BAMY BLOG

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has advised the public to beware of a notice which says it is conducting a fresh recruitment exercise. The ICPC Management, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that there’s no fresh exercise being conducted. It said the one the Commission conducted last year already has a shortlist of those who met the preliminary criteria. The statement read, “The attention of ICPC has been drawn to an advertisement regarding a purported recruitment exercise by the Commission. “The notice in the media is in respect of the 2020 recruitment exercise which was suspended due to the COVID-19 challenges. “For the avoidance of doubt, ICPC wishes to state categorically that it is not currently conducting a fresh recruitment exercise. “Before the suspension of the exercise in 2020, the Commission had received over 500,000 applications and shortlisted those that met preliminary criteria. Further processing is in view. “The Commission hopes

The Nigeria Police Force has sacked an unmarried female corporal, Olajide Omolola, for getting pregnant. This is contained in a police wireless message with reference number CJ:4161/EKS/IY/Vol.2/236, DTO:181330/01/2021. The signal originated from the Department of Finance and Administration in Ado Ekiti and was addressed to the Divisional Police Officer at Iye Ekiti where Omolola is based. In the document it was stated that Omolola completed police training on April 24, 2020 and was attached to Iye Ekiti. The chief financial officer in Ekiti was asked to relay the information of her dismissal to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to ensure that her salary is stopped. The document read, “Section 127 of the Police Act and Regulation against women police getting pregnant before marriage W/PC (woman corporal) Olajide Omolola passed out of Police Training School on 24/04/2020 attached to yours contravened above provisions. “She stands dismissed from the Force. Dekit her

Thomas Tuchel was appointed Chelsea manager on an 18-month contract on Tuesday, tasked with hauling the underperforming Blues back into the Champions League next season. The 47-year-old German replaces the sacked Frank Lampard to become the 13th Chelsea boss since Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. “I would like to thank Chelsea FC for their confidence in me and my staff,” said Tuchel. “We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard’s work and the legacy he created at Chelsea. “At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to now be part of the Chelsea family – it feels amazing!” Tuchel will take charge for the first time when Wolves visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Wednesday. Lampard, Chelsea’s record goalscorer as a player, was dismissed on Monday after a run of five defeats in eight league games that saw his side slide to ninth in the table, 11 points behind leaders Man

The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), has ordered the state commanders of the agency to mop up illicit drugs across the country. He also hinted that the agency would seek government’s approval to conduct drug tests on students of tertiary institutions, security personnel and newly appointed government employees. Marwa stated this during a meeting with commanders of the 36 states, Federal Capital Territory and special commands at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, on Monday. While tasking the commanders to rid the streets of illicit drugs, the NDLEA boss also admonished them to “shape up and get all those engaged in the nefarious business to face the music, and I need results from now on”. He noted, “Our maxim will be offensive action. This means we must go all out constantly on the offensive against the bad guys. “The success we make of this particular task goes a long way to determine the socio-economic stability of the nation. W

 Uganda’s High Court has ordered security forces to end their confinement of presidential election runner-up Bobi Wine. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulani, has been under de-facto house arrest at his home outside the capital, Kampala, since he returned from voting on January 14. Heavily armed soldiers and police officers surrounding the property have blocked members of Wine’s household, including his wife, Barbie, from leaving their compound. Last week the US ambassador to Uganda was also blocked from visiting the popstar-turned-politician, who won 35 percent of the vote according to official figures. Sitting at the court’s Civil Division in Kampala, Justice Michael Elubu ruled in favour of a petition lodged by Wine’s lawyers asking for his release. “The continued indefinite restriction and confinement of the applicant to his home is unlawful and his right to liberty has been infringed,” Elubu said. “Having found that the restrictions are unlawful it is hereby ordered that they

Chelsea sacked manager Frank Lampard on Monday after a poor run of results left them languishing in mid-table in the Premier League. The Stamford Bridge club said it had been a “very difficult decision” to part ways with the 42-year-old, who is the club’s record goal-scorer. “We are grateful to Frank for what he has achieved in his time as head coach of the club,” Chelsea said in a statement. “However, recent results and performances have not met the club’s expectations, leaving the club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement.” The club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich said: “This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him. .“He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.” Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel, who was abruptly sacked by the French champ

