in the state for taking proactive measures in handling any of those challenges.

N.O

APC Vice Presidential Candidate, Shettima votes in hometown

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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February 25, 2023

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The Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima cast his vote at polling unit 023, Alhaji Kukawa, Lawan Bukar area of Maiduguri, at 11:45 am.

Shettima had arrived at the polling unit earlier but left as no INEC official was on the ground at the time.

Shortly after Voting, the Vice Presidential candidate called for unity and peace after the election

“What unites us supersedes whatever divides us, what is important for us as a people irrespective of differences in political affiliations, religious persuasions, the tribal or sectional background is after the election is done, we need to unite for the better good of the nation. The hope for the black man rests with the people of this country.”

He called on all to exercise their franchise and believe in the voting process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

N.O

IMF flags debt restructuring hurdles

Business and Tech

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February 25, 2023

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Saturday that the Group of 20 (G20) nations have some disagreements over restructuring debt for distressed economies.

“On debt restructuring, while there are still some disagreements, we now have the global sovereign debt roundtable with consideration of all public and private creditors,” Georgieva told reporters after chairing the roundtable with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

“We just finished a session in which it was clear that there is a commitment to bridge differences for the benefit of countries.”

India’s G20 presidency comes as its South Asian neighbours Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan are seeking urgent IMF funds due to an economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

China, the world’s largest bilateral creditor, urged the group of big economies on Friday to conduct a fair, objective and in-depth analysis of the causes of global debt issues as clamour grows for lenders to take a large haircut, or accept losses, on loans.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said there were no “deliverables” from the meeting, which was mostly organisational.

Further discussions of the panel, which includes major bilateral creditors including China, India and the G7 countries, several debtor countries, are planned around the time of the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in April.

Also Read: Ghana seeks debt treatment under G20 Common Framework- IMF

“We certainly had that agreement that this is a useful forum. “We look forward to participating in it.” Yellen said.

Crypto Restrictions

Apart from restructuring debt, regulating cryptocurrencies is another priority area for India, which Georgieva agreed with.

“We have to differentiate between central bank digital currencies that are backed by the state and stablecoins, and crypto assets that are privately issued,” Georgieva said.

“There has to be a very strong push for regulation… if regulation fails, if you’re slow to do it, then we should not take off the table banning those assets, because they may create financial stability risk.”

Yellen said she had not suggested the “outright banning of crypto activities, but it was critical to put in place a strong regulatory framework.”

Zainab Sa’id

2023 Presidential Elections on-going in Cross-River State

Aisha John-Mark

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February 25, 2023

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As the 2023 presidential election commences across Cross River State in southern Nigeria, security has been tightened in the capital city of Calabar.

Across Calabar Metropolis and along strategic junctions and densely populated areas, security check points and road blocks were in place less than a kilometre apart to stop vehicular movements.

On patrol from one street to another and around the city were teams of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Nigeria Police as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The EFCC team lead in an interaction with some journalists described the voting exercise as peaceful and smooth.

Meanwhile, several people could be observed trekking for miles to get to their polling units, while others had no problem accessing the booths.

Mr. Bassey Asuquo, who resides along the Ndidem Usang Iso road, said “this is the most peaceful exercise we have had so far. There are no agitations no rancor, nothing to make us run away from voting.

“Besides, the exercise didn’t take so long. Once they started at 8.30am, I took my turn got accredited, got my ballot papers and I cast my vote accordingly. As you can see now, I am going back to my house,” he said.

In Calabar South local government area, one of the known flash points in Cross River State, the various polling units visited witnessed huge turnout of voters patiently waiting in line with minimal security operatives present.

Also observed at a few polling centres were food vendors, who displayed coolers loaded with different types of food and making brisk business.

Residents Bemoan Redistribution of Voters In Parts Of Edo

Confidence Okwuchi

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February 25, 2023

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In some polling units in Oreador local government of Edo State, voters who are over 750 have been redistributed to other polling units.

Some of the voters have raised concerns that this could disenfranchise some of them.

Some of the voters couldn’t find their names in the polling units that they have been initially assigned to.

