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BORNO GOVERNOR VISITS KALA-BALGE LGA,DISTRIBUTES FOOD ITEMS TO 10,000 HOUSE HOLDS.
By Dauda R Pam, Maiduguri
Borno Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has distributed food and non food items to 10,000 households living in Rann, headquarters of Kala-Balge, the remotest local government area of the state and the fourth visit since he assumed the mantle of leadership.
A statement by Special Adviser to the Governor on Communications and Strategy, Malam Isa Gusau, said Zulum was flown from Maiduguri to Rann, onboard a military chopper, on Sunday May 31, 2020 and that the Governor had earlier made three similar trips, the first being in June, 2019, few days after coming into office, when he undertook the need assessment of public facilities and subsequently ordered construction works as he later return in December 2019 to distribute cash to 15,000 widows and again by February,Zulum was soon back to Kala-Balge,to distribute N100 million cash to 10,000 trapped families.Again last Sunday, Zulum supervised the distribution of relief items to women and aged men amongst other vulnerable persons in need, with about 300 Nigerians taking refuge in the Republic of Cameroon who returned to Rann to benefit from the gesture in which each beneficiary received a bag of 50kg Maize grain, two cartons of spaghetti, two bags of 10kg rice and a-3 liters cooking oil, as well as female beneficiaries who got wrappers in addition to the food items.
It could be recalled that,residents of Rann have since mid last year been trapped without access to their farmlands due to flood from a dam, this forced Nigerians in Rann to resort to neighboring Cameroon Republic for livelihoods.
Governor Zulum at a press briefing after the exercise, acknowledged food contributions from the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Dangote Foundation.
He said: “I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, for all that he has been doing towards repositioning the northeast.
“I also wish to express my appreciation to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Northeast Development Commission, as well as NEMA and Dangote Foundation, all of them have contributed to the success of this excersice.”
Meanwhile, after his food distribution exercise, Governor Zulum proceeded to Wulgo, a border community, to assess the level of destruction caused by the Boko Haram insurgents,preparatory to resettlement of thousands of IDPs from the community currently staying at formal and informal camps in Gamboru town of Ngala LGA.
The governor said: “The aim of our visit here is to assess the town with a view to resettling back the community. We will have an interface with the community, I think the first thing we will do is to clear the town.”and thereafter proceeded to Gamboru Ngala where he passed the night, during which he interfaced with the Internally displaced persons from different communities.
Governor Zulum while in Rann and Wulgo, paid visits to military formations in the two towns in order to boost their morale and presented 250 bags of 50 kg rice,10 bags of 50kg sugar, 200 cartons of noodles, 500 cartons of sphagetti, cooking oil and cash to each of the formations.
June 3, 2020
Nigeri to receive promised ventilators in two weeks –US
The United States has said that the ventilators promised by President Donald Trump will arrive in the country in two weeks.
It, however, added that the delivery depended on production and shipping times.
Trump had said his administration would send 250 ventilators to Nigeria and 1,000 units to South Africa which has the highest COVID-19 cases in Africa.
The US Embassy in Nigeria on Monday said the ventilators would arrive by the middle of June.
The mission stated this in response to inquiries by Our Correspondent on the number of ventilators that would be sent and the time of delivery.
The US President had on April 28 promised to send ventilators to Nigeria to assist in the treatment of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Trump made the pledge during a telephone conversation with the President, Muhammadu Buhari, during which they also discussed efforts by both nations to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Providing an update on Trump’s pledge, the US embassy stated, “On April 28, President Donald J. Trump spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to discuss efforts by both nations to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
“President Trump affirmed the United States’ strong support for the people of Nigeria and offered additional support for the nation’s response efforts, including by producing and donating ventilators to the people of Nigeria. The United States anticipates that Nigeria will receive the ventilators by mid-June, depending on production and shipping times.”
But the US Mission was silent on the amount the Federal Government was expcted to pay for the breathing equipment which costs between $5,000 and $30,000, depending on the model; accessories, service plans and shipping.

