Invest more on Health and Education - Bill Gates Tells FG.

The chairman of Bill and Melinda Foundation, Bill Gates, on Thursday, March 22, said that Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world.

Gates who stated this at the Expanded National Economic Council alongside the Chairman of the Dangote Foundation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, presided over by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja..

The theme of the event was “Role of human capital investment in supporting pro-poor and economic growth agenda.”

He said: “The most important choice you can make is to maximize your greatest resource, the Nigerian people. Nigeria will thrive when every Nigerian is able to thrive.

“If you invest in their health, education and opportunities-the “human capital” we are talking about today-then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.

“Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world to give birth with the fourth worst maternal mortality rate in the world ahead of only Sierra Leone, Central African Republic and Chad. One in three Nigerian children is chronically malnourished.

“I urge you to apply this thinking to all your investments in your people. The Nigerian government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan identifies “investing in our people” as one of three “strategic objectives.” But the “execution priorities” don’t fully reflect people’s needs, prioritizing physical capital over human capital.

“To anchor the economy over the long term, investments in infrastructure and competitiveness must go hand in hand with investments in people. People without roads, ports, and factories can’t flourish. And roads, ports and factories without skilled workers to build and manage them can’t sustain an economy.”

Perviously.President Muhammadu Buhari played host to Bill Gates and Alhaji Aliko Dangote at the Presidential Villa. The president met the duo on Wednesday, March 21.

Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is visiting Nigeria to see first-hand the progress the country is making on primary healthcare provision, polio eradication, nutrition and financial inclusion.

He will be asking partners to prioritise supporting Nigeria’s poorest people to ensure a sustainable and inclusive economic future, and allow the county to meet its ambitious growth and development agenda.

Taking NFIU out of EFCC a setback - Ribadu

The pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, on Thursday, March 22, said the proposed movement of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) out of the commission will bring a setback for the country.

Ribadu said: ''I feel sad that they want to take the NFIU away from EFCC. This will set us back.''

He made this known at an anti-corruption situation room organised by the HEDA resource centre in Abuja.

He said the NFIU achieved milestones because of the institutional backing and the enforcement effect of the EFCC.

According to him, ''What we did with NFIU was to bring Nigeria at par with the rest of the world in terms of financial regulations and tracing suspicious deals.’’

He added that it was a former official in the Olusegun Obasanjo government, Obiageli Ezekwesili, who first drew attention to Nigeria’s negative rating by the Egmont group and what was needed to address it.

Ribadu said the EFCC engaged the financial action task force and made efforts to comply with the requirements, including instituting the NFIU.

Ribadu also called for openness and accountability in the country’s oil and gas sector.

He lamented that failure to implement far-reaching reforms has left the industry undeveloped and used mainly as a cash cow to enrich a few.

In his presentation, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio, described efforts at instilling accountability in the oil and gas industry as a difficult task.

He said: ''The area is technical and people who are taking advantage of it don’t want it to change.

''They want the status quo to remain so that average people don’t understand what’s going on and when you challenge them they say you don’t know anything.''

Ribadu said management of resources coming from extractive industry is an issue all citizens should be interested about, adding that “resources themselves are not a curse, it is the way people apply them.''

Nigerians may no longer be able to carry out international transactions using Master cards, visa cards and others as Egmont group is considering expelling the NFIU.

The group, comprising 153 countries, mandates its members to establish a financial intelligence unit that serves as a national centre for the receipt and analysis of (1) suspicious transaction reports; and (2) other information relevant to money laundering, associated predicate offences and financing of terrorism, and for the dissemination of the results of that analysis.

Remains of elderly hoarder found 'four years after she died'

Image:Gaynor Jones was found in a cottage full of hoarded possessions. Pic: Wales News ServiceAn elderly woman whose remains were found in the heavily-cluttered home she shared with her daughter may have died four years ago, according to reports.

Police were called to a cottage in Aberaeron, west Wales, on 12 March following concerns about the welfare of two women, named locally as Gaynor Jones and her daughter Valerie.

Valerie, said to be in her 50s, was taken to hospital after being found collapsed at the property.

The remains of her 87-year-old mother were discovered four days later, the South Wales Evening Post reported.

One neighbour said he had not seen the two women for four years despite living virtually next door.

Dyfed Powys Police said they were treating the death as "unexplained".

A force spokeswoman told Sky News: "On Monday 12 March Dyfed-Powys Police received a report concerning the welfare of two women from the Aberaeron area.

