Wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun

By Olawale Jokotoye

Wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun on Tuesday inaugurated the Nigeria Police Family Support Unit (FSU) for the Sango-Ota Area Command.

Mrs Abiodun used the occasion to declare a renewed commitment to the fight against domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence in the state.

She described the FSU as a safe haven where victims of domestic violence, regardless of their age or gender, could go and speak up without fear of intimidation or stigmatisation.

Mrs Abiodun, who is also the Chairperson of the Management Committee of Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law in the state, added that the committee would partner with the FSU for effective result.

She added that the support unit would be replicated across the state.

We all know that the great deterrent against crime is law enforcement. When potential perpetrators of crime know that they will face the consequences of their actions, they will think twice before engaging in those kinds of acts, she said.

She also emphasised the need for continuous enlightenment programmes on the elimination of domestic violence.

The Commander, Sango Ota Area Command, ACP Monday Agbonika, earlier in his address of welcome, appreciated Mrs Abiodun for the provision of necessary logistics and other supports for the unit.

Wife of the Commissioner of Police, Mrs Habiba Ajogun, described the initiative as novel in the history of the Area Command.

The Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, in his goodwill message, commended the state government for the initiative, saying that it will help to ensure justice for victims of domestic violence.

He recommended strict penalties against anyone found guilty of domestic violence to serve as deterrent to would-be violators. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard

By Busayo Onijala

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard has launched the 2020 U.S. Consulate General Lagos Documentary Film Festival.

Declaring the festival open, Leonard noted that it was an expression of the U.S. missions commitment to strengthen the ties that linked Nigeria and the United States of America.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to the ambassador, both countries have recognized common interests and concerns.

We are very proud of the U.S. Governments engagements with Nigerians in areas as diverse as health, education, trade, economic development, security assistance, and the promotion of democratic institutions.

You will see exciting and inspirational stories that span entrepreneurship, womens empowerment, education, community engagement, and STEM.

We also engage with the creative community and especially support their efforts to use the power of film, music, dance, and literature to create dialogue and find solutions to societal challenges, Leonard said.

The virtual festival will hold from November 9 to 25 and highlight five contemporary documentaries from the American Film Showcase, the premier film diplomacy program of the U.S. Department of State, which is produced in partnership with the University of Southern Californias School of Cinematic Arts.

It was noted in the statement, that the screenings which offered a contemporary view of American society and culture as seen by independent filmmakers, would be accompanied by panel discussions, workshops and master classes with the filmmakers and Nigerian panelists.

The opening film for the festival wasThe Empowerment Project,directed by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Ms. Sarah Moshman.

This documentary spotlights 17 transformational women leaders across a variety of industries and seeks to inspire the next generation of women to pursue their career ambitions.

Other films scheduled for screening during the festival are:Neverthelessby Sarah Moshman,Libraries Now: A Day in the Lifeby Juliane Dressner,An Educationby Juliane Dressner andMake It Workby Kip

COVID-19

Lebanon will impose a nationwide lockdown between Nov. 14 and Nov. 30 due to an alarming surge in the number of COVID-19 infections and to ease pressure on an overwhelmed health sector, an official said.

The Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab on Tuesday in Beirut after a National Defence Council meeting, chaired by Lebanese President Michel Aoun said that the country had reached a very dangerous phase.

According to a council statement, most shops, restaurants and public facilities will close, while the airport and portwillremain open.

Local media also reported that a 12-hour curfew from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. will be in place during the lockdown.

Many officials had opposed the decision,arguing it will deepen the countryseconomic hardship.

Lebanon is experiencingits worst economic crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.

Coronavirus infections have increased in Lebanon since a massive explosion hit the Beirut port on Aug. 4.

The blast killed more than 190 people and woundedsome 6,000 others.

According to the Health Ministry, atotal of 95,355 people have now been infected with the coronavirus since it was first detected in the country in February.

A total of 732 people have died due to virus complications.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on Tuesday that food and financial aid are vital if Lebanon goes back into lockdown, as over 55 per cent of Lebanons more than six million population lives under the poverty line.

The number of people living in extreme poverty has tripled from eight per cent in 2019 to 23 per cent in 2020, HRW said. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola

By Olajide Idowu

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun on Tuesday presented the 2021 budget estimate of N109,855,051,640 before the state House of Assembly for consideration andapproval.

While presenting the budget christened Budget of Providence, Oyetola said the 2021 budget would be the 30th annual budget of the state since it was carved out of the old Oyo State on Aug. 27, 1991.

He said budget presentation was in consonance with the constitutional provision as enshrined in Section 121(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Oyetola explained that capital expenditure in the year 2021 budget would be N59.2 billion while recurrent expenditure would be N50.6 billion.

He explained further that N10.7 billion of the total expenditure would be spent on education while N10.6 billion would be spent on health.

