Liverpools Chief Executive Officer Peter Moore

Liverpools Chief Executive Officer Peter Moore will step down at the end of next month after three years in the role, the Premier League champions said on Friday.

Liverpool owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Mike Gordon said in a joint statement that Moore had helped the club move forward since coming onboard in 2017.

He has strengthened the clubs business operations through his leadership and we are grateful to him for his passion, dedication and support, they said.

Managing director Billy Hogan would replace Moore from Sept. 1, the club said.

To think we have won the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and the Premier League title during my time here is way beyond my dreams, Moore said.

Its been a phenomenal achievement by the manager, players and staff. The team fully deserves the plaudits and recognition and the memories I will cherish forever. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

FIFA

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter has called for the suspension of his successor, Gianni Infantino, by the global football body after criminal proceedings were opened against Infantino in Switzerland.

Swiss authorities said on Thursday that proceedings had been launched against the current FIFA boss by a special prosecutor looking into meetings he had with the Swiss Attorney-General, Michael Lauber.

Lauber and Infantino have, however, denied any wrongdoing.

For me, the situation is clear that the FIFA ethics committee has to open a case against Mr Infantino and so it has to suspend him, Blatter, 84, said in a statement to Reuters.

FIFA did not immediately reply to a request for comments on Blatters statement.

Blatter, who was FIFA president for 17 years, himself was suspended and later banned by FIFAs ethics committee after he became the subject of criminal proceedings in Switzerland in 2015.

The investigation is still ongoing and Blatter, who has denied any wrongdoing, has not been charged.

It centred on a payment of two million Swiss francs (1.6 million pounds) made in 2011 to then UEFA President Michel Platini with Blatters approval.

Both Blatter and Platini have insisted the payment was for work the Frenchman had done a decade earlier.

Blatter was banned for eight years, but the sentence was reduced to six on appeal, and Platini also for eight years, and reduced to four.

Platini also denied any wrongdoing.

The FIFA ethics committee is divided into an investigatory and an adjudicatory chamber, which since 2017 have been headed by Colombian Maria Claudia Rojas and Greek Vassilios Skouris respectively.

They replaced Swiss Cornel Borbely and German Hans-Joachim Eckert who were ousted when the decision-making FIFA Council decided not to renew their mandates.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Stellamaris Ashinze

A global technology company, Zoho Corporation has highlighted four ways to ensure that business software providers were protecting ones data.

Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager, Africa, Zoho Corporation, said in a statement that in the past few years, privacy breaches around the world had made technology users conscious about the way their data was being used.

Bourne said that to ensure that one did not get dragged into the trap of software breaches, one should do the following.

He said that one should ensure that business providers did not use a third party tracker; look for regulatory compliance, regular communication around data protection and honest about revenue streams.

Acording to him, many business software providers use third-party trackers that allow them to study their website visitors.

However, the apps they used to track them, they use that data to sell ads. This is known as adjunct surveillance.

With the upcoming macOS Big Sur update, it will be easier for users to know which websites are tracking them.

One of the most powerful tools any organisation has at its disposal when it comes to data protection is user education.

The data and security landscape is, after all, evolving constantly and your business software provider needs to be on top of that, he said.

Bourne said that if your provider was educating you on the latest data threats, it was a powerful demonstration that it cared about you keeping your data secure.

According to him, you only need to look at the growth of privacy-centric products like search engine DuckDuckGo to see how mainstream privacy awareness has become.

He said that data privacy issues did not just affect private individuals, they could have a massive impact on businesses, with the average data breach costing in excess of 3.8 million dollars.

Bourne said that surveillance companies, which relied heavily on showing ads to survive, collected user information even from adjunct properties (such as websites of service providers) without users permission.

The regional manager said that B2B companies frequently used products and services from these surveillance companies, giving them access to their users data.

He, however, said that there was the need to ensure to apply the four ways to ensure that the business software providers did not tamper with their data.

Source: NAN News

UNFPA

By Ikenna Osuoha

Trafficking in Persons has been identified as one of the major factors capable of heightening the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), and HIV infections globally.

