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The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Hamid Bobboyi, said Nigeria has a shortage of 277, 537 teachers at basic level.

This is according to the 2018 Personnel Audit report on Public and Private Basic Education Schools in Nigeria.

File photo used to illustrate story. SKB

Bobboyi said the personnel audit conducted by UBEC showed that “while 73 per cent of those teaching in public schools are qualified teachers, only 53 per cent of teachers in private schools are qualified to teach.”

The commission said they were those with the minimum requirement of Nigeria Certificate in Education and above.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Secretary stated that there were ongoing reforms to address the anomalies.

He also stressed that 10 per cent (N10 billion) of the entire amount received from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of UBEC had been designated for teachers professional development through the state universal basic education boards.

Bobboyi said, “We remain the biggest teacher development agency in the country; not even the National Teachers’ Institute or any other agency. UBEC’s 10 per cent of the entire amount that is received from the Consolidated Revenue Fund is designated for teachers professional development through the SUBEBs. That is something that is very important for us to realise that we pump in a minimum of N10 billion every year for teachers’ professional development in this country.

“This has to be done because it is essential for the teachers to be trained professionally. The quality of teaching given in the class is dependent on the quality of the teachers that are available.

“However, one of the major challenges is getting qualified teachers to teach the children in the country. The Federal Ministry of Education is trying to address it. For now, every parent wants his or her child to study Medicine, Law, Economics, Engineering, and host of others.

“A situation whereas a teacher has to rely on support from other members of the family in almost everything, be it marriage, child education, among others has to be corrected. According to the 2018 NPA report on Public and Private Basic Education Schools in Nigeria, Nigeria has shortage of 277, 537 teachers.

“The personnel audit conducted by the UBEC, further indicated that while 73 per cent of those teaching in public schools are qualified teachers, only 53 per cent of teachers in private schools are qualified to teach, that is, those that have the minimum requirement of NCE and above.

“Our hope is that with the current reforms that are being put in place where you attract the best candidates into the teaching profession and compensate them adequately, the narrative will change. I was in Singapore and they told me that you are better off as a teacher than a medical doctor if it is about money. It is the same thing in Finland."

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Valuables worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident at the Kugbo furniture market in Abuja on Sunday.

The market was completely razed down by the fire, making it impossible for the shop owners to salvage any of their goods.

According to reports, firefighters arrived late at the scene, which compounded the problem.

Many of the shop owners were said to have just stocked up on goods and could not believe when the news broke that their sources of livelihood had all gone. 

A shop owner, who identified himself as David, said he lost everything to the fire.

Recall that the same market was gutted by fire on January 13, 2020 and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

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Valuables worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire incident at the Kugbo furniture market in Abuja on Sunday.

The market was completely razed down by the fire, making it impossible for the shop owners to salvage any of their goods.

According to reports, firefighters arrived late at the scene, which compounded the problem.

Many of the shop owners were said to have just stocked up on goods and could not believe when the news broke that their sources of livelihood had all gone. 

A shop owner, who identified himself as David, said he lost everything to the fire.

Recall that the same market was gutted by fire on January 13, 2020 and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.

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The non-teaching staff members of universities under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee, have said they will commence a three-day nationwide protest on Tuesday over inconsistencies in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment.

The group said it would also be protesting the delay in the renegotiation of the FGN/ ASUU/SSANU 2009 Agreement.

Others were the nonpayment of retirement benefits to former members, non-constitution of visitation panels to universities, poor funding of universities, teaching staff usurping the headship of non-teaching units, among others.

The Nigerian Government, had in December, approved N40 billion earned allowances for the four university unions and allocated 75 per cent of the amount to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, leaving 25 percent for the other three unions.

The JAC which comprised the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities directed all its branches to mobilise their members on Monday for the rallies.

The decision to embark on the protest was taken on Friday night at a meeting by the leadership of NASU and SSANU, in Abuja, where they reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian Government on October 20, 2020.

In a communique signed by the SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the committee added that the unions would consider other measures, including embarking on an indefinite strike, after the protest.

The JAC will meet on Thursday to review the success of the protest and deliberate on the next step.

It was also gathered that the unions had notified the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is the conciliator between the Nigerian government and the unions, of their intention to embark on the protest.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, said he had no information as regards the issue.

“When such issues come up, we as the conciliator always invite them to meetings to address their demands but I don’t have any information on what was being done on their demands,” he said on Sunday.

