The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the last presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said that he was saddened, on reading the press statement by the Nigerian Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. The Minister had, in a press statement, accused Mr Peter Obi and his Deputy, Sen. Baba Datti-Ahmed, of treason, by their inciting the citizens to revolt against the announcement of Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the President-elect.

In a release made available to the press, Obi said that he was not perturbed by the Minister bandying around the word ‘treason’ because, as far as he (Obi) was concerned, he had taken the legal route towards the recovery of his mandate and that he remained committed to that. “Any person ‘seeing’ treason in a clear legal process should explain to Nigerians how opting for the tribunal by myself and my Deputy amounts to treason,” Obi said.

Part of the release reads: “In the past few days, I’ve observed various campaigns of calumny directed at my person, the latest being allegations attributed to the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, in Washington DC. It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me in a manner, quite contrary to what I am and my core values, are coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking the fire of insurrection is totally fictitious and malicious. I have never advocated or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I’ve never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state.”

Regretting what he described as “recklessness” by some Nigerians, Obi said it was utterly perplexing that a Minister would be busy travelling round the world, telling Nigerians that the purpose was to tell the world the true story of the Nigerian election.” Obi said it was laughable, against the background of the fact that most of those countries sent their people to monitor the election and have all received reports from the monitors, as well as from their embassies. “Obi asked: “Between Lai Mohammed and their monitors/embassies, who would these countries believe?”

He further said that such reckless behaviour, sponsored with tax payers money, was among the reasons those countries often do not take Nigeria seriously. “The billions spent on those meaningless trips would be enough to fix several dilapidated schools in the country,“ Obi said.

While urging Nigerians to always remain law-abiding and hopeful for the coming of the New Nigeria, Obi reinstated his steadfast inclination: “I’m on record, as always, advocating peace and issue-based campaign, NOT a campaign based on ethnicity or religion. I’m committed to Due Process and presently seeking redress in Court. I urge those engaged in this demarketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in such bad light. Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria where they can live a secure and decent life, like their counterparts in other climes. And this is possible.”

We’ve provided judiciary with right tools – Okowa

Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, said his administration had provided the judiciary in the state right tools, including personnel and environment conducive for ease of dispensation of justice.

Okowa disclosed this while swearing in Justice Catherine Ojugbana-Orishedere as Acting President of Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, in Asaba.

He assured that his administration would also continue to promote the growth and development of native laws and customs in the state, adding that the government would leave no stone unturned to improve the welfare and working conditions of the bench and staff in the customary court system.

“As this administration winds down, we can take pride in our modest efforts to provide the judiciary with the right tools, personnel and environment conducive to administer justice without any let or hindrance.

“Overall, I believe we have fared well in improving the welfare and working conditions of the bench and the staff in the customary court system, within the limits of available resources,” he stated.

He affirmed that Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) from which the Nigerian Judiciary derives its powers to administer justice, empowered District and Area Customary Courts to adjudicate in land disputes, marriage, succession, inheritance, guardianship, and custody of children in our rural communities.

The governor, therefore, stated that those charged with the responsibility of administering justice under the customary court system must be men and women of impeccable character, and be free from selfishness, greed and covetousness.

He added that the judges must also be driven by the principles of natural justice, fair hearing, equity, common sense and good conscience, which were the bedrock of the customary court system.

Okowa asserted that the Acting President of the court had demonstrated a high standard of professionalism and ethical conduct that would enable her to succeed in her new position, adding that her appointment was well-deserved as it was on merit.

“Let me congratulate Honourable Catherine Ngozi Ojugbana-Orishedere on her appointment as the Acting President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Delta State. As you may be aware, Honourable Justice Patience Onuwa Elumeze retired yesterday as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal upon the attainment of the mandatory age of 65 years.

“Today’s swearing-in of Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere is in line with the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended), which stipulates that the highest-ranking judge in the Customary Court of Appeal will act as President of the Customary Court of Appeal pending conferment by the National Judicial Council.

