Google cloud

By Stellamaris Ashinze
Google on Friday, highlighted five YouTube channels for e-learning with schools in Nigeria closed, due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communication Officer Google, West Africa, said in a statement that e-learning had become the new normal.

Kola-Ogunlade said that this had left many parents stressed as they had to juggle their own work and activities while serving as home teachers for their children.

He said to help parents out and give them the much-needed break, Google had compiled a list of five YouTube channels to help parents teach their children and keep them occupied.

BinoandFino is a cartoon series about a brother and sister, duo named Bino and Fino who live with their family in Nigeria.

The channel reveals exciting adventures that help children discover and learn about Africa and the rest of the world.

The content is wide-ranging; so viewers can learn about things such as water creating electricity, the flags of some African countries or even how important it is to eat healthy fruit, he said.

Acording to him, Ogun Digi Class Channel is an Ogun State Government initiative with contents appealing to both primary and secondary school students.

He said that children could learn English, Mathematics, Basic Science, Computer Science, Arts and Commercial subjects.

Kola-Ogunlade said it was the first of its kind in Nigeria to feature experienced educators from Ogun State sharing their knowledge on different subjects.

He said that another was Akili and Me, an edutainment channel on fun educational preschool learning videos from across the African continent.

Kola-Ogunlade said that students joined Akili, Happy Hippo, Little Lion and Bush Baby to learn letters, numbers, art, reading, vocabulary skills and more.

According to him, the channel, which is dedicated to toddlers during the COVID-19 pandemic, has over 260, 000 subscribers and also features videos geared toward helping toddlers get a grip on their emotions.

He said that Simones Oasis channel is owned by Tonye Faloughi-Ekezie and it was created out of her experience, entertaining her own children Ugo, a boy and Sim Sim, a girl.

Kola-Ogunlade said drawing on what she learned from raising a special-needs child living with Down syndrome, she shared content to help others on their journey.

Acording to him, some of the entertaining sing-along-videos on the channel include, nursery rhyme mashups, Incy Wincy Spider, Nigeria 36 states, and Eko Bridge.

The communication officer said the fifth channel SokidzTV is owned by Sceneonetv and it offered a variety of songs and nursery rhymes in English and Yoruba.

He said children could also learn about numbers, the alphabet, colours and other topics that helped with mental development.

As parents adapt and become teachers to children at home, these YouTube channels help by relieving some of the stresses associated with home learning, Kola-Ogunlade said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that YouTube is Googles company and had become the worlds popular online video community.

Source: NAN News

Stress

By Lilian Okoro

The Dora-Care Behavioural Foundation, an NGO, has urged Nigerians to try as much as possible to eliminate stressors and depression in order to live a normal healthy life.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mrs Kemi Akinyelure, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday.

According to her, stressors can be seen everywhere, as everyone is vulnerable to stress as it affects people of all ages, from all works of life and in all countries.

Akinyelure, also a Psychiatric Nurse at the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, said that stress was a major cause of diseases in Nigeria.

According to her, it is important for Nigerians to know how to prevent and manage stress in order to ensure their well-being.

People should eliminate unnecessary stressors such as toxic relationships, clutter in ones environment and lifestyle.

But before you can eliminate stressors, you need to first of all recognise what makes you stressed.

To manage stress you can develop and use stress-relieving habits such as healthy eating, quality sleep, regular exercise among others, she said.

The psychiatric nurse said that stress was a risk factor for depression and mental health problems which could lead to suicide.

She advised the public to support persons showing signs of depression by encouraging and talking to them to seek help to prevent them from attempting suicide.

According to her, for individuals with severe depression, it is common to think about suicide and they need support and encouragement from people around them to enable them heal at that moment.

She, therefore, urged the public to offer immediate support to persons around them who had previously tried to take their own lives, persons with depression, an alcohol or drug addict.

According to her, hard drugs are one major cause of mental illness and young people should steer clear from hard drugs.

Youths involvement in the use of hard substance like marijuana causes mental illness as well as undue stress.

Youthful brain is a time when the brain is very sensitive and in the process of forming, it is wiring network.

Youthful brains are more sensitive to the stress hormone cortisol and may feel its effects more quickly, Akinyelure said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

By Joan Odafe

Some Lagos residents on Friday expressed mixed reactions over the suspension of the opening of churches, mosques and events places by the Lagos State Government to curb the rising number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Some residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos on Friday that the suspension of the opening of religious places of worship was just a temporary solution.

They urged the state government to come up with lasting solutions by looking at other areas where the virus could easily be spread and ensure they curb it.

Others said the pandemic could only go away when people are allowed to gather in unity to beseech His mercies.

Mr Uche Agwu, who commended the state government said it was a good decision, for now, considering the number of new cases being recorded.

He added that it was not necessary that people worship from the building of religious institutions, saying that churches and mosques could continue to operate virtually.

Agwu, however, expressed his displeasure on how the markets, which were opened for business operated.

