Monday, April 27, 2020 Edition

Monday, April 27, 2020/ Ramadan 4, 1441 AH

Vol. 34 No. 011 N150

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peoplesdailyng

. . . putting the people first

The nation awaits rescue of the remaining abducted Chibok schoolgirls

2205 Days after

Reps to resume plenary session tomorrow, Tuesday

@pmlonline

NJC approves appointment of 70 judges for various courts

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Military kill 89 bandits, recover arms, ammunition in Zamfara page 5

•As air strike kill scores of ISWAP terrorists in Borno

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire when members of the task force visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa yesterday to brief him on COVID-19 update as the 2nd phase of the lockdown ends tomorrow.

COVID-19: Nigeria records 1,182 cases

Police arrest 3 over murder of Catholic Seminarian

Appeal Court sets up special panels to preside over time-bound cases

COVID-19: I will not totally lockdown Ebonyi, says Gov. Umahi

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

News

CONTENTS News 2-14 Editorial Op.Ed

11 12-13

Politics 15-17 Feature Business Metro

18

Katsina coronavirus cases rise to 30 From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

K

atsina State has recorded nine more cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 30.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari announced this at a news briefing on Sunday in Katsina.

He gave a breakdown of the cases to include four in Daura, four in Katsina and one in Dustinma, all traced to the index case that died of the virus in Daura last month.

The governor noted that so far two hundred and eighty-seven samples have been collected, out of which thirty have returned positive while sixteen results

are still been awaited from the NCDC laboratory in Abuja.

He explained that there were still about one hundred and thirty contacts identified across twelve Local Government Areas who have been isolated and their samples being taken for tests.

Masari disclosed that the state has four quarantine facilities with the capacity to

admit two hundred and seventysix Covid-19 patients at a time, but was focusing on prevention of the virus.

He appealed to local authorities to be vigilant of their subjects and enforce the guidelines for prevention of coronavirus, and to report visitors in their communities for quarantine.

19-20 21

World Analysis 22 Africa News

23

World News

24

Coronavirus: Bauchi Gov appoints 66 member palliative C’ttee PG 4

Digest

25

Feature

26

Sports 30-31 Back Page

32

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News

A

heavy rainstorm has destroyed about 271 houses across six communities in Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Chairman of the LGA, Mr Charles Danladi, who disclosed this on Sunday while speaking with newsmen in Kafanchan, said the disaster occurred on Friday.

Danladi said the affected communities are Aboro, Sabon Gida, Ungwan Bera, Janda, Ungwan

Coronavirus: NCAC distributes 8,000 face masks to journalists

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

Gombe: Secretary of All Progressives Congress, APC, Kumo East ward, Shuaibu Adamu presenting to the APC Chairman, Akko Local Government Area, Usman Wazir Jabbo, a document reaffirming the party’s vote of confidence on Hon. Usman Bello Kumo during a press conference at the state secretariat of the party, recently in Gombe.

Experts urge cordial China, Nigeria relations over alleged maltreatment of Africans in Guangzhou

By Ochiaka Ugwu

I

nternational relations experts and senior fellows in Centre for China Studies (CCS) have advised Nigerians not to allow the alleged maltreatment of Nigerians and other African nationals in Guangzhou capital of Guangdong Province to stain the progressive China, Nigeria relations.

Speaking in a press conference on “Nigeria-China Cooperation: Towards a community of shared future” Friday in Abuja, the Director of the Centre, Mr. Charles Onunaiju who said Nigeria-China bilateral cooperation is too vital to be distracted by the exigencies and nuances of transitional rules in epidemic control noted the two nations share strong symbolic identities.

Onunaiju informed that a diplomatic cooperation established in 1971 between the two countries have nurtured profound and dynamic exchanges and since 2005, transformed into a quality brand of ‘strategic partnership.

He stressed that Nigeria-

China cooperation has deepened considerably and constitutes a strategic pivot to the dynamic prospects of China-Africa relation.

Onunaiju stated that as a think tank committed to the scholarly interrogation of China and her broad cooperation with Nigeria in particular and Africa in general, the Centre viewed with concerns some recent issues relating to the outbreak of the Covid-19 and the ramifications of several measures adopted by different countries to control and contain the virus.

“The novel measures adopted by some countries to combat the novel virus, have brought enormous pressure on normal lives of citizens and also some visitors. This is to be expected as such pandemic control measures like quarantine, social and physical distancing and wide restriction of movements is now universal tool in the combat against the highly infectious disease. Nigerians and other African travelling to Guangzhou, the Chinese coastal City have been part of its social and cultural fabric.

“As the city battles to rein in the spread of the virus, some of its control strategies as a matter of common sense would bring some discomfort not only to visitors but also the resident population”.

He said as a strategic partner, Nigeria is obviously in the frontline of China’s diplomatic engagement in Africa and the practical outcomes are hugely game-changing for a country taking economic recovery and revitalization of its key infrastructures as its vital focus.

He praised the Chinese Ambassador To Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, saying that he has been busier than his peers.

“We have tracked his visits to almost all the States in Nigeria including the North East considered to be the epicenter of Boko Haram Terrorism. He has robustly engaged in public clarifications of several issues and concerns to Nigeria public through incisive articles. He has published more than any other serving envoy in Nigeria in the local print media.

“At the outbreak of Covid-19 in China and following the

concerns of Nigerians with relatives in China, he hosted public meetings with concerned relatives to reassure them of the safety of their family members”.

Also speaking, former Director General of National Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and Senior Fellow at the Centre, Prof.

Joseph Golwa noted that China, Nigeria relations have been beneficial to Nigeria.

Another Senior Fellow, Comrade Abbas Hassan noted that Coronavirus pandemic is a global issue that must be solved with far reaching global cooperation.

It was reported in the media that Nigerians and other African nationals are singled out for forced quarantine in Guangzhou as part of the measures to curtail the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

This narrative attracted a lot of reactions capable of spoiling the successful bilateral engagements that Nigeria is currently enjoying with China which is based on mutual benefit.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

he National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC ) has commenced the distribution of over 8,000 face marks to newsrooms across the country to enhance the protection of journalists in the battle against COVID-19.

Journalists in Abuja would be the first beneficiaries, their contemporaries in Lagos and other parts of the country would get theirs immediately.

The NCAC suggested that the government should publish a national document on COVID-19 at the end of its victory over the pandemic.

The Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, stated this while giving out the products in Abuja.

He said the parastatal had produced over 13 drums of hand sanitisers to assist practising journalists and their media organisations as they embark on their duties, while more were still being produced.

“It is my opinion that a national document on COVID-19 be published at the end of our victory over this pandemic. This will be a compendium on how the disease came to Nigeria and how it was fought and defeated,” he stated.

According to him, journalists have always been endangered species, either during war or emergency situations like the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “This is a period of national emergency and we must all work together to eradicate this deadly virus. We thank the press for rising to the occasion by ensuring the timely and effective dissemination of information about the COVID-19 pandemic. We are calling on the media not to rest on their laurel in sensitising the masses and mobilising efforts and resources towards eradicating it.

“We have mass produced face masks, sanitisers, information manual and jotters for distribution to media houses and cultural stakeholders. We have produced over 8,000 face marks while over 30 tailors have been recruited to support our efforts within 10 days.

News Editor, Ese Awhotu

Rainstorm destroys 271 houses in Kaduna Goma, and Kurmin Goro.

“We are approaching the rainy season and some of these people now have their houses destroyed.

“I really feel for them, especially when you consider the hard times we are in.

“One primary school had its

roof completely taken off, and for some others, it was buildings housing goods that they sell that were destroyed by the rainstorm,” he said.

He, however, noted that though no death was recorded, a few sustained injuries.

He said those injured were receiving treatment at the hospital.

According to him, the council is in the process of assessing the full extent of the damage with a view to working out relief packages to those affected.

“I have directed my Director

of Works to go round the affected communities to make assessments of the extent of the damage.

“This is to enable us to prepare a report that we will send to Kaduna, to see if they can come and give the victims some emergency relief materials,” he said.(NAN)

Coronavirus: Another 13 Nigerians return from Togo

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nother batch of 13 Nigerian returnees from Togo Republic have arrived at Seme Border Post in Lagos State in the early hours of Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that the 13 returnees arrived the border post in a Toyota Coaster bus with Togolese registration number TG 5923 A.

NAN gathered that the Nigerian returnees were resident in Togo but decided to return to their country following the outbreak of COVID-19.

“The Nigerians were screened with the infra-red thermometer by our officials when they arrived today.

“We have called Lagos State Ministry of Health and they have

promised to come and evacuate them to quarantine facility in Badagry,” a Port Health official told NAN at Seme border.

NAN reports that the arrival of 13 returnees from Togo on Sunday brings to 103 the total number of Nigerians that arrived through Seme border post after the border closure on March 21.

NAN reports that 67 Nigerians

resident in Ivory Coast returned on April 8, at Seme border post in a luxurious bus with registration number Osun XA 240 EJG. Another batch of 23 Nigerian returnees, who came from different parts of the world and landed in Lome, Togolese capital, on Ethiopian Airlines, arrived Seme border on April 19 and were quarantined in Lagos. (NAN)

FCT Police command Paraded 43 Suspected criminals, armed robbers and car snatchers at the command headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.

Yerima takes over leadership of NICO

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he former Director, Training, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mrs. Bridgette R. Yerima has assumed the leadership of the Institute as director, overseeing the office of the Executive Secretary.

Her appointment followed the exit of Mr. Louis Eriomala from service on Friday, April 17 at the compulsory retirement age of 60 years as stipulated by Civil Service Law. The appointment as announced on NICO website was said to have been approved by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe.

The e-mail titled, ‘Handover to the Most Senior Director

in NICO” dated April, 20 and signed by the Deputy Director in the office of the Permanent Secretary, Akudo-Nwoso Nwosu, had directed the immediate past Director overseeing the office of the Executive Secretary, Eriomala, to handover the affairs of the Institute.

The mail read in part: “I am directed to request you to handover the affairs of the agency as well as forward all relevant circulars urgently to the aforementioned director on receipt of this mail.”

Mrs. Yerima joined the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in 1987 as Cultural Officer. She was among the first set of officers to be deployed to the National Troupe of Nigeria when it was created.

There, she served in different capacities including officer

overseeing the welfare of artistes; head of administration; Public Relations Officer as well as Marketing Officer until her transfer to the National Institute for cultural Orientation (NICO) in 1997 as Assistant Chief Programmes Officer.

When NICO’s administrative head office relocated to Abuja and with the commencement of active training, Mrs. Yerima became the first coordinator of Training and Orientation for the Institute. She coordinated the first batch of training programmes for culture officers leading to the Award of Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration under the guidance and leadership of the then Executive Secretary of the Institute, J. B. Yusuff, With the creation of a fullfledged department for training for

the Institute in 2010, Mrs. Yerima was posted to head the Lagos Liaison Office.

Under her leadership as the Liaison Officer, major programmes of the Institute including the Annual Round Table Conference for Cultural Orientation (ARTCCO); Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP); Weekend Indigenous Language Programme; Language in the Barracks as well as the Annual Children’s Cultural Extravaganza, were initiated.

It was also during her tenure as Head, Lagos Liaison office that the Institute organized notable programmes such as workshop for traditional rulers.

Mrs. Yerima was promoted to head the Institute’s Training School as Director in 2013, a responsibility she successfully sustained till her new appointment.

PAGE 4

News

From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

B

auchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has appointed a 66- member state palliative committee under the chairmanship of the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu The committee was appointed following the outbreak of COVID-19 and its resultant consequences on the overall economy of the state as well as the need to augment the efforts of the state government to cushion the effect of the disease in Bauchi State.

A statement signed by Mukhtar M. Gidado, Senior

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

Coronavirus: Bauchi Gov appoints 66 member palliative C’ttee Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor which was distributed to reporters on Sunday said the sixty - six member palliative committee has the Emir of Bauchi Alh . (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu as its chairman and other members are drawn from the political class, religious leaders, business community, seasoned administrators, union leaders and

philanthropists among others.

He said “The terms of reference of the Committee shall be:To source for assistance in kind and in cash from well-meaning members of the Public, Corporate Organizations, Government Agencies and International Donors;. To distribute all sourced palliative materials and money to the needy citizens of the State as

fairly and equitably as possible;.

To discharge any responsibility as may be referred to it by His Excellency, the Executive Governor, from time to time, and to submit periodic progress report to the Secretary to the State Government on a weekly basis, while final report after the state is declared free COVID-19.”

Gidado also said, the

committee will be inaugurated

by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON , on Monday 27 th April, 2020 by 12:00 noon at the Command Guest House, Bauchi, and hoped members of the Committee will bring their wealth of knowledge and experience in the discharge of their assignment .

Ramadan: El-Rufai lauds Imams, others in fight against coronavirus From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

K

aduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai has lauded the commitment of Imams and other leaders of faith to ensure that the activities connected to Ramadan are conducted without mass gatherings and congregational worship.

He described this rational approach to the practise of faith as exemplary.

The Governor stated this in a statement to mark the commencement of Ramadan made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.

He appealed to Muslims to see the special circumstances under which Ramadan is being observed this year as a necessary sacrifice to safeguard public health.

Governor El-Rufai expressed gratitude to Allah for His Mercy even in this difficult moment.

He urged Muslims to pray for the country, peace in the land and the containment of Covid-19 as they observe the discipline of fasting, worship and spiritual renewal in the holy month of

Ramadan.

The governor commended the commitment of Imams and other leaders of faith to ensure that the activities connected to Ramadan are conducted without mass

gatherings and congregational worship.

Malam El-Rufai said that the severe challenges posed to lives and livelihoods make it impossible to relax the quarantine conditions

at this time.

He expressed confidence that if the necessary sacrifices are made now, and everyone observes public health advice such as social distancing, regular hand-washing

with soap and water, wearing face masks in public, avoiding large gatherings and the practise of respiratory hygiene, then we will be nearer to fully containing Covid-19.”

Police Officers enforcing the lock down in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday

Group petitions IGP over alleged murder of Benue girl by Lagos couple

By Sunday Odey

J

ournalists and allied media professionals of Igede origin from Benue State have cried out over the gruesome murder of a 19-year-old girl, Miss Joy Okom Adole, by a Lagos couple.

Young Miss Adole who hailed from Oju Local Government Area of Benue State was reportedly murdered by Mr and Mrs Fortunes Stephens, who employed her as house help, over alleged disagreements on failure to pay her salaries.

The group, Association of Igede Media Professionals (AIMPs) described the incident as the height of bestiality and has accordingly, in a petition, charged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to step into the matter and bring the perpetrators to book urgently.

The petition signed by its President, Mr Egena Ode, and

made available to newsmen at the weekend, said the murder of Miss Joy Okom Adole by her employers, Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens, was an act fit only for the animal kingdom.

According to Mr Ode, the petition which was also signed by some other Igede interest groups to be submitted to the office of the IGP as well as civil society groups, called for urgent intervention in the matter by all relevant authorities to ensure that justice was done to the family of the deceased.

Part of the petition read: “Reports have suggested that Miss Joy Okom Adole was murdered by her employers, Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens of No 13, Ogundola Street, Bariga, Lagos for the simple reason that the deceased who worked as a housemaid asked for her salary, having served them for months.

“We are at a loss as to what could have warranted her

employers to take her precious life for merely making a legitimate demand.

“There’s a universal maxim that a labourer deserves his/ her wages. It is therefore not for nothing that Miss Joy was killed by her employer for just asking for her salary. What has become obvious here is that there’s an underlying motive behind her killing which the police must strive to unravel.”

It continued: “We cannot but ask: when has it become a crime to work.and ask to be paid. Not everybody was born with a silver spoon, so if the only option for the young girl to be able to further her education was to take up the lowly menial housemaid job, then she did not deserve to be killed in such a gruesome and violent manner.

The laws of the land must catch up with her killers.

“Even if the salary had accumulated and was difficult to pay, her employers, like many

callous ones had done, should have sent her away without the money or work out an arrangement to pay her piece-meal. Again, we ask: why take her life?

“We demand that the Inspector General of Police should activate all necessary procedures to bring Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens to book. We are prepared to ensure that they answer for this dastardly and inhuman act.”

The group said as a body devoted to the defence of Igedeland and people, “we have resolved to take up this case to any level to ensure that justice is done in favour of the innocent deceased girl.”

The association also vowed to mobilize for civil disobedience in Benue and Lagos if the right steps were not taken by the authorities to teach the killer couple a lesson of their life.

It, however, thanked the DPO of Bariga Police Station and his

team for their sound professional competence in quickly detecting the pranks of the murderous couple who attempted to foist suicide of the deceased by hanging her dead body with a rope.

The group called on Igede youth across the country to stay calm and not take the law into their hands but to be vigilant in piling pressure on the relevant authorities for justice to be done in this matter.

Recall that Joy Adole was said to have been taken to Lagos to work as a housemaid for Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens by an agent who is said to be an inlaw to the deceased.

Reports said Joy who had worked for about four months demanded that her meager monthly salary of 15,000 naira be paid to enable her plan her return to school, but her employers turned a deaf ear and allegedly tortured her to death.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

News

Military kill 89 bandits, recover arms, ammunition in Zamfara

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Nigerian Military has said that it troops of Sector 9 Operation Hadarin Daji, has killed 89 bandits in Zamfara state.

This is as the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, killed several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters at Kolloram on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno State.

The military in a statement at the weekend, by Major General, John Enenche, Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Defence Headquarters, said the troops were supported by 35 Battalion and Quick Response Group of 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, adding that two helicopter gun ships of the Nigerian Air Force, personnel of Nigeria Police Force and elements of Nigerien Army, all helped in killing the bandits.

He said items recover included; arms and ammunition along Gidan Jaja in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

“During the operation, 89 bandits were neutralized and uncomfirmed number escaped with gunshot wounds. Items recovered include: 19 AK 47 rifles, 1 PKT machine gun,9 magazines, 167 rounds of 7.62 (Special), one dane gun and one locally made pistol were recovered. There was no loss of troops or equipment on our side.

“Additionally, 322 rustled cows, 77 motorcycles and 9 cell phones were recovered. Five kidnapped victims comprising 3 females and 2 males were rescued. The bandits camps were cleared by troops. Formal handover of kidnapped victims and rustled cows will be carried out following due process.

“The Chief Defence Staff hereby congratulates the Troops for this commendable feat.”

Meanwhile, the Air Task Force of Operation Lafiya Dole, has killed several Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters at Kolloram on the fringes of the Lake Chad in Borno State.

The statement said the operation was conducted on credible intelligence reports indicating that some of the ISWAP leaders and fighters had converged in the settlement for a meeting. “Accordingly, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets and surveillance aircraft were scrambled to

•As air strike kill scores of ISWAP terrorists in Borno attack the location. Overhead the target area, the terrorists were seen moving towards the edges of the settlement

and were engaged, leading to neutralization of several of them. The few survivors were taken out in subsequent passes

as the jets strafed the area.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and

security in the North East, will intensify offensive operations against the enemies of our nation.”

Kano strange disease/Covid 19: Health Minister, NCDC brief Buhari

By Egena Sunday Ode

M

inister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, and DirectorGeneral, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Chikwe Ihekweazu, Sunday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors on the latest development over Coronavirus and the reported strange disease in Kano.

The briefing came amid anxiety over whether or not the Federal Government would extend the lockdown once more.

There had been suggestion by the Nigeria Governors Forum to extent the lockdown but with emphasis on restriction on inter state movements.

Speaking to State House correspondents on the outcome of the closed door meeting in Abuja, Ehanire said they briefed the president on the activities and overall positions of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

The briefing of the President came barely 24 hours to the expiration of the extended 14-day lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to combat the Coronavirus pandemic and amid anxiety over whether or not the President may announce another extension.

President Buhari had on April 13 announced a 14-day extension to the lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to combat the deadly virus.

Ehanire said the PTF presented to the president its advice and recommendations on way forward as regard the ongoing fight against the spread of the deadly virus in the country.

“We also brought the overall summary apposition of the Presidential Task Force which as you know comprises of not only the health ministry but other ministries.

“We have aggregated the opinions that we have, weighing the health and the socio-economic factors

and everything, to present our own opinion and recommendations to Mr President,’’ he said.

The Minister expressed belief that the nation was winning the fight against the pandemic as all relevant health institutions had agreed to work together to achieve the desired goal of defeating the novel Coronavirus.

He said: “The fight is going on very well. As I said, all countries have continued with the struggle against Coronavirus, using the strategies that they have developed for their own countries.

“We have developed a strong strategy as we are working with other experts groups like the NCDC and relevant health organisations.

“So, we are also working with the states and the governors.’’

The minister, who also spoke on the reported Kano strange disease, said his ministry had been communicating with relevant agencies including Kano

State Government with a view to addressing the health problem.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, who also spoke to the correspondents, advised Nigerians against wasting their meagre resources on the procurement of what he described as uncertified Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits.

He said: “We will continue to build up our testing strategies. At the moment 14 testing centres have been activated across the country.

“We want to bring the test closer to every state. Everybody is working very hard to solve this problem.

“I can see that some people are already procuring Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits. They don’t work as far as we know.

“So, I will really recommend that we all stick to the National Strategy, build on it, support its expansion and together we will get on top of the pandemic.’’

Reps to resume plenary session tomorrow, Tuesday

By Christiana Ekpa

T

he House of Representatives is to Resume it’s Plenary Session on Tuesday 28th of April to deliberate on national issues.

This was contained in

memo to the House members

by Patrick A. Giwa, Clerk to the House of Representatives, dated 26 April 2020.

He said “this is to inform all Members of the House of Representatives that the House will now resume plenary session on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at

10.am.

“The Covid-19 Guidelines approved by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and additional Guidelines developed by the House will be sent to Members’ pigeon holes for collection on

resumption.

“Staff and Members’ Aides are to work from home and will be notified when needed in the office for any special assignment.

According to him, Members are advised to take note of the new date of resumption, please.

Police arrest 3 over murder of Catholic Seminarian

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

P

olice Operatives have arrested a deadly criminal gang responsible for the kidnap and murder of a Catholic Seminarian, Nnadi Michael of the Catholic Good Shepherd Major Seminary at Gonin Gora, Kakau in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

Recall that, on January 9, 2020, the criminal gang stormed the Catholic Seminary and kidnapped four (4) seminarians, murdered one of them in cold blood and released the remaining three on 31st January, 2020, having obtained

a ransom.

The remains of the fourth Seminarian were found in a bush where abandoned.

