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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Catholic Bishop closes Church in Makurdi over desecration

The Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, has suspended all pastoral activities at St. Peter’s Parish, Low-Level, in Makurdi, following a desecration of the Holy Eucharist and the looting of sacred vessels in the Church. Rev. Fr. James Utav, the Diocesan Deputy Director of Communication, confirmed the development on Tuesday, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). According to him, the Bishop, while reading the decree sanctioning the suspension of pastoral activities, said the Parish would henceforth be closed from the celebration of Holy Mass and all other activities in line with Canon 1211. The suspension, which took effect on September 15, 2020 followed two sacrilegious attacks on the Parish on 12 August and 13 September by yet-to-be identified persons. “The decree sanctioning the suspension states that the Parish will be closed from celebration of the Holy Mass and all other pastoral activities in line with Canon 1211 with effect from today, 15 September, 2020 until further notice,” he explained. He quoted the Bishop as revealing that the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the main Church building were broken into, during the attacks. “The sacred specie of the Most Holy Eucharist was desecrated and sacred vessels looted thereby defiling the Church. “The closure is to enable us to adequately prepare for penance required by law in order to repair the injury this profanation has done to the sacred body of Christ. “Pastoral activities shall resume only after a proportional satisfaction is made with regards to this sacrilege and we are also fully guaranteed of a better security outfit and structure for the parish in accordance with canonical requirements. “When that is done, the entire worshiping community of this Parish, among other things, must perform a novena of reparation to be concluded with a rite of atonement in line with diocesan liturgical norms,” he further quoted the Bishop as saying. (NAN)

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

UN chief condemns suicide bombing in Cameroon

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned Saturday’s suicide bombing in the border village of Zeleved in northern Cameroon. About six civilians were killed and 10 others injured in the attack, media reports quoted security sources as saying. Guterres’ reaction came through his spokesman, Mr Stephane Dujarric, at his daily news briefing in New York on Tuesday. “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the suicide bombing last week in the border village of Zeleved in the Far North region of the country. “He expresses his deep sympathies to the families of the victims and the government and people of Cameroon. “It is essential to hold those responsible for the attack to account,’’ he said. Dujarric quoted the UN Chief as reiterating unwavering support to the countries of the Lake Chad Basin in their collective fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist organisations. He also assured them of his strong backing of their efforts to address the security, humanitarian and socioeconomic needs of the affected populations. “The secretray-general calls on the countries of the Lake Chad Basin, with the support of the broader international community, to maintain their resolve and  find a sustainable solution to the crisis and address its root-causes’’ he said.

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Electoral malpractice: 3 varsity dons indicted, 3 INEC officials sacked in A’Ibom

Mr Mike Igini, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Akwa Ibom, on Tuesday said that three university lecturers had been confirmed to have been involved in electoral malpractice during the 2019 general elections. Igini, who addressed newsmen at the INEC office in Uyo, said that three officials of the electoral body had also been sacked over alleged involvement in electoral malpractices. According to him, the three university teachers will soon be charged to court. Igini, however, did not mention the names of the institutions and the areas where the malpractice took place. “The lecturers, who were engaged as Collation and Returning Officers during the 2019 general elections, were reported to have manipulated and falsified election results. “As I speak to you, not less than three of the staff of the commission from the ICT Unit and those in the rank of executive and administrative officers were also involved in actions that completely undermined the electoral process and integrity of the commission,” he said. He said that the suspects compromised their positions and produced outcomes contrary to the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot. A panel we set up subsequently established a prima facie documentary evidence of deliberate criminal manipulation of election results against the Collation/Returning Officers,” Igini said. He said that the involvement of the three INEC staff from the ICT unit had been proved beyond reasonable doubt. “This action has become absolutely necessary because of the unsustainable belief by some members of the public that the commission does not sanction persons involved in electoral malpractices during elections. “We must have an institution that has integrity to protect the will of the people in any election. “Punishing those involved in unwholesome electoral activities will serve as a lesson and a clear message to those who will be engaged by INEC in future. “It is good for them to know that INEC in Akwa Ibom will always be transparent. People engaged as presiding officers are a very important link. They are the last set of people in charge of election materials, particularly the ballot papers and result sheets,” the REC said. He regretted that in spite of the training given to the electoral officers and staff of the commission, they went a different way and chose to involve themselves in unethical conduct. Igini lamented that the officials manipulated and falsified election results, thereby producing outcomes that were contrary to the will of the people. “Following a formal request by the Commission, the authorities of the affected institutions released the lecturers to appear before an investigative panel set up by INEC Headquarters on Aug. 12 and 26, 2020,” he revealed. Igini noted that the INEC workers sacked were shown the way out “in line with the extant rules and the power of the commission to appoint, dismiss and to exercise disciplinary control over its staff”.

