News Agency of Nigeria
Metro

Nigeria signs Kano-Maradi railway line MoU

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By Lucy Ogalue
The Federal Government has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mota-Engil Group on the construction of 1.959billion dollars Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway lines.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, in a statement by Eric Ojiekwe, Director Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, said the project was aimed at linking the whole country by rail.

Amaechi signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government while the Managing Director, Mota- Engil, Antonio Gvoea signed on behalf of the contracting firm.

According to the Minister, the new railway corridor which is to be located in northern Nigeria will run through Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and through Niger Republic territory as far as Maradi.

He said other cities such as Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya would also be affected by the rail line in Nigeria.

The minister said the 283.750 kilometre rail line would help develope freight and passenger transport as it would be integrated with road transport.

He added that it would contribute greatly to the local economy as well as the nation’s social sector.

According to Amaechi, the duration for the project is 36 months and the contract type is Engineering, Procurement and Construction.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by the Ministry’s Permanent, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Director, Legal Services, Pius Oteh, the Managing Director, Mota-Engil Group, Antonio Gvoea and Head of Legal, Mota- Engil Group, Cameron Beverley.

It was also witnessed by Magajin Garin Kano, Muhammad Wada, Director, Mota-Engil Group, Kola Abdulkarim, Vice President, Mota-Engil Group, Mohammed Abdul-Razaq, among others.

He added that the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman among other diginitaries also witnessed the signing.

Defence/Security

Navy inaugurates housing for personnel in Calabar

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By George Odok
The Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy has inaugurated a multi-million Naira housing projects in Calabar as one of its ways of boosting the morale of its personnel in the fight against security challenges in the country.

Speaking on Monday in Calabar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas, said that the housing projects would help in enhancing operational efficiency of navy personnel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the housing projects include accommodation for doctors at the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, accommodation housing for officers at Ikot Ansa, a one storey building for ratings at Akim Barracks and accommodation for the Chief Boatswain.

The Chief of the Naval Staff was represented at the occasion by Rear Adm. Perry Onwuzulike, the Fleet Commander, Eastern Fleet of the Nigerian Navy.

“The 24 by one bedroom flat accommodation for doctors would enhance the operational efficiency of residents doctors working at the reference hospital.

“The 40 rooms one storey building apartment would also help navy personnel entering Calabar to have a rest at the facility to sort out themselves before finding new accommodation.

“This is supposed to serve as an accommodation room for the officers before sorting out another accommodation,” he said.

The Naval boss also inaugurated a 6 by 3 bedroom flats for officers association, and chief Boatswain’s mate house at the Akim Navy barracks.

“These are all infrastructural development projects as envisioned by the Chief of the Naval staff admiralty medal as encapsulated in a strategic directives.

“This is bringing to fruition his vision for infrastructural development for the entire Nigerian navy personnel.

“Obviously, if the welfare of the personnel is well taken care of, we expect optimum efficiency in the discharge of their duties,” he said.

NAN reports that the Acting Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Commodore Priston Efedue, was also in the team during the inauguration.

Metro

COVID-19 upsurge holds up Lagos-Ibadan rail inauguration

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By Lucy Ogalue
Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has said that the inauguration of the Lagos-Ibadan rail line has been put on hold due to the upsurge of COVID-19 in the country.

Amaechi, who disclosed this in Abuja, said that over 60 staff on project site have been infected by Covid19 while trying to complete the project.

“First let us admit that over 60 of our staff, not ministry of transport staff, but the staff working on the rail project have been infected by COVID-19. Luckily nobody has died and I pray nobody will die, but you see the kind of sacrifice everybody is making to get the rail to function.

“They are people sacrificing their lives to get to that point, we are of the view when we made that decision that Nigeria will not say 2020 was a bad year, so remove one year and add another year to Buhari administration.

“As far as we are concern, we need to learn how to leave with COVID-19, I really want to congratulate those that achieve that feat, we were to inaugurate first week in January. We had to stop those doing minor completion because of the rise in COVID-19 transmission.

