Lastday

The Federal Government has called for caution as some state governments announce reopening of schools, saying that COVID-19  remains potent and very dangerous.  Mr Boss Mustapha,  Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, gave the warning on Monday in Abuja at the 62nd joint national briefing of the taskforce. According to Mustapha, as the nation plans to re-open more sectors, everyone must stay the course and stick with the winning strategy which is anchored on the ability of our health institutions to contain the virus.  “While citizens wear facemasks properly, stay away from crowded places, avoid mass gatherings, maintain simple hygienic practices and as much as possible protect the elderly and most vulnerable to this pandemic. READ ASLO:  Education stakeholders laud Lagos for planned school reopening “It is in the above context that the PTF appreciates the on-going calls for re-opening of the education sector

The high-flying shares of Apple and Tesla rose further on Monday, as investors jumped at the opportunity to own shares at more affordable prices after the companies split their stock. Apple’s previous stock split was 7-for-1 in 2014 and its fifth since going public in 1980. Splitting stocks is a way for companies to make it less expensive to buy individual shares although moves by some retail brokerages to offer slices or fractions of shares to smaller investors has made the impact increasingly marginal. ALSO READ:  Ghana to reopen international airport after five months Shares of the Cupertino, California-based company, which have rallied nearly 30% since it announced its surprise 4-for-1 stock split and blockbuster quarterly results on 30 July, rose 2.6% to US$127.99 on Monday. The rally helped the iPhone maker overtake Saudi Aramco as the world’s most valuable publicly listed company and become the first publicly listed US company to breach $2-trillion in market capitalisatio

A five-man club licensing committee set up by the management of Akwa United Football Club to inspect facilities at the Nest of Champions which forms part of the requirements for the resumption of the new football season has submitted its report. Presenting the report to the club’s chairman, Paul Bassey, the head of the committee, Emmanuel Udoh disclosed that all the facilities and installations inspected were in good condition and adjudged to meet international standards. Mr Bassey congratulated the committee for delivering on their mandate and assured that the report will be given due consideration. ALSO READ:  Ban on maize importation not sole cause of price increase — CBN “I want to really thank this committee for painstakingly carrying out this important assignment. Although we know that the Nest of Champions is well maintained and it is the best in this country, your task was to go and ascertain the readiness of that stadium in preparation for the commencement of the new foot

By Festus Ahon PRESIDENT of Michael and Cecilia Ibru Foundation,  Mrs. Cecilia Ibru has lauded the Urhobo Innovation Hub initiative and assured that the university will host the hub. Ibru gave the assurance when the Convener of the Urhobo Economic and Investment Group, Mr Kingsley Ubiebi paid her a visit at the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, to present resolutions reached during the 2nd edition of the Urhobo Economic and Investment Summit. Also read: 57 Marginal Fields: Tompolo’s kingdom, Gbaramatu  hand FG  ultimatum to halt  bidding process Holding that the innovation hub was a welcome initiative and vision that was birthed at the right time, she noted that “the hub will serve as a panacea to reduce youth restiveness, insecurity, crime rate, and other social vices that have bedevilled Urhobo land.” She urged relevant stakeholders, leaders, sons and daughters in Urhoboland both at home and in the diaspora to

Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa Zimbabwe on Monday offered to give back land to former white farmers whose properties were seized during the controversial land reforms two decades ago. A month ago the government signed a US$3.5 billion compensation agreement with the white farmers for the land lost 20 years ago to sometimes violent land grabs. Then president, Robert Mugabe, forcibly took more than 4,000 farms from the country’s 4,500 white large-scale commercial farmers On Monday the government said Zimbabwean or foreign citizens who lost their farms can apply “for restoration of title to the piece of agricultural land that was compulsorily acquired from them for resettlement”. The offer was announced in a statement issued jointly by Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and his counterpart in the lands ministry, Anxious Masuka. ALSO READ:  Zimbabwe president signs law allowing pregnant girls to continue in school “Government will grant their application where circumstances presently ob

