NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Entertainment

Ebonyi welcomes first baby of 2021 at 12:00 a.m.

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By Uchenna Ugwu

The wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs Racheal Umahi, has welcomed the state’s first baby of 2021 at the Mile Four Maternity Hospital, Abakaliki, delivered around 12:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

The baby boy, who  weighed 3.75kg at birth, was given birth to  by Mrs Esther Nwabuchechi, of Ezza-North Local Government Areas of the state, who has seven children.

Umahi, while welcoming the baby, thanked God for the gift of a baby boy and commended the hospital’s management for their commitment and attention to the baby who was incubated.

Speaking during her visit to the first baby who was delivered through a cesarean session, she said: “We are joining the family of this baby to thank God for safe delivery and for the gift of a baby boy.

“We pray for healthy recovery of the baby and mother.

“We pray he  is brought up properly for the betterment of the society and his family,” she said.

The hospital’s  Administrator, Rev. Sister Charity Munoye said that the cesarean operation was successfully done.

“The baby was born at 12:00a.m, weighing 3.75kg and was delivered of Mrs Esther Nwabuchechi.”

Munonye applauded Gov. David Umahi and his wife for impacting the lives of indigent patients in the state.

Nwabuchechi, thanked God for a successful surgical operation and support from the governor’s wife.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that  Umahi presented various baby and food items to the baby’s mother at the hospital. (NAN)

Defence/Security

Troops rescue 10 victims, kill bandits in Katsina, Zamfara

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued 10 kidnapped victims from bandits, eliminated one of the bandits and arrested one in Katsina and Zamfara States.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Friday, said the operations were conducted on Thursday at different locations.

He said the troops on Thursday, encountered the bandits while on routine patrol around Gidan Dan Nunu and Dutsi villages in Zurmi Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara.

He said that the troops successfully rescued seven victims during the encounter.

He also disclosed that troops of Forward Operating Base Dangulbi, arrested one Zayanu Abdullahi from Shinkafi district with huge amount of money while on stop and search patrol.

According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was involved in buying stolen cows from bandits.

“Further investigation revealed that the suspect has been a collaborator with bandits. The suspect is in custody for further action.

“The gallant troops acting on credible intelligence that bandits were operating in Kimbisawa village of Batsari LGA of Katsina state, swiftly mobilised to the village and rescued two women and a child kidnapped by the bandits.

“Rescued victims were immediately reunited with their families,” he said.

Enenche further disclosed that troops on the same day,  eliminated one bandit in an ambush, while on routine patrol along Batsari-Jibia Road.

According to him, bandits engaged the troops from a high ground but contact was successfully cleared due to troops’ superior firepower.

“One bandit was neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said. (NAN)

Education

Abia Govt. approves reopening of schools on Jan. 11

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By Ijendu Iheaka

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, has approved the reopening of all schools in the state on Monday, Jan. 11, for the continuation of the first term of 2020/2021 academic session.

A statement issued by the state’s Commissioner for Education, Dr Kanaelechi Nwangwa, in Abia on Friday stated that COVID-19 protocols must be strictly adhered to.

Nwangwa, therefore directed all school heads and proprietors to ensure the observance of COVID-19 protocols for the safety of teachers and students.

He said that this was imperative following the the second wave of the COVID-19 in Nigeria.

“They should also note that by this directive, the first term of 2020/2021 will now officially end on Wednesday Feb. 10, 2021.

“This is to ensure that the first term runs a full course as expected.

“Any school proprietor that shortchanges this schedule and decides to cut corners by running an abridged term will be appropriately sanctioned.

“The duration of the first term for the 2020/2021 academic session is from Nov. 2, 2020 to Feb. 10, 2021 with the Christmas break in-between,” he said.

Nwangwa urged school heads and proprietors to be properly guided by the directive to avoid unwanted consequences. (NAN)

Economy/Business

AfCFTA, new dawn in African integration – ACCI

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By Emmanuella Anokam

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) says the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is marking a new dawn in Africa’s drive towards economic integration as it takes off Friday.

Alhaji Al-Mujtaba Abubakar, President, ACCI who made this known on Friday in Abuja, said it would ensure that various recommendations for its implementation would be acted upon.

AfCFTA agreement comes into effect on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.

According to Abubakar, today marks the realisation of a dream conceived in 1963 during the establishment of Organisation of African Unity, now African Union.

Across African capitals, from East to West and from North to South, the celebration is feverish as Africans today break decades of economic isolation by embracing unhindered trade access and interaction.

The continental trade is targeted at creating collective wealth and listing Africans out of the poverty bracket.

“As a leading Chamber in Nigeria, ACCI is elated to be part of this historic occasion, a process in which we actively participated from the beginning to fruition.

