The hottest and most trending news articles for this week in all categories are captured in one shot. Find articles ranging from News to Sports, to Politics, to Entertainment, to Economy, to Metro plus, and many other categories. See below the top news for the week:
NEWS
- Beware of fraud, opposition warns INEC, APC recants
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the opposition parties on Thursday advised the Independent National Electoral Commission not to succumb to forces pushing against the deployment of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System and electronic transmission of results. The Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democratic Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Parties and the Coalition of United Political Parties in separate interviews with newsmen insisted that jettisoning the BVAS would compromise the polls.
The parties spoke in reaction to a statement credited to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, in which he expressed doubts over INEC’s capacity to deliver a credible election using the BVAS. Adamu had expressed reservation over the deployment of electronic transmission of results when a Commonwealth delegation on the 2023 general elections paid a courtesy visit to him at the party secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Adamu’s fear was re-echoed by the party’s National Organizing Secretary, Suleiman Argungu, who identified a stable power supply as one of the obstacles facing the innovation. Argungu also cited his home state of Kebbi as an example of an area where such technology could experience some hitches.
But barely 24 hours after their statements, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced that the party chairman was quoted out of context. Morka stated that much as Adamu had tasked the INEC on its readiness to deploy the technology, the party remains committed to the highest levels of electoral transparency.
But dismissing Abdullahi’s volte-face, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, said technology had come to stay in the nation’s electoral process, warning those mounting pressure on INEC to desist. The Director of Strategic Communications, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu, fingered the APC as the force behind the pressure being mounted on INEC to dump the BVAS.
- Police becoming endangered, need prayers – IGP
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Thursday, called for prayers for men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force. He said given the prevailing security challenges in the country, the police had become endangered species and needed prayers for protection and guidance. The IGP spoke in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while commissioning the administrative block for the 26 Squadron Police Mobile Force and a 1.7km internal road network at Mopol Barracks, Idoro Road, Uyo, the state capital, which was completed by the Niger Delta Development Commission.
He said, “What I’m seeing is a church and the other a mosque; policemen are becoming too religious these days, and that is good; any person who does not know how to pray will go to hellfire; these days, you know, we are endangered species; we need to pray and protect ourselves well.” While appreciating the commanding officer for the initiative and courage to find the means and ways of completing the project, the IG commended the NDDC for facilitating the completion of the projects, which were abandoned.
The Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Emmanuel Ohwavboura, stated in his remarks that the agency, in recognition of Section 6 of the police force mission statement and partnership, took over the construction of the dilapidated projects and awarded the contract to Messrs. God’s Owned Project Limited when the police sought their assistance. Audu, who was represented by the Akwa Ibom State Director of NDDC, Udoette Obot, revealed that the police post project at Osongama Extension, which was at 80% completion stage, would soon be commissioned and urged members of the public to protect and make good use of the facilities.
- Marketers warn of possible petrol price increase
Oil marketers, on Thursday, issued a stern warning to the public, asking them to expect to buy petrol at ‘any price’. Marketers, under the aegis of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, told newsmen that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited refused to give its members products, and that they bought at N205 from third parties.
National Controller Operations, IPMAN, Mike Osatuyi, told newsmen that members of the association had bought products for N205 and would add N13 transportation to the cost. “NNPC refuses to give us fuel. We buy from third parties and can sell at any price because if the landing cost to our stations is N218 per litre, how much do you expect us to sell? So the public should expect fuel at any price, depending on the area,” he said.
Spokesperson for NNPCL, Garba Deen Mohammed, could not be reached for his reaction. Spokesperson for the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, had told newsmen on Wednesday that the association had held a logistics meeting with the NNPC.
- Drug War: NDLEA, French Police Commend Partnership As Marwa Seeks More Support
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), has commended the support from the Police Nationale (RAID) of France especially in the areas of training and equipment.
The NDLEA boss who spoke in his office in Abuja on Friday when the Police Attaché at the French Embassy in Nigeria, Emmanuel Verin, led a team of French VIP trainers including Cedric B. and Christophe J. who were in the country to train a number of NDLEA officers in special operations, paid him a courtesy visit.
According to Marwa, “I’ll like to appreciate the French government for its support as one of our leading partners. We have received tremendous help from France not only in terms of training but also equipment. “The support was capped with my recent visit to France where we received warm reception at all the institutions visited and the training promised was promptly organized. We’re grateful for that and we are looking forward to more collaboration and support.”
In his response, Verin said “we’re proud to work with NDLEA because your officers and men are very smart and professional and that’s why you’re getting results, hence our priority in terms of support for NDLEA is in the area of training. Our trainers who have been here to train your men are specialists and top in the field. We’ll do this for a very long time and we’re glad to work with you.”
