APC trump PDP in Cross River State rerun

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January 27, 2020

All Progressives Congress (APC) has defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the Saturday, House of Representatives rerun for Abi/Yakurr federal constituency.

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed the rerun for Ekureku I and II wards in Abi council following an Appeal Court’s ruling in September 2019.

Announcing the results, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alalibo Johnson, said Alex Egbona of APC polled 29,716 against the PDP’s candidate, John Lebo, who scored 26,039.

The REC said based on the above results and the powers conferred on him, Egbona of APC, who polled the highest votes, has been declared the winner.

In another rerun for Abi state constituency, Davies Etta of PDP was declared winner having polled 13,349 to defeat his APC closest rival, Ina Iwoara, who scored 8,197 votes.

He commended stakeholders, who played critical roles to ensure smooth conduct of the elections.

In his reaction, Egbona thanked his constituents for standing by him during trial times.

The former chief of staff to former governor Liyel Imoke said the second victory has emboldened him and promised to bring dividends of democracy to his people.

Congratulating the winners, Imoke, in a statement yesterday, said now that the elections are over, it is time stakeholders united for the common good of the people of the federal constituency.

He said: “I acknowledge that through the course of this season, as is always the case, tensions were perceived to be high. But I am happy that ultimately the elections were peaceful.

“I commend both the politicians and electorate for the maturity exhibited through this election season. Now that elections are over and I believe, the better politicians won, we must all sheathe our swords and unite for our common good.

“We must condemn and abhor the denigration and abuse of leaders and the perpetuation of divisive tendencies.

“Abi/Yakurr and, indeed, Cross River State, can only grow if we give our representatives the requisite support. I also expect that Egbonna and Etta will provide qualitative representation for the federal constituency and the state constituency respectively.”

He advised both losers against pursuing the matter further in the courts even as they have constitutional rights to seek redress

Lookman moves to switch allegiance from England to Nigeria

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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Ademola Lookman has put in place requirements to switch his allegiance to the Super Eagles from England, according to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) technical assistant Tunde Adelakun.

The 22-year-old, born in England to Nigerian parents, has played for English youth teams and featured prominently as they won the U20 World Cup in 2017.

The forward is, however, still eligible to play for the West Africans, having not featured for the senior team of the Three Lions in a competitive game.

Adelakun revealed the former Everton man has put in place the paperwork required to complete his switch.

“Lookman has applied for the switch and all the documents are in order,” Adelakun said, as per AOI.

“It’s a positive step forward when he made his commitment to Nigeria and we are just waiting for a Fifa clearance.

“Once the go-ahead is sorted, it will be up to coach Gernot Rohr to decide if his club performance would earn him a call-up.

“He’s one of three former England youth players we’ve filed for but they are all aware of the caveat. All the players were told that they can only earn a place in the squad by playing regular club football.”

Lookman delivered impressive form during his loan move to RB Leipzig in 2018, scoring five goals in 11 appearances.

He has, however, failed to hit that same form since completing a permanent move to the German Bundesliga side from Everton last summer, having only played five games since his switch.

Ola Aina, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi and Shola Ameobi have in the past switched allegiance from England to Nigeria.

Brothers arraigned for killing sibling in Ebonyi

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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An Ebonyi State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Abakaliki, on Friday, remanded two brothers, Matthew Nwokora, 45; and Amos Nwokora, 37, in a correctional facility for allegedly killing their sibling, Chukwuebuka Nwokora, who was believed to be mentally challenged.

The deceased, it was gathered, had on several occasions boasted that he would kill the first accused person, Matthew before he was allegedly murdered.

It was also alleged that Chukwuebuka on January 14, 2020, met Matthew on a bush path and inflicted machete cuts on his head.

The accused persons chained Chukwuebuka to a tree and on getting there the following morning to give him food, he was said to have died.

It was further learnt that the brothers committed the offence at the Noyo-Alike Ikwo community in the Ikwo Local Government Area of the state on January 15, 2020.

They were arraigned before the court on two counts of murder and felony.

The police prosecutor, Mathias Eze, told the court that the offences were punishable under sections 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

The charges read, “That you, Matthew Nwokora, Amos Nwokora and others now at large on January 15, 2020, at Noyo-Alike Ikwo, under the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; murder, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria.

“That you, Matthew Nwokora, Amos Nwokora and others now at large, on the same date, place and in the aforesaid magisterial district, did kill one Chukwuebuka Nwokora by chaining him to a coconut tree, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 319 (1) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State.”

The defence counsel had applied to the court to admit his clients to bail, but his application was not granted by the court.

Chief Magistrate Nnenna Onuoha said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

She directed that the accused persons be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Abakaliki, while their case file should be transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in the state for necessary advice.

The matter was adjourned till Friday, February 6, 2020, for a report of compliance.

Cross River state govt issue preventive measures for lassa fever to residents

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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The Government of Cross River state under the dynamic leadership of Sen. Ben Ayade will continue to ensure that it’s citizens are safe from diseases and disease outbreaks by prioritizing health promotion and disease prevention.

Cross River State Ministry of Health (CRSMOH) intensifies emergency preparedness and response to the ongoing Lassa fever outbreak in the country.

There is no confirmed case of Lassa Fever in Cross River state! Members of the public have been asked not to panic but observe strict preventive measures to forestall the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state.

In response to the increasing number of new cases of Lassa fever across the States in the country, especially cases reported in neighbouring states; the CRSMOH has activated an emergency response team to coordinate response activities across the state through effective surveillance and instant notification of suspected cases. We have activated a state Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) headed by the Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Betta Edu.

This emergency response/ surveillance team is drawn from collaborative efforts from the CRSMOH, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), CRSPHCDA, Federal Ministry of health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), WHO and UNICEF representatives, State ministry of Agriculture, Environment and SEMA other partners.

This collaboration is intended to ensure:
1. Synergised effort towards a coordinated rapid response to any Outbreak of Lassa Fever disease in the state.

2. Rapidly increase communications and community engagement activities to ensure that Cross Riverians are aware of the risks of Lassa fever and measures to protect themselves

3. Provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other consumables across all the health facilities in the state.

4. Activation and equipping of the state isolation centre to handle any suspected case(s) in the state.

5. Provision of Ribavirin and other supportive drugs and intravenous fluids for treatment of cases to prevent mortality.

6. Ensure the dialysis machines in the General Hospital Calabar and UCTH are functional to manage to confirm cases where needed

7. Proper transport system to move samples to Lab at Abuja or IRUA, Edo State.

8. In case of any suspected case, Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer in that LGA must be reached, while Ambulance services provided to move the client. In case of a suspected case kindly reach the state epidemiologist on 08038699957.

9. The training and/ or retraining of frontline health professionals for emergency response.

10. Intensification of health education and enlightenment in Efik, Ejagham, and other dialects in the state. Other technical aspects of coordination not stated here.

WHAT IS LASSA FEVER?
Lassa fever is a major public health challenge in West Africa, with Nigeria bearing the highest burden. It is an Acute Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) caused by the Lassa virus.
The natural reservoir for the virus is the mastomy’s natalensis rodent (commonly known as a multimammate rat). Epidemiological data shows that Lassa fever occurs throughout the year, but more cases are recorded during the dry season, that is, from November through May.
Lassa fever is spread through:
1. Direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rodents
2. Ingestion of food and drinks contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
3. Contact with objects, household items or surfaces contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rat
4. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus and other body fluids of infected persons particularly in hospital environments where infection prevention and control practices are not optimal.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LASSA FEVER
The early stages of Lassa fever present initially like other febrile illnesses such as malaria. Symptoms of the disease generally include fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pains and in severe cases, unexplainable bleeding from the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, anus and other body orifices. It could also present as persistent bleeding from sites of intravenous cannulation.
The incubation period (time between infection and appearance of a symptom of the disease) is 3-21 days. Early diagnosis and treatment, increases the chances of survival. Inappropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face mask, goggles etc., increases the risk of person-to-person transmission of Lassa fever.

To reduce the risk of Lassa fever, the following preventive measures can be carried out:
1. The practice of good personal hygiene by frequent handwashing with soap under running water and or use of hand sanitizers when appropriate.
2. Storage of foodstuff like rice, garri, beans, corn etc. in containers with tight-fitting lids.
3. Avoidance of drying of foodstuff outside on the floor and by the roadside where they can be exposed to contamination.
4. Proper covering of dustbin and disposal of refuse. Dumpsites should be set up very far from homes.
5. Clearing the environment regularly.
6. Avoidance of bush burning which can lead to the displacement of rats from bushes to the human dwelling.
7. Elimination of rats in homes and communities by setting rat traps and other means.
8. Disposal of all health care waste in a safe manner.
9. The practice of standard precautions at all times while handling patients and body fluids.

Any febrile illness that has not responded to 48hrs use of antimalarial or antibiotics should report to the nearest health facility for proper evaluation and treatment.
Health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion as Lassa fever can present like malaria fever and other febrile illnesses.
It is very important that health workers maintain standard precaution while managing patients.

Edo PDP attacks Umahi for endorsing Obaseki

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday, urged the National Chairman of the party, Mr Uche Secondus, to caution Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and other PDP leaders endorsing Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for a second term.

The state party chairman, Mr Dan Orbih, in a letter dated January 25 and addressed to the national chairman, expressed worry over the recent action of Umahi which he described as an act of indiscipline and ingratitude.

He said, “This practice, you will agree with us, is condemnable and smacks of indiscipline and ingratitude.

“It defeats the spirit of camaraderie that is supposed to exist within a political party.”

He said the 2020 election represented the party’s brightest chance of winning the state back because of the crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state.

Orbih said it was therefore painful for the party members in the state to hear leaders, members of the board of trustees and even some governors, engaging in an uncharitable endorsement of Obaseki.

BREAKING: Lagos Bans Okadas, Tricyles, Opay, Including Gokada

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ABN TV EDITOR

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January 27, 2020

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The Lagos State Government has banned the activities of commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada, and tricycles, known as Keke Napep in some Local Government Areas in the State.

The ban also includes Opay and Gokada operators.

Details later…

Two nabbed for stealing car from church in Lagos

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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The police have arrested two suspected car thieves, Bamidele Adebayo and Hakeem Taofik, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Corolla car at the Shagari Estate in the Ipaja area of Lagos State

It was learnt that the suspects removed the car around 1 pm from an unnamed church’s car park, while the Sunday service was ongoing.

A member of the church, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the robbers pretended to be members of the church, sat and listened to the sermon.

He stated that the suspects might have targeted the vehicle, known the owner and when the owner was likely to go out, adding that otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for them to come into the church’s car park and remove the vehicle.

The source stated, “We couldn’t believe it when the owner of the vehicle wanted to go home after the service and he went right to where he parked the car but couldn’t find it. It was like a joke and a thorough search was conducted on the church’s premises and outside.

“When we couldn’t see the vehicle, the pastor had to call the police, who conducted their investigation.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Bala Elkana, said the car was stolen around 1 pm on Sunday, January 19, 2020, while the church service was still ongoing.

He added that when the police were informed about the incident, they used available technologies to track it to Ijagba village in Sango Ota after the Obasanjo Farms, Ogun State.

According to the PPRO, the car was recovered around 4 pm on the same day and two suspects were arrested in connection with the theft.

Elkana said, “A Toyota Corolla saloon car that was removed from a church’s car park at the Shagari Estate, Lagos, around 1 pm on Sunday, was recovered at Ijagba village in Sango Ota after the Obasanjo Farms on the same day.

“The car was recovered around 4 pm by a team of policemen, who tracked it to the location. Two suspects have been arrested and the vehicle is at the station.”

PDP wins Niger Assembly rerun election

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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The People’s Democratic Party PDP has won the rerun House of Assembly election for Agwara constituency of Niger state

Bello Ahmed of the PDP polled 5,884 votes to beat 11 other candidates in the election.

The ACD candidate polled 1,843 votes APGA candidate scored 965 votes and ADC 620 votes.

The APC did not participate in the election following tribunal’s nullification of its candidate in the March 2019 election.

State chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Tanko Beji and all the 25 chapter chairmen were party agents in the election.

No cabal exists in Aso Villa – Buhari

By

Alex Enemanna

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January 27, 2020

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The President Muhammadu Buhari has denied the existence of a ‘cabal’ in his administration.

He stated this in an interview he granted the current edition of The Interview magazine.

Asked if a cabal exists in the seat of power, Buhari recalled that he had addressed the issue before, insisting there was nothing of such, stressing that he was the one that went round the country to campaign during the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

According to him, “I addressed this matter before. I was the one who went round the country on campaigns, and I was the one voted into office as president twice.

“No one else did, and no one else took the oath of office, and can exercise the powers of a president.”

Asked to describe his relationship with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on a scale of one to ten, Buhari said replied “perfect.”

He said: “Perfect. Or has he complained to you? (Laughs) Thank you very much.”

On recent statement credited to a former Minister of Defence, General T.Y. Danjuma (red.), saying the country was in deep rot, President Buhari said it was the opinion of “one man,” compared to the majority of votes that returned him as president for a second in 2019.

He said: “And what is the vote of confidence of Nigerians in me, as expressed in the polls last year? That is what matters more, not the opinion of one man,” he replied.

Asked to react to the decision of PUNCH titles to prefix his name with Major General because of some of the perceived anti-democratic actions of his regime, he replied: “Am I not a retired Major General of the Nigerian Army? I didn’t just pick the rank in the streets, I earned it.”