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)

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)

Opeyemi Aremu-Gbemiro

An Ekiti born geo-scientist, Ayo Omotoso, on Monday distributed tractor, motorcycles, refrigerators, clothes, food and other items worth millions of naira to youths and women in Ado-Ekiti.

Omotoso, who distributed the items at the inauguration of his foundation, “Ayo Omotosho Foundation” (AOF) in Ado-Ekiti said that the gesture was to give the community a sense of belonging.

He said his Foundation was out to help serve the people, mostly the needy in the society.

Omotoso, who gave a tractor to a group of farmers, and motorcycles to 15 youths, also gave generating sets, clippers, hair driers, fans to young men and women to start salon businesses.

He said that bags of rice, garri, noodles, salt, groundnut oil, tomato paste, seasonings and other staples were to assist the women, especially the aged and also to cushion the effect of COVID-19 among the residents.

“As we know that some families have not recovered from the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) with the second wave gradually being reported across the globe.

“It is also the best way to identify with them as they are our brothers, sisters and parents; I always have the mindset of giving no matter how little,” he said.

He said that he was inaugurating the Foundation to enable him show love to the needy from the little God had blessed him with.

Omotoso, who promised to be of benefit to the generality of the people of Ekiti, said that the exercise was in phases, stressing that other communities would benefit in the subsequent phases of the programme.

He listed other programmes by his foundation in the New Year to include educational reform and improvement, through quiz and other academic competitions amongst schools in the council area.

others he said included bursary awards for best students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, poverty alleviation for farmers and petty traders, less privileged and the aged.

“AOF will henceforth have one or two events monthly and more especially during festive and national holidays to felicitate with people with our programs which we will be unveiling as the year rolls by.

“My foundation will start giving bursary awards to the best science students in Christ school and the overall best student of the school because I am a product of that secondary school,” he said.

According to him, with time, the foundation will also sponsor an educational competition among schools; the competition is going to be a reality TV show and the overall best school will always have our gift.

“The gift will not just go to the school, but to the individual students that participate in the competition will directly benefit, this is to encourage the pupils academically.

He said that best geologist and overall best graduating students from Ekiti State University where he graduated from would always get his foundation award.

Omotoso said that the kids in the primary school where he graduated would not also be left out.

He said, “Special attention will be given to the less privilege and the aged.

“Medical programmes by the foundation will be available periodically, some medical bills will be paid, we will partner with organizations that can make eye glasses, wheel chair, and it will cut across the whole state.

“AOF lastly, will key into small scale infrastructural development, not very big, but it will go a long way, for instance filling of potholes, parking the drainages, provision of street lights and a lot more”.

Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke at the event thanked Omotoso for the gesture, saying that it was not only an expression of gratitude and good manners but rather a way of building relationships.

Femi Awolumate, a beneficiary, commended Omotoso for the gesture.

He said that it would go a long way in alleviating the beneficiaries suffering.

Also, an octogenarian, Mrs Foluso Ademiloyo, thanked the donor, whom she said she had never met before.

“I want to thank my son for this gift because I have never met him, God Almighty will continually be your guide and protect your going out and coming in,” she said.

Also, Toyin Onileowo, Tope Aladesihun and Tosin Oloruntoba  who are also beneficiaries,  at separate chats thanked the donor and assured him of their prayers and support. (NAN)

By Christian Ogbonna

The Ebonyi government on Monday ordered the arrest of circulators of a video on social media that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of the state.

Gov. David Umahi said at a news conference in Abakaliki that the video was faked.

He ordered security agencies to investigate the source of the video and arrest the circulators.

The governor said the video had caused panic and tension.

“Security personnel must ensure that those behind the circulation of the video, which has caused panic across the country, are brought to book.

“We must increase our security surveillance at the grassroots level. I urge the security agencies to step up and arrest persons circulating the video on social media,” Umahi said.

Mr Inusa Sani, Secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ebonyi Chapter, condemned the misleading video, adding that “it is fake news”.

“The video is an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers and enemies of peace.

“What happened was that on Jan. 2, one of us, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo Village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri community, informed the association of his relocation to Taraba State.

“I use this opportunity to urge the general public to disregard the video in circulation and no Fulani herdsman was attacked or chased out of Ebonyi State,” Sani said.

He said herdsmen had co-habited peacefully with their host communities without any fear, molestation, threat or intimidation from any quarter.

The Police Command in Ebonyi had on Sunday issued a statement noting that Fulani herdsmen were not attacked or being chased out of the state.