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The non-teaching staff members of universities under the aegis of the Joint Action Committee, have said they will commence a three-day nationwide protest on Tuesday over inconsistencies in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment.

The group said it would also be protesting the delay in the renegotiation of the FGN/ ASUU/SSANU 2009 Agreement.

Others were the nonpayment of retirement benefits to former members, non-constitution of visitation panels to universities, poor funding of universities, teaching staff usurping the headship of non-teaching units, among others.

The Nigerian Government, had in December, approved N40 billion earned allowances for the four university unions and allocated 75 per cent of the amount to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, leaving 25 percent for the other three unions.

The JAC which comprised the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities directed all its branches to mobilise their members on Monday for the rallies.

The decision to embark on the protest was taken on Friday night at a meeting by the leadership of NASU and SSANU, in Abuja, where they reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Nigerian Government on October 20, 2020.

In a communique signed by the SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of NASU, Prince Peters Adeyemi, the committee added that the unions would consider other measures, including embarking on an indefinite strike, after the protest.

The JAC will meet on Thursday to review the success of the protest and deliberate on the next step.

It was also gathered that the unions had notified the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, who is the conciliator between the Nigerian government and the unions, of their intention to embark on the protest.

When contacted, the spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, said he had no information as regards the issue.

“When such issues come up, we as the conciliator always invite them to meetings to address their demands but I don’t have any information on what was being done on their demands,” he said on Sunday.

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Over 20 people lost their lives in a fatal accident in Bauchi State on Sunday. 

It was gathered that the occupants of the two vehicles involved in the crash were burnt beyond recognition.

The affected vehicles had 22 passengers but only two females survived with severe injuries, the Punch reported.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident said It happened around 3.00 pm.

He said, “Yes, the accident is true and it happened at Tirwun area of the state.

“The accident involved 22 passengers who were in two vehicles, a Hummer Bus 18-seater of Borno Express Mass Transit and a Golf car. The Hummer had 18 passengers while the golf had four.

“The Borno Express bus was heading to Maiduguri from Jos while the Golf car was coming from Misau and was heading to Bauchi.

“Immediately we were called, our men from the MotorPol Department rushed to the scene for the rescue operation and conveyed all the victims to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

“Among the 22 passengers, 20 of them were burnt beyond recognition while two females survived the accident.

“The corpses were all deposited at the mortuary while the two injured are at the same hospital receiving medical treatment.”

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Over 20 people lost their lives in a fatal accident in Bauchi State on Sunday. 

It was gathered that the occupants of the two vehicles involved in the crash were burnt beyond recognition.

The affected vehicles had 22 passengers but only two females survived with severe injuries, the Punch reported.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the incident said It happened around 3.00 pm.

He said, “Yes, the accident is true and it happened at Tirwun area of the state.

“The accident involved 22 passengers who were in two vehicles, a Hummer Bus 18-seater of Borno Express Mass Transit and a Golf car. The Hummer had 18 passengers while the golf had four.

“The Borno Express bus was heading to Maiduguri from Jos while the Golf car was coming from Misau and was heading to Bauchi.

“Immediately we were called, our men from the MotorPol Department rushed to the scene for the rescue operation and conveyed all the victims to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

“Among the 22 passengers, 20 of them were burnt beyond recognition while two females survived the accident.

“The corpses were all deposited at the mortuary while the two injured are at the same hospital receiving medical treatment.”

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Divers resume their search for the black boxes after a passenger plane crashed into the Java Sea.

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Chinese officials are bracing for more punitive measures in Donald Trump's final days in office.

Former Nigerian Army General, Brigadier-General Idris Dambazau, has said bureaucracy in Nigerian security forces is responsible for the lingering insecurity in the country.

The country has witnessed a spike in insecurity ranging from kidnapping to banditry and insurgency, among others in recent times.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Danzabau said state governors should be given the power to give directives to security agencies in their states when the need arises. 

He said, "It is believed that so long as state governors do not have the power to order security agencies in their various states to respond to security challenges when they arise, insecurity will remain.

"This is one of the factors that cause delay in response to security challenges. Because constitutionally, security is the responsibility of the Federal Government and for any of the security forces to respond to any security challenge in any state, the governor has to make a request to the Presidency. 

"After the necessary approvals are granted, they are sent to the heads of security services in Abuja and they now will transmit the approval to the state before the security services in the state will act. That is the constitutional provision. The governor cannot call a military commander or even his police commissioner and instruct him directly. 

