The Zamfara State Government has approved the temporary relocation of the state National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp from Tsafe to Gusau for security reasons.

This is contained in a statement by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr Babangida Zurmi in Gusau yesterday.

Zurmi said the State Deputy Governor Mr Hassan Nasiha said this when he received the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig.-Gen. MK Fadah at his residence in Gusau.

Read Also: New NYSC boss to prioritise corps members’ welfare, security

“The deputy governor gave a brief account of the security situation in the state. He said the situation has improved relatively, as the people were going about their normal businesses.

“He said the state government accepted the temporary closure of the orientation camp by the NYSC in good faith due to security challenges,” he said.

Nasiha said worried about the development, Governor Bello Matawalle approved temporary relocation of the camp to Gusau to ensure adequate security.

He congratulated the NYSC D-G on his appointment and assured him of the government’s continued support for hitch-free operations of the NYSC in the state.

Fadah said his visit was to inspect the new orientation camp to assess its suitability for NYSC activities.

The member representing Takai/Sumaila Federal Constituency of Kano State Shamsudeen Bello Dambazau has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) under the leadership of Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

Dambazau, who did not cite the reasons for his defection, however, said unfortunate development within the APC in the state necessitated the recent move.

In a terse statement released to reporters, Dambazau stressed that sincere sacrifices have to be made in a bid to solve “deep-rooted national problems,” hence the need to move on.

“Today, I, Shamsudeen Bello Dambazau has formally defected to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) under the leadership of Dr Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, a man of integrity and respect.

“This came after due consultations with my team and supporters.

Read Also: ‘ZLP won’t accept defectors from major parties’

“However, unfortunately, recent developments within the party make it almost impossible to continue participating and making productive contributions to the advantage of the party and the people of my constituency.

“Our national problems are deep-rooted and require that we all make sincere sacrifices towards rescuing our constituencies, states and country at large.

“My commitment to rescuing my constituency and Kano State remains firm even if the routes vary.

“I extend my appreciation for the opportunity to serve within the party but it is time I move on to where our interests align,” the statement said.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi and former Air Chief, Sadique Abubakar has decried the high number of out-of-school children in the state which he puts at 1.4 million. He assured the people that if he becomes governor, he will prioritise the education and health sectors.

While speaking to reporters in Bauchi at the weekend after his victory in the primary election, Sadique said: “All we are looking out for is how we can provide the required leadership that will get them back into their classes as only 29.9 per cent of children is attending schools.”

This is as he promised to work in unity with other contenders within his party to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.

The Nation reports that Sadique had scored 370 out of the total number of 1,021 votes cast to defeat six others to clinch the party’s ticket ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Read Also: Full list of prominent politicians whose children secured APC, PDP tickets

The former Air Chief, who said his victory in the primary election was a victory for the entire people of Bauchi State, noted that he will not take the confidence reposed in him by his party for granted.

On the electoral process that brought about his emergence, he said the entire primary election was transparent and peaceful.

“I thank the party executives who worked hard to see that we were able to conduct a peaceful exercise. I also commend all the other aspirants for the sportsmanship spirit they demonstrated.

“I assure you that we will work together as a family to address the fundamental problems facing our people in Bauchi. I also thank our delegates who came in and spent sleepless nights.

“This is not a victory about me alone but it’s a victory for us all. I assure you that we will work together to change the narratives about Bauchi State. So, the victory is for everybody.

“Our focus now is how to defeat the PDP come 2023. We are a formidable force and the APC is battle-ready to wrestle power to make things better in the area of health and education,” he said.

Ahead of next year’s  general elections, clerics in Sokoto State have advised the electorate to vote for patriotic Nigerians who are experienced, competent and credible.

According to them, it was important for the country to have leaders who have credible, pious and committed track records.

“We need a leader with the tenacity of purpose, courage and focused to drive human and structural development in the overall interest of the country without sentiment,” they said.

