A passenger aircraft crashed into Lake Victoria in Tanzania on Sunday while trying to land in stormy weather at an airport in the lakeside city of Bukoba, the state broadcaster said.
Fifteen people have been rescued so far but it was not known how many passengers were on board the Precision Air flight or whether there were any fatalities, Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) reported.
The aircraft, which had departed from the capital, Dar es Salaam, “fell in Lake Victoria this morning due to storms and heavy rains”.
Video footage and images that circulated on social media confirmed the aircraft almost fully submerged, with only its green and brown-coloured tail visible above the water line of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake.
Rescue boats were deployed and emergency workers were continuing to rescue other passengers trapped in the plane.
Precision Air, Tanzania’s biggest privately owned airline, identified the plane as flight PW 494 and said it was “involved in an accident as it was approaching Bukoba Airport”. The airline’s statement gave no further details.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan called for calm as the rescue operation continued.
“I have received with unhappiness the news of the accident involving Precision Air’s plane,” she tweeted. “Let’s be calm at this moment when rescuers are continuing with the rescue mission while praying to God to help us.”
On Friday, the University of Jos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities issued a directive ordering its members to remain at home permanently while waiting for the federal government to pay back withheld salaries.
The ASUU branch announced this in a statement that was given to our correspondent and was signed by the branch’s chairman, Professor Lazarus Maigoro.
However, the union has said that its members need to refrain from going to work until the purported injustice is rectified, even though it has not yet declared a strike.
Chris Piwuna, the national vice president of ASUU, who had previously called the government’s action “humiliating, insulting, and embarrassing,” is a member of the chapter.
The UNIJOS chapter is the first to react to what Nigerian lecturers have described as mutilated salaries paid by the government for the month of October.
The statement partly reads, “One of the issues agreed at the meeting was that 50% of the backlog of eight months arrears of our withheld salaries will be paid to our members immediately but as at the time of writing this press release, only 17 days prorated October salary was paid to our members by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
“Having stayed for about nine months running now, our members in the University of Jos considered this an insult to them by the Accountant Gereral of the Federation.
“Is the Accountant Gencral of the Federation actually answerable to the Minister of Labour? So, if today the Minister of Agriculture directs the Accountant General of the Federation to withhold the salaries of the staff of the Agricultural Research Institutes who have been on strike for over a year, will he obey that?
“We wonder why Ngige is keen�about withholding the salaries of ASUU members because staff of some Agricultural Research Institutes have been on strike for almost a year but they have been receiving their salaries regularly. Is this policy only�for ASUU members?
“We are also aware that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, wrote a memo to the Accountant General asking him to pay our members only from the day we suspended the strike.
“By this singular act, the Minister of Labour and Employment has casualised the work of the University Lecturers unfortunately.
“This further creates doubts on our minds as to whether the understanding reached with the leadership of the House of Representatives on some of the issues will be implemented at all�by those who are saddled with the responsibility of doing so in order to avoid further needless strikes.
“From all indications, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has personalised the matter between him and our union and is on a mission for vendetta.
“It has become crystal clear now that he wasn’t happy that the House of Representatives brokered a truce on some of the issues we went on strike for and has gone behind to undermine it.
“It is also very clear to us now why he shamelessly walked out on the leadership of the House of Representatives at one of the meetings with all stakeholders to the glare of all Nigerians because he never wanted any form of resolution to be reached on the issues being discussed and is the nation.
“In view of the bottleneck placed by Ngige towards paying our members the backlog of our salaries, the congress of ASUU University of Jos met today November 4, 2022 and resolved to stay at home, though not on strike until the backlog of the withheld salaries are paid.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our participants are back to work, willing and ready to work but are unable to work. Based on the revised academic calendar for the 2020/2021 session approved by the senate of the University, lectures should have started already but the challenge of lack of payment of salaries has constrained our members from going to the classroom to teach.
“What this implies is that the students who have resumed already will have to wait indefinitely while we wait for our withheld salaries to be paid to us”.