"Instead, he would call the Presidency. The Presidency would now call the Inspector General of Police, IGP, who would call the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG. The DIG would call the Assistant Inspector General of Police who would now instruct oolice commissioners.

"The same thing is applicable in other security services. For the military, they would tell the Presidency and, after approval, they would instruct the Minister of Defence who would call the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS. The CDS would now instruct the Chief of Army Staff who, in turn, would instruct his Principal Staff Officers who would instruct the General Officers Commanding, GOC. The GOC would instruct the Brigade Commander or Battalion Commander in the respective locations."

Danzabau said this cumbersome process brings about delay in the response of security agencies when a security challenge arises.

He said this is the essence of the state police and state security agencies which will be able to respond immediately if there is any breach of security in their environment. 

"In the First Republic, we had the Dan Doka, Native Authority Police, in Northern Nigeria under traditional rulers. At the time, the Native Authority Police were very effective because these were people from the local community, who spoke the local language.

"They were familiar with the traditions, cultures and religions of the various communities. Therefore, they blended very well. But they were later scrapped and merged with the Nigeria Police Force. At that time, the traditional rulers had control over the police and courts but now the governor has to seek permission from Abuja and wait several hours for a response."

The elder statesman also called for the amendment of the constitution to allow state-owned security agencies operate freely. 

"I feel the Constitution should be amended to allow state-owned security agencies. The security agencies in the states can now work in consonance with the national agencies to ensure the provision of adequate security all over the country.

"Some time ago, I was privileged to accompany Governor (Abdullahi) Ganduje to Imo State. At the time, Rochas Okorocha was the sitting governor. It was there we observed that Rochas had established a security agency for the state. It was well structured with various departments. 

"The personnel, comprising youths, were very smartly dressed. In fact, when we arrived, they performed a quarter guard parade for Ganduje and they were as good as soldiers except that they were using wooden guns. Rochas informed us that the youth assisted the police in patrolling the neighbourhoods in the state, thereby providing security in many areas. This was in addition to the advantage of employing hundreds of youths, which reduced youth restiveness."

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Former Nigerian Army General, Brigadier-General Idris Dambazau, has said bureaucracy in Nigerian security forces is responsible for the lingering insecurity in the country.

The country has witnessed a spike in insecurity ranging from kidnapping to banditry and insurgency, among others in recent times.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Danzabau said state governors should be given the power to give directives to security agencies in their states when the need arises. 

He said, "It is believed that so long as state governors do not have the power to order security agencies in their various states to respond to security challenges when they arise, insecurity will remain.

"This is one of the factors that cause delay in response to security challenges. Because constitutionally, security is the responsibility of the Federal Government and for any of the security forces to respond to any security challenge in any state, the governor has to make a request to the Presidency. 

"After the necessary approvals are granted, they are sent to the heads of security services in Abuja and they now will transmit the approval to the state before the security services in the state will act. That is the constitutional provision. The governor cannot call a military commander or even his police commissioner and instruct him directly. 

"Instead, he would call the Presidency. The Presidency would now call the Inspector General of Police, IGP, who would call the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG. The DIG would call the Assistant Inspector General of Police who would now instruct oolice commissioners.

"The same thing is applicable in other security services. For the military, they would tell the Presidency and, after approval, they would instruct the Minister of Defence who would call the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS. The CDS would now instruct the Chief of Army Staff who, in turn, would instruct his Principal Staff Officers who would instruct the General Officers Commanding, GOC. The GOC would instruct the Brigade Commander or Battalion Commander in the respective locations."

Danzabau said this cumbersome process brings about delay in the response of security agencies when a security challenge arises.

He said this is the essence of the state police and state security agencies which will be able to respond immediately if there is any breach of security in their environment. 

"In the First Republic, we had the Dan Doka, Native Authority Police, in Northern Nigeria under traditional rulers. At the time, the Native Authority Police were very effective because these were people from the local community, who spoke the local language.

"They were familiar with the traditions, cultures and religions of the various communities. Therefore, they blended very well. But they were later scrapped and merged with the Nigeria Police Force. At that time, the traditional rulers had control over the police and courts but now the governor has to seek permission from Abuja and wait several hours for a response."

The elder statesman also called for the amendment of the constitution to allow state-owned security agencies operate freely. 

