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 Politics / Re: Again, Family Loses Bid To Reclaim Abacha’s Loot by Weneda(m): 7:20am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Evans2000:Nigeria would have been great if not for their self centered mindset 1 Like |
| Politics / Again, Family Loses Bid To Reclaim Abacha’s Loot by Weneda(m): 6:27am On Jan 23, 2021 |
Friday Olokor , Abuja The Supreme Court on Friday declined a request by a brother to the late Gen . Sani Abacha, Alhaji Ali Abacha , to unfreeze the accounts traced to him and relatives of the late dictator in the United Kingdom, Switzerland , Jersey , Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.https://punchng.com/again-family-loses-bid-to-reclaim-abachas-loot/
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| Politics / Sans, Afenifere Back Akeredolu, Fault Presidency, NEF Disagrees by Weneda(m): 6:04am On Jan 21, 2021 |
Our Reporters Three senior lawyers and groups, including Afenifere and the Yoruba Council of Elders , on Wednesday , criticised the Presidency over its stand on the Ondo State Government ’s ultimatum to herdsmen in the state ’s forest reserves . But the Northern Elders ’ Forum directed the Fulani herdsmen to disregard the notice to quit forest reserves in the state . Also on Wednesday , the Ondo State Government said it did not tell herdsmen to leave the state or its forests, but forest reserves , which had become hideouts of kidnappers. Recall that the Ondo State Governor , Rotimi Akeredolu , had on Monday ordered herdsmen to leave the state ’s forest reserves within seven days . The Presidency , in a statement by the President ’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu , faulted the governor , saying he should not act outside his constitutional powers . In a telephone interview with The PUNCH, the Secretary General of the YCE , Dr Kunle Olajide , described as unconstitutional , the reaction of the Presidency . Olajide said, “ Any Nigerian is free to live in any part of the country in as much as he lives in peace with the people without engaging in violence or constituting a threat to the survival and wellbeing of others . But how do you explain a situation where you get to a place and engage in crime and criminality , killing and maiming of innocent people and plundering their farmlands and the likes ? READ ALSO : CSO knocks Wike as Rivers gov donates N 500m to Sokoto fire victims FG shunned S’ West govs’ alarm on herdsmen ’ s attacks – YCE Commending Akeredolu , he stated , “ The Presidency has turned a deaf ear to the calls of the people and governors of the South -West for protection from these herders in the last five years . “ The herders in Yoruba land are Fulani. Therefore the issue of ethnicising crime does not arise . The Federal Government ought to do the needful by calling security officers to act and enforce orders issued by the lawful authority in the state. ” Buhari shows no pretence representing Fulani – Afenifere The pan -Yoruba group , Afenifere , in a statement titled , ‘Ondo Forests : Fulani Presidency Again ,’ issued by its National Publicity Secretary , Mr Yinka Odumakin , said the Muhammadu Buhari regime had again shown its non -pretence as representing the Fulani interests above other tribes in the country . Afenifere stated , “ The intervention by what we mistakenly call the Federal Government of Nigeria on behalf of marauding Fulani in Ondo State against the lawful government in that state did not come to Afenifere as a surprise as it is in line with the non -pretence by this regime that it represents only the Fulani interests against those of Yoruba , Igbo , Junkun , Ijaw and other tribes in Nigeria. “ That the Federal Government and its minion , Garba Shehu , could only hear Ondo State when Governor Akeredolu was very loud and clear about herders to vacate forest reserves in the state is symptomatic that this government has a serious problem with heating the rest of us when the issue involves its anointed Fulani. “ The Fulani criminals have caused untold hardships in Ondo State and other Yoruba towns and cities in recent time and only an irresponsible government that wants to behave like our Federal Government will continue to fold its arms . “ What has this government done to assure our people that it can protect our lives with the open murders of Mrs Funke Olakunri , the Olufon of Ifon and the Deputy Registrar of the Federal University of Technology , Akure , among many others ?” On its part , the Coalition of Oduduwa Elders , in a statement by its National Coordinator , Dr . Tunde Aremu and National Secretary , Folake Ajasin , supported the quit notice given by the governor to Fulani herdsmen to leave forest reserves . Presidency doesn ’ t know meaning of forest reserves – Gani Adams Also, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland , Gani Adams, said Akeredolu had constitutional rights to give a notice to quit to illegal residents in the forest reserves . YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: We can ’ t confirm beneficiaries got N 226. 8bn intervention grants – AuGF In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams said the Presidency had failed to address the security situation across the country . He stated , “ Garba Shehu / Presidency apparently doesn ’ t know the meaning of forest reserves . It ’ s not accessible except to authorised personnel / loggers . Apart from the place being a place for valued cash trees , it also means a haven of safety for protected animals against poachers . The herdsmen living in the forests are not only unauthorised, they also would likely cut down trees to make fires and must also kill animals for food. ” Also farmers in Ondo State supported the governor and asked him to back up his ultimatum with a law . The Chairman of the Ondo State Agricultural Commodities ’ Association , Mr Gbenga Obaweya , in an interview with The PUNCH , urged the governor to sponsor a grazing bill at the state House of Assembly to tackle the security challenges in the state . Don ’ t politicise security , SAN tells FG A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tayo Oyetibo, in an interview with The PU NCH said Akeredolu had the right to ask herdsmen to leave the state government forest reserves , urging the Presidency not to politicise the matter. He said, “ As the chief security officer of the state , the state governor has the power to say that those that are occupying the forest should come and register although I would have expected that law should have been passed to that effect to control the movement of people in the forest . “ I think the Presidency is misunderstanding the governor , everybody in Nigeria should support the safety of anybody living in any part of Nigeria . So if those living in the forest are committing crimes, government , whether federal or state , should see to the discovery of those that are behind the crimes . This I think is the motive of the governor of Ondo State and I don ’t think that issue should be politicised at all . “ They ( the FG ) should meet with the state governor and see what is happening in Ondo State to nip it in the bud before it ’s a mess . I don ’ t think it ’s a matter for politics at all . ” Akeredolu acting within his powers – Yusuf Ali Similarly , another senior advocate , Yusuf Ali, who spoke to one of our correspondents , said the state governor had the right to determine whatever he wishes on the land in the state. He said, “ Any land within each state of the federation is given in trust of the governor for the citizens of the state , so technically speaking , it means the land in the state belongs to the governor and somebody who owns something has a right to determine the use of that thing. “ If truly the Land Use Act had vested all the lands in the state to the state government then the governor has the right to determine how the land would be used , who may have access , who may not have access .” READ ALSO : Falana tackles Army over man’ s seven- month detention for Facebook videos Another SAN, Mr Ebun -Olu Adegboruwa , also faulted the Presidency . In an interview with The PUNCH, the senior advocate said the Presidency misinterpreted sections of the constitution . Adegboruwa said , “ I salute the courage of the governor . He displayed rare statesmanship and courage. I think it is a lesson for all governors to take hold of their territories and safeguard the lives and property of people . But another SAN , Mike Ozekhome , in his position , stated , “ The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , 1999 ( as altered ) provides the right to freedom of movement throughout Nigeria of a citizen , and to reside in any part thereof. Section 41 ( 1 ) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , in very clear and precise words , provides as follows : “ Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof , and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom .” According to him, the Presidency has every right to call the governor of Ondo State to order . Order not notice to quit , we only asked herdsmen to leave forest reserves , not forests – Ondo Meanwhile, the Ondo State Government on Wednesday insisted that the Federal Government ’s opposition to notice to quit