COVID-19

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), on Sunday, said the number of coronavirus positive cases has risen to 1,291,724 in the continent.

Africa CDC also said that the death toll from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic climbed to 31,056.

The African Union (AU) Commissions specialised healthcare agency said the number of COVID-19 recoveries in the continent reached 1,031,453.

Africas total COVID-19 cases represent about five per cent of all cases reported globally, it said.

The Africa CDC, on Friday, said that nine African countries, including South Africa, Ethiopia and Libya accounted for about 81 per cent of the new COVID-19 cases reported during the past week. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

PDP Logo

By Deborah Coker

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Edo has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Security Agencies for the states governorship election to carry out their statutory responsibilities based on their sworn oath of office.

The governorship election is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Dr Tony Aziegbemi, State Chairman of the party, made the demand on Sunday in the weekly media briefing to appraise the partys campaign activities ahead of the election.

Aziegbemi said that from the just concluded ward-to-ward campaign across the 192 wards in the state, Edo people had clearly shown their preference for the PDP and its candidate, Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

He noted that from multiple opinion polls conducted by independent bodies and organisations, the PDP has the support of 80 per cent of the electorate while all other parties have 20 per cent.

He, therefore, said that flowing from the support the party demands, in the strongest terms possible, that INEC and security agencies carry out their statutory responsibilities based on the oath of office they swore to, which was to be neutral.

Please note that anyone who deprives any human being of exercising his fundamental human rights is just as bad as enslaving or killing him.

As such, the electorate do not deserve anything less from the law.

We call on the parents of all the ad hoc staff that will be engaged in this election to call their wards to order.

Edo people deserve free, fair, credible and peaceful election, and nobody, whether in the security agencies or in INEC should be allowed to subvert the will of the people.

We will follow the process from A to Z from multiple angles.

If you are caught doing the wrong thing, be assured that as a party that believes in and promotes the right for people to freely express their choice, we will be waiting and ensuring that law effects the fullest possible punishment, he said.

The party chairman further said that the party went about its campaigns with peace and love.

He added that unfortunately, miscreants made feeble attempts to disrupt the partys campaigns.

We have catalogued the senseless attacks on our party members and their property.

We challenge the opposition or any other party for that matter, to show such evidence of their members being attacked.

Gentlemen of the press, it will amaze you to know that not one person has been arrested for these senseless attacks on our members.

If not for the strong appeal from our Candidate, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, you can imagine what would have become of our state if retaliation was carried out by our members.

Let me warn thugs that our patience is not elastic.

I call on the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Kokumo, to rise up to the occasion.

I call on all other security agencies to step up their efforts before the elections, especially on the day of the election. They should justify the salaries they earn from taxpayers money, Aziegbemi said.

He, however, expressed happiness at the success of the ward-to-ward campaigns by the party.

According to him, we give God Almighty, the omnipotent, all powerful, all knowing God, all the glory and praise for a successful ward-to-ward tour of the state.

We are indeed humbled by the show of love and support for our candidate. We promise we will not take this for granted.

We also, with a humble heart, thank our members and indeed Edo people and residents, for trooping out in their hundreds of thousands to catch a glimpse of our candidate and to hear our message, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Apostle Suleiman,

By Deborah Coker

Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Overseer, Omega Fire Ministries International, on Sunday pledged the Churchs continued support for the administration of Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

Obaseki is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the Edo Gubernatorial Election scheduled for Sept. 19.

Suleman said that the ministry would continue to support the administration to ensure it succeeded in governance of the state.

He said this when he played host to Obaseki and his running mate, Mr Philip Shaibu, at the Churchs International Headquarters at Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

Though the altar is not for politics but the church will not stop to pray for those in authority.

I am a close friend of the running mate to the governor, and I believe the present administration deserves to steer the ship of the state for another four years, Suleman said.

Earlier, Obaseki said they were in the church to receive prayers ahead of the Sept. 19, Governorship Election.

He noted that although church activities are temporarily on hold to prevent the spread of COVID-19, however they decided to visit the Church to appreciate God for a hitch-free tour of the state.

The governor said that the tour was for party campaigns and sensitisation exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Church later held a special prayer session for the PDP candidate and his running mate, as well as the entourage. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ASUU President, Abiodun Ogunyemi.