POLITICS
- I will sack your 30 PS appointees on Monday – Adeleke to Oyetola
Following the appointment of 30 new permanent secretaries by Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola on Thursday, the state governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke has vowed to sack the appointed civil servants on Monday. Governor Oyetola approved and installed 30 senior civil servants as permanent secretaries on Thursday while Adeleke is due to be inaugurated as the State Governor on Sunday, November 27. In a quick reaction to the appointment, Adeleke, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, threatened that any of the appointed civil servant that concedes to the appointment will be sacked by Monday.
The statement reads, “Any Coordinating Director who accept a permanent Secretary appointment from outgoing Governor Gboyega Oyetola will exit the service from November 28th, Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned. “The Governor-elect affirmed that taking such appointments at this last minute indicated the readiness of those directors to exit the state service.
“We want to put on records that those who accept the appointments should be ready to leave the service whether or not their service tenure has reached statutory age. The occupants will be treated as political appointees who will automatically follow the outgoing Governor out of public service from November 28. At the same time, those who still want to remain in service of Osun state government should decline the Greek gift from the outgoing Governor. We affirm that no waiver will be entertained in sacking from office any kangaroo permanent secretary.”
- G5 governors shun Atiku in Abia campaign
Five Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party led by the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the G5 governors, did not campaign for the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, as they flagged off the 2023 elections campaign in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, on Thursday. Speaking during the campaign, Wike vowed that the group, now known as ‘Integrity Group’, would continue to fight for equity, fairness, and justice for the benefit of the poor masses. He urged Abia residents to follow Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and ensure that all the PDP candidates for the 2023 general election were elected.
He said, “The G5 governors will continue to support all the candidates of the PDP in Abia State. “There’s nothing like going back. Do whatever Ikpeazu tells you to do. He is a man of integrity, and honesty and he is dependable, unlike some people who we supported with money and yet they left the party.” Also speaking, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State said the governors would not relent until Nigeria was rescued from insecurity, poverty, and social and economic problems.
Other governors in attendance, including Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, each canvased for support for the PDP candidates in the state. In his remarks, Ikpeazu said his administration had left a blueprint for further development of the state through the provision of a masterplan for the state.
He added that Abia PDP could boast of the best candidates for all the elective offices in the 2023 general election, adding that other political parties in the state picked their candidates from the PDP’s dustbin. High point of the event was the presentation of the PDP flag to Ikpeazu who is running for the Abia South senatorial district seat, and Professor Uche Ikonne, the Abia PDP governorship candidate, and others.
- Despite Our Political Differences, Peter Obi Remains My Brother – Soludo
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has described the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) and former Anambra governor, Peter Obi as his brother, saying their differences are “fundamentally political.” Soludo’s remarks came 10 days after his scathing opinion piece on Obi, in which he accused his predecessor of using his presidential bid to play a game he allegedly could not win.
Under Soludo’s party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Obi governed Anambra State between 2006 and 2014. He joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014, contesting as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in 2019 before clinching the LP’s presidential ticket on May 30 in Asaba, Delta State.
However, photos surfaced of the two Anambra political titans embracing on Thursday at the 70th Birthday Thanksgiving celebration of the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka.
According to a statement by Soludo’s press secretary, Christian Aburime, when Soludo arrived at the church, he promptly approached Obi and hugged him as people watched with surprise. In his remarks, Soludo stated that he would soon meet with Obi to iron out their differences.
- Drama as Soludo embraces Obi, says rift political
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Thursday, met at Awka, the Anambra State capital. The two men met at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church during the thanksgiving mass for Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor in celebration of his 70th birthday and were seen embracing each other while exchanging pleasantries.
When Soludo got into the church, he quickly went to where Obi was sitting and hugged him, while people watched with surprise. Soludo, who described the rift between him and Obi as mischievous, insisted that the former Anambra governor remained his brother, irrespective of their political differences.
The governor had in an article titled, ‘History beckons and I will not be silent,’ dismissed the chances of the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 presidential poll. The article generated reactions across the country and particularly from Obi supporters, who heavily criticised the governor. However, Soludo, speaking during the thanksgiving mass, said he would soon be meeting Obi to iron out their differences, adding that their rift was essentially political.
He also dismissed the rumour of $28m he allegedly collected to run down the LP presidential candidate, saying he would have been a trillionaire if he was into such.
- I’m happy Makinde is among G5 govs – CJN
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, backed his kinsman and Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde, for his membership of the G5, also known as the integrity governors. The five aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party governors are Nyesom Wike, who is the leader, and Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom who is the Chairman. Others are Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Seyi Makinde and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.
The aggrieved governors are calling for equity, fairness and justice in the PDP, specifically insisting that the party’s national chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu, must step down to pave the way for someone from the South to succeed him, since the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hails from the North.
Ariwoola spoke during a banquet held in his honour by the Rivers State Governor Wike, in Port Harcourt, Thursday night. Ariwoola, also from Oyo State, is the Special Guest of Honour to commission projects completed by the Rivers State Government under Wike on Friday.