Also speaking at the news conference, Mr Philip Maku, Commissioner of Police in the state, assured the public of the Command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

“The general public should disregard the video in circulation, which is misleading and fake. Keep going about your normal business and support the security agencies and state government at ensuring that those behind the evil plot are fished out,” Maku admonished.

Dr Keneth Igwe, Secretary to the State Government, said the distorted and misleading video was propagated by the enemies of Ebonyi.

“We cannot keep quiet on any issue that is trying to tarnish the image of our dear state or cause disorder. We have enjoyed maximum peace with our Fulani brothers.

“The security chiefs are here and there is no incident of an attack on herders in the state; we therefor urge the general public to disregard the misleading video,” Igwe said. (NAN)

By Grace Alegba

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Touch of Love and Lifting Hands Foundation, has renewed its calls on governments at all levels to take care of the elderly very serious in order to attract God’s blessings on the nation.

The Founder/CEO of the foundation, Mrs Atinuke Owolabi, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an end-of-the-year free eye screening and get-together for some elderly and widows in Lagos.

NAN reports that the NGO caters for the welfare of old people, widows and the needy in the society.

Owolabi said that the old people had spent their youthful years serving and building various segments of the nation’s economy and society, and should not be neglected in their old age.

“Some of these old people are being owed pensions after using their youthful age to serve their fatherland. Some of them are lonely because their partners are dead; some of them do not have children.’’

The government should look after the old people so that the blessings of God would come to our country, she said.

She appealed to the government and the well-to-do in the society to partner genuine NGOs to put smiles on the faces of old people.

“NGOs do not compete with government, rather, they complement government but in a less or non-bureaucratic but professional way.

“If NGOs are in genuine collaboration with government, the society will be a better place and the dream of a just and equitable society can be realised,” Owolabi said.

Owolabi also appealed for government’s support for abandoned widows in the society.

She recalled the hardships faced in the Year 2020 by the public such as the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that slowed the nation’s economy and the #EndSARS protests that almost crumbled Lagos State.

She said the foundation founded on Dec. 29, 2017, had carried out several social interventions and provided “care, succour and a place of relaxation for the aged and widows in our society.

“Our impact on the society speaks for itself but it can be made better through collaboration between NGOs and government.

“This is the best way to move the society forward. No alternatives,” she said.

Owolabi called for medical and financial assistance for one of the old widows diagnosed with breast cancer for her to undergo surgery and save her life.

She said that the foundation had lost some widows and old people to death due to financial constraints, while some had gone blind due to late intervention to restore their sights.

NAN reports that free eye checks were carried out on 1,000 old people, given glasses, while those with complex cases were referred to specialist hospitals.

The beneficiaries who were hosted in three batches in line with COVID-19 protocols were given gifts and served food.

They were also treated to danceable music, games and had fun.

The programme was tagged: “Humanity and Good Governance, a Sine Qua Non For a Just and Equitable society.

By Abdullahi Mohammed

The Federal Government has inaugurated Rural Women Grants Project in Jigawa to cater for 4,350 beneficiaries across state.

Mrs Sadiya Farouk, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development said at the inauguration in Dutse on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was introduced by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration toward achieving its social inclusion agenda of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty within 10 years.

The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Nura Alkali, announced that the federal government had spent several billions of naira on poverty reduction project.

According to her, a significant number of some of the poorest and most vulnerable women in rural communities have benefited from 2015 to date.

Farouk said that a total of 4,350 women would be given a grant of N20, 000 each in Jigawa, adding that president Buhari has also approved the extension of the project till the end of this year.

The minister urged the beneficiaries to utilise the money judiciously.

In his remarks, Gov. Muhammad Badaru, who was represented by Special Assistant on Empowerment, Alhaji Abba Mujaddadi commended the federal government for its efforts toward reducing poverty in the country.

Badaru said that his administration has been complementing the federal government’s efforts on poverty reduction, adding that the state had supported 14,000 rural women from 2015 to date. (NAN)

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed trading in 2021 on a bullish trend with the All-Share Index surpassing the 41,000 mark, as investors continued to position ahead of full year results and dividend declaration.

Specifically, the All-Share Index inched higher by 876.67 points or 2.18 per cent to close at 41,147.39 from 40,270.72 achieved on Thursday.

Also, the market capitalisation, which opened the year at N21.056 trillion rose by N459 billion or 2.18 per cent to close at N21.515 trillion.

