Day: December 16, 2020

COVID-19: Ogbuagu tasks African leaders to be proactive

Emporium Reporters

Onyema Ogbuagu, a Nigerian-American researcher and medical doctor, has stressed the need for African leaders to position themselves to address the health challenges affecting the continent. Ogbuagu, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Head Researcher on Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine trial at Yale University, USA said the starting point should include, developing and supporting scientists,building research infrastructure and creating enabling environments. He gave this advice at a virtual lecture series on the topic, ‘COVID-19:Vaccine, Hesitancy, Myths and Reality’, organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) in partnership with Ngex. Ogbuagu…

Senate President swears in Stephen Odey

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday swore in Stephen Odey as Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District in the National Assembly. The oath of office was administered at exactly 11:45am by the Clerk of Senate, Dauda Ibrahim El-Ladan, immediately after the Senate rose from a closed session to commence plenary. With Odey sworn in, the number of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senators now stands at 46, while the All Progressives Congress, APC, retains majority status with 63 members. Recall Odey’s swearing in was put on hold on…

How Police forged remand warrant to detained Victim for months

Emporium Reporters

A case bordering on alleged abuse of office came up for hearing at the ongoing Independent Investigative Panel on SARS and other units of the Nigeria Police. In a complaint filed by Sani Bello, a research analyst with Save the Soul Transparency and Eagle eyes International foundation, Bello stated in his petition the atrocities suffered by one of the organization’s agents, Dr. George Davidson in the hands of some police officers in Abuja. Narrating before the panel, Dr. Davidson (victim) stated that in the cause of carrying out his official…

Police officer allegedly linked to death of suspect falls sick

Emporium Reporters

Counsel to the Nigerian Police DSP Godwin Ijeoma on Tuesday told the Independent Investigative Panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission to investigate human rights violation by defunct SARS that Inspector Kingsley who was among the SARS operatives that allegedly killed Festus Idehen has fallen sick and unable to appear before the panel. DSP Ijeoma stated this before the panel when Insp. Kingsley was expected to appear before the panel to assist with information about the circumstance of the death of the victim. The family of the deceased…

Adieu to a Yoruba, Muslim Princess By Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde

Emporium Reporters

I will start with a footnote on the billionaire Bishop, David Bello Oyedepo. He was born a Muslim, named Hasan by his father Bello Oyedepo. His mother was a Christian who converted to Islam when she married Bello. Bello had three other wives. After his higher education, Hasan became David. He instantly became a strong, aggressive and successful Christian activist. With his stupendous wealth, he reverted his mother to Christianity; then his father and brothers; then all except his three stepmothers who stuck to their guns and died Muslims. The…

Extras Judicial Killing: IIP-SARS summons ASP Marcus Joe, Operation Skolombo over death of Emmanuel Ephraim

Emporium Reporters

The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) other units of the Nigerian Police has summoned ASP Marcus Joe who allegedly deposited the body of Emmanuel Ita Ephraim at a General Hospital mortuary in Calabar, Cross River state to appear before it on February 9, 2021 and explain the circumstances of the death of the victim. The Cross River State Police Command is also to furnish the panel with its entries in respect of movement of the corpse to the hospital mortuary on…

Peace Corps Bill passes second reading in Senate

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, passed for a second reading, the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps. The Bill, which was read the first time in the 9th Senate on Tuesday, 17th December, 2019 is being sponsored by former Senate Leader and Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume. Leading the debate on Tuesday, Senator Ndume reminded the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan how the Bill was introduced and passed in the 8th Senate when he (Lawan) was the Senate leader. “The Bill…

Niger Govt reiterates support to education sector

Emporium Reporters

Niger State Government has reaffirmed its continued commitment to give the education sector the desired support and assistance. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane disclosed this at the launching of the 2020 Nigeria Education Data Survey (NEDS) organized by the National Population Commission held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna. The SSG who was represented by Yahaya Babawachiko, Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs, SSG’s Office explained that the Education Data Survey will go a long way in facilitating the full development of education…

Niger SSG commiserates with Sarkin Sudan,Kontangora Emirate over Barwan’s death

Emporium Reporters

The Secretary to the Government of Niger State (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane has expressed sadness over the death of Alhaji Hassan Magaji AA Kira, Barwan Kontagora. Alhaji Hassan Magaji died in Kontagora after a protracted illness. In his condolence message, Ahmed Matane described late Hassan Magaji as a complete gentleman and dedicated Nigerilites, added that the great values of hard work, honesty and selflessness that the deceased left behind will be remembered. ” On behalf of the Government and people of the State, I want to convey my sincere and…

NCC Pledges Sustained Commitment To Regulatory Transparency … As ICPC inaugurates NCC’s anti-graft unit

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has pledged to continually maintain high ethical standards in all its regulatory activities consistent with the Federal Government’s efforts to entrench the culture of accountability and transparency in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government. The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, gave the commitment at the inauguration of NCC’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Thursday, December 10, 2020 in Abuja. ACTU is the…