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President Muhammadu Buhari …Calls DSS to immediately release Yakassi By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus, House of Representatives, Sunday, said accused President Muhammadu Buhari of breaching democratic ethos by allowing the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Tanko Salihi Yakassai, a former aide to Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje for criticising him. The caucus recalled that Yakassai was arrested following his criticism of the authorities on the abduction of over 300 schoolgirls in Zamfara State recently. The PDP caucus in a statement signed by its leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers State) faulted the arrest, saying it was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by the 1999 constitution. “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus, House of Representatives notes with utmost concern and dismay report of the arrest of Mr Tanko Salihi Yakassai, a former aide to Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State by agents of the Department of St...

***Calls DSS to immediately release Yakassi By Levinus Nwabughiogu – Abuja Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus, House of Representatives, on Sunday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of breaching democratic ethos by allowing the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Tanko Salihi Yakassai, a former aide to Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje for criticising him. The caucus recalled that Yakassai was arrested following his criticism of the authorities on the abduction of over 300 schoolgirls in Zamfara State recently. The PDP caucus in a statement signed by its leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers State) faulted the arrest, saying it was against the freedom of expression guaranteed by 1999 constitution. “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus, House of Representatives notes with utmost concern and dismay report of the arrest of Mr Tanko Salihi Yakassai, a former aide to Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kano State by agents of the Department of State Services (DSS) a few days ag...

  The Department of State Services (DSS) says the arrest of Mallam Salihu Tanko-Yakassai, the Media Aide to Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State followed issues beyond the expression of opinion in social media. The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. “This is to confirm that Salihu Tanko-Yakasai is with the DSS and he is being investigated over issues beyond the expression of opinions in the social media as wrongly alleged by sections of the public,’’ he stated. READ ALSO>>> PDP advices Bawa to restore professionalism in EFCC The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Ganduje, on Saturday, sacked the media adviser over alleged unguarded comments and utterances. He said Tanko-Yakassai failed to differentiate between personal opinion and official stand on matters of public concern. So, he said, he could not be allowed to continue to serve in a government he does not believe ...

Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, a former presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections, has advised youth in the country to join politics. Moghalu said he stands in solidarity with the youth in their calls for the end of police brutality and bad governance in the country. The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, also decried the apparent impotence of Nigerian security agencies in the face of killer herdsmen and bandits and their quick response to quash peaceful protests. The economist, however, pointed out that the #EndSARS protests, which Ordinarily represent a welcome awakening of Nigerian youth against bad governance, will not be enough to solve the problem of bad governance in the country. He said that the best protest against underperforming governments in a democratic setting is the one at the ballot box, using the Permanent Voters Card (PVC). In a statement he personally signed and made available to reporters in Abuja at the weekend, Moghalu noted tha...

The Kaduna State Government said on Sunday that bandits killed seven persons in   different parts of the state. Mr Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Sunday in Kaduna. Aruwan said, “on a sad note, security agencies reported that bandits attacked some people in Kajinjiri village, Igabi local government area, and killed two residents”. READ ALSO>>>STOCKFISH: Importers appeal to CBN to lift ban on forex He said one person sustained gunshot injuries and was receiving treatment at a nearby health facility. “Similarly, in Rago village, also in Igabi local government area, bandits killed two locals,” he said. He explained that in a separate incident, gunmen invaded Kutura station, Kajuru local government area, and killed three residents. The Commissioner said Governor Nasir El-Rufai has noted the reports with sadness, and condoled the families of those killed in both attacks, while offeri...

