NSE

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) opened the week on Monday with a loss of 0.07 per cent, just as the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) retained key policy variables.

The MPC committee members at the end of the one-day virtual policy meeting retained all policy parameters.

They maintained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 12.5 per cent; the asymmetric corridor around the MPR at 200/-500bps; Cash Reserves Ratio (CRR) at 27.5 per cent; and liquidity ratio at 30 per cent.

Consequently, the All-Share Index lost 18.08 points or 0.07 per cent to close at 24,269.58 compared with 24,287.66 on Friday.

Also, the market capitalisation dropped by nine billion naira to close at N12.660 trillion in contrast with N12.669 on Friday.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Cutix, Neimeth International, Zenith Bank, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and Access Bank.

Analysts at Afrinvest Limited expected bargain hunting to drive gains in the next trading session.

Market breadth was slightly negative, with 12 gainers versus 13 losers.

Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals led the losers chart in percentage terms, dropping by 10 per cent, to close at N1.35, per share.

Cutix followed with 9.89 per cent to close at N1.64, while Chams lost 4.35 per cent to close at 22k, per share.

Lasaco Assurance dropped 3.85 per cent to close at 25k, while Sterling Bank shed 3.20 per cent to close at N1.21, per share.

On the other hand, GlaxoSmithKline dominated the gainers chart in percentage terms, gaining 9.47 per cent, to close at N5.20, per share.

Fidson came second with 9.43 per cent to close at N2.90, while Linkage Assurance appreciated by 9.38 per cent to close at 35k, per share.

Unity Bank garnered 8.89 per cent to close at 49k, while Ardova Plc appreciated by 7.17 per cent to close at N13.45, per share.

In spite of the drop in market indices, the volume of shares traded rose by 90.09 per cent with an exchange of 305.10 million shares, valued at N2.10 billion in 3,258 deals.

This was in contrast with 160.50 million shares worth N1.47 billion traded in 2,997 deals on Friday.

Transactions in the shares of Sovereign Trust Insurance topped the activity chart with 75.56 million shares valued at N15.113 million.

United Bank for Africa followed with 70.71 million shares worth N441.89 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank sold 36.97 million shares valued at N3.71 million.

Japaul Oil

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari sent a passionate get well soon message to Saudi Ruler and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, who has been hospitalised.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Monday

The President said:

On behalf of myself, government and people of Nigeria, I pray for speedy and full recovery of the Saudi King, one of the finest leaders I have ever met in the course of my interactions with world leaders.

King Salman is a true friend of Nigeria who has never failed to identify with us at all times through important collaborations and cooperation.

As the King receives medical attention, I send my best wishes and prayers for his speedy recovery.

Source: NAN News

Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police have seized 504 cartons of substandard Bic brand shaving sticks.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mr Bola Fashina, the Special Adviser to SONs Director-General, Mr Osita Aboloma.

SON said the Divisional Police Headquarters, Ebute Ero, Lagos, handed over the seized suspected substandard products to its representatives in Lagos.

SON officials had earlier evacuated 196 Cartons of the suspected substandard Bic brand of shaving sticks from the same Ebute Ero Market, bringing the total to 700 cartons worth more than N6.4 million.

The Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Mr Bello Taofeek, while handing over the suspected substandard shaving sticks to SON, said they were seized from a truck waiting to be offloaded inside the Ebute Ero Market.

Taofeek said the seizure followed credible information provided by some patriotic Nigerians in response to the call by regulatory agencies for all hands to e on deck to ensure quality vanguard.

He noted the existing robust collaboration between the Ebute Ero Police Command, SON as well as other regulatory agencies toward ridding the society of substandard and unwholesome products as well as apprehend their purveyors.

The DCO, while pledging continuous support of the Divisional Police Headquarters, said that investigations were still ongoing to unravel those behind the consignments and the source with a view to bringing them to book.

Receiving the suspected substandard products on behalf of SON, Coordinator of the Lagos State Office 1, Mrs Nwaoma Olujie, expressed appreciation to the Police division for the existing
collaboration.

According to Olujie, the robust collaboration has yielded positive results as several suspected substandard products and those behind them have been impounded in the past.

She reiterated the commitment of SON director-general to ensure that all those involed in the manufacture and sale of substandards products were prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of SON Act number 14 of 2015 and the Nigerian Criminal Code.

The state coordinator of SON assured the public of SONs preparedness to work closely with the Police to unravel those behind the suspected substandard shaving sticks.

Samples of the suspected substandard shaving sticks, according to her will be sent to the laboratory for quality verification tests and analysis as part of the investigation, she said.

Olujie decried the unpatriotic activities of fakers of certified popular brands which according to her impacts negatively on genuine businesses, health and safety of consumers and the economy of the nation.

She also admonished dealers in Nigerian markets to avoid counterfeited products like plague, warning that the law would not exonerate them for circulating such substandard and unsafe products.

She also advised owners of popular certified brands not to relent in efforts toward brand protection, and work closely with regulatory and security agencies.