By Ibukun Emiola

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, has warned against the reopening of schools without provisions for schools to meet COVID-19 precautionary guidelines.

Its chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in a release he made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.

Akinwole stated that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools could be enormous if responsibility was not taken to ensure safety.

He warned that no pecuniary gains would be more than the lives of lecturers and their students.

Akinwole noted that before COVID-19 pandemic, public varsities were overcrowded with students and hostel facilities took more than its capacity.

He then warned parents not to jubilate at the news of a possible reopening of schools.

However, they should ask the government to put measures in place so as not to have a surge in COVID-19 that might happen as a result of ill-thought out reopening, he said.

What we are simply saying is that the Federal Government should adhere to their own set guidelines.

Our position, as a responsible union in all these is that; throwing schools open in the midst of all these, is an open invitation to the tragic explosion of the COVID-19 scourge on a scale never witnessed anywhere since its outbreak.

He said that the union was aware that there had been agitations from some quarters for the government to reopen schools.

He said that those leading the campaign are the proprietors of private universities.

He said, ASUU is not in any way opposed to this call.

However, Nigerians should honestly interrogate this position. Has the Nigerian government met the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) criteria on COVID 19 protocols in our institutions?

COVID-19 pandemic is still very much with us. It is in recognition of this fact that the government itself has rolled out certain conditions to be met before schools are reopened.

According to the ASUU chairman, How many of our public institutions can confidently vouch for the safety of our children given the available facilities such as: provision of running water for hand washing; social distancing among students.

He listed others to include: the use of recommended face masks and shields, which are key components of NCDC protocols? (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Scene of the accident at Ihiala in Anambra

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

Mr Andrew Kumapayi, the Anambra State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said on Sunday that many passengers were burnt beyond recognition when their vehicle went into flames on the Ihiala/Onitsha road in Anambra State.

Kumapayi said that they were yet to know the actual number of people that died in the accident because they were burnt beyond recognition.

This evening, a lone fatal road traffic crash was allegedly caused by tyre burst as a result of excessive speeding. The vehicle somersaulted and burst into flames.

Information reaching the Command states that all passengers on board were burnt beyond recognition, along with the bus.

The Anambra State fire service has been contacted andthe FRSC rescue team from Ihiala Unit Command are on ground to ensure free flow of traffic, while all obstructions are being cleared, he said.

Kumapayi said that the corpse of the only male adult who jumped out of the vehicle in the process had been deposited at the Morgue at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala.

He added that there would be more updates as events unfold. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerians ladies stranded in Lebanon

By Lizzy Okoji

Another batch of 27 stranded Nigerian girls evacuated from Lebanon by the Federal Government and the Lebanese government, as well as its community in Nigeria arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Sunday.

Receiving them, Mr Ferdinand Nwonye, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, said the evacuation was in fulfillment of the Nigerian governments promise to ensure no Nigerian is left stranded in Lebanon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been several pleas from Nigerians stranded in Lebanon appealing for assistance to enable them to return home.

Nwonye said the Nigerian government was aware of the unfortunate situation they experienced in Lebanon, hence the collaboration to ensure their safe return to the country.

I am here on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs who facilitated this return, together with the Ministry of Aviation, Embassy of Nigeria in Beirut, the Lebanese Embassy in Nigeria and the Lebanese community in Nigeria.

These are the individuals and institutions that made it possible for you to be here today.

It is unfortunate the situation you passed through; which is why the Ministries concerned made sure you are here today and we are telling you that you are now home today and nothing will happen to you.

Make sure you follow the protocols they advised you on; you know what to do to recover your passports again.

You are welcome back home and I wish you journey mercies to your various destinations, Nwonye said.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman told newsmen that the stranded Nigerians were evacuated in line with the Federal Governments guidelines on COVID-19 evacuations.

He said the girls tested negative for COVID-19 before embarking on the journey and would be allowed to go home after 14 days self-isolation, in line with the Federal Governments guidelines for COVID-19 evacuations.

He explained that their passports were retrieved from them upon arrival and they are expected to collect them back with proof of COVID-19 tests which they are expected to take again once they complete their 14-day self-isolation.

The spokesperson said the girls were tested in Beirut before embarking on the journey and they were also profiled on arrival.

