We’ll continue to pray for peace in Rivers, says Fubara’s wife
The wife of Rivers State Governor, Mrs Valerie Fubara, says she will continue to pray for peace in the state so that there will be accelerated growth and development. She also said the administration of her husband, Siminalayi Fubara, will continue to give priority to issues of children and youths to make life better for them. Mrs Fubara spoke at the maiden edition of the end-of-year party organised for children in the state which was held at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. She added, “About parents, we must continue to do those things that are right before God and man in bringing up our children for the benefit of the larger society. “For us, we will continue to do our best to pray for peace in our state so that there will be accelerated growth and development for the benefit of the people.”
Source:Punch
December 27, 2023 01:36 UTC
Plateau killings most cruel acts of inhumanity, Shehu Sani laments
A former member of the Senate, Shehu Sani, has decried the recent killings and destruction of properties in Jos, Plateau State. The PUNCH reports that the Plateau State Police Command on Tuesday disclosed that 96 persons were killed while 221 houses were set ablaze during the Christmas Eve attacks by gunmen in Plateau State. The State Commissioner of Police, Okoro Alawari, disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement signed by the command’s spokesman, Alfred Alabo. He said, “I watched the video of the outcome of the massacre in Plateau state. This is one of the most cruel and evil acts of inhumanity I’ve ever seen.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 20:08 UTC
Plateau State Governor, Mutfwang Laments How Terrorists Had Occupied Schools In Barkin Ladi For Five Years Before Attacks
The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has lamented how terrorists had been occupying schools in the Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of the state for the past five years. The governor said that the crisis in the state had continued to escalate because no arrest had been made so far by security agents. Governor Mutfwang described the Christmas Eve attacks by assailants on over 15 communities in the Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi local government areas of the state as unfortunate. SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police Force says that no fewer than 86 persons have been killed with 221 houses completely burnt down during the Christmas Eve attacks by gunmen in Plateau State. “I can tell you that these schools that are being occupied didn’t start now; some of those schools have been occupied for the last three to five years.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 19:05 UTC
Russia confirms damage to warship in Black Sea
Russia has confirmed one of its warships has been damaged in a Ukrainian attack on a Black Sea port. Russia’s Ministry of Defence said the large landing ship Novocherkassk was struck by Ukrainian aircraft carrying guided missiles. The head of the Ukrainian Air Force said earlier its warplanes had destroyed the ship. The port’s transport operations are said to be functioning as normal after the area was cordoned off, while a fire caused by the attack was contained. Footage purportedly showing a huge explosion in the port was shared by Ukrainian air force commander Lt Gen Mykola Oleshchuk.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 17:13 UTC
Tinubu will soon go after economic saboteurs — Senate Majority Leader
The Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has alleged some saboteurs are frustrating President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to reinvigorate the economy and enhance living standard of Nigerians. It has gotten to a level where the federal government has to go after the so-called saboteurs and punish them. On the 2024 budget proposal, Bamidele maintained that the Senate would meet the December 30, 2023 deadline set for passage of the N27.5 trillion budgetary estimate. “We are determined to pass the budget proposal before the end of the year in order to sustain the January-December budget cycle. “Our hope and determination is to pass the 2024 budget proposal by December 2023 so that by December 1, 2024, Mr President would have a bill at his desk for assent.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 17:04 UTC
Should Christmas be celebrated because of its origin?
Every Christmas, there is always an upsurge of arguments about the appropriateness or not of celebrating Christmas. Yet there is another group which argues that Jesus never celebrated his birthday and never directed his followers to celebrate it. First is the argument about Christmas having a pagan origin. Has Christmas not overshadowed it and become among the most celebrated festivals in the world? On the third issue, which is that Christmas should not be celebrated because Jesus never celebrated his birthday, neither did he enjoin his followers to celebrate his birthday, one can’t also see the point in it.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 13:14 UTC
Menace of counterfeit products
The Director-General of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, put the street value of the confiscated and destroyed fake products at over N750 million. “Four trailers cannot carry the fake products we moved out from here.”By all accounts, fake and adulterated products have become a major problem in Nigeria with devastating effects on the health of citizens, local manufacturers, and importers of genuine products. Undoubtedly, Nigeria has had a long battle with fake and substandard products; only the methods and the scale of proliferation have changed. Aside from this, counterfeit products also have adverse economic effects. An estimate by PwC, a global consultancy, indicated that Nigeria loses about N200 billion annually to counterfeit medicines (excluding substandard drugs).
