₦airaland Forum

The police in Ebonyi State have arrested a 75-year-old grandmother for allegedly flogging and pouring pepper into the eyes and private parts of her 11-year-old home help.

The woman, who gave her name as Mrs Comfort Obi, was arrested by the personnel of the Ekumenyi Police Station in Abakaliki on Tuesday.

The septuagenarian’s action, PUNCH Metro gathered, was reported at the police station by a neighbour, Mr Osita Ezechukwu, who could no longer bear the level of abuse the child was being subjected to.

“The suspect had been cautioned repeatedly to desist from torturing the girl. Apart from flogging her, the woman also subjects the girl to hard labour,” Ezechukwu stated.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim’s body bore the scars of repeated flogging by Obi.

It was learnt that the victim, who hails from the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, was brought by her aunt to live with the septuagenarian on Gunning Road, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, 12 months ago.

Investigation revealed that the victim’s mother was dead and her four siblings currently live with their father, who has vision impairment.

“My madam usually invites touts to flog me whenever I commit any offence and pour pepper into my private parts and eyes. This latest incident was because I was hungry and I took her biscuits and fruit juice,” the victim said.

Obi, however, said, “Although I regret my actions, I sought the permission of the girl’s auntie before I poured pepper into her private parts and eyes.”

The state police command confirmed the incident and Obi’s arrest on Wednesday.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs Loveth Odah, said the suspect had been arrested and admitted to bail.

“The child has been treated and reunited with her family members. The suspect will be arraigned after the fight against COVID-19 is over,” she stated.

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday said he was still under isolation for testing positive to COVID-19 and is yet to be cleared of the disease

El-Rufai, who also chaired a virtual meeting of the State Executive Council for the first time since he was diagnosed, said he will personally announce to the public as soon as he is cleared negative of the disease.

He urged Nigerians to ignore any report insinuating that he was cleared of the disease and assured that he would personally announce the news when he is confirmed negative.

The Governor stated via his tweeter account at 5:08 that; “earlier Wednesday 10am -2pm, I took a few hours during isolation to chair a virtual meeting of the State Executive Council.

“I haven’t been cleared of COVID-19 yet and will personally announce when confirmed negative. Ignore fake news even if you like it.”

El-Rufai had disclosed in a video shared on the official account of the Governor of Kaduna State, @GovKaduna on 28 March, 2020 that he tested positive for coronavirus.

He added that he is in self-isolation as required by the case management guidelines of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC for a someone that is not showing symptoms.

The Communist Chinese government delayed for six days before warning its citizens that the coronavirus outbreak in the city of Wuhan had likely become a pandemic, allowing thousands of people to become infected, according to a report on Wednesday.

President Xi Jinping warned the public on Jan. 20 – nearly a week after Chinese officials had privately determined on Jan. 14 that the virus had evolved into a pandemic, the Associated Press reported, citing expert estimates based on infection data.

During those crucial days, more than 3,000 people came down with the coronavirus, as tens of thousands of people attended a mass banquet in Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, and millions of Chinese began travelling for Lunar New Year celebrations.

The first case of coronavirus in Wuhan was officially reported on Dec. 31.

The coronavirus outbreak has since surged around the world, infecting more than 2 million people and causing more than 127,000 deaths.

“This is tremendous,” Zuo-Feng Zhang, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, told the AP. “If they took action six days earlier, there would have been much fewer patients and medical facilities would have been sufficient. We might have avoided the collapse of Wuhan’s medical system.”

That nearly weeklong delay came after China’s version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for two weeks didn’t register any cases from local officials.

Yet, during that period from Jan. 5 to Jan. 17, hundreds of people were showing up at hospitals in Wuhan and across the country.

The report said it’s unclear whether local officials failed to report the cases or whether government officials didn’t record them. According to other reports, US spy agencies “have concluded that the Chinese government itself does not know the extent of the virus and is as blind as the rest of the world … Midlevel bureaucrats in the city of Wuhan … and elsewhere in China have been lying about infection rates, testing and death counts, fearful that if they report numbers that are too high they will be punished, lose their position or worse.”


But, according to experts interviewed by the AP, it’s clear that Beijing’s bureaucratic hurdles, stranglehold on information, lack of transparency and reluctance to deliver bad news up the chain of command stifled early warnings.

The report noted that eight doctors were punished for “rumor-mongering” — an announcement broadcast on national television on Jan. 2.

“Doctors in Wuhan were afraid,” said Dali Yang, a professor of Chinese politics at the University of Chicago. “It was truly intimidation of an entire profession.”


China denied a “cover-up” or “lack of transparency,” according to the AP report, quoting foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian calling the allegations “groundless” last week.

The Chinese Communist Party didn’t fully respond to the possible pandemic and launch a national plan until the first case was reported outside China on Jan. 13 in Thailand.

It then began distributing testing kits, eased the criteria for confirming cases and ordered more screenings for patients — all without notifying the public.

By Akinola Ajibade


There may soon be nationwide blackout as the power sector is unable to utilise all the 5,000megawatts (Mw) of electricity generated by the sector, the Executive Secretary, Association of Power Generation Companies (AGPC), Dr Joy Ogaji, has warned.

She said more than 1,000Mw, out of 5,000Mw generated in the past few weeks got stranded, due to deficiencies in the transmission and distribution segments of the sector.

Ogaji said the development was expected, as the supply of electricity is falling across the country, relative to the current production of the sector.

Ogaji said: “At present, the sector is not battling shortage of gas, as Nigerians were made to understand. We have enough gas at out disposal to produce electricity for Nigerians.

But the challenge of the sector is in thé area of transmission and distribution of electricity. The capacity of the transmission company is not strong to wheel enough electricity to Nigerians.

“The distribution companies are also facing infrastructural problems, as they unable to supply quantum of energy needed to both(individual and industrial) consumer.

The Federal Government, Ogaji said, should put in place, a mechanism that would aid the operation of the three key value chains namely the generation,transmission and distribution.

Meanwhile, protests over acute shortage of electricity nationwide greeted the operation of the sector in recent times.

Hundreds of electricity consumers, thronged thé Ikeja Electric(IE) Undertaking Office in Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of Lagos state, to express their grievances over irrégular supply to the area.

Thé consumers,who arrived the office of the DisCo around 8.30am, yesterday, accused the company of not supplying them electricity regularly and forced themselves into the premises of the firm, as well as threatened to beat up the staff of the company, for giving them huge bills, without providing them commensurate services.

Efforts to speak with IE spokesman, Mr Félix Ofolue, proved abortive, as calls and text message put to him, were not acknowledged.

Thé Director, Centre for Energy Studies, University of Port-Harcourt, Prof Wunmi IIledare, said the supply of electricity is dwindling in the country, stressing that power has been in short supply,since he arrived Àbuja weeks ago.

He said lack of understanding of the Nigerian power market, by the stakeholders, including thé Federal Government, is the bane of the sector, urging operators to familiarise themselves with the situations in thé s’écrit, in order to be able to really the industry’s problems.

Augustine Okezie, Katsina

The Katsina State Government on Tuesday announced the death of one Dr. Aminu Yakubu, a Daura based private medical practitioner who recently returned from Lagos and died three days after in the state.

The State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, while announcing the death of the first COVID-19 victim in the state, said the result from the laboratory tests showed that he was COVID -19 positive which contributed to his death

According to the Governor, Dr Yakubu who is a native of Kogi State was also said to be suffering from Hypertitis and threats of hypertension.

The Governor further announced the commencement of contact tracing of all those the dead medical practitioner must have come into contact with from Lagos to katsina between Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

He added that full medical personnel have been deployed in Daura for the exercise.

He said ”his samples were taken to NCDC for diagnosis where it was confirmed to be COVID-19 positive”.

” Our medical response team are in Daura right now for contact tracing of all that came into contact with him, we hope by this night and tomorrow morning to take complete samples of those he had contact with to the NCDC”

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Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday led some security operatives to the operational base of Caverton Helicopters in Port Harcourt, the state capital, to effect some arrests over the violation of movement restriction put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country.


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Governor Wike demanded for Caverton’s pilots to be interrogated on why they flew passengers into the state.


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Wike also asked Caverton to produce all passengers they brought into the state.


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Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday in the Angwa Tiv area of the Kogi State capital, Lokoja when a 23-year-old simply identified as Bayo committed suicide.

