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Aregbesola Dismisses Story of Rift with Tinubu
…Mandate Group Most Committed to Tinubu Politics
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has debunked claims of nursing presidential ambition in 2023 and also dismissed claims that he is at war with his leader and mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He spoke in Abuja this afternoon against the background of the lies peddled by an online publication. Ogbeni Aregbesola said his loyalty to Asiwaju is not only total, his commitment to whatever the leader wants is unwavering.
The minister revealed that he knew where the story was coming from and the identity of those sponsoring it. ‘Rift with Asiwaju Tinubu?
Nothing can be more impossible! Nothing can be farther from the truth. I remain committed to my mentor,’ Aregbesola said, adding that “the group our detractors claim has been banned is the most committed to the realization of Asiwaju’s ambition.”
The minister continued: “They even said I have presidential ambition. False!” Aregbesola reiterated that the APC is one, adding that the party is like an oak tree that keeps growing. He said his focus and goal is to execute his ministerial duties as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
In conclusion, he urged his supporters to ignore the publication in its entirety and refrain from being distracted from the goal of building a strong APC as well as a united Nigeria.
June 9, 2020
El Rufai opens up Kaduna, gives guidelines

Governor Nasir El Rufai has been opened up Kaduna state, after 75 days of partial lockdown, following the invocation of the Quarantine Act and the Kaduna State Public Health Law, to impose the Quarantine Regulations on March 26.
In a state broadcast on Tuesday, El Rufai paid tribute to the good people of Kaduna state, for their immense sacrifices in the last two and half months as containment measures against Covid-19 were implemented.
The governor said that as from Wednesday, 10 June 2020, the Quarantine Order will be amended to permit a significant reopening of the state, especially businesses and places of worships.
El Rufai however said that schools and markets will remain closed because at this stage of Covid-19 containment, it is still considered unsafe for markets and schools to reopen.
READ ALSO: Again, Gbajabiamila intervenes in planned strike by resident doctors
He promised that government will ‘’keep engaging with the relevant stakeholders on the matter, to determine the appropriate timing and conditions precedent.’’
‘’Businesses can reopen, subject to the provision of thermometers for temperature checks, sanitizers or hand washing equipment and physical distancing measures within all facilities. Working hours will be 9am to 3pm daily,’’ he said.
The governor further said that ‘’church services are allowed only on Sundays and Mosques are allowed to conduct only Friday Jumat services, for the time being, subject to compliance with the safety stipulations above.’’
El Rufai maintained that transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50% of capacity.
The governor said that the ban on intra-state travel has been lifted but government officials will continue to control state boundaries to reduce unauthorised interstate travel.
‘’Within the state, security checkpoints will be allowed only to enforce compliance with the night time curfew. During the day, any violations of the adjusted Quarantine Order like failure to wear facemasks etc. will be enforced by Operation Yaki, KASTLEA, the Vigilance Service and our Mobile Courts,’’ he said.
According to him, ‘’supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can reopen; hotels can fully open, but with their restaurants and bars offering only room service.’’
The governor warned that restaurants may all reopen after decontamination, but are still restricted to takeaway services, adding that ‘’Public servants will be summoned back to work in phases to be announced by the Head of Service.’’
El Rufai counselled that after the opening up of the state, ‘’the next step of staying safe while pursuing socio-economic activities is strictly in the hands of each individual.’’
‘’While we require individual citizens to practice personal responsibility, the places where they work, worship or shop and the vehicles in which they travel must also protect their health and safety’’, he clarified.
The governor pointed out that ‘’this requires that all sectors of society understand and discharge their responsibility for safe reopening, including the specific steps they are required to take.’’
According to him, government officials embarked on series of sensitisation and consultations with stakeholders in the last two weeks as part of conditions for reopening the various sectors, in order to promote this wide understanding.
