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Dickson Canvasses e- Voting to Stem Electoral Fraud

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Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson
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By Orkula Shaagee, Jude Opara, Tseaa Armstrong, Abuja 

The Federal Government has been charged to devise modern electronic voting system to safeguard fear, intimidation and molestation of electorate.

Immediate past governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson said this would guarantee safety of voters, non-exposure of electoral materials and provide dividends of democracy to the people.

Dickson said until the nation’s electoral process was reformed and tailored towards digital age, Nigerians might not enjoy the expected dividends of democracy.

Dickson, who stated this in a keynote address at the third edition of the annual DAILY ASSET awards and lecture in Abuja, said what the country, presently practiced as democracy, was an aberration.

The former Governor, who was represented by the former Commissioner for Information, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, spoke in a lecture entitled: “Election, Good Governance and Democracy in Nigeria”.

He stated: “We cannot talk of good governance when the elections are flawed. Our electoral process needs to be reformed and refined because most of the elected officials don’t have the capacity to lead.

“Democracy in Nigeria is an aberration. We need good people in Nigerian politics, but that will be possible if the process is refined.

“If a politician buys his or her way into office, he or she has no obligation to the people; don’t expect good governance from him,” Dickson said.

He, therefore, called on political leaders in the country to continue to work for the sustenance of democracy.

He noted that democracy had suffered setbacks due to lack of respect for its institutions by those saddled with the responsibility to protect, preserve and defend its tenets.

“When the rule of law, freedom of speech and association is not allowed to thrive, then there is danger. The three arms of government must have mutual respect for one another. No arm should be overbearing.

“Democracy is in decline in our country and we must all be worried. Of course, the correlation between democracy and development has since been proven and we must take note of that.

“Without a sound democratic system, development will continue to elude us. Democracy as we know it in Nigeria is nothing but an aberration.

“I also think we should take a second look at our leadership recruitment process. Sure we need more good people in politics who can help to safeguard sound leadership and the important question of good governance.

“But that itself would come as a product of a functional democratic process, imperative to give democracy a chance to flourish in Nigeria by keeping to its universal best practices.”

Dickson further lamented that elections in Nigeria has fallen short of expected standards

“Elections in Nigeria has been characterised by violence, high level rigging and manipulation. Vote buying and ballot box snatching are also part of the common features of our elections”, he noted.

“All of these are caused by the lucrative nature of political offices. Politicians acquire guns for youths and pay them some little money to disrupt elections and force their way through.

“The associated impediments above do not guarantee true democracy as government of the people by the people and for the people as most acceptable definition of democracy.

“This is because the people are not usually allowed to decide election results. In this situation, election as we have witnessed in recent times, does not truly serve its purpose and this is unfortunate.”

 Suswam Thumbs Up DAILY ASSET Over Balanced Reportage

The chairman, Senate Committee on Power and Senator representing Benue State North East, His Excellence, Dr. Gabriel Suswam, has commended the management of DAILY ASSET Newspapers Limited for keeping the flag of truthful and balanced journalism flying.

Suswam gave the commendation at the weekend during the third annual lecture and award ceremony of the Asset Newspapers Limited, held in Abuja.

“Dr. Cletus Akwaya and his editorial team have made Nigerians proud by keeping to strict ethics of print journalism. In spite of his closeness to me, he tells stories as it is.

“I have known Dr Akwaya as a man of taste. This has reflected on the quality of of his newspaper, its news content and colourful production, objective and fair reportage and these have made the newly established newspaper to rank high with contemporaries in the print industry.

 “Akwaya and his team have kept the newspaper above the murky water of low patronage for newspapers in sterile economic situation.

“The paper is rich in content. Its news items both local and foreign are incisive and symbol of fair, truthful and balanced journalism,” he noted.

Suswam, who was chairman of the occasion, had earlier called on the gathering to patronize newspaper to keep doing the good work of informing, educating and entertaining the reading public.

“I called on other Benue indigenes to emulate Akwaya by establishing national enterprises. It’s my honour and a rare privilege to present on behalf of Daily Asset, the award of politician of the year to the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ahmed Lawal.

“A man, who has been able to accommodate all shades of political opinions. He has reduced rancour in the Senate and has succeeded successfully return Nigeria to the January to December budget cycle,” he eulogised while presenting the award to Lawal who was represented at the occasion by senator, Bello Mandiya, representing Katsina North senatorial district.

The occasion had the executive governor of Benue state, His Excellency, Dr Samuel Ortom as chief host, represented by Dr.  Shima Ayati, Special Assistant to the governor on intergovernmental affairs, Professor emeritus, Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, Hon. Terngu Tsegba amongst other dignitaries.

What Daily Asset Award means to me—Lawan

Senate President Ahmed Lawan has described his DAILY ASSET Man of the Year award as as a clarion call on him and the senate to do more in contributing to the stability and development of the country.

Lawan who was represented by Senator Bello Mandiya said already the senate has accepted the task of working in the interest of the people, adding that they will continue to be focused in their efforts to satisfy the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians irrespective of their creed or tribe.

The Senate President also used the occasion to reiterate on the resolve of the National Assembly to engage Nigerians and other relevant stakeholders on the raging debate over hate speech and fake news, assuring that the legislative arm of government will be dispassionate and open-minded in the discussions that will follow, bearing in mind that the overall impact on the future of the country.

“As a media organization, I am sure you are conversant with the raging debate over hate speech and fake news. The conversation is sure to continue for a long time, particularly because of changing technologies of communication. Regardless, we are all supposed to be dispassionate and open-minded in our contributions to the arguments. Our duty as citizens is to engage the issues, with the future of our nation in mind.

“This can happen if we are critical and if we rely on facts to support our position. My charge to you as practitioners is to help the populace understand better. This is consistent with your role of educating, informing and entertaining consumers of news. This role is constitutional and you cannot afford to abdicate it.

“The responsibility of moving this nation forward is a collective one. The media as a major source of awareness are central to the functioning and growth of democracy. While you can be proud of this role, you can similarly excel in carrying it out. The media have been outstanding in the past, and are committed in present times.”

The Senate President equally advised that moving forward, Nigeria must improve her quest for transparency and on mobilizing the citizens towards the fulfillment of a collective national agenda anchored on peace, prosperity, growth and development.

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FG Invests $617m in Creative Enterprise Fund

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Federal Government has invested $617million in Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises as initiative to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital economy and creative industries.

The Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ayo Adeagbo who disclosed this during his address at the African Fashion and Arts Award Business and Mentorship Summit held in Abuja yesterday said the initiative tagged the iDICE fund offered access to start-up capital and resources for the nurturing of talent in Nigeria.

While describing the formation of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy by the president as a “remarkable investment”, Adeagbo added that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa should ensure the building of greater pathways for young talent to reach their global potential

“After the inauguration of Mr President, one of the remarkable investments he made into the country was the creation of a ministry to handle the affairs of art, culture and creative economy.

“The ministry, ably led by Hon. Hannatu Musawa has achieved significant strides in less than a year for the benefit of our creatives and the nation as a whole.

“Some pivotal actions taken include the significant $617 million investment in Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises (iDICE), known as the iDICE Fund – an initiative that aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in digital technology and creative industries.”

While unveiling the enterprise, the minister made it known that the fund offers access to start-up capital and resources essential for nurturing talent in Nigeria.

The Acting Director of the FCT Department of Arts and Culture, Kayode Aiyegbusi, who also represented the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud noted the importance of a synergy between the private sector and the government to grow the creative economy, adding that while the government would continue to create the enabling environment, to allow the industry to thrive.

Similarly, the convener of the AFAA, Kingsley Amako, described the creative industry as “the next oil boom”, and encouraged youths to develop their skills, build capacity and learn to produce and market their products, noting that the AFAA provided a platform for their recognition.

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Reps Query OAGF Over N15bn Payment  to Remita

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives yesterday queried the payment of N15 billion to Remita, a payment platform from the Office of the Accountant General for the Federation (OAGF).

The committee accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Commercial Banks of complicity in the sharing of the N150 billion remittance.

Rep.

Bamidele Salam, Chairman PAC made the allegation at the resumed investigative hearing on revenue leakages in Abuja.

Salam said that the payment of N15 billion to Remita from the OAGF from 2016 to 2018 was questionable, adding that the OAGF paid the money without agreement or contract.

He described the payment as illegal. “The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision, so where did they source the money from?” the chairman queried.

He said, “The CBN also shared in the money. The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision so where did they source the money from?

 “Ordinarily, that whole sum of VAT ought to go to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) but what they are doing in this transaction is that they will now add that VAT to the N150.

“They will add it up, and take it to the CBN,” he alleged.

He said, “System Spec and Remita, both collect revenue for the federal government, will share 50 percent, while the banks and the CBN will also have their share.”

He said that by the time the committee finishes its reconciliation, “I am very sure that hundreds of billions of naira will be the VAT component that was not remitted to FIRS.”

According to him, each bank ought to take the money and directly remit it to FIRS.

“Now Remita is saying that those collecting should calculate the money that has been shared. How do we track this kind of money?” he asked.

The PAC chairman warned the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji against disregard for the committee, stressing that Adedeji’s actions amounted to contempt of parliament.

Salam said that for four times the committee invited the FIRS chairman but he failed to show up.

According to him, “In addition to writing him officially, we have also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mail box and his WhatsApp number.

“And we condemn and describe it as irresponsible and arrogant, and we tell him that there will be consequences if he continues this contempt of parliament.”

He said that several letters had been written him without responses, adding that the Value Added Tax (VAT) that the federal government should be collecting on Remitta had not been collected by FIRS.

The Director of Banking Services of the CBN, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi said they deemed it fit to source for an alternative way of remitting revenue and Remita and System Spec were selected because they had been rendering similar services to banks.

According to him, Remita was engaged in 2011 and operations commenced in 2012 with system module names. The CBN only finalised the transaction

He said that the fees charged under the TSA were in line with the structure of banking. The volume of revenue collection that passed through Remita was N86 million.