“I note with delight that Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere comes prepared for the office having served in various capacities in the customary court system as Assistant Chief Registrar, Deputy Chief Registrar, Accounting Officer, Chief Registrar, and judge,” he said.

He described Ojugbana-Orishedere as an erudite jurist, versatile academic, experienced administrator and dedicated public servant, who presided over Area Customary Courts in Kwale, Ogharefe, and Koko at different times in her distinguished career, adding that the customary court system would benefit from her knowledge and experience.

The governor urged her to redouble her efforts by being a good example of hard work, transparency, accountability, fairness and justice.

“There is a saying that the reward for hard work is more work. This is the challenge posed by your new office. Let me reiterate the point I stressed to your predecessor that `this office will further stretch your resourcefulness, challenge your intellect, task your patience, encroach on your time, and test your value system’.

“You must maintain a high level of focus, diligence, and personal probity.

“I am confident that Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere is well positioned to take the customary court system to new heights of excellence and justice delivery because she has been part of the system since the year 2000,” he stated.

Okowa expressed the appreciation of the government and people of Delta to the immediate past President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state, Justice Patience Elumeze, pointing out that Elumeze worked assiduously to restructure the judicial architecture of the customary court system.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Delta State, I thank you for your leadership, consistency, and commitment to raising the bar in the customary court system.

“I wish you God’s blessings and guidance in all your future endeavours, while hoping that you will be gracious enough to make yourself available for more service to the state when the need arises.

“The creation of eight additional courts, comprising four Area and four District Customary Courts, in various parts of the state has undoubtedly improved the course of justice delivery in our rural communities.

“Similarly, the recruitment of over 400 staff for the Customary Court of Appeal by this administration, has helped to address the perennial problem of manpower shortages in the sector,’’ he said.

In her speech, Justice Ojugbana-Orishedere said that she was humbled by her appointment, and thanked the governor for finding her worthy to serve.

She also thanked the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theresa Diai, for the part she played in her appointment and for her continued support to judges in the progress of the judiciary.

She paid tribute to her predecessor, Justice Elumeze for her inspiring role in the dispensation of justice in the state.

Zagg debuts official TV commercial as BB Titans ends with a bang!

The Big Brother Titans Show ended in dazzling fashion on Sunday, crowning Khosi Twala as the eventual winner of the highly watched show. More than this, Zagg Energy Malt Drink — one of the sponsors of the show — debuted its official TV commercial on the show, formally introducing the rapidly-growing beverage among the youths to the entire world.

Filled with energy, vibrancy and dynamism synonymous with the BB Titans Show — the inter-country franchise of the Big Brother Reality TV show — the commercial titled “That’s our kind of energy” perfectly portrayed the mutual buzz, energy and fun-spirited nature that the brand and its consumers share.

“Zagg is a unique beverage,” remarked Olaoluwa Babalola, Portfolio Manager, Beyond Beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc., “in that it has warmed its way into the hearts of the younger ones. Through this commercial, we have been able to exhibit the energy and confidence that comes with being a member of the Zagg nation. But more than that, Zagg energy drink has come to fuel the youths of this nation with the intuition, drive and all-round invigoration needed to keep up with the global trends of our society today.”

“Being one of the sponsors of the BB Titans show was, indeed, no mean feat”, Sandra Amachree—Senior Manager – Media, Brand PR and sponsorships, Nigerian Breweries Plc.— noted on sponsoring the highly popular show, “However, as a brand that is committed to energising the youths to do more exploits, I must say that it has been a pleasure watching hundreds of thousands connect with the brand because that is what the brand is about —energy, fun and youthfulness.

Zagg Energy’s pilot commercial during the Big Brother Titans Show finale was a great success. It not only introduced the brand’s unique beverage to a broader audience but also captured the energy and spirit of the show and its consumers.