SON has in place several initiatives to discover and apprehend suspected substandard products, including close collaboration with sister regulatory and security agencies as well as owners of certified brands.

It also has consumer feedback desks in its 42 states offices nationwide, an interactive website as well as toll free lines to encourage credible information from patriotic Nigerians, she said.

Source: NAN News

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation

By Mohammed Tijjani

The aviation ministry will partner with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) in various areas, including airports security.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika said this during a working visit to the industry on Monday in Kaduna.

Sirika said DICON has the capacity to produce efficient, strong and reliable hardwares for the military and agencies of government that are critical to national defence, security and economy.

I want to guarantee you that the outcome of the collaboration, cooperation and partnership between aviation and DICON would be in the best interest of the country.

We would certainly also go into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between aviation and DICON.

In my own opinion and from what I have seen, I think the Federal Government should invest hugely in DICON; more into research and development.

I am sure if you bring in a billion dollar here, you would get value for your money and much more.

This would begin certainly to put Nigeria on the world map of technological advancement.

This cause is of course for our military, police, civil defence and our fighting forces in the country and all the people that would be needing high tech equipments, he said.

According to him, there is pure science and technology exhibited in the industry, under the leadership of the Dirctor General, Maj.-Gen. VictorEzugwu.

He has changed DICON in only one year he has been here; I am sure with the great changes and achievements, he must havegassed out his team.

With what I have seen here, in Nigeria we can practically do everything, example is the surveillance vehicle which could be used inour airports to monitor perimeter fences and roads.

I have also seen quite a number of amunitions and a lot more; we are highly impressed and it had changed my thoughts, hitherto when you say DICON, I think of furniture.

As politicians, we also see the social angle, in terms of employment that it brings about, its a glory for our country, the minister stated.

Sirika pledged to advocate for more funding for DICON and other organisations to deepen research and development.

According to him, it was the only way through which Nigeria would compete in the global space and provide the needed services to the people.

Civil aviation has changed, so also DICON has changed, therefore, we have seen areas of partnership and cooperation.

We put security as our number one priority, we have developed a road map part of which was the approval by the president for FAAN security to bear arms for effective security of the airports.

That made me appear before the National Executive Council and they advised on seeing how I could partner with you.

I must also be frank to say that I have seen areas of cooperation and collaboration in working together from your material laboratory. For example, I have seen accident investigations you wrote, Sirika said.

In his remark, Ezugwu welcomed the collaboration with the aviation ministry, saying that it was in line with the Executive Order 5, directing ministries, departments and agencies to leverage on local content.

So we are cashing on this directive of Mr President to make sure DICON affords the Ministry of Aviation arrays of defence related equipment that are suitable for security in the aviation sector.

By doing this, we are hoping that our surveillance equipment production, ballistic equipment will be of immense contribution to the development of aviation security, the DICON director general said.

Source: NAN News

The COVID-19 Task Force in Ekiti, on Monday arrested not less than 60 people who violated regulation on the compulsory use of face mask.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offenders were taken to a Special Court, where they were convicted for contravening Coronavirus Disease Regulations 2020.

Prof. Bolaji Aluko, Chairman of the COVID-19 Task Force, who spoke on the development, said the enforcement would henceforth be a regular exercise.

Aluko said that the offenders were arrested in various parts of Ado Ekiti including Ajilosun, Ijigbo, Old Garage, Okesa, Fajuyi, Adebayo and Basiri.

A fine of N5,000 is imposed on the convicts for refusal to wear face masks in public, in line with the new law to contain the disease, the task force chairman said.

He expressed concern over refusal of some citizens to wear face mask which cost as low as N100.

We are not interested in charging people on anything. We want them to understand that face mask must be worn.

It happens that sometime there are people who will not obey the rules unless they are fined. It costs only N100 or N200 to buy a face mask and a little inconvenience to wear it.

Now you have to be caught and charge N5,000, Aluko said.

He urged residents to comply to contain the spread of the virus.

Also speaking, Retired Brig.-Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, said that the security personnel had been briefed to enforce the law.

Ogundana advised car owners to always be with face masks as stop-and-search might be conducted to enforce compliance.

He said: If you are in your car alone and you are not wearing a face mask, you may not be arrested but we can ask you because you have to come down from your car and go somewhere.

If you dont have it, it constitutes an offence. You must have the face mask with you in your car or in your pocket because security personnel will ask of it.

Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) led by the General Manager, Chief Femi Olanrewaju, also stationed officers of the agency in strategic locations to enforce the use of face masks.

Olanrewaju said the use of face masks in the public is now compulsory, noting that the personnel had been positioned at junctions, traffic light areas, markets and bus stops to arrest offenders.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 556 new COVID-19 cases in the country as total infections from the virus rise to 36,663.

It, however, said that Edo state recorded the highest number of cases with 104 infections.

Avoid contact with droplets when an infected person sneezes/coughs.

2.152 per cent.

Source: NAN News

Widespread coronavirus vaccination could begin in the middle of next year, the chief scientist of the World Health Organisation, Soumya Swaminathan said.

