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  • FG identifies group of citizens for special COVID-19 care

    FG identifies group of citizens for special COVID-19 care

    The federal government in tackling the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the country has identified a group of Nigerians for special protection against the disease.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire made this known at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTFCOVID19) press briefing on Thursday.

    According to the Minister of Health, this is because majority of COVID-19 fatalities are over 50 years of age or have preexisting ailments. He identified the group of Nigerians as those with cancer, hypertension, kidney disease, and people living with HIV.

    “We have said that the increasing number of cases should be a warning that fatalities will increase too; but there are measures we can take, to limit case fatality rate.

    “Since majority of fatalities are over 50 years of age, or have preexisting ailments like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, kidney disease, HIV, etc, this group of citizens has to be specially protected,” he said.

    In his remarks, Ehanire addressed how to carry out the special protection. Read remarks below:

    The Nigeria Center for Disease Control yesterday announced 587 new confirmed covid-19 cases, increasing the total tally to 17,735. We have treated and discharged 5,967 persons and 469 persons have sadly been lost to the disease.

    2. We have said that the increasing number of cases should be a warning that fatalities will increase too; but there are measures we can take, to limit case fatality rate

    a. Since majority of fatalities are over 50 years of age, or have preexisting ailments like diabetes, cancer, hypertension, kidney disease, HIV, etc, this group of citizens has to be specially protected.

    b. This protection begins with limiting their exposure to risks of covid19 infection by urging stay at home, except there is urgent and dire need to go out.

    c. To wear a face mask or a covering at any time, once outside the house, or when inside the house with persons who may have been exposed.

    d. To observe all other non pharmaceutical advisory, like frequent hand washing, social distancing, respiratory hygiene, sanitizer use, etc.

    e. I must emphasize that going to places where there can be a crowd, like market or also places of worship carries risk of increased exposure. l also stress that being in a closed room increases the risk of exposure to infection in proportion to the number of people and the length of time spent with them, because the likelihood of presence of a positive person increases with the number and infection with time of exposure.

    f. All persons in the vulnerable group who test positive should go to a treatment center immediately, in their own best interest. A vuln5person is not among those who should risk staying at home, because complications can arise easily and suddenly or at an odd hour of the day or night when there will be no immediate help available.

    g. Any person who tested positive and opted to stay home or elsewhere should move to a treatment center at the first sign of fever or shortness or breath. A delay can be fatal because the disease progression can be unpredictable and faster than imagined.

    h. Witherspoon these important measures, we could mitigate the fatality rate. The novel coronavirus is still among us and is infecting people daily, including prominent members of the society. Friends and family have an increasingly important role to play in helping to guide compliance with this advisory. Till it goes away, whenever that is, we must take extreme precaution when going to public places.

    3. I also had the honour yesterday, of joining Mr. President at the China-Africa Extraordinary Summit on Solidarity Against the COVID-19 pandemic, where the desirability of sharing knowledge from research and experience was emphasized, as PTF Chair has reported. This is of value to us because China has considerable experience with covid19.

    4.​Earlier yesterday, I signed a bilateral agreement with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on cooperation in the area of public health and medical sciences. The agreement is to start cooperation between both countries in these areas:

    (a) Exchanging experience in public health and health sciences

    (b) Facilitation of visits by scientists and Exchanging information in research.

    5.​On Monday, 15th June, 2020, I inaugurated the governing council of the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria, where the Council was charged to refocus aspects of the profession to meet up with the realities of today as the Covid-19 Pandemic has brought medicine security to the fore front.

    6. ​We have updated the case management guidelines with reviewed changes like discharge criteria and medication used for the treatment of cases. Our treatment centers will be getting an advisory to test applicability of a drug recently repurposed and found effective for treatment of COVID-19

    7.​The engagement of States and support for them in

    management of covid19 will continue to increase with increased capacity building. The Ministry of Health will also be prioritizing the procurement of oxygen generators alongside ventilators as our experience so far shows that oxygen supplementation is in high demand in treatment.

    8.​Thank you for your attention.

  • Edo 2020: PDP postpones primaries as Obaseki remains trapped in limbo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postponement of its gubernatorial primary election in Edo State.

    According to a tweet by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, the election will now hold on July 23rd instead of 20th as earlier announced by the party.

    “@OfficialPDPNig has postponed its primary election in Edo State to Tuesday, June 23rd 2020,” Mr Ologbondiyan said in a tweet from his handle @officialKolaO.

