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My wife, son, others in stable condition–Ortom
By Richard Emmanuel
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom took to his verified media handle to appreciate his domestic staffs, Benue people and Nigerians for their love, prayers and show of concern in the fight against Covid19.
It may be recall that the governor’s wife Dr Eunice and his son had tested positive for Covid19 over the weekend and have been in isolation for further treatment and investigations to ascertain the number of contacts.
The governor said, his family truly felt loved for the inspiring messages and said they and tall appreciated it.
He further explained that in the next few days, they will submit samples for another round of test to ascertain the current status of the affected family members, domestic staff, aides and others.
He said they are all in stable condition.
“My wife Dr Eunice, our son and all the others who tested positive for COVID-19 are in stable condition and are receiving treatment”.
“We will submit our samples for another round of tests in the next few days to ascertain the current status of the affected family members, domestic staff, aides and some of us who are negative”.
“Let me encourage other Benue people who are yet to know their status to take advantage of the ongoing COVID-19 Test Sample Collection”.
“There is the need for the people to adhere to prevention measures such as physical distancing, the use of face masks, alcohol based sanitizers and frequent hand washing with soap”.
“Together, we shall defeat COVID-19 pandemic”. He said.
July 7, 2020
Coronavirus Not Death Sentence Says FG
By Lawrence Ekwonu
Says Virus Will Soon Go The Way Of Ebola, Lassa Fever, Polio
Virus a danger when relevant authorities fail to detect, test isolate and treat infected persons.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha has said contracting the dreaded Coronavirus does not amount to automatic death sentence.
He however noted that the virus poses danger when the relevant authorities fail to detect, test isolate and treat infected persons.
According to him, Nigerians can avoid contracting it by complying with non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, hand-washing, staying and working from home if practicable.
He made these remarks on Monday, as part of daily briefing of the committee in Abuja.
His comments comes as several state governors and some of their family members have tested positive to the virus, including daily spike of infections from other Nigerians.
” I wish to re-emphasise that COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but it becomes dangerous when we fail to detect, TEST isolate and treat. We can avoid contracting it by complying with non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a face mask, maintaining social distancing, hand-washing, staying and working from home if practicable.
“Similarly, we can achieve more if we stop stigmatisation,capacity and opportunities for testing have been expanded, with the opening of 40 laboratories and creation of more testing centres including some certified private sector medical facilities.
” I, therefore encourage all Nigerians to get tested to enable us fight this pandemic. We have done it before and we shall do it again. The handling of the EBOLA virus, Lassa Fever, our becoming a polio-free country and successful exit from other communicable diseases over the years should give us comfort that COVID-19 would also be put behind us,”he stated.
Commenting further on some Governors and other high profile Nigerians who have come down with the virus, he said the pandemic does not discriminate, hence the need for vigilance by all and sundry.
“Of recent, we have witnessed a high rate of positive cases especially among people in authority. This has a direct impact on governance and security of our nation. We urge that vigilance and care should be exhibited by all Nigerians irrespective of status. This virus does not discriminate and the PTF shall keep sustaining its sensitization messaging, “he stated.
The PTF Boss also noted that within this week, precisely Thursday and Friday, the PTF will be carrying out its mid-term review having crossed the three months/ half time threshold of its life span.
He explained that it will involve a comprehensive examination of the steps taken, the challenges and charting the way forward.
Regarding resumption of flight operations, Mustapha warned that all passengers desirous of flying must study and observe the guidelines released by the aviation experts.
His words, “The PTF informed you last week that new protocols will be released regarding how the aviation sector will safely reopen, bearing in mind global standards on safety and security. The Ministry of Aviation has released the protocols and shall begin to run public sensitization on it. We urge all travelers to study the protocols carefully and comply. We shall be putting in place critical measures to mitigate the risk associated with travels”.
Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in grief over the passing of former member of the National Working Committee, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, who served as Vice Chairman, North West.
Abdulkadir was said to have died from coronavirus complications.
President Buhari condoles with family members, friends and political associates of the party stalwart, who served the country as Minister of Sports and Youth Development, and played a prominent role in the creation and sustenance of the party.
He said he believes Alhaji Abdulkadir’s humility, maturity and penchant for facilitating reconciliation among members will be sorely missed at a time the APC is rebuilding and repositioning to deliver on its promises, urging members to always remember and project same legacies of putting the country first.
