PDP dares Buhari to visit troubled spots, instead of issuing condolence messages

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dared President Muhammadu Buhari to visit troubled spots in different parts of the country, instead of sending delegations with condolence messages all the time.

In a statement on Sunday issued by the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary,  Debo Ologunagba, the party charged President Buhari to demonstrate leadership and empathy by visiting the troubled states in line with his campaign promise to lead the fight against terrorism from the front instead of always pushing his responsibilities to others.

The major opposition party also condemned what it termed the indefensible insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President to the escalated killings in Sokoto, Niger, Borno, Taraba, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Benue and Plateau States, and other parts of the country by terrorists.

The party urged Nigerians  to support one another and remain focused and  scale up their collective efforts to rescue and rebuild the  nation from misrule.

ASUU postpones decision on strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has postponed its decision on strike, saying consultations are ongoing.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the union after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, sequel to the meeting held at its  National Secretariat, University of Abuja, at the weekend, to review the level of government’s implementation of the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU Memorandum of Action of 23rd December, 2020 and other related matters.

According to the statement, the lecturers regretted that the Federal Government has turned its back on plan to set up an inter-ministerial committee to review the draft Renegotiated 2009 agreement and promised not to relent in demanding for improvement in the welfare and conditions of service of its  members.

Death Toll in Kaduna Bandits Attack Rises To 38

The death toll from the bandits’ attack on several villages in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State has risen to 38.

Kaduna State Commission­er of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aru­wan, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, hous­es, trucks, and cars were also burnt, along with agricultural produce at various farms.

Aruwan said Governor Na­sir El-Rufai, who received the reports with sadness, had sent condolences to the families of the victims of the brutal at­tacks while praying for the re­pose of their souls.

The commissioner listed the names of 29 of the victims, adding that nine others were yet to be identified.

Nigerian Government Distributes N100 Billion To Facilitate MSMEs Growth

Nigerian Government has announced that it has so far disbursed the sum of N100 billion to create jobs for youths and deal with the rising unemployment in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on Sunday in Abuja.

The Minister added that the disbursement of N100 billion was done through the Development Bank of Nigeria since 2017 to facilitate Small and Medium Enterprises

He also stated that 52 per cent of loans disbursed in 2019 and 2020 were to youths and women-owned businesses, citing that the National Directorate of Employment of women was designed to ensure that the beneficiaries and trainees acquire relevant and marketable skills that would galvanize them into starting their own businesses.

AFCON 2021: Nigeria suffer a new major blow as another key player is ruled out

The three-time African champions have suffered another injury blow, with just less than three weeks before the start of the biennial African cup of nations  competition .

Nigeria’s injury list keeps growing ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations after Paul Onuachu picked up an injury in Genk’s 1-1 draw against Royal Antwerp.

Onuachu scored his 12th league goal of the season in the clash, but he walked off with the aid of Genk’s medical team in the 71st minute after picking up a hamstring injury.

The injury is expected to keep him out for three to four weeks, which all but rules him out of the AFCON starting on January 9 in Cameroon.

The Super Eagles are already without midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Kingsley Michael, while Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is currently a doubt.