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FG was against reopening of schools but had to compromise – Minister of Education
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has stated that the Federal government was against the reopening of schools in the country today January 18.
Last week, the Minister had announced that his office was reviewing the January 18 reopening date for schools due to the second wave of the pandemic in the country. Many Nigerians expected that the review would lead to the postponement of the date for the reopening of schools. However, on Friday, January 15, the Ministry of Education released a statement approving the January 18 resumption date.
Following the backlash he received from some Nigerians for approving the reopening of schools, Adamu while speaking today Monday, January 18 at the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID19, said the Federal Government had reservations about the resumption of schools on January 18 but had to reach a compromise since it does not control all the schools.
In his words
“We sat down, looked at the figures and we took the decision that schools should not open. Unfortunately, we have to state this because it is supposed to be a collective decision, but you must understand that the schools we are talking about, the Federal Government has only about 100 out of thousands of schools.
The schools are under the jurisdiction of states and just as the PTF was unanimous in saying that schools should not open, states were unanimous that schools should open. So, we have to compromise and as PTF we shall monitor what is happening on a daily basis. There could be some review again”
January 19, 2021
COVID-19: Stay away from churches – CAN tells sick and old people
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has advised sick and too old people to stay away from worship centres following the second wave of COVID-19 being witnessed in the country.
The leadership of CAN advised Christians to continue to adhere to laid down protocols by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 to curb the spread of the pandemic.
The Christian group also called for a stop to direct contact and practices such as handshakes. A statement released by CAN’s General Secretary, Barrister Joseph Daramola on Monday January 18 read;
“Brethren, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has announced the emergence of the second wave of the pandemic. We appeal to all our churches to observe all the COVID-19 protocols which include the following:
“There should be no entry without facemasks. All worshippers including the worship leaders must wear face masks. There should be no exceptional cases.
“People who are sick or too old should stay at home. There should be temperature screening at every entry point to the Church.
“Ensure adequate ventilation in halls of worship, open windows, and doors for air to circulate in and out freely and if possible avoid the use of air conditioners.
“Hand washing facilities and hand sanitizers should be provided at point of entries and strategic points within the Church premises.
“Attendance should not exceed 1/3 of the sitting capacity of every Church. Churches can make use of their educational facilities and multi purpose halls to avoid overcrowding in the main church auditorium.
“Church auditorium should be clearly marked such that people sit and maintain two metres distance from each other.
“Practices that require sharing of materials should be limited. Those using microphones must sanitise their hands before use.
“Worship places should be disinfected routinely, before and after worship. Ensure separate entry and exit points in every Church to avoid overcrowding at entry and exit points.
“Every church should make use of medical personnel to assist. We should be praying for the end of the pandemic in all our worships and very soon, it will become history in Jesus Name”.
January 19, 2021
HURIWA urge Nigerians to protest, boycott NIN/SIM registration
The Human Rights Writers Association Nigeria, HURIWA, on Monday, urged Nigerians to massively boycott the National Identification Number, NIN, and SIM registration.
HURIWA described the timing of linking NIN to SIM cards as suicidal, hence Nigerians should boycott the exercise if they have not enrolled with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The rights group said the refusal of Nigerian government to halt the process amid the spike of COVID-19 was insensitive and irresponsible.
HURIWA made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko.
According to HURIWA: “The reason for the people of Nigeria to protest against this policy of government is not that it is a bad policy; but the timing of the implementation of that policy is suicidal.
“That the Nigerian government has remained inconsiderate, irresponsible, insensitive, irresponsible and not being responsive to the agitation of millions of Nigerians that have called on the government to suspend the exercise until such a time that the second wave of COVID-19 is checkmated, is disappointing.
“Therefore, the last card the people of Nigerians have is to massively protest either symbolically through active civil disobedience methodology or boycotts of the exercise or physical demonstrations on the streets. We call on all Nigerians including policemen and women to protest.
“The protest does not mean physical protest alone unless they are pushed to their limits then they can come out wearing their face masks, observing physical distancing but anything other than this, the people can also boycott the exercise.
“Yes, the reason they should protest is because the timing of the exercise is a threat to their lives because the second wave of COVID-19 is on a global rampage and people are dying in their thousands in Nigeria and many who have attended that registration exercise have died from COVID-19. HURIWA has learnt of some fatalities related to that dastardly ill-timed exercise.”
January 19, 2021
NAF personnel, 30 bandits die in Zamfara gun battle
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has lost one of its Special Forces (SF) personnel in a gun battle in Zamfar State.
