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Covid -19 Lockdown :Delta Police drops charges against 18 arrested protesters

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Covid -19 Lockdown :Delta Police drops charges against 18 arrested protesters

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Police authority in Delta State, on Monday, dropped charges against the woman who led the protests over the state government extension of lockdown in Sapele, Delta State, Mrs Rosslyn Akpamrdo, and 17 others, following the intervention of some stakeholders from Sapele.

Recall that women in their hundred took to the street in a protest against what they described as insensitivity of the state government who extended the coronavirus lockdown for 14days with dusk to dawn curfew, without palliatives.

The Police had on Wednesday last arrested Mrs Rosslyn Akpamrdo, and 17 others, over their alleged involvement in civil unrest and were taken to Asaba, where they were detained for a breach of public peace and violation of COVID-19 lockdown order of the state government.

We reliably gathered that the woman leader and others were billed to be arraigned at a Magistrate Court at the state capital, but for the timely intervention of the Sapele local government Chairman, Chief Eugene Inoaghan and Rev Fr. Christopher Ekabo.

The police authority following their intervention cautioned the protesters and dropped the planned arraignment and the charges preferred against them.

When contacted, Rev Fr. Christopher Ekabo, a member Delta Christian Pilgrimage Board, confirmed their release saying that they are just perfecting their bail papers and will soon head back to Sapele.

According to him; “18 persons were arrested by the DPO and was transferred to the State CID at Asaba, and they were to be arraigned in Court on Monday, though we have been reaching out to the police authority since Thursday last week, by Monday we succeeded in persuading them not to charge them to court and they should be released.

On Tuesday they agreed to release them without pressing charges against them, but you know they have to process their papers for their release, so no charges preferred against them, they were cautioned, once they perfect their bail, they will be back to Sapele,”

When we contacted the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onowakpoyeya for confirmation, she promised to get back to us, however, as, at the time of filing this report, she is yet to get back to us.

As the time of this report, the arrested protested are yet to return to Sapele, this may not be unconnected to their inability to meet an alleged #25,000 each bail bond, a condition for their release from the police custody at Asaba.

Meanwhile, those who sustained gunshot wound as a result of the protest are still receiving treatment at Central Hospital Sapele and one at a private hospital following how critical his case was.

COVID – 19: Two new Cases In Delta, 140 Contacts Under Watch

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COVID – 19: Two new Cases In Delta, 140 Contacts Under Watch

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta State Government has announced that the state has recorded two new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Mordi Ononye, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Asaba.

He said that the new cases has brought the total confirmed cases in the state to six, with one death and five active cases.

Ononye said that the active cases were being treated at the Isolation Centres in the state.

He stated that the two new cases, one female and one male, were recorded at Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state. The commissioner further disclosed that all the patients were doing very well and urged Deltans with symptoms of the COVID-19 like fever, malaria, catarrh, cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing and loss of appetite to report to the nearest government hospital for medical evaluation and possible testing.

He that “all the patients of the active cases are in stable condition and are receiving treatment from our team of medical professionals at our isolation centres across the state.

“We have 11 persons quarantined in our holding centres, while 140 contacts are being monitored across the state.

“There is ongoing active case search in the local government areas and we urge persons with symptoms of Respiratory Tract Infection like fever, nasal catarrh, cough, chest pain, difficulty in breathing/ tightness in the chest or loss of appetite to report to any nearest government hospital for medical evaluation.”

He thanked Deltans for their continued support for the lockdown and urged them to remain obedient to government stay-at-home directive,

Ononye also called on them to ensure regular hand washing and respiratory hygiene and maintaining of Social / Physical distancing at all times

‘Hunger Virus’ now a serious threat to Covid-19 lockdown in Delta State

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‘Hunger Virus’ now a serious threat to Covid-19 lockdown in Delta State

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rassroots Publishers online, in this piece, examines how what is now known among Deltans as ‘hunger virus’ and the siege of hoodlums on some communities are threatening to scuttle the chances of the lockdown to win the fight against the spread of coronavirus.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa , on April 14, addressed the state and unveiled the strategies by his regime to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, which started in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China late 2019. In the address, Okowa adopted a similar strategy of lockdown being used in states like Lagos, Ogun  to tackle the virus, which has halted the economies of state around the nation.

