Physical distancing at a polling unit

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it had further trained its presiding officers for Edo state Governorship election on how to guarantee physical distancing among voters at the polling units level.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, disclosed this at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Forum in Abuja.

Okoye said that the peculiar training was one of the lessons INEC learnt from its policy on the conduct of election under COVID-19 pandemic in the Nasarawa Central by-election.

He said that in Nasarawa by-election the commission provide infrared thermometers for all the polling units and insisted that every voter at the polling unit on election day must wear a face mask or face covering.

We insisted that there must also be physical distancing in relations to the election and we also provided all the personal protective equipment for all the ad hoc staff for that particular election.

So, we did the test-run and then all the voters came with their face masks or face covering.

There was water and soap for washing of hands, then there was also a two metre distance at the polling unit. It was observed.

But in some of the polling units, we noticed that people found it difficult to observe the issue of physical distancing.

So, that was one of the lessons we learnt from the Nassarawa state central constituency election.

Based on that particular lesson, we have further trainedour presiding officers on how to guarantee physical distancing at the level of the polling units.

Okoye said that the commission would also deployed its innovations including Election Result Viewing Portal that were tested in Nasarawa, for purposes of ensuring transparency in elections.

He said while the commission would still use it Z-Pad to upload election results on its dedicated website, it has dropped the use as a secondary authentication mechanism to support the smart card readers.

We had a few challenges with the Z-pad in terms of aligning it with a smart card reader.

So, based on that, we found that it is not robust enough for us to deploy to a contentious election, like the Edo governorship election. So, we dropped it in order for us to do a further work on it.

Okoye also explained why the commission have to go on with Edo and Ondo governorship elections, in spite of the COVID -19 pandemic.

He said that because of the nature of the pandemic, over 70 countries, including advanced countries, postponed their elections, but INEC could not because of Nigeria peculiar constitutional circumstances.

Section 178 subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prescribes a window within which what we call end of tenure elections must be conducted.

Based on that constitutional provision, we must conduct the Edo governorship election on or before Oct. 13, 2020 and we must conduct the Ondo governorship election on or before Jan. 15, 2021.

So, based on that, we had no choice than to fix these elections.If we conduct the Edo election on Oct. 14 that means we have not conducted any election.

Whatever we do will be null and void because, constitutionally speaking, when lawmakers design a constitution, and impute dates within the constitutional framework.

The implication is that that particular date is unmovable, it cannot be changed, it cannot be adjusted, and it cannot in any way be tempered with.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

NAPTIP boss Julie Okah-Donli

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Kano State, has arrested a 29-year-old housewife, Jamila Abubakar, over alleged murder of her stepson, Muhammad Bashir.

Mr Shehu Umar, NAPTIP Zonal Commander in charge of Kano State, confirmed the arrest in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kano.

Umar disclosed that the suspect was apprehended on Thursday after she beat her seven-year-old stepson to death at Tarauni Kasuwa area of Kano metropolis.

He recalled that the Agency had invited the suspect over alleged child abuse after the deceased was rescued from the suspect in the past few months.

The Coordinator said: We received information that the deceased rescued few months ago was allegedly clubbed to death by his stepmother.

On receiving the information, operatives of NAPTIP swung into action and arrested the suspect.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect confined the decease in a room without food when they left home for their daily engagements.

The suspect was invited and the victim rescued by our team. The Agency provided shelter and medication to the victim before reuniting him with his father.

The couple wrote an undertaking that the boy will not be confine again, noting that they also promised to take care of the child protection and wellbeing when they set out for their normal businesses.

Umar added that the case has been transferred to the Police Command in Kano for discrete investigation and prosecution. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Were grateful to our partners and state leadership for this milestone in strengthening national health security, it said.

(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gunmen

By Remi Koleoso

The kidnappers of a retired United States Army officer, Maj. Jide Ijadare, who was abducted at his Palm oil factory located along Ijan-Ise EKiti road have demanded N20 million ransom.

Ijadare and one of his staff were allegedly abducted by gunmen at Ijan Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government area of Ekiti State, on Tuesday.

A man identified as a contractor with the factory was allegedly shot dead by the kidnappers during the broad day attack.

A member of Ijadares family confirmed to journalists via telephone, on Wednesday, that the abductors had contacted one of them and demanded for N20 million ransom.

Yes, they contacted one of the family members this morning (Wednesday) and demand for the sum.

Though, the matter had been reported to the police since life was involved and they are also doing their own bit to ensure that the abducted are released in time.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Mr Sunday Abutu, said the command was not aware of any ransom being demanded by the abductors.