“We want to note that Nigeria has been fervently preparing for this day, especially through the mobilisation and strategic activities of the National Action Committee on readiness for the AfCFTA,’’ he said.

The ACCI president noted that various sub-sectoral groups have worked for months collating, designing and launching various sectoral action plans to put Nigeria’s private sector on a strong footing for the continental programme.

Abubakar affirmed that ACCI was a strong partner all through and set to ensure that various recommendations for accelerated readiness were acted upon.

According to him, Nigeria as the leading economy on the continent has a historic opportunity to deepen her economic reach and depth across Africa, leveraging on her affirmed strengths in services and manufacturing sector.

The president further said that Nigerian firms were already strongly rooted in many African countries.

He added that the new dawn would only enhance rather than diminish Nigeria’s economic influence on the continent.

Abubakar expressed ACCI’s commitment toward continuous mobilisation of her members to tap into the various sectoral action plans to enhance their capacities to trade within the context of the AfCFTA.

He said that ACCI would launch a Monthly AfCFTA Monitoring Review Roundtable to assess development within the free trade process, assess issues of interest and address disputation in the trading process.

The ACCI boss congratulated the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment and the leadership of the Nigerian private sector and identified with fellow Africans on the development.

The AfCFTA was officially launched on March 21, 2018, in Kigali, Rwanda and as of December 2020, 54 AU Member States had signed the AfCFTA agreement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari signed the agreement establishing the AfCFTA on July 7, 2019.

Buhari, thereafter, immediately directed the constitution of a National Action Committee (NAC) which had coordinated its implementation readiness. (NAN)

Religious

Crossover Service: Taskforce rates Churches high on COVID-19 protocols in FCT

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Taskforce on COVID-19 Protocols has rated most Churches high on compliance with safety guidelines during Thursday’s Crossover Services to usher in the New Year.

Mr Ikharo Attah, the Head of Media and Enlightenment of the taskforce, said this while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja.

Attah said that most Churches were found to have observed health protocols and guidelines issued by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as that of the FCT Administration.

“In all the Churches visited, wearing of facemask was a compulsory criterion for entry, while sufficient hand washing points and sanitisers were adequately provided.

“Also, some had state of the art disinfecting boxes where members were meant to pass through before entering halls or worship arena.

“The first point of call by the team was the old parade ground in Area 10 where the Christ Embassy Church held its crossover service, the taskforce was impressed by the arrangement, but observed that few members took off their facemasks shortly after sitting down.

“Similarly, at the Commonwealth of Zion Church (COZA) located in Guzape District, worshipers were compelled to go through multiple checks and sanitising process.

“Wearing of facemask was compulsory, while family members were encouraged to sit together,” he said.

Attah said that the taskforce also visited the Christ Apostolic Church, located behind the VIO office in Area 1, where it observed that the compliance level was high, as physical distancing and health protocols were maintained.

Similarly, he said that the situation at the ECWA Church near APC National Secretariat, Wuse II, was also commendable, as temperature check was conducted on taskforce members before they entered the premises through the disinfecting boxes.

“When the taskforce got to the Family Worship Centre Wuye, the Church was not in worship service, the security men at the gate informed us that members were told to follow the Lead Pastor, Sarah Omakwu online, as the usual crossover service had been cancelled,” he said.

He, however, observed that the outdoor arrangement in some Churches was not effective, as one of the monitoring screens was not functional.

“This forced worshippers to go in and see things for themselves; we made our observations and corrected them.

“Other Churches visited by the taskforce included Methodist Church located at Wuse Zone 3 and the Assemblies of God Church, Garki Area 11,” he said. (NAN)

Education

Foundation promises scholarship for 90 female science students in Kano State

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Scholarship

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

Kano, Jan. 1, 2021 (NAN) The Ma’ajin Watari Foundation (MWF), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has promised to provide scholarship to 90 female science students to tackle shortage of female medical personnel in Kano State.

Dr Abba Ahmad, MWF founder, told newsmen on Friday in Kano, that the students would be trained under the education endowment fund of the foundation.

Ahmad, also the District Head of Kabo, said the target was to provide special training to students of senior secondary schools in science subjects, to prepare them to study medicine and related disciplines in tertiary institutions.

“It is a deliberate step to train the girl-child starting from SS1 to SS3 classes, to prepare them to excel in the National Examination Commission (NECO) and Senior Secondary School Examination Certificate Examination (SSCE).

“It will avail them the opportunity to secure university admission to read medicine and other related disciplines.

“Our target is to tackle shortage of female medical personnel, reduce maternal mortality and enhance healthcare services in the state,” Ahmad said.

According to him, the foundation will also offer scholarship to successful students to further their education at the university level.

