Group calls for passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill

By Imisi

 

The Election Network has called for the passage of the Electoral Amendment Bill stating that this will foster the full implementation of electronic voting during elections in Nigeria.

 

The group insisted that the alarming rate of voter apathy as experienced in the 2019 election has made it imperative for speedy implementation of electoral reform adding that this will help put in check to several electoral irregularities

 

While presenting a documentary titled “Left Behind, Editor of The Election Network , Asari Ndem, expressed dissatisfaction at the amount of voters that were disenfranchised due to violence and inability to transfer their voters card stating that Nigerians should be able to vote anywhere they are, when the need arises.

 

'‘The 2019 elections was a setback for Nigeria’s electoral and democratic framework. Officially, over 80 million Nigerians collected their voter cards from INEC but only about 30 percent of those people voted during the elections, the lowest recorded voter turnout in the history of Nigeria’s democracy.

 

‘‘We wanted to understand why this had happened, to enable us make submissions to policymakers on how this level of failure can be avoided in coming elections. So, we decided to talk to the people. To show the human impact of electoral deficiencies on average Nigerians, The Election Network produced a documentary titled “Left Behind.” In this documentary, we interviewed Nigerians who were unable to or chose not to vote during the 2019 elections.

 

‘‘We found that these Nigerians were stalled by factors like administrative shortcomings, intimidation, and violence. But what stood out the most is violence.

 

‘‘In light of these findings, we are making the following proposals for Electoral reform: The passage of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill: this overarching law on elections in Nigeria, when passed, will help put in check several irregularities but more importantly, give way for the full implementation of electronic voting during elections. Electronic accreditation, voting and collation to ensure credibility in the voting system needs to be done electronically to avoid errors, to also trace malpractices in the system.

 

Furthermore, Ndem called for the prosecution of electoral offenders and the inclusion of people living with disabilities, PLWD in the voting process stressing that PLWD should be included during election planning to ensure they are able to adequately exercise their rights.

 

‘‘Also, on financial accountability an embargo should be placed on the ability of political office holders to make financial transactions close to the elections.

 

‘‘With these submissions and the screening of this documentary, we hope to enact policy change that creates sustainable improvement to the Nigerian electoral ecosystem and contributes to the strengthening of our democracy’’ he stated.

 

Attack on Police very serious crime – Ex-IGP Idris

In the face of incessant attacks on police personnel and formations, especially in the Eastern part of the country, Ex Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has stated that attack on the police is a very serious crime, insisting that culprits must be made to face the law.

Speaking with journalists at his Abuja residence, the former IGP stressed that attacks on uniformed men can dampen the morale of officers, a situation he said can reduce their productivity.

According to Idris, attacks on the police who are saddled with the responsibility to protect the people is very dangerous to the lives and safety of the citizens, noting that the government must begin to study and uncover the reasons for such attacks, work out a lasting solution to the upsurge before it escalates beyond control.

The ex-IGP further observed that for the police to adequately tackle insecurity in the country, there is need for recruitment of more officers and men into the force.

‘‘Some of the challenges with the police force is the lack of personnel.

‘‘The strength of the police compared to the Nigerian population, obviously, we are overstretched.

‘‘Taking a look at the population of the country, the police are overstretched presently, we need to do something to increase the police for them to adequately tackle the insecurity in the government.

Idris underlined that the establishment of state police, as advocated in some quarters is not the solution to the country's complex security questions, adding that such will amount to creating more problems. 

He reiterated that attention should rather be paid to increasing the number of police officers in the country to commensurate with the growing population. 

He enlisted adequate training, improvement in welfare of officers and men of the force and provision of modern tools as immediate steps the government must urgently take to put insecurity under check. 

"In tackling insecurity in this country, we faced the same challenge during our time, of course you had to look at the issue of recruitment, training of men. 

"You have to train people to tackle the situation. Presently, a lot of them have left the service. I don’t know what is on ground but we need more policemen. In addition to this is the issue of equipment. You have to provide the needed equipment to enable them tackle this insecurity" he said. 

He also underlined the role of women police officers in tackling banditry in the country, same way the military recently deployed female officers to the dreaded Abuja-Kaduna expressway, a situation generally believed to have improved security in the axis.

Old persons require love and care

Ageing is a process that every human being must pass through, nothing can be done to stop a person from growing old. Old age comes with its challenges which can trigger death. The society must begin to prioritise care of old people through proper government legislations and family care, our correspondent,  IMISI writes

 

 

 

 

For some people growing old is a nightmare which creates a secret nurtured feeling of the wish that one wouldn’t have to go through this process. For others it comes with an avalanche of sickness that eventually leads to their demise.

 

 

 

Ageing is a natural phenomenon that every human must pass through and more and more people are entering their golden years every year as birthdays are celebrated.