Bayo, according to a source who resides on an adjacent street, was sighted in the area the previous day going about his usual activities.

The deceased, it was gathered, was engaged in managing a thrift business, which a source said could be responsible for his death.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, told The Nation that Bayo took his own life by drinking Sniper, a popular insecticide.

The deceased, who hailed from Ogori in the Ogori-Magongo area of Kogi Central, was said to have graduated from the Kogi State Polytechnic about two years ago.

He was said to have started the thrift business after failed efforts to secure paid employment.

Another source described his death as “not ordinarily,” adding that the deceased was too gentle to have done anything untoward.

“He finished from Kogi Polytechnic about two years ago. He’s collecting money contribution, but maybe (his death) it is not ordinary because I don’t know how much he could have spent, to make him do that,” he stated.

To celebrate the recovery of Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, from COVID-19, Oluyemi Taiwo, who represents Ibarapa-east/Ido federal constituency in the house of representatives, decided to do a N500 recharge card giveaway.

Makinde tested positive for coronavirus in March, and subsequently went into self-isolation.

The governor had attended a rally held by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan amid the coronavirus outbreak.

He was criticised for hosting the rally which he later apologised for.

On Sunday, Makinde announced he had recovered from the disease after testing negative twice. He returned to work on Monday.

In a flier seen by TheCable, the lawmaker gave conditions for winning the recharge cards.

“RECHARGE CARDS GIVEAWAY. For the speedy recovery of the people’s governor of Oyo State, the Legislative Aides/In-House-Men of Hon. Oluyemi Adewale Taiwo are hereby rejoicing with the electorates of Oyo State with N500 recharge cards give-away of your choice,” the flier read.

“To qualify: 1. Mention 5 PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF COVID-19.

“2. ADD YOUR PHONE NUMBERS PLUS NETWORK OF YOUR CHOICE.

“NOTE: You are only entitled to comment once. You will be disqualified for double comments. 44 WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN BY 9PM. BEST OF LUCK.”


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Also, Sheriff Adeojo, a member of the Oyo state house of assembly, congratulated the governor on his recovery in a flier.

“Congratulations sir on your COVID-19 negative result.”

Former gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Babatunde Gbadamosi, has been detained by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly contravening lockdown order declared by the State Government to curtail coronavirus spread.

Gbadamosi was detained after being spotted in a viral video attending a birthday party organised by Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello for her husband, Abdul-Rasheed Bello, held in Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki axis of the state.

A police source at the command headquarters revealed that Gbadamosi has been detained and may not be released by the law enforcement agency for engaging in an act that was at variance with the law.

More reactions from husbands are trailing the stay-at-home directive of both Lagos State and federal governments, which entered Day 11 and Day Seven, respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lagos State Government had on March 24 directed closure of open markets, recreational centres, salons and other public places with exception of those selling food, medicine and other live-saving essentials.

The closure took effect from March 26.

The government had earlier directed its workers on Grade Levels 12 and below to work from home except those on essential duties.

The Federal Government had equally directed its workers on similar grade levels to work from home, before ordering a lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja for 14 days with effect from 11.00p.m., March 30.

Only a few categories of workers, shops and companies are excepted from the lockdown.

All the directives are aimed at checking coronavirus spread.

Mr Timilehin Ilesanmi, a 42-year-old engineer, described the experience so far as an opportunity to work on his nine-year-old marriage.

He told NAN that he had been able to strengthen bonding with his family.

“On a normal day, I don’t get to stay with my wife and children because of the nature of my job.

“I leave the house at 6:30a.m. every work day and come back at 10:30p.m; so, we hardly have time to share thoughts.

”Now, I carry our baby most of the time; my wife, who didn’t believe I could take care of infants, now believes me,” he said.

Also, an information technology professional, Mr Taiwo Shodipe, 55, told NAN that the stay-at-home order had given him more time to interact with his children.

“I have used this period to educate my children more on sex education; it has also given me time to ask questions on their love lives,” he said.

Mr Odunayo Arasanyin, 32, who recently got married, said the directive favoured him.

“I got married just 12 days ago. This directive pays me a lot; it has extended my honeymoon as I should have resumed work on March 29.

“I am having a nice time with my wife; it is just the two of us and we like it,” he said.

Equally, Mr Collins Agbor, a 30-year-old civil servant, said the lockdown had enabled him to understand the volume of house chores done by his wife daily.

“I now appreciate all mothers out there, especially my wife, for efforts in taking care of the home.

“I now know that taking care of children, especially toddlers, is a real work.

“My three children, aged two, four and six years, play a lot. You have to shout at them countless number of times; you have to watch them so that they don’t injure themselves.

“Ah! Women are trying,” he exclaimed.

However, Mr Jeremiah Obeto, a businessman, described the experience so far as a nightmare.

“I am not the type that stays in one place, I am really finding it difficult to cope; the 14 days period is like eternity to me.

“I pray that COVID-19 goes back to where it came from so that Nigeria can be free again and there can be movement as before,” he said.

Similarly, a 38-year-old civil servant, Mr Francis Ukphore, said he never enjoyed staying at home.

“I have a wife who nags a lot, she reacts to every little thing.

“In order to avoid her troubles, after leaving the office every day, I hang out with my friends in a bar and come home late.

“I miss my friends. I miss my drinking joint, I can’t wait for this pandemic to be over,” he said.

Mr Gbenga Akinola, a businessman, said that since he got married 12 years ago, he had not stayed together for long with his wife because of his business.

“I stay in Abuja while my wife and children stay here in Lagos.

“I came to Lagos on a two-day visit and this lockdown pinned me down.

“I am not enjoying my stay at all. It is like prison,” he said.

He however, said that the lockdown was necessary, and hailed Nigeria’s efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“Staying at home is hard but a major way out. I pray that we shall overcome.

“The infected ones will live and their health restored,” he prayed. (NAN).

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has responded to the rumour that President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari had been sacked.

There was a sack letter in circulation on social media last Wednesday, said to have been from the SGF, announcing the sack of Kyari. But the SGF said the letter is fake.

The Chief of Staff tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and his whereabouts is a subject of controversy presently, even when he announced that he was going to be in Lagos State for self-isolation and treatment.

The SGF, who spoke thorough the Director of Information, Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr. Willie Bassey, told Daily Trust that such report was not true and should be disregarded.

According to him, the statement is a “Fake news” as the Office of the SGF does not sign releases like the one in circulation. “Is this how we send our releases? Have you ever sighted a release ever written by the SGF? I am not aware of the claim,” Bassey said.

The release being circulated stated that: “The termination of the appointment of Mr. Abba Kyari took immediate effect. And the President has appointed Alhaji Babagana Kingibe as the new Chief of Staff (C0S).

“The President thanked Mr Abba Kyari for his absolute loyalty to him and to the nation during the period he served as his CoS. He prayed to God for his speedy recovery.”

The United States has recorded 1,169 deaths from COVID-19 in 24 hours, the highest single-day toll from the disease so far in any country.

Data from the John Hopkins University shows a total of 5,926 deaths have been reported in the US, which also has the highest number of cases worldwide at 245,570.

In Italy, which had the global single-day record of deaths at 969, a total of 13,915 have now been killed by COVID-19 — the highest death-toll globally.

About 115,242 persons have also been infected by the disease in the European country.

Spain, the third worst-hit country, has also recorded 112,065 infections so far.

Europe remains the most affected region with at least half a million cases — more than half of the total infections worldwide.

The picture is less gloomy in Africa with 7,028 cases and 284 deaths across 50 countries, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Out of that number, 190 have so far been recorded in Nigeria where two people have also died from complications of the disease.

More than 212,300 people have recovered from COVID-19 worldwide, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and individual countries continue the search for a drug and vaccine.

Tunji Ajibade

Coronavirus outbreak happened and Nigeria’s health minister, Dr Osagie Enahire, began to hold press briefings. The purpose is to bring Nigerians up to speed regarding the outbreak. It’s also to give facts that render speculations useless. Nevertheless, inventive Nigerians on social media were steps ahead with their fact and fiction. One of such was about the health status of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as well as his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari. Against this backdrop, Enahire held a press briefing but the manner he went about this particular one raised more clouds than the dust of speculations he was out to clear.

