By Gabriel Agbeja

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thundery and cloudy weather conditions from Saturday to Monday.

NiMets weather outlook released on Friday in Abuja stated that cloudy conditions still prevailed across the country.

According to it, a few thunderstorms and rains are observed over parts of the North Central and South East.

For Saturday, cloudy conditions with possibilities of overnight thunderstorms are envisaged over southern Yobe, Gombe, and Bauchi in the morning.

Later in the day, few thunderstorms are anticipated over Yola, Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Zaria, Gusau, southern Borno and southern Kano.

Central cities are expected to be cloudy with prospects of light thunderstorms over Jos axis during the morning.

There are chances of thunderstorms over high grounds of the region in the afternoon and evening periods, it said.

NiMet predicted a cloudy morning over the south with slim chances of rains over some coastal cities such as Lagos, Ijebu-Ode and Calabar.

The agency further predicted the southern region to experience rains during the afternoon and evening periods.

For Sunday, cloudy skies with intervals of sunshine are expected over the north during the morning hours.

Pockets of thunderstorms are likely over northern region during the afternoon/evening hours. Central cities should anticipate cloudy morning.

Later in the day, most areas over the region will be cloudy with prospects of a few thunderstorms over the high ground areas of the region, it said.

According to it, the South West inland areas will be cloudy, while some South East inland and coastal cities such as Enugu, Abakaliki and Benin will experience morning thunderstorms and rains.

NiMet forecast thunderstorms and rains activities over most parts of the southern region in the afternoon and evening periods.

For Monday, the north will experience much cloudiness during morning hours with chances of thunderstorms envisaged over Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states.

The northeastern region is likely to experience light thunderstorms during afternoon and evening hours.

Few thunderstorms are anticipated over some central cities such as Makurdi and Lokoja during the morning, leaving other places under cloudy skies.

Later in the day, thunderstorms are anticipated over most places in the region.

Residents of the South East along with the coastal cities are expected to experience morning thunderstorms and rains.

There are prospects of thunderstorms over the entire south in the afternoon and evening periods, it said.

Source: NAN News

By Oluwafunke Ishola/Florence Onuegbu

The Lagos State Government has announced the recovery and discharge of 98 more novel coronavirus patients.

The patients have tested negative twice for the virus.

The state Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who made the disclosure in a statement on Friday, said that a total of 1,283 patients had been successfully managed and discharged in the state.

Good people of Lagos, today, 98 fully recovered COVID-19 Lagos patients: 71 males and 27 females, were discharged from our isolation facilities to reunite with the society.

The patients: 23 from Onikan, 17 from Gbagada, 14 from Agidingbi, one from Paelon Centre (an accredited private facility), four from Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, 17 from Eti-Osa (LandMark) and 22 from LUTH Isolation Centre, were discharged, having fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19.

With this, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases that have been successfully managed and discharged in Lagos has risen to 1,283, the COVID-19 incident commander said.

Source: NAN News

The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice will, on Monday, deliver judgement as it resumes suspended court proceedings, following precautions taken to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement issued by the court, on Friday, said the judgement would be delivered by a panel of three justices, led by President of the Court, Hon. Justice Edward Asante.

In the suit no ECW/CCJ/APP/33/17/SUPP, filed on Sept. 8, 2017, one Dr Rose Mbatomon Ako issuing five defendants for illegal eviction from her official residence.

The five defendants in the suit are the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA); the Director-General, the Chairman, Committee of Governors of the Central Banks of ECOWAS Member States; Attorney General of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Republic of Sierra Leone.

Ako,the plaintiff and former employee of WAMA, alleged that followingthe wrongful termination of her appointment, the first and second defendants unlawfully and illegally evicted her from official residence and seized her personal belongings.

According to her, this rendered her an internally displaced person.

She averred that although the court had, in an earlier judgement ECW/CCJ/JUD/01/13 to her suit ECW/CCJ/APP/15/11, awarded compensation in her favour, it was silent on some reliefs she sought for, particularly one that related to the recovery of her personal belongings.

She is, therefore, seeking among others, orders of the court declaring that the first and seconddefendants enjoy limited diplomatic immunity and liable, contrary to their argument.

Ako is also praying the court to mandate the first and second defendants to execute the judgment of a High Court of Sierra Leone, which awarded her damages.

She wants the court to compel the defendants to pay special damages estimated at ,552 and punitive damages in the sum of ,000, and a mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to release her properties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the ECOWAS court had on May 13, issued a practice direction on electronic case management and virtual court session to enable it to resume judicial functions and deliver timely justice in line with its mandate.