Dr Natalia Kanem, Executive Director, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), said this in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja by Kori Habib, Media Associate, UNFPA.

Kanem said that traffickers preyed upon the poor and the vulnerable, binding them in unspeakable conditions where every human right was violated.

She decried the cruel manner in which traffickers wielded physical and psychological violence, drugs, and sexual abuse as weapons to control their victims especially women and girls.

And with sexual exploitation and abuse comes a heightened risk of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, making a dire situation deadly.

Even under the best of circumstances, women and girls around the world are less likely than men and boys to enjoy their fundamental rights to health, autonomy, bodily integrity and freedom from violence, Kanem said.

The UNFPA Executive Director explained that Trafficking had the ability of taking gender inequalities to the extreme thereby setting backwards successes made in war against Gender-Based Violence.

Kanem, however, called on national and local governments, law enforcement, criminal justice systems and human rights organisations to redouble efforts to identify and report trafficking by bringing perpetrators to justice as well as supporting survivors.

I also call on governments, community organisations, schools and other institutions to invest in women and girls and guarantee them equal rights and opportunities so that they can fulfill their potential and live a life of dignity, free of harm.

She reemphasised the need for additional efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, which according to her was undermining livelihoods, worsening poverty and increasing womens vulnerability to traffickers.

She observed that schemes of traffickers may become harder for law enforcement to uncover during lockdown.

The Executive Director expressed optimism that the war against forced sex must be won.

She said: Every year, tens of thousands of people are trafficked across and within national borders.

While men and boys tend to be trafficked into forced labor, women and girls tend to be trafficked into forced sex.

Trafficking must never be tolerated, and our fight against it must continue even during the pandemic.

We must not stop until this affront to human rights is brought to an end.

NAN reports that July 30, of every year is set aside by UN to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Source: NAN News

Eid prayer ground

By Leo Okachie/Ihechi Chigemeri-Uwom

The Chief Imam of Umuahia Central Mosque, Alhaji Bako Hamza-Goni, has called for unity and peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, irrespective of their ethno-religious and political affiliations.

Hamza-Goni made the call on Friday in Umuahia, during the Eid prayers organised by the Muslim community to mark this years Sallah celebration.

He described peace as a necessary requirement for development, saying that it was a collective responsibility of all Nigerians to promote peace and shun divisive tendencies.

The cleric therefore urged Nigerians to embrace peace and avoid acts of violence in the overall interest of the nation.

He lauded the state government and security agencies for the prevailing peace and security in Abia and charged the residents to complement governments effort by being law abiding.

In an interview with newsmen, Alhaji Yaro Danladi, the Chairman of South-South and South-East Northern Traditional Rulers, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently deal with the current insecurity in different parts of the country.

Danladi urged the Hausa communities in the two geo-political zones to maintain cordial relationship with their host communities.

Alhaji Suleiman Ukandu, the Chairman of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Abia, said that the celebration was centered on developing faith and trust in God.

Ukandu said: The message has always been adhering strictly to the tenets of Islam, so we have a duty to ensure there is peace, unity and social justice in Nigeria.

He urged the people of Abia to adhere to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) safety protocols for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

Meanwhile, the Imam of the Yoruba Central Mosque, Umuahia, Misbaudeen Raji, also urged the Muslim faithful to intensify their prayers for Allahs mercy and intervention, now that Nigeria is going through a trying moment.

Raji gave the charge in a sermon during the Eid celebration by the Yoruba community in Abia.

He admonished the people to be patient in the face of the hardship occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

He urged them to take the hardship as a trial of their faith in Allah, saying that the situation would soon pass away.
People complain that there is no money for this years celebration. Money is not important, what is important is your life.

What we experienced during the lockdown is a trial for those who are faithful to Allah. It calls for patience, the cleric said.

He attributed the security challenges in most parts of the country to the citizens disobedience to Gods injunctions.

According to him, Nigeria will enjoy peace and stability the moment the citizens begin to follow the rules of Allah.

