Tankers explosion scene on Kara Bridge along Lagos- Ibadan Expressway on Sunday, June 21, 2020 (NAN photo)

By Yemi Adeleye

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced diversion of traffic on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, following an explosion involving four trailers on Sunday morning at Kara Bridge.

The Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, made the announcement in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Following the unfortunate crash that involved three fuel tankers and one other trailer that were engulfed in an inferno in the early hours of the day, FRSC operatives immediately mobilised and invited fire servicemen to extinguish the fire.

The situation, expectedly, impaired traffic situation around the scene of the fire outbreak and beyond.

This affected motorists, especially those driving out of Lagos.

To cushion the effect on the road users, FRSC temporarily diverted traffic between New Garage and the end of Kara bridge to allow a counter-flow for Ibadan bound traffic to use a lane from the Lagos bound section of the expressway.

FRSC hereby admonished motorists using the temporary lane to obey instructions from traffic officials around the scene of the crash and urged them to drive with caution, Ogungbemide said.

According to him, while the burning fire is being extinguished and waiting to clear up the wreckages off the road, motorists who are not close to the scene are advised to explore alternative routes.

Those travelling from Ibadan may turn at Sagamu interchange and use Abeokuta to Lagos through Sango Otta, Abule Egba, Iyana-Ipaja.

People travelling out of Lagos may also use the above route and travellers from Lagos Island can explore Victoria Island, Ajah to Ijebu Ode to continue their journey.

However, motorists around Mowe, Ibafo entering into Lagos or vice-versa using the temporary lane should please drive with extreme caution.

The sector commander, who urged motorists to drive with care, said that FRSC wished everyone safe journeys to their various destinations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

One of scene of rainstorm destruction at Badariya area in Birnin Kebbi

By Muhammad Lawal

The Chairman, Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Sani Dododo, has advised residents to plant trees in their houses to avert the menace of windstorm.

Dododo gave the advice while sympathising with victims of Friday windstorm during a visit to some affected areas in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some areas affected by the storm were Badariya area, Mobile Police Barrack, Bayan-Kara, parts of Gesse III and Bayan OANDO in Birnin Kebbi.

The report said that there was no lost of life during or after the incident.

Dododo said: This is a general appeal to all residents to endeavour to plant trees to protect their houses and the environment.

The state Ministry of Environment is distributing different varieties of tree seedlings free-of-charge and Gov. Atiku Bagudu is launching tree planting on annual basis.

These tree seedlings are distributed free and even if it is not free, in order to protect our houses and our environment, we should go and buy such trees for our own good.

If you are building a house, try to get some trees and plant so that before you finish the building those trees would have grown up.

Therefore, I am appealing to all including those affected by this disaster and those who are not, to go to the Ministry of Environment and collect these tree seedlings and plant them for the good of all.

Dododo said the incident was unfortunate, noting that most of the affected persons are low and middle income earners.

He said that some of the affected persons have just settled down after struggling from rented apartments to live in houses they could call their own.

Dododo urged traditional institutions in the affected areas to go house-to-house to ascertain the extend of damage in order to come up with list of the affected persons for possible assistance.

We want the traditional institutions to do this assignment holistically so that each and every person affected will benefit.

We want to know how many room(s) affected and how many people in each house so that we can come in formally and assist and this, we need urgently, he said.

On his part, the Chairman, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Council, Alhaji Aminu Ahmad, sympathised with the victims and prayed God to replace what was lost with something better.

He said the council was doing everything possible to have a genuine list of affected victims for onward submission to SEMA.

The chairman said that many of the victims are in dire need of assistance, hence the need for the Federal Government to come in and render assistance.

He also directed traditional institutions in the area to embark on house-to-house census to ascertain the level of damages and forward same to the council for proper action.

A cross-section of the victims appreciated the leaders for their separate visits, saying it is a show of concern.

One of the victims, Malam Aliyu Mohammed, said the rainstorm started on June 19 evening with strong wind which destroyed many houses and electric poles.

Malama Aisha Haruna said: It all started close to Magrib prayer time when rain was about to fall, wind was moving fast and strong, then we moved into our room with my children and we started praying.

