COVID-19: Ebonyi Govt. slashes EBSUs tuition fees

By Douglas Okoro

The Ebonyi Government on Monday announced a slash in the students tuition fees in the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki.

The review, which took immediate effect, was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Dr Kenneth Ugbala.

According to the statement, the reduction is aimed at mitigating the hardship caused by the novel Coronavirus pandemic, which affected global and local economies.

Ugbala stated that the governor had graciously approved N20,000 and N10,000 reduction of EBSUs tuition fees for indigenes and non-indigenes, respectively.

He further stated that government was aware of the impact of the pandemic on the world economies of which Ebonyiwas highly affected.

We know that the finances of our people are highly affected, which will in effect, affect the education of our children.

To lessen the burden on parents, especially in catering for the students of EBSU and encourage more of our students to go to university, the governor has approved reduction in school fees for the students.

The reduction is effective from the 2020/2021 academic session and is from Year one to the Fifth year.

All non-indigenes will have their tuition fee reduced by N10,000, while all indegenes in the university will have their fees slashed by N20,000.

This amount will be aggregated and paid directly to EBSUs management sometime in 2021, the statement added.

The SSG further stated that government had earlier released all monthly subventions owed to the university.

He added that additional N200 million salary intervention fund, totalling N500 million, was also released to assist in the payment of staff salaries.

This sacrifice will be affecting some other government programmes, like infrastructure development and provision of medical services, which have become opportunity cost.

We request our young ones to start registering for the 200 youths per Local Government Area to benefit from the #EndSARS Empowerment Fund to be launched in November, Ugbala added.

Source: NAN News

Former Argentine football player Diego Maradona tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday, his lawyer said on Monday.

Diego Maradona has been admitted to hospital in Argentina although his condition was not thought to be serious, local media reported on Monday.

The 60-year-old Maradona was reportedly taken to the Ipensa clinic in La Plata, about an hour from Buenos Aires.

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 and is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time, coaches the local club Gimnasia y Esgrima.

He was admitted to hospital to undergo tests as he had been feeling poorly for some time and would be held under observation for several days.

The Ole.com.ar sports web site, one of Argentinas biggest, said it was not an emergency and was not related to COVID-19 as he had tested negative in recent days.

Maradona last appeared in public on his 60th birthday last Friday before his sides league match against Patronato.

He was gifted a plaque and a cake to celebrate the occasion but he did not stay to watch the game and witnesses said he looked unwell and weak.

The former Napoli, FC Barcelona and Boca Juniors player has suffered frequent periods in hospital over the years, often due to the extravagant lifestyle which accompanied and followed his playing career.

The former Napoli striker was also admitted to hospital in January 2019 with internal bleeding in the stomach.

He also fell ill at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he was filmed passing out in an executive box during the Argentina versus Nigeria game.

Maradona was taken into hospital in 2004 with severe heart and respiratory problems linked to cocaine use.

He later underwent drug rehabilitation in Cuba and Argentina before a stomach-stapling operation in 2005 helped him lose weight.

In 2007 he checked himself into a clinic in Buenos Aires to help him overcome alcohol abuse problems.

Source: NAN News

Northern governors back social media regulation, Police reform

By Hussaina Yakubu

The Northern Governors Forum on Monday expressed support for the ongoing efforts to regulate the social media in order to check the spread of fake news in the country.

The Forum expressed its support in a communique issued by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, after its meeting in Kaduna with traditional rulers and other key stakeholders in the region.

The meeting, which took note of the devastating effect of the uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news, called for major control mechanisms and
censorship of social media practice in Nigeria.

It also expressed support for the reform of the police to strengthen their capacity.

Forum appreciates the major reforms going on in the Police Force and pledges to support Mr. President on this course.

The meeting resolves to support the Nigerian Police Force to serve the country better and calls for the strengthening of trust between the people and the Police, it said.

The Forum set up two committees to push for statutory roles for traditional rulers and engagement with youths and civil society organisations.

