Author: darelasisi@gmail.com

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved the appointment of 513 additional aides to serve as his Technical Assistants (TA). The governor’ Principal Secretary, Chief Clement Nweke who made this known in a statement in Abakaliki on Wednesday, said the appointees were drawn from the 171 political wards in the state. The appointees, according to him, are to report to the office of the principal secretary with their credentials for documentation. “Appointees from Abakaliki, Afikpo North, Afikpo South, Ebonyi and Ezza North Local Government Areas (LGA) are to report on Nov. 27, 2019. “The appointees from Ezza South, Ikwo, Izzi,…

Civil society groups on Wednesday protested against the proposed Hate Speech Bill, Social Media Bill and also demanded the immediate release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services despite being granted bail by the court. The protest tagged #SayNoToHateSpeechBill took place at the National Assembly gate. Protesters stormed the National Assembly in their numbers early on Wednesday, many bearing placards and banners with “#SAY NO TO SOCIAL MEDIA BILL” and “#SAY NO TO HATE SPEECH BILL” boldly inscribed on them. (CHANNELSTV)

YouTube says it will support four fast-rising Nigerian artists on their individual music journey by providing them with the tools to propel their music and grow their presence on YouTube. Addy Awofisayo, YouTube Content Partnership Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen after an event tagged `Celebration of Afrobeats’ held in Lagos According to her, the support will accelerate the growth of their audience globally as announced at an event tagged, “A celebration of Afrobeats” organized by YouTube in Lagos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four Nigerian artistes selected…

The Sexual Assault Center of Gwamna Awon Specialist Hospital, Kaduna on Wednesday said it had so far recorded over 400 cases of sexual abuse since its inception in December 2016. The centre manager, Mrs Julain Joseph made the disclosure at the ongoing 4-day workshop on “Ending Violence Against Children (VAC)” in Zaria, Kaduna state. Represented by Rachael Sankey-Daniel of the center, Joseph said out of the figure, 163 cases were recorded this year (2019). NAN reports that the workshop was organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). According to her, most…

The Nigerian Army on Wednesday said it had stepped up its operations through various training nationwide to prevent a possible spike in criminal activities during the yuletide. Col. Aminu Iliyasu, the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, made this known in a statement in Abuja. Iliyasu said that the service had re-energized the Operation MESA, ATILOGWU UDO I, AYEM AKPATUMA 11, and CROCODILE SMILE IV to further strangulate and deny criminals freedom of action. He said that multiple successes had been recorded in various areas of operation, adding that ATILOGWU UDO I had continued to smash criminal syndicates across the South-East…

No fewer than 300 soldiers and other security agencies on Tuesday undertook a 5.7km walk in Okitipupa as part of awareness creation for Exercise Crocodile Smile IV. This is contained in a statement by Maj. Victor Olukoya, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said that Brig.-Gen. Zakari Abubakar, Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade led the walk. Olukoya said the march was in compliance with the directive to foster synergy with sister security agencies in tackling insecurity. According to him, areas covered during the walk are Government Roundabout, Apata Junction, Irewole…

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has recorded 8,527 road traffic crashes (RTC) across the country from January to date, Corps Public Education Officer, (CPEO) Mr Bisi Kazeem said. Kazeem told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that 4,163 people were killed in the crashes during the period. The CPEO said that 59,724 people were involved in the road crashes in which 14,425 vehicles were involved. He said that 4,163 people died, while 27,408 were injured in the accidents while 27,523 escaped without injuries. Kazeem added that 621,776 offences were recorded during the period and 555,991 motorists…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says there is no going back on its stand concerning its refusal to be included in the Federal Government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System. Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, National President of the union, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that there is nowhere in the world where such a development obtained. NAN reports that the Federal Government had recently directed that public sector workers, including universities, must be captured on the payroll system to save cost and fight corruption by blocking leakages in its salary payment structure. The…

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Wednesday threatened to shut down the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara, over what it termed needless and continuous increment of tuition fees and others. Mr Azeez Adeyemi, the Association’s Spokesperson, said this in a statement in Abeokuta. Adeyemi said the hardship in the institution had been brought to the notice of the leadership of NANS, and it had to ensure that students were provided a conducive atmosphere for learning. He explained that the national body of NANS had received complaint letters from students of the institution over incessant increment in their tuition fees.…

The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) wants media owners to take insurance policies for their newsmen, which their families can fall back on in case of an eventuality as they undertake their duties. The Chairperson, NAWOJ, Rivers State Chapter, Mrs Lilllian Okonkwo, made this call on Wednesday during a three-day training for women journalists on Gender Equity and Safety/Gender Sensitive Reporting in Port Harcourt. The training, which started on Nov. 25 to end on Nov. 27, would address such issues as Gender Issues/Equity; Journalists Rights and Gender Safety; Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace; Safety in the Field, Safety…