- COVID-19: FG issues travel advice, Lagos vows clampdown as infections soar
The Federal Government on Sunday advised Nigerians against non-essential local and international travels during the festive period as COVID-19 cases continued to rise in the country.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control gave the advice in its latest COVID-19 situation report obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday as the Lagos State Government vowed to get tough with violators of compulsory tests for international inbound passengers.
Also, officials of states including Bauchi, Ogun and Kano in separate interviews with The PUNCH, said this week, they would intensify measures to ensure compliance with safety protocols and mass vaccination. They stated this as COVID-19 cases in the country increased by 761.45 per cent within two weeks.
2. 2023: Emir of Daura’s praises attest to Osinbajo as right choice —Group
Owing to the lavish praises heaped on Vice President Yemi Osinbajo by the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Umar, on Saturday after the turbaning of the President’s son, Yusuf Buhari, members of the Progressive Consolidation Group have said that the gesture has reinforced their commitment towards actualising an Osinbajo Presidency in 2023.
This is according to a statement signed on Sunday by the Spokesperson of the pro-Osinbajo PCG, Emmanuel Pippa, titled ‘2023: Emir of Daura has proved us right on choice of Osinbajo, says group.’
According to the PCG which became the first of such intra-party pressure groups to be officially recognised by the All Progressives Congress, the warm reception given to Osinbajo by the masses and royalty speaks volumes about what people with good foresight should expect in 2023.
3. ASUU postpones decision on strike, accuses FG of blackmail
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has postponed its decision on strike, saying that consultations are still ongoing.
This was contained in a press statement issued by the union after its National Executive Council meeting.
In the press statement titled, ‘Enough of blackmail’, signed by ASUU president, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, the lecturers regretted that the Federal Government had turned its back on the plan to set up an inter-ministerial committee to review the draft Renegotiated 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement.
4. Bandits Kill 38 Villagers In Kaduna
At least 38 villagers were killed when bandits raided villages in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State at the weekend.
The places attacked were Kauran Fawa, Marke and Riheya villages in Idasu, Giwa LGA. The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to him, houses, trucks and cars were also burnt, along with agricultural produce at various farms.
5. Many Feared Dead As Boko Haram Fighters Set Houses On Fire In Borno
Many people were feared dead and a dozen others sustained various degrees of injuries when suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked a community in Askira Uba local government area of Borno state.
The insurgents stormed Kilangal village, the hometown of Engr Abdullahi Musa Askira, Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly on Sunday afternoon, and set houses on fire.
According to a source, Air Task Force fighter jet came about 2 hours but the damage had been done.
6. Suicide: Cleric Blames Family, Church, School, Others
Senior Pastor Fracis Uche of the New Eden Chapel, Ikotun, Lagos, has blamed the family, church, school and relevant government agencies for hard drug intake destroying some youths.
His widow, Sofiat Amusa, had reportedly said he committed suicide owing to depression that resulted from hard drugs intake. Uche said: “Everyone in the society should be blamed as the three agents of socialization – church, school and family – have performed below expectations in youth grooming.
7. Chinese loans and Nigeria’s sovereign immunity
Nigerians once again suffered a panic attack when it was rumoured that the Chinese government was taking over the Ugandan International airport in Entebe.
The basis for the alleged Chinese takeover of Entebe International Airport was the inability of the Ugandan government to meet its obligation to pay back the loan it collected from the Chinese government.
One year after, the ‘Ugandan rumour’ has thrown up questions again about what Nigeria has pledged to China as collateral for the loans collected.
Only 25 varsities have their courses fully accredited, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has affirmed in its 2021 universities ranking.
The commission added that less than 70 per cent of courses offered by the other ivory towers are accredited.
Eight out of the 113 universities that the NUC focused on, including the Nigeria Army University, Biu, in Borno State and Air Force Institute of Technology, have none of their courses accredited by the NUC the document showed. Nigeria has 170 public and private universities.
9. Disquiet as Buhari declines assent to Electoral Act Bill
President Muhammadu Buhari may have declined assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
There was disquiet yesterday among members of the National Assembly, who were locked in series of meetings to articulate their response to the alleged denial of assent.
The President had 30 days to sign or decline assent to the bill, following its transmission to the National Assembly on Novembers 19, 2021.
10. We paid huge ransom for the release of Baptist Church worshippers – CAN
Rev. Joseph John Hayab, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter and Vice President of the association in the North, has said that despite the huge amount of money paid to bandits as ransom, some of their members and students are still in captivity.
