Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has been conferred with the award of Icon of Leadership by the management and publishers of The Eyewitness Newspaper. Similarly, the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Rt.Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi bagged The Outstanding Leadership Personality Award. In the same vain, the publishers of the Eyewitness newspaper also conferred on Senator Umar Tanko Almakura(APC Nasarawa South) the award of Champion of Good Governance just as the Emir of Lafia Rtd Justice Sidi Bage was awarded The Icon of Unity among other awardees. The award ceremony which was held in Ta’al conference Hotel Lafia today had in attendance different personalities across the State. The Publisher of the Eyewitness Newspaper Mr. Donatus Nadi said that the award for the Speaker proved him as an effective administrator, inspiring motivator, and intelligent leader. He further said that “Balarebe Abdullahi, gets his job done modestly and efficiently, communicates well and have creative ideas, which he always see to its completion”.

Read more at: https://daybreak.ng/2020/12/04/gov-sule-sen-almakura-speaker-balarabe-emir-of-lafia-others-bag-eyewitness-newspaper-award/

These are not the good times for the Nigerian Naira currency. The Nigerian economy, its Central Bank, the custodian of its monetary policy, which many of her citizens expects to engineer sound monetary policy that would have safeguard the none further devaluation of the naira is at this point helpless and worried. However, the blame should not be place at the door step of the CBN or the current managers has the problems with the naira goes beyond them and particular beyond the Nigerian state and Africa as well. It is important to approach this discussion from both a process and content perspectives, it is only by so doing that one can begun to unravel the intricacies of the entire range of issues involved and their interconnectedness. But first a general observation is required from an historical perspectives on Africa economy and it currency problems. The internationalization of Africa economy spell from the history of the “colonial economy that essentially serves as the stimulation of extensive primary produce given by deliberate capital allocation and enabling infrastructure like railways and other rural road network, linking to sea port for onward transfer to the metropolitan markets of the colonial masters. This pattern of economic activities did not create the secondary sectors of industrial process”. Thus, we can fathom from a logical conclusion that, the systemic and systematic plight of colonial Africa economy abused by its colonial master nurture in conjuncture with representatives of international monopoly capital is the root cause of the region currency woes. No doubt, the majority of Africa’s estimated 800milion people and still counting are disillusioned and desperate. The region is not just on the bottom rung of human development indicators. African has become a metaphor for disease, poverty, unemployment, corruption, bad governance, political instability and faces the greatest human displace. Moreso, it economy is worse for it with of de-industrialization, technology and skills deficit and poor productive capacity.

Read more at: https://daybreak.ng/2020/12/04/naira-abysmal-appreciation/

Eleven persons from Takakume in Goronyo Local Government lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident.
The accident which occurred at Kwanar Kawadata, just outside Goronyo town, involved a vehicle conveying persons, mostly women, from Takakume to Lafiya in Nasarawa State.

The driver lost control while negotiating a sharp bend and skidded off the road killing himself and ten others.
Ten of the deceased, seven women and three men, were from Takakume village while the driver was from Nasarawa State.


The chairman of Goronyo Local Government,Zakari Muhammad Shinaka and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Ibrahim Adamu, were among the people that attended the funeral at Takakume cemetery.
Condoling with the people of the town and families of the deceased, Shinaka prayed for the repose souls of the deceased and urged the families of the deceased to consider the accident as ordained by Allah.

He prayed Allah to give the families and relations of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/12/01/eleven-persons-from-goronyo-died-in-a-ghastly-motor-accident/

Ibom Air airlifts 300,000 passengers in one yearMore than 300,000 passengers have been airlifted by Ibom Airlines Limited since its inception last year.

The Airline also said it has contributed more than one billion Naira directly and indirectly to the economy of Akwa Ibom people through vendors and suppliers within the period.

Group Manager, Marketing and Communications of the Airline, Mrs. Aniekan Essienette told newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday that the Airline would continue to play its role as key vehicle for the economic development and growth of Akwa Ibom State.

The 300,000 passengers Essienette explained included the COVID-19 lockdown period when there were no flights for more than four months.

“We want to be to Akwa Ibom State, what Emirates Airlines is to Dubai and what Ethiopian Airlines is to Ethiopia. I believe we can achieve this with your continued support and those of the good people of Akwa Ibom state.

“In line with this aspiration, just in 2019 alone (our first year of operation), Ibom Air’s direct and indirect impact on Akwa Ibom’s livelihood and businesses amounted to over One Billion Naira.

” This is in addition to the employment of indigenes of Akwa Ibom not just in low and entry level to senior positions, but in the very highly skilled aviation professions of Piloting, Cabin Crew and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.

” As a matter of fact, 17 young indigenous trainee maintenance engineers have qualified or are on the verge of being qualified as Bombardier CRJ 900 Aircraft Engineers.” She stated.

She said Ibom Air has within a short time became a model brand in the aviation industry and would build on recent successes to improve and expand.

“Since the 7th of June 2019 when Ibom Air commenced operations as a bold new idea with 3 Aircraft, now you can say that we are the “new kid on the block” and the whole nation has stood up and taken notice of what we have brought to the table.

“18 months down the line, Ibom Air currently boasts a fleet of five bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft (the youngest airline fleet in the country) and currently covers 5 destinations: Uyo, Lagos, Abuja, Calabar and Enugu, with an unmatched record of schedule reliability and on-time departure perfromance.

“In 2021, we shall be expanding to other routes which we would announce in due course.” Essienette said.

