COVID-19: Tackling A Likely Fourth Wave - Aljazirah Nigeria ...

Fears of a fourth wave Coronavirus pandemic appears to be prevalent across the country following an unprecedented record of 754 new infections across 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The recent statistics which paint this worrisome picture came from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, and have become a source of concern to not a few Nigerians who are sharply divided on the recent position taken by some countries who have placed a travel ban on Nigerians owing to Omicron variant. NCDC also announced one fatality case.

The last time Nigeria recorded such a high number of cases was on October 17, 2021, when 35 deaths and 376 fresh cases were announced.

Though Nigeria has not yet officially declared a fourth wave of the pandemic in the country, a few days ago, the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hinted of the possibility.

The governor had noted that the positivity ratio of tests conducted in the state has since increased to as much as 6% in the past week as against 0.1% as of the middle of November.

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COVID-19: Tackling A Likely Fourth Wave

EDITORIAL

...first in breaking the news DECEMBER 11 – DECEMBER 12, 2021Weekend

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NEWS

Court Threatens To Freeze Adamawa Salary Accounts Over DebtBY CALEB ISHAYA, ABUJA

A Federal High Court, Abuja, has threatened to grant an Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, suit, seeking an order to freeze the Adamawa State Government’s salary accounts over inability to pay back N84 million loan six years after borrowing.

In a ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, gave the state government until Jan. 11, 2022, to settle the issue with AMCON.

Justice Ekwo said he was mindful to grant a plea by counsel to the state government, Fabaryu Thliza, due to the vast majority of the civil servants who might be affected by the order, especially as Christmas celebration draws near.

“This adjournment is at the instance of the defendant and a gracious adjournment to allow them pay the staff for Christmas. This shall be the last adjournment”, the judge warned.

He then adjourned the matter until Jan. 11, 2022, for report of settlement or hearing.

AMCON, in a writ of summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/387/2021

dated and filed on June 24, had sued the governor of Adamawa and the, Attorney-General, AG, as 1st and 2nd defendants.

Also Joined in the suit include the Commissioner of Health, Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Health as 3rd to 5th defendants respectively.

Use Of Common Seal By Companies No Longer Mandatory – CAC

Dry Season Farming: CBN Approves N5.7bn

To 10,000 Farmers In Bauchi

Slain Katsina Commissioner,

Nasir, Buried

Jailbreak, jailbreak Every

Time’

Forbes Recognises Mo Abudu Among

100 Most Powerful Women 2021

APC Has Destroyed Nigeria

PAGE 8– Iyorchia Ayu

Goje, Yahaya Feud: Petitioner Absent As

APC Reconciliation C’ttee Meets

Jimoh Loses Appeal Against AMCON

Over N69.4bn Debt

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Cr i s t i a n o R o n a l d o dos Santos Aveiro, born on February

5, 1985; is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Manchester United and captains the Portugal national team ensconced himself among the elite, the creme-de-la-creme of football fame and history. Among the greatest footballers in history, the Portuguese str iker- cum- winger has enjoyed a career matched by a select few.

His qualities and

influence in football transcend boundaries that have endeared him to fans all over the world and made him a global icon.

The man from Madeira is an epitome of relentless dedication, passion, hard work ,and fitness, obviously, and these qualities have helped him remain at the top of his game and football at large in whatever capacity, style, club, and country that he has played in.

Apart from Lionel Messi, there seems to be no equal to the almost superhuman feats of

Cristiano Ronaldo, and the two have made football records and statistics their own with unprecedented levels of consistency even “Messi attests to the fact in one of his numerous interviews that there things CR7 does that himself can’t do despite that he won more Ballon d’or ,C Ronaldo has something I do not posses”.

P o r t u g a l international, made his club debut in Sporting Lisbon, his sterling performances endeared

TODAY’S WEATHER FORECAST

On Thisday In History, December 111936Abdication of King Edward VIIIEdward VIII, failing to win acceptance for his desire to marry American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson, became the only British sovereign to voluntarily resign the crown, his abdication formally approved this day in 1936.

1941World War II: Germany and Italy declare war on the United States, following the Americans’ declaration of war on the Empire of Japan in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States, in turn, declares war on them.

1998The Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives recommended three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, to which would be added a fourth article the following day, for actions taken in connection with his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky

December 11 - December 12, 20212 www.aljazirahnews.com



DAY °C NIGHT °C

ABUJA 34° 20°LAGOS 32° 25°KADUNA 35° 17 °BIRNIN KEBBI 32° 22°ONITSHA 37° 23°

Another Football Maestro

Cristiano Ronaldo

FULL STORY ON PAGES 16 & 17Spor

ts

I Married The Most Beautiful Woman, Says NinalowoFamous Nollywood actor and movie producer, Bolanle Ninalowo said he married the most beautiful wife.

He took to social media to revel in his wife’s beauty, and at the same time, share her stunning pictures.

Ninalowo and his wife, Olubunmi are two lovebirds who got married to each other over a decade ago and are blessed with two adorable children - a boy and a girl.

In a recent post he shared via his verified Instagram page, Ninalowo posted new stunning pictures of his beautiful wife.

As expected, the pictures quickly went viral and also attracted the attention of many people including some Nigerian celebrities like Uche Ogbodo, Bukunmi Oluwashina, Seun Sean Jimoh and others who dropped lovely emojis and compliments.

Ninalowo is a popular Nollywood actor who started his acting career over a decade ago. He came into limelight with his role in a movie titled Rebirth.

Since then, he has featured in numerous Yoruba and English movies like Italian Gold, Gateman amongst others. He has also won many awards and honours.

Before his foray into the movie

As Nigerians continue to troop abroad especially to Europe and America, a former Super Falcons goalkeeper’ Rachael Aladi Ayegba has found a new life outside football after years of playing the game at the highest level before going on to obtain a coaching license.Ayegba, who played for the Falcons at the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China, the 2006 and 2008 African Women’s Championships and had an 11-year stint as a professional player in Finland, has now turned to bus driving in the United Kingdom.According to the UK’s Evening Standard Newspaper, bus drivers’ pay starts at £26,000 (over N14m) and rises to more than £31,000.This perhaps explains why Ayegba who has a UEFA A Goalkeepers License, is happy with her newfound love on the wheels.The 35-year old while speaking with the Evening Standard showed how her experience as a goalkeeper is positively rubbing on her new role as a bus driver.She said: “When you are trying to save the ball, you need safe hands. But there are ten others on your side,” she said. “When you drive a bus, you are on your own.”“In goal, the whole game is in front of you. Driving a bus, at least half the things that could go wrong are behind you or otherwise out of vision.“Mentally you have to be 100% ready, if you are a goalkeeper the defenders can help you. You can’t make any mistakes driving a bus.”There is a national shortage of bus drivers in the UK that is forcing people into cars and clogging up the roads and thereby opening new opportunities for the likes of Ayegba.The former goalkeeper revealed she had visited London for years on holiday and always admired the double decker buses.Barely three years after relocating, Aygeba now drives the number 185 between Lewisham and Victoria.It would be recalled that a number of Nigerian celebrities did odd jobs before gaining stardom. The list and jobs they did include:

Joseph Benjamin – Security Guard, Waiter, Bakery WorkerNollywood actor, model, and voice over artiste Joseph Benjamin was once a bus conductor, bakery worker, security guard and shoe seller before he found fame.He was once reported saying, “I’ve moved from being a bus conductor, security guard, waiter, worked in a Bakery, sold shoes at Balogun; then moved into IT before acting.”

Don Jazzy - Drummer, Security GuardIn 2000, while Don Jazzy was in London. His uncle had invited him to play the drums for the local church. He also gained employment at McDonalds and as a security guard.

Patoranking - Rat Poison Seller, BricklayerPatoranking moved from selling rat poison on the streets of Lagos to being one of the most popular dancehall artiste in Nigeria right now.Patoranking while collecting his Headies Next Rated award in 2014 revealed he was a former bricklayer and rat poison seller.

Tonto Dikeh - Errand girl, CleanerNollywood actress Tonto Dikeh wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, she could barely meet her needs in school and had to beg friends

industry, he first worked as an accountant in a bank in the United States of America and Guaranty Trust Bank.

His first attempt into the movie industry was as a producer. He produced his first movie titled Rebirth.

Ninalowo has been married before, separated and then reconciled with his spouse with whom he has two children.

He is Rukky Sanda’s cousin, a Nigerian movie producer and actress. Nino converted from Islam to Christianity after he found remedy to his troubles in the Bible which he says has become his life manual.

FILMOGRAPHY:• Husbands of Lagos• Coming From Insanity• Night Bus To Lagos• Atlas• A fire In The Rain• 30 Years A Virgin• Iya iyawo• The gateman• Road To Yesterday (2015)• Picture Perfect (2016 film)• Tiwa’s Baggage (2017)• Akpe: Return of the Beast (2019)• Ratnik (2020)• Breaded Life (2021)

for assistance. In return, she would clean their rooms or do their course work.In an Instagram post sometime ago, the mum of one said, “Uni life waz so hard for me, handouts I could not afford I beg frm hand to hand jst to eat! Den wil be jeans @ alaba market if d jeanz is longer Dan me I will cut it to my size n I will say iz rugged jeans! I will ask frdz for favour b4 they help they will ask me to do somtin for dem eg clean their room, help with course work jst to hav 2000 nair gosh.”

Peter and Paul Okoye - Attendant, Electrical repairerPeter once worked as a supermarket attendant and Paul did some electrical repair for pay. Now, the story is much different; as they have shows outside the country and own houses abroad.

Banky W - SalesboyBanky W once worked in fast foods outlets, clothing stores and as a knife salesman, selling knives from door to door.He was once quoted saying in an interview, “I once worked in fast foods outlets, clothing stores and as a knife salesman, selling knives from door to door. That way, I gathered money to pay for studio recording time. I was recording with a close friend at that time.

Mercy Johnson - HousemaidBefore the fame, money, expensive cars and house, Mercy Johnson was once a housemaid. According to her, “When I recall my humble beginning, I give thanks to God. When I remember how we moved into an uncompleted building and had to take cover whenever it rained because of the condition of the house; how my brother did a menial job as a bricklayer to earn a living and I a housemaid those days when we rolled over a stick to cover the windows up till the point when I started acting and raised money to cover the roof.”

John Okafor - Firewood seller, Hair dresser, ButcherYou could call him a Jack of all trade. From being a master firewood seller to hair dressing and working at an abattoir, John Okafor popularly known as Mr Ibu never had it easy.According to him, growing up was hard and he had to do several odd jobs to feed his family.

December 11 - December 12, 2021



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Ayegba

straightfrom theHeart Former Super Falcons

Goalkeeper Becomes Bus Driver In UK

funny world

PHOTO OF THE

DAY

“Roadside vendors litter the road at AYA Roundabout, Abuja yesterday.

Photo: Danjuma HAT

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BY HASSAN JIRGI, DAMATURU

Yobe State Police Command has debunked a trending news making the rounds to that “twenty Police personnel kidnapped by Boko-Haram/ISWAP insurgents during an attack on Buni-Yadi Police Division in Gujba Local Govt.

Area of the State, were rescued by Troops of the Nigerian Army (Operation HadinKai)”.

The clarification was contained in a press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim and made available to AljazirahNigerian in Damaturu Yobe State capital.

Military Rescue Of 20 Kidnapped Policemen Fake News – PPRO

NAPTIP Places Parents, Youths On Red Alert Against Human Trafficking

The Command’s spokesman said, “it’s disheartening to note that this fake news/story has been published in many media outlets, without seeking for clarification from the requisite Police Authorities”.

The statement noted that, “it’s even more worrisome that such misleading story is alleged to have emanated from military sources,, in view of the sensitive nature of the issue, and the prevalent security situation in the State, it’s deemed imperative that such negative impression must be erased from the minds of the public by setting the records straight.

It’s equally important that the

actual facts and circumstances surrounding the incident must be brought to light, for the sake of the families of police personnel serving in Yobe State.

“In this regard therefore, the Command wishes to reiterate as follows:

“The story or news item (on the alleged kidnaping of 20 police personnel in Buni-Yadi and their rescue by troops) is misleading, an utter fabrication and fake news, as no single police personnel was kidnapped from Buni-Yadi town on the day of the alleged incident, or at all; “On Tuesday 30th November 2021, suspected members of

BY IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY

Edo State Coordinator, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons, NAPTIP, Mrs Chidi Oruruo-Ifudu, yesterday, called on parents/guardians and youths to be on red alert against the activities of human traffickers during the yuletide, saying it is the period that they woo and entice their would-be victims with gifts.

She made the call in an event put together by Salvation Army with support from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR. It had as theme “Telling

Boko-Haram/ISWAP insurgents had attacked the Buni-Yadi Police Station in Gujba Local Govt. Area of the State and burnt down the structures, but there was neither any loss of life, nor was any Police personnel kidnapped, or declared missing. All the conventional personnel of the Division, as well as the PMF personnel, had been accounted after the incident”, he emphasised. “The general public is therefore, by this press release from the Yobe State Police Command, enjoined to discountenance/disregard/ignore the said ‘Kidnap & Rescue Claim’ as false, mischievous and fake!

the real story project: Amplifying the voices of our children against trafficking in persons”.

She said this is the period that human traffickers having spent some time abroad, choose to come home with various gifts and sugar-coated tongue to convince them to take their wards abroad without them knowing that they are taking them for prostitution and forced labour.

Oruruo-Ifudu added that it is now a serious offense punishable by law for anyone below 12 years to be employed as a house help, stressing that Nigerians should report any form of human trafficking to the

“It should be pointed out further that the said claim of ‘rescue of the 20 personnel’ had failed to disclose their identities; their ranks; the formations they belong to; or which medical facility they were taken to for check-ups; or who, were they handed over to or when and where were they handed over.

“While reiterating the commitment and dedication of Police personnel currently serving in or deployed to Yobe State, in sustaining the relative peace and security in the State, we call on the entire members of the public to continue to cooperate and support the command, as always.

relevant authorities to reduce its menace.

Speaking, the Deputy Representative, UHHCR, John Mckissick, said the symposium marks the end of a three-day programme, noting that at the end, students would be able to speak up and add their voices to end human trafficking in the state.

“Now, the children can go back to their community and also respond when they get information about trafficking.

“When they get the information, they can go to the police and there will be an investigation”, he said.

December 11 – December 12, 2021




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WhoSAIDWhat?IN THE NEWS

“We are going to charge on our contractors working on site to ensure that by the end of the first quarter next year, this mill should have started operations; that is, we should start producing rice from here”. – Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on the Imota Rice Mill.

The development also coincides with the forthcoming festive period when large gatherings are expected to be experienced across the country with increased volume in the number of persons arriving in the country.

Lagos, most times has been the epicentre of the pandemic, topping the infection chart as the NCDC noted that the state reported more than half of the new infections with a total of 595 cases.

While there has been a decrease in the number of fatalities, the NCDC noted that Nigeria on Thursday recorded one additional death in Lagos State as a backlog for December 6, 2021.

Summing up the fatality so far, it stands at 2,981. Though this is a far cry from the death rate in other climes, we cannot be seen to be cheery at the loss of even one life from the pandemic.

Part of the centre’s details indicated that the new cases have increased Nigeria’s infection toll to 215,918, while those discharged now stand at 207,619.

It also noted that the FCT reported a backlog of 16 discharges for December 8, while Lagos State reported no discharges for December 6.

Apart from the 595 cases reported in Lagos State, the NCDC data shows that

FROM COVER

COVID-19: Tackling A Likely Fourth Wave



NIGERIA

According to the log, Imo State came third with 49 cases, followed by Oyo State with nine cases and Delta State with a backlog of five cases for December 8, 2021.

“

the FCT also recorded 68 cases, with 28 of the cases forming a backlog for December 8, 2021.

According to the log, Imo State came third with 49 cases, followed by Oyo State with nine cases and Delta State with a backlog of five cases for December 8, 2021.

Katsina State also reported four cases,

while the trio of Edo, Kano and Plateau States reported three cases each.

While Ekiti and Gombe reported two cases each, Rivers State came last on the log with single case.

NCDC noted that three South-west states: Ondo, Ogun and Osun, and Sokoto State in the North-west reported that no case on Thursday.

The latest statistics are quite scary and given the manner in which many Nigerians have lowered their guards in terms of the protocols against the earlier strains of COVID-19, it is necessary to begin a conscious effort at making Nigerians understand the dangers that confront us.

On the travel restrictions imposed by some countries on Nigeria, we call for a re-think as a reciprocal move could further degenerate into diplomatic rows.

There were mutual restrictions across countries in the past without outright travel bans as being prosecuted now. Those measures which include, self- isolation, mandatory test at the point of entry and other measures could still be adopted as viable measures that can stem the tide of infections.

Nigeria should not be singled out for such a discriminatory measure as it smacks of prejudice.

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December 11 – December 12, 20216 www.aljazirahnews.com



Saudi Arabia has been a member of the International Maritime Organization since 1969

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been elected to the council of the International Maritime Organization, the UN agency responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping, and to prevent pollution from ships.

The election took place at the end of the 32nd general assembly of the London-based IMO, which was established in 1948 and currently has 175 member states.

Essam Al-Ammari, Saudi permanent representative to

Lined up neatly inside a special Jeddah Superdome pavilion, a collection of 100 antique and classic cars became the star attraction at the Jeddah International Motor Show.

Among the cars are vehicles used by the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz and other high-profile owners, according to Captain Talal bin Mansi, a renowned classic car enthusiast in the Kingdom and an international judge for classic cars.

“We have the biggest collection of classic cars in the Middle East and we own over 500 cars. The Jeddah International Motor Show has been canceled for the past two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Jahez International Co. for Information Systems Technology, a leading Saudi online food delivery platform, plans to collect up to SR1.6 billion, $428 million, a filing showed.

The company, also known as Jahez, set the price range for its initial public offering on Nomu Parallel Market between SR750 and SR850 per share.

The company offered 1.89 million shares representing 18 percent of its capital after the offering.

HSBC Saudi Arabia is the financial advisor, lead bookrunner, lead manager, and stabilisation manager for the listing.

The minimum number of shares for participating entities is set at 7,500, while the maximum number is 524,590.

The final offer price will be set after the completion of the book building process, which will run for qualified investors from December 9 to 13, the statement said.

In case individual qualified investors subscribe to the shares allocated for them, the lead book runner shall have the right to reduce the number of offer.

Saudi Arabia, UAE Elected To IMO Council Food Delivery App, Jahez Plans To Collect Up To $428m From Ipo

Jeddah Event Revs Up With Classic Cars

the IMO, told Arab News that his country “will work with other member states to support the issues faced by seafarers, and promote and initiate projects to support climate mitigation and international cooperation.”

He said the Kingdom plans to tackle growing inequality between IMO member nations, assist least developed countries and small island developing states in their economic recovery, and invest in greener technologies to reduce the environmental impact of shipping.

The Kingdom has also pledged to offer world-class training to nations that are threatened by modern-day piracy, and to highlight issues faced by seafarers.

Saudi Arabia, a maritime nation bordering two vital waterways, has been an active supporter of the IMO since joining it in 1969.

The Kingdom actively participates in all meetings of the IMO council, general assembly, main committees, sub committees and working

groups. Saudi Arabia has ratified 40 international conventions and protocols of the IMO.

In September, the organization signed three partnership agreements with the Kingdom to support the preparation of a new global project to target ship-based emissions. Further funding goes to existing projects focused on biofouling and marine plastic litter.

The IMO was established by means of a convention adopted under the auspices of the UN in Geneva on March 17, 1948.

“Our participation is totally different this year because we are bringing unique cars to the show, and we will also have a live auction on the last day to sell some of this fascinating display and other cars owned by our members”.

Many celebrities and wealthy individuals are keen to own a classic car, “and some dedicate a space to them, inside a guest house or in the yard of their house.”

Car enthusiasts, buyers and investors from around the world are among those attending the motor show, which runs until December 10 and is a highlight of the Saudi automotive calendar.

The special pavilion features

iconic carmakers including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Mini, Mercedes and BMW. Chevy trucks, Corvettes and Fords are among other vehicles on show, with some vehicles dating back to the 1940s.

Motor fans can also view the latest technologies and innovations in a wide range of vehicles, from sedans to hatchbacks to SUVs. The show also showcases crossover vehicles and luxury brands.

Car club displays and promotions, car driving simulators, demo motorcycle games, drift rides, a “dream car” demonstration, kart racing experiences, a private auction and test drives will help visitors keep up to date with the latest in the

automotive world.Bader bin Abdullah bin Muhanna

Al-Delami, Deputy Minister of Transport and Road Affairs, inaugurated the motor show and, afterwards, toured the exhibition for a glimpse of the latest designs and models unveiled by the biggest names in the automotive industry.

The event, organized by the marketing firm, SELA, is expected to attract over 250,000 visitors, including motor enthusiasts from across the Kingdom.

Senior executives and managers from the auto manufacturers’ headquarters attended the opening day’s events and introduced new models to the show’s visitors.





