NNPC Headquarters

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has redeployed some top management staff as part of ongoing efforts to reposition the corporation for greater efficiency, transparency and profitability.

Dr Kennie Obateru, NNPCs Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, announced this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Obateru said the redeployments and appointments were in line with the Next Level Agenda of President Muhammadu Buharis administration.

He said that under the exercise, Mr Adokiye Tombomieye, the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD), had been appointed the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), Upstream.

According to the statement, Mr Mohammed Abdulkabir Ahmed, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC), has beenappointed the new COO, Corporate Services, following the retirement of Mr Farouk Garba.

Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, the COO Upstream, was redeployed to Ventures and Business Development Directorate as COO, to replace Mr Roland Onoriode Ewubare, who voluntarily retired last week.

Also, Mr Billy Okoye, Managing Director of the NNPC Retail Limited replaces Tombomieye as the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division.

He said Mrs Elizabeth Aliyuda, the General Manager, Sales and Marketing NNPC Retail Limited, now takes over from Okoye as Managing Director.

He said Usman Farouk, Executive Director Asset Management and Technical Services at the NGMC takes over from Mr Ahmed as Managing Director.

Obateru also stated that President Buhari had accepted the resignation of Mr Roland Ewubare, who was the immediate past COO, Ventures and New Business Directorate of the corporation.

He said that the President also accepted the retirement of the immediate past COO, Corporate Services, Mr Farouk Garba, thanking the two former COOs for their meritorious service to the corporation and the nation.

Obateru quoted the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Malam Mele Kyari, as saying that the new appointments would enable the corporation to live up to the expectation of its shareholders and Nigerians.

He added that the exercise would give impetus to the ongoing restructuring within the corporation, which is in line with the corporate vision of Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE).

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Marginal Oil field

By Edeki Igafe

The Ijaws in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta have urged the Federal Government to give them right of first refusal in marginal oil fields located in the kingdom.

Godspower Gbenekama, Spokesman of Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, made the call on Sunday at a news conference held at Oporoza, the administrative headquarters of the Gbaramatu kingdom.

Gbenekama who spoke on behalf of the chiefs and other sons and daughters of Gbaramatu, some of whom held placards, alleged the marginalisation of the oil-producing kingdom.

Some of the placards reads: FG should restart the Omadinor-Escravos road project, Bring back our Dockyard, NIMASA, among others.

We have by this medium announced our total and unequivocal objection to a bidding process that has for long excluded well-to-do Gbaramatu indigenes from the marginal fields.

The Federal Governmentshould come up with modalities where competent companies owned by Gbaramatu indigenes will be given the right of first refusal on oil fields located in Gbaramatu and Warri South-West, he said.

Gbenekamawas unhappy with the ongoing bidding process for the 57 marginal fields by the DPR which according to him had excluded Gbaramatu-owned companies from partaking.

He appealed to the government to relocate to Gbaramatu the Floating Dock/Ship Building Yard originally planned to aid learning in the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

Gbenekama also appealed to the Federal Government to resume work on the abandoned Omadinor-Escravos road to boost socio-economic and peaceful co-existence of Ijaws and Itsekiris.

We urge the Federal Government to restart the Omadinor-Escravos road project to improve the economic relations between the neighbouring Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas.

The Federal Government should also resume work on the multi-billion dollars Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Ogidigben and Deep Seaport in Gbaramatu both in Warri South-West, among others, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has launched an online course on infection prevention and control (ICP) for health workers, to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection transmission in healthcare setting.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Sunday in Abuja, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the online course would be available to the general public, particularly the healthcare workers.

According to him, the programme is aimed at reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases while administering health care in the country.

As at July 4, a total of 28,167 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 634 deaths have been recorded by NCDC.

Additionally, as at June 2, about 812 healthcare workers have been infected in the country, with over 230,000 infected globally, he noted.

Ihekweazu said that the national strategy in term of response to COVID-19 had been multifaceted.

He added that in the absence of a vaccine or cure, compliance with IPC measures remained one of the most effective interventions to control the outbreak.

