By David Torough, Abuja

The petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has failed to meet the constitutional requirements outlined in Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) made this announcement yesterday via its official X handle.

The statement was signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun.

“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” the commission said.

In a detailed breakdown, INEC revealed that the petitioners failed to gather the requisite number of signatures/thumbprints, which must represent more than one-half of the registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District.

“For emphasis, a petition for the recall of a Senator must comply with the provision of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which requires the signatures of more than one-half of the registered voters in the constituency.

“The total number of registered voters in the Kogi Central Senatorial District is 474,554. More than one-half of this figure (i.e. 50%+1) is 237,277+1 which is at least 237,278 voters,” INEC said.

The total number of registered voters in the district is 474,554, meaning that at least 237,278 signatures were needed.

However, only 208,132 signatures were collected, falling short by 29,146.

“Across the 902 Polling Units in 57 Registration Areas and five Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District, the commission ascertained 208,132 signatures/thumbprints from the submission made by the petitioners.

“This translates to 43.86% of the registered voters which falls short of the constitutional requirement by 29,146 signatories.

“Consequently, the petition has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the recall of the Senator,” INEC declared.

In line with the legal requirements, INEC also issued a Public Notice regarding the outcome of the review.

In recent weeks, Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio have been at the centre of a political crisis following her accusation of sexual harassment against him.

Akpoti-Uduaghan had petitioned the Senate over the alleged misconduct, but on March 6, the Ethics Committee dismissed her claims and suspended her for six months without pay.

The controversy escalated last week when some of her constituents submitted a recall petition to INEC, seeking to remove her from office.

Natasha Hails INEC, Mocks Detractors

The lawmaker representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan yesterday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for rejecting the process by some groups and individuals to recall her from the Senate.

The Senator thanked the Nigerian electoral umpire for upholding justice constitutionally and refusing to bow to pressures from what she termed ‘undemocratic elements in Kogi and the Senate.

Her statement came a few hours after INEC had declared that the recall petition failed to meet the requirement of the Constitution and, therefore, can no longer be processed.

In a statement by her media team on Thursday, Akpoti-Uduaghan praised INEC for rejecting what she called a ‘fake process’ by sponsored groups and individuals to recall her from the Senate.

While thanking the electoral umpire for upholding justice and constitutionality, she mocked ex-Governor Yahaya Bello àgain and others for attempting to break her willpower.

She said, “God has put to shame anti-democratic forces plotting my recall from the Senate, including one of the most wanted persons by the EFCC, former governor Yahaya Bello. All along, I did not exercise any fear because I have a God that never fails, and I have people on my side.

“The decision to reject the recall process is a justice against injustice. INEC has proven to be truly independent, and history will never forget this justice. I commend the umpire for shaming the shameless agents of darkness and setting the record straight according to the laws of our land.

“To God be the glory, we have defeated them again. This development is another record-breaking against those who prefer coming from the backyard, the manipulators, election riggers, the violent merchants and their allies in Kogi Central and beyond. Bear in mind that your days are numbered in politics. I am out to bring justice to the oppressed and to ensure Nigeria is great again.”

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal government has earmarked the sum of $174.58 million as counterpart funding for Country Partnership Program (CPP), 2024-2028 with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu who disclosed this at the singing of the PCP with UNIDO in Abuja yesterday, described it as a well-structured funding strategy.

According to him, the Government of Nigeria has committed a counterpart contribution of 14. 3 percent, amounting to $24.9 million while UNIDO will mobilize the remaining 85.7 percent, totaling $14.9 million, through donor/partner contributions.”This financial framework demonstrates the government’s dedication to driving industrialization while leveraging international partnerships to maximize impact. Additionally, Nigeria has already made a financial commitment of $1.2 million as payment to UNIDO, reaffirming our active engagement in this initiative”, Bagudu disclosed.He said a crucial aspect of the partnership is UNIDO’s active engagement in expanding renewable energy solutions and promoting sustainable economic practices, adding that their pioneering work in Hydropower development and the deployment of mini girds is instrumental in enhancing energy access, particularly in underserved communities across Nigeria.”Simultaneously, UNIDO’s initiatives in advancing the Circular Economy are transforming waste management and resources efficiency, fostering a greener and more resilient industrial landscape. These efforts are pivotal in not only modernizing our energy infrastructure but also in reinforcing Nigeria’s broader strategy for economic diversification”, the minister said. He said beyond industrial growth, “This programme will stimulate Job creation, enhance skill development, and promote sustainable industrialization, ensuring that economic opportunities that will impact all Nigerians, particularly the youth and marginalized groups”Bagudu urged all stakeholders, including government agencies, development partners, private sector and civil society, to work collaboratively to ensure the seamless implementation of this programme, stressing that its success will depend on strong coordination, policy alignment, and commitment to results-driven execution.In his remarks, the minister of state for Industry, Investment and Industry, Sen, John Owen Enoh said the signing of the partnership agreement marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial development journey.the signing of the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) as well as the Industrial Development Fund (IDF) Agreement between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).He expressed gratitude the UNIDO as well as its Director General, Gerd Mulle for its steadfast partnership and unwavering support for Nigeria’s industrialization agenda, adding “let us move forward with a shared determination to unlock new opportunities for this great country and build a future of prosperity and sustainable development”.”It is instructive to note that your innovative approach through the PCP model has been instrumental in accelerating industrial growth in numerous member states, and Nigeria is privileged to be part of this transformative initiative”, he added.In his address, the Permanent secretary of Budget and Economic Planning Ministry, Dr Emeka Vitalis Obi said the partnership is poised to enhance environmentally-friendly industrial development at the Federal, State and Local Government level.”It will also serve as a strategy to cover the gaps and usher-in a robust industrial ecosystem. The value proposition and anticipated benefits from implementing PCP in Nigeria will offer a compelling rationale for diversifying our industrial and investment strategies”, he noted.According to him, the organisation of the event demonstrates the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to drive the structural transformation of our economy.”This transformation is crucial for improving the welfare and living standards of all Nigerians. Achieving the economic growth and human development targets outlined in the National Development Plan (2021 – 2025) and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will require concerted effort.”Therefore, it is essential for the Government to work closely with investors, enterprises, visionary individuals and multilateral development institutions to ensure these goals are met”, Obi added.

