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#EndSARS: “Anonymous” confirms hacking CBN, EFCC websites, targets more
The websites of the Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have been hacked.
Anonymous, a band of unknown individuals, has claimed responsibility, with a threat to seize control of more government websites.
Earlier on Friday, they took over the Twitter handle of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The account is still under their control and has grown from 10,000 followers to 22,500.
The group said they support the weak against the powerful and stand for justice.
They listed their values as human rights, autonomy and self-governance, resistance against tyranny, a more humane society.
Anonymous noted that its actions were in support of the End SARS protests.
On Saturday, their handle tweeted about the protest hashtags in Nigeria and other places.
“The fight against impunity and cruelty is global. #WhatIsHappeningInPhilippines
#JusticeForBabyRiver #whatisHappeninginThailand #WhatsHappeningInIndonesia #OmnibusLaw #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSars”, it read.
Anonymous first announced the attacks on state platforms on Thursday, two days after posting a video showing demonstrators.
“#Nigeria: Anonymous hacks multiple government websites in solidarity with #EndSARS protestors and retribution for violence by police. #OpNigeria #EndSARSProtest”, they tweeted.
Confirming the CBN and EFCC hit, they put up messages and screenshots.
“#Nigeria: International hackers & Anonymous continue the cyber campaign against the government to call out corruption, demand police reform, and show solidarity with brave protestors. #OpNigeria #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality #ReformTheNigerianPolice.”
“#Anonymous #OpNigeria #EndSARS #EndSARSNow #ENDSARSOPPRESSION. Official website of @officialEFCC has been taken down in support of #EndSARSProtest. You should have expected us! #EndCorruptionInNigeria.”
Now Day 10, protests are continuing in several locations across Nigeria.
The youths insist on total reform of the Police as well as justice and compensation for families of victims of brutality.
October 17, 2020
Armed Hoodlums attack #EndSARS protesters in Osun, injure one
Hoodlums wielding cutlasses on Saturday morning attacked #EndSARS protesters around the Olaiya Junction in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
One of the protesters simply identified as Oloyede was reportedly macheted by the thugs.
The incident happened around 9am.
The hoodlums also dispersed the protesters but they were said to have gone to regroup around Technical College Area.
The #EndSARS protests have been taking place across major cities in the country with youths demanding an end to police brutality and killings.
Major highways across the country have been blocked thereby grounding economic activities.
Details later…
October 17, 2020
Yellow fever: Nigeria resumes new YF vaccination for 30m Nigerians in 7 states
By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

To stop outbreak of Yellow Fever, YF, in Nigeria the World Health Organization, WHO, CDC, Gavi, and Vaccine Alliance in a collaborative initiative with the Nigerian Government will launch a safety accelerated series of mass prevention to vaccinate 30 million people against Yellow Fever, YF in Seven states.
According to WHO in a statement made available to Journalists in Abuja said that the accelerated YF campaigns phase 4 will target more than 30 million people in seven states and complete the pending 2019 phase 3 YF campaign in Anambra State.
The seven states include Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Delta, Osun, Ondo and Oyo.
The new vaccination safety measures is in view of combating multiple public health challenges including COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
The acceleration has been endorsed by the global strategy to Eliminate Yellow Fever Epidemics (EYE) by 2026.
In view of combating multiple public health challenges in Nigeria, the trio initiative has assured safe implementation in the COVID-19 context by providing personal protective equipment, PPE, and enhanced infection prevention control measures with funding from. Gavi and Vaccine Alliance.
Executive Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA, Dr Shuaib Faisal, said, “While COVID-19 remains a pressing priority, we are pleased to be able to safely launch life-protecting vaccination campaigns against yellow fever this week. “Almost 30 million Nigerians will be protected for life from these campaigns in coming months – a remarkable achievement by our health care workers and communities,”
“We encourage all eligible persons in the state to come forward and get vaccinated. Yellow fever outbreaks have re-emerged as a serious public health concern since September 2017. The upcoming campaigns will help stop outbreaks and save lives.”
WHO Representative to Nigeria, Dr Kazadi Mulombo said, ” WHO has helped source and provide 265,000 face masks that will support safe implementation of life-saving yellow fever vaccination activities in the COVID-19 context in Anambra state.
WHO says that Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by infected mosquitos. The infection can cause serious disease, including fever and jaundice (yellowness of the eyes) and can even lead to death and that outbreaks of the disease can spread rapidly in communities and cause devastating and deadly illness.
October 17, 2020
38-year-old Catholic priest drowns in Bayelsa flood
A 38-year-old Catholic priest, Fr. Francis Ighorurhie drowned at the flooded area of Kaiama Community in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on Thursday night, October 15.