After some time, the wind blew off our roof, pulled down the walls of the building which affected four rooms and destroyed some of our property.

We are using this medium to appeal for assistance from both government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and wealthy individuals to help us. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Tankers explosion scene on Kara Bridge along Lagos- Ibadan Expressway on Sunday, June 21, 2020 (NAN photo)

By Yemi Adeleye

Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says rescue operations have so far recovered a burnt body beyond recognition at the scene of Sundays explosion, involving four vehicles along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that rescue operations were still ongoing at the scene of the accident involving three tankers and a truck.

Providing update at 9:00a.m., Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide, FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, said that two injured persons been moved to the hospital.

The inferno as a result of the explosion is almost getting to an end. The fire services are still here from Lagos and Ogun states.

So far, we have been able to move two casualties to the General Hospital Gbagada. One was burnt beyond recognition.

The accident involved three tankers and one truck. Two of the tankers carrying petrol, another carrying gas and an articulated truck, he said.

On the possible cause of the accident, Ogungbemide, who noted that investigation was still ongoing, said that observations revealed that one of the tankers lost control and rammed into others which resulted in the explosion.

It was a loss of control. One of the tankers that rammed into other vehicles either had break failure or got distracted. Investigation is still on, we cant just be accurate now, he said.

FRSC had earlier announced diversion of traffic on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, following the explosion to avert a chaotic traffic situation on the busiest highway. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mrs Brigitte Yerima, DG NICO

Rape
By Mustapha Sumaila
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has concluded plans for a virtual conference to develop solutions against cases of rape in the country.

The Acting Executive Secretary of the institute, Mrs Bridget Yerima, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Yerima said the conference, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 24, at 11:00 a.m would be held via the Zoom platform.

She said that the topic rape as an anti-culture in contemporary Nigeria would be discussed.

Yerima added that participants from Nigeria and other parts of the world would make contributions towards finding a lasting solution to tackle the incessant rape cases in the country.

NAN recalls that in the last few months, there had been reported cases of rape in different parts of the country, a development some Nigerians attributed to recent lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari had expressed sadness over the recent cases of rape in the country.

In his 2020 Democracy Day Speech, Buhari assured Nigerians of his administrations determination to fight gender-based violence in the country through available resources.

He said: Nigerian women remain a particular treasure to this Nation and for this reason, this administration has continued to give them a place of pride in the affairs of our country, he said.

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Doctors,

By Abujah Racheal
The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its indefinite strike which started on June 15.

This followed a meeting between the association and the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) in Abuja.

NARD President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, announced this while addressing a news conference on Sunday in Abuja.

NEC has resolved to suspend the ongoing indefinite strike with effect from Monday June 22, 2020 by 8a.m., prompt.

The national officers shall continue negotiations with stakeholders and progress made shall be reviewed in four weeks during the next National Executive Council meeting in July 2020.

The decision to suspend the strike was taken in order to give the Federal and State Governments time to fulfill the outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of House of Representative, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum and other stakeholder, Solomba said.

He acknowledged the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in some hospitals but said there were still need for sustained supplies.

The president also announced that the Medical Residency Training fund had been included in the revised 2020 budget through the intervention of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and would be implemented as soon as the budget was assented to by the President.

He, however, gave the Federal Government four weeks to make good its promises.

At the same time, we await the fulfillment of the promise made by the Nigeria Governors Forum to ensure same is done in all the states.

On the salary shortfall for 2014-2016, The Secretary to the Government of the federation has promised to intervene.

Government has shown commitment to secure group life insurance for health workers. That the disengaged resident doctors at Jos University Teaching Hospital have been reinstated, the Chief Medical Director has been directed to pay their withheld salaries and comply with the provisions of the Medical Residency.

On State Tertiary Health Institutions (STHIs), the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum Gov. Kayode Fayemi and the Director General Mr Asishana Okauru, appealed to be given time to discuss with other state Governors.

The governors are those of Kogi, Gombe, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, kaduna, Nasarawa, Enugu, Anabara, Abia and Imo for immediate pay parity with the corrected CONMESS of 2019 and that salary shortfalls due our members will be paid shortly.

