| Source | Date | Story Title | Summary of Reports | Subject/Category | Website Link/Page Number | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, May 28 2020 | Political Parties back INEC’s Plan to hold Edo, Ondo Elections | The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed support for the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)'s new policy on conducting elections in the country in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. A statement issued by the group which was signed by the National Chairman of African Action Congress (AAC), Dr. Leonard Nzenwa, described the new measure outlined recently by INEC as being “realistic, exhaustive, health-sensitive and in tune with reality of the time.” In the council's statement, the political parties stated that, “Coronavirus scourge has altered the country’s political horizon with its health, social and financial implications, making the use of electronic voting imperative. The council commends the electoral umpire for agreeing to use electoral voting machine in 2021 polls on a pilot scale.” According to Nzenwa, IPAC has been in the vanguard for the use of electronic voting system in conducting elections in Nigeria which will ensure free, fair, credible, transparent, acceptable and peaceful polls. He added that, “The exigency of the moment has made it imperative for INEC to receive political parties’ nomination forms for Edo and Ondo State governorship elections online, in compliance with various established coronavirus preventive protocols such as social distancing. IPAC underscored the importance of voter education to familiarise voters with the new electoral framework. | INEC, IPAC, Edo and Ondo governorship elections | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/28/political-parties-back-inecs-plan-to-hold-edo-ondo-elections/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 28 2020 | Former Edo SSG, Ize-Iyamu picks APC gubernatorial form | Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has obtained the nomination form for the Edo governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja to participate in the part's primaries ahead of the Edo State governorship election slated for September 19, 2020. Ize- Iyamu, who was a former Secretary to the State government told journalists that he has learnt his lessons in other parties, stressing that he is back home to be a member of the APC after he left the party in 2014. The faction of the APC in the Edo State loyal to the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, has picked Ize-Iyamu, as its consensus aspirant for the election. The Edo APC has been engulfed in crisis due to the rift between Oshiomhole and the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki. The feud has polarised the party and stirred altercations at the Edo State House of Assembly as only 10 out of the 24 members-elect have been inaugurated. | Ize-Iyamu, APC, Edo State Governorship election | ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, May 28 2020 | COVID-19: FG considers Two-shift Option for Reopening of Schools | The Federal government has disclosed that it would soon unveil the policy for safe reopening of schools, stating that it is also weighing the option of running two classes in the morning and afternoon in secondary schools, to enable students make up for lost grounds. Also, the Federal government and religious leaders have reached an agreement on proposals for the reopening of worship centres nationwide. Speaking on Wednesday, May 27 in Abuja during a press briefing by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, the Chairman of the task force and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, assured Nigerians that plans for the safe reopening of schools across the country would soon be unveiled. According to Mustapha, “ The PTF has been deliberating on this situation and wish to inform Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Education will roll out measures to be put in place for the safe reopening of our schools. Also speaking at the briefing, the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, assured Nigerian children that all hands were on deck to reopen schools at a safe time and urged all stakeholders to begin to take steps that would facilitate an early and safe reopening. Nwajiuba dismissed the announcement that schools would be reopening on June 8, as not emanating from the Federal government, adding that the government would work with the guidance of experts and the World Health Organisation (WHO) before it reopens the schools. | COVID-19, Reopening of Schools | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/28/covid-19-fg-considers-two-shift-option-for-reopening-of-schools/ | |
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, May 28 2020 | Senate insists on Probe of NDDC’s Financial deals | The confrontation between the National Assembly and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has degenerated as the Senate on May 27, challenged the agency to publish records of alleged multiple contracts awarded to senators. The upper legislative chamber also asked the NDDC to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations of financial misdeeds made against some of the lawmakers. The NDDC Executive Director (Projects) and member of the IMC, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, had in an interview alleged, among others, that some senators got over 1000 contracts from the commission. The National Assembly had also been accused of “padding the commission’s 2019 budget with over 500 projects.” Acting Managing Director of the IMC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, who made the allegation stated that the planned probe of the agency by the legislators “is merely intended to make a mockery of the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.” In reaction, the Senate, at a press conference addressed by its committee on Niger Delta Affairs yesterday, alleged that its insistence on the probe of the NDDC was the reason the IMC members embarked on open media attack against leaders of the National Assembly, and challenged the IMC members to compile and publish the list of the contracts. Insisting on probing the financial transactions in the IMC, the chairman of the Niger Delta Affairs Committee, Peter Nwaoboshi stated that the National Assembly simply set up an adhoc committee to investigate allegations of embezzlement by the NDDC’s IMC, which should be allowed to conclude the investigation. | Senate, NDDC | https://guardian.ng/news/senate-insists-on-probe-of-nddcs-financial-deals/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, May 28 2020 | IGP, South East Governors strike deal on Community Policing | The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, and the five South East governors on Wednesday, May 27, agreed on modalities for the communal policing of the zone. Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, told journalists in Abakaliki after a virtual meeting of the body, that they had agreed with the IGP on a three-phased implementation policy. He explained that, “There is no longer a disagreement between the governors and leaders of the zone and IGP Mohammed Adamu, adding that it was agreed that the security apparatus at the communities should be deployed. The agreement covered the training of community members by the Police, who would in turn, secure their settlements. Umahi stated that it was entirely for the governors and stakeholders to select members of the panels to enforce the community policing. | Community Policing, South East Governors, Inspector General of Police | DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 21 2020 | National Assembly Committees begin Consideration of revised 2020 Budget | Some Committees in the Senate and House of Representatives will on Thursday, May 21 begin consideration of the revised 2020 Budget proposal transmitted to the National Assembly by the Executive. Though the Senate had proceeded on a two-week Sallah break, the leadership of the Red Chamber on Wednesday, May 20 assured that the development will not in any way affect deliberations on the revised budget proposal. President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, May 20 transmitted the revised Budget to the National Assembly for consideration and approval. The new fiscal document was delivered to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, by the presidential aide on National Assembly (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare. The presidential liaison in the House of Representatives, Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub confirmed that the Green Chamber had received the revised 2020 Budget and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) from the Executive. The N10.59 trillion 2020 budget passed by the National Assembly in December 2019 was slashed to N10.52 trillion, a difference of about N71.5 billion. | Revised 2020 Budget | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/national-assembly-committees-begin-consideration-of-revised-2020-budget.html | |