The governor said that government officials submitted the draft guidelines for debate at those meetings and ‘’we have considered the contributions, suggestions and feedback received from the stakeholders in concluding the detailed re-opening protocols being published for each sector. ‘’
El Rufai warned that ‘ any facility or sector that generally violates the guidelines will be closed down under the Quarantine Order No.2 of June 2020 that I will sign today for immediate gazetting. ‘’
While urging citizens to take responsibility and comply with these measures, he further warned that ‘’this relaxation will be reversed in the event of a spike in Covid-19 infections or unsatisfactory compliance levels with the conditions, and total quarantine re-imposed to preserve health and protect lives.’’
El Rufai appealed to people who are 50 years and above restrict their movement, in spite of the fact that restriction of movement has been lifted in the Kaduna state.
‘’As we open up, we advise older people to stay home as much as possible,and avoid condolence visits and attending congregational prayers. Older people above 50 years should avoid receiving visitors’’
‘’ If you must receive, please wear a facemask and stay two meters apart from your visitors. Younger people that may be infected but showing no signs of the disease can easily infect older people,’’ he counselled.
The governor promised that his administration ‘’ will continue to implement the policy of repatriating almajirai back to their parents to afford them due care and the right to free education.’’
According to him, ‘’this is is an important step in complying with our state’s Child Welfare and Protection Law. We do not regard modern education and quranic education as mutually exclusive. A child can get both without being abandoned b their parents, leading to child abuse, mistreatment and an uncertain future. ‘’
El Rufai pleaded with residents of Kaduna State to commit to taking personal responsibility.
‘’Let us honour the sacrifices that have been made to ensure that this opening up supports the pursuit of livelihoods without risking widespread infection, illnesses and death. You have done it for more than ten weeks under partial lockdown. Let us show that we can stay safe in relaxed conditions,’’ he added.
June 9, 2020
Again, Gbajabiamila intervenes in planned strike by resident doctors
…hints on plans to make law on doctors’ hazard allowance
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has once again intervened in the planned strike action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
This is not the first that that the Speaker would intervene in such a matter as he had last year held several meetings with the resident doctors and other health workers union, and convinced them not to embark on a planned strike at the time.
Gbajabiamila said the leadership of the House would not fold its arms while resident doctors embark on strike at this time of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Speaker said this at a meeting that lasted for about three hours with the two ministers of health, Osagie Ehanire and Olorumibe Mamora; the Director General of Budget Office, Ben Akabueze; the president of NARD, Dr Sokomba Aliyu; the Secretary General of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Dr Ekpe Philips, among others.
NARD had issued an ultimatum to embark on strike on Monday, next week, following what it said was government’s inability to fulfil certain obligations as agreed in a memorandum of understanding.
Part of the issues in contention as narrated by the chairman of the House Committee on Healthcare Services, Rep. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, were outstanding payments on hazard allowance, arbitrary disengagement of 23 doctors at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, non-provision of life insurance despite the death of some doctors from COVID-19, non-provision of personal protective equipment (PPEs), reduction of doctors’ salary by the Kaduna State Government, doctors’ residency training, among others.
But Gbajabiamila, in his intervention, appealed to NARD to tarry awhile as government was working assiduously to meet their entitlements, but noted that the House could not intervene in the issue of doctors in Kaduna State as it is not under its jurisdiction.
Gbajabiamila also hinted that if need be, the House would come up with a law that would not only back the payment of hazard allowance but would also define same for clarity.
“As a House, we’ll keep taking steps to avoid strikes. This meeting will give us the opportunity to holistically address the issues at stake. Let’s agree on one thing: that at this time, we can’t afford to allow our doctors go on strike. Let’s agree that their welfare is a priority,” he said.
Gbajabiamila noted that the issues of hazard allowance was captured in the supplementary budget before the House.
On Kaduna State, Gbajabiamila said: “Unfortunately, we can only deal with federal matters here. We can only be persuasive, because there’s a structure in government. But all the other issues you raised, we will address them. We’ll see how we can talk to members from that state in the House to talk to the governor.”
The Speaker added that: “I want to appeal to the President of NARD and the association itself. My appeal is on humanitarian basis. You’re dealing with lives, so I appeal to you to suspend the strike. I’m making this appeal because of your professional calling. You’re dealing with lives.
“I want you to understand that government is doing its best to meet your entitlement.”