On that occasion, it was a Question and Answer time and a journalist asked about Kyari’s COVID-19 status, referencing Enahire’s comment about a presidential aide. The minister said he didn’t mention Kyari’s name, rather he said “presidential aide”. He took exception to how the journalist mentioned Kyari’s name and he asked if the journalist knew he could get himself into trouble for mentioning the name. This exchange is absurd considering the purpose of the press briefing, just as it exposes a certain mentality among appointed public officials.

This isn’t the first time I call attention on this page to the manner public officials treat or respond to journalists. Sometimes, these officials conduct themselves as though they are some ego-burdened military officer who thinks his uniform qualifies him as a demi-god. Some take on airs as though certain questions are beneath them. They also issue veiled insults when in fact the questions asked by journalists provide them with an opportunity to use the voice they have to suavely rubbish their critics’ argument.

At other times, some appointed public officials respond to questions as if they are afraid of an imaginary military employer even though this is a democratic dispensation. For me, appointed officials who behave in this manner have two issues driving them. One, they’re afraid of losing the political post they hold.

Two, they are unaware that they also transfer the fears of their employers to both the Nigerian public and the journalists they sometimes address. I take exception to the last part, especially. For no Nigerian should be afraid of another Nigerian. I’ve never had the fear of any Nigerian, not even anyone who wears a uniform and egoistically imagines the uniform makes him some superhuman. When I see them act inappropriately, I’ve always verbally said what I think – soldier or police.

Their reactions make me know that they’re wary of the Nigerian who wouldn’t be silent in the presence of anyone in uniform who conducts himself irresponsibly. As for appointment, none is so important that I wouldn’t say my mind and walk away from an employer who thinks I should watch as they sabotage our nation. Some of us don’t have only one workplace address anyway. Each human being has more than one talent on which they potentially could survive; this is important to note by the person who doesn’t want to compromise his integrity, or perpetually live with the fear of being sacked.

I imagine Enahire didn’t mention the name of Buhari’s Chief of Staff in relation to the COVID-19 status at the press briefing because he was afraid of incurring the displeasure of his principal. This raises questions. Was there anyone to fear on that occasion? Was there any reason to fear? I attend to the first question. If, in a democratic dispensation, a cabinet minister is afraid to mention the name of the President’s Chief of Staff, the implication for our governance process is dire. It points to how afraid cabinet ministers may be to take fundamental decisions or stand up for what is right for our nation. It’s one reason so much crime against Nigeria is being committed in terms of corruption and impunity but top officials look the other way. This isn’t military rule, and that this disposition continues under democratic dispensation is unacceptable. Obviously, Enahire doesn’t want to offend Kyari through whom all ministers have access to the President. But is Kyari a man to fear?

Now, people have their sources of information, and through which prisms they see a public official. My experience is that sometimes public officials that people castigate are the ones who mean well for the public. Meanwhile, officials that the public praises do unbelievable damage to our polity, and only people who are close to them are aware of this.

I had sat in private conversations with a politician in the course of his campaigns and I heard him state the good things he planned to do for people from a marginalised section of his state. He arrived office and because of some occurrences that were neither his creation nor within anyone’s control, the people from that part of the state insulted and demonised him. If any human being would be encouraged to execute the fine plans he has after such attacks, he must be superhuman.

As for Kyari, people have their impressions about him, some formed from the partisan and tribalistic prejudices expressed in social media. I don’t form views from that source, or some of the irresponsible pieces of journalism we have around. If experience has taught me anything, it’s that it’s not all the time the crowd is right. And in case I need to know who a public figure really is, I ask relevant and appropriately informed Nigerians.

Top Nigerian professionals in different fields told me how Kyari called them and asked for their assistance in order to get done for Nigerians what certain cabinet ministers who had such statutory responsibility wouldn’t do.

Yet, such ministers cultivate the media, giving the impression they’re working when they’re actually working for their pockets. When this happens, I’m informed, Kyari reaches out through back channels to professionals, using presidential committees as well, to get things done in order to make his principal to look good in the eyes of Nigerians. I stop there since some would soon accuse me of speaking for a man that I have never met.

The day I have anything to complain about with regard to Kyari’s comment or action especially on how our nation is run, I shall state it too. That’s what fair and responsible journalism is all about, rather than the childish name-calling, insults, and noisome fuming which some mistook for criticism on the pages of newspapers.

As for Enahire’s threat that a journalist might get himself into trouble for merely mentioning Kyari’s name, this is from a mentality. It’s the mentality that a journalist might get himself hurt while doing his job. It isn’t exhibited by public officials alone.

Senior journalists do too. As such, they don’t help in the drive to create the right atmosphere for a journalist do their work without fear, and I don’t think this ought to be the case in a democratic dispensation. Not long ago, I pointed out how a Lagos State chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists said on a Channels TV programme that a certain journalist “got his fingers burnt.” The journalist investigated and reported the corruption that happened at the nation’s borders. Thereafter, men of the Nigerian Customs beat him to pulp.

The NUJ leader on many occasions referred to what this journalist did as though a journalist should fear any Nigerian in the course of doing their job. During his press briefing, Enahire displayed the same mentality. I expected that the NUJ’s national leadership would issue a statement stating that they took exception to how the minister tried to intimidate a journalist while doing his job. It didn’t happen.

Enahire’s objective for holding press briefing was to provide clarifications about Covid-19 and the Nigerians it had affected. But he said he mentioned “presidential aide”, he didn’t mention his name. So, what clarifications did this approach provide? He simply gave room for more speculations in the social media regarding the aide he might be talking about, and if another aide apart from Kyari had indeed fallen victim.

To this extent, Enahire’s outing that time didn’t achieve its purpose. His performance only makes one wonder when this mentality of fearing their principals, rather than being open with Nigerians, that’s common among appointed officials will wear off our national psyche. It does great harm to our polity far more than we reckon.

A young unidentified man and woman, suspected to be lovers, have reportedly drowned in the Ureje Dam of the Ekiti State Water Corporation, in Ado Ekiti metropolis.

Daily Sun gathered that the incident had occurred around 6:00 pm on Sunday while the deceased were supposedly attempting to dodge arrest by the police.

As at the time of this report, the identity of the man is still unknown, but the woman, whose name could not be ascertained, was said to be a resident of Bamgboye street, a community close to the dam.

According to reports, various gangs of young men and women often visit the dam to swim and also engage in illicit activities, including smoking of hard drugs, prostitution and even cult initiations.

According to the chairperson, Land Lord Association, Bamgboye community, Deaconess Phebian Fatuase, “the youths have turned the dam side into a den where they carry out all criminal activities.”

She said that the community had made several attempts to chase them out but that the youths had remained recalcitrant until the police became involved.

Deaconess Fatuase explained that until a few days ago, some of them were still arrested while smoking Indian hemp around the dam.

The chairperson noted that the man and the woman who reportedly drowned were said to have jumped into the dam on sighting security agents but had drowned when they could not beat the tide of the dam.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Mr Sunday Abutu, confirmed that two persons perished in the dam while swimming but said the police was never involved.

“Young guys and young girls do go there to smoke Indian hemp and other hard drugs, that was the report we got and once in a while, the police do go there to ensure that they don’t gather to commit those crimes.

“As at yesterday, the police didn’t go there, it was after the incident had happened that the police were called upon to come to the scene.

“They went swimming after they had probably taken drugs and in the process got drowned.”

According to him, their bodies have been recovered and deposited at the morgue of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital.

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has clarified that he did not call for the “literal printing of new naira notes” in his suggestions on the economic measures to be taken to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said: “Such a suggestion is extremely far-fetched and has never been on my mind. It is unfortunate that my prescriptions were so badly misunderstood and misreported.”

Tinubu, who marked his 68th birthday in a low-key on Sunday, had issued a statement calling on the Federal Government to maintain spending and temporarily suspend Value Added Tax (VAT). He said: “To be clear, I do not want, nor am I calling for the Federal Government to print a single new naira note.

What I do want is for the government to meet the coming economic challenges with a swift, bold and effective spending plan. Those who, until now, would spend their time beating up on straw men should give us their own plans. If, that is, they even have any.”

