News

Soun Ladies Visit Orphanage Home, Donate Gift Items

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Soun Ladies

A Socio-Cultural group based in Abuja, known as Soun Ladies Association, under the able leadership of Mrs. Oluwayemisi Opaola, visited Christ Foundation Orphanage Home, Kuje Abuja on Sunday, 3rd December 2023 as part of the activities to mark her end-of-year programme. The delegation was led by the Vice President of the association, in the person of Mrs Eyitayo Ige. Food and gift items were donated to the orphanage home as a token of appreciation to God Almighty for His faithfulness and sustenance over the association these past years. According to the Vice President, Mrs. Ige, “the visit was part of the activities lined up to mark the end of the year programmes and to appreciate the Almighty God for His faithfulness and sustenance over the association these past years.” Newsbreakers gathered that the Soun Ladies Association has been known for its charity work over the years. It was further gathered that, the association had given scholarships to several indigent students in Ogbomoso, paid WAEC and NECO examination fees, and other similar charitable works. On the visit were the Vice President and prominent members of the Soun Ladies Association.

Food Poisoning in Osun: 18 Pupils Get Hospitalized

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Food poisoning

18 pupils of St. James Primary School B, Osogbo, Osun State, have been reported to have been hospitalized after taking a mid-day meal served to them under the free school feeding programme of the State Government. The Osun State Government has begun investigations into this case of food poisoning while directing that further meal preparation at the affected school be put on hold pending the outcome of the investigations. A statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, read that the Governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke took immediate actions when the matter was reported to him. According to the statement, the victims of the food poisoning have been treated and discharged from hospitals. The statement read, “Osun State Government has ordered full investigations into the reported cases of food poisoning at St James Primary School B, Owoope, Osogbo. “The State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, directed immediate action when the matter was reported to him by the Special Adviser on O-Meal, Mrs Grace Ayodele. The Governor has subsequently directed the stoppage of further food cooking at the affected school pending the outcome of the investigations. The statement narrated that, “The affected cooks in the said schools alongside the planning officer for the O-Meal programme have also been summoned to a meeting by Tuesday morning. Additionally, the governor has directed enforcement of food standards and control as well as the auditing of the O-Meal structure to forestall future occurrences. (sic) “Meanwhile, the government is settling the medical bills of the affected students as narrated by the Chairman of the Local Government Education Authority, Mr Nathaniel Ojetola. The LGEA Chairman who was at the forefront of the intervention efforts disclosed that a total number of 18 students were treated and discharged for food poisoning,” the statement explained further. “The total student population of the school is 200 while 103 are within the population receiving food from the O-Meal Programme. A government delegation is also visiting families of the affected pupils,” it concluded. The incident which happened on Monday, December 11, 2023, caused panic, especially among parents of the affected pupils, who shared videos of them on hospital beds on social media. In one of the videos, three of the affected pupils were recorded receiving IV drips. Narrating their ordeal, one of the pupils said they were served rice with egg, after which they started running stools. Also in the video, the mothers of the students said they observed the foul smell of the egg their children were served when they returned home from school on Monday, December 11, 2023. They said their children started stooling not long after returning from school, raising concerns about the food the vendor served them. They further demanded an investigation into the incident of food poisoning to prevent future occurrences.

Osimhen Scores as Napoli Proceeds to Champions League Knockouts

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Napoli

Less than a day after being named the 2023 CAF African Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen scored as Napoli defeated Braga 2-0 on Tuesday, 12 December 2023, to proceed to the Champions League round of 16. Victor Osimhen’s first goal since early October and an own goal by Serder Saatci helped the Italian champions qualify second in Group C, behind Real Madrid. Both goals came in the first half. After ending a six-match winless drought at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Walter Mazzarri’s team easily qualified for the next round. They would have advanced even in the event of a single-goal defeat. After defeating Udinese in late September, Napoli had not won at Naples before. As a result, they ended the group stage with 10 points, six more than Braga, who were demoted to the Europa League. With just two minutes remaining, Bruma missed a fantastic opportunity to give the away team the lead following some miscommunication in the Napoli area. Braga knew they needed to win by at least two goals in order to overtake Napoli. But in the ninth minute, Matteo Politano’s low cross caused the unfortunate Saatci to misstep, sending the ball spinning towards his own goal and making their work even more difficult. Despite his great efforts, Braga’s Custodian, Matheus, was only able to claw the ball out after it had crossed the line. Napoli pressed for a second, but Braga’s long-range rocket from Ricardo Horta kept it from levelling thanks to an incredible save by Alex Meret. Read also: Obi Congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala, others on CAF Awards 2023 CAF Award, Full List of Winners But Osimhen, the recently named African player of the year, essentially guaranteed Napoli’s advancement to the next round in the thirty-third minute. The Nigerian striker was left speechless moments earlier when Piotr Zielinski chose to smash a shot straight at Matheus instead of squaring to him when he was absolutely unmarked only yards from goal. However, after sprinting down the left flank, Natan played the right ball this time, allowing Osimhen to bundle in his seventh goal of the challenging season thus far in southern Italy. Braga had to score four goals without reply after Osimhen’s first goal in this season’s Champions League to advance, and there was a palpable sense of relief in the spectators and on the pitch. In the 65th minute, Osimhen set up Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa for a goal, but the Cameroonian midfielder could only shoot straight at Matheus. The sole unfavourable aspect of the proceedings was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s ongoing form struggles; this season, the unmotivated Georgian is yet to make an impression in the highest club tournament in Europe. But in the new year, he will get another chance because of a victory that ended a terrible run of three straight defeats and might give struggling Napoli some confidence.

