Mrs Adepoju, Leave NIS alone and face your family matters- COYAC demands

Since her appointment as Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Carol Wura-ola Adepoju has continued to court controversies that tend to not only put the Service in bad light, but also affect the service from achieving its mandate.

Under her watch, the public rating of the NIS has fallen so low. Her actions do not allign with the renewed hope agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Mrs Carol Wura-ola Adepoju appears to be a clog in the wheel of progress at the NIS.

To the surprise and dismay of officers and men of NIS, the husband of the Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has literally taken over the day-to-day running of the affairs of the NIS, as he is seen giving orders to, and beckoning on officers and men on a daily basis.

Mr Adepoju has gone the extra mile, by situating a permanent office for himself on the premises of the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, where he daily dishes out marching orders to officers and men. He is at the helms of affairs and runs the NIS, while his wife, Mrs Carol Wura-ola Adepoju (the Acting CG) is behind the scene.

It is on record, that the Acting CG has been bragging at every little opportunity to all and sundry that this is the turn of the Yoruba ethnic stock and that nothing can happen and that she is in control and, as such, threatens contractors alike, if any one of them refuses to tow her line.

She has nicknamed them “disloyal contractors.” She has, as well, boasted severally that, she will be confirmed as a substantive CG and given extension of service when, even the rank and file are aware that she has outlived her usefulness at the NIS.

It will be recalled that the Federal Character Commission (FCC) recently wrote a letter to the Ministry of Interior, informing the Ministry that she violated the Federal Character Commission’s extant rules of recruitment of candidates into the NIS and she has arbitrarily given employment to select people from her geo-political zone, not minding the query issued to her by the FCC..

It is in view of the above, that the attention of the Coalition of Youths Against Corruption (COYAC) and Good Governance Initiative (GGI) a prodemocracy, human rights and civil society group has been drawn to the unethical sharp practices been perpetrated currently by the leadership of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs Carol Wura-ola Adepoju, in the on-going recruitment of candidates into the service without due process; not following the Federal Character Commission (FCC) laid down rules of recruitment of candidates into the organization; the misappropriation of funds meant for foreign missions by the acting CG; the unethical procurement practices of spending tax payers’ money with her husband, particularly making sure that the husband is perpetually listed on the travel manual with her on every trip; approving unethical recruitment racketeering ring organized by one so-called Babangida and Nasiru, a self-acclaimed religious bigot always playing the religious card who sell out employment letters to cronies, friends and family members, instead of capable Nigerians seeking employment and enabling the bragging rights of the Acting CG who has consistently said she is going nowhere, whereas her three months extension has expired, despite knowing full well she is deficient in the management of the affairs of the NIS.

The Nigerian Immigration Service is a government agency mandated and saddled with responsibilities to control persons entering or leaving the country, issuance of travel documents to bona fide Nigerians at home and abroad, issuance of resident permits to foreigners in Nigeria, border surveillance and patrol and the enforcement of the above laws and regulations rests on its oars. Regrettably, since the advent of the incumbent administration under the leadership of Mrs Carol Wura-ola Adepoju, it has been observed by keen watchers that, the Nigeria Immigration Service has been bedeviled with poor leadership, cronyism, official high handedness, passport racketeering and poor border surveillance/patrol leading to the influx of illegal aliens exacerbating the poor security situation in the country.

In a press release made available to journalists in Lagos by the pressure group, the Coalition of Youths Against Corruption (COYAC) and signed by the President of COYAC, Mahmud Bello and National Coordinator (GGI), Com. Sani Ninjiba Sarki, the duo lamented that the Wura-ola Adepoju-led NIS has negated the core values of the organization by entrenching cronyism and sharing the slots of employments/recruitments to Nigerians between herself, a former Minister in charge of the Ministry of Interior and giving same to Mr Nasiru, an officer of the service to sell and use at will to favour some select few instead of making it available to majority of Nigerians.

Mahmud Bello and Com. Sani Ninjibi Sarki emphasized that “the Acting CG of the Nigeria Immigration Service has been entrenching her kinsmen and cronies in juicy positions at the detriment of quality service delivery and efficiency which was the hall mark of the NIS before she came on board as acting leader not long ago.”

