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BREAKING: Buhari approves N10bn for national census
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of N10 billion to the National Population Commission for the continuation of the Enumeration Area Demarcation in the remaining 546 Local Government Areas of the country.
He also approved an additional N4.5 billion to be included in the 2021 Budget for completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census.
The acting chairman of NPC, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji, made this known in Abuja on Monday while briefing journalists about the funds and the update on the EAD.
Details later…
October 5, 2020
Global Markets Rise On Trump Covid-19 News
US President Donald Trump is trying to convince the world that his Covid-19 diagnosis is not a big deal after all and that strategy might be working on investors, for now.
Global markets and US stock futures are rising after Trump’s physicians said that the president could be discharged from Walter Reed National Medical Center as early as Monday.
A quick recovery could ease some of the huge uncertainty surrounding the US election with just four weeks left in the campaign.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 (N225) rose more than 1.2% while South Korea’s Kospi (KOSPI) and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HSI), which were closed at the end of last week for public holidays, each ticked up roughly 1.3%. China’s Shanghai Composite remains closed for Golden Week celebrations.
European stocks followed those gains, with the FTSE 100 (UKX) advancing 0.4% in London. France’s CAC 40 (CAC40) and Germany’s DAX (DAX) increased 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively.
Wall Street seems poised to join the rally, too with Futures for the Dow (INDU), S&P 500 (SPX) and Nasdaq (COMP) both rising between 0.4% and 0.6%.
The positive outlook marks a reversal from last Friday, when stocks around the globe tumbled after Trump tweeted that he had tested positive for a virus that has now killed more than 1 million people worldwide and infected tens of millions of others.
Various reports over the weekend sowed confusion about Trump’s condition, While his physicians on Saturday said the president was “doing very well,” chief of staff Mark Meadows later told reporters that Trump’s vitals were “very concerning.”
Then on Sunday, Trump left Walter Reed with his security detail so he could ride in an SUV past his supporters — a stunt that one physician at Walter Reed said displayed an “astounding” level of irresponsibility though he is not a part of the president’s treatment team.
Stephen Innes, chief global markets strategist at Axi, in a Monday research note wrote “It is no surprise to see the reaction today … after the president’s better-than-expected Covid prognosis,”.
Trump’s improving health is likely not the dominant factor driving markets Monday, though, said Hussein Sayed, chief market strategist at FXTM.
He added that investors may be placing their hopes in a new US stimulus package, a massive economic plan to provide financial relief from the virus has been in the works for some time, but its fate remained uncertain at the end of last week.
Without fresh funding, US airlines said they were forced to move forward with major job cuts.
“This is not yet priced into markets but if new convincing fiscal measures are announced this week, expect to see a further rally in risk assets and some pressure on the US dollar,” Sayed wrote in his Monday note.
October 5, 2020
INEC Boss, heads of security agencies meet in Akure
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Yakubu Mahmood is set to meet with stakeholders ahead of Saturday’s Govenorship election in Ondo State.
Those expected at the meeting are all the heads of security agencies in the state.
The military says it will deploy between 200 and 300 soldiers to the coastal areas which have been identified as hot spots.
INEC had in September met with the traditional rulers in Ondo state for a hitch free governorship election in October.
INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu at the meeting with the Council of Obas in the state at the Cocoa hall of the Governor’s office in Akure, also told the traditional rulers that the commission has implemented 12 of the 14 scheduled activities for the October election.
October 5, 2020
Lagos reminds residents to be on high alert
Lagos State Government has reminded residents, especially those close to the banks of the Ogun River to be on the alert as more water will be released from Oyan Dam this month.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, 23 million cubic meters of water will be released during the month which is the peak.
He explained that the release from the Oyan Dam which is the highest is as a result of the intensive rainfalls which will also climax in the current month.
nigeria hydrological services agency | All News Pictures Videos – Opera NewsHe enjoined all residents of Agboyi -Ketu, Owode Onirin, Isheri, Ajegunle, Agiliti, Kara, Majidun and all areas bothering the rivers and the sea in Lagos to be very wary of the staggered release.
He said the alert has become necessary because the projected heavy rainfall which resumed in September will continue with high intensity this month leading to staggered release of water from the dam.
In his words: “For a coastal city like Lagos, let me remind everyone that once it rains consistently for a minimum of 8 hours, we are bound to have flash flood caused by increasing inability of effective discharge into the lagoon which is brought about by a rise of the ocean level.
