U.S. President, Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trumps nominee was, on Saturday, elected president of the Inter-American Development Bank, the regions main economic development lender, making him the first U.S. citizen to lead the institution in its 61-year history.

Mauricio Claver-Carone, Trumps senior Latin America adviser, told the banks governors before voting began that he would be a passionate advocate for the bank, its staff and the region.

He will take office on Oct. 1 and has pledged to serve only one five-year term.

Trumps decision to nominate a U.S. candidate to head the bank broke with a tradition for the president to come from the region and sparked criticism from some Latin American countries, development groups and the European Union.

But Claver-Carone won the backing of a majority of countries in the region.

Thirty of the Banks 48 governors voted for Claver-Carone, including 23 from the region, amounting to 66.8 per cent of the vote, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council said.

A source familiar with the vote said 16 countries abstained.

Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica concerned about the longer-term precedent of the move initially sought to delay the vote but failed to win sufficient backing to do so.

The IDB vote turned into a geopolitical battle between the Trump administration, which is keen to gain leverage in resource-rich Latin America and counter the rise of China, and some in the region who wanted to retain control of the top job.

Some countries also were concerned about Claver-Carone, a Trump loyalist, if Trump loses the Nov. 3 presidential election to Democrat Joe Biden, whose campaign also criticised the nomination of the Cuba hawk.

Claver-Carone said he would work with member countries to strengthen the bank, respond to the needs of the region and create opportunities for shared prosperity and economic growth.

The IDB has been led by Latin Americans, with an American in the No. 2 job, since the institutions inception in 1959.

Critics say electing Claver-Carone to head the bank and his pledge to appoint a Latin American as executive vice president sets a precedent that could harm Washington in the end by loosening its hold on the banks No. 2 post.

Senator Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the vote raised questions about Latin Americans charting their own future and signalled it could have consequences for U.S. funding of the institution.

I have always believed that to be successful, countries need to take responsibility for their own development, and the U.S. should play a supportive role.

Those roles have now been reversed and we need to review whether this is the best use of resources to assist the people of those countries, Leahy said in a statement to Reuters.

Source: NAN News

The Kebbi Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu.

By Muhammad Lawal

A three-day joint Quranic recitation and prayers embarked upon by some Women Islamic Groups in Kebbi State to seek divine intervention against flooding and insecurity in the country has been completed.

Mallam Yahaya Sarki, the Special Adviser to Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on Media made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

According to him, the Quranic recitation and prayers are completed on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020.

Sarki said that the exercise, which was jointly carried out by Muslim Women Organisations was meant to appease God almighty to salvage Kebbi State and Nigeria from natural disasters such as flooding and insecurity.

He said spiritual acts were conducted by Islamic groups such as Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Women-in-Dawa, JTI, Initiative for Muslim Women in Nigeria (IMWON) and Nasrul-lahi-li Fathom Society of NigeriaNAFSAT).

Speaking at the occasion, the wife of Kebbi State Governo, Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, the convener of the prayers appreciated the efforts of the participating women.

The governors wife, who was represented by Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Development, Hajiya Zarau Abubakar-Walicalled on Muslim Ummah to devote themselves to the service of Allah.

In her speech, the Kebbi State Amirah of FOMWAN, Malama Hauwa Abubakar said they embarked on the prayers in consultation with the wife of the State governor as a contribution to national prosperity.

Abubakar said: When calamities of this nature happened, it is always better to repent and seek forgiveness from almighty Allah, as returning back to Him is the only way out of every calamity.

Such recitation and prayers shall continue every week as directed by the wife of His Excellency, Dr Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu, the Khadimatudeen.

We pray Allah to accept these Ibadat of ours and bring an end to all forms of calamities, disasters and difficulties ravaging the entire nation.

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal

The Federal Government has directed immediate take off of the Delivery Unit in the Office the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure on Friday at a post-ministerial meeting with the staff of the Cabinet Affairs Office (CAO) of the OSGF in Abuja.

Going forward, we will consolidate on the progress made by the Cabinet Affairs Office and move forward as directed by Mr President.

In particular, our attention will be focused on ensuring immediate take off of the Delivery Unit in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, under the coordination of the permanent secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, he said.

On the expectations from the unit, the SGF said: We are to ensure that regular reports on progress on the implementation of ministerial deliverables along the nine priority areas are submitted to the Federal Executive Council.

He charged the permanent secretary, Cabinet Affairs Office, to continue to work closely with other permanent secretaries and officers within the OSGF to ensure effective delivery of the task.

On our part, I assure you that we will do our best to ensure that the staff of the Cabinet Affairs Office and indeed the Delivery Unit are provided with the requisite tools for effective discharge of their duties.

I have also directed that a suitable office be provided for the successful take off of the Delivery Unit along with requisite furniture, equipment and performance management system/dashboard system.

