Category General news

SUBEB
By Alaba-Olusola Oke
Akure, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced academic classes on radio in order to keep pupils in the state busy during the stay-at-home directive by the state government.

This was contained in a statement by Mrs Oladunni Odu,  the Chairman of SUBEB, and made available to  newsmen by Mrs Bisi Lawani,the Public Relations Officer of the board on Thursday in Akure.

“To ensure that Ondo state pupils continue learning while at home in this period of coronavirus pandemic, the SUBEB will today, Thursday 2nd April, 2020,  commence airing of lessons for primary school pupils in the state on Orange 94.5FM.

” This is a strategic effort of Gov. Rotimi  Akeredolu’s administration to keep the pupils busy while at home and to reduce the negative impact of school closure as a result of the spread of the virus and most importantly to keep the pupils abreast of their school curriculum,” the statement said.

According to the statement, the programme is designed to teach English Language and Mathematics at a start while General Paper will be included subsequently.

It urged parents, guardians and caregivers to ensure that their children and wards listened attentively to the educational programme and participate actively in the learning process.(NAN)
OKEO/CHOM/OJO
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(Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Mufutau Ojo)

Distancing
By Adebisi Fatima Shittu
Ibadan, April 2, 2020 (NAN) Many commercial drivers in Oyo State are flouting the social distancing order given by the Oyo State Government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in public transport.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who went round Ibadan metropolis on Thursday, observed that the popular Micra taxis were still carrying three passengers at the back and two in front.

The tricycles, popularly called Keke Napep, were also still carrying three passengers at the back and one in front, with most commercial motorcyclists carrying two passengers instead of one.

But the Secretary of Eleyele Park Manager at Mokola Roundabout, Idris Rabiu, said most drivers on his route were adhering strictly to government’s directive.

“Most of my people on Eleyele Route complied with the order and those that disobey the order will be arrested by the Federal Road Safety Corps, ” he said.

Rabiu also said three drivers plying the Mokola- Eleyele route were arrested by the FRSC on Thursday morning for defying the order.

A former Chairman of Bodija Park, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said drivers need sensitisation as they only know of hand washing as a means of preventing COVID-19.

Another driver, who did not want his name mentioned,  told NAN that most drivers plying Bodija route were ignorant of the directive on social distancing.

He said the park managers should be responsible for sensitising their members on  issues of stipulated number of passengers to be carried at once.

A passenger, Mr Emmanuel Osita, told NAN that he was aware of the directive on social distancing and would not allow any driver to pick more than the required number of passengers in any vehicle he was in.

Osita said the drivers were aware of the social distancing directive to contain COVID-19, but ignore it due to excessive desire to make profit.

He advised the state government to increase awareness on radio and television, saying that jingles in the three major indigenous languages would sensitise those at the grassroots.

Osita also advised commuters to always insist on two in the back seat and one in the front seat when entering Micra taxi cabs in Ibadan metropolis.

NAN also observed that buses plying Beere- Academy and Mokola-Ologuneru route as well as inter-state buses were not complying with the directive. (NAN)
SAF/IFY/OJO
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(Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole/Mufutau Ojo)

COVID-19: LG seals Agege mosque in Lagos for flouting ban on religious gathering

COVID-19

By Kazeem Akande

Lagos, April 2, 2020 (NAN) Agege Local Government Council of Lagos State says it has sealed a mosque for violating government’s order on religious gathering in the fight against spread of the coronavirus.

Alhaji Ganiyu Egunjobi, the council Chairman, said in a statement in Thursday that Agege Central Mosque, located at Balogun street, was sealed after the taskforce fumigated the area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had banned the gathering of more than 20 persons to prevent spread of the dreaded disease.

According to Rotimi Sulyman, Media Aide to the Chairman, the mosque was shut down because hundreds of worshippers flouted the governor’s order during their evening prayer.

“Attempts by officials of the Lagos State COVID-19 Taskforce, who arrived at the scene to enforce compliance following a tip-off, was viciously rebuffed.

“A drama ensued when some of the religious youths sighted the team and became aggressive, unruly and started to attack the team.

“About 300 others in the mosque rushed out chanting ‘ALLAHU AKBAR’ and joined in the attack by throwing stones at the vehicles.

