Police cordon off Kaduna community as residents discover another bomb | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Another bomb planted by terrorists was yesterday discovered by residents of Shanono area of Rigasa community in Igabi local council of the Kaduna State. Incidentally, the community plays host to the train station in the state. The anti-bomb squad of the state Police Command had deactivated the device discovered last Thursday and no casualty was recorded. A resident, Tijjani Umar, told journalists that children in the community discovered the fresh object in a jerrycan covered with a black nylon. It was my sister-in-law that rushed to inform me that the children found another bomb inside a jerrycan,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
April 02, 2022 17:11 UTC
Abducted Guardian reporter regains freedom – Family | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
After five days in captivity, Mr Julius Osahon, a Correspondent of The Guardian newspapers has regained his freedom, a family source has said. She explained that her husband had spoken with her and just left the Police Division, Ughelli after being debriefed. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had on Sunday abducted Osahon alongside other passengers in transit to Ughelli, Delta and demanded a ransom of N5 million from him. The kidnappers reportedly got angry at the media spotlight that followed Osahon’s abduction and jerked up the ransom from N5 million to N50 million. The Federated Correspondents’ Chapel (FCC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa Council, had condemned the abduction of the newsman and other Nigerians who were going about their legitimate businesses.
Source:The Guardian
April 02, 2022 16:30 UTC
NSA orders cyber-security sensitisation for Stakeholders
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) has chaired the Ninth Meeting of the Cybercrime Advisory Council, during which he gave a directive for additional cyber-security sensitisation for stakeholders and launched Cyber security Toolkits for MSMEs. Monguno also charged relevant agencies on cyber security resilience and preparedness. “The Council was briefed on the successful completion of seven sector-based sensitisation workshops by the Office of the National Security Adviser between September-December 2021 and informed stakeholders of two additional sector-based sensitisation workshops on the implementation of the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy for critical organisations scheduled between May to June 2022. “The Office of the National Security Adviser informed members of ongoing gap analysis to identify capacity deficit amongst relevant law enforcement agencies pursuant to the Cybercrimes Act 2015 to guide future capacity-building efforts. The National Security Adviser emphasised the need for collaboration, capacity building, and information sharing to ensure a safe and resilient cyber ecosystem for Nigeria.”
Source:The Guardian
April 02, 2022 10:31 UTC
‘No ban on Moshood Abiola National Stadium, VAR not stolen’ | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decried a stream of incorrect reports being peddled in sections of the media, in connection with Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. There is no truth to the reports that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja has been banned for any length of time by FIFA. “There has also been an outlandish report that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) equipment that was installed for the match had been stolen. We initially thought this was an April Fool prank, but it is alarming that some media outlets are taking it serious. We believe that the present squad of Super Eagles is still capable of achieving great things.”
Source:The Guardian
April 02, 2022 03:52 UTC
JUST IN: Saudi to start Ramadan on Saturday
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, announced it would start the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Saturday. Four other Arab countries of the Gulf, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, have also announced the Saturday start of Ramadan, while Oman said it is expected to begin a day later. The starting date of the dawn-dusk fasting month of Ramadan is determined by both lunar calculations and physical sightings of a new moon. Ramadan is a holy month for the world’s more than 1.5 billion Muslims. According to tradition, Ramadan marks the time that Prophet Mohammed started receiving revelations from the Muslim holy book, the Koran.
Source:Punch
April 02, 2022 03:51 UTC
Abia deputy gov declares intention to succeed Ikpeazu
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ude Oko Chukwu, on Friday in Umuahia, declared his intention to contest the governorship seat of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Okezie Ikpeazu as the next governor of the state, if he wins the governorship poll. I will lead and serve the state in good faith.”Responding, the Abia State PDP chairman, Alwell Okere, said the party executives are happy with his achievements. It is the turn of Abia North for peace to reign. “It is inconceivable that anyone from the South or Central will take what belongs to Abia North.
Source:Punch
April 02, 2022 02:14 UTC
Nigerian Journalist With Guardian Newspaper Goes Into Hiding After Narrowly Escaping Abduction By Unknown Men
Oludare Richards, a journalist with the Guardian newspaper, is currently in hiding following an attempted abduction by men suspected to be security operatives, according to SaharaReporters. The journalist said he cannot remember doing a story of recent that could attract such a form of arrest or abduction. I just escaped what seemed like an attempted abduction by some men somewhere close to my house. The distance between the bus stop and my house is not far so l started trekking. “While doing that, I noticed a bus parked by the roadside -- a black and tinted Hyundai bus.
Source:The Guardian
April 02, 2022 01:13 UTC
Airlines fault multiple destination slots, FG’s free-entry policy | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The approval was predated by some carriers operating multiple destinations without any of the local carriers reciprocating as provided for in bilateral agreements. “For all the foreign airlines that come into Nigeria daily, the Central Bank Governor cries about the amount of money being repatriated abroad. He said: “There are prospects for domestic airlines as they have opportunities for improved domestic markets by distributing international passengers for connection with these airlines. President of the ASRTI, Dr. Gabriel Olowo, also decried that foreign airlines are gradually taking over the domestic market with continuous approvals for multiple entries for foreign airlines. Also, the Middle East has 56 flights weekly into multiple entries into Nigeria.