"I feel the Constitution should be amended to allow state-owned security agencies. The security agencies in the states can now work in consonance with the national agencies to ensure the provision of adequate security all over the country.

"Some time ago, I was privileged to accompany Governor (Abdullahi) Ganduje to Imo State. At the time, Rochas Okorocha was the sitting governor. It was there we observed that Rochas had established a security agency for the state. It was well structured with various departments. 

"The personnel, comprising youths, were very smartly dressed. In fact, when we arrived, they performed a quarter guard parade for Ganduje and they were as good as soldiers except that they were using wooden guns. Rochas informed us that the youth assisted the police in patrolling the neighbourhoods in the state, thereby providing security in many areas. This was in addition to the advantage of employing hundreds of youths, which reduced youth restiveness."

Insecurity Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Former Nigerian Army General, Brigadier-General Idris Dambazau, has said bureaucracy in Nigerian security forces is responsible for the lingering insecurity in the country.

The country has witnessed a spike in insecurity ranging from kidnapping to banditry and insurgency, among others in recent times.

In an interview with The PUNCH, Danzabau said state governors should be given the power to give directives to security agencies in their states when the need arises. 

He said, "It is believed that so long as state governors do not have the power to order security agencies in their various states to respond to security challenges when they arise, insecurity will remain.

"This is one of the factors that cause delay in response to security challenges. Because constitutionally, security is the responsibility of the Federal Government and for any of the security forces to respond to any security challenge in any state, the governor has to make a request to the Presidency. 

"After the necessary approvals are granted, they are sent to the heads of security services in Abuja and they now will transmit the approval to the state before the security services in the state will act. That is the constitutional provision. The governor cannot call a military commander or even his police commissioner and instruct him directly. 

"Instead, he would call the Presidency. The Presidency would now call the Inspector General of Police, IGP, who would call the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG. The DIG would call the Assistant Inspector General of Police who would now instruct oolice commissioners.

"The same thing is applicable in other security services. For the military, they would tell the Presidency and, after approval, they would instruct the Minister of Defence who would call the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS. The CDS would now instruct the Chief of Army Staff who, in turn, would instruct his Principal Staff Officers who would instruct the General Officers Commanding, GOC. The GOC would instruct the Brigade Commander or Battalion Commander in the respective locations."

Danzabau said this cumbersome process brings about delay in the response of security agencies when a security challenge arises.

He said this is the essence of the state police and state security agencies which will be able to respond immediately if there is any breach of security in their environment. 

"In the First Republic, we had the Dan Doka, Native Authority Police, in Northern Nigeria under traditional rulers. At the time, the Native Authority Police were very effective because these were people from the local community, who spoke the local language.

"They were familiar with the traditions, cultures and religions of the various communities. Therefore, they blended very well. But they were later scrapped and merged with the Nigeria Police Force. At that time, the traditional rulers had control over the police and courts but now the governor has to seek permission from Abuja and wait several hours for a response."

The elder statesman also called for the amendment of the constitution to allow state-owned security agencies operate freely. 

"I feel the Constitution should be amended to allow state-owned security agencies. The security agencies in the states can now work in consonance with the national agencies to ensure the provision of adequate security all over the country.

"Some time ago, I was privileged to accompany Governor (Abdullahi) Ganduje to Imo State. At the time, Rochas Okorocha was the sitting governor. It was there we observed that Rochas had established a security agency for the state. It was well structured with various departments. 

"The personnel, comprising youths, were very smartly dressed. In fact, when we arrived, they performed a quarter guard parade for Ganduje and they were as good as soldiers except that they were using wooden guns. Rochas informed us that the youth assisted the police in patrolling the neighbourhoods in the state, thereby providing security in many areas. This was in addition to the advantage of employing hundreds of youths, which reduced youth restiveness."

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Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said modern equipment should be provided for the Nigerian military to help in their fight against insurgents and other criminals in the country.

The governor also called for multi-level policing system as the best way to secure the country, adding that the issue of state police has become more necessary than ever.

Speaking at the state's Christian service in commemoration of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Sunday, Akeredolu lauded the Nigerian military counter-terrorism efforts aimed at ridding the country and the state of criminal elements.

He equally appreciated the support and commitment of the military in securing the state and confronting kidnappers and other elements who are troubling the peace of the state.

The governor charged the security agencies in the state to work together, adding that collaborative efforts among the security agencies can only yield a better result and peace for the people.

