Abubakar Sani Bello, Niger State Governor

By Rita Iliya

The Niger state government has banned all forms of processions and protests across the state.

Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), announced this in a statement in Minna on Wednesday.

He said that the measure is with immediate effect.

Matane disclosed that banned processions and protests include Eid-el-Maulud processions, rallies and gatherings on the streets that will lead to the blocking of roads.

He enjoined the Muslim clerics to ensure that the Eid-el-Maulud activities are celebrated within their places of worship.

The SSG noted that the decision to ban protests and processions follows the security situation in the country following the EndSARS protest.

He said although government will continue to respect the right of the people of the state to go about with their legitimate activities, it will however not allow any group to abuse the right of the citizens by breaking the law and infringing on other peoples rights in the community and public roads. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sterling bank

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

Sterling Bank Plc has launched a free money transfer service for Nigerians in diaspora, called Switch, to promote financial inclusion, international banking and allied services for such Nigerians.

Mr Shina Atilola, Sterling Banks Divisional Head, Retail and Consumer Banking, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

Atilola said that Switch is a zero per cent transaction charge offer, which further demonstrates the banks commitment to make cross-country banking accessible to all Nigerians abroad.

According to Atilola: Switch users will be able to fund their account for free when using their Naira Debit Card and they will enjoy free service charge when they fund their Switch account using foreign bank cards for six months at the first instance.

Switch enables the processing of everyday banking and financial services such as the payment of bills, funds transfer, payment requests, investments, asset financing and insurance services, among others, in their preferred currencies.

Over the years, Nigerians in the diaspora have often had difficulties funding their Nigerian bank accounts using international bank cards due to high charges, and inability to perform seamless online transactions without recourse to the bank or its agents for money exchange, among others.

Switch will benefit the customers desire for a convenient banking that gives more value, adding that some of the benefits include currency swap, access to asset financing diversified investment offerings and protection from mishaps with various insurance packages.

Switch provides customers with the added value of asset financing, investment and insurance opportunities at better rates, he said.

Atilola explained that the new product is a mobile app and is available on Android and IOS stores.

Switch, a multi-service platform, has been approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and funds domiciled in the Bank via the App are insured by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

He noted that though Switch is designed for Nigerians in the diaspora, and can be operated from any part of the world, it is, however, only accessible to users in the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and Canada at the moment.

The plan is to expand to other countries of the world where Nigerians reside, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of this years Eid-el-Maulud to reflect on the virtues of the Holy Prophet by demonstrating love and understanding for fellow citizens.

The president gave the charge in a Maulud message released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muslims all over the world celebrate the day to mark the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).

He enjoined the Muslim Ummah and other citizens to always exhibit the virtues of patience, honesty, sincerity, kindness and generosity in all their undertakings.

The president urged all citizens, and the youth in particular, to shun all negative tendencies as manifested in the recent hijacking of peaceful protests to loot and destroy public and private property.

He also reiterated his earlier promise to bring Police officers responsible for misconduct, as well as looters of the nations treasury, to justice.

On the COVID-19 pandemic, Buhari said that the country had so far managed the problem successfully by keeping the numbers as low as possible.

He, however, cautioned that Nigerians must not stretch their luck too far.

Looking at the trends in the other countries, we must do all we can to avert the second wave of the pandemic. We must make sure that our cases, which have gone down, do not rise again.

Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown.

The president, therefore, advised Nigerians to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, wearing of face masks and washing of hands.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor

By Ikuru Lizzy

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has announced N20 million compensation each to families of soldiers and policemen allegedly killed by members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPOB) in Oyigbo during the EndSARS protest.

Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during a condolence visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mukan, and families of the slain policemen at the Rivers State Police Command.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Kelvin Ebiri, the governor also promised to rebuild all burnt police stations in Oyigbo and vowed to ensure that the IPOB ceases to exist in the state.

Wike was accompanied by Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor.

The governor described the gruesome murder of the policemen and soldiers as unacceptable and unfortunate.

He said that the state government will support the Police to make sure that all IPOB members who masterminded the killing of the policemen and soldiers, as well as the wanton destruction of Police stations in Oyigbo are apprehended.

IPOB masterminded the killing of our gallant officers of the Nigerian Police and Army. We want to state clearly that Rivers State Government will support you to make sure that any of the perpetrators of this hideous crime does not go free.

Enough is enough. You cannot continue to kill our policemen that have not done anything, who have not committed any crime, Wike said in the statement.