Source: NAN News

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic says the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, remains one of the red spots where community spread of the virus is prevalent.

The Chairman of PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made this known on Friday, while receiving a donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worth N10 million from Rotary District 9125.

Mustapha was represented by the Permanent Secretary (General Services Office), Mr Olusegun Adekunle.

He said that 20 local government areas currently contributed 60 per cent of the COVID-19 cases in the country.

The PTF chairman listed the affected areas to include: Mainland, Abuja Municipal, Mushin, Eti-Osa, Tarauni, Katsina, Alimosho, Maiduguri, Kosofe and Dutse.

Others were Ikeja, Nassarawa, Oshodi/Isolo, Apapa, Amuwo Odofin, Oredo, Bauchi, Lagos Island, Surulere and Ado Odo/Ota.

Mustapha blamed the rising community spread of the pandemic to poor level of compliance with the precautionary measures at the community level.

He, therefore, appealed to the group, led by its Governor, Victor Onukhugwa, to take the COVID-19 pandemic awareness campaign to the communities.

We want to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of this development.

We urge Rotary to help us take the awareness further. The risk management team is available to share strategy with the organisation, Mustapha said.

The SGF further warned that the ravaging effect of COVID-19 pandemic was there for everyone to see, including the impact on both governance and the economy.

It is for us to strategise for a new way of life. A good number of staff have not been at work for the past four months. The impact of this in the economy is glaring.

The fatality rate is quite high. We keep telling Nigerians that please these are not just numbers, but brothers, sisters and colleagues that have passed on.

Some groups and clubs have been trying hard for us to control this. The resources needed to fight the virus are enormous, Mustapha said.

He further lauded Rotary District 9125 for the donation, saying that some of the items had become scarce commodity due to global demand.

We acknowledge that the donations are useful. The items are being chased globally, even, if you have resources you might not get them.

The donation is gratifying because hundreds of medical personnel have been infected, perhaps due to lack of the kits.

They will be used judiciously and it will be accounted for. We received this items with gratitude.

We must form a chain and therefore, we cannot afford to have a weak link in the chain, he further said.

In his remarks, Onukwugha congratulated Nigeria for being certified polio free country.

He said that the club had donated materials to the less privileged and vulnerable groups since the outbreak of the pandemic.

According to him, we have come here with PPE to donate to what you have. We are happy that we have provided these items.

Beyond this, we are keen to ensure that Nigeria is COVID-19 free. We have people in the field doing advocacy.

Before COVID-19, we have been advocating handwashing, he said.

NAN reports that the items donated included sterile hand gloves, latex examination gloves, face masks with shield, surgical face masks, N95 face masks and KN95 facemasks.

Others were disposable theatre gowns, waterproof aprons, safety goggles, theatre caps, shoe covers, hand sanitisers, Infrared thermometers and 9V batteries for thermometers.

Source: NAN News

By Ibukun Emiola

Oyo State Government said it had rescued a seven-year-old girl who had been a victim of physical abuse, torture and assault by her father.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, in a statement in Ibadan on Friday, described the incident as an inhuman treatment meted out to an innocent child.

Sanni stated that the father was arrested in Ibadan following a report made available to the Ministrys Rapid Response Rescue Team on Sexual, Gender-Based Violence and Child Abuse

Sanni said: We received a report of the incident through a social media handle of someone living in that community on our Rapid Response Rescue Team media platform.

The report said that the father of the young girl, who resides in Bodija, Ibadan, allegedly abused and inflicted injuries on his seven years old daughter who as a result, has scars and bruises all over her body.

It was also reported that the father, who works as a security man with an undisclosed outfit, constantly torture the child for reasons yet to be explained.

We also learnt that the mother of the child has travelled to their village in Akwa Ibom to give birth to another child and left the seven-year-old with her father who subjected the girl to abuse.

He instructed the poor girl to always tell anyone who asked about the marks and bruises on her body that she fell, as a cover-up story to his evil act.

The child has been taken to Oni and Sons Children Hospital at Ring Road, Ibadan, for medical examination and treatment, while the ministry has also made adequate provision for alternative care and support for the child.

We are also on contact tracing of the wife to get details about the family.

She added that child abuse in any form was against the will of God and humanity, stressing that it was an act that hurts children and negatively impacts on their development and wellbeing.

Sanni reiterated the zero tolerance of Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.

The commissioner further assured that all hands were on deck to fight and deal with perpetrators as extant laws were being reviewed to bring perpetrators of such evil acts into justice, irrespective of their background or status.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde

Gov. Seyi Makinde has inaugurated N1 billion Oyo State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Scheme, as part of interventions targeted at stimulating economy of the state.

