The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Godwin Emefiele on Friday said the Apex Bank had earmarked N200 billion to support the healthcare sector to drive the recovery of Nigeria’s economy.

Governor Godwin Emefiele said this at the inauguration of Duchess International Hospital, the newly built 100-suits state-of-the-art health facility in Ikeja, Lagos.

“To further drive the recovery of our economy, the monetary policy recognised that while the interventions in our manufacturing sector is essential; it is also essential that we continue to support the medical sector.
“When we started COVID-19, CBN set aside N100 billion to support the healthcare sector.

“But upon rise in demand, we have disbursed N107.7 billion, supporting 114 healthcare projects which include medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, dental services, eye clinics both private and public hospital just to mention a few.

“We had taken up N100 billion to support healthcare but the monetary policy has said we should move it further up to N200 billion.

“We would continue to do whatever can be done to support healthcare,” he said.

The CBN Governor expressed the bank’s commitment to continually support Nigerians in their businesses, calling on those abroad to come back home.

The Governor said, “the monetary policy recognises that Nigeria parades some of the best in the world; we need to encourage everybody to come back home.
Read Full Article Here>>>>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/23/10/2021/cbn-supports-healthcare-sector-with-n200-billion-to-tackle-medical-tourism/

The General Manager, Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency, Ifalade Oyekan, has suspended two officers for brutalising an Uber driver, Adedotun Clement, when security agents clamped down on protesters marking the one year anniversary of the #EndSARS campaign in the Lekki tollgate area of Lagos State.

The security agents brutalised protesters and journalists after firing teargas canisters to disperse people demonstrating during the memorial car procession on Wednesday.

The Uber driver Clement was said to be conveying a passenger from Ajah to a destination in Ikeja when he drove into the security agents dispersing the protesters.

The 34-year-old and his passengers were said to have jumped down from the vehicle, abandoned it and scampered for safety.

Upon his return, Clement’s said his car was nowhere to be found, adding that the security agents brutalised him while searching for his vehicle.

The tense moment of assault was captured in a video clip that trended online.

Security agents, particularly the police and officers of the LSNA, were seen in the video clip slapping and pepper-spraying Clement’s eye.

Nigerians, including celebrities condemned the assault meted on the UBER driver and other brutalised victims.

Oyelade had said that the errant officers were summoned for orderly room trial.

In a follow-up reaction, the General Manager while condemning the actions of the officers, said they had been suspended for unruly behaviour and acts of misconduct.

Oyekan, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the behaviour of the two officers was inappropriate and unbecoming for any member of the corps.

He added, “The two officers and their supervisor have faced a disciplinary committee for assaulting a member of the public, noting that their unsanctioned conduct is capable of breaching public peace contrary to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps handbook, particularly sections (ii), (iii), (iv) and (x), which covers the conduct with the general public.

“The committee found the two officers guilty of the charge of misconduct and they were immediately suspended from the agency while further investigations are ongoing to determine other appropriate disciplinary action against them in order to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/23/10/2021/lagos-security-suspends-officers-for-brutalising-uber-driver/

The Former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has revealed that his dream to be Governor was almost ruined by the rumuored Third Term Agenda of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Former Governor said that he almost dropped his Governorship campaigns following reports that Governor's who supported the Third Term move were to return seamlessly to office.

Godswill Akpabio said this on Thursday in Abuja when he unveiled, “Standing Strong,” a book written by former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.

While commending Senator Nnamani for displaying uncommon courage during the crises, the former Senate Minority Leader noted that the author was “the architect of Uncommon Transformation in my state from 2007 to 2015.”

He said Nnamani’s action helped to end the “House boys and girls syndrome from my state,” as a result of the free and compulsory education introduced by his administration; adding that without “Senator Nnamani there wouldn’t have been anything like Uncommon Transformation in Akwa Ibom State.”

“Your Excellency, what you did on that day, when you put up the question for and against Third Term before you colleagues and the Nays had it, gave me the opportunity to become the governor of my state and that brought about Uncommon Transformation in the state,” he declared.

According to him, “I had commenced my governorship campaigns, but when the issue of Third Term Agenda came on board and was gaining grounds like wild fire, I almost dropped my ambition because from what we learnt, all incumbent governors had been promised extra term for their support.

“Sir, when you took that patriotic step with the backing of some of your colleagues, you helped to save our constitutional democracy. You sided with the law and the people and today, you are being celebrated. You were the architect of Uncommon Transformation in my state from 2007 to 2015.”
Read Full Article Here>>>>>

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday hailed the Police Force and the Nigerian Army for the role they played in the #EndSARS protests last year, even as he maintained that the incident at the Lekki toll plaza last year was a “phantom massacre with no bodies”.

Lai Mohammed said this during a press conference in Abuja while protesters gathered at several major cities in the country to demonstrate in commemoration of the #EndSARS protests.

