Links

Link

JUST IN: OAU announces February 7 resumption date, cancels 2020/2021 session

Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile -Ife will resume academic activities on February 7 , 2021 .

This was announced after the institution ’ s senate meeting .

The Public Relations Officer of OAU , Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed this to news correspondent .

In a subsequent press statement titled ‘ resumption of academic activities for 2019 /2020 academic session ’ , the institution also cancelled its 2020 /2021 session .

The statement read , “ Consequent upon the directive of the Federal Government that schools should re -open , the Senate of Obafemi Awolowo University at its meeting held today ( Tuesday ) , January 19 , 2021 , announced the following resumption time – table for the continuation of the 2019 /2020 academic session that was suspended in March 2020 following the outbreak of COVID- 19 :

“ February 7 , 2021 – Final year students in the Faculty of Pharmacy , Clinical Students in the College of Health Sciences and year four students in the Faculty of Agriculture are to come into residence . All other students are to attend their classes virtually .

“ February 8 , 2021 – Resumption of Lectures .

“ The approved resumption programme is subject to periodic review in line with the realities and trend of the COVID- 19 pandemic .

“ In addition , the Senate approved cancellation of 2020 /2021 Academic Session .

“ Furthermore, in line with the directives of the Federal Government on prevention of community transmission of COVID- 19 , the Senate was emphatic on the need for both staff and students to strictly adhere to the following COVID- 19 protocols – regular handwashing with soap and running water , use of hand sanitizer , compulsory wearing of face mask ; and social distancing .

“ Staff , Students and other members of the University Community must also adhere strictly to the recommendations of the COVID- 19 Committee of the University . ”

Punch

Link

[COVID-19] Second wave: Governors express worry, to meet Wednesday

Posted in Covid-19Leave a comment

Governors of the 36 States of the Federation will be holding their 23 rd virtual meeting to address the rising cases of COVID- 19 infections and work out an appropriate response .

The meeting which is scheduled to hold virtually on Wednesday is expected to provide a platform for the governors to deliberate and agree on practical steps to contain further spread of the disease .

This was contained in a press statement signed by the Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF , Abdulrazaque Bello- Barkindo , in Abuja .

The statement read in part, “Alarmed by the intensity of the second wave of the Covid 19 pandemic , and Nigeria ’ s tardy commencement of inoculation that is sweeping through countries globally , the 36 governors of the federation may finally come up with a definitive pronouncement , as they will be meeting to find the way forward for the country.

“ The meeting which will be the first this year, 2021 , by the governors , will, as usual , be virtual , in conformity with the Covid – 19 protocols. It is the 23 rd of the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum teleconferences . The meeting commences 2 . 00 pm prompt but Governors are expected to start logging on fat 1 . 00 pm .

“ The Governors ’ PTF Committee , headed by Delta State Governor , Dr Ifeanyi Okowa , which is charged with the responsibility of liaising between the Presidential Task Force on Covid – 19 and the Governors ’ Forum , will brief the Forum on what it needs to know on the vaccines and the way forward . ”
The statement further read , “ Governors will also be updated on the States ’ Fiscal Transparency , Accountability and Sustainability program for results for the preceding year , 2020 .

“ As is customary, if time permits, there will be three presentations ; The Water Resources minister will brief Governors on its World Bank Support; feedback from the Federal Government on the Medium and Long Term National Development Agenda ; and enhancing IGR through a harmonized Traffic Management System by Dimensions Information Technology , LLC, a non – governmental actor which is seeking the nod of state governors . “

Punch

Link

UPDATED: FG orders immediate closure of NIMC headquarters

Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

The Federal Government has ordered immediate closure of the headquarters of the National Identity Management Commission in Abuja.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy , Isa Pantami , who gave the order , also directed the NIMC to open 20 locations in the Federal Capital Territory in order to halt the crowds that gather at the commission ’ s headquarters daily in a bid to get their National Identity Numbers .

NIMC spokesman , Kayode Adegoke , announced the closure of the commission ’ s headquarters in a statement issued in Abuja .

