Breaking News Wednesday 28 October 2020

A new generation of Nigerians’ve risen – Bakare

The Serving Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) and Convener, Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, speaks on the #EndSARS protests and what he termed “Building blocks of nationhood: A blueprint for the New Nigeria.” WALE ELEGBEDE brings the excerpts State of the nation When our nation attained independence on October 1, 1960, it was …


Our land susceptible to vile manipulations, says Akeredolu
Address delivered by the Governor of Ondo State and Chairman, South- West Governors’ Forum, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, during the solidarity visit to the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday The Governors of the South- 0West states of Nigeria wish to solidarise with the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, on the unfortunate occurrences …

EndSARS protests: How Reps reacted to ensuing violence


The House of Representatives, in the last two weeks, joined other Nigerians and individuals across the globe to respond to attacks on the #EndSARS protesters, destruction and looting of public and private property by hoodlums across some states of the country. PHILIP NYAM reports The #EndSARS protests took the nation by storm, prompting the Federal …


FG needs to intervene to rebuild Lagos – S/West Senate caucus

Lawmakers representing all the states in Southwest in the Senate, yesterday assured Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- Olu that the National Assembly would prevail on the Federal Government in assisting the state to recover from the last week’s coordinated destruction of public and private properties by suspected hoodlums. This was even as Sanwo- Olu …

NNPC: We’ve 2bn litres of fuel to last 60 days

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, has assured motorists of availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) revealing that the corporation has more than 60-day sufficiency of petrol in its various strategic depots across the country. In a press release by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public …


CJN: Nigeria’s economy’ll benefit from quick dispensation of justice

Nigeria’s Chief Justice, Tanko Muhammad, yesterday said the financial sector and the entire economy stand to benefit from quick dispensation of justice in commercial or business transactions. The CJN said credit reporting reforms in Nigeria require special attention from the judiciary. According to him, credit reporting reforms is a critical position in the economy given …

 Fine: Abaribe, BON, berate NBC over AIT, Channels, Arise

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) yesterday drew the flak from different parts of the country over its decision to sanction three television stations over the coverage of the ENDSARS protests across the country. The NBC had on Monday announced its decision to fine the three stations over their coverage of the protests. But yesterday, the …

EndSARS: Reps caution on drugs as NAFDAC warehouse looted

The House of Representatives has called on members of the public to be wary of the kind of drugs they purchase and consume, following the looting of a warehouse belonging to the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), in Kaduna State. Seized fake and expired drugs were said to have been stored …


Senate raises the alarm over looming environmental danger

The Senate, yesterday, raised an alarm over looming environment hazards, threatening the lives of the citizenry in some parts of the country. This was as the apex legislative assembly urged President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency, review upward the budget estimate to the MinisFormer Deputy President of Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who …

2021 Budget: FG to unveil project tracking app

The Federal Government said it has planned to unveil a project tracking app with a view to allowing citizens and other stakeholders independently monitor and report progress of projects implementation as captured in the budget. Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clems Agba, disclosed this yesterday at a session with the House …

EndSARS: My Government Respects Nigerians’ Rights – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday stated that his government respects the right of Nigerians.


Buhari who was represented by the state Minister of Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar D Aliyu, said his administration has put in place strategies to address the demands of the End SARS Protesters.


He further stated that his administration will do everything in its power to ensure that all sides are satisfied with the decision taken to achieve peace in the country.

Aliyu stated this at the stakeholders’ meeting on peace in Damaturu, Yobe State.

He said, “In the spirit of democratic governance and appreciation of the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria and other laws, we knowledged the genuine concern of the members of the public regarding the excesses and use of force by some members of the SARS.”

News reports that the Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU ) has said it has yet to call off its ongoing strike because it is waiting for the government to conduct an integrity test on the University Transparency and Accountability Solution ( UTAS ).

UTAS is the payment platform created by ASUU in place of government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System.


In an interview with The PUNCH, ASSU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the government needed to give the clearance to National Information Technology Development Agency to conduct integrity test on UTAS. Continue reading

FG Begins Payment Of N30,000 To 330,000 Nigerians

President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government said it has commenced the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan with the payment of N30,000 one-time grant to 330,000 artisans across the nation.