The Committee on Roles of Traditional Rulers is headed by the Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage, with two representatives from the National Assembly and a minister as members.

The Committee on Youth and Civil Society Organisations has the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli, as Chairman

The forum has representative of elders, youths, women and persons with disability as members from each of the three zones.

Others are representatives of Muslim and Christian clerics, business community and police.

These engagement committees are to commence work immediately, it said.

It appreciated the roles traditional rulers played in containing the #End SARS protests in the region, and collectively agreed that traditional rulers be given formal roles in the govemance architecture of the country.

The meeting rejected and condemned the subversive acions of some #End SARS protesters and endorsed the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of the nation.

It commended the National Assembly and the Presidency for being proactive in addressing the issues of protests across the country.

The governors also called for an amicable resolution of the ASUU strike to enable students resume their studies.

The forum agreed to hold the meeting regularly and expand it to involve other critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, business community and youths leaders.

It appreciated the roles of religious groups, JNI and CAN, for their positive interventions in resolving the #EndSARS conflicts.

The forum called for collective efforts in addressing the lingering challenges of the region, such as Almajiri system, insecurity, illiteracy and poverty.

The forum also appreciated the youths in curtailing the spread of hooliganism, thuggery and other separatist
tendencies during the #EndSARS protest.

The meeting expressed concern over the low level involvement of relevant stakeholders in the implementation programmes of government and called on the relevant agencies to review implementation strategies to make for maximum impact and benefits, it said.

The meeting was attended by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, and
Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, among other dignitaries.

Source: NAN News

Tanzania Police arrest opposition party leaders

The police in Tanzanian, on Monday arrested several opposition politicians for allegedly planning illegal demonstrations after accusing the ruling party of rigging the general election.

Special police zone commander, Lazaro Mambosasa, told journalists in the commercial capital, that among those arrested are Chadema party national chairman Freeman Mbowe and several other leading Chadema members.

We were tipped [off] that they were organizing illegal demonstrations and persuading youths to go into the streets today.

We did not issue a permit for anyone to hold demonstrations, so these are illegal demonstrations.

Chadema meanwhile said 20 senior party officials have been detained.

The arrests come after Tanzanias two main opposition parties on Saturday called for mass demonstrations after results from the October 28 parliamentary and presidential polls was announced.

On Friday, the incumbent President John Magufuli, known as the bulldozer was given an overwhelming victory.

The U.S. embassy in Tanzania said there had been credible allegations of fraud and intimidation. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 111 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total infections now 62,964.

The NCDC made this known via its verified Website on Sunday.

The centrealso reported two deaths, bringing the total to 1,146 recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The agency said Lagos reported 49 new infections, 30 in the FCT, 11 in Rivers and 10 in Plateau.

Others are Ogun-four, Kaduna and Oyo-three each Osun-one.

The agency said out of the 62,964 confirmed cases, 58,790 have been discharged.

The agency also said that sincethe beginning of the pandemic in February, more than 627,600 samples had been tested by the centre.

The NCDC said that it has activated a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), at Level III to coordinate the national response activities.

It is crucial to limit the risk of COVID-19 infection across all ages.Take responsibility to protect children as school resumes.

Encourage your childrento wear a mask. Wash their hands frequently Cough/ sneeze into you elbow and report when feeling sick, it advised.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rev Yakubu Pam

By Jessica Onyegbula

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev. Yakubu Pam, has charged Nigerians to be true nationalists and begin to think deeply about the nation.

Pam, who said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, stressed that there was urgent need to rebuild the country positively with the entire platform that was available.

The clergyman said that nationalism was learnt from the grassroots and its application extended to everything that the citizen could do in any situation to advance the cause and interest of the country.

Starting from our little community we can start to address critical issues.

Lack of grassroots leaders has brought up very big national disasters because when issues are not addressed at the grassroots level they become greater national disasters.