The minister also lambasted CNN, DJ Switch and global rights group, Amnesty International, for insisting that persons were killed at the tollgate.

He said, “The Federal Government remains proud of the security agencies for acting professionally and showing utmost restraint all through the #EndSARS protest and the ensuing violence, an action that saved lives and properties.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/21/10/2021/endsars-lai-mohammed-hails-police-force-and-nigeria-army-says-lekki-massacre-is-a-scam/

The Nigeria Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has urged young Nigerians to join politics to transform the society and make the difference.

The Vice president on Wednesday at a virtual forum where he interacted with Nigerian Fellows of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.


Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who recalled his days in civil society engagements and later in politics as Lagos State Attorney-General, said: “It took public office for me to be able to get the scale of change that is required to make a difference.”


“Without public office, I would have remained a pressure group activist, I would have done some nice things, but I wouldn’t have been able to make the changes that my country required,” he added in a statement issued by his spokesman, Laolu Akande.


He said: “The way to transform society is largely dependent on the actions and decisions of those who occupy public offices. This is why young people in Nigeria must get involved in politics.


“You need to go the extra length if you are not already involved, get involved in politics while a lot can be achieved in civil society, Government still holds the ace in terms of capacity and resources to bring social goods to the largest numbers.


“The consummation of our great ideas to transform our societies ultimately will depend on ‘those politicians’ as we sometimes derisively describe them.


“African nations and especially our country, cannot afford to have its best minds and most committed social activists remain only in the civil space. No, we simply can’t afford it, you have to get involved in politics. You have to be in the position to make the difference on the scale that is required.


Read Full Article Here>>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/21/10/2021/join-politics-to-make-the-difference-vice-president-osinbajo-informed-young-nigerians/

The National Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) set up by the Caretaker Committee of the party to reconcile aggrieved members of the party had its plate full.

As at the time of the inauguration of the committee by the Chairman of the APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Mai Mala Buni, the party was already confronting a litany of crises arising from its ward and local government congresses.

The friction was so rife that parallel congresses at ward and local government levels held in no less than eight states of Kwara, Imo, Ogun, Zamfara, Lagos, Osun, Enugu and Delta State.

Factions also began to emerge with members queuing behind certain emerging forces within the party in many states. For instance, in Kwara State, the party was divided between those loyal to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, and the state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while in Ogun State, members were divided between Governor Dapo Abiodun and the immediate past Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

In Osun State, the fight was between the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Governor Gboyega Oyetola while in the North, there is a simmering crisis in the Zamfara State chapter of the party with Governor Bello Matawalle and his immediate predecessor, AbdulAziz Yari and Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa.

Similar situations also played out in Delta State with the Minister of State for Employment, Labour and Productivity, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN and Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, while Governor Hope Uzodinma and his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha in Imo are also feuding.

As the committee was settling down to its work shortly after its inauguration, the state congresses of the party, which held last Saturday, aggravated the situation by opening fresh wounds, thereby adding to the tasks before the committee, with no less than 13 states ripped by the fracas of parallel congresses.
Read Full Article Here>>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/21/10/2021/apc-congresses-and-the-reconciliation-committee/

Cristiano Ronaldo once again scored a late winner as Manchester United overturned a two-goal deficit against Atalanta to win 3-2 and move top of Champions League Group F at the halfway point.

Mario Pasalic broke the deadlock after just 15 minutes at Old Trafford, with Merih Demiral heading home to double the blow before the half-hour mark on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford pulled one back after the break as he scored the 300th goal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tenure before Harry Maguire levelled with 15 minutes of normal time remaining.

Ronaldo, who scored a stoppage-time winner against Villarreal, then climbed the highest to cap a memorable comeback and move the Red Devils to the summit.

United conceded for a 12th consecutive home game across all competitions – their longest such run since February 1964 (13) – thanks to smart work from Davide Zappacosta.

The wing-back overlapped and drilled low from the right for Pasalic, who prodded into the bottom-left corner from point-blank range, and matters worsened for United 14 minutes later.

Demiral towered above Maguire to flick past David de Gea following Teun Koopmeiners' corner, before Rashford's volley clipped the crossbar on the stroke of half-time.

However, there was no stopping Rashford after the interval as he raced onto Bruno Fernandes pass before sliding into the bottom-right corner.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/21/10/2021/manchester-united-3-2-atalanta-ronaldo-latest-goals-secured-red-devils-wins/

The Nigeria Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy was allocated a total of N129.59 billion in six years, according to an analysis of budget details.

The ministry was allocated N15.99billion in 2016; N19.33billion in 2017, and N19.77billion in 2018.

The allocation dropped to N17.62billion in 2019 and N17.41billion in 2020 but increased to N39.47billion in 2021.

In the six years, the ministry was allocated N77.92billion for personnel cost, N1.94billion for overhead, and N49.69billion for capital expenditure.

