President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government will assist the nation to give justice to peaceful protesters who lost their lives.

Buhari made this known in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.

He also expressed the hope that the security men who were murdered and property owners whose assets were vandalised and looted would treated justly and fairly.

The Judicial panel of inquiry set up by the Lagos State Government to look into remote and immediate causes as well as the aftermath of the ENDSARS protests, particularly the Lekki Toll Gate incident, would commence sitting in Lagos on Monday.

The president, who said he had all along avoided going into a debate about the Lekki Toll Gate incidents until all the facts were established, appealed to the people all over the country to maintain peace and brotherhood.

He said the call became necessary as the machinery of the government and the wheel of justice had turned against the perpetrators of murder, arson, stealing, rape, assault and malicious damage to public and private property.

The president maintained that peace, brotherhood and inter communal harmony are central to our ethos.

He urged Nigerians not to turn against one another in hate, and stressed the urgent need for the police and other security agencies to move everywhere to restore calm and normalcy as quickly as possible.

According to him, his administration is working hard through many pragmatic ways to reduce the hardship of the millions of the unemployed, poor citizens and those whose lives have been thrown into disarray by the harsh economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, warned that resort to widespread attacks and the organised looting and plundering of public and private property in many states were inimical to public good and stand condemned.

He said: A government that has launched a massive crackdown on corruption, brought in strong laws for a decisive battle against corruption, pursues loot recovery at home and abroad, and taken strong decisions against those who thought they were above the law, will not fold its arms when an otherwise legitimate and peaceful protest is turning into free-for-all vandalism and looting.

While the administration has, for its part, blocked so many means of looting public money in a war against corruption, it is the expectation that all civil authorities, community and religious leaders in the country must rise against the organized looting and plunder we are witnessing in parts of the country.

Families must turn back children who bring home unaccounted goods, in the same way wives must ask their husbands to return looted items brought home.

What is more is that criminal actions as we have so far witnessed can weaken and erode the confidence of our people and that of foreign businesses in investing in the economy.

Looting and vandalism will hurt trade and investment growth in our country, both large and small industries, as well as our hardworking people in the informal sectors of the economy.

These incidents do not reflect well on any society. They are wrong and condemnable and should not be supported by reasonable members of the society.

In line with this, Buhari commended the decision of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to prosecute 229 suspects arrested by the police for allegedly using the#EndSARSprotest to destroy and loot public and private property.

The president, who reiterated that his administration had taken note of the grievances of the people, again said: We have heard you loud and clear.

He said already the Federal Government had shown a clear determination to take all necessary measures to address the complaints, adding that the violence must stop.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kaduna govt. orders arrest of looters of COVID-19 palliative

By Hassana Yakubu

Kaduna State Government, says it will trace, arrest and prosecute those who looted COVID-19 items in Kaduna on Saturday.

The state Acting Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe said in a state-wide broadcast on Sunday.

She said that security agencies had already arrested some of those involved.

There can be no other word but theft for describing the looting of food items donated by CACOVID, she added.

We have met community leaders and made it clear that what happened yesterday will not be tolerated. There can be no excuses for the crimes we have witnessed.

The state is obliged to find and prosecute those involved in the criminal actions that unfolded yesterday.

For the sake of every law-abiding and hardworking citizen, we cannot indulge those who think they are exempted from the obligation to respect the law and the right of others to their lives and property.

Those who instigated these actions and who sadly persist in incitement should also expect to hear from the law, the acting governor stressed.

Balarabe warned that much of the looted property is a threat to public health, including the expired and dangerous drugs that were taken from NAFDAC and the 8000 tons of chemically treated soybeans stolen from a private feeds processing company.

She thanked security agencies for averting the spiral of violence and arresting some of the persons involved in the looting.

I call on all the people of Kaduna State to uphold law and order, and to cooperate with the security agencies as they enforce the curfew.

We call on citizens to remain vigilant as security reports indicate that persons desperate for bloodshed and anarchy continue to seek avenues to shatter the state, using rumours, fake news and incitement.

We call on traditional rulers, community and religious leaders to assist security agencies to fish out the criminals involved in the regrettable spate of looting.

We acknowledge the citizens who have been active in verifying information and combatting fake news.

The acting governor explained that the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state was to prevent criminal elements from undermining the law and placing lives and property of the people in danger.

We commend the vast majority of the people of Kaduna State for being law-abiding and for not allowing criminal actions in their communities.

We regret the inconvenience that this statewide curfew might have caused for such persons. The curfew is a difficult but necessary step for containing the violence and preventing it from infecting peaceful communities.

She assured that the curfew will be reviewed based on the security situation in the state.

On the looted CACOVID palliative, the acting governor explained that the items were not hoarded by the government or any of its officials.

Rather, the government was ready to commence distribution in all the local government areas, after taking pains to arrange a fair and efficient system.

According to her, arrangements for distributing the items at ward level had been concluded, when the looters stole the items.

The items looted do not belong to the persons that stole them. They were meant to support the most vulnerable in our midst.

Mob action cannot replace the methodical steps taken to identify these persons and arrange for them to safely receive the items, she added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Bola Tinubu

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Mr Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party leader, has proposed that revenue from the Lekki tollgate, Lagos State, be donated to confirmed victims of the shooting that occurred during the #EndSARS protest.

According to him, other identifiable victims of police brutality in the state should also benefit from the proceeds.

Tinubu in a statement on Monday. also absolved himself from allegations of ordering the deployment of soldiers against peaceful protesters at Lekki toll plaza on Oct.20, 2020.

