COVID-19: Group Identifies ‘5’ Unity Hubs Against Coronavirus

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April 8, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

The Buhari Unity Band (BUB), group has announced five hubs of thought and action that will unite the efforts of government and the yearnings of all Nigerians in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The Group was established to promote peace and unity in Nigeria and among Nigerians.

In a statement issued by Dr. Abayomi Oyekoya, the Convener of the Group, he explained that with sincere unity of purpose by both the governed and government at all levels, Nigeria will win its fight against COVID-19 speedily.

Identifying the hubs that will forge unity of purpose, Oyekoya said, “There must be unity in the pooling and spending of national, state, institutional and individual funds raised and deposited into the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria in fighting the scourge as well as jump-starting businesses and the economy back to life after the crisis.

“Secondly, all religious bodies, political parties, regions and tribes must be united and speak with one voice against the scourge by urging their members to stay at home, obey the new COVID-19 laws and regulations, as well as observe globally approved hygiene precautions as publicized.

“Thirdly, on behalf of the Board of the Buhari Unity Band, we acknowledge and applaud the sacrificial giving of public-spirited banks, companies, individuals, NGOs and religious organisations who have taken immediate steps to support federal and state governments in saving lives and alleviating quarantine-induced hunger among Nigerians. This should inspire more of such donations” Oyekoya said.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari on his prompt actions so far taken, including setting up the 12-member Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, lockdown of the most affected states and the release of funds to states and agencies to stem the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

Speaking further on the five unity hubs against COVID-19, the Director of Communication and Media of the Group, Dr. Kunle Hamilton explained: “Our citizens must unite in their obedience to government’s stay-at-home and maintain social distancing order. It is a sacrifice we all must make to flatten the curve of COVID-19 spread and its life cycle.

“Lastly, for a respiratory disease that has killed over 80,000 people across the world amidst more than 1.4 million cases officially reported, even though our numbers are significantly lower in Nigeria, we must be united on how we give access to proper health care to our citizens as well as foreigners within our borders.

“We must also be united against corruption in how we administer relief or welfare packages to the most vulnerable amongst us – foods as well as cash. The entire process must be transparent and free of corruption or favouritism.

“The Buhari Unity Band is committed to propagating the unity of Nigeria and we affirm President Muhammadu Buhari’s standpoint: Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable,” Hamilton concluded.

COVID-19 Lockdown: Why LASG Drops Charges Against Naira Marley, Gbadamosi

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The Source

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April 8, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has dropped charges against Azeez Fashola, popular as Naira Marley and former Governorship Aspirant in Lagos during the 2019 election, Babatunde Gbadamosi and his wife.

The LASG and the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, had earlier charged Naira Marley and the couple to Court for attending Funke Akindele Bello’s husband’s birthday party at their Amen Estate, Eleko, residence in Lagos on April 4th, 2020, this, violating the Lagos State restriction and Social distancing order over the deadly Pandemic, Covid-19.

The Bellos were arraigned on Monday and sentenced to 14-days Community Service and a fine of N100,000 each.

Naira Marley and the Gbadamosis had surrendered themselves to the State Criminal Investigative Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, following the order by the Lagos State Police Command. They were arraigned today at the Ogba Magistrate Court.

Journalists were denied access into the Court room to cover the Court proceedings.

Gbadamosi had, earlier, apologised to the Lagos State Government for violating its order and denied ever knowing that the number of people present at the party were more than 25 persons.

The Court has, however, ordered that the case be settled amicably between parties involved out of Court on three conditions.

*Write a letter of apology to the government.

*Undertake to be of good behaviour and not indulge in such irresponsible behaviour.

*Be in quarantine for 14 days.

Both parties will be in court on Thursday to perfect the out of court settlement.

Breaking: Fire Guts Accountant General’s Office In Abuja

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Uche Mbah

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April 8, 2020

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By Uche Mbah
Pandemonium broke out Wednesday when the treasury house, Abuja, went up in flames. The place houses the office of the Accountant General of the federation.
firefighters were already on hand to put out the fire.
The immediate cause of the Fire is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing the report, though our correspondent said that members of the National Emergency Management agency joined the fire brigade in putting out the fire. This is a developing story…

Fasoranti’s Daughter: Police Deny Odumakin

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The Source

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April 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Ondo Command of the Nigeria Police Force has denied arresting the killers of Funke Olakunrin, daughter of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere.

Mrs Olakunrin, a Lawyer, was murdered by alleged bandits along the Ore-Sagamu Expressway in July 2019.

