By Muhammad Nasir

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, has declared Tuesday, April 13, as the first day of Ramadan 1442 AH in Nigeria.

Abubakar announced the sighting of the new moon in a radio and television broadcast in Sokoto on Monday.

He said the new moon was sighted in different parts of Nigeria and that report of the crescent sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across the country.

After due verification and authentication by the national moon sighting committee and state committees confirmation, as well as routine scrutiny, I hereby announce the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan which signifies the end of Shaaban 1442 AH.

Consequently, in accordance with Islamic law, Muslim Ummah is directed to commence fasting on Tuesday accordingly, he said.

The Sultan enjoined Muslim faithful to devote themselves to the worship of Allah throughout the Holy month, urging them to use the period to pray for the progress, peace and prosperity of the nation.

We further call on Nigerians to continue to live peacefully with one another irrespective of religious and tribal difference, he said.

He urged Muslim faithful to use the period to pray for leaders on their commitment towards addressing all health related issues and security challenges in the country.

The Sultan also urged wealthy individuals to assist the poor, while stressing the need for increased religious tolerance and brotherhood in Nigeria.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan is a compulsory religious obligation on all adult Muslims.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the beginning of Muslims holy month of Ramadan with a call on Nigerians to remember the poor and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muslims fast throughout the 30 days of the holy month.

Buhari, in a message to mark the commencement of the month, prayed to Allah to accept our sacrifices and increase the unity, solidarity, peace and prosperity of the nation.

The message signed by Malam Garba Shehu, Special Assitant on Media and Publicity, was made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

It quoted Buhari as urging Muslims in the country to exercise patience and tolerance, and reject voices that seek to divide the nation.

The president also urged citizens to show compassion to the poor and remember those that had been displaced by conflicts, in their charity and prayers throughput the fasting period. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

TAJBank has deployed NQR Payment solution, an indigenous Quick Response Code by Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) as the newest addition to its e-business channels.

The Founder/Chief Operating Officer of the bank, Mr Hamid Joda, said this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Joda said that the ingenious solution would further drive TAJBanks culture of innovation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NQR Payment solution is a secure QR-code-based payment and collections platform developed for merchants and customers to receive and make payments in an easy and secure manner.

Joda said that the NQR would also create a seamless payment experience for the banks rapidly growing individual and corporate customers in their banking transactions.

We are excited to have this payment channel introduced into the nations financial system as an addition to other innovative solutions we have deployed over the past few months.

This is a proof that, as we have said in our communications signature line, TAJBanks interest is always in our customers, he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of the bank, Mr Sherif Idi, said that the deployment of the NQR payment solution would revolutionise the e-payment experience.

Idi added that it would open new frontiers for small, medium and large scale businesses which were major stakeholders of the bank.

He assured of the banks track record of growth and innovation, and rendering quality services to customers.

He said that NQR solution was open to all customers of the bank, both merchants and individuals, across all its branches and digital channels globally.

TAJBank is Nigerias second licensed non-interest financial institution offering innovative and customer-oriented products and services that span private banking, retail banking, business banking, development finance and the public sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Team Rivers say they will protest what they have seen as poor officiating in their 65kg bout in Dambe at the ongoing 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the quarter-final fight between Michael Olayemi of Rivers and Hassan Yusuf of Bauchi state on Sunday ended in favour of Yusuf.

It was declared a knock-out in the second round by the umpire.

Dissatisfied with the official result, Emmanuel Ogolo, Secretary of Rivers State Sports Council, said his team would protest the decision.

Dambe is a martial art in which competitors in a typical match aim to subdue each other into total submission mostly within three rounds.

It often results in serious bodily injuries for the challengers such as broken jaws and ribs.

I rate the officiating as being unfair. Almost all the spectators here and even some of the officials saw what happened, but its like what they are doing here is favouritism, which is not right.

A fighter cannot be fighting with his hand and somebody is using his leg to cross over and make him fall. It is wrong.

I have not experienced that before and that is why we are making a protest in this game. It is either the game is canceled or declared a rematch, he said.

Reminded of the protest fee of N20,000, Ogolo said his team resolved to protest the referees decision and were ready for the consequences.

We are ready for that, anything that will make us succeed in this particular game, we will do it. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Segun Giwa

Ondo State-born Olympics-bound wrestler, Odunayo Adekuoroye, has won a gold medal in the 57kg category of the wrestling event at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF).

In her fight, Adekuoroye stamped her authority on the game as world number two by defeating Jumoke Adesoye from Kano State 10-0.

Also joining Adekuoroye on the medals table was Princess Bankole who won a bronze medal for Ondo State in the 50kg category of the wrestling event.

Isaac John of Ondo State defeated his opponent in the 74kg of the mens event to win a silver medal

Also in other sports, Joy Usenbor recorded 54.00 seconds in the 400m women final of the athletics event to secure a bronze medal for Ondo State.

In the male event of table tennis, the Ondo State team defeated their counterparts from Lagos 3-0 to qualify for the final of the event.

Also, Kemi Aliu qualified for the final in the heavyweight division in the female boxing event. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Ijeoma Okigbo

The Gymnastics Federation of Nigeria has hailed Edo state government for providing standard gymnastics facilities at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Benin.

Abba Mohammed-Inuwa, vice president of the Federation told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium that the federation was considering the state as host for future championships.

I will like to express our appreciation to the government and people of Edo state for providing this state-of-the-art equipment.

These equipment are very sophisticated and I am very sure that it is the first of its kind in West Africa as a whole.

Yesterday (Sunday), we were here with the Deputy Governor (Philp Shaibu) for more than an hour and we informed him of our plans to make use of these facilities as a national camp, where we will be camping our athletes.

And we are even soliciting for the cooperation and support of Edo state government so that we can host championships, nationally and internationally in Edo state.

This is the only way we can have athletes that are fit and trained in Nigeria that can represent this country in future events.

He has given us his words that Edo state is going to collaborate with the federation to ensure that these facilities are being put to use, he said.

NAN reports that the gymnastics event which is still ongoing at the festival is expected to end on Tuesday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

The African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN) have expressed deep concern over the situation in Somalia.

According to a joint statement on Sunday, in their latest virtual meeting the AU, EU, IGAD, and UN noted the gravity of the ongoing political stalemate in Somalia over the holding of delayed elections, and the continuing impasse in dialogue between the Federal Government and some Federal Member State leaders.

They expressed serious concern that the political stalemate was impacting negatively on peace, security, stability, and prosperity in Somalia and beyond.

They, therefore, called on Somali political leaders to continue the progress made in state-building and inclusive politics, especially elections and peaceful transition of power.

The organisations appealed to the countrys leaders to deliver today on the vital interests of the Somali people for peaceful, free, fair, and credible elections.

The meeting urged all Somali leaders to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from any actions that could lead to an escalation of tensions.

They reiterated their respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence, and unity of Somalia.

They also called upon Somali leaders to prioritise the national interest of Somalia and immediately return to dialogue to seek compromise on the outstanding issues.

The international organisations urged the Somali leaders to ensure that no actions were capable of undermining the stability of Somalia were taken, which is critical to the maintenance of international peace and security.

While stating that the Sept. 17 Agreement remained the most viable path towards the holding of elections in the shortest delay possible, they urged the Federal Government and the Federal Member State leaders to review and validate the Feb. 16, 2021 Baidoa Technical Committee recommendations and seek agreement through compromise on any outstanding issues necessary for rapid electoral implementation.

Commending the international partners for facilitating communication between Somali leaders, they called on the partners to strengthen engagements and identify, if needed, new ways of supporting a return to dialogue among the political stakeholders in the country

They also reaffirmed the decision not to support any parallel process, partial elections, or new initiatives leading to any extension of prior mandates. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Guillermo Lasso has won Ecuadors presidential run-off vote.

The 65-year-old got to 52.52 per cent of the vote with almost all votes counted, while left-wing candidate Andres Arauz received 47.48 per cent of the vote, the electoral office announced late Sunday.

The two candidates were at the opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Arauz was seen as the protege of former president Rafael Correa and a win would have likely see him continue Correas policy of 21st century socialism, increased subsidies and oppose the austerity programme demanded by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Lasso meanwhile campaigned on a liberal economic platform and wanted to create jobs and attract foreign investors.

He is a member of the ultra-conservative Opus Dei association and is strictly against same-sex marriage and abortion.

The vote marked Lassos third presidential candidacy.

For years Ihave dreamt of being allowed to serve Ecuadorians so that the country can advance and we can all have a better life.

Today you have made that possible. It is the start of a new era of coming together, he told his supporters in the city of Guayaquil.

Arauz conceded defeat and said he would phone his rival to congratulate him.

This is an electoral failure, but not a political or moral defeat, he told supporters outside his home late Sunday.

The South American country was in a deep economic crisis due to the drop in oil prices and the Coronavirus pandemic.

The previous president, Lenin Moreno, had recently seen his popularity plummet and did not stand for re-election. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chinas top disease control official said his comments on the effectiveness of his countrys vaccines over the weekend were misinterpreted.

The director of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Gao Fu, said it was a complete misunderstanding that he had said Chinese vaccines offer a low level of protection, in comments to state newspaper the Global Times on Monday.

He had been presenting a scientific vision that adapting vaccine sequences or administering different jabs on after the other could also be options for increasing protection, he said.

The protection rates of all vaccines in the world are sometimes high, and sometimes low. How to improve their efficacy is a question that needs to be considered by scientists around the world, Gao said.

Gao Fu was talking at a conference in Chengdu on Saturday on the topic of how to solve the insufficient protection of current vaccines, Chinese news outlet Pengpai Xinwen (The Paper) reported.

It is also necessary to consider ways to address the low protection rate of existing vaccines, he was cited as saying.

His comments prompted a reaction because there is far less data available on Chinese vaccines than those being produced in many other countries.

Critics have complained of a lack of transparency when it comes to Chinese jabs, which have not been authorised in many European nations.

Data from the third phase of clinical studies was particularly sought after.

Because China has the Coronavirus pandemic largely under control and was reporting hardly any local infections, studies so far have only been published from other countries where vaccines were being used.

Source: NAN News

Archaeologists have found a total of 165 millennia-old tombs at a single relic site in east Chinas Shandong Province.

The tombs, unearthed in the city of Heze, include 156 that date back to the Han Dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.) and nine from the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-221 B.C.), according to Shandongs institute of cultural relics and archaeology.

All of the tombs belong to the 1.3-hectare Sundayuan Site, the recent excavation of which also revealed five pits from the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.) and 27 from the Neolithic Longshan Culture, said Sun Qirui, an archaeologist with the institute.

Sun said that among the Han Dynasty tombs were earthen tombs with brick coffins and pottery figurines, and brick tombs complete with passage structures.

While few items were found in the Shang Dynasty pits, the Longshan Culture pits boast abundant artifacts, including pottery pieces carrying different patterns, he said.

The long time span of the Sundayuan site has offered precious insight into cultural evolution and integration in the area, researchers have said. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News