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Nigeria’s Muhammad-Bande bows out as UNGA President

Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, on Tuesday bowed out of office as President of the 74th session of the General Assembly. He handed over the gavel to Turkish diplomat and politician, Volkan Bozkir, who will be steering the ship of the 75th session of the 193-member lawmaking body. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the change of baton took place during the closing ceremony of the 74th session. The brief ceremony, held inside the General Assembly Hall at the UN headquarters in New York under strict social-distancing rules, saw UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in attendance. In his remarks, Guterres said the 74th session was like no other in the 75-year history of the UN, citing the COVID-19 pandemic made the last seven months extremely difficult for the world. The UN Chief congratulated Muhammad-Bande for his sterling leadership that saw the 74th session completing its full programme of work in spite of the enormous challenges. “It has been a privilege to work with the General Assembly, our common platform for international consensus and action, during these difficult days, under the leadership of His Excellency Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande. “Professor Muhammad-Bande’s capable stewardship saw the General Assembly adopt new working methods to continue its work smoothly. “He made great efforts to ensure business continuity through regular convening of the General Committee and other online briefings. “ On a personal note, I would like to thank Professor Muhammad-Bande for his wise, determined and serene approach to those unforeseen challenges, and his excellent judgment under pressure. “I commend the patience and support he has demonstrated during these unprecedented times.’’ Guterres also thanked representatives of member states for their support and cooperation, urging them to extend same to Bozkir in the 75th session. In his inaugural speech, the new General Assembly president thanked Muhammad-Bande for his “considerate and steady leadership’’. “Your Excellency, you once described yourself as a perpetual student. Your efforts to navigate the General Assembly through these difficult times proved that you also a fast learner. “Since the start of the pandemic, the office of the President of the General Assembly under your direction has guided the work of the body transparently and effectively. “You have shown a strong leadership; I look forward to continuing to champion the priorities of you term, including poverty eradication and inclusive and equitable education for all. “These Sustainable Development Goals are crucial to the future prosperity and peace of our planet. “On behalf of all member states, I would like to thank you and your team once again and look forward to continuing to work with you as the Nigerian Permanent Representative,’’ Bozkir said. In his closing statement, Muhammad-Bande thanked the Secretary-General, Presidents of the Security, and Economic and Social Councils, and heads of other organs of the UN for their support. He expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for nominating him for the post, and the African countries in the UN for their endorsement. “We started this session guided by the hopes and aspirations of the people we serve. “From the beginning, I entreated Member States to give due attention to a number of critical issues. “In particular, I urged them to tackle the root causes of conflict by galvanising multilateral efforts for poverty eradication and zero hunger, quality education, climate action, and inclusion (including gender equality). “As illustrated in the handover report, the General Assembly has made great strides in these areas,’’ he said. The Nigerian envoy echoed the call for a recommitment to multilateralism and global cooperation to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and attain the Sustainable Development Goals. He said the first high-level meeting of the 74th session centred on global health, little did it know that COVID-19 was around the corner. The pandemic, according to him, underscored the need for deeper multilateral cooperation in the health sector, as in other areas, to build a healthier and better world for all. “It is important that in achieving this, we must continue to deepen cooperation to ensure that despite the challenge posed by COVID-19, we will meet the goals and targets that we set for ourselves by 2030,’’ he said.

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Kanayo .O . Kanayo emerges lawyer

Nollywood veteran actor Kanayo O Kanayo has shared on social media that he is now a lawyer. The actor said he always wanted to go back to school to get a law degree, he has done it. He donned a courtroom wig and robe on Instagram with a caption that said, “To God be all the Glory. You can now address me as Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, Esq, MFR ( Barrister And Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria) After getting his first degree in the early 1990s, the actor who always wanted to go back for a law degree has finally done so and he has been called to bar. In his post, he encouraged his followers to work for their goals, no matter how old they are. He said, “Don’t you ever give up on anything you want to become” I have always wanted to study law since my first degree in the early 1990s.

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Two wounded in Israel after rockets fired from Gaza

