September
Increase in China’s warplane activity starts to unnerve Taiwanese
The increasing number of air force incursions from China is starting to fray nerves among ordinary Taiwanese, who wonder if their heavily armed political rival finally plans to attack after decades of threats, polls and analysts say. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force has increased the frequency and number of flights over a median line between the two Asian neighbors in the past four months, according to reports from Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense. Eighteen Chinese military aircraft passed through Taiwan’s airspace Friday followed by 19 on Saturday, the ministry said. Saturday the planes flew in a formation designed to attack from the front, rear and both sides. Some aircraft were sighted in Taiwanese airspace over waters about 80 kilometers from Taiwan itself, according to maps...
Survival Fund: Nigerian government releases registration schedule as portal opens Monday
As the portal for the registration of prospective beneficiaries for the Survival Fund opens on Monday, the Federal Government has released the timetable for categories of businesses to register. A statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the Project Delivery Office stated that the portal which opens at 10 PM, will have educational institutions as the first category of beneficiaries to register. “Nigerians interested in the Payroll Support scheme are to note that the site for registration will be open from 10 pm Monday, September 21, 2020. “In order to ensure a seamless registration process, the Project Delivery Office (PDO) has designed a registration schedule. “Registration for Payroll Support will start with educational institutions on Monday and will be followed with businesses in the hos...
Governor Sanwo-Olu: Pre-primary classes remain closed in Lagos
The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that pre-primary classes in public and private schools across the state are to remain closed until further announcements are made. Sanwo-Olu said this during a press briefing on Saturday, where he gave an update on COVID-19 in the state and gradual resumption of activities. Newsmen earlier reported the announced reopening of schools in the state in which private secondary schools are allowed to open from September 21, while public schools will adopt a “phased reopening” on the date. Speaking on school resumption, the governor said it is necessary to provide clarifications regarding the resumption of schools, “to clear any confusion that may have arisen since the original announcement was made.” Mr Sanwo-Olu said while students in JS 3 ...
France’s economy minister contracts coronavirus
Getty Images French economy minister Bruno Le Maire announced Friday he has tested positive for COVID-19 but said he had no symptoms and was working from home as cases soared again in France. Le Maire, who is responsible for reviving a French economy battered by the months-long pandemic, is not the first member of President Emmanuel Macron’s government to have been diagnosed with the disease. “I tested positive for Covid-19 this evening. I immediately placed myself in isolation at home in line with the health regulations issued by the government,” Le Maire said in a tweet. “I show no symptoms. I will remain in isolation for seven days. I continue to exercise my duties,” the 51-year-old minister said. On March 9, the former culture minister and current minister for external trade, Franck Ri...
Governor Zulum: Boko Haram now recruits children in Borno
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State says Boko Haram insurgents have started recruiting children in the state due to the increase in unemployment. The governor raised the alarm on Thursday, September 17, 2020, in Maiduguri, Borno state capital when he received a committee of members of the house of representatives.While addressing the rep members, Zulum said over 700,000 IDPs in Monguno, and 400,000 in Gamboru Ngala, have no access to their farmlands. He added that the continued stay of able-bodied people in the IDP could worsen the security crisis in the state. He said, “The only solution we have now is to ensure the safe return of our people to their homes in a dignified manner. If nothing is done, believe me sincerely, we shall face a very serious challenge even more than what we are ...
Akwa Ibom announces dates for resumption of schools
Akwa Ibom State Government has fixed September 21 2020 for the commencement of processes for the resumption of academic activities in the state-owned university, college of education and public primary schools. Similarly, 28th September has been fixed for the resumption of full academic activities in secondary schools while the state-owned Polytechnic will commence academic activities on the 5th of October, 2020. The State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, announced this while briefing Government House Correspondents on the resolutions of the state Executive Council meeting of today, Friday, September 18, 2020, presided over by the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, at Government House, Uyo. He said that the State Executive Council has directed private schools in the stat...
