The world was suddenly jolted by the spread of an unknown virus later coded the Coronavirus. It was a moment of despair, confusion and a total shift in lifestyle.
Social distancing, nose masking and hand washing became the new normal. Everything became virtual as Lockdown was enforced.
It was a period of total chaos as the deadly yet invisible virus spread very fast. It moved from invisibility to invincibility as scientists in the organized world headed for the kill.
While the time ticked and lives were lost each second, waiting for the answer became a common ground in prayer for all sects. And for once, both the religious people and the atheists came into alignment that there was a cosmic force ready to annihilate mankind.
But the crowned virus was not the Almighty, so it had no such powers to effect a total extinction of the entire human race but it sure recreated the lifestyles of man.
The chaotic situation brought about a “new normal” and ushered in the change we never yearned earnestly for.
Though the casualty was huge and is probably still raging, albeit in lesser numbers now, the ultimate result is that life still can go on in a totally different way and the past may never return.
It’s an indescribable moment of change!
Nigeria has been through the Civil War, recording millions of casualties and setbacks, with widening distrust and disunity amongst the ethnic groups that make up it’s structure.
Fifty one years after the war, the issues that led to the war have been multiplied beyond description. Obviously, the war was never a means to an end of injustice, marginalization and inequity. It was simply a tool for further division under a thinly held fabric waiting to break.
Fifty two years after, the drums of War are beating again. Those who ought to secure the people are now being severed by provocateurs labeled unknown Gunmen, bandits, secessionists, dangerous herdsmen and Boko Haram.
The Police have been marked for elimination and the war rages even though there are no clear rival groups. It is Anarchy and the authorities are overwhelmed.
The End SARS protest was the test run of the weakening of the Police Force and it worked.
This chaos may actually not be the end of a corporate Nigeria but it will set the tone for the change we may not have asked for, but the one we definitely need!
Whatever let the change come for we earnestly yearn for a better Nigeria.
Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe wrote in fromPort Harcourt, Nigeria
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has banned Eid prayer to mark the end of 30-day Ramadan Fasting in open field.
The minister, after a meeting with a delegation of the FCT League of Imams Initiative led by its Chairman, Imam (Dr.) Tajudeen M.B Adigun, asked Muslims to observe the prayer in neighborhood Mosque, and that worshipers must not be more than 50.
The Minister reminded Muslims that the nation had just gone through a first wave of the pandemic and that the second wave is threatening to cause more fatalities.
“It is imperative to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.
He said that based on presentations made by officials of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Implementation Guidelines for Phased Restriction of Movement issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Monday. 10th May 2021, the following guidelines there will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway (Airport Road)
He stressed that all worshippers should hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at mosques, adding that indoor worshipers should be limited to less than 50 percent of installed capacity
“Religious authorities are advised to regulate the flow of people entering and exiting places of worship.
“All non-pharmaceutical intervention protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and hand washing are to be observed
“All other Eid celebrations and activities should be confined to homes as all public parks, recreation and entertainment centers are to be closed.”
This was even as the Chairman of the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr. Tajudeen Mohammed Bello reminded Muslims about the importance of listening to experts in the field of medical sciences, saying: “in Islam, you also abide with the commands of leadership.
“Based on this and what we are convinced of, we urge Muslim Ummah to also respect this stand of the Administration of the FCT by observing our Eid prayers within our localities.”
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned those who are clamouring for war that no one can gain from war and advised them to desist from actions that could lead to war.
Oba Ogunwusi, who received in audience in his palace today, May 10, the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 11 – Osogbo, Olasupo Ajani, advised Nigerians to build a better nation where there would be peace and job opportunities for the youths.
The Oonifurther counseled citizens to always respect the security personnel who risk their lives to protect them.
This was even as Olasupo Ajani commended the traditional ruler for his spirit of patriotism.
The AIG who recalled that he once served in Ile-Ife, appealed to Nigerians to continue to support the police for a crime-free society.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has imposed night curfew, restricts mass gatherings at religious activities, wedding and other gatherings to 50 percent capacity, as the new measures to contain cases of Covid19 that is currently devastating Brazil, India and Turkey.
China alone recorded over 400,000 new cases of Covid19 within 24 hours yesterday, May 9.