By Obadiah Mailafia For millennia, the dream of flying like the birds in the sky-dominated the imagination of visionaries, inventors, shamans, madmen and cranks. Leonardo da Vinci, the greatest genius of all time, used to tie the wings of dead birds on his hands in the vain attempt to fly. As far back as the 16th century, he left behind several designs that look uncannily like the aircraft and spaceships that we know today. Socrates, the greatest of all the philosophers, opined: ”Man must rise above the Earth—to the top of the atmosphere and beyond—for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives”. The inventors of the airplane, the Wrights brothers,made their first successful flight on December 17, 1903. But it was not until June 1939 that the first trans-Atlantic commercial flight took place. Aviation today is a major pillar of the world economy, employing 87.7 million people and contributing $2.7 trillion,about 3.4% of global GDP. There are128,000 daily flights...

By Franklin Nnaemeka Ngwu WITH the appointment of new service  chiefs, many people feel relieved and think that President Muhammadu Buhari is finally listening to the pulse of the nation. Some have even argued that the appointment is a clear indication and a proactive way of addressing many insecurity issues in the country such as the Sunday Igboho’s eviction order, Governor Akeredolu’s riot act against criminal herders in Ondo forests and the ongoing clashes between the military and Eastern Security Network in Imo State. There is no doubt that it was expedient to change the service chiefs given their long stay in office and escalating insecurity issues in the country, but the question is if the change will bring the needed solution to our increasing insecurity challenges. I do not think so! Like other major problems we have in Nigeria, the insecurity situation we have is far beyond change of service chiefs. Moreover, the way the service chiefs and other appointments are made ...

WITH at least 14 vaccines now in play, it is not surprising that powerful nations such as the USA, EU, UK, Russia, China and others have rushed to stockpile them for the benefit of their citizens. This is more so as these countries, despite their sophisticated healthcare systems, have been severely affected by the coronavirus scourge in terms of number of people infected and fatalities. The scramble for available vaccines should be approached with caution to avoid what the World Health Organisation has correctly termed “vaccine nationalism”. According to the World Economic Forum, WEF, “vaccine nationalism” occurs when countries push to get first access. “The richest nations have secured billions of COVID-19 doses, while developing countries struggle for supplies”. Many of the advanced countries end up stockpiling far more than they may need while the poor nations are left behind and running the risk of buying at exorbitant prices. The WHO has been criticised for many failures since...

I t is thus inappropriate to attempt to resolve herder/farmer clashes and expect the problem at hand to be over By Tonnie Iredia Nigeria’s high level of insecurity in the last couple of years has been exacerbated beyond insurgency to now include banditry and organized kidnapping. This has put the nation at red alert. Painfully, no one appears to be doing much about solutions; instead, everyone has become an expert in defining and classifying the ramifications of our dilemma. In Nigeria today,it is the ethnic group that is generally accused of a gamut of criminality that has become the issue and not criminality itself. Some Nigerians simplistically refer to what they call criminal Fulani herders. Yet, all herders are not Fulani just as all herders are not criminals. For example, there are media reports from  Igangan, a community some 177 kilometres from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital that two Yoruba individuals, a pair of twins, had been notorious for series of alleged crimes, ...

.NAFDAC evaluating Russia’s Sputnik V .As Nigeria records 24 deaths in 24hrs, scales up surveillance on Ebola .Uncovers int’l syndicate offering fake PCR results to returnees By Omeiza Ajayi The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to vaccinate approximately 109 million Nigerians against the Novel Coronavirus disease COVID-19 in the next two years. While Nigeria’s population stands at over 206 million, the country has just over 60, 000 vaccinators, with the Nigerian Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA promising to boost the capacity of the personnel and also expand the size. Also, Nigeria said, it on Saturday recorded the second highest number of COVID-19 case fatalities, as 24 patients at its treatment centres succumbed to the virus within 24 hours. This came as government said it has scaled up surveillance against the Ebola Virus Disease at all its entry points in order to guard against importation and consequently having to deal with two pandemics simu...

