COVID-19 Second Wave: Lagos Restricts Church Gathering Again, Bans Concerts, Others

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December 18, 2020

IMG_20200917_102916 — File Photo: Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at a virtual meeting with the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria Wednesday 16th September, 2020, where he expressed solidarity with the stakeholders in the creative and entertainment industry following the impact of COVID-19 on their sector.

Says Lagos Cannot Afford To Relax Battle Against Coronavirus
Governor Directs Civil Servants From Grade Level 14 Below To Work From Home

Following the second wave of COVID-19 in Nigeria and increase in number of coronavirus cases in Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has banned carnivals, concerts and street parties in the State until further notice.

The Governor also returned the order restricting the operations of churches and mosques in the State, adding that no gathering must exceed 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.

He also directed all public servants from Grade Level 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, to work from home for the next 14 days starting from next week Monday in the first instance.

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Governor Sanwo-Olu in a personal letter to Lagosians issued on Friday after a virtual Executive Council meeting on issues around the resurgence of COVID-19 and how to tackle it said Lagos State cannot afford to relax the battle against COVID-19 and therefore appealed that it should be tackled as serious matter.

Speaking about the present state of his health, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who tested positive to COVID-19 last week, said “Regarding my health, I am glad to inform you that I am getting better by the day, and all will surely be well. I thank Lagosians for their prayers and overwhelming kind thoughts. I am, indeed, very grateful.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who advised Lagosians to use the festive season to spend quality time in small but controlled gatherings with family and friends in the spirit of the season, warned that the State Government will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on any person or organisation caught breaching public health regulations and protocols with regards to the Coronavirus disease.

He said: “The Lagos State Government is now sounding a clear note of caution to all residents on the importance of maintaining the guidelines that we have put in place to protect us from the ravages of COVID-19. We cannot afford a reversal of the gains we have made against this pandemic.

“The following measures must be noted and complied with: All public servants from GL 14 and below, except emergency workers and first responders, are to work from home as from Monday, December 21st for the next 14 days – in the first instance. All schools must shut down with immediate effect, and until further notice.

“Concerts, carnivals and street parties are banned in Lagos State until further notice. Night clubs have not been allowed to open yet. All night clubs in Lagos must immediately shut down, until further notice. The midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains in place.

“The protocol of ‘No Mask No Entry’ must be enforced by all public places: Offices, Businesses, Markets, Shops, and so on. Hand sanitizers or hand washing units are to be positioned at the entry point and various spots.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed further that: “All places of worship (Churches, Mosques, etc.) must ensure that no gathering exceeds two hours and also that no gathering exceeds 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.

“Health, Safety and Environment Officers must be present at all public gatherings (religious or social) and must be trained in basic first aid procedures.

“The Safety Commission has been directed to visit event centres and gauge compliance with the established guidelines, to stop the virus from spreading. If there is evidence of lack of compliance at any Event Centre, it will be shut down immediately.

“Security agents have been mandated to ensure full enforcement, without exception. No one will be deemed to be above the law. Any and all breaches of these regulations and public health protocols will lead to immediate closure as well as attract heavy fines, and any other sanctions and penalties deemed fit, in line with the Lagos State Infectious Diseases Control Regulation 2020.”

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Governor Sanwo-Olu while advising Lagosians to step up the battle against COVID-19, especially during the festival seasons, said: “Christmas is a commemoration of this supreme act of sacrifice by God. The least we can do in this Season is to emulate that spirit of sacrifice, by abiding with difficult but necessary protective guidelines, for the greater good of all of us.

“This is certainly not the time to lower our guard against the Coronavirus; it is instead time to step up our battle against this stubborn virus that has gripped the world for several months now.”

“Dear Lagosians, you will all agree with me that we cannot afford another lockdown of the economy. Amidst an economic recession we must find a way to delicately balance the imperatives of life and livelihood. With this in mind, the only solution available to us is to take responsibility for all our actions, and to understand that we must stay safe not only for ourselves but for the sake of the entire society.

“The Lagos State Government is now sounding a clear note of caution to all residents on the importance of maintaining the guidelines that we have put in place to protect us from the ravages of COVID-19. We cannot afford a reversal of the gains we have made against this pandemic.

“Fellow Lagosians, Let us take responsibility for the welfare and safety of all while we enjoy the festive season with friends and families. It is important that as a community we strictly abide by the regulations in the context of a global pandemic, without prejudicing our efforts to keep the economy running and maintain our means of livelihood to a sufficient extent.

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SIM registration: FG Backtracks on NIN Retrieval Fee

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 18, 2020

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The N20 USSD fee imposed by Nigerian telecommunications and National Identity Management Commission on subscribers for National Identification Number retrieval requests has been canceled.

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami directed the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Identity Management Commission to remove the fee.

Recently, NCC directed telecommunication service providers to block SIM cards not registered with NIN, giving a two weeks deadline for SIM holders in Nigeria to respond.

Authorities had listed 173 centres and 30 state government institutions approved for NIN enrolment across country.

Part of issues arising from the directive was that subscribers who had enrolled for NIN in the past might not remember their identification numbers, a situation telecos and government’s registration agency, NIN sought to exploit by requiring citizens to pay a fee for the retrieval.

According to a statement on Friday by the spokesperson for the minister, Uwa Suleiman, the government ordered telcos to stop the deduction for NIN retrieval.

“The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, Orders Cancellation Of NIN Retrieval Charge Across All Networks’.

“The Minister’s directive which takes immediate effect, is an intervention aimed at making the process easier and affordable.

“In a letter conveying the implementation of the directive, the Executive Vice Chairman NCC and the Director-General of NIMC informed Dr Pantami that the relevant authorities had met with, and negotiated a waiver with the Mobile Network Operators in that regard.

“By this waiver, all Nigerians, subscribers and applicants can access the service using the *346# code for their NIN retrieval at no charge for the duration of the NIN/SIM Card integration exercise”, the statement read.

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Rising Insecurity, COVID-19 in Nigeria: Benue Govt. Bans Christmas, New Year Activities

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 18, 2020

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The Benue state government has banned all Christmas and New Year activities.

This was disclosed by the state Governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday December 17.

Governor Ortom explained that the decision was reached after a review of security situation in the state at the state’s security council meeting which he presided over at the Government House in Makurdi.

Residents of the state have been advised to celebrate the yuletide and new year festivities in their homes in line with COVID-19 protocols.

The state government also advised residents to report suspicious movement to relevant authorities.

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Release of Kidnapped Kankara Students Excites President Buhari

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 17, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.

In a short remark shortly after their release was announced, President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.

President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’

He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages.

“The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated.”

On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the President gave assurances that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians.

President Buhari urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy and corruption.

He noted that the administration was fully aware that it was elected to resolve challenges.

“When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls. When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show.”

The President pointed to the successes of the administration in dealing with security in the South South and North East.

He said the North West now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with.

“We have a lot of work to do, especially now that we have re-opened the borders. It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them. We will deal with all that,” the President further assured.

He prayed for the full recovery of the students, whom he said had endured significant hardships in the course of their six-day ordeal.

The President assured of the determination of his administration to return to safety all citizens held against their will, a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu disclosed on Thursday.

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Nigerian Politicians Echo Restructuring, State Police

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 17, 2020

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Tinubu and Fayemi — Former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi.

The call for the restructuring of Nigeria has been yet reinforced by prominent political leaders, including the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The political stalwarts, who on Wednesday canvassed for the restructuring and devolution of more powers to the state, also appraised the security situation in the country and sought state police as a major solution to the insecurity in the country.

The APC leaders spoke at the third yearly Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable and 71st post-humous birthday organised by Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation (SAAF) in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.