I propose to government that the tollgate be left closed for an indefinite period.

If it is reopened, revenues should be donated to the confirmed victims of the Lekki attack as well as to other identifiable victims of police brutality in Lagos.

Let government use the money to compensate and take care of those who have lost life or limb in the struggle for all citizens to go about the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of life without fear of undue harassment at this or that checkpoint.

On the allegations that he owned the Lekki toll gate concession, Tinubu refuted the claims, saying the toll gate was a public asset of which he had no business interest in.

On his involvement in the killings, he said: I did not order this or any assault against anybody neither do I have any prior knowledge about this sad event.

The present situation clearly does nothing to profit me politically or otherwise.

It has complicated matters for me because many people now wrongfully blame me for a violent incident in which I played no part.

Still, I stand strongly behind the people of Nigeria and affirm their right to protest peacefully, he said

The APC leader condemned the use of force on peaceful protesters.

The use of strong force against any peaceful protesters is indefensible.

It is completely outside the norms of a democratic society and progressive political culture to which I have aspired and devoted public life.

It is my firm belief that no one should be harassed, injured or possibly killed for doing what they have the constitutional right to do in making their contribution to a better, more equitable society.

He said: Along with all well-meaning, patriotic Nigerians, I want to see an end to all forms of institutionalised brutality and l shall do my utmost to see that this humane objective is realised.

For, if these protests can generate meaningful reform, our youths would have achieved a compound national success.

First, they would have ended the terrible matter of institutionalized police brutality.

Second, Nigeria would have made an important accretion to our political culture whereby government listened to and acted on the recommendations of ordinary people protesting against the wrongs done them.

This would establish a healthy precedent. Yet such durable progress can be made only if government respects the protesters and protesters actively negotiate with government, he said.

The APC leader said that government should not curtail protest activity as the people have chosen it as their preferred way to interface with government on this issue. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A COVID-19 palliative warehouse being looted by hoodlums

By Gabriel Yough

The Taraba Government has imposed an indefinite curfew in Jalingo, following the invasion of government warehouses by hoodlums on Saturday.

This is contained in a statement by Alhaji Musleem Aruwa, the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Haruna Manu on New Media in Jalingo.

Manu expressed worry that some hoodlums invaded government warehouses containing palliatives and carted away items meant for distribution to members of the public.

Government has carefully reviewed developments in the last 24 hours and decided to extend the curfew to safeguard lives and properties.

All law-abiding citizens are advised to stay at home and allow security agencies who are under strict instructions to enforce the curfew and equally protect innocent citizens.

However, government is not unaware of people on essential duties, who are similarly requested to carry with them official identification cards to show security operatives on demand to avoid embarrassment, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government had imposed curfew on Jalingo on Saturday night but several places including the NYSC camp in the state were vandalised and looted. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Christmas-market

The central German city of Erfurt has cancelled its Christmas market this year due to the coronavirus situation, it announced on Sunday after a crisis meeting.

The cancellation is part of a new general decree that the city plans to publish on its website on Monday and which will apply until Nov. 30.

The infection situation in the city leaves us no other choice, Mayor Andreas Bausewein said, explaining the decision.

Restaurants and bars will be under curfew between 11 p.m and 5 a.m., and the sale of alcoholic beverages will be banned during this time.

Cultural events in closed rooms are to be limited to a maximum of 25 people, and in the open air to 100 people.

All festivals or dance events including the St Martins Day festival and the Christmas market are prohibited.

Erfurt has been designated a coronavirus risk area since Saturday.

Private and family celebrations will be limited to a maximum of 10 people and they may not come from more than two households.

Sports events may only take place without an audience, and mouth and nose coverings will be mandatory at political and religious events.

Source: NAN News

Lewis Hamilton in #EndSARS T-Shirt

Six-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton donned a T-shirt protesting against police violence in Nigeria for a pre-race television interview at the Portuguese Grand Prix on Sunday in Portimao.

Thousands of Nigerians have been demonstrating for several days against a police unit, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has now been disbanded.

Rights groups have for years accused the police unit of extortion, harassment, torture and murders.

Ive got to show this, Hamilton, Formula Ones only Black driver, told Sky Sports television as he revealed a green T-shirt with #EndSARS written on it at the end of the off-grid interview.

The Briton reverted to his usual Black Lives Matter T-shirt for the officially-sanctioned pre-race anti-racism gesture on the starting grid.

Formula Ones governing body last month set out new pre- and post-race rules for driver attire.

This was after Hamilton wore a T-shirt on the Tuscan Grand Prix grid with the words Arrest the cops who killed Breonna Taylor on the front.

Taylor, a Black medical worker, was killed by police officers who burst into her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky, in March.

Lots of rules have been written for me over the years and that hasnt stopped me, Hamilton said when the new rules were announced. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Ken Ukaoha, NANTS President

By Emmanuella Anokam

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has warned its members to avoid buying or selling any item stolen or unlawfully carted away by hoodlums, following reports of massive destruction and looting in some parts of the country.

The NANTS President, Dr Ken Ukaoha, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, directed members of the association to report any suspected seller or buyer of such items to the market leadership or the nearest security agency.

No member of NANTS must be found culpable or associating with such stolen items, as any trader or market found in possession of the items will be excommunicated or made to face the full wrath of the law.

NANTS wishes to reiterate the need for all members to be detached from all forms of the ongoing brigandage and destruction of property of both individuals and government, Ukaoha said.

