By Lizzy Okoji

The Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China has pledged to promote education exchange and cooperation between China and Nigeria, saying that this has always been its top priority.

Mr Zhao Yong, Deputy Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, made this known on Monday during the presentation ceremony of the China-Nigeria friendship award ceremony on Oct. 1 to outstanding secondary school students and teachers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the award to the teachers and students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is the third in the series.

The award of N10,000 in cash went to each of the 120 students across 10 schools in the FCT and N20,000 to each of 24 teachers from the 12 schools in the FCT.

The award which was earlier presented to employees of indigenous Chinese Companies in Nigeria and some students of the University of Abuja is in commemoration of Chinas National Day and Nigerias Independence.

Saying that education is top priority of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Zhao said education remains the cornerstone of a nations development.

Zhao said I hope all the beneficiaries will keep up the constant efforts and excel in your teaching or learning. I sincerely wish you all success in the future.

Speaking to NAN on the sidelines of the event, Mr Li Xuda, Director of the China Cultural Center in Abuja, said the future of a country is totally dependent on education, adding that there is the need to pay more attention to the education sector.

Also speaking, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, Chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board, appreciated the Chinese government for its unrelenting support to schools in the FCT and across the country.

Muhammad said the FCT Secondary School Education Board is happy celebrating 15 years of cooperation with the Chinese Embassy which has been of mutual benefit to the two parties.

He said that the partnership has further promoted cultural and educational exchanges between Nigeria and China, and has strengthened bilateral relations.

Mrs Fatima Baba. Director, Co-Curricular of the Board, said the Chinese Embassy has been of immense support to the growing educational sector in Nigeria and urged other Embassies to show their support.

One of the beneficiaries of the award, Ms Esther Okoye of the Government Secondary School, Asokoro, appreciated the Embassy for recognizing their efforts.

Okoye said the award will spur her to work harder and strive for more academic excellence.

Source: NAN News

World Bank

By FolasadeAkpan

The World Bank says the total external debt of Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI)-eligible countries climbed to 744 billion dollars in 2019, an increase of 9.5 per cent from the previous year.

The bank made this known in its International Debt Statistics 2021 released in Washington D.C. on Monday.

The report said that the figure was equivalent on average to one-third of the countries combined gross national income.

Lending from private creditors was the fastest-growing component of the external debt of DSSI-eligible borrowers, up five-fold since 2010.

Obligations to private creditors totaled 102 billion dollars at the end of 2019.

The debt stock of DSSI-eligible countries to official bilateral creditors composed mostly of Group of 20 (G-20) countries, reached 178 billion dollars in 2019 and accounted for 27 per cent of the long-term debt stock of low-income countries.
According to the report, this highlights an urgent need for creditors and borrowers alike to collaborate to stave off the growing risk of sovereign-debt crises triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It said that the pace of debt accumulation for these countries was nearly twice the rate of other low- and middle-income countries in 2019.

The report said that in response to an urgent need for greater debt transparency, this edition provided more detailed and disaggregated data on external debt than ever before in its nearly 70-year history.

According to it, details include breakdowns of what each borrowing country owes to official and private creditors in each creditor country and the expected month-by-month debt-service payments owed to them through 2021.

The World Bank said that before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising public debt levels were already a cause for concern, particularly in many of the worlds poorest countries as discussed in its Four Waves of Debt report published in December 2019.

Responding to a call from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the G20 endorsed the DSSI in April 2020 to help up to 73 of the poorest countries manage the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The debt stock of DSSI-eligible countries to official bilateral creditors, composed by mostly G-20 countries, reached 178 billion dollars in 2019 and accounted for 17 per cent of long-term net debt flows to low and middle-income countries.

Within the G-20 creditor group, there have been some important shifts characterised by a marked increase in lending by G-20 member countries that are themselves middle-income countries.

Citing China as an example, it said that though it was by far the largest creditor, it had seen its share of the combined debt owed to G-20 countries rise from 45 per cent in 2013 to 63 per cent at end-2019.

It said that over the same period, the share for Japan, the second largest G-20 creditor, had remained broadly the same at 15 per cent.

The bank said that the 2021 IDS data released also reflects progress made to increase coverage of complex debt instruments, given their rising prominence in the debt profiles of developing countries.

The central bank and currency swap arrangements that represent loans from other central banks also occur in low and middle-income countries.

The World Bank is working to ensure that these debt instruments are captured in the IDS dataset.

The report however said that increased debt transparency would help many low and middle-income countries assess and manage their external debt through the current crisis and work with policymakers toward sustainable debt levels and terms.

