The Carabao Cup final, the second FA Cup semi-final and the FA Cup final will serve as Wembley pilot events for the British governments COVID-19 status certification scheme.

The plan is to enable the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England.

Officials are preparing a series of trial events over the coming months as they look to find a way for fans to return to sports venues.

The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester City and Southampton at the national stadium on April 18 will see football fans return for the first time since December.

Government officials have 4,000 fans will be able to attend.

Manchester City face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final seven days later with 8,000 fans watching.

The month-long scheme will conclude with the FA Cup final on May 15, when 21,000 fans will be attending.

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield running from April 17 to May 3 is the first sports event to be included in the trial.

It will have 1,000 spectators per day while there will also be a mass participation run at Hatfield House on April 24 and April 25.

In developing the scheme, officials will take into account three factors.

These are: whether an individual has received the vaccine, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has natural immunity having tested positive in the previous six months.

The National Health Service (NHS) is said to be currently working on ways of providing people with the means to demonstrate their COVID-19 status through digital and non-digital routes.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: We have made huge strides over the past few months with our vaccine programme and everyone in the country has made huge sacrifices to get us to this stage in our recovery from COVID-19.

We are doing everything we can to enable the reopening of our country so people can return to the events, travel and other things they love as safely as possible.

These reviews will play an important role in allowing this to happen. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olanrewaju Akojede

As the Lagos State contingent departs for the National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin, Edo, Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) Director-General, Oluwatoyin Gafar, has urged them to be good ambassadors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NSF which has suffered many postponements due to COVID-19 pandemic is now scheduled to be held from April 2 April 14.

However the final batch of the Lagos State athletes left on Sunday to join their counterparts for the biennial sports fiesta.

Gafar in a statement on Sunday by the Director of Public Relations, Titi Oshodi, urged athletes and officials who were in high spirits to be good ambassadors of the state during the competition.

We want you to compete clean and be good representatives of our dear state.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the preparation for the festival easy for us by providing an enabling environment.

I want to charge you to go out there and do your best to the glory of Lagos State,

Team Lagos are competing in 30 sports at the Sports Festival.

The contingent comprises 297 athletes and 185 officials,coaches, secretaries and other accompanying officials, Oshodi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Athletes and officials in the Kogi contingent to the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin have tested negative for COVID-19, the state Director of Sports, Onipe Halli, has said.

Halli told newsmen on Sunday in Benin that the result was also affirmed by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all athletes and officials at the sports fiesta tagged Edo 2020 underwent COVID-19 screening at the games village in the University of Benin.

Halli noted that the Chairman of the games Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, had earlier said two athletes from Taraba and Oyo State failed the test.

He said the results had therefore further vindicated the position of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi that there was no coronavirus in the state.

All team members that made up the Kogi contingent to the 2020 NSF tested negative for the COVID-19 virus after series of tests conducted by the medical team.

The contingent was subjected to rigorous tests by the team from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and were all declared negative.
After the test which is a pre-requisite for all athletes and officials to participate in the games, all 41 athletes and 35 officials from Kogi tested negative, Halli said.
The Kogi Director of Sports said the state contingent received their COVID-19 test results on Sunday while other states still awaited their results.
NAN recalls that Kogi government had engaged in a face-off with the NCDC over the situation of coronavirus in the state.
The state, however, recorded five confirmed cases of the virus with zero deaths, a position the NCDC insisted was occasioned by lack of adequate testing in the state.(NAN)
AUO/CHOM/IAA

Source: NAN News

Isaiah Eka

Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has urged Christians and Nigerians to emulate the love of Jesus Christ and live in unity with one another irrespective of their religious or political differences.

Emmanuel gave this counsel in his Easter broadcast message to Akwa Ibom people on Sunday in Uyo.

He reminded Christians that Christianity would have been meaningless without the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Emmanuel said that the miraculous resurrection which certified Christs supernatural place as the son of God, gives hopes to all who follow his examples that they would at last reap the reward of eternal life.

Emmanuel enjoined Christians and Nigerians to learn to live and love one another as Christ did while on Earth.

He urged Akwa Ibom residents to emulate Jesus Christ by showing love toward one another, burying their differences and staying together in love.

Let me also remind our people that the essence of Easter would be lost except we let the resurrection of Christ illuminate the dark crevice of our souls and let His light shine through us in love and sacrifice to our neighbours.

