Buhari Orders Phased And Gradual Easing Of Lockdown in FCT, Lagos, Ogun. Locks Down Kano With Immediate Effect

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April 27, 2020

In a nationwide broadcast Monday evening on the state of COVID-19 in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed deep worry over the situation in Kano.

In the past few days, about 640 deaths have been recorded in the state. He has, therefore, locked down Kano, totally for the next two weeks.

However, a breather has come to the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States. The three areas have been locked down for 28 days.

But in his broadcast, the third within one month, the President has ordered a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown as from May 4, 2020.

According to him, essential businesses can open between 9.00am and 6.00pm. But, he imposed an overnight curfew from 8.00pm to 6.00am.

Summary Of President Buhari’s Address

📌Lockdown still in place in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun.

📌Lock down to be relaxed by Monday 4th May.

📌From 4th May, Selected businesses to open from 8am to 6pm

📌Curfew applies from 8pm to 6am

📌Restriction on social and religious gathering remain in place.

📌No interstate movement until further notice.

📌Kano on total lockdown for the next 14 days

Following, excerpts from the President’s address to the Nation.

“As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some three million confirmed cases of COVID nineteen have been recorded globally with about nine hundred thousand recoveries. Unfortunately, some two hundred thousand people have also diedpassed away as a result of this pandemic.

“The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Nigeria continues to adopt and adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. This evening, I will present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming month knowing fullyfully aware that some key variables and assumptions may change in the coming days or weeks.

“Exactly two weeks ago, there were three hundred and twenty three confirmed cases in 20 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“As at this morning, Nigeria has recorded one thousand two hundred and seventy-three cases across 32 States and the FCT. Unfortunately, these casesthis includes 40 deathsfatalities.

“I will use this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families of all Nigerians that have lost their lives loved ones as a result of the COVID nineteen Pandemic. This is our collective loss and we share in your grief.

“Initial models predicted that Nigeria will record an estimated two thousand confirmed cases in the first month after the index case.

“This means that despite the drastic increase in the number of confirmed cases recorded in the past two weeks, the measures we have put in place thus far have yielded positive outcomes against the projections.

“The proportion of cases imported from other countries has reduced to only 19% of new cases, showing that our border closures yielded positive results. . These are mostly fellow Nigerians returning through our land borders. We will continue to enforce land border arrival protocols as part of the containment strategy.

“Today, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited 15 laboratories across the country with an aggregate capacity to undertake 2,500 tests per day across the country.

“Based on your feedback, Lagos State Government and the FCT, with support from NCDC have established several sample collection centers in Lagos and the FCT. They are also reviewing their laboratory testing strategy to further increase the number of tests they can perform including the accreditation of selected private laboratories that meet the accreditation criteria.

“Several new fully equipped treatment and isolation centres have been operationalised across the country, thereby increasing bed capacity to about three thousand. At this point, I will commend the State Governors for the activation of State-level Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.

*Over ten thousand healthcare workers have been trained. For their protection, additional personal protective equipment have been distributed to all the states. Although we have experienced logistical challenges, we remain committed to establish a solid supply chain process to ensure these heroic professionals are can work safely and are properly equipped.

*In keeping with our Government’s promise to improve the welfare of healthcare workers, we have signed a memorandum of understanding on the provision of hazard allowances and other incentives with key health sector professional associations. We have also procured insurance cover for five thousand frontline health workers. At this point, I must commend the insurance sector for their support in achieving this within a short period of time.

*Nigeria has also continued to receive support from the international community, multilateral agencies, the private sector and public-spirited individuals. This support has ensured that critical lifesaving equipment and materials, which have become scarce globally, are available for Nigeria through original equipment manufacturers and government-to-government processes.

*The distribution and expansion of palliatives which I directed in my earlier broadcast is still ongoing in a transparent manner. I am mindful of the seeming frustration being faced by expectant citizens. I urge all potential beneficiaries to exercise patience as we continue to fine tune our logistical and distribution processes working with the State Governments.

“I have directed the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions to make further plans and provisions for financial stimulus packages for small and medium scale enterprises. We recognise the critical role that they play in Nigeria’s economy.

