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Protesters Celebrate Expulsion Of Rwandan Ambassador From DRC Over Alleged Ties With M23 Rebel

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Dozens of demonstrators on Sunday expressed satisfaction over the expulsion of Vincent Karega, Rwanda’s ambassador to the DRC after months of tensions and accusations of support for the M23 rebel group, an accusation Rwanda has repeatedly denied.

The protesters on foot and on motorcycles, went around churches to call for a big demonstration gainst what they termed the Rwandan invasion, affirming their support for the Congolese army in the face of the rebellion

They further called for the Congolese army to be equipped and be given “weapons so that they can fight against Rwanda”.

“The expulsion of the Rwandan ambassador to the DRC is a long overdue request from the Congolese population. This population had long since asked the government to expel him, especially since tangible proofs have shown that it is Rwanda that is aggressing the Democratic Republic of Congo in the territory of Rutshuru,” expressed activist Placide Nzilamba.

The African Union (AU) on Sunday called for “an immediate ceasefire” in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo where the M23 rebels are continuing their offensive against the Congolese army and are now a few dozen kilometers from Goma, capital of North Kivu.

The AU, which says it is “extremely concerned” by the deteriorating security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, “calls on all parties to establish an immediate ceasefire, to respect international law, the safety of civilians and the stability of the borders of all countries in the region.

For the past week, the Congolese army has been facing an offensive by M23 fighters on several fronts in North Kivu province.

On Saturday, Kiwanja and Rutshuru-Centre were conquered by the M23, who did not encounter much resistance. Tens of thousands of people have fled their villages since the fighting resumed.

No civilian casualties have been encountered so far, but tens of thousands of people have fled their villages since the fighting resumed ten days ago.

So far, the Rwandan government still firmly denies any implication with the M23 and claims in return that the DRC is collaborating with Rwandan Hutu rebels.

The M23 was formed in 2012, claiming to defend the interests of Congolese Tutsis, a group sharing the ethnicity of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame, against Hutu armed groups, seizing Goma, the largest city in DR Congo’s east, the same year. After a peace deal in 2013, many M23 fighters were integrated into the national military.

The group resumed fighting in late 2021 after lying dormant for years, accusing the government of having failed to honour an agreement over the demobilisation of its fighters.

He’s Simply Exceptional –Ten Hag Hails Dalot

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He’s Simply Exceptional –Ten Hag Hails Dalot

Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has described Diogo Dalot as an exceptional player after his impressive display against West Ham.

Recall that the Portugal international displayed an outstanding performance to help the Red Devils beat the Irons 1-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.

England international, Marcus Rashford scored the only goal, heading home a fine cross from Christian Eriksen in the second half.

West Ham made several attempts to equalize the game late on but the likes of Dalot, David de Gea, Lisandro Martinez, and Harry Maguire were outstanding in the back.

“I’m really happy with the development of Diogo,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports.

“His defensive positioning is growing from game to game, his time, also duels, are better from game to game and in possession, I think he’s really good.

“He [Dalot] has the breath to go up and down [the flank] so the development is really good.”

‘I’m 46, Single And Pregnant’ — Ex-CNN Anchor, Isha Sesay Shares Touching Story

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‘I'm 46, Single And Pregnant’ — Ex-CNN Anchor, Isha Sesay Shares Touching Story
Isha Sesay

Isha Sesay, the British journalist of Sierra-Leonian descent, has announced she is expecting her first child at the age of 46.

The former CNN correspondent revealed she is pregnant via a post on her Twitter page on Thursday.

“I have some major news to share with you… I’M PREGNANT,” she wrote.

Sesay also shared her pregnancy journey in a touching piece published on Today.com.

READ ALSO: Twitter May Charge For User Verification Badge

The award-winning journalist and author said she never believed at 46, she would be “divorced, single, and having a baby on her own.”

“If you’d told the 16-year-old me that at 46, I’d be divorced, single and having a baby on my own — by choice! — I’d have shuddered and firmly said “no!” Back then, I had very definite ideas about the future course my personal life would take, and it didn’t look like this. I imagined something way more straightforward and dare I say it, conventional,” she said.

