Andy Murray

Former world number one Andy Murray says he is not in favour of a breakaway players group led by Novak Djokovic.

The Briton is now urging fellow athletes to give the governing body, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), more time to tackle their concerns.

Top-ranked Djokovic, Canadian Vasek Pospisil and American John Isner resigned from the players council of the ATP after other members formally asked them to step down.

The move has provoked resistance from the two most successful players in mens tennis, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, who are also part of the players council.

The sports world governing bodies have also called for unity.

I wont be signing it today, three-times Grand Slam winner Murray said ahead of the U.S. Open.

Im not totally against a players union, players association, but right now theres a couple of things: One is I feel like the current management that are in place should be given some time to implement their vision, the Briton told reporters.

Whether that works out, or not, would potentially influence me in the future as to which way I will go.

Djokovic posted on social media with a picture of more than 60 players on court at the U.S. Open venue.

We are excited to announce the beginning of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), the first player-only association in tennis since 1972, Djokovic wrote.

Djokovic has said their intention was not to disrupt the existing ATP tour but offer a platform for players to be better heard on decisions that affect their livelihoods.

The ATP governs the mens professional tour and former Italian player Andrea Gaudenzi took over as chairman in January for a four-year term.

Murray also opposed the PTPA on the grounds that it is a body only for male athletes, since he believed a combined entity with women players would send a much more powerful message.

Australian Todd Woodbridge, a nine-times Wimbledon doubles champion and singles semi-finalist, slammed the timing of the move.

He pointed at the ATP Tour circuit just only returning last week after a six-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Let me just start by saying this is tone deaf by the group that have decided to break away, Woodbridge told Australias Nine media, also raising questions about the exclusion of women from the PTPA.

This is the first week back and they throw this sort of bomb out there? Im pretty disappointed with the way that theyve gone with that timing.

Belgian Kim Clijsters, a four-times Grand Slam singles winner, felt the womens WTA tour has been very well run over the years but there was always room for improvement.

Greek world number six Stefanos Tsitsipas said: I havent been involved at all, like zero. I have nothing to do with this. I dont even know what theyre talking about. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Nana Musa

President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to continue strengthening the primary healthcare system and the inbuilt routine immunization strategy, using various data and technology driven tools.

Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, made the promise at the Africa Polio-Free certificate celebration, on Saturday in Abuja.

We shall deploy the valuable material and human resource for health assets that have been built up over the decades of fighting polio.

Towards the goal of supporting the prevention of other disease patterns, strengthening our health system, as we are currently doing with the COVID-19 pandemic response, he said.

The president said that it was a good example of what the country could achieve collectively as a people, when they work together.

We gather to celebrate the certification of Nigeria and with us the continent of Africa, as polio free.

Our own certification is the result of the collective efforts of many devoted and enthusiastic individuals, organizations who believed in the vision of a polio-free Nigeria and went over and beyond the ordinary to add value to the ideal, Buhari said.

He said that the achievement was possible with the help of development partners who mostly brought technical support and guidance, as well as sponsors and donors who brought financial support.

He also applauded the traditional, religious and community leaders who brought moral and social support, as well as other partners such as the Rotary International, who helped to set the goal and direct the course.

Buhari commended the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) for the global conglomerate of which the Rotary International is a key member, for generating and driving the process that took Nigeria to the desired destination.

He urged the GPEI not to relent in its efforts until the entire world is free of the virus.

The Governor of Ekiti State and also the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, commended all the partners that worked with the forum in ensuring that polio became history in the country.

The Chairman of Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee (NNPPC), Dr Tunji Funsho, said that the committee contributed to the eradication of polio in the country.

Funsho commended stakeholders for their constant contributions towards ending polio in African. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Electricity meters

By Zainab Oyekan

The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) has commenced mass metering of its customers, the companys Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Elijah, has said.

Elijah disclosed in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Jos that the company had the capacity to meter every resident of the city.

People who want to be metered should go to any of the JED offices to apply for one.

Once applicants make the necessary payment, installation will be made within 10 days of payment.

We are here to serve you and if there are issues of any form concerning metering, we encourage our customers to report to us, he said.

He, however, warned people to desist from illegal connection and vandalising the companys property.

The official said some offenders had already been prosecuted, and warned that any one caught would be punished accordingly.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Bush meat

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Park Service and National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have warned against the consumption of bushmeat.