COYAC also emphasized that the border patrol funds are not properly utilized for effective border management, but are going into private pockets, instead of government coffers and that there is lack of transparency in passports administration which has affected passport insurance to a lot of Nigerians across the country, which has also affected the Greater Washington levy to address verification for all passport clients. The non-functionality of operational vehicles across the country at various posts is giving officers and men cause for concern and worries which has also affected the lack of adequate facilities at the airports and sea borders.

Accordingly, we condemn in the strongest terms the procurement process presently on-going at the NIS which is poorly managed and coordinated. The due process regime are not followed for contracts, contractors and purchases which are also given to cronies without following the laid down rules and guidelines. The productivity of staff which was foremost and paramount then has now nose-dived as command and control of personnel deployments across the country is at the lowest ebb with low morale and low espirit-de-corps of officers and men. Narrating further, the group lamented and chided the poor management regime of Wura-ola Adepoju’s leadership, noting that it has engendered low morale in the service. The group added, that the spirit of oneness and discipline peculiar to the paramilitary organization has taken flight in the NIS, thereby reducing productivity and revenue generation for the country.

Duly, the group therefore “Passes a Vote of no Confidence” on the management for the low level of leadership and the factors mentioned above and hereby describe the scarcity of passports nation-wide and other travel documents, which it attributed to the evil machinations of a syndicate chaired by Nasiru and Babangida oiled by the Acting CG for her personal gain and the cabal she operates within the system.

COYAC and GGI have it on good authority, that the present led management is systematically destroying the legacies met on ground and witch-hunting those patriotic personnel and officers who are opposed to her machinations and therefore, “we ask Mr President to remove her immediately from office to pave the way for a more pro-Tinubu loyalist, effective, efficient and proactive officer who is determined to lead by example for the betterment of the NIS and to improve revenue generation for the total wellbeing of the nation.”

We further reiterate that the Accountant of the Civil Defence, Immigration, Fire and Prisons Board (CDIFPB) should be made to account for his stewardship for the past eight years he piloted the affairs of the Board as we have it on good authority, that there are a lot of financial infractions, fleecing and loopholes presently noticed on the Board as procurement procedures are not followed and due process abandoned totally in all ramifications.

The group is using this medium to also ask that the husband of the Acting NIS CG, should vacate the premises of the NIS. If not, “we would be forced to carry out a one million man-march protest to the National Assembly, Aso Rock Villa, ministry of Interior and the Office of the National Security Adviser as the husband is not an employee of the NIS.”

2023: Applause for GAC Motor as curtains fall on Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate tourney

It was an ambience to behold following a spectacular competition in an enchanting Lakowe Lakes Golf & Country Estate which recently played host to an extraordinary celebration of luxury, golf, and automotive excellence.

Courtesy of GAC Motor Nigeria, a distinguished name in the automotive industry known for its commitment to innovation, quality, and luxury, participants took center stage at the prestigious event in Lagos.

Between Friday, September 29th and Monday, October 2nd, 2023, the estate was transformed into a world-class destination where opulence met precision, and golfing enthusiasts gathered for an unforgettable experience.

A statement by the organizers revealed that the Golf Championship featured an exhilarating 18-hole championship golf tournament that attracted golf aficionados from far and wide.

Mr. Jubril Arogundade, GM Commercial, CIG Motors, the sole distributor of GAC Motor, expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, stating, “GAC Motor is proud to be associated with the Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic and Escape to the Green. It’s a unique platform that resonates with our brand’s values of excellence and luxury. We are delighted to have been part of such an extraordinary celebration.

Automotive Extravaganza: GAC Motor Nigeria showcased its latest fleet of luxury vehicles, elevating the experience for attendees. The brand’s commitment to excellence was evident as guests had the opportunity to explore the cutting-edge technology, unmatched comfort, and timeless design of GAC Motor vehicles.

The Lakowe Lakes Golf Classic and Escape to the Green, powered by GAC Motor Nigeria, was a testament to the synergy between luxury, golf, and automotive excellence. It captivated the hearts and minds of all attendees, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of Nigerian golfing and lifestyle events,” the statement added.

HURIWA Criticizes Alleged Islamization of Nasarawa Governorship Election Tribunal Ruling

*warns VP Kashim Shettima to steer clear of Religious politics:

In a dramatic turn of events following the recent Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal’s verdict, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly criticized attempts to infuse religious dimensions into the outcome.

HURIWA, in a statement on Friday, recalled that the tribunal had nullified the election of incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election in the state.

