"Don't Practice Self-Medication," Minister Warns

According to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Tuesday, the Federal Government was disturbed that COVID-19 deaths came from many educated, well-to-do Nigerians who chose home-based care and were only rushed to hospitals after sudden complications.

The Minister, who stated this during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, advised everyone who tested positive for COVID-19 to seek medical attention, and not use drugs without a doctor’s prescription.

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Ehanire said five centres in the country were researching into possible COVID-19 drugs. He said chloroquine was one of such drugs.

The minister said, “As we learn more about coronavirus every day, we must be ready to adjust our strategy, based on knowledge and evidence. As of Monday, we had sadly recorded 191 deaths in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“Even though this figure seems low compared to other countries, a disturbing picture emerging from the statistics is that not only are most fatalities linked with pre-existing diseases,   many are educated, well-to-do people, who chose home-based care, where they develop sudden complications and have to be rushed to hospital.

“Experience is showing that complications in COVID-19 patients can arise with little or no notice. This is an added reason why all persons should seek medical attention when they test positive.”

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The minister said the ministry of health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control were assessing isolation centres across the country.

He added, “We have recently been in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, and Osogbo, Osun State. We  will continue providing diagnostic commodities and facilities in collaboration with partners.”

The Minister warned against self-medication, saying, “On chloroquine, first, we do not at any time or in any way support self-medication. If you hear that anyone is taking medication of any type, it has to be something prescribed by his doctor. There are medicines that should not be in your hands unless they are prescribed by your doctor.

“There are medicines over-the-counter that you can buy. But there are prescription medicines, which you should not have unless your doctor prescribes them.”

Ehanire noted that a ministerial task team was already in Calabar, Cross River State – one of the two states with no COVID-19 cases – and had useful meetings with state government officials.

He also added that the Federal Government had embarked on missions to states to ensure that normal medical services were restored in hospitals.

He said, “The Federal Ministry of Health places special priority on the maintenance of essential services in both private and public hospitals throughout the country, because of the serious harm that arises from neglecting routine healthcare services like immunisation, chronic disease management, and others due to fear of COVID-19 or sole focus on COVID-19.”

 The health minister warned Nigerians to desist from buying sanitisers, unless they were at least 60 per cent alcohol-based and had been certified by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control.

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Many COVID-19 Deaths Are From Home Care- FG

"Its Destroying The Reputation of The Institute"

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, has ordered the reinstatement of a former acting Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Chima Igwe. Onu, in a letter to the FIIRO Governing Board, directed that the 58-year-old be returned as acting DG.

With the development, the minister has overruled the decision of the governing board to demote Igwe and his indictment by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission.

READ ALSO, Lai Mohammed Orders Detention of Journalist for 'Critical Poem'

The FIIRO board recommended Igwe’s demotion to the position of principal research officer after it emerged that he did not complete his PhD in 2001 as he claimed.

The board initially suspended him based on a report from the ICPC, which established contact with Universite d’Abomey Calavi, Benin Republic, where Igwe claimed to have finished.

The university had informed the ICPC that Igwe had yet to defend his thesis and it was the reason he did not have a certificate. However, Igwe had used an attestation letter from his supervisor dated 2002 to gain several promotions. 

After his suspension by the board, Igwe returned to the Benin Republic varsity in February 2020 to defend his thesis and was issued another attestation to indicate he completed the PhD. The new attestation showed the effective date of the award of the PhD as February 2020.

While many called for the dismissal and prosecution of Igwe for cheating the system, the disciplinary committee only recommended his demotion to the level he was at 18 years ago.

It was reported that Igwe refused to revert as instructed by the board, and the ministry was plotting to rubbish the FIIRO disciplinary committee’s report and return Igwe to his acting DG position.

 It was gathered from an anonymous source that a letter was hand-delivered to the house of the Chairman of the FIIRO Governing Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Gwarzo.

The source said, “The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, called the board chairman on the phone and asked for his address in Kano that he has a letter for him. The man sent him the address and the letter was hand-delivered to him.

“That letter is between the minister and the board chairman. The legal unit of the ministry is also aware of it. Not even the permanent secretary or the minister of state knows about that letter.

“In the letter, the minister ruled the board out of order and said since Igwe has brought a certificate, he should be reinstated.”

Onu faulted all the process of the board, including the suspension of Igwe and the installation of Dr Agnes Asagbra as acting DG. Onu also faulted the ICPC’s report, saying it was issued before Igwe got his new attestation letter in February 2020. He said the decisions of the board were null and void and Igwe should be reinstated.

