Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Category: News

You can add some category description here.

FG, ASUU Meeting Ends In another Stalemate
The meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) has once more failed to reach a decisive conclusion.
The closed-door meeting which was held on Wednesday at the conference room of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja lasted for five hours with newsmen being excused after opening remarks were made
ASUU National President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, led the delegation of striking lecturers to the meeting which had the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, in attendance.
In his opening remarks, the Minister said the Federal Government sees the meeting as a top priority and efforts were being made to ensure that Universities reopen as soon as possible.
The ASUU delegation, however, insisted that lecturers will not register on the Government Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), but would prefer the platform of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution when it is established.
While details of the meeting appear vague there appears to be no conclusive agreement as both parties refused to speak to the press
Earlier in the month, Dr Chris Ngige, said that Government had pledged to pay the sum of N40 billion with N30 billion to be paid on or before 6th November, while the remaining N10 billion would bespread equally over two tranches to be paid on May 2021 and February 2022.
October 29, 2020
21 dies as truck hits bus carrying school children in Enugu
The Federal Road Safety Corps, on Thursday, confirmed the death of 21 people, including school children, in an auto crash at Mgbowo in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Enugu Sector Commander, Mr Ogbonna Kalu, said the accident occurred on Wednesday afternoon.
He said the accident involved a school bus and trailer.
The commander blamed the accident on speeding beyond the limit and dangerous driving.
Kalu said, “21 persons have been confirmed dead and more than 50 persons were in the school bus.
“Also of note is that not all the deaths were school children. Those working on the roadside were part of the casualties.
“From available information, the accident was caused by dangerous driving.”
The tragic incident occurred when a Lowbed truck belonging to a construction firm working at Oji-River – Awgu Federal Road lost control and rammed into a school bus conveying over 60 pupils of the Presentation Nursery and Primary School, Awgu owned by the Catholic Diocese of Awgu home.
October 29, 2020
IPOB: Hike of food prices loom as Arewa withdraws food supplies to Rivers
The Arewa Consultative Forum has threatened to stop further supply of foodstuffs to the area due to attacks by suspected members of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra.
The Chairman of the ACF in Rivers State, Usman Ibrahim,said the decision was due to attacks targeted at those supplying food into the South by proscribed IPOB members, wondering how they would continue doing business under such atmosphere.
Ibrahim,said hoodlums in the guise of protesters hijacked trucks supplying agricultural products to many states, adding that most of their trucks were hijacked and burnt along with their goods.
“As a result of this protest, which was hijacked by hoodlums, we were attacked by IPOB members and some of our trucks were set ablaze and our goods burnt.
“Some of our members were killed here in Rivers State and other parts of the South-South. How can we supply food into these parts of the country? There is no way because our lives and property are in danger,” he said.
Daily Times reports that Gov Nyesom Wike signed an Executive Order, banning the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.
October 29, 2020
COVID-19: Buhari warns Nigerians of another Lockdown, explains risks to Economy
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned Nigerians to comply with COVID-19 protocols in order to avoid another lockdown which may likely affect the nation’s economy.
Buhari, who stated this on Thursday via his verified Twitter handle, said compliance with COVID-19 protocols by all Nigerians is crucial to avert a second wave of the pandemic in the country.
Looking at the trends in other countries, we must do all we can to avert a second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“We must make sure that our cases, which have gone down, do not rise again. Our economy is too fragile to bear another round of lockdown,” @MBuhari tweeted.
In March, the president imposed a total lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun. The lockdown lasted for over five weeks and had a tremendous effect on the country’s economical activities with the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry putting the loss at about N3bn in the period under review.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had at its many briefings frowned on the disregard for COVID-19 protocol by Nigerians while warning against a second wave of the virus in the country.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the country has recorded over 62,000 infections including over 1,100 fatalities.
October 29, 2020
Why I organised prayer walk for Trump’s presidency — Pastor Hezekiah
Founder of Living Christ Mission, Pastor Hezekiah who mobilised his church in Onitsha last Sunday for a prayer walk, in solidarity with the President of the United States, Donald Trump’s second term ambition says he believes that only him can unite the world.
Hezekiah who spoke to journalists in Onitsha said Trump’s policies in the US have been consistent, and also depicted him as a true Christian.
He said, “I and the entire church members are praying and asking God for President Trump to be re-elected because of his unequalled
monumental achievements.
