Police Deny Oshiomhole Access To Office [LEADERSHIP]
In spite of the interim order issued by Justice Lewis Allagoa of a Kano Federal High Court asking the All Progressives Congress (APC) to maintain status quo pending hearing of the suit on the leadership crisis brought before him, the party’s national secretariat yesterday remained under lock and key.
The embattled national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who was billed to be at the national secretariat yesterday, could not gain access to his office as officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) took over the party’s secretariat, denying both staff and visitors access to the complex.
This is even as political horse-trading on the fate of the national chairman continued into the weekend, with talks about who takes over the affairs of the party dominating secret meetings held by blocs within the party.
LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that there was a mild as some members of staff of the national chairman were turned back at the main entrance of the party’s national secretarial located at Blantyre Street.
On approaching the gate of the secretariat, Oshiomhole’s aides who drove in a black tinted land cruiser Toyota Jeep were denied access to the place.
Even after the workers had lowered the glass of the vehicle’s windows to identify themselves, they were still stopped from gaining entrance into the secretariat. They were later asked to move away from the gate of the secretariat.
A source who spoke to LEADERSHIP Weekend in confidence said that the national chairman and some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) had also met with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, for several hours ostensibly to get police cover to gain access to the secretariat.
At 4:20pm, a team from the Department of State Services (DSS) riding on five power bikes drove into the secretariat. At about an hour later, some DSS operatives also came in two black Hilux Vans, but the mission of the two teams who later left in a single convoy at 6:00pm was not immediately clear.
As at 6:20pm on Friday, the APC secretariat was still sealed.
LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that on March 4, 2020, Justice Danlami Senchi, of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had ordered Oshiomhole to vacate office as the national chairman of the party immediately pending the hearing and determination of the suit challenging his continuous stay in office.
Some party members had approached the court to seek his removal as the party chairman.
After listening to arguments from parties in the case, in a short ruling, Justice Senchi held that the first and second respondents wrongfully kept Oshiomhole as the national chairman of the party.
He urged the APC to desist from acknowledging him as the chairman of the party.
But less than 24 hours after the ruling of Justice Senchi, the Federal High Court with the same powers as that of the Abuja High Court stopped Oshiomhole’s removal from office.
Specifically, Justice Lewis Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Kano asked parties involved to “maintain the status quo ante bellum (the situation before the current state)” pending the court’s final decision.
The judge gave the ruling following an application by one Aliyu Muhammadu Rabiu praying the court to stop the APC and INEC from effecting Oshiomhole’s suspension.
Coronavirus: No Plan To Shutdown Schools, Worship Centres – FG [LEADERSHIP]
The federal government has ruled out the possibility of shutting down schools and worship centres in its efforts to protect Nigerians from being infected by coronavirus (COVID-19), which is ravaging countries across the globe.
Health minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who briefed journalists and the international community on the virus status in Nigeria, yesterday, said that there is still no new incident after the first index case.
The minister said that the government would not close schools and other public institutions, such as worship centres because coronavirus is not endemic in the country.
He said: “The NCDC recently released new guidance for schools in the country. It is important to focus on ensuring personal and respiratory hygiene in schools. At the moment there is no reason to shut down schools in Nigeria.
“NCDC has also escalated risk communications activities. In collaboration with Dettol Nigeria, we published a video on COVlD-19 preventive measures shot with Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele,’” the minister said.
On the three new suspected cases, Ehanire said that two cases were negative while one result is pending.
He said: “Between the 7th January and 5th March 2020, a total of 21 suspected cases have been identified across four states in Nigeria. The states are Lagos, Ogun, Kano and the FCT. There is still only one confirmed case of COVID- 19 in Nigeria, which is the index case and no death.
“There were three new suspected cases between the 4th March when I last provided an update and today. Two cases were negative while one result is pending. Therefore, as at today, 6th March 2020, I repeat that there is no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Let me assure you that there is no other confirmed case in Nigeria today. If there is a new case this will be announced immediately,” Ehanire explained.
CJN Sets Agenda For New Appeal Court President [LEADERSHIP]
Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, yesterday administered the oath of office on Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the acting president of the Court Appeal.
Setting agenda for the new appellate court president, the CJN urged her to carry her colleagues along through consultations and regular visits to the various divisions of the court.