“Delivering the judgment virtually, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ezekiel Ajayi, declared Ombugadu as the lawfully elected governor of Nasarawa State. The twist in this political saga seems to arise from the fact that Ombugadu is the sole Christian among the candidates who vied for the position, while the others are Muslims.

The statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, however, emphasized that the election result was a reflection of the collective will of Nasarawa State’s diverse population, which includes traditionalists, Christians, and Muslims, who exercised their democratic right to vote without regard to religious affiliations.

While expressing deep concern over allegations that Governor Abdullahi Sule’s camp is promoting a false narrative that portrays the tribunal’s verdict as an attempt by Christians to take control of the governorship seat, which has been held by Muslims for the past 21 years in Nasarawa State, HURIWA strongly refuted this depiction, labeling it inaccurate and a dangerous attempt to sow religious discord where none exists.

Furthermore, HURIWA frowned at disturbing reports suggesting efforts by Abdullahi Sule’s camp to influence the Appeal Court and subsequently the Supreme Court in the event the case progresses to that level. Also, HURIWA has it from sources that the Country’s Vice President Kashim Shettima is allegedly involved in the attempt to weave Islamic sentiments into the Nasarawa State governorship litigation by allegedly attempting to mobilise Islamic leaders and top judicial officers in Abuja to scuttle the judgment of the Nasarawa governorship election petition tribunal which returned the verdict that indeed the PDP won just as the Rights group wondered why the VP who is from Borno state is allegedly being linked to such a sinister plot to divide the good people of Nasarawa State which happens to be one of the most religiously diverse subnational entity with Muslims, Christians, traditional African Religion cohabiting as one and the same families. We urge the VP, the governor, the Emir of Lafia and His Excellency the Sultan of Sokoto who is well regarded for his objectivity, not to dabble into partisan politics or drag their high offices into religious and political bigotry.

“These purported attempts involve reaching out to influential religious figures, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and leveraging the influence of the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, a former Supreme Court judge.

“Nasarawa State, known for its religious diversity, has a history of tolerance and unity among its people, regardless of religious backgrounds. The introduction of religious dimensions into a political matter in such a harmonious society is deeply troubling and could have severe repercussions”.

Therefore, HURIWA warned all stakeholders, including religious leaders and traditional rulers, to refrain from interfering in the judicial process. The association urged them to uphold the rule of law and permit the courts to make determinations based on the evidence presented before them: “In a democratic society, the law should always take precedence over sentiments and religious biases.

“The importance of Nasarawa State receiving a transparent, equitable, and unbiased resolution to this election dispute, devoid of divisive elements, cannot be overemphasized. HURIWA stands unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding the rights of all Nigerians and ensuring that justice prevails without bias”.

Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA).

Nasarawa State Election Tribunal Staff Face Unrest After Tribunal Verdict Announcement

In a shocking turn of events, the secretariat staff of the tribunal responsible for delivering the judgment on the recent governorship election in Nasarawa between Dr. David Ombugadu and Governor Abdullahi Sule who has just been ousted by tribunal Judgement have allegedly come under attack by some government officials who are alleged to be loyal to the A.A Sule.

The incident, which unfolded amidst circumstances surrounding the election results, has raised concerns about the safety of the tribunal members and the integrity of the electoral process.

Reports indicate that the secretariat, located on Shandam Road in Lafia, was left deserted, with no one present when a correspondent visited. The situation has been exacerbated by the vandalism of secretariat facilities, including the seizure of a bus, important files, and other valuables. These alarming developments have left the lives of the tribunal staff in jeopardy.

The Nasarawa state governorship election has been mired in controversy, with allegations of irregularities and disputes over the results. As the tribunal had delivered its judgment, this shocking attack on its secretariat has cast a shadow over the entire process, leaving citizens and stakeholders alike in a state of uncertainty.

Efforts to reach member of the secretariate prove abortive as no one person was found at the premises as they were on their way to Abuja.

ADAMAWA Election Petition faces hick ups as plans by people in high positions intends to use Ulama’s to divert the attention of Judges, and President. Otunba.

Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Adamawa State, Umar Madawaki, has raised alarm over what he described as a “group of selfish, self centered, single track-minded, yet hand picked Ulama’s”, who have been invited and “sponsored to Abuja” in an uprising against Senator Aishatu Binani on religious grounds.

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In a statement issued yesterday, he lamented that the sponsored attempt is to be led by a very high government official to “deceive the President Commander In Chief Of The Armed Forces Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the great people of Adamawa who stood solidly, come rain come shower to vote for their darling politician Sen. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani as Governor, are now surprisingly against her leadership of the state on religious grounds”.