In separate interviews, some of the worshippers thanked God for life, in spite of the numerous challenges that made this years festivity lowkey.

Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju said, This years celebration will be lowkey because of what we have exprienced.

There is so much hardship but in all situations, we thank God, he said.

Also, Mrs Omolara Tijani, said that the occasion symbolise the significance of sacrifice and almsgiving.

Many of us may not have the money to slaughter ram this year because of hardship but we can still share the little we have with the poor among us, Tijani said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration featured the symbolic slaughtering of rams.

The event attracted at least 500 worshippers, who wore facemasks but physical distancing was not observed.

Provisions for handwashing were also made at strategic points at the various prayer grounds as part of the efforts to check the spread of COVID-19.

A detachment of security personnel were on ground in the capital city to maintain adequate security during the prayer sessions.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja reacted for the first time on the allegations of corruption leveled against the leaderships of some Federal Government Agencies and Commissions.

These commissions include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The president, who spoke after observing his Eid prayers at the fore court of the presidential villa, observed that some appointees of the government in both his administration and the previous one have abused their trust.

He, however, expressed delight that some stolen assets are being recovered, sold and proceeds put into the Single Treasury Account (TSA), which is inaccessible to the corrupt persons involved.

When asked how he felt about recent revelations coming out from the EFCC and the NDDC, President Buhari said:

There has been abuse of trust by people trusted by previous administration and this administration.

A number of assets have been recovered and some money.

But we have introduced TSA where all the monies are taken and I said asset should be sold and the money be put through TSA so that it can be identified at any level and I will see who will come after us and take it back again to those who misappropriated public funds.

While assuring that all past and present cases would be fully investigated, he said: This is why we put the commission (of investigation) in place.

He stressed that all of such cases would be uncovered and firmly dealt with by his government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Senate and House of Representatives are currently investigating how the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) allegedly squandered N40 billion within few months.

NAN also reports that the Presidency had instituted a Presidential Probe Panel headed by retired Justice Ayo Salami to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the suspended acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has joined other stakeholders to receive 2nd Batch Medical Supplies purchased with UN Basket Fund for COVID-19 Response on behalf of the Federal Government.

Mr Olujimi Oyetomi, Director, Information, Media and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health, said this in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja.

Oyetomi said Ehanire joined the National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu at the Cargo Section of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja to receive medical supplies from EU contributions worth N26 Billion.

Ehanire said this 2nd Batch of medical supplies would allay the fears of the health workers, especially the frontline health workers, who thought that Nigeria might be running short of supplies and were threatening strike.

The minister said there was arrangement in place through institutions and international friends like the EU and the UN to have replenishment.

He assured the EU and the UN of judicious distribution of the medical supplies to needed areas.

The Charge dAffaires a.i. of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Alexander Borges Gomes, coordinated the handing over of the Medical Supplies.

Borges-Gomes disclosed that the items were procured through the One United Nations COVID-19 Basket Fund from a significant contribution from the European Union of 50 Million (N26 Billion).

The medical supplies include 500,000 face shields; 200,000 goggles; 100 oro-pharyngeal airways; 10,000 bio-hazard bags; and 14,000 safety boxes.

Borges-Gomes disclosed further that these were the 2nd Batch of the Medical Supplies by Team Europe the EU and its MSs after the arrival of the 1st batch in mid-June, adding Team Europe operates globally and here is the effort on behalf of Nigeria.

The envoy said that the idea of Team Europe was to counter the world wide ravages of COVID-19.

He expressed hope that the equipment would boost the Nigerian Governments response efforts as a whole but in particular, they would protect the heroic frontline health workers.

Source: NAN News

By Ikenna Osuoha

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has urged Nigerians to take steps to protect themselves, especially as the country Nigeria fights against HIV/AIDS and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Dr Gambo Aliyu, the Director-General of NACA made the appeal in a statement in Abuja while felicitating with Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir.

Aliyu appealed to Nigerians in the spirit of the celebration to avoid risky behaviour and follow all laid down protocols to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.