Justice Dongban-Mensem took over from Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa who retired from the court after the mandatory retirement age of 70years.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, the CJN described Justice Dongban-Mensem as “a seasoned judicial officer in the system”
Justice Mohammed said, “As a seasoned judicial officer in the system right from day one after graduation, I don’t know what to tell you. You know your work very well and you have been doing your job satisfactory well.
“It is this hard work and general character and attitude that enticed both the Court of Appeal and the National Judicial Council to uplift you to be the acting president of the Court of Appeal.
“I am pretty sure as I know you very well, except you have changed which I have not notice. I will therefore urge you to continue with your charisma, attitude and ability to carry out the task and assignment given to you. The whole world has testified that you can do it. The testimony comes from the generality of the public and colleagues and those of us you met. Please continue to bear that testimony.
“I urge you to carry your colleagues along and do a lot of consultations with them, have a lot of confidence and, if need be, pay them visit to their various divisions”.
Gov Lalong, Plateau Speaker Celebrate Dongban-Mensem’s Appointment
Meanwhile, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has said the appointment of Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem as the acting President of the Court of Appeal was well deserved because of her impeccable record of performance in the Judiciary over many years.
Lalong in a statement issued in Jos by the director of press, Simon Makut Macham, said he has no doubt that Justice Dongban-Mensem will discharge her new responsibility with the highest decorum, professionalism, diligence and patriotism so as to add value to the second highest court in the land.
He said, “We in Plateau State are extremely proud of this feat by one of our daughters who has given her best in the service of Nigeria and in the dispensing justice to all manner of people without fear or favour. We have no doubt that she will excel in this huge responsibility and demonstrate the true Plateau spirit of honesty, fairness and fear of God. We shall uphold her in prayers”.
PDP Broke, Sacks 4 Directors, 58 Others [LEADERSHIP]
The books of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be in the red as its leadership yesterday cut down the workforce by 50 per cent
Overall, 62 officials and other members of staff were affected in the exercise.
A break of the figure showed that four directors, two deputy directors, six assistant directors, 17 supervisors, 14 intermediate staff, 19 junior staff lost their jobs.
The memo containing the list of the affected personnel was signed by the PDP deputy national secretary, Mr. Agbo Emmanuel.
It was dated March 5, 2020 and pasted on the notice boards on March 6 at the party’s secretariat. It was titled: “Disengagement of staff” and addressed to all the workers from the PDP National Working Committee (NEC).
LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that the PDP leadership and the employees had been at loggerheads over salaries and other allowances since 2015.
However, plans to prune the workforce became public in 2019, as the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by Prince Uche Secondus, finalized arrangements in light of restructuring of the PDP’s administration.
The affected workers had maintained that they will not accept the restructuring plan unless they are guaranteed their full entitlements.
The memo on the disengaged workers read in part: “The NEC members on staff rationalization in the National Executive Committee meeting of February 22 was mandated to implement the committee’s recommendation of downsizing 50 per cent of the staff strength.
“Affected staff must first show evidence of disengagement signed to, by the national secretary’s office before payment. All staff have the option of resignation, and such a letter should only be addressed to the national secretary.
“All affected staff must be cleared and issued clearance certificates indicating that they are not financially or materially indebted to the party. Consequently, upon the above, all affected staff must hand over all party documents, materials, office keys and their identify cards to enable clearance.
“Management wishes the affected staff best of luck in their future endeavor,” it ended.
However, a staff of the party source confided in LEADERSHIP Weekend that most of affected workers will get their severance package next week.
A member of the NWC said that the decision to downsize the staff was approved at the last meeting.
APC Govs Plot To Oust Oshiomhole Before 2023 Primaries [PUNCH]
In a fresh twist to the crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress, governors elected on the platform of the party are insisting that the embattled National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, will not be allowed to handle the primaries for the 2023 general elections, Saturday PUNCH learnt on Friday.
The governors are also discussing with party stakeholders on the decision to be taken to determine the fate of Oshiomhole, who was governor of Edo State for two terms before becoming the leader of the party in 2018.
A judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, Justice Danlami Senchi, on Wednesday granted an interlocutory injunction restraining Oshiomhole from functioning as national chairman of the party.
The judge, who premised his order on the November 2, 2019 resolution of the Ward 10, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, where Oshiomhole comes from, held that the former labour leader could not continue to function as the APC national chairman when he had been suspended by his ward.
Senchi therefore ordered Oshiomhole to stop parading himself as the APC national chairman, adding that the party should deny him access to its national secretariat.
