Strike
By Ummul Idris
The National Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria (NARD) has exempted doctors treating COVID-19 patients at designated treatment and isolation centres from its two weeks industrial action commencing on Monday midnight.

NARD President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, during a press briefing on decisions taken at the virtual extra ordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NARD on Sunday.

He said that the virtual meeting was held to review the 14 days ultimatum issued to government which elapsed two days ago.

Sokomba said that the exemption was in recognition of the intervention of Hon. Tanko Sanunu, Chairman House Committee on Health Services, other stakeholders and a demonstration of NARD goodwill to the country.

The president appealed to Nigerians to bear and understand with the association.

Sokomba said that the demands include the provision of the inadequate appropriate personal protective equipment for all healthcare workers.

According to him, other demands include universal implementation of medical residency training act in all federal and state hospitals and ensuring pay parity among doctors of equal cadre, provision of funding of medical residency training in the 2021 appropriation bill.

Immediate implementation of the revised hazard allowance and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance agreed with the government and healthcare workers three months ago.

Stoppage and immediate refund of all illegal, unjust and callous cut in salaries of our members by Kaduna State and other state governments, Sokomba said.

He disclosed that the meeting was attended by over 500 members of the association.

Source: NAN News

European Union

France, Germany and Switzerland on Monday allowed travel to resume three months after unprecedented restrictions were imposed in a bid to curb the coronavirus pandemic.

France reopened its borders with all EU countries except Spain, where restrictions would remain in place until June 21 in line with a similar decision on the Spanish side.

Passengers arriving from Britain would also be asked to self-isolate for 14 days, in line with British restrictions on individuals arriving from France.

Borders with non-EU countries remain closed to all but essential travel, except for incoming foreign students who can now head to France.

Traffic was reported on a motorway leading to the German-Danish border on Monday, just hours after Copenhagen lifted entry restrictions for German, Norwegian and Icelandic nationals.

Germany has however, lifted travel restrictions for most European countries.

A policeman said on Twitter that no traffic was reported at other border crossings in the area.

He added that a km long queue of cars was reported on the A7 leading up to the Kupfermuehle border crossing, where checks were still being conducted.

Germanys Foreign Ministry removed a warning against travelling to 27 countries in Europe from its website at midnight, ending an unprecedented directive against all foreign travel that had been put in place to stem the virus.

Germany is also to stop carrying out border controls, although the checks have already been phased out at many crossings.

The travel relaunch is in line with a recommendation by the European Commission, which is urging EU members to reopen borders.

The Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) welcomed the lifting of restrictions, saying the opening of EU borders could act as a second stimulus package for the German economy without costing the state a single cent. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Foundation seeks free, comprehensive healthcare for older persons

By Stanley Nwanosike

An Enugu-based NGO, the Daniel Ukwu Leadership Foundation, on Monday, advocated for a free and comprehensive healthcare for older persons nationwide.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Daniel Ukwu, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of an event to mark the UN International Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

Celebrated annually on June 15 around the globe, the UN International Elder Abuse Awareness Day is to focus global attention to the problems of physical, emotional and financial abuse of elders.

Ukwu, therefore, called for free and comprehensive healthcare package for older persons so that they woukd age gracefully.

He noted that older people visit health facilities more than the younger ones, and they continue to manage one form of health condition or the other with their meager finances.

He added that most people enjoy free health facilities provided by either their employers or the government while they are young and working.

You find out that since most young people do not frequently get sick, they do not take advantage of these health provisions.

But as they retire and get older, they visit hospitals often and some come down with illnesses that they have to continue to manage when the health facilities are no longer available to them.

So, when older persons need more resources to take care of their health needs, they are no longer entitled to the facilities and no provision is made for them.

Our policy makers and those in government should provide free and comprehensive healthcare for older persons; make their burden less.

Ukwu, however, called on the Enugu State Government to build old peoples homes in each of the 17 council areas of the state.

According to him, older persons that are abandoned and living inhuman conditions should be taken to such homes for proper care and welfare.

