Hunger Has A Cure

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April 15, 2020

By Ben Akabueze

I have read several posts suggesting that the lockdown solution to Nigeria’s Covid-19 challenge is not working. I am however yet to read a clearly articulated and implementable alternative solution that will guarantee better results. The truth is we are caught between a rock and a hard place! At times like this, it is often wisdom to err on the side of caution.

Without a doubt, the lockdown compounds social problems especially for the poor. However, there is the argument that hunger has a cure – FOOD. But coronavirus has no known cure yet.

So, why don’t we focus on how we can all help to ensure no Nigerian dies of hunger during this period. The truth is that government alone has neither the structure nor the resources to reach all needy Nigerians.

Another truth is that the most effective social security system in this country over the many decades of our existence has been the extended family system.

This is a time for those of us who are better endowed to oil the extended family system. This is without prejudice to the need for governments across the country to up their game in this regard.

Akabueze is the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation

COVID-19 Lockdown: Gov. Abiodun Urges Nigerians, Ogun State Residents To Be Ready To Sacrifice More

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The Source

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April 14, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

In furtherance to the extension of the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja by another 14 days to further curtail the spread of the Pandemic, Covid-19, Governor Dapo Abiodun has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, urging Nigerians to be ready to sacrifice more.

In a statement by the Governor, through his Spokesperson and Chief Press Secretary , Kunle Somorin, commended the President Muhammadu Buhari administration for providing the necessary leadership especially for the federal government’s efforts to combat the deadly coronavirus in the country.

Governor Abiodun enjoined the citizens and residents of Ogun State to endure the 14-day extension of the lockdown in the state and consider it a necessary sacrifice to defeat an invisible and deadly enemy that requires its victims as unwitting vectors of its deadly venom.

“We must deny the virus the vital supply chain required to decimate humanity by complying with all the social distancing measures and maintaining personal hygiene.”, the Governor said.

Governor Abiodun therefore stressed that the current window of relaxation of the lockdown in the state from 7.00am to 2.00pm, which follows the same pattern of last week, will still be available for this Wednesday(15th April) and Friday (17th April, 2020) only.

This he said is to allow the residents prepare for the extension of the lockdown and restock on food and other essential items. However, Ogun State borders remain closed.

He added that it should be emphasised that people should only go out if they need to and are required at all times when outside their homes to wear a face mask, including locally made face masks, even as they observe other social distancing measures.

The state he said, will soon commence strict enforcement of wearing of face mask in the public as it has been shown to help flatten the spread of the virus.

The Governor also announced that the distribution mechanism of the State’s relief materials has been fine-tuned to make it more effective and efficient in the delivery to the target population of the elderly, the poor and vulnerable. The new mechanism, the statement added, has incorporated the learning from the experience of the first phase and reassured the citizens that the materials would get to the deserving households sooner than later.

The statement confirmed that the relief items have so far been distributed to over 60,000 households of the elderly, the poor and vulnerable in the state, covering about 300,000 individuals and the next phase of distribution to additional 80,000 households of estimated 400,000 people across the 236 wards will commence soon.

The Governor however thanked the security agencies for moving swiftly to curtail the nefarious activities around our border communities with Lagos and promptly arresting over 150 suspects. He assured the residents of the State that no stone will be left unturned in his avowed determination not to make Ogun State a safe haven for crimes and criminals.

The law enforcement agents have been directed to deal ruthlessly with anyone taking advantage of the pandemic to engage in any form of criminal activity.

“Our State Task Force on COVDI-19, the health team, frontline medical personnel, law enforcement agents and all those involved in the supply and distribution of relief itemsdeserve our profound gratitude for their commitment and resilience in the face of this unprecedented call to duty. When we defeat COVID-19, as we must, history will record you all as heroes and heroines of this trying period in human history. The residents of Ogun State have also demonstrated an uncommon perseverance, hope and high spirit in the face of this debilitating virus. Together, we will triumph over this challenge and, together, we will build the future of our state”, Governor Abiodun said.

Covid-19: Nigeria Faces Worst Recession In Three Decades

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Uche Mbah

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April 14, 2020

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By Uche Mbah
The Coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the earth and all but collapsed global economies are poised to push the Nigerian economy to three decades low, according to the International Monetary Fund, IMF.
In their latest projection, the International Fund Managers insisted that the ailing west African country will be one of the countries to be worst affected as the world reels towards the worst economic turmoil that may be comparable to the notorious 1929 crash. Then, global economies shed 16% of their values in quick succession from 1929 to 1932.
This will be the second recession Nigeria will be enmeshed in within the last five years.
According to them, the Nigerian economy will recede by 3% due to COVID-19 pandemic-a worse scenario than the last recession when it receded by 1.51%. this was in 2016.
Nigeria’s economy had receded in 1987 by -10.87 and -0.6 in 1991.
“For the first time since the Great Depression, both the advanced economies and emerging and developing economies are in a recession,” she said in a briefing that marked the beginning of the April 2020 Spring meetings that are holding virtually”, said Gita Gopinath, IMF chief economist and director of the research department.