He urged members be security conscious and guard or close their markets, where necessary, to avoid any possible looting and arson.

The NANTS president called on government to take measures to arrest the situation and ensure that the looting spree did not escalate to markets and shopping malls.

He also urged government to investigate the unfortunate development, with a view to identifying the culprits and making them face the law so as to serve as deterrent to others. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Oil companies operating in Nigeria are expected to incorporate a host community trust for social and economic benefit from petroleum operations in the host communities.

From excerpts in the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the aim of the trust is to foster sustainable prosperity within the host community.

It will be recalled that militants over the years had disrupted the exploration of oil in Nigeria over the inability of oil companies to develop the region.

Experts are of the opinion that a good legislation would help to ensure that both the oil companies and host communities work together to achieve required development in the oil host communities.

The new PIB said Settlors ( oil companies) shall incorporate a trust for the benefit of host communities for which the settlor is responsible.

Where there is collective of settlors operating under a joint operation agreement with respect to upstream Petroleum operations, the operator appointed under the agreement shall be responsible for compliance with the chater on behalf of the settlors.

For settlors operating in shallow water and deep offshore, the littoral communities and any other community determined by the settlor shall be host communities for the purposes of this act.

It added that the settlor would appoint and authorise a board of trustee that would be registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission as a corporate body under the Companies and Allied Commission Act.

It noted that the name of the corporate body to be registered would be Host Community Development Trust

The new bill noted that settlor would determine the members of the board of trustee and criteria for their appointment.

The membership of the board of Trustees of the host communities development trust shall be subject to the approval of the commission or the regulatory body, the Authority.

The settlor shall in determination of membership of the board of Trustees, include persons of high integrity and professional standing who may not necessarily come from any of the host communities, it said.

It added that the members of the board would serve a term of four years in first instance, and may be reappointed for another term of four years and no more.

It said that the board would also have as Secretary one that would be appointed by the settlor to keep the books of the board.

The new PIB revealed that the board of trustee would be responsible for the management of the host communities development trust, determine the criteria, process and proportion of host communities development trust fund to be allotted to specific development programmes.

It added that the board would approve projects for which the host communities development trust fund would be utilised adding that it would provide oversight of the projects for which the funds would be utilised.

It will approve the appointment of fund managers for purposes of managing the reserve fund, and set up the management committee of the host communities development trust and appoint its members, it said

It noted that allocation of funds to host communities would be based on the matrix provided by the oil companies.

The board of trustee shall in each year, and in pursuant of section 240 of this bill allocate from the host communities development trust fund , a sum equivalent to 75 per cent of the capital fund.

The board shall make disbursements for projects in each of the host community as may be determined by the management committee in furtherance of the objectives set out in section 234 of this bill.

20 per cent to the reserve fund, which sums shall be invested for the utilisation of host community development trust whenever there is a cessation in the contribution payable by the settlor, it said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Nanbol Daniel, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and member of the Plateau COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team

By Peter Amine

Mr Nanbol Daniel, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and member of the Plateau COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team, says that low or no number of confirmed cases in communities does not mean absence of COVID-19.

Daniel, who is the Chairman, Plateau State House of Assembly Committee on Health, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos.

Figures from Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday Oct. 25,indicated that 603, 611 samples had been tested with 61, 930 confirmed cases.

The NCDC figures showed that 57,285 were treated and discharged, and that there were 3, 516 active cases while 1,129 persons died of the virus.

According to the statistics, Lagos State has the highest confirmed cases of 20, 807, followed by FCT 5, 961 cases and Plateau is third with 3, 594 cases, while Kogi is the lowest in the country with only five confirmed cases.

The lawmaker, who is actively involved in the fight against the pandemic, stated that the figures were low in some states because of low level of sample collection and testing.

The reason for the increase in confirmed cases in some states, most especially in Plateau, is that the state is conducting tests.

You can only know the status of individuals only if you conduct tests.

According to him, unless you test a reasonable sample size of your population,you cannot make good policy decision.

The medical lab scientist stressed that there were still cases of community transmission and that only laboratory tests could confirm.

It is on this note thatwe always encourage citizens to voluntarily avail themselves for test.

And when testing is done and there are no confirmed cases, it still does not mean that the community is free.

They have to continually practice preventive measures in order not to be infected by the virus.

My advice is that people should be careful now that schools are reopening.

We should observe all precautionary measures to avoid upsurge because a child may pick the virus in school and then bring it back to the parents at home and who knows, it may even get to grandparent considered to be more vulnerable.

Daniel told NAN that members of the Plateau State House of Assembly were sensitising their constituents to safety protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic as schools prepare to reopen.

The House Committee Chairman on Health explained that the move was necessary to safeguard the children, teachers and the parents alike.

As you are aware, Plateau Government is planning to reopen schools after the Federal Governmenthad opened Unity schools.

We have seen what they have put in place to safeguard the students and the teachers of the schools.

My advice to the general public is that we are going to live with this virus for some time.

What is needed at this stage is risk communication and in risk communication, we should know that we are all potential victims.

The risk communication takes us to the safety protocols; wash your hands regularly, wear face mask, use hand sanitisers and maintain social/physical distancing, he said.

Daniel stated that Plateau and indeed Nigeria, could not continue with the life of lock-down.

According to him, with the economy now reopened, the general public should be aware of the risk everyone is facing.

