South African media personality, Somizi has lent his voice to the widespread violence women in South Africa are subjected to.
In an Instagram post Somizi shared, he stated that women in South Africa are safer with wild animals than at home or in the streets.
He wrote;
A woman in South Africa is safer in the Kruger among Lions and snakes than at home or in the streets.
YES, THERE I SAID IT…..YES THIS IS MY HANDWRITING
Governor Bello Matawalle on Monday August 24, presented gold bars and precious stones mined from Zamfara state which he governs to President Buhari.
Governor Matawalle was accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia during the presentation at the Presidential Villa last night.
President Buhari’s personal assistant on Broadcast media, Buhari Sallau wrote as he shared the photos;
President Muhammadu Buhari last night at his residence, the State House, Abuja, received Governor of Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle accompanied by Alhaji Bashir Hadejia.
Gov. Matawalle was at the State House to present some gold bars and other precious stones mined in his State.
The Southern Kaduna Baptist Conference has called for forgiveness on all sides amid peace building efforts following recent killings and destruction of property in the area.
Rev. Donald Arak, President of the Conference, made the call on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
Arak said the warring parties may find it difficult to forgive if they continued to focus on the pains and losses incurred on account of the crisis.
“Our prayer every day is that peace will permanently return to Southern Kaduna and we will continue to encourage our pastors to preach peace.
“We are calling for the spirit of forgiveness. Truly, many people are pained, many people are hurt.
“Forgiveness is not easy, especially when you continue to focus on the pain inflicted. However, we must allow God to help us forgive one another,” he added.
He implored the people to emulate Christ who in spite of the pains he suffered ask God to forgive those that nailed him to the cross during his earthly ministry.
“Let us learn from our Lord, who on the cross, with the nails on him and the pains, looked up to heaven and said Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.
“We are trusting God that we will rebuild a new Southern Kaduna where peace will reign and we will enjoy working with one another irrespective of tribe or religion,” Arak said.
According to him, Baptist was marking 100 years of existence in Southern Kaduna, having planted 670 churches in the area with over 60,000 members.
He noted that the Baptist conference had outlined projects it intends to carryout in the near future as part of its contribution to the development of mankind.
Arak called for greater synergy between the Baptist Conference and the Local Government Council to maximize Southern Kaduna’s potentials.
In his remarks, the Council Chairman, Mr Peter Agite, commended the Baptist denomination for its contributions to the development of the education sector in the country.
“Baptist is renowned for its commitment to education through the establishment of good schools, not just in Kadun but across the country.
“We are urging you to keep up the good work that you have started for the betterment of humanity,” he said
Agite assured of the council’s readiness to support initiatives designed to move the local government and the entire southern Kaduna forward.
The chairman restated the commitment of the state government to achieving and sustaining lasting peaceful co-existence in southern Kaduna.
The Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum (BRCCF) on Tuesday, described attacks by Boko Haram on innocent civilians in the Northeast as an “Act of Cowardice”.
The Chairman of the BECCF, Alhaji Zanna Hassan-Boguma, made this known while addressing a news conference in Maiduguri.
He, therefore urged meaningful Borno citizens and groups to desist from the culture of silence and expose the secrets, lies and sponsors of the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“The recent development in the state including abduction of innocent people, attack on the Governor’s convoy, terrorising of innocent people and shedding blood by the insurgents constituted injustice and could never be tolerated further,” he said.
He noted that on several occasions, the Boko Haram and ISWAP had claimed responsibility for the deliberate act of terrorism that targeted worshippers, traditional and religious leaders, villagers, motorists, aid workers and government officials in the state.
He said that the insurgents had also attacked vulnerable unarmed children, women and civilians and called all government agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace, order in the war ravaged zone.
“The terrorist act clearly do not reflect Islam as a religion of peace. Islam brought peace in line with the principle of Rahmatan Lil Alamin which means Marcy for the whole universe, its contents, creations, including nature and mankind, Muslims and Non- Muslims alike.
