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Benue IDPs Threaten Legal Action Over Imminent Exclusion From INEC’s CVR

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
Internally Displaced Persons, (IDPs), in Benue state have threatened legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), over their imminent exclusion from the ongoing Continuous Voters’ Registration (CVR), exercise.
The IDPs, have therefore, issued 21 daysUltimatum to INEC, within which the Commission shall ensure special arrangements at their various camps, to enable them register, or risk litigation.


The IDPs are from six council wards of Uvir, Mbadwem, Mbabai, Mbayor-Yandev, Mbawa and Nyiev, all Guma Local Government Area of Benue state.

Their demands were contained in a 12-paragraphs petition dated 24th September, 2021, with title, “Re: Continued Disenfranchisement of Internally Displaced Persons From Guma LGA of Benue State”, through their representative and former Commissioner for Lands and Survey in the state, Hon.
Surv John Tondu, to the Chairman of INEC which was duly received and acknowledged with official stamp same day.
Hon Tondu, in the petition signed by him on behalf of the people, said, “I have the mandate of the aforementioned IDPs and my people in general to bring to your immediate attention for necessary action, the fact that the Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Benue state and their inhabitants are being completely shut out of our country’s political processes because they are not part of the ongoing Continuous Voters’Registration exercise.
“As you are also aware, many Nigerian citizens of Benue state origin were forced into IDPs camps within the state because of frequent bloody internal conflicts which occasioned the prevailing climate of insecurity in the state.
“You will agree with me that those persons unfortunately displayed from their homes are still entitled to vote and be voted for, not withstanding their current residential status”, Tondu said, insisting that it was the responsibility of INEC to ensure that the IDPs are registered as voters and are not disenfranchised through discriminatory implementation of INEC policies.
He recalled that in the run up to 2019 general elections, eligible voters in the IDPs Camps in Benue state were not afforded the opportunity to participate in the CVR exercise, and thus, were unable to exercise their franchise during the election.
“Now the INEC is conducting another Voters registration for purpose of  the 2023 general elections, and once again persons eligible for registration as voters but who currently reside in the IDPs camps are being excluded from the process as no special arrangements whatsoever have been made to ensure their registration as voters and the inclusion of their names in the updated voters register.
“Facilities to enable online registrations are non-existent in the IDPs camps at the moment. Even if such facilities were to be made available in the IDPs camps, it is a common fact that the level of illiteracy, including computer illiteracy, is very high in Nigeria. It could be safely estimated that 75 percent to 80 percent of those in the IDPs camps in Benue state are illiterates, who would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to manipulate smart phones or computers in order to fill online soft copies of the registration forms to initiate or conclude their voters’ registration process.
“In the light of the foregoing, I call on INEC to make immediate special arrangements to take the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration exercise to all the IDPs camps hosting Nigerians from Uvir, Mbadwem, Mbabai, Mbayor-Yandev, Mbawa and Nyiev.
“Please take notice that if no special arrangements are put in place by INEC within 21 days, we shall be constrained to have recourse to the judicial system and take legal steps to ensure that the Commission is compelled to register and include in the voters register every Nigerian citizen from the aforementioned Council Wards in the IDPs camps in Benue state”, Tondu warned.
The petitioners want registration centres for physical registrations of voters deployed to the IDPs camps in the state, believing that this was the only way to guarantee that the IDPs are given the opportunity of exercising their franchise in the forthcoming elections, so that they could freely choose their political Representatives.

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AfDB Signs $75m Loan Agreement to Boost Indorama’s Fertilizer Production, Export Capacity

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The African Development Bank (AfDB), has signed a 75 million dollar loan agreement with Nigeria’s Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited.

The bank announced this in a statement issued on its website late Thursday.

According to the statement, the loan will enable Indorama to increase its fertilizer production and develop a port terminal for exports.

The statement also said that the loan would help in supporting food production and food security across regional and international markets while fostering job creation in Nigeria.

It said that the expansion would include the development of a third urea fertilizer production line and a new shipping terminal at Indorama’s facilities in Port Harcourt.

“The new production line is expected to have an annual capacity of 1.4 million metric tons of urea, one of the most widely used fertilizer worldwide.

“Indorama’s two operational urea fertilizer lines serve Nigeria’s domestic market.

“It supports the country’s agricultural sector, which accounts for a quarter of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs about a third of its labour force.

“The new production line and terminal, which will help meet growing global demand for fertilizer, is expected to create up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria”, the statement said.

The statement also quoted the Acting Director of Industrial and Trade Development Department, AfDB, Ousmane Fall, as commending the partnership.

Fall said the bank was proud of its continued partnership with Indorama, the IFC, and other lenders on this critical project.

He said the partnership aligned with the bank’s strategic priorities to Feed  and industrialise Africa, while generating significant development outcomes in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Manish Mundra, Group Director for Africa, Indorama Corporation said the establishment of the fertilizer plant underscored Indorama’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s industrial growth, economic diversification, and leveraging its strategic geographic location.