“These achievements range from his moves to make peace
between Israel and the United Arab Emirate (UAE) after about 58 years of hostilities, as well as with Bahrain on the other hand.
“Infact Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was indeed a giant step in the global history as other United States Presidents were not able to do that.”
Hezekiah spoke further that from available records, President Trump had recorded many outstanding achievements to his credits which other presidents before him were not able to achieve.
“Notably, his famed endorsement of Jerusalem as the capital
of the state of Israel confirmed the biblical account of Israel. Fortifying of United States of America borders to check influx of terrorists which has boosted America internal security, stopping of
same-sex marriages, abortion and other anti-Christian values, and freedom of worship are among his achievements.”
He urged Americans to vote massively for Trump, saying that the achievements listed and more are his reasons for organizing a prayer walk for the US president.
Thousands of member of Living Christ Mission had last Sunday flooded the streets of Onitsha with pro-Trump placards, praying for his success in the November 3rd election in America.
October 29, 2020
Lekki shooting: I think the Soldiers used blank ammunition – Brigadier General Sani Usman
Former Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman on Thursday claimed that Military personnel who shot protesters at Lekki toll gate used ‘blank ammunition.
Usman in an interview with Arise News said the blank ammunition used to disperse protesters has little or no effect on its target.
Recall that the Army had earlier denied that its officers were present at the scene of the shooting.
But on Wednesday, the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) revealed that the Lagos State Government invited the military to intervene during the End SARS protests.
Speaking on Thursday Usman said, “If you look at the canisters, they were blank ammo and blank ammo don’t even kill. At a close range, maybe 100metres – maybe it will have some pigmentation on your skin.
“Remember the military are armed and by the nature of their training, they are trained to kill and I think the military in its wisdom instead of using live ammunition decided to use blank armour which is meant for training.
“I think they should be commended for that otherwise there would have been serious collateral damage, but they were professional enough to have done that.”
October 29, 2020
FRSC confirms death of 21 in old Enugu – Okigwe road accident
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Thursday said that no fewer than 21 persons lost their lives in an auto crash on the old Enugu – Okigwe road.
The accident involved a low-bed articulated vehicle and a fully-loaded 608 Mercedes Benz bus conveying school children and their teachers.
It happened precisely at the Nkwo Junction of the road at about 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, when the school children were returning home.
The FRSC Sector Commander in Enugu State, Mr Ogbonnaya Kalu, confirmed the accident and the number of deaths in Enugu.
Kalu said that the FRSC Unit in Awgu had been to the scene of the accident and hospitals where the victims were receiving medical attention.
According to him, the fully-loaded school bus had 64 occupants, which included 61 students/pupils, two teachers and the driver.
“The low-bed trailer, which eyewitnesses alleged suffered a break system failure, rammed into the School bus first and into a welder’s shop, where the welder and his apprentice were working,’’ he said.
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the low-bed vehicle lost control and rammed into a big school bus conveying some secondary and primary school children home.
He said the sad accident threw a lot of families within the Agwu axis of the state into mourning as a family allegedly lost three of its kids.
“”The driver of the heavy duty vehicle ran away from the scene of the accident after forcing the vehicle to a halt inside the bush,’’ the eye witness said.
October 29, 2020
Nigerians React As US Block Okonjo Iweala From WTO Top Position
There is anger and condemnation in Nigeria over US action blocking the nomination of Nigeria’s former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala to head the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Daybreak recall that on Wednesday the WTO nominations committee appointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the 164 members global trade arbitrator but shortly after the nomination a high-level US trade representatives said the country will not back Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy, citing displeasure with how the selection process has been carried out.
The US stance is a major clog to the emergence of Okonjo Iweala.
Reacting to the development a developmental economist and Managing Director of a Fintech company, Kese  Nigeria Limited, Mr. Okey Durumba said the development and opposition of the United States to the nomination was unfortunate. “She is at the cusp of history and would be the first woman and first African to lead the global body. Why the US is opposed to her nomination is something that beats imagination, after all she is a US citizen. Recall that she took US citizenship in September last year and we would have expected that the Trump administration would have given her the required support for her to scale through”
Also speaking on the issues an international affairs specialist and lecturer in the University of Abuja, Prof. George Adekunle said he was not surprised by the opposition to her candidature by the US.
“The US, since the Trump administration has been very vehement and critical of the World Trade Organisation and its handling of global trade which it believes has helped China to grow in expense of the United States. Trump is in support of another woman. Trump has thrown the weight of the US behind South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee. He believes she is a better candidate and by better candidate he means the US would be able to manipulate her to do their biddings which obviously would be in the in the interest of the US not of the rest of the World.
