News Rider

Pandemic: EHORECON To Unveil Emergency Response Scheme BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja                       Mohammed  Committed to addressing series of epidemic and pandemic in Nigeria, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) has concluded plans to unveil health emergency response volunteer scheme and environmental health service in the control and prevention of infectious diseases. This is even as the agency would also launch the digital-based service delivery portal and Public Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) for the coordination of epidemic/pandemic response in Nigeria. Registrar of EHORECON, Dr Baba Yakubu Mohammed said the event would coincide with the first Environmental Health Summit (EHS) in Nigeria. The theme of the summit, "Rebranding Environmental Health Practice: Breaking Barriers, Unlocking Opportunities", is scheduled to hold from 4th to 6th August at the International Conference Center, Abuja. At the 3-day event, Min

Buhari Departs Abuja For Education Summit, Medical Check-up In UK BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to travel to the United Kingdom today as one of the participants at the Global Education Summit on Financing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2021-2025. After the summit, the President will also visit his doctor for medical check-up.  The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina.disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen today.  It reads, “The summit, which will be co-hosted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, and the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, will bring together Heads of State and Government as well as stakeholders and youth leaders, and provide a platform for partners to chart a way forward towards transforming education systems in partner countries, through exchange of best practices". He said the summit would provide an opportunity for leaders to make 5-

Nnamdi Kanu Absent As Court Adjourns Trial To Oct 21         Kanu  The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu was conspicuously absent at the Federal High Court Abuja on Monday, a situation that led to the adjournment of the trial to October, 21.  This was due to the inability of the Department of State Services (DSS) to present the proscribed leader for its resumed trial in the court, just as the judges  also commenced their vacation on Monday.  The trial judge, Binta Nyako argued that since the defendant was absent in court, that the trial cannot continue.  Nyako however enjoined the DSS to produce the proscribed leader in court for trial.  Earlier, the prosecution counsel, M. B. Abubakar, informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing and that they were ready to continue. Mr Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, countered the claim of the prosecuting counsel, saying that there was a pending application before the court to transfer Kanu from the custo

Nnamdi Kanu's Trial: MRA Faults DSS Accreditation Of Media Houses  BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has faulted the accreditation of 10 media houses by the Department of State Services (DSS) to cover the trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court, Abuja. This is even as the organisation described the move as an abuse of power and an affront to media freedom. The DSS had released a list of accredited media organisations consisting of: The Nation newspaper, Daily Independent newspaper, The Herald newspaper, ThisDay newspaper, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), TVC Communications, Premium Times, and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), meant to cover the trial.  A statement made available to newsmen today by the Programme Director of MRA, Mr Ayode Longe revealed that the DSS lacked the powers to determine any media organisation th

Eid-el-Kabir: FG Declares Tuesday, Wednesday As Public Holidays  BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Aregbesola  In commemoration of this year's Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the federal government has declared Tuesday and Wednesday as work-free day across the country. Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who disclosed this last week, felicitated with Muslims both in Nigeria and abroad on the occasion.  This was contained in a statement made available to the media and signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore. Aregbesola enjoined the Muslims to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad and to use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the current security challenges.  He said the security challenges range from banditry in the Northwest and North-central, insurgency in the Northeast; kidnapping, armed robbery, ethnic agitation and

Ogoniland: FG Creates 2000 Jobs As Remediation Advances In 4 LGA's BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In line with its determination to improve the livelihood of locals in Ogoniland, the federal government has created 2000 temporary jobs even as remediation exercise advanced in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme, all in Rivers State.  To this end, the International Oil Companies (IOcs) have contributed the sum of $1billion for the successful clean-up of sites impacted by oil in the Niger Delta region, given that the 'Polluter-pay Principles', which is recognised globally mandated IOCs to pay for polluted environment.  Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar stated this in Abuja yesterday at a special press briefing on the implementation of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland clean-up project.  Giving the breakdown of jobs, Abubakar said that 882 community youths were engaged by batch one remediation co

