News Agency of Nigeria
Defence/Security

Katsina Govt. insists no ransom paid for Kankara school boys’ release

By Abdullahi Shugaba

Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, Secretary to Katsina State Government says the state government did not pay any ransom to rescue the abducted 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.

Inuwa said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina on Tuesday that although rescuing the boys from their abductors was difficult, no ransom was given.

He said that the state government deployed a multi-facet approach in effecting the release of the boys saying, “in doing this, we ensured that no casualty was recorded.”

The SSG said, “Contrary to speculations in some quarters that the government paid N1million to rescue each student, the government did not pay any money.

“Although, the process was difficult and hectic, we ensured that no casualty was recorded during the operations, we are happy that they returned safely and were reunited with their families.”

He commended the efforts of the Federal Government through the police and other security agencies towards ensuring the release of the school boys.

It would be recalled that 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State were abducted from their hostel by bandits on Dec. 11, 2020, and regained their freedom after one week in captivity. (NAN)

Judiciary

Woman loses 4-year-old marriage due to drunkenness

By Olawale Akinremi

An Ile-Tuntun Customary Court in Ibadan, on Tuesday dissolved a four -year-old marriage between Abosede Adesonwo and husband, Wasiu over drunkenness and threat to life.

Delivering judgment, President of the Court, Chief Henry Agbaje said that the  court dissolved the marriage in the interest of peace and tranquility.

Agbaje awarded custody of the only child to Adesonwo and ordered Wasiu to pay N5,000 as the child’s monthly feeding allowance.

Earlier, Wasiu, a baker, alleged that his wife was an unrepentant drunk.

”She feeds our three and a half-year-old daughter beer . I never knew that she was a drunk before I exchanged marital vows with her.

”She showed me and has shown her true colour,” she said.

Adesonwo, a trader said that she made up her mind to call it quits because he beats her.

”My marriage has become uninteresting and meaningless. He also threatened to kill me,” she told the court. (NAN)

Business , Economy/Business

No political influence on our business decisions – Intels

By Chiazo Ogbolu

Intels Nigeria Ltd., an oil and gas logistics company, has said its business has not been hindered by political influences from the present government.

The company made the clarification in a statement it issued on Tuesday, in Lagos.

It will be recalled that on Jan 4, Intels announced that it had severed ties with its former shareholder, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, after the latter sold his interests in Intels’ parent company, Orlean Invest Holding.

The transactions were executed through Guernsey Trust, in deals that began in December 2018 and concluded in 2020.

However, Abubakar, who confirmed his divestment from the company, blamed President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for trying to destroy the company because of political differences.

The spokesman for Intels Nigeria Limited–Orlean Invest Group, Tommaso Ruffinoni, said the company’s decisions had been devoid of political considerations as it had always operated according to market logic.

“Intels Nigeria Limited and its parent company, Orlean Invest Holding, in relation to some statements that appeared in the press yesterday and today, categorically deny that its business has at some time been hindered by political influences from the current government.

“The company has always operated according to market logic, thanks to its history and commitment to the development of the Nigerian economy in the oil and gas logistics sector.

“The ongoing contradictions are part of a natural commercial divergence, which will hopefully be resolved, as in the past, by a new approach, in the interest of all the parties, also according to the social role that Intels plays in the country. (NAN)

Health

Kano state records 40 new COVID-19 infections

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

Kano State has recorded 40 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of active cases in the state to 318.

The State Ministry of Health announced this on Tuesday via its verified Twitter handle @KNSMOH.

It said that 48 patients who recovered from the disease were also discharged in the last 24 hours in the state.

“Forty new cases were recorded from 286 results received on Monday from laboratories, 48 additional COVID-19 patients were also discharged,” it said.

The ministry disclosed that 58,765 samples were tested; out of which 2,364 were confirmed positive with 1,978 discharged.

It added that the state has so far recorded 68 COVID-19 related deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic in the state.

The ministry urged residents of the state to observe all COVID-19 protocols to curb spread of the disease.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the state has witnessed upsurge in COVID-19 infections from 30 to 318 following the second wave of the disease in the country. (NAN)

Health

Why we sealed 4, 219 premises, 2 drug markets in 2020 – PCN Registrar

By Felicia Imohimi

The Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) sealed 4, 219 pharmaceutical premises and two open drug markets in 2020.