Speaking in Sokoto on Sunday, the Chief Imam of Maikilishi Juma’at Mosque, Sokoto Prof. Sani Sagir of the Physics Department, Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto described leadership as a “responsibility that required an able person who is healthy, physically fit; intelligent and experience.”

Sagir, who is also the National Vice-President 1 Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’a wa Iqamatul Sunna, stressed the need for a mature mind with a large heart for Nigerians to lead the country to the path of prosperity.

He said: “I pity those who are contesting this crucial situation in Nigeria.

”Leadership is very hard to talk about, especially in Nigeria, because of insecurity, economic instability and lack of unity.

”Nigeria needs a very good leader with experience, good political will, someone that means well for the country, not someone that will steal public funds.

“Nigeria needs a person that will do the right thing, not minding what people will say, as far as it is a right and acceptable decision, because, as a leader, you need to be courageous in doing the right thing always.

“These are the kinds of leaders we want at the moment. President Muhammad Buhari tried in various sectors. However, because of age, so many things are needed,” he said.

Sagir explained that the Vice-President had been proactive though, not young considering his age also.

Read Also: Insecurity: Clerics urge faithful on trust in God

He said the President needed ministers and advisers that are proactive and help him like Vice-Presidents to achieve more.

Also, Sheikh Muhammad Talata-Mafara said: A good leader is a person with people’s interests at heart, pious and submits himself to improving their living standard.”

Talata-Mafara cautioned Nigerians against money politics and selfishness.

He called on Nigerians to consider capability and achievements in supporting any presidential aspirant and other people seeking elective positions.

Sheikh Bilal Jabir-Elkanawy called on Nigerians to ensure transparency and fairness during the electioneering.

Jabir-Elkanawy said: “Selling votes against their conscience to the highest bidder or moneybags is dangerous and it is against Islam.

“The credibility of representatives in the government starts with pre-election activities that herald the general elections.

“Nigerians need to choose a credible candidate. Political parties should choose credible candidates from the primaries to enable the masses to make their choices during the general elections in 2023.

“I urge Nigerians to vote wisely because of their children, their relatives and for the interest of our country,” he said.

The cleric described Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo “as a leader whose excellence in academics covers most disciplines and relevant to modern development, to tackle the challenges of the country.”

According to him, people have not witnessed any quarrels or serious misunderstandings with his principal and he is attested to be loyal.

“His vast understanding of the diverse challenges and how to nip them in the bud for a unified Nigeria, through his knowledge of the law and the humanitarian act was sacrosanct to Nigeria.

“We need to also eliminate vote-buying completely from our elections, as it is abhorred by the religion,” Jabir-Elkanawiy said.

The desperation of politicians in the 2023 presidential election cycle gives cause for alarm. From N100 million presidential nomination forms to $35,000 delegate bribes and INEC’s shifting of the deadline for primaries, seemingly to accommodate the political party in power today, there are dangerous omens.

It is up to us as Nigerians to decide if we will be fooled again in 2023. To make real progress, we must break from the past. We must now elect leaders who offer us a clear, coherent vision, competence, and a plan.

As an aspirant for the responsibility of President of Nigeria in 2023 on the platform of the African Democratic Democratic Congress (ADC), I offer our country a clear vision and plan, articulated in my book Build, Innovate and Grow (BIG). The high Office of President of Nigeria is a job, not an entitlement based on the number of years a candidate has spent in politics or merely on personal ambition. In 2023 Nigerians should elect a candidate who has the competences, experience and performance track record that is directly relevant to the job. The core functions of the President of Nigeria are (1) Nation-building (managing diversity, building a united nation, and building strong institutions); (2) National Security; (3) Economy; and (4) Foreign Affairs and International Diplomacy.

Based on these requirements, I am the man for the job. A modern, 21st century President of Nigeria. As a United Nations official for 17 years in which I rose by dint of hard work and competence from entry level Officer to the highest career bracket of Director and served on special assignment at the political level of Under-Secretary-General, in New York, Cambodia, Croatia, Rwanda, and Switzerland, I led teams that achieved lasting results in rebuilding failed states such as our country has become today, in international security operations, and in traditional international diplomacy.

