The Kaduna government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in Kajuru LGA of the state. A memo was released to this effect by the zonal education office, Sabon Tasha. The memo, dated March 16, was addressed to all principals of public and private schools. It directed that the schools should close due to the prevailing security situation in the area. More to follow..
The Lagos State Government has released the list of 88 health facilities , including military and police hospitals , which have been selected to provide vaccination across the 20 Local Government Areas . In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Health , Prof. Akin Abayomi, said v accination can only be obtained at any of the 88 accredited facilities listed. “ Vaccination outside of these locations in Lagos State is highly prohibited and will attract heavy sanctions through our regulatory agencies , ” he said . The commissioner said the vaccination will be conducted in four phases . While phase 1 is for healthcare workers, COVID – 19 response team, ports of entry staff ( air , land, and seaports) , laboratory network, judiciary, military , police, other security agencies , petrol station workers , teachers , press , and other frontline workers; phase two is for people aged 50 years and above as well as those living with co -morbidities who are between 18-49 years of age . Phase three is for people in the LGAs with the highest burden of disease and those who missed phases 1 and 2 and phase 4 for other eligible populations . Of this first tranche of 3. 92 million doses allocated to Nigeria , Lagos State received 507, 742 doses of the vaccine in the early hours of Tuesday, March 9, 2021, and has commenced its first phase of distribution . How to register He explained that a combined approach will be utilised for the registration for those that qualify for COVID – 19 vaccination in phase 1: 1 Electronic self -Registration of Health Care Workers and other frontline workers using a dedicated URL . Each enrollee is expected to pre – register on https://www. nphcdaict . com. ng or https ://www. vaccination . gov . ng to fill the form with their qualifying verifiable details , preferred vaccination site , date , and time . A vaccination ID will be generated, and this should be taken to the chosen health facility along with a means of ID. A confirmation text message and email will be sent to each enrollee after successfully registering for the vaccination . Assisted electronic registration of Health Care and essential workers who are unable to complete self -registration due to lack of android devices, poor network, or not being tech -savvy . “ Although the registration portal is open to the public , ONLY eligible participants within phase 1 should register for the vaccination now . More information on the vaccination of other participants in phases 2 to 4 will be communicated subsequently, ” he added . How to report side effects he explained that the AstraZeneca COVID -19 vaccine has been declared safe by the World Health Organization , but most vaccines have some common side effects , which are not unique to the COVID – 19 vaccine and which typically only last for 24 to 48 hours. According to him , some of these common adverse events that could be experienced include: Pain or tenderness at the injection site , tiredness , chills, joint pains , headache , fever , muscle pain and nausea. He said , “ Should any of these side effects become problematic , kindly call the number of the LGA Disease Surveillance Notification Officer— provided at the back of the COVID -19 vaccination card— for guidance , and/or return to the same health facility for further investigations and treatment . “ All vaccinated persons are also advised to download the MED SAFETY app monitored by NAFDAC. The app can be downloaded on the iOS Store or Google Play store, and can be used to report any untoward event experienced after vaccination and/or any other Adverse Drug Reactions experienced with the use of