We are not aware of any ransom being demanded by the abductors. But our men are in the bush combing everywhere to ensure their release.

The police Commissoner, Mr Babatunde Mobayo had deployed different units of police operatives in the factory and the surrounding forests.

We are assuring the people that the abductees will be released safe and sound and in good health, but we appeal to the public to give us useful information that can help our men and other local hunters we are working with.

The retired military mans abduction came barely 48 hours after the Director, General Administration with the Local Government Service Commission, Mr David Jejelowo, was shot dead by assailants.

Jejelowo was killed at his residence at Igirigiri, Odo Ado area of Ado Ekiti metropolis. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Ade Laoye a star in Finding Hubby screen adaptation

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The producers of the screen adaptation of Tunde Leyes 2012 fan-favourite Finding Hubby have unveiled the star actors in the movie which is set to hit the Cinema in November.

According to a video tweet on its handle @FindingHubby, major stars unveiled were: Ade Laoye, Kehinde Bankole, Munachi Abii and Omowunmi Dada.

According to the tweet, the unveiling is to lay to rest the suspense as to who would play the role of Oyin Clegg and her friends Toke and Gloria in the 2012 viral blog series now being adapted on screen.

The women in are

Finding Hubby Movie (@FindingHubby)

The video shows Ade Laoye as the queen of the pack who plays Oyin Clegg, while Kehinde Bankole and Munachi Abii play her friends Toke and Gloria.

The stunning Omowunmi Dada plays Oyin Cleggs arch-rival Moroti Hassan in the movie that has gotten fans of the blog series excited since its release was announced.

According to the tweet, the rest of the stellar cast will be revealed over the next few days on the social media handles of the Finding Hubby team.

Speaking on the movies cast, Executive Producer of the movie Zainab Baruwa-Abiola said, We took special care to cast actors who embody the characters and personalities of the ladies featured in the story.

With this cast, we believe movie-goers and fans will connect with the story even more.

Explaining her thoughts, the producer and director, Femi Ogunsanwo added: Ade Laoye is Oyin Clegg in flesh and she totally embodied the character every day we were on set.

I am sure the fans of the series will agree with us when they watch the film that Ade is the Oyin Clegg they signed up for.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the screen adaptation is set to debut in November in Cinemas and would be distributed by Genesis Distribution.

Source: NAN News

FIFA

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Nigerias Super Eagles have moved up by two spots in FIFAs ranking for September to place 29th after more than six months of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the ranking placed on the world football governing bodys website on Thursday, Nigeria garnered 1493 points during the period under review without playing any match.

The movement also placed Nigeria as the third in Africa behind Senegal and Tunisia who garnered 1555 and 1506 points respectively.

On the global scene, with the exception of Uzbekistans 2-1 friendly victory over Tajikistan, the countries back in action have all been European.

The successful staging of these games was nonetheless encouraging for teams from other confederations as they seek to resume international fixtures in the weeks ahead.

The 54 UEFA Nations League games which took place across Europe at the beginning of September had an immediate impact on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, which had remained unchanged since April 9.

While there had been no movement among the leading quartet - in descending order: Belgium, France, Brazil and England - Portugal (5th, up 2) have moved into the top five.

This was as a result of victories over Croatia (8th, down 2) and Sweden (18th, down 1).

Other countries moving in the right direction are Spain (7th, up 1), Italy (12th, up 1), the Netherlands (13th, up 1), and Germany (14th, up 1).

Each of them gained one place respectively in the global classification.

Wales (21st, up 2) climbed two rungs but remain just outside the top 20.

Russia, hosts of the last FIFA World Cup, are further back in 32.

But they had the biggest gain in this edition, ascending six places courtesy of wins over Serbia (31st, down 2) and Hungary (52nd, unchanged).

In spite of not playing, Iran (30th, up 3) moved into the top 30 after Serbia and Turkey (32nd, down 3) dropped points.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Edo poll: Gov. Buni cautious electorate against violence

By Ahmed Abba

Gov. Mai Mala-Buni of Yobe and Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee, has appealed to electorate in Edo to avoid violence and during the Sept. 19 Governorship Poll in the state.

Buni made the appeal on Thursday in a statement signed by Mr Mamman Mohammed, his Director General of Press and Media Affairs in Damaturu on Thursday.

He said that APC had earlier directed its supporters to shun violence and any activity that contravened the provisions of the electoral law.

I urge APC supporters including those from the opposition parties to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fair, credible and acceptable election.