Oyetola said that the budget would be funded by federal allocations (45.75 per cent of the budget), internally generated revenue (24.26 per cent ), aids and grants (22.88 per cent) and other capital receipts (7.11 per cent).

The governor said the bulk of the state governments revenue for 2020 came from federal allocations.

He added that the implication was that taxable adults would have to support the government in the coming year to explore ways of boosting the states internal revenue which was the only reliable source, to finance the budget.

Earlier, Speaker of the House, Mr Timothy Owoeye lauded the executive arm for making the 2020 budget live up to the peoples expectations even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owoeye urged the executive arm to enhance ease of doing business and remove bottlenecks that could scare investors away from the state.

He said the state house of assembly would continue to embark on effective oversights to ensure timely completion of government projects in the state.

On his part, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Taiwo Olodo gave assurance that the budget would be given a speedy passage. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

German Court of Justice

A 92-year-old German man name withheld, on Tuesday in Court admitted to killing his infirm wife after almost 70 years of marriage.

His defence lawyer argued that he acted out of love, rather than self-interest or ill will.

All these years I cared for my wife to the best of my ability, the elderly defendant said in a statement that was read out to the court in Wuerzburg, a city in the German state of Bavaria.

The husband looked after the 91-year-old woman, who suffered from dementia, essentially round the clock for decades, receiving help just twice a week from a welfare centre, the court heard.

The man is said to have acted out of desperation, overwhelmed by the burden of care and fearing that his wife will be sent to a care home.

The couple, who had no children had purportedly agreed to die together. An attempt by the man to commit suicide was unsuccessful.

According to prosecutors, he smothered his partner with a cover and suffocated her on Nov. 3, 2019.

Prosecutors also believe that the man had seen no other option due to his determination to live a healthy and independent life together with his wife.

The defendant must answer to a manslaughter charge without being a murderer, the chief prosecutor said.

It is assumed that the man was severely depressed when he killed his wife, meaning that his culpability could be reduced in the eyes of the court. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Goats suspected to be stolen

By Suleiman Shehu

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS11.35, Egbeda Unit Command in Oyo State, has impounded a Sienna car with registration number KRD 815 GN loaded with allegedly stolen goats.

The FRSC Unit Commander in Egbeda, Assistant Corps Commander, Akeem Kareem, disclosed this while showing the goats and the vehicle to journalists on Tuesday in Ibadan.

Kareem said that the Sienna car loaded with the goats was abandoned on the road in front of FRSC office in Egbeda around 4.00 am when it had a burst tyre, and the driver of the car ran away.

The unit commander said that the FRSC officials met the car engine still running when they arrived at the scene and the goats inside the car were tied in the mouth with tape.

He said the vehicle was eventually removed from the road to prevent obstruction and road crashes.

Kareem said the FRSC Sector Commander in the state, Mrs Uche Chukwurah, had instructed him to hand over the goats and the vehicle to the police for further investigation since statutorily, FRSC could not investigate the matter.

Road safety is everybodys business.

And, because of the insecurity in the country, anything we see on the road, we pick interest and make sure it is corrected before it gets out of control, he said.

Kareem urged the public to always alert FRSC whenever they noticed any obstruction on the road in order to avoid avoidable accidents. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

A pregnant woman enjoying her meal

By Yinusa Ishola

A consultant physician, Dr Philip Ogwu on Tuesday advised pregnant women to imbibe regular monitoring of their food in takes to avoid complications of gaining unnecessary weight during pregnancy.

Ogwu gave the advice during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

According to him, heavier mothers, especially those who are over-weight when they conceive and gain more weight during pregnancy are at greater risk for gestational diabetes and hypertension.

Their babies tend to be larger in the process and can cause serious difficulties during delivery or child-birth, he said.

The medical expert disagreed with the old belief and tradition that eating plenty of food would produce healthier and stronger babies.

He also advised pregnant women to do regular exercises in order to keep fit and guard against overweight.

You dont need to gain a great deal of weight to have a healthier baby.

A fetus generally requires only an extra 100 calories a day in the first trimester and 300 calories in the third trimester, he said.

Ogwu also emphasised the need for pregnant women to prioritise dental examination to prevent mother-to-child transmission of bacteria and infections during pregnancy.

According to him, such procedure is necessary, especially at the early stage of pregnancy to ensure better healthy status for both mother and child.

One possible reason is that oral bacteria harbours prostaglandin, a labour inducing hormone.

Fluctuating hormone can cause swollen, bleeding gum.

This, if left untreated can lead to periodontal diseases, which in turn can raise the risk for low birth weight and premature delivery.

If you reduce the bacteria in the mouth, you reduce the low-level infections that can cause preterm labour.

So, pregnant women are advised to undertake clinical examination and cleaning of their teeth at least once to have a clean bill of health, he said.

Source: NAN News

Gov Okowa during the meting with traditional rulers in Delta

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has said that the states security outfit, Operation Delta Hawk, created to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes, including farmers-herders clashes, would commence operations before Christmas.