would not change its position. Speaking to one of our correspondents , Akeredolu ’s Special Adviser on Security Matter, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo , said the government was serious about the issue . In the same vein , the government also stated that the governor ’s order was in the interest of the residents of the state , including the Fulani herdsmen . It warned that the governor ’s directive should not be misinterpreted to mean notice to quit for the Fulani that reside in the state . The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation , Mr Donald Ojogo stated these on the Channels Television , programme , monitored on Wednesday . YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 21 million subscribers still without NINs , say telcos Ojogo said, “ Insecurity is a national issue and no part of the country is exempted . Now kidnapping and banditry are now becoming a pandemic so to say . If actually Garba Shehu issued the statement , then he owes the nation explanation to let people know why he must take up the fight of criminal elements. I do not believe that with his pedigree , he might want to offer himself as spokesperson for the people masquerading as herdsmen and committing crimes . “ Government did not say Fulani people should leave Ondo State. Some herdsmen have occupied the forest reserves and in this case, the forest reserves are different from the natural forests. Government has not come out to say that the Fulani should vacate all the forests in Ondo State . The focus here is the forest reserves . “ There are specific purposes that forest reserves have been earmarked for . There are thousands of hectares of land in the thick forest . Unfortunately , some of those criminal elements have gone to mingle with Fulani herdsmen who have occupied portions of these forest reserves and settlements . In any case, anytime victims are kidnapped , they take them into the depth of forest reserves , and security agencies have had enough evidence to show that victims are taken into the forests. “ So what government is trying to do is to clear the mess by a way of regulating the activities of herdsmen and not only Fulani people are herdsmen. The governor ( Akeredolu ) was explicit in his directive.” Disregard Akeredolu ’ s order , NEF tells herdsmen But the NEF asked the Fulani not to leave the forest reserves , describing Akeredolu ’s order as provocative . The NEF Director ( Publicity and Advocacy ) , Dr . Hakeem Baba -Ahmed , said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday . The statement reads , “ It has , however , become necessary to speak at this stage and offer advice before mischief makers capitalize on the issue to compound our existing challenges around security and co -existence . “ Governor Akeredolu is a senior lawyer who should know that the constitution does not give him the power to deny any Nigerian the right to live where he chooses if he does not break the law in the process. “ His duty to protect and improve the security of citizens and all people in Ondo State cannot be challenged . Indeed , all governors need more support to improve their responses to security challenges which citizens face . Nonetheless , no Nigerian has the power to take punitive action against citizens on political grounds . READ ALSO : Cooking gas price rises by 29% in two months “ The forum urges the Fulani community in Ondo to stay where they are and continue to be law -abiding . They should collaborate with all legitimate authorities to police their communities against criminal elements, but they should resist moves to be labelled entirely as criminals . Eviction : Makinde allays Fulani fear Meanwhile, the Oyo State Governor , Seyi Makinde , has said that no individual or group has the right to initiate forceful eviction of the Fulani from the state . Makinde gave the warning in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday in reaction to the ultimatum that was given a popular businessman and activist from Oke Ogun axis of the state . The governor while reiterating his determination to uphold the nation ’s constitution , said the common enemies of the people were not the Hausa /Fulani, but the hoodlums, cultists , armed robbers , kidnappers and bandits . Makinde said, “ We cannot overlook the fact that there had indeed been instances that caused concern . The fragile peace between the herdsmen and farmers in Oke Ogun is being threatened . Individuals who are not authorised are going around chasing people from their homes and causing mayhem . This assault on residents of Oyo State is not the way to further the Yoruba cause . ” By Gbenga Adeniji , Friday Olokor , Oluwatosin Omojuyigbe , Sodiq Oyeleke , Peter Dada and Wale Oyewale https://punchng.com/sans-afenifere-back-akeredolu-fault-presidency-nef-disagrees/ |
| Sports / Rivers Begins Admission Into Madrid Academy by Weneda(m): 12:16pm On Jan 19, 2021 |
Dennis Naku , Port Harcourt The Rivers State Ministry of Education , in collaboration with the Real Madrid Football Academy , Rivers State , on Monday kicked -off selection process for admission into the Real Madrid Football Academy in Port Harcourt . The process began with an aptitude test held at the premises of Model Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta in the state capital. This was contained in a statement issued by the media aide to Prof . Kaniye Ebeku , the State Commissioner for Education , Faustina Nwanekwu and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt . The statement read, “ Supervised by the state Commissioner for Education Professor Kaniye Ebeku and the S .A on Real Madrid Football Academy , Rivers State , Mr . Christopher Green, the exercise was held under strict compliance with all COVID -19 health protocols . Candidates were required to wear nose masks , and to ensure physical and social distancing ; 24 classrooms and 120 sitting capacity hall was used for the test . “ The exercise was well organised and managed . There was palpable enthusiasm for the exercise , and equal eagerness on the part of prospective candidates to gain admission into the specialised academy. “ The process continues on Tuesday at the Sharks Stadium , Port Harcourt , with practical screening to assess the candidates ’ footballing skills .” https://punchng.com/rivers-begins-admission-into-madrid-academy/ |
| Crime / Re: David Ntekim-Rex: Robbery Victim Dies After Police, Hospital Refused To Save Him by Weneda(m): 10:26pm On Jan 18, 2021 |
adadike:Okpuno Awka, my base then when i was a zikite 1 Like 1 Share |
| Politics / Re: What Is The Name Of Your Local Government Chairman? by Weneda(m): 8:25am On Jan 18, 2021 |
Hon Solomon Abel Eke, Obio Akpor local government Area, Rivers State 1 Like |
| Politics / NIN: FG Insists On Wednesday Deadline, Diplomats’ Registration by Weneda(m): 8:22am On Jan 18, 2021 |
Okechukwu Nnodim , Abuja The Federal Government on Sunday insisted that the deadlines given for the registration of all Subscriber Identification Modules with valid National Identity Numbers were still in force . It also declared that the NIN was mandatory for diplomats who reside in Nigeria , as well as for all other lawful residents across the country . Asked whether the Federal Government had eventually advised the Nigerian Communications Commission as regards the deadlines for SIM registration with NIN , the Director , Public Affairs, NCC , Ikechukwu Adinde , told our correspondent that nothing had changed . On Thursday , The PUNCH exclusively reported that the NCC was awaiting the advice of the Federal Government as regards the stipulated deadlines . “ The deadlines are still in force; there is no update for now and just like I told you last week , if there is any change you will be communicated , ” Adinde stated on Sunday . Calls for deadline extension are mainly due to the large crowds that gather daily at the various offices of the National Identity Management Commission , as many telephone subscribers had yet to get their NINs . On December 15 , 2020 , the Federal Government declared that after December 30 , 2020 , all SIMs that were not registered with valid NINs on the network of telecommunications companies would be blocked . It later extended the December 30 , 2020 deadline following widespread opposition against the earlier announcement and gave three - week extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30 , 2020 to January 19 , 2021 . It also gave six- week extension for subscribers without NIN from December 30 , 2020 to February 9 , 2021 , but many organisations had called for further deadline extension or outright suspension of the NIN integration process. This came as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy , Isa Pantami, declared on Sunday that all diplomats living in Nigeria must have NINs . The minister approved the setting up of a NIN enrolment centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomats. The desk would be set up on January 19 , 2021 . A statement issued in Abuja by Pantami ’s aide , Femi Adeluyi, stated that the centre would provide support for members of the diplomatic corps and would be managed by the communications ministry through NIMC . The ministry stated that the centre was being set up based on the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats. It said , “ The NIN is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more . “ It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the NIMC Act 2007 .” It stated that the law had made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain a NIN since 2007 . It , however, noted that compliance had been low , until recently . It said the communications ministry was committed to creating an environment that was conducive for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their NINs . https://punchng.com/nin-fg-insists-on-wednesday-deadline-diplomats-registration/ |