The people of Edo should be allowed to elect a leader of their choice and, the peoples wish should be respected.

We are optimistic that the security agencies would check the excesses of trouble makers, protect the electorate and their votes,Buni said.

According to the chairman, INEC has in the last few years made remarkable achievements in organising free, fair and credible elections.

It should be supported and encouraged to improve on these achievements and that is how our democracy would grow, but not through violence, he said.

He urged party leaders to refrain from making inciting and inflammatory statements capable of breaching the peace.

As leaders, we should avoid statements capable of over heating the polity and creating tension. No responsible leader will preach violence,Buni said.

He also admonished youths to resist those preaching violence.

Your future lies in a peaceful election and purposeful leadership, the advocates of violence do not wish you good and have no programmes for your future.

You should therefore distance yourselves from them, Buni said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

By Funmilola Gboteku

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Facebooks Vice President, Policy and Communication, Nick Clegg, are set to hold a virtual informal chat on Facebook on Friday.

Facebook, in a statement issued on Thursday, said the chat would be held as part of its activities during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 75th session of the U.N. General Assembly commenced on Tuesday with a moment of silence against the unprecedented backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic.

It will close on Sept. 22.

Facebook said that the event, which would be moderated by Omowale David-Ashiru, Vice President, Global Operations at Andela, would explore the growth of digital economy in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the session will also highlight Facebooks role in the economic development across Sub-Saharan Africa.

As the Chair of Person of Nigerias Economic Sustainability Committee, Vice President Osinbajo, will highlight the importance of digital technologies, innovation hubs and private equity funding in ensuring economic growth and development in the country, it said.

The session would also provide Osinbajo a platform to share further insight into Nigerias Post-COVID Economic Recovery Plan (ERP), Facebook said.

The company stated that the 45-minute virtual event will be streamed on Facebook Live. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FIRS

By Mustapha Sumaila

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says non-oil tax receipts have consistently contributed 75 to 90 per cent of total tax revenue in recent months.

Mr Abdullahi Ahmad, the FIRS Director, Communications and Liaison Department made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Ahmad quoted the Executive Chairman of the service, Mr Muhammad Nami, as disclosing this during a courtesy call on the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, by the members of the FIRS Board.

Nami explained that in spite the national and global economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the service had continued to record significant increase in collectable tax revenue from the non-oil sector of the economy.

According to him, out of N490 billion collected by the service in July, only N52 billion was from the oil sector, with the rest coming in through non-oil receipts.

The FIRS boss attributed the increase in the non-oil sector receipt to reform measures introduced by the FIRS Board and Management as well as the renewed vigour in the service workforce.

Nami commended the minister for her support to the service and its Board since their inauguration earlier in the year, and solicited closer working relationship between the FIRS and her ministry.

Ahmed is quoted in the statement as commending the Management and Board of the FIRS for working to limit the disruptive impact of COVID-19 on government revenue through their proactive reforms.

She said that this had made it possible for the three tiers of government to receive their monthly statutory allocations from the Federation Account.

According to her, the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Stamp Duties receipts have boosted government revenue in spite the pandemic.

The minister pledged to continue to support the Management and Board of FIRS, and urged the service to work harder toward diversifying government revenue sources further away from dependence on oil. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

By Joy Odigie

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has commended Edo residents for their peaceful conduct, support as well as turnout during its campaigns across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

Retired Maj.-Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe, the Director-General, Edo APC Campaign Council, gave the commendation during a news briefing in Benin on Thursday.

Esekhaigbe said: Today we thank Edo people for their faith in the APC which they demonstrated throughout the campaign through their massive turnout across the state.

As the campaigns end today, we are confident of victory because we have made it clear that we do not believe in sloganeering.

We took to Edo people what we have in stock for them and they have taken it by pledging to vote massively for APC come Sept. 19, he said.

He also commended security outfits for ensuring peace during the campaigns in spite of pockets of violence experienced.

He said the party was not unaware of plans by unscrupulous elements to cause mayhem during the election, noting that the security outfit would be fully ready to ensure law and order.

We shall resist any move by highly placed politicians who are relocating to the state to cause mayhem.

Those who believe in thuggery must know that there are consequences for their actions.

Security agencies have expressed it clearly that they will not tolerate any act of thuggery and violence, he said.

He added that the APC was not relying on anyone to provide financial support to enable the party to win the election.

We look forward to a peaceful and credible election in the state.

We are ready to continue to maintain peace irrespective of the outcome of the election, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News