Ahmad said the foundation was being funded through personal donation, adding that modalities have been put in place to ensure sustainability of the project.(NAN)

RSA/OIF/ABI
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Ali Baba-Inuwa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sports

AFN promises to enhance athletes’ welfare in 2021

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By Moses Omorogieva

President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Ibrahim Gusau says the federation plans to focus on improving the lot of its athletes in 2021.

Gusau made the promise in a statement signed by AFN Director General, Pepple Young in Lagos on Friday.

Gusau said that the board will also work towards making the federation one of the strongest in the country in 2021.

“On our part, we have put a lot of programmes in place for 2021 and beyond to ensure that we make our federation one of the strongest, most focused and articulate.

“We are determined to improve the lots of our athletes, develop the sport and take our place in the scheme of world athletics.

“This year, we shall not only focus on the athletes as it relates to competitions. We shall expand our activities to include: athletes’ education, enlightenment and upgrading of coaches technicalities.

“Training/improvement of the skills of officiating officials, training of administrative officials, establishment and launching of an interactive data-driven website and encouragement and support of meet organisers,” he said.

The federation president said that AFN will organise seminars and workshops as well as sponsor relevant professionals on courses to acquisition of the much required knowledge, skills and exposure towards achieving its aim. (NAN)

Foreign

Japanese PM vows to fight against COVID-19

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Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga on Friday vowed to fight against the COVID-19,stressing that Japan’s security alliance with the U.S would remain the foundation of Japan’s foreign policy.

Suga who stated this in his New Year address also pledged to push forward with preparations for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, which was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.

He promised that the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics which were postponed last summer for the first time in 124-years, will be “safe and secure” and serve as a “symbol of global solidarity.”

“The Suga Cabinet firmly promises to protect citizens’ lives and livelihoods, continuing to put all of our energy into preventing the spread of infections and reviving the economy,” Kyodo News reported.

Suga, who took office in September called the coronavirus outbreak an “unprecedented national crisis,” and thanked frontline health care workers for working “day and night” to fight against the virus.

The administration will support investment in green technology, which is part of his push to make the country carbon neutral by 2050, and digitalisation, Kyodo News said.

“We will concentrate all of our policy resources and take decisive action for all kinds of reform,” Suga said, vowing to boost regional economies by working on agricultural reform and promoting tourism.

The prime minister added that Japan’s security alliance with the United States would remain the foundation of Japan’s foreign policy.

He also promised that he would continue efforts to realise a “free and open Indo-Pacific” while maintaining stable relations with neighbouring countries.

Forum

Scotland to return to EU after UK exit, says first minister

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Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday that Scotland would soon return to the European Union.

Sturgeon made this known on her twitter page when she wrote, “Scotland will be back soon, Europe. Keep the light on,”

She stressed that Scotland had voted against Brexit in 2016 and the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union took place against the will of the Scottish people.

Sturgeon also called for holding a second referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom.

With the end of 2020, the transition period in the relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union came to an end, with the UK exiting the EU.

This was followed by the signing of the agreement on the post-Brexit relationship between London and the bloc which has now come into force.

In 2014, Scotland had voted for remaining a part of the UK, which was a member of the European Union then.

One of the main arguments of those, who opposed the possible independence, was that the secession would result in an immediate exit from the European Union.

This however seems to have been overtaken by the recent events of Britain’s  withdrawal from the European Union.(ANI/Sputnik/NAN)

Foreign

COVID-19: WHO clears BioNTech’s vaccine for emergency use

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To speed up access to COVID-19 vaccinations in the developing world, on the eve of the new year, the UN health agency approved Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine for emergency use.

Regulatory experts convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) from around the world and UN agency’s own teams reviewed the data on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and found on Thursday that it met WHO’s must-have criteria for safety and efficacy – with its benefits offsetting any potential risks.

“This is a very positive step towards ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Mariângela Simão, WHO Assistant-Director General for Access to Medicines and Health Products.

“But I want to emphasise the need for an even greater global effort to achieve enough vaccine supply to meet the needs of priority populations everywhere.”

A UN statement said the move opens the door for countries to expedite their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer the vaccine.

It also enables UNICEF and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) to procure the vaccine for distribution to countries in need.

The statement said at the same time, WHO is encouraging more developers to come forward for review and assessment to satisfy the critical supply for all countries globally to stem the pandemic.

“WHO and our partners are working night and day to evaluate other vaccines that have reached safety and efficacy standards,” said Dr. Simão.

The statement said drawing from WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) population prioritization  recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, which were issued in September, the group will convene on 5 January to formulate vaccine specific policies and recommendations.

Meanwhile, WHO is working with regional partners to advise national health authorities about the two-dose shot and its anticipated benefits.

WHO, with the GAVI Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), are spearheading a global effort called COVAX to secure the equitable distribution of vaccines to all countries and not just to wealthy nations. (PANA/NAN)

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