Source: NAN News

APC logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The United Kingdom Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Nigerians to be mindful of the authenticity or otherwise of social media posts, saying that some are planted to whip up sentiments and create panic and hatred among the people.

Mr Ade Omole, the leader of the chapter, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja while speaking on the #EndSARS protest and the aftermath.

He said that the killings and destruction of both government and private property by some hoodlums who infiltrated the protest in major cities in the country could have been avoided.

Omole said that it was regrettable that the #EndSARS protest, which started peacefully, was later infiltrated by hoodlums who took advantage of it to unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians in some states of the federation.

He prayed for the departed souls, empathised with the families of the victims and also called for full investigation by the authorities into all killings and infractions against the law.

He added that Nigerians in the Diaspora support peaceful protests as enshrined in the countrys Constitution but would not sit and watch the hoodlums and social media pranksters turn the country into a state of anarchy.

He maintained that the peace, tranquility and rebuilding of the country should, however, be the main consideration of all and sundry at the moment.

The #EndSARS protesters have sent their message loud and clear and President Muhammadu Buhari and his cabinet too have said that much in their various addresses to the nation.

It is, therefore, time to sheath their swords and exit the stage while the ovation is loudest and await the implementation of the accepted demands from the Federal Government.

Few have been implemented already while some will take a while. We are ready to partner organs to implement the #EndSARS agenda to ensure that implementation is carried out in a just manner.

If the nation descends into anarchy as a result of the wanton looting, God forbid, the youth will be the hardest hit, Omole said.

He added that there was, however, an urgent need for security agencies to take control now and maintain law and order at all costs lest the country be driven to the precipice by the actions of few miscreants.

Speaking on the possible influence of social media on the #EndSARS protest, Omole said Nigerians should not take every post on the social media hook, line and sinker.

This, he said, was especially so because some posts on social media were done to whip up ethnic, religious and tribal sentiments with the objective of inciting hatred among the people.

He, therefore, advised against forwarding pictures, audios and videos with ethnic colouration especially when they were capable of inciting people to violence and were perceived to have been sponsored.

He added that until we jettison ethnic colourations occasioned by bias and sentiments in our evaluations, assessments and overviews of the #EndSARS protest that may have been influenced by some posts on the social media, the countrys development would continue to be a mirage.

He stressed that attaining an enviable height and becoming the envy of other nations was not impossible only if we collectively and with determination embrace meritocracy, resilience and justice.

He noted that Nigeria like any other country in the world, was not immune to challenges.

Omole further noted that the U.S. and other great countries of the world also passed through some challenges before they became what they were today.

According to him, most of the developed countries that are today the delight of all, experienced even worse challenges after their independence.

He added that all that was required to tackle Nigerias challenges sincerely and objectively was the collaboration of both the leaders and the led to galvanise available resources and innovations for the collective prosperity of the people.

NAN reports that the #EndSARS protesters were demanding an end to police brutality and reform of the Nigeria Police Force among other things.

Source: NAN News

ECOWAS Secretariat

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it plans to name and shame countries who have not regarded the decisions and rulings of the Community institutions.

This is coming in view of the flagrant disregard for the rulings and decisions of the Community Court of Justice by member states since the establishment of the court.

President of the Court Justice Amaoko Asante told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday that he has sought to make presentations at the Summit of Heads of State where he can name such countries that are in violation of the court.

Asante who spoke on the sidelines of a valedictory session in hounor of members of staff who were retiring from service, said that the disregard for the courts ruling had remained a cause for concern.

The issue of implementing the courts judgments is an issue which leaves a little more to be desired.

We are pushing them, writing to them, reminding them, reminding the commission.

It is the Commission Presidents duty to ensure that they are done.

Therefore, judgments are normally served on him and served on parties and the countries that are to do the enforcements; some are very adamant but we are still pushing them.

We have presented to Council that it should let the court present its report at the summit.

When the President of the Court stands there to present his report, he is going to name and shame countries who are not complying to the judgments of the court.

We feel that if they are able to accede to this request of ours and they do it, things will change.

NAN reports that the retiring staff members include: Chief Registrar Mr Tony Anene, Principal Legal Officer Mrs Franca Ofor, an Accountant Mr Apenteng Takyako, a Translator Mrs Mariama Gouro and a secretary Mrs Elisaberth Ashalley.

NAN also reports that retirement at the court is upon the attainment of 62 years of age or 35 years in service whichever comes first.

Source: NAN News

File Photo : Infrastructure

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) on Sunday urged the Federal Government to leverage investment opportunities in the capital market for medium and long-term capital to bridge infrastructure deficit.

The CIS President, Mr Olatunde Amolegbe, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Amolegbe said that the Nigerian capital market would definitely help in bridging the infrastructure deficit and funding gap of the country.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the nations fragile economy.

The sharp drop in government revenue has made it more difficult for the government to weather the crisis.

This resulted to a decline in consumption, aggregate demand, investment, net export and increasing government spending. The Federal Government had to review the budget downwards to N10.8 trillion.

We believe even with the 29 per cent allocation to capital expenditure about N3.4 trillion, is not sufficient to bridge the gap, given the neglect in the past compared with about billion annual requirement.

So, the capital market via the private sector can provide this support, Amolegbe said.

He noted that the capital market provides a better funding options in terms of cost and tenor, relative to bank loans.

On the 2020 Stockbrokers Conference, Amolegbe said that it would provide direction for both fiscal and monetary authorities to deploy expansionary policies for sustainable growth and development.

He said that the conference scheduled for Nov. 4 and 5, was designed to address some of the fundemantal economic challenges in Nigeria.