The court order was, however, greeted with mixed reactions. While the supporters of the embattled chairman opposed the order, those against him celebrated his suspension by the court.
But there was confusion on Thursday when the Federal High Court in Kano, which is a court of equal jurisdiction with the FCT High Court, voided Oshiomhole’s suspension within 24 hours.
Justice A. Lewis-Allagoa held that the November 2, 2019 “purported resolution of the Ward 10, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State APC,” suspending Oshiomhole as a member of the APC was of no effect. He also voided the suspension of Oshiomhole as a member of the APC, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission should not recognise anybody, except Oshiomhole, as the party’s chairman.
But in his response, Oshiomhole, who said he had done his best not only when he was governor but also as the chairman of this party, claimed a minister and some governors were the brains behind the move to oust him. Speaking to State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, he explained that those behind the plot were those eyeing the presidential seat in 2023.
$22.796bn Loan: Senators Grumble About ‘Rubber Stamp’ Tag On Senate [PUNCH]
The drama which played out on the floor of the Senate on Thursday, was a confirmation of an uneasy calm among senators in the federal parliament, investigations by Saturday PUNCH revealed on Friday.
The red chamber had on Thursday, in controversial circumstances, considered and approved the report of its committee on local and foreign loans which worked on the request by the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to borrow $22.796bn.
Findings by Saturday PUNCH among members of the red chamber showed that many of the senators had been complaining about the alleged ‘rubber stamp’ nature of the chamber which the leadership remained resolute to maintain and sustain.
A senator from the South-South geopolitical zone of the country, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the issue, said on Friday that the trouble started when the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, announced that the foreign loan request would be approved.
The senator said Lawan had made up his mind to work towards the loan approval, even when the committee had yet to start work on it.
He said, “It was the public declaration of the Senate President that made many of us to show apathy towards the debate on it, but we were prepared to make our position known before the final approval, which was done through the minority leader on Thursday.”
How Italian Citizens, Travellers ‘Infected’ Nigeria, 17 Other Coronavirus-Free Countries [PUNCH]
Nigeria had been spared for 57 days when the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, also called COVID-19, was first recorded in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019.
Even as the disease ravaged China and Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as America and Europe, infecting thousands of people, Africa’s most populous country was a mere spectator.
But the story changed for Nigeria on February 27, 2020 when a 44-year-old Italian businessman who arrived in Lagos from Milan, Italy tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Italian, a consultant for Lafarge Africa Plc, was among 149 passengers aboard a Turkish Airlines flight which arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on February 25.
He reportedly lodged at a hotel in Lagos that night and left the following morning for a business meeting at the Lafarge’s factory in Ewekoro, Ogun State.
According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, the patient started to develop symptoms of high fever and body pains on February 26 and was transferred to the Lagos State Biosecurity Facilities for isolation and testing.
The Italian was tested positive for COVID-19 at the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
He has since been in quarantine at the Infectious Disease Centre at Yaba, Lagos, and health authorities said he was now clinically stable.
The commissioner later said the Lagos and Ogun state governments were tracing the patient’s 148 co-passengers, adding that another 39 persons the victim made contact with at the Lafarge’s Ewekoro plant were quarantined.
By Friday, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, said the 39 persons on quarantine had not developed any symptoms of COVID-19.
Kaduna Villagers Relive Bandits’ Attack [THE NATION]
How they stormed our communities in hundreds of bikes, clutching two rifles each Our escape was miraculous – Survivors
Villagers of communities bordering the dreaded forest of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna, woke up to the most horrific moment of their life last Sunday. Scores of their kinsmen, including children, women and the aged were hacked to death in cold blood. The survivors recounted their ordeal. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, reports.
For several months, bandits have been terrorizing the people of Kerawa, Rago, Marina, Zariyawa, Hashimawa, and Unguwar Barau villages of Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
But the worst happened penultimate Sunday, when the hoodlums stormed the communities and killed 51 people.
The hoodlums attacked the villages shortly after the early morning Muslim prayers, shooting at every living soul on sight, while animals, food stuff, vehicles and motorcycles were also set ablaze by the assailants.
One of the survivors, Yahaya Adam, described his escape as miraculous. He recalled that the bandits came into the communities on about 100 motorcycles, each carrying two AK 47 rifles.
He said that he initially thought they were just passing by or fleeing from security forces.
“It was around 6:00am that morning, we started hearing sounds of many motorcycles approaching our village and when we checked, it was the bandits.