I am also aware that most of the CAO officials work late into the nights and on weekends, including public holidays; we salute their commitment in your service to Nigeria, Mustapha said.

He gave the assurance that the OSGF was commitment to addressing logistic challenges faced by the CAO.

I have directed the permanent secretaries to ensure that requests from the Cabinet Affairs Office are given utmost consideration even in the midst of our lean resources.

We will explore every opportunity we have to provide welfare for our staff.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day meeting was aimed at ensuring the attainment of ministerial deliverables and accelerating achievement of government priorities in the face of challenges in the country.

Source: NAN News

Trump, Biden to commemorate 9/11 attacks in Pennsylvania, New York

U.S., on Friday remembered the nearly 3,000 people killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington with smaller events this year, as part of efforts to enforce social-distancing during the pandemic.

U.S. President Donald Trump marked the 19th anniversary in Pennsylvania, at the site where one of the four hijacked planes crashed after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers.

After the names of the 40 deceased passengers and crew were recited, Trump urged unity.

Our sacred task, our righteous duty and our solemn pledge is to carry forward the noble legacy of the brave souls who gave their lives for us 19 years ago, he said.

In their memory, we resolve to stand united as one American nation, to defend our freedoms, to uphold our values, to love our neighbours, to cherish our country, to care for our communities, to honour our heroes, and to never, ever forget, he added.

Joe Biden, the Democratic presidential nominee, attended a morning ceremony at the 9/11 memorial in New York, where attackers flew two aeroplanes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.

Vice President Mike Pence and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also attended the commemoration at ground zero, at which attendees were required to wear masks and stay socially distant.

Biden and Pence exchanged elbow bumps, a popular greeting in the coronavirus era, displaying unity amid a campaigning season marked by stark political division.

Biden later travelled to Pennsylvania, a key battleground state in the November presidential election, though he did not cross paths with Trump.

The former vice president, who vowed to avoid campaigning for the day, laid a wreath at the memorial site, spoke with mourners, and brought beer and pastries to a local fire department.

Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris attended a ceremony near the Pentagon, which was also hit by the attackers.

The hijackings were the single worst attack on U.S. soil in the countrys history.

However, the high death toll from the coronavirus, with more than 190,000 fatalities and rising, cast a heavy shadow over this years memorial.

New York City has been the hardest-hit area of the country, with more than 23,000 deaths.

Beams of light shone into the sky over New York overnight from where the TwinTowers once stood.

A similar beam came up from the Pentagon just outside Washington.

Flags were at half-staff, including at the White House, and bells tolled in New York City to honour the dead.

Many of the normal memorial events were scaled back as a safety precaution, with fewer speeches and some aspects limited to immediate families only.

In New York City, the traditional reading of victims names by relatives was called off at the 9/11 memorial, with pre-recorded playbacks broadcast instead.

Unhappy with the changes, a foundation conducted a simultaneous ceremony nearby in Manhattan, at which family members recited the names of their loved ones while keeping at a distance. Pence attended both events.

After the attacks, the U.S. launched an invasion of Afghanistan, where al-Qaeda leaders had planned the attacks, and later Iraq. The U.S. remains in both countries.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is heading to Qatar to take part in inter-Afghan peace talks this weekend.

The Taliban and the U.S. reached a deal in February, which is meant to pave the way for Washington to draw down its troops in Afghanistan.

Source: NAN News

Newly-promoted English Premier League (EPL) clubside Fulham have signed wing-back Ola Aina on a season-long loan from Italian Serie A side Torino.

Fulham also have an option to make the 23-year-olds arrival permanent and the Nigeria international said he was happy to return to London where he was born and raised.

It feels amazing to be back closer to my family, back in the capital, Aina told the clubs media channel.

Theres a great bunch of lads here. Im really good friends with Big Hec (Michael Hector) and Josh Onomah.

Aina, who came through neighbouring Chelseas youth system, spent the last two seasons with Torino, where he played 69 times with his versatility allowing him to play on either flank.

I feel very comfortable on either foot. I can fill in wherever needs be, he added.

Id say Im pretty quick and I like to attack, but I also like to help the team and do the dirty work as much as I can.

Ainas signing follows the capture of midfielder Harrison Reed, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, right-back Kenny Tete and midfielder Mario Lemina and left-back Antonee Robinson.

Winger Anthony Knockaerts loan move was also made permanent.

Fulham, who gained promotion to the Premier League after winning the second tier Championship playoffs last season, begin their campaign on Saturday with a visit from fellow London side Arsenal.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nollywood film making

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Femi Ogunsanwo, a movie producer/director, on Saturday said the Nollywood screen adaptation of Finding Hubby, Tunde Leyes viral story, was set to hit the cinemas late in November.

Ogunsanwo told newsmen that the movie, which was the remake of the 2012 fan-favourite, captures 35-year-old Oyin Cleggs search for her handsome prince.

