President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the redeployment of three Permanent Secretaries, including Jalal Ahmed Arabi, who is moved from Aso Rock presidential villa to Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. In a minor reshufflement announced today, March 23, by Mrs. Ogunmosunle O.A, Director of Communications in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Tijjani ldris Umar replaces Jalal from Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The circular said that while Sabi’u Zakari moves to Defence from Transportation, the most senior Director in the Ministry of Transportation should oversee the affairs of the office as Permanent Secretary pending the appointment /posting of a substantive one. It said that the circular was signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi- Esan. According to the circular, the deployment takes immediate effect and directed that handing /taking-over processes should be completed on or before 5th April, 2020.
An American-based preacher, prophet and General Overseer of Royal Place Ministries International, Bishop Blessing Samuel, has described the ravaging Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as demon that will soon disappear faster than anyone can think.
The Bishop stressed that what the world is going through is a trying time, adding that faith rather than fear should be the watchword. “This is just a trying time. Coronavirus is not just a virus, it is a demon trying to kill our faith and also close churches but God will fight for His people. This viral virus will soon disappear the same way it came.” The cleric advised everyone to be aware of how it spread and should take preventive measures. “Though even doctors and scientists may be confused, but God is not confused: help is on the way. “I believe strongly that the demon has been destroyed and solutions shall be found quicker than the doctors anticipated. “Stay safe and be prayerful, having faith in God to see us through. I encourage all Nigerians, religious bodies and everyone in the world not to ignore the laws and instructions of the government. Also to join hands in the mission to rescue the nation system from collapsing. “Avoid large gathering for now, it is not fear. It is called wisdom,” Bishop Samuel added.
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has announced the sharing of about N581.566 billion to the Federal, States and Local Governments for February 2020. The decision was announced at the end of the rescheduled meeting of the FAAC held in Abuja today, March 23.
A communique issued by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation on the behalf of the FAAC said that the N581.566 billion comprised Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Exchange Gain, and revenue from Forex Equalization Account. The communique said that the balance in the Excess Crude revenue Account (ECA) stood at about $72.221 million. Details of the allocations showed gross statutory revenue for the month of February 2020 was about N466.058 billion. This is lower by N59.195 billion than the N525.253 billion received in January 2020. For the month, the gross revenue available from the VAT is about N99.552 billion as against N104.758 billion in the previous month, a decrease of N5.206 billion. Exchange Gain yielded a total revenue of about N757 million, and revenue from Foreign exchange Equalization Account was about N15.199 billion. The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said that from the total revenue of N581.566 billion, the Federal Government received N236.118 billion, the State Governments N159.010 billion, and the Local Government Councils N119.305 billion. The Oil Producing States received N45.310 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue and the Revenue Generating Agencies N21.822 billion as cost of revenue collection. A breakdown of the distribution showed that from the gross statutory revenue of N466.058 billion, the Federal Government received N214.915 billion, the State Governments N109.008 billion and the Local Government Councils N84.040 billion. The Oil Producing States received N43.242 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N14.853 billion as the cost of collection. From the VAT revenue of N99.552 billion, the Federal Government received N13.888 billion, the State Governments N46.292 billion, the Local Government Councils N32.404 billion and the Revenue Generating Agencies received N6.969 billion as cost of revenue collection. The Exchange Gain revenue was N757million and the Federal Government received N350 million, the State Governments N178 million, the Local Government Councils N137 million and the Oil Producing States received N92 million. The foreign exchange equalization account revenue was N15.199 billion, with the Federal Government receiving N6.966 billion, the State Governments N3.533 billion, the Local Government Councils N2.724 billion and the Oil Producing States received N1.976 billion The communique confirmed that in the month of February 2020, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Import and Excise Duties, Oil and Gas Royalties and Value Added Tax (VAT) all recorded a substantial decline.