The National Incident Manager of the Nigeria’s Presidential Steering Committee on COVID19, Mukhtar Mohammed, who announced the new measures today, May 10, said that with effect from tomorrow, May11, event centres, night clubs will remain closed till further notice.
According to him, gatherings of religious groups, weddings are reduced to 50 percent attendance, while official engagements, meetings and conferences will continue to hold virtually.
He said that the curfew is from midnight of Monday May 10th to 4am, saying that military personnel have been drafted to monitor and enforce adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions on public transport.
Mukhtari Mohammed appealed to state governments to enforce these guidelines with violators made to appear before mobile courts and pay fines.
Reading the guidelines below:
“Last week on 26th of April, the PSE took a precautionary step by restricting travel from three countries, Brazil, India and wherever observed high incidence of cases have a totally different and widespread prevalence for virus.
“The PSC continues to reinforce the surveillance system and the country’s points of entry. While our vaccine rollout has began there is a shortage in global supplies affected by the current situation in India. These translates to a delay in vaccinating a large proportion of the population and therefore a risk of a large outbreak, especially in the context of poor adherence to the recommended public and social gatherings.
“There are strong concerns about the non compliance to public health and social measures, which are contained in the health protection regulation 2021. “Specifically, the level of adherence to the use of face mask, physical distancing, temperature checks in public spaces, hand washing, and limitations placed on large gatherings remain very poor, in some areas these are even non existent.
“In line with increasing risk of certain cases, the PSC is therefore maintaining enforcement of the COVID-19 Health Protection Division. This is to mitigate the risk of a spike in new cases, while the nationwide vaccine continues.
“The National Response continues to focus on achieving a balance between preserving lives while working on a long term epidemic control.
“Further to this recommendation and effective from 00:01 hours on Tuesday 11th of May 2022, this phase four of restriction of movement shall come into effect. We shall maintain restrictions on mass gatherings of sidewalk settings, with a maximum of about 50 people in any enclosed space.
“Approved gatherings must be held to the physical distancing measures, and other non pharmaceutical interventions in place.
Enforcement of mandatory requirement for seven day quarantine for all international passengers arriving from foreign destinations. While institutional quarantine for international passengers arriving from the three countries we mentioned.
“Enforced temperature checks and robust monetary policy in all public settings, working his buildings, businesses, places of worship, etc.
“Access to government and commercial premises should be denied to any person who is not wearing face mask.
“We will continue to maintain restriction on reduction of work of government staff workers from GL-12 and below. We’ll also limited government meetings to virtual platforms as much as possible. While we maintaining restrictions on physical meetings, including official trips, oversight visits and board meetings.
“Event centres night night clubs shall remain closed until further notice. Restaurants are to provide eat in at 50% capacity and provides takeaways where available.
“These measures are to enable the government to measure effectively prevent and control a resurgence of an acute phase of this pandemic, continue to strengthen our public health systems and protect the lives of Nigerians and our economy.
“It is critical that greater ownership and responsibility of these measures as a cure for both the general public and government institutions across federal and state levels.
“It is believed that these steps will help consolidate the gains made so far and position our country to effectively overcome the pandemic going forward.
“The Presidential Steering Committee has made this recommendations in line with established thematic areas of movement, industry, labour, and community activities.
“The nationwide curfew will be imposed tonight at midnight and will run through till 4am. No more restrictions of movement within the country, given the risk that citizens are encouraged to refrain from non essential movement, and comply with NPIS guidelines. People who are aged 60 years and above and with co-morbidities are strongly urged to stay at home and avoid crowds.
“We have advise Nigerians on essential travels, international travellers, only essential travellers are encouraged and both international and domestic travellers must abide by all existing protocols. All international passengers must register with the Nigeria international portal. Rail transport, no limitations to interstate or intrastate travels, however, consumers of services must ensure that they abide by stipulated regulations. security agencies are to enforce the use of non pharmaceutical interventions in the transport sector. And also, which include using face mask temperature checks, and use of hand sanitizers.
“In terms of working arrangement, virtual meetings should be encouraged to take place as much as possible. We should avoid large meetings, decongest offices and ensure they are well ventilated.
“States have been asked to institute mobile courts to help enforce on the spot fines and closed premises that violate these prohibitions.
