NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Gov. AbdulRazaq dissolves cabinet, retains SSG

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By Abiodun Esan

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has dissolved the state executive council with effect from Dec. 31, 2020.

The dissolution of the cabinet is contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor on Monday in Ilorin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 16-member cabinet was inaugurated by Gov. AbdulRazaq on Dec. 14, 2019.

The cabinet is made up of nine women and six males.

“His Excellency especially commends the Honourable cabinet members for their contributions to the development of the state while also wishing them the best in their future endeavours,” Ajakaye said.

The governor added that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Mamman Sabah Jubril, was retained.

The governor directed the former cabinet members to hand over to the most senior officers in their respective ministries.

The out gone cabinet also had the youngest commissioner, Ms Joana Kolo. (NAN)

Tallen tests negative for COVID-19

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By Justina Auta

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, has tested negative to COVID-19, after being treated for the disease.

The minister made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, advising the public to comply with the COVID-19 guidelines to be safe.

She thanked Nigerian women and the entire nation for the prayers “and unshakeable dedication to the plight of those declared positive of the Coronavirus Disease.

Tallen, who was on New Year eve declared negative of COVID-19 by her doctor, rejoiced that she was part of the 2021 celebrations, and stressed the need for all
to take responsibility for themselves and their families, to keep everyone safe.

She expressed commitment to promoting speedy and healthy development of Nigerian women toward national development, as well as promoting the rights of
the vulnerable in the society.

The minister prayed for a prosperous year full of exploits in the areas of innovations that would set the nation on a positive course and growth.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister had on Dec. 27, 2020, disclosed her COVID-19 status on her Twitter handle.

She said that she went into self-isolation and conducted a test after interacting with individuals that later showed symptoms of the disease, and her test returned positive.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) report as at Jan. 3 showed that 90,080 confirmed cases of the disease were recorded in the country, with 75,044
discharged and 1,311 deaths. (NAN)

My relationship with Ganduje, Kwankwaso remains cordial – Shekarau

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Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau (APC – Kano Central), says his relationship with Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso still remains cordial.

Shekarau, a former governor of Kano State between 2003 and 2011, said this during a media interactive session on Sunday in Kano.

According to him, there is no misunderstanding between him and Ganduje on one hand and between him and Kwankwaso on the other.

He said: “I and Ganduje have been together for so many years. When I was the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office then, he was a commissioner, and we used to interact a lot.

“I want to assure you that our relationship has since remained cordial, even up to now. So, there is no any problem between us.

“The same thing applies to Kwankwaso; we are in good relationship. Our political differences has not, and will not, affect our relationship. I have never defected from one party to another because of him.

“When I was in APC; Kwankwaso joined the party and then, I left, not because of him, but because of the leadership of the party. The same thing when I was in PDP; I later left, not because he joined the party,” he said.

Shekarau further called on the electorate to always consider quality leaders during elections, instead of focusing on zoning.

According to him, quality leadership is more important than zoning in every election, adding that there is no zoning in the APC constitution and also, in the Nigerian constitution but only exists in common sense.

“I want to tell you that there is no place in the APC constitution that the issue of zoning is mentioned. I think it is only being considered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“All we need is quality leadership, fairness and justice to all, and carrying everyone along; that is what is called balancing of equation,” Shekarau said. (NAN)

LASG sets to inaugurate 377 projects

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The Lagos State Government on Sunday says 377 projects will be inaugurated across the state in the next few months.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known during the Year 2021 Hybrid Edition of the Lagos State Annual Thanksgiving Service, held at Lagos House Ground, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu said that all the projects were initiated to positively impact the lives of every Lagos resident.

He said that he had signed the largest budget in the history of the state into law on Dec. 31, 2020.

“The budget for the 2021 year is ready for implementation,’’ the governor said.

According to him, starting this month (January), Lagosians are going to see the renewed effort going into uplifting their welfare and living standards.

“Over the next few months, we have 377 projects slated for commissioning across the state in various sectors.

“All of them were embarked upon to positively impact the lives of every resident of Lagos State.

