Mr Tony Ojukwu, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has reiterated the commissions commitment to promote and protect human rights of all persons living in Nigeria.

A statement by the commissions Spokesperson, Fatima Agwai, on Saturday in Abuja, quoted Ojukwu as making the pledge when he addressed theon-going 66th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights in a virtual conference in Banjul, The Gambia.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission as an A Status National Human Rights Institution to continue to work for the advancement of human rights in Nigeria.

Ojukwu in his address alsochronicled the work of the NHRC in integrating human rights into the national responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has disrupted social and economic foundations of the society upon which the enjoyment of fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights are based.

NHRC set up mechanisms to monitor human rights violations and receive petitions from victims and human rights defenders during the restrictions due to COVID-19 he stated.

He added that in a six-week period from April to May 2020, the NHRC received 231 cases of human rights violations.

These cases, he said, included: extra-judicial killings, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, violation of right to freedom of movement, unlawful arrest and detention.

NHRC issued three reports on human rights violations which were presented to the Government, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Law Enforcement agencies and civil society organisations.

The Commission, he said, also applied its normative and rule-making mandate to issue guidelines and advisory opinions to national and state governments on protecting the human rights of vulnerable groups in the COVID-19 response.

These include: The Standard Minimum Guidelines for Human Rights of COVID-19 Patients in Treatment Centres in Nigeria and the Advisory Opinion on the Protection of the Rights and Dignity of Almajiri Children in COVID-19 Response.

These pieces of human rights norms have become best practices which different countries and organisations are now adapting to secure the human rights of the most vulnerable populations in the formulation and implementation of programmes as part of the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an upsurge in cases of rape and other sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria.

The NHRC, he said, initiated a nationwide advocacy week of action which mobilised all stakeholders including the governments at national and state levels, the National and State Assemblies and law enforcement agencies to respond to the rising cases of SGBV in Nigeria he stated.

The campaign according to Ojukwu recorded immediate success with the passage in the National Assembly of an amendment to the Criminal Code Act of 2004.

He also told the assembly that the National Assembly passed a Bill to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for Matters Concerned Therewith.

Ojukwu also commended the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights on the occasion of the 66th Ordinary Session .

Responding to Ojukwus address, the Chairperson, African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights, Dr Solomon Dersso commended the NHRC for the enormous work andleadership which it has exhibited in the realisation of its mandate of protecting and promoting human rights, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: NAN News

Egypt

This raised the number of hotels reopened nationwide to 572, an Egyptian Tourism Ministry official said in a statement on Saturday.

The hotels have been reopened with a limited capacity after receiving an official hygiene safety certificate issued by a joint inspection commission from the ministries of Tourism and Health, said Abdel-Fattah al-Aasy, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for monitoring hotel facilities.

Egypt started reopening hotels in mid-May, but they were limited to local tourism initially due to the international flight suspension.

The North African country started to resume international flights on July 1 amid a coexistence plan to maintain anti-coronavirus precautionary measures while resuming economic activities.

The government recently lifted a partial night-time curfew it had imposed since late March and reopened restaurants, cafes, theatres and cinemas as well as hotels, museums and archaeological sites for tourists, all with limited capacity.

Tourism is one of the main sources of national income and foreign currency in Egypt.

The countrys tourism revenues hit a record high of billion in 2019.

Until Friday night, Egypt registered a total of 86,474 COVID-19 cases, including 4,188 deaths and 27,302 recoveries. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu
Another flight evacuating Nigerians stranded in the United States due to the coronavirus pandemic has departed for Abuja.

The fully booked plane, with 324 passengers on board, left the Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, on Friday night.

It is expected to arrive at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Saturday afternoon.

This is the third evacuation flight from the U.S. arranged by the Federal Government in two months, bringing the total number of evacuees to 811.

The travelers were screened for COVID-19 symptoms and subjected to other monitoring requirements, including presentation of their coronavirus test results.

As usual, the departure operation was coordinated by officials of the Nigerian consulate in New York on behalf of the Nigerian missions in the U.S.

The Consul General, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that three persons were denied boarding for failing to present their COVID-19 test results.

NAN recalls that nine persons, including a family of five, were dropped from the last flight for the same reason.

Okoyen said arrangement had being made to accommodate them in the next flight scheduled for July 28.

COVID-19 test result is one of the requirements for evacuation under the Revised Quarantine Protocol of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

The U.S., which has been an epicentre of the COVID-19 crisis, is grappling with what experts call a second wave of infections, with a record 75,600 new cases on Thursday alone.

With the consular officials at the airport was Dr Philip Ozuah, a nationally-recognised U.S.-based Nigerian medical doctor and Chief Executive Officer of Montefiore Medical Centre, New York.

Ozuah told NAN he was there in solidarity with the consular officials for the amazing evacuation operations.

Some executive members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Americas (NIDOA) led by their Treasurer, Mr Kazeem Bello, were also on hand to lend their support.

They distributed free safety kits, including masks and hand sanitizers, to the evacuees.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

observing hand hygiene frequently.

