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NIS resumes issuance of passports

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NIS resumes issuance of passports

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr Muhammad Babandede, has ordered passport offices nationwide to take advantage of the Federal Government phased easing of lockdown to release the processed passport to the applicants.

The Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja.

Babandede had during the lockdown period directed all the passport offices nationwide to clear all passport backlog for applicants enrolled for immediate issuance when the lockdown is eased.

The statement said, “NIS has directed applicants to follow the NCDC directive on social distancing, wearing of facemask, washing of hands using soap, use of hand sanitizers among others at the point of collection of the passport.

“Applicants are to be invited in batches via SMS, anyone invited will show proof of invitation before they are allowed into the premises which must coincide with the date scheduled for the respective applicant to turn up and collect their passport.

Massive fire erupts in Dubai’s Sharjah tower

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Massive fire erupts in Dubai’s Sharjah tower

A massive fire broke out at a residential tower in Al Nahda in Sharjah onA massive fire broke out at a residential tower in Al Nahda in Sharjah on Tuesday night. Nine people sustained minor injuries and were being treated on site, Col. Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director of Sharjah Civil Defence told reporters.

The quick response by Sharjah Civil Defence teams averted a major disaster. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The fire broke out on the 10th floor of the Abbco Tower at 9.04pm.

Civil Defence personnel from Mina and Al Nahda fire stations were deployed to control the blaze after the police operations room received a call reporting flames in the building. The tower, constructed in 2006, has 45 floors, including parking, out of which 36 are residential floors. Each floor has 12 flats.

The police used a drone to check if there were any people trapped inside, said Colonel Dr. Ali Abu Al Zoud, Deputy Director General of Central Operations of Sharjah Police.

Col Dr Al Zoud told Gulf News: “We have contacted the building owner and alternate accommodation will be provided to all residents. It is still not clear how many apartments have been affected.” Tuesday night. Nine people sustained minor injuries and were being treated on site, Col. Sami Khamis Al Naqbi, Director of Sharjah Civil Defence told Gulf News.

 

Exclusive: We are finished, Boko Haram Commanders cry out over sustained onslaught by Army

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Exclusive: We are finished, Boko Haram Commanders cry out over sustained onslaught by Army

Feelers from North-East Nigeria indicate that the Boko Haram group is seeking avenues for a dialogue with the federal government in a bid to put an end to the recent onslaught against it by the Nigerian Army.

According to credible sources conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria, it was stated that the recent onslaught led by the Chief of Army Staff that resulted in the death of over 135 members of the group, which included some top commanders is indeed the final straw that broke the camel’s back.

A source who pleaded anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information stated that the leader of the Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau is indeed battling for his life as some top commanders of the group have turned against him and are ready to take the bulls by the horns to negotiate for a soft landing by surrendering and seeking forgiveness.

“After the last operation by our troops, over 135 members of the group were killed including a top commander who has been at the forefront of surrendering as there seems to be no way out of their dilemma.”

“The death of the commander indeed shook Abubakar Shekau who is battling to avert a revolt from his members over his insensitivity to their plight and also the death of one of their top commanders who has advocated for a ceasefire in recent times.”

The source also added that the situation in the camp of the Boko Haram group is that that of despair and lamentations.

“We have been able to scoop that Abubakar Shekau is trying his best to keep the spirits of his fighters high, but the challenge they faced in recent times has not yielded the desired results as our troops are closing in on them as the day goes by”

It was also gathered from reliable sources that the death of the top commander had been blamed on Abubakar Shekau who is still maintaining a tough face as regards the war believing that the situation could still be remedied.

Our source informed this medium that what is left in the Boko Haram camp is a group of disgruntled fighters that are lacking in everything from food to arms and ammunition.

“You might have read in some daily newspapers on the efforts of some Boko Haram members reaching out to the federal government for a ceasefire. This is very true, as there have been several attempts to get the Nigerian Army to a ceasefire which has not yielded the desired results since the Chief of Army Staff is personally coordinating the operations.”