“All entreaties to talk to the Imam failed as the youths were persistent. The police escort rose to the occasion, stopped further attacks and ensured safety of the team,” he said.

The council boss said that the shutdown became necessary to avert recurrence and serve as deterrent to other erring faith groups or worshippers.

“We cannot continue to condone act capable of spreading the dreadful disease.

“Even, Saudi Arabia placed restrictions on the number of people who must worship in the two holy mosques, Haram and Nabawi, and banned congregational prayers in all other mosques across the country.

“Honestly, we cannot be more Roman than the Romans. We have met with the leadership of the mosque including, the Sarkin Hausawa, Musa Muhammed.

”The meeting resolved that the mosque should be closed till further notice,” the council chairman said.
AKA/CHIN/WOJ
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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Wale Ojetimi

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Virus
By Deborah Coker
Benin, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo chapter, has advised Gov. Godwin Obaseki to adopt more stringent measures to curb the spread of the disease in the state.

In a statement in Benin on Thursday by Mr Chris Nehikhare, its Publicity Secretary, the party said more people needed to feel the impact of government to appreciate the dangers of the pandemic.

Nehikhare said that the measures taken by government should be more visible to attract adherence by resident in line with global best practices.

He advised the state All Progressive Congress (APC) led administration to shun political difference and join hands with all stakeholders to fight the scourge.

The publicity secretary also said that Edo PDP members have been directed to make their contributions and donations directly to the state government and/or the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“Edo PDP expresses optimism that we shall overcome this COVID-19 challenge. We call on the resilient Edo populace not to be overcome by fear and anxiety.

“They should remain heedful to the health and safety directives, personal hygiene and social distancing regulations as well as extend charity to one another, while also praying for divine intervention at this perilous time.

“We know that lots of things are changing right now, but what hasn’t changed is our commitment to serving you,” Nehikhare said. (NAN)
DCO/FF/ISMA
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Ismail Abdulaziz

Borno Govt. sanctions 10 filling stations for hoarding petroleum products

Sanction

By Yakubu Uba

Maiduguri, April 2, 2020 (NAN) Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno on Thursday temporarily withdrew the “Right of Occupancy” of  10 filling stations in Maiduguri for hoarding petroleum products.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda, in a statement in Maiduguri, said the withdrawal was in line with the powers vested on the governor under the state’s Land Use Act.

“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the temporary withdrawal of their (filling stations) Right of Occupancy, pending the process of revocation of the same land in line with the provisions of Land Use Act and powers vested on him.

“Government hereby warns other filling stations to desist from such act of economic sabotage as Borno Government will continue to monitor the activities of all filling stations in the state.

“The government will not hesitate to take all necessary actions within the ambiance of the law to bring them to justice,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that following the announcement of precautionary measures to contain Convid-19 spread in Borno, some filling stations hoarded fuel and sold above approved pump price.

The development prompted Gov. Zulum to personally storm some of the suspected stations in Maiduguri to compel them to open and sell to customers at the approved pump price. (NAN)
YMU/JI/EMO
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Editing by Joe Idika/Ejike Obeta

Information

 By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has called on the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to mobilise all information-dissemination apparatus to address the spread of fake news on the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Yussuf Buba (APC-Adamawa) said that fake news posed a threat to efforts at combating the virus and parts of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy.

 “The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, call on the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to, as a matter of urgency, mobilize its information- dissemination apparatuses to address the concerns given the threat they pose to parts of our Foreign Policy.

 “Now is the time for relevant agencies of Government like the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other agencies like it, to be alive to their responsibilities and core mandates.

 “We cannot afford an ignorant citizenry at a time like now when many misinforming messages are being spewed out on the social media; I urge the law- enforcement agencies to beam their searchlights on the social media.

 “Perhaps, this is the right time to test the implementation of parts of that Hate Speech Bill, which have to do with checking the reckless and destructive use and abuse of the beautiful idea and concept of Freedom of Expression,’’ Buba said.

 The legislator who represent Gombi/Hong Federal Constituency of Adamawa, cautioned Nigerians to desist from spreading fake and unverifiable news on the COVID-19 pandemic.

He frowned at the rising penchant for posting and spreading falsehoods and half-truths on the virus mostly on social media.

