The Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ekwe Ibas has flagged off the 2020 Chief of Naval staff, sea inspection in Lagos.
The Naval Staff, who was represented by Admiral Lawal, said the exercise is aimed at checking threats to Nigeria’s security on sea.
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Soldier, Civilian Die In Effort To Rescue Foreigner Abducted In Oyo – Police
The Oyo State Police Command says two bodies have been recovered while a gunshot victim is receiving treatment as efforts intensify to rescue one Hassan Mills, a foreigner who was kidnapped by gunmen.
Mills was abducted at about 5pm on Saturday from Panorama Farm Mekun in the Oke Alaro area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo, Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the abduction and death of the two persons in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, those killed include a soldier and a civilian while a lieutenant of the Nigeria Army sustained a gunshot wound.
Fadeyi explained that the victim was abducted at the entrance of the farm by yet-to-be-identified armed men who shot sporadically before taking him away into the forest.
He noted that a distress call to the Divisional Police Officer in Oke Alaro led to a chase after the abductors who fled with their victim into the forest.
“A team of Operation Burst which was invited by the company arrived at the area and proceeded on a hot chase into the forest.
“Not too long, one army lieutenant sustained gunshot injury on his right lap and immediately taken to the hospital while the personal assistant to the victim who was also abducted escaped during an exchange of gunfire,” the statement said.
It added, “On 13/12/2020, two corpses of one soldier and a civilian were recovered from the forest while a civil defence personnel also sustained gunshot injury after a search of the forest.”
The command spokesman decried that some foreign nationals do not involve the police in their movement and as a result, it would be difficult for the police to give advice appropriately.
He was also worried that negotiation with the abductors of the victim has been concealed from the police.
Fadeyi, however, appealed to residents of the state to support the police with useful and credible information on the whereabouts of the fleeing armed men
#BringBackOurBoys: Northern Group to take protest to Buhari’s Home town
The Coalition of Northern Group says its state chapters will trek to Daura, the country home of President Muhammadu Buhari, in protest against the abduction of at least 333 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.
Bandits had stormed the school on Friday night and abducted the students after a gun duel with the police. The President had arrived in the state on Friday, hours before the abduction took place.
Under the banner of the #Bringbackourboys campaign, the CNG spokesperson, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, stated on Monday that his members would storm the President’s residence today and remain there till the 333 missing students were rescued.
He said, “Our state chapters are also embarking on a long trek to Daura in Katsina State to demand immediate action from Buhari who is currently in Daura.
“The Kano CNG will take off from Dambatta in solidarity with the Katsina chapter to link up with the Jigawa contingent at Kazaure from where they will join the Kano team at Mashi and proceed on the great trek to Daura for the long wait in front of Buhari’s country home.”
The spokesperson also said the group was pained by the renewed onslaught by bandits on northerners.
“The daring kidnap of hundreds of school children in Katsina only goes to confirm the series of warnings raised by the CNG that thousands of our fellow citizens in the north have virtually been abandoned to armed criminals and a vicious insurgency,” he stated.
Since the attack, all secondary schools in the state have been shut. Residents of Kankara also protested the abduction of the students on Sunday, asking the authorities to ensure their speedy release.
Senate Appropriation Committee to Table 2021 Budget Tomorrow
Barring any last minute change, the Senate Appropriation Committee will tomorrow table the 2021 budget for passage, ‘because the National Assembly may likely go on a Christmas break on December 17’.
According to a source in the Senate Committee on Appropriation, the budget bill would be laid in the Senate on Tuesday because of the likelihood of passage on Tuesday or Wednesday.
However, the source said if there were any differences in the Senate budget bill with the House of Representatives version, then it will go for harmonization between the Senate and House Appropriation Committees.
But the Senate Appropriation Committee source said: “We don’t envisage if there would be any difference because both appropriation committees in the Senate and the House worked together with even the finance committee on the budget estimates.
“So, all thing being equal, it will be laid in the Senate on Tuesday, and possibly passed on Wednesday as we envisage that the National Assembly will go on break next Thursday,” he said.
