After almost two hours of outage on Tuesday, Meta has restored WhatsApp services.
Details later…
Users of the messaging app WhatsApp are currently unable to send messages as the platform suffered an outage Tuesday morning.
Already, there are countless complaints on Twitter as the outage appears to be global.
While there is no official information from the Meta-owned platform, Downdetector, a website that monitors service outages for messaging and social media platforms, said reports of WhatsApp outages skyrocketed from early Tuesday morning from zero reports to well over 4,000.
After opening the app, users have found that while they can still access their conversations, the app is failing to deliver new messages, or send any that they attempt to send. A persistent message is showing for many users at the top of the app, saying it is “connecting” to the server, but then appears to fail to do so, leaving users unable to send or receive any messages.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the UK and around the world and is estimated to have more than two billion active users globally.
Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has failed to reveal his plans for the over 27 million Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the country.
Tinubu released an 80-page document titled “Renewed Hope 2023 – Action Plan for a Better Nigeria” as his manifesto on Friday 21, October.
The document contains programmes to be pursued by his administration if elected president next year.
It however does not contain any detailed plans for PWDs who, according to the World Health Organisation(WHO), number above 27 million in population- more than ten percent of the population of the country.
Data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) shows that 87,083 PWDs have registered to vote as of Monday 1st August 2022.
The manifesto shows the former Lagos State governor will only prioritise National Security, Economy, Agriculture, Power, Oil and Gas, Transportation and Education if elected as President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor next February.
The only reference to PWDs in the 80-page document is on pages 62 and 63 where it discusses social intervention programmes.
It states, “Social Investment Programs: Introduce new social investment programs supporting the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) particularly among the poor.
“These investment programs will improve business productivity, widen access to affordable finance and capital markets and expand businesses such that beneficiaries can offer employment to others. Recipients shall receive high-quality, low-cost business development support services. These programs and initiatives will give priority access to PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES(Sic), women, and young people.”
Chairman of the National Association of Persons With Disability, Abuja Chapter, Agbo Christian, said the inclusion of PWDs in government’s plans lies in the hands of the presidential candidates.
He said, “It is unfortunate that some politicians have not seen the need for disability inclusion.
“The inclusion of PWDs depends on individual politicians because political parties are not carried along when individuals are drafting their manifestoes.
“The fact that President Buhari is good to PWDs does not mean that his party or other candidates of the party would be good to PWDs. After all, not all APC states have domesticated Disability Laws, States like Imo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Kebbi, and many others.”
He urged PWDs in Nigeria to only vote for candidates who articulate disability issues in their manifestoes.
“PWDs will not leave Presidential Candidates like that because if we do, we will retrogress. So, we must engage them to make commitments towards our issues that we will use to hold them accountable but it is unfortunate that in a time like this when the whole world is talking about inclusion, APC Presidential Candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will forget to mention PWDs in his manifesto,” he said.
The other frontline candidates, including the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party presidential candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi respectively, are yet to release their own manifestoes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, said no fewer than 20 million children have been spared disability and are walking today due to the global efforts achieved in polio cases.
Moeti said since the landmark resolution for the worldwide eradication of polio was adopted in 1988 at the 41st World Health Assembly, global efforts have achieved more than 99.9% decrease in polio cases.
Two of the three strains of wild poliovirus (Type 2 and Type 3) have been certified as eradicated, and in 2020 the African Region was certified as free of indigenous wild polio, she said.
Moeti disclosed this in her message to mark the World Polio Day celebrated annually on October 24, to provide opportunity to highlight global efforts toward a polio-free world, and to honor the unwavering commitment of those on the frontlines of the fight to eradicate polio.
The theme for this year, “World Polio Day 2022 and Beyond: A healthier future for mothers and children”, kicked off with discussions in Geneva between WHO, Rotary International, and polio experts, to consider future efforts to continue the decades-long collaboration against polio.
