About 883 nationals from the United Kingdom and the United States were evacuated on April 18th from Lagos and Abuja as part of repatriation efforts being carried out by both governments over the COVID-19 pandemic.

A British Airways Boeing 747 aircraft airlifted 301 Britons (excluding 14 crew members) from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 16:10 GMT, while 242 Britons were moved from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on the same day.

Final video just before the @British_Airways flight #GettingBritishcitizenshome @UKinNigeria https://t.co/UjECEVf2Jf

— Catriona Laing (@CatrionaLaing1) April 18, 2020

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, who was at the Abuja airport to coordinate operations, expressed the gratitude to the Federal Government for making the evacuation possible.

She also stated that to be eligible for all flights, the primary residence has to be in the UK and that they prioritised helping the most vulnerable and those who have an underlying medical condition placing them at greater risk of serious illness if they contact COVID-19.

“I want to say thank you to the government of Nigeria for all the support they have given us. I particularly want to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Aviation, the Federal Capital Territory and the Lagos State government.

With some of my team checking the flight manifest. These are people who normally work on climate change, conflict in the NE and visas but have become experts in constructing a flight manifest! Just brilliant. #GettingBritshcitizenshome ⁦@UKinNigeria⁩ pic.twitter.com/8eU6HYaKpa

— Catriona Laing (@CatrionaLaing1) April 18, 2020

“It has been a really challenging process because we have had thousands of British citizens overseas wanting to get back and I appreciate my team that have worked tirelessly to put this together.

“For these first few flights, we have been prioritising vulnerable British citizens who are at risk of contracting COVID-19, the elderly, the disabled and those with children. There will be more flights coming to Lagos and I urge more people to book because the more people book, the better chances we have when we make a case to London for more flights. Many of the passengers I spoke to have Nigerian-British heritage, so we are seeing the best of both worlds,” Laing said.

Delighted that our first @British_Airways charter flight has now taken off from #Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport. In this video I thank my team and all the Nigerian authorities who have helped us @fmaviationng @GeoffreyOnyeama @fedmintransport @UKinNigeria https://t.co/Z22VoXQK9d

— Catriona Laing (@CatrionaLaing1) April 18, 2020

The UK mission had earlier stated that the nationals would pay under £500 for their seats and that the Federal Government has assured that people who exceed their authorised visa stays as a result of travel restrictions linked to COVID-19 will not be penalised as over-stayers when they depart.

The US government also evacuated over 340 Americans from MMIA in addition to the 940 that were airlifted recently.

The passengers departed on a chartered Omni Air International flight bound for Dulles Airport, near Washington, DC.

So far, over 3,000 foreign nationals from the US, Canada, Germany, Israel, Lebanon, Egypt South Africa and France have been evacuated from their countries. The Nigerian Mission in the UK has also received over 140 applications from Nigerians resident in Britain who are interested in being evacuated.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, has expressed sadness over the death of Abba Kyari, President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff.

Tinubu, in a condolence message released by his Media Office on Saturday in Lagos, described Kyari as a man of accomplishment, whose death, due to the raging Coronavirus pandemic should not be in vain.

The APC leader noted that though the nation was made sad and in mourning, he urged Nigerians to use Kyari’s demise and those of others fallen by the virus to strengthen the resolve in fighting the pandemic.

“The death came at a time the government is working assiduously to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We must not allow the passing away of Malam Kyari and other Nigerians, who have lost their lives to this terrible disease to be in vain.

“I’m deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Malam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to the President.

“He was an extremely able, loyal and talented man, who dedicated his considerable skills to the success of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari,” Tinubu said.

“Whatever someone will try to say about Malam Kyari, the words will prove insufficient . His influence in government and throughout the land was substantial and profound. He will surely be missed.

“My deepest condolences go to President Buhari, the people of Nigeria, especially, the family of Mallam Kyari over this tragic loss.

“May Almighty Allah comfort the president and the Kyari’s family at this difficult moment.”

Meanwhile, the APC leader has appealed to Nigerians to rededicate themselves to obeying public health measures, such as physical distancing so as to defeat the contagion and not fall to it.

“While we must maintain spatial distance from one another, we must yet come closer in the spirit of brotherly compassion and national purpose in order to defeat the threat we now face.

“Allah’s will is supreme and there is no questioning it. Yet, we must learn from Malam Kyari’s passing.