She expressed cautious optimism about the state of the research and development process in an interview with dpa.

We have now over 20 candidates in clinical studies.

So we are hopeful that a couple of them will work. It would be very unlucky if all of them fail, Swaminathan added.

So if we are very practical, then we are looking at the middle of 2021 when we will have a vaccine that can be widely deployed, she said, adding: Of course its impossible to predict.

Swaminathan said the global race to develop a vaccine had been the fastest timeline we have ever seen, noting that there were only three months between the time the virus genetic sequence was published in January and the time the first trial began.

The novel coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China, late last year.

It has since spread to almost every corner of the globe, killing more than 600,000 people and infecting more than 14 million.

The U.S. leads the world in confirmed cases.

The pandemics epicentre has shifted from China to Europe, to the Americas, leading to lockdowns and tough restrictions on public life and travel.

Some places where the virus was brought under control are seeing an uptick in cases, fanning fears of a second wave of infections and a new round of restrictions. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

FRSC official on Duty

By Aderemi Bamgbose

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday said it had begun Coronavirus sensitisation programme for motorists and passengers at motor parks in Ore.

Mr Olusegun Aladenika, the FRSC Unit Commander in Ore, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the sensitisation was to curtail COVID-19 spread.

According to Aladenika, the effort is to ensure motorists and passengers comply with Federal Government directives on interstate travels.

NAN reports that the federal government, on June 29, lifted interstate ban, directing vehicles to be on 50 per cent passenger capacity with compulsory use of face masks and alcohol based sanitisers.

He said that the enforcement of the directives had since began, noting that there was need to sensitise motorists and passengers again.

Aladenika said that most of the interstate vehicles plying the Benin-Ore expressway had been complying with the COVID-19 directives but some were still feigning ignorance.

We embarked on the sensitisation programme at the motor parks in Ore and its environs for most of the ignorant drivers to ensure they comply to curtail the spread of the virus.

The enforcement of the directives has began, we are ready to impound any vehicle that flouts the order and this is one of the reasons we are sensitising them , the unit comnander said.

He urged motorists to drive at normal speed, and to obey traffic rules and regulations against overloading of goods and passengers.

Aladenika urged them to use their seat belts, avoid using expired tyres and keep their particulars in order. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed,

A News Analysis by Rotimi Ijikanmi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

David Rooy, American author and international human relations managers, once said, Change is the only constant in life, yet human are evolutionarily predispose to resist change because of the risks associated with it.

This position by Rooy, best summarised the stiff opposition and public outcry that have trailed the recently amended 6th edition of the National Broadcasting Code by the Federal Government.

The amendment, carried out by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the agency of Government responsible for regulating broadcasting, introduced far reaching innovations and changes to set standard in the broadcast industry.

The provisions in the amendment specifically introduced new rules and regulations on web/online broadcasting, local contents, production of advertising for local goods and services, music, acquisition of sports rights, exclusivity and national emergencies.

As a saying goes, the world hates change, yet it is the only thing that has brought progress, stakeholders in the creative and broadcast industries have expressed reservations over the changes while some called for a revisit of the amended code.

It would be recalled that following the conduct of some broadcast stations during the 2019 general elections, the Federal Government realised the need to strengthen the regulatory powers of the NBC.

The Government underscored the need for the NBC to be able to regulate the broadcast industry in an efficient manner on overriding national issues of politics, governance and in the area of social imperative of broadcasting.

President Muhammadu Buhari, after a resolution of the Federal Executive Council directed the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to undertake a study of the operations of the NBC and come up with a report.

The minister, thereafter, set up a committee headed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, the then Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) which in its report recommended, among others, the need to amend the laws guiding broadcasting generally.

After the Onanuga committee submitted its findings, the minister took the report to the Federal Executive Council where major recommendations were approved.

On Oct. 10, 2019, the minister inaugurated the implementation committee to carry out the reform in the NBC and review the National Broadcasting Codes to strengthen the commissions regulatory role and make it more effective.

The committee was chaired by Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, the then Director of Monitoring in the NBC and currently the Acting Director-General of the Commission.

When the committee submitted its report on Nov. 19, 2019, the minister expressed satisfaction with it, with the assurance that it will revolutionise the broadcast industry to play its critical role of providing information for national development.

He noted that some 27 years into the life of the NBC, there was the need to re-evaluate the applicability of some of its laws.

The minister, therefore, directed the NBC to immediately come up with fresh regulations that will address existing challenges, promote and protect the broadcast industry from monopolistic and other negative tendencies.

In compliance to the directive of the minister, the Board and Management of the NBC conducted a public presentation of the amendment of the 6th edition of the Broadcasting Code to stakeholders on March 25, in Lagos

A flip through the new code reveals that it introduces new regulations on Web/online broadcasting, establishes codes of practice relating to content acquisition, sharing and rebroadcasting, technical standards for media services and regulations for fair market, among others.