June 3, 2020
AGF takes over Wadume kidnapping case from IGP
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has taken over from the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the prosecution of the alleged Taraba State kidnapping kingpin, Bala Hamisu, also known as Wadume, along with 19 others.
The IGP had on February 3, 2020, slammed 16 counts of terrorism, murder, kidnapping, and illegal arms running against the 20 defendants, among whom are two police officers and 10 soldiers.
Only six of the 20 defendants, including Wadume, were present in court on Wednesday.
The 10 soldiers among the defendants were absent on Wednesday, a repeat of the scenario when the case was first mentioned in court on March 16, 2020.
The lawyer who was then prosecuting the case on IGP’s behalf, Simon Lough, had informed the judge, Justice Binta Nyako, at the March 16 proceedings that the Army had rebuffed repeated requests to release the soldiers for arraignment.
This prompted the judge to order the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, to release the 10 defendants to the police.
Meanwhile, the prosecuting counsel from the AGF office, Labaran Magaji, who appeared in the case for the first time on Wednesday, told Justice Nyako that his office took over the case and received the case file from the police on Tuesday.
He requested an adjournment to enable him to make moves for the production of all the defendants in court.
Magaji said, “The AGF office applied to take over the prosecution of the criminal charge. We were handed over the file yesterday(Tuesday). The case has about 20 defendants, but only six defendants are present in court.
June 3, 2020
Majek Fashek promoted African values, rhythm through music — Art council
Enugu State Council of Arts and Culture says African reggae Icon, Majek Fashek promoted African values and rhythm through his danceable and philosophical music.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Chief Edward Okolo, said this in an interview with Our Correspondent on Wednesday in Enugu.
Our Correspondent recalls that the African Reggae Legend whose real name was Majekodunmi Fasheke’s death was confirmed by his manager, Omenka Uzoma on the late singer’s official Instagram handle on Tuesday.
According to Okolo, Fashek is a great musician, who used his musical art to propagate African culture and value to the rest of the World.
The executive secretary noted that his brand of music deepened the understanding of African culture and life-style to the rest of the world.
“Fashek also popularised reggae music, which is a brand of indigenous music originating from Africa.
“His brand of reggae brought out the original African rhythm in music and makes such music danceable.
“The rhythm of his music such as “Send down the Rain’’ in the Rain Maker Album created an inner reflection and retrospect to the listener,’’ he said.
Okolo, vast in African arts and culture, said that Majek Fashek promoted African drum and rhythm in his rich and philosophical music.
“African rhythm and rhyme comes from our indigenous drums and the drum makes African music unique and beautiful,’’ he said.
He added that the African music icon gave the world that natural African sound tailored in modern musical instruments.
June 3, 2020
Ministry of Defence, others make presentations as Buhari presides over virtual FEC
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday presided over the third virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
Our Correspondent reports that the Ministries of Defence, Environment, Works and Housing as well as Finance, Budget and National Planning are expected to make presentations during the meeting.
Others Ministers present along side with the President at the chamber, and are expected to make presentations include those of Water Resources, Justice, and Aviation while the remaining ministers would be participating in the meeting from their respective offices.
Those in attendance of the meeting included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chief of Staff to the President and Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Our Correspondent gathered that a special documentary programme on the efforts being made by the military in tackling security challenges would be presented by the Ministry of Defence during the meeting.
June 3, 2020
Buhari presides over virtual FEC meeting
The President, Muhammadu Buhari, is presiding over a virtual Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House, Abuja.
Daybreak learnt that the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari are among those in attendance.
Also, ministers are attending the meeting from their various offices in Abuja.
Details later…
June 3, 2020
COVID-19: Nigerian govt reveals five airports that will be reopened June 21
The federal government has said only five airports would be reopened from June 21, while the others remained closed for further assessment.
This was confirmed in a circular to airlines signed by Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Nuhu also made it clear that Nigeria’s airspace remained closed to international flights.
The domestic airports that will be opened include: Omagwa International Airport Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano.
“The gradual start of domestic flight operations will commence on 21st June 2020 with Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, Omagwa International Airport Port Harcourt, and Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri.
“Other airports will be gradually added to the network after a review and assessment,” Nuhu said.