“We must honour the departed by doing all we can to defeat the virus so that we safeguard the health of the nation that Malam Kyari loved so deeply,” Tinubu said.

The APC leader also condoled with Gov. Babagana Zulum, the government and people of Borno State over the loss of their ‘extraordinary son’.

“I pray that Allah Subuhana Watahalah grant the soul of our beloved Malam Kyari eternal rest and admit him to Aljana Firdaus,” he said.

Kyari on March 23 tested positive to the novel COVID-19 and had been receiving treatment in an unknown private hospital.

Rendeavour, Africa’s largest private city developer and partner to the Lagos State Government on the Alaro City project, has commenced free food programme that will provide food for 10,000 people daily to cushion the effects of the lockdown imposed by the government to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Rendeavour, Stephen Jennings said the company’s gesture would complement Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Daily Food Kitchen Programme.

Jennings, represented by the Head, Corporate Affairs, West Africa, Mr. Babatunde Olaifa at the flag-off in Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area lauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for his leadership and efforts at tackling the spread of the virus in the state and promised that the organisation will continue to support the government.

The development comes days after the Lagos State Governor announced the commencement of a daily food kitchen programme targeted at feeding 100,000 youths across the state.

Jennings said, “Governor Sanwo-Olu has led commendably from the front in the battle against COVID-19 in Lagos, to the admiration of all, including the international community. These are difficult times, no doubt, but I am optimistic that Nigeria will be among the fastest nations to shrug off the effects of this pandemic.”

According to him, other initiatives by Rendeavour and Alaro City targeted at cushioning the effect of the lockdown include the distribution of relief items which commenced in Epe two weeks ago.

‘’The company is also rolling out a civic education campaign aimed at boosting awareness of effective ways of combating the pandemic. Additionally, top executives of the organisation have partnered with the Lagos branch of a global business leadership community in funding the construction of a COVID-19 treatment/isolation centre in Lagos.

Commenting on the development, the Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Comrade Kamal Salau-Bashua lauded the feeding program, saying it is an individual initiative that must be applauded.

Salau-Bashua noted that the gesture would go a long way to ameliorate the plights of the residents burdened by the effects of the lockdown imposed by the government to contain spread of COVID -19.

He said, ‘’Well we want to actually appreciate Rendeavour for partnering with the state government in terms of distributing relief packages, food packages to the people of this council . On behalf of the people of this council we thank Rendeavour.’’

Salau-Bashua appealed to other corporate organisations and well- meaning individuals to partner with the states and federal government to defeat COVID -19.

Also speaking, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Gbolahan Lawal, said: “The initiative to feed 10,000 people daily by Rendeavour and Alaro City is a laudable one and perfectly keys in with the objectives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s COVID-19 Emergency Food Response. We welcome all partnerships on this quest to ensure that those in need are fed during this period.”

For the Lagos Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives Mrs Lola Akande, “It is heart-warming to see our partners in the private sector rise up to the occasion and key into the state government’s programmes aimed at battling the coronavirus pandemic.”

She said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has, once again, shown leadership worthy of emulation and we are happy that responsible corporate players like Rendeavour and Alaro City are partnering with us.”

Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday said the death of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari required all hands to be on deck in the fight against Coronavirus.

Abba Kyari died on Friday of Coronavirus.

Obasanjo, in a condolence letter to Buhari on the death of Kyari said he received the news of the demise of the Chief of Staff, on Friday night, with great sadness, as he lost the battle against the dreadful killer disease, COVID-19.

“Abba Kyari’s death must be painful to you and to his family and friends, but you can all take solace in the fact that he died in harness, in the service of his country.

“His death must be a solemn reminder to all of us that COVID-19 requires all hands on deck soberly, cooperatively, humanly, humanely, justly, equitably, fairly, consolidatedly and comprehensively to be able to fight it successfully and to get all Nigerians back to good health and healthy economy.

“God will give you and Abba Kyari’s family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. May Allah receive his soul,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari has written an emotional tribute about his late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who died in Lagos on 17th April.

Kyari was 67, Buhari said, putting a curtain on the confusion over the deceased age.

The Bama-born Kyari died from complications caused by the Coronavirus in an Ikoyi, Lagos hospital.

“He was a true Nigerian patriot. My loyal friend and compatriot for the last 42 years – and latterly my Chief-of-Staff – he never wavered in his commitment to the betterment of every one of us”, Buhari wrote.

