NASS recess: INEC worried over poor funding ahead of 2019 elections

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  yesterday expressed worries over poor funding ahead of the 2019 general elections.

The commission’s problem is compounded by the non-approval of the 2019 election fund requests sent to the National Assembly.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last week sent a request for the national assembly to approve N254 billion for the conduct of 2019 elections.

But the national assembly proceeded on recess to resume in September, 2018.

The INEC Chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, spoke during State House Press Corps retreat on the theme: “Covering Election Campaigns” at the Epe Resort, Lagos State.

Represented by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Samuel Olumeku, Yakubu said the commission was facing funding challenge ahead of the 2019 elections.

He, however, assured that the Commission will have to seek other sources of funding to ensure that its plans do not grind to a halt.

He said “As you know, our procurement process is very cumbersome and to make procurement it may take up to four months and this may affect what we are doing at INEC. But we may be forced to look at other sources of funding so that our preparation for the 2019 election is not affected”

He also said that INEC has an extensive process of preparations for every election.

“When we are not conducting election, we are out there educating the people” he added

The commission also expressed worries over the problem of votes buying which the INEC described as “worrisome”

He said, “Votes buying has taken a frightening dimension”, but assured that INEC has put in place measures to tackle the challenge.

The INEC Chairman also lamented the non- assent to the 2018 amendment to the Electoral Act, a situation he said may make the organization to jettison the Act unless it comes into effect not later than six months to the election.

“Well, as you know, we work with rules and the 2018 Electoral Act is expected to guide the conduct of the 2019 general election, but we may not be able to use it unless it comes six months before the general election.

“We need a budget to be able to run the election, any law that does not come into effect six months before the election cannot apply to the 2019 election.

On voter’s card cloning, he assured that such cards will be rejected by the smart card reader, adding that “you cannot vote with such cards.”

The INEC Chairman advocated for a rejig on its election spending rules to include spending by individuals who want to support candidates

“As it is now, as a person, you can spend any amount to support any candidate or political party but the law only allows INEC to scrutinize the books of the political parties”

He also cautioned the media against sensitization of reports that tend to discourage voters from turning out to vote, especially as it affects heightening of security risks.

“INEC lacks facilities to print voters card at the spot of registration which is why it issues temporarily cards.” he stated

Chairman of This Day Editorial Board, Segun Adeniyi who presented a paper on “Covering the Presidential Villa During Campaigns; Between Professional / Sentimental Interest” observed that reporters must maintain delicate balancing reporting in the Villa,  urging reporters to be careful.

He also urged reporters to avoid sensational reportage, including stories that have no attribution.

“There are lots of information going on, do not allow anybody to use you.”

Adeniyi, who recounted his experience both as reporter and later Special Adviser on Media and Publicity at the Presidential Villa, said reporters must be both accurate and objective in their reporting.

According to him, “You must learn to control your emotions and be tactful in handling newsmakers and news.

“You won’t know the fight other people do on your behalf at the background. It won’t be a sweet story when you have to face the security.

“The government just want to muzzle the Press, because they are in power today, they want to see themselves as the custodian of the national security.

“Facts are sacred, while comets are free” There is nothing going on today that did not happen in 2015. Let Buhari go today and another person comes in, it will be the same for the new comer.

“People should not be so sentimental or emotional to the extent that you become part of the story. These politicians are all the same. Try as much as possible to be objective in your reporting. Many people get worked up for people they did not even know.

“People get worked up for nothing, that is why we should have an open mind and it should not affect our friendship. People are entitled to their choices but we should be objective.” he said

Noting that it was a bitter experience under the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, he said that he was surprised that even under democracy things weren’t better.

He admonished State House correspondents to avoid the perks coming from officials as it may affect the ways they work. - The Nation

Nigeria has the highest number of unvaccinated children in the world - WHO

Nigeria has the highest number of unvaccinated children in the world, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In a report released on Monday, the organisation said a total of 19.9 million children miss vaccination yearly.
It said 4 million children in this category are Nigerians.
The major disadvantage of not being vaccinated is high susceptibility to a disease outbreak. The unvaccinated fellow’s immune system is unable to identify and neutralise the disease causing agent virus or bacteria.

The report said 60 percent of unvaccinated children are typically based in 10 countries.
With 2.9 million, India comes next to Nigeria, followed by Pakistan with 1.3 million, Indonesia (1 million) and Iraq (450,000).
The other African countries named in the report are Ethiopia with 850,000  Democratic Republic of Congo (600,000), Angola (560,000) and South Africa (390,000).