He also advised Nigerians to endeavour to know their HIV status, as it remained the gateway to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.

We should remember the lessons that come with this festive period and relate it to our individual lives as we all continue to strive to curtail the spread of COVID-19 and fight HIV/AIDS to finish in Nigeria.

NAN reports that HIV prevalence among adults in Nigeria is much less (1.5 per cent) than other Sub-Saharan African countries such as South Africa (20.4 per cent) and Zambia (11.3 per cent).

This implied that about 1.9 million Nigerians were living with HIV as at 2018.

Recent drops in prevalence estimates for the country has been attributed to better surveillance.

UNAIDS estimates that about two-thirds of new HIV infections in West and Central Africa in 2017 occurred in Nigeria.

Together with South Africa and Uganda, the country accounts for about half of all new HIV infections in Sub-Saharan Africa every year.

This is in spite of achieving a five per cent reduction in new infections between 2010 and 2017.

Source: NAN News

By Aderogba George
Some 30 Nigerian ladies trafficked to Lebanon are appealing to Nigerian Government to rescue them as they are stranded in that country.

They made the appeal in a statement by the President of Journalists International Forum for Migration (JIFORM), Mr Ajibola Abayomi, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

Abayomi said that the message was being relayed based on an encounter with the victims, which necessitated the call for a speedy rescue action from government.

JIFORM has forwarded details of the human trafficking agents involved in this matter to the relevant agencies and shall monitor it to the logical conclusion to ensure proper investigation and prosecution of those involved.

He said that the ladies were all camped in one room with faulty toilet and other utilities, and were presently housed in a building at Dawra city in Lebanon.

Abayomi said one of the victims, Miss Adebisi Comfort-Oluwatoyin with Passport No. number A10597908, disclosed to JIFORM that they had to escape from the inhuman treatment by their mistresses and hosts.

According to him, the 23 years old lady hails from Ondo State, graduated from the Edo State Polytechnic, Ekpoma, and was a resident in Osun State before departing Nigeria in December 2019.

Help us plead with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and others to save us. The Nigerian embassy in Lebanon have tried but we want to go back home.

Our belongings and international passports were seized with no payments for the service we have been rendering for months. They loosen and cut our hairs with razor blade.

The police and their immigration are always on their side. We are not getting justice and our lives are in danger, Abayomi quoted the victim as saying.

Abayomi said that the Executive Director, Rescue Africans In Slavery Organisation (RAIS), Ms Omotola Fawunmi, who spoke from the United States of America, also pleaded with government and other agencies to come to the victims aid.

Fawunmi who claimed she has been responsible for the upkeeps of the ladies stated that the victims are seriously suffering.

The Nigerian government must act fast. Apart from this case, there are over 300 of them trapped in Oman and thousands across other Asian countries, beyond sustaining the ladies, we have facilitated evacuation of thousands of human trafficking victims in the last few years, she said.

Also, Clare Henshaw, the County Manager, the Migrant Project Nigeria, also called on the NAPTIP and Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) for urgent action.

First, we want the ladies to be rescued as soon as possible. Their condition is very critical because they dont have good shelter, food and they need urgent medical attention. My personal conversation with Comfort showed that they were really in a bad state at the moment.

After rescuing the ladies, there must be thorough investigation and punishment for the agents and other human traffickers involved in this, Henshaw pleaded.

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Nigeria has donated PPE and other medical supplies worth N67 million to the government and people of Sao Tome and Principe.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had donated protective equipment and other medical supplies worth N67 million to the government and people of Sao Tome and Principe.

The donation followed a request by the government of that country to aid it in effectively managing the COVID-19 pandemic which is ravaging the World.

Mr Tukur Maigari, Acting Head of East and Central African Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday shortly before the Consignment departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

According to Maigari, the medical equipment included unit of test kits, extraction kits, infrared thermometers and other items of personal protective equipment to treat and test more than 20,000 in Sao Tome and Principe.

The donation is consequent upon the request of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe.

For the donation of medical equipment to assist in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the spirit COVID-19 in the country, Maigari said.