The director-general said that the NCDC had made efforts to rapidly strengthen the capacity of frontline healthcare workers in infection prevention and control, wherever health care was provided.

Since the first case in Nigeria was confirmed in February, NCDC has supported the training of about 17,436 health workers in IPC.

It has been working in collaboration with the Departments of Hospital Services and Food and Drugs of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) to ensure that health workers are provided with the required personal protective equipment (PPE) to reduce the risk of infection among them.

To ensure that IPC training, knowledge and information are easily accessible to those who need it, the Infection Prevention and Control Unit of the NCDC, with technical assistance from eHealth Africa, has developed a COVID-19 IPC online course.

The course features modules on standard and transmission-based precautions, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential aspects of infection control in healthcare.

A certificate of participation will also be awarded at the end of the course by NCDC, he stated.

The director-general said that the online course was also designed to document vital information to monitor the IPC compliance across health facilities at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels in public, private and faith-based facilities in the country.

He stated that infection prevention and control measures cut across all other components of the COVID-19 response in Nigeria and that it was critical for strengthening national health security.

Registration for the free online course on infection prevention and control can be done using the link: https://elearning.ncdc.gov.ng/courses/infection-prevention-and- control-for-covid-19/.

The NCDC, under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Health and her other agencies, remains strongly committed to protecting the health of Nigerians.

We urge the public to remain aware of the risks of COVID-19 and to adhere to the preventive measures advised by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and the Federal Ministry of Health.

Visit covid19.ncdc.gov.ng for real-time updates and guidelines on the COVID-19 outbreak, he advised. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on Sunday said that the state tested a total of 42,348 samples for COVID-19 as at July 3.

Abayomi, who made the disclosure on his Twitter account, said that of the 42,348 samples, 10,926 returned positive.

He said that 748 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the state on July 3, out of which 87 new cases were confirmed.

Out of the total number of confirmed cases, 1,695 patients have since been discharged from the Lagos COVID-19 care centres following full recovery.

A total of 6,259 of the cases monitored in communities by COVID-19 Lagos Response Team have either fully recovered or are positively responding to treatments, he said.

The commissioner said that 365 of the cases were under isolation in public and private care centres.

Abayomi, however, said that 2,430 active cases in the communities had yet to turn up for admission in care centres either due to fear of stigmatisation or preference for home care treatments.

As at July 3, the number of COVID-19 related deaths in Lagos State had risen to 177, he said.

According to the official, the time to take responsibility is now.

He advised the state residents to observe physical distancing and regularly wash their hands.

Abayomi also advised the residents to stay at home when unnecessary to go out, adding that they should wear face masks when going out to reduce the risk of infection.

Source: NAN News

BUA Group

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

BUA Cement has announced plans to establish a three million metric tonnes cement plant and 50 megawatts power plant in Guyuk and Lamurde, Adamawa State.

The Chairman of BUA, Abdul Samad Rabiu, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

Rabiu led the companys management team on a courtesy call to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri after preliminary findings revealed that Guyuk and Lamurde areas had quality limestone.

Preliminary findings show that the two local governments of Guyuk and Lamurde are reputed to have good quality limestone deposits and BUA Cement is ready to begin the investment in the state.

BUA will use new technologies to supply power to the proposed cement plant and communities of Guyuk and Lamurde in addition to providing three thousand direct and five thousand indirect jobs.

Guyuk Cement Plant will be a major investment in the North-East by BUA, while we solicit the support of Gov. Umaru Fintiri to set up the factory in Guyuk, he said.

Rabiu said that the company had made a decision to source its raw materials locally, adding that it had invested billions of dollars in various sectors across Nigeria.

He urged the state government to support BUA to actualise the Guyuk Cement project.

He also hailed the governors commitment in developing the state within one year in office, despite the economic challenges in Adamawa.

Responding, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri said his administrations effort in exploring local contents had started yielding results and thanked BUA for showing interest in establishing the cement plant in Guyuk.

He assured the management team of BUA that government would make available whatever was needed and provide the necessary support to make the project a reality.

