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NYSC is here to stay, FG tells critics

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By Katurak Yashim

Abuja, Dec. 5, 2021 (NAN) The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, says the National  Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is here to stay as its contributions to national development are indisputable.

Dare spoke in Abuja on Saturday night at the premiere of an advocacy movie produced by the NYSC entitled “A Call to Service”.

The movie was produced to increase appreciation for the scheme’s relevance in promoting patriotism, national unity, peace and cohesion.

Some of the movie cast included Nollywood actors such as Pete Edochie, Toyin Abraham, Ali Nuhu, Belinda Effah, Imeh Bishop also known as “Okon Lagos”, and comedian Anita Asuoha also referred to as “Real Warripikin”.

The minister applauded the timely release of the movie as the relevance of the scheme has been under public scrutiny and debate in recent time.

“The timing of this movie could not have been better after weeks and months of debates about whether the NYSC is relevant or not and whether the scheme should be scrapped or should continue.

“The answer to the critics, to the anti-NYSC is in the premiere of this movie. This movie needs to travel and hit every viewing platform across this country and in the diaspora; it must go viral.

“The message must go out strong and clear, that the NYSC has come to stay. The scheme is more relevant now than it has ever been before,” the minister said.

Dare said that the release of the movie would assist the ministry with its plans in ensuring that the NYSC Trust Fund is created.

According to him, I believe that before the end of the first quarter of next year when we have done all that is necessary, I will be able to present a memo to the (Federal Executive) Council for the establishment of an NYSC Trust Fund.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Head of State and initiator of the NYSC, urged the legislative and executive arms of the Federal Government to take the necessary steps towards establishing the NYSC Trust Fund.

Gowon, who was represented by Mr Yusuf Nalado, Member, NYSC Governing Board, said that the gesture would ensure the sustenance of the scheme and the future of the Nigerian youth.

Gowon called on Nigerians to continue to support the scheme to sustain the achievements of its mandate.

Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, the NYSC Director-General, said that the scheme produced the movie to drive the relevance of the scheme and also to provide a platform for corps members to develop their potential.

Ibrahim said that the movie also aimed to educate local and foreign-trained graduates that national service is mandatory and failure to comply will attract legal consequences.

“You are all aware that NYSC has for long become a household name in Nigeria owing to its invaluable contributions to national unity and development.

“In particular, its role in the training and mentoring of the youth in preparation for their future leadership responsibilities have been appreciated by all and sundry.

“The movie we are unveiling today is part of the innovative approaches of the present management to engendering a greater appreciation of the relevance of the scheme.

“It is an advocacy and sensitisation tool that is also expected to influence a greater commitment of stakeholders to their roles and responsibilities as spelt out in the NYSC Act Cap N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the NYSC Bye-Laws.

According to Ibrahim, the movie is also produced to encourage local and foreign-trained Nigerian graduates that are eligible for national service to make themselves available upon graduation.

He said that this would prevent the graduates from being found guilty of absenteeism, absconding, or certificate forgery.

The director-general said that the movie was produced under the schemes movie production platform “NYSCwood” which was established to sensitise the public on relevant issues.

“Some of the actors in the movie were serving corps members at the time of its production. Indeed, the film was produced by a corps member, JairusPaul Osazuwa.

“This is in line with our policy of providing opportunities for corps members to develop their potential. It is in this regard that we established the NYSC movie production platform, which we christened NYSCwood.

“Already, we have produced several short films aimed at sensitising the public on issues such as elections, safe blood donation, and campaign against open defecation.

“Apart from deploying our movies as instruments of entertainment and education, the NYSCwood will serve as a training platform for corps members who will be interested in pursuing a career as professional movie actors while also generating revenue for the scheme,” Ibrahim said.

He said that the scheme had also signed a partnership agreement with the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) to further provide a platform for corps members to develop and expand their creativity. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Nasarawa housewife explains how she fell pregnant for her husband’s 17-year-old son

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Mrs Justina Agbumi sat with other pleasure seekers at the Lafia township stadium on Thursday, November 26 to observe the evening training of Nasarawa United football players.

But, while everyone else seemed to be having a good time watching professional footballers juggle the ball, Justina sat quietly and solemnly.