The police in a statement issued yesterday by its PRO, Frank Mba, listed the suspects to include: Tukur Usman ‘m’ aged 37, father of 7, Shehu Bello ‘m’ aged 40, father of 5 and Mustapha Mohammed ‘m’ aged 30, father of 1, all of Igabi LGA of Kaduna State were arrested after several months of intensive and extensive intelligence-led operations by crack detectives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

“Discreet investigations

so far reveal that the arrested suspects are part of a 19-man gang that also carried out the kidnap of Dr Phillip Ataga’s wife and two daughters on January 24, 2020 at Juji Community in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

Mrs Ataga was killed by the gang following her heroic resistance to the despicable and inhuman attempt by the leader of the gang to rape her. The suspects after killing her released the daughters and corpse of the slain woman to the family after collecting ransom.

“Further investigations reveal that the same criminal gang is responsible for the

kidnap of six students and two teachers of Engravers College, Chikun LGA, Kaduna, from their school premises on October 3, 2019.

“The suspects, known to belong to a hybrid terrorist criminal network causing untold havoc in North-Central, Nigeria, have confessed to several other random operations along AbujaKaduna Expressway where they kidnapped, killed and robbed motorists, collecting ransom and valuables running into millions of naira.”

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

PAGE 6

News

Coronavirus: Bauchi College wants NCDC to unveil lists of positive persons

From Ahmad Bauchi

Mohammed,

T

he Proprietor of Malikiyya College of Health and Social Sciences, Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki has strongly advised the National Center for Disease Control, NCDC, to make the names of those found positive to the public so that the people who interacted with them

will know that they are in a high risk of infection.

Danmaliki stated this in a press release signed and distributed to newsmen by the Registrar of the College Mallam Tafida M Dagauda in Bauchi.

He said by doing so those who interacted with the positive patients will avail themselves for screening and self-isolation.

He said he don’t know why the names of the Governors and national leaders that contacted the virus were mentioned but others were kept secret to the detriment of the public.

The Proprietor commended the Bauchi State Government on the wholesome measures currently taken to forestall the spread of the corona virus after consultation with stake holders.

He appealed to the Federal Government to urgently implement its welfare package on Covid- 19 to reach the grassroots to cushion the hardships being faced by the public as a result of shutdown of public movement.

When contacted The State Commissioner of Health Dr Aliyu Mohammed Maigoro said .professionally they did not disclose

the names of the case index found positive thats the practice all over the world, but they did their best to trace the primary contacts of the positive patients and take their samples.

He added that even those who names were made public , they were one who announced it , while other allowed the public health officials to inform the public about their status.

Lockdown: Isoko leaders donate food items to vulnerable

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

L

eaders of the Isoko people in Deltab State, on Saturday donated food items to the vulnerable in the area as palliative to cushion the effect of the lockdown ordered by the state government due to prevailing COVID-19.

The items, worth over N15 million were donated to no fewer than 3,000 households in the 19 clans that make up Isoko North and Isoko South local government areas and selected households of Isoko people in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Bayelsa.

Giving out the items to coordinators of the communities at Isoko Unity House, Oleh, Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council, Mr Itiako Ikpokpo, said the gesture was in response to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s appeal to local government councils and well-meaning individuals and organizations to assist the less-privileged this period of lockdown.

He said that he partnered his colleague in Isoko North because they believed that Isoko nation was one irrespective of the political boundaries for

administrative conveniences.

Ikpokpo thanked all donors to the course, including the National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Kolade Alabi.

On his part, Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council, Mr Emmanuel Egbabor, expressed delight on the success of the project, saying that he was glad to be part of the epochmaking event.

He called for further collaboration between the two councils in the interest and unity of Isoko people.

“The truth is that I am very glad today because it is what God has destined for us the Isoko people.

“We have been able to coordinate all Isoko sons and daughters to be one in this project and I must commend the resilience and commitment of the committee members.

“COVID-19 does not know political party or religion; we are here today to support our lessprivileged in these trying times. ``It is on record that at a time like this we stood together, not on political or religious divide, to bring succour to our people,” Egbabor said.

N

Mustapha,

o fewer than four (4) Internal Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Shiroro Local Government of Niger State have been abandoned to their faith in terms of food and other social needs palpable to infectious diseases.

Director of Social Development in Shiroro local government, Musan Kuta Abdullahi in an interview said that a strange aircraft recently dropped three bombs targeted at innocent persons that killed caws and injuring many that were slaughtered at Kuta.

He however, decried military target at innocent people rather than the bandits calling for investigation of constant presence of strange aircraft in their communities before several attacks witnessed in the affected areas Those affected IDP camps includes: Gijiwa, Layi and KwakiSokumba as well as Zumba and Erena that included the village of the local government chairman inaccessible due to heavy presence and operation of bandits in those areas.

According to Hussaini Mohammed, a resident of the area in an interview stated that no statistics of the number of IDPs in

News

Plateau investigates leak in coronavirus confidential results

T

he Plateau government is investigating the circumstances surrounding the leak of the confidential laboratory result of some suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) cases carried out at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) Testing Centre in Vom.

Two policemen, 18 others arrested for violating lockdown in Delta

The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, stated this in a press release issued on Sunday in Jos. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Thursday, the result of a suspected person with COVID-19, which tested positive, was circulating in different platforms of social media.

This went on before the official announcement by the National Centre for Disease Control and the Plateau government.

The patient, who is the

state’s index case, came into Jos from Kano on April 17.

The commissioner said the government was disappointed over such unprofessional act, which had breached ethical medical standards and exposed the suspected case to negative consequences, including stigmatization and discrimination.

He said the state government totally condemned the act, which “regrettably has the tendency of jeopardising” its efforts in fighting the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the world.

Mr Manjang said that the state was conducting

investigations to unravel those responsible for the unethical act with a view of punishing them to forestall future occurrence.

He said the investigation would cover the entire process of the test, from sample collection, investigation and result dissemination.

The commissioner assured members of the public not to be deterred by the incident as all measures had been taken to ensure that such incident did not occur again.

Meanwhile, the acting Director of NVRI, Rueben Ocholi, has reacted to the development in a statement

issued on NVRI website on Saturday, April 25.

Mr Ocholi stated that the institute was highly professional and had consistently provided highquality diagnostic and research data for many years without a case of breach of ethics.

He explained that NVRI adhered to the established system of communication of COVID-19 diagnostic results developed by the NCDC. Mr Ocholi, however, called on all stakeholders involved in managing COVID-19 case information for Plateau State to quickly investigate the breach. (NAN).

From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

D

Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara (M) flanked by officials of the state during start of biometric registration for COVID-19 lockdown palliatives for 20,000 transporters, in Ilorin at the weekend.

Govt abandons IDPs to their faith in Niger State, says Director From Yakubu Minna.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

those camps as almost all human activities has been truncated by the bandits then called for governments action to stop the trends.

Mohammed emphasized that the IDPs were stranded in those camps in which both government officials and Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) were afraid to visit there due to fear of been attack by the bandits.

Investigation revealed that bandits in those communities go from room to room to attack the villagers adding that the presence of Air Force has not been effective hence the continued increase of IDPs was due to persistent attacks on the communities.

Mohammed warned that there will be hunger in the country as their lands have been taken over by the bandits making farming activities impossible by the farmers however called for quick intervention although he blamed governments and security agencies for not doing enough to protect their lives and properties.

He lamented that the bandits have destroyed their farm produce (foods), economic potentials and taking over their lands making them helpless and slaves in their land which he described as very unfortunate.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State however confirmed

the series of attacks in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Mrs Mary Noel Berje.

Governor Bello said local militia, community vigilante groups and local hunters must collaborate with security agencies, in a renewed strategy, to engage and completely chase away kidnappers, cattle rustlers and armed bandits in the country.

He maintained that a radical approach had become necessary in order not to allow irresponsible miscreants continue to unleash terror on our people and subject our communities to their whims and caprices.

etermined to effect the lockdown order by the state government over the Coronavirus Pandemic, two Policemen and Eighteen Others were at the weekend arrested by the security Operatives attached to Bomadi Community Division It was gathered that the Policemen in Company of others were arrested at a hotel during a birthday party Organized by a well-placed oil bunkerer in the area where over twenty Persons attended The Policemen (names withheld) serving at one of the Divisions in Asaba, were said to have left their duty posts to Bomadi Community for the Party where they were arrested and obsevered to have allegedly drank to stupor Giving details of the incident, security Sources said that the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO) in Charge of the Division had sent a team of Policemen to the hotel on Intelligence gathering to stop the Party and arrest those in attendance and on getting there, it was discovered that two of the guests were Policemen and others Civilians including the Organizer But the Police Commissioner in the state, Hafiz Muhammed Inuwah who Confirmed this to Journalists in Asaba, said that appropriate actions were being taken on the Policemen including other violators, adding that the punishments for them, especially the Policemen involved, will serve as deterrent to others in the state and assured that the Police will continue to protect the lives and property of persons in the state. Meanwhile, a 34 year old man in Irri Community Isoko South Local Government Area of the state admist Coronavirus Pandemic was at the weekend electrocuted in Edoge Quarters in Irri Community Reports said that the victim ( namewitheld) a father of two Children, allegedly tempered with their disconnected light by BEDC.

Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps in Cross River, Alhaji Mohammed Nakamba (L), donating some face masks produced by serving corps members in the state to the Commissioner for Youth Development and Skill Acquisition, Mr Signor Omand-Idiege, in Calabar at the weekend.

17 police officers die of coronavirus in Peru

S

eventeen police officers in Peru have died after contracting novel coronavirus while enforcing the nation’s pandemic lockdown, officials and state media said.

Authorities admitted earlier this week that at least 1,300 officers had been infected by COVID-19.

On Saturday new interior

minister Gaston Rodriguez, who was sworn in a day earlier after the sudden resignation of his predecessor when the infections tally emerged, said: “We have 17 deceased police officers nationwide, 11 of them in Lima.”

The high number is linked to “the exposure that police officers have when intervening with people who violate the measures

issued to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” state news agency Andina said Saturday.

Peru has been on lockdown since March 16.

Rodriguez said his department had allocated 50 million soles ($15 million) “for the purchase of protection elements such as masks and gloves” for Peru’s police.

He added that roughly

220,000 COVID-19 tests for the force were due to arrive by the first week of May. “We have an obligation to take care of them,” said Rodriguez. “The police must be well equipped.”

Peru has recorded more than 25,000 infections and 700 deaths so far, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University in the United States.AFP.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

ne w s

COVID-19: Lockdown: Commercial sex workers, traders, Matawalle switch to foodstuff business in Delta directs F fumigation of hospitals, markets, motor parks From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

F

ollowing the recorded first case of Covid-19 in Zamfara State on 24th April 2020, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle has ordered for the fumigation of hospitals, markets as well as motor parks across the state.

The Director-General, Public Enlightenment, Media and Communication, Yusuf Idris Gusau disclosed this in a statement made available to media in kaduna yesterday The statement added that the governor said his administration has taken steps to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus.

The move was intended to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

Thus, chemical disinfection has since commenced at the Yariman Bakura Specialists hospital, Farida General Hospital, Gusau and the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau under the supervision of the state commissioner for Environment, Dr Nuradeen Isah.

He, therefore, appealed to the people of the State to cooperate with the State Government in its efforts to address the spread of the virus.

The Governor assured that his government will not relent in taking measures that will protect the lives and the properties of the citizens.

Matawalle explained that the use of chemical disinfectant for the fumigation will assist in curtailing the spread of the virus and improve the hygiene of the state.

ollowing the lockdown order including Dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Deltans by the state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to Curtail the Spread of Coronavirus Pandemic in the state, Commercial Sex workers in Asaba and its environs have switched to foodstuff business such as garri,melon, Ogbono, tomatoes, eggs and edible oil,among others.

Commercial Sex workers in Asaba, and its environs who spoke to our Correspondent on Sunday, said” We have lost virtually all our Customers, and we are hungry, we cannot travel home since the lockdown, our male Customers are no longer Coming, or Forthcoming, even when we call them on Phone, they will give execuses that no vehicle to come,

and we are suffering hence we started selling to feed”.

Also some traders in non food items in Asaba have Switched to foodstuff business as the lockdown imposed persists, especially in major cities in the state, and eventhough it exempted essential workers, the traders in food stuff and medical personnel, the situation hitherto remained terrible Some of the traders and Commercial Sex workers who Switched to foodstuff business told our Correspondent in Asaba that they Opted for the Foodstuff business to save them and their families from hunger and starvation One Doris Nwosu, a dealer in Babies materials at the Popular Ogboeogonogo market who now sell garri and Palm oil, said she

was frustrated staying at home with her family during the first two weeks of lockdown, adding that she was forced into the new trade

by Insufficient food and Money to keep her family going,” infact, nobody told me to start foodstuff business at the temporary markets as hunger was about to send us to early grave like Coronavirus Pandemic we are running from,I am happy doing this garri and Palm oil business because that is what people want at present to cook and eat and has saved me from hunger” Similarly,Mrs Ngozi Omeleze, a fashion designer in Achalla Ibusa layout said that she started selling sweet potatoes and breadfruit generally Called” Ukwa in Igbo language outside her Compound to assist her husband Care for their family, adding that the lockdown

order was a replica of hell fire in Delta state and however believed that the state Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa would soon review the situation and left up the ban In another development, teenage beggars have returned to the streets of Asaba as this time around go from house to house in adjourning streets during nighfall to beg neighbours for garri among others for their parents to Cook for them in their houses. Some of them who spoke to our Correspondent on Condition of anonymity described the situation they are currently faced with as precarious, adding that they choose to beg not to die of hunger as they manage to feed a day and be encouraged to be drinking water as measures to Cushion hunger before going to bed.

A cross section of street urchins (Almajiris) residing in Plateau about to be sent back to their states of origin by Plateau state Government, in Jos on Sunday (26/4/20). Nigeria’s northern governors have agreed to close disputed Islamic schools which house millions of men and boys across the region due to concerns over the new coronavirus.

02204/26/4/2020/Sunday Adah/BJO/NAN

Court sends NSIEC Chairman to Correctional Center for contempt From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna

T

he Niger State High Court 5 sitting in Minna has issued a bench warrant for the arrest and committal to Minna Correctional Center of the Chairman of Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC), Alhaji Baba Aminu for contempt.

Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed who delivered the ruling on the motion filled by the counsel representing the petitioner in the matter brought before the Court by Barrister Mohammed Baba Waziri and Barrister Abubakar Mohammed Bokani respectively.

They argued that the state Chairman of the state independent electoral commission should be arrested and commit to the correctional center for his deliberate refusal to comply with the judgment delivered by the court on the 13/03/2020 ordering that certificate of return should be issued to the plaintiff without further delay.

The court had on 13/03/5020 delivered judgment against the incumbent Chairman of Magama local government area Salisu Ubandoma to vacate his seat and the state independent electoral commission should withdraw the certificate of return earlier issued to him.

Following the judgment as delivered by

the court, the state independent electoral commission refused to comply with the judgment,at the resumed sitting of the case on Thursday .

Meanwhile, the counsel representing the Chairman of the state independent electoral commission, Barrister Johnson John Usman pleaded with the court that the Chairman was not available in the court as a result of the total lockdown that the state is currently passing through as a result of covid 19.

He assured the court that he will personally bring the Chairman to court by next week Monday.

However the commissioner in charge

of Administration of the state independent electoral commission Alhaji Yahaya Idris Abarah brought the certificate of return to court for issuance to the plaintiff Mallam Safiyanu Yahaya Ibeto of the People’s Democratic Party PDP. Justice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed while overruling the submission of the counsel to the Chairman of the state independent electoral commission insisted that the Chairman of the state independent electoral commission Alhaji Baba Aminu be committed to the Correctional center for contempt.

Page 9

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

Global Peace Foundation gives palliatives to 1,000 households in kaduna From : Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he Global Peace Foundation in Nigeria, has provided 1,000 households in four communities of kaduna with palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdowns in the state.

The Country Director of the Organization Rev. Joseph John Hayab, disclosed this during the distribution of the materials in kaduna yesterday.

He explained that the organisation targeted four (4) communities in Kaduna namely; Kajuru, Maraban Rido, Kanikon chiefdom and Mando Afaka representing different local government areas of Kaduna state .

Rev. Hayab, opined that if the spirit of fighting Covid-19 is employed in fighting the course of the country, Nigeria will be a great country in no distance time.

“Nigerians are truly united as one family under God to fight the deadly disease called Coronavirus. “ If this spirit of togetherness irrespective of any different continue after the pandemic, l am convinced this country will go places in all phases of life within a short time.” He said Hayab noted that today in the country both government and the governor’s attention is how best to overcome Coronavirus disease that is threatening the existence of man on earth.

“As a Non-Governmental Organisation, our focus all these years of our existence is we have been working with communities towards ensuring peaceful coexistence and by reaching to all that we are one family under God devoid of any different of any means.

“Following the challenge hunger posed by COVID-19 lockdown, we felt as an organisation, the people now are faced with hunger conflict that calls for immediate assistance. The challenge of hunger know no religion, tribe, section, or any other different in human race but all have become victims of the pandemic.

“In order to encourage them to understand and appreciate that all human beings can suffer pains just as all human being want to be happy and celebrated as members of one family under God, we have to provide food items to help them cushion the effect of COVID-19 lockdown that people are crying from every nook and cranny.”

The Country Director said that they are sharing the organization’s widow mite towards effecting positive impact on the lives of the communities the organisation had earlier engaged in peace building.

On their mode of distribution in compliance with avoiding large gatherings, Rev. Hayab noted that house to house approach was adopted by strictly identifying the less privileged in the society to also avoid scrambling of the meagre materials in the midst of millions of Nigerians crying every day of hunger.

ne w s

Lockdown: Angry traders take over streets in Asaba, Ughelli, Sapele From: Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

A

ngry traders in Asaba, Ughelli and Sapele Communities in Delta state have moved into various streets in the areas despite the government lockdown order in the last 25 days.

Investigation revealed that at the weekend ( Saturday) the traders in angry and hungry mood dared the security agents as they invaded Nnebisi road/ Ogbeogonogo market with their goods on display on the walkways waiting for portential buyers in Asaba, Ughelli and Sapele While most shops were locked, youths assembled at the Computer market at Ogbeogonogo market, Abraka market makeshift without

maintaining social distance and a trader at Asaba Secondary school makeshift market who spoke to Journalists on condition of anonymity described the situation as pathetic, a situation where people ingnor social distancing as directed by the state government At Ezenel road in Asaba, it was obsevered that the residents, Commercial Buses, Tricycles were moving about their businesses in the presence of the security agents at checkpoints who merely will pretend to be working whereas doing the other way for their pockets, especially from those supplying pure water to others A Yoruba trader who sells herbal medicine, Ademola Alani who spoke to Journalists in the

area said that hunger was the major reason for the traders in the streets, lamenting that since the state government failed to provide food for everybody in the state, rather than its Political Party members,It was the only way to eke out living and ensure the hunger is reduced Meanwhile, security Operatives impounded Six vehicles and arrested 20 Persons who did not Comply with the directive of sit at home order as directed by the state government, adding that such Persons would be Charged to Court Also, no fewer than 100 vehicles, especially heavy trucks, luxury buses including some saloon vehicles coming from other states were in the early hours of Saturday stranded on the Niger Bridge Head

Causing serious gridlock despite the lockdown order directive by the state government as business activities resume in full swing Speaking to Journalists, Some Police Officers who spoke on condition of anonymity described the lockdown order as “ death sentence” hence the free flow of moving, alleging that the state government failed to provide for them, especially motivation items as they have been under serious punishment day and night exposing them to dangers in the hands of the angry youths, especially the hungry ones,” no hand gloves, face masks and hand sanitizers to work with despite the 24 hours Services on the headbridge, we are scared the Covid-19 Pandemic too”.

Security personnel enforce COVID-19 lockdown along the Outer Northern Expressway at Kubwa-Katampe axis in Abuja at the weekend

COVID-19: Bauchi Governor appoints 66 member state Parliative committee From Ahmad Mohammed, Bauchi

B

auchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has appointed 66 member state parliative committee under the chairman ship of the Emir of Bauchi Alhaji

Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu.

The committee was appointed following the outbreak of COVID-19 and its consequences on the overall economy of the State and the need to augment the efforts of the State Government, to cushion the effec t of CoVID-19

in Bauchi State.

A statement signed by Mukhtar M. Gidado Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Governor which was distributed to reporters said the sixty - Six Member palliative Committee has the Emir of Bauchi

Alh . (Dr.) Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu as its Chairman.

Other members are drawn from the Political class, Religious Leaders, Business Community, seasoned admin istrators, Union Leaders and philanthropists among others.

UNICEF supports integration of HIV services with nutrition programme in Kaduna From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

T

he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says yesterday that it is supporting Kaduna State Government to integrate HIV services with nutrition programmes for improved outcome.

Mrs Chinwe Ezeife, Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna, made this known in Kaduna, yesterday at a five-day training for 60 healthcare workers, organised in collaboration with the state’s Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA).

The training was on integration of paediatric HIV counselling and testing with Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM)

programme.

According to Ezeife, via a teleconference, HIV and malnutrition interact in complex ways that heighten vulnerability and worsen severity of each condition in a child.

She explained that HIV infection in a malnourished child reduce the chances of the child’s survival if quick interventions were not carried out.

This according to her, necessitates the need for proper integration of HIV services into the treatment of malnourished children and their caregivers for improved outcome.

“UNICEF and the state PHCDA have sensitised relevant stakeholders on the relationships between HIV and malnutrition, and improved coordination and

integration of HIV and nutrition services at Local Government Areas (LGAs) and facility levels.

“Malnutrition, like HIV is a known cause of reduced immunity in individuals, which serves as a window for manifestation of various infections.

“This is particularly worse in infants and young children whose body immune cells are yet to gain full maturity, prompting the need to integrate HIV testing into nutrition programme,” she said.

She pointed out that CMAM is being implemented in 14 LGAs of the state, while treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition was ongoing in 77 health facilities in the councils.

She, however, said that available data showed that nonrecovery rates among severe and

acute malnourished children in the CMAM sites fluctuates between 1.2 per cent and 4.0 per cent.

“This training was triggered by this poor non-recovery rate and to ensure that every child living with HIV is diagnosed early and placed on treatment to avert complications of untreated HIV and attendant mortality.

“The training is aimed at equipping health workers with skills, knowledge and practice to provide HIV testing services to severely malnourished children with high index of suspicion of HIV infection.

“Particularly malnourished children that have stayed in CMAM programme for over four weeks and failed to gain significant weight,” she said.

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

News

NCAC Lockdown: Isoko leaders produces food items to vulnerable 8,000 face masks for L journalists Nosa Akenzua, Asaba

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC ) recently commenced the distribution of over 8,000 face marks to newsrooms across the country to enhance the protection of journalists in the battle against COVID-19.

Journalists in Abuja would be the first beneficiaries, their contemporaries in Lagos and other parts of the country would get theirs immediately.

The NCAC suggested that the government should publish a national document on COVID-19 at the end of its victory over the pandemic.

The Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, stated this while giving out the products in Abuja.