| Politics / BREAKING: Ex-minister, Martins-kuye, Is Dead by Weneda(m): 1:21pm On Jan 17, 2021 |
Daud Olatunji , Abeokuta A former Minister of State for Finance and Minister of Commerce and Industry , Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye , has died . One of his children, Bolaji, confirmed this to The PUNCH on Sunday . He said, “ I can confirm to you that he passed on about 10 : 05 this morning . It was a painful loss to us, but, we give glory to God for the impactful life that he lived while he was alive because he touched the lives of many people . “ He died in his residence at Victoria Garden City , Lagos . “ We are about to convey his remains to his home town where he would be hopefully interred by 4 pm , according to Islamic rites. ” The Ago -Iwoye born politician was appointed as Minister of Commerce and Industry on April 6 , 2010 , when Acting President Goodluck Jonathan announced his cabinet. The late Martins- Kuye was born on August 1942 in Ago Iwoye , Ijebu constituency of Ogun State . He studied sociology at the University of Ibadan ( 1965 -1968 ) and then Economics at the Harvard University Business School , graduating in 1983 . He gained qualifications as a Chartered Accountant . Martins- Kuye was a senator in the Nigerian Third Republic . Martins- Kuye became a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party towards the end of the Sani Abacha regime . He was a candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party platform for governor of Ogun State in 1999 . He was appointed Minister of State for Finance in June 1999 during the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo , serving until June 2003 . In July 2002 , as Minister of Finance , he announced that Nigeria’ s GDP had grown by 4 per cent annually by the World Bank ’s estimate , the highest rate for ten years https://punchng.com/breaking-ex-minister-martins-kuye-is-dead/ |
| TV/Movies / Re: What's The Best Nigerian Movie You've Ever Watched? by Weneda(m): 8:36pm On Jan 16, 2021 |
State of emergency |
| Politics / Re: President Buhari Appoints Buba Marwa As DG Of NDLEA by Weneda(m): 1:49pm On Jan 16, 2021 |
Why a northern man? 1 Like |
| Education / FG Bans Assemblies, Overcrowding, Visiting Days As Schools Resume On Monday 18 by Weneda(m): 9:30am On Jan 15, 2021 |
The Federal Government, on Thursday, banned overcrowding and large gatherings such as assemblies and visiting days, as schools reopen on Monday. https://punchng.com/fg-bans-assemblies-overcrowding-others-as-schools-resume-monday/ 1 Like
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| Health / Lagos, Oyo Plan Purchase, Ogun, Cross River, Benue Fault Allocations by Weneda(m): 4:40am On Jan 14, 2021 |
Our Reporters The Nigerian Medical Association , the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives and a coalition of labour and civil society organisations , the Alliance for the Survival of COVID -19 and Beyond , have advised the Federal Government to ensure transparency in the distribution of COVID -19 vaccines . The NMA , the NANNM and the ASCAB, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on Wednesday , said priority should be given to frontline health workers and the aged during the vaccination of Nigerians against deadly coronavirus. The group said this as Ogun , Oyo and Cross River states faulted the number of COVID -19 doses allocated to them by the Federal Government. On its part , the Benue State Government said the issue of allocation of COVID -19 vaccine doses ought to have been discussed at the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum. But Lagos and Oyo states stated that they planned to buy COVID -19 vaccines . All the states said they were not involved in deciding the sharing formula for the vaccine doses . Recall that the Federal Government had last week , said it was expecting 100 ,000 doses of Pfizer / BioNTech coronavirus vaccine before the end of the month. The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency , Faisal Shuaib, who disclosed this on Tuesday last week during a press conference of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 , said the country would later in the year receive 42 million free doses of COVID -19 vaccines . The NPHCDA , at a webinar on Friday , released the sharing formula for 100 ,000 doses of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine. According to the data shared by NPHCDA , the distribution breakdown is as follows Kano , 3 ,557 ; Lagos , 3, 131 ; Katsina, 2 , 361; Kaduna, 2 ,074 ; Bauchi , 1 ,900 ; Oyo, 1 , 848 ; Rivers , 1, 766 ; Jigawa, 1 ,712 ; Niger , 1 ,558 ; Ogun , 1 ,473 ; Sokoto, 1 , 468; Benue , 1, 423 ; Borno , 1 , 416; Anambra , 1 , 379; Kebbi , 1 ,268 ; Zamfara , 1 ,336 ; Delta, 1, 306 ; Imo , 1 ,267 ; Ondo , 1, 228 ; and Akwa Ibom, 1 , 161 . Others are Adamawa, 1 ,129 ; Edo , 1 ,104 ; Plateau , 1 ,089 ; Enugu, 1, 088 ; Osun, 1 ,032 ; Kogi , 1 , 030 ; Cross River , 1 ,023 ; Abia, 955 ; Gombe , 908 ; Yobe , 842 ; Ekiti, 830 ; Taraba , 830; Kwara , 815 ; Ebonyi , 747 ; Bayelsa , 589 ; FCT , 695 and Nasarawa , 661. The NMA National President , Professor Innocent Ujah , in an interview with The PUNCH, advised the Federal Government to ensure openness in the distribution of the vaccine. Vaccinate health workers first — NMA Ujah stated that frontline health workers , who are at the risk of the dreaded coronavirus , should be considered first. He stated, “ The issue of openness is very important . Even if the vaccine doses are very few , let Nigerians know that they are appropriately distributed . This will avoid mistrust and anxiety among Nigerians . “ If the vaccine comes , it is appropriate that the frontline health workers who are at the risk should get the first shot .” Ujah also said the NMA was ready to work with government in the distribution of the COVID -19 vaccine . He , however , said that the association would not impose its members on the Federal Government , but it would accept an invitation from government . He also said politicians and wealthy Nigerians , who could afford to travel out of the country , could go and take the vaccine abroad . On his part , the NANNM President , Abdul Rafiu Adeniji , advised the Federal Government to consider first, health workers , the elderly and children . Adeniji said, “ The vaccine is very useful , but limited in supply for now . We must make use of sound judgment in the distribution of the available ones . “ The distribution should start from healthcare professionals because only a safe worker can deliver quality services . The elderly ones who are at the risk should be the next .” An activist , Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin , told The PUNCH that government must ensure accountability in distributing of the vaccines . She said , “ Travelling out to any part of the world to receive COVID -19 vaccination , by those who can afford it , especially private individuals , should not be an issue of worry , as long as such expenditures are not made the burden of the taxpaying citizens of Nigeria. ” The ASCAB, a coalition led by human rights lawyer , Mr . Femi Falana , SAN , said, “ Priority should be given to health workers and the community health centres . ” The General Secretary of the ASCAB, Ade Atambi , stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Wednesday in Abuja . But Ogun , Oyo and Cross River state governments faulted the allocations given to them . The Ogun State Government questioned the rationale behind the Federal Government ’s sharing formula for the COVID - 19 vaccine doses . The government said it had expected that the sharing formula should have reflected the locking down of the state together with Lagos and Federal Capital Territory in 2021 . The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communications , Remmy Hazzan, said these on Wednesday while speaking with one of our correspondents . Hazzan said the state government had yet to know the details of the sharing formula and the template that was used . He said, “ That news is just getting to us . Reasons for which the sharing was done we are not in the know. Of course , everybody knows that Lagos is the epicentre and even in the lockdown directive of the Federal Government , you will see that it was a rat race involving Lagos and Ogun states as well as the FCT ( the Federal Capital Territory ) . “ So, why we are not getting as many as we should get , we don’ t know, but when the details are out , we will be able to respond accordingly . I want to believe that those people that are there ( NPHCDA ) know what they are doing . “ Our reaction will be measured until we see the template adopted and the