At least 15 labourers were crushed to death by a truck in India early Tuesday while they were sleeping by a road, police said.

The accident took place near a village in the Surat district in India’s western state of Gujarat, area police chief Varadbhai Patel said on phone.

The dumper truck ran over the sleeping workers, killing 12 of them at the scene, Patel said. Eight  were wounded  and taken to hospital, where three more succumbed to injuries, he added.

The workers were from the neighbouring state of Rajasthan.

The truck driver lost control of his vehicle after it hit some sugar cane hanging out of a tractor trolley coming from the opposite direction, Patel said.

The driver was among those receiving treatment at the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation for the families of the victims and those injured.

Tens of thousands of people are killed in road crashes in India every year. The accidents are mostly blamed on poorly maintained roads and vehicles or negligent driving. (dpa/NAN)

By Muhammad Lawal

Gov. Abubakar Atiku-Bagudu of Kebbi State on Monday said the State Government spent over N2 billion to reconstruct 1,050 shops destroyed by fire at the Birnin Kebbi Central market.

He made the disclosure at the Birnin Kebbi Central Market,  while handing over  350 reconstructed shops to the original owners, who met the requirements set by the government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the central market was destroyed by fire in December 2016.

Atiku-Bagudu, represented by Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, said that the state government would accord the original shop owners priority in the reallocation of the shops.

“Anybody who owned a shop before would be reallocated a new one, and those who inherited shops from their parents and are legally conducting their businesses in those shops will also be considered.”

The governor advised those seeking to buy new shops to follow due process to secure them.

The governor reminded the traders that the shops remained the property of the state government, hence the need for them to ensure prompt renewal of the annual dues whenever it expires.

He assured the traders of government’s commitment to release the shops to them soon.

Atiku-Bagudu encouraged the management of the market to ensure judicious distribution of the shops to legitimate traders, warning that the state government would not hesitate to take decisive measures against officials, who violate the established rules.

Meanwhile, the Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kamba, commended the  efforts of state government for reconstructing the market.

Kamba, represented by Alhaji Habibu Labbo, Chairman, House Committee on Land and Housing admonished the traders against misusing the shops.

He said the market was reconstructed  to boost economic activities and enhance the state’s revenue base.

According to him, the state government have spent such colossal amount to assist the traders, in spite of the current economic downturn.

Earlier, the Chairman, Kebbi State Market Traders’ Association, Alhaji Umaru Dan-Gura, commended the government  for fulfilling its promise of reallocating the shops to the original owners.

“We are happy today, we are witnessing the distribution of new shops to our traders.”

The Chairman advised the traders to put the facilities to best use, insisting that the traders must ensure the market environment remained clean to sustain the beauty of the edifice. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja restated the commitment of the Nigerian government to the enthronement of democracy and good governance in the African continent.

The president stated this at the Virtual Support Mission and Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APR Forum) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the on-going Second Peer Review Process.

According to him, Nigeria has consistently supported the strengthening of democracy and good governance throughout the African continent, including under the umbrella of the African Peer Review Mechanism.

“We remain fully committed to promoting the good governance practice enshrined in the ideals and vision of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which gave birth to this review mechanism.

“Nigeria will continue to support Africa’s renewal and rebirth evident in the collective commitment to this review in order to consolidate Africa’s path to healthy Democracy and sustainable growth,’’ he said.

The president lauded the progress made so far in the Africa Peer Review Mechanism as a self-monitoring tool to address governance deficit in Africa, “as we conform to our shared values in the areas of democracy and political governance, economic governance, corporate governance and socio-economic development.”

The Nigerian leader recalled that Nigeria had the first Peer Review in 2008 and since then, had covered appreciable ground in the implementation of the National Programme of Action.

He said: “Our Administration has continued to vigorously pursue security, economic diversification and anti-corruption as the main thrust of national change agenda.

“The totality of this strategy is premised on the promotion of democracy, respect for the Rule of Law and Human Rights, gender equality and by far the largest investment in social change in Nigeria’s post-independence history.”

He expressed the readiness of his administration to submit to the review exercise, saying “Nigeria is keen to join the league of African Union Member States which will undergo the second peer review exercise.

