Today’s Nigerian Newspaper Cover Stories 18- December -2020
Category: News
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COVID-19: Gov Tambuwal goes into Isolation
The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has gone into isolation after coming in contact with a person who tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus disease.
The Governor announced this via his Twitter account on Friday.
He further revealed that he had undergone a COVID-19 test.
He said the Deputy Governor will oversee all activities of the state pending the outcome of his test result.
“Gov Tambuwal goes into isolation after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
“The Deputy Gov will oversee all activities of the state pending the outcome of the test result of the Governor.
Recall that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, recently tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus disease.
Lai Mohammed assures Nigerians no school children will be kidnap again
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday promised that Federal Government will make sure there would be no future occurrence of kidnapping of school children.
At a press conference on Friday, Mohammed, however, said every country and government would experience insecurity at one point or another.
He explained that the students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, who were released by their abductors on Thursday evening will undergo necessary medical tests before they are released to their families.
“We also wish to thank the governments of Katsina and Zamfara states and indeed all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.
“Let me be clear: What happened in Kankara – and in Chibok and Dapchi before it – is totally unacceptable. Our children should not have to go to school in trepidation.
“The Federal Government is doing everything possible to secure all our schools, and indeed all Nigerians. And we will not relent until all Nigerians can go to bed at night with their two eyes closed.”
The minister said the release of the school boys was a testament to the importance that the administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians.
“What stands any government out is the manner it responds to such challenges.
Kankara school boys marked the second of its kind under this administration, coming after the unfortunate abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, in February 2018.“Just like the good news from Kankara, all but one of the kidnapped school girls in Dapchi were rescued unharmed. And in 2014, 276 school girls were abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State, out of which 112 remain in captivity after this administration rescued over 100 of the school girls.
Mohammed noted that on the two occasions, government had moved with speed and determination and the results attest to this.
“Each time this has happened, we have always accepted responsibility, rather than being in denial,” he added.
Mohammed promised to continue to make efforts that will secure release of remaining students in captivity including Leah Sharibu and Chibok girl
National Identity Number: Nigerians Expose NIMC Officials Demanding Bribe, Harassing Enrollees
The NIMC officials and enrollment officers insisted that until the money was paid, enrollees would not be given the information data forms to fill.
According to a victim of the extortion, Mr Kingsley Unegbu, who went to enrol on Thursday, the NIMC needs to investigate the fraudulent acts and bring the officials to book.
Unegbu, who also wrote a petition to the NIMC authorities on the extortion, noted that he was disappointed that the enrollees would pay for forms marked, “free and not for sale.”
A copy of the petition obtained by SaharaReporters, reads, “The NIMC staff or enrolment officers were extorting and demanding the sum of N1000 from each enrollee before giving out the information data forms to fill. I resisted and refused to give any money to the enrollment staff after they issued me with the form.
“I was besieged with stiff resistance by the staff of NIMC who forcefully withdrew the form from me and pushed me out of the arena.
“The enrolment officer, who I could not identify his name, boldly came out and addressed us, saying that the money they were collecting from us are known to their bosses at the head office, and I cannot do anything about it.
“I am therefore calling on the management of NIMC to carry out a thorough investigation on this petition and bring all the culprits to book because this amounts to official gross misconduct and corrupt practices.”
Some officials of the National Identity Management Commission have been accused of harassing and demanding N1000 from enrollees who want to get the National Identity Number in the Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.
SaharaReporters gathered that the NIMC officials and enrollment officers insisted that until the money was paid, enrollees would not be given the information data forms to fill.
According to a victim of the extortion, Mr Kingsley Unegbu, who went to enrol on Thursday, the NIMC needs to investigate the fraudulent acts and bring the officials to book.
Unegbu, who also wrote a petition to the NIMC authorities on the extortion, noted that he was disappointed that the enrollees would pay for forms marked, “free and not for sale.”
A copy of the petition obtained by SaharaReporters, reads, “The NIMC staff or enrolment officers were extorting and demanding the sum of N1000 from each enrollee before giving out the information data forms to fill. I resisted and refused to give any money to the enrollment staff after they issued me with the form.
“I was besieged with stiff resistance by the staff of NIMC who forcefully withdrew the form from me and pushed me out of the arena.
“The enrolment officer, who I could not identify his name, boldly came out and addressed us, saying that the money they were collecting from us are known to their bosses at the head office, and I cannot do anything about it.
“I am therefore calling on the management of NIMC to carry out a thorough investigation on this petition and bring all the culprits to book because this amounts to official gross misconduct and corrupt practices.”
Buhari, Ganduje, El-Rufai to meet rescued kankara school boys
President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state are expected to address the 344 rescued students of Government Science Secondary School, Katsina later Friday.
Recall that Governor Aminu Bello Masari had earlier on Friday at about 9.26 am received the rescued boys at Government House Katsina, from the commander 17 Brigade, Brigadier-General W.B Idris.
Masari had during the reception of the boys assured that the incident which saw the abduction of the boys by kidnappers will never repeat again adding that the state government will beef up security in schools as well as work closely with security agencies to address insecurity in the state
He said, “today is historic, not only for Katsina state and Nigeria, but also for the Children that were rudely abducted from their school. We commend the effort made by the security agencies and other relevant authorities in ensuring the release of the boys
“We thank god for his mercies and continue to pray for His guidance and protection’’
‘’For those who actually participated in ensuring their release we thank you, security is the responsibility of every one.’’
