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“It’s Fake News, I Have Not Been Appointed UNN’s Acting Vice Chancellor”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Professor Polycap Emeka Chigbu

By Adesina Soyooye

Professor Polycap Emeka Chigbu has cut short the joy and celebration of not a few people.

A couple of days ago, the Social Media was agog with the news that Chigbu, a former Deputy  Vice Chancellor, Academics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, has been appointed the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University by the University’s Council. Celebration by his friends and admirers followed.

But the Mbaise, Imo State-born Academic says it is all fake news from which he has distanced himself in a personally signed statement.

He disclosed that the truth is that five Professors, apparently, including himself, have been shortlisted and forwarded to the University’s Council, and the process of choosing one out of the five in progress, and yet to be concluded.

Chigbu’s statement reads: “It has come to my attention that reports are circulating online claiming that I have been elected as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I wish to categorically state that no such appointment has been made. I have not been appointed as the Acting Vice Chancellor, and any reports suggesting otherwise are both false and unsubstantiated.

“The process to elect an Acting Vice Chancellor remains ongoing and has not yet reached a conclusion. On August 12, 2024, the Senate conducted elections among nine candidates, from which five professors were selected and their names forwarded to the University Governing Council for further consideration and vetting. Subsequently, the Governing Council will choose one of these five candidates to serve as the Acting Vice Chancellor. Therefore, any news circulating in the media is incorrect and lacks any basis.”

A couple of months ago, a former Governor of Enugu State, who was also the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Joe Nwodo, shocked not a few people when, in a Media interview, he canvassed that the next Vice Chancellor of UNN must be a native of Nsukka, the host Community of the University.

Dr Nwodo is an Nsukka indigene.

Mpox Spreads, Rises To 39 In Nigeria, Bayelsa State Records Highest Cases

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dr Jide Idris
Director-General, NCDC, Dr. Jide Idris

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the outbreak of Mpox less than 48 hours after World Health Organization, WHO, announced its spread, through its public health emergency of international concern, the Federal Government has disclosed that Nigeria has recorder total number of 39 confirmed cases.

The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) stressed that no death has been recorded across the country.

The Mpox outbreak has swept through several African countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Director General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing held in Abuja.

“In Nigeria, cumulatively, a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths have been recorded across 33 States and the FCT, from the beginning of the year 2024. Bayelsa (16), Cross River (5), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) leading the pack.

“Noting the significant concern of the ease of cross-border transmission, this press conference is part of the effort to intensify our coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent disease importation,” Idris said.

However, the NCDC said that so far, no death has been recorded from the disease already confirmed in 33 States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Idris named Bayelsa as leading the 33 states with five confirmed cases, while Cross River, Ogun and Lagos states all trailed behind with four confirmed cases.

Idris said: “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has been closely monitoring several endemic diseases including mPox which has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International / Continental Concern (PHEIC / PHECC) by both the WHO and the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ACDC.

“In Nigeria, cumulatively, a total of 39 confirmed cases and zero deaths have been recorded across 33 States + FCT, from the beginning of the year 2024. Bayelsa (5),Cross River (4), Ogun (4), Lagos (4), Ondo (3), and Ebonyi (3) leading the pack.

”Noting the significant concern of the ease of cross-border transmission, this press conference is part of the effort to intensify our coordination and communication with stakeholders to manage the spread of the virus and prevent disease importation.”

He also said that so far, about 2,863 confirmed cases and 517 deaths across 13 African countries had been reported in 2024 alone.

According to him, this alarming increase is linked to a new strain of the Mpox virus which emerged in Eastern Congo and has since been detected in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.

He said the National Mpox Technical Working Group, TWG, a multi-sectoral body housed within the NCDC, would continue to coordinate Mpox’ response activities.

”As part of the Government’s ongoing efforts, we have intensified surveillance across Nigeria to swiftly detect and respond to any new cases.

“Thus putting all port health services across all five international airports, ten seaports, and 51 land/foot crossing borders on high alert.

“Diagnostic protocols according to the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Control, IDSR are now distributed to these locations and port health officers are on high alert and screening for suspected cases.

“Some States have, also, been put on high alert including Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Kano, Rivers, Cross-River, Akwa-Ibom, Adamawa, and Taraba. We are also conducting contact tracing and monitoring for confirmed cases to prevent further spread.

