Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Category: News

You can add some category description here.

Zaria Is Under Siege, Emir Raises Alarm
The Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, on Monday said the emirate is under siege.
According to him, the residents are having sleepless nights due to abductions going on within Zaria and environs.
He described the situation as unacceptable and urged the government to take action.
The emir disclosed this when he received a delegation of Security Heads led by the State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
The emir said there are security formations and military training schools within the emirate yet his people are not feeling safe.
Aruwan said they were at the palace for confidence-building and to commiserate with the emirate over the unfortunate incident at Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic and neighboring communities.
He said the state government is doing everything possible to protect the emirate and state in general.
June 14, 2021
BREAKING: Organized Labour commenced Indefinite Strike In Nasarawa
By Abel Leonard, Lafia
The organized labour of Nigeria, Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are to commenced indefinite strike in Nasarawa state
Tuesday, June 15, 2021, as a result of poor workers welfare.
Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Comrade Yusuf Iya, made the disclosure during a Press Briefing, Monday in Lafia, the state capital.
Comrade Iya explained that poor treatment of workers by the Nasarawa State Government made the organized labour embark on the indefinite strike after several years of patient with the government.
Some of the complaints made by the union include, lack of promotion, lack of annual increment of salaries, lack of training, non payment of gratuity, lack of housing for workers, non payment of local government staff including primary school teachers, non implementation of minimum wage, non payment of the last tranche of August 2016 salary arrears and non confirmation of workers appointment by the government.
Comrade Iya said: “We are calling on the state government to demonstrate genuine commitment by ensuring that our demands are met considering the long period it has taken and the continued assurance by the present administration that it will meet up with our demands.
“Workers in the state have been stagnated for over a decade hence the need for government to consider the urgent need for the implementation of promotions at hand. As for the promotion yet to be issued from 2018, we call on the government to process and issue to deserving workers immediately”, he said.
Reacting to the housing issue, Comrade Iya said in line with the federal government housing policy, the Nasarawa state government should consider making workers in the state, house owners in order for them to have a roof over their heads after retirement.
“The government should consider the passionate appeals made by organized labour and the occupants of the various houses in Nasarawa state, namely; Abdullahi Adamu Housing Estate, Nasarawa Estate Along Makurdi road, phase I and Phase II, Project Quarters and the Junior Staff Quarters located at the old tomatoe market on the need to be allocated to them on owner-occupier basis in line with the Federal Government housing policy which has already commenced by most states.
” The Nasarawa state government should as a matter of urgency key into the contributing pension scheme so as to relieve the government, the huge burden of pension and gratuity found in the state.
“We hereby direct all public servants in the state including private sector workers who are affiliates to the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to proceed on an indefinite strike action as from tomorrow, Tuesday 15th, June 2021 until when our demands as mentioned above are met”, he said.
On his part, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in the state, Comrade Mohammed Doma, urged workers in both the public and private sectors to give the needed support to the organized labour to ensure that the strike is successful.
“The decision to embark on an indefinite strike action today is our collective decision and it is a case of no retreat, no surrender. We have suffered for a long time. Nasarawa state workers are the most patient and obedient workers in this country haven stayed for many years without promotion, training and annual increment of salaries.
“I urge workers in the state to ensure that this strike is effective and we are not going back until our demands are met”, he said.
June 14, 2021
Gbajabiamila greets ace poet, columnist, Omatseye, at 60
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated an ace poet, novelist, playwright and columnist, Dr Sam Omatseye, as he clocks 60 years.
Gbajabiamila said Omatseye, who is also the chairman of The Nation newspaper’s Editorial Board and a TV host, has been living a fulfilled life, worthy of emulation.
He said Omatseye’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy are legion, noting that the columnist has used his pen for the good of society.
Gbajabiamila noted that Omatseye’s name deserves a special mention when the history of Nigerian journalism is written.
The Speaker prayed for more fruitful years for the renowned journalist cum poet in good health.
While calling on Omatseye to continue with his good works of promoting democratic tenets, Gbajabiamila urged the new generation of Nigerian journalists to see him as a role model.
