Ambode releases Lake rice

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and his Kebbi State counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu on Wednesday released the much anticipated Lagos-Kebbi Rice christened ‘LAKE RICE’, saying the partnership which culminated into the inauguration was not only designed to ensure food security but showcase the ability of Nigeria to become a producing nation.

Speaking at the launching ceremony held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Ambode said the development was a great and historic moment for both states and Nigeria, as the rice would not only be sold at highly reduced price, compared to what obtains in the market, but is also very fresh and safe for consumption.

Passengers stranded nationwide as labour shuts down Arik Air

Air passengers were stranded at airports across the country yesterday, following crippling of Arik Air’s operations by protesting unions.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees, NUATE, the Air Transport Senior Staff Services Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN, and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, had embarked on the protest due to the airline’s inability to pay its workers seven months salaries and other anti-labour practices.

Pay us now or we’ll take bribes like policemen –FRSC officials threaten

Some officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps have threatened to obtain bribes the same way policemen extort money from motorists if they are not paid their November salaries and allowances before Christmas.

The officials, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the Federal Government had refused to offer any explanation for the non-payment.

Medical personnel, patients flee hospital as Lassa fever kills two

Activities at the Federal Medical Centre,  Idi-Aba,  Abeokuta, on Tuesday  were paralysed as medical personnel and patients deserted the hospital after Lassa Fever claimed two lives in the hospital.

The victims were an assistant nursing officer, Abolanle Adesuyi  and a serving corps member, whose identity could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.

German govt. threatens Facebook

German officials have recently threatened to impose fine on Facebook over hate speech and fake news, local media reported on Tuesday. Thomas Oppermann, the Parliamentary Leader of Germany’s Centre-Left Social Democratic Party (SPD), told Der Spiegel, the English language international edition of the German news source, that tougher measures should be taken against the spread of offending and fake messages.

IPOB warns Buhari against visit to Enugu

The Indigenous People of Biafra, on Monday, warned President Muhammadu Buhari to ‘stay clear’ of the South-East.

The President is slated to attend the opening session of the South-East Economic Summit in Enugu on Thursday.

But IPOB, in a statement entitled, ‘Muhammadu Buhari must stay clear of Biafra land or have himself to blame for the outcome of any such visit,’ told the President to cancel the planned visit.

Why ExxonMobil reduced staff strength

THERE were indications that, contrary to insinuations, workers of ExxonMobil, who were sacked last week, were offered enhanced severance package. Last week, members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, besieged the corporate headquarters of ExxonMobil, alleging that their members were sacked without due process.