The Police have been on a manhunt for her killers without success.

But on Monday, the National Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, issued a statement to the effect that her alleged killers have been arrested by the men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Ondo State Police Command. He disclosed that they were four in number, out of which three are of Northern extraction.

His statement, in which he praised the Police to high heavens, brought joy to the heart.

But speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, the Ondo Police Command Spokesperson, Tee-Leo Ikoro, denied the arrest.

He said, “I have seen the report too and I don’t know where they saw it but it is not from us.

“I spoke with the officer in charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the state, he told me he’s not aware of anything like that.

“So, the entire command is not aware of this and no arrest has been made.”

Both angry and confused, Nigerians are asking: Who is telling the truth?

They are also asking Odumakin to disclose the source of the statement he released.

Gov. Makinde: How I Cured Myself Of Coronavirus

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The Source

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April 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel for researchers who have been trying to find a solution to the deadly Pandemic, Coronavirus, if the claim of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State is anything to go by.

Having been earlier diagnosed of Coronavirus, the Oyo State Governor went for into isolation. Within the period, he was re-tested.

Last Sunday, the Governor announced that a first and a second test on him were negative for the Virus.

In an interview with Fresh FM in Ibadan, the

Governor gave an insight into how he got cured of the disease. He revealed that he took carrot, honey, and vitamin C as he battled the Coronavirus disease during his isolation period.

On Sunday, April 5, he took to his Twitter handle to announce that he had become negative after series of tests.

Makinde said in boosting his immune system to fight coronavirus, he consumed vitamin C, carrots and black seed oil mixed with honey.

“My very good friend and brother, Dr. Muyideen Olatunji is the one in charge of the primary healthcare for Oyo State. He came to me and said, look, I am going to send to you this black seed oil, it boosts immunity.

“So, I mixed it with honey and took one teaspoon in the morning and one in the evening. “So, there are local solutions to boost immunity. Our people should not fret. Just as I’ve been able to get the virus off my system, so will it be for majority of our people. I’ve lost a little bit of weight which I think is good.

“When you’re in isolation, the tendency is just to watch television and eat, I was eating amala. But I was also using the treadmill.

“It has also been a period to reflect and look at the programmes, policies and the things we want to do for the people of Oyo state and also reflect on how the COVID-19 is going to affect us socially and economically.” he said.

Boko Haram: Deby’s Troops Hunt For Shekau, Says Nigerian Army Unserious

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Bayo Bernard

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April 7, 2020

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By Fola James

Chad’s President Idris Deby surely knows how to deal with boko haram fighters who have held most of Nigeria’s north east hostage for years.

On Sunday, April 4, Deby and his troops inflicted heavy casualties on the insurgents, capturing the terrorists’ largest arms dump situated in the Sambisa forest in the process.

A hoard of boko haram fighters were also killed and others captured by Chad’s troops.

Now, President Deby has told, Abaubakar Shekau, the leader of the group to either surrender of die.

Deby who spoke less than 24 hours after his troops inflicted heavy casualties on the terrorists said, Shekau has the option of surrendering or risk being killed in his hideout.

The Chad’s leader warned that Shekau will be treated the same way some of his commanders were killed.

Three weeks ago, the Shekau-led terrorists launched a surprise attack on Deby’s troop, killing 92 soldiers including some top commanders of the country’s army.

Deby, had after the onslaught, vowed to avenge the killing of his troops by boko haram and their ISWAP allies, who are currently occupying swathes of land in the northern part of Nigeria.

For more than seven-hour, the dare-devil ambushed Chadian troops and killed 92 soldiers, Deby in response launched Operation Wrath of Bomo to avenge the death of his men.

President Deby was believed to have led Chadian forces to battle at Kelkoua bank and Magumeri where they fired rockets and 12.5mm rounds ammunition on the criminals.

The troops were said to have also destroyed several terrorists’ bunkers, recovered cache of arms and arrested a top Boko Haram commander.

Surprisingly, the sect’s leadership appears to have been shocked by the Chad’s military onslaught on their troops and have unwittingly called for a truce,

Shekau had after the casualties suffered by his fighters in the hands of Deby’s army begged that they be left alone.

Shekau begged that “People of Chad, leave us alone, this operation is not approved by the Qur’an.

It is not the will of the Prophet Muhammed, but if you want to continue, God will help us too because he is bigger than you. To my fighters, take heart. It is I, Abubakar Shekau, your leader.”