“Our Security Agencies continue to rise to the challenge posed by this unusual situation. While we feel deeply concerned about isolated security incidents involving hoodlums and miscreants, I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety and security remains our primary concern especially in these exceedingly difficult and uncertain times. As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we will not tolerate any human rights abuses by our security agencies. The few reported incidences are regrettable, and I want to assure you that the culprits will be brought to justice.

“I urge all Nigerians to continue to cooperate and show understanding whenever they encounter security agents. Furthermore, for their protection, I have instructed the personnel of the security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment for their own protection.

“As we continue to streamline our response in the epicenters of Lagos and the FCT, I am concerned about the unfortunate developments in Kano in recent days. Although an in-depth investigation is still ongoing, we have decided to deploy additional Federal Government human, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the State Government’s efforts. We will commence implementation immediately.

“In Kano, and indeed many of other States that are recording new cases, preliminary findings show that such cases are mostly from interstate travel and emerging community transmission.

“Drawing from these, I implore all Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. These include Regular hand washing, social physical distancing, wearing of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings remain paramount.

“Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most parts of our country have been under either Federal Government or State Government lockdowns. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID nineteen in Nigeria.

“However, such lock- downs have also come at a very heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihoods. Many businesses have also shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines or cures.

“In my last address, I mentioned the Federal Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while preserving livelihoods.

“In these two weeks, the Federal and State Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the need to protect health, while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global best practice while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.

“We looked at how our factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time respecting and adhering to the NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.

“We assessed how our children can continue to learn without compromising their health.

“We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised. Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key consumption centers.

“Our goal was to develop implementable policies that will ensure our economy continues to function with while still maintaining our aggressive response to the COVID nineteen pandemic. These same difficult decisions are being faced by leaders around the world.

“Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID nineteen, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020 at 9am.

“However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.

“The highlights of the new nationwide measures are as follows;

Selected businesses and offices can open from 9am to 6pm;
There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except essential services;
There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travels until further notice;

d.There will be partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed to allow for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers and,

e.We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious gathers shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos & Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, 4th May 2020, at 9am.

“The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details and timing guidelines to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions.

“The above are guidelines. State Governors may choose to amend, adapt, and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above on public health and hygiene.

“These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano State. The total lockdown recently announced by the State Government shall remain enforced for the full duration. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic.

“I wish to, once again, commend the frontline workers across the country who, on a daily basis, risk everything to ensure we win this fight. For those who got infected in the line of duty, be rest assured that Government will do all it takes to support you and your families during this exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this opportunity to assure you all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remains paramount to our Government.”

$6.8bn Loan: IPOB’s Kanu Warns IMF, World Bank, Says Nigeria Not Credible

By

Bayo Bernard

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April 27, 2020

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Kemi Olunloyo, a blogger, had recently claimed that IPOB activist and Leader, Nnamdi Kanu has died.

However, the claim has now been rubbished by Kanu who has not only proved that he’s still alive, but has again taken the Buhari administration to task over its plan to borrow a whopping $6.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, the World Bank and others to fight the COVID 19 pandemic.

Following are excerpts from the letter entitled:

Dear Sirs,

*Foreign Lenders Must Stop Lending To Nigeria*

Just before the COVID Pandemic struck, Nigeria was on the verge of taking a loan of, almost, $23 Billion from a complex mix of foreign lenders led by China. It was not complex by accident but by design and deception. Nigeria’s rulers wanted the loan to be more acceptable to gullible Nigerians by tagging along respected international financial institutions like IMF and AfDB to a humongous Chinese loan that carried all the usual elements of corruption and usury that have many wise nations wary of Chinese loans.

It’s noteworthy that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was on the frontline of rallying a groundswell of opposition to the loan, especially because of its proposed expenditure plan that excluded the Southeast part of Nigeria – in flagrant breach of Nigeria’s Constitution. We were concerned that any foreign loan obtained in breach of the organic law of Nigeria would provoke a political/legal backlash that will complicate its repayment.

“And with the COVID pandemic contemporaneously diverting the attention of the world (including China), the loan seems to be on hold for now. That is well and good.

