The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 is holding a national summit in Abuja.

The summit which is teamed “Pushing Through The Last Mile To End The Pandemic And Build Back Better” is aimed at planning for the next health emergency, by drawing from the lessons of COVID-19.

Discussions are also expected to revolve around how to scale up the current responses to the pandemic including ongoing mass vaccination, surveillance, and screening at the various points of entry.

In attendance are the Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, along with other federal lawmakers, the SGF, Minister of Health and the diplomatic community.

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The summit comes just days after the country detected the new COVID-19 strain – Omicron; after which Canada and the UK placed Nigeria, along with other Sub-Saharan African countries on Red Alert.

“We were not very happy when six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa were placed on a red list and the WHO also advised against putting each other on the red list,” the minister said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, less than one day after the UK announced the move.

“From what we know about the COVID-19, there are many ways to manage it, and besides, not much is still known about the Omicron variant. We know, for example, that there have been no fatalities”.

Also speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Monday, Mr Mohammed described the decision as unjust and discriminatory.

The minister, however, called on the UK government to rescind their decision immediately.

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Presidential Committee On COVID-19 Holds National Summit

Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike has presented a 2022 budget appropriation estimate of N483, 173,307,96 billion

Christened “Budget of consolidation”, the estimate has as proposed capital expenditure N314, 903, 108, 106 billion and N144, 764,818,977 billion for recurrent expenditure.

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Reading the budget on the floor of the House, Wike noted that the proposed 2022 Capital expenditure is N7 billion higher than that of 2021.

He further noted that the capital expenditure represents 70% of the total budget estimate while the recurrent represents 30% of the proposal.

JUST IN: Wike presents N483bn 2022 budget

 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday re-arraigned the former Governor of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose, and his company, Spotless Limited before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Fayose and his company were re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on 11 charges bordering money laundering and non-declaration of his assets.

In the amended charge, Fayose and one Mr Abiodun Agbele, who is also standing trial on alleged money laundering offences before another division of the court, were alleged to have on June 17, 2014, taken possession of N1.219 billion, to fund Fayose’s 2014 gubernatorial campaign in Ekiti State.

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They were accused of committing criminal breach of trust, theft, and stealing public funds.

Mrs Joanne Tolulope, the 11th witness continued her testimony on Thursday. She was cross-examined by Fayose’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun. She affirmed that her company, Still Earth Limited only dealt with Mr Abiodun Agbele, the associate of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose who is standing trial alongside his company, Spotless Investment Ltd.

When asked if she was involved in the preparation of the deed of assignment in respect of the properties leading to the charge, she answered and said that her company engaged the service of an external lawyer, Barrister Kolawole.

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The witness when asked if all parties in the transaction leading to the trial were fictitious, she said she can only vouch for her company, Still Earth Limited, which deals with Mr Abiodun Agbele.

After the cross-examination, EFCC counsel Rotimi Jacobs informed the court that the new amended charge has been filed and he sought the court’s permission to re-arraign Fayose.

Subsequently, Fayose and his company were re-arraigned on 11 charges bordering on Money and Laundering and non-assets declaration.

As the trial will continue on Friday, December 3 before Justice Aneke, the EFCC is expected to call its 12th witness to testify against him.

EFCC Re-Arraigns Fayose On 11 Amended Charges

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has brought forward the trial of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) group, Nnamdi Kanu from January 19 to January 18, 2022.

The shift in the trial date follows the abridgment of time granted by the Judge on Thursday after a plea to that effect.

Kanu’s counsel, Ifeanyi Ejiofor had approached the court with an application seeking an order of the court to accommodate the trial in November and December this year as against the earlier January 19.

Counsel to the Federal Government, Shuaib Labaran however told the court that a counter affidavit opposing the request by the Federal Government has been filled and served on Kanu.

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Justice Nyako however informed Kanu’s lawyer that the application for time abridgment cannot be considered because there is no judicial time for such an issue.

Following the insistence, Justice Nyako agreed to shift other cases slated for January 18 to accommodate the trial which will last till January 19 and 20.