On a lighter note, the CJN said his host (Governor Wike) was threatening to withdraw Makinde’s wife, who is from Rivers, from Oyo, expressing hope that Makinde would emulate Wike to replicate the good works in his state. Ariwoola said, “That is why we should not be scared to have these men of the integrity group.
- ’10 days notice, police must be informed’ — INEC lists guidelines for conduct of rallies
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published guidelines for the conduct of political rallies and campaigns as well as election expenses of parties, candidates and aspirants. In a statement released on Thursday by Festus Okoye, its national commissioner, INEC said copies of the guidelines will be made available to political parties, civil society groups, and other critical stakeholders. According to the guidelines for rallies and campaigns, political parties “must issue in writing a notice to the Commissioner of Police of the State or the Federal Capital Territory indicating the exact venue and time of the rally or procession and pledging peaceful conduct and control against violence or public nuisance”.
“Political Parties shall transmit to the Commission, through the Electoral Officer at the Local Government Area and the Resident Electoral Commissioner at the State, via a designated portal and also in hard copy, details of the schedule of their political rallies and processions at least 10 days to the date of the political rally or procession. The notice shall be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Political Party,” the guideline reads.
The guideline also states that campaigns by parties and their candidates must be based on their constitution and manifestoes, and must comply with any regulations issued by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as well as COVID-19 safety protocols.
For party finances, INEC said political parties must inform the commission of and transfer any funds or other assets sent to them from outside Nigeria within 21 days of receipt. “The maximum amount of money or other assets that an individual, a group of individuals or an entity can donate to a political party or aspirant for an election shall be N50,000,000. A Political Party shall not accept any monetary or other contribution which is more than N50,000,000 except it identifies and discloses the source of the contribution to the Commission,” the guideline reads.
“Every Political Party that participated in an election shall submit to the portal designated by the Commission an audited report of its election expenses within six months after an election. The reporting period shall commence 360 days to, and including, the Election day. Every Political Party sponsoring the election of a candidate shall submit to the portal designated by the Commission a report of the contributions made to it by individuals and entities within three months after the announcement of the results of an election. The report shall indicate the names, addresses, occupation of donor(s) and the amount.”
ECONOMY
- Flood: Prepare for high cost of food, increased hunger, farmers warn Nigerians
Following devastating flooding in parts of the country, farmers under the auspices of Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) have advised Federal Government to take deliberate steps to mitigate the effect on farmers to avert food crisis nationwide. National President of SWOFON, Mary Afan, who gave the hint, yesterday, in Abuja, at an event organised by International Budget Partnership, warned that failure of relevant agencies to improve security and financial aid for farmers will result in high cost of food, increased hunger and worsened food security status of the country.
“The implication of this massive flooding is that the prices of food will be yet higher, owing to unavailability. This will deal a great blow on the over 90 million Nigerians currently living below the poverty line and the over 21 million others currently experiencing acute hunger,” she said. Afan noted: “At the moment, smallholder women farmers have lost everything. There are no seeds to plant during the next farming season. While some farmers are gradually returning to their homes, as the water recedes, to pick up whatever is left of the destruction, others cannot go back home or to their farms. Some have lost the courage to start all over and others have totally lost hope.”
Stressing that the women have lost all they planted, Afan lamented the lack of seeds for planting during the next farming season, calling on government to grant waivers on all agricultural loans and debts owed during wet season farming. The waivers, according to her, will raise farmers’ morale and motivate them to start cultivating in the dry season. She also stressed the need for swift procurement of farm input and equipment, especially, fertilisers and water pumps for dry season farming.
- Naira Redesign: CBN Receives N165bn Worth Of Old Notes
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received a total of N165 billion so far following its call on Nigerians to deposit all old notes in circulation.
CBN’s Director of Currency Mr Rasheed Adams said this at a post briefing of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. He explained that the figure is far beyond the total receipts it expects, one month after the announcement was made.
Mr Rasheed expressed concerns that in spite of some waivers by the apex bank on deposits, just a few Nigerians have come forward, stressing that there will be no extension on the January 23rd, 2023 deadline.
The Central Bank of Nigeria also noted that a total of N2.7 trillion is currently outside the banking system.
- Nigeria Is One Of Four African Countries Printing Currencies – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday boasted that Nigeria is among four of the 54 African countries that print their currencies locally. He said when he unveiled three redesigned naira notes earlier proposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that it is a thing of pride that Nigeria does not print its currencies abroad like many African countries.
“While this may not be apparent to many Nigerians, only four out of the 54 African countries print their currencies in their countries and Nigeria is one. And majority of African countries print their currencies abroad and import them the way we import other goods. That is why it is with immense pride that I announce that these redesigned currencies are locally produced right here in Nigeria by our Security Printing and Minting PLC,” Buhari said.