The lockdown, as expected, has paralysed business activities and the informal sector of the economy, where a huge percentage of the population in the state is engaged has been badly affected. With the movement restriction order, millions of people who earn their living from proceeds of their daily activities are being battered by hunger. While many resort to begging to survive, some youths, especially those with criminal tendencies, have been moving from house to house, terrorising helpless and defenceless citizens, who are already pummelled by hunger.

The growing insecurity in the states is threatening the efficacy of the lockdown already as residents gathered in large numbers at night to ward off hoodlums attacking them. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for residents who form vigilance groups to observe the social distancing rule while fighting to stave off the rampaging armed robbers that mill around in large numbers.

Many had hoped that the hoodlums terrorising the innocent citizens would shift their focus from residential areas if Okowa should lift the lockdown order. However, the Gov. Okowa said the lockdown had helped to curb the spread of the virus to some extent and it would be extended by another two weeks to further help win the war against this invisible enemy.

Okowa said, “With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Delta State for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with government in this fight.

“This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death.Churches and  Mosques in Makkah and Madina have been closed. The Pope celebrated Mass on an empty St. Peter’s Square. The famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris held Easter Mass with less than 10 people. India, Italy and France are in complete lockdown. Other countries are in the process of following suit. We cannot be lax.

“This is a difficult decision to take, but I am convinced that this is the right decision. The evidence is clear. The repercussions of any premature end to the lockdown action are unimaginable. We must not lose the gains achieved thus far. We must not allow a rapid increase in community transmission. We must endure a little longer.”

To survive the lockdown period, some persons including artisans, okada riders, commercial drivers have been defying the stay-at-home order and are going out to look for means of feeding their family members. Aside from this category of people, hoodlums also gather in large numbers to invade communities and terrorise innocent people. To stave off the attacks, affected residents also gather together in large numbers and make bonfires from dusk till dawn everyday. These large gatherings are defeating the essence of the lockdown and many believe that, if care is not taken, the state may not gain much from the lockdown despite the sacrifices being made.

The Chairman of Lifeguard Ltd, Chief Charles Okonkwo while speaking to this Grassroots Publishers Online, raised the alarm that hungry Deltans defying the lockdown and hoodlums moving about in large numbers could cause further spread of the dreaded virus.

He said, “The virus does not move about, people move it and that is why it spreads fast. The lockdown may become ineffective to curb it if people, especially unauthorised people, are allowed to move about. Those people moving about from place to place, the hoodlums moving in large numbers and even those forming vigilante groups to stop their attackers, are threatening the efficacy of the lockdown.

“I know that many Deltans depend on what they make on a daily basis to survive and, for almost a month now, they have not worked. They will go out in search of food if they do not have what to eat and you cannot blame residents congregating in large numbers to ward off attacks. We are also worried because there are areas where the youths gather in large numbers to play football and you can’t play football and still observe social distancing.

“The government’s palliatives (Food Bank) they are talking about have not reached the real vulnerable people in the state who need them the most and that is why you see them going out in search of their daily bread. We beg those in charge of the distribution of these palliatives to imbibe equity and justice. I believe people will obey the stay-at-home order if the palliatives can go round. Government should also do more to make the palliatives get to more vulnerable people. Security agencies should also devise new strategies to combat crime so that people can feel secure while staying at home.”

The Okowa palliatives being distributed  must not be politicised but should be given to the vulnerable people to encourage them to obey the government’s directive.

