U.S. President, Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trumps nominee was, on Saturday, elected president of the Inter-American Development Bank, the regions main economic development lender, making him the first U.S. citizen to lead the institution in its 61-year history.

Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trumps senior Latin America adviser, told the banks governors before voting began that he would be a passionate advocate for the bank, its staff and the region.

He will take office on Oct. 1 and has pledged to serve only one five-year term.

Trumps decision to nominate a U.S. candidate to head the bank broke with a tradition for the president to come from the region and sparked criticism from some Latin American countries, development groups and the European Union.

But Claver-Carone won the backing of a majority of countries in the region.

Thirty of the Banks 48 governors voted for Claver-Carone, including 23 from the region, amounting to 66.8 per cent of the vote, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council said.

A source familiar with the vote said 16 countries abstained.

Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica concerned about the longer-term precedent of the move initially sought to delay the vote but failed to win sufficient backing to do so.

The IDB vote turned into a geopolitical battle between the Trump administration, which is keen to gain leverage in resource-rich Latin America and counter the rise of China, and some in the region who wanted to retain control of the top job.

Some countries also were concerned about Claver-Carone, a Trump loyalist, if Trump loses the Nov. 3 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden, whose campaign also criticised the nomination of the Cuba hawk.

Claver-Carone said he would work with member countries to strengthen the bank, respond to the needs of the region and create opportunities for shared prosperity and economic growth.

The IDB has been led by Latin Americans, with an American in the No. 2 job, since the institutions inception in 1959.

Critics say electing Claver-Carone to head the bank and his pledge to appoint a Latin American as executive vice president sets a precedent that could harm Washington in the end by loosening its hold on the banks No. 2 post.

Senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the vote raised questions about Latin Americans charting their own future and signalled it could have consequences for U.S. funding of the institution.

I have always believed that to be successful, countries need to take responsibility for their own development, and the U.S. should play a supportive role.

Those roles have now been reversed and we need to review whether this is the best use of resources to assist the people of those countries, Leahy said in a statement to Reuters.

Source: NAN News

The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu.

By Muhammad Lawal

A three-day joint Quranic recitation and prayers embarked upon by some Women Islamic Groups in Kebbi State to seek divine intervention against flooding and insecurity in the country has been completed.

Mallam Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on Media made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

According to him, the Quranic recitation and prayers are completed on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020.

Sarki said that the exercise, which was jointly carried out by Muslim Women Organisations was meant to appease God almighty to salvage Kebbi State and Nigeria from natural disasters such as flooding and insecurity.

He said spiritual acts were conducted by Islamic groups such as Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Women-in-Dawa, JTI, Initiative for Muslim Women in Nigeria (IMWON) and Nasrul-lahi-li Fathom Society of NigeriaNAFSAT).

Speaking at the occasion, the wife of Kebbi State Governo, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, the convener of the prayers appreciated the efforts of the participating women.

The governors wife, who was represented by Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Development, Hajiya Zarau Abubakar-Walicalled on Muslim Ummah to devote themselves to the service of Allah.

In her speech, the Kebbi State Amirah of FOMWAN, Malama Hauwa Abubakar said they embarked on the prayers in consultation with the wife of the State governor as a contribution to national prosperity.

Abubakar said: When calamities of this nature happened, it is always better to repent and seek forgiveness from almighty Allah, as returning back to Him is the only way out of every calamity.

Such recitation and prayers shall continue every week as directed by the wife of His Excellency, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, the Khadimatudeen.

We pray Allah to accept these Ibadat of ours and bring an end to all forms of calamities, disasters and difficulties ravaging the entire nation.

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

The Federal Government has directed immediate take off of the Delivery Unit in the Office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure on Friday at a post-ministerial meeting with the staff of the Cabinet Affairs Office (CAO) of the OSGF in Abuja.

Going forward, we will consolidate on the progress made by the Cabinet Affairs Office and move forward as directed by Mr President.

In particular, our attention will be focused on ensuring immediate take off of the Delivery Unit in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, under the coordination of the permanent secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, he said.

On the expectations from the unit, the SGF said: We are to ensure that regular reports on progress on the implementation of ministerial deliverables along the nine priority areas are submitted to the Federal Executive Council.

He charged the permanent secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, to continue to work closely with other permanent secretaries and officers within the OSGF to ensure effective delivery of the task.

On our part, I assure you that we will do our best to ensure that the staff of the Cabinet Affairs Office and indeed the Delivery Unit are provided with the requisite tools for effective discharge of their duties.

I have also directed that a suitable office be provided for the successful take off of the Delivery Unit along with requisite furniture, equipment and performance management system/dashboard system.