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 21 2020 | Ondo PDP to hold Primaries on July 22 | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State will hold its primaries on July 22 for the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the State. The PDP primary will come two days after that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party’s National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure, the State capital, stated that the primary election would be conducted by the Gubernatorial Electoral Committee. Meanwhile, both the APC and the PDP have expressed readiness for the elections. Spokesman for the APC in the State, Mr. Steve Otaloro, told journalists that the party had made adequate preparations. Also, the PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, who expressed readiness, stated that the contestants were just waiting for the entire process to begin. | Ondo State Governorship Election, PDP, Primaries | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/as-ondo-pdp-holds-primary-on-july-22.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, May 21 2020 | PDP urges NASS, EFCC to Investigate Alleged Fraud in Agric Ministry | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, May 20 called on the National Assembly to commence investigations into the revelation of over N48 billion fraud in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The party stated thus: “The confession by the queried former Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Umar Bello, that the duplicitous purchase of an uncompleted building for a humongous cost of N7.044 billion passing through the Federal Executive Council (FEC) further exposes the rot that has permeated the Buhari administration.” The PDP described as shameful, that the FEC under President Buhari’s watch, is being fingered in financial manipulations and procurement sleazes in the agriculture ministry, including the alleged disappearance of N48 billion contractors’ fund; over N7billion duplicated payments; diversion of N9.1billion worth of drilling rigs to unnamed private individuals; purchase of carcass building for N7.044 billion in addition to misapplication of billions of naira meant for strategic grains, rural grazing area settlement funds and other food production intervention schemes. | PDP, National Assembly, EFCC | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/21/pdp-urges-n-assembly-efcc-to-investigate-alleged-fraud-in-agric-ministry/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, May 21 2020 | COVID-19: Several Frontline Security Operatives Enforcing Lockdown Directives feared Positive | Fears abound over the health of security operatives who have been on the frontline of enforcing the lockdown directives issued by the Federal Government to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigations revealed that some of the security operatives had tested positive for the virus, and had been quarantined, just as several others opted for self-medication. In Lagos, the Army, Civil Defence and the Police have had their personnel test positive for the virus and have been in the isolation centres receiving treatment. It was also gathered that while there were those who voluntarily submitted themselves for test and subsequent treatment, there were yet others who manifested the symptoms but opted to self medicate on herbal mixtures and even hydrochloroquine, a malaria drug. The military has been carrying out rapid testing of its personnel. In the Navy, the Western Naval Command (WNC) while carrying out the rapid testing on over 1,300 personnel discovered thateight of its personnel tested positive. They have been isolated and quarantined. | COVID-19, Security Operatives | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/21/covid-19-several-frontline-security-operatives-enforcing-lockdown-directives-feared-positive-2/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 21 2020 | APC Governorship Aspirants in Edo, Ondo to pay N22.5m | The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that all governorship aspirants in Edo and Ondo States will pay N22.5 million as part of the requirements for contesting in the party primaries for the States’ governorship elections on September 19 and October 10 respectively. In a timetable released in Abuja on Wednesday, May 20, APC National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibediro, stated that the party would begin the primaries with the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms to the governorship aspirants. According to Ibediro, the sale of forms to Edo governorship aspirants will last from May 20 to June 2, while that of Ondo State will be from June 11 to July 1, 2020. According to him, this includes N2.5 million for expression of interest form and N20 million for the nomination form. He added that, “There shall be no separate charge for the deputy. Female aspirants and physically challenged aspirants will pay 50 per cent of the prescribed fees for each position.”. The party’s Edo governorship primary will hold on June 22, while that of Ondo State is to hold on July 20. | APC, Edo and Ondo Governorship elections, Nomination, Primaries | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/apc-asks-governorship-aspirants-in-edo-ondo-to-pay-n22-5m.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 21 2020 | Court orders Jigawa Assembly to reinstate Member | A High Court sitting in Dutse, Jigawa State, has directed the House of Assembly to reinstate Sani Isyaku Abubakar, the Member representing Gumel State Constituency. The court granted an order in favour of the lawmaker following motion moved by his Counsel, Barr. Baffa Alasan, seeking the nullification of the suspension of the member by the Assembly. Other parties in the suit are the Speaker of the Assembly, the Clerk and the Assembly as a whole. It would be recalled that the Speaker, Idris Garba, had in March, 2020, announced the suspension of the Member for allegedly conniving with some politicians and political thugs to distract the convoy of the State Governor, Badaru Abubakar, while he was in Hadejia Local Government Area for an official engagement. According to the court order, the presiding Judge, Ahmed Isa Gumel, ordered that all parties to the suit should restore the applicant’s rights and privileges as a Member pending the hearing and final determination of the matter. The matter was adjourned to June 9, 2020. | Jigawa State House of Assembly, Sani Isyaku Abubakar | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/court-orders-jigawa-assembly-to-reinstate-member.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, May 19 2020 | Buhari extends Nationwide Curfew, Kano Lockdown by Two Weeks | President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension by two weeks of phase one of the relaxation of the lockdown he had imposed on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States to check the spread of COVID-19. Specifically, the nationwide curfew, the ban on interstate travel and the lockdown of Kano State, which had emerged the third epicentre of the pandemic, would continue until June 1, according to the Chairman of the Presidential TaskForce (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, who conveyed the presidential directive at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja Monday, May 18. The President had through a regulation signed on May 3 and pursuant to the Quarantine Act, eased the lockdown he had imposed on March 30, in an effort to balance the requirements of public health safety and the need to safeguard the economy from total collapse. Mustapha stated that Buhari granted the extension based on the recommendation of the TaskForce. | Extension of Lockdown, COVID-19 | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/19/buhari-extends-nationwide-curfew-kano-lockdown-by-two-weeks/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, May 19 2020 | Bill seeking to legalise Virtual Court Proceedings to undergo Second Reading | The constitution alteration bill seeking to legalise virtual court proceedings which was presented for first reading at the Senate last Tuesday, May 12 is slated for second reading today, May 19. The Bill entitled: ‘1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2020 (SB. 418)’ sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, is aimed at ensuring the much needed amendment of relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) in giving legal backing to virtual court proceedings. Senator Bamidele while speaking to journalists on Monday, May 18, stated that he was ready to lead the debate on the Bill at plenary today. He appealed for understanding, as he stressed that the details and general principles of the Bill will be exhaustively debated on the floor of the Senate when it comes up for second reading. According to him, copies of the Bill had been distributed among senators to enable them study the details ahead of today’s plenary so as to be able to make necessary input to the Bill. | Virtual Court Proceedings, Constitution Amendment | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/19/bill-seeking-to-legalise-virtual-court-proceedings-for-second-reading/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, May 19 2020 | We are examining claims on COVID -19 cure, says Onu | The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has stated that the ministry has begun verification claims for the cure of COVID-19. He made this known at the quarterly management meeting of the ministry and its agencies in Abuja on Tuesday, May 19. It would be recalled that the ministry had offered the sum of N36 million to scientists and innovators that could find the cure for COVID-19 and Lassa fever. Onu stated that all submissions for the COVID-19 cure have been directed to the Academy of Science for verification, as well as recommendation to the ministry, adding that the ministry is working hard to develop home-grown solutions to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic. He assured that encouraging results have been submitted and in no distant time, details on the submissions would be made known to the nation. | COVID-19, Ministry of Science and Technology | https://guardian.ng/news/we-are-examining-claims-on-covid-19-cure-says-onu/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, May 19 2020 | Bill Gates Foundation debunks Bribery Allegation over Infectious Diseases Bill | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has debunked allegation that it offered a $10 million bribe to some members of the House of Representatives to see to the speedy passage of the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill. This was as the Ad hoc committee investigating the allegation has summoned the spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP), Ikenga Ugochinyere to appear before it with evidence of inducement as alleged by him or face parliamentary contempt. Ugochinyere recently alleged that the American billionaire, Bill Gates, offered the House of Representatives $10 million for the passage of the controversial legislation. But, speaking on behalf of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation before the House Ad hoc committee on Monay, May 18, the Foundation’s Country Director, Paulin Basinga, described such allegations as entirely false and without merit, stating that there was no interaction whatsoever between himself and the parliament. Basinga also clarified that the Foundation has not offered any financial incentives to any member of Nigeria’s legislative branch for the passage of the Bill nor has it offered any grant to organisations in Nigeria in connection with the Bill. | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Infectious Diseases Bill | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/19/bill-gates-foundation-debunks-bribery-allegation-over-infectious-diseases-bill/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, May 19 2020 | Gbajabiamila Urges FCT Health Workers to Extend Ultimatum on Strike | The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has appealed to the Joint Health Sector Union and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, to extend the strike ultimatum they gave to the FCT Administration (FCTA). The JOHESU had on May 7, given the government up to May 28 to address the irregularities in salary payment since January 2020, non-payment of arrears of promotion from 2016, 2017 and 2018, delay in the release of conversion and proper placement of some of the workers, in order to avert workers’ strike. But Gbajabiamila, at a meeting with the officials of the union at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday, May 18 pleaded with the health workers to tarry for a while on the issue and assured them that the House would deliberate on the matter at plenary on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 and come up with a strong resolution. He also hinted that the House would meet with the officials from the FCTA, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and officials of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to ensure that all issues were resolved with immediate effect. Responding, the Chairman of JOHESU, FCT Chapter, Ms. Deborah Yusufu, commended the Speaker for his intervention, which according to her, showed that he recognised the sacrifices health workers are making in the fight against COVID-19. Yusufu added she would take the Speaker’s position back to her union. | Joint Health Sector Union and the Assembly of Healthcare Professionals (JOHESU), House of Representatives | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/19/gbajabiamila-urges-fct-health-workers-to-extend-ultimatum-on-strike/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, May 18 2020 | COVID-19: Private Sector, Labour Leaders Oppose Fresh Lockdown | As President Muhammadu Buhari addresses the nation today, May 18 after 14 days of easing the lockdown on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States, he had imposed on March 30 to curb the spread of COVID-19, the private sector and labour groups have indicated their opposition to a fresh shutdown of the economy. Leading members of the sector and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) spoke to jounalists and stated that a fresh lockdown of the economy would be retrogressive and would have tremendous negative economic and social consequences on the country. This position was also canvassed by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Assembly (NECA), the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and a Professor of Financial Economics and the Director of the Centre for Economic Policy Analysis and Research, University of Lagos, Prof. Ndubisi Nwokoma. Following the relaxation of the lockdown two weeks ago, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 had complained about the failure of citizens to adhere to measures laid down to curb the spread of the disease, warning that if the disobedience persisted, the Federal Government might be forced to reinstitute the shutdown of the country. The rise in the number of confirmed cases and deaths since the easing of the restrictions had also made public health analysts advocate a return to total restriction to slow down the ravaging virus. | COVID-19, Lockdown | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/18/covid-19-private-sector-labour-leaders-oppose-fresh-lockdown/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, May 18 2020 | COVID-19 alters Campaign Strategy ahead of Edo Governorship Election | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indicated that the June date set for the commencement of governorship primaries to pick candidates for the September 2020 governorship election in Edo State still stands. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is ravaging the world, the political atmosphere in the State is devoid of the usual intense politicking and campaigns that herald any election. Following the development, the gladiators in the election have embarked on underground campaigns since gathering of more than 20 persons is not allowed this period of the pandemic. At the moment, only aspirants from the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have indicated interests in contesting the governorship primaries. Meanwhile, the APC is divided into two factions, with one loyal to the national Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, while the other group is loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki. Oshiomhole’s camp has David Imuse as its Chairman while the Obaseki’s group still maintained Aslem Ojezua, who was the party’s Chairman before the crisis. In the meantime, aspirants have leveraged on the current pandemic to woo the electorate through the distribution of palliatives as they could not engage in open campaigns due to social distancing restrictions. | Edo State Governorship election, INEC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/covid-19-alters-campaign-strategy-ahead-of-edo-guber.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, May 18 2020 | Bayelsa West: Crack in APC over Dickson’s Senatorial Ambition? | Ahead of the forthcoming bye-election for the vacant seat in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) seem unprepared to match the immediate past governor of the State, Chief Seriake Dickson, who may become the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the election. The senatorial seats in Bayelsa West and Central Senatorial Districts were declared vacant following the swearing-in of the former occupants, Senator Douye Diri and Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo as governor and deputy governor of the State, respectively. Some well-known members of APC in the District have already pitched tent with the former governor, who is an aspirant on the PDP platform. A chieftain of APC in the State, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, had recently predicted that Dickson would win the forthcoming Bayelsa West senatorial district bye-election due to his achievements in the District when he was governor of the State. Kpodoh, a founding member of the APC in the State, stated that no politician of APC in the District could stand the popularity of Dickson, coupled with the internal wrangling in the party’s leadership in the District. Also, some prominent Ijaw leaders, including Alhaji Asari Dokubo and chieftains of both Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Ijaw Youths Congress (IYC), have endorsed the immediate past governor, as their candidate for the forthcoming Bayelsa West senatorial bye-election. | Bayelsa State Governorship Election | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/bayelsa-west-crack-in-apc-over-dicksons-ambition.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, May 18 2020 | PDP demands whereabouts of Chinese Medics from FG | The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the Federal Government declare the whereabouts of the 15-member team of Chinese medics who entered Nigeria at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic to help stem its spread. It came after a declaration by health minister Osagie Ehanire that the Federal Government could not tell the whereabouts of the team because they were not invited by the government but entered the country on a company visa. The arrival of the team, said to be visiting to share technical expertise, had been opposed by health professional groups who called it an insult on the country. It was also opposed amidst allegations of shipments of protective gear from China being infected with coronavirus. Authorities officially explained the arrival of the team and publicly welcomed them on arrival. PDP stated that the minister’s statement that the government could not tell the team’s whereabouts had heightened apprehensions in the public space that the Chinese team, whose identity and activities have been allegedly shrouded in secrecy, might have been brought in by a certain “cabal” for another purpose outside the general public good. The party described as suspicious the Minister of Health, who had assured that the Chinese were brought to render medical services and trainings and went personally to receive them at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja on April 8, 2020; in an elaborately publicized event, can allegedly no longer account for the team. According to PDP Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan. “Our party is worried that the APC-led government is being economical with the truth, with its officials playing politics with the lives of our citizens and health safety of our nation. | PDP, Chinese Medics, Federal Government | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-gives-fg-48-hours-to-declare-whereabouts-of-chinese-medics.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, May 18 2020 | Kano to Deport another Batch of 2,000 Almajirai | Kano State Government is set to deport no fewer than 2,000 Almajirai pupils who underwent isolation in three quarantine centres in the State. The Kano State Commissioner for Education and Chairman Almajiri Repatriation Committee, Alhaji Sanusi Kiru, disclosed this on Sunday, May 17 when he led a delegation of women in Da’awah and some Civil Society Organisations who inspected two quarantine centres at Kiru and Karaye respectively. He stated that the Almajirai pupils were isolated to ensure that they were in good health before being sent back to their States of origin, pointing out that those from Kano State would be handed over to their parents and guardians. Kiru maintained that basic social amenities coupled with hygienic feeding was strictly observed in all the three quarantine centres aimed at ensuring that they were in good health condition. He recalled that the northern governors had agreed to deport Almajirai pupils to their States of origin with a view to curtailing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic across the affected States. | Almajiri, Kano State | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/18/kano-to-deport-another-batch-of-2000-almajirai/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, May 15 2020 | Governors Challenge FG over Utilisation of Recovered Loots | Governors have raised concerns over the ownership and distribution of proceeds from recovered looted funds and accounts or investments funded as a first-line charge from the Federation Account. In a communiqué issued Thursday, May 14 after a virtual meeting held on Wednesday, May 13, the governors, under the auspices of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), stated that they will engage with the Federal Government to ensure that the governance arrangement of all federation-funded investments should recognise State governments as shareholders in the distribution of proceeds and decision-making. | Governors, Abacha Loot | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/15/govs-challenge-fg-over-utilisation-of-recovered-loots/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, May 15 2020 | Wearing Masks Compulsory, FG Insists | Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force of COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Thursday, May 14 dispelled the insinuation that the wearing of face masks in public was optional. He explained that in accordance with the regulations signed by the President Muhammadu Buhari, pursuant to the Quarantine Act, it is compulsory for everyone to wear a face mask. He stated that all the protocols, including the use of face masks, were predicated on the Quarantine Act. He urged governors and security agencies with the power of enforcement to ensure that that it is enforced for the overall good of all. | Face Masks, Presidential Task Force | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/15/wearing-masks-compulsory-fg-insists/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Friday, May 15 2020 | FG, Global citizen unveils solidarity support fund to fight COVID-19 | The Federal Government through the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) in partnership with the Global citizen has launched a solidarity support fund to aid the fight against COVID-19 in the country. The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo who officially unveiled the initiative at a virtual teleconference meeting on Thursday, May 14 stated that the fund would be used to provide immediate support to the nation’s most vulnerable communities in the fight against COVID-19. Osinbajo stated that the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, both in its impact and severity, revealed that the challenge cannot be tackled by the public sector alone, adding that a careful coordination and collaborative efforts were needed to defeat the virus. He added that, “The Government of Nigeria is delighted that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), together with the world-leading international advocacy organisation, Global Citizen, and their partners, has embarked on a process to set up a new funding vehicle, the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), to provide immediate support to our most vulnerable communities in the fight against COVID-19. According to Osibanjo, “This stakeholder led-and-resourced mechanism will provide both flexible and rapid response resources to accelerate ongoing efforts to respond to COVID-19 in communities across Nigeria, as well as to strengthen health systems in the aftermath of the acute pandemic response". | COVID-19, Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund | https://guardian.ng/news/fg-global-citizen-unveils-solidarity-support-fund-to-fight-covid-19/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Friday, May 15 2020 | Controversy trails Appointment of new Judges | The recent appointment of new judges of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC) has continued to elicit controversy. The NJC had on April 26 named 70 new judges, 33 of them for the FCT High Court. Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) , Professor Itsay Sagay, had on Wednesday, May 13 alleged that “sons and daughters of retired and serving Judges and Justices are being nominated for appointment into sensitive judicial positions at the expense of more qualified candidates without privileged support and backing”. Sagay stated that the trend, which placed emphasis on favoritism/nepotism over competence, was a pathway to future judicial malfeasance and miscarriage of justice. He urged Nigerians and other stakeholders in the fight against corruption to halt this malpractice now so as to save the nation from grave deterioration in our judicial system. | Appointment of Judges, Itsay Sagay | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/controversy-trails-appointment-of-new-judges.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Friday, May 15 2020 | Nigeria may not have Access to COVID-19 Vaccines, says NCDC | The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, on Thursday, May 14 drew the attention of Nigerians to the likely scenario that would play out in the event of the development of a vaccine against COVID-19, stating that Nigerians may not easily have access to the vaccines. He stated that Nigeria should realise the intricate web of global interests in a vaccine with scientific acclaim to effectively prevent coronavirus, and start repositioning itself for the epic competition for the drug. He explained thus: “Why do we need science and why do we need to engage globally? Now the end of this outbreak will come when we get a vaccine, but getting a vaccine doesn’t mean inevitably that we will have access to it. We have had a vaccine for human pathology for the last 10 years but because this vaccine costs about $50 per shot, we don’t access it in Nigeria. So, we have to engage globally to insist on equitable access to these vaccines when they are developed. We do not do this by looking inwards but by engaging globally”, Ihekweazu explained. | NCDC, COVID-19 Vaccine | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/15/nigeria-may-not-have-access-to-covid-19-vaccines-says-ncdc/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, May 14 2020 | Gov Polls: INEC Directs Edo, Ondo Offices to re-open | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed its offices in Ondo and Edo States to reopen immediately to prepare for the impending governorship elections in the two States. The directive was contained in the guidelines the commission issued on Wednesday, May 13 for the reopening of its offices nationwide, stating that working hours will now be from 8am to 2pm, even as it advised members of staff to strictly adhere to the curfew hours from 8pm to 6am. The commission added that workdays would be Monday, Wednesday and Friday, weekly, based on the guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. INEC directed that the use of face masks is compulsory throughout the offices of the commission, for all staff, visitors and contractors. | Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/14/gov-polls-inec-directs-edo-ondo-offices-to-reopen/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, May 14 2020 | Secondus berates FG for alleged Failure to support States in Pandemic Fight | The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, has condemned the Federal Government for refusing to assist State Governments and provide direction for the country in the fight against COVID-19. This is as former Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor was sworn in as the new Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman. Speaking on Wednesday, May 13 in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of the new State PDP executives, Secondus berated the Federal Government for not supporting States in their efforts to stop the spread of the pandemic. | PDP, Uche Secondus | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/14/secondus-berates-fg-for-alleged-failure-to-support-states-in-pandemic-fight/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, May 14 2020 | Governors want Disease Control Bill ‘Stepped down’ | Governors of the 36 States of the Federation have kicked against the controversial Infectious Diseases Bill currently before the National Assembly and unanimously asked that it should be stepped down for the time being. Rising from their eighth virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 13, the governors constituted a committee to interface with the leadership of National Assembly, while calling for more consultations and the need for a public hearing on the Bill. Also, the governors raised concerns over the continued spike in COVID-19 infections, restating the need for more measures by States to ramp up the fight against the virus. A communiqué released after the meeting stated that the governors also expressed concern over the management and disbursement of the recovered funds embezzled by former military Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha. | Control of Infectious Diseases Bill | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/14/govs-want-disease-control-bill-stepped-down/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Wednesday, May 14 2020 | FEC Trims 2020 Budget by N71bn to N10.523tn | The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday, May 13 approved the revised Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the 2020 budget, slashing the original budget signed into law from N10.594 trillion to N10.523 trillion, translating to a difference of N71.5 billion. The council also approved N47.235 billion for the provision of additional power grid infrastructure to aid the supply of 40 megawatts of electricity and $80 million loan for Ebonyi State. In addition, it consented to a loan facility of $1.2 billion to finance the mechanisation of agriculture in 632 Local Government Areas (LGAs) nationwide. The revised budgetary estimates are based on a benchmark of $25 per barrel of crude oil, down from the original $57 per barrel and at a production rate of 1.94 million barrels per day (bpd). The revision of the budget came against the backdrop of the economic crisis unleashed by the combined effect of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted economic activities, and the sharp decline in the price of crude oil occasioned by the impact of the pandemic and oil price war between two critical producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia. | MTEF, 2020 National Budget, Federal Executive Council (FEC) | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/14/fec-trims-2020-budget-by-n71bn-to-n10-523tn/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, May 14 2020 | ‘Returned $311m Abacha loot for three priority projects only’ - Presidency | The recently repatriated $311 million Sani Abacha loot is to be used in funding three of the Federal Government’s five priority projects, excluding the Mambilla power and East-West road projects. According to presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in a tatemnet released on Wednesday, May 13, “In an earlier statement, I had mistakenly noted that the Mambilla was one of the five priority projects to benefit from the $311 million Abacha loot under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). The error is regretted”. He added: “Although the Mambilla and East-West expressway are regarded under the PIDF as priority projects, I have ascertained that they are exempted from the agreement signed between the Nigerian, United States and British territory of Jersey governments”. According to the release, only the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano and the Lagos-Ibadan highways will benefit from the largesse. | Abacha Loot | https://guardian.ng/news/returned-311m-abacha-loot-for-three-priority-projects-only/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Wednesday, May 14 2020 | NSCDC intercepts 70 northerners in Oyo, as FCT arrests 68 persons | The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) intercepted 70 northerners in Ogbomoso, Oyo State on Wednesday, May 13. Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, disclosed this while speaking on a television programme, adding that their arrest came less than 24 hours after the State government vowed to check the influx of individuals from other States. This is coming in spite of restriction on inter-state travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. He also added that the travellers, who were to be dropped in batches in Ibadan, Sagamu and Lagos were from Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States, and were currently being held by the Area Commander of NSCDC in Ogbomoso, awaiting directives before they can be led to the borders. This came as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ministerial Team on the enforcement of COVID-19 Movement restrictions arrested 68 persons traveling from various parts of the country. The arrested persons were hidden in two Dangote trucks and another truck conveying fertilisers from Edo State, intercepted around Zuba area by the team which insisted on checking the trucks. They were consequently arraigned before Magistrate Ebiwari Damini at the Zuba Mobile Court. | NSCDC | https://guardian.ng/news/nscdc-intercepts-70-northerners-in-oyo-as-fct-arrests-68-persons/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 11 May 2020 | Yobe to probe 150 deaths in three towns | Yobe State Government has pledged to “investigate and ascertain” the death of over 150 people in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru towns in the State. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Muhammad Gana disclosed this on Sunday, May 10 in an interview in Damaturu. According to him, the deaths occurred in the last seven days of fighting the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the State. He added that, “We’re dispatching experts to urgently investigate the dozens of deaths reported in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru in the last seven days. The Government is doing everything possible to address public concern over death of 150 people in a week. He noted that health experts would also follow trends and interview relatives of those who died, before consulting with medical experts on ground. Speaking on health workers’ capacity to contain the pandemic, Gana disclosed that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) had also been procured with the commencement of training health workers in the State's 17 councils. | Yobe State, 150 deaths | https://guardian.ng/news/yobe-to-probe-150-deaths-in-three-towns/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 11 May 2020 | Wike demolishes hotels for violating lockdown order in Rivers | The lockdown in Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt Council Areas of Rivers State took another dimension, as Governor Nyesom Wike, ordered the demolition of hotels in Eleme Council for flouting the State’s directives. The demolished hotels are Prudent Hotel, Alode in Eleme and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne. Wike had on May 5, 2020, charged traditional rulers to set up Task Forces in their respective communities to enforce the closure of markets, hotels and bars across the State. Also, on May 7, while inaugurating the State’s COVID-19 Local Government Task Force, Wike urged them to identify hotels and erring bars still operating during the lockdown for demolition. Wike stated that any hotel still in operation would be demolished and that those who disobey the directive will face the consequences. However, on Saturday, May 9, Governor Wike announced the names of the two hotels, declaring that they would be demolished for flouting the State Government Executive Order 6. But some residents of the State criticised the action, describing it as impunity worse than the action of a military regime. Some human rights activists also took to social media to describe it as a sad development, adding that the owners of the hotels should have been given fair hearing. | Nyesom Wike, Rivers State | https://guardian.ng/news/wike-demolishes-hotels-for-violating-lockdown-order-in-rivers/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 11 May 2020 | FG to set up Panel on Implementation of Oronsaye Report | The Federal Government is to constitute a presidential committee to work out ways to implement the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Panel on rationalisation of ministries, agencies and parastatals. However, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has assured the public that the merger and scrapping of MDAs, will not lead to job losses. President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered that the report, submitted in 2014, be implemented as one of the steps to reduce governance cost in the face of plummeting revenue occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 and its attendant effect on global oil price volatility. From the committee’s recommendations, the number of statutory agencies should be reduced from the current 263 to 161. | Oronsaye Report, Federal Government | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/11/fg-to-set-up-panel-on-implementation-of-oronsaye-report/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 11 May 2020 | After 5 months in prison, Kalu set to resume at Senate on Tuesday, May 12 | Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was released from a correctional facility in Kuje, Abuja on Friday, May 8 is set to resume at the Senate tomorrow, May 12. The Senate had stated that despite his conviction, Kalu remained a serving lawmaker until he has exhausted all legal options available to prove his innocence in the case. It will be recalled that the former Abia State governor was imprisoned in December 2019 after conviction on allegation of misappropriation of Abia’s State funds to the tune of N7.6 billion during his tenure; between 1999 and 2007. However, the Supreme Court, on Friday, May 8 quashed the judgement of the lower court that convicted him to a 12-year jail term. Kalu and co-defendants, Slok Nigeria Ltd and a former Director of Finance at the Abia State Government House, Jones Udeogu, had challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos to conduct the trial after the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, who was elevated to the Court of Appeal, returned to conclude the proceedings. At the Supreme Court, the justices held that the judge had no jurisdiction when he convicted Kalu as the fiat he was given to conclude the trial was inconsistent with the provision of the constitution that a judge of the court of appeal cannot “descend” to also be a judge of the Federal High Court. | Senator Orji Uzor Kalu | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/after-5-months-in-prison-kalu-set-to-resume-at-senate-tomorrow.html | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 11 May 2020 | Southern, Middle Belt leaders express concern over insecurity | The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum on Sunday, May 10 deplored the alleged conspiracy of the security forces in the reported invasion of their settlements by teenagers from the northern part of the country “hidden in containers and trailers in spite of the ban on inter-state movements by President Muhammadu Buhari”. In a statement signed by Chief Edwin Clark for the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); Chief Olu Adebanjo of Afenifere, Chief John Nnia Nwodo for Ohanaeze, and Dr. Bitrus Porgu on behalf of the Middle Belt Congress, the leaders described the incident as an “ominous development that is coming after Boko Haram threatened openly three weeks ago that they were going to take their battle against Nigeria to the South East and South South”. The forum stated that the situation was worrisome “in view of the quietness of the national security organisations, the national COVID-19 committee and the presidency since the story broke out”. The elder statesmen asserted: “This development has brought about very strong suspicions among our people regarding the aim of the deployment of these young men". | Insecurity | https://guardian.ng/news/southern-middle-belt-leaders-express-concern-over-insecurity/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 7 2020 | PDP asks National Assembly to appropriate $311m repatriated fund | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded that the recently repatriated $311millon Abacha loot should be surrendered to the National Assembly for proper statutory appropriation. The party also urged Nigerians to resist “schemes by the cabal” to prevent them from demanding explanations on the repatriated funds. The party, in a statement on Wednesday, May 6 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, claimed that it uncovered “fresh plots by the cabal in the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use fake subheads and duplicated projects as a ploy to re-loot”. PDP claimed that part of the strategies of the cabal was to hype hazy subheads and stampede the dissipation of the funds without the statutory approval of the National Assembly, which would enable them to “muddle up accountability processes, conceal their fraud and divert the attention of the unsuspecting public from the scam. On Monday, May 4, the presidency had stated that the funds have already been allocated, and will be used in full, for vital and decades-overdue infrastructure development. A statement by presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, read that: “ Part of the funds will also be invested in the Mambilla Power Project which, when completed, will provide electricity to some three million homes – over ten million citizens – in our country”. | PDP, National Assembly, Abacha Loot | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-asks-n-assembly-to-appropriate-311m-repatriated-fund.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Thursday, May 7 2020 | COVID-19: Northern traditional rulers demand FG to halt repatriation of almajiris | The Northern Traditional Leaders Council (NTLC) wants the Federal Government to directly issue an order stopping the repatriation of almajiris to their home States, warning that the movement would escalate the spread of Covid-19 in the north of the country. Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has stated that the repatriation of the Almajaris from one state to the other is against the presidential order banning inter-state travels. The Chairman of the Council, Samila Mohammed, who made the call at an online emergency meeting between the government and traditional leaders on primary health care on Wednesday, May 6, decried the manner the almajaris are conveyed in long convoys heavily guarded by security operatives that cannot be stopped at any check point. According to Mohammed, “We are concerned over the repatriation of the almajaris to various States without testing them for the coronavirus; such actions would escalate the spread of the virus”. Also speaking at the meeting, the Emir of Jiwa, Idris Musa urged the government to do something about the way people who died of the virus are buried, stressing that most of the people who participates in burying the corpses do not wear any personal protective equipment. | Northern Traditional Leaders Council (NTLC), Almajiris | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/covid-19-northern-traditional-rulers-demand-fg-to-halt-repatriation-of-almajiris.