According to him, the conference will also examine investment options for diversification of portfolios across asset classes and beyond the traditional asset classes.

We plan to examine how the proposed CAMA 2020 will benefit the capital market, as well as provide context on how the Nigerian Stock Exchanges Demutualisation shall benefit the capital market stakeholders, he added.

Amolegbe said that the institute had invited seasoned speakers from within and outside the country to provide their perspectives on the focus areas.

The conferences Theme is: Navigating through the Storms-Reenergisng the Economy through the Capital Market. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Victorious Los Angeles Lakers squad

The National Basketball Association (NBA), which was the first pro league to suspend play amid the COVID-19 pandemic, made .5 billion less than it projected last season due to the pandemic and other factors, according to an Associated Press report.

The league shut down March 11, then returned to finish a shortened season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex near Orlando.

That restricted access, all-inclusive bubble, which was run at an estimated cost of million, was one of the factors that hit the NBAs bottom line.

Other factors were the initial shutdown, the loss of 171 regular-season games, the lack of attendance for games in the bubble and Chinas decision to not show games after an October tweet by former Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey in support of Hong Kong.

The leagues Board of Governors is currently meeting to discuss the start date for the 2020-21 season, potential fan attendance and possibly a shortened schedule, with a push to start the 2020-21 NBA season by Christmas apparently gaining momentum.

The Athletic reported Friday that the NBA is targeting a Dec. 22 start date and a 72-game regular season that would finish before the start of the 2021 Summer Olympics, which are set to begin on July 23 in Tokyo. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Para-soccer championship

By Georgina Adegbie

James Lalu, The Executive Secretary of National Commission for Persons with Disability, said the commission would work with the Nigeria Para-Soccer Federation (NPF) to make the sport an international game.

Lalu told newsmen on Saturday in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the eighth edition of the World Polio Para-Soccer Tournamentthat the sport needed to grow beyond Nigeria.

He added that this was what was needed to enhance the rapid development of the game.

We will by thismake sureall the 36 states have teams which will participate in the next edition of the championship.

We want to make the sport grow beyond Nigeria. It is fantastic and very beautiful to see these people playing their games with joy. Truly,there is ability in disability, Lalu said.

He said they would work with the Federation to make sure that the ninth edition of the competition would be more interesting than this years edition.

The commissions executive secretary also congratulated the founder andpresident of the federation for the success of the tournament.

I congratulate Misbahu (Didi). We are proud of you. Thenext edition will be better than this. We will ensure the ninth edition will be more glamorous.

I congratulate the winners of this years competition (Kano team) for the job well-done, Im very proud of you.

You demonstrated your skills, and we will work with the federation to look for people that will sponsor the subsequent editions of the competition, he said.

Didi, who is president of the federation, in his closing remarks thanked the ministry and the Minister of Youth and Sports Development for their support in the success of the tournament.

We started and ended well the eighth edition of the championship.We thank all the participants and their state governments for taking part in this historical event.

We thank the minister and the ministry for giving us this space to organise this event.

We equally thank our partners, the Nigeria Rotary International Committee for giving us their support and who have been our partners for good eight years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the eighth edition of the World Polio Day National Para-Soccer Championship which started on Wednesday ended on Saturday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Medics treat a patient

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Dr Okpako Okpikpi, Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, says cancer is not a death sentence if detected early and presented to hospital for treatment.

Okpikpi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that early presentation of cancer cases was key to successful treatment and management.

The coordinator spoke against the backdrop of the 2020 Edition of the Annual International Cancer Week, scheduled to hold from Oct. 26 to 30.

Cancer is an abnormal growth of body cells which kills normal cells and stops them from functioning properly which might lead to death.

Cancer is not a death sentence but prevention is better than cure, particularly with the issue of cancer where we do not know the causes of many of them.

Cancer is not a death sentence but through early detection it can be managed. When people are informed, they become knowledgeable about it and that is one of the key things that the International Cancer Week seeks to achieve.

Awareness will be created to the public; they will be informed with respect to regular visitation to the clinic.

They are taught what to do and they can do self-examination or when they see some symptoms, they can quickly seek medical care.

Early presentation will save lives or presenting to the wrong places or taking things for granted or going to wrong places that can worsen the disease, Okpikpi said.

The coordinator, however, cautioned against presenting cancer cases to the wrong places such as spiritual and traditional herbal homes.

Okpikpi said spiritual and medical homes could work together but some people would decide just to go to spiritual houses or traditional houses, thereby presenting the case late to the hospital.

When we are talking about advancement of cancer, we are talking about when it would have spread to other areas, this is when it becomes an issue to manage, he said.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Health has achieved a lot through an annual International Cancer Week by raising awareness on cancer and what could be done to prevent it.

We have achieved a lot as many of the cancer cases do not have cure, we do not also know their causes but there are predisposing factors and risk factors.

What the International Cancer Week seeks to achieve is to create awareness among the general public of possible disposing factor, Okpikpi said.

He told NAN that the event would also be a platform to bring researchers together, adding that the National Palliative Care Policy and Chemosafe Policy would be reviewed.

So, we want to provide them with care so that they have good quality life.

Since inception, there have been staggered activities here and there but there has not been any national policy that will guide the palliative care. It will be standardised across the country, he added.

Okpikpi said that the month of October was devoted to cancer, especially breast cancer, adding that the ministry would not limit the event to breast.