“For 2020, growth in advanced economies is projected at -6%. Emerging markets and developing economies that typically have normal growth levels well above advanced economies are also projected to have negative growth of -1% and -2.2% if you exclude China.”
The projections are the best-case scenarios.
Since President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime came into power, Nigeria has made borrowing its favorite hobby. Currently, the Central Bank of Nigeria lamented is projecting that it will not take long before Nigeria exhausts her foreign reserve.
Lack of transparency follows most of the transactions of the country’s bureaucrats.

IGR Manipulation: NGIJ Petitions EFCC To Investigate Nasarawa, Other State Government

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The Source

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April 14, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ, has petitioned anti-graft Agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to beam its searchlight on alleged malfeasance and manipulation associated with the collection of the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR in the North Central State of Nasarawa and other states of the Federation who have been indicted.

The Guild, in a petition addressed to the Acting Chairman of the anti-graft body, Ibrahim Magu, stated that despite the numerous sources of revenue available to the various tiers of government as specified in the1999 Constitution of Nigeria, over 80% of the annual revenue of the three tiers of government still comes from oil earnings because the nation is a mono economy.

The decline in the price of oil in recent years, most especially this period that the world is battling to find a lasting solution to the deadly Pandemic, Covid-19 observed the Guild, has led to a decrease in the funds available for distribution to the states.

This, the group says has triggered the need for state governments to generate adequate revenue from internal sources.

Investigations by the NGIJ revealed that for the 12 banks that had swarmed around Nasarawa revenue collection pie since 1999, the coming of former governor Tanko Al-Makura in 2015 changed the tide.

It was, however, gathered that on the 29th December, 2016, a Forensic Accounting Consultancy firm based in Lagos was engaged by the Nasarawa State Board of Internal Revenue to assist in improving the IGR base of excess bank charges, high network individuals, withholding tax on dividends and interest and deposits against banks operating in the State from 29/05/1999 and for an initial period of four years based on the firm’s proposal.

The group stressed that after the completion of the assignment, the deducted but unremitted 10% Withholding Tax on Credit Interest monies by banks operating in Nasarawa State, came to a total final and conclusive liability against 12 banks stood at N3, 632,677,464.41 (Three Billion, Six Hundred and Thirty two Million, Six Hundred and seventy seven Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixty four naira, Forty one Kobo).

Part of the petition reads: “Shortly after completion of work, the Nasarawa State Government insisted that the firm should instead, deal with its own official facilitators and middlemen who allegedly entered a new deal with some of the banks to shortchange the whole exercise,”

Furthermore, NGIJ investigation revealed that some of the banks which final liability was as high as N151 Million naira were billed N8 Million.

Another with an initial bill of N443 Million was given a new bill of N7 Million and others like that.

“This malfeasance, we gathered, is being replicated in States like Niger, Ekiti and many of the States of the Federation; and it is the belief of the NGIJ that this act is a grand and deep conspiracy against the good people of Nigeria.

“We also believe this is the reason why there is under development in so many states as money that should have been used to develop these states are being diverted by some people,” the group noted.

According to the NGIJ, “our call for investigation is a patriotic duty by the NIGJ to save the nation from this steeping rot that can collapse the present efforts of government to reshape the nation against the looming economic challenge of Covid 19.”

Blessing Okagbare Set To Divorce Hubby; Hubby Accepts Divorce Proposal

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The Source

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April 14, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Six year old marriage of Nigeria’s Olympic Medalist, Blessing Okagbare Ighoteguonor is about to hit the rock and become history.

The African and Commonwealth athletics Queen got married to Nigerian Footballer, Igho Otegheri Ighoteguonor in 2014 in Sapele, Delta State, amidst funfare, with former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan playing a vital role alongside Athletics Federation of Nigeria President, Solomon Ogba in attendance.

Sadly, the Olympic silver medalist, has filed for divorce from her husband, a former Super Eagles player, after a stint of marital crisis.

Okagbare stated that the divorce was due to irreconcilable differences bothering on infidelity, distrust and laziness.

The couple who relocated to the United States a few months after their marriage, has however, gone their separate ways amid series of allegations.

Okagbare initiated the divorce process which has led to rows of face-offs between members of their families and the Athletics community.

The professional athlete’s family is reportedly yet to return the bride price to her estranged husband’s family.

Her husband who has been mute since this divorce drama ensued said;

”She has said all the stories, I don’t have anything to say..I leave everything to God. Thank you.”

