File Photo: Senior Pastor, Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Tunde Bakare.
Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) Sunday advised churches to ignore Lagos State Government’s directive to reopen on Sunday, August 9.
Speaking during an online sermon on Sunday, Bakare queried the decision to reopen the worship centres when the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would peak in Nigeria in August.
The religious leader advised worshippers not to allow any cleric or government official to lead them like sheep to the slaughter house.
According to him, “I have to appeal to you once again, please keep safe and do your best to stay alive. Do not let anyone, whether religious leader or governmental leader, to drive you like a sheep to the slaughter.
“If they (the government and the disease control authorities) said that the month of August is going to be the peak of the infection, why should they ask people to rush in (re-open the churches) again?
“Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by keeping all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic like the others before it has an expiry date. It shall not see our end. We shall see its end in the mighty name of Jesus.”
File Photo: The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Friday, June 5, 2020.
The Governor Dapo Abiodun-led Ogun State Government has clarified the requirements for operations of boarding facilities in the secondary schools in the state as part of the overall requirements for the reopening of schools for SS3 students on August 4 as earlier announced by the government.
Abiodun, in a statement in Abeokuta on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Basic and Secondary Education, Ronke Soyombo, said the clarification has become necessary to remind the general public, particularly parents and operators in the education sector, of government position, which is based on the guidelines jointly developed and agreed by parents, private school owners, government representatives and other stakeholders.
The statement said: “Ogun State is arguably the state with the highest number of schools (public and private) operating boarding facilities in the country with students’ population drawn from far and wide.
“In view of this and the need to avoid community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic amongst our children in the boarding facilities and invariably the state as a whole, additional requirements for opening of boarding facilities in all the secondary schools in the State were agreed.
“A key additional requirement is presentation of certificate of negative COVID-19 test before a student is admitted to the boarding facility in both public and private schools in the state.”
However, the statement identified the following implementation details that should be noted.
“The government will bear the full costs of the COVID-19 Test for all the boarding SS3 students in the state-owned public schools.
“All private school owners are also expected to ensure that all their boarding students are certified COVID-19 test negative before being admitted into their boarding facilities.
“To further assist the private schools, Ogun State Government has negotiated a huge discount in the cost of COVID-19 Test with some healthcare service providers.
“However, private school owners and parents are free to engage any other service provider of their choice provided that the service provider is certified by NCDC as COVID-19 Test service provider.
“Indeed, certificate of negative COVID-19 test from other locations across the country will be tenable provided, as usual, it is from an NCDC certified centre and the test has been performed within 72 hours of the date of resumption.
“Only boarding facilities directly operated by schools will be allowed to operate to enable government monitoring of such facilities for compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
“Parents and school owners are enjoined to work together to ensure that health and safety of our students is of paramount consideration at all times. Should any private school owner and parents desire a waiver of COVID-19 test requirement for boarding students, a joint representation of the school owner and the parents should be made to the government and this shall be considered on a case-by-case basis,” the statement said.
Soyombo emphasised that the COVID-19 test for boarding students is just one of the measures jointly developed and agreed with the parents, school owners, health experts and relevant government agencies and warned that government would not shirk in its responsibility of protecting all citizens and residents of Ogun State.
“And these include students in our public and private schools. Amongst other such initiatives, government has commenced distribution of facemasks to all the schools in Ogun State – public and private – for the use of returning SS3 students and their teachers,” the statement noted.
“Your life is one signposted by many achievements, which undoubtedly inspire the younger generation to noble ideals.
“Your imprints are clearly left on the sands of time, and these include: Founder and Chairman of Juli Plc, first indigenous company quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange; former Minister of Health; past Chairman of Oodua Investment Ltd; Distinguished Fellow, Institute of Directors; Fellow, Institute of Management; Fellow, West Africa Post Graduate College; and pioneer President, Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy.
“As an accomplished pharmacist, lawyer and key player in many private sector organizations, you are on the Governing Council and past president of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies; first District Governor of Rotary International, District 9110, Nigeria; and Chairman of MTN Foundation. You received national awards of MFR in 1986 and OFR in 2002.