We will talk about other common cancers, cervical, colorectal among others; it is a forum for knowledge sharing and for awareness creation, he said.

He added that practical sessions such as screenings would have been part of the events for the cancer programme if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

We did screenings in 2019, we partnered the Women Affairs Ministry; we screened rural women for breast and cervical cancers but that will not happen this year because of the COVID-19.

Okpikpi said the event would open discussion on modern ways of managing cancer in the country and that the experts from overseas would also participate.

The theme for the week-long event is Cancer in Nigeria in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Personnel of NSCDC

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Kaduna State Command has appealed to residents of the state to obey the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state to forestall any breakdown of law of order.

The State Commandant of the Corps, Nuradeen Abdullahi, made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen by the Commands Spokesperson, ASC Orndiir Terzungwe in Kaduna on Sunday.

Abdullahi said the call had become necessary in order to prevent a recurrence of what had happened in some states, resulting in loss of lives and property.

Already I have directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, Head of Departments and Units to ensure full mobilisation of personnel and deploy them in the state to ensure full compliance with governments directive.

In response to a possible breakdown of law and order, Kaduna State Government has extended throughout the state the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed in some communities in Chikun and Kaduna South Local Government Areas, the commandant said.

According to him, the measure as explained by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, is to safeguard our communities, lives and property and contain criminal elements looting public and private assets.

The extension of the 24-hour curfew to all the 23 local government areas of the state is effective immediately.

Aruwan noted that the Kaduna State Government would keep the situation under review and regretted the inconvenience it might cause law-abiding citizens, Abdullahi said.

He appealed to all residents of the state to kindly bear with the state government as it took necessary action to maintain law and order and to protect the right of citizens to live in peace.

Abdullahi said the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, had directed all commands and formations of the corps to protect national assets, infrastructure and also protect lives and property.

He said the directive followed the wake of violence that broke out in view of #Endsars protests in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

#EndSARS protesters

A news analysis by Mufutau Ojo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

It started somewhat as a whimper of protest against the excesses of the police.

Today, the simmering #EndSARS protest has veered out of control and has assumed a life of its own, having been infiltrated by hordes of street urchins and hoodlums who set fire to critical public assets as well as private property.

Many states now are under one form of curfew or the other as rampaging youths pillage ware houses, shopping malls, markets and even private residences.

How did a largely peaceful protest by motley groups of youths turn to a national orgy of violence, destruction and deaths?

When the protests started, the amorphous # End SARS movement had outlined five demands to call off its action.

The protesters had demanded the immediate release of those arrested and justice for victims of police brutality.

The protesters also called for the setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct.

They further called for psychological evaluation and retraining of all disbanded SARS officers before redeployment and increase in salary of police officers.

To meet the demands of the protesters, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Oct. 11 dissolved the SARS outfits across the country and FCT.

President Muhammadu Buhari, while addressing the nation on Oct. 12 had said the dissolution of SARS was the first step in reform of the police.

The IGP on Oct. 13 also ordered all defunct SARS operatives to report at the Force Headquarters for debriefing as well as psychological and medical examination.

The examination is to be carried out by the new Police Counselling and Support Unit.

To further demonstrate the resolve to accede to the protesters demands, the National Economic Council on Oct. 15 directed the immediate establishment of state-based Judicial Panels of Inquiry across the country to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality.

The panels, which included representatives of youths, students and civil society organisations, would be headed by a respected retired state High Court judge.

The panels have six months to complete their assignments while governors and the FCT minister are to take charge of the interface and contact with protesters in their domains.

Even more instructive, governors are to immediately establish a Victims Support Fund to facilitate the payment of monetary compensation to deserving victims.

Responding to the urgency of the current situation, no fewer than 13 states had already constituted panels of inquiry in line with the directive of the National Economic Council while quite a number had set up the Victim Support Fund.

Paradoxically, rather than all these well intended measures, including a presidential apology from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, assuaging the protesters, the violence raged on.

This eventually peaked with the Lekki incident on Tuesday in which some soldiers were accused of shooting protesters. The social media was literally on fire as figures were being bandid, further heightening tension.

Perhaps more than any single incident in the last two weeks of protests, the Lekki violence and its reportage on social media have triggered the current wave of blood letting by hoodlums across the country, latching on the peaceful protests.

In the light of the revelations on Wednesday by Gov. Babajide San-Wolu of Lagos State on the Lekki incident viz-a-viz what was reported on social media, many Nigerians believe the regulatory authorities must take more than a cursory interest in the operations of this genre of the media.

There have been several false information that we have seen over the incident and we will appeal to people to show more restraint in posting information that cannot be verified, the governor had told a television house.

One such false information, he said, was the allegation that the state government was aware of the use of soldiers to disperse the peaceful and unarmed #EndSARS protesters.

The governor also insisted that no protester died in the incident, stressing that he and officials of the state government had gone round private and public health facilities across the state without being able to identify bodies of those allegedly killed in the incident except one that died from blunt force trauma and another corpse that was recovered by the police in the Victoria Island area with bullet wounds.

To lend credence to his claim that no death was recorded in the Lekki incident, Sanwo-Olu urged members of the public with credible information on anyone or group of persons killed in the incident to come forward with the claim.

As yet, no claim has been reported inspite of the bloodshed and destruction that had trailed the reportage of the incident.

The Lekki incident again offers a sobering reminder of the immense potential of the social media for good or for ill, especially in a polity where many are gullible.

Perhaps, much more than any time in the nations chequered history, the call for regulation of the social media has become ever more strident.

