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Oil & Gas Assets: Military promises maximum security; Nigeria loses 200 bpd

Amaka Nliam
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The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Lucky Irabor, has promised to galvanize the military to provide maximum security for the nation’s oil and gas assets as Nigeria loses 200 barrels of crude per day (bpd).

 

The CDS gave the commitment at a meeting with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, and his top management team at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.

 

Speaking while receiving the NNPC Boss, General Irabor commended Mallam Kyari for initiating the engagement:

 

“I am delighted that you made this effort, and I tell you that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will collaborate with you to protect NNPC’s assets”.

General Irabor, who acknowledged the significant role of the oil and gas sector to the economy, said there was need for collaboration between the NNPC and the Armed Forces to protect oil and gas facilities, which he described as the critical national assets.

 

“It is my intention to co-operate maximally with you and to give necessary instructions to all officers in the Armed Forces given that our existence, economically, rests almost solely on the NNPC, and to that extent, we must do everything possible to give you everything that you require,” the CDS stated.

 

Speaking earlier, the NNPC Group Managing Director commended the security agencies for their support and called for more protection for NNPC’s operational assets and personnel.

He disclosed that though petroleum products theft on the System 2B Pipeline has reduced considerably due to support from the security agencies, the nation was still losing about 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily to theft and vandalism.

 

“We have two sets of losses: one coming from our products and the other coming from crude oil. In terms of crude losses, it is still going on.

 

“On the average, we are losing 200,000 barrels of crude every day,” Mallam Kyari stated.

 

 

Amaka E. Nliam

 

UK’s Heathrow Airport records £2bn loss

Amaka Nliam
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Britain’s  Heathrow Airport has recorded a loss of 2 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) caused by a collapse in passenger numbers last year.

 

Consequently, it has said that digital health checks will be vital to a recovery in foreign travel from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The UK government earlier this week said trips abroad could restart in mid-May as its vaccination campaign kicks in, sparking a surge in holiday bookings.

 

It is also looking into a digital health passport or app to help ease restrictions, while conceding the benefits have to be weighed against potential risks to civil liberties.

 

But Heathrow Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye said digital technology, and international agreements, would be vital to reviving a travel industry on its knees.

 

“It’s absolutely critical and that’s one of the main things that government needs to work on,”  he said, when asked about a digital health app.

 

At present, paper checks on COVID-19 test results and passenger locator forms take 20 minutes per traveller at Heathrow, making travel near impossible should passenger numbers rise from current low levels.

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye further said, “We can be hopeful for 2021, with Britain on the cusp of becoming the first country in the world to safely resume international travel and trade at scale.

 

“2020 has been one of our most challenging years – but despite £2bn of losses and shrinking to passenger levels we haven’t seen since the 70s, I am hugely proud of the way that our colleagues have kept our passengers safe and the UK’s hub airport open for vital supplies throughout.

 

“Getting aviation moving again will save thousands of jobs and reinvigorate the economy, and Heathrow will be working with the Global Travel Taskforce to develop a robust plan underpinned by science and backed by industry.

 

“The Prime Minister will then have the unique opportunity to secure a global agreement on a common international standard for travel when he hosts the G7 in June.

 

“In the meantime, we need next week’s Budget to support aviation’s recovery by extending furlough and providing 100% business rates relief.”

 

Britain’s biggest airport said it was “very likely” people would be able to go on their summer holidays, but expects passenger numbers will take time to recover.

 

The airport, west of London, is forecasting 25 million passengers in the second half of the year, meaning it would be operating at about 50% capacity.

 

Heathrow, owned by Spain’s Ferrovial, the Qatar Investment Authority, China Investment Corp and others, last year lost its title as Europe’s busiest airport to Paris after its flight schedules shrank more than those of its rivals.

 

Passenger numbers plunged 73% to 22 million people last year, with half of those travelling during January and February, before the pandemic shut down global travel in March.