“But so soon after, Nigeria is at it again. This time, there are credible reports that it wants to take another loan from the IMF & AfDB. This is after the $2.2B it borrowed from the World Bank in February this year, which Nigeria claimed was for ‘immunization and job creation’.

“So, now Nigeria wants to borrow another $3.4B from IMF, $2.5Billion from World Bank and $1Billion from African Development Bank, should it be allowed to do so when we know very well that previous loans were grossly misapplied, and, otherwise, spent in a manner that breached the Nigerian constitutional provisions on revenue allocation between the Central and State governments on the one hand, and the geopolitical regions of Nigeria, on the other.

“True to character, Nigeria has engaged in another brazen act of deception by claiming that the new loans will be used to ‘fight COVID-19, and to assist the poor and small businesses’.

“Who takes loans to fight COVID? You don’t need loans to fight a pandemic. You, instead, need aid and global goodwill. And that’s what all countries in need have relied on throughout history. The pandemic is not permanent to the point of requiring loans. And for the vaunted ‘assistance to the poor and small businesses’, Nigerians are well aware that this never happens.

“The Ruling class has zero-record of assisting small businesses and the poor. Its embarrassing and laughable distribution of raw cash in the market square, even with VP Osibanjo as the poster boy, was anything but helpful to small businesses.

“If you are still in doubt, just consider how the Nigerian poor has been totally abandoned to untold hardships since the Covid Lockdown began.

“So, for a Nigerian State that is verging on a vegetative state with all the uncertainties, foreign lenders will be taking quantum risks with any new loans to Nigeria.
This is exacerbated by the rising prospects of breach brought by the significant drop in the price of oil.

“Loans are meant to be repaid. The lenders may mean well, but Nigeria’s leaders don’t. They won’t pay back these loans and you can take that to the bank.”

Kanu copied his letter to the following organizations:

*The Europeanh Union
StateDept
*AfricaUnion
*International Monetary Fund
*World Bank

Covid-19: DAAR Communication Boss, Dokpesi Jnr., Is Coronavirus Positive

By

The Source

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April 27, 2020

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*He Had No Recent Travel History

By Akinwale Kasali

DAAR Communication Boss, Raymond Dokpesi, Junior, has tested positive for COVID-19. He is a son of the founder, High Chief Raymond Alegho Dokpesi. He took over from his father as the boss.

According to African Independent Television, AIT, report Monday evening, Dokpesi sent a short message to members of staff in Abuja to inform them of his status and urged those who came in contact with him to get tested as well.

He was said to have been self-isolating in the past week, before he developed malaria symptoms and started coughing.

He reportedly contacted the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for a COVID-19 test which came back positive.

The chairman, who is said not to have a recent travel history, advised those who have interacted with him lately to get tested.

“I got a call this morning confirming the result is COVID-19 positive. I am leaving now to the Gwagwalada Isolation Centre for treatment, and hope to be back in two weeks. Many of you may have interacted with me during our various meetings, and I would advise you to get tested as soon as possible,” the message read.

Aviation Unions Tackle Arik Air, Rejects 80% April Salary, No Salaries As From May

By

The Source

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April 27, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

As if the trouble caused by the devastating effect of COVID-19 which suspended Airline operations was not enough, more troubles are in the offing for Arik Air, Nigeria’s Airline with the most modern Aircraft.

All Aviation Unions in Nigeria are set to do battle with it.

Trouble started a few days ago, when the management of the airline, in a letter to members of staff, told them that because of the situation in the country, caused by COVID-19, they would only receive 20%, each, in salaries, for the month of April.

From the month of May, the Management said, 90% of the staff would go on leave without pay, until things improve.

But Aviation Unions, made up of the National Union of Air Transport Employees,(NAUTE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Union of Aircraft Pilots and Engineering (NAAPE), have rejected Arik’s letter to staff in its entirety.

In a letter to the M.D./CEO of the Airline, through its Human Resources Manager, the Unions berated Arik Air for treating staff as beggars.

