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The Council Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, Gbenga Banjo, has named a street after Nigeria-British boxer, Anthony Joshua.

Banjo noted that Cinema Road in the local has now become “Anthony Joshua Way”.

The Council Chairman while speaking at the residence of the boxer on Tuesday said the decision was reached in order to show appreciation to the boxing legend for making Sagamu and Remoland great.

Recall that the two-time unified heavyweight champion earlier this month retained his world title belts with a ninth-round triumph over Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev.

Remo Growth and Development Foundation in its development congratulated Sagamu Local Government for renaming the popular Cinema Road after Joshua.

The Chief Operating Officer, Yemisi Oluwole in a statement on Wednesday described Joshua as a Remo International Ambassador.

Oluwole while appreciating leaders and stakeholders in the state, she called on the youths of Remoland to imitate Joshua by being the best in their careers.

“A call is made to other sons and daughters of Remoland, most especially the youths of Remoland to emulate the virtues of Anthony Joshua by being the best in their chosen careers.”

“And also to always be law-abiding citizens and stay away from any acts that can lead to social unrest,” the statement read in part.

British professional boxer,Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, better known as Anthony Joshua has revealed that he is leaving boxing in the next five years.

Speaking in a recent interview with Sky Sports, Joshua said he has at least five more years in the professional career. Naija News understands that AJ stated this ahead of unification fights against Tyson Fury in 2021.

“This isn’t the start of my career. I’m coming towards the end of my career,” the two-time champion told newsmen.

He noted further that he is not â€œsomeone who lives in the moment and thinks that everything is just like for now. I’m always planning ahead so I’m coming towards the end of my career.

“Five years left and that’s basically an Olympic cycle. I’ve got an Olympic cycle and a little bit more left, so when you see the next Olympics happen is when I’ll be coming to the end of my career and the next generation will be coming through.”

Comparing his boxing career years with that of Fury, AJ noted that the 32-year-old boxer joined boxing professionally in 2008, five years ahead of his.

“Fury has been professional much longer than me. He should be looking to retire soon,” Joshua retorted.

“If he wants to cement his legacy, I’m here and ready. I’ve built myself into this position,” the Nigerian blood added.

In another news earlier, Naija Newsreported that Popular Nigerian musician, Paul Okoye, better known asRudeboy, has recovered from Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Federal Government has debunked reports that there will be mass disconnection of telephone subscribers following directives to link National Identity Numbers (NINs) records to SIM registration.

Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Wednesday night by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) signed by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Adinde.

According to the NCC, the clarification was necessary in order to allay the fears of subscribers and the general public.

Adinde revealed that many Nigerians had already linked their NIN to their SIM and there shouldn’t be any fear of mass disconnection.

He said: â€œA recent survey conducted in Nigeria has shown that on average, there are now approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber.

“This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to 7 SIMs to 1 unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal.”

He said if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs.

“Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like National Budgeting, Policy Planning, Social Intervention programs and many more”, the NCC spokesman said.

Speaking earlier on Wednesday morning, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Regional Coordinator, Mrs Funmi Opesanwo, said Nigerians had stormed their office claiming their sim cards have been blocked.

She said: â€œWhen we came this morning, a lot of applicants complained that their SIM (cards) have been blocked and that is why we are experiencing this large number today.

“We are trying to manage the situation. Applicants have been seated and they came in for different services, so, there is no problem.

“We have to be mindful of the safety protocols and we cannot exceed the number of people, the capacity that we can take, we have to adhere to the guidelines.”

Good morning Nigeria, welcome to Naija News roundup of top newspaper headlines in Nigeria for today Thursday, 7th January 2021

1. Finance Act 2020: FG Can Now Borrow From Dormant Account Balances, Unclaimed Dividends

The federal government can now access unclaimed funds from dormant bank accounts as well as unclaimed dividends lodged in Nigerian banks.

This is based on the provisions of the Finance Act 2020 recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the act, such unclaimed funds can be accessed by the government as a sub-fund of the Crisis Intervention Fund however, owners of such funds can request them at any time.

2. Sanwo-Olu To Impose Second Lockdown In Lagos Over COVID-19 Second-wave If…

Indications have emerged that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is planning to impose fresh lockdown in the state following rising cases of COVID-19 and non-adherence to safety protocols by residents.

In a series of posts on his verified Twitter handle @jidesanwoolu, the Lagos governor urged residents to comply with all safety protocols amid spike in cases of COVID-19.