Source: NAN News

WHO

By Cecilia Ologunagba
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says 10 countries account for 88 per cent (440,672) of all reported Coronavirus (COVID19) cases in the African Region.

WHO Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, disclosed this in a report posted on its official Twitter account @WHOAFRO on Friday.

The UN health agency in COVID-19 WHO Africa Region External Report 20,which was issued on July 15 stated that South Africa accounted for more than half of cases reported.

It, however, listed the 10 countries as South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, Cameroon, Cte dIvoire, Kenya, Senegal, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

According to the report, COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve in the WHO African Region since it was first detected in Algeria on Feb.25, 2020.

Since our last External Situation Report 19 issued on July 8, 2020, a total of 108,098 new confirmed COVID-19 cases (a 27 per cent increase) was reported from 45 countries from 8 to 14 July, 2020.

Of the 108, 098 reported new cases, the majority, 76 per cent (82,437), were recorded in South Africa, which remains the epicentre of the COVID-19 outbreak in the region.

South Africa is now the eighth most affected country globally, with its cumulative number of cases (298, 292).

South Africa cases exceed that of the United Kingdom (290, 137) and Iran (Islamic Republic of) (259,652), which previously reported the highest numbers and are now in the ninth and tenth position, respectively.

On July 11, 2020, the WHO African Region and South Africa recorded their highest daily case counts of 17, 232 and 12, 349, respectively.

During this period, WHO stated that five countries in the region observed the highest percentage increase in incidence cases.

The countries are Lesotho 181 per cent (from 91 to 256 cases), Namibia 60 per cent (from 539 to 864 cases), Madagascar 54 per cent (from 3, 472 to 5,343 cases).

Also, Burundi recorded 41 per cent increase from 191 to 269 cases and Angola 40 per cent from previous 386 cases to 541 cases.

Lesotho and Namibia have been among the top five countries recording the highest percentage increase for the past three reporting periods.

Equatorial Guinea and United Republic of Tanzania did not officially submit reports indicating any confirmed case.

A total of 101 new health worker infections were recorded from three countries: Malawi (44), Lesotho (17), Mozambique (15), Guinea-Bissau (11), South Sudan (5), Sierra Leone (5) and Zambia (4).

In addition, it stated that Namibia reported two new deaths of health workers for the first time; no new country reported any health worker infection for the first time in this reporting period.

From July 8 to July 14, it stated that 1,231 new COVID-19 related deaths (17 per cent increase) were registered in 32 countries, with 844 (69 per cent) of the deaths recorded in South Africa, similar to the previous period.

This was followed by Nigeria, with 85 (6.9 per cent) deaths and then Algeria with 60 (4.9 per cent) deaths.

The report said as at July 14, 2020, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the region surpassed the 500, 000 mark.

It is now at 503,122 cases including 502, 801 confirmed and 321 probable cases, reported across the 47 Member States.

The probable cases have been reported from Sao Tome and Principe (320) and Democratic Republic of the Congo, one case.

According to the report, South Africa has registered more than half, 59 per cent (298, 292) of all reported confirmed cases in the region.

The other countries that reported large numbers of cases are Nigeria with 33, 616 cases, Ghana (24, 988), Algeria (20, 216) and Cameroon (15, 173).

Others are Cte dIvoire which reported 13, 037 cases, Kenya (10, 791), Senegal (8, 243), Ethiopia (8, 181) and DRC with 8, 135 reported cases.

These 10 countries collectively account for 88 per cent (440, 672) of all reported cases.

Of the 503, 122 COVID-19 cases reported, 263 969 (53 per cent) have recovered from across all the 47 countries in the region.

The report further stated that a total of 8, 607 deaths had been reported in 44 countries, giving an overall case fatality ratio (CFR) of 1.7 per cent.

Three countries, including, Eritrea, Seychelles and Uganda have not registered any COVID-19 related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, it stated. (

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

Australias Prime Minister Scott Morrison has cancelled the next planned sitting of the federal parliament in Canberra due to the growing spread of COVID-19 cases, especially in the countrys two largest cities of Melbourne and Sydney.

Morrison announced on Saturday he was cancelling the sitting on the advice of the chief medical officer who warned of a significant risk in allowing politicians to come to Canberra,due to increased community transmission of the virus in Melbourne and Sydney.

The government cannot ignore the risk to parliamentarians, their staff, the staff within the parliament and the broader community, Morrison said in a statement.

In Canberra, the number of COVID-19 cases was zero for weeks, until several arrivals from Melbourne brought new cases in July.

The parliament,due to return onAug. 4, will now return on Aug. 24.

Opposition Labour Leader, Anthony Albanese,accepted that the prime ministers decisionwas based on medical advice, but said he is disappointed the government willbe avoiding scrutiny.

On Thursday, the government plans to lay out its post-pandemic economic recovery plan, which would have been a topic of discussion in the parliament.

Victoria, the state of which Melbourne is the capital,on Saturday reported 217 new COVID-19 cases and two deaths both people aged in their 80s Premier Daniel Andrews said.