While they appreciated the situation on ground as it affects the Airline, especially, as it is in Receivership, the Unions said that any percentage of salaries paid now, should be regarded as part payment, which would be paid in full later. They also rejected the forced leave without pay.

Following, the letter, signed on behalf of the Unions by Frances Akinjoke, Oniha Erazua, Ochere Aba, and copied to various Unions

RE: COVID-19: MATTERS ARISING FOR ARIK AIR LIMITED (IN RECEIVERSHIP)

We write to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the above title, dated 23rd of April 2020, and we strongly express our Unions’ displeasure at what Management decided to throw at our members.

Is it not high time we started developing a second thought on this idea of seeing the staff as beggars that have no choice! If the company could see the need to engage other creditors to discourse terms upon which obligations could be tinkered with bin order to mitigate the biting effects of this COVID-19 pandemic, we do not see why same treatment could not be applied to the workers’ interests.

Being stakeholders in the aviation industry, our Unions are equally disturbed about the hyper-negative impact of the raging pandemic on our sector generally. This was why our unions made a passionate appeal through a joint letter to the Honourable Minister of Aviation for the Federal Government of Nigeria’s robust intervention in the sector. Is it not contradictory that it is our members and their families that would now be made to solely bear the hunger of COVID-19 pandemic before respite eventually comes to the industry!

With due respect Sir, the offer of a 20% salary for the month of April 2020 and no salary at all from the month of May 2020 is totally unacceptable to our members as final monthly pay, and our Unions consider the offers, the way and manner by which they were thrown at us and the advice that staff should manage that 20% prudently while the lockdown lasts as an insult.

In view of the foregoing, we, therefore, wish to state that whatever amount paid as salary to any of our members now will be considered as part payment of monthly emolument, pending agreement borne out of a negotiation.

Please be assured of our readiness to positively engage with you towards amicable settlement, even as we await your invite to that effect.

While we continue to pray and collectively exerting practical efforts towards seeing an end to the COVID-19 disruptions, please be assured of our highest regards”

At the time of writing this, the Management of Arik Air has not reacted to the letter. It is not known, therefore, if it will engage the Unions in a dialogue or not.

Arik Air a private Airline, founded by Chief Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, is being managed by AMCON, which took it over to avoid a total collapse of the Airline, and avoid job losses due to very bad debts.

COVID-19: Jonathan Urges Support For Africa With Test Kits

By

The Source

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April 27, 2020

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Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called on stronger economies and international agencies like the World Health Organisation (WHO) to support the efforts of African nations towards procuring the necessary equipment and kits to enable them conduct aggressive testing that would make the current lock down imposed on cities more productive.

The former President also appealed to international financing and donor agencies as well as creditor nations to consider granting economic palliatives including debt relief or placing moratorium on repayments to help weaker nations cope with the economic difficulties brought upon them by the Covid-19 pandemic.

His Media Aide, Ike Eze, in a Press Release said Dr. Jonathan stated this over the weekend while speaking as a panelist in an international web-based conference organised by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) with the theme ‘Governance Challenges in the Era of the Coronavirus Pandemic.’ The other panelists included Mr. Stephen Harper, former Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Sang Hyun Yoon, South Korean parliamentarian and Dr. Thomas Walsh, UPF Chairman.

The former President also called for greater synergy among different levels of government to ensure that whatever measures are adopted in dealing with the pandemic will achieve the desired result. He recalled that when Ebola hit Nigeria and some other African countries in 2014 under his presidency, Nigeria was able to effectively contain the spread by adopting proactive measures that ensured effective collaboration between states and the Federal Government as well as mobilized support from the civil society, private sector and the international community.

Speaking on the imperative of aggressive testing on the African continent, he said: “It is true that many African nations are observing lockdown of cities and maintaining isolation centres, but if there is no effective testing, locking down populations as currently obtainable in many African countries may not be very effective. This is because people within the communities will continue to spread the virus even without knowing.

“They key thing is that Africa is in dire need of testing kits. The world should come to the aid of Africa by sending more of these kits and other needed equipment to make the fight against Covid-19 more meaningful. Restrictions without strong and aggressive testing will not be impactful.