Sesay said it took her three IVF attempts before she successfully got pregnant.

The author also admitted to having fears about raising a child alone.

“My first IVF attempt was unsuccessful, and I cried for days afterward, before I could find the strength to start the process all over again a few months later,” she said.

“But with each passing day, I grew more fearful and anxious about my chances of being able to successfully carry a child.

“Those feelings only intensified when my doctor decided to halt my second attempt mid-cycle because my body was responding negatively to the medication.

“With two failed attempts to my name, I approached my third embryo transfer with relatively low expectations. In the two weeks that followed the procedure, my mind raced uncontrollably and I battled the urge to take an early pregnancy test.

“The day before I was scheduled to return to the clinic, I finally caved in and bought a home test because I couldn’t bear a repeat of the hours-long wait before the clinic called with the results.

“The next morning I got up long before the sun was up, anxiously headed to my bathroom and opened the box. The minutes ticked by and I cycled through a myriad of emotions. When the word “pregnant” flashed up on the tiny screen, I screamed and fell to my knees before bursting into tears.”

Sesay also spoke about her failed marriage and how “not having a child would be the greatest regret of my life.”

“A brief marriage to a kind man didn’t result in children, and then the year I turned 40, my mum had a catastrophic stroke, leaving me no emotional space to contemplate anything other than caring for her. Six years later, she tried relationships again, but it didn’t work out.

“It was then, in the aftermath of our inevitable breakup, that it hit me: Not having a child would be the greatest regret of my life. And with my biological clock ticking down, if I was waiting for the right man to come along before I did it, well, I might just find myself out of time.”

Governor Ikpeazu Leads Prominent Abia Indigenes To Pay Last Respect To Pa Micah Onyebuchi (Photos, Video)

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Governor Ikpeazu Leads Prominent Abia Indigenes To Pay Last Respect To Pa Micah Onyebuchi

Amuzukwu Ibeku in Umuahia North local government area of Abia State on Thursday, 27th October witnessed a massive presence of prominent Abia sons and daughters led by no less a person than the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Their mission in the community was to pay last respect to a man who has been described as a mentor, bridge builder, and peace advocate as well as former Deputy Chairman of the local government, Sir Micah Onyebuchi who was laid to rest on the fateful day.

The late elder statesman ran a good race and left a solid legacy as well as indelible footprints on the sands of time, the governor was quoted to have said during the funeral at Amuzukwu Girls Secondary School, Umuahia.

READ ALSO: Ikpeazu Renames ASUBEB Building To Immortalize Late Sir Micah Onyebuchi (Photos, Video)

Also present to pay last respect to the late elder statesman were a former governor of the state and senator representing Abia Central, Sen. T.A Orji and his wife, Chief Mrs Odochi Orji; Former Minister Of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uche Ogah (represented by Hon Chibuzor Okogbuo); a former Chief of Staff in Abia and the governorship candidate of APP, Chief Mascot Uzor-Kalu and his running mate; Labour Party governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti and the deputy governorship candidate of APGA and a member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Ichita who represented his principal Prof. Gregory Ibe.

Others are, the Speaker of Abis State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji; members of the State House of Assembly; member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Rep. Sam Onuigbo; member representing Bende Federal constituency, Rep. Benjamin Kalu; Deputy governorship candidate of YPP, Chief Chima Anyaso; the Prelate Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Chukwuemeka Kalu Uche; members of Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers; clerics and many prominent Nigerians from various fields of human endeavour.

The son of the deceased, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi who is the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Umuahia expressed gratitude to all those who came to identify with the family.

Late Pa Micah Onyebuchi joined his ancestors at the graceful age of 90.

Nigerian Correctional Service Dismisses 9 Officers, Retires 25 Others

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Nigerian Correctional Service Dismisses 9 Officers, Retires 25 Others

The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, has dismissed nine officers and forced the retirement of 25 others for various offences.

The Service’s spokesman, Mr. Umar Abubakar, said on Sunday in Abuja that four others had received letters of warning.