Also speaking, Mr Philip Webbe, a representative of the Silver Wings Group in Nigeria, said the Lebanese community and its Embassy in Nigeria had facilitated the return of the girls with the support of the Nigerian government.

Webbe said it was in fulfillment of their word that they would not leave any Nigerian girl stranded in Lebanon.

We are the company, silver wings that brought the Chartered flight to Nigeria.

We are evacuating stranded Nigerian girls that are in Lebanon. These girls had nobody to assist them to bring them back to Nigeria.

The Lebanese Community is assisting them with the help of the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Aviation, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria and Nigerias Ambassador to Lebanon, and they have put great efforts to bring them back.

We had 27 girls that came on this flight and just like we promised last time, we will not leave any stranded Nigerian girl in Lebanon.

On this flight, Mr Fassai Khalid supported 20 girls to come and there were another seven girls facilitated by the Lebanese community.

They all came today and they are finishing the process. Some came yesterday, some will come tomorrow, we wont leave anyone of them behind.

One of the returnees who spoke on condition of anonymity appreciated the Nigerian and Lebanese governments for ensuring their safe return back home.

She said that if not for the assistance, they would have been left stranded in Lebanon as they could not afford to buy tickets to return home.

The returnee said they encountered many challenges in Lebanon with many of them being owed seven to eight months salaries by their employers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC DG, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 162 newcasesof the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19 ) in the country, bringing the confirmed cases to 54,905.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria continued its week of recording less than 200 new cases of COVID-19 per day with Saturdays 162 new confirmed cases.

The agency said that three deaths were recorded inthe country.

The NCDC noted that till date, 54,905 cases have been confirmed, 42,922, discharged and 1,054 deaths recorded in 36 states and FCT.

According to the public health agency, the 162 cases are reported from 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It stated that Lagos state led with 53 and followed by Gombe state with 21 new infections.

Among other states with new cases wereOyo (19), Delta (12), Ondo (11), Plateau (10), Ebonyi (9), FCT (6), Kwara (6), Kaduna (5), Rivers (3), Ogun (2), Anambra (2), Imo (2), and Ekiti (1).

The NCDC said that one way the virus spread was by touching contaminated surfaces, then touching the face with the unwashed hands.

Ensure all surfaces are cleaned with soap and water or disinfectants at intervals to prevent transmission of the virus.

Observing physical distance reduces the risk of contact with droplets when an infected person sneezes or coughs.

Take responsibility to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread by wearinga face mask, observingphysical distance and washingyour hands frequently.

Wearing masks in combination with frequent hand washing and physical distancing measures, have been shown to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, it advised.

The public health agency disclosed that sometimes the COVID-19 test results take longer than expected.

While you wait for your result, self-isolate from friends and family. Also, please do not self medicate. You may be putting yourself at risk, it said.

Meanwhile, the agency said that one major output from the pandemic was the increasing investment in health security.

It assured Nigerians that it would continue to work with states to sustain these investments. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The corps members with FCT Minister of State Dr Ramatu Aliyu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has offered automatic employment to two members of batch B, 2019 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), for their outstanding performance during their service year.

Mr Austine Elemue, Special Assistant on Media to FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Elemue said the two corps members were Miss Ilori Ayotola Deborah, with batch number FCT/19B/5861 and Mr Ilozumba Patrick Chiagozie, batch number FC/19B/6140.

He quoted the minister who presented the award to the corps members as commending them for exhibiting consciousness and selflessness during their one year mandatory service.

The minister was also quoted as assuring that the FCT Administration would continue to appreciate those who worked hard to promote the unity of the country during their service year.

The NYSC scheme has continued to foster unity among different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

Today marks another milestone in the history of our younger ones especially the two outstanding corps members.

During the processes of growth, we all look forward to a time when we will be appreciated, a period where someone will tap you on the shoulder and say you have done well.

Today happens to be the day for these young ladies. You will get so many awards and laurels with the way you are going and with your antecedent, the sky is the limit for both of you.

From your citations, you have exhibited consciousness and selflessness in service, she said.

Earlier, Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedimma, the Acting Secretary of FCT Social Development Secretariat, said the first corps member Deborah, who hailed from Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state was born on Feb. 27, 1994.

Onyedima added that she had her tertiary education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun, where she studied Linguistics, and served as Welfare Coordinator of the Youth Support Network, a Nigerian Youth Forum targeted at reproduction health of young adolescents.

She was also a member of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) CDs group.

While corps member, Ilozumba Patrick Chiagozie who hails from Anambra state graduated from Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka where he obtained a degree in Fine and Applied Art and passed out with a Second Class Upper Division.

He was deployed to the Federal Capital Territory for his NYSC and posted to Federal Inland Revenue Service for his primary assignment.

He served as a Federal Engagement and Enlightenment Tax Team Officer.

Responding, one of the awardees, Deborah, thanked the Minister and the FCT Administration for the employment opportunity and recognition.

She pledged to continue to put in her best in the service of humanity, just as she described the award as overwhelming. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

MACBAN leaders during a press conference

By Amen Gajira

The Kaduna State Chapter ofMiyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), says it hasresolved to bury its differences with other tribes and work towards the return ofpeace in the Southern part of the state.

MACBAN said this in a communique at the end of a peace summit in Kafanchan on Sunday.

The communique was jointly signed by the States Chairman of the association, Malam Hassan Tugga, Southern Kaduna Zonal Chairman; Malam Abdulhamid Musa; Zonal Secretary, Malam Shuaibu Usman, and Director Media and Publicity, Malam Ibrahim Zango.

We have agreed to revert to our olden days relationship with our neighboring communities in Southern Kaduna.

We have resolved to be our brothers keeper henceforth in order to foster growth and development in the region.

We call on our people to stop allowing underage children from rearing cattle in order to prevent further destruction of the farm produce within the area.

In the same vein, we call on farmers to desist from blocking cattle routes both local and international, it added.

The association said it would expose all trouble makers and criminals in its midst and make them face the full wrath of the law.

We have advised our people to be vigilant and hand over suspected criminals to security agencies that may be found within our communities.

The summit also commended the efforts of security agencies during and after the crisis in maintaining law and order, especially operation safe haven and the police, it said

The association urged the Federal and State Governments to compensate victims of communal clashes in the area who had lost cows and other valuables in order to ameliorate their sufferings.

It also called for the establishment of a community based security committee, with membership from all tribes in the area.

The peace summit was attended by MACBAN members and other stakeholders in Southern Kaduna including security agencies and government officials. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FIRS: Revenue House

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it has inaugurated a new Automatic Exchange of Information-Common Reporting Standard (AEOI-CRS) system for the use of financial institutions in the country.

FIRS Director, Communications and Liaison, Mr Abdullahi Ahmad, said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

Ahmad said the step was part of the services ongoing reforms to align the nations tax system with global standards.

He quoted the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr Muhammad Nami as calling on reporting financial institutions under the Income Tax (Common Reporting Standard) Regulations 2019 to enroll on the portal.

The Automatic Exchange of Information-Common Reporting Standard (AEOI-CRS) system portal is currently live, open and active.

Consequently, all Reporting Financial Institutions (Commercial Banks, Merchant Banks, Discount Houses, Mortgage and Development Banks, Insurance and Life Assurance Companies, Investment Advisers, Trustees, Asset Management Companies, Issuing Houses, Brokers/Dealers, etc) are invited to enroll on the AEOI-CRS portal, he said.

He explained that each Reporting Financial Institution (FI) was required to designate an appropriate officer as Primary User (PU).

According to him, the PU is the custodian of the FIs login details on the portal.

He said a letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the FI introducing the PU to the FIRS was also required as part of the enrolment process.

In order to enroll as a PU of an FI and have access to related AEOI-CRS documents, please visit the FIRS website at www.firs.gov.ng and navigate the menu tab on Automatic Exchange of Information.

Please do this only if relevant contact details have been forwarded to the FIRS. FIs are to further take notice that CRS reports for 2019 are due not later than 30th September 2020.

For further information, send enquiries to or , he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Pastor Enoch Adeboye

By Henry Oladele

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said that people who were above 70 years needed to check their salvation if they were still afraid of death.

Adeboye said this at the first Sunday Thanksgiving of the RCCG new year calendar, held at the headquarters in Lagos on Sunday.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, old people were advised to stay at home and not come to church which is good advice.

But if you are over 70 years of age and you are still afraid of death, then you should check your salvation,he said.