The source said the board chairman, however, declined the request, saying the governing board followed the rules to the letter.

“He reminded the minister that he (Onu) was the one who forwarded the ICPC report indicting Igwe to them and told them to take necessary action, which they did by suspending him. He said they cannot reinstate Igwe after their report showed he gained promotion by fraud. He copied the permanent secretary and the minister of state in that letter to the minister.

“The same day, the board wrote a Save-our-Soul letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. They said FIIRO is a research organisation, more or less like an academic institute. They begged the SGF to save the integrity of FIIRO and the anti-corruption policies of Mr President.

“They attached about 20 documents to the letter, including the ICPC report, the letter the minister sent to them to take action on the report, the letter to the new acting DG to take over, including the minutes of their meeting attended by the permanent secretary.

“The permanent secretary at that meeting presented Dr Asagbra to the management and the staff. They also attached the report of the disciplinary committee, the letters from the Benin school, and the board’s ratification of the report, including the new letter from the minister to them to reinstate Igwe. A similar letter was sent to the head of service,” the source added.

It was also learnt that the board also said Igwe’s case was destroying the reputation of the institute and damaging the morale of workers.

A senior FIIRO official said Onu was bent on installing Igwe as the FIIRO DG and only the Presidency could stop him. The source said there was a plot to dissolve the board in order for the minister to have his way. Another senior official said the ministry needed to answer a series of questions on Igwe’s case.

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“Can a research thesis presented 18 years ago be successfully defended without update and re-evaluation? Can an attestation issued in February 2020 assume validity in 2001?

“Also, if effective date of attestation is 2020, what happens to all promotions achieved in the interim? What of the salaries, allowances and other benefits in the course of the 18 years period?

“The second attestation is not different from the first one he brought and contradicts the affidavit sworn to by Igwe in court that he finished in 2001. Is lying on oath not a criminal offence? Is the public defence of February 2020 not an indication that the degree process was conclusive only then?” the source said.

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When contacted, the board chairman, Gwarzo denied receiving any letter from the minister. He insisted that the board had already taken a decision, which had been communicated to the ministry.

“I do not want to say more than that. Thank you,” he added. A source said Gwarzo was afraid of a backlash from Onu, who had accused the board of not supporting Igwe.

The board chairman was also said to be managing the situation in order not to appear to be confrontational with the minister.

Onu Orders Reinstatement of Demoted FIIRO Boss 

"We have appealed to the Minister to no end," Journalist's family and colleagues

Rotimi Jolayemi, a freelance broadcaster, has been detained for 12 days allegedly on the order of Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture.

Jolayemi, known as Oba Akewi, is the vice-chairman Freelance and Independent Radio Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Osun state chapter. Olu Olugbade, the FIBAN chairman who confirmed the development said Jolayemi had recorded an eight-minute audio critical of the minister and released via WhatsApp.

READ ALSO, Police Parade Alleged Kidnappers of Cleric’s Twins in Ibadan

“The audio started going viral, and days after, his wife and brothers were traced in Kwara where they lived and were detained by the police,” Olugbade said.

“We were then told the minister had listened to the audio and tagged it hate speech. Comrade Jolayemi later showed up at the police headquarters in Ilorin and submitted himself for investigation. He was then moved to Abuja and since we’ve not been allowed access to him.

“Every time we went there with our lawyers, they would turn us back. We asked that he be charged but the police say they don’t have anything to use against him yet.”

Olugbade said the organisation has made efforts to appeal to the minister but its appeal fell on deaf ears. He said Jolayemi is a law-abiding citizen and would not set out to hurt the minister. He also raised concerns over the health condition of the detained broadcaster.

“Jolayemi’s health can’t cope with this kind of detention and I’m afraid if he’s not freed on time, things might get worse,” he said.

Osagie Obayuwana, president of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), in a statement condemned the detention of Jolayemi’s family members, saying it is a violation of section 7 of the administration of criminal justice act, which forbids hostage taking and the arrest of any person in place of another.

“It is worrisome that Alhaji Lai Mohammed would have a hand in the arrest of the wife of Mr Jolayemi, Mrs Dorcas Jolayemi, and two of his brothers who were kept in detention for eight days, nine days and two days respectively as hostages, while the journalist, Mr Rotimi Jolayemi, was being sought,” the statement read.

“Furthermore, that even since Mr Jolayemi surrendered himself to the police headquarters at Ilorin, Kwara state on May 6, 2020, he is still being held till date, 12 days later, without being charged to court or granted bail.