Mr David Malpass, the World Bank Group President said that achieving long-term debt sustainability would depend on a large-scale shift in the worlds approach to debt and investment transparency.

The time has come for a much more comprehensive approach to tackling the debt crisis facing the people in the poorest countries one that involves debt-service suspension as well as broader efforts such as debt-stock reduction and swifter debt-restructuring, grounded in greater debt transparency.

Carmen Reinhart, World Bank Chief Economist said debt enables governments to have extra resources they needed to invest in health systems, education, or infrastructure.

If you have a debt problem, all those ambitions suffer. That is why it is important to get the debt onto sustainable ground as quickly as possible. We cannot afford another lost decade.
The report, however said that greater debt transparency was critical to productive investment and debt sustainability.

It therefore called for full transparency of the terms of the existing and new debt and debt-like commitments of the governments of the poorest countries.

The Bank also urged creditors and debtors alike to embrace this transparency to facilitate analysis that would enable countries to identify sovereign-debt levels consistent with growth and poverty reduction.

The bank said that as one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, it was taking broad and fast action to help developing countries strengthen their pandemic response.

It is supporting public health interventions, working to ensure the flow of critical supplies and equipment and helping the private sector continue to operate and sustain jobs.

It expects to deploy up to 160 billion dollars in financial support over 15 months to help more than 100 countries protect the poor and vulnerable, support businesses and bolster economic recovery.

It said this includes 50 billion dollars of new International Development Association (IDA) resources through grants and highly concessional loans.

Source: NAN News

APC logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised politicians not to see elections into public offices as a do or die affair.

Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, APC Caretaker and Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee gave the advice on Monday in Abuja, while briefing newsmen on the partys take on the just concluded Ondo State governorship election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo State incumbent governor and APC candidate at the just concluded Oct. 10, gubernatorial poll won the election.

As it is said, one good turn deserves another.

Just like we congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Edo election, we look forward to seeing PDP and the other political parties extend similar gesture to us in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

By so doing, we will make elections in Nigeria healthier and attractive, rather than making elections a do or die affair.

With the conclusion of the Ondo state governorship election, I sincerely express my gratitude to almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election across the state, he said.

Buni noted that in spite of the fear of violence entertained in some quarters, the people of Ondo state conducted themselves peacefully to re-elect Gov. Akeredolu for another term.

He specially congratulated the people of Ondo state, saying the partys victory at the election was theirs.

Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, thanked the electorate for renewing Akeredolus mandate for another term and for putting their trust in the APC, adding that they made the right choice.

Akeredolu values this trust and will not disappoint you, Buni stressed.

He expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osibanjo for their leadership roles and support to ensure that the APC emerged victorious at the election.

According to him, the guide and support of Buhari led the party to the path of success.

He added that the support and commitment of members of the Caretaker and Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee was immeasurable.

Buni expressed appreciation to the partys Ondo state reconciliation committee and the state National Campaign Council under the leadership of Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

The wonderful work of the two committees have contributed immensely to the success of the party in this election.

The efforts of the Ondo State Executive Committee, the Local Government and ward executives of the party, had greatly enriched our fortunes to win the election with less stress, he said.

Buni, however, added that the concept of team work being promoted by the caretaker committee should remain a strong pillar in the collective quest to build a strong, united and prosperous APC.

He, therefore, enjoined all stakeholders, party members and supporters to promote team work in their future endeavors for the partys success.

Buni noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, local and international election observers were professional and ethical in the discharge of their responsibilities during the election.

He expressed confidence that through genuine cooperation, the countys electioneering process could always be improved.

He commended other political parties and their candidates at the election, saying they put up a good fight.

I encourage us all to always maintain healthy competition in our quest to serve the people, Buni said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Sani Aliyu

By Abujah Racheal

Air travellers intending to come into Nigeria will not be allowed to board aircraft without a Quick Response (QR) code certifying that they are COVID-19-free, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, has said.

Dr. Aliyu, who made the pronouncement on Monday in Abuja, told newsmen that the step had become necessary to ease congestion on arrival at airports and to avoid the spread of infections.

He explained that with more than 4,000 passengers arriving in Lagos and Abuja on daily basis, the use of paper at the airports was not sustainable.

He added that with the online procedure, it would be easier to manage passenger flow, more so that Nigeria has increased the number of passengers that could fly into the country.

We have already increased the number of passengers that could fly into Lagos to 2,500 per day while that of Abuja has been increased to 1,600 a day.

We cannot continue to handle paper work with this number of passengers coming into Nigeria, he said.