Specifically, the code stipulates that all persons who wish to operate web/online broadcasting services in the Nigerian territory shall be registered with the NBC and the owners shall bear liability for every content on their platforms.

Recognising the love many Nigerians have for sports, its usefulness in physical and mental development and as an instrument for national unity and cohesion, the new code mandates broadcasters to uphold the principles of equity and fairness in the acquisition of sports rights and coverage.

To ensure fair and effective competition on all platforms at an agreed fee, right owners of live foreign sporting events shall offer the rights to broadcasters on the different platforms.

The platforms include satellite, Multipoint Microwaves Distribution System (MMDS) cable (fibre optics), Terrestrial, internet, mobile and radio.

In the event that the broadcaster acquire sports rights for a live foreign sporting events for the Nigerian territory without taking cognisance of available broadcast platforms stated above the right shall be made available to broadcasters on other platforms at commercially agreeable terms.

In the broad national interest, exclusivity and warehousing of sporting rights in Nigeria is prohibited, the new code prescribes.

To promote local leagues and sporting events, the new code also prescribes that no prime foreign sports content shall be transmitted in the Nigerian territory unless the owner of such content has also acquired prime local sports content of the same category.

Specifically, it prescribes a minimum of 30 per cent of the cost of acquiring the prime foreign sports content to be spent on local sporting content.

In addition, the code states that advertisement of products and services during prime foreign sports content shall not be broadcast unless the owner of such content has also acquired prime local sports content of the same category.

A minimum of 30 per cent of the cost of acquiring of prime foreign sports content is also prescribed for advertisement on local sporting content.

To stimulate growth in the advertising spend accruing to broadcast industry, the new code prescribes that broadcaster shall ensure that all television and radio advertisements for airing on all broadcast platforms shall be wholly produced in Nigeria

The code states: Broadcasters shall not transmit adverts produced by foreign entities, companies or organisation for the Nigerian market. Any breach of this shall incur a penalty and such sums shall be invested into the local content development fund.

A major controversial provision in the code is that of exclusivity which states that a broadcaster or licensee must not acquire any broadcasting right in or outside the country in such a manner as to exclude others for sub-licensing of same.

The provision mandates broadcasters to offer all sports and news programme and channels to others for retail to residential subscribers in the country upon request on writing and other conditions.

A new provision was also introduced in the code for mandatory allotment of broadcast time at times of national emergencies by compelling broadcasters to comply with any decryption and encryption order from the NBC.

The private commercial broadcasters shall ensure that it allots a minimum of 20 per cent of weekly broadcast hours to public service programmes on emergencies of current trends and issues. Such programme shall be given prominence during family belt and shall not be less than 120 minutes, two hours, per transmission days.

The code also states that broadcasters shall ensure that payment of royalties for all music and musical works is done promptly.

Similarly, the code compels broadcasters or broadcast service providers to ensure that all Set-Top-Boxes for Digital Switch Over (DSO) are sourced locally to encourage the growth of indigenous industries.

The code also prescribes new set of rules on local content production for programmes including fictions, series, serials, films, documentaries, arts and educational programmes, sports events, games and advertising.

For a programme to qualify as local content, broadcaster shall ensure, among others, that its conceptualisation, production, target audience should be Nigeria. It must also ensure that: The producers of the programme, responsible for creative control, are Nigerians residing in Nigeria and the directors and author are also Nigerians.

At least 75 per cent of the leading authors and major supporting set including voice actors or on-screen presenters appearing in the programme are Nigerians. A minimum of 75 per cent programme and post production expenses are paid from services provided by Nigerians and Nigerian companies,

As laudable and beneficial as the new codes might be, prominent stakeholders and industry players including Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and Chairman, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, have kicked against some of the provisions.

In a statement entitled That NBC Regulatory Code!, Soyinka said that while some of the amendments are well-intentioned, the code is the equivalent of a knee to the neck of the creative industry and carries the potential of economic sabotage.

He accused the federal government of declaring war against the arts and producers of art works, saying the code will strangulate the producers of artworks.

Similarly, Okoroji, a reputed intellectual property expert noted that some provisions of the code may be unconstitutional notably those on content exclusivity, advertising and payment of royalties for musical works and sound recording.

He expressed concerns that the NBC did not take input from many key stakeholders who will be impacted by the code, before or during the amendment process.

Okoroji alleged hounding, contending that the hold that Multichoice has on English Premier League (EPL) was driving some of the provisions.

In the same vein, Mr Chris Ehindero, an independent movie producer, said the code will kill investment in the creative space, at a time the industry was about to start enjoining investments in big productions.

Some other stakeholders contended that the amendments to the NBC Code do not incentivise innovation in the broadcast and television industry and they called for a revisit.

Reacting to the public outcry, however, Idachaba explained that the amendment aimed to reposition Nigerian broadcasting industry to make it more responsive to emerging realities in the broadcasting ecosystem.

Idachaba noted that there is no provision in the code that can strangulate the industry and the players, rather it is meant to democratise and ensure everybody is protected and get value for their investments.