Okonkwo said, “Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended says the welfare and security of citizens shall be the primary purpose of government. COVID-19 pandemic is a clear test case of the import of that provision. Of the desirable good things of life, good health and longevity are the ultimate. It is the responsibility of governments to promote good health for all.

“The United Nations in its different protocols and resolutions lends credence to this. Lockdown by government at federal and state levels are a vehicle to promoting good health, longevity and avoid premature deaths by preventing community spread of COVID-19. We should remind ourselves that the majority of Nigerians operate at the informal sector of the economy with all its vicissitudes and imponderables. Lockdown implies freezing of income, and unemployment for majority of Nigerians.

“An Ibusa adage says he who ties down a goat must provide it with feeding. Governments at all levels must make provisions for compensations to those who are losing income as a result of freedom of movement. To do otherwise is an invitation to chaos and lawlessness. Should governments feel persuaded to do so, it needs rigorous social research and data, which may not be readily available.

“But hungry people suffering from pains of the lockdown cannot wait forever. What then can be done? Governments can then resort to what they are at best doing — guesswork. The scale of suffering under the lockdown is unprecedented. And Deltans of different social classes are responding in diverse ways. All sorts of coping strategies are being improvised. Deltans who have as well non-governmental organisations are also intervening in the lives of the core poor. But these subsidies cannot travel far. Near total coverage of the vulnerable population is the responsibility of governments at all levels. There can be no excuses to allow the poor to die. This will be social murder.

“These interventions must not be for political patronage and hegemonic consolidation. It must be undertaken with dignity and a large dose of humanity. I have seen only jamboree and chaos in much of the recent interventions. Indeed, the targets are being missed and many are grabbing from all available sources. The loopholes are profound and the politics of distribution has been petty and dirty. In some ugly scenes, people are being asked for party membership cards or voters card. Are the effects of lockdown immune to colour of political party, religion, race or ethnicity?

“To do otherwise will produce further misery, hunger, stealing, robbery and generalised breakdown of law and order. If government responds with force, deaths may be the outcome. Avoidance of death, which the lockdown seeks to prevent, may, painfully though, become the eventual outcome. Governments must not allow the situation to degenerate to the point of escalating the current unacceptable security architecture.”

The private and corporate donations  to the state Government to assist in the fight against COVID-19, stated categorically that a substantial part of the fund should be given to assist the vulnerable people to cope at this time because their means of livelihoods had been frozen by the lockdown.

The one week left of the second part of the lockdown order will determine if the objective of the 14-day stay-at-home directive would be met or not. Either way, the security agencies have a pivotal role to play in government’s determination to rid the nation of the deadly virus.

“I know that security agents are trying but they need to do more. The IGP should empower commissioners of police to do more because they are the ones on the ground in their respective states. This will make the area commands and divisional police stations to do more. The police are even lucky because they have the complement of the military around on law enforcement duties. This should be maximised.”

“There is the need to ensure security of lives and properties in such areas as well. Hoodlums take advantage of porous situations like this and it may not be limited to Delta communities alone. So, security men all over the country should be at alert and do more, especially at this time so that the nation can be safe.

 

COVID-19: FRSC Begins Production Of Customised Face Masks For Personnel

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COVID-19: FRSC Begins Production Of Customised Face Masks For Personnel
Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Federal Road Safety Corps has commenced the production and distribution of customised face masks for its personnel across the country.

This development according to the corp came in response to the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to procure and distribute locally made face masks for use by their staff as part of established efforts to quell the spread of the virus.

FRSC Spokesperson Bisi Kazeem, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja quoted the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi to have directed the tailoring unit of the Corps to commence immediate and speedy production and distribution of customised face masks for Officers and Marshals of the Corps nationwide.

Adding that the directive was due to the critical role the Corps plays in the ongoing enforcement of the National restriction order.