He said 20 centres were reactivated within the FCT to make the process of NIN enrolment much easier for applicants effective Monday , January 18 , 2021 .

The commission advised members of the public , residents and visitors to the FCT wishing to enroll for NIN to use any of the 20 NIMC centres .

The Federal Government had ordered telecommunications companies to deactivate the telephone lines of subscribers who failed to link their Subscriber Identification Modules with valid NINs .

It gave subscribers with NINs till January 19 to link their NINs with their SIM cards, while subscribers without NINs have until February 9 to do so .

Punch

Link

JUST IN: UI announces February 22 as resumption date, cancels 2019/2020 session

Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The authorities of the University of Ibadan have approved February 22 , 2021 , for the resumption of academic activities in the institution .

The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr . Olatunji Oladejo , earlier told news that the institution ’ s senate met on Thursday .

“ Academic activities will commence for those admitted for the renamed 2019 /2020 on February 22 , 2021 , ” he told news correspondent on the telephone .

He said the Senate approved the recommendations by the varsity’ s committee of provosts , deans , and directors who earlier met on Monday .

One of the approved recommendations is that the institution would not admit undergraduate students through the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board for 2021 / 2022 session .

Part of the approved recommendations are , “ The 2019 /2020 academic session be cancelled and the new session now renamed 2020 /2021 academic session . The proposed calendar for 2019 / 2020 be accordingly changed to 2020 / 2021 .

“ The University should notify JAMB not to list it in its brochure for 2021 /2022 session as candidates who have already registered for UI 2020 /2021 Post- UTME would be taken for that session ( 2021 / 2022 ).

“ The decision to not admit undergraduates for the 2021 /2022 session , however , exempts postgraduate students and direct entry students from affiliated institutions.

“ It also excludes those seeking admission into the distance learning programme in its centres ( DLC ).

Punch

Link

COVID-19: NYSC shifts camp reopening date, bans religious gatherings

Posted in NYSCLeave a comment

The National Youth Service Corps has banned all forms of religious gatherings on its orientation camps.

NYSC Camp Safe Reopening Project Lead , Dr Oyeladun Okunromade , stated this at a sensitisation webinar for the 2020 Batch B Stream II Corp Members .

The event with the theme, ‘ Protecting The health Of The Nigerian Youth : Safe Reopening Of NYSC Orientation Camps’ also had in attendance the Director – General of NYSC , Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, as well as the Director- General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu .

The NYSC DG said the Service won’ t hesitate to decamp any corps member who fails to adhere strictly to Covid protocols on orientation camps.

“ There won ’ t be any form of religious gatherings in camp . We encourage virtual activities, ” she said , adding that corps members are required to come on camp with their face masks and other personal protective materials as the NYSC would not provide those .

Okunromade also said , “ Maami market has been significantly reduced in line with the new normal . There won ’ t be any sitting down with friends to dine at the market but there will take- aways . ”

Punch

Link

JUST IN: NYSC releases postings for ‘2020 B II’ corps members

Posted in NYSCLeave a comment

The National Youth Service Corps has released postings for 2020 Batch B Stream II Corp Members .

The Director- General of NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim , disclosed this at a sensitisation webinar for the prospective corps members.

The event with the theme, ‘ Protecting The health Of The Nigerian Youth : Safe Reopening Of NYSC Orientation Camps’ also had in attendance the Director – General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu .

Ibrahim urged the prospective corps members to check the NYSC site to know the states they are deployed to .

He said corps members would be allowed on NYSC approved camps nationwide from January 19 , 2021 as against the January 18 , 2021 earlier announced date .

“ I want to inform the prospective corps members that their postings have been released . They can go and check it right now , ” the NYSC DG stated .

He added that the Service won’ t hesitate to decamp any corps member who fails to adhere strictly to Covid protocols on orientation camps.

Link

JUST IN: Pigeons released by Buhari refuse to fly at Armed Forces remembrance

Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

The doves, otherwise known as white pigeons , released by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremony , refused to fly despite multiple attempts by the President thereby sparking a debate on social media .

The President had opened the birdcage at the National Arcade , picked up one of the doves, and thrown it into the air but the bird landed atop the cage and refused to fly.