Makinde said the scheme was part of the states post-COVID-19 economic recovery plans.

The governor, while carrying out the symbolic presentation of cheques to some of the beneficiaries, said the scheme would not only stimulate the economy of the state but create more jobs for its teeming youths and make owners of MSME to be self-reliant.

He urged all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the loan by abstaining from ventures and activities that could ruin their businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Olarinde Olakunle, Ruth Adeniji and Taofeeq Oladimeji were among the beneficiaries that received N2.5 million, N3 million and N3 million, respectively.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Olakunle appreciated the Makinde-led administration for deeming it fit to provide them the loan and promised that the loan would be used judiciously.

Source: NAN News

The Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun said one person died while two others sustained injuries in an accident at Oju-Ore, Idiroko Road, Ota.

Adekunle Ajibade, TRACE Area Commander, Sango-Ota, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota that the accident occurred in Lombardy area at about 3.00 p.m.

He said the accident involved a Man Diesel truck with registration number XA733MGU, a Bajaj motorcycle marked TTN377WJ and a passerby who suddenly crossed the road.

Ajibade said the accident occurred when a pedestrian suddenly crossed the road while the motorcycle operator was trying to overtake the truck.

He said the motorcyclist rammed into the truck while trying to avoid the pedestrian and died instantly, while the two passengers on the bike sustained various degrees of injuries

Incidentally, the two passengers at the back of the motorcycle jumped over the bike, and thus escaped being hit. But they sustained various degrees of injuries.

The corpse of the motorcyclist have been deposited at the morgue of Ifo General Hospital, while the survivors are receiving treatment at the same hospital, the official said.

Ajibade advised motorists, including motorbike operators, to be careful while on the highway to avoid unnecessary loss of lives. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, says practicing Yoga could provide a multidimensional solution to coronavirus (COVID-19).

The prime minsiter explained that it helps open the lungs, understands the immune system and unites body and soul.

Modi ,made this known in a video message which was made available by the Indian High Commission in Abuja in commemoration of the 2020 International Day of Yoga themed: Yoga at home.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the United Nations set aside June 21 to celebrate yoga, a physical, mental and spiritual exercise which originated from India.

According to Modi, Yoga offers something for everyone, it enables strong minds and healthy bodies and a practice that would be a focus and more popular in preventive health care post COVD-19 pandemic.

I am happy to note the growing popularity of Yoga in the last few years, especially among the youths.

We are marking the Sixth Yoga day in extraordinary times. Usually, Yoga day is about public events, and mass participation, but this day, yoga day goes indoors.

The theme of this year is Yoga at home and Yoga with family.

The world is fighting a pandemic on monumental scale but yoga provides multidimensional solutions to the multiple challenges COVID-19 has brought.

Yoga gives you the opportunity to know your immune system better and put in extra efforts needed.

Yoga has the potential to cater to our mental, physical and psychological challenges, it put to test how one can live in challenging times, Yoga offers something for everyone, it enables strong minds and healthy bodies.

In the post COVID era, the focus on preventive health care will get stronger and that is why I am confident that Yoga will even more popular.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have reduced our mobility but it should not affect our enthusiasm which is Yoga.

Respecting the present international situation, let us mark the Sixth international day of Yoga from our homes, with our families and let us follow all forms of social distancing, Modi said.

Indias High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhay Thakur also reiterated the benefits of yoga to individuals health and a holistic approach beyond physical exercise that helps one discovers his/herself.

Thakur said that yoga was part of the solution from todays problems and just like the new norm of the COVID-19 pandemic like observing digital meetings at home, yoga can be practiced at home observing social distancing.

He said that the High Commission is pleased to have observed Yoga day with necessary precautions of physical distancing and really spreading out and reaching out to people at home.

Celebrating and practicing Yoga is even more relevant in this very challenging and difficult time of the pandemic of COVID-19.

As the Ambassador, I will like to share that more than anything else, we tend to look at Yoga, cultural activities as a particular concept but Yoga is truly universal in todays times, it basically means union.

It is union with the self, union with the almighty, union with all your fellow compatriots and the most important message is let us look within.

Analysing every movement of your body is like being your own doctor. Those in the medical profession would understand how brains functions, how muscle functions, how lung functions and how you breath.

It is important that each of us also appreciates this in a holistic manner and this is more than what Yoga teaches us.

If I know exactly how my lungs function or how my body operates,I know how I can relax so that my entire wellbeing improves.

The universal message is even more relevant in todays times, it would serve us well especially as we are short of health facilities.