Kingdom Wins 2021 Reality Show, Nigerian Idol          Kroseide  The Bayelsa- born computer science and informatics student, Kingdom Kroseide has emerged the winner of 2021 reality show, Nigerian Idol season 6. He beat Francis Atela to clinch the grand prize of N50 million in one of the most recognised television show.  This was announced at the grand finale aired on Sunday, July 11.  As the winner, Kingdom is entitled to N30 million cash, brand new SUV, six track EP recording deal (3 music videos), an all-expense-paid trip to Seychelles, and a weekend getaway to Dubai for two. Other gifts include a wide range of Tecno products, Bigi branded refrigerator plus one- year of Bigi drinks, and a DSTV Explora fully installed with a premium subscription for 12 months.

Campaigners Threaten Continued Protest At Dunamis Church Abuja Campaigners have threatened to continue with their protest at the headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja until the five arrested #BuhariMustGo activists are released. The protesters, under the aegis of, ''TakeitBack Movement' said this in a statement titled, ‘FreeDunamis5Now!’ by one of their leaders, Oni Ayoyinka, on Sunday. They also condemned the arrest of a PUNCH journalist, Mr. Solomon Odeniyi by security operatives. Solomon, who was covering a live event at the church, when he was whisked away by security operatives was released hours after. The statement reads, “On 4th of July, 2021, youths dressed in #BuhariMustGo shirts attended Dunamis Church in Abuja . They came out for Altar call and were prayed for by Pastor Enenche. On their way out of the church, they were ambushed by Dunamis Church security, who handed them over to the DSS after they were mercilessly tortured"

El-Rufai Declares Monday Public Holiday To Mourn Ex-deputy, Bantex         El-Rufai  Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has declared Monday, July 12 as a public holiday in honour of his immediate past Deputy Governor, Arch Barnabas Bantex, who died on Sunday.  This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye. It reads, “The Kaduna State government has formally announced the death of former Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex). “The state government has declared Monday, 12th July 2021 as a work-free day in honour of his memory and service to the state". “Architect Barnabas Bala, who served as Deputy Governor of Kaduna State from May 2015 to May 2019, died today in Abuja". “Malam Nasir El-Rufai has sent a personal message of condolence to the family, noting that it was a blessing to know Bantex and to work with him. The governor acknowledged his commitment to the

Ex-Kaduna Deputy Gov, Bala Bantex Dies At 64                Bantex The immediate past Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Arc. Barnabas Bala Bantex dies at 64.  Governor Nasir El-Rufai confirmed the death in a statement on Sunday.  The statement titled, "In Bantex, I have lost a dear friend and partner in the service of Kaduna State", said the former deputy governor made much impact in the State despite his ill-health.  It reads, “In the midst of trying times, I received with utter sadness news of the departure of my friend brother, His Excellency Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex)". “From our days as undergraduates in the 1970s to our practice as professional colleagues in the construction industry and eventually partners in a governance project, Bantex was consistently a dependable man of brilliance and imagination". “He believed in the potential of our state and in the capacity of our people to work together for progressive attainments". “Together, we too

Artistes Pay Tribute As Nigeria's Singer, Sound Sultan Dies At 44 BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Sultan Artistes have continued to send outpouring messages as Nigeria's famous singer, Olanrewaju Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan is dead. Born in November 27, 1976, he died at the age of 44.  Sultan's death was confirmed on Sunday morning through a terse statement by one of his family members, Kayode Fasasi.  He was said to have died after a tough battle with Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a group of related malignancies (cancers) that affect the lymphatic system (lymphomas). On May 12, 2021, it was reported that Sultan was in America, where he was receiving treatment in form of chemotherapy as he was diagnosed with throat cancer (Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma). Late Sultan is survived by his wife, three children and siblings. The entertainers that paid tribu

