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Kogi Assembly Passes 2021 Appropriation Bill Into Law, Clears 20 LGA Secretaries.
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday in Lokoja Passed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N130billion into law.
The bill which was tagged, budget of accelerated recovery as considered clause by clause has a total of over #74b (seventy four billion naira) as recurrent expenditure while #56 billion goes to capital expenditure.
The thematic areas of the bill and allocated monies include, education sector with over 21 billion naira, security, over 12 billion naira, health, over 17 billion naira, infrastructure, over 21 billion naira human capital development, over 21 billion naira while agriculture will get over 8 billion naira respectively.
The bill is expected to address basic infrastructural need, ensure smooth administrative running of government services and drive the economic recovery of the state.
Earlier, the Kogi State House of Assembly had cleared 20 out of the 21 Local Government Secretaries sent for clearance by the Kogi State Government.
The nominee from Adavi local government council was stepped down pending clearance by the Kogi State Head of Service over an allegations of his dismissal from the service.
Kogi State House of Assembly has adjourned sitting till March 2021.
December 29, 2020
Hospitals rendering full service – FCTA
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has affirmed that in the face of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the territory hospitals are still rendering full medical services.
In a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, made available to Daybreak, the attention of the FCTA was drawn to a newspaper publication saying that FCTA hospitals were currently rendering skeletal services due to the death of 20 medical doctors from COVID-19.
According to the statement, this figure and the purported skeletal hospital services which is very far from the truth was credited to Dr Enema Amodu, the Chairman of the FCT chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association.
It said that although Dr Amodu has since said that he was misquoted, as the 20 fatalities he quoted was the national figure cutting across the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT, it is still pertinent that the FCTA sets the records straight in view of the fact that public confidence in public health institutions is very essential in the face of the current public health emergency orchestrated by COVID-19.
According to Dr Mohammed Kawu, Ag Secretary of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA, the current situation in FCTA hospitals as at Monday, 28th December, 2020 are all FCTA hospitals are operating at full capacity inclusive of emergencies for adults and children, delivery and maternity services, theatre services (operating 24 hour services), laboratory and pharmaceutical services, and hospital kitchens. All clinics will resume full services after the Christmas holidays on Tuesday, 29th of December, 2020.
While there had been incidences where COVID-19 positive patients had infected some medical personnel, these personnel and indeed the patients have been treated and discharged and the affected hospital areas fully decontaminated without any adverse effect on the overall functionality of the hospitals.
According to records available to the FCTA, since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded in the FCT on March 27th 2020, a total of 4 doctors working in both public and private hospitals have regrettably succumbed to the disease. The latest, being a female doctor from Gwarimpa General hospital, who passed on two weeks ago and a private medical doctor over the last one week.
The Administration said it has continued to place a lot of emphasis on testing and was the first sub-national to reach the testing target of 1% of its population as recommended by the NCDC.
It further emphazied that there are adequate supplies of PPEs in all the hospitals and efforts are being made to procure even more in the light of the second wave of transmission. Emphasis is also being placed on the provision of high dependency care units in all COVID 19treatment centers
The Administration enjoined all FCT residents to observe all health and safety protocols to contain the spread of the virus by observing physical distancing, frequent hand washing and facial coverings.
December 29, 2020
Black Christmas as fire guts Kado fish, Yarkasuwa markets
…FCT minister visits, commiserates with Yarkasuwa, Kado fish market traders
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello yesterday visited the Kado Fish market and the Yarkasuwa makeshift market in Gwarimpa which were both gutted by fire.
The fire incident had affected  portions of both markets during the Christmas holidays.
Chairman of the Kado Fish Market Traders Association Alhaji Yusuf Muhammed said that the fire occurred when there were very few people around as the Christian traders  were celebrating Christmas while the Muslims were observing the Jumaat prayers.
Also   at  the Yarkauwa makeshift market, Malam Bello, head of the traders said the discussions will be held with the Federal Housing Authority over the incident.
The FCT Minister who visited the two markets to commiserate with the traders on their loss was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Umar Gambo Jibrin and other senior members of staff of the FCTA.
