TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ban

  • FG to ban ozone depleting refrigerators, air conditioners, generators

    The Federal Government says it will ban all substances that are not ozone-friendly in accordance with the Montreal Protocol Agreement, which Nigeria is a signatory to, by Jan. 1, 2023.

    These substances include refrigerators, air conditioners, generators, water dispensers, photocopiers, among others.

    The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer through the phasing out of the production of numerous substances believed to be responsible for the layer ozone depletion.

    Mr Oladipo Supo, the Environment Unit of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), said this at the stakeholders’ workshop for the Validation of the Draft National Cooling Plan, in Abuja.

    Supo said that Nigeria had delayed in implementing the agreement because it had not been able to get alternatives for the substances that are ozone-friendly.

    “We started with Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and now we will replace them with hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) which is where we are today.

    “Under the Montreal Protocol Agreement, the idea is that some of these ozone-depleting substances are actually eliminated from use.

    “Nigeria has committed itself because it is part of the signatory. We are looking at Jan. 1, 2023, when some of these substances will not be allowed into the country anymore.

    “In the refrigerating sector, we only have technicians. The people that actually use them are technicians on the street.

    “You remember sometime ago, some air conditioners blew up in Ogun.

    “It was because of all these contaminated things and recycled ACs that are not supposed to be in circulation ” he said.

    Supon said that the Federal Ministry of Environment was trying to ensure that the alternatives were available before the year 2023 when the banning of the items would commence.

    According to him, we cannot ban something when the alternative is not yet available.

    Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, blamed some developing countries who use refrigerants with high ozone-depleting potential such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons.

    According to him, emissions are projected to amount to approximately 8.97 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2050 and contribute to global warming and climate change.

    The minister, who was represented by Mr Charles Ikedea, the Director, Pollution Control of the ministry, said that the emissions were both direct and indirect.

    “Direct emissions are refrigerants-related emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment during installation, maintenance, repair and servicing.

    “Indirect emissions are energy consumption of appliances-related emissions due to huge electricity consumption of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment,” he said.

    He, however, advised Nigerians to keep their environment clean and healthy, adding that such would promote the development of the country.

  • Russia bans Facebook owner, Mark Zuckerber, Morgan Freeman, other 961 Americans from entering the country

    Russia bans Facebook owner, Mark Zuckerber, Morgan Freeman, other 961 Americans from entering the country

    Facebook owner, Mark Zuckerberg and actor, Morgan Freeman, are among the Americans banned from entering Russia.

     

    Russia has published a list of 963 Americans who have been “permanently banned” from entering the country in response to US sanctions related to the invasion of Ukraine.

     

    Actor Morgan Freeman, 84, is among the names on the list, apparently as a result of appearing in a video clip in 2017 that accused the Russian government of meddling with American democracy.

     

    Freeman narrated the promotional video for an organisation named The Committee to Investigate Russia, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports.

     

    The video was directed by filmmaker Rob Reiner, best known for movies including The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally, and he has also been added to the Kremlin’s list.

     

    Russia’s foreign ministry said the people on the list “incite Russophobia”.

     

    It said: “We emphasise that the hostile actions taken by Washington, which boomerang against the United States itself, will continue to receive a proper rebuff.

     

    Morgan Freeman is a Mississippi native and owns property in Alabama.

     

    “Russian counter-sanctions are forced and aimed at forcing the ruling American regime… to change its behaviour, recognising new geopolitical realities,” it added.

     

    Back in March, President Joe Biden was banned from entering Russia in response to the sanctions imposed against the country after the invasion of Ukraine.

     

    The White House mocked the Russian sanctions by quipping that nobody was planning a holiday to Moscow and suggesting Vladimir Putin’s regime had targeted the wrong Joe Biden.

     

    Also put on the 13-name Kremlin “stop list” were Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, CIA chief William Burns, Lloyd Austin, the defence secretary, and Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, along with Hillary Clinton.

     

    The longer list released on Saturday also includes George Soros.

     

    Alongside politicians from the opposite side of the US spectrum, from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Marjorie Taylor Greene, the list also includes several politicians who are dead.

