Zlatan Ibrahimovic

AC Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed a penalty kick for the third time this season as his team struggled to draw 2-2 at home to Verona on Sunday.

The Swede went on to score a stoppage time equaliser as the Serie A leaders hit back to draw.

Beaten 3-0 by Lille in the Europa League on Thursday, AC Milan trailed 2-0 after less than 20 minutes.

Antonin Barak scored for the visitors and Davide Calabria put through his own goal.

AC Milan pulled one back with a Giangiacomo Magnani own goal in the 27th minute.

They should have equalised midway through the second half when they were awarded a penalty kick, but Ibrahimovic sent a wild effort flying over the bar.

But, after Calabria had a 90th minute goal disallowed following a VAR review, Ibrahimovic headed in the equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time.

It was his eighth goal of the season, leaving AC Milan with 17 points from seven games.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai

By Sani Idris

The Kaduna State government has urged residents of the state to turn out en masse and participate in the coronation of the new Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli.

Bamalli is to be installed as the 19th emir of Zazzau on Nov. 9, at the Muhammadu Aminu Square, Race Course, GRA Zaria.

Alhaji Jaafaru Sani, Chairman of the Central Working Committee for the installation ceremony, made the call in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna.

Sani, who is also the states Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said that arrangements had been concluded to facilitate smooth conduct of the installation ceremony.

He said the new emir would host a special durbar as part of activities lined up to celebrate the installation.

The Commissioner enjoined the people of the state to pray for peace, unity and prosperity of Zazzau Emirate and the state at large.

Sani also urged the people to line up along the street starting from Tudun Wada to Kofar Doka areas of Zaria metropolis, to catch a glimpse of the new Emir and pay him homage. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ASUU Strike

By Joan Nwagwu

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) urged the Federal Government to leave the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS) as condition to call off its ongoing strike in the country.

Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President said this in a statement made available on Sunday in Abuja that the ongoing strike may still linger if government failed to meets its demand.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that ASUU had embarked a nationwide strike on March 23 to press on its demands which include revitalisation, Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, Visitation Panels, among others.

According to Ogunyemi, Nigerians should bear with us. ASUU is doing their battle.

Our Union is struggling to ensure that the children of the poor, who cannot afford the prohibitive cost paid in private universities or do not have opportunities to study outside Nigeria, get quality education which is not priced beyond their reach.

This will only happen when government adequately funds public universities and addresses the rot and decay in them.

ASUU has shifted positions in some respects.

For instance, our members have reduced their demand of one tranche N220bn of the outstanding revitalization fund by 50 per cent.

The Union has also agreed that N30bn out of the so far verified arrears of N40bn of the earned academic allowances (EAA) be paid to our members while the balance of N10bn could be spread over the next two tranches,

We were equally making steady progress on other issues,he said.

ASUU president, therefore, noted that what had stalled meaningful dialogue was governments insistence that payment of the withheld salaries and other entitlements of its members would only be effected through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

He added that government was punishing university teachers because they rejected IPPIS, which was imposed on the universities against the provisions of the law on autonomy and universal practices.

He however, said that ASUU was at the final stage of the integrity test of the Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

UTAS was developed locally by ASUU members, unlike IPPIS which was engineered by the World Bank.

Ogunyemi said UTAS had been presented to the Minister of Education and senior management staff, the President and leadership of Senate, and the Office of the Accountant-General where NITDA and Office of the National Security Adviser and other MDAs were fully represented.

Last Thursday, 5th November, 2020, the National Universities Commission (NUC) facilitated the presentation of UTAS to Vice-Chancellors and Bursars of federal universities.

All questions raised at the four levels of presentation of UTAS were satisfactorily answered.

With the full cooperation of the concerned agencies, the final test with NITDA could be completed as a matter of days and UTAS adopted in place of IPPIS in our universities.

ASUU disagrees with government on the use of IPPIS during the so-called transition period.

In practical terms, there is no transition period if government is sincere,Ogunyemi said.

The ASUU president said it would take a longer period to capture more than three-quarters of its members who were not yet on IPPIS than the time required to run through the last stage of the integrity test for UTAS.

He added that the claim by government that the platform used in paying its members salaries before the imposition of IPPIS had been dismantled was not true.

He noted that some of its members who had not enrolled in IPPIS were paid part of their withheld salaries last week.

But, in furtherance of the attack on ASUU, the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) has illegally seized all the deducted union check-off dues of our members in the last nine months.

So, government should release all what is due ASUU members and the union without the conditionality of IPPIS.