‘’As worrisome as some of these information are, it is sad that many continue to share these messages without regards to their veracity without bothering to crosscheck their original sources.

 “Hence, we, nonetheless, contribute, albeit unwittingly, in spreading falsehood, misinformation, disinformation, panic, hate and other negative broadcast material that possesses the tendency to incite fear, anxiety, hatred, panic and even sudden death,’’ he said.

The lawmaker particular frowned at the continuous broadcast of a message purported to have emanated from sources in the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany advising Nigerians to utterly reject any donation of materials and equipment from China.

According to Buba, the messages listed items like the face masks, overall gowns, blankets and others items used to fight the pandemic.

 The chairman said that the message claimed that such materials were all infected and were intended to be a means of spreading the disease in other parts of the world.

 “To say the least, such messages, as the one to which we referred above, have done our people and country more harm than good.  

 “At a time when every resource needed to exert a definite and collective pressure on the pandemic is being sought for with all strength and seriousness, it is sad to observe that this misinformation.

”This is apart  from making our people poised to reject genuine assistance from people of goodwill, it has left us more vulnerable to the scourge of the COVID 19 pandemic,’’ he said.

 The lawmaker said that nationals of countries targeted in the “campaign of calumny and blackmail’’ who live among Nigerians were beginning to suffer the sad result of the smire campaigns. 

Buba said Nigerians must regard bilateral relations, friendship and co- operation agreements entered between the country and other nations of the world, including other international conventions and protocols that bind Nigeria with other countries of the globe.

According to Buba, such broadcast messages have in many ways, flouted such agreements and protocols as we seem to be telling other countries and International organisations that cooperate with us that, we do not need them.

The legislator said that even in diplomatic circles, no nation is an island as nations depend on one another to survive.

Buba urged all Nigerians to be guided appropriately and cooperate with the government mad health authorities to stay safe. (NAN)

EOO/ASS/SH

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Edited by Saidu Adamu/Sadiya Hamza

Eateries

By Ramatu Garba

Kano, April 2,2020 (NAN) Some eatery operators in Kano metropolis have decried low patronage occasioned by the lockdown measures adopted to prevent spread of Coronavirus in the state.

A cross section of the food vendors, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interview on Thursday in Kano, said they were not recording sales since the lockdown in the past 10-days.

Mrs Shema’u Yar’gada, an eatery operator at Kofar Dan Agundi area of the metropolis, said that customers were not forthcoming since the state government directed civil servants and students to stay-at-home due to Coronavirus pandemic.

“Coronavirus pandemic is really affecting my business, the patronage is very low compared to before.

“I now sold less than 10 plates of food as against 50 plates before the lockdown.

“People are even scare to buy food now from us and students who patronise us are on holidays.

” I am even thinking of relocating to another place for my business to blossom and enable me remain in business,” Yar’gada said.

Another food vendor, Ada Ofiong, at New Road, Sabo Gari, said that she serves  food to offices and banks.

“I am still supplying meal to my customers, the trade is moving smoothly. I pray that the lockdown would soon be over so that it would not affect my business.

“Now, some workers are no longer reporting to work for the past one week, the trend affected my business,” she said.

Also, Zainab Yusuf, a fast food canteen keeper, at Bayero University Kano (BUK), who corroborated earlier opinion, said that she was not making good sales since closure of the school.

Yusuf recounted that she used to make good savings from the trade in view of the high number customers patronising her services.

“Now; I hardly sell due to the closure of the school, there are no students and workers to buy from my shop.

“During school session; I made about N5, 000 profit daily from the trade, sadly it dropped to less N2, 000 since the enforcement of the lockdown,” she said.

Yusuf, however, commended the government for proactive measures adopted to prevent spread of the virus. (NAN)

RG/KTO/RSA

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Rabiu Sani Ali

Condolence

By Ismaila Chafe

Abuja, April 2, 2020(NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with government and people of Kaduna State over the death of Emir of Jere, Dr Sa’ad Usman, at the age of 70.

President Buhari, in a condolence message issued by his spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, urged the people to find solace in the good works of the deceased.

The President commiserated with family members, friends and associates of the traditional ruler, who served the country extensively as a public servant, including working as Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State.

He prayed that the almighty God would receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family he left behind.(NAN)

SYC/MZA

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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed