NCDC warns against COVID-19 resurgence, explosion in Nigeria

 

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned against another COVID-19 explosion in the country, following deliberate refusal by some states to carry out adequate testing.

NCDC’s Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, stated this while appearing on Arise TV.

Ihekweazu noted that some states were unable to ascertain the number of COVID-19 cases in their domain.

He, however, expressed delight that NCDC can establish that fewer cases were being reported than it was in the last six months, adding that he was especially impressed about the progress made in a few states, especially Lagos.

The NCDC boss, however, said many states are not learning from others and so are not testing enough and not finding enough.

“I am very worried that we might find an explosion in those states, which would then affect the rest of the country again,” Ihekweazu lamented.

- DAILY POST

Group advocates improved welfare for the elderly in Nigeria

 

As Nigeria get set to commemorate her 60th independence , a Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, the 60 Plus Advocacy Initiative, established to promote the interests of the elderly in Nigeria wants government at all levels to do more to make the aged more comfortable.

In an interview with newsmen In Lagos, shortly after meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu behind closed doors, the Chairman of 60 Plus Advocacy Initiative Governing Council, Mr Adeyinka Obalade said the group had consulted far and near and discovered that the aged are not accorded their due respect in the society, a situation which he said the Advocacy group is set to remedy

“The elders have their needs, many in this country are not respecting elders, some of them are abhsed, in developed countries once you are above sixty, there are some things that they give to them free of charge and we believe that somebody would need to take it up at different levels of government, we are purely an advocacy group and we are the voice of the elders” he said

Mr Obalade commended the Lagos State Government for its pension reform initiative which he said has removed the hardship pensioners in the State used to face in the past.

While giving the State government a pass mark in the care of the elderly, and the promise to do more given by Governor Sanwo-Olu during the meeting,

Mr Obalade noted that the State needs to set up more relaxation centres, cheaper transportation and easier access to healthcare facilities for the aged.

He stated that members of the 60plus Advocacy Initiative include prominent retired citizens from across the Federation.

- PM NEWS

TStv: Nigerians can pay N2 per day for a channel

 

Bright Echefu, the chief executive officer of Telecomm Satellite TV (TStv), says his organisation will be the first to implement the pay-per-view model in Nigeria.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Echefu said TStv has over 100 channels that will be made available for as low as N2 per day and as high as N5 for a channel.

“We are going to be the first to implement pay-per-view. What TSTV has done is, allow you to create your own bouquet and you have channels that are as low as N2 per day,” he said.

“If you have a N50 voucher, you are actually watching TV and saving your money.”

Echefu said no other organisation has as much high definition (HD) channels as they do.

“Nobody has as much HD channels as we do. We are rolling out with about 108 channels. We are going to be the first in sub-Saharan Africa to implement H.265,” the CEO said.

“TStv has invested a lot in acquiring rights. Most channels are as low as N5 per day. As a gift to Nigerians, we are releasing one of our sports channels free for a year.”

He said La Liga would be free but viewers would have to pay to view other football leagues, adding that about 18 states would be activated once they roll out their services on October 1.

.The company had initially launched on November 1, 2017. However, it encountered challenges and could not provide services to customers

It is now set for a relaunch on October 1.

- THECABLE

EPL: Man Utd in talks to sign Cavani with Solskjaer in need of striker

 

Manchester United are in talks over a possible deal for Edinson Cavani, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.

It is believed that United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is searching for a new striker in the transfer market.

Cavani is a free agent, after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired this summer.

Another option available to Solskjaer is Real Madrid outcast, Luka Jovic, with tentative discussions also being held there.

“Man Utd looking for a new striker: talks ongoing with @ECavaniOfficial and with @realmadrid for #Jovic,” Di Marzio tweeted.

Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Odion Ighalo are Solskjaer’s current options in centre forward.

- DAILY POST

Boko Haram attacks military post, kills 2 soldiers, loots armoury

 

Two soldiers, belonging to Cameroon’s 42nd Motorised Infantry Battalion were killed on Monday night when an army post was attacked by Boko Haram terrorists in the Far North region.

Security sources told Xinhua, the Chinese news agency that the attack happened in the locality of Zeleved, in Mayo-Tsanaga Division.

Local authorities, while confirming the incident, said the terrorists destroyed the army post and left with arms and munitions used by the soldiers.

One of the soldiers seriously injured in the attack has been rushed to the hospital, authorities said.

The army is in pursuit of the assailants, according to security sources.

Journal du Cameroon confirmed that the terrorists made away with four firearms, including two collectives and two M21 rifles, plus loaded magazine boxes.

More than 2,000 people have been killed since Boko Haram launched attacks in the Far North since 2014, according to security reports.