Maigari said the Nigeria-Sao Tome relations have been very, very cordial and characterised by the mutual and economic benefits of both countries.

He added that the two countries shared a marine border which necessitated the establishment of the Nigeria-Sao Tome Joint Development Authority (JDA) for exploring the natural hydrocarbon resources for the benefit of both countries.

He stressed that Nigeria will continue to cooperate with and remain on friendly terms with all nations that recognised and respected its sovereignty.

Nigeria will continue to participate actively in the work of unity and regionally integrated Africa, Maigari also said.

Also speaking, the Charge dAffaires of the Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Nigeria, Djazalde Agujar, on behalf of the Government and people of Sao Tome and Principe, expressed appreciation to the Government and people of Nigeria for the great help in combating COVID-19 in the country.

We know that Nigeria, as well, has been dealing with it, so we value very, very much, the way that Nigerian authorities came to the help of Sao Tome and Principe Government as soon as we asked for this to be provided.

This also express the good and frank relationship that exists between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe.

This is just an example, but we hope and we trust that it will enhance the cooperation and the friendship of our two peoples and our countries, Djazalde said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director, Monitoring and Inspection, Nigeria-Sao Tome and Principe JDA, Ibiwari Jack, said the relationship between Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe is symbiotically beneficial to both countries.

We share a common maritime boundary out of which by a treaty of the United Nations (UN), the Joint Development Zone (JDZ) was demarcated and the JDA was put in place to manage resources in the JDZ, Jack said.

Jack further said due to the enhanced relationship between both countries, Nigeria and Sao Tome and Principe carry out everything in partnership, adding that the donation was just a measure of the partnership exhibited.

Source: NAN News

Sadiya Umar Farouk

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, gave the assurance in an address to welcome the returnees on Thursday in Abuja.

I am very pleased that the directives given by President Muhammadu Buhari to assist all Nigerians, who wish to voluntarily return to the country as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, has been complied with.

We have received 177 of our Nigerian migrants from Niger Republic. We welcome and empathise with you for the suffering, deprivations or inconveniences you might have encountered.

This group of 177 we are receiving today comprises 122 adults and 55 infants and children. Out of the 122 adults, 74 are males while 48 are females.

The federal government has assembled an inter-ministerial team to ensure that arrangements are in place to receive, accommodate, feed, generally take care of you and respect your dignity and rights as valued Nigerian citizens.

In line with the revised Quarantine Protocol from the PTF on COVID-19, please note that arrangements are in place to test you within 72 hours of your arrival.

We also have a commitment from our partner in this task, the International Organisation of Migration, to provide additional care for you in line with Standard Operating Procedure and international protocol of reintegration of Returnees, she said.

Farouq also said that the inter-ministerial and multi-agency team would do everything possible to make their short transitional stay in Abuja hitch-free.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Farouq was represented at the event by the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displace Persons, Mr Basheer Mohammed.

One of the returnees, Miss Favour George, told NAN that she had set out to travel to Europe, but was arrested in Niger Republic

I lost valuables, including monies, in the course of the journey as the road was rough and robbers normally attack travelers.

I really appreciate the federal government for giving me the opportunity to start a new life.

Another returnee, Mohammed Mohamad, a 24-year-old man from Kano State, said he was on his way to Algeria before proceeding to Europe but was arrested in Niger Republic and kept in a camp

But, I am happy to be back. I will want to further my education and get a good life.

My advice to Nigerian youths is that they should not travel the way I did. It is not easy and it is terrible. Now, I have come back to my senses, Mohamad said.

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu

President of the United Nations General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, on Thursday highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic was strengthening friendships.

Friendships founded upon intercultural and interfaith dialogue in particular transcend boundaries, religion and cultural divides to seed harmony between and among communities.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state.

Kano State Government says it has trained over 30, 000 health workers to stem further spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the state.

The government also conducted 39, 363 COVID-19 samples test since the outbreak of the pandemic in the past three months in the state.

Dr Tijjani Hussaini, the states Technical Coordinator Task Force Committee on COVID-19, made this known at the bi-weekly news conference on Thursday in Kano.