December 29, 2020
ENDSARS: Court Vindicates CBN Over Frozen Accounts Allegations
The Center For Transparency and Social Justice (CETSJ) has said the position of the Federal High Court that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated the process of freezing some suspected accounts of money laundery and terrorism activities three months prior to the ENDSARS protest has vindicated the apex bank.
The group in a statement in Abuja on Monday, signed by Chief Terna Atule said it adopted the the position of Justice John Tsoho during the commencement of the 2020/2021 legal year in Abuja.
According to the statement, the body of Senior Advocates and the Nigerian Bar Association had cast aspersions on the CBN as well as the court referencing the issue of frozen account as an indices during the occasion.
“However, we are proud of the boldness of Justice John Tsoho who clarified and maintained that the CBN had instituted legal processes to freeze those accounts three months before the ENDSARS protests and wondered why the apex bank name would be dragged in what he described as a desperate measure to save the economy against the dollar.
“We totally adopt this position, having come from the horses mouth, it is now clear that the CBN had no premonition that ENDSARS protests would occur in three months so couldn’t have targeted any individual or organization. What the CBN has always done to our knowledge is to be proactive to secure the economy against any eventuality.
“We also want to amplify that if the affected organizations who were hitherto suspected to be involved in money laundering and terrorism would later be caught up in ENDSARS protests three months later, then it calls for concern.
“The CBN deserves accolades for their foresight in defense of the Nigerian economy, the group noted.
It further averred that the court is not just the last resort of the common man but of all corporate entities who believe in the rule of law.
It is unfair and unfortunate to vilify both the judiciary and the apex bank in pursuit of political and personal endeavors , the group insisted.
December 29, 2020
COVID-19: FCT taskforce threatens to close Jabi mall, farmers’ market over violation
The FCT Administration has warned traders and marketers at Jabi Mall to comply with COVID-19 guidelines or have their business premises shut down to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
Mr Ikharo Attah, Head, Media and Public Enlightenment of the FCTA COVID-19 Task Force, issued the warning while monitoring compliance in some shopping malls and business premises across the city on Tuesday.
Attah stated that the FCTA would not hesitate to shut down shopping malls, Maitama farmers’ market and business premises in the city that failed to comply with the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
“From what we observed, there is high compliance by costumers and visitors to these malls and business premises. However, sadly, same cannot be said of the workers and operators of shops and other businesses in the malls.
“A situation in which owners of shops and their workers believed that the guidelines and health protocols are for costumers and visitors is highly unacceptable. The health protocols are for all to observe,” he said.
He urged traders to ensure strict compliance with simple COVID-19 health protocols which include wearing of facemasks, provision of points for washing of hands and maintaining of physical distancing.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: FG bans flights from 2 countries next week
Attah frowned at the situation where some shopping malls do not even have crowd control policies, leading to contravention of the physical distancing guideline.
He revealed that at the Maitama Farmers’ market, the taskforce observed strong disregard for the protocols as most people were not wearing facemasks and there was only one washing point at the market.
He disclosed that three persons were arrested at the market, adding that the taskforce would close farmer market when next it visits if the violations persisted.
Other places visited were the Jabi Lake Mall, Novera Shoprite Mall along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Road and some business premises at Wuse and Maitama Districts.
December 29, 2020
CSO Empowers 100 Widows to Honor CBN Governor
…Commends Corporate Department for Excellent External Relations
As part of activities marking the end of year, a Civil Society Organisation, Save Nigeria Movement has donated grinding machines to 25 widows as well as given cash donations to 100 widows as start up grants for dry season farming of vegetables.
Presenting the donations in makurdi the Benue state capital, leader of the CSO, Bishop Abel King said the gesture was to mark the second anniversary as well honor the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for it’s commitment to corporate responsibilities.
He explained that the civil society was pleased with the excellent external relations the bank has promoted in recent times adding that such is what is expected of every public institution to promote public trust between citizens and government.
“The deputy governor of corporate affairs department has dutifully implemented the apex bank’s corporate reforms in line with the mandate of the CBN governor.
“This is the only time in the history of the country that the civil society has access to books and transactions going on in the CBN for public scrutiny. Nigerians couldn’t have asked for more accountability and transparency such as shown by the CBN corporate affairs department.
