Kristina Georgieva, IMF Boss

By Folasade Akpan

The International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) has come up with an agreement to create a Common Framework for handling sovereign debt treatments beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI).

Kristina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund (IMF), said this in Washington D. C. at the IMFC opening press conference at the ongoing 2020 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank virtual annual meetings.

Georgieva said that there were two significant deliverables from the G20 which were endorsed by the IMFC.

She added that the frameworkwouldbe an important advancement in the international architecture for resolving sovereign debt matters in an orderly way.

As you may recall, the IMF has raised several issues with improving the architecture so we can have fair, quick, relatively simple, relatively low-cost resolution of unsustainable debt.

This common framework is a significant step in the right direction, she added.

She said that secondly, the IMFC had agreed to an extension by the G20 of the DSSI for at least another six months from the end of 2020 and for the option to extend it further if necessary.

She, however, said that as the IMF had been emphasising, further private sector participation was still needed.

She also said that the two deliverables were in addition to three broad policy areas earlier discussed.

The first policy was that countries should continue with essential measures to protect lives and livelihoods.

Stepping up vital health measures is imperative, as is well-targeted fiscal and monetary support to households and firms.

So, the IMFs message from these meetings is clear: avoid premature withdrawalpulling the plug too soon risks serious, self-inflicted harm.

Secondly, she urged them to build a more resilient and inclusive economy, adding that public investment, especially in green projects and digital infrastructure, could be a game-changer.

This, she said, was because it had the potential to create millions of new jobs, while boosting productivity and incomes.

Thirdly, she advised that countries should deal with debt.

According to her, global public debt was projected to reach a record high of 100 per cent of Gross Domestic Product in 2021.

This is partly because countries rightly need to boost spending to fight the crisis and secure the recovery.

Addressing this issue over the medium-term will be critical, but for many low-income countries, urgent action is required now, she said.

Georgieva, however, said that strong international cooperation was needed especially on vaccine development and distribution.

According to her, faster progress on medical solutions could speed up the recovery and could add almost nine trillion dollars to global income by 2025.

This, in turn, could help narrow the income gap between richer and poorer nations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that DSSI is a G20 nations initiative announced in April in response to a COVID-19 call to action from the World Bank and the IMF.

It supports a Net Present Value (NPV)-neutral, time-bound suspension of principal and interest payments for eligible countries that make a formal request for debt relief from their official bilateral creditors.

It also encourages private creditors to participate on comparable terms.

The IMFC advises and reports to the IMF Board of Governors on the supervision and management of the international monetary and financial system. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mrs Lauretta Onochie

By Lizzy Okoji

The All Progressive Congress Alliance for Good Governance (APCAGG) has called on Nigerians to support the nomination of Mrs Lauretta Onochie as Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Members of the APCAAG made the call while briefing newsmen on Friday in Abuja, saying that those against Onochies appointment were people who undermined democratic process and the rule of law.

Mr Great Jonathan, the Convener of the group said that the appointment of Onochie could be disputed or seen as partisan as she is not a card carrying member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).

Jonathan said that Onochie was only serving as a Technical/Media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari and he has the power to appoint qualified people into his cabinet.

Some elements, who are afraid of their shadows and dangerous past are up in arms against the well-deserved appointment of Lauretta Onocihie by President Buhari, because of what she represents.

Those who are afraid of being confronted in their notorious schemes of election rigging by the bold and courageous disposition of Onochie have resulted to a cacophony of noises in order to confuse the nation.

Through their propaganda machines, they have launched an attack against her appointment but the reality is that they are afraid because she has always stood for free and fair election and that is not in their dictionary.

They know that her appointment into INEC is a further measure by Mr President to strengthen the institution to ensure freer and more credible elections in the future and they dont like that, Jonathan said.

Jonathan said none of those opposing her nomination had brought anything tangible against her except that she worked for the government.

But the question to ask is this- Is the government in which she serves not the government of Nigeria? Does she possess the intellectual capacity to do the job?

What denies her the right like every other Nigerian from handling responsibilities in any capacity?

Are those who have been appointed in the past and those currently serving, more Nigerian than she is?

Has she committed any offence upon which the constitution should frown at her appointment? the group asked.

Jonathan further cited examples of previous INEC chairmen who were card carrying members of previous administrations.

Also speaking, Dr Tom Ohikere, a member of the group said that Nigerians should be happy over the nomination of Onochie as she is a professional, upright and with good standing.

Ohikere described her appointment as well-deserved as she possesses the qualifications to drive Nigeria through a free and fair electioneering process.

Mrs Sally Chinedu, former South East Zonal Leader of the APC also lauded the nomination of Onochie, saying it is part of the presidents agenda of women inclusion in governance.