Mr. Oyewole Adewale, Chief Accountant, TSA Department, representing the Accountant General for the Federation, accused the CBN of not honoring its letters to reconcile the revenue accrued to the country through TSA.

He said the OAGF had developed a system where all revenue generated by the Ministries of Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) could now be monitored without any interference.

Mr Aderemi Atanda, the Director of Remita Payment Services Ltd., while reading the summary of the TSA collection record, said that 10, 20, and 50 percent were shared among CBN, commercial banks, and Remitta.

He said that collections are not static, they vary.

“From 2015 to 2016, it was N4.2 million, and the fee paid was N8.5 billion; in 2016, N1.3 billion was paid.”

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Tinubu Makes Numerous Promises at Slain Soldiers Burial

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the military to within the next 90 days ensure that all the benefits of the 17 officers and men of the army killed in Okuama on March 14 be paid to their families.

Tinubu said that government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

He said that all the children of the deceased would enjoy a Federal Government scholarship up to University level.

He described the officers and soldiers as patriotic, brave and gallant Nigerians.

The president said that the deceased gave their lives to defend and protect the Nation against internal and external threats.

At the burial ceremony of the officers and soldiers on Wednesday in Abuja, Tinubu said that their death serves as a rallying point for Nigerians to condemn crime and criminality.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers, seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.“The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats,” he said.The 17 military personnel killed included Lt.-Col. Ali, Maj. D.E Obi, Maj. S.D. Ashafa, Capt. U. Zakari, Staff Sgt. Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, and Lance Corporal Bello Anas.The rest were Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.Tinubu said that the deceased have all been awarded posthumous national honours.“The four gallant Officers have been awarded Member of the Order of Niger (MON). And the 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded Officer of the Federal Republic Medals.“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognise your valour and bravery.

“I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers and insurrectionists.”The President urged the officers and men of the military not to be deterred by these setbacks and be prepared to continue to work for peace and harmony.Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to rebuilding communities and making them places where love, tolerance and harmony reigns.“Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting.“I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.“The elders and chiefs of Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”The president commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.“We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.”

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army who were gruesomely murdered in Okuama Community in Delta on March 14, left behind 10 widows three of whom are pregnant and 21 orphans.Lagbaja made this known at the burial of the 17 personnel comprising one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers, on Wednesday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.According to him, the Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian army and, by extension, the Nigeria state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, including parents.“While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold.“We shall do all within our power to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” he said.Lagbaja said he considered his toughest job to be putting fine men and women in harm’s way, sometimes knowing that they might not return to their families and loved ones.He added that his men, correspondingly and intriguingly, know that in spite of the equipment, training, and other forms of preparations, sometimes some may not make it back alive, while some may return handicapped.According to him, “when soldiers die in the hands of the enemies of the State, we take it as dying for what the nation has considered a just cause; we celebrate them as gallant heroes.“But when they are gruesomely murdered by the very people they are trained, equipped, and took an oath to protect, it is highly demoralizing.“It is no longer news that 17 of the Nigerian Army’s finest men, whom we have come to bury, were murdered in a reprehensible manner on March 14 in the Okuama community of Delta State while they went on a legitimate peace-making mission.

“It grieves my heart that it took our search and recovery effort over 72 hours to recover some vital organs of the decapitated and disembowell bodies of my men that were scattered all over the Okuama community by the community youths and their friends.“I consider it the most barbaric act any citizen or community can commit against the authority of the state, and I must place on record that a lot of restraints have been exercised so far in our search and recovery efforts for missing arms, ammunition, other equipment, and body parts.“I assure the President and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be deterred by setbacks such as witnessed in the Okuama community.“As tasked by the President and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army, with the assistance of its sister services and other security agencies, is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the Okuama murder to book and recover all service and personal belongings taken from the murdered troops.“The Nigerian Army will continue to seek the cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly in the affected area, towards swift and successful conduct of our search and recovery operations,” he said.The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the fallen heroes exemplified the very best of service to nation and love for country.Musa said they were the vanguards of peace, the guardians of freedom, and the sentinels of security, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be etched in their hearts and memories.He assured the families of the deceased officers of the support of the nation and the armed forces in every way possible, urging them to find solace in the knowledge that their loved ones made an indelible mark on the nation’s history.The defence chief said the military would honour their memory by continuing the fight against those who sought to undermine the peace and security of the nation.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to build a nation worthy of your sacrifice.“The loss we feel today is immeasurable, but we must not allow it to dim the light of hope within us.“Instead, let us use this moment as a rallying cry to come together as a nation, to support our armed forces, and to work tirelessly towards a Nigeria free from the grip of violence and insecurity.“We owe it to these fallen heroes to honour their memory by redoubling our efforts to create a safer and more prosperous nation for all.“Let us build a nation where every citizen can live without fear, where communities can thrive, and where our children can grow up knowing the true meaning of security and stability.“To the men and women who continue to serve in the armed forces, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication to duty.“Your commitment to defending our nation, even in the face of great peril, is truly commendable,” he said.Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Kano, Kogi and Imo states amongst others attended the burial ceremony.

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