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Egyptian film and television stars have long been a source of inspiration for Saudis, but none more so than Laila Eloui, the award-winning actress who has made more than 70 movies in a career stretching back decades.

With her dramatic fashion sense, good looks and striking blonde curls, Eloui was a favorite among an emerging generation who rarely missed a chance to watch their idols on small box screens while growing up in the 1980s and 1990s.

After making her screen debut in the 1970s, the actress co-starred in films, comedies and dramas alongside

The crown princes of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on Thursday chaired the 2nd Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council meeting at Sakhir Palace in the capital, Manama.

Saudi Crown Prince arrived in Bahrain from Qatar earlier on Thursday, as part of a whirlwind tour of neighboring Gulf countries aimed at bolstering ties.

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad “welcomed his brother, Prince Mohammed, and his accompanying delegation to their second country, Bahrain,” a statement on Saudi Press Agency said.

He praised the historic relations that bind the two kingdoms and their people, stressing his country’s keenness to develop and consolidate bilateral cooperation to broader

horizons.Prince Mohammed stressed the

importance of the Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council and its subcommittees “as an effective tool” to elevate relations for further progress and to benefit and invest in the available opportunities.

The two sides also reviewed the report issued by the council’s General Secretariat, and the outputs, recommendations and initiatives of the committees’ meetings.

Both sides “expressed their satisfaction with the positive results achieved in the meetings and the recommendations and initiatives reached, which will enhance the existing cooperation in various field,” the statement said.

Riyadh and Manama agreed to

“continue to strengthen cooperation and consultation on regional and international issues and push their political efforts for further security, stability and prosperity.

An agreement was reached on a number of initiatives to coincide with the scheduled political consultations between the foreign ministers of the two kingdoms, and work to counter extremist ideology among the Saudi and Bahraini youth and dry up its sources of funding.

The two sides pledged to strengthen joint work and activate a number of initiatives in the fields of security, military, cybersecurity, trade, economy, climate change, renewable energy, infrastructure, education, sports, culture, health, media and entertainment, and tourism.

‘Saudi Film Is Ready To Do Great Things,’ Says Egyptian Star, Elouisome of the greatest names in Egyptian entertainment history, including Ahmed Zaki, Farooq Al-Fishawi, Adel Imam, Kamal Al-Shinawi, Hussain Fahmi, Laila Siddqi, Mervat Amin and Isaad Younis.

Eloui’s performances made her a household name and brought a string of Egyptian and international festival awards.

Now, speaking on the fourth day of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Eloui has inspired a new generation of Saudi filmmakers to step up and take their turn in the limelight.

“Everyone can sense the change that is happening here. It is a change for the better, it is a change for more innovation and I believe that there will be great things coming from the younger generation of directors, actors and actresses and more.

“You must grasp your opportunity because you will be the makers of change in the Arab and Saudi film industry,” she added.

Eloui was speaking as part of a series of masterclass sessions featuring talks and question-and-answer discussions with film industry leaders.

The US mission to Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the scholarship departments of the Ministry of Culture, the Royal Commission for AlUla, and NEOM, held a virtual event recently to announce the “Quincy Student Mobility Initiative.”

The new initiative is a combination of the US mission’s programs aimed at helping qualified and motivated Saudi young leaders to achieve their higher education goals at American colleges and universities.

Each of the four Quincy Initiative programs supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals “in a different way.”

The discussion theme of “International Education for the Vision 2030 Generation,” prompted both US and Saudi officials to address how the Kingdom’s new scholarship programs are supporting Vision 2030, and the role of US higher education in helping to meet those goals.

Denison Offutt, deputy chief of the mission, said that “each year, tens of thousands of Saudi students choose to pursue higher education in the US because the US higher education sector offers world-class faculty and research facilities, and degrees across all fields of study. With the ‘Quincy Student Mobility Initiative,’ we are making study in the US even more accessible to Saudi students.”

This month’s inaugural Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix helped drive hotel room rates to record highs in Jeddah, while occupancy was at the highest level since 2018.

The average daily rate at Jeddah’s hotels on Dec. 4, one day before the race, was SR1,707.72 ($455.39), up from SR612.25 the previous week, while revenue per available room, also known as RevPAR, was SR1,517.92, both all-time highs, according to hospitality data provider STR.

Occupancy peaked at 89.2 percent on the day of the race, up from 59.8 percent the previous week, the highest since August 2018, the STR data showed.

“The special circumstances of Saudi Arabia hosting its first F1 Grand Prix, in between races held in Doha and Abu Dhabi, drove hotelier pricing confidence and overall performance to record-breaking levels,” said Philip Wooller, STR’s area director for Middle East & Africa. “The RevPAR level achieved the night before the race was the highest ever recorded in a Saudi market outside of Makkah, and when we compare with the weeks before the race, the need for such a boost was significant.”

US Mission Initiative Helps Saudi Students

Saudi F1 Grand Prix Helps Jeddah Hotel Rates To Record High

Saudi, Bahraini Crown Princes Chair 2nd Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his Bahraini counterpart Prince Salman bin Hamad head the 2nd Saudi-Bahraini Coordination Council in Manama

BY MUYIWA OYINLOLA

The last six years of the All Progressives Congress, APC-led administration is a setback for the nation, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said.The opposition party said the APC which came to power in 2015 has eroded its 16 years achievements.

National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu gave the disclosure yesterday in his address at the inauguration of the party’s new National Working Committee, NWC, in Abuja.

The former President of the Senate while noting that the new NWC of the party will be guided by consultation and lead the party to victory in the 2023 general elections, also noted that the fortune of the nation has nosedived under the current administration of the APC.

He noted that the need for the PDP to reclaim leadership of the nation has never been of essence than now, stressing “Our dear Nigeria is drifting dangerously towards a failed state. Terrorists are now sharing sovereignty with Nigeria. Nigeria is simply ungoverned. Nigeria is collapsing under the leadership of a retired general”.

He also noted that, “APC used both the mainstream media and the social media to access power. Today, it coordinates a systematic assault on the media, civic freedoms and freedom of speech”.

While speaking further, he said “Let me give you the grim legacy of the APC: Two economic recessions in six years. Sluggish GDP growth rates of below two percent.

“About 40 million Nigerians have been pushed into extreme poverty in six years. Inflation is at an all-time high at 18%.

“A weak and devalued Naira; devalued by over 300% since 2015, has made our currency the worst in Africa.

“Unemployment now stands at 33%. Meaning: Close to 40 million Nigerians, willing and able to work, can’t find jobs.

“A total debt stock of over $90 billion now hangs over Nigeria. An erratic exchange rate regime has depleted N324 against the US Dollar in the last six years.

“Kidnapping for ransom is now big business. We share sovereignty with terrorists who kidnap and rape our women, including our mothers and under-aged children.

“The terrorists even kill them when ransom is delayed.

These are not political alarms, but statements of facts”.

However, he stated his headship of the party would ensure a change of power in favour of the PDP in the next political dispensation.

“I stand here today, not to merely recount APC’s spectacular failures. I stand here to assure you that PDP is back to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria. Under the new NWC, PDP will strengthen its internal democratic processes. We shall endeavour to reach out to all party members, young and old, male and female’.

“This National Working Committee will create alternate platforms within the Party to actively engage the young people and our women, not only for

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APC Has Destroyed Nigeria – Iyorchia Ayu

Players Union Case Vs NFF Gets Hearing Date

mobilizing and winning elections, but for advocacy, policy formulation and the design of a new development agenda for the Party”.

He also assured that “We shall return the party to vigorous discussions; pay serious attention to new thinking and the implementation of policies and programmes that will secure and improve the quality of life of all Nigerians”.

You would recall that the PDP Chairman Dr Iyorchia Ayu, had about one month ago said that the party’s loss of the Presidency in 2015 was a blessing in disguise. According to him, the PDP might have plunged the country into a dictatorship or become complacent if the party had remained in government till now.

“In a democracy, it’s normal for a political party to lose power. If we didn’t lose power, maybe we would have become a dictatorship or become complacent. To believe in democracy;

Buhari Ayu

Buni

there must have been something we were doing wrong or must have done wrong that the Nigerian electorate shifted. But today, if we didn’t lose power, they wouldn’t experience the policies and programmes of the other party. They would think the APC has something better than us. Thank God we lost power. Today, Nigerian people know better. He said without mincing words that the emergence of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the seat of power in the last six years has left no one in doubt that Nigeria was far good under the PDP administration.

Ayu said, the PDP under his watch, he will reposition and re-energise the party to take back power in 2023. He said: “My priority is for the party to take power. Political parties’ priority is always to win. Therefore, I reviewed the reasons why we lost power in 2015 and am going to work to unite the party, to sharpen the programs of the party, and market the party to the Nigerian electorate in

a way that they will be prepared to vote for us.

Meanwhile, these claims of destruction of Nigeria by the ruling party are still fresh but our efforts to reach the APC caretaker committee office for reaction proves abortive as text messages and phone calls put across were not replied as at press time.




February 4, 2022 has been fixed for the case instituted by three members of the players union against the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, in which they are demanding among other things for equal representation of the major stakeholders at the NFF Congress.

The suit No FHC/ABJ/15/376/21 is filed at the Federal High Court Abuja.

The claimants will on that date, bring forward their

motions in Court 6 of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

The three members of the players union are Harrison Jalla, Rumson Baribote and Austin Popo.

The defendants are the NFF, NFF President Amaju Pinnick and Sports Minister Sunday Dare.

At present, the 44-person NFF Congress is dominated by 37 State Football Association Chairman, while

other major stakeholders like the players union, coaches, the league and referees only have a seat each.

The former players said this skewed representation is “most undemocratic” and even contrary to the spirit of the 2010 NFF Statutes.

The claimants also demanded that the next NFF Elections in September 2022 not be conducted without proper amendments of the 2010 NFF Statutes.

Many stakeholders have applauded this bold move by the players’ union with former Super Eagles captain Segun ‘Mathematical’ Odegbami hailing it as “the biggest and most important action by the Players Union, a visionary step that will restore sanity, equity and fair play to the process of installing an authentic leadership for the Nigeria Football Federation”.

BY ISMAILA JIMOH, ABUJA

Federal Capital Territory Water Board has said it has been generating revenue worth over 200 million naira monthly through payment made by the residents of the Territory.

This was made known by the Acting General Manager, FCT Water Board, Joy Nky Okoro while breifing the press on the activities of her board in the out going year in Abuja, friday.

She said even though the board had targeted between 400 to 450 million naira as monthly projected revenue, what it later realized was an improvement from the past records.

Okoro also explained that plans are on going to ensure that the board embrace the use of online billing systems and installation of solar light for its operation from next year.

While commenting on the efforts the board has been making toward provision n of quality service to its customers in FCT, the Acting General Manager said, “ you know abuja water reticulation was done over 30 years ago, this is a pipe thing, they get worn out after sometime, i want to tell you that we have been arresting all the problems associated with that, as a matter of fact Mr Minister have just approved water reticulation project for the FCT, the project is expected to start next year and be completed in 2023”.

FCT: Water Board Nets Over N200m Monthly, Online Billing Underway

BY MOHAMMED SANI, KATSINA

The remains of Katsina State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Dr Rabe Nasir who was assassinated by yet-to-be identified people, have been laid to rest.

His body was interred at Gidan Dawa cemetery in Katsina yeterday, after a

funeral prayer.The funeral prayer took

place shortly after the Juma’at prayer at GRA Juma’at mosque, and was led by the Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr. Aminu Abdullahi.

Gov. Aminu Masari and a Federal Government delegation, led by the National Security Adviser,

NSA, to President Muhammad Buhari, Rtd Gen. Babagana Mongunu, were some of the dignitaries who attended the funeral prayer.

Special prayers were offered at the mosque for the repose of the soul of late Nasir, and the security of the nation.

The delegation was

earlier at the Katsina government house to condole with the governor and the immediate family of the deceased. The late Nasir was brutally murdered on Wednesday in his residence, located at Fatima Shema Estate, Katsina metropolis, by yet-to-be-identified assailants.

AMCON, through his lawyer, Paul Okache, had alleged that the 5th defendant (Ministry of Health) sometimes in July, 2015 approached Union Bank Plc for an overdraft facility when it was in dire need of financial assistance.

He said after several appeal, the Union Bank eventually raised the overdraft facility.

He told the court that despite several demands by the bank, the facility

and the accrued interest had remained unpaid.

Respondents thereafter engaged the services of Abbas El-Yakub & Co. to among other things demand payment of the facility.

NAN reports that Justice Ekwo had, on June 24, granted AMCON’s ex-parte application seeking an interlocutory order to freeze the respondents/debtors accounts in not less than 17 commercial banks.

But the state government

Slain Katsina Commissioner Nasir Buried

Court Threatens To Freeze Adamawa Salary Accounts Over Debt

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya ( 2nd L), Chairman of All Progressives Congress National Reconciliation Committee, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu (left), former Governor of Jigawa State, Ali Sa’ad Birnin Kudu and former Secretary to Kebbi State Government, Sulaiman Argungu during the visit of the reconciliation panel to Gombe, yesterday. PHOTO: TYOZENDA TYOAKAA

BY LADI PATRICK-OKWOLI, ABUJA

R e g i s t r a r - G e n e r a l , Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, has said the use of common seal by companies is no longer mandatory.

Abubakar, who said this in statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, signed by Mr Rasheed Mahe, CAC’s Media Head, after declaring open a one-day Customers’ Stakeholders Forum.

Represented by Mr Abdulhakeem Mohammed, Director Compliance, he enumerated a series of reform initiatives embarked upon by the commission, pursuant to CAMA, 2020.

Abubakar said that notable features of the new law included the dispensation of the appointment of company secretary by private companies in pursuant of Section 330 of the new law.

According to him, while electronic signature has been introduced by the new law, one man is allowed to register a private company, adding that incorporated trustees amalgamation with similar objectives is now possible under Section 849.

The Registrar-General also said that the minimum share capital for private companies was increased to N100,000 and two million for public liability companies.

He said it was upgraded to two million respectively under Section 27 sub-section 2 of the act.

Abubakar said that small companies and one-man company were now permitted to hold statutory and annual general meetings abroad.

He said the provisions of Sections 705 and 707 which introduced the registration of accredited insolvency practitioner, liquidator, receiver

or receiver-manager stated that such professionals could only practice upon obtaining due accreditation from the CAC.

Abubakar said key reforms contained in the new law also stated that there was now prohibition of the combination of the office of the chairman and chief executive officer in one and the same person for public companies.

Use Of Common Seal By Companies No Longer Mandatory – CAC boss

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9www.aljazirahnews.com December 11 – December 12, 2021

had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, saying such case should be filed at the state where the cause of action took place.

The judge had given them a time to resolve the matter and adjourned the matter.

At the resumed proceeding, Okache told the court that the settlement option had failed as there was no seriousness on the part of the defendants.

The lawyer to the

state government, Thliza, explained that the settlement process was ongoing and a five-man committee had been constituted by her client.

“We could not call the claimant because we are yet to finish with terms of settlement,” she said.

The judge then asked her the date of the last sitting.

“It was Oct. 6 my lord,” she said.

“You think this is a joke? Tell me why I should not take the application of the plaintiff,” Ekwo said.

FROM COVER PAGE

I, formerly known and addressed as MATABULI ASHIRU, now wish to be known and addressed as KANI MATABULI

ASHIRU (D.O.B 02-04-1990). All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as ABUBAKAR SADIQ KABIRAH and KABIRAH MUHAMMA SADIQ, now wish to be known and

addressed as KABIRAH MUHAMMAD SADIQ. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

ASHIRUCHANGE OF NAME

SADIQ

BY ABDUL SALAUDEEN IN ILORIN

Kwara State Governor A b d u l R a h m a n AbdulRazaq, yesterday presented the staff of office to the new Emir of Lafiagi Alhaji Mohammed Kawu Kudu.

AbdulRazaq, urged him to make his reign peaceful, progressive, and a pride to his people and the state at large.

The monarch, the 14th royal head of the emirate, ascended the throne on 30th July, 2021, following the death of the late Emir Saadu Kawu Haliru who reigned for 46 years.

“Your Royal Highness, today’s event serves to honour you and especially your forebears whose memorable reigns created the fertile grounds for you to emerge,” AbdulRazaq said, shortly after handing the royal staff of office to the new monarch.

“I urge you to make your reign very memorable for all your subjects, indigenes or not, corporate or individuals. May God make it easy for you and grant you long and peaceful reign”.

Governor AbdulRazaq, who commended traditional rulers under the leadership of the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Zulu-Gambari, CFR, chairman of the state traditional council for keeping their domains peaceful, appealed for their continuous support in the administration’s bid to protect lives and properties.

He said the support of the royal fathers has helped to make Kwara a lot more conducive and business-friendly than many of its contemporaries.

“Your Royal Highnesses, we thank you for all that you do to support us to keep our country secure, peaceful and in harmony.

“ We are in a trying moment as a country. We beseech Your Royal Highnesses to continue to support governments to maintain peace among all our people. I thank the Kwara State Traditional Council led by Mai Martaba the Emir of Ilorin for the wonderful job of working with us to keep the peace in our state”, he said.

Abdulrazaq Presents Staff Of Office To New Emir Of LafiagiBY ABDUL SALAUDEEN, ILORIN

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has reiterated that the administration will always consider every part of the state in its developmental agenda.

He said investments in rural roads and river crossings and basic amenities are meant to open up the hinterlands for agricultural and commercial purposes.

Speaking at the public presentation of the autobiography of Emeritus Prof. Luke Ekundayo Edungbola, at the University of Ilorin, the Governor commended the pioneering works of the academic whose efforts have been credited for the eradication of Guinea Worm in Nigeria.

He called the public presentation “a celebration of a long journey properly documented for posterity” and thanked Edungbola for

BY WISDON ONYEISI, ABUJA

Michelles Youth Initiative for Sustainable Development, MYISD, is set to award the Minister of Women Affairs , Dame Pauline Tallen, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi as well as frontline lawyer Dayo Apata, SAN, amongst other personalities

as United Nations anti-corruption crusaders at it forthcoming National Youth leaders summit against corruption.

Convener of the Initiative and President of the Nigerian Female Youth Organisation, Princess Mimi Peter, in a press release issued in

Abuja, explained that the summit which is in commemoration of the World Anti-corruption Day 2021 will be leverage upon to encourage individuals and organisations that have passed the integrity test and shown patriotic concern.

“They are the kind of people we want for

leadership positions in order to have a better country”, she said .

Other awardees are Barrister Kayode Ajulo, General Chris Garuba ,Dr Sam Amadi and Olabisi Akande and Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman, Hajia Maryam Janan and Apostle Amb. Theo .O . Ebonyi.

Every Part Of Kwara Will Feel Devt Agenda -Abdulrazaq

Youth Leaders Set To Honour Amechi, Others As Anti

L-R: Former Minister of FCT, Dr. Aliyu Modibo Umar; former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha and the Convener, Amb. Phil Roberts during the 2021 National Patriot Summit in Abuja, recently. PHOTO: TYOZENDA TYOAKAA

The Israeli government has donated a computer classroom with accessories worth 10, 000 dollars to a school in FCT, to boost effective teaching and learning in the nation’s education sector.

The computer classroom was donated yesterday, by the Embassy to the Revival Academy International School, RAIS, located in Dutse Apo, FCT.

The Charge d’ Affairs of Israel to Nigeria, Mr Yotam Kreiman, inaugurated the computer classroom in memory of Sarah Aaronsohn, an Israeli National Hero, who gave her life to save many more.

Yotam, who is also the Acting Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, said that the donation of Sarah Aaronsohn Computer Classroom was to encourage the school to continue in its good works.

According to Yotam, the school is the third and first nursery/primary school to receive the computer classroom donation under this project.

“As a way for Israel to support the Education sector of Nigeria; it is important to us that young children in schools have early access to technology.

“This enables accelerated learning and deepens understanding of difficult concepts.

“It is for the benefit and prosperity of both countries; the ties that exist between our countries today in areas of Culture, Arts, Agriculture, Security, Innovation and Education.

“The last two areas are reasons we are here today; in the current world of ICT, Education is both a necessity and investment, as today’s children are the future leaders of this nation.

“The State of Israel has faith in the importance of Education and in its future in Nigeria”, he said.

He said that the project would not have been possible without the cooperation and partnership of the Africa Division of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Skill-G Nigeria Ltd. and Innov8 hub.

Responding, the Director of RAIS, Mrs Charity Nedobolisa, expressed appreciation to the embassy for the donation of the facility, saying it would enhance e-learning.

“RAIS has always taught computer studies theoretically and the students had little hands-on experience with just a laptop, when we needed to buttress a point, but it was stressful and not effective.

e-Learning: Israel Donates Computer Classroom To FCT School

there. Apart from the fact that every person deserves access to basic amenities, I consider giving people in the rural areas access to the farmlands and moving produce out of the place to the market as truly important,” he said.