South Korea and the US have a very deep relationship dating back to the Second World War, in fact the US has a permanent military base in South Korea. I knew all along  that there was no way the US would have supported our own Okonjo Iweala against the South Korean candidate. Now if you even look at the credentials of both women Okonjo is more qualified, she has seen it all having worked in the World Bank and also on the board of some global institutions.
He however said that the US opposition is null and void because the emergence of Okonjo Iweala was based on the  consensus of  other member states of the WTO.
The WTO Head of Delegation have met, that meeting took place yesterday and the result and final outcome of the meeting is the last round of consultation in accordance with the rules and regulations guiding the selection process of the DG of the WTO. The US has registered its opposition to the emergence of Okonjo Iweala and that is all. It is within their rights to do that but it is not going to change anything bacause all other members were in agreement with the selection process and her emergence. The US is alone.
The General Council Meeting is scheduled for November 9 to rectify the appointment of a new DG and if that fails the council will resort to voting and I am sure Okonjo Iweala will still emerge judging by the number of states lining up behind her”.
Also talking on the manner an Abuja based legal practitioner and public affairs analyst John Ogunlela the position of the United states only goes confirm its long standing policy.
“It is not about President Trump, remember that during the Obama administration the US supported a South Korean candidate against the same Okonjo Iweala to emerge as President of the World Bank. Most Nigerians are blaming Donald Trump on this  Okonjo Iweala thing because they don’t understand the real character of the United States of America. They don’t know that they are not hearing the voice of Trump but of the fearsome entity called the USA, as enshrined in the carrier civil servants of the State Department, who, along with a few nationalist thinkers believe that the core of the intellectual community spread across the university campuses run the spirit of United States.
The foreign policy of the USA is based on primacy. It is so based on primacy that even the European Union knows it is dealing with a demon in that respect. It is the reason a country like Russia pursues a counterbalancing policy by choice and Germany, Europe’s economic and manufacturing powerhouse keeps its powders dry by making a point of maintaining good relations with Russia. The EU knows through the experiences of its vast stock of history that the goal of the USA is to enslave the whole world and make it do it’s bidding” he said.
October 29, 2020
Eid-el Maulud: Nasarawa Speaker Calls For Fervent Prayers For The Nation’s Emerging Challenges.
By Abel Leonard/ Lafia
As Muslims marked the birthday of prophet Muhammad,Peace Be Upon Him, Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly Alh Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi has called for intensified prayers for the nation to overcome its emerging challanges.
A statement by Press Secretary to the Speaker Jibrin Gwamna indicates that Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi felicitates with Muslims and enjoined them to straightening the bound of peace, unity and love for all which are the virtues of prophet Muhammad.
The statement quotes the speaker as calling on traditional, community and religion leaders as well as youths and stakeholders to intensifies preaching and campaign for peace,unity and tolerance among people and the need for adherence to the laws of the land.
The state Number Three Citizen who described peace as essential for societal and national growth and prosperity called on all Nigerians to embrace peace at all times to build an egalitarian society and prosperous nation.
Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi prayed God that the birthday of the prophet will usher in new down for humanity in general.
October 29, 2020
Ganduje reinstates suspended aide who called out President Buhari over #EndSARS protest
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has reinstated his media aide, Salihu Tanko Yakasai a.k.a Dawisu who he suspended for calling out President Buhari during the #EndSARS protest.
Dawisu had accused the Buhari-led government of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians even though he went round the country soliciting for votes in 2019.
He tweeted at that time;
“I have never seen a government with zero empathy like that of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“So many times when his people are going through a difficult time and expect some sort of tap on shoulder to reassure them that he is in charge, but he failed to do so.
“The ‘I don’t care attitude’ is on another level.
“To speak to your own people over issues that are bedevilling them has become something like a favour you are doing to them.
“Over and over again, you cannot spare five minutes to address the nation to calm them down, the same people you went to the 36 states to beg for their votes, it is heartbreaking.”
The Kano Governor’s media aide has now confirmed his reinstatement, two weeks after he was suspended.
Dawisu tweeted;
I wish to thank each and every one that reached out to me, or sent messages of goodwill over my reinstatement as Special Adviser Media to H.E @GovUmarGanduje, after my 2wks suspension. I am grateful to you all for your support and prayers. Thank you so much. #ZeroTension
October 29, 2020