The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Jema’a Local Government Area, Nathaniel Bawa, has called on stakeholders to zone state party Chairmanship position to the LG. The Party Chairman made the appeal in an interview with journalists on Thursday at the one year anniversary celebration of the member Representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency in Kafanchan,
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A group of protesters, identified as Kaduna Citizens Watch for Good Governance (KCWGG), staged a demonstration at the Kaduna State Government House on Thursday, calling for the immediate probe and arrest of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The protesters, armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, alleged financial mismanagement, abuse of power, and a massive debt burden totaling N423 billion during El-Rufai’s eight-year tenure. They urged Governor Uba Sani to direct the EFCC and other agencies to prosecute El-Rufai, citing the indictment of his administration.
The protesters vowed to occupy all government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to demand the removal of individuals implicated in the report. They also demanded that all loans obtained without due process be halted.
An ad hoc committee set up by the Kaduna State House of Assembly to investigate all finances, loans, and contracts awarded under the former governor submitted its report to the House on Wednesday.
Read Also: Edo APC woes Shaibu, others, mocks PDP for expelling former Dep Gov
The committee indicted the former governor, saying most of the loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration between 2015 and 2023 were not used for the purpose for which they were obtained.
The committee led by Henry Zacharia, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the House, recommended the prosecution of El-Rufai, and some other indicted members of his cabinet by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office and money laundering while in office as well as plaguing Kaduna State into heavy debt.
The probe by the state Assembly was necessitated following the lamentation of the incumbent governor that El-Rufai left him a huge debt profile.
The demonstration highlights the growing discontent among Kaduna residents over alleged corruption and financial recklessness during El-Rufai’s administration. The protesters’ call for EFCC action and accountability has sparked attention, with many watching for the commission’s response to these serious allegations.
The post Protesters demand EFCC probe, arrest of ex-gov El-Rufai over alleged N423bn fraud appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Donald Trump said he wants to grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, in an apparent softening of his typically hard-line view on immigration, a key election issue.
The Republican candidate made the remarks in a podcast published Thursday, days after President Joe Biden announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals, counterbalancing his recent crackdown on illegal border crossings.
“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country,” Trump told the All-In podcast.
A green card is the commonly used name for a permanent resident card in the United States and a step toward citizenship.
Trump said this should include “anybody who graduates from a college,” including those who complete two-year programs, known as junior colleges, and doctoral graduates.
Asked initially on the podcast if he would promise to help import the “best and the brightest around the world to America,” Trump replied: “I do promise.”
He added: “I know of stories where people graduated from a top college, or from a college, and they desperately want to stay here… and they can’t.
“They go back to India, they go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multi-billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people,” Trump said.
He also said that US companies need “smart people,” adding “They can’t even make a deal with a company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country.”
“That is going to end on day one,” Trump added.
During Trump’s 2017-2021 presidency, he ordered the construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border and implemented a travel ban on people from mostly Muslim countries.
His comments came after Democrat opponent Biden on Tuesday relaxed visa rules for around half a million spouses of US nationals, making it easier for them to obtain citizenship.
The president also simplified the process for migrants who came to the United States illegally as children — known as “Dreamers” — to get work visas if they’ve graduated college and have a “high-skilled job offer.”
Biden — often accused of being soft on immigration by Republicans — earlier in June signed an executive order barring migrants who enter the United States illegally from claiming asylum when numbers surge past 2,500 in a day.
AFP
Lagos cracks down on illegal garages, seizes 40 vehicles
In a bid to restore order and ensure smooth traffic flow, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has impounded 40 (25 commercial and 15 private) vehicles operating illegal garages and causing road obstructions in Oyingbo, Ijora, and Idumota areas.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, on X.com.on Friday.
According to the statement, LASTMA’s enforcement team led by Mr. Kayode Odunuga, carried out the operation under the guidance of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa.
The team specifically targeted illegal garages that had been causing persistent traffic jams and inconvenience for residents and commuters.”
According to Giwa, the move is part of a broader initiative to enhance the city’s transportation network and maintain law and order on the roads.
He said, “Illegal garages have been a significant challenge in our quest to maintain a seamless traffic flow in Lagos. These impoundments send a strong message to all offenders that the state will not tolerate activities that disrupt public order and endanger the lives of our citizens.”
“Our goal is to create a safe and orderly environment for all road users and this action is a crucial step in that direction.”
