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Fights for N/Assembly Leadership Tear APC Apart

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Dogara and Saraki
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A meeting of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Vice President, with elected lawmakers to reconcile aggrieved members over the leadership of the National Assembly has failed to broker a truce, suggesting that crisis may brewing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) which wrested majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives at the last general elections.

According to reports, the meeting which was initially meant to broker peace between the aggrieved legislators over the choice of Ahmed Lawan as Senate and Rep Femi Gbajabiamila was chaired by Chief John Oyegun, party’s chairman instead of Prof. Osinbajo.

The meeting yielded little success, as opposition to its anointed candidates for the Senate president, Senator Ahmad Lawan and speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, remained resolute in the decision to confront the party’s stance on the floor of the two chambers today.

The inauguration of the eighth National Assembly expected to produce the principal officers as the majority party, could spring some surprises as Senator Bukola Saraki and Honourable Yakubu Dogara insisted they were still in the race for Senate president and speaker, House of Representatives respectively.

Dogara, on Monday, boasted that he was confident of trumping the party’s candidate, Gbajabiamila.

As the meeting was about to begin, a source close to Dogara sent a statement that all legislators loyal to the Bauchi member should not attend as there was a plan to arrest and detain them, thereby shutting them out until after the election.

The message reads: “Information reaching us indicates that this purported meeting is a ploy to arrest and detain members until after tomorrow’s election. Members should therefore disregard the invitation.”

Insiders hinted yesterday that neither Osinbajo nor the aggrieved members attended the meeting following the text message circulated by a highly placed supporter of Dagara that there were plans to arrest them and detain them until today’s election was conducted.

The lawmakers who had converged for the meeting left the venue at about 7pm when it was obvious that the Vice President will not make it to the venue.

The party members, excluding the Saraki and Dogara groups, insisted that all the party members should rally round their agreed candidates.

However, a source told our correspondent that, “We have discovered that it is the PDP that is trying to split our party.”

Rep Parry Iriase (APC Edo), representing Owan Federal constituency told journalists that they had to leave because they still had a lot of things to tidy up before the inauguration of the House on Tuesday.

Iriase said the legislators have already met and conducted a mock election, pointing out that aim of the meeting was ensure that the party got the Assembly united.

He said, “We have met at various levels and we have been meeting. The essence of this meeting was for the Vice President to address all the lawmakers, including those who are not happy with the mock elections.

“For those of us in the House of Representatives, we believe that out of the about 209 elected APC members, we have over 70 percent of them, on our side and we are confident that when we get to the House, we will muster enough members to get the position of Speaker”.

“Nigerians should expect a united APC at the end of tomorrow because we are a family and we believe that this is democracy in action. We are confident that things will work out well”, he said.

Asked why they were dispersing before the arrival of the Vice President, he said, “We were told that the Vice President was coming to address us. But we have waited and he is not here. We are told he is airborne and that he will come. But we have other things we need to iron out before tomorrow. So had to leave.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee meeting of the APC has ordered all its Senators and members of the House of Representatives to vote for Ahmed Lawan as Senate and Rep Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker, in today’s election.

Oyegun, had appealed to the APC members in the National Assembly to respect the decision the party took in selecting the persons that will be presented to the National Assembly as presiding officers.

Addressing journalists in his office yesterday, Oyegun said all what the party did was to provide the platform for all elected members of the party only where they themselves took in selecting the persons that will be presented to the National Assembly as presiding officers.

His words ,”I want to appeal to APC members of the National Assembly, both Senate and the House of Representatives to please respect the party, the views of the party and the decision that they themselves took in selecting the persons that will be presented to the National Assembly as presiding officers.”

But APC governors headed by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state slated a meeting for yesterday as part of desperate move to broker truce among the aggrieved party members.

The meeting which held at the Imo state government lodge,Asokoro had in attendance the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom and his Kebbi State counterpart, Senator Atiku Bagudu,

Both governors were however, seen driving out of the venue late yesterday night. There were speculations that the meeting did not hold because of lack of quorum. But there were speculations too that the meeting had been moved to an unknown destination.


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TD Africa Unveils Super App Version 2, Transforms Technology Access Across Africa

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Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa
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TD Africa, a leading technology distributor in Africa, has launched TD Super App Version 2, an upgraded, feature-rich platform designed to revolutionize technology procurement for individuals and businesses.

Omowumi Oladele, Project Manager, TD Africa

The enhanced App offers seamless access to a wide range of cutting-edge tech products at unbeatable prices, with faster delivery options to improve efficiency and convenience.

Available on both web and mobile, the revamped TD Super App boasts an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it easier than ever for users to discover and purchase technology products.

This latest upgrade reaffirms TD Africa’s commitment to affordability, efficiency, and convenience, ensuring that businesses and individuals can access the tools they need to succeed.

With exclusive deals and discounts, registered users can enjoy significant savings on a vast selection of technology products, including computing devices, smartphones, consumer electronics, and power solutions. Optimized logistics and accelerated delivery times further enhance the shopping experience, ensuring that customers receive their technology essentials quickly and reliably.

“At TD Africa, we are dedicated to delivering value, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology solutions that drive business growth and streamline operations,” said Omowumi Oladele, Product Manager, TD Africa.