- PM NEWS

‘N94trn unremitted to federation account’ — Falana-led coalition writes Buhari

 

The Alliance for Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), a coalition of 70 labour and civil society organisations (CSOs), says it has discovered N94.3 trillion which was unremitted to the federation account.

In letter dated September 28 and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Falana, interim national chair of the coalition, said the unremitted money can fund the national budget for more than eight years.

The group maintained that “revenue leakages” have shown that the federal and state governments have the funds to ensure better welfare for the people, and as such, ASCAB will start campaigning for another increase in the minimum wage next year.

“ASCAB rejects the argument of no money to provide basic goods for the masses. The wealth of Nigeria, as measured by the GDP, is now three times higher than it was in 1998, but the minimum wage is only worth half of its value then, and at least eight states have yet to fully pay the legislated N30,000 that was agreed to be paid from July 2019,” Falana said.

“As a result, the National Bureau of Statistics recently reported that 40% of Nigerian households have to survive on N11,500 a month or less, when the average per capita GDP is now around N75,000 a month.

“The Federal Government claims it cannot afford the ‘fuel subsidy’, state governments claim they cannot afford the minimum wage. In contrast, ASCAB has shown that the Federal Government has money owed to it of nearly N95 trillion. Assuming the revised federal budget for 2020 of N10.8 trillion is constant, the N95 trillion would fund the total federal budget for over eight years.

“Annexure 1 to this open letter is the tabulated N95trn revenue leakages. We demand a Committee of representatives of Labour, civil society organisations and government to keep track of the revenue leakages.

“Moreover, we argue that in the first quarter of this year, the government’s oil income was the highest since 2014. The second quarter figures were very slightly lower, but the August figures were 5% higher than the rate in the first quarter of the year. So, state governments have plenty of money to pay a decent minimum wage and fund proper budgets for public education and health.”

- THECABLE

Nigerians are afraid of police than criminals – Gbajabiamila

 

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has declared that the 9th House is committed to overhauling policing in Nigeria.

The Speaker stated that Nigerians are scared of police than criminals.

Gbajabiamila stated this in his opening remarks at the resumption of the House following a two-month holiday.

He commended the President for signing the police reform act into law. He added that the Nigeria Police force as presently constituted had failed to meet expectations of Nigerians.

“Two weeks ago, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, signed the Police Reform Act into law. The Act is the first significant reform effort in a generation. It is the beginning and not the end of such measures. The Nigeria Police Force, as it currently operates, has too long and too often failed to meet the expectations of the Nigerian people.

“In many parts of our country, people are more afraid of encounters with the police than they are of criminals.

“That’s not right, and we can no longer stand for it. There will be, in this 9th House of Representatives, further legislation to improve police performance across the board and to introduce mechanisms for individual and collective accountability in the Nigeria Police Force. Our objective is nothing short of a total overhaul of the culture and practice of policing in Nigeria,” he stated.

The Speaker also said the House has commenced work on the armed forces trust fund.

“In the same vein, we have begun, and we will expedite work on the Armed Forces Trust Fund Bill so that in the shortest possible time, we can finalise and pass legislation that ensures once and for all that the resources we need to protect the homeland are never at the mercy of politics or changes in policy or personnel.”

- DAILY POST

Victor Moses not in my plans – Frank Lampard

 Victor Moses has been deemed surplus to requirement for the 2020/21 season at Chelsea, according to manager Frank Lampard.

The former Super Eagles star returned to the Blues in September after a short loan spell with Inter Milan.

Generally, Moses last played a competitive match for Chelsea in 2018, in a Europa League clash against BATE. That one-and-half years away from West London saw him ply his trade with Fenerbahce in Turkey and then Inter.

Lampard’s men face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and the Englishman confirmed that the 29-year-old winger did not train with the first-team.

“At the moment Victor isn’t in that position with us. We have a bubble at the training ground with the first-team squad, which Victor hasn’t been part of,” Lampard said in a press conference.

Moses’ future at Stamford Bridge now looks uncertain, with his contract set to expire in June 2021.
With Inter, the former African Cup of Nations champion played 20 matches across all competitions in 2019-20, while contributing three assists.

- PM NEWS

Biafra/Oduduwa: Igbos being used as sacrificial lambs – Ohanaeze warns

 Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Youth Council, (OYC), has berated protagonists of Oduduwa Republic for their unpatriotic move to heat up the Nigeria polity.

Ohanaeze stated that the Igbo will never support the declaration of Oduduwa Republic and warned pro-biafra agitators to be wary of the antics of the western Nigeria.

OYC, in a press statement signed its President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and forwarded to DAILY POST, on Monday, posited that the unholy alliance between the Yoruba activists and Biafra agitators is a ploy to repeat history of 1967 and fraudulently derail the 2023 Igbo presidency project.

DAILY POST reported that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Yoruba One Voice (YOV) have reiterated their resolve to achieve Biafra and Oduduwa Nations.