“This will now also include declaration by travellers who have been to any of the countries where there is an ongoing outbreak of MPX in the last 90 days.

“Additionally, we continue to provide healthcare workers and the public with updated guidance on infection prevention and control measures and train SURGE staff as part of our preparedness and readiness for an MPX public health event.

”The NCDC is also notifying public and private hospitals about the MPX alert and sending a list of referral isolation/treatment centers across the 6 geopolitical zones and reference laboratory networks which includes NRL, CPHL, NIMR, LUTH, ACEGID, UNTH, UPTH.

“We are also considering vaccination efforts for high-risk groups, as Nigeria expects to receive 10,000 doses of the Jynneos vaccine.

“The Technical Working Group ,TWG remains committed to providing evidence-based guidance to inform the country’s next steps in safeguarding the health of Nigerians at national, state, and local government levels,” he said further.

Mpox is a rare viral zoonotic infectious disease (i.e., disease of animals transmitted from animals to humans) that is endemic in several African countries including the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. The exact reservoir of the virus is still unknown, although rodents, squirrels,s and monkeys are suspected to play a part in transmission.

Breaking: Anambra Comm., Wife Kidnapped In Kogi On Their Way To Attend Soludo Daughter’s Wedding

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Soludo Daughter Wedding
Soludo's Daughter Wedding

The Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Anambra state, Patrick Agha Mba, and his wife have been kidnapped in Kogi state.

They were on their way to Abuja to attend the wedding of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s daughter, Adaora when the incident happened, according to sources.

Confirming the incident, the Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, Christian Aburime, said security forces were already on the trail of the kidnappers.
Recall that thee governor’s daughter had her traditional wedding last week in Isuofia, Aguata Local Council Area, and was set to tie the knot with  Arinze Ibekwe,  in Abuja this weekend.

More details coming………

Russian Flag: Northern Group Calls For Decisive Moves, Insists Action Undermines Nigeria’s Sovereignty

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Protesters Carrying Russian Flag

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

A Civil Society Group, Katsina Concerned Citizens for Good Governance KCCGG, has deplored all forms of covert and overt interference in the internal affairs of Nigeria, by foreign countries.

It, therefore, urged the Federal Government to halt such meddlesomeness, as it intends to undermine the country’s interests in all ramifications.

Comrade Yakubu Mohammed, the KCCGG Chairman, in a statement issued on Friday, August 16, 2024, noted that recent developments in the country, particularly, during and after the nationwide protest, pose a serious threat to Nigeria as a nation.

The Source reports that during the recent #EndBadGovernance protest, some protesters were openly displaying the Russian national flag.

Some of the arrested Russian flag displayers, were found to be foreign nationals, a development that has since sparked a Diplomatic row between Nigeria and the Polish authorities.

The Federal Government and the country’s security top hierarchy have described the action of  displaying foreign flags as treasonable.

The KCCGG said such incidents as recorded during the nationwide protest clearly threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

According to the group, sovereignty is not just a mere theoretical contraption, but represents a critical foundation upon which the economic development, political stability, and social cohesion of a country are built.

The group warned that allowing such a paramount foundation to be eroded  and undermined under any conceivable guise, will tantamount to irredeemably compromising the existential values of Nigeria.

The KCCGG stated that of recent, foreign interference in the domestic affairs of Nigeria has been undertaken through some covert means apart from the already known overt methods.

“Foreign Government interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs manifests in various ways, but the primary aim is destabilize the country’s political landscape.

“Such actions not only erode national sovereignty, but also aggravate existing insecurity and undermine development.

“The recent developments in the country, particularly during, and after the nationwide protest, pose a serious threat to Nigeria as a nation.

“Thus, the coalition of civil society groups, under the auspices of Katsina Concerned Citizens for Good Governance expresses deep concern over recent incidents involving foreign nationals that threaten sovereignty and territorial integrity of our dear nation”

The group, therefore, called on security agencies ,and the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged involvement of some foreign nationals in the displaying Russian flags during the protest .

The KCCGG insisted that all those found to be remotely, and/or directly connected to the act should be fished out and prosecuted.

“These actions are a direct affront and threat to the peace, security and values of Nigeria which  calls for a decisive response to uphold national dignity and sovereignty”, the group noted.

