The Nation Newspaper

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  • Messi’s Barca stay doubtful, says dad

    Messi’s Barca stay doubtful, says dad

    Jorge Messi, father and agent of Lionel Messi, said on Wednesday he thinks it will be “difficult” for his son to stay at Barcelona.

    Messi senior landed in Barcelona on Wednesday ahead of talks with the club’s president Josep Maria Bartomeu about the striker’s intention to leave this summer.

    Messi senior flew in from the Argentine city of Rosario, landing at the private terminal in Barcelona’s El Prat airport on Wednesday’s  morning.

    Asked by reporters about the possibility of Messi staying, Jorge Messi said: “Difficult”. He was then asked how he sees his son’s future at Barca, to which he replied: “Difficult, difficult”.

    When the prospect of joining Manchester City was put to him, he said: “There’s nothing yet.” It was suggested he had spoken already to City coach Pep Guardiola. “I didn’t talk to Pep,” Jorge Messi said. “Not to anyone.”

    Jorge Messi will be hoping to unblock the stand-off between Barca and his son, which threatens to descend into an expensive and bitter legal battle if a resolution cannot be found.

    The 33-year-old striker boycotted Barcelona’s first pre-season training session on Monday, as he tries to force his way out of the club he joined as a 13-year-old.

    Messi also failed to attend a coronavirus test at Barcelona’s training ground on Sunday.

    Yet Barcelona insist their captain will only depart if his 700-million-euro ($833 million) release clause is activated, a stance that has been backed up by La Liga, who say that release clause still applies.

    But Messi and his lawyers argue he is allowed to go for free this summer according to another clause in his contract, which they claim was triggered on August 25 when a burofax stating Messi’s intention to leave arrived at Camp Nou.

  • FEC approves N26.06b contracts for Works, Aviation, NDLEA

    FEC approves N26.06b contracts for Works, Aviation, NDLEA

    From Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved memoranda for N26.06 billion contracts to execute projects in the ministries of Works and Housing, Aviation, and Justice.

    The ministers in charge of the affected ministries announced this while addressing State House Correspondents after the 14th virtual Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The ministers, who were led to the post-meeting briefing by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, highlighted the contents and values of the memoranda they presented to the Council.

    Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola said: “The Ministry of Works and Housing presented a memorandum to Council for the Gadan Zaima-Zuru-Gamji Road in Kebbi State for two approvals. The first was to ratify the emergency works that were undertaken over seven kilometers in 2019 at N1.145 billion, and then to approve the award by the same contractor to now complete the balance of 55 kilometers, which was approved also at N10.589 billion.

    “So, just by way of emphasis, we did an emergency seven kilometers out of 62 kilometers. Because it was an emergency, we need to come for ratification, which was given. We now got approval to award the remaining 55 kilometers so that we can complete the road which was also given.”

    Read Also: FEC approves N13bn for automation of 4 airports, $3.1bn for NCS

    Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said he got an approval for the upgrade and refurbishment of the safe tower equipment in four airports: Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    “This is just to increase the efficiency of the airports and reduce the workload in the control tower and to automate what was hitherto an analogue system to digital. The total contract sum is N13.122,230,999.17. This is in two parts.

    “The first component, which is a foreign component, is €28,489,565m; the naira component is N3.491,504,488.31. Of course, there will be 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT). It will be completed in 12 months,” he said.

    Attorney General and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami said his office got an approval for a memorandum to buy accommodation for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    According to him, the property is located at Plot 1123-1129, Cadastral Zone 0607, at Aviation Village, Airport Road, Abuja, and it will cost N1.20 billion.

    “The council eventually considered the memo and gave approval for the agency to acquire the property for a consideration of N1,196,000,000, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT, with a delivery period of four weeks,” he said.

    Also, the FEC has ratified a $3.1 billion anticipatory approval by President Buhari for the modernisation of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

    The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, announced this on Wednesday while addressing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting.

    The minister said the project was awarded to E. Customs HC Projects Nigeria Limited for a concessionary period of 20 years.

    “The main objective of this project is to completely automate every aspect of the Customs business and to institutionalise the use of smart and emerging technologies that will enhance the statutory function of the NCS in revenue generation as well as trade facilitation and enhancement of security,” she said.

    Mrs. Ahmed added: “The Bionica Technologies West Africa Limited, Bargain Securities and Supplies Nigeria Limited are lead sponsor and co-sponsor. We also have The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) as the lead financier and Huawei Technology as a technical service provider.

    Communications and Digital Economy Minister Dr. Isa Ali Pantami said the FEC had directed that all ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) should use Galaxy Backbone for upgrade and digitisation of ICT facilities.

    Giving details of the memo he presented, the minister said: “What the memo speaks about is the need to upgrade and be more alive to digital transformation in our activities. We have seen how COVID-19 pandemic brought about the need to be conducting activities virtually and today we have attended the 14 virtual executive council meeting and this is unprecedented. We have been pushed by necessities to virtual activities.

    “So, most importantly our presentation here is about upgrading our ICT infrastructure and secondly directing institutions to patronize Galaxy and thirdly to show to us the commitment of the federal government towards promotion of our government digital services and this is in summary of what the memo is all about.”

  • Fed Govt probes MultiChoice, StarTimes for alleged infractions

    Fed Govt probes MultiChoice, StarTimes for alleged infractions

    Agency Reporter

    The Federal Government has opened an investigation into the conduct of the two dominant pay TV service providers in Nigeria – MultiChoice and StarTimes.

    The government directed the companies to provide information relevant to the investigation tomorrow or before tomorrow.

    In separate letters, dated August 28, 2020, addressed to both companies, the Federal Competition, Consumer and Protection Council (FCCPC) intimated the pay TV service providers of the notice of a probe into their possible violation of consumer rights and anti-competition conducts.

    The letter to StarTimes was signed by Tam Tamunokobia, the Head of Legal Services at FCCPC, and the letter to MultiChoice was signed by Eme David Ojugo, the Assistant Chief Legal Officer at FCCPC.

    The government said the regulatory body had established probable cause sufficient to begin investigations under Section 17 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).

    Read Also: MultiChoice hikes DSTV, GOTV rates

    The letters stated that the scope of the enquiry will address issues on competition in the market, as well as fairness, transparency to consumers on how their businesses were conducted.

    Both service providers were advised on their responsibilities under sections 32, 33, 34, 36, 111, 112, and 113 of the FCCPA.

    The regulatory body mandated both service providers to provide specific information and any other information they might consider relevant or helpful to the investigation.

    The specific information demanded by the FCCPC include the companies’ market share, annual reports for the preceding three years, list and contact details of distributors, description and information about content providers, information on prices for bouquet for the past 36 months, amongst others.

    In a statement yesterday, FCCPC said: “Upon credible information, public announcements by operators, and consumer perception analytics, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has opened an investigation into the conduct of dominant pay TV service providers.”

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FCCPC Babatunde Irukera explained that in the past 24 months, the FCCPC had conducted an investigation, pursued legal action in court, secured an injunction pre-empting price increase, entered specific orders regarding a service provider, engaged in periodic surveillance and monitoring, and more recently inquired into a purported tax increase by at least one provider.

    “This investigation is in order to address the commission’s concerns and publicly expressed consumer dissatisfaction with pay TV services. The scope of the enquiry includes but is not limited to questions about unfair dealings, unreasonable and manifestly unjust contract terms, abuse of market power, colorable pricing practices and other otherwise obnoxious or illegal conduct,” FCCPC said.

  • 21 win Soyinka essay contest

    21 win Soyinka essay contest

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts

    Winners of this year’s Wole Soyinka Essay competition organised in commemoration of the Nobel laureate’s 86th birthday celebration have been announced.

    A statement by the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange 2020 (WSICE), organisers of the event, said the winners in the senior category (ages 17 to 22) are: Tyrone Nkululeko Takawira, from Zimbabwe (Global Prize winner and First Place, Anglophone winner – $1,000); Boluwaduro Abasiekem Adeyemi, a Nigerian based in Barbados (Runner-Up, Anglophone winner – $300) and Felista Biluge, DR Congo (First Place, Francophone winner – $500); Emmanuel Adjanor, Cote D’ivoire (Runner-Up, Francophone winner – $300); Yuying Zhu, China (First Place, Sinophone winner – $500); Jiayi Li, China (Runner-Up, Sinophone winner – $300) and Samson Ikechukwuka Arewah, Nigeria (First Place, Hispanophone winner – $500); Mayra Mileidy Pedraza-Fernandez, Colombia (Runner-Up, Hispanophone winner – $300) and Pedro Hermenegildo Goncalves Capita, Angola (First Place, Lusophone winner – $500).

    Others are: Delcia Da Conceicao Verissimo Da Costa, Angola (Runner-Up, Lusophone winner – $300); Leta Daniel, Uganda (First Place Consolation Diaspora Prize winner – $200); Majeedat Abdulmajeed, Nigeria/Cuba (First Runner-Up, Consolation Diaspora Prize winner – $100) and Anushree Chaudhuri, U.S.A (Second Runner-Up, Consolation Prize winner – $100.

    Read Also: Osofisan, Odia others celebrate Soyinka at 86

    Also, essay winners in the Junior Category (ages 12 to 16) are Thelma Iheanacho, Nigeria (Global Prize winner and First Place Francophone winner – $600); Toluwanimi Sonuga, Nigeria (Runner-Up, Francophone winner – $200); Emily Suh, U.S.A (First Place, Anglophone winner – $300); Joseph Divine, Nigeria (Runner-Up, Anglophone winner – $200) and Shaoyuan Li, China (First Place, Sinophone winner – $300).

    Others are Pamphile Sassi Aubert, Nigeria/China (Runner-Up, Sinophone winner – $200); Vera Honam Anthonio, Ghana (First Place, Consolation Diaspora Prize winner – $200) and Sampada Dahal, Nepal (Runner-Up, Consolation Diaspora Prize winner – $100).

    The theme for this year’s edition is: I AM because YOU ARE.

    Over 2,500 entries were received from 28 countries covering Anglophone, Francophone, Hispanophone, Lusophone, and Sinophone.

    The essays were adjudicated by qualified judges from around the world, including Dr. Razinat Mohammed of the University of Maiduguri, (Nigeria), Dr. Cristian Aquino-Sterling (U.S.A), Lucile Huguet (France), and Prof. Veronique Maisier (U.S.A).

    Others are Professor Robert Fox (U.S.A), Dr. Nadia Embleton (UK), Yayra Tamakloe (Ghana), Mr. Olivier Alfonsi (France), Prof. Lilly Cheng (U.S.A/China), Lily Birmingham (Taiwan), Rosa Ovshinsky (China), Keyna Eleison (Brazil) and Felix Ayoh Omidire (Nigeria).

  • Kidnappers demand N6m for abducted CMD, others

    Kidnappers demand N6m for abducted CMD, others

    By Osagie Otabor, Akure

    Kidnappers of Chief Medical Director of the General Hospital, Idoani, Ondo State, Dr. Olufemi Adeogun, have demanded N6m ransom for his release.

    It was learnt the kidnappers reduced the ransom from initial N10m demanded.

    A family source said the kidnappers called three times before the ransom was reduced.

    The source said they have been assured the victims would be released unhurt but they were finding it difficult to raise the ransom.

    Adeogun was abducted on Monday evening alongside two other health workers.

    The driver of the vehicle they were travelling in was shot in the arm.

    Ondo Police spokesman, ASP Tee-Leo Ikoro, did not pick calls to his mobile phone.

    However, combined forces of security operatives including hunters and Amotekun Corps are combing the forest to rescue the victims.

  • WHO recommends corticosteroids for severe treatment of COVID-19

    WHO recommends corticosteroids for severe treatment of COVID-19

    Omolola Afolabi

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published guidance for clinicians and health care decision-makers on the use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19.

    This was disclosed in a statement released by the organisation on Wednesday

    “We recommend systemic corticosteroids for the treatment of patients with severe and critical COVID-19. We suggest not to use corticosteroids in the treatment of patients with non-severe COVID-19 as the treatment.”

    Corticosteroids are listed in the WHO model list of essential medicines, readily available globally at a low cost.

    This guidance, according to the statement was developed in collaboration with the non-profit Magic Evidence Ecosystem Foundation (MAGIC), which provided methodologic support to develop and disseminate living guidance for COVID-19 drug treatments.

    READ ALSO: WHO to make vaccines available globally

    According to WHO, work on the guidance began on 22nd June when the recovery trial published a preliminary report on the impact of corticosteroids.

    To supplement the results, WHO partnered with investigators of seven trials on corticosteroids to conduct a meta-analysis of these trials, in order to rapidly provide additional evidence to build on recovery data and inform guidance development.

    The guidance was thus informed by combining data from all these randomized trials of systemic corticosteroids for COVID-19.

    WHO provides guidance that works across all contexts for all countries and health care systems.

  • Anambra schools resume Sept 7

    Anambra schools resume Sept 7

    Nwanosike Onu, Awka

    Anambra State Schools will resume next week Monday (September 7) after six months of occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID -19).

    The decision was taken on Wednesday in Awka after the Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Willie Obiano.

    The resumption was made public by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Nwankwo Nwabueze on behalf of Prof Kate Omenugha, Commissioner for Basic Education, and made available to reporters.

    The State government further announced that National Business and Technical Examination Board NABTEB and National examination Council NECO would start on September 21st and October 5th respectively.

    READ ALSO: 15 kidnap suspects held in Delta, Anambra

    The government said the resumption would be a gradual process with the junior classes starting on September 7th, while the senior classes would resume September 12th including Mission Schools.

    According to the statement, “the 3rd term is quite short and we expect schools to make maximum use of the time.

    “We had continued to teach our children at home through various e-platforms including the Anambra State Teaching on Air.

    “These various platforms shall be continued as we do a phased re-opening of schools and watch the health implication.

    “We enjoin parents to provide hand sanitizers and face masks for children. Let’s work together for the safety of all.”

  • Oyedemi bags doctorate degree

    Oyedemi bags doctorate degree

    Our Reporter

    Property guru and managing Director of PWAN Plus and Business Concerns, an affiliate of Property African Network (PWAN Group), Julius Olaniyi Oyedemi, has added another feather to his sprawling list of outstanding accomplishments.

    He was decorated with an honorary Doctorate Degree by the American European University, for his distinguished achievements in real estate development and management.

    Perfecting the honorary conferral, at the prestigious LandMark building, Lekki Lagos recently, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the international institution said: “In consideration for the outstanding achievements of Julius Olaniyi Oyedemi in real estate development and management which has positively impacted lives and contributed to the socio-economic development of the country Nigeria, the Senate of European American University hereby confers on him the award of Doctor of Science (D.Sc) in Real Estate Development, Business Strategy and Corporate Governance, with all its rights and privileges of the University.

    Dr Oyedemi, who is a trained Electrical/Electronic Engineer from Madonna University, Anambra State, has several other professional certifications to his catch of knowledge. A member of the Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management, Oyedemi is also an alumnus of the famous Lagos Business School.

    READ ALSO: PWAN Plus unveils Lush City in Abia

    In his official and personal capacity, Dr Oyedemi has won serial awards for his pacesetting innovations, excellence and impact in the real estate sector. Some of the awards include the Nigerian Property Merit Award, Real Estate Excellence Award 2017, and the Nigerian Real Estate Industry and African Child Prize for Impacting the Nigerian Child through Real Estate. In 2018, he became the recipient of the prestigious Real Estate Excellence Award for the Most Enterprising Managing Director of the Year.

    While appreciating the honour done to him by the European American University, Dr Oyedemi advised youths in Nigeria to shun any form of the illegal get-rich-quick lure. His words: “Rather embrace honourable wealth creation initiatives. The real estate sector offers several of such innovative opportunities. This is the time for us to create the new Nigeria of our dream,” Dr Oyedemi. Further counselled.

  • ‘AMSP will reduce prices of Covid-19 related medicines in Africa’

    ‘AMSP will reduce prices of Covid-19 related medicines in Africa’

    Global Head, Corporate Responsibility for Novartis, Patrice Matchaba, explains how the AMSP initiative will improve access and reduce prices of Covid-19 related medicines in Nigeria and Africa in this interview with Taiwo Alimi.

    Excerpt:

    What is the collaboration between your company and the Africa Union on AMSP all about?

    This global pandemic has placed extreme pressure on healthcare systems in low- and lower-income countries. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its spread worldwide, there was a shortage of diagnostics, medical supplies, and essential medical equipment such as personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, face masks, ventilators, and many others.

    The AMSP was developed as a direct response to these challenges under the leadership of African Union Special Envoy, Strive Masiyiwa and powered by Janngo on behalf of the African Union’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), and in partnership with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

    This collaboration between Novartis and the Africa Medical Supply Platform will help alleviate supply and logistical constraints in Africa and Caricom countries, by facilitating the supply of medicines from the Novartis Pandemic Response Portfolio.

    AMSP is said to be an online platform of supply and marketing, how does that work?

    AMSP is an online marketplace that aggregates critical COVID-19 related supplies where governments and hospitals from 55 African Union Member States and 15 Caricom countries can place their orders.

    The platform further consolidates vetted and certified manufacturers from Africa, Asia, Europe, and America and provides the interface between these vendors and end-users, such as governments and hospitals, to ensure rapid accessibility, transparency, and cost-effectiveness.

    What are the supply and logistical constraints experienced before the AMSP initiative?

    Many African governments had severe challenges with the procurement of essential supplies to support their response activities and face stiff competition, lack of access, prohibitive pricing, and delivery delays.

    The online platform now integrates leading African and globally vetted medical suppliers to ensure cost-effectiveness, transparency, and speed of delivery in the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 related supplies.

    How is Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries in Africa reacting to this model initiative?

    Following a successful launch of the Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) by the Chairperson of the African Union, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa on the 18th of June 2020, the Africa Medical Supplies platform has experienced a surge in demand for medical supplies from the Member States of the African Union and has been adopted as a single online marketplace to enable the supply of COVID-19-related critical medical equipment in Africa.

    The AMSP has also achieved international recognition with Member States of CARICOM (Caribbean Community and Common Market) joining the platform to access critical medical supplies to fight COVID.

    Novartis has listed 15 medicines on its portfolio, help up to better appreciate these drugs, and how they mitigate COVID-19 related symptoms since there is no vaccine yet?

    The COVID-19 medicines portfolio is Novartis’ latest contribution to the global effort to combat the pandemic and support the stability of global healthcare systems. It allows access to affordable medicines to treat the major symptoms of COVID-19 – a critical need in the absence of a vaccine or curative treatment. Inflammation and respiratory problems linked to COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications and can lead to death in some people, putting immense strain on fragile healthcare systems. The Novartis COVID-19 portfolio includes 15 medicines from its Sandoz division for gastrointestinal illness, acute respiratory symptoms, pneumonia as well as septic shock. The medications in the portfolio are aligned to palliative (symptomatic) care recommended in the World Health Organisation interim guidance on the clinical management of COVID-19.

    Additionally, the portfolio includes Dexamethasone is the only medicine that has been shown so far to reduce deaths in severe COVID-19 Pneumonia patients in a randomized double-blind study. The medicines will be made available to governments, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other institutional customers in up to 79 low-income and lower-middle-income countries at zero-profit to support financially-strained healthcare systems. Countries will have the flexibility to select the medicines in the portfolio that meet their healthcare needs.

    Do you think African leaders are doing enough to contain the virus? If not, what more can they do?

    The pandemic has spurred an unprecedented level of collaboration across the pharmaceutical industry, with businesses using their collective innovation power and global footprint to end the pandemic as quickly as possible.

    The AMSP is a first of its kind partnership between governments and private sector leaders to enable such an agile platform delivering emergency supplies in a matter of weeks. Imagine what is possible if we bring our collective power to address unmet medical needs for patients across Africa. Few problems are insurmountable when people resiliently stand together.

  • Obaseki will win Edo elections, Prophet Samuel predicts

    Obaseki will win Edo elections, Prophet Samuel predicts

    Our Reporter

    Popular clergy, Prophet I.O Samuel, of Shiloh World Chapel recently prophesied that Governor Obaseki of Edo state will be re-elected on September 19, 2020.

    In a prophecy released recently during a church program, the man of God told his members about the revelation.

    The prophecy has gone viral on social media and it is presently generating public opinion as the election is just 17 days away.

    Recall that Prophet I O Samuel, is known for his prophecies. He revealed to Nigerians in his new year prophecy about Covid-19 and the wearing of face mask. In his new year prophecy to his congregation this year he warned Christians about persecution and the current controversial CAMA law which is presently tearing the country apart.

    READ ALSO: Oke is next Ondo Gov, Cleric predicts

    Prophet I O Samuel is a well-respected man of God who doesn’t blow his trumpet despite several of his numerous prophecy that has been fulfilled. He has prophecised for world leaders, Governors, businessmen, and the common man that has come to pass. His church in Apo in Abuja is a mecca of the sort to so many people seeking solutions to their problems.

    The respected man of God is also well known for his charitable works in society and even nonmembers has benefited from his kind-hearted gestures. Weekly he spent millions on charity. He recently gifted a man a brand new Range Rover and he has paid school fees of a lot of people.

    Prophet Samuel has often named role the general overseer of the Synagogue Church of All Nation, Prophet T B Joshua as his role model stating that he is more like his spiritual son and he owes TB Joshua in high esteem.