Crossover services threatened as FG limits religious/social gatherings to 50% capacity
He appealed to Nigerians to imbibe the culture of citizens’ responsibility and observe safety measures to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 during the festive period. In the statement, Mustapha enjoined that indoor religious congregation should be limited to 50 per cent capacity with full compliance to COVID-19 protocols. Similarly, he admonished that any gathering in excess of 50 people should be done in open spaces with physical distancing. He advised Nigerians to take the full dose of COVID-19 vaccination, including the booster dose, to reduce their risk of infection and death in case of exposure to the virus. “Any gathering in excess of 50 people should be done in open spaces with physical distancing.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 24, 2021 20:55 UTC
Take Buhari’s nod for electronic transmission as Christmas gift — VON DG
Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria and founding member of the All Progressives Congress, Osita Okechukwu, has admonished Nigerians to commend the President, Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd. ), for endorsing electronic transmission of results (Bimodal Voters Accreditation System) and see it as a Christmas gift. Okechukwu disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja in his Christmas message to Nigerians. He said, “A lot of those disappointed over Mr President withholding of assent to the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill 2021; did not appreciate the significance of the retention of Electronic Transmission of results. He assured Nigerians that Buhari will bequeath a clean amended Electoral Act for the development of the country’s democracy.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 18:20 UTC
IMF extends emergency funding by 18 months due to COVID-19
The International Monetary Fund said Thursday it will extend its flexible access to emergency funding for an additional 18 months to help nations severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The IMF’s executive board agreed on Monday to “temporary increases to the cumulative access limits under its emergency financing instruments” through June 2023, the Washington-based crisis lender said in a statement. “This decision reflects the expected and ongoing gradual shift to upper-credit-tranche quality arrangements from emergency financing triggered by urgent, pandemic-related balance of payment needs,” the IMF said. It also stressed that the decision ensures “continued access” by member countries to the IMF’s emergency financing should urgent balance of payment issues arise. The tools include the Rapid Credit Facility, an interest-free program available to low-income nations, and the Rapid Financing Instrument, which is available to all Fund members.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 16:53 UTC
Nude pictures: Police nab man for blackmailing 18-year-old lady in Nasarawa
A man, Mohammed Zangina, has been arrested in Kefii, Nasarawa State for alleged blackmail and extortion of an 18-year-old. A journalist, Gimba Kakanda – @gimbakakanda, who made this known on Twitter, noted that Zangina, a married man and father of two, had been threatening the 18-year-old with nude pictures. The arrested man was said to have demanded sex from the lady before he was caught and arrested at the Divisional Police headquarters in Keffi. It was learnt that the man had pictures of other women on his phone. However, Kakanda explained that the man was arrested with the help of police officers, whom he said were professional in the operation.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 13:49 UTC
An Unforgettable 2021
As we prepare to transition to 2022, we are grateful for the friendships, strengthened partnerships and progress accomplished toward U.S. and Nigerian goals this past year. However, thanks to renewed global health collaboration efforts, vaccine development and distribution is gradually making headway. Through robust global dialogue and ingenuity, we will continue to build global health security in the new year together. In fact, we have many reasons to remain positive about the progress made this year toward our shared goals. Mary Beth Leonard is the United States Ambassador to Nigeria and the former U.S. Representative to the African UnionCopyright PUNCH.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 11:06 UTC
Ideye shocked after Göztepe contract termination
Nigerian striker, Brown Ideye, has expressed shock over announcement of his contract termination by Turkish Super Lig side, Göztepe, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Göztepe announced on their website Tuesday that the contract of the Nigeria international had been terminated by mutual consent, and wished him the best for the future. “As a result of the negotiations with our player Brown Ideye, his contract was mutually terminated. We would like to thank Ideye and wish him success in his continuing football life,” Goztepe stated. I’m yet to sign any papers that I have terminated my contract with them,” Ideye told PUNCH Sports Extra.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 11:02 UTC
Troops apprehend 16 migrant bandits, eliminate scores in North Central – DHQ | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Whirl Stroke operating in Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba, arrested 16 migrant bandits from Niger Republic. It said the bandits were arrested in different operations across the North Central. He said that 12 criminals were neutralised, while 26 criminal elements including 16 migrant bandits from Niger Republic were arrested. “In addition, troops within the period held peace and security meetings with critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity. Under Operation Thunder Strike/Whirl Punch, troops neutralised four bandits arrested six criminals as well as recovered assorted arms and ammunition in Niger at the period.