reason behind the template . “ One would ordinarily have expected that if Ogun State is one of the three ( Ogun , FCT and Lagos ) seen as critical to the containment of the virus and we were among the three that actually went into the federally- imposed lockdown , anything that has to do with sharing of solutions to this COVID - 19 pandemic should also have been reflected in that same manner . ” Oyo ’ s allocation inadequate, we will get additional vaccines – State govt The Oyo State Government said vaccine doses allocated to the state by the Federal Government were not inadequate. The state Governor, Seyi Makinde , said alternative provisions would be made for additional vaccines to be procured for the state . The governor who spoke to one of our correspondents through his Chief Press Secretary , Taiwo Adisa, said, “ We don’ t have vaccine yet in Nigeria so, the allocation was made on paper ahead of its availability in the country . The governor said this evening that the number that is projected to be given to Oyo is grossly inadequate and that the state is going to make alternative arrangements . “ The state would talk to alternative manufacturers of vaccines and make direct procurement where possible . With 1 , 800 vaccines , if a person is injected with two dozes , only 900 people would get . When you look at this in consideration of the population of Oyo State, what percentage would that be ? That is why the state needs to open discussion with other manufacturers of certified vaccines .” Cross River ’ s allocation not enough – Commissioner The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu , in an interview with one of our correspondents , said doses of COVID - 19 vaccine allocated to the state would not be enough for its over 5, 000 health workers She , “ The sharing was done based on places considered to be hot spots . More concentration was on Lagos , Abuja and other hot spots in the country . “ Cross River has very few cases . However, the vaccine that would be sent is definitely not enough. It cannot even go round our health workers . We will be seeking more .” Lagos to get COVID - 19 vaccine doses , says commissioner But the Lagos State Government said it was making efforts to get COVID -19 vaccine doses for residents aside from the arrangement being made for the country by the Federal Government . The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy , Mr Gbenga Omotoso , stated this while reacting to the sharing formula released by the NPHCDA . Omotosho, who spoke to one of our correspondents on the telephone , said the state government was surprised at seeing the allocations to different states. He said, “ Nobody has involved us in what the national vaccine strategy would be . So, all these are new to us. We have not heard anything from the Federal Government ; there has been no directive. But whatever they give us, we will take . “ We are also working on getting our own independently. No matter what happens , the safety of Lagosians is our priority. Whatever it will take , the government will ensure that when the vaccine arrives , Lagosians are not left out . Also, the Benue State Commissioner for Information , Mrs Ngunan Adingi, said that the state had yet to receive the COVID - 19 vaccine distribution list . Adingi, in a chat with The PUNCH , said, “ We have not received any vaccine in the state neither have we been given distribution list of the vaccine. It wasn ’ t discussed at govs ’ forum – Benue commissioner “ If anything of such is going to happen , I know that it has to be discussed at Governors Forum and this has not happened . I just called the Commissioner for Health and he told me that nothing of such has happened . ” Over 20 doctors infected with COVID - 19 at UITH – ARD Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 doctors have been infected with COVID -19 at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in the last three to four weeks . The President of the UITH chapter of Association of Resident Doctors , Dr Badmus Habeeb , stated this in a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday . But the management of UITH said that it was not aware of the development . The Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Hospital , Mr Biodun Fagbemi , said , “ The management is not aware that any doctor in the hospital has contracted COVID -19 , honestly we are not aware . ” But Badmus insisted that members of the association were battling with the pandemic. He stated, “ Over 20 of our members have been infected with the virus in the past three to four weeks . In fact , they could even be more than that . Some actually tested positive and have proceeded to isolation in their homes while others are on admission at the state isolation centre , Sobi, Ilorin . “ We are happy that we have not lost any of them . Some have been treated others are still on admission. We keep on reminding our members to always remember to keep to preventive measures and those that are on admission we support them psychologically and give them medical assistance .” Also confirming the infection , former President of the ARD in the hospital, Dr Lanre Olosunde said , “ We are lucky that we don ’t have any mortality, but some are still on admission.” By Sunday Aborisade , Friday Olokor, Samson Folarin , John Charles , Makurdi , Ada Wodu, Daud Olatunji and Tunde Oyekola https://punchng.com/covid-19-vaccine-lagos-oyo-plan-purchase-ogun-criver-benue-fault-allocations/ |
| Crime / Re: Wole Agboola: Kidnappers Kill Oyo Farmer After Collecting N2m Ransom (Photos) by Weneda(m): 12:46pm On Jan 13, 2021 |
handiwork of the enemies |
| Romance / Re: I Regret Being In A Relationship by Weneda(m): 10:59am On Jan 13, 2021 |
BonPatrick:The girl is toying with ur emotion. The way I'm seeing it, is as if u re the one forcing the relationship/the girl 2 Likes |
| Foreign Affairs / Indonesian President Receives Chinese COVID-19 Vaccine by Weneda(m): 10:34am On Jan 13, 2021 |
( ANI / Sputnik / NAN ) Indonesian President Joko Widodo received his first shot of the Chinese COVID-19 vaccine, Sinovac, on Wednesday, marking the launch of the country’s mass immunisation programme, reports said. “I have received the Sinovac vaccine injection. BPOM evaluation, the efficacy is 65.3 per cent, above the WHO standard of 50 per cent,” Widodo tweeted. Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) chief Penny Lukito announced on Monday that the Sinovac vaccine was 65.3 per cent effective. He made the announcement during late phase clinical trials conducted in Indonesia, reported Sputnik. The Muslim-majority nation’s top religious body also approved the vaccine as halal, meaning permissible under Islam, a move that could help convince wary citizens. “Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) also declared the Sinovac vaccine halal,” tweeted Widodo. Previous vaccination drives have met resistance in the world’s fourth-largest populous country. After the clearance from MUI, the Indonesian President “ordered that the COVID-19 vaccination be carried out immediately throughout the country”. According to Sputnik, live footage of the vaccination was broadcast on Indonesian television channels. Earlier, BPOM granted Sinovac vaccine against COVID-19 for emergency use approval on Monday. The Indonesian government has 125 million doses of the Chinese-developed vaccine on order and 3 million doses have been delivered so far. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 846,000 cases of COVID-19 have been registered by public health officials in Indonesia. That includes the 10,047 new positive tests added to the case total on Tuesday. https://www.sunnewsonline.com/indonesian-president-receives-chinese-covid-19-vaccine/ |
| Politics / Buhari Approves Envoys’ Posting Six Months After Confirmation by Weneda(m): 8:35am On Jan 13, 2021 |
Adelani Adepegba , Abuja The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd.) , has approved the posting of ambassador -designates to Nigerian Missions abroad . The list includes 43 career ambassadors and 52 non- career ambassadors . This is coming six months after the envoy -designates were confirmed by the Senate . The PUNCH had reported the delayed posting of the 95 ambassadors which had left the nation ’ s foreign missions without leadership. Sources attributed the delay to the intense lobbying by non- career ambassadors , who are candidates of powerful politicians , including governors. They were said to have lobbied for the Nigerian missions in the United Kingdom, the United States and other Western European countries , thus delaying the deployment of the envoys . Announcing the postings in a statement on Tuesday , the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb . Gabriel Aduda , said with the development , the process of requesting agreement from the prospective host countries had commenced . The statement reads partly, “ There will be an induction course for the Ambassador -designates and their spouses which will hold on a date to be announced shortly to prepare and facilitate the movement of the envoys to their respective missions.” https://punchng.com/buhari-approves-envoys-posting-six-months-after-confirmation/ |
| Politics / Muslim Forum Asks Kukah To Vacate Sokoto, Tender Apology by Weneda(m): 6:10am On Jan 13, 2021 |
