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2023 Elections: INEC Deploys 707,384 Presiding Officers

Published

2 years ago

February 1, 2023

Eric

The Independent National Electoral Commission will deploy 707,384 presiding officers for the general elections scheduled to commence on February 25.

The commission also said that since electoral education was important, there was a need to infuse it into the National Values Curriculum of primary schools in Nigeria.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, stated these during the public presentation of the Electoral Education Curriculum and Teachers’ Guide for primary schools.

The curriculum which was developed by the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening – Sustaining Electoral Engagement for Democracy project funded by USAID and FCDO and implemented by National Democratic Institute and IFES, was in partnership with the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council, INEC (through the Voter Education Department), National Orientation Agency, Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All and academia from across the country.

Okoye said, “We believe that electoral education is important in the goals of our nation. Electoral education is a specialized area and that is why we have this curriculum being infused into the National Values Curriculum in our primary schools.

“For instance, for the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, the commission will deploy a total of 707, 384 presiding officers and assistant presiding officers.

“These presiding officers will be drawn from the crop of young men and women doing their National Youth Service Corps, while the assistant presiding officers will be drawn from students from federal tertiary institutions.

“It is therefore important for us to understand the importance of electoral education in the development of our democracy.

“A national civic education curriculum and teachers’ guide with a specific focus on electoral education will prepare our children for the challenges ahead and also prepare them on how to respect other people’s races and also prepare them to assume leadership in future.”

The President of IFES, Anthony Banbury, said its contribution to the project was to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process through effective teaching and learning of civic education in primary schools.

“To catch them young, the revised curriculum is a hallmark innovation that will introduce children and youth very early to the concept, processes, ethics, and values of democratic systems and governance.

“It will be essential for the young people’s orientation to initiate a shift from the existing norms. In the long term, it will increase civic participation and knowledge of democratic systems and values, as the children of today become the adults and the voters of tomorrow,” Banbury said.

The Executive Secretary of NERDC, Prof. Ismail Junaidu, said the aim was to strengthen the fabric of the nation’s democracy for sustainable growth and development.

According to him, since the return of democracy in 1999, citizens’ participation in elections and the electoral process had remained an issue of concern.

He also said that a known reason for this was the lack of adequate electoral knowledge.

“Hence, promoting democratic electoral culture and developing civic skills are therefore necessary for well-informed and responsible participation in elections and in the electoral process,” Junaidu said.

He said that the above informed the initiative of the NERDC in collaboration with IFES to develop the Electoral Education Curriculum for primary schools in Nigeria.

According to him, the curriculum, generally, is developed to expose young learners to the rudiments of democracy and inculcate in them the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for active citizens’ participation in the democratic process.

“Specifically, the curriculum is designed to achieve five key objectives, which are to: equip learners with basic knowledge of the concept of democracy, the role of elections in democracy and good governance.

He said the choice of primary school learners was hinged on the core principle of using education as an instrument of socialisation for the young to assume adult roles for the good of society.

“Thus, the teaching of electoral education at this level will ensure that when children reach voting age, they would have already understood the fundamentals of active participation in the political and electoral process,” Junaidu said.

While commending the management of NERDC for the initiative, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, represented by his Senior Technical Assistant, Dr Claris Ujam, said the curriculum had become a dynamic process for sustainable national development.

He said, “Every time, there are changes or developments happening around the world, the school curricula are affected.

“Therefore, the inclusion of concepts and contents of electoral education under Civic Education is in line with the drive under the Ministry’s Education for Change: A Ministerial Strategic Plan.

“This is to enable the acquisition of citizenship values and skills through quality education. The electoral education curricular contents constitute a remarkable step to create positive change in the election landscape and political development.”

The Punch

Featured

A Peep into the World of Nollywood Acctress, Judith Iwu

Published

1 hour ago

October 10, 2024

Eric

Name: Judith Iwu

Age: 42 years old

Place of Birth: Sokoto State, Nigeria

Partner: Ogechi Nwanekwu

Children: Bayo Iwu, Kizito Iwu, Angelica Iwu

Height: 6 feet tall

Award: International Media Personality Award

Career:

Judith Iwu is a renowned Nigerian actress with a distinguished career in Nollywood. Her exceptional acting talent has made her a standout performer in the industry, known for taking on complex roles that captivate audiences.

Notable Movies:

Judith Iwu has starred in several notable movies, including:

“House of Trouble”

“Priceless Woman”

“Nicest Gifts to Men”

“Evil Household”

“Virgins on Fire”

“Agony of Love”

“The Tigress”

These films have showcased her versatility, earning her respect from both peers and fans in the entertainment world.