Dr, Aliyu added that the online procedure to produce the QR certificate before proceeding to the airport would also reduce passengers stress on arrival at the terminal bindings.

The portal has three sections. The first section has to do with filling a straightforward questionnaire. The second step is to upload the COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result that should be negative at the point of boarding.

At this stage you have two options, either to go ahead and pay or download your QR Code.

If you chose to download the temporary QR code, you can print it and board with it and pay on arrival in Nigeria.

Our strong recommendation is that if you do not want to spend too much time at the airport, print out the final QR Code. If you have the final QR Code it takes minutes to go through the airport protocol in Nigeria.

Since passengers filled questionnaire and PCR result can be seen online it is easy to check after seven days if a passenger tested positive and we can easily go back and check whether what we have on our system is genuine PCR result or not.

Also, we will check the questionnaire to see if an intending passenger admitted that he or she had some symptoms prior to boarding. It is either that such passenger incubated the illness or picked up the virus on the way in or its possible that a wrong test was done, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court symbol

By Imelda Osayande

The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin has received petitions from five political parties and their candidates, challenging the declaration of Gov. Godwin Obaseki as the rightful winner of the September 19 poll.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr Sunday Martins, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

Martins said that the 21-day window period for the submission of petitions ended on Saturday.

He, however, said that the bailiff had not succeeded in his efforts to personally serve Obaseki the court notice.

He said that the governor must be served personally because it is an originating process.

The political parties and their candidates included the Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Mr Ukonga Frank, Allied Peoples Movement, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Mr. Agol Ebun, and Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mr Iboi Emmanuel.

All the petitions joined Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as respondents.

The petition by ADP and its candidate had the governor, PDP, INEC and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress as defendants.

Candidates of APP and AA petitions were challenging their unlawful exclusion from the ballot papers by INEC, after having been validly-nominated by their party, in line with the Electoral Act.

They were praying the tribunal to nullify the election and order a fresh poll to be conducted within 90 days.

They demanded that validly-nominated candidates should be included in the new ballot papers.

On their part, APM and NNPP were challenging the validity of Forms EC9 and CF001, reportedly submitted by Obaseki in respect of the 2020 and 2016 governorship polls in the state.

Also, ADP and Emmanuel were asking the tribunal to look at the list of Vice Chancellors (VC) of the University of Ibadan (UI), from 1947 to date, E-newspaper publication that announced the death of Prof. Tekena Tamuno, among other documents.

Emmanuel alleged in his petition that Tamuno, who was the VC of UI, from December 1975 to November 1979, could not have signed the certificate Obaseki allegedly presented to the APC for screening.

He also alleged that the purported university degree, which Obaseki claimed was issued by UI, had no date on it.

The ADP candidate therefore argued that Obaseki was not qualified to run for the poll, adding that votes credited to him were null and void and of no effect and value. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

By Akeem Abas

The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State Chapter, has congratulated Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on his re-election.

This is contained in a statement signed byits Chairman, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akeredolu, of theAll Progressives Congress (APC), was re-elected in Saturdays election for another term of four years.

He polled292,830 todefeat his closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled195,791 votes.

Abass-Aleshinloye said that Akeredolus victory was well deserved, adding that it was a victory for the progressives.

He congratulated Mr Ade Adetimehin, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of the Campaign Committee, and all party faithful for putting their best to ensure a successful outing.

The ALGON boss said that the people of Ondo state had, through their votes, demonstrated their preference for continuity in transformative leadership and progressive governance, which Akeredolu represented.

It is my prayer that God will grant you wisdom, knowledge and the needed resources to attend to your campaign promises to the people, he said.

Abass-Aleshinloye also commended the partys hierarchy and stakeholders in Ondo state for closing up the ranks among them, irrespective of the rancour.

This singular act goes a long way in ensuring the historical victory for the party at the polls. This feat could only be achieved through the power of unity, he said.

He, therefore, called on party members in Oyo state to imbibe unity, perseverance and remain dedicated to the partys principles as well asideals for development.

The party, he said, could not afford to lag behind in future elections.

Abass-Aleshinloye said that such spirit of unity, dedication, perseverance and togetherness in the face of uncertainty gave the party the desired victory in the Ondo state governorship election. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Security agents

By Diana Omueza

Cleen Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has lauded the friendliness and approachability of the security agents deployed for election duty at the just conducted Ondo State governorship polls.

Mr Benson Olugbuo, the Executive Director of the foundation lauded the various security outfits in its preliminary report issued in Abuja on the conduct of security before, during and after the electoral process.