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The cheerful mood of the nine-month-old infant on her bosom, who sucked away merrily on a bottle of soft drink, contrasted with her melancholy demeanor.

Justina has practically become a recluse since her husband’s tragic death and her heinous conduct with a young man her husband had with another woman out of wedlock.

She decided to put her fertility to the test with the young man who was living with them, not knowing that the young man in question is her husband’s biological son, because she had been childless for 19 years after she married Donald Agbumi and was anxious to find out whether she was actually infertile.

It was the conclusion of the couple’s deception, as Donald had brought the young man in and introduced him to Justina as one of his village relatives.

Our correspondent’s efforts to contact with Justina after one of her neighbors dropped a hint about the incident for a week finally paid off on Thursday at the Lafia township stadium, when she agreed to speak about it.

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Justina explained how their once-enviable romance became tainted with impatience, hatred, and abuse, to the point where neighbors and friends became peacemakers before the marriage was annulled.

She described how the previous 15 years had been the worst of her life because they didn’t have a child, with assault, name calling, cruelty, and malnutrition.

“It got to the point where I wondered if I was still married to the same man.”

“He turned into a beast, calling me barren, harlot, and useless because I couldn’t take in,” she continued, tears streaming down her face.

“He was my best buddy before we got married,” she added. We were eager to start a family as soon as possible so that we could move on.

“But there was nothing after five years or more.” I felt concerned since I didn’t take in.

“We had various tests and were told that I was well, but that my husband had a low sperm count and that he needed to adjust his diet, which we did, but nothing changed.”

“Because he is the only son, his mother had already been antagonistic to me, coming from the village on a regular basis, while my husband joined her in irritating me.”

“Before that, I went to places where my faith wouldn’t normally allow me to go since all I wanted was a child.” Despite this, nothing came of it.

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“That’s how I got my start living alone.” I sobbed every day, but it didn’t help me.

I had an idea one day and wanted to test my fertility with a different man. I realized that would be high-level adultery, but I reasoned that it would be a lesser sin if it was with a relative of my husband’s who was staying with us. Since my spouse had ceased making love to me for about seven months, I drew the young man closer and became him my best friend.

“It was tough to get Godwin to start sleeping with me, but I also had to consider my age.”

“I had never cheated on my spouse before, but I had reached the end of my patience and the odds were stacked against me.

“I came to the conclusion that Godwin would be the best way to test my fertility.”

“I had seen Godwin’s crotch while cleaning the house, and I realized that his manhood was large enough to satisfy me, despite the fact that he was only approximately 17 years old.”

“Whenever my husband went to work, I started admiring him.” I would summon bravery and approach him, luring him closer to me with insignificant stuff.

“He succumbed quickly, and we began having sex, albeit he wasn’t quite perfect because he hadn’t been into it before.”

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“However, I was instructing him.” I also cautioned him not to tell anyone about it and promised to kill him if he did.

“We made strides in that regard, particularly during my ovulation phase.” He was able to impregnate me in a short period of time. Three months later, I didn’t get my period.

“I was overjoyed that the plan to test my fertility worked, and that Godwin was able to do in such a short period what my husband had been unable to do for years.”

“One good factor was that Godwin was completely unaware of his involvement.

“Unfortunately for me, I had no idea that Godwin was my husband’s biological son.” The whole family kept it hidden from me so that I wouldn’t blame him.”

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Godwin had earned admission to the College of Education Akwanga and was on his way to begin registration when he was killed in an accident.

“He died before I gave birth to a boy,” Justina explained.
“I didn’t go to Godwin’s funeral since I wasn’t strong enough to travel to the village because I was severely pregnant.”

“However, I realized that my husband was saddened and impacted by Godwin’s early death following his burial.” He was so severely disturbed that he almost lost his job.

“Even when I delivered a baby boy for him, he stopped being a joyful man.”

“I tried multiple times to talk to him about the future of our new baby, but he was uninterested because he knew deep down that he wasn’t responsible for the pregnancy and was merely acting.

“The man was dissatisfied in the extreme. My husband jolted me awake one morning in October and broke down in tears, but he couldn’t tell me what was bothering him.

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“He was calm enough to tell me why he was weeping after approximately 40 minutes.”