Kazeem noted that FRSC personnel being at the front line in the enforcement of the Presidential restriction order on Covid-19, they have every tendency of coming in contact with different categories of people including carriers of the infectious disease, and as such deserve to adopt all precautionary measures, especially the constant use of face masks while discharging their statutory functions.

He further stated that the produced facemasks to be distributed to personnel have been certified by medical experts to be fit for use by all Staff.

The Spokesperson recalled that in the wake of the pandemic, the Corps Marshal had proactively supervised the distribution of alcohol based sanitizers and the conventional medical face masks to staff at the National Headquarters and other formations including the National Driver’s Licence capture centres

NDDC FORENSIC AUDIT: COMMISSION INVITES EFCC

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NDDC FORENSIC AUDIT: COMMISSION INVITES EFCC
Professor Kemebradikumo
Ponde,
The acting Managing Director, NDDC

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has expressed the desire for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to assist the firms contracted for the forensic audit of the Commission by the federal
government.

The acting managing director of the Commission, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei made the offer on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, during a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the EFCC.

Prof. Pondei who said he was at the Commission to “establish good working relationship with the EFCC”, expressed the need for the auditors to interface with the EFCC.

He also requested for the Commission’s assistance in looking at cases of contract awarded and paid for but not executed. “We have reports of projects awarded and paid for but not executed. There is need for us to work on these cases”, he said.

The NDDC boss noted that petitions, both genuine and frivolous, from communities on abandoned projects, have become a source of distraction to the management committee. He, therefore, requested for a status report on all NDDC cases being investigated by the EFCC.

In his remarks, the EFCC Zonal Head, Usman Imam described the visit by the NDDC team as remarkable, noting that it will go a long way in helping to bridge whatever gaps exist between the agencies.

While congratulating the interim management committee on its appointment, Imam pointed out that its assignment appears daunting in the face of extreme negative public perception of the agency.

He noted that when he assumed office as Zonal Head in Port Harcourt, he believed that NDDC was next to oil bunkering when it comes to corruption.

“I believe government is mindful of this negative image which is the reason for the appointment of the interim management committee and the institution of a forensic audit”, Imam said; while urging the management to strive to change the perception by delivering on the mandate given to it by Mr. President.

“I want to assure you that the Commission is willing to support you through the investigation of any alleged case of fraud. What we require from you is willingness to share information and trust in our ability to handle such cases with dispatch”, he stated.

Kingibe, Adamu, Ali, Mustapha, 5 others in frame to succeed Kyari

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Kingibe, Adamu, Ali, Mustapha, 5 others in frame to succeed Kyari

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he next Chief of Staff to the President is likely to emerge from a field of nine notable public figures, as the seat of power tries to get over the shocking demise of the former occupant of the office, Mallam Abba Kyari.

Kyari died on Friday night and was buried at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja on Saturday.

The Nation gathered on Saturday that the search for Kyari’s replacement has to get underway as early as possible in view of the importance of the office to the smooth functioning of the Presidency.

Several power brokers are already showing interest in who gets the post.

Sources said that the emergence of the next Chief of Staff may depend largely on the advisory of the President’s nephew and confidant, Mallam Mamman Daura, who stuck out his neck for Kyari.

Those being tipped for the position include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Education Minister Adamu Adamu (arguably the closest cabinet member to the President); Customs Comptroller-General, Hamid Ali; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and a former Minister, Ismaila Isa Funtua.

Others are Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Ya’u Shehu Darazo; a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa; and the immediate past Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Jalal Arabi.

Five of the nine candidates are considered part of the President’s kitchen cabinet, otherwise called “The Cabal.”

Although El-Rufai is not ranked as a member of the inner circle, he is always consulted when necessity demands.

In the case of Marwa he is seen as the choice of Mrs. Aisha Buhari for the office.

Some bigwigs prefer SGF Mustapha for endearing himself to all with his sterling performance, loyalty and maturity with which he is serving the Buhari administration.