Okagbare has, in recent times, lost form in Series of athletics meets, as her contemporaries like Marie Ta Lou, Shelly Anne Fraser Pryce, Marie Ahoure, Ann Thompson, Daphine Schippers and others have had good timings in recent meets, while Okagbare remains a shadow of herself.

COVID 19: CBN Disburses N50 bn To SMEs, Debunks Rumor

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Bayo Bernard

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April 14, 2020

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Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor — Godwin Emefiele

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Small Business owners in the country need not worry over processing fee as they apply for the N50 billion special intervention fund, set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to cushion the impact on the COVID-19 pandemic, the apex bank has said.

The fund was set up by CBN to assist SMEs, households, and enterprises who have verifiable evidence that their livelihood have been adversely affected by the deadly virus.

The clarification however, came on the crest of rumours on social media that owners of small-scale businesses and individuals are required to pay certain amount to process their loan applications.

The Director, Corporate Communications, CBN, Isaac Okorafor, in a statement on Monday, warned members of the public, particularly households and owners of small-scale businesses, to disregard any message requiring them to pay any fee.

Okorafor said,“The attention of the CBN has again been drawn to false reports in the social media circles that loan seekers and owners of small-scale businesses who apply for loans provided to cushion the effects of COVID-19 are required to pay a certain amount as an application processing fee.

For the avoidance of doubt, there are clearly spelt out procedures for accessing the N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility, TCF stimulus package to support households and micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is disbursed through the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB).

Members of the public, particularly households and owners of small-scale businesses, are therefore advised to disregard any message requiring them to pay any amount to process their applications.”

He said “Any observed irregularities should be reported to the Consumer Protection Department of the CBN.”

According to the guidelines, MSMEs can access up to N25 million while households can access up to N3 million out of the CBN’s N220 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF), and those eligible for the credit facility include, agriculture value chain, hospitality, health, airline service providers, manufacturing/value addition, trading as well as any other income-generating activities as may be prescribed by the CBN.

According to the guidelines.“Working capital shall be a maximum of 25 per cent of the average of the previous three years’ annual turnover; where the enterprise is not up to three years in operation, 25 per cent of the previous year’s turnover will suffice.

Interest rate under the intervention shall be five per cent per annum all-inclusive up to 28th February 2021 and thereafter, the interest on the facility shall revert to nine per cent as from 1st March 2021,” it had stated

Eligible applicants, the guidelines further said, must provide collateral such as “Moveable asset(s) duly registered on the National Collateral Registry (NCR), a simple deposit of title documents, in the perfectible state, Deed of Debenture (for stocks), in perfectible state, irrevocable domiciliation of proceeds, two acceptable guarantors, personal guarantee of the promoter of the business, life insurance of the borrower, with NMFB, noted as the first loss payee and comprehensive insurance over the asset.”

Victor Ikwuemesi, Founder, Sosoliso Airlines, Dies Of COVID-19

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The Source

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April 14, 2020

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Coronavirus has continued to take the lives of Nigerians in the diaspora. The latest victim is Chief

Victor Ikwuemesi.

He was the founder of Sosoliso, the once thriving Airline, which collapsed after one of its aircraft had a fatal crash on its final approach into the Porthacourt Airport.

The crash killed about 60 students of the Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, who were headed home from school. It also killed popular Televangelist, Bimbo Odukoya.

Reports from London, where he passed indicate that Ikwumesi was ill, and was admitted into a hospital on Saturday, the 11th of April, 2020.

While on admission, a test was carried out to find out what exactly was wrong with him.

The result of the test confirmed he was positive for COVID-19.

Because of the seriousness of his state, he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, and was placed on oxygen.

Shortly after, he was put on a ventilator. Yet, he was unable to pull through. There is no confirmation as to whether he had any underlying health issues.

A successful business man and philanthropist, Chief Ikwuemesi was an Alumnus of the Federal Government College, Okigwe.

COVID 19: FG, Islamic Leaders Meet On Ramadan

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Bayo Bernard

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April 14, 2020

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By Fola James

The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is currently in a quagmire on how to deal with this year’s Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for muslim adherents which begins on April 23 in the face of the corona virus pandemic.

The president on Monday extended the stay-at-home order in Lagos, Ogun and FCT by another two weeks, to enable government contain the spread of the disease.

At least 383 Nigerians have tested positive for the virus according to the National Council for Disease Control, NCDC.

Buhari had in a national broadcast said his government will do everything possible to contain the virus.

Whether this will also include cancelling congregational prayers during the Ramadan, no one can tell at the moment.

The suggestion came on the crest of announcement on Monday by Saudi Arabia authorities that suspended Taraweeh prayers in Mecca and Medina during this year’s Ramadan.

Saudi authority took the action to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus from spreading in the country.

Saudi’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, said on Monday that the important prayer during Ramadan, will be held at home, to curb the spread of the deadly virus.

