The drug maker said on Monday that trials in Chile, Peru and the U.S. found the vaccine, developed in conjunction with Oxford University, was 79 per cent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and crucially, posed no increased risk of blood clots.

It intends to request U.S. emergency authorisation in coming weeks.

More than a dozen European countries, including Germany and France, had halted use of the AstraZeneca vaccine earlier this month after some reports linked it to blood clots in a very small number of people.

They have since resumed inoculation after a regional regulator said it was safe but an opinion poll showed Europeans remained sceptical over its safety.

Hailed as a milestone in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic when it first emerged as a vaccine contender last year, the AstraZeneca shot has since been dogged by confusion over its efficacy dosing regimen.

Its possible side-effects as well as supply setbacks in Europe, where the company has been at the centre of a growing conflict between Brussels and London over so-called vaccine nationalism.

The latest data should help address some of those concerns, analysts said.

Based on more than 32,000 people, the trial was larger and elderly volunteers featured more prominently than in previous trial results from the UK which had prompted some European countries to initially hold back using the AstraZeneca shot on older people.

It is clear this vaccine has very good efficacy (remember that 60 per cent was, prior to any trials regarded as good target), and that this efficacy does not show a notable decline at older ages, said Stephen Evans, Professor of Pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene

By Tosin Kolade

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, has pledged the commitment of the Federal Government toward improving access to potable water for all Nigerians.

Adamu said this at a news conference in commemoration of the 2021 World Water Day with the Theme: Value Water on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, the essence of World Water Day, which is usually celebrated on March 22, is to galvanise action towards active response to water crisis.

He said it was also to seek out innovative measures to improve access to potable water supply, all in the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Water for all implies that the elderly, disabled, marginalised and poor people get access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation in line with SDG 6.1 and SDG 6.2, whoever you are, wherever you are, you have a right to water.

The UN recognises access to water as a human right which entitles everyone without discrimination to sufficient, safe, acceptable and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.

These include water for drinking, sanitation, food preparation, personal and household hygiene, he said.

Adamu said that to ensure the sustainability on water value, there was need to put in place the principle of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), saying this would promote and coordinate the development of the commodity and other related resources.

He said that the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) was set up to ensure the operationalisation of IWRM in the sector.

He reiterated some of the challenges threatening the value of water, adding that there was an urgent need to conserve the essential commodity to avoid its scarcity.

The Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Ms Evelyn Mere, said that more that 60 million Nigerians do not have access to potable water and called on the government to prioritise the commodity to keep its value.

She said that climate change had contributed adversely to clean water access and had continued to put more pressure on water resources that were already overstretched due to inadequate infrastructure and poor management.

Without easy access to clean water, peoples lives are blighted by sickness, poverty and endless drudgery of collecting water.

The hours spent collecting water, or the time needed to recover from waterborne illnesses caused by dirty water, rob off entirely on the community.

WaterAid is calling on government at sub-national and national level to prioritise water in their climate plans and address current and future threat to water access, Mere stressed.

The value of water is about much more than its price; water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

The Federation of Muslim Womens Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has advocated that 40 per cent constituency funds should be channeled to provision and sustenance of safe water in rural communities.

The National Amirah, FOMWAN, Dr Halima Jibril, made the call while briefing newsmen in commemoration of the World Water Day celebration in Abuja on Monday.

According to her, lack of access to safe water has led to increase in maternal and child mortality, increased number of out-of-school-girls, poor sanitation, food security and climate change.

She, therefore, stressed the need for government at all levels to make available water for the over 69 million Nigerians, who lacked access to safe water, according to a report by the UNICEF, 2021.

Jibril, also noted the trend of politicising provisions of water to rural areas as a bait for votes during political campaigns, saying that every citizen has rights to water.

We seize this opportunity of the World Water Day to reiterate that citizens right to water is inalienable, it cannot be compromised and it must not be politicised because water touches on life and living.

Water is indeed life. Government at all levels and our representatives at the legislature need to do more to ensure that Nigerians enjoy this right unconditionally.

We advocate that at least 40% of constituency funds be allocated to the provision of water giving priority to rural communities, she said.

She also encouraged women to engage in dialogue to determine what their priorities were and ensure that such projects were gender-sensitive to alleviate the sufferings of women.

The National Amirah also launched the Water for Life project nationwide to provide a water source for at least one community as part of activities to mark its community development and 36th anniversary.