She said that the Airline, 100% owned by Akwa Ibom State government currently has 200 staff including indegenes in its employ and plan to employ more as they expand.

Also responding to some questions, Director of Airline Services Ms Amaka Echetabu said that percieved delays in take off of flights were due to factors outside their control but insisted that the company would not compromise on safety.

Echetabu said the Airline’s trusted maintenance team has continued to conduct in-house maintenance as there has been no need for outside maintenance and would continue to train indegenes too to take over the maintenance of the aircrafts.

The Director said that for now they would continue to concentrate on improving its domestic dominance while plans to go international would be strategic, and with larger aircrafts when plans are finalised.

She maintained that Ibom Air aircrafts remained the newest in the country, increasing the Airline’s competitiveness adding that prenium has also been placed on sourcing materials locally.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/ibom-air-recorded-300000-passengers-in-one-year-airline/%3famp=1

Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello on Tuesday in Lokoja presented the 2021 Draft Budget Estimate of #130.5 billion to the state House of Assembly for deliberations.

The Kogi budget which was tagged, “Budget of Accelerated Recovery” has a total budget package of #130,546,068,026 billion for the year 2021 as against #122,970,958,009 of the amended budget for year 2020 which represent #7,575,110,017 billion higher than that of 2020 budget.

In summary, the Draft Revenue budget according to the governor “has an estimated outlay of #130,546,068,026. which is divided into recurrent revenue of #82, 464,412,854 representing 63.17 percent and capital receipts of #48,081,655,172 representing #36.83 percent respectively.”

“The Draft expenditure budget has an estimated outlay of #130,546,068,026 is divided into recurrent expenditure of #74,047,160,482 representing 56.72 percent and capital expenditure of #56,498,907,544 representing 43.28 percent” he added.

The specific fiscal objectives of the budget, according to Governor Yahaya Bello are: “to improve the quality and affordability of education available to citizens at all levels in order to produce the articulate and skilled manpower required for economic transformation of the State.”

“To improve quality and access to healthcare leading to improvement in efficiency of healthcare delivery system and ensuring food security and generate a high proportion of the GDP from agriculture.”
Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/12/01/kogi-governor-presents-130-5b-draft-budget-estimate-for-2021-fiscal-year-to-assembly/

As the world commemorates the 2020 World AIDS Day, WHD, today, the World Health Organization, WHO, has declared that at least 81% of Africans already know their HIV status.

This was contained in a message delivered today by WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti to mark the day in the African continent.

Moeti said, ” 2020 is a milestone year towards ending AIDS epidemics and 81 % of the people living with HIV know their status.”
“Among them, 70 percent of adults and 53 percent of children are receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy, ART.”
The WHO Regional Director noted that the WAD is marked every year on the 1st of December by the global community to show support for people living with HIV and to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS.
According to the global health body, worldwide, there are 38 million people living with HIV and 67% of them reside in the African Region.

In 2019, more than 1 million people in the Region were newly infected with HIV, accounting for 60% of the global total, and sadly, 440,000 people in the Region died from HIV-related causes.
Speaking on the 2020 WAD theme “global solidarity and shared responsibility” was chosen because of the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as it reveals how important it is for the world to come together, with determined leadership from governments and communities to sustain and expand access to essential services, including HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care.

WHO noted that with the COVID-19 pandemic it is becoming even more challenging for countries to provide these services, particularly in areas affected by conflict, disasters, outbreaks and rapid population growth.

WHO lamented that presently in the African Region new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are not reducing fast enough to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending AIDS epidemics by 2030.
Children living with HIV are not being adequately identified for HIV treatment. Girls and women aged 15–24 years account for 37% of all new HIV infections, and stigma and discrimination especially against key populations continues to create barriers to service access.

And then the good news is that Eighty-five percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV are on ART, which protects their health and prevents HIV transmission to their newborn infants.
The health body however commended countries and stakeholders for contributing to the progress on HIV in the African Region, and urged them to come up with innovative ways to keep services going during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WHO called for global solidarity and shared responsibility among all stakeholders to ensure integrated, people-centred, quality care and an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities for HIV services.
The rights of women and girls, and gender equality, must be at the centre to stop new HIV infections among girls and young women, it emphazied.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/12/01/81-of-people-living-in-africa-know-their-hiv-status-who/

Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi rajiun!!!
It is with deep shock and displeasure that the government and good people of Sokoto state received the sad and upsetting news of Boko Haram attack on scores of rice farmers in a village near Maiduguri today.

We are deeply concerned and worried that an unspecified number of our enterprising citizens, who had traveled hundreds of kilometers to seek their means of livelihood in the areas where the attacks took place, were also affected.
This act, at once abominable, disgusting and inhuman, is very disturbing.

As we condoled the government and good people of Borno, with who we have consistently shared our sympathy and solidarity in weathering this horrendous trend of insecurity, we also commiserate with the families of the victims from our state.

God willing we will collaborate with the government of Borno to ascertain the number of our citizens affected with a view to identifying them. In the same vein we will support the families of the victims.

“I pray to Allah to grant all of the victims eternal rest and their families the fortitude to bear this heart wrenching loss”.
He also pray for God’s intercession in bringing this spate of insecurity in the country at large to an end.
Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/30/tambuwal-condoles-borno-empire-over-massacre/

o strengthen the war against child abuse and other related offences, there is the need for collaboration among the judiciary, the police and other stakeholders.