“On communal services, markets and stores, they should ensure that there are spot checks of commercial premises and observed or mandatory non pharmaceutical interventions. Facility owners and managers and store owners are to ensure that physical distancing is observed.
“All mass gatherings remain restricted to 50 persons except where explicit permission has been granted by the state governments. Hotels are to remain open, but they must observe or non pharmaceutical interventions.
“Schools have already opened, however, they should consider the use of approved antigen based rapid diagnostics tests as recommended by the NCDC.
“All religious gatherings should be limited to less than 50% capacity to ensure physical distancing and use of facemask is mandatory.
“All recreational venues, gyms and indoor sports facilities are to close until 11 of June when the situation will be reviewed. However, non contact outdoor sports such as golf, polo and tennis are not affected by these.
“Gatherings in weddings, parties and meetings should also comply with 50 persons. Mass political gatherings, gatherings in the open, a large number of people are strictly to o adhere this COVID-19 protocol as issued by INEC.
“Violations of this protocols: Each state government is to set up mobile Tribunal for prosecution of violators as security agents are empowered to make an arrest for violations under the protection regulation. “These safety protocols only provide a baseline from which state governors may further strengthen their responses based on that Local circumstances, states should continue to consider this minimum guidelines required to ensure an acceptable level of epidemic control. “Lastly, as we prepare to commence the end of Ramadan festivities and Sallah celebrations, we asked Nigerians to be cautious, to avoid crowded places and ensure that they continue to use face masks and also social distancing where necessary.
Saudi Arabia may have thrown hajj planners in Muslim countries of the world, including Nigeria, into confusion as it announced that 2021 Hajj will hold, but is not specific as to whether it will be opened to international pilgrims.
This is even as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had issued a notice to intending pilgrims to get ready for the hajj if international pilgrims are included.
A statement today, May 10 by the spokesperson of the Commission, Fatima Sanda Usara, said: “although no mention was made on the admissibility of foreign pilgrims for the Hajj season in the brief piece of information released by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday 9th May, yet, the Commission holds high optimism that the custodians of the two Haramain will open their doors for international pilgrimage this year.
“As we await further communication on specific measures and organisational plans for the 2021 Hajj, NAHCON urges Nigerian intending pilgrims to continue exercising patience while remaining prayerful for positive outcome.
“If there are indeed plans for international pilgrims to participate, NAHCON is optimistic that Nigerian Hajj hopefuls will have slots even if with conditions. This is because thus far, Nigerians have been part of those admitted for Umrah and Nigeria has not been among countries barred from traveling to Saudi Arabia.
“Hence, NAHCON leadership reassures the general public, particularly registered intending pilgrims, that in its tradition, the Commission will adhere strictly to those measures and guidelines that will be stipulated by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. NAHCON is therefore charging other Hajj stakeholders and hopefuls to be ready to comply in order to ease the process for the country and host country such that will pave way for a successful Hajj operation despite time constraints.”
President Muhammadu Buhari listens to Tafsir (interpretation of the Holy Qur’an, the words of God), delivered by the Imam of the Presidential Mosque in Aso Rock Presidential villa, Sheikh Abdulwahid Sulaiman, to end the month of Ramadan, after 27 days of Fasting. Senior Presidential aides were also in attendance. Photo by Sunday Aghaeze.
Suspended Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, has written to the Presidency clearing herself from allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against her which she said are false.
Hadiza Usman in a letter to the Chief of Staff to the president, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, dated May 5, said the figures provided by the Budget Office of the Federation as the operating surplus for the respective years on which basis they arrived at the shortfall were derived from submission of budgetary provision and not the actual amounts derived following the statutory audit of the authorities financial statements.
She said remittances of audited financial statements of the authority for the period 2017 and 2018 provided operating surpluses of N76.782 billion and N71.480 billion for 2017 and 2018, respectively, contrary to the sums of N133.084 billion and N88.79 billion arrived at by the office from the budgetary submission.
She said in line with the template issued by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, the accessible Operating Surplus of the Authority stands at N51.09 billion and N42.51 billion for 2017 and 2018 respectively, adding that this amounts will give rise to a remittance due to the CFR in the sum of N40.873 billion and N34.065 billion which represents 80% of the surpluses for the year 2017 and 2018 respectively.