I see it as an avenue for the spread of the virus because no form of social distancing is observed, he said.

He noted that offices had been compliant in observing the guidelines on social distancing, use of face masks and hand washing.

Agwu urged the state government to ensure that the law enforcement agencies check the spread of the virus, which he said came from unmanned areas such as markets.

Mr John Timothy empathised with the state government for the burden of COVID-19 and it having to take the decision to suspend the resumption of religious places of worship due to the rising number of the pandemic in the state.

He, however, said the government could also have used the religious institutions as a campaign strategy to ensure that people followed the guidelines.

According to him, most people respect their religious leaders and obey their instructions; if they tell the worshippers to do something, they will.

Timothy further said that opening the religious institutions was a way of providing succour to those experiencing one form of trauma or the other as a result of the effects of the pandemic.

Hudu Katsina said: Government should allow mosques and churches to open so we can unite and pray; if we dont pray well, the coronavirus will not go away.

Adamu Yusuf said opening of religious places of worship will give room for people to pray in unity and reduce discrimination in the society.

I was not happy when I heard the news. When we come together to pray, there is oneness.

Theres no discrimination between the rich and the common man.

When we pray separately, theyre far from us and dont know our challenges and how to help us, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

Chief medical officers in the UK have agreed that the COVID-19 threat level should be lowered one notch to epidemic is in general circulation from transmission is high or rising exponentially.

The Joint Biosecurity Centre recommended the COVID-19 alert level should move from Level 4 (A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation; transmission is high or rising exponentially) to Level 3 (A COVID-19 epidemic is in general circulation).

There has been a steady decrease in cases we have seen in all four nations, and this continues, the chief medical officers of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland said.

It does not mean that the pandemic is over.

The virus is still in general circulation, and localised outbreaks are likely to occur, they said.

Recently, Boris Johnson, the British prime minister, told the press that it looks as though were now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve.

And without drastic action, cases could double every five or six days.

The consistent doubling of cases in a fixed period is the hallmark of exponential growth. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

ECOWAS

By Lizzy Okoji

The ECOWAS Ministerial Coordination Committee on Transport, Logistics and Trade has recommended a harmonised and gradual reopening of land, air and sea borders for restoring cross border economic activities.

This recommendation was made known in a joint communiqu following a ministerial coordination meeting, on Thursday in Abuja, by the Directorate of communications, ECOWAS Commission.

The Committee recommended gradual reopening of the borders especially for movement of humanitarian personnel, medical supplies and equipment and essential goods in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

They also held that the reopening had become imperative in view of the need to revive the economies of ECOWAS member countries.

It said recommendations were adopted for submission to the Co-Chairpersons of the ad-hoc Ministerial Committee, and Nigerias Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Brou.

The Aviation Minister and ECOWAS Commissions President were expected to submit the recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari who is champion of the regional COVID-19 response.

President Buhari would present the documents to the Summit of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

The ministers discussed and agreed on practical modalities based on the report of the regional experts meeting held virtually on June 8 and 10 , 2020.

As well as the draft Guidelines for the Harmonisation and Facilitation of Cross Border Trade and Transport in the ECOWAS Region on The COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Post-Recovery Actions.

The opening of the borders is to be hinged on the proposed guidelines for the mitigation of health risks and the harmonisation and facilitation of cross-border trade.

And transport in the ECOWAS region in the context of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, amounting to a coordinated and progressive opening of air, land and maritime borders.

The ministers recommended a three-phased approach to the opening of land and air borders, beginning with local internal domestic air and land transport within ECOWAS member states.

Then a second phase which involves the opening of land and air borders between ECOWAS member states, to allow the free movement of goods and persons.

On the basis of strict application of the proposed guidelines for the harmonisation and facilitation of cross-border trade and transport in the ECOWAS region.

Following a review of the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in respective member states, a third phase of opening air and land borders to other countries with controlled levels (according to WHO classifications) will be pursued, the committee said.

The ministers further called for accurate information sharing on opening-up measures among member states in the spirit of solidarity, collective self-reliance and inter-State co-operation through bilateral and multilateral consultations.

They also called for the need to ensure speedy and safer clearance of transit goods at the borders and minimise physical contact in customs, cross-border trade transactions.

They said that this would be achieved through the rapid deployment of the new ECOWAS Interconnected Goods and Transit Management System popularly termed SIGMAT.

They also urged the provision of such information to private sector actors namely, shipping lines, Airlines, cross-border transporters and traders, media and civil society while ensuring strong collaboration at borders.

The ministerial coordinating committee, pleaded for strong and determined support for the ownership and implementation of the guidelines once adopted by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government.

It stated that apart from ministers from member states, the meeting was also attended by ECOWAS Commissions Commissioner for Infrastructure, Mr Path Gueye and his counterpart for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Mr Konzi Tei.