According to the minister of Islamic affairs, Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, the decision became necessary in order not to endanger the health of the citizens.

“The suspension of performing the five daily prayers at mosques is more important than the suspension of Taraweeh prayers.

We ask Allah the Almighty to accept Taraweeh prayers whether held at mosques, or homes, which we think is better for people’s health.

We ask Allah the Almighty to accept prayers from all of us and protect humanity from this epidemic that hit the entire world.

This is a precaution in line with the prohibition of gatherings, so that funeral prayers take place at cemeteries should not exceed five to six of the deceased’s relatives, and the rest pray at their homes,” the statement read in part.

Nigeria has one of the highest cases in the continent and the government is trying to discourage social gathering.

Mosques are currently shut across the country, whether this situation will extend to the holy month of Ramadan still remains uncertain.

“This will be a very hard decision for Islamic leaders in the country and the government. Many states in the country, particularly the Muslim North have not announced total shutdown. I believe the government is currently meeting with Islamic leaders to fashion the way forward,” Taofik Adebori told the magazine in Lagos.

He said Muslims are prepared to abide by any decision taken by government in public interest.

Taraweeh, held as the last prayer of the day during Ramadan is compulsory for every Muslim during which the entire Quran is also recited.

It’s usually a congregational prayer.

Religious experts told the magazine that the leadership of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, SCIAN will meet with the government to decide on the issue.

SCIAN is under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III.

COVID- 19: University Don Dares FG; Says He Has Cure; The Implication

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The Source

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April 14, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

A Nigerian Professor, Ayodele Israel Adeleye, has asked the Federal Government to look no further for the cure of Coronavirus. He says he has the answer to the Virus which has brought the world to its knees, crumbling the economies, killing hundreds of thousands of people, worldwide, and infecting much more.

Nigeria has over 350 confirmed cases, and ten fatalities.

If the FG believes him, Nigeria, if not the world, could be free within a month.

Kaduna- based Adeleye is a Scientists and a former University lecturer at the Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Belli University Teaching Hospital, ABUTH. Also a Parasitologist, he quit ABUTH to start a private medical research.

He is so sure of the efficacy of his cure that he is asking the FG to confirm his claims by sending five COVID patients to him. They should be free from the Virus within days, he asserted.

Addressing Reporters in Kaduna, Adeleye said: “If the government brings in five people with CODIV-19, I will treat them for free, right in front of your cameras.”

According to him, his cure for the Virus is real, and the next after God when it comes to its effectiveness.

He insists that a patient gets completely cured within three to five days of the disease.

Said Adeleye: “If the world adopts my cure, the lockdown in the world would end”.

He, however, admitted not to have done any clinical trials on animals because animals are not susceptible to the Virus.

The claim on animals, however, falls when it is recalled that two lions were said to have contracted COVID-19, though it was mild, in New York.

But the Prof said: “Animals are not susceptible to COVID-19. The only luck we have is that someone who had COVID-19 was brought to us and got cured.

“About five people, including my former students, who knew me with the research, have been calling and asking if I have something to cure CODIV-19.

“One of the patients was having breathing problems already, and he took the treatment. In 10 minutes, he was already getting better”

Question, however, is: Would anybody listen to Prof Adeleye? Not likely. He will not be the only scientist to claim a cure for one disease or the other, including HIV/AIDS. But the government does not have the habit of paying attention to such claims. So, Adeleye may just be talking to himself.

And there are implications too.

If Adeleye is already curing some patients, it means the government does not have the exact number of those who have already contracted COVID-19 in Nigeria.

After Buratai Relocated To Northeast, NAF Bombs Villagers

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Uche Mbah

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April 14, 2020

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By Uche Mbah
Days after the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, relocated to the Northeast, the Nigerian Air Force Monday bombed Sakotoku village in Damboa Local government of Borno state killing seventeen people, including women and children.
Reports indicate that some were killed while they played with their children under a mango tree. The Airforce said they had intelligence that Boko Haram was gathering in the village. The target area is said to be about twelve kilometers away.
The Cable quotes sources as saying they were unaware of the lack of communications.
“We don’t know if they didn’t communicate well with the land troops as the air force jet fired that bomb on the village,” one of the sources said.

“Seventeen people were killed, mostly women and their children playing under mango trees. Many were also injured and have been taken to the 25 army brigade in Damboa, and those with critical injuries were taken to Maiduguri.”
Recall that the Chief of army staff, miffed by the perceived successes of the Chadian troops who invaded the enclaves of the terrorist groups and decimated them, relocated to Northeast to lead from the front. Chad had accused Nigeria of a lack of seriousness in the fight against insurgents.
Photos of him in combat gear were being circulated on social media, with one showing him jumping out of a helicopter with a Parachute. critics accused him of indulging in showbusiness.
This is not the first time that Nigeria airforce will be doing that.