Abuja Nurses Angry With Police For Alleged Brutality, Threaten Strike Action

February 13, 2020

Members of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) branch have threatened to stop working and embark on protest against alleged police brutality over time.
The Association said that the latest attacks by police was on Tuesday, February 11 when one police officer, named Daniel, beat and wounded three nurses on night duty in Asokoro general hospital.
It was learnt that Daniel attacked the three nurses, including the Chief Nursing Officer (PNO) when a patient he had gone to visit was asked to provide N500 for random blood sugar.
Speaking to newsmen today, February 13, during a warning strike in Asokoro, the FCT chairperson, Debora Yusuf said that she’s not happy with the way police officers have been molesting nurses in various hospitals in the territory.
Debora said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Asokoro District, Aisha Yusuf had intervened by holding a closed door meeting with the leaders of the Association, but insisted that they would go ahead with strike action on Monday, February if the said police officer is not brought to justice.
According to Debora, the police officer, Daniel kicked one of the nurses on the chest, twisted the hand of the other and slapped the third on the face.
“To our greatest surprise, this man went away free and even threatened to deal with us.
“We no longer feel safe in the hands of our patients and their relatives. We can’t be treating patients and are being subjected to dangers.”
The protesting nurses today, marched on the street carrying placards with various inscriptions, including “police is not your friend,” “stop police violence against nurses, etc”
Meanwhile, the chairperson of the NANNM, Debora has advised her colleagues to be on standby for further instruction on the next line of action.

This was even as the DPO Aisha Yusuf refused to comment on the incident after her meeting with the NANNM officials, saying that she would not speak until she got clearance from the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Ebira Group On Translation Of Qur’an Condoles With Saudi Over Death Of Amb Adnan

Greenbarge Reporters

February 13, 2020

The committee on the translation of the meaning of the Holy Qur’an in Ebira language has consoled with the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the death of its Ambassador to Nigeria, Adnan bin Mahmoud Bostaji.
The Ambassador died last week, February 4, less than 24 hours of his return to Nigeria from his country.
The committee on the translation of the meaning of the Holy Qur’an, led by its chairman, Abdulganiyu Ahmed delivered a condolence letter today, February 13, to the Acting Ambassador, Muhammad Alfawzan.
In the condolence letter, the committee expressed heart-felt and deepest sympathy to His Majesty, the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin AbdulAziz Al-Saud, the Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, the entire management and staff of the Royal Embassy and the good people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia over the demise of the amiable and hardworking Ambassador.
“The departure of Ambassador Adnan came at a crucial time in the relationship between the Committee and the dedicated Ambassador who had graciously and religiously developed a morale-boosting interest in the Qur’anic translation project through his kind attendance of the public presentation of the translated portion early last year at the National Masjid, Abuja-Nigeria; with an undertaking that he would facilitate the printing of the entire translated Glorious Qur’an through the assistance of His Majesty, the King of Saudi Arabia. However, life being transient, Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala, Has decided it is time for the kind and worthy Ambassador to leave the world.”

Members of the committee recalled their last encounter with late Ambassador Adnan in his office “when we paid him a courtesy visit on 12th November, 2019 during which we briefed him about the level of progress of the Committee in the Qur’anic translation work. He exhorted us then, to fast-track the work as there is no guarantee that he would be around if it takes much longer.
“The Ambassador’s demise is a veritable lesson to all of us that survived him about the inevitability of returning to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala and the need to be steadfast in the service of our Creator ‘Azza wa Jal’ and to sustain all works of Godliness and goodness.
“We fervently pray to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala to forgive and have mercy on him and let his final abode be Jannat al-Firdaus. May He give his family, friends, Associates, well-wishers and all those that are bereaved of him the fortitude to bear the separation.”

Supreme Court Sacks Bayelsa Gov-Elect For Certificate Forgery

Greenbarge Reporters

February 13, 2020

The governor-elect of Bayelsa State, David Lyon and his Deputy, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have been sacked by the Supreme Court.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice Mary Odili, today, February 13, held that Degi-Eremieoyo presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

It held that the Form CF 001 Degi-Eremieoyo submitted to INEC for the purpose of the November 16, 2019, governorship election in the state, contained false information of fundamental nature.

Justice Ejembi Eko who delivered the lead judgement reinstated the November 12, 2019, Judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja that disqualified Degi-Eremieoyo from participating in the governorship poll.

The apex court held that since Degi-Eremieoyo shared a joint ticket with the governor-elect, his disqualification invalidated their nomination by the All Progressive Congress, APC.

Consequently, it ordered INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return that was issued to them and issue a fresh one to the party that secured the second highest number of votes and got the required constitutional spread

The judgment followed an appeal that was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its governorship and deputy governorship candidates in Bayelsa State, Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhruojakpo.

Vanguard

Britain Takes Punitive Steps To Regulate Social Media

Greenbarge Reporters

February 13, 2020

Britain has taken further measures to regulate social media, in addition to punitive measures it took a couple of years ago.