The governor, who disclosed this on Tuesday at a meeting with traditional rulers and religious leaders in Asaba, said establishing the outfit took a while because he wanted to ensure that everything was in place.

He said that necessary operational equipment required to enable it tackle carry out its mandate had been procured and that it would work closely with vigilante groups across wards and communities to discharge its responsibilities.

The team has already been selected and trained and we have been able to get men on ground to participate.

For them to be able to undertake such programmes, they also need body armour, the vests, which we have gotten recently.

We are in the process of concluding installation of the communication equipment; the mast is already being provided and by the time we are able to complete the installation, then we can truly start, he said.

Gov. Okowa also briefed the stakeholders on the activities that took place in the state during the ENDSARS protests and thanked traditional rulers for their roles in community development.

He disclosed that a presidential delegation, led by Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, would be meeting with South-South stakeholders on Friday in Port Harcourt.

According to him, the state had already constituted a delegation, comprising two traditional rulers, one religious leader, two youths and two women, to attend the meeting.

He recalled that issues of illegal detention, police brutality and death of youths triggered the recent protests which emanated from Ughelli and Lagos.

A lot of other issues came up with the protests and we thank God for helping us to control the process.

The destructions that took place in Asaba were orchestrated by people who infiltrated the state from neighbouring states, and from our intelligence reports, we have them in all urban centres in the state, he said.

He urged Traditional rulers to be vigilant and help government fish out the leaders of the perpetrators, following the destructions they caused in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River and in Edo, where they even freed prisoners.

Okowa attributed the EndSARS protests to the unemployed and unengaged state of the youths, adding that their idle nature ignited the protests.

They are agitated and the ENDSARS protests gave them the opportunity to vent that anger and frustration that they had bottled up over the years, he said.

He appealed to leaders to brace up to their responsibilities of mentoring the youths, saying, we all have our roles to play in building the youths as they have rightly drawn our attention about their challenges, particularly the issue of unemployment.

Weve just inaugurated the Rural Youths Skills Acquisition Programme (RYSA) and we had, a few months ago, inaugurated the Girl-Child Empowerment Training Programme, he said, adding that government had earmarked N5 billion for all its skills acquisition and empowerment programmes in 2021.

On COVID-19, the governor said that Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical firm, had announced that it had discovered a vaccine that could provide immunity, but warned that this was no time to be complacent.

The virulence of the COVID-19 virus in Nigeria and Africa has been minimal compared to what it is in Europe and America. However, it is not a time for us to relax, but a time to wear our masks and use our sanitisers, he added.

Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor II, Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and the Obi of Owa Kingdom; Orodje of Okpe, Orhue I, and the Olu of Warri, Ikenwoli Emiko, who spoke at the meeting, called for the restructuring of the country for overall development.

They added that it was the failure of the country to restructure that was to blame for its backwardness.

The Traditional rulers, who applauded Okowa for establishing Operation Delta Hawk, advocated for proper training of police personnel and better remuneration with a view to enhancing their operations.

Source: NAN News

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM)

By Maureen Okon

Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and the Counselling and Rehabilitation of Prisoners Initiative (CAROPI), an NGO, have pledged to collaborate in assisting Nigerians in the Diaspora who were victims of wrongful incarceration.

The two organisations announced their commitment in a statement signed by Gabriel Odu of NiDCOMs Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement quoted the Chairman/CEO NiDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as reiterating the need for an accurate and comprehensive database of Nigerians incarcerated in various prisons globally, at a closed door meeting she held with members of the CAROPI.

The four-man CAROPI team was led to the meeting by the President, Dr. Hajiya Rabia Cengis and accompanied by Mrs Victoria Nor-Ugor (Head Medical Department), Barr Justice Uhuegbu (Head Legal Department) and Mr Shiver Akuku (Secretary CAROPI).

Dabiri-Erewa explained that efforts were underway to compile a detailed list of Nigerians wrongfully arrested and incarcerated, while being innocent of their alleged crimes.

She disclosed that the Commission had gone to several countries, such as Brazil, South-Africa, Togo and Benin Republic, to facilitate the release of some Nigerians wrongfully arrested and incarcerated.

The NiDCOM chair highlighted a specific case in Brazil of a 74-year old woman who was wrongfully arrested, but the Commission was able to get her released only for her to die shortly afterwards.

She urged Nigerians travelling outside the country to be of good behaviour and avoid committing crimes or participating in criminality.

Also speaking at the meeting, CAROPI president Rabia Cengis explained that many Nigerians had been victims of wrongful arrest and incarceration in many of the countries she had visited and that this was an issue that needed to be addressed.

Other members of her delegation expressed optimism over a robust working relationship with NiDCOM in such areas as legal assistance, reintegration and rehabilitation as well as provision of a conducive environment for justice and equity for all.

Source: NAN News

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