Paul Ibe, Media aide to Atiku Abubakar, has clarified that Atiku’s son who is now undergoing treatment for coronavirus never attended club activities nor joined congregational Friday prayer.In a statement today, March 23 reacting to what he called “false narratives,” Paul Ibe said that Atiku son returned to the country on 17th March via Switzerland from some business engagements in France and Switzerland.According to the spokesman, Atiku son, whose name is yet to be disclosed, attended a private meeting of six persons same day in Lagos, stayed in his private house for the night and took an Aero 5.20pm flight to Abuja on the 18th. He said that the coronavirus infected son did not travel with his family or any other but travelled alone by Emirates Airline, adding that he wore face mask as a precautionary measure since his arrival in Nigeria.Atiku son, Paul Ibe said, did not show symptoms of infection and voluntarily placed a call to NCDC on arrival in Abuja late on the 18th to inform them he had returned from COVID-19 prone country and desired to be tested.”On the 19th, NCDC took his blood sample which result came positive on the 20th. He subsequently went into self isolation to protect his family within his own house. “Meantime, his son has since tested negative while his wife’s result is being awaited. The two persons are currently in self isolation.”We urge members of the public to disregard the perfidious information that the case accessed open locations. He was not at Play Lounge nor any other club in Abuja as being mischievously bandied about.”The case (Atiku’s son) neither attended the Friday Jumu’a prayers nor any social gathering until his evacuation to Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital on the 20th where he is being treated and managed. “We thank Nigerians for their prayers and support through this difficult time. Once again, it needs to be restated that the risk and danger of #COVID19 is real. Ensure you follow the World Health Organization and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines on how to stay safe.”
Reports reaching us indicated that Nigeria has recorded first death from coronavirus.
It was gathered that the death was that of the former Managing Director of PPMC, Suleiman Achimugu. He died at about 2am today at Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital.
He was said to have got back from UK two weeks ago and started exhibiting symptoms of the virus on Tuesday last week.
It was learnt that the family reported the matter to the NCDC whose officials took his blood specimen for testing but before they got back to the family, his condition was getting worse.
“As of yesterday afternoon, he was coughing profusely. So they called the NCDC to inquire about his results and it turned out positive. They picked him up and rushed him to Gwagwalada. He died at 2am this morning.
“His family are currently under quarantine in their house.”
Report reaching us indicated that the son of former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was allegedly picked up by police and forced to do coronavirus test which eventually proved positive, leading to his admission at Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital, Abuja.
He was said to have returned from the United Kingdom about ten days ago, refused to self-isolate as directed by the government and health authorities, but moved around freely, including clubs, one of which has been closed down. He was also said to be at Jum’at (Friday congregational prayer).
It was gathered that the son, whose name is yet to be made public, was picked up following complaints and outcry of the people in the neighbourhood, who knew that he just returned from UK.
Meanwhile, authorities have called on all those who were at Play Lounge Wuse 2, Abuja, the day Atiku’s son was there to report to appropriate health institutions for test and also to self-isolate.
Atiku, who was also the Presidential flag bearer of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, had earlier today, March 23, announced, through his Tweeter handle, that his son had been tested positive to colonavirus and appealed to Nigerians to pray for him.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has directed that all social visitors to inmates in police custody should be thoroughly screened of coronavirus before they are allowed in.
He also directed that every new detainee should similarly be screened, even as he ordered the closure of police academy.
A statement by the spokesman of the police from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Frank Mba, quoted the IGP as directing all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure that all legitimate orders given in pursuant to the containment efforts are strictly enforced within their areas of jurisdiction.
The police boss advised officers to observe personal safety measures, even as he directed the Zonal Assistant Inspectors General and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure that cases of unnecessary arrests and detention of suspects are not condoned.
He reiterated that detention of suspects must be reduced to the barest minimum and that only very serious cases such as terrorism, armed robbery, homicide and other non-bailable offences should warrant detention. “The IGP further directs that adequate measures be emplaced to screen persons to be committed into police custody.
“The IGP enjoins citizens to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimize official visits, except where absolutely necessary. Meanwhile, the IGP has ordered Command CPs to immediately publicize phone numbers of their Command Control Rooms, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other Tactical Commanders using the conventional and non- conventional media in order to facilitate alternative interacting and reporting options between the Public and the Police
“Also, in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive that all tertiary institutions be shut, the IGP has ordered the immediate closure of the Nigeria Police Academy as well as all Police Primary and Secondary Schools nationwide. Meanwhile, the Force Medical Services has been empowered and directed to step up sensitization programmes across Commands, Formations and Barracks in the country.”
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has inaugurated an Emergency Response Team, made of health challenge experts, to tackle coronavirus which made its first entry into Abuja yesterday.
According to a statement by the senior special assistant to the minister on media and publicity, Malam Abubakar Sani, the response team has seven major pillars to address specific areas while a central coordinating committee would oversee the overall affairs of the team.
The teams include Infection Prevention and Control; Epidemiology, Survelance and Point of Entry as well as Laboratory.
Others are Risk Communication and Social Mobilization; Case Management as well as Health Safety and Welfare.
Each of the teams are to be chaired by relevant professionals.
Inaugurating the team today, March 22 in Abuja, the minister said that the primary responsibility of the team is to confront the disease in all ramifications and curtail its spread.