The President said the naira redesign was borne out of urgent need to take control of the currency in circulation, counterfeiting of high denomination naira notes, amongst others. He said it is on that basis that he gave his approval for the redesign of the 200 naira, 500 naira and 1,000 naira bank notes.
Today’s unveiling marked the first time in 19 years Nigeria will be redesigning its currency notes.
- Nigeria Needs To Spend $410bn Above Normal To Deliver Transition Plan – FG
Federal government has said that the country requires $410 billion with $10 billion per annum to address the nation’s energy constraint and policy flexibility as well as achieve Nigeria’s transition plan by 2060.
Minister of state for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva made the disclosure on Thursday at the 7th Meeting of the National Council on Hydrocarbons, themed: “Roadmap and Strategic Option Towards Achieving Energy Transition in Nigeria”.
At the meeting which held in Minna the Niger State Capital, Mr Sylva said the gathering which brings together experts and policy makers in the energy sector, was designed to discuss and review energy related issues, identify opportunities and proffers solutions to inherent problems in line with global best practices.
EDUCATION
- Protesting Katsina lecturers predict education’s bleak future
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities Federal University, Dutsinma, Katsina State, on Thursday staged a peaceful protest against the Federal Government over the treatment of members of the union after they embarked on a strike action that lasted for eight months. The lecturers warned of a bleak future for Nigerian education except something urgent was done.
The union members had earlier in the day held a two-hour congress where they reviewed the crisis.
Following the congress, the members marched through the university campus, carrying placards and singing solidarity songs. A statement by the union after the protest said the FG had not addressed any of the issues that led to the nationwide strike.
The statement, signed by the institution’s ASUU Chairman, Dr Jibrin Shagari, and the Secretary, Dr Mzungu Ignatius, said, “We wish to state to both the Nigerian government and the public that this slavish treatment and humiliation of the academia only spells doom to the future of our children and the nation, as the fate of any nation lies in the hands of her intellectuals.”
Meanwhile, the ASUU members at the Umaru Musa Yar’dua University in Katsina protested and spoke through their Chairman, Dr Murtala Kwarah, and the Secretary, Dr Shamsudeen Bello, condemning half salaries payment and insisting that ASUU members were not casual workers.
- FG flags off teacher training programme to reintroduce history in basic school curriculum
The federal government has launched the first phase of a teacher training programme to reintroduce history in the basic education curriculum. The development was announced on Thursday at an inauguration ceremony held in Abuja. History was removed from the basic school curriculum during the 2009/2010 session — a development which has elicited sharp criticism. However, in March 2018, the federal government announced a reintroduction of the subject.
Speaking at the event on Thursday, Adamu Adamu, minister of education, who was represented by Goodluck Opiah, minister of state for education, expressed concern over the non-teaching of history for more than 10 years. He, however, added that 3,700 history teachers have been shortlisted for the first round of training to reintroduce the subject.
The minister added that the focus of the re-introduction is the training of teachers in order to enhance capacity development. On his part, Hamid Boboyi, executive secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), said the selection of teachers was done on pro rata basis, with 100 teachers each from all the states and the federal capital territory (FCT).
In his remarks, Muhammadu Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, said Nigeria has a rich history which can be effectively explored for nation building. He appealed to traditional rulers to support the step taken by the government. “We owe it as a duty to encourage research for the documentation of the history of our people, and should be forthcoming in granting access to historical records in our custody,” he added.
HEALTH
- HIV: Early infant diagnosis coverage low- Group
The National Coordinator of the Association of Women Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, Assumpta Reginald, has said that the uptake of antenatal care, facility delivery, and early infant diagnosis coverage of human immunodeficiency virus is low. Reginald, however, said the low uptake of facility-based services by mothers is not peculiar to women living with HIV.
Reginald said this on Thursday in Abuja at the advocacy workshop for mentor mothers on uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. She said “I am aware that the ongoing national strategic plan is moving forward to plan for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This is an extremely good development. We are, however, still far from this vision.
“In 2020, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission coverage was 37 per cent. The uptake of ANC, facility delivery, and EID coverage is still very low. This low uptake of facility-based services by mothers is not peculiar to women living with HIV. The national data on the use of facility by women reflects that what you see with women living with HIV is a reflection of what is happening in Nigeria.
“There is evidence of good practices that success of PMTCT programming in Nigeria. All the evidence for improving maternal uptake of facility services points to the need to invest in community structures and systems. PMTCT or Elimination of mother-to-child transmission as it is called now, will require active community engagement to make the needed difference.
According to her, PMTCT policymakers and programmers need to develop the will to make the needed change happen.
- 1.6 million Nigerians with HIV on treatment – NACA
The National Agency for the Control of AIDS says 1,619,133 out of the 1.9 million Nigerians living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are now on treatment. The Director General of NACA, Dr Gambo Aliyu, made this known at a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja in commemoration of the World AIDS Day themed ‘Equalise to end AIDS: Equal access to treatment and prevention services.’
