Good Day! Below are Summary of News Stories across Nigeria and Abroad:
1. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says 32 patients have been discharged, following Thursday’s collision of a train and a staff bus in the Ikeja area of the state. Abayomi, who addressed journalists at a press conference at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on Friday, said a total of 102 casualties were recorded. According to him, the number of fatalities still stands at six, while 19 victims have been discharged from LASUTH, five from the State Accident and Emergency Centre at Old Toll Gate, and eight from Orile-Agege General Hospital. CHANNELS
2. The Kogi State Government on Friday ordered the arrest and prosecution of individuals and businesses rejecting the old naira notes. A statement by Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo congratulated Nigerians on the “historic ruling of the Supreme Court”. The apex court last week ruled that both the old and new naira notes remain legal tenders until December 31, 2023. Fanwo explained that the Yahaya Bello administration joined other states to pursue the case to ease the hardship occasioned by the unavailability of cash. DAILY POST
3. United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit Ethiopia next week to discuss peace efforts to end the brutal civil war that has shaken ties between the once close allies, the State Department said Friday. Blinken will also pay the first-ever visit by a top US diplomat to Niger for talks on security cooperation in the Sahel, a region where Russia has made inroads through its Wagner mercenary force. PUNCH
4. The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Kwarra, says the postponement of the March 11 governorship and the house of assembly elections will likely affect the 2023 national housing and population census, slated for March 29. The population census was earlier scheduled to hold between March 29 and April 2, but because of the shift in the election date, the chairman of the commission has said that he would consult President Muhammadu Buhari to determine a suitable date for the national census to begin. PULSE
5. Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has vowed to support the vision of Ekiti United Football Club to gain promotion to the country’s elite league, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL). He also reassured the youths and people of the state of his administration’s commitment to empower and positively engage young people through sports. Governor Oyebanji spoke during the official unveiling of the new jerseys, coach and the players of the state-owned football team ahead of the commencement of the 2023 season at Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. VANGUARD
6. The United Nations has strongly condemned the reported ambush and brutal killing of more than 30 civilians in Mukdolo village in Ngala Local Government Area in Borno State yesterday. In a statement on Thursday, the UN through its Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured who are recuperating a speedy recovery. Several persons were also reportedly injured, and others are still missing following the deadly attack allegedly carried out by an armed group, yet to be identified. CHANNELS
7. Popular Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola better known as Portable, has cried out after being beaten by some of his close friends after interfering in their dispute with his sister. The singer made this known via his Instagram Story on Friday. He shared the photo of his sister on the hospital bed, saying, “Olopa ma ko everybody, see wetin Oke Osa boiz do my big sister. Akoi big problem.” The singer stated that he was severely injured on his body, while his sister was hospitalised as a result of his friends’ attack. PUNCH
8. Flying Eagles of Nigeria have clinched bronze at the ongoing U-20 African Cup of Nations after defeating Tunisia 4-0 in the Third-place play-off on Friday. This will be the third time in history Nigeria have finished third-placed at the competition. VANGUARD
9. The Supreme Court has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to replace Ibrahim Shekarau with Rufai Hanga as the Kano Central senatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP. In a judgment delivered on Friday by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the Supreme Court upheld the ruling of the Court of Appeal, which ordered INEC to recognise Mr Hanga as the Candidate. INEC had declared Shekarau the winner of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. DAILY POST
1O. The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the use of Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) in the March 18 governorship and state houses of assembly elections. Justice Obiora Egwuatu made the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by two aggrieved Nigerians seeking the use of TVCs in the general elections in the absence of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Meanwhile, the INEC has said that it would appeal against the judgement. DAILY TRUST
PROCYON NEWS