Sanwo-Olu wrote: “There is an urgent need for us to be more circumspect in the way we live, interact and socialize with our friends and family. Many people are ignoring #COVID19 warnings and guidelines, thereby exposing themselves and others to the virus.

3. Desperate S/East Politicians Working With Bandits To Destabilise Nigeria – Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has accused desperate South-east politicians of working with bandits to destabilize Nigeria.

Naija News reports that Umahi, who is the chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, stated this after a virtual meeting with the five governors of the region at the government house, Abakaliki.

According to the Ebonyi governor, the governors in the region are worried about the insecurity in the region.

4. Boko Haram: Nigeria Appeals To US To Speed Up Delivery Of Super Tucano Jets

Nigeria has appealed to the United States to speed up the delivery of Super Tucano aircraft ordered by the country.

The appeal was made by the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) when he hosted a five-man US delegation led by the Secretary, US Air Force, Barbara Barrett at the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Ship House Abuja.

Magashi who noted that space defence is a force multiplier in military operations said the jets will enhance the capabilities of the military in curbing the activities of Boko Haram insurgents and general insecurity in Nigeria.

5. â€œThis Is Not Acceptable” – NLC Reacts As FG Increases Electricity Tariff

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the latest increase in electricity tariff by the federal government of Nigeria.

NLC on Wednesday through its deputy president, Comrade Joe Ajaero rejected the increase, describing it as insensitive and unacceptable.

Ajaero who spoke when he appeared as a guest on Channels TV disclosed that stakeholders, particularly the committee working on the new electricity tariff regime were not carried along before announcing the decision to the public.

6. Why NIN Holders May Be Asked To Pay N15,000 – NIMC Official

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stated that National Identification Number holders are required to pay N15,000 to correct their dates of birth in the commission’s database.

NIMC Regional Coordinator, Mrs Funmi Opesanwo, stated this on Wednesday at the commission’s office in the Alausa area of Lagos State when speaking to Channels Television.

She said NIN holders are also to pay a processing fee of N5,000 for card renewal or card replacement as well as an address modification fee of N500.

According to Opesanwo, NIN enrolment is free but fees are attached for card renewal, correction of date of birth and change of address.

7. Edo: Court Disqualifies Ize-Iyamu’s Running Mate

The Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, the state capital, on Wednesday, disqualified the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the September 19, 2020 governorship election, Audu Ganiyu.

A member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Kadiri Oshoakhemhe, had in a suit No: B/358/20 filed a case against the APC deputy governorship candidate and two others.

The presiding judge, Justice H. A Courage-Ogbebor, while delivering his judgement on Wednesday noted that Ganiyu presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission in his Form EC9.

8. 2023 Presidency: Igbo Politicians Make Fresh Demands From PDP, APC

Politicians from the South-East region of Nigeria on Tuesday, submitted that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) should pick their 2023 presidential candidate from the region.

According to the politicians who spoke under the auspices of South-East Political Leaders, their demand is based on the need for fairness and justice to the region.

They made their demand known in a five-point communique issued at the end of their meeting which held at the home of Senator Orji Kalu in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

As part of their demands, they want political parties “to cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 general election to the southeast,” noting that the move is “in the interest of justice, equity and national unity.”

9. Boko Haram: The West Has Supported Borno Than The Arab Nations – Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday, claimed that countries in the west are more concerned about the people of the state amid Boko Haram attacks than the rich Arab nations.

Zulum stated this in Maiduguri when he received the Palestinian Ambassador to Nigeria, Saleh Fheied Saleh.

He noted that the state over the years has been supported by Europe, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and other countries.

10. JAMB Opens Portal For Admission, Gives Update On Sale Of UTME Form

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says its portal is officially opened for institutions to upload names of shortlisted applicants for the 2020/2021 admission.
The Registrar of the examination body, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, made this known to The Nation in Abuja on Tuesday, January 5.

According to the JAMB Boss, all the admission processes will pass through the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS) for approval by the board.

Oloyede noted that only qualified candidates as recommended by their institutions for admission will be approved.

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to inform all Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to reverse to tariffs that were applicable in December 2020.

Naija News reports that the directive was made known in a statement by Aaron Artima, the Senior Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Power, Mr Saleh Mamman, on Thursday.

He said the order to reversal to the old tariff was to promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Centres (through the Joint Ad-Hoc Committee).

Mamman said: “I have directed NERC to inform all DISCOs that they should revert to the tariffs that were applicable in December 2020 until the end of January 2021 when the FGN and Labour committee work will be concluded.