He said the parastatal had produced over 13 drums of hand sanitisers to assist practising journalists and their media organisations as they embark on their duties, while more were still being produced.

“It is my opinion that a national document on COVID-19 be published at the end of our victory over this pandemic. This will be a compendium on how the disease came to Nigeria and how it was fought and defeated,” he stated.

According to him, journalists have always been endangered species, either during war or emergency situations like the coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “This is a period of national emergency and we must all work together to eradicate this deadly virus. We thank the press for rising to the occasion by ensuring the timely and effective dissemination of information about the COVID-19 pandemic. We are calling on the media not to rest on their laurel in sensitising the masses and mobilising efforts and resources towards eradicating it.

“We have mass produced face masks, sanitisers, information manual and jotters for distribution to media houses and cultural stakeholders. We have produced over 8,000 face marks while over 30 tailors have been recruited to support our efforts within 10 days.

eaders of the Isoko people in Delta, on Saturday donated food items to the vulnerable in the area as palliative to cushion the effect of the lockdown ordered by the state government due to prevailing COVID-19.

The items, worth over N15 million were donated to no fewer than 3,000 households in the 19 clans that make up Isoko North and Isoko South local government areas and selected households of Isoko people in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Bayelsa.

Giving out the items to coordinators of the communities at Isoko Unity House, Oleh, Chairman, Isoko South Local Government Council, Mr Itiako Ikpokpo, said the gesture was in response to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa’s appeal to local government councils and well-meaning individuals and organizations to assist the lessprivileged this period of lockdown.

He said that he partnered his

colleague in Isoko North because they believed that Isoko nation was one irrespective of the political boundaries for administrative conveniences.

Ikpokpo thanked all donors to the course, including the National President of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Kolade Alabi.

He said, “for the first time, we had all people from the various strata of Isoko contributing to this fund and over N16 million was raised for this project.

“These food items are meant for our vulnerable people in Isoko and our brothers and sisters in Ndokwa East and Bayelsa, and I must thank the President-General of Isoko Development Union, IDU, Chief Iduh Amadhe, for always giving them their due place.

“What we have done is to distribute two baskets of beans, one basket of rice, one basket of garri and two tubers of yam to each of the over 3,000 households in the 19 clans of Isoko, and we have volunteers leading

in the sharing of the items with the list of the vulnerable already drawn up.

“We are happy that this is not politicized, because the intention is not politics but to reach out to our vulnerable people irrespective of their political or religious beliefs.”

On his part, Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council, Mr Emmanuel Egbabor, expressed delight on the success of the project, saying that he was glad to be part of the epoch-making event.

He called for further collaboration between the two councils in the interest and unity of Isoko people.

“The truth is that I am very glad today because it is what God has destined for us the Isoko people.

“We have been able to coordinate all Isoko sons and daughters to be one in this project and I must commend the resilience and commitment of the committee members.

“COVID-19 does not know political party or religion; we are here today to support our less-privileged in these trying times.

donate ``It is on record that at a time like this we stood together, not on political or religious divide, to bring succour to our people,” Egbabor said.

In his contribution, Managing Director of Delta State Oil-Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief Askia Ogieh, said that Isoko people were known for their care and generosity and wasn’t surprised at the amount raised from them for the project.

He advised the people to maintain regular personal hygiene and socialdistancing while also observing the stay-at-home directive of the government.

In his remarks, President-General of Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadhe, showered encomiums on the people for their generosity.

He commended the chairmen of the councils for the gesture and called on religious leaders to call for prayers against the pandemic since it had no known cure at the moment.

Welcoming the people earlier, Chairman, Isoko Nation COVID-19

From left: Deputy governor of Oyo state, Rauf Olaniyan; Gov. Seyi Makinde; and Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, at a briefing to update people of the state of Covid-19 at the Government House in Ibadan on Saturday (25/4/20).

02196/26/4/2020/Timothy Adeogodiran//BJO/NAN

Yerima takes over leadership of NICO

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

T

he Former Director, Training, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mrs. Bridgette R. Yerima has assumed the leadership of the Institute as Director, overseeing the office of the Executive Secretary.

Her appointment followed the exit of Mr. Louis Eriomala from service on Friday, April 17 at the compulsory retirement age of 60 years as stipulated by Civil Service Law. The appointment as announced on NICO website was said to have been approved by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu

Gekpe.

The e-mail titled, ‘Handover to the Most Senior Director in NICO” dated April, 20 and signed by the Deputy Director in the office of the Permanent Secretary, Akudo-Nwoso Nwosu, had directed the immediate past Director overseeing the office of the Executive Secretary, Eriomala, to handover the affairs of the Institute.

The mail read in part: “I am directed to request you to handover the affairs of the agency as well as forward all relevant circulars urgently to the aforementioned director on receipt of this mail.”

Mrs. Yerima joined the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in 1987 as Cultural Officer. She was among the first

set of officers to be deployed to the National Troupe of Nigeria when it was created.

There, she served in different capacities including officer overseeing the welfare of artistes; head of administration; Public Relations Officer as well as Marketing Officer until her transfer to the National Institute for cultural Orientation (NICO) in 1997 as Assistant Chief Programmes Officer.

When NICO’s administrative head office relocated to Abuja and with the commencement of active training, Mrs. Yerima became the first coordinator of Training and Orientation for the Institute.

She coordinated the first batch of training programmes for culture officers leading to the Award

of Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration under the guidance and leadership of the then Executive Secretary of the Institute, J. B. Yusuff, With the creation of a fullfledged department for training for the Institute in 2010, Mrs. Yerima was posted to head the Lagos Liaison Office.

Under her leadership as the Liaison Officer, major programmes of the Institute including the Annual Round Table Conference for Cultural Orientation (ARTCCO); Nigerian Indigenous Language Programme (NILP); Weekend Indigenous Language Programme; Language in the Barracks as well as the Annual Children’s Cultural Extravaganza, were initiated.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

PAGE 11

Letter to the Editor

EDITORIAL

F

You’ve done well

or the very first time in a speaking last Tuesday, said the long while, our senators and two-month salary donation would House members are in the be independent of the contribunews for a genuinely altruistic rea- tions individual members would son. They have decided to make make “to alleviate the hardships personal financial sacrifices in that their constituents face at this the national effort to contain the time of national emergency.” He Covid-19 disease that has claimed said the donations would be trans5 lives already from 224 reported ferred directly to the National cases as of yesterday. Senators, 109 Relief Fund Account for the fight of them, have pledged 50 percent against Covid-19. “Our contribuof their salaries, from last month, tion will support provisions for to the Covid-19 curtailment effort. the welfare of frontline medical A senator earns N750, 000 as ba- professionals and health workers, sic salary and half of that and other intervenamount translates to tions to provide for N375, 000. House memthe wellbeing of all bers, 360 in number, are Nigerians through offering up their salaries these trying times,” He said the for two months. he said. According donations would to him, the House The Senate’s spokes- be transferred would exercise its directly to man, Godiya Akwashiki, oversight power to the National ensure “faithful adlast week, said: “After Relief Fund due consultations folministration” of all Account for the emergency funds lowing a keen review of fight against and contributions national efforts to conCovid-19. “Our made so far to entain the Coronavirus contribution pandemic in Nigeria, sure they serve the will support the Senate wishes to anprovisions for purpose for which nounce that from March the welfare of they were intended.

2020, senators will be frontline medical donating 50 per cent of professionals As we said at the their salaries to efforts to onset, this gesture and health stop the spread of COVof our lawmakers workers ID-19. This monthly conis welcome, more tribution from the Upper so as their actions Legislative Chamber will be sus- hereto had been self serving. For tained until the country is declared instance, they often appropriate free from the deadly virus. The hefty funds to themselves, takSenate commends efforts of Presi- ing from budgetary allocations to dent Muhammadu Buhari and the projects for the benefit of all Niadministration towards securing gerians, big and small. Now, howour nation against this plague. The ever, they have read rightly the Senate is willing and ready to do mood of the entire nation and are whatever is required for the effec- doing the needful. We commend tiveness of these measures.” them for taking little from their undeclared earnings to give to the The House of Representatives’ cause of fighting Covid-19 in our Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, country.

“

OUR MISSION

OUR PEOPLE

Chairman “To be the market Malam Wada Maida, place of ideas and Oon, Fnge the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the Chief Operating Officer Editor, Daily truth, maintaining the Hameed M. Bello, PhD highest professional and ethical standards while Manager, administration delivering value to Hassan Hammanyaji our stakeholders”

OUR VISION

“To be a reputable, profitable, innovative and technologically reliant media company offering world class services and products”

The Chinese I know; Is he racist?

By IKENNA EMEWU

I

lived there, I worked there. I studied there.

I toured there also.

As I compiled my reports of the vast country, I recalled a lot of good memories about China – from places to people; and all I have with me are fond memories of China.

When I say China, I mean the people of China.

I can say I saw almost all about that country touching about 18 provinces – from the east to the west, south to the north and the centre, borrowing the Chinese traditional reference order of the cardinal points.

And what did I find the Chinese to be? Just the normal human beings. Some embrace you, some distance you, the same mannerism you see among Nigerians and all human beings.

Are the Chinese demons? Never! Are they all angels? Far from that. They are just like you and I. Do they hate strangers? Oh, not at all. They love people including strangers.

China, like Nigeria has all characters – the restive, the withdrawn, the loving and easy going. Remember it is an aggregation of 1.4b people – the largest lump of human beings in any single country in the world. If they are diverse characters among 200 people, I bet there would be a lot more among over a billion people As per the country, with my deliberate observation, I never saw a convincing reason that China is not forthright in its official relationship with Africa.

Ok, is the Chinese racist?

I will answer the question this way… in my book about China, I told the story of a particular friend I had in Beijing, a woman of about mid 50s by my assessment in whom I saw the entire China. She is that special kind of person, a foodstuffs seller not far from my Jianguomenwai Diplomatic quarters of Chaoyang District, close to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In November last year, all African media partners of the Chinese Xinhua News agency congregated on Nairobi and during the presentation of the Afri-China Media Centre, I told the gathering about this special friend of mine – the lady foodstuffs seller in Beijing that shaped my opinion of who the Chinese is towards other human beings.

What did the woman do to earn my deep appreciation? Just two wonderful things. The first day I shopped for food in that market, she welcomed me to her stand and the trader who can’t speak a word in English language, did just more than enough communicating in the most effective language in the world – her hearty smiles. She always smiled happily whenever she saw me, spoke to me in Chinese I would not understand but knew the meaning.

Some of the days I got there I saw her family members and she would talk to them about me as they would in turn warm up to me like a familiar friend. She was so nice and loving that my friend and colleague from Cameroon called her my “mother”. In addition to her smiles, every visit to this great woman’s shop ended with a gift of a quantity of fresh vegetables to me. The vegetable I didn’t know the Chinese name seems to be major staple. The leaves have strong scent and minty taste. From trained hands, she would lift the vegetable and stretch it to me; which I discovered was just the same quantity every time, wrapped with the wonderful smiles. As I appreciated and thanked her in my language, she would respond in hers and I bet we understood each other perfectly well. Her love was so warm and touching. It was for humanity.

Another instance was a day I went to the outskirts of Beijing, so far that we exhausted the vast Beijing subway and our train ran on the surface for some miles before we arrived destination.

On our last lap of the train ride, my friend and colleague, Elias Mhegera from Tanzania asked a Chinese passenger how to get to our destination and the way he answered was to drop with us away from his schedule to take us to where we were going before continuing with

his journey. On getting there, he took photos with us and exchanged Wechat contacts. The Chinese I know is the one that is more willing in a place like Beijing to direct you to where you are going more than many black people you ask in the street.

In May 2017, I arrived Beijing at about midnight via Emirates, and was picked up by a taxi driver who dropped me off at my hotel and patiently waited for me who didn’t remember to get some Chinese money at the airport bureau de change to try two ATMs to draw money and pay him that late, about 1am, without raising any quarrel of wasting his time.

The following day as we readied to attend the inauguration of the Belt and Road Initiative that held on May 14, my friend, Ralph Oni and I went to a nearby hotel to pick up our press tags and materials and met two persons we later discovered to be journalists – a man and a lady. The man was later introduced as Mr. Du Xin and the lady, a reporter for the CCTV was Liao Youping. A little exchange to ask them where to get our tags exploded into good friendship that the lady even paid for the taxi that took Ralph and I to the next destination.

Till date, there is no week I don’t chat with Mr. Du who a year later surprised me with a very elaborate documentary of me containing a long compilation of my published articles in China and Nigeria that I still treasure.

At the evening of the following day, he called me to join them at one of the hottest night spots in Beijing where he introduced us to a bevy of friends who all welcomed us like old pals, two of us were the only non-Chinese among about 12 friends gathered. When we left at about midnight, they still paid the cab to take us back to our hotel. And the story was just unfolding as Du still kept his words and invited us over to Xiamen, Fujian Province to join them as foreign guests and friends in their career fair for young people. We were hosted like VIPs and the following day at the event, I received the most resounding accolade as a journalist when I was called up to address the crowd of over 300 participants. The next day, we flew back to Beijing.. My friendship with them still remains till date.

I can go on and on with so many more instances of whom I discovered the Chinese to be, even way back here in Nigeria. I still keep in touch with over 100 Chinese friends through the Wechat.

Why all the story? Because there is misunderstanding simmering between the authorities in Guangzhou and Nigerians/ Africans. In one of my two trips to Guangzhou, we visited the African office at the Yuexiu District, a place the number of Africans would make you wonder if you are still in China.

The Africa welfare office there is a public rights NGO run by some Chinese to cater to the rights and interests of the black population for good coexistence. The office helps new comers adapt to the new world and while there, three sisters new in the city from their native Senegal came in for their Chinese language course.

They were going through free Chinese language classes prior to enrolling in school. We spoke to Africans that said they live in Guangzhou like in their own place. So the new development makes me ask what actually went wrong.

After listening to an audio recording of what happened narrated by a Nigerian resident in the city, I thought twice about the sentiments swirling in the social media.

Before I could linger to decipher what would have gone wrong, a chat popped up on my Wechat and that was from my friend, Woody Wu, a Guangzhou native. We had a very long exchange during which I deduced what went wrong.

I made him understand that while the misbehaviour of some Nigerians and Africans triggered this reaction, and not justifiable, the officials over reacted in visiting the errors of the few on almost all Africans in the city.

Emewu, journalist of the Afri-China media Centre wrote from Lagos (ikeroyale@ gmail.com)

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

Opinion

In search of a new Chief of Staff

By Abdullahi Malumfashi

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arely a week after the office of the chief of staff to the President became vacant following the death of the erstwhile chief Malam Abba Kyari (may his soul rest in peace), there has been lobbying by politicians amidst intense media speculations in the power capital as to who would replace him. Names being put forth by the media include serving ministers and governors, influential diplomats, powerful politicians, party chairmen and others. This hardly comes as a surprise, rather it shows how influential and powerful the office has to became recently. Many Nigerians seem to be aware of the office, thanks to the more visible role the office has came to play in recent years, the MTN bribery allegations, fake contract controversy and the increasing talks of the presence of a cabal of which the former chief of staff was allegedly part of. However, all these seem farfetched and are perhaps attacks due to the immeasurable trust put in him by the president, which is evident through his selection in NNPC board (unusual for a chief of staff) or the President’s recent directive that all Ministers pass their request to see him through the chief of staff’s office.

The office of the Chief of Staff originated during Dwight Eisenhower’s Administration as President of the United States (a role he borrowed from the military.) The role became perfected into a modern day template—which all subsequent Presidents have followed with the brief exception of Jimmy Carter with dire consequences—it during Nixon’s Administration when he appointed Bob Haldeman. The roles of the chief of staff include selecting key staff and officials, controlling the president’s schedule, negotiating with congress on behalf of the president and driving the president’s agenda.

They also include the unenviable role of telling Presidents uncomfortable truths. These, and perhaps many other duties are likely to position the chief of staff as the most influential person in Washington after the president as once claimed by James Baker III who himself was an influential Chief of Staff, Secretary of State and of Treasury. Since the start of the fourth Republic, Nigeria has had five chiefs of staff and all the presidents used the office with the brief exception of Late Yar’adua who between 2008-2010—a time coinciding with frequent leaks in the Aso Villa, confusion and ill-health of the president—opted for a Principal secretary.

Responsibilities of the chief of staff in

Nigeria include; Coordinating the activities of all Principal Staff, Conveyance of all directives and decisions of the President, Formation of ad-hoc bodies as well as stipulating their terms of reference in conjunction with SGF, Chairing of meetings of Principal Staff Officers to the President, Monitoring and Coordinating the day to day activities of the President, Clearance of all official military and civil matters as well as preparation of executives summaries on official issues, Arrangement of all official appointments and engagements of the President in conjunction with SCOP and ADC Arrangement and convening of all meetings sanctioned by the President, C-in-C as well as coverage of such meetings including provision of secretariat services and many others.

From the above, it can be deduced that the chief of staff is such a sensitive and important role that cannot be just occupied by anybody.

Numerous qualities are needed to hold the Chief of staff’s office, qualities which all the previous chiefs shared. One of the most important —if not the most important—is loyalty. This is kind of apparent seeing how the late Kyari worked with uncommon loyalty to his boos, sometimes taking bullets not meant for him and becoming the subject of a vicious media attack. He was however neither the first nor will he be the last to feel the heat of his chair. Maj. General Abdullahi Muhammad (retd.) felt the wrath of some power brokers, when he was forced out of office and the post was abolished. Bob Haldeman, Nixon’s famous Chief of Staff defended his boss with relished loyalty and famously referred to himself as the president’s “Son of a bitch” SOB. This gusto of loyalty by chief will always make them the target of others.

The president needs someone who he trusts and whose advice he can easily rely on and one who can work his agenda without having any political ambitions himself, like the late chief did. They should also be able to understand the president’s intricate and complex thoughts. For that to happen, he knows someone who understands him and someone they go way back with. Obasanjo appointed his chief from the constituency he knows best; the military. Jonathan appointed a former deputy governor friend, from the South South. The president will likely appoint someone from the same region as the late Kyari, or his hometown region. After all, the office of the chief of staff is one of the few posts immune from the need for ethnic and religious balancing. It won’t be surprising if

the president appoints a relatively unknown old friend or the son of a trusted associate.

While serving as Yar’adua’s chief, Abdullahi Muhammad once saved his principal from committing a political blunder. On the day of the PDP Convention of 2008, Obasanjo drove in to the Villa to convince him to endorse as candidate for chairman someone whom the governors oppose and hasn’t even bought a ticket. Just as Yar’adua was about to cave in to the request which would have unnecessarily heated the polity, Muhammad came to the rescue and ensured the conversation ended.

This and many more decisions taken in loyalty of the country might have saved the country a great deal of trouble. So not only loyalty to an individual is needed, but also loyalty and patriotism to the country as a whole. The late Kyari was a Pan-Nigerian and a true nationalist from all ramifications who died serving his country, judging from the many encomiums showered on him by eminent Nigerians. A new chief of staff should not only fervently believe in the unity of Nigeria, but be patriotic at heart and in actions too not showing favoritism to one particular region or religion. Most aides find themselves torn between being loyal to their principal or to their country. In the event of such peculiarity, a new chief should be able to choose the latter. Ability to tell his principal the uncomfortable and ugly truths no one can and also acting to mitigate disaster should be a desirable trait to be looked for in a new holder of the office.

The role of the chief of staff requires knowledge of both domestic and foreign policy issues, as a result requires one well versed in both. Possessing adept negotiating and arbitrary skills is also important, because he gets, negotiate on behalf of the president, lobby NASS members for passage of bills and confirmation of appointments, and settle dispute between government officials. As the role is physically demanding—most chiefs are the first in the office and the last to leave— it is important a strong, consummate and vigorous hard worker that will be able to sacrifice both family and personal time occupy the office. Though old age might not be a factor (Abdullahi Muhammad maintained his incredible work ethics in his 70s, so did Kyari who worked hard even with ill-health), it won’t hurt to see a much younger person.

Familiarity with the rudiments and bureaucracies of government is also essential.

As such, a seasoned administrator and an effective technocrat would most likely be the best pick. Even though it is mostly, a

technocratic role, he should be adept in dealing with politicians. All but few chiefs have been politicians (mostly military generals and experienced administrators), and it is clear technocrats thrive well in the role and perhaps politicians themselves would be the worst pick.

For years the role of the chief of staff has been mostly an invisible one, usually pulling strings behind the scenes and ensure things are in order while not putting himself in the picture. The opposite seems to be the case recently. This can hardly be blamed on the occupants of the office, but to the habit of the president who increasingly delegate responsibilities to the occupant of the office.

It is always said that, how powerful a chief of staff is, depends on the president through which the powers emanate from. While some like Obasanjo have an eye for even minute details, this president would rather the chief of staff handle most things and only the most important gets to his desk. Such is the case in the US, where only the most important of things get to the president’s desk. Perhaps the president should cut it back on the duties to avoid repeat of allegations of working for the cabal and so on. And in any case, not everyone who controls access the president in a country where access to the problem alone is power can be trusted not to misuse such influence.

It is also clear from the over centralization of power in the office, (the late Kyari has been called a Prime minister —just like John Sununu Senior Bush’s Chief—, De-facto president, Vice president Administration and many other names.) that more deputy offices should be created to lessen the burden. One particularly needed is the deputy on National security affairs, in light of the recent spat between the Chief of Staff and the NSA. Personal integrity should also be an integral component. Only one who has an impeccable character and is able to commandeer respect from the political elites and the business leaders alike should be appointed. He shouldn’t have any skeletons in his cupboards which might be available for cheap blackmail. Also, ability to cultivate the friendship of people, including media personalities is crucial. He should also work to shield the president from overbearing influence of others and also tried to be in the good books of the First Lady.

In all honesty, the president cannot find another Kyari— in whom he lost a loyal friend and confidant— he can only try. abdalladamfashi@gmail.com

Beyond the Coronavirus Pandemic

By Binzak Azeez

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cholars in history and other fields in the humanities and sciences such as ; medical anthropology, epidemiology and pathogenesis have proven that humans and viruses have been at war since antiquity. The emergence of pandemic diseases in the pre – modern age and post – civilized world has been traced to the rising interaction between man and animals, environmental and climate changes, and globalization and urbanization.

Many infectious diseases previously unknown to human communities were contracted through the contact of animals bodily fluids, the consumption of contaminated wild animals, livestock, food substances and water infected by animals, and the carnal knowledge of animals (bestiality). The changes in environment and climate may increase global temperature and wind. The alterations could therefore enhance skin – related diseases and geographic distributions of vector – borne diseases. The increasingly mobile and

global population, unplanned urbanization, inappropriate land use and changes in ecosystems are fuelling the increased outbreak of infectious diseases.