The National leader called for increased stipends to the poor by widening the net and substantially increase the beneficiaries of the “anti-poverty” stipends. Tinubu said the COVID-19 pandemic called for unity of purpose among Nigerians in order to defeat the virus. According to him, prudent fiscal policy is generally “countercyclical.”

“As the private sector shrinks, government does more,” he added. He also advised the government to announce a tax credit or partial tax reduction for companies or firms while the Value Added Tax (VAT) should be suspended for the next 2-4 months, saying this will help lower import costs and protect against shortages.

He also called for lowering of interest rates “to spur borrowing and private sector activity.” Tinubu stressed that the minimum the federal government can do was to “stick to its naira budgetary expenditures.”

“In fact, government should increase naira expenditures by at least 10 – 15 percent during an emergency. Allocations to state and local governments should be included in this addition. If not, we risk subnational recessions in important sections of the country,” he advised.

Other measures Tinubu suggested is the need for government to “accelerate spending and actual work on key infrastructural projects particularly regarding transportation; protecting the people against food shortages.” He said: “We need to protect the people from food shortages and high prices. As such, we must quickly improve farm-to-market delivery of agricultural produce.

Also, government should initiate a crash program to decrease spoilage of agricultural produce by construction of storage facilities in local marketplaces in and around major cities and towns throughout the country.

“We must establish a strategic grain reserve. Government should help ensure supply by establishing minimum premium price for certain food products.

“If economic trouble does come, government must be willing to freeze payment of certain consumer-related private debts. Evictions, foreclosure and light and water cut-offs might have to be suspended.

Suspension or partial reduction of payment of school fees for our most indigent families must be considered (that is when schools reopen) while government offers temporary support to the schools themselves.”

The National Leader noted that, with the virus in Nigeria despite the myths that it cannot survive in African climate or the black man is immune to it, everybody must unite to defeat the disease.

“If we carry forth in our usual ways, we may well carry ourselves into national disaster. Normal practices will not suffice.

We all must do better lest we all fail and suffer the grave consequences of collective failure. We pray that this terrible cloud will pass from us. However, we must prepare for the possibility that it may linger to rain hard upon us,” he added.

The Military has said that one of the top Commanders of the Boko Haram terror group, Abu Usamah, has been killed by troops in Gorgi, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Usamah according to a statement by the Acting Director Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, was among the terrorists killed by troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole during a subsidiary Operation known as Ayiso Tamonuma.

He said that the late terrorist died of gunshot injuries, having sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter with troops.

According to the statement, “it would be recalled that on 22 March 2020, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, while conducting a Special clearance operation in a subsidiary Operation called Operation AYISO TAMONUMA, decimated some key Boko Haram elements in an encounter at Gorgi in Damboa LGA of Borno State.

“In our earlier Press Briefing, we reported over 100 Boko Haram insurgents neutralized while scores of them escaped with gunshot wounds.

This was in addition to several equipment casualty suffered by the Boko Haram insurgents.

“As an update to that report, it is gratifying to note that, own communication intercept confirmed by accurate intelligence revealed that a top Boko Haram Commander, *ABU USAMAH* was among those Boko Haram insurgents killed during that encounter.

“He had earlier sustained fatal gunshot wounds in the firefight that ensued during the encounter before his foot soldiers hurriedly evacuated him and withdrew. Nevertheless, Abu Usamah died in the process.

“His death has no doubt created a consequential vacuum in the Boko Haram leadership particularly as the gallant troops remain resilient and continue to rout the criminal elements from their last enclaves in the North East”.

The statement added that, “In another development, troops of 159 Task Force Battalion, Operation LAFIYA DOLE deployed in Forward Operating Base Kanama, Yunusari LGA of Yobe State, neutralized scores of the Boko Haram Terrorists/Islamic State’s West Africa Province insurgents who attempted to infiltrate their location on 27 March 2020.

“The terrorists were severely decimated by our gallant Ground troops supported by the Air Component of Operation LAFIYA DOLE. They withdrew in disarray under superior fire power and were subsequently crushed by own troops.

“Furthermore, during the encounter several terrorists were neutralised while one Gun Truck and various arms and ammunition were captured by the troops. These include; one DSHK Gun, 2 AK 47 Rifles, 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb, 273 rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun ammunition, 101 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 15 jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit and a Boko Haram Terrorists flag.

“Meanwhile, the Military High Command has congratulated the gallant troops for their resilience, courage and dedication to the noble cause of defending our fatherland against the criminal elements. They were equally enjoined to continue to be steadfast and relentless against the enemies of our nation”.

The Central Bank of Nigeria recently unveiled a series of multi-billion naira credit facilities aimed at stimulating the economy in the wake of the rampaging coronavirus. While the intervention is welcome especially in aiding struggling SMEs, families and healthcare industry, there is need for the federal government to do more to assist the poor through fiscal interventions. Nosa James-Igbinadolor writes

In a series of intervention last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, unveiled a succession of targeted facilities including a N50billion targeted credit facility as well as a N100billion credit support intervention for the health sector. The apex bank announced the dual funds in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which had led to unprecedented disruptions to global supply chains, sharp drop in global crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets, lockdown of large swaths movements of persons in many countries, including Nigeria.

While the N50billion targeted credit facility stimulus package, according to the bank aims to among others, cushion the adverse effects of COVID-19 on households and MSMEs, support households and MSMEs whose economic activities have been significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and stimulate credit to MSMEs to expand their productive capacity through equipment upgrade, and research and development, the N100billion credit support intervention for the health sector seeks to strengthen the industry’s capacity to meet potential increase in demand for healthcare products and services. Specifically, the CBN noted that “the scheme is to provide credit to indigenous pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare value chain players intending to build or expand capacity”.

The apex bank further noted that, “the scheme is expected to improve public and private investment in the healthcare sector, facilitate improvements in healthcare delivery and reduce medical tourism to improve foreign exchange conservation”.

While the N50 billion scheme which is expected to be financed from the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Fund (MSMEDF) will cover key economic activities including agricultural value chain, hospitality (accommodation and food services), airline service providers, manufacturing/value addition, trading and any other income generating activities as may be prescribed by the CBN, with NIRSAL Microfinance Bank being the eligible participating financial institution for the Scheme, the N100 billion health intervention fund is expected to be funded from the Real Sector Support Facility-Differentiated Cash Reserves Requirement (RSSF-DCRR) and have Deposit Money Banks and Development Finance Institutions were eligible to disburse the fund.

The Nigerian central bank’s action comes against several monetary policy measures taken earlier to keep the economy afloat. As noted by investment firm, Cardinal Stone Partners, these include a N1.1 trillion stimulus to support local manufacturing & boost import substitution as well as ensure that laboratories, researchers, and innovators work with global scientists to patent and produce vaccines. The CBN also quietly devalued the naira by adjusting its FX intervention rates at the I&E (-5.6%% to c.N380/$) and BDC (-5.0% to c.N378/$) markets, amongst others, in response to Nigeria’s weakening external position and buffers. At the official window, the naira was also repriced lower to c.N360/$ from N307/$, resulting in a narrower spread between the official rate and the rates in other FX market strata. Elsewhere, the apex bank revealed plans to activate the N1.5 trillion Infraco project and redirect oil & gas dollar sales to itself instead of the NNPC. The former is expected to boost infrastructure while the latter is aimed at ensuring continued funding for petroleum imports and supporting the new policy on fuel price modulation.

It also comes against global monetary and fiscal responses to the debilitating effect of the COVID 19 attacks across the world. In the United States, the congress last week approved a $2trillion stimulus package, the largest economic stimulus in US history, in response to the economic impacts of Covid-19. While corporations will be the biggest recipients of the bailout, some of that money will be paid directly to Americans hit by the pandemic. Most taxpayers will get a check in the mail, while those directly impacted by the economic effects of Covid-19 are slated to receive robust government support.

In the United Kingdom, a gigantic stimulus package was launched to stabilise Britain’s virus-hit economy on Friday, including the government paying the wages of workers throughout the country. British Finance Minister, Rishi Sunak said that to help businesses pay people and keep them in work, the next quarter of VAT payments will be deterred, which “means no business will pay any VAT from now until the end of June and you’ll have until the end of the financial year to repay those bills.”

India’s finance ministry announced a 1.7 trillion ($22 billion) economic stimulus package that will include delivering grains and lentil rations for three months to 800 million people, some 60% of the world’s second-most populous country.

