Gov.Godwin Obaseki of Edo State

By Nefishetu Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Tuesday presented Certificates of Return (COR) to the winner of last Saturdays governorship election in Edo, Gov. Godwin Obaseki and his running mate, Mr Philip Shaibu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the ceremony took place at the Collation centre, at the State headquarters of INEC in Benin.

The Edo governorship election Returning Officer, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Ruke, had on Sunday declared Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the governorship election in the state.

Rim-Rukeh had declared Obaseki winner after polling 307,955 votes to defeat his closest opponent Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who garnered 223,619 votes and 12 other candidates.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Edo, Bayelsa and Rivers, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, presented the certificates of return to both the governor-elect and the deputy governor-elect.

Agbamuche-Mbu said that the presentation of the CORs was a statutory obligation of the Commission which must be carried out within seven days after its declaration of a winner.

She said, This occasion is only made possible because of the successful conduct of the governorship election last Saturday, Sept. 19.

INEC, I believe, has played its humble part but we have always maintained that a successfully conducted election is a collective effort, and so it has proven to be, she said.

In his acceptance speech, Obaseki thanked God and Edo people for a peaceful election, adding that history had been made in the state.

Obaseki said INECs national Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, should receive most of the accolades for his steadfastness and ability to withstand pressure, adding that using his intellect in introducing technology for the election should be hailed by all.

Despite all the criticisms, the ability of INEC to view results as the counting is taking place in polling units is one innovation we will implore INEC to maintain and improve on.

Because it has introduced different element of transparency in the way we conduct election in Nigeria.

I am using this opportunity to extend a hand of fellowship to my brother, Osagie Ize-iyamu, and other colleagues in the APC to work with us to move Edo forward.

On a specific note, I want to use this occasion to call on former National chairman of the APC Adams Oshiomhole that the fight is over, to come and join in building the house where he was part of laying the foundation.

We have no malice; the only thing we disagreed on is on the approach in moving Edo forward.
Obaseki, who also commended President Muhammadu Buhari, said the president would be remembered as the father of democracy in Nigeria.

This is because he had a choice to ensure and insist that his party wins in the state but he rose above partisan politics, and insisted the right be done, he said.

According to him, I want to finally thank his royal majesty, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for his fatherly role, for the prayers for peace, and for being that symbol we all look up to.

Earlier in his address, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Johnson Alalibo, said the ceremony was just another fulfilment of the provisions of the law.

My joy knows no bound as I am standing here to present this welcome address, having conducted an election without any loss of life, he said.

Alalibo commended the candidates, security personnel and the entire people of Edo for their display of professionalism and maturity during the election.

According to him, this election has already been adjudged as one of the best and it shall so remain in the annals of our history. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State on Tuesday said that the remaining operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) allegedly kidnapped by suspected bandits had been freed.

Sule said this when he received the Market Enterprise Development Advisor, Fatima Buhari, in Lafia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three out of the 26 operatives recently kidnapped along Maraban-Udege in the state had earlier been rescued.

Sule commended the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bola Longe, other security agencies and all those who worked hard to free the remaining operatives of tge FRSC.

I am happy to announce that all the 26 members of the FRSC that were recently kidnapped were released yesterday (Monday).

I want to thank all the security agencies and all those who worked very hard to ensure that we achieved that feat.

I want to thank them for all the efforts they are making in order to ensure that Nasarawa State remains safe, he said.

NAN reports that the 26 officers were travelling for training at the FRSCs Academy at Udi in Enugu State when they were abducted by suspected bandits. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Edo Sports Festival

By Emmanuel Afonne

Executive Chairman Edo State Sports Commission, Godwin Dudu-Orumen, says the state will wait for the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to give clearance for preparation to commence for the Edo 2020 Sports Festival.

Dudu-Orumen disclosed this on Tuesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The Sports Festival Committee had earlier suggested Oct. 22, as the date for opening of the Games Village and Oct. 25, for commencement of the festival proper, a suggestion the Federal Government was expected to accept or reject.

