TheNewsGuru

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  • INEC insist Edo, Ondo guber polls will hold despite Covid-19 threats, issues fresh guidelines

    INEC insist Edo, Ondo guber polls will hold despite Covid-19 threats, issues fresh guidelines

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday insisted that it will conduct the 2020 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states as scheduled despite fears seeming threats posed by novel Coronavirus in Nigeria.

    National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee (IVEC), Festus Okoye, made this known in a virtual quarterly meeting with the media on Wednesday.

    According to Mr Okoye, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is going ahead with all scheduled elections despite the COVID-19 pandemic to stave off possible constitutional crisis that could derail the nation’s democracy and electoral process. He stressed that the commission is interested in taking the lead in the process of innovation and creativity in the electoral process rather than throwing in the towel and postpone all elections to an indeterminate period.

    In his words, “Throwing in the towel in our constitutional circumstances may do violence to the Constitution and wittingly or unwittingly throw the country into avoidable constitutional crisis.

    “The commission is therefore determined to proceed with the two end of tenure governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states and the 10 Senatorial and state assembly elections with cautious optimistic bearing in mind that the health and safety of the people will be crucial determinants of the success or otherwise of the elections.”

    “We are mindful of the fact that we are at war with an “unseen enemy. We are aware of the fact that some of our compatriots have lost their lives on account of COVID-19 pandemic. We are aware that so many people are in isolation and quarantine centres. We are aware that some of our people are isolated and quarantined at home.” He added.

    On his part INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu reel out a new set of guidelines specially designed to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus during the polls. “…in tandem with the new health reality, accreditation of media organisations for these elections will be done online through a dedicated portal. You will be fully briefed at this meeting on the new procedure”, the INEC chairman said. The commission, therefore released the procedure for accreditation for media organisations covering the governorship elections include the following:

    “Each media organisation will apply and upload the list of its personnel to be accredited and their passport photographs and personal details.

    “Accredited journalists must observe all the health protocols issued by the Commission, the health authorities and the various state governments.

    “Accredited journalist must also respect the secrecy of the vote, the right of the voter to free choice. Mahmood said

    INEC national commissioner in charge of electoral operations, Prof. Okechukwu ibeanu. released fresh guidelines and code of conduct for voting during elections.

    Specifically, Prof. ibeanu said that the commission would not tolerate branded face masks, as any one with such would be turned back. He also said that INEC will not provide face masks due to logistical reasons based on cost.

    He said that for INEC to provide face masks for over 6.4 million at N100 each would cost the commission over N640 million.

    The INEC commissioner said that results would not be transmitted electronically as there is no law yet for it.

    Also, he said that the commission had suspended the continuous registration of voters at least for now due to covid -19.

    Prof. Ibeanu added that the commission had suspended the continuous voters registration and would collapse some collation centres into one as well as collapsing the registration area centres.

    He also said that there may be a reduction of voting points, but said that this may be due to reports in the course of the preparations for the elections.

    Prof. Ibeanu, said. “Wearing of face mask at Polling Units and all election locations is mandatory. Please make provision for your own face mask. Face masks must be worn at all times, but an election official may request you to lower your mask for proper identification when necessary and anyone that is symptomatic to covid 19 would be isolated immediately.

    “Voting starts by 8.30 am and stops at 2.30 pm.

    “There shall be two queues formed at each polling location (Polling Unit or Voting Point). The first queue (the outer queue) will be outside, from which an election official shall bring voters into the voting area in batches. The second queue (the inner queue) will be formed in the voting area.

    ” By 2.30 pm, an election official shall stand at the end of the outer queue indicating that the queue is closed. Any voter on the outer queue by 2.30 pm shall be allowed to vote.

  • Shame on teachers who flogged pupils for speaking local languages – Edochie

    Shame on teachers who flogged pupils for speaking local languages – Edochie

    Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has lashed out at teachers who flogged pupils for speaking their local languages in schools.

    He said back then, some teachers flogged them for speaking their own language in school.

    He wrote on his twitter page: “To think that some of our teachers flogged us back then in school for speaking our language.

    “Calling it vernacular. Can you imagine? You speak your own language you get flogged.

    “All those teachers should be ashamed of themselves. Oyibo people really messed up our brains.”

    Edochie added that teaching a child English, French, German and other languages was good since no knowledge was wasted.

    He said flogging a child for speaking his or her own language was totally unacceptable, urging teachers to teach the pupils to appreciate their own language.

    “Teach a child English, French, German, etc, that’s very good. No knowledge is ever a waste.

    “But flogging a child for speaking his or her own language is totally unacceptable. Teach them to appreciate their own.

    “Don’t treat them like wild animals for speaking their language,” he added.

  • INEC set to introduce electronic voting over rising cost of elections in Nigeria

    INEC set to introduce electronic voting over rising cost of elections in Nigeria

    The Independent National Electoral Commission on Monday said it would engage with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to explore ways of responding to the rising cost of conducting frequent bye-elections in Nigeria.

