Buhari greets Sen Oluremi Tinibu at 60

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Sen. Bola Tinubu, National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), has felicitated with his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, as she clocks 60.

Tinubu, in a tribute on Monday in Lagos, praised the Sen. representing Lagos Central Senatorial District for her perseverance, endurance and independent character.

He appreciated her commitment, humanitarian care for both young, the elderly and the needy, especially for the people of her senatorial district.

The APC leader described Sen. Tinubu as her greatest friend, ally and supporter even at mostly difficult times.

We are a living symbol of love, care, perseverance and commitment. There are so many moments, twists and turns in our lives.

During the dark days when democracy was assaulted in this country, we suffered a lot, the family suffered and as a result of that, she was in America while I was criss-crossing Europe.

It was a very trying period for every one of us as my wife single handedly raised our children.

We endured and got through all the turbulence and today we are still in positions to serve our nation and serve our people, he said

The former governor of Lagos who expressed happiness as his wife attained 60, thanked God for sparing their lives and preserving their love together.

This moment when Nigeria is 60, my wife is also 60. It is a wonderful thing.

We mark the day with soberness. Soberness because many people pray to live to see today but they could not.

The pandemic has taken away some of our friends, those close to us.

Today, some people are still lying critically ill in the hospital. Some children have become orphans as a result of what is happening around the country.

So, it is a sombre celebration on the occasion of her 60th.

For Nigeria, turning 60 is also a moment for reflection about all that we have been through and where we are, he said

Tinubu added that he wished his wife to live longer and for her legacy to be great.

My wish is for her to live longer, for her legacy to be great, be in good health and continue to enjoy the fruit of her labour.

I pray she enjoys her children, grandchildren and for all of us to live in good health, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCAA

By Yunus Yusuf

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to revoke the license of domestic airline operators over non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocols of the Federal Government.

The NCAA Director General, Mr Musa Nuhu, issued the warning in a letter to all operators (DG39/20) with reference NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/267, dated Sept. 21, on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the title of the letter was Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Protocols.

Nuhu said the warning was necessary because some domestic airlines had been flouting the protocols.

The director general added that continuity in that line would attract severe penalties, including revocation of approval.

According to him, the continuous non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocols will attract severe penalties up to and including cancellation of approval to resume domestic operations.

He said: It has been brought to the notice of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that some domestic airline operators have not been complying with the COVID-19 protocols.

These protocols were released through All Operators Letter (AOL) DG035/20 ref. NCAA/DG/AIR/ 11/16/260, dated Sept. 4 and an Advisory Circular (AC) NCAA-AC-AMS-006, also dated Sept. 4.

Approval for resumption of domestic operations are predicated on compliance with the above protocols.

Nuhu added that this was a warning to all domestic operators who were not in compliance to desist from such acts immediately. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police officers on duty

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Police Command in Benue says it has arrested 96 persons over alleged house breaking, theft, armed robbery and cultism in Makurdi, the state capital.

A statement by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, said on Monday in Makurdi that the suspects were arrested following complaints from residents of Welfare Quarters, Yarkiyo, wadata, Ankpa Quarters, NUJ and North-Bank areas.

She said that the suspects were arrested between August 24 and September 15.

The official listed items recovered from the suspects to include two locally-made pistols, one dane gun, two live cartridges, one canister of 38mm, tear gas cartridge, one military camouflage cap, three black berets, four red berets, and military jungle hat.

Other items were two pairs of military uniforms, one Ipad, two desert boots, one animal horn, cutlasses, knives and assorted charms, and wraps of herbs suspected to be Indian Hemp.

Anene said that the Command had resolved to rid the state of all criminals and urged the public to offer useful information to assist the security agencies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Italy votes in referendum on downsizing parliament

Polls closed in Italy late on Sunday in the first of two days of voting on a constitutional referendum over the slimming down of parliament.

Voting is also on in local elections expected to favour the right-wing national opposition bloc.

Voting continues on Monday, with polls opening at 7 am (0500 GMT) and closing at 3 pm.

Results are expected later the same day.