Other are Prof. Stanley Okolo, Director-General,West African Health Organization (WAHO), and Mr Paul Koffi, Commissioner, Community Spatial Planning and Transport at the Commission of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) says Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, never demanded 20 million dollars from its Executive Secretary, Mr Simbi Wabote, to fund Bayelsa re-run elections.

The NCDMB disclosed this in a statement by its Manager, Corporate Communications, Mr Naboth Onyesoh, in Abuja, on Thursday.

He described the allegation as spurious and malicious, adding that it was completely misleading and a figment of the imagination of those behind it.

Ordinarily, the board would have ignored this fake news, especially one planted in a notorious publication.

However, we are constrained to react because sponsors of the wicked tissues of lies are intent on destroying the good image of the board and strong reputation of the executive secretary and that of the minister of state for petroleum resources and portray the board as partisan.

We verily believe that this outright fabrication was sponsored by those angling to contest for the senatorial elections in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, who are in the habit of concocting wild allegations to distract the NCDMB and lure us into local politics.

For the avoidance of doubt and to set the records straight, NCDMB wishes to state categorically as follows: There is no iota of truth in that story.

It is completely mendacious and a figment of the imagination of those behind it; From inception in 2010 till date, NCDMB has never been pressurised or required to sponsor anything that has partisan colouration;

The current Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has never demanded nor suggested to the board and its leadership to fund any political activity in Bayelsa or any part of the country, however described.

As a federal agency, NCDMB is focussed on its statutory mandate as enshrined in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, he said.

Onyesoh noted that The Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) was instituted for funding capacity development in oil and gas activities and could not be applied for any other purpose except that expressly stated in the NOGICD Act.

He said that it was preposterous to allege that the minister was demanding 20 million dollars from NCDMB to fund elections, whereas all funds belonging to the Federal Government are in the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

According to him, NCDMBs funds cannot be withdrawn except for legitimate purposes consistent with its mandate.

Thus, it is absurd and unreasonable to contemplate or imagine that the board can withdraw any money from the NCDF except for any of the purposes it was instituted under the Act. he added

Onyesoh said that the status of NCDMB finances were in the public domain and could be verified by anyone or group that was interested.

The official said that was the reason why the executive secretary had consistently announced the balance sheet and utilisation of NCDF at every oil and gas fora.

He insisted that the NCDMBs financial processes and operations were always open and transparent, noting that the board and its leadership had never been manipulated.

Onyesoh said they would not be influenced to favour individuals or political parties, no matter how highly placed, especially as everything the board does must be in line with its mandate in the NOGICD Act.

Contrary to the wicked suggestion in the story, NCDMB has never awarded any contract to the minister or any company connected to him and neither has the board awarded contracts for shore protection in Brass LGA of Bayelsa, because it is clearly outside our statutory mandate.

It is pertinent to state that NEITI declared NCDMB as the most transparent federal oil and gas agency and the board achieved this lofty feat because our operations are always compliant with governments financial regulations.

NCDMB has initiated several oil and gas projects in Bayelsa and engendered multiple investments that are geared to uplift the people and the economy.

Therefore, we demand that political gladiators in the state should spare us distractions and negative reportage that are capable of creating disincentive for investments, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

ECOWAS

By Lizzy Okoji

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will on Monday, hold a virtual global event, discussing challenges and response of governments across the world to the coronavirus pandemic.

The communications unit of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice (CCJ) announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Justice Edward Asante, President, ECOWAS-CCJ is billed to participate in the discussion.

Asante will join other high-profile speakers in discussing the freedom of expression, privacy and related rights posed by measures adopted by various governments around the world in response to COVID-19.

The discussion would also focus on judicial response and judgment of cases in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It stated that the webinar wouldbe organised with support of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Open Society Foundations.

Other speakers expected at the webinar include judges of other human rights courts, UN experts, academics, practitioners and representatives of civil societies.

Organisers ofthe webinar, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the Oxford University, UNESCO and the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, saidthe COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken worldwide in response to it have had significant implications for human rights.

They said that over the last months,several national authorities have declared states of emergency, restricting many fundamental rights including freedom of expression, access to information and privacy.

In addition,some governments have adopted laws to fight disinformation and it is unlikely to be long before judicial authorities will have to rule on cases related to freedom of the press and freedom of expression in relation to these measures.

The organisers said related topics for discussion may includecriminal justice, privacy and the proportionality of the measures taken during the pandemic in relation to freedom of expression, it stated.

The discussion will also extend to the role and function of domestic and international accountability mechanisms, including the judiciary, human rights commissions, ombudspersons, special rapporteurs and treaty bodies.

The statement added that the webinar, which would be held in English would be followed by a similar one in French on June 29.

The webinars are part of a series of webinars for judicial operators on legal challenges related to freedom of expression during to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other panellists included Judge Darian Pavli of the European Court of Human Rights, Joan Barata of the Centre for Internet and Society and Cyber Policy Centre, Stanford University Law School.