According to her: ” This progress is admirable, and has safeguarded millions of children and their families from this crippling virus. However, detections of new outbreaks, including in areas where polio was believed to have been eradicated, is a stark reminder that if we do not deliver on our promise to eradicate all forms of polio, everywhere, no child is safe anywhere.
“The Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s (GPEI) 2022-2026 Strategy to end polio lays out the pathway to finish this last mile. The significant global commitment to fund the strategy, at the 2022 World Health Summit polio pledging event earlier this month, was extremely encouraging.
“In a show of global solidarity, the host country Germany, along with 15 other countries, as well as charities, international organizations, and numerous private sector initiatives, committed more than US$ 2.6 billion to the strategy – more than half the total target.
A31-year-old man, Mohammed Umar, on Monday began a 425-kilometre walk from Gombe to Abuja to draw support for Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2023 election.
Mr Umar, a member of TinKas Tinubu/Shettima Support Group, told journalists before starting his walk in Gombe that his action was to show support for Mr Tinubu ahead of the 2023 poll.
He said the support group has been mobilising support in the North-East for the APC to ensure its victory at all levels in the 2023 general election.
“Tinubu has picked our own, Sen. Kashim Shettima as his running mate; the best we can do for him is to mobilise support for him to secure massive votes for them from the North-East.
“Tinubu has shown capacity and competence, same for Shettima; so supporting their candidature to ensure victory in 2023 will be for the benefit of Nigerians.
“I am also going to Abuja to personally invite our leaders, Sen Tinubu and Shettima to come and open our campaign office in Gombe State,” he said.
The father of three said that he was prepared for the walk. “I have some malaria drugs with me should I fall sick in the course of the walk to Abuja.
“I have the support of my family in this endeavour; I have the full support and blessings of my family members,” he said.
The Nigeria Police Force has said it is not aware of any security alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria warning of an impending attack on the Nigeria capital city, Abuja.
Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while reacting to LEADERSHIP inquiry yesterday, said he was not aware of any security alert.
The Force PRO who did not talk more on the issue, simply replied to our message with, “Not aware” when asked of plans by police to curtail the attack.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) also declined to comment or respond to messages sent to them on the security alert yesterday.
The U.S. Embassy had issued security alert to its citizens yesterday, October 23, 2022, noting that there was impending terrorists attack on public places in Abuja.
Part of the alert stated:
“There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja. Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.
The US Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice.
“Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert, avoid crowds, review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency and carry proper identification.”
Rishi Sunak will be named Britain’s 57th Prime Minister later on Monday October 24, 2022 after rival Penny Mordaunt dropped out of the leadership race.
Mr Sunak won the support of an overwhelming majority of Tory MPs, enabling him to claim the keys to No10.
On the day of Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights – Mr Sunak will become Britain’s first PM of Indian heritage.
Ms Mordaunt dropped out of the contest at the last minute this afternoon after she failed to secure the support of 100 colleagues.
The ex-Chancellor took an early lead in the Tory leadership race, having lost the last one to Liz Truss just weeks ago.
Within hours of Ms Truss announcing her resignation last Thursday, MPs came out in droves to support Mr Sunak.
But his chances of moving to Downing Street were dramatically slashed when Boris Johnson informally launched a spectacular come back bid.
The ex-PM left his glamorous holiday in the Dominican Republic to fly back to London and shore up support.
Tory heavyweights split between two camps, with James Cleverly and Priti Patel going team Boris, and Grant Shapps and Kemi Badenoch waving the flag for Rishi.
Over the weekend Ms Mordaunt trailed behind the pair, with only around two dozen MPs backing her campaign.
On Sunday Mr Johnson made a late night exit from the race.
The former Prime Minster insisted he had the numbers to go to a vote of the Conservative membership.
But he threw in the towel as MPs broke for Mr Sunak at a rate of more than two to one.
The United States embassy in Nigeria has warned Americans in the country to be cautious of their movement in response to elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.
In a security alert issued on Sunday, the US advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert and avoid crowds.
