APC logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has taken delivery of the partys membership registration materials.

The Chairman of the committee, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, said on Thursday in Abuja that the delivery of the materials was the beginning of the efforts at repositioning APC as a viable, consistent, cohesive and coordinated political party in the country.

We just took delivery of the first consignment of the registration materials.

The membership registration will commence soon and we have more than 119,973 polling units across the country, he said.

Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, added that the consignment came with personal information slips, stressing that the date for the commencement of the exercise would be made known in due time.

We are going to register, revalidate and update our existing membership register across the country, Buni added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee had earlier appealed to aggrieved members of the party to halt all litigations in the spirit of true reconciliation.

The committee had expressed optimism that the affected parties would fully comply with the appeal in the true spirit of peace and reconciliation.

NAN further reports that the APC caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee was inaugurated on June 25 to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

The committee, with six months life span, is also expected to plan a national convention for the election of members of the partys National Working Committee (NWC). (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Main gate of Benue House of Assembly

By Emmanuel Antswen

Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue on Thursday presented the 2021 appropriation bill of N132.5 billion to the States House of Assembly for consideration.

According to Ortom, the figure represents N23.7 billion or 18 per cent increase from the revised 2020 budget.

Presenting the bill on the floor of the House, Ortom said N90.8 billion was proposed as Recurrent Expenditure while N41.7 was earmarked for Capital Expenditure.

Ortom also presented 2020 supplementary budget estimates of N20 billion for consideration, adding that the revised 2020 Budget anticipated aggregate revenue estimates was N108.8 billion.

According to him, the Economic Sector will gulp N51.3 billion, Social Sector N44.5 billion, Administrative Services to receive N33.8 billion, while Law and Justice gets N2.8 billion.

He said his administration was working hard to improve the quality and impact of its expenditure for effective development.

We are also working to improve the quality and impact of our expenditure. To this end, we are establishing a budget intelligence unit and also strengthening the existing efficiency unit in the ministry of finance to monitor the quality of expenditure.

We are undertaking state-wide payroll reform, including the deployment of technology using the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

We are also making good progress towards the comprehensive implementation of the Treasury Single Account; completion of the Benue State Geographic Information Service (BENGIS) project, which will enhance data for planning and monitoring as well as improve revenue administration, he said.

The governor regretted that the global impact of COVID-19 on national economies would be an inhibiting factor in the successful implementation of the 2021 budget.

We are exploring every opportunity to ensure that this budget works for our people in spite of all the constraints.

We are undertaking a debt sustainability analysis with the aim of restructuring some of our existing financial obligations and thereby reducing the monthly repayment burden on our revenues.

He noted that the 2020 budget had to be revised owing to the debilitating impact of COVID-19 and the oil price war between Russia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The economic pressures and fiscal constraints that prompted the 2020 downward budget revision are still very much with us, and the outlook for 2021 and beyond is not rosy.

In addition to these, is the high rate of unemployment and poverty, insecurity, youth restiveness and breakdown in citizens trust of government that has been highlighted in the recent EndSARS protests.

The governor disclosed that despite paucity of funds, his administration was able to make significant achievements in the areas in education, infrastructure, healthcare in 2020.

He said by the end of the second quarter of 2020, the State realised the total sum of N47.4 billion representing 43.63 per cent of the approved aggregate revenue estimates.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr Titus Uba, assured the governor that the budget estimates would be given adequate attention. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Action from past CBN Tennis Championship

By Ijeoma Okigbo

CBN earmarks N12.9m for Tennis championship

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has earmarked the sum of N12.9 million as total prize money for its 42nd Senior Open Tennis Championship.

This was made known at a press briefing by CBN in collaboration with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.

Ifedayo Akindoju, President of the NTF, said the winners in both the male and female singles would grab N700,000 each.

We are expecting a minimum of 250 athletes. Today is the arrival of athletes but the qualifying series starts tomorrow.

We have up to 128 entries in the male qualifying series and over 64 entries for females.

