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2023 Polls: INEC Meets Collation, Retuning Officers For Post-election Review

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday met with Collation and Returning Officers for the 2023 general elections to review issues regarding the election results management.

The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while addressing the officers at the post-election review meeting in Abuja, said the commission would like to hear their experiences on the field.

He said that the commission would also want to know what could be done to improve the aspect of election result management.

Yakubu said that INEC was aware that as collation and returning officers, they worked under extremely challenging circumstances by tediously and manually completing designated forms as provided by law.

He added that the officers either moved the designated forms to the next level of collation or concluded the processes as returning officers.

“Many of you also have the cognate experience of result management, having served in similar capacities in at least three electoral cycles.

“The Commission appreciates your commitment, dedication to duty and sacrifice to the cause of our democracy.

“At the same time, issues have arisen and some Nigerians have raised concerns about result management at various levels.

“While some of the issues are subject of litigations and therefore subjudice, we can nevertheless discuss them broadly and most importantly share experience on the way forward.

“It is, therefore, the commission’s expectation that at this meeting, we will identify areas of strength and weaknesses as well as the necessary reforms that we need to introduce going forward,” Yakubu said.

He added that more specifically, INEC would want to hear their perspectives on the processes and procedures for recruitment, training and posting of collation and returning officers; logistics for movement to and from their places of assignment.

“The integrity of the collation and declaration procedure, including the application of the law, regulations and guidelines for result management;

“The role of technology in result management; Security of Collation/Returning Officers and the collation centres; and conduct of party agents and election observers during collation;

“Conduct of security personnel; and any other lessons that will improve the future collation and declaration of results, “ he said.

Yakubu described the meeting as important as it involved 37 State Collation Officers for the Presidential Election (SCOPEs), many of whom also doubled as Returning Officers for the 28 Governorship elections.

He said that for the legislative elections, INEC invited the Senatorial District Collation Officers across the six geo-political zones of the country, who also doubled as returning officers for senatorial elections.

“It is practically unmanageable to invite all the collation and returning officers for 1,462 federal and state constituencies made up of 109 Senatorial Districts as well as 360 Federal and 993 State Houses of Assembly constituencies.

“We, therefore, focused on the Senatorial Districts since they are bigger and cut across the other constituencies,” he said.

Yakubu reiterated that when the review engagements were exhausted, a comprehensive report would be prepared.

NAN reports that INEC had earlier met other stakeholders, including the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), Electoral Officers (EOs) and leadership of transport unions, who participated in the election.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Vice Chancellor, of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Kabir Bala, who served as the State Retuning officer for Sokoto State, believed that the review would improve the future elections in the country.

Bala said that the review would help look at the hiccups that happened during the polls and the possible solutions.

He however said that for Nigeria to have better elections there must be a change of attitude by Nigerians as politicians and electorates.

Bala said that the politicians needed to change their attitude of “I must win at all costs” and those elected should be patriotic to serve, while the electorate must satisfy their conscience by voting for the best candidate in any election.
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News

Nigerian Army Promotes 28 Brigadier Generals, 77 Colonels

Published

8 minutes ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Army has approved the promotion of 28 Brigadier Generals to the rank of Major General and 77 Colonels to Brigadier General, in a significant reshuffle of its senior leadership.

The decision was announced by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, on the Nigerian Army’s X on Friday.

Among those elevated to Major General are Brig Gen O Adegbe of the Defence Intelligence Agency, Brig Gen SM Uba, Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen RE Hedima, Acting Chief of Military Intelligence Army, and Brig Gen RT Utsaha, Deputy Director of Defence Operations.

Others include Brig Gen AM Umar, Commandant of the Warrant Officer Academy, Brig Gen S Sulaiman, Deputy Military Secretary (Army), Brig Gen IO Bassey, Director of Nigerian Army Operations Centre, and Brig Gen CA Ekeator of the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

Also promoted are Brig Gen SY Yakasai, Acting Director Procurement in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Brig Gen WL Nzidee of Army Headquarters Department of Army Logistics, Brig Gen SA Emmanuel of the Nigerian Army Signals, Brig Gen SS Tilawan, Acting Commander Sector 3 Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, Brig Gen MO Agi, Desk Officer Tertiary Education Trust Fund at the Nigerian Defence Academy, and Brig Gen IM Abbas, Commander 34 Brigade.

Brig Gen ZA Saidu was promoted posthumously in recognition of his service.

Promotions from Colonel to Brigadier General include officers serving across key army units and institutions, such as the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji, Army Headquarters departments, Special Forces Brigades, and several military hospitals.

In his remarks, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, congratulated the officers and their families, urging them to intensify their professional drive and prove that their elevation is well-deserved.

