COVID-19 updates by NCDC

Nigeria has recorded 649 new cases of COVID-19 pandemic, bringing the total number of infections in the country, as at June 24, to 22,020.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on Wednesday through its official Twitter handle.

NCDC said that the 649 new confirmed cases were from 23 states, with nine deaths as at June 24.

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

The NCDC said that Lagos still remained the epicentre of COVID-19, recording the highest number of 250 new cases, followed by Oyo state with 100 new infections.

Others were: Plateau-40; Delta-40; Abia-28; Kaduna-27; Ogun-22; Edo-20; Akwa Ibom-18; Kwara-17; FCT-17; Enugu-14; Niger-13; Adamawa-13; Bayelsa-7; Osun-6; Bauchi-6; Anambra-4; Gombe-3; Sokoto-2; while Imo and Kano have one each.

The NCDC said that till date, 22,020 cases had been confirmed with 13, 867 active cases; 7,613 cases treated and discharged; 120,108 samples collected and 542 deaths recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it takes two to 14 days for people who are infected with COVID-19 to develop symptoms.

The NCDC said that most infected persons have little or no symptoms, but could spread the disease to others.

It stated that COVID-19 spreads very fast, urging Nigerians to take all the necessary precautions to prevent it.

Source: NAN News

COVID-19

Senegalese President Macky Sall has self-isolated himself for two weeks as a precaution after coming into contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, the presidential office said on Thursday.

Seydou Gueye, the presidents adviser in charge of communications, said that Sall had taken the COVID-19 test after being exposed to coronavirus.

The results came back negative.

However, following the doctors recommendations on this issue, the president has been isolated for two weeks, starting on Wednesday, June 24, Gueye said in a statement posted on the offices Twitter account.

According to the Senegalese Health Ministrys latest update, the West African country has so far registered 6,129 COVID-19 cases, 93 deaths and 4,072 recoveries. (Sputnik/NAN)

Source: NAN News

NDLEA official

By Abbas Bamalli

The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Command in Kano state says the state has recorded increase in drug abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The state NDLEA Commander Dr Ibrahim Abdul said this on Thursday in Kano, while addressing a news conference on the commemoration of 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to him, within the lockdown period, the command intercepted 7.8 73.937 kilograms of hard drug.

Abdul added that, though the COVID-19 pandemic impeded the operations of the command, over 1.2 tonnes of various hard drugs were seized in May.

He said the NDLEA also seized 4,374.629 kilograms of Cannabis Savita, 699.213 kilograms of psychotropic substance, 87 kilograms of cocaine and eight kilograms of heroin.

Abdul explained that, within the lockdown period, the command seized a vehicle loaded with compressed dried weed suspected to be Cannabis Sativa weighing 283 kilograms in Wudil, on transit to Bauchi State.

A very concerted sting operation was also conducted along Kano-Zaria Road, where a Toyota Sequadia jeep was intercepted, and two suspects were arrested with 300 blocks of compressed Cannabis Savita weighing 223 kilograms.

Worthy to note is a fact that a syndicate of barons dealing in cocaine was uncovered by our team, where male and female suspects were apprehended with cocaine weighing 100 grams.

According to Abdul, from June 2019 to date, the agency arrested 565 suspects, out of which 16 were females in Kano.
We have so far secured the conviction of 85 suspects, while six cases are still pending before the Federal High Court in Kano.

During the period under review, 34 regular clients were counseled and rehabilitated, while 723 suspects were referred for brief intervention, Abdul said.

The NDLEA boss identified lack of adequate manpower, shortage of logistics, inadequate facilities to accommodate addicts that required counseling and rehabilitation as some of the challenges facing the agency in the state.

Other challenges he mentioned included, inadequate community participation in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking.

Addressing the above logistics and financial problems will go a long way in enhancing the fight against drug abuse and trafficking, he said.

While commending the State Government, traditional leaders, other sister agencies, media and stakeholders, Abdul called on the public to continue to give the agency necessary support. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

APC Logo

By Ismaila Chafe

The National Executive Committee of the APC has approved the dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, appointing Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe as Caretaker Chairman of the party.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buni was swore-in by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

Buni, who was a one-time Secretary of the party, is to oversee the conduct of the forthcoming APC convention. (NAN)

Details later.

Source: NAN News

Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs,

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Heads of State of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are set to meet to discuss issues bordering on the adoption of the single currency the Eco for the sub-region.

Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing newsmen after a meeting with the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed and the President of ECOWAS Jean-Claude Brou.