June 14, 2021
Gunmen Kill 12, Injure Five Locals In Plateau Attack
Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have killed 12 people in an attack on Kuru community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Eyewitnesses stated that no fewer than five other locals were injured during the incident.
They narrated that the assailants stormed the community at about 9pm on Sunday and began to fire sporadic gunshots.
Residents noted that thereafter, the gunmen went to some houses where they shot at the occupants, leading to the death of some with others injured.
They said following the attack, the injured victims were taken to a primary healthcare facility within the community for medical attention.
Police authorities in Plateau have confirmed the incident, but they gave a lesser number of those killed by the gunmen.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Gabriel Ubah, noted that the command received a report that 10 persons were shot dead.
He explained that the persons were killed at a drinking joint in Sabon Layi in Kuru by yet-to-be-identified gunmen who drove in a Hilux van and shot sporadically.
“Personnel of the command and the military have been deployed to the affected area.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered an immediate investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing and to bring the perpetrators of that dastardly act to book,” Ubah said in a text to Channels Television on Monday.
Mr Musa Bagos, the lawmaker representing Jos South/ Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was among those who visited the community where residents narrated their ordeal in the unprovoked attack.
He condemned the heinous crime which he described as an attack too many, stressing the need to stop the trend to prevent the further killings of innocent people in villages in the state.
The Management Committee Chairman of Jos South LGA, Gideon Davou, who was also at the scene, appealed to the residents to allow the security agencies to carry out a proper investigation into the incident.
He also urged members of the community to remain calm and not resort to reprisals with an assurance that the state government would ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime were apprehended.
June 14, 2021
70 Civil Groups Urge FG To Reverse Twitter Ban, Withdraw Prosecution Threat
Civil society organisations numbering 70 have called on the Federal Government to reverse the ban placed on Twitter and withdraw the threat to prosecute anyone using the app in the country.
The groups in a statement jointly signed on Monday condemned the action of the Federal Government describing it as ‘unlawful.’
“We, the undersigned civil society organizations are concerned about the repression and escalating crackdown on human rights by the Nigerian government, particularly the rights to freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.
“We strongly condemn the arbitrary and unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, by the authorities, and the resulting restrictions on the human rights of people, as well as the threat to prosecute anyone using Twitter in Nigeria.
“We, therefore, call on the Nigerian authorities to immediately rescind the unlawful suspension of Twitter in Nigeria and withdraw the threat to prosecute anyone using Twitter in the country,” the statement read in part.
The groups also condemn the “directive” issued by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for all broadcast stations to deactivate their Twitter accounts.
They asked that the Federal Government, “Immediately withdraw the directive to broadcast stations to deactivate their Twitter accounts.”
The groups asked that the Federal Government end the widespread impunity for human rights violations, in particular the rights to freedom of expression including online, access to information and media freedom.
They called on the international community, including the UN and the African Union to publicly condemn the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria and to put pressure on the Nigerian authorities to reverse the decision.
According to the groups, Social media platforms have helped Nigerians to receive information, impart the same, hold useful conversations, and hold the Nigerian authorities to account. A clear example is how social media was used to drive police accountability in the #EndSARs protests last year.
They lamented that the Nigerian authorities have also set plans in motion to force social media platforms to register in Nigeria and comply with local regulations before they are licensed to operate.
“The Nigerian authorities have continued to propose laws to regulate the social media, and restrict the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom, including through legislative bills popularly known as the ‘Hate Speech Bill’ and ‘The Social Media Bill’ which both provide severe punitive sanctions such as the death penalty in some cases, for social media users convicted of “crimes” provided under them,” they added.