“The forum also upholds the principle of Ta’aayush Fis-silmi, which stresses the peaceful coexistence of all.
“The Holy Quran in Suraj 5: Verse 32, stresses on the sanctity of life; “Whoever kills an innocent person, it would be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoever saves a life, it would be as if he had saved all mankind,”he said.
According to him, any Muslim aware of the teachings of the religion, and who adhere to the directives of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, would never be involved in acts that would invoke the anger of Almighty Allah.
The Chairman commended efforts of the federal government, security agencies, hunters and Agro Rangers amongst others for their efforts in countering Boko terrorism urging the people to be united against the terrorists.
“It is necessary to apprehend and bring to justice, the true perpetrators of these crimes, as well as those who aid and abet them through incitement, financing and otherwise.
“They must be brought to justice in an imperial court of law and and punish appropriately. It is the duty of all to participate in this effort with all possible means to save our land,”he said.
According to him, terrorism will not triumph over the country’s decision to move forward in developing and building the Nigerian state to reach its promise land for the good of all.
“We will work with the people to prevent terrorism from turning our state into a haven or arena for their crimes. As people, we must be vigilant and careful to oppose these pernicious and shameless evil,”he said.
“We equally sympathised with security men and women who lost their lives in the front line while in the course of engaging with the insurgents to defend the country”, he said.
He commended the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar-Ibn-Garbai Elkenemy, Borno Elders and all the stakeholders for commendation,for their support in the fight against the insurgents.
“The armed forces should switch from defensive to offensive, they should be proactive in the attacks instead of repelling and they should take the war to the insurgents hideout and enclaves”, he advised .
The forum is made up of elder statesmen.
Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, as he clocked 64 years on Monday.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, on Tuesday, lauded Sultan Abubakar for his efforts at promoting and advancing the course of peace, unity and development of the country.
He said that Nigerians would remain grateful to the Sultan for his contributions in building bridges of unity, peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance among Nigerians.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of Delta, I felicitate with His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, the Sokoto Sultanate Council, the Government and people of Sokoto State on the occasion of your 64th birth anniversary.
“Your usual timely and wise counseling on national issues keeps us – leaders and followers – in check at all times.
“We celebrate your outstanding and exemplary role as head of Jama’atul Nasir Islam (JNI), President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and co-Chairman of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).
“We also appreciate your support for education in Nigeria as a panacea to end insurgency, promotion and protection of human life and dignity of man.
“As you continue to use your exalted throne to promote peace, unity and positive development in the Caliphate and across our nation, be assured of the support, partnership and cooperation of the government and people of Delta.
“It is my prayer that Almighty Allah grants you many more years of good health to continue your sublime and immeasurable services to the nation,” Okowa said.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has cautioned Nigerians to stop the consumption of an organic apple and black currant originating from Australia.
Prof. Moji Adeyeye, NAFDAC Director-General, who disclosed this to FELLOW PRESS, said the products had been certified harmful for human consumption.
“The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has warned against the consumption of Pure Tassie Organic Apple and Blackcurrant Juice originating from Australia.
“This was due to unacceptable level of patulin (a mycotoxin) which had exceeded the maximum limit in fruit juice,” she said.
Adeyeye pointed out that the level of patulin content in the affected fruit juice can induce liver, spleen and kidney damage.
She added that the toxic level would affect immune system and causes nausea, gastrointestinal disturbance and vomiting.
She said that the name of the is Pure Tassie, an organic apple and blackcurrant juice from Australia.
The D-G implored importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to immediately stop the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the affected fruit juice.
She urged members of the public in possession of the affected fruit juice to submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.
She also called on healthcare professionals and consumers to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of this product to the nearest NAFDAC office through NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks).
Adeyeye said the agency should be reached through pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via the NAFDAC ADR e-Reporting platform available at www.nafdac.gov.ng.
The Scandinavian airline (SAS), on Tuesday said it recorded huge losses in the last quarter due to the collapse of air travel demand during the pandemic.
The airline said the number of passengers declined by 86 per cent in the quarter between May and July.