ECA and Afreximbank sign Framework Agreement to establish Special Economic Zones for the production of Battery Electric Vehicles in DRC and Zambia

Kinshasa, DRC, 27 March 2023 –
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) participated in a signing ceremony ratifying a Framework Agreement for the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) for the production of Battery and Electric Vehicles (BEV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Zambia.
Chaired by the Prime Minister of the DRC, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, the landmark ceremony saw the participation of Congolese and Zambian ministers, in addition to senior representatives from the African Union, the African Development Bank, Afreximbank, the ALSF, BADEA and ECA.
As producers of over 70% of the world’s cobalt, and 10% of global copper, experts agree that DRC and Zambia are in a unique position to move from exporters of raw materials to becoming regional and global manufacturers and suppliers of the battery precursors and reap the economic benefits.
Speaking at the Ceremony, Antonio Pedro, interim Executive Secretary of ECA hailed the agreement as “an important step in ensuring we have the right enabling policies in place for the region to benefit from the so-called green mineral boom.”
Seen in the context of the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Pedro underscored the agreement’s importance in the region’s path to achieving sustainable industrialization and economic diversification.
According to the agreement, ECA and Afreximbank will lead the establishment of an Operating Company (OpCo) in consortium with public and private investors from DRC and Zambia, as well as international investors such as Afreximbank’s FEDA investment platform. The Operating Company will develop a transboundary Special Economic Zone in the DRC and Zambia dedicated to the production of battery precursors, batteries, and eventually electric vehicles.
During the ceremony, ARISE Integrate Industrial Platform (ARISE IIP) – a pan-African infrastructure developer was nominated as the selected technical consultant to conduct the pre-feasibility study for the establishment of the SEZs in DRC and Zambia.
In parallel and moving forward, creating more value, and strengthening productive capabilities would have to take into account the need to create relevant skills and competences, including through technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and national suppliers’ development programmes. With the support of ECA, a Centre of excellence was established in DRC as a joint effort of University of Lubumbashi (DRC), Steinbis Institute (Germany) in collaboration with University of Zambia and Copperbelt University (Zambia).
“ECA is proud to be a partner to governments of DRC and Zambia in support of building a value chain for battery and electric vehicles, and I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our commitment in supporting you in this endeavour,” he said.
For her part, Ms. Oluranti Doherty, Afreximbank’s Director of Export Development said: “The execution of the framework agreement testifies to a strong commitment by the governments of the DRC and Zambia, Afreximbank and ECA, as well as other partners, to promote inclusive development of the Battery Electric Vehicle value chain, also rendering the DRC and Zambia globally competitive investment destinations.
She stressed Afreximbank’s conviction on Industrial Parks and Special Economic Zones as “critical tools the continent can deploy to fast-track its industrial infrastructure development, promote Intra-African Trade, accelerate the implementation of the AfCFTA and facilitate Export Development.”
This intervention also demonstrates Afreximbank’s commitment to promoting climate finance solutions that will reduce carbon footprints – in alignment with global decarbonization trends and a pan-African narrative around encouraging a just, sustainable, and responsible energy transition,” she added.
Ends
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org

Asaba Killing: Okowa calls for Investigation, sues for peace

Delta Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has called on the police to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged killing of a young man by a police officer in Asaba on Wednesday.

He decried the shooting of the deceased, Mr.Onyeka Ibe which was said to have occurred along Ugbolu- Illah Road by a member of stop -and-search police team on duty on the road.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary , Mr Olisa Ifeajika in Asaba, the governor sued for calm, and appealed to residents not to take laws into their hands but should allow the police to conduct an indepth probe into the circumstances that led to the sad incident.

He disclosed that the police officer, an Inspector who allegedly fired the shot that killed Ibe was promptly arrested and currently being detained at the command Headquarters in Asaba.

He advised citizens to go about their normal businesses and remain law-abiding, assuring that the law will take its course on the incident after a thorough investigation by the police.

Okowa expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and reaffirmed the resolve of the state government to ensure that the prevailing peace in the state endured.