Fr. Francis Ighorurhie, a Missionary of St. Paul (MSP) from Warri, Delta State, was until his death the Parish Priest of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kaiama.
Reports had it that the deceased fell into the water on his way to his residence from a wooden bridge popularly known as “Monkey bridge.

According to reports, a section of the wooden bridge had been submerged by the rising water making walking on the slippery structure a difficult task for users.
A priest who confirmed the incident said,
“This is a sad moment for us, Father was on his way back from Bomadi in Delta State when he met his untimely death. But for the flood, he could have driven his car straight to his residence instead parking same by the road,”

“It was as he was walking on the wooden bridge part of which had been submerged that he slipped and got drowned. Those staying at his residence had to raise alarm when they saw his car by the roadside and he was nowhere to be found. They, however, became suspicious when they saw a bag containing some provision floating on the water not far from the bridge. Divers were contracted and his remains were recovered.”

He added that his remains had been deposited at the morgue of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
In a similar incident, two school pupils also drowned along the good news area of Azikoro Town in Yenagoa local government area of the state.

The two dead pupils, primary and nursery levels, were reportedly swept away by the flood on their way home from school.
Meanwhile friends have taken to Facebook to mourn the priest’s death. See posts below..
October 17, 2020
#EndSARS: Lagos protesters shut Third Mainland Bridge, hold candlelight procession
There was gridlock on Third Mainland Bridge on Friday after youths protesting against police brutality partially shut the Iyana-Oworo-Oworonshoki section of the bridge.
Reports had it that the #EndSARS protesters had arrived at the bridge a few minutes to 6pm.
Apart from the gridlock, many passengers were stranded
The protesters also blocked the Berger section of the Long Bridge linking Lagos Ibadan-Ibadan Expressway.
A commuter told our correspondent that the protesters’ action led road users to drive against traffic.
“We had to pass one way because of the protesters. There was a serious gridlock. I spent almost two hours on the same spot,” the commuter said.
Also, the protesters held a candlelight procession for victims of police brutality in the country.
The candlelight procession held at Lekki toll gate and Alausa.
It was learnt that the procession held in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria.
October 17, 2020
17 KASU medical students test positive for COVID-19
17 medical students of Kaduna State University (KASU) have tested positive for Coronavirus after being recalled for examinations.
Chairman KASU Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Comrade Tukur Abdulkadir who confirmed this said the positive cases have vindicated the union’s opposition to reopening of the institution.
He added that the examination proposed for October 19 was not feasible because students were not given sufficient time for revision.
Abdulkadir said;
“As you are aware, the management of Kaduna State University has opened the university and plans to conduct examination beginning from Monday, 19th of October, 2020.
“To this moment, Kaduna State Government has not officially announced the re-opening of tertiary institutions. Although the 2019/2020 academic session has been significantly affected by Covid-19 lockdown, re-opening the university at this material time is tantamount to trading the lives of students and staff for the conduct of the examination.
“The decision by the management of KASU to re-open is in gross violation of the Covid-19 Protocol as highlighted by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
“This action also violates the standard provision and regulations guiding conduct of University examinations.
“Let this be known to the general public, almost all the guidelines as stipulated by PTF/NCDC are not in existence in Kaduna State University at the moment.
“Students congregate very closely without facemask, and hostels are overcrowded. It is on record that some weeks ago, 17 out of about 50 medical students who were recalled for examination tested positive to Covid-19.”
October 17, 2020
#EndSARS: Protesters in Abuja also observe candlelight procession for victims of police brutality
#EndSARS protesters in Abuja converged at the Unity fountain on Friday October 16 for a candlelight procession in honor of all victims of police brutality.
The protesters on Friday started the session with Christians and Muslims praying for the souls of those that have been killed by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
After the prayers, the protesters sang the National Anthem in respect of the country.
This is the 10th day since the youths began taking to the streets and despite efforts by the government to quell the protests, it appears to have gained more momentum.
See more photos below
October 17, 2020
FG’s Social Intervention Needs Better Attention In Sokoto- Tambuwal
By Ibrahim Goronyo,Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has once again indicated that the federal government’s office in charge of dispensing the proceeds of its social intervention programmes in the State have some challenges that are making it difficult for the state government to benefit maximally from the scheme.
Governor Tambuwal made the observation Friday when he received the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq and her counterpart of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen at Government House, Sokoto.
He said although the state government have benefited much from the federal government’s social intervention programmes, much still needs to be done.
He said in order to maximize the benefits accruing from the intervention scheme, the state government has taken measures to constantly supervise the activities of the federal office so as to ensure that the people of Sokoto state take maximum advantage and benefit from all the social intervention programmes.
According to Tambuwal, the state government is ready and willing to continue partnering with the federal government on any programme that will benefit the people of the state.
Expressing appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the apex government’s commiseration with the victims of the recent flood disaster and the state government, the governor said the state government is doing its best in extending social intervention schemes to various communities in the state with the aim of rebuilding the structures that have been damaged by the recent flood and windstorm.