By Joel Oladele, Abuja

Stakeholders yesterday, called for greater awareness and a stronger stance against the stigmatisation of Autism Spectrum Disorder.They made this known in Abuja at the 2025 ‘Shine your light autism spectrum conference, themed, “Navigating autism with understanding in Africa,” organised by Ike Foundation for Autism in commemoration of the World Autism Awareness Day.

World Autism Awareness Day is recognised annually on April 2 to promote acceptance and inclusion, and recognise the contributions autistic people make to their communities and the world at large. In his speech, the Executive Director of Ike Foundation for Autism, Dafe Smith called for a shift in how society views autism, moving away from shame and isolation toward understanding and support.Dafe also highlighted the need for increased awareness to eliminate the stigma surrounding autism, particularly in communities where children with autism are often hidden or isolated.“For long, autism has been met with misconception, stigma, and silence, and the objective of the conference is to shine your light on autism. If you have an autistic child, you don’t need to hide the child. There are provisions for the child to have access to care. Gone are the days when we are not proud to talk about it. If you have an autistic child, ask questions; there are medical provisions available for that child to have access to care, so don’t hide it.“We have established an early intervention centre where parents can come to and then engage their children with a therapist who will take them through the early intervention plan and eventually they will receive all the therapeutic services they need to improve their well-being, because we have cases of parents whose children have been diagnosed with autism but they don’t know where to receive healthcare services for their children.“We’re advocating for acceptance, increased awareness, and we are speaking against discrimination,” he said.A neurologist at the Maitama District Hospital, Abuja, Dr Mimi Osamwonyi explained that autism is a neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in social interaction and communication skills combined with repeated or rigid behaviours.“The combination of behaviours or symptoms has led to the name autism spectrum disorder. You find some people have one end of the spectrum; others have the other end, and so on.“Globally, it’s estimated that one in 10 children has this disorder, and the prevalence rate in low- and middle-income countries is unknown, largely because of the lack of data. In Nigeria, studies suggest a prevalence of about 2.3 percent. However, there are challenges in accurate diagnosis, and the data collection leads to poor underestimation. It appears to affect more boys than girls,” she stated.She said some of the factors responsible for the condition are genes, family history and prenatal exposure to valproic acid.“Early diagnosis and intervention can improve behaviour skills and leverage development. However, intervention is helpful at any age. This is not to discourage any parents who have a child with a spectrum disorder and have just found that, but what we’re saying is that it’s better when you pick it up early. The goal is to optimise functionality and independence,” she said.She noted that delayed diagnosis may lead to social isolation, poor academic performance, challenges in independence, emotional struggles, low self-esteem, and lack of self-acceptance, among others.She advocated collaboration, community awareness events, using traditional media, and providing educational resources to better inform the public and increase support for autism research and awareness.In her keynote address, the Director of the Family Health Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Binyerem Ukaire, said autism is often misunderstood and stigmatised in Nigeria, leading to challenges in accessing services and support.Ukaire, who was represented by Mrs Helen Akhigbe-Ikechukwu, said to reduce the stigmatisation, all stakeholders need to work on early diagnosis and intervention as they are crucial for maximizing the potential of individuals with autism.She added that there is a need for “Creating inclusive educational environments where individuals with autism can learn and thrive alongside their peers is essential; building a supportive community that understands and embraces individuals with autism is vital for their well-being and inclusion; and empowering individuals with autism to advocate for their rights and participate fully in the society and for Civil Society to advocate for more financial funding for children with special needs.”The Chairman, Parents Therapist Association at the Ike Foundation for Autism, Ajala Ibrahim, emphasised the importance of awareness, early diagnosis and early intervention for autism.He encouraged society to see autistic children as individuals with potential, rather than stigmatising them.“The government needs to invest in creating awareness about this because it is expensive to manage the condition. The government needs to invest in technology to help people with the condition and ensure that their talents are discovered early,” he stated.On his part, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the autism spectrum is not a limitation but a different way of experiencing the world.Olawande, who was represented by his Senior Technical Advisor on Youth Health and Policy Research, Dr Obinna Ebirim, noted that the ministry’s strategic plan for the next two years is underpinned by inclusivity and collaborations to support, empower, and protect young people.“This means inclusive policies and programmes including those specifically targeting young persons with disabilities, including those within the autism spectrum, ensuring they have access to skills development, and empowerment opportunities,” he stated.