 

 

 

Aging can be a beautiful experience if properly handled ensuring that the older person is living his best life through love and care, also having the physical and mental health to enjoy it. Like a bottle of wine, you can get better with age with the right care and intervention.

 

 

 

Ironically our society is very obsessed with pointing out negative aspects of ageing and older persons making this category person appear like liability, less economically viable which in the long run leads to discrimination against the older people.

 

 

 

It might interest you to know that there is a field of study dedicated to providing care for the older people called Geriatrics, while geriatricians are physicians who have special training to better understand the unique needs of older adults, which is why they typically prescribe care for adults 65 and older.

 

 

 

One the other hand, a gerontologist studies the problems of aging from a broader perspective. Not only medical issues, but all the various problems faced by seniors and the elderly.

 

 

 

For example, a gerontologist might study the relationship between loneliness and the way seniors use technology, or how genetic risks can change with age, through studies and investigations gerontologist are able to establish a more comprehensive picture of the sort of problems faced by older persons, education us on the need to create policies and programs related to older adults.

 

 

 

Against this backdrop our correspondent spoke with a Gerontology expert, Dr Emem Omokaro of Dave Omokaro Foundation who stated that there are economic values that come with ageing.

 

 

 

Suffice to know that there is a noticeable shortage of care specialists focused on older people, Dr Omokaro is also the president of the Gerontology Association of Nigeria and the co chair and convener of the stakeholder Group on aging Africa. SGA Africa 

 

 

 

According to her Dave Omokaro foundation has been focused on ageing for the past ten years, with focus on capacity building that is training policy makers, decision makers, training medical and biomedical professionals, journalist on policy formation planning and orientation on the ageing process, implication of the aging populations, implications of family community, implications to pensions and health care systems and all others that you can get when the population is ageing.

 

 

 

‘‘In Nigeria where you have simultaneous challenges of huge populations at the same time growing absolute numbers of other persons, we focus on enlightening them in order to ensure policy actions.

 

 

 

‘‘With our exposure we want Nigeria to be part of the community that when we really come into taking part in caring for our older persons then we are doing a good job and properly guided.

 

 

 

‘‘When we talk about older persons we talk about ageism which is a form of stereotype against the older persons. 

 

 

 

‘‘Ageism is when you lump everybody together like they are indigenous and you generalise in a descriptive form this is who they are that is stereotyping them. Older persons are often lumped together like they are all sick, they are all a burden like they have nothing to contribute.

 

 

 

‘‘Stereotypes lead to discrimination making people and government term the older people as a burden and wouldn’t like to invest in them which is wrong.

 

 

 

Advocacy is the easiest tool to stop ageism, ignorance leads to prejudices, South Africa has Grant for older persons, we need to upgrade and include the older persons by providing them with social protection. 

 

 

 

 

 ‘‘Older person will continue to contribute to family, to community, to the nation that is why when we keep them healthy and keep them functional they take away the burden off and the working populations of children when we provide health insurance even they can buy into this health insurance it means you keep them healthy and their children who are in the working population can save money’’ she explained.

 

 

 

Speaking on the benefits of the older people Dr Omokaro called on the government to invest in the older generation.

 

 

 

Apart from them contributing and growing the economy as caregivers, older women are the ones caring for younger children especially during ‘omugwo’ which is done free of charge, they should be charging so income could come in for them and 60 percent of farmers are older persons and they are still farming.

 

 

 

‘‘Why it appears like the older ones are not contributing is cause nobody is investing in their means of livelihood, if there was investment of course the community will surely grow and they will earn money like every other person and like they are cooperatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

She however stated that the advocacy for the rights of older persons is a mission for everyone who intends to grow old someday adding that countries that have looked at ageing as an industry have reaped its benefits.  

 

 

 

Suffice to know that there is a noticeable shortage of care specialists focused on older people

Public health

Power lifter urges F.G to harness benefits of the sport

 

 

Bayelsa born International Power Lifter, Erepaei Sunday has disclosed that there are enormous benefits in power lifting as he urged the federal government to harness power lifting as an avenue to empower youth through strength and power sports. 

 

Addressing journalist in Abuja, Sunday also known as "Sunny power" noted that through constant competition in power lifting a lot of young people will be gainfully employed thereby reducing youth unrest in the country.

 

Sunny power, who is also the president of World Power Lifting Federation of Nigeria, stated that awareness of the sports was low in Nigeria despite its international acceptance as he maintained that he has concluded plans to partner with the F.G through the office of the minister for youth and sports to increase awareness and acceptance of the sport.

 

‘I will be working with all 36 states of the federation through their commissioners and directors of sports’’ he said.

 

He explained that collaborations with stakeholders in sports development will attract international investors into the country to support and sponsor power lifting events.

 

‘‘Constant engagement with stakeholders and talks about strength and power sports, catch them young, talent hunting with cash awards will always be in our events. Annual coaching seminar will be organised to improve our techniques’’ he said.