They told the federal government to between now and October 1, 2021, conduct a referendum to allow citizens choose whether to leave or remain in the country.

This was contained in a joint release signed by Sina Okanlomo, YOV General Secretary and Chika Edoziem, Head, IPOB Directorate of State and made available to newsmen last Friday.

However, Ohanaeze Youths further said it could still recall how Late Obafemi Awolowo betrayed the Igbo in the interest of western region and warned that it would not allow the Yoruba nation to use the Igbo as sacrificial lamb to unite its interest with the north.

Parts of the statement read, “Igbo Youths wish to categorically warn Biafra agitators that the sudden reappearance of Oduduwa Republic was hurriedly packaged with sinister motives by enemies of Igbos to frustrate 2023 Igbo presidential project and divide the ranks of biafrans.

“Historical figures had shown with affirmative evidence that yorubas had never been in support of Biafra agitation until now, but Igbos are wiser now than being used as sacrificial lambs to cement Yoruba’s interests with the North.

“Oduduwa Republic is designed to hoodwink biafrans into a planned disaster that awaits them in the near future. If Late Obafemi Awolowo could betray Biafrans and promulgate economic policies that led to the starvation and painful deaths of over two million biafrans during the civil war and gave 20 pounds to those that survived the pogrom of the war, then, no right-thinking Igbo will fall for a cheap deal for a purported declaration of Oduduwa Republic.

“Igbos will never support any declaration of Oduduwa Republic and we are only in support of the northern alliance with east. Northerners had been the traditional and political allies of the Igbo since 1960”.

- DAILY POST

Abuja bakers to increase bread prices by 20 percent

 The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Abuja chapter, says its members have agreed to implement a 20 percent increase in the prices of bread.

Nura Musa, the AMBCN public relations officer in Abuja, also said contrary to speculation, the union did not embark on strike, but was on a four-day clean-up exercise to educate its members on how to maintain hygiene around their work environments.

Speaking with TheCable on Monday, Musa said the increment was necessary due to the high cost of ingredients.

He said when there is a decline in the prices of raw materials, the cost of bread will reduce as well.

The decision comes days after its Lagos chapter announced that there would be a 50 percent increase in the prices of bread because “all ingredients used for baking are too high.”

“We did not go on strike. It was a cleaning exercise. We met with our members to look at the cost of production, and we settled for a 20 percent increase so as to cover their cost of production and also provide gain for the business,” Musa said.

According to Musa, the union inspected some bakeries in the federal capital territory (FCT), to ensure that their operations conformed with the standards of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

“We had to educate members so that they know the rules and regulation of NAFDAC. Those that do not have NAFDAC numbers, we encouraged them to get,” he said.

He also warned consumers to be sure that the products they consume approved by NAFDAC.

“Do not buy bread because it is big and heavy. When you are buying bread, you need to check for three things. First, you need to check that there is NAFDAC number on the package. Second, you have to be sure that the bread carries a tag of being ‘bromate and saccharin free’, and it must have an address and contact number. These are NAFDAC standards. Bromate causes cancer, so don’t buy such bread,” he said.

Musa also pleaded with the government to provide “direct grants and loans” to bakers, and also revisit the cassava bread policy, which he said would reduce the importation of wheat.

“Ninety percent of ingredients used in making bread are imported. We consume a lot of wheat. Wheat is among the highest products imported into the country. If the cassava policy is effected, this would reduce the importation of wheat,” he added.

- THECABLE

Why I don’t say a word when people criticise me for planting many churches – Adeboye

 “Many of them would not have discovered their purpose in life. I am praying for those who will be promoted today, that they will remember to help others fulfill their destinies,” he said,

The man of God, who spoke on “The Wonders of Divine Promotion,”

He said whenever God promoted people, He did so for them to be blessings to others, citing the examples of Moses, David and Joseph who impacted in people’s lives after God promoted them.

“I am praying for those of you who will be promoted today as a result of this sermon, that from now on, when you decree that a curse is broken, it shall be broken. I am praying that when God will promote you today, all the needs of those who will come to you for prayers will be met in Jesus name.

“If God promotes you, you can decree the future of your nation. As the Lord lives, a day is coming when you will travel as a Nigerian and people see your passport, they will all want to touch you because they will realise that the headquarters of the Almighty God is Nigeria.

“If you don’t believe my prophecy, it is no problem, just keep your belief to yourself. Sooner or later, the Earth shall be filled with the glory of the Almighty God,” he stated.

- PM NEWS

Couple, 2 others arrested with human skull in Ogun

 

Four persons have been arrested for allegedly being in possession of a human skull.

Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Monday.

NAN reports that Oyeyemi said the suspects, names withheld, were arrested on Sept. 25.