 

Heathrow said it had 3.9 billion pounds of liquidity, giving it sufficient resources to keep going with low levels of traffic until 2023, despite the 2 billion loss before tax for 2020.

 

The airport urged the government to provide business tax breaks for big airports, something only available to smaller airports so far, and to extend the furlough job support scheme to help it financially before the recovery takes off.

($1 = 0.7044 pounds)

 

 

Source: Reuters

 

 

Italian brands open virtual Milan Fashion Week

Aisha John-Mark
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Italian brands, Missoni and Fendi kicked off the first day of Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday, with designers once again forced to swap the buzzing catwalks for digital presentations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A year after Italy registered its first positive case of the corona virus in the north, leading to the first lockdown in Europe, designers have had to find new ways to entice fashionistas with their creations.

Known for its zig-zag “Fiammato”, or flamed, pattern and colourful designs, Missoni was the first fashion house to stream a video of its latest womenswear, blending clothes for autumn/winter with those for spring/summer.

Filmed at Milan’s Assago Forum, a venue that has been shut for months, models re-enacted social gatherings from bowling games to catch-ups with friends.

They wore sparkling knits, loose trouser suits, long ribbed dresses and casual wear in an array of colours.

Some donned hats and scarves while others modelled swimwear in the video, which was filmed as if in one continuous shot.

There was glittering party wear as well in what Missoni described as “a celebration of the return to a normal social life”.

“I mixed and matched pieces from different seasons to highlight the concept of wardrobe,” creative director Angela Missoni said in a statement.

Designer Kim Jones made his ready-to-wear debut at Rome-based Fendi, presenting a neutral-toned autumn/winter line.

Following in the footsteps of late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who collaborated with the brand for 54 years, Jones opened the presentation with a fur coat, a Fendi staple.

Coats, cropped knit tops, high-waisted trousers and pinstripe silk shirt dresses followed. Models wore utilitarian jackets, marbled silk or draped dresses and fringed scarves in pale pink, white, mink, grey and black.

Jones nodded to past creations of the Fendi family, who founded the brand in 1925, and Lagerfeld.

“I’m taking the amazing, strong women who I both know and work with, and listening to their needs,” Jones said in show notes. “There’s a usefulness to the collection, explored in a chic, timeless way.”

 

Next ‘Star Wars’ series to stream on Disney+

Aisha John-Mark
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0

 

The next “Star Wars” series, an animated show about an elite group of clones called “The Bad Batch,” will debut on the Disney+ streaming service on May 4, the company said on Wednesday.

 

Marvel Studios live-action series “Loki,” about the villain played by Tom Hiddleston, will premiere on June 11, Disney said in a statement ahead of a presentation of upcoming programming to the Television Critics Association.

“The Bad Batch” will follow the experimental clones in a rapidly changing galaxy following the end of the Clone War. The debut date coincides with an unofficial holiday among “Star Wars” fans who use the catchphrase “May the Fourth be with you.”

Disney is adding several high-profile series from its Star Wars and Marvel franchises to help attract viewers to Disney+, which launched in November 2019. The company is refocusing its media and entertainment business around the streaming market dominated by Netflix Inc.

As of January 2, Disney+ had 94.9 million subscribers, helped by the popularity of “Star Wars” spinoff “The Mandalorian” starring the character known as Baby Yoda and Marvel series “WandaVision.”

U-17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets to face Algeria, Tanzania, Congo

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria has been drawn alongside Tanzania, Algeria, and Congo in group B of the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The draw for the next month’s youth championship was held at the Monotel Dar El Barka hotel in Nouakchott, Mauritania on Wednesday afternoon.

The Golden Eaglets picked the ticket for the 14th edition of the CAF youth tournament after reaching the final of the WAFU B U-17 championship in Togo last month.

Morocco, the host nation, will battle Uganda, Zambia, and Cote d’Ivoire in group A, while Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, and South Africa are in group C.

The overall winners of the three groups, as well as the best runners-up, will advance to the semifinals of the competition.

