The ruling All Progressives Congress, CPA governors held a closed-door meeting Sunday night in Abuja.
The host governor and chairman of the group, Abubakar Bagudu from Kebbi, along with his counterparts from Kwara, Imo, Borno, Ebonyi, Lagos and Zamfara, met under the auspices of the Forum of Progressive Governors, PGF.
Others were governors of Niger, Ogun, Cross River, Kogi, Nasarawa, Katsina, Plateau, Ekiti, Jigawa, and Kano states.
At 10:00 p.m., their counterparts from Osun, Yobe, Gombe and Kaduna states were still expected.
Nigeria's news agency reports that the meeting was to, among other things, discuss the party's upcoming national convention, its zoning agreement, direct primary issues and the like.
The PGF, at its meeting on November 9, said that the adoption of direct primaries by political parties would put a strain on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
NAN reports that the National Assembly has adopted article 87 of the amended electoral bill which is currently awaiting the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari.
This article provides for compulsory direct primaries for all political parties.
However, at the last PGF meeting, Bagudu said that INEC's decision to make it compulsory for political parties to elect their candidates for elected office through direct primaries was undemocratic.
According to him, this will limit the ability of the parties to choose the desired options.
Direct primaries involve the participation of all party members in the selection of candidates, while indirect primaries involve the use of delegates who are mostly leaders and executives at the constituency, local government and district levels. the state to elect party candidates at a convention or convention.
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The winner of the reality show "Big Brother Naija Season 6 Shine Ya Eye", Hazel Onouduenyi, popularly known as Whitemoney, expressed his gratitude to MultiChoice Nigeria, for signing him as GOtv Ambassador.
The Nigeria News Agency reports that Multichoice Nigeria, recently unveiled Whitemoney as its latest Brand Ambassador for GOtv Nigeria at a signing ceremony held in the MultiChoice office, Lagos.
According to John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, the choice of Onouduenyi as brand ambassador was a recognition of his tenacity and dynamism, which made him loved by many.
Whitemoney, who said he was overwhelmed with such honor and recognition, took to his Instagram page @whitemoney on Sunday to express his feelings.
According to him, this is a great opportunity for him to showcase his talent as an artist by owning shows on the platform.
“I am very happy to join the @gotvng family as the last Ambassador.
“I feel so honored to be a part of this leading pay TV entertainment brand.
“More so, as an artist I also have the ability to own my show on this platform and couldn't be happier to partner with a pure quality entertainment brand.
“I look forward to the exciting journey with my new family,” he wrote
Whitemoney became the winner of the Season 6 edition of this year's reality show, having garnered the most votes.
He defeated the last group of roommates on the final day: Cross, Pere, Angel, Liquorose and Emmanuel to take home the grand prize.
Twenty-six roommates had originally participated in the show.
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Ebonyi Police Command said on Sunday it had arrested a university professor, Felix Anyaegbunam, for allegedly defiling a minor.
Mr. Anyaegbunam is Professor of Geophysics at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, (AE-FUNAI), Ikwo Local Government Area in the State.
He alleged that the professor sexually raped his 13-year-old housekeeper, who is from the Ezza North local government area in Ebonyi.
State Police spokesman DSP Loveth Odah told reporters in Abakaliki in a WhatsApp message that the suspect was in custody.
"Police commissioner Mr. Aliyu Garba ordered a quiet investigation into the case pending the victim's medical examination / report," she said.
The state coordinator, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Faithvin Nwancho, who reported the incident to the police, denounced the act of rape.
Ms Nwancho urged the police to ensure justice over the case, noting that the teacher had already made another teenage girl pregnant, which caused her to drop out of school.
“This AI-FUNAI teacher had sex with the 13-year-old girl. The girl stays with him, but every blessed day of this girl's life, this man sexually rapes her.
“He's sleeping with her. As God can tell, we were told about it and so we took action and the girl was saved. A complaint was lodged with the police and he was arrested, ”said the coordinator.
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Nigeria's Nigerian meteorological agency NiMet has predicted sunny and foggy weather conditions Monday through Wednesday.
NiMet's weather forecast, released Sunday in Abuja, predicted sunny and foggy skies over the northern region during Monday's forecast period.
He further predicted sunny skies with a few patches of cloud to prevail over the north-central states during the forecast period.