Total revenue declined by 81 per cent, from 13.4 billion Swedish krona (or 1.5 billion dollars) to 2.5 billion krona.
As a result, earnings before tax came in at minus 2.1 billion krona, compared to 1.5 billion krona in the same period in 2019.
The airline received 12 billion krona from shareholders to bolster its operations, but had to cut costs and let go of 5,000 employees, of whom 4,000 had already been made redundant.
According to SAS Chief Rickard Gustafson, although there are significant challenges ahead, it is expected that SAS will return as a sustainable and profitable airline following a successful implementation of the recapitalisation plan,” Gustafson said.
However, demand began rising slowly, especially in domestic travel and routes to European holiday destinations.
“Our current expectation is that the ramp-up phase for the airline industry may last until 2022 before demand can reach more normalised levels, with a return to pre-COVID-19 levels a few years thereafter,” Gustafson said.
Usain Bolt has confirmed he is self-isolating after taking a Covid-19 test just days after partying with guests including Manchester City star Raheem Sterling for his 34th birthday in Jamaica.
The eight-time Olympic gold medalist, who clocked 34 on Friday August 21, shared a video on social media after reports from Nationwide90fm, a radio station in Jamaica, claimed he had tested positive for Coronavirus.
The retired Jamaican sprinter confirmed he is in self-isolation at his home in Jamaica after taking a Covid-19 test on Saturday. He went on to say that he is not suffering from any symptoms and didn’t confirm or deny having Covid-19.
Lying in bed, he said: “Good morning everybody. I’m just waking up and like everybody just checking social media and social media is saying I am confirmed to have Covid-19.
“I did a test on Saturday to leave because I have work. I’m trying to be responsible so I’m going to stay in and stay here for my friends.
“Also, I have no symptoms so I’m going to quarantine myself and wait on the confirmation to see what is the protocol.
“Until then… just to be safe I’m quarantined by myself, just to take it easy and just to let people know, be safe out there.”
Dr. Obadiah Mailafia has approached a High Court of Justice in Plateau State for the enforcement of his fundamental rights to personal liberty and fair hearing after being invited by the police.
It is speculated that the invitation of the former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by the police may be connected to his previous appearance before the Department of State Services (DSS), over his claim of a Northern Governor being one of the leaders of Boko Haram.
Serving an update at a press conference on Monday August 24, Mailafia described the invitation as an intimidation, harassment, persecution and a witch hunt. He disclosed that he will be filing a lawsuit to challenge to invitation.
The Presidential Task Force on the Coronavirus (COVID-19), on Monday said that Intending travellers into Nigeria must have tested negative to the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The PTF National Coordinator, Dr Sani Aliyu, provided further insight on protocols ahead of the resumption of international flights at its daily briefing in Abuja.
“Intending travellers to Nigeria must have tested negative for COVID-19 PCR test, before being allowed entry into the country.
“We are narrowing the period of validity for the PCR test from the current 14 days to 7 days from Aug. 29.
“Preferably, PCR test must be done as close as possible from 48 hours to 72 hours from departure but we still accept results that are valid within 7 days prior to boarding,” he stated.
He said that Nigerians were aware that the PTF had asked the aviation authorities to prepare for the opening of international flights from Aug. 29.
“This is dependent on ensuring that all COVID-19 protocols that have been approved by the Presidential Task Force on the back of the resumption are adhered to.
“For the moment, all travellers coming into the country will abide by the quarantine protocols that we currently have,” he outlined.
The Coordinator said that Nigeria would continue with the process of requesting for a negative PCR result for all passengers boarding to travel to Nigeria.
He said that the test must be PCR test and the country would not accept uncertified results.
“As mentioned by the chairman of the PTF, we’re concerned about the quality of some of the results we are getting and the discrepancies, when passengers are tested in country.
“For this reason, the protocol that has just been approved by the PTF will be reviewed after four weeks and we would be looking at the level of discrepancies between the negative and the positive results.
“We are working with various embassies and we insist that passengers use these laboratories for the test,” Aliyu said.