That would enable us conclude on the outstanding five demands including revitalisation, EAA, renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement, inauguration of the Visitation Panels.

Others are proliferation of state universities and governance issues in them of the Union to pave way for the quick resolution of the lingering crisis.

It is government that is prolonging the matter, not ASUU, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Short Gun

Ariwodola Idowu

One time Nigerias most wanted criminal, Shina Rambo, has resurfaced in the Ekiti capital professing that he is now a changed man working for God as a preacher of the gospel of Christ.

He spoke on Sunday night on a weekend Yorubaprogramme monitored on Fresh FM Radio, Ado Ekiti, and anchored personally by prominent ace gospel musician and owner of the radio station, Yinka Ayefele.

Rambo, who gave his real name as Oluwasina Oluwagbemiga, confessed to be the same person whose gang terrorised some parts of the country for years and tormented innocent citizens with attacks, killings and maiming.

He said so many people, especially the police, would be surprised to hear that the same man they claimed to havekilled on a number of occasions was still alive today.

Claiming that he was now a complete child of God preaching the gospel in prisons and other reform centres, Rambo, who gave 1958 as his year of birth, said he was born as a native of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, but was raised in Benin city.

My father was a prominent person, and a soldier moving from one part of the country to the other. In my attempt to acquire black power then, I went to a total of 21 places, prominent among which were Minna, Niger state, and later Oro, in present day Kwara.

I was in one of those places for 91 days in Idanre, Ondo state, where we were mandated to be sucking the milk of a possessed womans breast, as our only food and water, so occult powers can transmit to our body.

At the end of the whole exercise, I possessed a total of 901 power images that can be used to cajole or disappear at a scene of crimeand project the image of another person. So, if I was killed at a particular point, I had the powers to resurface in another place in another form, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that Rambo expressed regret over his roles in a series deadly crimes that held the country spellbound for years, claiming that he was misguided by evil spirits.

He said the moment he accepted Christ, he realized he had no more occult powers as the spirit of God suddenly descended on him directing him to drop all his bad habits and start preaching about God.

Quoting the holy bible copiously throughout the radio programme, Rambo said he had won many souls through his preaching, while a number of churches had also been established.

Rambo stated that the death of his wife and three children on a single day in the hands of those who came to arrest him, but did not meet him, was his worst regret of his former life in crime

I was to be arrested on the fateful day but those that came could not find me, so they killed them, he said.

He urged the criminally minded to turn over a new leave in record time and have a change of heart so as to receive divine salvation as well as avoid incurring the Gods wrath. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Meeting of South-West governors and traditional rulers

By Florence Onuegbu

South-West governors and traditional rulers have called for the review of reports of constitutional conferences, including the 2014 National Conference.

They made the call in a communique issued on Sunday in Lagos after a meeting of governors, ministers and traditional rulers of South-West states following the EndSARS protest mayhem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the one-day meeting was also attended by a Presidential delegation, led by the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

The communique was signed by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi and the Governor of Ondo State/Chairman South-West Governors Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu.

The communique also called for the implementation of some of the recommendations of the conferences, especially with reference to security, economy and equal treatment for citizens all over the country.

The meeting commended the Federal Government for its responsiveness to the initial demands of the EndSARS demonstrators and the firm handling of the aftermaths of the protest.

It called for an adjustment of the security architecture to adequately address the threats and realities of insecurity in the country.

There is need to undertake preventive actions aimed at prevention of repeat of what happened in the country following the EndSARS demonstrators. Security needs to be strengthened in all states.

We wish to encourage the Nigeria Police by responding to their needs and appeal to them to do more to protect lives and properties and enhance security all over the country.

We call for specific measures and proposals to repair damage done to the physical infrastructure and economic assets of the South-West, the communique said.

The South-West governors and monarchs said that the prolonged closure of the border had caused economic difficulties for the people of the region.

The border closure should be re-examined to alleviate problems of the people in the border communities and prices of some essential commodities.

There is need to review the closure and permit resumption of economic and trading activities, the communique said.

The meeting said that a comprehensive programme that would address youth employment and empowerment should be prioritised and ensure closer coordination and complementarity between the states and the federal government.

In this regard, the curricular of tertiary institutions should be reviewed, with emphasis placed on skills acquisition and entrepreneurship.

We urge that every effort should be made to resolve the impasse between ASUU and the federal government so that students can return to school in earnest, they said.

On the destructive and dangerous potency of fake news, the communique urged federal government to fully utilize the 2015 Cyber Act.

