Happenings

The electorate in Nigeria   have been advised to resist the temptations of selling their votes in the 2019 general elections.

This advice was given by the  Oyo state Chairman of the Young Democratic Party(YDP)Mr. Chris Ayantoye, in an interaction with PEOPLE.

''It is very unfortunate that in present day Nigeria, Nigerian citizens are still been deceived to sell their votes for money. It is not only sad, but regrettable, when people are seen struggling to collect money for their votes. I call on Nigerians not sell their votes in the coming 2019 general elections'', Mr. Ayantoye advised.

 The  Oyo state chapter of the Young Democratic Party Calls on all the good people of Oyo state to Collect their Permanent Voters Cards(PVC) from the INEC offices nearest to them

For further information, contact 08068964410/08104658995/07035538970

The Ugandan Government is planning to review the tax regime it recently introduced on Social Media.

The government's decision is coming on the heels of street protests against the tax in the country's capital by Ugandans.

According to the Prime Minister, Ruhakama Rugunda, the government had taken into consideration the  response of the public to the tax.

"Government is now reviewing the taxes taking into consideration the concerns of the public and an amended bill will be debated on July 19," said Rugunda.

 A levy of Ush200 (or Sh6) per person on a daily basis was introduced by government, before users could be able to access WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Mobile internet users are required  to input a code on their phones to pay the charge before they are able to access social media sites.

Kenyan are expressing reservations over the plans of government to introduce a single uniform for all student in the country.

They insist that the action ogf government would encourage corruption, politcal patronage and favoritism.

Ghana and Tnazania are among the few countries in Africa that have implemented the policy, where students in all public schools wear the same uniform,  that is only differentiated by badges.

Not long ago the Principal Secretary of Education, Dr. Bell Kipsang amde government's intention known at a forum at the Moi University owned Rivatex company.

"As we move towards having the same uniform and fabric in all our schools, we want Rivatex to prepare so that they are able to play a role in the manufacture of the uniforms that will be required" Dr Kipsang  disclosed.

Kenyans  have risen against the plan of Government to enforce the wearing of identical uniforms by students in all the schools in the country.

They insist that the policy will encourage corruption and favoritism.

Ghana and Tanzania  are among the few countries in Africa with  policies where students in all public schools wear same uniform that are only differentiated by school badges.

The Namibian Government wil from next month increase the pensions and grauities of retireesin the country by $50.

This disclosure was made in a statement  by the Ministry of Poverty  Eradication.

According to the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, I-Ben Nashandi, the increase would be backdated to April, this year.

The statement disclosed that  all beneficiaries will receive N$1 450 in August,  including a N$200 back pay for April, May, June and July.

It then stated that subsequently, a monthly amount of N$1 250 will be paid out to all beneficiaries as from September 2018.

In 1998, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization,Ohaneze Ndigbo restructured, 12 months after, the structure became a platform to campaign for Igbo presidency.

Again,in 2004, the socio-cultural organization restructured,even though the general elections came up in 2007. Nigerians were of the opinion that  the presidency was for all Nigerians.

Their arguments were hinged on the fact that no section of the country,was excluded from aspiring to the highest position in the land.

Indeed,there has never been and there is  still no constitutional provision or clause that allows for the exclusion of any tribe to vie for the presidency.

Interestingly, Ohaneze, is a South East Geo-Political zone based socio-cultural organization, which projects the interests of Ndigbo in particular, and the rest of Nigeria in general.

Although, at a particular point in time the organization was accused of been elitist. 

The objective, according to a cross section of those who are members of the organization, is to ensure that the ordinary  man in the street is a  member.

However,they  argue that anybody who is Igbo or of Igbo extraction,within Igboland or in Diaspora,is considered a member of Ohaneze. Such individuals, according the organization can attend  meetings without a third party making introduction.

'You can come to an Ohaneze meeting without anybody introducing you. If there is any need to introduce yourself, you get up and tell them who you are'', they stated.

Sadly, this is not the situation in the diaspora, including Oyo state.

In an interview in 2004, the President of the Anambra state chapter of Ohaneze, Dozie Ikedife,had insisted then, that restructuring was on course, irrespective of any presidential election.

'If it happens that no Igbo man is installed as President this time around, Ohaneze will still play its role to ensure that a President is installed in this country and that things move on peacefully with a sense of equity, fair play,justice and enhancement of the sense of belonging for all'', Ikedife had declared.

The then President of Ohaneze, Prof. Joe Irukwu was consistent in advocating for Igbo presidency, even though the hidden ambitions of his kith and  kin at home and in diaspora militated against his advocacy.

However,  a one time Governor of old Anambra state, Chief Christian Onoh,once observed that state Governors of the South-East geo-political zone have always worked at cross purposes, when it involved the Igbo Presidential project.

'We should tell ourselves the home truth-our Governors are not united',Chief Onoh had noted.

Sadly, some members of the political class in Igboland, project Igbo Presidency in broad day light, while vigorously facilitating an agenda at variance with the collective interests and aspirations of Ndigbo,under the cover of darkness, 'when NEPA don take light'.

Since no tribe or ethnic group has been excluded from Nigeria, the debate about who occupy the number one seat in 2019 and beyond,should be for all and sundry. Perhaps

Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong and three County Ministers  were on Wednesday arraigned before the Milimani, Nairobi, Anti-Corruption Court on a 7 count charge of corruption.

Before now the accused persons had been detained at the Integrity Centre -the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

 Others arraigned alongside the Governor are Mr Bernard Yaite, Mr Allan Ekweny and Mr Samuel Ombui, who are County Ministers.

Charges against them include defrauding the County of Sh 8 million.

Other charges are abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an economic crime and engaging in a project without proper planning.

Also, they were charged for  willful failure to comply with the law relating to management of public funds and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

The accused persons peladed not guilty to the charges.