“I can tell you that the situation is quite tensed as the directive of the Chief of Army Staff is to get Abubakar Shekau wherever he is, and I am not sure any of the sector commanders can go against that directive. So in a way, it is a tough situation for everybody, unless the Chief of Army Staff orders a ceasefire, and so far he hasn’t done so.”

According to a top staff of one of the humanitarian agencies in North-East Nigeria, he stated that the Boko Haram group is seriously rooting for dialogue as a way of ending the war. He also added that overtures had been made and from the look of things the Nigerian Army is not disposed to the idea of dialogue.

“We have done our best in asking the military echelon to dialogue with the Boko Haram group, but we have not received any favorable response so far. You know that there is a limit to how far we can push because it is a very sensitive issue. As such, we must respect whatever decision from the military authorities.”

When asked if indeed the Boko Haram group is seeking for a genuine dialogue with the federal government, the source stated that the Boko Haram group is truly seeking for a way to end the war as they have run out of ideas and stock to prosecute the war further.

“They have reached out to us to plead with the military authorities to halt further attacks on them as they are ready to dialogue and drop their arms. This much we have passed to the theatre command, and as we speak, we have not gotten a response from them.”

“We are treading carefully so as not to incur the wrath of the authorities, and so this is where we are as it stands. If the military hierarchy so decides to dialogue with the Boko Haram group we shall welcome it because we are interested in the return of peace to North-East Nigeria.”

According to another source who has worked in the North East for several years, stated that the probable option for the Boko Haram group is to seek the support of world leaders in prevailing on the Nigerian authorities to dialogue with them.

“From the feelers, we are getting; it doesn’t seem likely that the Nigerian President is ready for a dialogue. The option left, in my opinion, is the intervention of world leaders and organizations, and that can only happen at the diplomatic level, which is clearly outside our purview.”

“I can tell you in confidence that many of the Boko Haram fighters are ready for a dialogue and they are insisting that the government should withdraw the Army as a sign of goodwill. However, how that would play out is left to be imagined.”

“They have cried out on numerous occasions for the Army to a ceasefire so they can have a dialogue, but from the look of things that situation seems much tensed as the troops are advancing daily.”

This medium was able to gather that the Chief of Army Staff who has been in the North East has ruled out the possibility of a dialogue with the Boko Haram members. A top commander who doesn’t want his name in print stated that the Army Chief is not disposed to having a dialogue with Boko Haram.

“The Chief is not interested in any form of dialogue and as such the troops have continued to advance in recent weeks. Not unless the Army Chief shifts his grounds, the likelihood of dialogue is ruled out as it stands.”

“I do not see that happening in my opinion as it seems the big man in Abuja would not condone such options with the way things are. The option of dialogue would have happened years back if indeed they were serious.”

It would be recalled that the Nigerian troops have carried out sustained operations against the Boko Haram group in recent weeks led by the Chief of Army Staff that has seen to the death of hundreds of Boko Haram fighters.

BREAKING: Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa Emerges as New Rano Emir

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BREAKING: Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa Emerges as New Rano Emir

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has approved the appointment of Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa as the new emir of Rano.

Alhaji Inuwa before his appointment was the Kaigama of Rano and district head of Kibiya, local government council.

A statement signed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar confirmed the development.

Details later…

60 COVID-19 patients discharged in Lagos

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60 COVID-19 patients discharged in Lagos

Sixty patients who tested positive for coronavirus in Lagos state have been discharged after recovering from the disease.

The state ministry of health broke the news in a tweet on Tuesday.

The patients, 40 males and 20 females, were discharged from isolation centres at Yaba, ibejju -Lekki and Eti-Osa.

This is the highest number of patients that would be discharged in a single day in Lagos.