Arabi’s 12 years’ experience as State House Counsel and later Permanent Secretary is considered a plus for him in the race.

Investigations revealed that members of the kitchen cabinet would want the slot for one of them for continuity, having been privy to the modus operandi of the late Kyari.

It was gathered that if the President bows to the demand of “The Cabal”, the search may be narrowed down to five persons: Kingibe, Adamu, Ali, Darazo and Funtua.

A reliable source said: “The choice of Kyari’s successor won’t be easy, especially because he made the office the locus of power. President Buhari is known to have relied on him so much that he is regarded as the pillar of the administration.

“It is expected that whoever succeeds him in official and unofficial capacities must have most of the qualities which made Buhari to strike a bond with Abba Kyari for 40 years.”

A snapshot of some candidates is as follows:

BABAGANA KINGIBE



In the last five years, Kingibe, who will be 75 years old on June 25, has been one of the powers behind the throne.

Going by the permutations of power brokers, Kingibe fits into Kyari’s shoes having served as SGF (2007-2008), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1993-1995), Minister of Internal Affairs (1995-1997); and Minister of Power and Steel from 1997-1998.

A Kanuri like the late Abba Kyari, Kingibe is an astute technocrat and politician. He was, in the stillborn Third Republic, pioneer chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and later running mate of the late Chief Moshood Abiola in the truncated 1993 presidential election. He is, however, disliked in the Southern wing of the progressives where he is seen as a renegade. He bounced back into reckoning under this administration where he has been saddled with official and unofficial assignments by the President.

A source said: “If Kingibe is appointed as the next Chief of Staff, it might change the colour of the jostle for power in 2023 as he might use the office to take a shot at the presidency. This may provoke North-South rivalry because power is expected to shift to the South in 2023 after the eight-year tenure of President Buhari.

“Age factor and its related health challenges may not favour Kingibe who is well-loved by the President. He is one of the key members of ‘The Cabal’ behind Buhari.”

ADAMU ADAMU



Until the miraculous renewal of the tenure of the late Kyari, the expectation of some close aides of the President was that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who is the only cabinet member who has the ears of the President at any time, would clinch the post. Adamu had acted more as a Personal Assistant to Buhari for decades based on love, shared principles and faith in the President. He was the only minister given the privilege to assess the list of ministerial nominees and to oversee the assignment of portfolios.

A source recalled the politics of the reappointment of Kyari and what happened during a trip to Saudi Arabia.

The source added: “Before constituting his present cabinet, Buhari went on a trip to Saudi Arabia and Adamu was on the entourage.

“While in Saudi Arabia, a respected influential person in the power corridors was even begging the Minister not to decline to be Chief of Staff if offered by the President.

“We do not know whether or not the Minister refused to be the Chief of Staff and Buhari decided to retain Kyari.

“With his Spartan discipline, incorruptible principles and a cosmopolitan outlook, Adamu is actually the man to beat for the job. He likes operating behind the scene than being a minister.”

Born on May 25, 1956, Adamu will be 64 years old next month leaving him with age advantage. He is a shrewd accountant, writer and reputable journalist.

It could not be immediately confirmed if it is true or not that Adamu has some health challenges.

HAMID IBRAHIM ALI



A disciplinarian, Ali was Military Administrator of Kaduna State between 1996 to 1998 with a rare anti-corruption agenda. He has taken the same sanitization drive to the Nigeria Customs Service where he has tightened the noose on corrupt officers and men. In 1997, he sacked about 30,000 striking civil servants and detained 18 local government chairmen. He believes in the carrot and stick approach and he does not care whose ox is gored.

Born 15 January, 1955 (now 65 years), Ali, who is a confidant of the President, was penciled down as Buhari’s Chief of Staff in 2015 until he was outsmarted in palace politics for being “non-conformist and tight fisted.” He is a former Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and a tidy record keeper with disdain for ostentation.