He said Finding Hubby captures the journey of Clegg and her two friends, Toke and Gloria, in the adventure of kissing the many frogs in the quest to find their prince.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogunsanwo has been behind entertainment successes such as Ojukokoro, Knockout Blessing, Jemeji and Ajoche.

The cast and crew of the movie have been carefully selected to ensure that the viral story is retold on video without losing any of the elements that made it a fan-favourite.

It was an exhilarating experience creating a movie out of this story that was followed by over two million people online and on radio.

I cant wait for fans to see what will definitely be the most talked about movie this year, Ogunsanwo said.

He added that Finding Hubby explored themes of friendship, love and finding happiness in oneself.

The producer/director disclosed that Finding Hubby would be distributed by Genesis Film Distribution. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS)

By Philip Yatai

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), says the state government has concluded plans to shut down illegal motor parks across the state, as part of efforts to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Executive Chairman of the service, Dr Zaid Abubakar made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kaduna on Saturday.

Abubakar noted with dismay the proliferation of illegal motor parks across the state, adding that the responsible agencies in charge of parks and transportation would begin clamp down the parks by next week.

All illegal motor parks are going to be closed by the responsible agencies by next week, and revenues from the parks will increase because there will be centralisation of collection.

At the moment; we are not getting the revenues we are supposed to get from the parks because they are operating illegally.

The closure will, therefore, improve our collection efficiency, he said.

According to him, the revenue agency will fully implement the state tax law to ensure that all businesses operating in the state pay the needed taxes to the state government.

Abubakar advised taxpayers on voluntary compliance to their tax obligation to enable the government improve on security, provision of basic social services as well as execute viable development projects to improve the wellbeing of the people.

KADIRS will enforce compliance with the provisions of the law and strengthen revenue collection mechanisms in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Main gate of Benue House of Assembly

By Onyeje Abutu-Joel

Benue House of Assembly on Thursday passed the Benue State Highly Infectious Diseases (Emergency, Prevention and Management) Bill, 2020.

This followed a clause by clause consideration of the bill in the committee of the whole chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Christopher Adaji, during plenary.

The Chairman, House Committee on Health and Human Services, Mr Joseph Okponya, led the debate on the bill.

He explained that the ability to identify and respond to outbreaks promptly and thereby limiting their impact rest on the availability and implementation of appropriate laws.

The import of this bill is to prevent and contain the spread of highly infectious diseases such as coronavirus which constitutes a serious and imminent threat to the public health of the people of Benue State.

The bill issues regulations and guidelines to residents of the state whose lives are threatened daily by the deadly pandemic and inform them of the necessity of screening, testing and isolation.

It equally encapsulates restriction of movements of people, events, gatherings and commercial activities as well as prohibits hoarding of foodstuffs, drugs and other essential supplies.

Furthermore, the bill imposes restrictions on transportation, storage and disposal of COVID-19 victims and cautions against the transmission and spread of false information regarding the pandemic.

It also aims at empowering and providing legal backing to the initiatives, activities and efforts of the Chief Executive Officer of the state, which is the Governor as well as the frontline health workers and practitioners that are directly involved in combating infectious diseases, Okponya explained.

He said the bill, when assented to by the governor, would empower the state governor to direct the restriction of movements within, into or out of the local health area, particularly, the movement of persons, vehicles and other means of transportation.

The lawmaker said the governor would also be empowered to establish health service posts in the entries and exits of Benue or any other parts within the state for the purpose of preventing or curbing the spread of highly infectious diseases.

The passage of the bill would further enable the state governor to provide isolation apartment or quarters for health care workers involved in managing highly infectious disease outbreak in accordance with global best practices, among others, Okponya said.

After various contributions from members in favour of the bill, Adaji invited the clerk of the House, Mr Terese Agena, to read it for the third time. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Suicide rope

By Franca Ofili

Dr Gbonjubola Abiri, the Medical Director, Tranquil and Quest Behavioral Health Nigeria says early intervention is the easiest way to help a mental health parent.

Abiri said this while fielding questions on the Asido Foundation Instagram page a Non Governmental Organisation.

Abiri, who is also the Director of the NGO said that Nigerians did not discuss suicide due to the shame and stigma associated with it.

According to her, families need to pay attention to certain complains by the wards and then seek immediate help form an expert.

She said with the theme of 2020 World Suicide Prevention Day Preventing Suicide Together. there was an urgent help and coordinated action to reduce suicides.

Those suffering from mental health need support, positive talk and care with early detection of triggers and symptoms
to come out of it, Abiri said.

According to her, Nigeria is a country with silent culture which also attributes to the problem of mental health.

She called for open conversation around mental health adding that people needed to speak out.

The doctor called on families to show greater love to anyone withmental problem in the family.