“Accordingly, the authority consequently made a remittance of N42.415 billion and N33.969 billion for the years 2017 and 2018 respectively for the full amount required as remittance for the period (attached herewith are the treasury receipts).
“Based on the above, we wish to clarify the following: (1) The Authority’s computation of its remittances to the CFR are concluded arising from numbers from Audited Financial Statements using the template forwarded to the Authority from the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.
“That the Authority has remitted the full amount due it to CFR for the periods 2017 and 2018 arising from the Operating Surplus derived from the Audited Financial Statement for the period totalling N76.384 billion as evidenced in attached treasury receipts.
“That the Authority has remitted a total of N82.687 billion for the period 2019 and 2020 pending the audit of the financial statement at which point the amount so computed arising from the value of the Operating Surplus in the audited financial statement will be remitted to the CFR,” she added.
Hadiza Usman further said that she wish to request that the Chief of Staff requests the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation which is the statutorily custodian of status of payment to the CRF to provide clarification on the above so as to establish the true position of the Authorities’ remittances to the CFR.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has listed road traffic challenges which the new FCT Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), Samuel Ogar Ochi, should move quickly to tackle, one of which is the need for him to ensure that enforcement of all traffic regulation on FCT roads is tackled effectively.
The Minister, who received the new Sector Commander in his office today, May 9, advised the new helmsman to embark on enlightenment and advocacy in the discharge of his duties.
“In the discharge of your duties, your keyword should be enforcement, enforcement, enforcement. After these three keys, you can go to the second one which is enlightenment and advocacy because so many people on the streets are driving vehicles without knowledge of traffic regulations.”
Muhammad Musa Bello urged Ochi who had previously functioned as the Head of Operations of the FRSC in the FCT, to pay adequate attention to, and meet the traffic challenges along Airport Road, which he said is a 10 lane expressway, comprising of numerous bus stops, pedestrian bridges, with several settlements bordering it
He expressed confidence in the ability of the new Sector Commander to meet the challenges, saying that apart from the Airport road, he should also focus on the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, starting all the way from the interchange junction, right through to the Apo Interchange, as well as the Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse II.
“These are some of the areas in the city where you have the greatest concentration of traffic and also the greatest challenges.”
Musa Bello asked Ochi to ensure the commitment of the men and women to their jobs, even as he pledged the continuous support of the FCT Administration to the FRSC in the discharge of its responsibilities in the FCT.
The new Sector Commander pledged to work hard to meet the challenges of ensuring road safety in the FCT, saying that he is already familiar with the demands of his assignment in the FCT.
He commended the Minister for the steps taken to improve traffic management in the Territory including restrictions placed on the operations of tricycles and commercial motorcycles as well as the construction of roads saying “you can now drive to Dutse as if you are within the city”.
Eearlier, the outgoing Sector Commander Mr Ayuba Gora Wobin expressed his appreciation to the FCT Minister for all the support he enjoyed from the FCT Administration as the Sector Commander.
He said that the job is challenging due to the constant influx of people into the FCT, adding that cooperation of officials of the FCT Administration contributed to the successes he enjoyed.
India is currently undergoing the world’s worst Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with 403,738 fresh infections and 4,092 deaths in the past 24 hours.
The government lamented today, May 9 that the astronomical rise in the cases has brought the overall caseload to over 22 million and the death toll to 242,362 in the country reeling under the second wave of the pandemic.
Date released by the federal health ministry showed that the country has been recording over 400,000 daily infections for the fifth time in a week and over 4,000 deaths for the second consecutive day.
The country has become a global epicenter of the virus, accounting for 46 per cent of global cases and 25 per cent of global deaths, the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) weekly epidemiological report on May 5, showed.
Amid a crisis over medical oxygen and distress messages from patients, the country’s supreme court has formed a national task force to ensure adequate supplies of the life-saving gas to hospitals.
In recent days, many states in India have declared lockdowns as opposition leaders urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce nationwide curbs.
India, the second-most infected country after United States that has a 32.6 million caseload, is in the grip of a second wave that began mid-February.
The pandemic has claimed more than 3.2 million lives worldwide since it first emerged in late 2019.
Chairman of South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has lamented that the people, especially, militants in the Southeast have brought war to the region in their agitation for better deal in Nigeria.