We were terrified by their number, but some of us just felt they were just passing by. Because, to be honest, we were used to their presence around us; they do come into our villages, kidnap people and collect ransom.
“So, when we saw them, we never imagined they were coming with that kind of motive. We thought, they were either fleeing their camps due to security forces’ operation, or at worst coming to our village or another village to kidnap.
“So, me and the people I was together with were ready to run into hiding to escape being kidnapped. We never knew we were running away from death.
All of a sudden, we started hearing gunshots, people started running and the bandits were chasing them with gunshots.
“They shot many people and went to Marina too and killed many people. At the end of the day, I could not explain how I escaped their bullets, because they came very close to where I was hiding and I heard gunshots very close.
“We are presently in a terrible situation, we cannot even go to our homes again, because, what we heard some of them saying is that, they will come back for us. They alleged that, we have been reporting them to the security operatives and they will punish us.” He narrated.
PANIC IN THE LAND: Funny Measures Nigerians Are Taking To Beat Coronavirus [THE NATION]
- Shop owners collect money with bowls in Asaba •Albino man mistaken for Chinese causes stir in Yola •Anambra indigenes adopt ‘legshake’ in place of traditional handshake •Reporter avoids handshake with Indian at shopping mall
As it would be expected, Nigerians have been panic-stricken since the deadly Coronavirus, which broke out in China, found its way into the country last week. Although the index case of an Italian visitor to Nigeria was recorded in Lagos State, no fewer than 100 people have been quarantined between the state and its neighbouring Ogun, where the Italian was said to have visited the popular Ewekoro Cement Factory.
It has been a case of the Italian sneezing and the entire country catching cold as every Nigerian from Lagos to Kano and from Maiduguri to Port Harcourt now lives in fear of the dreaded virus and are employing whatever strategy they can to ensure that they don’t become victims.
‘Legshake’ makes debut in Anambra
In Anambra State, for instance, some residents have resorted to exchanging greetings with their legs instead of the traditional handshake. Indeed, this group of Nigerians are now in the habit of keeping their hands in their pockets most of the time to avoid contact with anyone.
Also worthy of note is the fact that the situation has led many women in the state into taking a lot of hot drinks since keeping warn and taking alcohol are said to be some of the measures that can keep the virus at bay.
Since the news of the virus broke, sanitizers and nose masks have become hot cakes in the pharmacy stores and supermarkets in Anambra State. In Awka, the capital of the state, members of the staff of one of the new generation banks now wear hand gloves and cover their noses while attending to customers.
The owner of one of the biggest computer outlets in the state capital, Mrs Nnenna Martins Okafor, told our correspondents that she washes her hands with sanitizer every 30 minutes. Besides, she wears hand gloves to avoid touching money for fear of the virus.
Mrs Ogomegbunam Uduh, a fashion designer, told The Nation that most women, including herself, now take lots of alcohol to prevent the virus.
Asked why, she said: “When things like this happen, you have to follow the crowd. We heard it works, so I had to join the chorus because prevention is better than cure”.
Again, according to her, she has to avoid crowded areas and take lots of fruits.
When our correspondent visited one of the supermarkets and pharmacy stores in Aroma, a nurse, who pleaded anonymity, said that sanitizer and nose mask businesses were booming.
She said: “In fact, we are looking for where to buy because of the way customers are rushing them. She, however, said they were selling at normal prices.
Speaking with our correspondents in Awka, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C. Don Adinuba, said the state government had written letters to churches, markets and schools, among others, as part of the sensitization.
He told the Anambra State House of Assembly communication is 90 per cent component in tackling the scourge, adding that Anambra State was the first to raise the alarm, knowing full well that people of the state travel a lot, especially to China, because of their business interests.
Shop owners collect money with bowls in Asaba
Delta indigenes are taking extraordinary measures to avoid the spread of Coronavirus with many devising ingenious means to avoid contracting the virus.
A cross section of residents, who spoke with The Nation, stressed that they no longer go to crowded places. A youth corps member, Ayomide Adekunle, said she studiouly avoids body contacts, especially when she is a public vehicle.
She said: “Whenever I am in a commercial vehicle, I sit in the front seat to avoid body contacts with other commuters. Many commuters often come into taxis sweating, and since the virus can be transmitted through body contact, I shift away into a corner.