The government is ready to protect the investment once it is established and this administration will maintain the good relationship with the company for the benefit of the state.

According to the statement, BUA is Nigerias second largest cement producer by volume with cement plants in Sokoto and Edo States.

The companys newest plant in Sokoto is expected to be operational in 2021.

When completed, the Guyuk Cement Plant will bring BUAs total capacity to 14 million metric tonnes per annum.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Sheyi Makinde

By David Adeoye

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Saturday, inaugurated an upgraded 10-bed space Agbami Isolation Centre in Jericho, Ibadan for the COVID-19 patients.

Makinde said on the occasion that the new facility would encourage private individuals to self-isolate at the centre.

He explained that the facility, which wasa Tuberculosis (TB) Centre, was inaugurated at the twilight of the last administration.

It has been upgraded now; we have oxygen concentrator here and you will get the type of care that you truly deserved.

Now, there is COVID-19 pandemic in our hand and we also have high-earned individuals in Oyo State, who are not comfortable going to Olodo Isolation Centre, because they want individual room and privacy.

For those individuals, we know some of you have aged parents at home and because we have to give concession for such individuals to self-isolate at home and monitor them, now, we dont have to do much of that anymore.

With the facilities here, you can self-isolate privately by just drive in.

We will give you the treatment and we will ensure that you dont infect others.

Once you have been properly managed, you will go back to your various homes, the governor said.

He enjoined people not to be negligent of the coronavirus, or afraid to confirm their COVID-19 status, adding that the disease was not a death sentence.

I battled COVID-19; so, it is not a death sentence and it is not something to be ashamed of.

The virus is here with us and it will be here for some times to come.

It is not going to disappear in two or three weeks from now. So, we have to learn to live with it.

If any of us is sick, we have the facilities; we have taken the opportunity of the disease to strengthen our health care facilities.

He said that after the pandemic, the facilities would remain and that government would continue to maintain them.

You dont need to go and hide at private hospitals where they dont really have facilities, resources and the personnel to ensure that you access adequate care, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, addressing NAF troops in Maiduguri on Saturday

By Yakubu Uba

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Saddique Abubakar, has lauded troops of the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole for making substantial progress in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East.

Abubakar made the commendation on Satuday while addressing Officers, Air Men and Air Women at the Maiduguri Air Force Base.

He urged them to increase the tempo so as to round up the operations by the end of the year.

I want to say that we are satisfied and excited that you are making substantial progress in ensuring that the Boko Haram terrorists are eliminated in the North East and our people can go back to their farms and live their normal lives.

I want to urge you to continue to ensure that everything is being done to ensure that north east and indeed the entire country is secured.

Keep working hard. I want to assume that at least before the end of this year or latest by the end of this year we should be rounding up this operation, Abubakar said.

While noting that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to support the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), he said the surveillance aircraft sent to Germany for maintenance was back and would be deployed to support operations in north east.

He also said that substantial progress had been made in acquiring the Super Tucano aircraft from USA and that personnel from NAF to handle the planes had been nominated to commence training.

The CAS lauded the improved synergy between the Air Force and Nigerian Army and assured that the air force would continue to work closely with the ground troops.

He added this would be by shaping the ground for the ground troops to conduct their operations as effectively as possible.

He also assured the troops of NAF commitment to their welfare at all time.

On our part at the Air Force headquarters, I want to assure you that we will continue to support your operations not only in terms of training and equipment.

But all the welfare requirements that you need in order to make you more effective in the discharge of your assigned tasks, the CAS assured the troops.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlight of the occasion is the inspection of some war planes at the base by the Air Chief, who interacted with the respective crews to boost their morale.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19: NAPPS trains 300 on school reopening strategies

By Tolu Aiyegbusi

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT chapter, has begun capacity building for no fewer than 300 of its members following planned reopening of school.

The virtual training and workshop series scheduled to hold throughout July is aimed at empowering the members on schools re-opening strategies in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The theme of the four-part series is: Re-opening: Insight series for NAPPS FCT schools.

