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Klopp reveals Thiago Alcantara health update after return to training
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is nearing a return to action though still needs to come through team training unscathed before he can be passed fit to play.
The Spaniard, a high-profile summer signing from Champions League holders Bayern Munich, has endured a difficult start to his career at Anfield, testing positive for coronavirus back in September and then picking up an injury in the Merseyside derby on his return to action.
Thiago was on the receiving end of a rash challenge from Everton’s Richarlison in the middle of October, who was shown a red card, and has not played since.
But he got Liverpool fans very excited when he was pictured on the pitches at the club’s new Kirkby training ground, having finally appeared to have overcome his knee injury.
While Klopp is encouraged by the 29-year-old’s progress, he says Thiago is yet to take part in training with the rest of the squad and is being cautious with the midfielder, with a January return most likely.
Asked if Thiago was eager to finally ignite his Liverpool career, Klopp said: ‘He is, he is. We’ve already made jokes here when we said, “I think we should sign Thiago for January”.
‘So it gets closer and closer, and it’s a good way, but we will not rush it.
‘We cannot rush it, and he will not, because he’s not allowed to rush it. But of course it’s nice.
READ ALSO: FG cancels N20 USSD NIN retrieval fee
‘Having him on the pitch, training, doing a lot of stuff. ‘But he was not in team training yet and that’s actually the final step.
‘We will see how this weekend looks with him on the [training] pitch and next week can he be in team training? I don’t know in the moment 100%.
‘He has to pass a few tests on the training pitch until we make that decision.
‘Hopefully that’s not only for him the case, but Milly [James Milner] will be similar, with Shaq [Xherdan Shaqiri] it will be similar.
‘Did I forget anyone? If I forgot someone it’s not because I’m disrespectful it’s just a lot of players are injured at the moment!’
December 18, 2020
FG cancels N20 USSD NIN retrieval fee
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami has directed the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Identity Management Commission to remove the N20 USSD fee imposed on subscribers for National Identification Number retrieval requests.
The NCC had recently asked telecommunication service providers to block SIM cards not registered with NIN after two weeks.
The government also listed 173 centres and 30 state government institutions approved for NIN enrolment across Nigeria.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Released Kankara schoolboys arrive in Katsina
Subscribers who had enrolled for NIN in the past but don’t remember their identification numbers are required to pay a fee for the retrieval.
But in a statement on Friday by the spokesperson for the minister, Uwa Suleiman, the government ordered telcos to stop the deduction for NIN retrieval.
The statement titled, ‘Pantami Orders Cancellation Of NIN Retrieval Charge Across All Networks’, partly read, “The Minister’s directive which takes immediate effect, is an intervention aimed at making the process easier and affordable.
“In a letter conveying the implementation of the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman NCC and the Director-General of NIMC informed Dr Pantami that the relevant authorities had met with, and negotiated a waiver with the Mobile Network Operators in that regard.
“By this waiver, all Nigerians, subscribers and applicants can access the service using the *346# code for their NIN retrieval at no charge for the duration of the NIN/SIM Card integration exercise.”
December 18, 2020
FG Orders Network Providers To Cancel NIN ₦20 Retrieval Charges
The Federal Government has ordered all network providers to cancel the N20 charge for the retrieval of the National Identification Number (NIN) with immediate effect.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami gave the order in a statement issued on Friday.
“The Minister’s directive which takes immediate effect is an intervention aimed at making the process easier and affordable,” the minister said.
“In a letter conveying the implementation of the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman NCC and the Director-General of NIMC informed Dr Pantami that the relevant authorities had met with, and negotiated a waiver with the Mobile Network Operators in that regard.
“By this waiver, all Nigerians, subscribers and applicants can access the service using the *346# code for their NIN retrieval at no charge for the duration of the NIN/SIM Card integration exercise.”
A few days back, the Federal Government had directed that all NIN should be integrated with the Subscriber Identification Modules for security purposes and ordered the network operators to ask all their subscribers to provide valid NIN to update their records and suspend SIM registration.
The development sparked diverse reactions from Nigerians who questioned the rationale behind the short notice, insisting the time frame was short.
The House of Representatives was the first to call on the National Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the 31st December deadline issued to sim card owners to submit their NIN to their network providers to prevent blocking.
The motion was moved on Wednesday during plenary by the House Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu.
According to the lawmaker, two weeks is too short for 200 million Nigerians to conclude the process.
The House lauds the intention of the NCC, for security reasons but wants the process to be extended to 10 weeks, considering the difficulty experienced by Nigerians in attaining the NIN.
December 18, 2020
Fake Army Major, Arrested By NSCDC, Nasrawa Command
By Leonard/ lafia
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Nasarawa State Command says it has arrested 46 years old Amos John Ewuga for alleged impersonation, job racketeering and fraud.
This was contained in a press release signed by the public Relations Officer of the command, Muhammed Suraju Idris saying the Corps mounted surveillance and arrested him along Akwanga-Keffi-Abuja road, following series of complaints received against him.
