Month: September 2020

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COVID-19: FG approves full reopening of schools, alerts school administrators

The Federal Government, on Thursday, September 3, revealed that state governments and school administrators should start making preparations for the full reopening of schools in the country, as part of measures towards a post COVID-19 economy.

4wardwego had reported that schools in the country were shut in March as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the FG announced the resumption of graduating pupils effective August 4, 2020, to write this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination from August 17, 2020, through September 12, 2020.

This stance by the FG was contained during a press briefing by the National Coordinator of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, in Abuja; stating that the task force recommends phased return of students to classrooms.

Aliyu said, “For educational institutions which include daycare, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Educational institutions should begin the process of working towards potentially reopening within this phase.

“However, we strongly recommend that states conduct risk assessment to ensure all schools are at a level of compliance and create a monitoring mechanism to assess, create, and monitor this level of preparedness.

“Meanwhile, all daycares and educational institutions are to remain closed to in-classes until this level of risk is assessed.

“And if there will be opening of schools, it must be staged and preferably carried out in phases; to ensure that this does not pose a risk to the general public; and in particular to vulnerable groups that might end up getting infected by students going back home.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, September 2, approved the release of food items; from the nation’s strategic reserves in a bid to tackle the high cost of food in the country.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, Garba Shehu, in Abuja.

He said President Buhari had expressed concern about the hike in food prices; at a time the economy was seriously hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The president has just approved the release of food items from the strategic reserves; including 30,000 tons of maize to animal feeds producers; to ease the high cost of poultry production.

“President Buhari’s administration has raised some of these issues with the various food producer associations involved; particularly those of rice and other grains.

“With their cooperation, the high food prices should soon be a thing of the past.

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Atiku slams increased electricity tariff, says it’s ill-timed

A former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government over the increased electricity tariff; describing the development as ill-timed and ill-advised.

Atiku made his reservations known on the development on Thursday, September 3, 2020.

Equally important, Atiku who was the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 polls; took to his verified handle on the micro-blogging site, Twitter to condemn the tariff hike.

‘‘I reject the increased electricity tariffs. Coming out of the lockdown, Nigerians need a stimulus, not an impetuous disregard for the challenges they face. Many Nigerians have not earned an income for months, due to no fault of theirs. This increase is ill-timed and ill-advised,’’ Atiku had tweeted to his three million followers.

Atiku

Equally important, 1st News had reported that a new electricity tariff had come into force September, 1st. However, the development has drawn widespread criticisms from a cross-section of Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to take decisive action on the plan by DISCOs to hike electricity tariff in the country.

Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President on Tuesday, September 1, in Abuja made the call in a statement titled: “Increase in Electricity Tariff by Abuja DISCOs – a taunting of the will of the Nigerian people gone too far”.

Wabba said that the organised labour would mobilise Nigerian workers to resist the increase in electricity tariff by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), effective from September 1.

Wabba said that the NLC condemned the alleged “deaf and dumb” posture of the state electricity regulators – the NERC.

“We wish to state that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) seriously frowns at; completely condemns; and totally rejects any plan to inflict further pain on Nigerians at this very time of great economic distress.”

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Oshiomhole: APC alleges plot to assassinate former APC Chairman

The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, September 2, alleged that the road crash involving the entourage of former Edo State Governor and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole on a trip to a campaign event on Tuesday was cleverly arranged to kill him.

1st News had reported that two policemen had lost their lives while two other personnel were injured when a truck rammed into the former Governor’s convoy at Oluku junction on his way to Usen, Ovia South West Local Government Area, for a scheduled APC campaign event.

In its statement issued, the APC state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr Chris Azebamwan‎, alleged that the crash was a ‘premeditated plot’ to take the life of Oshiomhole who he said ‘has been a thorn in the flesh of the PDP” since his return from Abuja to join the electioneering campaign of Osagie Ize-Iyamu.’

Azebamwan detailed the previous events where the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Mr Philip Shaibu, had both threatened and orchestrated attacks on Oshiomhole says the context leaves no doubt on the intention of the deliberate incident.

‘Today, (Tuesday) the entourage of Adams Oshiomhole making its way to Usen, Ovia South West, was rammed into by a trailer which, as described by members of the entourage and other eye-witnesses, deliberately veered off its lane in an apparent mission to take the life of the former Governor.

‘From all indications, including factual accounts from members of the entourage and other eye-witnesses, the unfortunate crash which took place at Oluku Junction Edo, was a plotted and near-successful assassination attempt.

‘Without preempting the investigation of the Police, we have no doubt on the identity of those responsible for this dark, heartless, and evil plot which led to the death of two excellent police officers.

‘There is only one man in Edo State who hates the presence and any other thing that signifies the person of Adams Oshiomhole. It is this same person who, flanked by his deputy, said before cameras collecting feeds for national news, that they enjoy immunity and that they will deal with anyone who crosses their path, specifically Adams Oshiomhole.

‘This same man, in a disgraceful outburst last month, declared that ‘If they want violence, we will show them violence’ before charging a group of assembled thugs to go on the rampage and execute his barbaric and brutal mandate because they are the ones in government.

‘And so, upon the failure of this many atrocious attempts, this man, in his desperate heartlessness, decided to pull his most brazen and final idea—to take the life of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and cleverly arrange it to be an accident,’ the statement said.