“At 80, as you are celebrated by family, friends, associates and professional colleagues from far and near, I wish you longer life, greater strength, and more salutary impact on our country, and across all walks of life,” Buhari said, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Tukur Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. (File photo)
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHq) says operation Sahel Sanity, which kicked off almost two months ago has led to the rescue of kidnapped victims, recovery of rustled cattles, arrest of suspected armed bandits, arrest of bandits informants and collaborators.
This was disclosed in a statement Saturday night as it reviewed operations of the unit, which was flagged off on July 6, 2020 by the Chief of Army Staff, Major Gen. Turkur Buratai, as part of activities of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2020, during which the Nigerian Army Super Camp IV Faskari in Katsina State was established.
According to the statement, Operation Sahel Sanity was established to support Operation Hadarin Daji in stemming the tides of the activities of armed bandits, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, incessant killings and other sundry crimes in the North-West zone of the country.
“These acts of criminalities orchestrated by the bandits had before now crippled the agricultural, social and economic activities of the people of this zone. The people of the North-West Zone felt immediate impact of the operation with the tremendous successes achieved within the short period of time.
“The gallant troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY within the period under review has carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and other aggressive and confidence building patrols within Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States.”
Also included as part of the successes, DHq stated that the unit made recoveries of large cache of arms and ammunition as well as recovery of motorcycles and other bandits logistics within the period.
The DHq noted further that: “So far, in all the operations conducted, 80 armed bandits have been neutralized, a total of 943 cows, 633 sheep/rams recovered; 33 suspected bandits arrested; 7 AK47 Riffles, 1 GPMG and16 Dane guns captured; 17 kidnapped victims rescued and 14 bandits informants and collaborators arrested.
“Also several bandits camps including the notorious Dangote Triangle and their logistics bases were destroyed by troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY.
“There is no gainsaying therefore that within the first month of Operation SAHEL SANITY from 1-31 July 2020, troops have recorded several successes in line with the aim of the operation. The gallant troops continue to dominate volatile areas with confidence building patrols, ambushes and clearance operations to deny the bandits and other criminal elements freedom of action”.
The DHq added that the successes achieved by Operation Sahel Sanity is further evident by the active resumption of farming, social and economic activities by the locals with reduced fear of threats in their localities.
File Photo: Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi
Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has reacted to criticisms from Nigerians who expressed discontent over the exclusion of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; ex-Chairman, Nigerian Railway Board late, Alhaji Waziri Mohammed and other notable Nigerians from the naming of rail stations.
The Minister in a statement Friday night, said more prominent Nigerians will still benefit from the Federal Government’s naming of railway stations across the country.
Ameachi, in the statement specifically reacted to the demand by rail workers union, that the late Alhaji Waziri Mohammed, chairman of the board, be honoured with a big railway station.
According to him, Mohammed, until his death was the Chairman of Nigerian Railway Board.
He said it would be proper to name the Apapa Station after Mohammed, who died while in active service, as a mark of his sterling contributions to nation building.
File Photo: Passengers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. [NIDCOM]
Three hundred more Nigerians who had been stranded in the United States have arrived in Abuja.
This was announced by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), on Saturday via Twitter.
The stranded Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 15:00pm via the Ethiopian Airlines.
NIDCOM stated that the evacuation is the fifth from the US since the Federal Government started flying Nigerians who were stranded as a result of the COVID-19 back home.
All the evacuees tested Negative to COVID-19 before boarding the flight but will also observe the mandatory 4-day self-isolation as mandated by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
So far, a total of 1,430 Nigerians have been flown back home.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it has spent over N169million in transporting Nigerian returnees from overseas.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, said N22billion was released for the effective handling of COVID-19 response in the country.
“At the moment, as far as I know, only N169million was spent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the evacuation of Nigerians, mainly on their accommodation.
“We haven’t spent much because of the need for prudence in the first place. We need to have clear evidence. A lot of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government are yet to do their quick procurement,” he said.
A file photo of Mamman Daura and President Muhammadu Buhari
The Presidency has dismissed comments made by Mamman Daura about zoning, during a recent radio interview, saying it did not “in any way” reflect the views of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The position of the President was made known by his Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), Garba Shehu, who in a statement on Saturday, noted that Daura’s views as expressed during the interview with the BBC Hausa Service were “personal to him.”