The training is held on the meeting app, Zoom webinar.

Mrs Olusola Bankole, the President of the chapter, said on Saturday during the webinar that the training was part of the associations social responsibility.

She added that it was in support of the Federal Governments plan to reopen schools, which were closed in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said the series of virtual training and workshops on schools reopening would take every aspect of health and safety into consideration.

Other aspects of the webinar seminar are business continuity sessions and finance discussions peculiar to schools in FCT and the country in general, she said.

Bankole said that over 300 schools registered for the first part of the series, with additional representation from school proprietors from Enugu, Nasarawa, Niger and Kaduna states.

Apart from that, we also have over 100 public school principals and teachers from across the country in attendance.

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), FCT Chapter, wants to get her member-schools set for resumption.

The executives had earlier initiated a series of thought-provoking and honest sessions, and the fallout of all that is the structured Zoom webinars.

The health training contents are part of the guidelines intended for schools, it conforms to the standards of WHO and NCDC, and a team of experts are supporting, she said.

Dr Bukola Dosunmu, a healthcare expert, said at the event that there was the need for schools to make their resumption plans to suit their peculiar structures.

She advised that each school should take its staff number and space capacity into consideration.

Mrs Ifechukwu Ezeani, a finance expert, urged participants to go back to the drawing board and come up with a needs assessment and incident management team.

She said that adopting new plans in the face of the pandemic would help in adaptability and smooth running of schools as a business entity.

Similarly, Coach Sam Obafemi, a behavioural change expert, urged school proprietors to set aside sentiments and switch to survival mode.

He said that all schools should set long-term goals that would take into consideration survival methods in spite of the novel Coronavirus pandemic.

I would also advise school owners to suspend activities such as cultural and social events and strategise on ways they can minimise expenses.

Schools should maximise disruptive technology, adopt best digital formats such as meeting physically twice a week and making the most of online or recorded classes, he said.

A UK-based information technology expert, Mr Roland Sodeinde, noted that the older generation of learners were digital immigrants while the new generation were digital natives.

He called on all the participants to maximise the use of free online resources to improve teaching and learning.

In her remarks, Mrs Samira Jibir, the Proprietor of Glisten International School, Jahi, Abuja, advised that everyone should pay attention to his or her psychological well-being.

She said that the association would explore profitable partnerships and work on getting palliatives for member-teachers.

She added that government rules on reopening of schools should be adhered to, urging that physical visits to schools should be minimised.

NAN reports that the association had supported the schools reopening plan of the Federal government during the 2014 Ebola epidemic.

No fewer than 300 persons comprising members of NAPPS from FCT, Enugu, Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna chapters, as well as principals and teachers in public schools participated in the online meeting.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Friday Idachaba

The Kogi Non-Governmental Organisations Network (KONGONET) has called on the state COVID-19 Squadron Committee to provide clarifications on the states COVID-19 status and end conflict between the state and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Th KONGONET Chairman, Mr Idris Muraina, made the call on its 2nd Quarter 2020 statement on the state of affairs in the state released in Lokoja, on saturday

Muraina said the conflict was detrimental to the health of the people, noting that both the state government and NCDC were determined to save lives.

He said that COVID-19 had adversely affected all sectors of the nations economy and required collective efforts to curbs its spread.

He said the network admitted the existence of a committee put together by Kogi Government to provide guidance and direction on preventing the outbreak of the disease in the state.

While the state government is yet to officially acknowledge COVID-19 cases in the state, the NCDC continues to stick to its guns that Kogi State has four COVID-19 cases.

It is our hope that the state COVID-19 Squadron Committee will provide clarifications on the needless squabbles with NCDC.

Both are set up to save lives. Who gets the trophy for the needless competition?

We join the state government in the call on Kogi people to avoid panic and adhere to the protective guidelines as provided by the NCDC.

We also hope the Squadron Committee, under the leadership of Chief David Edward Onoja, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, will do the needful by implementing multiple sensitisation programmes, he said.