Under the ministry, its headquarters got N35.59billion, the Nigerian Postal Service got N53.23billion, and the Nigeria Communication Satellite got N27.81billion.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy was created to foster a knowledge based economy and information society in Nigeria.

According to the website, the ministry created to facilitate ICT as a key tool in the transformation agenda for Nigeria in the areas of job creation, economic growth and transparency of governance.

The ministry directly oversees the Nigerian Communications Commission, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NIPOST, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Galaxy Backbone, and the National Identity Management Commission.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/19/10/2021/communications-ministry-earns-n129-59billion-allocation-in-six-years/

A 17-year-old senior two student has been arrested for allegedly announcing the Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth Ochola dead on Facebook.

Last month, stories made rounds on social media claiming that the police boss was critically ill and that he had been admitted in the intensive care unit following his long public absence. The police however dismissed the claims as being untrue.

Charles Twiine, the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) spokesperson said that on September 22, a post on Facebook by an account under the name Brison Olywl Oz declared that Ochola had “finally died” and that he should “rest in peace”, prompting investigations into the incident.

“Our investigators from the cyber unit working together with Uganda Communication Commission followed up the case and found that the Facebook account had been opened using a phone number, belonging to Fatumah Nakazibwe who was tracked and arrested," Twiine said.

He explained that upon interrogation, Nakazibwe denied having a Facebook account but said she was always giving her phone to her son identified as Mubarak Mubiru who was arrested.

Following Mubiru’s arrest and interrogation, he admitted owning the Facebook account but claimed he used the phone with three other colleagues who could be behind the post that announced the police chief dead.

Police then arrested Mubiru's colleagues as investigations into the incident continued. According to Twiine, Mubiru later confessed to having been behind the post.

“After investigations were completed, the inspector general of police as the complainant was informed but on realizing the person behind the offense was a 17-year-old, and considering that he is also a parent, he advised that he should be forgiven since he is still a minor," Twiine explained.
Read Full Article Here>>> https://optimistchannel.com/19/10/2021/17-year-old-boy-arrested-for-announcing-inspector-general-of-police-of-uganda-dead-on-facebook/

MTN Nigeria has extended the registration deadline for its 2021 mPulse Spelling Bee to October 24, 2021.

This was confirmed in a statement that this would enable more young Nigerians to benefit from the competition.

The acting General Manager, Consumer Marketing for MTN Nigeria, Idowu Adesokan, said, “We took the mPulse Spelling Bee competition online to advance digital literacy and guarantee safe participation from students across Nigeria regardless of their location.

“We believe that every child qualified to participate should have the opportunity to do so and our extension of the deadline accommodates and encourages this.”

Read More News>>>>Tanzania President Samia hires Tony Blair in fight against Covid

According to the company, the competition affords participants, teachers and the winner’s school a chance to win over N7m in cash prizes, laptops, phones and mPulse goody bags.

“Students have the opportunity to compete in this online competition from anywhere in Nigeria, with a chance to win cash prizes, laptops, smartphones and many more gifts for themselves; while their teachers who supported them in preparing get rewarded with cash prizes and devices too,” Acting General Manager Adesokan Idowu added

Read Full Article Here. >>>>>https://optimistchannel.com/18/10/2021/mtn-extends-deadline-for-competition/

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has been working steadily to digitalise operations at all port locations in the country, towards optimal efficiency, elimination of corrupt practices and service excellence.
The Acting Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, disclosed this in a statement signed by Olaseni Alakija, General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications, NPA in Lagos on Thursday.

Mr Bello-Koko stated this when he received a delegation of the Ports Management Association of West and Central Africa, PMAWCA, led by the Association’s Secretary General, Mr Jean Marie Koffi.
The PMAWCA delegation came to officially invite the acting Managing Director as a speaker at the forthcoming 41st PMAWCA Council Meeting, with the theme: “Digitised Port As A Model Of Port Efficiency”, scheduled for November in Douala, Cameroon.
Bello-Koko informed the PMAWCA delegation that the authority had over the years championed the transition from manual to digital, automated and smart business processes.

He added that it was by working in collaboration with sister government agencies and providers of terminal and shipping services in the country.

He noted that this approach had enabled the country’s port system to continue to record increase in cargo throughput every year, despite most of the seaports operating far above their designed capacities.
Read More News>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/15/10/2021/nigeria-port-authority-to-support-digital-revolution-of-african-ports/

Professor Kayode Adebowale has emerged as the 13th Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan.

Professor Adebowale who is a Professor of Chemistry, is currently the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin) of the university.

His emergence followed the final screening by the Joint Senate-Council Selection Board of the university held yesterday at the Adeoye Lambo Senate Chamber.

The board on Wednesday reduced the number of candidates to eight after screening the 15 applicants for the position.

The eight successful candidates participated in the final interview yesterday, after which three were selected.