I am also aware that most of the CAO officials work late into the nights and on weekends, including public holidays; we salute their commitment in your service to Nigeria, Mustapha said.

He gave the assurance that the OSGF was commitment to addressing logistic challenges faced by the CAO.

I have directed the permanent secretaries to ensure that requests from the Cabinet Affairs Office are given utmost consideration even in the midst of our lean resources.

We will explore every opportunity we have to provide welfare for our staff.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day meeting was aimed at ensuring the attainment of ministerial deliverables and accelerating achievement of government priorities in the face of challenges in the country.

Source: NAN News

Trump, Biden to commemorate 9/11 attacks in Pennsylvania, New York

U.S., on Friday remembered the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington with smaller events this year, as part of efforts to enforce social-distancing during the pandemic.

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the 19th anniversary in Pennsylvania, at the site where one of the four hijacked planes crashed after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers.

After the names of the 40 deceased passengers and crew were recited, Trump urged unity.

Our sacred task, our righteous duty and our solemn pledge is to carry forward the noble legacy of the brave souls who gave their lives for us 19 years ago, he said.

In their memory, we resolve to stand united as one American nation, to defend our freedoms, to uphold our values, to love our neighbours, to cherish our country, to care for our communities, to honour our heroes, and to never, ever forget, he added.

Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, attended a morning ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in New York, where attackers flew two aeroplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Vice President Mike Pence and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also attended the commemoration at ground zero, at which attendees were required to wear masks and stay socially distant.

Biden and Pence exchanged elbow bumps, a popular greeting in the coronavirus era, displaying unity amid a campaigning season marked by stark political division.

Biden later travelled to Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the November presidential election, though he did not cross paths with Trump.

The former vice president, who vowed to avoid campaigning for the day, laid a wreath at the memorial site, spoke with mourners, and brought beer and pastries to a local fire department.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris attended a ceremony near the Pentagon, which was also hit by the attackers.

The hijackings were the single worst attack on U.S. soil in the countrys history.

However, the high death toll from the coronavirus, with more than 190,000 fatalities and rising, cast a heavy shadow over this years memorial.

New York City has been the hardest-hit area of the country, with more than 23,000 deaths.

Beams of light shone into the sky over New York overnight from where the TwinTowers once stood.

A similar beam came up from the Pentagon just outside Washington.

Flags were at half-staff, including at the White House, and bells tolled in New York City to honour the dead.

Many of the normal memorial events were scaled back as a safety precaution, with fewer speeches and some aspects limited to immediate families only.

In New York City, the traditional reading of victims names by relatives was called off at the 9/11 memorial, with pre-recorded playbacks broadcast instead.

Unhappy with the changes, a foundation conducted a simultaneous ceremony nearby in Manhattan, at which family members recited the names of their loved ones while keeping at a distance. Pence attended both events.

After the attacks, the U.S. launched an invasion of Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda leaders had planned the attacks, and later Iraq. The U.S. remains in both countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is heading to Qatar to take part in inter-Afghan peace talks this weekend.

The Taliban and the U.S. reached a deal in February, which is meant to pave the way for Washington to draw down its troops in Afghanistan.

Source: NAN News

Newly-promoted English Premier League (EPL) clubside Fulham have signed wing-back Ola Aina on a season-long loan from Italian Serie A side Torino.

Fulham also have an option to make the 23-year-olds arrival permanent and the Nigeria international said he was happy to return to London where he was born and raised.

It feels amazing to be back closer to my family, back in the capital, Aina told the clubs media channel.

Theres a great bunch of lads here. Im really good friends with Big Hec (Michael Hector) and Josh Onomah.

Aina, who came through neighbouring Chelseas youth system, spent the last two seasons with Torino, where he played 69 times with his versatility allowing him to play on either flank.

I feel very comfortable on either foot. I can fill in wherever needs be, he added.

Id say Im pretty quick and I like to attack, but I also like to help the team and do the dirty work as much as I can.

Ainas signing follows the capture of midfielder Harrison Reed, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, right-back Kenny Tete and midfielder Mario Lemina and left-back Antonee Robinson.

Winger Anthony Knockaerts loan move was also made permanent.

Fulham, who gained promotion to the Premier League after winning the second tier Championship playoffs last season, begin their campaign on Saturday with a visit from fellow London side Arsenal.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nollywood film making

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Femi Ogunsanwo, a movie producer/director, on Saturday said the Nollywood screen adaptation of Finding Hubby, Tunde Leyes viral story, was set to hit the cinemas late in November.