The civil groups said the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria is inconsistent and incompatible with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The statement was jointly signed by Amnesty International Nigeria; CISLAC (Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre); Global Rights; Nigeria Mourns; Business and Human Rights Roundtable; Tap Initiative for citizens development; Civil society consortium on civic space; Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD); Alliances for Africa; WILPF Nigeria; Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives; Akubeze Okocha; B.E.E Initiative; Access to Justice; Sterling Centre for Law & Development; Concerned Nigerians; JENNON-PIUS &Co initiative; Education as a Vaccine; Invictus Africa; Dinidari Foundation; Raising New Voices Initiative; Centre for Impact Advocacy (CIA); Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER); BudgIT; The Interactive Initiative for Social Impact; Enough is Enough (EiE); Yiaga Africa; among others.
June 14, 2021
Medical Doctors Thrashed NUJ 3-1 In A Friendly Football Match
By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto
The friendly match played at Giginya Memorial Stadium Sokoto was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between the Medical Doctors and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the state.
The match that ended 3-1 in favour of Medical Doctors was witnessed by important dignitaries within and outside the state.
Few days before the match, the state Chairman of the Sokoto chapter of NUJ, comrade Isah Abubakar Shuni, during the training, implored Journalists to play the game according to its rules and regulations.
NUJ players were wearing blue colour Jersey while Doctors were wearing red to signify the danger in them.
June 14, 2021
Our Aim is to keep the party’s flag flying high … Opomulero Osun.
By Richard Ayinde, Osogbo.
Members of Opomulero Osun yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the former Governor of Osun State and Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Adebisi Akande in his Ila Orangun country home.
In his introductory speech, the Chairman RH Adewale Afolabi thanked Chief Adebisi Akande for the continuous fatherly role he has been playing and for making his doors open to us at all times. He said this is not the first time the team will be visiting to ask for counsel and guidance on some knotty issues and we have never been denied of such elderly guide.
Going down memory lane, he said since the formation of the group in 2002, they have been actively involved in party activities and administration, governance and leadership assignment. He said the membership of the group covers all the local governments in the state.
In his response, Chief Adebisi Akande commended members of the team for rising up to be counted in the effort to strengthen and reposition the party APC in Osun State. Chief Akande said nobody can see the composition of this group and toy with them because you are people that have attained leadership position one way or the other in the past and surely wield influence on decision making in your various constituencies.
Chief Akande enjoined all the members to rise up and support the ongoing move to embrace new members that wants to join the party and also work on improving the fortune of the party in the forthcoming election to secure a second term for Governor Gboyega Oyetola and continuity of progressive ideals in the state. He said he was happy to hear that members of the group have visited the Governor and the State Party Chairman while imploring them not to hesitate in meeting all those that believe in the progressive norm of party first above self. “The only way to project and protect the interest of our party is to go back home to our various constituencies and work for it’s unity and victory in all future elections”.. Chief Akande concluded
He pledged his readiness to create time at intervals to meet members of Opomulero Osun for a brief or feedback report on how far they have carried out the assignment entrusted to them.
In the team that visited Chief Adebisi Akande today are RH Adewale Afolabi, Hon. Barr Adeyinka Ajayi, Hon. Abiodun Awolola, Hon Akintunde Adegboye, Hon. Goke Awotunde, Elder Tunde Adedeji, Alh. Semiu Ayofe and Oluomo Sunday Akere.
June 14, 2021
NAWOJ FCT felicitates with Dr Ramatu Aliyu on coronation as Onyiza of Ebiraland
By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, has facilitated with the Minister of State FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, on her coronation as the Onyize of Ebiraland (Mother of Wealth) by His Royal Majesty Ohinoyi Dr. Ado Ibrahim (Attah Ibira).
The FCT Minister of State was conferred with the title on Saturday at the Palace of the Attah of Ebira in Okene, Kogi state, amidst celebration and encomium from party leaders, community members, and supporters of the Kogi-born politician.
The female journalists in a press statement by the chairperson, Comrade Annah Daniel, Sunday in Abuja, said the minister was deserving of the recognition given her contribution to Kogi state and Nigeria as a whole.
“The recognition of the Minister by her people is a testimony of her dedication as the Minister of State in the FCT and her contributions to society.”
“Also, this recognition has changed the belief that a prophet is not recognised in her home. Indeed, this ‘prophetess’ has been recognised and will certainly encourage and inspire many, especially women in our male dominated society.”