Edungbola, in his remarks, commended the Governor for honouring him with his presence at the book presentation and for always reaching out to the people in the hinterlands for development.

“My writing of this autobiography, _From No Direction to A Destination_ , is for multiple reasons: to praise God, to thank you the participants, to serve as my constant reflection, recollection, reminder and as a reference of experience while passing through the unpredictable and many circumstances of life.

“It is to also document the historical account of my

his service to humanity.Edungbola, former

Deputy Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin and world-class parasitologist, is most notable for his pace-setting research on Guinea Worm and how his works helped to save millions of lives, mostly in the rural areas of Nigeria.

Responding to Prof. Edungbola’s remarks about his Alabe community in Ile-Ire district of Ifelodun Local Government and how the area was long cut off from development, the Governor said efforts are ongoing to fix more rural roads and other basic amenities across the state, including the one connecting Alabe and many communities in the district.

“The argument against fixing rural roads is often that traffic is not there but we have taxpayers living or having businesses there.

“ We have economic reasons to build access road

life for my children, friends, associations and upcoming generations; to encourage colleagues in writing their autobiographies or biographies too,” Edungbola added.

The book presentation was attended by top academics, traditional rulers, and community leaders, such as UNILORIN’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem; Chancellor of Kwara State University Dr. J.B.O. Adewumi; former Vice Chancellor and APC Chieftain Prof. Oba Abdulraheem.

Others included Dr. S.F. Abogunrin; Prof Timothy Opoola; President of Omo Ibile Igbomina Engineer Timothy Adebayo; Mrs Cecilia Moji Aina; amongst other dignitaries.

Speakers at the event took turns to commend the pioneering works of Edungbola.

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BY ROTIMI ASHER

One of the major issues raised by stakeholders at the 15th edition of Lagos Motor Fair was patronage for made in Nigeria vehicles. Sincerely, apart from lack of political will by Various administrations to pass the auto policy bill which according to the government required some review, patronage has contributed to stunted growth witnessed in the auto industry in the last four or five years.

The National Automotive Industry Development Plan, NAIDP, was introduced in 2013 by Goodluck Jonathan to promote domestic automobile manufacturing and reduce importation. Prior to the policy, the country was spending over 6 billion dollars on importation of over 700,000 vehicles annually. Unbelievably, only 50,000 were brand new out of these vehicles. This implies that the demand for new vehicles was low compared to fairly used popularly called ‘Tokunbo’ vehicles.

To discourage importation of fully Built-up vehicles, as contained in the policy, tariffs were increased to 70% while that of Semi-knocked down, SKD, and Completely Knock Down, CKD, were reduced to around 5% and 20% respectively. It also banned the importation of fairly used vehicles through land borders. This was also meant to reduce competition and costs for local assembly plants.

It was like a new dawn in the industry as the number of functioning auto assembly plants skyrocketed from three to forty nine and out of these, thirty nine commenced operation. Some of the reputable companies that have assembly plants are Peugeot Nigeria, Coscharis Motors, Toyota Nigeria, Dana Motors, Stallion Motors, Innoson Vehicles Manufacturing, Mikano Motors, OMAA Assembler of Gas powered Vehicles, Jet Motor Company and others.

In terms of current registration of auto assembly plants in the country, about 62 companies have been registered. According to the Minister of Industry, trade and Investment, Chief Adeniyi Adebayo, ‘’ these companies have installed capacity of 423,790 units with an

Generating Patronage For Made In Nigeria Vehicles

December 11 –December 12, 2021

Made in Nigeria Vehicles

achievement of assemblage of 10,343 units so far”, adding that, “31 automotive assembling companies are currently listed under the Bureau of Public Procurement for patronage by the government ministries, departments and agencies”.

Indeed, there have been challenges which hamper their operation like epileptic power supply, incessant smuggling coupled with cross border security failure, limited accessibility to funds and lack of patronage. While the auto assembly plants were waiting for the auto policy bill to become law so that it can open up the industry for auto financing pave way for ancillary companies thereby generating more patronage for assembled vehicles and create more jobs for Nigerians, the industry was hit by recent 2021 finance Act which slashed duty on imported vehicles.

As stipulated in the auto policy, import duty was imposed on commercial and fully built vehicles. Commercial vehicles attract 35 percent duty without a levy, whereas cars attract a 35 percent levy charged on the Fully Built up Vehicles, FBV, in addition to the 35 percent import duty.

The Federal government also gave incentives of zero percent, five percent, and 10 percent respectively to operators of auto assembly plants on importation of Completely Knock Down,

CKD, parts and Semi Knock Down, SKD.In addition to that, when importing FBU

cars, they are expected to pay 35% duty without level, whereas commercial vehicles attract 20% duty without a level in numbers equal to twice their imported CKD/SKD kits. But all that has changed with the Finance law.

The new clause in the 2020 Nigeria Finance Act passed into law in 2021 reviewed customs and excise tariff in the bill from 35% to 10% on tractors, transport vehicles and others. According to some analysts, this new move will hinder stability and discourage current and future investors into the sector.

The government, in a reaction through Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said, ‘’the reduction is to ultimately reduce the rate of food inflation and not to hurt the local automotive industry. It is designed to enable us to adopt counter-cyclical policy measures to be able to adequately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing financial relief to taxpayers, and some of these provisions in the bills also are designed to reform fiscal incentive policies that have been existing for a long time; prioritize job creation, accelerate economic recovery and foster greater collaboration between the monetary, fiscal and trade authorities’’.

“So when we were designing the bill, we adopted five thematic areas, one of these areas in addition to counter-cyclical is to provide fiscal support for mass transit. This is important because we have inflation running at double-digit and increasing on a month to month basis, and when you decouple the inflation, you find that one of the major components of inflation is food inflation. One of the major drivers of food inflation is transportation cost, so we were looking for how to reduce the cost of transportation for the benefit of Nigerians. This reduction in duties and tariff will have an impact in reducing the cost of transportation. It will have the impact of enabling Nigerians to bring in more trucks for agricultural production, more mass transit vehicles, and also more trucks that move goods across the country. This will reduce the cost of transportation and

will also reduce the cost of food and provide relief to the greater proportion of Nigerians’’.

“Of course, we realized it was going to have an impact on the auto industry because of the penalties that we have imposed and the high duties to encourage investment in the sector. Our design of this policy is not to hurt the industry if it has that consequence; the government has already started discussing with the industry. We have had one meeting chaired by His Excellency, the Vice-President, in which the auto industry was engaged and we will continue engaging them to provide relief.

Also, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo said,”We have received various comment and criticism regarding some people calling the Finance law policy somersault, it is important to distinguish between a policy somersault and what is essentially an absolutely critical review of an existing policy that requires adjustment.”

His argument: “The ministry has been the foremost champion and advocate for robust automotive sector by stoutly defending the tariff regime, pushing for access to credit for both producers and consumers and planning to build infrastructures such as automotive cluster.”

He stressed, the Federal government commenced the review of the auto policy in order to address shortcomings in the plan and introduce measures to enable Nigeria attain its expectations for the automotive industry.’’

In spite of this major challenge thrown up by the Finance Act before the completion of the auto policy review, the government has taken a step to provide relief for the auto assembly plants by making a commitment to buy their vehicles. According to Mrs. Ahmed, “When you take a policy as a government, it is always you are providing the benefit on one hand and then you are hurting maybe another aspect, then you now look at that other segment that you are hurting and say how do we address it? So the government has started discussing and we are saying we can uptake your vehicles, the federal government had a commitment to buy made in Nigeria.

Commercial vehicles attract 35 percent duty without a levy, whereas cars attract a 35 percent levy charged on the Fully Built up Vehicles, FBV, in addition to the 35 percent import duty.

“

Delta Child’s Rights Implementation Committee X-Rays Oromoni’s DeathBY OWEN AKENZUA, ASABA

Delta State Child’s Rights Implementation Committee, a body empowered by law to protect and enforce the rights of children, has analyzed the remote cause of the death of the Delta State born Dowen College student, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr, adding that meting out appropriate sanctions would act as a deterrent to any individual or corporate entity that impedes on the rights of children.

The committee met, brainstormed and came up with far-reaching decisions amidst the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence where it took cognisance of the alleged gruesome murder of the late Oromoni by his senior schoolmates.

Presiding over the meeting yesterday in Asaba, the Chairman and Permanent Secretary,

Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Kevwe Agas said the challenge of most schools is indiscipline, usually orchestrated by the dynamics of time.

She averred that people run schools solely as profit oriented entities and not necessarily to impact knowledge, adding that such mindset has given most parents the impetus to forget their role and now behave the way they like in parenting.

Agas noted that the society is gradually losing every sense of morality, maintaining that the Delta State Government is not happy with such development where parenting and mentoring have been relegated to the background.

Lamenting the failure of guardians to correct the present generation of children, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Social Services, Bridget Anyafulu

called on the family, traditional institutions and religious bodies to rise to the occasion as critical stakeholders in ensuring child protection and re-institutionalization of the value system.

According to her, “We should at all times find out what our children are going through in boarding houses. The death of Sylvester Oromoni Jnr is not a loss to Delta, but an eye opener to the reality that has been existing unchecked. He is our Jesus that has come to redefine and reconstruct our lifestyle. We must work hard to see that things begin to change. Child protection is our responsibility irrespective of biological relationship or not.

“Nevertheless, and truth be told, we have lost our children. We need to go back to the basics to rediscover ourselves and reinvent our old ways of life. We left our Africanism to become white in behaviour.

“We have failed in our duties as parents. We have failed as community leaders. We have failed as religious leaders and we have failed even as care givers. We have left our children to grow wings unchallenged, because we are training them in the white man’s way. No child rights law says you cannot beat a child; the only caveat is that you must beat them with limit”, Anyafulu said.

However, several resolutions were reached on the way forward and the best approaches to child protection. Members were urged to go back to their various organizations and communities and begin to sensitize the people on Delta State Child Rights Law of 2009 and its implications on offenders.

Moreover, the committee resolved to play its part in seeking justice for Oromoni Jnr in line with the Delta State Government’s decision on the matter.

BY ABDULLAHI IDRIS, BAUCHI

In a bid to promote equality and equal opportunities for all women, Oxfam, an international non-governmental organization, embarked on a campaign to end Gender Based Violence, GBV, on women and girls.

The Lead Project Manager, Samuel Lashon, said the significance of the street walk was to mark the 16th Day of Activism on what the world is saying on some of the violence perpetrated against women in the society and the world at large.

He added that “today’s event is aimed at saying “No to GBV, Genital Mutilation, and all forms of domestic violence against women”.

Earlier, the Gender Focal Person, Oxfam, Zulai Abdul-Malik, said the ultimate goal of the street walk is to eradicate gender based violence in Bauchi.

She also disclosed that Oxfam is concerned about women, particularly house wives on how to help them towards supporting their family with businesses opportunities in the agricultural sector.

BY HENRY IBYA, MAKURDI

Traders operating on major streets in Makurdi town and those carrying out business activities at Wurukum market have been encouraged to relocate to the Makurdi Ultra-modern International Market as it has been officially opened for commercial activities.

Information available to Aljazirah indicates that this followed several failed efforts by the Benue State Government to relocate the traders who had resorted to counter-litigations despite the destruction of shops and property by flood each time there is a heavy rain.

The source also hinted that the official reopening of the market for commercial activities was made possible as a result of the synergy between government and private partnership arrangement.

In an interview with newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, the manager of the market, Mr Manasseh Shaakaa, said shops will be made available to as many traders as possible willing to relocate to the market.

Oxfam Embarks On End GBV Walks In Bauchi

Makurdi International Market Reopens For Business

BAUCHI

BENUE

DELTA

Umahi Makes NECO Exams Compulsory In Secondary Schools BY CHIKA MEFOR-NWACHUKWU

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, has approved the compulsory conduct of the National Examinations Council, NECO, examinations in all schools.

A press release signed by the Head, Information and Public Relations Division, NECO, Azeez Sani,

revealed that the approval was made following a request made to that effect by the Registrar, Professor Dantani Wushishi during a courtesy visit to the governor in Abakaliki on Thursday.

The examinations involved are the National Common Entrance Examination, NCEE, Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, and

Senior School Certificate Examination, SSCE.

Umahi commended NECO for playing an important role in the educational development of the country and assured of the state government’s support to enable it deliver on its mandate.

The registrar had earlier commended the state government for its positive disposition to the

council. He also commended

the state for registering the highest number of candidates in the 2021 Basic Education Certificate Examination in the country.

He explained that NECO, being the only national indigenous examination body in the country, deserves the support of all stakeholders.

EBONYI

Chairman, House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee Investigating Operations of Estate Developers in the FCT, Hon Blessing Onuh (Left) and the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello during the visit by Committee members to the FCTA.

BY OLUMIDE TAIWO, ABEOKUTA

Babcock University, Ilisan Remo recently matriculated 778 postgraduate students for its 2021/2022 academic session.

According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ademola Stephen Tayo, the postgraduate college was established to support the academic and professional development of postgraduate and early career researchers with a view to ensuring that the institution’s world-leading research continues to grow.

Tayo stated that Babcock is creating a reputation as a research-led university that provides a vibrant and challenging academic environment informed by an international perspective and collaboration with some top-ranked universities around the world.

According to him, it is a forward-thinking institution with an appetite for high quality research.

For 22 years and counting, Babcock University, the vice chancellor noted, had been responsive to the demands for a decent education that advances the frontiers of knowledge and builds capacity for the development of the community and society at large.

“Our responsibility as an institution is inspired by love for mankind, and shaped by a commitment to making the world a better place through quality research”, the VC said.

He urged the matriculants to diligently, with a sense of the highest purpose, make good use of the pool of dedicated and resourceful faculty and staff at their disposal, to contribute to this vision.

The Dean of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Ayandiji Aina advised the matriculants to take advantage of the university’s conducive environment to produce research work that are locally relevant but with international impact.

He also urged them to work hard to access the research grants made available by the university for postgraduates.

Babcock Varsity Matriculates 778 Postgraduate StudentsOGUN

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First Degree Should Be Minimum Qualification For Political Office –NDDC Boss

in the amended 1999 constitution be expunged, noting that the business of managing the nation “is not for nonentities”.

Akwa, who was the keynote speaker at the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council Press Week, which ended yesterday, said it was time for Nigeria to be liberated from the stranglehold of inexperienced and barely educated people.

He spoke on the theme: “Politics, National Unity and Quest for Credible Elections in 2023; The Role of Journalism”.

According to him, in the ongoing electoral reforms, “those with school certificates from 1970 should be exempted from the politics of 2023. For God’s sake, what does a school certificate holder know about budget?

“Anybody aspiring for political office in 2023 should have a minimum of BSC or its equivalent except for those who already had it before 1970. There is the need to up the standard, there is no need for somebody who does not even understand the budget and its process to be allowed to hold any

political office”.He, therefore, charged

the reforms committee to strengthen institutions of the law to be independent, do away with all pre-election matters, as well as de-emphasize the allure of money politics and vote buying.

He frowned at the high level of insecurity in Nigeria that has distorted the socio-economic life of the people, pointing especially at Imo State, where the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has led to killings and disruption of examinations.

BY OLUMIDE TAIWO, ABEOKUTA

Men of the Ogun State Police Command said they have arrested a wanted notorious serial killer and ex-convict, Ibiyemi Wasiri for murder.

Ibiyemi, a suspected cultist who was arrested on Monday, December 6, had been on the wanted list of the state police command in connection with two murder cases.

According to a statement from the spokesman of the state police command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, Ibiyemi was arrested following an information received at Ilaro divisional headquarters that he was sighted in one criminal hideout at Igboro area of Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.

Receiving this information, the DPO, Ilaro Division, CSP Olayemi Jacob quickly mobilized his men and moved to the scene where the suspect who was in the midst of some hoodlums was arrested, while others escaped.

A bag found with him was searched and one cut to size locally made pistol and seven live cartridges was recovered therein.

Ibiyemi was declared wanted by the police command for actively participating in the killing of one Michael Abiodun on July 22 and one Kola Fagbemi on July 24.

The notorious serial killer had confessed to have bought the gun from neighbouring Benin Republic and that he is a member of the dreaded Eiye cult group terrorizing Ilaro and its environs.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

Ogun: Police Arrest Ex-Convict For MurderOGUN

A’IBOM

Gov Pledges Effective Erosion Control In GombeBY JAIYEOLA ANDREWS, GOMBE

Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya said his administration is poised to provide good vegetation, effective erosion control and efficient reforestation system.

He said with this steps, the environment will remain beautiful and conducive for productivity both in agriculture and livestock production.

The governor made the promise in Gombe while presenting a water tanker and 10 tricycles to Gombe Goes Green (3G) coordination office, a hilux vehicle to the Gombe State Environment Protection Agency, GOSEPA, and another one for the task

force on the establishment of Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre headed by AIG Zubairu Muazu, rtd.

Yahaya noted that the presentation of the utility vehicles and the specially fabricated tricycles to 3G and GOSEPA was in continuation of his administration’s commitment to provide a decent and conducive environment for the entire people.

He added that on assumption of office, his administration embarked on a journey of making Gombe green through the launching of Gombe Goes Green initiative in September 2019 with a target to plant at least one million trees each year for

four years and beyond. “So far I believe that we

have covered a long distance because with the rainy season this year, we have already planted about 2.75 million trees”.

In conjunction with NEWMAP, he said his administration was able to set up a 20-hectare wood lot in 10 out of the 11 local government areas with some of it containing economic trees to provide means of livelihood for the people, especially youths.

“You will recall that we engaged 27,000 youths in conjunction with YESSO so that they can plant economic trees and it has been yielding results.

“So we thank God that our youths are fully aware of the efforts that we are making.

It is in order to enforce our position that we now engage in providing these watering tricycles so that we can enter all the nooks and crannies, especially Gombe metropolis”, the governor added.

Earlier, the Coordinator, Gombe Goes Green, Dr Mohammed Tafida, explained to the governor that the tricycles were designed to carry 1,000 litres of water and can water 600 seedlings per trip.

On his part, the General Manager, GOSEPA, Mohammed Kumo thanked Yahaya for being a reliable and dependable friend of the environment, especially at a time when the attention of the world is shifting towards preserving the ecosystem.

GOMBE

Gov. Abdullahi Sule during the budget presentation

BY ABDUL SALAUDEEN IN ILORIN

Justice Mohammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin has convicted two suspected internet fraudsters.

The offence, according to the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (Ii) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.

The two convicts: Onyeanu Chukwuemeka David and Anthony Anyadiora Obumneme were prosecuted on separate charges of one-count each by the anti-graft agency.

The Ilorin-based Imo born Onyeanu, was a POS operator, who specialized in identity theft of unsuspecting victims to perpetrate fraud through the internet.

In his own case, Anthony was one of the 30 ‘Yahoo Boys’ arrested on September 19 by EFCC operatives during a sting operation on selected hostels at Kwara State University, KWASU, Malete.

Upon arraignment on Thursday, the two defendants pleaded guilty to their respective charges.

Following their guilty plea, Sesan Ola and Rashidat Alao, who prosecuted for the commission against Onyeanu and Anthony, drew the attention of the court to the plea bargain agreement entered by the defendants with the commission.

They urged the court to consider the extra-judicial statements of the defendants and exhibits tendered from the bar, as well as the provisions of the law to convict them.

In his judgement, Justice Sani said the court had carefully considered the plea of the defendants, their statements and plea bargain agreements.

He held that the defendants were guilty of their respective charges.

The judge sentenced Anthony to one year imprisonment with N200,000 fine option.

The court also ordered that he forfeits $150 and Iphone 11 to the federal government.

Similarly, Justice Sani sentenced Onyeanu to six months imprisonment with N300,000 option of fine.

Attendant, Student Convicted For Identity Theft In Ilorin ILORIN

BY INIOBONG SUNDAY, UYO

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Interim Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa, has urged the Electoral Reforms Committee of the National Assembly to consider first degree or its equivalent as the minimum qualification for aspiring for any political office.

Pastor Akwa proffered that school certificate holders should be excluded from aspiring to any political office from 2023, and such provision Ajogun





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exploreweekend





He stressed that all such medical clauses that prohibit the giving of care to needy people.“

Between Saving Lives And Insisting On Rights: A Perspective On The Evercare Hospital SagaMedical negligence is fast becoming a modern-day trend, and the menace has seen families lose their loved ones and friends over reasons that are clearly avoidable. This piece gives a perspective on what generally constitutes Negligence and how it can be viewed through the eye of law. Chidi Matthew Nwachukwu writes.

On Friday, the 3rd of December, 2021 a Twitter user ‘Onyeka!!!!27th July’ (@yeeeeka) tweeted that her pregnant friend lost her baby because EverCare Hospital (@evercarehospitallekki), a private hospital in Lekki, Lagos declined attending to her for being rude to the doctor who was supposed to take her delivery. This sparked off a heated argument on the social media platform as many Twitter users called for the outright sack of the accused doctor and an immediate closure of the hospital with an attendant withdrawal of its operating license.