NARD also met with Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state who also gave his words to favourably look into all challenges of our members in LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso with a view to abiding by the international standard.

That the Executive Governors of Delta and Benue from reports by our members have been supportive although more needs to be done.

NEC observed that COVID-19 inducement allowance has only been paid to 11 federal health institutions and most state governments are yet to review the hazard allowance of health workers, he said.

Source: NAN News

Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation

By Yunus Yusuf
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has relocated its corporate headquarters from Lagos to Abuja.

Mr Khalid Emele, General Manager, Public Affairs of the agency, gave this hint in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Emele said this was in compliance with the recent directive from the Federal Ministry of Aviation, asking all agencies in the sector to relocate operational headquarters to the nations capital.

This is in a bid to ensure efficient and effective coordination and enhanced service delivery between the ministry and its agencies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Aviation had, in a letter dated May 4, ordered all the agencies under it to relocate their operational headquarters to Abuja within 45 days.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu and other critical staff of the agency had since relocated to the new NAMA headquarters in Abuja.

This is in strict adherence to the ministrys directive while arrangements are being made for other strategic staff to follow suit in due course, Emele said.

He said that all enquiries and correspondences to NAMA should be channelled through the agencys corporate address at 6, Ogbia Close, Off Arochukwu Street, Garki 2, Abuja.

He said all NAMA social media handles had been adjusted to reflect this change.

Source: NAN News

Suicide Symbol

By Suleiman Shehu

A 40-year-old man, Lanre Kazeem, allegedly committed suicide at the early hours of Sunday by hanging himself in his house at Eyin Grammer area of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the deceased was living in a rented house, and worked in a private palm kernel company around Soka Ibadan.

The incident took many residents of the area by surprise as they express sadness over the incident.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO),SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident to NAN Correspondent on Sunday.

Fadeyi said that the deceased hanged himself to death in his house and his corpse had been deposited at Adeoyo state Hospitas mortuary.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Sanyo division has visited the area to see what happened.

Investigation has commenced on the matter to know what actually happened,Fadeyi said.

Some residents of the area who spoke to NAN said that the deceased hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital and has no known relatives or friends all through his one year stay in the rented house.

They said that the deceased left no suicide note behind to explain the cause of his action and some of his neighbors claimed that the deceased has been sick for close to two weeks without any medical care.

Also speaking on the incident, the Chairman Eyin Grammar Landlords Association, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke said the incident was reported to him this morning and the police had visited taken the corpse to the mortuary.

Source: NAN News

By Habibu Harisu

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has begun a three-day free medical treatment to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and other residents in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach is an annual event organised by NAF to assist less priviledged and other vulnerable persons to access free and quality medicals.

Launching the programme on Saturday in Sabon Birni, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state described the medical outreach as a commendable gesture by NAF.

Tambuwal, represented by Commissioner for Health, Sokoto state, Dr Ali Inname, commended the efforts and urged NAF to extend such gestures to other areas such as education, in view of the availability of diverse expertise in the service.

He said that the 2020 activity that targeted IDPs and others in hard-to-reach communities in the state was demonstration of concern over victims of security challenges.

The governor added that food items and other consumables were provided by the state government to be distributed to beneficiaries along with the treatments.

He lauded the existing cordial relations between the community, NAFofficials and other securityagencies and urged them to redouble efforts at safeguarding peoples lives and protecting Nigerias territorial integrity.

In his address, the Director, Medical Services in NAF Headquarters, Group Cpt. Ali Tanko saidthat the exercise was part of efforts of Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, aimed at enhancing community relations through the provision of humanitarian services.

Tanko said that similar outreaches had been conducted by NAF in the past, noting that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and other auxiliary health workers, would provide services to beneficiaries free of charge in the exercise.

He added that drugs, eye glasses and other consumables would also be distributed to beneficiaries for free.

According to him, free test will also be conducted along with screening for eye ailments, hepatitis, malaria, diabetes and others.

Todays event signifies our commitment to improving our civil-military relationships. It is usually said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, Tanko said.