Those who scaled through screening on Wednesday included the acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, Professors Yinka Aderinto, Adebowale Ademowo and Salako.

Unveiling the new Vice Chancellor at a news conference held at the conference room of the VC’s office, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governor Council, John Odigie-Oyegun, said the candidate emerge after a rigorous exercise.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/15/10/2021/university-of-ibadan-announces-professor-kayode-adebowale-as-13th-vice-chancellor/

The United States has donated over 3.5 million dozes of COVID-19 vaccine to Nigeria through the worldwide initiative ensuring equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, called COVAX.

A press statement by United States embassy, on Thursday: “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is pleased to announce the arrival of 3,577,860 doses of Pfizer vaccine for the public health and benefit of the Nigerian people through COVAX.

“The U.S. shipment arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on October 14. The shipment will bring the total number of U.S.-bilaterally donated doses to Nigeria to over 7.5 million.

“The U.S. also contributed to the first multilateral donation of AstraZeneca vaccine in March 2021. Overall, COVAX has provided Nigeria with over 10 million doses to date.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/15/10/2021/u-s-a-donates-over-3-5m-covid-19-vaccine-to-nigeria/

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba, has ordered Police Mobile Force commanders to deal ruthlessly with political thugs and gunmen who may work against a transparent and credible governorship election in Anambra State.

Baba also read the riot act to squadron commanders, vowing to deal decisively with any commander that lacked command capacity or failed to key into the reform agenda of his administration.

Speaking at a meeting with Police Mobile Force Squadron Commanders in Abuja on Wednesday, the IG said the election security action plan would revolve around the police mobile units.

Addressing the men, he stated, “You must remain apolitical while being ruthless with violent elements and ill-guided political thugs that may wish to test our common will to deliver a transparent and credible electoral outcome.”

The IG also vowed to deal decisively with errant commanders following reports of unprofessional conduct and illegal deployment of personnel.

“Much as I am determined to motivate you to advance your mandate as the striking arm of the force, let none of you be in doubt about my resolve to deal decisively with any squadron commander that lacks command capacity as well as those who are unwilling to key into our mission of reforming the PMF and repositioning the force,” he said.

“Discipline, professionalism and operational excellence are the bedrocks of the PMF. Any personnnel that is deficient in any of these has no justification to remain within PMF system as they are not only a danger to the force but to the nation.”

“Accordingly, we shall not spare any PMF operative that continues to conduct himself or herself in manners that are not edifying to the Nigeria Police Force.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/14/10/2021/inspector-general-of-police-order-officers-to-be-ruthless-in-dealing-with-gunmen-in-anambra/

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed banks and other financial institutions to report Bank Verification Number (BVN) of a dead customers to Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) within 24 hours of confirmation.

The directive is contained in the revised BVN guideline issued by the apex bank and signed by its Director, Payment System Management, Musa Jimoh.

“Report the BVNs of confirmed deceased customers to NIBSS for designation as “Deceased” on the BVN database within 24hrs of confirmation,” the circular said.

The banks are also expected to use the watch-list report submitted by participants and duly endorsed by the Managing Director/CEO of the Institution, with clearance from the Director, Risk Management Department of CBN to delist the BVN from the watch-list.

Jimoh said the CBN’s move aligned with the powers conferred on the regulator, under the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007 (CBN Act), and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/14/10/2021/cbn-ordered-banks-to-send-report-on-dead-customers-bvn/

The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has introduced various measures to address the endemic vehicular gridlock in Apapa, its acting Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, has said.
A statement by Olaseni Alakija, general manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, quoted the NPA as outlining the measures in a TV breakfast show in Lagos.

It quoted Mr Bello-Koko as saying that the increasing deployment of the electronic call-up infrastructure for cargo trucks, popularly known as ‘Eto’, launched in February, had greatly resolved the Apapa vehicular gridlock.
Five months after assuming office as the acting managing director, the incremental deployment of the electronic call-up infrastructure for cargo trucks, known as ‘Eto’, launched in February has, to a large extent, resolved the Apapa vehicular gridlock.
The authority keeps reviewing and improving on the system.

“While the authority is not unmindful of the pains of Apapa residents, what remains is to address the gridlock caused by the failed portion, along the Mile 2 to Tin-Can Port road.

“As soon as the entire stretch of the Tin-Can Port highway is completed, the perennial gridlock within Apapa will be completely eliminated.
After this, the NPA will fully deploy the ‘Eto’ call-up infrastructure, for trucks along the Tin-Can Port corridor,” he said.

Debunking insinuations that the ‘Eto’ system had been compromised, the NPA boss explained that a comprehensive review of the system had been done.
Read Full Article Here>>>>>https://optimistchannel.com/10/10/2021/nigeria-port-authority-introduced-measures-to-address-apapa-gridlock/

The Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG), a pressure group registered with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and mobilising for the election of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, announced it has the approval of the party secretariat to operate.