“I have also bought sanitizers and face masks. As further precautionary measure, I go to crowded places only when it is absolutely necessary.”
Mrs Justina Uduophori, a dealer in used clothes at the popular Ogbeogonogo Market, said to avoid direct contact with customers, she has a plastic bowl into which customers, who visit her shop drop money for the goods they purchase.
She said: “My brother, since this corona virus palaver, I have decided to place a plastic bowl for my customers to put their money. This is meant to reduce my contact with strangers. Once this problem is over, I will start collecting money with my hands again.”
With the upsurge in the demand for facial masks, the item has become a scarce commodity in the Delta State capital. Attendants in some pharmacies visited within the metropolis said facial masks had become scarce because of huge demand for them.
A pharmacist, who preferred anonymity, said: “Suddenly, face masks, which sold for N30 and N50, have become scarce, shooting the price up to N100 per mask.”
The Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, said that necessary machinery was being put in place to effectively manage the situation, especially in the rural areas. Mordi said motorised enlightenment campaigns have been deployed in many rural communities to combat the spread of the virus.
Albino man mistaken for Chinese causes stir in Yola
The fear of Coronavirus became the basis of a stampede during the week at a restaurant in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.
People at the restaurant, a popular eat-in facility in Jimeta, had been enjoying their meal when suddenly an albino man appeared.
A source, who related the incident to our correspondent, said the incident occurred on Tuesday evening.
He said: “All was calm until an Albino man walked into the crowded place. The moment the man walked in dressed in an expensive coat, the crowd looked at one another, and in a twinkle of an eye, the entire place was deserted, leaving the Albino embarrassed and stranded, as the people took him for a Chinese national.”
Other than the isolated incident, however, life remains as it has always been in Yola and the rest of Adamawa State with regard to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Residents still cram themselves in vehicles and exchange handshakes in disregard to warnings against Coronavirus.
You would not see people in face masks, nor is use of hand sanitizers known to have become the norm.
Relevant officials of the state government could not be reached for comments at press time for an update on safety campaigns against the virus. Even the state Director of Public Health
He had, however, said some days earlier that the state Ministry of Health had activated its response mechanism and was ready for any emergency.
He had said the state was using its various mass media houses, including a radio station, a TV station and a newspaper, to enlighten the populace on how to avoid the virus and why they should report any unusual symptoms to the health centre nearest to them where he said officials had been updated on how to deal with such situations.
Reporter shuns handshake with Indian at Lagos shopping mall
At a shopping mall in Lagos last Sunday, Mr. Tolu Adelaja(not real name) a journalist, had a dramatic encounter with an Indian man. After parking the car at the lot, the family had hardly alighted when the locks jammed.
All the reporter’s efforts to open the locks with the automated key proved futile. He, therefore, decided to alert some artisans nearby, who also tried fruitlessly to open the locks.
One of them then drew the attention of an Indian, a technician attached to the mall. The Indian came to the car park, expressed his sympathy to Adelaja and then offered his hands.
To the chagrin of those present, however, the journalist shunned the handshake and quickly moved away to avoid any form of body contact with the Indian.
Everybody there was befuddled as the embarrassed Indian left the scene fuming and cursing under his breath.
Katsina residents bank on divine protection
In Katsina State, however, residents appeared unperturbed by the news of the outbreak of Coronavirus and are going about their normal activities without fear.
Malam Muhammed Abdul, a 45-year-old trader in the busy Central Market in Katsina, sounded religious when he told our correspondent in Hausa that the state enjoys divine protection, adding that it would never experience the COVID-19 or any other disease.
He said: ’’We thank God for divine protection. Katsina will never experience Coronavirus. It will not reach us. We also thank the federal and state governments for what they are doing to prevent the spread.’’
It is also a poor market for dealers of protective masks, hand sanitizers and other protective items as virtually everyone in the streets, public and private houses wear no such things.
It was only during the harmattan period, which has just ended, that people were seen wearing masks and hand gloves and stockings. But now that the state is fast returning to hot season periods, those items have been discarded.
When The Nation visited tertiary institutions and public schools in the state, they were devoid of any fear or apprehension of disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has announced plans to engage the Red Cross Society of Nigeria and other non- governmental organisations in the state to checkmate the spread of the deadly virus through sensitization campaigns, door-door awareness talks on personal hygiene and clean environments in traditional worship centers and every social engagement, including marriage ceremonies and other gatherings. This is to ensure that people are adequately informed about the health challenges associated with the virus.
