News
Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa Polls: We Learnt Lessons With 2023 General Elections – INEC
Published
10 months agoon
By
EditorThe National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said lessons have been learned from the 2023 general elections and that there would be improvement in the forthcoming circle of elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.
He added that the Commission was satisfied with the feedback it got during the 2023 post-election review organised by the Commission.
Speaking during the conclusion of the three days review on the 2023 elections in Lagos, the INEC boss assured that most of the issues raised and recommendations made to improve the nation’s elections would be tested in the forthcoming polls in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.
Yakubu said: “We promised Nigerians that we were going to hold the election review meeting and conclude it within one month.
“We started on the the 4th of July and today (yesterday) is the 4th of August, the response was been overwhelming. Remember we started with the state level consultation with the Resident Electoral Commissioner, RECs.
“We had an engagement with the transport unions, we then met with the state collation of the presidential election in Abuja, then we had engagement with political parties, civil organisations among others.
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“So overall, we are encouraged by the response of stakeholders across the board and the quality of the contributions they made.”
Challenges
Asked the challenges that kept popping up during the review, he said: “A number of challenges came up; technology for voter accreditation, and result management was part of the issues raised, and recommendations made.
“The issue of electoral logistics, so that elections can start promptly; also the production and collection of permanent voters cards, PVCs among others.
“We are harvesting all the issues and all the recommendations and those that require administrative actions by the commission would be dealt with.
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“But those that require amendment to the existing laws, wether the Electoral Act 2022 or the Constitution, we will harvest them and approach the National Assembly for consideration.
“So we are happy so far with the response we received and the frank discussion across the board.
“The most important thing for the commission is that we have heard from Nigerians and it will enable us to go back to the drawing board in our quest to continuously improve the electoral process.
“After harvesting the information, there’s an opportunity in the three of circle elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi State in November to implement some of the recommendations that require only administrative actions by the commission, while those that require legislation, the National Assembly has to work on the laws.
“There’s also another opportunity for us because so far, four vacancies have been declared for by-elections: Surulere 1, State constituency in Lagos, Jalingo federal constituency in Taraba State, Chibok State constituency in Bronu State, and Chikun State constituency in Kaduna State.
READ ALSO: Linking INEC Voters’ Register With NIN Will Guarantee Election Credibility — Aregbesola
“So we will keep test running some the recommendations in the forthcoming by-elections.”
IREV
Asked if results would be posted immediately from the polling units to the commission’s IREV, he said: “Did the issues resurface in the governorship elections of March 18?
“Not only the governorship elections in 28 states, but the 993 states constituencies State assembly elections?
“So lessons have already been learned.
“However, there are two considerations: one we can’t preempt the ongoing processes, and secondly, many of the issues are subjudice because they are currently being litigated at various election petitions tribunals and it not good for us to comment on live matters in court.
“But lessons have been learned and there will be improvement. That is our assurance to Nigerians.”
VANGUARD
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News
JUST IN: NCC Suspends Issuance Of Virtual Operators Licence, Two Others
Published
15 mins agoon
May 17, 2024By
EditorThe Nigerian Communication Commission has announced a temporary suspension of new licence issuance to operators in three categories.
The categories are Mobile Virtual Network Operator Licence, Interconnect Exchange Licence and Value Added Service Aggregator Licence.
A virtual operator is a company that does not own a mobile spectrum licence but sells mobile services under its brand name using the network of a licensed mobile operator. Currently, there are at least 25 operators.
The Interconnect Exchange Licence is a network facility that enables the interconnection of more than two independent connecting entities to facilitate the transfer of electronic communications.
While VAS aggregators are non‐core network telecommunication services which are beyond standard voice calls.
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These services include internet, directory service, paging service, voice mail and prepaid calling card service, call centre services, content services, and vehicle tracking.
The NCC said the suspension is in line with its powers under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to grant, renew licenses and promote fair competition.
The commission, in a public notice posted on its X handle on Friday, said the temporary suspension is to enable a thorough review of several key areas of market saturation, competition level and current market dynamics.
The notice titled, “Temporary Suspension Of The Issuance Of Communications Licences In Three Categories” was signed by the Director, Public Affairs Department, Nigerian Communications Commission, Reuben Muoka.