The Registrar of the council, Dr Elijah Mohammed, gave the figures in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mohammed said that the measure was targeted at sanitising pharmaceutical practice in order to protect the health of Nigerians.

Giving update of the council’s regulatory activities in 2020, the registrar said that 353 of the premises sealed were pharmacies, while 3, 866 were patent medicines shops.

He said that the council visited a total of 6, 132 premises, comprising 1,104 pharmacies and 5, 028 patent medicines shops.

“In an effort to achieve a well-ordered drug distribution system in the country, PCN closely monitored the development of the Coordinated Wholesale Centres (CWCs) across various locations in the country.

“An update of the status of various CWCs was recently forwarded to the minister of health.

“Among the premises sealed by the national enforcement team include those situated within the emerging open drug markets in Owerri and Abakaliki, in November and December 2020.

“Compliance directives were issued to 166 premises, comprising 92 pharmacies and 74 patent medicines shops.

The registrar added that 24 arrests were made and some of the  suspects already charged to court while others would  be arraigned at the conclusion of investigations.

Mohammed said that due to the COVID-19-induced restrictions, the council sought the permission of the Nigeria Police to enable its enforcement team to move across states.

“In the course of the restriction of movement, the need to control proliferation of illegal pharmaceutical premises became very obvious.

“This is because  owners of these premises took advantage of the health crisis to sell all kinds of medicines to the general public through unlicensed outlets,’’ he said.

He said that PCN would  step up the enforcement in 2021.

“This is to ensure that medicines sold in premises across the nation remain safe, effective and of good quality,” Mohammed said. (NAN)

Foreign

Vietnam jails journalists for ‘propaganda’ critical of state

A court in Vietnam, on Tuesday, sentenced three freelance journalists, known for their criticism of the government, to between 11 and 15 years in prison.

The sentencing came after the court found them guilty of spreading anti-state propaganda.

Pham Chi Dung, Nguyen Tuong Thuy and Le Huu Minh Tuan were convicted of “making, storing, spreading information, materials, items for the purpose of opposing the state’’ at a one-day trial in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Public Security said.

Dung established the Independent Journalists Association of Vietnam in 2014, which the Police said had sought regime change.

Despite sweeping economic reform and increasing openness to social change, Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party retains tight media censorship and tolerates little criticism.

The party, under the leadership of 76-year-old Nguyen Phu Trong, has intensified a crackdown on dissent ahead of its five-yearly congress due to be held later this month.

Dung was jailed for 15 years and Thuy and Tuan 11 years each.

Reuters could not immediately reach their lawyers for comment.

“They wrote stories to distort and defame the people’s administration, infringe the interests of the Communist Party of Vietnam and state,’’ the ministry said in a statement.

“These are especially dangerous activities that, if not stopped, could hurt national security.’’

Amnesty International said the verdict underscored the government’s contempt for free media, particularly ahead of the congress.

“Even by its own deeply repressive standards, the severity of the sentences show the depths being reached by Vietnam’s censors,’’ said its Deputy Regional Director, Emerlynne Gil.

Ahead of the trial, Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, called the charges “bogus”.

“If the ruling party is so assured in its leadership, it should demonstrate its confidence by respecting civil and political rights.

“It must also end its tight control of the press and allowing independent journalists to freely voice their opinions instead of silencing them with arrest and long prison sentences,’’ Robertson said. (Reuters/NAN)

Environment

Fire destroys N635m property in Kano State in 2020

By Bosede Olufunmi

The Kano State Fire Service says 134 lives and property worth N635million were lost to fire incidents in the state from Jan.1 to Dec.31, 2020.

Alhaji Saidu Muhammad, the Public Relations Officer of the Service said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kano on Tuesday.

Muhammad said that the service also saved 1,077 lives and property worth N2. 56 billion in 786 fire incidents during the period.

“Most of the fire outbreaks were caused by carelessness in handling cooking gas, use of inferior electrical appliances and poor wiring in homes.