Mrs Rodah Onazimere who is supposed to vote in polling unit 6 couldn’t find her name on the list and she has been told by the INEC adhoc staff to go to another polling unit.

Mrs Abies Ojo also raised alarm that she couldn’t cast her vote because her name was missing on the board.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Adhoc staff advised them to type and send the last nine digits of their Voters Registration Number, VIN to the designated INEC numbers to get their polling units, but some of those involved were complaining of network challenge.

A lot of elderly people were also seen coming out in numbers to cast their votes in the election.

Speaking with a 79 year old, Mr John Onelu said he has high expectations that the election which has been orderly would yield positive results.

He urged other Nigerians to be optimistic about the process as the fear of the unknown has been a major challenge affecting voters in Nigeria.

Another 72 years old voter, Mrs commended the indigenes of Edo for being law abiding and conducting themselves well, even as there was little or no security presence in the polling units within Obaseki Primary school polling unit.

Confidence Okwuchi

Nigerian Leader Gives Reason For Displaying His Vote

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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February 25, 2023

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In a rare show of loyalty, President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday in Daura, Katsina State, displayed his ballot paper, with thumbprint for All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, saying after campaigning for the political leader in many parts of the country, he has reaffirmed on his preferred successor.

President Buhari, who cast his vote alongside his wife, Aisha, and other family members, at Ward A, Sarkin Yara Polling Unit, 003, later spoke to Journalists.

He said it was a pity that only one female emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the whole country, Aisha Ahmed Binani.

He, therefore, sought support for the candidate.

The President gave the assurance that he had always supported the candidature of Bola Tinubu, and the show of his ballot paper to the media and the public further shows his commitment to the party and the national leader.

He expressed satisfaction over the large turnout of voters for the election.

“I am very impressed because I have seen how the people turned up. I am very impressed and very happy. Well, the candidate I voted for I have already mentioned him in many states in Nasarawa, Katsina and Sokoto.

“All over the places I mentioned my favourite candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu, and I believe my constituency will elect him 100 per cent,’’ he said.

President Buhari advised Nigerians to ensure that their rights to vote were always respected.

“Nigerians should make sure that they are respected; that means that the candidate they want to vote for they are allowed to vote for him.

“It is a pity there is only one female candidate from Adamawa State so the electorate should kindly follow our party,’’ he added.

History
Asked how he felt that it was the first time since 2003 that he was not on the ballot paper, the President said, “it is very exciting. I look at those who are competing and some of them are so agitated and they didn’t know that I tried three times and ended up in the Supreme Court three times.

“The fourth time I said ‘God dey’ and God sent technology, Permanent Voters Card, so no fraudulent person can claim anything,’’ he stated.

He expressed optimism that the “APC will win, from Daura to Lagos.’’

N.O

23 ships discharge petroleum products at Lagos ports

Business and Tech

Zainab Sa'id

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February 25, 2023

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday said 23 ships arrived at the Lagos Port Complex and were discharging petrol and other items.

It listed the other items being discharged as general cargo, container, bulk urea, bulk gypsum, soya bean meal, bulk fertilizer, bulk wheat, bulk sugar, palm oleum, truck, bulk salt and butane gas.

The authority said 21 other ships were expected to arrive at the port from February 24 to March 5.

It said that the ships were carrying frozen fish, containers, bulk sugar, bulk wheat, sulphur, automobile gasoline and petrol.

It indicated that two other ships had arrived at the port and were waiting to berth with jet fuel, automobile gasoline and petrol.

Also Read: Nigerian Government Orders Massive Distribution Of Petrol To Marketers

Zainab Sa’id

NCAC to promote cultural commerce strategy –Runsewe

Entertainment/Tourism

Oluchi Okwuego

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February 25, 2023

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The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, says he will lead a team to China, to promote cultural commerce strategy in the country.

He made this announcement on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

According to him, “Chinese are one of the most developed industrial nations in the whole world. When you say why did I chose China?

“Since the current Chinese Ambassador came to Nigeria, he has been working hard to see how China and Nigeria can work together that is why I took interest.”

“Now, what I want to do, I want to take all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to China. Let every state chose an aspect of commerce which will become cultural commerce strategy.”