Olugbuo said that the foundation collaborated with the Police Service Commission (PSC) to observe the conducts of security under the Election Security Support Centre (ESSC) of the foundation.

He said that its observers reports showed that 57.1 per cent of the security personnel at the polling units were approachable and 66.7 per cent were impartial.

According to him, 93 per cent of the polling units across the state were safe and secured because of the friendliness, approachability and identifiable appearance of the security personnel.

According to the statistics generated through our observer reports, 93 per cent of security personnel arrived at the polling units across the state before 8:00a.m.

Eighty three per cent of the polling units across the state were protected by unarmed security personnel and on the aggregate, 95.2 per cent of the polling units had three or more security personnel.

We observed that 95.2 per cent of the security personnel were wearing easily identifiable name tags and were accessible to the electorate, he said.

Olugbuo, however, said that on the welfare of security the personnel abandoned the polling units at some point in search of food, leaving voters at the mercy of party agents.

This, he said, portrayed a wrong impression and brought to fore the issue of welfare of the officers which had been recurring and was discussed with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) during a dialogue meeting with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

Olugbuo commended the security agents who rose to the call of duty to prevent vote trading and called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of party agents engaged in vote trading.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the general conduct of the election but, however, raised concern about the poor functionality of most of the smart card readers.

We observed smart card reader malfunctioning. Voting was delayed in some units due to malfunctioning of the smart card readers.

Some were unable to authenticate voters and INEC officials refused to use manual accreditation insisting on following the laid down procedure which delayed the electoral process, he said.

He called on INEC to ensure improvement in the deployment of materials especially in the riverine communities and on the use of functional smart card readers.

Olugbuo said that the foundation would continue to observe the election and issue its post-election statements to detail more on the overall conduct of the security personnel deployed on election duty.

He urged INEC and the security agents at the collation centres to maintain the highest level of professionalism in their conduct by guarding against any form of compromise that could scuttle the entire democratic process.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Enugu state police command has arrested a yet to be identified man for allegedly killing his parents in Enugu State during an argument.

According to report, the tragic incident happened on Sunday, October 11, at Mkporogwu Iheakpu-Awka community in Igbo-eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state.

By Muhammad Nur Tijani

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has approved the redeployment of eight Permanent Secretaries and the appointment of four new ones in the state civil service.

Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, gave this indication in a statement issued on Sunday in Kano.

According to him, the redeployed permanent secretaries are as follows

Balarabe Karaye, moved from the Ministry of Budget and Planning to Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Adamu Faragai, from Agriculture and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Environment.

Binta Bala was redeployed from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Auwalu Sanda, from the Ministry of Women Affairs to the Deputy Governors Office.

Amina Musa, from the Ministry of Science and Technology to the Ministry of Health.

Amina Aminu, from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Ministry of Women Affairs.

Hussaini Ganduje, from Ministry for Special Duties to the Ministry of Water Resources.

Abba Kailani was redeployed from the Establishment Directorate, Office of the Head of Service, to the Ministry of Rural and Community Development.

The newly appointed permanent secretaries are

Fatima Sarki, posted to Manpower Development, Office of Head of Service.

Umar Albasu, newly appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Transport.

Kabiru Magami, newly appointed and posted to Ministry for Special Duties.

Abba Mustapha newly appointed and posted to the Ministry of Budget and Planning.

According to an official statement, Gov. Ganduje charged all the Permanent Secretaries to work harder and continue repositioning the civil service for better service delivery, emphasising that As the engine room of the state civil service, you are always expected to be up and doing.

The governor urged them to employ modern technology in discharging their responsibilities, charging them You must make sure that you comply with the global best practices. Use of IT is equally significant and necessary. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Atiku Abubakar

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday said that the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has offered Nigeria the opportunity to envision a police and policing system that will fulfill the interest of Nigerians.

In a statement issued by his Media Office and signed by Mr Paul lbe, in Abuja on Sunday, Abubakar said that the envisaged comprehensive overhaul of the police should take into consideration the needs of regional, state and council components.

He, however, observed that redeploying the bad eggs from the disbanded SARS to other units of the Police may not augur well as they are capable of polluting those units.

Abubakar said that the affected officers need to be properly screened and retrained to ensure that they do not come into their new assignments with the same mindset for which the disbanded unit was notorious for.

He proposed an independent judicial inquiry into the activities of SARS that would ensure justice for victims of extrajudicial killings and punishment for officers involved in such dastardly acts.

The former vice president also suggested the opening of the dreaded SARS cells for scrutiny and stock taking of detainees.