The emergence of infectious diseases was reported to have claimed more lives than all the historically recorded human wars. The Antonine’s plague of 165 AD killed over 5 million people across the globe. The Justinian’s plague of 541 – 542 AD annihilated over 25 million people across Europe. In the 14th century, the Black Death pathogen also wiped out nearly half the entire human population across Europe, Asia and Africa. The 2013 – 2016 Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa killed more than 11, 000 people, while viruses such as lassa fever, meningitis and SARS – CoV – 2 are on the rampage across the globe.

SARS – CoV – 2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus – 2002) has added to human roster of deadly diseases. It is the causative agent of the current COVID – 19 which has continued to spread disproportionately with growing mortality rate. This global

menace has reignited the longstanding supremacy battle between science and religion since religious activities have been restricted as a preventive mechanism for escalation.

Nigeria as a case study has declared its unreadiness and helplessness in combating the COVID – 19 pandemic. The nation could only boast of internationally renowed religious leaders, gigantic religious houses and government project on pilgrimages. Nigeria has failed to fully emulate Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Republic of Turkey, Italy and other topnotch religious nations which continually invest in both science and religion.

Nigeria’s political elite have continued displaying political rascality, misplacement of priorities and administrative perfunctoriness.

The exposition was reflected in the government’s lackaidaisical attitude towards the prevention of coronavirus outbreak in the country. Nigeria’s future is gloomy as her political terrain is susceptible to future violent and bloody change of government. The people

have ventilated their anger and readinesss to defy the curfew imposed in some states. There are reported cases of disobedience and clashes with the law enforcement agencies in Delta State, Abia State among others. The barbaric episode of bloody change of government is looming if the masses’ anger is aggravated, coordinated and exploited.

The possibility of revolution should not be underestimated in Nigeria. The government across boards should sketch an inclusive social welfare state during and after this trying period. Nigeria would collapse totally if it encounters the degree of disease which has thrown Italy, Spain and the USA into disarray.

Therefore, all the aforementioned causatives of outbreaks should be effectively tackled. The state architecture should also promote science through the establishment of duly equipped national and states’ laboratories, issuance of grants and improved conditions for research and promotion of science education.

Binzak Azeez writes from the faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife

PAGE 13

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

COMMENT

Don’t delay developing world debt – cancel it

By Nick Dearden

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ven before coronavirus started spreading around the world, dozens of developing counties were already close to a debt crisis.

Lebanon and Argentina have already defaulted on their debts this year; Ecuador and Zambia are on the edge. Behind them, a large group of countries could be pushed into default by the coronavirus crisis, including Angola, Tunisia and Ghana. Even rich countries like Italy face such serious debt crisis that it threatens to rip the Eurozone apart.

Before we had even heard of COVID-19, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that 34 countries were at risk of debt distress.

Jubilee Debt Campaign, a group established in the late 1990s to campaign for debt cancellation for impoverished countries, suggested last May that this was an optimistic assessment. It said 31 counties were already in debt crisis, with another 82 at risk.

After all, not being able to fund healthcare because of debt repayments is a crisis, and more than 60 countries that are struggling to build a basic health system were already spending more paying their creditors than they were on healthcare.

This includes Ghana, which is due to spend almost four times more servicing external debt than on public healthcare in 2020.

Many countries face dire health emergencies even at the best of times: Burkina Faso has just 11 ventilators for 19 million citizens; Mozambique has no intensive care unit capacity at all; and Sierra Leone has only one doctor per 50,000 of its people.

That some of the world’s poorest countries are repaying vast sums year on year to rich countries, international “anti-poverty” funds – public bodies such as the IMF – and major banks, all while enduring this sort of permanent crisis, is a damning indictment on our global economy.

How can it be that only 15 years since billions of dollars of debt was cancelled for low-income countries, and 10 years since a debt crisis ripped through the developed world, we are back in the same place again?

It is not simply the impact of coronavirus that has created this debt crisis. Rather, the pandemic has exposed, once again, what a crisis-prone and unsustainable global economy we have.

The solution to this crisis will indeed have to include sweeping debt cancellation. But it will also require fundamental reform to prevent the global economy from continuing to operate as a gigantic casino.

The root cause of these crises was usually not

profligate government spending on the part of indebted countries, as is so often assumed. Rather, these crises have been built into the neo-liberal economy that emerged in the late 1970s.

Under this model, economic planning is not something done by governments on the basis of meeting human needs, but is handed over to Big Finance, where major decisions are made on the basis of short-term profitability.

The global economy has become a Wild West of speculators and rent-seekers. Business is incentivised to ruthlessly shift the costs of its operations onto the public sector, the environment and future generations. Wealth is hidden offshore, making redistribution impossible.

How does such an economy continue to operate? Through debt.

Households that cannot make ends meet as wages are driven down by a global economy that has shifted wealth from the masses to the elite are households turning to credit cards or payday lenders to keep going.

Governments drained of taxes, even in rich countries, are forced to turn to the financial markets to provide healthcare and welfare to their citizens.

Debts spiral upwards. Eventually, financial markets look at the situation and realise it cannot go on. They panic, fuelling a downward spiral of economic collapse.

The 2008 global economic crash showed us how utterly chaotic and anti-social such a model is, and the devastation it drives through societies.

But even then, lessons were not learned.

Governments stepped in to rescue the situation, pumping trillions of dollars into the very institutions that created the problem in the first place.

While the rest of us were paying for the crimes of these institutions through austerity imposed upon us by governments trying to “balance the books” – and, ironically, making society even less able to insulate itself from the power of these markets – financial institutions were scouring the world looking for new profits.

With interest rates close to zero in the rich world, emerging and even low-income countries became attractive prospects for these financiers.

The press celebrated an “African miracle” as investment poured into the continent.

Doubtless there were individual success stories. But a huge amount of this wealth poured into commodity markets, and into providing “public-private” services and infrastructure, creating a mountain of debt in its wake.

This brings us to now: A pandemic breaks out. Panic sets in. Funds relocate their cash to developed economies asfinance seeks the safety of the bigeconomic centres. Since the start of the recent crisis there has been a$95 billion financial outflow from emerging markets – four times the outflows in the same period after the start of the 2008 global financial crisis.

The average price of commodities on international markets has fallen by 37 percent, and developing countries stand to lose nearly $800bn in export revenues.

Dollars, needed for the repayment of much sovereign debt, are in short supply and, while new borrowing is effectively free for rich governments because of ultra-low interest rates, the price has just spiralled for developing countries whose economies are judged less “safe” by markets – countries that therefore have to pay hiked interest rates to borrow. A debt crisis is inevitable.

This week, Group of 20 (G20) ministers met again to discuss the crisis. Debt cancellation was on the agenda.

Oxfam warned that failure to address this situation would set some countries back 30 years.

African leaders called for a $100bn stimulus package from G20 countries; the United Nations for an even larger $2.5 trillion COVID-19 crisis package for developing countries.

The G20 agreed that debt was a problem. But its plan falls far short of what is necessary.

For a start, the G20 is talking about a “moratorium” of debt payments for this year. The debt will remain to be paid at a later date. Creditors will lose nothing. Much of the “relief” will be taken out of aid money: effectively, impoverished countries will be paying for their own debt suspension.

Many countries that require debt relief will not get anything at all. Think of countries like Iraq and Algeria, where the collapse in oil prices is already fomenting unrest. Remember that Algeria’s bloody civil war in the 1990s was partly triggered by an oil price collapse, and you realise how much is at stake in the coming years.

What is more, there is nothing to compel the banks to join in the debt relief, which means relief could simply be diverted into payments to some of the biggest banks in the world.

We could end up with the obscene spectacle of these debts being sold and speculated on in financial centres like London, with a number of “vulture” hedge funds profiteering from the crisis.

We need debt cancellation for sure. Real debt cancellation that does not simply kick the problem

down the road.

Paid for not from aid budgets, which will be desperately needed, but from, for instance, the piles of gold that institutions like the IMF are sitting on.

Debt cancellation also needs to be free of the strings routinely imposed by the IMF – strings which force countries into austerity measures and which remove their power to take exactly the sort of interventionist measures that countries need to so desperately deploy to control the markets and prevent massive outflows of wealth.

Debt cancellation is vital – it is the fastest way to free up spending space for governments. It will not be sufficient, though.

The IMF has the ability to inject large sums of money into the global economy through its reserve currency. Such a move, however, is being blocked by the richest country of all, the United States, on the grounds that Iran will benefit (along with every country in the world).

But, if we want this to be a permanent solution, and one that enables us to learn the lessons of our crisis-prone economy, we need to take this opportunity to enact structural reform.

This includes a proper international mechanism to deal with debt fairly and permanently, rather than leaving countries to stagnate in permanent crisis for decades, at the whims of creditor countries in the G20 and the IMF. We need to hand power back to governments to intervene in their economies to constrain the irrational behaviour of markets. Right now, that includes imposing capital controls to stop the bleeding of wealth from less wealthy parts of the world.

And it means clamping down on tax dodging and allowing countries to begin funding themselves through taxation, rather than having to rely solely on borrowing to fund spending.

This is big. It requires a recognition that doing “just enough” to relieve the pressure, so we can return to the same old economy in 12 months’ time, is not just insufficient, but unrealistic.

Of course, most world leaders will not voluntarily choose this path. They benefit from the status quo ante. So it will be up to us to push them every step of the way, just as citizens and movements pushed governments after World War II to create a new international order.

When we say “no going back to business as usual” this time, we must really mean it.

Nick Dearden is a Public Affairs Analyst.

Refugees must be protected during the pandemic

By Natrah Ismail

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he COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the lives of billions of people across the world.

Globally, measures to stop its spread have been drastic: businesses have shuttered, strict travel restrictions have been imposed, social distancing measures have been taken, and public and private hygiene have been encouraged. People have been advised to stock up on supplies and start working from home, where possible.

The hope is that these measures will slow the spread of COVID-19, saving thousands, potentially millions, of lives. Yet for many people, including the hundreds of thousands of refugees in Southeast Asia, it is simply not possible to follow these recommendations andmeasures.

They rest on several basic assumptions: That people are able to work from home, have adequate shelter, and access to clean water, food, sanitation, information and health services. But how do you self-isolate if you are living in a densely-packed refugee camp or reception centre? How do you wash your hands regularly if you do not have water? How do you access healthcare if you live in constant fear of being arrested because of your legal status?

Following a large-scale religious event at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur in late February and early March, which caused hundreds of new infections in the region, the Malaysian police initially struggled to locate many Rohingya refugees who attended. Malaysia, which has almost 200,000 refugees, is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, and views refugees as residing illegally in the country.

It is therefore not surprising that some of the Rohingya who attended the mosque gathering failed to present themselves for testing out of fear of being arrested.

On March 22, Malaysia’s defence minister announced that the refugees who attended the event should not worry about being detained, but the fear they felt is indicative of the difficulties facing thousands of other refugees across the region. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that refugees will be able to access health services for needs that are not COVID-19 related.

There are similar issues in Thailand, which has also not ratified the refugee convention.

The country is currently home to approximately 100,000 refugees, who have no access to legal rights, health care or employment.

Refugees who manage to find work in the informal sector are relying on daily wages, but in recent weeks, most have lost this crucial

income as a result of businesses shutting down.

This makes their access to food, water and other necessities increasingly difficult.

Although the Thai government announced a stimulus package for those working in the informal sector, the 5,000 baht (around $154) per month that will be issued between April and June is only available to those with a Thai identity card, neglecting the needs of refugees and asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, panic is gripping the world’s largest refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, where about one million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are living under a stateimposed internet blackout in densely-packed and squalid conditions. Social distancing and maintaining proper hygiene are nearly impossible when up to a dozen people share a single small shelter, while there are limited water and sanitary supplies. Access to health services and information are also severely curtailed, and any outbreak in the camps will surely have a devastating impact.

So far, we have failed to protect refugees in our region. They are particularly vulnerable to discrimination and stigma, especially if they are undocumented. Moreover, refugee women and girls face gender-specific challenges that require reproductive health care and mental health support, as they are at an increased risk

of domestic and gender-based violence.

The higher cost of health services for refugees due to the lack of health insurance can also prevent them from obtaining essential care. It is crucial that all refugees are granted access to affordable healthcare and that their needs are seriously considered in all countries’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We must protect everybody in this crisis.

This is not only a moral imperative but a logical one. The rapid spread of COVID-19 – there are now more than 2.5 million cases in at least 200 countries – highlights how it can only be controlled through an inclusive approach that protects everyone’s right to health.

Since the outbreak began, much fear and discrimination have been stoked, but it is now more important than ever that communities come together and focus on one goal: defeating this disease and protecting human lives, regardless of their legal status.

Access to healthcare and testing, information, adequate shelter, food, water and sanitation are crucial, and the necessary steps must be made to guarantee these for all. Health is a human right. We have to be proactive and ensure that everyone enjoys this right today and in the future.

Natrah Ismail is a Public Affairs Analyst.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

PAGE 14

News

From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

A

t least One person was at the weekend allegedly killed with two others badly injured following a renewed communal clashes that erupted in Tyo – Mu settlement of Makurdi Benue state.

The crisis also led to burning of many houses and other valuable properties worth millions of naira, while several people have deserted the frequently troubled settlement.

Our correspondent reported that many residents were seen

Niger Gov urged to swear in new LG chair From Yakubu Mustapha, Minna.

T

he Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has been advised to as a matter urgency swore in the authentic elected chairman of Magama local government, Mallam Safiyanu Yahaya Ibeto who got his victory in a court ruling in a High Court sitting in Minna.

The Niger State High Court 5 sitting in Minna presided by Jstice Mohammed Adishetu Mohammed delivered the ruling on the motion filled by the counsel representing the petitioner in the matter brought before the Court by Barrister Mohammed Baba Waziri and Barrister Abubakar Mohammed Bokani respectively.

They argued that the state Chairman of the state independent electoral commission should be arrested and commit to the correctional center for his deliberate refusal to comply with the judgment delivered by the court on the 13/03/2020 ordering that certificate of return should be issued to the plaintiff without further delay.

That the court had on 13/03/5020 delivered judgment against the incumbent Chairman of Magama local government area Salisu Ubandoma to vacate his seat and the state independent electoral commission should withdraw the certificate of return earlier issued to him.

However, following the judgment as delivered by the court, the state independent electoral commission refused to comply with the judgment,at the resumed sitting of the case last Thursday .

Apparently, the counsel representing the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Barrister Johnson John Usman pleaded with the court that the Chairman was not available in the court as a

Man, 32, killed in Benue communal clash fleeing the settlement with mattress and women with children on their backs heading towards the Nigerian AirForce Base Makurdi to take refuge.

It was gathered from a source in the area, that trouble started when an Iharev man said to be an indigene attacked a Kparev, a settler, found to moulding block at the bank of River Benue which is said to belong to the indigenes.

He said before the settler could said anything, another person from nowhere shot his

leg.

The source who identified himself as Agbe Msughter, explained that the gunshots attracted attention of troops of OPWS who were stationed around the area.

“The troops rushed to the area and in the process of chasing those who came to attack the man, they shot and killed one of them, injured two others.

“This crisis has be on among Tiv groups in the area who have been claiming ownership of land

in this settlement and the crisis had led to the death of so many people. Just this week, a senior officer with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC Benue state Command was killed and now another crisis had broke out again. “ Thank God for the quick intervention of troops of OPWS and the Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom Lt. Col. Paul Hemba”, Msughter stated.

When contacted, the Force commander, operation whirl stroke, Major General, Adeyemi

Yekini confirmed the renewed communal clash saying his troops are on ground.

“The situation is under control and we are on ground to make sure no group rises against one another. That is all I can say please thanks”, Yekini said.

Also, the Benue state Command Public Relations Officer DSP Catherine Anene confirmed the renewed fight, stating that the command had drafted adequate police personnel to the area to avert further crisis.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

H

ours after attack from the presidency over his call for immediate sack of COVID 19 Palliatives Measures Committee headed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadia Umar Farouq, Senator Ali Ndume said he stands by his position on the programme.

Lawan mourns victims of Borno IDP camp fire incident

By Musa Adamu

A medical team tests some residents during a community test for COVID-19 at Field Bus Stop, Ijegun in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos state at the weekend.

Media group cries out, petitions IGP over murder of Benue girl by Lagos couple

By Sunday Ode

J

ournalists and allied media professionals of Igede origin from Benue State have cried out over the gruesome murder of a 19-yearold girl, Miss Joy Okom Adole, by a Lagos couple.

Young Miss Adole who hailed from Oju Local Government Area of Benue State was reportedly murdered by Mr and Mrs Fortunes Stephens, who employed her as house help, over alleged disagreements on failure to pay her salaries.

The roup under the auspices of Association of Igede Media Professionals (AIMPs) described the incident as the height of bestiality and has accordingly, in a petition, charged the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to step into the matter and bring the perpetrators to

book urgently.

The petition signed by its President, Mr Egena Ode, and made available to newsmen at the weekend, said the murder of Miss Joy Okom Adole by her employers, Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens, was an act fit only for the animal kingdom.

According to Mr Ode, the petition which was also signed by some other Igede interest groups to be submitted to the office of the IGP as well as civil society groups, called for urgent intervention in the matter by all relevant authorities to ensure that justice was done to the family of the deceased.

Part of the petition read: “Reports have suggested that Miss Joy Okom Adole was murdered by her employers, Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens of No 13, Ogundola Street, Bariga, Lagos for the simple reason that the deceased who worked as a

housemaid asked for her salary, having served them for months.

“We are at a loss as to what could have warranted her employers to take her precious life for merely making a legitimate demand.

“There’s a universal maxim that a labourer deserves his/ her wages. It is therefore not for nothing that Miss Joy was killed by her employer for just asking for her salary. What has become obvious here is that there’s an underlying motive behind her killing which the police must strive to unravel.”

It continued: “We cannot but ask: when has it become a crime to work.and ask to be paid. Not everybody was born with a silver spoon, so if the only option for the young girl to be able to further her education was to take up the lowly menial housemaid job, then she did not deserve to be killed in such a

gruesome and violent manner.

The laws of the land must catch up with her killers.

“Even if the salary had accumulated and was difficult to pay, her employers, like many callous ones had done, should have sent her away without the money or work out an arrangement to pay her piecemeal. Again, we ask: why take her life?

“We demand that the Inspector General of Police should activate all necessary procedures to bring Mr and Mrs Fortune Stephens to book. We are prepared to ensure that they answer for this dastardly and inhuman act.”

The group said as a body devoted to the defence of Igedeland and people, “we have resolved to take up this case to any level to ensure that justice is done in favour of the innocent deceased girl.”

PAGE 15

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

P

resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has commiserated with the victims of the fire incident that occurred at a camp housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ngala, Borno State.

Lawan mourned the 14 who lost their lives and sympathised with those injured in the inferno.

The Senate President commiserated with the Government and people of Borno State over the tragic incident.

Lawan called on relevant authorities to investigate the incident with a view to averting a reoccurrence.

In another development, the Senate President condemned in strong term the cases of extra-judicial killings by security agents as reported by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in the course of the enforcement of the lockdown ordered in parts of the country to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

Lawan said he was saddened by the report by the NHRC that 18 persons were killed by high-handed security officers tasked to enforce the stay-at-home directives.

The Senate President said that extra-judicial killings, in whatever guise, should be discouraged in our society. He called for a thorough investigation of the cases and that those indicted be promptly brought to account.

COVID-19 palliatives: I stand by my words - Sen. Ndume Senator Ndume (APC Borno South) had on Thursday in Maiduguri picked holes in the way and manner distribution of palliatives to indigent Nigerians at this critical time of Coronavirus lockdown, is being handled by the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

Ndume who kicked against the modus operandi being adopted by the Ministry in a chat with journalists, said the emergency national assignment should be taken away from the ministry and given to a fresh committee that will use governors of the 36 States as links of distribution across the federation.

“My concern is the manner and the way the COVID-19 palliative measures provided by the president is being handled or executed. We have received numerous complaints and it is actually

very unfortunate.

“In fact, left to me, I am strongly calling for the humanitarian committee headed by the minister of Humanitarian Affairs to be dissolved with immediate effect and the president should as a matter of urgency, form a taskforce that would deal with issue of palliatives, headed by the military, police, civil defence, voluntary organisations and the NYSC among others.

“It should be formed as taskforce committee headed by governor of each state, and those materials or cash be allocated and distributed house to house, instead of fake or dubious way they have been handling the matter by just going to Television House or Government House to demonstrate.

“If you see a minister or big person

in anywhere going personally to do something, then know that there is something wrong. If not, what has the minister got to do with going from state to state to distribute palliative. They should be in the ministry monitoring the activities.

“While the pitiable situation of the poor is visible to everyone, few individuals are rushing to squander the money meant for the poor.

“We have reliable information that the names they generated are fake and that they conived with some of the banks to defraud the poor. It is better to stop the exercise because it is full of lies and if the president don’t do something to stop it now, we will end up investigating and later on going back and forward to the court”.

But the Presidency on Friday in Abuja through a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhamnadu Buhari on Media , Garba Shehu , accused Ndume of politicising a national emergency and challenged him to name the alleged kleptocrats in Buhari’s government.

Garba Shehu in the statement , admonished Ndume to keep quiet as according to him, no serious government changes a winning team in times of war .

The statement titled: “Senator Ali Ndume should figure out his mentioned kleptocrats around the President or be quiet”, reads in part “Claiming that the COVID-19 Palliative Measures Committee is not functioning as it should is not the same as presenting proof for such a claim.

Gov Wike destroying legacies of Rivers’ forefathers - Group

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Rivers Leadership Advancement Foundation (RIVLEAF) has called on Governor Nyesom Wike to urgently watch his utterances and not destroy the vision of the founding fathers of the state.

The group, in a statement issued by the group’s Director of Communications, Onyeche Nnatah Peters, also berated the governor for acts unbecoming of a public office holder, who should shape the hopes and aspirations of Rivers people.

RIVLEAF’s admonition , it said, comes against the background of a

broadcast by Wike, where the Rivers governor threw caution to the wind and made statements undeserving of the office he occupies.

RIVLEAF tasked the governor to devise new ways of speaking on matters of state and national importance, while insisting that the utterances of the governor were doing incalculable

damage to the people and image of the state.

According to the statement, “RIVLEAF believes Governor Wike should show a reasonable sense of responsibility when addressing the state as there are better ways of passing messages across without sounding boastful and vengeful.

Security men escort FCT COVID-19 palliative team led by the personal assistant to the Secretaryof Gwagwalada Area Council, Jacinta Ngwaba, while sharing food stuff to vulnerable people in Gwagwalada on Sunday (26/4/20).

02200/26/4/2020 / Henry Chukwuedo/ BJO/NAN

COVID-19: PDP demands suspension of ATM, Mobile transfer, electricity charges

By Lateef Ibrahim

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should immediately open an arrangement with commercial banks for the suspension of charges for use of ATM cards and low amount mobile fund transfers as part of the panacea to ease the burden of poor Nigerians during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The PDP said this in a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja.