The troop died as troops of Operation Hadarin Daji neutralised 30 bandits near Yar-Katsina in Bungudu Local Government Area.
Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF Headquarters, AVM Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The soldiers responded when scores of bandits and a large number of rustled livestock were spotted heading towards Kekuwuje Yar-Katsina Road.
They chased the bandits and cornered them at the Maje Riverline.
Aircraftman Sunday Enwa lost his life.
Three others, who sustained gunshot wounds during the operation, were evacuated for medical treatment.
Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar has commiserated with his family.
He prayed that God grants Enwa’s soul peaceful repose.
Abubakar urged NAF personnel to remain resolute and continue to work with other security agencies to rid the North-West of all criminal elements.
January 19, 2021
Edo Govt. Goes Tough in Enforcing COVID-19 Protocols
The Edo Government has deployed a batch of 200 constabulary police officers to three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state to enforce strict compliance with the state’s coronavirus (COVID-19) safety protocol.
The enforcement team stormed markets, parks, eateries, and banks to arrest defaulters who flouted the government’s directive on compulsory wearing of facemasks in public.
The constables were deployed to Oredo Local Government Area (LGA), Ikpoba Okha and Egor LGAs, with a charge to arrest those not wearing facemasks in public.
Addressing the constabulary police officers in Benin City, Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu charged them on professionalism in enforcing compliance.
He said anyone found not wearing a facemask in public will be arrested and taken to the testing centre for compulsory testing.
According to him, “You are going for a very important assignment to enforce the COVID-19 safety protocol. You have been deployed to Oredo, Egor, and Ikpoba-Okha LGAs to make sure that all the eateries have hand wash facilities and to ensure social distancing among the customers visiting the eateries.
“We must ensure all the eateries and banks are not crowded. People must line up for easy entry. All the drivers, both private and commercial, and their passengers must put on face masks.”
While conducting the enforcement team across markets, parks, eateries, and banks in Benin metropolis, he said, “the enforcement has started, those that were caught today are lucky that they were not taken to tribunal. And we gave them that opportunity to go and rethink and obey the law. They may not be lucky next time. We have the Police constabulary in place, and the state Public Work Volunteer (PUWOV) and other partners have also contributed men and materials for this cause.
“The state government is determined to enforce COVID-19 safety protocol at all levels, what we have done today is just to officially start the commencement of strict enforcement.”
He added: “The enforcement is not just for motorists; it is also for pedestrians. We are also looking at banks, eateries, and commercial areas. We started from our own hospital, the Edo Specialist Hospital, to make sure they complied with this directive.
“Most of our people think they are wearing the facemask to do the government a favour; I think we need to change this narrative and we are working to change that narrative.
“Some are not wearing facemasks properly; these are some of the things we need to educate them about. Thank God we have been able to pass the message that covering your nose is helping yourself and your neighbor.
He said mobile courts have been set up and anybody caught will be arrested and prosecuted, adding, “the fine may be small, the punishment may be big. The biggest of them all is the conviction; if you are convicted, just know that you have become an ex-convict.”
January 18, 2021
Buhari signs MoU on African Peer Review Mechanism
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the African Peer Review Mechanism (APR Forum).
He restated the commitment of the Nigerian government to the enthronement of democracy and good governance on the African continent.
He noted that the Government of Nigeria has consistently supported the strengthening of democracy and good governance throughout the African continent, through the African Peer Review Mechanism.
The president pointed out that they remain fully committed to promoting the good governance practice enshrined in the ideals and vision of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development which gave birth to this review mechanism.
He lauded the progress made so far in the “Africa Peer Review Mechanism as a self-monitoring tool to address governance deficit in Africa
The Nigerian leader recalled that Nigeria had the first Peer Review in 2008 and since then, had covered appreciable ground in the implementation of the National Programme of Action.
January 18, 2021
Family member culpable for six children crush to death by learner driver, Native Dr. alleges
A native doctor reportedly invited by leaders of Arue-Uromi community, in Esan-North East Local Government Area of Edo State, has claimed that a family member is responsible for the death of six children crushed by a learner driver.
Recall that the children, four girls and two boys, said to be from same family, were playing football when the Mercedes Benz car with a learner driver sign crushed them to death on Friday.
Read Also: Car with learner sign crushes six children to death in Edo
According to a member of the community, Enaholo Abel Enaholo, the native doctor claimed that an uncle to one of the children caused the tragic accident because he refused to accept a goat from the child’s mother after a misunderstanding.