“60 more #COVID19Lagos patients; 20 females & 40 males, all Nigerians were today discharged from our Isolation facilities at Yaba, Ibeju-Lekki & Eti-Osa (Landmark) to reunite with the society,” the tweet reads

Nigerian Air Force wings female combat helicopter pilot, 11 others

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Nigerian Air Force wings female combat helicopter pilot, 11 others

In its quest to more effectively and efficiently fulfill its constitutional mandate of protecting Nigeria’s airspace and ensuring peace and security of the Nation, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 5 May 2020, winged another female helicopter pilot and 11 others at a low-key ceremony held at Headquarters NAF, Abuja. The winging of the pilots symbolizes their official induction into the prestigious NAF pilots’ corps. With this, the NAF has winged over 114 pilots, amongst which are 5 females, in the last 4 and half years, who are already undertaking various missions in different theaters of operation across the country.

In his remarks at the ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who expressed his delight over the successful completion of the training by the young pilots, noted that the desire of the NAF to fulfill its constitutional mandate has remained the motivating factor to continuously seek ways to regularly improve operational capacity of the Service through training and retraining. He added that the event marked another milestone in the history of the NAF as a Service. The CAS explained that the NAF had, in the last 4 and half years, remained resolute in conscientiously developing human capacity of both aircrew and non-aircrew through qualitative training to adequately reposition the Service for timely employment of Air Power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives. According to him, the 12 pilots winged today had their flying training both in Nigeria and abroad, and have completed the 9 months comprehensive flying training programme. “I am happy that we have among the 12 the second ever female helicopter pilot”, he added.

The CAS, who is himself a seasoned combat helicopter pilot, further noted that, as at 5 May 20, the NAF had successfully winged a total of 114 pilots since July 2015 while another 26 student pilots were currently undergoing or scheduled to begin basic flying training abroad. Out of these 26 Student Pilots, Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that 2 are female officers. “Upon completion of their training, one would become the second ever female fixed-wing fighter pilot in the NAF, while the other would graduate as the first ever female Qualified Flight Instructor (QFI) in the 56 years history of the Service. We have equally increased capacity for in-country flying training. At the moment, there are also 39 student pilots undergoing various stages of training in NAF flying schools”, he added.

While reminding the new pilots that the art of flying goes beyond the innate technical ability that earned them wings, Air Marshal Abubakar charged them to remain disciplined and constantly develop a balanced mix of critical thinking, leadership skills and the right attitude. “You are obliged to possess the desire to learn and must always pay attention to details so as to avoid errors as there is no room for errors in the sky. You must develop the ability to remain calm under pressure”, he added. According to the CAS, “there are OLD pilots and there are BOLD pilots. However, there are no OLD and BOLD pilots”. He further tasked them to abide by the provisions stipulated in the Local Operating Procedures (LOPs) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and stay away from harmful narcotic substances. “The current National security situation requires that we remain highly committed and focused. We must be willing, able and ready always. I therefore urge you to be ready to respond swiftly wherever and whenever you are called upon in the defence of our National sovereignty and interests”, the CAS added.

Air Marshal Abubakar used the opportunity to reassure all Nigerians that the NAF remains fully committed to the successful execution of its constitutional roles, while appreciating the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, for providing the enabling environment for the NAF to effectively discharge its constitutional mandate professionally and responsibly, even in the face of harsh economic realities. He also appreciated the Messrs Civic Helicopters Incorporated for having professionally and successfully conducted the flying training.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP), Air Vice Marshal James Gwani, noted that the winging of the 12 pilots was another milestone achievement by the current NAF administration. This, he said, would further boost the aircrew disposition of the Service and contribute to fulfilling the constitutional roles of the NAF especially in the series of ongoing air operations across the Country. He expressed confidence in the ability of the pilots as they had gone through the rigours of flying training.

