Conditions for reopening schools: Provide facilities in schools, ASUU, NUT, others tell FG

Critical stakeholders in the education sector have called on the government to lead by example by providing all the facilities required for a safe reopening of schools during this COVID-19 pandemic in those schools it owns.

The stakeholders, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the Nigeria Union. of Teachers. NUT, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria, NAPTAN, and the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, stated this in chats with Vanguard on Thursday.

While describing the conditions listed by the government as good, they, however, faulted it, saying most of the conditions cannot be met in government-owned schools |||READ MORE

 

Jennifer Lopez invites New York nurse to party with her

Jennifer Lopez has offered to play host to a New York nurse at one of her future concerts as a thank you for her hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.

The superstar surprised emergency room medic Cassidy Toben during a video chat for U.S. network NBC's virtual Peacock At-Home Variety Show, for which she was interviewed by Today show anchors Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb about working on the front lines.

In the middle of the chat, the co-hosts noted Toben was a J.Lo superfan and then pretended to give the On the Floor hitmaker a call, before she appeared onscreen, much to the nurse's surprise |||READ MORE

 

Police can’t be everywhere – IGP

Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu on Monday said the Police can’t be everywhere, at the same time.

Adamu stated this in Gombe during the state inauguration of the Community Policing Advisory Committee, which will be co-chaired by the Emir of Gombe, Sheu Abubakar, and the state Police Commissioner, Maikudi Sheu.

The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of Zone 3, Haliru Gwandu, said there was no better time than now for community policing to commence |||READ MORE

 

N-Power to absorb 400,000 applicants for third batch

THE Federal Government has said 400,000 applicants will be absorbed into the third batch of its N-Power National Social Investment Scheme (NSIP).

Last week, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development announced that it would begin the enrolment of the third batch of N-Power beneficiaries on June 26, 2020.

The ministry explained that the enrolment will provide opportunities for more Nigerian youths to access the programme, in furtherance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty |||READ MORE

Britney Spears Wears a Bikini and a Face Mask on a Beach Date with Boyfriend Sam Asghari

Britney Spears and boyfriend Sam Asghari enjoyed a day at the beach — and the couple did their bit to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Spears, 38, shared several snaps from their day on the sand on Instagram Monday, writing in the caption, "All you need is love and the beach …. @samasghari 🌸👙💋 !!!!!"

The photos included the couple, who have been dating since 2017, holding hands while facing the ocean and laying on towels side-by-side |||READ MORE

Revealed: Scars of Covid-19 could last for life as doctors warn of long-term damage to health

One in three patients who recover from coronavirus could be harmed for life, with long-term damage to their lungs, as well as chronic fatigue and psychological disturbances, research suggests.

Experts said there was growing evidence that the virus could cause persistent or even permanent trauma, including impairment to the brain and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

NHS guidance seen by The Telegraph suggests that around 30 per cent of patients who recover from Covid-19 may be left with damaged and scarred lung tissue, if it follows patterns of similar diseases |||READ MORE

 

10 of the best books set in Ireland – that will take you there

I was born in Toronto and moved to Ireland as a boy, where I spent some formative years in a planned, Khrushchevian-style satellite town in south County Clare. Settlers arrived in waves from Belfast, London, New York or further afield – from cities throughout Chile and South Africa. In this multicultural outpost, populated by residential tourists, we became wry observers of traditional nuances.

For me, Ireland’s political, historical and cultural landscapes were first properly discovered in the country’s literature. The greats, such as Wilde, Yeats and Joyce, offered signposts to the past while more contemporary writers, including Roddy Doyle, Flann O’Brien and Jamie O’Neill, shone a light on lesser-heard Irish voices. And so my selection of novels echoes Ireland’s literary journey from pre-famine to the present day |||READ MORE

More evidence that lack of vitamin D is linked to COVID-19 severity

New European research has added to the growing body of evidence which suggests that a vitamin D deficiency could be linked with developing a more severe case of COVID-19.

Carried out by researchers at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and the University of Liverpool, UK, the new study looked at 117 countries which had 150 or more COVID-19 cases to see how the virus affects different populations in different ways.

The researchers gathered data on people aged 65 and over, each country's population density, the latitude of the capital city and air pollution levels |||READ MORE

Snoop Dogg honours Kobe Bryant at 2020 ESPY Awards

Snoop Dogg paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant during the virtual 2020 ESPY Awards on Sunday night.

The Gin and Juice star performed a rap tribute to the NBA (National Basketball Association) legend, who, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, passed away in a helicopter crash in January.

Snoop, real name Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr., rapped as video of Kobe, as well as footage of the many stunning murals that have popped up in tribute to him, played |||READ MORE

You Won't Believe What Lady Gaga Got Her Dad for Father's Day

It’s the thought that counts! Lady Gaga‘s dad, Joe Germanotta, revealed that he didn’t exactly get an enviable gift from his famous daughter on Father’s Day, which was celebrated on Sunday, June 21, but he doesn’t mind.

“My daughter, Stefani [Germanotta] — AKA Lady Gaga — she sent me a box of Oreos,” Germanotta, 64, said with a laugh during an interview on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria on Monday, June 22. “And my other daughter, Natali, she’s uptown. She’s in New York City. She’s taking me for a long bike ride.”

The New Jersey native told guest anchor Dagen McDowell that he had a “great” holiday, but was more focused on reopening a portion of his restaurant, Joanne Trattoria, located on New York City’s Upper West Side |||READ MORE

Trump pushed Abe to mediate in Iran, knowing it would fail, Bolton claims in memoir

US President Donald Trump last year urged Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to act as a mediator between the United States and Iran amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, even though he did not expect the Japanese leader to succeed in the mission, former US national security adviser John Bolton said in his memoir published on Tuesday.

It later emerged, Bolton said, that Trump was using his relationship with Abe to press for a boost in farm exports to Japan.

In the hope of brokering dialogue between the two foes, Abe made the trip to Iran in June 2019, becoming the first sitting Japanese prime minister to do so since 1978. But the mission ended in failure and he was embarrassed after two tankers, one operated by a Japanese company, were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz during his stay |||READ MORE

This partnership helped prevent 13 million deaths

Vaccines have been saving lives for centuries. But from the time Edward Jenner created the first vaccine in the late 1700s, not everyone has had equal access to them. As a result, children in some parts of the world continued to die from diseases that were preventable in other parts.

When Melinda and I learned about this inequity over twenty years ago, we thought it was infuriating—and deeply unfair. So, in 2000, our foundation teamed up with countries whose children were impacted the most, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, UNICEF, vaccine manufactures, and donors to do something about it. Together, we created an organization called Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Gavi works with governments to make sure that every child has access to the lifesaving vaccines they need. The organization makes this happen by negotiating vaccines at prices that are affordable for the poorest countries. Since Gavi guarantees high volumes, manufacturers are able to lower the cost of vaccines quite dramatically. Gavi also helps low-income countries strengthen systems to deliver vaccines to all communities |||READ MORE

 

 

Inspector General of Police regulates social media use for officers

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has restricted operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, on the usage of the social media with a ban on police personnel from using pictures of themselves while dressed in police uniforms on their FaceBook, Twitter handles, WhatsApp or Instagram pages.

The Police chief also banned police personnel from making, sharing or commenting on any post that ridicules, maligns or disrespects any race, gender, ethnicity, tribe, religion or nationality as well as making controversial discussions bordering on politics and religion.

The IGP in a statement dated June 9th, 2020 warned that he is giving all police personnel in the country a grace of 30 days from June 10th for all operatives in the force to comply with the new Social Media Policy, SMP of the NPF by removing their pictures, videos in police uniforms, logos and insignias from their personal social media handles |||READ MORE

People are getting sick from coronavirus spreading through the air – and that's a big challenge for reopening

I am scientist that studies infectious diseases and I specialize in severe respiratory infections, but I also serve as a member of my church’s safety team.

Over the past few weeks as states began to loosen restrictions, we have been discussing if and how to safely start services again. But the coronavirus is far from gone. As we try and figure out how to hold services while protecting our members, one question is of particular concern: How common is airborne spread of the virus?

How to spread a virus |||READ MORE

 

FG lists conditions for reopening schools, varsities

The Federal Government has given conditions for the reopening of schools and tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, announced the conditions in Abuja on Tuesday.

He spoke at the 2020 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board |||READ MORE

Obaseki finally dumps APC

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has formally announced his decision to resign his membership of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Obaseki, who was disqualified from contesting the party’s governorship primary election slated for June 22, announced the decision to State House correspondents after meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

The embattled governor said he would pursue his ambition for second term in office on another platform |||READ MORE

 

2020 UTME: JAMB to announce cut-off marks today

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are expected to announce cut-off marks and other guidelines for the 2020/2021 Admission exercise today.

The exam body and institution heads are holding the 2020 Policy Meeting of tertiary institutions virtually at present in Abuja.

During the meeting, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, told the heads of institutions not to reopen without the approval of the Federal Government |||READ MORE

 

Man, wife nabbed for killing school teacher in Ebonyi

The lawmaker representing Ebonyi North West constituency in the State House of Assembly, Victor Aleke Tuesday, said  the killers of his younger brother Sam Aleke has been apprehended by the police.

Late Sam was found dead in the boot of his car along Nkwuagu road before Millitary cantonment Abakaliki about two weeks ago early Sunday morning, after he was declared missing by the wife.
But Victor Aleke who spoke to Blueprint on telephone said he employed the services of intelligent agencies that traced the killers.

He noted that the killers identified as one Engr. Nwibo and the wife conspired to kill Sam Aleke for nothing.

Though victor stressed that Nwibo alleged that he met the late brother necked with the wife in their house, but that the wife denied such thing ever happening. But said they have been handed over to police in Ebonyi state |||READ MORE

Declare State of Emergency on Gender Violence, NGO Tells FG

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Actionaid Nigeria has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare state of emergency on gender-based violence following the increase in reported cases of rape and killings of women and girls, especially in May.

In a statement, the Country Director, Ene Obi, said the organisation has never been more alarmed about the cases of Gender Based Violence in Nigeria than in recent times, adding that women and girls (young and old) now live in fear as they are no longer safe even in their own homes.

“Since the lockdown in March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ActionAid Nigeria and her partners have documented a total of 253 cases of Gender Based Violence in Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu, Kebbi and Kwara States,” she stated |||READ MORE

 

 

 

Abacha loot: Emirs and Chiefs were consulted when money was kept overseas ― Al-Mustapha

The former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former head of state, Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha in defence of his former boss has stated that the Abacha administration consulted Emirs, Chiefs and VIPs before moving billions of naira now referred to as “Abacha loot” overseas.

Al-Mustapha who was speaking during a program aired on BBC Hausa, monitored by Vanguard said former head of state, General Sani Abacha made such move because “there was a period Nigeria was to be sanctioned”, so there was a need to “keep money overseas so that Nigeria and Nigerians would not suffer, when the sanction was imposed on the country.”

“We gathered Emirs and Chiefs from the South and from the North, together with VIPs of that time, those in government and those not in government.” |||READ MORE