All leaders should use their platforms positively so as not to allow opportunities for crisis at any level.

In reference to the recent protests by the youth of the country, Pam said that every grievance should be expressed in very modest ways that would not destroy the unity and peace of the nation.

The youth are the leaders of this country, the present leaders are already on their way out and the youth will take over.

Taking over means they must build very good characters to enable hem to take over.

I think the youth have a lot of hope. Once you have hope, you should be able to be patient and resolve within yourself to be a solution rather than a problem.

Hope brings good plan for the future. I think what they (the youth) need now, instead of protest and anger, is planning.

They need to synergise, come together and plan for tomorrow. I think that is all.

Anger is a spirit that can lead only to destruction. If they apply anger in all that they do, I think they will destroy this country in a short time, he said.

Pam, however, urged the government to go back to the drawing board noting that a lot of reforms was needed in the government as well as a new approach to chat a better course.

We cannot just have one approach that we apply whenever there is a problem. This is time for us to develop a new approach to tackling insecurity in the country.

We need to start by assessing the security situation and finding the best way to tackle it, he said.

Source: NAN News

Court symbol

By Ige Adekunle

An Ota Chief Magistrates court in Ogun on Monday sentenced 22-year-old Ihetuge Ifeanyi to four years imprisonment for stealing cell phones valued at N950,000.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr O. L. Oke, sentenced the convict to four years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Oke, however, gave the convict a N150,000 fine option.

Ifeanyi, whose address was not provided, was arraigned over a three-count charge of stealing, burglary and conspiracy.

According to the Prosecutor, Insp. E. O. Adaraloye, the accused, along with others now at large, committed the offences at about 3.30 a.m at No. 6, Femi Oni Street, Arinko road, Otta, in Ogun.

Adaraloye said that the convict, along with others, conspired among themselves to break into the house of the complainant, Olayinka Odunniyi, to steal an iPhone and two other phones valued at N950,000.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 390(9) 413(1) and 509 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun, 2006.

Source: NAN News

Ugandas electoral body on Monday started the screening of presidential candidates for the 2021 general elections.

Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, chairperson of the Electoral Commission, said 10 aspiring candidates had been verified and cleared.

The two-day exercise was held at Kyambogo University Cricket grounds, about nine km east of the capital Kampala.

Byabakama said five candidates, including incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, former Security Minister Henry Tumukunde, former army commander Mugisha Muntu, John Katumba and Nancy Linda Kalembe, had been screened.

Five other candidates will be screened on Tuesday.

I declare Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, a duly nominated presidential candidate for the 2021 general election, said the Electoral Commission chair.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party in July declared Museveni, who has been in power for over 30 years as the partys presidential candidate and national chairman for the next five years.

According to a previous law in the east African country, people over the age of 75 are not allowed to run for the presidency.

Legislators in 2017 voted to remove the age limit of 75, paving way for Museveni, who is now 76 to run for the presidency in the 2021 polls.

Byabakama also said any presidential candidate who tests positive for COVID-19 would be screened in absentia.

The Electoral Commission is expected to announce the official dates for presidential campaigns and the next years polls.

Upon successful screening, the candidates will be free to campaign, said Byabakama. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Chinyere Nwachukwu/Tunde Ogunrinde

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says results of 215,149 candidates are being withheld over alleged various forms of examination malpractices.

The councils Head of National Office (HNO), Mr Patrick Areghan, made this known at a news conference on Monday in Lagos.

Areghan also said that results of candidates from the Chibok Local Government Area of Borno were among the 1, 538,445 candidates that sat for the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.

Areghan described the experience of conducting the examination in Chibok for the first time since the abduction of over 200 girls in the area by Boko Haram insurgents six years ago as interesting and gratifying.

According to him, a total of 1,549,740 candidates, registered for the examination from 19,129recognised secondary schools in the country.

Giving breakdown of the candidates performances, the WAEC chief said that results of 215,149 were being withheld in connection with various cases of alleged examination malpractices.