For the main draw which begins on Monday, we have 64 entries for male and 32 for female. We also have 16 entries each for men and women wheelchair tennis.

The event is in six categories; male and female singles, men and women doubles and wheelchair men and female singles.

The top 42 players in the male categoryaccording to our rankings from last year will qualify for the main draw automatically.

Sixteen players will move to the main draw from qualifiers while four players will be given a wild card for the mens category, Akindoju said.

The tournament is expected to begin on Monday and end on Saturday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A well equipped hospital

By Naomi Sharang

The Senate, on Thursday, called for the upgrade of the State House Clinic to check medical tourism.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-governmental Affairs, Sen. Danjuma Laah, made the call when the State House Permanent Secretary, Tijani Umar, appeared before the panel to defend the 2021 budget.

Laah said that the committee would consider the budget for the State House Clinic; adding that the clinic needed to be more active in its operations.

We must ensure our hospitals are fully equipped with world class standards.

So that no matter the issue of emergency our hospitals should be endowed with that capacity to attend to them before flying out if the need arises, he said.

He said that the proposal for the State House Clinic of N1.3 billion had already been approved.

I want this thing done and the credit goes to the entire members of the committee.

We want to leave a legacy that the clinic we requested is built in the State House within the shortest time frame. That is our primary concern and we must do it at all costs, he said.

The Permanent Secretary, in an interview after the meeting with the lawmakers said that I took over in the State House in April this year and in the last six months; we have made giant strides in almost every aspect of our work.

We have outlined a lot of things trying to put it on the right pedestal, so it is not correct to say that it is comatose, it is not.

We have realigned so many things. One of the fundamental challenges we have dealt with is the sustainable supply of drugs and consumables.

Dont forget that this derives from the budget. You have a budget and you have a sustainable supply, if the budget is not sufficient it affects everything.

What we have on the ground now is something we can use to stabilise the State House Clinic and this is what we have achieved, stability in the supply of consumables, stability in the supply of electricity.

Stability in motivating our doctors and all our medical professionals, stability in infrastructure renovation, upgrade and maintenance of the facility and our equipment.

What we can do with the resources right now is all that, just to maintain and to try to hold on to what we have until the new budget comes on stream, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

By Emmanuel Acha

Enugu State Government has confirmed incidences of unusual deaths in two communities of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Emmanuel Obi made the confirmation in a statement on Thursday in Enugu.

Obi said that there had been a number of deaths suggestive of a disease of public health importance in the area.

The communities are Ette Uno and Umuopu of Enugu Ezike.

The commissioner said that the State Ministry of Health had collected samples from patients and sent them to the National Reference Laboratory for investigation.

On-the-spot-check and outbreak investigation have revealed a number of deaths from an illness which symptoms are suggestive of a disease of public health importance.

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been informed and is collaborating with the ministry to investigate and control the reports, he said.

Obi urged members of the public not to panic as the ministry was handling the emergency.

When contacted, the council Chairman, Mr Williams Ejike, said the unusual deaths were noticed in the two communities in October.

Ejike however, said that the people of the area had until early November thought that the deaths were normal.

Two days ago they said we should send samples of those that are sick or got in contact with the disease.

Yesterday, they called me and said that they are suspecting Lassa Fever and the state government sent an ambulance to take the people to the treatment center in Abakaliki, he said.

The chairman said that contrary to the information that no fewer than 57 persons had died, there is no confirmed number yet.

Ejike said that the council had arranged for a stakeholders meeting with the officials of World Health Organisation (WHO) and the state health ministry to sensitise the people of the area.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Panel of inquiry on police brutality in Anambra

By Chimezie Anaso

Mrs Chidimma Edozieuno, a petitioner to the Anambra Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality has called for the release of the corpse of her husband, Johnson, to his family for burial.

Edozieuno made the call in her petition to the panel sitting in Awka, the state capital, on Thursday, alleging that the deceased died in police custody.

