Garba Shehu Bounce Back From COVID-19
Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, has recovered from COVID-19.
Shehu made this known in a post on social media on Wednesday thanking God for his speedy recovery from the virus. He was self-isolating after he contracted the virus.
Announcing his recovery, the presidential aide prayed for the recovery of other Nigerians who are still afflicted with the virus.
NCC Confirms N1bn Digital Park For Oyo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has confirmed the construction of a N1 billion Digital Park in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Adeolu Akande who disclosed this during a meeting with youth leaders across the state, said the commission also approved other ICT projects for schools in Saki, Ipapo, Eruwa and Otu in the state.
When completed, he said the Digital Park would boost digital skills acquisition among youths, promote innovations, provide jobs for the teaming Nigerian youth and ultimately support the overall digital transformation agenda of the President Muhamadu Buhari-led government.
Amongst others, the Digital ICT Park was to provide a Commercial Hub for ICT that will promote entrepreneurial activities in ICT and facilitate smart city deployment across the Digital Industrial Complex.
Plot to eliminate Igboho Ongoing – Spokesperson
Embattled Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has alleged a plot to eliminate him in the Benin Republic.
Olayomi Koiki, spokesman of Igboho, in a podcast on Tuesday evening, alleged that the Benin Republic President Patrice Talon was working with the Federal Government to extradite Igboho to Nigeria.
In his words he said: “The enemies are trying to eliminate him (Igboho). Their plan is to eliminate him so that the Yoruba Nation agenda will be silenced, but God has shown that he is above them.”
The Department of State Service (DSS) raided the residence of Sunday Igboho on July 1, claiming that it did so on the basis of alleged credible intelligence reports that he stockpiled arms and ammunition in the place. In the process, two of his guards were killed while many were arrested and taken to Abuja.
Mandatory Direct Primary Too Costly For Nigerians – Presidency
Presidency has again justified President Muhammadu Buhari’s rejection of the Electoral Act amendment bill, was because of the high cost of conducting direct primaries, saying the action is meant to protect the country’s democracy from moneybag political parties including his party, All Progressives Congress (APC).
Malam Garba Shehu, who said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, was reacting to those expressing reservations over the president’s decision to withhold assent from the Electoral Act amendment bill 2021.
According to the media aide, the president arrived at his decision to withhold assent after careful review of the amended bill.
Niger boat mishap: Man loses two wives, son, seven others dead
A man known as Muazu Babangida has lost his two wives and a son in a mishap that claimed the lives of no fewer than seven persons at Zhigiri village, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr Silas Saba, the spokesperson of Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA) made available to journalists in Minna on Tuesday night.
Saba, who decried the current challenges caused by the establishment of the Zungeru hydro-electric power dam in the community, said that the incident occurred at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
He said that the incident occurred when the villagers were sailing to Dnaweto; a neighbouring village in the hinterland for a naming ceremony.
FG Address passport supply issue in Italy
The National Union of Nigerian Associations in Italy (NUNAI) says the Federal Government is already addressing its appeal for the supply of passport booklets to the Embassy in Italy.
NUNAI confirmed this in a video interview with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, debunking recent media publication that over 1.5 million Nigerians are yet to be issued their passports.
Frank David, Secretary of NUNAI, who described the recent report as a fallacy, said the total number of Nigerians in Italy are not up to a million.
David said it is however impossible for over one million Nigerians supposedly living in Italy to be stranded for lack of passport. He noted that currently, there are 209,000 Nigerians in Italy, 180,000 are legally documented with 29,000 yet to be documented.
Enugu State Owned Broadcasting Station Razzed By Fire
Some parts of the headquarters of the Enugu State Broadcasting Service, Independence Layout, Enugu, were on Tuesday morning razzed by fire.
The incident reportedly began around 5am and lasted for an hour. The fire damaged the newsroom, presenters’ office, HD cameras and a laptop.
The station’s general manager, Chukwuma Ogbonna, commended Enugu State Fire Service for its prompt response to the distress call.
He said, “The fire service came on time and saved the station, otherwise I don’t know what could have happened. The firefighters have put out the fire. It didn’t destroy many things, at least we can go on air.” The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
World Bank Warns Nigeria Against Hiking Electricity Tariffs
The World Bank has warned Nigeria and other emerging economies against raising electricity tariffs.
The Bank, in its latest Commodity Markets Outlook forecast, argued that such steps will push inflation in 2022, adding that prices of electricity, which peaked at 80 per cent this year compared to 2020, will remain high next year. It, however said, prices will start to decline in the second half of the year as supply constraints ease.
Ayhan Kose, chief economist and director of the World Bank’s Prospects Group, said the surge in energy prices poses significant near-term risks to global inflation and, if sustained, could also weigh on growth in energy-importing countries.
The Bank noted that cities are at the forefront of climate change, and strategic planning particularly for transport links, can help reduce their resource consumption and, crucially, their greenhouse gas emissions.
2023 Elections: Abaraibe, Wabara, Others Backs Anyim’s Presidential ambition
Notable politicians in the South-East, including a former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, have tipped the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. Pius Anyim Pius for president.
Wabara and Abaribe made this known while addressing southeast stakeholders during a civic reception organized by the Obingwa community to honour prominent Nigerians.
In separate reactions, Wabara described Anyim as one of the prominent Igbo men that has the capacity to change the ugly narrative of Nigeria and bring new hope for the people.
Responding, Abaribe reaffirmed his stance to galvanize support for a president of Igbo extraction come the 2023 general election. He declared his readiness to fully support the presidential ambition of Anyim.
11 dead in Anambra fatal auto-crash
Eleven people met their sudden death in a fatal crash in Anambra last Monday, while many sustained injuries.
The Federal Road Safety Corps Anambra State sector command in its release on Monday confirmed that about 11 persons have been burnt to death in a fatal auto crash that occurred on Agulu Lake Bridge near Golden Tulip Hotel Agulu Anaocha local government area of Anambra state.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) on the tragic incident released by the Sector Public Education Officer Margret Onabe, the Sector Commander Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi, said the fatal auto crash which happened on 26th December, 2021 was due to wrong overtaking and over speeding on the sloppy bridge.
According to an eyewitness report, the driver of the L300 was on speed, overtook wrongfully, and collided with the Mack truck. The shuttle bus ran into the already collided vehicles.