Gbajabiamila also assured that the resident doctors’ training would be captured in the 2021 budget whether or not it is included in the ministry’s budget.
Although Sokomba did not give a direct commitment on the suspension of the planned strike, he said he would get back to the national executive of the association and relate the Speaker’s intervention to them, after which he would communicate their decision to the House.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of State for Health, Mamora, said an agreement was reached at a meeting attended by all stakeholders including NARD leadership that payment would be made and that all other issues would be addressed.
Also, DG Budget Office, Akabueze, said a sum of about N20 billion was proposed as hazard allowance for the doctors in the budget, while the issue of life insurance was well covered.
June 9, 2020
Abia Govt to seal-off health facilities rejecting patients
By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu
Abia State Government says it will not hesitate to seal-off both private and public health facilities who are in the practice of turning patients back in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
A release by the secretary to the state government, Barr. Chris Ezem, who doubles as the chairman of the COVID-19 committee, says that any suspected case of COVID-19 should not be rejected but referred for test.
The release further expressed worry over the flouting of the COVID-19 directives by churches, and strictly warned religious leaders not to allow their places of worship become veritable grounds of spreading the virus, adding that worship centres that continued on the contrary would be clamped down.
Abia government also directs local government chairmen to review the enforcement processes in their various areas to ensure a more efficient output.
It therefore directs that directives on burials, markets, religious and other activities should be intensified, while warning that burial permits should not be commercialized.
June 9, 2020
Edo 2020: Be law-abiding in conducting primaries, Dep.Gov tasks political parties
The Edo Government has called on all political parties in the state to obey and follow the laid down rules in the Gazette curtailing the spread of COVID-19 during the conduct of their primaries.
The Deputy Governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, made the call while receiving his Balyesa counterpart Sen. Lawrence Ehwujakpo, who paid him a courtesy visit on Tuesday at the Government House, Benin.
Shaibu who commended the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for following the laid down rules in the gazette, urge other political parties to follow suit as it would help in curtailing the spread of the virus in the state.
“We got a letter from your party, the PDP, to use the stadium for its primary. Gov. Godwin Obaseki approved the request because the party obeyed the rules and regulations set by the state government.
“I use this opportunity to tell other political parties to obey the rule in the gazette in the state which is now a law.
“Just as you have obeyed, we are asking and calling on other political parties to obey. The gazette is now a law; we are informing all political parties to obey and follow the law in place.
“Any political party that disobeys the law will not have its primaries in the state as the gazette must be respected.
“The life of Edo people is more important than any ambition of any politician or political parties. We need to be alive to play politics, to vote and be voted for in the election,” he said.
Earlier, Ehwujakpo, who said he visited to inform his counterpart of his party ward congresses in the state, commended the progress and development achieved by the Obaseki-led administration.
“We associate ourselves with the progress and development in the state as your administration fights to ensure that the development continues”, Ehwujakpo said.
June 9, 2020
FG approves hazard allowance for health workers
The Federal Government has approved two months hazard allowance for health workers battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a meeting between representatives of the Federal Goverment and Health Professional Associations, the Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the hazard allowance for the months of April and May would be paid before Friday, June 12, 2020.
The decision, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Tuesday, was part of the agreement reached between the Federal Government representatives led by the minister and representatives of the health sector workers.
Ngige said the urgent approval granted by the President, Muhammed Buhari, was in appreciation of efforts of the health workers risking their lives on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.
Ngige said, “We reviewed all, and also reviewed all the emoluments that we are to give these gallant workers who are at the frontline taking the risk for all of us and the Federal government side has given them the financial implication of what they have done.
He said, “We have fixed a timeline for ourselves that before the end of this week, the health workers captured in that particular COVID-19 net and frontline workers should get all their hazard and inducement allowances for the month of April and May before the close of the week.”
He added that the decision on the commencement of the implementation of the allowances was reached along with the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, and the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire.
Ngige explained that the Federal Government had approved insurance coverage for the health workers, adding that the gesture was in consonance with the memorandum of understanding signed between the Federal Government representatives, the health professionals and unions in the health sector on April 21, 2020.
