Tag: Hot News - Page 198 - African News Today

Edo Decides: Anxiety in APC, PDP as Results Trickle in

19Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria

Edo Decides: Anxiety in APC, PDP as Results Trickle in

Political actors in the Edo State gubernatorial eagerly await the announcement of the winner as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) commences collation of results from polling units. This comes as INEC deployed an online portal for tracking results from polling units though the portal stated its purpose was to “provide information for research purposes and not for election result collation.” At the time of filling this report, data from the portal revealed results have been announced in 1,724 polling units out of the 2,627 polling units in the state. Former minister of Aviation and PDP stalwart, Osita Chidoka disclosed the deployment of the portal on his official Facebook page. Chidoka said, “In preparation for Edo Elections I engaged INEC Chairman and other st...

Edo 2020: Heavily Armed Security Personnel Scare Voters (Video)

19Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Armed Forces, News, Nigeria, Safety

Edo 2020: Heavily Armed Security Personnel Scare Voters (Video)

The governorship election in Edo begins peacefully with impressive voters’ turnout in most wards across the state, NAN reports. However, the presence of heavily armed security personnel has led to questions by some electorates who wondered whether it was an election or war. A video which was shared on Twitter by a user identified as @MrSomtoOkonkwo, obtained by African News Today shows security personnel parading the street fully armed in security trucks. He wrote, “Godwin Obaseki (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (APC) Go Head To Head Today...#Edo2020 Take Note.” Major streets, especially in Benin, do not witness the usual traffic as the residents move to their respective polling stations for accreditation. Edo has 193 wards with 18 local government areas. https:/...

FG Faults US, UK Over Visa Restriction on Election Riggers

19Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, United States of America

FG Faults US, UK Over Visa Restriction on Election Riggers

The federal government has kicked against the visa restrictions imposed on some Nigerians by the United States (US) owing to election rigging during the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States. According to a statement by Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of state, actions have also been taken against persons in the run-up to the September and October 2020 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo. The United Kingdom (UK) had also threatened to impose severe sanctions such as visa ban on persons who work against credible elections in Nigeria. Reacting to the development, the federal through the ministry of foreign affairs in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ferdinand Nwonye, said such actions by the US and UK were disrespectful to the country’s sovereignty. Nwonye stated ...

FG Walks the Talk, Bars Emirates Airlines from Operating in Nigeria

19Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Aviation, News, Nigeria, Transportation

FG Walks the Talk, Bars Emirates Airlines from Operating in Nigeria

The Federal Government has banned Emirates Airlines from operating in Nigeria in adherence to its principle of reciprocity in granting permission to airlines to resume flight operations. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed the ban will commence on Monday, September 21, 2020. Sirika in a tweet on his official Twitter handle tweeted, “The PTF sub-committee met today with EU Ambassadors to discuss Lufthansa, Air France/KLM ban. The meeting progressed well. Emirates Airlines’ situation was reviewed and they are consequently included in the list of those not approved, with effect from Monday, September 21, 2020.” The ban is in line with the federal government’s commitment to reciprocating flight restrictions. Recall that the Federal Government had prior to resumption of...

Security Agencies Intimidating our Governors, PDP Raises Alarm

19Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety, Security

Security Agencies Intimidating our Governors, PDP Raises Alarm

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cried out over acclaimed intimidation of governors elected under its platform who are in Edo State to woo votes for the party in today’s governorship election in the state. The National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus in a press conference said while Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege were relaxing in the Benin home of former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, PDP governors were being harassed in Benin. “Hope Uzodinma and Ovie Omo-Agege are in the home of the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Oshiomhole. PDP governors are being harassed in Westend Hotel, Benin. “Policemen have surrounded the hotel and their lives are in dange...