Abubakar paid tribute to the Nigerian youths for their resilience in exerting pressure on the police authorities to disband the FSARS in response to public agitations to end abuses by the anti-robbery squad.

This was the right thing to do. A system that brutally eliminates our youths is not one to hold on to, and neither can we be proud of it.

Now we can start on a clean sheet to envision an elite police unit similar to the SWAT team in America and a comprehensive overhaul of the police and policing system that is peoples-focused, he said.

Abubakar added that the will of the people is the bulwark of the democratic system and those in authority cannot ignore the will of the people without undermining democracy itself.

Abubakar congratulated Nigerian youths on achieving their resolve, reminding them that if they stand united they could achieve much more.

He enjoined the youths to be steadfast in ensuring good governance in an egalitarian society.

He commended the courage and patriotism of Nigerian youths that took to the streets and the social media to call for an end to the brutal abuses by SARS operatives.

Citizens who engaged in peaceful protests without molesting innocent people are heroes of our democracy.

I must commend the courage and tenacity of these youths for holding rogue elements in the police force accountable.

Apathy in the face of abuses promotes impunity, and therefore these young men and women deserve our respect for championing the disbandment of SARS, Abubakar said.

He paid tribute to Jimoh Isiaq who was killed in Ogbomoso in the course of the #EndSARS protests and all allegedly extra judicially killed over the years, saying I hope that their sacrifices would not be in vain. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Scene of the accident in Benue

By Emmanuel Antswen

Gov. Samuel Ortom on Sunday condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in a motor accident on Saturday at Gbatse Village, Ushongo Local Government Area.

This was contained in a press statement, signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Terver Akase, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi.

The governor also sympathized with the Management, Staff and students of the University of Mkar, Mkar, who lost two of their lecturers, Joseph Leva and Moses Tarnongo, in the accident.

NAN reports that Tarnongo died alongside his wife and three children, and that a total of seven persons died in the accident.

Ortom described the incident as devastating and urged the relevant agencies to investigate the unfortunate development.

He prayed God for the repose of the souls of the departed and consoled the bereaved families to look onto God for strength to bear the pains. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Electricity transmission power line

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has extended the suspension of the new electricity tariff by one week.

Prof. James Momoh, Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said this when the ad hoc Technical Committee on Electricity Tariff submitted its interim report at a reconvene bilateral meeting between Federal Government and Organised Labour on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new tariff was earlier suspended for two weeks and ended at midnight on Oct. 11, when the organised labour suspended the planned industrial action over agitation on the hike in electricity tariff on Sept. 28.,

It would also be recalled that the the committee which was Chaired by Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour is to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost reflective tariff.

It was also agreed that while the committee carries the justification that electricity tariff should be reduced for two weeks.

Momoh while speaking, said the one week extension new tariff said was to enable the committee to review and work out modalities for the implementation of the agreement reached on the electricity tariffs structure.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, while reading a resolution reached between the Federal Government, Organised Labour and the Ad Hoc Technical Committee on Electricity Tariff said that adoption of the work plan for effecting the resolutions has been reached.

Ngige said the resolutions adopted would be implemented by all stakeholders within the week by Sunday, Oct. 18.

According to him, the following amendments to the resolutions were adopted include, phase one immediate reliefs.

Using of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) VAT proceeds to provide relief in electricity tariff. This is to leverage on the VAT from the NESI, the increases experienced by customers due to the transition to the Service Based Tariff will be reduced.

That is Band A 10 per cert reduction, Band B 10.5 per cert reduction and Band C 31 reduction, he said.

He said on the acceleration of National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP).

It was adopted that for the distribution of the first one million meters, the Ministry of Power was to liaise with Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).

He added that they are to start work by Oct. 12, to accelerate the roll out of meters with a target of December 2020.

The minister, therefore said that the meeting agreed that it would work towards bridging the metering gap.

The Federal Government committed to provide six million meters and NERC is expected to compel the DISCOs to meet the metering needs of the customers, he said.

Ngige also said on the resolution adopted for the Local procurement for Meters for National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) that organised Labour would to work with government to improve and ramp up local production capacity.

He also said that the resolution adpoted on salary protection for electricity workers was that NERC should ensure that the personnel costs of electricity workers should be placed on first-line charge on the Primary Collection Account.

He added that the process would commence from Monday, Oct.12.

On the issue of mandatory refund for any over billing during system transition by the DISCOs that NERC should implement immediately within October.

While on the freezing of customer band migration during the interim period that the revised NERC order will include specific guidelines on freezing band migration, he said.