I urge all Akwa Ibom people to adhere to this simple directive from the Commander of our Divine Mandate and our Saviour, the resurrected Jesus Christ.

Let the fishermen in the ocean fronts of Mbo, Okobo, Eastern Obolo and Ibeno love one another.

Let the farmers in the rice plantations at Ini, Ikono, Ika, Onna and Nsit Ibom love one another. Let the civil servants and public servants, politicians in all political parties, members of all denominations, preachers of all faiths, love one another.

When we let love drive our every action and thought, when we let it drip from our lips and from our hands, then shall the joy of Easter be complete, and our state shall surely attain the lofty height set for it by our ancestors when they named it Akwa Abasi Ibom State, Emmanuel said.

The governor said his administration would continue to derive its inspiration from the leadership of Jesus Christ by embarking on people-oriented policies and programmes.

We have relied on the leadership of Jesus Christ in our administration and we attribute all our successes to Him. He has been the head of all our meetings, all our plans and all our policies.

By His grace we have achieved a lot and we are not slowing down because whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, he said.

Emmanuel reminded Akwa Ibom residents to continue to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols to reduce the spread of the virus.

He urged the residents of the state to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine as it had been proven to be safe and effective to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.

As you may have seen or followed on the media channels, we have started the process of administering the AstraZeneca vaccine on our people.

Let me use this opportunity also to dispel the misleading and false notions about the vaccine.

This vaccine is safe and the data so far released testify to this claim. Please make yourself available to take the vaccine whenever it gets to your locality, Emmanuel said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ruth Oketunde

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), has charged accounting professionals in the country to promote integrity and accountability, in the discharge of their duties.

Mrs Onome Adewuyi, ICAN President, made the call on Sunday, in Abuja, during a reception, organised in her honour, ahead of the institutes 50th Annual Accountants Conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the ICAN Abuja and District Society to mark the institutes 50th Annual Accountants Conference.

Adewuyi, who is also the 56th president of the institute, stressed the need for accountants to be accurate and serve with integrity, which the institute is known for.

The economy of the country as at now, is down, we are supposed to help it move up and I believe that every accountant has what it takes to do that.

So, my advice to all accountants now, is to work hard to unlearn their old styles and relearn the new things that will help them support the economy of the country to go up.

I believe that this conference will give them the ample opportunity to acquire more skills to enable them achieve that desired goal.

Mrs Queensley Seghosime, Conference Chairman, said that the conference would provide opportunities that would enable delegates get acquainted with new innovations in the accounting profession.

At the end of the conference, the delegates would be equipped technically, because we are going to look at things that will make their jobs easier, she said.

Mrs Bosede Ikhanoba, Chairman, ICAN Abuja and District Society, added that the COVID-19 pandemic had made it important for accountants to embrace the use of technology.

One thing I know is that there is always a blessing in disguise for whatever happens.

For some of us, we did not believe we could work from home and one of the things from the theme that we must highlight, is that as accountants, we need to embrace technology.

We can work from the comfort of our homes, there are so many things we dont need to travel to do, that we can do, while we are in Nigeria or in our offices.

We also need to up skill our knowledge, so that we can embrace technology and what is happening globally, she said.

NAN reports that the conference is themed; The 4th Industrial Revolution: Boom for the Accounting Profession and Panacea for Pandemics.

It is scheduled to take place from April 5 to 9. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Awayi Kuje

Rev. Fr. Lawrence Soja-Anyembugu, Parish Priest in charge of St Johns Catholic Church, Awe, Nasarawa state, says he sponsored the weddings of 146 couples from 2018 to 2021.

Soja-Anyembugu, said this on Sunday at the marriage matrimony of 10 couples he sponspored , who were church leaders in Awe Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
When I was the Parish Priest in charge of St Slyvester Catholic Church New Nyanya, Karu on Feb. 3, 2018, I sponsored the weddings of 53 couples in the Church.

In commemoration of my 10th priestly anniversary in St Patrick Catholic Church, Akwanga on Feb. 17, 2018, I sponsored another 83 couples wedding.
Today, I have also decided to sponsor the mass wedding of 10 couples who wanted their marriages blessed in the Church.

This bring the total to 146 couples from 2018 to 2021. This is to enable them get the sacrament of holy matrimony and will enable them to get more blessings and Gods favour, he said.