Represented at the inauguration by the Acting Secretary of the Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Kawu Mohammed, the minister charged members of the response team to bring their experiences and professionalism to bear in attending to the confirmed cases and also diligently tracking all suspects until the the FCT is declared free of the pandemic.
He said that so far thirty cases were reported and tested in the FCT while four were confimed to be positive.
It would be recalled that the three cases of the Coronavirus were recorded in the FCT yesterday while the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also announced a new confirmed case today.
Son of the former Nigeria Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has been tested positive of the dreaded coronavirus in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Atiku, who was also the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, made the announcement via his verified Twitter handle. According to him, the NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control), has been duly informed about the situation and that his son has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and Management. “My son has tested positive for coronavirus,” he tweeted. “The @NCDCGov has been duly informed, and he has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and management. I will appreciate it if you have him in your prayers. Stay safe, coronavirus is real,” he added. He did not mention the name of which of his sons was infected by the disease. Atiku also asked that Nigerians put his son in prayers. Atiku Abubakar ✔ @atiku My son has tested positive to coronavirus. @NCDCGov has been duly informed, and he has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and management. I will appreciate it if you have him in your prayers. Stay safe, coronavirus is real. -AA Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, in its twitter handle on Sunday, said the cases included 22 in Lagos State, four in the Federal Capital Territory, one in Oyo State and one in Ekiti State. The centre said the two in Ogun State, including the Italian index case, had tested negative and had been discharged. Nigeria recorded its first coronavirus case on February 27 when an Italian was diagnosed with the disease. On March 19, the cases rose to 12 with most of the affected people being returnees from Europe and the United States. On Saturday, the cases increased to 22 with Abuja recording its first cases.
Seventy five Coronated Obas, who were recently demoted by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State have dragged him to court, demanding the payment of 11 month salary arrears from the day they were demoted. They are seeking the order of the court, amongst others, “compelling the Defendants to pay all remunerations and entitlements due but unpaid to each of the Claimants as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities to the said Claimants from 13th May 2019 when their upgrading, appointment and promotion took effect till date and thereafter.” Eleven out of the seventy five of them filed a suit on behalf of the entire 75 chiefs appointed as Coronet Obas by the government of Ogun state on May 13, 2019. Former Governor Ibikunle Amosun had upgraded the 75 chiefs from Baales to Obas of their respective domains, saying it was in accordance with the Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2006. But, Governor Abiodun reversed the upgrade of the said Obas, following the recommendation of a review committee headed by the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle. However, the aggrieved Obas took the complaints to an Ogun State High Court, joining as defendans,the Governor of Ogun State, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, the Ogun House of Assembly and the Attorney General of Ogun State. In a 27 paragraphed affidavit, the claimants said, “By virtue of the provisions of Section 30 Sub–Sections (1) and (2) of the Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2006, the Executive Council of the Government of Ogun State can only suspend and depose an erring Oba”, saying their demotion was illegal. In their reliefs, the claimants prayed the court for: “A Declaration that the purported reversal or revocation of the Claimants upgrading, appointment and promotion as Coronet Obas is a nullity and of no effect whatsoever. “A Declaration that the Defendants Chieftaincy Review Committee set up to purportedly review the upgrading, appointments and promotion of the Claimants as Traditional Rulers and the activities of the said Committee is an afterthought and a nullity. “A Declaration that the Defendants are estopped from reversing or revoking the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the Claimants as Coronet Obas in Ogun state and/or preventing Claimants from acting, parading or referring to themselves and being referred to as Coronet Obas of their respective Communities, the said Claimants having been earlier upgraded, appointed and promoted by the Government of Ogun State acting through the Defendants as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities in Ogun State and carrying on the performance of the duties of their offices as Coronet Obas to the knowledge and acknowledgment of the Defendants. “A Declaration that the Defendants cannot capriciously reverse or revoke the upgrading, appointments and promotions of the Defendants in the absence of any complaint against the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the Claimants duly brought to the attention of the Claimants for their defence/response. “An Order setting aside the purported reversal or revocation of the Claimants upgrading, appointment and promotion as Coronet Obas in Ogun State. “An Order compelling the defendants to rescind forthwith, the purported reversal and/or revocation of the upgrading, appointments and promotion of the Claimants as Coronet Obas of their respective Communities. “An Order Compelling the Defendants to pay all remunerations and entitlements due but unpaid to each of the Claimants as