“It is a well known fact that they have raised a high powered group of government officials and close friends of the Hon. Minister Of Justice and Attorney General Of The Federation, to persuade him to intervene in their favour by providing some soft landing for the opposition party, the Hon. Minister being a shrewed lawyer and now the custodian of our justice system, the attempt is not likely to yield the required result,” he said.

Madawaki recalled that Sen. Binani picked her nomination and expression of interest form unchallenged, participated in the primary elections unchallenged, and comfortably defeated five other male contestants to become the flag bearer of her party.

While expressing hope that President Bola Tinubu is “too smart to be played around by these empty skulls”, he posited that Adamawa people are adherents of both Islam and Christianity. “Sen. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani couldn’t have emerged as winner of the elections if only christians voted for her”.

Madawaki said the attempt to blackmail Sen. Binani’s emergence as Governor is a mere conspiracy with a sinister motive to satisfy to whimps and caprices of their sponsors who stand to gain in the end.

He urged Tinubu to disregard the fabricated plans and allow justice to take its course, adding that religious leaders should concern themselves with the dictates of their revealed books and not politics. .

“Her trouble started when some of those who lost at the primaries felt slighted. They collectively started their evil machination’s, to stop her from winning the general elections. However, the people of Adamawa proved them wrong and Sen. Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani emerged the winner until her mandate was stolen.

“The analogy is that the opposition party also fielded a female candidate as Deputy Governor, if the so called sponsored Ulama’s were honest enough, why didn’t they raise issues on that, it is a solid fact that the ticket of the Governor and Deputy Governor has been constitutionally adjudged to be one and the same. That explains why when the Governor is on annual leave, the Deputy will act as Governor, when the Governor is incapacitated the deputy will also act and in the event of death or impeachment the Deputy Governor will take over.

“It is public knowledge that the leadership of the Muslim council of Adamawa State led a delegation to congratulate the Deputy Governor while acting as Governor of Adamawa State.

“Looking at this issue from a global perspective, we are all witnesses to the emergence of several Muslims women in predominantly Muslim countries as either Prime Ministers or presidents.

“Such Muslims like Mrs Benazir Bhutto as the 11th and 13th Prime Minister, of Pakistan between 1988-90 and 1993-96 becoming the first woman leader in modern history. Mrs. Tansa Ciller also led turkey 1993-96 as Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina was Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Mame Madior, rose as Prime Minister of Senegal and Megarati Sukamoputri was voted as President of Indonesia (2001-2004), Rosa Otunbayeva, President of kyrgyztan 2010-2011, Atifete Jahjaga current President of Kosovo 2011- present. Klaleda Zia, Prime Minister of Bangladesh 1991-96, 2001-2006.

“Non of these hired Ulama’s has spoken, written or condemn the ascendancy of these Muslim women to power at anytime in their public lectures or before any council or group of leaders,” his statement read.

Igbo Delegates Assembly Denounces Call to Ban Eze-Igbo in FCT ABUJA

An assemblage identified as Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), has denounced call to ban the Eze-Igbo in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In a press release signed by the President General Chief Kenneth Okeuge JP and Hon. Chief Donatus Nwugo (MPPA, NABCEP, FISEN) the General Secretary General respectively, the group asserted that the call was abnormal and obnoxious.

It said: “During the Executive meeting of Igbos Delegates Assembly (IDA) held in Abuja on the 28th of September, 2023, our attention was drawn to a media call by one Bar. Ifeanyi Ichukwu Nweze of Ohaneze (a member of IDA) Abuja-requesting the Minister of FCT, His Excellency Bar. Nyesom Wike to ban the institution of Eze Igbo in FCT Abuja – His Highness Eze Ibe Nwosu (MON), and His Highness Eze Dr. Uche Egenti (MON) and other Igbo traditional rulers in FCT.

“Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) is the umbrella body of Ndigbo in the 19 Northern States and FCT Abuja.

“We wish to state categorically here that the call is abnormal and obnoxious and does not represent the view of Ndigbo in the 19 Northern State and FCT Abuja and the Diaspora Worldwide.

“The institution of Ndieze N’uzo Ije-igbo traditional rulers outside the Igbo land has been in existence for over five (5) decades and it is an integral part of Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA).