“Cloudy skies, with intervals of sunshine, should prevail over the south with the prospect of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom during the morning hours.
"Later in the day, isolated thunderstorms are expected over parts of Imo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Edo, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Lagos, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states," said the agency.
According to NiMet, sunny and hazy skies are expected over the northern region during Tuesday's forecast period.
It forecast sunny skies with a few patches of cloud to prevail over the north-central states during the forecast period, with the prospect of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Kogi and Nasarawa during the afternoon and evening. .
The agency predicted that inland and southern coastal towns would be under cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine and the risk of isolated thunderstorms over parts of Akwa Ibom State during the hours of the day. morning.
NiMet forecast isolated thunderstorms over parts of Edo, Ondo, Osun, Ogun, Imo, Delta Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Cross River states in during the day.
“For Wednesday, sunny and foggy skies are expected over the northern region during the forecast period. Sunny skies with cloudy patches are expected to prevail over the North Central region throughout the forecast period.
"The interior and southern coastal towns are expected to be under cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine during the morning hours, while there are chances of a few isolated thunderstorms over the area," he said. -he declares.
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The Nasarawa State Police Command foiled the kidnapping of Umar Nasiru-Black, chairman of the Nasarawa South Zone of the People Democratic Party, PDP.
State police spokesman Ramhan Nansel said this in a statement to Lafia on Sunday.
“On Saturday, November 20, 2021, at around 8:20 p.m., the police received a distress call indicating that six unidentified armed men invaded the residence of the PDP zone president located in the Bukan Kwato district of Lafia and attempted to remove it.
“Upon receipt of the information, the Police Commissioner (PC), Mr. Adesina Soyemi, immediately mobilized police patrol teams stationed at the scene to go to the scene.
“The kidnapping was thwarted thanks to the rapid intervention of the team mobilized by the PC and members of the community.
Mr. Nansel further explained that in order to escape, the thugs hit said Mr. Nasiru-Black, with a stick on his forehead.
He said they also shot one of the victim's neighbors in the right leg before they narrowly escaped into nearby bushes.
He added that the PDP leader and his shot neighbor were rushed to hospital for treatment and are in stable condition.
He said, however, that efforts were underway to stop the fleeing criminals.
The spokesperson therefore called on the public to always inform the security agencies of any suspicious activity in their area for a quick response.
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The high cost of cooking gas has now forced some residents of the south-south zone to start using firewood and charcoal for cooking, a Nigerian News Agency investigation has found.
The survey conducted by NAN shows that 1 kilogram of gas is now sold for N900 against N700 while 12.5 kilograms is now N11 250.
Calabar resident Eno Akan says she now buys bundled firewood at the Beach Market in the capital of Cross River, due to the high cost of cooking gas.
According to Ms. Akan, the country's difficult economic situation has put a strain on her household, so she has opted for a cheaper and affordable alternative.
Beach Market firewood merchant Samuel Bassey said most restaurants as well as individuals in Calabar now frequent him.
However, Bassey said that the sponsorship of firewood was much higher than that of charcoal.
“Due to the increase in the price of gas, we have experienced a boom in the sale of firewood. As we speak, I just got a call to deliver 50 packs of firewood to a restaurant in Calabar, ”he said.
However, a housewife, Theresa Odum, told NAN that despite the high cost of gas, she still preferred to use it to cook her meals rather than using firewood.
“I can't stand the smoke coming out of the firewood. In addition, there is no space in my house for firewood to cook, ”Ms. Odum said.
The director of forest management at the state's Department of the Environment, David Egbe, said that despite the government ban on cutting down trees, some people were still involved in the act.
“The Cross River government prohibits logging in any form. But most people are still involved in the act because the level of prosecution of offenders is low, ”said Mr. Egbe.
An environmentalist, James Okon, says the use of firewood for cooking has health implications.
According to Okon, the smoke generated by firewood exposes women to diseases such as tuberculosis, asthma, high blood pressure and lung cancer.
Meanwhile, the director of forest management at the State Forestry Commission, Timothy Odey, said the commission has hundreds of rangers protecting forests from deforestation.
According to Margret Ephraim, a housewife based in Port Harcourt, the lack of electricity supply and high electricity prices sometimes force Nigerians to use charcoal for cooking.