Buhari equally prayed that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed, and comfort his family.
July 6, 2020
BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu tests negative to COVID-19
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has reportedly recovered from COVID-19, after days in self-isolation after he was infected, the Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has tested negative to COVID-19.
Governor Akeredolu in a weekly press briefing on Monday confirmed the development.
He said the doctors confirmed his negative status after running the test twice.
Details later …
July 6, 2020
BREAKING: Gov. Akeredolu name Oluwatuyi new SSG after Abegunde’s resignation
Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has appointed Temitayo Oluwatuyi as the new Secretary to the State Government.
Oluwatuyi takes over from Ifedayo Abegunde, who resigned his appointment on Monday.
The Governor disclosed this via his verified Twitter handle.
The appointment, according to him, is with immediate effect.
“Today, I announced the appointment of Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi “Tukana” as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to resume immediately following the resignation of Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde,” Akeredolu tweeted.
Details shortly…
July 6, 2020
Poor electricity costs Nigeria N10.1tn annually – World Bank
World Bank said unreliable power supply in Nigeria has caused a huge economic losses, estimated at N10.1tn annually.
The bank said, “Ensuring access to reliable electricity supply is important for poverty alleviation.
With about 97 million people lacking access to grid electricity, the average annual per capita electricity consumption of Nigeria is 147 kW/h, which is a fifth of the average low middle-income country consumption.
July 6, 2020
FG grants N7.8bn debt forgiveness for radio, TV stations
As part of palliative measures against coronavirus, the Federal Government has offered 60 per cent debt forgiveness to defaulting radio and TV stations.
The affected stations are indebted to the Federal Government to the tune of N7.8billion.
All the stations have a three-month timeline to enjoy the debt reprieve.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed made the announcement at a briefing in Abuja in company of the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba.
Lai Mohammed said: “According to the National Commission (NBC), many Nigerian radio and television stations remain indebted to the Federal Government to the tune of N7.8billion Naira in total.
” Also, many of the stations are faced with the reality that their licenses will not be renewed, in view of their indebtedness.
” Against this background, the management of the NBC has therefore recommended, and the Federal Government has accepted, the following measures to revamp the Broadcast Industry and to help reposition it for the challenges of business, post-Covid-19:-
” a) – 60 percent debt forgiveness for all debtor broadcast stations in the country.
” b)◦ The criterion for enjoying the debt forgiveness is for debtorstations to pay 40 percent of their existing debt within the next three months
“c) -Any station that is unable to pay the balance of 40 percent indebtedness within the 3 months window shall forfeit the opportunity to enjoy the stated debt forgiveness.”
On palliatives for the print media, the Minister said “we are already discussing with the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN)
July 6, 2020
BREAKING: DSS arrests acting EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu
Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sahara Reporters say he was arrested over allegations that he owns four properties.
He is also alleged to have transferred funds abroad through a third party.
In 2016, DSS accused the EFCC boss of living in a N40m mansion paid for by one Umar Mohammed, a retired Air Commodore.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, did not take calls.
The DSS report said on December 2010, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found Magu guilty of action prejudicial to state security – withholding of EFCC files, sabotage, unauthorised removal of EFCC files and acts unbecoming of a police officer, and awarded him severe reprimand as punishment.
It noted that Magu is “currently occupying a residence rented for N40m at N20m per annum. This accommodation was not paid [for] from the commission’s finances, but by one Umar Mohammed, air commodore retired, a questionable businessman who has subsequently been arrested by the secret service”.
DSS stated that Magu enlisted “the Federal Capital Development Authority to award a contract to Africa Energy, a company owned by the same Mohammed, to furnish the residence at the cost of N43m”
In one of such trips, the report added that Magu flew to Maiduguri alongside Mohammed with a bank MD who was being investigated by the EFCC over complicity in funds allegedly stolen by the immediate past petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
“Furthermore, the EFCC boss has so far maintained a high-profile lifestyle. This is exemplified by his preference for first-class air travels. On 24 June 2016, he flew Emirate airlines first-class to Saudi Arabia to perform lesser hajj at the cost of N2.9m. This is in spite of Mr President’s directive to all public servants to fly economy class.
“Magu has fostered a beneficial relationship with Mohammed who by his confession approaches clients for possible exploitation, favours and associated returns,” the DSS report said.