Photos: Public Complaints Commission Staff Embark on Warning Strike, Stage Protest at Headquarters

18Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Finance, Interview, News, Nigeria, Photos

Photos: Public Complaints Commission Staff Embark on Warning Strike, Stage Protest at Headquarters

Staff of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) have embarked on a 7 days warning strike to drive home their demand for payment of minimum wage. Staff members staged a protest at the entrance of the commission’s headquarters at Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja. Comrade Ogah Folorunsho, unit Chairman, Civil Service Union in PCC in an exclusive interview with African News Today, said, “We are protesting the non-implementation of minimum wage and payment of accrued arrears for over seventeen months.” He said though President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the minimum wage Act on 19 April, 2019, the commission is yet to benefit from the payment of the new minimum wage. Speaking on efforts to resolve the discrepancy, Folorunsho said, “We did not just come out in the street. We have...

Conduct Weekly COVID-19 Risk Assessment – FG Tells Schools

18Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Education, News, Nigeria, Safety

Conduct Weekly COVID-19 Risk Assessment – FG Tells Schools

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control has directed schools to conduct COVIDD-19 risk assessment weekly. The directive comes as part of measures to contain the spread of dreaded COVID-19 virus as more states are set to fully reopen schools on Monday. The NCDC equally ordered local governments and states to conduct monthly and quarterly COVID-19 risk assessment in schools. The assessment will give an insight of schools’ level of compliance with safety measures such as physical distancing, hand-washing and the use of face masks, without which safety of students can be jeopardized. In line with Presidential Task Force (PTF) approval for phased reopening of schools, states such as Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Delta and Kogi States. States, where schools are resuming on Monday, includ...

My Commitment Not Enough to Guarantee Credible Election – Buhari

18Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Safety, Security

My Commitment Not Enough to Guarantee Credible Election – Buhari

Ahead of the Edo State governorship election on Saturday, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said that his commitment to ensure free and fair elections would be futile if other actors are more focused on winning elections by all means than abiding by the rules. President Buhari disclosed this in a message to political, voters and security personnel ahead of the Edo State poll where he urged actors in the election to allow the will of the people to prevail. He said, “I am passionately committed to free and fair elections, but my commitment is not enough if other actors at ground zero refuse to abide by the rules.” Buhari in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity stated, “I want to see democratic standards in the count...

Opinion: Yes, Nigeria is Collapsing Forward – Femi Adesina

17Sep

By Obiajulu Joel Nwolu1 Comment

News, Nigeria

Opinion: Yes, Nigeria is Collapsing Forward – Femi Adesina

In the past one week, those who think they own Nigeria, and their cohorts, have been making magisterial pronouncements on the state of the nation. What they couldn’t get through the ballot box in 2019, they are attempting to achieve through misinformation, disinformation, malevolence, false narrative, and outright malediction. Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, wants us to believe that the country is collapsing, and is now a basket case, with the economy and unity in tatters. Fine. Nigeria has a lot of challenges. Insecurity. Insularity. Fallen economic fortunes. Rising costs. Huge unemployment. And many more. But are those the only things happening in the country? Not at all. It would be disingenuous, even deceitful to say so. And only the unwary, the undiscerning,...

Former Eagles Coach, Oliseh Worried Over Ndidi’s Leicester Deployment

17Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

English Premiership, News, Nigeria, Sports

Former Eagles Coach, Oliseh Worried Over Ndidi’s Leicester Deployment

Erstwhile Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has expressed worry over the current deployment of Wilfred Ndidi at Leicester City after the midfielder was played out of his preferred position in the Foxes’ 3-0 Premier league opener at newly promoted West Brom at the weekend. Injury to center backs, Evans and Wes Morgan meant Ndidi had to be deployed to the central defense role. The player performed remarkably in the match, defending solidly as Leicester ran away 3-0 winners. However, Oliseh in an interview with Brila said he is concerned for Ndidi especially after Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers defended the decision to field Ndidi in the center back position. Oliseh feels the development will not favour Ndidi especially in the national team of Nigeria. Ndidi has long been playe...