Home Blog Page 2332

WHO Appoints Nigerian, Tomori, Member, Advisory Board On Covid

By
Uche Mbah
-
0

By Uche Mbah

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has appointed a Nigerian Professor of Virology, Oyewale Tomori, as a member of its Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition.

In a statement issued Wednesday by the world body, WHO said the group advises on the methods to assess the impact of the variants of concerns on vaccines.

Tomori was formerly the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun state.

“The group will elaborate on decision-making processes, the trigger for such decision making, and stakeholder roles and responsibilities,” the statement reads.

“Following discussions, the Executive Director of WHO recognizes the need to establish Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition to make recommendations to WHO on the methods to assess the impact of the variants of concerns on vaccines.

“The Director, also, recognizes the need to provide interpretation of available evidence on the effect of variants of concerns on vaccines, including but not limited to vaccine effectiveness and recommend to WHO, for each COVID-19 vaccine platform, adaptations (if any) needed so that vaccines continue to safely provide WHO-recommended levels of protection against variants of concerns.”

Other members of the group include Supamit Chunsuttiwat, Advisor, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand; Cheryl Cohen, a Professor of Epidemiology at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; and Thomas Fleming, member of the Scientific Steering Committee for the WHO Solidarity COVID-19 Vaccines Trial.

FEC Approves 14 Days Paternity Leave For Men; Buhari, Absent

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Paternity Leave

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Executive Council, (FEC) on Wednesday approved a 14-day paternity leave for  men to properly bond with their newborn or adopted babies.

The meeting, presided over by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, explained that the paternity leave is for men in the federal civil service.

President Muhammadu Buhari was not in attendance, and, has reportedly not been seen in the last four days. He had returned to the country after a tasking trip to a United Nations Assembly meeting, UNGA.

Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council’s weekly meeting.

Dr Yemi-Esan said the paternity leave was approved for men when their wives are delivered of their new babies.

According to her, this was important to help the newly born or adopted baby properly bond with the father at the early period as the baby bonds with the mother.

Before now, only women enjoyed maternity leave of upto three months.

Anambra Guber: Seasoned Journalist, Victor Ogene, Appointed Andy Uba’s Media Director

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Victor Ogene

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Anambra Governorship election draws closer, the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Andy Uba, has appointed veteran journalist and former lawmaker at the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene as Director, Media and Publicity of his campaign.

Announcing Ogene’s appointment, the Director General of  Senator Andy Uba’s Governorship Campaign Organization, SAUGCO, Sir Peter Chukwuma, in a statement, said that the Media guru will be responsible for the overall coordination and management of the Campaign’s messaging for the successful outing of his principal at the polls slated for November 6, 2021.

While at the House of Representatives, Ogene was the Deputy Chairman on Public Affairs Committee of the Federal House of Representatives representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State and was also the Publisher of the popular community newspaper called ‘Ogbaru Voice’.

The Journalist turned- Politician with intellectual integrity, was the former Editor of The Source, a weekly magazine and Online News platform.w

A committed frontline writer, his wealth of experience in the political field would be an asset to the Governorship ambition of his Principal.

Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, To Conduct Mass Burial For Abandoned Bodies

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
FMC Owerri

By Adesina Soyooye

In an advertorial placed in a local newspaper in Owerri, Imo State, the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owerri, says it would organise a mass burial for the many unclaimed bodies in its mortuary.

Nobody knows the identities of the bodies, and/or those who deposited them, but FMC has given two weeks notice from the date of the publication, September 28, 2021, for families to come and move such bodies, or they will be buried, just like that.

It also asked those who are looking for their relations, presumed missing, to visit the mortuary to check.

The Public Notice signed by its Public Relations Officer, Achonye Jacinta, PhD, reads:

“This is to inform the general public that the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, intends to conduct mass burial of abandoned corpses in its mortuary.

“In view of the above, those whose relatives are missing should visit the hospital’s mortuary for possible identification and collection  of such corpse(s) within (2) weeks from this publication.”

Stories of missing persons have been rife in the State. It worsened since the era of unknown gunmen and other criminal activities.

There have been stories of extra judicial killings, just as there have been stories of hardened criminals – kidnappers, murderers, armed robbers – who had been killed by security agents and their bodies taken to the mortuary, but whose families are too ashamed to associate with, or claim.

The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace, Archbishop Anthony Obinna, was quoted as saying that on a visit to the FMC mortuary, he saw scores of bodies of young men littering it.

Apparently, nobody has claimed most of them since them.

Boxing Legend, Pacquaio Quits Boxing, Focuses On Philippines’ Presidential Ambition

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Manny Pacquaio

By Akinwale Kasali

42-Year Filipino Boxing legend, Manny Pacquaio, has thrown in the towel. He has quit boxing.