“This is a firm demonstration of our belief in the dividends of democracy through this unique peer review system.’’

According to him, Nigeria has learned valuable lessons and gained a wealth of experience in its journey to entrenching democracy and good governance in all manifestations since the restoration to democracy in 1999.

“We must stay the course and continue on this pathway to a peaceful, secure and more democratic Nigeria.”

The Chairperson of the APRM National Governing Council, Sen. Abba Ali, said that the benefits of the second review include among others; the invigoration and institutionalization of the APRM process in Nigeria and entrenchment of good governance.

In her remark, the Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency (AUDA) – NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Gloria Akubundu, said this review under the leadership of President Buhari, was the second for Nigeria since the adoption of NEPAD in 2001.(NAN)

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The Nigerian stock market opened for the week on Monday with a loss of N40 billion, halting five consecutive days positive run.

Speficially, the market capitalisation which opened at N21.530 trillion shed N40 billion to close at N21.490 trillion.

Also, the All Share Index which opened at 41,176.14 lost 93.76 points or 0.23 per cent to close at 41,082.38.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, among which are; Dangote Cement, Flour Mills, Guinness, NASCON Allied Industries and FBN Holdings.

Analysts at United Capital said that investors would take advantage of gains posted recently to book profit.

“While we expect investors to book some profit from last week’s gains, demand for high-yield dividend companies should sustain the market’s bullish momentum,” they said.

An analysis of the price movement chart shows that Japaul Gold and Ventures led the losers’ chart in percentage terms, losing 6.58 per cent to close at N1.42 per share.

Flour Mills trailed with a loss of 5.49 per cent to close at N31, while Wema Bank dipped 5.33 per cent to close at 71k per share.

Neimeth shed 4.76 per cent to close at N2, while GlaxoSmithKline depreciated by 4.29 per cent to close at N6.70 per share.

Conversely, African Alliance Insurance, AIICO Insurance, Cadbury Nigeria, R.T. Briscoe, Trans-Nationwide Express and Universal Insurance dominated the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, gaining 10 per cent each, to close at 22k, N1.32, N10.45, 22k, 88k and 22k per share, respectively.

BOC Gases followed with 9.98 per cent to close at N13.77, while Livestock Feeds rose by 9.95 per cent to close at N2.32 per share.

Meanwhile, the total volume of shares traded increased by 10.77 per cent as investors bought and sold 738.53 million shares worth N4.17 billion in 7,396 deals.

This was in contrast with 666.61 million shares valued at N6.39 billion achieved in 6,980 deals on Friday.

Transactions in the shares of Japaul Gold and Ventures topped the activity chart with 92.36 million shares worth N145.79 million.

Universal Insurance followed with 51.79 million shares valued at N10.41 million, while Transcorp traded 43.15 million shares worth N46.17 million.

FBNH traded 39.77 million shares valued at N298.25 million, while AXA Mansard Insurance transacted 38.19 million shares worth N63.88 million. (NAN)

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 says the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will carry out 450 COVID-19 tests in each local government area of the country.

The PTF chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha, also Secretary to the Government of the Federation, made this known at the national briefing on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

Mustapha said the exercise would start with the states that were in the forefront of resourcing and infrastructure.

According to him, the PTF has  authorised the NCDC to immediately implement the 450 tests per local government plan nationwide.

Mustapha said: “We are aware that states are not on the same pedestal in the area of testing, and we shall begin with the states that are in the forefront of resourcing and infrastructure.”

On resumption of schools, Mustapha said that several states had complied with the resumption of schools.

He said: “PTF recommends strongly that very strict adherence to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions should be enforced by the states to avoid the escalation of cases.

“The PTF will continue to dialogue with the Governors and the Federal Ministry of Education to closely monitor the situation.”

On Nigeria’s position on the global level in terms of spread of the virus, the chairman said: “In African continent, South Africa and Nigeria continue to report highest daily count, while South Africa, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Algeria and Kenya account for 76 per cent of all cases in the region.

“Nigeria has moved up to third position in highest cumulative case load, but remains second for new cases and fifth highest in cumulative deaths on the World Health Organisation (WHO) African region.

