The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Nigerians about plans by “enemies of state” to unleash terror on vulnerable places, including critical infrastructure, places of worship as well as recreational centres during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
It said that the plot would be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
The DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement today, December 22, however, assured that the security forces had taken measures to thwart the plot, which according to him, was meant to undermine the authority of the government.
He advised patriotic members of the public to remain vigilant during and after the yuletide.
“The Department of State Services wishes to inform the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places including key and vulnerable points during the yuletide seasons.
“The planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
“The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the government.
“Against this backdrop, the service called on Nigerians to be extra vigilant and report strange movements to security and law enforcement agencies.
“On its part, the Service is collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property.”
The Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi has made it clear that the Southeast leaders have no hand in the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This was even as the IPOB insisted that the ESN has come to stay because it is a child of necessity, with Governor Umahi describing such security network as very laughable and should be ignored.
In a statement, the IPOB accused the governors of being against the wish of the masses, describing their disapproval of the outfit as very shameful.
The group claimed that the governors, by their statement against ESN, are only exposing their emptiness and detachment from the people.
The statement read: “At a time when well-meaning individuals and groups from entire Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt are hailing the setting up of ESN, the so-called governors are busy advertising their opposition to the people they claim to be leading. Anyway, they never had the mandate of the people. So, we are not surprised.
“Our message to the treacherous South-East governors and their South-South counterparts is that ‘the train has since left the station’ and can’t reverse its course. It’s pretty too late to have a rethink. The people have got what they long desired which the cowardly governors failed to give them because of selfish political interest.
“May we remind the traitors that the Eastern region cannot be sacrificed on the altar of their political interest. It’s either they key in or shape out! The East can exist without them. They should steer clear because they can’t withstand the force behind ESN.”
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed has said that Nigeria is taking its time before banning flights from the United Kingdom which has just witnessed the new version of coronavirus, called mutated COVID 19 strain.
LaiMohammed, who spoke today, December 22 in a Radio Nigeria programme, “Politics Nationwide,” said that Nigerian government would require the concurrence of neighbouring countries for the ban to be effective.
According to him, the government is concerned over the importation of the new COVID-19 strain, saying however that it did not want to take a hasty decision on the matter.
He said that the Presidential Committee on COVID-19 deliberated on the issue at its meeting yesterday, December 21 and decided to watch the development for the time being.
The minister said that the federal government is working with Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana on the issue.
“We did not want to take a hasty decision to ban flight from the UK into Nigeria only to find out our people are going through Cotonou, Lome or Accra to come into the country.
“What the airlines will do is to transfer Nigerian passengers to these routes and they will enter the country through the land borders.
“This will lead to hardship for Nigerians because if you transfer your economy to other countries you lose a lot of money
“However, if we get the concurrence of these other countries, we will not hesitate to do the needful.
“We are consulting and being very careful in order to take a proper decision.”
Several countries, including Germany and South Africa had on Tuesday banned flights from UK over the new COVID-19 strain.
However, the European Commission has recommended that travel bans imposed by EU countries on the UK to contain a new COVID-19 strain should end, to allow freight and essential travel to resume and for people to return home.
Nigerian army has faulted the Borno state Governor’s accusation of extortion against military personnel at check-points in the state.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters Abuja, Major Generally John Enenche, in a statement, said that the Armed Forces have internal mechanisms that checkmates and sanctions erring personnel.
“The attention of the Nigerian Military has been drawn to the media/air accusation by the Executive Governor of Borno State, that Nigerian Army personnel deployed at checkpoints in Operation Lafiya Dole collects money from commuters.
“While the Nigerian Military is in no way joining issues with the Governor, it is necessary to clarify this generalised statement against the troops who without hesitation lay down their lives for all Nigerians.
“It is worthy of note that the Armed Forces of Nigeria have internal mechanisms to checkmate and sanction appropriately its erring personnel.
“Additionally, reported cases from the public in this regard are investigated and given the desired attention.
“Thus, it will not be correct to rely on media or open-air accusation to tag our gallant Nigerian Army personnel as extortioners at checkpoints in Borno State.”
The Defence Spokesperson said that all personnel of the Armed Forces are patriotic and focused on their call of duty.