June 3, 2020
Bauchi deputy gov, Tela, tests positive for covid-19
The Bauchi State government has confirmed that Deputy Governor, Baba Tela, has tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 virus which has killed hundreds of people in the country thus far.
This was revealed in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Bauchi by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Bauchi State governor, Muhktar Gidado.
According to Gidado, the Deputy Governor was confirmed to have contracted the virus following a test carried out on him by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control when he exhibited noticeable symptoms of the disease.
The statement by Gidado read thus in detail; “This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, Sen. Baba Tela, Deputy Governor of Bauchi State who is also the Chairman, State Task Force on COVID-19 was confirmed positive for coronavirus.
“He contracted the disease while discharging his onerous responsibility as Chairman of the Committee.
“Consequently, His Excellency, Baba Tela has gone into self-isolation in Bauchi and health professionals are properly managing his situation,” the statement concluded.
This came after the Bauchi State government blamed illegal abortions as the cause of mysterious deaths of no less than 200 women in recent times in the state.
According to the state’s Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the cause of the strange deaths was revealed by investigation carried out.
June 3, 2020
Gang storms isolation centre, forcibly removes Covid-19 patient in Nigeria
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Nigeria’s Delta state has condemned a gang which stormed the facility and forcibly removed a Covid-19 patient from the premises.
53-year-old Nwachukwu Michael Mordi, who tested positive for the virus on May 23, was taken away from the centre by seven men who claimed to be his relatives.
Mordi, a chief nursing officer at the central hospital in Agbor, reportedly tried to resist his admission to the centre on May 24.
The Delta state ministry of health said the men who took Mordi away had not endangered just the health of the broader community, but theirs as well.
In a statement, FMC public relations officer Ojebo Donald said management at the institution had raised concerns about Mordi’s aggressive behaviour at the isolation centre.
Mordi reportedly threatened staff and rejected medication, Donald said. The public relations officer alerted members of the public against coming into contact with the Covid-19 positive man as well as those who had been in close proximity to him since his departure from the isolation centre.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the West African country has recorded 10 819 cases of Covid-19, out of which 3 239 people have subsequently been discharged while 314 have died.
The Delta state has recorded 98 cases, including eight deaths
Information commissioner Charles Aniagwu said the state would concentrate beefing up internal security in its efforts to ensure the well-being of residents and the safety of property.
June 3, 2020
Nigeria: Coronavirus – Nigeria Records New 241 Cases, 15 Deaths
Nigeria’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases on Tuesday rose to 10,819 as 241 new infections were announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Fifteen deaths were recorded from the virus, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 314.
There was a decrease in the number of infections reported on Tuesday (241) compared to the number reported on Monday (416).
The agency in a tweet said the 241 new cases were reported in 14 states.
The states with new cases are Lagos-142, Oyo-15, FCT-13, Kano-12, Edo-11, Delta-10, Kaduna -9, Rivers-9, Borno-8, Jigawa-4, Gombe-3, Plateau-3, Osun-1 and Bauchi-1.
“Till date 10819 cases have been confirmed, 3239 have been discharged and 314 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” it said.
A breakdown of the 10,819 confirmed cases shows that Lagos State has so far reported 5, 277 cases, followed by Kano – 970, FCT – 687, Katsina – 371, Edo – 336, Oyo – 327, Kaduna – 297, Borno – 296, Ogun – 280, Jigawa – 274,, Bauchi – 241, Rivers – 248, Gombe – 164, Sokoto – 116, Kwara – 111, Plateau – 108, Delta – 98, Nasarawa – 80, Zamfara – 76, Yobe – 52, Akwa Ibom – 45, Osun – 46, Adamawa – 42, Ebonyi – 40, Imo – 39, Niger – 33, Kebbi – 33, Ondo – 28, Bayelsa – 21, Ekiti – 20, Enugu – 18 Taraba – 18, Abia-15, Anambra – 11, Benue – 9 and Kogi – 2.
Many Nigerians believe the country has not done enough testing.
As of June 2, Nigeria has conducted a little over 65,000 tests.
June 3, 2020