“The timeline for inauguration will depend on COVID-19. If COVID-19 stop today or reduces we will commission the project.”

Amaechi further stated that the train services on all route might stop if passengers do not adhere to COVID-19 protocol.

“We will allow the train to run but if we see that we are conveying passengers who have Covid from Lagos to Ibadan, we will stop it. Just like we are threatening to stop Kaduna-Abuja if people don’t comply with the COVID-19 Protocol.”

He said that the Abuja-Kaduna route convey about 4,000 passengers daily, stating that if anyone transmit COVID-19 onboard it would be a serious challenge.

Foreign

India keen to supply Nigeria COVID-19 vaccines -Envoy

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By Lizzy Okoji
Mr Abhay Thakur, Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, has said that the government of Indian was ready to supply its COVID-19 vaccines to Nigeria, after it is rolled out next week.

Thakur made this known on Saturday in Abuja at the commemoration of the 16 Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PDB) convention, also known as the Indian Diaspora Day.

He said the vaccines would be made available on concessional terms after completing all the necessary registration requirements with the Nigerian regulatory authorities.

“We will be rolling out next week as the vaccines are already announced, so we will be quite keen to be applying for the necessary registrations, with the regulatory authorities of Nigeria.

“And we will be very happy to supply, on either concessional terms, or any other needs that may be projected by the government of Nigeria.

“In fact, we will like to go out and engage the external world, particularly because we have performed well not only during the COVID period, but in earlier pandemics and contributions to anti AIDS drugs for Africa.

“We will be ready to collaborate when the registration process, as may be required, is completed, and I am sure this will be an important area of collaboration between our two countries.

“We will have to discuss this with the government of Nigeria. Let it be registered first, and we will have to get the approval process,” Thakur said.

Thakur said that the pandemic had further shown the strength of the linkages between both countries, as resilient partners, noting that bilateral and business relations had continued even amid the pandemic.

Speaking on the essence of the PBD, Thakur said the Indian diaspora in Nigeria had adopted Nigeria as their second country, ”seeing India as the country of their birth, while Nigeria as the country of their work.”

The High Commissioner said the Indian community and companies had consistently contributed to the welfare of Nigeria, lauding the recent cash donation of over N100 million by the Indian Community Organisation.

“They have been constantly contributing not only to Indian welfare, but more importantly to Nigeria, which is our message to the Indian community that they must contribute to the country in which they live and perform their duties.

“And I am very happy to say most recently the Indian Community Organisation raised over N100 million and actually earmarked a 50-bed hospital and donated it with the equipment and facilities there, to the department of health of Lagos, which has been highly appreciated,” the envoy said.

Mr Selva Panner, President, Indian Cultural Association, Abuja, said the Association had continued to advocate Indian diaspora to be disciplined, law abiding and imbibe peaceful habits in the country.

Panner said the community would continue to contribute to the Nigerian society economically, socially and culturally, pointing at the PBD celebration as a fine indicator of the ties of the Indian community with their motherland.

Defence/Security

FRSC says NIN now compulsory for vehicle registration

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By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it had made the presentation of a valid National Identification Number (NIN) compulsory for all categories of vehicle registration.

Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FRSC had commenced compliance on this directive since Dec. 21, 2020.

It followed directives by the Corps Marshal that all applicants for the National Driver’s Licence must present their NIN, before being captured for any class of licence.

Kazeem said that this was in full compliance with the directives of the Federal Government on the harmonisation of citizens’ data.

“The FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has also made provision of NIN mandatory for all categories of Vehicle registration, effective from second quarter of 2021. This is in total compliance with the Presidential directives.

“All applicants of vehicle registration are, therefore, expected to present their NIN as a precondition for the registration of their vehicles,” he said.

“Beginning from the second quarter of this year 2021, If you want to register your vehicle, it is going to be compulsory for you to provide your NIN.

” This is part of the security checks. So, once you provide your NIN, it makes the matter easier and helps the government in national planning.

”It also helps in critical decision making and enhance adequate intelligence gathering for security of lives and property, ” he said.