Only some weeks ago, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had advocated a national policy on use of social media to curb the excesses of users.

The minister made the call at the National Defence College, Abuja, while delivering a lecture on The Impact of Fake news and Hate Speech on National Security.

The minister underscored the need for government to also deploy technology to monitor the social media and stop purveyors of fake news and hate speech in their tracks.

He said lack of a national policy and relevant technology have made the government to be handicapped in tackling the menace of social media.

The need to act fast is made more urgent by the fact that the extremism being promoted by anti-state groups remains one of the biggest challenges to Nigerias national security.

Let me quickly state that the veritable tools of choice for extremists to propagate their dangerous and subversive ideas include unrestrained propaganda, fake news and hate speech.

These are very potent tools in the hands of extremists, whether they are secessionists, ultra-nationalists, religious extremists or even insurgents.

Of course, social media is the platform of choice for these malcontents. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Boko Haram terrorists have resorted to the use of social media to propagate the ideas in their depraved minds, the minister said.

Stiff as opposition is in some quarters to the regulation of the social media in the country as exemplified in the ill-fated journey of the social media regulation bill initiated by Sen. Muhammad Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), many Nigerians are resolute on the need for such checks, drawing inferences from the West, said to be the bastion of democracy.

Apart from the European Union that has promulgated laws on the usage of social media, China, Russia, France, Singapore, Malaysia, Sweden, Liberia, Indonesia, Turkey, UAE, Kenya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda and Italy among others have all put in place various regulations to check the excesses of social media users.

At a time when citizen journalism has become the new most sought after frontier in media practice, a perplexed Nigerian, Ibrahim Garba, aptly captures the worries of every right thinking compatriot:

Why will someone sit in the comfort of the sitting room to fabricate lies and post videos, audios or messages that is a hoax and veiled under the cover of freedom of speech through social media?

How many of us will be happy if lies are fabricated against our sisters, wives, daughters and relatives of crimes they did not commit?

Who among us will love to see our communities engulfed in crisis, courtesy of fake news?

Who among us will love their businesses being ridiculed or crippled courtesy of fake news through hoax video or audio messages on social media?

Answering conscientiously these questions posed by Citizen Garba may be the very first step in the quest for national redemption. (NANFEATURE)

Source: NAN News

fakenews

By Kayode Olaitan

Unarguably, fake news has resulted in stampeding the uninformed public to unpatriotic and destructive actions, especially as it happens in the protest against the alleged police brutality known as #EndSARS.

On Oct. 3, #EndSARS protest began with a viral message broadcast on social media.

The message suggested that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) gunned down a Nigerian youth, snatched his car and ran away with it.

The video spread on social media and the #ENDSARS started to gain prominence as more young people demanded an end to police brutality.

Dimensions to the report began to indicate that SARS officials stopped the young man, pushed him out of his vehicle, shot him and even went away with the vehicle.

With this, young Nigerians started recalling previous experiences and started agitation on various social media platforms.

Before long, persistent posting of unverified information and fake news resulted in one of the largest youth organised protests in the history of Nigeria that has marked the country negatively.

Observers of the unfolding events from this posting note that it is unfortunate that most people rely more on social media to get information notwithstanding whether or not such information is accurate or fabricated, and in spite of individuals level of education and exposure

In his view, Mr Bolaji Ayoade, a blogger notes that not all news on social media are accurate and objective.

He expressed concern about the ripple effects of the #EndSARS protest on economy, security of lives and property, infrastructure and the nations image and democracy.

There exists fake news everywhere; and the trouble is that the protest has been fuelled substantially by fake news believed by the public.

Fake news or misinformation isnt helping anybody. It is a deliberate evil engagement to cause mayhem: an unpatriotic attempt to cause deaths, undermine the government and deceive the public.

Although the #EndSARS protest was planned to be peaceful, along the line, fake news came, feeding the public with false information about peoples perceived dispositions, especially prominent Nigerians.

What happens next is direct attack on such accused, their property and family. People and indeed, the public ought to know how not to engage in such protest, he says.

After a virtual meeting with Buhari, the former leaders of the country observed that the #EndSARS protest was hijacked and misdirected by various interest groups to change the purpose of peaceful protest.

To engage the youth, the leaders advised the government to create jobs and provide incentives for the public.

Concerned citizens, however, observe that in situations such as #EndSARS protest, fake news and misinformation play fundamental roles in giving unexpected dimensions to events.

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed believes that disinformation and fake news are capable of destabilising the system, inciting people to violence and weakening the peoples confidence in their government.

With the presence of social media, especially the Facebook news feed and other online media, fake news prevalence has increased.

For instance, in one of the online news platforms, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, recently had to deny a publication alleging that he prevented President Muhammadu Buhari from scrapping the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( FSARS).

Such a fake story was deliberately published or sent around to make people believe things or development that are not true, and in most cases, such news are on the negative side.

Concerned Nigerians observe further that fake news is dangerously taking new dimensions with the ease of falsifying online news content, presenting non-existent platforms, photoshopping images and imaginary video footages to achieve dubious aims of causing violence.

They note that the #EndSARS protest has had telling effects on the image of the country, the well-being of Nigerians, security, private and public property.

According to them, the protest has been hijacked and has become a threat to national unity.

Also, Mohammed explains that Nigeria is a country of ethnic and religious diversity that should be a source of strength, if the fault lines are not deliberately being exposed and exploited by those who are bent on setting the people against themselves, using their new-found tools of hate speech, disinformation and fake news.

