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File Photo: Police

Sudans police chief and his deputy were fired on Sunday, the transitional government said, days after large protests demanding more measures against officials linked to ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

Adel Mohamed Bashaer, Director-General of Sudans Police Force was relieved of his duties and replaced with Ezz Eldin Sheikh Ali, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said on Twitter without elaborating.

Later, the cabinet said in a statement that Othman Mohamed Younes, Bashaers deputy, was also dismissed. No further details were given.

One person was killed and several others injured during largely peaceful demonstrations across Sudan on Tuesday, as tens of thousands of people took to the streets demanding faster reform and a greater role for civilians in the countrys transition towards democracy.

Protesters and pro-democracy groups link the two fired police officials with the administration of Bashir, who was removed from power in April 2019 after months of protests.

The two men could not be immediately reached for comment. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The remains were flown to Algeria on Friday from France and were buried at the Martyrs Square of El-Alia cemetery in the capital Algiers.

They had been held in a Paris museum.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune attended the funeral, along with senior state and army officials, and members of the government, the official APS news agency reported.

A final tribute was paid to the fighters at the Palace of Culture by Tebboune shortly before the burial.

On Saturday, many citizens also paid their respects.

Algeria formally declared independence from France on July 5, 1962 after a seven-year war, which ended more than a century of a colonial rule. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Late Ex-Governor of Oyo, Abiola Ajimobi

By Akeem Abas

The family of the late Oyo governor, Abiola Ajimobi, said on Sunday that it had no intention to bar the Deputy Governor of the state, Rauf Olaniyan, from the eight-day fidau prayer organised for the deceased.

Ajimobis former media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said this in a statement issued in Ibadan on behalf of the family.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the family on Sunday held the eight-day prayer for the late two-time governor who died on June 25.

The familys reaction followed reports that a delegation of the state government led by the deputy governor was barred from entering the venue of the event.

But Tunji, in the statement, said the family had no such plan to bar the government delegation.

He said the family was not aware that the deputy governor would attend the event, adding that neither the advance team nor the protocol unit informed the family.

The event, he added, was held in compliance with COVID-19 protocols established by NCDC, noting that not more than 30 people were allowed at the venue.

Tunji added that the seats were arranged according to the number after which the gate to the premises was shut.

He said when the family got the information that the deputy governor had arrived, aides rushed to the gate to usher him into the sitting room only to learn he had gone.

The statement said in part: There is the need to clarify the believed presence of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, at the 8th day prayer of HE Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the immediate past governor of Oyo State

The Deputy Governor arrived after the prayer had started.The event was strictly a family affair.

There was a need to comply with the Covid-19 protocol as established by NCDC- Social distancing, not more than 30 people in a place and seats arranged, accordingly after which the gate was shut.

No one was aware that the Deputy Governor was coming as neither the advance team nor the protocol informed us.

By the time we got to the gate to usher him into the sitting room, he had left. Everything happened within a spate of 10 minutes.

Tunji said efforts were made through a serving senator and a former attorney general to get in touch with the deputy governor.

He maintained that the incident was not meant as a slight to the deputy governor as he could sit in a private sitting room provided by the family.

Tunji, who described the incident as unfortunate, however, apologised to the deputy governor. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court Symbol

Ramatu Garba

Kano State Chief Judge, Justice Nura Sagir, has directed Magistrate Courts to reopen for normal activities on Monday July 6.

The Public Relations Officer of the states Judiciary, Mr Baba Ibrahim, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Kano.

Sagir said that the directives followed easing of the COVID-19 lockdown by the state government.

All Magistrates in the state should resume court sitting immediately, Sagir was quoted as saying in the statement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sagir had on March 25, directed for the suspension of court sitting, in compliance with the COVID-19 lockdown imposed to stem further spread of the pandemic in the state.

NAN reports also that Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje, on Thursday announced total eased of restrictions in view of the successes recorded in the campaign against the pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has inaugurated several projects across the eight divisions of Nigerian Army nationwide.

Buratai inaugurated the projects in commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2020.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

Musa said the projects were in line with the desire of the Chief of Army Staff to uplift the living standards of army personnel and ensure excellent civil-military relations.

He said that some of the projects inaugurated were in the areas of troops living accommodation, office accommodation, Clinics/hospitals, schools, roads construction, corporate social responsibility and intervention activities in many communities in Nigeria.

According to him, a total of 138 flats of accommodation for personnel have been commissioned in Dalet Barracks and Ribadu Cantonment in 1 Division Kaduna.

Similarly, in 2 Division Area of Responsibility, the newly built Headquarters 32 Artillery Brigade Complex, Corporal and Below Quarters, Brigades Medical Centre and a Guard House were inaugurated.

Additionally, the foundation laying of Barracks Investment Initiative Programme and Commissioning of Community Civic Centre at Uhonmora-Ora Community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State were also done during this period.