The new figures come a day after the state reported three deaths and 428 new virus cases, which was the highest ever single-day increase in the country since the pandemic began.

The states outbreak, which has been mostly community transmission,started late last month and health authorities are testing more than 20,000 people a day.

The increase is said to have been due tosecurity lapses in hotel quarantine for people returning to Melbourne from overseas.

A total of 405 health care officers have been infected, including 11 that tested positive overnight, health authorities said on Saturday.

More than 150 police officers have also been put in self-isolation after potentially being exposed to the virus.

While other parts of Australia have been relaxingrestrictions, Victorias borders have been shut from other states.

About five million Melburnians have been asked to stay home unless for essential work and to wear a mask in public.

Overnight, there were 15 new cases in New South Wales, with most cases in Sydney, state health authorities said on Saturday.

A man from Melbourne is responsible for increased cases in Sydney, which are largely related to a cluster ata pub in the citys south-west.

So far, at least 45 cases have been linked to the venue.

The latest spike forced the New South Wales government to ban dancing,singing and minglingat weddingswith caps at 150 people.

Restrictions have also been re-imposed for funerals and places of worship, which can now only have 100 people.

The latest spikes in Melbourne and Sydney have dampenedAustralias status as one of the countries on the way to eradicateCOVID-19.

Australia has recorded more than 11,000 coronavirus cases and 118 COVID-19-related deaths. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Erosion Site in Abia ( file Photo)

By Sam Oditah

The Ecological Fund Office (EFO) has handed over the Oguduasa Gully Erosion and Flood Works in Abia to a contractor, to commence rehabilitation of the project.

The EFO, which is a unit in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, contracted Messrs Foldams Engineering Company Ltd., to handle the rehabilitation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the cost of the contract was, however, not disclosed.

The EFO Permanent Secretary, Dr Habiba Lawal, performed the contract-signing ceremony at Isiukwuato, near Umuahia.

He said that the project was one of 20 ecological intervention projects, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the first quarter of this year.

Lawal, who was represented by a Director in the agency, Mr Collins Igwe, said the contract was awarded by the EFOs tenders board.

It is the resolve of the present administration that no part of the country suffers any neglect, owing to its geographical location or political consideration.

She said that the project was initiated through a request for an urgent intervention forwarded to the agency by Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency.

Lawal said that when completed, the project would help to arrest the continuous soil erosion and flooding, ravaging the Oguduasa communities.

This will also go a long way in mitigating the impact of associated flooding being experienced within Oguduasa communities.

The intervention is to be implemented for the overall wellbeing of the communities, Lawal said, noting that it would also bring socio-economic development to the area.

The director implored residents of the area to give the contractor and consultant the needed support and cooperation by ensuring the safety of their lives and property.

In her remarks, Onyejeocha said the project was first captured in the 2007 budget but could not be executed because of a lack of design.

She said that she reminded the president about the erosion, when she accompanied traditional rulers from Oguduasa on a courtesy visit to Aso Rock.

I reminded the president about the road as a condition for my constituency to vote for him.

In 2019, the Ecological Fund Office visited the constituency and identified 10 erosion sites, the lawmaker said, adding: Just two weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved it.

Onyejeocha thanked Buhari and the FEC for the approval of the project, saying that tackling the erosion menace would bring relief to affected communities.

The road is critical to the economy of the area and the gully erosion poses serious danger to the lives of the natives, motorists and commuters.

The erosion site also provides a safe haven for kidnappers, robbers and rapists, who regularly attack unsuspecting travellers.

Onyejeocha admonished politicians from the area to stop playing politics with issues affecting human lives.

I cannot play politics with erosion sites or peoples lives.

My campaign was not based on frivolities, she added.

In an interview with newsmen, the project consultant, Mr Farukuoye Adeyinka, who declined to disclose the contract sum, said the project would be delivered between four to six months.

Also, Eze Okey Udeh, the Traditional Ruler of Oguduasa Autonomous Community in Isuikwuato Local Government Area, thanked the president, EFO and Onyejeocha for coming to their rescue.

He said that the area had been subjected to untold socio-economic hardship, due to the erosion.

Our communities have been cut off from our neighbouring communities. Our farmlands have been washed away, hampering economic development in our area, the monarch said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos

By Yemi Adeleye

The Lagos State Government has announced that rehabilitation of alternative routes to be used during the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge had been carried out.

The states Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, made the announcement in a statement in Ikeja.

The statement was signed by the Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the ministry, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola.

Oladeinde was cited as making the disclosure while providing an update on the readiness of the state for the partial closure of the bridge, slated for July 24.

The commissioner said that provision of the alternative routes was in line with the State Governments agenda to ensure safety and free flow of traffic at all times.

According to him, the repair of the bridge by the Federal Ministry of Works, expected to last six months, is to fix worn out expansion joints of the bridge.

Oladeinde said that Iddo inwards Carter Bridge, Market Road inwards Herbert Macaulay Road and Herbert Macaulay Road by Abeokuta Street as well as Herbert Macaulay by Cemetery and Apapa Road inwards Oyingbo had been fixed.