He said most times, it is not that the older persons do not have children or relatives but all of them might be far from home.

Hence, older persons need to be taken to well-managed homes for welfare, care and human companion that will keep them fit and healthy, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Rev. John Hayab, CAN Chairman Kaduna chapter.

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter has appealed to government at all levels to tackle the security challenges facing the country.

Rev. John Hayab, the Chairman of CAN made the appeal in a statement on Monday.

Hayab said that the chapter was sad and upset with the killings and increasing insecurity in the north, especially in Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Borno States.

Our governments must therefore live up to their responsibility by tackling the present state of insecurity across the country.

He urged them towake up to their responsibilities and put an end to the criminality that had brought about misery on the people.

Hayab noted that in the last few weeks, hundreds of people had been killed by the Boko Haram insurgents and bandits, who had invaded communities and unleashed mayhem on the people.

People are now living in perpetual fear as they are not safe on the highways and even in their homes.

Rural communities are being invaded by bandits and farmers cannot go to their farms for fear of being killed or abducted for ransom by gunmen, Hayab said.

He called on governments to rise to the declining security situation, adding that
protection of lives and property of the citizenry were constitutional responsibility of governments all over the world.

The CAN chairman said that there was the need for leaders to take stock of the security situation in the country.

We need to check where we have gone wrong and those things we are doing that we need to do better.

Many lives arebeing wasted almost on a daily basis by Boko Haram and bandits.People are being abducted and killed by kidnappers because they could not pay the huge ransomdemanded by the hoodlums.

For instance in Kaduna State, the security challenges in Chikun, Kajuru, Kauru, Zangon Kataf, Birnin Gwari have continued tobe a serious source of worry.

Sadly, peopleare experiencing these challenges at the time of increase in hunger, economic hardship and fear of COVID-19. These pains are too much for the citizens to continue to bear, the cleric said.

According to him, we all love this country and have always prayed and work to get the best.

Let us not fold our arms and allow evil people to destroy our land. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Pope Francis appealed for parties in Libyan civil war to seek peace, urging international community to facilitate talks to protect refugees and migrants.

He said they are victims of cruelty.

In an impassioned plea during his noon address in St. Peters Square, Francis said he was pained by the situation in Libya, which has had no stable central authority since dictator Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown by NATO-backed rebels in 2011.

For more than five years Libya has had rival parliaments and governments in the east and the west, with streets controlled by armed groups and sporadic fighting.

Please! I urge international bodies and those who have political and military responsibilities to restart, with conviction and resolve, the search for a path towards an end to violence, leading to peace, stability and unity in the country, he said.

Egypt announced a new initiative for Libya on Saturday. Meanwhile Russia and Turkey, who support opposing sides in Libya, have postponed ministerial-level talks on the conflict.

Libya is divided between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the rival Government of National Accord (GNA) with nations split over their support of the LNA or the GNA.

In an apparent reference to the coronavirus pandemic, Francis said the already precarious health conditions of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers had been aggravated, making them even more vulnerable to exploitation and violence.

There is cruelty. I call on the international community Please! to take their plight to heart Brothers and sisters, we all have responsibility in this.

No one can consider themselves dispensed from this, he said.

Human rights groups such as Doctors Without Borders have said people in migrant detention centres in Libya are being held in harmful conditions and exposed to abuses. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Ministerial Task Team on COVID-19 has sealed Jabi Lake for violating Presidential ban on social gatherings.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the closure of the mall, Leader of the Task Team, Mr Ikharo Attah, said the management of the Mall had consistently violated the FCTAs guidelines on COVID-19.

Attah lamented that the management of the mall encouraged and granted permit for a concert by Naira Marley in spite of several warnings by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

According to him, the mall is conducting business activities exceeding the normal hours approved by the authorities.

He disclosed that the FCTA had secured a judgement from a mobile court headed by Magistrate Idayat Akonni, who sat in the mall premises in Jabi.

The Magistrate ordered the mall to be seal for a period of two weeks over default of the COVID-19 protocols bearing three-count charge.