While acknowledging that the incident that happened in Kankara affected the whole the state cutting across the 34 local government areas of the state, he assured that his administration will strive to restore peace in the state
He charged the pupils to see their experience as journey to adulthood that will be permanently kept in their memory for a long time, assuring that the state government will continue to discharge its responsibility of protecting lives and properties
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 17 Brigadier, Brigadier-General WB Idris, noted that the rescue of the boys was as result of collective efforts by security agencies in the state
He said “the continued efforts by security agencies to rescue the boys have yielded positive results today; we are handing over 344 students of GSSS Kankara to you so that you can hand them over to their parents.’’
The pupils are expected to be taken to the hospital for checks, profiled by the education authorities before they are handed over to their parents
Fed. University Lokoja Gets New Vice Chancellor
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Governing Council of the Federal University Lokoja has appointed Professor Olayemi Rotimi Akinwumi as the new Vice Chancellor of the university.
Professor Akinwumi is a professor of History from Nassarawa state University.
Before his new appointment, Professor Akinwumi was the deputy vice Chancellor in the Nasarawa State university.
Cross River C.P Jimoh Ibrahim, allegedly dies of COVID-19
The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Ibrahim has died from suspected COVID-19.
It was gathered that the police boss died on Friday, December 18, at the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Isolation Centre in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH Calabar.
However, a source close to the family, told Vanguard that Ibrahim was rushed to UCTH on Friday morning, December 18, where he died of pneumonia complications.
“Nobody should tell you he died of COVID-19 but the doctors said he died of pneumonia.” the source claimed.
A police source said the CP was diabetic and had complained of not feeling well for some time.
“They have told us to report today at State Police Command headquarters by 3.00 pm to solidarity with him as he is to be given an award for excellent services but nobody told us he is dead.” the source said.
COVID-19: Stay at home for Christmas, WHO warns
People shouldn’t go out over Christmas as it’s ‘not worth the risk’ of catching coronavirus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.
As more than two-thirds of England is set to be plunged into tier three measures as of tomorrow, the WHO has warned ‘the safest thing to do right now is to remain at home’. The organisation’s regional director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge said: ‘There remains a difference between what you are being permitted to do by your authorities and what you should do.’ In a statement, he added: ‘We have a few more months of sacrifice ahead and can behave now in a way that collectively we are proud of.
When we look back at these unprecedented times, I hope we all felt we acted with a spirit of shared humanity to protect those in need.’ It comes after fears stricter measures might be needed after Christmas, with suggestions of the introduction of a fourth tier of restrictions or even a third national lockdown. There are concerns the relaxation of measures to form ‘bubbles’ of three households for five days over the festive period. Dame Donna Kinnair, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, warned this could lead to an ‘unrelenting tsunami’ of cases.
After a difficult year, it is everybody’s instinct to want to be together and see loved ones – especially those who live far apart or feel isolated. But what is at stake is coming into sharp focus,’ she said. ‘Travelling and family visits associated with this time of year will undoubtedly lead to more cases, more pressure on NHS and care services, and more deaths. ‘By turning the second and third waves into an unrelenting tsunami, we would begin 2021 in the worst possible way.’ She said nurses would not enjoy Christmas ‘knowing what awaits them in January’ and urged the Government to be ‘clearer about the risks – not just the rules’. ‘This virus isn’t taking Christmas off and nor should we,’ she added.
BREAKING: Unknown Gunmen attack Zamfara Emir’s convoy, kill eight
Some unknown gunmen have attacked the convoy of the Emir of Kaura Namoda in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad, killing eight people and injuring others.
The accident, according to an eyewitness who escaped during the attack, said, “The Emir’s convoy was ambushed by the suspected gunmen along Zaria-Funtua highway while returning to Gusau from Abuja.
“The Emir was coming back to Zamfara from Abuja in the midnight in a convoy of his official vehicles.”
According to him, eight occupants of the Toyota Hilux, including the driver, were all shot dead by the gunmen, adding that “the Emir escaped unhurt”.
Among those killed in the attack, according to the source, are three policemen and the driver of the Toyota Hilux.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Zamfara State Police Command, Mohammed Shehu, declined comment.
The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, Isa Gambo, confirmed the incident
Details later…
Independent legislature will boost youth development, says stakeholders
By Mike Oboh
The financial independence of the legislative arm of government in Nigeria will help boost the efficiency of pockets of development for youths in the country.
This was the position of most speakers at the Live Virtual Studio Citizens Town Hall on Youth Responsive Service Delivery and Development organized by YAIGA Africa on Friday in Abuja.
According to the them, the youths stand to benefit more from developmental projects by governments if the legislatures are free to take decision which are binding on the governors to execute.They said the way things are today, the youths may not be able to benefit from such projects if the legislature remain as it is without any change.
It was agreed that the legislators should take the power from their executives to avoid the slave ideology which is the in thing as at today.It was also said that the youths should be mentored to get the required leadership skills to reposition the country.
According to them, the country need deliberate and hard working people who know what they are doing politically and consciously to make the youths to be responsive to the development of the country.Meanwhile, Hamza Lawal of Connected Development(CODE) has said that because development bar in the country is low, it will take a long while for the youths to understand the path of development in the country.
Lawal said because the present crops of youths did not benefit from free education and social amenity as was done in the past, rating the development bar in the country have not be properly done for the youths to properly exploit.
He said it was unfortunate that failed governments are being used to judge each other as the country has failed to provide the needed justification for the youths to assess their leadership while they were in charge.
Lawal was optimistic that the country will move forward progressively if the youths are allowed to be major participants in the developmental stride in the country.