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The programme, which was held at the International Conference Centre, UI, had the theme: “States and the Burden of National Development in Nigeria.”

The former Lagos State Governor, Tinubu, was the chairman of the event and was represented by Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat. Tinubu affirmed that the constituent units that make a federation must be given more revenue and more responsibilities, adding that state police was overdue.

Tinubu said: “Despite the fiscal and budgetary constraints, Governor Ajimobi performed adroitly, bringing an unprecedented level of civic pride and public works to Oyo. But the truth that he himself recognised was that he could have done more if our political system was truly built on the fiscal federalism we progressives have long espoused.

“Our system remains too centralised with too much power and money remaining within the federal might. This imbalance leads to relative state weakness. We need to overhaul how revenues are allocated between the states and the Federal Government.”

Governor Fayemi of Ekiti State while delivering his speech virtually, said: “One area that has become a big burden in the cause of our national development is the security of lives and property in the states. Theoretically, the governors are considered as the chief security officers of their states and are expected to be in charge. Accordingly, everybody looks up to the governors to provide security, especially during threats. In practice, however, the governors really have limited control over the security architecture of the states”.

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Also speaking, a loyalist of Ajimobi, Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, canvassed that the revenue sharing formula be reviewed in favour of local councils and states.

In her welcome address, the President, Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, said the late Ajimobi had extended the frontiers of knowledge on good governance.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, who lauded the contributions of Ajimobi, expressed the readiness of the university to strengthen its relationship with the Foundation.

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Nigeria Backs Down After 16 Months Border Closure, Maintains Restrictions on Some Commodities

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 17, 2020

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SEME-BORDER--1062x598 — A file photo of Seme Border in he South West of Nigeria.

The Nigerian Government has reopened four land borders after 16 months of closure that halted economic activities with neighbouring nations along these routes.

This decision was taken at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting Wednesday in Abuja following the recommendation of a committee that four of the nation’s land borders be reopened with immediate effect while stating that others would be “reopened in due course.”

It was gathered that FEC approved the border reopening after considering the submission of a report by the committee set up to examine the implications of the closure among others, led by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

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In her address to State House Reporters after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, Ahmed confirmed that the Seme and Mfun borders in the South West, and South-South, as well as Ilela and Maigatari borders in the Northwest were approved for immediate reopening.

However, the Minister, who assured that the other borders would be reopened before December 31, disclosed that restrictions on the importation of some commodities, like rice and other products, would stand.

On his part, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo said the period of the closure afforded the authorities the opportunity to assess the security problems with a view to addressing them.

“We have many advantages to the border closure, it has given the security agencies an opportunity to access the problems at the borders, particularly with regard to smuggling.

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“As you are all aware, before the border closure, a lot of petroleum products were being smuggled to West African countries and the border closures has created a situation that has tactically stopped that; they have been able to calculate the number of petroleum products being smuggled out by calculating the amount that is being lifted now compared to what was being lifted before.

“The issue of smuggling of rice to the country has reduced drastically and we are hoping that our agencies will be able to sustain that so also is the issue of poultry smuggling. “

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Nigerian Senators Threaten President Buhari with Impeachment Over Total Collapse of Security

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 16, 2020

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Senate — Senators are concerned about the security situation in the country. (File photo)

Nigerian senators have on Tuesday threatened to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari and suspend the passing of Budget 2021 if the nation’s number one man and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces fail to address the insecurity in the country.

Similarly on Tuesday, the Nigeria House of Representatives asked the authorities to urgently implement the Safe Schools Declaration to protect children and their teachers from attacks.

These reactions from the nation’s National Assembly is against the backdrop of heightened insecurity, especially the recent kidnap of over 300 hundred students in Katsina.

The call by the legislators came as Zamfara State closed boarding schools; while the cry for drastic solution to the low level insecurity has been raised higher by northern elders, the Peoples Democratic Party, the Sultan of Sokoto, among others.