  • Ban: Okada riders, passengers to be arrested – Lagos Police

    Ban: Okada riders, passengers to be arrested – Lagos Police

    The Lagos State Police Command has stated that both motorcyclists and passengers who disobey the new ban on Okada operations, will be arrested and prosecuted.

    Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos State Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a tweet on Saturday.

    “Under the new total ban of motorcycles in six local government areas of Lagos State, passengers and riders alike will be arrested and prosecuted.

    “The passenger is an accomplice. Ignorance will not be an excuse!” Hundeyin tweeted.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday, placed a fresh total ban on Okada riders’ operations in six Local Government Areas.

    They are Ikeja, Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Apapa, Surulere and Lagos Mainland.

    Sanwo-Olu directed security operatives in the state to enforce the proscription order across the listed councils, effective, June 1,

  • D’Tigress appeals to Federal Government to reverse Basketball ban

    D’Tigress appeals to Federal Government to reverse Basketball ban

    The Nigeria Women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has reacted to the suspension slammed on all international competitions by the Federal Government.

    NewsGuru.com reports that president Buhari had given his nod for the suspension of Nigerian basketball teams from all international competitions for 2 years over the unending crisis bedeviling the Basketball Federation.

    Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare said that the development would allow the government to focus on effort that will revamp the sport

    Read Also:

    BREAKING: FG pulls basketball out of international competitions

    The players said they would like to be given the opportunity to represent Nigeria because the ban is taking away all their future competitions, accomplishments, and goals to elevate, inspire, and make Nigeria proud!

    ”We would like to be given the opportunity to play for our country that we passionately love to represent in this upcoming competition.

    ”We have worked very hard to be 3x Afrobasket Champions, Olympians and now we are blessed with another opportunity to continue that representation for Nigeria.

    ”We want Nigerian Basketball to continue to grow and succeed on every level; from the local leagues, grassroots and even on the international stage!

    ”Our team is a testament to how successful Nigerian Basketball can be and how we have been an inspiration to all Nigerian athletes across the globe.

    The players thanked their coaches, medical staff, organizers, and fans and noted that the ban not only penalizes them but Nigerians all as well.

    They added that their goal is to play and represent Nigeria proudly at international competitions.

     

     

  • Lagos State Govt clarifies deadline issued to ‘Okada’ riders

    Lagos State Govt clarifies deadline issued to ‘Okada’ riders

    The Lagos State Government has clarified the deadline issued to operators of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada in the State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos State Government made the clarification in a statement released on Thursday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.

    According to the statement, the seizure of okada by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas.

    The government clarified that commercial motorcycle operation was banned in the State since February 1, 2020 and that the enforcement was weakened by COVID-19.

    Omotoso stressed in the statement that what is being enforced is the ban of February 1, 2020.

    The statement reads: “The seizure of commercial motorcycles by the Lagos State Task Force will continue, despite the June 1 deadline issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for them to leave six Local Government Areas.

    “The six local governments are: Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Surulere.

    “The deadline does not invalidate the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, which states that “no persons shall ride, drive or propel a motorcycle or tricycle on a major highway within the State, and any person in contravention of this provision commits an offence” and will be made to face the wrath of the law.

    “The government praises Lagosians who have come out to support the ban on commercial motorcycles in the six local government areas, which Governor Sanwo-Olu has described as the “first phase” of the action triggered by safety and security concerns.

    “The riders were operating on highways and bridges in flagrant disobedience of the law because, according to them, they are free to ply unauthorized routes till June 1. This is wrong. The February 1, 2020 directive has not been reversed.

    “The enforcement was weakened by COVID-19, which affected all areas of life. Now, the action is being reinforced”.

  • Doping: Tottenham’s Chioma handed 9-month ban

    Doping: Tottenham’s Chioma handed 9-month ban

    Tottenham Women Football Club’s forward Chioma Ubogagu has been handed a nine-month ban following two anti-doping violations, the Football Association (FA) in England announced on Thursday in London.

    The 29-year-old, who has three England caps, admitted the violations relating to the banned substance canrenone, which was detected in a urine sample last October.

    The independent regulatory commission imposing the suspension —- running to October this year —- accepted Ubogagu had committed the violations unintentionally.

