17,602 teachers to sit 2020 qualifying examination, says TRCN

No fewer than 17,606 teachers across the country are to sit for the 2020 qualifying examinations billed for Nov.12 -14, the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, has said

Ajiboye, who announced this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said that Osun state tops the list with 1,727 candidates, followed by Adamawa, 1,623 candidates, Nasarawa State 934 candidates and the FCT with 850 candidates.

He said that Jigawa and Ekiti states were, however, excluded from the computer-based examination for their failure to meet the benchmark of 100 candidates per state.

The registrar disclosed that the number of candidates was reduced from over 40,000 as in the previous examination, to 17,606, and that the number of batches were also reduced from three to two, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The registrar added that the date for the examination had also been staggered to ensure social distancing and compliance with other relevant COVID-19 guidelines.

We organised a minimum of two qualifying examinations in a year. Last year we conducted three batches of examination but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we made it two batches this year.

The effect of the pandemic was so much that learning almost ceased, but for the emergency remote learning techniques like radio and television we adopted, Ajiboye explained

He further said: When we started the computer based test in 2018 it was as if we knew there was going to be COVID-19 which would change the way teaching and learning is conducted.

With this development, teachers who are not technology savvy are now focused on learning how to use technology in teaching and we are happy about that.

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The registrar commended the Federal Government for making commitments to improve teachers welfare in the country, while assuring that TRCN would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in ensuring improved quality of teachers.

Ajiboye cited Finland as having the best education system in the world because they placed the learner at the centre of education and the quality of their teachers is top notch, saying that that is what Nigeria should emulate.

Source: NAN News

AFCON Qualifiers: Osimhen missing as Super Eagles begins training

By Victor Okoye

The Super Eagles on Tuesday in Benin had their first training session in the last leg of preparations for their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Sierra Leone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 16 of the 23 invited players took part in the training.

Napoli forward Victor Osimhen was however missing from the training, even though it was earlier confirmed he had arrived at the teams camp.

Amaju Pinnick, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), had earlier on Tuesday confirmed Osimhens arrival, adding that he initially had some flight challenges.

Osimhen called me two days ago complaining that an airline could not carry him because of XYZ.. and asked if he could get another ticket and I said we are going to get a ticket for you and I am happy he has arrived.

So, you can see the commitment of the young players to this country, he said.

NAN reports that Chidozie Awaziem, Kelechi Iheanacho and Emmanuel Dennis were among the latest set of arrivals in the Benin City camp of the Super Eagles.

Those already on ground include team captain Ahmed Musa, the England-based trio of William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina.

Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun who both play for the Scottish side Rangers are also in.

Also In camp are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Sebastian Osigwe and Ikechukwu Ezenwa who was called up as a late replacement for Daniel Akpeyi.

The other players invited by coach Gernot Rohr and already in town are Kevin Akpoguma, Zaidu Sanusi, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Oghenekaro Etebo..

Etebo is returning to the team after missing the two friendly games against Tunisia and Algeria in October.

The Super Eagles take on the Leone Stars at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday before heading to Freetown for the return game on Tuesday at the Siaka Stevens Stadium.

Source: NAN News

Dr Ken Ukaoha, NANTS President

By Emmanuella Anokam

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) has called on the Federal Government to take the matter of harassment of Nigerian traders in Ghana to the ECOWAS court for adjudication.

Dr Ken Ukaoha, NANTS National President, made the call on Monday in Abuja when he led a delegation of the association, including some Nigerian traders in Ghana, to the Minister of Interior, Mr, Rauf Aregbesola to explore ways of resolving the crisis.

Ukaoha told Newsmen after discussing with the minister that they were at the ministry because the traders in Ghana were deemed as migrants and, therefore the Nigerian Immigration Service, as part of the Interior ministry, had a role to play in the matter.

The journey to the ministry was to lay our grievance and resolution to the minister in recognition of the fact that the traders are Nigerians and, therefore, require absolute security wherever they may find ourselves.

We feel strongly that reciprocity is part of diplomacy and so we are challenging government to rise up to the occasion, because we have had enough, he said.

