Nigeria

Funds expended on political campaigns in Nigeria is now a critical component of Nigerian corruption…Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje,Chairman Afenifere Ogun state

Published

3 years ago

January 22, 2022

The Ogun state Chairman of Afenifere,a vibrant and active social Political group,Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje spoke extensively with our News medium on INEC’s demand for all candidates to declare their bank assets prior to the 2023 General elections and other concerned issues.

In his words on INEC and Party Candidates Bank assets,he said “My first concern is what is INEC’s definition of “bank assets?” Is it just bank account balances or more than that? If its just bank account balances, I doubt what practical use such information will be to INEC.

Secondly, I wonder whether INEC has the legal authority to request candidates to declare their “bank assets”. Yes the agency is authorised to monitor campaign expenditure but does that ipso facto confer on them the power to request bank balances? I’m not so sure of that. Code of Conduct Bureau and perhaps EFCC or ICPC may have such authority but its not clear that INEC does.”

Responding to the commission’s move to establish a finance monitoring teams,Otunba Opeyemi Agbaje says, “It is desirable and proper for INEC to establish mechanisms to monitor campaign finance and expenditure. The funds expended on political campaigns in Nigeria have become unreasonably huge and is now a critical component of Nigerian corruption and political dysfunction. I support any lawful effort to constrain and control this issue within the ambit of the law.”

The Ogun State Afenifere chairman emphasized that The EFCC and Deposit Money Banks have the responsibility to report suspicious financial transactions and he support leveraging this mechanism to monitor campaign finances…

“The Constitution guarantees freedom of association to all Nigerians so I can understand as many parties as possible seeking INEC registration. As a practical matter of course I recognise the operational, logistics and political difficulties inherent in having too many political parties. Nevertheless I believe every legitimate and conscientious political tendency should have the right to express themselves through a political party.”Otunba Agbaje maintained.

“I am excited at the news that youths and students top new voters registrations. I urge all youths, students, professionals, workers and indeed all Nigerians who are yet to register to do so. We can aim to register 12 million additional voters before the General Elections and take new registrations to over 20million!!! I know that’s an ambitious target but we need ambitious objectives and goals if we must reform and transform Nigeria.The Youths deserves encouragement to take up challenges and prepare for the future.

Presently, Afenifere Social Political group is made up of very active, focused and visionary youths with their membership growing by the day,”he added

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Nigeria

Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff bags “Hero of Gender Advocacy Award”

Published

2 years ago

December 14, 2022

Fredrick Fadipe

The Twon Ibe Opuyingibo 1, of Twon Brass Kingdom,Her Majesty Queen Dame Josephine Aruoriwo Diete-Spiff Esq was honoured by the International Centre for the Research on African Women in Nation Building and Gender Studies (ICRAWINGS) as “HERO OF GENDER ADVOCACY” for selfless and incomparable contributions towards uplifting the living standard of Women and Girl Child in Bayelsa, Nigeria and Africa at large.

The event which was held in Abuja to commemorate the 16 days activism against sexual and gender based violence according to the organization (ICRAWINGS), which is under the authority of Standtall Africa Initiative (STAi).

The Award programme was Graced by His Majesty,King Alfred Pepepreye Diete-Spiff of Twon Brass Kingdom, important dignitaries from all works of life and captains of Industry.

Responding,the Awardee, Queen Josephine Diete-Spiff requested that everyone should join her to thank God for yet another feather added to her already crowded and adorned crown as she bags the Hero of Gender Advocacy Award from such a reputable and life impacting organization.

Dame Josephine Diete-Spiff,a Queen & Matriarch of Twon Brass Kingdom, Bayelsa State, Past Chairperson, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Wives Association (BSTWA), President, Royal Queens of the Niger Delta Initiative,

Patron, Advocate for Maternal and Child Health Award – National Council
Women Societies of Nigeria. (NCWS).

Woman of Excellence in Nigeria Award – Thisday Newspaper

Award of Honour to the growth of Entrepreneurship and HR
Development -AETMAN

Distinguished Service Award (DISA) as an Icon of
Transformation- International Centre for Population & Development
Activities (CIPA)

Most Respected Women Professionals in Nigeria, Virtuous
Amazon -The Guardian Newspaper

Gold Award for Selfless Service to Humanity -NEPAD
Bayelsa State

Golden Jubilee Nigerian Women Award for Leadership –
Radio Nigeria

Award of Honour as an Investor in Education – Celebrity Int.
Education Festival

Golden Advocate Award for an immense contribution towards
the progress of the Nigerian Child – African Children Emergency
Foundation (ACEF)

Award of Honour as the most outstanding Queen/Female
Humanitarian of 2018 – Ijaw Women of Substance Worldwide

Lifetime Achievement Award for Humanitarian Services –
Catholic Chaplaincy of the Nigeria Police Force: Our Lady of
Victory Chaplaincy.

Humanitarian Award for selfless Service– Rotary Foundation
International

Selfless Service Award 2012 by Gesi Publications, Bayelsa
State.

Patron, Red Cross Society, Port Harcourt, Patron, Nigerian Girl Guide Association

Chairperson, Board of Trustees; Foundation for Children Orientation, President & Founder Lady Josephine Akporero Diete-Spiff Foundation for Widows, Physically Challenged, Orphans and the Aged.

Matron, Women Wing, Rivers State Chapter of HostCom,

Past Chairperson, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women, South-South, Nigeria.

Past National President, Ladies Golf Union of Nigeria and many more.

She has also been described because of her several endeavours as A Royal Mother, an Advocate, Humanitarian, Educationist,dogged supporter of Living Visions and Recipient of local and global awards.