T.B Joshua Buried At SCOAN As Famous Nigerian Pastors Shun Funeral ***Govs, others pay tribute  BY CHIKA OKEKE with Agency Report  Founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua was on Friday laid to rest in the church premises at Ikotun, Lagos State. The popular televangelist died on June 5 , barely seven days to his 58th birthday.  Born on June 12, 1963, his last appearance was on 5th June, 2021 during the Emmanuel TV Partners Meeting with the theme, “Time for everything – time to come here for prayer and time to return home after the service.” The church had at a news conference on June 29 said that July 5 to July 11 would be dedicated for a series of Mr Joshua’s ‘laying to rest’ activities tagged: ‘Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Prophet Joshua (1963 to 2021)’. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that people from different races, cultures and countries gathered to give final respect to the late preacher. Before the interme

Gunshots As Imo Speaker Suspends Minority Leader, 5 Others Imo State House of Assembly  There was uproar at the Imo State House of Assembly Complex in Owerri, the state capital, on Thursday afternoon, after the speaker, Paul Emezim, suspended the minority leader, Anyadike Nwosu, and five other lawmakers. In an emergency plenary held under tight security, the speaker suspended the lawmakers indefinitely for what he called “unparliamentary conduct”. Apart from the minority leader, who is of the Peoples Democratic Party, other lawmakers suspended by the speaker were: the immediate past majority leader, Uche Ogbuagu,(Ikeduru, APC), Onyemaechi Njoku(Ihitte- Uboma, APC), Kennedy Ibeh,(Obowo, APC), Philip Ejiogu,( Owerri North, PDP) and Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West, APC). Emezim, also dissolved all standing committees of the house and removed the Chief Whip of the house, Authur Egwim, (Ideato North, APC) and replaced him with Obinna Okwara (Nkwerre, APC). The development caused pani

How TB Joshua's Remains Arrived SCOAN For Lying-in-State The body of the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua arrived the church today for lying-in-state service.  Dressed in white, the remains was lifted inside the church in a transparent casket by a hearse that drove into SCOAN at about 11:00 am. The body was welcomed by a mammoth crowd that had waited inside and outside the church premises to bid the late televangelist farewell.  Late T.B Joshua’s wife, Evelyn; son-in-law, Bryan, and his daughters Serah, Promise, Hart were present at the lying-in-state service.  Aside the lying-in-state service, which is part of the weeklong funeral in honour of the late Prophet, a candlelight procession was held on Monday. On Tuesday, thousands of sympathisers joined Late Joshua’s family at the church during the tribute service.  Other activities include interment on Friday and a thanksgiving service on Sunday. The popular televangelist

Amina Mohammed Re-appointed UN Deputy Secretary-general                    Mohammed  Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed has been re-appointed as Deputy secretary-general of the United Nations. António Guterres had on 18th June asked Mohammed to serve as Deputy secretary-general for a second term, shortly after the UN General Assembly re-appointed him for a second term. Guterres’ second term starts on January 1, 2022, and will run for a period of five years. He succeeded Ban Ki-moon in January 2017 as the ninth secretary-general. While speaking with journalists after taking the oath of office for a second term, he said that he has extended an offer to Mohammed to continue in office. “After being elected, I have the pleasure to invite the Deputy secretary-general to remain in my second mandate and I hope she will accept,” he said. Mohammed, who was standing behind Guterres at the press briefing, responded with the comment 'absolute honour'. Mohammed is a diplomat and politician

Don Decries Poor Organic Agriculture Practice In Africa  BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          AdeOluwa An Associate Professor in the Department of Soil Resources Management, University of Ibadan, Dr Olugbenga AdeOluwa has decried the poor organic agriculture practice in Africa despite the huge landmass.  Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system that enhances the agro-ecosystem by utilising both traditional and scientific knowledge in protecting the native entities, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. To this end, AdeOluwa disclosed that global organic sector was valued at $130 billion as at 2019, with 72.3 million hectares managed by over 3.1 million producers and Africa was backward.  He stated this during his online presentation on the, 'Principles of Organic Agriculture Practices', organised by Journalists Go Organic Movement. Journalists Go Organic is a Pan African network comprising of journalists and experts