The group in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said it recently received a “Letter of Recognition as Support Group” from the national APC.

Bala Gide, leader of the Progressive Civil Society Group (PCSG), one of the sub-groups spawned by the PCG, said the approval justifies the optimism towards the realisation of an Osinbajo presidency in 2023 General Election.

The group said an Osinbajo presidency meant that “Committed party members and other patriotic citizens would remain even more assured under an offshoot of the Buhari/Osinbajo Presidency headed by Prof. Osinbajo.”

The PCG said its objective was “towards building a more formidable APC and a better Nigeria where the ideals espoused by both President Buhari and Prof. Osinbajo can be wholly sustained.”
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/10/10/2021/2023-election-apc-offers-letter-of-recognition-to-group-aiming-for-vice-president-osinbajo-presidency/

U.S. Government will hold their first face-to-face talks with Taliban representatives since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the hard-line Islamist group's takeover of the war-torn country in August.

The State Department on October 8 said the U.S. delegation will meet on October 9 and October 10 with senior Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, where U.S. officials met with Taliban negotiators in recent years in pursuit of a possible peace deal.

"We will press the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghanistan, including women and girls, and to form an inclusive Government with broad support," a U.S. spokesman said.

"As Afghanistan faces the prospect of a severe economic contraction and possible humanitarian crisis, we will also press the Taliban to allow humanitarian agencies free access to areas of need," he said.

The meeting does not indicate that the United States is officially recognizing Taliban rule in Afghanistan, the State Department said.

"This meeting is not about granting recognition or conferring legitimacy. We remain clear that any legitimacy must be earned through the Taliban's own actions. They need to establish a sustained track record," a U.S. official said.

The U.S. delegation will include representatives from the State Department, USAID, and the U.S. intelligence community, officials said.

U.S. Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad, who has for years led the U.S. negotiating process with the Taliban in Doha, will not be part of the delegation, Reuters quoted a U.S. official as saying.

They are expected to press the Taliban to ensure continued safe passage for U.S. citizens and others who wish to leave Afghanistan and to release kidnapped U.S. citizen Mark Frerichs.
Read Full Article Here>>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/09/10/2021/u-s-government-first-face-to-face-talks-with-taliban-government-since-takeover/

Tanzanian novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah said he was “surprised and humbled” to be awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Swedish Academy praised Gurnah for for his “uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism”.

The prize is awarded by the Swedish Academy and is worth 10 million Swedish crowns ($1.14m / £840,000).

Gurnah, 73, is the author of 10 novels, including Paradise and Desertion.

He said how grateful he was to the academy, adding: “It’s just great – its just a big prize, and such a huge list of wonderful writers – I am still taking it in.

“It was such a complete surprise that I really had to wait until I heard it announced before I could believe it.”

“I dedicate this Nobel Prize to Africa and Africans and to all my readers. Thanks!

Paradise, published in 1994, told the story of a boy growing up in Tanzania in the early 20th Century and was nominated for the Booker Prize, marking his breakthrough as a novelist.

“Abdulrazak Gurnah’s dedication to truth and his aversion to simplification are striking,” the Nobel Committee for Literature said in a statement.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/07/10/2021/new-nobel-literature-prize-winner-emerges/

President Muhammadu Buhari said his Government will borrow an additional N5.01 trillion in 2022 to enable the his Government execute its N16.39 Trillion budget.

The President made this known today during the presentation of the budget to the National Assembly in Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari described the budget as Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability.

Capital expenditure will gobble N5.35T and debt service N3.61T.

Total recurrent expenditure will be N6.83T, out of which personnel cost will consume N4.11T.

Total revenue expected is N10.13T.

Oil revenue will be a third of it as it is estimated at N3.16T. Non oil taxes will be N2.13T and Federal Government revenue from its MDAs will be N1.82T.

President Buhari said the oil benchmark for 2022 has been put at $57 and daily production at 1.88 million barrels, including condensates.

Government expects exchange rate to be stable at N410.15 to US Dollar and inflation to be kept at 13 percent.

Buhari tried to allay the fears of critics of borrowing by government.

He said the loans were within what Nigeria could afford and that the crisis the nation faces is ‘revenue challenge’, so that it can sustain repayment of the loans.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/07/10/2021/president-muhammadu-buhari-to-borrow-n5-01trillion-to-implement-2022-budget/

The Nigeria Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will depart Abuja today (Thursday) for London, the United Kingdom where he is billed to represent President Muhammadu Buhari at a United Nations High-Level event on the Energy Transition in Africa agenda with a special focus on Nigeria.

