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Egypt’s President meets King of Jordan, Palestine Authority leader

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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Egypt’s President held talks in Cairo with the King of Jordan and the President of the Palestinian Authority. The talks aim to revive the Middle East peace process and strengthening a ceasefire that halted the Israel-Hamas war.

Egypt’s Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority’s Mahmoud Abbas discussed the elusive two-state solution to the conflict with Israel, according to a statement from el-Sissi’s office.

The three leaders said the Palestinians have a right to an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel staunchly opposes such a plan. Relations remain tense, even though Israel’s new coalition government, which includes an Arab party for the first time, has sought to keep things calm after the deadly war in May.

Hamas responded two weeks of tensions in east Jerusalem by firing rockets, which triggered a withering Israeli assault on Gaza.

Suzan O/AFN

Sports Minister Praises Super Eagles As Qatar 2022 Race Begins

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
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The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare was a dinner guest of the Super Eagles on Thursday, the eve of the opening game of their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign against Liberia.

Nigeria will face Liberia at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos on Friday hoping for another successful qualifying run to the world’s biggest football stage, the FIFA World Cup Finals.

Dare praised the players and the coaches for the successes  of the recent past and urged them to kick start this latest campaign with undiminished commitment.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria in training ahead of Liberia match

“I sincerely want to appreciate all of you. The technical crew, players and the support staff. You have made us proud in the past and I want to urge you to continue with same zeal and vigour,” Dare said.

“You have demonstrated professionalism and an understanding of what it means to don the green and white jersey of Nigeria.  We will be rooting for you to get this qualifying campaign off to a good start and then follow things up with successes in your subsequent matches.”

“We want to be in Qatar 2022 as a participating nation not spectators. I trust you to make it happen for Nigeria and Nigerians.”

The Sports Minister also heaped praise on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their efforts at self funding and seeking private sector support for their programmes.

“Government cannot do it alone. We need collaborations and partnerships with the private sector,” Dare added. “These are the resources needed to keep our players and coaches comfortable so they can focus on getting us good results on the pitch.”

“The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development will make the environment conducive for the Nigeria Football Federation to make this sort of breakthrough and progress.” 

Association seeks partnership with FCTA on gold trading centre

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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A group, Precious Metal Gold Processors and Exporters Association of Nigeria has sought the partnership of the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the establishment of a gold buying centre in the nation’s capital.

The National Chairman of the group, Alhaji. Muhammed Ahmed Masud, who made the call when he led a delegation of his executive to FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu said the establishment of the centre would serve as the next gold trading hub attracting investors from other parts of the globe, just as it was obtained in the gold buying centre of Dubai Gold Souk in the United Arab Emirates.

Masud, also noted that the establishment of the centre in Abuja would further create the enabling environment to operate in line with the federal government policies on diversification of the economy to the non-oil sector particularly gold mining, processing and exporting.

According to him, “The establishment of the Nigerian gold buying centre will no doubt generate more revenue, boost sustainable economic growth, increase investor’s traffic and create job opportunities for the country“.

The National Chairman revealed that the gold mining industry contributed over US$171 billion to the global economy, noting that as a major stakeholder in the mining sector the presence of the association in FCT would bring all mining stakeholders together under one umbrella.

In her response, FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, assured the group that the administration would partner with the association and other viable organisations with programmes and policies geared towards the development of the territory.

The Minister, who was represented by the Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Tpl. Mudiyu Mustapha, commended the association for the proposed partnership, assuring that the present FCT Administration has keyed into the federal government policy on diversification.

 

Nnenna.O

HIV/AIDS: 1.2m Nigerians receiving treatment – CDC

Mosunmola Ore
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The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Nigeria says there are currently over 1.2 million Nigerians receiving treatment for HIV/AIDS.

READ ALSO: NCDC hosts NiCAFE on COVID-19 pandemic, other infectious disease

This was disclosed by the Communication Specialist, US CDC Nigeria, Halilu Usman, while speaking with journalists during a two-day Investigative Health Care Reporting workshop organised by the International Press Centre, Nigeria.

The IPC is a leading media development and press freedom organisation dedicated to building media capacities for democracy and development.

Speaking virtually at the workshop, Usman said the US CDC Nigeria “is supporting children living with HIV or dying from HIV related diseases by providing free medications.”

” The Centre, is also supporting the Nigerian government by offering HIV/AIDs prevention and testing services as well as treatment support,” he said

He said, “the agency tested five million Nigerians in 2020 and found 200,000 HIV positive people.

“The 200,000 people who tested positive have been put on life-saving treatment with the support from the centre.”