The statement read “There is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja.
Targets may include, but are not limited to, government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, athletic gatherings, transport terminals, law enforcement facilities, and international organizations.
“The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice. Actions to Take: Avoid all non-essential travel or movement. Stay alert. Avoid crowds.
“Review your personal security plans and keep your cell phone charged in case of emergency. Carry proper identification.”
There was tension in Abuja months ago when terrorists overran the Kuje Correctional Centre and set free 800 inmates, including all the Boko Haram suspects in detention.
After that, troops of the Presidential Guards Brigade were killed in an ambush within the nation’s capital.
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had ordered a beef up of security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in order to fortify the nation’s capital against terrorists.
There have been several leaked memos of intelligence agencies on the plots to attack the nation’s capital.
The United States Agency for International Development, USAID in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD including other development partners have joined forces together toward boosting nutritious food and ensure food security in a view to reducing malnutrition in Nigeria.
USAID Technical Advisor, Advancing Nutrition Project, Mr. Michael Daniel Evashoyan, made this assertion on Thursday in Abuja at a training workshop organised by the FMARD, USAID and other donors to mark the 2022 World Food Day.
Daniel, who said the door is widely opened for other donors to support the advancement of food system for the purpose of enhancing food security and nutritious food in Nigeria, revealed that USAID Advancing Project has trained over 10,000 farmers in Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
He also stated that they are currently generating data to support programming and intervention, adding that effort by some federal ministries, USAID Advancing Nutrition project and others are on the high gear to ensure that there is food security and nutrition foods for average Nigerians.
“USAID Advancing Nutrition project, is currently working in Kebbi, Sokoto and Bauchi states, we are trying to incorporate the Federal Capital Territory, FCT as well as Ebonyi state. The choice of these states is the function of nutrition data that is publicly being published by NDHS.
In his remark at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD, Dr. Ernest Umakhihi, thanked the donor partners, especially USAID Advancing Nutrition, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Harvest Fields, HarvestPlus and Eat Safe Project of USAID, for their relentless efforts and support to Nigeria with a view to making sure that Nigerians consume wholesome and nutritious meals for healthy living and increase productivity.
He said that the health and economic crises imposed by Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the tendencies for the vulnerable household to consume less nutritious foods leading to increased health burden of millions of vulnerable households during and after the pandemic.
The Permanent Secretary stated that in response to the United Nations Assembly calls on ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all, the FMARD in collaboration with other key partners in the food system will continue to promote nutrition sensitive agriculture in order to address malnutrition in all ramifications.
He said, “To this effect, we are committed to taking necessary steps and actions to ensuring access to safe and nutricious food, boost nature-positive production and building resilience to vulnerabilities.”
Umakhihi asserted that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rurul Development is also giving support to the vulnerable households to produce nutricious food at the household level.
He said this arrangment is aligns closely with the “Operation Feed Yourself Summit” adopted in the last UN Food System as a veritable tool and food safety tool, ensuring unfettered access to nutritious and safe food at both household and community levels.
“The World Food Day celebration provides another opportunity for participants to brainstorm and share their experiences on how best farmers can improve on their livelihoods and nutritional status as they produce and consume safe and nutritious meals.” he said.
Armed men on Friday attacked the convoy of the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman with some members of his team reportedly killed.
The Cleric was said to have returned from a trip outside the country and was heading to Auchi in Edo State when his convoy was ambushed along the Sabingida, Warake area of the state.
According to reports, the attack claimed the lives of some police officers and others on the convoy.
Suleman was said to have escaped the attack with the help of an individual.
Meanwhile, the state’s police command has expressed move to ascertain the actual cause of the incident and brief the public on subsequent development.
This attack came about a month after speculations of the presence of the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP), swept the internet when a patrol vehicle belonging to security operatives was set ablaze.
But the police command refuted the claims, stating that the incident was a reprisal by irate youths against the police for killing their gang member.