Ogunsanwo told newsmen that the movie, which was the remake of the 2012 fan-favourite, captures 35-year-old Oyin Cleggs search for her handsome prince.

He said Finding Hubby captures the journey of Clegg and her two friends, Toke and Gloria, in the adventure of kissing the many frogs in the quest to find their prince.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunsanwo has been behind entertainment successes such as Ojukokoro, Knockout Blessing, Jemeji and Ajoche.

The cast and crew of the movie have been carefully selected to ensure that the viral story is retold on video without losing any of the elements that made it a fan-favourite.

It was an exhilarating experience creating a movie out of this story that was followed by over two million people online and on radio.

I cant wait for fans to see what will definitely be the most talked about movie this year, Ogunsanwo said.

He added that Finding Hubby explored themes of friendship, love and finding happiness in oneself.

The producer/director disclosed that Finding Hubby would be distributed by Genesis Film Distribution. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS)

By Philip Yatai

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), says the state government has concluded plans to shut down illegal motor parks across the state, as part of efforts to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Executive Chairman of the service, Dr Zaid Abubakar made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday.

Abubakar noted with dismay the proliferation of illegal motor parks across the state, adding that the responsible agencies in charge of parks and transportation would begin clamp down the parks by next week.

All illegal motor parks are going to be closed by the responsible agencies by next week, and revenues from the parks will increase because there will be centralisation of collection.

At the moment; we are not getting the revenues we are supposed to get from the parks because they are operating illegally.

The closure will, therefore, improve our collection efficiency, he said.

According to him, the revenue agency will fully implement the state tax law to ensure that all businesses operating in the state pay the needed taxes to the state government.

Abubakar advised taxpayers on voluntary compliance to their tax obligation to enable the government improve on security, provision of basic social services as well as execute viable development projects to improve the wellbeing of the people.

KADIRS will enforce compliance with the provisions of the law and strengthen revenue collection mechanisms in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Main gate of Benue House of Assembly

By Onyeje Abutu-Joel

Benue House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Benue State Highly Infectious Diseases (Emergency, Prevention and Management) Bill, 2020.

This followed a clause by clause consideration of the bill in the committee of the whole chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Christopher Adaji, during plenary.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health and Human Services, Mr Joseph Okponya, led the debate on the bill.

He explained that the ability to identify and respond to outbreaks promptly and thereby limiting their impact rest on the availability and implementation of appropriate laws.

The import of this bill is to prevent and contain the spread of highly infectious diseases such as coronavirus which constitutes a serious and imminent threat to the public health of the people of Benue State.

The bill issues regulations and guidelines to residents of the state whose lives are threatened daily by the deadly pandemic and inform them of the necessity of screening, testing and isolation.

It equally encapsulates restriction of movements of people, events, gatherings and commercial activities as well as prohibits hoarding of foodstuffs, drugs and other essential supplies.

Furthermore, the bill imposes restrictions on transportation, storage and disposal of COVID-19 victims and cautions against the transmission and spread of false information regarding the pandemic.

It also aims at empowering and providing legal backing to the initiatives, activities and efforts of the Chief Executive Officer of the state, which is the Governor as well as the frontline health workers and practitioners that are directly involved in combating infectious diseases, Okponya explained.

He said the bill, when assented to by the governor, would empower the state governor to direct the restriction of movements within, into or out of the local health area, particularly, the movement of persons, vehicles and other means of transportation.

The lawmaker said the governor would also be empowered to establish health service posts in the entries and exits of Benue or any other parts within the state for the purpose of preventing or curbing the spread of highly infectious diseases.

The passage of the bill would further enable the state governor to provide isolation apartment or quarters for health care workers involved in managing highly infectious disease outbreak in accordance with global best practices, among others, Okponya said.

After various contributions from members in favour of the bill, Adaji invited the clerk of the House, Mr Terese Agena, to read it for the third time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Suicide rope

By Franca Ofili

Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, the Medical Director, Tranquil and Quest Behavioral Health Nigeria says early intervention is the easiest way to help a mental health parent.

Abiri said this while fielding questions on the Asido Foundation Instagram page a Non Governmental Organisation.

Abiri, who is also the Director of the NGO said that Nigerians did not discuss suicide due to the shame and stigma associated with it.

According to her, families need to pay attention to certain complains by the wards and then seek immediate help form an expert.

She said with the theme of 2020 World Suicide Prevention Day Preventing Suicide Together. there was an urgent help and coordinated action to reduce suicides.

Those suffering from mental health need support, positive talk and care with early detection of triggers and symptoms
to come out of it, Abiri said.

According to her, Nigeria is a country with silent culture which also attributes to the problem of mental health.