The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are: BUA Cement, Lafarge Africa, Guaranty Trust Bank, Flour Mills and Dangote Sugar Refinery.

GTI Securities Ltd expressed optimism that the domestic stock market would resume the new year upbeat with less attractive nature of the fixed income market.

Market breadth closed positive with 32 gainers as against two losers.

Honeywell Flour Mill, Sovereign Trust Insurance and Transcorp led the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent each, to close at N1.32, 22k and 99k per share, respectively.

International Breweries and Fidelity Bank followed with 9.92 per cent each, to close at N6.54 and N2.77 per share, respectively.

BUA Cement increased by 9.89 per cent to close at N85 per share.

Conversely, the FCMB Group led the losers’ chart in percentage terms with a loss of 6.01 per cent to close at N3.13 per share.

Caverton shed 3.41 per cent to close at N1.98 per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume of shares traded declined by 70.18 per cent with an exchange of 211.93 million shares worth N1.41 billion in 3,438 deals.

This was in contrast with 710.71 million shares valued at N10.08 billiion exchanged in 4,396 deals on Thursday.

AIICO Insurance topped the activity chart with 87.52 million shares worth N98.96 million; FCMB Group sold 19.67 million shares valued at N60.08 million, while Transcorp accounted for 12.78 million shares worth N12.61 million.

Lafarge Africa sold 9.95 million shares valued at N222.98 million, while Access Bank transacted 9.60 million shares worth N85.39 million. (NAN)

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Mobile Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered that four parks and gardens in the territory be sealed off for two weeks for violating the COVID-19 protocols.

Mr Ikharo Atta, Head of Media and Enlightenment of the Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) COVID-19 Protocols Enforcement Taskforce, disclosed this at a news conference on Monday in Abuja

Attah said that the affected gardens were Eden Park and Garden in Utako, Byuan Resources Ltd., Skychef Park and Garden as well as 7th Option Park and Leisure Services, all in Garki 2, Abuja.

He also disclosed that 12 persons arrested at the gardens “very late in the night’’, would be arraigned after the two weeks.

“What we observe is that most of them (gardens) operate beyond the period (allowed).

“The persons who were in the shops didn’t comply with physical distancing. Face mask wasn’t there at all and no hand washing points.

“They were totally in breach of the COVID-19 protocol and the judge in his wisdom, Magistrate Egbe Arafe, issued the seal off order for two weeks.

“After the two weeks, we will now come back to the court and continue the trial,’’ Attah said.
Attah, who said that the task force would focus on night clubs, advised gardens and parks operators `to do the needful’.

He also said that the authority would not yield to undue demands by kids and parents for FCTA to reopen Millennium Park, Jabi Lake and other parks shut down due to COVID-19

He said that the measure was to save the lives of the people. (NAN)

By Philomena Attah

Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service Muhammad Babandede has directed relevant formations to enforce temporary travel restriction by the federal government on 100 COVID-19 safety protocol defaulting passengers.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the service Public Relations Officer Sunday James, the defaulting passengers have been restricted for a period of six months — from Jan.1 to June 30.

He noted that the passengers were restricted “due to non-compliance with the mandatory Day 7 post-arrival COVID-19 Polymerise Chain Reaction (PCR) test by all in-bound travelers.

“All the affected passengers have been notified and will be prevented from travelling passport re-issuance and travelling outside the country during this period.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service hereby warns all affected passengers to comply to avoid breaching public health protocols and refusal of departure’’.

The federal government had earlier announced that the details of the passports of the first 100 passengers who failed to undergo COVID-19 testing after returning to the country will be revealed publicly and the passports will also be suspended.

The move came as the country is witnessing a second wave of the virus in recent weeks which has caused a spike in cases across the country.(NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the academia over the passing of former Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of First Technical University, Ibadan, Prof Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe.

In a condolence message by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, Buhari condoled with family members and friends.

The president affirmed that the scholar and administrator would be sorely missed by the academia, government and the country.

According to him, the sudden transition of Ibidapo-Obe has left a gap that will be difficult to fill, considering his contribution to the development of education, with a rich pedigree of being President of the Nigeria Academy of Science.

Late Ibidapo-Obe was also onetime Chairman of the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and upwardly rising over the years with a  distinguished career.

Buhari condoled with students and staff of the University of Lagos, First Technical University and the Nigeria Universities Commission over the loss, as well as the government and people of Osun.

The president prayed for the repose of the soul of the scholar, and God’s comfort for his family.(NAN)