Speaking also, the Commander 119 Composite Group of Nigerian Air Force, Sokoto, Group Cpt. Garba Bello, said that the exercise would in no small way contribute to the health of the residents in the communities.

Bello said that the exercise comprised health screening including sugar and hepatitis tests to be done along with the general medical examinations.

Also, there will be distribution of mosquito nets as well as free eyeglasses and dental checks, he said.

The commander told the villagers that the health professionals at the event were ready to assist them with their health concerns.

According to him, those requiring further treatment such as surgeries, will be referred to nearby hospitals.

Earlier, the District Head of Sabon Birni, Alhaji Isa Muhammad, thanked the NAF for conducting the outreach in his community, noting that it would surely enhance peoples well-being.

Muhammad advised members of the community to take advantage of the outreach to access treatment, and stressed the need for the people to continue to live in harmony with security officials.

Some of the beneficiaries, Malam Jajujji Ibrahim, Iliyasu Suleiman and Yushau Lawalli, who spoke with NAN expressed happiness over the gesture.

The beneficiaries described the gesture as a lifeline to them, particularly because of the free medical items such as eye glasses and drugs.

Source: NAN News

The Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on Friday, June 19 neutralised three kidnappers during a commando operation at Quaan Pan Local Government Area of Plateau state.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

Enenche said that the operation was in continuation of intensive clearance operations under Operation Accord aimed at curtailing the activities of bandits and other criminals in the North West and North Central region.

He said that the daring raid was sequel to technical and human intelligence on the activities of a notorious kidnap kingpin at Pialat Hotel in Kwa.

According to him, troops overwhelmed the suspects who opened fire on them, with superior fire power, neutralising 3 of them while others escaped with gun shot wounds.

Enenche added that the troops recovered one Barreta pistol, one single barrel gun, two fabricated pistols, four rounds of 9mm ammunition, three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, four cartridges, one motorcycle and one techno phone.

He further disclosed that the same troops in collaboration with local vigilante rescued one Salisu Abdullahi, a herder, who went missing while grazing around Bakin Rafi at Gidan Ado general area in Riyom Local Government Area.

According to him, troops arrested a suspected kidnapper, one Alhaji Idris around Hawan-Kibo general area also in Riyom Local Government Area.

He added that four other suspected kidnappers were apprehended in connection with the kidnap of one Mr Abdullahi Abdullahi at Kwahas-Lahir area in Mangu Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, all the suspects have been handed over to relevant civil authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

Additionally, as part of Operation Accord Civil-Military cooperation activities, Headquaters Operation Safe Haven distributed relief materials to residents of Daffo district and Kuba village in Barkin Ladi Local Govwenment Area.

This was aimed at cushioning the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Military High Command congratulates Operation Safe Haven for their commitment.

While the general public is requested to continue to provide timely and credible information to the Armed Forces of Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

By Muhammad Lawal

Kebbi State Government has introduced e-learning for primary and integrated Quranic schools across the state to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Alhaji Muhammadu Magawata-Aliero disclosed that the three months programme is supported by the ECA/UNICEF project under Sokoto Field Office.

While briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, he said that the distance e-learning programme would be aired by the state-owned Kebbi TV, Kebbi Radio as well as Vision FM, Equity Radio and Brinkles FM.

Magawata-Aliero said that the assigned media houses have carried out mass awareness prior to the commencement of the lessons in form of jingles free of charge to enlighten parents, guardians and the larger community on the importance of the programme.

The commissioner added that the lessons would be handled by personnel under the Teacher Development Team (TDT) drawn from the State and Local Government Education Authorities.

These personnel were professionally trained by the UNICEF in handling lessons on Literacy, Numeracy and Science.

Both primary school pupils and their Integrated Quranic School counterparts will be taught lessons on RANA, HASKE and ESSPIN lessons (Numeracy, Literacy and Science), he said.

The commissioner explained that monitoring mechanisms would be put in place to ensure effective implementation and wider coverage of the lessons.

Source: NAN News

By Perpetua Onuegbu

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, says the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja expressway will soon be concluded and delivered for use.

Aliyu, who said this during the inspection of the dualisation of Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja road section 1 on Saturday in Abuja, noted that theconstruction had reached over 95 per cent completion.