At least two people were wounded in southern Israel by rocket fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza on Tuesday, emergency services said, in an attack that coincided with Israel’s signing in Washington of normalisation deals with the UAE and Bahrain. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, meanwhile, warned that the deals would “not achieve peace in the region” until the US and Israel acknowledged his people’s right to a state. “Peace, security and stability will not be achieved in the region until the Israeli occupation ends,” he said. The Israeli army said two rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, one of which was intercepted by its Iron Dome anti-missile system. The other crashed into the southern coastal city of Ashdod, lightly wounding at least two people, emergency services said. Witnesses in Gaza said at least two rockets were fired from the north of the coastal enclave into Israeli territory. There was no immediate claim of responsibility from Palestinian factions operating in Gaza. The attack came as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the accords establishing diplomatic relations with the Jewish state. Palestinians protested on the streets Tuesday against the deals. Clutching Palestinian flags and wearing blue face masks for protection against coronavirus, demonstrators rallied in the West Bank cities of Nablus and Hebron and in Gaza. Hundreds also took part in a demonstration in Ramallah, home of the Palestinian Authority (PA) which Abbas heads. Banners were displayed at the protests, reading “Treason”, “No to normalisation with the (Israeli) occupier”, and “The agreements of shame”. The normalisation by the UAE and Bahrain breaks with decades of consensus within the Arab world that an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal is a prerequisite for establishing ties with the Jewish state. Abbas warned that “attempts to bypass the Palestinian people and its leadership, represented by the Palestine Liberation Organisation, will have dangerous consequences for which the United States and Israel will be responsible”. In Gaza, protesters trampled on and set fire to placards bearing images of the leaders of Israel, the UAE and Bahrain. That latest rocket fire came after a month in which militants in the strip had stepped up incendiary balloon attacks against Israel, which responded with nighttime air strikes against Hamas. But the two sides at the end of August reached a Qatari-mediated deal to end hostilities and revive a fragile 18-month truce. Hamas has joined the PA in condemning the UAE and Bahraini accords as a “betrayal” of their cause. AFP

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Akpabio denies accusing Nat’l Assembly members of NDDC contracts fraud

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Tuesday, denied that he accused members of the National Assembly of fraud concerning contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The minister had, during an investigative hearing at the House of Representatives, claimed that 60 percent of NDDC contracts went to the federal lawmakers. However, as the House threatened to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury and explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against him, Akpabio denied he ever referred to members of the 9th House of Representatives as beneficiaries of contracts in NDDC. He noted that NDDC was yet to fully implement any budget since the commencement of the 9th National Assembly. Also, Akpabio while responding to questions after a visit to the acting Clerk of the National Assembly, Olatunde Ojo, said the misunderstanding between him and lawmakers was caused by mischief-makers. On the peace talks being initiated and whether he had resolved to exonerate the lawmakers, who allegedly collected 60 percent of the contracts in NDDC, Senator Akpabio said: “No no no, you are wrong. “That was not what the Speaker demanded. The Speaker wanted to know whether there was undue influence from any section of the National Assembly in respect of contracts in the NDDC. “He (Speaker) did not say whether they were contractors. So I’m hearing it from you.” On why he was at the Nationa Assembly complex, Akpabio explained, “I am a Senator. Seeing me in the National Assembly should not be a surprise as a former Minority Leader and a Senator, and I believe that I’m a Senator for life. “So nobody will refer to me as Governor Akpabio, but they refer to me as Senator Akpabio. This is like homecoming and the National Assembly ought to have resumed today (Tuesday). But they postponed it; so I intended that as soon as the resumption takes place, I am here “It’s part of my effort to support the President’s decision that there must be a much more cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature. “In fact, the President recently set up a tripartite committee made up of the party (APC), the National Assembly and the Executive to ensure oneness because we are running one government. “It is important that we all remember that whatever we do, we want to leave a legacy for Nigeria and we cannot do this if all the arms of government are not cooperating. “So far, I believe that whatever disagreement that could have occurred between my own ministry and the National Assembly must have been as a result of mischief and that mischief must be put to rest so that we can work in one accord for the sake of the nation.”

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Why Babcock students must pay N25,000 for COVID-19 test – Official

Babcock University Ilishan -Remo, Ogun state has confirmed that it asked students resuming for the first semester of the 2020/2021 academic session to pay N 25, 000 for a COVID – 19 test. The university explained that it could not afford to toy with the lives of its staff and students on the school premises . The Director of Marketing and Communication , Dr . Joshua Suleiman, disclosed this while responding to questions from our correspondent on Tuesday. Suleiman said the school would have asked the returning students to do the test elsewhere and present the certificate , but , was mindful of fake certificates . He said , “ Babcock University returning students are expected to be screened for COVID -19 on arrival at the subsidised cost of N 25, 000 at the BUTH . “ They will do it at BUTH so that we can vouch for the authenticity of the result. We want to avoid a situation where some people may bring in fake COVID – 19 results . We don’ t want to risk the life of any of our students or staff. “ They are also to resume with their personal safety kits – including an infrared thermometer ( for those that can afford them ) , a pack of disposable face masks or three reusable ones as well as hand sanitisers. ” While speaking on the internal arrangement made for further safety of the students , Suleiman said , “ The institution will resume in two batches – first to resume are the final year students in 40 500 and 600 levels ) next Monday and others on October 25.