Hussaini disclosed that medical and health workers were exposed to case management and preventive techniques to enhance their response to the pandemic.

He said that the committee also sensitised organisations, community and religious leaders to create awareness on preventive tips as well as promote adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols in the society.

The coordinator revealed that 39, 363 samples were tested in the state, adding that 32, 418 results were received from the laboratories.

Hussaini said that the state had so far recorded 1, 566 confirmed cases; 1, 258 discharged and 53 deaths while 255 were active cases.

According to him, most of the active cases are home base care, representing about 4.84 per cent below the national index.

Hussaini noted that 82 per cent of the cases were recorded in eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

He listed the high prevalence areas to include Kano Municipal, Tarauni, Dala, Gwale, Nasarawa, Fagge, Kumbotso and Ungogo.

The Coordinator added that the state had five molecular testing centres with 1, 350 testing capacity per day, to enhance detection and effective response to the pandemic.

Because of the fact that the size of samples collected in the state outstripped what the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recommended, that is 100 per state, while we collect in thousands.

And with the five testing centres in the state, we still take some of our samples to Abuja for testing, he said.

Hussaini, however, expressed concern over the recent surge in virus infections as against the zero case recorded in the past five days in the state.

The coordinator said the committee would scale up sensitisation and enforcement of COVID-19 protocols such use of face mask to sustain the feat achieved in the fight against the pandemic in the state.

Also speaking, Kabir Getso, the Commissioner for Environment, said that more than 300 premises were de-contaminated to stem further spread of the pandemic.

Getso disclosed that the state government had also distributed face marks and sanitiser to Eid praying grounds in the 44 LGAs of the state, to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 protocols.

He called on the people of the state to adhere to safety measures and support government efforts to control the disease.

For his part, Dr Ibrahim Tsanyawa, the Commissioner for Health, noted that the state was in a critical period of virus control, which called for collective effort.

Tsanyawa urged the people to support the government to sustain the successes recorded in the campaign against the disease.

Source: NAN News

German multinational conglomerate company, Siemens, has concluded plans to train electricity Distribution Companies and other electricity stakeholders in the country.

Siemens in a statement on Thursday stated that 11 DISCOs, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and regulators would be trained on all the equipment and software being provided in the phase 1.

According to the company, the training was part of its phase 1 pre-engineering contract of providing 25,000mw of electricity to the nation.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government and Siemens signed a Letter of Agreement on the countrys Electrification Road map in July 2019, after President Buhari and the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, met on Aug. 31, 2018, in Abuja.

The Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), formerly, the Nigeria Electrification Roadmap aims to upgrade the countrys electricity network to achieve operational capacity of 25,000 megawatts (MW) from the current average of around 4,500 MW.

The PPI is expected to go through a series of projects spanning three phases across four major states to achieve the electricity target by 2025.

The first phase is expected to increase the operational capacity to 7,000 MW.

Phase 1 will also focus on significantly reducing the AT

Gov, Babagana Zulum

By Martha Agas

Northern Governors Forum (NGF), has condemned Wednesdays attack on the convoy of Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, describing the act as callous and reprehensible.

The Chairman of the forum and governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, made the condemnation in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham.

He said the attack on the governors convoy on his way to Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state was an act to frustrate his efforts in ensuring the well-being of the vulnerable in the state.

The governor expressed concern that Zulum was attacked while on the way to distribute palliatives to Internally Displaced Persons for the Sallah celebration.

Lalong said the incident was a desperate attempt by criminal elements to sabotage Zulums efforts toward reducing the sufferings of IDPs who had been traumatised by terrorists.

This regrettable attack shows the desperation by enemies of peace and humanity at large to jeopardise all efforts towards making life easier for victims of violence in the state over the years.

The Northern Governors Forum strongly condemns this attack and stands with Gov. Zulum who has demonstrated courage in personally reaching out to people in need despite the dangers.

We urge him not to be deterred as he keeps working with security agencies to protect the lives and property of the people,he said.