“This will allow for the outcome of all resolutions from the Committee to be implemented together.”

Speaking further, the Minister of Power debunked reports that electricity tariff had been increased by 50 per cent.

“I would like to affirm that these reports are inaccurate and false. It is unfortunate that these reports have led to confusion with the public.

“On the contrary, Government continues to fully subsidise 55 per cent of on-grid consumers in bands D and E and maintain the lifeline tariff for the poor and underprivileged.

“Those citizens have experienced no changes to tariff rates from what they have paid historically, aside from the recent minor inflation and forex adjustment. Partial subsidies were also applied for bands A, B and C in October 2020,” he said.

The Power Minister said that these measures were all aimed at cushioning the effects of the pandemic while providing more targeted interventions for citizens.

He said a joint committee led by estus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and Co-Chaired by the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba was already having positive discussions about the electricity sector.

Mamman said progress has been made in these deliberations which are set to be concluded at the end of January.

Recall that the NERC had approved an increase in electricity tariffs starting from January 1, 2021. Electricity consumers will have to pay new tariffs for DISCOs.

This comes two months after the commission was forced to approve an increase in electricity tariffs for Nigerians from November 2020.

An extension notice signed by the new NERC Chairman, Engineer Sanusi Garba on December 30, 2020, the new electricity tariff increase will take effect on January 1, 2021, in accordance with NERC Act / 2028/2020 agrees.

In its new regulation NERC / 225/2020, NERC stated that it took this step because of inflation in November 2020, and each dollar was N379.4 in December 2020, as a result, power companies must increase the cost of electricity.

The new increase in electricity prices will remain in place until June 2021 when a new plan will be put in place to apply until December 2021, NERC said in a statement.

strike has been embarked on by staffs of the National Identity Management Commission leaving thousands of applicants outside their premises.

Naija News correspondent who was at a registration center in University of Ilorin on Thursday morning disclosed that applicants who were there as early as 6 am were told to return to their houses.

The notice of strike was signed by the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, NIMC branch, Lucky Michael, and its Secretary, Odia Victor.

It read in part, â€œConsequent upon the just concluded congress of the above mentioned association that took place on January 6, 2020, the unit executive directs all members of grade level 12 and below in the head office and state offices to report to their respective duty posts tomorrow January 7, 2020 and do nothing.”

“All members at the local government offices and special centres are advised to stay away from their various centres as task force and implementation committees would be on parade to ensure total compliance to the directive.”

A statement released at the end of the congress meeting of the ACCSN, NIMC branch, noted that the strike became necessary due to the exposure of staff to COVID-19 risks, lack of personal protective equipment, irregularities in promotion and poor funding.

They also asked to be paid overtime and given enough tools to work with.

The congress noted that, â€œStaff members were infected with COVID-19 and adequate measures have not been taken to curtail the spread. The meeting resolved that safety of staff should be prioritised. Furthermore the office environment should be fumigated immediately.”

“The congress agreed that the NIMC staff salary structure approved by the Federal Government vide Presidential assent be implemented in the personnel appropriation of the 2021 annual budget effective January 2021.”

“That the lopsided and irregular promotion done in 2017 and 2020 be reviewed, regularised and gazetted in accordance with public service rules.”

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday said strong institutions are vital to sustaining democracy.

The former Vice President stated this while reacting to the certification of the electoral victory of United States President-elect Joe Biden by the US Congress.

Recall that supporters of President Donald Trump invaded Capitol in Washington on Wednesday during a joint session of Congress held to certify Biden’s win.

The Congress was, however, reconvened after the riot and Biden’s Electoral College victory over Trump was affirmed.

United state of America Vice President, Mike Pence,  presided over the sitting and announced the certification despite pressure from Trump for him to do otherwise.

Pence said, “The announcement of the state of the vote by the President of the Senate shall be deemed a sufficient declaration of the persons elected President and Vice President of the United States, each for the term beginning on the 20th day of January 2021 and shall be entered together with the list of the votes on the journals of the Senate and the House of Representatives.”

Reacting, Atiku tweeted, â€œDemocracy, as it is often said, is a process. With the culmination of the process certifying the electoral vote of @JoeBiden as the next President of the United States, it is clear that strong institutions are vital to the sustainability of democracy.”

“This is a lesson to be learnt: that strong institutions and not strong personalities are the bulwark of a rich democratic culture.”