The last panellist is Jennifer Robinson, an Australian Human Rights Lawyer with Doughty Street Chambers in London. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NYSC

Olukayode Babalola

Nasarawa Government says it is converting the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Magaji Dan Yamusa Orientation Camp in Keffi Local Government Area of the state to an isolation centre.

The states Commissioner for Health, Mr Yahaya Ahmed, announced this at a news conference shortly after an expanded review meeting on Coronavirus (COVID-19) held in Lafia on Thursday.

He said that the centre would cater for the high increase of positive cases in the state, especially from Nasarawa West Senatorial Zone.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state recorded 177 confirmed COVID-19 cases, out of which, 87 have been treated and discharged, while 53 persons are receiving treatment.

A total of 30 others are in self-isolation, awaiting transfer to treatment centres, with seven deaths from the virus.

Ahmed said the state government was worried that the number of cases in the state was increasing, with most of them from Nasarawa West Senatorial zone.

He added that isolation centres for treatment of the virus in the zone had been overstretched, given the number of cases.

The commissioner said from Nasarawa Senatorial zone alone, Karu Local Government has 76 cases, Keffi 30, Kokona three, while Nasarawa has five, with none yet in Toto Local Government Area.

He explained that the high rate of COVID-19 cases from the zone prompted the state government to convert the NYSC camp to an isolation centre to meet the increasing number of positive cases in the zone instead of transferring them to the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH) in Lafia.

There are 177 positive cases across 10 local government areas, out of the 13 in the state.

Keana, Wamba and Toto still have zero status of COVID-19, but out of this 177 cases, Akwanga has 15; Awe 1; Doma 3; Karu 76; Keffi 30; Kokona 3; Lafia 24; Nasarawa 5; Nasarawa-Eggon 12 and Obi 8.

It is clear that Karu Local Government is the epicentre of the state with 76, which is over 40 per cent of the cases we have, followed by Keffi, Lafia, Akwanga and Nasarawa-Eggon, he said.

He said the conversion of the NYSC orientation camp to an isolation centre would afford the state more space in handling additional cases in the senatorial zone with no need to panic or transfer patients to other places.

Ahmed added that out of the 177 that tested positive in the state, 27 of them are health workers and are currently receiving treatment in isolation centres across the state.

We do have 27 out of them who are health workers who tested positive. Six from Federal Medical Centre, Keffi; four in DASH, Lafia, two in Nasarawa-Eggon General Hospital, seven in Medical Centre, Mararaba in Karu, five in private health care hospitals in Keffi and three in private health facility in Lafia, he said.

He also said that the state government had given directive for the immediate closure of some private schools that illegally reopened in some parts of the state without due authorisation to do so.

Mr Abdulkareem Kana, the Commissioner for Justice, explained that the state government had resolved to maintain the current measures put in place to guide against further spread of the virus.

He said the state government at the end of the meeting resolved that the current measures issued by the governor in proclamation number 99 last two weeks, will remain. In other words, decision taken based on worship and restrictions placed will stand.

The directive that commercial motorcycle operators should not carry more than one passenger at a time and tricycles cannot carry more than two passengers still remains, while all are advised to wear face masks.

Also, the curfew in urban areas from 10 p.m., to 4 a.m. will continue, he said.

Kana then revealed that the state government had resolved to intensify enlightenment campaign on safety steps to avoid spread of the virus. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19: NLNG donates medical equipment to Lagos Govt

The Nigeria LNG Ltd. (NLNG) has donated medical equipment to the Lagos State Government as part of its contributions to the 30 million dollars Oil and Gas Industry Collaborative Initiative to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eyono Fatayi-Williams, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, NLNG, said in a statement that the donation was received by Prof. Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health.

Fatayi-Williams, who represented the NLNGs Managing Director, Mr Tony Attah, said the initiative by the oil sector was being spearheaded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to combat the virus.

The donation, worth 300,000 dollars is part of the companys 1.25 million dollars worth of donations to six states of the federation in its contribution toward the NNPC-led Oil Industry COVID-19 intervention fund.

The donation to Lagos State will go to supporting the COVID-19 response at the Lagos Mainland Hospital.

Equipment donated include: Mindray SV300 ventilators, infusion pumps, Surgicare patient monitor, hospital cart, Mindray haematology analyser, stat analyser, stat reagent, cartridge and automated chemistry analyser.

Other items are medical infusion pump, blood warmers, arterior blood gas analyser, perfusor compact, automated haematology analyser, AED/Defibrillators ICU patient beds with remote controls and PVC mattress covers, Attah said.

According to him, it also includes, Visco elastic mattresses, Desco hospital pillows, overbed tables and bedside cabinet combination units.

Attah said the donations were part of the industrys ongoing contribution to the states to help push back the pandemic.

He noted that the virus still remained a huge threat to the countrys socioeconomic wellbeing, which would require concerted efforts and sacrifices from everyone in the country to fight.

Attah said the interventions signified NLNGs resolve to stand with both the Federal and State Governments during these trying times and to reciprocate the goodwill and support to the company over the years.

He commended the state government for its determination and resilience in fighting the pandemic and effectively managing the impact on businesses and residents. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Court Symbol

By Imelda Osayande

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin, has set aside the June 8 judgment of the Federal High Court, Benin, restraining the All Progressives Congress (APC) from conducting the June 22 governorship primaries in Edo.

The Appeal Court, sitting in Benin, also ordered the continuation of the trial at FHC, which will hold on Friday.

The presiding judge, Justice Morenike Ogunwomiju was accompanied by Justices Sam Oseji and Moore Adumein, in Thursday evenings judgments.

Ogunwomiju, in the appeals by APC and its suspended National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, described as problematic, the order by Justice Mohammed Umar of FHC, Benin.

In the lead judgment in the suit by APC, Ogunwomiju said the trial judge (Justice Umar) gave a problematic order that was not sought by the parties to the suit.

She said that as at June 8 when the order was given, the APC in Edo had 14 days to organise governorship primaries, noting that every judge must be a democrat.

The appellant (APC) is not given an opportunity to be heard by the trial court.

The injunctive order of the trial court of June 8 is hereby set aside.

The administrative orders subsist and the issue of jurisdiction should be determined by the trial court, she said.

In his dissenting judgment in the suit, Adumein declared that the injunctive order of FHC ought not to have been set aside, insisting that the appeal was interlocutory, incompetent and should be struck out.

He noted that the trial court did not make any mistake in the matter, in line with Section 285, Sub-section 8 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Adumein added that the court should not decide cases based on sentiments.

In the second suit filed by Oshiomhole, the only judgment was read by Justice Oseji, who declared that the appeal lacked merit and it was premature, thereby striking it out. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UNHRC

By Lizzy Okoji

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday called for action and solidarity, as 79.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to violence and persecution,

Ms Chansa Kpaya, UNHCRs Representative to Nigeria, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the commemoration of the 2020 World Refugee Day with the theme Everyone can make a difference, every action counts.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the highest number of displacement the world was witnessing since World War 2.

Kpaya said that this World Refugees Day, UNHCR is appealing to everyone to help continue the global movement of solidarity and action.

She explained that everyone can make a difference and everyone counts when it comes to promoting inclusion, respect, and dignity for all including refugees, internally displaced and stateless persons.

Kpaya said that the current COVID-19 pandemic has shown that everyone matters, including refugees and other persons of concerns who have either been on the frontline and making positive contributions fighting the pandemic.

Two decades ago, the numbers of refugees and internally displaced seem to be declining.

However today, the inverse is true as we estimate that 1 out of every 100 people has fled their homes because of conflicts and climate change among others.

The number is overwhelming. It is important to remember that these nearly 80 million are real people whose lives have been torn apart, leaving their homes, family, jobs and schools behind.

In Nigeria, the Persons of Concern to UNHCR include, 2,045,000 IDPs in the North East, out of which1.8 million are in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY) states, 57,800 Cameroonian Refugees in the South East.

2,340 urban refugees and 1,122 asylum seekers in Lagos, Ogun, FCT and Kano States.

Over the past few years, there has been escalation of conflicts in the Lake Chad Region with cross-border activities of Boko Haram which has caused the displacement of many in North Eastern part of Nigeria and far northern region Cameroon.

Consequently, 292,141 Nigerian refugees have sought asylum in Niger, Cameroon and Chad, Kpaya said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster and Social Development said that the theme of the 2020 WRD was apt following global devastation from the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said that the protection of refugees and other vulnerable groups is among the top priorities of the President Muhammadu Buharis administration and the Ministry would continue to ensure the safety and well-being of refugees.

Let me emphasize that in other to make everyone count, most especially the vulnerable groups, all hands must be on deck in our drive to providing protection, assistance to refugees and IDPS.

The Ministry took a step further step in developing modalities for inclusion of refugees in the social safety nets, through the National Social Investment Programme, Farouq said.

Farouq called on the international community to show commitment in the implementation of the Global Compact for Refugees, a document she explains has provided a veritable guide towards addressing the protection of refugees.

Also speaking, Ms Fatima Jgne, ECOWAS Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender, said that Commission is committed to engaging Member States, local communities and partners to search for durable solutions to displacement in the region.

Jagne, who was represented by Dr Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe, Directior, Humanitarian and social Affairs in the commission, said that the Commission was making these through various political and diplomatic processes as well.

Jagne added that ECOWAS Commission was also geared towards mitigating and alleviating the sufferings of our displaced populations in the ECOWAS space.

She said that the Commission is most concerned about the people and will work with partners to ensure that their situations are ameliorated.

Mr Ernest Cho, a Cameroonian Refugee in Nigeria, appreciated the UNHCR and the Federal Government for their assistance in alleviating their plights.

He said that, aside relief aid, the UN and FG have been able to help them acquire permits to work and earn a decent living in Nigeria. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

OPEC Sec-Gen, Muhammad barkindo

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies in the Declaration of Cooperation, called OPEC , has set June 22 as deadline for non-compliant member on the oil output cut to submit their compensation plans.