Some 51.6 million people are eligible to vote in the referendum on reducing the number of lawmakers in Italys two chambers by roughly one third.

The Chamber of Deputies would go from 630 lawmakers to 400, and the Senate from 315 to 200.

By Sunday evening, voter turnout had reached 29.98 per cent in the four of the seven regions for which figures were available, according to the Interior Ministry.

In the referendum on the planned reduction of the parliament, 29.71 per cent of the 51.6 million eligible voters had cast their votes.

Observers have feared a low turnout amid concerns about people being infected with the coronavirus.

No minimum turnout is needed for the vote to be valid, amid expectations that the reform will be approved.

Elections are also taking place in seven regions and just under 1,000 cities, including Venice in the north and Reggio Calabria in the south.

The main national government parties the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) have been bracing for a poor showing.

The national opposition, led by Matteo Salvini of the far-right League, is expecting to win in at least three regions, including Veneto and Liguria in the north.

The PD is confident of victory only in Campania, the region around Naples, and is desperate to avoid defeat in Tuscany, a former leftist stronghold where a League candidate could achieve a historic win.

The M5S has no strong candidates, but is likely to console itself with a referendum win.

It considers reducing the size of parliament part of its quest to end perks and privileges for politicians.

Critics of the constitutional reform say it produces minimal cost savings and risks undermining the democratic system by weakening the authority of parliament.

In any case, a defeat for the government parties is unlikely to topple Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, as the PD and M5S have strong incentives to try to hold on to national power together.

One is the prospect of managing more than 200 billion euros (238 billion dollars) in loans and grants from the European Union due to arrive from 2021 as part of the blocs post-coronavirus recovery fund.

Another is the opportunity to influence the parliamentary election of the next Italian president, due in January 2022, and avoid snap national polls, which the PD and M5S would likely lose.

Pandemic-era restrictions were in place across all polling stations, many of which are located in school buildings.

Voters currently in self-isolation due to the coronavirus were permitted to vote from home on submitting an application on a one-off basis. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, Spokesman Kwara state Technical Committee on COVID-19 says the state has recorded 12 more cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

Ajakaye disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Ilorin.

He noted that 23 persons who tested negative twice had been discharged.

Ajakaye said that the new cases brought the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 1025 with 822 patients discharged and 26 deaths recorded.

As at 9:30p.m on Sunday, the number of active cases was 177 and 822 patients had so far been discharged and 26 deaths recorded, said Ajakaye.

Source: NAN News

Buhari holds closed-door meeting with Ghanaian president at Aso Villa

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night met behind closed doors with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Bashir Ahmad, the Presidents Personal Assistant on New Media, confirmed this on his Twitter handle.

The presidential aide, who could not elaborate on the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders, however, posted pictures in which the Nigerian leader could be seen escorting his guest after the meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana had heightened tensions between the two countries.

The situation which led the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to summon Ghanas Charge d Affaires to Nigeria, Ms Iva Denoo for discussions.

Onyeama had also met with representatives of Nigerian traders in Ghana, led by Jasper Emenike, the National President of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN), and the organisations National Director, Ruth Ango over the matter.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also visited Ghana on Sept. 2 with a view to seeing how the issues at stake could be resolved amicably.

According to the speaker, the closure of the Nigerian shops in Ghana contravenes the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of citizens of member states, and trade liberalisation scheme.

NAN reports that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) adopted in 1979 with an agreement on agricultural, artisanal handicrafts, and unprocessed products, and extended to industrial products in 1990, is the main framework for trade and market integration in ECOWAS

The agreement addresses protocols on the free movement of goods, persons, and transportation.

The schemes main pursuit of consolidating the free trade area is guided by the National Approval Committee that informs the member states.

Similarly, Article (3) of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS on trade and market integration stipulates the removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of trade policies for the establishment of a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union, a Common Market and an eventual culmination in to a Monetary and Economic Union in West Africa.

NAN further reports that the Ghanaian government had proposed a meeting between the two leaders prior to the one they held behind closed doors on Sunday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Okechukwu Unegbu

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

As CBN holds its 275 quarterly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Monday, a Financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu called for reduction of lending rates by banks to encourage investment.