“These projects include the 52 Tonne Per Hour Imota Rice Mill, in Ikorodu, the Pen Cinema Junction Flyover and Ramp in Agege, the Restored Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island and the Ariyo (Mile 10) – Ira – Muwo Bridge Phase 1 in Ojo.

“Others are the remodelled Youth Centre in Abesan, Ipaja, the Lagos State Affordable Public Housing Scheme in Idale, Badagry, comprising 252 units of 2-bedroom bungalows and the LagosHOMS Housing Project in Iponri, comprising 132 housing units.

“Also billed for the inauguration are the LagosHOMS Housing Project in Lekki Phase 2, comprising 84 housing units and the LagosHOMS Housing Project Phase 2B in Igbogbo, comprising 84 housing units.’’

Sanwo-Olu said that as a government, the driving force was the vision for a Greater Lagos, hinged on the six strategic pillars of T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that T.H.E.M.E.S, an acronym for Sanwo-Olu administration’s six strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology.

He called on Lagosians to continue to pray for peace, prosperity and continuous growth of the state.

“Let us remember that when it is well with Lagos, it is well with us.

“I wish you all a Happy New Year once again and I pray that 2021 will usher in blessings and good tidings for each and every one of us and for our dear state as a whole,´´ Sanwo-Olu said. (NAN)

 

Train accident kills 3 in central Tanzania

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Three people were killed and 66 others injured after a passenger train derailed in central Tanzania on Saturday evening, said the Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) on Sunday.

The train was ferrying 720 passengers from the country’s port city Dar es Salaam to up-country regions of Tabora, Katavi, Kigoma and Mwanza when it derailed 58 kilometres from the capital Dodoma, the TRC said in a statement.

It added that six of the 12 wagons derailed at around 7.00 p.m. local time in the Kigwe-Bahi area.

TRC officials, along with security staff, were investigating the cause of the accident, said the statement.

TRC Director-General, Masanja Kadogosa, told Xinhua over the phone that heavy rains in the area could be the culprit. (Xinhua/NAN)

Social housing scheme: FG, cement manufacturers agree on discount –Osinbajo

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By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government and cement manufacturers had agreed on a discount for the government’s Social Housing Scheme, being implemented under the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).
“They have agreed to give cement for this project at considerable discount, which is a very helpful thing to do, and we really commend and thank them for the contributions they are making. It is a very patriotic thing on their part. They also see the importance of this Mass Housing Programme”, he said.
A statement on Sunday, in Abuja, issued by Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, quoted the vice president as saying that the discount was part of Federal Government’s determination to ensure the success of the scheme meant  for low-income earners.
Osinbajo, who was visiting completed units of the model houses at  Dei Dei, a Federal Capital Territory suburb, observed that it was possible to deliver decent and affordable accommodation that would  be within the reach of many Nigerians.
After inspecting the prototypes of the one-bedroom  and two-bedroom bungalows, Osinbajo expressed satisfaction with the quality of the design and the fact that the houses were very affordable.

According to him, on the average, anyone earning N30,000 a month and was ready to spend a third of that amount, would be able to afford one of these houses, that is the plan.

“From What I have seen so far, there is a one-bedroom unit and there is a two-bedroom unit, both coming under N2 million. I think that this is a very good thing indeed. And a point has been made that it is possible to build good, decent accommodation that isn’t out of the reach of practically everyone.

“We are hoping that we will be able to replicate this not just in Abuja but all over the country.  So far, the Family Homes Fund is in 11 States, and they have given up land for the project.

“We are hoping that this year, we will be able to very rapidly improve the scale and speed of putting these houses in place.

“Once we are able to get moving quickly, we think we can make available several thousands of houses across the country and more people can afford to live in such houses”, the vice president said.

The vice president noted that the job creation component of the ESP would also be actualised through the Social Housing Scheme, as there were young men and women, who are builders, architects, civil engineers, working on the project.

”We are hoping that a lot of the building materials will be locally fabricated, especially the windows, doors and other components of the houses,” he said.

The social housing schemeis an important aspect of the plan by the Federal Government to address the nation’s housing needs and it entails building thousands of low-cost houses, creating jobs and wealth for youths that will be engaged in the construction of the houses.