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

Don’t kill Nigeria’s economy with COVID-19, Senate warns stakeholders

As FG admits poverty as potent weapon against it The Senate has called on stakeholders in the country not to kill the Nation’s economy with the adopted European style of fighting the Coronavirus, COVID -19 pandemic. The Senate raised the alarm yesterday against the backdrop of the imported idea of fighting COVID -19. Speaking during an interactive session between the Senate Committees on Aviation and Health and with stakeholders in the Aviation and Health Sectors on safety measures put on the ground in the wake of commencement of International and domestic flights in the country, Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi, APC, Kogi West said that though based on realities on the ground, COVID-19 is real, but not potent in Nigeria and many of the African countries. According to him, based on that reality, it is wrong for stakeholders in the country to be swallowing hook, line, and sinker, measures being adopted to fight it in Europe, America, China, etc. Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of Presidential Task Force ( PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu has admitted that poverty is one of the strongest weapons against the pandemic. Speaking further, Senator Adeyemi said, “There is something in us as Africans that is not in them in Europe and America, which made COVID-19 not to be disastrous here as it was there. “In light of this, measures that are detrimental to the livelihood and well-being of Nigerians should be avoided, so as not to kill the Nation’s economy.” Adeyemi who specifically faulted the policy adopted by the Presidential Task Force ( PTF) on COVID-19 which allows only private laboratories to carry out tests on intending Travellers abroad, said that the measure was detrimental to average Nigerians who are being forced to cough out N75, 000 for such tests. He said, “The amount is too high, it should be brought down and public health Institutions laboratories should be equipped to carry out the tests. ” People are not finding things easy outside there as a result of way and manner COVID-19 pandemic is being fought in the country and as Representatives of the people, feelers reaching us, indicate revolt against the government in December if drastic actions are not taken between now and then, to make things easier.” Speaking in the same vein, Senator Biodun Olujimi ( PDP Ekiti South), took up both the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, and PTF National Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu on the usefulness of face masks in Nigeria based on realities on the ground. According to Olujimi, based on what she saw in many communities in Ekiti State last week, residents have jettisoned its usage, adding, “When I visited some communities in Ekiti State last week, nobody put on the face masks and in fact , some of them told me who put it on, not to bring COVID 19 to them. ” These are clear signs that methods and approaches being used to fight the pandemic should be reassessed and changed since the pandemic for reasons yet to be scientifically established, is far less potent here than it is, in Europe, America, etc.” She asked the PTF National Coordinator, the reasons behind the success story in Nigeria. Responding, Dr Sani Aliyu said the three reasons already identified are Poverty, Demography, and the aggressive nature of African Countries against the pandemic, adding that though the factor of poverty as part of the success story against COVID-19 in Nigeria is controversial it is generally believed that the pandemic gets weakened in crowded and stuffy areas. He said, ‘ Demographically, only 3% of Nigerians are above the age 65 as against 20%, 18%, etc, of such populations in European and American countries where death casualties were high. “Aggressive nature of African countries against the pandemic also helped tremendously in containing the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria and many of the African Countries ” The joint committee however ordered the Minister and the PTF National Coordinator, to enlarge the scope of laboratory testing for the pandemic by including the public ones and ensure a reduction in the cost of testing. The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe ( APC Kwara Central), said that the committee was expecting response action plans from the Minister and the PTF within the next two weeks.

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Post Date : September 16, 2020

1,785 new lawyers Called to Bar

A total of 1, 785 new lawyers were admitted into the Nigerian Bar on Tuesday, with Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief O. C Okocha, SAN, urging them to embrace professionalism at all times. At the ceremony that held at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Hayatu, SAN, disclosed that the new lawyers were among candidates that passed the January 2020 Bar final examinations that were supervised by the Council of Legal Education. According to the Law School DG, 1, 779 candidates passed the examinations, while six candidates were from previous Bar final examinations. Hayatu revealed that a total of 2, 515 students participated at the examinations, out of which five candidates were graded in first class, 76 graded in the second class upper, 633 graduated with second class lower while 1, 065 came out with a pass. He said the candidates successfully completed the vocational training at the Nigerian Law School as prescribed by the Legal Education Act and had also taken the prescribed examinations and the dining terms and met all other required conditions set by the Council of Legal Education. “I am happy to affirm that they all exhibited good manners and decorum during their training. They have also been groomed in the best ethics and ethos of our noble profession,” Hayatu added. In his speech, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Okocha, SAN, charged the new lawyers to be of good character and uphold honesty and integrity which he described as the hallmark of the legal profession. He said: “In all that you do while in practice, commit yourselves to upholding the rule of law and pursuit for justice. As legal practitioners, we are all bound to observe and uphold the rules of professional conduct in the legal profession,” he said. He said the Body of Benchers has the power to enforce discipline and decorum at the Bar through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC.

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