He said the cases were being investigated, adding that reports of the investigations would be presented to the appropriate committee of the council for determination in due course.

The committees decisions will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools, Areghan, said.

He said that a total of 1, 456, 727 candidates had their results fully processed and released, while 81,718 others have a few of their subjects still being processed due to errors traceable to them.

The WAEC chief said that efforts were on to speedily complete the processing to enable the affected candidates to get their results fully processed and released subsequently.

Areghan added that of the figure that sat for the examination, 1, 338, 348 candidates, representing 86.99 per cent, obtained credit and above in a minimum of five subjects, that is, with or without English Language and, or Mathematics.

Also, of the figure that write the examination, 1, 003, 668, representing 65. 24 per cent obtained credits and above in a minimum of five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, he said.

According to him, a total of 4, 280 candidates, with varying degrees of special needs, were registered for the examination, out of which 230 are visually challenged, 745 with impaired hearing and 2,852 with low vision.

He added that 38 others were spastic cum mentally challenged with 58 others that are physically challenged.

All these candidates with special needs were adequately provided for in the administration of the examination.

They results of these candidates have been processed and released along with those of other candidates, he said.

Areghan said that there was an improvement in the result of the candidates, in spite of the challenges that characterised the writing of the examination.

Attributing the achievements toimproved facilities and e-learning, he said that candidates who had fulfilled their financial obligation to the council could access their performance on the website.

Areghan said that the examination was also administered to candidates from some schools in Benin Republic, Cte dIvoire and EquatorialGuinea, where the countrys curriculum for Senior Secondary Schools werebeing used.

Source: NAN News

CJN Justice Tanko Muhammad

By Wandoo Sombo

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad has implored newly appointed judges of High Courts and Kadis of Sharia Courts, to shun all forms of gratification in the discharge of their legal duties.

The CJN, who gave the charge on Monday in Abuja, also admonished the judges to be proactive and device personal means to curb what he described as persistent delay in the administration of justice.

Justice Muhammad made the call while declaring open, the 2020 Virtual Induction Course for newly appointed judges and Kadis organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI).

He noted that delay in the administration of justice is the major bane of the nations judiciary.

My lords, ladies and gentlemen, it is no longer news that much of the criticisms leveled against the justice delivery system in Nigeria are about delays in the administration of justice, biased and wrong application of laws.

These acts are often not to the delight of litigants and court users as they often frown at the way services are rendered.

As such, a better understanding of the current trends in justice administration will help you appraise and curb the waste of judicial time and resources; thereby ensuring justice delivery is efficient and proactive.

Accordingly, while discharging your duties it is important to note that all forms of gratification must not be associated with you.

You must not be found wanting. Transparency, honesty and accountability must remain your watch words; I urge you therefore, to eschew corruption in the discharge your duties, the CJN said.

He also encouraged the new judges to be abreast with relevant laws, maintain judicial authority in the courtroom, develop a simple style of judgment writing and optimize time and resources.

The CJN further advised them to endeavor to obtain a good understanding of their operating environment, so as to avoid possible pitfalls and challenges when deciding on matters brought before them.

On her part, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Rosaline Bozimo (rtd), said that the course themed: Inculcating Judicial Excellence in the Newly Appointed Judicial Officers was aimed at adequately equipping the new judges for the challenges on the higher bench.

Bozimo reminded the new judges that their appointment was a privileged one and advised them do everything to live above board.

Let me use this medium to caution you to refrain and spurn all forms of corrupt practices, bearing in mind the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers and the Oath of Office which you have sworn to.

It is my firm belief that you will continue to adhere to this admonition; in the same vein, this course will aid you in the proper application of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers in the discharge of your duties.

She assured the judges that the Institute would be more than willing to conduct workshops that would aid them in the discharge of their duties.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with front line energy expert, Da Yohanna Dalyop, who turns 70 on Nov. 3, 2020.