“He was only in his twenties when we first met. A diligent student, soon after he was blessed with the opportunity to study abroad – first at Warwick and then law at the University of Cambridge. But there was never any question Abba would bring his first-rate skills and newly acquired world-class knowledge back to Nigeria – which he did – immediately upon graduation.

“Whilst possessing the sharpest legal and organisational mind, Abba’s true focus was always the development of infrastructure and the assurance of security for the people of this nation he served so faithfully. For he knew that without both in tandem there can never be the development of the respectful society and vibrant economy that all Nigerian citizens deserve.

“In political life, Abba never sought elective office for himself. Rather, he set himself against the view and conduct of two generations of Nigeria’s political establishment – who saw corruption as an entitlement and its practice a byproduct of possessing political office.

“Becoming my Chief of Staff in 2015, he strove quietly and without any interest in publicity or personal gain to implement my agenda.

“There are those who said of him that he must be secretive – because he did not have a high public profile. But Abba was the opposite: he simply had no need, nor did he seek, the cheap gratification of the crowd; for him, there was nothing to be found in popular adulation. He secured instead satisfaction and his reward solely and only from the improvement of the governance of this great country.

“Working, without fail, seven days each and every week, he acted forcefully as a crucial gatekeeper to the presidency, ensuring no one – whether minister or governor had access beyond another – and that all those representing and serving our country were treated equally.

“He made clear in his person and his practice, always, that every Nigerian – regardless of faith, family, fortune or frailty – was heard and treated respectfully and the same.

“Mallam Abba Kyari was the very best of us. He was made of the stuff that makes Nigeria great. Rest In Peace, my dearest friend.

“To his loving wife and doting family who survive him, I extend my heartfelt sorrow at your loss”, Buhari concluded.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has sacked the Commissioner of Works, Mu’azu Magaji for gloating over the death of Mallam Abba Kyari.

Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said Ganduje sacked Magaji following Magaji’s unguarded utterances against the late Chief of Staff to the President.

He said as a public servant, the commissioner ought to have respected the office by refraining from any act capable of rendering it to disrepute.

“The action of a public servant, personal or otherwise reflects back on the government and therefore, the Ganduje administration would not tolerate people in official capacities engaging in personal vendetta or otherwise,” the statement read.

In several, now deleted, FaceBook posts, Magaji gloated over Kyari’s demise, describing it as freedom for Nigeria.

“Win win… Nigeria is free and Abba Kyari has died in the epidemic… the death of a martyr… if he is a believer, the person is complete,” Magaji wrote.

In a subsequent post, the commissioner said the office of the chief of staff to the President is too powerful and it should be broken into two.

“For the good of Nigeria and Mr President… The CoS office should be split… A PPS (principal private secretary) and a humble manager of his office as CoS… It is currently too powerful for a non-elected official.”

Magaji in a reaction to comments on his Facebook Wall said the CoS was only a support staffer at the Presidential Villa and his death should be treated as such.

“Nigeria is bigger than any individual… While praying for the president’s late support staff… Ours is to prevent a repeat of his non-accountable domineering era!

“In institutional democracy, no individual is bigger than the state… Our interest is to get equity and capacity in the highest position of power. It’s not personal!

“I am not a hypocrite and I won’t pretend! While at a personal level I pray Allah to grant Abba Kyari Jannah… I sincerely believe Nigeria needed a better CoS period!”

The Lagos State Government on Saturday disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari died at First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos.

A statement issued by Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi said following enquiries on the passing away of Kyari on Friday 17th April 2020, the Lagos State Government stated that he died at First Cardiology Consultants.

“Mallam Abba Kyari died from complications of Coronavirus infection at First Cardiology Consultants in Lagos.

“This hospital is a Lagos State designated high care, biosecurity-compliant, COVID-19 facility, accredited by the Health Facility Management and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

“As a basis for accreditation, First Cardiology Consultants established a separate specialist wing with staff dedicated to the treatment of complicated cases of COVID-19, under the supervision of the Lagos State COVID-19 emergency response team,” he said.

Subject: Home Economics

Topic: Pest

Duration: 40mins

Reference Material: Home Economics for Primary School, 5

Previous Knowledge: Pupils are familiar with cleaning agents

Objective: At the end of the lesson, pupils should:

• Identify different types of household pest
• State ways of preventing the breeding of pests in the home

Content:

Pest are organisms or animals that are capable of destroying or damaging plants, animals and other materials (household materials e.g. furniture) in the home.