Defence/Security

Army approves new postings, redeployments of senior officers

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By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has approved new postings and redeployments of some senior officers to different divisions, units and formations, to rekindle the spirit of professionalism and enhance productivity.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sagir Musa, who disclosed this in a statement, on Saturday, in Abuja, stated that the new postings were a routine exercise intended to reinvigorate the system, for greater performance and effectiveness.

He said that the postings saw the redeployment of Maj.-Gen. FO Agugo, from the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Signals Corps, Apapa, Lagos, to Defence Headquarters, as Chief of Defence Communications.

Similarly, Maj.-Gen. M. Mohammed was moved from the Nigerian Army Resource Center, Abuja, to Pronto Tech Nigeria Limited as Managing Director, while Maj.-Gen. AR Owolabi moved from Defence Headquarters, Department of Communications, to Headquarters, Nigerian Army Signals Corps as Commander.

In the same vein, Musa disclosed that Maj.-Gen. Aminu Bande, had been confirmed as substantive General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division Sokoto, with Maj.-Gen. IM Jallo also confirmed as the GOC 6 Division, Port Harcourt.

Other appointments, according to the statement, included the redeployment of Maj.-Gen. E Akerejola to the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin, as Commandant, while Maj-Gen. UM Mohammed, remained in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Special Adviser Nigerian Army University, Biu, and Vice Chairman, Nigerian Army Property Limited.

The postings also included the confirmation of Maj.-Gen. Hussein Ahmed, as Provost Marshal, and Maj.-Gen. AbdulKhalifa Ibrahim, as substantive GOC 7 Division/Commander, Sector 1 Operation Lafiya Dole, Maiduguri.

The statement said that all the postings and appointments would take effect from Jan. 18.

“While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously, and discharge all duties professionally, with utmost loyalty to the Nation and the Service,” Musa said.

General News

Enugu govt. inaugurates panel of inquiry on community crisis

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By Nicholas Obisike
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has inaugurated a Panel of Inquiry on the recent crisis in Oruku Community in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.

Inaugurating the panel in Enugu on Friday, Ugwuanyi urged the people of the community to  embrace peace, which his administration had strived to entrench and nurture in the state.

He  said the government and people of the state received the sad news of the incident with rude shock.

Members of the panel include Justice Harold Eya as Chairman and the Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council of the state, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu.

Other members include Dr Godwin Anigbo as the Secretary, Prof. Chris Onah, Mr Anthony Ogbu, Dr Chinwe Onah, and Mr Paschal Okoloagu to serve as counsel for the panel.

Ugwuanyi noted that the panel was constituted in pursuant to Section 4(1) of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap. 24, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004.

He outlined the terms of reference of the panel to include, ascertaining the number of persons killed or injured.

“Identify persons, group or institutions who either by acts or omissions are directly or indirectly involved in, or sponsored the crisis.

“Investigate any other matter (s) that may come to the knowledge of the panel in the course of the inquiry, not covered in these terms of reference.

“To make recommendations regarding persons whom the panel finds culpable or blameworthy in connection with the crisis.

“Generally make recommendations in the light of its findings on how to prevent similar crisis in future and make other recommendations which the panel may consider appropriate in view of its findings.”

Ugwuanyi gave the panel two months to complete their assignment and urged it to discharge the task which outcome would inform further actions by government.

Responding on behalf of other members of the panel, Eya appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve the state in such capacity, pledging to carry out the task with diligence.

Health

FCT mosques get kudos, knocks over COVID-19 protocol compliance

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By Salisu Sani-Idris
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Friday commended the level of compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols in mosques around the Federal Capital City during Jumma’at congregation prayers.

Mr Ikharo Attah, Head, Publicity and Enlightenment, FCT Ministerial Enforcement Task Force on COVID-19, made the remark after monitoring some mosques at Wuse, Utako and Maitama Districts, in Abuja.

Attah urged Imams to ensure that their congregation adhered strictly to physical distancing during prayers.