She said her husband, who lived in Benin Republic, visited Nigeria after she gave birth to a baby and was arrested in the early hours of Aug. 1, 2017 by policemen on mufti at their Ichida Street residence in Awka.

She alleged that her property was taken away to an unknown destination by the operatives, whose operational base was not disclosed to her.

She said the operatives alleged that her husband was a kidnapper and she would not see him again.

The widow said that after conducting a search in the police stations around Awka without success, information got to her that her husband was allegedly being tortured and detained by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) at Awkuzu.

She said that she instituted a legal process at the state High Court, Awka to secure his release.

She said that during one of the proceedings, the Legal Department of SARS informed the court that her husband had died.

According to her, that was how the matter was dismissed by the court.

Edozieuno pleaded with the panel to order the police to release the husbands corpse to his family.

She also urged the panel to order the police to return her property and pay reasonable compensation to the deceaseds family.

The Chairman of the panel, Hon. Justice Veronica Umeh, said the panel would investigate the claims in the petition and make appropriate recommendations.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five of the 33 petitions sent to the panel were entertained on Thursday.

The panel struck out the petition by one Dr Peter Ekemezie, following his application for withdrawal.

The matter was said to have been determined by a court and was still pending in an appellate Court.

Other petitioners, Onyechi Ngene and Nestor Ngozichukwuka, were advised to engage the services of legal experts to enable them to prepare their case and make clear prayers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Emblem launch

By Abujah Racheal

The Federal Government on Thursday launched the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Emblem and appeal fund with a pledge to galvanise support for the Nigeria Legion ahead of next years Remembrance Day.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF), on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, made the pledge in during the launch in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is an annual tradition towards acknowledging and appreciating the gallantry and sacrifices of veterans in the first and second world wars.

Also to appreciate peace keeping operations around the world and internal security operations, including the ongoing campaign against terrorism in Nigeria.

Mustapha emphasised the need for soldiers who have paid the supreme price in the cause of defending the nation to be honoured.

The SGF commended the activities of the Nigerian legion for their continued services to the country as security personnel in public and private offices.

He also promised to galvanise support from Ministries, Departments and Agencies for the Remembrance day.

The SGF however, urged corporate organisations and business concerns to support the veterans and well meaning Nigerians cause through voluntary donations, employment and welfare support.

In his remarks, the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Brig.-Gen. Jones Akpa Rtd, expressed gratitude to the government for the support given to the legionnaires so far, while callingfor a stronger partnership.

Akpa also used the opportunity to commend the SGF and its team for an effective coordination in the countrys response on COVID-19.

Highlights of the occasion were decorations of the SGF, permanent secretaries, some directors in the Office of the SGF and some journalists with the emblem.

NAN recalls that Jan.15 of every year is celebrated as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

From Nov. 5 to Jan. 15, 2021, top government officials and other Nigerians are expected to hang the emblem on their clothes as a mark of appreciating the efforts of fallen soldiers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Egypt flag

An Egyptian court has ordered the release of 461 political activists from detention after they were charged with spreading false news, a rights lawyer said on Thursday.

The journalists and students had been detained in connection with 19 different cases over the past four years, lawyer Ramadan Mohammed said.

Authorities have freed the majority of them in response to orders issued by the Cairo Criminal Court earlier this week, he added.

Charges levelled against them included misusing social media to publish false news and promoting the agenda of a terrorist group, a reference to the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, according to the lawyer.

So far, there has been no comment from authorities.

The reported releases come more than a month after rare, small protests erupted in some parts of Egypt against the government of President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi.

Al-Sissi has repeatedly warned Egyptians against protests, saying that they could lead to chaos.

In 2013, the army, then led by al-Sissi, deposed Egypts first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi, a senior official in the Muslim Brotherhood and a divisive figure in the country.

Thousands of secular and Islamist opposition figures have since been rounded up.

Street demonstrations are heavily restricted in Egypt under a contested 2013 law that the government said was necessary to restore stability to the country. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rafa Nadal

Top seed Rafa Nadal was forced to save a set-point before overcoming Australian Jordan Thompson 6-1 7-6(3) on Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals.