He said the state was ready for the festival but must follow the COVID-19 protocols to ensure that athletes and officials were not exposed to danger during the festival.

Let me first of all thank God Almighty for giving us victory by returning a visionary governor; the man who has the vision to change Edo State, and all the interest he has in all the sectors will now receive a fresh boost.

For the Sports Festival, it is still subject to the clearance from the Presidential Task Force (PTF) and the Ministry of Sports.

Edo State is ready for the sports festival but we need the clearance from the PTF and the Ministry of Sports to be able to progress, and going by the dictates of COVID-19 protocols, we will wait.

I am sure the Deputy Governor Philip Shuaibu will make a representation on that, but the final decision is left with the PTF, he said.

The sports administrator noted that the postponement of the sports festival due to the coronavirus pandemic was a blessing in disguise as it gave the state the opportunity of new arrangement.

He pleaded with the state governor to ensure that the commission had all the support needed to succeed.

The future of Sports in Edo State depends on the latitude given to me and those in charge of the games to implement their programmes which the governor has approved.

Edo State Sports Commission will come good with Gov. Obasekis second term; I am sure the governor will respond accordingly, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger

By Rita Iliya
Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger has urged articulated vehicle owners to cooperate with the state government on the issue of the state roads in order to safeguard the socio-economic activities of the Nation.

The state roads serves as a major link between the Northern part of the country and the South-West part through its Bida to Minna axis which is a state road.

Bello, who spoke on the background of the re-opening of the closed Bida-Minna road, said the weight of the vehicles was heavily affecting the state of roads in the state.

He added that currently the Bida-Minna road has finally given way and motorists especially the truck drivers are going through another state road; the Bida-Lapai-Paiko road.

The governor said articulated vehicle should stick to the agreed tonnes of 40,000 litres of those carrying petroleum products and 35 tonnes dry weight for other goods.

One of the causes of the deplorable state of the roads is that overtime, no one has paid attention to trucks and trailers. So, tanker owners decided to increase the carrying capacity of their tankers from between 45,000 to about 90,000 litres. For dry cargoes, they carry 60 to 70 tons. I dont think any of our Nigerian roads have been designed to carry such weight.

So, within two to three years, we realised that most of the roads, especially in Minna town, from Chachanga Bridge to Kpakungu roundabout, have been destroyed by these trucks, not because of the volume of the trucks but the weight. The number of trucks that ply that road does not really matter, as long as they carry specified tonnage.

Recently, we awarded the contract to Dantata Construction Company for the reconstruction of Minna-Bida road. Unfortunately, the contractors are complaining that the pace of work is so slow because of the volume of trailers that ply the route, he said.

He explained that the re-opening of the state roads was to mitigate the negative economic hardship faced by people in the northern region due to shortage of petroleum products and food.

He added that since inception, the administration has been carrying out intervention works on some of the federal roads in the state, mainly to ameliorate the sufferings of its citizens in spite of lean resources.

The governor, however, said that the Federal and state government were taking remedial measures to forestall hardship and resolve the issue of bad road network in the state.

The decision led to shortage of petroleum products up Northern Nigeria, as Niger State, particularly Minna-Bida road became the transit route for tankers moving premium motor spirit (PMS). Other heavy duty vehicles between the South to the North suffered similar fate and food shortages stared all in the face.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a stakeholders meeting was convened in Abuja at the weekend, chaired by the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, with the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services, the Managing Director of the NNPC and the Minister of Works in attendance.

Briefing the press after the meeting, Bello explained that the meeting looked at the shortage of the supply of petroleum products up north.

We also looked at causes of why we are having problems today.

Overtime, most of our highways have been ignored. We all know that the main road most people travel from the South-west to the northern part of this country is the Jebba-Mokwa-Tegina-Kagara-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna. That is a trunk A road that has been abandoned and neglected for many years. It is not motorable at the moment.