He said that contrary to the allegation that industry players were not carried along in the process, the NBC aggregated stakeholders opinions at every stage of the amendment of the code.

Specifically, he said the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the Nigerian Union of Journalists, independent producers, broadcast practitioners, legal luminaries, the academia and the NBC Board participated in the detailed consultative approach.

Idachaba said the NBC has not breached any constitutional provision as Section 2 of the Commissions enabling Act gives it the power to regulate broadcasting based on the existing revolutionary and emerging realities that confront the industry.

Among the functions of the Commission is to establish and disseminate a National Broadcasting Code and set standards with regards to contents and quality of materials for broadcast, the provision reads.

The NBC Acting DG said the negative narrative that exclusivity would hamper investments was unfounded because by democratising the space, many industry players would benefit.

We have a huge creative industry in the country that is untapped and young creative minds that are seeking opportunities and we have seen a situation where we must deregulate the monopoly market and democratise to have a multiplier effect.

There will be a resegmentation of minor operative players that will also receive advertising revenue and that is the way you can build cells of units of creative enterprise rather than concentrate all the potentials on only one conglomerate, he said.

Using the example of sports, Idachaba said that many Nigerians like the EPL, but restricting it to only a platform and even a few that can pay higher subscription on the platform is exploitative and discriminatory.

From the democratisation, many people can watch the matches and many idle stations can have access to the content and boost their potential through advertisement.

Idachaba said the code has stopped the ugly trend where the production of contents meant for local consumption are produced outside Nigeria thereby leading to capital flight and lack of stimulus for local industry.

The Acting DG said the public outcry was not unexpected because, there is nowhere in the world where people generally accept new regulations and changes because it comes with demands.

He expressed optimism that when Nigerians begin to reap the dividends of the amended code, even those who were opposed to it would realise that their fears were unfounded. (NANFeatures)

**If used, please credit the writer as well as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo)

By EricJames Ochigbo
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo), has stepped down following accusations of involvement in corrupt practices in the commission.

Tunji-Ojo stepped aside on Monday at the ongoing investigation on alleged N40 billion irregular expenditures in the NDDC in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC had on Thursday, July 16, walked-out on lawmakers during a public hearing after accusing Tunji-Ojo of corrupt practices in the commission.

Stepping aside, Tunji-Ojo said that as a federal lawmaker he had kept his integrity in service of the people and would continue to do so.

I am not a president or governor and so I do not enjoy immunity; if you have case against me, send to the relevant security agencies and if I have case to answer, I will appear.

I read in national newspaper where the IMC accused me of being on revenge mission; this is not true; this investigation is about the emancipation of the Niger Delta people.

This is not about any individual but the good of the Niger Delta people and so I step aside as chairman to allow all party have a sense of free and fair hearing, he said.

NAN reports that the ongoing investigative public hearing is now being chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the committee, Rep. Thomas Ereyitomi

Source: NAN News

Mr Okunjimi Odimayo, Ondo APC Governorship Aspirant

By Kingsley Okoye

Mr Okunjimi Odimayo, a governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ondo Governorship primary election, has withdrawn his candidacy from the primary.

Odimayo also threw his weight behind the candidature of the incumbent Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

Odimayo announced his withdrawal from the election in a personally signed statement to newsmen in Abuja.

As an aspirant and stakeholder in our great party, I have come out with a bold and courageous decision.

I have risen the hope of the common people that the future is here, I have shown a new and brighter direction of politicking.

I have changed the old narrative for a new and proper way to good and all-embracing governance.

With these strong beliefs and in the spirit of sportsmanship and party supremacy, I have resolved as follows:

After series of meetings and consultations with the top hierarchy of our party both the national and state levels, fellow contestants, leaders, elders and other stakeholders, I will not be participating in the primary.

I thereby pledge my full support and that of my team and political family members to our governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to emerge as the candidate of our party.

I remain a committed and loyal member of APC with members of my campaign council and my supporters across the 18 local government areas in the state.

As a stakeholder and loyal party man, I have since, directed my delegates in the primary election to cast their votes for Gov. Akeredolu to help him to win the election and emerge as APC candidate for the governorship election.

The primary is scheduled for July 20 while the governorship election will come up on Oct. 10.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei

By EricJames Ochigbo

Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Monday, collapsed during investigative hearing at the National Assembly

The incident happened while he was answering questions from lawmakers at the ongoing N40 billion irregular expenditures in the commission.

The members had asked Pondie to explain the N642 million paid to a company known as Clear Point Communication.

The lawmakers also asked the Pondie to explain the N536 million paid for Save Life Campaign in the oil rich region and to prove that there were all budgeted for in the 2019 Appropriation Act.

Pondie told the lawmakers that N642 million paid to Clear Point Communication to train locals and to help locate and identify NDDC projects in the area.

Pondie, however, could not confirm that the payments were budgeted for, asking the lawmakers to give him time to provide the budget.

In the process, Pondie collapsed, sweating profusely and was carried out for first aid and medical attention.

