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A’Ibom shuts down College over threats by cultists
Akwa Ibom State government has closed down one of its premier schools, Uyo High School, following a 24 hours ultimatum given to the school principal by suspected cultists to recall their suspected member back to school.
This is even as some fetish objects such as fresh pepper, palm oil droplets, peeled cooked egg, palm front, a piece of red cloth, tied rope and ten naira note were on Thursday dropped at the entrance of the principal’s office and the SS3 classes.
Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon announced the immediate closure of the school said this was necessary to avoid an onslaught.
It was gathered that trouble started when some students suspected to be cultists were recently suspended by the school authority.
Also aggrieved are some senior secondary two students who could not meet up with the school requirements to be promoted into senior secondary three as authorities have blamed the two sets of students for the perennial crisis in the school.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon when contacted on the matter said the closure of the school over threats by suspected cultists has nothing to do with the police.
MacDon said in pidgin English, ”government close down school how that one come concern me”.
The school, alongside three others in Uyo have become notorious for cultism in the state capital with some of the students openly challenging the police whenever there was crisis.
Such confrontations have often resulted in injuries to both students and motorists as traffic are often disrupted.
The state government has in a bid to safeguard the lives of students and reduce illegal enchroachment into schools commenced the fencing of primary and secondary schools in the metropolis. A’Ibom shuts down College over threats by cultists
Akwa Ibom State government has closed down one of its premier schools, Uyo High School, following a 24 hours ultimatum given to the school principal by suspected cultists to recall their suspected member back to school.
This is even as some fetish objects such as fresh pepper, palm oil droplets, peeled cooked egg, palm front, a piece of red cloth, tied rope and ten naira note were on Thursday dropped at the entrance of the principal’s office and the SS3 classes.
Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon announced the immediate closure of the school said this was necessary to avoid an onslaught.
It was gathered that trouble started when some students suspected to be cultists were recently suspended by the school authority.
Also aggrieved are some senior secondary two students who could not meet up with the school requirements to be promoted into senior secondary three as authorities have blamed the two sets of students for the perennial crisis in the school.
State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon when contacted on the matter said the closure of the school over threats by suspected cultists has nothing to do with the police.
MacDon said in pidgin English, ”government close down school how that one come concern me”.
The school, alongside three others in Uyo have become notorious for cultism in the state capital with some of the students openly challenging the police whenever there was crisis.
Such confrontations have often resulted in injuries to both students and motorists as traffic are often disrupted.
The state government has in a bid to safeguard the lives of students and reduce illegal enchroachment into schools commenced the fencing of primary and secondary schools in the metropolis.
June 25, 2021
Merchant Navy celebrate “establishment” progress at NASS
Officers and men of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Corps have expressed joy as the bill seeking the establishment of the organization scaled through second reading at the National Assembly.
The National Director of the organization, Sekenimde Sunday who officially broke the news while addressing officers and men at their training base in Ayo Obio Okpa, Oruk Aman Local Council of Akwa Ibom yesterday lauded the two arms of the National Assembly for their support for the bill.
Sunday specifically expressed appreciation to Senator Kabiru Gaya, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, and numerous others for their efforts to ensure the realization of the organization.
“On behalf of officers and men of the Corps, I want to sincerely appreciate the national Assembly for their efforts in ensuring that the enabling bill is eventually passed. Of particular mention is Senator Kabiru Gaya Hon Tajudeen Adefisoye of the house of Representatives for their support for the bill.
“I will also thank the minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the Chief of Naval Staff for lending their voices ensure the realization of the Nigerian Merchant Navy.” The National Director said.
He further pledged his organisation’s readiness to consolidate the nation’s achievements recorded in the Maritime industry, stressing that the officers have been trained to render professional services to the nation.
Sunday also called on all seafarers to come under one umbrella in the country.
June 25, 2021
COVID-19: FG reopens administration of first dose to address demand increase – Dr Shuaib
…launches Medi Safety, helpline for Adverse reaction
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The Federal Government has reopened administration of first dose of the COVID- 19 vaccination across the country as a result of increase in the demand of vaccines by Nigerians.
Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib made this know today in Abuja during a press briefing on the update of the COVID- 19 vaccination in the country.
Shuaib said, ” You would recall that the government has reopened administration of the first dose to address increase in vaccine demand by people who are yet to be vaccinated. This resulted in the increase in number of clients vaccinated with the first dose.
He disclosed that so far 2,099,568 people have collected the first dose of Oxford AstraZeneca jab while 1,005,234 people have received the second doses of the vaccine.
The NPHCDA boss further announced that due to the economic constraints experienced by there is an extension of the second dose until 5th July 2021from the initial closing date of 25th of June, 2021.