The state’s Commissioner for Health, Engineer Yakubu Danja, told newsmen in his office that the state government was already aware of the outbreak of the disease globally and as well as the recent confirmed case in Lagos and remained poised to sensitize the people and adequately check its spread
He said: ’’The Ministry of Health and all the relevant stakeholders are well positioned to ensure that people are adequately sensitised about the COVID-19 and to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent the spread of the disease in the state.’’
In Niger, it’s business as usual
In Niger State, there has been no observation of special things done by people to avoid Coronavirus. Our correspondent did not observe any strange way of greeting in the state after observing individuals and how they greeted.
In public and private places, there were no signs of hand-washers being introduced. Neither was there any sign of sanitizers for use by workers. A visit to the state ministry complex and other ministries and agencies showed that provisions had not been made for hand washing and sanitising activities.
A visit to three supermarkets and stores in Minna showed that there has not been any remarkable rise in the demand for sanitizers or face masks. One of the stores visited said that no one had been to the store to buy a face mask, while in the past one week, the sale of sanitizers had not increased that much.
The Niger State Ministry of Health, with the aim of increasing its sensitization and mobilization regarding the coronavirus in the state, has met with traditional medicine healers and community informants to seek their cooperation in reporting anyone who shows signs of having Coronavirus.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Joseph Kolo, said that these people have been urged not to shield anyone as it would be dangerous to them and the community if they shield such persons.
He said that there were ongoing announcements and jingles on the virus and what needs to be done on the radio and television stations in the state.
Kolo further said that the capacity of disease surveillance officers and health workers had been strengthened to enable them to spot any suspected case.
He said that all general hospitals across the state had been directed to make provision for an emergency room where any suspected case will be kept before the case is transferred to the Minna General hospital where a provision has been made for an isolation center.
The Permanent Secretary also said that the emergency operation centre was in operation, where there is live monitoring of what is happening in the state and the country.
He explained that they had not made provisions for washing and sanitizing hands in public because the ministry wanted to imbibe the attitude of washing, which is the reason for the sensitization and mobilization of the people in the state.
Coronavirus: 55 Passengers On Flight With Italian Victim Located, Put Under Watch [THE NATION]
- Minister says none has manifested any symptom •Urges other passengers yet to be reached to contact disease control centre •61 others under supervised self-isolation in Lagos, Ogun •NIPRID develops hand sanitizer from local sources
THE Federal Government has said it is now in contact with 55 of the passengers on board the aircraft that conveyed to Nigeria the Italian who tested positive to coronavirus.
A total of 148 people were on board the Turkish Airline that conveyed the Italian who was on a short business trip to Lagos from Milan, Italy.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and port health services of the Federal Ministry of Health were monitoring the temperature and possible appearance of symptoms of 55 of the 148 passengers on the manifest of the said flight.
He said, however, that none of the passengers under watch had exhibited any symptom.
Ehanire said: “Up till today, there have been no symptoms. We are also trying to look out for others and we hope every passenger on that Turkish Airline who have not yet been contacted will contact the NCDC on 0800970001 – 10. They should also continue to self-isolate.
“Multi-sectoral emergency operation centre led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) continues to coordinate national response activities.
“Also, the national rapid response teams are supporting Lagos and Ogun states with the contact-tracing and other activities.”
Earlier in the week, the minister had expressed worries that some people gave telephone numbers that did not work or were switched off.
He said some others, particularly new arrivals in Nigeria who were yet to register with any phone company, might not have access to telephone.
The minister added: “We are following up with 61 contacts of the index case; 21 in Lagos and 40 in Ogun State.
“The contacts are under supervised self-isolation and states have provided them with temperature monitoring tools. All of them have remained symptom-free so far.
“Between 7th of February and 5th of March, 2020, a total of 21 suspected cases were reported across four states in Nigeria, namely – Lagos, Ogun, FCT, and Kano. The index case we have in Lagos is stable, symptoms are mild and is being treated at the infectious disease hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
“There is still only one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which is the index case, and no death.
“There were three new suspected cases between the 4th of March and 5th of March, 2020; out of these, two cases were negative and one result is pending.”
Alleged Fraud: Court Stops Emir Of Kano’s Fresh Probe [SUN]
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano and presided by Justice Lewis Allagoa has ordered the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission to maintain status quo in the investigation of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion .
The order of the court followed an ex -parte application by the Emir of Kano, dated and filed on the 6th of February 2020 against the defendants namely the Kano State Public Complainants and Anti Corruption Commission, its chairman, Muhuji Magaji Rimingado, the Attorney General of Kano State and the Governor of Kano State.
The court ruled that the respondents were to be served with the order of the court through the first defendant while adjourning the case to the 18th of March 2020 for hearing .
The monarch had through his counsels, Messrs Nuremi Jimoh, Oseni Sefiullahi and Ibrahim Abdullahi, approached the court for an order of interim injunction restraining the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission and its Chairman Muhuji Magaji RiminGado from investigating the affairs of the applicant pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
The Emir had further sought for an order of interim injunction maintaining the status quo as well as an order directing that the service of the order of the court made in the suit and all other court processes on the respondents be served through the first respondent.
It could be recalled that the Commission had prior to the order, invited the Emir to appear before it on Monday, March 9th, 2020 . The Commission, during a press briefing, Thursday had explained that the monarch’s invitation was sequel to an alleged violation of the provisions of Sections 22, 23,and 26 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Commission Law (2008).
According to the Chairman of the Commission, , their preliminary findings had suggested that a company, Country Wide House Limited was used to launder the sum of N520 million, which was the proceed 20 hectares of land at Darmanawa 11. He alleged that some of the proceeds of the sales remitted to the account of the Emirate Council were traced to companies of interest to the Emir of Kano.
Muhuji further alleged that following their investigation, it was discovered that “All the alleged illegal transactions for the sales of the landed properties at Darmanawa, Hotoro and Bubbugaje belonging to the Emirate was done by the trio of Shehu Mohammed Danjadi,(Sarkin Sanu) ,Sarki Abdullahi Ibrahim(Makaman Kano) and Mustapha Kawu Yahaya(Dan Isan Lapai) on the alleged instruction of His Highness, the Emir of Kano” while adding that all of these persons had made statements which had necessitated the need to invite the Emir to clarify some issues. The Commission had stressed that the present investigation, brought about by a whistle blower on the 29th of December 2019, was not related to an earlier investigation, which was a subject of a civil suit.
Biafra: Kanu To Lead IPOB One Million Man March In US [SUN]
■ Says we’ve obtained American govt approval for the protest
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu has disclosed the plan by his group to stage a million man march in Capitol Hill, Washington DC, USA for the agitation of Biafra and condemnation of various insecurity challenges in Nigeria, as well as the recent decisions of the Supreme Court.
Media and Publicity Secretary of IPOB, Emma Powerful disclosed this in a press statement he made available to newsmen in Owerri, yesterday.
According to the statement, “the global and indomitable family of the Indigenous People of Biafra, ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu wish to humbly notify Biafrans, friends of Biafra, persecuted Judeo-Christian communities in Nigeria, victims of terrorism and state sponsored genocide, including all who are reeling from brutal land grabbing tendencies of the vandals from the Sahel, about the upcoming IPOB One Million Man Match scheduled to hold in Washington DC on 20th of June 2020.
“Our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and his entourage will lead this march of Biafrans, the forcefully dispossessed, all victims of religious persecution, the enslaved and oppressed minorities in Northern Nigeria, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom all over the world on the match towards the liberation of victims of neo-colonial subjugation in Nigeria on that fateful day near Capitol Hill, Washington USA.”
The pro-Biafra group wants all Igbo, Christians to take part in the protest match.
“We are delighted to announce that we have sought and have been granted relevant permits by the various US state and federal law enforcement agencies in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia as millions of Biafrans and non-Biafrans, persecuted Christian communities from across the globe are expected to storm Washington DC for this once in a lifetime march to draw global attention to the unspeakable human misery and rivers of blood flowing throughout Biafra land and Nigeria at large.”
He noted further “IPOB’s determination to set free all captives is unwavering and relentless. We have reached many and are continuing to reach out to all representatives, groups and associations of marginalised, oppressed and subdued communities across Nigeria domicilled in the USA to be part of this historic event.
“This unique event in Washington DC will bring home to politicians and policy makers in Capitol Hill the true state of deplorable human rights abuses, lawlessness in Nigeria. The reign of terrorism, despotism, impunity, genocide against Judeo-Christian ethnic groups and judicial rascality of the Supreme Court of Nigeria will be laid bare for the American audience to fully grasp the level of evil going on in Nigeria.”