According to Aliyu, President Muhammadu Buhari at the inception of his administration in 2015, had mandated that all inherited projects be completed and delivered before new ones are embarked upon.

He said the Abuja-Lokoja road was awarded by the previous administration in 2006 at the cost of N11.2billion, but was not completed.

Aliyu explained that President Buhari, mandated that all projects that were on ground must be finished since government was a continuum.

This project for which we are here today is an 84km road contract, 42km on the two carriage way each.

It was reviewed in 2018 and the cost increased based on the time value of money to N29billion, so work the has been going on and has reached over 95 per cent completion.

As you are all aware the programme for 2020 budget is to sort out the projects that has reached 80 to 90 per cent completion, push them and deliver them. So, this is part of the ones that has reached this percentage.

We are here to agree on certain grey areas that are making this road not to be completed at the time stipulated, because we expected them to have completed it in May this year, but we are now in June.

We are here with the contractors, they have complained on certain things, the honourable minister my senior colleague, mandated that I come here with other directors and interface and see first-hand, what is going on with the project, he said.

Speaking on his assessment of the road, Aliyu gave a pass mark on the work done so far and expressed optimism that the project would be delivered as soon as all the grey areas on the project were resolved.

Also speaking at the inspection site, Mr Nasiru Dantata, Executive Director, Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company, handlers of the project, stated that the challenge that had hindered the completion of the project was the necessary upgrade needed for the perfect delivery of the road.

According to him, such necessary input is the inclusion of a service lane in the pick park within the Gwagwalada metropolis, that will cater for the motorists that were going in and out of the park.

Our company and the ministry have identified that the area needs a service lane to cater for motorists that are going in and out of the park.

Therefore, the necessary approvals that are needed to get that done is what delayed the work.

It is going to be an easy work once it is approved. So, this area is the only missing link, only one stretch in Gwagwalada that is remaining. Once we do that we have small things to tidy up and handover the job, he explained.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the inspection of the road commenced from Zuba where the minister inspected some outstanding works on the project, through to Kuje interchange at Gwagwalada, Giri interchange to Airport Junction.

The Abuja-Lokoja expressway is one of the major Federal Government highway infrastructure projects being executed by the current administration, to facilitate socio-economic development and prosperity of the citizenry.

Aliyu was accompanied to the inspection, by Mrs Habiba Buhari, Federal Controller of Works FCT, Mr Jimoh Adekunle, Director, Highway Projects, North Central and Mr Yemi Oguntumhre, Director Construction and Rehabilitation, FMWH among others.

Source: NAN News

UK PM Boris Johnson

The figures include deaths in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.

As of Saturday morning, 303,110 people have tested positive for the disease in Britain, a daily increase of 1,295, according to the department.

As of Saturday morning, there have been 7,714,201 tests of the novel coronavirus in the country, with 230,550 tests on Friday, said the department.

The coronavirus alert level across Britain was lowered from four to three on Friday after a steady decrease in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Level four means the virus is in general circulation while the transmission is high or rising exponentially.

Level three means the virus is in general circulation and there could be a gradual relaxation of restrictions, according to the department. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III

By Muhammad Nasir Bello

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the new moon of Dhul-Qadah 1441 AH from Sunday, June 21.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dhul-Qadah is the 11th month in the Islamic Calendar which comes before the 12th month of Dhul-Hijja, when Muslim Ummah perform annual Hajj.

Abubakar made the call in a statement on Saturday signed by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Sunday, June 21, 2020, which is equivalent to 29th day of Shawwal 1441 AH, shall be the day to look out for the new moon of Dhul-Qadah 1441 AH.

Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking out for the new moon and to report its sighting to the nearest district or village head for onward communication to the Sultan, he said.

The Sultan prayed for Allah to help all Muslim Ummah in the discharge of their religious duties. (

Source: NAN News

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Federal Government is committed to improving healthcare infrastructure, economy, creating jobs among others despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic globally.

He said that the government would not relent in creating more jobs for millions of Nigerians in different sectors, supporting small businesses, local production and manufacturing, as well as extending the social safety net.