Soja-Anyembugu urged the newly wedded couples to live peacefully for the growth of their family and overall development of the society.

He called on Christian faithful and other Nigerians to use the Easter period to pray for the unity, peace and development of the country.

The man of God also urged Christians and other Nigerians to live a life worth of emulation by shunning negative acts at all times in order to inherit the kingdom of God and for development to thrive.

The parish priest assured of his continued determination to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged and other Nigerians.

Mr Noel Dawan, spokesperson for the couples, appreciated the man of God for the gesture and prayed God to bless him abundantly.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured cutting of wedding cake by the Parish priest. ( NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has expressed shock and grief over the death of a former acting Gov. of the state, Prince Sam Obi.

Okowas condolence was conveyed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Sunday in Asaba.

He said that Obi, who hails from Ute-Okpu in Ika North East Local Government Area, reportedly passed on in the early hours of Saturday.

According to the governor, Obi died a few days to his 60th birth anniversary, after a brief illness.

He commiserated with the people of Delta, the Ika nation and Ute-Okpu community in particular, over the demise of the renowned politician and pastor.

Okowa said that the late former lawmaker, who was the Speaker of the states House of Assembly and acting Gov. in November 2010, was a great patriot and leader, who led with the fear of God.

He said that because of Obis love for God, he founded the Oracle of God Ministries, where he ministered the word of God with passion until his heavenly call to be with his maker.

Okowa added said that the deceased would be remembered by the people of Ika North East for his contributions as a councillor.

He was a council chairman and representative of the constituency in the state legislature. His role and wise counseling will be missed by his political family and Ika nation, the governor said.

He noted that Obi was a dependable political ally, whose commitment to the attainment of stronger Delta laced with unity and peace was infectious and grandiose.

Needless to say that my brother and chum, Prince Sam Obi, will be sorely missed.

On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of our beloved brother and former Acting Governor of Delta, Rt. Hon. Sam Obi.

He was a very peaceful man who loved his people and served them to the best of his ability.

As a minister in the temple of God, Prince Sam Obi, served the Lord by preaching the gospel of Christ and shepherding His flock until his demise.

As a former Speaker and acting Governor, he will be long remembered for his contributions to the growth and development of the Ika nation and Delta, he said.

Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceaseds soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends he left to bear the loss. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Nasir

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, on Sunday, turbaned no fewer than 20 dignitaries, including three sons of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, late Ibrahim Dasuki, with traditional titles of the caliphate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the turbaning ceremony took place at the Sultans palace, in the ancient city of Sokoto and seat of the caliphate.

The event was a unique one which, offered its most famous traditional honour and hospitality to the dignitaries, making it the first of its kind in the history of the caliphate.

In his address at the ceremony, the Sultan charged the new title holders to remain committed to the course of strengthening the administrative roles and responsibilities of the caliphate, to humanity.

Abubakar said that the event was historic as it retraced the footprints of the late Othman Dan Fodiyos purposeful legacies.

Your turbanning is a great honor and opportunity to serve the society and the entire Sokoto caliphate. Because of this, I expect all of you to shoulder the responsibilities with dedication and commitment.

It is our humble belief that you would assist in achieving a favourable and rewarding Ramadan, in peace and for the benefit of Muslims, while keeping people closer to the caliphate.

Moreover, people should continue to pray for the turbaned, to enable them deliver the responsibilities shouldered on all of them, he said.

Abubakar further called on Nigerians to sustain their prayers for the leaders, to enable them address all the security challenges bedeviling some parts of the country.

NAN reports that prominent among the 20 persons turbanned were, three sons of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, the late Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki.

They included a former lawmaker in the National Assembly and serving Sokoto State Commissioner of Finance, Abdussamad Dasuki turbanned as Santuraki of Sokoto, Abubakar Dasuki as Danmaje and Alhaji Khadir Dasuki as Durbi.

Other dignitaries turbaned were: Chairman, Sokoto state Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Muhtari Maigona, as Zanna, former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, as Jekada.

Also included were; former Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, as Danamar, Prof. Ahmad Mora, as Kayayen Sarkin Musulmi, Alhaji Musa Bashar, as Mayana.

A former NNPC Director, Alhaji Faruk Ahmad, was turbanned as Danmadami, and the Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, (NADDC) Alhaji Jelani Aliyu. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Gabriel Yough

Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba has enjoined Christian faithful to work toward sustaining the relative peace in the state.