Dr Aliyu said this year’s WAD seeks to promote equal access across the population that is marginalised among vulnerable and key affected population groups by removing economic, social, cultural, and legal barriers to HIV prevention services across population groups that are vulnerable to HIV. HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and if left untreated, it can lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
The WAD is celebrated every December 1 annually to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. Aliyu said, “Nigeria’s success story is evident from the significant dip in the HIV prevalence of 3.4 per cent in 2017 to a population-based prevalence of 1.3 per cent in 2018. “As of the end of September 2022, we have 1,619,133 persons on treatment, which represents a significant leap when compared to 838,020 persons in 2017. Our treatment sites have increased from 251 in 2007 to 2,262 in 2020.
WORLD
- Ukraine Battles To Reconnect Millions In The Cold And Dark
Ukraine battled Friday to get water and power to millions of people cut off after Russia launched dozens of cruise missiles that battered the country’s already crippled electricity grid. The energy system in Ukraine is on the brink of collapse and millions have endured emergency blackouts over recent weeks. The World Health Organization has warned of “life-threatening” consequences and estimated that millions could leave their homes as a result.
“The situation with electricity remains difficult in almost all regions,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday evening. “However, we are gradually moving away from blackouts — every hour we return power to new consumers.” A fresh round of strikes Thursday killed at least four people in the southern city of Kherson, recently recaptured by Ukraine, said a senior official there.
The latest attacks on the power grid come with winter setting in and temperatures in the capital hovering just above freezing. The western region of Khmelnytsky was one of the worst affected by power outages, with just 35 percent of its normal capacity, but that was enough to connect critical infrastructure, according to Serhii Hamaliy, the head of the regional administration.
About 300,000 residents in the eastern Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia, were still without power on Thursday evening, but electricity supply had been restored for nearly 70 percent of consumers, said Oleh Synehubov of the regional military administration.
- Half Of Kyiv Residents Still Without Electricity After Strikes
Nearly half of Kyiv residents were still without electricity on Friday as engineers battled to restore services two days after Russian strikes hammered the country’s energy grid. Systematic and targeted Russian attacks for weeks have brought Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to its knees as the country careens towards a freezing winter, spurring fears of a health crisis and a further exodus, nine months into war.
Municipal workers struggled Friday to reconnect essential services such as heat and water as temperatures in Kyiv approached freezing and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visited to announce a new aid package. Lines of cars queued outside petrol stations in Kyiv on Friday to stock up, AFP journalists said. Mobile networks in some areas were still experiencing disruptions.
Nationwide, repair work was ongoing, said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, head of national electricity operator Ukrenergo, but insisted that “the most difficult stage” had passed. Ukrenergo said that producers were providing more than 70 percent of the need across the country.
- Nurses Join Other Striking UK Staff In 2nd December Walkouts
Nurses across most of Britain will next month hold the first strikes in their union’s 106-year history, joining a host of other UK workers taking industrial action over pay. Staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland — but not Scotland — will walk out on December 15 and 20, after the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union said the government had turned down an offer of negotiations.
It will be the latest industrial action in Britain, where decades-high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis has prompted staff in various sectors to demand pay rises to keep up with spiralling prices. The nurses’ strike will be sandwiched between the first of a series of two-day walkouts by national railway workers, while postal service employees will stage fresh stoppages in the run-up to Christmas.
Numerous other public and private sector staff, from lawyers to airport ground personnel, have also held strikes this year. “Nursing staff have had enough of being taken for granted, enough of low pay and unsafe staffing levels, enough of not being able to give our patients the care they deserve,” said RCN head Pat Cullen.
The union, which wants a pay rise significantly above inflation, announced earlier this month that a ballot of its more than 300,000 members had found a majority in favour of strikes. “Ministers have had more than two weeks since we confirmed that our members felt such injustice that they would strike for the first time,” Cullen said, adding that an offer of formal negotiations was declined. They have the power and the means to stop this by opening serious talks that address our dispute.”
- Opposition Leader Anwar Named Next Malaysia PM
Malaysia’s perennial opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was named prime minister on Thursday, ending a days-long political impasse after inconclusive election results. The 75-year-old was scheduled to be sworn in at 5 pm (0900 GMT), becoming the country’s fourth leader in as many years. His ascension will cap a turbulent political life for Anwar, during which he has sat near the apex of power, as well as serving jail time on corruption and sodomy charges.
“After taking into consideration the views of Their Royal Highnesses the Malay Rulers, His Majesty has given consent to appoint Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia,” read a statement from the palace of the king, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah.
Anwar’s multi-ethnic Pakatan Harapan coalition won the most seats in the weekend’s election, on an anti-graft message. But its total of 82 seats was short of the required 112. The king had summoned Anwar and former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin — whose Perikatan Nasional bloc got 73 seats — in an attempt to break the deadlock, but no deal could be struck. Muhyiddin, who was backed by an Islamist party, told reporters Tuesday that the monarch had initially asked him and Anwar to form a “unity government”.
- At Least Six Killed In US Walmart Shooting
An attacker shot and killed at least six people at a Walmart late Tuesday in the US state of Virginia, police said, adding the single shooter suspect is also dead. The mass shooting in the city of Chesapeake comes just before Americans celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and follows a weekend gun attack at an LGBTQ club in Colorado that left five people dead. “Chesapeake Police confirm 7 fatalities, including the shooter, from last night’s shooting at Walmart on Sam’s Circle,” the city confirmed on its Twitter account.
Chesapeake Police Department officer Leo Kosinski had earlier told reporters that there had been “multiple fatalities” at the megastore, which local media reported was busy with holiday shoppers.
Emergency calls were first made just after 10:00 pm Tuesday (0300 GMT Wednesday) while the store was still open, with rapid response officers and tactical teams entering “immediately” after arriving on the scene, Kosinski said.
Local media reported that witnesses said the shooting began at the back of the store and that at least five wounded had been rushed to the hospital. Police did not provide any details about the suspected shooter’s identity or how the assailant died.
Walmart, the largest retailer in the United States, issued a statement early Wednesday saying: “We are shocked at this tragic event.” The company added that it was “praying for those impacted, the community and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.”
- Amazon Founder Bezos Donates $123 m To Homeless Families In US
In honour of this year’s Bezos Day One Fund, American entrepreneur and founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, is giving $123 million to groups assisting homeless families with permanent shelter. Bezos in an Instagram video Tuesday revealed that over the past five years, he has awarded more than $500 million to 167 organizations.
“This year’s Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grants go to 40 incredible groups working to end homelessness in the U.S. In five years, we’ve given more than $500 million to 167 orgs – helping expand their support of families in need. Honored to support these groups.
Launched in 2018, the Day One Fund is a $2 billion commitment by Bezos aimed at combating homelessness among families as well as building preschools in low-income settings.
- UK Top Court Rejects Scottish Independence Vote Plans
Britain’s highest court on Wednesday rejected a bid by the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh to hold a new referendum on independence without London’s consent. The unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court torpedoed the Scottish nationalist government’s push to hold a second plebiscite next year. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who leads the Scottish National Party (SNP), said she respected the ruling, but accused Westminster of showing “contempt” for Scotland’s democratic will.
Scotland’s government will instead treat the next UK general election due by early 2025 as a “de facto referendum” on separation, she told a news conference. “We must and we will find another democratic, lawful and constitutional means by which the Scottish people can express their will. In my view, that can only be an election,” she added.
Outside the court, David Simpson, 70, who first voted for the SNP in 1970, said he was still hopeful of achieving independence in the future. “This is not the end of the road,” he told AFP. “There is nothing impossible.” Alister Jack, the UK government’s secretary of state for Scotland, welcomed the ruling.
- Varsity admission: UK to crack down on Nigerians
Nigerians seeking to study in the United Kingdom might soon be facing strict rules as foreign students wanting to study in Britain may be turned away unless they have secured a place at a “top university,” The Times newspaper reported on Thursday. It was gathered that ministers were discussing how to reduce flows to the United Kingdom after record levels of net migration were reported on Thursday.
CNBC also gathered that according to the report, there would also be restrictions on how many family members the students would be able to bring into the country with them. The rules will also only apply to foreign students who aren’t already living in the UK. About 1.1 million people arrived in the UK in the year to June, with around 560,000 emigrating in the same period, leaving net migration at a record 504,000 people, according to the Office for National Statistics on Thursday.
The reported plans to deter foreign students from studying in Britain seems to go against the government’s International Growth Strategy from 2019, which was designed to increase the number of international students studying in the UK each year to 600,000 by 2030. That target was reached in the 2020/21 academic year when more than 605,000 non-UK students enrolled in higher education, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
The strategy was originally put in place to “support the UK education sector to access global opportunities,” according to the government website. A representative for the Home Office said there would be no comment on the “speculation” around the idea that foreign students may be prevented from entering the UK. The Conservative government has launched a series of initiatives after pledging to reduce net migration to the UK in its 2019 manifesto, including its controversial plans to deport migrants to Rwanda and deals with France to target small boat crossings.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Gospel Singer And ‘Wellu Wellu’ Crooner Sammie Okposo Is Dead
Nigerian gospel singer Sammie Okposo is dead! He was aged 51. Details of his death remain sketchy but close associates including singer Buchi Atuonwu simply known as Buchi told Channels Television that he died on Friday in Abuja. His colleague, Righteousman, who appears to still be in shock, described his passing as a tragedy. He also added that the Welu Welu singer had also collapsed last week upon his return from his praise party concert in the UK and was treated for exhaustion.