Ukaoha recalled the Xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa few months ago, the molestation and harassment of Nigerians in Lebanon, and the sufferings of Nigerians in Libya.

Today, Nigerian traders in Ghana are passing through torture, intimidation and molestation of the highest magnitude, if we react proportionately to the kind of pressure we are getting from Ghanaian authorities and their citizens it may lead to civil war.

Imagine our businesses being under lock and key for several months by Ghanaian authorities, these are means of livelihood of people, some traders borrowed money from banks to transact business, some goods are expiring and they are all locked up.

The traders need to generate money to renew rents, pay school fees, settle bills, but they cannot because their means of livelihood are under lock and key, he said.

Ukaoha expressed sadness that many of the traders had complied with the laws in Ghana, which are contradictory with provisions of the ECOWAS treaty and protocols, and yet their businesses still remained under lock and key.

Responding, the minister assured the delegation of the governments efforts made to resolve the matter, saying that the Federal Government was not keeping quiet but would use diplomatic means to deal with the matter. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Polo action at the 2020 National Carnival Polo tournament at the Guards Polo Club In Abuja. Photo Credit: NAN

By Victor Okoye

Twenty-eight teams were on ground for the opening ceremony of the 2020 National Carnival Polo Tournament as the event got off to a flying start on Monday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tourney which is holding at the Guards Polo Club is expected to climax with the grand finale on Sunday.

The 28 teams participating are vying for honours in four Cups, namely the Presidents Cup, the Legislative Shield, the Guards Challenge and FCT Ministers Cup.

The trophies are for competition in the high, intermediate and medium goal categories of competition at the tournament.

Mohammed Hayatu, the Tournament Manager, told NAN that this years event which is the ninth edition was the biggest tournament the club had ever hosted.

He added that it was a dream come through for the clubs management.

This years tournament is a first of its kind, where we celebrate the Nigeria National Carnival which coincides with the 60th Anniversary of the country and it promises to be a very huge and successful one.

We have players who have come to grace this international event from Argentina, South Africa and other parts of the world.

We also have teams from different parts of the country, including Kaduna, Kano, Yola, to mention a few, Hayatu said.

The Tournament Manager said the event was also special because it was the first time the club would actually be officially giving out trophies which are instituted in the club.

Before now, the usual tradition was to give out trophies as souvenirs and then purchase new ones the next year, and so on.

But in a strong tradition of polo clubs, where the club attains a certain level in the society of polo, it is very important for a club to have its trophy.

The Georgian Cup, for example, which is the Kaduna Polo Clubs highest goal cup, is over 100 years old.

The cup is also at the verge of being recognised by the Guinness Book of Records because of its long term sponsorship by First Bank.

There is no cup in the world that is being sponsored for over a hundred years by one particular company.

So, we hope to begin our sponsorship drive with the trophies we will be instituting at the club from this year. This is one of my greatest achievements as the tournament manager, he said.

NAN also reports that in the matches played on Monday, Nasiriya/IBT Talamiz whipped ZMD Group four goals to one and a half goals.

Golden Alchemy defeated Al husna/Trade Mark five and a half goals to five.

Also, the Nigerian Army team thrashed Katsina Kangiwa five goals to half in the FCT Ministers Cup category meant for handicaps 3 to 6.

In the Legislative Shield category meant for handicaps 7 to 10, FAS Agro beat D Hayat six and a half goals to five. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Ikenna Osuoha

Ms. May Ikokwu, the Chief Executive Officer, Save Our Heritage Initiative (SOHI) says mass testing for COVID-19 is key in containing the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Ikokwu, also the Secretary-General, Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

She expressed concern over the traumatic experience of some persons infected with the virus as well as the economy of the country.

The way forward is to increase our testing capacity and capabilities by ensuring mass testing.

Sickness detected is half cured, so the moment the virus is detected, certainly quarantine and treatment will follow and the spread will reduce, Ikokwu said.

She commended the Federal Government for its efforts in fighting the pandemic, adding that more still needed to be done to eliminate the virus.