"Following a search of the property the remains of a body have been found. The death is currently being treated as unexplained."

Ceredigion Coroner's Office said it had been informed of the death but an inquest date had not yet been fixed.

Valerie and Gaynor Jones lived among three adjoining 19th century stone buildings known as the Dolheulog Cottages.

The properties are listed on welshruins.co.uk, which says: "Three cottages, all now empty or ruined.

"Number 1 I believe was lived in until quite recently, the middle one has recently been purchased, the land cleared away and the third and smallest is still filled with personal belongings and is much ruined and damp."

Sponsored Links

Cambridge Analytica scandal: The key players

Image:Cambridge Analytica has a presence in the UK and USData analytics firm Cambridge Analytica is facing allegations of using information from millions of Facebook users to predict and influence the US election.

But what is Cambridge Analytica, who is behind it and what links does it have with Facebook?

Cambridge Analytica

US-headquartered Cambridge Analytica uses data to change the behaviour of internet users.

"We map out an in-depth picture of your audiences," it says on website of the firm, which also has offices in the UK.

Cambridge Analytica was hired by Donald Trump's presidential campaign team.

The company allegedly provided data on the thoughts of American voters to Mr Trump's campaign strategists, ultimately influencing the 2016 presidential election.

Cambridge Analytica says it deleted the data when it was asked to.

Aleksandr Kogan

Image:Aleksandr Kogan is a professor at University of Cambridge

Aleksandr Kogan is the University of Cambridge professor who developed an app which collected the data.

He developed 'This Is Your Digital Life' through his company Global Science Research (GSR) in collaboration with Cambridge Analytica.

The app offered payment in return for users filling out a personality test.

Facebook says it was downloaded by 270,000 people, but the app also gave Mr Kogan access to the lists of the downloaders' Facebook friends, which, according to Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie, gave him information on up to 50 million more users.

Facebook suspended Cambridge Analytica when it found out about the data breach, saying that in 2015 it found out that "a psychology professor at the University of Cambridge named Dr Aleksandr Kogan violated our platform policies."

But Mr Kogan says he is being unfairly represented and that when he developed the This Is Your Digital Life app, he thought it would be used legally.

"My view is that I'm being basically used as a scapegoat by both Facebook and Cambridge Analytica," he told BBC radio.

"Honestly, we thought we were acting perfectly appropriately."

Alexander Nix

Image:Cambridge Analytica's chief executive officer Alexander Nix has been suspended

Alexander Nix, 42, is the chief executive of Cambridge Analytica.

He developed the political arm of the company which has since been involved in election campaigns around the world, according to The Guardian/Observer.

He has been suspended by Cambridge Analytica's board pending a full independent investigation after he was filmed by undercover Channel 4 reporters talking about ways to win political campaigns through blackmail and honey traps.Mr Nix's comments "do not represent the values or operations of the firm", the company said.

Christopher Wylie

Image:Facebook has suspended Wylie's account

Christopher Wylie blew the whistle on this scandal.

The 28-year-old Canadian data analytics expert worked with Cambridge Analytica and Cambridge professor Aleksandr Kogan to obtain people's data.

He told The Observer Cambridge Analytica used personal information taken without permission in early 2014 to build a system that could profile US voters so they could be targeted with personalised political advertisements.

Facebook has suspended his account.

Cambridge Analytica says he is a former contractor who left the company in 2014 and has been "misrepresenting himself and the company" in his comments to the media.

Steve Bannon

Image:Steve Bannon founded Cambridge Analytica with Robert Mercer

Mr Trump's former chief strategist is a founder and former board member of Cambridge Analytica.

Mr Bannon was also founding member of right-wing news and commentary website Breitbart News.

He used the publication to help push an anti-Washington message and was a key figure in Mr Trump's election.

Christopher Wylie told the Washington Post that Mr Bannon gave approval for the firm to spend nearly $1m to acquire data, including Facebook profiles, in 2014.

It is unclear whether Mr Bannon knew how Cambridge Analytica was obtaining the Facebook data.

Robert Mercer

Image:Robert Mercer was CEO of Renaissance Technologies until late 2017

Robert Mercer and his family part-owns Cambridge Analytica.

Mr Mercer founded the company along with Mr Bannon.

Mr Mercer is a staunch conservative and is said to have invested $15m in Cambridge Analytica, as well as being a very generous Republican donor.