“He began by apologizing to me for not disclosing to me from the beginning that the late Godwin was his biological son.

“He claimed that when he was younger, he had an affair with a girl that resulted in a pregnancy, which the girl refused to abort.” Godwin was born to her and raised by his mother.

“So when he met me and I expressed strong opposition to any man who previously had a child out of wedlock, he opted to keep it hidden from me so he wouldn’t lose me.”

“All these years, he stated he didn’t know how to tell me about it.” He claimed that he wanted to abort the pregnancy, but that his parents accepted care for him while he continued his education.

“He added that after he finished his studies, he decided that the youngster should come live with us so that I could train him.” But, in order to avoid being a victim, he kept his true identity hidden from me.

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“My husband sobbed again, saying that the late Godwin was his only son and that he knew he had nothing to do with the pregnancy that resulted in the freshly born baby boy.

“He begged me to tell him who the true father of the new born baby was because we hadn’t done any lovemaking in the months leading up to the pregnancy.”

“I realized at that moment that lying would just worsen the matter,” Justina stated, “so I chose to come clean.”

“I cried violently and burst into tears.” I had a hard time explaining it to him because he had been straightforward with me at such a late hour.

“I knelt before him in tears and told to him that my recently born baby was fathered by the late Godwin, his own son.”

“I begged him to pardon me for all my misdeeds, explaining that it was an attempt to preserve my marriage and bear a child for him, and that instead of going outdoors, I thought I should test my fertility with his relative to see if the fault was mine or his.”

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“I pleaded with him to pardon me for all my misdeeds, explaining that I took that course of action to safeguard the marriage, and that the consolation is that the new baby boy would replace his son because his late son’s blood is in the new baby boy.”

According to Justina, her husband’s first reaction was rage, because he couldn’t conceive his son sleeping with his wife to the point of impregnating her, and his wife allowing it to happen under the same roof.

However, their lives have not remained the same after their mutual confession in October 2021, as their former cat and dog connection has deteriorated further.

“He (Donald) kept emaciating,” she stated. He didn’t say anything and seemed uninterested in the new baby.

“We didn’t chat much, and he didn’t answer to my questions.” I was worried that he would kill my son at one point. I was frightened about his aloofness, so I dashed out of the home to see one of my uncles who also lives in town.

“My husband slept and died in his sleep two days later, on the 27th of October.”

“Now his folks are accusing me of being responsible for his death, and they’re threatening to kill me as well,” she continued, her eyes welling up with tears.

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“My brother, I am not myself,” Justina continued. I’m perplexed. I don’t think I deserve to live another day, so I’m thinking about killing myself because my attempt to give my spouse a child has devastated my life.

While confronting the two families was tough owing to the tragedy that had befallen them, our correspondent was able to speak with the late Donald’s mother, who stated, “She (Justina) killed my only son.”

“We asked her to leave the moment we realized she couldn’t conceive, but she refused.

“She caused my son’s life to become unstable, which resulted in his death.”

“Before he died, my son told me everything that had transpired.”

Despite our correspondent’s prodding, she refused to say anything else.

Mr Stephen, Justina’s uncle, informed our correspondent that he would not say anything “until after my sister’s husband’s burial.”

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“But for the time being, she’ll be staying with me.” Allow them to establish that she was to blame for her husband’s death.

“Because our mother is no longer alive, I’ll consult with our parents, particularly our father.”

APC group commends Buni-led committee for excellent performance, says party’s glory restored

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Governor Mai Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress’ Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee has been commended for restoring the party’s lost glory and setting it on the path for future success.

The APC Mandate Forum gave this commendation today in a press statement co-signed by its National President, Chief Alechenu Adejo Adaji and Secretary-General, Engr Gideon Unazi.

According to the group, the news of the committee’s sack is “orchestrated by some unfaithful party members and intended to cause a crack within the party”.

Throwing its weight behind the committee, the APC Mandate Forum said they have been able to address the myriad of challenges that threatened the foundation of the party.

The group, therefore, passed a vote of confidence on the party leadership, noting that its membership has surged remarkably.

While endorsing the proposed February national convention, the APC forum urged the Yobe State Governor and his team not to be deterred by disgruntled party members.

