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Just In: Health minister tests positive for Covid-19 at UN gathering

Brazil’s Health Minister Queiroga talks with Brazilian Deputy Barros before a ceremony. (Reuters)

BRASILIA: Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga tested positive for Covid-19 Tuesday after attending the UN General Assembly in New York that was inaugurated by his president, Jair Bolsonaro, according to an official statement.

“The other members of the delegation have been tested and are negative,” said the official Brazilian government press release.

Queiroga, who had received a Covid-19 vaccine, was the second member of Bolsonaro’s entourage to test positive for the virus since arriving in New York for the UN gathering.

The 55-year-old health minister will remain in the United States for a period of isolation, even though the rest of the delegation has returned to Brazil.

Bolsonaro, who appeared without a mask on several occasions during the trip, has not been not vaccinated and repeated that he would be “the last” Brazilian to receive the vaccine.

Queiroga was with Bolsonaro, who last year survived a bout of the virus, at several events, including a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday.
He was “doing well,” the statement said. He wrote on Twitter that while following “all health security protocols,” the ministry “will continue to take firm action to deal with the pandemic in Brazil.”

Bolsonaro caused a stir on social media after a photograph showed him taking few precautions against contagion while around others in his delegation, as he ate a slice of pizza from a New York street vendor.
The health minister was the only one in the photo wearing a mask, but he had pulled it down under his chin.

Under fire for his controversial handling of the pandemic, which has claimed more than 591,000 lives in Brazil, Bolsonaro opened the General Assembly with a speech in which he made several misleading or inaccurate statements, some of which related to the pandemic, according to AFP’s Factcheck team.

Buhari Appointed A ‘Supermaket Manager’ To Head NNPC Board – Adeyanju

Popular activist, Deji Adeyanju, has slammed President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as the chairman of the Board, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
It will be recalled that President Buhari on Sunday, September 19, approved the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

In a statement made available to newsmen by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President approved also the appointment of the Board and Management of the NNPC Limited.

Senator Ifeanyi Ararume was appointed as Chairman and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), while Mele Kyari was appointed as Chief Executive Officer.

According to Naija News, each of the six geo-political zones in the country also has a representative on the board and all the appointments take effect from the date of the company’s incorporation.

Reacting to the development in a post on Wednesday, Adeyanju described Ararume’s appointment as a travesty.

The Convener of Concerned Nigerians said he believes the All Progressive Congress has more qualified and experienced people in the oil and gas industry who could have been given the appointment.

Adeyanju pointed out that Ararume is inexperienced in the industry dealings and hence not fit for the appointment.

He noted his only major achievements are being a Senator and managing a supermarket.

“The All Progressives Congress, APC we believe has more qualified technocrats and well-experienced players in the oil and gas industry as members that could have been appointed as the chairman of Board of the country’s mainstay source of revenue,” Adeyanju noted.

He added: “Nigeria’s oil and gas sector represents about 65% of government revenues and such sensitive sector ought to be superintended by a competent person who has the requisite knowledge and experience of the industry instead of appointing Ararume whose only major achievement is being a Senator and managing a supermarket.

“Ordinarily, after the incorporation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as a business entity, one would have thought that the president would appoint a business-oriented technocrat with vast knowledge in oil and gas to pilot the affairs of the company but alas, the rudderless government of President Muhammadu Buhari’s led Federal government opted for a politician with zero experience in oil and gas industry.

“The appointment of Ararume whom former president Olusegun Obasanjo in 2011 described as the “Big Thief” has brought to the fore, President Muhammadu Buhari’s penchant for outlandish and unconventional methods of appointing cronies and men of questionable characters.

“We call on the President to as a matter of urgency, reverse the appointment of Senator Ararume as chairman of Board, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited as it goes against reason and logic,” he added.

Source: Naija News

Man In Police Net For cutting off 8yr-old daughter’s breast for Early Signs Of Puberty

A Nigerian man has been arrested by the Police in Lagos state for allegedly brutalising his eight-year-old daughter following early signs of puberty.

According to Ebenezer Omejalile, Chief Operating Officer of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable People’s Network, the victim’s left breast was completely cut off by her father identified as Adegboyega after he used a hot stone to massage his daughter’s breast to stop it from growing.

The father, who tried to blame his action on his wife, was however picked up by the police last Friday following the intervention of the Advocates alongside the Inclusive Social Welfare, the Ministry of Youth & Social Development office, Ajegunle.

“He will be charged to court on (Monday), Omejalile stated.

He said: “This little girl was brutalised by her biological father who felt ‘how come she developed breasts so rapidly’.