She described Onochie as a God fearing woman whose character in previous positions, professionalism and moral standards qualified her for the position. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Food Day: Minister, NGOs advocate nutrition as part of COVID-19 prevention strategies

By Felicia Imohimi

An agribusiness-driven organisation, the Nigeria Young Farmers Network (NYFN), has called for strategic and pragmatic youth engagement in agricultural value chain to unlock the potential of agriculture and achieve food security.

Mr Promise Amahah, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the network, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja in commemoration of the World Food Day on Friday.

NAN reports that the World Food Day is commemorated annually on Oct. 16, and the theme for the 2020 Edition is, Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Our Actions Are Our Future.

Amahah, who noted that it was imperative now than ever to engage the youth, however, described the sector as currently driven mostly by aging population of farmers and non-youth actors.

He said that the quest for sustainability would remain insurmountable if the nation continued to pay lip service to deliberate and strategic youth engagement across all value chains.

The NYFN boss identified year 2020 as a special year of celebration, saying that the year had put even much more pressure on food systems due to COVID-19.

According to him, the youth are pivotal to the theme of this years commemoration, adding that it is time to empower them to take the centre stage.

Food security requires much more innovative strategies. To achieve it together, we must expand our reach.

With a rapidly growing population that is projected to double by 2030, government and private sector should deepen collaboration to build resilient infrastructure for food systems, he said.

Amahah described the theme as a call for more cohesive action by all stakeholders, especially on vulnerable supply chains.

According to him, it is critical to review our decisions and actions to enable us to collectively surmount the many odds ahead of us.

It is time for crisis-proof food production to avert impending disaster.

The Youth remain the future of food. No Youth, No Food! No Food, No Future!, the NYFN boss stressed.

He said that the NYFN had created a formidable strategy and structure for deliberate youth engagement across all value chains and value-added services.

Amahah explained that the strategy and structure of the network were its collective aspiration to unlock the potential of agriculture to achieve zero hunger.

He identified 2020 World Food Day as a further clarion call and reminder that together, we can grow, nourish sustain our communities but first, it requires our collective action.

Congratulations to everyone as we celebrate, ponder and act accordingly to achieve food security through collective engagement, he said.

NAN reports that the World Food Day launched in 1945 was created to celebrate the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The days commemoration promotes world-wide awareness and action for those suffering from hunger and the need to ensure food and nutrition security for all. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UN-Secretary-General-Antnio-Guterres

By Harrison Arubu

These incidents come three days after 12 civilians and at least 11 soldiers of the Malian Defence and Security Forces had been killed in attacks in central Mali, he said.

Source: NAN News

Food Day: Minister, NGOs advocate nutrition as part of COVID-19 prevention strategies

By Angela Atabo

The Ministry of Women Affairs and Action Against Hunger, an NGO have advocated that nutrition should be a major part of the COVID-19 prevention strategies to fortify nutritional value of individuals and communities in Nigeria .

The minister Pauline Tallen made the call on the occasion of World Food Day organised by Action Against Hunger Nigeria in Abuja on Friday.

According to her, the call has become imperative due to the numerous challenges being presently faced by the country.

Tallen, represented by Ms Jumia Mohammed, the Director, Child and Focal Officer, Online Sexual Exploitation, said that the effect of COVID-19 crippled livelihoods and resulted in the increase in all forms of violence and women were the most hit.

She said that available report showed that Nigeria had the highest number of children affected by malnutrition globally, with more than 2.5 million suffering from acute malnutrition.

Of the national prevalence rate, 32 per cent of children under five,only two out of every 10 children affected is currently reached with treatment, report also showed that Nigeria has the highest burden of stunted children in the world.

The ministry has been working to educate the society on the benefits of consuming local nutritious foods among others .

It is important to note that healthy nutritious diets are key to boosting imunity and preventing non-communicable diseases that are risk factors for higher morbidity and mortality .

Tallen added that food and nutrition security should be safeguarded ,as nutrition could not wait.

She said this called for continuous nutrition intervention as short-term disruptions of such programmes could have irreversible effects on child survival, health and development of women and children in the long run.

Ms Beatrice Eluaka, the Executive Secretary, Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) urged government at all levels to ensure delivery of affordable and sustainable healthy diets for all.

Eluaka said that that there was the need to prioritise the food and nutrition needs of the poorest and most vulnerable households in Nigeria by expanding and improving emergency food assistance and social protection programmes.pp

She called for the approval and implementation of the National Multisectoral Plan of Action for Nutrition to guarantee optimal nutritional status for Nigerians through accelerating the scaling up of priority high impact nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive interventions.

Eluaka called for improvement in the budgetary allocations of nutritions, releasing and cash backing those allocations while ensuring transparency and accountability in use of funds directed at addressing malnutrition.