Household Pests are animals that are capable of destroying household materials and structures. They feed on human and pet foods causing diseases and threats to man and his properties.

Types of Household Pests

1. Insects e.g. housefly, termites, mosquitoes, spider, bedbugs, cockroaches, ants, fleas, lice, moth, and carpet bugs.
2. Rodents e.g. rats, mice, rabbit.
3. Birds, goat, chicken, hen, dog etc.

Prevention and Destruction of Pests

1. Keep all foods stored in sealed containers.
2. Frequent cleaning of the rooms in the house.
3. Proper disposal of refuse.
4. Keeping the sewage system and gutters clean.
5. Cut bushes around the house regularly.
6. Toilets should be properly kept clean with disinfectants
7. Seal off any entry points such as holes in kitchen, pipes, doors etc.
8. Sinks should be kept clean by pouring hot water in it from time to time.

Presentation:

Step 1: Teacher revises the previous lesson with the pupils.

Step 2: Teacher introduces and explains the new topic to the pupils.

Step 3: Pupils are allowed to ask questions.

Step 4: Teacher writes notes under content on the board for pupils to copy.

Evaluation:

1. Define the term “Household Pests”
2. List the various household pests you know.

Conclusion: Teacher moves round for inspection, marking and correction of notes where necessary

Subject: Basic Science

Topic: Water Cycle

Duration: 40mins

Reference Material: Basic Science and Technology for Primary 5

Instructional Material: Chart Showing Water Cycle

Previous Knowledge: Pupils are familiar with Reproduction in Plant

Objective: At the end of the lesson, pupils should:

• State how rain is formed
• Draw the Water Cycle

Content:

Heat from the sun causes water to move as a gas or vapour from the surface of the earth into the sky by evaporation. The water becomes cool and forms cloud by condensation; the clouds, then send down the water back to the surface as rain.

Water cycle is the movement of water from the earth surface to sky and back to the earth as rain.

The Water Cycle

Rain Formation

• When rain falls, water collects in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and seas or as puddle on the ground.
• The heat from the sun changes some of the water to vapour or gas (evaporation). This vapour is carried up into the atmosphere.
• The rising vapour meets cooler air in the sky and then forms cloud, this is condensation.
• When the cloud (droplets of water) becomes too big and heavy for the air (saturated) to carry its fall back to earth as rain.

Pure water boils at 100^oc, while pure water freezes i.e. turn to ice at 0^oc.

Presentation:

Step 1: Teacher revises the previous lesson “Reproduction in Plants” with the pupils.

Step 2: Teacher introduces and explains the new topic to the pupils.

Step 3: Pupils are allowed to ask questions.

Step 4: Teacher writes notes under content on the board for pupils to copy.

Evaluation:

1. What is Evaporation?
2. Explain Rain Formation

Conclusion: Teacher moves round for inspection, marking and correction of notes where necessary.

Assignment: Basic Science Tech 5, workbook, Ex 8, 3 – 5.

Subject: Bible Knowledge

Topic: Jesus and the Father Working Together

Duration: 40mins

Reference Material: Comprehensive CRK for Primary School, 5

Previous Knowledge: Pupils are familiar with Jesus the son of God

Objective: At the end of the lesson, pupils should:

• Explain how Jesus exhibited an act of Obedience to Christ
• Explain that we cannot do anything without Jesus

Content:

Joseph was the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Jesus was obedient to Joseph and Mary. Although, Jesus is God, He became man in order to save us from son. He always obeyed the will of His father in Heaven. Jesus has the power to do anything but He never did anything without the Father’s approval.

Jesus worked with the Father (God) to perform a lot of miracles, yet Jesus did not clean quality with His Father. Every miracle that was accomplished was done by the Father through Jesus (e.g. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, John 11:35).

Moral Lesson

1. Jesus was obedient to God and His parents as children of God
2. We should never take decisions on our own i.e. we should seek God first
3. We should learn to endure hardship like our saviour Jesus knowing that it is just for a short time.

Presentation:

Step 1: Teacher revises the previous lesson “Jesus the Son of God” with the pupils.

Step 2: Teacher introduces and explains the new topic to the pupils.

Step 3: Pupils are allowed to ask questions.

Step 4: Teacher writes notes under content on the board for pupils to copy.

Evaluation:

1. Who was Jesus Obedient to?
2. Jesus raised Lazarus in order to ________________________

Conclusion: Teacher moves round for inspection, marking and correction of notes where necessary.