The plea appears not to sit well with the angry Chad’s soldiers who are bent on smoking out the terrorists in their hide out to avenge the death of their compatriots.

President Deby had said few days ago that time is running out for the multinational army set up by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Benin Republic to defeat.

The Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) was established few years ago by the four countries in the Sahel region to combat the threat posed by the terrorists.

But in an apparent anger, Deby has accused Nigeria of laying-back in the fight against the killer fighters.

The terrorists had killed 42 Nigerian soldiers almost the same time they killed 92 Chad’s soldiers.

Much, however, has not been done on the Nigerian side to further decimate the terrorists, analysts say.

Few days ago, General Ademola Adeniyi, the former theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole was sacked by the military leadership after he revealed in a viral video that the nation’s military lacked necessary intelligence and weapons to fightb the terrorists.

Government Has Ended Subsidy On Petroleum Products, Says Kyari

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Uche Mbah

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April 7, 2020

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By Uche Mbah
The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mele Kyari, has announced the end of the subsidy regime that has bedeviled the nation for decades, declaring it effectively dead.
Kyari, in his official Twitter handle of the NNPC, announced that under-recovery of petroleum products is no longer possible. He later substantiated this in a Television interview.
“As of today, subsidy/under-recovery is zero. Going forward, there’ll be no resort to either subsidy or under-recovery of any nature. NNPC will just be another player in the market space. But we’ll be there for the country to sustain the security of supply, at the cost of the market”, he twitted.
Controversy has trailed the subsidy regime even during the six-year period under former President Goodluck Jonathan. The then Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had a running battle with marketers, over it, which involved several periods of fuel scarcities. President Buhari, during his campaign, said he will not pay anything on subsidy, but his government has paid far more in subsidy than any previous government.
“Today, we have a very robust product supply and distribution mechanism; from the loading, depots up to fuel stations nationwide.
“We also have a very good understanding with our strategic partners: the governors, marketers, depot owners, PTD, among others. There are no issues whatsoever.”
The international oil prices had slumped due to Russian beef with the OPEC Gulf members, and this was made worse by the global impact of Coronavirus on the international market. Recently, sweet Brent slipped marginally below $20 per barrel, and FG came under pressure to reduce pump price, and they responded with an initial N145/litre to N125/litre, followed by a further reduction to N123.50. Many fuel stations are yet to comply.
“The key issue in the crude oil business is market fundamentals of demand/supply. I believe COVID-19 will subside and countries will come back to life. I don’t see the oil price going below the $20 we saw last week. I’m certain, all things being equal, the oil price will bounce back.
“As of yesterday, our production has, for the first time in many years, rising to 2.3 mbpd. We believe this will grow and the contribution of local companies in this regard will be meaningful”, he said.

Breaking: COVID-19, Boris Johnson, British PM’s Health, Worsens, Moved To Intensive Care

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The Source

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April 7, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

Anxiety reigns in Britain over the health of the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

Johnson tested positive for the Coronavirus disease over 10 days ago. At the time he announced his status, he had said he had mild symptoms, and disclosed he would work from home, and still be in charge of state affairs

But over days, the symptoms, which include fever and cold continued.

On Sunday, following the advice of his medical team, he was moved from 10 Downing Street to St Thomas Hospital.

Mid Monday morning, he was placed on oxygen. His situation continued to worsen. And, in the evening, he was moved to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

A statement from Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister has been under the care of Doctors at the St Thomas Hospital after being admitted for persistent symptoms of Coronavirus.

“Over the course of Monday afternoon, his condition worsened, and on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the Intensive Care Unit.”

In his absence, the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, is taking care of state affairs.

Buckingham Palace has been briefed by the PM’s office.

Johnson, 55, recently announced his engagement to his pregnant girlfriend, Carrine Symonds.

Sadly, Symonds ,also, tested positive to CoronavIrus.

CBN Tears Adenuga, Otedola Apart

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Bayo Bernard

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April 6, 2020

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By Fola James

Globacom owner, Mike Adenuga and oil magnate, Femi Otedola are not chummy friends but the corona virus pandemic has brought two of Nigeria’s billionaire together, after they both donated a billion naira each to the covid 19 Relief Fund set up by the federal government.

But the same issue had almost separated them, when the CBN, on Friday disclosed that some donors including Adenuga were yet to redeem their pledges.

Apart from the telecom billionaire, GSM giant MTN, Larfarge, among others had yet to redeem their donations, the apex bank said.