Dr Adedotun Ajiboye, a Clinical Psychologist, Department of Mental Health, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, said
mental health problems and suicide were common globally and in Nigeria

Ajiboye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that one in every four persons was at risk of developing a mental health problem during their lifetime.

For Nigeria, that implies that 50 million Nigerians are at risk. And if an average family has four members, then every family has at least one member at risk.

The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly a million people die from suicide every year.

This equates to about one suicide death every 40 seconds.

Yet there is a lot of ignorance, shame stigma and misunderstanding around mental ill-health in our society.

We still operate an obsolete Lunacy Act of 1958 that regulates the practice of mental health in Nigeria.
A mental health bill is under consideration at the National Assembly, he said.

According to him, mental health is an integral and important part of health.

He said that mental disorders could occur across the lifespan from children through adulthood into old age such as with dementia.

They are treatable and can recover and live normal lives, she said.

Asido Foundation promotes mental health advocacy and reforms with a view to improving awareness, reducing stigma and discrimination and empowering persons with mental disorders and their families.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Angry JOHESU members

By Joan Nwagwu

The Federal Government has urged the Joint Health Sector Union and Assembly of Health Care Unions Professionals (JOHESU) to shelve its impending warning strike across the country.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment made the call during a meeting between the Federal Government and the JOHESU on Friday in Abuja.

JOHESU had issued a notice of strike to the Federal Government that the union would embark on strike by Monday if their demands were not met.

The union demands include structural and infrastructural decay in the nations health sector, the review of the implementation of COVID-19 special inducement and hazard allowance among others.

The minister, while addressing newsmen on memorandum of terms of settlement reached with union said the deliberations were satisfactory.

The meeting, after exhaustive deliberations on structural and infrastructural decay in the sector, the parties observed that N126 billion was appropriated in the 2020 COVID-19 intervention Appropriation Act.
The appropriation is for infrastructure upgrading and equipment for the health sector during the period, he said.

According to him, the meeting also noted that lack of effective communication has made it impossible for the unions to appreciate the degree of investments made in the sector.

Ngige said the meeting, agreed that the unions should be carried along in the affairs of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to ensure proper communication.

He said it agreed that the Private Sector engagement should be encouraged to add value to the sectors investment generally.

It observed that JOHESU alleged that many of its members were either omitted or short paid in the implementation of Special Hazard and Inducement Allowance as agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of April 21, 2020.

According to JOHESU, some of their members were paid 10 per cent of their Consolidated basic Salary instead of 50 per cent in the MoU of April 2020.

JOHESU has said that some others were omitted in the categories of those to benefit from the Special Covid-19 Hazard and Inducement allowance, he said.

The minister observed that JOHESU had claimed that in spite of several engagements with the ministry, the anomalies were yet to be corrected as at Sept. 10.

He further said the parties therefore agreed that the health ministry should issue a Circular to the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) of the various Health Institutions by September 11.

He said the meeting also directed that the CMDs should be requested to forward the list of members affected by the shortfall to the ministry of health by September 14.

Also, on the issue of medical personnel in the educational sector that were not captured in the first tranche of payments, he said the meeting noted that the omission was not peculiar to JOHESU members alone.

According to Ngige, the parties also agreed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, would consult with the relevant ministers.

He said the consultation could be on how to address the issue as clinics/hospitals under the Federal Ministries of Education, Justice and Defence were all equally affected.

On the request by JOHESU that all Health workers who hitherto were being paid the five thousand naira (N5000) as hazard allowance should be the beneficiaries of the 50 per cent of their consolidated basic salary as Special COVID-19 Hazard and Inducement allowance, irrespective of whether they are or non-core medical professionals.

He said the list of these category of workers should be compiled by ministry of health and the attendant financial implication should be computed by the office of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF).

This, he said was to see if the request would be accommodated within the available funds because they were not in the original classification for 50 per cent.

He futher noted that the parties observed that JOHESU had claimed that the Adjustment of Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) as was done with Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) was since 2014.

He noted that the matter had been earlier referred to the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and could not be resolved by consensus at the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism (ADR) by the NICN.

The meeting agreed that it was unprocedural for JOHESU to bring it up as an item in conciliation meeting.

The meeting, therefore advised JOHESU to either first go and withdraw the case from the NICN before the ministry of Labour and Employment can resume conciliation on the issue or open up discussion with health ministry on a later date.

He added that the issue was a substrata of the case before the NICN and stated that it would therefore be illegal for JOHESU to use it as a basis for embarking on another strike.

It also agreed that on the issue of employment, the Ministry of Health should undertake the staff audit to ascertain the veracity of JOHESUs claim of understaffing and irregular employment and the ministry should take action and report back in four weeks.

In view of this understanding, JOHESU will consult with her members with a view to reporting back on Sept. 12.

The meeting is adjourned to Oct. 15, to enable FMoH to carry out the assignments, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News