CATHOLIC Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has been called upon to “quickly and quietly leave the seat of Caliphate” or immediately stop his “malicious vituperations against Islam and Muslims” and tender unreserved apology to the Muslim Ummah. https://punchng.com/muslim-forum-asks-kukah-to-vacate-sokoto-tender-apology/ 10 Likes 2 Shares
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| Foreign Affairs / Former Ghanaian President Rawlings For Burial January 27 by Weneda(m): 8:24pm On Jan 12, 2021 |
The funeral of Ghana’ s former President , Jerry Rawlings , has been rescheduled for 27 January, according to information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the international community and diplomatic missions. Media reports on Tuesday said Rawlings , who died on November 12 , 2020 , will lie in state from 24 -26 January at the Foyer of the Accra International Conference Centre from 0900 to 1700 GMT daily. There will be a funeral mass on 26 January at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra and a burial service on 27 January at the Independence Square in Accra. The funeral had initially been announced for 20 December, 2020 , before it was postponed indefinitely after concerns raised by his maternal family and elders . https://punchng.com/former-ghanaian-president-rawlings-for-burial-january-27/ |
| Politics / Stakeholders Worry Over SIM Replacement, NIN Registration Policies by Weneda(m): 9:12am On Jan 12, 2021 |
Okechukwu Nnodim , Abuja The Federal Government ’s policy on the Feplacement of Subscriber Identification Modules and the deadline given for linking SIMs with valid National Identity Numbers are economically risky , stakeholders have said. Also, they noted that the deadline given by government for the linking of SIMs with NINs would not be met going by the recent happenings in the sector and the crowds at the offices of the National Identity Management Commission . On January 2 , the government released a policy for the replacement of SIMs belonging to subscribers whose SIMs had been lost , stolen , misplaced or damaged . It listed conditions for replacement of SIMs to include presentation of NIN by a subscriber and an effective verification of the NIN carried out by NIMC . It added that ‘ relevant guidelines and regulations of the National Communications Commission concerning SIM replacement are fully adhered to ’. The government had earlier declared on December 15 , 2020 that after December 30 , 2020 , all SIMs that were not registered with valid NINs on the network of telecommunications companies would be blocked . It later extended the December 30 , 2020 deadline following widespread opposition against the earlier announcement and gave three - week extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30 , 2020 to January 19 , 2021 . It also gave six- week extension for subscribers without NINs from December 30 , 2020 to February 9 , 2021 . But operators in the telecoms space see the recent policy of government as one capable of increasing the country ’ s risk exposure economically . The National Coordinator , Alliance for Affordable Internet , Olusola Teniola , said implementing the policies would impact negatively on Nigeria’ s fragile economy. He said the telecoms sector was contributing about 14 .6 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product of Nigeria , stressing that the country had more registered active SIMs that were not linked with NINs . Teniola, a former President , Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria , said, “ Now , let ’s say an average Nigerian has two SIMs , then automatically you have an active database of individuals that amounts to about 100 million Nigerians . But the update we have from NIMC is that we have 43 million persons who have NINs . “ So when you take 43 million away from 100 million , you can see that about 57 million Nigerians might be disconnected from using services that they rely on not only to connect their loved ones but also to transact businesses . “ The challenge really is that we have an economic risk here and if it plays out , it will have a potential negative impact on the contribution of the telecoms sector to the GDP . “ Also, you will have investors who are expecting returns on investments shying away from investing because there will be loss of confidence . ” The AAI coordinator noted that the challenge was now how one could quickly get the NIN , as the delay in getting the NIN would obviously determine the outcome of the industry going forward. He advised the government to review its decision , as it was not feasible to meet the set deadlines going by the recent happenings in sector . Teniola said, “ It is clear to me that the dates that we are trying to achieve are not going to be met . And the simple reasons include the challenge of logistics. “ Also, other agents outside from NIMC have not started capturing data and have not been able to produce NIN at the speed that is required to ensure that the economy is not impacted .” He added, “ So my advice to the government is that it should consider all the variables and ensure that this programme goes on for six months or one year because of the size of the country . “ The minister should listen to people who have the expertise because the process is currently not going on as smoothly as required . ” On his part , the current President of ATCON , Ikechukwu Nnamani , said the present challenge was the time required for everyone to get their NINs . He said, “ The issue now is how long will it take for everybody to have their NINs ? As you know, the registration process is currently ongoing . So if fortunately, we are able to get everybody registered , then it will be okay . “ But the challenge is that between now and when everybody registers, if you lose you SIM and don’ t have a NIN , it will be tough for you to replace the SIM .” The President , Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NIMC Unit , Asekokhai Lucky , stated that it would be tough to meet the deadline . According to him , there are a lot of issues to sort out between NIMC workers and the government . He also expressed worry over the sudden rush to have everyone registered , stressing that the process was being carried out at a time when the country was faced with the deadly COVID - 19 pandemic. Lucky urged the government to tread cautiously in order not to further worsen the economic fortunes of Nigeria , as it strives to link the SIMs of citizens with their various NINs . https://punchng.com/stakeholders-worry-over-sim-replacement-nin-registration-policies/ |
| Health / Hospitals Won’t Be Able To Handle Serious COVID-19 Cases Soon — NCDC by Weneda(m): 6:28am On Jan 12, 2021 |
Our Reporters The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says the country is now reaching a critical level , adding that the hospital capacity will no longer be able to cope with more serious COVID -19 cases . The Director -General of the NCDC , Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu , said this in a series of tweets on Monday while reacting to the spike in COVID - 19 infections in the last one month. Ihekweazu said this as the fear of COVID - 19 spread at the National Identity Management Commission grew on Monday because Nigerians besieged the NIMC offices following the workers ’ suspension of the strike they embarked upon on Thursday . Recall that Nigerians have been trooping to the NIMC offices since December 14 , 2020 when the Federal Government ordered telecommunications firms to disconnect telephone lines of subscribers who failed to link their NIN to their subscriber identification modules . No fewer than 164 million Nigerians , whose telephone lines could be disconnected on the grounds of not having the NIN , have been thronging NIMC offices , disregarding COVID -19 protocols such as wearing of face masks and social distancing . The matter came to a head on Thursday when the NIMC workers began a strike over the fear of COVID - 19 spread in the agency . The President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NIMC unit, Asekokhai Lucky , had exclusively told The PUNCH on Thursday that three workers of the agency at its headquarters had been infected with COVID - 19 . The Minister of State for Health, Dr . Olorunnimbe Mamora , had , on Channels Television ’ s Sunrise Daily programme earlier on Monday said the Federal Government might soon suspend the registration for the NIN . The minister said, “ My understanding is that the whole process may be suspended so as to reorder the whole process in terms of management of the crowd because it was never intended that it would become a rowdy process like that. So people may have to wait and be called at intervals to go through the process. But later at a press conference of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 , Mamora ruled out the suspension or postponement of the NIN , blaming the challenges on the attitude of Nigerians . Mamora stressed the need to avoid crowding as was seen under the guise of NIN enrolment. He said, “ There is absolutely no cause for this , if only people would voluntarily comply with advisories and guidelines as issued by the Ministry of Communications and its