No doubt, the multi-billion naira multi-targeted credit facilities as policy responses will likely provide a calming effect on the economy. As noted by analysts at Cardinal Stone, “the measure could help manufacturers cover important obligations and keep plants running to meet domestic demand without inordinately raising prices to account for the rising cost of raw materials. The measures to support pharmaceutical and healthcare companies are also positive, given the shutdown of countries across the globe, ongoing spread of the COVID-19 virus in Nigeria, and sustained panic buying of pharmaceutical products domestically.”

However, the terms of participation would likely crowd out the most affected economic demographics from accessing these credits. The interest rate of 5% per annum for interested participants in the N50 billion scheme remains very high for households who are eligible to access a maximum of three million naira as well as for SMEs who will be allowed a maximum of twenty-five million naira credit.


For the loan tenor, the CBN posits that “working capital shall be for a maximum period of one year, with no option for rollover. Term loan shall have a maximum tenor of not more than 3 years with, at least, one-year moratorium.”

In addition, before beneficiaries can access the facility, the guidelines requires that a collateral be pledged by beneficiaries under the programme which shall be “acceptable by NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (MFB), but may include any one or more of the following: Moveable asset(s) duly registered on the National Collateral Registry (NCR); Simple deposit of title documents, in perfectible state, Deed of Debenture (for stocks), in perfectible state; Irrevocable domiciliation of proceeds; Two (2) acceptable Guarantor; Personal Guarantee of the promoter of the business; Life Insurance of the Key-Man, with NIRSAL Microfinance bank (NMFB) noted as the First Loss Payee and Comprehensive Insurance over the asset.

For households and SMEs, the guidelines stated that eligible households or MSMEs will have to submit applications directly to NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB). The application the guidelines said must, among others, “contain BVN number, business registration (where applicable) and business plan with clear evidence of the opportunity or adverse impact as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.”

While the monetary intervention from the Central Bank is welcome, there is need for the government to do more. The unprecedented orders from the federal and many state governments keeping nearly 200 million Nigerians at home for all but critical expeditions to places like markets and pharmacies risk heaping further hardships on the people. Blue collar workers including Carpenters, Masons, Plumbers, Mechanics as well as itinerant produce peddlers, day laborers and other informal workers form the backbone of the Nigerian economy, comprising a major component of all employment, according to official data. Many buy food with the money they make each day and have no savings to fall back on. Their main concern is food and not the virus. Untold numbers are now out of work and many families have been left struggling to eat.

The House of Representatives on Thursday, passed the Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill, 2020, which, among other things, aims at providing temporary relief to companies and individuals from the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill seeks to provide temporary relief to companies and individuals, and to alleviate the adverse financial consequences of a slowdown in economic activities brought on by the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease in Nigeria. It will also protect the employment of Nigerians who might otherwise become unemployed as a consequence of management decision to retrench personnel in response to the prevailing economic reality. It will also provide for a moratorium on mortgage obligations for individuals at a time of widespread economic uncertainty and “cater to the general financial wellbeing of Nigerians pending the eradication of this pandemic and a return to economic stability.”

The Senate is yet to however pass the measure having gone on recess to resume in two weeks. This means that Nigerians badly affected by the COVID -9 crisis will have to wait for the Senators to return from their holiday in order to make critical economic gains from the buffeting corona pandemic.

Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, in a recent write-up, in response to the growing coronavirus, warned that while it is planting season in most parts of the continent, “farmers are being asked to sit at home, the movement of seasonal workers is restricted, research institutes that provide seeds, fertiliser blending companies and agro dealers, processors and markets are all being shut down. Our regional and national borders are closed, and trading is being restricted. These realities, if prolonged and not urgently addressed, will lead to short term consequences of food shortages, price hikes, and medium to long term consequences of under-nutrition, mass starvation and eventually death, especially among our most vulnerable populations.”

Nwuneli further cautioned that “beyond guidance and protocols, our governments must urgently partner with the financial services sector to develop comprehensive loan packages for farmers, and entrepreneurs who are committed to working during the crises and can demonstrate their capacity to fill critical gaps in the food ecosystem.”

There is therefore an urgent need for the government to go beyond the monetary interventions by the CBN and fashion a fiscal stimulus package to blunt the effects of the lockdown on the poor, an economic demographic that has been geometrically expanding since 2015 as a result of millions of job losses that have characterised the Buhari administration.

All Progressives Congress leader, Bola Tinubu , has asked the Federal Government to print more naira notes in order to save the economy from collapse even as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to bite harder.

Tinubu said this in a statement he wrote in commemoration of his 68 birthday .

The former governor of Lagos State said the United States Federal Reserve had printed more dollars in order to boost the economy.
He said Nigeria could also do the same .

Tinubu added, “ Already , the price of oil has fallen to less than 30 dollars a barrel . This will bring a dollar shortfall . This does not, however , necessitate a corresponding shortfall in public sector naira expenditures .

“ The US controls dollar issuance . We control naira issuance as is our sovereign right . Just as America has used its sovereign right to issue its currency to stave economic disaster, so too may Nigeria issue naira for the same purpose .”

ABAKALIKI  – A middle aged woman simply identified as Mrs. Eddie, from Ndiakpurata, Igbeagu Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has allegedly killed her husband with rat poison. 

She was consequently paraded on Thursday by the villagers comprising youths and women of the area for the alleged act. 

The angry villagers moved her round the village square naked, before banishing her. 

It was gathered that the accused allegedly took her husband’s life for beating her over her alleged extra-marital affairs with other men in the village. 

A source from the village who preferred to be anonymous said Mrs Eddie was fond of sleeping outside her marital home. 

“When she returned home late on Sunday night, the husband confronted her, and a quarrel ensued, and in the process, the husband beat hell out of her. Angered by his action, she revenged by preparing his meal with rat poison which led to his death,” the source said. 

The source further described the woman’s action as an abomination, adding that she deserved the treatment offered her by the community. 

“What the woman did is unpardonable and an abomination. That was why the youths stripped her naked and paraded her around the village. 

“The man came back from a burial that fateful night and ate a food prepared by her wife with the rat poison, and the following morning, he was reported dead. 

“She secretly threw the remaining food away so that we will not know, but God has exposed her evil act. She has been flirting with different boys in the community despite her age and the fact that her husband is a responsible man who takes care of her. Her action is embarrassing and a disgrace to womanhood,” the source narrated. 

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Loveth Odah, said the command was yet to get the report, but assured that they would find out the truth.

The last executive session of the Senate before sitting was suspended for two weeks was with a drama over COVID-19. About 35 Senators who recently came back from London after a seminar on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill were isolated by their colleagues at the session because they refused to subject themselves to Coronavirus test.

All the remaining senators refused to either shake hands or engage them in discussions. The usual camaraderie was absent as many senators wanted a snappy session.

Findings at press time revealed that most of the senators opted for COVID-19 test only in private hospitals because they feared that their health status might leak from government clinics. All of them are keeping the results to themselves.

The challenge at hand is that the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, does not know who is positive or negative among his colleagues. The Senate remains at a higher risk.

Oyo State Government has revealed that it may likely impose travel restrictions at the State’s entry points, as part of measures for containing the Coronavirus pandemic in the State.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA), Dr. Akin Fagbemi said this on Wednesday during an interview at COVID-19 situation Room on a popular radio station in Ibadan.

The Executive Chairman said, the State Government would only allow essential travels into the State, which would be subjected to thorough health checks.

He said “All entry points into Oyo State (land and airways) may soon be closed. Entry and transit by any vehicle would be subjected to robust health check of all passengers”.

Dr. Fagbemi revealed that OYRTMA has prepared for the challenging times, the State is in, and has put efforts in place to closely monitor the State’s borders.

Noting that the transportation sector could be a major carrier of COVID-19, if not properly managed, Dr. Fagbemi called on transport companies, transport unions and terminal operators to keep a travel manifest for inbound and outbound passengers, especially verified phone numbers.

Urging them to provide hand-wash stands and sanitizers in their garages, he called on passengers to cooperate with them by washing their hands with soap and water and sanitize them before boarding, adding that recalcitrant passengers should be denied boarding if they fail to comply with the hygiene procedures.