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 12:47 UTC
NDDCCN tasks Nigerian Nurses on drug dosage calculation
The National Drug Dosage Calculation Competition for Nurses (NDDCCN) has tasked Nigerian Nurses with drug dosage calculation problems in a competition. The Nurse emphasized the role of nurses in the different stages of the process- prescribing, educating, administering and monitoring. After a very competitive challenge, the winner emerged, in person of Favour Ojo from the University of Ibadan. The first runner-up was Rebecca Akinyinka, University of Ibadan, while the second runner-up was Jemilat Yakubu also from the University of Ibadan. Panellists in the event are: Mr. Oluwatobi Adewumi, the quiz master; Mr. Daniel Olasunkanmi, the scorekeeper; Miss Oluwadamilola Fadodun, the event moderator.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 12:36 UTC
50 Afghan couples marry in mass ceremony to cut costs
A mass wedding ceremony involving 50 couples has been held in Afghanistan. Such ceremonies have become more common as low-income couples seek to avoid the high costs of a traditional wedding. Roohullah Rezayi, 18, explained to AFP news agency he could not have afforded a solo wedding. For some of the grooms-to-be it had been a long wait, AFP notes. “I’ve been waiting for this day for three years,” said Samiullah Zamani, a 23, a farmer from Kabul province.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 26, 2023 12:24 UTC
2023: THE GOOD ... THE BAD...AND THE UGLY
AFCON/WAFCON spotsAnother feat on the continent in 2023 was the qualification of both the Super Eagles and the Super Falcons for next year’s AFCON and WAFCON respectively. Victor Osimhen was the AFCON qualifiers top scorer with 10 goals as Nigeria topped its group with 15 points. She was, however, unable to defend her title, finishing fifth in the race which was won by Jamaica’s Danielle Williams. Dominant D’TigressJust about a month after the appointment of Rena Wakama as the coach of D’Tigress, the Nigeria national women’s basketball team on August 5 won the 2023 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament. Before the men’s triumph, Nigeria was selected as one of the countries to host the ICC 2023 Cricket World Cup Trophy.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 09:45 UTC
CBN investigator summons Lemo, others over Union Bank deal
The Special CBN Investigator, Jim Obazee, has summoned the Chairman of Titan Trust Bank, Babatunde Lemo, in connection with the acquisition of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc by TTB. Lemo was invited in a letter dated December 24, 2023, and signed by the Head of Operations, Office of the Special Investigator, DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo. Obazee had in his report alleged that some persons were used as proxies by a former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to set up Titan Trust Bank and acquire Union Bank. He insisted that the establishment of Titan Trust Bank and the subsequent acquisition of Union Bank were transparent and duly verified by the relevant regulatory bodies. As of press time, The PUNCH could not independently verify why the special investigator did get the documents as claimed above.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 09:32 UTC
India vs South Africa, 1st Test: Can India land Boxing-Day punch?
For India, the African country remains the only place where they have not won a Test series. Even Sri Lanka, who have never ever won a Test match in India, have won a series in the Rainbow nation - 2-0 in 2019. The last drawn Test in SA in 2016 was against New Zealand, when less than 100 overs were possible. Never won a series here so that's a big opportunity in itself that gives us excitement, courage and encouragement to do our best. Captain Temba Bavuma, inform batter Tony de Zorzi and openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram are expected to pose India some headache.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 08:20 UTC
African Officials Empower Digital Governance Skills at Moscow Workshop
Officials from over 20 African countries participated in a week-long e-government workshop in Moscow, aimed at enhancing digital skills among civil servants. Hosted under the e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program for Africa, the ‘Winter Knowledge Sharing Week’ featured lectures, seminars, and workshops covering theoretical and technological aspects of e-governance. Participants explored topics like financing digital transformation, cybersecurity, and the role of artificial intelligence. The Russian e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program aims to foster collaboration between Russian and African institutions in implementing e-governance solutions. Some Russian investors have already formed partnerships with African governments to support the digital transformation of public administration.
Source:Punch
December 26, 2023 06:01 UTC
Christmas: King Charles calls for shared values in time of conflict
The King’s Christmas message has emphasised the importance of “universal” values shared between major religions, at a time of “increasingly tragic conflict around the world”. The King spoke of the universal values of respecting others in the “Abrahamic family of religions”, which includes Judaism, Islam and Christianity. If the replantable Christmas tree beside the King sent its own seasonal message, there was a strong environmental theme to the speech. And his Christmas message spoke of protecting those in need of help, whether strangers or one’s own family. The King praised the volunteers and those who cared for others as the “essential backbone of our society”.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 25, 2023 23:25 UTC
Peace pact not as bad as being portrayed, I’ll implement it – Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to fully implement the comprehensive presidential peace agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis in the state. In a statewide broadcast on Monday , the governor reaffirmed his belief that no price is too high for peace to prevail in the region. He said, “As a principal participant in the entire saga, I have taken some time to study the terms therein and have come to the conclusion that the peace pact is not as bad as it is being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it.”He added that the peace pact, which has naturally elicited mixed reactions from people across the country, is not a death sentence but a way towards lasting peace and stability in the state. “Accordingly, I reaffirm my acceptance of the presidential peace proclamation and my commitment to implementing both the spirit and letters of the declaration in such a way and manner that will restore political stability to our dear state without compromising the collective interest of our people and our cherished and shared democratic values. The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for his intervention, highlighting that the gesture reflects his deep affection for the state.
Source:Punch
December 25, 2023 21:54 UTC