The option was to take Mokwa-Bida-Agaie-Lapai-Lambata, which also is very bad.

I am glad today, in the meeting, we discussed this and agreed on 45,000 litres for PMS, which I believe is still too much but we can work with it, or 35 tons for dry cargo.

The idea is, if we control the weight, the road will probably survive the rainy season. We will do some remedial works, meaning, the failed section will be maintained and the bridges, whose integrity test is questionable or show signs of weakness will be fortified just to survive the rainy season.

I am aware, the minister of works is making arrangement to fund those contracts. His ministry has already awarded but at the moment, our major concern and challenge is to survive the rainy season. Once we are able to survive the rainy season, the contractors will go back to site.

We did not close the Minna-Bida road to inconvenience people but to save and protect the only road that connects the South-western and northern parts of the country.

My understanding is, while the state government is doing some remedial works on Farin-Doki up to Chachanga, City Gate to Minna town, then Pakungu to Bida road, the Federal Ministry of Works will concentrate on Lambata-Bida

Hopefully, they will also concentrate on Mokwa-Kagara-Tegina-Birnin Gwari road. Once those roads are fixed, people in Minna will begin to see reduction in the volume of trailers passing through Minna town.

On the measures put in place to ensure compliance with the new directive, the governor said: First of all, we expect the depots not to load any truck that is more than 45,000 litres of petroleum products. We also expect, especially the cement companies not to load any trailer that is more than 35 tonnes.

Source: NAN News

Members of NAS reading session at Karu orphanage

By Aderogba George

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) on Monday celebrated its 2020 reading session with children from the Karu Orphanage, Abuja, to promote reading culture.

The association, otherwise known as Pyrates Confraternity, donated educational materials, food items and others to the children in commemoration of the 2020 World Literacy Day, which was marked on Sept. 8.

Items donated to the children were text books, note books, pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, sharpeners, toiletries such as detergent, diapers, children playing items and clothes.

The food items were cartons of noodles, cartons of biscuit, cartons of juice drinks, beverages and others.

Speaking at the event, Mr Victor Ofili, NAS, Abuja Central, added that the idea of reading with the orphans by the association was aimed at making them take their book seriously while in the orphanage.

He said that the idea was also geared toward making sure the children focused on their future endeavours and to become what they intended to be.

They must take their books seriously to achieve those targets they have set for themselves in life; you can see that one of them said he wants to be the president of Nigeria, while others said different things.

Without being grounded in education, they cannot achieve their dreams and that is why we are here, one of our cardinal principles is for humanistic development, it is part of what we call operation 347, it is part of our guiding principles.

We are here to show them love and to let them know that, they also have a family in us, incidentally, we have adopted this orphanage since 2013, when Abuja Sahara Deck was set up.

We have been doing our part to the orphans since we adopted them, he said.

Similarly, Mr Michael Ihunde, the second Vice President of the association, said that NAS was only trying to encourage the children for them to take their literary studies serious.

Ihunde said that the association had spent close to half a million naira to procure the items donated to the children as part of its social responsibility.

According to him, the association is committed to supporting the children yearly and to always put smiles in their faces.

Mr Frank Okafor, a former National Vice President of the association, encouraged the children to discover and develop their talents for them to be reckoned with in the society.

According to Okafor, God blesses one according to what ruminate in the mind, and that there are a lot of things embedded in reading if the children can commit to that.

You gain more knowledge when you read. You discover a lot of things when you read. Maximise whatever talents God has given you.

For you to be educationally smart, you must do the right thing at the right time, focus on your desire, your setback as an orphanage will surely result to a better thing at the end, Okafor stressed.

Responding on behalf of the management, the orphanage accountant, Mr Felix Inaede, appreciated the donation, particularly during the period of global pandemic, asthings were hard for most people.

Inaede said that the gifts from NAS had been a yearly thing, adding that the association had been so passionate about the development of the children.