She called for extension of the current four months maternity leave for nursing mothers to 6 months to enable them exclusively to breastfeed their babies among others.

She encouraged Nigerians to increase their overall demand for nutritious food by choosing healthy, and not allowing sustainable habits fall by the wayside.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Senator representing Borno, said that Nigeria still had a lot to do in the area of fighting hunger in Nigeria, especially in the North East, and in Borno.

Nigerians, Action Against Hunger in collaboration with the Federal and state ministries, agencies and departments and legislators among other stakehlders were developing programmes.

Adama Diarrassouba, the Deputy Country Director, Support Action Against Hunger said that the programmes were aimed at fighting hunger through the improvement of food security, children, pregnant and lactating women nutritional

According to the United Nations global state of food security and nutrition report, almost 690 million people across the world suffered of hunger in 2019, an increase of 10 million people from 2018.

Yet, the situation is expected to be worst in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unfortunately, majority of these victims are women and children; the most vulnerable part of the population.

Diarrassouba said that it was in that context that it was collaborating with stakeholders like CSOs, Development partners ,and MDAs to tackle the challenge.

Source: NAN News

File Photo: Doctors,

By Franca Ofili

Dr Afred Fom, the Chief Consultant Anesthetist, National Hospital Abuja (NHA), says 25 per cent of anesthetists are at high risk of developing burnout at work.

He said this on Friday in Abuja during a webinar to celebrate the 2020 World Anesthesia Day with the theme Occupational Wellbeing of the Anesthesiologist.

He spoke on the topic Prevention of Burnout in the Anesthesiology.

According to him, burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress which occurs when one feels overwhelmed, emotionally drained and unable to meet constant demands.

, also known as anesthesiologists, are responsible for administering one of three different types of
anesthesia to patients undergoing specific procedures that require numbing.

Fom added that the risk was due to the fact that their work involved intense and emotion draining, high workload, responsibility for making critical decisions and pressure to avoid errors.

He noted that the prevalence rate of burnout from survey of European anesthetists vary, ranging between six per cent and 18 per cent.

The chief consultant said good preventive measures were necessary to address such epidemic, saying that medical training should be part of a functional work environment.

He noted that burnout could be prevented through individual, organisational approach and provision of conducive working environment, adequate equipment and training.

He explained that the treatment of burnout was not well studied yet but the most therapeutic techniques involved behavioural modification techniques.

Fom said it was necessary to recognise the stressed behaviour and to identify what caused it and then eliminate the stressors.

Dr Olatunde Olawoye, the Consultant Anesthetist, Federal Medical Centre Abuja, who spoke on occupational wellbeing of health workers,
advised that anesthetists should have a good relationship with colleagues and families.

Olawoye said that when problems were shared with friends, families and colleagues, it could go a long way in addressing burnout.

He urged anesthetists to always go for medical checkup, do lot of exercise, eat good food, take a break and have fun as it would help to solve some of the problems.

Dr Maryrose Osazuwa, the Head, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, National Hospital Abuja, advised that medical personnel should cultivate the habit of resting at the hospital before driving home to avoid accident due to work stress.

Osazuwa said it was necessary to know ones mental wellbeing in order not to administer wrong drugs to patients. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Mr Babajide Odusolu, former Managing Director, Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) has given insight into how he turned around the affairs of the corporation during his six-year tenure.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, Odusolu who served as OPIC MD from 2013 to 2019 said that he and his team moved the bureaucratic corporation to a profit making, profit minded company.

According to Odusolu, in about 29 years that OPIC existed before his appointment, the company had not remitted up to N100 million to the state government account.

He added that in the six years that he ran the corporation, the Ogun State Government got over N1.9 billion in remittances from OPIC.

By the time I was sworn in, the maximum OPIC had ever contributed to Government coffers was about N20 million Naira cumulative.

For all the over 20 years it was in existence I dont think it was even up to N100 million.

But within a six year period, with the active support of His Excellency, the Governor and his encouragement, OPIC did more than N1.9 billion in remittances to the state government.

We went from a corporation that had assets that were undermined and undervalued to one that did a turnover of 18.7 billion within a six year period.

OPIC did not get subventions from the government; we had to generate resources to fund all our work.

Because the government was averse to commercial loans we also could not borrow, so what we did was to invest and recapitalise all the returns we got from our various projects.

Despite doing that, we were still about to deliver returns of N1.9 billion to the state government.

During this same period, the government mandated us, inconjuction with other agencies, to turn around the Gateway Mortgage Bank, he said.

Giving insights into the state of the Corporation before he was appointed, Odusolu said that he met OPIC being run like the usual civil service establishment, with grossly undervalued assets, demoralised staff, bad offices and broken down equipment.

He also added that there were serious security challenges in OPICs estate in Agbara where land grabbers had taken over a lot of the estates land while many clients were in gross default of their repayment obligations.