“If cooking gas is affordable and electricity becomes readily available and affordable, domestic use of firewood and charcoal will naturally disappear,” Ms. Ephraim added.
For another interviewee, Sofia Edet, firewood could no longer be seen as a cheap alternative to cooking gas as it could no longer be bought freely.
“I think the problem is the non-availability of cooking gas in local communities.
“A pile of firewood that was sold for 1,000 N is now 5,000 N, while transport to a residential area swallows up up to 3,000 N.
"For us at Andoni LGA, we do not find it easy to collect firewood from the forests around us as there is currently a regulation against logging and poaching," said Edet.
Meanwhile, an environmentalist, Maxwell Ijaan, urged authorities in local communities to start engaging in vigorous tree planting.
“Some communities have rainforests / swamps. These areas should be excluded from any form of human activity such as agriculture, hunting and tree felling, ”suggested Mr. Ijaan.
An interviewee in Benin, Comfort Omoriege, said that although she preferred gas, the exorbitant price of the commodity had forced her to resort to charcoal and firewood for cooking.
Ms Omoriege laments that a 12.5 kg bottle that she filled for less than 4000 N is now 10,000 N.
She said the amount was too high for her.
In addition, another resident of Benin, Mary Thompson, called on the federal government to urgently address the sharp increase in the price of gas, as it has increased the hardships of the population.
Miss Thompson, who said she still managed to buy gas for cooking, however noted that many could no longer afford the cost.
“I don't use charcoal or firewood for cooking because of the stains and waste of time. However, the current price of cooking gas may force someone to rethink and look for an alternative, ”she said.
Meanwhile, the Edo government has insisted that illegal logging of trees for charcoal, firewood or any other purpose remains banned in the state.
Lucky Wasa, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, said that instead, the state is regenerating its forest through a partnership with Rongtai Wood Industry in the Ikpoba-Okha local government area. .
“We plant 10 million trees every year; we have many NGOs that we also work with. We encourage our timber contractors and those in the timber industry to also reforest.
“We have also created environmental clubs in selected public and private schools across the state, enlightening them on the need to plant trees and the importance of the green environment,” Mr. Wasa said.
Regarding action against the violation, the permanent secretary said the government generally prosecuted violators in accordance with the provisions of the law.
In the Delta, firewood and charcoal sellers say they have seen increased sales in the past two months, despite the slight increase in commodity prices.
They attribute the situation to the continued increase in the prices of cooking gas and kerosene.
Ifeanyi Olikeze, a charcoal trader at the Midwifery Market, Okpanam Road, Asaba, said in July that she had sold a bag of charcoal for N1,000, but since September she has been selling it for N1. 200 N.
“Despite this increase, more and more people are buying charcoal and sales have really increased,” Olikeze said.
For her part, Ruth Azu, a firewood vendor on DLA Road, Asaba, said the price of a bundle of firewood has increased from N400 to N500.
Ms Azu also said she has seen more sales in recent months.
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The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bayero, Kano, BUK, Professor Sagir Adamu-Abbas, approved the appointment of Lamara Garba, as the head of the public affairs department of the institution.
Deputy Settlement Clerk Binta Kofar-Na'isa made the announcement in a statement Saturday in Kano.
Nigeria's news agency reports that until his appointment, Mr. Garba was the university's information and publication secretary.
Mr. Garba, who was a seasoned journalist, worked with the new Nigerian newspapers and holds a bachelor's and master's degree in mass communication.
The statement said Garba succeeded Malam Ahmad Shehu, who was transferred to the General Administration Directorate, as director.
Likewise, the statement indicates that Bala Abdullahi has been appointed the university's information and publication secretary.
Mr. Abdullahi was also a seasoned journalist, who worked with the new Nigerian newspapers and holds a master's degree in communication studies.
The statement added that Mustafa Ibrahim has been transferred from the Data Unit of the Settlement Affairs Directorate to the head of the Advancement Office.
He said all appointments are effective immediately while the handover and care is expected to be completed within a week.
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According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, a total of 850 traffic accidents have been recorded in the FCT, killing 159 and injuring 1,572 between January and November.
Sector Commander, RS7.1 Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Oga Ochi, revealed this during the 2021 Marshals Special Sector Workshop on Saturday in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop is “Volunteering beyond the smoldering months: the role of special commissioners in the fight against road accidents”.