Osinbajos spokesman, Laolou Akande, in a statement in Abuja said the vice president participated as a guest panelist in the Emmanuel Chapels Economic Sustainability Beyond COVID-19 webinar on Friday.

According to Osinbajo, improving healthcare infrastructure remains a major objective of the administration.

He said that with the introduction of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund the kind of provision made for healthcare had increased significantly, especially in the period of a global pandemic.

Out of the N500 billion initial stimulus fund that is factored into the current budget, N126billion of it is going into healthcare.

We have all noted how states have risen up to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and how resuscitated healthcare facilities, new isolation centres, new Intensive Care Units(ICUs) are coming up.

The number of testing centres has also increased. We are hopeful that well be able to sustain that momentum.

The vice president said that one of the ways the administration was supporting small businesses was by reducing Company Income Tax.

On power, Osinbajo said that one of the proposals of the Economic Sustainability Plan was the adoption of renewable energy, especially solar, and working with the private sector to install mini grids and solar home systems across the country.

He said that as part of Federal governments plan to tackle unemployment, one of the proposals by the Economic Sustainability Committee, was to build 300,000 homes across the country within 12-months time frame.

Osinbajo added that small and medium scale local businesses and young professionals within the construction industry would benefit immensely from the policy.

This is also an opportunity for us to develop the local industry, especially the construction industry.

That is exactly the plan in developing the housing programme, because we thought it would generate the jobs that are required now, aside from the fact that we have a housing deficit.

The second point is that we intend to use local materials, locally produced, as much as is possible in construction.

It is also a fantastic opportunity for the private sector to bring in equipment and set up factories that could be used to manufacture some of these things.

It would be a massive game changer if we are able to deliver it in the way that we planned, he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had on June 11, received the Osinbajo-led Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) report entitled Bouncing Back: The Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan.

Source: NAN News

The results of 10 samples are being awaited as the laboratory commenced testing for the COVID-19 disease.

The Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, made this known on Saturday in Ado Ekiti at a media briefing by the State Task Force on Coronavirus.

She said 26 patients had been discharged while two patients were being treated as at Friday afternoon.

The commissioner added that the two patients were in stable condition.

Speaking on Gender Based Violence in the state, Yaya-Kolade urged all residents to stand up against the menace.

According to her, the wife of the Governir, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, has commenced advocacy to curb sexual assault in the society.

She said a Sexual Assault Resource Centre, the first in the country, would be inaugurated in the state on Monday.

Yaya-Kolade said the resource centre would pay the medical bills of victims and also give them vocational training.

The Coordinator of the taskforce, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, warned traders against converting roads and streets into markets as a result of the closure of markets.

He also warned residents to comply with the directive on wearing of facemasks in public.

The Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua, urged residents to abide by all the rules and protocols on COVID-19.

Source: NAN News

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in collaboration with UN Women has begun the distribution of palliatives to vulnerable women and girls in 16 states across the six geo-political zones and FCT.

The launch which held in Ushafa Village, Bwari Area Council of the FCT, marked the beginning of the distribution of palliatives from a 100,000 dollars donation by UN Women to the Women Affairs Ministry in April.

A statement issued in Abuja on Saturday by the UN Women said that the palliative targeted only vulnerable women and girls in the beneficial states.

The statement quoted Ms Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, as saying that 3,060 households will benefit from the distribution.

Lamptey listedstates to benefit from the first phase of the distribution to include Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos States and FCT

Through the palliative distribution spearheaded by the Ministry of Womens Affairs and state Ministries of Womens Affairs, we aim to provide at least 3,060 households across 16 states and the FCT with relief assistance.

The relief assistance includes food and hygienic materials to mitigate the immediate effects of COVID-19 and increase the dignity and well-being of women and girls.

We are confident that this model for affirmative procurement and women-led coordination will be a model for best practice to ensure women and girls are not left behind during crisis situations.

Womens leadership is key to helping us get through this pandemic and key to helping us recover economically, Lamptey said.

On her part, the Women Affairs Minister, Dame Pauline Tallen,expressed gratitude to the two ministers of FCT for the proactive measures taken to respond to the economic implications of the COVID-19 crisis.