Ikokwu called for intensive advocacy to sensitise Nigerians to the existence of the disease which according to her was still wreaking havoc.

The SOHI boss expressed concern over the perception by many people that COVID-19 virus was gone.

The fact that the virus did not ravage the country as had been predicted is no reason for the current complacency being observed.

While at an Abuja suburb market recently, I was shocked to observe that a woman was the only one wearing a facemask, appearing like an oddity in the environment.

Many people today no longer apply the safety protocols of washing hands, social distancing thinking that the pandemic is over.

But the pandemic is very much around, a governor just tested positive, it is clear evidence that it is still around as 300 persons also tested positive to the virus.

Ikokwu urged Nigerians to present themselves for test in order to ascertain their safety.

She explained that it was wrong for people to stay away from testing because of fear or stigmatisation.

According to her, Nigeria has more than 61 testing centres across the nation and it is important we know our COVID-19 status.

NAN reports that at the beginning of the pandemic, Nigerias COVID-19 testing capacity was around 200 tests a day which later increased to 1,000 tests per day. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tennis competition

By Ijeoma Okigbo/Samson Shokoya

Nigerias number one, Sylvester Emmanuel, on Monday defeated 16-year-old Andu Mukhtar6-2 6-3 at the ongoing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Tournament.

It was an obviously tough draw for Mukhtar, who is making a debut at theevent as he struggled to earn points against the defending champion.

However, it was not a walk in the park for Emmanuel as he laboured to staytop of the game to qualify for the round of 32 at the Moshood AbiolaNational Stadium in Abuja.

Mukhtars undoing was his many unforced errors, even though he managed to breakEmmanuel many times, sending the crowd in jubilation as he pickedpoints.

After the game, a very exhausted Mukhtar, who gained a wild card to thecompetition said he has a lot to learn in the sport.

I think I played well. My opponent obviously played better and Ihave alot to learn from him.

I train in London but I have been in Nigeria for the past few monthsand just started training here last month.

Theres so much I have to learn around here. I am just getting usedto the heat and it affected my play today a little, Mukhtar said.

On his part, Emmanuel said he had a great game.

The match was a good one. It was a very good first match after somany months out due to COVID-19 and it was tough as well.

But I am happy forthe win and am looking forward to the next match.

About his opponent, Emmanuel added: He is a young upcoming playerand is doing so well. I believe that in future he will be better andmake the country proud.

The tournament has N700,000 up for grabs for the winner of the mens andwomens singles title each.

The event is expected to end on Saturday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

CACOVID

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Two members of the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) have explained the delay in the distribution of palliatives by state governments.

CACOVID is a private sector-led organisation established to assist the government in combating the Coronavirus disease in the Nigeria.

CACOVID members, Mr Osita Nwasinobi and Dr Sola Adeduntan, in two separate documents made available to the media in Abuja, called for calm among members of the public.

Nwasinobi, in a document he authored for CACOVID members, said that the coalitionhad been working with the minister of the FCT and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), to procure and distribute food items to Nigerians.

He said that they were working to distribute the food items for about two million, mostly vulnerable families across the 774 local government areas in the country, explaining that CACOVID members decided to procure the food directly from the manufacturers, to avoid a distortion of prices in the market.

Nwasinobi stressed: The sheer scale of this nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders and deliveries, coincided with the lockdowns and reduced movement across the country.

This compelled CACOVID to roll out distribution in a staggered manner, with states classified in three timed phases, to enable orderly delivery to the needy.

The food package was designed such that each of the nearly two million vulnerable families received 10kg bag of rice, five-kilogram bag of garri/maize flour/semolina, one carton of pasta, two cartons of noodles, five kilograms of sugar and one kilogram of salt.

He added that due to the large size of the order and the production cycle required to meet the demand, there was delay in delivering the food items and thus delays in distribution by state governments

For instance, rice had to be milled, semolina and maize flour had to be processed, noodles and pasta had to be manufactured, and sugar had to be refined. As such, the first deliveries could not start until June.