“From the foregoing, testing has proven to have become more significant in our national response.

“The PTF still urge the state governments to enable their Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) to step up on sample collection and to maximise the capacities of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Laboratories already established in their states.”

He assured Nigerians that the vaccines to be approved would be safe and good for Nigerians, noting: “the positive news about vaccines remains high in the ranking of discussions nationwide.

“Nigerians are assured that PTF will ensure that the vaccines to be approved will be safe and effective.

“We must, however, work together as foot soldiers in the vaccine advocacy so that we can eliminate the pandemic.

“The PTF wishes to emphasise that the success of our national response shall not depend on vaccines alone.

“Rather, compliance with the non-pharmaceutical protocols must remain top on our individual priorities,” Mustapha said.

The SGF also said that PTF was proceeding with the next phase of the approved presidential sanction against all in-bound international travellers that failed to undergo the day-seven post arrival test.

“The PTF will publish the next list of 100 defaulters very soon.

“Let me clarify, however, that there is a strong multi-sectoral approach to the activities, decisions and engagement of PTF with institutions of government and the public sector.

“Consequently, all steps being taking are outcomes of in-depth consultations and review before they are made public,” the PTF chairman said. (NAN)

By Ismaila Chafe

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has raised alarm over what he described as devastating effects of the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic in Imo, calling for urgent presidential intervention to check the menace.

Uzodinma made the call while addressing State House correspondents at the end of a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

The governor disclosed that already he had signed an Executive Order meant to check the spread of the deadly virus in Imo, saying the State Government had introduced sanctions for people refusing to wear face mask in compliance with the Presidential Task Force’s protocols on COVID-19.

According to him, a Task Force on COVID-19 has been put place in the state and measures are being taken to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of all citizens.

He said: “Few days ago I issued an Executive Order to make not wearing mask a crime in Imo State. So, any moment from now, we will begin to arrest people refusing to wear mask.

“I have given a 14-day ultimatum for those coming into Imo to wear their face mask and comply with NCDC protocol or be arrested.

“I have created six mobile courts to handle that. We don’t joke. It is better we offend people than to allow this disease to continue to spread in Imo State.

“I have in place a Task Force on COVID-19 chaired by Prof. Maurice Iwu, the former Chairman of INEC, and they have done well.

“We have in place four isolation centres, fully equipped and the government partnering with the private sector has also equipped an additional isolation centre at the University Teaching Hospital Orlu.

“But the number is growing daily and those testing positive are also on the increase. So I think we need to prepare more grounds; build more isolation centres, get more medications, get oxygen and also try to have respiratory support equipment for those who have difficulty in breathing after they have been infected.”

The governor frowned at

Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has raised alarm over what he described as devastating effects of the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic in Imo, calling for urgent presidential intervention to check the menace.

Uzodinma made the call while addressing State House correspondents at the end of a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

The governor disclosed that already he had signed an Executive Order meant to check the spread of the deadly virus in Imo, saying the State Government had introduced sanctions for people refusing to wear face mask in compliance with the Presidential Task Force’s protocols on COVID-19.

According to him, a Task Force on COVID-19 has been put place in the state and measures are being taken to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure the safety of all citizens.

He said: “Few days ago I issued an Executive Order to make not wearing mask a crime in Imo State. So, any moment from now, we will begin to arrest people refusing to wear mask.

“I have given a 14-day ultimatum for those coming into Imo to wear their face mask and comply with NCDC protocol or be arrested.

“I have created six mobile courts to handle that. We don’t joke. It is better we offend people than to allow this disease to continue to spread in Imo State.

“I have in place a Task Force on COVID-19 chaired by Prof. Maurice Iwu, the former Chairman of INEC, and they have done well.

“We have in place four isolation centres, fully equipped and the government partnering with the private sector has also equipped an additional isolation centre at the University Teaching Hospital Orlu.

“But the number is growing daily and those testing positive are also on the increase. So I think we need to prepare more grounds; build more isolation centres, get more medications, get oxygen and also try to have respiratory support equipment for those who have difficulty in breathing after they have been infected.”

The governor frowned at the attitude of some Nigerians who deliberately refused to comply with non-pharmaceutical protocols so as to check the spread of the virus.