    The commission premised its decision on the Supreme Court judgment which states that votes belong primarily to political parties, as well as its records, which show that only in 10 per cent of all bye-elections since 2015 did the party that won originally lose the election.

    INEC also said it would “pilot the use of Electronic Voting Machines at the earliest possible time (not Edo and Ondo), but work towards the full introduction of electronic voting in major elections starting from 2021.”

    The commission gave these details in its 17-paged policy document on conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, signed by its chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made available to journalists in Abuja.

    According to the document, the commission would ensure the use of electronic and non-contact means to recruit ad hoc staff beginning with the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states scheduled for September 19 and October 10, 2020 respectively.

    The commission also said it would reduce to a minimum interstate movement of staff, including ad hoc staff, for off-season and bye-elections to reduce the risk of transmission of coronavirus.

    The document reads, “The commission will engage with the legislature and other stakeholders to explore ways of responding to the rising cost of conducting frequent bye-elections, especially in consideration of the Supreme Court position that votes belong primarily to political parties, as well as the Commission’s records, which show that only in 10 per cent of all bye-elections since 2015 did the party that won originally lose the election.

    “The commission will engage relevant authorities, including the legislature, to designate election as an essential service to enable the commission function effectively in times of national emergency.

    “The commission shall revamp its election planning and implementation-monitoring processes in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the commission in planning elections shall respond to the growing demand for deepening the use of technology in the electoral processes, including the introduction of electronic voting.”

    Apart from developing a new election budget template to reflect the likely impact of the COVID – 19 pandemic on the funding profile of electoral activities, INEC said it would constantly re-evaluate planned electoral activities in the light of COVID – 19 and the health risks it poses for voters, stakeholders and staff during elections.

    For pre-election activities, the commission said it would “develop a Voter Code of Conduct document detailing how voters are expected to act and conduct themselves at the polling units in the light of the COVID – 19 pandemic.”

    The document reads further, “The commission will ensure the use of electronic and non-contact means to recruit ad hoc staff by deploying its INECPres portal, as well as in notifying ad hoc staff of invitations and postings (for example, use of SMS) to prevent large gatherings at INEC offices during staff deployment.

    “The Electoral Operations and Logistics Department will harvest all past ad hoc staff from its databases and send to each State preparing for elections.

    “All ad hoc staff databases in the commission will be harmonised for better management. To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the commission shall reduce, to a minimum interstate movement of staff, including ad hoc staff, for off-season and bye-elections.

    “The rule shall be that only shortfalls requested by the States are filled from outside the state. As much as possible, all election staff will be sourced in-state.

    “In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission shall encourage political parties to develop appropriate guidelines and regulations for conduct of party primaries that take into account the COVID-19 prevention protocols.”

  • Edwin Clark, a nationalist, elder-statesman committed to Nigeria’s unity – Ex-Minister Gbagi

    Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has described Chief Edwin Clark, as a nationalist and an elder-statesman committed to the unity of the Nigerian State.

    Gbagi stated this in a statement released on Sunday in Abuja to felicitate with Clark on the occasion of his 93rd birthday.

    According to the former Minister, Clark while serving as Minister of Information under Yakubu Gowon’s Administration in 1975, spearheaded the drive to create the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to other States in the West African region.

    He added that Clark’s nationalist posture attracted the attention of different administrations, one that made it possible for him to serve in different capacities at the federal level.

    “I heartily congratulate Chief Edwin Clark, whom I refer to as my father, on the occasion of his 93rd birthday celebration.

    “Without mincing words, he is a blessing to our nation given his immense contributions as a nationalist and elder-statesman towards ensuring the unity of Nigeria.

    “As Minister of Information in 1975 under Yakubu Gowon, he was one of those behind what we have now as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    “Records have it that he took the idea and travelled to Senegal, Gambia, Mali, Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso), Mauritania, amongst others, to invite the Heads of States to the maiden summit.

    “Chief Clark has no doubt distinguished himself as a politician and nationalist in the history of the Nigerian State.

    “It is therefore my fervent prayer that whatever contract of longevity that is left between him (Clark) and God should be fulfilled in good health, strong body and soul,” Gbagi said.

  • Lagos, Abuja, Rivers top as Nigeria records 313 new Covid-19 infections

    Lagos, Abuja, Rivers top as Nigeria records 313 new Covid-19 infections

    Lagos State was at the top of the table again as Nigeria recorded 313 new cases of Coronavirus Disease on Sunday.

    This was revealed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on its Twitter handle on Sunday night.

    Lagos State recorded 148 new cases, while the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja had 36 new infections.

    Rivers, Edo, Kano, Ogun and Ebonyi States had 27, 19, 13, 12 and 11 cases respectively, while Nasarawa and Delta States recorded eight infections each.

    For Oyo, Plateau, Kaduna and Kwara States, it was seven, six, five and four cases, with Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States reporting three each.