@yeeeeka further alleged that her pregnant friend had actually paid in full the medical bills for her expected delivery, but was abandoned for more than five hours even under the pangs of labour and in a very critical condition. According to @yeeeeka, her friend’s amniotic sac eventually ruptured with the amniotic fluid spilling all over the place, and forcing the baby’s head to pop out.

She added that it was the timely evacuation of her friend to another hospital that actually saved her life. @yeeeeka added that EverCare Hospital couldn’t do more than render a casual apology to the victim of their crass insensitivity, and disclosed that she and her friend would take up legal actions against the hospital and demand a huge compensation for the damages suffered by her friend.

Now, while the argument got more heated up, a medical doctor ‘@Methoxxy’ opined that

the Code of Conduct for medical practitioners allows a doctor to decline attending to a patient who is rude to him. He was brashly assertive and supported his claims with a screenshot of sections of the medical code. He emphasized on Section 21, Subsection 3 which reads,

“Without prejudice to section 19(1) and except for psychiatric patients, a healthcare provider may refuse to treat a user who is physically or verbally abusive or who sexually harasses him or her, and in such a case the healthcare provider should report such a case to the appropriate authority.”

And to discredit @Methoxxy’s arguments, some other opinion holders who went to look up the provisions of the same medical code, raised some objections by referring him to Section 20, Subsection 1, which stated that medical care providers are not allowed to refuse anyone emergency medical treatment, without prejudice to their reasons for wanting to do so. Other opinion holders pointed to the clause that mandated the medical care giver to “report such a case to the appropriate authorities,” so as to extricate himself from any circumstances that may arise from the anomalous situation.

Dr. Alex Ogaba, an orthopaedic surgeon who

weighed in on the matter, expounded on the same Section 20 (1) of the medical code to also include cases that involve gunshot injuries and other “suspicious” injuries for which medical care givers often demand police report before attending to. He stressed that all such medical clauses that prohibit the giving of care to needy people, shouldn’t apply when there is an emergency. He maintained that saving life is at the top of the professional code of ethics for medical practitioners.

Now, as the arguments got to a head, there came cacophonous calls for the legal angle of the situation to be explored. The victim of the hospital’s alleged misconduct and crassness has reportedly threatened to sue the hospital and the doctor who neglected her and denied her medical aid despite her paying fully for their services, and legal enthusiasts are curious to know how the case will play out in court. Some people are asking how the Court will rule on such a seemingly complex matter which involves a party that feels entitled to its rights to act discretionally and according to some written codes even when human life is under threat, and another highly aggrieved party which feels that its fundamental right to life has been gravely infringed on.

Many opinion holders have already concluded that the pendulum of justice will swing in the direction of the victim; but can just anyone predict the outcome of a matter that has yet to be registered in the Temple of Justice? Lawyers and legal practitioners will always warn against preempting the outcome of a court proceeding. But does it amount to actual preemption of the outcome of a litigation process to just state one’s opinion on a matter, and based on verifiable

facts?Now, here is the legal perspective to this

matter. According to lawyers and legal eggheads who have weighed in on the matter, the hospital and its medical staff who neglected the victim and allowed her baby to die should be severely penalized for being guilty of a kind of offence that falls under the Tort of Negligence. The Tort of Negligence is a jurisprudential theory that explains the various circumstances under which a negligent act could be said to have been committed, and the case where a medical doctor fails to render care to a patient to whom he owes an obligation, was cited as a foremost example of negligence.

The Tort of Negligence stipulates that some facts must be considered before a person can claim to have been neglected and press for compensation for the damages they have suffered, and the first among these facts is whether the person being accused of negligence has a duty to the person accusing him. In this case, the medical doctor was duty-bound to give care to the pregnant woman, and the fact that she fully paid her medical bills in preparation for her delivery, entitled her to any form of care that the doctor and hospital could render. So, her claim passed the first test of Negligence.

The second fact that must apply in the case of Negligence is whether there was a breach. Breach here refers to failure of one party to honour its commitment to the other party and as a result of which the beneficiary party suffers injury or loss. Was there a case of breach between the pregnant woman and the hospital? Yes!

Ehanire



@aljazirahnewsng


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Jailbreaks, Jailbreaks Every TimeBY MUSTAPHA SULEIMAN

Terrorists and bandits and sundry criminals and gangs have intensified efforts in raiding correctional facilities in Nigeria to free inmates and partners in crime. The general breakdown of security has led to increase in frequent prison breaks across the country.

According to reports, there have been 15 incidents of jailbreaks within this period, and eight of those were successful and in the last one year, 5,238 inmates have escaped from various prisons across Nigeria.

One of the latest prison breaks in Nigeria occurred in Jos recently where authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service said eight inmates have been recaptured.

Aljazirah Nigeria newspaper investigations revealed that the following jail breaks occurred with the year.

EdoThe deputy comptroller of correction in charge of Oko Prison, West Amayo, in October 19, 2020 said that there was attempted attack at the prison by 9 a.m. which was unsuccessful.

Also in October 21, 2020, 2-days after the Oko Prison attack, the Benin Prison located along the Benin-Sapele Road was attacked by hoodlums, leading to the escape of 1,993 inmates from the two facilities.

In a similar circumstance, a Joint forces from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, and the Nigerian Correctional Service stopped a jailbreak attempt by inmates at a facility at Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area.

In October 29, 2021: A fight broke out among inmates at the Benin Medium Security prison on Sapele Road in Benin City, and some of them made efforts to escape, but the intervention of security agencies restored peace to the facility.

OndoOctober 22, 2020: Almost 58 inmates were released from the facility in Okitipupa local government of Ondo State, after thugs broke in. The attackers destroyed properties belonging to the prison and injured staff on the premises.

LagosOctober 22, 2020: An attempt at the Ikoyi facility was foiled by correctional officers and soldiers. During the attack, some prisoners were shot while others tried to breach the gate of the

prison.

AbiaOctober 22, 2020: Another foiled attack occurred at the Afara Umuahia Correctional Centre when a combined team of the Nigerian Army, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the armed unit of the Nigerian Correctional Centre, repelled an attempted jailbreak.

DeltaOctober 22, 2020 : A warder at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Warri, Delta State, was killed during an attempted jail break by the inmates. The main gate and administrative office of the correctional centre was set on fire in an attempt to facilitate the jailbreak.

ImoApril 4, 2021: Gunmen attacked a correctional centre in Owerri, the state capital, and freed 1,844 prisoners. Officials said in all, 84 inmates were returned to the facility.

BauchiApril 9, 2021: Two officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Bauchi sustained injuries after a riot at the facility. Five of the inmates were injured in the process, but no inmates were able to escape after the riot.

KanoApril 22, 2021: Security agents foiled an attempted jail break by inmates of Kurmawa Prison located within the Emir’s Palace in Kano.No casualties occurred but gunshots were fired to scare the residents. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Kano, Musbahu

Lawal, said the attempt was planned by some condemned prisoners.

KogiSeptember 13, 2021: Armed men attacked the prison facility in Kabba, Kogi, North-central Nigeria, killing two officials and freeing 240 inmates.About 114 of the 240 correctional service were recaptured, after the Controller General of the correctional service, Haliru Nababa, gave directives to officers of the service to apprehend the escapees.

OyoOctober 22, 2021: The Abolongo Custodial Centre was attacked and 837 inmates escaped from the facility, but the interior ministry said 262 had been recaptured.The ministry released the details of the remaining 575 still on the run. It published the photos of prison inmates who escaped from the custodial center.

JosJuly 19, 2021: Four inmates escaped from the

Jos Maximum Prison.November 28, 2021: The most recent jailbreak

occurred on Sunday when gunmen stormed the medium security custodial centre, Jos, releasing 262. At least 10 inmates were killed during the encounter and one security person

Worried by the rampant occurrence of jailbreaks in the country, the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday said it will summon Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, to appear before it to explain the causes of jailbreaks across the country.

The upper legislative chamber also mandated its Committee on Interior to carry out a full scale investigation into the development in recent times in order to prevent future recurrence.

The move followed a motion brought to the floor by Senator Istifanus Gyang during plenary on Tuesday.

Gyang while coming under an order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules to present his motion, noted with grief the multiple terror attacks on two communities of Ta’egbe, Rigwe and Durbi, Sheri District in a Bassa and Jos East local governments, leading to the death of over 10 persons over the weekend.

According to the lawmaker, the attacks caused by a security breach at the Jos Medium Security Correctional Centre, was a setback to the relative and much desired peace in Plateau North.

He disclosed that nine inmates including an officer identified as Umar A. Mohammed, were also killed, while 252 inmates escaped during the jailbreak.

He said among the inmates at large, six were fatally injured, 10 of the escapees re-arrested, 63 sentenced to death, 27 convicted, and 181 awaiting trials.

Gyang said that the invaders responsible for the break “walked through a security zone and broke through to have over 200 inmates escape from the centre”.

Contributing, Senator Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), blamed the spate of insecurity in Nigeria on the inadequate number of personnel across the various security agencies in the country.

He, therefore, called on the National Assembly to rise to the occasion by appropriating more funds to security agencies to enable them undertake recruitment of more personnel.

Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), attributed the recent jailbreak in the country to what he described as a “porous prisons system”.

He lamented that jailbreaks had become a recurring decimal which in recent times have exposed the lives of Nigerians to harm as a result of prisoners on rampage to avenge their conviction.

Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who presided over plenary on Tuesday, described the security breaches at correctional facilities as a “serious issue” that must be looked into.

He said, “Having given all the requisite funding to the security agencies, why are we still having these challenges? I think it is something we need to sleep over.

“But in the interim, it is clear that we have a serious intelligence gathering gap, there’s no debate about that.

“I think the Department of State Services and most especially the office of the NSA, have not been given the kind of funding that is required for this fight, because they are the ones that are in charge of intelligence gathering.

“I’ve always taken the position that the office of the NSA, most especially, has been underfunded.

“He is supposed to be the one coordinating intelligence gathering and providing such intelligence to the other agencies for them to give requisite protection.

“If the office of the NSA is not properly funded, then of course it means that we are all in trouble.

“I think this is something that we must appeal to Mr. President, and even here in the leadership of the National Assembly, to look into for additional funding for the office of the NSA and, possibly, that of the DSS before the budget is finally tabled for consideration.

But the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Wednesday said he will not resign despite the calls, following recurring ijail breaks across the country in the past one year.

Aregbesola, whose ministry oversees the Nigeria Correctional Service across the country, spoke to newsmen at the end of the weekly virtual Federal Executive Council, FEC, which held at the State House, Abuja, declared that the calls in some quarters for his resignation was not necessary.

“As to whether it calls for my resignation, I still don’t see any need for that because it’s not for lack of preparedness that the attacks were successful,” Aregbesola said.

The Minister, however, assured that government was making efforts to step up security around the correctional centres especially following the jailbreaks in Owerri, Oyo, Kabba and Jos in the last few months.

“What I can assure Nigerians is this. Yes, as contextual as these attacks and the successes such criminals are having, we are upping our game and we will prevent any such opportunistic attack and even make it impossible.

And that is what the state must do. “We are working with all arms of government particularly the security to make our custodial facilities impregnable.

We will not rest until that is achieved. That’s the assurance I want to give Nigerians.”

As to whether it calls for my resignation, I still don’t see any need for that because it’s not for lack of preparedness that the attacks were successful,” Aregbesola said.

“

Aregbesola





Australia, Canada, Britain Join US To Boycott Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

December 11 - December 12, 2021 December 11 - December 12, 2021



17www.aljazirahnews.com16 www.aljazirahnews.com

FIXTURESSATURDAY 11TH DECEMBER

MAN CITY 12:30 WOLVES

ARSENAL15:00 SOUTHAMPTON

CHELSEA 15:00 LEEDS UNITED

LIVERPOOL15:00 ASTON VILLA

NORWICH CITY17:30 MAN UNITED

SATURDAY 12TH DECEMBER

BRIGHTON POSTPONED TOTTENHAM

BURNLEY 14:00 WEST HAM UNITED

CRYSTAL PALACE 16:30 EVERTON

PREMIER LEAGUE


EDITORIAL MEDICINE

With less than 28 days to the 33rd AFCON in Yaounde Cameroon, the sex workers have doubled their prizes as many are keeping fit for the thousands of visitors that will be trouping to host nation for the football fiesta.

Cameroon will be hosting African countries in six different venues when AFCON eventually kicks off come January 2022.

The event was originally scheduled to take place in June and July 2021 but the CAF announced on 1t January 2020 that due to unfavorable weather conditions during that period, the tournament will take place from 9th of January to February 6th, 2021.

On 30th June CAF moved the tournament for the second time to January 2022 following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes.

But aside from attraction from the host city scooped by AljazirahNigeria Sports has it that the prostitute ‘Ashawo’ has increased their prices ahead of the AFCON.

According to the information, before now Round one: $30 and has increased to $40. Round two: From $20 to $70. Round three: From $40 to $100, Half night: From $70 to $130, Full day: $250.

Carlo Ancelotti was adamant Real Madrid has not sewn up the La Liga title already but Galactico has to beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday which means they might not be far away from winning this year’s glory.

Madrid is 10 points clear of Atletico heading into the derby at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the chance to extend the gap to 13 points, two weeks before Christmas.

But most believe Atletico has the best chance of reeling Real Madrid in, the reigning champions who showed last season they have the resilience,

particularly in the big games, that Sevilla has lacked.

Speaking ahead of the Madrid Derby, Carlos Ancelotti said “We have an advantage but the league is still open.

“We can’t think now about winning La Liga, I don’t want anyone to think like this”.

Even if Madrid suffers the effects of fatigue or absentees in the second half of the season, they might well have the cushion to cope. Atletico, who have lost two out of their last four in the league, cannot afford to slip further away.

Ancelotti’s refusal to rotate might come back to haunt him

later in the season, with Benzema’s availability for the derby in doubt after he was injured against Real Sociedad last weekend, in his 19th start out of a possible 20 this term.

Benzema missed the win over Inter Milan on Tuesday but Ancelotti was optimistic he would recover in time. If not, Luka Jovic will likely continue in his place. “We have a few days to see if Karim recovers, I think he will”, said Ancelotti.

Barcelona will be attempting to overcome the disappointment of dropping out of the Champions League on Sunday when they

Director of Sports Medicine in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Paul Onyeudo has revealed that with the right sports medicine Nigeria’s athlete’s podium is very possible.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the National Sports Medicine Course, organized by the Sports Medicine department of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. He said sports medicine is critical to sports development.

According to him, it is extremely important to have the necessary sports medicine and science report because, without it, our athletes will find it almost impossible to get to that podium”.

“Sports Medicine is not just about creating Medicine or rehabilitation but in modern times, it is also about performance therefore the course is needed to share experience and gather new knowledge”.

However, the two-day course was attended by many renowned Sports Science and Medicine experts.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5, 1985; is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Manchester United and captains the Portugal national team ensconced himself among the elite, the creme-de-la-creme of football fame and history. Among the greatest footballers in history, the Portuguese striker-cum-winger has enjoyed a career matched by a select few.

His qualities and influence in football transcend boundaries that have endeared him to fans all over the world and made him a global icon.


Apart from Lionel Messi, there seems to be no equal to the almost superhuman

feats of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the two have made football records and statistics their own with unprecedented levels of consistency even “Messi attests to the fact in one of his numerous interviews that there things CR7 does that himself can’t do despite that he won more Ballon d’or ,C Ronaldo has something I do not posses”.

Portugal international, made his club debut in Sporting Lisbon, his sterling performances endeared him to scout from England as a young player to Manchester United where he announced himself to the world, a former Real Madrid Striker, Juventus (the Old Lady) and back to Manchester United player is no doubt a living legend and the peoples delight.

Aesthetically as you would recall that CR7 journey so far has never performed below 95% in any of the clubs he played and importantly his country where he with the help of others taken Portugal to heights unprecedented in the Europe and the world at large.

He was instrumental to the Manchester United Champions League victory of 2006 and many Premier League classical finishing that endeared him so much to the United fans to the extent of becoming a household name the world over. That name CR7 is a phenomenon and it carries so much aura that without being adequately prepared and marked in the field of play, CR7 will mesmerize the defends with his wizardry, the act never seen before.

Ronaldo is the proud owner of so many records over a stellar career. CR7 is known for record braking and setting. He has broke records and set many to the admiration of millions of his fans. Among the innumerable ones that the maverick forward holds in his almost two-decade-old career.

Highest goal scorer in football history on January 20, 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo added another record to his unending list of records by becoming the highest ever goalscorer in football history ,club country.

Australia, Canada, and Britain have joined the United States in announcing a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as a protest against alleged human rights abuses in China.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the move which means that no Government officials will attend the Games in the Chinese capital.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in Parliament on Friday he did not support a sporting boycott of the Games but

admitted there are “no plans to send any Government Ministers to Beijing 2022”.

Johnson said: “There will be a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics,” in answer to Conservative Member of Parliament Iain Duncan Smith to be stronger on Beijing 2022. “No Government Ministers or officials will attend”.

Boris Johnson, arriving at Prime Minister’s Questions, announced Britain would not send Government officials to Beijing 2022.

The news comes just two days after the US agreed to employ a diplomatic boycott

due to “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses”.

The US’ neighbor, Canada, has seen its relations with China deteriorate over recent years and it was widely expected that Canadian Government officials would steer clear of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

New Zealand is also joining the diplomatic boycott, with Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson saying that the country had informed China in October that no Government Ministers would attend the Games.

Ronaldo scored the opener against Napoli in the Super Coppa Italia match to net his 760th professional goal overtaking Josef Bican’s record in the process. His incredible tally includes 658 goals in 872 club football matches and 102 goals in 170 appearances for his native Portugal.

Most international goals by an active player: The Portuguese became the first European

and only the second men’s player to score 100 international goals. His current tally stands at 102 goals in 170 appearances for the Euro 2016 Champions and the defending Nations League Champions.

All-time highest goal scorer in European Championship history. Ronaldo surpassed Michel Platani (9) to become the all-time leading goal scorer in Euro finals history after his brace against Hungary in a 3-0 win for Portugal. Heading into Euro 2020, Ronaldo was tied with Platini for most goals scored in Euro tournament finals. But his double in Portugal’s victory takes Ronaldo two goals clear at the top.

Most Champions League goals in a single season. The only player to score 15+ goals in a Champions League season more than once

The five-time Ballon D’Or winner considers the competition his favorite, and always rises to the occasion on the big and swanky European nights.

Report has it that Ronaldo has won 32 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, one UEFA European Championship, and one UEFA Nations League.


“Sports

Spor

tsCRISTIANO RONALDO

Athletes’ Podium Finish Is Possible With Sports Medicine – Onyeudo

Sex Workers Double Price Ahead Of 2022 AFCON

Battle Of Madrid, Galactico Set To Extend 13 Points Lead, Tighten Grasp Against Atletico

travel to Osasuna while a battle of the surprise contenders sees Betis

host Real Sociedad. On Saturday, Sevilla visited Athletic Bilbao.

Australia, Canada, Britain Join US To Boycott Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics

December 11 - December 12, 2021 December 11 - December 12, 2021



17www.aljazirahnews.com16 www.aljazirahnews.com

FIXTURESSATURDAY 11TH DECEMBER

MAN CITY 12:30 WOLVES

ARSENAL15:00 SOUTHAMPTON

CHELSEA 15:00 LEEDS UNITED

LIVERPOOL15:00 ASTON VILLA

NORWICH CITY17:30 MAN UNITED

SATURDAY 12TH DECEMBER

BRIGHTON POSTPONED TOTTENHAM

BURNLEY 14:00 WEST HAM UNITED

CRYSTAL PALACE 16:30 EVERTON

PREMIER LEAGUE


EDITORIAL MEDICINE

With less than 28 days to the 33rd AFCON in Yaounde Cameroon, the sex workers have doubled their prizes as many are keeping fit for the thousands of visitors that will be trouping to host nation for the football fiesta.

Cameroon will be hosting African countries in six different venues when AFCON eventually kicks off come January 2022.

The event was originally scheduled to take place in June and July 2021 but the CAF announced on 1t January 2020 that due to unfavorable weather conditions during that period, the tournament will take place from 9th of January to February 6th, 2021.

On 30th June CAF moved the tournament for the second time to January 2022 following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across the continent, whilst retaining the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes.

But aside from attraction from the host city scooped by AljazirahNigeria Sports has it that the prostitute ‘Ashawo’ has increased their prices ahead of the AFCON.

According to the information, before now Round one: $30 and has increased to $40. Round two: From $20 to $70. Round three: From $40 to $100, Half night: From $70 to $130, Full day: $250.

Carlo Ancelotti was adamant Real Madrid has not sewn up the La Liga title already but Galactico has to beat Atletico Madrid on Sunday which means they might not be far away from winning this year’s glory.

Madrid is 10 points clear of Atletico heading into the derby at the Santiago Bernabeu, with the chance to extend the gap to 13 points, two weeks before Christmas.