The Federal Government said on Sunday that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) initiative would help to stem illegalities in the mining sector. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, made the assertion while featuring at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja. Speaking on how to promote solid minerals export to maximise the potential and benefits of AfCFTA, Adegbite expressed his optimism that AfCTA would discourage illegal mining. “Right now, many Nigerians are into artisanal mining and this was caused by the fact that when oil was discovered, Nigeria moved away from mining, which was the mainstream of the economy. “Before oil and gas, Nigeria relied on coal and tin; we were exporting and were true, quoted on the London Metal Exchange. “And that is basically what was giving Nigeria money in those days before oil came but when oil came, we moved away. We left mining behind.” The minister recalled that the Indigenisation Decree...

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter, said on Saturday that the council received 45 cases in January. The State Coordinator of the council, Labaran Kabo, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano. Kabo said that out of the 45 cases, 40 were criminal matters, while five were civil cases. According to him, during the period under review, the council completed 15 criminal cases, while 25 are still pending in court. He further explained that the five civil cases are still pending in court. Also read: Ortom to Buhari: Rein in herdsmen before they drag Nigeria into civil war “Some of the criminal cases were on armed robbery, criminal breach of trust, homicide, rape and theft, while the civil cases were on marriage and land disputes, as well as debt recovery”. The coordinator said that the council is giving voice to the voiceless and advised those who could not afford to pay for such services to feel free and contact the council...

*JAMB urges compliance to advisories on transfer, change of programmes, institutions By Joseph Erunke – Abuja All admissions in the nation’s tertiary institutions for the 2020/2021 Academic Session would end by 15th June, 2021. According to Dr Fabian Benjamin, JAMB’s Head, Media and Information, “The decision was collectively taken at a virtual meeting with Heads of Tertiary Institutions in the country on Wednesday, 24th February 2021”. “In his remarks on the occasion, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, said the meeting with the institutions was aimed at knowing the level they had reached on the 2020/21 admissions scale,” he said. “According to him, the essence of the interactive meeting was to forestall an endless admission regime generated by the series of disruptions to daily life occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. “He said the meeting would enable the Board to put necessary machinery in place for the 2021/2022 UTME/...

Nigeria has been scheduled to take delivery of 3.92 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This was made known in a joint statement  by the World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Sunday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country was earlier set to receive its first four million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from COVAX Facility, a global scheme to procure and distribute inoculations for free. READ ALSO>>> We’re on mission to increase capacity in wheat production — Nanono   The COVAX Facility is co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, with UNICEF as a key implementing partner. It was launched in April 2020 to help ensure a fairer distribution of coronavirus vaccines between rich and poor nations. COVAX  said it would deliver two billion doses  to its members by the end...

The Masters – Augusta National Golf Club – Augusta, Georgia, U.S. – November 15, 2020 Tiger Woods of the U.S. on the 4th hole during the final round REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas are among the golfers set to don Tiger Woods’ signature Sunday red and black during the final round of the World Golf Championships (WGC) event in Florida to honour the 15-time major winner, who suffered a car accident. Woods, considered one of the greatest golfers of his generation, was being treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles after Tuesday’s crash left him with a fractured right leg and shattered ankle. The 45-year-old is recovering and in “good spirits”. Also read: 200 professional golfers in Jos for 2018 governor’s cup An 82-time PGA Tour winner, Woods famously wears a red shirt and black trousers on Sundays. Collin Morikawa, who leads by two shots over Brooks Koepka at the Concession Golf Club, will wear the same colour combination, along with Patr...

The Kaduna State Government said on Sunday that bandits killed seven persons in different parts of the state. Mr Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, confirmed the incident in a press statement on Sunday in Kaduna. Aruwan said, “on a sad note, security agencies reported that bandits attacked some people in Kajinjiri village, Igabi local government area, and killed two residents”. He said one person sustained gunshot injuries and was receiving treatment at a nearby health facility. READ ALSO:  PDP advices Bawa to restore professionalism in EFCC “Similarly, in Rago village, also in Igabi local government area, bandits killed two locals,” he said. He explained that in a separate incident, gunmen invaded Kutura station, Kajuru local government area, and killed three residents. The Commissioner said Governor Nasir El-Rufai has noted the reports with sadness, and condoled the families of those killed in both attacks, while offering prayers for t...