The hearing was then adjourned for 30 minutes to all members and guest go for tea break. Details later.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

No fewer than 21 inmates at the Philippines national penitentiary have died from the coronavirus since March, including a prisoner who testified against an opposition senator detained on illegal drug charges, officials said Monday.

A total of 349 inmates at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in metro Manila have been infected with the coronavirus since March, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said.

Only five inmates remain in the prisons quarantine and isolation facility, he added, citing information from the Bureau of Corrections.

Among the prisoners who died was Jaybee Santiago, convicted of kidnapping and carjacking in 2009, who ran illegal drug operations from inside the prison.

He testified against Sen. Leila De Lima, who has been detained since February 2017 on allegations she received protection money from jailed illegal drug lords while she was head of the Department of Justice.

However, De Lima has denied the allegations.

Sebastians body was immediately cremated following the health and safety protocols in handling COVID-19 deaths, the Bureau of Corrections said.

Guevarra said he has ordered an investigation into Sebastians death to dispel any doubt surrounding the circumstances amid speculation he could have been killed or his death staged to let him escape.

The Department of Health reported 1,521 additional confirmed coronavirus infections, bringing the national tally to 68,898.

The death toll was 1,835, with four additional deaths reported. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The new Zonal Commanding Officer, ACM Imoh Etuk addressing transport operators

By Yemi Adeleye

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Monday, said it had mobilised enough regular and special marshals for traffic control and management during the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

The FRSC Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Ogun and Lagos states, Mr Imoh Etuk, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), appealed to motorists to be patient to avoid a chaotic situation.

Etuk, who noted that the corps was carrying out a test-run of traffic control on the bridge, said that officers and men of the corps would be professional in ensuring free flow of traffic.

We should not forget, very soon the Third Mainland Bridge will be partially closed for rehabilitation for a while, though our men are prepared, however, we want members of the motoring public to also be on the same page with the corps.

Road users need to obey simple traffic regulations that will be in place, and all the detours that will be made available, to ensure free movement of traffic. We want them to be sane.

We know that the traffic situation is not going to be a childs play with the partial closure, even if it will be only for a day not to talk of six months.

We will keep having discussions before the time, we are doing a test-run to ensure that people do the needful, because it is going to be hectic.

We have mobilised men from all the units and sector to tackle the problems, but we need the cooperation of road users in obeying all regulations and in being patient during this period, Etuk said.

He said that the Sector Commander in Lagos, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, had been having series of meetings with all relevant bodies to ensure that no one slept on the road.

According to him, the corps is still strategising and educating the motorists.

The FRSC official, however, assured residents that regular and special Marshals of the corps would do the needful professionally, and be on top of the situation.

We will ensure that officers continue with the professionalism that the corps in known for, to ensure that our people do the needful for robust traffic control and public enlightenment, especially in the COVID-19 era.

We will ensure that all the safety protocols are followed and that our men come down hard on those that overload their vehicles and people that do not obey simple traffic rules and regulations.

I am charging the transport union to be on the same page with the Federal Road Safety Corps in the quest to ensure that we have sanity on our roads.

Our men will be there to ensure traffic control, but we must be obey the traffic rules and regulations, he added.

Etuk, who cautioned against overloading of vehicles, advised motorists to adhere strictly to COVID-19 transport guidelines.

NAN reports that the rehabilitation of the bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works, expected to last six months from July 24, is to fix worn out expansion joints. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Abia jailbreak: Police begin manhunt for 9 escapees PPRO

By Sam Oditah

The Police in Abia have begun manhunt for the remaining nine of the 29 criminal suspects that escaped from police cell in Umuahia on Saturday.

SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia Command, confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday that 29 detainees escaped from the Umuahia Central Police Stations cell after overpowering the guard on duty.

Narrating the incident, Ogbonna said that one of the detainees had appealed to the guard (name withheld) to assist him with water to flush the toilet.

He said that unknown to the guard, the detainees had conspired to attack him in order to escape from detention.

This happened around 9.00 p.m. on Saturday, he said.

He added that as soon as the guard brought the water and opened the iron bar, the suspects rushed out, overpowered him and took to their heels.

The commands spokesman said that 20 of the suspects were rearrested that night and in the early hours of Sunday.

He expressed the confidence that the remaining nine escapees would be rearrested and appealed for assistance from Umuahia residents.

I appeal to members of the public to be vigilant and report any strange face or faces in dirty attires in their neighbourhood to the police.

The suspects had dirty attires they wore in the cell and may be looking for where to steal peoples clothes in order to look decent to be able to escape from the town, Ogbonna said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja received an update from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on military operations against bandits in the North West zone of the country.

Addressing State House correspondents after the closed door meeting, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said he briefed the president on security developments as he successfully completed the first phase of an assignment given to him.

He expressed optimism that the security situation in the North-West zone was under control due to steps taken by officers and men of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with other security agencies.

We are there fully supporting the already ongoing operation Hadarin Daji, which is a joint operation of all armed forces and security agencies.