This dangerous trend is threatening the very foundation of our national unity.

It is daily pushing the nation close to the precipice, perhaps more than at any other time since the end of the civil war.

What is the way out? We all must say NO to hate speech, either on our radio and television stations, newspapers, the social media, on our phones or in the public space.

We must be resolute in tackling the cankerworm of hate speech, disinformation and fake news, the minister warns.

He notes further that although the constitution allows freedom of speech and the present administration believes in it, freedom of speech must not be allowed to become freedom of irresponsibility.

Sharing similar sentiments with the minister, Alhaji Ayodele Jimoh, a critic of fake news, called for understanding among Nigerians of the ongoing #EndSARS protest.

He cautioned against violence among the youth, noting that such act act would drag the national development.

He also cited the Rwandan genocide that had a great setback for Rwanda nationals just because of hate speech and fake news.

According to him, Nigerians ought to know that when a demonstration is seen to compromise the peace and integrity of the country, there are suspicious activities of unpatriotic elements promoted by disinformation to destabilise the country.

He said news could be verified by searching for the author, the primary source and the objectivity of the information.

If the authors look suspicious, fact check the information and wait for some time to read same elsewhere before you share or comment.

Avoid sharing unverified information, try to go beyond the headlines, ask yourself questions and consider the implications.

By doing this, we can reduce the prevalence of fake news and prevent violence, he said.

Further to this, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed said in a forum that: Information managers must embark on a relentless campaign against these evil tendencies at our various levels, whether federal or state.

We must boycott any medium that engages in hate speech, incitement to violence, disinformation and fake news.

The regulators must also be alive to their responsibilities by promptly sanctioning the purveyors of hate speech, disinformation and fake news.

Sharing his experience, the minister said: On Wednesday, April 26, 2017, after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, I briefed State House Correspondents on what transpired at the meeting.

I said, among others, that President Muhammadu Buhari did not preside over the days meeting because he decided to work from home that day.

In reporting my briefing, one of the correspondents quoted me as saying the president would work from home henceforth, rather than on that day only.

The reporting generated a lot of uproar, until I issued a rebuttal. This is a clear case of disinformation which is defined as false information deliberately spread to deceive the people.

In view of this, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that fake news, which had spread across social media, further caused chaos in the state.

He said several state and private-owned facilities were set on fire across Lagos state on Oct. 10, following the Lekki shooting.

Many police stations were also burnt by hoodlums and several attacks recorded in different parts of the state causing the death of many.

Lagos will be stronger. We will rebuild bridges and we will deliver on the good work we started on ending police brutality and providing justice.

We are working to stabilise things across the state as we look to rebuild. The state team is working with the hospitals and emergency services to verify the details of everyone involved in incidents across the state.

I understand that tempers are high but we are beginning to get a clearer picture of the things that led us to this point.

I want to ask us to be circumspect to avoid further losses and triggering other sentiments. Do not encourage thugs through parody and inciteful words.

We want to find justice and provide compensation for victims to the best of our abilities.

The governor called for calm across the state just as other leaders in the affected states across the country have taken proactive measures to guarantee peace. (NANFEATURES)

Source: NAN News

Dr Okpako Okpikpi, Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Dr Okpako Okpikpi, Coordinator, National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) at the Federal Ministry of Health,has urged Nigerians to undergo regular cancer screening to ensure early detection and treatment.

Okpikpi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday that it was equally important to undergo regular screening for cancer to reduce the number of deaths arising from the disease.

He was speaking in commemoration of the 2020 edition of the International Cancer Week.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that according to the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan (2018-2022), cancer is responsible for 72,000 deaths in the country annually, with an estimated 102,000 new cases every year.

The NCCP coordinator urged women in particular to regularly examine their breasts, and undertake cervical cancer screening every three years.

We mean that women should examine their breasts often;cervical cancer screening should be done every three years, and men above 40 years should undergo regular Prostate Specific Antigen Test.

After undergoing the tests, you will be properly advised on what to do; whether by way of treatment or further tests, he said.

Okpikpi said that breast cancer was the commonest type of cancer in Nigeria, saying, this is followed by cervical cancer, while prostate cancer is the commonest among men.

It is very important to seek medical attention early, if a woman notices any lump in her breasts, she has to quickly see a doctor, he said.

The coordinator said that although some hospitals in the country offered chemotherapy, they faced limitations in radiotherapy.

It is capital-intensive and difficult to have radiotherapy in all hospitals, so government upgraded some teaching hospitals. They are called Oncology Centres of Excellence, he said.

The centres are located at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin; Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos and University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Others are at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria and the National Hospital, Abuja. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

John Enenche, Director Defence Information

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole has killed several terrorists in massive air offensives on their hideouts in Northern Borno on Oct. 21 and Oct. 22.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Sunday, said the attacks took place at Ngwuri Gana along the Gulumba Gana-Kumshe axis and Jumacheri near Damasak area of Borno.

Enenche said the air operations were conducted under a subsidiary operation code named Operation Wutar Tabki in continuation of the sustained offensive against terrorist elements in the North East.

He said the successes were achieved through separate air interdiction missions carried out by the troops.

He added that human intelligence and series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions had earlier revealed that several terrorists had assembled at the two locations in preparation to launch attacks against nearby troops positions.

According to him, the hits by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and helicopter gunships on the two target areas resulted in the destruction of some structures as well as the neutralisation of dozens of terrorists. (NAN)

Source: NAN News