“It’s not easy honestly, because, knowing the attitude of our people, they are so stubborn, you continue to plead with them to see reason with you because you can only be stubborn if you are alive.

“We’ve seen how people are dying every day, in everywhere, even in Imo because of this ugly monster called COVID-19.

“So, our people are invited through this medium to please respect and comply with NCDC protocols for this COVID-19, so that at least we will be alive,’’ he added. (NAN)

the attitude of some Nigerians who deliberately refused to comply with non-pharmaceutical protocols so as to check the spread of the virus.

“It’s not easy honestly, because, knowing the attitude of our people, they are so stubborn, you continue to plead with them to see reason with you because you can only be stubborn if you are alive.

“We’ve seen how people are dying every day, in everywhere, even in Imo because of this ugly monster called COVID-19.

“So, our people are invited through this medium to please respect and comply with NCDC protocols for this COVID-19, so that at least we will be alive,’’ he added. (NAN)

By Lucy Ogalue

More than 8,000 passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna train route have accessed the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) e-ticketing platform three days into its test running.

A statement by Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, Media Assistant to Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the Federal Government on Wednesday announced the commencement of the test run.

She said that e-ticketing on the route would also officially begin on Jan. 20.

Elebiyo-Edeni said that on the first day of the test booking, 1,174 passengers used the platform to purchase tickets, on Thursday 3,479 passengers access the platform while on Friday, Jan. 15,  3,398 passengers accessed the platform.

She disclosed that Amaechi, who announced the e-ticketing, stated that the government would fully inaugurate the service this week.

The train service which was inaugurated for commercial operations in 2016 had faced the challenge of racketeering which had led to extortion of passengers.

Elebiyo-Edeni said the minister initiated the e-ticketing platform in order to resolve the challenges and eradicate touts at the train stations.

She added that purchasing tickets at the train stations is still in place to enable those who cannot access it online to purchase tickets over the counter. (NAN)

By Ismail Abdulaziz
Musu Sawo, a Gambian change maker and women rights advocate, has emerged winner of the 2020 Daily Trust African of the Year award.

A statement by Nura Daura, acting Chief Executive Officer of Daily Trust, said a seven-member award selection committee, announced 30-year-old Sawo as the winner.

The committee, led by the former President of Botswana, Dr Festus Mogae, said the award was for her commitment to ending violence against girls and women including child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Married at the age of 14 and widowed at 21 with no inheritance, Musu, who had also gone through female genital mutilation as a child, is also engaged in addressing the injustices women face daily across Africa.

“I say to the girls: come out and be the change that you can be because your children may be victims,” Sawo said while explaining her motivation.

Sawo, who is an Internationally Human Right Law lecturer at the University of The Gambia, started advocating for girls’ rights at age nine, including against child marriage, which she fell hostage to five years later.

National Coordinator for Think Young Women, she is a recipient of the 2017 Vera Chirwa Award from the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. South Africa and recognized as one of the 100 most influential young persons in West Africa by the Confederation of West African Youths in 2018.

She also received the ‘Inspiring Gambian Award 2018’ by the People’s Choice Award for Excellence in The Gambia.

Sawo’s selection by the Daily Trust was that in this period of COVID-19, women have been particularly impacted negatively, especially during the lockdown when a lot of husbands lost their jobs, resulting in domestic violence in the homes.

“So, with Musu’s championing the rights of women in Africa, which is largely a traditional society, she is deemed to be promoting a great cause, and therefore found worthy of selection for the award.

“Musu Bakoto deserves the award for her continuous work to end violence against girls and women, including child marriage and female genital mutilation”.

The African of the Year Award project was instituted in 2008 by Daily Trust to recognize and reward Africans who have made extra-ordinary contributions to human development in any part of the continent, and in any sphere of human endeavour.

Congolese medical doctor, Denis Mukwege, was the first winner in 2008 and 11 years after the recognition, he won the Noble Peace Prize for his work of treating abused and raped women in his war-torn country.

The award comes with a cash prize of 10,000 U.S. dollars.

The presentation of the this year’s award will be done sometime in March in Banjul, The Gambia.