He wrote;
“Native Doctor Live in Uromi as is invited to ascertain the cause of the accident that claimed 6 Kids in the town few days ago. UROMIANS NO GET JOY OO I think the level of value of life here no matter the means with which they decide to use is nice.”
In a follow up post, Enaholo wrote;
“OUTCOME OF THE NATIVE DOCTOR’S INTERVENTION IN UROMI
The Uncle to one of the kids is said to be responsible for his death while other kids were unlucky to be with the kid at the time of the incident.

THE ISSUE
Two brothers had issues because of the younger brother’s wife. The elders told the younger brother’s wife to bring a goat and the elder brother should also bring a goat. The younger brother’s wife brought the goat but her brother in law refused to collect the goat so that is why the son was collected in place of the goat. So instead of one child, the 6 kids were collected and labelled as casualties”
January 18, 2021
Family of House of Reps member, Ossy Prestige debunk rumour of his death
The family and office of lawmaker representing Aba North/Aba South of Abia in the House of Representatives, Hon Prestige Ossy have debunked rumour of his death.
In a joint statement issued by Chukwu Nnanna and George Ezikpe Okiyi on behalf of the lawmaker’s family and the office respectively, it was stated that the lawmaker who has been out of the country since October 2020 is undergoing treatment for a medical condition in Europe.
They appealed to “all men of goodwill” to pray for his healing. The statement read;
“The attention of the Family and the Office of Hon. Prestige Ossy, the member representing the Aba North/South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly has been drawn to the premeditated “obituary” announcement as written and published by some online mediums.
“Probably due to the political motivation behind the story and not minding its sensitivity, the publishers went ahead to publish the same even after admitting that they did not reach out to the family for confirmation.
“Hon. Prestige Ossy has a young family and large population of admirers whose feelings needed to have been considered regardless of the political intrigues at play.
“Hon. Prestige Ossy suddenly reported sick some six months ago and is presently receiving specialist care in Europe where he was transferred to after initial treatment in the United Kingdom.
“This has been responsible for his absence from the public circle within the period. The leadership of the National Assembly was aware and involved in his medical mission abroad.
“The family would at this point appeal to the general public to show more understanding and respect our feelings at this critical moment of our lives and save us the embarrassing pains of this politically orchestrated “jubilation” by some over the ill health of our son.
“The family and Hon. Prestige Ossy seek the prayers of all men of goodwill at this time. God rules in the affairs of men and we have unimpeachable trust in Him.”
January 18, 2021
JAMB bars two students, sanctions staff for violating COVID-19 protocols
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has suspended two of its staff and banned two candidates for violating precautionary measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus.
A statement by the Board, from its January bulletin on Monday said their suspension followed a surprising visit by JAMB Registrar Prof Ishaq Oloyede to the Professional Testing Centre.
The statement said the four persons ran foul of the protocols when they refused to wear a protective face mask provided to curtail the spread of the virus.
The board also said the suspension became necessary to send the right signal to all staff and clients alike that it will not tolerate any act that will expose people to unnecessary risks.
The sanction also underscores the seriousness with which we view adherence to COVID 19 protocols especially as pieces of washable high-quality face mask has been made available to each staff to eliminate excuses of non-compliance.
“In addition to that, alcohol-based sanitiser, hand washing facilities as well as prescribed adoption of other non-pharmaceutical measures to curb the spread of the virus inline with the protocols of the various relevant agencies of government has also been made available,
“However, the affected staff would face the Boards disciplinary committee, the Head of Office under whose supervision the staff were working would also be queried for negligence and dereliction of duty,” the statement said.
The Board further restated its resolve not to tolerate any violation of the protocols on COVID-19 and those supervisory officers would be held responsible for non-enforcement and non-compliance of staff who circumvent laid down rules and regulations.
It enjoined all Directors, State Coordinators and Heads of Units to ensure strict compliance of both staff and clients.
January 18, 2021
COVID-19: We must do everything possible to avoid a second lockdown – PTF
The Presidential Task Force (PFT) on COVID-19 has warned Nigerians against a second lockdown in Nigeria.
The Chairman of PTF, Boss Mustapha, made the call at a briefing in Abuja.
Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said this can be done by complying with the protocols released by government.
According to him: “Let me remind you that the pandemic is raging and all tiers of Government and citizens must keep their hands-on-deck.
“We are in a difficult situation in which a balance must continue to be struck between lives and livelihood.
“We are considering all options while hoping that broad cooperation will be received.
“We must do everything possible to avoid a second lockdown in Nigeria.”
January 18, 2021