Adeboye, however, declared that no one would die, adding that everyone would live to declare the word of God.

He added that the Almighty God would turn down coronavirus, adding that no virus would come near the children of God.

God will give us total victory on any virus. The Lord who has kept us to see September will keep us to see the new year, he prayed.

In his sermon, Adeboye told the congregationto always praise the Lord because He had done a lot for the country and everyone in particular.

When we remember some people we grew up with are dead, some are in prison, sick, and we are still alive, then we should have reasons to praise the Lord.

When we know we have the Almighty God, the conqueror of any virus by our side, then we have every reason to thank God, he said.

He added that the Almighty God would never the people.

Everyone should continue to praise God for life, he said.

He urged those that had not given their lives to Christ to do so for them to get Gods blessings. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Suicide rope

By Esenvosa Izah

An NGO, Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN), has raised concerns over a possible increase in phone calls relating to suicide after full reopening of the nations economy as people return to school and begin to face the financial impact of COVID-19.

The National Coordinator, SURPIN, Dr Raphael Ogbolu, expressed the worry in an e-news conference via Zoom held on Saturday in Lagos.

The conference was to herald the commemoration of the World Suicide Prevention Day marked annually on Sept. 10.

SURPIN is an initiative of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), inaugurated in 2017 for suicide prevention through research, crisis intervention, health education and early treatment of depression and drug abuse.

Ogbolu said: This year, Nigeria has been plagued by COVID-19 just like other countries around the world and the attendant uncertainty, disruption of previously normal ways of living have tasked the resilience of a lot of people.

This has exposed many people to several factors that contribute to suicide by compromising mental wellbeing.

We have already seen the impact of this in our hotline calls whereby in the month of May, we received about the most calls since inception in 2017.

These were most likely as a result of the lockdown and restrictions; we consider this a first wave of increased calls.

We are concerned that there may be a second wave after full reopening of the economy, as people return to school and begin to face the financial impact of COVID-19, especially such things as bad loans with debtors calling and relationship conflicts, among other things.

Ogbolu, who is also a Consultant Psychiatrist at LUTH, said therefore, that SURPIN planned to step up collaboration with relevant government agencies to address issues surrounding suicide prevention.

According to him, SURPIN will be organising an e-conference on Sept. 12 where invited guests who have national carriage will discuss issues surrounding suicide.

In our own way, we are trying to collaborate with as many agencies as possible.

We have approached the International Directorate of Employment, and has support from the Lagos State Ministry of Social Welfare.

We are hoping to build on these collaborations so that we are ready to help those who will be in that position as things begin to reopen, the coordinator said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tinubu and Gov. Akeredolu

By Ayodeji Alabi

Chief Bola Tinubu, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has solicited the support of traditional rulers in Ondo State for the re-election of Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the governorship election in the state is scheduled to hold on Oct. 10.

Tinubu made the appeal on Saturday at the Dome International Event Centre, Akure, during an interactive session with traditional rulers in the state.

The APC national leader, who dismissed insinuations that there was a rift between him and Akeredolu, said that the state needed the governor to continue his good job so that the people could enjoy more dividends of democracy.

Dont listen to them. Some people can go to any length to lie against other people. We are not fighting, Odua people need to be united.

Our monarchs, your support is needed, though you have assured us that you have agreed to ensure Akeredolu comes back for second term, he said.

According to the APC leader, people have seen the good things such as roads, agricultural developments, schools, industrial park and others things that Akeredolu has done in the state since he came on board.

We have commissioned the Revenue House today and he has assured us of bringing back the produce marketing board. He has also guaranteed employment for youths across the state.

Kabiyesis, our schools that you have built and sent us to has brought us where we are today. If we dont invest in education like Akeredolu has done, our children will lag behind.

Youths need jobs, our youths who are left at home need to be catered for because we cannot leave them. We want a second term.

Please, we are here to tell and show that there is no quarrel between children of Oodua. We will not go back to the situation of 1983, the former governor of Lagos said.

Tinubu, therefore, charged the traditional rulers to speak with their chiefs and subjects to ensure that Akeredolu was re-elected.

Earlier, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, gave assurance of the support of the traditional rulers for the second term bid of the governor.

According to Akinruntan, what makes the monarchs support Akeredolus reelection is the giant strides of his administration since inception.