The group, however, advised party members acting as moles to tow the path of honour by resigning their membership with immediate effect.

Read full statement below:

The group noted that the committee has shown bravery and an unflinching commitment towards positioning the party for electoral success in the coming elections.

Introduction:

The APC Mandate Forum is a group of young party faithful that have devoted substantial time, energy, and resources to preserve the ideals of the APC as a party in availing the citizens of the dividends of democracy in the country.

The APC Mandate Forum has also been an advocate of good governance through the robust engagements by members drawn from the intelligentsia that is burning alive with passion towards the country’s socio-economic development through town hall meetings, press conferences, stakeholders engagements and other activities across the country.

The Issues:

The news making the rounds indicating the sacking of the Buni led caretaker committee of the APC was indeed one with the potential of causing a crisis of immeasurable proportion within the party. This is our considered opinion was puerile, orchestrated by some unfaithful party members, and intended to cause crack within the party.

Our Position:

After extensive deliberations by the leadership of the APC Mandate Forum, we wish to state that the efforts to discredit the noble achievements of Governor Mai Mala Buni as the caretaker chairman of the APC cannot be overemphasized given the way and manner he has been able to address the myriad of challenges that threatened the foundation of the party.

It can be sufficiently stated that the Mai Mala Buni led caretaker committee indeed displayed acts of bravery and an unflinching commitment towards positioning the party for electoral success in the coming elections.

Therefore, we are alarmed that some disgruntled elements within the party would elect to condescend to engage in acts that would divide the party and cause the party electoral losses during the election.

The APC Mandate Forum wishes to use this medium to advise party members acting as moles in the party to tow the path of honour by resigning their membership with immediate effect.

It is therefore sufficiently evident that those against the party’s interest are behind the plot to rubbish the lofty gains recorded by the Buni led caretaker committee. They have elected to be disgruntled for reasons best known to them as the Buni led caretaker committee has diligently carried all along to restore peace in the party.

Resolutions:

Consequently, the APC Mandate Forum wishes to make the following resolutions:

That we endorse the set date of February 2022 for the party’s national convention and to thank the caretaker committee for how it has conducted its affairs in the last few months since it came into power.

That we commend the caretaker committee for successfully holding state, local government and ward congresses across the country despite the attempt by some individuals and groups to truncate the process and make the APC a laughing stock in the country.

That we commend the caretaker committee for expanding the membership base of the party across the country in a most transparent manner that saw to the boosting of the membership base of the party.

That we commend the caretaker committee for the electoral victory in Ondo state and the bringing into the party some governors from the opposition party.

That we pass a resounding vote of confidence on Governor Mai Mala Bubi and the entire caretaker committee members for a job well done so far.

That we call on all APC supporters the world over to support the caretaker committee and enjoin party men and women to bring onboard only those who can sustain the cohesion, unity and tolerance being foist on the party by the caretaker committee.

Commendation:

The APC Mandate Forum commends the Buni led caretaker committee for the efforts thus far. We encourage them to continue working assiduously towards hosting a successful national convention.

In Borno State, troops neutralize BH/ISWAP terrorists

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On Friday, December 3, 2021, troops from Sector 1 Joint Task Force (JTF) North East (NE), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), eliminated scores of Boko Haram (BH) and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists who penetrated Kala Balge town in Borno State on weapons trucks and motorcycles.

Insurgents attacked troops stationed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) Rann, a town on the Nigerian-Cameroonian border, but the military responded with overwhelming firepower, forcing the terrorists to abandon their mission and retreat in chaos.

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According to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, in the fierce battle for Kala Balge, troops defended the town and neutralized 26 BH/ISWAP terrorists, capturing terrorists’ combat vehicles, 18 AK 47 rifles, and one M-21 rifle with large quantities of ammunition, as well as destroying several other pieces of equipment.

Two commanders and five soldiers, according to the statement, paid the ultimate price, while three others who sustained gunshot wounds are still receiving medical attention.

Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has paid tribute to the fallen warriors who paid the ultimate price in defending their homeland.