NAS has been a mentor to these children to ensure that they are better citizens in the country. These children will remember when they grow that there was a home they lived where donation was always given to them.

Inaede also appreciated the Federal Government and NGO, noting that they had been all proactive in responding to the needs of the children, particularly during the global pandemic. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Illustration: Fuel Pump

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) says the Federal Government has spent a total of N8.94 trillion on oil subsidy between 2006 and 2015.

The agency disclosed this in a document on subsidy payment released in Abuja on Monday.

It said that the subsidy was paid to oil marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the period under review.

A break down of the money indicated that in 2006 a total of N257.36 billion was paid, in 2007, N271.51 billion while in 2008 N630.57 billion was paid to marketers.

Also, oil marketers in 2009 were paid N409.31 billion and N667.08 billion in 2010 respectively as subsidy claims, it said.

The document further revealed that in the year 2011, federal government paid a total of N2, 105.92 trillion an increase of N1,437.84trillion from 2010 payment.

The PPPRA in the document noted that in 2012, N1.35 trillion was paid as subsidy, the highest in the period under review.

A total of N 1, 316.63 trillion in 2013, N1,217.35 trillion in 2014 and N653.51 billion in 2015 was paid as subsidy claims, it added.

It noted that the NNPC since 2016 had being the sole importer of the product to the country.

It assured that subsequent releases would revealed the amount paid on subsidy before the deregulation of the downstream oil sector. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government is ready to support youths to influence the passage of the hate speech bill presently before the National Assembly.

Osinbajo gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja while engaging the All Progressives Congress (APC) social media operators and influencers at a virtual meeting held at the partys national secretariat.

The Vice President also assured that the government would not relent in expanding and sustaining youth friendly projects, including media platforms that would add value to the society.

Also speaking at the virtual meeting, Alhaji Ahmed Ismaeel, National Youth Leader of the APC, described the meeting as the first of its kind and very engaging, adding that the party would continue to organise such meetings from time to time.

He said the meeting was organised to particularly recognise the partys online soldiers and media influencers, who had over the years, helped to shape public opinion on it.

Speaking on the partys defeat at the just concluded Edo governorship election, Ismaeel said the party would do a postmoterm on the outcome of the election to know why it lost.

We thought we had covered the grounds very well, but there was a blind side we didnt see, the party intends to do a postmoterm on the election this week.

We will conduct a postmoterm this week, to know how far and how we found ourselves in this kind of situation, he said.

Ismaeel, who is also a member of the APC Caretaker and Reconciliation Committee, added that knowing that the party did not win the last presidential election in Ondo state, would make the election to be dicey.

He added that the state governor had, however, done what he needed to do in terms of reconciling aggrived party members, there was more to be done.

Ismaeel stressed that the party would not take anything for granted again, but would rather go out and fight to ensure that it retained Ondo State.

He said it was disheartening to note that for the first time since 2015, the APC doesnt have a representative in the South South geopolitical zone again, adding that this was worrisome.

Ismaeel said while the party may have lost Edo state governorship election, it had to work hard, especially to ensure that it won the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election slated for October 10.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 100 APC media influencers participated at the event.

Nigeria like other developing nations have varieties of media technology through which information gets to the people.

Apart from the conventional media like Television, Radio and Newspapers, Digital media services such as email, social media sites, websites are among others playing the role of information dissemination.

The interface with the APC media influencers and its leadership was an opportunity to review performances and renew commitment, according to its organisers. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Mai Mala Buni, Chairman All Progressives Congress (APC) National Caretaker Committee, has said that the peaceful conduct of the just concluded Edo governorship election and its outcome represents a victory for Nigerias democracy.

He said this in a statement issued in Damaturu, Yobe, on Monday, adding that the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari remained committed to free and fair elections.

This, he said, was critical to strengthening the foundation of the countrys political and moral authority.

Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and all political parties that contested the election for the successful conduct of the exercise.

He also commended the APC candidate at the election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for his tenacity and leadership qualities.