The party noted that the lockdown has subjected majority of Nigerians

to extensive use of ATM and mobile transfers for survival, making the suspension of charges on minimal transactions within this period of restriction highly imperative.

The party reasoned that the lifting of the charges within the period of this pandemic will ease the burden on cash withdrawals by the nation’s vulnerable citizens as well as encourage more Nigerians to support one another at this critical time.

The PDP further demanded the CBN to immediately liaise with commercial banks and stimulate a special social sustenance modality to defray the cost of such charges, particularly to cover minimal

transactions in favour of vulnerable Nigerians.

In the same vein, the leading opposition party urged the Federal Government to activate similar social sustenance scheme to immediately defray electricity tariff, particularly in areas populated by low income and vulnerable Nigerians across the country, within the period of the lockdown.

According to the statement, “The PDP calls on the Federal Government to show compassion on suffering Nigerians whose means of subsistence has been crippled by the lockdown, and immediately provide funds to electricity distribution

companies to actuate the tariff suspension within this period.

“Furthermore the PDP counsels the Federal Government to immediately commence the collation of data from trade unions and corporative societies covering low income groups such as market women, okada riders, artisans, cab drivers, labourers among others, for possible economic recovery funds and loans to buoy their businesses at the end of the lockdown.

“Our citizens are passing through very difficult and harrowing experiences and our party is worried that the Federal Government has so far failed to reach most vulnerable

Nigerians, whose survival directly depends on daily income in the markets, shops and streets, have been crippled by the COVID-19 lockdown.

“Consequently, the PDP restates its call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately extend similar financial intervention that was released to Lagos state to all other states of the federation.

“Mr. President should also take immediate steps to end the manifest corruption in his administration’s social intervention scheme, through which palliatives funds meant for Nigerians are allegedly being frittered by officials.

PAGE 16

politics

NBA lost one of its best in death of Aliyu Umar - OmoAgege

By Musa Adamu

W

ith the demise of Alhaji Aliyu Umar (SAN), the Nigerian Bar Association has lost one of its most cerebral members whose track record of being on the side of the people remains an inspiration, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie OmoAgege has said.

According to Senator OmoAgege, the sterling legal career and principled life of Alhaji Umar who once served as Director of Public Prosecution and Attorney General of Kano State would remain an inspiration to many young Nigerians.

The lawmaker expressed appreciation for the late lawyer’s resolute and principled stand at the Bar. “I directly benefitted from his masterful marshaling of the fine points of law which ensured our victory in the law courts and I am aware that many consider Alhaji Aliyu Umar to have had a successful career in populist activism at the Bar. “Among other responsibilities, he was one of the principled and successful prosecutors of the then Failed Banks Tribunal, standing firmly for truth, justice and the interest of the people.

“By whatever parameter of consideration, Alhaji Aliyu Umar is not one to be forgotten in a hurry and we pray for Almighty Allah to grant his good soul aljannah firdaus. We also pray that his family finds comfort in the indelible marks he made in the legal profession and public life,” he stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

Shutdown borders now Group tells South East Govs

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he five governors of the South East of Nigeria have been advised to take more drastic steps to safeguard the region by closing all their state borders.

Worried by the plight of ordinary citizens in the region, the group also called for the establishment of a regional COVID-19 intervention fund, where all sons and daughters of South East extraction could donate funds to provide succour to the residents of the region during the lockdown and equip hospitals.

The President and National Coordinator of the pan-South East pressure group, Chief Willy Ezugwu who made the appeal in a statement on Sunday said it has been very expedient that the governors close the borders to avert major calamity waiting to happen if there is a community

outbreak of the dreaded Coronavirus disease in the east.

“Following the upsurge of confirmed COVID-19 cases, particularly in the north, a total lockdown of eastern borders has become very necessary to keep the South East region safer and ensure that Coronavirus disease does not spread any further in the states.

“For those who are yet to take the pandemic seriously, the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari should have driven home to fact that COVID-19 is not a respecter of class or personality. Both the poor and the rich have died from the disease.

“We are at war with a global pandemic that has claimed lives in their thousands even in countries with sophisticated health system.

“In every war situation, drastic measures only are taken with a view to coming out

triumphant.

“We commend all efforts the governors have taken so far to curtail the spread of the dreaded disease in the region.

“It’s cheering to receive the news that Enugu State Government has successfully managed the cases in the state and have discharged all patients.

“Imo State have been able to remain free from the pandemic, just as Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states have done exceptionally well.

“However, it’s said that prevention is better than cure. In view of the present realities, one of the most needful preventive measures at this moment is a total closure of all eastern states borders with other states”, SERG stated.

On establishment of regional intervention fund to provide cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown in the South East states, the SERG reminded

“the governors in the region that it has become most expedient now that the federal government tactically excluded the South East from any meaningful palliatives disbursement.

“The reality is that the South East region is an abandoned geographical area by the federal government, with little or no attention paid to the people of the zone.

“Our hospital lack the capacity to handle high number of infections and through the regional pool funds, the South East can begin to equip hospitals in the zone ahead of any eventuality.

“When established, we urge all sons and daughters of the South East extraction with means, both at home and abroad, to donate generously to the fund to assist governments in the zone to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic”, the group pleaded.

Security men escort FCT COVID-19 palliative team led by the personal assistant to the Secretaryof Gwagwalada Area Council, Jacinta Ngwaba, while sharing food stuff to vulnerable people in Gwagwalada on Sunday (26/4/20).

02200/26/4/2020 / Henry Chukwuedo/ BJO/NAN

By Musa Adamu

F

ormer Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed strong optimism that Nigeria and the world would ultimately overcome the existential threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was even as he commended all levels of government as well as the international community, corporate Nigeria, and kindhearted individuals for their efforts to end the pandemic and mitigate the challenges occasioned by it.

Ekweremadu made these known at the weekend during the distribution of his palliatives to his constituents.

Represented on the occasion by a political associate and Secretary of the Enugu State Chapter of the

politics

Abba Kyari: Pillar of Buhari govt is gone - Lawan laments

By Musa Adamu

P

resident of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has received with shock and sadness the news of the passing on of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Lawan expressed his heartfelt condolence to Mallam Kyari’s family over the great loss.

The Senate President also condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the loss of Mallam Kyari, a very competent, dedicated and loyal aide, who was a pillar in his administration.

Lawan extended his heartfelt sympathy to the Government and people of Borno State over the passage of a great son of the state.

Lawan said Mallam Kyari drew from his experiences as a lawyer who was called to the Bar in 1983, a banker and a journalist to become an administrator par excellence who did his best as the topmost aide of the President.

The Senate President said Kyari was very deep, firm, focused and unassuming in his national assignment until his death.

“He was a man of deep convictions and courage who understood his role and performed it with uncommon dedication and effectiveness.

“He shared the values of President Buhari and his passion for the emancipation of the poor in Nigeria and the all-round development of the country for the benefit of all its people.

Buhari needs prayers to survive Abba Kyari death -Omo-Agege

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

COVID-19: Together we shall overcome - Ekweremadu Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Cletus Akalusi, Ekweremadu specially commended the Governors of South East for their proactive measures, which he said kept the COVID-19 figures in the region low. But he urged the states not to relent.

He said: “I commend the Governors of the South East for the proactive measures taken by them. I believe this accounts for the comparatively low cases in the region. I commend in a special way the Government of Enugu State for the successful management and discharge of the two COVID-19 index cases.

“Nevertheless, we must not let down our guards. We must consolidate on this advantage of minimal cases by continuously staying safe and building capacities in the areas of medical

infrastructure, equipment, personnel, and food security to prepare ourselves for the days ahead”.

He called on Nigerians to be their brother’s keepers, and urged the Federal Government to increase its social interventions to lessen the burden of hardship on Nigerians.

“I wish I could reach out to everyone that needs help at this time, but I shall continue to do my best.

I call on our people to continue to complement governments’ efforts in cushioning the hardship occasioned by the pandemic on the less privileged citizens.

“As Chairman of the South East Senate Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that the South East gets its fair and equitable share of every intervention by the Federal Government in addition to

our modest individual initiatives to help our constituents in these trying times.

“I call on the Presidency to consider increasing the number of beneficiaries as well as the amount given to individual beneficiaries in the Conditional Cash Transfer programme in order to impact a more significant number of indigent Nigerians”, the lawmaker, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District, stated.

Ekweremadu, however, stressed the need for the nation to marshal out realistic plans to deal with the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.

“It is no longer news that the International Monetary Fund, IMF, has predicted that Nigeria would suffer its worst recession in 30 years

as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a member of the sevenman International Parliamentary Taskforce on COVID-19, I have been holding useful virtual meetings with my colleagues around the world with the aim of mitigating the effects of the pandemic on vulnerable citizens in developing nations.

“And in countries with low capacity to deal with the pandemic and its effects. We will continue to share perspectives with a view to mobilising ideas and global resources to deal with the pandemic”, he added.

The lawmaker equally appreciated Nigerian health workers, whom he said were at the frontline of the battle against the novel coronavirus and called on African, particularly Nigerian scientists, to join the race for the cure and vaccine for COVID-19.

PAGE 17

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

D

eath has dealt Nigeria a very rude shock with the passing of Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba-Kyari and Nigerians must pray for President Muhammadu Buhari for divine help in charting the way forward, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said.

Omo-Agege expressed sadness that Kyari who had been one of the President’s major pillars of support, succumbed to the Coronavirus disease.

“Malam Abba Kyari was a very hardworking patriot. I still recall his last official statement in which he admonished us all about the Coronavirus pandemic's virulent threat to everyone without any consideration for class, creed or place of origin.

“There is no doubt about his encompassing influence and bold imprints in the conduct of official affairs at the Presidency over the past five years.

Abba Kyari: Buhari lost competent, trusted ally - APC

By Musa Adamu

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has mourned the death of Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff and one of the closest advisers to President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement issued by the

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC said “Even in death, the fond memories and indelible strides Mallam Abba Kyari left on earth will be celebrated for a long time. We remember a cerebral Nigerian who excelled in his private dealings, professional endevours and

public service.

“The president has indeed lost a competent, trusted, loyal, strong right hand man and longtime adviser who promoted, protected and defended his interest in good times and adversity.

“The Party condoles with Mallam Abba Kyari’s immediate family, the

President, leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the people and government of Borno state over the painful loss.

“As Mallam Abba Kyari is buried according to Islamic rites, may Almighty Allah be merciful and grant him Aljanat Firdaus.”

Gov. Hope Uzodimma signs into a bill on the Prevention of #Covid-19 in Imo on Friday (25/4/20). The bill which was signed into law, seek to introduce and enforce measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease and other dangerous infectious diseases and related matters. Nigerian Centre for Disease Control on Saturday announced Imo’s index case.

02195/26/4/2020/BJO/NAN

Abba Kyari death drives home reality of Covid-19 - IPAC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he lnter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed sadness and deep pain over the demise of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari yesterday.

In a statement issued by the chairman, Leonard Ezenwa, IPAC said the nation has lost a very high ranking member of this Administration to the dreaded Coronavirus disease.

"His demise brought forcefully home the grimmer reality of COVID-19. We must do all we can to take responsibility of ensuring that Nigerians subscribe to personal hygiene, social distancing, washing of hands regularly, using face masks etc.

"Coronavirus is real. The death of Abba Kyari has driven the danger of this disease. It is a wake up call for all Nigerians to rise up to fight the pandemic and obey government directives to contain its spread.

"Our heart goes out to the family

of this great patriot who served the nation faithfully until his death. We empathize with them in this deep grieving moment.

In a related development, the leadership and members of African Action Congress (AAC) has expressed sadness over the death of Mallam Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement from the party signed by Leonard Ezenwa, the chairman, AAC said he was a man of enormous intellectual ability and

political sagacity, observing that his death is a national tragedy.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with members of his family, President Buhari and his political associates, trusting God to console, comfort and strengthen them at this period of bereavement.

"The nation will miss his service at this perilous time all hands are deck to contain and control the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic and build a strong, virile, progressive and egalitarian democratic society".

CNPP mourns late Buhari Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has described the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari, as a big loss to the nation, urging political elites to always remember that life is vein and use it to serve the people who elected them into office while they were still alive.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its SecretaryGeneral,

Chief Willy Ezugwu, the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in the country strongly advised citizens to comply with medical protocols on management ofCOVID-19 infection.

“We are pained by the news of the death of the Chief of Staff to the President who was lost to the dreaded Coronavirus disease.

“It’s about time the ruling class realised how vein life is and see every opportunity to lead as a rare privilege to leave a good legacy

behind and be remembered for good governance.

“No leader remains in office forever as there is an end to everything in life, including the reign of the king.

“Therefore, we urge those of us who are in one position or the other to work to better the lives of the people.

“Nigerians are suffering from the impact of the measures taken by both the state and federal governments to curtail the spread of

Coronaviruspandemic.

“As necessary as the pain is to ensure that more lives are not lost, governments across board must do more in cushioning the effects of thesit-at-home order on the already impoverished citizens.

“We advise those corruptly enriching themselves from the COVID-19 palliatives measures to the detriment of the suffering masses to remember that there is always a day to return to one’s maker to give account”, the CNPP Stated.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

PAGE 18

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

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Adapt to smart automation in Post Covid-19 crisis, NITDA boss urges Nigeria

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, declared that in every crisis there is a hidden opportunity, and the opportunity in this COVID-19 pandemic for Nigeria and African countries is the adaption to Smart Automation.

He made this known during his online presentation on Smart Automation Africa/West Africa hosted by Tradepass.

The Webinar, hosted by Tradepass was the biggest in Africa.

The theme of the webinar was “Smart Automation in Africa”; the virtual event was exclusively focused on the benefits of automation for organisations in East and South Africa. It has over 300 participants.

The aim of the meeting is to focus on the benefits of automation for organizations in West Africa channeled towards growth and development.

Mallam Kashifu deliberated on the effects of Smart Automation which he said constitutes pre-era, era and post-era of COVID-19.

According to the DG, this era consists of the fear, the hope, crisis, impact and the silver lining as well as the recovery and the Digital First strategy.

He stated that; “smart automation expedites processes and minimizes human errors. It power’s industries to innovate and grow in size exponentially”.

Abdullahi categorized his presentation into three folds; Smart Automation in preCOVID-19, (fairs and hubs), Smart Automation in COVID-19 (the crisis, impacts and the silver lining), and Smart Automation post COVID-19 (the recovery and

the digital fast strategy).

The DG NITDA, speaking to his online audience said; “in February 2020 according to statistics, global Automation market size was more than 186 billion USD and predictions shows its increase to over 214.3 billion USD in 2021 with process Automation topping the market share with 71.2billion USD. This was followed by industrial software, factory automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and drum step technology”.

He further mentioned that according to World Economic Forum, the emerging estimated professions resulting from automation could account for 6.1 million jobs globally from 2020 to 2022. JP Morgan believes automation can increase global

GDP by over 1.3 trillion USD in the next 10 years from 2020.

Mallam Kashifu believes that in Nigeria today, smart automation is the most promising silver lining in this crisis. The banking sector now is the most automated in terms of process automation. There have been reports of huge revenues through electronic transactions which are done by customers from the comfort of their homes with Mobile devices. This also applies to other African countries using smart innovations to increase their earnings and run their day to day activities smoothly, he said.

He stressed that people should discard the fear of loosing their jobs to machines but rather implore the use of smart automation to transform economies and

workforce for better development in the digital economy.

He said, the world is now faced with health and economic crisis through covid-19 pandemic disrupting businesses, supply chains and creating loss of job, but this, has a result, has opened opportunities for digital platforms and smart automation to take over in the post COVID-19 pandemic.

“Yes there are challenges like inadequate funding, policies and enabling environments, over reliance on foreign goods and technologies faced by African countries, but with this covid-19 crisis, African countries should think within the box to produce what it desires”, he argued.

Mallam Kashifu Abdullah however advised African countries

to come up with right policies, enabling environments and best practices with adequate funding to achieve optimum goals and growth during this crisis.

“From the activities of the COVID-19, it is clear that the world is going digital in it operations. This means things will not be the same as it was before the crisis. Hence, there is need for us in Africa to embrace technology. It is the next cash flow for every country and will serve as an avenue for growth and development”, he added.

Other presenter at the webinar include the Chief Information Officer, Dangote Group Prasanna Kumar Burri and and Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom, Ghana, Mr. Moses Okundi.

Some street urchins (Almajiris) residing in Plateau board an open articulated vehicle as the State Government begins returning the children back to their states of origin, in Jos on Sunday (26/4/20). Nigeria’s northern governors have agreed to close disputed Islamic schools which house millions of men and boys across the region due to concerns over the new coronavirus.

02202/26/4/2020/Sunday Adah/BJO/NAN

Togo joins Nigeria, Ghana, Others in ATI

A

frican countries fast-tracking membership to ATI in response to expected trade and investment insurance capacity impact from COVID-19 Togo becomes 18th African country to join ATI, with a shareholding of US$12.5 million, through a concessional loan by the European Investment Bank; membership in ATI provides African countries with additional trade and investment insurance capacity and improves risk rating for sovereign debts; adequate insurance capacity critical component to cushioning against negative economic impacts of COVID-19.

The Government of Togo announced completion of the country’s membership in the African Trade Insurance Agency

(ATI), becoming the 18th African sovereign shareholder. Togo’s membership, backed by the European Investment Bank, reflects a trend that has seen a record number of West African countries join Africa’s multilateral guarantee agency with Ghana, Niger and Nigeria all completing membership in the last nine months. This trend is expected to continue as countries seek support to ensure investment and trade flows on the continent.

“As we ready ourselves to manage the economic fall-out from the Corona virus, African governments are focused on mitigating the short and long-term impacts. Insurance capacity is an important aspect of our ability to rebuild and to ensure that critical projects receive the funding and

guarantee support they require.

We see membership in ATI as a necessary component in our ability to shore up the economy and to weather this storm.” said Hon. Sani Yaya, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Togo.

“The membership of Togo pushes ATI one step closer to achieving full pan-African membership from countries from coast to coast. The COVID-19 crisis increases the relevance of African development finance institutions such as ATI. As the world struggles to get a handle on this fast moving pandemic, the combined resources of African institutions will be needed to effectively counter this newest threat to Africa’s development.” said John Lentaigne, Acting CEO of the African Trade Insurance Agency

In tandem with the country finalising its shareholding, ATI backed Togo’s first access to international financial markets, with the country obtaining a quasi-concessional 10-year loan to reprofile and refinance a portion of its short-term and more expensive public debt. Togo was able to use ATI’s credit wrap to package the debt, helping the country achieve a borrowing rate in the low single digits.

Reflecting the important role that ATI plays in the region’s economic growth, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided a US$12.5 million concessional loan to cover Togo’s shareholding in ATI. The complete US$37.5 million financing package, finalised by EIB in 2019, covers the shareholdings

of Niger, Togo and Cameroon, with Cameroon’s completed membership to be announced imminently and with additional financing possible for more countries to join in 2020.

“Close cooperation between African and European partners is key to successfully reduce the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 and tackle the negative economic impact of the virus both globally and in more vulnerable economies.

Regional partners such as the African Trade Insurance Agency play a valuable role supporting economies across Africa by providing the insurance that helps to maintain investment and trade flows at a time when these are most needed.” said Ambroise Fayolle, Vice President of the European Investment Bank (APO)

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

Page 20

BU$IN€SS COVID 19: Contributions to CACOVID Relief Fund hit N19.4bn

By Etuka Sunday

M

onetary contributions to the account set up at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the auspices of the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) have hit N19 Billion.

A statement issued on behalf of the coalition by the Director, Corporate Communications, Central Bank of Nigeria, Isaac Okorafor, on Friday, April 3, 2020, listed 47 donors, including individuals, banks and other corporates.

A breakdown of the contributions showed that the Central Bank of Nigeria and Aliko Dangote donated N2billion each, while Abdul Samad Rabiu (Bua Sugar Refinery); Segun Agbaje (GTB); Tony Elumelu (UBA); Oba Otudeko (First Bank); Jim Ovia (Zenith Bank); Herbert Wigwe (Access Bank) and Femi Otedola of Amperion Power Distribution donated N1 Billion each to the relief fund.

Other donors include Pacific Holding Ltd, Union Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Citi Bank Nigeria Ltd, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, ECOBank, African Steel Mills and Multichoice Nigeria Limited.

The statement listed others as FSDH Merchant Bank, FBN Merchant Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank, Sun Trust Bank, Providus Bank, Wema Bank, Unity Bank, Heritage Bank, Nova Merchant Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank.

Globus Bank, Titan Trust Bank, Takagro Chemicals Ltd, Ahmadu Mahmoud, Handy Capital Ltd, Adama Beverages Limited, Ekeoma Eme Ekeoma, ADG International Resources LTD, and Prosharena LTD, make up the list of those that have sofar made contributions to the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Relief Fund domiciled at the CBN.

Nigeria yet to issue license for 5G deployment -Dr. Pantami

By Etuka Sunday

T

he Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has clarified that no license has been issued for 5G deployment in the country.

Dr. Pantami said, the clarification was necessary because of the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria.

He said, “based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify

as follows: “The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G; “No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country; “A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria; “As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission

(NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial; and “The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing,” he said.

Pantami noted that “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the

health and welfare of our citizens.

“Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public.

“I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G. “I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology,” he said.

A usually busy Bank Road in Yola, now empty following the total lockdown order declared by the State Government, on Sunday (26/4/20). 02197/26/4/2020/Muhammad Adam//BJO/NAN

AfDB celebrates first social bond listing on London Stock Exchange

By Etuka Sunday

T

he African Development Bank’s “Fight Covid-19” social bond, the largest social bond to date to be issued in the capital markets, listed on London Stock Exchange on Friday 3 April 2020, and is now available through its Sustainable Bond Market.

The listing marks an important milestone as the Bank launches its first bond on London Stock Exchange.

The over-subscribed transaction, which attracted $4.6 billion of interest in the book and raised an exceptional $3 billion, was launched to alleviate the impact of Covid-19 on Africa’s economies and livelihoods.

The three-year maturity bond, garnered interest from central banks and official institutions, bank treasuries and asset managers including Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) investors.

Several high-quality ESG investors actively supported this remarkable transaction, including Affirmative Investment Management (UK), Breckinridge, Columbia Threadneedle (USA), the Government Pension Investment Fund, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Pension Boards – United Church of Christ, PineBridge Investments, Praxis Impact Bond Fund, TIAA/Nuveen and the United Nations Development

Program.

“The international community must work together to successfully tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK, along with partners like the African Development Bank and London Stock Exchange Group, is supporting the most vulnerable countries to invest in their own health systems and avoid economic hardship,” International Development Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said about the listing.