“He turned himself into a medical doctor and heartlessly placed a stone in a fire and used it to massage her breast so that the breast would stop increasing in size.

“She was burnt on her left breast following the hot water massage from the father because he thinks the child is too young to develop breasts.

“The girl’s mother also complained of excessive beating for the same reason. Surprisingly the father is an engineer by profession, we engaged him in a conversation and he admitted to the crime.

“He tried to blame his wife for his negative actions; the most annoying aspect was when he claimed he bathes the 8-year-old (girl) every day.

“This is a red flag, the young girl is in serious pain. In addition, we discovered the left breast of Aishat was completely cut off as a result of the brutalisation by the father

He was, however, arrested around 9.30 pm on Friday. He is currently in custody and had been charged to court on Monday.

“This is a positive outcome for us, it is a result of good partnership work from Inclusive Social Welfare, Ministry of Youth & Social Development, social welfare office, Ajegunle and the Ajegunle police station.”

Chinese banks to Open branches in Nigeria

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchin, has said he is in talks with Chinese banks to establish operations in Nigeria to boost Nigeria’s economy and expand trade relations between the two nations.

Mr Jianchin disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja while addressing journalists during the commemoration of the 2021 Chinese Moon Festival and China-Nigeria Cultural week, NAN reported.

He explained that establishing Chinese banks in the country would also be a point of discussion during the China-Nigeria Binational Committee meeting.

“Before my departure from Beijing to Abuja, I talked to several banks in China. When you list the world’s 10 big banks, six are in China. The banking sector is very important because, without money, we cannot build our industries,” Jianchin said

“What I am thinking here is best to talk to the governor of the central bank, and how we can allow the Chinese banks to run office here and now, they are doing the feasibility studies on that.

“I am working hard that in the binational meeting, I hope we can make a big decision and give a big push to let the banking industry and insurance industry because financial integration and institutions are key,” Mr Jianchin added. “If you go to China, you will find our banking industry is very powerful, not only for business but a change in the way of life.

Extolling the extant China-Nigeria trade relations, the Chinese ambassador noted that the trade volume between China and Nigeria was nearly $20 billion, increasing from 2020’s $19.2 billion.

According to Mr Jianchin, the 2021 celebration is special as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of China-Nigeria’s bilateral relations and that the countries share October 1 national day.

He disclosed that the Chinese embassy would honour 50 Nigerian employees of Chinese companies in Nigeria for their outstanding performance and contribution to strengthening diplomatic ties

Four Dead, As 18-seater bus plunges into River Niger in Kogi

No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead when an 18 seater bus plunged into river Niger in Koton Karfe area of Kogi State.

DAILY POST also gathered that 13 others have been rescued alive while one person is still missing in the accident.

The accident occurred around 7.30pm on Tuesday when the driver of the bus slept off and lost control, thereby, plunging into the river.

According to the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Suleiman Mafara, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja, on the receipt of the distress call, his men of the Disaster and Crisis Unit in conjunction with the Federal Roads Safety Corps and volunteer divers were mobilised to the scene.

He added that his men and others Security personnel are working round the clock to recover the only person yet to be accounted for.

Mafara disclosed that the corpse have been deposited in a morgue in Lokoja.

The NSCDC Commandant, however, warned drivers and commuters to adhere strictly to road safety guidelines to prevent avoidable carnage on the highways.

Governor Dapo Abiodun Pays Tinubu Visit In London

Society gazette reports that the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu had a nice time with the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun during his visit to him in London.

Governor Dapo Abiodun joined the long list of important personalities that have visited the ailing politician since he retired to London some months ago.

Tinubu is reportedly sick and went through a knee surgery which he is yet to fully recover from.

During Dapo Abiodun’s visit, both of them were seen having a nice time together.

Senate approves 112 as nationwide emergency number

Senate Southern senators back governors on prohibition of open grazing Institute for Border Studies 112

The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to establish the Nationwide Emergency Communications Service.

This was just as the upper chamber approved 112 as the toll-free number for emergencies.

The passage of the Nationwide Toll-Free Emergency Number (Establishment) Bill, 2021, followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Communications.

The report was presented by Senator Biodun Olujimi on behalf of the chairman of the Committee, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

In her presentation, Olujimi explained that Clause 2 of the bill seeks to establish the Nationwide Emergency Communications Service.

According to the lawmaker, the agency when established, would be charged with the responsibility of deployment and coordination of a seamless and reliable end-to-end infrastructure for emergency needs throughout Nigeria.