Buni also appreciated the efforts of the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, and other members for demonstrating unwavering support for the party and its candidate in the election.

Gov. Buni added that with the election over, it was time to unite to move the countrys democracy forward and put an end to the era when the electoral contest became warfare.

We appeal to our members to be strengthened by the outcome of the election and unite in order to correct the problems that worked against our party and our candidate in the election.

As progressives and democrats, we are confident that all leaders and members of the party will celebrate the outcome of the election as free and fair as acknowledge by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Let us unite to move our democracy forward.

We must put an end to the era when electoral contest become warfare.

We urge our candidate and all our members to join us in congratulating MrGodwin Obaseki and the PDP as winner of the election.

Our attention must now shift to Ondo State and ensure that we win the Oct. 10, 2020 election.

Sept. 19, 2020 Edo election should present a new watershed, Buni stressed.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned that though the country has recorded a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, it was not yet celebration time as Nigeria has not tested adequately and therefore risks a resurgence.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General, NCDC, said this at a briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu said that the country recorded a 36 per cent decline nationally in August, compared to July, while the positivity ratio dropped from 20 per cent in June to 7 per cent in July.

You might think that that is good news and we should be celebrating; unfortunately, we cannot celebrate this until we test sufficient numbers in every state in the country.

One critical issue is the number of tests being done and yes the number of tests have actually declined, but another important indicator that we look at is the test positivity ratio nationally, he said.

According to him, the only states that can confidently celebrate a decline in cases are Lagos and Kano, as well as the FCT, because they have tested high numbers, but the same cannot be said at the National level because some states are not testing.

He decried that the NCDC could not make any interpretation on the data in Taraba Adamawa, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa and Yobe States.

We do not have enough data coming out of these statesto ascertain if we are improving or not or where exactly we are.

So we have to work together, in summary; it is way too early to make any interpretation whether we are flattening the curve or not, some interpretation can be made in Lagos, FCT, because they are testing enough, but we cant do this on a national level.

The NCDC boss noted that countries that seem to have seen a decline were seeing a resurgence of cases.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCDC and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) have launched COVID-19 household Sero-prevalence surveys in selected states in Nigeria, to better understand the burden of the virus in the country.

The surveillance will be carried out in Gombe, Enugu, Nasarawa and Lagos States. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Buhari greets Sen Oluremi Tinibu at 60

By Oluwatope Lawanson

Sen. Bola Tinubu, National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), has felicitated with his wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, as she clocks 60.

Tinubu, in a tribute on Monday in Lagos, praised the Sen. representing Lagos Central Senatorial District for her perseverance, endurance and independent character.

He appreciated her commitment, humanitarian care for both young, the elderly and the needy, especially for the people of her senatorial district.

The APC leader described Sen. Tinubu as her greatest friend, ally and supporter even at mostly difficult times.

We are a living symbol of love, care, perseverance and commitment. There are so many moments, twists and turns in our lives.

During the dark days when democracy was assaulted in this country, we suffered a lot, the family suffered and as a result of that, she was in America while I was criss-crossing Europe.

It was a very trying period for every one of us as my wife single handedly raised our children.

We endured and got through all the turbulence and today we are still in positions to serve our nation and serve our people, he said

The former governor of Lagos who expressed happiness as his wife attained 60, thanked God for sparing their lives and preserving their love together.

This moment when Nigeria is 60, my wife is also 60. It is a wonderful thing.

We mark the day with soberness. Soberness because many people pray to live to see today but they could not.

The pandemic has taken away some of our friends, those close to us.

Today, some people are still lying critically ill in the hospital. Some children have become orphans as a result of what is happening around the country.

So, it is a sombre celebration on the occasion of her 60th.

For Nigeria, turning 60 is also a moment for reflection about all that we have been through and where we are, he said

Tinubu added that he wished his wife to live longer and for her legacy to be great.

My wish is for her to live longer, for her legacy to be great, be in good health and continue to enjoy the fruit of her labour.