Semifinalists of this year’s competition will not participate at the World Cup as the governing body (FIFA) has announced there won’t be U17 World Cup this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The competition is scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 13-31, 2021.

The group pairings:

  • Group A: Morocco, Uganda, Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Group B: Nigeria, Tanzania, Algeria, Congo
  • Group C: Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, South Africa

 

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere

Uncertainty trails Victor Osimhen’s return to action

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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There are strong indications that Victor Osimhen may not return early to action following medical reports after the head trauma he suffered during Napoli’s 4-2 loss to Atalanta over the weekend.

With this development, Osimhen may have to wait for a few days to know if he would return this weekend for Coach Gennaro Gattuso’s side in their Serie A home tie against Benevento this weekend.

Dr. Alfredo Bucciero, head of the neurosurgery department of PinetaGrande had described Osimhen as a player with an excellent physical condition but said that ”he must be managed with utmost attention.”

Bucciero, a fan of Napoli, said as much after conducting a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test amongst other checks  on the 21-year-old Nigeria international.

He said inter alia: “The boy (Osimhen) is in excellent physical condition, he has had an MRI scan of both the skull and the spine and there is nothing neurosurgical in place. He has just finished an EEG and we are waiting for the results.

“From a neurosurgical point of view, the boy is doing well and can’t wait to get back on the pitch. The UEFA protocol, however, expresses timing on the recovery of time. The protocol provides for a rest from a few days to a few weeks.

“I think it won’t take long even if I suggest you contact Canonico for more information. But these are Ferraris, which must be managed with the utmost attention.

 “I believe that by the end of the week it can come back as a physical activity and training, but on the pitch I have some difficulty thinking about it, but the direct management is by Doctor Canonico.”

Bucciero said he was looking forward to Osimhen’s return as a huge fan of  Napoli  but with a caveat that his condition should be’ carefully managed’ despite  the player’s huge desire to return to action swiftly.

He continued:  “I am a neurosurgeon, neither a trainer nor a coach. As a fan I’d like to see him on the pitch. He is a very, very motivated guy. He can’t wait to get back. He would like to return today, but in these cases as he took a major blow another short term blow would not be good. I can say that he is fine both from a general point of view and from a neurological point of view.

“The results of the MRI? Well, a trauma like he had it could bring out a hematoma. We have left nothing to chance. The main examination is the magnetic resonance and has not highlighted anything that makes us think of something negative. You have to manage him as a human being because he has a great desire and as a footballer, so you have to be careful,” the medical practitioner added.

Meanwhile, Osimhen is expected to be assessed daily while  under mandatory  rest for a few days according to a statement issued by the club.

 

 

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere

Kano Pillars defeats Sunshine to go top of NPFL

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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Kano Pillars are the new leaders of the Nigeria Professional Football League after beating Sunshine Stars 1-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

The midweek matchday 12 fixture had so much to offer both sides. Kano Pillars lost their last match 1-0 to Lobi Stars while Sunshine Stars played 1-1 with Heartland in Akure.

Nyima Nwagua’s goal in the 9th minute made the difference and also shot Sai Masu Gida to the top of the league table. It also secured a 7th win of the season for Coach Lionel Soccia team who are in a good position to compete for the league title.

For Sunshine Stars, it is the fifth defeat in 12 matches, one that will send Coach Gbenga Ogunbote into deep thinking on how to turn things around for the Akure Gunners.

In Aba, the spoils were shared as Enyimba and Akwa United played 1-1. In the first half, the visitors showed more intent to win the contest with Ndifreke Effiong, Charles Atshimene and Seth Mayi missing clear chances to score.

A major talking point happened in the 43rd minute when Charles Atshimene was hacked down by Abiodun Adebayo. Referee refused to book a penalty, instead, he booked Atshimene for simulation.

The first half ended goalless.

In the second half, the People’s Elephant showed more purpose going forward and it paid off in the 53rd minute when Austin Oladapo received a sweet pass from Cyril Olisema and finished calmly to put Enyimba in front.