Unegbu, who is a Past President of Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He suggested that the lending rate should be reviewed downwards from its present rate of about 15 per cent to encourage investor borrowings.

He said that such a step would improve job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth.

The MPC should look at the interest rate issue, particularly lending rates by the banks.

Deposit rate is almost zero but the lending rate is still high.

They should consider a downward review of the lending rate so as to encourage borrowing for investment, he said.

Unegbu, a former Managing Director of the defunct Citizens International Bank also urged the CBN to initiate a credit culture in Nigeria as way of further improving the economy.

He said that the bank should work with government to find ways of making resources available to help businesses survive as a result of challenges posed by COVID-19.

CBN should initiate a credit culture in Nigeria so that people can raise small monies for certain expenditure.

There is also the need to fund the economy by assisting businesses survive economic challenges posed by COVID-19.

That is what the American government did recently by setting aside two trillion dollars to support businesses.

Some private schools in Nigeria, for instance, will have to close down if they do not get some form of palliatives from government, he said.

He urged the committee to come out with policies through which the CBN, working with the fiscal sector, could generate employment and reduce poverty.

NAN reports that the MPC is the highest policy making committee of the CBN, which has the responsibility of formulating monetary and credit policy functions.

The 11 member committeecomprises the governor of the bank who is the chairman and the four deputy governors of the bank.

Others are two members of the board of directors of the bank, three members appointed by the president, and two members appointed by the governor.

The MPCwas inaugurated in 2005. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Akin Oyebode

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

An International Law and Jurisprudence scholar, Prof. Akin Oyebode, says the victory of Mr Godwin Obaseki in the just-concluded Edo gubernatorial polls has wiped off god-father politics in Nigerias political culture.

Oyebode made the statement while speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday on the outcome of the Edo governorship election.

According to him, the result of the election has opened a new and better era in the polity.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Obaseki of the PDP winner of the election, held on Sept. 19.

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC, who polled 223,619 votes.

According to Oyebode, the outcome of the election is not unexpected.

The nations political slate has been wiped clean.

This should wake up the APC from its illusion and slumber and make it not to take things for granted.

The party should become sensitive to the hopes, aspirations and interests of the suffering masses.

Oyebode also lauded INEC, the police and other security agencies for their exemplary conduct during the election. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court remands man over alleged defilement of his 9-year-old sister-in-law

By Ibrahim Abdulazeez

A Chief Magistrates Court in Iseyin, Oyo State on Monday ordered that a 44-year-old man, Stephen Mark, who allegedly defiled his nine-year-old sister-in-law, be remanded in a correctional centre.

Delivering his ruling, Chief Magistrate Maaruff Mudashiru , ordered the defendant to engage the services of a lawyer.

Mudashiru adjourned the matter until Oct 19, for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Shaib Shedrack told the Court that the defendant committed the offence in the Koso area of Iseyin metropolis, within the courts jurisdiction on Sept 9.

Shedrack alleged that the defendant defiled his nine-year-old sister-in-law, when his wife went to the market.

The offence, he said, is punishable under the provisions of Section 222, Paragraph 2, C 38, of the Criminal Code Laws of the Federation 2004.

After the charge was read to him, the defendant who was not represented by any counsel, pleaded not guilty.

Source: NAN News

INEC

By Imelda Osayande

The Edo Civil Society Organisations has reacted to Saturdays governorship poll in the state and described the outcome as a true reflection of the peoples choice.

The Public Relations Officer of the group, Mr Osazee Edigin, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

Edigin said that the result of the poll declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Edo people decided who to lead them for another four years through the ballot box.
The result declared by INEC is the true reflection of the votes cast by the people due to the level of openness and transparency in the process.

I want to say that Edo people have spoken through their votes.

The exercise was free of violence, even though there were skirmishes in some areas, Edigin said.

He lauded INEC for the noticeable improvement in the process of the election.

According to him, the commission was transparent during the voting and declaration of results.

The entire process was devoid of suspicion, he said, adding that vote-buying was not recorded during the exercise. (NAN)

Source: NAN News