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He also praised troops for their bravery in the North East, particularly in light of recent victories in Gajiram and Tumbus.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo urges security agencies to adopt a data-driven culture

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To address Nigeria’s current security difficulties, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the country’s security and intelligence institutions must develop a culture that is empirical, data-driven, analytical, and characterised by forensic rigour.

This was expressed by Osinbajo at the National Institute for Security Studies’ EIMC 14 Executive Intelligence Management Course graduation ceremony on Saturday.

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The Vice President emphasized the need for security agencies to reimagine Nigeria’s security and intelligence architecture’s institutional culture, and urged graduating students to be sharper and more inventive in their approach.

“It has fallen on you to be the generation of intelligence and security professionals who will marshal Nigeria’s answers to the various threats we face.”

“There is no doubt that we must be better and more inventive in marshalling these answers.

“We are compelled by the demands of our time to be much more astute in our business practices.

“Not only do we have to compete with well-equipped non-state actors, some of whom are hostile, but we also have to stay up with society.”

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“The risks of this age push us to be even more innovative, in addition to being more smarter.

“The intelligence industry necessitates the ability to anticipate the unexpected, to foresee the impact of unanticipated outcomes and events.”

Services of intelligence

Osinbajo stated that intelligence services must foresee threats to which they have a clear line of sight, and that due to resource limits, Nigeria will not wait for threats to become obvious risks before acting.

“Rather than reacting, our intelligence services must be proactive, staying ahead of rather than behind the curve. Before threats become evident perils, they must be identified and treated.

“It’s a hefty responsibility to bear.” But the truth is that the intelligence community is expected to be a step ahead of the rest of us by its very nature.

“This necessitates a great level of imagination.” A lack of imagination is a failure of intelligence.

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“I must emphasize that creativity, the ability to think in terms of various different scenarios, variables, and possibilities, is the gift of skill that should define the intelligence officer of this new century.”

Local safety

The availability and use of technology by criminal and terrorist persons and groups, as well as inter-agency coordination, are all issues that the country’s security elite must face, according to Vice President Osinbajo.

According to him, the question of global dimensions to local security challenges reflects the intricacy of any local challenge, which has a worldwide or trans-border connection.

He believed that solving local security issues would require an understanding of their worldwide implications.

“Take, for example, the insurgency in the north east; you can’t really comprehend its magnitude unless you understand its ties to Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb, Al-Shabab, and the so-called Islamic State in the Middle East.”

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“The Boko Haram, ISWAP insurgency has since evolved into a multi-country insurgency affecting Chad, Niger, and Cameroon.”

Conceptualization of geostrategic importance

Prof. Osinbajo stated that the large quantity of firearms available to criminal gangs in every zone of Nigeria necessitates intelligence and security leaders’ thinking on solutions to security challenges to be geo-strategic.

“As primary leaders and planners of our security architecture, our intelligence and security elite must clearly be geo-strategic in their solution formulation.”

“We expect you to become acquainted with the history, current operations, and methods of operation of these transnational terrorist groups with ties to local terrorists.”

“You need to know how they fund themselves, how they carry weaponry and ammunition, and what technologies will be available to them in the months and years ahead.”

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Taking advantage of technology

Nigeria’s size and decreasing resources, according to Osinbajo, have required the employment of technology in the fight against insecurity.

“As a result, we must make use of technology.” We must come up with technology-driven solutions to solve our security needs at a time when national resources are stretched tight.

“The issues are the same whether we’re talking about border law enforcement and police, or surveillance and reconnaissance programs targeted at finding criminals in our coastal waters or locating terrorists hiding among the general populace.”

“To compensate for the human resource shortage, we must become more smarter in the deployment of intelligence; in the deployment of reconnaissance technologies.”

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“Technology has the potential to be a force multiplier, enhancing our ability to effectively safeguard our region.” Knowing that we should use technology for surveillance and combat isn’t enough.

“At the heart of the security environment’s complexity is technology, and how it has empowered criminal non-state actors with capabilities that were previously exclusively available to nation states.” Criminal non-state actors now have access to weaponry that were previously solely available to nation states.

“Criminal potential on the dark web, a virtual underworld that houses a worldwide unlawful economy that even state actors have struggled to penetrate.”

“Transactions such as illicit weaponry, illicit drugs, child trafficking, and even weapons of mass devastation are performed within this underground universe.”