A day after becoming the fourth player in the Open Era to record 1,000 tour-level wins, Nadal resumed his pursuit of a maiden Paris-Bercy title.

He broke Thompsons serve twice to claim the opening set in convincing fashion.

The world number two saved a set-point on his serve while trailing 5-6 in the second, winning a 26-shot rally which ended with a backhand error from Thompson.

He started to serve well in the second set. I missed a couple of returns I shouldnt have, Nadal said. I suffered until the end, but I found a way to win the tiebreak.

Nadal, who has now reached the quarter-finals in all eight appearances at the indoor tournament, will next face fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.

Earlier, sixth seed Diego Schwartzman eased past Spanish qualifier Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1 6-1.

He is now one victory away from qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals for the first time in his career.

World number nine Schwartzman occupies the final automatic qualification spot for the season finale at Londons O2 Arena from Nov. 15 to Nov. 22.

The Argentine will next face Russias Daniil Medvedev, who came back from a set down to beat Australias Alex de Minaur 5-7 6-2 6-2 in just under two hours.

I watched his match and Diego played really well, Medvedev said of Schwartzman, who has finished runner-up at three ATP tournaments this season.

I think he made five unforced errors and was returning a lot of balls in the court. He served pretty well and it will be a really tough match, because he has been on fire this year. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 Vaccine Research

By Abujah Racheal

The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), is to participate in an international study targeted at finding safe and effective treatment for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alashle Abimiku, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.

Abimiku said that the study entitled: In-patient Treatment with Anti-Corona Virus Immunoglobulin (ITAC), would enroll not less than 500 hospitalised adults globally, with mild or moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

She said that the study had been approved by the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC), and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Abimiku further said that the National Hospital, Abuja and University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada would form part of the partnership in the studyto ease access to COVID-19 patients admitted into isolation centres.

The study will utilise infusions of antibodies (hyperimmunoglobulin), from COVID-19 survivors popularly referred to as convalescent sera, with the aim of evaluating its efficacy at improving the clinical outcome of patients at risk of degenerating with the disease, he said.

Abimiku expressed hope that findings from the study would provide a pathway to a treatment option and prevent patients from having a worse progression into the disease in the Nigerian population.

The Principal Investigator for the Nigerian Study Centre, Dr Nnakelu Eriobu, also told NAN that the duration of the research study was 16 months or earlier, depending on the speed at which participants were enrolled into the research.

In future versions of the research, one or more drugs from a different class with a different mechanism of action may be considered, he said.

According to Eriobu, a research team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, data managers and other health care workers have been trained on study requirements.

He said that Nigeria was the only African country participating in the research funded by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), at the National Institutes of Health, and carried out by the International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT). IHVN is a member of INSIGHT.

IHVN has participated in other studies within the INSIGHT clinical network such as the Strategic Timing of Antiretroviral Treatment (START) Study, a clinical trial involving 215 sites in 35 countries.

Findings from START have shown that people living with HIV have a considerably lower risk of developing AIDS or other serious illnesses if they start taking antiretroviral treatment sooner, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

UEFA said on Thursday it has overseen 61,859 COVID-19 tests since August, allowing for more than 500 European matches to be played and making football one of the worlds safest environments.

The European football body, which has been criticised in the media for pressing ahead with international football during the pandemic, said only 340 of those tests had been positive.

This was 0.55 per cent of the total, and only three per cent of matches had been cancelled.

The (protocol) that we put in place is robust and ensures the safety of all those involved, even in these trying times when the pandemic is progressing across the continent, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.

It gives us confidence that our competitions will be played as planned.

It is a tribute to those involved and it demonstrates that matches can be played safely.

Describing it as a massive cross-continent effort, UEFA said on average there had been 53.9 tests per team, per match, and less than half the positive results had been from players.

UEFAs Return to Play Protocol made professional football among the safest environments in the world, it added.