Under the ESP, the Federal Government mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria  to provide financing for the housing scheme and already a first tranche of N200 billion had been approved as the first tranche already.

There would also be a ”Rent-to-Own” option as part of the administration’s resolve to impact the common man, in the social housing plan that had been earmarked to generate 1.8 million  jobs and deliver 1.5 million houses Nigerian families.

The implementing agency, Family Homes Fund (FHF) Limited, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Finance, had already mobilised thousands of Cooperative groups across the country to participate in the scheme.

Individuals would also be eligible for participation in the scheme, by applying through the portal: www.nshp.gov.ng.(NAN)

NiMet forcasts sunshine, haziness

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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forcast sunshine and haziness from Monday to Wednesday across the nation.

NiMet’s weather outlook issued on Sunday in Abuja forcast sunny and hazy conditions over the northern region and the north central states with partly cloudy skies over Kwara and Kogi throughout the forecast period on Monday.

According to NiMet, partly cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the inland cities of the south throughout the forecast period.

It forcast coastal cities of the south to be mostly cloudy with chances of few thunderstorms over the coastal parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers in the afternoon and evening hours.

” For Tuesday, sunny and hazy conditions are expected over the northern region and the
north central cities within the forecast period.

“Partly cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the inland and coastal cities with few thunderstorms over Rivers, Cross river, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa during the afternoon and evening period, ” it said.

According to the agency, sunny and hazy conditions are anticipated over the north and north central regions during the forecast period on Wednesday.

NiMet forecast partly cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine over the inland cities of the south throughout the forecast period.

It anticipated coastal cities of
the south to be mostly cloudy with light shower in the morning.

“Later in the day, we expect partly cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine throughout the forecast period, ” it said.(NAN)

 

COVID-19: Nigeria reports 576 new infections

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By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 576 new infections of  the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has so far tested 952,975 persons since the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 pandemic was announced on Feb.  27, 2020.

It said that the total number of infections in the country is now 89,163.

The agency sadly said that the  total death cases recorded in the country is 1,302.

It, however, stated that 74,789 patients had been discharged from the various isolation centres in the country, having tested negative to the virus.

The NCDC said that the new infections were from 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It said that Lagos state recorded the highest figure with 277 new cases, followed by the FCT and Oyo with 90 and 51 new cases respectively.

Other states with new cases are Nasarawa 49, Sokoto 23, Anambra 14, Bauchi 11, Imo 11, Kano 11, Edo 10, Plateau  10, Ogun nine, Osun five, Jigawa three and Rivers two.

The NCDC said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continued to coordinate the national response activities.

According to it, 576 new confirmed cases and eight deaths were recorded in the country as at Jan. 2, 2021.

The public health agency stated that till date, 89,163 cases had been confirmed, 74,789 cases discharged and 1,302 deaths recorded in 36 states and the FCT.

Meanwhile, the agency said that COVID-19 might cause severe complications in the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.

It urged Nigerians to “Take Responsibility” to protect themselves and stay safe:

“Avoid non-essential travel; wear a face mask; maintain physical distance; wash your hands regularly,” it said.

The agency stressed that physical distancing helps in avoiding contact with respiratory droplets when infected person with COVID-19 coughs or sneezes.

“Keep a distance of two metres from anyone showing symptoms of a respiratory illness to stay safe,” it advised. (NAN)

Boxing enthusiast donates N6m car to new WBF champion

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By Akeem Abas

A boxing enthusiast, Abdul-Wahab Adekunle, has presented a N6 million car to the new World Boxing Federations (WBF) Super Featherweight Champion, Ridwan Oyekola of Nigeria.

The car was presented to Oyekola on Saturday at the premises of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Oyekola, popularly known as Scorpion, was crowned new WBF Super Featherweight Champion after defeating Argentine fighter, Lucas Montessori, on December 27, 2020, in Ibadan.

Adekunle, the donor, said his action is in fulfilment of the promise made to the boxer before his bout in December.

He said that nothing was too much to appreciate the wonderful feat the boxer achieved for Nigeria.

