Magnitude
Katsina governor: Kebbi boat mishap a major national tragedy
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, has said that the recent boat mishap in Warrah, in Ngaski Local Government of Kebbi State was a major national tragedy . Masari stated this on Sunday, in Birnin Kebbi, when he led a high powered delegation, for the condolence and commiseration visit to Kebbi state Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. ”The tragic incident had consumed the lives of over 100 persons and in Nigeria, just like in other climes, tragedies of such disturbing magnitude call for national mourning and concerns. ”That is why we are here ,on behalf of government and people of Katsina State, to express our deepest condolences and commiseration to the families of the victims, people and Government of Kebbi State,” he said. Masari also expressed hope that,the deceased have...
Red Cross condemns ‘horrific’ sexual violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray
The Red Cross voiced alarm Thursday over “horrific” accounts of sexual violence in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region, amid fears that rape was being used as a weapon of war. Robert Mardini, director-general of the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross, said the organisation’s staff in hospitals and clinics in the region were hearing first-hand of extreme sexual violence. “Those reports are extremely horrific, very shocking,” he told AFP in an interview, adding that this was a “matter of grave concern”. “I haven’t heard such terrible accounts for more than two decades in the humanitarian sector,” said Mardini, who among other things closely followed the civil wars in Syria and Yemen when he headed ICRC’s Near and Middle East division from 2012 to 2018. “Many of my humani...
Cape Town fire ‘contained’ as firefighters battle windy conditions
A blaze advanced along South Africa’s iconic Table Mountain toward central Cape Town on Monday after ravaging university buildings, while firefighters battled strong winds in their efforts to control it and officials evacuated residential areas. The fire broke out Sunday morning in the foothills of the mountain and spread to the University of Cape Town (UCT), destroying buildings and part of a library housing a unique collection of African archives, while causing students to flee. The blaze had been largely contained on Monday, but firefighters were still battling to control it. Cape Town mayor Dan Plato said efforts were currently focused on the mountain above the Vredehoek suburb, with residents being evacuated “as a precautionary measure”. “Strong winds are placing pressure on firefight...
Imo attacks: I’ve left Governor Uzodinma in the court of public opinion – Senator Okorocha
Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has said he has chosen to remain silent over the allegations leveled against him that he sponsored the recent attacks on some federal government establishment in the state. Okorocha, who is the senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, said he would rather allow the public and posterity to judge him. The former governor, in a statement signed by his media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, said at the right time, the people will know those behind the attacks. The statement said, “We wish to inform the general public that, we decided to leave the Imo governor and his government in the court of public opinions, over their allegations against Okorocha concerning the unfortunate and worrisome Owerri attacks. “Nigerians of good spirits have been a...
NNPC to partner Borno government to establish gas power plant
The Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Alhaji Mele Kyari has said that the corporation will partner with Borno State Government to establish a Gas Power Plant following the vandalization of the national grid by insurgents which put the state almost three months into total blackout. Kyari who led a powerful delegation on a courtesy call on Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday said, the Federal Government will not fold its arms and neglect the state which is been ravaged by insurgents, especially cut off from the national grid, as power is a source of income to the teaming people of the state. “We are here with my colleagues, the Head of Gas and Power Business, Engineer Yusuf Usman, Representatives of Greensville Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which is a...
ECWA: Terrorists tactically taking over Northern Nigeria
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has raised the alarm, saying terrorist groups are tactically expanding their activities and making incursions into other parts of the North. Addressing a press conference in Jos on Wednesday on the insecurity ravaging the country, ECWA President, Dr. Stephen Panya, said “Boko Haram and ISWAP have destroyed tens of thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands of Nigerians and many Christians and Christian communities have been deliberately targeted and destroyed. “It is clear that these terrorist groups are gradually but tactically expanding their activities and making incursions into other parts of the north and even beyond, and the apparent lack of unity in the fight against these terrorist groups, and the inability of government to deal...
Court remands ‘student cultists’ for assaulting teachers
An Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Wednesday, ordered the remand of three students of Ifeoluwa Co-Educational Grammar School in Ilesa Correctional Centre for allegedly assaulting teachers and students of the school. The defendants are: Adeniyi Timileyin, 18; Tajudeen Akinlolu, 20 and Waheed Abbas, 19, according to newsmen. The students, however, pleaded not guilty to the seven-count charge of conspiracy, assault, malicious damage, breach of peace, unlawful possession and threat to life. The Magistrate, Isola Omisade, ordered the remand of the defendants in the correctional centre due to the magnitude of the offences preferred against them. He, thereafter, adjourned the case till March, for judgment. The State Counsel, Moses Faremi, had told the court that the defendants committed the o...
Apple’s App Store hosting multi-million dollar scams – developer
Mobile app developer Kosta Eleftheriou has a new calling that goes beyond software development: taking on what he sees as a rampant scam problem ruining the integrity of Apple’s App Store. Eleftheriou, who created the successful Apple Watch keyboard app FlickType, has for the last two weeks been publicly criticizing Apple for lax enforcement of its App Store rules that have allowed scam apps, as well as apps that clone popular software from other developers, to run rampant. These apps enjoy top billing in the iPhone marketplace, all thanks to glowing reviews and sterling five-star ratings that are largely fabricated, he says. Up to now, I’ve been in the “Apple *wants* to do the right thing” camp. My viewpoint is starting to change. How to spot a $5M/year scam on the @AppS...
2021: Banks to walk a tightrope amid low revenue environment
Nigeria’s deposit money banks (DMBs) must brace up for the challenge of 2021 that might tax their resolve to remain in business. Reason: the industry is faced with a tougher operating environment that could threaten the operators’ ability to meet their stakeholders’ needs and expectations yet perform meaningful corporate social responsibility roles. Their valuable customers such as high net-worth individuals, corporate bodies and other institutions are equally challenged. In his book, Business Stripped Bare, celebrated iconic entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson, says, “without trustworthy banks, there can be no business, no employment, no money. According to Branson, “People have got to be able to go to bed at night secure in the knowledge that the money they depo...
Police dismiss 10 officers for misconduct in Lagos
The Police Command in Lagos yesterday announced the dismissal of 10 police officers for various offences. The command’s spokesperson, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said this was in a bid to promote discipline and core values of policing in the state. Adejobi said the command tried 81 personnel for various criminal and disciplinary offences that were committed between October 2019 and October 2020. The offences, he said, ranged from murder, discreditable conducts, excessive use of power, corrupt practices and negligence. According to him, the command dismissed 10 personnel, reduced the ranks of 18 officers and issued warning letters to others. “Others were awarded extra fatigue, while 16 of the men were discharged and acquitted for want of evidence. “The personnel tried in the order...