He said there must provision of better ammunition and welfare for security agencies so that they will be encouraged to do better. 

The governor implored security agents not to rest on their laurels, stressing that despite their concerted effort, criminality has not abated in the state and the country at large.

He said, "Apart from prayers, as individuals, we should empathise with the widows and dependants of our fallen heroes and one major way of doing this is to donate generously to emblem appeal fund by buying these emblems.

“For the benefit of doubt, let me emphasise that proceeds of the 'Emblem Appeal' is for the Nigerian Legion, for the welfare of the ex-servicemen and the dependants of the fallen heroes."
 

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Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said modern equipment should be provided for the Nigerian military to help in their fight against insurgents and other criminals in the country.

The governor also called for multi-level policing system as the best way to secure the country, adding that the issue of state police has become more necessary than ever.

Speaking at the state's Christian service in commemoration of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Sunday, Akeredolu lauded the Nigerian military counter-terrorism efforts aimed at ridding the country and the state of criminal elements.

He equally appreciated the support and commitment of the military in securing the state and confronting kidnappers and other elements who are troubling the peace of the state.

The governor charged the security agencies in the state to work together, adding that collaborative efforts among the security agencies can only yield a better result and peace for the people.

He said there must provision of better ammunition and welfare for security agencies so that they will be encouraged to do better. 

The governor implored security agents not to rest on their laurels, stressing that despite their concerted effort, criminality has not abated in the state and the country at large.

He said, "Apart from prayers, as individuals, we should empathise with the widows and dependants of our fallen heroes and one major way of doing this is to donate generously to emblem appeal fund by buying these emblems.

“For the benefit of doubt, let me emphasise that proceeds of the 'Emblem Appeal' is for the Nigerian Legion, for the welfare of the ex-servicemen and the dependants of the fallen heroes."
 

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Chairman of the South-West Governors Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said modern equipment should be provided for the Nigerian military to help in their fight against insurgents and other criminals in the country.

The governor also called for multi-level policing system as the best way to secure the country, adding that the issue of state police has become more necessary than ever.

Speaking at the state's Christian service in commemoration of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration on Sunday, Akeredolu lauded the Nigerian military counter-terrorism efforts aimed at ridding the country and the state of criminal elements.

He equally appreciated the support and commitment of the military in securing the state and confronting kidnappers and other elements who are troubling the peace of the state.

The governor charged the security agencies in the state to work together, adding that collaborative efforts among the security agencies can only yield a better result and peace for the people.

He said there must provision of better ammunition and welfare for security agencies so that they will be encouraged to do better. 

The governor implored security agents not to rest on their laurels, stressing that despite their concerted effort, criminality has not abated in the state and the country at large.

He said, "Apart from prayers, as individuals, we should empathise with the widows and dependants of our fallen heroes and one major way of doing this is to donate generously to emblem appeal fund by buying these emblems.

“For the benefit of doubt, let me emphasise that proceeds of the 'Emblem Appeal' is for the Nigerian Legion, for the welfare of the ex-servicemen and the dependants of the fallen heroes."
 

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President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolences to former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Babangida Nguroje, over the death of two of his sisters, Zainab and Hajiya Hadiza, with her husband and their four kids, who all perished in a road accident.

SaharaReporters gathered that the accident occurred along Akwanga-Keffi Road around 8pm on Saturday night with the car going up in flames.

The deceased were said to be travelling from Yola to Abuja.

Reacting to the incident, President Buhari in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said, “I am lost for words to describe such multiple deaths in a single car accident in which family members perished.

“I received the news of this tragedy with deep shock and grief, and wish to express my heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with you at this trying and painful moment.”
 

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President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolences to former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Babangida Nguroje, over the death of two of his sisters, Zainab and Hajiya Hadiza, with her husband and their four kids, who all perished in a road accident.

SaharaReporters gathered that the accident occurred along Akwanga-Keffi Road around 8pm on Saturday night with the car going up in flames.

The deceased were said to be travelling from Yola to Abuja.

Reacting to the incident, President Buhari in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said, “I am lost for words to describe such multiple deaths in a single car accident in which family members perished.

“I received the news of this tragedy with deep shock and grief, and wish to express my heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with you at this trying and painful moment.”
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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President Muhammadu Buhari has sent his condolences to former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Babangida Nguroje, over the death of two of his sisters, Zainab and Hajiya Hadiza, with her husband and their four kids, who all perished in a road accident.