But most believe Atletico has the best chance of reeling Real Madrid in, the reigning champions who showed last season they have the resilience,

particularly in the big games, that Sevilla has lacked.

Speaking ahead of the Madrid Derby, Carlos Ancelotti said “We have an advantage but the league is still open.

“We can’t think now about winning La Liga, I don’t want anyone to think like this”.

Even if Madrid suffers the effects of fatigue or absentees in the second half of the season, they might well have the cushion to cope. Atletico, who have lost two out of their last four in the league, cannot afford to slip further away.

Ancelotti’s refusal to rotate might come back to haunt him

later in the season, with Benzema’s availability for the derby in doubt after he was injured against Real Sociedad last weekend, in his 19th start out of a possible 20 this term.

Benzema missed the win over Inter Milan on Tuesday but Ancelotti was optimistic he would recover in time. If not, Luka Jovic will likely continue in his place. “We have a few days to see if Karim recovers, I think he will”, said Ancelotti.

Barcelona will be attempting to overcome the disappointment of dropping out of the Champions League on Sunday when they

Director of Sports Medicine in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Dr. Paul Onyeudo has revealed that with the right sports medicine Nigeria’s athlete’s podium is very possible.

Speaking at the maiden edition of the National Sports Medicine Course, organized by the Sports Medicine department of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has held at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. He said sports medicine is critical to sports development.

According to him, it is extremely important to have the necessary sports medicine and science report because, without it, our athletes will find it almost impossible to get to that podium”.

“Sports Medicine is not just about creating Medicine or rehabilitation but in modern times, it is also about performance therefore the course is needed to share experience and gather new knowledge”.

However, the two-day course was attended by many renowned Sports Science and Medicine experts.

Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, born on February 5, 1985; is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Manchester United and captains the Portugal national team ensconced himself among the elite, the creme-de-la-creme of football fame and history. Among the greatest footballers in history, the Portuguese striker-cum-winger has enjoyed a career matched by a select few.



Apart from Lionel Messi, there seems to be no equal to the almost superhuman

feats of Cristiano Ronaldo, and the two have made football records and statistics their own with unprecedented levels of consistency even “Messi attests to the fact in one of his numerous interviews that there things CR7 does that himself can’t do despite that he won more Ballon d’or ,C Ronaldo has something I do not posses”.

Portugal international, made his club debut in Sporting Lisbon, his sterling performances endeared him to scout from England as a young player to Manchester United where he announced himself to the world, a former Real Madrid Striker, Juventus (the Old Lady) and back to Manchester United player is no doubt a living legend and the peoples delight.

Aesthetically as you would recall that CR7 journey so far has never performed below 95% in any of the clubs he played and importantly his country where he with the help of others taken Portugal to heights unprecedented in the Europe and the world at large.

He was instrumental to the Manchester United Champions League victory of 2006 and many Premier League classical finishing that endeared him so much to the United fans to the extent of becoming a household name the world over. That name CR7 is a phenomenon and it carries so much aura that without being adequately prepared and marked in the field of play, CR7 will mesmerize the defends with his wizardry, the act never seen before.

Ronaldo is the proud owner of so many records over a stellar career. CR7 is known for record braking and setting. He has broke records and set many to the admiration of millions of his fans. Among the innumerable ones that the maverick forward holds in his almost two-decade-old career.

Highest goal scorer in football history on January 20, 2021, Cristiano Ronaldo added another record to his unending list of records by becoming the highest ever goalscorer in football history ,club country.

Australia, Canada, and Britain have joined the United States in announcing a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as a protest against alleged human rights abuses in China.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed the move which means that no Government officials will attend the Games in the Chinese capital.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in Parliament on Friday he did not support a sporting boycott of the Games but

admitted there are “no plans to send any Government Ministers to Beijing 2022”.

Johnson said: “There will be a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics,” in answer to Conservative Member of Parliament Iain Duncan Smith to be stronger on Beijing 2022. “No Government Ministers or officials will attend”.

Boris Johnson, arriving at Prime Minister’s Questions, announced Britain would not send Government officials to Beijing 2022.

The news comes just two days after the US agreed to employ a diplomatic boycott

due to “ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang and other human rights abuses”.

The US’ neighbor, Canada, has seen its relations with China deteriorate over recent years and it was widely expected that Canadian Government officials would steer clear of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

New Zealand is also joining the diplomatic boycott, with Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson saying that the country had informed China in October that no Government Ministers would attend the Games.

Ronaldo scored the opener against Napoli in the Super Coppa Italia match to net his 760th professional goal overtaking Josef Bican’s record in the process. His incredible tally includes 658 goals in 872 club football matches and 102 goals in 170 appearances for his native Portugal.

Most international goals by an active player: The Portuguese became the first European

and only the second men’s player to score 100 international goals. His current tally stands at 102 goals in 170 appearances for the Euro 2016 Champions and the defending Nations League Champions.

All-time highest goal scorer in European Championship history. Ronaldo surpassed Michel Platani (9) to become the all-time leading goal scorer in Euro finals history after his brace against Hungary in a 3-0 win for Portugal. Heading into Euro 2020, Ronaldo was tied with Platini for most goals scored in Euro tournament finals. But his double in Portugal’s victory takes Ronaldo two goals clear at the top.

Most Champions League goals in a single season. The only player to score 15+ goals in a Champions League season more than once

The five-time Ballon D’Or winner considers the competition his favorite, and always rises to the occasion on the big and swanky European nights.

Report has it that Ronaldo has won 32 trophies in his career, including seven league titles, five UEFA Champions Leagues, one UEFA European Championship, and one UEFA Nations League.


“Sports

Spor

ts

CRISTIANO RONALDO

Athletes’ Podium Finish Is Possible With Sports Medicine – Onyeudo

Sex Workers Double Price Ahead Of 2022 AFCON

Battle Of Madrid, Galactico Set To Extend 13 Points Lead, Tighten Grasp Against Atletico

travel to Osasuna while a battle of the surprise contenders sees Betis

host Real Sociedad. On Saturday, Sevilla visited Athletic Bilbao.

Gwamnatin jihar Katsina ta ce dakatar da ayyukan sadarwa zai ci gaba da yin tasiri a qananan hukumomi bakwai daga cikin 17 na qananan hukumomin da abin ya shafa a baya. An bayyana hakan ne a cikin wata sanarwa da aka rabawa manema labarai ranar Juma’a a Katsina, ta hannun babban daraktan yaxa labarai ga Gwamna Aminu Masari, Alhaji Abdu Labaran.

“Gov. Masari ya rubutawa hukumar sadarwa ta Nijeriya, NCC, inda ya buqaci ta maido da layukan

waya a qananan hukumomi 17 da dokar ta fara aiki kimanin watanni huxu da suka gabata.

“Qananan hukumomi 10 da abin ya shafa sun haxa da: Kurfi, Dutsinma, Matazu, Musawa, Malumfashi, Dandume, Bakori, Funtua, Kafur da Danja. “Waxanda shirin maido da aiyukan bai shafa ba su ne: Faskari, Sabuwa, Batsari, Safana, Kankara, Danmusa da Jibia.” A cewar Masari. Ya tuna cewa gwamnatin jihar ta zartar da dokar hana aikata laifuka, wanda ya dakatar da ayyukan wayar tarho

a qananan hukumomi 17. A cewarsa, umarnin ya kuma

haramta amfani da wasu hanyoyi a yankunan da abin ya shafa da safarar itace a cikin jihar. “Sayar da kowane nau’in dabbobi da kuma rufe wasu manyan kasuwanni a wuraren da abin ya shafa, da sayar da babura a kasuwannin da abin ya shafa.

“Haka zalika dokar ta taqaita amfani da babura na kasuwanci da babura uku daga karfe 10 na dare zuwa qarfe 5:30 na safe a faxin jihar, da dai sauransu.

Asusun Bunqasa Ilimi na Bayelsa, BEDTF, ya ce yana xaukar nauyin xaliban makarantun kwana 5,000 a jihar. Asusun a ranar Juma’a ya ce shiga tsakani da ya yi a makarantun gwamnati a jihar don qara havaka fannin ilimi. Sakatariyar zartarwa ta BEDTF, Dakta Alice Atuwo, ce ta bayyana haka a wata ziyarar da kwamitinta na yaxa labarai ya kai ofishin qungiyar ‘yan jarida ta Nijeriya NUJ a Yenagoa.

Hukumar, a cewar Atuwo, ita ce ke da alhakin gudanar da kula da makarantun kwana 11 da ke qananan hukumomi takwas na qananan hukumomin jihar.

Ayyukan sun haxa da biyan kuxin WAEC da NECO na xalibai a makarantun samfurin jiha. Sakataren zartarwar ya samu rakiyar shugaban kwamitin yaxa labarai na hukumar Cif Fidelis Agbiki da Sakataren Kwamitin ‘Seyeifa Koinyan’ da sauran mambobin kwamitin. Atuwo ya ce hukumar ta kuma gudanar da ayyuka daban-daban a Jami’ar Neja Delta ta Jihar, NDU, Jami’ar Afirka, Toru-Orua, da Jami’ar Kiwon Lafiya ta Jihar, Yenagoa.

Ta kuma bayyana cewa hukumar ta kuma taka rawar gani wajen horas da malamai da sake horas da su ta hanyar hukumar rijista da tantance malamai. Ta bayyana cewa an riga an horar da malamai 650 yayin da ake sa ran gudanar da wani rukunin horo a shekara mai zuwa. Atuwo ya ci gaba da cewa: “Babban manufar kafa hukumar ita ce bayar da gudunmawa wajen inganta ilimi a jihar, wannan hukuma ce mai shiga tsakani a fannin ilimi kuma irinta na farko a jihar.

“Kowane ma’aikaci a jihar ya bayar da gudunmawa wajen gudanar da ayyukan hukumar ta hanyar biyan haraji. Har ila yau, gwamnati na kawo kuxaxen kashi biyar cikin 100 daga cikin kuxin shiga na cikin gida, IGR.

“Akwai kashi xaya cikin 100 na kuxaxen daga gwamnati kuma a cikin shekarun da suka gabata mun kai ga masu hannu da shuni, qungiyoyin agaji na duniya da masu zaman kansu, qungiyoyin gwamnati, qungiyoyi masu zaman kansu. “A lokacin qaddamar da mu, akwai makarantun gwamnati guda biyar da ake da su, amma

a yau muna da 11 daga cikinsu, aqalla guda xaya a kowace qaramar hukuma, ciki har da makarantar koyar da wasanni da makarantar Ijaw ta qasa.

“Ciyarwa da gudanar da makarantu da kula da makarantun misali na xaukar kusan kashi 80 cikin 100 na kuxaxen shiga amma doka ba ta taqaita mu kawai ga makarantun sakandaren samfurin ba; na ilimi ne, wato tun daga firamare zuwa manyan makarantu. “A matakin manyan makarantu, NDU tana amfana da mu a fannin ICT; a Jami’ar Afirka, Toru-Orua, muna xaukar nauyin bincike da horarwa, muna da Cibiyar Gwajin Kwamfuta don UTME.

“Mun kuma bayar da gudunmawa wajen tashi daga Jami’ar Kiwon Lafiya ta Bayelsa, ta hanyar shiga tsakani wajen tabbatar da kwasa-kwasan da suka yi, haka kuma mun yi alaqa da rajistar horas da malamai da bayar da takardar shedar cewa mun horar da malamai 650 a lokacin da muka fara aiki a karon farko, kuma ana sa ran wani horon da za ‘a gudanar a shekara mai zuwa,” in ji shi.

Asusun Ilimi Na Bayelsa Yana Xaukar Nauyin Xalibai 5,000 A Makarantun Kwana

Rufe Hanyoyin Sadarwa Zai Ci Gaba Da Wanzuwa A Qananan Hukumomi 7 – Cewar Masari

Jakadan kasar Sin a Najeriya, Mista Cui Jianchun (a na baya: M); Darakta, Cibiyar Al’adu ta kasar Sin, Abuja, Mr Li Xuda (a layi na baya: 3rd R); Darakta mai kula da harkokin makarantun firamare, Hajiya Habiba Baba-Barau (R) da sauran manyan baki da wadanda suka ci gajiyar shirin, yayin bikin ba da lambar yabo ta ‘Kwarzon sada zumunta tsakanin Sin da Najeriya’ ga malamai da daliban makarantar a Abuja jiya. HOTO: ANTHONY ALABI/NAN

Kamfanin fasahar ilimin Nijeriya, ‘uLesson, ya ce ya qaru Dala miliyan 15 na Series-B zuba jari daga masu zuba jari na duniya don samar da ingantaccen ilimi mai araha ga xaukacin ‘yan Afirka. Babban jami’in gudanarwa na uLesson, Mista Sim Shagaya ne ya bayyana hakan a cikin wata sanarwa ranar Alhamis a Legas. Ya ce wasu daga cikin masu zuba jarin sun haxa da Nielsen Ventures da Tencent. A cewarsa, uLesson yana shirin ci gaba da saka hannun jari don havaka samfura, qarfafa ainihin fasahar sa da qara fasalin koyo na qungiyar tare da havaka babban birnin.

Shagaya ya ce uLesson zai fadada kan abubuwan da ke cikinsa, kimiyya da lissafi. Ya ce kamfanin zai kara ilimin zamantakewa, lissafin kudi zuwa xakin karatu na matakin sakandare, dalilai masu inganci da qididdiga zuwa matakin farko. “Mun yi farin ciki da cimma wannan babban ci gaba wanda zai kai mu gaba wajen kawo ingantaccen ilimi mai araha ga dukkan ‘yan Afirka. “Mun yi farin cikin kasancewa tare da qwararrun masu saka hannun jari irin su Tencent, waxanda ke kawo qwararrun gogewa daga jarin da suka saka a fasahar ilimi.

“Goyon bayan na abokan hulxa ya ba da mamaki, za mu iya havaka koyonmu don hidimar kasuwar na ‘edtech’ a Afirka yadda ya kamata,” in ji shi. Shi ma da yake magana, David Frankel, Manajan Abokin Hulxa, Wanda ya kafa qungiyar, ya ce an daxe ana tauye hazaqa a nahiyar ta rashin bayar da damammaki.

Kamfanin uLesson Ya Qaru Da Dala Miliyan 15 Don Inganta Harkar Ilimi

Jam’iyyar APC reshen Zamfara, ta amince da qaxa xuri’ar amincewa da Gwamna Mai Mala Buni, wanda kwamitin riqon qwarya na jam’iyyar CECPC ya jagoranta. Hakan na qunshe ne a cikin sanarwar da aka fitar a qarshen taron sabbin shugabannin jam’iyyar na jiha, wanda sakataren yada labarai, Mista Yusuf Idris ya sanya wa hannu a Gusau ranar Juma’a.

“A nan muna bayyana goyon bayanmu ga Shugaban Qasa Muhammadu Buhari da kuma shugabancin kwamitin babban taron jam’iyyar a qarqashin Gwamna Mai Mala Buni na Yobe.

“Kwamitin zartaswa na fatan bayar da goyon baya ga gwamnatin jihar a qoqarinta na ci gaban jihar musamman wajen tabbatar da rabon dimokuraxiyya ga al’umma, rage rashin aikin yi da inganta dogaro da kai musamman tsakanin matasa da mata.

“Muna tsayawa tsayin daka da gwamnatin Gwamna Bello Matawalle wajen yaqi da ‘yan fashi da garkuwa da mutane da sauran munanan laifuka a jihar,” in ji shi. Shuwagabannin sun godewa dattawa da masu ruwa da tsaki na jam’iyyar bisa goyon bayan da suke bayarwa wajen tabbatar da haxin kai da zaman lafiya a jihar qarqashin jagorancin Alhaji Tukur Danfulani.

“Sabbin shugabannin za su yi aiki tare a kodayaushe domin inganta jam’iyyar da kuma gwamnatin jihar domin inganta Zamfara,” in ji shi.

Kwamitin Riqo Na APC Reshen Zamfara Ya Amince Gwamna Buni Ya Jagorancin Jam’iyyar

news in hausa e-mail: [email protected]


@aljazirahnewsng






یرعى صندوق بایلسا ٥٠٠٠ طالب مدرسة داخلیة

فرع زمفارا یمر تصویتا بالثقة على الحاكم بوني بقیادة أي بي سي

أي سي سي أي یطالب باجیل اإللزامي للشرلتس

سین خدمات التعلیم كات في الغرف التجاریة

جمعت یوالین ١٥ ملیون دوالر لتح

صرحت غرفة تجارة وصناعة أبوجا ، أي سي سي أ ، بوجود طرائق لبدء

مشروع قانون من شأنھ أن یفرض على الشركات التسجیل في غرفة

التجارة. الخمیس في أبوجا ، قال إن التسجیل اإللزامي سیعطي مزیدا من االعتراف بأنشطة الغرف التجاریة.لقد وجھنا المدیر التنفیذي ، مركز

سیاسة الغرفة الوطنیة في غرفة التجارة والصناعة األمریكیة للعمل

مع الجمعیة الوطنیة على بدء مشروع قانون یجعلھ إلزامیا لـ الشركات

التجاریة للتسجیل في غرفة التجارة.سیخلق المزید من التأثیر على

القرارات السیاسیة للحكومة وسیؤثر ذلك بشكل إیجابي على األعمال

التجاریة في الدولة" ، قال أبو بكر ، وقال إن أي سي سي أ قد نجحت في

توسیع المجموعات التجاریة نحو تعزیز مشاركة أعضائھا وبحسبھ ، من أجل تعزیز مشاركة األعضاء

وإعطاء الغرفة الزخم الذي تتطلبھ ، تقوم عدة مجموعات تجاریة على حدة. تم افتتاح الخطوط القطاعیة.

"أنا واثق من أن ھذا سیساعد على خلق التخصص لألعضاء وتحسین

خطوط أعمالھم بمعلومات في الوقت الحقیقي فیما یتعلق بأعمالھم. بھدف

إقامة روابط بین أعضاء الغرفة ونظرائھم في الدول األخرى .وقال: "تم التواصل من خالل

السفارات مع منظمات األعمال ونتیجة لذلك تم عقد العدید من

اللقاءات التشبیك لألعمال" ، وأشاد رئیس غرفة التجارة والصناعة

باعتماد بعض مراكز الغرف كمراكز وطنیة من قبل الرابطة النیجیریة

لغرفة التجارة والصناعة والمناجم والزراعة (ناسیما).

وتقول شركة تكنولوجیا التعلیم النیجیریة یوالین إنھا أغلقت استثمارا B بقیمة ١٥ ملیون دوالر من السلسلة

من مستثمرین عالمیین لتوفیر تعلیم عالي الجودة وبأسعار معقولة لجمیع

األفارقة. قال شاغایا في بیان یوم الخمیس في الغوس ، إن بعض المستثمرین ھم

شركة نیئالسین فانشوس و تانسانز ، ووفقا لھ ، تخطط یوالین لمواصلة

االستثمار في تطویر المنتجات ، وتعزیز تقنیتھا األساسیة وإضافة

میزات التعلم القائمة على الفوج مع تم رفع رأس المال .

وقال الشجاعیة إن برنامج الدرس سوف یتوسع في محتویاتھ الرئیسیة

والعلوم والریاضیات ، وقال إن الشركة ستضیف العلوم االجتماعیة ، والمحاسبة المالیة إلى مكتبة محتوى المستوى الثانوي، والتفكیر النوعي

والكمي إلى المستوى االبتدائي. لتحقیق ھذا اإلنجاز الكبیر الذي

سیأخذنا إلى أبعد من ذلك في توفیر تعلیم عالي الجودة وبأسعار معقولة

لجمیع األفارقة.یسعدنا أن نكون جوي مستثمرون

متمرسون مثل تانسانز ، الذین یجلبون ثروة من الخبرة من

استثماراتھم في تكنولوجیا التعلیم. وقال دیفید فرانكل: "بدعم من شركاء رائعین ، یمكننا تسریع تعلمنا لخدمة

سوق تكنولوجیا التعلیم األفریقي بشكل أكثر فعالیة".

الشریك اإلداري ، مؤسس كوالكتیف ، قال إن المواھب المذھلة في القارة

تم إعاقتھا لفترة طویلة جدا بسبب نقص الفرص. "أعتقد حقا أن رواد

األعمال یمكنھم تغییر العالم.

مدیرة خدمات المدارس االبتدائیة ، ؛ (rd Rالصف الخلفي: ٣) Li Xudaمدیر المركز الثقافي الصیني ، أبوجا ، السید ؛ (Mالصف الخلفي: ( السفیر الصیني في نیجیریا السید كوي جیانتشونحاجیا حبیبة بابا-باراو (على الیمین) من الشخصیات البارزة والمستفیدین اآلخرین ، خالل تقدیم "جائزة الصداقة الفخریة بین الصین ونیجیریا" لمعلمي وتالمیذ المدرسة في أبوجا أمس.