YA’U DARAZO

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Ya’u Shehu Darazo may appear little known but to those conversant with the power game in this administration, he cannot be dismissed. He is the Secretary of ‘The Cabal’ and the unseen hand before some appointments, especially some youthful ministers.

Although there was a Presidential Campaign Council for 2019 poll, Darazo headed a team which strategized for the re-election of the President in 2019. All the political accords and manoeuvres which earned Buhari victory in some states were managed and coordinated by Darazo.

Highly organized, Darazo has been a long time associate of President Buhari.

BOSS MUSTAPHA



Calm, cool-headed and polished, SGF Boss Mustapha was not in the reckoning of ‘The Cabal’ until fate dealt him a favourable hand when a former SGF Babachir Lawal quit office. Within a short time in office, Mustapha, who became the SGF in 2017, has brought his background as a lawyer, businessman and politician to bear on his assignment. Between 1998 and 2006, he was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) until he joined forces with progressive-minded politicians in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Two factors might work against him namely being a Christian minority from the North and as well as not belonging to core loyalists of Buhari. He lives a decent and non-aligned life. But he has performed his duties in a manner that he has become a favourite of the President, climaxing in his choice as the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on the containment of COVID-19. On merit, Mustapha would be a right peg in the right hole.

BUBA MARWA



One factor in favour of Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa is his excellent record of performance as Military Administrator (MILAD) of Borno and Lagos States. Born September 9, 1953, the 66 years old general was one of the elite officers in the Nigerian Army who obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.

He had attempted to be the PDP presidential candidate for 2007 polls but withdrew for the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. A former Aide-de-Camp to a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, the ex-MILAD is currently chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse. He is polished, intellectually deep and a pan-Nigerian – qualities needed in a Chief of Staff. But Marwa’s unstable political career could be his undoing.

A source said: “Some forces within the first family, including Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wanted the ex-Military Administrator to be made the Chief of Staff at the commencement of the second term, but counter-forces from the kitchen cabinet frustrated it.

“When the lobbying was stuck, they made a case for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for the former MILAD which also failed. This is a second chance for him.

“Although the ex-MILAD will add value to the government, the only hurdle facing him is how he allegedly abandoned Buhari in the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) in 2011 for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) without deferring to him. Some loyalists of Buhari do not want him near the power corridors.”

JALAL AHMAD ARABI

Said to be liked by the late Abba Kyari, the 1983 Law graduate of the University of Jos was appointed State House Permanent Secretary on November 11, 2015. Before then, he was the State House Counsel for many years. He ran into a storm in 2017 for allegedly being too prudent, including cutting the budget for the Office of the First Lady. But he was saved from suspension by Kyari. He is a very good administrator.

A source said: “If Buhari is tired of having aged administrators as Chief of Staff, he can try a core civil servant and Jalal is a favourite of some power holders.”

ISMAILA ISA FUNTUA

A former President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua, who is a member of the so-called cabal, is eminently qualified. He has been a public administrator, newspaper publisher and successful businessman. He was also a Minister in the Second Republic (1979-1983). Born in 1942, he fits the President’s known preference for older figures.

An Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), he was at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies where he was Monitor General of Course Nine. He will likely have the full backing of another member of the unofficial kitchen cabinet -Mamman Daura.

In an interview with Arise Television, Funtua said: “I’m not a member of any cabal, I’m cabal myself. What is cabal? In short, I think it means kitchen cabinet, people that you trust. People you believe will not deceive you, that they can do things in the interest of the country.”

However, his emergence may be stoutly resisted by the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari. Some may also raise eyebrows that Funtua is, like the President, from Katsina State and an in-law to the President because his son is married to Buhari’s daughter.

NASIR El RUFAI

He is relatively young, charismatic, brilliant, brutally frank and courageous. He has been a political follower of President Buhari since the CPC was founded just before the 2011 election. He is the President’s confidant who is not afraid of criticism. He is believed to have lobbied for the office before the 2019 elections. Despite being governor of Kaduna State, 60-year-old El-Rufai is said to be interested.