Muraina noted that the state was witnessing much upgrade and construction of health facilities but noted that the level of attention provided for patients in government health facilities left more to be desired.

He said that civil societies working on health and wellbeing had reported that the states ministry of healths annual budget in the past three years was not adequate.

He called for more spending on the states health sector.

The coalition istrying to come to terms with the recent withdrawal of donor-agencies from the state, with the attendant unusual increase in public health challenges.

It, therefore, calls on the Kogi Ministry of Health and, by extension, the state government to come up with strategies to stem tuberculosis.

The epileptic release of funds to Kogi State Agency for the Control of Aids for planned activities still remains an issue unresolved, compounding the challenges of HIV/AIDS control in the state, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ENSG takes up care of brutalised minors wellbeing, medical bills

By Stanley Nwanosike

Enugu State Government has pledged to take adequate care of wellbeing of the 10-year-old female house-help (name withheld), who was grievously maltreated by her guardian, Mrs Ifeoma Ozougwu.

The states Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Princess Peace Nnaji, made the pledge when she visited the victim at the hospital on Saturday.

The state government also promised to offset her medical bills and ensure that she receives adequate medical attention at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane.

Nnaji, who was immediately directed by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to visit the abused child, empathised with the victim and her family.

She assured the family that the state government would not take the matter lightly.

We can never sweep it (matter) under the carpet as the dastardly act undermined the Child Rights Act that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyis administration spent millions of naira, time and energy to enact in the collaboration with UNICEF.

The Child Rights Act makes sure that every child in Enugu State is protected, given education, healthcare and right to life among others.

Enugu state government is not taking this lying low.

The government will take care of all the medical bills and everything concerning this girl, she said.

She expresseddeep shock over the cruel and inhumane treatment of the minor in the hands of her guardians.

Nnaji thankedneighbours for bringing the ugly incident to public domain, describing them as Good Samaritans.

In his remark, Prof. Hycienth Onah, Chief Medical Director of the hospital, explained that the victim had been responding to treatment.

Her chances of full recovery are high, Onah said.

Responding, the mother of the victim, Mrs Nnedinso Nnadi, expressed gratitude to the state government for intervening in rescuing her daughter.

Nnadi said that it was a traumatic experience for the child and the entire family.

She asked God to reward all those who had played roles in the rescue and treatment of her child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victimsguardians, Mrs Ifeoma Ozougwu and her husband, Mr Jude Ozougwu, have been arrested by the Police.

The Ozougwus hail from Aku community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Rev. Yakubu Pam as the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC).

Malam Garba Shehu, the Presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, confirmed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Until his appointment, Pam was the Chairman of the Plateau State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.

Born on Feb. 20, 1960, in Gyel, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau, Pam holds a first degree in Christian Education.

As an ordained Minister, Pam brings to the position more than 30 years of leadership experience in the Christian community, coupled with a deep understanding of promoting inter-religious harmony and conflict resolution in the northern parts of the country.

The cleric has held many leadership positions in the Church, including Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Northern Nigeria (which includes the 19 Northern States and Abuja) from 2016 to date; and Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, 2013 to date.

He was also the District Superintendent, Jos Mainland Assemblies of Nigeria, 2010 to date.

Pam also served as Chairman, Plateau State Inter-Religious Council; and Chairman, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Committee, Plateau State.

According to the presidential aide, Pams appointment took effect from June 26, 2020, for a period of five years.

Source: NAN News

Flood

Early morning downpour that occurred in Abeokuta metropolis on Saturday created problem of flood for some residents and motorists in the city.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heavy downpour had destroyed property and houses at the back of Ogun River.

Among the property destroyed were personal belongings of some people which were washed away by the flood and also the destruction of building fence in other areas.

Some of the affected areas included Kuto, Isale-Igbein, Lanfewa, Amolaso, Ijeun-Titun, Ago-Ijesa, Abiola way, Isale Abetu, Sokori, Igbore, Oke Mosan and Isale Ake area, all in Abeokuta South and North Local Government Areas of the state.