The Conservator of Park (CP), Dr Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this on the sidelines of a sensitisation campaign to Gosa Market, Airport Road, in Abuja.

The two agencies had embarked on joint sensitisation campaign against bushmeat consumption to some markets in the FCT

Mohammed said the purpose of the campaign was to educate people on zoonotic disease, especially the vendors of bushmeat on the dangers it posed to the heath of humans.

He said zoonoses is a disease that could be transmitted from animal to humans and vice versa.

Mohammed said there were many zoonotic diseases that originate from wildlife, that is the bushmeat people consume, such as tuberculosis, Ebola and currently Corona Virus had been traced to wildlife.

The main objective of our outing is to sensitise the public to the significance of zoonoses.

It is a disease that can be transmitted from man to animal or animal to human and to some extent they have been traced to bushmeat.

We are here to educate the public, those that are into it, the vendors of bushmeat to avoid it.

We said we should come to those joints and spots to educate them because the hunters just kill these animals and the lifeless bodies are brought in for them, and they bought.

Before they process for selling, the vendors are the first contact and the disease is spread through contact and the disease keeps spreading from humans to even domestic animals. So that is why we are here.

He said the campaign would be continuous and the first target was Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area Councils.

Mohammed, however, said funding was needed to continue to support the exercise.

He advised the general public to avoid buying bushmeat as the best option to avoid the disease.

As I said they should avoid buying the bushmeat, like I said to the vendors.

The best option is to avoid it, that is my best advice to the public.

A Bushmeat seller, Madame Christiana , who spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) thanked the organisers of the programme and promised to abide by the rules.

What I will do is to abide by the rules . If I want to buy the bushmeat I will know how to buy it as they have enlightened us.

I will tell my customers to obey the social distancing when they come to buy.

Mr Josiah Goni, Chairman of the market, thanked the the National park and NESREA, adding that he was impressed with the programme.

Goni noted that many of the traders did not believe there is coronavirus, saying but I am sure they have learnt today that it is real.

He said he would further sensitise other traders that the virus is real and they should comply with the safety guidelines.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A combined team of FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police has rescued three people trapped in a building a truck crashed into at Madala, FCT.

FEMA director-general Idriss Abbas in a statement on Sunday explained that the truck, which was loaded with beverages, crashed into the residential building on Saturday.

Abbas said that the victims sustained injuries and had been taken to the Zuba General Hospital.

He said the accident caused a gridlock on the Zuba-Abuja expressway, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes to reach Abuja.

The rains are getting heavier and the roads are getting slippery; motorists must apply more caution, he said.

The FEMA boss maintained that disaster management was a collective effort, urging developers to respect the Abuja Master Plan and follow due process before embarking on building projects.

He also enjoined developers to always follow approved building plans and desist from manipulating the plans to suit their personal interest, thereby endangering lives.

Some of the houses affected by flood are structures whose owners try to extend the fence to the banks of the rivers close to them, just to add a few meters to their originally approved plot, he observed.

Abbas stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to complement efforts of the FCT administration toward reducing disasters to the barest minimum.

He also advised residents to always call the toll-free emergency number 112 for prompt response to any emergency.

Source: NAN News

CAN

By Aderemi Bamgbose

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Sunday, urged Christians to sustain adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines in spite of the reduction in the daily number of cases in the country.

Pastor Peter Akinyelure, CAN Chairman, Okitipupa Local Government Area (LGA) Chapter, Ondo State made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Okitipupa.

He said that Christians must not take the reduction in the number of cases recorded by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for granted.

According to him, people must continue with the regular washing of hands and the use of alcohol- based hand sanitiser.

Akinyelure said that Christians should also continue to maintain physical distancing, avoid hugging, shaking of hands and maintain a clean environment in order to curtail the spread of the virus.

The cleric urged Christians to obey all government precautionary measures during their church services saying government was magnanimous to partially open churches.

We thank the government for partially opening the churches for us to fellowship together.

We urge our members to obey and respect the guidelines given to us before opening the churches such as, use of face masks, washing of hands, use of sanitiser and maintaining physical distance in the church.

The daily figure of COVID-19 is reducing but we must not lose our guard, we should sustain the adherence to the NCDC guidelines and protocols to chase the deadly disease away from our land, Akinyelure said.