    According to sources in the party, the postponement was done to give the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, enough time to decide whether or not to contest on the PDP platform.

    The leadership of the PDP on Wednesday met with Mr Obaseki who is seeking a second term in office.

    Mr Obaseki was disqualified by his party, APC, from seeking re-election allegedly for submitting questionable certificates.

    The Edo governor later announced his resignation from the APC.

    However, the APC national chair

  • Group alleges plot to create trouble between Sylva and NCDMB Secretary

    The Transparency in Petroleum Exploration and Development Initiative (TIPEDI) has dismissed as unfounded allegations of the demand or withdrawal of $20 million from the accounts of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the purpose of prosecuting the forthcoming Senate election in Bayelsa State.

    Firmly rebutting the allegation, the NGO in a statement affirmed that the allegation could easily be confirmed as spurious when cast against the background of the governance system enthroned by the management of the NCDMB.

    It further said that the operation of the Treasury Single Account under the present administration has made the withdrawal of such amount from a government agency as the NCDMB impractical.

    TIPEDI in the statement issued on its behalf by its executive director, operations, Mr. Igho Derek rather adduced political motif for the rumour which the organization said lacks logic.

    TIPEDI said the originators of the rumour were rather interested in knocking the head of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipire Sylva with that of the management of the NCDMB as led by Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote.

    Calling on those with interest in the Bayelsa Senate runoff elections to rather focus on selling their agenda instead of blackmail, the group said:

    “We believe that those who want to stand for elective offices must be ready and willing to canvass votes based on what they have to offer the people and not seek to distract the people through the introduction of extraneous issues that have nothing to do with with the welfare of the electorate.

    “We say this because it has become the favourite pastime of certain individuals in Bayelsa State to pick on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) under the leadership of Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote as their scapegoat whenever an election looms in the State.

    “Records show that in the recent past, it was the Presidential, National and State Assemblies and later Governorship elections that provided the platform for the vilification of Engr. Wabote and NCDMB. Now with the possible rerun elections to fill vacant Senatorial seats in the Bayelsa State, the fairytale merchants are back at work with the same old strategy.”

    Noting the claim in one online platform that Sylva supposedly asked Wabote to release the sum of $20 million for the APC campaigns and for the prosecution of the legal challenges against Governor Douyle Diri, the group said:

    “We of Transparency In Petroleum Exploration and Development Initiative, believe that from the nature, pattern and timing of this frivolous, irresponsible, fake and wicked allegation it is fairly easy to know what source it is coming from. Moreso, as records show that this is neither the 1st, 2nd or even 3rd time such an allegation is made against Engr. Simbi Wabote by these people.

    “However, from the depth and range of other issues brought into this latest allegation, it is easily discernible that those making the allegations not only seek to whip up negative public opinion against the Hon. Minister of State and his party, the All Progressives Congress APC but are also seeking to cause disharmony and bad blood between the duo of Chief Timipre Sylva and Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote. This we vigorously abhor. Both personalities are assets to the Oil and Gas industry, Bayelsa State, the Niger Delta region and indeed Nigeria.

    “We know of a fact that the kind of stringent corporate governance structure that has been put in place at the NCDMB by Engr. Wabote since assuming leadership of the Board makes it totally impossible for any such money to be taken out of the Board’s coffers without due process.

    “When people are consumed by an unbridled desire to undo others, they tend to conveniently ignore even manifestly obvious facts such as that all accounts of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are domiciled with the Central Bank, under the TSA arrangement. Therefore, it will be fairly easy to trace such huge disbursements.

    “We in TIPEDI consider it a shame that out of desperation to win political contests, some people who otherwise ought to be reasonable have taken flight of reality and resorted to serially making allegations that simply beggars belief!

    “TIPEDI knows that Chief Sylva as Chairman of the board has always given positive direction to the NCDMB and will not go against his own principles or the governance structure he has helped to establish in the organization.”

  • Late Rashidi Yekini’s mother receives bank alert, one month after NFF’s pledge of N30,000

    Late Rashidi Yekini’s mother receives bank alert, one month after NFF’s pledge of N30,000

    The family of late former Super Eagles striker Rashidi Yekini on Thursday in Ilorin confirmed the receipt of a bank alert of N30,000 from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Simiat, a sister to the late Rashidi who scored Nigeria’s first ever goal at the FIFA World Cup, said the money was the amount promised by the NFF to the mother of the late former striker.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the payment was ostensibly a reaction to a report it did on Tuesday on the failure of the NFF to redeem its pledge.

