U.S. President Donald Trump

voters had a rare opportunity to ask President Donald Trump tough questions during a town hall event on Tuesday night.

Trump fielded questions ranging from police brutality against Black people, to his decision to downplay the coronavirus pandemic and his tepid support for mask-wearing.

Referring to Trumps campaign slogan Make America Great Again,one voter, a Black man, asked the president: When has America been great for African-Americans in the ghetto of America?

We have tremendous African-American support,Trump said, referring to unspecified polls and citing pre-pandemic employment numbers.

Trump claimed the situation under his administration prior to the pandemic was the best single moment in the history of the African-American people in this country.

When asked about police killings of Black people, the president blamed the problem a minority of police officers who are bad applesor choke.

We have to give them their mojo,Trump said of law enforcement.

Another voter questioned Trump about his indifference to wearing masks, which public health experts widely say are needed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A lot of people dont want to wear masks,Trump said, adding, there are people that dont think masks are good.

The president is facing a close re-election campaign with his Democratic rival Joe Biden holding narrow leads in key swing states less than 50 days until election day.

Source: NAN News

Coronavirus

By Nathan Nwakamma

An indigenous scientist, Chief Apollos Keniyinbo, on Tuesday solicited the support of stakeholders to showcase a solution, he claimed to have found for the novel coronavirus.

Keniyinbo, who heads the Centre for Creative Scientists in Niger Delta, spoke with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

He said that there was need for Nigeria to look beyond the developed countries for a vaccine and cure for the virus.

I am appealing to government at all levels to create an environment that will let the science community to verify and validate what I have done so far.

From when the pandemic broke out in China, I started working on a solution and in February 2020, my formulation was ready, but as we speak, I have not been given the opportunity to present my findings for scrutiny, he said.

Keniyinbo, who studied analytical chemistry, said he was conversant with the procedures and processes for vaccine production.

I am very willing but I have not been given the attention.

I have approached the Bayelsa Office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, and my interactions with it showed that it is positioned for drug manufacturing process inspection, registration and regulation and not research findings.

The stage of this (the solution) has not got to mass production yet, so I have approached the Southern Ijaw Local Government and Bayelsa Government to help me to get the attention of relevant authorities to look at my remedy.

I am very sure that my solution is effective and I have even administered it on myself and it is not toxic at all.

He told NAN that the solution had four components that formed the therapy which he was ready to produce for validation and trials.

The solution I have developed is effective for prevention and cure, and by using, it I have no fear whatsoever of COVID-19.

Mine is a combination therapy administered by injection, and the samples I produced are still available.

The process has been documented in the scientific format; all that is left is to mass produce the documentation which includes the formulae and dosage modules, Keniyinbo said.

He said that he was being hampered by his inability to get approvals for trials, claiming that he would have gone far if the scientific validation process had taken off when he formulated the remedy in February.

Keniyinbo told NAN that indigenous scientists not in the medical science field faced obstacles in submitting their remedies for evaluation and validation.

He noted that research was capital intensive, and appealed to the three tiers of government to make grants available to scientists with prospects and encourage collaboration among indigenous scientists.

Source: NAN News

The official Protestant Church of Germany (EKD) is gearing up for Christmas services in football stadiums and on market squares in order to adapt to ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

There will also be church services in drive-in cinemas, the church announced on Tuesday in the northern German city of Hanover.

The church said that in addition to the deployment of many volunteers, there would be cooperation with the fire brigade and technical relief organisations so that people could celebrate safely in central locations.

In the eastern city of Cottbus, for example, preliminary talks for a Christmas service in the city stadium have been going on for several weeks.

The congregations were preparing for possible alternatives to church services, EKD Council Chairman Heinrich Bedford-Strohm said in an interview with broadcasters RTL and ntv.

According to him, in addition to digital formats and broadcasts on television and radio, people want to go out of their homes.

We want to be in the middle of places: in the market squares, on football fields, maybe also on the edge of the forest, he added.

The church has had experience of holding services in stadiums.

People were not afraid of the weather and the cold, Bedford-Strohm said, adding: They then put on long johns.

Since nobody knows yet which rules will apply at Christmas, new formats, such as digital nativity services, are being developed.

The church is also working on a homepage with instructions for holding services at home, where a parent could act as a substitute minister.

Source: NAN News

Nigerians felicitate with Nollywood veteran actor Kanayo on call to the bar

by Priscilla Osaje

Nigerians took to Instagram to felicitate with Nollywood Veteran actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo as he was

Some fans of Kanayo, said they were inspired by his determination in actualising his age long dream of becoming a lawyer inspite of his age.

Reacting, a fan, @1954andcodecor said: So proud of my best actor, so proud, I am motivated and inspired. I have always loved law since high school.

Another fan @ezeboy said: This is pure product of determination and diligence, big congratulations sir.

In her reaction, @ princess_gift 28 said:Yesssss! Congratulations sir more strength.

@chiggomartins, in a reaction, said: Happy for you sir, I believe someday I will achieve more than these in life by the grace of God Almighty who helped you to make this great success while @angel_ kco said Congratulations sir.

Similaryly, @hyacinthagomu said Kanayo O. Kanayo , MFR Barrister band Solicitor a big congratulations my big G. I admire your courage , congratulations once again.

NAN reports that the actor announced that he had been called to the Nigerian bar, where he shared a photo of himself after he was called to bar.

God is good. Finally, my age long dream has come through. Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, Esq. MFR (Barrister And Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria), he wrote.

The 58-year-old actor said he took everybody by surprise five years age, when he enrolled for a Law degree at the University of Abuja.

He added that after his graduation in 2018, he went to the Nigerian Law School, where he passed the examinations in July.

Anayo Modestus Onyekwere popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo is a Nigerian veteran actor, that hail from Imo State, Nigeria.

He made his debut in Nollywood in 1992 in his role in living in bondage and in 2006, he won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a leading Role.

Kanayo has been involved in over hundreds of films in the Nollywood.

He is currently a UN ambassador and bears the title of MFR.

Source: NAN News

NCDC DG, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu

By Abujah Racheal

The remaining three states were Anambra, Ekiti, and Nasarawa with one case each.

is not over until there is no coronavirus anywhere in Nigeria and the world. Lets continue to wash our hands, wear a mask andmaintain physical distance.

Source: NAN News

Emeka Offor foundation donates N100m equipment, drugs to UITH

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Sir Emeka Offor Foundations (SEOF) on Wednesday donated N100 million worth of medical equipment, drugs and other items to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

Mr Chris Ezike, the Chief of Staff of Sir Emeka Foundation, while presenting the items, said this is the second phase of the 2020 Medical Equipment Supplies and Medicines Distribution Programme.

He stated that during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in June, the foundation in partnership with the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development donated a 40-feet container load of medical equipment worth millions of naira.

Ezike stated that UITH was also selected for the second phase of the donation which included 100 beds and accessories.

According to him, the fact that the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is from Kwara propelled the impetus to include the UITH in the second phase donation.

He disclosed that the foundation was equally making a similar donation across 21 Teaching Hospitals in the country including those in Jalingo, Enugu, Abakiliki and Owerri.

Ezike, who stated that the foundation was committed to mitigating the challenges of COVID-19, noted that accessories and medicament were in high demand across the world.

According to him, this informed the ingenuity of Nigerian manufacturers which produced the hospital equipment.

He added that the equipment could rival those produced abroad.

This is a modest way of intervention from the private sector on health as a healthy population leads to productive population.

The equipment are not to be sold. They have no commercial value, they are to be used for the masses otherwise we will be demotivated, he said.

He also stated that the foundation was at the forefront of the fight against polio, adding that President Muhammadu Buhari had acknowledged the foundations contribution to the certification of a polio-free Nigeria.

Ezike pledged that SEOF would continue to ensure that Nigeria remained polio-free while increasing surveillance to retain such feat.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health in Kwara, Dr Raji Razaq, commended the foundation for its humanitarian gestures.

He added that the foundation shared the same vision with the administration of Gov. Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq in ensuring the healthcare system was revamped.

Razaq, who noted that such gestures from the foundation would reduce medical tourism, appealed for more intervention from other organisations.

In his response, Dr Yusuf Dasilva, Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UITH, commended the foundation for the donation of the medical equipment and medicines to the hospital.

This is a promise made and promise kept. We will continue to partner with the foundation and we will use the equipment for their intended purpose, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the items donated included drugs, hospital beddings, bedside lockers, patient tables and drips.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

A gymnast

By Ijeoma Okigbo

Rose Verissimo, the FCT gymnastics coach, on Wednesday in Abuja said her athletes had been out of form following the halt in sports activities due to COVID-19.

Verissimo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the situation had led the athletes coaches to begin training anew for the gymnasts.

The Old Parade Ground is now open, but we had to put in place all the COVID-19 control measures to ensure everyone stays safe.

We have also experienced a reduction in the number of athletes that usually attend trainings. The gymnasts are usually about 40, but now they are less than 15.

We just want to concentrate on these ones around and we have a tough job on our hands because the gymnasts are already out of form.

We have to start all over again with endurance training and all that since theyve (athletes) been inactive for a long time, she said.

Verissimo also added that the athletes were training ahead of a possible 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF).

The 20NSF was scheduled for April and was cancelled due to the outbreak of the pandemic in the country.

NAN reports that there is no date yet for the event but the coach said: the team needs to prepare early so they will not be caught unawares when the date is finally announced.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

NIMC

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Mr Aliyu Aziz, the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), says the commission has so far registered 42 million Nigerians on the national Identity database.

The director-general was speaking during an interactive session with members of the media to commemorate the 2020 National Identity Day on Wednesday in Abuja.

The theme of the 2020 celebration was Identity for Health, Sustainable Development and Growth.

Aziz said the commission required additional four thousand (4,000) enrollment centres to effectively speed up the enrollment process.

He said, the commission currently had one thousand (1,000) enrollment centres which according to him was not enough to cover the population of the country.

Aziz, also informed the gathering that the idea behind the introduction of digital Identity Ecosystem was to enable government have easy access to accurate data of citizens for the provision of social services.

He said, through the system, the commission was working on modalities to capture 2.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within two to three months.

The director-general however said, the commission was able collate 14 million data from other government agencies through its data harmonisation process.

Aziz also charged members of the public to report any act of extortion by members of staff of the commission especially during enrollment process.

He therefore used the opportunity to encourage Nigerians to come out enmass to enroll and obtain their national identity number (NIN).

Our major focus now is the NIN because the card is for convenience he said.

With your full cooperation, participation and consistent support, we can bequeath a robust and sustainable system of national identity to our dear nation and future generations.

If you are yet to enroll and obtain your National Identification Number (NIN), I urge you to do so as soon as possiblehe said(NAN).

Source: NAN News

DPR Officials

By Ishaq Zaki

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned marketers operating in Zamfara not to use petrol subsidy removal as an excuse to exploit customers at the filling stations.

The Operations Controller in charge of Gusau DPR Field Office, Alhaji Yusuf Shehu, who gave the advice on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in Gusau, said that the department would not allow customers to be cheated.

Shehu said although there was increase in the price of petrol at both depots and retail outlets as a result of removal of fuel subsidy, marketers should not engage in sharp practices to exploit buyers.

Marketers should desist from selling lower quantity than what they display in the pump. They must make sure that one litre is up to one litre before selling to customers.

Any marketer found selling less than a litre, the department will deal with him, the controller said.

He appealed to owners of filling stations to make sure that their pumps were working efficiently.

We are to ensure that there is equity between the marketers and buyers, we are also to make sure that the quality and quantity of the petroleum product is guaranteed, Shehu said.

He also appealed to marketers to always get their products from licensed depots in order to be sure of the quality.

Members of the public should always report to the department in case of any irregularity.

In case you buy products and you doubt the quality or standard, you should report to the department, Shehu said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kim Kardashian West

Kim Kardashian West is joining other celebrities to freeze her Facebook and Instagram accounts on Wednesday, in a campaign urging the worlds biggest social media company to curb the spread of hate and propaganda.

Misinformation shared on social media has a serious impact on our elections and undermines our democracy, Kardashian West wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday expressing support for the Stop Hate for Profit campaign against Facebook Inc.

Actors including Kerry Washington, Jennifer Lawrence and Sacha Baron Cohen also tweeted on Tuesday, calling on Facebook to do more.

The campaign, launched by civil rights groups this summer, won the support of hundreds of major companies in an advertising boycott of the social media giant in July, although it had little impact on Facebooks bottom line.

This week, organisers encouraged users to post about the harm Facebook is causing and freeze their use of Facebook-owned Instagram for 24 hours on Wednesday.

The embrace of that call by Kardashian West, a businesswoman and reality TV star with one of the top 10 biggest Instagram followings worldwide, threatens a fresh blow to Facebooks image and careful management of its relationships with celebrities.

The company devotes substantial resources to celebrity partnerships, with dedicated teams handling special requests and giving stars early access to new products, according to two former employees familiar with the operation.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company has said it would team up with civil rights groups to develop more tools to fight hate speech, although the groups say executives have shown little commitment to action.

Kardashian West has become an influential powerhouse of social change, raising the issue of climate change to her 188 million followers and lobbying the White House for criminal justice reform. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News