Also speaking at the workshop, the executive director of IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade urged journalists not to neglect other important health issues because of the global focus on COVID-19.

Arogundade who made a presentation based on a study on Media Report of Health-Related Issues conducted in December 2020, said health journalists should look beyond COVID-19 and focus on accountability, transparency issues in the health sector.

 

MTO/Punch

UK Foreign Secretary announces new sanctions against Myanmar

Kamila Bello
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United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab has announced new Myanmar sanctions and said the purpose of it was to affect businesses that provide financial support to the military junta.

The UK government released a statement saying that new sanctions were aimed at Myanmar businessman U Tay Za and his business empire Htoo Group. The business group is a large business network that controls several activities in Myanmar and has been accused of funding the 2017 clearance of Rohingya in Rakhine.

The UK’s foreign ministry said, it would impose an asset freeze on conglomerate Htoo Group of Companies and its founder Tay Za, that the tycoon was involved in arms deals on behalf of the military.

“The military junta has shown no signs of halting its brutal attack on the people of Myanmar.

“Along with our partners, the UK will continue to restrict the junta’s access to finance and the supply of arms used to kill innocents, including children, and target those who support the junta’s actions,” Raab said.

The UK said, Tay Za was associated with the military through his extensive links with the former and current junta regimes.

It accused him of providing support for serious human rights violations in his role in assisting the military to procure arms.

The February military takeover has so far left at least 1,045 dead, according to rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, with more than 6,000 people also currently in detention for opposing the military rulers.

READ ALSO: Protests, accusations against Myanmar junta ahead of coup anniversary

 

Kamila/Al-Jazeera

 

 

FCTA raids criminal hideouts, arrest 49 suspects in Gwarimpa

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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The Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), through the Ministerial Task Team on City Sanitation, has raided criminal hideouts in Gwarimpa Estate and arrested 49 suspects.

They were arrested on Thursday during the continuation of the ongoing demolition exercise at Yan Kasuwa on 6th Avenue Gwarimpa Estate.

The Task Team chairman Ikharo Attah, who led the operation, said the 49 suspected criminals stopped passersby and dispossessed them of their belongings after the joint team had finished its operation.

He said, “Most of the criminals took advantage of the cleanup exercise and went on a looting spree, dispossessing passerby of their belongings.

“This shows why we are demolishing Illegal structures, there are illegal structures, shanties  and fences almost everywhere in Gwarimpa Estate, these are criminal hideouts which we will not allow to stay”.

Attah regretted the increasing shanties in the Federal Capital Territory and warned that the present administration under the minister, Malam Muhammad Bello would not allow illegality to become the order of the day.

The Task Team chairman condemned the act of post-demolition looting and assault on innocent residents.

One of the victims, Mohammed Awwal an Immigration officer who spoke on behalf of others, said “They forcefully collected my mobile phone and foodstuff with cash in the vehicle while I was driving to pass through this place. I have identified one among those arrested”

The 49 suspects who have turned the demolition exercise into a looting spree have been taken to Efab Police station, Galadimawa under Gwarimpa Estate for more interrogation and prosecution.

 

Nnenna.O

NIMC gets 200% Salary Scale Increase, improved Condition of Service

Amaka Nliam
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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has received presidential approval for 200% salary scale increase for its staff, new condition of service and 25 billion Naria for the upgrade of its infrastructure.

 

 

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami, disclosed this while officially presenting the approvals to both the chairman, governing board of the NIMC, Bello Gwandu and the Director-General, NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, on Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria.

 

Pantami, speaking during the official presentation, said that this new salary scale is 200% of the total cost of NIMC personnel.

 

 

“We now have a new Condition of Service and Salary Scale approved by Mr. President for the National Identity Management Commission.

 

 

“This new Condition of Service and Salary Scale increases with over 200% the total NIMC personnel cost, a significant departure from what is currently obtainable”, Pantami said.

 

 

He noted that  this achievement was through persistence, determination and most importantly, with the support of Mr. President.

 

 

“We are indeed grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari  for the approval and directives to implement the NIMC Condition of Service and Salary Scale.

 

“…The NIMC Condition of Service is a comprehensive document that, going forward, would serve, as the machinery through which the Commission articulates and implements its personnel policies and programmes.

 

“The NIMC  plays a critical role that impacts the life of every Nigerian and for persons legally resident in the country.

 

 

“In light of the foregoing, it is imperative that the vibrant NIMC staff who are tasked with managing one of the nation’s most sensitive and critical asset are provided with the enabling environment to play this pivotal role efficiently and effectively,”  Pantami said.