I pray she enjoys her children, grandchildren and for all of us to live in good health, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCAA

By Yunus Yusuf

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has threatened to revoke the license of domestic airline operators over non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocols of the Federal Government.

The NCAA Director General, Mr Musa Nuhu, issued the warning in a letter to all operators (DG39/20) with reference NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/267, dated Sept. 21, on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the title of the letter was Non-Compliance with COVID-19 Protocols.

Nuhu said the warning was necessary because some domestic airlines had been flouting the protocols.

The director general added that continuity in that line would attract severe penalties, including revocation of approval.

According to him, the continuous non-compliance with the COVID-19 protocols will attract severe penalties up to and including cancellation of approval to resume domestic operations.

He said: It has been brought to the notice of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority that some domestic airline operators have not been complying with the COVID-19 protocols.

These protocols were released through All Operators Letter (AOL) DG035/20 ref. NCAA/DG/AIR/ 11/16/260, dated Sept. 4 and an Advisory Circular (AC) NCAA-AC-AMS-006, also dated Sept. 4.

Approval for resumption of domestic operations are predicated on compliance with the above protocols.

Nuhu added that this was a warning to all domestic operators who were not in compliance to desist from such acts immediately. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police officers on duty

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Police Command in Benue says it has arrested 96 persons over alleged house breaking, theft, armed robbery and cultism in Makurdi, the state capital.

A statement by its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, said on Monday in Makurdi that the suspects were arrested following complaints from residents of Welfare Quarters, Yarkiyo, wadata, Ankpa Quarters, NUJ and North-Bank areas.

She said that the suspects were arrested between August 24 and September 15.

The official listed items recovered from the suspects to include two locally-made pistols, one dane gun, two live cartridges, one canister of 38mm, tear gas cartridge, one military camouflage cap, three black berets, four red berets, and military jungle hat.

Other items were two pairs of military uniforms, one Ipad, two desert boots, one animal horn, cutlasses, knives and assorted charms, and wraps of herbs suspected to be Indian Hemp.

Anene said that the Command had resolved to rid the state of all criminals and urged the public to offer useful information to assist the security agencies. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Italy votes in referendum on downsizing parliament

Polls closed in Italy late on Sunday in the first of two days of voting on a constitutional referendum over the slimming down of parliament.

Voting is also on in local elections expected to favour the right-wing national opposition bloc.

Voting continues on Monday, with polls opening at 7 am (0500 GMT) and closing at 3 pm.

Results are expected later the same day.

Some 51.6 million people are eligible to vote in the referendum on reducing the number of lawmakers in Italys two chambers by roughly one third.

The Chamber of Deputies would go from 630 lawmakers to 400, and the Senate from 315 to 200.

By Sunday evening, voter turnout had reached 29.98 per cent in the four of the seven regions for which figures were available, according to the Interior Ministry.

In the referendum on the planned reduction of the parliament, 29.71 per cent of the 51.6 million eligible voters had cast their votes.

Observers have feared a low turnout amid concerns about people being infected with the coronavirus.

No minimum turnout is needed for the vote to be valid, amid expectations that the reform will be approved.

Elections are also taking place in seven regions and just under 1,000 cities, including Venice in the north and Reggio Calabria in the south.

The main national government parties the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) have been bracing for a poor showing.

The national opposition, led by Matteo Salvini of the far-right League, is expecting to win in at least three regions, including Veneto and Liguria in the north.

The PD is confident of victory only in Campania, the region around Naples, and is desperate to avoid defeat in Tuscany, a former leftist stronghold where a League candidate could achieve a historic win.

The M5S has no strong candidates, but is likely to console itself with a referendum win.

It considers reducing the size of parliament part of its quest to end perks and privileges for politicians.

Critics of the constitutional reform say it produces minimal cost savings and risks undermining the democratic system by weakening the authority of parliament.