Senators took turn to air their views on the deplorable state of security in the country amidst palpable anger.

Debating on a motion sponsored by Senator Bello Mandiya (APC, Katsina South), which sought investigation into the missing students, senators rejected, angrily, a call to invite service chiefs and Inspector General of Police for deliberation.

They submitted that the country had moved into a state of total collapse and urged the President to take full responsibility for massive security failure.

In his contribution, Senator Olubunmi Adetunbu (APC, Ekiti North) asked President Muhammadu Buhari to remember and fulfil the pledge he made in Chatham House, London in 2015, to tackle insecurity head on across the country.

Buhari had on February 26, 2015 in a speech in Chatham House, said that if elected President, the world would have no cause to worry about Nigeria “as it has had to recently.” He promised that Nigeria would return to its stabilising role in West Africa and that no inch of Nigerian territory would ever be lost to the enemy because “we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, we will give them adequate and modern arms and ammunitions to work with.”

BUT reacting, yesterday, former Senate minority leader, Abiodun Olujimi, suggested that the National Assembly should halt work on the 2021 Budget Bill to compel President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to suggestions from Senate.

She said: “The presidency is not an award, it is a call to duty. And when you call a man to duty, he must be able to know when the buck stops on his table. Right now the buck stops on the President’s table as far as security in this country is concerned.”

She argued that the time had come for the Senate to take drastic action before the budget.

“We must think outside the box, we must hold government accountable because this is the third arm and we are equal in all,” she contended.

Senate spokesman, Ajibola Basiru, said the National Assembly should amend existing laws to empower the Legislature to play serious roles in securing the country. Such amendments, according to him, should allow the National Assembly to mete out sanctions to erring public officers.

Also, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, lamented the failure of President Muhammadu to execute motions passed by the Senate on growing insecurity in the country. He expressed the need to activate Section 143 of the Constitution, which deals with impeachment and removal of the President. He, however, said the intention was not to remove the President but to send warning signals.

He was of the opinion that the Senate immediately begins to gather signatures of at least one third of its members to be attached to its resolutions and sent to the President to make him realise that the Senate has powers to sanction him.

Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger State) urged his colleagues to take decisions that could change the situation, saying: “We cannot continue to be leaders when the people we are leading are dying everyday. What are the police doing? Yesterday, armed bandits were roaming streets of towns buying bread and geisha and nobody said anything. There is need to draw the attention of the President that enough is enough, the service chiefs should go.”

The Guardian

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Nigerian Media Monitoring Agency Revamps Audit Reporting

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 15, 2020

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As part of measures aimed at enhancing clients’ efficiency, an independent public relations (PR) measurement and evaluation agency, P+ Measurement Services has revamped its Independent public relations(PR) performance audit reporting services.

This was contained in a statement by the firm’s media representative, Glory Nnabugwu Tuesday, stating that the newly improved audit reporting template will help the agency broaden and maximise its offerings, by providing inference driven PR measurement and performance audit services for stakeholders in the communications industry.

According to the agency, the revamped performance audit reporting “aims to create an easy-to-read and ready-to-use dashboard for clients and communications analysts, using a multi-platform strategy to incorporate all communications efforts into one dashboard.

“It also features a multiple view dashboard, inclusive of trends, themes, sentiment, CEOs performance, using qualitative and quantitative data which allows structured analysis and inference”, the statement read.

The Chief Insight Officer of the Company, Philip Odiakose said. “We have moved fast to come up with a comprehensive audit report that helps PR agencies, media planners, analysts and marketing communications clients make a difference in their business.”

Odiakose affirmed that the company reviews its audit report annually and upgrade when necessary for clients’ easy implementation into their PR strategy.

“The organisation upgraded its audit report for easy-to-read, dark-mode feel and valid metric in line with clients PR objectives in eradicating the request for AVE as well as noises from the machine” Odiakose stated.