Google has announced that it would make its facilities available for Covid-19 vaccination sites as part of a new initiative to help speed the rollout of inoculations in the United States. Chief executive Sundar Pichai made the announcement as part of a $150 million initiative to promote vaccine education and equitable access. “To help with vaccination efforts, starting in the United States, we’ll make select Google facilities — such as buildings, parking lots and open spaces — available as needed,” Pichai said in a blog post. “These sites will be open to anyone eligible for the vaccine based on state and local guidelines.” Google said it would work with the health provider One Medical and public health authorities to open sites in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area as well as in the northwest state of Washington and New York City, with plans to expand. Pichai said Google’s new funding will include $100 million in advertising grants for the US Centers for Disease Foundation, the

American underdog Dustin Poirier shook up the world of mixed martial arts Sunday, beating up the legs of Irish superstar Conor McGregor before knocking him out at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. “I’m happy but I’m not surprised. I put in the work,” Poirier after the referee stepped in after 2min 32sec of the second round to save McGregor from further damage after he was dropped by a fierce combination of punches. The 32-year-old Poirier was ranked second in the flyweight division going into the fight, but still rated a heavy underdog by bookmakers to beat his fourth-ranked opponent, arguably the most famous fighter the sport has seen. The controversial McGregor, known as “Notorious”, was returning to the octagon for the first time in a year and hoping for a repeat of the pair’s first contest in 2014 which he won by TKO after just 109 seconds. But Poirier, who now has a UFC record of 27-6, used low calf kicks in an effort to put McGregor (22-5) off his usual ferocious stand-up game -– and it work

Outsted Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has joined Fenerbahce on a three-and-a-half-year deal after last playing for the Gunners in March, both clubs announced on Sunday. The 32-year-old German was omitted from Arsenal’s Premier League and Europa League squads this season and his reported deal on a weekly salary of £350,000 ($475,000) was set to expire at the end of the current camapaign. “I’d like to thank the club for this amazing journey over the past seven-and-a-half years,” Ozil, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, said in a statement. “Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that will last a lifetime,” he added. Ozil, who is of Turkish origin, was heavily criticised in Germany for posing for a photograph with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in 2018.  Erdogan was also the best man at the player’s wedding in Turkey. Ozil ended his international career after what he described “racist” attacks following the holders’ first-round exit at

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has received approval from the party’s National Executive Committee to begin the registration/ revalidation of members of the party. Sequel to the approval, the Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee is putting finishing touches to the logistics required for the exercise which party insiders said would hold “on or before April, 2021.” A member of the party’s NEC, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media on the issue, said, “We are aware that similar exercises in the past generated a lot of interest and a lot of people were disenfranchised. “This probably was because we were the party in power, a lot of mistakes were made and we are determined to correct them this time around.” The party leader further said, “We are also aware of the existing issues in some of our state chapters which we have set up committees like the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation committee to look int

The National Identity Management Commission has announced that it had commenced the National Identity Number enrolment of foreign diplomats in Nigeria. Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, had directed the NIMC to set up an enrolment centre for diplomats at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja. NIMC’s spokesperson, Kayode Adegoke, said in a statement issued in Abuja that the directive was in a bid to ensure seamless enrolment of all diplomats across the country for the purpose of the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage and other needs. He said, “The enrolment of the diplomats started on Monday, 18th January, 2021. “The NIMC wishes to assure members of the general public that all hands are on deck to ensure the enrolment of all Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database.” On January 17, 2020, the Federal Government announced that the NIN was mandatory for diplomats who reside in Nigeria, as well as for all other lawful residents across the

The Presidency says the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the arrest of Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, for giving Fulani in Oyo State an ultimatum to exit the state. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, was quoted as saying this during an interview with BBC Hausa. According to the BBC report, Shehu said he had just got off the phone with the IGP who told him that an order had been given to the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ngozi Onadeko, to arrest Igboho immediately and transfer him to Abuja. Part of the report read, “Garba said he just got off the telephone with the Inspector General of the Nigeria Police, who confirmed to him that he had ordered the arrest of Igboho, who is to be brought to Abuja. “Igboho is among topics that have generated public discuss on social media in Nigeria on Friday since he visited Igangan in Ibarapa Local Government (of Oyo State) where he insisted that all Fulani residents in O

Southampton eliminated FA Cup holders Arsenal from the competition on Saturday, winning 1-0 courtesy of a Gabriel own goal to set up a fifth-round meeting with Wolves. The much-changed Gunners, who have won the competition a record 14 times, fell behind midway through the first half and could not find a way back. Ralph Hasenhuttl fielded a strong side at St Mary’s, with Danny Ings returning after a hamstring injury and a positive coronavirus test alongside former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott. Mikel Arteta made seven changes from their 3-0 Premier League win against Newcastle on Monday. Southampton, who had never previously beaten Arsenal in the FA Cup, were the brighter team in the first half in the winter sunshine on England’s south coast. James Ward-Prowse rattled the crossbar from a swerving corner and Che Adams forced a fine save from Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno. Southampton got the reward their positive approach deserved in the 24th minute. Mohamed Elneny gave away possession on

Popular American broadcaster, Larry King, and longtime CNN host who became an icon through his interviews with countless newsmakers and his sartorial sensibilities, has died. He was 87. According to CNN, his son, Chance, confirmed King’s death Saturday morning. King hosted “Larry King Live” on CNN for over 25 years. A statement posted on his verified Facebook announcing his passing read, “With profound sadness, Ora Media announces the death of our co-founder, host, and friend Larry King, who passed away this morning at age 87 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,” the statement said. “For 63 years and across the platforms of radio, television and digital media, Larry’s many thousands of interviews, awards, and global acclaim stand as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.” The cause of death was not provided, but CNN reported earlier this month that King was fighting coronavirus, citing a source close to his family. King survived a major heart attack in

Australian international goalkeeper Mat Ryan has moved on loan to Arsenal for the rest of the season from Premier League rivals Brighton after losing his number one spot. The 28-year-old said he was overjoyed at joining the “first club I ever loved.” Ryan was Brighton’s first choice for almost three and a half seasons, before being overtaken by Rob Sanchez in mid-December. “Signing for the club you grew up supporting as a kid @Arsenal,” Ryan tweeted with a tick icon. “Buzzing to be beginning this new chapter and will give everything I’ve got to contribute to the first club I ever loved.” Brighton head coach Graham Potter praised Ryan, who kept 28 clean sheets in 121 Premier League appearances, but said he understood the reason for his desire to move. “Mat has been a great servant to the club in the Premier League, and he has played no small part for the club at this level,” said Potter in a club statement. “We have incredible talent and competition at this club for just one position, a

Famous British singer, Adele and her ex-husband, Simon Konecki have reached an agreement on their divorce settlement, according to reports by PEOPLE. The former couple filed a judgement packet with the court in Los Angeles on Friday, though the document has not been entered or signed by a judge to officially dissolve their marriage. “Adele and her partner have separated. They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy. There will be no further comment,” her representatives said in a statement to the Associated Press at the time. Last May, a source told PEOPLE that Adele and Konecki lived across the street from each other in L.A. as they co-parent their child amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. “They are doing what’s best for Angelo,” the source said. “Her son is her world.” In October, a source revealed that Adele is dating British rapper Skepta. “They run in the same circles in London, and she’s having fun,” the source said. Adele, who shar

A former Presidential Spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, says his son’s decision to openly declare himself a homosexual is a spiritual challenge. Okupe said this in a series of tweets while reacting to a viral photo showing his son, Bolu, wearing rainbow boxers with the caption, Yes, I am gay”. Okupe, who served under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, said as an evangelist, he would never accept homosexuality as it is at variance with Christian values. He, however, said he was hopeful that God would intervene, adding that he had been aware of his son’s sexual orientation for quite some time. The former Presidential aide tweeted, “I have been aware of this his new orientation for a while now. He knows that as a Christian and a witness for Christ (an evangelist), I am vehemently opposed to homosexuality as it runs contrary to the avowed precepts of my Christian faith. “For me, I look beyond the surface or the physical. Here I see a major spiritual challenge ahead but I

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps said they smashed an illegal dump used in storing and transporting adulterated petroleum products at the Rumuomasi axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The NSCDC said a total of 119 gallons of adulterated Automated Gas Oil was seized, while two suspects were arrested in connection with the crime during the raid. The Corps spokesman, Rivers State command, Oguntuase Michael, disclosed this shortly after conducting journalists round the site located at 34 Arochukwu Street, Rumumasi in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital. “Two days ago, through our intelligence, we were able to discover this particular dump established here in a residential area. It is not acceptable because the products themselves are hazardous. We discovered 119 gallons filled with AGO which is popularly known as diesel. A suspect was arrested with a vehicle. “The landlord of this place is being interrogated to know the level of his involvement with this particular crime, as w

Nigeria has been selected among 12 African nations that will benefit from the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines for developing countries by the end of February. This was contained in a communique issued after the end of a virtual meeting of the NGF held on Wednesday but made public on Thursday. The communique read in part, “The NGF Chairman, H.E. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, briefed State governors on a meeting with Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chair of the Board of Gavi, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, on the rollout of the COVAX facility which is a global risk-sharing mechanism co-led by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the World Health Organization to facilitate pooled procurement and the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines across developing countries. “Nigeria is among 12 countries in Africa that have indicated readiness of the 92 qualified countries for the facility and will by end of February 2021 receive its first shipment of vaccines.