The president, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Monday, commended Dalyops efforts in research, construction and distribution of alternative energy sources to households and institutions in Nigeria.

While joining family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the milestone with the engineer, Buhari noted with delight that Dalyop dedicated most of his life finding solution to the challenge of energy in the country.

He also lauded Dalyop, the Chief Executive Officer of Wedotebary Nig. Ltd, for inventing the Kyaratt laser-based solar garden power generation technology and working diligently to fill the gap in many homes by deploying his knowledge, experience and resources.

The president affirmed that his efforts in complementing the government to provide power would always be appreciated, urging more focus on cheap and accessible alternatives, especially in rural communities.

He also appreciated Dalyops loyalty and commitment to the government, and prayed for longer life and good health for the inventor and energy entrepreneur.

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The Victims Support Fund (VSF) is to intensify efforts to scale up support for victims of terrorism, insurgency and vulnerable in Nigeria.

Retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Chairman of VSF made this known in a statement by Mr Alkasim Abdulkadir, the outgoing spokesperson of the fund on Monday in Abuja.

Danjuma said that the review panel will recommend procedures and actions that will further strengthen effective service delivery of the Fund.

He thanked the outgoing members of the board for their diligent service to the nation after serving for two terms, acknowledging the sacrifices and risks they took in discharging their duties.

The VSF Chairman further acknowledged the great contributions of the board members who sacrificed their time to travel through hard-to-reach and high security risk areas at times it was extremely dangerous to do so.

Danjuma also used the occasion to commend the outgoing Executive Director, Prof. Sunday Ochoche, for his commitment and courage in the discharge of his duties, wishing him well in his future endeavors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that VSF was first setup in 2014, under the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 to scale up support for victims of terrorism.

The VSF has impacted the lives of displaced persons in areas of health, education, foster care for orphaned children, agriculture, womens economic empowerment as well as the reconstruction of destroyed public infrastructure.

The fund was also set up to work towards the restoration of civil authority in the North East.

NAN reports that members of the Review Panel includes: retired Brig.- Gen. Jones Arogbofa as Chairman, Amb. Usman Baraya, and Maj.- Gen Sule Labaran with Amb. John Gana serving to serve as Secretary of the Panel.

Source: NAN News

By Muhammad Adam

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned Liquefied Petroleum Gas LPG) retail outlets against cylinder to cylinder gas refilling and decanting because of the associated risks.

Mr Sadeq Ibrahim, Operations Controller, Yola DPR Office, gave the warning at a one-day sensitisation meeting with gas retailers in the state held on Monday in Yola.

Ibrahim said that the warning became necessary to prevent fire disasters as well as protect lives and property of the people.

He said that the department would no longer tolerate the dangerous cylinder to cylinder gas refilling businessfor the safety of the people and also for those handling the business.

LPG cylinder to cylinder re-bottling, refilling and decanting is prohibited by Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The transfillingof the resources are not allowedand is against the DPRregulations and requirements because the business ishighly hazardous and a threat to lives and property of the people.

According to Ibrahim, the department has recorded many fire outbreak accidents across the country as a result of poor handling and unsafe cylinder to cylinder gas refilling process.

He advised the retailers to go and address how to improve their businesses as the department had no intent to push them out of the business.

He said that among the roles of the gas retailers as stated in the DPR regulations was to sell a full gas cylinder, either through cylinder exchange or a new one.

Ibrahim advised the gas retailers to put safety measures in their shops and also register with the DPR.

All gas retailers in the state are advised to provide protection safety facilities to their workers and the shop.

Also, the retailers outlets are advised to register with the DPR to obtain approved licence, Ibrahim said.

In his remarks, Mr Emmanuel Ogbodo, Chairman, LPG Retailers Outlets Association, Adamawa, thanked the department for organising the sensitisation meeting for their members.

Ogbodo said that the sensitisation was an eye opener to the members and that the association would look at the request of the DPR and deliberate on it.