He said that the first phase of the bridge rehabilitation would focus on Oworonshoki inwards Lagos Island in the morning with traffic diversion from 12.00 midnight to 1.00 p.m.

According to him, Lagos Island inwards Oworonshoki will divert traffic in the afternoon from 1.00 p.m. to 12.00 midnight.

Different options have been provided for motorists to navigate their journeys.

We advise motorists heading towards Ikeja and Ikorodu Road from Osborne Road, Ikoyi in the morning to make use of Carter Bridge to access Eko Bridge through Ijora Olopa.

This will lead them through Funsho Williams Avenue to Doman Long Bridge to Ikorodu or to use Carter Bridge to Iddo through Oyingbo to Herbert Macaulay to Jibowu and link Ikorodu Road.

We advise motorists coming from Victoria Island to utilise Ozumba Mbadiwe Road to Falomo Bridge through Alfred Rewane to Old Kingsway Road, Osborne to Ilubirin and Carter Bridge.

Oladeinde said that as a second option, motorists are advised to take Bonny Camp to Independence Bridge to Marina Bridge through Apongbon to Eko Bridge, Ijora Olopa, Iddo and Oyingbo.

In the afternoon, road users inbound Lagos Island are advised to use Ojota on Ikorodu road to access Funsho Williams Avenue through Eko Bridge/Apongbon axis or to utilise Ikorodu road to access Fadeyi/Jibowu/Yaba axis to access Oyingbo-Iddo to Carter Bridge.

The commissioner said that motorists could also use Oshodi/Charity through Agege Motor Road to access Cappa to link Ilupeju By-pass or Mushin to get to Town Planning Way to link Ikorodu Road.

He said that motorists could also access Moshalasi/Idi-Oro from Mushin to access Funsho Williams Avenue and connect Eko Bridge to get to Apongbon or use Empire Road to access Yaba to link Oyingbo-Iddo axis.

Oladeinde said that motorists coming from the International Airport to Lagos were advised to use Oshodi-Oke to get to Town Planning Way to link Ikorodu road.

He said that rehabilitation works were going on at the remaining routes highlighted for traffic diversions to enhance free traffic flow along the corridor during the rehabilitation.

According to him, motorists who do not have urgent assignments on the island during the rehabilitation should avoid the area to discourage influx of vehicular movements.

Oladeinde noted that people who must visit the area should consider the use of the dedicated BRT/LBSL buses to reduce traffic congestion on the repair corridor.

He urged road users to comply with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and the Federal Road Safety Corps directives to minimise inconveniences on the roads.

Oladeinde also advised commuters to make use of water transportation by linking up with the various jetties in the metropolis for their trips.

Lagos State Government is hereby appealing to residents of the state, especially motorists that ply these corridors to bear the pains as the project is aimed at ensuring safety of the people in an emerging smart city. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Pemex oil resumes crude shipments

An oil production and storage vessel, operated by Mexican state oil firm Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico, has resumed crude shipments.

This is after a tanker collision halted exports earlier this month, according to a person with knowledge of the matter and data from Refinitiv Eikon.

The FPSO facility (floating production, storage and offloading), which has the capacity to store up to 2.2 million barrels of crude, halted loading of vessels for exports after making contact with the Olympic Future tanker on July 1.

The collision was due to bad weather conditions, according to Pemex, formally known as Petroleos Mexicanos, in a statement hours after the event.

A source familiar with the units operation told Reuters on Friday that repairs had been made, allowing exports to resume, but did not specify the date that happened.

According to Refinitiv Eikon vessel tracking data, the most recent tanker to load crude oil from El Seor del Mar was the Trysil Spirit, which set sail from Mexican waters bound for the United States on July 13.

Pemex said it did not have information to confirm whether the FSPO had resumed activities.

The company currently produces an average of 1.6 million barrels per day of crude oil, of which it exports around one million barrels per day. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

AGF Abubakar Malami

By Ebere Agozie

The Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the malicious publications against him by SaharaReporters through its online medium.

Malami disclosed this in a statement issued by Dr Umar Gwandu, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations in Abuja.

He said his

The petition reads in part: For the records Sir, Malami is a second term Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice who has been returned due to his exemplary leadership of the anti-corruption program of the a

Under the supervision of Malami as Attorney General, the extant National Anti Corruption Strategy was conceived, designed, approved by the Federal Executive Council and is currently being implemented.

Malamis re-appointment as Attorney General is first of its kind and to our mind, a testimony of his unparalleled performance in Office,especially in driving the Anti-Corruption agenda of the Government a

In sum, the libelous publications contained direct allegations and inuendos Notwithstanding that the stories untrue and false;

Our client has since July 10, when the malicious criminal libel were first published, received and still receives several telephone calls and visits from well meaning Nigerians, his friends, well-wishers and associates from all over the world including

Our client deserves justice.

Similarly, the Attorney-General has written the publishers of Sahara Reporters complaining on the same alleged libelous and criminally defamatory publications.