According to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in a statement released on Tuesday, October 27, the first batch of the disbursement of the one-time grant of N30,000 will begin in Lagos, Kano, Federal Capital Territory, FCT and nine other states in the country.


The VP noted that enumeration and verification are still ongoing for the Payroll Support Scheme while free CAC Business Names’ Registration for 250,000 MSMEs has also commenced.

A part of the statement made available to newsmen by Laolu Akande, the VP’s spokesman reads: “The payments are being made to sets of verified beneficiaries of the Artisan Support Scheme, a track under the MSMEs Survival Fund,”

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has given an update on releasing the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) (2020 WAEC result) for the year 2020 today, October 28.
recalls that WASSCE 2020 ended on Saturday, 12th September after it was initially postponed from April to August due to the global coronavirus infection that forced the government to shut down schools. Continue reading 

Tambuwal: Buhari’s Minister Asked Me To Delay The Distribution Of COVID-19 Palliatives

The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has given reasons why the distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to citizens in the state was placed on hold.
Tambuwal, who spoke on Tuesday while addressing citizens on the government’s effort to check riots in the state, said Sokoto has no hoarded relief materials meant for distribution.

He said Sokoto has only received two categories of palliatives since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the first relief materials received from the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) was a bit delayed because the donors wanted the materials to be pooled together before distribution.


He added that as soon as this was achieved, the distribution was done. He said the delay in the sharing of the second category, received on October 17 from the federal government, was on the request of Sadiya Umar Farouk, minister of humanitarian affairs, who wanted to be around when the distribution starts.


2023: Why We Have Not Resumed Voter Registration – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for its inability to resume the continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise ahead of the 2023 general election in Nigeria.

This explanation comes after some citizens of Nigeria raised a petition against the electoral umpire for the delay in commencing the CVR exercise.

Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu explained that the commission should have resumed the CVR exercise in the first quarter of 2020 but have been restricted due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

He explained that INEC is conscious of the peculiarities of the pandemic and is being careful so as not to expose workers to avoidable risk.

Oyekanmi however added that INEC is deliberating on the development and a definite course of action will be announced to the public in the next few days.

Sanwo-Olu Approves Full Daily Reopening Of All Markets In Lagos
Governor of Lagos State,

 Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the full reopening of all markets in the state. This includes both food and non-food markets.

This development was confirmed in a statement on Tuesday by the Lagos Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr Wale Ahmed.

It will be recalled that before the new directive, food and non-food markets in the state were only permitted to open three times a week as part of efforts to curb further spread of the coronavirus disease.

However, the state government has now approved the opening and operation of all markets every day of the week.

Ahmed in the statement, noted that the decision to lift all restrictions on market opening is to further reduce economic hardships residents may be dealing with as a result of the lockdown.

 INEC: President Buhari Nominates Yakubu For Second Term
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, has been nominated for re-appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Buhari special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled, “President Buhari nominates Prof Yakubu as INEC chairman for second term in office.”

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has presented the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, for a second term in office.”

“In a letter to President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, the President said in accordance with the provision of Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), ‘I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the nomination of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for appointment as Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second and final term.”

“Prof Yakubu was first appointed by President Buhari in November 2015.”

People stopped thugs from burning my house – Melaye

The Senator who represented Kogi West in the 8th National Assembly, Dino Melaye, said on Tuesday that his people rallied him to save his house in his home town, Aiyetoro-Gbede, from being burnt by hired thugs.

Melaye, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone, said the thugs were sighted at Obajana junction in 15 buses and armed with weapons.

He, however, said majority of the people in the town, especially the youth, relocated to his house to prevent the thugs from perpetrating any evil action.
He said, “My people moved into my house the moment they heard of the evil plans of the thugs to safeguard the place.

“The thugs had to turn back when they probably heard that my people were battle ready for them.”

Melaye had alerted Nigerians that some thugs were on their way to his house in Aiyetoro Gbede to destroy it.