“About 134 lives and property worth N635 million were lost to fire in the period under review,” he said.

Muhammad said that the service recorded 693 rescue calls and 184 false alarms during the period.

He said that the service plans to retrain its 350 staff in 2021 for effective performance.

Muhammed advised residents to always handle fire with care to prevent fire outbreaks.

“Parents should desist from sending under aged children to fetch water from wells, rivers or ponds alone.(NAN)

General News

Putin, Merkel consider possibility for joint production of COVID-19 vaccines

Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have discussed cooperation in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and emphasised the possibility of joint production of vaccines against the virus.

The Kremlin disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

“The issues regarding the cooperation in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic have been discussed with an emphasis on possible prospects of joint production of vaccines.

“It was agreed that the dialogue on this topic will be continued between the health ministries and other specialised agencies of the two countries,” the press release said.

The Kremlin noted that the sides had also focused on the settlement of the Ukraine crisis, particularly, under the Minsk complex of measures and the other agreements reached within the Normandy format.

According to the press release, the leaders congratulated each other on New Year and Christmas. (Sputnik/NAN)

General News

We’re not under attack in South East, says MACBAN 

By Emmanuel Acha

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has said that Fulani herdsmen were neither under attack nor being forced to leave any part of the South-East, particularly Ebonyi state.

The Southeast Zonal Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu, describing it as fake news calculated to create disharmony in parts of the country.

He said that although herdsmen in the area, just as in other parts of the country, have not had it so rosy, the situation was not hopeless.

Siddiki said that the Ebonyi Government had put in place structures that would ensure peaceful coexistence between herders and their host communities.

“It is not as if the relationship has been all smooth all the while, but the state governor has instituted structures meant to contain endemic skirmishes and conflicts.

“One of such structures is the State Committee on Herdsmen, with me representing MACBAN on the committee,” the zonal chairman said.

He said that Gov. Dave Umahi had made interventions, as well as demonstrated creditable interest in forestalling crisis and in mitigating their effects, wherever they broke out.

“Therefore, I implore our herders not to panic and leave their locations, but to only make calculated movements without giving any wrong impressions of aggression against them where none exists,” Siddiki said.

He assured that the association would continue to appreciate Umahi for his steadfastness in seeking to propagate the hospitality the Igbos are known for, notwithstanding the daunting challenges he was facing. (NAN)

Sports

NLO felicitates with Christian Chukwu on 70th birthday

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO), on Tuesday, felicitated with former Super Eagles Coach and Captain, Christian Chukwu, on his 70th birthday.

Ebere Amaraizu, Director in-charge of South-East of the NLO, in an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, said Chukwu has played significant roles in the lives of youths especially sportsmen and women in Nigeria.

”We are joining millions of soccer loving personalities, administrators, fans, coaches and veteran players to felicitate with Christain Chukwu who marked his 70th birthday on Jan. 4,” he said.

Amaraizu, who is also the National Coordinator of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), said Chukwu over the years also displayed high level of patriotism to his fatherland.

“Chukwu, popularly known as Chairman, has contributed immensely in the placement of Nigeria name in the annals of history in sports especially football.

“He is been a role model to upcoming sports stars to discover their potentials devoid of involvement in cultism and other vices as well as to upcoming football coaches,’’ he said.

Amaraizu revealed that Chukwu, in his usual characteristic, was among professionals that offered great technical assistance to the Crime Busters FC, Enugu under Enugu State Police Command.

“We join millions of lovers of the round leather game in Enugu, Rangers International his traditional club-side and his family to wish him a very happy birthday and continual good health of mind and body,’’ he said.

NAN reports that Chukwu, MFR, was born in Obe in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State on Jan. 4, 1951.

As a player, he became the captain of Enugu Rangers football club and the Nigeria National Team in the late 1970s.

He was the first Nigerian captain to lift the African Nations Cup trophy after a 3–0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 1980 tournament.

Chukwu started his coaching career in Lebanon in the mid-1990s, before being appointed coach of the Kenya national team in 1998.

Later, from 2003 to 2005, he coached Nigeria, leading them to reach semifinals at the 2004 African Cup of Nations. (NAN)

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