According to the governor, the killing of policemen is one crime that the state government will never condone.

Responding to the gesture, the Commissioner of Police said the governor has demonstrated that he is a compassionate father of the state by his decision to commiserate with the Command and the deceased families.

He explained that the Police and the Army have taken over all IPOB strongholds in Oyigbo and will ensure that the group cease to exist anywhere within the state.

Source: NAN News

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewaure II

By Imelda Osayande

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, has urged Muslims to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad by embracing peace and harmonious co-existence, as they celebrate Eid el-maulud.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Oba of Benin, Mr Victor Ogiemwanre, on Wednesday in Benin.

Eid el-maulud is the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, marked every 12th of Rabiul Awwal of the Islamic calendar, which this year corresponds with Thursday, Oct. 29.

The Federal Government has also declared Thursday as public holiday to mark the occasion.

Oba Ewuare, therefore, reminded Muslims that every religion condemns violence in its entirety and hatred for one another.

He added that religion should build bridges across social, cultural and ethnic divide.

Oba Ewuare called for prayers for Nigerian leaders so that they can administer the country on the path of true development, peace, security, unity and progress.

He wished the entire Muslims a happy and successful Eld-El-Maulud celebration.

Source: NAN News

Hoodlums invading Kubwa NYSC Orientation Camp

By Taiye Agbaje

The Kubwa Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Abdullahi Bello, on Tuesday, said the hoodlums who looted the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa almost stabbed him while trying to safeguard the facility.

Bello, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said he and his men had to retreat to avoid the hoodlums from attacking them.

He said all efforts to talk to them that there was no palliative stored in the camp warehouse fell on deaf hear.

When they flooded the orientation camp on Saturday, we talked to them and even opened the warehouse for them to see that there was no palliative materials in the store.

Today, we did the same talking to them but they did not listen. They started throwing stones while some were pulled out knives and whatever.

They advanced towards the warehouse where items and food stuff meant for the incoming youth corps members were kept. They looted and made away with items, food stuff, equipment and even old mattresses in the camp.

I was almost stabbed by them, he said.

The DPO said 20 officers were deployed initially to safeguard the camp but more officers were later reinforced when things were getting out of hand.

We deployed additional 20 officers, making 40 personnel, he said.

Bello, who said that his men decided to exercise great caution despite the provisions of the law that allowed police officers to use minimum force in such situation, said it took military intervention to put everything under control.

Bello, who could not confirm that two people were shot dead during the incident, said at least 38 persons were arrested in connection with the looting. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Amotekun personnel

By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, says he has signed a document for the immediate recruitment of 1,500 personnel to kick start the Southwest Security Network, codenamed, Amotekun, in Oyo state.

Makinde made the disclosure on Tuesday, in Ibadan, during the post-protest meeting held with representatives of Youths, Artisans, commercial motorcycle operators and Taxi drivers.

The News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports that the post-protest meeting was held within the State House of Assembly complex, Agodi, Ibadan.

Makinde said the new intakes of the Amotekun outfit will undergo two weeks training, between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15.

He also disclosed that the State Panel of Enquiry on Police brutality will be inaugurated on Nov. 2, assuring that various pressure groups in the state will be represented as members of the panel.

In her remarks, the Youths leader in Oyo state, Mrs Bobola Agbeja, said that her group will continue agitating for what is right, stressing that the youths will not be discouraged in engaging in peaceful protests to express their grievances.

Agbeja, however, declared that none of the EndSARS protesters was involved in the violence and looting witnessed recently in the state.

She implored the Makinde-led administration to do more in looking at ways it could engage the youths meaningfully.

NAN reports that top state government functionaries, including, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Debo Ogundoyin, Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun, and Head of Service, Ololade Agboola, attended the meeting. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ebonyi Gov. Dave Umahi

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has informed residents of the state that there were no more unshared COVID-19 palliatives in the state as all items meant for them have been distributed.

Umahi made the clarification on Tuesday in a broadcast to the people over the recent disturbances in the state by hoodlums.

The governor said that the government, in collaboration with Local Government Areas in the state, was working towards providing another set of palliatives to be shared to the people in December.

You are aware that we spent billions of naira to purchase palliatives which were shared through the various polling units in the state, irrespective of political alliances.

We reached over 600, 000 Ebonyi people, including those in Lagos and Abuja ,and the remaining presently is for students of the state university who were not in session, he said.