UEFA said that, since August, it had staged matches in eight competitions.

These are the Champions League, Europa League, Womens Champions League, Youth League, the Nations League, Euro 2020 playoffs, Under-21 and Womens Euro qualifiers. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC

By Franca Ofili

Director-General of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, has promised strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols endorsed by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the pandemic and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in all its orientation camps in the country.

The information is in a statement by Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, the Director, Press and Public Relations of the scheme on Thursday in Abuja.

Adeyemi stated that the NYSC boss made the promise during the 2020 Batch B pre-orientation workshop held in Jos on Thursday with the theme Evolving a Dynamic Operational Strategy in the Management of Camps in the context of COVID-19.

She quoted Ibrahim as saying since the outbreak of the virus in the country, the scheme did not record any case among corps members or staff.

He added that the management of the corps would continue to evaluate the conduct of the orientation course, as well as restrategise toward enhancing its success due to its critical role as launch pad for the service year.

He explained that though the pandemic posed challenges to socio-economic activities in the country and the rest of the world, the scheme, being a dynamic organisation remained visible, especially through complementary contributions of corps members at containing the pandemic.

He said management is committed to ensuring that no camp records outbreak of the virus.

The 2020 Batch A Stream one orientation course was suspended abruptly on March, 18, 2020 to avoid the outbreak of COVID-19 in the orientation camps.

In line with the current realities, our approach to the conduct of the forthcoming orientation course will focus on proper induction of corps members on core ideals of the scheme, with equal attention to the approved safety protocols.

Ibrahim urged the workshop participants to fashion out strategies for successful conduct of the forthcoming orientation course.

He said there is no gainsaying the fact that an environment that is conducive is crucial to the success of the orientation programme, and indeed the entire service year.

Management considers as highly commendable, the improvements in camp development in some states.

He appealed to state governments to discharge their statutory responsibilities of upgrading and expanding camp facilities to adequately serve the increasing corps population. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Air Force drone on surveillance

By Ishaq Zaki

TheNigerian Air Force (NAF) says it is deployingUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), otherwise known as drones, aircrafts to Zamfara to enhance its air operations in the state.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, disclosed this when he visited Zamfara on Thursday.

Abubakar said he was in the state to further assess infrastructure gap in view of the decision of the Federal Government to deploy additional Air Platforms to support the ongoing operation in the state.

He said that the measure was to enhance air operations not only in Zamfara but in the whole of the north western parts of the country.

We are expecting four UAVs that will operate from Gusau hereto cover Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kaduna states.

Apart from Zamfara other UAVs would be operating in Gombe and Borno States. We are also here to solicit the support of the state governmentto ensure effective air operations, Abubakar said.

Very soon, we are going to commence construction of a runway for the aircrafts to operate here in Zamfara.

We are requesting land from the state government for the additional facilities and for the accommodation for the additional personnel to be deployed.

We are now expecting 17 new Combat Aircrafts out of which 12 are coming from the United States.

You know, our officers and men have already been to the U.S. for training. So far we have 195 personnel in nine countries across the world for various training to manage our aircrafts, he added.

He commended the support and cooperation from traditional and religious leaders especially in the areas of intelligence gathering and other community support.

In his remark, Gov. Bello Matawalle commendedPresident Muhammad Buhari for the support given to the state in combating security challenges.

Matawalle said that, as we all know that last week, I was in Abuja, where I solicited urgent support from Mr President to current security challenges.

We thank the FG for giving a quick response to security challenges facing the state. This visit by the Chief of Air Staff is one of the take home from my visit to Abuja.

The issue of security is not dependent on security personnel alone; I am therefore calling on our people to continue to give necessary support to the Nigerian Air Force and other security agenciesto succeed in their operations.

We are using a kinetic and non-kinetic approach to deal with any insecurity that has been bedeviling the state, the governor said.

Matawalle appreciated the security agencies for doing their best and assured them of all necessary support to succeed while carrying out their operations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Air Chief during the visit met with security stakeholders including religious and traditional leaders.

He also inspected the newly constructed Mosque and Churches in the NAF 207 Quick Response Group Headquarters Gusau. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

L-R: Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu during El-Rufais commiseration visit over the recent incident in Lagos, at the Government House, Marina, on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020.

By Florence Onuegbu

Gov. Nasir El- Rufai of Kaduna State on Thursday visited Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to commiserate with him and the residents of the stateover the mayhem that followed the EndSARS protests.

El-Rufai, while speaking at Lagos House, Marina, decried the level of the destruction of public and private property in the state, describing it as pure evil.

He said that Sanwo-Olu did all that needed to be done to prevent the recent youth protest against police brutality from degenerating to violence.

The Kaduna governor, however, said that those who thrive in violence infiltrated the protest to achieve their agenda of wreaking a large-scale destruction on public assets and infrastructure in Lagos.

El-Rufai said that Lagos, which accounted for one-third of the national GDP, does not deserve to suffer such pain.

According to him, the young people who carried out the violence intentionally engaged in an act of self-destruction, as the repercussion of the action will be felt by them.

I have spent time to see some of the pictures of the destruction done on public properties in Lagos and I nearly shed tears.

Anyone who cares about development and progress will cry after seeing what has been done to public facilities and peoples investments that provided jobs to youths.

While expressing anger on police brutality may be right, destroying public properties, which will have to be rebuilt using money that is needed to invest in other public infrastructure, under the guise of protest is nothing but self-destruction.

The Government of Lagos and the Federal Government will have to re-invest scarce resources that could have been used for other things to rebuild the vandalised facilities.

I want to assure you that we will support you getting Lagos back on track.

We will do whatever support Lagos needs from us to get back better, he said.

El-Rufai said that the youth protest against the police was not out of order, but it was wrong for the protesters to call for disbandment of the entire police force because of the action of a few bad eggs.

He sympathised with the police and those who lost loved ones in Lagos in the wake of the violence.

The governor said that the Federal Government must not allow wanton destruction of public assets to happen again.

Responding, Sanwo-Olu said that Lagos had started to look forward and engage in new partnerships toward restoring the lost assets.

The Lagos governor vowed to make the state uncomfortable for those who had the intention to destroy the states economy and heritage.

Sanwo-Olu said that the state government remained committed to getting justice for those who were brutalised by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the police.

He thanked El-Rufai for the extension of support toward rebuilding the state, welcoming all forms of assistance that could be rendered to keep businesses flourishing.

Sanwo-Olu said that the state government was doing what it could to support those whose businesses were destroyed, and create ambience for commercial activities to get back stronger. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

By Akeem Abas

Why Ladoja was impeached, removed as Oyo governor Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that former Gov. Rashidi Ladoja was impeached and removed as governor of Oyo State for being ungrateful to Chief Lamidi Adedibu and Chief Yekinni Adeojo.

He made the disclosure on Thursday during the launching of former Gov. Adebayo Alao-Akalas autobiography titled Amazing Grace in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Alao-Akala, an APC Chieftain, is a former governor of Oyo State on the platform of PDP from 2007 to 2011.

NAN reports that Alao-Akala was the deputy governor of the state from 2003- 2007 when Ladoja was impeached.

Obasanjo said that Ladoja was impeached when all efforts to reconcile him with the late Adedibu and Adeojo failed.

He said that Ladoja had turned deaf ears to his entreaties and he paid heavily for it.

You pointed out on page 140 that Ladoja picked up a quarrel with me for the reason of a non-existent third term.

I didnt know that Ladoja picked up a quarrel that his becoming governor was due to the grace of God and major contributions of the two people.

I pleaded with him to make accommodation for them both. He told me that they were all Ibadan people and they knew how to deal with themselves.

He subsequently proved himself right as they dealt with themselves and he, Ladoja, came out the worse for it, he said.

On his part, Alao-Alala said that he was a product of grace, saying God paved his way to greatness.