Businesswoman Reportedly Rejects Ooni’s Marriage Proposal
A Nigerian woman identified as Laide Lanre-Badmus, has allegedly publicly rejected the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s marriage proposal. It was reported that the graduate of Politics and International Relations has been romantically linked to the traditional ruler for sometime.
Sources say they have been so smitten by each other that everyone within and outside the palace thought their closeness would end up in marriage, however, she rejected his proposal.
A palace source told ace journalist, Kemi Ashefon that Lanre-Badmus declined because she can’t afford to share the Ooni with other women.
“Laide is a steady face in Ile Ife and there is no one in the palace who doesn’t know ‘Oloori Laide’. Yes, they call her Oloori in the palace and everyone thought Baba (Ooni) would marry her because he really loves her and she doesn’t joke with their affair.
“But she refused. She didn’t want the mass wedding for two months to take place between September and October 2022. Not because she didn’t love him (she still does) but because she doesn’t want to share the love of her life with so many women.
“Though it wasn’t Ooni’s intention to be polygamous, he couldn’t help it. He was instructed by the gods to marry many wives after Naomi left in December 2021 and he had to adhere to the instruction from the establishment.
“It’s really sudden that she would reject this proposal because they were very close and she was always with him. So many things are involved in this matter and it’s between LLB and the Ooni. They are still in love with each other anyways,” the source said.
Eko Bridge/Ebute-Ero Market Inferno: LASG Diverts Traffic On The Bridge
Following the fire incident that occurred in the early hours of Friday, 4th November, 2022, under Eko Bridge at the Ijora-Olopa section which damaged some parts of the bridge, the Lagos State Government will be diverting traffic from Ebute-Ero/Apongbon inwards Costain Ijora Olopa of the Bridge from today, 5th November, 2022.
A statement signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde explained that the diversion will allow the Federal Ministry of Works to carry out a comprehensive integrity assessment to ascertain the level of damage caused by the fire incident for the safety of motorists.
He said, due to this development, motorists are advised to ply Ebute-Ero to Police Post through Adeniji-Adele Bridge to access Carter (Idumota) Bridge to Ijora Olopa to Ijora Oloye to Iganmu through Costain to continue their journey.
The Commissioner also stated that motorists can alternatively use Ebute-Ero to Police Post to access Adeniji-Adele Bridge through the Third Mainland Bridge to Adekunle to Herbert Macaulay Way through Adekunle Street opposite Panti Police Station.
He also said Alagomeji can be used to access Murtala Mohammed Way through Oyingbo to Iddo to Ijora Olopa through Ijora Oloye to Iganmu and Costain to connect their desired destinations, adding that Ijora Olopa (by LAWMA Headquarters) through Eko Bridge to Costain will be open for use by motorists from Monday, 7th November, 2022.
While informing that the personnel of the State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA) will be on ground along the alternative routes to minimise inconveniences, Oladeinde assured that the State Government is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the commuting public within the metropolis.
Obasanjo’s Image Should Be On Redesigned Naira Note, Says Atiku
The People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku has said that former president Obasanjo’s image should be on redesigned naira note
One of the three naira notes that are set to be redesigned, according to Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, should have the portrait of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In a sequence of tweets on Saturday, Atiku also praised the 85-year-old elder statesman and African Union mediator for facilitating peace talks between the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan rebels following two years of devastating battle that left millions in need of aid in Africa’s second-most populous nation.
“If for nothing else, he is most deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize, and I will nominate him when entries are open for nominations. “Africa is blessed to have a statesman of such impeccable democratic credentials as Chief Obasanjo. A man whose image ought to be in the redesigned Naira note to inspire future generations of Nigerians to sacrifice for their nation and continent,” Part of the statement reads.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has knocked the Federal Government over its decision to redesign the Naira amidst its diminishing purchasing powers.
Adeboye said this during the church’s November Holy Ghost Service with the theme, ‘Let It Rain’ on Friday night.