By Gabriel Enogholease and Ozioruva Aliu LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo state have called on the Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu to set up a special squad to investigate the shootings that disrupted political campaigns in Ekpe and Ososo in the local government alleging that contrary to claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that suspected thugs of the PDP attacked its campaign, it was actually the APC that attacked its members who were holding unit meetings. Led by former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Kabiru Adjoto, the leaders alleged that the attack led to injuries being sustained by 16 of their members: 13 in Ekpe and three in Ososo and some in critical condition including an 84 years old man. But the chairman, APC Media Campaign Council, John Mayaki denied the allegation saying the PDP orchestrated attacks on itself and lay the blame on the APC. Adjoto who was accompanied by the chairman

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State. The Lagos State House of Assembly has passed a motion calling on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately embark on anti-drug campaign programmes in secondary schools. The House made the resolution following the motion by Mr Desmond Elliot (Surulere I) during plenary on Monday. The motion was titled “A Call on the Lagos State Government to embark on Anti-drug Corruption Campaign in Secondary Schools in the state”. Elliot said the House observed an increasing rate of drug abuse and alcohol consumption among students of secondary schools. He said:“It was observed that such an experiment with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco sometimes started from elementary schools and peaked in high schools where its adverse effect is remarkably high on the students. READ ALSO:  BREAKING: Sanwo-Olu orders reopening of tertiary institutions Sept 14 “It was further observed that the unrestrained abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other prohibited drugs used

By Tayo Ogunbiyi THE above story, published in the Business Day of Monday, August 10, 2020, purportedly based on a study done in the last five years, made certain allusions that need prompt clarifications. It was alleged in the report, though with no empirical rationalisation, that local governments’ touts terrorise corporate organisations to collect multiple taxes and levies in Lagos State. Since the above allegation is rather weighty, one would have expected the writers to come up with factual cases of such harassment, stating where, when and how it happened. Until such issues are properly addressed, the claim would remain nothing but a spurious and baseless assumption. Not only that, it is equally pejorative because it gives potential investors the false impression that the state is a lawless jungle where touting reigns supreme. Is this really the true picture of Lagos? No! Lagos is run on law and order. Any study giving the impression that Lagos is a place where corporate or

By Dirisu Yakubu The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the military, the federal government and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to respect the will of the electorate by ensuring the conduct of credible and transparent election. Diran Odeyemi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, made the call yesterday in an exclusive chat with Vanguard. According to Odeyemi, the PDP is aware of moves by the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government to deploy the military to cause panic in the fear of voters to pave way for the manipulation of the election in favour of the opposition party. ALSO READ:  CAMA law obnoxious, draconian, anti-Christ ― Anglican Bishop He said: “The PDP has done its homework well and our candidate, the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has in the past four years, delivered on his electioneering promises. ”But we are aware of moves to truncate the will of the people. So, we are calling on INEC to live to its independ

Governor Godwin Obaseki By Isiramen Enobun In seasons of intense politics, truth is always the first casualty. So it is in Edo State at the moment, elections are holding on September 19, 2020, and the people are trying to understand the true meaning of reverse thinking, of the difference between the two major candidates, Godwin Obaseki of PDP, who is the incumbent governor, and Ize Iyamu, who is running on the platform of APC, and how Adams Oshiomole has appropriated the story to become the common factor in a context that should otherwise be very exciting. As it is the beauty of democracy is unfolding in the state. Politicians are crisscrossing the land advertising their wares and capacity, but so also is the nastiness of politics. Some deviants in their midst are threatening fire and brimstone, and the tigers and lions which were once restricted to the Ogba Zoo in Benin City may be released on that particular day. Also read: Join me to free Edo from destructive people, Obaseki b

By Udeme Akpan The Federal Government has disclosed that it has secured $6.15 billion for infrastructural development in the power sector. The Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman, who disclosed this in his report – One Year Anniversary: Key achievements–obtained by Energy Vanguard, stated: “I am glad to state that to date, a total sum of $6.15 billion have been secured for infrastructural development. The total sum has been earmarked for the following critical projects: $2.3 billion Siemens, $1.6 billion Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, $1.7 billion DISP and $550 million NEP (WB/AFDB). “With the securing of the $6.150 billion in funding, the Federal Ministry of Power, under the present administration, has commenced the implementation of critical infrastructure that will enable the country to achieve generation, transmission and distribution of 25,000mw of electricity by 2025. “We embarked on the biggest infrastructural development along the entire electricity