Sammie was slated to minister, alongside other gospel singers, Eben, Chuks Praise, Joy Favour, and Victor Edit at the Outpouring Assembly International in Calabar between Friday, November 25 to 27.
In 2020, the singer narrated how he survived a car accident at the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Okposo, who was one of Nigeria’s most decorated gospel musicians, recently hit the headlines over an infidelity scandal. The singer later tendered an apology but later deleted the message on Instagram.
“I was not going to post this because I had already thanked, praised, and worshiped God for delivering me from death Saturday, May 16, 2020, but this is something to brag about and testify of the miracle-working power of God I have a very big God who is always by my side to deliver me,” he wrote on Instagram as of then.
“The image you see is my car propeller shaft that pulled off while I was in motion. Just before it happened, I was doing 100/120 kph on the 3rd Mainland bridge connecting to CMS and then to Surulere my destination,” he added. As I was driving, suddenly I heard a voice ‘slow down’ so immediately I reduced my speed to 60kph, 10 seconds after reducing my speed from 120mph to 60mph the propeller shaft of my car pulled off with a loud noise.”
- Be my running mate, Kanye West asks Trump ahead of 2024 election
Barely forty-eight hours after he declared his interest to run for the president of the United States in 2024, American rapper, Kanye West asked Donald Trump, the former president of the United States to be his running mate in the 2024 election. The music icon made this known on his Twitter page on Wednesday saying he paid a visit to the ex-President at his resort residence in Florida, Mar-a-Lago.
West said he kept Trump waiting, but he disclosed the clue of the topic of their conversation. The 45-year-old artiste went further to ask his fans to guess how the former American leader would respond to the question.
West ran a Twitter poll on the difficult question he landed on Trump as he tweeted, “First time at Mar-a-Lago. Rain and traffic. Can’t believe I kept President Trump waiting. And I had on jeans. Yikes! “What do you guys think his response was when I asked him to be my running mate in 2024?”
- Wizkid, Tems make history at 2022 AMAs
Nigerian singers, Wizkid and Tems, have once again re-established Nigeria’s international presence by winning two awards each at the 2022 American Music Awards (AMAs). While Wizkid made history by becoming the first artiste to win the Favourite Afrobeat Artist category, while Tems won two awards. The event was held on the 21st of November at the popular Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, with popular media personality and comedian, Wayne Brady, as the host.
The award ceremony, which added its first category of “Favorite Afrobeats Artiste” to its list, saw competitors like Wizkid, Fireboy DML, Burna Boy, Ckay, and Tems battling for the prize. However, the ‘Bad To Me’ crooner went home with the plaque. This is the first time Wizkid will be taking home the AMAs, after previously being nominated three times without a win.
Tems also took home the Favorite R&B Song category for Wizkid’s 2020 album, “Made in Lagos,” with “Essence”. She also won Favorite Hip Hop Song for her contribution to Future’s ‘Wait For U’ which also features Canadian rapper Drake.
- New bride, Peggy Ovire irritates fans with ‘Stay with broke boyfriends’ advice
Nigerians have responded to a video of Nollywood actress Peggy Ovire, giving advice to unmarried women, even as she finally marries her sweetheart. Recall that Nollywood actor, Frederick Leonard and his fiancée, Peggy Ovire, held their traditional marriage ceremony on November 19.
In the viral video, Peggy claimed that she had been dating her husband for the past seven years and that when they first started dating, he was broke and still had financial difficulties. The actress went on to counsel single women against leaving a man just because he still required financial assistance.
SPORTS
- W’Cup: Ghana become first African team to score
In the ongoing Qatar 2022 World Cup, of the five African teams that represented the continent in the tournament, Ghana were the first to score, with two goals from Andre Ayew who found the back of the net from Muhammed Qudus’ assist and a goal from substituted Osman Bukari. The Ghanaian side is currently losing to Portugal after Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal from the spot in the 65th minute, Joao Felix’s 78th-minute strike, and Rafael Leao’s in the 80th minute.
It started with Senegal which played the Netherlands with high hopes that the team will clinch a victory over the Dutch team, viewers were disappointed to see two late goals from the orange side.
The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon became the latest African casualty at the global soccer fiesta, losing 1-0 to European side Switzerland in a Group G tie on Thursday.
Although for the first time, all African nations are being coached by home-grown gaffers, the results are so far not going the continent’s way until Ghana came into the picture.
- Apple proposes $5.8bn to buy Man United
The US tech giant, Apple, are reportedly interested in buying Manchester United. United disclosed earlier in the week that they were ready to start listening to offers for the sale of the club, according to a statement posted on the club’s website.
With United now available, Daily Star UK has claimed that the world’s largest tech company may be interested in acquiring the club for £5.8billion. The California-based tech firm has never previously owned a major sports team, but the commercial opportunities provided by United are said to be a primary factor in their interest.