He said that there was no division between Anglophone and Francophone countries within ECOWAS over the single currency adoption.

He added that the sub-regional body would hold a meeting of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government to ensure that all the member states were on the same page.

That is a whole point of organising this meeting very quickly so that we can dispel that notion that there is a division.

So, the sooner a meeting can be organised of all the heads of state, then we will be in a better position to dispel this notion that somehow, there is this division between the various groups. ECOWAS is one, he said.

Also speaking, ECOWAS President said the meeting was convened to discuss the single currency, assuring that ECOWAS was doing its best to advance the process.

I think we made very good progress in recent months and we continue to work collectively all together so that we can achieve what our principals have set, Brou said.

Earlier, the Nigerian Finance Minister Ahmed said the inability to meet the convergence criteria was responsible for the delay in achieving the regional single currency.

We are all struggling with trying to stabilise the exchange rate, trying to also make sure that our debts are at manageable levels.

So, we have to discuss whether the roadmap will stay as it is or we may have to change and move the roadmap forward. And that is a decision that the President will take, Ahmed said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

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

Sumaila Ogbaje

Defence Headquarters has reiterated the determination of the military to collaborate with other security agencies to stamp out the untoward security challenges bedeviling the nation.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving update on the operations of the armed forces at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

The Armed Forces of Nigeria in concert with other security agencies wish to assure the populace of our determination to stamp out all forms of criminality across the country in accordance with the directives of the Commander-in-Chief.

Troops deployed for various operations across the nation will remain committed and resolute in achieving the operational mandate which is to decisively curtail the activities of criminals in any part of the Nation.

The Military High Command empathizes with all those who have been affected by the activities of terrorists, armed bandits and other criminals in one way or another, he said.

According to him, the military also appreciates Nigerians for their patience and cooperation in giving timely and credible information on the activities of criminals in their localities.

He said that this had greatly assisted the military in its operations so far.

He encouraged the public not to relent in providing the military and other security agencies with timely and accurate information on the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminals to aid its operations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chief Samuel Ohiri

By Ikenna Osuoha

A traditional ruler, Eze Samuel Ohiri, on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government not to re-open schools in the country, to avoid further spread of COVID-19.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Ohiri said it would be wrong for the government to allow schools to re-open as COVID-19 cases continue to spike nationwide.

The monarch, who is Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, made the appeal against the backdrop of the confirmation of 13 members of the Imo State House of Assembly, testing positive for COVID-19.

Ohiri, the traditional ruler of Obi Orodo community in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo, argued that re-opening schools at the moment would trigger community infections, capable of engendering unprecedented mortality rate.

He noted that many senior citizens with underlying health challenges in the academia would be at the risk of coronavirus infection if schools re-open.

The fact that many of our children are asymptomatic does not mean that revered professors or teachers, who are in their 60s and above cannot be infected.

I think re-opening schools now will be tantamount to exposing our professors and teachers and even our parents at home to dangers of the pandemic.

The traditional ruler argued further that even schools in the U.S. and other countries were still closed.

Ohiri said that the traditional institution in Imo would continue to support governments policies in protecting lives and property of citizens.

He described traditional and religious institutions as veritable vehicles for advocacy in the fight against COVID-19, tasking leaders in both institutions to take responsibility.

He recalled that the Imo traditional rulers council had since advised the governor of the state, not to lift the ban on cultural activities, to check the spread of the virus.

Ohiri pleaded with his colleagues to educate their subjects on the reality and dangers of COVID-19, saying that everyone was susceptible to the virus.

Nobody is immune to the virus no matter the class or whatever. Both the rich and poor are vulnerable to the virus.

On June 23, the Chairman of the Imo State COVID-19 Response Committee, Prof. Maurice Iwu, announced that no fewer than 13 members of the Imo State House Assembly had tested positive to the disease.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control 21,371 cases have been confirmed, while 7,338 patients were discharged with 533 people dead nationwide.

The centre announced also that 117,569 tests have been carried out Nigeria as at June 21. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Hameed Ali, NCS Boss

By Victor Nwachukwu

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operating Unit (FOU), Zone C, Owerri, says it has confiscated contraband items worth N442.5 million in the state.

Mr Kayode Olusemire, NSC Controller in Imo, made the disclosure while displaying the seized items on Thursday in Owerri.

He listed the items to include 2,682 bags of foreign 50kg rice, 10,002 cartons of palmolein oil, 3,122 live ammunition for pump action rifles and 300 used and expiredtyres.

