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Electoral Act: INEC Lauds Senate’s Passage Of Amendment Bill

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, has commended the Senate over the timely passage of “ critical amendments to the Electoral Act 2010,
Prof Yakubu made the commendation during a courtesy call by the chairman and commissioners of INEC on the Senate Leadership yesterday .
According to the INEC boss the visit is a  thank you visit to the Senate to express the Commission’s excitement over the accellerated and thorough consideration of amendment bill even “two years ahead of the general elections .
His words “When we were invited last year by the Senate for a stakeholder session on INEC reforms, you assured us that this amendment would be completed speedily.
“You have kept that promise. We are happy that this amendment has come well-ahead of the 2019 elections. It is great that this amendment has come two clear years before the election.
“What the Senate has done is remarkable. This is one of the most extensive amendments to the INEC law so far,” he stated
Yakubu further noted that virtually all the suggestions made to the Senate by the Commission have been taken into account in the amended Act.
“I am happy that these matters have been addressed in the amendments passed by the Senate. This is the most technologically friendly amendment to the Electoral Act ever passed… INEC now has the free hand to conduct elections using technology,” he boss stated.
The INEC Chairman also used the opportunity to intimate the Senate on the Commission’s strategic plans for future elections .
He said the Commission has already developed a clear strategic work plan that would underpin its operations in the next five years.
”This strategic plan comes with a plan of action,….Between now and 2019, the public will know what INEC is going to do on a daily, quarterly and yearly basis.”
He also presented a copy of the INEC’s 2017 to 2021 Strategic Work Plan to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki in response commended the Senate Committee on INEC and all relevant stakeholders who made input that facilitated the early passage of the bill.
Saraki noted that key areas of the INEC law include the technological-support aspects while he expressed confidence that the House of Representatives will fast-track the passage of the concurrence Bill for onward transmission to the President for assent.
He commended INEC for drawing up a strategic plan of action while urging the Commission to conduct more free and fair elections in future to encourage greater participation.
Saraki said: “This is a good step — coming out with a plan for the next four years. The responsibility is now on you to lead us to free and fair elections to encourage more participation.
“I am very confident that the House of Representatives will also pass the Act in their  Chamber and harmonize before we send it to Mr. President. As you can see some of the issues have been addressed.
“I want assure you of the support of the Senate, based on your strategic plan… the responsibility is now on you to take us to that kind of elections that will again make this country to be the pride, not only for Africa but the rest of the world. “ He said

 

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi

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NAFDAC Alerts Nigerians To EU Ban On Dex Soap

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The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has alerted Nigerians on the ban on Dex Luxury Bar Soap (No 6 Mystic Flower), by the European Union (EU).
The notification is contained in a public alert with No. 012/2024, signed by NAFDAC Director-General, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, and issued to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
“The product does not comply with the cosmetic products regulation; it also contains Butyphenyl Methylpropional (BMHCA), which is prohibited in cosmetic products due to its risk of harming the reproductive system.
“It also causes harm to the health of unborn children and may cause skin sensitisation.
“It is as a result of the defective nature of the product that the EU banned it.
“The products is not in NAFDAC database; importers, distributors, retailers and consumers are to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain,” she said.
NAFDAC boss urged marketers and consumers to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and use of the product, stressing that product’s authenticity and physical condition must be carefully checked.
She enjoined members of the public in possession of the product to discontinue sale or use, and submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

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Communities, Volunteers Ready To Face Upcoming Floods – Red Cross

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The Country Manager of the British Red Cross in Nigeria, Karsten Voigt, says communities and volunteers are ready to face the challenges expected with the upcoming floods.
Voigt said this at the sidelines of the 56th Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch.
The Tide’s source recalls that the British Red Cross donated resilience items to some communities in December 2023, to help mitigate the effects of flooding.
The items included cash, rain boots, rain coats, mosquito nets, handheld flashlights, solar powered lights with radio, USB chargers and a bridge to link the communities.
The communities that benefited included Agboyi 1, Agboyi 2, Agboyi 3 and Odo Ogun in Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
Voigt said the Red Cross had measured the impact of the project in the communities and noticed that a lot of progress had been made.
According to him, apart from the cash and items given to the communities, simulation exercises have also been carried out to prepare the volunteers ahead of the floods.
“We have seen that people used the cash to address immediate needs they have after floods.
“Many households have used part of the cash to build up businesses.
“The solutions we have given to them are not only addressing their immediate needs after the disaster but actually building family income for their future,” he said.

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Nimet Forecasts Three-Day Sunshine, Thunderstorms

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted sunshine and thunderstorm from Monday to Wednesday across the country.
NiMet’s weather outlook released yesterday in Abuja, forecasts sunny skies on Monday with a few patches of cloud over the northern cities and prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Taraba later in the day.
According to the forecast, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with prospects of morning thunderstorm over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kwara States.
“Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi and Benue States.
“The southern region is expected to be cloudy with spells of sunshine with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo and Lagos States.
“ In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Ekiti, Ogun, Imo, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Lagos and Bayelsa States,” it said.
NiMet also anticipated sunny skies on Tuesday with few patches of cloud over the northern states with prospects of isolated thunderstorms envisaged over parts of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.
It envisaged the North Central region to be sunny with patches of cloud during the morning hours.
The agency also envisaged isolated thunderstorms over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Kwara and Niger States, later in the day.
“Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South, with chances of morning thunderstorm over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
“In the afternoon/evening periods, isolated thunderstorms are anticipated over parts of Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers and Bayelsa States ,” it said.
It predicted a sunny atmosphere on Wednesday, with patches of cloud over the northern region, during the forecast period.
“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the North Central region with chances of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Plateau, Kogi, Nasarawa, the Federal Capital Territory and Benue States, during the afternoon/evening periods.
“ Cloudy atmosphere with intervals of sunshine is expected over the inland and coastal areas of the South with prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia.”
Other states to experience cloudy atmosphere, are “Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States, later in the day.”
NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede rains in areas where thunderstorms were likely to occur.
The agency also urged airline operators to get updated weather reports and forecasts from its office for effective planning in their operations.

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