Last month, Nigeria overtook India as the country with the highest number of poor individuals.
According to Brookings Institute, a century-old American research group, 87 million people out of 198 million Nigerians live in poverty.
The Nigerian government had discarded the World Poverty Report on the grounds that the indicators used were obtained when it was in recession. - TheCable

Transfer news : Chelsea defender makes decision over potential move to Newcastle

Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma will opt for a move away from the Premier League to join Fenerbahce, rather than signing for Newcastle United according to recent indications from the Turkish media.

During the latter stages of the transfer window, Newcastle have reportedly emerged as one of the apparent contenders to lure the French international away from Chelsea.
However, it seems Fenerbahce are frontrunners for the Chelsea defender, as Zouma has allegedly told the Blues that he doesn’t want the move to Newcastle.

According to the report from Takvim, Zouma is on the verge of signing for the Turkish club on a season-long loan, with Fener offering a loan fee of €1.5m to Chelsea. Despite the West London side demanding a fee of €3.5m, it’s still probable they can reach an agreement, it seems.
Newcastle are likely to chase a new central defender following the news that Florian Lejeune will require surgery on damaged knee ligaments.
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Zouma’s future remains uncertain, but it seems Fenerbahce are leading Newcastle in the race for his signature at this stage. - Read Sport

121 Nigerians killed in S’Africa yet FG isn’t proactive - Falana

Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has criticsed the federal government for allegedly not taking steps to end the extrajudicial killing of Nigerians in South Africa.

In a statement on Sunday, the lawyer said the government “has not gone beyond the regular condemnation” of the killings while also accusing the South African government of inaction.

At least 121 Nigerians are reported to have been killed in South Africa in the past 18 months, usually in xenophobic attacks, the most recent being Chibuzo Nwankwo who was murdered last week.

Falana said despite the killings, governments of Nigeria and South Africa have “deliberately refused to accept the jurisdictional competence of the African court on human and people’s rights by making a declaration in line with article 34 (6) of the protocol for the establishment of the court.”

“Thus, by refusing to make the declaration, both countries have made it impossible  for their nationals  whose human rights have been violated by state actors to seek legal redress in the court,” the statement read.

“On its own part, the government of Nigeria has not gone beyond the regular condemnation of the brutal killings. Up till now, the government has not deemed it fit to take bold diplomatic measures to guarantee the security of the life and property of every Nigerian citizen living in South Africa.

“However, the lackadaisical attitude of the Nigerian government to the brutalisation of Nigerian immigrants in South Africa is not surprising in view of the impotence of the State to curb the incessant  killing of innocent citizens at home  by terrorists, herders, armed robbers, kidnappers and other bandits.”

The senior advocate of Nigeria added that to stop the extrajudicial killings, government must “pressurise” the South African government  to bring all culprits to book forthwith and compensate victims.

He urged the current administration to stop “exposing Nigeria to ridicule” by making the declaration to facilitate access to the African court without further delay.

“We are therefore compelled to call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights to conduct an enquiry into the killings of African immigrants in South Africa and make appropriate recommendations to the African Union,” he said. - TheCable

7 reasons you should never drink out of plastic water bottles

1. They can release potentially harmful chemicals into your water

When you expose plastic bottles to regular wear and tear; heat, i.e., in a hot car, heated yoga class, or dishwasher; UV radiation from the sun; or microwaves, the outer layers of plastic can break down. In response, plastics marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 can release a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA), while BPA-free plastics can release bisphenol S (BPS).

Both of these chemicals, which are also found in receipts, the lining of tin cans, andelsewhere in the environment, can contaminate the liquid you drink from your bottle, according to Cheryl Watson, PhD, a biochemist at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston who's done extensive research on human exposure to BPA and BPS.

The problem: When you ingest even small amounts, they mimic oestrogen, which can change the way your endocrine system functions. In humans, exposure has been linked to chronic diseases, including diabetes, asthma, and cancer. Animal studies suggest in utero exposure can ultimately impair development of the brain and immune system, with effects that could be passed down to future generations.

2. Plastic chemicals might make it harder for you to have a baby

Researchers found that men and women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation who had high levels of BPA in their blood, urine, and work environment were less likely to have a successful pregnancy, according to a 2013 review of 91 studies published in Reproductive Toxicology.

Although more research is needed, the results suggest that when BPA imitates estrogen, it interferes with different stages of pregnancy, such as fertilization and implantation, says Sheela Sathyanarayana, MD, adjunct associate professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the University of Washington.