The government stressed that it would make social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Snap responsible for blocking or removing harmful content on their platforms.

It vowed to impose a duty of care to ensure that all companies have systems in place to react to concerns over harmful content and improve the safety for their users, the government said.

“As the internet continues to grow and transform our lives it is essential that we get the balance right between a thriving, open and vibrant virtual world, and one in which users are protected from harm,” Digital Minister Nicky Morgan and Interior Minister Priti Patel said in a joint statement.

The duty of care will apply to platforms on which user-generated content is shared, for example through comments, forums or video sharing, it said on Wednesday in its response to a consultation.

Policy will be developed to offer a higher level of protection for children than adults, the government said.

It said it was minded to make broadcast and telecoms regulator Ofcom responsible for policing the new regime.

Britain proposed new online safety laws last year that it said would be the toughest in the world.

Former Prime Minister Theresa May said at the time she would put a legal “duty of care on internet companies to keep users safe online”. Companies would face big fines, with bosses also held personally accountable, the government said then.

Governments globally are wrestling over how to better control content on social media platforms, often blamed for encouraging abuse, the spread of online pornography and for influencing or manipulating voters.

Source: REUTERS.

Under No Circumstance Will I Allow Married Men To Be Priests – Pope Francis

Greenbarge Reporters

February 13, 2020

Pope Francis has vowed not to submit to agitation for married men to be priests, especially in Amazon region where there is scarcity of priests.

in one of the most significant decisions of his papacy, which came out yesterday, February 13, Pope Francis dismissed a proposal to allow some married men to be ordained in the Amazon region.

The recommendation, put forward by Latin American bishops last year, had alarmed conservatives in the deeply polarised 1.3 billion-member Roman Catholic Church, who feared it could lead to a change in the centuries-old commitment to celibacy among priests.

Francis delivered his response in an Apostolic Exhortation, three months after the proposal passed by 128 votes to 41 at a contentious Vatican assembly, or synod, of Roman Catholic bishops.

Apostolic Exhortations are used to instruct and encourage the Catholic faithful but do not define Church doctrine.

Wednesday’s 32-page document did not even mention the proposal, which was for older married deacons who are proven leaders of remote Catholic communities and have stable families to be ordained as priests.

Conservatives balked, fearing that even a circumscribed change would be a slippery slope leading to a married priesthood throughout the Church. They branded a pre-synod working document as heretical.

In what some viewed as a strategically timed appeal to Francis not to approve the Amazon proposal, a book published last month by Church conservatives defended the tradition of priestly celibacy.

“From the Depths of Our Hearts” was co-authored by Cardinal Robert Sarah and Former Pope Benedict, though Francis’ predecessor subsequently disassociated himself from the project.

Vatican officials said the pope completed the document on Dec. 27, before the book controversy, and handed it in for translations. They said no changes were made after that.

In the Exhortation, the 82-year-old Argentine pope wrote, new ways must be found to encourage more priests to work in the remote region, and allow expanded roles for lay people and permanent deacons, of whom the Amazon needed “many more”.

Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers. They can preach, teach, baptise and run parishes, but they cannot say Mass. Married men can become deacons.

Because only priests can say Mass, people in at least 85% of Amazon villages cannot attend the liturgy every week and some cannot do so for years.

“This urgent need leads me to urge all bishops, especially those in Latin America… to be more generous in encouraging those who display a missionary vocation to opt for the Amazon region,” he wrote.

He used the first three chapters of the document to defend the rights and legacies of indigenous people and the environment in the Amazon, which had to be protected because of its vital role in mitigating global warming.

Conservatives feared that if Francis had taken up the proposal, other areas with a shortage of priests would follow, even in developed countries such as Germany, where the issue is being discussed.

Source: REUTERS

Buhari Flies From Ethiopia To Borno To Sympathize With Boko Haram Victims

Greenbarge Reporters

February 12, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari, today, February 12, landed in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he attended Africa Union function.

In a tweet a few hours ago, his media aide, Garba Shehu, said that the President is “paying a sympathy visit to the government and people of Borno following the recent horrific incident in which Boko Haram terrorists killed several travellers”

Garba Shehu wrote: 12:45pm. President Buhari, aboard the BBJ from Addis Ababa just landed in Maiduguri. He is paying a sympathy visit to the government and people of Borno following the recent horrific incident in which BH terrorists killed several travelers.
— Garba Shehu (@GarShehu) February 12, 2020

CBN Okays 6 Dairy Companies To Import Milk

Editorial staff

February 11, 2020

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has engaged six dairy companies operating in the country for the importation of milk.

A circular issued by the Bank today, February 11, signed by the Director in the Trade and Exchange Department, Dr. Ozoemena Nnaji listed the companies as FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria; Chi Limited; TG Arla Dairy Products Limited; Promasidor Nigeria Limited; Nestle Nigeria PLC (MSK only) and Integrated Dairies Limited.

According to the circular, all Forms ‘M’ for the importation of milk and its derivatives by authorized dealers will only be allowed for the six companies.