This is contained in his Easter message by Mr Bala Dan-Abu, Special Adviser on media and Publicity in Jalingo on Sunday.

Ishaku expressed happiness that peace had gradually returned to the troubled communities in the state, saying the best gift of the season would be to sustain the harmonious relationship.

The governor enjoined Christians to constantly remind themselves of the virtues of peace and forgiveness which Jesus Christ amply demonstrated throughout his trial and crucifixion, and to allow these virtues to reflect in their conduct and relationship with humanity generally.

This will help in sustaining the peace that has gradually returned to the troubled communities in the state for the good of all, he said.

While calling for unity and vigilance against security challenges, Ishaku said government was working hard with security agencies to permanently end kidnapping and killings of innocent people by criminals in the state.

The governor also urged residents to take the COVID-19 vaccination as well as continue to observe all protocols against the spread of the pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stephen Adeleye

Bishop John Ibenu, Chairman, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi chapter, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the sacrificial life of Christ to guarantee peace and security in the nation.

Ibenu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lokoja.

He said that Nigerians should live a life of sacrifice, love and forgiveness to guarantee peaceful coexistence in the nation.

The cleric said that Easter was all about sacrifice, love, forgiveness, peace and eternal life, which were the mission of Jesus Christ on the earth according to Gods divine plans.

He urged Christians to learn to wait on God, read and speak about their faith, pray together, pray for one another, the nation, Kogi and for humanity at large.

I congratulate Christians and the entire humanity for the crucifixion and the eventual resurrection of Jesus Christ today being Easter Sunday.

As we mark this occasion which actually marks the life of sacrifice, I call on all Christians, the people of Kogi, Nigerians and all of humanity to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice.

Jesus Christ, even though, God, left everything in heaven for the sake of humanity to come down to our level.

I call on everyone especially those who are in high positions to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice. Let our leaders be humble and become servant leaders.

Jesus came to teach us servant leadership and in so doing he sacrificed and laid down his life for humanity.

Jesus came to transform humanity and give eternal life, therefore, let us work for the transformation of our state, nation and humanity, Ibenu said.

Quoting from the Bible in the book of John 3:16, he said: For God so loved the world and He gave His only begotten son; that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

He called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their differences to love their neighbour as themselves and to also strive to improve the lives of others.

Christians, Muslims, pagans, let us embrace the life of sacrifice in our offices, homes and markets to make the life of everyone around us better.

The clergyman used the opportunity to urge Nigerians to pray that leaders would find solutions to the security challenges in the country.

According to him, the government is doing its best, we have talked and criticised enough, let us unite, come together and find solutions.

We must not attach sentiments to security issues. Anybody who sheds blood, destroys property, cause mayhem in our nation is an enemy of Nigeria and an enemy of God.

Let us pray for the success of our military and other security agencies, and partner them to give useful information that will help them to curb insecurity in the country.

Peace be upon our nation Nigeria, he declared. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Usman Aliyu

Traders dealing in beverages, clothing, and food items from across the country have on Sunday, besieged the games village of the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin, to make brisk sales, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Our correspondent, who visited the village on the University of Benin campus, reports that as a result the prices of these commodities witnessed marginal increase of between 50 to 100 per cent.

For instance, a bottle of soft drink goes for N200 as against the N150 being sold in the Benin City, while a plate of rice sells for N500.

Athletes, coaches and other officials were, however, given meal tickets to collect food at designated stands in the village, NAN learnt.

A food seller from Abuja, Mr Brown Omede said that the items were costlier because they paid before being alloted stands, though he declined to reveal the cost of the stands.

Many of us come from far places. For instance I came from Abuja, Omode said.

The Centre for Entrepreneurship Development of the University of Benin, also operates a stand for such foods as Pounded yam, Garden egg sauce, Eba, Amala, Rice and Semovita. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ajogun

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Sunday in Benin received the torch of unity of the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020.

After he received the torch from Peter Nelson, the Secretary of the festivals Main Organising Committee (MOC) in Edo Government House, Obaseki described the festival as a festival of unity.

He said: As you are all aware, the National Sports Festival is a festival of unity, a festival that brings the entire country together.

More than ever before in our history, we need to come together at this time.

This is why the Edo government, in spite of all the challenges and difficulties of the (COVID-19) pandemic, did all it could to ensure that we still hold the 20th edition in Benin.