She further ordered the DSS to allow Kanu to practice his faith, change his clothes, and be given the maximum possible comfort in the detention facility.

These orders were given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence as the trial was heard in his absence.

One of his lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor told journalists that part of the things that will be heard is the application for his bail among others. The lawyer also said it is not mandatory that Nnamdi Kanu be in court for the hearing.

Earlier, there were expectations that Nnamdi Kanu would be making an unscheduled appearance in court but eventually, he was absent.

Nnamdi Kanu is facing charges bordering on alleged terrorism and treasonable felony.

Court Shifts Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial To January 18, 2022

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution to invite the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mahmood Yakubu to brief the House on the cost of conducting direct primaries in the country.

The motion to invite the INEC boss was raised by Representative Leke Abejide who informed the House that it was important to address the rumors' of the cost of the direct primaries.

The INEC Chairman is to appear before the Committees on Appropriations and Electoral Matters to speak on the issue.

Abejide said there are rumors that it will cost N500 billion to conduct direct primaries.

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Reps Invite INEC Chairman Over Cost Of Direct Primaries

Several hectares of farmlands have been razed by fire in Gulani, Tetteba and Garintuwo communities, Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State. 

Although the cause of the fire is yet-to-be-identified, farmers said that the incident which started on Tuesday lasted for over eight hours before it was brought under control.

Chairman of the Council, Dayyabu Jibilwa confirmed the incident via telephone.

He said his team would visit the affected communities on Wednesday (today) to assess the level of damage.

Gulani local government is regarded as one of the food baskets of the north-eastern state.

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The affected council had within last week witnessed farmers/herders conflict in which two persons were confirmed dead with others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.

One of the victims, Adamu Ali, called on the state government to come to their aid.

“This is the worst thing that has ever happened to us in this area, the affected farmlands are up to seven kilometers and we do not know what to do. Everything has been razed down,” he said.

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Fire Guts Farmlands In Three Yobe Communities

Saudi Arabia has recorded the Gulf’s first confirmed case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in a citizen returning from North Africa, a health ministry official said Wednesday.

The strain, which was first announced by South Africa but has since been discovered to have been present earlier in Europe, has prompted governments around the globe to reimpose travel restrictions, despite warnings from the World Health Organization this could do more harm than good.

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“One case of the Omicron variant has been detected in the kingdom — it was a citizen coming from a North African country,” the ministry official told the state SPA news agency.

“He has been put in isolation, as have his contacts, and the necessary health measures have been taken.”

Saudi Arabia last week halted flights from seven southern African countries, mirroring similar moves by other government, but travel links with North Africa have remained unaffected.

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The kingdom had been lifting some of the remaining restrictions it imposed early in the pandemic, allowing worshippers at the Muslim holy places to resume praying shoulder to shoulder from October.

Since the pandemic started, Saudi Arabia has recorded 549,000 cases of Covid-19, 8,836 of them fatal.

More than 47 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the kingdom, which has a population of nearly 35 million.

Saudi Arabia Reports First Case Of Omicron Variant In Gulf

Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, has suspended the 2021 edition of the Calabar Carnival.

The Governor explained that the health concerns arising from the outbreak of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, as well as the prevailing security situation, are his reasons for the suspension.

He made the announcement on Monday at the State Executive Council Chamber attended by carnival band leaders, members of the State Executive Council and local government chairman from the 18 Council areas of the state.

He said the gathering was to unveil the theme of the 2021 edition of the carnival but based on the emergence of the new variant called Omicron and advice by health experts that it kills faster than other variants, the carnival has to be suspended.

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The decision was unanimously agreed upon by the stakeholders at the meeting.

Governor Ayade said the lives of people are paramount and he would compromise the lives and safety of the citizens for the fleeting excitement of the carnival.

The famous Calabar Carnival is an annual display of culture and beauty and to mark Christmas celebration. Cross-River is the home of tourism and hospitality  in Nigeria and Africa, and goes by the slogan ‘The People’s Paradise.’

Governor Ayade Suspends 2021 Calabar Carnival

Four people died, including a baby and a three-year-old boy, in a fire that ripped through an abandoned bank occupied by squatters in central Barcelona on Tuesday, Spanish firefighters said.

Firefighters rescued four other people who were inside the building while putting out the blaze, the head of the firefighting operation, Angel Lopez, told reporters.

Firefighters rescued four other people who were inside the building while putting out the blaze, he added.

Those four were treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters rushed to the scene at around 6 am after being warned that a blaze had broken out in the building, Mr Lopez said.

While Mr Lopez said it was not clear how the four dead people were related, Barcelona-based daily newspaper La Vanguardia said they were all members of a Romanian family.

A spokesman for Catalonia's regional police force, the Mossos d'Esquadra, said an investigation had been opened into the causes of the fire.

In December 2020, four people were killed after a blaze ripped through an industrial complex occupied by squatters, many of them African migrants, near Barcelona.

Over 100 squatters were believed to be living in precarious conditions at the abandoned complex in Badalona, a suburban town north of the city.

In addition to the four deaths, more than 20 people were injured in the blaze.

Four Killed As Fire Guts Building In Barcelona

The Plateau Assembly has announced the death of member representing Pankshin South Constituency Henry Longs.

Longs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) died in Jos on Sunday after undergoing a surgery.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Philip Dasun, confirmed Longs’ death.

He said: “It’s true we lost one of our members this evening. The lawmaker representing Pankshin South State Constituency, Henry Longs.

“He had a problem in one of his legs and had gone for surgical operation. Unfortunately, he could not make it. His death is really very sad and we will miss him.”

Sir Frank Williams, the founder of Formula One outfit Williams Racing, has died at the age of 79, the team announced yesterday.

The team won the F1 drivers’ title seven times and the constructors’ championship on nine occasions under Williams’ stewardship, although the most recent triumphs came in 1997.

The Englishman stepped down from the board of Williams Formula One in 2012 and his family ended 43 years of involvement in the team last year, following its sale to Dorilton Capital.

Williams had used a wheelchair since being injured in a car crash in France in 1986.

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“The Williams Racing team is truly saddened by the passing of our founder Sir Frank Williams,” the team said in a statement. “Sir Frank was a legend and icon of our sport. His passing marks the end of an era for our team and for the sport of Formula 1. He was one of a kind and a true pioneer.

“Despite considerable adversity in his life, he led our team to 16 world championships, making us one of the most successful teams in the history of the sport.”

Current Williams driver George Russell paid his own tribute on Twitter.

“Today, we say goodbye to the man who defined our team,” he wrote. “Sir Frank was such a genuinely wonderful human being and I’ll always remember the laughs we shared.

“He was more than a boss, he was a mentor and a friend to everybody who joined the Williams Racing family and so many others.”

Formula One president Stefano Domenicali said Formula One had lost a “much-loved and respected member of the F1 family”.

“He was a true giant of our sport that overcame the most difficult of challenges in life and battled every day to win on and off the track,” he said

In 1977, Frank Williams joined forces with innovative motor racing engineer Patrick Head to launch the Williams Formula One team.

Formula One pioneer Sir Frank Williams dies at 79

The Confederation of African Football on Friday gave its support to the “decision of the FIFA Congress to conduct a feasibility study” for a World Cup every two years.

CAF is the first confederation to officially and publicly approve the controversial plan to hold a World Cup every two years, at the same pace as its Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The confederation, at its extraordinary general assembly in Cairo, also voted in favor of establishing a Super League for African clubs.

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FIFA will hold a summit in December with president Gianni Infantino still hoping to find consensus on plans to stage the men’s tournament more often than the current four-year cycle.

It is an incendiary topic given the various interests at stake, between clubs and national teams, domestic leagues, and international competitions.

Opposition has been so widespread from leagues, players, and supporters groups that the chances of a biennial World Cup actually happening appear remote.

The World Cup has been played every four years, apart from cancellations during World War II, since the inaugural edition in 1930.

The new biennial proposals were put forward by Arsene Wenger, FIFA’s head of global development.

The World Cup is expanding regardless in another way — the men’s version to 48 teams from 2026 and the women’s to 32 teams from 2023.

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.