Take notice that you are hereby issued a seven-day ultimatum to retract all the libelous and criminally defamatory p

Source: NAN News

By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Nigerian Youth Compact on COVID-19 (NYCC) has partnered the Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce to boost access to finance from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for over 10 million youths in the country.

National Chairman of the youth compact, Malam Gambo Haruna, made the disclosure during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the training of 10 million youths, on Friday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MoU was signed between the Youth Compact and the Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce with a view to facilitate access to the CBN Loan Entrepreneurship Training and Certification.

Haruna expressed optimism that the partnership would boost access to finance for over 10 million Nigerian youths to establish functional enterprises and create over 30 million jobs in the next two years.

According to him, a delegation of the Nigerian youth will be meeting with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria within the next seven days, to develop modalities to get the project going.

Haruna explained that the partnership was strategic and timely, considering the urgency for economic recovery created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the proposed partnership would complement efforts of the government to save the economy.

The youth leader expressed hope that the partnership would stimulate MSMEs growth beyond the CVID-19 pandemic, create millions of jobs and contribute to non-oil revenue in the country.

Haruna said that over 50 per cent of the 200 million Nigerian population was made up of young people.

According to him, every year, over 1.8 million young people graduate from tertiary institutions.

He, however, said only 30 per cent would find some kind of employment, thereby leaving over 1.2 million graduates without jobs.

Compound that in a generation and you have over 10 million youth unemployed, which is bigger than the population of Demark and Finland combined.

These are people with creative energies and aspirations to impact humanity positively.

It is sad, however, that these aspirations are often cut short due to a myriad of problems from the cradle to adulthood.

The Nigeria youth unemployment rate is projected to trend around 44 per cent in 2021.

The youth situation is worsened by the looming global recession as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic that has infected over 10 million people globally.

Haruna advised government to put deliberate measures to reverse the ugly trends and cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian youth, whose fate already hangs in the balance.

He said the N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) set up by CBN to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 was laudable.

Feedback from the field, however, shows that a critical mass of youth-led enterprises have not been able to access the facility due to set conditions, he said.

The youth leader advised the government to create a special fund that would serve the needs of her burgeoning youth population.

These needs are unique in all ramifications. There is no questioning the fact that these intervention measures have to be coordinated and driven by the organised private sector to achieve the desired impact.

We are at the threshold of history and the situation beckons on us to act. Surely, posterity will judge the actions we take today to build a more economically viable Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

N40bn probe: Reps Cttee summons Akpabio, NDDC MD, others

By EricJames Ochigbo

Source: NAN News

Tokyo 2020 Games

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee announced that all the venues intended for the Games in 2021 have been secured and the sports competition schedule confirmed.

A statement on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website said that the decision was taken at the IOC virtual session held on Friday.

This marks a significant step for the organisers, with only one year to go until the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 open on July 23, 2021.

As preparations continue to advance, these decisions highlight the progress made amidst the current unprecedented circumstances, with strong unity amongst all stakeholders driving the planning and delivery of next years Games.

This was emphasised by the Organising Committees President, Yoshiro Mori, and its CEO, Toshiro Muto.

In their report to the IOC Session, they confirmed that all 43 competition venues, the Olympic Village, and the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre would be used for the Olympic Games in 2021,the statement read.

It however noted that the Tokyo organisers also announced that the competition schedule will remain the same, with some minor timing adjustments for operational reasons.

The Olympic Village is the beating heart of the Olympic Games, while the venues are its soul.

I am delighted that the Village and the venues have been confirmed for next year, this means that the athletes will have this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Athletes from all around the world will live together under one roof in the Olympic Village, sharing meals together, celebrating together, discussing together and forming these unique Olympic communities.

That Tokyo 2020 has been able to achieve this and confirm the competition schedule despite the extraordinary circumstances is testament to the work of the Joint Steering Committee led by John Coates and Yoshiro Mori, the statement quoted IOC President Thomas Bach as saying.

Bach was quoted further as saying that with only one year to go, a mammoth task still lies ahead of the committee.

With our Japanese partners and friends, we agree that we have to adapt the planning of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 to the requirements of the global crisis, while maintaining the unique spirit and message that defines our mission.

We are working to optimise the operations and services without touching on sports and athletes. In this way we can, together with the Organising Committee, turn these postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 into an unprecedented celebration of unity and solidarity of humankind, making them a symbol of resilience and hope. Showing that we are stronger together, Bach said.

Source: NAN News

By Joan Nwagwu

House of Representative Committee on Health says plans are on to give financial benefits to families of healthcare workers who died at the frontline of COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Yusuf Tanko-Sununu, Chairman of the Committee, disclosed this when the committee paid a courtesy visit to the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, (MHWUN), in Abuja in Friday.

Tanko-Sununu said that the National Assembly was still reviewing the manner of the compensation that should be made available to the affected families.

According to him, we are not unmindful of our health workers in the frontline who paid the ultimate price. This is why we are working out a plan to compensate their families.

