Signature 30 minutes: Persons Living with Disability Protest at National Assembly Gate

The Coalition of Northern Groups has demanded the immediate rescue of the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.

They however shelved their plan to protest in Daura to register their concerns with President Muhammadu Buhari who is in the town on a weeklong visit.

The National Coordinator of the Coalition, Balarabe Rufa’i explained that instead, the coalition used the occasion to launch the #BringBackOurBoys struggle that would go on ceaselessly until all the abducted children are returned alive.

Speaking at a press conference in Katsina, the Katsina state capital, the group described the abduction of the children as a total weakness of President Buhari’s administration and his failure to protect the lives of Nigerians.

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 Ann on Cam:

Insecurity is a major challenge in Nigeria, as kidnapping is on the increase in many parts of the country.

On Friday 11th December 2020, over 300 schoolboys were abducted by unidentified armed militants in Kankara, Katsina state.

However, the Minister of Defense, Bashir Magashi on Sunday following the abduction assured Nigerians that all the missing schoolboys will be rescued in a matter of time.

As Nigerians wait for the Minister to deliver on his promise, Signature TV correspondent, Obi Chibueze went to the streets of Abuja to get people’s reaction

Track up…….

 

A number of people living with disabilities from the Niger Delta region on Thursday stormed the National Assembly Complex in Abuja to protest neglect by Federal Lawmakers representing them in the Federal Legislature.

The aggrieved protesters under the banner of Great Minds Foundation of people living with deformities in the Niger Delta, forced themselves inside the assembly complex despite resistance by security operatives at the gate.

The spokesperson of the group, Amos Etim, said they arrived at the National Assembly from various states of the Niger Delta to demand their rights from their representatives.

The Deputy Whip of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi, who led other lawmakers to meet with the protesters appealed for calm and said their grievances will be addressed.

Senator Sabi asked the protesters to delegate a five-man team to meet with the National Assembly leadership. #

 

A Member of the House of Representatives, Sam Onuigbo has dumped the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency of Abia State, made his defection known in a letter read by the speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday.

The lawmaker cited division and crisis in his local government chapter of the PDP.

Meanwhile, the minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu kicked against his colleague’s action and urged the speaker to declare his seat vacant, a request which was not granted.

Onuigbo’s defection comes as the third consecutive defection on the floor of the house since Tuesday

A total of three lawmakers defected to the ruling APC since the beginning of this week. Onuigbo’s defection makes it the fourth. #

 

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has condemned the unfortunate killing of a motorcycle operator allegedly by the police at Igboukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of the state, calling for calm.

The incident had sparked anger in the area leading to the burning down of Igboukwu Police Station.

Obiano, who spoke on the State Broadcasting Television on Thursday, said that the burning down of police stations, vehicles, and destruction of property cannot solve the problem.

He disclosed that the policeman responsible for the shooting at Igboukwu has been taken into custody, stressing that the state government would assist the family of the deceased by providing them with necessary emotional and financial support.

Meanwhile, the State Police Command has explained that the tragic incident was a result of accidental discharge when the police were trying to enforce the ban on the movement of motorcycles after 9 pm. #

 

ANN ON CAM:

The first Pro chancellor of Alex Ekueme Federal University, Ebonyi State, Engr. Anayo Bedford Onwuegbu has bagged an Honorary Doctorate Degree for his contribution to the development of the institution.

 

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Chinedum Nwajiugba made this known during the 2020 Fifth and Special convocation ceremony of the University where Barrister Onwuegbu was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree.

Signature TV Correspondent Michael Ilediagu now reports.

Track up……………………….

 

 

 

The Lagos State Government has directed public and private schools in the state to vacate on Friday, December 18th.

The Director-General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Abiola Seriki-Ayeni who made the announcement in a statement said the 2020/2021 first term academic session for public and private schools comes to an end on Friday 18th December 2020.

Schools are to resume on January 4, 2021, while boarding school students are to resume on Sunday 3rd January 2021.

Parents are advised to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols at home while all school proprietors and school administrators are enjoined to also ensure compliance to COVID-19 safety protocols when schools resume for 2nd term on Monday 4th January 2021. #

 

The Niger State Government has directed all civil servants to stay at home from December 21st, 2020.

This is to avert the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, following the increased number of cases in recent times.

The Government’s directive was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Service Salamatu Abubakar on Thursday.

According to the statement, the workers are to stay at home till further notice.

The directive however excludes workers on essential services. #

 

Now to Business stories

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has so far released Twelve point Five-Five Billion Naira to support the small, medium, and large-scale poultry farmers.

The CBN explained that the gesture is part of its strategy to boost egg and meat production as well as to create more jobs for Nigerians.

CBN Director, Development Finance Department, Yila Yusuf, in a statement on Wednesday, said the disbursement of funds to farmers was an ongoing process as more farmers are being shortlisted for the loan.

According to him, between the last quarter of 2019 and November 2020, farmers in the poultry value chain have received a total of Twelve Billion, Five Hundred and Fifty-Five Million Naira from various commercial banks and Microfinance Banks.

The disbursement of the fund was in response to the request made by some stakeholders under the umbrella of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) calling on the federal government to intervene in the sector to mitigate the losses occasioned by the restriction of movement of goods and services amidst the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant lockdown. #

 

The ban on the importation of rice, poultry, and other products remains in force, even though President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the reopening of the country’s borders.

This was confirmed by the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

Ahmed was speaking to State House correspondents after Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting, presided over by vice-president Yemi Osinbajo.

Buhari joined virtually from his hometown, Daura, Katsina State.

Ahmed said the ban on the importation of rice, poultry, and other banned products still subsists and will be enforced by the border patrol team

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, also added that the problem of smuggling will now be effectively tackled after this ban.

He further revealed that the issue of the smuggling of rice into the country has reduced drastically. #

 

AND NOW FOR THE STOCK MARKET REPORT

Trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Thursday recorded an increase in market capitalization, as the bulls dominated the market.

There were Forty gainers against Sixteen losers at the close of trading.

The market capitalization rose from Eighteen Point Five-Six trillion naira recorded on Wednesday to Eighteen Point Nine- Five trillion, a Three Hundred and Ninety Point One Nine-billion-naira rise.

Three Hundred and Forty-Three Point Six-Four million shares exchanged hands, in a total deal of Three Thousand, Eight Hundred and Ninety- Five.

The value of stocks traded rose from Two Point Two Nine billion naira as of Wednesday to four point three five billion. This was a Ninety Point One- Seven percent increase.

The All Share Index also rose to Thirty-Six Thousand, Two hundred and thirty-nine point six two from Thirty-Five Thousand, Four Hundred, and Ninety-Three Point One Five, a Two Point One percent rise.

ZENITH BANK traded the highest number of shares which is valued at Three Hundred and Eighty-Eight Point Seven -Two Million Naira in Three Hundred and Seventy-Three deals.

AIRTELAFRICAN PLC stood on top of the gainers’ chart. Its price per share rose to Seven Hundred and Seventy-Four Point Four naira from Seven Hundred and Four traded on Wednesday, a ten percent gain on its share price.

On the loser’s side, OMATEK VENTURES PLC was on top, with its share price falling to Twenty kobo, from Twenty-Two kobo that was traded on Wednesday. #

 

AND ON THE FOREIGN SCENE

French President Emmanuel Macron has gone into one-week isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday.

The French president is one of several heads of state and government around the world who have contracted Covid-19, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump.

France earlier this week eased restrictions imposed to battle the second wave of the coronavirus but infection rates remain high.

There is still a nationwide overnight curfew from 8 pm to halt the spread of the virus while restaurants and cafes, as well as theatres and cinemas, remain closed.

Over 59,300 people have died in France of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, according to official figures.

The recording of over 17,000 new cases on Wednesday alone has also generated concern as people shop and travel more intensely ahead of the Christmas holidays.

Like other E.U states, France is pinning its hopes on a vaccine to quell the virus and Prime Minister Jean Castex said Wednesday the country will receive around 1.16 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by year-end.

 

In Sports

 

Kylian Mbappe scored a penalty as Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 2-0 win over 10-man Lorient on Wednesday, keeping the reigning champions just one point behind Lille ahead of their visit to the leaders this weekend.

Lyon dropped to third place, a point behind PSG, after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Brest.

Marseille, who have two games in hand on the top three, slipped five points behind the leaders after a 2-1 defeat at Rennes.

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel after the game said that Neymar, who sprained his ankle last Sunday against Lyon, could return this weekend. #

 

Please do well to stay safe, maintain physical and social distance and wear your face masks whilst going about your daily activities.