It was gathered that with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth being negative from the third quarter of this year, President Muhammadu Buhari has predicted that the country’s economy may lapse into the second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences.
The president, who disclosed this when he presented a N13.08 trillion budget proposal for 2021 fiscal year to the joint session of the National Assembly, however, assured Nigerians that his government would do everything possible to get the country out of the recession in 2021.
He stressed that Nigeria’s economy is currently facing serious challenges, with the macroeconomic environment being significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buhari explained that GDP growth declined by 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020, adding that this ended the three-year trend of positive, but modest GDP growth recorded since the second quarter of 2017.
According to him, “The Nigerian economy is currently facing serious challenges, with the macroeconomic environment being significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The real GDP growth declined by 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020, and this ended the three-year trend of positive but modest real GDP growth recorded since the second quarter of 2017. I am glad to note that through our collective efforts, our economy performed relatively better than that of many other developed and emerging economies.
“GDP growth is projected to be negative in the third quarter of this year. As such, our economy may lapse into the second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences. However, we are working assiduously to ensure a rapid recovery in 2021. We remain committed to implementing programmes to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years.”Close
The president noted further that the 2021 Appropriation with the theme: ‘Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilience’, was designed to further deliver on the goals of Economic Sustainability Plan.
He said the exchange rate has been fixed at N379 per dollar, while the GDP growth is projected at 3.0 per cent and inflation closing at 11.95 per cent.
Buhari said: “An aggregate expenditure of N13.08 trillion is proposed for the federal government in 2021. This includes N1.35 trillion spending by government owned enterprises and grants and aid funded expenditures of N354.85 billion.
“The 2021 budget deficit (inclusive of government owned enterprises and project-tied loans) is projected at N5.20 trillion. This represents 3.64 per cent of estimated GDP, slightly above the 3 per cent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007.”
The president explained that the budget deficit would be financed mainly by new borrowings totaling N4.28 trillion-N205.15 billion from privatisation proceeds and N709.69 billion in drawdowns on multilateral and bilateral loans secured for specific projects and programmes.
On statutory transfers, he stressed further that the sum of N484.49 billion provided for statutory transfers in the 2021 budget represents an increase of N56.46 billion (or 13 per cent) over the revised 2020 provision.
President Buhari, however, urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the budget.
Oyo Deputy Governor, complain bitterly of unfair treatment by his boss
The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, has cried out over what he described as unfair treatment by his boss, Governor Seyi Makinde.
Olaniyan complained bitterly of not being carried along in the government.
Rauf Olaniyan (left) and Governor Seyi Makinde (right).The deputy governor, in a PDP Elders Steering Committee report submitted to the governor, a copy of which was made available to SaharaReporters, said the governor had completely forgotten about the promises he made to him during the election.
The Oke-Ogun born deputy governor lamented that the governor only gave him few portfolios since he assumed office.
He wondered why a former senator, Agboola Halleluyah, is more relevant in the government than himself who is constitutionally number two citizen of the state.
The report partly reads, “Olaniyan complained bitterly about being oblivious about the running of the government. He said the governor has completely forgotten about the promises he made to him during the election.
“He said that the governor had treated him in the most unfair, unjust and the most unkind manner. He complained that the governor only gave him a few portfolios and he has not given him more since then. He also feels that Senator Agboola Halleluyah is more relevant than him in the government.”
Nigeria: 20 Army Generals Test Positive for Covid-19
At least 20 Nigerian Army Generals have tested positive for COVID-19, military sources said yesterday.
The infected military officers, according to Channels Television, were said to have had contact with the late Maj. Gen. Olu Irefin who died from COVID-19 complications last week.
According to the sources, the affected senior army officers were attendees of the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Abuja, from where they were suspected of contracting the virus.
Besides, Irefin was said to have visited some of his colleagues at home before he attended the conference.
Anthony Joshua calls out Fury after victorious defeat against Pulev
Anthony Joshua insists a blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury will “bring out the best in me” after his British rival claimed he would beat the world heavyweight champion in three rounds.