relevant agency . “ The statement credited to me on the social media as to the suspension of the exercise is out of context , hence misleading. For the avoidance of doubt , Mr. President ’ s order on the matter remains as being carried out by the relevant ministry . Mamora added that the result from the tests conducted on prospective National Youth Service Corps members had confirmed that no part of the country was free of COVID - 19 . The minister also said that the plan of the Federal Government regarding activation of oxygen availability in the states was on course with a view to effecting immediate repairs of non -functional oxygen plants . On his part , Ihekweazu , in a series of tweets on Monday , said Nigeria was reaching a critical level , adding that the hospital capacity would no longer be able to cope with serious COVID -19 cases . Sunday PUNCH had reported that Abuja had already begun facing shortage of bed spaces for critical cases who rely solely on oxygen which is also scarce . The NCDC DG tweeted , “ We are reaching a critical level where our hospital capacity will no longer be able to cope with more serious COVID -19 cases and health workers will be forced to make tough decisions . We need to protect our more vulnerable citizens. “ We all have to take responsibility. This is not for the NCDC , the PTF or government alone. By organising large gatherings indoors , you’ re not only putting yourself and guests at risk , but also the staff who have limited choice but to serve . By going to clubs, you ’re putting your parents at risk .” Ihekweazu added that the number of coronavirus cases reported in the country had been on the rise in the last four weeks. “ In the last four weeks , we‘ ve recorded a spike in the number of new COVID - 19 cases . The virus is spreading fast , causing mild symptoms in some and severe illness / death in others , ” he tweeted . The NCDC boss said Nigerians must note that the 100 , 000 persons that contracted COVID -19 in the last 11 months were not just figures but persons. “ Most important of all , the 100 ,000 cases and over 1 ,000 deaths are not just numbers. These are fathers , mothers , brothers, sisters, children , friends whose deaths will be mourned and the pain of their loss deeply felt. The response starts and ends with the people of this country ,” he said. Also at the press conference, the National Coordinator of the PTF , Dr Sani Aliyu, said the Federal Government was considering extension of the curfew hours as part of its response to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. At the peak of the first wave of the pandemic, the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd .) , had in April 2020 declared an 8 pm -to- 6 am curfew . It was eventually relaxed to 10 pm -4 am and later 12 am to 4 am, which still exists to date. But Aliyu said the Federal Government was in talks with the state governments on the review of the curfew . The PTF coordinator also sensitised health workers to patients who present persistent fever “ especially if there are respiratory symptoms or shortness of breath; it is possibly going to be COVID . ” Aliyu urged vulnerable persons to “ please stay at home , ” especially those who were above 60 or are diabetic and other core morbidities. He said, “ While we are not in ( another ) lockdown yet, it is in your best interest if you fall within this group to lock down because now is the time to actually keep away from the general public and mass gatherings . While answering questions from journalists , Aliyu noted that Nigeria was one of the few countries that had a two -test policy , which was introduced in September. He stated, “ Nigeria is one of the few countries that have had a double testing policy. When the problem arose with the UK and later on South Africa , a lot of countries temporarily banned flights from the UK . And what did they do ? They implemented the very same policy that we had from more than four months and running . ” Aliyu said the decision for a fresh lockdown did not rest with the PTF but all Nigerians . He said, “ On lockdown , the decision for lockdowns is in whose hands ? It is not in the hands of the PTF , it is in the hands of all of us the general public , because who wants to have a lockdown ? “ The Minister of Education , Mallam Adamu Adamu , said the January 18 date for schools to resume was not sacrosanct . He said the date would be subjected to a review as a new date might be announced. Adamu said, “ On the January 18 resumption , we are reviewing it , we are going to review it . At the PTF meeting today ( Monday ) we considered it and tomorrow ( today, Tuesday ) , the ministry is going to take it up .” The Executive Director , National Primary Health Care Development Age 3 ncy, Faisal Shuaib, explained that while Nigeria planned to vaccinate 70 per cent of its population , vaccine doses that would cover 20 per cent of the 70 per cent will be provided free the COVAX. “ It is the 50 per cent balance that we will pay for and the fund will be raised domestically ,” he further explained . Shuaib explained why Nigeria had not been able to produce its own vaccines . He said, “ There are questions around why we are not producing the COVID - 19 vaccines in Nigeria. I want to just put it on record that the process of producing a vaccine is very complex and complicated . You don ’t just go to a shelf and pick up a vaccine. So, it requires massive investments that have not been done for many decades. ” The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of PTF , Boss Mustapha , said the pilot exercise on the use of rapid diagnostic test -kits would be rolled out in five tertiary health institutions in Abuja and would be done next week . According to him , the current wave of infections had been swift and virulent just as no one knows how long it would last . The PTF Chairman lamented that reports from all over the world showed that the COVID - 19 pandemic was still wreaking huge havoc on humanity , economies and systems . He said that factors that had contributed to rise in numbers from late November 2020 included increased local and international travels, business and religious activities , re -opening of schools without strict compliance with COIVID -19 safety measures . But despite the NCDC ’s concern , Lagos residents on Monday besieged the NIMC headquarters at Alausa, Ikeja , as the agency resumed registration. The correspondent , who visited the scene , observed as people crowded the shut gate without observing COVID -19 protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks An official , who spoke to The PUNCH on condition of anonymity , said some applicants arrived at the centre as early as 4am . She explained that the workers had to clear a backlog of applicants , who were booked for last Thursday and Friday . She said, “ We resumed our operation today ( Monday ) . Because we did not work last Thursday and Friday , we had to accommodate those we had booked for those two days . In addition to those we booked for today , that meant three days ’ work for us.” Asked why the applicants did not observe COVID -19 protocols , the official said the agency had no control over what happened outside the complex . In Asaba , the Delta State capital, residents lamented the strict measures put in place by the NIMC . The crowd at the NIMC office in Asaba was large and officials were seen using microphones to announce the stringent measures to the applicants. By Eniola Akinkuotu , Friday Olokor , Adelani Adepegba , Samson Folarin , Leke Baiyewu and Matthew Ochei https://punchng.com/hospitals-wont-be-able-to-handle-serious-covid-19-cases-soon-ncdc/ |
| Health / Second Wave: Travels, School Reopening Caused COVID-19 Surge – PTF by Weneda(m): 10:36pm On Jan 11, 2021 |
Sodiq Oyeleke
https://punchng.com/second-wave-travels-school-reopening-caused-covid-19-surge-ptf/ 1 Like 1 Share
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| Crime / Re: Woman Accuses Her Husband Of Sexually Molesting Their 9-Month-Old Son by Weneda(m): 10:31pm On Jan 11, 2021 |
angelEmade:create a trend |
| Politics / Large Crowds: NIN Registration May Be Suspended, Says Health Minister by Weneda(m): 11:02am On Jan 11, 2021 |
Kayode Oyero Minister of State for Health, Dr . Olorunnimbe Mamora, has said the ongoing National Identification Number enrolment may be suspended over COVID -19 risks . He also urged the National Identity Management Commission to go back to the drawing board and re -order the enrolment process to avoid large crowds at its centres nationwide. Mamora , who is a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 , said the government has a duty to ensure Nigerians are protected at all times. He spoke on Monday while featuring on Channels Television ’ s Sunrise Daily programme monitored by The PUNCH. The minister said , “ I don ’ t feel good looking at the picture where people are gathered in multitude; it ’s like a superspreader event which we don’ t like . But I’ m also aware that the relevant ministry which is the communications and digital economy is looking at this . “ My understanding is that the whole process may be suspended so as to reorder the whole process in terms of management of the crowd because it was never intended that it would become a rowdy process like that .” Mamora added, “ We have a duty as government to ensure that people are protected ; we also have a duty to ensure people comply within the limit of what is good for the society at large .” The PUNCH had reported that NIMC workers embarked on strike last Thursday over exposure to COVID -19 risks , lack of personal protective equipment and poor funding . The workers , however , called off the industrial action some 24 hours later . The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communication Commission had ordered telecommunications companies to deactivate telephone lines of subscribers who failed to link their phones to their National Identity Number . It also said telcos subscribers with NIN have January 19 as deadline to link their NIN with their SIM cards while subscribers without NIN have until February 9 to do so. https://punchng.com/large-crowds-nin-registration-may-be-suspended-says-health-minister/ |