A NAN correspondent who visited some of the areas;reports that residents were counting their losses and pleaded with the state government to come to their rescue.

The popular Ogun River was filled to the brim while vehicles on the roads were trapped in the flood.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Spokesman, Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, said that officers from the command had been deployed to control traffic.

Akinbiyi explained that the command had already issued traffic alert informing motorists about the state of the roads and where they should ply.

Those going through inward and outward should not pass through Leme axis because of the flooding. They should go through Kuto so that they can navigate their route down to Idi Aba and other areas.

Our men are atthe Governors office axis,Iyana mortuary,Sapon, Ibara under bridge and Brewery area, to ensure the roads are free of crashes, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Yemi Adeleye

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) says the death toll in the Fridays evening boat mishap near Ikorodu has risen to six, while one victim is still missing.

The General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos while providing an update on the incident on Saturday.

According to him, the total number of rescued victims of the ill-fated 20-passenger ferry now stands at 14 as against 16 earlier quoted.

There were 21 people in the ferry including the captain, 14 of them were rescued alive, the fatalities have increased to six so far from five. One victim is still missing.

The ongoing search by LASWA, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), local boat operators and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) continues, Emmanuel said.

NAN reports that on Friday, a 20-capacity passenger boat with the name Lalek Marine was suspected to have left Ebute Ero Jetty around 8 p.m. after the approved sailing time of 6 p.m. and didnt arrive at its destination, which was Ikorodu Terminal.

The boat, which took off illegally from bt r Jetty, heading toward Ikorodu, ran into an unforeseen object on the waterways, which resulted in the mishap.

The accident happened at Owode/Ibeshe near Ikorodu at about 8.30 p.m. on Friday evening.

The LASWA boss had said that both the boat operator and the passengers broke the law against night travel on waterways.

According to him, the Lagos State Government, through the authority, had repeatedly warned boat operators and passengers against night travel on the Lagos Inland waterways.

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 454 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

The information is on the centres official Twitter page on Friday night.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the latest cases, Nigerias total infections now stands at 27,564.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

According to it, till date, 27,564 cases have been confirmed, 11,069 cases have been discharged and 628 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The NCDC said that the 454 new cases were reported from 19 states, namely: Lagos (87), Edo (63), FCT (60), Ondo (41), Benue (32), Abia (31), Ogun (29), Oyo (19), Kaduna (17), Delta (16), Enugu (15), Borno (14), Plateau (9), Nasarawa (8), Kano (5), Bauchi (4), Gombe (2), Katsina (1), Kogi (1).

Meanwhile, the health agency said that at least, one out of every 10 persons over 50 years old who had COVID-19 died from it in the country.

The NCDC urged Nigerians to take responsibility to protect themselves , their loved ones and the elderly around them and in the society because COVID -19 is real.

NCDC announced that it also served as co-lead of Africa Center for Disease Controls COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Working Group.

It explained that our responsibility is to work with Africa CDC to train frontline health workers across Africa and provide guidance based on evidence to protect them from COVID-19 infection.

With support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and West Africa Healh Organisation (WAHO), the Africa CDC IPC Working Group trained over 3,000 healthcare workers in four months on public health safety measures

Weve developed guidance on proper use of face masks, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and environmental decontamination.

The NCDC also stated that the team recognised the work done in often difficult circumstances, with concurrent outbreaks happening in some African countries.

It added that the agency was committed to working with the Africa CDC to empower health workers and prioritise their safety.

Source: NAN News

IGP, Mohammed Adamu

By Monday Ijeh
The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the posting and redeployment of senior police officers.

This is in line with the recent presidential approval for the re-organisation of the force.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

He said the presidential approval included the creation of an additional Department, the Directorate of Intelligence, expansion of the police zonal structure from 12 to 17 and the creation of two additional FCID annexes.

According to Mba, the Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) affected by the posting and redeployment are Mr Adeleye Oyebade, Head, Department of Research and Planning and Mr Ibrahim Lamorde, Head, Directorate of Intelligence, Force Headquarters.

