Taxi Drivers Protest Illegal VIO Charges

 

Commuters in the nation's capital, Abuja on Monday, July 12, woke up to a protest by a group of taxi drivers.

The  drivers took to the streets over what they described as alleged harassment and collection of illegal levies by officials of the Vehicle Inspection Office.

Taxi drivers gathered protest in Abuja. Photo credit: 24online/NurPhoto

The protesters who carried placards with various inscriptions gathered at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja, called for an end to the VIO task force.

Union leaders according to them, are preventing taxi drivers from operating by stopping their vehicles and asking passengers to alight.

Earlier, Comrade Shehu Shugabi Yar'adua, the president of painted Abuja Taxi, revealed steps taken by the union to address the incessant cases of illegal drivers in the Federal Capital Territory. Comrade Yar'adua made the disclosure , as the union signed a partnership with a ride-hailing app soon to be launched in Abuja.

He said steps have been taken to address the influx of alien drivers into Abuja which has heightened insecurity in the city, including the notorious 'one chance' operators.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has mandated the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for the processing of driver’s license.

Stressing that there would be no waiver for anyone, Kazeem emphasised the need for a harmonised database of all citizens and described it as critical to resolving security challenges in the country.The agency made the announcement in a statement posted on its social media pages and signed by an Assistant Corps Marshal, Bisi Kazeem.

NAFDAC cautions Nigerians against sanitisers with Methanol

 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has again cautioned Nigerians against the use of hand sanitizers especially Nutricional S, de R, L De C.V containing methanol.

The warning is contained in a public alert with No: 20/2021 tagged “Recall of Hand Sanitizers by DiBAR Nutricional due to the presence of Methanol(Wood alcohol).

The alert was signed by the Director General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and made available in Abuja on Sunday.

She said that the agency had received information from US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) about the presence of methanol in hand sanitizers.

She added that information from FDA noted that Nutricional S,de R,L De C.V (Dibar) is recalling all Dibar Labs hand sanitizers, ProtectoRX hand sanitizers and Advance hand sanitizers due to the presence of methanol.

According to her, methanol, or wood alcohol, is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested.

“Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death.

“All persons using these products on their hands are at risk for methanol poisoning, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk.

“Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxicity,” she stressed.

Adeyeye therefore called on consumers, who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol and are experiencing symptoms, to seek immediate treatment for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning.

According to her, the call is necessary at this time after the FDA analysis has found the product to contain methanol in lab testing.

Adeyeye stated that NAFDAC implores importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance to avoid the distribution, sale and use of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

She also called on healthcare providers and members of the public in possession of methanol alcohol-based hand sanitizers to discontinue sale and use or submit stock to the nearest NAFDAC office.

She said that healthcare professionals are encouraged to report any problem related to the use of any hand sanitizers to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks).

According to her, Nigerians could also report any adverse effect through viapharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng or via e reporting platform available on NAFDAC websites www.nafdac.gov.ng as well as Med Safety application available for download on Android and IOS. (Source NAN)

25-year-old Italy returnee earns her living as a vulcanizer

 

A young lady who returned to Nigerian from Europe now works in Edo state as a vulcanizer.

The lady identified as Becky Osarume Osagie who had got to Italy from Libya in 2015 returned to Nigeria in 2017.

Becky returned to the country in the year 2017 and engaged in the vulcanizing business after seeing it in a movie Photo Credit: BBC News Pidgin

Becky told BBC News Pidgin that an agent had helped her with the trip that cost him N400,000. She was consequently made to agree that upon arriving in Italy, she would work to pay back to the agent £35,000 (N17 million).

Becky stated that she endured the Libya road challenges and stayed in prison for two weeks with the hope of a better life in Italy but took it upon herself to return to Nigeria as the only work presented to her there was prostitution.

The young lady was said to have reported herself to police authorities in the Southern European country which fast-tracked her return to Nigeria.

Upon arriving in Nigeria in 2017, she sought an occupation to make ends meet with and took interest in vulcanizing after watching a popular Nollywood actress act the role in a movie.

Becky then resolved to get the skill and take it as an occupation. Despite her boyfriend calling it quits on their relationship because of the vulcanizing job, the hardworking lady has no regrets about it.

Nigerians were full of praises for Becky and thought her worthy of emulation to other ladies who are in the same situation.

Southeast Governors Will Approve May 30 As Biafra Day, Says Gov Umahi

 

The South East Governors’ Forum has said May 30 would be set aside as a day to remember millions of Igbo that lost their lives during the civil war.

This was disclosed by Ebonyi state governor, Engr Dave Umahi who also doubles as the chairman of the forum.

The governor made the comment when he was interviewed virtually by Channels Television on Tuesday, June 1.

Governor Umahi says he and his colleagues will consider May 30 as Biafra Day officially. Photo credit: @EbonyiGov

His words:He said there was the need to set aside a date to honour the Igbo who died during the three-year war, insisting there was nothing wrong with it, adding that if a proposal to do so comes before the southeast governors, they would give it consideration.

“People are beginning to say that even beyond the issue of sitting at home, there is a need to set aside a date to honour our brothers and sisters who died during the civil war and there is nothing wrong with doing that.

“If it comes before the southeast governors, we would give it consideration and put conditions and one of them would be that if anyone decides to do otherwise, you must allow the person to exercise his or her rights.”

Some Nigerians have been reacting to the stance on Umahi concerning the issue.

Meanwhile, Governor Umahi says he believes those responsible for the rising security challenges in the southeast are Igbo youths.

The governor lamented that indigenes of the region, especially the young people who should protect the interest of the southeast as future leaders were the ones carrying out the attacks.