“My House In Maiduguri Is Better Than Tinubu’s Bourdillon House” – Vice President Shettima

By
The Source
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Vice President Kashim Shettima and Bola Tinubu

By Gideon Njoku

Also says: “Tinubu is the most demonised Politician in Nigeria”, and confirms that: “The economy that we met was in a huge mess”

Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that those who think the Lagos Bourdillion Residence of President Bola Tinubu is big should visit his own residence in Maiduguri.

He said that his own house is better than that of the President and, therefore, does not understand what the problem is about Tinubu’s Bourdillion Ikoyi residence.

Shettima also described President Tinubu as the most demonised politician in Nigeria but insisted that Predators Tinubu has a good  soul,  a capacity to pull Nigeria up, and confirmed that:  “The economy that we met was in a huge mess.”

President Tinubu took over from President Muhammadu Buhari, the man, he, Tinubu, literally, installed as President, but who a number of those currently in office accuse of ruining Nigeria’s economy.

Not a few people marvel at the size and opulence of the President’s Bourdillion Ikoyi residence, but Shettima insists that Bourdillion is nothing compared to his in Maiduguri.

Shettima: “The first time I went to his (Tinubu’s) house at Bourdillion, I was looking forward to seeing a mansion comparable to Buckingham Palace, with gardens and swimming pools, but there was nothing special in that house. My house in Maiduguri is better than the house in Bourdillion.”

Shettima sought to present the other side of President Bola Tinubu at a book launch in Abuja, an event attended by Government officials and other stakeholders.

He described the President as an unassuming man who neither flaunts power nor wealth, and who is not in power to primitively accumulate wealth.

Shettima: “In President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have a leader that we can invest our trust in. I am not playing politics, I’m speaking from the heart. I have seen the soul of the President, and he has a good soul.

“He means well for the nation. He wants to live in a place of glory. He is not in power to engage in primitive capital  accumulation. He is in power to leave landmarks in the sands of time. He is the most demonized politician in Nigeria.”

As proof that Tinubu is not engaged in accumulation of wealth or in a show-off, Vice President Shettima revealed that since he came into contact with the President, the President has been using only one wrist watch. He also revealed that the President would rather “drink” garri and groundnuts for lunch than the sumptuous meal others would take.

Shettima: “At the formative stage of the APC, we held a meeting in his house. They served us a variety of meals, but he opted to take garri with groundnut for lunch.

“Since I have known him, he has been using only one wristwatch, and in fact, I dress better than him. He doesn’t even care. He has overcome all those odds to dress well. So, we need to rally around this poor man. He has taken some bold steps. The economy we met was in a huge mess.”

FG To Secure $500m World Bank Loan For Education, Health Sectors

By
James Orji
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World Bank

The federal government is set to secure a $500 million loan from the  World Bank to address challenges in the country’s education and health sectors.

This was detailed in a recent “Program Information Document” for the appraisal stage of the Nigeria Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Governance Program.

The proposed loan, part of the HOPE Governance Program, aims to tackle long-standing staffing gaps and enhance the performance management of basic education teachers and primary healthcare workers.

The document indicates that the Washington-based bank may approve the loan in September 2024.

It also noted that the country would adopt National Identification Numbers (NIN) and Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to combat payroll fraud.

“This results area will incentivize (i) the enhancement of sector and workforce planning functions, (ii) the reduction of significant staffing gaps and improved deployment and management practices for basic education and primary healthcare workers, and (iii) the adoption of new or existing systems such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) system and National Identification Number (NIN) platforms to check payroll fraud, implement biometric check-ins where available, enable community monitoring, performance bonuses, and automatic payroll deductions.”

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians says such loans from the Bretton Wood, United States-based global agency are usually tied to some conditions which are not beneficial to the people.

For instance, the removal of fuel subsidy and the convergence of the foreign exchanged market  by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration , which have brought untold hardship to Nigerians are believed to be part of the conditions set by the Bank for Nigeria government to qualify for more loans.

GTCO Website Up Again; “We Are Happy,” Say Customers

By
James Orji
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GTCO Logo

Guaranty Trust Holding Company, GTCO, says attempts by some hackers to hack its website were unsuccessful.

The Holder said in a statement on Thursday concerns raised by media reports that its site has been hacked were unnecessary, and should be discarded by the public.