A committee has been set up. We will call for a public hearing where the strategy and method to be used in disbursing the compensations will be agreed on.

The families of the deceased will be located and we must ensure that we reach out to them.

He noted that the House of Representative under the leadership of the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, had set up a committee to interface and intervene in all pending issues concerning the payment and welfare of health workers.

Tanko-Sununu, however, urged the aggrieved workers who were threatening to down tools over governments unfair treatment to consider the million of lives such an action could put at risk.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the health system and we are in a situation where the haves and have-nots are situated in the same place and so no one travels.

We must, therefore, ensure that our health infrastructure is improved.

We are here also to thank the health workers for not embarking on strike and for interfacing when the FCT chapter threatens to embark on strike.

There is need for a health care system that average Nigerians can be proud of. Every person is important under this government.

Without the services of lower cadre, the higher professional cannot carry out their job.

We must manage our differences to ensure we understand ourself and move the country forward. We must come together to rescue this nation, he said.

He, however, added that the committees primary responsibility was not only to ensure all demands of health workers in the country were met, but to also promote harmony in the sector.

Our aim is to ensure there is no disharmony anymore in the health sector.

We are reaching out to major stakeholders and negotiating their demands to ensure health workers continue with their work with no hitches or grievances, he said.

Mr Josiah Biobelemoye, MHWUN National President, commended the lawmakers for the visit, while urging the legislative and executive arms of government to prioritise the needs and demands of healthcare workers.

Biobelemoye said that the delay in the payment of deferred and adjusted salaries of health workers was a ticking time bomb.

He, however, commended the efforts and concerns of the National Assembly in the welfare of healthcare workers including the steps being taken to back the consolidated revenue provision of one per cent by law.

Biobelemoye called for increased funding of the health sector and budgetary provision to fund the salary adjustments.

We are doing so much and our people are showing so much understanding within this period because its COVID-19 period, but you can not expect people to be patient all through for ever.

Government said there is no money but they are planning to pay private school teachers who are not even under the employment of government.

We are in the fore front contending with the situation.

How will you then explain to us that government does not have the money to pay our deferred salaries of April and May 2018, and the withheld salaries in FMC Owerri, JUTH, LUTH and others? How will you convince us?

We are not against government trying to help out private schools, but if you are helping the private schools, why cant you help us?

Is it justifiable to keep the salaries of those who are in the war front?

Biobelemoye appealed to the executive to quickly address the issues to avoid industrial action.

Source: NAN News

Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile,

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the remains of late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, the Services first female combat helicopter pilot, who died on Tuesday, will be buried on July 23 at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the late Arotile would be buried with full military honours.

Daramola said the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, had received some members of the Federal Executive Council as well as members of the National Assembly who visited him at NAF Headquarters at various times on Thursday.

He said they came to condole with him over the unfortunate demise of the young NAF pilot.

Among them were the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen as well as the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The joint delegation from the upper and lower houses of the National Assembly, comprising 20 members, was led by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Air Force, Sen. Bala Ibn-NaAllah, and the Chairman House Committee on the Air Force, Shehu Koko, he said.

He said Tallen, during the visit, said she received the news of the death of Flying Officer Arotile with great shock from which, she said, would be difficult for her to recover.

She, however, noted that the death of the young pilot would not be in vain as she would forever be remembered for her gallantry and contributions towards ensuring a secured Nigeria.

The minister prayed that God would comfort the entire NAF family and grant the departed officers soul eternal rest.

While conveying his condolences, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, prayed that God would grant Flying Officer Arotiles soul peaceful repose and her family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Sen. Ibn-NaAllah said that the Senate Committee on Air Force and the Senate as a whole lacked the words to express how painful her death was to them.

He said they were, however, consoled that there was no greater honour than when one died while in service to ones Nation.

He described the late Arotile as a dedicated and goal-oriented young woman who lived an exemplary life that was worthy of emulation by other young Nigerians.

Ibn-NaAllah said that the Nigerian Senate shared in the pain of the Service as well as that of the Arotile family.

He urged the NAF to continue to give opportunities to many young Nigerian girls to realise their dreams of serving their country as pilots in the NAF.

The Chairman House Committee on the Air Force, Koko, on his part, recalled the day Flying Officer Arotile was winged as the first female combat helicopter pilot in the NAF.

He noted that they at the House of Representatives were extremely pained by her passing, but had taken solace in the fact that she had left a lasting legacy.

In his response during the visits, the CAS expressed his appreciation to the esteemed dignitaries as well as all Nigerians for their overwhelming show of support to the NAF over the passing of Flying Officer Arotile.

He siad that the NAF would never forget her, not only because she was the first female combat helicopter pilot in the Service, but also because of her legacy as a very intelligent, highly committed and extremely patriotic officer who excelled in virtually every endeavour.

Abubakar recalled how, while on basic helicopter course in South Africa, she was selected, because of her excellent performance, to undergo a more advanced flying course on the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter in Italy before returning to finish the basic course along with her other colleagues in South Africa.