Attah explained that the seal order was necessitated by the unlawful and embarrassing event at the mall on June 12, 2020.

Source: NAN News

Gov. Godwin Obaseki

By Effiong Dianabasi

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo was in Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday to visit Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, in an apparent bid to pitch his tent with the PDP.

The purpose of the visit was however, not disclosed but the two governors later held a closed-door meeting at the Government House.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasekis visit to Wike is coming on the heels of the disqualification of the former from contesting the upcoming Edo governorship election on the platform of the APC.

The APC had approved its screening and appeal committees reports which disqualified Obaseki and two others from participating in the June 22 governorship primaries in Edo.

The partys National Working Committee (NWC), led by its National Chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole,announced Obasekis disqualification on June 13 at a news conference in Abuja

Oshiomhole said the NWC, which reviewed the two reports, noted with satisfaction that members of the committees were unanimous in their decisions.

The appeal panel, headed by Prof. Abubakar Farialso upheld the outcome of the screening committee, while presenting the report to Oshiomhole at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

Political observers in Port Harcourt said that Obasekis visit to Wike might not be unconnected with his disqualification by the APC from participating in the partys governorship primaries and that he might be seeking to join the PDP to contest the governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has slated Sept. 19 for the governorship poll in Edo. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu

By Deji Abdulwahab

The Progressives Governors Forum has resolved to intervene in the current crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo and Ondo states ahead of the governorship election in the states.

The Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

The governors have collectively agreed to work to ensure strengthening fair and democratic internal party mechanism for the selection of party candidates in all elections, especially in respect of Edo and Ondo states 2020 Governorship election, he said.

He recalled that the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC had on Saturday affirmed the disqualification of Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo and two other aspirants who had earlier been disqualified by the screening committee.

The three aspirants who were disqualified included Obaseki, Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi and Mr Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen.

The Governors are confident that the party will resolve all current challenges and emerge stronger.

The APC governors forum which had a teleconference meeting on Saturday unanimously reaffirmed its commitment to work for the unity of our party, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

FBN holdings

By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

FBN Holdings (FBNH) Plc, has won the 2020 Best Corporate Governance in Nigeria Award put in place by the World Finance.

Mr Urum Kalu Eke, FBNH Group Managing Director, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

World Finance is renowned for its comprehensive coverage and analysis of the global financial services industry, international business, and the global economy.

Eke said: FBN Holdings is winning this award for the second consecutive year on the back of its strong corporate governance practices and outstanding leadership in the Nigerian financial services industry.

Winning the award in quick succession is a demonstration of not only the strength of our corporate governance practices but also its resilience.

As a holding company, we emphasise the highest standards in corporate governance across all operating entities in our quest to deliver value to our numerous stakeholders.

World Finance has been celebrating corporate achievements in the areas of corporate governance, innovation, and market leadership in the financial services sector across all the regions of the World in the past 13 years.

FBN Holdings is the non-operating financial holding company of one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in Africa.

It is a diversified financial services group that offers a broad range of products and services, including commercial banking, merchant banking and asset management and insurance to millions of customers.

It oversees business groups that collaborate to deliver innovative financial solutions.

The bank and the non-bank subsidiaries of the holding company operate in Nigeria, as well as through overseas branches, subsidiaries and representative offices across the world. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Chelsea logo

Chelsea midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Billy Gilmour scored twice each in a 7-1 friendly win over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday

This is as Frank Lampards side stepped up their preparations for the Premier League restart.

Mason Mount, Willian and Olivier Giroud also got on the score sheet as Chelsea improved on a 1-0 victory over Reading in a similar warm-up friendly last week.

French midfielder NGolo Kante made a return to full contact training on Tuesday after expressing concerns over his safety, due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

He started the game against Championship (second-tier) side QPR.

Lampards side are fourth in the league with 48 points from 29 games ahead of the resumption of the season on Wednesday following the COVID-19 disruption.

Chelsea are scheduled to face Aston Villa away next Sunday in their first game back. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News