He restated the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies to tackling and ending the insurgency and terrorism in the Northeast.
The Federal Government has extended the deadline for Nigerians to link the National Identity Number (NIN) with the communications service providers’ SIM card registration by three weeks.
Subscribers with NIN now have till January 19 to register while those who are yet to register for national identity card now have six weeks to register for the linking.
This information was contained in a statement today, December 21 by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The statement titled, ‘Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees,’ was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.
It read: “The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020.
“The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC-NCC, DG-NITDA, DG-NIMC, ECTS/ECSM-NCC, Chairman ALTON, CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Moble in attendance.
“Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made:
“Three weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021; and six weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”
Nigerian Federal Government has directed all its staff on Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the second wave of coronavirus. It announced that schools, which are now on holiday, will remain shut till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect
This is even as Kaduna State Government took similar measures, directing all workers below Grade Level 14 to work from home as from today, December 21.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, , Boss Mustapha, who spoke to newsmen today, December 21 in Abuja, also announce the closure all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, recreational venues, all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.
“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks.”
Boss Mustapha said that President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the PTF to engage with the States and the FCT to “assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions.
“In line with the authorization, the PTF wishes to issue the following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation over the next five weeks because these activities are considered super spreader events.”
He said that some of the measures including restriction of all informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons;
“Limit all gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50% capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced
“Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only;
“Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.
“Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;
“To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools States are advised to implement the following:
“Encourage virtual meetings in government Offices. The leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home where possible;
“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks;
“The PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education, expects that schools would have vacated from the 18th December 2020 and remain closed till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect;
“All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds;
“All non-essential travels both domestic and international during the holiday season are seriously discouraged;
“To strengthen risk communication and community engagement activities over the next 5 weeks, States are encouraged to;
“Engage community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings (ideally set outdoors) to address concerns;
“Intensify public messaging activities, leveraging on existing government and partner assets;
“Reach out to youths and younger adults with health promotion activities;
“Invest in local face mask purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use.
“Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these authorisations. For example, it shall work with the Nigeria Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival test.”
Also, a statement by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Governor Nasir El-Rufai said that the Governor has signed and authorised new regulations to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state with effect from today, December 21.
“It is mandatory to wear facemask outside the house. Organisations and individuals that allow people into their premises have the responsibility to enforce the no mask, no entry mandate, facemask should be worn to cover both the nose and mouth.
“Places of worship must enforce facemask use, provide sanitisers and ensure physical distancing. The number of worshippers will be capped. Congregational worship should not exceed one hour.
“Transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50 per cent of capacity.
“Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can remain open, but service providers and customers must use facemask and limit the number of persons they admit and serve at any time.”
The safe return of all 344 boys kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in Katsina State would be celebrated in any decent part of the world where empathy overrides cheap politics. And for a good cause.
The outpouring of sighs, cries of relief and joy over the return of the boys reverberated beyond their immediate families. As the news spread far and wide, the global community is cheering the boys’ reunion with their families.
This moment is a watershed for Nigeria. It holds out hope that Nigerian citizens can feel safe wherever they are.
It is precisely as President Muhammadu Buhari described it: “A big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.”
We are glad that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres just sent a thank you message, appreciating what Nigeria has achieved.
1. The Buhari Administration has the will and has demonstrated unquestionable capacity to protect Nigerians. Those who doubt this Government’s resolve are mischievous. It is an administration empowered to draw enormous resilience from innate reservoirs of human resources, a network of reliable intelligence sources, and demonstrated expertise in scenario building and mediation.
Under enormous pressures from local and international sources, those charged with coordinating the boys’ safe return held tight, stayed focused, refusing to succumb to doubts, taunts, and conspiracy theories. They eventually got the job done most transparently and brought back the boys.