The targeted areas, Oyingbo, Ijora, and Idumota, are known hotspots for traffic congestion due to unauthorised parking and the establishment of makeshift garages
According to the statement, the illegal garages and unauthorised parking not only obstruct the free movement of vehicles but also pose safety risks to pedestrians.
LASTMA’s intervention is designed to remove these hazards, ease congestion, and improve traffic flow in these areas.
Residents and business owners have expressed support for the government’s move, noting the significant benefits it will bring to their daily activities.
LASTMA has assured the public that the operation will be sustained and extended to other parts of the city where illegal garages and related activities are prevalent.
Giwa urged all vehicle owners and operators to adhere to the state’s traffic regulations and cooperate with authorities to avoid sanctions.
He reiterated that the government’s primary objective is to create a better and more livable Lagos for everyone.
He also urged motorists to take ownership of the roads and to promptly inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned trailers.
UK health authorities said that sensitive data from a ransomware attack that led to major disruption at London hospitals has been published online on Friday.
The cyberattack earlier this month on service supplier Synnovis particularly hit blood transfusions, and hundreds of appointments and operations are still being cancelled.
The attack affected some of the UK’s biggest hospitals – King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ in the centre of the British capital.
“NHS England has been made aware that the cybercriminal group published data last night, which they claim belongs to Synnovis and was stolen as part of this attack,” said the body that runs the state-run National Health Service (NHS) in England.
According to the BBC, the Russian cybercriminal group Qilin shared almost 400 gigabytes of data – including patient names, dates of birth, NHS numbers, and blood test descriptions – on their darknet site and Telegram channel.
Synnovis, which conducts pathology tests on blood samples, primarily in southeast London, was the victim of a cyberattack on June 3.
“We understand that people may be concerned by this and we are continuing to work with Synnovis, the National Cyber Security Centre and other partners to determine the content of the published files as quickly as possible,” NHS England said.
AFP
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The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, ridiculed the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for expelling former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, describing the move as a sign of panic ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
The PDP had expelled Shaibu on Wednesday for declaring support for the APC and its candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and for demarketing the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
However, the APC has welcomed Shaibu back into its fold, praising him as a community builder and a contributor to the state’s development.
READ ALSO:Edo APC defends Shaibu, slams PDP over ‘irritating’ resignation call
In a statement by the Director of Publicity of its Governorship Campaign Council, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, the APC described the PDP’s move as a desperate attempt to cling to power, saying, “The hurried suspension of Philip Shaibu…is a sign that the remnants of the PDP are in panic mode as the election draws nearer.”
The APC also extended an invitation to other PDP members, including Dan Orbih and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who were also expelled by the PDP, to join its ranks, saying, “Our party…will not hesitate to embrace Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama whenever both gentlemen decide to bid the sinking ship of PDP goodbye.”
The post Edo APC woes Shaibu, others, mocks PDP for expelling former Dep Gov appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
In Krasnodar, an employee of a heating station was killed when a drone struck the facility near the Yuzhny train station, Regional Governor Venyamin Kondratyev said on Telegram.
Several administrative buildings at an oil refinery were also damaged in Severski district, he said.
Ukraine, which has battled a Russian offensive for more than two years, has in recent months upped its attacks on Russian territory, targeting energy sites.
Russian missile and drone strikes aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have crippled the country’s electricity generation capacity and have forced Kyiv to impose rolling blackouts and import electricity from the European Union.
AFP
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun on Thursday, allocated farmlands to 26 members of the state House of Assembly as part of efforts to ensure food security and support the federal government’s agricultural resurgence initiative.
Abiodun presented letters of allocation to the lawmakers to commemorate the first anniversary of the 10th legislature at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor said the gesture was to make them contribute towards making the state the country’s food basket.
He said, “I recall that I had promised to allocate agricultural land to all the Ogun State legislators as part of our food security and agricultural resurgence initiative, which is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“Today, in fulfilment of the promise and commemoration of your one year in office. I am glad to present to you the letters of allocation for the speaker and the 26 members of the House of Assembly, and I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that you begin to grow what you eat and eat what you grow.
“This will be your way of ensuring the fulfilment of our desire to make Ogun State the bread basket of the nation.”
Abiodun, who lauded the Assembly members for their commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the welfare of the citizens, observed that their dedication to legislative excellence has been instrumental in driving the progress and development of the state
The lawmakers, the governor emphasised, have in the last year, passed numerous bills and resolutions aimed at improving the lives of the people, noting that their tireless efforts, unwavering integrity, and collaborative spirit with the executive have made the state one of the best in the country.