The event holding tomorrow (Friday) at the Imperial College will feature meetings organized by United Nations Energy ahead of the United Nations Climate Conference COP26 which would be hosted by the United Kingdom in Glasgow, Scotland.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo will also hold talks with the President Designate of COP26, Mr Alok Sharma, a cabinet rank United Kingdom Minister and the Chair of the UK Government’s COP26 Energy Transition Council (ETC), discussing issues regarding the 2050 global Net-Zero emissions target and the need for the international community to align on the key elements of a just and equitable transition for all. The meeting holds at Whitehall.

The Vice President will also deliver an address at the Imperial College London, where he is billed to interact with the academic community on the global energy transition and Nigeria’s position on a just transition. Imperial College is at the forefront of research on generating a new understanding of the investment opportunity in renewable energy, clean technologies, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Read Full Article Here>>>>>https://optimistchannel.com/07/10/2021/vp-yemi-osinbajo-to-represents-president-muhammadu-buhari-united-nations-meeting-in-london/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday formally laid the N16.39 trillion budget expenditure for 2022 fiscal year tagged: ‘Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability’ before the joint session of the National Assembly.

The N16.39 trillion budget estimates which was predicated on the key parameters and fiscal assumptions encapsulated in the 2022 – 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper passed by the National Assembly, include total federally-collectible revenue estimated at N17.70 trillion.

These include: conservative oil price benchmark of $57 per barrel; 1.88mbpd oil production (inclusive of Condensates of 300,000 to 400,000 barrels per day); N410.15/$ exchange rate; 4.2 percent projected GDP growth rate and 13 percent inflation rate.

According to him, the total federally distributable revenue was estimated at N12.72 trillion while total revenue available to fund the 2022 federal budget is estimated at N10.13 trillion. This includes Grants and Aid of N63.38 billion, as well as the revenues of 63 Government-Owned Enterprises.

The oil revenue is projected at N3.16 trillion, Non-oil taxes are estimated at N2.13 trillion and FGN Independent revenues are projected to be N1.82 trillion.

The proposed expenditure for 2022 fiscal year comprises N768.28 billion as Statutory Transfers; N6.83 trillion Non-debt Recurrent Costs; N4.11 trillion as Personnel Costs; N577 billion for Pensions, Gratuities and Retirees’ Benefits; N792.39 billion for Overheads; N5.35 trillion for Capital Expenditure including the capital component of Statutory Transfers; N3.61 trillion for Debt Service and N292.71 billion for Sinking Fund to retire certain maturing bonds.

In his address, President Buhari assured that the administration will prioritize defence and internal security, while continuing to ensure that our gallant men and women in the armed forces, police and paramilitary units are properly equipped, remunerated and well-motivated as well as distribute resources fairly and reach vulnerable groups of our society.

On the 2022 fiscal balance, Federal Government projected N6.26 trillion representing 3.39 percent of estimated GDP, slightly above the 3 percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.

According to him, Federal Government planned to “finance the deficit mainly by new borrowings totalling N5.01 trillion, N90.73 billion from Privatization Proceeds and N1.16 trillion drawdowns on loans secured for specific development projects.”

Mr President also unveiled the administration’s plan to review the policy effectiveness of tax waivers and concessions; boost customs revenue through the e-Customs and Single Window initiatives; and safeguard revenues from the oil and gas sector.

While acknowledging that Nigeria has witnessed two economic recessions within the period of this Administration, he argued that the country “had to spend our way out of recession, which necessitated a resort to growing the public debt. It is unlikely that our recovery from each of the two recessions would have grown as fast without the sustained government expenditure funded by debt.”

He assured that the loans will be used to finance critical development projects and programmes aimed at improving our economic environment and ensuring effective delivery of public services to our people, including: completion of major road and rail projects; effective implementation of Power sector projects; provision of potable water; construction of irrigation infrastructure and dams across the country; and critical health projects such as the strengthening of national emergency medical services and ambulance system, procurement of vaccines, polio eradication and upgrading Primary Health Care Centres across the six geopolitical zones.

He also expressed Federal Government’s medium-term plan to grow our Revenue-to-GDP ratio from about 8 percent currently to 15 percent by 2025, adding that at that level of revenues, the Debt-Service-to-Revenue ratio will cease to be worrying.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/07/10/2021/president-mohammadu-buhari-presents-n16-39trillion-appropriation-bill/

Police have charged a Brazilian footballer with attempted murder after he kicked a referee in the head.

Sao Paulo de Rio Grande’s William Ribeiro was playing in the second division against Guarani de Venancio when he attacked referee Rodrigo Crivellaro.

After a decision went against him, Ribeiro forced the official to the ground before savagely booting him in the head.

He had to be restrained by fellow players as the game was suspended and armed police arrived to arrest him.

Crivellaro was knocked unconscious and is thought to have suffered injuries to both his head and spine during the unsavoury attack.

After being discharged from hospital on Tuesday morning, he told reporters he has no recollection of the incident.

Sao Paulo de Rio Grande have immediately terminated Ribeiro's contract, labelling it one of the "saddest episodes in their history" and "unfortunate, regrettable and above all revolting".