From the most developed countries in Europe, the Americas, developing countries like Nigeria and India,Thakur said.

Mr Basant Ram, a Yoga therapist in a lecture said that the health benefits of yoga should not be taken for granted, stating that yoga is beyond a physical activity, but a practice that nourishes the soul.

He said that yoga is also less expensive to practice and as an activity that complies with the stay at home order and social distancing.

From this pandemic, everyone is locked down in a house. Before now, when people exercise, they use supportive equipments, go to the gyms but Yoga requires just you and yourself.

Yoga helps us preempts the disease, we start experiencing some low energies then it affects the mind and the body so you are able to detect the disease before it manifests in the body, Ram said.

Source: NAN News

GM products

By Okeoghene Akubuike

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), has assured Nigerians of its commitment to ensure proper regulation of imported Genetically Modified (GM) products .

Dr Rufus Ebegba, NBMA Director-General, who gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday in Abuja, said Nigeria would not become a dumping ground for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Ebegba said the agency would ensure that the socio-economic consequences of modern biotechnology use and handling of GMOs and GM products were guarded against.

One of our legacies is that we have built confidence in the practice of modern biotechnology, use and handling of GMOs and GM products.

The agency will continue to ensure the proper regulation of imported GM products.

Other African countries look up to Nigeria for leadership in biosafety issues, so we cannot fail.

He said Nigeria would continue to reaffirm its commitment to the principles of international Agreements and Treaties to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Cartagena Protocol and Biosafety (CPB).

Ebegba, however, said one of the challenges of the agency was inadequate public awareness,which had resulted in lack of public understanding of the concept of biosafety and its potential benefit to national growth.

The NBMA boss added that anti-GMOs lobbyists and anti-GM movement were on the increase, aggressively misinforming and misleading stakeholders.

Misrepresentation of the agencys mandate and activities by third party influences has led to misguided perception of the mandate and activities of the agency and continuous attacks by some activists, the director-general said.

He further said that increased and prompt appropriation of funds would help increase the pace of work of the agency as well as improve its overall performance.

Ebegba said the agencys new focus would be on routine biosafety surveillance and risk assessment; capacity building for staff and stakeholders; development of national policy on biosecurity and national biosecurity emergency response strategy.

There will be continuous inspection and monitoring of GM facilities as well as survey of GMOs and their products in circulation to ensure biosafety compliance.

Organisation of trainings and enlightenment programmes on emerging biotechnology, such as gene drive, gene editing, gene sequencing and biosecurity as well as mainstreaming same into national agenda, he added.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

The evacuees checking in before their departure from the Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, on Saturday evening

The Federal Government on Friday evacuated 356 stranded Nigerians from Dubai and Pakistan alongside four Pakistani in line with the new protocols for evacuation.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this via his verified Twitter handle @GeoffreyOnyeama.

Eventually, 56 Nigerians and 4 Pakistanis were safely evacuated from Islamabad to Abuja on a chartered aircraft operated by TARCO AVIATION Co. Ltd.

An Emirates flight from UAE conveying about 300 Nigerians is expected to land at about 3.55 p.m from Dubai, Onyeama twitted.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new protocol for evacuation requires all returnees to undergo the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing within 72 hours.

They are also expected to go into the 14-day self isolation.

Source: NAN News

NSE

Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday traded 174.68 million shares valued at N2.01 billion in 3,695 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 171.21 million shares worth N2.21 billion exchanged in 3315 deals on Thursday.

A breakdown of the activity chart indicates that Mutual Benefits Insurance was the toast of investors, accounting for 26.59 million shares valued at N5.58 million.

It was trailed by Zenith Bank with 12.66 million shares worth N205.71 million, while Guaranty Trust Bank traded 12.12 million shares valued at N279.81 million.

United Bank for Africa sold 11.27 million shares worth N72.13 million, while FBN Holdings traded 9.87 million shares N52.13 million.

The All-Share Index which opened at 24,933.41 lost 106.66 points or 0.43 per cent to close at 24,826.75.

Also, the market capitalisation of listed equities dipped N55 billion to close lower at N12.951 trillion from N13.006 trillion reported on Thursday.

An analysis of the price movement table indicates that Dangote Cement recorded the highest loss to lead the decliners chart, dropping by N9 to close at N130, per share.

Okomu Oil trailed with N3 to close at N64, while Guinness was down by 50k to close at N17 per share.

UACN dipped 20k to close at N7, while Dangote Sugar also lost 20k to close at N14.30 per share.

Conversely, BUA Cement led the gainers table, gaining N2.60 to close at N44 per share.