The former governor said that the title of his autobiography was not a happenstance, but a providence to bring him out of the dungeon of a hopeless tomorrow to the fulfillment of destiny.

He narrated how his long anticipated desire was fulfilled, notwithstanding the threat to achieving the dream.

The tragic death of my father in a road accident in 1952 single-handedly threatened my dream of getting to the cusp of my life aspirations.

But providence miraculously found for me a path to the top, he said.

Alao-Akala said that the 140-page book contained how he attained his desire and changed the lives of the people in the state.

How I became governor of Oyo State is also documented which serves as a reminder to those who may be prone to being quickly swept off by the amnesia of history that God used me.

He said that it showed how myself and my team of dependable colleagues at that period in time changed the lives of the people in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Military

By Kingsley Okoye

The Military Pension Board (MPB) has appealed to the Senate to increase its budgetary allocation to enable it to meet payment of benefits of retirees of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The Chairman of the MPB, Commodore Saburi Lawal, made the call in Abuja when he appeared before Senate Committee on Defence, to defend MPB 2021 budgetary estimates.

He said: We apeal to your committee to favourably consider the MPB 2021 budget estimates.

We apeal to your committee to kindly increase the amount recommended by the Budget Office of the Federation for the pensions, gratuities, death benefits and allied costs to the figures proposed by the board.

We apeal to your committee to kindly increase the military pensions board overhead and capital cost allocations to accommodate the rising inflationary trend in the society and to enhance infrastructure development of the board.

According to him, MPB is charged with the responsibility of administering pensions of military retirees, payment of death benefits to next-of-kins of deceasesd personnels of the Armed Forces of Nigeria through funds allocated to it by the National Assembly .

He said the annual budgetary allocations to the MPB are divided into pensions, gratuities, death benefits, allied cost, overhead cost and capital expenditure.

Giving a breakdown of 2020 budget performance of MPB, Lawal said:

In 2020, the sum of N270,593,565,984. was appropriated to the board for payment of pensions, gratitues, death benefits and payment of outstanding arrears to retired personnel.

As at date the sum N163,195,174,488 only has been released to the board representing 75 per cent of the appropriated figure.

For 2020 capital budget performance, Lawal said that the sum of N187 million was appropriated for the MPB.

He said that N93,901,500 representing 50 per cent of the approved capital budget has been released to the board.

The sum of N96,459,482 was appropriated as overhead cost, while N56 million, representing 58 per cent has been released.

He said the capital and overhead cost allocations for the MPB were negligible, noting that the amount allocated was the same figure in the last three years.

All efforts to ensure that the allocation goes up has not yeilded any effort.

We urge the committee to assist in increasing the allocation as the MPB has hospitals housing complex, road networks to maintain, among other services for the smooth running of the MPB.

For 2021 budget estimates, he said that N216,48,604,822 was proposed to carter for pensions, gratitutues, death benefits and allied matters.

He, however, said that the Budget Office of the Federation recommended to the National Assembly the sum of N183,748,495,159.

This, Lawal said, had a short fall of almost N27 billion of what the MPB proposed initially for 2021.

We know what is going on in the North East, there is increased number of casualties.

We are now having higher number of our personnel retiring and those with arrears that have been captured on the payroll need to be paid.

So I am apealing to the distinguished committee to kindly help us grant the actual proposal that we had forwarded, so as to discharge our duties to our father land.

For 2021 capital estimates, he said the board proposed N309,151,880.

He said the amount was based on the budget cealing allocated to MPB by Ministry of Defence.

He, however, said the amount was too megre to handle the MPB capital expenditure needs, noting that many of the MPB personnel did not have official accommodations.

For 2021 overhead cost, Lawal said the sum of N96 milion was proposed, noting that the figure was grossly inadequate.

Responding, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Aliyu Wammakko (APC-Sokoto), said the Committee would critically look into the issues raised by the MPB. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerias Senate under Ahmed Lawan

By Naomi Sharang

To strengthen the confidence of investors in the capital market, the Senate on Wednesday tasked stakeholders on the need to revive the Nigerian economy.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, gave the task during an interactive session with agencies in the sector.