On Wednesday, there were apprehension among the customers and stakeholders of the financial service company after report (not The Source) claimed that the company had experienced disruptions on its internet banking services due to the alleged hacking.

The reports claimed that customers were unable to log on to their accounts to perform banking transactions.

According to the statement titled “Alleged Web Domain Hack: GTBank Provides Clarity”, which was made available to journalists yesterday, GTCO said attempts were, indeed, made to hack the company’s website, but that the hackers failed to accomplish their enterprise.

It urged “customers and stakeholders’ to remain calm  as “the bank’s website has not been cloned,’ contrary to suggestions made b y some mischief individuals, adding that the company has strong security measures enough to stop hackers.

The statement said, “Our attention has been drawn to reports in the media alleging that hackers have seized the bank’s website, cloned it, and intercepted customer data.

“While there was an isolated incident of an attempt to compromise our website domain, we would like to assure all our customers and stakeholders that the bank’s website has not been cloned and that we do not store customer information on our website, and as such, there has been no instance of compromise of customer data.

“Our dedicated team of Information Security Experts is currently working round the clock to restore domain settings, and we can assure our customers that our website will be up shortly.

“We urge all our customers to please disregard the claims in these media reports and assure you of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding customer data. Thank you for your continued support,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, many customers of the bank who spoke with the magazine said the website is now up and running, saying they are happy with the development.

Senate Defends Bogus Allowances; Says Govs, Ministers Receive Big Pay

By
James Orji
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Godswill Akpabio

The Nigerian Senate has reacted to the controversy sorrounding the emoluments of senators, considered by not a Nigerians to be outrageous in the face of the current economic realities in the country.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu said on Thursday that the issue has been overflogged, noting that senators are not different from other public officials like President, and governors who receive big pay.

He said a large part of what the lawmakers receive is used to run their offices, including salaries for their support staff and constituency allowances.

“This is not a personal allowance or salary for the legislator. These funds also support the staff of constituency offices,” Adaramodu said in a statement on Thursday.

Nigerian lawmakers in the National Assembly, comprising the Senate and House of Representatives are believed to be one of the highest paid legislators in the world.

They have come under severe scrutiny from not a few Nigerians who insist that their salaries and allowances be reduced.

The call has gained momemtum recently after former President Olusegun Obasanjo condemned the lawmakers for fixing their salaries and allowances, which he described as bogus.

Obasanjo had described the action to be ‘morally’ wrong.

Recall also that Senator Abdulrahmen Kawu Sumaila told the BBC Hausa Service that he earns a total of N21 million monthly salary and allowances, which he claimed every senators receive as running cost.

The minimum monthly wage for the Nigeria worker is N70,000.

Reacting to the controversy, Adaramodu  described the issue as an “outdated claims regarding inflated salaries and allowances attributed to senators,” stressing that the expenses of the National Assembly is barely one percent of the national Budget.

“The National Assembly accounts for about 1% of the federal budget and has consistently adhered to this limit, even amidst financial constraints. The Senate remains committed to serving the nation with integrity and dedication, driven by a patriotic desire to revitalise Nigeria’s socio-economic fabric,” Adaramodu said.

Customs Intercepts Expired, Hard Drugs Worth Over N1.8 Billion

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Bashir Adewale Adeniyi - Customs CGC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has lauded the efforts of the Apapa Command in the fight to rid the country of the unwholesome activities of smugglers.

This is even as he announced the seizure of expired and contraband pharmaceutical products worth over N1.8 billion.

At a press briefing on Thursday August 15, 2024  the NCS boss, commended the Apapa Command Comptroller, Babatunde Olomu and the operatives for justifying the confidence reposed in them by the Government and NCS management.

According to him, the Apapa Command handles the highest volume of trade for the NCS, collects the highest revenue, and as such is saddled with a higher degree of expectations from both the Government and the Service.

Adeniyi informed that the intercepted pharmaceutical products were illegally imported into the country through the Lagos port.

The illicit products include tramadol, codeine and others considered to be without registration numbers, thereby constituting nuisance to the health of consumers.

Besides, the NCS Comptroller General noted that the drugs are in themselves, a huge threat to the security of the country.

Such pharmaceutical products, he insisted, are being used to negatively influence the behavioural pattern of criminal elements in the society.