Total came second with a gain of N1.40 to close at N97.50, while MTN Nigeria Communications garnered 60k to close at N116.10 per share.

Lafarge Wapco added 20k to close at N11.20, while FBN Holdings also gained 20k to close at N5.30 per share.

Source: NAN News

Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment

By Ismaila Chafe

The Federal Government has released the sum of N4.5 billion to 31 Federal Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres across the country.

The government also earmarked N9billion for payment of insurance claims.

Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, announced this when he alongside Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire, briefed State House correspondents at the end of a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting took place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Ngige disclosed that the N4.5billion covered payment of hazard and inducement allowances for the months of April and May while fresh payment for June would soon be effected.

He explained that the payment was in fulfillment of part of the demands of the National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD), who are currently on nationwide industrial action.

The minister, therefore, expressed optimism that the strike action embarked upon by the NARD would be called off as the federal government had met parts of their demands, substantially.

Just this morning, before we went to see Mr President, the Ministry of Finance reported that as at this morning, 3:00 a.m, it has paid the allowances for hazard and inducement to 31 Teaching Hospitals, Federal Medical Centres and Specialist Hospitals of the federal government service.

They have expended close to N4.5 billion in the payment because, we are paying them the arrears of April and May. The payment for June will also be done immediately these ones are sorted out.

Again, its important to report to you that in consonance with what hes (Osagie Ehanire) saying, we have arranged a meeting for them to speak to the Nigerian Governors Forum because you dont mix apples and oranges.

The issue of health is on the concurrent list, so the federal government will do its own and the state governments will be expected to do their own.

Some of their grievances border on what they feel the state governments have not done.
Ngige further disclosed that the federal government had earmarked N9 billion for immediate payment as Group Life Insurance to workers including health and medical personnel who lost their lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also there was evidence that the insurance premium had been paid.

In fact N9billion has been spent by the federal government to pay for insurance not only for health workers this time but every worker in the public service of the federation.

This is to enable any other health worker who loses his live as a result of the COVID-19 to benefit from the insurance scheme as the family can make claims from the Group Life Insurance as enshrined in the Pension Acts.

So, this is the situation and as of now we are still in dialogue with them; we are still talking to them, he said

In his contribution, Ehanire expressed the hope that the doctors would call off the strike as federal government was doing all it could to restore sanity in the nations health sector.

He said: We hope that there is a solution in sight; what we have done is to brief the President of the country, who as we all know has the final responsibility for everything that goes on in government.

Those of us who are ministers administer our ministries and have to report to him periodically.

In this particular case, it has been important to report to him how things have been because of the strike action of resident doctors.

We have to report to him the implications and the possible consequences of such a strike action.

He listened to us carefully, of course he is not happy that it has come this way and we all hope that it would be resolved after all the demands that were made have been resolved.

The Minister of Labour and Employment has listed those demands and how all of them have been fulfilled except those of them which are not within our ambit.

Source: NAN News

Prof. Olatunji Kolawole of the Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, has warned traditional medical practitioners to stop the use of scarification marks as a method in disease treatment.

Kolawole gave the warning in his research paper entitled: Transcending the viral world: A tale of mimicry, knockdown and knockout.

Scarification in Nigeria is for identification and medication and it involves a long and painful process, where the skin is cut or pierced with a sharp object or hot instrument, leaving scars on the affected area.

Scarification tradition still persists in the country until date. It is used in traditional healing for children who suffer strange illnesses at infancy, marked with these ritual incisions to cure them from the ailment and ward off future attacks.

Kolawole, while speaking on prevalence of Hepatitis C (HCV) in the country, especially among mothers and pre-school age children, said that study have shown a correlation between scarification and HCV prevalence.

He stated that scarification was also shown to be a major risk factor associated with Hepatitis B, with greater health challenges.

Nigeria is in the region with high prevalence of HBV and HCV. There are many unvaccinated women in childbearing age who are at risk of these infections.

It is important to note that infection by HBV and HCV early in life underscores the potential of adding to the burden of viral Hepatitis and its attending complication of hepatocellular carcinoma later in life, he said.

Kolawole described HBC as Ban infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation.

He added that the virus is spread by contact with contaminated blood, such as sharing needles or from unsterile tattoo or scarification equipment.

Source: NAN News

By Cecilia Ijuo

Nigeria Fish Farmers Association (NFAN) says it supports the re-election of Dr Akinwumi Adesina as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) because of his numerous achievements.

The National Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr Chidike Uko, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

Uko said Adesina had been tested and trusted.

He said it was in view of that, that NFAN recently joined other commodity associations to support his re-election.