…ABC Nwosu, Akinsanya, Onuoha, others speak By Clifford Ndujihe & Johnbosco Agbakwuru THERE were torrents of tributes for Elder statesman, Major General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, retd, as he clocked 80 years. Among those who feted Senator Nwachukwu, Monday were former Health Minister, Professor ABC Nwosu; Former Ambassador to Ethiopia, Otunba Olusegun Akinsanya; former Registrar Asia State University, Ernest Onuoha and Barrister George Etomi, who described Nwachukwu as a mentor and selfless leader, who took a special interest in the welfare of people He is a leader, gentleman — ABC Nwosu Saluting Nwachukwu at 80, Professor ABC Nwosu said: “Everybody knows General Ike Nwachukwu as a gentleman and a leader of people. What people don’t know about Ike Nwachukwu which you can guess from his stature, bearing and demeanor is his royalty. If you see him, you will see that he represents everything that is royal in a person. Three events made me to know him very well, when I served i

By Gabriel Ewepu – Abuja As the trial of criminal cases continues to be delayed in most courts, some legal experts, Monday, demanded designated courts to try criminal cases and assign judges appropriately. They made the demand at the Cleen Foundation and the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, bi-monthly meeting on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, held in Abuja. They asserted that criminal cases should be given more priority based on the issue of the delayed dispensation of justice, which ought not to be, which they called on Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to add their weight to press on the judiciary to have special courts to speedily try criminal cases. READ ALSO:  Breaking: Four rescued, two dead, one missing in Lagos boat mishap Also speaking was the Legal Adviser of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Tosin Olufon, said the slow pace in trial of criminal cases has made the ACJA Act not meeting its objectives. Olufon added that if

By Festus Ahon CHAIRMAN of the All Progressive Congress, APC in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr Obakpororo Onoabedje has commended Mr Roland Oyibo for his initiative in promoting unity and growth of the party in the area. Onoabedje made the commendation at Agbarha-Otor when Oyibo hosted the party’s stakeholders, wards and local government executives, and the people of Ughelli North constituency l, following his appointment as an Aide to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. Also read: Questionable demand for security bailout fund He said: “Mr Oyibo’s appointment is the most cherished and appreciated that Omo-Agege has ever had considering the commendations being poured on him by party faithful across Ughelli North, South and Udu federal constituency and beyond Delta Central senatorial district”. He called on other aides of the Deputy Senate President and other stakeholders to emulate Oyibo by using their positions to unite and work for the gro

…Reserves, rig count on sharp decline …Nigeria requires $20bn investment yearly …Experts harp on passage of PIB, others By 2020, Nigeria had planned to increase oil reserves from about 37 billion to 40 billion barrels. However, investigation by Udeme Akpan, Vanguard Energy Editor , who moved from one location to another, investigating the operations of oil firms, reviewed industry data, especially the reports of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, here reports that the reserves have dropped to 36.89 billion barrels because of low investment and other factors. However, the situation would not improve soon as the National Assembly disclosed in an interview that it will start all over on the Petroleum Industry Bill, targeted at attracting investors into the industry. At the backdrop of low oil prices, inadequate funds and delays associated with the passage of the PIB, Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry appears to be struggling. Contrary to plans by the Depa

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu By Kingsley Omonobi As part of the ongoing implementation and operationalization of the National Security Policy on Community Policing in the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu has approved the 2nd Edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers. The Conference and Retreat, themed “Implementing and Operationalizing Community Policing in Nigeria” is scheduled to hold in Uyo, the Akwa-Ibom State Capital between the 16th and 19th of November, 2020. The Conference and Retreat which will have both virtual and physical components/sessions in compliance with the COVID-19 prevention regulations. READ ALSO: Community Policing: Bayelsa Command inaugurates advisory committees A Force headquarters statement said it will bring together and provide a unique opportunity for Strategic Managers of the Force – Senior Police Officers of the rank of CP and above and other Heads of Police Formations – and careful