الحكومة وعلى مر السنین تواصلنا مع األفراد الخیریین والوكاالت المانحة الدولیة والمنظمات غیر

الحكومیة غیر الحكومیة ، المنظمات غیر الحكومیة.

"في وقت افتتاحنا ، كانت ھناك خمس مدارس نموذجیة عامة قائمة ولكن لدینا الیوم ١١ منھا ، واحدة على

األقل في كل مناطق الحكومة المحلیة ، بما في ذلك األكادیمیة الریاضیة

وأكادیمیة إیجا الوطنیة.تغذیة وتشغیل تأخذ المدارس وصیانة

المدارس النموذجیة حوالي ٨٠ في المائة من دخلنا ولكن القانون ال یقصرنا على المدارس الثانویة

النموذجیة فقط ؛ إنھ للتعلیم ، أي من المدرسة االبتدائیة إلى مؤسسات

التعلیم العالي.على المستوى الجامعي ، تستفید

جامعة إندو منا في مجال تكنولوجیا المعلومات واالتصاالت ؛ في جامعة

إفریقیا ، تورو-أوروئا ، نرعى البحث والتدریب ، ولدینا مركز اختبار قائم

على الكمبیوتر لـ یو تي أم إي.

قال آتوو إن مجلس اإلدارة قد نفذ أیضا تدخالت مختلفة في جامعة دلتا

النیجر المملوكة للدولة ، وجامعة إندو ، وجامعة إفریقیا ، وتورو أوروا ،

وجامعة ینجوا الطبیة الحكومیة. كشفت أیضا أن المجلس قد شارك

أیضا في تدریب وإعادة تدریب المعلمین من خالل مجلس تسجیل تدریب المعلمین ومنح الشھادات

وأوضحت أنھ تم بالفعل تدریب ٦٥٠ مدرسا ، بینما من المتوقع أن تعقد مجموعة أخرى من التدریب العام

المقبل. وقالت أتوو: "الغرض العام من

المجلس ھو المساھمة في االرتقاء بالتعلیم في الوالیة ، وھذه وكالة تدخلیة في البالد". قطاع التعلیم

واألول من نوعھ في الدولة. "ساھم كل عامل في الدولة في تشغیل المجلس من خالل دفع الضرائب. كما

تجلب الحكومة تدفقا بنسبة خمسة بالمائة من اإلیرادات المتولدة داخلیا ،

IGR". ھناك تدفق واحد في المائة من مدفوعات رأس المال من

صرح صندوق بایلسا االستئماني لتطویر التعلیم ، بي إي دي تي أف ،

أنھ یرعى ٥٠٠٠ طالب مدرسة داخلیة في الوالیة ، وقال الصندوق یوم الجمعة إن تدخلھ في المدارس الحكومیة في الوالیة أدى إلى رفع

مستوى القطاع التعلیمي. جاء ذلك خالل زیارة لجنة الدعایة

التابعة لھا إلى مكتب مصلى المراسلین الفدرالیین التحاد

الصحفیین النیجیري ، أن یو جي، في یناغوا ، والمجلس ، وفقا ألتوو ،

مسؤول بشكل مباشر عن تغذیة وتشغیل وصیانة المدارس الداخلیة

اإلحدى عشرة. تقع في ثماني مناطق حكومیة محلیة ، مناطق الحكومة

المحلیة ، للوالیة. تشمل المسؤولیات دفع رسوم وائك و نیكو للطالب في المدارس النموذجیة الحكومیة ، ویرافق األمین التنفیذي رئیس لجنة الدعایة التابعة لمجلس اإلدارة ، الرئیس فیدیلیس أغبیكي

وسكرتیر اللجنة ، سیفا كوینیان وأعضاء آخرین في اللجنة.

والجرائم الشنیعة األخرى في الوالیة

."وشكر التنفیذیون كبار السن

وأصحاب المصلحة دعمھ من أجل ضمان الوحدة والسالم في فرع الدولة

بقیادة الحاج توكور دانفوالني. "سیعمل المسؤولون التنفیذیون الجدد

دائما كفریق واحد لتعزیز الحزب وحكومة الوالیة من أجل زمفارا

أفضل" ، قال

تود اللجنة التنفیذیة أن تتعھد بتقدیم

دعمھا لحكومة الوالیة في جھودھا

لتطویر الدولة وخاصة في ضمان

مكاسب الدیمقراطیة للشعب ، والحد

من البطالة وتعزیز االعتماد على

الذات خاصة بین الشباب والنساء."

اإلدارة التي یقودھا الحاكم بیلو ماتوال

في مكافحة اللصوصیة واالختطاف

اجتاز فرع زامفارا في مؤتمر جمیع التقدمیین ، أي بي سي ، تصویتا

بالثقة على الحاكم ماي ماال بوني ، الذي ترأس لجنة التخطیط / المؤتمر االستثنائي للحزب ، سي إي سي بي

سي. المسؤولون التنفیذیون الجدد للحزب ، الذین وقعوا على لسان أمین الدعایة ، السید یوسف إدریس في غوساو یوم

الجمعة. یوبي.

news in arabic e-mail: [email protected]


@aljazirahnewsng







BY DICKSON PAT

After several months of dormancy, Federal Government has assured that the German power company, Siemens AG, will begin operations, first quarter, next year.

Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, who gave this assurance in Abuja, at a workshop organised by the Power Correspondents Association of Nigeria , PCAN, said that all was set for the takeoff of the deal.

According to the minister, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has put everything in place for the partnership to work, adding that the project has the capacity to expand Nigeria’s electricity from the current 4,500MW to 25,000MW.

The Presidential Power Initiative, PPI, which began in 2021 is in three phases and is estimated to be completed in 2025. The phases cover the upgrading and expanding the transmission networks ,TN, and Distribution Companies ,DisCos, networks; improvement of access to affordable, efficient and reliable electricity and, providing support of industrial and economic growth in the country.

This first phase which began in 2021 will go on for a period of 10 months with the end goal of pushing to 7,000MW. So far, there has been no hitch as the team is currently on the pre-engineering phase. The second phase will raise the availability to 1,000MW and the third phase will raise the availability to 25,000MW. Given Siemens AG’s accomplishment of a similar plan in Egypt and also its reputation as an international giant in the power sector related engagements, it is strongly believed that the Nigeria Electricity Roadmap ,NER, is possible and achievable”, he said.

The minister also explained that the government was currently evaluating the procurement process and was confident that a positive outcome will emerge.

businessweekend

This project has reached an advanced stage of activities in line with the Siemens project implementation plan.

Sustainable growth in the power sector can only be achieved by adding renewable sources to the energy mix. Today, for example, 80% of our energy comes from gas-fired plants.

Government is driving the change to increase the quantum of renewable energy sources using solar, wind and hydros across the nation. We are encouraging investments in renewable sources in areas with comparative advantages. We are working tirelessly to increase the hydro and solar opportunities in the country” he said, adding that as part of plans to integrate more renewable sources into the energy mix, Mambilla is planned to deliver 3,050MW, Kashimbila is

planned to deliver 40MW, Dadinkowa is also planned to deliver 40MW. Zungeru is planned to deliver another 700MW and Katsina Wind farm is planned with 10MW.

It is worthy to note that we are now going to make significant progress with the Mambilla Hydro plant as the issues encumbering the progress are being seriously looked into.

Mini grids are a unique solution model that will increase the renewable energy penetration in Nigeria. It is because of this we are developing mini-grids across our Ministries Departments and Agencies ,MDAs, in Nigeria”, Aliyu said.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Jeddy-Agba stated the need for investors to invest in the renewable energy sector because the government has developed

favourable policies and business-friendly environment for them.

We are not just looking at foreign investors; we want our local investors to embrace the renewable energy sector.

“We want to assure all our investors and would-be investors that we will continue to create favourable policies and business – friendly environments for their investments to thrive. The President Muhammad Buhari’s administration has introduced many favourable policies to water the ground for our partners”, he assured.

Recall that the Siemens project generated a lot of controversies in the industry, a situation that eased out one of the top government functionaries.

Siemens Power Project To Take-Off Q1 2022Power Generation Transmission Installation

BY ALYIU GALADIMA

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ,NIMASA, has revealed that Nigeria recorded 27 incidents of armed attacks and piracy against ships at port anchorages in various parts of the country in the third quarter of the year.

NIMASA Director General, Bashir Jamoh disclosed this at the International Maritime Week 2021 with the theme: “Seafarers and Maritime Capacity at the Core of Africa’s Shipping Future”.

Jamoh, who spoke during a maritime security roundtable on the topic, “Maritime Security in the Gulf of Guinea”, said that the impact of armed and piracy attacks both at the anchorage and the GoG was devastating on seafarers’ and shipping activities.

According to him, the agency would be meeting with the Inspector General of Police to discuss the performance of the marine police and

ensure things would be put on the ground for them to complement the Navy.

There has been a decline in piracy attacks in the Gulf of Guinea, as the region recorded 28 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first nine months of 2021, in comparison to 46 for the same period in 2020.

Crew kidnappings in the region have dropped with only one crew member kidnapped in Q3 2021, compared to 31 crew members taken in five separate incidents during Q3 2020.

It impacted the seafarers and shipping economically such as loss of revenue due to illegal activities, high insurance premium, a threat to commerce; socially such as arm and drug smuggling, kidnapping, restiveness and others”, he said.

He said the environmental impacts are destruction and pollution of the marine ecosystem, which leads to loss of livelihood.

He said that interventions had been introduced through a multidimensional

approach to address the situation such as having legal/legislative which are the passage of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offenses Act ,SPOMO Act, review of local laws, others.

NIMASA Reveals 27 Attacks, Piracy On Vessels

Jamoh




BY CHARLES EBI

International Monetary Fund has said some emerging markets and developing economies face immediate and serious risks of currency substitution by crypto assets.

The IMF disclosed this in a report titled, “Global Crypto Regulation should be Comprehensive, Consistent, and Coordinated”.

In the report, the IMF said its mandate is to safeguard the stability of the international monetary and financial system.

The Washington DC-based fund said, “Some emerging markets and developing economies face more immediate and acute risks of currency substitution through crypto assets, the so-called cryptoisation.

“Capital flow management measures will need to be fine-tuned in the face of cryptoisation. This is because applying established regulatory tools to manage capital flows may be more challenging when value is transmitted through new instruments, new channels and new service providers that are not regulated entities”.

According to the IMF, crypto assets will soon pose systemic financial stability in some countries as policy makers struggle to the monitor risks.

It added that crypto assets were drastically changing the financial system it was trying to protect.

The IMF said, “Crypto assets and associated products and services have grown rapidly in recent years. Furthermore, inter linkages with the regulated financial system are rising.

“Policymakers struggle to monitor risks from this evolving sector, in which many activities are unregulated. In fact, we think these financial stability risks could soon become systemic in some countries”.

“While the nearly $2.5tn market capitalisation indicates significant economic value of the underlying technological innovations such as the blockchain, it might also reflect froth in an environment of stretched valuations”.

According to the international fund body, identifying, monitoring, and management of crypto-related risks continues to defy regulators and firms.

It added that in developing economies for instance, cryptoisation was threatening to replace domestic currency, and circumvent exchange restrictions and capital account management measures.

Crypto Assets May Displace Local Currencies–IMF

banking & financeDecember 11 – December 12, 2021




BY YAHAYA UMAR

Capital inflow into the country fell from $620m in July to $440m in August over the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Central Bank of Nigeria stated this in its monthly economic report for August titled, ‘Foreign capital inflow moderated in August 2021 due to weakening risk sentiments that followed the COVID-19 resurgence’.

It stated that, “Foreign capital inflow moderated in August 2021 due to weakening

risk sentiments that followed the COVID-19 resurgence. “New capital imported into the domestic economy decreased by 29.0% to $0.44bn, compared with the $0.62bn recorded in July.

“A disaggregation of capital imported by type of investment indicated that foreign portfolio investment inflow , mainly money market instruments, at $0.24bn, accounted for 53.8% of the total. “The inflow of other investments, mainly loans, was $0.16bn, constituting 36.9% of the total. “Foreign direct investment, at $0.04bn,

constituted the balance of 9.3%”.According to the CBN, a

further analysis of capital imported, based on the nature of business, showed that the bulk of the capital was channelled to non-share activities, with production/manufacturing accounting for the largest share of 36.5%, followed by banking with 24.5%.

Similarly, trading accounted for 13.6%; financing, 10.7%; and telecommunications, 4.1%, investment in shares ,FDI and portfolio equities, was 4.0%, while other sectors accounted for the balance.

Capital Inflow Drops By 29% As COVID-19 Cases Rise

Court of Appeal in Lagos Division has dismissed an appeal by the Chairman of Global Fleet Group, Jimoh Ibrahim, challenging the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON’s seizure of his 12 assets and freezing of all his accounts over his alleged N69.4bn debt.

The appellate court upheld the November 18, 2020 order of Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Lagos which authorised AMCON to take over Mr Ibrahim’s assets.

The justices upheld the arguments of AMCON’s lead counsel, Dr Kemi Pinheiro SAN, who prayed the court to dismiss Ibrahim’s application.

Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, is the counsel to the 1st defendant Jimoh Ibrahim while chief Bolaji Ayorinde ,SAN, is for 2nd Defendant, Global Fleet Group.

AMCON, following Justice Aikawa’s order, took effective possession of all 12 properties through its Debt Recovery Agent Pinheiro Legal Partners.

The assets include the building of NICON Investment Limited at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari

BY MARIAM SANNI ABUJA AND ASIYA

UMAR ADAM, BAUCHI

Central Bank of Nigeria has set aside over N5.7bn to give as loan to 10,000 farmers to encourage dry season wheat farming in Bauchi State.

The CBN Controller, Bauchi Branch, Saladu Idris, who disclosed this at the flag-off of the programme at the NUJ Secretariat in Bauchi, said that 4,500 farmers had so far benefitted in the state.

He said each farmer would be given N370,000 cash, six bags of urea, four bags of NPK fertiliser, pumping and spraying machines.

He said the CBN had taken proactive steps by reaching out to the farmers through associations so that only those

targeted would benefit.Idris said, “This dry

seasoning farming is a very easy thing that people can do. The CBN has observed that all the flour mills in Nigeria have become moribund; everything is at a standstill.

“It observed that wheat is imported, and this requires the use of dollars which is difficult to access. It is as a result of this that the CBN decided to set aside some monies to give farmers to encourage the farming of this wheat.

“Each farmer is supposed to get a minimum of N370,000 per hectare and the other inputs, which include the bags of seedlings, the six bags of urea, four bags of NPK, the pumping machine and the spraying machine. All these are

given to a farmer per hectare.“The total amount of money

set aside by the Central Bank of Nigeria for wheat farming in Bauchi State alone is over N5.7bn. We have budgeted to fund 10,000 farmers. So far, we have distributed to about 4,500 farmers in Bauchi State”.

According to Idris, the new seedlings were brought in from Mexico and have a shorter time of cultivation, unlike the local one that takes a longer period.

“The Mexicans came into Bauchi about three weeks ago and they were taken round the 20 local government areas of the state, and they saw the areas to be used for the cultivation”, he added.

He lamented that some farmers under the Anchor Borrowers Scheme for rice

farming had failed to pay back the loans they got.

He said, “Most people have paid back but there are a few who have failed to pay back. We called the leaders of the rice farmers associations and reported these people to them. They gave us the assurance that they will follow them up and ensure that they pay.

“Part of the terms of agreement was that as soon as the harvest is done, they are to pay back. Those who fail to pay; we will take appropriate action against them. They will be arrested and locked up until they pay back. And for those who pay back fully on time, they will be rewarded with higher amounts of money and more inputs”.

Jimoh Losses Appeal Against AMCON Over N69.4bn Debt

BY MARIAM SANNI

Nigerian banks recorded 6.8% growth in profit in the first half of 2021 as the sector strived to remain resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report.

Afrinvest West Africa said this in the report, titled ‘2021 Nigerian banking sector report resilience amidst endemic and pandemic constraints’.

While presenting the report in Lagos, the Managing Director, Victor Ndukauba, said, “Industry stays strong in a pandemic-induced environment amidst the tough macro and tight regulatory environment, banks remained resilient.

“This is evident in banks delivering a 15.6% and 6.8% year-on-year growth in total assets and profit respectively in H1:2021 despite elevated CRR debits and compulsory Loan to Deposit Ratio levels. With the pandemic, the Nigerian banking sector vulnerability heightened which required swift policy responses from the CBN.

“Consequently, the CBN rolled out stimulus packages to critical sectors with significant loan exposure, reduced interest rate on intervention facilities ,from nine per cent to five per cent, and granted banks the forbearance to restructure loan exposure. As a result, real GDP growth in the financial institutions sector grew by 13.3% year-on-year”.

He noted that the sector’s earnings and profitability slowed in 2020, hurt by the stringent implementation of the CRR policy ,27.5, which he said “effectively sits at north of 50.0% for some banks due to CBN’s non-refund policy and the discretionary excess debits”.

He added that the low interest rate environment in H2 2020 and H1 2021 drove weak yield on assets for the sector despite the drive to expand asset base.

The Chairman, Afrinvest, Donald Lawson, said, “For 26 years, Afrinvest has remained at the fore of economic and business research in Nigeria and West Africa and built a solid reputation as a leading independent investment firm with market leadership across investment banking, asset management, investment research, and securities trading services.

“The annual Afrinvest Banking Sector Report, our flagship report, provides an incisive and in-depth analysis of the Nigerian banking industry, making sense of developments to guide informed decision-making for all stakeholders.

Banks Resilient, Record 6.8% Profit Growth In H1, 2021

Way, Central Business District, Abuja; NICON Hotels Limited building at Plot 557, Port-Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Abuja and the building of NICON Lekki Limited also at 5 Customs Street, Lagos.

Other properties are the building of Abuja International Hotels Limited located at 3 Hospital Road, Lagos; another Property at Plot 242, Muhammadu Buhari Way,

Abuja; the former Allied Bank Building at Mile 2, Oshodi Express Way, Apapa Road, Lagos; Energy House located at 94, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos; NICON Building at 40 Madeira Street, Maitama, Abuja; a Residential Apartment at Road 2, House A14, Victoria Garden City, Lagos; NICON Hotels Building at Plot 3, Road 3, Victoria Garden City, Lagos as well as the NICON Luxury

Hotel’s Building, Garki I, FCT, Abuja.

In addition to the takeover of the properties, the court also ordered the freezing of all accounts belonging to Ibrahim and his companies including Global Fleet Oil & Gas Limited and NICON Investment Limited all of whom are defendants in the suit No. FHL/L/CL/776/2016.

CBN Approves N5.7bn To 10,000 Bauchi Dry Season Farmers

Central Bank of Nigeria Dry Season Farming

Nigerian currency suffered a serious beating at the black market amid rising foreign travels ahead of the holiday season.

A Bureau De Change, BDC, operator who pleaded anonymity, told AljazirahNigeria that Naira exchanged for the dollar at N574, compared to N562 it was exchanged on Wednesday.

According to the trader, the sudden collapse of the Nigerian currency was due to high demand.

He confirmed that most of his clients are coming from travel agencies looking to buy dollars for their customers.

The pressure on Naira at the black market can be attributed to the resumption of Emirates Airline.

Dubai over the years has remained a number one destination for holidays among Nigerians.

At the official foreign exchange ,forex, market Naira was however able to resist demand pressure to close flat to the U.S dollar.

Data from FMDQ where Naira is officially traded shows the Naira to Dollar exchange rate remained unchanged at N415.07/$1 on Thursday.

This happened as forex supply in the market surged by 100.6% or $227.39 million to end Thursday with $453.38 million in contrast to the $225.99 million in the previous session.

At the interbank market, CBN said the Naira depreciated yesterday against the American currency by one kobo to settle at N411.75/$1 compared with the preceding day’s N411.74/$1.

At the same market segment, the domestic currency equally recorded a marginal loss of 2 kobo against the Pound Sterling to sell at N543.06/£1 in contrast to N543.04/£1 it closed a day earlier.

Also, the Naira depreciated against the Euro on Thursday by one kobo to trade at N464.08/€1 versus N464.07/€1 it was sold at the preceding session.

Christmas Shopping Pushes Dollar Demands As Naira Crashes To N574

BY CYRIL OGAR

Chairman, Geregu Power Plant, Mr Femi Otedola, has announced an increase in his shareholdings of FBN Holdings, First Bank parent company, to 7.57%.

This was disclosed in a letter to the bank by Mr. Otedola dated December 9, 2021. This disclosure officially makes him the single largest majority shareholder of the bank at least according to the public disclosure of ownership that has now been made.

Recall that AljazirahNigeria had reported estimated 1.1bn units of FBN Holding shares exchanged in the last four days suggesting that the battle for the control of one of the most important banks in Nigeria is still raging on.

Otedola reportedly increased his stake at First Bank Nigeria ,FBN , Holdings, putting an end to his ownership tussle with Tunde Hassan-Odukale, amid high volume of trades.