However, as at October 2020, a sizable portion of the items had been delivered but yet to be distributed by the governors, Nwasinobi said.

He said that while 28 states and the FCT had commenced distribution since early August, some could not as they were yet to receive complete deliveries of the items allotted to them and so state governments had been distributing the items at various paces.

In the interest of transparency and accountability, he pledged that CACOVID would, in due course, provide the full delivery schedule and flag-off dates by each state, stressing that KPMG Professional Services and NGF external auditors were also on the verge of completing the audit of all contributions from the donors, including a full list of all medical and food items procured with the CACOVID funds before the warehouses were attacked.

It is very unfortunate that various states, including states that have concluded the distribution of their allocations, are seeing their warehouses and other premises being raided.

Nwasinobi called for calm to allow states to proceed with their palliatives distribution peacefully, and for the public to disregard any unauthorized sources of information regarding the procurement and distribution of the palliatives.

Adeduntan, the Chief Executive Officer of First Bank PLC, in aletter addressed to Sigma Chief, Old Chiefs and Loyalists urged member to be wary of information on social media, saying that CACOVID had successfully provided health facilities, diagnostic kits and medications to all the states and the FCT.

The First Bank CEO said that CACCOVID also decided to provide food to 1.7 million mostly vulnerable families across the country but the challenge was how to purchase those items worth about N15 billion without driving inflation.

We had to contract this out to various manufacturers and that took time for them to deliver the goods to us. It was only in September and early October that we handed the goods over to the various state governments and FCT.

It is therefore a fallacy that the state governments or Dangote have hoarded those foodstuffs, he explained. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

54-year-old mother of 15 children shares her ordeal

By Nyisom Dore

Mrs Hussaina Salisu, a 54-year-old woman, who had 15 children from single births, has advised young mothers to carefully plan their families so as not to jeopardise the future of their children.

Salisu shared her ordeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, on Tuesday..

NAN reports that the woman, who had her first child at 14, gave birth to the 15 children over a period of 28 years, with no record of multiple births.

NAN also reports that the first child is 40 years, while the youngest is 12 years.

Hussaina, a native of Zaria in Kaduna State, who resides in Mararaba, Nasarawa said that her pregnancies and deliveries were never challenging.

The pregnancies and births were never challenging. The only challenge is raising the children. That has been a very difficult task.

Most of them did not go to school. Some started, but dropped out.

I had 13 of my 15 children alone and at home; only two were born in the hospital.

I never fell ill during my pregnancies or had any complications during childbirth, but that was in those days. I will not advise any woman in this generation to try that.

If I was as enlightened as I am now and had any knowledge about family planning, I would not have found myself in this situation.

As you can see, this is how we live. Survival has become a herculean task. These children do not go to school, and we cannot even afford a decent meal, Hussaina, now divorced, told NAN.

She advised young married women, especially those from the northern part of the country, to go for child spacing and only have a sizeable number of children that they would be able to cater for, in case they found themselves in a situation like hers.

I had seven children from my first marriage, we got divorced and I married my second husband and had eight with him. But he left me and returned to his first wife, leaving me and the children.

Some of the girls are now married, but none of them was able to get any education before starting a family. So, life has not been easy for them. They are practically living my kind of life.

No mother wants to see her children suffer, but I have no choice. Seeing them struggling to survive through this hardship makes me very sad.

But, in spite of the tough times, Hussaina says she does not regret having them.

Things are hard for me and the kids, but I have no regrets bringing them to this world. I love them deeply and I am ready to do anything to make them happy. I cannot give them up for anything.

They are here already and I believe in Gods divine plan. I have faith that God will send helpers to us just like He has been doing, because my children and I are living on the goodwill of neighbours and many kind individuals.

Mama 15, as she is popularly known in the area, also disclosed that her mother had 17 children, though with three multiple births two sets of twins and one set of triplets.

That was why my siblings and I could not go to school because we were too many.

Besides, at that time, a womans future was always determined from birth she will simply be married off once she attains puberty.

One of the children, Binta Salisu, who spoke with NAN, said she was in school up to Junior Secondary School (JSS) 2, but had to drop out two years ago because she could not afford to go further.