Women Affairs Minister, Dame Pauline Tallen, who sought the collaboration of Ceceyara Child Advocacy Centre to handle cases of sexual abuse of the vulnerable group in the country, it has become necessary for all to team up and curb the menace.


She said the war against gender based abuse can not be successful without the support of the police, the judiciary and other stakeholders, saying the act is unacceptable and called on all men and women to join in the fight against it.
The minister called on the foundation to extend their love for children’s right to almost all the state as the children have the right to live well.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/30/fg-seeks-collaboration-to-win-war-against-child-abuse-dame-tallen/
Tallen said the abuse which is rising on daily basis need to be curtailed as the ministry will provide all the desired support for the organization to excel.
Talle, who declared this at the commissioning of Ceceyara Child Advocacy Centre at Wuse Area of the Federal Capital Territory, said the efforts of the mangers of the centre was commendable as their exploits in Lagos has shown a great deal in their quest to carry out their mission.
“One thing that excites me about Ceceyara child advocacy centre is the concept of one stop centre as it provides psychosocial, medical and legal services under one roof, in a confidential manner,” the minister said.
She urged the foundation to explore the services of other child focused organizations in others states to ensure that a great number of vulnerable groups in the country have access to their services.
Speaking earlier, the founder of the Ceceyara Yarma Child Advocacy, Mrs Bola Tinubu, said the foundation which is a leading Nigerian non government organization is focused on protecting children against sexual abuse was established in 2016 and was seeking to combat the menace of child abuse by providing preventive initiatives, project and offering immediate , physical , medical , mental and legal aids to survivors.
Tinubu said the Cece Yarma will continue to collaborate with government and private agencies in ensuring that the Nigerian child is safe and justice served where required.
She said the Abuja office which becomes operational three years after the Lagos office was established with outstanding impact in the lives of children which has accessed the services offered at the centre.
The founder also said ” our goal at the Cece Yara foundation is to see child sexual abuse eradicated in Nigeria. With the launch of our child advocacy centre, we can now provide a one stop response to ensure that every child who comes in receives vital care and support , free of charge in a calm and welcoming environment where children who have been abused can obtain justice, healing and become children again.”
She said the child advocacy centre is a child centered facility which provides a safe , non-threatening and inviting space with child-focused professionals who work together in achieving
Tinubu further said that a community free of child sexual abuse was possible but requires all the stakeholders unite to make it happen.

Government official corruption Critic and Kaduna based multi million naira business Mogul Alhaji Mahdi Shehu has been reportedly arrested by security operatives.
He was allegedly arrested on Friday 27th November 2020, in Abuja by the Police and has been in detention at Federal bureau for criminal investigation Area 10 Garki Abuja, for reasons yet to be disclosed.

Alhaji Shehu, a katsina born realist has been consistently critical on government especially katsina state, over alleged monumental corruption under the current administration of Governor Aminu Bello Masari.
A statement made available to Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ) Kaduna state council on weekend by Murtala Abubakar, an associate of Shehu, confirmed the arrest, and described the action as an attempt to intimidate Mahdi from further exposing official corruption in Nigeria, particularly in Katsina state.

The statement read in parts: “Whistleblower Alhaji Mahdi Shehu was arrested Friday 27th Nov. in Abuja for undisclosed reason and has been in police detention at Federal bureau for criminal investigation Area 10 Garki Abuja.”Murtala Abubakar one of his associate confirmed the arrest as he ‘described it as another form of intimidation effort designed to silence Mahdi from further exposing official corrupt tendencies in Nigeria, particularly in Katsina state where in recent time, he released alot of hard evidence of Acts of corruption perpetrated by Official of katsina state government.

“Instead of the police authority to investigate and invites people that are links to those cases of corruption, the police now turn against the whistleblower for standing against corruption. This unfortunate development could discourage other citizens from coming forward to expose corrupt practices, the consequence of which could negates hugely on the present government anti-corruption war. “Mahdi’s arrest was carried in Abuja at a venue of a seminar where he earlier made paper presentation as resource person”, the statement added.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/29/a-critic-of-govt-official-corruption-shehu-mahdi-arrested/

The Commandant, Kano air force comprehensive school, Squadron leader E.J. Ichimi congratulated the newly promoted officers of the Nigeria Air force and wish them more progressive stay at the service to humanity under the NAF authority.

Squadron leader Ichimi lamented that their promotion is as a result of their dedication, selfless service and commitment towards promotion of peace, progress and security of their fatherland which has been recognised that deserves the promotion as reward.

” I wish to use this opportunity and commends the headquarters of the Nigeria air force under our dynamic chief of air staff, Air Marshall Abubakar Siddique who actually bring out the true reputation of the organisation that remained respected in Nigeria, African continent and the world at large, i am therefore certain that NAF is doing great nowadays.

It could be recalled that the Nigeria air force has recently promoted many officers to various ranks in order to motivate, encourage and reward them for their untiring efforts towards the service of the organisation and the entire nation in general.

READ MORE... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/29/afcs-commandant-congratulate-newly-promoted-naf-officers/

Indeed, better times are here once again for Abia children. In a question of months, if not days, digital learning will be pioneered this part of the world. And this innovation will shoot them miles ahead their contemporaries.


In the words of Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu” with that device, my children will ahead of other children in Nigeria”.
The most interesting episode of this narrative is that the state has taken delivery of the machines that will teach Abia children using smart box.


Another interesting feature of this digital learning process is that it can teach up to 25 subjects with different curricular already programmed in the machine.
The story is not yet completed as four model schools across the senatorial districts will soon spring up. The model schools will be located at Obingwa, Osisioma, Ohafia and Umuahia.