concomitant drugs. ” List Of 88 Vaccination Sites In 20 Local Government Areas ( LGAs) S/N LGAs Wards Facil 1 Agege KEKE San 2 Agege ORILE Pow phc 3 Ajeromi/Ifelodun OLUWA/AKERE Ake 4 Ajeromi/Ifelodun OWOYEMI LAY 5 Ajeromi OWOYEMI Sign Ope Com Clini 6 Ajeromi ALAYABIAGBA Obis Nav Med Cent 7 Ajeromi/Ifelodun Awodiora Ajer 8 Alimosho Alabata Ako PHC 9 Alimosho ALAGBADO /ALAKUKO AGB PHC 10Alimosho IDIMU Hele Ade PHC 11Alimosho IPAJA Ipaj 12Alimosho ISHERI -OLOFIN Ishe PHC 13Alimosho OKUNOLA Rauf Areg phc 14Alimosho OMITUNTUN -OLORI Ipinl PHC 15Alimosho IGANDO Ali GH 16Alimosho GowonEstate NIG NAV SICK 17Alimosho Oguntade /Bameke NAF Cent Shas 18Amuwo Odofin ADO SOBA BAT 19Amuwo Odofin AGBOJU & ENVIRON Agb 20Amuwo Odofin ORIRE Fest 21Amuwo KIRIKIRI & ENVIRON NIG NAV REF HOS 22Apapa GASKIYA Oloj Pri Heal Cent 23Apapa IJORA Ijora phc 24APAPA APAPA CFO MILI HOS 25Badagry APA APA 26Badagry IWORO-GBANKO Ilad 27BADAGRY APA NAF & Hos 28Epe AGBOWA I Agb 29Epe BADO /EBOLE /ETITA /IBERIKODO Epe 30Epe AGBOWA Agb 31Eti Osa 1004/ABOYADE Oriy PHC 32Eti Osa BADORE /LANGBASA Bad 33Eti Osa IGBO – EFON /MAIYEGUN Igbo phc 34Eti Osa IJEH/DOLPHIN ESTATE Ikoy 35Eti Osa IKATE /LEKKI IKA 36Eti Osa SANGOTEDO SAN PHC 37Eti Osa OKUNMOPO /OGOMBO MCC 38Eti- Osa Falomo Poli Hos 39Eti- Osa VI 2 65 MRS Hos 40Ibeju Lekki IBEJU I IBEJ 41Ibeju Lekki ORIMEDU I Ako 42Ifako/Ijaye ALAGBADO /KOLLINTON Agb PHC 43Ifako/Ijaye IFAKO/COKER Ifak Pri Heal Cent 44Ifako/Ijaye IFAKO/COKER Ifak 45Ikeja OJODU OJO 46Ikeja ONILEKERE ONI PHC 47Ikeja OREGUN Ore 48Ikeja G . R . A . LAS 49Ikeja Onigbongbo 9BM Cant Ikej 50Ikorodu ATERE Imot 51Ikorodu IPAKODO Ipak 52Ikorodu ISELE Ikor 53Ikorodu ITUMOKUN Igbo 54Ikorodu OKE – ELETU/ABULE -EKO OKE PHC 55Ikorodu ODONGUNYAN 174 Bata Chil Care 56Kosofe OGUDU Ogu 57Kosofe BAMGBE /ELEBIJU KET 58Kosofe IKOSI -OKE Ikos 59Kosofe Araromi Ifako Gba 60Lagos Island EPETEDO EAST Sura 61Lagos Island OKE -OLOWOGBOWO Olo Phc 62Lagos Island ODAN LIM 63Lagos Mainland ALOBA/DESALU Abu phc 64Lagos Mainland FREEMAN/GLOVER Sim PHC 65Lagos Mainland SALAMI / BAIYEWUNMI IWA 66Lagos Mainland IPONRI olaleye Fed Med Cent Mett 67Lagos Mainland ABULE IJESHA Infe Dise Hos 68Lagos Mainland ONIKE OYADIRAN Nig . Prin Mint Hos 69Lagos Mainland Abule Oja Yab Arm Refe Hos 70MUSHIN ALAKARA
The United States says it is revisiting the immigrant visa applications from Nigerians that were rejected under the Trump administration. The US mission in Nigeria said on Tuesday that it has contacted all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected by Trump’s presidential proclamations 9645 and 9983. Trump imposed the ban on immigrant visa — issued to those who seek to relocate to the US — on Nigeria and six other countries after expanding the scope of the proclamations. But President Joe Biden revoked it on his first day in office. He had said: “Immigrants have helped strengthen America’s families, communities, businesses and workforce, and economy, infusing the United States with creativity, energy, and ingenuity.” The US mission said in a statement that its consulate general in Lagos “has already contacted all immigrant visa applicants whose applications were affected and is prioritizing the processing of these pending cases.” It, however, denied reports that the new window is open to all Nigerians whose visa applications were rejected under Trump. “The Proclamation announcement applies only to certain immigrant visa cases, and does not apply to tourist, business, student, or other nonimmigrant visas,” it said. “Our Consular Sections in Abuja and Lagos are gradually restoring routine visa operations in accordance with COVID-19 safety mitigation protocols. “The validity of nonimmigrant visa payments (known as the MRV fee) has been extended until September 30, 2022, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee. “Non-immigrant visa applicants who were previously refused and would like to apply again will need to submit a new visa application (DS-160) and pay a new visa application processing fee.”