“Eze Ibe Nwosu and Eze Dr. Uche Egenti has been a rallying point of our people in FCT and has galvanized Ndigbo for peace and harmony within the circle of Government and host communities in FCT and environs for the past years.

“Ifeanyi Nweze has no locus-standi and moral right to call for the ban of our revered Royal fathers in FCT and the traditional institution.

“Nweze knows the conflict resolution mechanism in IDA as s member of Igbo Delegates Assembly, and should have explored such avenue instead of acting beyond his limit.

“We hereby call on the Hon. Minister of FCT, the traditional institutions and other relevant authorities to ignore that call as he does not have the authority to so speak.

“Ifeanyichukwu Nweze is hereby advised to retrieve his steps for the good of Ndigbo in FCT Abuja and worldwide.” It added.

Chicago Certificate: Gololo asks Atiku to apologise to Tinubu

In what he described as a clarification to the application filed at Chicago court by former Vice president of Nigeria and PDP Presidential candidate in 2023 general elections Atiku Abubakar, against President Bola Tinubu on issue concerning Tinubu’s University certificate, Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress APC, Dr. Garus Gololo, has opined that Atiku Abubakar should apologise to the People’s Democratic party, PDP and the entire Southern Nigeria for denying the zone its 2023 Presidential ticket.

Dr. Gololo, said this while reacting to the new revelation made by the Chicago University Vice Chancellor Administration through the school legal representative Michael D. Hayes about Tinubu’s Diploma certificate with the University.

It could be recalled the Chicago State University, CSU, has said it found diploma certificates belonging to President Bola Tinubu in its archives. CSU said it found the diplomas matching the certificate Tinubu presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, after a diligent search of its archives.

The school disclosed this in response to Judge Nancy Maldonado’s order that it should supply the documents requested by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The results were made public by counsel to the school, Michael D. Hayes.

Atiku in his Request No. 3 wanted: “True and correct copies of any diplomas issued by CSU (other than to Mr. Tinubu) that contain the same font, seal, signatures, and wording (other than the name of the recipient and the specific degree awarded) as Contained in Exhibit C to the First Liu Declaration, which purports to be a CSU diploma issued to Mr. Tinubu on or about June 22, 1979”

.Responding, Hayes said: “The documents responsive to this request which CSU, after diligent search, has been able to locate are produced herewith and Bates labelled CSU 0008 through CSU 0010.

“The students’ names on these diplomas have been redacted for privacy reasons.

“CSU is also producing, Bates labelled as CSU 0011 and CSU 0012, diplomas prepared
for other CSU students (with their names redacted for privacy) which match the format of the
Tinubu replacement diploma dated June 27, 1997.”

Dr. Gololo in further reaction, stated that Atiku’s desperation, gave Ahmed Tinubu the opportunity to contest and win 2023 general elections with ease under APC platform which zoned the Presidency to the South.

” I don’t think any one should dispute what Iam saying here. If you recall, Atiku Abubarkar, has become a Desperado as far as becoming Nigerian President is concerned and this was exactly what led to his problems with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Out of desperation, he took former President Mohammadu Buhari to court over school certificate. So what Iam saying here is that having lost the battle once again, he should have no option than to apologies to the Southerners where his party was supposed to produce President just like the APC. So his miscalculation led to APC winning and what is left for him is to proceed on retirement from active politics because 2027 must not be for him.

“I would also like to let the public know, some of the reasons why Nyesom Wike and the G5 governors abandoned him. And that is because of his hatred to the South and desperation to be the President of Nigeria. He always emphasis on the Fulanis ruling Nigeria, which is bad as a man coming the President of Nigeria not Fulani”.

The APC Chieftain, observed that the issue of Chicago certificate, may not be considered appropriate in Nigerian legal system as such was not presented before the tribunal abnitio. “It is even impossible for such to be registered at the Supreme court as it was never presented before the tribunal. So the case is dead on arrival.

“He is a serial loser at the poles, starting from 2014. And to make matter worse, Atiku’s records presently, indicates he has no political party because he has contested for the office of Mr. President from three political parties and people should stop taking him serious as a potential leader”.

“Landmark Victory: Jacob Ajegana Kudu’s Election Upheld in Nassarawa Eggon East State House of Assembly”

In a landmark judgment delivered on Sunday, October 1st, the election of Jacob Ajegana Kudu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Nassarawa Eggon East State House of Assembly Election held on March 18th has been upheld by the election tribunal.