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, May 7 2020 | INEC meets Today over Edo, Ondo Governorship Elections | The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is billed to meet today, May 7 to review the situation in its offices across the country and take a decision on whether or not to review the dates and guidelines for the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Osun States.The commission was expected to fix dates for the elections to fill vacant Senatorial, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly seats nationwide. It will also clarify the resumption modules of activities that would be adopted at the meeting, in line with the announcement by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19. INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye stated that the meeting would deliberate on some issues, including preparations for the conduct of governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states scheduled for September 19 and October 10, 2020, respectively; the forthcoming bye-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau States and plans for resumption of normal activities at the commission’s offices nationwide. The electoral body had before the outbreak of the pandemic, released timetables for the Edo and Ondo States Governorship elections. According to the timetable for election activities for the Edo State governorship election, the conduct of primary elections and resolution of disputes arising from primaries will take place between June 2 and 27, while campaigns will commence on June 21. | INEC, Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/07/inec-meets-today-over-edo-ondo-gov-elections/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Thursday, May 7 2020 | Nigerians Yet to Come to Terms with Deadly Nature of COVID-19, Federal Government Laments | The Federal Government on Wednesday, May 6 lamented, for the second time since the easing of the lockdown on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States, the refusal of citizens to comply with its guidelines on steps to curb the spread of COVID-19. Stating that Nigerians were yet to come to terms with the deadly nature of the virus, it warned that there were great dangers ahead as the disease might spread exponentially with the attendant potential to overwhelm the public health system. Nigeria recorded 195 new cases on Wednesday, May 6, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 3,145. At its daily briefing in Abuja, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, expressed the government’s dissatisfaction with the misconduct of the citizens across the nation, particularly in the FCT and Lagos State, pointing out that all the basic rules, including mask-wearing, physical distancing and ban on inter-state travel had been wantonly disobeyed. Mustapha stated that President Muhammadu Buhari had become worried by the increasing spread of the virus among health workers, adding that the Federal Government had directed State governments to increase the number of isolation centres as the cases of the pandemic soar. | COVID-19, Federal Government | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/07/nigerians-yet-to-come-to-terms-with-deadly-nature-of-covid-19-fg-laments/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Thursday, May 7 2020 | ICPC imposes checks on COVID-19 relief funds | The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has drawn up corruption-prevention guidelines for the management of COVID-19 relief funds by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. Its spokesperson, Rasheedat Okoduwa, who unveiled the rules on Wednesday, May 6 in Abuja, noted that they were in furtherance of the objective of the monitoring team recently constituted by the organisation to collaborate with the PTF in ensuring the transparent utilisation of funds, donations and other receipts mobilised towards combating the disease in the country. Highlights of the guidelines are: “First, the Bank Accounts Policy which allows the PTF chairman the discretion to designate bank accounts solely for the collection of funds and donations, as well as a specific bank account that receipts are swept into for expenditure whose signatories, though appointed by the chairman of the task force, shall not have approving powers. Reconciliations of the accounts and books maintained shall be submitted to the chairman of the PTF monthly. Also, there is the Expenditures and Payments provision which requires payments to vendors, suppliers and ad hoc staff to be mainly by bank transfer after they have made supplies or rendered service, in order to leave trails. Furthermore, the responsibility for procurement rests on the shoulders of the PTF chairman and all such procurements are required to adhere to the provisions of Section 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 in the emergency period. The principles also require all cash advances to be subject to the Financial Regulations (FR) and Public Service Rules (PSR). | ICPC, COVID-19 relief funds | https://guardian.ng/news/icpc-imposes-checks-on-covid-19-relief-funds/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, May 5 2020 | FG Expresses Concern over Non-Compliance with Guidelines, Warns of Another Lockdown | Appalled by the widespread disregard for its guidelines on the relaxation of the five-week lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun States, the Federal Government raised the alarm about a potential spike in the spread of COVID-19, warning that if that happens, it would have no choice than to shut the country down. The basic rules of mask-wearing and physical distancing were routinely disobeyed yesterday by many Nigerians who hit the roads of Abuja and Lagos in frenzied efforts to catch up with lost income-earning activities that had been locked down for weeks.The crowds sighted at bus stops and bank branches, raise concerns about the acceleration of community transmission of the virus. Addressing the press during its daily briefing on Monday, May 4, the Presidential Task Force, particularly, its Chairman, Boss Mustapha, and the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, expressed concerns about the general negligence of Nigerians, fearing that it could lead to the escalation of the COVID-19 infection. | COVID-19, Lockdown | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/05/fg-expresses-concern-over-non-compliance-with-guidelines-warns-of-another-lockdown/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, May 5 2020 | Court awards N1m against FG over disruption of #RevolutionNow protest | A Federal High Court in Lagos has awarded N1m against the Federal Government over the disruption of #RevolutionNow protest. The court awarded N1milllion damages in favour of a Lagos-based lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, who stated that he participated in the protest and was among those tear-gassed by security agents.The nationwide protest was convened by Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, who was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday, August 3, 2019. Sowore was later released on bail on December 24, 2019. The court presided by Justice Maureen Onyetenu ruled that the disruption of the protest by the Nigerian Government through the police is “illegal, oppressive, undemocratic and unconstitutional”. The judge agreed with Ogungbeje that the security agency deprived him and other citizens of their right to peaceful assembly and association in violation of sections 38, 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution. The judge also condemned “the mass arrest, harassment, tear-gassing, and clamping into detention of the protesters”. | Federal Government, RevolutionNow Protest | https://guardian.ng/news/court-awards-n1m-against-fg-over-disruption-of-revolutionnow-protest/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Tuesday, May 5 2020 | Pressure mounts on House of Reps to suspend Infectious Diseases Bill | Concerned Nigerians intensified pressure on the House of Representatives, as it appeared poised to pass the controversial Control of Infectious Diseases Bill 2020 at its May 5 plenary. They raised posers as to why the proposed legislation is coming as Nigeria battles the coronavirus pandemic. They wondered why the country is exploring the prospect of forcing parents to vaccinate their children at birth when western nations and China, where the disease originated from have not done so. There were also insinuations that the sponsors of the Bill might be aiming to satisfy foreign interests to the detriment of Nigerians. A rights organisation, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), condemned the attempt by the House to give accelerated passage to the critical legislation without consultation and input from stakeholders and the public. Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani in a statement underscored that, “It is important to note that while we understand the importance of a legislative framework that guarantees effective response to pandemics/public health crises, we must do so within the rule of law and in conformity with the constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations. | Infectious Diseases Bill, House of Representatives | https://guardian.ng/news/pressure-mounts-on-reps-to-suspend-infectious-disease-bill/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Tuesday, May 5 2020 | FG Receives $311m Abacha Loot from US, Jersey | The Federal Government on Monday, May 4, confirmed the receipt of $311,797,866.11 of the Abacha assets repatriated from the United States and the Island of Jersey. Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, adding that the amount increased significantly from over $308 million mentioned in the press release issued in February 2020 to over $311million because of the interest that accrued from February 3, 2020 to April 28, 2020, when the fund was transferred to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The minister, in the statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Umar Gwandu, explained that in line with the agreement reached with the repatriating countries, the money would be used to fund the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Road and the building of the Second Niger Bridge. | Abacha Loot, Federal Government | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/05/finally-fg-receives-311m-abacha-loot-from-us-jersey/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Tuesday, May 5 2020 | COVID-19: Senate introduces National Health Emergency Bill | The Senate on Tuesday, May 5 presented for first reading, a National Health Emergency Bill, 2020. The Bill, sponsored by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), appears to be the Senate’s version of the House of Representatives’ Quarantine Act Repeal and Enactment of Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, which has been heavily criticised. Upon introduction of the Senate Bill, Senator Ike Ekweremadu (Enugu West) requested for its details and gazetted copy, while recalling the controversy that trailed the House Bill. The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan directed that copies of the bill be distributed.The House Bill was sponsored by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila and two other members, at the resumed sitting of the House on April 28. The proposed legislation, according to the sponsors, was designed to prevent the spread or possible outbreak of infectious diseases. However, when the Bill was presented at the floor of the House, opinions were divided as some members supported and others made observations calling for amendments of some sections of the Bill. | Senate, National Health Emergency Bill | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/covid-19-senate-introduces-national-health-emergency-bill.html | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 4 May 2020 | COVID-19: PDP queries Gbajabiamila, insists on Public Hearing of NCDC Bill | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the alleged moves by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to pass the Infectious Disease Control Bill without recourse to the laid down procedure of public hearing to allow Nigerians participate in the process of making the law. The party in a statement on Friday, May 1 by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the alleged moves to shut out Nigerians from public debate on the Bill as ominous. The PDP urged its members in both the House of Representatives and Senate to stand firm against the passage of the Bill until there is a public hearing to get the inputs of Nigerians. According to him, “It raises suspicions of sinister objectives as the nation combats the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. This is especially as the Bill seeks to prescribe clauses on critical issues, particularly that of vaccination, which has become globally controversial in the face of raging conspiracy theories on the COVID-19 pandemic. Ologbondiyan stated that, “The PDP insists that Nigerians must be carried along in the decision-making process of such a critical legislation, which seeks to make provisions that will directly affect their health as well as overall individual and collective safety and wellbeing. The party stresses that anything short of that would be counterproductive and capable of breeding an avoidable public resistance, especially given the deepening fear and anxiety in the polity over the COVID-19 pandemic. The PDP therefore counsels the Speaker of the House of Representative to immediately call himself to order and allow for public hearing on the bill”, the party stated. | PDP, NCDC | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/covid-19-pdp-queries-gbajabiamila-insists-on-public-hearing-on-ncdc-bill.html | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 4 May 2020 | Presidential Task Force Links Kano Deaths to COVID-19 | The Co-ordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 sent to investigate the high incidence of deaths in Kano State, Dr. Nasiru Gwarzo, on Sunday, May 3, linked the deaths to COVID-19, saying the results of 80 per cent of the tests conducted were positive for the disease. Although the State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Ganduje, had denied that the deaths were linked to the pandemic, Gwarzo was emphatic that the virus was the culprit, stating that, “Let me inform us that most of the deaths recorded of recent and test carried out showed that coronavirus was the cause”. Gwarzo added that pending the final report of the investigation, which would be ready in a week or less, it was necessary for people of Kano to wake up to the reality and seriousness of the issue at hand. | Kano State, COVID-19 | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/04/presidential-task-force-links-kano-deaths-to-covid-19/ | ||||||
| The Guardian Newspaper | Monday, 4 May 2020 | Cross River PDP sues Secondus, others as Ward suspends State Chairman | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River has sued the National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and three others to court for alleged corruption. But the newly inaugurated executive committee members of Ward 3 Calabar Municipality have suspended the State Chairman of the party, Edim Edim, for misconduct. He had reportedly accused the Secondus and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of receiving N150 million bribe to release the exco list, for the Ward, which he (Edim) tagged fake. However, the new Ward 3 exco led by Peter Ika at its inaugural meeting on Saturday, May 2, suspended the State Chairman from office. Top party sources have declared the allegation by Edim as wild, spurious and unfounded, insisting that no money was given or collected from anybody to clear party members for the ward and chapter inaugurations in the State. | Cross River State, PDP | https://guardian.ng/politics/cross-river-pdp-sues-secondus-others-as-ward-suspends-state-chairman/ | ||||||
| ThisDayLive Online | Monday, 4 May 2020 | FG Targets October Deadline for Oronsaye Report Implementation | In the absence of unforeseen circumstances, the Federal Government wants to conclude the process for implementation of the Stephen Oronsaye committee report by October 2020. A source within the Presidency disclosed this to THISDAY while shedding light on a recent interview by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed over the implementation of the report. The 660-page Oronsaye report had recommended a reduction in the number of government agencies and parastatals by consolidating some and the outright scrapping of about 102 of such organisations. The decision to implement the report, is part of the cost-saving measures being adopted by the Federal Government by slashing spending to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy. | Oronsaye Report | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/05/04/fg-targets-october-deadline-for-oronsaye-report-implementation/ | ||||||
| DailyTrust Online | Monday, 4 May 2020 | PDP NWC asks Osun chair to vacate office | The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the Osun State Chairman of the party, Soji Adagunodo, to quit office. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan stated in an interview that the party ordered Adagunodo to stand down as he was being investigated, and not to perform the functions of that office pending the outcome of the investigation. Ologbondiyan refused further comment when asked to elucidate more on why Adagunodo was still insisting he was Chairman of the State chapter of the party. The embattled Adagunodo, however, stated that he was not officially informed of the National Working Committee (NWC)’s decision to stand down, adding that the letter purportedly sent to him existed only on social media and should be disregarded by party members. A letter dated April 30, 2020, signed by the PDP National Secretary, Umaru Tsauri, had directed Adagunodo to step aside and hand over the affairs of the party to his deputy. | Osun State, PDP | https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pdp-nwc-asks-osun-chair-to-vacate-office.html | ||||||