Collaboration between agencies

Prof. Osinbajo also addressed inter-agency coordination and synergy, stating that “we are only as good as the synergy between the government’s law enforcement and security agencies.”

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President Buhari, he added, formed the Committee on Needs Assessment of National Security Requirements in response to this.

“The president signed a supplementary budget to the tune of N802 billion for military, security, and intelligence agencies and their particular needs as a consequence of the committee’s work,” the vice president stated.

Mrs. Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, who was also present at the event, expressed hope that the 10-month training will provide them with the necessary knowledge and expertise to address the country’s current security concerns.

She urged the graduates to put their newfound knowledge and abilities to good use during their training.

Yusuf Bichi, Director-General, State Services, congratulated the graduates and described them as change agents in his speech.

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He urged them to apply their knowledge to the country’s present security challenges.

The EIMC-14 Course, which began in February of this year, drew 66 people from Nigeria’s security and other agencies.

There were also visitors from neighboring countries.

Zulum asks military to wake up as he visits the Maiduguri Estate Attack

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Babagana Umara Zulum, the governor of Borno State, has paid a visit to the Maiduguri housing development that was damaged by a rocket launcher on Saturday morning, believed to have been launched by Boko Haram/ISWAP terror organizations.

Governor Zulum, who paid a visit to the estate, promised to form a “small committee” to analyze the property’s damages and advise the government on how to prevent similar occurrences on the scene and other government properties in the city.

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Zulum, who had been applauding the military for the previous year, was angered by the attack as well as the state’s recent kidnappings. He termed the Saturday attack “worrisome” and urged the military to “wake up” from some of its past indifference.
“It is terribly terrible and unfortunate that this and other attacks are taking place at this time. The insurgents appear to have come dangerously close to Maiduguri. Our military must wake up and ensure that proper surveillance is in place. We should be able to avoid this situation. I believe there is something wrong that we need to investigate after the insurgents came so near to firing rockets.”

“We must fortify Maiduguri, as we will continue to do around the state’s other cities and towns.” To prevent such attacks, we must maintain appropriate patrols on a daily basis.”

The bombs were detonated near Ngomari Airport, Njimtilo, and Shuwari hamlet, all of which are close to the estate. The governor was informed that no one had died.

Zulum expressed his condolences to all those impacted and promised that the government will take steps to prevent a repeat of the incident.

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“I express my condolences to all who have been harmed by today’s incident. I will form a small committee to assess the extent of the damage and advise the government on how to prevent similar occurrences.” Zulum remarked.

Dutch Authorities Confirms 18 Passengers From S.Africa Positive To Omicron

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The total number of passengers who tested positive for the Omicron coronavirus type on two flights from South Africa last week was 18, according to Dutch health authorities.

In a statement, the Netherlands’ Institute for Health (RIVM) said the examination into passengers on the two flights was now complete.

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The flights had already taken off when the Dutch government imposed fresh travel restrictions on Nov. 26 in response to concerns about the newly discovered Omicron variety.

Over 600 passengers on the aircraft were isolated and tested for COVID-19, with 61 of them testing positive, including the 18 who tested positive for the Omicron variety.

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Those who tested positive but have no symptoms will be released on Saturday, while others will have to stay in isolation longer, according to the institute.

The number of passengers who will be released from isolation was not specified.

Buni Expresses Condolences to Gulani Farm Fire Victims, Offers Support

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Mai Mala Buni, the Governor of Yobe State, has expressed condolences to the people of Gulani Community and its surrounds following the recent fire calamity that destroyed their farmlands.

The Governor, who was represented by Abdullahi Usman Kukuwa, the Commissioner of Transport and Energy, expressed shock and sorrow over the incident and vowed help to the victims.

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Babayo A. Jalo, Chairman of the Gulani Local Government Area Sanitation Committee, addressed on behalf of the victims, thanking the Governor for his concern and stating that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has already dispatched a mission to the spot to examine the affected farms.
The Gulani Area Development Association (GADA) was, nonetheless, part of Governor Buni’s grieving delegation.

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They also commended Daiyabu Ilu Njibulwa, Chairman of Gulani Local Government Area, for relocating Tetteba Grains Market beyond the main market square, as the organization had requested.