I led resource mobilization and the building of global partnerships for the Geneva-based,  $20billion Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria that has made social investments to support health systems and save lives in 140 countries including Nigeria. And as the founder and CEO of a global investment advisory firm in the private sector, I have advised and guided major foreign investors into Nigeria and other African countries.

As a Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 2009 to 2014, I led the execution of extensive reforms that saved the Nigerian financial system from collapse after the global financial crisis of 2008. Our work remains the stabilizing foundation of our financial system today.

Read Also: 2023 presidency and the error factor

I also led the team that developed and introduced the Bank Verification Number (BVN) which now serves nearly 50 million Nigerians in the banking system. My team and I facilitated the introduction of Non-Interest (Islamic) Banking that advanced financial inclusion, as well as the digitalization of the payment system that made it possible for nearly 100 million Nigerians to make and receive payments on their mobile phones. As a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the CBN, I played an active leadership role, with other colleagues, in economic policy making that successfully crashed inflation from double digits to a single digit 8% by 2014. We managed foreign exchange policy successfully, with the Naira exchanging to the dollar at a rate in the range of N150-N165 to $1 during our tenure in office. These are transformative achievements in which one played a direct, leadership role. The impact of my life’s work so far has been deep, international, national, and local, empowering millions in Nigeria and around the world.

Having been a traditional politician in and of itself, say as a state Governor or Senator, without the knowledge of or exposure to managing complex diversity, sophisticated security operations, national economic management, or foreign affairs, does not prepare such an individual to be an effective president of Nigeria. Our failure to understand this is why we tend to make the wrong leadership choices. This is the lesson we should learn from Nigeria today as the failed state our country has become. The presidency is a unique job, not a mere political promotion or an entitlement.

In 2023, our present national crisis needs us to elect a President of Nigeria that will fix our economy, unite our diverse peoples, secure our territory and our people, and restore our standing in the world. I pledge to build and unify our country into One Nation with  a common national ambition on which we all agree. We will proactively secure our country and its people in all of our geopolitical zones. We will build an economy that creates jobs and prosperity for our youth through innovation, manufacturing and skills through education reform that ends ASUU strikes permanently in Nigeria, and access to capital to start new businesses through a state-sponsored venture capital fund that will be managed efficiently by the private sector.

With my knowledge, experience and networks in international relations, my Government will make Nigeria influential and powerful abroad once again, based into the stability and prosperity we will create at home.

Fellow Nigerians, this house has fallen. Together, we will rebuild it to become stronger than it has ever been.

• Moghalu, ADC Presidential aspirant writes from Ifekaego Nnewi

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has been  praised for what was described as his  patriotic role  played toward the success of the presidential primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A statement  by the Sokoto State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Sulaiman Usman (SAN) yesterday  which was made available to reporters described Tambuwal’s action as incredible and a rare sacrifice for the party and country.

Usman, a member of the electoral committee of the PDP National Convention said the decision of Tambuwal to step down for Atiku Abubakar was certainly an incredible sacrifice which demonstrates his ability to put the party and country first.

“It was a patriotic decision that will further foster the ideals of democracy and democrats to the service of the country.”

Read Also: How Atiku struck last-minute deal with Tambuwal to win ticket

The release noted that the decision further confirmed Tambuwal’s ability to wait without agitation, “which is an admirable quality.”

Besides, Usman pointed out that “patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a thoughtful outlook on life. Patience also leads to wisdom and success,” he stressed.

He said Tambuwal has proven that “he is excellent in taking high-level decision borne out of great sacrifice, and which is never the result of selfishness.

“There can be no progress and achievement without sacrifice and any man’s worldly success will be in the measure that he sacrifices,” he said.

However, the Justice Commissioner hoped that Tambuwal would have felt all the pride and happiness surrounding him and the barrage of commendations he received making the incredible sacrifice.

Dispatch riders operating in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) must register with the FCT Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) latest by the first week of August or face sanctions.