Source: NAN News

Mrs Julie Okah-Donli NAPTIP D-G

By Bukola Adetoye

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has commenced a two-day intensive coaching for members of States Taskforce on Human Trafficking.

The Director-General (DG) of NAPTIP , Miss Julie Okah-Donli, in her welcome address at the training in Lagos on Monday, described the establishment of the taskforce as a giant feat, in spite of the post COVID-19 challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that beneficiaries of the training are drawn from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states.

The agency in conjunction with some state governments, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and other partners had inaugurated the taskforce in 14 states between 2019 and August 2020.

Plans are in progress to inaugurate the taskforce in the remaining states in Nigeria, Okah-Donli said.

She explained that the taskforce was a strategic instrument that NAPTIP adopted to harness counter-trafficking efforts at the sub-national level.

The agency realised it is pivotal to create synergies in the fight against human trafficking in the country and it became a reality.

So this capacity building is very dear to us in NAPTIP because of the need to equip stakeholders with the necessary skills to curtail incidences of human trafficking at the grassroots level, the DG said.

She stressed that the challenges of human trafficking and irregular migration were quite enormous, adding that new initiatives must be developed to ensure sustained successes against this twin monsters.

Okah-Donli stressed that the fight against human trafficking required both government and citizens collaboration.

It is worthy of note that human trafficking can be difficult to detect due to its clandestine nature which aids victims to remain hidden in plain sight.

We need counter-trafficking actors to understand the various methods of traffickers, who use technology and other tools to perpetrate the crime, she said.

Okah-Donli charged trainees on commitment to duty, as the country was counting on their professionalism and patriotism to achieve NAPTIPs vision of ensuring a human trafficking-free nation.

The IOM representative, Ms Ruth Mbugua, in her opening speech, said the organisation had repatriated more than 19,000 Nigerians from different countries.

Mbugua said the victims consisted of 58 per cent females and 42 per cent males.

The IOM collaborates with governments, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), intelligence units, among others, and travels far for rescue operations, she said.

Source: NAN News

By Abiodun Lawal

The Ogun Police Command says it has arrested five suspected members of a dreaded cult group for allegedly unleashing terror on the people of Ifo town in the early hours of Sunday.

The Spokesman of the command, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday.

Oyeyemi, who said that the suspected cultists, whose age ranged between 18 and 22, were apprehended following a distressed call received by the Divisional Police Officer in Ifo, Adeniyi Adekunle, that members of the cult group were on rampage around Ifo market.

He said that the suspected cultists were attacking people with dangerous weapons and dispossessing them of their valuables.

Upon the distress call, the DPO, Ifo division, Adeniyi Adekunle, quickly mobilised his men and moved to the scene.

On getting there, they met a 25-year-old man, who was later identified simply as Sunday, in the pool of his own blood as a result of several injuries inflicted on his body.

The policemen chased the suspects and got five of them arrested within the area. The victim was, thereafter, taken to the General Hospital in Ifo, where he was confirmed dead.

Also injured was one Muhammed, a trailer driver and one Olalekan Alade, who was also dispossessed of his phone by the hoodlums, while five other different phones snatched from different people were recovered from them, he said.

The police spokesman stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Edward Ajogun, had ordered the transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.

He said that Ajogun had also directed that the fleeing members of the gang be chased, apprehended and brought to book within the shortest possible time.

Oyeyemi warned those, who were still thinking that the police had abandoned their duty as a result of the recent EndSARS protest, to have a rethink.

According to him, the command is determined more than ever before to wage war against crime and criminality in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Source: NAN News

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the Minister of Science and Technology has reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buharis administration in implementing the five-point demand of the EndSARS protesters.

Onu gave the assurance in Abakaliki on Sunday during a sympathy visit to Miss Favour Imoha, a 300-level medical student of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), who was hit on the head by stray bullet during the protest in Abakaliki.