He added that with marching orders from former governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, he had to conduct a reorientation of staffers, improve the morale of staff and business language, while also moving at top speed to turn OPIC around.

That meant I had to take people who only understood civil service language and teach them to understand the language of business, all while moving at top speed to restructure the entire organization.

We carried out a forensic audit and found out that over 500 hectares of our land had been basically grabbed by people who had not paid for them.

Working with the state government, we had to conduct massive security sweep in Agbara and restore sanity.

It was so bad then that industrialists had abandoned their factories and flour mills while trucks were broken down everywhere; there was nothing going on.

We had to go in there, restructure and do everything to make it work. Between 2013 and 2015 we were able to deliver over 15 km of road networks in Agbara, recover all the lands that had been stolen, encourage and attract new industries.

After we succeeded in doing that in Agbara, we moved to Abeokuta the state capital and also turned it around he said.

He hinted that in Abeokuta at the time, there was nothing that appealed to industries to stay there, adding that companies only came for meetings in the capital and went back to Lagos to stay.

The former OPIC MD added that about four multi-million dollar industries came in to Abeokuta due to the intervention of his administration.

After we finished, based on our track record, we were able to get a partnership with Family Homes Fund, which was a Federal Government-backed initiative to build affordable houses in Nigeria.

OPIC won a contract to build 1020 housing units at New Makun City. That is still ongoing as we speak

Odusolu also pointed out that the track record of OPIC spoke for it as the corporation was invited to handle one contract after another.

He said that OPIC handled construction works at Isheri, an area which he said should have been the Lekki of Ogun state but was then largely undervalued and ill maintained.

He said that OPIC built 188 housing units in Isheri before moving on to build VIP Housing in Abeokuta which metamorphosed into the Mitros Residences Hotel shortly after its construction.

The former oil and gas worker, as well as legal practitioner, said that at the end of his tenure, the corporation which was barely recognised had a total asset of about N60 billion.

Until we came, OPIC just took land without improving it and sold it as it was.

By the time we were leaving office in May 2019, if you valued the total assets of OPIC, it was a 50 to 60 billion naira corporation.

We had lands we had recovered and fenced and were available to developers. We also had the Mitros Residences which is a massive investment and a very profitable one for the state government, he said.

Source: NAN News

By Gami Tadanyigbe

Mrs Amaka Emmanuel, a 44-year-old woman, who gave birth to seven babies at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, on Tuesday, has appealed for assistance from the Federal Government and other Nigerians.

Emmanuel, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Gwagwalada, said that the septuplets came 10 years after her first child.

The delivery was a miracle and I thank God Almighty. I want the Federal Government to assist me in cash and kind to enable me bring up the kids, he said.

Prof. Bissallah Ekele, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, who also spoke with NAN, said that two of the babies died after delivery.

The remaining five are doing fine in the incubator.

They are doing well and healthy enough in the incubators, but a lot more is needed to keep them alive. Management has been doing its best to ensure both the mother and the babies stay healthy, he said.

The professor said that the seven babies were the highest delivery ever recorded in the hospital, and commended the hospitals gynaecologists and paediatricians for making it possible.

Dr Gga Vandi Kwaghe, a chief consultant gynaecologist, told NAN that the delivery, through a caesarian session, was successful following careful handling by competent hands.

The babies were also premature; we had to delay the delivery to see how they can be matured before we deliver them, to avoid complications.

We had to weigh the condition of the mother because the effect of the seven babies in her womb was quite overwhelming, he said.

He advised pregnant women with high blood pressure to always go for regular checks to ensure safe delivery.

Source: NAN News

Mr Femi Olaniyi Chairman, Lagos IPAC, addressing newsmen on the preparedness for Lagos by-election

By Yemi Adeleye/Oluwatope Lawanson

The Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), Lagos State Chapter, on Thursday urged the electorate not to sell their votes in exchange for their birth right.

Mr Femi Olaniyi, Lagos IPAC Chairman, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the INEC expanded stakeholders meeting in Lagos.

Olaniyi implored the electorate not to allow themselves to be negatively influenced adding that their votes count.

We ask all political parties to tidy up their ends and respect the peace pact signed by getting their supporters under control.

Desist from violent acts and stop the act of vote buying.

Do not intimidate or influence electorate with money to vote against their conscience.

Its high time we allowed people to willingly make their choice of leader and not take advantage of their economic and financial situation to influence them to vote otherwise.

To the electorate, do not sell your votes. Selling your vote is exchanging your birth right for peanut or a morsel of food.

Vote your conscience, vote for the right person that will do it right, he said.

The Chairman also commended INEC for a job well done in preparing for the forth coming election in Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe II Constituency slated for Oct. 31.