686 Civil Servants’ Salaries Suspended Over Unverified Records

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Civil Servants

The Federal Government of Nigeria has suspended the pay of 686 civil servants due to unreliable data on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), in an effort to promote efficiency and transparency in the country’s civil service. This action is a component of continuous initiatives to get rid of ghost workers and simplify the nation’s payroll system. On Tuesday, 12 December 2023, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, the Head of the Federation’s Civil Service, announced the suspension in a statement that was signed by Mohammed Ahmed, the Director of Communication. According to the report, 11,447 civil servants had inconsistencies in their records out of the 59, 201 who fully took part in the verification operation earlier in the year. Yemi-Esan, however, issued an order to restore the verification site and invited the 11,447 Civil Servants whose paychecks were halted to update their records online during the verification exercise, which was scheduled to take place from 16–27 October 2023. Just 10,761 of the 11,447 cops took part in the physical verification exercise, and the remaining 686 did not show up. Part of the statement reads: “The records of 59,201 Civil Servants, who participated fully in the verification exercise and had no discrepancies in their records were forwarded to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for continuous payment of their salaries. However, salaries of 11,447 officers, whose records were not verified, were suspended. “On account of the suspension, the verification portal was reopened for these officers to enable them update their records online. Thereafter, they were invited for verification exercise from 16 – 27 October, 2023.” “A total number of 10,761 officers participated in the physical verification exercise. After the verification exercise, the review of verified records was carried out, in phases, to ensure that only credible records were on the IPPIS platform.” “The names of officers with cleared records were sent to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation immediately they were cleared as follows: i. September 2023 ​​​-​ 818 officers, ii. October 2023 ​​​-​ 650 officers, iii. November 2023 ​​​-​6857 officers, iv. December 2023 ​​​-​ 1407 officers, and v. Total number of officers cleared​ -​ 9,732 officers.” “Some of these officers have received their salaries to date, while others will be paid in the month of December with all the arrears. Files of 1,029 officers, who have discrepancies in their records are still being expected from their MDAs to enable the office to authenticate their records after which their salaries will be restored.” “It should be noted that about 686 officers, whose salaries were suspended, did not show up for the verification exercise and their salaries remain suspended on the IPPIS platform.”

Arewa Consultative Forum Appoints New Chairman, Removes Ex-minister, Aduku

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Arewa Consultative Forum

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a Pan-Northern Socio-Political body, has dismissed Chief Gabriel Aduku, a former Minister of State for Health under former President Goodluck Jonathan, from his position as National Chairman. Aduku was quickly replaced by Nigerian Senior Advocate, Mamman Osman. According to reports, the former Minister was nominated in May 2023 along with other individuals following Chief Audu Ogbeh’s resignation as the forum’s Chairman in March 2023. Aduku, an architect, was supposed to hold the position for three years, but it was short. Answering to questions, Prof. Tukur Mohammed-Baba, the Arewa Consultative Forum’s National Publicity, stated that the former Chairman was chosen rather than elected, which supported the dismissal. “My apologies, but no ACF chairman was elected as such. A set of persons were selected and presented but were never inaugurated.” Read also: Delta Poly Student, Two Others Killed By Suspected “Yahoo boy” 18 Students Hospitalised Over Food Poisoning In Osun State “The list was reviewed by ACF leadership selection committee; it’s the final list that was now presented, approved by the joint assembly and inaugurated.” “Whosoever that wasn’t inaugurated today simply didn’t make it to the final list as presented by the leadership selection committee,” Mohammed-Baba said. In the meantime, Arewa Consultative Forum convened on Tuesday, 12 December 2023, to support the recently authorised and inauguration of the Northern body’s new leadership. Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu was named the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Mamman Osman the National Chairman of the ACF in a communiqué issued by Muhammad-Baba. The others are Senator Fred Orti, the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trade, and Ambassador Ibrahim Mai Sule, the Vice Chairman; Secretary-General Murtala Aliyu has not changed positions. According to the press release, the newly appointed ACF chairman honoured the organization’s founding members during his acceptance speech. He, the New Arewa Consultative Forum chairman, promised to “Reinvigorate a new ACF that will be different in outlook and impact as it seeks to contribute to the national discourse on issues relevant to the Nigeria Project.” “The meeting also received a goodwill message from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume, who also urged the ACF to provide the needed leadership for ushering a new northern Nigeria in its bid to overcome the multi-faceted social and economic problems, as well as and unity.” Mohammed-Baba continued.