The current innovation is one in a million. Remember the Education for Employment Programme (E4E). A programme that was conceptualized around creating employment and to ensure that education leads to employment by imbuing the youths with the technical skills that would enable them become either self-employed or sought after by others. E4E reactivated Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) in the state.
It was also conceptualised in training youths in various technical and vocational skills to take up jobs in industries or be self-employment and help grow the economy.
This was a perfect interpretation of the Chinese proverb of “teaching the youths how to fish instead of giving them fish”. “In this new Abia” according to Gov. Ikpeazu during his inaugural speech at Umuahia Township Stadium, “instead of giving our people fish (handouts), we will focus on leading them to grow economically”.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/29/revolutionizing-education-in-abia-through-digital-learning/

The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has constituted it’s governing council to address issues affecting journalists and their organizations in Africa.

President of CAJ and that of Nigeria Union of journalists were elected as president and vice president of the Governing Council constituted by CAJ at end of it’s first General Meeting and election held on 24th November 2020 in Nigeria.

In a statement issued and made available to journalists on Wednesday, governing Council President elect Mr Alexandre Niyungeko stated that CAJ was set to be an inclusive platform to addressed all issues affecting journalists, media workers and editors in their work in Africa.

The release stated that the CAJ, completed its first General Meeting and elected its Governing Council for a three-year term on 24th November to address issues affecting journalists and their organizations in Africa.

“We extend solidarity to all journalists, media workers, and the respective media organizations in this trying moment. The CAJ is set to be an inclusive platform to address all issues affecting journalists, media workers, editors, in their work in Africa,” said Alexandre Niyungeko, president of CAJ. “We call on female journalists particularly to join the Congress and to lead on a number of programs envisaged to address issues related to gender-based violence, sexual and verbal harassment, as well as online abuse.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/28/governing-council-to-address-issues-affecting-african-journalists-industry/

Governor Simon Bako Lalong has sent warm felicitations to former military Governor of Plateau State, Rear Admiral Samuel Bitrus Atukum on his 80th birthday.
The Governor in a congratulatory message described Rear Admiral Atukum as a patriotic Nigerian who served the nation with zeal, dedication and loyalty throughout his military career in the navy.

Governor Lalong recalls that as Military Governor of Plateau State, Rear Admiral Atukum was known for discipline and leadership by example where he encouraged peaceful coexistence among all citizens.

He also did a lot to promote the protection of the environment through planting of trees and reclamation of farmlands lost to mining activities.

While wishing him more years of peace and good health, Governor Lalong prayed that God will continue bless Rear Admiral Atukum as he avails the nation his wealth of wisdom and experience.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/28/governor-lalong-greets-former-military-governor-of-plateau-state-rear-admiral-atukum-at-80/

This year’s national sports festival billed for Edo state has not been postponed indefinitely as the sports minister is optimistic that the event will still hold.

The minister. Sunday Dare said on Thursday at the opening of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria , FCT chapter organized week, that he was still in consultation with the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 to clear the air on the possibility of hosting the games by Edo state.

Dare said though the stakeholders had agreed to hold the festival from December 3 -18 but prevailing circumstances in the country may have necessitated the position held by the PTF.

He said he was optimistic that the games will still hold as he was ready to engage the PTF in a new dialogue which will facilitate the competition hold in not too distant time.
Dare said following the #EndSARS crisis and some prevailing circumstances, the PTF may have had a different option from the ministry and other stakeholders position.
He said though the PTF was properly briefed it will be better all loopholes noticed by them at accommodated in taken the decision for a successful hosting by Edo State.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/26/national-sports-festival-may-still-hold-this-year-says-sports-minister/

The Electoral Act Amendment Bill sponsored by Rep. Aishatu Dukku, on Tuesday passed through second reading on the floor of House of Representatives.

The bill has proposed an electoral expenditure ceiling of Five billion naira for a presidential candidate of any political party, for a governorship candidate, the Bill in pegged the expenditure at One 1 billion naira, N70 million for House of Representatives, N100 million for the Senate, N30 million for state House of Assembly hopeful, N30 million for local government/Area Councils Chairmanship candidate, and Five million naira for councilorship aspirant.

Speaking on the Bill, which was intended to repeal the Electoral Act No. 6, 2010 (as amended) and enact the Independent National Electoral Commission Act 2020 Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon, Aishatu Dukku explained that there were other far reaching amendment proposals in the Bill.

She disclosed that the draft Bill was product of collaboration of her committee and its Senate’s counterpart, the federal Ministry of Justice and INEC. Already, a product of inputs of the INEC, Federal Ministry of Justice.

“Everybody is being carried along. “We need the amendments to perfect our electoral processes, before the 2023 general elections”, she said, assuring Nigerians that with the time-saving approach adopted, the Bill be ready at a good time for assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/25/electoral-act-amendment-bill-passes-second-reading-in-house-of-representatives/

The Federal Road Maintenance Agency has budgeted the sum of N38.2bn for its 2021 capital expenditure while also proposing N17.3bn for its recurrent expenditure. FERMA is tasked with maintaining over 36,000km of federal roads across Nigeria.

Engr. Nurudeen Rafindadi, FERMA Managing Director, fielded questions as he defended the agency’s 2021 Budget estimates before the Senate Committee for FERMA on Tuesday. He also gave account of the agency’s performance in 2020.

