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University Don convenes 2021 APAS International Conference

The President, Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS), Professor Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, OSA, has convened the 2021 APAS International Conference with the theme, “African Ideologies And Innovative Trends And Advances: Honoring The Past And Shaping The Future.”
Prof. Kanu, who disclosed this in a statement in Jos, the Plateau State capital on Wednesday, noted that the conference which is going to be virtual, comes up on 25th May 2021, which according to him, is Africa Day; a day instituted by the Organization for African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU).
He observed that this conference would be bringing together scholars of different academic backgrounds from all over the world to discuss the innovative trends and advances emerging in Africa for greater change and freedom in the people of the continent.
Prof. Kanu,  who is also a Catholic Priest of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA), pointed out that this collective action of APAS scholars is representative of the shared energy and excitement around Africa’s potential.
He said, “The year 2021 marks the beginning of a promising decade for Africa. In spite of the Covid-19 pandemic, the continent continues to be home to seven of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies. Ours is a continent that has continued to give birth to beautiful and inspirational stories in spite of difficult circumstances.
“It is from this background that Prof. Kanu Ikechukwu Anthony, OSA, the President of the Association for the Promotion of African Studies (APAS) convenes the 2021 APAS International Conference on the theme: ‘African Ideologies And Innovative Trends And Advances: Honoring The Past And Shaping The Future.’
“To lead in the discussions at this conference are Professor Izu Marcel Onyeocha, CM, from the Imo State University, Nigeria, who would be giving the Keynote Address and Professor Mahmoud Masaeli from Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Canada, who would present the Lead Paper. At the heart of the organization of this conference is Dr. Ejikemeuwa J.O. Ndubisi, who is the Secretary of APAS.”
While adding that this conference was inspired by a retinue of questions that had bordered the inquisitive minds of the members of APAS and beyond, he said, “We, therefore, look forward to a great interaction come 25th May 2021 as APAS scholars have taken up the challenge to respond to these fundamental questions through research.”
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Bello, Ex Kogi gov.,shuns court proceedings as EFCC seeks his trial in absentia

The Eyewitness Reporter 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC)on Wednesday October 30, 2024 asked Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja, to proceed with the trial of a former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in absentia, arguing that his non-appearance in court for arraignment should not be allowed to frustrate his trial.

The EFCC through its lead counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, also urged the court to enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of Bello.

Bello is facing trial on 19-count charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N80.2billion.

The court had summoned him for arraignment six consecutive times.

Pinheiro told the court that the former governor’s refusal to appear for his arraignment was malicious and that the court should not demonstrate helplessness by not trying him in absentia.

“A court can never demonstrate helplessness. That would be an indication of anarchy and society is based on the rule of law.

“The court demonstrating helplessness will negate the basis of the rule of law,” he said.

Arguing further, the EFCC’s counsel reminded the court that a defendant’s refusal to engage the court’s processes should not frustrate his trial, maintaining that justice is a three-way mechanism.

 “A criminal trial must not be held hostage, truncated or frustrated by a defendant’s refusal to engage the process.

“Justice is a three-way street:  justice to the defendant, justice to the prosecution who has assembled witnesses and justice to the society”.

Earlier in his submissions, he urged the court to enter a not guilty plea for Bello to pave the way for his trial contending that under Section 276 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, a defendant’s physical presence in court is not an absolute requirement for arraignment.

“The right to plead guilty or not guilty is a right that can be waived by the defendant,” adding that Bello’s absence should not impede the case.

“My first application is to formally enter a plea of not guilty to the defendant, even in his absence.

“The second point is, notwithstanding his physical absence, trial can proceed. What prejudice will the defendant suffer if my lord enters a plea of guilty or not guilty in his absence?

” Even if he was in court and pleaded not guilty, the situation would still be the same.

“The entry of a plea of not guilty by your lordship is an invitation to the prosecution to come and prove the veracity of the allegations”, he said.

In response, counsel for the defendant, Michael Adoyi, opposed the prosecution’s motion, citing a previous court order requiring the defendant’s presence before any applications could be entertained.