“We are are reaching out to the widows as a mark of honor to further encourage and commit the CBN to do more, knowing that Nigerians appreciate their sacrifice at all times.
“We are proud of the opportunity to share with the widows as a testimony to the good social works of the apex bank.
“This gesture also symbolizes the CBN policy of empoweing the most common Nigerians as shown in the various interventions implemented by the bank particularly, the recent COVID-19 household facility as well the SMEs packages”, the CSO noted.
It further said the civil society task force will continue to work with the corporate department and at the same time hold the bank to task on issues that will engender positive impact to ordinary Nigerians and boost the the economy in line with the CBN ultimate goal.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Terna Atule said she was thankful to the organization and prayed for the CBN leadership to continue to inspire more of such activities so that more less privileged will benefit from it.
December 29, 2020
State of the Nation: Muslim professionals condemn attacks on Bishop Kukah
*Says, vilifying Kukah for speaking truth to power wrong
A coalition of Nigerian Muslim professionals has condemned attacks trailing Bishop Matthew Kukah following his Christmas Day Message,where he allegedly berated the state of the nation, warning that unless leaders sit up,Nigeria was heading towards a failed state.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Prof. Mohammed Inuwa, commended Bishop Kukah
his boldness to speak truth to power and faulted those vilifying him.
While reacting to the attacks on the Bishop, the Muslim Professionals noted that President Buhari means well for the country but faulted him in some actions taken by his administration which it said was not promoting unity.
According to them, the country would be a great place to live if there were up to three persons like the Catholic bishop, saying those who were hiding from the truth were doing so for their personal interests.
It tasked the president to see the Bishop’s message as a wake-up call with a view to adjusting his policies and programmes for the betterment of the Nigeria and Nigerians.
Taking a swipe at those attacking the catholic Bishop, the Nigerian Muslim Professionals said that those condemning him were doing it for their pecuniary gains and not the interest of the country.
It warned against twisting the message to mean the Bishop endorses coup, saying contrary to those promoting that insinuation, the revered Bishop was too learned to support such ignoble path to installing leadership, saying Nigerians with conscience would not fall to the antics of those twisting the Bishop’s message for selfish reasons.
The group said having followed Bishop Kukah’s activities and preaching since the days of the military, it was convinced that not to many Nigerians took the interest of the country at heart like kukah”.
“Even during the military era where people dreaded the powers that be at the time, Bishop Kukah, who was then a Catholic priest spoke truth to those at the helm of affairs without fear or favour. He has shown through his actions all the years that he is a true son of Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. We should support him for being bold enough to come out to speak what many Nigerians know is the truth but afraid to speak out for fear of the leadership”, the statement read.
“While we must admit that President Muhammad Buhari means well for the nation, we must say that most people in his government are grossly incompetent and don’t deserve to stay around power even in an uncivilized space,” the group stated.
The group said it would not shy away from the truth even though most of the president’s actions drawing criticisms were in favour of its region.
It flayed the glaring marginalisation of the Igbo in every facet of national life,saying the development was not promoting national cohesion which nationalists that laid down their lives for the country’s independence wanted.
“There’s nothing wrong with Bishop kukah’s statement in the actual sense. Some regions particularly the South East has been marginalized in successive governments, and the administration of President Muhammad Buhari came and amplified it with the worst, “it added.
It could be recalled that the Archbishop Bishop of Sokoto Catholic diocese was quoted as accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of piloting Nigeria into darkness in the message titled: “A Nation in Search of Vindication.”
He took swipe at the worsening state of insecurity in the country just as he berated the current federal administration of glaringly abandoning the nation’s extant federal character principles and rather promoting nepotism with impunity.
The development has been drawing criticisms from the president’s friends, political associates and party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
December 29, 2020
Woman accuses police officers of assaulting her and leaving her with a bleeding face
A woman has accused police officers stationed in Ekpan police station, Warri, Delta state, of assault.
The woman claims she was in a keke with her friend and the driver when they passed by 7 men who stopped them.
At first they didn’t know the men were police officers so the keke driver continued driving.
When the keke eventually stopped, she said the police officers assaulted her, called her a prostitute and one of them hit her with the butt of his torchlight.
