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Serbs put up new roadblocks as tensions soar in Kosovo.

By
Henry Williams
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1

Serbs on Tuesday erected more roadblocks in northern Kosovo and defied international demands to remove those placed earlier, a day after Serbia put its troops near the border on a high level of combat readiness.

The new barriers, made of heavily loaded trucks, were put up overnight in Mitrovica, a northern Kosovo town divided between Kosovo Serbs and ethnic Albanians, who represent the majority in Kosovo as a whole.

It was the first time since the recent crisis started that Serbs have blocked streets in one of the main towns. Until now, barricades had been set on roads leading to the Kosovo-Serbia border.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said he ordered the army’s highest state of alert to “protect our people (in Kosovo) and preserve Serbia.”

He claimed that Pristina is preparing to “attack” Kosovo Serbs in the north of the country and remove by force several of the roadblocks that Serbs started putting up 18 days ago to protest the arrest of a former Kosovo Serb police officer.

On Tuesday, Vucic addressed reporters together with Serbian Patriarch Porfirije, who was barred by Kosovo authorities on Monday from entering Kosovo and visiting a medieval Serb church there before Serbian Orthodox Christmas, which is celebrated on Jan. 7.

Ukraine must demilitarize or Russia will do it

By
Henry Williams
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0

Russia’s foreign minister on Tuesday warned anew Ukraine that it must demilitarize, threatening further military action and falsely accusing Kyiv and the West of fueling the war that started with Moscow’s invasion.

Sergey Lavrov said Ukraine must remove any military threat to Russia — otherwise “the Russian army (will) solve the issue.” His comments also reflected persistent unfounded claims by the Kremlin that Ukraine and its Western allies were responsible for the 10-month war, which has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.

Russia launched the war on Feb. 24, alleging a threat to its security and a plot to bring NATO to its doorstep. Lavrov reiterated on Tuesday that the West was feeding the war in Ukraine to weaken Russia, and said that it depends on Kyiv and Washington how long the conflict will last

Nigeria’s Capital Territory On Alert For Diseases Outbreak

By
Henry Williams
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1

The FCT Administration has heightened its disease surveillance system against key diseases like Cholera, Ebola, Monkeypox, meningitis, measles and Covid-19.

The FCTA disclosed that the Epidemiological Division of the Public Health Department, under the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat HHSS, has gone into the alert mode of all these diseases, posing mortal dangers to humans.

This was made known by the Director of, the FCT Public Health Department, Dr. Sadiq Abdulrahaman, while briefing the media on the state of preparedness and response of the FCTA health sector, in Abuja.

Dr. Sadiq, said the FCT is on high alert mode, as part of proactive measures taken, even though it has not witnessed any serious outbreak of the diseases within the year ending,

He added that periodically, there is a weekly review, in conjunction with FCTA partners like WHO, NCDC, and Disease Surveillance and Notification officers, who are key foot soldiers at the Area Councils level.

President Buhari Condemns Killing Of Mobolanle Raheem

By
Henry Williams
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0

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the “heinous and senseless” killing of Omobolanle Raheem, a member of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA shot by on-duty policemen on Christmas Day.

The President said he was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the brutal killing and directed the police authorities to take “the strongest possible action” against the culprits already held in detention.

President Buhari said this incident is a stark reminder of the recurring menace of the mishandling of weapons and a wakeup call to law enforcement agencies, including the Police to ensure the full implementation of reforms instituted by the administration on the subject of weapons handling as well as the protection of the rights of citizens.

“In this hour of grief, the nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and the NBA. I assure that justice will be done in this case,” the President said

Christmas Murder: Police Free Two, Detain Killer Cop

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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0

The Lagos State Police Command has said two police officers arrested alongside killer cop, ASP Dambri Vandi, over the Christmas Day homicide of a lawyer, Omobolanle Raheem, would be released today (Tuesday) as they were not involved in the crime.

The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday, while giving an update on the killing.

The police in Lagos, on Christmas Day, arrested Vandi and two other officers attached to Ajiwe Police Station in Ajah area for allegedly killing Mrs. Raheem, a lawyer, same day.

Hundeyin said they were immediately taken into protective custody and were later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for thorough investigation.

He added that the two police officers arrested with the ASP were detained for interrogation and testimonies.

Hundeyin said, “The two policemen arrested with the ASP who killed the lawyer will be released today (Tuesday) after giving their testimonies to the command.

“They were arrested because they saw what happened. They were not the ones who allegedly killed the woman.

“They have given their stories on what happened and the CP has ordered that they should be released while investigations continue,” he said.

On the update about similar killing of one Gafaru Buraimoh on December 7, by a police officer from the same Ajiwe Police Station, Hundeyin revealed that the officer was still in detention, yet to be charged to court.

The PPRO said the police officer was yet to be arraigned because his dismissal order had not been released.

“There are indeed consequences. The officer is still in detention at the SCID. His investigation is being wrapped up.

“Once his dismissal order comes out, he will be charged to court immediately,” he said.

Hundeyin said that there was nothing wrong with the spot or area where the killings took place, but the officers who killed would be held responsible for their actions.

He noted that when the first incident occurred on December 7, the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, changed the DPO of the station after the incident.

He added, “This has become one too many, especially bearing in mind that a similar incident occurred at the same location less than three weeks ago.

“The condemnable incident is against the standard operating procedure and rules of engagement of the Force, and to say the least is embarrassing.

“Beyond this incident, the Nigeria Police Force will carry out a reappraisal of its rules of engagement, to put an end to such avoidable ugly incidents.”

He further appealed to Lagos residents to remain calm, adding that the command was already in touch with the Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that justice prevails.

UK Invites Nigerian Teachers, Offers N15 Million Annual Pay

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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2

Nigerian teachers who migrate to the United Kingdom from February 2023 will attract at least £28,000 annual remuneration.

According to the data obtained from the website of the government of the United Kingdom, www.gov.uk, which offered guidance to non-UK citizens who want to teach in the UK but qualified outside the European country, it was noted that the salary remunerations would depend on qualifications and region in which the teacher is applying to teach in.

The UK had earlier in December listed Nigeria among the African countries whose citizens can now apply for qualified teacher status through the Teaching Regulation Agency in the United Kingdom, from February 2023.

Other foreign countries which the offer extends to include Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Singapore, South Africa, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.

The applicants do not even necessarily require initial teaching qualifications as the country offers a training programme for the potential migrants.

In the data for the remunerations, the UK noted, “All qualified teachers will have a starting salary of at least £28,000. This will be higher for teachers working in London. Your school will have their own pay scales for qualified teachers. Pay increases will always be linked to performance, not length of service, and will be reviewed every year.”

Giving a further breakdown on the pay scale per location, the UK stated that teachers in England excluding London would earn a minimum of £28,000 and maximum of £38,810; for inner London, beneficiary teachers will attract a sum of £34,502 as minimum pay with £44,756 as maximum pay.

Speaking further, the UK said, “If you can demonstrate excellence against all of the teacher standards, you can be put onto the upper pay range for teachers. This is for teachers who make a sustained and substantial contribution to their school”.

Niger State Clears N433M Debt Owed WAEC, NECO, Others

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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5

The Niger state Ministry of Education says it has paid N433 million for the settlement of backlog debt owe to examination conducting organisations by the state.

The organisation include the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) National Examination Council (NECO), and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB).

Others are the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) and Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

The state Commissioner for Education, Hannatu Salihu, disclosed this during presentation of the 2022 budget performance and screening of the 2023 budget allocation.

The ministry made the presentation to the state House of Assembly Committee on Education.

She said N7.3 billion was approved to the ministry as capital budget for basic and post basic education sector out of which N2.2 billion was released indicating 39 per cent of allocation.

Salihu explained that out of the N2.5 billion recurrent expenditure approved for 2022, personnel cost was N1.2 billion and overhead was N.3 billion, adding that N1.6 billion and N622.4 million was released respectively.

“This represents a budget performance of 91 and 48 per cent for the personnel and overhead,” she said.

She disclosed that the 2022 budget was constrained by low release of funds, which affected the completion of ongoing projects, adding that allocation to education sector was far below the 26 per cent UNESCO recommendation.

She, however said that the ministry recorded achievement in Whole School Development Approach, capacity g GGbuilding training of Zonal Quantity Assurance Officers and generation of N14.8 million as IGR.

She said the ministry in collaboration with UNICEF spent N4.1 million on implementation of back to school campaign and N2.2 million on training of teachers on digital learning content development.

She added that N15.5 million was spent on Launching of Nigeria Learning Passport and N13.3 million on LP-TRCN resilience training package for 675 teachers in 45 schools.

On the 2023 budget, Salihu said the budget seems to consolidate on the gains recorded in 2022 and also improve access, equity and quality education in the state.

She said N1.5 billion capital and N1.5 billion overhead have been estimated for 2023, adding that the fund would be utilised on the completion of all ongoing projects.

She added that it would also be used for expansion and upgrading of existing infrastructure at basic and senior secondary levels of education in the state.

Calabar Varsity Gets 2 Female DVCs

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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0

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar and Chairman of Senate, Prof. Florence Obi, has announced the appointment of two female Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVC’s) of the institution.

The announcement is contained in a release signed on Monday in Calabar by the Registrar of the institution, Gabriel Egbe.

The two DVC’s are: Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, who was re-appointed for a second term as DVC Academic and Prof. Grace Eno, who was newly appointed as DVC Administration.

Egbe said that the appointments were ratified by Senate members at the 231st meeting.

“The VC lauded the former DVC Administration, Prof. Michael Okom and Oyo-Ita, for the good working relationship and their supportive stance for her administration.

“The VC described them as God-chosen for helping her to stabilise at the early stage of her administration.

“The new DVC Administration, who accepted her appointment with joy, said her appointment is a divine providence.

“While speaking to members of the Senate, she assured them and the VC of her loyalty and determination to work for the best interest of the management and the institution,” Egbe said.

He also said that the former DVC Administration has been appointed as the Director of Alumni Relations of the university.

Brazil Soccer Legend Pele’s Family Gather At Hospital Bedside

By
Emenike Agu
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1

Brazilian soccer legend Pele’s family members gathered at the Albert Einstein hospital in Sao Paulo on Saturday, where the 82-year-old, widely considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, has been since late November.

Doctors said this week that Pele’s cancer had advanced and that he requires care related to renal and cardiac dysfunction. His family said he would remain in a Sao Paulo hospital over Christmas.

Pele has received regular medical treatment since a tumor was removed from his colon in September last year.

“Almost all of them. Merry Christmas. Gratitude, love, togetherness, family. The essence of Christmas. We thank you all for all the love and light you send,” his daughter Kely Nascimento wrote on Instagram with a picture of their family in the hospital.

Pele’s son Edinho, who played in goal for Santos in the 1990s, posted a picture of himself holding his father’s hand to Instagram on Saturday, with the caption “Father… my strength is yours.”

Nigeria Apex Bank Places Over 6,000 BVNs On Watch List

By
Rhoda Onuzulike
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2

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disclosed that it has placed at least 6,047 Bank Verification Numbers on its watch list over fraudulent transactions.

CBN stated this in its Financial Stability June 2022 report published in December 2022 on its website.

The report also noted that 11,871 BVNs have been watch-listed as deceased persons this year.

According to the report this was an assessment of 28 banks and the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System to ascertain compliance with the Regulatory Framework for BVN Operations and Watch-List for the Nigerian Banking Industry in the review period.

It noted that the assessment revealed some infractions and regulatory actions were taken.

The report further noted that there were 2.72 million enrolled in the first half of this year, bringing the total number of enrolled BVNs to 54.65 million.

In the report, it was also stated that the number of BVN-linked accounts was 130.57 million out of 148.46 million active accounts.

The report read in part, “Also, 2,722,518 BVNs were enrolled, bringing total BVN enrolment to 54,651,086, reflecting an increase of 5.24 per cent over 51,928,568 enrolments at end-December 2021.

“The number of accounts linked with BVNs was 130,569,656 out of 148,462,947 active customer accounts, while the number of watch-listed BVNs associated with fraud and deceased persons stood at 6,047 and 11,871, respectively.”

Based on the report, the total number of watch-listed BVNs for fraud rose by 13.09 per cent from 5,347 in December 2021 to 6,047 in June 2022.

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