He emphasized that the application was contrary to the court’s directive issued earlier.

 “Our first point of response to the application made by the learned senior counsel to the complainant is that the application is made contrary to the subsisting order of this honourable court, even made this morning, that no application can be entertained by this court in the absence of the arraignment of the defendant,” he said.

Pinheiro rebutted Adoyi’s argument, urging the court to reject the defence’s position and proceed with the plea entry, assuring that it would not infringe on the defendant’s rights or affect the trial’s fairness.

Justice Nwite, after listening to both parties, noted that a ruling on the matter may not be possible within the current year due to court schedules.

 “It may not be possible to deliver this ruling this year”

 Pinheiro then proposed that the matter be adjourned for ruling and arraignment, which Justice Nwite granted, adjourning the case until January 21, 2025.

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10 Lagos high schools battle for honours at 6th edition of School of Eloquence cup competition 

Funso OLOJO
Students from various secondary schools across Lagos State are set to participate in the 6th Annual Eloquence Cup competition, organized by the School of Eloquence (SOE).
This prestigious event is aimed to promoting public speaking and presentation skills among young leaders.
Founded in 2006, the School of Eloquence is Nigeria’s premier institution dedicated to training business executives, policymakers, and professionals in effective communication.
The previous edition of the Eloquence Cup took place on November 25, 2023, in Ikoyi, Lagos, celebrating 17 years of the school’s impactful operation.
 Last year, Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Agege, emerged victorious, defeating the reigning champions, CMS Grammar School.
This year’s competition promises to be a spectacular event.
It is set to hold at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, 2nd November, 2024.
Participating schools include Lagoon School, Dairy Farm Senior School, CMS Grammar School, Kings College, Queen College, Ilasan Senior School, Government Senior College
Victoria Island, Gbara Community Senior College, Government Senior College Ikoyi, and Government Senior College Maroko.
The students will engage in discussions on the timely topic, “The Role of Technology and Social Media in Nigeria’s Educational System.”
Winners will receive various prizes, with the overall champion taking home a trophy.
 A panel of judges, composed of esteemed alumni from the School of Eloquence, will evaluate the
participants.
Ubong Essien CSP, Dean and Founder of the School of Eloquence, emphasizes that this annual event is part of the school’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed at equipping
the next generation with the skills necessary for effective leadership in society.
The School of Eloquence is dedicated to fostering public speaking skills throughout Nigeria, with its headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, and a center in Abuja.
To date, SOE has trained thousands
of professionals in effective oral communication.
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Cost of governance: Tinubu cuts long convoys  of government officials to three vehicles, 5 security details

Funso OLOJO
In continuation of measures to reduce the costs of governance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a reduction in the numbers of vehicles and security details attached to government officials.
According to the State House Press statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, President  Tinubu has restricted Ministers, Ministers of State, and Heads of Agencies of the Federal Government to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys.
“No additional vehicles will be assigned to them for movement.
“The cost-cutting measure was announced today in a statement signed by the President.
“In January this year, President Tinubu took significant steps to reduce government expenditure, by reducing his entourage on foreign trips from 50 to 20 officials. For local trips, he reduced it to 25 officials.
“He similarly reduced the Vice President’s entourage to five officials on foreign trips and 15 for local trips.
“In the directive issued today, President Tinubu also ordered all ministers, ministers of state, and heads of agencies to have at most five security personnel attached to them.
“The security team will comprise four police officers and one Department of State Services (DSS) officer.
“No additional security personnel will be assigned, he ordered.
“President Tinubu instructed the National Security Adviser to engage with the Military, Paramilitary and Security Agencies to determine a suitable reduction in their vehicle and security personnel deployment.
“All affected officials are expected to comply with these new measures immediately, underscoring the urgency and seriousness of these changes” the statement concluded.
It could be recalled that on Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, the President announced a major cabinet reshuffle where five Ministers were dropped, 10 were redeployed while new ones were appointed.
Two ministries were also scrapped while two others were merged in a move presidency said was meant to drastically cut down the skyrocketing costs of governance in the country.
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