Joshua earned a ninth-round stoppage win against Kubrat Pulev on Saturday to retain his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts at Wembley Arena.
After a successful return to the ring in his first fight for 12 months, Joshua immediately found himself thrown into the debate about a mooted all-British showdown with WBC champion Fury.
Amid reports the hotly-anticipated fight is set for 2021, Fury took to social media to say: “I want the fight, I want the fight next and I will knock him out inside three rounds.”
Joshua has no intention of backing down from the Fury clash, although hurdles in the way of the super-fight include his WBO mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk and another possible meeting between Fury and Deontay Wilder.
“That’s good to hear. At least I can get him in the ring. That’s what we want right? So he’s on the right track,” Joshua told the BBC when asked about Fury’s social media taunts.
“I said he’s talented and he will bring out the best in me. So that’s brilliant.
“I’ve been to his fights, I’ve watched him, so when I fight him it will be good to change those odds and put them in my favour.”
FCT Minister condoles Leadership newspaper over death of Publisher
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has mourned the death of the Publisher of Leadership newspaper Sam Nda- Isaiah who passed on in the early hours of Friday.
In a condolence message to his family and the Leadership newspaper, Bello described the late Publisher as a politician and an epitome of hard-work and patriotism, a bridge builder and a firm believer in the unity of Nigeria.
The minister said , “Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, was an epitome of hard work, a firm believer in the unity of Nigeria and a great patriot. Although a pharmacist by training, through hard work and commitment to excellence, he founded the Leadership Group which has in its stable one of Nigeria’s foremost and most influential newspapers.”
He also noted that as a resident of Abuja, whose business concerns were located in the nation’s capital, the late Sam Nda-Isaiah contributed immensely to the development of the FCT.
Malam Bello also prayed that the Almighty will grant his entire family and the Leadership Group the strength to bear the loss.
Boss Mustapha goes into isolation as family members test positive for COVID-19
The Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, has gone into self-isolation after some members of his household tested positive for COVID-19.
Mustapha, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, made this known in a statement Sunday.
The statement was titled, ‘Some members of SGF’s household test positive to COVID-19’.
It read, “I would like to inform the general public that some members of my household tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday evening.
“Although they are currently asymptomatic, they have been isolated and are receiving care in one of the government treatment centres.
“My wife and I tested negative, but will remain in self-isolation and work from home according to protocols by the health authorities.
“I would like to remind all Nigerians that COVID-19 is real. As the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control announced last week, we are recording an increase in cases across several states.
“Please stay safe and protect yourself. Adhere to all public health and safety measures so that we do not lose the gains we have made in the fight against COVID-19.
“As a family, we covet your prayers.
“Please Take Responsibility for yourself and to protect our country!”
Army Chief Buratai in self isolation as 18 generals reportedly test positive for Covid-19
18 Nigerian Army generals according to military sources in the nations capital, Abuja, have tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The infected military officers were said to have had contact with late Major General John Olubunmi Irefin who died from COVID-19 complications last week.
According to the sources, the affected senior army officers attended the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.
The late General Irefin, the general officer commanding the 6th division of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt was said to have visited some of his colleagues at home before he attended the conference.
All the officers who attended the conference, their wives, and other members of their families who live with them, have been directed to isolate themselves for a week by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The affected officers according to military sources were mostly those who came from outside Abuja and have been tested by officials of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control.
Reports had it that the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Asokoro, venue of the aborted conference has been decontaminated by health officials at the weekend
Major General Olubunmi Irefin fell ill at the 2020 Chief of Army Staff Conference last week and was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed Covid 19 positive.
He died while receiving treatment though his kinsmen from Ayetoro-Gbede in Kogi State are disputing the claim by the Army headquarters that he died from complications associated with Covid-19.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Tukur Buratai is currently in isolation after coming into contact with the late General Olu Irefin.
Rauf Olaniyan (left) and Governor Seyi Makinde (right).