The Kenyan government has told members of the public to avoid unnecessary sex and have at least two beds in one household.

The government also discouraged any close contact of people with their partners saying that will increase the chance of spreading coronavirus.

Kenya has confirmed three more coronavirus cases, meaning the country now has seven patients with Covid 19.

Health Cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Wednesday confirmed that three more patients had tested positive for the virus.

Two of the cases were a couple that travelled from Madrid, Spain on March 4 through Dubai arriving in Kenya on March 5.

The tired case is a Burundian national who travelled from Dubai, UAE, to Kenya. He arrived on March 17 and was picked up by a surveillance team, Mr Kagwe said.

We are tracing persons who may have been in contact with the patients” he said.

The tested were done by the National Influenza Centre and the Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Eighteen patients are currently admitted at Mbagathi. Of these, the CS said seven have been screened and are negative. Samples of 11 others are still being processed.

The Kenya government is now appealing to Kenyans to report anyone who is not self-quarantining.

“Any Kenyans travelling into the country must sign a legal form to assure the gov’t that you will be self-quarantine,” he said.

Mr Kagwe also stressed the importance of strict hygiene in curbing the spread of the pandemic.

“Washing hands and social distancing is the key reasons Chinese cases are coming down.”

Commercial sex workers at Allen Avenue Ikeja, have been hit hard by the novel coronavirus (CONVID-19) that has hit the world, forcing some of them to call their customers at reduced prices.

They said the Virus is preventing their customers and potential customers from engaging their services for the fear of contracting it through body contact.

To them, the COVID-19 is not the only disease that puts their health at risk.

There has been a ban on all social gatherings, shaking of hands, body contacts, the social distance of two meters among others, all practical measures of avoiding the spread of coronavirus that has hit the country.

The country has so far recorded 46 cases of the virus, with one death, recorded in the midst of adhering to the measures of avoiding body contacts, social distance, washing and sanitizing of hands, avoiding gatherings among others, announced by the nigerian center for disease control, our corespondent who visited Allen Avenu roundabout, Ikeja, said the spots were not as busy as they used to be before the emergence of the COVID-19.

“Though I am afraid of the disease I have to confront it as its my source of income, one of the worker said.

I used to entertain ten customers a day, but with the advent of the coronavirus, only two customers have patronized me in four days, even at reduced prices,” a Queen of the Night, as they preferred to be called.

A frustrated lady also said “life has become hard. Since last week, I have not even slept with one customer, how am I going to pay for my rent and other bills?

I am afraid of the CONVID-19, but there are other diseases that kill. I pray that the disease is controlled as early as possible to reverse business to normalcy.”

ABUJA / BAUCHI – There are strong indications that the vice president and governors may be in palpable fear following report of self-isolation of the Bauchi State governor, Bala Moham­med, over the coronavirus pandemic.

Such fears may have be­come rife following contact between the Bauchi gover­nor and son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has tested positive for coronavirus.

Governor Mohammed and Atiku’s son were said to have exchanged pleasantries inside the aircraft prior to the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, which held at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, last week.

At that meeting usually chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Mohammed was believed to have come in contact with the vice president, including oth­er governors whom he may have exchanged pleasantries with.

Governors spotted at the Presidential Villa on Thurs­day for the National Econom­ic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by the vice president, were Edo, Godwin Obaseki; Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule; Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje; Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru; Ebonyi, David Umahi; Keb­bi, Atiku Bagudu; Anambra, Willie Obiano, among others.

The meeting which lasted several hours also took pre­sentations from some Minis­try of Health officials, includ­ing the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who is also a consultant epidemiologist, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Recall that Ihekweazu recently came out of self-iso­lation which he started on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 after a trip to China.

Bauchi State government said on Monday that Gov. Bala Mohammad would be “isolating” himself for some time following contact with Mohammed Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

This revelation is con­tained in a statement issued to newsmen in Bauchi by Muktar Gidado, Senior Spe­cial Assistant (SSA), Media, to the governor.

“This is to inform the gen­eral public that His Excellen­cy, Gov. Bala Mohammed has gone into self-isolation.

“This development is se­quel to the report from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that the son of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Mohammed Ati­ku Abubakar, was tested pos­itive to coronavirus upon his return from an international trip through Lagos.

“It would be recalled that Gov. Bala Mohammed, who also recently returned from an official trip in Lagos, met with Mohammed Atiku Abu­bakar in Aero Contractors aircraft, where they shook hands and exchanged pleas­antries.

“So far, the governor did not exhibit any symptom of the disease, but based on the recommendation of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, he will remain in isolation in order to avoid the risk of spread in the disease,” said Gidado.

The aide to the governor also disclosed that the blood sample of Mohammad had been taken and is currently undergoing clinical tests.

“For the period of the clin­ical testing, the governor and his entourage will remain in isolation, pending the out­come of the clinical result.

“Consequently, therefore, the governor has cancelled all his appointments with im­mediate effect and any incon­veniences caused are highly regretted,” said Gidado.

Meanwhile, as tension over the outbreak of coronavirus continues, wife of the presi­dent, Aisha Buhari, has called on the Federal Government to bar workers at all levels from going to work.

She said the measure have become necessary if the coun­try must check the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.

Aisha, who took to her Twitter handle to make the suggestion, said it would be counterproductive, if chil­dren are barred from going to school while their parents keep going to work.

The first lady gave her opinion in a tweet on Mon­day, where she described the recent school lockdown in the country as commendable.

She said, “It is commend­able that state governors have closed down schools; however, this could be counterproduc­tive if parents are still going to work. We should not isolate students and expose their par­ents. Let us remember that they will meet at home”.

FG Considers Partial Lockdown

Again, as Nigeria records 36 cases and one death from coronavirus (COVID-19), the Federal Government said on Monday that it may consid­er a partial shutdown of the country in order to enforce social distancing to contain the spread and keep Nigeri­ans safe.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, who stated this at a news conference on COVID-19 in Abuja, however, assured that any decision to be taken would be in the best interest of Nigerians.

He appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the ef­forts of the government at all levels to defeat coronavirus.

“We are hoping for the best in our efforts to contain the disease, but we are prepared for the worst.

“The truth is that things may yet get worse than they are now, hence the need for all hands to be on deck.

“Tougher decisions may yet be on the way to contain this disease. But whatever de­cision is taken will be in the best interest of Nigerians,” he said.

The minister disclosed that the country now had a total of 36 cases and had recorded its first coronavirus death, a 67-year-old man in Abuja with serious underlying diseases.

He said the presidential task force had directed that with immediate effect, all pas­sengers on domestic flights are to be properly screened, just like it is done for interna­tional travelers.

“All federal schools are already shut down and the Executive Secretary, Nation­al Universities Commission (NUC), will be directed to close all universities, both public and private.

“While Nigeria has refused to succumb to panic in tack­ling this disease, it has not wavered in its preparedness,” Mohammed said.

He recalled that the govern­ment had taken a number of measures to contain the dis­ease, including restrictions on travel from 15 countries that had recorded more than 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

He listed the countries as: China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, the U.S., Norway, UK, Netherlands, Switzer­land, Austria and Sweden.

According to him, govern­ment has suspended issuance of visas on arrival and has canceled those issued to na­tionals of the countries.

Mohammed further re­called that the government had shutdown internation­al airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt, and had reduced fuel price from N145 to N125 per litre follow­ing the outbreak.

He said the government had also granted credit relief of N1.1 trillion as announced by the Central Bank of Nige­ria (CBN) to businesses affect­ed by the pandemic.

The minister listed other relief measures to include the establishment of a credit facility by the CBN for house­holds, small and medium en­terprises, and reduction of interest rates for loans from nine percent to five percent.

The government admon­ished religious and political leaders to show great respon­sibility and obey directives in its efforts at containing coro­navirus.

“The Federal Government is aware that some political and religious leaders have ei­ther denied the existence of coronavirus or have defied the directives to avoid a large gathering.

“Leaders of all hues must show great responsibility at this time. They must avoid putting the lives of not just their followers but also those of the general public in dan­ger.

“Nigerians too must take responsibility, do what they are requested to do to stay safe and stop blaming others.

“For those who would continue to willfully flout the directives aimed at checking the spread of this disease, the long arm of the law will soon catch them,” he said.

The minister solicited the cooperation of all Nigerians in the area of “contact trac­ing”.