He said currently the state government is working on a supplementary budget that will be sent to the State House of Assembly, primarily, to see how best to rebuild the damaged infrastructures which include roads, schools, hospitals and houses of individuals.
On women empowerment the governor further maintained that in Nov 2019 the State government introduced an empowerment programme from which 500 women and 500 men will benefit from a grant of N20,000 each in every local government area.
He said under the scheme, about N4 billion will be disbursed to 200,000 beneficiaries across the state.
Tambuwal also stated that his administration is doing its best in terms of educating women in the state, saying that is the reason behind the creation of an Agency for Female Education.
He said the state government is coming up with 3 Girls Science Academy in each of the 3 Senatorial Districts, adding that already one of such, located at Kasarawa area in the state capital, is now progressing steadily.
Governor Tambuwal added that, the state government will construct not less than 23 ICT compliant Junior Science Model Schools for girls across the 23 local government areas in the state.
He maintained that the state government has also passed the Compulsory Education Bill which stipulates penalty for parents that deny their wards the chance of going to school.
The bill, he explained, mandates not only the enrolment of students but also the retention in school of every child in the state.
On water and sanitation, the governor said on his assumption in office there were quite a number of local government areas that didn’t have constant water supply. He said currently state the government is constructing 1.5 million gallons per day semi water scheme in 17 local government areas where already 14 have been completed and waiting for commissioning.
He further explained that over 1000 boreholes have been provided in small towns and villages across the state, in addition to another contract of 250 boreholes that have been recently awarded with a view to addressing the problem of clean water supply in the rural communities.
On the Child Rights Act, Tambuwal said it is receiving attention from the government because people in the state need to be sensitized on the act in order for it to be understood.
He said already the state government has set up a committee headed by the Wazirin Sokoto which is expected to come out with a report in line with the religion, tradition and culture of the state.
On punishment of rapists, the governor said; ”our laws are adequate as they provide for prevention and eventual prosecution of offenders and the rehabilitation of rape victims.
In her address the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouk said they were in the state to provide relief materials to the victims of flood disaster and dispense special cash transfer to vulnerable rural women.
She extended the commiseration of President Muhammadu Buhari to the victims of the flood disaster in the state and thanked the state government for its support and cooperation aimed at complementing the federal government in the distribution the relief materials to the victims.
Also in her remarks, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen commended the state government for various interventions directed at women, especially rural women.
She also thanked the governor for his administration’s adherence to the affirmative action by considering women for appointments, citing the example of the appointment of women councilors in each of the 23 local government areas.
Mrs Tallen added that the Sokoto state government is among the few states in the federation that is assisting women to actualize their potentials.
October 17, 2020
FG establishes federal college of forestry to combat desert encroachment in Borno.
From Dauda R PamMaiduguri.
The Federal Government has established the College of Forestry in Gwangolong village of Jere local government area of Borno state in its continued determination to combat the menace of desert encroachment and climate change.
Minister for Environment, Alhaji Mamoud Abubakar, declared this while on a courtesy call on Governor Babagana UMARA Zulum, Thursday, at the Government House, Maiduguri.
According to the minister, ” I am on a working visit to Borno state. We have a lot of presence in this state because of its strategic importance. We have agencies and departments that are working in the state, the Great Green Wall, Forestry Research Institute among others.”
He said ”the Great Green Wall has raised 1.3 million seedlings, planted 60 kilometers of shelter belt and 140km reserved among others”.
” Borno is one of the 11 Frontline states of Great Green Wall project, which is an international project consist of 11 countries. We have our newly established Forestry college in Borno, which is working on desert and desertification and environmental management. We are also here to find out the need of the state, what the state needs and how we can collaborate and strengthen them”, the minister said.
“We know the Borno state Governor have been working diligently in terms of environmental management in planting trees. We will continue to support him in planting more trees, we have planted more trees, we’re going to plant more. The Great Green Wall has planted over half a million trees in Borno state, we will do more, the GGW have raised 1.3 seedlings to support Borno..
Responding,Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, said “I want to notify the people of Borno state that the Federal government in it’s magnimity has established College of Forestry in Gwangolong village of Jere local government are here in Borno state.”
” You are aware of the arid nature of the state and I believe with the establishment of the College of Forestry, the people of Borno state will benefit a lot with a view to combating desertification and enhancing climate change in the state. I remain eternally grateful to the Federal Government”, The governor added.
He assured that the Borno state government under his leadership will collaborate with the Federal ministry of Environment, Great Green Wall and Forestry Research institute of Nigeria to see how possible to work together in safeguarding the environment, because environment is very important, stressing that ,without environment there would be no rain, and that the nexus between environment and development cannot be over-emphasized.
October 17, 2020
150,000 Women To Benefit With FG Grants-Ministers
By Muhammad Goronyo, Sokoto