The flag-off of the deep sea port, Araromi-Lekki-Ibeju Road, Overhead bridge in Ore, and many roads across the state.

He also upgraded traditional rulers from grade D to C, the monarch said.

Also speaking, Akeredolu promised to do more, with the support of the traditional rulers, if he was reelected for a second term.

The governor, who said the election was for Oodua people, explained that it was the turn for a Yoruba presidency by 2023, hence the importance of APC retaining the seat in Ondo State.

This progressive party must continue to be in Ondo. What happened in Oyo state must not happen here. Talk to your people because this election is for Oodua people, he said.

Dignitaries at the event included Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos State, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Chief Bisi Akande, the pioneer national chairman of APC. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Scene of a road accident

Yetunde Fatungase

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun says no fewer than 109 persons lost their lives while 665 others sustained injuries in various road accidents across the state between January and August.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Public Relations Officer of the Corps, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Saturday.

Akinbiyi said that there were 527 road traffic crashes involving motorcycles and motor vehicle accidents.

He explained that of the 109 deaths recorded during the period, 83 were males while 26 were females. Of the 665 injured, 487 were males while 178 were females, he added.

Akinbiyi also disclosed that 35 persons died from motorcycle accidents while 74 died from incidents involving motor vehicles.

He blamed most of the accidents on speeding, tyre burst, dangerous driving and wrongful overtaking.

The TRACE spokesman said that the command would continue to work towards ensuring safety on the roads via continuous sensitisation of motorists.

He advised motorists to continue to abide by safety rules and regulations and always be careful snytime they approach road diversions. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

IDPs in Nigeria

By Amen Gajira

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, has reached out to displaced victims of the recent attacks in the Southern part of the state with food items and clothing.

Presenting the items on Saturday at the IDP camp in Zonkwa, Zango Kataf Local Government Area, the State CAN Chairman, Rev. John Hayab, said the gesture was meant to cushion the hardship victims were facing.

We are here on behalf of all the Christians in Kaduna State to identify with the victims of attacks in this part of the state.

And we didnt come empty handed but have brought some food items and clothing for them to use in this hard times, he added.

Hayab enjoined the people of Southern Kaduna not to despair as after every calamity comes blessings of God.

The challenges, hardships, pains and troubles you are currently going through shouldnt discourage you but make you stronger.

We know this is a trying period for you all but we strongly believe that this phase will pass away and launch you to greatness, he said.

He said that CAN would continue to seek divine intervention for lasting solution to the security challenges bedeviling the region.

The state CAN chairman decried the politicisation of the crisis in the region, saying it was evil to play politics with human lives.

Our only problem as CAN is that some people till today are playing politics with the issue of the crisis which is unfortunate.

They are bringing up narratives that are not okay. Once a human being is killed, we should desist from reading meanings into it that are not true, he said.

Hayab commended those managing the facility for the sacrifices they had been making to cater for the IDPs in their period of need.

According to him, CAN was in talks with well spirited individuals and organisations to help victims rebuild their homes.

Receiving the items, the Camp Coordinator, Rev. Gambo Waziri, thanked CAN for the gesture and assured of judicious use of the items for the purpose for which it was given.

Waziri noted that the camp was set up on July 11 to cater for displaced persons from over 13 communities.

NAN reports that the items distributed included bags of beans, rice, maize and clothing.

Prayers were offered to victims nursing injuries within the camp and at various hospitals in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Middle East Airline making its first trip to Nigeria after five months of international travel lockdown

By Yunus Yusuf

There was palpable joy on Saturday as the first international flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was coming after five months of closure of the Nigerian airspace due to the lockdown occasioned by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Middle East Airline (MEA), which took off from Beirut, Lebanon, made history as the first international flight to land anywhere in the country as it touched down at the MMIA at exactly 2.30 p.m.

The aircraft was ceremonially welcomed with a water cannon demonstration by the officials of the Aerodrome and Rescue Fire Fighters, a Department in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

NAN also reports that officials of FAAN, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Port Health Services (PHS), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other relevant agencies were on ground to attend to the passengers brought in by the airline.

On arrival at the terminal, passengers presented their documents, including COVID-19 PCR test results for screening by the Port Health Services officials, while their travelling papers, passports and visas were handled by the immigration officials at the airport.