    Niger and Anambra States had two and one respectively.

    As at the close of testing on Sunday, the NCDC reported a total of 7,839 cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria with 226 deaths, while 2,263 had been successfully treated and discharged.

  • Covid-19: Kano discharges 40 health workers

    Covid-19: Kano discharges 40 health workers

    Kano State has discharged forty out of the fifty health workers that got infected with COVID-19 at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

    The government said the discharged persons tested negative for the virus upon treatment at the state isolation centre.

    This was contained in a statement by the Assistant Director, Information and Public Affairs of the Hospital, Hajiya Hauwa Mohammed on Thursday.

    Mohammed quoted the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Abdurrahman Sheshe as saying, “It is really a thing of joy to share with you that the review on the tests conducted on those workers who were infected with COVID-19 some weeks ago and put in Isolation has just been forwarded to me and forty of them tested negative, no death recorded.”

    He said that the remaining 10 workers who were still in isolation were doing very well and would probably be discharged before Eid-El-Fitr according to reports by their caregivers.

  • Only one Covid-19 test carried out in Kogi – NCDC

    Only one Covid-19 test carried out in Kogi – NCDC

    A situation report released by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has shown that only one tested sample was carried out in Kogi State.

    According to the report, there are 35,983 samples tested in 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) so far.

    Of all the tests carried out in the nation, Kogi and Cross River states have the lowest figures of samples tested.

    While Kogi has only tested one sample, Cross River has tested seven samples, all of which returned negative for COVID-19.

    This revelation was released in the May 18 situation report by the NCDC on Tuesday.

    The NCDC data also revealed that Lagos has tested the highest number of persons with 14,886 samples tested, followed by the FCT and Kano with 4,688 and 2,653 samples tested, respectively.

    Recall that NCDC had visited Kogi in the first week of May, but the state claimed the agency’s officials “fled” the state when they were asked to undergo tests for COVID-19.

  • Trouble in Northern Nigeria (Video): Protesters dare Covid-19, storm Gombe Isolation Center, demand release of patients

    Trouble in Northern Nigeria (Video): Protesters dare Covid-19, storm Gombe Isolation Center, demand release of patients

    Protest against Covid-19 in Gombe – Despite the increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in Nigeria, the poor awareness at the grassroots has continued to mar the battle against the deadly virus in the country.

    In Gombe State, a video has captured the stark display of a dangerous trend in northern Nigeria where people are yet to believe in the existence of Coronavirus.

    As seen in a footage obtained by TheNewsGuru (TNG), hundreds of protesters invaded the Gombe State Infectious Disease Hospital in Kwando and were poised to set Covid-19 patients free while describing the response by the state government to the coronavirus pandemic as a process to siphon state’s funds.

    According to the voices of the protesters in the video (Most spoke in Hausa language), TNG after interpreting, learnt that the protesters were demanding for the release of some persons in the Isolation Centre – labeling the whole activities by the government on Covid-19 as another scheme to embezzle state’s funds.

    One of the protesters stated that about 52 persons, majorly travelers were kept in the Isolation Centre without food and care but the state government alleged that it spent over N10m naira on each patient.

    Watch video:

  • [Video] FG secures release of Nigerian woman put up for sale on Facebook by Lebanese

    [Video] FG secures release of Nigerian woman put up for sale on Facebook by Lebanese

    Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), on Tuesday, said the Nigerian woman, Peace Busari Ufuoma, who was put on sale by a Lebanese has been released.

    Dabiri said the 30-year-old Oyo indigene was released to the Nigerian Embassy, Lebanon Beirut on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru(TNG) had reported that Jerro, who resides in Beirut Lebanon, sent in an image alongside the data page of the 30-year-old Nigerian, Peace Busari Ufuoma to a Facebook group called ‘Buy and Sell Lebanon.’

    The culprit had placed a $1,000 bill on the domestic worker.

    Also, the Lebanese Government had last week arrested Wael Jerro.

    Confirming Ufuoma’s release, Dabiri on Twitter wrote, ”Update on Nigerian girl put up for sale Lebanese, Wael Jerro on Facebook.

    “She has been rescued and safely with officials of the Nigerian Mission in Beirut. More updates later,” she added.

  • Investigate mysterious deaths in Kano now, PDP cautions Buhari

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately wade in and arrest the situation of alleged mysterious deaths in Kano.

    The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja on Sunday, also demanded an immediate investigation into the circumstances leading to reported umber of deaths in the state within the last one week.

    Ologbondiyan said that the PDP’s call was predicated on conflicting reports emanating from Kano State on the cause of the sudden deaths, particularly at a time when the nation was battling with the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

    He described the situation as a frightening development, calling for presidential visit to the state to identity with the people.

    “Our party holds that the situation in Kano demands an immediate presidential visit and investigation at the very high level.

    “The development deserves an utmost presidential attention,” he said.