Delta Poly Student, Two Others Killed By Suspected “Yahoo boy”

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Yahoo boy

Jenepher Ike, a final-year student at Delta State Polytechnic in Ogwashi-Uku, a 14-year-old SS1 student at Odiagbo Secondary School, and an unidentified female were reportedly murdered in an auto accident in the town by a suspected “yahoo boy.” According to the report, these people died in the collision that occurred on Sunday night, 10 December 2023, along Ogwashi-Uku’s Polytechnic Road. The final-year studentnd the 14-year-old child were killed instantly by the suspect’s vehicle, according to eyewitnesses, while the third female victim was taken to the hospital but passed away early hours of Monday, 11 December 2023. The incident which involved the suspect’s vehicle, a Lexus 350 Salon, Ash colour, happened along the Polytechnic Road, very close to the school. According to another eye witness, “The boy is among these yahoo boys in Ogwashi-Uku. People came to the scene and started beating him and even wanted to mob him before the intervention of some persons who handed him over to the police.” Read also: Obi Congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala, others on CAF Awards 18 Students Hospitalised Over Food Poisoning In Osun State “The deceased, Jenepher, a final year HND Mass Communication student of the polytechnic, just finished her exams and currently writing her project. The 14-year-old-boy was an SS1 student of Odiagbo Secondary School.” “The other female victim whose mother is selling something along the Polytechnic Road was quickly rushed to the hospital but unfortunately, she died Monday morning.” “It is unfortunate that this happened again this December. Every December, there must be an accident of this nature in this road especially involving these ‘yahoo boys’.” An eyewitness said the Yahoo boy has been detained at the Ogwashi-Uku police station. When reached, Mr. Eshiet Udeme, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at Delta State Command, stated he had not yet received the accident brief and that he would get back to our reporter, but at the time this report was filed, he was unable to do so. However, DSP Bright Edafe, the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, verified the occurrence and said that one person had died. He said, “One death confirmed, please.”

FG Collaborate with World Bank in Financing the Mining Sector

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Mining

The Federal Government is looking into partnering with the World Bank through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in order to provide funding and technical assistance for the mining industry’s growth. This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, and signed by the Minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori. Shubham Chaudhuri, the Country Director for Nigeria at the World Bank, expressed his delight with the present administration’s increased focus on developing the nation’s mineral resources during a courtesy visit to Solid Minerals Minister, Dele Alake, on Monday, 11 December 2023. According to Chaudhuri, Nigeria is in a good position to have the majority of its resources economically viable, meaning that the mineral sector might contribute significantly to the country’s GDP. He reaffirmed the bank’s willingness to work with the ministry to finance particular areas of intervention and guarantee the successful completion of projects. He went on to say that the bank is not limited to just lending money, adding that it can also provide technical support to enhance mining activities around the nation. Read also: Legislators Promise N350 Million to Restore Kaduna Community Amotekun Arrest 62 Suspected Criminals in Ondo 18 Students Hospitalised Over Food Poisoning In Osun State The minister responded by applauding the World Bank team for their visit and praising the organisation for leading development initiatives across several economic sectors over the years. “The World Bank has been able to redirect s on developmental issues and projects in countries, especially Nigeria. Just recently, we had the support of the World Bank on palliatives being rolled out after fuel subsidy removal. We had appreciable support from the World Bank.” “I thank you for your involvement in the min diver project, which, unfortunately, is coming to a close. We look forward to strengthening collaboration, which will culminate in the needed funding for critical areas in the mining sector, alongside the requisite technical support, as earlier hinted,” Alake said. In elucidating the industry’s strategy for the mining sector, the minister disclosed that the primary focus is on funding exploration in order to produce the necessary geodata, which will assist investors in making well-informed investment decisions. Additionally, he disclosed that continued efforts are being made to safeguard the mining environment and build effective governance mechanisms. Alake also gave everyone the assurance that the Federal Government is dedicated to creating an environment that protects mining activities while guaranteeing that host communities receive the most benefit and that the government will continue to receive revenue from taxes and royalties.