2. Our Security Forces often do not get the accolades they deserve. Once more, the Nigerian Military has delivered on the big stage. They had a plan, kept to it, and got the job done without firing a single shot. This is important because one casualty, one dead schoolboy, could have traumatized President Buhari and the parents. One dead student would have tainted the rescue mission. The President wanted the boys back alive and delivered to their parents. As a compassionate father figure, he would have been pained if one life had been lost in the rescue process. Bravo to the Nigerian Military and our security agencies for a well-coordinated and professionally executed mission to the President’s order reuniting the boys with their parents. There are not enough words to thank our gallant men and women in uniform, the military that continues to make sacrifices for many of us to enjoy and express our freedoms in its various forms and shapes. Millions of appreciative citizens applaud the success of the Army in bringing back the Kankara Schoolboys. Well done, boys!
3. Terrorists have lost the lead narrative with the military and our security personnel’s excellent performance in rescuing the boys without any incident. They can run, but they can no longer hide. The momentum now lies with our forces, and one should expect a new push against violent forces and their sponsors.
4. One must never take for granted the Nigerian spirit of brotherhood or their love for their President. Nigerians are far more united than it would seem, reviewing news reports and social media pages. Nigerians also love this President and have absolute trust in his ability to protect them. The outpouring of solidarity and support for the administration cuts across all divides, from far and wide, from expected and unexpected quarters. Nigerians have shown that in moments of national grief, they are truly their brother’s keepers and the events of the last few days have clearly demonstrated this residue.
5. There will always be profiteers from other people’s misfortune. The lack of patriotism shown by few unnecessary elements in a moment of national distress was crass, shameful and despicable. If they are not directly affected by a tragedy or no immediate family member involved, it is fair game for them and time to gloat or even make a few fast bucks. Indeed emergency activists thought they could cash in on these schoolboys and their parents’ misfortune devoid of their conscience. While patriotic Nigerians prayed for the boys’ quick return, these merchants of fortune were renting crowds, creating certain suspicious hashtags, opening bank accounts for the sole aim of soliciting funds for a cause they thought would linger. What will they do now with the one million T-Shirts they have produced? This is hugely shameful. These scavengers should now be honourable enough to refund the monies they have so far collected for the now futile campaign to discredit their fatherland.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that a new version of the coronavirus has surfaced in South Africa and United Kingdom.
The WHO said that the virus seems to mutate over time, adding that it is more likely to cause severe disease or death.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who made this known tody, December 21 at a media briefing, said: “in the past few days, there have been reports of new variants of the COVID-19 virus in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Viruses mutate over time; that’s natural and expected. The UK has reported that this new variant transmits more easily but there is no evidence so far that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality.
“WHO is working with scientists to understand how these genetic changes affect how the virus behaves. The bottom line is that we need to suppress transmission of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses as quickly as we can. The more we allow it to spread, the more opportunity it has to change.
“I can’t stress enough – to all governments and all people – how important it is to take the necessary precautions to limit transmission.”
Dr. Ghebreyesus said that $4.6bn additional funding will be needed in the year 2021 to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for at least 20 percent of the population of all low and lower-middle income countries.
“Last week, we announced that the COVAX Facility – which is backed by 190 countries and economies – has secured access to nearly two billion doses of promising vaccine candidates.”
The Senate has just passed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N13.5 trillion.
This followed the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Appropriations at plenary.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 8, presented the 2021 budget of N13.08 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly for approval.
The Aju Ameacho ruling clan has nominated Prince Opaluwa Okoliko to become the new Attah Igala in Kogi State.
The stool became vacant following the death of Idakwo Micheal Ameh Oboni, the Attah of Igala, few months ago.
The nominated young Prince had stint in the banking, aviation and education sectors over the years.
The eldest surviving persons of the ruling house, Chief Ogobi Okpanachi Emeje and Alhaji Ibrahim Inah Abutu who spoke to journalists in Lokoja at the weekend, said the nomination followed series of consultations among members of the clan, and that the decision was in line with Kogi State Government Gazette on the selection of Attah Igala.
Prince Opaluwa Okoliko has also been recommended and endorsed by elders and members from the four ruling houses of Aju Ameacho, Aju Akogu, Aju Akwu, and Aju Ocholi. Meanwhipe, the elder brother to Prince Okoliko, Engr. Opaluwa Ayegba, has also endorsed the nomination. Alhaji Ibrahim Ina Abutu who spoke on behalf of Aju Ameacho ruling clan said the clan was robbed of the throne in 1956 when they presented Prince Opaluwa Oguche (the grandfather of Prince Opaluwa Okoliko) for the stool of Attah Igala after going through the rituals of ascension but Aliyu Obaje was installed from Aju Akwu ruling clan.