He said, “Do you know what is going on in our country? It doesn’t make sense anymore. Our Naira now, it is not even worth the paper it is printed on.
“And while people are hungry, trying to find enough money to buy bread to eat, our bosses are thinking of making the Naira more beautiful.”
The Central Bank Of Nigeria late October announced plans to redesign the N200, N500, and N1,000 banknotes.
Autopsy confirms popular Nigerian Singer Davido’s son, Ifeanyi, drowned
The Lagos State Police Command on Saturday said the autopsy conducted on the corpse of Ifeanyi Adeleke, son of Davido and his fiancée, Chioma Rowland, revealed that he died as a result of drowning.
This ia confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.
Hundeyin said, “Autopsy has been concluded. It confirms the boy (Ifeanyi) drowned.”
Recall that PEAKNEWS reported that Davido and Chioma reportedly loses 3-year-old son, Ifeanyi
The Afrobeats sensation David Adedeji Adeleke and his fiancee Chioma Avril Rowland lost their 3-year-old son Ifeanyi Adedeji Adeleke Jr. The sad information broke on Monday night, October 31, 2022, barely weeks after the birthday party of the little boy’s 3rd birthday.
The two suspects detained in connection with the death of three-year-old Ifeanyi Adeleke, son of music artiste, Davido, and his fiancée, Chioma Rowland, may remain in police custody until they are cleared by an autopsy report.
A credible source, who disclosed this on Wednesday, said the nanny and the cook were directly in charge of Ifeanyi’s welfare, adding that they might also be liable for negligence.
The source said, “The cook and the nanny were the ones directly with the child, so, they are guilty of negligence until the autopsy is conducted. During investigation, we have suspects, and depending on the case, the suspects may or may not be released.
“So far, the family has not objected to the autopsy, but how fast it will be done depends on the hospital. But the next move is to check the CCTV at the house.”
It was reported that after Ifeanyi’s corpse was recovered from the swimming pool at his father’s house in the Banana Island area of Lagos State, it was deposited in a mortuary for autopsy.
The police eventually invited eight domestic employees and after interrogation, six of them were released.
However, two others, the nanny and the cook, were detained.
Contacted for a follow-up reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the detention of the suspects, declined to give further details to avoid preempting investigation into the case.
He said, “If we need to detain them for longer than necessary, we will obtain a court order so as to ensure that we are not doing over detention or illegal detention.
“I can’t give much details about an ongoing investigation, but those two people detained are assisting us in our investigation. Those that were released have little or no bearing to the case but the two people detained are assisting us.
“Eight people were brought in for questioning, six people were allowed to go, the remaining two were the ones that have been placed under arrest and that makes them suspect.”
The spokesperson for the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, Asha Gangali, who described the demise of Ifeanyi as devastating news, enjoined the state government to review the laws granting ownership of swimming pools to people in the state.
Gangali said, “We would rather enjoin the Lagos State Government to review the permission that is given for swimming pools and certain structures in residential areas that can endanger the lives of minors.
“So, if it is approached from a law standpoint, it will be binding on all. It is not just that we are losing our precious children in the creative and movie industry, it also affects every other individual. If people should have a swimming pool in their residence, there should be precautions to prevent such happenings.”
Recall that Daniel, the first son of another music artiste, Dapo Adebanjo, aka D banj, drowned in a swimming pool at his residence in Lagos in 2018.
Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Wednesday, commiserated with the bereaved parents.
Osinabjo, in a post on his Twitter handle, said, “Dolly & I are greatly saddened by the tragic loss of Ifeanyi, the dear son of Davido & Chioma. We pray our Lord Jesus Christ will comfort & uphold both of them through this traumatic experience. Amen. We also commiserate with our brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke and the entire Adeleke family. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.”
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, urged residents in the state to abide by the universal rule that guide the usage of swimming pools.
He said, “I am not sure you need a permit to build a swimming pool in your house, but I know that before you build a house, you bring the drawing for the government to approve.