President Delvid Goulart Pereira, speaking on their 123rd anniversary as a club said: "We are sorry and deeply ashamed.

"We send all the apologies in the world to the referee and his family as well as apologising to the public in general for the lamentable scene seen today."

A magistrate later confirmed that Ribeiro had been charged with attempted murder, which carries a maximum sentence in Brazil of 30 years in prison.

But it is not yet known if he will be released on bail or remain behind bars until his trial.
Read Full Article Here>>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/06/10/2021/footballer-charged-with-attempted-murder-after-kicking-ref-in-head/

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said Nigeria is ready to extend a helping hand to South Sudan towards the political and economic stability of the country.
President Buhari made the promise in Addis Ababa during a bilateral meeting with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan.

Buhari further assured the full support of Nigeria to put all efforts into bringing long-term stability and prosperity to the entire continent.

‘‘Nigeria will contribute its quota as much as possible to the development of South Sudan. Take us into confidence and ask us what we can do,’’ Buhari told the South Sudanese leader.

He stressed that the need for cooperation among developing countries, the Nigerian leader said with investments in education, improved economy, and healthcare, things will surely improve.
On the situation in Guinea and Mali, President Buhari reiterated that African leaders must support efforts geared towards the return of democracy in the countries.

The President expressed concern that as long as Libya remained unstable, the proliferation of arms and the problems in the Sahel would continue.

In his remarks, President Kiir, who acknowledged Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa, appreciated the country’s effort in the liberation struggle of South Sudan.

He also commended the First Lady of Nigeria for assisting in the education of many South Sudanese girls in the country.
Read Full Article Here>>>>>https://optimistchannel.com/05/10/2021/president-buhari-pledges-to-help-south-sudan-overcome-economic-challenges/

Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg has apologised for the “disruption” caused after its social media services went down for almost six hours  impacting more than 3.5bn users worldwide.

The billionaire apologies after an internal technical issue took Facebook, Messenger, Whatsapp and Instagram offline at about 16:00 GMT on Monday.

The scramble to bring it back online eventually succeeded at around 22:00.

But it is likely to increase scrutiny of the social media giant’s reach.

For hours, potentially billions of people found themselves without the social media tools they relied upon to keep in touch with friends and family. Others reportedly found they could not access services which required a Facebook login.

Read More News>>>>Facebook announces winners of 2021 Community Accelerator Program in Africa

Meanwhile, businesses around the world, which use social media to connect with customers, were faced with the prospect of an unexpected financial hit.

Mark Zuckerberg himself was thought to have lost an estimated $6bn (£4.4bn) from his personal fortune at one point as Facebook shares plummeted, according to the business website Fortune’s tracking software.

Down detector, which tracks outages, said some 10.6 million problems were reported around the world – the largest number it had ever recorded.

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Facebook whistleblower reveals identity

Facebook later said it had been brought offline by a faulty configuration change which not only impacted the websites and apps, but also affected the company’s internal tools.

Those tools included Facebook’s internal email and even employee work passes.

Some reports suggest that Facebook headquarters was in “meltdown”. Even “the people trying to figure out what this problem was” couldn’t access the building, New York Times technology reporter Sheera Frenkel told the BBC.

The New York Times reports that the problem was eventually resolved after a group managed to get into a California data centre and reset the servers. The company has not confirmed this.

Facebook has said it is working to understand what happened so it can “make our infrastructure more resilient”. Tech experts have described the issue as being akin to the social media giant falling off the internet’s map, so it could not be found.

The company said there was “no evidence that user data was compromised”.

The outage comes at a particularly difficult time for the company, which is finding itself increasingly under pressure over its reach and impact on society.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/05/10/2021/zuckerberg-loses-7-billion-hours-after-facebook-whatsapp-and-instagram-crashed/

Reference is made to Chief Staff officer [Operations] memorandum 110/20 dated 22/01/20

This Headquarters has noted with concern the proliferation of photos and videos on social media platforms where police officers are openly seen denigrating the Government, uttering political statements and improperly dressed with some female officers posting sexually seductive photos and videos in full Zimbabwe Republic Police uniform .

This conduct is tarnishing the Zimbabwe Republic Police’s image and is contrary to the dictates of the disciplinary code as espoused in the Police Act, Chapter 11:10.

Commanders are implored to immediately identify such members and take decisive action which includes disciplinary trials and boards of inquiry (suitability).
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/04/10/2021/zimbabwe-police-officers-banned-from-using-social-media-platforms/

TikTok — the global platform for creating and sharing short-form videos — has reached a global milestone by building a community of one billion people who use the app.

A notification issued on Monday said: "At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. Today, we are celebrating that mission and our global TikTok community that has reached one billion people worldwide."

The video-sharing platform said: "We are honoured to be a home for our immensely diverse community of families, small businesses, and creators who transform into our favorite stars."