In another development, the Northern Governors Forum has mourned the death of elder statesman and leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi.

Lalong in a condolence message described the death of the elder statesman as a great loss to the Yoruba nation and Nigeria as a whole because of his enormous contributions to the political development of Nigeria.

The governor said the deceased played active role in the enthronement of democracy and its sustenance through his roles as a legislator in the First and Second Republics where he advocated for good governance, justice and equity.

He condoled with Fasanmis family, political associates and followers while praying God to grant his soul eternal rest.

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu

United States has expanded the scope of its metals sanctions on Iran with the addition of 22 specific materials connected to its nuclear, military or ballistic missile programmes.

Announcing this in a statement on Thursday evening, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo warned against the transfer of the identified metals to and from Iran.

He said Irans nuclear and ballistic missile and military programmes were a grave threat to international peace and security.

To address these threats, I am announcing a major expansion of the scope of State Department-administered Iran metals-related sanctions.

Today, the State Department is identifying 22 specific materials used in connection with Irans nuclear, military or ballistic missile programs.

Those who knowingly transfer such materials to Iran are now sanctionable pursuant to Section 1245 of the Iranian Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act, Pompeo said.

He reaffirmed his position that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) controls Irans construction sector.

The IRGCs construction firm and many of its subsidiaries remain sanctioned by the United Nations because they were directly involved in the construction of the uranium enrichment site at Fordow.

As a result of this IRGC determination, any knowing transfer of certain materials, including graphite or raw or semi-finished metals, to or from Iran to be used in connection with the construction sector of Iran remains sanctionable, he said.

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran worsened after President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled his country out of the Iran nuclear deal in May, 2018.

Trump said he took the decision because the agreement failed to address Tehrans ballistic missile programme and its role in regional wars.

Formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the deal was negotiated by the administration of former President Barack Obama alongside China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and Germany.

After pulling out, the Trump administration started reimposing sanctions some of which targeted Irans metal sector, prompting the Middle East country to reactivate its missile programmes.

The additional 22 metals include different alloys of aluminum, copper, steel and aluminum powder with purity above 98 per cent.

Source: NAN News

Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa

By Sumaila Ogbaje
Nigerian Army is to investigate Wednesdays attack on the convoy of Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno by suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Musa said that the governors convoy came under terrorists fire while visiting Baga town.

He said the governor had earlier paid a visit to the Commander, 19 Brigade at the Nigerian Army Super Camp Baga where he was briefed about the prevailing security situation in the general area.

According to him, the unfortunate incident occurred shortly after the Governor and his entourage departed the Super Campaign to visit other parts of Baga town.

The incident forced the Governor to abort his planned movement to Baga.

Although, details of the unfortunate incident is sketchy and under investigation, efforts are ongoing to comb the area where the incident occurred with a view to track down and deal decisively with the attackers.

An investigation is also in progress to identify the circumstances that led to the attack, he said.

Musa however, said that the attach was an isolated and most unfortunate incident owing to the fact that normalcy had since been restored to Baga with socio-economic activities picking up.

Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that it will continue to discharge its responsibilities professionally with respect for the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians and in compliance with the extant rules of engagement.

The good people of Baga town and indeed the entire Borno State are enjoined to continue to provide credible information that will assist the security agencies to successfully combat terrorism as well as apprehend and flush out the perpetrators of the attack, he said.

Source: NAN News

Most Rev. Matthew Audu

By Peter Amine
The Archbishop of Jos Catholic Archdiocese, Most Rev. Matthew Audu, on Thursday distributed some rice to the Muslim communities in Plateau as they celebrates Eid-el-Kabir.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Archbishop was represented by Rev. Fr Blaise Agwom, Director, Dialogue Reconciliation and Peace (DREP) Centre Jos.

Audu said that the gesture was a token of his appreciation for the peaceful coexistence between Christian and Muslims in the state.

It is an appreciation of the collaboration between Christians and Muslims communities that has entrench peace and peaceful coexistence.