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2021 08:46 UTC
Top online conversations of the year were…
In this review and in no particular order, the Friday Treat team x-rays the local topics about Nigerian entertainment personalities that trended online and became conversations of discuss the world over. Tiwa Savage’s sex tape sagaSocial media users became unwilling visitors to Tiwa Savage’s bedroom, after the sex tape she made with her loverwas mistakenly posted by him on his Snapchat. Sound Sultan’s DeathVeteran musician and one of the pioneers of hip hop music in Nigeria Sound Sultan’s death brought social media to a standstill. Following the news of Sultan’s death, celebrities who he had impacted during his lifetime took to social media to express grief and shock over his demise. YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNEBuhari Urges MTN For Quality Service, Downward Price Review In Cost Of Data, Other ServicesPresident Muhammadu Buhari Friday at State House Abuja urged the MTN Group to make the available top-of-the-range service to its Nigerian subscribers… Top online conversations of the year were… Top online conversations of the year were… Top online conversations of the year were… Top online conversations of the year were….
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 24, 2021 07:19 UTC
Extrajudicial killings: NHRC pays N146m to Apo six, ex-minister’s relative
The National Human Rights Commission, on Thursday, announced the payment of N146m to 27 victims of police brutalities. The Executive Secretary, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), said the payment was historic as many did not believe that Nigerians could get succour. “Where there is violation, there must be remedy,” Ojukwu said, adding that the NHRC had begun a journey to restore human dignity. ), explained that the compensation being paid to the victims and families of victims of rights violation was part of the recommendations of the panel. “One of the challenges is the failure of the police to obey orders.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 04:09 UTC
‘Government agencies delaying cargoes at terminals’ | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News
Knudsen said a higher exchange rate has started to hurt importers and that cargoes seem to be slowing down simply because warehouses are getting full. Knudsen noted that APM Terminals Apapa, had handled about 8.1 million twenty equivalent units (TEU) of containers in the past 15 years. However, there are processes in place that we are not in direct control of,” Knudsen said. He said the strategy of APM Terminals Apapa is to be the preferred logistics gateway into the Nigerian economy and to provide world-class services. that we handle their vessels fast, hence translating into a reduced cost of import and export in the market.
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2021 02:25 UTC
Our problems in Nigeria don’t define us, says Anyim
A former Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, has stated that the problems facing Nigeria do not define it and its citizens. He stated that the events of 2021 may have been challenging but praised the resilient spirit of Nigerians in overcoming them. The statement reads, “We all started this year 2021 with high hopes and expectations. “However, whatsoever may have come our way this year, we must give thanks to God for sparing our lives. Our problems don’t define us.
Source:Punch
December 24, 2021 01:58 UTC
Two dead after blast in Indian court building
Two people were killed and two others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an Indian court building on Thursday, police said. “There’s been a blast but we can not confirm the cause,” a police officer at the scene said. “We can confirm that four people are injured and out of four, two are dead,” he added. The blast damaged the walls of the bathroom and shattered glass in other rooms, broadcaster NDTV reported. “I’m reaching the blast site shortly and I assure the people of the state that the guilty would not be spared,” Channi tweeted.
Source:The Guardian
December 24, 2021 00:23 UTC
2021: Armed Forces winning war against terrorists, bandits – DHQ
The Military High Command on Thursday declared that the nation’s Armed Forces is now winning the war against insurgency and other forms of criminality across the country based on the appreciable results recorded in the various theatres of operations in 2021. Acting Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko, made the declaration while briefing Defence Correspondents on the operational activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in Abuja. According to him, “during the year, troops neutralized scores of terrorists and bandits, while many others were incapacitated and their camps destroyed. “A total of 896,500 litres and 70 polythene bags of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil were recovered in the process. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 23, 2021 23:41 UTC
Firm gets recognition for Made-in-Nigeria Syringe production
Disposable syringe firm, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing, has been awarded Import Substitution Champion of the Year. The firm, according to a statement on Thursday got the recognition at Nigerian Business Leadership Awards event organised by Business Day Newspaper held in Lagos recently. The Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Akin Oyediran, said the recognition would serve as a motivation to the entire staff and management of JSM. “I would like to express our gratitude to the event organisers for this award. Hence, I would like to thank our valued personnel at JSM for their devotion and hard work to the company.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2021 23:12 UTC
Army to try romantic soldier who accepted corper’s proposal
The Nigerian Army is set to try a female soldier, Private Sofiyat Akinlabi, who accepted the marriage proposal of an unnamed corper, The PUNCH has learnt. Our correspondent learnt that the military authorities are currently conducting a preliminary investigation that precedes a trial. The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Army detained Akinlabi on December 14, 2021, when viral video clips showed her accepting the marriage proposal of a corper at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Yikpata, Kwara State. The lovebirds had shared a hug and kiss to the delight of other corpers at the Mammy market. The military source said, “She is going to go through summary trial because the offences she committed is not a grievous offence that will attract court-martial.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2021 22:26 UTC