As part of activities marking this year’s Teacher Day’s celebration, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a new salary structure for teachers across the country, a development said to aim at encouraging tutors to improve on their service delivery for better experience.
Details shortly…
No fewer than 235 coronavirus patients were said to have died in last 24 hours by the Iranian Government at different isolation centers set up to control the virus transmission in the country.
Also, atleast 3,902 new COVID-19 cases were recorded within same period, increasing total number of cases recorded in the to 475,674, making Iran the worst-hit country in the Middle East region.
These came barely two days after 3,653 were confirmed by the government to have contracted the virus and 211 patients died after battling with the virus for several days at different isolation centers in the country.
Confirming the death toll on Monday, Iran health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari, said that the casualties recorded in the past 24 hours had equalled a daily death toll high set experienced on July 28.
The spokesman further said that the conditions of over 4,000 patients were currently in critical condition at different isolation centers and were been treated by medical officials to ensure a speedy recovery.
While he disclosed that more than 4.12 million tests have been conducted in Iran for the diagnosis of coronavirus, reports from Iranian officials had it that over 471,700 people have been infected, and more than 26,957 people have already died as against over 389,900 have reportedly recovered from the disease.
Agboola Ajayi, the governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), was absent at the Ondo State governorship debate held on Sunday in Akure.
The debate, titled “2020 Ondo Governorship Election: Face the Voters”, was organised by media organisations, labour unions, civil societies, religious bodies and other groups in the state.
Akinwumi Abodunde, the moderator, said that the four political parties were invited for the debate, explaining that only two parties were present at the programme.
“We invited candidates of APC, PDP, SDP and ZLP for this debate and none of the candidates showed any sign that he will not attend as at one hour to the programme.
“But only the candidates of APC and SDP – Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Peter Fasua respectively were present at the scheduled time,’’ Abodunde said.
Meanwhile, Eyitayo Jegede of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came an hour behind the scheduled time.
The moderator grilled the three governorship candidates on leadership, economy, agriculture, health, education, infrastructure, election security and insecurity.
Mr. Akeredolu, while responding to the questions, denied the allegation of running a family government, saying that he ran a transparent government.
The governor said that his wife was not a commissioner, neither did any of his children hold a post in his government.
Instead, he said that his wife “has been helping the women of Ondo State through the “BRECAN Initiative”.
“Let anybody that has evidence that anyone of my family is a consultant in the government come out.
“We will sue anyone that lies against my family,’’ he said.
He, therefore, called on his supporters to shun any act of violence during the governorship election scheduled to hold on October 10.
Also, Mr. Jegede promised to run a transparent government if elected, cautioning his supporters against violence during the polls.
“There is nothing to be gained by violence which is why I make sure I report to the Police when such happens,” Mr. Jegede said. “I plead with our young men not to go near violence, and our leaders must discourage violence.”
Similarly, Mr. Fasua advised the youth not to die for any politician in the name of an election.
“Anybody that dies while perpetrating violence has lost his life for nothing,” he said. “Please don’t waste your life for anyone during this election period. We, the candidates, are always with our security and are safe.”
(NAN)
A private agriculture firm, Olam Nigeria Limited, has backed the Federal Government decision to diversify the country’s economy towards agriculture and ensure food security in the country.
The firm said that country had Africa’s most vibrant economy and that it remain committed to advancement of the country’s economic growth and sustainability.
Country Head, Olam Nigeria, Mukul Mathur, said that to ensure diversification, the government introduced Agricultural Promotion policy that would reform the economy and created an enabling business environment.
Mathur, in a statement congratulating Nigeria on its 60th independence anniversary, further reiterated the organisation’s pledge towards stimulating growth and ensure more developed value chain in the country’s Nigeria agricultural sector.
He said: “Our core focus remains meeting Nigeria’s food security needs and ensuring the development of the country’s agricultural value chain. We are truly committed to the growth of the food and agricultural sector whether it’s through our support for smallholder farmers or the government’s efforts in diversification of the Nigerian economy.
“This goal has driven Olam to inject about US$1.5 billion in the country’s economy with our most recent investments being our Integrated Poultry Farms & Hatchery in Kaduna and the acquisition of Dangote Flour Mills. We remain committed to the advancement of economic growth and sustainability in Nigeria. The huge investments we have made in the food and agricultural value chain make it evident that we are in for the long-haul.
“As we celebrate the country’s 60th year of independence, I enjoin the citizens to continue to exhibit the traits of courage, tenacity and determination which best describes the true Nigerian spirits.”
Mask-clad Muslims circled Islam’s holiest site along socially distanced paths on Sunday, as Saudi authorities partially resumed the year-round umrah pilgrimage with extensive health precautions adopted after a seven-month coronavirus hiatus.
Thousands of worshippers entered the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca in batches to perform the ritual of circling the sacred Kaaba, a cubic structure towards which Muslims around the world pray.