Islam encourages the provision of water to those who need it. Such acts attract rewards that live long after we are gone.

We therefore call on philanthropists to support FOMWANs Water for Life campaign in the states by investing in the provision of potable water for rural people. This is a win-win- proposal. You get a reward, FOMWAN gets a reward.

We believe this can greatly enhance community wellbeing, protect the environment, boost girls enrolment, up food security and reduce child and maternal mortality rates, she said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By David Adeoye

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it plans to resume Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) across the country in the second quarter of 2021.

Mrs Wunmi Balogun, INEC Head of ICT, Ibadan, said this at the training of electoral officers and assistants electoral officers on access to Polling Units (PUs) in Ibadan on Monday.

Balogun added that the commission would be using INEC Voters Enrolment Devices for the CVR instead of the Direct Data Capturing Machine.

Mr Mutiu Agboke, the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) said the training was to address the challenges being faced by voters on access to polling units during elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was specifically held for INECs head of departments, electoral officers and assistants electoral officers.

Agboke said the problem was multifaceted, saying that the commission was determined to solve it nationally so that there would be no claim of being left out in any part of the country,

What we are doing is to x-ray the paper that we have with our staff, particularly those manning our offices in the Local Government Areas (LGAs)and their assistants.

These officers are been taken through the process to understand the issues involve when we say what are the challenges faced by voters in accessing polling units.

We are making them to know the issues involved, that where there are places where voters cannot access the polling unit based on the terrain, we need to look at it.

Also where there are places polling units are sited, in a domain or community or terrain of politician/political fathers; INEC will look at it.

We are also looking at whereby we have excessive crowed in a particular location that make it very difficult for voters. he said.

The REC said that inability of voters to access polling unit could cause voter apathy, adding that apathy was what the commission wanted to prevent.

He urged the participants to maximise the opportunity by rubing minds on better ways to improve their performances.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received former Gov. Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole ,who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC, and Governor of Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, accompanied Governors of Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar and Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, presented Daniel and Bankole to the president.

Daniel was governor of Ogun State from 2003 to 2011 while Bankole was Speaker of the House of Representatives (20072011), all on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Bankole defected to the PDP for African Democratic Party (ADP) before now moving to APC.

Buni, who spoke to State House correspondents after the introduction of the affected defectors, said they came to present the new party members to the president who expressed delight at the caliber of the defectors.

He said: We came to present new members of our party, Daniel and Bankole. Mr President is impressed and happy that leaders of such caliber are joining our party at this time we are registering new members, because registering and validating our membership, and indeed this is the right time for them to join us.

And thats exactly what Mr President is very happy. Hes pleased and impressed.

Bankole on his part said he joined the ruling party to give support to the effort the president was making, adding, there are issues we need to solve and any reasonable human beings should support at this moment.

From Borno to Lagos, Bayelsa to Sokoto. These are critical times and we shouldnt be found wanting.

On his part, the former governor and former Director-General Atiku Campaign Organization, while explaining why he joined the ruling party, stressed the need to deemphasize party in the affairs of the country.

He said: Why APC? There are too many options in the party. One thing is sure that we are going through health and economic challenges, we must do less of political contestations and give support.

One thing that is for sure, is that the entire world is going through challenges that are global challenges, economic challenges, health challenges.

And when you are in a situation like this, as I usually opined, we should do less of partisan contestation, all of us must come together to support whoever is in power.

And what we have decided to do is to come and give our support to the president so that jointly, we can continuously navigate the country that is what is relevant.

Daniel dismissed the assertion that the APC was trying to create a one party state by fishing for members of other political parties,

Daniel pointed out that the PDP was once in the same position in the country as the then ruling party.

He said: Definitely any political environment, whether it is multi party or two party, there will usually be a majority party and the minority party.

So I dont think that theres anything new that has happened.

A few years ago, when PDP was at the helm of affairs at the centre, I think the last count out of the 36 states, PDP was in charge in more than 24 states at that time, and the country did not become a one party state.

So I think what is going on is quite healthy. The contestation is quite exciting.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Hussaina Yakubu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone B, says it has seized smuggled goods with Duty Paid Value of N116 million within three weeks.

The Comptroller of the unit, Mr Al-Bashir Hamisu, made the disclosure on Monday in Kaduna while briefing newsmen on the activities of the unit in the month of March.

