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  NEW YEAR SPEECH BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1ST JANUARY 2021   My fellow countrymen and women, First, I would like to thank and praise the Almighty who saw us through the year 2020 and has given us the opportunity to witness the start of another new year.  We especially thank God because the year 2020 was one of the most trying years since our existence as a Nation.   2.     This can also be said about all other nations around the world, due to the challenges posed on our collective humanity by the novel COVID-19 pandemic.  3.     While acknowledging that 2020 was a very tough year, we saw this year put to test our national resilience and ability to survive these tough times and also gave renewed hope that we will again brave any storms that lay ahead in 2021 and beyond. 4.     As we celebrate the opportunity before us in this New Year 2021, we must also acknowledge the passing away of our brothers and sisters who didn’t make it i

Hers was a case of jumping from frying pan into fire. For 12 years after her marriage to Mr Isaac Audu, Mrs Gloria Audu and her husband searched unsuccessfully for the fruit of the womb until she got pregnant in October, 2017. But just when they thought that they had triumphed over barrenness, another round of battle began as Gloria had to carry her pregnancy for more than three years before she was delivered of a baby last month. Gloria and her husband share a lot in common. They are both of the Migili tribe in Obi Local Government area, Nasarawa State. Both of them are also primary school teachers in Keffi, Nasarawa State, where they live. They had fallen in love as students of College of Agriculture Lafia; a relationship that culminated in marriage after they graduated from the school. Gloria recalled the intense pressure she and her husband came under from both families in the 12 years she stayed without getting pregnant, saying that it was a miracle that their marriage survived th

 Lagos State Government Seals Queens Park Event Centre, Oniru for Contravening COVID-19 Protocols. ... revokes operating license. The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture has revoked the license of Queens Park Event Centre, Oniru as the Lagos State Safety Commission also sealed the facility for contravening the COVID-19 protocols of the State.  The Commissioner for Tourism,  Pharm. Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf said the step to withdraw the license was taken in the best interest of the State and implored other event centres and venue owners to comply with the Government's laid down directives otherwise risk loosing their chances of doing business in Lagos. She reiterated that the fight against the virus can only be successful if we all follow the laid down public health and safety protocols.  The Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola said it became necessary to take such steps following an event that was held at the venue on t

 RRS PATROLS IKORODU, INJECTS MORE POLICE TEAMS TO COMBAT CRIME   In continuation of police reassurance building patrol of the state, the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Yinka Egbeyemi today led a team of policemen to Ikorodu.   The team, apart from visiting communities where robbers had reportedly announced their visit via posters and requested community members to co – operate with them, also toured Sabo, Eruwen, Ijede Road, Sagamu Road, e.t.c    CSP Egbeyemi thereafter directed the injection of additional patrol vehicles to reinforce the presence of RRS patrol teams while the Decoy Team of the squad complement the efforts of the patrol teams.   Most of the residents of the communities expressed appreciation for the team visit while assuring the Commander of their preparedness to assist the police in reducing crime in Ikorodu.

 SANWO-OLU SHARES COVID-19 EXPERIENCE, AS GOVERNOR TESTS NEGATIVE TO VIRUS •Governor Says Virus’ Second Wave Is Proving More Dangerous, Cancels Night Events At Worship Centres •Face Mask Now Mandatory for Visitors Entering Public, Private Establishments In Lagos Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has gotten a clean bill of health; he has been certified free of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Governor, on Thursday afternoon, cheerfully walked out after 14 days in self-isolation, expressing his gratitude to all citizens for their prayers and wishes throughout the period of his public absence. Sanwo-Olu shared experience of his personal battle against the dreaded virus in a briefing held at the State House, Marina. He said: “COVID-19 is real”, apparently cautioning those still in doubt of the outbreak of the pandemic. The Governor, on December 11, went into self-isolation after an exposure to an infected aide. His test result came back positive, the day after. Sanwo-Olu, however, said he

 COVID-19: Gov Abiodun suspends carnivals, cross-over gatherings …orders workers to stay at home till January 4 Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has called for restraint in celebrations during the Christmas and New Year festivities as he announced the suspension of street carnivals, crowded cross-over night service, parties and similar gatherings in the Stat, amidst an increase in COVID-19 infections across the nation.  The governor on Wednesday also directed all civil servants and other government workers in the State to proceed on Christmas and New Year holiday from Thursday, December 24.  According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Kunle Somorin, the directives were issued on Wednesday after a meeting between the state government and religious leaders from the League of Imams and the Christian Association of Nigeria as well as community leaders as part of the measures and guidelines for public health as the state prepares for a second wave of the coronavirus p