He said the government would not hesitate to deploy the police and the military in tracing suspected individuals in hiding.

“As you may be aware, health services use ‘contact tracing’ to find people who may have been exposed to an infectious disease, in this case coronavirus.

“Those who have come into close contact with others who have coronavirus are at higher risk of infection, and of potentially infecting oth­ers.

“For those who will not co­operate by submitting to the authorities as required, the government will use all lawful means at its disposal to trace and bring them in.

“Having now shut our gateway airports, the biggest assignment for us is ‘contact tracing’ to find all those who may have come into contact with those who have the dis­ease,” he said.

Mohammed warned against playing politics with coronavirus, stressing that the disease “does not select its victims on the basis of their political party affiliation, their religion or ethnicity.”

He reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s as­surances to Nigerians that the government was on top of the situation and that there was no cause for panic.

“The government at the highest level is already lead­ing by example. Mr. President has cut down the number of courtesy visits and he is not shaking hands.

“One of the president’s daughters is in self isolation.

“The meeting of the heads of state of the Chad Basin Commission scheduled for next week has been cancelled.

“Visitors to the State House get their hands sanitised and their temperature taken at several points before reaching the executive council cham­bers,” he said.


FG Suspends FEC, Tightens Grip On Land Borders

Meanwhile, Secretary to the Government of the Feder­ation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has announced government’s decision to further tighten its shut down of all land borders into the country.

The measure, which is part of actions to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country, has also led to the suspension of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting until the situa­tion improves.

Also suspended is the Council of State meeting, earlier scheduled for Thurs­day this week, where former Heads of State and Presidents meet to proffer solutions on burning national issues.

Mustapha made these pro­nouncements in his capacity as chairman of the presiden­tial task team on the control of coronavirus pandemic.

He said, “In furtherance of our ongoing engagement with the public and stake­holders through the Presi­dential Task Force (PTF) and the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), I have found it necessary to update you on recent developments regard­ing the management of mat­ters arising from COVID-19 pandemic.

“Let me remind you that as at the time the Honourable Minister of Health (HMoH), briefed you earlier today, the numbers from the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed that the virus has covered 192 countries, report­ing over 329,000 cases.

“In Africa, 42 out of 54 countries have reported cas­es while 48 deaths have been recorded.

“In Nigeria, 36 cases have been reported and one fatal­ity has occurred. The first responders, particularly the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), continues to attend to reports received through telephone calls and other mediums.

“We commend Nigerians for stepping out to report and/ or make enquires through the dedicated hotlines. Records show that on Sunday, 22nd March, 2020, over 4500 calls were received. This shows the high level of awareness amongst Nigerians”.

He said the strategy of government was to focus on testing, detection and con­tainment through contact tracking in order to minimise hugely, the possibility of com­munity spread.

He urged anyone experi­encing the symptoms of the virus or has been in contact with anyone who has been suspected or tested positive to please report at the nearest medical facility or the desig­nated centre.

Boss noted that the Presi­dential Task Force (PTF) will continue to monitor the global and domestic developments and has isolated Lagos and Abuja for particular attention in view of their population, mobility and number of cases already reported.

“As you are all aware, a number of advisories have been issued and measures taken. Part of the measures being taken presently include the following: escalating the nation’s capacity for testing and detection through the acquisition of more testing kits and establishment of ad­ditional test centres.

“Acquisition of personnel protection equipment (PPE) for different categories of frontline personnel; enhanc­ing contact tracking; deep­ening awareness creation; mobilisation of experts and trained personnel whether in service or retired; intro­duction of social distancing policies and banning mass gathering of over fifty persons, closure of schools and tertiary institutions; and the total ban on international travels shall commence at 12.00 midnight tonight at all our airports; and leaders of different faiths have been encouraged to restrict services and activities that in­volve mass gathering of more than fifty of their adherents. State governments are also en­forcing this policy at different levels.

“Ladies and gentlemen, af­ter a further review, Mr. Presi­dent on the recommendation of Presidential Task Force (PTF) has approved the fol­lowing additional measures: suspension of the weekly FEC meetings until further notice.

“Postponement of the meeting of the Council of State scheduled for Thursday 26th March, 2020; including all land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure shall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective 23rd March, 2020.

“In order to protect Feder­al Civil and Public Servants, a circular to be issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) shall direct on actions to be taken immediately; if and when the need arises, any national assets required for use in the response to COVID-19 shall be mobilised and deployed.”


CJN Shuts All Courts Over Coronavirus

Similarly, Ibrahim Mu­hammad, Chief Justice of Ni­geria (CJN), has ordered that all courts in the nation should suspend judicial activities in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Muhammad gave the direc­tive on Monday evening.

On Friday, the CJN had issued a circular mandating all staff and court visitors (including lawyers, litigants, press, orderlies), to undergo screening at the court en­trance.

According to the notice, “Anyone who refuses to un­dergo temperature screening at the entrance should be sent back.”

On Monday, the CJN di­rected all courts to close for at least two weeks, effective from Tuesday, March 24.

However, the CJN said matters which are time bound would be treated.

“Further to my earlier circular Ref. No. NJC/CIR/ HOC/II/629 dated 20th March, 2020, on the above subject mat­ter. In view of the reality of the COVID-19 in the country and in order to take further preventive steps, all heads of courts are, from tomorrow, the 24th day of March 2020, directed to suspend court sittings for an initial period of two weeks at the first in­stance, except in matters that are urgent, essential or time bound according to our extant laws,” he said.

“Your Lordships are here­by directed to bring the con­tent of this circular to the notice of all stakeholders in justice administration, please.”

Here’s how desperate it’s getting … medical professionals in England are so strapped for supplies, nurses are now wearing trash bags to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

The pic was snapped at Northwick Park Hospital in London. The hospital declared an emergency Thursday after it was filled to capacity in the critical care unit.

One of the nurses in the photo said, “We are so disheartened with what we face day by day, night by night.”  Doctors and nurses are begging for proper gowns, masks, and gloves.

Six people have died at the hospital and dozens are in ICU.

This is a sign of the times everywhere … in the U.S. there’s been talk of doctors and nurses using scarves if masks aren’t available.

The obvious problem … when medical professionals get the disease but are asymptomatic, they can spread it to a large number of people, including other medical professionals.

Sodiq Oyeleke



The National Youth Service Corps has suspended its weekly Community Development Service activities indefinitely .

This is coming a few days after shutting down its orientation camps nationwide.

The suspension of the CDS was contained in a press statement obtained by our correspondent on Friday .

The statement , which was signed by NYSC Director of Human Resource Management Abdulrazak Salawu , said the CDS suspension was because of the increasing cases of Covid-19 .

The PUNCH reports that corp members across the country meet weekly in their local governments and once in a month in their zones .
The statement explained that the CDS meetings have a large number of persons coming in close contact .

It also ordered all Local Government Inspectors to immediately comply with the directive.

The statement read, “ Sequel to the pandemic of coronavirus globally and management ’ s concern for the wellbeing of corp members nationwide, I am directed to inform you to suspend all Community Development Service activities until further notice .

“ This obvious course of action is directed by circumstances beyond our control .

“ The sudden changes in many countries warranting social changes between persons and isolation of persons on account of COVID -19 present no other option but to stop CDS activities because of a large number of persons in close contact .

“ With the abundance of caution , avoidance of errors is easily achievable .”

John Ameh and Sunday Aborisade



The Senate leadership has directed senators who recently returned from an official trip from Europe to go for coronavirus test immediately .

Members of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream returned to Nigeria this week from a three - day international training programme , organised by Skills and Career Support Centre in London.

The programme started on March 13 , and ended on Sunday , March 15 .

Addressing journalists in Abuja after plenary on Thursday , the Senate spokesperson , Senator Godiya Akwashiki , said the affected senators had been asked to go for test .

He said, “ Senate President urged those that just returned from foreign trip to do the test from tomorrow because as leaders we should show example to others . ”

Akwashiki said the leadership of the Senate would meet with the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd .) , if he failed to address Nigerians on the issue of coronavirus.

He said, “ I want to believe that in the next one week , if he didn’ t address the nation , the leadership of the Senate will engage the executive arm of government because it is a serious issue .