“Sports has become a big-time-money-spinning venture globally. All over the world we can see the financial landmark all of them are bringing from Africa to Europe.

“But it seems we’re yet to come to terms with this fact. I believe we can easily get there if we keep encouraging our athletes this way and hope they will keep doing better,” he said.

Adekunle advised the Federal Government to identify sports as an income generator, saying several other countries make huge incomes from sports.

According to him, “I want to use this medium to advise the Federal Government to identify sports as another income earner.

“It is unbelievable that the UK posted that it made one billion pounds as foreign exchange income from football alone.

“We can imagine what we will get in return if we develop and encourage our sports men and women by building facilities to enhance their preparations.”

Dr Rafiu Ladipo, the President, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), thanked the donor for his valuable contribution to the success of the sport of boxing.

“Boxing can only get better if we see good people like the donor, Mr Adekunle and Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman of Ilaji Resorts, coming into this game.

“Definitely, this gesture will go a long way in motivating other boxers and raising the hope for boxing in Nigeria. They need not travel abroad before they can make it,” he said.

NAN recalls that Ladipo had supported the hosting of the bout at Ilaji Sports Resort in Ibadan with N10 million.

The presentation was witnessed by the Secretary of the Nigerian Boxing Board of NBB of C, Remi Aboderin, and the NBB of C Chairman in Oyo State, Gbenga Opaleye.

Others were Olusola Ayodele, the Chief Executive of Core Afrique Promotions, as well as Edna and Faith Ayegbeni, both daughters of late Ibadan-based boxing promoter, Francis Ayegbeni. (NAN)

African nations begin trading under AfCFTA pact

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African Union (AU) Chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed have congratulated Africans for starting trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Abiy tweeted: “Congratulations to our continent for the beginning of trading under AfCTA. The new frontier for Africa is indeed regional integration, where minds are open to ideas and markets are to trade. Trade defuses the most fraught relations and integrated markets generate prosperity.”

South African President Ramaphosa said: “I wish to congratulate AU member states and state parties to the African Continental Free Trade Area on the historic commencement of trading. The vision of founders of the OAU has come to fruition. The dreams of an economically integrated Africa have finally been realized.”

He stated that the AfCFTA will fundamentally change the economic fortunes of the continent.

Continental trading under the AfCFTA started on 1 January 2021 and this is a historic milestone for Africa to start commercial business within the continent.

Under AfCFTA trading, tariffs on various commodities where rules of origin have been agreed will be drastically reduced and traders of all sizes will have access to a much bigger market than they used to before.

The Agreement establishing the AfCFTA was signed in March 2018 in Kigali Rwanda, following conclusion of the main legal texts.

The AU’s 54 Member States have signed, and 30 countries have deposited their instruments of ratification of the pact with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa.

The main objectives of the AfCFTA are to create a single market for goods and services, facilitate the movement of persons, promote industrial development and sustainable and inclusive socioeconomic growth, and resolve the issue of multiple membership, in accordance with agenda 2063.

It also lays a foundation for the establishment, in future, of a Continental Common Market.

Ramaphosa, in his capacity as outgoing Chairperson of the AU, on Friday addressed a virtual ceremony to mark the official launch of the African free trade area.

He said said the governments of all Member States must promote the inclusion of women and the youth within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“I appeal to all Member States to spare no effort in creating conducive environments for our youth and women to benefit in the opportunities presented by the ACFTA. Indeed, the focus of our trade agreement should be directed to a larger extent on development and sustaining small and medium enterprises and not only on well established big companies.”

President Ramaphosa called on African countries to prioritise silencing the guns, saying the AfCTA will not succeed amid conflict.

Meanwhile, the South African Trade and Indesidentustry Department has urged the country’s manufacturers and farmers to gear up for new export opportunities.

The Department said South Africa has put in place the legal and administrative processes for preferential trade under the AfCFTA.

The AfCFTA aims to bring together 1.3 billion people in a $3.4 trillion economic bloc Africa a new opportunity to develop its own value chains. According to the World Bank , it could lift millions of African people out of povery by 2035. (PANA/NAN)

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