In any case, a defeat for the government parties is unlikely to topple Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, as the PD and M5S have strong incentives to try to hold on to national power together.

One is the prospect of managing more than 200 billion euros (238 billion dollars) in loans and grants from the European Union due to arrive from 2021 as part of the blocs post-coronavirus recovery fund.

Another is the opportunity to influence the parliamentary election of the next Italian president, due in January 2022, and avoid snap national polls, which the PD and M5S would likely lose.

Pandemic-era restrictions were in place across all polling stations, many of which are located in school buildings.

Voters currently in self-isolation due to the coronavirus were permitted to vote from home on submitting an application on a one-off basis. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Afusat Agunbiade-Oladipo

Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, Spokesman Kwara state Technical Committee on COVID-19 says the state has recorded 12 more cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

Ajakaye disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Ilorin.

He noted that 23 persons who tested negative twice had been discharged.

Ajakaye said that the new cases brought the total number of confirmed cases in the state to 1025 with 822 patients discharged and 26 deaths recorded.

As at 9:30p.m on Sunday, the number of active cases was 177 and 822 patients had so far been discharged and 26 deaths recorded, said Ajakaye.

Source: NAN News

Buhari holds closed-door meeting with Ghanaian president at Aso Villa

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night met behind closed doors with President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Bashir Ahmad, the Presidents Personal Assistant on New Media, confirmed this on his Twitter handle.

The presidential aide, who could not elaborate on the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders, however, posted pictures in which the Nigerian leader could be seen escorting his guest after the meeting.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the closure of shops owned by Nigerian traders in Ghana had heightened tensions between the two countries.

The situation which led the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama to summon Ghanas Charge d Affaires to Nigeria, Ms Iva Denoo for discussions.

Onyeama had also met with representatives of Nigerian traders in Ghana, led by Jasper Emenike, the National President of Progressive Ambassadors of Nigeria (PAN), and the organisations National Director, Ruth Ango over the matter.

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, had also visited Ghana on Sept. 2 with a view to seeing how the issues at stake could be resolved amicably.

According to the speaker, the closure of the Nigerian shops in Ghana contravenes the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of citizens of member states, and trade liberalisation scheme.

NAN reports that the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) adopted in 1979 with an agreement on agricultural, artisanal handicrafts, and unprocessed products, and extended to industrial products in 1990, is the main framework for trade and market integration in ECOWAS

The agreement addresses protocols on the free movement of goods, persons, and transportation.

The schemes main pursuit of consolidating the free trade area is guided by the National Approval Committee that informs the member states.

Similarly, Article (3) of the Revised Treaty of ECOWAS on trade and market integration stipulates the removal of trade barriers and harmonisation of trade policies for the establishment of a Free Trade Area, a Customs Union, a Common Market and an eventual culmination in to a Monetary and Economic Union in West Africa.

NAN further reports that the Ghanaian government had proposed a meeting between the two leaders prior to the one they held behind closed doors on Sunday. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Okechukwu Unegbu

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

As CBN holds its 275 quarterly Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Monday, a Financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu called for reduction of lending rates by banks to encourage investment.

Unegbu, who is a Past President of Chattered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He suggested that the lending rate should be reviewed downwards from its present rate of about 15 per cent to encourage investor borrowings.

He said that such a step would improve job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth.

The MPC should look at the interest rate issue, particularly lending rates by the banks.

Deposit rate is almost zero but the lending rate is still high.

They should consider a downward review of the lending rate so as to encourage borrowing for investment, he said.

Unegbu, a former Managing Director of the defunct Citizens International Bank also urged the CBN to initiate a credit culture in Nigeria as way of further improving the economy.

He said that the bank should work with government to find ways of making resources available to help businesses survive as a result of challenges posed by COVID-19.

CBN should initiate a credit culture in Nigeria so that people can raise small monies for certain expenditure.

There is also the need to fund the economy by assisting businesses survive economic challenges posed by COVID-19.

That is what the American government did recently by setting aside two trillion dollars to support businesses.