The legendary Philippine pugilist and Member of the country’s Parliament announced his retirement from the sport to focus on his political career.

The Senator who is a multi-division world champion, quit the sport to focus on his Presidential aspiration, with his sole aim of participating in the country’s 2022 elections.

Pacquaio’s last fight was a defeat to Cuban boxer, Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas, USA in August.

Announcing his retirement from the game, he said, “I just heard the final bell. Boxing is over”.

Describing his exit from the game, Pacquaio added that it was the “hardest decision” of his life, adding boxing had given him “the chance to fight my way out of poverty” and “the courage to change more lives”.

He thanked his fans, friends, and all those who supported him throughout his career, most notably, long-time trainer Freddie Roach, who he described as “my family, a brother and a friend.

“I will never forget what I have done and accomplished in my life,” he said.

Born Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao On December 17, 1978, Nicknamed “PacMan”, he is regarded as one of the greatest professional boxers of all time.

He has been serving as a Senator of the Philippines since 2016, and as party President of the ruling party PDP–Laban since 2020 (disputed since 2021),and representative of Sarangani (2010–2016).

We Have No Hand In The Killing Of Dr Chike Akunyili, Or Any Other Criminal Activity In Anambra – IPOB

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), has said that politicians in Anambra State should be held responsible for the death of Dr Chike Akunyili.

Dr Akunyili, the husband of late NAFDAC Director General, Dora Akunyili, was shot and killed on Tuesday by gunmen in Npkor, Anambra State, while returning from an occasion in honour of his late wife.

IPOB spokesman, Mr Emman Powerful, said in a statement that some people have already been pointing accusing fingers at the organization over the killing.

“In the aftermath of the murder, accusing fingers were pointed at IPOB, which responded by pointing fingers at ‘cruel politicians’ out ‘to eliminate their political enemies’ to blame on the Igbo separatist group.”

Powerful insisted that the group has no intention of disrupting the scheduled Anambra election nor is involved in any political killings in the state.

“We have no hands in the political killings going on in Biafra land. We have severally raised the alarm that some cruel politicians are hiding under the cloak of the situation in Biafra land to eliminate their political enemies and blame it on IPOB.”

“We don’t know why wicked politicians especially in Imo and Anambra States, will choose to slaughter their opponents and turn around and point accusing fingers at IPOB or the operatives of Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“Politicians should leave us alone and settle their scores. No IPOB member or ESN operative is involved in such barbarity.

“We have no interest in their politics. Restoration of Biafra is our mandate.Those who killed Dora Akunyili husband know themselves, those conspired to poisoned prof. Dora Akunyili, they’re contesting the governorship election in Anambra State today.

“We have no issues with Chike Akunyili, those behind this act must stop this and stop using IPOB name, we don’t want anybody to blame IPOB because we must get them, this is pure political assassination going on in Anambra State.

” Agents of the Nigerian government are doing this to paint IPOB black in the face of support and encouragement we are getting from our people.

“We know their plans and gimmick to discourage Biafrans who are encouraging and supporting us but it can’t work for them, in the near future those committing these atrocities in Imo and Anambra States will hear from IPOB and our people should not blame us because we must get them.

“It is obvious that those that burnt Anambra Government House and other parts of the state some years back are back to use intimidations and killings to subdue their opponents ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State.”

FG Approves 159 Groups To Run Radio, Television Stations

By
Uche Mbah
-
0

By Uche Mbah

A total of 159 companies, communities and institutions  that run  electronic media outfits – radio and television – have been approved by the Presidency.

They are, mostly, institutions of higher learning.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

“Following the approval granted by the President, NBC has released the list of 159 licenses granted to companies, communities and institutions of higher learning.

“The Commission was established by the NBC ACT, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation 2004 with the mandate to regulate and control broadcasting in Nigeria.

“Today, there are a total of 625 functional broadcast stations in Nigeria,’’ Ilelah stated.

The D-G said that the newly-approved licenses were the Federal

Polytechnic Ilaro (Radio), Prospective Union of Reno People (Radio), Smile Community Radio Initiative and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Radio.

He said others are Dudu African Broadcasting Communications Ltd., Independent Television, Prince Media Network, Jamkat Integrity Investment Ltd., Hikima Media Services, and Galaxy Television Radio.

“Others are H-i Fidelity Communications, B360 Nigeria Ltd.,

Communication Faculties Ltd., Godfrey Okoye University Radio, Art Broadcasting Company, Hamdana Media, Sunshine Radio, Blue Print Newspapers Ltd., NV Broadcasting Company Ltd. and others.

Southwest CAN Sues For Peace Over VAT War

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the South-west has proferred way forward in the ongoing legal tussle over the collection of Value Added Tax, (VAT) between some States and Federal Government.