The difference between what we hope to achieve is to specifically address the plight of widows, women living with HIV/AIDS, women with disabilities, elderly women and female-headed households during this pandemic, she said.

Drawing attention to the state of emergency declared against rape by state governors recently, the minister called on traditional and community leaders, men and boys to join the crusade by declaring zero tolerance toward rape and other forms of gender-based violence.

She also underscored the importance of refraining from victim blaming and shaming when addressing the issue of sexual and gender-based violence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the distribution would be implemented by the ministry of women affairs in collaboration with UN Women, state Ministries of Women Affairs and selected women civil society organisations in each selected state.

The intervention is aimed at providing relief assistance, contributing to strengthening resilience and the coping capacity of some of the most affected households, including vulnerable female-headed households, poor women with disabilities, and those affected by conflict situations in parts of the country.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ologungba

European Union (EU) and United Nations (UN) have received and handed over urgently needed essential medical supplies to the Nigerian Government to fight COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The UN stated this in a statement jointly issued by EU on Saturday in Abuja.

The EU and UN received delivery of vital supplies to help the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The shipment, along with others coming soon, are procured through the One UN COVID-19 Basket Fund with a significant contribution from the EU and will be valued at more than 22 million dollars.

The current shipment includes, among other items, 545 oxygen concentrators, more than 100,000 test kits, infrared digital no-touch thermometers and numerous Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Others are laboratory supplies and emergency health kits that will boost the Nigerian Governments efforts on COVID-19 response and care for those affected by the Coronavirus, it stated.

According to the statement, the medical supplies will enhance efforts of the frontline responders providing care and treatment to people affected by the virus.

It will also increase testing capacity and early detection of those affected by the virus, and support the management of COVID-19 cases.

The supplies were handed over to the Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and officially presented to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

The items were presented to PTF at an event attended by high-level delegates from the EU, Ministry of Health and UN, it said.

The statement quoted Mr Edward Kallon, the UNs Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordination in Nigeria, as saying that the arrival of the medical supplies will be a boost to the governments efforts.

It will be a boost to governments efforts to provide an efficient and effective healthcare response for those affected by the virus.

These vital supplies co-funded by the EU will help us to both protect healthcare workers and ensure people are tested and treated as quickly as possible to save lives, it said.

The EU has contributed EUR 50 million through the Nigeria One UN COVID-19 response, which served as One COVID-19 Financing and Investment Platform, through which different stakeholders could channel their financial support to the multi-sectoral efforts of the PTF on COVID-19 response.

The statement also quoted Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, as saying that the gesture signified a vital step in the response to the pandemic.

The alliance between Team Europe, the PTF and the UN has proven very strong; this is partnership in practice when it matters the most.

Addressing the health crisis in Nigeria and getting the economic wheels turning again are key priorities for the EU, all the while, making sure that we protect the most vulnerable, it further stated.

The growing COVID-19 crisis threatened to disproportionately impact communities not only as a health crisis in the short term, but as a devastating social and economic crisis over the months and years to come.

The One UN COVID-19 response is working closely with the Nigerian government in its pandemic response efforts through sharing crucial information with communities on how to protect themselves, infection prevention and control, epidemiology/surveillance and management of COVID-19 cases.

The fund will also support income-generating opportunities for people whose livelihoods are most at risk through cash transfers and help restore supply chains disrupted by the pandemic.

We must all work together to contain the pandemic in Nigeria it is only through close joint efforts that we can keep Nigerians healthy and ensure good care for those affected.

We will beat this virus in Nigeria and the support we are receiving from partners such as the EU, UN and others brings us even closer to this ultimate goal, said Mr Boss Mustapha, Chairman, PTF on COVID-19.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Aminu Masari, of Katsina State.

Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State says his administration drilled 2,000 boreholes to tackle what he called recurring water shortage in the state.

Masari disclosed this on Saturday when he inspected the Ajiwa Water Works meant to supply water to the Katsina metropolis.

The governor said that the water project when completed would ensure that the perennial water shortage in the Katsina metropolis would be a thing of the past.

Masari charged the contractor handling the project to complete it on schedule.

He also urged the contractor to execute the project according to specification for it to stand the test of time.

He said that his administration would always embark on projects with direct effects on the lives of the people of the state.

The governor appealed to the people of the state to give him necessary support and cooperation to enable him to provide the dividends of democracy to them.

Source: NAN News

According to a statement from MIE, the restart of air transport will have, as a priority, the preventive and protective rules of health safety as recommended in the guidelines drafted by the international civil aviation organisations and public health institute.

The decision to resume regular international flights was taken in accordance with the statement of the European Commission, which on June 1 recommended the lifting of travel restrictions for Western Balkan countries, including Albania as of July 1, said MIE.

The ministry underlined that starting from June 22, airlines operating from and to TIA must take the necessary measures to enable the reservation of flights.

Airline companies will be responsible for informing passengers of possible restrictions on departures from TIA to the intended destination airport, as well as on all requirements, health care and safety rules at the destination airports.

Albanian Civil Aviation Authority will monitor the implementation of all measures and the procedures to be followed by airlines.

TIA is about to resume its regular activity following a nearly three-month closure due to the coronavirus outbreak in Albania.

The government has lifted the majority of lockdown measures imposed since March 9 in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

On Saturday, health authorities reported 53 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total confirmed number in the country to 1,891, with 1,126 recoveries and 43 fatalities. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) on Friday said Nigeria was still at risk of Polio epidemic as the country await to be formally certified polio free in August.

Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director of the Agency, stated this at a Zoom meeting to celebrate the new status with some donor partners and stakeholders in Abuja.

Shuaib, however, assured Nigerians that all actions, particularly vaccination would be intensified to avert a resurgence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African Regional Commission for Certification of Polio Eradication (ARCC), an organ of World Health Organisation (WHO), accepted Nigerias Wild Polio Virus Free Documentation after 30 years, on June 18.

Shuaib said though, the certification meant that there was no wild polio virus anywhere in Nigeria, it did not mean the work was over.

According to him, the virus can still be imported from other endemic countries.

As a matter of fact, even, the earlier the work starts, because we have to maintain this status.

This means we have to continue to give our kids the vaccination that they need against the virus, and all the other vaccine preventable diseases.

We should not forget that we still have Afghanistan and Pakistan that are endemic for wild polio viruses, which means there is still a potential that this viruses may be imported into Nigeria.

We live in a global village, you can see how COVID-19 spread so fast from China, by the same token, we could have wild polio virus spread from these two endemic countries, he said.

Shuaib said though donor partners would withdraw funding, Nigeria have enough to sustain ongoing vaccination across the country, including hard to reach communities.

He said government was gradually taking responsibility for health.

The executive director said: The country will continue to make sure that we put in place all of the strategies.

We will continue to look everywhere to make sure that there is no child anywhere in Nigeria that will be paralysed from the wild polio virus.

Shauib said that the National Assembly had committed enough resources to make sure that the agency has enough stock of all the vaccine needed and the operations needed to convey the vaccines to remote areas.

He said that the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) had also been signed into law and would be released in a few weeks for funding to be partitioned for vaccines.

Its an amazing opportunity that we have to make sure that we do not see a resurgence of the wild polio virus, an opportunity to make sure we protect all our kids from vaccine preventable diseases.

With the support we are getting from state governors and traditional institutions, I think we are in a better place than were we are a few years ago.

There is a steady increase in coverage.

In 2015, we had 40 per cent routine immunisation but, in 2018, it increased to 57 per cent, we are at 67 per cent now, he said.

The executive secretary said that the certification would take place from Aug. 24 to Aug. 28, when a formal certificate would be awarded to the President.

He said the skills garnered from the polio eradication programme were being deployed to eradicate the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

Earlier, Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, said the declaration of Nigeria as polio free did not mean the work had finished as the country was being threatened by COVID-19.

Ehanire said that all stakeholders involved in the eradication of polio would not rest until Coronavirus was defeated.

We face a new enemy. There is the Coronavirus out there.

After we defeated the polio virus, there is no time for rest.

NPHCDA will also be in the battle to ensure that Nigeria is kept safe from another virus threatening the world, Ehanire said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News