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, in his Asoludero Court country home in Sagamu, Ogun State. The meeting was later followed by the offer of the Peoples Democratic Party leadership in the state. The offer, it was gathered, was to end the lingering crises among the members of the party in the state. The party is divided into three factions. Daniel who had announced his exit from partisan politics was reportedly wooed back to the party by Makinde. Makinde was accompanied by former governor of Osun State,  Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and some leaders of the PDP  in the South-West. The Oyo State Governor was quoted to have maintained that Daniel was in the best position to provide leadership for the party in the state. According to a statement issued by the media office of Daniel, Makinde disclosed that he recognised the capacity of Daniel to reconcile all aggrieved factions of the party in t

Newly elected United States President, Joe Biden, has signed some executive orders thereby lifting the immigrant visa ban placed on Nigerians by his predecessor, Donald Trump. According to a report by Bloomberg, Biden also reversed the systemic ban placed on citizens from Muslim dominated countries like Yemen. Trump had last February placed an immigrant visa ban on Nigeria, citing Nigeria’s lack of a robust database. The American Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary-Beth Leonard, stated at the time that Nigeria must improve on its data intelligence to ease the investigation of its citizens wishing to migrate to the US, if it wants the ban lifted. The Nigerian government subsequently set up a committee on Citizen Data Management and Harmonisation, to address the complaints of the US which led to the recent push for all Nigerians to register with the National Identity Management Commission and obtain a National Identity Number. With Biden’s reversal of Trump’s order, Nigerians will now be able to

 A  housewife in Bauchi, Aishatu Suleiman, on Tuesday collapsed in court after a judge refused to dissolve her six-year-old marriage to her husband. She had filed the request before an Upper Shariah Court 4, Bauchi, asking that the court should dissolve her marriage with her husband, Umar MaiAuduga, over alleged maltreatment and humiliation. During the court’s sitting on Tuesday, the presiding judge, Malam Bello Sambo refused the petitioner’s request. He said the court in the previous sittings directed the guardians of the couple to discuss and come up with a resolution on whether the marriage should be terminated or not while considering Islamic principles of amicable reconciliation. When the judge asked the couple’s guardians what their resolution was, they presented a written statement that the couple agreed that their marriage should not be dissolved. But the petitioner stood up and shouted, “It’s not true! That was not what we agreed on,” as she started crying. Afterwards, the jud

Donald Trump in his last full day in office as the president of the United States of America pardoned over 100 people, including American rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black. Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr, pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a loaded weapon on a private jet while travelling to Miami in December 2020, Billboard.com reports.  Carter is a convicted felon, stemming from a gun charge in 2007, which meant he was looking at 10 years in prison when sentenced on January 28, 2021. His pardon was hardly surprising after the Grammy award-winning artist inexplicably endorsed Trump for re-election last October and posed for a picture, which he was heavily criticized for on social media. “Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he has done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done,” Carter wrote in a Twitter message

Oyo State Government has approved the payment of the sum of N8bn to the Osun State Government as an asset sharing agreement for taking over the ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. The Commissioner for Education, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, said the amount would be paid in three instalments over a period of three years. This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State Mr Taiwo Adisa on Tuesday. “As a follow-up to the agreement reached with the Osun State Government on the issue of sole ownership of LAUTECH, the executive council of Oyo State approved today the payment of N8bn to the Osun State Government. It will be paid over a period of three years. “The breakdown of the payment goes as follows: N1bn will be paid in January 2021 and another N1bn will be paid in December 2021; N3bn will be paid in 2022 and the last N3bn will be paid in 2023. This was the decision of the council today,” the statement par

