PTF on COVID-19

By Abujah Racheal

Nigerias Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases has reached 59,001, as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), announced 153 new infections in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that about 509, 555 sample have been tested by the agency since the pandemic hit Nigeria in February.

The health agency said that the total number of patients recovered from the virus infections and discharged after testing negative increased from 50,358 to 50,452.

It announced that the death toll from coronavirus in the country remained 1,112.

The data released by theNCDC, showed that Lagos led with 81 cases of the virus infections, while Rivers recorded 21 cases, and the FCT with 11.

Other states with new cases were: Ogun-8, Kaduna-7, Oyo-6, Akwa Ibom-5, Osun-3, Katsina-3, Edo-2, Ebonyi-2, Nasarawa-2, Plateau-1 and Kano-1.

The announcement also revealed that the country had 7,437 active cases across various isolation centres.

The public health agency said that a multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, have continuedto coordinate the national response activities across the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rafa Nadal

It was business as usual as Rafa Nadal continued his quest for a record-extending 13th French Open title with a 6-1 6-0 6-3 crushing of American Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday.

The win helped him to reach the third round.

The Spanish second seed, also looking to equal Roger Federers record of 20 mens singles Grand Slam titles, was never troubled on court Philippe Chatrier.

The claycourt master played deep, using his forehand to devastating effect to set up a meeting with Japanese Kei Nishikori or Italian Stefano Travaglia.

After world number 236 McDonald won the second game, Nadal bagged 11 games in a row to move two sets up.

In spite of some resistance from his opponent early in the third set, he had no trouble improving his win-loss record at Roland Garros to 95-2.

My objective is to play as well as I can. It was a good match for me today. Im very happy, Nadal said.

Then its another difficult match. Well see, I hope Ill be at a good level. Its always special for me to play here in Paris, on court Philippe Chatrier.

Nadal looks to be on a semi-final collision course with Dominic Thiem, who he beat in the last two finals in Paris.

After a first-round match played in chilly and damp conditions, the 34-year-old benefited from better weather on Wednesday.

Today was not that cold. So, thats the main thing. Not that cold, the conditions are not that bad, said the Spaniard, who had complained about the new balls used in Paris being too heavy.

The ball is still heavy. When (it) is not that cold, the ball is little bit less heavy always. I see the predictions the next couple of days are not very good.

That means Nadal may have to play under the closed roof on court Philippe Chatrier for the first time, but he looks in good form.

He fired 17 forehand winners against McDonald, faced zero break-points and made only eight unforced errors.

It was a performance that should boost his confidence after he lost in the Italian Open quarter-finals this month to Argentine Diego Schwartzman.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

ICPC Logo

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has been rated high on ethics and compliance by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The NCoS spokesman, Mr Chuks Njoku, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement stated that the rating was released during the second national summit on diminishing corruption in the public sector, held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

It stated that the service emerged fourth among 55 agencies of government in the ethics and compliance scorecard of the ICPC.

It said that the NCoS presently ranked 11th in the overall rating among 222 ministries, departments and agencies.

It was also rated among the first 10 MDAs in the same survey conducted in 2019.

The statement titled, NCoS rated excellent in ethics and compliance, quoted the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye as describing the scorecard as a tool developed to address institutional vulnerabilities.

This in which are capable of engendering corrupt practices in public institutions, he said.

The statement noted that in arriving at the outcomes, ICPC concentrated on management culture and structure, financial management systems and administrative systems, as key indicators.

The Controller-General, NCoS, Mr Jaafaru Ahmed, wishes to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and specifically, the ICPC, for this laudable initiative.

This initiative has encouraged MDAs to key into the anti-corruption stance of the present administration, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has warned that Nigerian Army would continue to ensure oneness and indivisibility of Nigeria, urging divisive elements to desist.

Buratai, while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the countrys journey so far at 60, said anybody that is thinking of dividing the country was wasting his or her time because of the existing variables among Nigerians.

He said that 60 years was important in the life of a nation, adding that the Nigerian army had played its part patriotically to keep the country one.

According to him, you must be a big joker to say that you will divide this country because this country has come to stay.

Apart from the political and cultural unity, the historical affiliation, the economic bonds that have existed within and among the different parts of the country, it will be very difficult.