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi on his efforts in providing security, good governance, and infrastructure building in the state. The Chief Press Secretary to Kogi governor, Mr Mohammed Onogwu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Onogwu, who quoted Obasanjo as making the commendation when he met with the governor on Sunday in Abuja, added that the former president urged him to sustain the efforts. READ ALSO NNPC says no plan to increase petrol price, cautions against panic buying He stated that the meeting between Bello and the former president ended with fruitful discussion. Obasanjo while commending Bello for successfully tackling insecurity in the state, said Kogi was central to the nation’s development. He urged the governor to sustain his efforts in providing security for his state, noting that Kogi was central to the nation’s peace and development. The former president noted that the fight against insecurity should ...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday announced the postponement  of the sale of forms for Anambra governorship primary election from the earlier scheduled date of Monday, March 1, to Wednesday, March 10. The party in a statement by its National Organising Secretary, Retired Col. Austin Akobundu, in Abuja also announced the extension of the tenure of its zonal caretaker Committees for South-West, North-Central and North-West by 30 days. Akobundu also gave March 1, as the last day for submission of already purchased and completed forms for its zonal congresses in all the zones. “Consequently, screening of aspirants for North-East, South-East and South-South Zonal congresses is now scheduled for Tuesday, March 2, at the zonal headquarters. “In the same vein, the tenures of Zonal Caretaker Committees for South-West, North-Central and North-West have been extended for another period of 30 days. “The fresh extension takes effect from March 10, being the date of the expirat...

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has advised motorists to stop panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol saying it has no plan to increase the ex-depot price in March. NNPC disclosed in a statement  by its spokesman, Dr Kennie Obateru, in Abuja on Sunday. READ ALSO Nigeria’s Digital Switchover: Fresh missteps loom The   ex-depot price is the price at which depot owners sell products  to marketers. The price determines how much marketers will sell to motorists at their various fuel stations. “Contrary to speculations of imminent increase in the price of PMS in the country, the NNPC has ruled out any increment in the ex-depot price of petrol in March. “The corporation was not contemplating any rise in the price of petrol in March in order not to jeopardize ongoing engagements with organised labour and other stakeholders on an acceptable framework that will not expose the ordinary Nigerian to any hardship,” he said . Obateru ...

By Gabriel Ewepu A Civil Society Organisation, CSO, Concerned Nigerians, CN, Sunday, called for the release of Salihu Yakasai over alleged criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari. This was contained in a statement signed by Convener of CN, Comrade Deji Adeyanju, where the group expressed fear over the incessant arrest of critics of the Buhari-led administration including members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which it described as worrisome. The statement reads in part, “Once again, we are constrained to call for the immediate release of Salihu Yakasai who was allegedly abducted by officers of the Department of State Services at about 1:00am, on February 27, 2021, few hours after criticizing President’s Buhari’s handling of insecurity in Nigeria. READ ALSO:  Gov Emmanuel donates land for proposed Air Traffic School “We are totally gobsmacked to note that the government of the day is increasingly becoming insensitive to criticisms, irrespective of the nature of ...

Digital switchover Heartwarming, it was for me, to read reports of the press conference addressed on Tuesday by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, on the country’s Digital Switchover (DSO) process, which seemed to have been interred under the rubble of poor conception, mismanagement and corruption. The cheer brought by the government’s announced intention to reboot the process, positive as appears, has shown nothing beyond the fact that the DSO process is not completely forgotten. No more. No less. At the press conference, Mohammed unveiled a 13-member Ministerial Task Force to take charge of the DSO process which, for years, has proceeded in staccato fashion and left the country trailing many others, including in Africa. Members of the task force, to be chaired by Mohammed, include Armstrong Idachaba, Joe Mutah of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture (Secretary), Dr Armstrong Idachaba, acting Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commiss...