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The Department of State Services (DSS) has alerted Nigerians about plans by “enemies of state” to unleash terror on vulnerable places, including critical infrastructure, places of worship as well as recreational centres during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi has made it clear that the Southeast leaders have no hand in the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Federal Government has extended the deadline for Nigerians to link the National Identity Number (NIN) with the communications service providers’ SIM card registration by three weeks.
Nigerian Federal Government has directed all its staff on Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the second wave of coronavirus. It announced that schools, which are now on holiday, will remain shut till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that a new version of the coronavirus has surfaced in South Africa and United Kingdom.
5 Takeaways From Safe Return Of 344 Kankara Schoolboys, By Garba Shehu
The outpouring of sighs, cries of relief and joy over the return of the boys reverberated beyond their immediate families. As the news spread far and wide, the global community is cheering the boys’ reunion with their families.
This moment is a watershed for Nigeria. It holds out hope that Nigerian citizens can feel safe wherever they are.
It is precisely as President Muhammadu Buhari described it: “A big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.”
We are glad that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres just sent a thank you message, appreciating what Nigeria has achieved.
1. The Buhari Administration has the will and has demonstrated unquestionable capacity to protect Nigerians. Those who doubt this Government’s resolve are mischievous. It is an administration empowered to draw enormous resilience from innate reservoirs of human resources, a network of reliable intelligence sources, and demonstrated expertise in scenario building and mediation.
Under enormous pressures from local and international sources, those charged with coordinating the boys’ safe return held tight, stayed focused, refusing to succumb to doubts, taunts, and conspiracy theories. They eventually got the job done most transparently and brought back the boys.
2. Our Security Forces often do not get the accolades they deserve. Once more, the Nigerian Military has delivered on the big stage. They had a plan, kept to it, and got the job done without firing a single shot. This is important because one casualty, one dead schoolboy, could have traumatized President Buhari and the parents. One dead student would have tainted the rescue mission. The President wanted the boys back alive and delivered to their parents. As a compassionate father figure, he would have been pained if one life had been lost in the rescue process. Bravo to the Nigerian Military and our security agencies for a well-coordinated and professionally executed mission to the President’s order reuniting the boys with their parents. There are not enough words to thank our gallant men and women in uniform, the military that continues to make sacrifices for many of us to enjoy and express our freedoms in its various forms and shapes. Millions of appreciative citizens applaud the success of the Army in bringing back the Kankara Schoolboys. Well done, boys!
3. Terrorists have lost the lead narrative with the military and our security personnel’s excellent performance in rescuing the boys without any incident. They can run, but they can no longer hide. The momentum now lies with our forces, and one should expect a new push against violent forces and their sponsors.
4. One must never take for granted the Nigerian spirit of brotherhood or their love for their President. Nigerians are far more united than it would seem, reviewing news reports and social media pages. Nigerians also love this President and have absolute trust in his ability to protect them. The outpouring of solidarity and support for the administration cuts across all divides, from far and wide, from expected and unexpected quarters. Nigerians have shown that in moments of national grief, they are truly their brother’s keepers and the events of the last few days have clearly demonstrated this residue.
5. There will always be profiteers from other people’s misfortune. The lack of patriotism shown by few unnecessary elements in a moment of national distress was crass, shameful and despicable. If they are not directly affected by a tragedy or no immediate family member involved, it is fair game for them and time to gloat or even make a few fast bucks. Indeed emergency activists thought they could cash in on these schoolboys and their parents’ misfortune devoid of their conscience. While patriotic Nigerians prayed for the boys’ quick return, these merchants of fortune were renting crowds, creating certain suspicious hashtags, opening bank accounts for the sole aim of soliciting funds for a cause they thought would linger. What will they do now with the one million T-Shirts they have produced? This is hugely shameful. These scavengers should now be honourable enough to refund the monies they have so far collected for the now futile campaign to discredit their fatherland.