NEWS
COVID 19: Bayelsa Distributes Garri to Local Government Areas

In order to cushion the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic ravaging the whole world including Nigeria, the Bayelsa state government on Thursday, distributed some bags of garri across the eight local government areas in the state.
The garri is meant for the less privileged people at the local government level.
Speaking unbehalf of the Governmnent, the permanent secretary of Ministry of Information and Orientation, Freston Akpor said this was one of the measures being taken by the state government to make sure that the people didn’t suffer too much.
The permanent secretary said” It is obvious that the cost of food has risen.
There are also restrictions on some markets across the country and some neighborhood states.“That will create prize hike and some level of scarcity and some people in the society will be badly affected especially those under privileged, he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the chairman of State Emergency Management Agency, Zidekiah Isu said the governor in his magnanimity decided that some items such as sorghum, rice, garri, millet, be shared to those who were less privileged at least to cushion the effects of the economic consequences of the pandemic.
According to him, the items were going to every local government.
” His Excellency has Said that as the funds come by, the state will be able to augment,” he stated.
He expalined that the items were from National Emergency Agency and were to have been distributed much earlier to flood victims.
“What happened is that NEMA usually sends their representative who will in turn distribute these items in synergy with the SEMA.
“I wrote letters to NEMA repeatedly but they didn’t come. Infact these items have been here for over three months. I repeadly called them and told them that the items were going bad especially the garri that they were going black but they didn’t respond.
“I was forced to make a report to the governor who latter intervened and lended his miracle voice. He ordered that we should go ahead and distribute the items.
The governor of the state, Douye Diri had gone to inspect the food stuffs earlier in the week and it was gathered that those were the items meant for flood victims of 2019.
According to market survey, garri measure that was normally sold for N500 now sells between N1500 and N2000, while a cup which was normally sold for N50 is now N100.
NEWS
Police Reunite 35 Rescued Kidnapped Victims with Families

The Police Command in Niger, says it has reunited 35 rescued kidnapped victims and survivors with their families in Niger.
This is contained in a statement by its Public Relations officer, Wasiu Abiodun, on Tuesday in Minna.
According to the statement the rescued victims consist of 16 women and 19 children.
The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Niger, Adamu Elleman, represented by the DCP investigation, Ibrahim Adamu, said the victims were from Kagara, Tegina and Agwara.
According to the CP, the victims had been in custody for some period for counselling and deradicalisation processes before handed over to their Council Chairman of Rafi LGA and relatives.
He appealed to members of the public to continue to cooperate with the police by providing actionable information on criminal activities.
NEWS
Turkish Embassy Pledges Partnership with Asset Media Group

By Donald Andoor, Abuja
The Turkish Embassy in Nigeria has pledged a working relationship with the Asset Media Group and Nigeria’s media in general to further boost long lasting diplomatic and trade relations existing between the two countries.
Head of Political Office, Embassy of the Republic of Turkiye, Muzaiffer Hakan Tok who was exchanging views with the management team of Asset Media Group in Abuja, yesterday recalled the robust diplomatic, trade and cultural relationship between Nigeria and Turkiye.
While stressing the cordial relationship existing between the two nations over time, he said there was need for media practitioners to be further enlightened about those things that were common and binding between the two nations.
He applauded the people of Nigeria and the government for the hospitality accorded Turkish nationals in the country.
Earlier, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, Proprietor of Asset Media Group, owners of the Daily Asset Newspaper and Asset Television, said the visit was to explore ways of media partnership with the embassy.
He appealed to the Turkish Embassy in Nigeria to initiate avenues for exchange of visits between journalists of the two countries to enable them to enlighten and educate the public about opportunities that abound in the country.
The diplomatic relations between the two nations started when Turkey opened an embassy in Lagos in 1962. The embassy was moved to Abuja in 2001 after Nigeria’s proclamation of Abuja as the new capital.
On the other hand, Nigeria has an embassy in Ankara, the capital of Turkey and the two countries are members of a group of eight developing nations, code named D-8.
The delegation of the Daily Asset Group included Donald Andoor, Chairman Editorial Board and General Manager of Asset Television, Ayami Sunny Ayami.
NEWS
NCS Cautions Nigerians against Breach of US Visa Terms

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a public advisory urging Nigerians to use U.S. entry visas responsibly, following concerns raised by the United States government over visa misuse.
The NCS emphasized that Nigerian travelers must adhere strictly to the purpose stated in their visa applications, warning that engaging in activities inconsistent with their visa classification could lead to revocation.
It reminded the public that security screening by U. S. authorities continues beyond the point of entry, and that visa holders remain under regular monitoring.The agency also reiterated the importance of complying with U.
S. immigration laws, including import/export regulations. Travelers were further reminded to declare any cash in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent at entry or exit points, and to avoid carrying any prohibited items in their luggage.NCS advised all passengers to maintain lawful conduct both within Nigeria and abroad, cautioning that fraudulent acts committed in any country could result in legal consequences under both Nigerian and U.S. laws.
Assuring continued collaboration with the U.S. Mission in Abuja, the NCS stated that efforts are ongoing to ensure Nigeria avoids inclusion in any future visa restrictions, thus safeguarding the travel rights of Nigerians with legitimate purposes for visiting the United States.