Sokoto, Rivers, Oyo, ignores FG’s directives on school resumption

As part of measures to reduce the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country, the Federal Government has directed that all schools remain closed till January 18. However, some state governments have faulted the directives and insisted on early resumption on January 11.

While some states such as Kogi, Anambra, Plateau and Ekiti keyed into the January 18 resumption date by FG, other states like Rivers, Cross River, Gombe, Sokoto, Zamfara, Delta and Oyo have shunned the Federal Government’s directive.

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CBN defends Naira with $4.37bn into the foreign exchange market

Nigeria’s Central Bank, CBN has disclosed that $4.37bn was injected into the foreign exchange market in the third quarter of 2020 as part of efforts to ensure the stability of the naira.

The apex bank said that through its periodic interventions in the forex market, it has continued to boost the supply side of the market, even as COVID-19 crisis weakened the private sector supply chain segment of the market.

Part of the report read, “During the third quarter of 2020, total foreign exchange sales to authorised dealers by the bank amounted to $4.37bn, a decline of 2.3 per cent from the level in the preceding quarter…”

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Akwa Ibom University lecturers begin strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akwa Ibom State University chapter, has begun an indefinite strike to press for better condition of service.

Reports show that the academic and non-academic workers of the institution had been subjected to salary payment on percentage basis for the past 11 months in addition to the lack of payment of promotion arrears.

In a statement by it chairperson, Professor Otoabasi Akpan, and Secretary, Dr. Etanguno Owowo, on Sunday, 3 January, called on its members to withdraw all services, including teaching and or administration of examination or continuous assessment in the institution.

It warned that any member who failed to comply with the directives would have himself or herself to blame.

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Boost economy, security, coalition tells Buhari

The Coalition for A Better Nigeria has urged Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari to up efforts in securing the country’s economic boost and security. In a statement to mark the New Year, the coalition advised the President to double efforts in 2021.

The coalition said: “For instance, the Boko Haram insurgency sprang up in 2009 while kidnappings, killings, maiming, farmers and Fulani herdsmen crisis became rampant since the advent of this democracy and, regrettably, rather than nipping these in the bud by the successful administrations before now, they all seemed to become powerless on ascension to power and all these vices are on the increase year in, year out, until power changed hands, which always led to a renewed hope of victory in the new government.”

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Buhari seeks united action in Africa against terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari has advocated for unified action by African leaders against terrorism, which he described as a grave security challenge facing the continent.

The President stated this on Sunday, 3 January 2021, while reacting to a terrorist attack in Zaroumdareye, a border town between Niger Republic and Mali, in which about 70 persons were reportedly killed.

Condemning the attack and waste of innocent lives by the terrorists, Buhari described terrorism on the continent as a contagion, which would keep spreading across the region, if no united action is not taken.