She appealed to NGOs, philanthropists and other well meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the populous family.

We need help. We need food. We need education. We need support. People should help us, she said.

She further advised young mothers to ensure they had something to do so as to survive.

Every woman should get a trade. Every woman needs something to fall back on when she finds herself in a situation like ours. No woman should be idle.

Binta, 18, appealed to well meaning Nigerians to come to her aid as she was still passionate about going back to school and completing her education.

I dont wish to end up like the rest of my sisters. I want to acquire education and compete for opportunities in life.

The only way to have a meaningful life is to get education. I want education. I am anxious and ready. Someone should help me, she told NAN, fighting back tears.

NAN reports that four of Hussainas children are late. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Troops eliminate 8 terrorists, rescue victims, recover arms in North East

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Fire Ball have eliminated eight terrorists of Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) in recent encounters in the North East.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, in a statement on Tuesday, said that Operation Fire Ball is a subsidiary operation under Operation Lafiya Dole.

Troops also rescued a woman and three children and recovered a large cache of arms during the encounter.

Onyeuko said that the troops had between Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 thwarted an attempt by Boko Haram/ISWAP to infiltrate Buni Gari town in Yobe, and eliminated five of the insurgents.

According to him, troops recovered one fabricated (VBL) Armoured Personnel Carrier, one Gun Truck, one NSVT Anti Aircraft Gun, one QJC Anti Aircraft Gun, one Rocket Propelled Grenade Tube, one PKT gun, one GPMG, one QJC Extra Barrel, six AK47 rifles, 311 rounds of 7.62mm NATO Ammunition from the encounter.

Onyeuko also said that that troops of 151 Task Force Battalion deployed in Miyanti in Bama Local Government Area of Borno, destroyed terrorists hideout and rescued one woman and three children on Nov. 8.

He added that two bicycles and other items were recovered from the fleeing insurgents.

According to him, on Nov. 3, troops of Army Super Camp 7 deployed in Bama, successfully thwarted a suicide-bomber attempt on their camp.

The vigilant troops sighted and neutralised the lone female suicide bomber before she could detonate her vest.

In another development, troops of Army Super Camp 11 deployed at Gamboru on Nov. 3, killed Boko Haram terrorists, forcing others to flee with possible gunshot wounds.

Resulting from the encounter, the troops captured one AK 47 rifle and 2 Boko Haram terrorists flags, he said.

The military spokesperson commended the troops for their resilience, doggedness and commitment to the war against insurgents in the North East and urged them to continue to build on the successes.

He also assured the people of the determination of the military to rout the remnants of the Boko Haram Terrorists /ISWAP terrorists from their enclaves.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Umahi of Ebonyi State,

The Federal Government has designated Ebonyi as one of Nigerias export processing zones.

For the speedy take-off, the Ebonyi Government has allocated a parcel of land to the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), for the project.

Gov. Dave Umahi handed over the allocation letter to the Managing Director of the Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adasugba in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

He expressed the hope that the project will stimulate growth and create employment.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe, said his administration was in a hurry to develop the state and ready to explore available opportunities.

He appealed to the Federal Government to expedite action on the project for the benefit of the people.

We hope that the project, when completed, will stimulate the economy of the state and generate employment for our youths, Umahi said.

Earlier, Adesugba had explained that NEPZA is saddled with the responsibility to establish, licence, regulate and operate highly efficient free zones by providing a highly competitive incentive scheme, excellent support facilities and service.

He added that the authority is committed to creating an enabling environment for export, manufacturing and other commercial activities to thrive.

The export processing zone will engender economic growth and enhance export, manufacturing, economic and commercial activities in the state.

We are hopeful that the state will maximise fully the economic potential that will open up by the NEPZA , Adasugba said.

He said NEPZA was attracted to Ebonyi by the member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Sylvester Ogbaga, and commended the zeal so far shown by Ebonyi Government to embrace it.

In his remarks, Ogbaga said efforts would be made to capture the project in the 2021 budget to ensure speedy completion.

Source: NAN News