Akwa United got close to getting the equaliser in the 79th minute. Etim Matthew sent in a cross, Atshimene connected with a fine header but goalkeeper John Noble produced a superb save to keep Enyimba’s lead.

In the last minute of extra time, Akwa United got their equaliser from an unlikely source. Left full back, David Philip followed the ball from a freekick and slot it home to score his first goal for the Promise Keepers and a vital away point.

In Ilorin, there was also late drama. Kwara United denied Abia Warriors their first away win of the season to secure their unbeaten home record. The Warriors took the lead in the 66th minute through Mustapha Jibrin and held on to it till the last minute of the match Alao Danbani scored to rescue a point for the Harmony boys.

In Jos, returning striker, Ibrahim Mustapha scored a brace for Plateau United in their 3-0 win over Jigawa Golden Stars.

Mustapha, who is making a return after a six-month stint in the United Arab Emirates, scored in the 21st and 43rd minutes of the match. Oche Ochewechi scored the opening goal in the 6th minute, displacing his markers and finished brilliantly from 35 yards. This is the 4th win of the season for coach Abdul Maikaba’s team.

Rangers of Enugu dropped to fifth on the log after losing 2-1 to Wikki Tourists in Bauchi. Mohammed Guda scored from the spot to give the hosts the lead. Israel Abia’s goal in the 60th minute put the Flying Antelope back into the contest.

Despite losing Peter Ambrose, the Tourists kept pushing for the win and got it in the fifth minute of added time through Ibrahim Sale. They showed Rangers the never say die attitude.

In Lafia, Nasarawa United beat FC Ifeanyi Ubah 3-0. Adamu Hassan bagged a brace as the Solid Miners recorded their fifth win of the season and moved to 7th on the log.

In Ozoro, Warri Wolves returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Rivers United. Emeka Udo’s goal made the difference.

Matchday 12 action will continue tomorrow with Katsina United taking on MFM FC, Adamawa United will host Lobi stars while Heartland FC will clash with Dakkada FC at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.

NIGERIA PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Matchday 12 Results (Wednesday)

Kano Pillars 1 Sunshine Stars 0

Enyimba 1 Akwa United 1

Kwara United 1 Abia Warriors 1

Plateau United 3 Jigawa Golden Stars 0

Wikki Tourists 2 Rangers Int’l FC 1

Nasarawa United 3 FC Ifeanyi Ubah 0

Warri Wolves 1 Rivers United 0

 

 

Channels Tv/Mercy Chukwudiebere

UEFA cancels Under-19 Euro finals

Mercy Chukwudiebere
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0

UEFA has cancelled the planned finals of its Under-19 European Championships for both men and women due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The men’s tournament was due to be held in Romania from June 30 with the women’s event schedule for Belarus from July 21.

The Romanian capital Bucharest is one of the 12 host cities for the postponed men’s Euro 2020 tournament with UEFA expected to make a decision on the plans for that event on March 5.

“In making these decisions, the UEFA Executive Committee took note that, with the government restrictions currently in place the travelling of teams and staging of mini-tournaments would prove very difficult,” UEFA said in a statement.

It said; “The UEFA member associations were consulted and supported the decision. Although it is unfortunate that no youth competitions can take place in the current season, the health and safety of young athletes must be prioritized in the current circumstances.”

Futsal Champions League Finals
UEFA also decided to move the Futsal Champions League Finals from Belarus to Zagreb.

The governing body for European football is hoping that vaccination efforts will allow them to stick to their original plan for June’s main pan-European tournament.

The 24-nation, month-long showpiece, a major revenue generator for UEFA and national federations across Europe, was postponed by 12 months after last year’s Covid-19 outbreak.

The host cities are Glasgow, Dublin, Bilbao, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Munich, Rome, St Petersburg, Bucharest, Budapest and Baku, with the semis and final set for London’s Wembley Stadium.