“While we invest in areas like vaccine research to help end the pandemic sooner, this private investment through the AfDB, and our support for emergency lending through the IMF, will also help limit

its impact on the global economy,” Trevelyan further noted.

The London Stock Exchange, at the heart of London’s vibrant financial hub, is championing forward-looking initiatives aimed at deepening and diversifying the market. Its dedicated Sustainable Bond Market (SBM) draws innovative issuers and improves access, flexibility and transparency for investors.

Eligible social or sustainability bonds with use of proceeds aligned to mitigating the impact of Covid-19 will be admitted on the exchange with admission fees waived for an initial period of three-months, London Stock Exchange has announced.

Such social and sustainability

bonds fund essential services such as healthcare, water and sanitation, supporting employment, or with a link to the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Nikhil Rathi, CEO, London Stock Exchange plc and Group Director of International Development, said: “We welcome the first bond from African Development Bank to list on our market and support them in their vital efforts to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 across Africa. This bond highlights the important role that social and sustainability bonds can play in directing funding to those countries, sectors and people across the world heavily impacted by this pandemic.”

Page 21

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

METRO COVID-19 lockdown violations: FCT Mobile Courts convict 5 clerics, 68 others

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

n FCT Mobile Court, presided over by Magistrate Idayat Akonni, has convicted five clerics, among them three Imams and two Pastors for violating the presidential order shutting down the nation's capital city, in the wake of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.

The Court sitting at the Eagle Square in the heart of the nation's capital city sentence the religious leaders to one month imprisonment.

Magistrate Akonni however gave them an option of a fine of N5, 000 in addition to a supervised community service for one day.

Those convicted were Imam Abdullahi Mohammed of Gwarinpa Estate, Imam Suleiman Idris of Mobi close, Area 11, Garki and Deputy Imam Useni Umar of the same address.

Others were Pastor Phillips Olumbori of Celestial Church of Christ, Lugbe and Rev Moses Chinedu of Mercy City Gospel Centre, Aco Estate, Lugbe.

It was gathered that the various FCT mobile courts, which sat at different locations within the Territory, convicted over 73 violators on Sunday.

Speaking with newsmenafter the court verdict, the Chairman FCT Ministerial Enforcement Taskteam on Covid-19 operations, Ikharo Attah described it as a welcome

development, as it would serve as deterrent to others.

Attah wondered "why it has become very difficult for

custodians and enforcers of divine laws to obey national laws that do not prohibit or infringe on their freedom of

religion.

"The verdict, though mild, is a welcome development.

Those sentenced should be

worried because they are now ex-convicts having been found guilty and sentenced by a competent court of law."

4U boost FCTA COVID-19 palliative with N.6M worth items

By Stanley Onyekwere

O

wners of 4U Supermarket formerly known as Amigo Supermarket have donated relief materials worth over six hundred hundred to the FCT Administration, to help keep residents at home and contain spread of COVID-19, in Abuja.

Receiving the donations on behalf of the FCT Administration , FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, described it as laudable

intervention in cushioning the effect of the prevailing lockdown on the poor people in the Territory.

Aliyu assured that all the donated items are in safe hands and justice will be done with them, which will go a long way in enabling the residents to stay at home.

She however noted that though the lockdown wax painful it was the only way to stop the pandemic, save lives of Nigerians and the country's economy.

"We appreciate the pains that

come with sitting at home. It is not easy but to sit at home is in the best of our interest.

"We know some feed by the day and we told them to sit at home, it is not easy but we have to do it because of our loved ones," she stated.

Earlier, Barrister Hadiza Aliyu, who made the donation of behalf of 4U, said that the firm could not sit back and do nothing at a time its support was most needed.

She said: "It is my pleasure to present this goods to you on behalf of

4U Supermarket, whose owners have lived in Nigeria for over 50 years.

They live here with their children and business here.

"So something cannot be happening in Nigeria like this and we will just fold our arms and watch.

"We therefore decided to bring in our widow's mite to help the FCT reduce the burden of helping residents to maintain hygiene, get food stuff.

We have three trucks of hygiene items, water, rice, gem and noodles."

Chief Fire Officer, Enugu State Fire Service, Mr Okwudili Ohaa (L), leading a team to decontaminate and fumigate the premises of Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO), to contain the spread of COVID-19 at the Old Park in Enugu metropolis on Sunday (26/4/20).

02205/26/4/2020/Mike Adah/BJO/NAN

No diversion of palliative items in FCT- Aliyu insists

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has disclosed that there was no diversion of palliative items met for the vulnerable people in Abuja, the nation's capital city as alleged in some quarters.

Aliyu gave this assertion while fielding questions from journalists during the inspection of palliative items for Gwagwalada Area Council of the territory.

She explained that with the composition and structure of the monitoring team, it would

be impossible for any diversion to take place, noting that all the stakeholders including representatives of the youths, women, political and religious leaders are involved in the monitoring and distribution of the palliative items.

"I will be very clear with you, it is not possible with this team, except we are not Nigerians that took an oath and pledge to Nigeria our nation to be faithful, loyal and honest to serve Nigeria with all our strength.

"I want to put it to you that the composition of this team is so strong across the 62 wards of the six area councils of the

territory. It is not possible for all of them to unite with 10 men each from all the stakeholders to team up together to divert palliative items.

"I have to trace issues of diversion I heard only to discover that it is a private organisations that just came to carry out their own civic responsibility and not our own team. And I know I will still put it to you that there is no diversion that will be accommodated.

"For a diversion to succeed with the entire structure put in place, that means the police might have compromised, the DSS might have compromised

and all other critical stakeholders might have compromised because in each ward you have representatives of these groups.

I want to put it to Nigerians that this exercise is as transparent as possible and there is also the Call Centre toll free line for any complain," Aliyu affirmed.

She, however, vowed to hold representatives of the stakeholders accountable for any misconduct during the exercise, just as she apologized for the delay in the distribution of the palliatives to underserved communities in Gwagwalada area council.

Receiving the items on

behalf of the council, chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze, assured the minister that justice would be served in the distribution of the palliative items.

He maintained that all the councilours representing various wards have been briefed on the modalities of distribution of the palliative items to the vulnerable in the communities, just as he pledged not to fail the people.

Traditional, religious and youth leaders also pledged their commitment towards the success of the exercise.

Page 22

world news

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

S

A priest conducts a funeral in Pamplona - only relatives were allowed to attend outings and shut most businesses in mid-March.

The data shows 898,822 people have lost their jobs since the start of the lockdown, including about 550,000 temporary workers. Spain’s official unemployment figure rose to 3.5 million, the highest level since April 2017.

“This is an absolutely unprecedented situation,” Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz told a news conference. The tourism and construction sectors were the hardest hit.

The numbers come amid dire predictions about the possible economic impact of the measures imposed to fight the virus. A UN report estimated that up to 25 million jobs could be lost around the world.

How bad are the US job figures?

The number of new claims for unemployment benefit filed in the week ending 28 March, 6.65 million, was double the previous week’s claims of 3.3 million, according to Labor Department figures.

The latest numbers were far higher than analysts’ expectations and reflect the growing impact of businesses forced to shut down as lockdowns are imposed in more US states.

The Labor Department’s report cited the impact across hospitality, manufacturing and retail.

There are fears that the number of jobless could reach 20 million, or 15% of the workforce - higher than during the Great Recession of the 1930s.

How else is the US affected?

More than 5,000 people have died in the US, including a six-week-

old baby in Connecticut, believed to be the youngest American victim of the virus so far. Officials warned as many as 240,000 people could die in the US, even with the mitigation measures in place.

Confirmed infections across the US rose by more than 25,000 in one day. The worst-hit place is New York City, where nearly 47,500 people have tested positive and more than 1,300 have died, but new clusters are flaring up in places like Detroit and New Orleans.

Florida, Georgia and Mississippi have become the latest US states to issue lockdown orders. More than 75% of the country’s population have been ordered to stay at home.

What is the latest from Italy?

Italy has the world’s highest death toll - 13,155 - and more than 110,000

confirmed cases. The country was the first in the West to impose stringent measures to curb the virus, and the government has warned of a “severe” recession.

On Thursday, Italy’s main business association said industrial output could fall up to 15% in the second quarter of the year. It already fell by the most since 2009 in the first three months of this year.

Germany’s Economy Minister Peter Altmaier warned the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) - the sum of the value of goods and services produced in the economy - could see a decline this year bigger than during the 2009 financial crisis.

In other developments around the world: Russia’s President Putin has extended the period for Russians to stay away from work to the end of April Belgium’s death toll has passed 1,000 In Iran more than 3,100 deaths have been officially confirmed UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government needed to “massively ramp up” testing amid growing criticism over its response Philippines’ President Rodrigo Duterte warned people they could be shot dead if they caused trouble over restrictions, saying the police and the military had the authority to shoot if their lives were in danger In China, the city of Shenzhen has banned the eating of cats and dogs following the outbreak Dharavi, a huge slum in India’s financial capital, Mumbai, has reported its first death linked to the coronavirus. More than a million people live in extremely overcrowded conditions in Dharavi, believed to be the biggest slum in Asia Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised the largest economic programme in the country’s history

Coronavirus: US death toll exceeds 5,000 T he death toll from the coronavirus pandemic in the US has gone above 5,000, while confirmed cases worldwide are close to reaching one million.

There were 884 deaths in the US in 24 hours, a new record, according to Johns Hopkins University, which has tracked virus figures globally.

The latest victims include a sixweek-old baby. More than 216,000 are now infected, the world’s highest figure.

Reserves of protective equipment and medical supplies are almost exhausted.

This has left the federal government and individual US states competing for safety gear, while the unprecedented demand has led to profiteering, officials in the Department for Homeland Security were quoted by the Washington Post as saying.

The Trump administration says it can acquire adequate supplies, and has $16bn (£13bn) available to do so. State and local officials have complained about insufficient

protective equipment such as masks and gowns as well as ventilators, needed to help keep patients breathing.

Meanwhile, US Vice-President Mike Pence warned the US appeared to be on a similar trajectory as Italy where the death toll has exceeded 13,000 - the worst in the world.

The number of confirmed infections across the US rose by more than 25,000 in one day. The worst-hit place is New York City, where nearly 47,500 people have tested positive and more than 1,300 have died.

Officials say as many as 240,000 people could die in the US from Covid-19 - the disease caused by the virus - even with the mitigation measures in place. In Connecticut, a six-week-old baby has died from coronavirus, believed to be America’s youngest victim of the virus so far.

What is happening in New York?

Queens, New York City’s secondmost populous borough, has the highest number of confirmed cases

and deaths. The area is home to a large population of low-income workers employed by the service sector who live in close proximity, and social-distancing guidelines are hard to enforce.

“While we are practising as a city, social distancing, you may have multiple families living in a very small apartment. And so it’s easy to understand why there’s a lot of transmission of Covid occurring,” said Dr Mitchell Katz, head of New York City Health + Hospitals.

The city needed 2.1 million surgical masks, 100,000 surgical gowns and 400 ventilators, among other items, by Sunday, said Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has warned that April would be worse than March as the outbreak gathered pace. He said the goal was to triple the number of hospital beds, to 65,000.

“This will be an epic process through the month of April. It’s herculean, but I believe it can be reached,” he said on Twitter.

Sobering pictures from the city have shown bodies being loaded

onto refrigerated mortuary lorries outside hospitals.

What is happening elsewhere in the US? Other clusters are flaring up in places like Detroit. In New Orleans, Ellis Marsalis Jr, a jazz pianist, teacher and father of musicians Branford and Wynton Marsalis, became the latest high-profile figure to die from complications caused by Covid-19. He was 85.

Marsalis spent most of his career in his native New Orleans, and released more than 15 albums. “Ellis Marsalis was a legend. He was the prototype of what we mean when we talk about New Orleans jazz,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

Florida, Georgia and Mississippi have become the latest US states to issue lockdown orders. More than 75% of the country’s population are now under orders to stay at home.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis softened his stance banning two cruise ships hit with coronavirus from docking in the state. He had been adamant that the

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Coronavirus: Fighting al-Shabab propaganda in Somalia

Coronavirus: More than 10,000 lives lost in Spain

pain has passed another grim coronavirus milestone after the number of deaths exceeded 10,000.

The country, the second-worst hit in terms fatalities, has also lost nearly 900,000 jobs. The US, too, has registered 6.6m new jobless benefit claims - a record.

The unemployment figures are another sign of the dire impact the pandemic is having on businesses in many countries.

Worldwide, confirmed coronavirus infections are nearing one million.

That’s according to Johns Hopkins University, which tracks virus figures globally. Its tracker also recorded more than 47,000 deaths; some 195,000 people have recovered.

What is the latest from Spain?

Covid-19 - the disease caused by coronavirus - has now claimed 10,003 lives in Spain as 950 new deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, the health ministry said.

The number of confirmed cases rose from 102,136 on Wednesday to 110,238, an 8% rise that is similar to the rate recorded in previous days.

Authorities believe the virus is now peaking and say they expect to see a drop in figures in the days ahead.

“We continue with an increase of around 8%. This points, as we have already seen, to a stabilisation in the data that we’re registering,” María José Sierra, from the Spanish health ministry’s emergency co-ordination unit, said at a news conference.

This, she said, is resulting in an “important lowering” in the increase in the number of people being taken to intensive care units, already under pressure across the country.

March’s unemployment figure is the highest monthly jobless rise ever recorded in the country, which already had one of the eurozone’s highest jobless rates.

Spain banned all but essential

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

ships should not land passengers at Fort Lauderdale, but now said the decision was up to the local authorities.

A staunch ally of President Trump, the governor faced pressure from the president on Wednesday to relent. He said he had understood the passengers were all foreigners, mainly Canadians and British, and did not realise that US citizens were also aboard.

What is happening elsewhere?

In the UK, the Wimbledon tennis tournament has been cancelled for the first time since World War Two British government officials vowed to ramp up testing within weeks, as the number of deaths in the UK saw its big daily increase 563 Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised the largest economic programme in the country’s history The official death toll in Iran has passed 3,000 while in Spain more than 9,000 have died Source: bbc

M

uslim clerics in conflicthit Somalia are moving to the front-line of the battle against coronavirus in a bid to counter the propaganda of militant Islamists, writes BBC Somalia analyst Mary Harper.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group has warned Muslims to beware of infectious diseases such as coronavirus, which it says are spread “by the crusader forces who have invaded the country and the disbelieving countries that support them”.

The militants control much of southern and central Somalia and have been a powerful force for well over a decade.

Although there have only been a handful of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Somalia so far, the authorities are deeply worried that if the disease takes hold they will be unable to cope.

Koranic schools shut About 30 years of conflict have devastated health facilities.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced people are crowded into camps, with limited access to soap and water, and no way of practising social distancing.

The message from al-Shabab only adds to the government’s concerns, especially as it could oppose medical help from international aid agencies just as it resisted most food aid during the 2010-2012 famine, when more than 250,000 people were estimated to have died.

Somalia’s mainstream Muslim clerics have now decided to fight back.

Koranic schools - known as madrassas, which nearly every child in Somalia attends - have been closed to help stop the spread of the virus.

The ministries of religious affairs, health and information have been working with Muslim leaders to transform teachers and mosque Imams into what has been dubbed as an “anti-corona army”.

“They will stand with loudspeakers at every crossroads, every gathering place, to spread the word on how to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” says Koshin Abdi Hashi, deputy co-ordinator for the prevention and countering of violent extremism in the office of the prime minister.

“They will drive around in vehicles mounted with loudspeakers, and transmit messages from the minarets of mosques,” he adds.

Mohamed Ali Ibrahim, a university professor and senior adviser in the ministry of religious affairs, says the messages will include religious elements.

“We will talk about handwashing and social distancing, but also speak of how Islam encourages cleanliness, including ablutions before prayers, and how there were dangerous diseases at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.”

The “anti-corona army” will monitor people, making sure they wash their hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water, and maintain a safe distance from one another.

The jihadist group al-Shabab seeks to overthrow Somalia’s central government

Large numbers of people usually attend prayer and funeral services in Somalia Given that so many Somalis live in overcrowded camps and other dwellings, this will not always be possible.

Hand-washing facilities have been set up in some of the camps, but as Mr Hashi says: “Social distancing is an abstract issue.”

Osman Aden Dubow, deputy minister of religious affairs, says: “We have to use the sheikhs [religious leaders] and koranic teachers to fight this disease as they are the most respected community in Somalia.

“People trust them more than anybody else and will not only listen to what they say but follow their instructions.”

However, the religious community is going to have a hard time combating some of the coronavirus myths taking hold in Somalia.

Some believe Covid-19 is a

divine punishment imposed on China for its treatment of the Muslim Uighurs.

Now that it has taken hold in the US, some say Americans are being punished because they oppress Muslims. Others simply believe that if one is a good Muslim, one cannot catch the disease.

Somalia’s most senior sheikh, Ali Dheere, is adamant that the involvement of the religious community will help bust myths and encourage Somalis to do the right thing.

He says that, even though most Somalis are observant Muslims, they will understand that life cannot continue as usual.

They have been encouraged to pray at home and either not attend burials or to maintain social distance during the funeral service.

“In Islam, anything that causes harm is not permissible. Prayers have even been suspended at the holy mosques in Mecca and Medina,” Sheikh Dheere notes.

“If a person dies from coronavirus and it is not safe to wash the body, our religion allows someone to be buried without being washed,” he adds.

Ceasefire plea There are fears that al-Shabab will try to exploit some of the religious leaders’ initiatives for their own advantage.

For example, they could attack the decision to close koranic schools or adapt religious practices.

They could step up their campaign to blame “infidel” foreign lands for bringing the virus to Somalia, as those initially infected with Covid-19 came from

abroad.

However, some believe alShabab might lose support if coronavirus takes hold in the regions it controls, as it has even more basic health facilities than those in many governmentcontrolled areas.

The warring parties in Yemen have agreed to stop fighting; separatists in mainly Englishspeaking Cameroon have declared a temporary ceasefire.

But diplomats doubt that alShabab will lay down its arms, as the group has continued to carry out attacks since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus a global pandemic.

But there is hope that the outbreak could open the door to negotiations, in order to prevent mass deaths.

Low-level discussions have previously taken place during Source: bbc

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N

e w s

F

Europe sends Iran medical supplies

F

rance, Germany and the UK have sent medical supplies to Iran in the first transaction conducted under the Instex financial mechanism set up to get around US economic sanctions.

A German foreign ministry statement did not say whether the supplies were related to the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected more than 44,600 people in the Islamic Republic and claimed 2,898 lives.

Earlier this month, the European powers said they would be sending Iran laboratory testing equipment, protective body suits and gloves to help fight Covid-19, and also be offering it a €5m ($5.5m; £4.5m) aid package.

They hope Instex will provide “a sustainable, long-term solution for legitimate trade” to help preserve the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, which is close to collapse because of the sanctions the US reinstated when it abandoned the accord two years ago.

Iran has called for the sanctions to be lifted or ignored by the international community to help it to combat the pandemic.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif accused the Trump administration of engaging in “medical terror” amid the crisis.

“Stop lying,” responded state department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus on Monday. “It’s not the sanctions. It’s the regime.”

That’s it for now Thanks for staying with us - we’re now wrapping up our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak across the globe.

Some of the key developments from Tuesday: Global cases of coronavirus surpassed 850,000, with 42,000 dead. Meanwhile, more than 177,000 people have recovered The death toll in the US passed the figure reported in China, where the outbreak began. At least 3,400 have died The White House says about 100,000 to 240,000 deaths are expected in the US due to the outbreak, with President Trump warning of a “very, very painful two weeks”

r o m

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

A SI A

Coronavirus: Israeli spyware firm pitches to be Covid-19 saviour A controversial Israeli cyber-security company is marketing software that uses mobile phone data to monitor and predict the spread of the coronavirus.

NSO Group says it is in talks with governments around the world, and claims some are already testing it.

The surveillance softwaremaker is being sued by WhatsApp for allegedly sending malware to the phones of human rights activists and journalists.

It has denied that allegation “in the strongest possible terms”.

The company also faces a lawsuit in which it is accused of supplying software to the Saudi government, which the country is said to have used to spy on the journalist Jamal Khashoggi before his murder.

Last year, NSO responded to that claim by saying that its products were “licensed for the sole use of providing governments and law enforcement agencies the ability to lawfully fight terrorism and crime”.

But now, it is pitching its tools as a means to help better understand how coronavirus is spreading.

“The software is here to solve a global pandemic,” a spokesman told the BBC. “This is about giving governments the ability to understand the situation they’re facing and make informed decisions. It’s a really powerful piece of software.”

NSO says its employees will not have access to any data, but its software will work best if a government asks local mobile phone operators to provide the records of every subscriber in the country.

Each person known to be infected with Covid-19 could then

Israel’s defence minister tweeted this image of NSO’s user interface last week be tracked, with the people they had met and the places they had visited, even before showing symptoms, plotted on a map.

But John Scott Railton, of the Toronto-based privacy watchdog Citizen Lab, said governments would be foolish to use the system.

“The last thing that we need is a secretive company claiming to solve a pandemic while refusing to say who its clients are,” he said.

Cluster forecasts NSO gave the BBC a demonstration of how its system works, via a video conference link.

A heat map of Israel showed hotspots where there were a high number of cases of the virus.

Zooming in, individual phones of people with the infection were mapped, and represented by an anonymised ID number. Details were also shown of other phones they had encountered and the relevant times and locations.

The engineer demonstrating the system said that it could be used to: predict where the next cluster of

cases was likely to be when to move ventilators to hospitals most in need when to allow certain regions of a country to come out of quarantine NSO said a number of governments around the world were piloting the system, but would not reveal their identity or whether any of them had started using it in the field.

A spokesman added that the firm had made it a requirement that the authorities involved were operating in compliance with Europe’s GDPR privacy law or their own data protection rules.

Software requiring mobile networks to hand over customer data represents a very different approach from the contact-tracing apps being considered in the UK and many other European countries.

Such apps, would use a phone’s Bluetooth connection to alert users if they had been in contact with someone infected with the virus, and would almost certainly be voluntary to download.

Citizen Lab previously investigated NSO’s Pegasus software. It found evidence that it had been secretly installed on the phones of journalists and dissidents in countries from Mexico to the Middle East.

“NSO has shown that it is uniquely capable of damaging public trust,” said Mr Railton.

“I can’t think of a better brand name to make citizens nervous about a governmental tracking effort.”

There has been controversy in Israel over a separate project which could see its defence ministry work with NSO Group to assess the likelihood that individual citizens might spread the coronavirus.

Defence minister Naftali Bennet proposed giving NSO access to highly sensitive data about citizens collected by the Shin Bet security services. But Israeli lawmakers attacked the plan, warning that handing data to a private company raised serious concerns.