 COVID-19: SANWO-OLU BANS CONCERTS,  STREET PARTIES, NIGHT CLUBS OVER RISE IN CASES   ...Says Lagos Cannot Afford To Relax Battle Against Coronavirus ...Governor Directs Civil Servants From Grade Level 14 Below To Work From Home   Following the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria and increase in number of coronavirus cases in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has banned carnivals, concerts and street parties in the State until further notice.     The Governor also returned the order restricting the operations of churches and mosques in the State, adding that no gathering must exceed 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.   He also directed all public servants from Grade Level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, to work from home for the next 14 days starting from next week Monday in the first instance.   Governor Sanwo-Olu in a personal letter to Lagosians issued on Friday after a virtual Executive Council meeting on issues around the resurgenc

10 PERSONS ARRESTED FOR ATTACKING LAGOS TASKFORCE OFFICERS, AS GOVT IMPOUNDS 96 COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLES ...Four Private Cars Confiscated for Driving Against Traffic Ten persons have been arrested for attacking the men of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Taskforce) during an enforcement of the State’s traffic laws on Tuesday.  The suspects were picked up in the commotion that broke out in Ojodu and Obanikoro during the enforcement carried out by the Taskforce in several areas in Lagos.  No fewer than 96 commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, operating on highways and in other restricted routes in the metropolis, were impounded in the Tuesday operation.  Also, four motorists driving against the traffic were arrested by the Anti-One Way team of the Taskforce.  It was gathered that some hoodlums teamed up with Okada riders around Ojodu Grammar School to resist the move by the Taskforce to take away motorcycles seized during the enforcement.  As the hoodlum

 LAGOS POLICE FOIL TRAFFIC ROBBERY, NAB SUSPECTED CULTISTS   The operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Friday 18th December, 2020, arrested two suspected Awawa cult members in Oko-koto, Agege, hours after foiling a traffic robbery around Otedola Bridge on Lagos – Ibadan Expressway.   The suspects, Rasak Babatunde, m, 22 year-old mechanic and Idowu Wasiu, m, 16-year-old tailor, were arrested at their hideout.   In compliance with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, the raid on suspected hideouts and black spots across the state, particularly in Agege and its environs, was part of the proactive strategies to minimize crime in Lagos State.   Some of the areas raided included Isokoko, Oke-Koto, Abattoir, Dopemu, Elere, Oniwaya and Pen Cinema, all in Agege. In the same vein, a team of the Rapid Response Squad led by CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, Commader RRS, had foiled traffic robbery on Friday 18th December, 2020. The team ran into the suspected ar

 920 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-308 FCT-207 Kaduna-179 Plateau-46 Niger-43 Adamawa-26 Sokoto-18 Rivers-16 Yobe-15 Enugu-13 Kano-13 Ogun-12 Delta-10 Edo-5 Osun-3 Oyo-3 Anambra-2 Ekiti-1 77,933 confirmed 67,784 discharged 1,218 deaths

 REPS call for the suspension of the planned 774,000 job by NDE The House of Representatives at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday urged the Federal government to halt the take-off of the 774,000 special works programme scheduled to commence in January 2021. The decision was taken after delibration on  a motion of urgent Public importance sponsored by Mr  Olajide Olatubonsun who expressed concern that most Nigerians that have submitted their names to the NDE offices in their respective states have been unjustly excluded from the programme which the Minister of State for labour announced will start on January 5, 2021.  Olatunbosun  further expressed Worry a bad precedence would have set if  the programme is allowed to go ahead without following due process. Contributing to the debate, Honorable  Onofiok Luke said the decision of government to sack the Director General of the National Directorate of Employment, Mohammed ladan Argungu was ill advised, expecially when the DG stood for th

 LASG DIRECTS SCHOOLS TO VACATE ON FRIDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 2020   The Lagos State Government has directed public and private schools in the State to vacate on Friday, 18th December 2020, as the Y2020/2021 first term academic session comes to an end.   A statement released by the Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, said, “the Y2020/2021 First (1st) term academic session for public and private schools comes to an end on Friday, 18th December 2020. Therefore, all public and private schools below tertiary level in the State should close for the Christmas and New Year holiday on that day. Schools are to resume on Monday, 4th January 2021, in compliance with the Lagos State harmonised academic calendar”.   Mrs. Seriki-Ayeni noted that boarding house students are expected back in school on Sunday, 3rd January 2021, while academic activities will commence immediately.   The Director-General urged all schools to ensure that the