Former Real Madrid B and Levante striker, David Barral has become the first-ever player to be purchased using cryptocurrency. The 37-year-old Spaniard officially signed for Spanish third division team DUX Internacional de Madrid on Tuesday January 19, in a deal funded entirely through the use of bitcoin.  The transfer fee is yet to been disclosed with the deal yet to be acknowledged by authorities. The club owned by footballers Borja Iglesias and Thibaut Courtois, said in a statement: 'David Barral new player of DUX Internacional de Madrid, welcome to the infinite club!' the club shared on its social media pages.  'He becomes the first signing in history in cryptocurrencies. Thanks to Criptan, our new sponsor, for making it possible.'  The striker added: 'Glad to join the project of @interdemadrid with the ambition and responsibility to continue competing and achieve important challenges in my sports career.'  Barral made more than 50 appearances for the Real Ma

 The Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife will resume academic activities on February 8, 2021. This was announced after the institution’s senate meeting on Tuesday. The Public Relations Officer of OAU, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed this to our correspondent. In a subsequent press statement titled ‘resumption of academic activities for 2019/2020 academic session’, the institution also cancelled its 2020/2021 session. The statement read, “Consequent upon the directive of the Federal Government that schools should re-open, the Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University at its meeting held today (Tuesday), January 19, 2021, announced the following resumption time-table for the continuation of the 2019/2020 academic session that was suspended in March 2020 following the outbreak of COVID-19: “February 7, 2021 – Final year students in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Students in the College of Health Sciences and year four students in the Faculty of Agriculture are to come into residence. All other

Lionel Messi has been handed a two-match ban after being sent off for the first-ever time in his senior Barcelona career in the Spanish Supercopa final against Athletic Bilbao last Sunday. The 33-year-old Argentine playmaker was shown a red card in the final minute of extra-time after swinging his arm at striker Asier Villalibre as they were beaten 3-2 by Athletic Bilbao. Referee Gil Manzano missed the incident initially but after a VAR review, he showed Messi a straight red card for violent conduct. The Royal Spanish Football Federation's competition committee met on Tuesday and deemed the challenge to be worthy of a two-game suspension. Messi will miss Thursday's trip to third division Cornella in the Copa del Rey and Sunday's La Liga game away at Elche. Should Barca beat Cornella, he will return for a potential round-of-16 tie in the Copa del Rey next week and will also be available for the league match at Camp Nou against Athletic Bilbao on Jan. 31.

 Thailand's Immigration Police has arrested a 40-year-old Nigerian man for allegedly overstaying his visa by 2,683 days. The suspect identified as Onyebuchi Johnbosco Ezedinugwu, had entered Thailand in April 2014 on a 60 day tourist visa with permission to stay until June 25th of same year.  Ezedinugwu was arrested by immigration officers led by region one commander, Pol Maj-Gen Piti Nitinonthaset, at Soi Phetchaburi 35 in the Makkasan area of Bangkok on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. According to local media, illegal immigration is considered as a major factor of the second wave of Covid-19 after an outbreak at Samut Sakhon seafood market affecting a large migrant population. A news portal, Siam Rath quoted region 1 deputy Lt-Col Suriya Phuangsombat as saying that immigration were targeting Africans to check on their visa status as part of measures associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

 As the deadline for telephone subscribers with National Identity Numbers to register their SIM cards with the identity numbers elapsed on Tuesday, mobile operators have said that SIMs with unlinked but submitted NINs would not be blocked. The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, spoke on behalf of the telecommunications companies including Airtel, MTN, Globacom, and 9Mobile. He said, “If you already have your NIN and you have delivered the number to your service provider and it has been acknowledged and forwarded to NIMC, I don’t think the penalty will be there for you as from tomorrow (Tuesday) if your SIM has not been registered with the NIN. “This is because as far as you are concerned as a subscriber, you have uploaded that number to your operator and forwarded to NIMC. “Now the further interrogation of that means that you are not supposed to be penalised because you have done what you are required to do to your service provide

 US President-elect Joe Biden has invited top Republican and Democratic congressional leaders to a bipartisan prayer session at church early Wednesday hours before his inauguration, people familiar with the plans said. Two weeks after an unprecedented violent assault on the US Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump, and with the nation bitterly divided politically, Biden intends to attend services at St. Matthews Cathedral in Washington with the top four leaders in Congress. “Yes I can confirm” that top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell will join Biden, who was a longtime colleague in the US Senate, at the church, a person knowledgeable of McConnell’s plans told AFP.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, the top Democrats in Congress, have also been invited along with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, according to a source close to Biden. McConnell was a firm Trump ally but he broke with the president over his baseless claims of massive election f