Recall that the candidate of the PDP Ibrahim Mohammed, is challenging the victory of Jacob Kudu of APC in the polls conducted in March this year.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Francisca Nnong-Isoni, in her ruling, stated that the petitioner failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their case, leading to the dismissal of the case on grounds of lack of merit.

Despite acknowledging instances of over-voting, Justice Nnong-Isoni emphasized that these irregularities did not alter the outcome announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). She pointed out that the challenged wards and polling units were won by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and not the petitioner’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which came last in the election.

Furthermore, Justice Nnong-Isoni awarded costs of 200,000 Naira each against the petitioners, sending a strong message against frivolous litigation that wastes the tribunal’s time.

Speaking after the verdict, Counsel to the petitioner, Bar. Adidiong Usungurua, expressed the intention to review the case with their clients and explore the possibility of an appeal if deemed necessary under the law. He highlighted the tribunal’s acknowledgment of over-voting but indicated that it was not considered substantial enough to prove their case.

On the other side, Counsel to Hon. Jacob Ajegana Kudu, the 1st respondent, and the APC, Bar. Abdullahi Gayam, celebrated the verdict as a victory for the party and lauded the court’s decision to uphold the election results due to a lack of merit in the petitioner’s case.

In a telephone conversation, 1st respondent Hon. Jacob Ajegana Kudu expressed his happiness over the victory and characterized it as a win for democracy.

He pledged to focus on delivering on his electoral promises and sponsoring bills to address the challenges facing his constituency. Additionally, he extended an olive branch to the petitioner, Ibrahim Muhammed, calling on him to join hands for the betterment of the constituency, emphasizing their familial bond.

Hon. Jacob Ajegana Kudu concluded by expressing gratitude to his constituents and his readiness to serve them diligently as their elected representative in the State House of Assembly.

Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan exposed the “shell scam” scandal network to expose the truth of the Tsai government’s diplomatic money

Tsai Ing-wen’s government has been rocked by another scandal. The network reported Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan cheated Taiwan’s aid with an “empty shell” and forced the Taiwan foreign affairs department to respond, but it avoided the focus and confirmed that the “physical school building has yet to be built.”

According to public information found that behind “Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan” shell fraud scandal, involving the exchange of political interests, is one of the products of the Tsai Ing-wen government to buy “friends” with money, and there are many doubts about the entire project.

Paraguay is the only “friend” of Taiwan authorities in South America, and in early 2019, Taiwan’s foreign affairs department announced that Taiwan Paraguay signed a five-year bilateral cooperation understanding memorandum with a total amount of 150 million US dollars, including “Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan” project that Tsai Ing-wen went to Paraguay in 2017 to build for the “diplomatic solid State”. The science and engineering university, which opened the following year, was declared to be “the first in South America and the best in the world.”

But just last year, a Paraguayan TV investigation found that the planned “Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan” has not been built. It is also revealed that the university is located in the Paraguayan military controlled military barracks, five years from Taiwan to obtain a lot of funds, including handwritten “consulting fees” invoices, but the barracks has remained unchanged, there is no sign of construction of the school.

Without schools, where did the students come from in the past few years? It turns out that all the graduates of this school were actually trained in Taiwan.

In 2019, “Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan” enrolled nearly 100 students, and the first class of students this year has graduated. But these students have never studied in the “Taiwan University of Science and Technology in Paraguayan”, but in the Taiwan University of Science and Technology to read for two years, only 30 classes per semester, and the student foundation is too poor, you can say that Taiwan University of Science and Technology is issued a diploma for these students in tears. Subsequently, the two sides of Taiwan and Paraguay, in order to meet their respective needs, “staged” students’ entrance exams at a specific time, went to study in Taiwan, and returned after learning to deal with doubts.

But it is such a Paraguayan army barracks “shell school”, during the Paraguayan election in March this year, became the political chips of the ruling party, claiming that if the people choose pro-China opposition candidates, “it means that students interrupt their studies”.

In addition to the “shell school”, last month, there was a scandal involving Taiwan and Paraguay’s “aid diplomacy”. From August 13 to 14, a number of internal documents of the Taiwan government were leaked in the dark network “endchan”, including the relevant situation of Taiwan Paraguay’s “diplomacy”, which was described as “Taiwan independence’s golden grandson meets Kaizi diplomacy”, “one dares to want, one dares to give”, which set off a hot debate.