He said: “most of the security agents being killed are from the South East. We have brought war to ourselves. Nobody has the capacity to come and kill us here. We are the only region that is at war with itself. And we pretend. We are the architecture of our problems. When war starts, the situation will become different. No place will be the same. No herdsmen will make attempt to kill us again. “Herdsmen must conform to the culture of the people. Never again to such killing. Let them not try it again.”
Governor Umahi, who spoke yesterday, May 8, at the grand finale of the State’s 7 days prayer and fasting at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, condemned the killing of policemen and burning of police stations within the South East region.
He asked: “why are we killing security agencies and burning police stations. Our people are the ones burning police stations and killing security agencies.
“That rubbish must stop. This madness in this country must stop. We must not be ashamed to borrow fighter jets from other African countries.
“This nonsense must stop. There’s no patriotism. Nobody is demanding the accountability of the ones we have stayed. The situation calls for repentance. This situation must not continue. No foundation was laid for the future generations. How can we allow foreign herders to be coming into Nigeria.
“We know our problem. Nobody will love us more than ourselves.”
The Governor called on those fomenting crisis in the South East to desist from such act, saying that what is needed at this point in the nation’s history is peaceful coexistence.
He said that his administration had resolved to focus on empowerment of repentant bandits and that he is putting modalities in place to ensure the empowerment of 3000 Ebonyi youths including those outside the State.
“We are fully fortified by God. There’s no check points again in Ebonyi. We cannot overemphasize the benefits of prayers.
“We have set up peace and reconciliation Committee. I believe in united Nigeria. I don’t believe any section is better than any other. Let us surrender to our leaders. There are lots of merits in the agitation. We can’t achieve it by abusing the President, Governors and other leaders.
“The empowerment of 3000 youths will be in May/June. Am not increasing any salary. There should be no strike by the Judiciary or legislature. I will like to engage the opposition parties.”
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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has warned those who are clamouring for war that no one can gain from war and advised them to desist from actions that could lead to war.
Suspended Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, has written to the Presidency clearing herself from allegations of financial misappropriation levelled against her which she said are false.
India is currently undergoing the world’s worst Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, with 403,738 fresh infections and 4,092 deaths in the past 24 hours.
When Chaos Becomes Springboard For The Change Nigeria Needs, By Obiaruko Ndukwe
The world was suddenly jolted by the spread of an unknown virus later coded the Coronavirus. It was a moment of despair, confusion and a total shift in lifestyle.
Social distancing, nose masking and hand washing became the new normal. Everything became virtual as Lockdown was enforced.
It was a period of total chaos as the deadly yet invisible virus spread very fast. It moved from invisibility to invincibility as scientists in the organized world headed for the kill.
While the time ticked and lives were lost each second, waiting for the answer became a common ground in prayer for all sects. And for once, both the religious people and the atheists came into alignment that there was a cosmic force ready to annihilate mankind.
But the crowned virus was not the Almighty, so it had no such powers to effect a total extinction of the entire human race but it sure recreated the lifestyles of man.
The chaotic situation brought about a “new normal” and ushered in the change we never yearned earnestly for.
Though the casualty was huge and is probably still raging, albeit in lesser numbers now, the ultimate result is that life still can go on in a totally different way and the past may never return.
It’s an indescribable moment of change!
Nigeria has been through the Civil War, recording millions of casualties and setbacks, with widening distrust and disunity amongst the ethnic groups that make up it’s structure.
Fifty one years after the war, the issues that led to the war have been multiplied beyond description. Obviously, the war was never a means to an end of injustice, marginalization and inequity. It was simply a tool for further division under a thinly held fabric waiting to break.
Fifty two years after, the drums of War are beating again. Those who ought to secure the people are now being severed by provocateurs labeled unknown Gunmen, bandits, secessionists, dangerous herdsmen and Boko Haram.
The Police have been marked for elimination and the war rages even though there are no clear rival groups. It is Anarchy and the authorities are overwhelmed.
The End SARS protest was the test run of the weakening of the Police Force and it worked.
This chaos may actually not be the end of a corporate Nigeria but it will set the tone for the change we may not have asked for, but the one we definitely need!
Whatever let the change come for we earnestly yearn for a better Nigeria.
Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe wrote in from Port Harcourt, Nigeria