    Tottenham said the banned substance was in medication Ubogagu had been prescribed in the U.S. to treat acne and had not known it was prohibited.

    A statement from the FA on Thursday said: “An independent regulatory commission has suspended Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Chioma Ubogagu for nine months following two Anti-doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).

    “The forward was charged with two ADRVs under the FA’s anti-doping regulations for the presence and use of canrenone, which is a banned substance, and had been detected within a urine sample collected during a squad test on Oct. 7 2021 by UK Anti-Doping.

    “Ubogagu admitted the two ADRVs, which the commission accepted were committed unintentionally, and found that (she) had established that she committed them without significant fault or negligence on her part during a subsequent hearing.

    “The commission imposed a nine-month period of ineligibility.”

    Tottenham, who signed the former Arsenal and Real Madrid player last summer, said in a statement on their official website: “Chioma was prescribed two forms of medication in the U.S. from a personal doctor to treat acne before signing for the club.

    “Both the club and Chioma fully cooperated with the FA and UKAD during the disciplinary process and Chioma has been unavailable for selection since the provisional suspension was imposed in January.

    “Chioma takes full responsibility for the charge and deeply regrets her actions admitting a lack of knowledge and awareness on her part.”

    Ubogagu said: “I am so sorry to my teammates and staff that I can’t be out on the pitch. The club has been fully supportive throughout this entire process and I am so appreciative of all their help.

    “My faith, family, and close friends have helped me immensely in this difficult time. I am eager to be back soon now that this has been resolved.

    “I want to make clear that the medication had no performance-enhancing effects for me, but I still made the mistake of not being as diligent as possible and as a result, I am unable to play the game I love until I serve my suspension.

    “While my dermatologist is aware of my profession, it is also my responsibility to know more about the medications I am prescribed.

    “I plan to share my story and educate others on the severity of what can happen and I hope I can help other athletes avoid situations like mine in the future.”

  • FG addresses rumoured plan to shutdown Facebook in Nigeria

    FG addresses rumoured plan to shutdown Facebook in Nigeria

    The Federal Government has addressed concerns on rumours making the rounds that it was planning to ban Facebook over the alleged inciting statements by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed addressed the concerns while fielding questions from State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday.

    Recall that Mohammed had at a meeting with a team from Facebook in Abuja on Tuesday, asked the social media platform to prevent IPOB, from using its platform to incite violence.

    The Minister said people had been killed because of the group’s activities.

    “I had a very fruitful meeting with Facebook yesterday (Tuesday). At that meeting, we expressed our displeasure that Facebook was becoming a power of choice for those who stay outside Nigeria, in particular, to incite violence, killings, burning of government properties, and killing of soldiers and police officers.

    “And that they should do more than what they are doing now in looking at the contents, which are unwholesome, which are being used on their platforms.

    “Incidentally, the BBC did a documentary on this particular issue and found out that some of them who call themselves social media warriors in England, France and other places, have in recent times, been using the Facebook platform to incite violence in Nigeria.

    “And we’ve all seen the real life impact of those war mongering, the young couple who are going to marry, soldiers who were gruesomely murdered.

    “Over this weekend in Anambra state police men were killed, military barracks were attacked. And we did warn Facebook to please do more than what they are doing now.

    “And I must say that their response was quite encouraging. They said they are going to do much more,” Mohammed said.

    Asked whether there is any plan to ban Facebook if the inciting violence continues, he said, “I think I gave you an answer. We had a very robust discussion with Facebook.

    “Facebook saw our point and they said they’re going to do much more than what they are doing. So if they do that, why would we ban them?

    “We don’t ban for banning sake. We ban or we only suspend operations if for any reason, lives are threatened and they do not listen. But this is of engagement”.

  • BREAKING: Buhari finally returns to Twitter

    BREAKING: Buhari finally returns to Twitter

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Twitter after the federal government lifted the restriction on the microblogging platform.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls in June 2021, the FG announced an indefinite suspension of Twitter’s operation after the platform deleted tweets by Buhari.

    The president had threatened to treat members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the “language they understand” with the tweet.

    After talks with the social media service which lasted months, the restriction was lifted on January 13.