He used to be an IBM computer scientist before going on to work with computer-driven hedge fund Renaissance Technologies where he became a billionaire.

He quit as CEO in November after being scrutinised by the media for backing Donald Trump and his former strategist Steve Bannon, which included investing heavily in Mr Bannon's Breitbart News.

 

Sponsored Links

• 
  

Recommended by

Nigerian Jollof rice is my best food - French ambassador

Denys Gauer, the French ambassador to Nigeria, said that the country's Jollof, is his best food. Jollof rice, is one of the most common dishes in the whole of West Africa.

The food which is believed to have originated from the region of Wolof speaking people, and happens to be northwestern Senegal, The Gambia, and southwestern coastal Mauritania, is arguably the best known African dish outside the continent.

Gauer, who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Thursday, March 22, remarked: “Jollof rice is my best Nigerian food; maybe because I find it everywhere I go in Nigeria.’’

The envoy said further that the country was blessed with rich cultural heritage that attracts foreigners, especially its food. He said: “I remember a year ago, when I attended the annual yam festival organised by the Ogidi community in Kogi. I had wonderful time and I saw and appreciated the display of their cultural performances especially the presentation of the new yam.

“The cultural display in the two days event showed that the festival was a moment to showcase the tourism potentials abundant in that area.’’

Guaer, who spoke further on the state of the nation’s tourism sector, said that basic infrastructures were needed to develop it.

He said that tourism was an income generating sector and would create job opportunities for the youths adding that, tourism was a contributing factor to France’s GDP. Tourism and gastronomy (food) are very important sectors in France because it contributes to the GDP.

He said: “The food sector is an art, it also contributes to the economy and it provides a lot of activities, jobs and wealth creation in the country. In Nigeria, tourism still remains under developed and there is a lot to be shown in the sector but it just a pity, because the infrastructure are still not in place.

“Nevertheless, Nigeria is progressing especially in the area of cuisines, because I notice there are more good restaurants here in Abuja, Lagos and other cities in the country.

“But, what the country needs is more vocational training and we hope with such events as “The chef’s taste challenge’’ and promotion, it would attract more people and create more interest in the sector."

The envoy added that, the teaming youths in the country can be engaged on studies about the art of cooking maybe in France or elsewhere. He expressed optimism that the sector could be developed to generate jobs in Nigeria.

The envoy who spoke on the just concluded The chef’s taste challenge for chefs in Abuja and organized by the French embassy, said most ingredients used at the event was locally sourced.

He further said: “We only imported some ingredients from France but a great lot of them are locally produced here in Nigeria. And precisely, what our winner chef Juliet Chioma, from Relais Café produced at the challenge was done with mainly local products.

"What that tells us it that, we can produce ‘Chicken in the Pot’ the winning dish, with Nigerian locally produce products."

Nutritionist however stated that  Ofada rice meal is awesome especially with a variety of stew. It has a high fiber content which keeps bowel movement at a peak, therefore making digestion much easier. It also makes the tummy feel full so you can afford to eat smaller meal portions. And it helps to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Angry youths set Kaduna church, police outpost ablaze over boy’s death

Following the death of a boy identified as Sylverster alleged to have been ‘sacrificed’ by the pastor of a church, angry youths on Wednesday night , March 21, set ablaze a celestial church of God, a vehicle at Bayan Dutse in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state, Leadership reports.

The angry youths who also engaged the police set ablaze the Narayi police outpost in the process.

The deceased who was is in his early twenties and attends Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Gospel church Narayi was serving as a mason boy to the pastor of the church. The pastor was building a demarcation inside a river beside the church when all of a sudden the deceased fell into the river and died.

The pastor was said to have immediately gone to the nearby police outpost to report the incidence.

The youths on hearing of the incidencet alleged that the white garment church pastor may have used the boy as a sacrifice and immediately mobilised and burnt down the church, pastorium and a jeep belonging to a member of the church parked there.

The youths also took to the street protesting the killing and demanding to see the pastor who was said to have been taken to Barnawa police station.

Meanwhile, the remains of the deceased was to have been buried at about 10pm on Tuesday night, March 20, beside the river after prayers were offered for his remains by the pastor of his church, Pastor Mark Ayuba.

However, the pastor urged the youths to accept what has happened as the will of God and should not take the laws into their hands.

Meanwhile, some protesting youths were said to have been arrested.

ASP Mukhtar Aliyu, the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) confirmed the incident and arrest. He added that the pastor was in their custody.