He cited the Controller-General of the Service, Mr. Haliru Nababa, as announcing the decisions following approval by the Civil Defence, Corrections, Fire, and Immigration Boards.

Nababa assured the public that the service would not relent in its efforts to rid itself of bad apples.

He warned that there would be no room for indolence or indiscipline in the Service.

Nababa also assured of the readiness of the Service to reward officers and men who were hardworking and committed to duty.

“The Reward Fund Unit is fully activated and very soon, staff with exceptional performance will be invited to Abuja.

“This will be for them to receive rewards for their show of gallantry and dedication to duty,’’ Abubakar quoted Nababa as saying.

He appreciated the public for cooperation and citizens to accept offenders that had served terms and showed enough penitence to break recalcitrance.

 

NAFDAC Debunks Claim Of Mercury In Vaccines

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NAFDAC Warns Customs Agents Against Complicity In Illegal Importation Of Syringes
NAFDAC

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has debunked a report claiming that children in Nigeria were being administered a vaccine that contains 40 percent mercury which was prescribed by foreign organizations.

The director-general, of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, in a press statement, made available to our correspondent, said mercury is a metal and as such cannot be used as an element or as a component of vaccines.

The basic components of vaccines are antigens, adjuvants to improve immune response, antibiotics to prevent contamination during manufacturing, preservatives, and stabilizers, Adeyeye revealed, adding that thimerosal a mercuric compound that is a preservative used in multi-dose vaccines contains a different form of mercury called ethyl mercury.

“As a vaccine preservative, thimerosal is used in concentrations of 0.003 percent to 0.01 per cent, (for example, thimerosal content allowed in vaccines is between 30 parts to maximum of 100 parts out of million parts of the vaccine formula). Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials (vials containing more than one dose) of medicines and vaccines,” she explained.

She averred that there is no evidence of harm caused by the low doses of thimerosal in vaccines, except for minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site. “However, in July 1999, the Public Health Service agencies, the American Academy of Paediatrics, and vaccine manufacturers agreed that thimerosal should be reduced or eliminated in vaccines as a precautionary measure,” she added.

Though Nigeria still receives some multi-dose vaccines which contain thimerosal at accepted concentrations, the DG said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has closely monitored the scientific evidence relating to the use of thimerosal as a vaccine preservative for over 10 years, especially through an independent expert advisory group, the Global Advisory Committee on vaccines.

“The committee has constantly reached the same conclusion, that there is no evidence to suggest that the amount of thimerosal used in vaccines poses a health risk. Other expert groups the U.S. Institute of Medicine, the American Academy of Paediatrics, the United Kingdom Committee on Safety of Medicines, and the European Agency for Evaluation of Medicinal Products have reached similar conclusions,” she stated.

She, however, stated that NAFDAC would continue to follow WHO-approved protocol before any human vaccines could be used in Nigeria.

Twitter May Charge For User Verification Badge

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Australia Gives Twitter 28 Days To Clean Up "Toxicity And Hate"
Elon Musk and Twitter

Reports have it that Twitter under Elon Musk’s thumb may charge $20/month to approve a user’s request for a verification badge.

The social media platform was recently purchased by Musk, the richest man in the world, for an astounding $44 billion.

Those who have already been verified reportedly have 90 days to subscribe or they will no longer be verified.

READ ALSO: WHO Donates Health Emergency Kits To Kogi Over Flood Case

According to Platformer and The Verge, Twitter Blue currently costs $4.99/month and offers users the ability to edit their tweets, gain early access to new features, and more; verification is not currently a part of this service.

Musk has been outspoken with his desire to address how Twitter verifies accounts and handles its bot problems, and he tweeted on Sunday, October 30, that “the whole verification process is being revamped right now.”

Twitter currently makes most of its money from advertising, but these changes and more are part of Musk’s plans to make subscriptions at least “half of the company’s overall revenue.”

 

Rep. Onuigbo Urges Nigerians To Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19

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How Ikpeazu Frustrated Construction Of N6bn Federal Secretariat In Umuahia, Rep Onuigbo Alleges
Rep Sam Onuigbo

The House of Representatives Deputy Chairman, Committee on Coronavirus (COVID-19), Rep. Sam Onuigbo has appealed to Nigerians to get get their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as they can as efforts to tackle the virus continues.

Onuigbo, representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency of Abia State made the appeal recently at the inauguration of a block of four classrooms attracted by him to Ekebedi community School, Oboro, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state.

According to the lawmaker, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 with the approved vaccines was for the interest of everyone.

Contrary to reports, Onuigbo said the Federal Government had not made it compulsory for everyone to get vaccinated, but only using moral persuasion.

The two-term lawmaker said the committee worked very hard to ensure that huge sums of money were set aside to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the realisation of the classroom project was in line with his shared responsibility as the representative of the people, to enhance infrastructure development, especially in the sub sector.

Onuigbo said the conceptualisation and successful completion of the project gave him a unique sense of satisfaction because it was in fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people.

After the campaign in 2015, I voluntarily promised to build a block of classrooms, if elected. This is an unsolicited promise which I made that has been redeemed,” he said.

In her remark, the school’s headmistress, Mrs Christiana Nwagboso, expressed gratitude to Onuigbo for the successful completion of the project.

While soliciting for more assistance, Nwagboso enumerated some of the school’s challenges, including lack of security and infrastructure deficits, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Chief Uzu Analaba, who thanked the lawmaker said it was the first time the community would benefit from any government project.

ABN TV reports that many community leaders and prominent indigenes in Ikwuano Local Government Area, in their separate remarks praised Onuigbo.

Lagos Commercial Bus Drivers Commences A Seven-Day Strike

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Group Backs Lagos Drivers' Strike Action, Condemns Abduction And Torture

The Joint Drivers’ Welfare Association of Nigeria has said it will commence its seven-day strike in Lagos State on Monday as it was unable to reach an agreement with the state government.

The group, in a statement by its lawyer, Ayo Ademiluyi, said it had been subjected to indiscriminate extortion and violent harassment by the management of parks and garages in the state.

The statement read in part, “As commercial drivers in Lagos State under the aegis of JDWAN, we are left with no choice than to embark on seven days of protest and boycott of services over multiple and excessive extortions by the management of parks and garages in the state.

“We have notified members of the public and the Lagos State Government over multiple and excessive extortions by the motor parks and garages management.

“The cost of transportation affects the cost of goods and services and consequently the cost of living, which has spiralled astronomically in Lagos State as a result of the effect of motor parks excessive and illegal ticketing and tolling at almost every bus stop.”

The group alleged that its members lost half of their income to motor park ticketing, stating that they got arrested whenever they refused to pay for the tickets.

The group said, “No to charging drivers three passengers money after loading in parks or garages; we kick against paying motor park thugs at every bus stop; harassment of law enforcement agencies & intimidation with guns, cutlasses, broken bottles by LASTMA, task force and RRS must end immediately; we demand that the Lagos State Government should provide official bus stops in each community to avoid incessant arrests and stress for commuters who complain of having to trek several kilometres back to their bus stops.”

197 EFCC Drivers Graduate From Nigerian Army School

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197 EFCC Drivers Graduate From Nigerian Army School
Abdulrasheed Bawa

One hundred and ninety-seven drivers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have completed a three-month training at the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin City, Edo State.

Speaking at their passing out ceremony, the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, commended the army for allowing the commission to use its facilities to train the drivers.

Bawa said, “Today, you are delivering to us a group of professionally trained and disciplined drivers who will join us in achieving our vision of a Nigeria free of economic and financial crimes.”

READ ALSO: Buhari Summons Service Chiefs

Bawa further said that the training was meant to address the operational gap in the commission and urged them to see their appointment as an opportunity to serve their fatherland and contribute their quota to the growth of the commission.

On his part, the acting Commandant, of the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Brigadier General UT Otaru, said the training had improved the skills and professionalism of the trainees to effectively function in the law enforcement environment.

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