Abubakar Malami Speaks On Rumoured Hospitalization

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May 13, 2022

EndSARS: Osun Govt Presents N53.2 Million To Victims

The Osun State government has presented cheques totaling N53.2 million as compensation to 13 victims of police brutality in the state.

Governor Gboyega Oyetola presented the cheques to the victims at his office in Osogbo on Thursday.

In the wake of the October 2020 protests against police brutality across the country, tagged #EndSARS, about 28 states constituted panels of inquiries in response to the protesters.

The Osun Judicial Panel of Inquiry, headed by Justice Akinwale Oladimeji, had, in its report, recommended N53,290,000 as compensation for the 13 of the 21 cases it heard.

While presenting the cheques, Mr. Oyetola said no society can progress with injustice, inequality, and lawlessness.

The governor, however, appealed to citizens to continue to be law-abiding and show the virtues of ‘Omoluabi’ (a cultured person) ethos.

He also promised that the state would spare no effort in creating an ambiance of peace and tranquillity for the citizens across the nooks and crannies of the State.

“Today’s occasion should, therefore, be regarded as a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of yesterday and set our society on the path of true healing,” said the governor.

“Our decision to pay compensation, which ordinarily is not the responsibility of the state, since the police are not directly under our control, is a further testament to the commitment of our administration to peace, and the rule of law.

“Let me, however, reiterate here that the list of all those that have secured judgment debts has been passed on to the federal government for necessary action, in line with the recommendation of the Panel.

The governor also pledged continuous support for the police in implementing relevant reforms that would enable it to play its role of maintaining law and order.”

Mr. Oyetola commended the youth and civil society organizations in the state for their understanding and tolerance over the years.

“I assure you that we will never let you down as a government in ensuring that we secure your future,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Oladimeji, thanked the governor for compensating the victims despite the lean purse of the state.

Four Russian Football Clubs Appeal With CAS Against Suspension From European Tournaments

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May 13, 2022

Four Russian Football Clubs Appeal With CAS Against Suspension From European Tournaments

Russian football clubs CSKA Moscow, Zenit St. Petersburg, Dynamo Moscow and Sochi have filed a lawsuit with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against their suspension from the European tournaments in the 2022/2023 season, CSKA Moscow FC press office announced in a statement on Friday.

“The clubs requested a prompt consideration of the submitted appeal,” the statement reads. “We hope that the principle of sports will be upheld.”

The press service of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced on February 28 that the Russian national team and all professional clubs representing the country were barred from taking part in FIFA and UEFA tournaments.

On May 2, the press service of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) stated that the Russian national squad would not take part in the 2022/2023 UEFA Nations League tournament and in the UEFA Women’s 2022 UEFA final tournament, adding that the country would also have no professional clubs playing in the UEFA club competitions in the 2022/23 season. The country’s previous bids to host UEFA Euro Cups in 2028 and 2032 were cancelled as well.

On February 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to international sports federations to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from taking part in international tournaments, referring to Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.

Following the IOC recommendations in late February, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments.

AAC Female Aspirant Caro Nwosu Declares For Presidency

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May 13, 2022

AAC Female Aspirant Caro Nwosu Declares For Presidency

Another female aspirant, Dr. Caro Nwosu, has formally declared her ambition to join the 2023 presidential race under the African Action Congress.

Nwosu, who is the president of the Voice for Senior Citizens of Nigeria group, made the declaration at the Symposium Hall of the Nigerian National Merit Award House in Abuja on Thursday.

In her declaration, Nwosu noted that her government would give unalloyed support to the oneness and unity of Nigeria and therefore committed to building a united, peaceful, and harmonious nation with the ability to accommodate and cater to all her citizens and very strong enough to be the world black and African superpower.

Nwosu said that she will tackle the country’s challenges that have bedeviled the nation’s quest for a strong and stable federation and unlock the country’s potential.

“I will put serious checks and balances in place to promote accountability, entrench the rule of law, nurture political parties to grow, promote transparent and credible elections, and growth in democracy,” she stated.

She also pledged to give appointments to 35 percent of Nigerian women through the act of parliament and also to youths and people living with disability in government.

Okunnu-Lamidi was the first female to declare her interest in running for the office of Nigeria’s number one seat in early January in Lagos.

Japan To Prohibit Exports Of High-Tech Equipment To Russia

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May 13, 2022

Japan Targets 60% Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction By 2035

Japan To Prohibit Exports Of High-Tech Equipment To Russia

Japan is expanding the list of goods and technologies, whose exports to Russia are prohibited over the situation around Ukraine, the Japanese ministry of economy, trade and industry said on Friday.

The ban has already been approved by the country’s government and will come into force on May 20.

Overall, the updated document has 14 new entries, including 3D printers and quantum computing equipment, electronic and atomic force microscopes and oil refining catalysts.

Japan has previously imposed several packages of sanctions on Russia due to the situation around Ukraine. Personal sanctions targeted the country’s leadership, officials and businessmen. The list of goods and technologies prohibited for export has more than 300 entries, including semiconductors, equipment for maritime and aviation security, telecommunications equipment, military products, including weapons, software and oil refining equipment. In addition, Japan froze the assets of Otkritie Bank, Novikombank, Sovcombank, VTB, Rossiya Bank, Promsvyazbank and VEB.RF.

Besides, Japan blacklisted more than 700 nationals of Russia, Belarus, and the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR, LPR), as well as over 200 Russian companies and organizations.

On February 24 Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics. The West retaliated by imposing sanctions on Russia while private companies suspended operations in the country or terminated investments.

Ministry Of Sports Okays Peseiro For Super Eagles Top Job

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May 13, 2022

NFF Yet To Review Peseiro’s Contract, Says Olajire — Jose Peseiro

The Sports Ministry has approved the appointment of Jose Peseiro as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reportedly picked Peseiro to replace Gernot Rohr as the substantive head coach of the Super Eagles ahead of three other candidates.

The Sports Ministry led by Sunday Dare, according to several reports, however, queried the procedures used by the NFF in selecting the Portuguese.

Frenchman Laurent Blanc, former Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde and erstwhile Netherlands defender Philip Cocu are the three other contenders for the post.

The sports ministry has now approved Peseiro’s appointment after talks with the NFF.

Details of Peseiro’s contract including paperwork are almost done and an announcement is expected to be made soon.

The 62-year-old was first announced by the NFF to take over the Super Eagles after the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Peseiro eventually did not take up the job after Augustine Eguavoen’s temporary appointment was extended to cover the ill-fated 2022 World Cup playoffs against the Black Stars of Ghana

The Portuguese last managed the Venezuelan national team. He has previously handled the Egyptian club Al Ahly, his only managerial experience in Africa.

It remains to be seen if Peseiro will take charge of the Super Eagles for their friendlies against Mexico and Ecuador.

First assistant coach Salisu Yusuf released a 30-man list for the friendlies on Tuesday. The friendlies will take place in the United States of America in late May and early June.

The Super Eagles are also scheduled to take on Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next month.

North Korea Announces First Covid Deaths Amid ‘Explosive’ Outbreak

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May 13, 2022

North Korea has announced an “explosive” Covid-19 outbreak that has likely killed six people and infected more than 350,000, according to state media, prompting fears of an impending and deadly crisis in the isolated and impoverished nation.

The announcement comes a day after the country reported its first ever coronavirus case, calling the situation a “major national emergency.”

On Thursday, North Korea reported 18,000 new “fever cases” and six deaths, one of which tested positive for the BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron, state media KCNA reported on Friday.

North Korea has not confirmed that all “fever” cases and deaths are Covid-19, likely due to its limited testing capability.

“A fever whose cause couldn’t be identified explosively spread nationwide since late April,” the newspaper said. “As of now up to 187,800 people are being isolated.”

An outbreak of Covid-19 could prove disastrous for North Korea. The country’s dilapidated health care infrastructure is unlikely to be up to the task of treating a large number of patients with a highly infectious disease and the nation is not known to have imported any coronavirus vaccines.

North Korea had not previously acknowledged any coronavirus cases, though few believe that a country of around 25 million people has been spared by a virus that has infected millions worldwide.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the state emergency epidemic prevention headquarters on Thursday and acknowledged the spreading outbreak meant there was a “vulnerable point” in the country’s epidemic prevention system, according to KCNA.

In images of the meeting published by state media, Kim is seen wearing a surgical mask as he enters and leaves the meeting room. Officials accompanying him are also shown wearing masks throughout.

“It is the most important challenge and supreme tasks facing our party to reverse the immediate public health crisis situation,” Kim said, according to KCNA.

Following a meeting of the country’s powerful politburo on Thursday, North Korea placed all cities into lockdown and ordered “people with fever or abnormal symptoms” into quarantine, KCNA said.

A reporter for Chinese state media CGTN released a rare video from Pyongyang on Friday, recounting his experience on the ground.

“As far as we know, not many people in Pyongyang have been vaccinated, and the medical and epidemic prevention facilities are in short supply,” reporter Zang Qing said in a Weibo post.

“Because the capital is in lockdown, the food I have at home is only enough for a week. We are still awaiting what policy the government will announce next.”

Global assistance

On Thursday, China said its ready to provide support to North Korea in its fight against Covid-19.

North Korea’s borders have been sealed since January 2020 to keep the virus at bay, despite the knock-on effects on trade with Beijing, an economic lifeline the impoverished country needs to keep its people from going hungry.

“As comrades, neighbors and friends, China stands ready to provide full support to the DPRK in its fight against the epidemic,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a briefing.

As China battles its own outbreak, the Chinese National Immigration Administration urged Jilin Province — which borders North Korea — to strengthen health inspections at its customs after North Korea reported its first Covid-19 case.

South Korea and the United States also agreed to continue discussions on ways to provide humanitarian aid to North Korea with the international community, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

South Korea’s Foreign Minister Park Jin and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke on a call on Friday and shared concerns over the Covid-19 situation in North Korea, the ministry said. Both countries are open to dialogue with the north, they said.

I’m Ready To Restore Man United’s Glorious Days Says Ten Hag

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May 13, 2022

I’m Ready To Restore Man United’s Glorious Days Says Ten Hag

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has declared that he’s prepared to face the huge managerial job at Old Trafford.

In an interview with Voetbal International, the Dutch tactician, who guided Ajax to another Eredivisie title on Wednesday, stated that he’s confident of restoring the glory days of the club.

Ten Hag also revealed that his first contact with United officials came during the March international break, having been quizzed on the moment he actually decided to ditch Ajax.

“It felt like a difficult but great challenge. That is the most beautiful thing there is. There is something to build at United and something to gain. Manchester United is such a big name in football history. It feels like a challenge to put the club back on track of winning.

“Old Trafford is nicknamed the Theatre of Dreams for a reason. It is a club with name, fame, and allure in international football. Everyone knows the history of the beautiful teams. From Sir Alex Ferguson of course, but also further back in time. The great team of the late fifties suddenly disappeared with the plane crash.

Bishop Kukah Calls For Calm Calls For Justice For Murdered Female Student In Sokoto

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Alex Enemanna

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May 13, 2022

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah, has condemned the killing of a female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto.

He also called for calm over the incident, saying it had nothing to do with religion.

According to the police, Deborah Samuel, a level-two student, was accused of making a social media post that blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW).

The police said the students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building.

“I have just received with deep shock the news of the tragedy that occurred in the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, leading to the gruesome murder of Ms Deborah Yakubu, a 200 level Home Economics student today,” the venerated cleric said.

“We condemn this incident in the strongest terms and call on the authorities to investigate this tragedy and ensure that all the culprits are brought to book. The only obligation that is owed her immediate family, her fellow students and the school authorities is the assurance that those who are guilty of this inhuman act, no matter their motivation, are punished according to our extant laws of the land. This has nothing to do with religion. Christians have lived peacefully with their Muslim neighbours here in Sokoto over the years. This matter must be treated as a criminal act and the law must take its cause.

“Meanwhile, I wish to call on all Christians in Sokoto and around to remain calm and to please pray for the repose of the soul of Ms Deborah. It is the first obligation that we owe her. May God grant her eternal rest and console her immediate family.”

Deputy Speaker’s Chief of Staff Resigns To Contest For Reps

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May 13, 2022