Award:

Judith Iwu received the prestigious International Media Personality Award, highlighting her contributions not only as an actress but as a key figure in the media space. Her work continues to inspire upcoming talent within the industry.

Ended Marriage:

Judith Iwu’s marriage ended in 2006. After this, she faced the challenge of raising her three children—Bayo, Kizito, and Angelica—singlehandedly. Despite the personal difficulties, she balanced her responsibilities as a mother with her thriving acting career.

Current Partner:

Judith is currently in a supportive relationship with Ogechi Nwanekwu, who plays a significant role in her life. Together, they navigate their shared life while Judith continues to pursue her passions in the entertainment industry.

Featured

Dele Momodu Bags NAOSNP Media Icon of the Decade Award, Thanks ‘Colleagues’

Published

4 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Veteran and celebrated journalist, who is the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Aare Dele Momodu, has been named the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) Media Icon of the Decade for his contribution to the field of journalism as well as lifting budding journalists to reach their desired heights.

The award was presented by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was the Distinguished Guest of Honour at the occasion, assisted by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, President of NAOSNP, Samson Oki and a host of other dignitaries present, at the 2024 National Security Conference of the Association, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, on Wednesday.

In her remarks at the presentation, the Honourable Minister praised the Ovation boss for his continuous to journalism, projecting African business and political leaders as well as other Nigerians in a positive light.

“We thank you Mr Ovation for all you do and continue to do. You deserve the award, and I happily present it to you,” the Minister, who reminisced with gusto the season Ovation covered her event, said.

In his response, an elated Dele Momodu, expressed gratitude to the executives and members of NAOSNP, whom he modestly described as ‘colleagues’, for considering him for the award, saying that it is always a thing of joy when your own constituency acknowledges your good works, and shows appreciation.

“I thank the members of this association for this award. It is fulfilling when your own colleagues remember you, and support you with an award of thus type. I thank the honorable minister for being available to present it to me. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said with a sense of patriotism.

Born on May 16, 1960, in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, Chief Dele Momodu, a distinguished African Journalist of high repute, fulfills the dictates of impeccability in credentials, testimonials and track record.

A publisher, businessman, philanthropist, and more, he runs the highly rated Ovation International Magazine, a member of the Ovation Media Group, that has given publicity to numerous personalities. Others in his line of publications are Ovation Television and The Boss Newspaper.

Momodu has redefined negative perceptions of Africa, profiling positively African personalities, using his X, Instagram and more, where his followership runs into millions.

A former presidential candidate, Momodu has a degree in Yoruba, from the Obafemi Awolowo University and Doctorates (honoris causa) from various universities, with multiple traditional titles.

He is well traveled, and has visited over 69 countries of the world.

He is married, with four children.

Featured

Kyvatron Revolutionises Arbitrage Trading in Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

October 8, 2024

Eric

Bayo Chisom Iwu, Founder/CEO of Kyvatron, a multinational arbitrage trading company, is changing the face of investment in Nigeria. Established in June 2022, Kyvatron specialises in sourcing commodities and currencies cheaply in bulk and reselling them at a profit.

Iwu’s vision for Kyvatron began as a solo endeavor, but he soon realised the need for a more professional approach to attract major investors. Today, Kyvatron boasts an impressive portfolio, with operations spanning the US, UK, China, and Nigeria.

The company’s focus on arbitrage trading eliminates risks associated with traditional investments. By sourcing currencies and commodities in bulk, Kyvatron capitalises on wholesale rates and resells at retail prices, generating consistent profits.

Kyvatron’s innovative approach has attracted numerous investors seeking to combat inflation and financial insecurity. The company’s stable trading profits have positively impacted many lives, with returns reaching up to 23% per month.

“We specialise in Yuan Arbitrage trading, sourcing Chinese currency in bulk and reselling for profit,” Iwu explained. “Our profit comes from sourcing things in bulk, and with cryptocurrency, we can move billions of naira quickly and efficiently.”

To mitigate risks, Kyvatron deals with established brands and reputable partners, ensuring secure transactions. The company’s use of stable coins like USDT, pegged to the US dollar, protects investors from market fluctuations.

Kyvatron’s expansion plans include establishing more offices in Nigeria, with a focus on creating awareness about the benefits of arbitrage trading. Iwu aims to make the platform more robust, enabling users to pay suppliers directly and facilitating international trade.

“We’re filling a gap in the market, providing a secure and profitable investment opportunity for Nigerians,” Iwu said. “Our goal is to make Kyvatron a household name, synonymous with trust and reliability.”

With its innovative approach and commitment to investor satisfaction, Kyvatron is poised to revolutionise Nigeria’s investment landscape.