In a related story the convoy of Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, was on Thursday, March 8, 2018, attacked by angry youths from Bida local government area of the state and the governor and his entourage stoned by the mob.

The mob attacked the governor over alleged non-performance and constant travels outside the country on the claim of inviting foreign investors to the state.

Dasuki, former National Security Adviser’s trial to enjoy accelerated hearing

The trial of former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has been adjoined till May 2 and 3 for definite trial by a federal capital territory high Court.

Dasuki is in court over alleged money-laundering charges brought against him by the federal government in 2015 .

A judge of the court, Husseini Baba-Yusuf, announced the new trial date in Abuja after being presented with the Supreme Court judgement of March 2, 2018 which ordered accelerated hearing into the case, Premium Times reports.

The court fixed April 13 for a pre-trial conference so enable lawyers involved in the case to take common positions on documents from the prosecution and those from the defendants and to ensure effective management of the two separate charges against Dasuki and other defendants

The conference will be presided over by Mr. Baba-Yusuf and all contentious documents will be admitted from the bar.

It was further reported by the news outlet that senior counsels involved in the matter, especially Rotimi Jacobs for prosecution, Ahmed Raji, Akin Olujimi, Olajide Ayodele, Kayode Olatoke, Hakeem Afolabi and Solomon Umoh who are standing for different defendants in the trial all agreed with the Supreme Court decision for accelerated hearing and the pre-trial conference to sort out all the contentious issues.

Meanwhile the Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki Progressive Association in Sokoto state appealed to the ‎federal government to release the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) on bail in compliance with court rulings.

The family asked the government to respect the rule of law in handing the issues relating to Dasuki.

Senate confirms two CBN deputy governors

The Senate has approved two nominees for the position of deputy governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Aisha Ahmad and Edward Lametek were on Wednesday, March 21, confirmed by the lawmakers.

The confirmation follows recommendation of the committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.

The chairman of the committee, Rafiu Adebayo, presented the report making the recommendation.

Adebayo said the nominees had been cleared by the police, the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Directorate of State Services (DSS).

He said: ''Having been satisfied with their academic, professional qualification and competence, work experience and character of these two nominees, the committee hereby recommend that the Senate do confirm Aisha Ahmad and Edward Lametek as deputy governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).''

The lawmakers unanimously approved the recommendation after a voice vote. On this part, Senate President Bukola Saraki commended his colleagues for the expeditious confirmation of the two.

Saraki urged the nominees to work to grow the economy and stabilise the country’s foreign exchange.

Meanwhile CBN injected 210 million dollars into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to ensure availability and meet customers’ requests in various segments of the market.

Giving a breakdown of the amount, the acting director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, said in Abuja on Monday that the wholesale segment of the market received 100 million dollars, while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received 55 million dollars.

33 ships laden with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos ports

Thirty-three ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos from Thursday, March 22, to April 5.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) made this known in its publication, `Shipping Position’, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

A total of 12 of the expected 33 ships would sail in with petrol.

NPA said that the remaining 21 ships contained bulk wheat, fertiliser, butane bulk sugar, aviation fuel, steel products, frozen fish, empty containers, general cargo and containers laden with goods.

The document indicated that eight ships had arrived the ports waiting to berth with bulk fertiliser, aviation fuel and petrol.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said it programmed to bring in two cargoesof petrol per day to boost supply.

The move was reportedly in a bid to keep the country wet with petrol and eradicate the fuel queues that have resurfaced in some cities.

Each of the two cargoes was 50 million litres making a total of 100 million litres that was brought in per day from February to increase supply and replenish strategic reserves.

Saraki reacts to reelase of Dapchi girls

Senate president, Bukola Saraki has reacted to the release of some of the abducted Dapchi girls in Yobe following their kidnap by Boko Haram operatives.

Earlier reports has it that the girls were released by the terrorists on Tuesday, March 20

Saraki in his reaction congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of the girls.

He urged the Yobe state government and the families of the girls to ensure that they return to school.

Read his statement below:

"The release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls is tremendous news for the country. Our prayers have been answered.

"I commend President Buhari, our security forces and the Yobe State government for their effort in bringing back our girls. However, we cannot stop here. We must not rest until all the Dapchi girls, and the remaining Chibok girls are back home with their families.

"I hope that the girls that have been released will soon be reunited with their loved ones. It is also necessary that we ensure that they receive the necessary care and rehabilitation that they need to continue to lead normal lives.