The cleric, however, urged Christians to pray fervently for Gods intervention to end the COVID-19 pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The Federal Government is set to inject over N600 billion as stimulus response into the agriculture sector.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, made this known in a statement signed by the Director of Information of the ministry, Mr Theodore Ogaziechi on Sunday in Abuja.

The minister according to the statement, made this known while on a tour of Dangote Fertiliser Plant and other fertiliser companies in Lagos State.

Nanono said the stimulus package would target small scale farmers, to ensure food security and sustainability.

He explained that the package would target farmers nationwide and expected to begin with an initial 2.4 million farmers.

He noted that to avoid the abuse of government funds and good intentions, the support would be in form of inputs and not cash as was the practice in the past.

The minister added that the closure of all international borders, necessitated by the COVID-19 Pandemic, had made it evident that Nigeria could conveniently and sustainably feed itself.

The minister, who commenced the tour with a courtesy call on the governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promised to support the state farming communities with rural roads, solar lighting and water holes to increase productivity.

Nanono further promised to collaborate with the Lagos State government in revamping the fish sub-sector in order to tap into its marine potentials to reduce fish importation.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu promised to collaborate with the Federal Government not only in the fishing sector but mechanised farming as well.

The governor said this would be actualised when the largest rice mill in Nigeria with a capacity to mill approximately 30 million metric tonnes of rice per annum was completed.

He said it would help Nigeria focus more on exportation of rice and downward review of prices at the retail market.

The governor said Lagos State had a large retail market for agricultural products as well as the largest enabler in the industry with Dangote Fertiliser Plant cited in its domain.

For their part, Dangote Group and other fertiliser blending companies, including Premium Agro Limited, Elephant Group and Kewalram Group complained that raw materials for fertiliser blending were a challenge.

They said ammonium phosphate, particularly, was a major challenge.

Dangote Group, however, assured it would consider exploration of local source for the raw materials which would hopefully solve the problem of fertiliser shortfall in the country.

Source: NAN News

PDP Logo

The Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), announced candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), winners of all the chairmanship and councilorship seats in Saturdays council polls conducted across the 13 Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

Mr Jossy Eze, Chairman of EBSIEC, made the disclosure in Abakaliki while announcing the results of the elections held across the 171 electoral wards and 13 councils of the state.

Eze announced that the commission has ratified and adopted the chairmanship results for the 13 LGAs as announced by various LGA returning officers and the councillorship results announced at the 171 electoral wards.

Chief Emmanuel Nwangele won the chairmanship position for Abakaliki LGA, Mrs Obiageri Oko-EnyimAfikpo North, Chief Eni Uduma Afikpo South and Mrs Chinyere NwogbagaEbonyi LGA.

Dr Nora Alo won the Chairmanship seat for Ezza North LGA, Mr Kenneth EzeEzza South LGA, Chief Stephen OrogwuIkwo LGA, Mr Henry EzeIshiellu and Mr Onyebuchi OgbaduIvo LGA.

Chief Paul Nwogha won the chairmanship position for Izzi LGA, Mrs Chinyere IyiokuOhaozara LGA, Clement OdahOhaukwu LGA and Mr Felix IgbokeOnicha LGA, he said.

The EBSIEC Chairman, however, declined to disclose the figures of the results.

He thanked all stakeholders involved in the conduct of the elections, for their support and encouragement.

I particularly thank the state government for not interfering in the conduct of the elections as this helped in making it credible, free and fair.

The election has been won and lost, but the victory is for everybody who participated at the elections.

The winners should carry everybody along and everyone should contribute in delivering democratic dividends to people at the grassroots, which the local government areas represent, he said.

Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, PDP Chairman in the state, commended EBSIEC for conducting a hitch-free election and all stakeholders who contributed to its smooth conduct.

We congratulate our candidates for the victory as its overwhelming nature shows that Ebonyi is a PDP state.

We assure the electorate that our candidates will continue to deliver democracy dividends to them under the able guidance of the state governor, he said.

Source: NAN News

Ekiti State Government says it has remodeled and repositioned its Cultural troupe to perform and earn money within and outside the country.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Prof. Ojo Bakare, Bakare said at the end of 21-day training on professionalism and technical know-how, for 32 energetic and talented youths newly employed into the troupe.