We call on federal government to use the instrumentality of existing laws and those regulations bench-marked from other countries to provide safeguards against the spread of fake news.

Federal government should ensure that technology is used effectively for the advancement of the Nigerian Security and not its destruction, by working with the technology cum social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc. The regime of checks and gate keeping should be fully employed, the communique said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Inside the new A350-900 Airbus

While many airlines are down-sizing their operations due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ethiopian Airlines is adding new aircraft and expanding businesses, according to officials of the state-owned enterprise.

This shows that Ethiopian Airlines is founded on a strong vision, capacity to execute its vision even though it has similar challenges to other airlines, said Chief Operating Officer Mesfin Tasew.

The company on Saturday took delivery of two of the 10 new Airbuses A350-900 it ordered in 2017, bringing the total number of its Airbus fleet to 16.

According to Tasew, the airline has been operating A350-900 planes for the last four years.

Ethiopian is taking delivery of these aircraft at a time when the entire air transport industry is under a big challenge caused by COVID-19, he said.

He pointed out that Ethiopian had transported around five tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and IT equipment from France to Addis Ababa in partnership with Airbus Foundation and other European donors.

The humanitarian aid, medical supplies and equipment, were delivered to Ethiopias Ministry of Health and a humanitarian organisation which runs a childrens hospital in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Health State Minister Seharela Abdullahi, said this kind of support is crucial in countries with poor infrastructure such as Ethiopia.

Citing the critical role played by Ethiopian Airlines since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, she added, I would like to thank Ethiopian Airlines for their tremendous support in the fight against COVID-19. (PANA/NAN)

Source: NAN News

onchocerciasis

By Franca Ofili

Mr Michael Igbe, the Programme Manager, National Onchocerciasis Elimination Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, says about 50 million Nigerians are at risk of getting infected with onchocerciasis, also called River Blindness.

Igbe said this in Ibadan during a media dialogueorganised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

The manager, who spoke on Overview on Onchocerciasis Elimination in Nigeria, said treatment with ivermectin started in 1989, and in 1997, the Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) strategy was adopted as the main strategy of programme implementation.

At inception, Nigeria had interventions covering 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Now, 27 states and the FCT, with about 50 million persons in Nigeria are at risk of onchocerciasis.

Igbe explained that the disease was caused by the nematodewhich is the second leading cause of preventable blindness.

According to him, onchocerciasis is transmitted by the bite of an infected black fly:and other species, breeding in fast-flowing streams and rivers.

He noted that people become blind early in life as from 20-30 years.

He added that the major challenge faced in addressing the disease was insecurity in some local government areas.

Others, he said, were poor funding by government and inadequate logistics for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) programme.

He noted that NTDs are v(NAN)

Source: NAN News

#ENDSARS protesters

By Moji Eniola

Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), Lagos State Attorney-General (A-G), has ordered the release of 253 persons arrested by police over their alleged roles in the unrest following the #EndSARS protests.

The A-G said the in a statement that his office had determined that there was a nondisclosure of a prima-facie case against the 253 persons by the police.

The statement, signed by Mr Kayode Oyekanmi, Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, said 92 persons would, however, be prosecuted.

The A-G said the police had, between Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, forwarded 40 case files to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in respect of the 361 persons arrested in respect of crimes that occurred in connection with the protests.

Legal advice has been issued in respect of all the 40 case files received.

As at Nov. 6, the Directorate has been able to despatch legal advice in respect of 81 persons that are being charged to the various courts.
The others will be despatched to court on Monday Nov. 9 .

Out of the 361 persons, the DPP shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder.

The office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-disclosure of a prima facie case.

In the meantime, two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the police, the statement said.

The A-G in the statement assured members of the public that his office would ensure that those arrested by the police are treated in accordance with the due process of the law.

Onigbanjo also noted that his office remained committed to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring peace and order in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Okonjo-Iweala

By Emmanuella Anokam

A Trade Expert, Dr Sand Mba-Kalu, has said that electing Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) would address critical pending issues and bring a comprehensive reform in the organisation.

Mba-Kalu, Executive Director, Africa International Trade and Commerce Research, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

He noted that critical among the issues to be addressed was the negotiation concerning Doha Development Agenda (DDA).

The U.S. opposes her selection by almost all the member countries of WTO but there is a strong possibility that the outcome of the U. S. election will favour her emergence as the first female and African D-G of WTO.

The African group in WTO would want her to address issues regarding the Doha round negotiation on agriculture package.

In spite of several efforts by the U.S. and other developed countries to undermine the DDA, the African Group stood its ground that it is paramount that the aspect of the negotiation has to be concluded.