Coronet Obas over their respective Communities to the said Claimants from 13th May 2019 when their upgrading, appointment and promotion took effect till date and thereafter. “An Order of Perpetual Injunction restraining the Defendants, their privies, agents and servants from interfering in any way or manner whatsoever and howsoever described with the upgrading, appointments and promotion of the Claimants except in accordance with law. “Costs of this action.” In an affidavit the first Claimant, who identified himself as Oba Tanimowo David Folarin, the Olu of Ipebi Ijebu Mushin, stated that: “I was the State Secretary for Council of Baales in Ogun State before the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the entire seventy – five (75) Obas who brought this action. “I know of the fact that the entire seventy – five (75) Obas concerned with this matter are the Coronet Obas listed in the Ogun State of Nigeria Gazette No. 20 Vol. 44 of 16th May 2019 and cited as ‘Approval of Appointments of minor Chiefs as Coronet Obas Notice No. 3 of 2019’. “That upon the upgrading, appointment and promotion of we the Claimants by the Government of Ogun State as Coronet Obas, I am aware that letters of appointments were issued to each and every one of us and some of the letters issued to us which are the same in content in every material particular except our respective names and Communities. “That I know of a fact that as Coronet Obas, the seventy – five Obas (myself inclusive), upgraded, appointed and promoted as Coronet Obas of our respective Communities in Ogun State of Nigeria are the Sovereign Male Obas and Rulers of our respective Kingdoms or Communities from the 13th day of May 2019 till date. “That I am aware that upon the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the entire seventy–five (75) Obas (including myself) who recently agreed to bring this action, the Claimants have successfully observed and performed the traditional rites of tutelage for newly appointed Obas customarily called ‘Ipebi” in Yoruba land. “That I know of the fact that the Defendants have threatened and has continued to threaten to issue and serve letters on each of the Seventy – five (75) Coronet Obas that filed this action to prevent or restrain us from acting, parading or referring to ourselves and being referred to as Coronet Obas of our respective Communities despite the fact that the Claimants have observed and performed the traditional rites of tutelage for newly appointed Obas customarily called ‘Ipebi” in Yoruba land. “That I am aware as an Oba in Yoruba land that the consequences for anyone who observed and performed the ‘Ipebi’ traditional rites without subsequently carrying on and continuing to carry on the duties of an Oba is untimely death. “That I know of a fact that Oba Babatunde Olutunde Ojelade who is one of the seventy–five (75) appointed Coronet Obas who recently agreed to bring this action died suddenly and untimely at about 11pm on the 16th day of March 2020 when the threats of the Defendants to prevent or restrain us from acting, parading or referring to ourselves and being continuously referred to as Coronet Obas of our respective Communities persisted and continued to reach him.” It was learnt that “the applicants, through one of their Lawyers, Akin Folarin Esq, have written letters separately addressed to the 1st, 2nd and 4th Respondents requesting that the Respondents rescind their decision to revoke the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the Claimants as Coronet Obas.” However, “rather than rescind its unlawful decision purportedly reversing/revoking the upgrading, appointment and promotion of the applicants as Coronet Obas, the respondents threatened and has continued to threaten to issue and serve letters on each of the Applicants to prevent or restrain the Applicants from acting, parading or referring to themselves and being continuously referred to as Coronet Obas of their respective Communities “This is despite the traditional consequences of such a forbearance in Yoruba land being sudden and untimely death on the Applicants who have performed the traditional Ipebi rites for newly appointed Obas in Yoruba land and which threats has resulted in the unfortunate sudden and untimely death of one of the Applicants, many more of whom could die suddenly and untimely unless the Honorable Court intervenes.” Meanwhile, the claimants, on March 17, filed a motion on notice for an order of interlocutory injunction “restraining the Defendant/Respondents, either by themselves or through their agents, servants, privies or any other person(s) acting for them from preventing Claimants from acting, parading or referring to themselves and being continuously referred to as Coronet Obas of their respective Communities, the said Claimants having been earlier upgraded, appointed and promoted by the Government of Ogun State acting through the Defendants as Coronet Obas over their respective communities in Ogun State and carrying on the performance of the duties of their offices as Coronet Obas to the knowledge and acknowledgment of the Defendants pending the determination of this action.” Source: Daily Post.
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An American-based preacher, prophet and General Overseer of Royal Place Ministries International, Bishop Blessing Samuel, has described the ravaging Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as demon that will soon disappear faster than anyone can think.
Reports reaching us indicated that Nigeria has recorded first death from coronavirus.
Report reaching us indicated that the son of former Nigeria Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was allegedly picked up by police and forced to do coronavirus test which eventually proved positive, leading to his admission at Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital, Abuja.
Seventy five Coronated Obas, who were recently demoted by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State have dragged him to court, demanding the payment of 11 month salary arrears from the day they were demoted.