The group disclosed this in a statement issued after the 19th Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC), held via video conference, in Vienna, on Thursday.

Nigeria was listed among countries yet to fully comply with the first phase of agreed production output cuts.

The group said that the attainment of 100 per cent conformity from all participating countries was not only fair and equitable, but vital for the ongoing and timely rebalancing efforts and help in delivering sustainable oil market stability.

The statement reads: The Committee would like to thank those participants, namely Iraq and Kazakhstan, which have already submitted their compensation schedules.

It agreed to give other under performing participants, which have not yet submitted final plans, until next Monday, June 22, to submit their schedules for compensation to the OPEC Secretariat.

Furthermore, the Committee mandated the Secretariat to reach out to all the underperforming Participating Countries to submit their schedules for compensation by the above mentioned date.

The Committee stated their appreciation of additional voluntary contributions totaling 1.2 million barrels per day made by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Oman in the month of June.

The Committee thanked the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) and the OPEC Secretariat for its ongoing work. The JTC and the JMMC will continue their monthly meetings, with the next ones scheduled for 14 July and 15 July, respectively. it said.

The statement noted that the JMMC reviewed the monthly report prepared by the JTC and recent developments in the global oil market, as well as immediate prospects for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

It further reiterated the critical role that the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) continued to play in supporting oil market stability and economic recovery, in the face of the COVID- 19 pandemic shock and the subsequent severe global economic downturn.

The Committee took note of the overall conformity of 87 per cent for the month of May 2020, while it also observed individual country conformity levels.

It reiterated the critical importance that all participating countries achieved their 100 per cent level, and make up for any monthly shortfalls in the months of July, August and September.

Earlier,in his address to the JMMC, Secretary General of OPEC, Dr Mohammed Barkindo, disclosed that it was vital that the committee looked to lay out possible pathways for the coming months and the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.

He said that it would aid all ministers in their future decision making processes, and enable the DoC partners to remain proactive to help further rebalance fundamentals and try and reduce volatility in the oil market.

We need to be calm, but resolute; patient, but persistent. From the perspective of the OPEC Secretariat, let me stress that we will continue our outreach to other producers beyond the DoC, as well as to consumers.

It is vital that we have transparent and open channels for communication.

At the recent Ministerial Meetings, we had Ecuador, Indonesia and Trinidad

File Photo: Doctors,

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) has urged striking resident doctors to resume work to save the nation from the COVID-19 pandemic and other diseases.

Chairman of CLO, Anambra, Mr Vincent Ezekwueme, made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Thursday on the impact of the nationwide strike by resident doctors nationwide.

Ezekwueme noted that other closely related disease the country was battling included Lassa fever and typhoid/malaria.

I most passionately appeal to our distinguished and respected striking medical doctors to remember Hippocratic Oath to save and protect the lives of hapless patients and humanity.

Government at all levels should engage them in sincere dialogue and negotiations to ensure industrial harmony and peace.

Significantly, payment for their agreed hazardous allowances and other entitlements will motivate and encourage them to urgently resume their very sensitive work, he said.

Ezekwueme noted that it was still outrageous that some Nigerians still doubt the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that enlightened Nigerians should be in a better position to educate the citizens.

It is of great relevance to note that COVID-19 is the greatest threat and enemy of humanity. The health challenges posed by the pandemic calls for marshal plan by government, medical experts, civil society organisations and citizenry.

It will be very unfortunate and pathetic if the virus is not control, because the future just like the present will be very bleak and regrettable, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde

Oyo State on Thursday said it had recorded one more COVID-19 death and 56 confirmed new cases.

Gov. Seyi Makinde, who made the announcement in his tweeter handle, monitored in Ibadan, said the incident had brought the total number of deaths in Oyo State to nine.

He said that COVID-19 confirmation tests for 56 suspected cases on Wednesday, came back positive.

According to him, 14 cases are from Saki West LGA, nine from Oluyole LGA, Ibadan North LGA has six, while Akinyele LGA has 10 cases and five cases confirmed in Ibadan South East LGA.

Four COVID-19 cases were recorded in Ibadan Southwest LGA, Ibadan NorthWest LGA has two, Atisbo LGA, Saki East, Ido, Ona Ara, Ibarapa North and Egbeda LGAs have one case each.

So, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Oyo State today (Thursday) is 661, Makinde tweeted.

He further implored individuals with any strange fevers, sudden loss of taste/smell or other known COVID-19 symptoms to visit the nearest community-based testing centre to get tested.

Source: NAN News

Nasir El-Rufai Gov. of Kaduna State.

By Philip Yatai

Kaduna State has recorded 12,246 new cases of malnutrition among children under five years, between January and May, according to official report.

A nutrition data obtained by NAN from the state on Thursday indicated that a total of 5,284 malnourished children were being treated from the beginning of the year.