He noted that the seized drugs were imported into the country ,without recourse to laid down rules and regulations by such regulatory bodies as the National Agency For For Food and Drug Adminstration NAFDAC .

” We also have containers that were seized due to false declarations, ostensibly to evade duty payments which amounts to smuggling.

In total, 12 containers were seized. These importations are in flagrant violation of Section 233 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act NCSA 2023.

One of the seized containers, a 1×40 ft container with box number SEGU4339917 was declared to contain baclofen tablets, metoprolol succinate, atenolol gloves, losartan potassium, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin calcium, esomeprazole magnesium ,diclofenac, sodium, topical gel, valsartan tablets ,losartan potassium and timololmaleate .

Upon examination, the container was found to be laden with daily health immune supplements that expired in July this year, acyclovir capsules that expired in April 2024, valsartan tablets ( 320mg and 160mg ) that expired in June 2024, prednisone tablets ( USP 10mg) that expired in June 2024, Losartan potassium tablets ( 100mg) that expired in June 2024.

LGA Polls: Kano Electoral Commission Insists On Mandatory Drug Test For Aspirants, Pay N10m, N5m For Chairmanship & Councillorship Positions

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Aspirants to the positions of Council Chairmen and Councilors in the forthcoming Kano State Local Government polls are to dole out a whopping sum of N10 million and five million Naira respectively, according to the State Election Commission.

This is just as the former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, accused the All Progressive Congress, APC,  led-State Government of already appropriating  the 27 Local Councils of the State, with the insistence of the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission, JSIEC, on the payments of N5 million and N3million chairmanship and councilorship  aspirants interested in the local council elections.

The KANSIEC Chairman, Professor Sani Lawan Malumfashi,  at the formal presentation of the election guidelines and time table on Thursday August 15,  2024, informed that aspirants must pay the stated sum as a precondition for qualification for the contest billed for November 30, 2024.

Handing over the guidelines to the representatives of various political Parties at the event, the KANSIEC boss noted that the document clearly spells out, all other pre-qualification conditionalities which, also, must be met by aspirants.

The Source reports that at its maiden briefing last month, the Kano State Electoral Umpire had informed that mandatory drug test will be a  precondition for qualification by aspirants.

Reiterating the measure, Prof. Malunfashi on Thursday, warned that aspirants must not be established drug addicts and/or members of secret societies or bodies .

“Aspirants must not be bankrupt or ex-convicts, They must be physically and mentally healthy and obtain, at least, a Secondary School Certificate.

“Chairmanship aspirants must be 30 years and above,while Councilorship aspirants must have attained the age of 25.

“All aspirants must be registered and card carrying members of political parties”,  the Commission Chairman stated.

Prof. Malunfashi announced that going by the time table, formal campaigns will commence on September 6, and end on October 31, 2024.

“During campaigns, we warn against disparaging and abusive comments. Personal attacks during campaigns are strongly discouraged as contained in the guidelines .

“You must be tolerant of one another. You must be civil and democratic in your campaigns. The campaigns should be issue-based ,and not personal attacks.

“We have pressing issues bedeviling this country such as poverty, infrastructural deficit, women and youth empowerment, and the inclusion of disadvantaged groups, among others.

“You should capitalize on these during the campaigns .We will not condone violence, as it contradicts election laws.

“Personal, oral and physical attacks are discouraged in the election and are punishable by law.

The Commission Chairman reaffirmed his earlier warning that he will not be available for any compromise deal from aspirants.

The Source reports that at his briefing in July, Prof Malunfashi had issued a stern order to aspirants not to approach him with compromising offers, insisting that his mission is to organize a free and fair election..

Writing on his Facebook account ,former Governor Lamido, lampooned the astronomical cost for participation in the Jigawa State Local Polls .

The onetime Foreign Affairs Minister, described the N5 million and N3 million being demanded by the JSIEC as a deliberate ploy by the APC- led state Government to scare opposition parties .

“From the look of things ,it appears  the APC has already appropriated the 27 local Governments, even before the election.”

Following the landmark Supreme Court verdict of Thursday, June 20, 2024, which affirmed the financial autonomy of the Third Tier of Government, as well as a declaration that Federal Allocations to Councils under interim management should be halted, most State Governors have been in frenzy to organize Council Polls.

But in doing so, most of  them have been contriving so many ingenious ways to keep their itching fingers in the Local Councils tilt.

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