The bank advised importers not on the list of companies cited in the circular to cancel all established Forms ‘M’ for the importation of milk and its derivatives for which shipment has not taken place.

This was even as the Director in the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Isaac Okorafor, said that the bank engaged the six companies because they showed sufficient willingness and ability and had keyed into the CBN’s backward integration programme in order to enhance their capacity and improve local milk production.

Okorafor said that the objective of the bank in that sector was to increase milk production in the country from the current figure of 500,000 metric tonnes to about 550,000 metric tonnes within the next 12 months.

In addition to facilitating easier access to funding for dairy investors, he said it is the bank’s desire to ensure that the country conserves foreign exchange, trigger economic growth and boost employment opportunities in the sector.

Buhari Wants Pressure Mounted On National Assembly To Make Diaspora Voting Possible

Editorial staff

February 11, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has sought for pressure to be mounted on the National Assembly to amend relevant provisions in the constitution to allow for Diaspora voting in the near future elections.

The President told Nigerian community in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa today, February 11, in the course of his official engagement in that country that he had always been in support of it, but that legislation is required to make it a reality.

”I have said it severally that I am not against it. However, you will need to convince National Assembly to amend the relevant laws to make Diaspora voting a reality.”

President Buhari assured Nigerians that his government is committed to supporting and protecting all law-abiding Nigerians, at home and abroad for them to prosper, urging all in the Diaspora to help achieve this by being good citizens and worthy ambassadors of Nigeria.

The President also encouraged them to be the best in all their legitimate engagements in their host country, reminding them: ”while you are out in the Diaspora, do not forget home as you represent some of the best human assets that Nigeria possesses.”

He advised them to use their resources, skills and talents to help the development of Nigeria.

In his remarks, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Bankole Adeoye, extolled the huge investments of the Federal Government of Nigeria in Ethiopia since independence through the Embassy.

He described the Nigerian Embassy in Addis Ababa as one of the Nigerian missions in the whole of Africa with the largest diplomatic and residential premises.

”Nigeria has continued to live the saying that Africa is the centerpiece of her foreign policy especially with the many impacts in the AU, the United Nations Economic Community for Africa (UNECA) and Ethiopia as whole.”

The Ambassador commended President Buhari for reciprocating the visit to Abuja of the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia given the country’s zeal to develop stronger ties with Nigeria.

He extolled the President as one who has appointed the highest number of career ambassadors and attributed it to his flair for professionalism.

Also speaking , the President of NICE commended the President for the establishment of NiDCOM and his continuous leadership and contributions which have cemented Nigeria’s role as a central player in strengthening the AU.

Omozuafoh appealed to the Nigerian government to fast-track the implementation of the MoU with the United Nations on the Junior Professionals Programme allowing young Nigerians access to opportunities in international organizations.

”Similar opportunities should be explored with the UN Volunteers Programme, the AU Volunteers Corps as well as the ECOWAS Youth Volunteer Programme.”

Osinbajo Believes God Has Already Received Late Kenyan President, Arap Moi

Editorial staff

February 11, 2020

Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has expressed confidence that the late Kenyan president, Daniel Arap Moi has already been received by God for having diligently served Him.

He said: “we believe that the Almighty God who he served through his life has already received him even now.
“We bless the name of the Lord for all that he was able to do in his lifetime and we pray that the Lord God Almighty will comfort his family, will comfort the Government of Kenya and the people of Kenya.”
Osinbajo, in a funeral message today, February 11 in Kenya where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari, listed the different positive roles Arap Moi played in Africa.

Many of us in Africa will remember him in particular for the pioneering work that he did, especially with respect to regional cooperation.
He was, as we have heard, very instrumental in the resuscitation of the East African Community, along with President Museveni and others. He was also very instrumental in COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) and even IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development). These are the precursors of the African Continental Free Trade Area arrangements that we are making today and to which almost every African country has subscribed to and it will define the future of trade and relations in Africa.
We thank God for such a great life. We thank God for all that he was able to do for Kenya and also for Africa.

Central Bank Injects Another $210 Million Into Forex Market

Editorial staff

February 11, 2020

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has again injected the sum of $210 million into the inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market to boost liquidity in the sector.

Authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, according to a statement from the bank, received the sum of $100million, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment received the sum of $55 million. Similarly, customers seeking foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were allocated a total of $55 million.

Director in the Corporate Communications Department of the apex bank, Isaac Okorafor confirmed the figures, saying that the bank is committed to continue to sustain liquidity and ensure stability in the market.

Okorafor said that the continued intervention by the bank underscored the resolve of the Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to guarantee access to all those who genuinely required foreign exchange from the forex market.

It will be recalled that last Friday February 7, the bank injected the sum of $218.41 million and CNY18 million into the Retail Secondary Market Intervention Sales (SMIS) segment.

Meanwhile, the Naira remained stable, exchanging at an average of N358/$1 in the BDC segment of the market today, February 11.

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