In a photo shared to Twitter, the woman is seen bleeding from her nose.
She explained that she eventually went to Ekpan police station to report but they claimed they do not know the men who assaulted her. She said the officers collected her number and promised to do something about the assault.
She said she’s bringing the incident to Twitter because she wants justice.
Twitter users tagged ACP Markus Ishaku Basiran, head of the NPF Complaint Response Unit, to the lady’s tweets.
“@AcpIshaku Please sir look into this,The Ekpan police division has been nothing but a menace to Warri and its environ,the DPO should be thoroughly sanctioned for breeding lose and high handed officers,” a Twitter user wrote.
And Ishaku reacted, writing: “He’s now aware that his engagement with citizens call for review. Going forward, specific issues involving the DPO or any of his officers will ease interrogation. Thanks, pls.”
December 29, 2020
Sokoto APC Rep empowers 1000 constituents with items, cash
By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto
A Member of the House of Represenatives, representing Yabo and Shagari Federal Constituency, Sokoto State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Alhaji Abubakar Umar, on Tuesday, empowered no fewer than one thousand of his constituents, with various items and cash.
The items distributed were two hundred pieces each of water pumping and sewing machines, as well as bags of maize.
Similarly, some of the beneficiaries each got N 20,000 and a bag each of rice seeds, while others were given N 10,000 each and a bag of rice seeds.
Speaking at the ceremony held in Yabo, headquarters of Yabo Local Government, the Leader of the Party in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, commended the donor for the gesture .
Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District, disclosed that, the gesture was in line with the ideals of the APC, which upholds the integrity and honour of Nigerians .
He also urged the leaders of the party in the state to sustain their credible and laudable leadership styles.
Wamakko also urged that, the people of the state, who have sustained their support to the party, should continue to be assisted .
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for excellently leading the country, stating that, no fewer than thirteen intervention programmes were initiated by the Federal Government.
This, Wamakko, explained, was in the bid to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian masses.
Also speaking, the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida, said that, Umar, just like other elected officials of the party were following the dexterous footsteps of Wamakko.
Achida, who described Wamakko as an indefatigable and selless leader, adding that, the party has been successfully thriving, sequel to Wamakko’s unequalled benovelence.
The donor, Umar, who also extolled the sterling leadership style of Wamakko, said, ” we are just trying to emulate him in our own little ways.”
The MP also said that, the gestures were aimed at further alleviating the suffering of the beneficiaries, as well as curb the menace of unemployment and poverty.
The Caretaker Chairmen of APC in Yabo and Shagari Local Governments, Alhaji Bello Danmaliki and Alhaji Abubakar Sardauna, respectively, disclosed that , Umar has also pledged N 2millon worth of projects in each of the twenty two political wards in the areas.
December 29, 2020
AFAN Jigawa State Chapter Commends Governor Badaru, Canvassed Supports To Kabir Ibrahim
By Jabiru Hassan from Dutse.
The chairman of All farmers association Jigawa state chapter, Alhaji Idris Yau Mai Unguwa has commended the state governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar for bringing out more conducive atmosphere to the development of profitable agricultural production in the state.
He made the remark in an interaction with Daybreak News in Dutse when our correspondent visited the state, adding that governor Badaru Abubakar is doing well in agricultural sector where the farmers across the 27 local government areas are being supported in one way or the other which is a commendable effort.
Mai Unguwa announced that” farmers in Jigawa state are being treated very wee in order to boost their farming according to different crops value chains which is a landmark achievements that are becoming more satisfactorily in the area of profitable agricultural production in the state, therefore AFAN in Jigawa state is getting full supports and recognition by our able governor”. He emphasized.
The chairman added that there is also an excellent working relationship between the association and the state’s ministry of agriculture, the state’s ADP and the non-governmental organisations that are existing in Jigawa state that is why agriculture remained the best occupation in the state.
Alhaji Idris Yau announced that “I wish to also notify you that we don’t have any misunderstanding in our association in Jigawa state, we are working with one voice and under the leadership of our national president, architect Kabir Ibrahim, who is the only authentic AFAN national president that was duly elected in a democratic process by the Nigerian farmers”. He concluded.
December 29, 2020