Chief Ayo Adebanjo has been named as the Acting leader of the Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere. The leader of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, who dropped this hint during the meeting of the group in Akure, the Ondo state capital, said it’s time for him to step down. Fasoranti said the development became necessary “as the group needs more than ever before to have an improved organisation with more effective approach to combat the monstrous invasion of our culture and pride as a people. “Only a more alike and active leadership can achieve this. At 95, I am hardly able to provide such and so, it is time for me to step aside. “At this junction, I am proud to announce Chief Ayo Adebanjo, a politician of the Awolowo school of thought as acting leader of Afenifere and His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Alaago of Kajola Ago in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, as the Deputy Leader. It would be recalled that the former leader of the group, Senator Abraham Adesanya, in 2008 named Fasoranti as the leader of Afenifere Details later……
The Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced new charges for customers using the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data services. The apex bank said effective Tuesday, customers will pay a flat fee of N 6. 98 per transaction every time they use USSD services. It said the new charges was part of the agreement reached when banks and telecommunication operators met on Monday to discuss the N 42bn debt owed mobile operators by banks. This was contained in a statement released on Tuesday and jointly signed by the apex bank’ s Acting Director , Corporate Communications , Osita Nwanisobi ; and Director , Public Affairs, Nigerian Communications Commission , Ikechukwu Adinde. The statement was titled, ‘ Joint Statement By Central Bank Of Nigeria and Nigerian Communications Commission On Pricing Of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data ( USSD) Services ’ . It partly read , “ We are pleased to announce that after comprehensive deliberations on the key issues, a resolution framework acceptable to all parties was agreed thus: “ Effective March 16, 2021, USSD services for financial transactions conducted at DMBs ( Deposit Money Banks) and all CBN-licensed institutions will be charged at a flat fee of N 6. 98 per transaction. This replaces the current per session billing structure, ensuring a much cheaper average cost for customers to enhance financial inclusion. This approach is transparent and will ensure the amount remains the same , regardless of the number of sessions per transaction . “ To promote transparency in its administration, the new USSD charges will be collected on behalf of MNOs ( Mobile Network Operators ) directly from customers ’ bank accounts . Banks shall not impose additional charges on customers for us of the USSD channel. ” The Federal Government had last week asked telecommunication operators to put on hold , their impending suspension of USSD services over a N 42bn debt owed by banks. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had convened a meeting with financial institutions and mobile network operators on Monday. The CBN said the new charges was part of the resolution reached at the meeting . The statement jointly issued by the CBN and the NCC also said a settlement plan for outstanding payments incurred for USSD services, previously rendered by mobile network operators was being worked out by all parties in a bid to ensure that the matter is fully resolved . It said financial institutions and telcos will discuss and agree on the operational modalities for the implementation of the new USSD pricing framework , including sharing of Application Programme Interface to enable seamless, direct and transparent customer billing. “ With the above resolutions , the impending suspension of DMBs from the USSD channel is hereby vacated. Therefore , DMBs shall no longer be disconnected from the USSD channel. “ The general public is reminded that the USSD channel is optional , as several alternative channels such as mobile apps , internet banking and ATMs may be used for financial transactions. “ The CBN and NCC shall continue to engage relevant operators and all stakeholders to promote cheaper, seamless access to mobile and financial services for all Nigerians , ” the statement concluded .
The Enugu house of assembly has stepped down the life pension bill granting more benefits to former governors of the state. The bill was stepped down after a public outcry that followed TheCable’s exposé on how it would cost the state billions of naira. TheCable had reported how the executive bill provides more entitlements for former governors, their deputies and wives, other than what a life pension law in place offers. Its provisions cover almost any possible major expenses an ex-governor can incur in his/her life, including 900 percent of a governor’s annual salary as allowances and N12 million for the wife yearly. Protesters stormed the assembly complex on Tuesday morning, asking the lawmakers to withdraw the proposed law. They cited the state’s 58 percent poverty rate and poor internally generated review as some of the reasons the bill should be dropped. At the plenary session, Edward Ubosi, speaker of the house, said the lawmakers will “thoroughly go through it (the bill) to enable them to delete and add necessary sections to it.” Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, the majority leader, said the assembly would be guided by the views of their constituents when reconsidering the bill. Ezeugwu said the house of assembly will hold a public hearing on the bill to ensure all opinions are considered. He also denied claims that the legislative arm is “a rubber stamp’’ of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the state governor.