So far, this collective effort is making tremendous progress in the area of bringing about normalcy.

Unlike where we had series of killings, kidnapping, cattle rustling and of course they tried to prevent the people from going to their farms and farm this season this has been addressed.

There is the presence of number of troops in the North West and they are carrying out surveillance, operations, and patrols to ensure that nobody is molested if he/she goes outside the community to farm.

We assure that this would be sustained throughout this years farming season and beyond, he said.

The Army Chief therefore, commended his men involved in the peacekeeping operation in the zone and other parts of the country for doing a good job, assuring that normalcy would soon be restored to the affected areas.

He urged all Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies so as to end insurgency and other security challenges troubling some parts of the country.

The COAS stressed the need for vital information about the whereabouts and movements of insurgents and bandits, saying this would help a lot in containing the situation.

If you want insurgency and other acts of criminality to end today, the totality of the peoples effort must be put into the matter so as to see that insecurity in the country is reduced to the barest minimum.

But if we dont do anything and continue to complain, and continue to accuse the agencies involved in fighting it, then we are not helping matters.

You are supposed to find solutions as something is being done on daily basis. I assure you that we will soon reach the end of the tunnel and we will see the light that will improve the security situation in all parts of the country, he added.

According to him, securing the country is not an easy task, however, the army will continue to do its best in carrying out its task.

We still carrying out our task and we will deal with them. You know securing a country is a task that everybody knows and we will prevent the country from any form of insecurity.

In this case, you know the military task is very clear; to defend our country from external aggression, to defend our territorial integrity and to come to the aid of civil authority, which we are doing.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos

By Grace Alegba

The Federal and Lagos State Governments have appealed to Lagos residents to stop dumping refuse in drains so as not to jeopardise ongoing road repairs toward partial closure of Third Mainland Bridge for rehabilitation.

They made the appeal on Sunday during a joint inspection of alternative routes under rehabilitation toward the planned partial closure of the bridge on July 24 for repairs.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, during the inspection, called for speedy change of attitude toward drain stuffing causing flooding and quick road degeneration in the state.

The joint inspection we are carrying out has to do with the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge that is coming up on the 24th of this month.

We have gone round and seen many places. We started from Ojota, came down to Maryland; we saw where we need to put more attention; we saw where Lagos State has done repairs.

Right here now we are at Abebe. The problem we have here is just the attitude of the residents.

We saw the drains, they are all blocked with used tyres, papers and so many things that should not be there.

We are appealing to our people to change their attitude. Government is spending a lot of money to make sure that the roads are maintained but our people are not cooperating.

There is no need to turn the drains into refuse cans. Please change your attitudes, otherwise the blockade will constitute a nuisance and the roads will continue to get spoilt on daily basis, he said.

Popoola reaffirmed that the outward Lagos Island lane of the Third Mainland Bridge would be partially closed to traffic by midnight of July 24 for commencement of rehabilitation works on the bridge.

He said that the ministry would close the Oworonshoki-bound carriageway first for three months and after completion of work, move to the Island-bound to replicate the repairs.

We are changing the bearings, the expansion joints and then re-surfacing the bridge. We will make sure we work day and night so that the six months completion date will not be exceeded, he said.

Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, said that the inspection was a fact-finding tour and decried the high rate of road infrastructure abuses.

She decried the constant theft of manhole covers on the Eric Moore Road axis for over one kilometre stretch and using the open drains as refuse dumps.

The controller has rightly said it. Those drainage structures are not for disposal of refuse and when they are blocked, in no little time the road will be affected, she said.

Adeyoye said urgent steps should be taken against scavenging activities in the state, noting that the burden was more on drains wherever there were scavengers.

She said that her ministry was carrying out speedy rehabilitation of alternative roads to ease movement during the closure.

Our ministry is largely undertaking repairs in collaboration with the Lagos State Public Works Corporation just to make sure that the alternative routes are in a motorable state for people to make use for this period.

All the routes have been identified and we are working on them. One of them is Eric Moore here at Abebe Junction, she said.

Adeyoye said that the resurfacing of the Abebe road section was being done repeatedly because of constant abuse of the road infrastructure by Lagos residents.

Speaking on available alternative routes, she said that 10 major access roads had been mapped out for use during closure of the Third Mainland Bridge.

She said that priority would be given to people on the Mainland connecting the Island in the morning to use the bridge while those living on the Island would be required to use alternative routes.

Adeyoye added that those home-bound to the mainland would also have priority of usage of the bridge in the evening.

If you are living in Victoria Island or Ikoyi, you can use alternatives such as Eko Bridge or you go through Iddo-Carter. So, you can now take Herbert Macaulay.

Other inner roads are also available. You can also go through Adekunle, Glover and the side roads.

You can take Costain. We will make efforts to make the roads motorable, she said.

She said that the state Commissioner of Police had given permission for construction to take place in the night in spite of the curfew, so that work could be done overnight toward speedy completion of repairs.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Fredrick Oladeinde, said that apart from the alternative routes already mapped out, water transportation options were being made viable.