He urged those who have received their first dose not later than May23 to visit the nearest vaccination site to receive their second dose for full protection against COVID -19 and for those in Diaspora who are yani
He however noted that full vaccination DOES NOT exempt people who have received their second doses of the vaccine from observing the infection prevention and control measures.
“It is very important for everyone, including those who have received their second doses to continue to wear face masks and observe other non-pharmaceutical measures.
He enjoined health workers not to turn back Nigerians living Disapora who are yarning to come back to the country for a second to walk into designed health care facility to receive their jab.
He lamented that Nigeria among other low- middle income countries has experienced great frustration regarding the global vaccine supply due to great inequity in terms of distribution, but noted that due to large donations of vaccine supplies by donor country like the US Nigeria is expecting supply of new consignments of COVAX facility vaccines.
Furthermore, the agency boss called on Nigerians to avail themselves the opportunity to report any adverse reactions on persons. He said that owing to Adverse event of the vaccine on persons a new App known as MED- SAFETY was launched by the agency in partnership with NAFDAC to help individuals to report vaccine side effects of persons.
According to him, the application known as MED-SAFETY App was launched; it is available for free on Play store for Android devices and Apple Store for IOS devices. With this App, any individual can report vaccine side effect for him or herself, or on behalf of another person, and will receive timely response..
So far after more than three million vaccinations, 13,267 people have experienced mild to moderate side effects, while 4,708 have experienced moderate to severe side effects, Shauaib announced.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization, WHO Country Representative Dr. Walther Kazadi Mulombo noted that vaccine iniquity among the public continue to give COVID-19 the reason to spread, adding that vaccine hestitency is also hampering vaccination.
Mulombo advised that Nigerians must continue to wear face masks and observe physical distances amongst other non pharmaceutical protocols to ease the country of COVID- 19
He stressed that 77% of all vaccine doses are being administered in just 10 countries.
UNICEF Country Representative, Dr Gangan Gupta commended leadership of the government of Nigeria towards COVID- 19 elimination and congratulated government for reopening first dose of vaccination for those who missed the first dose.
Gupta enjoined all Nigerians who have taken the first dose to go to the nearest centres to go get their second dose.
June 25, 2021
Local Government Councils Autonomy: Dan Gwari Hails Buhari, NASS
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
A renown business man and current affairs commentator Alhaji Usman Dan Gwari has commended president Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring efforts towards the full implementation of local government autonomy which remained in the minds of Nigerians for long.
He made the commendation in a letter he signed and issued to newsmen in kano, adding that lack of local councils autonomy has brought serious backward to national progress especially during the current democratic dispensation, where he congratulates the 774 local councils and advises them to use their funds in executing meaningful projects for the development of their domains.
Alhaji Usman Dan Gwari discloses that “Nigeria is a great country with millions of people who mostly depended on the local councils, therefore it is important being one of the three tiers of government to ensure that local councils are existing with full autonomy in order to ensure more progress, and I am sure, the local government executives would not waste their resources like what had happened previously they are now fully oriented”. He lamented.
In conclusion, Alhaji Usman thanked the president and members of the national and States assemblies, Civil societies, NGO’s and all those who offered a helping hands in the actualisation of the local councils autonomy with an opinion that Nigeria would be great again.
June 25, 2021
2023: N’Assembly will support INEC to delineate electoral constituencies – Lawan
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its bid to properly delineate electoral constituencies across the country ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Lawan gave the assurance on Thursday when a delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, paid a visit to his office in Abuja.
The last exercise which witnessed the creation of electoral districts and constituencies across the country was carried out twenty-five years ago in 1996.
The Senate President, in his remarks during the visit, said the delineation of electoral constituencies in the country would enhance democracy as well as provide equitable and fair representation in Nigeria’s governance structure.
He explained further that having more districts and constituencies would present a level playing field for all Nigerians to elect leaders of their choice at the polls.
He underscored the need for the federal government to find a way around getting accurate information about the country’s population size, stressing that such information is significant and critical for the creation of more constituencies in disadvantaged areas.
He said, “The issue of delineation or creation of more electoral constituencies is like the previous one on the polling units.
“But unlike the polling units, this is going to be more difficult because you need more information, especially on the population.
“And because we didn’t have census after the 2006 exercise, now we have to find a way of getting information about our population size because that is very important and significant in taking any decision in that respect.
“But I want to assure you and Nigerians, that we will go all the way with you, to finding solutions on getting the delineation of electoral constituencies done before the end of our tenure.