The Association’s Chairperson also felicitated with the Minister on her 51st birthday and prayed God to bless her and continue to endow her with wisdom and knowledge to discharge her duties more effectively and with the fear of God.
Comrade Daniel noted that Dr Ramatu has represented the Nigerian women effectively and has been an inspiration to many young Nigerians, especially the girl-child.
“Her antecedent as former Woman Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President of the Council of African Political Parties continues to inspire more women to join politics and take up positions of authority in government,” she further stated.
She urged the minister to keep up the good work and continue to empower the less privileged, especially widows and vulnerable women, as she wished her the best in her endeavours.
June 13, 2021
Gusau Promises To Unite AFN Family As Kebbi Bubbles With Delegates’ Arrival
Mike Oboh
The incumbent President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Engr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau says he will use the next term to unite the Athletics Federation of Nigeria if he wins the election in Kebbi on Monday.
Gusau promised to consolidate on his previous achievements in the federation especially in the areas of athletes’ exposure and development.
“We have spent the last four years in leadership tussle and unnecessary bickering. This is precious time that we could have used to improve the lot of the athletes because they are the reason why we are here.
“However, we will make it up to them and bring the entire Athletics family to a round table where we will iron out all grievances and map out new strategies to move Athletics forward in Nigeria. Top on our list now is to ensure a podium appearance at the Tokyo Olympic Games,” Gusau said.
Meanwhile, Kebbi state is now a beehive of activities with almost all the delegates arriving for the forthcoming Athletics Federation of Nigeria elections slated for Monday June 14.
An excited President of the AFN Engr Ibrahim Shehu Gusau said that the elections will mark a new chapter in the history of athletics in Nigeria.
“I am so happy that delegates from various states are here in Kebbi already and many arrived even four days to the elections. This is impressive as delegates are also fraternizing in a friendly atmosphere,” the AFN Pfesident said.
Gusau who is vying for a second term in office as President, expressed optimism that the elections will be transparent and
hitch-free.
He added that in the spirit of unity and oneness, interests of all contestants will be protected while a level playing field will be available to all before and during the election.
June 13, 2021
Go And Make God And Plateau Proud, Gov Lalong Tells Lafia Catholic Bishop-Elect
Governor Simon Bako Lalong has charged the Catholic Bishop-elect of Lafia Diocese Msgnr David Ajang to continue to serve God and declare His salvation to the world without fear or hesitation.
Governor Lalong was speaking at a send forth Mass organised for the Bishop-elect by his Parish, the Church of Immaculate Conception, Zarmaganda Jos.
Lalong said “His commitment to the Catholic Church and the propagation of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ here on the Plateau and elsewhere is very much acknowledged and appreciated. Having worked closely with him as the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel for the past six years, I can testify about his deep passion to the salvation of the souls of men. We therefore have to release him and pray for him as he takes on this new responsibility. My Lord Bishop-elect, as you leave us for what could be referred to in other quarters as the Next Level, we urge you to go and make us proud just like you have done over the years by providing spiritual cover for the Government and people of Plateau State”.
Lalong said at the time when the nation is going through many challenges, the Church remains the beacon of hope and a place of refuge, urging the Bishop-elect not not to depend on human wisdom, power or might, but the Spirit of God and His grace.
The Bishop-elect who took his Homily, read from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 and Mark 4:26-34 said growth, both physical and spiritual, requires deliberate efforts and choices by those involved as God blesses their good efforts.
He urged the congregation to always choose how they spend their time and with whom they keep company as it eventually defines the level of progress they attain.
He thanked the parishioners of CIC Zarmaganda for their love and support which enabled him perfom his priestly duties, urging them to pray for him as he takes om his new assignment.
He also thanked Governor Lalong for giving him the opportunity to serve as the Chaplain of the Plateau State Government House Chapel, describing the experience as worthwhile and rewarding.
There was thanksgiving and songs of praise to God in marking the event.
June 13, 2021