Ngige also noted that the resolutions adopted for Phase two for the extensive review of key sector reforms include that the ad hoc committee would work from Oct. 12 to Dec. 12, to ensure that all outstanding issues are resolved and implemented.

He also said the resolution adopted on gas pricing was that the Group Managing Director was co-opted into the Technical Committee to assist with the purpose.

He added that on resource capacity, the Managing Director, NEMSA is also co-opted into the Technical Committee to work with NERC on the metering assignments. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rugby players

The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic could see Englands rugby clubs start going bankrupt before Christmas without a government bailout, Premiership Chief Executive Darren Childs said.

Britain last month postponed plans to allow limited crowds back into stadiums, a decision that hit Premiership clubs hard.

This is because they were already budgeting for some fans to return for the start of the new season in November.

A coalition of over 100 sports bodies have asked the government for emergency funding, and Childs painted a bleak picture of how soon Premiership clubs could go bust.

I think for some of the clubs it is before Christmas, he said. There cannot be a situation where there isnt an aid package for six months.

The current projection is that it will be 12 months, from lockdown in March to next spring, before clubs can generate any match-day income.

The first thing that needs to happen is, the government needs to step in and clarify what this bailout is going to look like for us all.

Childs added that the league was still working to bring supporters back to stadiums.

I am always concerned about losing a club. We have lost clubs in good times and there has not been a worse time than this for rugby, he said.

You have to defer to the experts and the governments position is that it is not safe to proceed with fans in stadiums.

I am absolutely convinced that if community prevalence drops over the next couple of months theres a chance (the return of fans) might get accelerated. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Los Angeles Lakers celebrating their 17th title

The Los Angeles Lakers captured a record-tying 17th NBA Championship on Sunday with a 106-93 victory over the Miami Heat that sealed the best-of-seven title series 4-2, restoring the storied franchise to the top of the basketball world.

The Lakers victory tied them with the Boston Celtics for most NBA championships and capped an unprecedented season that resumed in July at a spectator-free campus at Disney World in Florida after a four-month COVID-19 shutdown.

Finals MVP LeBron James led the way for the Lakers, scoring 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists while spearheading a defensive masterclass that doused the Heats offense.

The Lakers, who won their first title since 2010, also got a key contribution from Rajon Rondo as the veteran point guard delivered an early offensive burst that helped them to a 28-point halftime lead and the Heat never threatened again.

It means a lot to represent this franchise, said James, who joined the team in the summer of 2018 after they had missed the playoffs five seasons in a row.

I told (Lakers president) Jeanie (Buss) when I came here that I was going to put this franchise back in the position where it belongs.

We just want our respect. Rob (Pelinka) wants his respect, coach (Frank) Vogel wants his respect, our organisation wants its respect, Lakers nation wants its respect, he said.

And I want my damn respect too.

The championship win ends a more than 90-day stay for the Lakers inside the NBAs bio-secure bubble.

It also marked the end of an emotional season for the franchise after Lakers great Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash alongside his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others near Los Angeles in January.

Racial justice issues were front and centre since the NBA restarted, with players wearing slogans like Vote and Education Reform.

The death of George Floyd, a Black man, in police custody in Minneapolis in May, sparked nationwide protests and renewed calls for reform among players and the public.

We all want to see better days and when we leave here, we have to continue to push that, James said.

Continue to push against social injustice, continue to push against voter suppression, continue to push against police brutality, continue to push against everything that is the opposite of love.

If we continue to do that all of us America will be a much better place.

We all love this country. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari meets with ex-Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed door with the former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Okonjo-Iweala contesting for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

She has already emerged as one of the final two candidates for the position.

NAN reports that the agenda between the president and Okonjo-Iweala was unknown to newsmen as at the time of filing this report.

NAN, however, learnt that the former ministers visit to the Villa might not be unconnected with her efforts to clinch the WTOs position.

A presidency source told NAN that Okonjo-Iweala was in the villa to seek presidential blessing and support from the president over her ambition of winning the WTO election.

Those sighted at the venue of the meeting included the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofrey Onyeama and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada.

NAN reports that PresidentBuharinominatedOkonjo Iwealafor the position on June 5.

Also the ECOWAS endorsed her candidature for the position of director-general for the period 2021 to 2025.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

United Nations

By Ahmed Abba

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has donated Personal Protection Equipment (PPEs) and medical consumables to Yobe Government for the prevention and spread of COVID-19.

Dr Homsuk Swemen, the Programme Officer, at the presentation on Monday in Damaturu, said UNFPA has been partnering and supporting Yobe Government in various health related areas, such as sexual reproductive health and gender base violence.