According to him, securing a N25bn approval from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the  NIMC to upgrade its infrastructure has led to the rapid increase in the number of enrollments from 41 million to over 60 million in less than a year.

 

The Chairman, Governing Board of the NIMC, Bello Gwandu and the Director-General NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, were full of praises for the President and Minister for approving this new salary scale increase and new condition of service.

 

Legal Adviser, NIMC, Hadiza Dagabana, explained that  in the new approved condition of service, the NIMC male staff are to get paternity leave and staff from grade level 14 and below will be getting 70% allowance of their salaries.

COVID-19: Nigeria confirms 631 new cases, eight deaths

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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0

Nigeria has confirmed 631  cases of the deadly coronavirus also known as COVID-19.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control NCDC confirmed the cases on Thursday night via its official website.

The NCDC also noted that eight COVID related deaths were recorded in the country

NCDC noted that the 631 new cases are reported from 20 States- “Lagos (172), Oyo (93), Rivers (72), Edo (63), Kastina (29), Abia (26), FCT (23), Kano (23), Bayelsa (20), Ogun (20), Ekiti (18), Anambra (16), Delta (16), Osun (14), Imo (11), Benue (6), Enugu (4), Jigawa (2), Niger (2) and Nasarawa (1)“

“Today’s report includes: Backlog of 63 cases reported for Edo State from 1st (35), 2nd (28), September 2021, Backlog of 29 cases reported for Kastina State from 1st (10), and 2nd September (10), 2021 and Four States with zero cases reported: Borno, Ondo, Sokoto, and Zamfara,” the NCDC explained.

These latest figures bring the total number of confirmed cases to 193,644 with 179,249759 discharged and 2,488 deaths.

 

Nnenna.O

 

 

Humanitarian Ministry condemns abduction of 73 students in Zamfara

Nnenna Okoronkwo
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0

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has condemned the recent attack and abduction of 73 students in Zamfara State, North-west Nigeria.

The Minister, Sadiya Umar  Farouq,  expressed her displeasure over the incident that occurred just after the North-western Governors announced a new policy to cut off the supply of essential commodities to bandits operating from forests in the States.

Umar-Farouq sympathised with the Zamfara  State Government, the School  and the parents of the abducted students.

She prayed for the safety of the students, and  promised that  adequate measures are being taken by relevant security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped students.

She, however,  urged  State Governments and school authorities to provide adequate security in all schools across the country to avoid future occurrences.

The Minister further pledged the readiness of the Ministry to provide any humanitarian assistance that may be required in the affected villages.

Earlier, a report from the Zamfara State Policeperson, Muhammad Shehu confirmed the incident saying that a large number of bandits stormed the Public school and whisked the students away.

 

Nnenna.O

US Open: Novak Djokovic Advances To Third Round

Chidi Uduma Nwoke
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Novak Djokovic’s bid for a 21st major title that would complete a calendar-year Grand Slam picked up pace as the world number one cruised into the US Open third round with a 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory against Tallon Griekspoor.

Just like his first round contest, Djokovic dominated early on but this time the 34-year-old Serb never let his foot off the gas as he registered his 77th win at the US Open.

Only three men have won more matches at the US Open — Jimmy Connors (98), Roger Federer (89) and Andre Agassi (79). Djokovic, playing his first event since the Tokyo Olympics, found the intensity that had been lacking against Rune, speeding through the opening set in 30 minutes.

Novak Djokovic strikes tennis ball during US Open match against Tallon Griekspoor

The highlight of the evening for Griekspoor came in the second set when he broke Djokovic, but the world number one would break right back and then hold serve to take the set and a 2-0 lead.

Griekspoor had rallied from 2-1 down in his opening match to collect his first ever Grand Slam win but there was no coming back against the top seed. Djokovic then broke Griekspoor twice in the third set before sealing the contest with his 13th ace.

Novak Djokovic (L) shakes hands with Tallon Griekspoor (R) after their US Open second round match at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

“I came out on court with the right intensity, the right focus,” said Djokovic. “Better definitely than the first-round match. It was important I came up with the goods.”

“I’m very pleased with the level of my tennis. All is going in the right direction.”

After beating two young opponents playing in their first US Open main draw, Djokovic next faces Japan’s Kei Nishikori, the 2014 U.S. Open runner-up.

“I have very good score against him,” said Djokovic, who swept aside Nishikori 6-2 6-0 in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Olympics. “He’s one of the quickest and most-talented players that I’ve seen in my career. He likes to hit the ball early, protect the line, but I know his game well.”

Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.

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