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2015 Polls: EU Observers Submit Report July 15
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) will formally present the final report of the 2015 general elections to the Nigerian authorities on July 15.
The Head, Political Governance and Democracy, European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Alan Munday, disclosed this while donating equipment to 13 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday in Abuja.
Munday said that the equipment worth N16 million was donated to Nigeria by the election observation mission in collaboration with Indra, a private company.
“Observers visited a significant number of polling units and collation centres in 15 States and the Federal Capital Territory throughout Nigeria to observe voting and counting.
“The EU EOM remained in-country to observe post-election developments and the tabulation of results.
“The mission will be formally concluded with the return to Nigeria in mid-July by the Chief Election Observer, Mr Santiago Fisas and his Deputy.
“They will have meetings with Nigerian authorities and the presentation of the final report in Abuja probably on July 15 or 16,” he said.
He said that the equipment being donated were state-of-the-art equipment, which the mission depended on for supported for about three to four months in Nigeria.
The items include 60 laptops, 27 printers, 55 cellular phones and a considerable number of other equipment, including bed nets and some basic medical kits.
Munday said that as was the usual practice following EOM, European Commission and Indra agreed that Nigeria should benefit from the equipment at the end of the mission as donation.
He said that since the EO Mission was now drawing to an end, the EU Delegation, following the request of Indra, discussed at length how to dispose the items.
Speaking with newsmen, one of the benefiting CSOs, Mr Paul Gadzama, Coordinator of “Education Must Continue Initiative”, said he was overwhelmed by the donation.
“I am really overwhelmed by this donation because it goes directly into the heart of what we are trying to do because of the serious attacks on education in this country.
“Since this initiative came into existence, we’ve been trying to ensure that the vulnerable children in the North East continue their education in spite of the attacks,” he said.
Gadzama said that the organisation had been able to secure education for some of the children outside the region both in Nigeria and abroad.
He commended the EU EOM for the donation, saying the equipment would be put to the best use for the benefit of the continued education of the North East children.
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