He charged INEC to be sincere and transparent in the process of voting, collation and announcement of results.

Let us all continue to work toward a better and greater Nigeria.
We look forward to a very peaceful, free and fair election, Olaniyi said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

GMD OF NNPC, MALAM MELE KYARI

By Edith Ike-Eboh

No fewer than 339 companies are bidding for the 2020/21 sales and purchase of the Nigerian crude oil grades.

The Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari disclosed this at the 2020/2021 Crude oil tender prequalification bid opening ceremony, on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the event marked another transparent process for the corporation.

He said that inspite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Corporation had modified the bidding process by leveraging on technology to progress the cycle of crude oil bidding.

According to him, there will be strict compliance with all the extant regulations and reinforcement of commitment by the Corporation to transaparency and accountability.

We have continued to see a strong demand for different grades of Nigerian crude in the oil market despite the lockdowns and refinery run cuts.

We are also witnessing demand for Nigerian crude switch from traditional destinations such as India and finding home in new markets such as china, he said.

Represented by Mr Umar Ajiya, NNPC Chief Financial Officer, he said that the 2020/21 crude oil bidding had many objectives, which include to engage reputable, qualified and high capacity international and indigenous companies.

He said that companies would guarantee market placement of the Nigerian crude oil at optimum value during the next contracting cycle.

He noted that other objectives was to ensure that selection of off-takers was aligned with tested transparent and accountable procedures in compliance with the Public Procurement and Nigerian Content Acts.

The GMD futher noted that apart from the objectives, the corporation would sustain transparency in all process and establish the best partners through robust mix of big international players.

He assured of support for indigenous companies capacity development in the process.

Ultimately, crude oil is a major revenue earner in Nigeria, therefore, the credibility of this process is very important to us all.

In his remarks, Mr Adokiye Tombomieye, Chief Operating Officer Upstream, said that the corporation had taken steps to ensure the process of producing the best bidder emerged while adhering to COVID-19 principles.

He added that the process also adhered to the Corporations Transparency, Accountability and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda, extant statutory requirements and most important the Public Procurement Act.

He noted stakeholders like the Nigerian Extractive industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Bureau of Public procurement (BPP), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO), among others were part of the bid opening as part of statutory requirement.

Also, the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, Mr Billy Okoye said that the selection of off-takers aligned with tested transparent and accountable procedures in compliance with the BPP act.

The bid submission process was modified by replacing it with virtual submission interphase on the NIPex portal to ensure all applicants were granted equal opportunity and access to unified submissions platform, he said.

He further assured that the commitment of the Corporation was to deliver the selection process with utmost transparency and accountabilty and to support the GMDs agenda to deliver NNPCs obligations to its stakeholders.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police Service Commission (PSC)

By Emmanuel Afonne

The United Global Resolve for Peace (UGRFP), an NGO, has called for the amendment of the Act establishing the Police Service Commission (PSC) to reflect current exigencies on the practicality of its functions and purpose.

Mr Shalom Olaseni, Convener of UGRFP, on Thursday in Abuja said the amendment had become very necessary as it would ensure a better Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and address the demand of #Endpolicebrutality protesters.

Olaseni said that the call for the amendment of the PSC Act was also to strengthen the commission to function better.

Police Service Commission, being the oversight body by constitutional law and an enactment of the National Assembly over the NPF, must receive the full backing of the government to function optimally and independently.

The convention of appointing a retired Inspector-Generals of Police to oversee the PSC as its Chairman raises more problems than it solves any.

This tradition must be discontinued as the commission must be run independently of personnel with police service history to avoid bias and prejudice in the discharge of the function of the commission.

UGRFP recommends that retired jurists, justices, judges or avowed security and human rights experts should henceforth serve as Chairmen of the PSC to forestall any conflict of loyalty and function or any resemblance of the same within the commission, Olaseni said in a statement.

According to him, the PSC Act is clear that only neutral persons can and should serve as chairman of the commission, a provision that has been neglected in the appointment of chairmen of the commission.

The UGRFP convener noted that the PSC must enjoy adequate staffing and budgetary provisions to better serve the public; as such, its budgets and finances must be independent.

Olaseni noted that a lot of factors had militated against the police and that efforts must be made to immediately curtail unlawful stop and search patrols, illegal raids and other extra-judicial matters.

He suggested that the prosecution of erring officers would go a long way in restoring the confidence of the public in the Nigeria Police.

There is an urgent need to mainstream youths and civil society organisations into the Nigeria policing system through a strategic stakeholders forum to protect the public, especially youths from becoming scapegoats of future security arrangements.

Public trust has been eroded in the Nigeria Police Force, and the priority of the NPF must be the restoration of the same through transparent policing, psycho-social training, thorough screening and vetting of police officers.