“ I want to ask for a little patient with the President to address the nation . ”

He said some senators during the closed session advocated the immediate closure of the National Assembly and the suspension of plenary but that the Senate President said it would be a hasty action .

Earlier at plenary , Lawan announced the decision of the Senate to suspend public hearings and restrict access to its chamber over coronavirus.
Lawan said, “ The Senate resolves to suspend all public hearings till further notice as a result of COVID -19 .

“ In addition , the Senate gallery will remain closed to the public till further notice including excursions from schools and organisations from Tuesday , 24 th of March , 2020 , ” Lawan said.

Meanwhile, the Presidency rose in defence of Buhari’s alleged silence on the coronavirus , especially his failure to address the nation like other world leaders had done .

The Presidency said his silence did not mean “ complacency” as he had activated all relevant government agencies to respond adequately to the pandemic.

His media aide , Mr Garba Shehu , in a statement , said , “ To prevent the spread of cases imported into Nigeria , the President has already ordered the restriction of travel from 13 countries , each with more than 1 ,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 . Government has also suspended visas issued to nationals of these countries . ”

The Presidency insisted that the regime was on top of the situation , using all means available , including government - owned media , to sensitise Nigerians.

On measures taken to cushion the effects of coronavirus, the Presidency stated , “ The President instructed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to reduce the pump price of fuel . The Covid- 19 pandemic has led to a crash in the global price of crude oil , and the President decided that every Nigerian should benefit from this . Subsequently, the NNPC announced a N 20 deduction , and the pump price of fuel has now been reduced from N 145 per litre to N 125 per litre.

“ The CBN on Monday announced a credit relief of N 1 . 1 tn to businesses affected by the pandemic. The bank has also established a facility for household , small and medium enterprises and announced a reduction of interest rates for loans from 9 per cent to 5 per cent .”

By FEMI OYEWESO 




Strong indication emerged Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital that the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun may relieve the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Dr. Oludare Kehinde of his duties following his public outburst against the former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

The governor had expressed displeasure and dissociated himself and his administration from the comment made by his Youths’ Commissioner which is perceived as, “unfortunate and uncomplimentary” of the status of Chief Osoba.

The Commissioner had during an interview with the media, described Osoba, one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a failed political leader in Ogun state who failed to groom and develop future leaders that would have taken over from him in the state unlike the personalities of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and late Lam Adesina of Oyo state.

But in a statement issued late Tuesday Abiodun said the comments were never a reflection of the mind of his administration, emphasising that that the affected Commissioner, Kehinde “has accordingly been reprimanded”.

According to the governor, the entire members of his cabinet has tenders an “unreserved” apology to Chief Olusegun Osoba for the comments made by the Commissioner.

“The words used in those unwarranted and unauthorised comments were indeed infantile and distasteful. These comments were never a true reflection of the disposition of both the governor and indeed the government and the high esteem that Chief Olusegun Osoba is held, ” said.

LEADERSHIP reliably gathered that the affected Commissioner was not allowed into the inner chamber to be part of the State Executive Committee meeting held yesterday at the governor’s office.

Also, in the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Kunle Somorin said the governor “is indeed proud to be associated with Baba Osoba and remained grateful for his leadership role at bringing the current administration in place and his role as a pillar of support will continue to stabilise the Dapo Abiodun led administration.

“It is therefore no exaggeration that Akinrogun Egba, Aremo Akile Ijebu, Araba Yewa, Asalu of Remo is the father of modern Ogun state. It is gratifying that this issue has been discussed with Baba and as, usual, he has demonstrated the fatherly and reassuring understanding of a leader, he truly is”.

Although pressure from the nation’s border closure may have dissipated and slowed down the spike in inflation rate, the effect of the new 7.5 per cent value added tax (VAT) regime, as well as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic may continue to drive inflation rate higher than expected.

Indeed, with the cost of imports from key trading partners such as Italy and China likely to spike, resulting in cost-push inflation, as well as slowdown in the economy as a result of lockdown in many economies, Nigeria’s inflation rate may not be slowing down soon.

Specifically, inflation in Nigeria rose for the sixth straight month to a near two-year high, the statistics office said yesterday, as the impact of the country’s closed borders continued to be felt.

Inflation stood at 12.20% in February, compared with 12.13% in the previous month. It is the highest inflation rate since April 2018, when it stood at 12.48%.

A separate food price index showed inflation at 14.90% in February, compared with 14.85% in January.

“This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of bread and cereals, fish, meat, vegetables, and oils and fats,” the National Bureau of Statistics said in its report.

The central bank’s monetary policy committee will meet next week to set its benchmark interest rate, even though the apex bank expects to keep monetary policy tight in 2020 to combat inflation and support the currency amidst slow growth of around 2%.

Analysts at Cordros Securities noted that for March, softer price increase expectations from robust market supply underpin our slower food inflation forecast (-4bps to 0.83% m/m).

“Elsewhere, the recent naira weaknesses are not expected to bleed over to either the core or food basket in the short term as the CBN continues its aggressive supply of FX for eligible imports across its different strata of FX windows. Thus, core inflation is expected to print 0.71% m/m, a 2bps lower than the previous months. Tying it all together, headline inflation is expected to print 1.79%, cascading to 12.20% y/y.

“For the next few months, the recent precipitous decline in crude oil prices, which now questions the CBN’s ability to keep the naira range-bound, poses a fresh upside risk to both the core and food baskets, and by extension, the headline inflation. We expect the CBN to explore all available options, including ‘gun-boat’ tactics, to defend the currency.

“However, we believe that the lack of substantial fiscal buffers and foreign investors continued aversion towards naira assets, will eventually force the CBN to re-price the currency should oil price sustain its downward spiral”, Cordros’ analysts added.

Assuming, the border remains shut through 2020 and the proposed electricity price hike is implemented in April, Cordros expects inflation to hit 15.89% in December, and average 13.21% over 2020FY.

Analysts at Afrinvest Securities Limited said: “We suspect that the month-on-month moderation in consumer prices in February reflects the thinning-out effect of festive season purchases and land border closure.

“However, we believe this would be short-lived once consumer prices fully reflect the recent VAT increase. In addition, as fallout from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect exchange rate pressures and supply chain disruptions with trade partners to impact domestic consumer prices in the coming months.

Vetiva Capital Management Limited said: “Although we expect domestic demand to be in congruence with the global trend and remain fragile, we see little room for a sharp moderation in inflation in full year 2020.

“As such, we expect the annual inflation rate for full year 2020 to print at 11.5% year on year, weaker than our previous estimate of 11.8 per cent year on year, as fears of an impending recession and the impact on supply chain disruptions rein in domestic demand.

There is tension in Unguwan Fanfon Daji, a rural community in Batsari Council of Katsina State, after hunting dogs owned by indigenes killed 10 goats belonging to Fulani herders.

But to avert disaster, the herdsmen have asked the community to pay N60,000 as compensation for the goats. The community was given till tomorrow to raise the money.

It was learnt that the ultimatum unsettled the community, even as residents were taxing themselves to meet the demand.Trouble started last Saturday when three youths from the community, with several hunting dogs, set out into a nearby forest for hunting.

The youths and their dogs were said to have trekked close to an area where the herdsmen were pasturing their animals, and the dogs allegedly killed 10 goats.

“The youths ran for dear lives after they discovered what the dogs had done, but some of the herdsmen later went after them on motorcycles.

“They traced the youths and their dogs to Unguwan Fanfon Daji, and when they asked a resident who owned the dogs, he pointed out one of the youths that was part of the hunting expedition.

“The herdsmen caught him and tied him to one of their motorcycles, and were about to leave with him into the forest when some elderly men from the community came and begged them to reconsider their actions,” a source in the community told The Guardian.

With a dead goat as proof, the herders was said to have demanded that a N20,000 compensation be paid for each dead goat, amounting to N200,000.

But the community reportedly asked for some time to discuss the issue.

The source added that the herdsmen came back to the village on Sunday afternoon, and community leaders pleaded with them to accept N50, 00 for the dead goats, an offer that was declined.

After much negotiation, the herders finally agreed to collect N60,000 for the dead goats, and promised to return on Wednesday, March 18, by 2p.m. to collect the money. Spokesman for the police in the state, SP Gambo Isah, was yet to respond to inquiry made on the issue as at time of this report.