The MD gave a further breakdown of the agency’s recurrent budget overheads as N14.9bn covering maintenance costs, logistics, public works, administrative costs while costs as covered by IPPIS total N2.55bn.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on FERMA, Sen. Gershom Bassey directed the Agency to segregate its projects according to states and regions and re-present as Senators complained about absence of their constituencies from project distribution.

In her contribution, Sen. Stella Oduah (Anambra North) asked why the agency indulged in selective tendering. She also enquired into the benchmark used to determine priority projects.

Sen. Sa’idu Alkali (Gombe North) commended FERMA for work on FCE Gombe and Federal Hospital internal roads but complained about the scope of work done.

On his part, Sen.TA Orji (Abia Central) asked for the agency’s presentation to be made to reflect state and regional distribution of projects while Sen. Adelere Adeyemi Oriolowo (Osun West) called for a shift from ‘mechanized maintenance’ to routine maintenance of the nation’s roads.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/25/ferma-budgets-n55bn-for-roads/

Ahead of the upsurge in end of the year travels in the mist of another global resurgence of the COVID- 19 pandemic the Federal Government has strongly warned against citizens trips to high risk countries. This was disclosed on Monday at the National Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 23rd National press briefing by the Chairman Boss Mustapha. ​Within the last two weeks, flights from Europe (the Air France, Lufthansa and KLM) resumed their operations into Nigeria.

Mustapha said, “Ahead of the upsurge in travels for the Christmas and New Year festivities, we urge strongly that for this year, such trips should be put on hold firmly because of the risks involved. The transmission rate has simply become astronomical.” “Now that European airlines have joined others operating into Nigeria, the PTF still considers it highly necessary to caution as always, against non-essential trips (especially to high burden destinations) because the world is now experiencing a new wave of the pandemic, more than ever before.
There will always be many more festive seasons to celebrate.”

PTF also discouraged large social gatherings during the Christmas and New Year festivities, large social gathering because of a bigger risk of COVID-19 transmission. “New clusters of cases can emerge in places that have so far been unaffected as people travel and gather for festivities. But we can lower the risks by adhering to the NPIs and celebrate, safely. “He noted that the various guidelines and the testing regime prescribed for in-bound passengers shall remain strictly in force.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/24/covid-19-fg-warns-against-international-flights-to-high-risk-countries/

Sokoto State government has sought extended partnership with the federal government and the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS) on the harnessing of renewable energy for the improvement of power supply in the state and other scientific undertakings therein.

This was contained in a statement signed and issued to newsmen in Sokoto by the governors' media aide,Muhammad Bello.

Tambuwal made the request Monday when he received the Minister of Power (State), Engr Sale Mamman, his entourage and some university dons as well as stakeholders in the state.

The governor, who specifically asked "for greater collaboration" with UDUS and the Federal Ministry of Power, expressed gratitude to the federal government and the ministry for their successive efforts to address the problems of power supply in the state, premising his call upon the fact that the state has abundant renewable energy resources that would make the collaboration more fruitful.

He gave kudos to the federal ministry of power for the execution of projects under the Independent Power Project (IPP) in the state.

Tambuwal equally applauded the ministry for its re-conducting of the hitherto overloaded
132kv Single Circuit Transmission Sokoto-Kebbi Line with high capacity transmission cable, the ongoing rehabilitation of the electricity line between the state capital and Yabo town.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/24/tambuwal-seeks-more-collaboration-with-fg-udu-on-renewable-energy/

1963: John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, is assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas; Texas Gov. John B. Connally, in the same car as Kennedy, is seriously wounded. The suspect, Lee Harvey Oswald, is arrested, and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president.

Also on this day:

1906: The “S-O-S” distress signal is adopted at the International Radio Telegraphic Convention in Berlin.
1914: The First Battle of Ypres during World War I ends with an Allied victory against Germany.
1935: A flying boat, the China Clipper, takes off from Alameda, Calif., carrying more than 100,000 pieces of mail on the first trans-Pacific airmail flight.
1954: The Humane Society of the United States is incorporated as the National Humane Society.
1963: “Brave New World” author Aldous Huxley dies in California at age 69.
1965: The musical “Man of La Mancha” opens on Broadway.
1967: The U.N. Security Council approves Resolution 242, which calls for Israel to withdraw from territories it had captured the previous June, and implicitly calls on adversaries to recognize Israel’s right to exist.
1975: Juan Carlos is proclaimed King of Spain.
1990: British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, having failed to win re-election of the Conservative Party leadership on the first ballot, announces she will resign.
1995: Acting swiftly to boost the Balkan peace accord, the UN Security Council suspends economic sanctions against Serbia and eases the arms embargo against the states of the former Yugoslavia.
2017: Former sports doctor Larry Nassar, accused of molesting at least 125 girls and young women while working for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, pleads guilty to multiple charges of sexual assault.
2017: Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb general whose forces carried out the worst massacre in Europe since World War II, is convicted of genocide and other crimes by the United Nations’ Yugoslav war crimes tribunal and sentenced to life behind bars.
Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/22/this-day-in-history-nov-22/

Gunmen yesterday night reportedly killed two and abducted unverifiable number of persons along the Kaduna International Airport and Rigasa Railway Station in Igabi Local Government Area leaving one critically wounded.

The gunmen were said to have opened fire at motorists along the road Friday 20th November, and In the process, three friends fell Victims including a young man travelling together.

The two of them; Rabiu Auwal and Umar El-Khaddab, were shot and were later rushed to 44 Nigerian Armt Reference Hospital, Kaduna where Auwal died as a result of gunshot wounds on his chest while El-Khaddab is still battling for his life.