Uko said Adesina was able to revolutionise agriculture in Nigeria with the agricultural transformation agenda, particularly e-wallet system.

According to him, Adesina was able to attract youths, including graduates into agriculture, a move which has led to a paradigm shift in the way youths viewed agriculture.

He noted that having contested for the presidency of the AfDB and won in 2015, Adesina had shown that he is capable of carrying out his function for a second term.

But right now, there is an interference to see that his going back will be tough.

Not that he will not go back, he will but it will be tough because of scrutiny.

But having been cleared by the ethics committee, we see no reason why the matter should linger because he is someone, who does his work in the open.

He is a Nigerian son and an international citizen, whom everybody who knows his worth, even from the U.S., will know that he is a policy driver for everything he has to do, he said.

Uko further noted that Adesina had equally shown concern for the repositioning of the fish subsector.

Today in Nigeria we are having almost half of our fish demand imported.

With the policy that he introduced on agricultural mechanisation, we are witnessing enhanced fish production and processing.

Even with our inability to satisfy local demand for fish; we are still having fish gloat and post-harvest losses.

So, what the processing zone he created, we are sure that that the fish harvested can be processed and saved so that the life shelf of fish can be nine months.

Therefore, we will not suffer any post-harvest losses again.

There will not be fish gloat in Nigeria and we will be adding value to the economy of the country and reducing the import bill.

The publicity secretary further said that if Adesina could be doing this at the African level, the continents economy would come out bigger, better and begin to contest with the Asian tigers and the rest of them.

But the most important thing is that if you are playing in the international community you must lobby, you must work hard to position yourself.

The interests that are coming to ask him not to move forward at this time are not out of point but we need to know, as Africans, what is good for us, he added.

NAN reports that NFAN recently joined over 52 commodity associations, under the auspices of Federation of Agricultural Commodities Association of Nigeria (FACAN), to endorse the re-election of Adesina as President of AfDB.

Source: NAN News

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it will activate its Institute of Administrative Management to address deficiencies in manpower development and career projection of personnel.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar made the disclosure during the graduation of 86 personnel of sundry courses at the Military Training Centre (MTC), NAF Base Kaduna, on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Air Chief, who was represented by Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters, AVM Muhammad Idris, added that the reactivation of the institute would ensure efficient service delivery.

NAN also report that the 86 NAF personnel completed various administrative, clerical, physical education and airmen courses, which lasted six months.

He urged the personnel to work hard and remain committed to the Nigerian Air Force.

Abubakar emphasised his determination to bequeath a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigerias national security imperatives.

You would all agree with me that a lot has been done over the past four and half years to address the challenges of the Nigerian Air Force in the aspect of capacity building.

The NAF embarked on restructuring efforts as well as the training of aircrew and non-aircrew personnel across all specialties and trades both in Nigeria and abroad.

While these trainings are ongoing, frantic efforts were made to ensure that aircrafts were regularly available to boost NAF operations by promptly providing aircraft spares.

This administration equally embarked on infrastructural development through the execution of over 900 projects which include the upgrade and provision of additional housing, schools, hospitals, operational and recreational facilities.

These efforts have led to the accommodation of
over 7,500 families.

All these efforts are aimed at enhancing the welfare of personnel thereby improving the operational output of the NAF.

Abubakar told the graduands that NAF expects them to always remain highly proficient while discharging their duties.

He also reminded them that discipline remained the bedrock of any fighting force, without which, there can be no cohesion and team work.

The Air Chief admonished all NAF personnel to support the Governments efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the various guidelines issued in response to the pandemic.

He disclosed that NAF had approved the mass production of pamphlets on various Tips for Physical Fitness exercises to keep fit during the pandemic.

Abubakar, therefore, urged the personnel to avoid unnecessary gatherings, wear face mask, observe physical distancing and shun unnecessary interstate movements.

Earlier, the Commandant of MTC, Air Cmdr Aliyu Bello, said the the basic courses were on non-technical ground specialties for officers, airmen and airwomen, to imbibe them with skills and requisite knowledge to perform efficiently in their assigned responsibilities.

Bello assured that the Centre would continue to provide quality training to personnel in order to meet NAFs aspirations.

He stressed that the Centre has zero tolerance for poor academic performance and indiscipline.

Source: NAN News

By Abujah Racheal
Nigeria has recorded 745 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 18,480.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced this on Thursday through its official Twitter handle.

NCDC said that the 745 new confirmed cases were from 21 states, with six deaths as at June 18.

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

The NCDC said that Lagos reported the highest number of cases with 280 new cases and Oyo was second with 103 new infections.