“This will automatically lock up all our drainages and until the water level goes down, the drainages would be unable to discharge”.
“Flash floods is not peculiar to Lagos. It is the new wave in most coastal cities around the world including those who have adopted the best of technological advancements to curtail flooding”.
He urged residents to adopt an attitudinal change of not dumping refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments, vowing that culprits would be punished.
October 5, 2020
Buhari declares open two-day Joint Executive-Legislative Leadership Retreat
President Muhahammadu Buhari has declared open the 2-day Joint Executive – Legislative Leadership Retreat in Abuja.
The retreat is designed to promote a harmonious working relationship between the two arms of government.
The event is also being attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and principal officers of the National Assembly.
The retreat underscores the desire to further cement ties between the executive and legislature after recent disagreements involving ministers and the legislators.
October 5, 2020
World Teachers’ Day: “We’ll Continue to Provide Enabling Environment for Teachers”- Oyo SUBEB Boss
Oyo State Government has said that it will continue to provide an enabling environment for teachers to thrive in Oyo State, adding that it would also ensure uninterrupted payment of their allowances, while it initiates benefitting training for them.
The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran said this today, during the World Teachers’ Day Celebration.
He also said the State Government would not rest on its oars in providing incentives to teachers, especially in the rural areas to encourage young talents to join the teaching profession.
“Teachers are one of the most influential forces for equity, access and quality in education. Engr. Seyi Makinde’s administration places much emphasis on human capital development.
“We will give more attention to training and re-training of teachers in order to enhance their capacities for effective service delivery,” he said.
Adeniran also assured teachers that the State Government is progressively addressing some of the fundamental issues of teachers and education in the state.
He added that, to revitalise the sector, there was a need to unleash potentials for socio-economic development.
He noted that revitalising the sector had given rise to the training and re-training of teachers, adding that the process would be extended to teachers in the rural areas.
He also commended the efforts of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Association of Primary School Head Teachers and other bodies who pursue teachers’ professionalism in a bid to strengthen teacher quality.
October 5, 2020
Edo Election: Ize-Iyamu heads to court to challenge Obaseki’s victory
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has expressed his resolve to challenge the victory of governor Godwin Obaseki in court.
The APC candidate said though there were enough grounds to challenge the outcome of the election at the election petition tribunal, he would not be approaching the tribunal but rather continue his pre-election suits against the governor at the law court.
Ize-Iyamu stressed that while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its flagbearer had instituted 13 pre-election cases against him and his party, he would continue with the two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election, believing that the outcome of the suit would have direct effect on the election.
Ize-Iyamu who stated this in a statement issued Monday said, “Contrary to orchestrated media reports, the election was neither free nor fair. There were several episodes of violence, voter intimidation and falsification of results.”
He added that “there were unlawful cancellations of results particularly from Urhonigbe South and North in Orhiomwon, while results were falsified from many polling units in Ofunama in Ovia South West, and in parts of Ovia North East, Owan West, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan South East, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas.”
He also alleged that “two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of law-enforcement agents.”
“There were also several cases of malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters’ cards not collected by their actual owners.
“These malpractices could easily form the basis to challenge the election results. We have however decided not to commence an election petition. This is to avoid further tension in the state. We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect.
“Nonetheless, we must emphasize that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flagbearers have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One of such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on 2nd October, 2020, days after the election.
“On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flagbearer challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats.
“The outcome of these pending cases have direct effect on the election. Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also continue with their pre-election cases against us,” he averred.
While thanking his numerous supporters for their steadfast support and tremendous show of love, Ize-Iyamu urged them “to remain calm while keeping faith alive for a better Edo State which we shall all be proud of.”
October 5, 2020
Buhari will not succumb to threats, undue pressure – Presidency
The Presidency has reacted to the calls by some individuals and socio-ethnic groups calling for the immediate restructuring of Nigeria, saying the Buhari administration will not succumb to threats and undue pressure over the matter.
Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, stated this in a statement on Monday morning when he responded to the renewed agitation in some quarters for the restructuring of the country.
Reports had it that the leadership of some socio-cultural groups including Ohaneze Ndigbo and Afenifere as well as Niger Delta agitators and individuals have reiterated the call for restructuring of Nigeria.
According to them, the country needs a home-grown constitution that will usher in new political and economic arrangements based on regional structures or ”the country will break up”.