The third person, Ismail Muhammed, yet to ne seen, is suspected to have been among those abducted by the gunmen who are yet to establish contact with any family members of the abducted.

The remains of Auwal was laid to rest Saturday 21 November at Rigasa Cemetery with mammoth crowd in attendance.

At the burial, the remains of an elderly man was also brought for burial and family members of the deceased said he was also a victim of the gunmen attack a day before.

Sources within Rigasa said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the station, CSP Goronyo also escaped the attack by whiskers. He however confirmed the attack but declined further clarification
Read https://daybreak.ng

In the last few days, Kaduna has seen spike in abduction and killings within the state; from Rigachikun where a pregnant mother of two was killed on Kaduna – Abuja highway, while many were kidnapped, as well as the one killed in Zangon Kataf Local Government where a traditional ruler and his son were killed.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/22/gunmen-kill-2-abduct-scores-in-rigasa-railway-station-kaduna/

…As ACOMIN hails govt

By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

The approval of N300 million as counterpart funding for Malaria commodities procurement by kaduna state government has been commended by Civil Society in Malaria Control, Immunizations and Nutrition (ACOMIN).
The State program Officer of ACOMIN, Mr. Ogidi Nicodemus who gave the commendation in an interview at state level focused media meeting in kaduna also said that successful engagement of community members in malaria control has yielded alot of positive results including recognition of communities in health intervention especially for malaria programmes.

Other positive results of the project, according to Mr. Ogidi is the monitoring of commodities through facility health committee comprising community members, construction of new health clinics in Zaria, Chikun local governments and reconstruction of toilet room at primary health care (PHC), Yelwa ward in Romi, kaduna state, respectively.
Also listed as achievements among other things includes the procurement of furniture, engagement of security personnel, allocation of 3 plots of land, electrification, rehabilitation of borehole at PHCs in different wards in five focal local government areas of kaduna state.

Earlier in his presentation, the program Officer also said ACOMIN is the national network of civil society organizations (CSOs) working on the prevention, treatment and mitigation of the impact of malaria, and the promotion of immunization and better nutrition in Nigeria.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/20/kaduna-approves-n300m-for-malaria-commodities-procurement/

Demands Speaker’s resignation and payment of N100 million to the family of the ASSASINATED Newspaper Vendor:

The speaker of the Federal House of Representatives Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila has been asked to take responsibility for the extrajudicial killing of Abuja Newspaper Vendor Mr. Ifeanyi Okereke by a security aide attached to the speaker just as the Rights group dismissed the tepid explanation offered by the parliamentarian on the tragic but entirely avoidable incident.

The Rights group said the Speaker is in the terrible habit of moving about and around Abuja with hundreds of people in his convoy and wonders why such a man that had his higher education and worked in a civilized Clime like the United States of America could be so power drunk and primitive as to intimidate poor residents of Abuja each time he needs to attend a function. “The other day at a five star hotel, the Speaker was seen with nearly one hundred people attending just one meeting. The fuel and human resources wasted in running the office of Speaker in the current administration is outrageous and wayward”. HURIWA CONDEMNS the killing of the vendor as pure murder and has demanded for the immediate arrest, prosecution and punishment for murder of the trigger happy cop who shot and killed the Abuja Vendor.

“In management as well as in political leadership, the revered ethical principles of responsibility and accountability demands that speaker Gbajabiaila takes total responsibility for the irresponsible conduct of his personal security assistant who reports directly to him just as HURIWA says the speaker showed insensitivity and reckless lack of empathy by failing to render first aid assistance to the Vendor the moment he was shot going by the reports that the speaker allegedly asked the trigger happy security detail why he shot at the Vendor. The attempt by the speaker to spread propaganda seeking to exculpate or exonerate his person from that despicable crime is totally unacceptable.”

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/20/huriwa-to-speaker-take-responsibility-for-the-killing-of-abuja-vendor/

The Northern Governors Forum has sent warm felicitations to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on his 63rd birthday, November 20, 2020.
In a congratulatory message, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said the former President has continued to serve the country with zeal and commitment.
He said former President Jonathan is a true Democrat whose passion for the growth of democracy is reflected not only in his records while in office, but of his current engagements where he has travelled round the world to monitor elections and also engage with stakeholders.
The Governor also said saluted the former President’s patriotism and dedication to the unity, peace and development of Nigeria as well as offering counsel on various issues.
While wishing many more years of good health, peace and happiness, the Northern Governors asked him to remain focused on his life of service that has brought honour and goodwill to Nigeria.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/20/northern-governors-greet-former-president-goodluck-jonathan-63/

The Senate President Sen. Ahmed Lawan has called for an increased use of forensic technology in the fight against corruption.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Professionals of Nigeria (CIFIPN), Lawan reiterated government’s resolve in fighting corruption and expressed optimism that the Institute will add value to the fight.

In her addrsss, President of the Institute, Dr Mrs Aishatu Victoria Enape thanked the Senate President for his steadfast support for the Institute over the years. She said the purpose of the visit was to invest him as Patron as a mark of recognition of his tall standing in the fight against corruption.

As Senate Leader in the 8th Senate, Lawan sponsored the passage of the Chartered Institute of Forensic and Investigative Auditors of Nigeria Bill as it was then known. Failing to obtain presidential assent in the life of that Assembly, the bill was reintroduced to the 9th Assembly and has currently passed through first and second readings in the House of Representatives.
Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/19/senate-president-advocates-use-of-forensic-technology-in-anti-corruption/

A traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom, Chief Aniedi Ebong have expressed regret over an alleged boast by a former National Assembly member that he would use his connections to upturn a court case against his community.

Ebong had alleged that Mr Bassey Etim, who is also the Uyo Senatorial District Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2019 had boasted through his supporters that he could influence the outcome of a court case involving his community, Ibiaku Essiet in Uruan local council and Ifa village in Uyo local.

The Monarch who spoke after the Appeal court in Calabar gave judgement in favour of Ifa village alleged that the ex Lawmaker boasted that the Supreme Court Judge would act in favour of Ibiaku Essiet because of the part he played on the Judge emergence in office.

“I wonder how he will bribe the Supreme Court Judge against us on the case that has no counterclaim, no evidence to show that Ibiaku Issiet village owns the landed property they are struggling with us, I want the public to be aware of the intimidation Bafil is bringing to us here.

“We the people of Ifa – Ikot Akpan, Ikot Idang and Ikot Ntuen are vindicated by our oppressor in Ibiaku Issiet from the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Calabar Judicial Division, Holden at Calabar, Appeal No. CA/C/342/2019, Suit No: Hu/71/2017, the judgment has clearly stated that the parcel of land from the boundary between Idim Uduok in Ibiaku Issiet and Ifa Ikot Akpan left down to a place known and called Keke-motor park belong to Ifa Ikot Akpan community and Ifa people.

Read more.. https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/19/monarch-flays-ex-nass-member-over-boasts-on-communal-dispute/

The Federal Government on Thursday insisted that there were no mass killings at the Lekki toll gate in the wake of the #EndSARS protests contrary to the general belief.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this at a press conference in Abuja.

Mohammed said those who alleged massacre at the toll gate only succeeded in misleading the world.

He said while government awaits the outcome of the panel investigating the matter, “we can say that the world has just witnessed a massacre without bodies” in Lekki.

The minister insisted that the military did not shoot at protesters at the toll gate.

He asked anyone who has contrary proofs to make them available to the panel investigating the matter.

Mohammed said the government was satisfied with the way security agencies handled the protests.
The minister took a swipe at CNN for its piece on the Lekki incident, describing it as “blatantly irresponsible.”

He called for a sanction for the foreign media organisation but did not disclose where the sanction should come from.

Details later…
Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/19/breaking-a-massacre-without-bodies-fg-insists-military-fired-blank-bullets-into-the-air/

The World Health Organization, WHO, today has recorded a historic milestone as it launched the Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer and it’s related deaths by 2050. WHO says the strategy outlines three key steps which includes vaccination, screening and treatment, adding that successful implementation of all three could reduce more than 40% of new cases of the disease and 5 million related deaths by 2050.

WHO Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Gbebreyeyus during the launch said, “Eliminating Cervical Cancer would have once seemed impossible dream, but we now have the cost- effective, evidence based tools to make that dream a reality.”
But we can only eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem if we match the power of the tools we have with unrelenting determination to scale up their use globally, Gbebreyeyus emphazied.

WHO Director General, Dr. Princesses Nothemba Simelela said, ” The huge rate of mortality related to cervical cancer is a consequence of decades of neglect by global health community. According to her” Critical development s include availability of prophylactic vaccines, low cost approaches to screening and treating cervical cancer precursors and novel approaches to surgical training.
Through a shared global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG, and leaving no one behind the countries of the world are forging a new oath to ending cervical cancer.
In a statement WHO said,” today’s development represents a historic milestone because it marks the first time that 194 countries commit to eliminating cancer – following adoption of a resolution at this year’s World Health Assembly.”

Read more: https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/18/who-launches-global-strategy-to-eliminate-cervical-cancer-related-deaths-by-2050/

Tuesday marks one year to the day of China’s first diagnosed case of the novel coronavirus, per multiple reports.

The South China Morning Post in a story published in March cited government data of the first coronavirus infection dating back to November 17, 2019. (On Tuesday that same outlet suggested the virus may have been in Italy as early as September.) The outlet reported that a 55-year-old person from Hubei province may have been the first individual infected with the novel virus.

Since the deadly novel virus first gained international attention, over 55.2 million infections have occurred around the world, with over 1.3 million deaths, per data from Johns Hopkins University.

The U.S. has reported more coronavirus infections and deaths than any other country in the world, topping 11.2 million cases and over 247,200 lives lost, per data from the university.

Over 55.2 million infections have occurred around the world, with over 1.3 million deaths, per data from Johns Hopkins University. (iStock)
Over 55.2 million infections have occurred around the world, with over 1.3 million deaths, per data from Johns Hopkins University. (iStock)
One year later, however, there is also hope. Over the past two weeks, drug companies Pfizer and Moderna have both come forth announcing vaccine candidates that are over 90% effective (94.5% for Moderna), according to interim analyses.

According to documentation from the WHO, last updated Nov. 12, there are 48 vaccine candidates in clinical evaluation and over 160 in the early phases of evaluation.

Read more... https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/17/one-year-marked-since-first-coronavirus-case-in-china-reports/

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over the National Security Council (NSC) meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The meeting, which holds quarterly, has some ministers, security chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies in attendance.


Among those in attendance are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Ministers of Defense Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Mahashi (Retd.); Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama, Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Retd.)

Details later…
Reda more https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/17/breaking-buhari-presides-over-national-security-council-meeting/

By Mike Oboh

The Nigeria Basketball Federation has announced that final camping for the 2021 FIBA Afrobasket qualifiers will commence on November 23, 2020.