| Education / It’s Unsafe To Reopen Varsities Now, COVID-19 Guidelines Absent – ASUU by Weneda(m): 9:38am On Jan 11, 2021 |
Our Reporters Branches of the Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday assessed COVID - 19 protocols in the universities and said the institutions were not ready for safe reopening. The chapters of the union , in separate interviews with The PUNCH , commented on the directive of the National Universities Commission that universities could resume on January 18 , but must adhere to COVID -19 protocols in hostels and lecture halls . ASUU said although its members were ready to start work , government had not put measures in place for safe reopening of the schools . ASUU’ s concern came amid coronavirus cases and deaths, which rose to 99 ,063 and 1 ,350 respectively on Saturday . The union Chairman at the Obafemi Awolowo University , Osun State, Dr Adeola Egbedokun , in an interview with one of our correspondents , said classroom and hostel situations in universities did not in any way conform with COVID - 19 protocols . Egbedokun further said no preparations had been made so far for the safe re - opening of the universities and urged parents to insist on safety before re -opening . No preparation for COVID -19 protocols , insist on safe reopening , OAU ASUU tells parents He said, “ COVID -19 is very real and this second wave is as real as described . We cannot afford to toy with our health and the health of our dear students in the name of resumption , which is politically motivated . “ There are no preparations for safe re -opening of the universities and I think parents must insist on safe re - opening . The current classroom and hostel configurations in our universities do not in any way conform with the PTF ( Presidential Task Force ) on COVID -19 protocols . There is no way universities can achieve that . I have said this elsewhere, that rather than for government to have addressed the obvious deficits in the public universities during the lockdown and strike , they were playing to the gallery .” But the OAU spokesperson , Abiodun Olanrewaju , said the university management was ready for resumption and had put in place “ a lot in relation to the COVID -19 protocols ” in a bid to ensure safety . ASUU at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta said the university was not ready to cope with COVID - 19 challenges . The Chairman of ASUU-FUNAAB , Dr Adebayo Oni , in an interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday , stated , “ The lectures halls are overcrowded . As of today, in my own campus, I have not seen any facility for hand washing Who is to provide sanitisers ? Do you expect lecturers to provide sanitisers for themselves ? “ Fumigation of the environment from time to time should be done , How do you cope with students surge and the challenge of power supply ?” Oni said the union had observed that conducting physical lectures with students would be more disastrous . He described as alarming , figure of COVID - 19 . He said , “ It is definitely a threat to the resumption of academic activities . “ The fact is that under this circumstance and looking at the threat of the figure , going physical with students would be more disastrous . Conducting physical session, physical lectures with students would be more disastrous . “ The truth of the matter is that we now propose a mixed model of online teaching and probably some level of physical teachings . “ Even the online teaching also comes with its own facilities which are not readily available . “ We don’ t want to be pessimistic to say that it is not going to be workable . However , it is going to be at the risk of our lives and the lives of our students if the required facilities are not provided by the government . “ The truth is that the facilities to cope with the pandemic are not available in our institutions . It appears the government is not ready and our institutions are not helpful. ” Also, the Chairman of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University branch of ASUU, Dr Musa Babayo , in a text message sent to our one of our correspondents , said that the government and institutions did not show any sign of seriousness in handling COVID -19 issues when the union was on strike . He said that ASUU in the ATBU had yet to see any tangible improvement in students ’ hostel accommodation , classrooms and other things needed for COVID - 19 protocols . Babayo who said that if the Federal Government had released funds to universities , proper arrangements for the protocols would have been made by the institutions . He said, “ The coast is now very clear since has ASUU suspended its strike and it has gone further to show how government and institutions are not serious in the handling universities , particularly the issues of COVID -19 . “ When you talk about ATBU and resumption whether ASUU is satisfied , I can tell you that we have yet to see any tangible improvement , whether in hostel accommodation , classrooms and other things needed for COVID - 19 protocols .” But the Public Relations Officer of the university , Bauchi , Abdulkadir Shehu , told one of our correspondents that the resumption of students of the institution had yet to be announced. He said , “ Yesterday ( Saturday ) fumigation of the school at both the Yelwa and Gubu campuses commenced and it will soon be concluded. ” The Chairman of ASUU at the University of Jos , Dr Lazarus Maigoro , said the association was concerned about the second wave of COVID - 19 . He , therefore , urged the management of the university to ensure compliance with COVID - 19 protocols on resumption . Maigoro who expressed concern over the second wave of COVID -19 said his members expected the university authority to comply with the COVID -19 protocols to contain the spread of the disease in the institution The Senate of UNIJOS will on Monday ( today) hold a meeting to decide whether the institution will reopen for academic activities on January 18 , 2021 . The institution ’s Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications, Abdullahi Abdullahi , disclosed this to one of our correspondents in Jos on Sunday . Abdullahi said , “ We don’ t know yet when UNIJOS will resume. The Senate will be meeting tomorrow ( Monday ) and that is where they will decide when the institution will reopen . ” At the University of Calabar, the union Chairman , Dr John Edor, told The PUNCH that the association would not allow its members to be exposed to health hazards. Edor stated , “ As a union , we are not too quick to talk . We are not too fast to become meddlesome . They have said schools are permitted to resume on the 18 th of January, 2021 . If by then we see that the necessary things are not put in place for the resumption , the union will come up with a position because we are not ready to expose our members to health hazards. “ That was why we went on strike , asking for revitalisation of public universities . Revitalisation simply means conducive theatres , conducive hostels , offices , laboratories and libraries . “ That is why we are saying let us wait till 18 th of January and see how prepared Nigerian public universities are in the face of the second wave of COVID - 19 which has come up with a more ferocious variant .” At the University of Port Harcourt , ASUU Chairman , Dr Austen Sado, said there would be a spike in coronavirus cases . He stated , “ We have not been invited to inspect any facility in order to determine its suitability . So, we will wait until we get clarification on the resumption , then we will know whether there are things to contend with . ” Asked if he feared a spike ahead of the school resumption , he said he had seen some measures put in place by the university , but that the possibility of an increase in cases existed . The university had directed students to resume on January 27 , saying appropriate measures had been put in place to check the spread of COVID -19 in the classrooms and hostels . The Public Relations Officer of the university , Sammy Kpenu who disclosed this to one of our correspondents on Sunday afternoon , said one of such measures was the purchase of 400 thermometers to check temperatures . But Registrar of University of Lagos , Mr Oladejo Azeez , said the decision on resumption of academic activities