He said the Odogbolu Police Division received a piece of information that some people were digging up a grave with the aim of removing the corpse of someone who was not in any way related to them.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Odogbolu Division, Afolabi Yusuf, led his detectives to the scene, but the suspects had already removed the head of the corpse and left.

“The police then embarked on an intelligence-based investigation which led to the arrest of the couple and two others.

“The three of them confessed being the persons that dug the grave and removed the head of the corpse.

“They later took detectives to Ikenne, where the fourth person who asked them to bring the head for ritual purpose was apprehended,” he said.

He further stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, had ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation and prosecution.

- DAILY POST

JUNGLE !!! ICPC: N2.67bn for school feeding during lockdown ended up in private accounts

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says the sum of N2.67 billion paid to some federal colleges for school feeding during the COVID-19 lockdown ended up in private bank accounts.

Bolaji Owasanoye, ICPC chairman, made the disclosure in his keynote address at the second national summit on diminishing corruption.

The summit themed, ‘Together Against Corruption and Launch of the National Ethics and Integrity Policy’, was held at the council chambers of the presidential villa, Abuja on Monday.

Owasanoye said under the open treasury portal review carried out from January to August 15, out of 268 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) 72 of them had cumulative infractions of N90 million.

According to him, while 33 MDAs gave explanations that N4.1 billion was transferred to subsidiary treasury single account (sub-TSA), N4.2 billion paid to individuals had no satisfactory explanations.

“We observed that transfers to sub-TSA was to prevent disbursement from being monitored,” Owasanoye said.

“Nevertheless, we discovered payments to some federal colleges for school feeding in the sum of N2.67 billion during lockdown when the children are not in school, and some of the money ended up in personal accounts. We have commenced investigations into these findings.”

The ICPC chairman said under its 2020 constituency and executive projects tracking initiative, 722 projects with a threshold of N100 million were tracked across 16 states.

He said a number of projects described as ”ongoing” in the budget were found to be new projects that ought to have been excluded so as to enable the government to complete existing projects.

According to Owasanoye, the agency also discovered over N2.5 billion appropriated by a deceased senior civil servant in the ministry of agriculture for himself while in office.

On asset recovery, he said the commission recovered N16 billion from the ministry of agriculture paid into individual accounts for non-official purposes.

He listed other assets recovered in the ministry to include 18 buildings, 12 business premises and 25 plots of land.

- THECABLE

TINUBU 2023 Agenda !! Yorubaland will be at war for 100 years if Nigeria breaks: Akande

 

Former governor of Osun State and pioneer chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, has warned those agitating for the breakup of Nigeria to bury the idea as it may trigger another bloody civil war.

Akande especially warned agitators from Yorubaland in Nigeria’s west, that the breakup of Nigeria can plunge the region in a renewed war that could last a century.

Akande spoke in Ibadan at the launch of Bayse One Brick House Hotel to mark the 50th birthday of former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Adebayo Adelabu. Adelabu was also the APC candidate in the last governorship election.

Akande appeared to be responding to the clamour by a Yoruba group led by Professor Banji Akintoye, for an Oduduwa Republic, to be carved out of Nigeria.

As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, Akande said that allowing Yoruba to break away from Nigeria might lead to bloodshed and avoidable civil war that would further decimate the people.

“Those agitating for a Yoruba nation should have a rethink. This country must remain united to save it from war.

“Yoruba will be in war for another 100 years if Nigeria is allowed to break,” he said.

He said that Nigeria was a product of war, adding that the country came into existence after Yoruba people had gone into 100 years of wars.

According to the former governor, most African countries and western world envy Nigeria because the country is the heartbeat of Africa.

Akande alleged that Francophone countries across the world have been praying for Nigeria to break because they weren’t comfortable with the country’s strength.

“Those tormenting Nigeria are doing so because they are products of failed states. It is a difficult task to stop crimes, particularly in a corrupt society.

“Now that some Nigerians are talking about breaking because of difficulties, they didn’t know that a man who can not endure will collapse and die. Only enduring country can stay,” he said.

Adelabu’s project

Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, who inaugurated the project, commended Adelabu, saying the project would meet the yearnings of jobless youths in the state and Nigeria.

He said that Adelabu had embarked on people-oriented projects aimed at providing employment for the youth in Oyo State, Nigeria and Africa.
Earlier, Adelabu said that his defeat in the 2019 election was only a delay and not denial.

Adelabu said that his loss in the election was a blessing in disguise, adding that it would make him a better governor than he would have been in 2019.
He said that his interest in the governorship race was still very much alive, promising to double his efforts in 2023.

The event was attended by Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos State and Chief Moses Adeyemo, former deputy governor of Oyo State.

Others were Chief Akin Oke, APC Chairman in Oyo State, Mr Akeem Adeyemi, Mr Segun Odebunmi, among other dignitaries.

- PM NEWS