By Adejoh Bilkisu

The umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria, the Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) warned the Department of State Services (DSS) otherwise referred to as the State Security Services (SSS), and politicians against throwing Nigeria’s economy into further woes over alleged terrorism charges against the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Backing civil society groups alleging that the DSS is orchestrating plans to arrest and remove the CBN Governor for at least 60 days until after the general election next year, the CNPP and the CSOs described it as a move by desperate politicians who want to receive and spend money without any traces.

The coalition made this known during a press conference organized by CNPP in conjunction with CNCSOs in Abuja, led by the National Convener and the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu.

The claims of the SSS in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022 between State Security Service and Godwin Emefiele were made with the sole purpose of forcefully and wrongfully removing the CBN Governor from office, they said.

“This alleged plot is coming immediately after the redesign of the naira notes and the review of the cash withdrawal limits for both individuals and organisations.

“We have all hailed the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria such that even the corrupt politicians who are opposing the cash withdrawal limits acknowledge that it is the way to go but that the timing was wrong. They also sort to get wavers for election spending.

“Why are they looking for wavers? They want to use our stolen commonwealth to buy our votes.

“In view of the current revelation, we are afraid that the State Security Service is derailing from its statutory role to becoming a tool in the hands of desperate politicians. This is dangerous for the country and must be discouraged at any cost.

“Those who wants to receive and spend money without any traces are those who have been kicking against the cashless policy of the CBN.

“If you have legitimate money, why are you afraid to wire the money through bank transfers? Why are you afraid of cash withdrawal limits?

“There is no limit to the amount you can transfer through the bank but because they are having our stolen money, they don’t want to make traceable transactions and that is the sin of Godwin Emefiele.

“That’s why they want him out of the way before the election so that someone who can do their biddings is appointed to reverse the cashless policy implementation”, Ezugwu added

The groups urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN Governor never to relent in their efforts to place Nigeria among the best 20 economies in the world in line with the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“We assure Mr. Godwin Emefiele that Nigerians on the streets, who are in pains of starvation and hunger due to the continued looting of public funds meant for their well-being by some politicians, are standing with him and will vehemently resist any attempt to derail the cashless policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria”, he pledged

Chief Willy Ezugwu commended the Federal Government on the exemplary leadership with the ban on cash withdrawals from public accounts.

“The stoppage of cash withdrawal from all public accounts is another legacy in the war against corruption and electoral fraud by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“The ban on cash withdrawals and subsequent directive to public officers to immediately open domiciliary accounts in foreign and local currencies ahead of the commencement of the cash withdrawal policy will deepen the gains of the cashless policy of the federal government through the CBN”, the CNPP and the CSOs said.

President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled the redesigned naira notes of N200, N500 and N1000 at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the unveiling of the naira notes preceded the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with a number of cabinet members in attendance.

The unveiling of the new redesigned notes hitherto slated for Dec. 15 was brought forward to Wednesday by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, who announced the shifting of the date on Tuesday at a media briefing to mark the end of the 288th Monetary Policy Committee meeting and the last in 2022, urged those in possession of the old notes to hurriedly deposit them at the nearest bank branch.

This, he said, would enable them to beat the Jan. 31, 2023 deadline to dispose of the old notes. (NAN)

… Wants CBN To Make Redesigned Naira notes Expirable On Given Date

An amalgamation of patriots in Northern Nigeria under the aegis of Coalition Of Northern Patriots For National Reorientation has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore calls for the sack the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele over “controversies” trailing the planned redesign some denominations of the Naira notes.

The group also urged the CBN to insert expiry dates on each batch of the redesigned naira notes to discourage the stockpiling of the banknotes by corrupt politicians and persons with questionable sources of income.

Recently, Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) had urged President Buhari to sack the CBN Governor and his team within seven days, threatening to stage “massive protests across the Northern region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)”.

But in a statement issued in Abuja by spokesman of the Coalition Of Northern Patriots For National Reorientation, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the patriots said only groups sponsored by corrupt politicians can kick against the Naira redesign.