He said the contraband seized included 125 bags of foreign rice, 541 Jerrycans of vegetable oil, 138 bales of second hand clothes, 30 cartons of tiger battery.

Others were 21 cartons of spaghetti, 18 cartons of milky creamer, two vehicles without proper documentation and four vehicle used for smuggling.

Hamisu also listed 15 bags of refined sugar, 15 cartons of tea, 14 cartons of second hands shoes, 11 cartons of cuscus, eight cartons of Basmati rice, four cartons of condensed milk and six bags of fertilizer, as other items seized.

The comptroller attributed the successes recorded by the command to the support of the general public.

He called for more collaboration to safeguard the economy from smugglers and saboteurs.

The controller advised smugglers to engage in legitimate businesses, as the customs service will not compromise on its responsibilities.

Hamisu urged the media to continue to partner with the Customs by enlightening the public on the damages of smuggling to the national economy. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Constance Athekame

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has successfully installed and energised a 40 MegaVoltAmpree (MVA), 132/33kV Power Transformer at Yauri Transmission Station.

TCN also said it had installed a new R2 75MVAR 330 kiloVolt (KV) Reactor at the Jos Transmission Substation.

TCNs General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Mbah said that the newly commissioned 40MVA 132/33kV power transformer would bring the Yauri Substation capacity to 80MVA.

With the new transformer, the substation now has six outgoing 33kiloVolt feeders, four of the feeders, including the Yauri, Koko, Zuru and Ingaski feeders are now in service.

While two others are for future demand by Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, she said.

She said that the Yauri 2x40MVA 132/33kV Substation project was awarded in 2007, adding that the inability of the contractor to complete the project caused TCN to take over the project.

Mbah said that TCN engineers installed the first 40MVA Transformer, which was successfully commissioned in 2019.

To further boost bulk power in the area, TCN engineers equally installed and commissioned the second 40MVA power transformer which was energized on March 18.

The new installed transformer has upgraded the substation capacity by 32MW and consequently improved bulk power supply to the southern part of Kebbi, through Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, she said.

Mbah said that TCNs engineers had also installed a new R2 75MVAR 330kV Reactor at the Jos 330/132/33kV Transmission Substation which was also commissioned on the March 18.

She said that the new reactor would complement the existing R1 75MVAR 330kV at the Jos substation.

According to her, with two standard reactors in place at the substations, TCN now transmits stable and quality voltage to Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and parts of Benue, Taraba, Yobe and Kaduna States.

She said that the Yauri and Jos Substations projects were part of projects articulated in TCNs Nigerian Electricity Grid Maintenance, Expansion and Rehabilitation Programme (NEGMERP).

Mbah said that TCN intended to continue to ensure the diligent implementation of the projects which geared towards putting in place a robust and very efficient grid.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Isaiah Eka

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has promised that the Nigerian Army will deal decisively with every form of security threats confronting the nation.

Attahiru said this on Monday in Uyoat the first Commanding Officers Workshop 2021 with the theme, Repositioning the Nigerian Army to Defeat Contemporary Adversaries in a Joint Environment.

He assured the nation that the Nigerian Army would soon surmount attempts by some individuals to compromise the territorial integrity of the country by the declaration of sovereignty on behalf of ethnic nationalities in the country.

Attahiru called on the participants at the workshop to commit themselves to the dictates of their duty to the nation.

The COAS said that he would continue to provide mission oriented training through workshops and build capacity for the military that would make the army dependable and feared by all adversaries.

The Nigerian Army under my leadership would remain proactive and jointly work with other security agencies to decisively deal with threats facing the nation.

The Nigerian Army under my watch remains resolute and is poised more than ever before to decisively deal with individuals or groups that threaten the peace, security and stability of our great nation, he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom said the security challenges confronting the nation called for a military that was ready and equipped to face the problems.

Emmanuel, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, urged the military to intensify and expand the strategies, techniques and tactics needed to contain all insecurity across the country.

He commended the various security agencies in the state for the synergy and harmonious working relationship among them which he said had brought about security in the state, and promised to continue to support them.

With the security realities confronting our nation, the military more than ever should be ready and equipped to face and confront these realities by ensuring that the service maintains the highest possible standard of continuous training for optional performance.

It is reassuring that in spite of other operational commitments across the country, the new Chief of Army staff has considered it necessary to organise this workshop, Emmanuel said.