The CAN leaders who ended their meeting in Ibadan, Oyo state, also called on Governors in the zone to ensure the protection of its social, economic and political interests.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its third quarter meeting, the Christian body advised that the governors should pursue the realisation of true federalism to create a more just and equitable federation.

The communiqué was signed by the Southwest CAN Director of Legal and Public Affairs, Sir Steve Alabi, Rev. Luke Bamigboye, Zonal Secretary and Rev. Fr. Raphael Osegboun CAN Zonal Chairman.

These, the Association demanded should be done in a secure and united Nigeria.

According to the Association,  the on-going legal tussle and political debates on the issue of VAT collection either by States or by the Federal Government could escalate tension in the country.

It demanded that political, economic leaders and other stakeholders should handle the issue dispassionately and without recourse to emotion and political manipulation.

“We appreciate the commitment of the political leadership in the Southwest to the enthronement of peace and security in spite of threats and challenges from internal and external purveyors of violence and destabilisation.

“We, therefore, enjoin Governors in the zone to continue to do everything within their powers to safeguard the lives and property of the people in their charge.”

Ohanaeze Says Position Of Northern Governors Forum On Rotational Presidency Subversive

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0

By Ayodele Oni

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described the position of Northern Governors Forum on rotational Presidency as subversive and an attempt to draw back Nigeria to pre-1999 era.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide declared in a statement that:

“The remarks by the leaders of the North indicate a bleak future for Nigeria.

The statement signed by the publicity secretary worldwide, Mr Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, added that: “It is most regrettable that the North are undisturbed that Nigeria is fast collapsing under its leadership.

“The Forum failed to recognize that at the moment, Nigeria is confronted with the most precarious omens full of uncertainty, doubts, insecurity and bloodshed.

“The Chairman of the Northern  States Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong can attest that the people of Plateau State had never in history witnessed the number of deaths as has taken place under his watch as Governor.

“The banditry in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa States is terrifying. Benue State has turned into a killing field.

“The States of Yobe and Borno are worst hit by the menace of Boko Haram; etc. Several schools in the North could not open because of kidnappers and millions of children are on the street as beggars.

“The Nigerian currency has lost its value. Unemployment has skyrocketed; and Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world…..and the Northern Governors, the Sultan and the Emirs instead of seeking solution to Nigerian problems were busy strategizing on how to retain power in 2023.

“This is most unconscionable, to say the least.

Let it be made abundantly clear that if Presidency is a panacea to people’s problems, the North would have become the Netherlands of Africa.

“This is because the North had Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Musa Yaradua, Muhammadu Buhari, yet the problems of the North are on the increase.

“It is most worrisome that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, the spiritual leader of the Nigerian Muslims, one of the most respected Sultans in the recent history and the living conscience of the North, took part in such subversion.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there is peace in the progressive societies because men of conscience are more in number.

“On the other hand, the crises in Nigeria is a product of greed, injustice, religion without sacrifice and impunity.

“The position of the Southern Governors is simply restating the obvious. A gentleman agreement was reached at the NUC Conference Centre, Abuja in 1998 between the North and the South.

“The Late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo spoke for the entire South and Alh. Abubakar Rimi, also of blessed memory spoke for the North. It was agreed that after Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar as the Head of State, that the presidency should shift to the South.

“That accounted for the emergence of the presidential flag bearers of the mainstream political parties from the South West. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo respected the agreement and handed over to the North in the person of Musa Yar’Adua.

“Again, Goodluck Jonathan, a Southerner, respected the gentleman agreement and handed over to the North in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Therefore, the least that is expected from the North is a show of profound gratitude to the entire South for their large heart, equanimity and sportsmanship.

“Furthermore, it is in the interest of every Nigerian that there should be a paradigm shift to governance techniques.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide unequivocally stands with the 17 Southern Governors and any black leg among them will incur the wrath of history.

“Nigeria has two major groups of people. Those that cherish the corporate existence of Nigeria on one hand and those that do not value the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria on the other.

“The latter indulge in reckless nepotism, ethnocentrism, avarice, supremacist mentality, hollow expansionism and poor judgment of history.

“It is the law of nature that light illuminates and that in religion, both the Lord Jesus Christ and Prophet Mohammed stood for truth.

“Ohanaeze uses this singular opportunity to express disappointment over the unholy manouvres and alliances by the members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the presidential seat for the 2023 general election to the Northern Nigeria.

“The exponents of this agenda, in their jaundiced calculations, believe that it is a sure way of regaining power from the All Peoples Congress (APC).

“Experience would have taught them that to zone their presidential position to the North is an orchestrated requiem for the party; because more PDP Governors and grassroots will surely desert them.

