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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 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 do...

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...

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...

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...

The Great American Eclipse completed its journey across the United States Monday, with the path of totality stretching coast-to-coast for the first time in nearly a century. Totality began over Oregon at about 1716 GMT and ended at 1848 GMT over Charleston, South Carolina where sky-gazers whooped and cheered as the Moon moved directly in front of the Sun. “It was incredibly beautiful. I am moved to tears,” said Heather Riser, sitting on a blanket in Waterfront Park in Charleston, a bustling East Coast city where thousands had gathered to watch. Source:  https://www.channelstv.com/2017/08/21/total-solar-eclipse-ends-in-america/

A white sheet is erected as a body of a victim is evacuated to a waiting ambulance while French forensic police officers search the site following a car crash on August 21, 2017, in the southern Mediterranean city of Marseille. Photo: Boris Horvat / AFP One person was killed and another seriously injured in the southern French city of Marseille on Monday after a car ploughed into people at two different bus stops, police sources, adding the suspected driver had been arrested. The incident took place at around 9:00 am (0700 GMT), one source said, asking not to be named. The Renault car first drove at speed towards a bus stop in the city’s 13th district, leaving one person seriously hurt, before targeting another stop in the 11th district, causing one fatality. Julien Ravier, mayor of the 11th and 12th districts, told BFMTV news channel that the victim was a woman in her 40s who was waiting alone at the stop. The police source said the man was in his mid-30s and was not...

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 care ...

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has acknowledged the receipt of a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari notifying the House of his resumption of duties. The receipt of the letter was confirmed on Monday in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan. According to the statement, the letter was delivered to the office of the Speaker by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Honourable Suleiman Sumaila. Earlier, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, confirmed receipt of a letter sent by the President, informing the Senate of his return and official resumption of duties. In a message posted on his Facebook, Senator Saraki said he has acknowledged the letter. The President Buhari resumed work at the State House on Monday morning, after over 100 days of medical leave in London. Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2017/08...

Nigeria’s thirty-six state governments received N2.7 trillion out of N4.7 trillion of their budgeted allocation in the first half of 2017. This translates to 40.7 percent lower than their expectation this year. “The volatility nature of disbursements to all tiers of government in the first half of 2017 would suggest difficulty in implementing budgets at Federal, States and Local government levels,” said the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative quarterly review. The organisation further said, “The volatility in revenue inflows will adversely affect planning and expenditure of government and thus likely hamper efforts at stimulating growth and development.” The impact is already being felt across the states where lack of funds has led to postponement of projects, debts to civil servants and non-payment of salaries to teachers. In Kogi State, the House of Assembly was forced to summon the Head of Service last month over non payment of salaries to civil serv...

President Muhammadu Buhari’s first day at work started out like any other day at Aso Rock, except that life returned to his wing of the Presidential Villa which hitherto had been deserted. The President’s Wing of the Aso Rock maintained its deserted look, as mostly journalists who arrived early to observe the changes that would occur on the President’s resumption, were sighted. Only the ambulance which is part of the President’s convoy was seen parked at its spot. A Presidency official told newsmen who were waiting for the President’s arrival that he would be working from home for now, as his office was undergoing renovation. In response to the president’s return and resumption of duty, stocks at the Nigerian Stock Exchange struggled for traction at the start of trading week, as discussions centred around the direction of the economy, following the President’s return from medical vacation. President Buhari yesterday delivered his first televised speech since returning home aft...

The new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, has said the university will reopen for normal activities in some days’ time. Afolabi, who said this at a press conference he addressed  in Osogbo on Monday alongside other new members of the Governing Council of the university stated that the new council was closer to finding a lasting solution to the problems  rocking the institution than when it started. The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin and other principal officers of the university  as well as members of the Governing Council including Prof. Lai Olurode were present at the press conference. The new chairman, who is a former Head of Service of the Federation and a professor of chemistry said he was optimistic of early resolution of the crisis while stressing that he and other members of the council had expressed their determination to restore the...

Geometric Power/Aba Power Limited promises it will light up Aba, the commercial hub of the South East region five months from now. The next two months will be used to resolve its outstanding financial obiligations, while the remaining three months will be used for servicing the machines which have been idle since 2013 when the facilities were installed. “Our power plant is done. Everything is ready. It is just to get the ring fence back, so that we can begin the process of commissioning. That is what is left. Anybody who has gone to Aba will see that the power plant is totally finished”, said Bath Nnaji, a professor and chairman, Geometric Power/former Minister of Power, on the sideline of a conference organised by the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) held in Lagos recently. During the 2013 power sector privatisation exercise by the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) in what was described as an “administrative error”, the BPE did not take into considerati...