Because it has to do with food security, subsidy on agriculture which distorts trade, employment, et cetera, he said.

The expert disclosed that the African Group was demanding a special safeguard mechanism for developing countries, adding that it was one thing she must find a way to address.

Another thing she has to address, according to him, is Chinas status as a developing nation, we all know China is a developed nation and should not keep the trade preferential treatment of a developing nation.

He added that Okonjo-Iweala would need the political, economic and diplomatic skills to carry out these reforms.

Coming back home to Nigeria and Africa, he said Okonjo-Iweala, as the D-G of WTO should support in strengthening the domestic and continental trade regime.

He further said that Nigeria and Africa should not continue to be left out of the multilateral trading system and global value chain.

We should develop the capacity to add value to raw material from Nigeria and Africa. We should have a seamless trade facilitation regime, by having an effective national single window.

With her position as the D-G of WTO, there should be tangible benefits for Nigeria and Africa

Okonjo-Iweala is an outstanding development economist with a track record of carrying out comprehensive reforms at institutional level and I do not have any doubt in her ability to finally secure the position of the D-G of WTO, he said.

The U.S. has opposed the recommendation by the Nomination Committee of the WTO, for the 164-member countries to appoint the former Nigerian Finance and Economy Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as Director-General of the global organisation.

The WTO General Assembly election is scheduled to hold in Geneva on Nov. 9. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian youth

By Remi Koleoso

Oba Adeniyi Ajakaiye, the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti in Irepodun/Ifelodun local government area of Ekiti state, has urged youths to be tolerant and co-exist peacefully for Nigerias development.

Ajakaiye spoke on Sunday while playing host to members of the Special Six Form College (SSFC) Ikare-Akoko Alumni Association, who were on a visit to the traditional ruler at his palace in Iyin-Ekiti.

He said the call became imperative considering the importance of peace to societal development and need to end youth restiveness in the town, state and country at large.

Ajakaiye said that peace was priceless and non-negotiable, hence the need to embrace one another and engage in different skill acquisition programmes in order to become self reliant.

I want to call on you and other youths to continue to live in peace and tolerate one another for development to thrive, he said.

The traditional ruler noted that members of the alumni, who were youths 43 years ago when they were together in the college, have turned out successful in their various fields of discipline.

Peace is priceless and non negotiable and it is a necessary requirement for the development of any society, I invite you not because I want to celebrate myself, but for you to see and learn what life is all about and what it means to be good, focused and take education as the basics.

I therefore want to appeal to you, the youths to as much as possible do away with vices that are detrimental to the development of our town, state and country in general, but uphold the positives, as far as SSFC is concerned, they shall continue to be relevant as far as I remain in this palace, he said.

He also urged the youths to be law abiding, respect constituted authority and not to engage in acts capable of destroying the existing peace in the area.

Earlier, President of the association, Mr Olusola Adojutelegan, said that the visit was to celebrate the traditional ruler on his assumption as the new Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti.

He assured the royal father of the associations readiness to continue to initiate good programmes that would have direct bearing on the lives of its members and for the overall development of the society.

I appeal to youths, especially sons and daughters of Iyin-Ekiti, to forget their ego, bury their hatchet and work for the progress of the town and the country at large.

Everybody must be prepared to contribute his or her quota to the development and for the betterment of their people.

We are to develop it by ourselves, so let us come together to achieve greatness before others can come in to expand it.

Until you develop yourself, nobody will come and develop you, I therefore enjoined you to be good ambassadors of the community, abstain from crime, and not be used to foment trouble.

At all times, think of what you can do to develop yourself and your town, which will afterwards extend to the state and finally spread across the country.

I also want the youths to be steadfast in all they do. They have to cooperate with us in this enterprise so that by the time we are no longer there, they can take over from us, he said.

Also speaking, a member of the association, Chief Abiola Osho, eulogised Ajakaiye and went back memory lane as he attested to the monarchs humility.

He traced the history of the school to 1977, with the monarch as one of the pioneer students, before it metamorphosed into Ondo State College of Arts and Science (OSCAS) in 1980.

The highlight of the event was the zoom conference where other members of the association called and felicitate with Ajakaiye from their respective countries of abode.

Gifts like Royal stool, Holy Bible and other Royal items were presented to the royal father and his Olori.

The programme was attended by all the Oluyin-in-council, the youth representatives, friends of the monarch from far and near, among other prominent sons and daughters of the town. (NAN)

Source: NAN News