General gist, breaking news, Entertainment, Education, Politics and lots more.

It will no longer be a free reign for kidnappers as the Senate has gone tough on them by going for the death penalty. After receiving and debating on a bill on the crime, the Upper House on Thursday approved the death sentence for the offences of abduction, wrongful restraint, or wrongful confinement for a ransom. Across the country, Nigerians have been at the mercy of kidnappers, who abduct, maim and kill their victims even after their families have paid various sums of money as ransom. Before approving the capital punishment, the lawmakers went through the clause-by-clause consideration of the report at their plenary session and resolved that the time had come for drastic measures to be taken against the perpetrators of the act. Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP-Enugu) presented the report on behalf of the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator David Umaru. The bill was sponsored by Senator Isa Misau (APC-Bauchi). While presenting the

The Kogi State Government has confirmed a new case of lassa fever in the state. The case was discovered at the Federal Medical Centre in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. The head of clinical services at the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Dr Jones Taiwo who confirmed the incident explained that a sample test was carried out on the patient who came from Owo in Ondo State and it showed positive of lassa fever. According to Dr Taiwo, the patient was transferred to Irrua specialist hospital in Edo State for further tests to ascertain if the disease was actually lassa fever. Subsequently, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Audu said the patient was confirmed positive at Irrua specialist hospital where she was transferred. Furthermore, he stated that the government was working towards tracing all those who might have had contact with the patient, saying the state Rapid Response Team (RRT) was on top of the situation to curtail the spread of the disease. Sou

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has urged Nigerians to disregard the fake news being circulated via a parody Twitter account and an old NTA news video that President Muhammadu Buhari is travelling or has travelled to the U.S. In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister said one of the numerous parody Twitter accounts in his name, @MohammedLai, was used to disseminate the fake and ludicrous news that claims that President Buhari is due to leave Nigeria for the USA on Monday ”to condole with President Trump over the floods in Houston”. Also, he said, an old NTA News video being circulated on the Social Media claims that President Buhari has already left for the UN General Assembly in New York. ”This is a 2015 NTA News video that was repackaged to look current, and to give the impression that the President left Daura, where he is celebrating Eid-el-Kabir, directly for New York,” Alhaji Mohammed said. He said Nigerians should disrega

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has resolved to proceed on  an indefinite strike. The Association took the decision following their National Executive Council meeting which lasted from 7 pm yesterday until the early hours of this morning. The doctors say they will sustain the industrial action until all their demands are met by Government. More details as we get them. Source:  https://www.channelstv.com/2017/09/04/breaking-nard-begins-indefinite-strikeinsists-demands-met/

Kenya’s Supreme Court on Friday declared President Uhuru Kenyatta’s election win invalid due to irregularities committed by the election board and ordered a new vote in 60 days. The decision to cancel the result, the first of its kind in Kenya’s history, sets up a new race for the presidency between Kenyatta and veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga…. Source:  http://www.businessdayonline.com/kenyas-supreme-court-declares-presidential-vote-invalid-calls-new-polls/

Super Eagles of Nigeria made it three wins from three in 2018 World Cup qualifying with a 4-0 thrashing of African champions Cameroon in Uyo. Earlier on Friday Ghana scored in the 88th minute to earn a 1-1 draw against visiting Congo in Group E. Odion Ighalo, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Kelechi Iheanacho were all on target for Nigeria in their victory. The win means the Super Eagles top Group B on nine points while Cameroon have just two after three matches. Zambia and Algeria both have a point each and they play their third match against each other on Saturday in Lusaka. Nigeria took the lead on 29 minutes when Ighalo latched onto a ball over the top from captain John Mikel Obi and slotted home. Ighalo was then booked for revealing a t-shirt in support of his international colleague Carl Ikeme who has leukaemia. Just before half time a corner from Moses was turned in by his former Chelsea team-mate Mikel Obi as he slid in and put the ball into the roof of the n