 LASU’S BEST GRADUATING STUDENT GETS SANWO-OLU’S N5 MILLION CASH PRIZE, POST-GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP • Governor Offers Automatic Employment To Valedictorian, Gifts N5 Million Cash Reward To Best Master’s Student • Lagos To Establish Artificial Intelligence Centres To Teach Tech-Driven Manufacturing Education - Sanwo-Olu   For finishing with the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.95 on a scale of 5.0, Oladimeji Shotunde, the best graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU), has won a post-graduate scholarship to any university in the world and a N5 million cash prize. All thanks to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who rewarded the excellence attained by the valedictorian at the 24th convocation of the university. Shotunde, a 22-year-old, who finished from the Department of Business Administration in the Faculty of Management Science, also got an offer of automatic employment into the State’s public service. Besides, the Governor awarded a cash prize of N5 million to the Bes

PRESIDENT BUHARI HAILS ANTHONY JOSHUA’S VICTORY OVER PULEV   President Muhammadu Buhari celebrates the decisive victory of Nigerian-born boxer, Anthony Joshua over Kubrat Pulev Saturday night.   The President says by retaining his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, Joshua has given boxing lovers round the world, and particularly in Nigeria, something to cheer.   He recalls his meeting with the heavyweight champion in London earlier in the year, describing Anthony Joshua as a humble, well brought up young man, “who will still go places.”   President Buhari wishes Joshua all the best in his dream fight against Tyson Fury, saying he has the prayers and goodwill of Nigerians going with him.   Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity) December 13, 2020

LAGOS STATE COMMAND RECOVERS OGUN STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY STOLEN MACE. The police operatives attached to Trade Fair Station of the Lagos State Police Command today Friday 11th December, 2020, recovered the missing mace of the Ogun State House of Assembly at Abule  Ado  Area of the state at about 8.30am. The police operatives, who were responsive, worked on an intelligence from the members of the community that someone in a moving vehicle, suspected to be Toyota Siena Space Wagon, threw out an object into the nearby bush and recovered the object which was later identified to be the Ogun State House of Assembly Mace. The mace had been allegedly stolen from the House of Assembly compex , Ogun State recently. It has been handed over to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, who later instructed the DCP State CID, Lagos State, Yetunde Longe, to protect the mace and liaise with the Ogun State Police Command on the return of the recovered mace to Ogun State. The Commissio

PRESIDENT BUHARI IN DAURA ON WEEK-LONG PRIVATE VISIT President Muhammadu Buhari is in Daura, Katsina State for a week-long private visit. The aircraft carrying the President from Abuja landed at 4:45pm on Friday at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina where he was received by the Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, senior government officials and the heads of security agencies in the state.  In Daura to receive President Buhari at the helipad were the Emir, His Highness Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, leading the members of the Emirate Council and a parade of colourful horse riders and courtiers. Shortly upon disembarkation, the President received the gift of a horse and a decorated sword in his capacity as Bayajiddan Daura from the Emir. While in Daura, President Buhari will carry out a number of private engagements but is expected to participate virtually in the meeting of the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday, to be presided over by the Vice Pre

 NDA-ISAIAH'S DEATH PAINFUL EXIT OF PATRIOTIC, DETRIBALISED NIGERIAN, SAYS SANWO-OLU Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the death of the Publisher of Leadership newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah as painful, saying Nigeria has lost another patriotic and detribalised citizen. Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserates with President Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership, the immediate family of the deceased, his friends and associates as well as the media industry, where the late Nda-Isaiah was a major player. In a statement signed on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu said the late publisher's eternal passage came at a time when Nigeria needed more of his knowledge and wealth of experience in different areas of endeavours. The Governor added that the late Nda-Isaiah's Leadership newspaper, which has been at the forefront of fighting for a better society had just honoured him along with some promin

 SANWO-OLU UNDERGOES COVID-19 TREATMENT Following Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, a PCR test performed yesterday, the 11th of December, has confirmed that he has indeed been infected with the virus, which is supported by mild symptoms and fatigue typical of a mild case of COVID. Mr. Governor is receiving treatment and is being closely monitored at home by the very experienced State COVID-19 clinical team from IDH Yaba. Mr. Sanwo-Olu is doing well on treatment and rest and we are confident that he will recover quickly and clear the virus. We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all residents and visitors should strictly adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, mask-wearing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary or large gatherings. The festive season is likely to create the opportunity for the virus to spread if we are not compliant with the re