"I urge the affected families and the Yobe State government to do all within their power to ensure that these girls continue their education — as this will be the strongest signal to their abductors that though they may have kidnapped their bodies — they will never break their spirits and their minds"

Boko Haram reportedly returned 101 out of the kidnapped 110 #DapchiGirls girlsback to Dapchi township in Yobe stateaccording to the presidency.

The schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi On February 19, 2018 at about 5:30pm local time.

Channels Television correspondent who monitored the event disclosed this during a programme on Wednesday, March 21.

However, the presidency has disclosed that 76 of the abducted school girls have been released. Bashir Ahmed, a presidential aide disclosed this on Twitter.

"So far, 76 of the 110 abducted Dapchi schoolgirls have been confirmed release and documented, the number of the freed girls would be updated after the remaining ones have been documented, especially because the girls were not handed over to anyone but dropped off in Dapchi," he wrote.

On his part, Lai Mohammed, also claimed that 91 of the school girls have been released.

In an updated version, the federal government says 101 girls have been released.

Anambra monarchs rejoice with Dapchi community over release of school girls

The Anambra Central Traditional Rulers’ Council has rejoiced with parents of Dapchi community in Yobe over the release of some of the abducted school-girls in the community.

The chairman of the council, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, said this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to the recent release of some of the girls on Wednesday morning.

NAN reports that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja, said that 76 of the released school-girls have been documented.

Ilouno said: “The news is cheering and interesting; it is a great thing that some of the school-girls came back hale and hearty.

“We are happy for the development and join parents in Dapchi to rejoice over the recent development.

“We thank God for the positive development and pray all other Nigerians in captivity will be released as well.’’

The monarch, who is also the traditional ruler of Ifitedunu Ancient Kingdom in Anambra, appealed to the federal government and its partners to expedite action on the release of the remaining female students.

Ilouno also said that Nigerians were still waiting to get details of how the feat was achieved by the government.

NAN recalls that 110 students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi were abducted on February 19 from their school compound.

The schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Science Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi On February 19, 2018 at about 5:30pm local time.

Channels Television correspondent who monitored the event disclosed this during a programme on Wednesday, March 21.

However, the presidency has disclosed that 76 of the abducted school girls have been released. Bashir Ahmed, a presidential aide disclosed this on Twitter.

External borrowings: Economist cautions federal government over N21.73 trillion debt

An economist, Prof Sheriffdeen Tella, on Monday, March 19, described the nation’s debt stock of N21.73 trillion as worrisome and urged the federal government to stop external borrowings.

Tella, a professor of Economics at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun, expressed his views in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Tella stated that the current size of the country’s external debt was worrisome.

It was reported that then Debt Management Office (DMO), on March 14, said that Nigeria’s external debt had risen to 18.91 billion dollars (N5.79 trillion) as at December 31, 2017. The DMO said that domestic debt also rose to N15.94 trillion, bringing the total debt stock to N21.725 trillion (70.92 billion dollars).

According to the economist, the total external debt of 18.91 billion dollars is very high compared to the current Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He said that the current GDP growth rate was largely due to higher crude oil price than increased output in agriculture.

Tella said that there was no rationale for government to borrow in dollars to offset domestic debts, stressing that part of the earnings from oil should be monetised to offset such debt.

According to him, government is borrowing as if the country is not earning foreign exchange which can be used to meet some of the external needs.

“What is the pride in accumulating external debt when you are at the same time building external reserve? The ratio of debt service to the annual budget continues to rise, thereby depriving the nation of funds that should go into project execution and general economic development," Tella said.

He said that the earlier the National Assembly stopped approving borrowing, the better it would be for the country.

Meanwhile the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Tuesday, September 19, that as at June 30, 2017, Nigeria's debt stocks stood at about $15.1 billion and N14.1 trillion respectively.

According to the report, after proper review, it was shown that the total foreign debt profile of the federal and the 36 states governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) shows a continuous rise since the coming of the Buhari administration.

Kano approves N4bn for flyover, roads

The approval of N4 billion for the construction of underpass and flyover which will link Zaria Road/Silver Jubilee and Zoo road in the metropolis has been announced by the Kano state government.

Malam Muhammad Garba, the state's commissioner for information, Youth, and Culture, issued the statement in Abuja, on Sunday, March 18, 

He said the project was aimed at reducing carbon emission, minimising road accidents and beautification of the state capital, among others.