The umrah, the pilgrimage that can be undertaken at any time, usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe each year but it was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It is being revived in three phases, with Saudi Hajj Minister Mohammad Benten saying last week that 6,000 pilgrims per day would be allowed in the first stage to perform the umrah “meticulously and within a specified period of time”.
“In an atmosphere of faith and with assured hearts… the first batch of pilgrims begin the pilgrimage in accordance with the precautionary measures laid out,” the hajj ministry said on Twitter.
A raft of precautions have been adopted to ward off any outbreaks, according to state media.
The revered Black Stone in the eastern corner of the Kaaba — which it is customary but not mandatory to touch during the pilgrimage — will be out of reach, and the Grand Mosque is to be sterilised before and after each group of worshippers.
Each group of 20 or 25 pilgrims are to be accompanied by a health worker and medical teams will be on the ground in case of an emergency, Benten said.
Thermal sensors have been installed to measure the body temperature of the pilgrims, Mecca authorities said.
The safety, comfort and health of the pilgrims is a priority for the kingdom, the general presidency for the affairs of the two holy mosques said, calling them the “guests of Allah”.
– ‘Aspirations of Muslims’ –
Under the second stage from October 18, the number of umrah pilgrims will be increased to 15,000 per day.
Visitors from abroad will be permitted in the third stage from November 1, when capacity will be raised to 20,000.
A maximum of 40,000 people, including other worshippers, will be allowed to perform prayers at the mosque in the second stage and 60,000 in the third, according to the interior ministry.
The decision to resume the pilgrimage was taken in response to the “aspirations of Muslims home and abroad”, the ministry said last month.
It said the umrah will be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.
Until then, the health ministry will vet countries from which pilgrims are allowed to enter based on the health risks.
Saudi Arabia suspended the umrah in March and scaled back the annual hajj pilgrimage over fears the coronavirus could spread to Islam’s holiest cities and back to pilgrims’ home countries.
The hajj went ahead in late July, on the smallest scale in modern history, with only up to 10,000 Muslim residents of the country allowed to take part — a far cry from the 2.5 million who participated last year.
Health authorities said no coronavirus cases were reported at the holy sites during the hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime.
The pilgrimages are a massive logistical challenge, with colossal crowds cramming into relatively small holy sites, making them vulnerable to contagion.
Saudi Arabia’s custodianship of Mecca and Medina — Islam’s two holiest sites — is seen as its most powerful source of the monarchy’s political legitimacy.
The holy sites are also a key revenue earner for the kingdom, whose economy has been badly hit by a coronavirus-driven collapse in the global demand for oil.
Saudi Arabia has had more than 335,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 4,850 deaths.
Source: msn.com
The police inspector-general, Muhammed Adamu, has banned the dreaded special anti-robbery squad after widespread campaign to stop it.
Details shortly…
All FSARS, STS, IRT & other Tactical @PoliceNG Squads operating at Federal, Zonal & Command levels are hereby BANNED from carrying out routine patrols & other conventional low-risk duties – stop & search duties, checkpoints, roadblocks, traffic checks, etc – WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT pic.twitter.com/9xWQJhTDOP
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) October 4, 2020
In a bid to protect Nigerians, the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), has disclosed that it had sealed 42 Pharmacies and 397 Patent Medicine Shops in Akwa-Ibom State for lack of compliance to regulatory provisions during the month of September.
PCN noted the seal carried out to ensure that the vision of creating an enabling and regulated environment for the provision of quality pharmaceutical services for sustainable healthcare delivery was achieved in the country.
Announcing the seal, the Registrar of the Council, Dr Elijah Mohammed, who disclosed the statistics to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, disclosed that nine compliance directives were issued to others for minor offences.
Mohammed, giving an update of the council’s activities in September, said the feat resulted from the ongoing effort of the PCN to clampdown on the proliferation of illegal medicine shops.
The registrar said that the proliferation became worse since the Federal Government announced a lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“PCN National Enforcement Team visited Akwa-Ibom State in September on enforcement. And during the exercise, 42 Pharmacies and 397 Patent Medicine Shops were sealed off for lack of compliance with PCN regulatory provision in their practice and operation. Also nine compliance directives were issued to others for other minor offences,” he said.
Mohammed said sequel to the reconstitution of the PCN Governing Council and the subsequent appointment of the Chairman, Prof. Ahmed Mora, the statutory and Ad hoc Committees set up as operational arm have swung into action and yielding result.
He said that so far the Council’s Investigating Panel sat in September and conducted investigations on 17 pharmacists and 11 petitioners over alleged acts of professional misconduct.
The panel, according to him, was able to resolve some issues, while the unresolved ones would be referred to the council’s Disciplinary Tribunal for consideration and final judgement.