Companies employing the riders must also register by the deadline, FCT VIO Director Mr Abdul-Lateef Bello warned in Abuja yesterday.

Bello told reporters that the agency had conducted a series of engagements with dispatch companies and riders before arriving at the August deadline.

“After registration and training, they will be given a different motorcycle specification of not less than 200 CC which is a higher category than what you see around now,’’ he said.

He said the bikes would help to create a distinctive feature for proper enforcement.

“This will also help to remove dispatch riders who had been engaging in one violation or the other,’’ Bello said.

The VIO director also said there were additional requirements introduced.

Bello also told reporters that registered riders would undergo riding lessons offered by the directorate.

The director noted that the enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycling had been difficult because Abuja City was not planned to accommodate the operation of motorcycle taxis and tricycles.

He noted that the enforcement of the ban was not solely the responsibility of the VIO, but also that of the FCT Administration.

He said notwithstanding the recklessness of most riders, their services were important to those who live or work in remote areas.

Bello said this was why the FCT Administration had been trying to strike a balance without resorting to an absolute ban on commercial motorcycling in all parts of the FCT.

To end the controversy arising from estimated billings, the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has launched what it described as mobile MAP (Meters Access Providers) in conjunction with Mojec.

At the launch of the product, the Managing Director of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc Alhaji Mammanlafia Umar, who called on customers desiring meters to take advantage of the current metering programme said that the exercise was concurrently running in Bauchi, Benue and Gombe states.

The Managing Director, who explained the importance of meters to customers, said meters remain the only authentic measurement implements that could be used to determine consumed energy by customers.

He said: “All our customers without meters are insisting that they are being overcharged. We cannot say with certainty that customers are right or wrong. There are a lot of challenges with estimation.”

He  explained that “there are also challenges of liquidity because we needed a lot of money to buy meters which is why the Meter Assets Providers (MAP) was introduced for the customers to buy meters.

“Any month the customer comes to buy a unit, we will refund the customer with the unit.  For example, if you buy a unit of 2000, you will be given a unit worth 3000 until the money is fully refunded,” he said.

The Managing Director allayed customers’ fear about the availability of the meters, assuring that “these meters are readily available.

The Chief Executive Officer, who was optimistic about the success of the programme, said that “we already got three to four customers even before the relaunch. started and we are going to install their meters immediately.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fibroid Care Centre at Nordica, Dr Abayomi Ajayi has said that in the treatment of fibroid, not every woman requires open surgery. This is because, he said, it is usually bloody and comes with some complications.

Speaking during a virtual event yesterday, which will dovetail into a physical event in Abuja called “Hangout on Infertility and Fibroids,” on Saturday, June 11 2022 by 3:00 p.m. at Valencia Hotel, 44, Blantyre Crescent, Wuse, Abuja, the health expert, who said 70 to 80 per cent of women that are below the age of 50 years are at risk of fibroid, also stressed that not every fibroid needs to be treated.

He said: “Fibroids are benign masses or growth in or on the uterus. They are so common. Also, it is not every fibroid that needs to be treated. The fact that you find out that you have fibroids, it is not the end of the world. Even if you need treatment, in 2022, there are so many treatment options that are available that do not involve surgery.

“There are some drugs that can be used to treat fibroid, but you cannot use drugs if you still want to have a baby because the drugs will not allow you to get pregnant. But it can be used for people who do not want to continue having children. There is also what we call High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for fibroid, which has been described as the safest and most effective way to remove the fibroid, with minimal risk.

“People who see their menstrual periods earlier in life are also more predisposed to the fibroid. People who are using birth control pills are also at risk of having fibroid.

“However, the most important factor is the family history. The commonest symptom is the menstrual flow-when you notice that the number of sanitary towels you use has increased or your menstrual flow increases by days. Some people even bleed between periods.

“For some, they just notice that there is swelling in their abdomen and then sometimes it becomes painful. Also, because the swelling compresses organs that are nearby to the uterus, a woman could start urinating very frequently or not be able to urinate at all. Some have constipation because of the presence of the fibroid.”