“It is not going to be easy by no means, but we sit here as parliamentarians to deal with the issues of developing Nigeria and, of course, elections determine a lot of things in this country and, indeed, in any country.
“This is one way of giving Nigerians the opportunity to vote for their leaders and we cannot joke with that. We are all products of elections.
“If the delineation of constituencies – whether state or national – will give Nigerians better opportunities and enhance our democracy, and I’m sure it would, we must work hard to do that. So, we would work with you in INEC.”
The Senate President stated that the exercise for the creation of electoral constituencies had become imperative, particularly against the backdrop of resolving conflicts arising from court verdicts and the provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended.
He queried, “are we going to respect what the constitution provides for, or discount constitutional provision and respect what the courts would ask INEC to do?
“We have to settle that, even for the sake of protecting you and going extremely legal, so that we don’t create difficulties going forward.
“But we must resolve this, because it is time, since 1996 when the current electoral districts and constituencies were created, there was no such exercise.
“I will not blame the former National Assembly sessions for not considering the request from INEC, because this is really a difficult call to make, but we sit here with hope and determination to deal with these issues no matter how difficult they will be.
“Even in the National Assembly, I’m sure when it is brought before the chambers, it will require a lot of horse trading and, of course, consultations, give-and-take, but that is what politics is all about.
“And we have to be patriotic enough to look at the need and necessity for giving people who are suppressed.
“Because if you have constituencies that are suppressed or that should have existed but for one reason or the other are not there anymore, it means the environment is not the kind of ideal environment where the representation will be fair and equitable.
“I want to assure Nigerians that, indeed, the Senate and National Assembly will work with INEC assiduously to attend and address these issues, so that if we are able to create the new constituencies, there will be elections in those constituencies with other areas that are already there y 2023.”
Speaking earlier, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the delineation of constituencies requires an Act of the National Assembly, adding that, “the major consideration for revision of the country into constituencies is the population quota.”
“The National Assembly has powers under the constitution to actually request INEC to delineate constituencies by an Act of the Assembly.
“No Act of the National Assembly has asked INEC to delineate constituencies since the last delineation in 1996”, Yakubu revealed.
June 25, 2021
BREAKING: Police Arrest UNILAG Undergraduate Over Murder Of Super TV CEO
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 21-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for allegedly killing the Chief Executive Officer, Super TV, Usifo Ataga.
The news of Ataga’s death had sent waves of shock across the country.
The victim was reportedly murdered in the Lekki area of the state after checking into an apartment with his mistress.
A total of N5 million was said to have been withdrawn from his account after he was murdered.
On Thursday, the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, paraded his suspected killer, saying she had confessed to committing the crime.
Odumosu said Ataga’s bank account was blocked to prevent further withdrawals by those who took advantage of his death.
The police had initially arrested the owner of the apartment who was said to have failed in capturing the details of the guests whom lodged there.
Details later…
June 24, 2021
Governor Lalong Charges New Bishop Of Lafia On Prayer For Nigeria
Governor Simon Bako Lalong and his Nasarawa State Counterpart Abdullahi Sule were among thousands of guests that joined the Catholic faithful for the ordination of Most Revd. David Ajang as Bishop of Lafia Diocese.
Governor Lalong who was accompanied by his wife Regina and a high powered delegation from Plateau State comprising of the Speaker of the House of Assembly Abok Nuhu Ayuba, some members of the State Executive Council, Traditional Rulers led by the Gbom Gwom Jos Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and prominent elders said Plateau State was highly delighted by the appointment of Most Revd. David Ajang as a Bishop.
Lalong said “Having worked closely with him as the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel in Jos for the past six years, I can testify about his deep passion for the salvation of the souls of men. Indeed, he has endeared himself to our hearts through his kindness, love for God and humanity. Bishop David Ajang is a man who undertakes his spiritual calling with utmost humility and the fear of God”.
He charged the Bishop never to cease praying for the country saying “My Lord Bishop, please continue to uphold Plateau and Nasarawa States as well as the entire nation in prayers for peace, security and prosperity of the land. You contributed a lot to the restoration of substantial peace and security in Plateau State by prayers and godly counsel. Please do not relent to offer same to my brother, the Governor of Nasarawa State His Excellency Governor Abdullahi Sule who by the way is another “Jos boy” on loan to Nasarawa”.
Governor Abdullahi Sule congratulated the new Bishop and aasured him of the support and collaboration of the Government and people of Plateau State whom he said are looking forward to a wonderful experience during his tenure.
Sule said the State will benefit from his experience and knowledge, having left a good legacy in Plateau State where he held several positions in the Church including Chaplain, Government House Chapel Jos before his appointment as Bishop.