Source:The Guardian
April 01, 2022 20:30 UTC
What Nigerians should do during an active shooter incident | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
First, we need to understand what an active shooter is. Nigerians must be prepared both mentally and physically to deal with an active shooter. In the process of getting out, visualizeyour movement before taking cover to shield yourself from straybullets and to conceal yourself from the active shooter. If you are out of sight of the active shooter, use any available means to escape, including emergency exits, windows, or backdoors. If escaping the active shooting location will put your life in greater danger, then you will need to hide and secure your location.
Source:The Guardian
April 01, 2022 13:36 UTC
We’ve attained self-sufficiency in Barite production – FG | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The Federal Government says the country has attained self-sufficiency in Barite production and will no longer need to import the mineral from October this year. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Barite is a mineral that is used in the oil and gas industry. Nigeria imports about 300 million dollars’ worth of barite every year from Morocco. “Thank God, in October 2021, we were able to inaugurate made in Nigeria barite only produced in Nigeria up to industrial standard and it meets international standards and is measured by the American Petroleum Institute (API). He identified the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as factors frustrating the completion of the steel project.
Source:The Guardian
April 01, 2022 12:25 UTC
Gunmen kidnap monarch, Customs officer, others in Abuja, Kaduna | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
on Wednesday, adding that the monarch, who was seated in front of his palace taking fresh air, was whisked away at gunpoint. ALSO, a Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officer, Mu’awiya Gambo, and his son, Samaila, were kidnapped from Kofar Gayan low-cost housing estate in Zaria Local Council of Kaduna State. The Guardian gathered that the gunmen also kidnapped four passers-by in the community, but two later escaped. But it was gathered that the kidnappers trailed Gambo from his family house in Zaria to his residence in the low-cost estate. THE President/Founder of Enemona Josh Humanitarian Foundation, David Onoja, was also whisked away by gunmen in police uniform from his house at Wada Road, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Source:The Guardian
April 01, 2022 10:45 UTC
Leaked memos reveal why FEC rejected Amaechi’s N3.7bn security proposal
A leaked memo obtained by The PUNCH on Thursday revealed why a proposal for security equipment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail track, which was presented to the Federal Executive Council by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, was rejected. ), was attending the United Nations General Assembly, Amaechi recommended that a firm, Mogjan Nigeria Limited, be given the contract worth N3.7bn. The firm, which was incorporated on August 6, 2019, by Prince Godwin Momoh, Chioma Momoh and George Momoh, had a turnover of N84.9m. “They stated that as sophisticated as the surveillance system was touted to be, there were no indications that it had been demonstrated and tested by the security technology agencies. Amaechi responded by saying that it was just a pilot programme and if it worked, it would be replicated across the country.
Source:Punch
April 01, 2022 09:10 UTC
PUNCH appoints Joseph Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief as Osinubi retires
The board of directors of Punch Nigeria Limited has appointed Adeyeye Joseph as the newspaper group’s Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief. Osinubi, a former editor of The PUNCH, Saturday PUNCH and Sunday PUNCH, was general manager before he was appointed managing director/editor-in-chief. Osinubi who was in the services of the company for 45 years and served as managing director/editor-in-chief for 27 years will remain on the newspaper’s board of directors as a non-executive director. “There can’t be a better choice than Joseph as my successor at this period in the life of our newspaper company. “He is a highly ethical professional with a deep understanding and knowledge of print and digital journalism.
Source:Punch
April 01, 2022 06:41 UTC
CSOs allege massive fraud, secrecy in COVID-19 funds management
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has faulted the management of COVID-19 funds which, according to it, opened opportunities for large scale corruption due to lack of transparency and accountability. The coalition also demanded that it should be involved in the monitoring of the implementation of the funds under the COVID-19 emergency support packages for improved transparency and accountability. The report, which is a product of a citizens-led survey conducted in Lagos and Ogun states by WARDC, The Innovation for change, BudgIT and TIDES, focused on COVID-19 funds and spending as well as data on the NCDC Covid-19 efforts. The report said, “In tracking COVID-19 funds and donations in Nigeria, available evidence suggests that apart from donations and grants from multilateral and bilateral agencies, the Federal Government of Nigeria created special funds and mobilise donations for emergency response to Coronavirus pandemic in the country, to which corporate entities and private individuals contributed. “This opens opportunities for corruption and lack of transparency and accountability.”Copyright PUNCH.
Source:Punch
March 31, 2022 13:00 UTC
Face masks now optional, COVID-19 restrictions go soon – FG
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 has said the use of face masks in open spaces is now optional, while the decision on the final relaxation of measures will be taken after Easter. Recently, Ghana, a West African country, announced that the use of face masks was no longer mandatory. The PSC also announced that it would stop demanding proof of PCR tests from fully vaccinated travellers. “The use of face masks in open spaces is now discretionary. The NPHCDA announced that Moderna, Astrazeneca, Pfizer and the Johnson and Johnson brands of COVID-19 vaccines were available for individuals willing to be vaccinated.
Source:Punch
March 31, 2022 11:25 UTC