Amongst others were Ebonyi(72), FCT(60), Imo(46), Edo(34), Delta(33), Rivers(25), Kaduna(23), Ondo(16), Katsina(12), Kano(10), Bauchi(8), Borno(7), Kwara(5), Gombe(4), Sokoto(2), Enugu(2), Yobe(1), Osun(1) and Nasarawa(1).

The NCDC said that till date, 18,480 cases have been confirmed; 11,698 active cases; 6,307 cases treated and discharged; 106,006 samples collected and 475 deaths recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The NCDC said a sudden loss of taste and smell with fever, headache or runny nose might be COVID-19.

It called on Nigerians not to ignore these symptoms, adding that they should call their state hotline immediately to arrange for a test.

The health agency said every treatment regiment to be used in Nigerias response to COVID-19 must be supported by science.

NCDC said that Nigerians should avoid sharing items at their place of worship including books, mats, microphones and kettles.

It, however, advised Nigerians to worship at home and avoid mass gatherings to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal
Mr Olusegun Adekunle, Permanent Secretary, Office of Secretary to Government of the Federation (OSGF), has urged Nigerians not to discriminate against persons diagnosed with COVID-19.

Adekunle, who co-ordinates the activities of the Presidential Task Force (PTF), on COVID-19, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

He said that any form of discrimination would further leave scars of mental trauma on those infected.

It is worse for those with existing mental illness. Let us support them by reducing stigma about them, he advised.

The Permanent Secretary in the General Services Office, said that the fear and the stigma associated with COVID-19 could contribute to the spread of the disease.

It can also drive people to hide the illness to avoid discrimination. This can lead the person to not seek any medical help.

Our choice of words matter and we should be encouraged to use inclusive language and less stigmatising terminologies.

Phrases such as people who have COVID-19 or people who are being treated for COVID-19 instead of victims.

Let us be positive and encouraging with our words, and we should avoid the use of negative words or messages.

Stopping stigma is immensely important to making communities and community members resilient, he said.

The permanent secretary stated that stigma robbed individuals of opportunities that define quality life ranging from satisfactory health care to affiliation with a diverse group of people.

He added that it could also hurt those who are trying to battle their challenge.

Stigma hurts those who lost loved ones due to the condition or are trying to support their loved ones as they cope with the condition, he said.

He noted that the PTF team would continue to support risk communication activities in form of campaigns, radio programmes and community engagement across the country.

He called on Nigerians to support the front line workers, because they are exposed to risk of infection, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout and stigma.

Lets support our front-line people and keep them safe from this virus by taking precautions made available by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), he urged.

Adekunle stressed that to limit COVID-19 spread and resume activity more safely again; Nigerians should wear masks when within six feet of others.

He said that mask-wearing could help prevent a resurgence of the virus with less reliance on lockdowns that have proven economically devastating.

Remember, viruses dont discriminate, but people do. Together we can stand against COVID-19 stigma by minding our language. Talk about it, but dont gossip and lets counter misinformation, he said.

He, however, said that as far as COVID-19 goes, it had proven to overwhelm the healthcare systems of countries that were hard hit.

In China, additional hospitals had to be built in a matter of days to handle the impact because they did not have enough beds.

Equipment shortages are almost certain since those hospitalised with the virus often need ventilators because they cannot breathe on their own.

There are only so many ventilators and when too many people need them, it forces doctors to decide who gets them and who doesnt, he added.

Adekunle implored Nigerians to continue wearing face masks because COVID-19 could be spread by asymptomatic people even when they were not showing symptoms.

The virus is still very contagious, he said.

Source: NAN News

NITDA

By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), through its IT project clearance mandate, had assessed and cleared 62 IT related projects worth N1,168,145,213,150 from January to May.

The Director-General of NITDA, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this in a virtual meeting monitored in Abuja, organised by the agencys subsidiary, Office for Nigerian Content (ONC) development.

Inuwa, represented by Dr Usman Gambo, Director, IT Infrastructure Solutions, said clearing of the projects was a prove that President Muhammadu Buharis administration was committed to digitalise government services, as most of the projects were service based.

The meeting which focused on Harnessing Indigenous Solutions for Public Sector Innovation and Digital Development, was targeted at assessing the nations digital experience.

The assessment shows that about N64,878,725,488 was generated from software products and software enabled projects.

This has shown that more can be achieved with a deeper collaboration between the public and private sector going forward using technology as a driver for public services.

For successful development and delivery of government digital services, it is significantly important that innovative Nigerian companies are engaged very early in the project from the conceptualisation and design stages, he said.