“The continued detention of Mr. Jolayemi by the police and at the instance of Alhaji Lai Mohammed is tantamount to punishing a citizen for the expression of his opinion; this is not justifiable in our Nigeria of today,” the statement further read.

“As the mouthpiece of the General Buhari Govemment and Minister of Information and Culture, one would have thought that Alhaji Mohammed would subscribe to the democratic tenet of letting different ideas contend; furthermore, that the culture of free expression of all shades of opinion is one that the Hon. Minister would hold dear. Being a man of letters himself, one would have also expected that the Hon. Minister would react in writing to the content of Mr. Jolayemi’s poem.”

CDHR said it is surprised that the minister would want to be remembered for being associated with a culture of repression. Demanding the immediate release of Jolayemi, CDHR also said a public apology must be made to him, his wife and his brothers and payment of compensation to all four of them.

The minister did not return calls placed to his phone line and did not respond to a message seeking his reaction. Frank Mba, police spokesperson, did not also respond to message seeking reaction on the matter.

Lai Mohammed Orders Detention of Journalist for 'Critical Poem' 

"The love of money pushed us into it," Kidnappers claim.

The Oyo State Police Command on Monday paraded seven suspected criminals in connection with the abduction of the Sheik Akeugbagold Twins.

Parading the suspected criminals at the Police Command Headquarters Eleyele Ibadan, the State Commissioner of Police CP Olukolu Olushina said; “I will like to inform the public that the sensational case of the kidnapping of the 2-year old twins of Sheik Taofeek Azeez Akeugbagold on 25th of April, 2020, all the suspects have been arrested with substantial parts of the ransom collected, the gun used for the operation, the two operational vehicles, and one motorcycle were recovered from them.”

CP. Olukolu who gave the names of the suspect as Ridwan Taiwo aged 30, Rafiu Mutiu 35, Olumide Ajala 36, Rafiu Modinat, Female, aged 29, Bashiru Mohammed 33, and Opeyemi Oyeleye 25, stated that the suspected criminals were arrested based on the painstaking detailed discreet investigation that traversed several States including Adamawa and Sokoto and in the process, the following members of the notorious kidnapping syndicate who later identified themselves as Ridwan Taiwo, Rafiu Mutiu, Olumide Ajala, Fatai Akaji, Bashiru Mohammed, Opeyemi Oyeleye and one Rafiu Modinat, female were arrested.

Rafiu Modinat who is the only female member within the kidnapping syndicate was detailed to take care of the babies while in a week captivity, was arrested in her hideout in Ibadan in connection with the crime and she has confessed to have collected twenty thousand naira from the ransom after they had successfully completed their crime.

According to the CP, since the suspected criminals have confessed to the crime, they will soon be charged to court for proper trial.

One of the suspects Opeyemi Oyeleye, who happens to be one of the casual workers of Sheik Akeugbagold confessed to the crime.

He said, “I was working with the Sheikh as his social media staff, though on casual basis, the Sheikh is paying well for me, I even had the privilege to work outside whenever there is need for me to do so, myself and my gang here all teamed up to kidnapped the twins, it was I and my second Bashiru Mohammed that initiated the kidnapping process, and we invited the rest to assist us, we did this just because of the love of money, and at the same time, i can say it’s the work of the devil, I beg the authority to please help us, we have all regretted our actions.”

In his own account, the father of the kidnapped twins, Sheikh Akeugbagold, said, “I have always be good enough to those people, I never thought they could do that to me and my household. I employed the mastermind of the crime, Opeyemi, a few weeks ago to help manage my social media accounts and we have agreed on certain amount, I promised to pay him N50, 000, I also pay him two thousand Naira on daily, I also give One thousand Naira to Bashiru as well, after they break their fast with me right in my house, at times we eat together in the same plate, I have also paid part of the agreed payment for their studio and I intend to still pay N200, 000 for the job.”

“I can’t believe they can do such a thing to me, they knew my movements. I like Yemi because of his brilliance and the advice he usually gives whenever we are talking, I never knew he could mastermind such evil against me”, Sheikh Akeugbagold said.

Police Parade Alleged Kidnappers of Cleric’s Twins in Ibadan

The United Nations has warned that Boko Haram insurgents and other terrorist groups could exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to carry out attacks in parts of Nigeria.

In its newly released security threat information and advisory report, the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS), however, said the attacks could be prevented if adequate measures are in place.

UNDSS said intelligence shows such attacks could be coordinated in areas the group operate in with the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) targeting critical national infrastructure.

