Watch Signature Tv 30 minutes: Bandits Attack the envoy of the Emir of Kaura Namoda, Kill Three Policemen and Five Others

IN THE HEADLINES

• Senate Confirms Chairman and members of the governing Council of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission.
• Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party says defection cannot resolve issues in the party.
• Bandits Attack the envoy of the Emir of Kaura Namoda, Kill Three Policemen and Five Others

 

And now the details…..

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of eight persons as chairman, managing director, and members of the Governing Council of the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPADEC).

The lawmakers gave the approval during Thursday’s plenary at the upper chamber of the National Assembly in Abuja.

This followed the consideration of the report of the Committee on Power on the confirmation of the nominees for appointment as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ityav Terfa was confirmed as the chairman of HYPADEC, while the appointment of Abubakar Yelwa as the managing director of the agency was also approved.

Members of the governing council, as approved by the Senate, include Isa Salami, Taoheed Toyin, Mikail Bmitosahi, Dr. Saleh Kanam, Aminu Ganda, and Utum Eteng. #

 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Walid Jibrin has appealed to aggrieved members of the party not to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the chairman, defection cannot be the solution to their grievances, but they should allow the party’s leadership to address their grievances amicably.

Jibrin in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja also advised all contending interests to sheathe their swords and explore all peaceful means for an amicable solution.

This appeal is coming after more members of the opposition party defected to the ruling APC. #

 

Bandits have attacked the convoy of the Emir of Kaura Namoda, Sanusi Muhammad Asha, along Zaria-Funtua road, killing three policemen and five others.

Relatives of the Emir told newsmen on Friday that the incident happened on Thursday night when the monarch was on his way back to town from Abuja.

The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo also confirmed the incident. He, however, declined to comment further on the attack.

It was gathered that the armed men attacked a Hilux in the emir’s convoy and killed the driver, three policemen, a senior guard to the Emir, and one Dan Amal, who is an uncle to the Emir.

Before his appointment as emir, Muhammad Asha was a Major in the Nigerian Army.

The incident happened on the same day that the abducted schoolboys from Kankara in Katsina state regained their freedom. #

 

 

Property worth millions of naira were destroyed as fire gutted a petrol station in the Central Area of Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Thursday.

According to the eyewitness, the fire, which started at about 11:30pm, and lasted for more than an hour.

The scene of the fire was reported to house three petrol stations, plazas and several other businesses.

It took the frantic intervention of firefighters to prevent the fire from escalating to other petrol stations.

Confirming the incident, Commandant of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, Dalhatu Dogara said the fire erupted while a petrol tanker was discharging fuel and no life was lost. #

 

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has gone into self-isolation after contacts with some persons who tested positive for COVID-19.

The governor in a statement said he has been medically advised to go into self-isolation. He therefore withdrew from official and physical engagements for the period prescribed by the COVID-19 protocols, with effect from Friday, December 18th, 2020.

He noted that in his absence the Deputy Governor, Manir Dan’Iya, will carry out all official functions as laid down in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #

 

The Cross-River state governor, Professor Ben Ayade is mourning the state Commissioner of Police, Abudukadir Jimoh, describing his death as a great loss to the state, country, and the police force. Abudukadir Jimoh died on Friday.

Ayade in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Christian Ita, described Jimoh as “a brave and courageous officer who was a central figure in the fight against kidnapping and other crimes in the state.”

Eulogising the fallen Commissioner of Police for his commitment and dedication to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state, Ayade said late Jimoh’s skills, dexterity intellect and expertise will be sorely missed as the country unite to confront the challenges of security. #

 

Now to some business stories

The main border crossing between Benin Republic and Nigeria came alive with economic activities following the announcement it would reopen after more than 16 months, relieving thousands who suffered from the closure.

Nigeria said Wednesday it was lifting the closure of its borders with neighbouring Benin and the Niger Republic imposed in August 2019 in a move to curb the smuggling of rice and other commodities and bolster domestic agriculture.

Early Thursday, traders, taxi-drivers, and goods carriers amassed on both sides of the Seme-Krake border, located along the Atlantic Ocean.

In the town’s small restaurants, people cheered joyfully, as women nearby draped in colourful clothes brought out wooden chairs to await the border reopening.

President Muhammadu Buhari stunned Nigeria’s neighbours when he unexpectedly closed the borders, saying the time had come to crush the contraband trade. #

 

NOW TO STOCK MARKET REPORT

At the close of business on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Friday, all the indicators closed blue, as the equity grew by Two Hundred and Ninety-Five billion naira.

The volume of stocks traded also rose to Four Hundred and Twenty-Six Point Three Four million, from three hundred and forty-three point six four traded on Thursday.

Four Point Three Seven trillion-naira worth of shares were traded on Friday against Four Point Three Five trillion traded on Thursday.

Equity capitalization value appreciated from Eighteen Point Nine- Five trillion naira to nineteen point two four trillion. This was a one point five six percent gain.

The All Share Index also stood positive rising from Thirty-Six Thousand, Two hundred and thirty-nine point six two points to thirty-six thousand, eight hundred and four point seven four points, a one-point five-six percent rise.

Friday’s market performance was impacted by gains recorded in large and medium capitalized stocks, amongst which include; DANGOTE SUGAR, ACCESS BANK, GUARANTY TRUST BANK, DANGOTE CEMENT, AND ZENITH BANK.

CHAMPION BREWERIES was the top gainer while CILEASING was on top of the loser’s side. #

 

AND ON THE FOREIGN SCENE

Ex-President of Burundi Pierre Buyoya has died in Paris of Covid-19 at the age of 71.

Close relatives on Friday confirmed the death of Buyoya, who served as special envoy of the African Union to Mali and the Sahel from 2012 until November this year.

Buyoya had been hospitalised on Wednesday last week in Bamako where he was placed on a respirator.

Buyoya resigned as A.U envoy in late November after being sentenced to life imprisonment in Burundi the month prior over the 1993 assassination of his successor, which he denounced as politically motivated. #

 

IN SPORTS

Mikel Arteta Says Arsenal knew there would be no “quick fix” after he arrived at the club as he scrambles for solutions following a disastrous start to the Premier League season.

The Gunners head into Saturday’s Premier League match at Everton languishing in 15th place in the table following a 1-1 draw against Southampton.

Arsenal’s winless league run now stretches to six matches, with the club enduring their worst start to a top-flight season since 1974/75.

But Arteta insisted on Friday the “project” was focused on the long term, with Sunday marking his one-year anniversary in charge at the Emirates.

The Spaniard said he had felt supported by the club hierarchy from the moment he took over following the departure of Unai Emery last December. #

 

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