According to him, the remodeled troupe is designed to be a good product, sellable globally to generate revenue for Ekiti.

Bakare said: When I assumed office as commissioner in Dec. 31, 2019, we met a troupe depleted of personnel.

Today we are on the path to building not just a state or national but a global troupe.

Performing Arts requires energy, that is why we approached Gov., Kayode Fayemi, who generously approved the recruitment and training of 32 versatile, energetic and talented youths.

We are building not just a state or national, but global troupe that will be commercially driven for revenue generation to the state .

Arts is a product, ours will be developed to a commercially viable venture to increase Ekiti Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Commissioner said that the sustainability of the envisioned troupe would be on Private Partnership Project.

He said that the artistes would be motivated through entitlement to allowances like, weigh-in and hazard among others.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ekiti Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Titilope Ganiyu, reiterated that the state was ready to remodel the troupe to enviable height.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Ekiti House of Assembly Committee on Culture and Tourism, Mr Adeyemi Ajibade, said lawmakers were ready to support the sector in terms of legislation that would promote its viability.

Ajibade said that there were bills currently in the House of Assembly aimed at promoting and sustaining the rich cultural values for the development of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the performance and display of talents by the various departments, dance, music and drama, to entertain the guests and audience.

Source: NAN News

PDP Logo

By Deborah Coker

The Edo 2020 Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says its only interest is the conducting of free, fair, credible and transparent elections in the state, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chief Dan Orbih, the Chairman of the PDP campaign council, said this in a statement in Benin on Saturday.

Orbih said that the campaign council would not be dragged into the narrative in the social and conventional media dwelling on the appointment of a Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state by INEC.

The Campaign Council of Edo PDP recognises that INEC is an independent body and reserves the right to appoint officials who have been cleared by the National Assembly to conduct elections in various states.

As the commission responsible for election management, INEC will take responsibility for successes of elections and of course its failures.

Expectedly, we are watching with keen interest, steps that are taken by INEC in preparation for the election.

The election is just a few weeks away and our candidate has been recieved with enthusiasm in all the 126 wards so far visited.

In all stops, he has preached non violence, compliance with COVID-19 regulations and of course, his achievements and further development strides.

Edo people must not be scared or intimidated by the narrative of violence.

We hereby encourage all Edo people to come out enmass to vote for Gov. Godwin Obaseki and PDP on the election day, September 19, he said.

Speaking further with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that enough policemen were deployed to the state to protect voters from unnecessary harassment by agents of any political party.

The campaign council chairman noted that democracy would be depeened if voters were allowed to exercise their rights and franchise.

He said that unleashing violence on the electorate would not save any situation, adding that the various political actors should show the people their report cards and what they would do for the people.

Orbih also noted that since the ward-to-ward campaign tour of the party, it had continued to harvest defectors across the 126 wards so far visited.

He explained that the defectors were attracted by what the PDP candidate had done in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Flood

By Opeyemi Aremu-Gbemiro

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged Ekiti residents to obey environmental laws of the state to avert the flood predicted to accompany heavy rains in many states including Ekiti.

Mr Olusegun Afolayan, the NEMA Head of Operations, in charge of Ondo and Ekiti, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti.

Afolayan was speaking on the sideline of a Road Show organised by NEMA to sensitise the residents on the effects of flood if not averted.

He said the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) listed Ekiti among 28 states that might be flooded due to expected heavy rains between August and October.

The 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction, unveiled by the NiMET had projected that rainfall would start on February 24 and cease by December 28 in the southern part of the country.

According to him, obeying environmental laws of the state will stop them from dumping refuse on waterways, canals and drainage systems and building on flood plains.

Flood is a natural disaster, we can only take preventive measures to avert it and in case it happens, to ensure the impact is less, that is the reason for this exercise.

There is a need to clear all the refuse dumped in the gutters so that water will flow properly and thoroughly. We saw some canals where refuse was dumped.

We have to notify Ekiti State Environmental Protection Agency to clear those wastes that were dumped in such canals, he said.

According to him, the state government and the community should do the needful while the governments should direct its agency to clear blocked canals.

Government should also embark on the sensitisation of the communities by disseminating information on the ills of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the gutters or surrounding environments.

This is to avoid the flood disaster predicted by NiMET, NIHSA and NEMA, he said.
Afolayan said that Ekiti residents needed to be proactive by not dumping waste indiscriminately in the drainage or public places

He warned those living in flood-prone areas to vacate such environments.