READ ALSO, We Legislate for The Federal Republic, Not States- Reps to Govs

According to the report, in addition to weakening the government’s efforts against insecurity, the group may seek to distract military activities in the north-east and gain wider acceptance.

“It is assessed that we are at the beginning of the security crisis characterised by a wide spectrum of interconnected crisis (civil unrest, crime and the increasing threat of terrorism), that were fuming for quite some time and now released by COVID-19 impact on the government and population."

“In this context, the critical infrastructure are considered any of economic or security entities and their premises (petrol industry installations, banks, governmental facilities, shopping malls, hotels, etc), at any location in the country, especially state capitals, including Lagos and Abuja.

“Though the UN in Nigeria is not the primary target for the terrorist activity, it is assessed that the UN can be impacted as collaterally (while visiting governmental installations, banks, shopping malls, e.t.c.), but also as the target of opportunity, if seen to be less protected (‘soft target’).”

To forestall the attacks, the UNDSS recommended that security risk management measures in Nigeria must be urgently reviewed and fully implemented.

President Muhammadu Buhari had warned that Boko Haram might strike amid the pandemic, but added that Nigeria remains vigilant.

Terrorists May Take Advantage of COVID-19 to Launch Attacks, UN Alerts Nigeria 

 The House of Representatives has faulted the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for asking the federal parliament to step down the controversial Quarantine Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2020.

The NGF had earlier on Wednesday asked the House to withdraw the bill and engage stakeholders on formulation of a popular one. Reacting to the call, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Benjamin Kalu, in a statement on Thursday, stated that the federal parliament does not legislate for states.

READ ALSO, Osun Monarch, Prince, Arraigned for Defiling 14-year-old Girl

The statement partly read, “It has come to the attention of the House that the NGF has, through a communiqué at the end of its virtual meeting held on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, asked the House to step down the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020, which public hearing is already scheduled.

“In the communiqué, the NGF noted that, ‘Following an update from the Governor of Sokoto State and Vice Chairman of the NGF, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020, introduced by the House, governors raised concern with the lack of consultation with State governments who are at the forefront of the epidemic.’

“The NGF said it ‘resolved that the bill should be stepped down until an appropriate consultative process is held, including a public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns.”

Kalu stated that contrary to the impression given in the NGF’s communiqué, the House had since subjected the bill to a public hearing, where Nigerians from all walks of life would have the opportunity to make their inputs towards the draft legislation.

“The NGF’s position is coming rather belatedly,” he stated.

The statement further read, “However, the House wishes to state clearly that whilst it legislates for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including being the parliament for the Federal Capital Territory Abuja only, the NGF is recognised by members of the House as leading lights in the task of nation building.

“It is rather surprising that the NGF, in arriving at its decision, relied on ‘an update from the Governor of Sokoto State’ who, apart from being a lawyer, is a former Speaker and an ex-ranking member of the House, who should know better and guide the forum accordingly. We assume that his position was informed by his well-known personal and partisan opposition to the emergence of the current leadership of the House, considering his obvious stance in 2015 and 2019.

“Unlike in a constitution amendment matter where state Houses of Assembly have a defined constitutional role to play in effecting any review to it, bills such as the Control of Infectious Diseases are not by our constitution, subject of concurrence of state Houses of Assembly or state governors. We do believe that our respected governors are aware of this lawful processes of legislation and should not be misguided by a biased position of a former speaker.”

Kalu added, “Let it be known that the House, and indeed the National Assembly, are independent of the control of any state governor or former speaker, except if we want to change that now. Even at that, it has to be by a constitutional amendment sponsored by the citizens and not by the personal view of one governor and former speaker.

“Notwithstanding, the House expresses its readiness to work with the committee raised by the NGF to meet members of the Green Chamber on the bill. The governors are our critical stakeholders in nation building, and we understand the importance of working with our governors at critical moments such as this pandemic period.”

 We Legislate for The Federal Republic, Not States- Reps to Govs

A royal father, David Ogungbemi, 62;his son, Gbenga 21, and one Sarafa Olayiwola were, yesterday, remanded in police custody for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl in Ilare-Ijesha, Osun State.

Oba David Ogungbemi, who is the Aketewi of Iketewi in Obokun Local Government Area of the state, with the other two defendants were arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara of an Osogbo Magistrate’s Court.