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Man stuck with soldier’s wife after encountering charm

A soldier’s wife was stuck with her lover after they encountered the charm for sexually infidelity known as ‘magun’.

Specifically, Magun is a  type of trap popularly used among the Yoruba natives who suspects their partners are cheating; and decided to trap them so that they can be caught in the act.

Magun which has different names in other tribes also has different types and can become fatal if the person who set the trap is not available to provide the solution within a particular period of time.

In this narrative, the magun made the cheating lovers duo get stuck to each other while making love at a yet to be identified location. However, it is suspected to be a community in the south-west area of Nigeria because of the Yoruba language spoken in the viral footage.

The lovers, after discovering their ordeal, covered their nude with a white bed spread and rushed out from their private closet to seek for public help.

An eyewitness was seen scampering around for solution as he pours water to see whether it could help them get separated. Unfortunately for them, they remained stuck after several efforts. The man remained pinned to his lover from behind.

The male victim, speaking in Yoruba was heard saying;

” please help me, don’t let me be disgraced”,

“Please don’t blow my cover”, He said in tears.

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Women fully involved in terrorism, serve as bankers for their husbands, Army says

The Nigerian Army on Monday revealed that women recently captured among family members of Boko Haram terrorists were fully involved in acts of terrorism.

Specifically, it was revealed that the women were responsible for indoctrinating new kidnap victims. This is in addition to serving as bankers of the spoils of kidnapping and armed robbery acts of their husbands.

Equally important, the revelation came as the Army handed over 778 family members of Boko Haram terrorists captured in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state to governors of 16 northern states for rehabilitation. Maj.-Gen. Moundhey Ali, Commander, 4 Special Forces Command, handed over the refugees on behalf of Chief of Army Staff; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, at the command headquarters in Doma, Nasarawa state.

Ali said the Boko Haram terrorists’ family members were captured from Uttu community in Toto LGA of Nasarawa. Furthermore, he stated that they were captured during a recent joint military operation codenamed “Operation Nut Cracker”; noting that this was carried out by the Army, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Navy, the Nigeria Police Force; as well as the Department of State Service.

He explained that the operation was conducted to clear out Boko Haram terrorists and bandits camps in Ugya, Panda and Uttu forests; as well as contiguous hill in Nasarawa state, as well as Zagana, Makpa, Agbuchi and Barada in Koton Large LGA, Kogi state.

Specifically, the operation directed by the Chief of Army Staff, followed several complaints of killings, kidnapping for ransom; abduction for sex slavery and cattle rustling among others in the region.

He noted that Boko Haram had established camps in Nasarawa and Kogi communites over the years; from where they unleashed mayhem on victims along Okene-Lokoja, Lokoja-Abaji, and Toto-Umaisha roads; adding that they had made social and economic activities in the area almost non-existent. Ali said the feat was a product of seamless cooperation and professional execution based on detailed preparations.

“Therefore, I present to you these captured 778 women and children; family members of Boko Haram terrorists that came from 17 states of the nation who have decided to terrorise this nation.’’

As a matter of fact, the commander listed their states of origin to include Niger, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi, Kaduna, Bauchi and Borno. Others include Adamawa, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Gombe, Kwara and Yobe states and FCT.

He said that items recovered from the destroyed terrorists’ camps include improvised explosive devices; ammunition and materials for producing rockets. He stated that intelligence had proven that the explosives were prepared to cause mayhem in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

However, Ali attributed the success of the operation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces; President Muhammadu Buhari, the Service Chiefs as well as the people of the region.

“I must reiterate that, the people of North Central region have proven beyond doubt, that; indeed, even in the 21st century, terrorism can still be defeated when the people reject the terrorist.

“This brings to fire that, once the people reject the terrorist as done by the people of North Central region; the terrorists’ will have nowhere to hibernate. This is a food for thought to our people in the North Eastern and North Western part of our dear country” he said.

Meanwhile, three states governors were present at the handing over ceremony

Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa and his Niger state counterpart, Abubakar Bello were represented by their deputies; Dr. Emmanuel Akabe and Ahmed Ketso. Also, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi was represented by his Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on security, Doru Jerry.

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3-year-old boy accidentally sets self ablaze with hand sanitizer, lighter

A 3-year-old boy has reportedly set himself ablaze while he was playing with a hand sanitizer and a lighter in his parent’s house.

The 3-year-old boy is identified as Captain Chuenbubpha. He hails from Samut Praka, Thailand.

1st News gathered that the young boy accidentally set himself on fire while playing with alcohol hand sanitizer and a lighter.

Captain Chuenbubpha became engulfed in flames at his home after the highly inflammable sanitizer gel was squirted on him according to reports.

The incident happened on Wednesday, August 26, when Captain and his older brother Nonoe, five; were playing as they were getting ready for school.

Captain poured the gel all over his arms and hands; then splashed it onto his uniform and squirted the contents of the gel container at his brother.

His brother in retaliation, squirted it back at the young boy; then the two picked and lit up a cigarette lighter they took from their parents’ bedroom drawers .

Captain, who had the most alcohol gels on his shirt, was immediately engulfed in flames within a few seconds.

Their uncle, Thanwa Chuenbubpha, who rushed Captain to hospital; after hearing his screams has warned other parents about the danger of the gel.

He said he did not know what to do at first after seeing his nephew burning on his neck, chest, and arms.

Captain was later taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The child has recovered well with minor burns after staying at the hospital for one night.