Until the Nigeria Police Force becomes answerable to the oversight function of the Police Service Commission, all or most gains in the momentum of the #EndSARS protest would be lost in due course, Olaseni added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu during engagement with EndSARS protesters at the Lagos House of Assembly gate, Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020

By Monday Ijeh

The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Mohammed Adamu, has warned all police officers across the country against the use of force on peaceful protesters.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday.

He said citizens had fundamental rights of freedom of expression, assembly and movement, which must always be upheld and protected by the police.

Mba said the I-G had appealed to protesters to continually conduct themselves peacefully and guide their ranks against infiltration by criminal elements.

He said the Force leadership had heard the voice of the people and pledged to do everything within its powers to address the observed ills, punish any offending officers and promote a people friendly police. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Gov. Seyi Makinde and his late mother Abigail

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo and his entire family over the passing of their mother, Mrs Abigail Makinde.

The presidents condolence message was conveyed in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Thursday.

Buhari also condoled with friends, family and associates of the matriarch, whose testimony of love and kind heartedness continues to be shared, particularly her warmth to the poor and less privileged.

He urged the friends and family members to find solace in the good works of the governors mother, who invested heavily in the fear of God, love and hard work, and ensured her children and grandchildren followed same training of diligence, discipline and charity.

The president prayed that the almighty God would receive the soul of the departed, and comfort the family. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

NCDC boss Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu

By Abujah Racheal

As protests continue in spite of the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) warns protesters to be mindful of the risk of getting COVID-19 infection.

The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, gave the warning on Thursday at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Media Briefing in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that demonstrations against police brutality have taken place in cities across the country in the past week.

The subsequently replaced the scrapped unit with another unit which he called the Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT).

Ihekweazu said: The number of new cases we will have will be determined by our own behaviour and the circumstances that we find ourselves.

So, right now we are reopening schools; schools by definition means you are going to have more people in confined spaces.

We have published guidelines together with the Federal Ministry of Education to mitigate those risks. How effectively they are implemented will mean if there will be more transmission or less.

You can see some of the demonstrations happening across the country. The virus doesnt know whether you are young or old, policeman or a demonstrator; it uses the opportunity to jump from persons to persons.

So, we will continue to advise everyone, wherever you are, to continue to wear mask, you can still have you voice heard if you are wearing a mask.

Whatever the circumstances, whether you are managing school or NYSC camps or outside, the important thing is to continue to carry out these public health measures, he said.

On the reported second wave of the pandemic across the world, the D-G said , the second wave in Nigeria is inevitable but it wont happen here because it is happening in Europe.

It will only happen here based on our behaviour and our own ability to manage it.

So, as we open up our offices, the onus is on the leaders of each office to determine whether you will come into that room with a mask or without a mask.

They will determine where there will be sanitizing system in that room or not.

So, a lot of leadership will be required as we go into the next phase of easing the lockdowns, Ihekweazu said.

NAN also reports that the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had in September 2020 announced that youths under the age of 19 accounted for 10 per cent of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria.

According to Ehanire, as regards COVID-19 and the growing complacency, though adults, especially those from 60 years and above are more vulnerable, complications do occur in all age groups.

He had said that records showed that 10 per cent of all positive cases we had been treated were below the age of 19 years.

They are also the same mobile group that can be without symptoms, but can easily spread the disease, he had said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Sunday Dare

By Franca Ofili

Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Thursday, launched the N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) recently approved by Federal Government.

Dare said at the launch of application for the fund in Abuja that the NYIF underscored the importance placed on youths by the current administration

He said that the fund would be spread over three years to cater for youth-owned businesses and investment needs.

He added that I must mention the support we enjoyed from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which in line with Presidents directive, provided the initial N12.5 billion required for the Fund to operate in the remaining part of the year 2020.

We are also grateful that the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning has on its part, committed to providing the next tranche of the fund in the 2021 budget.

The minister said that the loan provided under the NYIF has an interest rate of five per cent per annum.

He explained that any youth who wished to apply as an individual, or a non-registered business could draw up to N250,000.

He added that the youth-owned registered businesses could apply for up to N3 million.

Dare said that the loans are with a tenor of five years and moratorium of up to 12 months.

Our commitment to see the youth succeed is such that the loan is bundled with trainings that will ensure business sustainability for successful applicants.

It is my belief that the fund will grow to become a permanent feature of our society, where beneficiaries run successful businesses and repay the loans, he said.

According to the minister, the application is available online on NIRSAL Microfinance Banks site www.nmfb.com.ng.

Applicants can also visit our website on www.youthandsport.gov.ng and www.noya.ng, he said.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

SGF and COVID-19 PTF Chairman Mr Boss Mustapha

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF), on COVID-19 on Thursday lifted the ban on sporting activities and directed all categories of civil servants to resume work.

