October 2020

Deploy SARS To Borno To Fight Boko Haram – Zulum Tells FG

October 14, 2020 4:34 pm

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has called on the Federal Government to deploy the dissolved Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, personnel to Borno State, to complement the efforts of the Military’s fight against Boko Haram.

Zulum made the call in Maiduguri when he was receiving the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregebesola, who led a delegation to the state. This is coming on the heels of a peaceful procession by some youths, in solidarity with the SARS activities in the state.

Read Also: EndSARS: Aisha Issues warning As Armed Thugs Attack Protesters

Zulum said, in Borno state, SARS had made …

‘Democratic Backsliding’ In West Africa As Election Season Begins

October 14, 2020 4:32 pm

Voters in Guinea on Sunday kick off a string of elections in West Africa when they go to the polls under a cloud as the octogenarian incumbent mounts a controversial third-term bid.

Millions more will vote across the region — in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Nigeria — before the year is out, under the wary eye of defenders of democracy.

“For those of us watching democracy in the subregion… these are trying times,” said Kojo Asante of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development.

Military overthrows for which …

New UK lockdown would be disaster but all options open- PM

New UK Lockdown Would Be Disaster – Boris Johnson

October 14, 2020 3:59 pm

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said a new UK-wide lockdown would be a “disaster” but refused to rule it out as demands grew for a temporary shutdown to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer has thrown his weight behind a two-week “circuit break” to stop a surge in cases of Covid-19 after the proposal was endorsed by the government’s scientific advisory committee.

Devolved authorities in Northern Ireland added to the pressure Wednesday by announcing plans to shut pubs and restaurants for four weeks, tighten restrictions on social gatherings and extend the mid-term school break to …

Rwanda To Grow Medical Cannabis, Strictly For Export

October 14, 2020 3:54 pm

Rwanda has approved the production of medical cannabis strictly for export, seeking to target fast-growing markets in the United States and European Union, even though its use remains illegal at home.

Guidelines for the production and export of medical cannabis were approved by the cabinet on Monday, and a government statement said Wednesday that it would not change strict local laws around marijuana consumption.

“Rwanda will begin to receive applications for licenses from interested investors for this high-value therapeutic crop. This investment framework does not affect the legal status of cannabis consumption in Rwanda, which remains prohibited,” the statement said.…

Edo Assembly Reverses Ex-Speaker’s Impeachment To Resignation

October 14, 2020 3:25 pm

The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday reversed the recent impeachment of its former Speaker, Mr Francis Okiye, and commuted it to resignation.

The house also reversed the suspension slammed on Okiye, who later joined the lawmakers durin the plenary session.

The reversal of the impeachment followed a motion moved by the Leader of the house, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, and seconded by Mr Emmanuel Okoduwa, representing Esan North East 11.

Read Also: Breaking: Edo Assembly Speaker Impeached

Moving the motion, Okhuarobo said the need to reverse the speaker’s impeachment followed appeals from their constituents.

Consequently, the motion, which received the …

We Regret Registering For IPPIS – ASUP Lecturers

October 14, 2020 3:25 pm

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Anderson Ezeibe, has said that polytechnic lecturers regret enrolling on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

According to Ezeibe, this is because IPPIS had been characterised with omission of staff members’ names and non-remittance of check-off dues, including closing the windows to effect corrections where necessary.

He stated this during a meeting with the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba on Tuesday in Abuja, along with other executive members of the union.

Read Also: IPPIS: FG Looking Into ASUU’s Preferred Payment Platform – Ngige

Ezeibe also admitted …

EndSARS Protesters Storm Ogun Governor’s Office, Reject SWAT

October 14, 2020 1:04 pm

Scores of End SARS protesters on Wednesday stormed the office of the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, making several demands.

The protesters berated, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for setting up the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) squad in place of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

They rejected the newly established SWAT in its totality, raising concerns that the new police formation may engage in more acts of brutality than SARS.

‘We don’t want SWAT with special weapons. Are we criminals?’ One of the youths told Governor Abiodun.

They informed the Governor that the disbanded SARS …

2021 Budget Scales 2nd Reading In House Of Reps

October 14, 2020 1:00 pm

The 2021 appropriations bill has been read for the second time in the House of Representatives, following two days of debate on the general principle of the bill.

The ₦13.08 trillion budget scaled the first hurdle as members used two days to discuss some of the merits and demerits of the bill.

At the resumption of the debate on the bill today, parameters such as the deficit, allocations to health and education, employment creation were some of the talking points.

Read Also: Buhari Presents Proposed 2021 Budget, Lists Achievements

Nicholas Ossai from Delta State described the appropriation bill as a …

EndSARS: Pyrates Confraternity Reaches Out To FG

October 14, 2020 11:42 am

The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity has appealed to the Federal Government to pay compensation to victims of police brutality during the #EndSARS protests across the country.

The appeal which is contained in a statement signed by Mr Abiola Owoaje, NAS Capoon, in Abuja, on Tuesday, also called for justice for those killed during the protests.

Read Also: Jonathan Breaks Silence On #EndSARS Protest

The association also appealed to police authorities to give stoppage order to police officers on the street shooting at innocent protesters expressing their human rights.

The association urged the police to provide concrete plans …

Union Bank Secures $40m IFC Facility To Boost Trade Finance

October 14, 2020 8:33 am

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a finance guarantee facility to Union Bank to boost access to finance for local business, enable increased international trade for Nigeria, and help protect the country’s economy from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $40 million facility, under IFC’s Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP), will support Union Bank to establish working partnerships with nearly 300 major international banks within the GTFP network, thereby broadening access to finance and reducing cash collateral requirements for Nigerian businesses.

The …