He said prior to the posting, Oyebade, was a Directing Staff at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos while Lamorde, was the AIG in-charge of Force Intelligence.

The FPRO said the I-G had also ordered the posting of five senior police officers to the newly created zonal commands.

Mba said the AIGs affected by the posting are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Zone 13, Awka; Rabiu Yusuf, Zone 14, Katsina; Lawal Ado, Zone 15, Maiduguri; Austine Agbonlahor, Zone 16, Yenagoa; and David Folawiyo, Zone 17 Akure.

Mr Asuquo Amba, former Commissioner of Police (CP), Ekiti Command, takes charge as AIG of the new FCID Annex Gombe.

Mr Olafimihan Adeoye, former CP Federal-SARS takes charge as the AIG, FCID Annex Enugu while Mr Uche Anozie, former CP Cross River takes charge as AIG, FCID Annex Lagos, he said.

Mba said the I-G urged the affected officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new places of assignment.

He enjoined them to bring policing closer to the people and work with relevant stakeholders to tackle crime and improve on policing services across the country.

He said the postings and re-deployments were with immediate effect.

Source: NAN News

By Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government says it will start charging face mask defaulters to court from next week, as the period of grace was over.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this while briefing newsmen on the update of the COVID-19 management in the state on Friday.

Sanwo-Olu said that at this phase in the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic, taking personal responsibility was now more important than ever.

He said that such personal responsibility was not only for self-protection but also for protecting other people, including loved ones.

According to him, mask usage is mandatory in public places as a strategy to curb the spread of the virus.

We are asking offices, business and commercial premises to refuse entry to any persons not wearing masks in line with the Presidential Task Force directive on No mask, no entry.

No mask, no service enforcement agencies will from this week charge defaulters to court, as the period of grace is now over.

Dear Lagosians, please continue to wash your hands regularly. As much as possible, maintain social distancing, especially in public places.

On our part as a government, we will continue to do everything possible to protect and uphold the health and wellbeing of the people of the state, the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu further said that the state government was commited to scaling up testing and isolation capacity and enforcing the guidelines issued.

With regards to enforcement, we are increasing our focus and efforts in this area. As you all know, guidelines and directives are effective only to the extent to which they are complied with by the citizenry.

The best laws and guidelines are of no use if they are disregarded by the people for whom they have been issued.

Lagos State belongs to all of us. We must join hands to ensure that we defeat this virus, he said.

The governor noted that the states COVID-19 hotline remained 08000CORONA.

He added that the hotline was available round the clock for people to make reports, seek testing and for infected persons to gain access to counselling and psychological support during the period of isolation and treatment.

Source: NAN News

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), has confirmed four passengers killed and four others missing in a boat mishap on Friday night in Ikorodu Lagos.

Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the General Manager of the agency, confirmed that the accident happened at Owode/Ibeshe near Ikorodu at about 8.00 p.m. on Friday evening.

Emmanuel said the boat, marked Lalek Marine, carrying 20 passengers was heading to Ikorodu from Ebute-Ero when it capsized.

He said that 11 passengers were rescued while one person was critically injured.

On Friday night, a-20 capacity passenger boat with the name Lalek Marine was suspected to have left Ebute Ero Jetty around 8.00 p.m. (after the approved sailing time of 6.00 p.m.) and didnt arrive at its destination which was Ikorodu Terminal.

The boat capsized at Owode Ibeshe, not too far away from Ikorodu.

As at this time, 20 passengers were presumed on board.

LASWA search party, local boat operators, Marine Police and the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) convened search and so far eleven passengers were rescued alive with one person in critical condition.

We have four fatalities while four still missing.

Search and rescue is still ongoing, the LASWA Manager said.

He said that the captain of the ferry was still missing and being searched for.

According to him both the boat operator and the passengers broke the law against night travel on waterways.

He said that the boat, which took off illegally from bt r jetty, heading towards Ikorodu, ran into an unforeseen object on the waterways, which resulted in the mishap.

Emmanuel said that during this COVID-19 pandemic, the last boat is expected to leave the jetty at 6.00 p.m.