She added that Clause 5 of the bill was amended to vest the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) with the responsibility of formulating regulations and guidelines for the workings of the Nationwide Emergency Communications Service.

Olujimi explained that Clause 11 of the bill prohibits the use of telephone and mobile telecommunications services to place a false, frivolous or vexatious call to the emergency number 112.

Clause 12 of the bill provides that, “a person who violates any of the provisions of this bill or the regulations is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a penalty of not more than fifty thousand naira or in default to a term imprisonment not exceeding six months, and for each subsequent offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than two hundred and fifty thousand naira or, in default, to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year.”

In addition, new sub clauses (2), (3) and (4) were introduced in the bill to provide for the blacklisting of any person who violates Clause 11 for a period not more than eight weeks.

Police arrest 5 persons in Katsina suspected of supplying bandits with Breads, petrol

No fewer than six persons including a Nigerien who supply fuel and breads to bandits have been arrested by operatives of police in Katsina state.

Confirming the development, Spokesman, Katsina State Police Command, SP Gambo Isah said the persons were arrested at various points while on their way conveying the products to the bandits in the forest.

SP Isah said, “Based on credible intelligence, the command on the 18/9/2021 succeeded in arresting one Lawal Shu’aibu (32-year-old) of Maradi, Niger Republic, Sani Lawal (28-year-old), Abdulrashid Garba (50-year-old) and Tigal Haruna (57-year-old) all from Katsina State conveying fuel in their vehicles.

“Nemesis caught up with the suspects when they were arrested long Katsina – Jibia road while on their way into the forest.

“In the course of investigation suspects confessed to be selling the fuel at fringes of the forest, contrary to Executive order and other extant laws of the Federation.

“On same day, the command also succeeded in arresting one Shafi’u Haruna (25-year-old), a suspected supplier of fuel to bandits in the forest.

“The suspect was observed to have been frequently coming to buy fuel at a filling station in Dandume and after a while he will come back to buy again in his motorcycle Jincheng rubber, white in colour.

“Consequently, Police Detectives on surveillance patrol at the said filling station secretly followed after him which led them into an uncompleted building where he was arrested while transferring the fuel into a Jerrican in an uncompleted building.

“In the course of investigation, suspect confessed to the commission of the offense and further stated that he came all the way from Sabuwa Local Govt Area to buy the fuel and take to the forest.

“Similarly and on same day, the Command succeeded in arresting one Hamisu Sani (30-year-old), a notorious informer who specializes in supplying bread to bandits in the forest.

“After several warning by both community leaders and security agencies to stop supplying bread to bandits in the forest, nemesis caught up with the suspect when he was arrested with some quantity of bread concealed inside a sack while trying to enter into the forest and take it to bandits.

“In the course of investigation, suspect confessed to the commission of the offense,” the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Isah however stated.

Source: Vanguard News Nigeria

Tragedy In Oyo As Cows Kill Father Of Newborn Baby, Herders Flee

A30-year-old man and father of a newborn baby, Benjamin Oyelade, has been killed by cows, which ran into him in Atapa area in the Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According To Sahara Reporters, the deceased was enroute Atapa/Iresa Adu Road on Sunday evening when a suspected herdsman bumped into the road with his cows and the victim was knocked off his motorcycle.

It was learnt that the cows’ horns hit him on the head and broke his skull.

The deceased sister who identified herself as Olawunmi said his child christening ceremony and house warming were slated for Monday, September 20, 2021.

She added that the herders fled the scene immediately after the incident.

“Today (Monday) ought to be his day, he is meant to name his child and dedicate his new house, but instead of these we are mourning him. We have buried him.

“He saw his child but didn’t wait to name the child,” Olawunmi said.

She expressed regret that security agencies including the Amotekun Corps could not apprehend the herdsman or impound any of the cows.

Olawunmi added that some youths traced the herd to a herders’ settlement in annoyance and destroyed part of the settlement by burning down a hut.

The Oyo Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, promised to get back to SaharaReporters with full details when contacted but he failed to pick his calls hours after.

Source: Sahara Reporters

Breaking: king Sunny Ade’s Wife And Ex-Lagos Lawmaker Risikat Adegeye Is Dead

One of the wives of King Sunny Ade and ex-member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable (Mrs) Risikat Adegeye is dead.

Society gazette understands that the ex-lawmaker died early today, Tuesday, 21 September, 2021. Although, circumstances surrounding her death were still sketchy. But Rumour has it that she died of Cancer.

She was a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and was a two time member of the Assembly Service Commission.

Details later.