Garba also said that approval of money for the project was made at the 11th state executive council meeting chaired by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Going further, the commissioner said the state government has engaged in the reconstruction, expansion, rehabilitation and upgrading of existing roads in the state.

He said the government also constructed an underpass at Sharada/Panshekara Road Junction.

The commissioner said apart from the N4 billion for the project, the council also approved the sum of $36, 000 being payment of project fees for 18 state-sponsored students in El-Razi University, Sudan, procurement of bed sheets for 31 secondary health facilities at the cost of N39 million; reconstruction work of Dawakin Kudu-Lahadin Makole Road in Dawakin Kudu local government at the cost of over N748 million.

The expansion/repairs of Giginyu-Kawo-eastern Bypass Road in Nassarawa local government in Nassarawa local government; rehabilitation works/upgrade of Fagwalawa Primary Healthcare Centre to Cottage hospital for which the sum of more than N588 million, and N230 million, has been approved, respectively.

Meanwhile the leadership of the Kano state public complaints and anti-corruption commission has been described as having more versatile and vibrant leadership at the helm of the affairs of the organisation for the first time.

The commendation was from the governor of Kano state Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who assured that the leadership of the anti-graft body came at a time when it was much needed.

He made the assertion during the launching of domestication of the Kano state societal reorientation programme of Change Begins With Me, held at the Government House, Kano.

Vladimir Putin wins fourth term as Russian President with 77% of vote

Image:Vladimir Putin has secured a fourth term as Russian president.

Vladimir Putin has swept to a landslide victory to secure a fourth term as Russian President, keeping him in power for six more years.

In a widely expected win, Mr Putin secured more than 76.66% of the vote and a turnout of 67.47%, the Central Election Commission said.

The result came amid allegations of election violations, including ballot-box stuffing and forced voting.

Addressing a crowd near Moscow's Red Square, Mr Putin said his victory was a vote of confidence in his achievements.

Image:Mr Putin has dismissed claims Russia is behind the Salisbury poisoning as 'nonsense'

"It's very important to maintain this unity," he said.

"We will think about the future of our great Motherland," he said, before leading the crowd in repeated chants of "Russia!"

Asked later if he could seek the presidency again in 2030, Mr Putin replied: "It's ridiculous. Do you think I will sit here until I turn 100?"

Mr Putin's campaign spokesman reportedly thanked the UK for the higher than expected turnout of around 60% following the diplomatic row over the Salisbury spy poisoning.

"Once again we were subject to pressure at just the moment when we needed to mobilise," Andrei Kondrashkov was reported to have said.

Image:Mr Putin was confident of victory when he cast his vote

A mission from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, who observed the election, said there was a "lack of genuine competition" but said the Russia's Central Election Commission administered the process "efficiently and openly".

The organisation's report said: "Restrictions on the fundamental freedoms of assembly, association and expression... have limited the space for political engagement and resulted in a lack of genuine competition."

French far-right politician Marine Le Pen's National Front party has congratulated Mr Putin, hailing the election as a sign of Russia's "stability and democratic foundations".he party also called on the European Union to "put an end to its absurd and counterproductive politics of blackmail, threats and sanctions" against Russia.

Mr Putin's nearest challenger, Communist Party candidate Pavel Grudinin, secured around 13% of the vote, according to partial results, while nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky received around 6%.

Mr Putin's most well-known opponent, anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, was rejected as a candidate because he was convicted of fraud in a case widely regarded as politically motivated.

The vote was tainted by allegations of forced voting and election violations as footage released by a government opposition group appeared to show ballot boxes being stuffed.

The presidential election comes amid escalating tensions between Russia and the West, with Mr Putin addressing the Salisbury spy poisoning for the first time publicly as the results came in.

The UK has blamed the Kremlin for the nerve-agent poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, prompting the expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats.

Video:CCTV shows alleged election violations in Russia

Meanwhile, the US has imposed sanctions on 19 Russians for alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

There also been criticism from the West of Russia's military support for Syrian dictator Bashar al Assad.

The election took place on the fourth anniversary of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, which led to an array of US and European sanctions.

Mr Putin - who was first became President in December 1999 - did not run in 2008 because of term limits, but was appointed prime minister, a role in which he was widely seen as leader.

He announced weeks before the election that Russia has developed advanced nuclear weapons capable of evading missile defences.

Posted in:

 

• RUSSIA
 
• VLADIMIR PUTIN

 

Sponsored Links