“But if somebody has any emergency, whether it is in a swimming pool or club house, the state has a solid emergency machinery that swings into action within seconds. But people need to call those emergency numbers to make a report.
“The particular case you are talking about is a family tragedy and the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, personally commiserated with Davido on this irreparable loss.
“For us in Lagos, it is not a time to begin to look into what the government is doing about people building swimming pools in their homes.
“There are usual rules about how to use a swimming pool; if you are a minor, you can’t go in there alone; if you want to swim, you must ensure that there are lifeguards around and should anything happen, there must be people to raise the alarm; the swimming pool must be clearly marked to prevent a novice from going beyond certain meters, among others.”
A 3-year-old girl, identified as Lydia Azatyom was found inside an abandoned well three days after she went missing in the Tudun Wada area of Jos, Plateau State.
According to reports, the minor was last seen playing with her friends outside their house on Thursday, October 27, 2022 before she mysteriously disappeared.
Efforts made by her family and neighbours to locate her whereabouts were futile until three days later, when one Dauda Dung confirmed that she has been found.
According to Tudun Wada Broadcast, a couple of young men found the girl inside the abandoned well in an uncompleted building within the area.
It’s reported that the young men had visited the site to defecate and heard sounds of movement inside the dry well. It was also learnt that the building has long been abandoned and now used for open defecation and dump.
Lydia had bruises around her head and was rushed to the hospital where she is currently receiving for medical attention.
It is however yet be ascertained if Lydia mistakenly fell into the well or someone dumped her there.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has sought greater collaboration and partnership with the Association of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, ACCOBIN, as well as Bureau De Change( BDC) operators as a way of tackling foreign exchange malpractices, money laundering and other fraudulent activities in the nation’s monetary sector.
Bawa who made the appeal during a meeting with crucial stakeholders in the financial services sector on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at the Lagos Command of the Commission, on the heels of the recent declaration by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to re-design and re-issue some of Naira notes, called for prompt disclosure of fraudulent activities through the exchange of relevant information about illicit deposits and movement of money through deposit money banks.
“In view of the recent move by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to redesign and re-issue higher denominations of the Nigerian Currency, the Naira, there is a need for us to be proactive and be circumspect of the actions of the criminals who will use the financial institutions to launder illicit funds and commit other nefarious activities.
“It is essential for you to recognize what this policy is all about, thinking about the fact that a lot of activities will happen, specifically as the 2023 general elections approach.
“We want to work with you to get more information on how to deal with these issues,” he said.
Bawa, who stressed that the EFCC believes that the financial establishments have an critical function to play in ridding Nigeria of financial and economic crimes, also charged the banks’ compliance officers and BDC operators to be wary of activities of criminals who might want use the financial institutions to hoard monies for the purpose of vote buying.
He emphasized the need for financial institutions to take more seriously the issue of Know Your Customer, KYC, and improve intelligence sharing with the Commission.
“The EFCC cannot do the job alone. We need to work with you as critical stakeholders, particularly in ensuring a seamless exchange of relevant information to forestall the commission of economic and financial crimes.
“We need better cooperation, synergy, collaboration, intelligence sharing and, if need be, joint operations with you.
“If there is better management, in terms of communication about the people bringing in monies or the modus operandi being used to disguise this origin of the monies, it will go a long way in tackling the issue of money laundering and financial crimes.
“ You are very critical in the fight against economic and financial crimes. This is because at the end of it, money leaves the bank and money goes in, either for deposit or withdrawal,” Bawa said
According to him, “the issue of KYC must go beyond citing utility bills and receipts of customers. This needs to be taken further to forestall cybercrime”.
The EFCC boss also called on the banks to usually increase vetting mechanisms with a view to addressing insider abuse by staff.
In his remarks, Boye Ogunlade, Chairman, ACCOBIN, expressed his delight over the engagement, adding that “this is a good initiative and we hope that it should be held regularly.”
Peak News 
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