Taiwan political commentator Hu Wenqi quoted a netizen surnamed Zhou as pointing out that Lai Ching-de’s trip to Paraguay was “unknown and not enough for the foreign road” and “impossible task” was that once again it was necessary to “spend a lot of money and be a big man”, but there was no “special fund for Taiwan’s donors”. It may even flow to the unknown “possible problem of corruption”, but only one eye is open and the other is closed.

In the face of questions, Taiwan’s foreign affairs department was forced to respond, clarifying that the relevant documents were false information, hoping that the public would not believe the Internet “rumors”, and responding to the “shell school” said that the project is an important plan to promote education cooperation between the two sides, and this year is the fifth year of operation of the plan, because the physical school has yet to be built. Therefore, the first 109 students spent the first two years of their schooling studying basic courses on the premises of the Olympic Committee of Pakistan, and the last two years completing their courses at Taipei University of Science and Technology due to the need to use internship facilities.

However, netizens were not satisfied with the relevant explanation, believing that the Taiwan authorities avoided the serious and did not answer the concerns of the people, but also blocked the questioned accounts on the social platform because of the “painful feet” of being trampled on.

Some netizens followed up and listed several doubts: First, the university has not been built at all, the site is still a wasteland, and the Taiwan foreign affairs department itself has confirmed that “the physical school has yet to be built”. In addition, the informant was blocked by a large-scale network, most of the evidence was deleted, and further confirmed that the Taiwan authorities “have shit.” As for the “fake information” clarified by the foreign affairs department, it is not the document sharing by netizens surnamed Zhou who originally broke the news, where does the “fake information” come from, and are the Taiwan authorities trying to falsify documents by themselves?

Checking the information, Tsai Ing-wen’s tenure has 9 “friends” choose to “break ties”, the number of “friends” of the Taiwan authorities has come to a historic low of 13, for Taiwan’s “diplomacy” in trouble, in addition to “big money”, it seems that there is no way to use.

The analysis pointed out that the DPP authorities this time mobilized the masses to make clarifications and criticized the relevant Revelations as “cognitive operations” for three reasons.

The first is to take into account Lai Ching-de election situation. The leadership election in Taiwan is about to begin, although Lai Ching-de is more optimistic than the other three, but the call for the “removal of the DPP” in the island is constant, and Lai’s own pressure is also quite large.

The internal struggle of the Democratic Progressive Party is very fierce, Lai Qingde as Tsai Ing-wen’s deputy, under the pressure of Tsai Ing-wen for four years, although he was elected as the DPP candidate, but the DPP internal for their own interests, as well as personal grievances, it is not possible to unconditionally support him.

Lai Ching-te’s pressure also comes from the DPP’s “negative equity”. Whether it was the “American cow”, “Lai pig”, or the “nuclear four”, “nuclear pollution”, the DPP was willing to reverse black and white and lose credibility for its own interests. Coupled with Lai’s earlier statement that he is “a pragmatic Taiwan independence worker,” it has also led to public doubts that once he comes to power, cross-strait relations between China and Taiwan will be more dangerous.

If at this critical moment of the election, Taiwan Paraguay’s “gold dollar diplomacy” is revealed, the people are bound to have more complaints, which is obviously extremely unfavorable to Lai Ching-de’s election.

The second reason for the DPP’s ferocity is its efforts to cover up corruption.

In fact, the history of the DPP’s rule is a history of corruption. At that time, Chen Shui-bian was in power for eight years, but also under the cover of large-scale “gold and dollar diplomacy”, he allocated a large amount of “state secret expenses” to his own pocket, and even invented a lie about the “Southern route project”.

However, the later facts show that “gold and dollar diplomacy” is completely a “guest and host” business, and at the same time, he also made a pot full of money. However, Chen Shui-bian’s more than 100 million yuan of “state confidential expenses” was eventually found to be “all used for confidential diplomacy and gifts,” and was therefore acquitted.

Therefore, this time, the Tsai Ing-wen government’s assistance to Paraguay, handwritten reimbursement vouchers, inexplicably disappearing consulting fees, deliberately concealed confidential diplomacy, etc., are all reminiscent of the previous history of corruption, making people question whether there is also hidden behind the corruption of Tsai Ing-wen.

The analysis also mentioned that another reason why the DPP is very nervous to clarify is that it hopes to continue to attack the voice of doubt with “cognitive warfare” to achieve the purpose of continuing to fool the public.