We cannot afford a second civil war and everything will be done possible by the grace of God to ensure that we dont get this country divided no matter the challenge to keep this country one.

My advice is that anybody dreaming of having another country is wasting his time and we will surely address them if at all they rear their ugly head. We must be united and we must keep Nigeria one and we must progress as well, he added

Source: NAN News

Inauguration of Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 3/2020 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in Abuja

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Policy and Plans, Army, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, has charged senior officers of security agencies to strive to proffer knowledge based solution to the nations security challenges.

Adeosun made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at the ceremony for participants of Strategic Management and Policy Studies Course 3/2020 of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC).

He said that the course was conceived and developed as part of the mandate of NARC to proffer research based study to the defence and security challenges facing the nation.

Adeosun said that human resource development was required to effectively achieve the broad mandates given to the centre, hence the need to broaden the study module of the centre.

He said that as strategic leaders, knowledge was crucial to their activities, urging them to strive to learn as no knowledge can be lost.

According to him, critical thinking and emotional intelligence packages have been included into the strategic management component of the course because of their importance to strategic leadership.

However, emphasis is not only on the academic aspect as other factors were considered given the peculiar target audience which is the entire security architecture of the country.

Thus, security which in itself has expanded beyond the old synthetic dimension to now cover all human endaevours is a major factor in this course.

The programme is therefore designed to examine security through other lenses rather than the pure kinetic engagements which most of the participants are used to.

Consequently, factors like food security, physical security and employment amongst others are given adequate attention.

This is not done in isolation but we always commence with theoretical examination of policy formulation, interpretation and management which is referred to as grand strategy in some quarters particularly the military, he said.

The Director-General, NARC, Maj.-Gen. Abdulwahab Garba (Rtd), said the course was essentially aimed at looking at security from another perspectives other than the usual kinetic angle.

Garba disclosed that the centre had made effort to get across to different parts of the world with a view to bridging the gaps in the security architecture of the nation.

He said the review of course 2 had led to increment in what was being undertaken in course 3, adding that senior officers from various services had been brought together to share knowledge.

Garba said the current course had 22 participants including five women from Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence Intelligence Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Customs Service among others.

According to him, the course 3 has five participants from the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) as against one in the last course and for the first time, Nigerian Customs Service is participating.

These are practitioners in the defence and security architecture of Nigeria who are here to know themselves. It will go a long way in blocking the identified gaps in the defence and security of the country, he said.

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari says that Nigeria as an indivisible geo-political entity is more beneficial to its citizens than becoming units of nationalities.

Buhari gave the advice in a nationwide broadcast to mark the 60independence anniversary of Nigeria, Africas most populous nation.

According to him, Nigerians must collectively resolve to continue their journey beyond the recorded 60 years on the understanding that Nigeria as a geo-political entity will be more beneficial to every citizen.

We are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities, he asserted.

Buhari stated that citizens should continue to do the right things to promote unity and understanding among the diverse ethno-religious groups in the country, to achieve desired goals of nation building.

Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another.

Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great nation we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do what is right and proper even when no one is watching.

Let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the 60 years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities.

By the sufficient grace of God we shall come through current transient challenges.

The president also stressed the need for the country to begin a sincere process of national healing, saying that the current anniversary presented genuine opportunity to eliminate divisive tendencies among the people.

He advised citizens to always discard acts capable of dividing the nation or promoting primordial sentiments.

We need to begin sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunityto eliminate old and out-worn perceptions.

The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nations evolution and integration.

To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such our people and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields.

It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the diaspora frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields.

Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home has resulted to a global recognition of our endeavours.

The president expressed his optimism that Nigeria would achieve its set goals if citizens collectively pursued the nations aspirations together.

Im convinced that if we pursue our aspirations together we will be able to achieve whatever we desire, he added.

Buhari stressed that Nigerians, irrespective of their geo-political backgrounds must continue to show genuine commitment toward the survival of the country as a geo-political entity no matter the challenges facing the nation.

I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on daily basis and I must confess that most times, I always felt the need for collective reflection.

I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians.

Nigeria is not a country for Mr President, any ruling or opposition party but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of the challenges we face to make this country what we desire.

To achieve this, we must focus our minds together as a people on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underline our present state.

According to him, these include evolving and sustaining a democratic culture that leaves power in the hands of the people:

Supporting the enthronement of rule of law, demanding accountability of elected representatives and contributing to good governance.