 SANWO-OLU APPROVES FREE HEALTHCARE FOR 50,000 ORPHANS, ELDERLY, VULNERABLE … Launches Rape Fund For Victims of Sexual Violence  … As Lagos Targets 3million Enrollees For Health Scheme in Y2021   Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the release of funds from the equity of the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) to provide free healthcare for 50,000 orphans, the elderly and the vulnerable in the State. The wife of the Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed this on Thursday at the celebration of the Year 2020 Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) Day organised by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), said the development was in furtherance of the commitment of the government to expanding access to healthcare delivery, especially for the less-privileged. Speaking at the programme held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, the First Lady, represented by a former Permanent Secretary in the State, Dr. Bola Balogun, said the decision became imperative because th

 SANWO-OLU GOES INTO SELF-ISOLATION   Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu will go into self-isolation immediately, after one of his close aides tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday (10th of December). Mr. Governor and other members of his team will be tested by the Lagos State biobank today but will remain in isolation until the results of the tests are available. We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all Lagosians should adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary gatherings. This is not the first time Mr. Governor is having the COVID-19 test. He has had at least three since May when he announced that 10 of his aides had tested positive for the virus.  Professor Akin Abayomi Honourable Commissioner for Health

 Buhari Expresses Displeasure over Long ASUU Strike. President Buhari has expressed displeasure over the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. He described as “amazing” the failure of the lecturers to suspend their eight-month strike. The president was quoted as saying this in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, after a meeting with 36 state governors on insecurity. The statement was titled, President Buhari charges governors to work with traditional rulers for local intelligence’. On the eight-month-long strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, the President was quoted as saying “lecturers had not taken into consideration the larger challenges facing the country”. “Government conceded something. The problem is that they refused to look at the problem of the whole country. “The Minister of Labour is working hard at it. It is amazing how ASUU will stay out of classrooms for so long. There’s a need for our elites to understand the chall

 Ooni receives Wife, Son into Palace after 21days Rites. Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Tuesday, received his son, prince Tadenikawo, and his wife, Shilekunola Naomi, into the palace after 21-day rites. A statement by the palace spokesperson, Moses Olafare, said the mother and child accompanied by friends and family members, were received into the palace by the chiefs and Ooni’s traditional aides. ... Olafare explained that the prince and his mother after entering the palace, stopped at Ile Nla, where they were received by relatives and friends before they proceeded to Emese’s court, where the baby was handed over to Ooni Ogunwusi. He said, “Ooni came out through the sacred ILE IGBO in accordance to the full culture and traditions of Ile-Ife as always observed whenever the reigning Ooni receives his newly born Prince into the palace after the necessary rites of 21 days. “After receiving his son, Ooni accompanied by relevant spiritual aides swiftly took him straight into the inne

 BANKING: SENATE MOVES TO CHECK LOAN DEFAULTERS The Nigerian Senate is nearing passage of a law that will empower creditor banks to track the accounts of loan defaulters by means of the Bank Verification Number [BVN] to recover past and due obligations. Galaxy’s Godfrey Eshiemoghie reports that the law will also prescribe penalties for breaches and violations of obligations to enhance loan recovery in Nigeria’s banking sector. The Bill sponsored by Niger East Senator, Sani Musa, seeks to among other things put effective measures in place to prevent collapse of banks. In their submission, a cross-section of the senators welcomed the Bill as it further underscores the need for safety measures in Nigeria’s banking sector. Meanwhile, the Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions with the mandate to report back in four weeks.

 Buhari’s Summon: NASS Operates Outside Constitutional bounds President Muhamamdu Buhari of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recorded tremendous success in containing the hitherto incessant bombing, colossal killings, wanton destruction of lives and property that bedeviled the country before attaining the helm of affairs of the country in 2015. The confidentiality of  strategies employed by the President as the commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not open for public exposore in view of security implications in probable undermining of the war against terror. The fact that President Muhammadu Buhari was instrumental to the reclaiming of over 14 Local Governments previously controlled by the Boko Haram in North East is an open secret, the strategies for such achievement are not open for public expose.  While condoling the bereaved and sympathizing with the victims of the associated insecurity in the country, Attorney-General of the Federation an

 BUHARI SWEARS IN PROF YAKUBU FOR A SECOND TENURE AS INEC CHAIRMAN President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in Prof. Mahmood Yakubu for a second term as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. President Buhari performed the ceremony on Wednesday shortly before the commencement of the 27th virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the presidential villa, Abuja. Speaking to correspondents after the swearing in, the INEC boss said the commission has showed that the conduct of elections in the country is increasingly improving. He said INEC will work with the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the electoral amendments, which he said will help to surmount the current challenges.