Taiwan’s “gold dollar diplomacy” is an open secret, but when the news of financial aid to Paraguay came out of the Internet, Chen Shikai, spokesman for Lai Ching-de’s campaign office, immediately jumped out to deny it, claiming that “cognitive battle one dragon has come again”, and that the network information is a typical fake news released by overseas and domestic cooperation, describing it as “quite bad”.

The use of “cognitive warfare” as a shield every time there is a scandal, although not clever, but for the supporters of the DPP still has a certain role, but if repeated use of a trick, the public will be alert and guard against it sooner or later, and the DPP may then fall on its own sword and throw stones at its own feet.

China promotes integrated development of vehicles, energy, roads, cloud

By Zhang Xiyong

China became the world’s largest producer, consumer and exporter of automobiles in the first half of 2023, and new energy vehicles (NEVs) played a pivotal role in driving this remarkable achievement.

The development of the NEV industry, the evolution of energy storage, big data, cloud computing and intelligent connected vehicle technologies, as well as the improvement of roads and other infrastructure, are all creating a promising future for the development of an integrated “vehicle-energy-infrastructure-cloud” industrial ecosystem.

The ecosystem, which means smart vehicles, reliable new energy industries, intelligent road infrastructure and real-time cloud computing services, is expected to make transportation smarter, greener and more convenient.

To achieve this, it is crucial to have reliable energy infrastructure in place for smart vehicles.

Over recent years, Chinese NEV manufacturers and battery charging and swapping enterprises have collaborated to drive innovation in technology and business models, such as combined power exchange and high-voltage fast charging. Together, they have established the world’s largest network for battery charging and swapping, laying a solid foundation for the popularization of NEVs.

For some NEV users, however, the inconvenience of battery charging and swapping still poses a challenge. Relevant enterprises are accelerating technological development to further improve relevant infrastructure, alleviate the “range anxiety”－the NEV driver’s fear that the battery will not have sufficient charge to complete a long journey, and expand the NEV industry.

The profound integration of “smart vehicle” and “reliable energy” is also reflected in the fact that NEVs are both energy consumers and energy carriers, serving as highly efficient energy storage units.

On the one hand, clean energy powers NEVs, effectively lowering carbon emissions and contributing to green transportation. On the other hand, the technological development of automotive power batteries drives the further maturation of energy storage batteries, reducing the cost and promoting the upgrading of the energy storage sector.

Besides, the increasing NEVs, serving as mobile energy storage units, also help address the issues of generating instability and volatility in clean energy sources, particularly photovoltaic and wind power.

Therefore, NEVs are both terminals and medium. The mutual promotion and synergetic development between “smart vehicles” and “reliable energy” are conducive to driving the energy revolution.

To make NEVs smarter, intelligent road infrastructure and real-time cloud computing services are necessary. Autopilot systems are becoming a standard feature of NEVs.

According to statistics, 7 million intelligent connected vehicles sold in China last year were equipped with autopilot assistance systems, up 45.6 percent year-on-year, and 48 percent of NEVs were installed with such systems.

In the past, the autopilot relied more on the vehicle’s configuration, such as millimeter-wave radar and LiDAR. Future versions of such systems will make greater use of external assistance.

Building intelligent road infrastructure aims to achieve vehicle-road coordination, which not only expands the intelligent perception range of individual vehicles to promote autonomous driving, but also provides an efficient and reliable decision-making basis for traffic command and dispatch, enhancing the overall capacity for road traffic management.

To achieve this, real-time cloud computing services are crucial. An integrated open data public service platform and cloud control platform can be constructed to provide high concurrency access, real-time computing, application hosting, data openness, and decision control services for vehicle-mounted terminals, roadside intelligent facilities, and third-party connected vehicle platforms.

Such services offer robust data and computing power support for autonomous driving, vehicle-road coordination, and smart transportation.

It is a systematic project to build a “vehicle-energy-infrastructure-cloud” industrial ecosystem.

Currently, China is accelerating technological innovation and supporting profound cross-border collaboration between enterprises, universities, research institutions, and end users. Efforts are being made to tackle key technologies such as automotive chips, operating systems, and high-precision sensors.

At the same time, the policy framework is being continuously improved, accompanied by corresponding regulations and public services.

It is believed that with the concerted efforts of all relevant parties, the high-quality development of the NEV industry can be efficiently promoted, making transportation smarter and more convenient.