They were being treated in various Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) sites in the state, with support from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and other partners.

The document showed that 1,909 new cases were recorded in January, 2,283 in February, 2,857 in March, 2,556 in April and 2,641 in May.

This indicated that the new cases recorded during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown in the state amounted to 5,197.

However, a total of 8,869 children had been cured, while 65 deaths, 178 non-recovery and 1,469 defaulters were recorded within the period.

Commenting on the development, Mr Isah Ibrahim, Nutrition Advocacy Advisor, Save the Children International, blamed the increasing rate of malnutrition in the state on poor budget performance.

Ibrahim further told NAN that the COVID-19 pandemic had further created a lot of gaps in the performance of nutrition interventions in the state.

He commended the state government for providing uninterrupted nutrition and health services throughout the lockdown period and for supporting vulnerable families with food to cushion the effect of the lockdown.

Nonetheless, I am particularly not happy with the performance of nutrition funding in the state. The year is half gone and there is no single release and cash backing of funds for nutrition intervention at the state level.

At the local level, very few Local Government Areas were able to make one or two cash-backing of funds for nutrition activities.

This is even when over N1.1 billion have been budgeted by the state and local governments for nutrition line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to carry out sensitive and specific nutrition interventions.

The state government had particularly budgeted N500 million in the 2020 Budget for nutrition intervention, before it was slashed to N300 million in the reviewed draft budget, due to COVID-19, he said.

He stressed that relevant agencies would not be able to do much without funds to work with, adding that most of the current nutrition interventions in the state were donor driven.

This, coupled with the outbreak of COVID-19 has increased the burden of malnutrition in the state, he said.

Ibrahim appealed to the state government to ensure timely release and cash backing of the N300 million reviewed nutrition budget to enable agencies implement nutrition activities.

This, the nutrition advisor said, would prevent more children from becoming malnourished and increase the survival rate and development of malnourished children in the state.

He noted that the need for 2020 budget review in response to COVID-19 pandemic was necessary but argued that slashing nutrition and health sector budget was uncalled for.

According to him, nutrition and health sectors are critical areas that need more funding to efficiently respond to COVID-19 pandemic.

On his part, Mr Muhammad Awwal-Waziri, Programme Manager, Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP) noted the challenges of budget releases and cash backing.

He however said that the relevant MDAs were not writing memos requesting for funds to implement nutrition programmes.

So far, from January to date, only Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency had submitted a memo requesting for funds to carry out nutrition sensitive interventions, based on their work plan for 2020.

All the nutrition line MDAs need to step up and be proactive in terms of requesting for allocated funds to carry out planned nutrition programmes and interventions, Awwal-Waziri said.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with security and service chiefs behind closed doors at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reportsthatthe service chiefs were led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin.

Others attending the meeting included the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the Minister of Defence, retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi.

Others were; Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Adamu; the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Yusuf Bichi.

NAN gathered that the president would be updated on security developments across the country during the meeting.

Buhari had on June 16 approved a joint military and police operation specifically targeted at combing Niger, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto States to rid the areas of bandits.

Source: NAN News

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Grace Gekpe, Minister of Information and ulture, Lai Mohammed and Executive Secretary, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu

By Rotimi Ijikanmi

With alarming figure of 717 reported cases of rape between January and May, the Federal Government has promised to do everything possible to stem the growing tide of the pandemic.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the pledge on Thursday in Abuja when officials of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) paid him an advocacy visit.

According to the Inspector-General of Police, between January and May 2020, a total of 717 rape cases were reported.

That is an average of 143 cases per month and around five cases per day.

And we are talking of reported cases. Definitely, there are also hundreds of unreported cases.

This is totally unacceptable.

The good news is that 799 suspects were arrested during the same period, while 631 cases were conclusively investigated and charged to court.

It is said that the true measure of a society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members and that include women and children.

I can assure you that the Federal Government will do everything possible to stem the growing tide of rape and gender-based violence in the country, the minister said.

Mohammed disclosed that his ministry was partnering with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to launch a national campaign against rape and gender-based violence.

He said the campaign would include advocacy, public sensitisation and social mobilisation.

The campaign is necessary not only to raise the level of awareness about rape and gender-based violence, but to ensure that Nigerians own the fight against the abhorrent and repulsive criminal acts.

I have no doubt that when we launch the campaign, the National Human Rights Commission will also join us, he said.

The minister commended the NHRC for its ongoing advocacy campaign against rape and gender-based violence.

Your campaign couldnt have come at a more auspicious time.

Today, as we are fighting the pandemic of COVID-19, we are also being confronted with another pandemic, the pandemic of rape, he said.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr Tony Ojukwu said rapeis a gross violation of human rights right to dignity, right to life, right to sexuality.

Ojukwu said the public outrage on account of rape and other violent crimes against women and girls leading to the death of some of the victims had reached a horrifying and scary proportion in recent times.

He, therefore, called for all hands to be on deck to address this pervasive crime in the society.