Buhari , who was eager to let the white pigeons fly, opened the roof of the cage in a bid to send them all out but the birds remained adamant and decided to sit on top of the cage ’ s roof.

The President , who appeared tired of trying , soon left the birds and returned to his seat. Moments after the President had left , however , some of the birds flew.

The ritual of releasing doves is to commemorate the life of a departed loved one and is common at significant events like funerals or memorials . It also signifies peace .

Studies show that domesticated doves which are used to living in cages are not always keen on flying .

The Vatican stopped the ritual in 2014 when Pope Francis released two birds that would not fly out of the window of the papal apartment and required several attempts to get the birds to fly out over a crowd of spectators .

A similar incident occurred just the year prior at an event where Pope Benedict XVI released doves during a Holocaust remembrance event . The doves were attacked by a gull, with one dove being singled out and injured , according to Wikipedia .

In 2014 , the doves refused to fly when former President Goodluck Jonathan freed them. The Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry Enugu , Rev Fr . Ejike Mbaka , described the incident at the time as a sign that God had abandoned Jonathan .

The refusal of the birds to fly , however , sparked thousands of comments on social media .

Punch

Link

Third Mainland Bridge to be reopened February 15 – Fashola

Posted in National IssueLeave a comment

The Minister of Works and Housing , Babatunde Fashola, says the Third Mainland Bridge would be reopened by February 15 .

He said this during the inspection of construction work on major roads and bridges in Lagos State .

He explained that after the reopening of the Third Mainland Bridge , work would begin on the Falomo Bridge.

The Third Mainland Bridge was partially shut on July 24 , 202 for another round of rehabilitation works expected to last for six months.

Fashola said , “ On the Third Mainland Bridge most of our work is almost done , we lost two weeks during the civil protest and our completion date earlier was towards the end of January , which has slipped .

“ We are hoping that by 15 th of February we should be done and the bridge should be opened to the public .

“ That is one of the reasons why I also came to see how far and when this bridge will be opened to the public because this is delaying our work on Falomo Bridge.

“ We have done some work on Falomo Bridge, we are going to have to close Falomo Bridge as soon as this is done so that we can also replace the expansion joints there.

“ All the other preliminary work has been done there, but we left it in order to reduce the inconvenience to commuters in and around Lagos .

Punch

Link

[UPDATED] COVID-19: Schools resume January 18, FG insists

Posted in EducationLeave a comment

The Federal Government has finally resolved to go ahead with the January 18 , 2021 resumption date for schools nationwide despite the pressure being mounted by some organisations , including the Academic Staff Union of Universities , against reopening of schools amid the second wave of the pandemic .

The decision to retain the date, was taken after due consultations between the Ministry of Education and critical stakeholders in the education sector .

The Minister of Education, Adamu , confirmed to news correspondent on the telephone that his ministry had resolved to retain the January 18 resumption date .

He said , “ You will recall that at the Monday briefing of the PTF, I mentioned that the task force directed our ministry to review the January 18 planned resumption date and come back with a decision on whether to retain it or further extend the school closure .

“ Based on that directive , senior officials in the ministry met on the matter . We took a decision on the matter .

“ Apart from that , we decided to also consult with other stakeholders, like state commissioners for education . We have also done that .

“ The outcome of our consultation is that majority of the stakeholders want the January 18 resumption date to remain .

Punch

Link

Congo sets presidential election for March 21

Posted in ElectionLeave a comment

The Republic of Congo will hold its presidential election on March 21 , public television said , with President Denis Sassou Nguesso , who has been in power for a total of 36 years , named as his party ’ s candidate .

The defence and security forces will vote on March 17 , enabling them to be deployed on polling day four days later .

It is the first time since the Republic of Congo , also called Congo – Brazzaville , has adopted a two – phase ballot since it introduced multiparty elections in 1992 .

A low – scale effort to update the national electoral roll vote has been underway since January 7 .

But it is being boycotted by the opposition , which says a census known as RGPH that began last year should be the basis for voter registration.

That scheme has yet to finish and has no set end date .

AFP