He said that with the resumption of schools, the students were presently taking delivery of the items which include: 50 bags of 10kg rice, 200 bags of 20kg rice, 1, 500 cartons of tin tomatoes, 2000 gallons of oil among others.

We are working towards assisting parents to send students back to school by reducing school fees but be aware that there is opportunity cost; when one thing is done, another may not be done.

I call on all youths to dialogue with my government and make inputs in governance, he added.

Umahi announced that his administration had earmarked N2.6billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) fund for organised youth cooperatives in all LGAs of the state to empower them.

He called for suggestions on how to share the funds.

This is aside the 100 state Executive Council members, over 1,110 Technical Assistants and other political appointments in the state of which 90 per cent of the occupiers are youths.

I again plead with our young one, please no more attacks, destruction of assets, killings of both of you and security agencies, he said.

The governor said that he would compensate families whose loved ones were either killed or injured during the disturbances, whether they were security agencies, civilians or even hoodlums.

I plead with these young hoodlums killing us in the name of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to withdraw peacefully to their houses.

Security agencies must give them peace and free access to return to their communities, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

By Yahaya Isah
The Federal Government has declared Thursday as public holiday to mark Eid-el-Maulud Celebration in commemoration of the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this is in a statement by the ministrys Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated the Muslim faithful both at home and abroad for witnessing the occasion.

He enjoined the Muslims to imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance which were the virtues of the Prophet Muhammad, adding that doing so would guarantee peace and security in the country.

The minister admonished Muslims to follow the teachings of the Holy Quran in Chapter 4 Verse 59 which says: O you who believe, Obey God and His Messenger, and those from among you vested with authority.

And if you are to dispute among yourselves about anything, refer it to God and the Messenger, if indeed you believe in God and the Last Day. This is the best (for you), and fairest in the end.

Aregbesola also urged Nigerians to abhor violence, lawlessness and daylight robbery as witnessed across the country in recent time.

He, however, stressed that Nigeria was the pride of the black race and should provide responsible leadership for the greatness and development of the African continent and all black race.

The minister called for a stop to all divisive tendencies across the country.

He also urged Nigerians and the youth to embrace peace and cooperate with the Federal Government in its efforts to build a virile nation, which all citizens could be proud of.

Aregbesola, who described the youth as the hope and future of the nation, advised them to deepen democracy tenets.

With democracy in place. We can overcome our challenges. The challenges of nationhood that we face are surmountable if we work through the democratic process.

Im wishing all the Muslims a happy Eid-el-Maulud celebration and all Nigerians a happy holiday.

Source: NAN News

President Donald Trump listens to Democratic candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden clash in first presidential debate

By Harrison Arubu
Early votes in the 2020 U.S. presidential election hit 69.6 million on Tuesday, according to the United States Election Project, representing more than half of the total 137 million ballots cast in the 2016 election.

The data came in the 2020 General Election Early Vote Statistics published on the website of the body, which serves as an information source for the countrys electoral system.

Many early voters interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday said the coronavirus pandemic informed their decision to vote ahead.

Others cited the chaos and long wait on queues on Election Day as the reasons for their decision.

A breakdown of the early vote figure shows that 46.5 million ballots were cast through mail and 23.1 million through in-person voting.

The Director of U.S. Elections Project, Prof. Michael McDonald, described the development as good, citing initial doubt about election officials ability to conduct the election during the pandemic.

There were many concerns about election officials ability to conduct an election during a pandemic.

Not only are people voting, but they are voting over a longer period of time, thereby spreading out the workload of election officials, McDonald said in a statement.

According to the statistics, Democrats were leading Republicans in mail-in voting for states that report party data, while Republicans were leading in voting in person.

Of the 26 million mail-in ballots recorded by the U.S. Elections Project, 51.3 per cent came from Democrats, and 25.5 per cent from Republicans.

On the other hand, Republicans led with 41.7 per cent of the 7.4 million in-person votes tracked by the project as against 36.9 per cent by Democrats.

Election Project said no fewer than 30 million requested mail ballots had not been returned, with deadlines for absentee ballots near.

It stated that the pending ballots include over 11 million from registered Democrats.

However, it was quick to note that the data was inconclusive as some states do not differentiate between mail ballots and in-person votes.

Reports say Republicans are hoping to bridge the gap with a strong turnout in person.

Source: NAN News