Source: bbc

Coronavirus: Iran’s official death toll passes 3,000

I

ran’s official death toll from the coronavirus disease has passed 3,000.

Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpour reported 138 fatalities in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 3,036. The number of confirmed cases also rose by 2,987 to 47,593, he added.

There are concerns that the actual figures are much higher.

Mr Jahanpour also said Iranians had mostly heeded a request not to leave their homes for a traditional picnic on the last day of the Nowruz holiday.

The authorities closed all parks and public gardens on Wednesday and deployed police to stop people entering them in order to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

“People have co-operated with us and those who have violated laws and regulations will be penalised and we are happy that people have stayed at home,” Mr Jahanpour told reporters.

Iran’s leaders have resisted imposing lockdowns despite it being one of the world’s worsthit countries. They have insisted all necessary measures are being

taken.

What has the Iranian president been saying?

Hassan Rouhani told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday that Iranians had done “great work” and that the outbreak appeared to be receding in all provinces.

He also asserted that Iran had been “much more successful than many other countries in the fight against this disease” despite facing US sanctions.

Mr Rouhani said Americans had nevertheless missed a “historic opportunity” to show goodwill by lifting the sanctions at the start of the outbreak in Iran.

“It is a good time now for them to apologise for their wrongdoing.

It is humanitarian issue and nobody would rebuke them and ask why they retreated.”

“This was the best historic opportunity for the Americans to turn away from their wrong path and for once to say to the Iranian nation that they are not an antiIranian people,” he added.

The US has insisted that medicines and medical

Iran is the worst-hit country in the Middle East equipment are exempt from its sanctions, which were imposed after President Donald Trump abandoned a nuclear deal in 2018.

But restrictions on Iran’s banking system and an embargo on its oil exports have limited Iran’s ability to purchase items.

When asked on Tuesday about whether the US might consider giving Iran and others countries sanctions relief, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a news conference: “We re-evaluate all of

our policy, including our sanctions policy, constantly. If we conclude that it’s in the best interests of American people to alter any of those policies, we’ll certainly do that.”

But he added: “The United States, the American people, are working diligently in each of these countries that you’re thinking of as sanctioned nations to try and assist getting humanitarian assistance into those countries.”

On Tuesday, France, Germany

and the UK said they had sent medical supplies to Iran in the first transaction conducted under the Instex financial mechanism set up last year to get around the US sanctions.

What are the latest developments around the world?

The number of confirmed cases around the world is now over 870,000, with more than 43,000 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the US. Spain has once more seen its worst day yet in the pandemic, with 864 patients dying. More than 9,000 people have now died since its outbreak began - almost three times the number registered in China.

The UK has also reported 563 new deaths related to Covid-19 its worst day-on-day rise yet. That has brought the total fatalities to 2,352.

Global stock markets have fallen again, after President Trump warned of a “very, very painful two weeks” ahead for the US. The number of deaths there has now passed 4,000.

EDUCATION

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

Page 25

Yobe SUBEB Unveils Maiden Strategic Plan Maryam Abeeb, Abuja

Y

obe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), says it has prepared a pioneer Strategic Plan to improve quality at basic and post basic level of education in the state.

Prof. Musa Alabi, Executive Secretary of the Board, told newsmen in Damaturu that there was no strategic plan guiding its operations since inception in the state.

Alabi said the maiden strategic plan was initiated under the administration of Gov. Mai

Mala Buni.

He said: “I want to use this opportunity to inform the public that we have already commenced and about to complete our strategic plan to improve primary and junior secondary education in the state.

“This is the first time that the Board is coming up with a strategic plan which will be launch soon.

“The strategic plan is for us to chat our own course”.

Alabi noted that it was part of new strategic plan to recruit enough and qualified teachers

into the system to fill the existing gaps and replace the unqualified ones.

“We have plans to redeploy unqualified teachers to other sections of the civil service and recruit new and qualified ones to fill in those positions.

“Unless we do that there is no way we can have a system running the way we want it.

“We will surely do the recruitment and we hope that will be the turning point,” he said.

Abali disclosed that the Board would construct mega schools in various local government areas

in addition to the existing model schools in the state.

He said that the mega schools would be established at Potiskum, Nguru, Damaturu, Gashua and Buni Yadi, among others.

The chairman explained that the mega schools were designed with bigger size and capacity to change the face of education in the state.

“We hope before the lifespan of this administration to have three to four of these mega schools in each local government area, to solve the problem of congestion in schools”.

Alabi revealed that various school development projects were so far executed under Universal Basic Education (UBE) interventions such as construction over 200 classroom blocks, 42 offices and stores as well as 33 x 2 bed rooms and 75 x 3 bed rooms staff quarters.

He lsited other projects to include construction of fencing and barb wiring in 13 schools; provision of 17 boreholes, procurement of 14, 317 classroom furniture and 619 units of teachers’ furniture, among others.

Lockdown: Educationist advises parents to engage children in informal learning Maryam Abeeb, Abuja

A

n Educationist and National Consultant for Accelerated Christian Education in Nigeria, Mr Muyiwa Okunlola, has advised parents to engage their children in informal learning during the current lockdown imposed to check the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Okunlola, who gave the advice in an interview with Newmen said informal learning was a form of learning that occurred away from a structured formal classroom setting.

He said informal learning was in various forms that entailed coaching sessions by parents, viewing videos and making use of the internet to conduct researches and have a better understanding of a particular field.

“Parents can guide their kids in having a better perspective of a certain field in various subjects, such as science.

“The kids are left to study a certain plant and the parent helps the child to have a better understanding via the use of the internet to have a better insight and understanding of such plant,’’ the expert said.

He said this form of learning was used before the advent of the western education, as most of the learning acquired in the precolonial time was from the home setting.

He said the lockdown was an opportunity for parents to expand the educational horizon of their children which would enable them to have a robust educational experience outside the formal learning structure.

Okunola also urged parents to think of creative ways to engage their kids, saying that children could learn various things such as cooking, practicing musical instruments, recitals and learning their dialects.

Commercial Motorcycle riders pushing their bike as a security measure in Masaka, Nasarawa state yesterday Mahmud Isa

Photo:

JAMB hands 195 UTME candidates to police for trial

Maryam Abeeb, Abuja

T

he Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has handed over no fewer than 195 candidates in the just concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examination to the police for prosecution over alleged involvement in various examination malpractices.

According to JAMB, some of the candidates had been arraigned by the police in various courts while others were still undergoing further investigation and would also face trial.

The board in its weekly bulletin published the names and states of the 195 candidates.

Last week, it had released the names of 149 candidates with Imo, Anambra and Enugu States topping the list with 26, 12 and 12 candidates respectively.

Meanwhile, the number of suspects has risen to 195 with Imo, Anambra, Enugu,

Kano and Kaduna states leading with 28, 16, 15, 15 and 15 cases respectively.

The offences listed against the candidates included; examination by proxy, attempt to cheat, forceful entrance, tampering with examination documents, smuggling of mobile phones into the examination halls among others.

Other states on the list of malpractices included; Abia, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ondo, Oyo, and Osun.

The JAMB Head of Media, Dr Fabian Benjamin, said in an interview with our correspondent that the arrested candidates were with the police and arraignment had started.

He said, “They (the candidates) are with the police. So the police will prosecute them. We don’t have prosecuting powers.

When the police start prosecution, they certainly get across to us. Most of them have even been arraigned. When the

arraignment is concluded, we will give you a comprehensive report. When we get to a stage that is important for everyone to know, we will let you know. But some of them have already been arraigned by the police.”

It coukd be recalled that about 1.9million candidates sat for the 2020 UTME which held from Saturday, March 14, to Sunday, March 22 across 666 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide.

The board had noted last week Thursday that despite the release of the 2020 UTME results, it would review all the Close Circuit Television footages and other installed technical gadgets for possible examination misconduct.

“As part of its tradition, the board would not hesitate to withdraw the results of candidates found to have perpetrated any form of examination malpractice,” JAMB said.

Feature

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, april 27, 2020

26

CLASSIFIED Public Notice

How do you fight a locust invasion amid coronavirus?

A

second invasion by desert locusts has hit East Africa in just a few months, as younger and more aggressive swarms hatch and spread across a region already battling hunger and coronavirus, which has made it more difficult to get supplies to kill the cropdevouring pests.

Currently, Africa’s second mostpopulous state, Ethiopia - along with regional economic powerhouse Kenya and politically unstable Somalia - have been worst hit.

It estimates the swarms could be up to 20 times bigger than during the first invasion -and they could become 400 times bigger by June.

“We found locusts on bushes, on pasture, irrigation plantations, even in forests,” said Meseret Hailu, an Ethiopian government official who assessed the devastation caused by the latest invasion in the country’s northern Amhara region.

The staple grain teff - along with vegetables such as onions - have been devoured by the pests, she added.

Reuters Desert locusts: Basic facts • Usuallylead shy, solitary lives • Whenthey get crowded together they become gregarious minibeasts • Colourchanges from brown to pink (immature) and yellow (mature) • Swarmcan be the size of Paris or New York • 40 million eat the same amount of food daily as three million people • Cropsare destroyed and livelihoods threatened Source: UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Towards the end of 2019, a major upsurge of swarms was seen in Ethiopia, as well as its neighbours Eritrea and Djibouti, and continued to spread, taking hold in Somalia, Kenya and even reaching Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania though in smaller numbers.

Governments, which have not been confronted with such large invasions for at least a quarter of a century, have had to scramble for pesticides, protective clothes, fumigators and aircraft to fly above the locust swarms, and spray them dead.

“The scale-up of the operation has been the biggest difficulty,” said Cyrill Ferrand from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

“That first generation reproduced then laid eggs on the ground, and then we have this second generation that is now maturing.”

The younger creatures are much more aggressive in devouring vegetation. These swarms are now

reported to be spreading along the borders of Kenya and Somalia and into Ethiopia.

By the start of April, they began to fly into Uganda once again - a local official estimated that just one swarm was spreading across five sq km (1.9 sq miles).

Mass breeding in Kenya The short rainy season from

“

February to May is the perfect time for farmers to plant their seeds in the ground in the hope of a bumper harvest in June.

Following the droughts of recent years, there have been good rains this time. But the moist, humid conditions are also perfect for locust eggs to hatch.

Towards the end of 2019, a major upsurge of swarms was seen in Ethiopia, as well as its neighbours Eritrea and Djibouti, and continued to spread, taking hold in Somalia, Kenya and even reaching Uganda, South Sudan

Northern and central Kenya are not a traditional habitat for the pests.

The country has not experienced a major upsurge for more than 70 years but farmers are witnessing the mass breeding of locusts.

Jude Musili Mkulima, who lives in the town of Mwingi in central Kenya, is worried things will only get worse.

“The mother locusts came and left eggs. After two weeks now, they have already hatched. They are millions more than their mothers.

These small ones are eating everything, even pastures for our cows,” said Mr Mkulima, echoing the words of Ms Meseret in Ethiopia.

Pilots need quarantine To bring the invasion under control, pesticides and the more environmentally friendly biopesticides are needed. They are sourced from countries such

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

as Japan, the Netherlands and Morocco.

But with the coronavirus pandemic grounding most flights, cargo supply chains have become less reliable and more expensive.

“It has slowed down importations. And when you are late with spraying, you know the consequences - the insects will increase. That situation has particularly hit Kenya,” said Dr Stephen Njoka, the executive director at the Desert Locust Control Organisation for East Africa.

Helicopters needed to track the locusts movements have also faced delays getting into the region - a shipment from Canada has not arrived yet - and pilots have to undergo quarantine when they arrive.

Protective clothes for fumigators - including overalls, boots, goggles and masks similar to those worn by teams disinfecting streets and other public places to curb the spread of the virus - come mainly from China.

UN FAO regional spokeswoman Judith Mulinge said they currently had enough stocks, but were concerned about running out if delays in deliveries persist.

Ugandan soldiers have helped to curb the locust invasion The UN predicts if the outbreak is not brought under control soon, the size of swarms could grow 400 times by June, affecting mid-year harvests.

“When the plants are emerging, desert locusts are going to eat into these very young plants, which means that all the effort to grow crops will be vanished. We could have people with zero harvests, up to 100% losses,” said Mr Ferrand.

In one of the worst-hit countries, Ethiopia, the insects devoured about 200,000 hectares of cropland and more than a million hectares of pasture.

The FAO estimates that about one million people in the country have already been pushed into hunger by the locust infestation.

This worries regional experts, who point out that hunger caused by the infestation - along with lockdowns in place because of coronavirus - could have a devastating effect on poverty levels.

Jasper Mwesigwa, a food security analyst with the regional inter-governmental body Igad, said that 25 million people in the six states that make up the group were currently struggling to feed themselves and a further five million could be threatened by hunger if the locust invasion was not contained.

“That would be the highest number of food insecure people this region has had,” he added.

Source: BBC

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1, Mrs Amaka Ogbu 2. Mr . Innocent Odo .

3. Pastor Emeka Ugwoke .

4. Mrs Nkemdili Ugwoke 5. Evang . Favour Ugwoke THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE ; 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

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MICHAEL

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RAKIYA

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THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. BAKARI SULAIMAN 2. BARAYA DANIEL JOHN 3. OKOLIEABOH ARAKA LEVIS THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To provide and sustain public consciousness on the imperatives of fiscal prudence, transparency and accountability.

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THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EVANGELIST UCHEFUNA UGOCHUKWU JOHN 2. IWUOHA ONYEBUCHI 3. SAMPAH BLESSING NAA AMELEY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE : 1. To Evangelize, Train, Establish and Nurture Parish Evangelizers in the Light of Pope St. John Paul II’s Call for New Evangelization in Partnership with the Holy Spirit.

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ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : Omonuwa Ogiemudia Esq Solicitor.

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JETHRO JOAN JESSE FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1.MR DANLADI ANGULU 2. PETER MURPHY SABALULA 3. SUNDAY JEPTHER GAIYILO THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To help the less privileged in the society.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. EMEH JAMES ANYALEKWA 2. EMEH CHARITY AHUDIYA

(CHAIRMAN) (SECRETARY)

THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO ENCOURAGE, RECOGNIZE, RECOMMEND AND GIVE AWARD TO INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE EXCELLED IN VARIOUS FIELDS OF ENDEAVOUR. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

Public Notice

THE GIRLS’ BRIGADE, NIGERIA (ITNO: 13,893) THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REMOVAL AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES (CHANGE OF TRUSTEES ) UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE : 1.

FORTUNE MINIMAH 2.

MISS STELLA NWAKOR 3.

MRS. RACHEL ACHINEKU 4.

VENERABLE FREDRICK OBIANABA

- RETAINED - REMOVED - REMOVED - REMOVED

THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Professor MATAWAL DANLADI SLIM Chairman (APPOINTED) 2. Barrister NJOKU CHINEDU TITUS Secretary (APPOINTED) 3) JATAU SHEDRACH BENSON - APPOINTED 4) MADUABUCHUKWU OKOFOR P. - APPOINTED 5) IYABO FEHINTOLUWA ODENEYE - APPOINTED 6) OKON OROK EFIOM - APPOINTED 7) SAMALI JOSEPH .M - APPOINTED 8) TARKUMBUR JEHIRO DANIEL - APPOINTED 9) AMERA BECKY ERDOO - APPOINTED 10) RUKUN GAYUS ( REV) - APPOINTED THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAINS THE SAME .

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS APPLICATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_ GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

Public Notice

ST. PHILOMENA FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. Philomina Emereole 2. Obasi Belinda gladis THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.To care for the welfare of members.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY

Public Notice

ASSOCIATION OF FRIENDS MAGBORO OGUN

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC), ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 1990, (CAP C20, LFN 2004).

THE TRUSTEES ARE : 1. PETER AVALENLEN OKHIRIA--- (CHAIRMAN) 2. MAURICE EFFIONG UKPONG (SECRETARY) 3. EKEOCHA HECTOR ONYEKACHI 4. AKINSADE CHARLES ADEEKO 5. OFILI EMEKA GODWIN. THE AIM AND OBJECTIVE : 1.TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR_GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT , OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET , MAITAMA , ABUJA WITHIN 28DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED : SECRETARY.

PHILIP I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SHODEIDE TAYE ANUOLUWAPO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AND ADDRESSED AS PHILIP TAYE ANUOLUWAPO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

KADUNA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS ABARI ANZAKU DANJUMA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AND ADDRESSED AS DANJUMA KADUNA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

BEAUTY I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MERCY JOHN. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AND ADDRESSED AS BEAUTY YAKUBU DOGO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. HULERA I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS HULERA ABDUL RAHAMAN EHANWO. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AND ADDRESSED AS MRS HULERA ABDUL RAHMAN EHANWO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

CLASSIFIED IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA IN THE PROBATE DIVISION WHEREAS the person whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date place stated in the said in the column.

AND WHEREAS the person(s) whose name (s) and address(s) and relation(s) to the deceased are set out in the second column hereto has/have applied to the High Court of Justice, Nasarawa State for the grant of Letters of Administration of the Real and personal properties/estate of the said deceased.

NOTICE: IS HEREBY GIVEN that Letter of Administration (without will) will be granted to such applicant/applicants unless a “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant is file in this Registry within Twenty- One (21) days from the date hereof.

SCHEDULE

S/N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

NAME OF DECEASED PERSON Maidawa Ibrahim late of Nidan, Died on the 14h day of February, 2020 at Akwanga Idris Ibrahim Anzayi late of Agyaragu, Died on the 21st day of November, 2019 at Lafia Peter John Inji late of Akwanga, Died on the 3rd day of December, 2019 at Lafia Ahmed Abdullahi Muhammad late of Lafia, Died on the 26th day of November, 2019 at Abuja Abdullahi Isa late of Toto, Died on the 1st day of June, 2019 at Toto Madaki Isuwa Gaiga late of Akwanga, Died on the 4th day of September, 2014 at Jos Danladi Fulani late of Gudi, Died on the 9h day of June, 2018 at Akwanga Naomi Samuel late of Akwanga, Died on the 14th day of November, 2019 at Lafia Danjuma Mummunai late of Keffi, Died on the 27th day of September, 2014 at Keffi Basil Oglekwu late of Agyaragu Died on the 31st day of December, 2019 at Doma Ibrahim Awulu late of Kurikyo, Died on the 15th day of February, 2020 at Lafia Hamzat Suleiman Buba late of Akwanga, Died on the 26th day of December, 2019 at Biu, Borno Salihu Yusuf late of Nasarawa, Died on the 22nd day of April, 2017 at Nasarawa Christopher Iliya Luka late of Akwanga, Died on the 3rd day of November, 2019 at Garaku Hassan Isah late of Akwanga, Died on the 27th day of April, 2016 at Doka Dauda Idris late of Azara, Died on the 23rd day of February, 2020 at Azara Mohammed Yusuf late of Toto, Died on the 15th day of November, 2019 at Toto Alhaji Shuaibu Gani late of Lafia, Died on the 1st day of October, 2018 at Keffi Kpati Akko late of Gudi, Died on the 10th day of December, 2018 at Akwanga El-Yakubu Umar late of Lafia Died on the 24th day of February, 2019 at Lafia Ombugadu Stephen Abimiku late of Lafia, Died on 17th day of February, 2020 at Lafia Maku Yohanna Ekuabla late of Sakwato, Died on 27th day of October, 2019 at Sakwato Hassan Safiya late of Lafia, Died on 7th day of October, 2019 at Jos Anthony Ahmadu late of Akwanga, Died on 22nd day of January, 2020 at Garaku Douglas Sunday late of Keffi, Died on the 10th day of June, 2016 at Keffi Ikuen Jeffrey late of Adudu, Died on the 24th day of October, 2003 at Akwanga Sunday Ogbleba Abraham late of Lafia, Died on the 13th day of February, 2018 at Lafia Swen Stephen Shabu late of Kadarko, Died on the 18th day of April 2018 at Lafia

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) OF James Ibrahim of Nidan the lawful Son of the said deceased Ibrahim Idris Anzayi & Idris Yusuf Ibrahim of Lafia the lawful Sons of the said deceased John Shammah of Akwanga the lawful Brother of the said deceased Musa Muhammad Ahmed of Lafia the lawful Brother of the said deceased Muhammad Isa Nuru of Toto the lawful Brother of the said deceased Timothy Madaki of Akwanga the lawful Brother of the said deceased Danladi Dantala of Gudi the lawful Son of the said deceased Hassan John Samuel & Shedrack Samuel both of Akwanga the lawful Sons of the said deceased Tanko Danjuma Ibrahim of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Sunday Basil of Agyaragu the lawful Son of the said deceased Abdulhaziz Ibrahim of Kurikyo the lawful Son of the said deceased Hashimu Buba Suleiman of Akwanga the lawful Sister of the said deceased Ibrahim Salihu of Gadabuke the lawful Son of the said deceased Tabitha Christopher Ekom of Garaku the lawful Daughter of the said deceased

S/N 29

NAME OF DECEASED PERSON Madaki Adamu late of Keffi, Died on the 6th day of November, 2019 at Keffi Timothy Kotso Ali late of Gidan Bawa, Died on the 29th day of August, 2019 at Doma Lois Yansuruli Dada late of New Karu, Died on the 30th day of April, 2016 at Yola Mangai C. Yunana late of Lafia, Died on the 21st day of November, 2015 at Lafia Yakubu Lukman late of Lafia, Died on the 2nd day of July, 2019 at Lafia Garba Abubakar late of Keffi, Died on the 2nd day of July, 2018 at Keffi Ahmadu Adamu Mungopark late of Lafia, Died on the 29th day of November, 2019 at Lafia Christopher David Araku late of Lafia, Died on the 12th day of June, 2019 at Lafia Abdullahi Abba late of Lafia, Died on the 20th day of November, 2019 at Lafia Ladan Abdullahi late of Nasarawa, Died on the 23rd day of March, 2013 at Nasarawa Cecilia T. Ganbo late of Akwanga, Died on the 11h day of October, 2017 at Keffi Yahaya Ayiwulu late of Sabon Gida, Died on the 16th day of October, 2019 at Lafia 18NA/77/0204/PTE Shedrack Godwin late of Akwanga, Died on the 16th day of February, 2019 at Boni -Yadi Agia Abdullahi Pkwamu late of Keffi, Died on the 16th day of February, 2020 at Keffi Umaru Musa late of Nasarawa, Died on the 25th day of January, 2019 at Nasarawa Umaru Musa late of Nasarawa, Died on the 25th day of January, 2019 at Nasarawa Azumugu Thomas Egga late of Akwanga, Died on the 13th day of August, 2018 at Akwanga Christiana Embaga late of Lafia, Died on the 8th day of December 2019 at Lafia Akwe Godwin Agida late of Akaleku Died on the 13th day of July, 2018 at Lafia Kigbu Monday late of Adudu, Died on the 10th day of May, 2017 at Adudu Ayitonu Akpera late of Keana, Died on the 27th day of September 2019 at Keana Namo Amos Angbashim late of Kayarda, Died on the 11th day of February, 2020 at Lafia

NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) OF Joseph Adamu of Keffi the lawful Son of the said deceased Ovye Kotso Ali of Gidan Bawa the lawful Son of the said deceased Douglas Hosea Dada of New Karu the lawful Son of the said deceased Justina Maryamu Tanko of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Adamu Lukman of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Abdulsalam Abubakar & Ghali Abubakar both of Keffi the lawful Sons of the said deceased Tina Haruna of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased David Araku of Lafia the lawful Widower of the said deceased Ali Abba of Lafia the lawful Brother of the said deceased.