3. Plastic chemicals could raise your risk of heart disease and other circulatory issues

Humans exposed to the highest levels of BPA have an increased risk of heart disease, according to a 2012 study published in Circulation. Although correlation doesn't necessarily prove causation, researchers think this could be due to BPA's link to high blood pressure, arisk factor for heart disease. After all, the blood pressure of adults who drank from cans containing BPA rose almost ASAP in a small but thorough 2015 study published in Hypertension.

Also scary: Since BPA and BPS can mimic oestrogen once they get into your system, and high levels of the hormone increase the production of the blood plasma protein, according to Dr. Sathyanarayana, exposure to these chemicals could also lead to blood clotting and related complications like heart events and stroke.

4. Refilling plastic bottles could expose you to potentially harmful bacteria

Unlike glass or steel bottles, both reusable and disposable plastic bottles break down from regular use. Even teeny cracks can harbour bacteria, according to a review of research published in the journal Practical Gastroenterology.

While most bacteria is harmless, according to Charles Gerba, PhD, professor of microbiology and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona, bottles can harbour norovirus, cold, and flu-causing bacteria. (Washing regularly with soap and hot water could help, but that could break down the plastic even more.)

5. They're terrible for the environment

Sure, most plastic bottles appear to be recyclable, but since less than 1 percent of plastic is recycled more than once, most ends up in the trash, according to a Science Advances study examining plastics made between 1950 and 2015.

If this trend continues, study authors estimate there will be more than 26 million pounds of plastic waste in landfills and/or the environment by 2050.

6. Disposable water bottles are expensive

For the price of a fancy bottle of water (about £2), you can get roughly 1,000 gallons of tap water, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

7. Refilling your reusable bottle with unfiltered tap water could expose you to carcinogens

Almost all of the drinking water systems across the U.S. contains carcinogens, such as hexavalent chromium and nitrates, according to a 2017 Environmental Working Group (EWG) report that analysed the quality of U.S. drinking water in all 50 states. (You can check out the EWG's Tap Water Database to see which contaminates were found in your area and how to sift them out - filtered water FTW.) - ELLR UK

Dangote to FG: Adopt int’l housing model for 17m home deficit

Chairman of the Dangote Group Aliko Dangote has advised the Federal Government to adopt an international mass housing model to reduce Nigeria’s 17 million housing deficits.

He spoke during a meeting with the Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) alongside Chief Executive of the BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu in Abuja.

He supported the proposed N500 Billion recapitalisation of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), saying it will help boost the bank’s efforts at improved service delivery.

In a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Ahmed Kawoji, yesterday in Abuja, Dangote said keying into such models would not be out of place as such had worked in other countries.

His words: “Count me as a friend of FMBN. We are open to collaborating and supporting the good work that your bank is doing towards ensuring the provision of affordable housing to medium and low-income earners in Nigeria”.

Dangote expressed readiness to collaborate with FMBN towards lowering the housing deficit by increasing the tempo and scale of social housing provision across the country.

Chairman, BUA Group of Companies, Rabiu reiterated his commitment towards a close partnership with FMBN.

“I am committed to forging a partnership that will add value to FMBN’s work and I look forward to furthering engagements in this regard”.

FMBN Board Chairman, Dr Adewale Adeeyo, assured the businessmen that FMBN will work closely with them to realise the partnerships. - The Nation

Daddy Showkey moves against activities of tanker drivers in Ajegunle

Veteran musician and dancer, Daddy Showkey, weekend expressed how angry he feels about the tankers and containers being parked within the residential areas around the popular Ajegunle slum in Lagos.

He emphasised and shared with reporters the reason behind his crusade against such action.

The galala crooner, who rose to fame from the area, said: “People’s lives are in danger and they are important to me. The tankers always obstruct the road and if there is an emergency, people will not find an escape route easily.

“Every business around Ajegunle is dying because people cannot access the area easily. I wanted the governor to see what the people are going through and I am happy that he has finally intervened.”

He also called Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s attention to the container terminal in Ajegunle Donclimax.

He said: “The container terminal in Donclimax should also be moved; it is high time we started showing concern over the welfare of ordinary people within Lagos State and Nigeria generally.

“Why would they build a container terminal in a residential area? A container terminal is supposed to be close to a seaport. I will keep advocating for my people, because they are the ones that listen to our songs and buy my albums.”

Showkey also added that he is currently working on his new single titled ‘Position’ targeted at addressing some of the major ills in Nigeria.