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has joined other Nigerians in welcoming President Muhammadu Buhari back from his medical vacation in London. The association, is however, calling on the president to replicate in Nigeria the facilities he benefited from in London as soon as possible. The association said the upgrading of the nation’s health facilities to international standards would at least save the country and citizens the high amount of foreign exchange spent on medical tourism abroad. In a communique read at the end of the National Executive Council in Kaduna, the NMA President, Dr. Mike Ogirima urged President Buhari to utilize his positive experience in the health systems of other country to impact on the nation’s health care system. “The President has firsthand experience of what we have been talking about: upgrading Nigerian hospitals and that is why we are calling on him that based on his experience, he should replicate what he has seen in London to take car

The National Orientation Agency (NOA)/ United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have called on women in the Southeast to contribute meaningfully towards the development of their families and communities. The Abia State Director (NOA) Dr Mrs Ngozi Uduma who was speaking at a women’s gathering at Oguduasa Ogboro-Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the State, urged women from all walks of life to use the avenue to strengthen and enforce decisions that concern their development. Dr. Uduma charged the women to take serious, issues such as antenatal care, immunization of children, exclusive breastfeeding, hand washing and proper excreta disposal for the general wellbeing of the family. “I want to urge all the women sitting here to teach others that are not here the need to embrace essential family practices for the well-being of your families. “We would continue to sensitize women in the communities on the essential family practices, as we pledge to continue to diffuse the messa

As Muslims celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir, many state governors have re-emphasised the need for national unity and continuous peaceful coexistence of Nigerians despite calls for restructuring by some group leaders. The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, in his message admonished Nigerians to shun acts capable of disrupting the unity, togetherness and peaceful co-existence of the country. Ajimobi, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka said, “Rather than engaging in acts capable of disrupting our peaceful co-existence as a people, I enjoin those who have issues with the current composition of the country to toe constitutional and lawful path in seeking redress.’’ The Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha while joining faithfuls to mark the Eid-El-Kabir celebration challenged them to be patriotic enough and pray earnestly for the prosperity and unity of the country and also for love for one another more than they had done i

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its plan to embark on a nationwide industrial action. The resident doctors had earlier threatened to down tools by September 4 th , 2017 unless the Federal Government meets their demand of immediate enrollment in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), among other demands. The Federal Government, to assuage their demands, held a meeting with the leadership of the association, promising to address the concerns raised. The decision to suspend the strike was reached after several hours of meeting between the Minister of Labour and productivity, Chris Ngige and members from the Ministry of Health, as well as officials of the national association of resident doctors (NERD), in Abuja. After the meeting, which was held in Abuja, which lasted into the early hours of today, Ngige said the meeting was adjourned to November 2 nd , 2017 for further deliberation on issues  that affects the emo

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General TY Buratai has commended the Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, his Sector Commanders and all troops of the operation. Buratai has lauded the group for zealously pursuing the COAS directive of capturing the purported Boko Haram terrorists leader, Abubakar Shekau dead or alive within 40 days beginning from 21st of July, 2017 which elapsed on 30th August 2017. Although the leader of the terrorist sect has not been captured, the COAS noted with satisfaction the determination with which the directive was pursued. He congratulated the Commander for eliminating the five key leaders of the terrorists group, who were the closest associates and right hand men of the terrorists group leader. Within the same period 82 of the Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated. The Theater Commander has therefore asked for the extension of the deadline and it has been granted by the COAS noti

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday hailed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for its role in promoting national Unity. The President expressed his delight when Corps Members visited him in Daura, Katsina State, on the sidelines of the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. “One of the highlights of my Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Daura is the visit from NYSC members, after the prayers. “I am always pleased to see Corps members in Daura and other parts of Nigeria. From the postings, we get to learn more about other cultures. “I remain convinced that the NYSC offers a great opportunity to learn a lot about the diversity that has made Nigeria a unique country. “On a personal note, I recall that serving as an Army Officer in Lagos and Ibadan offered me very rich and fulfilling experiences. “Our rich diversity as a nation is and will always be one of our greatest strengths. It must never be used as a tool of hatred and division,” the President said Source: https://www.channelstv.c