Earlier in his address, the General Officer Commanding 6th Division, Maj.-Gen. Sani Mohammed said the workshop was the first major achievement of the chief of army staff.

He said that the workshop was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it was an opportunity to enhance training and build capacity for military officers.

Mohammed said that the workshop had participants drawn from the South-South region of the Nigerian Army.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, says the Nigerian army has successfully chased out pirates from the nations waters.

Irabor stated this at a briefing organised by the Presidential Communication Team specifically meant to update Nigerians on the issues of Security, Economy and Anti-Corruption Agenda of the Buhari administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Gulf of Guinea had recorded 84 attempted and successful attacks by pirates in 2020, up from the 64 in 2019, but 82 incidents in 2018.

However, the CDS revealed that Nigeria recorded zero piracy within its waters since December 2020, saying the incidents recently reported occurred outside the exclusive right of the Nigerian waters.

He attributed the successes being recorded by the Nigerian army in checking the nefarious activities of pirates to new security measures put in place by relevant authorities.

In the last three months or so, there had never been a single case of piracy recorded within Nigerias waters.

All the cases reported were outside of the exclusive right of Nigerian waters and thats because of the resilience of our maritime forces have led to those bad elements within the maritime domain to shift bases.

So, I think what you do is perhaps to do more studies to that those incidents that we witnessed in the last three months were executed outside of Nigerian waters, he said.

According to the CDS, the criminal gangs have assessed the Gulf of Guinea and decided to shift their activities from the Nigerian waters to other areas following their inability to contain with the nation maritime forces.

On the ongoing fight against insurgency in the Northeast and banditry in the Northwest and the North Central, Irabor dismissed media reports that the fight might last over 10 years or more.

He said based on presidential directives the insurgency fight would soon be over as the nation security forces had intensified efforts toward bring an end to all forms of criminalities across the country.

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who was one of the resource persons at the briefing spoke extensively on the efforts of the commission to address corrupt practices in the nations public service.

He announced that the commission had successfully recovered N41 billion from some government agencies and institutions who fraudulently inflated their workers payroll.

According to him, the introduction ofIntegrated Personnel and Payroll System(IPPS) has helped in exposing fraudulent practices in public service.

Owasanoye, however, revealed that Nigeria was losing millions of dollars to bad clauses and contracts signed by unpatriotic Nigerians.

He said: Outside falsification of capital importation, the use of tax havens, the unequal tax reporting regime of the international community, a whole range of things.

Take the extractive industry for example, oil and gas sector Nigeria loses a lot of money to bad clauses and contracts that we have foolishly signed over time.

For instance, contracting parties representing government, would give tax waivers. Under the law, only the President has the power to give a tax waiver and we all know that revenue from oil is not sustainable. The only thing that is sustainable is tax and yet they wish away the tax.

There are provisions within the statute that enable the minister to sign side letters and confidentiality clauses about not disclosing certain terms that you give to oil companies.

In her contribution, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, said the Federal Government had no option than to allow the prices of petroleum products to be determined by the market forces in line with the deregulation of the oil sector.

For me from the finance side is that we simply cannot afford the subsidy, we dont have the money to pay for subsidy.

We do recognise that there will be some increased hardships on a segment of the society. But we are looking at how do we address that, she added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Femi Ogunshola

Rep. Samuel Onuigbo (APCAbia) says the development of infrastructure across the country will bring peace and stability to Nigeria.

He added that the farmer/herder crisis would also be addressed through the move by President Muhamnadu Buhari to restore railway lines across the country.

Onuigbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja,that the farmer/herder crisis is a combination of different factors.

The Federal Lawmaker said the collapse of infrastructure like the railway system was a contributory factor to the menace.

He said that the Federal Government should be commended for working to restore the railway line.

When we were in school, the major means of transportation is railway and it was the major means of conveying goods and cattle.

When cattle owners wanted to come and sell them in the south, they always put them in the train in different couches and they will convey this cattle safely to the locations where they were needed.

Cattle loaded in Maiduguri for Southern Eastern part of the country were dropped in Enugu and further conveyed to other part of the Eastern States like Abakaliki or Onitsha

They moved at night along the tarred road between 11:30p.m 12a.m, the only thing that alert you is when you saw their footstep and faeces in the morning, cattle were not competing with anybody.

So there was an organised way of moving these cattle, they were not branching into farms, he said.

He also identified climate change as one other major reason including increase in population and the proliferation of small arms.