However, he stressed he was not quitting music for advocacy saying, “I have been an advocate right from time; music is inside me. I am always in the studio working, so it’s not as if I have left music for advocacy. Showkey is still Showkey.” - Daily Post

South-West : Pilgrimage Sponsorship And The Financial Burden On Tax Payers

When is south-west government going to stop wasting tax payers money on those people intending to attend personal spiritual rituals in Mecca and Jerusalem ? Religion is a private affair.

I intentionally skip other parts of the country because our needs, priorities and orientations are totally different especially from the north. The north are known for their religious sentiment and in way they are not ready for serious development because of their fear for restructuring and lack of support for it. So their elite are very okay with current system. 

This is a controversial activity that serious governments in the developed countries don't have business with but in our own developing and third world country where we need aggressive and urgent development we are here wasting tax payers money on it despite having no social amenities and lacking necessary infrastructure. Whereas all these basic social amenities and solid infrastructure are available in those countries.

Religion is a private affair and personal issue therefore south-west states should have no business in it so it should be the sole/financially responsibility of anyone aspiring to go Mecca/Jerusalem for any religious activities.

The current governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun promised at the beginning of his first term that government will not sponsor anybody on pilgrimage which he failed to do. In fact, I was very happy when he made such promise. I don't know the reason for his failure.

In fact religion is now a big business venture across the world and in a way a tool of slavery in most places so a serious and business minded government especially in this part of the world where we lack everything, and they believe they have the interest of the people at heart should tax places of worship from all angles. The religious leaders are managing director/ceo of their respective house of worship. Their primary motive is profit making. 

I feel disturbed when I saw a news item this week when Lagos government promised to pay some religious leaders so that they can assist them in promoting moral and right values among people so that they will shun corruption and other immoral activities. What the government failed to understand is that you can not give what you don't have. Most of these religious leaders are part and parcel of the people.

The practice of religion has had more negativity on our country than positive. Just simply look at the people at the helms of affairs of our country, they belong to one religion or the other. They are always proclaiming their religion to loot the country and commit all sort of atrocities. Even the followers too are doing the same at their level. I have worked in both public and private sectors where people will finish praying and return to the habit of office stealing, contract inflating and looting. So what is the essence of religion ? Why are we so fake ? Instead of religion to purify our hearts, it has actually hardened it. This is the case with majority. With all our religiosity many people are not honest and trustworthy. No integrity ! 

Over the years it has become very clear that we are contributing financially and otherwise to the economy of Saudi Arabia and Israel without having anything physical or visible in return at the expense of tax payers by sponsoring people to Mecca and Jerusalem. This is draining on our collective resources. Individuals should be allowed to shoulder the financial responsibility for this spiritual journey. 

Like some of Islamic scholars will ask during their sermon..... why are we so daft ? Both Mecca and Jerusalem have all the basic amenities and good infrastructure in place. 
Yet the governments in the south-west will waste tax payers money to sponsor people there, and they will return to jungle called Nigeria with no basic things of life. 
Are we mad ? 

By the way this religion of a thing is not going to take us out of poverty but is only going to compound the level of poverty in the south-west. It is also killing our thinking, industries and entertainment industry. Throughout the south-west the old cinema houses have been turned to places of worship. 

Instead of us to build massive industries we are building massive auditoriums for worshipers with zero contribution to the economy. Serious countries that are not religiously inclined have the best and superb standard of living.

Based on available information Lagos state has stopped sponsoring pilgrimage exercise in the south-west region about three years ago because of economic meltdown. That is good enough. Till they stopped they spent an average of N1.5 billion annually to sponsor people. The state said it had saved N4.5 billion in the last three years. But they are still providing some side supports like giving lecture on medical tips and other stuffs to intended pilgrims. So we don't know how much they are spending on this.

Therefore, now is the time for other states in south-west with meager resources to stop sponsoring pilgrimage activities.  They have no business with that. The earlier they do this the better for the citizens. 

The south-west region needs serious development and real integration in all areas....healthcare, education, staff training, roads, waste management, potable drinking water, information technology, exchange of ideas and so on. The resources they are spending to sponsor people to Mecca and Jerusalem can be pooled together and channel to one of these areas. 

Therefore, I mean everything that has to do sponsoring people to Mecca and Jerusalem should not be undertaken by any state government in the south-west, so private and professional people should be encouraged to learn A to Z of these pilgrimage activities and allow to do it. - Irunmole-nla