 

The award winning power lifter also added that his mission is to see that power lifting and strongest man sports are included in the national sports festival in the country, disclosing that plans are in top gear to establish a power sports academy in the country for proper training of youths.

 

Sunny power however appealed to government at all levels to support the age long sport which has given him international exposure and a career.

ANDP: We did not field any candidate for Bayelsa Election- Femowei

 

 By Our Correspondent

 

 

The National working committee of the Advanced Nigerian Democratic Party, ANDP led by its chairman Mr James Pere femowei esq has disclosed that the party did not field any candidate for the November 16th 2019 Governorship election in Bayelsa state  and therefore cannot have sued INEC for unlawful exclusion of the party in the election process.

 

 

Femowei made the statement at a press briefing at the Savanna suits area 3 Abuja recently stressing that on this grounds its expelled Chairman Barr Charles Ogboli holds no constitutional grounds to sue INEC on behalf of the party.

 

 

According to the executives of the party there is an urgent need to put the records straight in respect of the participation of ANDP in the Bayelsa guber election held on the 16th of November 2019 and the position of the party on the outcome of the judgement of the election petition tribunal delivered on the 17th of August 2020.

 

 

The current National Chairman James Pere Femowei said he was the national legal adviser of the party until 8th December 2018 when the former chairman Chief Charles Ogboli was expelled from the party by a 2/3 majority due to several acts of gross misconduct and insubordination.

 

 

Femowei stated that the party was unable to conduct primaries rather did it field any candidate for the 2019 Bayelsa election because its candidates were disqualified due to their age limitations.

 

 

 

According to him the National Executive Council, NEC, the National working committee, Nwc, the board of trustees, BOT, and some other sensible bodies were inaugurated immediately after the expulsion of the purported chairman by NEC of the party.

 

 

Lamenting on the persistent determination of Chief Ogboli to drag the PDP candidate to court, the ANDP boss noted that the purported ANDP governorship candidate and the presumed deputy withdrew from the suit when the full extent of the charade was brought to their notice.

 

 

‘‘Chief Ogboli’s reason to continue with the case and deception beats my imagination’’ he stated.

 

 

He prayed for peace to reign supreme in the state as he urged Bayelsans to be calm as it is their vowed intention to be joined in the suit, raise preliminary objectives to the locus of chief Ogboli to have filed the suit in the first instance since the ANDP as a party did not present a candidate for the governorship election and neither did it sue INEC, the PDP or Governor Douye Diri at the election tribunal.

             

 

Femowei however added that the party has appealed to the higher court hoping that the court will rule in its favour.

Femowei stressed that they are genuine members of the ANDP and that they were unaware of the petition filed by the party at the tribunal challenging Mr Diri’s election adding that they are in support for the governor Douye Diri.

Also he added some picture evidence to show the suspension of Chief Ogboli from the party

 

 

Also speaking Quadri - Adu Kehinde the National secretary advises bayelsans to tow the line of peace and unite to build the state.

         

 

 

 

New Dawn: Ijaw community Abuja chapter elects new leaders

The Ijaw Community Association Abuja, has elected its new executives that will manage the affairs of the organization for the next two years with the title New dawn.

At the end of the election, held in Abuja, Ibe-Jack Onisofiten Success, emerged chairman of the  community after polling a total number of 62 votes out of  90 delegates that participated in the exercise.

The chairman of the electoral committee, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli said the ELECO under his chairmanship has repackaged and rebranded the electoral process to produce a credible leadership.  

According to Ikuli, he titled the election "New Dawn"  because of the process the aspirants and delegates had to go through in other to be part of the new leadership.

"from the sale of form, screening of Aspirants , the uniqueness of the manifesto depicts a New dawn".

 

Ikuli particularly hailed the Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, for his efforts in bringing peace and development to the Ijaw people and for financial support towards the electoral excercise. 

The Governor of Bayelsa State who was  represented  by Dr Felix Tuodolo one time president of the Ijaw youth Council noted that the leadership of the Ijaw community are Apolitical. 

He added that the Ijaw nation  should remain committed to the struggle and to prepare to use their various organizational structures to defend the Ijaw land. 

Tuodolo urged ,the newly elected executives to serve the Ijaw people and remain committed to the course  of the Ijaw people who have been marginalized  have not  been compensated adequately. 

Other members of the executive are  Erenaminak Kiribo Marian , Vice chairman  Dide. A E Collins , Secretary General, Jack Bomma Prosper, Assistant Secretary, Provost Sisinwa George , Jaja Raphael Director of Social, Women leader, Wilkinson Oname, Director of Media, George N. Ikoli 

Welfare Esther Lawernce , Auditor, Blessing Ebiere , Financial Secretary, Timibrabo Eseimokumor , students Representative,  David Minaopuye