“We plead that WHO needs to come to the aid of African countries to enable them procure the necessary kits to enable them conduct aggressive testing now that many cities are locked down. That way, those that have already contracted the disease can be isolated from the rest of the population and their condition properly managed.”

Making a case for greater collaboration and coordination across countries, states and municipal authorities, the former President stressed that the efforts of national governments might not yield the desired fruits without the buy-in of the sub-national governments. He said further: “For us to effectively contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa, the national governments must work in concert with the state or provincial governments and they must also work in concert with the local governments. In some of the African countries this synergy among these three levels of government is not there and that is obviously a limiting factor.

On the future of the continent post Covid-19, Jonathan advised African nations to collaborate more and look inwards for initiatives and capacities that would engender accelerated economic development. According to him, such measures include improving business climate and adding value to agricultural and other products as well as providing meaningful support to young entrepreneurs and small businesses.

COVID 19: NCDC Turns Back ‘Sick’ Persons, The Reasons

By

Bayo Bernard

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April 27, 2020

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By Fola James

When the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, DR Chikew Ihekweazu met with President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock, Presidential villa on Sunday, one thing he told the president will shock many Nigerians: the agency is in shortage of chemical reagents to test Nigerians who may be carrying the corona virus.

According to checks, out of the 15 testing centers the NCDC operates across the country, only the Lagos and Abuja centers are believed to still have ‘materials’ that can only last few weeks.

The NCDC boss would later post on his twitter handle that the agency is also in desperate need of test kits in all its centers

He said, “We’re desperately looking for more RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) extraction kits as we expand #COVID19 testing. Product: Total viral RNA extraction kits (preferably spin column and with a lysis buffer). Manufacturers: Qiagen, ThermoFischer, SeeGene, Inqaba, LifeRiver etc.”

According to Sciencedirect.com Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a nucleic acid polymer consisting of nucleotide … an essential carrier molecule for amino acids used in protein synthesis.

It’s an essential materials used by virologists in the laboratory.

The scarcity of this particular material and test kits, as the NCDC director general said, may have really hampered the operations of the agency as they make desperate efforts to save the lives of Nigerians who are COVID 19 positive, scientific analysts say.

They are right.

Ebun Adegboruwa, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN have recently claimed that people are being turned back from NCDC centers because the agency have been overwhelmed by the numbers of persons visiting the agency’s testing centers in Lagos.

Some Nigerians claimed they were turned back by NCDC officials in the Abuja office.

A top Virologist at the University of Ilorin Teaching hospital, Kwara state told the magazine on Sunday that the NCDC is currently rationing “materials and cannot afford to test those that are already showing symptoms of COVID 19.”

What the NCDC is doing, he explained, is that they want to ensure that they don’t exhaust what they have “by just simply testing everybody.

This strategy could be dangerous, said medical experts who said, the only way to find out who is actually carrying the novel virus is to test whoever has shown its symptoms.

Bu the virologist said there is not chance for gamble.

He said “Nigeria does not have the capacity to treat positive people at this time, the virologist said, adding that ”wearing of mask and social distancing are the only measures that can save our people from the pandemic.”

“If you love yourself and your family,” he said, “stay at home, because your life and those of your loved ones depend on it.”

Again, Buhari To Address The Nation Tonight

By

The Source

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April 27, 2020

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For the third time within two months, President Muhammadu Buhari will address the Nation on the state of the Coronavirus.

During his first and second addresses, he locked down the FCT and both Lagos and Ogun States to stem the spread.

However, the pain of the lockdown has been so bad that not only has the security situation worsened, because of hunger, civil unrest looms. And COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly.

Last week, the 36 governors of the Federation, at a teleconference meeting, agreed to tell the President to lockdown interstate borders.

A statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, enjoins

Television, Radio and other electronic media stations to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively for the broadcast.

Time is 8.00pm.

