Politics
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Nigerian government clarifies position on social media regulation
File Photo The Federal Government says it has no intention of shutting down social media. It said its plan is to regulate social media to be responsible and refrain from being purveyor of fake news and hate speech. The Minister of Imformation and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the clarification on Saturday in Lagos when he inspected the headquarters of The Nation newspaper and TV Continental (TVC) that were attacked during the #EndSARS protest. Newsmen report the minister was accompanied on the inspection by heads of parastatal agencies in his ministry. Speaking at the premises of The Nation, the minister said the Muhammadu Buhari administration has high regards for freedom of the press. He said his recent call for the regulation of the excesses of the social media should not be miscon...
Nigeria to spend N75 billion on youth development in three years – minister
Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Senator George Akume, said the Buhari-led Federal Government plans to spend N75 billion on youth development in form of support for communities, skill acquisition and realisation of their potentials within the next three years. Akume, who spoke during a youth rally in Makurdi, said for the year 2020, N12.5billion would be committed to the programme. He explained that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the funding and commended Benue youths for conducting themselves peacefully during the EndSARS protests. The former Benue State governor and senator said the Federal Government has approved the dualisation of Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi-Otukpo-9th Mile road; the rehabilitation of Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina Ala road, as well as...
Top Turkish officials close to President Erdogan test positive for coronavirus
Two top Turkish officials who work closely with Turkey’s president have said they tested positive for COVID-19. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said on Saturday he had light COVID-19 symptoms and was nearing the end of treatment. He did not say how long he has been sick. His comments came hours after Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said he, his wife and daughter all tested positive after feeling unwell on Monday. They are being treated in a hospital. “Thankfully we are a bit better,” he said. Soylu was criticised in April for announcing Turkey’s first weekend-long coronavirus lockdown just two hours before it went into effect, leading to scenes of chaos at markets. The president rejected his resignation. Both men routinely meet Erdogan, who was travelling on Sat...
Lagos government lifts curfew
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has lifted the curfew he imposed on the state after the #endsars protest was hijacked by looters and hoodlums. Lagos residents are now free to go about their businesses without any restriction or hindrance. The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on New Media, Jubril Gawat announced this in a statement posted on Twitter on Saturday, October 31, 2020. However, the 12 am to 4 am curfew imposed by the Federal Government to curb the spread of COVID19 remains. The statement reads, “The curfew imposed on Lagos State after the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests has been lifted immediately. The 12 am to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government to curb the spread of COVID19 remains. “Lagosians are free to go about their businesses with...
Bruce Springsteen Narrates Joe Biden Ad: “Times Are Harder Than They Ought to Be”
In a bid to solidify his support in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, Joe Biden has called upon Bruce Springsteen to narrate and soundtrack a new campaign spot. Titled “Hometown”, the ad is geared towards working class people, such as those found in Biden’s hometown of Scranton, PA, and is appropriately soundtracked by Springsteen’s own song “My Hometown”. “Scranton, Pennsylvania. Here, success isn’t handed down,” Springsteen begins. “It’s forged in sweat, grit and determination. This is his hometown. In Scranton, good times aren’t promised. But here, and in towns across America, times are harder than they ought to be. Lives are on pause, dreams on hold, futures in doubt.” He goes on to add, “He’s running to change that, to give working people the shot they deserve. An honest living...
Kano restates commitment to sanitation, hygiene
The Kano State Government has reiterated its commitment to the improvement of sanitation and hygiene for sustainable development in the state. Dr Kabiru Getso, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, stated this while inspecting the monthly sanitation on Saturday in Kano. Getso said that the state government had introduced the monthly exercise to mobilise residents’ participation in waste and drain clearance in their communities. He said that the exercise was designed to enhance cleanliness, protect the environment and public health. “I call on the people to participate in the exercise to clear waste and keep a clean environment. “The exercise is being conducted between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of the month. “It is good for the people to support the government and particip...