Abdullahi Ladan & Hayatu Mohammed both of Nasarawa the lawful Sons of the said deceased Margret Eka of Lafia the lawful Daughter of the said deceased.

Bitrus Yahaya Ayiwulu of Sabon the lawful Son of the said deceased Godwin Gabriel Achuku of Akwanga the lawful Brother of the said deceased Tanimu Aishat Auna of Keffi the lawful Widow of the said deceased Jamila Umar of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Jamila Umar of Nasarawa the lawful Widow of the said deceased Egga Monday Thomas of Alushi the lawful Son of the said deceased Avre Embaga Akulu of B.A.D the lawful Brother of the said deceased Asibi Godwin of Akaleku the lawful Widow of the said deceased Dantala Monday of Adudu the lawful Son of the said deceased Samuel Ayitonu of Obi the lawful Son of the said deceased Ovey Amos Ezhum & Asabe Iliya both of Kayarda the lawful Son & Widow of the said deceased respectively.

Republication Republication 1 Yusuf Daniel late of Keffi, Died on 2nd day of April, 2011 at Keffi 2 Danladi Kpanji Inji late of Lafia, Died on 1st day of October, 2019 at Lafia 3 Laraba Jimmy Usman late of Keffi, Died on 2nd day of April, 2018 at Keffi 4 Katsum Jameson Ezhim late of Lafia, Died on 17th day of October, 2018 at Lafia

Republication Esther Dansokoto Jaba of Amawa Daddare the lawful Sister of the said deceased Liatu Danladi Inji of Bukan Sidi, Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Serah Awushi Bado of Keffi the lawful Sister of the said deceased Lovina Yakubu of Gidigidi, Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

Bilkisu Hassan, Manir Hassan & Halima Inusa all of Akwanga the lawful Daughter, Son & Widow of the said deceased respectively

43

Dauda Usman of Azara the lawful Brother of the said deceased Mohammed Ibrahim of Toto the lawful Son of the said deceased Shuaibu Naziff & Shuaibu Abubakar both of Lafia the lawful Sons of the said deceased Silas Akku Awze of Gudi the lawful Son of the said deceased Maimuna Yakubu Umar & Umar Farouk Yakubu both of Lafia the lawful Widow & Son of the said deceased respectively Abimiku Moses Stephen of Kwanka, Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Yohanna Philips Maku of Sakwato the lawful Son of the said deceased Shehu Othman Hassan of Lafia the lawful Son of the said deceased Fibi Anthony & Samuel Anthony both of Akwanga the lawful Widow Son of the said deceased Douglas Odoji Loko & Mercy Ade both of Keffi the lawful Brother & Widow of the said deceased respectively Monday Ikuen & Raphael Ikuen both of Adudu the lawful Sons of the said deceased Adenike Abraham Sunday of Lafia the lawful Widow of the said deceased Swem Josephine of Kadarko, the lawful Widow of the said deceased

44 45 46 47 48 49 50

(Ahmed Sani, Esq.) PROBATE REGISTRAR NASARAWA STATE OF NIGERIA, LAFIA MRS. KHADIJAT

MRS. KHADIJAT

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS KHADIJAT SHUAIBU ALLANANA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AND ADDRESSED AS MRS KHADIJAT SHUAIBU ALLANANA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS OKAFOR OLISAEMEKA MIKE. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS OKAFOR OLISAEMEKA MICHAEL. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

MRS. SHUAIBU I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SHUAIBU HAJARA ALLANANA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS AND ADDRESSED AS MRS SHUAIBU HAJARA ALLANANA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

OKAFOR I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS OKAFOR EDIT OGOAMAKA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS OKAFOR EDITH OGOAMAKA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ALL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

FOR SALE

Sports monday, april 27, 2020

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PEOPLES DAILY

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sports@peoplesdailyng.com, SMS- 08142929046

COVID-19: Sports Ministry expands digital training, innovation opportunities for Youth

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he Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has launched a slew of online training initiatives and programmes to keep youth engaged during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Through its digital skills online training, its Youth Innovation Series, Webinars and E-Sports initiatives the Youth and Sports Ministry is delivering opportunities to the youth and Nigerians.

The IBM in partnership with the Ministry three weeks ago commenced the online digital skills training with over 7,000 youth participating with the chance to get IBM badges.

The new addition is the Webinars set to start next week.

It will be thrice weekly webinars to further increase online interaction and study in areas of interest to the youth.

This is even as the Ministry increased the tempo of its training programmes and added other initiatives targeted at sustaining youth and sports development during the lockdown.

The webinars were added in response to the interest expressed by those that have taken part in the online training provided by the Ministry in conjunction with IBM. More than 7000 youth have participated in the digital training, with the highest numbers of them opting for courses in coding, data science and cyber security, creating the trend that made the webinars necessary.

The schedule for the onehour webinars has Introduction to Emerging Technologies and Possibilities billed for today, Introduction to Cloud on Wednesday April 29; and Introduction to Data Science and Analytics is set to hold on Friday May 1.

The second week will kick off with Introduction to Artificial Intelligence on Monday May 4, 2020; Introduction to Blockchain on Wednesday May

Nene Yakubu

6 and; Developing Interpersonal Skills on Friday May 8 while other courses will be added over time.

The Ministry is currently engaging Mobile Network Operators to provide subsidized data for accessing the online training while it has also initiated a Youth Innovation Series that encourages youth to develop solutions to Nigerian challenges in addition to a 60-Day App Challenge where the youth can submit apps developed in areas of Fintech, Agritech, Edutech, e-government and e-sports.

Winners in the app challenge, which will soon be launched, are set to get monetary and royalty prizes as well incubation and mentorship in government approved hubs.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is not leaving out sports during the lockdown as the Minister, Mr Sunday Dare noted that “We cannot leave sport behind as the Covid 19 pandemic fell right at the doorstep of Edo 2020; it affected a great number of athletes that were poised to earn their well-deserved prize money in the competition.”

According to him, COVID-19 has left many Nigerian athletes in a financial strait and the Ministry has for this reason announced the setting up an Athletes Relief Fund, ARF, to assist in the day to day expenses for out of work athletes, which sports promoter, Kunle Soname has kick started with 10 million naira.

In addition, the Ministry has made provision for athletes to keep fit even during the lockdown with high performance center made available on rotational basis for pockets of training that conform with social distancing

requirement.

Mr Dare said the Ministry is in talks with the CBN to help process youth entrepreneurs to benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) COVID 19 Fund for SMEs to support those that are interested in entrepreneurship.

“Boosting Youth Entrepreneurship is one of the surest ways out of youth unemployment when fully back by easy access to credit. The Ministry in a renewed effort will see to accelerate this,” the Minister said.

How Nigerian boxers are keeping hope alive amid COVID-19

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PEOPLES DAILY, monday, april 27, 2020

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Klopp calls Mbappe’s dad over transfer to Liverpool

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iverpool manager Jurgen Klopp contacted Kylian Mbappe’s dad to discuss a potential transfer for the Paris Saint-Germain star.

Klopp is a huge admirer of Mbappe and is now hoping to beat Real Madrid to his signature.

According to Le10 Sport in France, Klopp called Mbappe’s dad, Wilfried, to gauge whether his World Cup-winning son would be interested in a move to Anfield.

Reports have linked both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane with moves away from Liverpool but signing Mbappe would ensure a more-than-adequate replacement comes in.

Liverpool are not thought to have made an official bid to PSG but Klopp wanted to know Mbappe’s plans as he weighs up a potential offer.

Mbappe Jr, 21, is regarded as the world’s most-valuable player due to his ability and age so it is likely to take a record-transfer fee

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Leicester City to bid for Osimhen

to convince PSG to sell.

Figures of around £250million have been bandied around for the forward who has scored 90 goals in 120 appearances for the Ligue 1 champions, including 30 in 33 this season.

However, reigning European champions Liverpool face strong competition from Real Madrid for Mbappe.

Los Blancos have identified him as their number one transfer target and former PSG, Monaco and Rangers winger Jerome Rothen, who played with Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane for France, reckons a deal was close to completion before the coronavirus crisis hit.

Rothen told Radio Montecarlo: “I know from club sources that a deal to take Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid was almost done.

“They will have an agreement between them in place because PSG agreed to let him go this summer.

In my opinion, it’s just a question of time.

eicester City retains an interest in Lille striker Victor Osimhen but fear he could be tempted by a move to Italy.

Osimhen has attracted interest from Brendan Rodgers’ scouts as well as Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton this season.

However, cash-conscious Lille are demanding around

£60million for the 21-year-old Nigeria international while he also has strong interest from Italian sides Juventus and Inter Milan with the latter fearing they will lose Lautaro Martinez to Barcelona.

Leicester want a versatile forward to compete with and ultimately succeed Jamie Vardy.

Youngster Osimhen has had an impressive season for the

French side with 18 goals and six assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season.

Tw Foxes have also asked about highly-rated midfielder Filip Krastev from Bulgarian side Slavia Sofia.

The Bulgaria U19 international has made seven first team appearances this seasona and is valued at around £4.5million.

How Nigerian boxers are keeping hope alive amid COVID-19

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Mediterranean diet rich in fish and whole grains can keep the brain sharp and help fight dementia, research suggests

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L

ince the first reported case of COVID-19 in China, life around the globe has not been the same and the sporting community has not been spared either.

Boxing, like most other sports, has been grounded to a halt as the coronavirus pandemic has culminated in forced lockdowns in most countries.

From London to Italy, Spain to Nigeria, sportspeople, including boxers, have had to improvise to stay fit as well as not run afoul of the laws in their respective environments.

While the likes of Anthony Joshua has seen their scheduled fights postponed indefinitely, boxers back home in Nigeria are also lamenting the ‘hard times’ ushered in by the pandemic.

Apart from some individual bouts already lined up by the likes of Monarch Promotions, the National Sports Festival and the GOtv Boxing Night 21 were top on the calendar for most of the local boxers.

However, after weeks of training, the two events and many others were postponed indefinitely and that development dealt a big blow.

Rilwan ‘Babyface’ Babatunde, who

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HOW CAN YOU KEEP FIT DURING PREGNANCY?

Spencer Dinwiddie wants to play for Nigeria

Jurgen Klopp and Kylian Mbappe

Digest

PEOPLES DAILY, monDAY, april 27, 2020

is the reigning West African Boxing Union welterweight champion, said he is struggling at the moment as his major source of income remains suspended due to COVID-19.

He said: “As a professional boxer, it’s not easy at all, someone like me does not have any other source of major income apart from boxing; we are praying that the whole virus thing will go so we can return to our normal life and back to the ring as soon as possible.”

On how he has been managing to keep fit going by the lockdown order in Lagos where he resides ‘Babyface’ said he is doing his bit within the ambit of the law.

“No matter what, training must continue, even if I cannot go to the gym for sparring session because of social distancing and all that, I still engage in other exercises so I can be fit, you know I was supposed to fight for the African title before it was postponed due to coronavirus,” the pugilist added.

For Prince Timothy Gonze, the number one contender for the National Cruiser Weight Title, he emphasized on the need to stay alive while also echoing the cash crunch.

He said: “We are not happy that we

cannot do what we love to do which is boxing but that said we must obey all the government directive so we can be alive when things would be back to normal.

“I have my personal gym and that is where I have been keeping fit in anticipation that things would soon be fine.”

World Boxing Union (WBU) Super Welterweight World Champion, Sule ‘Tyson Kill’ Olagbade, also affirmed that regardless of the pandemic, he is maintaining a robust training regime.

“My situation is only better because I live in my own compound with a large space and so I set up a makeshift gym with tires and what have you. I do 2000 squats and rope skipping.

“Furthermore, I jog around and I do have an old punching bag and I use it to go 12 rounds of intensive pounding, like that I stay fit because it will not be good for a World Champion to be caught napping no matter what.”

Before the lockdown, Olagbade was due to defend his title in the USA but the fight which was to be promoted by Monarch Events and Promotions was one of the many casualties of the virus.

“I was to fight in Ghana and it did

not happen and my World Title defence in the USA was also cancelled because of the disease spread but tell my fans to obey the government directives and we will win this battle against this common enemy called coronavirus, we will party and celebrate when it is all over but for now let’s all stay home and stay safe.”

Amidst difficult times, these boxers like others are finding ways of staying fit and hopefully they will live to fight another day.

Baby Face in action

he more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth.

Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, running, yoga, dancing, or even walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable.

Exercise is not dangerous for your baby – there is some evidence that active women are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.

Exercise tips when you’re pregnant: • always warm up before exercising and cool down afterwards • try to keep active on a daily basis: half Participants who stuck most closely to the Mediterranean diet had the lowest risk of cognitive impairment and had a higher performance on an hour of walking each day can be cognitive tests enough, but if you can’t manage that, any amount is better than nothing • avoid any strenuous exercise in hot

By COLIN FERNANDEZ associated with slower cognitive decline.’

Both groups were assessed for their weather Scientists aimed to understand whether diet, with the first set’s cognitive function • drink plenty of water and other fluids he Mediterranean diet not only helps sticking closely to a Mediterranean diet tested at five years, while the second • if you go to exercise classes, make sure you live longer but it can keep the would impact cognition, after a series were tested at two, four and ten years. your teacher is properly qualified, brain sharp too, research has found. of previous studies proved inconsistent. Participants who stuck most closely to the and knows that you’re pregnant Scientists found that those who Mediterranean foods including fruits, Mediterranean diet had the lowest risk of • you might like to try swimming consumed plenty of ­ vegetables, whole vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish and cognitive impairment and had a higher because the water will support your grains, olive oil and fish had the lowest olive oil were analysed, as well as reduced performance on cognitive tests. increased weight • exercises that have a risk of falling, risk of cognitive impairment in their latter consumption of red meat and alcohol.

The evidence was strongest for those such as horse riding, downhill skiing, years.

The researchers studied two trials of who maintained but did not substantially ice hockey, gymnastics and cycling, Cognitive impairment covers when a nearly 8,000 elderly people with varying alter their diet and those with the highest should only be done with caution. person has trouble remembering, learning severity of AMD – an age-related eye fish consumption had the slowest rate of Falls may risk damage to the baby things, concentrating or making decisions condition. cognitive decline.

Exercises to avoid in pregnancy: that impact on their everyday life. The Both groups were assessed for their • don’t lie flat on your back for study, published in the Alzheimer’s and diet, with the first set’s cognitive function prolonged periods, particularly after Dementia ­journal, found that those with a tested at five years, while the second 16 weeks, because the weight of your diet high in fish had a slower rate of decline. were tested at two, four and ten years. bump presses on the main blood Crucially, the researchers found that Participants who stuck most closely to the vessel bringing blood back to your heart and this can make you feel faint the Mediterranean diet even appeared to Mediterranean diet had the lowest risk of • don’t take part in contact sports benefit participants with a higher genetic cognitive impairment and had a higher where there’s a risk of being hit, such risk of Alzheimer’s – those carrying the performance on cognitive tests. as kickboxing, judo or squash APOE gene which greatly increases chances The evidence was strongest for those • don’t go scuba diving, because the of developing the disease. who maintained but did not substantially baby has no protection against High fish and vegetable consumption alter their diet and those with the highest decompression sickness and gas were linked to the most protective effect. fish consumption had the slowest rate of embolism Lead author Dr Emily Chew, from the cognitive decline.

• don’t exercise at heights over 2,500m National Eye Institute, in Maryland, US, above sea level until you have Dr Chew added: ‘These findings may said: ‘Closer adherence to a Mediterranean- help inform evidence-based dietary acclimatised: this is because you and your baby are at risk of altitude type diet was associated with lower risk recommendations, adding strength to sickness of cognitive impairment but not slower evidence that Mediterranean-type diet For more information, visit the NHS decline in cognitive function. However, patterns may maximise cognitive reserve website. higher fish consumption was significantly

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Both groups were assessed for their diet, with the first set’s cognitive function tested at five years, while the second were tested at two, four and ten years.

against impairment and dementia.’

. . . putting the people first

monday, april 27, 2020

SPORTS latest

Coronavirus: Chelsea rule out pay cuts for players

Chelsea Team

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remier League club, Chelsea, have announced that the club’s players will not be taking pay cuts during the coronavirus crisis while non-playing staff will not be furloughed.

The club said though players have shown enthusiasm and discussed how they can contribute financially during the pandemic, they will continue to be paid as normal.

“Representatives of the Chelsea board have recently held extensive talks with the men’s first team to discuss how they can contribute financially to the club during the coronavirus crisis,” a statement on the Chelsea website read.

“At this time, the men’s first team will not be contributing towards the club financially and instead, the board have directed the team to focus their efforts on further supporting other charitable causes.

As this crisis develops, the club will continue to have conversations with the men’s first team regarding financial contributions to the club’s activities.”

The Chelsea statement added: “The club can confirm we will not be taking advantage of the government’s current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which runs to June 30. We are not planning any general redundancies or furloughs for our full-time staff who are continuing to be paid 100 per cent of their current wages.”

A few days back, another London-based Premier League club, Arsenal, announced they have agreed to a 12.5 per cent pay cut for 12 months with their playing staff and senior coaches following lengthy discussions over the past two weeks.

A report on ESPN, however, suggests that the money will be returned in full if Champions League qualification is secured while the players will receive a lower figure if they seal a Europa League spot.

Several top clubs have resorted to pay cuts across the globe with Barcelona leading with a massive 70 per cent cut for Lionel Messi and his teammates.

Taye Taiwo and Oduamadi

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Orkar coup: Thirty years after I Monday first heard that there was a coup in Nigeria on 22 April 1990 from veteran broadcaster Nyaka Mindapa.

He was the founder of a popular political programme – “Democracy in Action” on FRCN Kaduna during the second republic. Now back home in Yola, he was running a department at the Gongola Broadcasting Corporation while I was the Chief Executive of Gongola Press Ltd. “Have you turned on your radio Emma”, he asked me in a disturbed voice.on telephone.

I told him I had not. He then urged me to go to my radio immediately; that a soldier was there, tearing the country into pieces.

Nyaka was right. It was a coup announcement that had not been made before even in a country that was besotted with coups at the time. I listened, dumbfounded. The announcer listed some number of states and heaped the blame of all that was wrong with Nigeria on the indigenes of those states. In a frightening demonstration of military strength, he excised those states from Nigeria.

Amazingly, this was a wellknown voice to me. In 1960, just before independence, there was wild rioting in Tiv Division of Benue Province. Our village Shagu was in Wukari Federation of Benue Province but had a large Tiv population so we got caught up in the rioting. I narrowly escaped death and fled with my mother who took me to Sai, her own village located halfway between Takum and Wukari. My father was captured alive and taken away by the rioters, presumably to be killed. Miraculously, he survived.

My maternal grandfather took me to Apir, a village on the outskirts of Makurdi, the Benue Provincial capital where he was serving as a Pastor. I enrolled in Primary School there. One of the pupils who enrolled with us we simply called Gwaza.

His father was Orkar Chi from Yaikyo village, not too far away.

Now a Major in the Nigerian

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Column

Emmanuel Yawe royawe@yahoo.com 08024565402

Army, he gave his name as Major Gideon Orkar and was the familiar voice on the radio.

It sounded all so strange.

We were all Christians, brought up in the best tradition of the religion – love. The missionaries who brought Christianity to Tiv people in 1911 first settled in the village of my great maternal grandfather, Saaitu Deekpe, whose name was later shortened by the missionaries to present day Sai. My maternal grandfather, an early convert became one of the first four Tiv men to be ordained as priests.

He is known in history as Rev JEI Sai. Orkar Chi, father to Gwaza, now Major Gideon Orkar was also an early convert. But he was a teacher, in fact one of our highly regarded teachers at Apir.

All through our upbringing, the missionaries, originally from the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, who later handed us over to the Reformed Church in North America, taught us nothing but love. Gwaza went to Gindiri on the Plateau for his Secondary School while I went to Bristow in Gboko. It made no difference anyway. Both schools were run by the same missionary group under the same principles and teachings. After Gindiri, he joined the army.

As children, we used to hear fascinating stories about the

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army and soldiers. One of the stories was that once you joined the army, you were given a very strong injection. The injection will give you supernatural strength and courage so that you will not fear even death. The problem with that injection was that if you were not so lucky, it could turn you into a raving lunatic, we were told. Listening to my childhood friend on the radio, I was convinced that the latter lot had been his potion.

Nothing he said added up. This was the first announcement he was making of his coup. In the history of coups in Nigeria, some had failed, others had succeeded. We were not sure of the success of this one yet; the coup makers were yet to set up a government and yet they decided to exclude a large expanse of Nigerian land from our landmass and rusticate a sizeable population from our demography.

This to me was not a coup, not change of government but a declaration of war. My little knowledge of Nigeria then, and even now is that this is a country that cannot disintegrate peacefully. The Gwaza I knew was the least qualified person to start a war to break up Nigeria.

It is true his Tiv ethnic group had exploded two times –once in 1960 and again in 1964 - but

This to me was not a coup, not change of government but a declaration of war. My little knowledge of Nigeria then, and even now is that this is a country that cannot disintegrate peacefully

they did so not to disembowel Nigeria but to express anger that by discriminating against them, Nigeria was most unfair to them. When another ethnic group rose up and took to arms with the sole agenda of disintegrating Nigeria, the Tiv joined forces with others to bring them to heel. I wondered where he was going to get the fighting men to prosecute the war he had just declared.

I had a small family of a wife and two children at the time.

All I did was to prepare them for church where I took leave of them. I never told them war was looming and two of our neighbouring states, Borno and Bauchi may soon become enemy territory. It was better to make the logistics available for our escape. I got to the home of our Military Governor, Group Captain Salisu Anbubakar.

I met him with Abubakar Jijiwa the General Manager of Gongola State Broadcasting Corporation making a phone call. The tradition in those pre GSM days was that if you staged a coup the first thing you did was to cut off all telephone lines. What kind of coup was this that left telephone lines wide open while cutting large expanse of Nigerian land off.

Mercifully, the coup collapsed a few hours later and we were saved the agony of a civil war.

DAN GAYE I’ve no hand in Sanusi’s dethronement, banishment -AGF Malami

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