At the moment, he too, like Kyari before his demise, is battling the dreaded Covid-19. Major baggage for him may be the distrust of the cabal and the Northern traditional and religious elite. A presidential hopeful, his penchant for controversy might be his Achilles Heel.
Source: The Nation

COVID-19: Delta to make face masks compulsory for residents

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COVID-19: Delta to make face masks compulsory for residents

The Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the outcome of the virtual State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday in Asaba.

Mr Aniagwu said for the government to give effect to the decision on the face mask, the governor would send an Executive Bill to the House of Assembly for a law on it.

“We are concerned about the lives of our people and a decision to send a bill to the house of assembly to make it compulsory for everyone to wear a face mask before appearing in public was taken.

“By next week, the government will provide face masks free to the people,” he said.

He said the decision was based on the fact that, to a large extent, face masks had helped to reduce the spread of the virus, the causative agent of COVID-19.

The commissioner said other far-reaching decisions were also taken toward further cushioning the effects of COVID-19 on the state’s economy.

He said activities of Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR) were reviewed to ensure that government’s income was recovered without inflicting further pains on the people.

“During the meeting, we also resolved that all protocols must be observed in the process of awarding contracts or procurements, to ensure transparency, and for our people to always get value for their money.

“The decision to lock down the state was reviewed. We expressed satisfaction that the proactive lockdown of the state had paid off.

“We have taken a lot of samples for tests and so far, the results that we have received are negative.

“It is unfortunate that we lost one person and we are grateful to God that the three cases that we have now are doing well.

“Once their results come out negative twice, they will return to their families.

“Officials of the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) have praised the state government for the level of preparedness for the COVID-19.

“But, in spite of the proactive steps taken, we are not praying for people to come to the centres notwithstanding the high standard of the facilities at the centres,” he said.

The commissioner said the distribution of food items to the vulnerable groups by the state government was effective as they got to the targeted people in the state.

He said the items were distributed by carefully selected individuals who identified the vulnerable people living in the communities.

Mr Aniagwu said the executive council had commended individuals and corporate organisations that made donations to the state, adding that their names would be publicly acknowledged.

He said: “There is no way the government can feed everybody; it is impossible, but we know ourselves. If you have, give to your neighbour.

“As a government, we do know that times are hard and we took steps to reach out to the 270 wards in the state and also reached out to the vulnerable groups.

“The results we are getting from the 270 wards are encouraging, because the government made it clear that anyone who engaged in sharp practices during the distribution of the food would have himself/herself to blame.”

Ugbomah commends Okowa’s Proactive Leadership role

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Ugbomah commends Okowa’s Proactive Leadership role
Engr. Philip Chukwumah Ugbomah

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]PC Foundation Chairman ,a Civil Engineer, who refer to himself as a “Bricklayer” Engr. Philip Chukwumah Ugbomah has commended Governor Okowa for his exemplary leadership role in the state through the several people-oriented programmes and policies, especially for his resilience towards curtailing the spread of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

The CPC Foundation Chairman, who disclosed this in Asaba, said that the deadly corona virus, necessitating the stay at home directive by the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa , had claimed the lives of many.

Engr.Ugbomah said that in demonstration of his sincerity to the plight and welfare of his people of Ndokwa East Local Government Area his CPC Foundation has made donations to help elevate the suffering of the people whom he noted had being supportive of the Okowa administration since inception.

Engr.Ugbomah, who informed the people that the lockdown declared by the Governor was not intended to punish Deltans and residents in the state but is a deliberate approach designed to reduce the spread of the disease.

He, however, advised the people to always maintain social distancing and wash their hands properly before applying alcohol based sanitisers he added that the disease is no respecter of anybody.

The CPC Foundation Chairman enjoined the people to make judicious use of the palliatives, which his CPU Foundation,State government and other bodies donated to them.