Responding to the issue, Otedola was reported to have called out Adenuga and others to pay their pledges to the fund.

It was later discovered that CBN was responsible for the mixup as the telecom tycoon has already sent his N1billion pledge to the federal government.

This was made known by Dele Momodu while responding to allegations by CBN that Adenuga and others had delayed sending their monetary donations.

In a post on his Instagram handle, Momodu said the Globacom xhairman had not only redeemed his pledge to the FG but, has also donated a whopping N500 million to the Lagos state government as part of his contribution to combat the deadly virus.

The letter titled, ‘Confirmation of transfer to CBN account 1000014920 COVID-19 Relief Fund Account’, read in part, “As you are well aware, we made bank drafts for the total sum of N1, 000, 000, 000 (one billion naira only) on March 30, 2020 in favour of COVID-19 Relief Fund Account.

“We are pleased to confirm that we have wired the full value of the drafts N1, 000, 000, 000(one billion naira) to the beneficiary – CBN account 1000014920 COVID-19 Relief Fund Account as per your instruction in spite of the limited banking services occasioned by the pandemic.”00

“Africa’s most silent billionaire, Dr. Michael Adeniyi Agbolade Isola Adenuga has fully redeemed his pledge of N1bn to the CBN/Nigerian private sector coalition against COVID-19,” Momodu said.

COVID-19: NGIJ Calls Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s Palliative Measures Disgraceful

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The Source

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April 6, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigerian Guild of Investigate Journalists, NGIJ, have condemned, in its entirety, the palliative measures put in place by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for Lagosians.

The Guild berated the Lagos state government for adopting a weak and defective approach in handling lockdown palliative measures, especially, the disgraceful emergency food pack distribution. It, however said the governor has performed well in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic so far.

This lapse, the Guild lamented, has resulted in widespread condemnation for the government as well as allegations of negligence and insensitivity from the residents of the state, including the Community Development Association, CDA, representatives and the general public who received beggarly and pitiful portions of foodstuff during the distribution.

A statement on Monday by Israel Bolaji, Vice President (Information and Strategy) of the Guild, said whereas the state government’s efforts at curtailing the pandemic were commendable, its palliative measures for residents especially the emergency food pack currently being distributed to residents is disgraceful, poor and ineffective, charging Gov. Sanwo-Olu to urgently revisit and overhaul the lockdown palliative plan.

Bolaji stressed that as expected and applicable globally, Lagos State government came up with an apt idea of providing food, especially, for aged parents, widows, widowers and less privileged households with an emergency food pack.

However, the selective distribution approach is shrouded in mystery, beggarly food pack quantities, lack of transparency and alleged large scale diversion of the food packs by officials, making a mess and mockery of the entire process.

Bolaji said the Guild was shocked and appalled by the various reports and the attendant disillusionment generated.

He added that the Guild has been inundated with reports, viral video accounts and verified cases of residents receiving pitiful food packs, including multiple videotaped cases of two sachets of tomatoes, and two bowls of rice and beans given to an entire street.

For example, there are embarrassing accounts from Ijede communities under Ikorodu constituency made up of 127 CDA, where each of the CDAs was asked to compile a list of names of aged parents, widow, less privileged and widower with at least 40 in some and some between 50 and 80 names submitted since last week Sunday.

“Surprisingly on Saturday only five packs were handed for 80 persons for my own CDA”, one of the CDA representatives disclosed.

“In my CDA at Agege where 40 names were forwarded, 5packs for 40 persons. I did not know what is going on because personally, the government is not fair to us. If they want the emergency food to go around I believe religious bodies, stakeholders and Royal father should be part of the programme, said another source.

“Many of the CDAs here did not have at all, a source said, adding that the local government chairman kept the food packs for sharing to their members later.”

The Guild, however, charged the government to show more sensitivity to the people considering that the lockdown had crippled the economic activities as well as the sources of livelihood for many residents.

In as much the government may not choose to share food packs to all residents, a basic threshold is at least expected to be met, the Statement reads.

Bolaji furthermore stressed that giving five units of very small food pack to an entire street of about 2000 people amounts to reckless insensitivity, humiliation and travesty.

He urged the state government to urgently rejig the entire plan, make sufficient units available, work with trusted social and community leaders, block leakages and reverse the deplorable trend.

“We also urge the government to be transparent in handling the disbursement of the various donations from well-meaning Nigerians, philanthropists and multinationals that have donated handsomely to cushion the impact of the crises.”