Boko Haram terrorists have retaken Damasak, the Headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area, LGA, of Borno State after reportedly dislodging the Nigerian security forces. Damasak, a border town with Niger Republic is about 160kilometres, north from Maiduguri, the state capital which had suffered several attacks from the terror groups. Also, unconfirmed report claimed a United Nations Helicopter was shot at by terrorists in the axis. Sources informed that the insurgents stormed the Damasak Sunday evening in a convoy of gun trucks loaded with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and Rocket Propelled Grenades used to overwhelm troops at their Base before taking control of the town, as hundreds of residents were trapped and others fled for safety. This came as residents of Khadamari village in Jere LGA of the state had a sleepless night following Boko Haram attacks to loot foodstuff and livestock. Another unconfirmed reports indicated that scores of insurgents were neutralized, some security agencies civilians were said to have lost their lives and scores missing in the Damasak invasion. A security source had yesterday indicated that: “There is a signal that Boko Haram terrorists are gaining control and maintaining presence in Damasak town after attack on the military formation in the town. “It is most likely they will target the United Nations (UN) humanitarian hub if they are not urgently checked by the military. The incident may affect helicopter service to the town tomorrow (today). Recall that the spiritual leader of the Boko Haram terror group, Abubakar Shekau had through an audio message recently, threatened more attacks. Efforts to get confirmation from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Okon proved abortive at press time.
Nigerians have condemned the reported incarceration of a 23-year- old woman, Itunu Babalola , by the Ivorian government over alleged theft . Babalola , a trader based in Bondoukou, Cote d ’ Ivoire , was said to have been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after a theft case she reported to the police was allegedly turned against her . Our correspondent learnt that Babalola had been in prison since 2019 after she refused to grant the request of a divisional police officer to drop the case . A journalist , David Hundeyin , who shared Babalola ’ s story on Twitter , explained that the victim’ s flat was burgled and items worth over N 300, 000 stolen, adding that she reported the matter to the police and later travelled to Nigeria to see her sick mother . However, upon Babalola ’ s return to Ivory Coast, she was notified that the thief had been caught. Hundeyin tweeted , “The thief turned out to be a 14 – year – old boy who lived nearby . His embarrassed dad apologised and admitted that his son was a habitual thief . The items had already been sold. “Itunu (Babalola ) reported this to the police , who told her to return on Tuesday , November 5 , 2019 . The appointment held on Wednesday, November 6 . There, she says the DPO informed her that the suspect was his nephew. He then offered her a settlement worth roughly N 100 , 000 to drop the case . “She refused the settlement , citing the disparity between the value of the stolen items and what was offered . Next, she says the visibly enraged DPO tried everything to frustrate her into dropping the case , including making her travel to Abidjan for a police appointment . “In Abidjan , she hired a lawyer to attend the appointment with her , all to no avail as the police refused to cooperate. Frustrated , she returned home to Bondoukou. Around 5 pm the following day, a convoy of police vehicles showed up outside her house and publicly arrested her . “On getting to the station, she was charged with theft — the theft of her own items in her own apartment . She spent the next four days in police custody , after which she was taken out of the cell and offered her freedom if she agreed to sign papers dropping her case . “For whatever reason despite the clear bad faith displayed by the Ivorian police , Itunu says she rejected the offer and chose to go to court instead. She says she then overheard an officer saying ‘Elle est une Nigériane? Elle mourra ici !’ (She ’s a Nigerian? She will die here ). “ The decision to go to court turned out to be a monumental error of judgment compounded by her own naivety about the Ivorian justice system. The (French – speaking) court did not allow her adequate legal representation or give her a chance to properly state her case . “She was speedily convicted and sentenced to 20 years imprisonment . Further complicating this was her decision to identify herself to the court as ‘Becky Paul ’. She says she did this to avoid getting her family name mixed up in bad news and potentially upsetting her aged mom . “As a result, for the past one year and 4 months since her conviction, Itunu , alias Becky Paul , has become , to all intents and purposes , a forgotten inmate at the notorious Maison d’arrêt et de Correction Bondoukou (Bondoukou Remand and Correctional Facility). “When her Nigerian friends in Cote d’Ivoire approached the Nigerian Embassy in Abidjan to provide consular assistance for her case, officials reportedly asked for N 400 ,000 to get her a passport before anything can be done.” Hundeyin , who noted that Babalola had spent her savings in trying to clear her name , said she had attempted suicide twice. Nigerians on social media started a campaign , JusticeForItunu , calling on the Federal Government to ensure her release from prison. A Twitter user , @Sikowitz17 , urged the government to also ensure that other Nigerians detained unlawfully were released. He