The P+ boss pointed out that having the right data, insights and recommendations goes a long way in scaling and analysing communications effort, while an easy-to-read dashboard propagates quick-decision-making for clients.

“We remain committed to promoting awareness for the Independent media monitoring and measurement market in Nigeria, and by creating world-class structures and standards such as this. We believe we are on the right path to facilitating a balanced communications industry for brands and organisations in the country.

“The report is valuable to communication and PR professionals wanting to define the value they bring to the brand having return on objective (ROO) in mind rather than AVE that is industry denounced, subjective, inconsistent in delivery value and can be manipulated”, he said.

The company which celebrated its fifth-year anniversary last month, also celebrated its recently concluded AMEC measurement month as the only AMEC Member in the country.

As Nigeria’s fast growing media intelligence agency, P+ Measurement Services continues to spur media measurement and evaluation literacy campaign for brands, agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and government agencies, in a bid to standardise a procedure that enables stakeholders to understand that implementing the right media measurement and evaluation campaign is critical.

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How to Save a Choking Baby from Dying

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 6, 2020

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A Nigerian medical doctor based in Lagos has advised on steps to take in order to save babies and toddlers who choke on food substances.

The medical doctor, Chinonso Egemba, who is popular on twitter as Aproko Doctor highlighted these steps following the death of a baby.

According to Egemba on Twitter, a baby “died because a piece of groundnut entered her windpipe and blocked her airway. Her toddler sibling was trying to feed her while the mom was bathing”.

The Aproko Doctor further highlighted steps to take, which stated “might save a baby’s life” in situations where a baby has choked on food substance.

He said: “Step one: Call for help!

“Shout! Call your neighbors! Scream like a life depends on it.

“Step 2. Give back blows

“If it’s a baby under one year: Lay the baby face down across your laps and use the heel of your hands to give back blows.

“The back blows is done to cause a vibration that might dislodge the object blocking the airway.

“Use the heel of your hand.

“Your blows should be firm but not too hard.

“If that doesn’t work, Lay the baby face up, feel the bone in the middle of the chest called the breastbone

“Place two fingers on it and push sharply five times! Push as though you’re pushing upwards and inwards.

“Remember that you are still calling for help if no one has shown up
If this child is older, like a toddler

“Kneel behind the child and wrap your hands around the child’s abdomen between the navel and ribs and pull sharply towards you upwards and inwards, (you are behind the child)”, the doctor stated.

Doctor Egemba however warned that in this circumstances, parents should avoid inserting fingers into the mouth of a choking baby.

“What not to do! Never leave the child alone.

“Do not put your fingers into the mouth of a choking baby if you haven’t seen the object. It’s called a blind sweep. Don’t do it.

“Never give an obviously choking child water to drink”, Aproko Doctor warned.

I have written an article on this before complete with photos and clearer than this, use this link:https://t.co/LvnTwmvZNl

— Aproko Doctor (@aproko_doctor) December 3, 2020

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Nigeria Looks to Deepen Ties with South Africa to Quicken African Development

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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December 6, 2020

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FB_IMG_1607238480930 — South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe visits Nigeria Preaident Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja on Friday December 4, 2020, as Special Envoy.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed optimism that improvement in relations between Nigeria and South Africa will speed up the process of development on the African continent.

Speaking in concurrence with the Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) and South Africa’s Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, who came to the State House, Abuja on Friday as Special Envoy of his country, President Buhari cited his last trip to South Africa during which he and President Cyril Ramaphosa worked together in resolving the migrants’ crisis between two brotherly nations, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosed in a statement.

“There was this ‘small problem’ between our countries. I went there and we resolved it,” the Nigerian President told the envoy.

He directed the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva to work with his South African counterpart on the requests he brought and report back to him for his action.

The South African minister, who presented a letter from President Ramaphosa, said the relationship between Nigeria and his country was key to the development aspirations of the continent.

While emphasising that the two nations need to work as partners, Mantashe said “this relationship will determine the future of Africa.”

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