 

 

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere

We are still within the law to conduct LG election- NASIEC

Lateefat Ibrahim
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The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission ( NASIEC), says it is still within the law to conduct local government election in the state.

 

The Chairman of the Commission Mr. Ayuba Wanda made this known when the commission appeared before the House of Assembly Committee on NASIEC, Multilateral Cooperation, and Community Development in Lafia on Wednesday.

 

The chairman said the commission has commenced preparation towards the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in the state.

 

“First and foremost, we want to commend the House for the support the commission is enjoying from you to ensure that we deliver on our mandate

 

“Preparation for election is a long procedure, it has to go stage by stage.

 

“We have commenced preparation as last week, we have trained our staff towards conducting Local government election in the state.

 

“Very soon, we will commence consultations to stakeholders, political parties, and security agencies among others.

 

“As we are still within the provisions of the law for the conduct of the local government election in the state.

 

“When the time comes, we will release the election timetable, which will spell out everything and it will be made available to the public,” he stated.

 

The chairman gave assurance of the commission’s readiness and preparedness to conduct free, fair, and credible elections in the state.

 

The Majority Leader of the House Tanko Tunga appreciated the commission for giving the House vital information on its level of readiness and preparedness.

 

Tunga expressed satisfaction with the explanation made by the NASIEC Chairman and advised on the need to keep working together for the interest and benefit of the government and the people of the state.

 

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee Mohammed Okpoku, said the committee was invited the commission to know its level of readiness and preparedness towards the conduct of the local government election in the state.

 

“Your invitation followed a motion under the Matters of public importance in which the House has directed our committee to know your level of readiness and preparedness for the conduct of the local government election in the state.

 

On February 22nd, 2021, Nasarawa State House of Assembly has invited the state Independent Electoral Commission ( NASIEC) to appear before the House Committee on NASIEC on Wednesday,  24th Feb. 2021 to furnish the House on its level of readiness and preparedness and to give a definite date for the conduct of local government council election in the state.

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

 

Niger State: Panel accuses police of insubordination and impunity

Lateefat Ibrahim
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0

The Niger state Judicial panel of Inquiry to investigate alleged Police brutality and abuse of human rights in the state has described insubordination and impunity as a major challenge among the rank and file of the Nigerian Police.

Chairman of the Niger state Judicial of inquiry on police brutality, Justice Ishaku Usman stated this during the presentation of report to the Governor of Niger State.

Justice Usman said the Panel received 17 petitions, 53 witnesses who appeared before it while 50 exhibits were tendered which included; three teeth of a young lady,  three death certificates, 33 empty teargas canisters and four bullet shell.

Justice Usman said during the period of their inquest, they saw the good, the bad and the best of personnel of the Nigeria Police.

He said part of the recommendations of the Panel was that virtue of empathy, which should  be inculcated into the training and re-training of the Nigeria Police personnel so as to make them more humane in handling issues in the society.

Adequate working equipment
Responding, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello who commended the chairman and members of the panel, called on Nigerian government to prioritise the welfare of the police and provide adequate working equipment for optimal performance.

“People make mistakes. Mistakes have been made in the past but I think it is not too late to correct them. The Police and the people must coexist within the ambit of constituted authority,” he stated.

“We need the police, but then, the police need the society. So, we must have a way to abide by laws and other authorities and at the same time we expect them to handle us within the confines of the law.”

The Governor, subsequently, inaugurated a White Paper Committee headed by Bello Dan-Yahaya to go through the report and make recommendations for implementation.

Other members of the White Paper Committee are; Alhaji Adamu Panti Mohammed, Mr. Bala Joseph Dada and the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet and Securities, Aliyu Isah who is to serve as the Secretary.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had on the 23rd of October, 2020, inaugurated a 14- man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to, among other things, investigate complaints of  alleged police brutality, abuse of human rights and other extra judicial acts by the disbanded SARS and make recommendations on ways to prevent its reoccurrence

 

Lateefah Ibrahim

 

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