said , “As we get # justiceforitunu, please let ’ s reach out to other African countries to get our citizens wrongly accused out of their prisons too . Schooling in the Republic of Benin , I know how many Nigerians got arrested for practically nothing and are still in prison today.” Another Twitter user , Joseph Yomi , said , “Whenever I read about how some African countries are hostile to Nigerians , it just makes me sad . Let ’s create more awareness about this Ìtunu case until something is done about it. # justiceforitunu.” Another user with the alias , Pontius Pilate , stated that Babalola ’ s case was one of many Nigerians unlawfully detained in Ivory Coast. Reacting, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, through its Twitter page @ nidcom_gov, promised to investigate the matter . It tweeted , “We will investigate and get back with our findings. Our mission in Abidjan will also help out.” Culled from The Punch
A self-acclaimed pastor, Rejoice Raymond, has been accused of torturing toddlers in Anambra State. Raymond, a 40-year-old woman was paraded on Monday at the police headquarters at Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of the state. The suspect, alongside one Sabina Izuorah, who is currently at large were involved in the case of alleged deprivation of liberty, assault and attempted murder of three children at 3-3 area in Onitsha. Briefing journalists, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Kuryas, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed said one of the major accomplices, Izuorah, a former staff of the Welfare Department at Ihiala Local Government Area, has been declared wanted. “Our preliminary investigation so far reveals that the suspect, Madam Rejoice allegedly bought the three children at the rate of N3.050million from a woman called Sabina Izuorah who is a social welfare worker, who allegedly sold the children is still at large,” the police spokesman said. The injuries inflicted on the children’s bodies, owing to physical and emotional torture is still obvious as the children continue to recuperate in the custody of the state government. They recounted their experience and shared their ordeal to journalists, in the presence of the commissioner and police operatives. When asked who inflicted the injuries on them, one of the children said: “This woman, pastor. She would throw me in the step, throw me in the gutter,” while pointing towards the suspect. On her part, the Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Ndidi Mezue, reiterated the commitment of the state government in meeting the welfare needs of the children. While noting that the police authorities were still investigating the case, she said the state government would monitor the situation to ensure that justice is served. “The Ministry of Women and Children, Anambra State will not relent in taking care of these lovely children while the case is being investigated. I pray as they go on investigating the matter, let the law take its course,” Mezue said.
THE Pan Niger Delta Forum and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra have disagreed on Sunday ’ s declaration of a new Biafran de facto government by a former Niger Delta militant leader , Alhaji Mujahid Asari -Dokubo . Asari -Dokubo , apart from declaring himself the leader of the new Biafra de facto government , had announced names of some officials , who would work with him . The former agitator , who cited injustice and marginalisation against the Igbo in various zones of the country as reasons for seeking a better life for his people, said in a statement that the new Biafra administration would set up a provincial structure of government . But while PANDEF expressed dissatisfaction over the declaration and called for the restructuring of the country instead , MASSOB described Asari -Dokubo ’ s action as a welcome development. The spokesman for PANDEF, Mr Ken Robinson , said though the bias under the current regime was a contributory factor to the increasing call for secession by some ethnic nationalities, the forum was not created as a secessionist group . Robinson told The PUNCH on Monday , “ We are not aware of the ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region that have communicated to us where they belong . We have seen some maps of ethnic nationalities or so – called republics , where some parts of the Niger Delta are crafted into Oduduwa Republic . “ We have also seen maps that have been made concerning Biafra Republic , where some other parts of Rivers , Bayelsa , Cross River , Akwa Ibom and Delta states have also been crafted into the so – called Biafra Republic “ But the Pan Niger Delta Forum is not a secessionist organisation. We believe in one Nigeria , but our concern is the way and manner the country is being governed . So , we are asking for the restructuring of the country for it to attain true federalism . ” However, MASSOB’ s National Director of Information , Mr Sunday Okereafor , hailed Asari -Dokubo ’ s courage and added that the former fighter had been one of the pillars of the pro- Biafra body . Okereafor said , “ We signed an agreement with them in 2004. Asari -Dokubo , Ateke Tom, Tompolo , Boyloaf and a lot of others ; we signed a treaty to work together as one group . Asari said in Newswatch magazine that they were proud of the Igbo and MASSOB . “ So , we welcome Asari -Dokubo ’ s declaration yesterday ( Sunday ) . It is a welcome idea . Anybody criticising him does not know about the struggle . Asari -Dokubo is one of the pillars in the MASSOB/BIM struggle. We were formerly Eastern Nigeria , and then the Nigerian government is saying it is now South -South and South – East. ”