2023 CAF Awards: Obi Congratulates Osimhen, Oshoala, Others

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2023 CAF Awards

Asisat Oshoala and Victor Osimhen, the respective winners of the 2023 African Players of the Year CAF Awards in the women’s and men’s categories respectively, have received congratulations from Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party and the Former Governor of Anambra State. He also honoured Chiamaka Nnadozie, who won the Nigerian women’s football team and the 2023 Confederation of African Football Women’s Keeper Title. “I like to join all other sports lovers in the country to sincerely congratulate the Nigerian duo of #victorosimhen9 and #AsisatOshoala for emerging African Players of the Year, in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, this year,” Obi wrote in a series of tweets on his X feed on Tuesday, December 12, 2023.” Read also: 2023 CAF Award, Full List of Winners Legislators Promise N350 Million to Restore Kaduna Community “I also celebrate #Nadoziechiamaka who won the 2023 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year Award and our Nigerian Female Football Team, Super Falcons, who won the 2023 CAF Award for the National Team of the Year.” “We are all proud of their awards, which bear witness to their innate talents, passions for growth, and determination for success.” “My sincere desire is that every Nigerian youth will have the needed enablement to explore and develop their talents, and skills and live to fulfill their dreams, and by so doing, help to contribute to the development of our nation.”

Prince Harry Ordered to Pay Legal Fees after Losing Libel Case

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Prince Harry

On Monday, December 11, 2023, a Judge in London, Matthew Nicklin, ordered Prince Harry to pay the legal fees of a British Newspaper Publisher after he lost part of a High Court libel case. King Charles III’s younger son, living in the United States, sued Associated Newspapers Ltd (ANL) over claims made in its Mail on Sunday title. Prince Harry had tried to throw out the newspaper group’s defense of “honest opinion” because it had no real prospect of success, but the action was unsuccessful. Judge Matthew Nicklin on Monday, December 11, 2023, ordered Harry to pay ANL £48,447 ($60,850) costs incurred dealing with the application by December 29. The Judge stated further that a full hearing in the case would be heard between May and July next year, lasting three or four days. Prince Harry sued the British Newspaper over a February 2022 article about his legal challenge against the government’s changes to his taxpayer-funded security when he visits the UK. The article which claimed to reveal contradictions about Harry’s willingness to pay for security himself, was argued by his lawyers as “an attack on his honesty and integrity”. The publisher disagreed and submitted that the article was an “honest opinion”, and did not induce damage to his reputation. Judge Nicklin refused to “strike out” ANL’s defense on Friday. The case against the publisher is one of several involving Prince Harry and British newspaper groups for issues including breach of privacy and illegal information gathering. In his case against the UK government, Harry said the changes to his security details made it unsafe for him, his American wife Meghan, and their two young children to visit the UK. The Home Office disputes that he has been treated less favorably and says “bespoke” arrangements are in place for whenever he visits from the United States. A decision was made not to provide him with the level of protection because he had quit royal duties in early 2020 and moved to the United States, its lawyers have said.

Kaduna Abduction: Bandits Kill Two, Nine Rescued

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Bandits

Eleven villagers who were abducted by bandits at the villages of Anguwan Maharba and Dandami have been freed by troops of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division, which is stationed in Birnin Yero in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. However, before the soldiers arrived, the bandits killed two of the kidnapped captives. According to the report, the forces conducting normal patrols in the Kanzaure area had obtained reliable information regarding the abduction of eleven villagers from the villages of Anguwan Maharba and Dandami. In a statement released on Monday, 11th December 2023, by Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations 1 Division, “the troops in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force swiftly mobilised and laid ambush on the bandits’ crossing point on Friday, December 8th, 2023.” Read also: NTA Looses Veteran Newscaster Legislators Promise N350 Million to Restore Kaduna Community Yahaya revealed that after the military established contact with the robbers, “the bandits withdrew in disarray with gunshot wounds due to the troops’ overwhelming firepower.” The nine kidnapped victims, Inusa Bala, 45; Halima Gambo, 36; Halima Saidu, 35; Ladi Musa, 35; Aisha Basiru, 30; Inusa Saidu, 22; Faiza Inusa, 10; Dahara Saidu, 10; and Shahid Inusa, one year, five months, were all freed by the forces together. “Two of the kidnapped victims—Safiya Saidu, 19, and Saadatu Saidu, 18—were killed by the bandits prior to the arrival of the troops,” Yahaya stated. He said that one AK-47 rifle and one locally manufactured weapon were taken from the bandits by the military during the operation. Yahaya further stated that Major General Valentine Okoro, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Punch and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division of the Army, had praised the soldiers for their tenacity and vowed to keep up their efforts to protect the safety and tranquilly of the people living in the Division’s Area of Responsibility. The statement concluded, “Furthermore, the GOC urged the people of Kaduna State to continue availing troops and other security agencies with credible intelligence.”