She called for open conversation around mental health adding that people needed to speak out.

The doctor called on families to show greater love to anyone withmental problem in the family.

Dr Adedotun Ajiboye, a Clinical Psychologist, Department of Mental Health, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, said
mental health problems and suicide were common globally and in Nigeria

Ajiboye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that one in every four persons was at risk of developing a mental health problem during their lifetime.

For Nigeria, that implies that 50 million Nigerians are at risk. And if an average family has four members, then every family has at least one member at risk.

The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly a million people die from suicide every year.

This equates to about one suicide death every 40 seconds.

Yet there is a lot of ignorance, shame stigma and misunderstanding around mental ill-health in our society.

We still operate an obsolete Lunacy Act of 1958 that regulates the practice of mental health in Nigeria.
A mental health bill is under consideration at the National Assembly, he said.

According to him, mental health is an integral and important part of health.

He said that mental disorders could occur across the lifespan from children through adulthood into old age such as with dementia.

They are treatable and can recover and live normal lives, she said.

Asido Foundation promotes mental health advocacy and reforms with a view to improving awareness, reducing stigma and discrimination and empowering persons with mental disorders and their families.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Angry JOHESU members

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has urged the Joint Health Sector Union and Assembly of Health Care Unions Professionals (JOHESU) to shelve its impending warning strike across the country.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call during a meeting between the Federal Government and the JOHESU on Friday in Abuja.

JOHESU had issued a notice of strike to the Federal Government that the union would embark on strike by Monday if their demands were not met.

The union demands include structural and infrastructural decay in the nations health sector, the review of the implementation of COVID-19 special inducement and hazard allowance among others.

The minister, while addressing newsmen on memorandum of terms of settlement reached with union said the deliberations were satisfactory.

The meeting, after exhaustive deliberations on structural and infrastructural decay in the sector, the parties observed that N126 billion was appropriated in the 2020 COVID-19 intervention Appropriation Act.
The appropriation is for infrastructure upgrading and equipment for the health sector during the period, he said.

According to him, the meeting also noted that lack of effective communication has made it impossible for the unions to appreciate the degree of investments made in the sector.

Ngige said the meeting, agreed that the unions should be carried along in the affairs of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to ensure proper communication.

He said it agreed that the Private Sector engagement should be encouraged to add value to the sectors investment generally.

It observed that JOHESU alleged that many of its members were either omitted or short paid in the implementation of Special Hazard and Inducement Allowance as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of April 21, 2020.

According to JOHESU, some of their members were paid 10 per cent of their Consolidated basic Salary instead of 50 per cent in the MoU of April 2020.

JOHESU has said that some others were omitted in the categories of those to benefit from the Special Covid-19 Hazard and Inducement allowance, he said.

The minister observed that JOHESU had claimed that in spite of several engagements with the ministry, the anomalies were yet to be corrected as at Sept. 10.

He further said the parties therefore agreed that the health ministry should issue a Circular to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of the various Health Institutions by September 11.

He said the meeting also directed that the CMDs should be requested to forward the list of members affected by the shortfall to the ministry of health by September 14.

Also, on the issue of medical personnel in the educational sector that were not captured in the first tranche of payments, he said the meeting noted that the omission was not peculiar to JOHESU members alone.

According to Ngige, the parties also agreed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, would consult with the relevant ministers.

He said the consultation could be on how to address the issue as clinics/hospitals under the Federal Ministries of Education, Justice and Defence were all equally affected.

On the request by JOHESU that all Health workers who hitherto were being paid the five thousand naira (N5000) as hazard allowance should be the beneficiaries of the 50 per cent of their consolidated basic salary as Special COVID-19 Hazard and Inducement allowance, irrespective of whether they are or non-core medical professionals.

He said the list of these category of workers should be compiled by ministry of health and the attendant financial implication should be computed by the office of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

This, he said was to see if the request would be accommodated within the available funds because they were not in the original classification for 50 per cent.

He futher noted that the parties observed that JOHESU had claimed that the Adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as was done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) was since 2014.

He noted that the matter had been earlier referred to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and could not be resolved by consensus at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism (ADR) by the NICN.

The meeting agreed that it was unprocedural for JOHESU to bring it up as an item in conciliation meeting.

The meeting, therefore advised JOHESU to either first go and withdraw the case from the NICN before the ministry of Labour and Employment can resume conciliation on the issue or open up discussion with health ministry on a later date.

He added that the issue was a substrata of the case before the NICN and stated that it would therefore be illegal for JOHESU to use it as a basis for embarking on another strike.

It also agreed that on the issue of employment, the Ministry of Health should undertake the staff audit to ascertain the veracity of JOHESUs claim of understaffing and irregular employment and the ministry should take action and report back in four weeks.

In view of this understanding, JOHESU will consult with her members with a view to reporting back on Sept. 12.

The meeting is adjourned to Oct. 15, to enable FMoH to carry out the assignments, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

food items

By Philip Yatai

A Nutritionist, Malam Mohammed Sani-Hassan, says about 80 per cent of diseases affecting Nigerians are diet-related and can be curbed with good dietary knowledge and attitude.

Sani-Hassan, a one-time Vice President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Friday.

He identified some of the diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) to include diabetes, hypertension, kidney diseases, heart disease, liver disease and obesity.

He said that a significant number of Nigerians were not aware of the linkage between what they eat and their health.

According to him, such ignorance is largely responsible for the frightening increase in the number of diet-related diseases among both the young and the older population.

He added that people eat what they want to eat to show evidence of healthy life, while others erroneously think that becoming obese is a display of living well.

Some people erroneously link the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension to income and wealth, meaning the richer you are the more oily, sugary, and junk foods you consume.

But on the contrary, these diseases are increasing at an alarming rate because people are ignorant about what they eat and the relationship between what they eat and their health.

The human body has a minimum nutrients intake which should be provided, and excess of the nutrients could put one at risk of developing diet-related diseases.

The nutritionist pointed out that most people have a culture of excessive eating, saying if you work less, you should eat less; if you work a lot, you should eat more.

However, wealthy people are eating three to five times a day and mostly without physical activity, while 70 to 80 per cent of food prepared for school children are oily and sugar-based drinks.

He advised people to watch their weight, check what they eat, when they should eat, how to eat and go for regular medical check up to close the gap.

He said that Kaduna was among the seven states in the country with the highest prevalence of some of the diet-related diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

But I am not aware of any deliberate programme in Kaduna State that addresses this problem, he said.

He stressed the need for a public health component that should focus on what the population needed to know about what they should eat, how they should eat and when they should eat.

According to him, understanding the linkage between what people eat and their health is a key determinant of longevity, ability and capability, as well as income and general wellbeing.

The government must put structures in place that will provide quality education and information on age-appropriate diet requirements and eating habits, he advised. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Protesters in Colombia

New protests erupted in Colombia on Thursday in reaction to two police officers allegedly killing a man in Bogota, with demonstrators clashing with police in several cities.

Protesters attacked police posts and banks, threw stones and petrol bombs, burned tyres and garbage containers and blocked roads in the Bogota area, where previous demonstrations were reported to have claimed 10 lives.

Violence also broke out in Medellin, Cali and half a dozen other cities.

Several people were reported to have been injured and dozens arrested.

The unrest started on Wednesday after the publication of a video in which two police officers were seen pinning lawyer Javier Ordonez to the ground and shocking him with a stun pistol the night before.

Ordonez, whom the officers accused of violating coronavirus restrictions by drinking in the street with his friends, was then taken to a police post and allegedly beaten, leading to his death.

The case unleashed a wave of unrest which claimed seven lives in Bogota and three in the nearby municipality of Soacha, according to three television channels.

Some of the victims were passers-by hit by stray bullets.

Bogota Mayor Claudia Lopez said more than 390 civilians and police officers were injured in the capital.

She accused police of using firearms indiscriminately and without authorization.

President Ivan Duque called for calm, and warned against stigmatising the entire police force, pledging a rapid investigation into Ordonezs death.

Defence Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo attributed the violence to a social media movement trying to tarnish the reputation of police and inciting violence.

Police earlier said protesters had attacked more than 50 police posts, setting many of them on fire, in several cities.

Buses were burned, bus stations and banks attacked and shops looted, leaving some urban areas looking like war zones.

Holmes Trujillo announced that more than 1,500 police and soldiers would be dispatched to boost security in Bogota.

The city authorities proposed a reform of the police force, which would include new rules on the use of stun pistols.

Several people were killed in incidents with police in the Bogota area this and last year, according to reports.

The best-known case was that of Dilan Cruz, a young man hit by a police projectile during anti-government protests in November. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says the states COVID-19 related deaths has increased to 205.

Abayomi made the disclosure on his Twitter handle @ProfAkinAbayomi, on Friday while giving the states COVID-19 update for Sept. 8.

According to him, one #COVID-19 related death was recorded. Total number of #COVID-19 related deaths now stands at 205.

He said that 33 new COVID-19 infections were confirmed out of a total of 806 COVID-19 tests conducted in the state on the reported day.

Abayomi said that the new cases brought the total number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Lagos to 18, 449.