Kim Jung Gone? Controversy Over The Health Status Of North Korea’s Supreme Leader

By

Uche Mbah

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April 27, 2020

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By Uche Mbah
President Kim Jung Un, the chubby diminutive president of North Korea, has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons: He is rumored to be dead. In the end, only the state media can confirm it-and they are not telling.
Pictures are flooding the social media depicting the funeral of the man president Trump called the little Rocket Man, but they were found to photoshop of the funeral of his father. Both his father and grandfather died of heart disease.
And that is the crust of the matter. Since Kim disappeared from public glare, rumors that came from South Korea was that he collapsed while on a state function due to an alleged heart attack, and was taken to a hospital nearby, but died after a botched surgery. He is said to have his own heart doctor following him about, with his own security details.
Then a North Korean defector insisted he was injured during a missile test, according to the British Sun.
In an apparent bid to prove he is alive, the North Korean government released what they described as a thank you letter to builders working at a construction site in Wonsan.
The US claims they are still investigating his whereabouts.
Kim was last seen at the meeting of the ruling working party to discuss the prevailing coronavirus Pandemic. That was on April 12. Subsequently, he was conspicuously absent at the memorial of his father, generally referred to as the day of the Sun.
China claims that he is in a vegetative state, but various people insist that he is dead. A Chinese journalist is quoted as saying authoritatively that Kim is dead. Shijian Xingzou has about 15 million followers on Weibo, a Chinese equivalent social media channel to Facebook. She is a niece to the Chinese Foreign minister.

Why Gov. Umahi Should Never Be Nigeria’s President

By

The Source

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April 27, 2020

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By Comfort Obi

If anybody was in doubt of the reasons why Engr. Dave Umahi, Ebonyi State Governor, should not rise beyond his present position, doubt no more. The Governor has just provided a solid reason.

It is not that I have heard it directly from him, but it is common knowledge that Umahi is seriously coveting the office of the President or that of the Vice President come 2023. Indeed, in 2015 when the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, picked former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, Umahi threw tantrums no end.

I once listened to money-man, Chief Arthur Eze, lobby President Muhammadu Buhari to look no further than the Ebonyi State Governor for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction – if, and when the time comes.

Buhari had gone to Abakiliki. I forget, now, what he went there for. But Arthur Eze was present. And so was Umahi.

As you know, Umahi is a Buharist, even though he is a PDP governor. He never hides that.

Once, he said he would vote for President Buhari even though his party had a Presidential candidate. At another time, he said he would sack any Ebonyi official who criticised Buhari. He was once quoted as asking his aides and supporters to stay on in PDP while he stays in the APC as their representative.

For good measure, he told them he was beyond reproach. Nobody would dare discipline him for anti-party activities, he boasted. And, a couple of months ago, while addressing wives of Governors who had converged in his state for a meeting, he had told Betsy Obaseki, the lovely Edo State Governor’s wife that: “Your husband would win his election for a second term. Nobody can defeat him.”

For the records, Umahi’s PDP will contest in the same election for same office.

But I digress.

So, Arthur Eze, called up to speak at the occasion, told Buhari that Umahi would be a good, credible successor after him. A smiling Umahi lapped it all up.

But here is my candid opinion.

If there is any Igbo man whose temperament and recklessness do not recommend for the dignified office of a President, it is Umahi.

The Igbo must neither recommend, nor support him to aspire to that office. This Governor is a basket case when he speaks.

I have nothing personal against him. But if, and when the time comes, the Igbo should look out for a level-headed leader who would think before he speaks. They should look out for a leader who is not arrogant, who neither talks down, nor looks down on people. They should look for a leader who neither behaves like an emperor, a tin god, or a dictator.

Not an Umahi. His impunity and arrogance rise to high heavens.

In fairness to Umahi, he has, so far, done well as Ebonyi Governor. He has encouraged agriculture, especially, in the area of rice production. Ebonyi rice ranks among the best in the country. I don’t know much about what he did in the area of yam production, but I proudly ask for Abakiliki yams from my yam customer. But where Umahi has, definitely, excelled most is in the provision of physical infrastructure, especially, roads.

Aside from Anambra State where Peter Obi excelled in the construction of roads, no other governor in the South east compares to Umahi in that area.