- Guardiola extends Man City deal until 2025
Pep Guardiola has announced he agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Premier League champions until 2025, saying he cannot be in a better place. The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, 51, has won nine major trophies, including four Premier League titles, since taking charge at City in 2016.
“I am so pleased to be staying at Man City for another two years,” said Guardiola in a club statement issued Wednesday. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone at the club for trusting me. I am happy and comfortable, and I have everything I need to do my job as best as possible.”
- Ronaldo becomes first player to score in five W’Cups
Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in five World Cups on Thursday as Portugal opened their campaign in Qatar with a 3-2 defeat of Ghana in Group H. Ronaldo shrugged off a tumultuous week which saw him dramatically leave Manchester United to bury a second-half penalty to set Portugal on their way to victory.
Andre Ayew equalised for Ghana shortly afterwards but Portugal took a 3-1 lead with goals from Joao Felix and Rafael Leao. After Ronaldo was substituted, the Ghanaian side scored their second goal from Osman Bukari’s strike to bring them back into the game.
- Delta to camp athletes in classrooms, shut schools
The Delta State government has shut down schools in the Asaba metropolis for the 2022 sports festival billed for November 28. Newsmen gathered that the decision to shut down the schools may not be unconnected with the inability of the state government to complete the hotels for athletes as scheduled.
Investigation revealed that as of Friday, November 25, the hostel facilities in Issele-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku are yet to be completed, hence the decision to keep the athletes in classrooms.
However, the students were seen on Friday morning roaming the streets of Asaba with their school uniforms as their academic activities have been disrupted.
Students from Asaba Mixed Secondary school, Westend Secondary school, and Zappa Basic, among others, told newsmen that they were asked to go home for two weeks in order to their Classrooms for the accommodation of the athletes.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Delta State Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, had on Thursday, said the game will hold as scheduled and that reports about the possible postponement should be discarded. The State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, who confirmed the closures of schools said, “Few public schools in Asaba were closed because they would be used for camping of athletes for the National Sports Festival.
METRO PLUS
- Panic in Zamfara as bandits demand N60m as peace deal levy
A ‘compensation levy’ of varying amounts has reportedly been imposed on some communities in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State. A resident of Moriki, in one of the communities in the local council, Aliyu Buhari, said the bandits had, through released captives, demanded that they be paid the levy before residents will be allowed access to their farmlands.
Buhari said some communities have paid and agreed on a reconciliation deal with the bandits, adding that residents of Moriki are currently working on raising the levy. “People living in Moriki ward were asked to pay the sum of N20 million to be able to enjoy some level of peace,” he said.
Recently, two people were kidnapped from Dauran community in the council and a ransom was paid for their release, while in Kanwa, over 40 people, who are mostly women, were abducted during a house-to-house search by the terrorists.
The bandits are yet to demand any ransom for the release of the abducted persons. The bandits had earlier imposed a compensation levy of N20 million on Kanwa community. The levy is to serve as a peace deal between the terrorists and the community. Despite paying the levy, the residents are currently living in tension, as they believe that the recent mass abduction may lead to another levy.
- Child Rights Act now domesticated in 34 states — FG
The Federal Government said yesterday that 34 of the 36 states of the federation have domesticated the Child Rights Act dealing with issues of child abuse, child labour, and forced marriage, among others, in Nigeria. The proposed law, named “Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015),” had been domesticated by just 13 states as at 2019, raising concerns in government and child rights circles.
Appearing on the 59th edition of the Ministerial Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the Presidential Villa Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen, who gave the update, said she had been actively involved in the advocacy to ensure all states keyed into the initiative.
The minister said she had personally met with key stakeholders and speakers of state Houses of Assembly to stress the need for them to pass the bill into law for their governors to assent. She expressed confidence that the two remaining states, which she did no name, would soon pass the bill to domesticate the Act. Although the minister declined to mention the two states yet to domesticate the Act, sources within the ministry said Kano and Zamfara are the two states yet to domisticate the Act.
- Masari Restates Commitment To Agriculture, Commissions Rice Farming Centres
Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has restated the commitment of his administration to improve agriculture and other sectors of the economy in the State. This he said is part of measures taken by the government to ensure food security and sustainable means of livelihood for the people as the state remains an agric-based economy.
Masari disclosed this on Friday when he commissioned two rice farming centres at Makera and Raddawa villages in Matazu and Dutsinma Local Government Areas of the state. The commissioning of the two centres is coming under a project undertaken by the State Government in partnership with a South Korean Company geared towards improving the rice-cultivating skills of the farmers.
The project, he explained, also intends to discourage rice importation and improve the social and economic status of people living in rural areas thereby bringing them out of abject poverty. According to Masari, the project had since its inception last year, transformed the way local farmers produce rice from one point five tonnes per hectare to six tonnes per hectare with the skills they have acquired.