The minister said that the Executive Order Five was aimed at industrialising the nation and appealed to the youths to cooperate with the administration to succeed in its strive to create more jobs for the citizenry.

He said that Buhari was working hard to bequeath a new Nigeria that the younger generation would be proud of.

The onetime governor of old Abia state urged the youths to take advantage of the N75 billion victims survival fund and other federal governments economic intervention programmes to empower themselves.

The future is for our young people and if we dont give them the best, what will happen in the future when they govern the country?

The message to our youths is that your voice has been heard at the highest level and that all your demands as contained in the 5-point demands have been accepted and are being implemented, Onu said.

Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation on Sunday in Abakaliki said that violence was inimical to national growth and development.

He however, cautioned youths against indulging in violent agitations and urged them to use dialogue as a means to achieving their demands.

The minister, who regretted the magnitude of destruction of critical assets and property of private citizens by angry youths in the wake of the #Endsars protests, advised youths to adopt dialogue in resolving grievances.

The minister prayed for speedy recovery of the victim and others who sustained different degrees of injuries during the violent protests in the state and for peaceful repose of those who lost their lives.

Onu commended medical doctors at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital for working hard to save the lives of the victim and others who were brought to the hospital following injuries they sustained during the unrest.

He said: We will like to use this opportunity to say to those who carried out the Endsars protest in a violent manner that, that is not a proper way to go.

Violence is inimical to our national growth and development.

Violence cannot help us as a nation because if we start destroying our national assets particularly when we know that we need a lot of infrastructure; no foreign investors will come and help us accelerate the process of industrialisation.

Industrialisation will help us create more jobs for our young people, create wealth for the old and young and this cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of violence.

Once you have violence, it introduces tension and people can no longer feel secured both for their lives and for their investments.

Meanwhile, Dr Godwin Imoha, victims father commended the minister for coming to the familys aid.

Source: NAN News

Tambuwal assigns portfolios to 3 new commissioners

By Muhammad Bello

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, has assigned portfolios to the three newly appointed commissioners and members of the state Executive Council.

Malam Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the governor said this in a statement on Sunday in Sokoto.

Bello said that Malam Mainasara Ahmad was posted to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, while Malam Abubakar Maikudi will take charge in the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

He said that Malam Bashir Gorau was posted the Ministry of Sports and Youths Development, while the former commissioner in the ministry has been redeployed to the Ministry of Land and Housing.

Tambuwal had on Oct. 28, swore-in the three new appointees as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

By Grace Alegba and Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday inuagurated the reconstruction and upgrading of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway, saying that the project will revolutionize trade and commerce in the state.

At the launch of the project at Eleko, Sanwo-Olu said government knew the importance of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway which houses the Lekki Free Trade Zone and thriving estates businesses.

He said transportation and traffic Management were the pillar of his administrations THEMES Agenda aimed at bringing economic prosperity to stakeholders on the axis and commerce to the state.

THEMES represent Traffic Management and Transportation; Health and Environment; Education and Technology; Making Lagos a 21Century state; Security and Governance.

He said the road, when completed, will complement the new network of roads in Epe and ease transportation and connectivity to improved socio-economic activities in the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Corridor.

He said road will connect the Regional Road under construction as well as the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge, naming the 10 communities that will benefit from the project as Eleko, Onose, Alatishe, Aiyeteju, Ajaganabe, Oko Orisan, Ilasan, Lekki Village, and Epe.

Sanwo-Olu said since efforts by successive administrations could not solve the problem of quick road degeneration and lack of proper drainage on the highway, his administration is taking measures to solve the perennial problem.

He said when completed, the expressway would have a three-lane dual carriageway, reinforced concrete road pavement with dedicated lane in each direction for trucks and a rigid pavement to accommodate the envisaged axle loading.

He listed other features as a rail path for future introduction of rail transport on the corridor as well as weigh bridges to check axle load on the highway.

He said the project, to be done through direct labour to save cost, would be done in two phases.