He said the road show became necessary to intimate the citizens on early moves to avert the flood predicted to accompany heavy rains in the state.

The NEMA boss said other sister agencies, the State Emergency Management Agencies, Red Cross, some NGOs, National Orientation Agency, joined in the sensitisation to warn residents and traders on the need to dump wastes properly to avoid flooding. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Audu ogbe

By Ginika Okoye

Chief Audu Ogbeh, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has expressed joy over the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as President, African Development Bank (AfDB).

The former minister told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday that Adesinas re-election was a good omen for Africas development.

Ogbeh urged the AfDB president to design an agenda capable of giving more robust support to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the private sector.

It is a good thing for Africa; the continent desperately needs growth in virtually all sectors. I urge him give more support to micro small and medium enterprises.

In supporting MSMEs, economic growth and job creation will be enhanced in the continent, he said.

Ogbeh said that the MSMEs and the private sector had the capacity to eliminate desperation among the youths, if properly harnessed.

It would be recalledAdesina was on Aug. 27, re-elected as AFDBs president for a second term of five years. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Uche uwaleke

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

An economic expert, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, has urged thePresident of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr Akinwumi Adesina, to facilitate the integration of African economies through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Uwaleke, Professor of Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University Keffi, stated this on Saturday, while reacting to the reelection of Adesina as AfDB President.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adesina was on Aug. 27, reelected by the Banks Board of Governors, for a second five-year term.

Adesina will serve a second five-year term beginning on Sept. 1, having being first elected to the position in May 2015.

Uwaleke told NAN that AfDB should concentrate efforts in the coming years in facilitating the integration of African economies through AfCFTA.

According to him, AfDB should work closely with African Export-Import to boost intra African trade.

Another area I expect to see remarkable progress in the next five years is industrialisation of Africa, which can only be possible with adequate power infrastructure.

This will help in diversifying the economies of most African countries that are heavily commodity dependent.

To this end, I would like the bank to focus investments in projects that harness the continents potential in renewable energy, he added.

He noted that Adesinas re-election was a testimony to the good works he did during his first term.

Uwaleke said that Adesinas good works were increasing the banks capital base and the contributions of the bank in reducing poverty in Africa through agriculture.

He stated that the efforts earned the AfDB President prize for his achievements in promoting food security in Africa through innovation in Agriculture.

I would expect him to continue along this path, as food security is a major challenge in Africa, Uwaleke said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sport Minister Mr Sunday Dare

By Akeem Abas

Mr Sunday Dare, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, says the Federal Government has approved the training of over 5,000 youths in different vocations.

Dare said this during his visit tothe Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, at his Popoyemoja Palace in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dare had visited the monarch to felicitate with him on his 92nd birthday.

The minister also said there was a marching order for contractors working on federal government roads in Oyo State to return to site.

Dare, who noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected the laid down programmes of the Federal Government, however, said work had now commenced across the various sectors of the economy.

I want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for giving me the opportunity to serve in his cabinet from my dear state, Oyo State.

Sir, because of COVID-19, all the laid down programmes of our president was stopped. But since last three weeks, he has been approving the programmes.

If you recall, when I became a minister, you sent some youths to me for employment, but today we have received approval to train 5,000 youths in the state.

I want the palace to nominate one person to liaise with my office and myself to carry out the programme, he said.

Dare added that approval had also been given to commence work on Saki water works following the efforts Mr Adebayo Shittu, the immediate past Minister of Communications.

The minister, who pleaded for forgiveness for not visiting the monarch since he became minister, congratulated the Olubadan on his 92nd birthday and wished him long life in good health.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 160 new cases of COVID-19, with total infections rising to 53, 477.

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 160 new cases marked the lowest figure in the country since the last three months.

On Aug. 4, Nigeria reported 288 COVID-19 cases and 290 new cases just one week later.

The NCDC further reported 252 cases on Aug. 25 and 221 on Aug. 26.

It said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre activated at Level 3 had continued to coordinate the national response activities across the country.

The NCDC also stated that 291 persons recovered from isolation centres across the country in the last 24 hours with no fatality.

The public health agency noted that the new figure brought the total number of confirmed cases to 53,477 in the country.