There had been a dispute between Otedola and Hassan-Odukale following the former’s 5.03% stake acquisition in H2 2021. The share dealing resulted in claims that Otedola had become the majority shareholder.

Days after FBN Holdings revealed Otedola’s share acquisition; a letter attributed to Hassan-Odukale challenged the majority claim, stating that he owns 5.36%, placing him above the former Forte oil owner.

Hassan-Odukale, who is the owner of Leadway Assurance, had stated that Leadway Pensure PFA’s 1.05% stake held in FBN indirectly belongs to him, aside from his other 4.31% stake.

FBN Ownership Tussle Intensifies As Otedola Increases Stakes To 7.57%

CAC To Digitalise Operations

BY HENRY IBYA, MAKURDI

Traders operating on major streets of Makurdi town and those carrying out business activities at Wurukum market, have been encouraged to relocate to the Makurdi Ultra-Modern International Market located along George Akume Road, as the market has been officially opened for commercial activities.

Information available to AljazirahNigeria indicates that this is coming after several failed efforts by the Benue State Government to relocate the traders of Wurukum market who have rather resulted in counter litigation despite the quantum of destruction to stores and properties worth millions caused by flood each time there was heavy down pour during the rainy season which government considers the relocation to be in their own interests.

The source also hinted that the official reopening of the market for commercial activities was made possible as a result of synergy between the Benue State Government and private partnership arrangement.

In an interview with newsmen yesterday, in Makurdi, the manager of the market, Mr. Manasseh Shaakaa, said shops will be made available to as many traders as possible willing to relocate to the market.

We went on air, time and time again, to ensure that traders are in the market to do their businesses, today we are happy that there is a turn around, as you can see, there are traders in the market, shops are equally opened so, and we are still calling on members of the public to come to the international market”.

The manager who also disclosed that there were four categories of shops available for rent equally assured traders that adequate safety measures have also been put in place in case of emergency.

Also speaking, a shop owner at the market, Rev. Mrs. Hannah Ikyernum, lamented that many traders who have acquired shops decided to lock them up and could not even turn up for the reopening ceremony.

Mrs. Ikyernum, who expressed happiness with the Benue State Government for facilitating the reopening of the International Market, further encouraged other shop owners at the market to go and open their shops for business activities stressing that the reopening has taken place.

Ortom Reopens Makurdi Ultra-Modern Market For Business

However, the National Pension Commission, PENCOM, rejected this claim, stating that a PFA stake belongs to Retirement Savings Account holders, not Hassan-Odukale.

This left Hassan-Odukale with 4.31%, below Otedola’s 5.03%, hence, settling the ownership tussle and majority stakeholder at FBN Holdings.

In the space of four days, AljazirahNigeria noticed 1.444bn units of FBN Holdings shares were traded, a signal that an investor or investment vehicle was planning a big takeover move.

Between Monday and Thursday, AljazirahNigeria market report showed that investors traded over 128.8 million, 364 million, 441.9 million and 228.5 million shares respectively on the exchange floor of FBN.

The high volume of trades in First Bank’s parent stock is similar to capital market events that occurred in Q3 and Q4

of common seal by companies was no longer mandatory.

He added that while electronic signature was introduced by the new law, one man was allowed to register a private company and incorporated trustees amalgamation with similar objectives was now possible under section 849.

The Registrar General said that the minimum share capital for private companies was increased to one hundred thousand and two million for public liability companies upgraded to two million respectively under section 27 sub section 2 of the Act.

He further revealed that small companies and one-man companies were now permitted to hold Statutory and Annual General Meetings abroad.

He added that the provisions of sections 705 and 707 which introduced the registration of accredited insolvency practitioner, liquidator, receiver or receiver manager states that such professionals can only practice upon obtaining due accreditation from the CAC.

Garba Abubakar who spoke

BY MIMIDOO PATRICK

Corporate Affairs Commission has restated its resolve to ensure complete digitization of its operations to further provide more efficient and effective services in the New Year.

The Registrar General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Alhaji Garba Abubakar revealed this in Abuja while declaring open a one-day Customers’/ Stakeholders forum.

Abubakar stressed that the Commission was in collaboration with its software provider making strenuous efforts to fine tune its processes in line with global best practices

Represented by Abdulhakeem Mohammed, Director Compliance, the Registrar General enumerated a series of reform initiatives embarked upon by the Commission pursuant to CAMA, 2020.

According to him, notable features of the new law include the dispensation of the appointment of company secretary by private companies pursuant to section 330 of the new law and added that the use

before Otedola was announced to have acquired 5.03% stake.

The investor behind the high volume of trade has been identified to be Otedola increasing his stake by about 2.5%, taking the billionaire’s total stake to 7.53%.

However, with Hassan-Odukale taking a hit from the PENCOM statement, he’s one of the investors that might be fuelling FBN Holdings as the most active of the 156 stocks during this week’s trading.

With Otedola or Hassan-Odukale linked to the investor acquiring the shares, FBN Holdings is expected to release a statement revealing the identity in the next few days, as mandated by listing rules of the Nigerian Exchange Group.

We also reported that the recent purchases are not unconnected with the latest tussle for shares of the bank and believe a statement is imminent in the coming days. According to a reliable source,

extensively on the key reforms contained in the new law also stated that there was now prohibition of the combination of the office of the chairman and chief executive officer being one and the same person for public companies.

Abubakar used the forum to reiterate the Commission’s resolve to continue to initiate and implement enduring institutional reforms tailored not only for the demands of ease of doing business but also to establish a Registry that would rank as one of the best 10 in the world.

In their separate goodwill messages, Dr. Balogun Abdulrasheed, Chairman Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Acting Managing Director , Abuja Enterprise Agency, Shehu Abdulkadir, represented by Aisha Yusuf applauded the initiative and urged the Commission to sustain the tempo.

Speaking in the same vein, representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Folarinwa Aluko, Tony Idoko and Owowo Clement applauded

the CAC for the engagement and stressed the need for more frequent engagement.

They restated their commitment to partnering with the Commission and described as wonderfully world class the ability of a customer to register and download CAC registration certificates from anywhere in the world.

The stakeholders, however, enjoined the Commission to review its post incorporation processes as well as enhance its customer engagement mechanism to become real time.

Other speakers who similarly applauded the Commission’s reform initiatives and charged it to sustain the tempo, include the representative of the Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators of Nigeria, ICSAN, Yemi Olaniyan, Glodean Chindaba of Olajide and Oyewole LLP, Sunday Oghayei from Lex Habitae Solicitors and Alex Ekhato of Ekhato & Co.

High points of the forum include panel discussion on CAC reforms, feedback from stakeholders and responses from the Commission.

“An announcement will be made soon that will reveal a significant change in the majority ownership of the bank”. The latest announcement by Mr. Otedola confirms our intelligence on the matter.

In the letter seen by AljazirahNigeria, Mr. Otedola acquired the additional shares through his proxies Calvados Global Services, Primose Global Concept, Shetland Global, Wells Properties, and Impetus Synergy. In a letter addressed to the bank, Mr. Otedola informed the bank that he has now acquired 7.57% ownership in the bank “I have recently acquired additional shares in FBN Holdings Plc ,the Company, which has brought my total stake to 7.57% of the issued shares capital of the Company”.

Mr Otedola also copied the Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria Exchange Ltd, and the Central Bank in the letter.

According to our sources, Mr. Otedola has now spent a whopping N44.8 billion investing in FBN Holdings Ltd. Considering he has just announced 2.7 billion shares, his average cost of acquiring the shares is about N16.48 per share. FBN Holdings share price closed at 11.6 per share yesterday.

This acquisition effectively makes Mr. Otedola the largest shareholder of FBN Holdings based on reported ownership in the bank. Nairametrics also understands the billionaire investor will be allowed to make board appointments very soon with 3 board seats guaranteed at the bank and holding company.

economyDecember 11 – December 12, 202122 www.aljazirahnews.com



Otedola



@aljazirahnewsng



Ebony State Governor David Umahi has directed the suspension of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development over delay in payment of November salary of local government workers.

This is contained in a statement by Dr Kenneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government on Friday in Abakaliki.

“The governor has noticed with dismay the delay in the payment of local government staff salary for November.

“In view of this, the governor has directed the immediate suspension of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development and the Accountant, JAAC for one month without salary.

“The governor also charged the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, the SSA and SA on Local Government and the 13 local government council chairmen to live up to their responsibilities by ensuring that salaries are paid as and when due henceforth.

“Failure to comply with this directive will attract severe sanction”, he said.

Umahi Suspends Permanent Secretary Over Delay In November Salary

Goje

BY JAIYEOLA ANDREWS, GOMBE

Senator Danjuma Goje who is the petitioner was conspicuously absent when the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Reconciliation Committee met with Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, as well as stakeholders of the party in a marathon meeting that lasted from Thursday night till early hours of yesterday in Gombe.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, however, told newsmen that Goje was approached and he gave the committee reasons for not attending the meeting.

Following the APC congresses at wards, local governments and state in Gombe State, Goje had submitted a petition to the committee which culminated into the

politics

inauguration in October of a 9-member committee by the Chairman of APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, Governor Mai Mala Buni.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s committee was mandated to reconcile aggrieved members of the party as fallout of the congress.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Adamu said the committee received one petition from Gombe State.

According to him, the committee’s mandate is to reconcile any perceived misunderstanding, grudges, conflict in the party.

Besides saying the unity among APC members is sacrosanct, the committee boss equally is poised to ensuring that every member was given fair hearing in the interest of the unity of the party.

He hinted that Goje was approached, but he gave the committee reasons for not attending the meeting.

Adamu said: “We have listen very carefully to the government and the party. This government is our government. What we do always is to start with what we know and go searching for what we don’t know.

“We have listened to the complaints against the party which is in government, because it is illogical for one to want to clap with one hand. You must clap with two hands if you want to be heard clapping; we will meet Senator Goje, notwithstanding the fact, the petitioner who didn’t turn up in the hearing of the petition”.

He stressed in the interest of fair hearing, the committee will give opportunity to Goje as it has listened to the government side.

On his part, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa

Yahaya noted that the party will continue to grow stronger because, “We are united one big family that is focused on delivering on all demands of our party followers”.

Out of the 9-member committee, 5 were present at the meeting, but Adamu explained that the remaining 4 members had cogent reasons for not attending the meeting.

Those not present at the meeting include, Minister of Special Duties and former Benue State Governor, George Akume; former Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Oluranti Adebule.

Goje ’The Petitioner’ Absent, As APC Reconciliation Committee Meets In Gombe



23www.aljazirahnews.com December 11 – December 12, 2021

From left: Speaker, Rivers House of Assembly, Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani; Deputy Governor of Rivers, Mrs Ipalibo Harry-Banigo; Former Governor of Ondo State, Mr Olusegun Mimiko; and Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, during the inauguration of Rumuola Flyover in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo...Chidi Ohalete/NAN

weekend

weekend politics

BY CALEB ISHAYA

National Coalition, a political platform under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on the leadership to respond swiftly to the crisis happening in the party.

A press statement issued in Abuja by the National Chairman of the group, Peter Oganto, urged the party hierarchy to embark on fence mending measures rather than issuing threats of sanction on aggrieved party members, to avoid further escalation of the crises.

He announced that the process of registering support groups in preparation for the national convention is ongoing.

He urged Buhari Support Organizations, BSO, groups and individuals that have indicated interest to join the coalition to approach their state coordinators for documentation of personal details and group profiles.

He assured that measures were being taken by the secretariat to ensure a smooth and seamless exercise, and called on states and zonal officials to cooperate for its success.

Oganto also stated that the coalition is prepared to engage with individuals who might be interest in running for public and party positions for possible collaboration in the area of mobilizing support and campaign activities.

He noted that the coalition has established structures across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, and promised to activate them as soon as the documentation exercise is completed.

Group Advises APC Members To Close Ranks

Elections: BVAS Has Come To Stay – INECIndependent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said yesterday that the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, for accreditation during elections has come to stay.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said this at a one-day implementation meeting for the FCT Area Council Election in Abuja.

Okoye said INEC would continue to come up with innovations to check electoral malpractices and strengthen democratic governance in the country.

He added that BVAS would be used for FCT area council elections, as it had assisted the commission to conduct credible and well accepted election in Anambra.

He said those used to electoral corruption, cutting corners in the electoral process, snatching ballot boxes and ballot papers would never easily accept any change.

“That is what the whole issue about BVAS is. So, let me say it very clearly that BVAS, as a form and mode of

accreditation has come to stay, and the commission can only keep improving on it, but jettisoning it will not be possible”, he said.

Okoye called on stakeholders to support the commission to conduct a hitch-free FCT Area Council poll, scheduled for February 12, 2022.

The INEC official stressed that the commission would provide the necessary information that would guide stakeholders, especially the National Orientation Agency and National Youth Service Corps for

effective communication with the electorate during the poll.

In his remarks, the FCT INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Yahaya Bello, said adequate measures are being adopted to educate political parties and FCT residents on the locations of about 3,000 polling units, including newly-created ones in the six area councils.

Bello said regular meetings are also being organized with security agencies, the traditional institution and political parties to ensure the

safety of INEC staff and electoral materials during the election.

Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, commended INEC staff for their commitment towards deepening democracy in the country.

Oyekanmi appealed to INEC staff and other stakeholders to keep abreast with innovations being introduced by the commission and work as a team to conduct an inclusive election in the FCT.

BY MUYIWA OYINLOLA

Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who is aspiring to lead the party as its national chairmanship, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, has promised to reposition the party if elected into office.

Musa, who currently represents Niger East Senatorial District in the National Assembly told journalists yesterday he would make the ruling party pride of every Nigerian if elected into office at the February APC National convention.

While noting that the party has done so well under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari, he added that those achievements have taken place because the president has faithfully implemented the manifesto and agenda of the party.

“If given the opportunity to lead the party I will completely re-engineer the internal structures and workings of the party and make it adaptive to the yearnings and aspirations of members and Nigerians.

He also commended the national chairman and members of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee , CECPC, of the party for what he described as “wonderful job” they have done in expanding the base of the party and attracting high profile members and their followers from areas where they previously had unsatisfactory electoral outcomes.

“It is for this reason that I am presenting myself as the candidate that can position our great party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, to achieve the electoral and political outcomes necessary to ensure that we consolidate and accelerate our socio-economic transformation.

“Leadership is an awesome and

great responsibility that requires high sense of innovations and vision as a mechanism to changing our nation to more advancement. If reposed with the responsibility to lead the party, I will endeavour to justify every day and in every act the trust that will be placed in me.

“Bringing a new beginning to our party leadership will create a new voice and direction to APC and by extension creating the best platform for an enduring leadership for our country for the good of all.

“If given the opportunity to lead the party I will completely re-engineer the internal structures and workings of the party and make it adaptive to the yearnings and aspirations of members and Nigerians.

“I will be adaptive to participatory

and affliative work style that will usher visionary and pace-setting leadership that will transform the party to a democratic institution that Nigerians will proudly continue to embrace. If we hope to maintain credibility over time, then we must adhere faithfully to the same organizational expectations that our context asks of our teams, for me my words are my bonds”.

While calling on all the party stakeholders to join hands with him in re-engineering the internal structure of the ruling party, Senator Musa said: “Given my political clout, extensive experience and sphere of influence, I have no doubt that if given the opportunity, the APC will expand its sphere of influence beyond all fault lines and cover the length and breadth of our

great country.”Commenting on some of the

challenges facing the party, the Senator said: “Having played a part in building our party at all levels since 2014, I am confident that I am the best candidate to lead the party to achieve our desired objectives. My ambition is borne out of my desire to contribute positively to the nation’s growing democratic process by ensuring that we build strong political structures with the required capacity to address the challenges we face as a party and ultimately as a nation.

“While there is no gainsaying the fact that our party, the All Progressives Congress, has endured its fair share of challenges especially in the areas of internal polarization and fair play, the process of rebuilding and repositioning the party requires visionary and just leadership.

Besides, the problems that have plagued us recently, and the problems that usually plague societies at any given time, have not been ones stemming from situations where leaders have made tough moral choices when faced with difficult, shades-of-gray options.

“Our problems recently have been that our party leaders have knowingly abandoned even the most basic morality when pursuing personal gain. Most moral leadership problems do not arise from misjudging complicated ethical issues. Most arise from something much simpler: wanton disregard of common decency in pursuit of naked self-interest”.

I’ll Reposition APC If Elected National Chairman – Musa

Musa

Benue Commissioner For Works & Transport ResignsBY HENRY IBYA, MAKURDI

Commissioner for Works and Transport in Benue State, Engineer Alexander Shaapera has tendered his resignation.

Though Aljazirah Nigeria could not unravel the cause of his resignation at the time of

filling this report, but Governor Samuel Ortom, while accepting his resignation, expressed appreciation to the former commissioner for the services he rendered to the administration.

Ortom, whose acceptance and message of appreciation was contained in a statement signed

by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Anthony Ijoho, wished Shaapera well in his future endeavors and equally directed him to handover all government property in his possession to the permanent secretary, ministry of works and transport. Buni




weekend politicsDecember 11 – December 12, 2021




Opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State says the party has the human and material resources to wrestle power away from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2023.

The Chairman of the state Caretaker Committee, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, said this at a news briefing in Umuahia on Thursday.

Nwankpa, who spoke through the Secretary-elect of the party, Mr Perfect Okorie, said APC was poised to take over Abia State to provide good governance and infrastructure development, currently lacking in the state.

He said: “In 2023, it will dawn on all Abia people that APC has come to take over the state.

“We have men of high calibre

and proven integrity at the top-level of Nigeria’s politics, who are prepared to redeem Abia from PDP’s maladministration and move the state forward.

“We have men, who are ready to wipe away the tears of the downtrodden, workers and pensioners, who are owed many months of their legitimate entitlements”.

Nwankpa said the present administration in Abia had made the state a laughing stock among other states of the federation.

“We are all ashamed of the total dilapidation of infrastructure in the state. No sector is spared”, he said.

He gave assurance that President Muhammadu Buhari would ensure that votes counted in 2023, adding that “it will not be business as usual

in Abia”.According to him, the president

has shown with the Anambra governorship poll that he is determined to enthrone a credible electoral process in the country.

Nwankpa dismissed the fear that the prevailing economic difficulties and security challenges in the country would sway votes against APC across board in 2023.

“The economic downturn is a global phenomenon, which was hugely exacerbated by economic meltdown and COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is not limited to Nigeria. It is a global dilemma”, he said.

Nwankpa also spoke on the current state of the party in Abia, following the parallel congresses at the ward, local government and state levels.

He said the national leadership

of the party put the inauguration of the newly elected executives on hold across the federation.

“That the newly elected state executive of the party had not been inaugurated after the state congress is not peculiar to Abia State

“So, all the interim caretaker committees, instituted in all the 36 states, are still in charge of the affairs of the party”, he said.

Nwankpa further said that some party members, loyal to his leadership, obtained an interim order from an Abia High Court in Ukwa on October 21.

He said the order restrained the party and its national leadership “from receiving, accepting and/or acting on the purported list of successful candidates” for the Abia congress.

BY UKANDI ODEY, JOS

Governor Lalong yesterday tactically avoided meeting with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former Governor Jonah Jang at an inter-faith religious occasion where the governor was billed to function as the chief host.

After hosting the Business Community in Plateau to a late night dinner Thursday, Gov Lalong whose presence at the dedication of the “Ten Commandments Altar” was earlier confirmed suddenly flew out of the State early in the morning yesterday via a chartered flight from the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Heipang, near Jos.

Although some of the Governor’s protocol details were

present at the dedication event, the Commissioner for Agriculture represented Lalong at the event which many have criticized him for avoiding and taking politics too far.

Former President Jonathan was in Jos as Chairman of the occasion as former Governor Jang, founder/President, Yeshua Kingdom Foundation International, dedicated a worship and prayer house christened “The Ten Commandments Altar”.

The event which brought together former President, ministers, and aides such as former Finance Minister, Nenadi Sambo and her Water Resources counterpart, Serah Ochekpe, was also a big rallying point for the PDP family in Plateau, including aspirants to various offices in 2023.

Speaking at the occasion, a humble Goodluck Jonathan extended greetings to Governor Lalong through his commissioner, and commended Jang for conceiving and executing the monumental prayer project which, according to him, is the “Greatest achievement of Jang which will remain indelible in the memories of people even after Jang eventually dies as all mortals will”.

By putting up the prayer and worship house, Jonathan said Jang has been able to erect national destination for Christian religious activities and crusades, pointing out that the 5,800-seat which has potential for expansion is a complete concept that can attract religious events from all parts of the world.

Giving the spiritual background

of the project, President of the Yeshua Kingdom Foundation International, Jonah Jang, said “What we are doing here is quite symbolic because the Bible is replete with instances where altars were built”, saying the significance of what is happening here today is divine because we have seen in several Bible passages that each time there was an encounter with the Lord an altar was built as a memorial of God’s visitation”.

Beside the Ten Commandment structure is a constructed water pool which has been christened the Pool of Bethsaida where, according to the founder, baptisms can be carried out.