“The usage of face masks, sanitisers and hand washing points in the mosques visited are quite encouraging. The Imams and Ulamas have put in place measures to ensure compliance from the entry points,” he said.

According to him, most mosques have shortened their sermon and prayer times to prevent people from staying longer in the places of worship.

“The only mosque we were not encouraged with is the Uthman Bin Alfa Mosque, Wuse II which is located opposite Banex Plaza.

“Though worshippers who entered the premises wear face masks, there was no infrared thermometer for temperature check, no hand washing points and no sanitizers at the entry points into the mosque,” he said.

Attah, therefore, advised secretary of the mosque to ensure that all anomalies are corrected before the next prayers.

Meanwhile, at the Ansarul Islam National Mosque, Utako District, the team also frowned at the fact that security men at the gate enforcing compliance with the COVID-19 protocols were not wearing facemasks.

The enforcement team also inspected compliance at the An-nur Mosque, Wuse II and the Ansar Udeen Islamic Mosque Maitama.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in all the mosques visited face masks vendors were spotted making brisk business at the various entry points.

Politics

River govt. approves construction of new legislative quarters

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By Dianabasi Effiong
Rivers State Executive Council has approved the construction of a new House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt at the cost of N10.1 billion.

The new legislative quarters, expected to provide global standard accommodation for the legislators, is expected to be completed within 16 months.

The approval for the construction was given on Friday during the Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

The Commissioner for Housing, Elder Chinedu Tasie, who briefed journalists on the approval, said that the new Assembly Quarters would be built within the old site.

Tasie said that the project would comprise “32 four bedroom duplexes as against the block of flats now considered to be obsolete’’.

The Commissioner added that a two-room `Boys Quarters’ would be attached to each of the duplexes.

The new legislative quarters will include a multipurpose hall, green area, security accommodation, guard office, gate houses and network of roads and underground drainage.

He said: “It has been awarded to an indigenous company to undertake the project for a period of 16 months and the contract sum approved is N10.1 billion.’’

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, said the approval for the construction was to ensure that the legislative arm have decent accommodation.

Nsirim also said that the project would boost the synergy that existed between the two arms of government.

“In this State, the relationship between the executive, legislature and the judiciary is one that is being celebrated across the country because of the leadership that the Governor has given in the State.

“So, we are looking forward to a global standard accommodation for our legislators, which will help them in the legislative business in the years ahead,’’ Nsirim said. (NAN)

Health

Nigeria hits new high of 1,544 new COVID-19 infection

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By Abujah Racheal
The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 1,544 new infections of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The NCDC, on its verified website on Friday, also confirmed additional 12 coronavirus-related deaths.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country’s daily new infections accelerated to a record high of over 1,500 cases for the third time bringing the total to 97,478.

There is now a rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases nationwide similar to the second wave of infections occurring in other countries.

The NCDC said that the new infections were from 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It said that Lagos state reported 739 new cases, followed by Plateau with 168 cases and the FCT with 153 cases, Oyo (91), Nasarawa (90), Rivers (80), Kaduna (35) and Edo (33).

Kano (29), Ogun (21), Delta (19), Sokoto (16), Akwa Ibom (11), Ebonyi (11), Enugu (10), Osun (10), Niger (9), Bauchi (8), Kebbi (8), Katsina (2), and Taraba (1).

The agency, however, noted that 570 patients were discharged from isolation centers across the country on Friday which include 264 and 147 community recoveries in Lagos and Plateau States.

A multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) activated at Level 3, is coordinating response activities nationwide.

NAN recalls that since the first case of coronavirus was reported in the country, 1,011,584 people have been tested of which 97,478 were tested positive.

Presently, the country’s active cases is 17,584, while only two states, Kogi and Cross River, have no active case of the infection as at Jan. 8.

Lagos, Kaduna and the FCT have emerged as the new epicentres during this period, with over 70 per cent of all confirmed cases.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has directed that with effect from Jan. 11, travelers must perform a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test not more than four days as well as show proof of payment for post-arrival test before boarding. (NAN)

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