Out of this figure, the NCDC said 41,017 had been successfully treated and discharged while the death toll remained at 1011 in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It stated that the 160 new cases were from 15 states.

According to it, Plateau topped the list with 44 cases, Lagos came second with 27 infections, followed by Katsina, 18, Edo, 15 and the FCT, 14.

Others were Ondo with 10, Oyo, 9, Kwara, 6, Abia and Nasarawa, 4, Kano , 3, Ekiti and Kaduna, 2, Kebbi and Ogun, 1.

Meanwhile, the agency said that the reopening of places of worship did not mean that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak had subsided.

If you must gather to worship in the mosque today, take preventive measures to protect yourself and loved ones.

Wear a face mask and dont share personal items, it said.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed delight at the progress made in Nigeria-Norwegian relations in the last four years.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement on Friday.

He quoted the president as making his feelings known at a virtual farewell meeting with the out-going Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud.

Buhari commended Kjemprud for the bilateral accomplishment in the area of oil and gas, fishing, humanitarian assistance in the Northeast and other benefits that his efforts have brought to Nigeria.

I congratulate you on your performance and hard work and for the help in the promotion of welfare of people in the Northeast where we have problem of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and infrastructural deficit.

We are very grateful. Thank you, he said.

The out-going Ambassador in his speech, said his four-year tenure had grown economic relations between the two nations substantially.

He noted in particular, the presence of more than 70 Norwegian companies in the country as well as the important step by the Norwegian Sovereign Welfare Fund to invest in the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

He also cited as a very important achievement, the organisation of two donor conferences driven by Norway that raised more than one billion dollars for the development and humanitarian assistance to the Northeast.

Source: NAN News

INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged the commissions officials in the 18 local government areas (LGAs), of Edo to be neutral and professional in handling the Sept. 19, governorship elections.

Yakubu made the call at a meeting with the Electoral Officers (EOs), Heads of departments, heads of Units and other members of staff of the commission on Friday in Benin.

He said, we are really happy to be here, we have heard so much about the preparation about Edo election and we thought we should come and see things for ourselves.

As part of our visit, we are meeting with members of staff particularly the field commanders who are the EOs in the 18 local government areas of the state.

I am here to draw your attention to a few things you need to know.
Neutrality is absolutely very important.

I am excited about what the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said about neutrality and professionalism.

We are not supporting any political party or candidate and we are not also against any political party or candidate either.

Our concern is the integrity of the entire process. The choice of who becomes the governor of Edo is entirely in the hands of Edo people, he said.

According to the Chairman, we are going to guide and jealously protect the process.

The INEC boss also informed the EOs that the commission had introduced new innovation in order to deepen transparency of the results management process.

He noted that the commission had introduced a new results viewing portal which was piloted in Nasarawa Central state Constituency bye-elections.

In addition to the smart card readers for voter authentication there will be new tablets with camera in all the polling units and voting points.

At the close of voting, sorting, counting and recording of ballots, pictures of form EC8A will be taken and transmitted to a dedicated portal.

So that Nigerians can view the polling units results even before a declaration is made. We did it in Nasarawa bye-election.

This is the next major election, so you are going to set the pace for major elections. We look forward to availability of the form EC8As on the portal for the public to view on election day, Yakubu added.

The Chairman also emphasised the need for INEC officials to be punctual at their various polling units and voting points and must begin the process at the stipulated time of 8.30am and close voting by 2.30pm.

According to him, you have to address the issue of logistics particularly transportation. You have to engage the vehicles and boat owners early enough.

Please take note that boats and vehicles should only carry 50 per cent of the installed passenger capacity because of social distancing and COVID-19 policy, which means you will be needing more means of transportation.

I am confident that you will not let the commission down.

One of the lessons we learnt in the 2016 Edo governorship election is that we must speedily conclude the process and declare the results in good time.

The longer it takes to declare the results, the more problematic it becomes for us to manage public perception.

So you have to get logistics right in order to speedily conclude the process.

Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr Johnson Alalibo, said the card readers for the election had been supplied and were being configured for the election.

He noted that the commissions mantra for the conduct of the Edo governorship election was professionalism, neutrality and non- partisanship. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Douye Diri Bayelsa State Governor

By Shedrack Frank

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has activated the newly inaugurated Bayelsa State Molecular Laboratory, Research and Diagnostic Centre for COVID-19 testing.