“In the same vein, the 14-member Ad hoc Committee on Pharmacy Practices and PCN functions deliberated extensively on various issues bothering on evidence-based care and pharmaceutical care.
“Other issues the committee deliberated on are pharmacist specialists’ services and repositioning pharmacy training and practice in Nigeria, in line with current realities.
“Also, to curb the illicit use of drugs amongst the youth, PCN collaborated with Anietie Umoren and Joseph Edionwele, in Essen Udim LGA of Akwa-Ibom to sensitised the youth to the dangers of drugs.
”The council also collaborated with Iruekpen in Esan Central West/Igueben Federal Constituency of Edo to sensitive the youth. The council hosted two advocacy workshops on drug abuse in the month of September,” he noted.
Barely 24 hours after gunmen invaded a commercial bank, Wema Bank, in Iyin-Ekiti axis of Ekiti State, the Nigerian Police has said that it had recovered three vehicles used by the gunmen during the attack.
The police said that the vehicles abandoned by the robbers and recovered were Volkswagen Golf car with number plate, GED 906 AA, one Acura MDX Jeep with number plate LSR 327 CD, and a Toyota Camry car number plate, GED 106 ER.
It added that the vehicles were recovered with some Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), some raps of Indian hemp, alcoholic drinks and two cell phones.
The police, through a statement signed by Sunday Abutu, its Public Relations Officer, said that the robbers, numbering ten and heavily armed, stormed the Iyin-Ekiti branch of the bank at about 3:55pm.
In the statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, the law enforcement agency said that the gang members, on arrival at the bank, overpowered policemen on guard due to their large number before gaining entrance into the banking hall.
The command noted that, though an undisclosed amount of cash was carted away during the operation, no casualty was recorded during the operation that lasted for several minutes.
While assuring the public that efforts were been intensified to apprehend the perpetrators, the police enjoined residents not to be panic and that the different teams have been deployed to comb the bushes to ensure their arrest.
“A swift reinforcement from the Police to the scene forced the robbers retreat with the three vehicles. But the Police Operatives gave the armed robbers a hot chase, exchanged fire with them during which they abandoned the three vehicles and took to their heels into the forest.
“The Operatives of the Ekiti State Police Command which comprises the PMF, SARS, SAFER HIGHWAY as well as the local Vigilante group, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), are currently combing the bush for the possible arrest of the suspects.
“The command implores all the good people of Ekiti State to be vigilant and report to the nearest Police Station any suspicious movements or suspected persons or groups of persons they see in their Communities or call Police Control Room on phone Number 08062335577,” the statement added.
The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says it has arrested an alleged Internet fraudster with his pastor.
The suspects were arrested for allegedly swindling a woman from Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State. The EFCC in Gombe, which carried out the arrests, estimated the theft at N12.7 million.
The victim alleged that the suspects tricked him into parting with his money through social media messages and phone calls.
They lied that he won a car, expensive phones and an offer of employment in a dubious promo. The suspects were arrested in Ile-Ife by anti-graft detectives, officials said.
EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren told Peoples Gazette more investigation prior to the suspects’ arraignment in court.
The EFCC has been exercising a crackdown against suspected Internet crooks in recent months, with its partnership with the F.B.I. and other foreign law enforcement agencies producing some of the biggest raids.
Atiku Abubakar on Saturday condemned the special anti-robbery squad as being filled with rogue elements.
Mr. Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice-president and main presidential candidate at the 2019 general election, said President Muhammadu Buhari should immediately restructure the unit and make it accountable to the people.
Many Nigerians have been killed by SARS in recent years, and the unit has failed to change despite widespread outcry.
On Saturday, there were three reports of extra-judicial killings involving Nigerian police officers in Abuja, Rivers and Delta. The citizens, all of whom were unarmed, were reported dead on the spot.
In a chain of tweets on Saturday, Mr. Abubakar said Mr. Buhari should not sit by and watch police officers commit grievous rights abuses.
Despite years of advocacy, including a recent citizens-led initiative convened by Segun Awosanya, controversial profiling and attacks on Nigerian masses persist within the police.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the @PoliceNG was set up to confront violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping and other related crimes.
Reports of intimidation, harassment and outright extortion by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have continued unabated.
However, the unit has today morphed into an oppressor of the Nigerian masses who strive every day for a better life.
I strongly condemn their cruel actions against our people, and I urge the government to rise to the occasion and nip this monstrosity in the bud with the seriousness it deserves.
It is expedient that the activities of SARS are reviewed to ensure that the rogue elements are excised from the unit and sanity returned to its operations.
It is expedient that the activities of SARS are reviewed to ensure that the rogue elements are excised from the unit and sanity returned to its operations.
The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit of the @PoliceNG was set up to confront violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping and other related crimes. However, the unit has today morphed into an oppressor of the Nigerian masses who strive every day for a better life.
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) October 3, 2020
Source: GazetteNGR
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