In their separate messages, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster/ Emergency Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Umar Faruk and that of Women Affairs Mrs Dane Collins Fallen disclosed that the palliatives given by the Federal Government was aimed at eradicating poverty and similarly assist women affected by flood.

Speaking from Alu Ya Gode motor garage venue of the event, the Ministers said they were in the state to assist flood affected communities and also to flag off rural women with cash to eradicate poverty in Sokoto state adding that 150,000 women would benefit with N20,000 each.
That since inception of President Muhammad Buhari in 2015, he has promoting the lives of Nigerians nationwide.
“The mission is to remove100m Nigerians from poverty to greener pasture in the next years to come”.
” It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this assistance make good use of the money so as to move out of poverty”.
They equally called on members of the society to go back to farm in order to improve food security nationwide and as well assist in the fight against rape, women, children harassment acknowledging the fight by Federal Government in these regard.
Representing the state governor, the state Secretary to the state government Malam Sa’idu Umar disclosed that the state government while welcoming the August guests acknowledged the contribution and concern of President Buhari through his Ministers particularly the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the government of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal expressed gratitude for considering Sokoto in the activity of poverty intervention and reduction.
In her vote of thanks, the wife of the state governor and initiator MMAWT Legacy initiative, Maryam Mairo Aminu Tambuwal saluted her husband by accepting the palliatives and cash assistance to great number of women in the state.

She then commended President Buhari through his Ministers for the efforts of advancing 150,000 women from poverty.
Zinc, maize, Maggi cubes, can tomatoes, assorted salt, mattresses were among the palliatives distributed during the ceremony.
Cultural dance by the state cultural troop was organized to colour the event.
October 16, 2020