According to the Patriots, Nigeria is at the crossroads, both politically and economically. The coalition insisted that it then calls for “drastic steps and a lot of sacrifices to return the country to the path of prosperity for all as against the current regime where the interests of a few individuals are protected.”

The patriots noted that Naira redesign was long overdue, urging “the CBN to consider inserting expiry date on every batch of the naira notes to ensure that no individual stocks large sums of money in his bedchamber or underground.”

The statement added, “Today, many highly placed individuals, who cannot explain the source of their income, stockpile Naira notes in various denominations in their houses for fear of the anti-graft agencies.

“Some others who are engaged in illicit drug trafficking and kidnapping for ransom have stockpiles of notes in their houses while the economy is starved of urgently needed funds that should be in circulation to help the economy grow.

“For us, any individual or group working to stop the scheduled redesign of banknotes in the country is either ignorant or may be working for corrupt politicians and persons whose sources of income are questionable.

“We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to ignore calls for the sack of the CBN Governor and his management team and treat individuals and groups agitating for the stoppage of Naira redesign as enemies of democracy and the prosperity of the country.

“We call on all security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation persons and groups plotting to truncate the Naira redesign process as the investigation may lead to uncovering criminal syndicate and political thieves behind them.

“We hereby emphasize that northern Nigeria is not any way against the CBN policy to redesign the N200, N500 and N1,000 banknotes as already approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Nigeria needs to end vote buying and 2023 is the best time to start the process as tackling vote buying could be one of the many unintended but immeasurable benefits of the Naira redesign beside the long term economic gains across the country”, the patriots concluded.

Ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in Rivers State, governorship hopeful and candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), High Chief Hon. Amb Sobomabo Jackrich has charged the leadership of the NRM in Degema Local Government Area to be more proactive, committed, and result-oriented.

He gave the charge during a strategic meeting with leaders of the party in the LGA at his Usokun residence.

Addressing the party leaders, the governorship hopeful tasked them to own the RESCUE PROJECT by redoubling their efforts and commitment towards the task ahead of occupying Brick House come 2023.

He enjoined them to be wary of business-minded politicians who will surely invade their privacy with Greek Gift and fake promises as usual just to get their votes only to abandon them for the next four or eight years.

In his words, “this is their season of lies and deceits, I know them. When they come to you, please ask them what they have done for you before now. In my private capacity, I have built roads, provided water, electricity, assisted farmers, sponsored free skill acquisition program, given and still giving educational grants, given and still giving financial support as business capital, and so on, and have been doing this over time without even having any political ambition and not just in Political seasons.

“In addition to this, I am the most accessible candidate. When they come with the money, eat it because it’s actually your money but do the right thing for your own good”.

The Rivers State Chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Hon. Ibiyekaribo Peters re-echoed the need for party leaders to be up and doing in their various wards and units as all Politics is local, adding that plans are in progress by the leadership of the party in the state to visit the LGA in the shortest possible time for the commissioning of the LGA party secretariat.

In their separate speeches, various LGA and ward leaders pledged their total support and commitment to the project, despite certain challenges which they see as surmountable for where there is a WILL there is always a WAY.

The meeting had in attendance all members of the LGA executives, Chairmen, secretaries, youth leaders, and women leaders of the seventeen (17) wards of the LGA.

The 2023 governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) in Rivers State, High Chief Hon. (Amb) Sobomabo Jackrich has charged the people of Ogoni to shun double standards in their struggle against the continuous marginalization, neglect and deprivations meted against Ogoniland.

Jackrich gave the charge on Thursday, 9th November 2022 during a program organized by the National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) at the Ken Saro Wiwa Memorial Hall, Bane in remembrance of the 27th year anniversary of the Killing of Ken Saro Wiwa and Ogoni activists by the Abacha Regime.

He stated that Ogoni leaders should be selfless and sacrificial, and stop the politicization and monetization of the Ogoni struggle for their personal aggrandizement while the land continues to suffer underdevelopment and degradation.