“We have received numerous requests for comments on the interview granted by Malam Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew to the BBC Hausa Service.
“It is important that we state from the onset that as mentioned by the interviewee, the views expressed were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the President or his administration.”
During the week, Daura had in the interview told the BBC Hausa Service that rotational leadership has failed the country and there is a need to now look “for the most competent and not for someone who comes from somewhere”.
The Presidency believes the comments, which drew strong criticism from several people including groups such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere, were taken out of context.
“At age 80, and having served as editor and managing director of one of this country’s most influential newspapers, the New Nigerian, certainly, Malam Mamman qualifies as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under our constitution and laws of the land. He does not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right,” said the Presidency’s statement.
“In an attempt to circulate the content of the interview to a wider audience, the English translation clearly did no justice to the interview, which was granted in Hausa, and as a result, the context was mixed up and new meanings were introduced and/or not properly articulated.
“The issues discussed during the interview, centered around themes on how the country could birth an appropriate process of political dialogue, leading to an evaluation, assessment, and a democratic outcome that would serve the best interest of the average Nigerian irrespective of where they come from.
“These issues remain at the heart of our evolving and young democracy, and as a veteran journalist, scholar and statesman, Malam Mamman has seen enough to add his voice to those of many other participants.”
Ace footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, has celebrated winning yet another league title by spending £5.5 million on a new luxury yacht.
Juventus were confirmed Serie A champions after a 2-0 victory over Sampdoria on Sunday, the seventh league title of Ronaldo’s career.
The 35-year-old has decided to commemorate the victory by splashing out on the vessel which boasts five cabins, six bathrooms, a large lounge as well as a kitchen. His girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez shared images on Instagram to give fans a peek inside.
Ronaldo and Rodriguez set sail for the first time this week after the yacht caught the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s eye at the Azimut-Benetti shipyards in Viareggio.
The Portuguese international picked out the yacht himself and also took his four children along.
On the pitch, it has been another scintillating season and Ronaldo has scored 31 goals in 33 league games this season.
He’s four goals behind Lazio’s Ciro Immobile in the Capocannoniere race with one game remaining.
Juventus fell to a 2-0 defeat against Cagliari last night and they face Roma on Saturday in what would be their fifth game in 12 days.
Arsenal FC has won its 14th FA Cup by coming from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1.
Christian Pulisic struck early after Olivier Giroud’s excellent flick on but Arsenal refused to cave in and got their reward for steady improvements during the first half when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was fouled by Cesar Azpilicueta just inside the penalty area. He converted the subsequent penalty.
Just as the pressure was building on his team-mates Aubameyang, in what some may fear would be his final game for Arsenal after entering the final 12 months of his contract, scored a superbly taken goal, lofting the ball over the onrushing Willy Caballero.
Congratulating Arsenal FC, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda wrote: “Bravo, congrats ARSENAL for a well deserved and needed win – FA CUP. We, FANS and supporters kept faith in you…going forward let’s aim at much bigger things. WE CAN…!!!”
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has justified its choice of the Benin-born billionaire businessman, Hosa Okunbo, as its anti-human trafficking hero on the occasion of the 2020 World Day Against Human Trafficking.
NAPTIP, in a citation uploaded on the agency’s website and social media handles on July 30, described Okunbo as a formidable individual in partnering with the agency by committing personal resources into the fight against the illicit business of human trafficking and illegal migration.
But, a group called Girls For Change, in a publication, faulted the agency’s choice of Okunbo as its 2020 Anti-Trafficking Hero.
Reacting to the group’s assertion, NAPTIP justified its position, praising Okunbo’s uncommon display of burning love, saying the philanthropist has empowered victims of human trafficking and particularly supported it (agency) to mark the 2019 World Day Against Human Trafficking.
“The group made all kinds of unfounded allegations against Captain Okunbo, which we believe he is more than capable of addressing.
“NAPTIP is a focused and professional public institution which does not involve itself in partisan politics.
“The award to Captain Hosa Okunbo was strictly based on his valuable encouragement and support for the Agency in realising its mandate.
“We urge Girls For Change and other such groups to leave NAPTIP out of their petty political bickering,” the agency said in a statement by its Head, Press and Public Relations, Adekoye Vincent.
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