Unpaid arrears: Our members are dying, say Ekiti pensioners
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Ekiti State Council, Joel Akinola, lamented on Monday that members of the association were dying in large numbers from age-related ailments resulting from lack of means to cater to their health needs. Akinola, who said the colossal amount owed pensioners in the state as gratuities and pensions, had compounded their situations. He called on the governor of the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to pay all pension arrears of both state and local governments’ former workers before the end of 2021. The NUP chairman, who spoke at a press briefing organised by the senior citizens
Bandits Orders Churches In Zamfara To Close Or Risk Attacks
A group of bandits has written to the Christian community in Zamfara State, Northwest Nigeria to close churches or risk ferocious attacks, SaharaReporters has exclusively learnt. The Zamfara State police command has confirmed the threat to SaharaReporters, saying, "We are on top of the threat." Spokesperson for the command, DSP Mohammed Shehu, told our correspondent that the police were aware of the threat letter. He said, "Yes, I can confirm that it's true, a threat letter was sent to the Christians in Zamfara State to stop worship and to close churches. "Actually the police informed the Christian leaders about the
Electoral Act Amendments: Buhari seeks advice on direct primaries, writes INEC, others
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has written a letter to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, seeking comments from INEC over the Electoral Act amendment bill which was passed by the National Assembly on November 9, 2021. Buhari, who received the bill on November 19, has until December 19 to sign it or communicate to the National Assembly his feelings and comments about the bill. But if after 30 days, the President refuses to sign the bill and the National Assembly is not in support of the President’s amendments, the Senate and the House
Canada detects Omicron variant of COVID-19 from two travellers from Nigeria
Medical experts on Monday warned that Nigeria risked travel bans with Canada’s detection of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in two travellers from Nigeria. Virologists, including the Chairman of the Expert Review Committee on COVID-19, Professor Oyewale Tomori, who stated this in separate interviews with The PUNCH, lamented that the variant of the virus in Nigeria was detected in Canada. Tomori berated the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control for its failure to coordinate genomic sequencing of samples of coronavirus obtained from laboratories across the country. He said although there were laboratories, which could do the genomic sequencing of coronavirus in Nigeria,
N100m Palace Project: Segun Aiyerin applauds Ilutitun Indigenes over donations
Commends Akeredolu over consistent zeal to industrialize Ondo State Pastor Olusegun Aiyerin, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), has applauded the illustrious sons and daughters, and friends of the Ilutitun Morubodo community for their robust donations towards the ongoing construction of ₦100 million central palace project for the community. Starnews Nigeria reports that a Fund Raising Ceremony to support the ongoing construction of Oba’s palace was part of the event organised to mark the 2021 Morubodo Day Celebrations which took place on Saturday, November 27, 2021. Addressing pressmen after the event, Pastor Aiyerin, the Secretary of Morubodo
Billionaire Kidnapper, Evans’ accomplice dies of HIV complications in prison
Chiemeka Arinze, an accomplice of suspected billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike aka Evans, has died in prison custody. Arinze is standing trial alongside Evans, Joseph Emeka, and Udeme Upong, over the attempted kidnap of the Chairman of the Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court. They are facing seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms. The suspects were to appear before the court on Monday for continuation of trial. Sources at Kirikiri Correctional Centre told The Nation that
BREAKING: Man United appoints Ralf Rangnick as interim Manager
Manchester United have confirmed Ralf Rangnick as interim coach until the end of the season. United reached an agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow last week for the release of Rangnick, who was manager of sports and development at the Russian club. The 63-year-old’s contract will see him take charge of the first team until June and then remain at the club for at least a further two years in a consultancy role. United drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Sunday, after Jadon Sancho’s second goal in successive matches was cancelled out by a Jorginho penalty. Details shortly…
Scores kidnapped as Kogi commissioner escapes, sustains gunshot wounds
The Kogi State Commissioner for Environment, Victor Adewale Omofaiye, on Sunday escaped being kidnapped but sustained gunshot wounds when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle. It was reliably gathered that the incident happened between Ikoyi and Iyara at about 5:00 pm on Sunday. Our reporter further gathered that the commissioner was on his way to Lokoja when over 20 suspected kidnappers opened fire on his vehicle. The source said they were three in number in the car but the commissioner sustained gunshot wounds from the kidnappers as they were able to escape from the scene of the attack. However,
FG may extend 2021 budget implementation to next year
The Federal Government may extend the implementation of capital projects components in the 2021 Appropriation Act till next year following the inability of many ministries and agencies to conclude their procurement process until the last quarter of this year. Many heads of the MDAs who appeared before the various Senate standing committees for their 2021 budget performances, blamed their inability to execute their capital projects to the outright ban placed on procurement process from January to May 31. Specifically, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, told the Senate Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency that the
Suspected pirates attack oil workers, NSCDC personnel, kill 3, kidnap 7
ARMED men suspected to be pirates, in the early hours of yesterday, launched multiple attacks on some oil workers in Okoroma and Ogbokiri-Akassa communities of Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. The gunmen reportedly shot dead two staff of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company and a personnel of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC. The boat driver, an indigene of Okoroma community, is still missing, according to the locals. In the ambush that occurred at Ogbokiri-Akassa in Brass LGA of the state, six oil workers allegedly doing maintenance job close to their platform were kidnapped.