READ ALSO: NCC To Face Legal Action Over ‘Unlawful’ Directive To Block Nigerians Phone Lines
The notice read, “In line with its powers under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to grant and renew licenses, promote fair competition and develop the Communications Industry, the Nigerian Communications Commission (The Commissions) hereby informs all stakeholders of a temporary suspension on issuance of new licenses in the following categories, Interconnect Exchange License, Mobile Virtual Network Operator License and Value Added Service Aggregator License.
“This temporary suspension is necessary to enable the commission to conduct a thorough review of several key areas within these categories, including the current level of competition, market saturation and current market dynamics.”
It, however, noted that the new directive doesn’t affect pending applications which would be considered based on merit.
READ ALSO: NDIC Obtains Order To Wind Down 96 Microfinance, Mortgage Banks
“The public is invited to note that during the suspension period commencing on 17th of May, 2024, new applications for the aforementioned licenses will not be accepted. This is without prejudice to pending applications before the Commission which will be considered on its merits.
“Any enquiries of clarification in respect of this Suspension Notice should be forwarded to: licensing@ncc.gov.ng,” the statement read.
In recent times, the telecommunications sector has been faced with a myriad of issues raising concerns about sustainability and efficient service delivery amid ongoing economic challenges.
Record high inflation has reduced purchasing power and a currency devaluation has cut margins.
These challenges are exacerbated by the issue of multiple taxation and regulations and prohibitive right-of-way charges, inadequate electric power supply, and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.
News
Bauchi Commissioner Gifts 3 Students Cash For Prompt Resumption, Ability To Read
Published
9 hours agoon
May 17, 2024By
EditorThe Bauchi state Commissioner for Education, Dr Jamila Dahiru, on Thursday, gave a cash gift of N5,000 each to three Senior Secondary II students of Government Science Secondary School, Misau for their determination to succeed in Education.
Two of the students, Adamu Adamu, Mustapha and Haruna impressed the commissioner for their presence in school in the first day of resumption while Abdullahi Musa marvelled her for his reading ability and comprehension.
According to the commissioner, the gesture was to appreciate their determination to learn as well and motivate other students to emulate them.
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While paying a courtesy visit to the Emir of Misau, Alh. Ahmed Sulaiman, the commissioner disclosed that the Bauchi State government was working with stakeholders from the Misau Emirate to fine-tune modalities of temporarily accommodating the students of Federal Science Technical College, Misau at its Science Secondary School Misau.
She said the college made the request in a letter to the ministry stating that the facility given to them could no longer accommodate their students population, hence the resolve to convene the stakeholders meeting to fine-tune ways of sharing the facility for the betterment of the state.
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She disclosed that government science secondary school Misau, one of the best in the state in terms of befitting facilities has the capacity to accommodate up to five thousand students, but currently houses about three hundred students.
She appreciated the Emir for his continued support to programmes and policies of the government with more emphasis on the education sector.
Speaking on behalf of the Emir and other stakeholders, a retired Director with the Ministry, Muhammad Musa, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for the honour and promised to assemble critical stakeholders from the emirate so as to arrive at an acceptable decision for the benefit of all and sundry.
News
NDIC Obtains Order To Wind Down 96 Microfinance, Mortgage Banks
Published
9 hours agoon
May 17, 2024By
EditorThe Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation has said that it has obtained Winding up Orders for 96 out of 183 microfinance and primary mortgage banks whose licenses were revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria in May 2023.
The Managing Director, NDIC, Bello Hassa, revealed this at a sensitisation seminar for Judges of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday organised by the NDIC, to enlighten the judiciary on the intricacies of the banking industry.
Hassan said, “As at date, the Corporation had obtained Winding up Orders for 96 out of 183 Micro Finance and Primary Mortgage Banks whose licenses were revoked by the CBN in May 2023, in less than one Year of revocation.”
READ ALSO: FG, States, LGs Share N1.2tn In May
He added that the NDIC was committed to fulfilling its mandate of protecting depositors through bank supervision, failure resolution and liquidation so as to boost confidence in the financial system.
Speaking on the role that the judiciary plays in the fulfillment of the mandate, Hassan said, “We recognise the judiciary as one of our critical stakeholders. With this, when cases are brought before them, they can receive accelerated hearing and proclamation of Justice.”
Citing some of the achievements from previous editions of the seminar, Hassan said that instances where liquidation-related litigations experienced delays were reduced.
JUST IN: NCC Suspends Issuance Of Virtual Operators Licence, Two Others
B-I-Z-A-R-R-E! Man Missing For 26 Years Found Alive In Neighbour’s House
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