The task forces National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu, disclosed this at its press briefing in Abuja.

Aliyu said : It is therefore the informed recommendation of the PTF that Nigeria maintains Phase 3 of the response with further changes to address economic, socio-political and healthcare.

In this regard, and effective from Monday, October 19, 2020 at a minute past midnight, the following guidelines will come into place.

The lifting of restriction on outdoor sporting activities including football is in line with earlier consultations with the Federal Ministry of Youth Sport Development and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

However, this is limited to the actual sport itself not with mass gatherings.

In this regard mass gathering including at sport events is still restricted as this represents an opportunity for the virus to spread with an increased rate of a second wave.

For gatherings in enclosed places, this will continue to be limited to only 50 persons with physical distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks except for workplaces.

The PTF also believes that it is now time to allow civil servants of all grades to resume work safely. Additional guidelines will be provided for heads of MDAs.

Chief executives and heads of MDAs are responsible for ensuring the strict enforcement of non-pharmaceutical interventions, and making sure that their work environment is safe for the staff.

Face masks are expected to be worn in every public building including govt offices.

He said, We have developed guidelines with NCDC and the NYSC for the reopening of the orientation camps on November 10, 2020.

The PTF has also arranged for additional safe bags to include the testing of all corps members and staff in the camps for COVID-19 prior to commencement of the orientation programmes.

It is also time for schools to open but to open safely, and in this regard we have continued with providing guidelines and engagement with states to ensure close supervision and guidelines and oversight as schools open, the PTF said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

COVID-19 test

By Abujah Racheal

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19has said that only the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos state have achieved the target of testing of one per cent of its population, while 26 states of the federation are yet to get to 25 percent testing rate.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, said this on Thursday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the taskforce.

According to him, apart from FCT and Lagos State, three states that have crossed 50 percent testing rate are Plateau, Gombe and Rivers.

Twenty-six others are yet to measure up to 25 percent. This is considered a serious problem which is further compounded by the increasing general apathy and disbelief about the risk of COVID-19 in Nigeria, Mustapha said.

The SGF recalled that at the last briefing, he had said that the PTF had compiled all its observations and findings and would in due course present the 8th Interim Report and recommendations to Mr. President, to enable the National Response proceed into the next phase.

He said that the 8th Interim Report, focused on the primary objective of consolidating the gains recorded in the National Response over a period of six weeks which ended on 13th October, 2020.

Mustapha noted it was due toother exigencies, including the celebration of the diamond anniversary of Nigerias Independence, that the phase had to be extended, he said.

The SGF noted that many countries in different continents have, however, gradually commenced reopening and adapting to the reality of the pandemic lasting longer than originally expected.

He said that schools were reopening with strict guidelines; airlines have commenced flights with enforced advisories and other aspects of social engagement continue to be gradually reincorporated.

Mustapha said that the response remains buoyed by the ever-increasing global collaboration among nations and with international organisations.

He expressed delight that the PTF has observed and learnt great lessons from these jurisdictions and have similarly taken measures to reopen the economy albeit in a safe and cautious manner.

Mustapha also said that as much as the world was coming to terms with the new normal, emerging statistics indicate that Nigerians still have to be cautious, vigilant by taking responsibility due to the second wave of the virus in many parts of the world.

In Nigeria, the PTF continues to rely on data, research, science and experience of other nations to inform decisions at all stages. Our National response to COVID-19 remains targeted at achieving the purposes of epidemic control through reduced transmission and minimizing mortality among vulnerable parts of the population.

Till date, Nigeria has sustained the substantial successes earlier recorded. Although statistics show that the pandemic is not slowing down globally, the number of recorded cases in Nigeria has remained between 100-200 daily for the last four weeks with a progressive fall in the case fatality rate to 1.9 percent, he said.

He said that the reduction in the test positivity ratio to less than 5 percent further corroborates the belief that the epidemic curve is flattening, despite the unsatisfactory testing rate in the country attributable to general apathy among the populace.

The SGF said that as at October 14, 2020, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 60,834; total active cases 7,575; 1,116 deaths; 52,143 recovered cases; while the cumulative number of samples tested was 567,857.

The SGF said that number of laboratories established was 69 with at least one in each state. He said, Presently, there is a molecular laboratory for COVID-19 testing in every state of the country and the additional funding provided by the Federal Government, should help to scale up testing for COVID-19.

The PTF has concluded arrangements to test additional 100,000 at the various NYSC orientation camps nationwide, when they re-open soon; the PTF has also concluded arrangements to execute the National Testing Week as part of the arrangements to ramp up testing.

Mustapha also said that over 27,000 international passengers have arrived Nigeria since the resumption of international flights.