    The federation had promised a stipend of N30,000 each to the mother of the late Rashidi, Alhaja Sikiratu, and the mother of another late former Super Eagles player.

    It had announced it as a form of support to the pronouncement of Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, that he was placing Rashidi’s mother on a monthly stipend.

    NFF’s post on twitter to announce the decision to support the Minister’s pronouncement.

    The Minister had said he was placing Mrs Jane Okwaraji (now late), mother of the late Samuel Okwaraji, on a monthly stipend also.

    But since the announcement on May 7, the NFF failed to act.

    However, Simiat, after confirming the receipt of the money to NAN, thanked the federation for redeeming its pledge.

    “I can confirm that we received alert on Mama’s phone this (Thursday) morning. We thank the leadership of the NFF for the gesture.’’

  • AU legal counsel kicks against Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy for World Trade Organisation DG

    The African Union’s legal counsel has kicked against the nomination to contest for the position of World Trade Organisation director-general.

    In July 2019, the Executive Council of the AU invited member states to present nominations into the office of the DG of the WTO so that the AU would agree on a consensus candidature.

    Nigeria initially nominated Fedrick Agah while Benin and Egypt fielded Messrs Eloi Laourou and Abdulhameed Mamdouh respectively.

    On June 4, 2020, Nigeria withdrew the nomination of Fedrick Agah and replaced him with Okonjo-Iweala.

    The counsel said the executive council during its 35th ordinary session held in Niamey, Niger, had asked member countries to present candidates to the AU ministerial committee on candidature by November 30, 2019, to allow it endorse a consensus candidate at its February 2020 ordinary session.

    He said three countries presented their candidates; Eloi Laourou (Benin), Abdulhameed Mamdouh (Egypt) and Yunov Agah (Nigeria).

    “During the February 2020 summit, the three candidates were considered,” the letter read.

    “However, due to the lack of consensus to agree on one suitable candidate during the February 2020 summit, the executive council through decision Ex Cl 1090 (XXXVI) recalled the Ex Cl Dec 10T2 (XXXV) and endorsed respectively the candidates from Benin, Egypt and Nigeria as shortlisted for the post of the director-general of the WTO (the names of the candidates were incorporated in the report of the committee on international candidatures presented to the executive council).

    “Moreover, it requested the ministerial committee on African candidatures within the international system to consider the matter and report to the executive council’s 3rd ordinary session with a view to agreeing on a single candidate.”

    The office of the legal counsel also argued that the submission of candidates had to follow certain conditions which were listed as:

    “All candidatures shall be submitted to the committee, through the AU commission (the political affairs department). The political affairs department should acknowledge receipt containing the date and the stamp of submission,” it said.

    “Candidatures shall be submitted to the commission at least two (2) months prior to the sessions of the executive council, which shall consider them. The submission shall be accompanied by relevant information related to the submitted candidatures, including the nature of each post, date and place of elections.”

    It said the condition on which candidate submission may be accepted after the deadline is when “no other candidatures for the position have been submitted in the prescribed time; the submission of candidatures has been closed; and there are more vacancies reserved for Africa than the submissions received, among others”.

    The counsel, therefore, said it has taken a position that Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination was against laid-down rules.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had nominated Okonjo-Iweala, a former managing director (operations) at the World Bank, for the position on June 4, 2020, to replace Yunov Agah as Nigeria’s candidate.

  • BREAKING: Buhari issues Service Chiefs strong warning: your best not good enough

    BREAKING: Buhari issues Service Chiefs strong warning: your best not good enough

    President Muhammadu Buhari is unhappy with the current state of the security situation in the country.

    Disclosing this to State House Correspondents on Thursday, after a security briefing, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd.), said the President had charged managers of the nation’s security to redouble their efforts.

    According to Monguno, Buhari said, though the security chiefs had been doing their best, their best had not been good enough for the challenges facing the nation

    He has therefore declared that excuses will no longer be tolerated, even as he said he expects everyone to live up to expectations.

    He also expressed displeasure over the lack of synergy amongst security forces and charged the various aspects of the security architecture to work together to solve the nation’s security challenges.

    He said the President charged the office of the NSA to meet with governors of the Northwest states and that of Niger State, for briefing and strategic organisation of a response to the Banditry problem in their domains.

  • FG designates strategic minerals to unlock economy

    FG designates strategic minerals to unlock economy

    Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, Minister of Mines and Steel Development says the Federal Government has designated seven of the country’s strategic minerals to unlock the enormous potential in the mining sector.