Two NSCDC officials killed in road accident in Ondo
At least two officials of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) lost their lives while one other was injured in a motor accident on Friday along the Ondo-Ore Road in Ondo State. The officers were said to be coming from a burial function in Okitipupa area of the state when the ugly incident happened According to an eyewitness who explained that the vehicle the officers were travelling with, skidded off the road and somersaulted. The State Commandant, Mr Okoro Eweka, who confirmed the incident while speaking through the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASC. Olufemi Omole, described the incident as unfortunate. Eweka said that the command lost the two officers to the accident and said their remains had been deposited at the morgue while the in...
#EndSARS: CRAN commiserates with NPF/civilians over attack
The Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), a body of journalists covering the security beat nationwide, has commiserated with the Inspector-General of Police Mr Mohammed Adamu, the entire Nigeria Police Force and Nigerians on their loss during the EndSARS protest. CRAN has described as unfortunate the loss of both human and material resources during the period of violence as a result of #EndSARS protest hijacked by hoodlums. In a statement, signed by Chairman, Public Communications and Ethics Committee, Mr Emmanuel Edom, he noted that ”Like all right thinking members of the society, CRAN strongly frowns at police brutality, but also notes that the unethical actions and inactions of a few should not be the yardstick to measure the entire force. We outrightly condemn the widespread k...
Togolese university confers honorary doctorate degree on Zamfara governor
The University of Science, Administration and Commerce, Lomé, Republic of Togo, on Saturday conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree in ‘Leadership and Administration’ on Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara. The Director-General of Media, Public Enlightenment and Communications to the Governor, Malam Yusuf Idris, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Gusau on Saturday. Idris said the award was received by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr Bashir Maru, who led a high-powered delegation of four persons to Lome for the event. He stated that the conferment of the Doctor Honoris Causa on Matawalle was in recognition of the “governor’s passion, commitment and great enthusiasm in providing strategic leadership and selfless service to the people of the state and the ...
Manchester United’s Luke Shaw set to end England exile
Getty Images Manchester United fullback Luke Shaw is set for an England recall next week. Shaw hasn’t been included in a Three Lions squad since September 2018. And despite emerging as a regular at Old Trafford during that time, he has struggled to persuade Gareth Southgate that he should be England’s first choice. But Southgate was much criticised for using Kieran Trippier at left wing-back last month, although he also handed Arsenal teenager Bukayo Saka his bow in the same position. Now Shaw, reports the Daily Star, will join Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell – back fit and Southgate’s first choice – in the squad for the international friendly with the Republic of Ireland and UEFA Nations League clashes with Belgium and Iceland, when it’s announced on Thursday. Shaw has won just eight caps s...
Journalist murdered in Mexico, sixth in 2020
A journalist has been shot dead in crime-ridden northern Mexico, authorities said Friday, the sixth such murder this year in one of the world’s most dangerous countries for reporters. Chihuahua state governor Javier Corral condemned the “cowardly” killing of Arturo Alba Medina in Ciudad Juarez near the US border. Corral said on Twitter that he had told prosecutors to ensure the perpetrators are punished, adding: “Justice will be done.” The 49-year-old journalist and television news show host was assassinated a few minutes after the end of his program on Thursday night, according to media watchdog Reporters Without Borders. “This was clearly an execution and his media colleagues where he worked are afraid and don’t know the reason for the crime,” Balbina Flores, RSF representative in Mexico...
#EndSARS: No plan to dismiss police officers who fail to resume work – PSC
The Police Service Commission (PSC) says contrary to media reports, it has no plans to dismiss any police officer who fails to return to work after the #ENDSARS protests which turned violent following the hijack of the otherwise peaceful protests by hoodlums, leading to wanton looting as well as the destruction of lives and properties across the nation last week. Recall that near breakdown of law and order in some parts of the country last week led to the gruesome murder of 22 policemen with 26 others critically injured while a total of 205 police stations and formations were also attacked and razed by hoodlums who hijacked the protests. Many police officers across the country, fearing their lives and those of their families and loved ones, stayed away from their duty posts to avoid becomi...