Gradually, Umahi has bequeathed Ebonyi with quality roads. Umahi has, also, excelled in the area of education, granting scholarships to hundreds of Ebonyians in relevant areas of study. And, thanks to him, Abakiliki, which, as the state capital, looked worse than a local government headquarters, has had a complete turn-around. It looks “bam”.

But this performance does not recommend him to any higher office. Umahi is like a fowl, which would, after gathering things together with its legs, scatters them again with same legs.

Nothing disqualifies Umahi from seeking the occupancy of any other office, after his governorship, than the unprecedented level he reduced himself to, last week, before Nigerians. In one fell swoop, Umahi showed himself as power-drunk, arrogant, dictatorial, autocratic, intolerant and more.

You must have read, or heard the story, but, for the purpose of this write-up, a brief re-cap.

The Sun Newspaper Correspondent in Ebonyi, Chijoke Agwu, had written a story on the number of Lassa-fever induced deaths in the State. It was not a fabrication. Agwu got the number of victims from the website of the NCDC. But the story stung Governor Umahi to high heavens. So, he ordered the arrest of the Journalist.

A couple of days later, one LGA Chairman, emboldened by Umahi’s impunity , also, ordered the arrest of The Vanguard Correspondent, Peter Okutu, for writing on the alleged invasion of a Community by soldiers. After much outrage and pressure, the two journalists were released.

So we clap? Hardly.

For, what Umahi did next would have made Adolf Hitler green with envy.

The Governor arranged a Radio and Television state-wide broadcast where he did the unimaginable.

He announced the ban, for life, of the two journalists, from Government House, and from all government-owned facilities in the state. That was not enough. He threatened their lives by saying he could not guarantee their safety in the state. Then, he incited the people against them. Ebonyians, he told them, are not happy with them. He would not be there to protect the Reporters, from Ebonyians, he added ominously. And for good measure, he chipped in:

“You have the pen, but we have the koboko”.

Then, Governor Umahi went real low. He said he would withhold, for two months, the petty allowance he gives to Journalists because the NUJ leadership did not condemn the two journalists.

Aaah, so Umahi gives them allowance? Big deal. And, thanks for the information, Mr Governor.

Rightly, condemnations, criticisms, and outrage greeted Umahi’s unbecoming broadcast like claps of thunder. For, those statements came from a governor, not from a motor park tout who was cheated of his paltry commission after loading a bus from Abakiliki to Lagos.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, Lawyers, IPOB, Ebonyians in the Diaspora, CSOs, and more, were outraged. They spoke with one voice. Umahi has crossed the borderline they chorused. Who gave him the authority to ban anybody from public buildings and facilities?, they asked.

Banned for life? Really? Umahi thinks he will be Governor for life. What he means really is: He would control whichever governor comes along after him. True?

Power is intoxicating.

But, to the point.

Can you imagine an Umahi as Nigeria’s President? Democracy will be gone. There will be no freedom of speech. Journalists will be in bondage. Nobody can criticise any of his actions. The country will become one big prison yard. People will live in palpable fear.

Every of his word will be law, cast in iron and stone. Nobody can challenge him. He would hire today, and fire tomorrow, just as he does with his Commissioners and other aides. He would throw away the Constitution of the Federal Republic, and personally write his own.

Umahi’s attitude is one of the reasons not a few Nigerians are afraid of State Police. Governors, with his type of temperament, would abuse it. Just look at how Umahi ordered the State Commissioner of Police to arrest Agwu. Sadly, the Commissioner did, without asking him questions, without advising him to the contrary.

I can guess why the CP obeyed. If he had advised him, and done the contrary, Umahi would have stopped any support to the Police Command.

The Sun has petitioned the IGP, expressing outrage, and asking the IGP to protect its Correspondent, and to let Umahi know he would be held responsible if anything untoward happens to its Correspondent, or any other of its staff members in his state.

The Paper, also, expressed disappointment in the CP for arresting its Correspondent.

Good a thing The Sun did. The NUJ and the NGE should for Umahi’s line, and blacklist him. He is an enemy of the Media and freedom of speech.

I don’t know if Governor Umahi listens to his Commissioner for Information and/or his Media team. A number of aides are mortally afraid to talk to their Principals. Otherwise, they would have told Governor Umahi that for both stories, all his government needed was a simple Right of Reply to set the records straight. Perhaps, a simple one on one discussion with the Reporters. Or, at worst, go to Court and seek legal redress.