    The Minister, who stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a webinar organised by Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), named the minerals to include: coal, iron ore, bitumen, gold, limestone, lead-zinc and barite.

    He noted the country was endowed with over 44 different mineral resources occurring in over 500 locations across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Seven of these minerals have been designated strategic to unlock the enormous potential in the sector, they are coal, iron ore, bitumen, gold, limestone, lead-zinc and barite.

    “Alongside the seven strategic minerals, the ministry is also looking into key minerals to fuel the future.

    “These include metals such as titanium, tungsten, lithium and cobalt, which have various applications in futuristic industries such as aerospace, telecoms and electric vehicle manufacturing,” the minister said.

    He commended NESG for the effort it had put in place to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s economy.

    He said the webinar which was to discuss the opportunities and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian mining industry was timely.

    He noted that the double-ended shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent sharp decline in oil prices had led to a revenue shortfall for the country.

    Adegbite added that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had been making efforts to diversify the economy from oil through the development of the mining and agricultural sectors.

    He said these efforts were being fast-tracked, adding that mining offer robust economic potential to diversify the economy, create jobs and increase government revenue.

    According to him, the Nigerian Mining Industry Roadmap formulated in 2016, highlights clear policy direction on how to develop the sector which is being improved upon to unlock the potential in the sector.

    He added that structural reforms embarked upon in the industry were geared towards supporting the emergence of a vibrant private sector and to stimulate resource-based industrialisation.

    “It is predicated on the principle that government serves as a regulator, providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

    “We are trying to stimulate mineral processing across the country using a cluster or hub approach.

    “Each cluster will be provided with road and power infrastructure to encourage investors in processing and refining equipment to support a network of miners and processors.

    “In the longer term, the upgrade, completion, and operation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant operations would enhance jobs and revenue generation.

    “The project is based on a bilateral agreement between Nigeria and Russia, with funding from the Afreximbank and the Russian Export Centre,” he said.

    He added that other ongoing initiatives to stimulate the growth of the industry include: working with several stakeholders to design mining-specific and credit enhancement instruments among others.

    Adegbite expressed confidence that the country’s mining industry was on track to reach its goal of 5 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution in the next five years.

    He said this would be made easier with support from the federal government and its ethos on diversification, job creation and sustainable revenue generation.

  • Here is everything you should know about the new Twitter voice note

    Here is everything you should know about the new Twitter voice note

    Twitter is rolling out tweets with audio, similar to voice note, on iOS, and according to the firm, the feature is to add a more human touch to the way users interact on the microblogging platform.

    According to Twitter, some conversational nuances are lost in translation when users tweet with 280 characters instead of tweet with audio, rather, voice note.

    “Over the years, photos, videos, gifs, and extra characters have allowed you to add your own flair and personality to your conversations.

    “But sometimes 280 characters aren’t enough and some conversational nuances are lost in translation. So starting today, we’re testing a new feature that will add a more human touch to the way we use Twitter – your very own voice.

    “Tweeting with your voice is not too different from Tweeting with text,” Twitter stated

    To start, open the Tweet composer and tap the new icon with wavelengths. You’ll see your profile photo with the record button at the bottom – tap this to record your voice.

    Each voice Tweet captures up to 140 seconds of audio. Once you reach the time limit for a Tweet, a new voice Tweet starts automatically to create a thread. Once you’re done, tap the Done button to end your recording and go back to the composer screen to Tweet.

    People will see your voice Tweet appear on their timeline alongside other Tweets. To listen, tap the image.

    On iOS only, playback will start in a new window docked at the bottom of your timeline and you can listen as you scroll. You can also keep listening while doing other things on your phone or on the go.

    Creating voice Tweets will be available to a limited group of people on Twitter for iOS to start but in the coming weeks everyone on iOS should be able to Tweet with their voice. Everyone will be able to see (hear) them and reply.

    “There’s a lot that can be left unsaid or uninterpreted using text, so we hope voice Tweeting will create a more human experience for listeners and storytellers alike.

    “Whether it’s #storytime about your encounter with wild geese in your neighborhood, a journalist sharing breaking news, or a first-hand account from a protest, we hope voice Tweeting gives you the ability to share your perspectives quickly and easily with your voice.

    “We can’t wait to see how people will use this to make their voices heard and add to the public conversation,” Twitter stated.