The Olowo of Owoland, Ondo State,  Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye  has commended Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, for ordering herdsmen to vacate all the forest reserves in the state. The governor who decried the spate of insecurity in the state, also banned under-aged grazing, night grazing, and movement of cattle in cities and highways by the herdsmen in a bid to tackle the challenge in the state. In a statement issued by Chief Press Secretary to the Owo monarch, Mr Sam Adewale, the traditional ruler said the governor’s action would go a long way in solving the security challenges facing the state. He said Governor Akeredolu had done well in this regard, saying the order was long overdue, going by the high rate of crime particularly, kidnappings in the state. The monarch said, “As the Chief Security Officer of the State, the governor could not sit, watch and fold his arms while the citizens are being kidnapped at will by bandits. “The security of lives and properties of the people o

The Rivers State Government has asked all public and private nursery, primary and secondary schools to reopen in the state from January 4. This was contained in a press statement by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Chidi Adiele. Earlier, the Federal Government had instructed schools to reopen from January 18, 2021, in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The statement read, “The Rivers Education Ministry wishes to announce that, with the approval of Gov. Nyesom Wike, the school calendar published in August 2020 stands. “Accordingly, both public and private schools in the state are hereby reminded that schools will resume on January 4, 2021 for normal academic activities. “Schools are to maintain all COVID-19 protocols, including the wearing of face masks, use of hand sanitiser, and staggered classes. “The classes are expected to be staggered morning and afternoon sessions in order to avoid overcrowding.” Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre For Disease Control re

A group of Republican senators led by veteran lawmaker Ted Cruz said Saturday they will challenge Joe Biden’s election win — the latest last-ditch move to support Donald Trump’s efforts to undermine the vote. The initiative, which appears certain to fail, flies in the face of rulings in dozens of courts and the findings by officials in several key states that there were no widespread voting problems. The Republicans’ statement, signed by Cruz and six other current senators along with four senators-elect, asserts that “allegations of fraud and irregularities in the 2020 election exceed any in our lifetimes.” The group said that when Congress convenes in a joint session on Wednesday — for what normally would be a pro-forma certification of Biden’s victory — they will demand the creation of a special commission to conduct an “emergency 10-day audit” of the election results. The statement says individual states could then convene special legislative sessions and potentially revise their vo

Saudi Arabia on today announced the reopening of borders and the resumption of international flights after a two-week suspension aimed to stem the spread of a new Covid-19 strain. The government ordered the lifting of “precautionary measures related to the spread of a new variant of coronavirus”, the Ministry of the Interior said, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. Saudi Arabia has recorded more than 363,000 cases, including over 6,200 deaths –- the highest among the Gulf Arab states – but has also reported a high recovery rate. Riyadh suspended international flights and access through land crossings and ports on December 21. Other Gulf countries, Oman and Kuwait, who had taken similar measures, have also lifted them in recent days. But travellers returning from Britain, South Africa or “any country where the new variant of the coronavirus is spreading” are subject to more restrictions, the statement added. Foreigners coming from those countries must spend 14 days in another

There are indications that the Nigerian Police Council may nominate a new Inspector-General of Police by February. It is unclear if the current Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, will get a tenure extension but unconfirmed sources said his successor may be announced. The council, which is chaired by the President, comprises the 36 state governors and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission. Adamu, who is the 20th indigenous police boss, is expected to retire next month when he would clock 35 years in service. Sources said he had launched a vigorous lobby for tenure extension to enable him to conclude certain reforms in the police but it is still unclear if his bid to secure an extension additional was successful. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had recently extended the tenure of the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede, and the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Muhammadu Gana. Buhari has been under fi

The United States is expected to approve the low-cost AstraZeneca/Oxford Covid vaccine in April, a senior official said, more than three months after Britain’s green light on Wednesday. Moncef Slaoui, the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed, the military-led US effort for vaccines, told reporters that US trials and assessments would be complete for approval “sometime in early April.” “Several tens of millions of doses will have been manufactured… and therefore will be available for use if the data supports its approval,” he said. He did not allege that Britain rushed its decision and praised Britain’s MHRA regulatory agency as “science-based.” “Therefore I am not raising any question as to the decision that they have made,” he said. “Having said that, the requirements of the decision process as we have built it here in the US is what I can really comment on.” Slaoui also voiced hope for approval in the first half of February of the Janssen vaccine by Johnson & Johnson, which in c