I am talking about the Catholic Archbishop of Jos and particularly the DREP Centre. I wish to felicitate with you as you celebrate and pray for a peaceful sallah in good health, he said.

He said that the rice would be distributed to groups including; the Jamaatul Nasril Islam (JNI), Hausa Community, Miyetti Allah, The Federation of Muslim Womens Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and JIBWIS among others.

Alhaji Sani Mudi, on behalf of the groups, appreciated the Archbishop and DREP for the gesture.

Mudi said that it was not the quantity that matters but the spirit behind the giving.

We are not surprise by this gesture by DREP, we are critical stakeholders and have been part of DREP since its inception.

The gesture strengthens our hope in enduring collaboration for fruitful result. We will continue to work for peace in Plateau and indeed Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the sacrifices of Muslims and Christians in abiding by the COVID-19 guidelines for the good of society.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that Buhari gave the commendation in his Sallah message to Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Buhari assured Nigerians that, On our own part, we shall continue to provide economic reliefs to the people to minimize the unintended hardships these guidelines have inflicted.

The president reminded worshippers that COVID-19 is worldwide affliction with Churches and Mosques closed and social distancing imposed to safeguard public health.

He, therefore, reiterated his call on Nigerians to continue to exercise patience and understanding over the inconveniences created by the precautionary measures taken, especially the regulations on places of worship.

He said the outbreak of coronavirus had made it difficult for people to gather in places of worship as they are used to, urging worshipers to follow the guidelines for the safety of their lives and loved ones.

The coronavirus has had devastating adverse impacts on our social, economic and spiritual lives.

The preventive guidelines we have introduced to contain the spread of this deadly disease have unfortunately limited peoples freedom to gather and worship in large numbers in Mosques and Churches.

Every measure that has been introduced to contain this disease may have its unintended consequences on the daily lives of our people, and I, therefore, call on Muslims and other faiths to continue to show more understanding with the government as we take correct steps to protect our people through the social distancing.

No elected government would intentionally take away its peoples religious freedom by limiting the number of people that will gather in worship centres at the same time.

These guidelines are dictated by necessity in order to safeguard public health and should therefore not be perceived as infringement on peoples right to worship, he said.

While wishing Muslims a happy celebration, the President called on worshipers not to forget the symbolic significance of the sacrifices of the Eid-el-Kabir.

Muslims should imbibe the noble virtues of our great prophets in order to establish closer connectivity between religious teachings and practice.

We can create the greatest impact by putting into practice the noble teachings of our religion. In whatever we do in life, we must put the fear of God in our daily activities in order to make our society better.

The president reminded the people of his efforts to root out corruption in the country, stating that the efforts had so far brought a lot of changes in country.

He, therefore, appealed for support and understanding as investigations are carried out into both legacy cases and fresh cases.

Source: NAN News

FIRS

By Mustapha Sumaila
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of returns in some tax categories by one week.

Mr Abdullahi Ahmad, Director, Communications and Liaison Department of the service, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Ahmad said the gesture was in the spirit of the festivities and the palliative measures rolled out by the Service in support of the Nigerian taxpayers against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He quoted the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Muhammad Nami, as saying the management wishes to felicitate with Nigerians on this occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

In addition to a number of COVID-19 palliatives already in place, as well as in the spirit of this Eid celebration, we hereby grant a further one-week extension from the 31st July 2020 deadline for companies with December accounting year end to file their Year 2020 annual Income Tax Returns.

Nonetheless, the service will continue to identify with the challenges of the times, which the taxpayers are going through.

For the purpose of clarity, companies that fall within this category will not be penalised for late submission, if they file their Year 2020 Income Tax Returns within the grace period, that is, August 1, to August 7 as herein granted.

We thank the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness yet another Sallah festival, especially in this year that has been very difficult for individuals and businesses.

In a similar vein, the one-week grace period is extended to regular monthly obligations that become due at the end of July, for example, Petroleum Profits Tax instalmental Payment, Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax Returns.

FIRS will continue to respond proactively to the realities of these times, towards easing the burden of our esteemed taxpayers Nami said.

Source: NAN News