Police prosecutor, ASP John Idoko, alleged that the defendant sexually exploited the 14-year-old girl and impregnated her in the process. According to Idoko,  they conspired amongst themselves to commit a felony of rape and sexual exploitation. The prosecutor also told the court that the trio committed the offence on May 5, 2020, at Ilare-Ijesha.

The defendants, who were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, rape and sexual exploitation, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Defence counsel to the monarch and his son, Mrs Yinka Popoola, and that of the third defendant, Tunbosun Oladipupo, while applying for bail, urged the court to admit their clients to bail in most liberal terms, assuring the court that they would not jump bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Dr Ayilara, ordered that the accused person be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case to May 18, 2020, for ruling on the application.

Osun Monarch, Prince, Arraigned for Defiling 14-year-old Girl 

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the federal government proposed plans to spend N13.5billion on feeding school children even during the lockdown period.

The students’ body in a statement, signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Comrade Azeez Adeyemi in Abeokuta on Thursday described the Federal government’s decision to continue with the school feeding programme even as schools are not opened as an avenue to further drain lean resources of the country.

READ ALSO, Governors Ask NASS to Drop Infectious Diseases Bill

According to NANS, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq’s announcement that the Federal Government would continue with the school feeding programme even as schools are shutdown is nothing but an attempt to ridicule Nigeria.

“The Federal Government’s insistence to go ahead with the school feeding programme despite criticism by Nigerians, especially stakeholders in the education sector has shown that the programme is another way of perpetrating a fraud on another large scale.”

The students’ body questioned the rationale behind the continuation of the programme “when the priority of the government should be on finding a cure for the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.”

“We suspect that the continuation of feeding school children at their homes is another sham and a smokescreen hope at deceiving Nigerians.

“We are calling for the suspension of this structured daily looting and fraud under the guise of home feeding of pupils.

“Where is the money to execute this programme coming from giving the fact that the government has always been crying of no money?”

NANS queried the source of the proposed N697million to be spent daily amounting to N13.5billion a monthly on the programme, describing the decision as not only “reckless spending, but also misplaced priority.”

School-feeding Programme During Lockdown: A Scam- NANS

The Nigeria Governors Forum led by Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has asked the National Assembly to step down the Infectious Diseases Bill sponsored by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila. This is to allow for wider consultations with stakeholders.

The Bill seeks to ensure compulsory vaccination of citizens against infectious diseases, make possession of health card mandatory for international travellers leaving or arriving in Nigeria just like yellow fever card and repeal the Quarantine Act.

READ ALSO, Churches, Mosques to Reopen in Borno as Govt Suspends Lockdown ‌

Fayemi in a statement he signed, on Wednesday, after a virtual meeting with other Governors called for the bill to be stepped down pending an appropriate public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns.

The NGF also set up a three-member committee made up of governors Aminu Masari (Katsina), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Simon Lalong (Plateau) to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly over the issue.

This was contained in a communique signed by the Chairman of the forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, after the 8th COVID-19 teleconference meeting of the NGF held on Wednesday. The communique was issued on Thursday.

Following an update from the Governor of Sokoto State and Vice Chairman of the NGF, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020 introduced by the House of Representatives, Governors raised concern with the lack of consultation with State governments who are at the forefront of the epidemic.

“In the light of this, the Forum established a Committee comprising the Governors of Katsina, Sokoto, and Plateau to lead a consultative meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020.

“The NGF Secretariat was also mandated to comprehensively review the Bill and its implication on States.”

The bill has since its introduction drawn controversies with civil society groups questioning the powers it vests in the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and the health minister to make regulations on quarantining, vaccination and prevention of infectious diseases in Nigeria. The bill with 82 sections scaled second reading before it was stood down.

The Forum resolved that the Bill should be stepped down until an appropriate consultative process is held, including a public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns.

The governors, who also expressed concerns over the rising cases of COVID-19 cases across the nation, resolved to among other things, work in collaboration with the Dangote Foundation to set up and train a volunteer health workforce and increase the tempo of setting up isolation centres.

They also resolved to make available additional warehouses to store palliatives donated by the private sector and ensure that such donations get to the most vulnerable people in each state.

The governors also agreed to take additional measures to strengthen their public financial management systems, including a revision of their 2020 budgets and the amendment of State procurement guidelines to support e-procurement and the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Governors Ask NASS to Drop Infectious Diseases Bill 

Borno State Government has suspended the lockdown in the state. The lockdown was imposed three weeks ago after the state recorded its index case of COVID-19.

However, in a statement on Wednesday night, the Deputy Governor and state Chairman, COVID-19 Response Committee, Usman Kadafur, said the purpose of ordering a lockdown had been achieved.