Onuigbo said the cattle that were brought to southern parts had to eat grasses, adding that in those days, the areas around Lake Chad had grasses where the cattle grazed.

He said that the cattle were usually fed before putting them in the train for their journey to the south, adding that because of climate change there is serious deforestation.

According to him, the environment is ravaged, no grass is growing and you can see how lake chad itself had dried up from over 25 square meters down to 2.5 square metres.

He said this had forced millions of people around lake chad area to move and enter the cities without skills and becoming easy targets for evil.

Onuigbo said that the Federal Government should be commended and encouraged to restore infrastructure particularly the rail line.

If we have had such infrastructure in place, the farmer/herder crisis will not have surfaced in the country.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Temitope Ponle

The National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has described the Nigeria Police Force as an enduring national symbol that has evolved from pre-independence to a truly modern national institution.

This is according to a statement from Mr Emma Njoku, the Chief Press Secretary, NSIWC, on Monday.

Njoku said that the Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Ekpo Nta, made the assertion when he received a team led by the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu in his office in Abuja.

Nta noted that he was proud of the national and international achievements of the police force within the context of resources available to it.

He added that police personnel were constrained to work beyond approved hours of shift duties due to ongoing security challenges and manpower constraints.

It is worthy of note that at the last negotiations for the Consequential Adjustment of salaries arising from the National Minimum Wage Act 2019, the commission in recognition of their selfless sacrifices for the country, also recommended a percentage increase for the Police, paramilitary agencies, intelligence community and the Armed Forces, he said.

The acting chairman noted that the commissions position was unanimously endorsed by both the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Federal Government.

Nta further said that the commission had embarked on implementing more productivity and improvement schemes in the public sector to ensure that increases in salaries and allowances were backed with relative productivity as justification.

He also explained that the commission would extend the productivity improvement schemes to the security sector so that governments would have the empirical data needed for continuous positive investments and interventions.

Earlier, the I-G extensively briefed the commission on the current status and the need for a regular review of the conditions of service, remunerations and pensions of the police.

Adamu said this was in order to maximise the forces effectiveness and adequately motivate its personnel.

A highlight of the visit was the presentation to the I-G of some research publications undertaken by NSIWC in Incomes Surveys of the Health Sector (Private Health Facilities) and of the informal sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By EricJames Ochigbo

The House of Representatives says it will prioritise issues of local government, electoral and judicial reforms in amending the 1999 Constitution.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase, made this known at a retreat organised for members of the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review on Monday in Abuja.

Wase said it was evident that the country was passing through serious challenges as a result of the local government system not working as it should.

The federal lawmakerstressed the need forthe houseto pay special attention to the named issues as they embarked on amending the constitution.

According to him, lawmakers have the opportunity to write their names in gold by ensuring that they do everything possible to give Nigerians a people-oriented constitution.

He said that review of the electoral process was particularly important to give Nigerians a direction in its democratic growth.

Wase said that state creation as well as women participation in politics would also be given special attention by the house committee.

This is about our nation building. We have the opportunity to write our names in gold in whatever we are going to do here.

We should be guided by the fact that Nigeria needs very critical reforms at this very particular time.

By our own design at the secretariat, we thought we should segment the issues in the country so that we will have them in batches.

We are not going to have one batch constitutional review like it was done in the past. As issues come, we shall be treating them and we have classified the issues, he said.

Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas, the lead consultant to the committee, said in reviewing the constitution the house must take cognisance of the participation of Nigerians in the process.

He said in carrying out the exercise, the committee must find a way to harvest the views of Nigerians, while paying special attention to certain constitutional provisions.

He said this was necessary in order not to render the outcome of the exercise a nullity.

Dakas, a professor of law, said that there was the need for the committee to work in collaboration with its Senate counterpart.

He suggested a joint public hearing rather than seeing each other as rivals.

The Head, Governance Unit, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, Mr Sam Waldock said the British Government had invested about 50 million pounds in supporting democracy in Nigeria in the last five years.

Waldock said the United Kingdom (UK) was proud to support democratic development in Nigeria, especially as it related to electoral reforms.

He said that it was the expectation of the UK government that the outcome of the review would lead to fundamental rebuilding of Nigerias democracy.

Waldock stressed that as the largest democracy in Africa and leading member of the Commonwealth, it was important for Nigeria to have a constitution that reflected the wishes aspirations of the people.

The Executive Director, Policy and Legislative Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr Clement Nwankwo, said the committee should give special attention to the issue of women participation in the nations political landscape.

He also said that the lawmakers should synergise with their counterparts in the senate and states to ensure a successful review. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Fosla Academy of Abuja on Sunday in Jos emerged football champions at the North-Central Zonal Playoff of the 2021 National Principals Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the academy which represented FCT defeated their Kogi opponents 2-1 to qualify for the national finals slated for Abuja.

Kogi, represented by Our Lady School, took the lead in the eighth minute after Victor Jonathan nodded the ball into the far corner for the opening goal.

But the FCT team rallied and responded almost immediately, with Simon Zakari equalising for them in the 21st minute.

Suleman Mohammed made it 2-1 in the 33rd minute.

The second half was very cagey as both teams could not register any goal till the final whistle.

Fosla Academy will now represent the North-Central zone at the national finals which hold from Saturday to March 31 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The national finals will also witness events in athletics and table tennis, with winners from the six zonal finals taking part.

NAN reports that 24 table tennis players, 144 athletes and six football teams will slug it out in the national finals in Abuja.

The revived National Principals Cup is aimed at grassroots sports development, especially in secondary schools. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Leicester Citys Kelechi Iheanacho scored two goals as they beat Manchester United 3-1 in their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday to set up a last-four clash against Southampton.

The Foxes took the lead following a horrendous error from Manchester Uniteds Fred, whose backpass became a through-ball for Iheanacho.

The Nigerian collected it and rounded the goalkeeper before firing home in the 24th minute.

Manchester United struck back seven minutes before half-time as Mason Greenwood rifled Paul Pogbas centre into the net.

But they never got to grips with Leicester City in midfield and they went behind again early in the second half.

Youri Tielemans surged at Manchester Uniteds soft centre, bursting through and brushing off a less-than-convincing challenge from Fred before firing a low shot into the bottom corner.

Jamie Vardy could have brought his seven-game goal drought to an end but he pulled his shot just wide of the near post when clean through on goal.

His selfless running, however, was instrumental in creating space for his Leicester City teammates.

Manchester Uniteds woeful defence was exposed again in the 78th minute as Iheanacho was left completely unmarked at the far post.

He headed home Marc Albrightons free-kick to seal the victory and send his side into the semi-finals.

We worked really well in training to get ready for this game. Tactically we worked hard.

We really felt ready to go and we passed the ball very well and got in open spaces and got the runs and the goals, Iheanacho told reporters.

I am really happy playing alongside Jamie (Vardy). Its helping me a lot, creating space and getting the shot in behind. So, I hope we can keep working hard together, he added.

Chelsea will take on Manchester City in the other last-four tie, and both semi-finals will take place at Wembley on the weekend of April 17 to April 18. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ahmed Kaigama

Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Bauchi State chapter, on Sunday, directed its members to boycott all activities involving Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi.

Secretary of the association in the state, Bala Bawaji, said in a statement issued Sunday that the measure was necessary to express displeasure over the shabby treatment of Journalists .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sports Writers were denied access to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium to cover the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Day 17 match, between Wikki Tourists and Kano Pillars.

The Secretary said in spite of the tags provided to Journalist by management of Wikki Tourists, Sports Journalists were blocked from entering the stadium to discharge their duties.

SWAN expresses dismay with the management of Wikki Tourist FC of Bauchi over the unending disregard for Sports Journalists in Bauchi.

Such development is hindering members from carrying out their legitimate duties whenever the team is playing home matches.

Therefore, the leadership of the Sports Writers Association has directed all members to boycott all activities of Wkki Tourists FC, with immediate effect, he said.

The secretary expressed concern that the incident of disrespect for Sports Writers at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi, kept recurring during matches involving the club.

Bawaji reiterated that the boycott was indefinite, until discussions were held with Management of Wikki FC to address the problem.

Mr Imrana Gallaje, a Journalist, told NAN that they were treated with disdain and contempt at the gate of the stadium, despite the tags issued to them.

We arrived at the gate of the stadium with our tags by 2pm to make sure that we get seated before the arrival of the teams as the match was to start 4pm.

We remained at the gate uptil 4pm, and had to leave when we could no longer bear the embarrassment, Galaje said.

Commenting on the development, Media Officer of Wikki FC, Nasiru Kobi, said the incident was unfortunate, saying Sports Journalists were held with high esteem.

He assured that the matter would be resolved as soon as possible. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Foreign players in the French League will not need to be quarantined after returning from FIFA World Cup play-off duty, the French sports ministry has ruled.

This follows a change in policy by the Ministry over imposing quarantine restrictions on foreign players in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 returning from FIFA World Cup qualifiers outside the European Union (EU).

We confirm that international players returning from official competitions outside the EU with their national team, whether French or foreign, are exempt from the seven-day waiting period as long as they comply with a strict sanitary and medical protocol (bubble daily PCR test on their return to their club), the Sports Ministry said, according to the FIFA media outlet.

Earlier this week, the French league said that Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs would not make available for selection the foreign players summoned for matches outside the EU/EEA zone during the next international period in March.

FIFA said last month that clubs were not expected to release players during the international window if there is a mandatory period of quarantine or self-isolation of at least five days upon arrival in the country where the club is located or the country where the match is taking place.

But on 19 March, FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged clubs to let their players leave for international duty.

We are living in a very difficult situation, especially but not only in Europe with regard to the COVID-19, Infantino said following the latest FIFA Council meeting.

Health has to remain a priority which is why we relaxed our rules a bit.

(But) obviously we would like the March games to go ahead with the best possible squads.

We call on all parties to understand that national team football is very important for the vast majority of countries round the world, Infantino said.

The South American Football Confederation called off its qualification matches planned for the upcoming window over player availability issues.

Qualifiers in the Asian region have also been postponed due to COVID-19.

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stressed the need for all to collaborate with security operatives to end criminality in all forms in the country.

The party said this in a statement by Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, the National Secretary of its Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), on Sunday in Abuja.

Akpanudoedehe said this while condemning Saturdays attack on the convoy of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue.

He, however, thanked God for Ortoms safety and praised his security details for repelling the attack.

He expressed confidence that the security services would do everything to unravel the criminals behind the attack and bring them to book.

The APC reiterates that we must all collaborate to end criminality in all forms, a crime is a crime and should not be politicised in any way, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Rita Iliya
Gov Abubakar Bello of Niger and Chairman North Central Governors Forum (NCGF) has decried the attempted assassination of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and called for a thorough investigation by relevant security agents.

Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, said that something urgent and drastic must be done collectively to curtail the situation.

This issue of insecurity in our nation needs all and sundry to be collectively responsible in addressing it irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations, he said.

The Chairman of the NCGF applauded the efforts of the security details of Ortom who ensured his safety and other members of his entourage.

Bello said that the Forum is in solidarity with Ortom and the entire people of Benue.

He enjoined the security agents not to relent in their efforts to secure lives and property across the country.

Source: NAN News

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack on Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue, saying the brutal attacks on individuals and communities in the state, with the latest one targeting the governor, was unacceptable.

The president made the condemnation in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

Buhari welcomed the dispatch of a high level team of crack investigators to the state from the Police headquarters in Abuja, urging the officers to uncover who, or whatsoever, was behind the attacks and bring them to justice.

He also expressed his sympathies, and that of the government of the federation to Ortom and Benue indigenes.

Buhari, however, maintained that the unfortunate incident must not be politicized, reiterating that an attack on one Nigerian is an attack on all Nigerians.

The president directed the Police to undertake a thorough investigation into the incident involving the governor and into all such incidents affecting individuals and communities in the state.

Let there be open and transparent investigation and whoever is linked to it should be caught and be made to face the law, he furtherdirected. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Joseph Edeh

The Conference of Benue Journalists (CBJ) has condemned in strong terms, Saturdays attack and alleged assassination attempt on Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue by suspected gunmen

A statement by Vice President of CBJ, Mr Ewache Ajefu, said the incident and the recent killing ofthe brother of a former governor of the state was aimed at making the state ungovernable.

We categorically warn that nothing must happen to Ortom and urge the Federal Government to step up security machinery to end all forms of criminality in the country, he said.

Ajefu commended the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Mohammed Adamu for swiftly deploying a team of specialized investigators to fish out the perpetrators.

He also called on Ortom never to be deterred by the attack but he should remain focused and courageous in providing good leadership to the people of the state.

CBJ is an association of professional media practitioners of Benue origin with members spread across the country with the sole objective of promoting, projecting and defending the interests of the people.(NAN)

Source: NAN News