Oladeinde said that the Lagos State Bus Services Ltd. had also been given permission to use the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes to move more people fast.

We have quite a number of boats that come from Ikorodu and Bariga, going to the Island to complement the alternative routes that people would use, he said.

He said that a 24-hour operations task force team had been formed comprising both federal and state law and traffic regulatory agencies to ensure smooth movement to avert gridlock. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State commissioner of Health.

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Sunday says a total of 54, 570 sampleshas been testedfor COVID-19 pandemic in the state as at July 18.

Abayomi, who made the disclosure on his Twitter account, said that of the 54,570 samples, 13, 346 returned positive.

He said that 759 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the state on July 18, out of which 115 new cases were confirmed.

According to him, 2,069 of the confirmed cases have since been discharged from #COVID-19 Care Centres following full recovery.

He said, 8,781 of the confirmed cases monitored in communities by #COVID-19 Lagos Response Team have either fully recovered or positively responding to treatments.

The commissioner said that 164 of the cases were currently under isolation in public and private Care Centres.

He, however, noted that 2,141 active cases in communities have yet to turn up for admission in COVID-19 Lagos Care centres.

One additional #COVID-19 related death was recorded bringing the total #COVID-19 related deaths in Lagos to 191, he said.

Abayomi said taking responsibility was easy, adding that it was the most effective strategy to stop the community transmission of the virus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigeria Troop fighting insurgenct ( file Photo)

By Sumaila Ogbaje

Troops of Operation Sahel Sanity has eliminated no fewer than 17 bandits and arrested a number of others in recent encounters in Katsina State, Defence Headquarters has disclosed.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Onyeuko said the troops of Combat Team 1, had on July 18, with the support of Air Task Force advanced, captured a notorious bandits stronghold known as Dangote Camp located deep in the forest in Jibia Local Government Area.

He said the initial resistance by the bandits was effectively subdued by the superior tactics and dexterity of the troops which resulted in heavy casualty on the bandits.

At the end of the encounter, 17 bandits were neutralised while several others were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds as evident by the trails of blood along their escape routes.

Equally, 5 AK 47 Rifles, 3 Dane guns, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 152 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and seven motorcycles were captured from the fleeing bandits.

Regrettably, one brave officer and two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price while four other soldiers were wounded in action.

However, the wounded in action soldiers are currently responding positively to treatment in a military medical facility, he said.

Onyeuko said the troops while conducting fighting patrol along Faskari Sheme Dandume Road in Katsina, arrested five suspected bandits including one female.

He disclosed that one of the suspects, Bashir Usman, claimed to be a policeman during interrogation but could not validate his claim with any form of identification.

According to him, Usman was apprehended with one AK 47 Rifle loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition while riding on a motorcycle.

Onyeoku said that other items recovered from Usman include one handset and the sum of N6,350, adding that all the suspects were presently undergoing preliminary interrogation.

The military spokesperson further disclosed that the troops had on July 17, made an aggressive pursuit of bandits following a tip off that bandits invaded Kuka Uku Village in Batsari and kidnapped a 16-year-old Miss Hadiza Sani.

He said the bandits abandoned the victim and fled due to the troops aggressive pursuit, adding that the rescued victim had since been reunited with her family.

According to him, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Bagega also rescued another kidnapped victim, a 10-year-old girl, following an alarm by her mother that two bandits on motorcycle kidnapped the victim while they were fetching firewood around Bagega Tudurki Forest.

The rescued has been united with her family.

The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai commended the troops for their gallantry, successes and their resilience and urged them not to rest on their oars but build on the successes so far achieved.

He further assured the people of the North-West zone of the Nigerian Armys commitment to the safety of lives and properties within the zone, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State

By stanley Nwanosike

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the release of N24.6 million to the Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board (ESSELB) for bursary allowance for students.

The Executive Secretary of ESSELB, Mr Levis Abonyi, in a statement on Sunday in Enugu, said that the beneficiaries were 246 students of the state origin at the Nigerian Law School.

Abonyi said that the benefiting students would get the sum of N100,000 each.

He said that those eligible for the offer must be indigenes of the state in the Nigerian Law School.

The ESSELB executive secretary listed the requirements for the prospective beneficiaries to include valid admission letters and valid Law School identity card.

Other requirements, according to him, are local government identification letters, dully signed by the scholarship board staff in their respective council secretariats and recent passport photographs.

He said that all applications must be made online through the boards website http://www.esselb.en.gov.ng/>www.esselb.en.gov.ng.

Abonyi, however, asked the affected candidates to call the help-lines: 09044022730, 09045085589, 09054915257 and 07053900572 or visit the boards office at No. 28, Okpara Avenue (old CCB building near EEDC), for application voucher.

The executive secretary also urged eligible students to upload all the above required documents to the ESSELB portal.

Follow us on Facebook Enugu State Scholarship and Education Loans Board-ESSELB for more information on date of screening and presentation of cheques, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News