Increasing our commitment to peaceful co-existence in a peaceful, secure and united Nigeria;

Harnessing and optimizing our tremendous human and natural resources to attain our goal of being in the top 20 economies of the world and in the process;

Lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years and strengthening institutions to make them stronger in protecting national interests and imbibing tolerance in diversity. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Old people

By Ikenna Osuoha

Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN) has lamented the condition of many older persons in the country even as the country Marks 60 years of independence.

The President of the coalition, Sen. Eze Ajoku, while while congratulating the country on her 60th anniversary celebration in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the state of many senior citizens was disturbing.

Ajoku, who regretted the dearth of quality healthcare facilities targeted at older persons to assist them in the ageing process was not helping matters.

He said there are no healthcare facilities and policies targeted at older persons. Most community healthcare centres are not functioning.

There is no social security and incentives for them, that is why many people become nervous approaching the 60 years retirement age.

There is no plan for older persons who are suffering from non communicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and some of them who are suffering from dementia are being branded as witches and wizards.

So the older persons are not enjoying any form of sympathy or benefit from Nigerians and government.

The coalition leader, therefore, called for a comprehensive health plan for older persons, and urged Nigerian to rise to the responsibilities of giving the much needed care to older persons.

According to him, government should begin to give discount for drugs of older persons suffering from non communicable diseases.

Ajoku emphasised the imperatives of giving priority to older persons, noting that Nigerian leaders were dominantly older persons.

The poor, the needy, the frail looking older persons are appealing to the leaders who are also older persons to give priority attention to senior citizens, he appealed.

He also urged government to aggregate the data of older persons in the country, using community based system for adequate planning and administration.

He said you can get data of older persons in two weeks from communities through councillors who represent the areas.

Ajoku stressed that Nigeria at 60 had attained old age and therefore ought to rise to the aspirations of older persons in terms of healthcare and social security. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

Source: NAN News

CGI, Muhammad Babandede during inspection of passport ofice in Abuja

By Ibironke Ariyo
The Federal Government has approved implementation of the New Visa Policy (NVP) and New Visa Fees.

The Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Mr Muhammad Babandede disclosed this in a statement by the Service Spokesman, Mr Sunday James on Thursday in Abuja.

Babandede said that the implementation of the new visa fees and Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2020 commenced on Thursday.

The service wishes to inform the general public and the international community of the new visa fees approved by the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, which is based on the principles of reciprocity.

The service is inviting stakeholders, concerned authorities and individuals to visit the official website of the Service via for full details of the new visa fees for all countries and category of applicants, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government launched a New Visa Policy (NVP) on Feb. 4.

This was launched to boost the nations economy and allow travellers to visit Nigeria without visas and only commence the process of obtaining visa upon arrival into the country.

Source: NAN News

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)

By Jessica Dogo
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has lifted the suspension on Spectrum Trading Guidelines (STG) 2018, pending the conclusion of ongoing review.

Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, NCC Director, Public Affairs, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said that the decision followed deliberations by the NCC Board at its special meeting.

Adinde said that the board resolved that the suspension be lifted and that relevant stakeholders should continue to operate the STG while the revised STG was being finalised in consultation with the industry.

He said that NCC had on May 27, 2020, announced the suspension of STG 2018 for the Nigerian telecommunications industry and informed all licensed telecoms operators, prospective investors, industry stakeholders and the general public of the decision.

Adinde said the board took the decision in response to telecommunications global dynamics, as well as the efforts to optimally utilise and maximise the benefits of Spectrum as a scarce resource.

According to Adinde, Spectrum is a limited resource, which, when inefficiently utilised, greatly limits broadband coverage and speed.

The current Spectrum Trading Guidelines were developed in 2018 after industry-wide consultations.

This instrument allows that the Spectrum resource be traded on the Secondary Market through Transfer, Sharing or Leasing (TSL) upon satisfying stipulated regulatory conditions.

The Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NNBP), 2020-2025 launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2020, requires that these Guidelines be reviewed to ensure that unutilised Spectrum is fairly traded to facilitate rollout by other operators among others.

The guidelines will also help to address the need for ubiquitous broadband deployment to accelerate penetration and access in line with the economic Agenda of the Federal Government, he said.

Source: NAN News