By the time he withdrew his order, and got his Media aide to deny he made the statements he publicly made, the damage had long been done.

What Umahi did is condemnable. He crossed the red line. And self-destructed. It will haunt him for a long time.

*Obi is the Editor-in-Chief/CEO of The Source (Magazine), https://thesourceng.com. Email: [email protected], [email protected].

Kano Deaths: Gov. Ganduje Says Deaths Caused By Terminal Diseases, Acute Malaria; Medical Experts Differ

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The Source

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April 27, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has finally opened up on the causes of deaths of Kano State residents in the past few days. At the last count, over 640 deaths have been recorded in the State.

The Kano State Governor said that the mass deaths in the State were caused by complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis and acute malaria.

A statement signed by the state Commissioner of Information, Muhammad Garba, on Sunday, recalled that Governor Ganduje has directed the state Ministry of Health to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the deaths.

Consequently, according to the statement, a preliminary report from the health ministry indicate that the deaths were not connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Commissioner added that reports from the state ministry show that most of the deaths were caused by complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis and acute malaria.

He further stated that Mr Ganduje was “earnestly waiting” for the final report from the state Ministry of Health so as to take necessary action.

“Governor Ganduje’s administration has been commended from within and outside the state over the proactive measures it took towards curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This explains why Kano, apart from being the most populace state, did not record a case of the pandemic until lately.

“Though we agree that the situation on hand currently is serious, we are not resting on our oars in taking appropriate measures to ensure that the good people of Kano state, and indeed, residents in the state protect themselves from the novel COVID-19 pandemic,” he stated.

Mr Garba further noted that part of measures taken by the state government to stop the spread of the virus include the on-going lockdown, closing of borders, aggressive campaign for social distancing, washing and sanitizing of hands, as well as strict adherence to and practice of the principles of personal hygiene.

He added that the Government, through the Kano COVID-19 Fund-Raising Committee, had been making palliatives available to the most vulnerable and the needy in the state.

Garba added that, “more so, the state government has three modern Isolation Centres where those tested positive to COVID-19 are being cared for.

“We are also hopeful of getting additional two Isolation Centres soonest. The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated.

“Also, Kano state government is collaborating with Bayero University Kano (BUK) to establish a testing centre within the institution, which will be ready in two weeks time after being certified by the NCDC.

“This will, indeed, enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergo test.

“Governor Ganduje has also sent a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to urgently work on the NCDC testing centre at AKTH which has been closed down for some time now.

“We have enough medical manpower that can take care of the patients. What we are now asking for is financial assistance from the Federal Government and other donors to help sustain all this infrastructure and also continue the provision of palliatives to our people.”

He noted that, “the state government is concerned over what is happening. The Ministry of Health is already handling the situation. When they are through with the medical investigation, further necessary actions will be taken.

“I urge the good people of Kano state not to panic. The government is on top of the situation. The mystery or whatever it is will soon be unravelled.”

But reacting, to the Governor, political Analysts say the excuses given by the Governor was elementary and unwarranted.

Towobola Damilola, an analyst says it was wrong for the governor to come out to say that people died of particular ailments or diseases without verifiable evidence.

“Is Governor Ganduje a medical doctor to ascertain that the people died of what he has said. Where is their medical history, doctors report? The governor ought to have promised a thorough investigation rather assuming and misinforming the public.

In the same vein, Medical Experts have queried the statement by Governor Ganduje, asking whether any autopsy was carried out on the dead bodies.

Dr. Fred Akingbule, a medical doctor and an endocrinologist, asked how the Governor reached that conclusion that these people died of Diabetes, Hypertension and Acute Malaria. Who were the medical personnel that gave the medical report of the deceased?, he asked.

“It is impossible for 640 people to have died of the same disease. What is the age bracket of all the dead victims? We should stop giving false information about what we are not sure of, and sadly, this is coming from a Governor of a State. It is quite pathetic and disheartening”, he concluded.