IPOB: I’ll be victorious, my situation for a while – Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed optimism that his predicament in the ongoing trial by the Federal Government over alleged terrorism would “last for a while.”

He also told all his followers to embrace the peace initiatives and should not be distracted.

Kanu’s lawyer and human rights activist, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said these in a statement issued on Friday after his on routine visit to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu at the Headquarters of the Department of State Services, Abuja

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deeply appeals to his followers to avail themselves of the peace initiative presently ongoing and not to be distracted anymore. He further implored all them to keep their eyes on the ball because enemies are struggling in vain to entrench disharmony.

 

N3trn Subsidy: PDP Demands Disclosure Of Fuel Importation Costs

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded full disclosure of specifics of the subsidy templates including details of the cost of importation of petroleum products into the country to warrant the additional N2.557 trillion being requested for subsidy.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, while reacting on Thursday, said the leading opposition party was appalled by the bare-faced move of President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to hide under fuel subsidy to siphon and fritter a staggering N3trillion.

He described it as an outrageous and unpardonable crime against Nigerians, therefore, call ing  on the National Assembly to stand with the people and reject what it called scandalous N2.557 trillion addition for fuel subsidy at this critical time as approving such would be a great and unpardonable disservice to Nigerians.

He said While the PDP is not against subsidizing petroleum products for Nigerians, our party rejects this wicked plot by the APC government to use a heavily padded fuel subsidy claims to surreptitiously funnel trillions of naira into the pockets of corrupt APC leaders and their cronies in government ahead of their shameful exit in 2023.

UAE to lift entry ban on travellers from Nigeria from January 29

 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed it will resume passenger flights from Nigeria and 11 other African countries from Saturday, January 29.

The country’s National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) revealed this in a Twitter update.

Ethiopia, Tanzania, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Botswana and the Republic of Congo are the other affected countries.

It added that entry procedures have been updated for flights originating from Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda, as passengers arriving from the three countries must have a negative COVID-19 test which was obtained within 48 hours of departure from approved labs in their respective countries.

The UAE authority also said the passengers must undergo a Rapid PCR test at the airports of departure.

15m Nigerians, others need humanitarian assistance in 2022 — UN

 

Under-Secretary General and Emergency Relief Coordinator for the United Nations, Martin Griffiths, says that nearly 15 million people in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso will need humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Mr Griffiths said this in a  virtual meeting on the Sahel region on Thursday that the population was four million more than that of 2021.

According to him, the humanitarian community will need close to two billion dollars for the humanitarian response in the three countries in 2022.

Driving this growing humanitarian crisis, Griffiths said, it was a confluence of factors, including conflict and political instability, the pandemic, climate change, and the lack of sustainable development opportunities.

Nigerian Basketball Players Protest In Abuja Amid Leadership Crisis In NBBF

Some basketball players and supporters have stormed the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Abuja to stage a peaceful protest over the leadership crisis ravaging the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

According to reports, the players, with the players’ representative in the Musa Kida-led NBBF board and NBA star, Ejike Ugboaja, led the protest on Wednesday.

Ugboaja while speaking shortly after meeting with officials of the Sports Ministry, decried the tactics deployed by the Sports Ministry to install Musa Kida as NBBF President, insisting that the players had long rejected him, tasking the minister to conduct election.