“For instance, if a state wants to reproduce buttons, do you know that even toothpick we import. What am I trying to do this time?

The NACA Boss said that he spoke with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun, and he had agreed that each state would chose a brand or a product.

“Do you want to believe with me today that even sweet we are taking, the raw materials are from Nigeria; we take them abroad, they repackage and come to sell to us.”

“So, what I want to do is to open a new brand on how to develop a nation. If Taraba state takes toothpick now, we will buy the machine during that trip to China and bring to Taraba.

“At the end of the day, Nigeria will be richer with 37 brands that we don’t need to import again.’’

The director-general recalled that when he took all the state commissioners for culture and tourism to South Africa, the idea was to build a brand of cultural tourism.

He added that he took all his management to Dubai in 2019.

“All my team to Dubai I said to them that that witchcraft that is in Dubai we have to unfold it. We visited a place where human beings communicated with fish.”

“Dubai turned nonsense to some things. We have the research document ready. There is no way this industry can be at home all the time, we need to go out and learn from others.”

“The idea of a trip to China is a plan but when we finish, Nigeria will be celebrated because we are going to be having 37 brands and products,’’ he said.

NAN/O.O

2023: Zamfara voters express optimism of credible polls

Uncategorized

Nnenna Okoronkwo

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February 25, 2023

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Voters in Zamfara State have commended the Nigerian electoral umpire the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the conduct of the 2023 Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections and expressed optimism that the polls will be credible.

Speaking after casting his vote in Gusau Zamfara State capital, the Gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Dauda Dare said the voting process was free and fair and charged Nigerians on peaceful elections to ensure that their votes count.

One of the early voters in the 005 polling unit in Gusau, Zamfara Northwest Nigeria, a retired Primary School teacher, Mr Abubakar Rabiu also commended INEC for the use of Biomodal Voters Accreditation System, BVAS, machines.

The Zamfara State-born indigene Mallam Rabiu said the 2023 electoral process was smooth and hitch-free.

He was optimistic that the 2023 General Election will be credible, free and fair but was concerned with the late arrival of electoral materials in some polling units.

Another voter, Mr Alfa Saliu Suleiman said the electoral process was credible.

Pakistan Chambers of Commerce signs MoUs with Ghana, Zimbabwe

Business and Tech

Zainab Sa'id

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February 25, 2023

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The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FOCCI) has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with two African Chambers of Commerce, the Hong Kong Trade and Investments Forum and a Nigerian Pharmaceutical company at the 2nd edition of the Engineering and Healthcare Show (EHCS) holding from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 in Lahore, Punjab Province.

The MoUs were signed separately in a private ceremony with each country and FPCCI during the EHCS at the trade centre.

A Nigerian Pharmaceutical company, NHC Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ghana National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as Zimbabwe National Chambers of Commerce, were involved in signing the MoUs with the FOCCI.

Speaking at the signing agreement Mr Irfan Sheikh, the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said trade between Pakistan and Ghana has been growing steadily over the past few years.

Sheikh however noted that the speed at which the volume of the trade relations was growing was relatively small but needed to increase immensely in coming years.

He said Pakistani and Ghana trade statistic as of 2021 was $43 million while Pakistan exported goods worth $31 million to Ghana.

It also imported goods from Ghana to the tune of $13 million during the period 2021.

Also Read: Governor Soludo Seeks Partnership With Traders in Anambra state

“To increase the trade volume, both countries can take steps in facilitating trade such as; reducing trade barriers, improving transportation infrastructure and simplify the customs procedure.

“Ghana and Pakistan can explore opportunities for joint ventures in partnership to expand trade and investment.

“The MoU between FPCCI and Ghana Chambers of Commerce is one of the most crucial steps in this regard. Agriculture is a vital step for both countries and there are opportunities for collaboration in this area.” Sheikh said.

Responding, Mr Stephane Miezan, the Second Vice-President of Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the agreement was apt as Ghana was looking forward to strengthening relations with FPCCI.

He said that the agreement was in line with the Ghana chamber of commerce’s core activities which include advocacy, capacity building and policy dialogue.

Others are business-to-business trade fairs, business and trade information exchange and export documentation.

Zainab Sa’id

Crypto Restrictions

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