would be taken by the school’ s Senate on Wednesday . Azeez in an interview with The PUNCH , said the Senate would meet virtually on Wednesday to discuss and decide on the modalities of students ’ resumption and academic activities . He said, “ Irrespective of what the Federal Government has said, the resumption of students or of academic activities is the prerogative of Senate . Senate of the university will decide and the meeting of the Senate is coming up on Wednesday ; a virtual meeting . The law places this in the hands of the Senate and until Senate meets , there is no way anybody can say anything on resumption . ” The management of the University of Ibadan said everything would be done to ensure that there was not spike in cases of COVID -19 among students and staff. The Director of Public Communication of the university , Mr Olatunji Oladejo , said this in an interview with one of our correspondents in Ibadan on Sunday . But ASUU Chairman at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University , Sokoto, Dr Abubakar Sabo , said he doubted if universities in Nigeria could meet the guidelines for preventing COVID - 19 . Abubakar, who spoke to one of our correspondents in Sokoto , stated that he was not aware of measures being put in place by the management of the UDUD towards the resumption date. “ The Federal Government and university authorities must ensure that , there is no spike on our campuses . I have doubt , if our universities can meet up with the standard and best practices to check the pandemic. ” While reacting to this issue of social distancing on campus, chairman , , UNILAG branch, Dr Dele Ashiru, explained that the union had been justified over their agitations for expansion of infrastructure in Universities across the country . He said, “ ASUU has been clamouring for the expansion of infrastructure in the universities . This is a testimony to the justification of our struggles over the years because the situation as it is now leaves more to be desired .” The Ahmadu Bello University branch of ASUU said although its members were ready to work , it had not seen any measure put in place by the university . ABU ’ s ASUU Chairman , Prof. Rabiu Nasiru, told one of our correspondents in Kaduna on Sunday that the lecturers were prepare to go back to work . He , however, expressed concern that no adequate measures had so far been taken by the ABU management against the spread of the virus in the institution . He said, “ I haven ’t seen any measure taken so far by the management of ABU , but since the senate of the university is meeting on Tuesday , once Senate meets , I know those issues will be raised and it will be discussed. But for now , I have not seen any measure taken . ” By Grace Edema, Bola Bamigbola , Ada Wodu, James Abraham, Dennis Naku , Armstrong Bakam , Adeniyi Olugbemi , Daud Olatunji , Godwin Isenyo and Olufemi Olaniyi https://punchng.com/its-unsafe-to-reopen-varsities-now-covid-19-guidelines-absent-ASUU/ |
| Politics / Re: Linking MTN Line To NIN by Weneda(m): 8:39am On Jan 11, 2021 |
Ndokwagirl:Link it |
| Jobs/Vacancies / Expatriate Policy: Employ Nigerians Or Face Sanctions, FG Tells Firms by Weneda(m): 7:56am On Jan 11, 2021 |
By Shina Abubakar THE Federal Government, yesterday, mandated companies in Nigeria to employ qualified Nigerian graduates understudying for expatriates, or face sanctions. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/01/expatriate-policy-employ-nigerians-or-face-sanctions-fg-tells-firms/ 14 Likes
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| Crime / From SARS To SWAT: Unending Police Brutality by Weneda(m): 5:44am On Jan 11, 2021 |
Special Anti- Robbery Squad, a unit in the Nigeria Police Force , with the Special Weapons and Tactical Team , only smuggled in a repackaged old wine in a new bottle. This reality has been irritatingly exposed with the unending police brutality. The Inspector -General of Police , Mohammed Adamu, in October 2020 , hurriedly cobbled together a unit of officers and named it SWAT to sustain police brutality , which initially led to the #EndSARS youth protests that forced the IG to take the cosmetic action. Many Nigerians had questioned the rushed action if indeed the police leadership was sincerely concerned about reforming the police . The disbanded SARS officers had harassed youths and killed many at will over nonsensical excuses . The police officers branded them ( the youth ) Internet fraudsters and profiled many for their dressing , hairstyles and wearing of tattoos . Just days after the name- change that was devoid of new operational orientation and goals , tear - jerking activities of the newly -formed SWAT affirmed that a leopard cannot change its spots . A few days back , some suspected SWAT officers reportedly murdered a monarch in the Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Emmanuel Mba . It was alleged that the officers , attired in mufti and wielding AK -47 rifles , in a commando- like manner , invaded a meeting being attended by the monarch and demanded to see him . Media reports noted that the suspected SWAT operatives , led by an inspector , shot the monarch while he was addressing members of his community at the town hall meeting and he bled to death before he could get medical attention . Three natives from the Oruku community in the council area reportedly came with the SWAT officers and left with them after the cruelty . The masterminds of the agonising act should have been fished out by now and made to face the full wrath of the law. Also in December , a group of police officers stripped a bus driver identified as Emenike , naked for refusing to pay a bribe . Other drivers, who were pained by the maltreatment , protested against the incident at the Ada George area of Port Harcourt , Rivers State. The Drivers ’ Welfare Chairman , Choba Unit , Bestman Chile , said the incident occurred when an officer demanded a bribe from the driver but the latter refused to give in to his request . On the same Ada George Road, a police officer attached to a supermarket there opened fire on three persons who were later admitted to a hospital . The officer reportedly shot the trio while expressing anger at the attitude of some commercial tricycle drivers operating in the area . On November 24, 2020, a trigger -happy officer shot three women at the Edepie -Etegwe roundabout market in Yenagoa , Bayelsa State. The officer was among a patrol team who were stuck in a gridlock on the day of the incident and opened fire to clear the road for their vehicle around the market area on the Mbiama- Yenagoa Road. The brutality of the police in Nigeria was further advertised when an officer in Rivers State shot dead a tricycle rider identified by his nickname , School Boy, over a N100 bribe , which the latter said was too early to offer , being 6am on that day . The incident drew the ire of youths in Rukpokwu community in the Obio/ Akpor LGA , who protested the killing . In the same LGA last December, a police officer attached to the Elelenwo Police Division shot dead a 38- year- old man, Abiodun Jimoh . The late Abiodun ’ s brother , Ismail Jimoh , who was with him while they were returning from a party said the killer -officer was drunk . He said a senior officer told the killer officer to release them but he refused . He noted that on the way to the station , he begged him to obey his colleagues , but he resorted to shooting. Jimoh stated that the officer used his rifle to hit him in the face and the next moment, he heard a gunshot and his brother fell down . The bullet , reports indicated , also hit another officer as other officers at the scene took the gun away from him , but it was too late to save Abiodun ’ s life . These incidents , which negate the tenets of modern policing globally , are some of the absurdities the poorly - trained , outdated and flat- footed Nigeria Police officers parade on a daily basis across the country . Shamelessly, as they major in minor issues, the citizens groan under the yoke of violent crimes . The Buhari regime should critically think about reforming the police . SWAT officers are essential for high-risk and dangerous situations, not for routine policing . The acronym SWAT is thought to have been used first by the Los Angeles Police Department after some police officers neutralised a student , Charles Whitman , using a high-powered rifle to randomly kill over a dozen people and wounded over 30 more from the University of Texas Clock Tower Building in Austin . Shortly after the incident , the LAPD formed their SWAT . Security will not improve with a militarised police . What is urgently needed is how to implement civilised policing by decentralising the command structure. There is an urgent need to decentralise the police , amid the glaring inadequacies in their operations , notwithstanding selfish opposition against it . The reform of the current structure is long overdue. It should embrace a bottom -up approach to salvage what remains of the sinking force . https://punchng.com/from-sars-to-swat-unending-police-brutality/ |
| Politics / Insecurity: Do More For Armed Forces, Wike Tells FG by Weneda(m): 9:11pm On Jan 10, 2021 |
Sampson Itode , Port Harcourt
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