He also noted that despite the riches in Ogoniland, there is nothing tangible to show for it, adding that he has come with the message of hope that Ogoniland will be great again if theyvall work togetjer in one voice and stay resolute and fearless in the struggle.

The program ended with the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of Late Ken Saro-wiwa.

Amb Sobomabo Jackrich also paid a condolence visit to the family of Ken Saro-Wiwa at his Late father’s house in Bane community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.

An Abuja based fashion house is up and driving a Creators Fair/Exhibition and Fashion show with Theme ‘AFROCENTRIC’ which will be held in Abuja.

According to the Chief Executive officer of the organization, Mrs. Justina Wanda, the event, which is the maiden edition, will be held in collaboration with other MADE IN NIGERIA Businesses.

The event will involve combining Afro Fashion/culture with displays, ranging from furniture, bags, Arts, prints, jewelries and lots more attractions.

She also disclosed that the fashion show will be exclusive with Classy Afro fashion brands exhibiting their products on the runway, she stated that her company will also launch a Maiden Magazine that will have annual information on African businesses.

“This show indeed is a must see for all African fashion and culture lovers”

The show is an innovation and creative thinking of a lover of fashion and an excellent imaginative mind in designs and concept, Mrs. Justina Wanda owner of Justwan Dezign Couture a Fashion Brand located within FCT Abuja, a designer and fashion lover that supports the continuous improvement of our African Cultural development.

Information obtained by our correspondent indicates that the key organiser will, as part of a give-back-project of the company, train a few young girls and boys through her fashion academy targeted at fostering the love and use of our African fabrics in the fashion industry.

Activities for the event will run from morning to evening. The exhibitions will be 100% made in Nigeria products, we are expecting the FCT population and beyond to participate and attend this fair/exhibition which will display lots of unique Made in Nigeria products from all the vendors’.

Free Entrance Fee

Entrance fee for the fair is Free, the organisers assured.

“The fashion show will be exclusive and worth your time with Tickets for the event –
VIP access tickets -N100,000 Regular tickets- 10,000 each.

“The event will hold on the 10th of December 2022
Venue – Ladi Kwali Hall Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

“For sponsorship and participation in the exhibition  and fashion show kindly call 08175061080 or 08080343480 for more information”, the organisers stated.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has listed various ways in which Nigeria can work with China towards improving bilateral relations. He spoke on Thursday, 30th September, during a diplomatic engagement with the Chinese Ambassador, HE, Mr. Cui Jian Chun at the Chinese Embassy in Abuja.

Prince Adebayo noted that the belief of the social democratic party is that international relations of Nigeria must focus on countries like China who have become self-dependent after some years of underdevelopment, adding that these are countries Nigeria can learn from.

“China has been an example of how a developing country or what use to be an undeveloped country can within a short time rally its people together, become self-dependent, become a great power and our believe in the Social Democratic Party is that the international relations of Nigeria must focus on countries with similar experience, countries we can learn from”.

Still speaking, he says Nigeria and China can work together in creating more fairness and equity in the international system, in creating a balance in international trade relations, in the area of infrastructure development and also medicine, science and tech.

“China is world champion on infrastructure development, road, railway and port development and I think we have a lot to learn in terms of that.”

In the area of trade relations, Prince Adebayo says, “we believe that trade should be more balanced and countries of the southern hemisphere and other developing countries should be able to explore other payment systems”.

While welcoming the SDP presidential candidate and his entourage, the Chinese ambassador, Mr Cui Jian Chun says SDP is a well-respected party in Nigeria.

“You are welcome once again. Your party is a well-respected party in Nigeria. In China, whether small or big, every party is equal.”

Prince Adebayo was accompanied by Sen. Ugochukwu Uba, comrade Solomon Dalung, former Minister of youth and sports development, the national vice chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Alhaji Kani, Pst Ade Alabi of the presidential campaign office, Hon. Richard Oriri, SDP candidate for house of assembly, Benue state.