He also called on religious leaders to pray for the nation and give good counsel to help those in position of leadership to serve the country dispassionately.
Papal Nuncio, Most Revd. Antonio Fillipazzi performed the ordination in line with the tradition and protocols of the Catholic Church.
Arch Bishop of Jos, Mathew Ishaya Audu who is the immediate past Bishop of Lafia addressed the congregation for the last time and appreciated them for their support and players during his term as Bishop. He asked them to extend same to the new Bishop.
June 24, 2021
CBN Out to Finance Agriculture, plans on removing middlemen from Rice Sales – Official
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed readiness to finance Agriculture in other to provide adequate food for Nigerians and Africans countries in general.
The Controller Kaduna state branch of the Bank Ahmad Mohammed Wali disclosed this during the 2021 Flag- off paddy sales and wet season Anchor Borrower Program (ABP) by Rice Farmers Association (RIFAN) at farin Goda, Mando Kaduna.
Mr Wali said the program is about sale of rice to the rice milling processors with the intention to reduce the price for the benefit of a common people in Nigeria and beyond.
Wali also said that Central Bank is ever ready to ensure food security and improved rice farming in the country.
“It’s a nation wide program with an intention to provide food on a common man table, that is why central Bank is always ready to ensure there is funds for farmers”, he said.
Also speaking, representative of the Director Development Finace of the Central Bank Mr Chika Nwaja, said the bank has the intention to removed the issue of a middle men during the sales of rice to processors for Nigerians to buy at the cheaper price.
“Because the market is the people of the country. With this, Nigerian citizens must get it affordable price, there is a reduction between the market price and the price that the central Bank is giving out to processors, now we are selling at 190,000 against the market price with a difference of 35,000 naira.
In his speech, the national president of the Rice farmers Association of Nigeria Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, said all that is taking place at the venue are provided by the CBN just to move the country forward.
“Even with the issue of security, rice farmers are trying to provide rice to the country”.
Amongs those presents at the event include representative of the Emir of Zazzau, the Dan Makwayon zazzau District head of Kawo Alhaji Jibrin Muhammad Sani Magaji that called on Government to re double efforts on the issue of kidnapping and insecurity in the Land.
Mr Andy came from the Rice processor association of Nigeria, Hajiya A’isha Umar Lere from unity Bank, Alhaji Bello Dogon Daji, representative of Hajiya Halima Lawal commissioner of Agriculture Kaduna state and the state chairman Rice farmers Association of Nigeria Kaduna state chapter Alhaji Mohammed Umar Numbu Dan galadimawa Numbu amongs others.
June 24, 2021
Buhari Plans Another Medical Trip To London
President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to London, the United Kingdom on Friday, the Presidency has said.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He explained that the President’s trip to London was for a scheduled medical follow-up, adding that he would be back in the country during the second week of July.
President Buhari’s scheduled trip to London comes almost three months since he last visited the United Kingdom for the same purpose.
He had travelled to the United Kingdom on March 30 for a routine medical check-up, as indicated in a statement by his media adviser.
The President later returned to the country via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on April 15, at the end of the trip which lasted more than two weeks.
Amid speculations that the Nigerian leader may be sick at the time and had to embark on an emergency trip, the presidency stated that there was nothing of such.
“It is a routine medical check-up; the President has undertaken this with a set of doctors that he has retained over many years,” said Garba Shehu, another media aide to the President, during an interview with Channels Television.
He also stated that there was no need for the Nigerian leader to transmit power to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, since he would not be away for so long to contravene the law.
June 24, 2021
Bandits Kill Driver, Kidnap 33 People In Kachia
At least one person has been killed and 33 others abducted following an attack by bandits suspected to be kidnappers in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The incident which occurred last night within Kachia metropolis also left several people injured.
District Head of Kachia ward, Idris Suleiman confirmed the incident when security operatives led by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan visited the area.
Suleiman said the bandits in their large numbers invaded the community at about 9pm on Wednesday night and started shooting sporadically in a bid to create panic among the residents.
He explained that the bandits first attacked a bakery where they kidnaped five persons and killed the driver to the owner of the bakery, before moving to another area called Mother Cat where they also kidnapped 28 persons including a pregnant woman.
According to him, the bandits also looted several shops within the town after the traders abandoned their shops and scampered for safety to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Bandits have in recent times left Kaduna in a state of unrest, with many being killed and many others being kidnapped, including students of various institutions.
The latest attack in Kachia comes a few days after the village head of Dogon Daji community in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mallam Anja, was shot dead by bandits.
The marauders raided the residence of the village head and shot him at close range, after which he died on the spot.
June 24, 2021