He added that the total number of COVID-19 tests conducted in the state since outbreak of the pandemic now stands at 90,476.

The commissioner said, 2,402 of the confirmed cases have since been discharged from #COVID-19 Care Centres following full recovery.

He added that 15,380 of the confirmed cases monitored in communities by #COVID-19 Lagos Response Team, have either fully recovered or positively responding to treatments.

The commissioner said, 64 of the cases are currently under isolation in public and private care centres.

Abayomi, however, said that 398 active cases in communities were yet to turn up for admission in the states COVID-19 care centres.

Also, data by the World Health Organisation, Africa Region, shows that there are 1,322, 188 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent with over one million recoveries and 31, 907 deaths. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NIS staff

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has assured travelers of fair treatment under the new visa regime.

The Service Spokesman, Mr Sunday James, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja, also promised to respect the fundamental rights of every traveler to the country.

James said that the service would continue to practice citizens diplomacy with the new visa regime.

As a committed service, we will continue to practice citizens diplomacy both towards Nigerians and foreigners regardless of passport but on merit and integrity.

The quality of a national passport is not only in good finishing and look, but what determines its acceptance to the global communities is more on the integrity of the citizens which rubs on the integrity of the passport they are holding.

Acceptance evaluation of Nigerian passport as a travel document and citizens integrity determines how many countries will allow a Nigerian citizen entry into their country under which condition and for how long, he said.

James said that the NIS had uploaded 150,000 Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) to the database of the International Police Global System (IPSG) as effort to checkmate visa crimes.

He said that in light of this, Nigeria had been rated the 1st country in Africa and 54th in the world to automate its uploading system.

To have uploaded such quantity is an indication that the NIS is not resting on its oars and the information 24/7 centre of the service is working around the clock accessing diffusions from the INTERPOL General Assembly.

This is to analyse, interrogate and interpret for domestic consumption and international actions to be taken.

The result of such analysis, interrogation and interpretation is the upload of the 150,000 Stolen and Lost Travel Documents which by implication puts Nigeria on ascension on global podium of integrity, secured economy and safe for investment.

This is also an indication that the NIS system is working to detect, identify and classify the various passports that were invalidated, stolen, lost, fake and tampered with, he said.

James said that the fight against identity theft was part of the reason for the change from the colonial passport, hand written, Machine Readable Passport (MRP) to the e-passport.

He said that the enhanced e-passport has over 25 security features among other factors.

According to him, this is to guarantee the safety of the holder and document in line with

NAN reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Feb. 4, officially presented the National Visa Policy 2020 (NVP) to the public at the State House, Villa.

The new visa regime aimed at creating new visa categories for Ease of Doing Business.

The NVP 2020 expands the classes of visa from six to 79, to accommodate additional travel requirements for expatriates intending to travel to Nigeria.

The NVP 2020 classifies travelers to Nigeria into two broad categories: Visa Free / Exemption and Visa Mandatory.

The new classes are categorized into Short Visit Visas (28 classes), these allow foreigners to visit Nigeria for a period of up to three months, for the purpose of tourism and short business meetings, amongst others.

Other are Temporary Residence Visas (36 classes), these allow individuals to reside in Nigeria for the purposes of employment, accompanying employed migrants and schooling, amongst others.

Another is the Permanent residence Visas (15 classes): these confer permanent residence status on spouses of Nigerian citizens, Nigerians by birth who have renounced their Nigerian citizenship, and their spouses, investors who import an annual minimum threshold of capital, highly skilled individuals and some classes of retirees. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

minister pledges continuous improvement in welfare of retired military personnel

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Minister of Defence, Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), has assured the serving and retired members of the Nigerian Armed Forces of improved welfare in recognition of their sacrifices to their father land.

The minister disclosed this in a statement signed by his Special Assistant Media and Publicity, Mr Mohammad Abdulkadri, in Abuja, on Friday.

The minister gave the assurance when members of the Committee of Retired Generals visited him.

Magashi assured that President Muhammadu Buhari was passionate about the welfare and well being of all military retirees.

He said the retirees had been enjoying prompt payment of their improved pensions and other entitlements under the present administration of President Buhari.

Magashi, who is also a member of the Committee of the retired Generals, commended his colleagues for showing appreciation to the President for improving their welfare.

The Chairman, Committee of Generals of the Nigerian Armed Forces in Lagos, Air vice Marshal Bayo Lawal (rtd), said the visit achieved its intended purpose on how to strengthen the committee.

Lawal, therefore, thanked President Buhari for approving improved welfare package, which according to him, the committee had been agitating for over the years.