The CAS said she was commitment to excellence on the job.

This was what gave us confidence to assign her to introduce the Agusta 109 Power Attack Helicopter to the President, President Muhammadu Buhari, during the induction ceremony at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Feb.6, which she did excellently, he said

Abubakar said Arotile had left her mark on the sands of time which, he said, proved that when it comes to displaying excellence and adding value to the society, age or gender should not be barriers.

He said that her contributions through combat missions conducted along with her colleagues in the fight against armed banditry and other criminal activities in the country would also never be forgotten.

The air chief said that the NAF would, therefore, continue to give equal opportunities to female officers in terms of training.

He said that a total of 11 female student pilots were currently undergoing flying training both within and outside Nigeria.

Abubakar said that the Service would continue to be consoled by the legacy she left behind.

He assured that the NAF, in honour of her memory as well as those who had paid the supreme price before her, would continue to work assiduously to ensure success in the fight against terrorism, banditry and other security threats for the overall peace and prosperity of a united Nigeria.

Daramola said a condolence visit to the Arotile Family in Lokoja by a high-powered delegation comprised of the CAS, Minister of Women Affairs as well as the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Air Force, had been scheduled to hold on a date before the burial.

Source: NAN News

Kidnapped victims rescued by troops of Operation Whirl Stroke in Benue

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE has rescued about 34 kidnapped victims, apprehended suspected kidnappers and recovered cache of arms and ammunition in Benue.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Enenche said that the success was recorded following a credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap syndicate operating in Igbom village in Nenzev council ward of Logo Local Government Area.

He said that the troops of Sector 2 and 4 carried out a raid operation on a suspected kidnappers den at Tomayin village in Logo on July 16, killing their ring leaders.

According to him, the troops engaged the criminal elements in hot pursuit leading to the killing of one Zwa Ikyegh identified as the ring leader and others escaped with various degrees of gun shots wounds.

The successful encounter led to the rescue of 32 kidnapped victims some of whom have been in captivity for over a month.

All the rescued kidnapped victims have been reunited with their families in different communities in Logo Local Government Area.

Troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle, one AK 47 magazine, 6 locally made rifle, one locally made pistol and a magazine.

Others include 22 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 cartridges, 2 motorcycles and some Charms and the hideout has been equally destroyed, he said.

Enenche said the troops also responded to a distress call on another kidnapping incident at Austoma in Mbanema Council ward of Ukum Local Government Area.

He said that the troops promptly mobilised to the scene leading to the arrest of two suspects.

The suspects are Mr Sealemun and Orduem both of whom are linked to late Terugwa Igbagwa Aka Orjondu.

He added that the troops recovered one motorcycle which the kidnappers were using for their heinous crimes.

According to him, the suspects are currently undergoing investigation after which they will be handed over to the Nigeria Police for further necessary action.

Troops have continued to dominate the area with patrols and ambushes while normalcy has since been restored in the general area, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC

By Habibu Harisu

Mr Philip Enaberue, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Coordinator in Sokoto State, has urged the state government to disinfect the orientation camp preparatory to future orientation exercise as it was used as Coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine point.

Enaberue, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Friday, commended the state government for its prompt actions in curtailing the prevalence of Coronavirus pandemic in the state.

He said that only one of the 2019 Batch B Stream II corps members that passed out on Thursday was sanctioned with extension of service because of the offence he committed.

According to him, no fewer than 859 corps members passed out in a low-key exercise, adding that the sanction given to the corps member would serve as a deterrent to others.

Enaberue also disclosed that two corps members were shortlisted for the State NYSCs award; three for the Chairmans award, while two others were billed to receive the prestigious Sultan of Sokotos award.

He said that commendation letters would also be issued to deserving corps members, while the awards were designed to appreciate outstanding performance during the service year.

The coordinator urged the outgoing corps members to utilise the skills acquired during the vocational training at the orientation camp and the service year.

Try to be good ambassadors of this country and your families; you should ensure that you associate with people of good character.

The vocational training you were exposed to during your orientation programme is enough to make you excel without wandering about in the saturated labour market,he said.

He also said that the passing out ceremony was low-key because of the COVID-19, while all activities were in line with the safety measures to curtail the spread of the virus.

The coordinator said that NYSC officials were deployed to local government areas to issue certificates to corps members, while some received theirs at the state secretariat according to a batch of 30 persons at a time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NSE

Transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) ended negative on Friday with turnover and key market indices dropping by 22.61 per cent and 0.17 per cent, respectively.

Speficially, a total of 160.50 million shares worth N1.47 billion were traded in 2,997 deals.

This was against 207.40 million valued at N1.70 billion in 3,323 deals on Thursday.

Custodian and Allied Investment emerged investors delight, accounting for 14.05 million shares worth N67.46 million.

Japaul came second, accounting for 12.22 million shares valued at N2.71 million, while Nigerian Breweries sold 11.66 million shares worth N349.61 million.

Mutual Benefit transacted 11.54 million shares valued at N2.33 million, while FBN Holdings exchanged 11.33 million shares worth N56.49 million.