“May I remind the PDP that the South East has made unquantifiable sacrifices for PDP beginning from the time of Dr. Alex. Ekwueme.

“If by way of politics without principles the Southerners in PDP place their personal narrow interests over the interest of their people, the verdict of history will surely  be harsh on them.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor reiterates that the bane of Nigeria is raw injustice especially targeted against the Igbo and until we begin to wean ourselves of the Igbophobia and rather harness individual and group resourcefulness, creativity, ingenuity and initiatives wherever they are found, Nigeria will remain on the downward spiral.”

Outrage Greets Murder Of Chike Akunyili, Dora’s Husband; Brother Blames IPOB

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Dr Akuiyili

By Akinwale Kasali

Disbelief, anger, and outrage have greeted the inexplicable murder of Dr Chike Akunyili.

Dr Akunyili, a Cardiologist, was the husband of Professor Dora Akunyili, the Late Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, and later, Nigeria’s Minister for Information and Communication. She died of Cancer which was earlier on, for years, misdiagnosed by those many assumed should know.

The circumstances behind the gruesome murder of Dr Akunyili are sketchy. But he was killed in the evening of Tuesday, September 29, at Umuoji in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.

Sources reveal that the late Akunyili was present at the University of Nigeria Nsukka Alumni Association (UNAA), event,  with his son, Obum,  where his late wife was honoured. He was on his way back home after the ceremony when he was murdered by gunmen.

The Award was given to his late wife by the UNAA, Onitsha Branch, at Sharon Hall, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.

Both husband and wife were of the UNN.

Accusations and counter accusations as to who killed Dr Akunyili are coming in like claps of thunder.

His devastated younger brother, Cyril Akunyili, immediately put the blame at the feet of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB. In an emotional post, he asked:

IPOB KILLED MY SENIOR BROTHER. WHY?

HUSBAND OF PROF. DORA AKUNYILI IS DEAD. IPOB WHY ON A TUESDAY?

There are reasons why he, and a number of others are blaming IPOB. Akunyili had a Police escort in front of his car. And a couple of people who had Police escort had fallen victims to the inexplicable killings. The impression is that IPOB is, allegedly, at war with Security Agents.

Again, there is still a confusion over IPOB’s stand on the Anambra Governorship election coming up in November. While IPOP insists it has not, officially, said there shall be no election in the State, a number of their members insist there will be no election in the State or any other part of the South-east. Last week, an election campaign event was scattered when gunmen stormed the venue, shooting, and asking them who told them there will be election in the State?

Akunyili’s brother asked: “IPOB why on a Tuesday?” That is because in the South-east, Mondays have become the most dangerous days of the week   over IPOB’s weekly sit-at-home order which it eventually canceled, but which some elements still enforce on Mondays.

One Commentator on Social Media wrote: “The politician which IPOB mistook and killed in Nkpor, yesterday, was Prof Dora Akunyili’s husband (Dr. Chike Akunyili)”

Yet, it is hasty to blame IPOB. And the Group has strongly denied complicity.

Anambra State has been engulfed in political violence  in the past few weeks as the Governorship election approaches. At least, six people have been killed in circumstances strongly suspected to be politically motivated.

IPOB, also, insists the killing  was political

In a statement released by IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, denying complicity, IPOB said Dr. Akunyili’s murder was politically motivated.

It said Akunyili was killed over the upcoming Anambra   Governorship election.

And according to the statement, he was killed by those “who poisoned his wife” because she dared say from the onset that Dr Goodluck Jonathan should take over power from the then very ill and indisposed President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Poweful: ” Those who killed Dora Akunyili’s husband and killed his wife poison are Fulani because she exposed Yar’Adua’s death for Goodluck Jonathan to take over as President of failed Nigeria. They know themselves. Those that conspired to poison Prof. Dora Akunyili, they’re contesting the Governorship election in Anambra State today.

“We have no issues with Chike Akunyili, and  we don’t  know him. Those behind this act must  stop using the name of IPOB. We don’t want anybody to blame IPOB because we must get them. This is pure political assassination.”

For the records, Professor Akunyili died of Cancer which was earlier misdiagnosed, and which she fought like a lioness till the end, beating the timeline given to her to pass on with more than one year!

Senate, Agulu community, mourn Dr. Akunyili

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Wednesday, during its sitting, observed a one-minute silence in honour of the late Dr Akunyili. The attention of the Senate was drawn to his  murder by Senator Uche Ekwunife.

And, in his native Agulu community, shock and numbness are the reaction. In a release, the Community said it has lost its “Diamond Son”, who held the Chieftaincy title of “Agbalanze.”

1...2,3312,3322,333...2,990Page 2,332 of 2,990