The governor said the government and people of Edo were glad to receive the torch.

We promise that we will keep it alive and pass it on to the next generation and the next state that will be hosting the next festival, he said.

Obaseki, thereafter, passed on the torch to his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, who is the Chairman of the festivals MOC.

He said Shaibu would galvanise sports men and women for the festival which was expected to be declared open on a Tuesday by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Zimbabwe has opened more immunisation centers in its capital Harare, in a bid to ramp up vaccinations against the pandemic.

The 24 centers including hospitals, polyclinics and satellite clinics have been designated as vaccination centers in the city of about 1.5 million people, the Harare City Council said in a statement on Sunday.

Vaccination is being rolled out during this Easter holiday period in hopes of attracting more people.

The government aims to vaccinate 10 million people out of the countrys 16 million people to achieve herd immunity.

Zimbabweans are being vaccinated with the Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines from China, and the country is also expecting delivery of more vaccines from Russia, India and the Covax global distribution scheme.

A total of 111,588 people in Zimbabwe have so far been vaccinated with Chinese vaccines since the national inoculation programme began on Feb. 18, with more than 16,000 people receiving their first doses on Easter Friday alone. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Ukrainian army has denied responsibility for the death of a 5-year-old child in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine.

The armed forces never use their weapons against civilians or civilian objects, a press spokesman said in response to a question from dpa, on Sunday.

On Saturday, pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk region blamed government forces for the death of a 5-year-old boy, when an explosive was dropped by a drone, killing the child and seriously injuring his over 60-year-old grandmother.

The village of Oleksandrivsk is located about 14 kilometers from the front line.Heavy fighting took place in the area in 2015.

Insurgents have controlled parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions along the Russian border for almost seven years, with the UN saying that more than 13,000 people had been killed in the regions since then.

In spite of an agreed ceasefire, at least 21 soldiers have been killed on the government side since the beginning of 2021, while the separatists say about 23 people have been killed in the same period.

Meanwhile, a peace plan agreed in 2015 is on ice. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Police in France arrested five women suspected of planning a terror attack, legal sources said on Sunday.

Investigators reportedly focused on one of the five women in particular as the other four, including one juvenile, are members of her family.

The women were arrested on Saturday night in the southern city of Beziers.

The police feared the women were planning to carry out a violent attack in Montpellier, according to Le Point newspaper.

The women are known to hold radical Islamist beliefs, the report said.

This was not confirmed by the public prosecutors office, and no further background information was initially available.

In recent years, more than 250 people have been killed in Islamist attacks in France, which has seen several terrorist incidents during the past year. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Akeem Abas

Rep. Stanley Olajide (PDP-Ibadan South-West/North-West) has trained 100 youths from his constituency in paint making and marketing.

The two-day programme, which ended on Saturday, was held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Olajide recently gave working tools worth millions of naira and additional start up capital of N20,000 each to 100 youths trained in the vocation.

Olajide told newsmen that the concerted and deliberate effort was aimed at taking many youths out of crime, while admonishing them to make the best use of the opportunities they had to contribute to the socio-economic advancement of the constituency, the state and Nigeria.

He pledged to always provide adequate representation and ensure benefits accrued to his constituents, as dividends of democracy.

Olajide thanked the Bio-resources Development Centre of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as Dolocon Corporate Services for making the event a reality.

Five litres of already made paint produced by the participants during the practical sessions of the training were distributed as starter packs, while each participant received N10,000.

The event featured the distribution of chemicals that were vital in paint making to the participants.

NAN reports that Olajide had in February, trained widows and aged women in the constituency on animal husbandry, in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, where he gave them scores of goats.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia on Sunday reassured the people of Abia of his dedication to the task of rebuilding the state for sustainable development.

This is contained in a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chief Onyebuchi Ememanka, made available to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Umuahia.

Ikpeazu said that Abia was on a journey to a destination of rediscovery, adding that the government would not relent in evolving programmes and policies that would boost its development.

He commended the people of Abia for their perseverance and support, saying that the government would remain relentless in its bid to improve the well-being of the citizens.

Ikpeazu urged the people of Abia to brace for better days ahead and draw inspiration from significance of the Easter celebration.

He described Easter celebration as an event that was synonymous with fresh hopes and a brighter tomorrow, noting that it ought to be a period of reflection for the people of Abia.