SaharaReporters gathered that the accident occurred along Akwanga-Keffi Road around 8pm on Saturday night with the car going up in flames.

The deceased were said to be travelling from Yola to Abuja.

Reacting to the incident, President Buhari in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said, “I am lost for words to describe such multiple deaths in a single car accident in which family members perished.

“I received the news of this tragedy with deep shock and grief, and wish to express my heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with you at this trying and painful moment.”
 

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Pope Francis' personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, has died from COVID-19 complications.

According to the Vatican Newspaper, the 78-year-old physician, who was being treated for an "oncological pathology," died at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Pope Francis named Soccorsi his personal physician in August 2015, after his refusal to renew the term of papal doctor, Patrizio Polisca, who was also head of the Vatican's healthcare services.

Since the pontificate of St. Pope John Paul II, the two positions had been tied together, but Pope Francis diverged from this custom by choosing Soccorsi, a doctor from outside the Vatican.

Soccorsi trained in medicine and surgery at Rome's La Sapienza University. His career included both medical practice and teaching, especially in the areas of hepatology, the digestive system, and immunology.

As Francis' personal physician, Soccorsi travelled with the pope on his international trips.

The doctor also did consulting for the health and hygiene office of the Vatican City State and was part of the council of medical experts at the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
 

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Pope Francis' personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, has died from COVID-19 complications.

According to the Vatican Newspaper, the 78-year-old physician, who was being treated for an "oncological pathology," died at Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

Pope Francis named Soccorsi his personal physician in August 2015, after his refusal to renew the term of papal doctor, Patrizio Polisca, who was also head of the Vatican's healthcare services.

Since the pontificate of St. Pope John Paul II, the two positions had been tied together, but Pope Francis diverged from this custom by choosing Soccorsi, a doctor from outside the Vatican.

Soccorsi trained in medicine and surgery at Rome's La Sapienza University. His career included both medical practice and teaching, especially in the areas of hepatology, the digestive system, and immunology.

As Francis' personal physician, Soccorsi travelled with the pope on his international trips.

The doctor also did consulting for the health and hygiene office of the Vatican City State and was part of the council of medical experts at the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.
 

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Human rights groups, Women Arise and Centre for Change, have called for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore, who was detained on New Year's Eve alongside others.

Sowore and four other activists were detained in Abuja while holding a peaceful protest.

Sowore, others in court ChannelsTV

In a statement issued on Sunday, the president of the groups, Joe Okei- Odumakin, described the maltreatment meted out to Sowore and others in detention as unconstitutional and a clear violation of their rights.

The statement partly read, "There have been allegations of torture against the Nigerian state over the maltreatment of Mr. Sowore since the latest arrest.

"These are clearly unconstitutional and are clear violation of his person.

"We demand the immediate release of Sowore and his colleagues from these unjust conditions which are clearly unconstitutional. 

"It should by now be clear to the Nigerian state that these intimidating acts cannot stop Nigerians from demanding that the right things are done in the country."

See Also Human Rights How Buhari's Regime, Malami, Police Plot To Scuttle Sowore, Others' Bail Application In Court 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

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Human rights groups, Women Arise and Centre for Change, have called for the immediate and unconditional release of human rights activist and journalist, Omoyele Sowore, who was detained on New Year's Eve alongside others.

Sowore and four other activists were detained in Abuja while holding a peaceful protest.

Sowore, others in court ChannelsTV

In a statement issued on Sunday, the president of the groups, Joe Okei- Odumakin, described the maltreatment meted out to Sowore and others in detention as unconstitutional and a clear violation of their rights.

The statement partly read, "There have been allegations of torture against the Nigerian state over the maltreatment of Mr. Sowore since the latest arrest.

"These are clearly unconstitutional and are clear violation of his person.

"We demand the immediate release of Sowore and his colleagues from these unjust conditions which are clearly unconstitutional. 

"It should by now be clear to the Nigerian state that these intimidating acts cannot stop Nigerians from demanding that the right things are done in the country."

See Also Human Rights How Buhari's Regime, Malami, Police Plot To Scuttle Sowore, Others' Bail Application In Court 0 Comments 2 Days Ago

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Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has called for a national mobilisation to combat the menace of insecurity bedevilling the country.

He also said Nigeria's sovereignty had been taken away by Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

Wole Soyinka Britannica

In a direct reference to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nobel laureate said the President could not end the country's insecurity challenge, sitting down in Aso Rock.