Ewuga, who is from Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has been impersonating as a Major of the the Nigerian Army.
He has however confessed to the crime saying he has extorted money running into millions of naira from innocent job seekers both within and outside Nasarawa state with the promise to provide job opportunities for them in the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy and other paramilitary agencies.
Item recovered from him was a dark tinted Army colour Highlander Jeep with registration number RBC 398 JM.
Ewuga will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.
December 18, 2020
We’re enslaved: Benue South farmers cries out over herders invasion
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Benue South Senatorial zone have cried out over what they described as unbecoming activities of herdsmen on their farm land making it difficult for them to harvest farms product.
A farmer and a member of the vigilante in Edumoga Idoma, in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue state who disclosed this to journalists in a chat said most times herders deliberately grazed their cattle’s into their farms land and eat them up everything.
The man who spoke in anonymity for fear of singled out for punishment also said most times, the herders are met with cattle in the farm but they cannot talk for fear of been killed .
According to him, between the farming area and police station where they would lodge the report, the cattle rearers have gone or they’ll tell they are the one but their who has already gone. “Even if you succeeded in getting police to arrest them, the money spent and other expenditures made in transportation of police to and from the station would cover up the compensation paid, if not more. “If you meet them on it, you’ll be afraid to talk to them because they could kill you, and nothing will happen”, he lamented.
The farmer sighted instances of Killings of one farmer Mr Oleje Obande in a village known as Otobi and the killings which took place in Omusu village, among others, in Edumoga Ehaje.He therefore appealed to Benue state Governor Mr Samuel Ortom and other relevant authorities to intervene and liberate them from hunger, starvation and slavery in their ancestral home.
Other women and men from Okpiliho, Ipoya ogege and environments decried same situation, calling on God and leaders of Nigeria to assist them for sake of the Allah. “This things have been happening but we’ve nobody to complain to them to assist us aside police which is expensive to carryout”, they said.
December 18, 2020
BREAKING: Released Kankara schoolboys arrive in Katsina
Hundreds of schoolboys abducted last Friday from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, and released on Thursday night have arrived Katsina State
The students were escorted into the state capital by security operatives.
Some of the schoolboys, who were still clothed in their school uniforms, were led to an expansive hall in the Government House where they were received by Governor Aminu Masari.
Masari had on Thursday night confirmed the release of 344 abducted schoolboys, adding that the boys were at Tsafe, Zamfara State, and would be transported to Kankara today.
Masari also said no ransom was paid before the boys were released.
The Katsina governor also said the schoolboys would receive proper medical attention before they are reunited with their families.
Details later…
December 18, 2020
SIRA, Leading Foreign Relations Think Tank, Gets New Leadership.

The leading foreign relations Think Tank in Africa, the Society for International Relations Awareness (SIRA), has elected human rights activist, labour leader and author, Mr Owei Lakemfa as its new President. Mr. Lakemfa who for over two decades has run two weekly columns on Nigeria and international affairs in the VANGUARD Newspapers, succeeds Professor Nuhu O. Yaqub, OFR, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja, and Sokoto State University.

A statement by Oseloka Obaze, Chairperson, Public Affairs Committee of SIRA also identified the new Vice President as Colonel Wilson Ijide (retd), former Training Team Leader, Nigerian Army School of Infantry with wide experience in international peacekeeping. He has a PhD in Industrial/Organisational Psychology and lectures in the Department of Psychology, and Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan.
Dr. Adaora Osondu-Oti, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, was elected Chairperson of the Editorial/Publication Committee.
Elected Secretary is Mrs Fatima Mahmud, Lecturer in Political Science and International Relations, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Prof. W. Alade Fawole, a leading foreign affairs expert and author of books like, The Illusion of The Post-Colonial State: Governance and Security Challenges in Africaand Nigeria’s External Relations and Foreign Policy Under Military Rule: 1966-1999,was elected Chairperson of the Research Committee.
Dr. Tolu Elizabeth Ifedayo, lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, Federal University Oye, Ekiti, (FUOYE), was elected Financial Secretary.
Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze (OHO), former Nigerian diplomat, retired United Nations official and author, was elected Chairperson of the Public Affairs Committee. He had also served from June 2012 to June 2015 as the Secretary to the Government of Anambra State under Governors Peter Obi and Willie Obiano. He is the author of six books, including, Waning Strength of Government.
New Board of Trustees
The SIRA new Board of Trustees is chaired by Ambassador Jibrin Chinade, OFR. He was Nigerian Ambassador to Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, to the Hague, Netherlands, and the Russian Federation with Concurrent Accreditation to the Commonwealth of Independent States Countries (16 Countries). He was also Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Members of the Board include Prof. Emeritus Anthony Asiwaju, historian, and leading expert on border issues; Prof. Amadu Sesay, a leading authority on the Economic Community of West African States, and the African Union; Ambassador Abdul Rimdap, at various times Ambassador to Zambia, Austria, and Germany, and Ambassador Femi George, former Ambassador to Portugal, ex-High Commissioner to Canada and retired Federal Permanent Secretary.