He said thecommission had put together a week long activism withthetheme:Equality and Dignity for Nigerian Women, Join the Fight against Rape and SGBV to among others create and maintain visibility on the crime.

Ojukwu called on the minister to use his office to join other key stakeholdersin the questfor a durable solution to the national challenge. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chief Samuel Ohiri

By Ikenna Osuoha

The Chief Executive Officer, Hi-TECH Diagnostics Ltd., Chief Samuel Ohiri, says the discovery of dexamethasone is a major breakthrough for the cure of COVID-19 for third world countries.

Ohiri, who was reacting to the World Health Organisation on the discovery of dexamethasone as steroid for COVID-19, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

Ohiri, who is a medical laboratory expert, said that the steroid was affordable at five pounds (N15,000), describing the feat as a great news for third world countries being ravaged by poverty.

We in the third world countries with little or no resources can comfortably afford the drugs.

And dexamethasone has been very effective in the treatment of skin inflammation and severe acute respiratory syndromes right from 1960s, he said.

Ohiri explained that the steroid had the potency of reducing COVID-19 mortalities from 50 per cent 15 per cent.

About 50 per cent of patients severe acute respiratory syndromes who are placed on ventilators do not survive, but this steroid will reduce deaths by one-third, he said.

He expressed delight over the discovery, described it as respite for patients in severe conditions and the world at large.

Ohiri, who is also theChairman, Imo Council of Traditional Rulers, however, said that consistent education and awareness on the dangers of COVID-19 were needed out for communities safety.

He decried the level of ignorance about the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic and called on traditional institutions as well as religious institutions to take the lead in mass sensitisation.

COVID-19 is real and very deadly, so let everyone continue to stay safe by washing hands, observing social distancing and take dexamethasone if infected. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Okunjimi Odimayo, Ondo APC Governorship Aspirant

By Kingsley Okoye

Mr Okunjimi Odimayo, one of the Ondo state governorship aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a five-point developmental agenda for the state.

Odimayo unveiled his agenda in a statement shortly after obtaining his nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja on Thursday.

He listed the agenda to include, free and quantitative education, quality healthcare services, infrastructural development, merchandise agricultureand industrialisation and good governance and accountability.

On education, Odimayo said that education has been the major industry and vocation in the state, since its creation in 1978, and has been the main strength for modern human capital development.

He said education was a deployable tool for modern agricultural and other industrial businesses and enterprises.

He, therefore, promised to guarantee improved funding abovewhat was obtainable at present.

He promised to facilitate the use of resources for free and compulsory education in primary and secondary levels like the days of late progressive leaders, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Pa Michael Ajasin.

He promised to reduce drastically, the exorbitant tuition fees currently charged by the state owned tertiary institutions.

This, Odimayo said, was a way to stop the mass withdrawal syndrome of undergraduates from the institutions,caused by inability of parents and guardians to pay school fees.

Meanwhile, Sen. Ajayi Boroffice (APC-Ondo) has endorsed the aspirantfor the July 20, governorship primaries.

I congratulate Odimayo for achieving the milestone of obtaining the Ondo state governorship nomination form of our great party, the APC for the July 20 primaries.

To the best of my knowledge,he is the first aspirant among all the aspirants from the Unity Forum to achieve this milestone.

This feat clearly underscores your sincerity of purpose and confidence.

It is instructive to note that I had appealed to all aspirants in the Unity Forum to come together in order to present a flag bearer for the forthcoming APC governorship primaries.

This idea has not been achievable because of incurable optimism of aspirants as no aspirant is willing to step aside for the other.

Therefore, I decided to consult some elders, youths and women across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

They have given me nod to identify with a credible aspirant who represents our aspirations, collective interests and hope for a more prosperous state, Boroffice said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

The South African Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the death of its Chairman, Mr Bola Babarinde.

A statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday by Mr Sani David, the National Publicity Secretary of the Chapter. said that Bolarinde was still alive contrary to misleading media report of his death.

The APC South Africa Chapter is aware of the passing away of Mr. Taiye Olusola Abe, who was until his death a staunch pillar of the Nigerian community in South Africa.

The APC South Africa chapter has offered their condolences and also wish to use this medium to commiserate with the family of the deceased on the loss of their loved one who died after a brief illness.

However, the APC South Africa Chapter deems it necessary to issue this press release to state categorically that the late Mr. Taiye Olusola Abe was not its chairman.

The bonafide Chairman of the APC South Africa is Engr. Bola Babarinde, who is still very much alive, hale and hearty.

The APC South Africa is, therefore, calling the attention of the various media organisations who may have published the false and misleading report of the death of its chairman to kindly retract such reports. We therefore urge them let the public know that Engr. Bola Babarinde, the Chairman of the APC South Africa is not dead.

Further information and details concerning the operations of APC South Africa can be sourced from its official website on https://apcsouthafrica.com or contact can be made directly with the APC South Africa Chapter official Secretariat via the following details: It said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News