July 6, 2020
Dogara Blasts APC, Says He’s Ready To Go To Jail If linked with Hushpuppi
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara says he is ready to go to jail if the All Progressives Congress (APC) can establish any form of links or connection between him and Hushpuppi.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the governing party, on Saturday, through its deputy spokesman, Yekini Nabena called for probe of Dogara, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye.
The call by the APC followed the arrest of Nigerian alleged internet fraudster, Raymond Igbalodely alias Hushpuppi by the Dubai police and his subsequent extradition to the United States for trial.
Some pictures of Hushpuppi and notable PDP chieftains had gone viral following the development. This sparked some reactions on social media, including the APC linking Hushpuppi to the PDP chieftains.
But in a statement made available on Sunday, in Abuja, Dogara, a 2019 ‘Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards’ awardee denied any links or connection to the alleged internet fraudster.
The former speaker said he has agreed to wave his rights for trial and ready to go to jail if the APC can prove its allegations. He, however, wondered why similar allegations were not levelled against some governors of the APC, who had appeared in similar photos with an alleged money launderer, Mompha.
The statement entitled, “The fatuous and infantile statement by the smellfungus called Yekini Nabena”, signed off and sent to Igbere TV by Turaki Hassan, on behalf of Office of Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, reads;
“The statement issued by one Yekini Nabena on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) desparetly seeking to link Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara to suspected cyber criminals on the basis of a group picture taken at a public event, is to say the least; infantile, rash and fatuous.
“This smellfungus, called Nabena should have known that it is share mindlessness to attempt to execute mischief and blackmail in plain sight before the public some of whom are better informed. Who is that fool that links people to criminal activity simply because they appeared in a group picture at a public event comprising of people from different walks of life?
*If appearing in a group photograph is what Nabena is now using to establish a link or connection to crimes or alleged criminals then why didnt he issue such a statement in the wake of the arrest of a suspected money launderer by name Ismaila Mustapha, AKA: Mompha whose pictures with notable personalities including some APC Governors are all over the social media? Is Nabena guilty of selective amnesia or share perfidy? Who is Nabena scared of? Who is he trying to fool?
“For the records, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara has agreed to wave his right to a trial and go to jail if Nabena establishes any form of links or connection between him and the alleged cyber criminal before the event where the picture was taken and after the event until now. For Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, that picture was just another picture among the thousands, if not hundred of thousands of such pictures with Nigerians from all walks of life.
“If the said Nabena is worth his salt, next time he speaks he should speak to issues affecting the welfare of our union which are well known to all discerning Nigerians. Nabena should or ought to know that there is no honour in speaking about group pictures taken at public events when the nation is bleeding and most Nigerian families are struggling and hurting.
July 6, 2020
A former Nigerian minister, APC chieftain dies
A former Minister of Sports and Youth Development during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan Inuwa Abdulkadir has died.
Abdulkadir who was also National Vice Chairman North West of the All Progressives Congress (APC) died in the early hours of today, Monday, 6th July, 2020.
A lawyer by profession, he was the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) as well as the Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, Sokoto State University, before his demise.
He had a running battle with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) last year after he was suspended over anti-party activities in Sokoto State but was reinstated by the leadership of the party in March, a move that was rejected by the Sokoto state APC which upheld his suspension.
Abdulkadir was a former Attorney General of Sokoto State during the Wamakko administration.
July 6, 2020
Goodluck Jonathan, others to speak on peace and conflict resolution
Former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan and other notable public figures are expected to speak on peace and conflict resolution at a webinar scheduled to hold tomorrow, July 7, to formally launch a foundation, the Joseph Adolo Okotie-Eboh Peace and Conflict Resolution Foundation (JAOPCRF).
The webinar which will address ‘Peace and Conflict Resolution- The Political and Governance Perspectives’, holds at the first anniversary of the Late Okotie-Eboh who died July 6, 2019.
Apart from Jonathan who is the keynote speaker, former External Affairs Minister Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, renowned scholar, Prof. Anya. O. Anya are among dignitaries to speak at a webinar.
According to a statement released by the family and signed by Dr.(Mrs.) Dere Awosika, the launch of the Foundation is in furtherance of the ideals of a peaceful and better society which the late Okotie-Eboh stood for in his lifetime.
“Peace is the hope of every nation, the promise of every politician and the desire of every living person. The effects of conflict and violence are far-reaching and it is impossible to truly separate oneself. Peace is the only solution that provides security and promises sustainable development towards a better future,” she sad.
July 6, 2020