According to him, the committee is proud of the Minister of Defence for the good job he is doing to raise the bar of service in the military.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Russia, China, Iran reject Microsofts hacking allegations

China, Russia and Iran have rejected accusations by software giant, Microsoft, that hackers from their countries are targeting U.S. presidential campaigns ahead of the November elections.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman suggested on Friday that Microsoft and the U.S. were inventing the allegations.

With regard to the U.S.elections, I have repeatedly said the U.S. elections are an internal matter and we have no interest or intention of interfering.

A spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry made a similar statement on Friday, saying that it didnt matter to Tehran who won the election.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Microsofts conclusions didnt require attention as long as there was no proof, according to the TASS news agency.

The countries listed by the Seattle-based company matched assessments made by the U.S. intelligence community.

Microsoft said the attacks fromChina appeared to target Democratic nominee Joe Bidens campaign and affiliated organisations, in addition to groups like think tanks which focus on foreign policy.

The China-based group also went after one prominent individual formerly linked to Trump.

The Russian hackers appear to be linked to groups that operated in 2016, Microsoft said.

The hackers were going after consultants working for both Republicans and Democrats, U.S. think tanks, the EuropeanPeoples Party and political parties inBritain.

The Iranian hackers tried to target the TrumpWhite House and the presidents campaign, but failed.

The official U.S.intelligence assessment from the White House said China favoured a Biden win over President Donald Trump, while Russia was particularly focused on tarnishing Biden. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Petrol Pump

By Simon Akoje

An economist, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, says the Federal Governments removal of petroleum subsidy will unlock the countrys economic prospect.

Unegbu, a former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

The economist noted that the removal of the petroleum subsidy would open up the sector for new investment.

He said the government was courageous in removing the subsidy because it is unsustainable, especially in this era of declining revenue.

Government just has to let the subsidy go and allow the forces of demand and supply to determine the price.

This is a principle offree market economy which drives economic growth, he said.

He noted that regulators must be given more powers to enforce price compliance from petroleum dealers who floutthe rules.

He also suggested that the various labour unions must not embark on strike over the subsidy removal because it would be inimical to the economy.

The union should look at the positives of the new policy and not to focus on needless strikes.

At the initial, the cost of basic essentials will surge but will decline after more players venture into the sector, he said.

NAN reports that the ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol was increased to N151.56 per litre with effect from Sept. 2.

This was disclosed in an internal memo and issued by the Petroleum and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) Ibadan Depot.(NAN

Source: NAN News

Trump, Biden to commemorate 9/11 attacks in Pennsylvania, New York

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden will commemorate the 19th anniversary on Friday of the Sept. 11 attacks, with both candidates separately visiting the rural Pennsylvania field where one of the hijacked planes crashed.

Biden and his wife, Jill, will first attend a morning ceremony in lower Manhattan in New York, where al Qaeda hijackers flew two airplanes into the World Trade Centers twin towers.

Republican Vice President Mike Pence will also be on hand for the ceremony.

Trump will speak at a morning ceremony at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a White House official said.

The event, in remembrance of the 40 passengers and crew who died when the plane plunged into a field after they struggled with the hijackers, will be closed to the public because of coronavirus concerns, the National Park Service said.

Later in the day, the Bidens will visit the Shanksville site to pay their respects to the victims.

The two candidates were not expected to cross paths in Pennsylvania, a battleground state that is vital to the Nov. 3 election between Trump and Biden.

Flight 93, bound for San Francisco from Newark, New Jersey, never hit its intended target the four hijackers were believed to be planning to crash it into either the U.S. Capitol or the White House after passengers stormed the cockpit and attempted to regain control of the aircraft.

In all, nearly 3,000 people died in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, which also included a fourth hijacked plane that slammed into the Pentagon outside Washington.

The ceremonies marking the attacks are a regular stop for presidential candidates and officials.

Trump visited Shanksville for the 9/11 anniversary in 2018, and has attended memorial ceremonies at the Pentagon.

Biden went to memorials in Shanksville during his years as vice president under Barack Obama.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton both visited the Ground Zero memorial in New York on the anniversary of 9/11.

Bidens campaign said it was pulling its television ads off the air on Friday to commemorate the anniversary of the attacks.

The nonprofit 9/11 Day had asked both campaigns to pull its ads.

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on whether it would do so. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Children in IDP camp

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

Hollandia, a dairy brand in Nigeria from CHI Limited said it recently provided dairy nourishment to children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and orphanages in Lagos.

Mr Deepanjan Roy, Managing Director of the company, made this known in a statement on Friday.

Roy stated that the gesture; Nurture A Child Initiative was coming at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was disrupting food supply chains and availability globally.