It would be recalled that the NAF on 15 October, 2019, made history by decorating the first female fighter pilot, Flying Officer Kafayat Sani, and first female combat helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, with their wings in Abuja. The new female helicopter pilot, Flying Officer Chinelo Nwokoye, is expected to join other female pilots who are currently deployed in different theaters of operation in the country to contribute her quota in the defence of her fatherland.

 

JUST IN: Nigeria using remdesivir for COVID-19 patients, says Ehanire

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JUST IN: Nigeria using remdesivir for COVID-19 patients, says Ehanire

Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, says Nigeria has started using remdesivir, an anti-retroviral drug, in managing COVID-19 patients.

Addressing members of the house of representatives on Tuesday, Ehanire said the drug has been administered to patients in Lagos state.

He, however, did not say the outcome of the treatment.

“We have been using that (remdesivir); we have tried that in Lagos too,” he said.

“So, we have tried the antiretroviral drug to see what effect it has.”

Senate asks FG to suspend 5G network deployment

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Senate asks FG to suspend 5G network deployment

The Senate on Tuesday asked the Federal Government to suspend the planned deployment of the Fifth Generation Network in Nigeria.

The red chamber stated this after the deliberation on a motion by Senator Uche Ekwunife, drawing the attention of the senators to the status of the 5G network in the country.

Ekwunife said her motion was borne out of the need to assure Nigerians of their safety by asking the Federal Government to postpone the launch until a proper investigation was carried out. The Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, said the 5G network deployment remained a controversial issue. He said the experts should be allowed to handle it and deliberate on the merits and demerits of its deployment.

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said it would be irresponsible of any government to subscribe to a technology that won’t be safe for its citizens. He noted that no scientific research has been done by any agency of the Federal Government on the 5G network. He said countries in Europe were already investigating the implications of the deployment and wondered why Nigeria had yet to do so.

The Senate therefore asked its committees on Communication, Science, Technology and ICT, and that of Health to conduct a thorough investigation with a view to determining the status of the 5G network in the country.

Infectious Diseases Bill conceived in public interest – Reps

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Infectious Diseases Bill conceived in public interest – Reps

… to be subjected to public hearing before final passage

The Control of Infectious Diseases Bill was conceived in the best interests of the Nigerian people and no one else, Speaker Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said.

The Speaker said the allegation that the Bill is a sinister attempt to turn Nigerians into guinea pigs for medical research while taking away their fundamental human rights was far from the truth.

He said the House will subject the Bill to a public hearing where Nigerians from all walks of life would be given the opportunity to contribute to the draft law.

Addressing his colleagues at the resumption of plenary session on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila said since the introduction of the Bill a week ago, there has been a barrage of criticisms against it, with allegations of sinister motives.

However, the Speaker said, as representatives of the Nigerian people, members of the House would never contemplate doing anything that would jeopardize the wellbeing of the citizens.

“Suffice it to say that none of these allegations are true. Unfortunately, we now live in a time when conspiracy theories have gained such currency that genuine endeavours in the public interest can quickly become mischaracterised and misconstrued to raise the spectre of sinister intent and ominous possibility.

“This House of Representatives will never take any action that purposes to bring harm to any Nigerian here at home or abroad. As we have thus far shown by our conduct, the resolutions and actions we take in this 9th House of Representatives will always be in the best interests of the Nigerian people who elected us, and no one else.

“In the recent uproar, certain fundamental truths have been lost and are worth remembering. Our current framework for the prevention and management of infectious diseases is obsolete and no longer fit for purpose. The current law severely constrains the ability of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to take proactive action to prevent the entry into Nigeria of infectious diseases and the management of public health emergencies when they occur.

“Even now, the government remains vulnerable to claims that some directives already being implemented to manage the present crisis do not have the backing of the law and therefore cannot withstand judicial scrutiny.

“I disagree wholeheartedly with the suggestion that this is not the ideal time to seek reforms of the infectious diseases and public health emergency framework in the country. The weaknesses of the present system have already manifested in the inability of the government to hold to proper account those whose refusal to adhere with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines led to the further spread of the coronavirus in Nigeria. We have had people break out from isolation centres, and others, who fully aware of their status chose to travel across state lines on public transport.”