Swemen, who was represented by the state programme manager, also noted that the items were given to Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs and Primary Healthcare Management Board as sub-implementing partners.

The items according to him include, MPDSR manuals, HMIS tools, hand sanitisers, IR thermometers, hand gloves, Mgso4, oxytocin, foot operated hand wash, disposable plastic aprons, sulphadoxine/pyrimethamine for ANC among other things.

In his remarks, Dr Muhammed Gana, the State Commissioner for Health described UNFPA as partners in progress.

We have been working together for quite long time.

We thank UNFPA very much because the items donated to the state government today are meant to save human lives.

I want to assure them that all the materials will be put into judicious use, Gana added.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari congratulates Akeredolu on re-election

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with Rotimi Akeredolu on his re-election as Governor of Ondo State for another four-year term.

In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday, Buhari lauded the resounding victory of the governor at the election held on Saturday.

He believed that the votes garnered show that one good turn surely deserves another.

The president thanked the people of Ondo State for keeping faith with their governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He noted that the people know the person and party that truly serves them, and have spoken in clear voice and unmistakable terms.

Buhari appreciated the electorate in the state for comporting themselves decently and in order, and for exhibiting conduct that indicates that the country is making progress in its electoral behavior.

He also gave kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for organizing credible, free and fair election, and to security agencies which ensured that orderliness was enthroned and maintained.

The president urged Akeredolu to be humble and magnanimous in victory, and serve the people of Ondo State even better than how he did in the first term.

When you serve with heart and might, the people respond in like manner, and we can easily get to where we are headed as a country, he added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday declared Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday in Ondo State.

Prof. Abel Olayinka, the Returning Officer of INEC, who is also the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, said that Akeredolu got 292,830 votes to defeat Eyitayo Jegede of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 195,791 votes, while Ajayi Agboola of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) got 69,127 votes.

Source: NAN News

Akeredolu is for Ondo State not just for a political party APC UK

By Emmanuel Mogbede

The All Progressives Congress (APC) United Kingdom Chapter, says the re-elected Governor of Ondo State Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is for the people of the state and its development and not just for the political party.

The chapter said this in a statement issued by Mr Jacob Ogunseye, its Publicity Secretary, on Sunday in Abuja while congratulating Akeredolu, who was the APC candidate at the Ondo governorship election, for emerging victorious.

The APC UK charged those who contested the election with Akeredolu to join hands with him for the progress and development of Ondo State.

It urged other contestants at the election to be gracious in defeat, stressing that in every contest a winner must emerge and should be supported by others in the spirit of good sportsmanship.

Other leaders who contested the election with Akeredolu should put the past behind and work with him for the progress of the state as he continued with the progressive agenda of taking the state to the next level of prosperity.

We want to appeal to the opposition contestants that the re-elected Gov. Akeredolu is for the state and not just for a political party, the APC UK said.

It, however, charged the re-elected Akeredolu to be magnanimous in victory and work harder in his second term as governor in consolidating the good works he had started in the state.

It congratulated the people of Ondo state for their wise decision in renewing the mandate of the governor to continue providing and solidifying on his previous giant strides.

According to the APC UK, Akeredolus developmental strides have taken the state to an enviable position in the country.

The statement commended Mr Ade Omole, the leader of APC UK and Mr Joseph Adebola, chairman of APC UK for Aketi campaign council for their contributions to the partys electioneering campaigns and the eventual electoral victory of the incumbent governor.

It attributed APCs success at the election to the robust approach provided by the governor to solve the perennial problems created by past administrations of the state.

The statement quoted Omole as saying that he was very sure of Akeredolus victory in the election.

I knew Ondo indigenes would renew the mandate of Arakunrin. No one would vote out a performing governor like Akeredolu for an untested hand.

It is obvious that Akeredolu has done more than his predecessors looking at the period he has governed the state.

His achievements in the areas of industrialisation and infrastructural development have formed a solid base from which others should emulate.

His efforts to date, especially ongoing scheme to secure the state at this present time, is undeniable and we hope to see more of these in years to come, Omole said.

He added that the people of Ondo state should be accorded accolades for Akeredolus giant strides and for deciding to stay with the APC, saying that they would not be disappointed.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Akeredolu as winner of the Ondo State governorship election haven scored the highest votes among the 17 candidates that contested the election.

INECs returning officer, Prof. Abel Olayinka of the University of Ibadan, while declaring the results said Akeredolu won the election with 292,830 votes.

He said Akeredolu won the election in more than two-third of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state required by law.