Lockdown: Okowa’s timely intervention has help to curb the spread of the virus – Engr. Ugbomah

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Lockdown: Okowa’s timely intervention has help to curb the spread of the virus – Engr. Ugbomah
Engr. Philip Chukwumah Ugbomah
Chairman, CPU
Foundation

[dropcap]S[/dropcap]enator Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has been commended for his proactive measures aimed at tackling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
CPC Foundation Chairman ,a Civil Engineer, who refers to himself as a “Bricklayer” Engr. Philip Chukwumah Ugbomah said Okowa’s timely intervention has help to curb the spread of the virus and saved a lot of Deltans from the effects of the ravaging pandemic.
Engr. Ugbomah in a chat on Sunday afternoon in Asaba, said that when the governor took the decision as a professional medical expert who was working with professionals in different fields, many people saw it to be in the best interest of Deltans.
He observed that at a time like this, the most important factor at stake was saving lives, hence the governor’s prompt intervention deserved commendation.

Engr. Ugbomah said, “As events unfold on daily basis, we see reasons to commend the proactive approach by our Governor and members of his team in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.
As a state that is strategically located as gateway to the South-South and South-East and even waterways to the South West, it was like an impossible task to lock it down; but its location too placed it on greater danger as those on transit were bound to stop over. This is why we commend Governor Okowa for not only taking a proactive step but a bold and daring step to curb the effects of Covid-19 on Deltans.

“The good thing about our governor is that he puts the interest of the people first; and, so far, he deserves accolades with the way he has managed this impromptu and unbudgeted-for pandemic.

“As usual, most states would want to learn from the state, especially with the recent distribution of food without considering party affiliation.
“It is a time for all hands to be on deck to assist the needy in the society without making such assistance political, because it is a challenging period that people did not prepare for.

“We believe that we shall come out from this pandemic healthier and better, as I am confident that the Delta State will continue to grow in terms of development; all that we need is patience and strict adherence to the rules that will save us from Covid-19.

CPU foundation  therefore, encouraged Deltans not to see the lockdown extension by Governor Okowa as a punishment, but a measure to further control the spread of the killer COVID-19 in the state. Deltans should remain prayerful, remain at home, wash our hands regularly and generally obey government directives, which will always be in our best interest.”

Covid-19: OSEME, ANIOCHA NORTH COUNCIL CHAIR, COMMENDS GOV OKOWA FOR STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE

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Covid-19: OSEME, ANIOCHA NORTH COUNCIL CHAIR, COMMENDS GOV OKOWA FOR STOMACH INFRASTRUCTURE

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Chairman, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State and Chairman of the Council’s COVID-19 Palliative Committee, Hon. Chuks Oseme, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for providing stomach infrastructure to the people of Aniocha North council area.

Hon. Oseme gave the commendation during the distribution of food items provided by the state government to cushion the effect of the stay at home order at the council Secretariat, Issele-uku.

He said the gesture was a welcome development, hence will go a long way in ameliorating the effect of the lockdown.

He said the gesture was a welcome development, hence will go a long way in ameliorating the effect of the lockdown.

According to him, “We have taken full delivery of what he (Okowa) promised. He has transformed our infrastructure and now, he is transforming our stomach.

“We have handed over the items to the President Generals of the communities in the council area for onward distribution to the poorest of the poor”

“Politicians are not involved in the sharing but the seven man committee can only supervise the distribution process.”

Addressing the PGs, the council boss emphasized that the sharing was community based, stressing the need for the beneficiaries to be household based devoid of political consideration whatsoever.

The seven man Palliative Committee in local government include; Chairman of the  Palliative committee, Hon Chuks Oseme, other members are, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Mr lfeanyi Egwuyenga, Mr Emma Chinye,  Barr Mrs Ada kachikwu and Aniocha North CAN Chairman, Rev Fr Innocent.

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