TikTok has become a part of life for people around the world because of the "creativity and authenticity of our creators."

The announcement further added that TikTok's global community is remarkable in its ability to reach millions of people across generations.

Earlier this month, TikTok had launched a localised Urdu version of its safety centre in Pakistan.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/04/10/2021/tiktok-becomes-home-to-one-billion-users/

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp has announced the business directory to quickly find local businesses within WhatsApp, WABetainfo reported Wednesday.

“This feature may not be available to you right now, but it will be rolled out for more people later,” WABetainfo wrote.
In order to bolster e-commerce on its services, a new test has been rolled out which allows users to find shops and services through a directory in the app.

“This could be...the primary way that people start a commerce process in WhatsApp,” Matt Idema, Facebook’s vice president of business messaging, said in an interview with Reuters this week.

WhatsApp, unlike Facebook and Instagram, does not run ads in its app. Idema said previously businesses were promoting their WhatsApp numbers on packaging or websites or using Facebook ads to bring users into chats on WhatsApp.

The messaging service has increasingly courted business users, with a specialised app for small firms and an API, or type of software interface, for larger businesses to connect their systems, which generates revenue.

As online retail has continued to boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, Facebook has pushed in-app shopping features across its apps. In June, Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s Shops feature would expand to WhatsApp in several countries. In recent years, WhatsApp also has also launched shopping tools like product catalogues and shopping carts.

WhatsApp said the new test would include thousands of businesses in categories like food, retail and local services across certain São Paulo neighbourhoods. Idema said India and Indonesia were good next candidates to expand the feature.

The company, which has faced user backlash amid confusion over privacy updates and was fined by the Irish data protection regulator over privacy breaches, said it will not know or store the location of people’s search or results through the new directory feature.
Read Full Article Here>>> https://optimistchannel.com/04/10/2021/whatsapp-issued-out-new-business-directory-to-promote-e-commerce/

This season was packed with a lot of shocking twists, pranks and unexpected turns. One of which was Emmanuel and Liquorose’s secured position as top 5 finalists. The duo popularly referred to as ‘Emmarose’, were saved from last week’s eviction after Emmanuel won ultimate veto power. He made Liquorose head of house with Cross as the deputy.

Liquorose established herself as a top contender from the beginning of this season’s show. Emmanuel on the other hand, appeared to have struggled for weeks before he found his footing. Some fans connect his growth on the show to his relationship with Liquorose.

Emmanuel and Liquorose first set their eyes on each other at the beginning of the show. Their connection garnered mixed reactions from fans watching. Many were of the impression that the ship would soon sink. Although they weren’t a terrible match, fans seemed to be worried about Liquorose growing more attached than he would.

Other housemates also spent their time analyzing the various ships that developed throughout the course of the show. When it came to Liquor and Emmanuel’s relationship, some came to the conclusion that Emmanuel was an unrepentant flirt and Liquorose would end up hurt eventually.

We have seen different relationships form on the show with each person scared to define the relationship or properly state their intentions. Emmarose was no different. They mentioned enjoying each other’s company as their only reason for being together and nothing serious. But when Liquorose was mandated by Big Brother to avoid Emmanuel, we got to see how much he truly cared about her.

Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/02/10/2021/how-liquorose-and-emmanuel-became-the-last-survivalist-in-the-bbnaija-house/

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone D, has condemned the ‘reckless’ closure of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State by the Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede-led management and demanded as a matter of urgency and necessity the re-opening of the institution for students to continue their examinations.

The NANS Zone D also threatened to call for the removal of the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede even as it disclosed that its Zonal leadership will relocate its secretariat to the University campus gate until the VC reverses the decision.
They also called on the students of the university and all student union bodied across the South West to mobilise in numbers for a showdown on Saturday until the management rescinds its decision, adding that it shall be calling for the removal of the University Vice-Chancellor at that spot and they shall be mobilised in their numbers.
In a press statement signed by the duo of Kowe Odunayo Amos, Coordinator, NANS Zone D and Giwa Yisa Temitope, Secretary-General, NANS Zone D, they described the directive by the institution management to close down the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State as extremely infantile and primitive.

This is even as it demanded an immediate reversal of the decision by the management to close the institution which it claimed was draconian, hasty and unnecessary.


While describing the decision by the management to close down the institution as expected, NANS expressed disappointment at the institution’s management for doing it in response to students’ agitation over the death of Adesina Omowumi Aishat, a Part 4 student of the Department of Foreign Languages who died as a result of negligence by health workers at the University Health Centre.

According to the press statement, “As an association, we find it appalling that the University management could go to the extent of twisting the narrative by saying that she was adequately treated. Meanwhile, reverse was the case.
Read Full Article Here>>>> https://optimistchannel.com/02/10/2021/oau-shutdown-nans-threatens-mass-protest-request-vice-chancellors-removal/