Easter signifies the victory of light over darkness, of life over death, and of hope over despair.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after three days bears a message that forms the foundation of our Christian faith and for us in Abia State, it is a clear indication that after darkness comes a glorious dawn, he said.

Ikpeazu prayed God to bless the people of Abia and make the Easter celebration to be a season filled with the blessings of God Almighty for everyone. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Bukola Adetoye

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested drug trafficker, Goodluck Odeh, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA) in possession of two kg of heroin with a street value of N564 million.

A statement by the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the agency, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, in Abuja, said the heroin was found concealed in the lining of a false bottom on his suitcase.

NDLEA identified the 40-year-old suspect as hailing from Ikpoba Okha Local Government, Edo.

According to the agency, Odeh was arrested at the departure lounge of the NAIA during an outward clearance of Ethiopian aircraft 911 en route Addis Ababa to Italy.

Under interrogation, Odeh claimed he has been living in Italy since 2015, when he got into the country through Libya.

I work as a labourer on a farm in Italy, with a pay of about 50 Euro a day. I also works as a flyer distributor when the farming season is over and I make as much as 50 Euro/day.

I came to Nigeria over two weeks ago to see my family in Nigeria and also use same opportunity to buy foodstuffs to sell on my return to Italy.

After spending some days between Edo and Delta, where I bought some foodstuffs, I equally travelled to Lagos to buy part of the foodstuffs and bush meat, which is cheaper.

I did not know how the drug found its way into the bag as I bought the suitcase from a second hand material open market in Lagos, not knowing that it contained the drug, Odeh told operatives of the agency.

When further asked of the market address, he said he didnt know the address., the agency said

Odeh also said he was accompanied to the market, where he bought the suitcase, by a man he claimed he met the day he arrived in Lagos from Benin

I came into Abuja from Lagos for onward trip to Italy, the agency quoted Odeh saying .

The Commander, NAIA Airport Command of the NDLEA, Mr Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, said a case had already been filed against the suspect, while investigations were ongoing to explore other leads, on the case.

Meanwhile, NDLEA Chairman Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa, has commended the commander, officers and men of the agency at the airport for their vigilance.

Wherever the criminal elements go to export or import illicit drugs through our borders, they will surely have the new NDLEA to contend with, Marwa said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Libya has received its first shipment of vaccines against COVID-19, with 101,250 doses from Russia, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The Sputnik doses arrived in the capital Tripoli and will be stored in the Health Ministrys warehouses, the ministry added, according to Libyas official news agency LNA.

No date has been given for when the vaccination will begin.

Libyas Interim Prime Minister, Abdul-Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh, said that more vaccine shipments would follow.

Dbeibeh called on the public to register in order to receive a jab.

So far, the Libyan health authorities have reported a total of 161,088 virus cases and 2,684 related deaths.

In March, a transitional unity government took office in Libya, a major step towards re-establishing stability in the country that has been roiled by conflict for a decade.

The interim government is tasked with preparing for national elections, scheduled for Dec. 24.

This government has replaced the UN-backed Government of National Accord, which has been in charge of Tripoli and western areas, alongside the competing eastern administration linked with warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Libya has been in turmoil since long-time ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, was toppled in 2011.

The oil-rich country has become a proxy battleground for rival forces and foreign powers. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, has enjoined Nigerians to have hope in God despite the myriad of challenges facing the country.

Onaga made the call in his Easter message titled: Hope in God made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Sunday.

The cleric noted that in spite of all the challenges being witnessed in the country; God is with us, Nigerians.

Easter is the centre of Christianity, our doctrine and faith.

The victory and hope which Jesus Christ brought to us over death and fear of death by His resurrection, is the message of Easter.

With the resurrection which is the central message of Easter, there is hope that everything around us would resurrect and turn out positive, he said.

The bishop noted that every year, the country usually had challenges, but this years challenges seemed more.

At presently, we have security, economy and political challenges and they are made more complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. People and government all over the world are grappling with.

However, in all these, God is with us and there is hope for better days. We must also have hope in God since He is the author of all we do, he said.

Onaga wished all Nigerians especially Christians and people living in Enugu State a happy Easter celebration.

The cleric also prayed for the healing and intervention of God in the nations security, economy and political challenges.

Nigerians should also support government policies and programmes meant for their welfare, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News