Normally, boats are supposed to operate between 6.30 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. according to rules but during this COVID-19, operations should be between 6.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m.

Emmanuel said that the Lagos State Government, through the authority, had repeatedly stated that night travel on the Lagos Inland waterways was strictly forbidden.

NAN recalls that on June 23, a local boat with four adult males on a boating expedition capsized due to water turbulence.

Three of the passengers were rescued alive while one was missing.

Earlier on June 18, LASWA had celebrated zero records of boat mishap in the last six months in the state waterways.

Source: NAN News

Arsenals Brazil Under-23 striker, Gabriel Martinelli, has signed a new long-term contract at the Premier League club.

The news comes 48 hours after a fellow teenager, Bukayo Saka, 18, also agreed a new long-term deal with the Gunners.

The 19 year old Martinelli, who penned his new contract exactly a year after joining Arsenal, has scored 10 goals in 26 games for the club since moving from Brazilian side Ituano last year.

He has been sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury in training which required surgery.

I am very happy that Gabi has signed a new contract with us.

He is a very talented young player and he has impressed us with his performances, attitude and work-rate.

We are looking forward to getting him back to full fitness and to watching his development at our club, Manager Mikel Arteta told the club website

Martinelli is the first teenager to score 10 goals in a season for Arsenal since Nicolas Anelka over 20 years ago. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Deborah Coker
The Nigerian Army on Saturday distributed palliatives to Vulnerable persons in Igoh community, Upper Ekenhua in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo.

Brig.-Gen Usman Bello, Commander, 4 Brigade, Benin who distributed the palliatives on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai, said the exercise was part of activities to mark the 2020 Army Day celebration.

Bello said that the COAS took cognisance of the vulnerable people in the community in particular and the society at large as well as widows of military personnel in the Ekenhua cantonment.

He said that they constituted the worst hit by the various restriction and protocol adopted by government to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

He said it was in view of this that the COAS decided to reach out to them in order to cushion the effect of hardship occasioned by COVID-19.

He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about loss of jobs to many as well as economic crunch in the society.

However, we want our communities to know that we appreciate them and their contributions to make our work easier.

We also want them to continue to appreciate us so as to encourage us not to relent in service delivery in line with our constitutional obligations.

The packages may be small, but the spirit behind it is what matters, he said.

He further said that the exercise was simultaneously going on across all Army units and formations across the country.

He noted that the Army Day was an annual event celebrated in honour of Nigerians who have paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of the country.

In his remarks, the Head of Igoh community, Chief Suaues Osadolor, thanked the Army for the gesture.

According to him, it was an honour for his community to be chosen out of the several communities in the state to benefit from the COAS goodwill.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 100 persons received the palliative packages.

NAN also reports that the palliatives include rice, vegetable oil, seasonings, salt and beverages.

Source: NAN News

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations.

The Defence Headquarters says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation Lafiya Dole, on Friday, killed several Boko Haram terrorists in airstrikes in Borno.

The isurgents were killed in air strikes at Mina along the Gulumba Gana-Kumshe axis in Northern Borno.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Saturday, said the air raids also destroyed the terrorists logistics supplies at the location.

Enenche said the air interdiction missions being executed under the subsidiary Operation Long Reach II, had further destabilised the terrorists new leadership and curtailed their freedom of action.

He said the operation was sequel to intelligence reports indicating that the terrorists location had recently been reinforced with fighters and logistics supplies to provide resistance against troops positions.

According to him, confirmatory surveillance missions also observed significant numbers of terrorists in the settlement.

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets that engaged the location scored accurate hits in their bombing runs, neutralizing some of the terrorists and destroying some of their structures, including one of the terrorists logistics huts which was seen engulfed in flames.

Some of the fighters who escaped the bomb attacks were mopped as the jets strafed their hiding positions.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commends the ATF for their dedication, dexterity and professionalism.

The Defence Headquarters equally urges them to intensify the air offensive against the terrorists and all other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of our beloved country, he said.

Source: NAN News