    In a series of tweets to commemorate Eid-el-Fitr on Monday, Buhari spoke of how the fight against Boko Haram has been long and hard, but said victory is within sight.

    Buhari tweets read: “As we celebrate #EidMubarak with joy amidst friends & family members, we’re fully conscious that many families are in a state of anxiety on account of the many captives held by terrorists against their will, including those taken away after the tragic #AbujaKadunaRail bombing.

    “Rescuing the abducted victims is a delicate situation that requires wisdom, caution and also patience. Any rescue operation that results in the death of any hostage cannot be deemed a success. The government doesn’t want this kind of tragic outcome.

    “This is a complex situation that demands proper handling. The primary objective of any rescue operation is to free the hostages safely, unharmed and alive”.

  • FAAN bans 2 immigration officers from airports nationwide

    FAAN bans 2 immigration officers from airports nationwide

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN ) has banned two officials of Nigeria Immigration Service from operating in any of the nation’s airports for extorting N8000 from a passenger at Lagos airport.

    The Spokesperson of FAAN, Mrs Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, said in a statement on Friday in Lagos that the two immigration officials were banned from the airports after confirming the extortion at the Muritala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA).

    Hope – Ivbaze said that a team of FAAN Aviation Security officers were commissioned to investigate the allegation, following a tweeted allegation on Feb. 19, 2022 by the mother of a 14-year old girl travelling on Lufthansa Airline that the two immigration officials extorted N8000 from her daughter.

    “Upon investigation, they found the allegation to be true, as the officers involved were identified with the help of footages on our CCTV facility, and the cooperation from the Nigerian Immigration Service.

    She said that the officers were made to refund the exact amount collected from the passenger.

    Hope-ivbaze added that the officers’ On Duty Cards were also withdrawn permanently, and they have been banned from working in any Nigerian airport to serve as deterrent to others.

    She commended the mother of the child, who has confirmed receipt of the money and for deeming it fit to escalate the case.

    Hope-ivbaze also commended the mother for assisting FAAN tremendously in the course of the investigation.

    She expressed appreciation to the Comptroller of Immigration at the MMIA and her team for her cooperation and support in addressing this issue.

    The FAAN Spokesperson said that the Authority would continue to identify and sanction any airport official (including FAAN officials) found to be extorting passengers or perpetuating any act of illegality at our airports.

  • Okagbare’s 10-year ban: Ajunwa advises on ways to stem doping

    Okagbare’s 10-year ban: Ajunwa advises on ways to stem doping

    Nigeria’s first female gold medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Chioma Ajunwa-Opara, has called on athletes to stop cutting corners, but rather face the reality of intense competition for world titles.

    Ajunwa-Opara gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    She was speaking on the heels of the recent 10-year ban of Nigeria’s queen of the track, Blessing Okagbare, by World Athletics.

    The Athletics Integrity Unit handed a 10-year ban for doping violations by Nigeria’s 2008 long jump silver medallist, Blessing Okagbare.

    Okagbare, was initially expelled from the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

    Ajunwa-Opara, the first black African woman to win an Olympic gold medal in a field event, who had suffered a similar fate, urged for more sensitisation and support from the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

    “The ban will definitely affect her career, maybe her career in athletics is over. I believe AFN can give her the support she needed.

    “For Okagbare, who lives in the U.S., she should not be caught in this web, because it is believed that she has all the information she needed, and was more exposed.

    “Okagbare should have a better knowledge than those living in Nigeria; besides this, we have something to do here at home and not pass the whole blame,” she said.

    Ajunwa-Opara said since her own experience on doping, she had established a foundation that gives advice and sensitisation on doping.

    “Personally, I have set up a foundation campaigning against doping, the foundation is to educate the people and to believe in themselves. Our athletes should take their minds away from doping and cutting corners.

    “I also believe that World Athletics is part of this problem by dumping the earlier arrangements on paying the athletes, during the Grand Prix where all the athletes are paid.

    “The arrangement now is that World Athletics only pays the top three runners, instead of paying the athletes in all their categories, which are category A, B, and C.

    “The competition is now keen to emerge as top three in the whole world. This is an area of concern, World Athletics should revert to the old system of paying all the participants to encourage all athletes,” she said.