Saudi Arabia set to begin Umrah for local pilgrims
The Ministry of Interior announced on Sunday that the “resumption of Umrah will be done gradually depending on COVID-19 conditions.” According to Haramain Sharifain, Umrah will first be resumed for locals (residents of Saudi Arabia) and that too will be allowed in ‘limited numbers’. The source confirmed previous speculations that an application is being developed which will allow for registration of the pilgrim’s intended time and date for the performance of Umrah and also a negative COVID-19 PCR report will be a mandatory requirement. If the intending pilgrim fulfils all conditions then an “Umrah permit” will be issued. Regarding the opening date of Umrah, the source said that the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah will announce the full mechanism in the coming days. It will be recalled that Saud...
Edo election: Governor Obaseki declares Friday work-free
Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Edo State, the government has declared Friday, September 18, 2020, as a work-free day. This was contained in a statement titled ‘Edo 2020: Obaseki declares Friday work-free day’ on Thursday. The statement noted that the declaration of a work-free day was to enable workers in the State Public Service to travel to their respective Constituencies to exercise their franchise. It quoted the Edo State Head of Service, through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Aziegbemhin P.E, as saying, “Sequel to the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial election scheduled to hold on Saturday September 19, 2020, Mr. Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved Friday 18th September 2020 as a work-free day to enable workers in the State Public Service travel to their respective ...
Police warns Zamfara APC against intervening in security issues
The Zamfara Police Command has warned the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state to avoid intervening in security issues. The State Police Commissioner, Usman Nagogo issued the warning in Gusau on Thursday at a press conference while reacting to a protest by some APC members at the Police headquarters on Sunday in Gusau. The protest was over alleged illegal arrest of 18 APC members by the police. The police had said that the 18 people were arrested over their alleged meeting with some repentant bandits. The police commissioner said the arrest of Alhaji Habu Dantabawa and 17 others was a proactive measure by the police to curtail any act of banditry and related criminality in the state. “On the 12th September 2020, the police on intelligence and credible information g...
Niger insists no going back on roads closure to trucks
Niger State Government says it will not go back on the restriction order placed on heavy trucks plying the state-owned roads which took effect on the 15th September, 2020. This is coming after the State government had assured that its position will be reviewed as event concerning the closure unfolds. The state government maintained that its decision to close down all state government roads was done within the confines of law stressing that adequate consultations and sensitization with relevant stakeholders were made and two weeks notice was also served to general public as well as relevant road transport organizations before the roads were barricaded. As such, the state government will not relent on its oars to ensure that the State owned roads are not accessed by articulated vehicles, the...
Gianfranco Zola hails Victor Osimhen’s ‘important qualities’ ahead Parma vs Napoli
Getty Images Gianfranco Zola is in awe of Victor Osimhen’s talent, suggesting that the Nigerian attacking ace has important qualities with which he can help Napoli to succeed this new season. Napoli will kick-start their 2020/21 Serie A campaign against AC Parma at the Ennio Tardini Stadium on Sunday, September 20, and Zola believes Osimhen can continue his fine pre-season form. The Super Eagles striker since joining Napoli earlier this summer from Lille for a fee of 70 million euros has scored six goals – two hat-tricks, in three pre-season games. Zola, ex-Napoli and Parma striker told Radio Kiss Kiss: “Napoli with Gattuso has found equilibrium. it will be an open game. Napoli has grown a lot with Gattuso. “He will be among the protagonists if Osimhen also enters immediately, he has impor...
Edo election: Court fixes October 14 to hear PDP’s suit seeking Pastor Ize-Iyamu disqualification
Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned to October 14, to commence hearing in the suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking the disqualification of Pastor Osagie Ize-iyamu from the September 19 governorship election in Edo State. Justice Mohammed fixed the date following an agreement by parties to hear the suit after the court’s vacation period. The court had last week adjourned to September 16 for hearing in the application against the suit filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenging the court’s jurisdiction being a vacation court to entertain the suit. When the matter came up, on Wednesday, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Ken Mozia (SAN), informed the court that the matter for the day was the hearing of the APC’s objec...