In his remarks, the Minister of State, Health, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, said the ministry would ensure the provision of PPE’s to various hospitals.
Present at the meeting were the Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo; Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris; Ag. Chairman, National Salary and Wages Commission, Eyo Nta; Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, William Alo; Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health, A.M Abdullahi.
Also present were National President, Joint Health Employees Sector Union, Biobelemoye Josiah; President, National Union of Allied Health Professional, O.C Ogbonna and Secretary-General, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Ekpe Philips.
June 9, 2020
Five dead, many injured in Anambra auto crash
No fewer than five persons, on Tuesday, died in a motor accident at Upper-Iweka in Onitsha, Anambra state.
Many others sustained varying degrees of injury and were rushed to nearby hospitals, Daybreak reports.
As of the time of filing this report, many people are still trapped.
The Anambra State Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Pascal Anigbo, confirmed the incident to Our Correspondent.
He said, “A fatal crash has just been reported at Upper Iweka, Onitsha.
“About five people already confirmed dead, others injured. The rescue operation is ongoing.”
He said the FRSC Acting Unit Commander in Onitsha had contacted a private firm a crane to assist in the rescue operation.
He added, “Security agencies are there – the army, police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps – everybody is there to prevent looting, mob action, and control of traffic movement.
“The number of casualties may exceed five from what is on the ground. (This is) because many people are still trapped, but five have been officially confirmed dead,” Anigbo stated
June 9, 2020
Burundi president, Pierre Nkurunziza, dies of heart attack
Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has died of heart failure, the government said Tuesday.
“The Government of the Republic of Burundi announces with great sadness the unexpected death of His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi… following heart failure on June 8, 2020,” it said in a post on its official Twitter account.
An evangelical who believed he was chosen by God to rule the East African nation, Nkurunziza came to power in 2005, when he was selected by parliament.
His controversial and ultimately successful bid for a third term in 2015 plunged the country into crisis.
Violence left at least 1,200 people dead, displaced hundreds of thousands and the authorities carried out a sustained crackdown on the opposition and media.
His death comes on the heels of elections on May 20 in which his hand-picked successor, Evariste Ndayishimiye, secured a seven-year term as president — a result confirmed by the constitutional court last Thursday.
Ndayishimiye was due to be sworn in in August.
A statement from Burundi’s presidency on Tuesday said Nkurunziza was hospitalised over the weekend and that his health “abruptly changed” on Monday.
It said the country would observe seven days of mourning beginning Tuesday.
June 9, 2020
Senate confirms NDIC, Law Reform Commission nominees
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the nominations of Mrs. Diana Okonta (South-South); and Mrs. Ya’ana Talib Yaro (North-East) as Non-Executive Directors of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation.
The appointment of both nominees was approved after the Senate considered the report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions.
Also confirmed were the appointments of the Chairman and two Members of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) in his presentation recalled that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, made the appointments pursuant to Section 2(1) and (2) of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission Act.
He added that the panel resolved to defer the screening of one of the nominees, Ebele Chima, as a Commissioner representing South-East on the Commission following his failure to appear before the committee.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, it should be stated that this Committee wrote the Presidential Liaison Officer (PLO) on National Assembly Matters, Senator and requested him to present the nominees for screening.
“However, the Committee observed that one of the nominees, Hon. Ebele Bernard Chima, Commissioner Designate, representing South-East, was not presented to the Committee for the screening exercise. Accordingly, the screening of the nominee was deferred,” Opeyemi said.
The Senate while adopting the recommendations of the Committee, thereafter confirmed the appointment of Prof. Jummai A.M. Audi (North-Central) as Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
The Upper Chamber also confirmed Bassey Dan-Abia (South-South); and Mohammed Ibraheem (South-West) as Commissioners.
June 9, 2020
Senate receives Buhari’s request to confirm Dongban-Mensem Appeal Court president
The Senate on Tuesday received a formal request from President, Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensem.
The request was contained in a letter read on the floor during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
The letter from the President reads: “Pursuant to Section 238(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), I write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of Honourable Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the President of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.
“It is my hope that the Senate will consider and confirm the nominee in the usual expeditious manner.”
June 9, 2020