The facility, which was inaugurated by Gov. Douye Diri, brought the number of NCDC accredited laboratories in the country to 66 in 34 states.

The Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, announced this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Yenagoa.

He said that the NCDC in a letter by the Laboratory Network Advisor, Celestina Obiekea, to the Bayelsa Commissioner for Health, statedthat the laboratory had fulfilled the necessary requirements to test for COVID-19.

He quoted the NCDC as saying that the state would be responsible for procurement of consumables, equipment and other materials while it would support the state with reagents and test kits.

While inaugurating the centre, Diri expressed delight at the quality of medical equipment in the laboratory.

He said that the setting up of the centre marked the end of the rigorous task of getting sample results from Edo and Rivers.

From when we had the index case to the point of collection of samples out of Bayelsa to as far as Irrua in Edo State it was not comfortable for us.

It took a long time to get there same day for the test and the sample results to be ready. There were some results we got two months later from Rivers State.

From that time, we became determined to have our own testing centre and laboratory.

Then I gave a directive to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and his team. Im happy because it is one thing to give approval and another to get it implemented.

So, I appreciate the Permanent Secretary, the Director of Public Health, Vice Chancellor of the Bayelsa Medical University and others who made it possible for us to have this centre.

Now we have our own laboratory and test centre even beyond COVID-19. I call on Bayelsa people to take full advantage of this centre, he said.

The permanent secretary, Dr Inodu Apoku, on his part, described the inauguration of the centre as the most advanced measure and comprehensive COVID-19 response in the state.

Apoku said the centre had been adjudged as one of the best testing centres by the NCDC during the accreditation process, considering the type of equipment put in place.

He noted that the centre could process 200 samples in three to four hours, stressing that with a disease that spread quickly as COVID-19, every hour was critical to containment. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The volume of shares traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday dropped by 45.46 per cent.

Speficially, investors sold and bought 137.05 million shares worth N920.53 million in 2,869 deals.

This was in contrast with 251.29 million shares valued at N1.58 billion exchanged in 2,954 deals on Thursday.

Access Bank drove the activity chart, accounting for 25.78 million shares worth N162.51 million.

FBN Holdings accounted for 15.65 million shares valued at N77.66 million, while FTN Cocoa traded 11.34 million shares valued at N2.34 million.

Royal Exchange accounted for 11.18 million shares worth N2.54 million, while FCMB traded 8.13 million shares valued at N17.18 million.

However, the market capitalisation rose by two billion naira or 0.02 per cent to close at N13.203 trillion against N13.201 trillion recorded on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index increased by 5.12 points or 0.02 per cent to close at 25,309.37 from 25,304.25 achieved on Thursday.

CAP recorded the highest gain to lead the gainers chart, gaining 55k to close at N16.70 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank came second with 20k to close at N25.40, while Access Bank gained 15k to close at N6.40 per share.

United Capital increased by 5k to close at N3.10, while FCMB Group also gained 5k to close at N2.15 per share.

Conversely, Guinness led the losers chart, dropping by N1.45 to close at N14.15 per share.

FBN Holdings trailed 10k to close at N4.95, while Ecobank Transnational Incorporated dipped 5k to close at N3.90 per share.

Jaiz Bank lost 5k to close at 58k, while UACN also dropped 5k to close at N5.70 per share. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that Nigeria will continue to provide support for the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) based in Ndjamena, Chad Republic.

Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Friday said the president gave assurance when he received Amb. Mamman Nuhu , Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission and Head of Mission, MNJTF.

According to him, Nigeria will continue to provide the support in spite being at what he calls the low ebb of resources caused by COVID-19 and fallen oil prices,

President Buhari said despite paucity of resources, security of Nigeria and that of her neighbours must have pride of place, so I will consult with all the relevant officials, and we will do our best.

Nuhu had earlier updated the president on the proposed recharge of Lake Chad, which he said was one of the priorities of Lake Chad Basin Commission, and for which you have great passion.

He also informed the Nigerian leader that the governments of China and Italy were of great support, and positive action should commence soon.

Nuhu commended countries which had contributed troops to MNJTF, adding, however, that kinetic military approach alone would not eradicate insurgency, and emphasis must also be placed on the root causes, particularly poverty.(NAN)

Source: NAN News