He emphasized the need for exemplary leadership, inspiring subordinates through personal conduct, and adopting bold, innovative solutions to address evolving security challenges.

Shaibu further stressed the officers’ sacred duty to uphold their oath of allegiance and maintain absolute loyalty to the Constitution, reinforcing the army’s commitment to defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

The promotions mark a strategic boost to the Nigerian Army’s senior leadership, aiming to strengthen operational efficiency and enhance the military’s response to national security threats.

News

Sanwo-Olu Offers Lagos Rice At N57,000 Per 50kg

Published

11 minutes ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed that the price of rice has dropped significantly in the market, adding that he is personally ready to sell Lagos-produced rice for N57,000 to N58,000 per 50kg bag.

Speaking at the 60th Annual Bankers’ Dinner of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in Lagos on Friday, Sanwo-Olu cited the falling price of rice as evidence that the country’s inflation outlook is improving.

According to a recent report by The PUNCH, the National Bureau of Statistics, in its Selected Food Prices Watch report for September 2025, said that the prices of beans, garri, maize, tomatoes, beef, rice, and other food items witnessed a slight decrease in September 2025.

Also, the latest Consumer Price Index from the NBS indicated a slight easing in food prices, with food inflation declining by 0.37 per cent month-on-month.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu said, “Clear examples about this time last year, we were struggling to buy a bag of rice, today in the same country, in the same market, you go to the price of a 50kg is under N60,000.”

Highlighting Lagos production capacity, the governor said he operates the country’s largest rice mill and currently holds a significant stock.

He stated, “In fact, I am the largest… I have the largest rice mill in the country. I’ve got over 200,000 bags, and I was convincing my colleagues a couple of days ago, and I’m ready to sell my… at N57,000, 58,000.”

Sanwo-Olu described the ongoing price decline as a direct benefit to Nigerians, saying, “Real drop in the market. That is real growth, innovation and real growth in our citizens. The reduction in inflation numbers is real and positive.”

The governor linked the improvement in rice affordability to broader macroeconomic reforms and a more disciplined monetary environment, crediting recent changes for stabilising prices and easing pressure on households.

He continued his remarks by commending the Central Bank of Nigeria’s regulatory stance and its impact on inflation, foreign exchange stability, and investor confidence, while assuring the financial sector of Lagos State’s ongoing infrastructural and economic support.

The governor extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for giving the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, the room to operate.

He said, “I think we should thank the president and commander in chief of the armed forces of the country, for choosing him, but not just for choosing— for allowing him to do the work, for allowing him to play this role.”

Sanwo-Olu reassured the banking industry of Lagos State’s consistent support through infrastructure development, security upgrades, and digital initiatives.

He told the audience, “We are indeed grateful and happy with the level of relationship we have built, the commitment that we continue to give to you in the bank sector through our investment in infrastructure.”

He referenced the state’s massive rollout of street lighting as part of its urban security plans:
“As you drive back and see how many of the LED solar street lights that we’re placing on your street and your corners.”

The governor also highlighted the state’s recent success in the financial markets, announcing the oversubscription of its latest bond issuance.

He said, “Just a week ago, as typical of Lagos, we raised the largest sub-national conventional bond. The race went to market to raise N200m. The conventional bond was oversubscribed by over 60 per cent.”

He added that Lagos also floated a green bond:
“On another note, we were also the first to raise the green bond and sub-national.”

Sanwo-Olu urged the banking community to continue upholding ethics, innovation, and customer-centric thinking.

“Commitment is not only to professionalism, but our commitment also must be to ethical conduct. Must also be customer-centric. We must continue to innovate,” he affirmed.

News

FG To Unveil Digital Single Travel Emergency Passport January

Published

27 minutes ago

November 29, 2025

Editor

LThe Federal Government has announced that the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP) will be launched in January 2026, offering a digital solution to assist Nigerians abroad who lose their passports.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on Friday in Abuja during the launch of the ECOWAS Biometric ID Card.

He said the new system will allow citizens to generate an emergency travel document using any mobile device, eliminating the need to visit an embassy in person.

“This initiative will enable Nigerians abroad who lose their passports to generate an emergency travel document using any mobile device without visiting an embassy,” Tunji-Ojo said.

He urged Nigerians to trust the government’s capacity to tackle national challenges and called for collective support for ongoing security reforms.

The STEP is expected to complement other digital identity initiatives, including the recently launched ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC), which facilitates travel within West Africa and strengthens border security.

Earlier this month, the NIS announced that it will introduce the Single Travel Emergency Passport to replace the Emergency Travel Certificate.

The NIS explained that the document will be issued at designated Nigerian embassies and consulates and will be valid for a single entry.

The Service said the initiative forms part of wider reforms to strengthen border governance, enhance identity management, and align its operations with international migration standards.