The occasion was attended by thousands of Christians including leaders of denominations and the Gbong Gwom Jos, Jacob Gyang Buba.

APC Vows To Take Over Abia In 2023

Gov Lalong Avoids ‘Ten Commandments’, Jets Out Of Jos

Justice Ayotunde Phillips , retd, Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ,LASIEC, has urged journalists to hold officials and political appointees accountable to the citizenry.

Phillip, who gave the advice at the post-election media parley on Thursday in Lagos, said that this would enable political appointees to meet the expectations of the people by implementing their campaign promises and party manifestos.

According to her, this will further encourage and promote electoral interest and improve voter turnout.

She urged the political class to support the electoral body by mobilising their followers come out to vote in order to avoid voter apathy during elections.

“The turnout of voters is very poor as the total number of votes cast during the July 24 local government election is 678,324 out of over six million registered voters.

“This represents about 10.3% of eligible voters in Lagos State.

“The political parties are the ones with large followers, so, l urge them to always encourage their followers to come en masse and vote during elections and not only during campaigns,” she said

The LASIEC Permanent Secretary, Dr Olayiwola Onasanya, said that the commission would continue to strive to do more and become a beckon of hope for sustenance of democracy.

Onasanya, therefore, thanked the state government for its non-political interference in the affairs of the commission and promoting true independence.

LASIEC Boss Urges Journalists To Hold Political Appointees Accountable

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State (M); Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo (L); General Secretary,District 2 Tutor, Mrs Anike Adekanye (R) and Student of Lagos State Model College Igbokuta, during the inauguration of a Modern Block of Classrooms and Hostel at Lagos State Model College Igbokuta, Ikorodu in Lagos, yesterday. Photo...Kayode Oladapo/NAN

Ayotunde




““The former Big Brother housemate and also co-host of the reality show in Nigerian is a lawyer and media personality

The Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality show is one of the biggest show in Nigeria. The show is been airing since 2006. It has already had about 5 edition. The last edition of the just ended Big Brother Naija had three females and two men at the finalists.

Here are 4 ex-Big Brother Naija housemates who are lawyers:

Esther Olaoluwa AgunbiadeFormer Big Brother Naija Esther Olaoluwa Agunbiade is a 22-year old Lagos based lawyer who was called to the bar when she was 21-years. She is a beautiful and intelligent young lawyer and one of the youngest at the bar.



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Follow us on twitterclassyDecember 11 – December 12, 2021




She is proud of her beauty and brains. The 22-year-old Lagos based lawyer was called to the bar at just twenty-one years old. She’s also very athletic and loves to show off her figure. Her favourite outfit? A white off the shoulder, bodycon, short dress. “Who says a girl can’t embrace all aspects of who she is?” she questions.

She sys what irritates her most about other people is people with bad bathroom and toilet hygiene or habits.

Emuobonuvie Neo AkpofureFormer housemate of the just ended Big Brother Naija lockdown edition Neo is a 26 years old born in Warri. He is a level 400 student of the University of Calabar,

faculty of Law. He however took the chance to join this year’s BBNaija due to closure of schools because of COVID-19.

Popularly known as ‘Neo’ from the Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) lockdown series is Emuobonuvie, a Delta state born. A 26 years old guy who before gaining entrance into the house worked officially as a ride-hailing driver for a cab-hailing service in Lagos, Nigeria. Since the show began on the 19th of July 2020, Neo has climbed the ladder and has warmed his way into the hearts of many Nigerians, and even emerging on the top 5 finalists’ seats in the BBNaija house.

Neo is from a polygamous home of 20 children, but his mother being separated from his father, made him start living with his mother who is a Prison warder. He also has told viewers that he loves his mother whom he grew up with as a child.

He popularly claims that he has a passion for entertaining people regardless of any age group, as he believes that that is his selling point. Neo also said in the house, that making it into the house is one of his best moments in life.

He had his education – primary and secondary at Delta State, Nigeria. He also loves sketching as he picked up this skill during the Coronavirus lockdown in Nigeria.

Chukwuebuka Obi-UchenduThe former Big Brother housemate and also co-host of the reality show in Nigerian is a lawyer and media personality from Okija in Anambra State, Nigeria. Ebuka is currently co-hosting a series on DSTV known as Judging Matters.

He is known for hosting the reality show Big Brother Naija, the long running Rubbin’ Minds talk show on Channels TV as well as co-hosting The Spot and Men’s Corner on Ebonylife Television.

Obi-Uchendu has received several award nominations and won the award for Outstanding TV Presenter of the Year at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards for his work on Rubbin’ Minds.

Cynthia NwadioraCynthia Nwadiora popularly known as Cee-C. Cee C is one of the Big Brother Naija housemates who became the topic for discussion and was tagged as a bitter woman by viewers. Cee C is the second runner up for the season 3 of BBnaija. Cynthia is a well trained lawyer.

Cynthia Nwadiora is the real name of controversial ex-Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate known as Cee-C or Ceec and this is her biography. She became popular during the reality TV show and stayed relevant long after the edition that she competed in had ended.

Who is Cee-C or Ceec? This question has been on the minds of many of her fans and even those who did not like her or were rooting for a different housemate during the competition.

As mentioned above, Cee-C is Cynthia Nwadiora, but there are many other details that we will reveal about her in this biography. Thus, it is important that you read the complete article. First, see 10 of the most important facts about Cee-C below.

“She’s also very athletic and loves to show off her figure. Her favourite outfit? A white off the shoulder, bodycon, short dress

Big Brother Naija Stars Who Are Lawyers

Esther Emuobonuvie Chukwuebuka Cynthia




Nigerian filmmaker, Mo Abudu has been recognized by Forbes as one of the most powerful women in 2021.

The media mogul and philanthropist, who said she was so excited, took to her Instagram page @moabudu to announce the great achievement to her fans and well-wishers.

According to her, she is so humbled and deeply grateful to be among the world’s most amazing women.

“Good morning beautiful people. “I woke up yesterday to the incredible news that I have been included on the annual list of THE FORBES 100 MOST POWERFUL WOMEN IN THE WORLD at no. 98.

“Forbes released its 18th annual list on December 7 – reported by Nicolette Jones and Erika Burho. Edited by Moira Forbes and Maggie McGrath.

“I am humbled and deeply grateful to be amongst some of the world’s most amazing women, including MacKenzie Scott (No. 1), a novelist, philanthropist and the third-wealthiest woman in the USA, and Christine Lagarde (No. 3), President of the European Central Bank.

“Women of colour on the list include US Vice President, Kamala Harris (No. 2,) and Oprah Winfrey, making her umpteenth appearance on this list.

“There are only three African women on the list: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO (No. 91), Samia Suluhu Hassan, the current President of Tanzania (No. 94),

“And yours truly – Me. I quote Forbes: ‘Nigerian media mogul, Mo Abudu is one of the most powerful

Forbes Recognises Mo Abudu Among 100 Most Powerful Women 2021

women in global media.’“A dear friend said to me today

when she heard about this news, “imagine if your child self could have known where you were heading.

“Again, I didn’t see it coming. Just thanking God for these global opportunities and doing our very best to keep growing The EBONYLIFE brand around the world.

“Also creating first class opportunities and value for every single stakeholder we partner with and work with.

“My wish is that there will be many more of my deserving African sisters on this list in the years to come.

“Below is the link to click on the full report: https://www.forbes.com/power-women/#13636b105e25,” she wrote.

The 18th annual ‘100 Most Powerful Women 2021’ list which was released by Forbes, placed Abudu at number 98, thereby describing her as one of the most powerful women

in global media.She has also been described by

Forbes as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman” and rated as one of the “25 Most Powerful Women in Global Television” by The Hollywood Reporter.

The 58-year-old is a media mogul, philanthropist and founder, EbonyLife Films, has produced several hit movies like “The Wedding Party”, “Fifty, Chief Daddy”, “Your Excellency”, “The Royal Hibiscus Hotel and Oloture” among others.

At number 91 on the list, in the Policy and Politics Category, is the first woman and African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Forbes described her as “an economist and international development professional with more than 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America.”

Abudu

Toyin Abraham Rallies Fan Support For ‘Aki And Pawpaw’ Remake

I Tested Positive For COVID-19 In Ghana - BBNaija’s Maria

Harrysong Welcomes Daughter

Nollywood box office queen, Toyin Abraham has issued an urgent plea to her fans to support Play Network and FilmOne’s new ‘Aki and Pawpaw’ remake.

In a recent interview, the actress suggested that actors Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme deserved massive support as veterans who paved the way for the new generation including herself.

While hinting on her box office success with her 2021 ‘Ghost and the Tout Too’ film, the actress shared that her plea was not financially motivated as her film grossed about

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Maria Chike Benjamin has tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus.

The reality TV star made the announcement via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, December 8.

“My heartbeats, I heard you were all concerned about me. Thank you so much for all your kind messages. Unfortunately, I have tested positive to COVID-19 but I can reassure you, I am doing really well,’’ she stated.

“I initially had a negative result from Dubai less than 24 hours of coming into Ghana. Upon arrival in Ghana, I tested positive and was asked to quarantine.

“I got a different doctor that tested me negative again. We had so many back and

In a video shared via his Instagram page on Thursday, December 9, the music star is seen in a video call with his wife as she holds their newborn baby.

“And just this morning in the very cold winter season in Malta, my woman delivered my beautiful bundle of blessing, my princess is here. She’s called DAVIVA. Welcome to my world of love, hard work, peace, money, fame and grace”, he captioned the video.

“I guess she knows rit? I’m the happiest and most blessed man this year 2021. And midnight…Tonight

N150 million.Abraham’s plea came amid what

critics say has been an unimpressive box office year with low figures safe for Funke Akindele-Bello’s record breaking ‘Omo Ghetto: The Saga’.

Ikedieze and Iheme are set to reunite as comic twin brothers in the upcoming remake of 2003 classic ‘Aki na Ukwa’.

The remake directed by Biodun Stephen stars Abraham, Amaechi Muonagor, Stan Nze among others and will premiere in cinemas on December 17.

forth results of positives and negatives. But finally, I have tested positive.”

The TV star’s positive test is coming days after she was detained in Ghana for flouting COVID-19 guidelines.

At the aforesaid time, she alleged that she is being held in confinement against her will and threatened to lose her cool with Ghanaian authorities.

The housemate in the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ edition stated that she is disappointed, upset, hurt and humiliated about the whole thing.

“To say I am disappointed, upset, hurt, and humiliated by the system is an understatement, please don’t make me lose my cool. Won’t be pretty please”, Maria wrote on her Instagram

…we crown this celebration with the release of she knows ft Fireboy and Olamide ooooooh wat a year?????

A visibly excited Harrysong could not hide his joy as he showed off his wife and baby to the person recording the video.

Congratulations to the couple on the arrival of their bundle of joy.

Harrysong and Alexer tied the knot earlier in the year at a beautiful wedding ceremony.

The music star is already a father of a set of twins from his former partner.



@aljazirahnewsng


Follow us on twitterarts & life With RUTH GBAKA

Maria

Toyin

parties, among others, that the respondent “has continuously behaved in such a way that the petitioner cannot reasonably be expected to continue to live with the respondent any further or formally enter into any form of traditional marriage with him.”

She added that: “From the inception of the cohabitation, the respondent has been a violent person who attacks the petitioner and her family members at will without provocation.”

She averred that in 2016 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, raided his house, she found his marriage certificate with

his third wife, Regina.She said she confronted him with

it and requested to see their divorce certificate, following which he allegedly confessed that he had yet to do so.

“At every attempt, the petitioner made to have sexual intercourse with the respondent, there was never erection of the respondent’s penis/manhood and penetration was frustrating.

“During such periods of frustration and sexual desire, the petitioner would be left with the choice of merely rubbing herself on the respondent, to have the slightest bit of relief.

“The petitioner then insisted parties should seek medical help for the respondent, and on visiting the family doctor, the respondent claimed he was diagnosed of having a cyst on his penis/manhood, which is not allowing the respondent to have erection and or perform sexually.

“The respondent was supposedly placed on cyprotab and the doctor suggested that he should go and decide when he wishes to remove/untangle the cyst.

“Few days after the visit to the doctor, the respondent informed the petitioner that he had discussed with Regina and she had prayed over it, that the respondent should not do the operation, else he would die.

“The respondent never took the cyprotab medication, but any time the petitioner tried to engage the respondent in sexual activities, he would claim his penis/manhood was paining him and then drink the medication.

“The petitioner bought sex toys for the respondent, but she refused to use it and warned the petitioner never to suggest it again.”

Chikwendu averred that since August 2020 that she walked out of the cohabitation with the respondent, she had been continuously denied access to her children and they have been continuously deprived motherly care and protection.”

She claimed that Fani-Kayode was in the habit of not paying his domestic staff/workers/nannies, “which leaves the workers angry and they could unleash and or transfer their anger on the children, they may kill any of the children any day, if the children are left with the respondent.

“Most of the domestic staff/workers/nannies that are not paid their wages, usually resign and run away without informing anyone and considering the security situation, the workers could kidnap any of the children.

“Currently the respondent is in court with some of the former domestic staff/workers for non-payment of salaries and abuse”.

Fani-Kayode is yet to file a response to the application.

FFK Couldn’t Perform In Bed – Ex-Spouse, Chikwendu AllegesA former beauty queen,

Precious Chikwendu has told a Customary Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, that a

former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has erectile dysfunction.

She said he never consummated his six-year relationship with her because of his alleged challenge.

Miss Chikwendu said the four children she had with Fani-Kayode were conceived via artificial insemination.

She told the court that she was forced to be celibate during the time they were together as a couple.

She also told the court that the former minister did not perform any rites before their marriage nor paid her bride price.

She, therefore, prayed the court to declare that she was never married to Fani-Kayode.

Like she has done several times, Chikwendu accused Fani-Kayode of assaulting her while they were married, adding that the former minister lied to her that his marriage to his third wife had ended.

The petitioner stated this in her November 29 “Application for issuance of civil summons/plaint” against Fani-Kayode, the respondent.

The suit, was filed by her counsel, Mr Abiodun Olusanya.

She is seeking the following reliefs: “An order declaring that there was no customary marriage between the petitioner and the respondent (despite their six-year cohabitation) under the Nanka, Orumba North, Anambra State of Igbo native law and customs.

“Alternatively, assuming by the evidence during the trial, the court

finds that there was a customary marriage between parties: “An order dissolving the customary marriage between the petitioner and the respondent forthwith.

“An order granting the petitioner access to and custody of the four children of the cohabitation between parties especially during their academic calendar.

“An order ordering the respondent to be continuously responsible for the academic, medical, clothing and welfare of the four children of the cohabitation.

“An order ordering the respondent to release and return the petitioner’s property.”

The property are the petitioner’s certificates and documents, trophies from the United Nations pageantry, Red Range Rover SUV, registered under her foundation’s name and the foundation’s certificates and the petitioner’s picture, among others.

She identified others as her mother’s burial videos and souvenirs, her mother’s certificates and documents, her clothes and personal belongings including gadgets, sewing machines left at the children’s play area and her refrigerator and kitchen gadgets for her food company, Mommy Pee Food.

Chikwendu said her relationship with Fani-Kayode was full of “woes, lies, deceits, quarrels, assaults, battery and domestic violence, lack of trust and absence of love, public disgrace and shame, and absence of sex due to the inability to sexually perform and intolerable behaviour of the respondent.”

She contended that there was never a marriage between the

Chikwendu and Fani-Kayode



@aljazirahnewsng


Follow us on twitterarts & life With RUTH GBAKA

Wizkid Knocks Kanye, Drake, Davido, Burna Boy, Wins MOBO AwardAt the 2021 Music of Black Origin, MOBO, awards held on Sunday, November 5, Nigerian star, Wizkid, won two awards, beating Drake, Kanye West, Rema and many others to win Best International Act.

His second, Best African Music Act, had Ayra Star, Burna Boy, Tia Savage, Davido and others as nominees. Wizkid





fashion & styleBY RUTH GBAKA e-mail: [email protected]


@aljazirahnewsng






Men have worn necklaces for several years and it is not restricted to a particular culture or tribe.

They wear necklaces for many reasons including having fun with their style, the feeling of luxury and to express themselves.

Worn close to the heart, some men claim that wearing necklaces can give strength, comfort or represent something meaningful to them.

For the thousands of years that men have worn

necklaces, it has enhanced and portrayed how powerful and masculine their nature is, especially those who wear the right type.

Some masculine necklaces include:• Dog Tags• Chains• Religious Emblems• Pendants• ChokersThey are worn for different purposes and reasons.

Male Necklaces: A Long Time Fashion

fashion & stylee-mail: [email protected]


@aljazirahnewsng







The fashion wears out more apparel than the man” - wrote W. Shakespeare. Cufflinks like buttons come in varieties. They usually offer a little more contrast than a button and are considered a more

ornamental option.

It is expected that men take their style beyond plain vanilla shirts that use standard, boring buttons to hold the cuffs. Cufflinks add an element of elegance to a man’s outfit.

A simple pair of cufflinks can take your outfit to the next level.

Cufflinks: A Bigger Stylish Button

...first in breaking the news www.aljazirahnews.com No. 36



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ALJAZIRAH NEWSPAPERS is published in Abuja by ALJAZIRAH NEWSPAPER LIMITED, Plot 11, Dunukofia Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja Tel: (09) 2909054, (09) 2900147, +234 8172279943, 08111122114 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.aljazirahnews.com Editor: George Emine. (ISSN: 2449 – 1144)


I still remember that night like yesterday. Our lives had been turned upside down by the resurgence of the second wave of Covid-19. Like most people, my sleeping pattern was no longer regular;

which is to say, out of fear and boredom, I was now learning to sleep before midnight, and waking up without any idea of what to expect.

On that Friday, I had drifted off to sleep when my son rushed into my room with a phone.

“Dad”, he said, “I think there’s a problem. I grumbled that except if the world was about to end, there was no problem that could not wait till daybreak. I think you should see this, Dad. Sam Nda-Isaiah is dead”.

Sleep disappeared.It must have been at about one in the morning. I jumped out of bed and grabbed my phone, that little pestilence of the modern age from which we try, without much success, to save ourselves. As I grabbed the phone a thousand thoughts flashed through my mind.

Maybe it’s fake news. Maybe it’s mistaken identity. Maybe it was another Sam Nda-Isaiah. Maybe…

Then I saw that the phone had registered 24 missed calls in about two hours. All of them were familiar numbers, mostly from LEADERSHIP. One was from my friend and outstanding journalist, Louis Odion, who called to say that he had just picked up the news and that Aremo Segun Osoba had called to confirm. I told him I wasn’t sure but promised to call back.

Then the flood of “maybes” suddenly froze into a solid block of fear and panic. I didn’t know what to think or whose call to return first. I didn’t want to believe that I was awake. Maybe it was a bad dream after all?

Instead of dialing, I collected my son’s phone and read the breaking story from an obscure, unfamiliar website. The details were still sketchy but there was a ring of credibility to it. Sam’s name was correctly spelt, and his association with the media and references to his involvement in politics were also correctly cited.

I lingered on in denial, but somehow summoned the courage to dial back one of the earlier callers who confirmed my worst fears. Then I called the second, the third and the fourth previous callers. All confirmed the news. Then, the questions started colliding in my head at dizzying speed. How did it happen? When? Where?

What? How can it be true? Of all the questions, I couldn’t easily

get past the how question for many, many reasons. Forty-eight hours before the news broke, Sam Nda-Isaiah had sent me a text – which he did almost daily – to ask my opinion about a set of captions for Ghana Must Go, the popular newspaper back page cartoon strip in LEADERSHIP, which was, quite often, the surrogate vendor of some of Sam’s irreverent ideas! And boy, they were witty, presumptuous, quick-tempered, vivacious, mischievous and funny, just like Sam.

I had, of course, replied with my own suggestions and was waiting for either feedback or any other ideas he might come back with before that Friday night. I had not the slightest idea that anything was wrong with him.

About one week earlier, before I left Abuja for Lagos, he called to ask if I would be available for a meeting to inaugurate the Advisory Board of NATIONAL ECONOMY, a daily business and economic newspaper that he was determined to launch in defiance of the adverse economic conditions in the country, worsened by the global health crisis. The only thing too big, or impossible, for Sam to do was what he did not think about. For him, to think it, is to do it. And to do it, is now. This was obviously another dangerous idea that he was determined to see through.

I told him I would not be in Abuja, that I was done for the year and Lagos was missing me.

To Nigerian airline companies in the habit of

unceremonious cancellation of flights. Your actions have continually caused huge disappointments to Nigerians.

08088302929

Azu IshiekweneSam Nda-Isaiah: One Year After

COMING SOON & DIFFERENT

...an affiliate of Aljazirah Nigeria Newspapers

Guest Columnist

Be warned!

The late Sam Nda-Isaiah

TO BE CONTINUED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 13

COVID-19: Tackling A Likely Fourth Wave - Aljazirah Nigeria ...

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