Police Rescue Abducted Imo Traditional Ruler
Operatives of the Imo Police Command have rescued abducted HRH Eze Damian Nwaigwe, the traditional ruler of Mbutu in Aboh-Mbaise council area.
Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Micheal Abattam, who confirmed the development, said the monarch was rescued unhurt and has been reunited with his family.
“The abducted royal father, HRH Eze Damin Nwaigwe of the Mbutu Ancient Kingdom, who was kidnapped on December 9, 2021, at about 0300 hours in his residence has been rescued unhurt and reunited with his family,” he said.
Northern Youth Group Protest Against Insecurity, Tells Buhari to Resign
The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office over his inability to tackle the security challenges facing the country.
In a statement issued on Friday by the group’s president, Isah Abubakar, he said the president has run out of ideas on how to subdue the terrorists that have taken over significant parts of Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara states, and the busy Kaduna-Abuja expressway.
He added that it is embarrassing that President Buhari is watching terrorists reign supreme in Nigeria, “imposing taxes on his supposed citizens, stopping them yet, he is unperturbed. These are the clear characteristics of a leader that has run out of steam.”
Emirates Puts Flights To Nigeria on Hold
Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates Airlines, has announced a suspension of flights to and from Nigeria.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Friday evening by Emirates Airlines.
“With the recently imposed directive limiting Emirates to operate one flight per week to Nigeria via Abuja, Emirates will be completely suspending its flights between Nigeria and Dubai, until the civil aviation authorities find a solution to the current ongoing issue.
“We regret the inconvenience this caused, and customers can contact their travel agent or booking office to make alternative arrangements. Emirates is committed to its operations inNigeria, and we stand ready to reinstate services once restrictions are lifted by the Nigerian authorities, ensuring travelers have more choice and access to trade and tourism opportunities in Dubai, and beyond to our network of over 120 destinations,” the statement read.
PDP Appoints New National Chairman, Others
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sworn in Senator Iyorchia Ayu as its new National Chairman.
Ayu, along with 20 other members of the new National Working Committee (NWC), were sworn in on Friday at the International Conference Centre, and Abuja. The party’s new national leaders were also presented with Certificates of Return.
In his acceptance speech, Ayu vowed that his leadership would reposition the party and work towards reclaiming the Presidency in 2023.
Ayu said the new NWC will be guided by consultation, teamwork, internal democracy, and national interest.
Dana Air Celebrates Yuletide With Flash Sales On Enugu, Owerri, Asaba Routes
To celebrate the yuletide, Dana Air has announced N18,000 flash sales for passengers travelling from Asaba, Owerri and Enugu to Lagos, valid till 31 December 2021.
The airline revealed this during a courtesy visit by Aviation Handling Services (AHS) Nigeria Limited to Dana Air’s newly appointed deputy chief executive officer, Sukhjinder Mann.
Mann, while commenting on the visit, thanked the AHS team for the show of support and reassured them of Dana Air’s commitment to supporting the government’s ongoing effort to revamp the economy and make the industry viable.
Dana Air is one of Nigeria’s leading airlines with a varied fleet of nine aircraft and daily flights from Lagos to Abuja, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Asaba.
One Dead, Many Injured In Taraba State University Student Fire Accident
A 100-level student of Taraba State University has died in a fire accident in the female hostel of the institution.
The victim identified as Emoseh Lawi was a student of the Tourism Department of the university.
the incident occurred on Friday night when Lawi was sleeping and that she was unaware of the fire outbreak.
She reportedly inhaled smoke, which led to her being unconscious.
Her fellow students were reported to have forced the door and windows open to pull her out but she was confirmed dead at the state specialist hospital where she was rushed to.
UK Announces Highest Number Of COVID-19 Cases Since January
The UK on Friday recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases since January, a senior minister said on Friday, as the government seeks to slow the spread of the new variant.
Communities Secretary Michael Gove said that the country faces a “deeply concerning situation” as the Omicron variant spreads rapidly, with case numbers doubling every two to three days in England.
The UK said it had a total of 58,194 cases on Friday. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that if the trend continues, it expects Omicron to become the dominant variant in the UK by mid-December, with over one million infections by the end of this month. So far there have been 1,265 confirmed Omicron cases.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced a range of tougher restrictions he called “Plan B”, including compulsory mask-wearing in museums, theatres and cinemas from Friday and guidance to work from home from Monday.
Parents Should Be Mandated To Send Their Children To School – Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says education is significant to the development and security of any country.
As a result, he believes there is a need to force parents to ensure their children are educated, even at the basic level to have a peaceful society.
The former vice president made the remarks on Friday while delivering the convocation lecture titled ‘Diversity, Education and Autonomy: Developing Nigeria in the Years Ahead’ at Achievers University, Owo in Ondo State.
According to Atiku, a former presidential candidate, severe consequences for parents who refuse to send their children to have free primary and secondary education will prevent a situation where Nigeria has millions of out-of-school children.
The former president also advised that while people prioritise education, they should also make full use of the nation’s diversity for the development of Nigeria.
PIA will improve energy growth in Nigeria, says Sylva at Global Energy Forum
Minister of State, Petroleum Chief Timipre Sylva, has declared that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA} will enhance energy growth and sustainability in Nigeria.
Speaking as a participant at a ministerial roundtable, at the World Petroleum Congress (WPC), in Houston Texas, on Wednesday, Sylva said the passage of the law had created renewed interests in the Nigerian oil and gas business environment.
According to Sylva, “The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been passed into law (now PIA 2021). This strengthens the legal, regulatory, fiscal and governance framework of the petroleum sector. PIA has enhanced the Nigerian petroleum industry’s reputation, provides the pathway to new investments, and consolidates our ability to play a significant role in meeting the world’s growing demand for energy.”
Speaking on financing of hydrocarbon projects in Africa, the minister said following huge divestments in oil and gas projects in the continent, it was urgent for African leaders to unite to create an energy bank that would act as the platform to support future investments in the sector.
INEC says BVAS has come to stay
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday said that the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for accreditation during elections had come to stay.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said this at the one-day Implementation meeting for the FCT Area Council Election on Friday in Abuja.
Okoye said that INEC would continue to come up with innovations to check electoral malpractices and strengthen democratic governance in the country.
Okoye said that BVAS would be used for FCT area council elections, as it had assisted the commission to conduct credible and well accepted election in the Anambra governorship election.