Governor Umahi had earlier ordered the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies in the southeast to shoot anyone or group of persons that try to attack them or destroy their facilities in the region.He urged leaders of the region to speak up against the attacks, saying the youths have been brainwashed.

The governor gave the charge in Abakaliki while receiving the visiting Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of the southeast zone, DIG Joseph Egbunike.

He stated that the move is important so security operatives can protect themselves and their facilities in the region

Arsenal Hot Favourites To Sign Man City Star In Stunning Transfer

 

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Man City forward, Raheem Sterling, this summer in what has been described as a stunning transfer.

Sterling has been an integral figure at Etihad Stadium, scoring an impressive 114 goals across 292 appearances for the Blue side of Manchester.

The final presented the Citizens a golden chance to win their first-ever European competition but fell to Kai Havertz's solitary goal in Porto.    Reports in the UK now contend Guardiola is set for a radical surgery on his squad, with Sterling among the famous names on the chopping board.However, City are thought to be looking to offload him this summer, with Pep Guardiola keen to rebuild after his side faltered during the Champions League final against rivals Chelsea on Saturday, May 29.

According to Metro UK, the decision to sell the Englishman comes in the backdrop of his underwhelming 2020/21 campaign where he scored a paltry 14 goals in 49 matches in all competitions.

This is the first time during the forward's career at City he is being linked with a potential exit, with Arsenal understood to be in the driving seat in the race to sign him.

SunSport reports the 26-year-old nearly joined Arsenal as a teenager when he was plying his trade with QPR's academy but the move never saw the light of day.

Despite struggling for form in recent months, Sterling was nonetheless named in England's 26-man squad for Euro 2020, a decision that has widely been criticised.

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour claimed there is an outside chance the former Liverpool star could be forced to start from the bench.

Earlier. Riyad Mahrez who is an Algerian footballer playing for Manchester City has been linked with a move to another Premier League side Arsenal this summer.

But the Gunners chiefs will have to convince the big African footballer with massive salary for him to consider moving to the Emirates stadium.

This is because Arsenal did not qualify for the Champions League or even the Europa League which will make it difficult for them to attract player like Mahrez.

Why FG Needs Honest Dialogue Now, Ex-Presidential Candidate Reveals

 

Kingsley Moghalu, a former presidential candidate, has called on the federal government to convene a round table talk with secessionists and all political agitators in Nigeria.

Kingsley Moghalu, who spoke on Channels TV's Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, June 2, noted that it is wrong and rather dangerous for the government to describe such persons as terrorists.

Moghalu  (Photo: @MoghaluKingsley, @MBuhari, @Sunday_Igboho)

The southeast politician suggested that the best way forward at such a tensive time is dialogue between the leadership and the agitating regions.

Moghalu stated:He, therefore, suggested that persons like Sunday Igboho and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should be invited for discussion.

“I think that the government should be able to invite, whether it is IPOB or Sunday Igboho, all the secessionists; invite them to the table.

“They are essentially political agitators. You can call them terrorists. That is your own prerogative but we know what terrorism means in reality. Boko Haram are terrorists. We know that."

He urged the government not to be afraid to address the core reasons behind the agitation because the agitators are crying out for justice from a deep feeling of being marginalised.

His words:

“Can we address the agitations? Don’t be afraid to address the core reasons behind the agitation because they are crying out for justice. They feel marginalised. What is wrong with addressing those issues?”

One of those who responded to the president's threat was Festus Keyamo, the minister of state for labour and employment.Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari's firm position to deal with armed criminals, arsonists, and insurrectionists in Nigeria had triggered a lot of reactions.

Via his Twitter page on Tuesday, June 1, Keyamo noted that reports are now viral online that the formerly unknown gunmen who went about killing Nigerians have been described as innocent citizens.

Omoyele Sowore: Police shoot former presidential candidate in Abuja

 

Emerging reports indicate that a journalist, Omoyele Sowore, has been shot by the police in Abuja.

A female police officer reportedly fired a teargas canister at Sowore who showed up at the Unity Fountain in Abuja for a protest on Monday, May 31.

The activist was said to have sustained injuries and has was rushed to a hospital for medical treatment.

He confirmed the incident on his Twitter handle, saying he is not afraid of losing his life in the struggle.

''Just been shit by a police officer, ACP Atine at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. #RevolutionNow Let the struggle continue even if they take my life! #BuhariMustGo''

The journalist also shared the encounter with the police on Facebook, which captured the moment he was shot.

https://web.facebook.com/OSowore/videos/10161633300042837

Similarly, Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer and human rights activist condemned the incident on his Twitter account.

He described the conduct of the police as uncivil.

@YeleSowore has just been shot by a female police officer at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.The lawyer said:

The criminal officer is said to be an ACP. I watched Sowore being shot live on Facebook.

This is what Nigeria has been turned into under Buhari. They've declared war on the Civic Space.''

BREAKING: President Buhari Appoints New Chief of Army Staff

 

President Mohammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

This was disclosed in a brief statement released by the Defence Headquarters and sighted  on Thursday afternoon, May 27.

President Buhari has appointed Major General Farouq Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff. Photo credits: @DefenceInfoNG, @NGRPresident

Prior to his appointment, Major General Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

Yahaya's appointment as the Army chief was necessitated by the demise of the occupant of the office, Ibrahim Attahiru.

The sad incident left many Nigerians in shock as the late COAS had only spent a few months in office.Attahiru and 10 other officers died in a plane crash on Friday, May 21.

Major General Yahaya's appointment as the new Army chief has been drawing reactions from Nigerians on social media.