He said, “The lockdown is being suspended indefinitely to study the situation for the time being, however, where the situation escalates, the government should revert to the status quo. The use of facemasks by the public be made mandatory and enforcible.

“Government, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, and opinion leaders should enforce social distancing, especially in public gatherings/worship places.

“Henceforth, Juma’at prayers and five daily prayers shall be observed in all mosques as recommended by Borno State Council of Ulamas in strict adherence with the social distancing and the face mask.

“All churches shall conduct church services as recommended by the Christian Association of Nigeria, Borno Chapter in strict adherence to social distancing and use of facemasks.”

Other conditions were given for public transportation, sales of liquor, amongst others while civil servants from grades 1-12 are asked to continue to work from home expect they are directed otherwise.

Churches, Mosques to Reopen in Borno as Govt Suspends Lockdown ‌

Professor Ibrahim Gambari has been appointed as the Chief of Staff to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). Gambari’s appointment was announced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Gambari, an indigene of Kwara State, replaced Abba Kyari who died on April 17 from coronavirus-related complications.

READ ALSO, Be Wary of Almajiri Influx- Ex-envoy Warns Southern Governors

“President @MBuhari has appointed Professor Ibrahim Gambari, as his Chief of Staff, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced the appointment today at the virtual Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting,” Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant on New Media to Buhari, tweeted.

The new Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari on Wednesday attended the Federal Executive Council, FEC presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Prof. Gambari who was a former Minister of External Affairs under the military regime of then Major General Muhammadu Buhari incidentally assumed office the same day he attended his first FEC meeting as the Chief of Staff.

The former Permanent Representative to United Nations between 1990 to 1999 took over from late Mallam Abba Kyari, who died last month as a result of complications from Coronavirus disease.

As at the time the FEC meeting which was conducted virtually started at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, only about seven Ministers were physically present.

Meanwhile, the new Chief of Staff, Prof. Gambari earlier before the commencement of the FEC was received on arrival at the Presidential Villa by Senior Presidency officials including the Director of Protocol, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed and the Permanent Secretary State House, Mallam Tijani Umar.

Others include the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, Office of the Vice President, Amb. Abdullahi Gwari as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garuba Shehu who all ushered him into the Aso Chambers of the State House, Abuja.

Buhari Appoints Gambari as Chief of Staff

Influx of Almajirai, A Plot to Conquer The South- Farounbi

Ex-Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, on Tuesday claimed the large influx of Northern youths into southern states was a sort of invasion which could be motivated by factors beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

He said it could be a plot to conquer the South and break its population. Farounbi said this while speaking to newsmen in Osogbo. He said the migration could not be said to be spontaneous because many of the youths could not afford the cost of transportation to South on their own.

READ ALSO, Woman Drowns Daughter in Bucket in Lagos

He then urged governors in the southern part of the country to confront the development. He also called on security agencies to resist what he called a “move at colonisation of the South in the guise of COVID-19 crisis.”

Farounbi said, “It is an unfortunate situation for the Almajirai in this period to invade the South. If they are not wanted in the North, why would they think they would be wanted in the South that is culturally different in every way from the North where they are being expelled?

“The security agencies must resist this move at colonisation of the South in the guise of COVID-19 crisis. I don’t believe this is a spontaneous move because the Almajirai cannot afford the cost of transportation, just as the Fulani herdsmen cannot afford the cost of their cattle and the AK-47 they carry.

“This move is a plot to conquer the South to break its population, to take over its green land and at the end of the day establish RUGA that their people and government have rejected and penetrate the people of the South-West in a way that they will now wield the political monopoly that will dominate Nigeria.”

He added, “I thought everyone in the South-West should rise and those in the North, who love Nigeria must prevail on those behind the invasion of the Almajirai. The invasion is undesirable, unreasonable and if the people of the South should rise to defend their land, the result on Nigeria will be unpalatable.”

Commenting on the role the South-West Regional Security Outfit, codenamed Amotekun, should play in curtailing the influx, Farounbi advised governors to use the group to defend the region.

“This is the first test of Amotekun to defend the territorial integrity of the South-West and I hope the governors of South-South and South-East are doing a similar thing to prevent invasion. I also expect the governors to prevail on the police.

“They should use Amotekun, local vigilantes and other armed men to protect their land; otherwise, they would have nothing to hand over to their children in the future,” he added.

Be Wary of Almajiri Influx- Ex-envoy Warns Southern Governors 

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.