The communities of Gulani, Tetteba, and Garintuwo in the state were visited.

South Africa Children admitted for Covid-19 should not be alarmed

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LONGWOOD, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - 2021/08/09: A nurse gives a boy a dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Lyman High School in Longwood on the day before classes begin for the 2021-22 school year. Seminole County Public Schools have implemented a face covering/mask mandate for students for 30 days unless a parent chooses to opt out of the requirement. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

A health official said on Saturday that more hospital admissions among youngsters during a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections in South Africa caused by the Omicron strain should inspire attention but not panic because infections have been modest.

Concerns were raised last month after a large number of newborns were hospitalised with COVID-19 in Tshwane, the metropolitan area that surrounds Pretoria, raising fears that the Omicron variation could pose a larger risk to young children than other coronavirus variants.

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Scientists have yet to find any evidence of a correlation and have warned that other factors could be at play.

Ntsakisi Maluleke, a public health specialist in the Gauteng province, which encompasses Tshwane and Johannesburg, stated that 113 of the 1,511 COVID-positive patients in the province’s hospitals were under the age of nine, which is a higher proportion than in prior waves of infection.

“We are reassured by clinician reports that the youngsters have mild disease,” she said, adding that health officials and scientists were looking into what was causing the spike in admissions among children under the age of 18 and hoped to have more information in the next two weeks.

Officials do not yet know which variations the children admitted to hospital have been infected with because only a tiny number of positive COVID-19 tests in South Africa are sent for genetic sequencing.

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Healthcare staff, according to Maluleke, may be operating overly cautiously. “They’d rather have a child in care for a day or two than have a child at home aggravating everything,” she added. “But we really need to wait for the evidence.”

Many COVID-19 patients in Gauteng were complaining of “non-specific” flu-like symptoms such a sore throat, rather than more easily recognized signs like loss of taste or smell, she said.

However, she advised parents and pregnant women, another group that has witnessed an increase in hospital admissions recently, not to dismiss flu-like symptoms and to get checked in case further treatment is required.

“The public should be less afraid but more vigilant,” she continued.

“Despite a recent surge in admissions, Gauteng’s dedicated COVID-19 bed occupancy was remained about 13%,” Maluleke said, adding that “contingency arrangements were in place should capacity become stretched.”

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Scientists are still trying to figure out how serious the Omicron strain causes illness, which was initially discovered in southern Africa last month and has already spread to more than 30 nations, and whether it is resistant to existing vaccines.

35,000 HIV patients treated by Kano government

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According to the state administration of North Western Nigeria, over 35,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS are being treated throughout 43 comprehensive sites across the state.

Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, the state commissioner of health, revealed this during a press conference in Kano to observe World AIDS Day 2021.

To combat the spread of HIV/AIDS in the state, he said the state government has activated over 600 secondary and primary facilities throughout 484 wards to provide HIV testing services.

According to the commissioner, the prevalence rate of the dangerous virus has dropped from 2.5 percent to 0.5 percent in the most recent survey done in the states of the union.

“Through the provision of basic equipment, training and retraining, recruitment and deployment of human resources, our administration has given attention and commitment to improving health indices.”

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The current administration, according to Dr. Aminu, is devoted to saving the lives of women and children by providing necessary health services at both the primary and secondary levels.

The first lady of Kano state, Professor Hafsat Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, will kick off the many activities planned to honor World AIDS Day on December 2nd, according to Dr. Aminu.

According to him, public lectures, the launch of the standardized premarital screening certificate, and the empowerment of persons living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups are all part of the activities.

The current administration, according to Dr. Aminu, is devoted to saving the lives of women and children by providing necessary health services at both the primary and secondary levels.

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According to the commissioner, the state government established the Kano state health trust fund (KHETFUND), which receives 5% of the state’s internally generated income (IGR) and 1% of the local government councils’ statutory allocation to assure long-term health funding.

Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa urged members of the general population to seek HIV testing, counseling, and treatment (AIDS).

“Not only in the health sector, but throughout all fields of human endeavor, the state government is committed to providing more democratic dividends.”

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated December 1st as a day to demonstrate support for those living with HIV and to mourn those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses.