Watch SignatureTV News Updates – Kidnappers demand N50 million ransom per abducted UNIAbuja victim
Zamfara Assembly passes bill to promote children, younger persons’ education into law
The Zamfara State House of Assembly has passed into law, a bill seeking to promote children and younger persons’ education after serious amendments to the bill.
The House noted that the bill was a private member’s bill and sponsored by a member representing Maru North in the state House of Assembly, Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma.
The bill initially generated heated arguments among the lawmakers during last week’s plenary which resulted in its rejection until amendments were affected.
However, a member representing Bungudu West, Nasiru Lawal, successfully presented a bill on social protection and other matters, which scaled through the first reading.
The Speaker, Nasiru Mua’zu Magarya commended the lawmakers for sponsoring the bills.
Northern elders want state Electoral Commissions scrapped, merger of other parties
The Northern Elders Forum has called for the scrapping of State Electoral Commissions due to the damage it has brought on the system especially during the conduct of Local Government elections.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, after a meeting convened by its Chairman, Ango Abdullahi.
The group also appealed to political parties in the country to align in order to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a healthier democracy.
The group stated that the people of the North were willing to work with other Nigerians in order to restore a level playing field to our democratic system and urged politicians and other leaders to conduct the type of politics that builds into it real equity, fairness, competence and justice.
Death toll in Lagos building collapse hits 36, top politician fingered
The number of people that have died at 21-storey building which collapsed at Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos has risen to 39, with 9 victims so far rescued as of Thursday morning.
The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, announced this in a statement on Thursday.
NEMA Acting Coordinator, Lagos State Territorial District, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said the survivors include: 1 female and 8 males, while noting that the bodies of three females and 33 males have been recovered so far.
Search operation which entered day 4 on Thursday, is continuing amid protests by friends and relatives of the victims who have expressed dissatisfaction over emergency responders because of what they term slow pace of work at the site of recovery.
According to reports, Femi Osibona, the CEO of Fourscore Heights Limited, owners of the building – who is still missing and is suspected to have died in the rubble was warned in 2020 of the doubtful integrity of the building.
However, the Lagos State Planning Authority was prevented from sealing the building when Femi Osibona, who had influence over Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, intervened and construction continued.
Kidnappers demand N50 million ransom per abducted UNIAbuja victim
Two days after, the abductors of the six persons that were kidnapped from the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) staff quarters on Tuesday morning have contacted their families to demand ransom
the public relations officer of the school, Habib Yakoob, while confirming the new development to journalists said the kidnappers were demanding fifty million naira on each of the abductees, totaling N300 million for all the six abducted persons.
A lecturer, two of his children, and three other persons were abducted when gunmen attacked the staff quarters of the university at about 1 AM on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Other victims of the abduction include the deputy registrar of the University of Abuja who was identified as Mallam Mohammed Sambo, professor Joseph Obansa and Dr Tobins Hamilton.
FEC Okays N47bn For Contracts In Aviation, Works Ministries, Customs
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved various contracts worth about N47 billion to be awarded by the ministries of Aviation, Works and Housing as well as the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
Briefing correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said this contract was part of the three memos his ministry brought for consideration at FEC.
According to him, the contracts authorized by FEC include the award of a contract for direct procurement, installation and commissioning of the total radar coverage modernization for the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the cost Twenty-eight Billion Naira.
He said council also approved two others among which was the supply and installation of baggage handling system at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos worth Three Point Six -One- Five Billion naira
UK approves Merck pill, Danish PM faces mink cull inquiry: COVID-19 Daily Bulletin
The UK has approved a COVID-19 antiviral pill developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics for use as soon as possible after a person with a known risk factor has a positive test, and within five days of the onset of symptoms.
UK now becomes the first country to approve the treatment which, in trials, cut the risk of hospitalization or death fifty percent.
Merck said it expected to produce 10m courses of the treatment by the end of the year, with fifty percent increase in the number in 2022.
Countries across Europe have been reporting rising numbers of coronavirus infections, prompting debate over whether to reintroduce restrictions and how to persuade more people to get vaccinated.
Liverpool progreses to round of 16 of UEFA Champions League
Liverpool Fotball Club on Wednesday night progressed to the -16 of the Champions League
Jurgen Klopp’s side sealed top spot in Group B with two games to spare thanks to a 2-0 win over an Atlectico Madrid side who were reduced to 10 men in the first half on Wednesday
The other English sides still have some work to join them, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United yet to confirm their passage to the knockouts.
The group winners will play the first leg of their last -16 tie away from home
The last-16 tie will be split across different weeks, with the first legs taking place on 15-16 February and 22-23 February