While in 3 Armoured Division Jos, a huge Multi Purpose Cooperative Society, Rhino Officers Mess Chalets, Rhino Officers Mess Sit-Out Garden and NAOWA Administration Office were inaugurated, he said.

Musa said that TY Buratai Subaltern Lodge, Transit Accommodation for Soldiers, Physical Cloak Room, 6 Division Garrison Kitchen and an Office complex were successfully completed and inaugurated in 6 Division PortHarcourt.

He added that Brigade Medical Centre, kitchen, a mosque and a chapel as well as K9 Kennel have been equally commissioned.

The spokesperson said that some troops of 7 Division Maiduguri conducted cleaning up of streets and clearing of gutters along Baga road market, Maiduguri town, Borno as part of the activities marking the NADCEL 2020.

He said that a newly built Camp Delta Force Quick Reaction Base has been commissioned to facilitate reaction time in the efforts to end terrorism in the area.

According to him, 585 Signal Regiment Office accommodation, Dental Clinic and Maternity Wards of 8 Division Hospital, were completed and commissioned during the period.

Also completed were 26 Battalion Parade Ground, the Battalions Arms Store, Operations Room and Hall of Fame and Solar Energy Power Project.

He said that free medical assistance and Sanitation exercise were also carried out in some areas in 8 Division Area of Responsibility.

In 81 Division Lagos, a newly reconstructed Nigerian Army Barracks Epe was commissioned.

In Ikeja Military Cantonment, the newly built Nigerian Army Aviation Pilots accommodation, newly renovated Corporal and Below Quarters, remodeled 9 Brigade Officers Mess and a disinfecting tunnel donated by hypo company were also inaugurated.

Accordingly, in 82 Division Area of Responsibility, there was routine provision of free medical services to hundreds of people in many communities.

Also, the six newly constructed blocks of classrooms at community and local education authority schools at Umakohia Ubi Community in Owerri West local Government Area of Imo State have been commissioned among other projects, he said.

Musa urged all the beneficiaries in the various barracks, cantonments and the lucky communities across the country to take care of the projects for the benefits of their respective communities.

He enjoined the communities to continue to cooperate and support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the efforts to end terrorism and other insecurities in Nigeria.

Musa said all the projects were inaugurated on behalf of the COAS, adding that the Army appreciate Nigerians for their patience and understanding.

Source: NAN News

By Taiye Olayemi

Sterling Bank Plc on Saturday offered to partner with Nigerian tourism practitioners for proper marketing of Nigerias tourism sites locally and internationally.

The banks Group Head, Propositions and Partnership, Mr Wasiu Popoola, made this known during an online meeting organised by the Nigeria Travel Week and Travelscope Magazine.

The theme of the meeting was: A Fresh Start for Tourism in Nigeria: Transportation Sector.

Popoola said that the partnership was spurred due to the observation that the tourism industry was an economic activity which had not been fully developed in Nigeria.

He said that the value chain existing in the tourism industry was completely broken, hence the collaboration would bridge the existing gaps.

Nigeria has rich lifestyle, cultural and historical destinations; resorts in Lagos are under patronised. So Sterling Bank is looking at wading into every problem hindering the growth of the industry.

We want to fix the broken parts of the value chain existing in the industry and encourage collaborations between government and the private sector to boost internal and external tourism.

We will create a digital platform to aggregate all services that every operator in the tourism value chain are involved in, promote their services and help them get access to market.

We will put every operator on the platform to promote collaboration. This way, the broken part in the value chain would be identified and fixed, he said.

Popoola also noted that where financing was required for facility upgrade for tourists sites, equipment and all, the bank would render some financial assistance.

When training is required, we have partners who are experts who can also train, he said.

Source: NAN News

who

By Cecilia Ologunagba

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says there are currently over 444,000 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Africa.

The UN health agency gave the update on its regional official Twitter account @WHOAFRO.

There are over 444,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent with more than 214,000 recoveries and 10,800 deaths, it said.

The regional office stated that South Africa has 177,124 cases and 2,952 deaths, followed by Nigeria with 27,564 confirmed cases and 628 deaths, while Ghana has 18,892 confirmed cases and 117 deaths.

It added that Gambia, Lesotho and Seychelles were countries currently with the lowest confirmed cases in the region as Gambia had 55 confirmed cases with two deaths.

Lesotho had 63 reported cases and zero death, while Seychelles had 81 reported cases with no death, the office said.

Meanwhile, WHO in a statement posted on its website, urged African countries to take strong safety measures against COVID-19 as they resumed air travel.

As African countries begin to reopen borders and air spaces, it is crucial that governments take effective measures to mitigate the risk of a surge in infections due to the resumption of commercial flights and airport operations.

Many African governments acted swiftly, implementing confinement and travel restrictions in the early days of the pandemic.