Biafra: Governor Wike Threatens To Sack All LG Chairmen In Rivers Over IPOB
Governor Nyesom Wike has threatened to sack all Local Government chairmen in Rivers over the activities of the all proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu.

reports that Governor Wike charged the 23 LG chairmen, and youths in the state to fish members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) in the south-south state.

This online news platform understands that Governor Wike made this statement during a meeting with all the 23 Local Government chairmen, Community Development Committees, and youths leaders at the Government House, in Port Harcourt on Monday, October 26.

The Rivers State Governor warned that any council chairman that allows IPOB to hold processions and hoist its flag within their jurisdiction in Rivers State, risk sack.

Palliatives: ‘May God Forgive My Accusers’ – Sadiya Farouq

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, has asked God to forgive persons who accused her of misappropriating COVID-19 relief materials.


The minister made the remarks while answering questions from the media on Monday in Gusau, Zamfara State.


“I am aware many people have made various spurious allegations and accusations against my person and my ministry over the way we distributed Federal Government palliatives to cushion the effect of COVID-19.

“I have always said I am carrying out my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability and with fairness to all parts of the country.

“Now that they have realized their mistakes, l will only pray to God to forgive us all,” she maintained.

Miss Farouk had paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, and the monarch used to opportunity to urge the Federal Government to reconsider the security situation in Zamfara State.

1914 Amalgamation: Igbos Didn’t Choose To Be Part Of Nigeria – Orji Uzor Kalu
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia State Governor and current Senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly has submitted that Igbos did not get to decide if they wanted to be a part of Nigeria in 1914 or not.

It will be recalled that the Northern and Southern protectorate were merged as one to become Nigeria in 1914 by British colonialists.

History has it that Nigeria was formed out of the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorate in 1914 after Lord Fredrick Lugard signed a document on behalf of the British government to merge the two regions.

The amalgamation was done by the British colonial government to ease administrative burdens on their part without given due consideration for the differences and diversities of the people they were bringing together.

Kalu has now given what appears to be another argument in support of claims from certain quarters for a referendum to be conducted for federating units that make up the country Nigeria to decide if they want to continue with the ‘forced union’ or not.

 The Senate Chief Whip made the assertion in his newly released autobiography titled ‘My Life.’

Specifically, Kalu noted that the Igbo people never had a say in deciding if they wanted to be a part of Nigeria in 1914 or not.

He, however, submitted that the Igbo nation has been able to rise above the situation and distinguish themselves in various callings of life and in different parts of Nigeria.

Eid-El Maulud: FG Declares Thursday As Public Holiday

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government has declared Thursday, October 29, as public holiday to celebrate Eid-El- Maulud.


Eid-El-Maulud is the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior, disclosed the development in a statement released through Mohammed Manga, Director (Press & Public Relations).

The minister urged Muslims to “imbibe the spirit of love, patience and perseverance which are the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”

The Minister called on all Nigerians to use democratic means to tackle some of the issues confronting the country.

OTHER HEADLINES 👇

Banks fund 273,435 businesses with N1.8tr loan –CBN

I’ll win Lagos East Senatorial seat –Kome, ADC Candidate

#ENDSARS: Lagos disburses N2.5bn recovery fund for looted businesses

DBN empowers 125 entrepreneurs

U.S. Consulate announces application for 2020 Academy for Women Entrepreneurs

STOAN condemn looting, torching of NPA headquarters by hoodlums

KLT Customs seized 16 containers, generates N15.8bn

We commenced palliatives distribution to states in June-CACOVID

Motorists, commuters groan as fuel queues resurface in Abuja

Passengers stranded as FAAN shuts down Azman, Aero counters over unpaid debts

LCFE targets 10 m youths for empowerment

NPO, NPAN, NUJ, NGE, IBAN visit TVC, The Nation newspapers

Ugwuanyi constitutes panel, DIG says state calm

Victim of SARS brutality narrates ordeal at Lagos judicial panel

Ubani offers free legal service to palliatives looters

Buhari renews Yakubu’s tenure as INEC chairman


 #EndSARS protests show real power belongs to the people – Etiaba


 APC chieftain cautions Buni caretaker committee against extension


 Super Eagles, Falcons get new media officers

Ahmed Musa, Saudi Arabian club part ways