The presidential aide, however, dismissed the recurring threats as unpatriotic outbursts, saying the Buhari administration would not take any decision against the interest of 200 million Nigerians.
The statement read in part: ”The Presidency responds to the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to to do one thing or another or else, in their language, “the nation will break up.”
”This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the Covid-19 health crisis.
”Repeat: this administration will not take any decision against the the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of health crisis.
”The President as an elected leader under this constitution will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians, through and in line with the Parliamentary processes to finding solutions to structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people.
October 5, 2020
Omo-Agege condemns alleged atrocities of SARS
The Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has expressed dismay over the alleged atrocious activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Police in Delta.
Omo-Agege gave the expression in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Sunday.
He expressed concern over the alleged incessant cases of extrajudicial killings and harassment of defenceless citizen by men of SARS.
He also expressed worry that some officials attached to SARS in different parts of Nigeria were harassing defenceless citizens.
Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate cited the alleged shooting of a man by operatives of SARS in his constituency in Ughelli, Delta for alleged refusal to allow the operatives to search his phone.
According to him, there is another shooting of a youth in the town by men of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ over the victim’s alleged refusal to also allow the operatives to search his phone.
This, Omo-Agege said, buttress his argument on the need for comprehensive reforms and overhaul of security units in the country.
Read more: Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS
The senator called on the police authorities to fish out the culprits for the prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.
While calling on security personnel to always maintain the rules of engagement, the lawmaker urged youth in the area to exercise utmost restraint while investigation is ongoing.
“Those who are authorised to carry arms and maintain law and order in the country ought to understand that such must be exercised with responsibility, especially when human life is sacrosanct.
“I hope those, who are quick at pulling the trigger, would adopt strategies that would foster mutual understanding between them and those they are tasked to protect.
“It would be a depressing twist of fate for them to be listed among those contributing to the list of the dead in this challenging period globally,’’ Omo-Agege said.
October 5, 2020
Osinbajo concerned, angry over activities of FSARS
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says he is concerned and angry that young men and women who are arrested, are in some cases, maimed or killed by men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement, said the Vice President expressed this view on Sunday in Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police (IG-P), Mohammed Adamu, had on Sunday banned the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Special Tactical Squad (STS) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) from undertaking routine patrols as well as stop and search duties.
The Vice President, who had earlier, held a meeting with the I-G at his residence, said the President and himself had discussed the matter on a number of occasions.
He said that the President was displeased about reports on activities of FSARS and was resolved to ensure reforms.
“Such violations are completely unacceptable because these are individuals who are meant to protect Nigerians.
“The arrest, maiming or killing of young people or anyone at all, is completely wrong.
“It is unlawful and illegal and anyone involved in this act ought to be investigated and prosecuted.
“Today, I had a meeting with the I-G and we reviewed several of these issues.
“The President is very concerned about it; he wants to see a reform.
“You are probably aware that the I-G has issued a statement looking at all these issues, in particular, the warning against the use of these tactical units such as SARS for purposes of doing anything other than anti-robbery.
“For example, he specifically said that you cannot have a situation where SARS says they are investigating cybercrime by arresting young men and women carrying their laptops and phones.
“Cybercrime is an electronic crime.
“I don’t see how you can investigate that by seizing people’s phones in a taxi or in their cars,’’ Osinbajo said.
He said it was obvious that a few bad eggs in the Police were causing all of the problems because it was all over the place, in different states.
Osinbajo said that the I-G’s statement, banning FSARS and others, was the first step.
“He has said clearly that police men must wear police uniforms.
“You cannot say that because you belong to a tactical unit, you can dress in your casual clothing and be armed.’’
By dressing casually, the vice president said that people “can’t even tell the difference between robbers and the police if you are not properly dressed in police uniform.
“So, clearly, a reform is in the offing’’.
“So, I will like to encourage civil society activists, young men and women, who bring this regularly, by the way, to the attention of government and the police.
Read more: Two FSARS operatives, civilian accomplice arrested in Lagos for extortion and intimidation of citizens
Osinbajo also said that activism was important because “they have been able to bring a lot of these issues to the attention of the Police and government.
“And that is an important part of the process of the reform’’.
He said that the Federal Government would ensure that every one of those allegations against FSARS was properly investigated.
According to him, those found responsible will be prosecuted and publicised so that people will know that prosecution has taken place.
“I am very confident that we will have a reformed police force and that process has already begun’’.
October 5, 2020