  • Niger Delta: Militants give FG ultimatum to sack Akpabio

    An Akwa Ibom state-based militant group, Niger Delta Volunteers (NDV) has given the federal government 14 days ultimatum within which to sack and prosecute the Niger Delta Affairs minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    The group in a statement signed by General Ekpo Ekpo and Captain Nsidibe Etim and made available to journalists on Thursday in Uyo threatened to shut down oil operations in Akwa Ibom if the FG failed to accede to its demands.

    The group also urged non-indigenes and foreign oil company workers to leave Akwa Ibom as it cannot guarantee the security of their lives and property should it decide to strike.

    The NDV anchored it’s position on the massive corruption and acts of vendetta allegedly perpetrated by Akpabio since he assumed supervisory control over the Niger Delta Developmemt Commission (NDDC)

    The militants in the statement listed their demands including the dissolution/sack of the Interim Management Committee(IMC) and the reconstitution of the board of the Niger Delta Developmemt Commission (NDDC).

    They said the death of Mr. Ibanga Etang, the executive director finance and administration in the IMC of NDDC was suspect and therefore insisted that a full investigation be carried to unravel the root cause of the director’s death.

    The group also urged non-indigenes and oil company workers to leave Akwa Ibom as the group cannot guarantee the security of their lives and property should they decide to strike.

    The statement reads, “after due consultation with elders, youth leaders and other stakeholders across Akwa Ibom State, Niger Delta hereby demand for the immediate removal/prosecution of the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio for alleged misconduct and abuse of office, the dissolution of the interim management committee of the Niger Delta Developmemt Commission (NDDC) and reconstitution of a substantive board of the commission.

    “It will be recalled that on his assumption of office, he immediately influenced the redeployment of the erstwhile minister of state in the ministry, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, who he perceived would constitute be a big barrier to his nefarious activities, and the eventual transfer of supervisory powers over the Niger Delta Developmemt Commission (NDDC).

    “On a number of occasions, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio has been accused of having two major missions to accomplish as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

    “First as an individual noted for possessing an ‘unforgiving spirit’ he is alleged to be moving on a well-designed path to take revenge on some of those who had crossed his path at one point in time or another and who happened to have been associated with the NDDC as current or past contractors or staff.

    “Second, known for his uncanny crave for amassing unquantifiable amount of wealth, the Akwa Ibom State-born politician is alleged to have planted surrogates and puppets who are serving as conduit pipes for the illegal movement of funds through phantom contract awards and unauthorized payments”.

    They accused Akpabio of been responsible for why militants in Akwa Ibom are not benefiting maximally from the amnesty programme of the Federal government.

  • APC Crisis: Ruling party heading towards disintegration as Giadom insists he’s authentic Ag Chairman

    APC Crisis: Ruling party heading towards disintegration as Giadom insists he’s authentic Ag Chairman

    The signals emanating from the All Progressives Congress, APC clearly indicate that the party is heading towards a bottomless pit three years ahead 2023 general elections.

    The declaration of the National Deputy Secretary, Victor Giadom that he remains the only authentic acting National chairman of the party is a dangerous signal to the existence of APC.

    Here is a man who resigned to contest as deputy governor last year and his resignation was ratified on Tuesday only to still boldly claim ownership of a chairmanship in the party clearly shows that APC is truly on a life support machine.

    In civilsed climes, the mere suspension of a party chairman is not enough to throw a national party into disarray as the situation in APC depicts today.

    As at on Wednesday, four party chieftains, Victor Giadom, Hilliard Eta, Abiola Ajimobi and Shaibu Lawal were names being dangled as acting National chairmen of a supposed ruling party in Nigeria.

    Giadom, who arrived at the APC’s national secretariat Abuja Wednesday morning, called for the screening exercise that resulted in the disqualification of the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, to be cancelled and asked the aspirants to reappear for fresh screening.

    The NWC working on behalf ailing former governor of Oyo Senator Ajimobi as acting chairman issued a counter directive declaring that the screening Committee report midwived by the suspended APC chairman Adams Oshiomhole remains authentic.

    As it appears before 2023 general election the APC may end up producing nothing less than 20 party chairmen clearly signalling that APC may kiss the dust with President Muhamnadu Buhari’s tenure.

    This was predicted at the formative stage of the party that the conveners were strange bed fellows.

    Before the emergence of Oshiomhole, the party top chieftains were warned that if you bring him on board as captain, this man will lead the party into ship wreckage but the party chieftains insisted a rugged captain is what the party needed.

    The outcome of that ruggedness is what APC is reaping now with four party chairmen acting.