Some private schools in Nigeria, for instance, will have to close down if they do not get some form of palliatives from government, he said.

He urged the committee to come out with policies through which the CBN, working with the fiscal sector, could generate employment and reduce poverty.

NAN reports that the MPC is the highest policy making committee of the CBN, which has the responsibility of formulating monetary and credit policy functions.

The 11 member committeecomprises the governor of the bank who is the chairman and the four deputy governors of the bank.

Others are two members of the board of directors of the bank, three members appointed by the president, and two members appointed by the governor.

The MPCwas inaugurated in 2005. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Prof. Akin Oyebode

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

An International Law and Jurisprudence scholar, Prof. Akin Oyebode, says the victory of Mr Godwin Obaseki in the just-concluded Edo gubernatorial polls has wiped off god-father politics in Nigerias political culture.

Oyebode made the statement while speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday on the outcome of the Edo governorship election.

According to him, the result of the election has opened a new and better era in the polity.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Obaseki of the PDP winner of the election, held on Sept. 19.

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC, who polled 223,619 votes.

According to Oyebode, the outcome of the election is not unexpected.

The nations political slate has been wiped clean.

This should wake up the APC from its illusion and slumber and make it not to take things for granted.

The party should become sensitive to the hopes, aspirations and interests of the suffering masses.

Oyebode also lauded INEC, the police and other security agencies for their exemplary conduct during the election. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court remands man over alleged defilement of his 9-year-old sister-in-law

By Ibrahim Abdulazeez

A Chief Magistrates Court in Iseyin, Oyo State on Monday ordered that a 44-year-old man, Stephen Mark, who allegedly defiled his nine-year-old sister-in-law, be remanded in a correctional centre.

Delivering his ruling, Chief Magistrate Maaruff Mudashiru , ordered the defendant to engage the services of a lawyer.

Mudashiru adjourned the matter until Oct 19, for hearing.

Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Shaib Shedrack told the Court that the defendant committed the offence in the Koso area of Iseyin metropolis, within the courts jurisdiction on Sept 9.

Shedrack alleged that the defendant defiled his nine-year-old sister-in-law, when his wife went to the market.

The offence, he said, is punishable under the provisions of Section 222, Paragraph 2, C 38, of the Criminal Code Laws of the Federation 2004.

After the charge was read to him, the defendant who was not represented by any counsel, pleaded not guilty.

Source: NAN News

INEC

By Imelda Osayande

The Edo Civil Society Organisations has reacted to Saturdays governorship poll in the state and described the outcome as a true reflection of the peoples choice.

The Public Relations Officer of the group, Mr Osazee Edigin, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday.

Edigin said that the result of the poll declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Edo people decided who to lead them for another four years through the ballot box.
The result declared by INEC is the true reflection of the votes cast by the people due to the level of openness and transparency in the process.

I want to say that Edo people have spoken through their votes.

The exercise was free of violence, even though there were skirmishes in some areas, Edigin said.

He lauded INEC for the noticeable improvement in the process of the election.

According to him, the commission was transparent during the voting and declaration of results.

The entire process was devoid of suspicion, he said, adding that vote-buying was not recorded during the exercise. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UAE, Israeli film bodies sign agreement, plan regional film festival

The Abu Dhabi Film Commission, the Israel Film Fund and the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film and Television School have signed a cooperation agreement for training and production, a joint statement said on Monday.

The agreement includes plans for an annual regional film festival rotating between Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.

The move comes after the countries agreed to establish bilateral diplomatic and trade ties, which officials have said will create significant economic opportunities.

The two sides will develop training programmes for film-makers from the two countries over a period of several months, which could culminate in Abu Dhabi-Israel film and television co-productions.

Emirati filmmakers will have representation at the International Film Lab for the first time ever, with one UAE director invited to participate as a jury at the upcoming 2021 edition of the high-profile annual Film Lab competition, the statement said.

Source: NAN News