In the WHO African Region, 36 countries closed their borders to international travel, eight suspended flights from countries with high COVID-19 transmission and others had partial or no restrictions.

So far Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania and Zambia have resumed commercial flights. The 15-member Economic Community of West African States is expected to open their airspace on July 21.

While open borders are vital for the free flow of goods and people, initial analysis by WHO found that lockdowns along with public health measures reduced the spread of COVID-19.

The UN health agency said even with border restrictions, imported cases had sometimes brought back COVID-19 to countries which had not reported cases for a length of time.

For example, Seychelles had not had a locally transmitted case since April 6, 2020, but in the last week 66 new cases all crew members of an international fishing vessel have been recorded, it said.

The statement quoted Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, as saying: Air travel is vital to the economic health of countries.

But as we take to the skies again, we cannot let our guard down. Our new normal still requires stringent measures to stem the spread of COVID-19.

To resume international air travel, WHO recommended that countries assess the epidemiological situation to determine whether maintaining restrictions outweighs the economic costs of reopening borders if, for instance, there is widespread transmission of the virus.

It is also crucial to determine whether the health system can cope with a spike in imported cases and whether the surveillance and contact tracing system can reliably detect and monitor cases.

According to the statement, it is important that countries have systems in place at points of entry including airports.

Comprehensive entry and exit screening should be considered based on risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis, and as part of the overall national response strategy.

Such screening may target, as a priority, direct flights from areas with community transmission. In addition, observance of preventive measures such as personal hygiene, cough etiquette, physical distancing remains crucial.

Passengers should be registered and followed up, and if they develop symptoms be advised to inform health authorities.

The statement further quoted Moeti, as saying: The resumption of commercial flights in Africa will facilitate the delivery of crucial supplies such as testing kits.

It will also facilitate delivery of supplies such as personal protective equipment and other essential health commodities to areas which need them most.

It will also ensure that experts, who can support the response can finally get on the ground and work. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State

By Idowu Gabriel

All Progressives Congress(APC) stakeholders in Ekiti state have passed a Vote of Confidence on Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the state executives of the party.

This was contained in a communique at the end of their meeting signed by the state Public Relations Officer( PRO) of the party Mr Ade Ajayi in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.

Ajayi said that the gathering which was regarded as a family affair was the highest caucus meeting of the party.

A vote of confidence was passed on Gov. Kayode Fayemi after a review of the projects carried out by his administration.

The projects include roads , water, renovation of primary and secondary schools, sinking of boreholes across the schools and infrastructural development.

Others are airport project and other life-touching activities, which includes his giant stride in agriculture, health, social investment as well as attraction of investments, both foreign and national.

The rest are making Ekiti proud as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF), as well as playing a leadership role at the national level, he said.

Ajayi added:A vote of confidence was also passed on the party executives from the state to ward level for winning all elections conducted so far, including the presidential, national and states assembly, as well as local government elections.

The National and State Assembly members equally expressed their support for the Governor and the party executives from state to the ward level.

In line with President Mohamamdu Buharis directive, stakeholders resolved that all matters in court against the party at all levels should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

That the Code of Conduct for all political appointees and elected officials should be strictly adhered to.

That forthwith, no negative story should be sponsored against the party in the media. Such action by any member shall be viewed as anti-party.

He said that the meeting agreed that an ad-hoc committee constituted to address all grievances in the party and make recommendations towards solving them.

The meeting agreed that the stakeholders meeting shall hold every quarter, as well as the State Executive Committee meeting, Ajayi said.

He said that the stakeholders caucus comprised of the Governor, Deputy Governor, all the party Execos, former governors, National and State Assembly members (both serving and former) and cabinet members.

He added that others were elected party chairmen, party elders forum and 10 representatives from each local government councils of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Law School

By Veronica Dariya

The Council of Legal Education has said that 1, 864 students of the Nigerian Law School passed the Bar Final Examinations conducted in January.

The council made this known in a statement signed by the Director-General of the School, Prof. Isa Chiroma on Sunday in Abuja.

The council, while releasing the results said that a total of 2, 515 students participated in the examinations.

Chiroma, who described the performance as outstanding, said that among the 1, 864 students who were successful, only 5 made First Class while 632 others failed the examinations.

Candidates graded in First Class are 5, Second Class Upper 77, Second Class Lower are 633, those who got pass marks are 1,067 and those with Conditional Pass are 82.

632 candidates failed the examination, 17 were absent and 2 results are withheld.

Chiroma further explained that only 0.2 per cent made First Class, 3.06 per cent made Second Class Upper, 25.17 per cent made Second Class Lower and 42.42 per cent passed.

He said other performances include a 3.26 per cent for those with conditional pass, 25.12 per cent failed the examinations, 0.7 per cent were absent and 0.8 per cent results are being withheld.

He also said that screening and Call to Bar ceremony dates for the successful candidates would be communicated in due course. (NAN)

Source: NAN News