“The upgraded TD Super App Version 2 is designed to simplify procurement, enhance productivity, and maximize savings—empowering businesses and individuals across Africa.”

The App is now available for download on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). Users can also access the platform via web browsers at superapp.tdafrica.com


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FG Drops Merger of NCAA, NAMA

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The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has stepped down the merger of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) as recommended by the Steve Oronsaye report.

He also revealed that the aviation industry was exempted from the foreign travel ban placed on federal government officials last year. The President announced the ban which took effect from April last year.

Keyamo disclosed that the aviation sector was exempted from the ban because President Tinubu is desirous of change and growth in the sector.

The ban was placed following the rising cost of travel expenses by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government.

The memo released last year stated: “Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presideni’s directive to place a temporary ban on all publicly funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from 1st April 2024.

“All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks before embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed necessary”.

The Minister disclosed the reasons for the exemption in Abuja at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

On the merger of NCAA and NAMA, he said: “From modest beginnings, we have witnessed remarkable transformations in our sector, ranging from enhanced supervisory measures and policies formulation, safety and security oversight, robust legislative and regulatory frameworks, advancements in air traffic management, development, expansion and certification of airports, accurate meteorological services, timely accident investigations, manpower development, and indeed, the growth of indigenous airlines.

“These achievements have not come without challenges. However, with the efforts of past administrations and the total support of the present administration under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Bola Tinubu through the Renewed Hope Agenda and the five focus areas of the ministry, we have overcome challenges and reached new heights.

“NCAA is a child of God, and despite turbulent waters and attempts sometimes to kill the NCAA, the NCA has survived 25 years. And I’m sure you know that any child that is born at the age of 25, of course, is undoubtedly an age of maturity.

“The Oronsanye reports also recommended the merger of NCAA and NAMA. And so that was also another attempt to kill the NCAA. That report was passed from Jonathan’s government to Buhari’s government, and then to the present government.

“It was one of the first items we considered in this government. So the Oronsanye reports came up that day, and the president went on and on, considered every item in the Oronsanye report, and asked the council to vote. And for each item, they would listen to the ministers and so the president came to the merger of NCAA and NAMA as one body.

“I raised my hand, I spoke for about five minutes and because we have a wonderful president who listens to good counsel and good arguments, after I finished speaking, he said, an item dropped, the merger of NCAA and NAMA would not remain”.

On the reasons for the exemption, he said: “It is a fact that the aviation sector remains a pillar of national development, facilitating trade, tourism, investment, and cultural exchange. Whilst it is yet to realize its true potential in terms of contribution to our nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), we must renew our commitment to ensuring a more progressive, sustainable, inclusive, innovative, and prosperous aviation industry.

“This necessitates the continuous adoption and integration of emerging technologies, enhancing infrastructure, and investing in human capital development to keep our skies safer and secure and attain cohesive and efficient air transportation services.

“The President directed that foreign travels should stop, except in exceptional circumstances. Last year, there was a memo around March that said it was for three months, and the President, because of his desire to ensure that we are frugal in our spending; there was another memo again in December reiterating that memo last year we should cut down on foreign travels, except by direct presidential approval.

“But let us also give particular thanks to Mr. President, because despite that memo, since last year, he has made an exception for the aviation industry. I wrote a memo to him after that directive on behalf of the entire agency that says; Sir, we respect your directive; yes, we need to be frugal because the Nigerian people have also tightened their belts in the face of the economic reforms that are taking place.

“However, because of the safety of this sector, Sir, we need to make some exceptions for this sector. And the President graciously granted this for the aviation sector”.


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Researchers Develop Innovative Treatment for Malaria

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An international team of researchers have introduced a groundbreaking drug, known as the covalent kinase inhibitor, which shows promise in combating treatment-resistant malaria.

Researchers Develop Innovative Treatment for Malaria

Developed by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, this innovative drug could surpass current medications by effectively targeting and disabling the proteins used by the Plasmodium falciparum parasite to replicate within the human body.

This is according to a report titled “Targeting Pf CLK3 with Covalent Inhibitors: A Novel Strategy for Malaria Treatment.”

The development, led by chemists and bioscientists from the University of Glasgow, was outlined in a November publication in the “Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.”

According to the researchers, covalent inhibitors form bonds with proteins, usually irreversibly modifying them, and this new drug could be more effective than current medications at all stages of malaria infection.

The new drug works by permanently disabling a protein that Plasmodium falciparum, one of the mosquito-borne parasites that spread malaria, uses to replicate itself inside the human body.

The drug also has the potential to work as a single-dose treatment, a significant improvement over existing therapies.

This breakthrough marks the first adaptation of an approach from cancer treatments to tackle malaria.

The team expressed optimism that the parasite is unlikely to develop resistance to the new drug, which targets the protein Pf CLK3 and disrupts the parasite’s ability to splice RNA.

The researchers, including Prof. Martins Emeje from the Nigerian Natural Medicines Development Agency and Prof. Oyewale Tomori from the West African Academy of Sciences, emphasise the importance of regular calibration and accreditation for medical laboratories to ensure accurate results and reliable treatment.

 

 


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