Also, the market capitalisation of listed equities dipped N22 billion or 0.17 per cent to close at N12.669 trillion from N12.691 trillion reported on Thursday.

In the same vein, the All-Share Index which opened at 24,330.06 shed 42.40 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 24,287.66.

Nigeria Breweries topped the losers chart, dropping by 70k to close at N30 per share.

Guaranty Trust Bank trailed with a loss of 50k to close at N21.50, while Dangote Sugar lost 20k to close at N12 per share.

NEM Insurance dropped 6k to close at N2, while United Bank for Africa was down by 5k to close at N6.15 per share.

On the other hand, Ardova led the gainers table, gaining 90k to close at N12.55 per share.

Glaxosmithkline followed with a gain of 40k to close at N4.75, while Oando appreciated by 8k to close at N2.31per share.

NAHCO gained 8k to close at N2.06, while Caverton improved by 7k to close at N1.90 per share.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The Federal Government on Friday solicited the collaboration of Government of India to produce vaccine against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said this in Abuja at the handling over ceremony of medicines donated by Indian Government to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to aid the fight against COVID-19.

Ehanire told the envoys that the partnership on vaccine production would help to address the need of the country and that of the ECOWAS sub region.

An area of interest I will like to stress is vaccine production; we are also a vaccine production aspiring country.

Nigeria is presently in a joint venture with a private company on exploring vaccine production to meet the need of the country.

We will like to collaborate with you, with the advance science in India to address the vaccine needs in Nigeria and in the ECOWAS sub region,the minister said.

He told his guests that he just attended meeting of the ECOWAS Ministers of Health, which discussed ways to address the vaccine needs of the sub region.

According to him, it is the aspiration of the world to develop vaccine against COVID-19.

Nigeria will be interested if there is a way to connect our scientists to join your scientists to produce vaccine against COVID-19.

He, however, thanked the India government for the donation, saying the items would help to serve the country better.

I am delighted to receive these items donated by the government of India to the government and people of Nigeria.

This is particularly touching, because COVID-19 affects all countries. You have your own problem, just as we have our own problems.

In spite of that, you have been able to find the resources and attention to be able to remember Nigeria to make your donation to us.

In the past, we have had information from you on management protocol and technical advice on COVID-19,the minister said.

Ehanire said that Nigeria have had long interaction with India on almost all areas, from defence to science, research and education, particularly.

Perhaps, the most cognate of the connection between our countries is pharmaceutical; India is the hub of pharmaceutical productivity and all aspiring will look toward India in that respect.

We look forward to collaborate with you in that area as well,the minister said.

In his remarks, Mr Abhay Thakur, the High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, said as part of Indias ongoing collaboration with African countries to combat COVID-19 pandemic, had decided to donate some items to Nigeria.

Government of India today donated 7-tonnes of consignment of essentials medicines, including hydroxycholoroquine and medicine including antibiotics to the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The consignment has been sent to Nigeria in line with commitment made in the conversation between the Indian Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Foreign of Affairs of Nigeria.

This donation underscores the special and unique ties between India and Nigeria, he said.

According to him, India and Nigeria enjoy longstanding, multifaceted and friendly relations.

India is a close developmental partner of Nigeria, and remains committed to build capacity and contribute toward the health and welfare of the people of Nigeria, including in combating and overcoming COVID-19 challenges.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that highlight of the ceremony was the acceptance of 586 cartoons of the medicines by the Ehanire from Thakur.

Source: NAN News

Google on Friday highlighted 10 other usefulness of Google Search engine aside from the normal search for obtaining information.

Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google Communication Officer, West Africa, said that millions of people made use of Google Search to get answers and information every day.

He noted that yet a lot were not harnessing the full power of Google.

Kola-Ogunlade said that Google Searchs Web, Image, Video, News, Maps and More tabs could help ensure one got the kind of results needed.

He said beyond simple queries, there were a lot more one could achieve with Google Search.

Acording to him, the 10 useful things that Google Search could do include search jobs, search lyrics, weather update, stop watch, recipes for meals, about calories, just for fun, among others.

By searching for jobs near me or specifically for the job position you seek, you can find options that you are interested in and apply for them.

Google offers a quick and easy way to find your next job ,whether it is full-time, part-time or an internship.

Search for lyrics to your favourite songs by typing, song name plus lyrics in the search bar, you get the lyrics displayed at the top of the search results page.

This is useful for fans, music lovers, during karaoke, or for a chorister who wishes to learn how to sing a song, he said in the statement.

According to him, to get weather updates for any city on any day simply search weather plus city name, and the day you are interested in and you get the current forecast.

He said that this was particularly useful for travellers and when planning for a choice of clothing for an outing.

Kola-Ogunlade said that Google Search provided a personal time keeper that helps measure the speed of an activity.

He added that you could get recipes for meals to beef up your cooking skills by searching for the recipe for any meal you can imagine on Google.

He added that other usefulness of Google Search includes getting real time games scores, search by voice and search health condition.

Source: NAN News