He added that the effect of the pandemic on the economy, governance and public service delivery has spurred a greater urgency for the development of government digital services and digital economy for the country.

Inuwa further said that NITDA would soon issue frameworks for the development of government digital services, public-private sector partnership in its products.

According to him, there is an urgent need for government to accelerate the delivery of government digital services for the benefit of Nigerians.

The director-general said that collaborations would deepen the opportunity for learning and create domesticated solutions for societal problems.

The National Coordinator of ONC, Mr Kassim Sodangi, in his remarks said the key objective for clearing IT projects was to ensure consolidation of Federal Governments adopted solutions.

We want to encourage solutions beyond issuing procurement notices, adverts, while Ministries, Departments and Agencies will be able to sit down with indigenous content providers to discuss and come up with a plan or strategy to drive the development of the solution, he said.

Sodangi added that indigenous content development and adaptation was the pillar of ONC which focused on building local capacity, adopted and deployed as central plan for the development of digital economy.

The coordinator also said that they would assess the Public Procurement Act, explore and examine the Presidential Executive Order 003 and 005 as it affects planning, execution of projects and promotion of Nigerian content in contracts, science, engineering and technology.

These documents will form the fulcrum for discussing on what can happen and what are the opportunities in the bylaw and policy that will drive the development of co-creation and co-planning of projects.

He urged MDAs to synergise and explore the frameworks, policy and laws available which could be incorporated in designing programmes and solutions addressing our local problems.

Source: NAN News

Polio

By Cecilia Ologunagba
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Nigeria free of wild polio, following the completion of documentation for the free status.

The UN health agency disclosed this on its regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, official twitter account @WHOAFRO.

Today, Nigerias complete documentation for Wild Polio virus free status was accepted by the Africa Regional Certification Commission for polio eradication (ARCC).

It is a historic day for Nigeria, Africa and the Global Polio Programme, WHO said.

Meanwhile, Dr Faisal Shuaib, Executive Director and CEO of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), in a tweet at @drfaisalshuaib described the documentation as historical.

Amazing moment in history to have had our polio-eradication documentation accepted by ARCC; the Nigeria team led by NPHCDA and partners demonstrated evidence of our polio-free status.

Nigeria achieving a Wild Polio Virus-free status today, is significant on multiple fronts.

I look back at the incredible leadership that has brought us here.

Apart from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the two most important people who have made it possible due to their financial and technological contributions have been Mr Aliko Dangote and Mr Bill Gates.

Thanks for this unquantifiable gift to Nigeria, he said.

Source: NAN News

Mohammed Barkindo OPEC SEC Gen.

Oil prices rose more than one per cent on Friday, adding to gains in the previous session, after OPEC producers and allies promised to meet commitments on cutting supply and two major oil traders said demand was recovering well.

Brent crude LCOc1 futures rose 61 cents, or 1.5 per cent, to .12 a barrel by 0639 GMT, the highest in more than a week.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures climbed 60 cents, or 1.5 per cent, to .44 a barrel.

Both contracts rose about two per cent on Thursday and are heading for weekly gains of nearly nine per cent.

Plans by Iraq and Kazakhstan to make up for overproduction in May on their supply cut commitments supported the market.

The promises came out of a meeting by a panel monitoring compliance by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, a grouping called OPEC .

Prices are showing solidity at these levels, as oil markets ignore the concerns rolling across other asset classes at the moment, said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA.

That suggests that prices are supported by physical buyers (which) is welcome as it implies that physical demand across the globe is recovering, with its implications for economic growth, he added.

Brent moved into backwardation on Thursday for the first time since early March, with the August contract rising to 9 cents above September LCOc1-LCOc2 on Friday.

Backwardation occurs when near-term contracts are trading at higher prices than outer months, compared with a contango market structure where outer months trade at higher prices.

Fears about dwindling storage capacity had sent the market into steep contango, as wide as , as coronavirus lockdowns hit near-term demand and Saudi Arabia and Russia glutted the market with crude in April.

Comments from global oil traders Vitol and Trafigura on a rebound in oil demand in June, reported by Bloomberg, also buoyed the market, ANZ said.

Traders shrugged off another build in U.S. crude inventories to a new record.

Crude stocks USOILC=ECI rose by 1.2 million barrels last week to 539.3 million barrels, compared with expectations from a Reuters poll for a decline of 152,000 barrels.

On the technical side, CMC Markets chief strategist Michael McCarthy pointed to strong resistance in the WTI contract between and .

Analysts see that level as the point at which more U.S. producers will revive shut-in wells. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News