Politics
Elections: Minister Canvasses Better Access To Information
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says Nigerians need more access to information especially as the 2019 general elections draw nearer.
Mohammed stated this on Monday while inaugurating the Chinese government-sponsored “1000 Villages Access to Satellite TV Project’’ in Kpaduma village, Federal Capital Territory.
According to reports the project which will provide 1000 villages in Nigeria with solar powered satellite TV is part of the Chinese government-sponsored “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages’’.
Mohammed said: “The project could not have come at a better time as Nigerians would soon be voting in the 2019 general elections.
“They need access to information now, more than at any other time to know about the over 70 political parties that will be participating in the elections as well as about their various candidates.
“May I therefore implore the implementing agency of this project, Startimes, to expedite the installation of the satellite TV systems in the selected villages ahead of the elections.
“This will, no doubt go a long way in making it easier for Nigerians to make the right choice of candidates to vote for during the elections’’.
The minister added that improved access to information would have a positive effect on the lives of people in the rural communities stressing that “information is power”.
He commended the government of China for the laudable project as well as those that had worked hard to make the project a reality.
Mohammed explained that the project was among the ten major “China-Africa Cooperation Plans’’ announced at the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Earlier, the Ambassador of China to Nigeria, Mr Zhou Pingjian, said China and Nigeria had strong ties and the Chinese was looking forward to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria.
“We are very happy to be part of the programme to connect people in the villages to the outside World.
“The World is a global village and we need better connectivity between and among people and that is why the Chinese government proposed and implemented this project,’’ he said.
The Chief Executive Officer, Startimes/ NTA, Mr Justin Zhang, said Startimes – a PayTV operating in the country- had over four million subscribers.
Zhang said the project would not only bring lasting smiles to the beneficiaries but also create jobs as many Nigerians would be engaged.
The Chief of Garki in FCT, Alhaji Usman Ndakudi, commended the Chinese government for fulfilling the pledge to provide access to information to Nigerian villages.
He commended the Nigeria government for its efforts on inclusive economy and solicited provision of basic amenities, particularly, water to Kpaduma.
Some residents of the community who spoke to our source expressed their delight at the installation of the satellite TV.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
-
Editorial2 days agoThat Oshiomhole’s Call On FG’s Road Projects
-
Education2 days ago
Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts
-
City Crime1 day agoTinubu Appoints Ex-Tide Staff Registrar Of Chartered Chemists
-
Education2 days ago
UNIPORT VC Receives Probe Report on Student Union Crisis
-
Oil & Energy2 days ago
NCDMB, BOI Unveil $100m Nigerian Content Equity Fund …Set To Invest $5m In Oil Firms
-
Business2 days ago
PTDF Committed To Tinubu’s Development Plan – CEO
-
Oil & Energy2 days ago
Civil Society Demands Accountability over N60Billion AKS Oil Producing Communities
-
News2 days agoNDLEA Alerts Parents After Uncovering Drugs In Cookies, Gummies