Making this known in Abuja, the NBBF Secretary General, Afolabi-Oluwayemi Olabisi said players are expected to fly into Kigali.

On the duration of the final camping exercise, the NBBF President, Engr Ahmadu Musa Kida revealed that the federation would have loved to have a longer final training camp for the qualifiers, but due to the prevailing factors, camp will have to open four days before the team’s first game.

“Longer camping period would have been the best option for the team. It would have enabled the boys to have enough time to blend under Coach Mike Brown.

“Some of the players are preparing for the new season with their clubs while some are actively involved in the Euro League, so we cannot snatch them away for long.”
Read more https://daybreak.ng/2020/11/17/2021-afrobasket-qualifiers-dtigers-final-camp-opens-on-nov-23rd/

Aftermath the discovery and bursting of the “examination magic centres” outside Kogi state Polytechnic, no fewer than 16 students have been arrested while over 32 are on the run. The Acting Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Salihu Ogbo Usman, who disclosed this at a press conference held in Lokoja on Monday, tagged his address as “stemming the tides of endemic academic decadence and lawlessness in Kogi state Polytechnic”. He pointed out that the “magic centres” were created and controlled by a syndicate of some disgruntled elements in the system and have been operating within the campus while the examination was ongoing. According to Dr Usman, “on the 5th of November 2020 , our team of security were able to burst one of the centres called ‘Champion Logde’ at Sarkin Noma a suburb of Lokoja after the primary school.” The Rector pointed out that Even though the suspects escaped before the arrival of the security team, a total of 32 scripts already answered with respective different courses bearing students particulars were retrieved from “California Lodge” at the same Sarki Noma axis where they were kept for onward transmission to their principals” With the un -relented efforts of the security unit and the management team, the Rector disclosed that other participants at the magic centre were arrested on Friday last week, who confessed to, not only participated, but also paid N2,000 per paper. Dr. Usman further pointed out that as at Monday 9th November 2020, additional 12 participants of the alleged magic centres were also arrested and they equally confessed of their involvement in the malpractice, while two students of the school, Victor Attah the owner the room used as the magic centre and Daniel Ikoja whose room was used as transit point of the script were arrested respectively. Dr. Usman alleged that some staff of the institution who are bent on sabotaging the ongoing reforms embarked by the new administration, have been inciting students against the constituted authority of Polytechnic. He therefore warned staff, students and the entire Polytechnic community, that the management under his watch would not tolerate acts capable of tarnishing the credibility of the results and certificates of the institution. The Rector warned the deviant students and their collaborators to desist from short cut practices in their own interest and in the common interest of all of us. Dr. Usman who commended the state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for creating enabling environment for learning therefore assured the the state, parents and students of an open door policy of administration, commitment to the principles of the present government with high expectation of attaining Education excellence.

Read more at: http://daybreak.ng/exam-malpractices-kogi-poly-parades-16-students-32-on-the-run-over-magic-centres-outside-campus/

US Attorney General William Barr gave federal prosecutors blanket authorization Monday to open investigations into voting irregularities, as President Donald Trump repeated unfounded claims he lost the presidential election due to fraud. Barr, long a close defender of Trump, stressed that his letter to US attorneys around the country was not an indication that the Justice Department had evidence yet of genuine cases of fraud in the election won by Democratic challenger Joe Biden. But he unleashed the prosecutors from former restrictions on such probes, just as Republicans levelled claims of illegal voting and vote counting in several states, claims that still await solid evidence. “Given that voting in our current elections has now concluded, I authorize you to pursue substantial allegations of voting and vote tabulation irregularities prior to the certification of elections in your jurisdictions in certain cases,” Barr said in the letter. “Such inquiries and reviews may be conducted if there are clear and apparently-credible allegations of irregularities that, if true, could potentially impact the outcome of a federal election in an individual state.” Voting fraud investigations are normally the purview of individual states, which establish and police their own election rules. Justice Department policy has been to hold back any federal involvement until vote tallies are certified, recounts completed and races concluded. But Barr told the attorneys that “practice has never been a hard and fast rule,” and stressed that, if they see anything that could reverse the results of last Tuesday’s election, they should pursue it. “While serious allegations should be handled with great care, specious, speculative, fanciful or far-fetched claims should not be a basis for initiating federal inquiries,” he wrote. US media reported that the head of the Justice Department’s Election Crimes Branch, which oversees investigations into voter fraud, resigned following Barr’s order. The branch director, Richard Pilger, reportedly handed in his resignation within hours of Barr’s authorization. In an email to colleagues about Barr’s order, Pilger said, “Having familiarized myself with the new policy and its ramifications… I must regretfully resign from my role,” The New York Times reported. Barr’s order came as Trump battles to reverse Biden’s narrow wins in several key states — Pennsylvania, Nevada, Georgia and Arizona — that gave Barack Obama’s former vice president enough electoral votes to win the overall presidential election. The Trump campaign and the Republican party have filed or threatened lawsuits in several of the states, hoping to change the outcome with ballot disqualifications and recounts. But so far, their actions have gone nowhere, and state officials have challenged them to provide proof of allegations. Trump had reportedly pressured Barr to get involved on his behalf even weeks before the election. But the attorney general had disappeared from public view for several weeks, until Monday when he was seen meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Read more at: http://daybreak.ng/us-election-us-attorney-general-approves-fraud-investigation-despite-lack-of-evidence/