He said that as stakeholders, they must come together with a view to reviving the economy and strengthening the confidence of the much needed investors in the capital market.

As stakeholders in the capital market, I urge you all to see this interactive session as an avenue for us to brainstorm on ways we can collaborate to meaningfully strengthen the capital market.

This is so that it can continue to function as the gateway to economic development of our nation.

This interactive meeting is very apt, especially coming at a time like this when concerted efforts are required to revive our economy which has been negatively affected due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the recent EndSARS protest.

This is the most crucial moment for our economy as Nigeria and indeed the whole world continue to grapple with economic hardships such that has not been witnessed before.

He noted that the Senate was not unaware of some of the challenges facing the Nigerian Capital Market.

Amosun, however, said that it was the desire of the committee to support the agencies with necessary legislation to propel the market into greatness.

Please be assured that we will expedite action on the passage of relevant laws, amend and enact new laws where necessary.

The capital market needs to re-activate our alternate Market and bring on board unlisted multinational companies in order to develop a robust capital market.

These informal sectors as we are all aware, is a driving force that will dominate our nations economy, he said.

Director-General Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Lamido Yuguda said that the market had not fully recovered from the market crash in the sector.

The market performance has been volatile since two years but however, it is slowly recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yuguda, who lamented that SEC was not getting funding from the Federal Government but relied on transaction charges, called for support from the Senate.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Timo Werner on spot as Chelsea beats Rennes

Chelsea eased to a 3-0 win over Rennes in the UEFA Champions League Group E on Wednesday.

It was all due to two first half penalty kicks hammered home by striker Timo Werner and a tap-in by Tammy Abraham.

The match swung the way of the Londoners with the two penalty kick decisions which both went against Rennes defender Dalbert Henrique, on loan from Inter Milan.

The Brazilian was shown a second yellow card and sent off in the 40th minute.

This was after a long VAR check, when the ball ricocheted from his calf to his arm, having earned his first caution for tripping Werner in the penalty box after 10 minutes.

Werner converted both penalty kicks emphatically, taking the role of Chelseas penalty kick-taker from Jorginho who missed two earlier this season.

I am happy. I am happy Jorginho is cool with it. It is another point that speaks for our team. We are not selfish. We all go in one direction, which is good, Werner said afterwards.

Abraham made it 3-0 five minutes into the second half with a short-range finish after an inch-perfect cross by Reece James.

The comfortable victory left Chelsea top of Group E, ahead of Sevilla of Spain on goal difference, with three of the six games played.

It also represented a fifth clean sheet in a row for the Blues.

They appear to have fixed the defensive frailties which dogged them last season and in the opening games of this campaign.

We had a very good game today, Werner said. Also good for me is we had one more player on the pitch and could control it from behind.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, bought from Rennes in September to replace the out-of-form Kepa Arrizabalaga, had little to do against his former team mates.

That was until the 84th minute when he parried a shot by Clement Grenier.

OK, the referee gave the second penalty kick, but I think the red card was tough because he didnt do it on purpose.

We continued to work hard but that was tough for us, Rennes midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud said.

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal

children.

Source: NAN News

Joe Biden

Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. President, has launched an official transition website, www.buildbackbetter.com.

The move comes as votes are still being counted in many states and the presidential race still undecided.

On the www.buildbackbetter.com website is a short statement that reiterates Bidens earlier assertion that it is the American people that will decide who becomes the next U.S. president.

Votes are still being counted in several states around the country.

The crises facing the country are severe from a pandemic to an economic recession, climate change to racial injustice.

The transition team will continue preparing at full speed so that the BidenHarris Administration can hit the ground running on Day One, the statement says.

Earlier in a speech, Biden, who is also a former U.S. Vice President, said it was clear that he had won enough states to reach 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

Im not here to declare that weve won, but I am here to report when the count is finished, we believe we will be the winners, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News