Others were a Marcopolo bus,a Toyota Sienna car, a Toyota Sequoia car, a Nissan Pathfinder car and abrewery truck, among others, used in conveying the smuggled items.

Olusemire said that the items were intercepted in Abia, Imo and Rivers, adding that operational activities were carried out simultaneously in other states of the federation.

The state controller who described the activities of smugglers as unfortunate, added that it was inimical to the economy and safety of Nigeria.

He advised the people to take advantage of the current farming season and Nigerias arable land to grow crops, and emphasised the need for patriotism and selflessness.

Nigeria is blessed with arable land and in this farming season,we should be planting rather than smuggling. Let us eat what we produce and produce what we eat.

It is quite pathetic that at a time when the whole world is putting heads together to conquer a ravaging pandemic,some persons are busy smuggling goods.

This is inimical both to our economy and our safety.

These are trying times. So, we have to be patriotic and eschew selfishness, greed and dishonest gains, Olusemire said.

He said that the NCS was working in close synergy with other security agencies in the fight against smuggling.

Olusemire called on members of the public to provide the service with useful information that would lead to the confiscation of contraband goods. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mai Mala Buni

By Deji Abdulwahab

The new Caretaker Committee Chairman of APC, Mai Mala Buni, has pledged to do justice to every party member and ensure the ensure the current challenges were amicably resolved.

Buni, also the Governor of Yobe, made the pledge on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) had on Thursday dissolved the partys National Working Committee (NWC).

It set up Gov. Buni-led Caretaker Committee to organise a National Convention that would reset the party.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the partys NEC held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Other members of the caretaker committee and extra-ordinary convention planning committee, include: Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun (South-West), Sen. Ken Nnamani (South-East), Stella Okorete (Women Representative).

Other members are: Gov. Sani Bello of Niger (North-Central), Dr James Lalu for the physically challenged, Sen. Abubakar Yusuf (Senate Representative) and Rep. Akinyemi Olaide, representing House of Representatives.

David Lyon (South/South); Abba Ari (North-West); Prof. Tahir Mamman (North-East); Ismail Ahmed (Youth Leader) and Sen. Akpan Udoedehe as the Committee Secretary.

Buni, also a former APC National Secretary, described the committee as a capable team to deliver the job.

After being two-time national Secretary of the party, I can say, I know the party very well.

I want to assure every APC member that we will do justice to every one, because we have a capable team.

I am a team player and am here to manage a crisis, and if you do not manage crisis, crisis will manage you.

So, without justice, there will be no peace; so, am ready to do justice to every APC member, the chairman said.

According to him, NEC is the highest organ of the party, except the convention, and NEC can function for convention in-between, so any decision taken by NEC is the final decision.

NEC has directed that every member in court should withdraw his suit.

Party will carry all members along, especially the leaders of the APC.

Many of them have paid their dues to the party, so we will carry them along, Buni said.

In a related development, the APC State Chairmen Forum has lauded the party NEC for dissolving the NWC, saying that NEC resolution would go a long way in ending the crisis rocking the party.

Its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lawal Liman, also lauded the NEC decision, directing party members that instituted court cases against one another to withdraw the suits. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FG accepts Ghanas apology over embassy demolition

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Nigeria has expressed satisfaction over the moves by the Government of Ghana to address the demolition of the residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner in Accra.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, that the government had taken note of the efforts of President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo and Ghanaian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayokor Botchwey to calm the situation.

He however expressed concerns that reports indicated that the perpetrators of the act were unhindered and had a lot of time despite calls to the Ghanaian authorities by the Charge dAffaires of the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.

He added that further reports indicated that the security operatives who were on ground during the demolition, seemed to have been supportive of those carrying out the violation on Nigerias Sovereign territory in Ghana.

He however noted that the perpetrators had been arrested and arraigned in court and the government of Ghana had apologised and equally promised to rectify all the pending paper works that led to the misinformation of the Lands Commission in Ghana.

The Government of Ghana has assumed total responsibility and with the apology, have made it clear that they will be responsible for restitution rebuilding the building to the state that it was when it was destroyed.

So, this is to say that the matter has been satisfactorily resolved and that at very highest level as I mentioned, President Muhammadu Buhari personally engaged in this process.

The President of Ghana has apologised, those who carried out the action have been arrested and charged to court and the Ghana government has agreed to rebuild the property.

So, we would like to put the matter to rest and to acknowledge the very speedy reaction of the Ghanaian government and to say that we will now continue to further strengthen relations between our two countries, take lessons learnt from what has happened and move ahead without recriminations, Onyeama said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News