According to him, Akeredolu defeated his two main contenders at the election; including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Eyitayo Jegede who polled 195,791 votes at the election.

The Ondo deputy governor Agboola Ajaji, who contested the election with him on the ticket of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 69,127 at the election, the INEC returning officer had said.

Source: NAN News

Liverpool, Man United back proposal to scrap League Cup, reduce EPL teams, others

Liverpool and Manchester United are backing a plan to radically change the Premier Leagues structure, according to a report on Sunday in Manchester.

The changes will see more power being given to the big clubs, reducing the 20-club league to 18 clubs and scrapping the League Cup.

The plan will see the Premier League commit to providing 25 percent of the leagues revenue to Football League (EFL) clubs

It will also see a 250 million pounds (326.15 million dollars) package to help with the immediate impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

The report said the plans had been put together in a document called Revitalisation.

It was produced by Liverpools American owners Fenway Sports Group, with support from Manchester Uniteds Florida-based owners, the Glazer family.

A source with knowledge of the discussions and the document confirmed to Reuters that the report was accurate.

The Premier League, Manchester United and Liverpool did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The plan does not, however, call for the top six to be given a greater share of television revenue.

The plan has the public backing of EFL chairman Rick Parry, the former Liverpool chief executive, who has expressed concern about the state of EFL clubs finances.

The proposal is sure to prompt a lively debate within the Premier League.

The change to the one club, one vote system has been in place since the league was formed as a breakaway from the Football League in 1992.

The plan calls for the nine clubs with the longest continued presence in the league, which includes the big six, to be given long-term share-holder status.

They are to also have the ability to make changes with the support of just six of the nine.

The bottom two clubs would be automatically relegated from the Premier League and replaced with the top two from the Championship.

The 16th-placed Premier League club will have to play in a play-off with the Championships third-, fourth- and fifth-placed clubs.

The plan will need the support of 14 of the Premier Leagues 20 clubs to be approved.

Source: NAN News

Foundation calls for collective action on girl-child challenges

By Talatu Maiwada

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Sunday in Abuja urged all stakeholders and governments at all levels to unlock the girl-child potential through better initiatives.

Dr Echey Ijezie, AHFs Nigeria Country Director, in a statement, said there was now the need to invest in initiatives capable of empowering and developing leadership potentials in the girl-child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement was in relation to the commemoration of the 2020 International Day of the Girl-Child across the world on Sunday.

The International Day of the Girl-Child is commemorated annually on Oct.11 to celebrate the importance, power, and potentials of girls around the world.

The days theme, Empowered Girls Brighter Future, is aimed at celebrating girls worldwide, by keeping them healthy, confident and providing opportunities for them to succeed.

For us at AHF therefore, the 2020 International Day of the Girl-Child is another auspicious moment for stakeholders to rally round for the well-being of girls.

The opportunity has come again for everyone to contribute and lift up our girls by investing in initiatives that are capable of developing their leadership potential.

These are the provision of water and hygienic toilets in schools, provisionof free sanitary pads to indigent girls and considering lowering the age of consent from 18.

This will be a strong statement of our support for their well-being, Ijezie said.

He pointed out that AHF had since 2016 made young women and girls their top priority with the global Girls Act programme.

This is out of the belief that girls everywhere should stay safe, healthy and able to achieve their goals, Ijezie added.

He recalled that on Sept. 30 members of AHF-Nigeria Girls Act had an interface with the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control (ATM).

Ijezie said the group sought help from the parliamentarians in improving the well-being of girls in the country, particularly to create unhindered access for girls to reproductive health services that are youth-friendly.

During that visit to the National Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Dahiru, Chairman House Committee on ATM, in his response, had promised that his committee would lead the effort to improve the well-being of girls in Nigeria.

That is heartwarming for us at AHF, he said in the statement.

It also quoted Terri Ford, AHF Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy, as reaffirming the need for government and stakeholders globally to provide vital keys for the success of the girl-child.

They should be able to stay in school, avoid unplanned pregnancies and persons that are HIV-positive should remain on treatment.

COVID-19 has been devastating, but the limited access to services for sexual and reproductive health and other vital areas for girls and young women are making the situation increasingly worrisome, Ford stated.

Also, Loretta Wong, AHF Deputy Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy, took a look at the United Nations Population Fund prediction.

The Fund predicted that there could be up to seven million unintended pregnancies and an increase in cases of gender-based violence as a result of the pandemic.

We however urge governments and stakeholders globally to do more to ensure girls are protected and have access to the health services they need.

Source: NAN News