He, however expressed concern over the low level of sample collection by states; increasing apathy, scepticism and disbelief; very low compliance with non-pharmaceutical guidelines by Nigerians; and low risk perception leading to low sample collection rate and decreasing testing.

Listing ways of avoiding second wave,Mustapha said that if the nation must avoid a second wave and continue to flatten the curve, it was imperative for all to jointly address these concerns and the PTF appeals strongly for collaboration and for all hands to be on deck.

He said, The reopening of the international airspace has been largely successful with most passengers following the laid down regulations and adhering to testing requirements. We have not seen a spike of cases since the reopening of the airspace.

The PTF, however, noted the huge challenge posed to our national response by states as a result of poor engagement which manifests strongly in the form of low level of sample collection across the country.

After a very careful review of the national response, the PTF believes that while recent numbers point to a likely flattening of the curve consistent with emerging epidemic control, Nigeria is not yet ready for a full-reopening of the economy.

The SGF said that President Buhari approved that Nigeria further relaxes the restrictions in this third phase of the response, while maintaining key limitations to curb the risk of a spike in cases.

He said, The major changes proposed by the PTF are gradual and safe re-opening of schools and NYSC camps; re-commencement of sporting activities, in particular all outdoor activities such as football; sustaining the midnight to 4am curfew on movement nationwide; and removal of the limitation on civil servants allowed to come to work.

He said that the President also approved maintaining the third phase of the National Response to COVID-19 for a period of four weeks with effect from 00.01am on Monday, October 19th, 2020 in line with amendments to address economic, socio-political and health considerations. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

UN-Secretary-General-Antnio-Guterres

By Harrison Arubu

UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres says he welcomes the Federal Governments decision to undertake broader reforms in the Nigeria Police Force following the #EndSARS protests.

Speaking through his spokesman, Mr Stephane Dujarric, in New York on Thursday, Guterres said the UN was ready to accompany Nigeria in those efforts.

While noting that he was keenly following the ongoing protests, the UN chief urged the countrys security forces to exercise maximum restraint in their response.

The Secretary-General is following the protests in Nigeria calling for the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and an end to human rights violations allegedly committed by security agencies.

The Secretary-General stresses the importance of respect for peaceful protests and freedom of assembly and calls on the security forces to exercise maximum restraint in the policing of the demonstrations.

He welcomes the decision by the Government of Nigeria to disband the Special Anti-robbery Unit and undertake broader police reforms.

He expresses the readiness of the United Nations to accompany Nigeria in those efforts, Dujarric said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL)

By Oladapo Udom

The Managing Director, Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Mr Idowu Oguntona has suspended all bus operations for the safety of passengers following the #EndSars protest in the city.

A statement by LBSL Public Affairs Officer, Afolabi Olawale, disclosed that Oguntona said the suspension was due to a viral video on social media of thugs who disrupted protesters at Alausa coming out of bus 240171.

This is contrary to the narratives being circulated across social media in respect of a bus belonging to LBSL captured at the Secretariat Bus Stop, Alausa this morning, he said.

Oguntona said that the bus was heading towards Oshodi from Berger around 8 a.m when some armed individuals disembarked from a particular yellow vehicle in front of the bus at the Secretariat Bus Stop.

One of our buses during the normal cause of operations ran into approaching armed people this morning. When the people were sighted armed and heading towards our bus, commuters in the bus scampered for safety due to the imminent danger.

One of the passengers even tried to escape through the rear window of the bus. However, the armed group, whose identity remains unknown, later went their way without attacking the bus, he said.

Oguntona said that no LBSL Bus was used to commute persons to disrupt the ongoing protests.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu has consistently spoken to protesters on their rights to peaceful protest, hence cannot support thugs in any form.

It is quite disheartening that this incident is linked to the activities of some hoodlums in spite of the level of understanding shown by the state government since the beginning of the #EndSarsProtest.

I plead for understanding from all esteemed passengers. I reiterate the rights of people to peaceful protests and condemn any attack on people participating in the protest, he said. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Christian Eriksens penalty on his 100th appearance for Denmark earned his side a 1-0 win over England in their Nations League clash at Wembley on Wednesday.

This was as the hosts played more than half the game with 10 men.

Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eriksen powered his spot kick past Jordan Pickford in the 35th minute, a couple of minutes after England centre back Harry Maguire had received a red card for a second booking.

The closest an unfamiliar-looking England side came to an equaliser after the break was when Mason Mounts close-range header was superbly clawed away Kasper Schmeichel.

Harry Kane also had a late chance as the hosts pressed for an equaliser.

But defeat for Gareth Southgates England, who beat top-ranked Belgium at Wembley on Sunday, ended a nine-match streak of home wins spanning two years.

England slipped to third place in Group A2 which is now headed by Belgium with Denmark above England on goal difference. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News