“For each of us, whether in the Executive or Legislative branch, history has presented a rare opportunity to lead and serve the people who have placed their hopes and aspirations on our ability to deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. In doing so, we must understand and decide which side of the divide we want to be and how we wish to be remembered,” he added.
Abiodun assured the lawmakers that his administration is committed to working closely with them to advance key initiatives that would further drive the state’s development just as he pledged to prioritise investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, to make the state remain competitive and prosperous.
“Together, we have a great task ahead. The expectations of our people are vast. We must strive to create an inclusive society where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive,” he noted.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide described the last year as turbulent and filled with tension but maintained that the desire to give the people a purposeful representation saw them through the turbulent period.
Elemide lauded the governor for embarking on the complete renovation and restoration of the assembly complex, adding that 24 new toilets have been added while water supply has been restored in offices of the legislators in the complex.
While assuring the governor of the Assembly’s cooperation in making laws that would fast-track the socio-economic development of the state, he noted that members would be guided by the fact that they were in the Assembly to represent the interest of their constituents.
A former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Peter Okebukola, has provided a recipe for repositioning the Nigerian civil service for effective performance in service delivery in the 21st century.
Okebulola who was the guest lecturer at a public lecture as part of programmes lined up to mark the 2024 Civil Service Week, said, “Education is key and the kind of education needed in the workplace in the 21st Century involves critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, collaboration and teamwork, digital literacy, flexibility and adaptability, social and cross-cultural skills.”
According to a statement by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, on Friday, Okebukola also emphasised the need for strong leadership and accountability, entrepreneurship, use of technology, environmental literacy, resilience and stress management, among others.
Okebulola noted that “The managers of the public service in the country must be forward-looking, with projections like how the civil would be in next 50 years in terms provision of various services to the nation.”
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, in her address, said the Service was already making efforts to groom the best brains and the brightest in the Federal Civil Service to bridge the skills gap and requisite knowledge needed to transform the Service.
She added that the service is grooming a new crop of leaders of high skills through the Leadership Enhancement and Development Programme(LEAD-P), as encapsulated in the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021-2025(FCSSIP 2021–2025).
“Under the LEAD-P, the Service has the goal to identify, mentor and train 500 future civil service leaders by the end of 2025, adding that already over 200 officers have been trained and deployed to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government,” she said.
Recall that last week Friday, Yemi-Esan said the civil service was currently undergoing significant reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
According to her, the reforms which included the adoption of new technologies had reached a critical stage.
Yemi-Esan spoke at the Jumat service held as part of activities to commemorate the civil service week in Abuja.
Represented by the Ministry of Police Affairs Permanent Secretary, Dr Sanni Gwarzo, she stated that Nigerians would see a digital civil service very soon.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a spike in Cholera in several regions of the world, with almost 195,000 cases and over 1,900 deaths reported in 24 countries since the start of this year.
The agency’s Eastern Mediterranean Region reported the highest number of cases, followed by the African Region, the Region of the Americas, the Southeast Asia Region, and the European Region.
WHO, in a statement on Thursday, stated that there are no reported cases in the Western Region, according to its bulletin released on Wednesday.
The UN health agency said it exhausted its global stockpile of Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCV) by March but was able to exceed “the emergency target of five million doses in early June for the first time in 2024.”
Yet, the supply of the vaccine does not equate to its demand.
WHO reported that since January last year, 16 countries have requested 92 million doses of OCV – almost double the 49 million produced during that time.
WHO, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other partners are working together to use resources to find long-term solutions for cholera.
On the positive side of health news, WHO announced on Thursday that Chad successfully eradicated “sleeping sickness” as a public health problem.
The agency applauded the Government and people of Chad for eradicating the gambiense form of human African trypanosomiasis, (also known as sleeping sickness).
“I congratulate the government and the people of Chad for this achievement.
“It is great to see Chad join the growing group of countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease (NTD),” Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said.
In eliminating the disease, Chad joined some 50 others globally that have succeeded in this endeavour.
“The 100-country target is nearer and within reach,” Ghebreyesus, added, referring to the target set out in the road map for addressing neglected tropical diseases by 2030.
Sleeping sickness can cause flu-like symptoms initially but eventually cause behaviour change, confusion, sleep cycle disturbances or even coma, often leading to death.
Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment, as well as surveillance and response, has proven that countries can control and eventually eliminate transmission.
NAN