However, there was no much work to be done by the officials on ground as the aircraft landed with just 200 passengers as approved by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

The passengers, comprised Nigerians and foreigners, conducted themselves orderly and went through the protocols as approved by the PTF.

At the arrival and departure halls of the airports, the arriving and departing passengers observed the social distancing protocols, just as it was being currently observed on the domestic routes.

Speaking on the procedures, Mr Abdullahi Usman, Comptroller, NIS, MMIA, said the process was seamless and passengers were cooperative while travelling documents were requested from them by the officials.

Usmanexplained that on arrival, Nigerians onboard need not to fill another travel card, saying that when necessary; the immigration service would give them the right form to fill.

He said: As you can see, the passengers are coming in quantum, not in a mass.

The control of the passengers start from the disembarkation of the aircraft and you can see it yourself how orderly things were done.

The procedures remain the same. Social distancing is there. Nigerians have no need to fill another card.

Once we have any other information to get from them, we will give them another card. We want to ensure seamless passengers clearance at the counters.

Also, Mrs Victoria Shin-Aba, Regional Manager, South-West, FAAN, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the management of FAAN for ensuring smooth return of flight services on the international scene. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian soldiers

Abdullahi Shugaba

Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity of the Nigerian Army have arrested 418 bandits and 315 illegal miners in the North-West.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operation, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, stated this while briefing newsmen on the success recorded by the Army Operation at the Special Army Super Camp 4, Faskari, Katsina State, on Saturday.

Onyeuko explained that Operation Sahel Sanity launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in July 2020, was to support Operation Hadarin Daji to fight banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, arm robbery and all form of criminalities in North-West and some parts of North-Central.

He stated that troops of the Operation Sahel Sanity had recovered 43 Ak-47 rifles, 100 locally made guns, 3,261 live ammunitions and 151 local bullets from bandits across the five states of Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger.

He said that from July to date, the troops have neutralised 100 bandits, 20 informants, and six arms dealers that specialised in supplying arms to bandits.

According to him, during the period under review, 81 bandits camps were destroyed including that of notorious bandits leader, nick named Dangote who was killed on July 24.

Onyeuko announced that a total of 3,984 cattle, 1,627 sheep and goats, and three camels were also recovered from the camps.

He said the animals have been handed over to relevant authority who would return them to their owners.

Onyeuko assured communities in the affected states of the armys determination to rid the zone of all criminalities, urging them to provide relevant information to security agencies in the ongoing operations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume

By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa

Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume has been declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for the forthcoming Imo North senatorial by-election which held on Thursday.

He was declared winner by the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee for Imo North, Umar Gana Nguma, at the collation centre in Onuimo Civic Centre.

According to Nguma, Araraume scored the highest votes of 22,944 votes while Chidinma Uwajumogu came a distant second with 3,757 votes.

Nguma also announced votes scored by other aspirants to include, Mark Uchendu, 1,877; Frank Ibezim, 1,216 and Athan Achonu, 934 votes.

Others were, Matthew Omegara, 698; Acho Ihim, 212; Bright Nwachukwu, 126; Eze Okoro, 53 and Uchenna Uchewuba, 51 votes.

He disclosed that the number of registered voters was 37, 228 while the number of total votes cast was 32,464.

Nguma said the result was a collation of the direct election held in all the wards within the six council areas in the senatorial district.

He commended members of the party in the senatorial district for conducting themselves in a most peaceful manner during the exercise. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

PTF on COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has adjusted the curfew from 12 midnight through 4a.m. as it continued the gradual easing of lockdown measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

The National Coordinator, PTFon COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu,disclosed thisduring the PTF briefing on COVID-19 at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday.

Aliyu, however, explained that people on essential service and travellers returning from abroad were exempted from the curfew.

I will first of all start with general movement. We are modifying the curfew to commence from 12 midnight to 4 a.m. nationwide effective from 12:00 tonight.

This does not apply to people on essential services and international travellers that may be returning from abroad, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the PTF, following the lifting of the lockdown occasioned by the pandemic, had on May 4, 2020, imposed a nationwide curfew from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Also in June, the PTF reduced the nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. in a bid to limit social interactions and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation

Source: NAN News