He said as the number of those currently infected by the coronavirus continues to rise alongside the number of those who have died, there is no timeline for when the disease will pass, “and nobody can predict when the next public health crisis will occur, just as nobody predicted the present predicament.”

“It bears restating that we do not have in our country, a healthcare system or for that matter, a national economy that is sufficiently robust to withstand the dire consequences of a sustained infectious disease pandemic. We cannot tie our own hands in the fight against this disease.”

“Whether we choose to accept it or not, the world we live in has changed irretrievably. There is no ‘normal’ to return to as this present crisis has laid bare the fundamental weaknesses in our systems of law and policy and left our nation at risk of devastating outcomes on all sides.

“Our current task is first to survive and then to set about building a new world. Inevitably, this demands that we should be willing to consider new ideas, explore novel possibilities, rejecting those ancient shibboleths we have long adhered to without benefit.”

The Speaker added that citizens may sometimes disagree with the how and the why of policy proposals, but that the parliament of the people is not an echo chamber.

“It is a marketplace of ideas where only those proposals that gain currency with the majority should carry the day. However, our disagreements must be grounded in a shared recognition that our present travails demand urgent interventions. And we must not allow ourselves to become victims of the cynical assumption that every policy proposal or response is a result of personal inducement or a grand conspiracy to bring harm to the people on whose behalf we hold political office.”

Thus, he said: “The Control of Infectious Diseases Bill will be put forward to a public hearing where stakeholder contributions will be sought to make improvements to the Bill before it is reviewed and debated by the Committee of the whole.

“It is from the accumulation of these myriad views, suggestions and good faith critiques from within and outside the House that we will arrive at final legislation that meets the present and future needs of our country, and which we all can support in good conscience,” he said.

The Speaker added that the social distancing guidelines that the House and the whole country operate for the time being would not allow for a usual format of public hearing, but that “If a socially distant public hearing becomes workable, we will certainly explore that option.

“Nonetheless, the House will provide alternative platforms for all Nigerians who desire to send in written documents that articulate their concerns, make recommendations on amendments and perhaps present other formulations for a new framework for managing infectious diseases in Nigeria.

“All the contributions we receive will be considered and aggregated to improve the proposed legislation.”

Atiku’s American University of Nigeria sacks 400 staff

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Atiku’s American University of Nigeria sacks 400 staff

The American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, Adamawa State, founded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has disengaged the services of about 400 of its staff following a long restructuring process.

Vice President for University Relations, AUN, Prof. Abba Tahir, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday.

Tahir said that majority of the affected personnel were those that had no significant developmental effect on the philosophy of the university.

He said: “Certain structural elements have been initiated by the new Governing Council of American University of Nigeria (AUN), in response to NUC requirements, mandating the institution to align with an approved governance structure for all tertiary institutions in the country.

”Until now, AUN has operated a student-staff ratio which balance had continued to affect the sustainability of the university.

”This is clearly an uncommon and hardly workable tradition in all institutions and organisations around the world. Obviously it is unattainable.

”Thus, consequent upon the university’s new governing council vote to restructure the institution in line with its agenda for sustainability, a process of workforce rationalisation has been in the pipeline.

”It is now time for the university to look back, look around and look ahead, to ensure that realistic and globally competitive administrative practices can be achieved in structure, strategy and focus.

“It would not be realistic for AUN to continue to anchor its administrative structure on an over-bloated personnel whose role do not have significant effect on the philosophy of a development university,” he said.

The university official further stated that in the emerging sustainable structure, competitive personnel were retained, while others were disengaged honourably.
He said that all those affected were paid their contractual benefits at the point of clearance, to continue with their lives somewhere else.

Tahir said that as a typical American style institution, AUN deliberately trains its students to search for sustainable solutions to human development challenges.

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