Soyinka stated this on Saturday while featuring on an Arise TV programme monitored by Sunday PUNCH.

According to him, Nigeria has reached the "stage of desperation". The government should be willing to "pay people to come and help us" in defence against Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements.

Soyinka said, "There are those on whose shoulders must be placed the primary responsibility and that include some former Heads of State who refused to see the inevitability of what we are going through right now.

"I am very glad that the northern elite is now speaking up, boldly and practically, (and are also) now taking measures which they should have taken years ago. They've moved beyond the unbelievable policies of actually paying killers to stop killing. I don't want to mention names, but some admitted that they were paying protection money to killers instead of dealing with that cancer in the only way they should, which is excision, to take out killers instead of giving them money.

"You don't appease evil, and we are dealing with evil; there is no other word, we are dealing with the proliferation, the enthronement of evil in society. And unfortunately, we have encouraged its manifestation, its proliferation, its entrenchment.

"So, let them get away with the issue of sovereignty. If they have to pay people to come and help us, then call them whatever you want. Please go ahead because we've reached that stage of desperation.

"But I will prefer a general mobilisation in which people are trained, farmers especially are trained to work with the hoe in one hand and the gun in the other hand, ready to protect their lives, their harvests and the rest of us.

"We are not unique; history is full of those situations. I would like to see a national mobilisation. Let's be practical."

The PUNCH had earlier reported that at least 43 rice farmers were beheaded by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State last November.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had consequently urged the Federal Government to engage mercenaries and the militaries of neighbouring countries, like Chad and Cameroon, to crush the over decade-old Boko Haram insurgency.

Soyinka added, "From a self-protective point of view, it is a common problem; it is a national, collective issue. Don't just sit there and think that you can solve it from Aso Rock; no. This now concerns even the lowest common citizens in this nation because that lowest, that most impotent individual has become a prime target. So, it's a collective issue. I'm not surprised some governors now say let us reach outside help; I have also said something. I don't say mercenaries necessarily, but this has gone beyond a Nigerian problem.

"Instead of that, what do I hear? Somebody gets on the podium and say, 'The sovereignty of this nation cannot be challenged. Please, don't let us hear any more of that rubbish. The sovereignty of this nation is in the hands of the murdering herdsmen. The sovereignty of this nation has already been taken over by Boko Haram; it's been taken over by ISWAP, it's been taken over by those with absolutely no respect for what is called national integrity."

Soyinka also said Buhari's nepotistic tendencies were outrageous, adding that the President appointed wrong people into the wrong places.

Soyinka's statement comes two weeks after the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, also accused the President of nepotism.

Meanwhile, Soyinka also warned that the Western Nigeria Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun, must not transform into another form of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The writer said Amotekun operatives must be trained in ethics to not end on the wrong side of history.

Soyinka said, "Community policing, like Amotekun, is a recognition of the fact that the civic part of the entire national polity has got to wake up in not just its defence but also survival.

"I have told them that anytime they want us to come and assist; we will come even if it is just on the ethical session so that as you are training them to defend us, we are also training their minds so that Amotekun does not become another SARS – very important. We must do everything together.

"It is about time the public examined itself; what are we made up of? Are there those among us who, if they got into power, will behave exactly as those kinds of agencies which we are repudiating and against which we are protesting? There is no excuse for the brutality that occurred in the wake of the noise, rumour or reality of people being shot at the Lekki tollgate."

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Lehigh University and Wagner College have announced that they would revoke the honorary degrees conferred on the United States President, Donald Trump. 

This comes amidst rising tension in the United States following the Capitol siege by Trump's supporters on Wednesday. 

Donald Trump Business Insider

Trump received the honorary degree from Lehigh in 1988 after speaking at the institution's commencement ceremony while he received a degree from Wagner in 2004.

Both Lehigh and Wagner cited the violence that rose out of the attempted coup at the US Capitol on Wednesday as reasons for revocation.

A statement from the Lehigh University account on Twitter read, "Board of trustees voted to rescind and revoke the honorary degree granted to Donald J. Trump in 1988."

It was gathered that Lehigh faculty members have for years urged the university to rescind Trump's degree.

In 2018, nearly 300 Lehigh faculty members urged the board of trustees to rescind the degree.

According to a report in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the faculty members argued that Trump's statements and actions as president did not fall in line with the school's values. However, the trustees did not budge.

Wagner College did not immediately respond to a request for comment for more information.

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