Others are Professor R. Ayo Dunmoye, long standing Professor of Political Science and International relations, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Ms. Julie Sanda, Head of Department, Conflict, Peace-Keeping and Humanitarian Studies, National Defence College, and Professor Nuhu O. Yaqub, OFR, the immediate Past President of SIRA.

December 18, 2020
COVID-19: NCDC records 1,145 new infections, 1 additional death
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has registered 1,145 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Thursday, Dec.17, 2020 .
It said that as of Dec. 17, 2020, 1,145 new confirmed cases and one death were recorded in the country.
Daybreak reports that the figure was the highest ever infection recorded in one day since recordkeeping of COVID-19 commenced in Nigeria.
The latest figure surpassed the 930 cases recorded across the country on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 , giving further indication that the country is experiencing a second wave of the virus.
The public health agency sadly recorded one death in the last 24 hours in the country.
The NCDC said that the new infections brought the country’s totals to 76, 207.
According to it, the new infections are from 23 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The NCDC also disclosed that 335 patients have been discharged after testing negative from the virus.
The public health agency stated that Lagos State, the epicentre of the virus in the country, recorded the highest number of infections with 459 cases; FCT, Kaduna, and Plateau confirmed 145, 138 and 80 respectively.
READ ALSO: PTF declares second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria
Other states include Katsina-70, Gombe-52, Niger-31, Kano-23, Bayelsa -21, Bauchi-18, Ondo-18, Rivers-17, Ogun-12, Oyo-12, Edo – eight, Nasarawa- eight, Ebonyi- seven, Osun- six, Ekiti- five, Kebbi- five, Borno- four, Jigawa- three, Akwa Ibom- two and Anambra-one.
The NCDC said that a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 3 continues to coordinate the national response activities.
The agency noted that till date, 76,207 cases have been confirmed, 67,110 cases have been discharged and 1,201 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Daybreak reports that in Week 50, the number of new confirmed cases increased to 3,918 from 1,843 in Week 49. These were reported in 33 states including FCT.
In Week 50, the number of discharged cases decreased to 1,316 from 1,726 in week 49. These were reported in 25 states including FCT.
Cumulatively, since the outbreak began in Week 9, there have been 1,197 deaths reported with a case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.6 per cent .
The number of reported deaths in the last one week in states, including FCT, is 17.
In Week 50, the number of in-bound international travellers at Nigerian airports was 15,805 compared to 11,711 in Week 49.
In Week 50, the number of international travellers with a positive result after the 7th day of arrival was 129 compared to 81 in week 49.
In Africa, the count for confirmed COVID-19 cases is 2,379,094 with 56,337 deaths resulting in a case fatality rate of 2.4 per cent.
Globally, the count for confirmed COVID-19 cases is 70,829,855 with 1,605,091 deaths resulting in a case fatality rate of 2.3 per cent.
Errata: Two new cases were erroneously reported for Osun State in week.
The agency has conducted about 864,104 tests since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced.
December 18, 2020
BREAKING: Osun State Govt shuts schools indefinitely
Osun State Government, on Thursday, directed all primary and secondary schools in the state to proceed on Christmas and New Year break, starting from Friday.
This was contained in a Public Service Announcement signed by the Coordinating Director, Ministry of Education, K. Olaniyan.
The government stated that the decision to shut down both private and public schools was for safety reasons without indicating the resumption date.
There have been safety concerns over the rising cases of COVID-19 recorded in the state.
The announcement read in part, “The Government of the State of Osun has directed that all primary and secondary schools (private and public) should proceed on Christmas and New year break tomorrow – December 18, 2020.
“The government places a high premium on the safety of our citizens generally and students in particular hence this proactive preventive measure.
“Resumption date will be communicated as soon as it’s safe to resume in the new year.”
December 17, 2020
Release Kankara Students: ‘The Armed Forces Know Their Job’ – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday celebrated the release of abducted students of the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.
According to a statement signed by spokesman Garba Shehu, the President described their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and to the international community.
President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release and commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for the safe release of the hostages.”
Buhari added: “The Governor (Masari) and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated.”
On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the President gave assurances that his administration is acutely aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians. He urged the citizens to be fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy and corruption which the administration was elected to resolve.
“When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls,” he said. “When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show.”
The President pointed to the successes of the administration in dealing with security in the South-South and the North East. He said the North West now presented a problem which his administration is determined to deal with.
“We have a lot of work to do, especially now that we have reopened the borders. It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continued to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them. We will deal with all that,” the President further assured.
He prayed for the full recovery of the students who he said had endured significant hardships in the course of their six-day ordeal.
He also gave further assurances of the determination of his administration to return to safety all fellow citizens held against their will.
December 17, 2020