Mr Ochi identified exceeding the speed limit as one of the main challenges facing road use in the FCT due to a number of good roads in the territory.
He said road users often took advantage of good roads and tended to "speed", adding that 75 percent of crashes were due to speeding.
“Between January and November 19, 2021, a total of 850 road accidents (RTC) were recorded in the FCT, leaving 159 dead and 1,572 injured.
“If not quickly corrected and reversed, this trend could be a major obstacle to FCT's economic growth.
“The giant challenges caused by the increase in the rate of RTC are the lack of obedience to traffic rules, the impatience of road users and the relative lack of recognition of the traffic rules.
“The reversing tasks contained in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 demanded that special commissioners prepare for better performance beyond the months of embers campaign.
“We must take advantage of the enabling environment created by the competent leadership of the Corps and the CTF to maximize our service delivery to road users in the CTF,” he said.
Mr. Ochi urged all special commissioners not to use the workshop as a time to reflect on past and present strategies to achieve “zero road fatalities”.
He commended the Special Commissioners for their tremendous impact on all forms of road safety activities in the CTF.
According to him, they have been effective in patrolling, educating the public, furnishing and renovating offices, rescuing operations, participating in search work, controlling traffic, keeping watch. municipal meetings and visits to churches / mosques, among others.
Zone coordinator, RS7, Usman Adaji, said the Special Marshal's volunteers remained committed to making sure there was mental health on CTF roads.
Mr. Adaji urged volunteers to abide by the rules and regulations governing road safety activities, urging them to ensure discipline, dedication and cooperative spirit to achieve the mandate of the FRSC.
According to him, the Special Marshal is the voluntary arm of the FRSC and when you enter you must abide by the rules and regulations of the corp.
FCT coordinator Sani Adisa thanked the corps marshal and his commanders for the opportunity given to the special marshals to review their strategy in order to contribute their quota to road safety activities.
Mr. Adisa said that there had been a positive turnaround in the command of the FCT and RS7.1 sector thanks to the influence of the work of Special Marshal in addition to the activities of the corps.
He said FCT residents were receiving adequate road safety messages through the hiring of special patrol commissioners.
According to him, the marshals are committed to ensuring that the FRSC succeeds in fulfilling its mandates and also to ensure that the RTC is significantly reduced on Nigerian roads, especially during the holiday season.
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Niger state governor Abubakar Sani-Bello has banned the sale of motorcycles in the state.
State government secretary Ahmed Matane said in a statement released to Minna on Saturday that the ban was the result of ongoing security concerns in parts of the state.
He said the ban was also motivated by the fact that bandits and kidnappers are now demanding motorcycles as ransom.
He explained that the ban covered the sale of "any motorcycle (Bajaj, Boxer, Qiujeng, Honda ACE, Jingchen) with a displacement of 185 cubic centimeters (cc) and more".
Mr. Matane also said the measure was aimed at eradicating the activities of criminals, bandits and kidnappers who wreaked havoc on innocent citizens.
He condemned the degree of carnage and pandemonium that bandits and kidnappers have caused in parts of the state and reiterated his continued determination to rid the state of security threats.
Mr. Matane added that the government was aware of the inconvenience this measure would cause to the population, but that the decision was taken in the general interest of the state.
He called on state motorcycle dealers to comply with the directive.
He urged citizens to cooperate with security agencies on the security measures put in place to put an end to the activities of criminal elements.
The secretary of state government also said the government has ordered state security agencies to ensure effective and strict compliance and enforcement of the directive.
Mr. Matane reiterated that commercial motorcycles and the operation of illegal garages remain prohibited in Minna and its surroundings.
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Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from Ondo State approved the appointment of Professor Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa as Vice-Chancellor of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, OAUSTECH, Okitipupa.
This is what emerges from a press release signed by Richard Olatunde, spokesperson for the governor, on Friday in Akure.
According to the press release, the appointment is effective from February 23, 2022.
"The governor's approval of the appointment is in accordance with the powers conferred on him as a visitor to the university in accordance with the first schedule, subsection 3 (1) and (9) of the law establishing the university. .
"The appointment also followed the recommendations and reports of the University's Joint Council and the Senate Selection Committee," the statement said.
Mr. Akeredolu instructed Mr. Ologunorisa to use his rich experience to develop the university.
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