According to him, , the first is expected to begin immediately to cover 18.75 kilometres from Eleko Junction to Epe-T-Junction.

He added that the second phase, expected to commence in 2021, would cover 26.7 kilometres from Abraham Adesanya Roundabout to Eleko Junction.

He said government would adopt the best construction methods, using rigid pavement to make the road strong and durable adding that the was expected to last over 40 years.

The scope of work will encompass an upgrade in both capacity and pavement structure, the provision of reinforced concrete drains, culverts and median barriers, the relocation of public utilities and provision of reinforced concrete rigid pavement with road marking.

Also, installation of weigh bridges on each side of the road, preservation of a rail line corridor within the 50-metre Right of Way, the provision of transverse and longitudinal service ducts and the provision of a crushed stone base course among others, he said.

The governor said the project would create jobs and appealled to youths and residents in the area to take ownership of the project.

Sanwo-Olu said his administration will not be deterred in its pursuit to deliver quality infrastructure to Lagos residents in spite of economic challenges sparked by COVID-19 pandemic and recent unrests in the state.

With our shared vision and resources at our disposal, it is time to redouble our efforts while looking to the future with confidence as we rebuild Lagos State together, he said.

He advised the contractor handling the project, Cranburge Construction, to speed up construction and meet 20-month delivery date.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, had said investment in critical infrastructure is important to the Sanwo-Olu government.

She added that the APC would follow a laid-down master plan for massive infrastructure regeneration and renewal in the state which it will not deviate from to make Lagos better.

The Permanent Secretary in the State ministry of Works, Mr Olujimi Hotonu, lawmakers representing the area and traditional rulers in attendance also commended the project, saying it comes with numerous advantages. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Aubameyang shines in Arsenal defeat of Manchester United

Arsenal ended their five-year wait for a Premier League away win against Manchester United with a second-half Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty giving them a 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Gunners had not enjoyed such a win in 29 games since their victory at Manchester in January 2015.

The result leaves United still without a win at Old Trafford in the Premier League this season and it was a disappointing performance from Ole Gunnar Solskjaers side.

It was disappointing after their impressive display in the 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek.

The decisive moment came when Paul Pogba stood on Hector Bellerins foot inside the area and Aubameyang kept his cool to convert the spot-kick.

United did hit the post through a deflected shot from substitute Donny van de Beek late in the game.

Solskjaers 100th game as manager ended in a defeat which leaves them in 15th place with just seven points from six games.

Arsenal move up to eighth place on 12 points. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

National Christian Centre, Abuja

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Christian leaders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed commitment to the promotion and sustenance of peace in the territory.

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said that the leaders made the pledge during a meeting with the minister.

The meeting, chaired by the minister, was attended by the Chairman of the FCT chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr Samson Jonah.

Also in attendance were the State House Chaplain, Pastor Seyi Malomo, and heads of the various Christian denominations in the FCT.

The statement quoted the Christian leaders as noting that the FCT had always been a home to all Nigerians with residents free to practice their faith without hindrance.

They declared that nothing should be allowed to overturn the situation.

It quoted them as pledging to explore the power of the pulpit to encourage their members to maintain peaceful co-existence with followers of other faiths in the FCT.

The Christian leaders also condemned the wanton destruction of property which occurred in the wake of the ENDSARS protests, urging everyone to maintain the peace since government had acceded to their demands.

They also commended the FCT Administration for the proactive steps that ensured that the violence did not degenerate into ethno-religious crises, and applauded the minister for the on-the-spot assessment visits to affected areas.

The statement quoted the minister as informing the leaders of the Presidential Panel of Inquiry on the disbanded SARS and urging them to submit complaints to it.

On the issue of community policing, the statement said the religious leaders were informed that 2,500 special constabularies had been recruited.

The meeting also called for an early resolution of the ongoing ASUU strike so that students could go back to school, and also urged government to create employment opportunities for the youths to minimise indolence. (NAN)

Source: NAN News