“This landmark financing represents a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s journey towards becoming a major player in the global fertilizer market.

“With this third line, Nigeria is prepared to significantly ramp up its export capacity, thereby, enhancing its position as a key exporter of fertilizer to Africa and the world.

“Furthermore, the establishment of this fertilizer plant will not only address critical issues such as broader food security but will also stimulate agricultural growth and create employment opportunities in Nigeria,” he said.

Reports says that the AfDB’s loan follows a strategy to support investment in private sector development to promote the growth of the real sector.

The 75 million dolllars loan is part of a 1.25 billion dollars facility arranged by IFC.

The financing package includes a 215.5 million dollars loan from IFC’s own account, a 94.5 million dollars loan through the Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Programme (MCPP), and 940 million dollars in parallel loans mobilised from other development finance institutions and commercial banks.

Some of the banks include the AfDB, Bangkok Bank, British International Investment, Citibank, Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG), DZ Bank, Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and Rand Merchant Bank.

Others are Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden (FMO), Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank) and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM).

The Standard Bank Group, Standard Chartered Bank, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) are also part of the banks.(NAN)

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NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspects with 1,625 Litres of Adulterated Diesel

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The Anambra Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects with 1,625 litres of adulterated diesel.

The NSCDC Commandant in Anambra, Olatunde Maku, told newsmen on Friday in Awka, that the suspects were arrested on March 23 along Atani Road, in Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

He said that his team arrested Oluchukwu Okeke, 28, from Ogbaru in Anambra; Emeka Chukwuma, 34, also from Ogbaru in Anambra; and Ifunanya Ike, 29, from Mbano in Imo state.

According to Maku, they were conveying 65 kegs of 25 litres each of suspected adulterated diesel, estimated to be 1,625 litres in four different vehicles.

He said that the vehicles were two shuttle buses, a white-colored bus with registration number AWK429XY and another ash-coloured bus with registration number GDD277XB.

“This arrest was made possible in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, and preliminary investigation revealed that the illegally refined products were loaded at Ogbakuma and headed to Okoti community, both in Ogbaru area.

“I want to commend the Nigerian Navy for their support in the fight against criminality in the state.

“This type of synergy is what is needed to wage a full-scale war against perpetrators of this heinous crime.

“NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical national, state, and local government assets and infrastructure, is known for its zero tolerance in crude oil theft and illegal bunkering activities.

“We remain focused on freeing Anambra state of illegal petroleum products racketeering and other related criminalities,” he said.

Maku added that the suspects would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations were completed.

He called on members of the public to assist the command in its renewed vigour to stamp out illegal oil refining activities in the state through the provision of intelligence on illegal oil bunkering activities within their domains. (NAN)

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Good Friday: Catholic Bishop urges Leaders, Nigerians to Emulate Christ’s Sacrifice

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As Christians celebrate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Good Friday), the Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo, has urged leaders and Nigerians to emulate Christ’s sacrifice.

Badejo made the remark in his Good Friday message made available to Newsmen on Friday in Ibadan.

Badejo enjoined all leaders, people in authority and Nigerians to emulate Jesus in order to improve society and institutions.

The catholic bishop emphasised that Good Friday teaches us the best qualities of leadership in service, humility and love.

He noted that Good Friday represents all the challenges and problems in life, at work, in family and country at large.

According to him, those problems will be solved not just by praying, but by serious, honest and selfless efforts by everyone to do good and oppose sin and evil.

“Nigeria is not beyond repair, but it is righteousness that exalts a nation.

“Good Friday is the day on which Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, giving His life on the cross for the salvation of the world.

“That is exactly what is good about it, even though his suffering and death are painful and unjust.

“Jesus Christ, the son of God, gave his life in love and humility, leaving His glory aside. By His death on Good Friday, Jesus taught us that there are benefits in making sacrifice for the good of others.

“Such suffering or sacrifice, like that which a mother makes for her children, or a friend for another, is pleasing to God.

“Good Friday invites us to repent, do away with sin, but do something for the good of others and thus, enjoy God’s favour,” he said.

Badejo remarked that Easter Sunday is the celebration of the victory of Jesus Christ, which reminds all that the victory of good over evil is inevitable.

He said that, just as all conspiracies against Christ’s resurrection could not stand, similarly, all the evil happening in the world cannot stop the celebration of Easter as planned by God.

“That is why Christians rejoice at Easter. Alleluia! Easter Sunday answers all the questions of Good Friday. Why should good people suffer sometimes?

“Well, because God always has a superior reason and for allowing such to happen.

“If Jesus had not died, salvation would never have come. To all who suffer, I say: “Be comforted: with Jesus, Good Friday is not the last word, Easter Sunday victory is.

“I urge all Nigerians to emulate Jesus’ way of love and sacrifice for others,” Badejo said. (NAN)

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