He said that the pandemic was devastating livelihoods, leading to the deteriorating quality of diets and nutrition.

This nutritional challenge poses a threat to human bodys immune function and good health, especially to children who were disadvantaged or in vulnerable situations.

Hollandia Nurture A Child initiative is addressing the challenge of malnutrition amongst children and the overall wellbeing of the Nigerian child in general.

Under this initiative, Hollandia donates quantities of its tasty and nourishing Hollandia Evaporated Milk and Hollandia Yoghurt products to the children.

The beneficiaries include the IDP camps in Bogije, Ibeju Lekki, Lot Foundation, Dustbin Estate in Ajegunle, Life Changers Orphanage in FESTAC, and Chosen Child Orphanage, Badia, all in Lagos, he said.

The managing director assured that the initiative hoped to ease challenges of children in vulnerable situations, currently experiencing inadequate nutrition, by providing healthy dairy nourishment to boost their immunity and wellness.

As medical experts have confirmed, having a healthy immune system is especially important to defend the body against viruses, bacteria and other illnesses.

Hollandia Evaporated Milk and Hollandia Yoghurt contain nutrients such as Vitamins A, B1, B5, B6, B12, and D, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Protein, Carbohydrates and Milk fat.

These are essential for growth, development, good health and boosting the bodys immune system, the company boss said.

He further said that the company started the initiative with a view to making a difference in the lives of those who really matters.

Children are the future of the nation. This initiative is committed to providing support to the needy so that every child can thrive and grow well, irrespective of their situation in life.

Nurturing a child starts with ensuring that they receive the right nourishment.

That is why we are providing the needy children in IDP camps and orphanages with nourishing Hollandia products to support their growth while building a healthy, happy, well-nourished nation.

We are always glad to provide Hollandia nourishment to vulnerable children, especially at this critical time, he stated.

Meanwhile, Mrs Bose Aggrey, Executive Director, Web of Hearts Foundation commended the management of CHI Limited for the initiative, while receiving the products on behalf of the IDP camp, Bogije Ibeju Lekki.

Sometime last year, we were beneficiaries of a huge product donation from Hollandia and we can attest that over 500 children benefited from the project.

We are happy that you find us worthy to partner with again this year.

I am confident that the children will get the much required nutrition they need through consumption of Hollandia Evaporated Milk and Hollandia Yoghurt, Aggrey said.

She added that the foundation was happy to receive the items as they were expected to provide nourishment for the children.

NAN reports that IDP campin Lagosis located in the Ibeju Lekki area ofLagosState and it was established in the first quarter of 2016 by the Federal Government to cater for migrants andinternally displaced personsin the state as well as served as a re-integration centre.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By George Odok
Prof. Florence Banku-Obi has been announced as the first female Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (Unical), 45 years after, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Announcing the result on Friday in Calabar, Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu, Pro- Chancellor and Chairman of Unical Governing Council, said the process of the selection was transparent.

Nwaogu said that the Council had assured the 13 contestants for the position of a transparent, fair and just selection process.

She explained that they used the guidelines set up by the Federal Ministry of Education on the conduct of interview for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor.

At the end of the day, we had a brand new first female VC of the University in the last 45 years. The interview was transparent and some of the contestants are part of our council.

What I expect of her is to look at what the outgoing VC has done because governance is a continues process. She should invite all those who contested with her and build a team.

No one person can execute the programmes without the integration of other erudite administrators that presented their CVs yesterday.

She should be an integrative agent and I expect her to look inward on the areas of internally generated revenue and pluck the areas.

She needs to motivate staff and students of the school and as an erudite Professor and a mother, I know that she will bring all these to bear, she said.

She congratulated Banku-Obi and wished her the best in her tenure.

Speaking, Banku-Obi, said she was elated and happy, adding that she returned all the glory to God.

I am very happy today, I just received my appointment letter from the 12th Council as the 11th VC elect effective from Dec. 1, 2020.

It was a free and fair contest and I am happy about it. The University of Calabar should expect an inclusive administration from me, she said.

NAN reports that Prof. Banku-Obi will be taking over from Prof. Zana Akpagu whose tenure end on Nov. 30.

Banku-Obi hails from Boki local government area in Cross River and she has been a lecturer in the department of Education.

She is the only two-times back to back elected Dean, faculty of Education, since the history of the University.

She has also served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) and also as a member of the University Governing Council.

She has over 60 publications to her credit in both local and international journals.

She has supervised over 30 postgraduates Diploma Projects, 12 Master Degrees Theses and 8 PhD Dissertations and has so far assessed 13 persons for professorial positions.

Source: NAN News