Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Monday, June 8 2020, advised all members of the public who had recently patronised the fairly used fabric and shoes stalls at Oja Oba market in Akure, where the 41st case was picked up, to present themselves to health facilities for immediate testing and proper care.

It will be recalled that the 41st case, a female trader who was confirmed positive in Imo State, escaped isolation and sneaked into Ondo State, where she was tracked to the Oja-Oba market Akure, Akure South LGA where she sells fairly used fabrics and shoes.

Governor Akeredolu advised the people to call the Government toll-free numbers so as to get immediate help, adding that there is no shame in illness and there is no reproach in seeking and getting healing.

The Governor, who spoke during the weekly Press briefing on Covid-19 latest development in the state, said the state has recorded 19 new active cases in the last 12 days, as against the 24 cases announced as at 27th May.

While noting that the additional 19 new cases add up to make a total of 43 cases as at today, the Governor analysed the Local Government Areas confirmed cases as: Akure South (22), Odigbo (3), Owo (3), Ose (3), Akure North (2), Ondo West (5), Okitipupa (2), Akoko South East (1), Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo (1), Ifedore (1).

According to the him, there are fourteen total cases on admission, seven death cases recorded, twenty-two total discharged cases out of 568 total cases reported, 663 total samples collected and 655 total lab results received, while the state is currently following 113 contacts.

Governor Akeredolu, who expressed worry over the reality of community transmission, urged the people to place more value on their lives and living than any other things in the mean time.

He said the situation on ground calls for dire, swift and sustained measures, adding that Government will proceed to take all necessary steps to reverse the threat to the people of the state.

He said: “To this end, the following steps have been approved as our invigorated approach to the spread of the pandermic; All residents are encouraged to practise, more than before, social and physical distancing, use of facemasks, handwashing and travel restriction, All Premiership football viewing centres are hereby banned from operations until further notice.

“All religious organisations are to further ensure stringent implementation of the agreed guidelines for worship. All our earlier regulations about operations of the main and community markets will be revisited, in which case law enforcement agencies and the Governor's Task Force will ensure full enforcement.”

Governor Akeredolu also thanked all religious leaders in the state for their courage and noble efforts at enforcing the precautionary measures agreed upon before reopening the worship activities.

Olabode Richard Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
June 8, 2020.

� Nguher Gabrielle Zaki

Although All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke and Senator Ajayi Boroffice, representing Ondo North Senatorial District, are interested in the replacement of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in this year’s governorship election, they are currently on warring path. This is even as they accused each other of working for the second term bid of Akeredolu. The war of words between them followed the emergence of Oke as the consensus aspirant of the Unity Forum.
The Unity Forum, headed by a former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, was the platform through which aggrieved APC chieftains in Ondo hoped to stop the second term bid of Akeredolu. Cracks emerged in the forum when Oke was announced the consensus aspirant. Over 10 other aspirants in the forum have vowed to independently pursue their mandate.
Senator Borofice, who doubles as the patron of the Unity Forum, out rightly rejected Oke as the forum’s consensus aspirants and said it was a ploy to give Akeredolu an easy second term in office.
Borofice in a statement urged other aspirants to prepare for the primaries alleging that the plan was for Oke to step down few days to the primaries after getting assurances that Akeredolu would hand over to him in 2024.
According to the statement issued by Borofice media aide, Kayode Fakuyi, “The media report suggesting that Unity Forum has adopted a consensus candidate to represent the Forum in Ondo APC governorship primary election is misleading. The fact is that Unity Forum has no consensus candidate.
But the Unity Mandate Group said Borofice was only playing politics of divide and rule to frustrate successes of the Unity Forum.
According to the Coordinator of the group, Comrade Babatope Abisola, “All along, Senator Borofice has been working underground to cause crisis in order for him to emerge as a neutral candidate to run. We are aware of his moves with the current deputy governor, to undermine us for them to run as candidates. We stand by the mandate given to Chief Olusola Oke”.
Last week, the Unity Mandate Group came harder on Boroffice by accusing him of creating the template of crisis in the Unity Forum so as to either allow Akeredolu go for another term or install a puppet governor in the person of Dapo Adelegan.
In a statement, the group said Senator Boroffice raised the alarm over “illegal” registration of persons into the APC across the 203 wards in the state and those registered were given fake APC membership cards.
Comrade Abisola who named Boroffice as the brain behind the fake APC membership cards’ production said it was part of a broader plan by some APC chieftains to rig if the party adopts the direct mode of primary for the state.
According to Abisola, “It is necessary we call the attention of all our national leaders in APC, including President Muhammadu Buhari, about the ongoing fake membership registration exercise in Ondo State.
““Anyone planning to perform illegality will be resisted; nobody can intimidate us and those having such plan will rig themselves into the water.
Senator Boroffice, who spoke through his media aide, Kayode Fayuki, described the allegation as laughable and described the group as faceless and not credible.
Chief Oke however dissociated himself from activities of the Unity Mandate Agenda, saying it was fictitious group.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/06/08/ondo-2020-borofice-oke-fight-dirty/

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Ajayi Agboola, may resign this week.
Sources said the resignation was to enable him defect to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party where he is expected to contest for the governorship.
Relationship between Agboola and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has since collapsed over issues of trust and betrayal.
It was gathered that some APC lawmakers in the Ondo State House of Assembly would also resign their membership of the APC and join the PDP.
Candidate of the PDP in the 2016 governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede, hinted on the defection of Agboola last week when he picked his nomination form. Jegede stated that the coming of Agboola to the PDP “demonstrated that the APC has collapsed and Agboola needs to look for a good house.”
According to Jegede, “If APC was and is good, Agboola Ajayi would not leave APC. If PDP is bad, he would not say he is coming to PDP.
Spokesman for Agboola, Babatope Okeowo, said his boss does not need to resign as Deputy to contest the governorship election.
Okeowo said it was not true that his boss would resign this week. He said his boss could contest whether in the PDP or the APC without resigning from office.

Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, in an interview last week said Governor Akeredolu was not interested in impeaching or removing the Deputy Governor.
He said, “Mr. Governor believes that whoever wants to leave his government can leave at any time. He will not raise a finger to push anybody out.
If the governor is having enough majority, a comfortable majority that is more than two-third in the House of Assembly and he has no problem dealing with them, then why must he go-ahead that they must impeach someone?
“In the history of Nigeria, I can say that the Office of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, I’m not talking about the personality but the office of the Deputy Governor became more powerful and more influential from 2017 till date under Akeredolu.
Since Akeredolu came on board, the office of the Deputy Governor became more powerful than it was.
And if actually, they have parted ways, it will be unfortunate and only betrayal of trust and confidence, could have been the reason.”

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/06/08/ondo-2020-akeredolus-deputy-may-resign-join-pdp/

Domestic carriers are ramping up efforts to meet the new checklist rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for resumption of flights.
NCAA on Wednesday reaffirmed the June 21 date approved by the Federal Government for five airports in the country to be reopened for aviation businesses as part of the second phase of the eased of COVID-19 lockdown.
NCAA checklist which is contained in a circular titled” “Post-COVID -19 Guidelines for Domestic Carriers”, requires the airlines to service and disinfect their aircraft, train their crew and other technical personnel before June 21.
Investigations by The Nation revealed that Aero Contractors of Nigeria, Air Peace, DANA Air, Arik Air, Overland Airways, Max Air and AZMAN Air are reworking their operation manuals to comply with the guidelines.
Investigations also revealed that the engineer units of other carriers are rushing to complete checks on their airplanes.
Besides compliance with airworthiness checklist, most of the airlines are trying to meet the health protocols rolled out by the NCAA.
Managing Director of Aero Contractors Ado Sanusi said the oldest indigenous carrier was ready to be airborne at the scheduled time.
Sanusi said: “We have some protocols that need to be done but in every contest we (Aero) are ready to start anytime from now and I believe most of the airlines too have gone far in all the protocols the NCAA wants us to do.
Read Also: NCAA issues post COVID-19 rules for international flights
“Most of them are trainings and some kind of manuals that we need to do and some also are the acquisition of the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the crew. Some are reviewing the procedures that we need to follow during check in and disembarking.”
He added that from June 5, 2020, the Ministry of the Environment will be at the airports to disinfect the airplanes
Sanusi however said disinfecting the inside of any aircraft must be in compliance with the recommendations of the manufacturer.
“We must look at what they will use to disinfect the planes because it must be in conformation with what the manufacturers say we can use to disinfect inside the airplane,” he explained.
Spokespersons for Arik Air, Mr Adebanji Ola, Air Peace, Stanley Olisa and Kingsley Ezenwa of DANA Air, said the carriers were technically ready for flight operations as they were working round the clock to meet all regulatory requirements and other protocols necessary for resumption.
Ola said: “We are fully ready as an airline and adequately complying with the prescribed guidelines. We have prepared our flight crew and aircraft for the scheduled date. I can confirm to you that Arik Air is technically ready.”
“Air Peace is technically ready. We have beefed up efforts to get our flying crew ready. Our ground operations unit and relevant department are set for the scheduled date. We hope the June 21, 2020 date for airports re-opening is definite.” Olisa said.
Ezenwa on his part said DANA Air was 100 per cent ready for flight resumption.
General Manager, Public Affairs of the NCAA Sam Adurogboye told The Nation on Wednesday that the regulatory body had been working with the airlines to meet the checklist before the June 21 reopening date.
According to him, airlines that failed to meet the directives as contained in the checklist would not be allowed to resume operations.
He said: “There is a checklist. You must show that you have maintained your aircraft; your personnel must undergo the required training and meet the given protocols to ensure that passengers are protected onboard your flight.
“This has been an ongoing process before the date of resumption was announced and some of the airlines have met these conditions. One of the airlines is already operating special services. It means they have met the condition to operate.
“Based on the checklist, we are looking at how airlines maintain and disinfect their aircraft as well as airports getting disinfected.”



https://thenationonlineng.net/airlines-get-set-for-june-21-flight-resumption/

A group of researchers at the Olabisi Onabanjo University , Ogun State , has produced COVID – 19 preventive , treatment and management herb tagged, OOU - Anjo Anti - COVID -19 herbal syrup.
The Vice -Chancellor of the university , Prof. Ganiyu Olatunde , stated this on Tuesday in Ago- Iwoye.
The vice -chancellor also unveiled three other products ; automated dispenser hands sanitiser, personal hands sanitiser and face masks , which were produced by the researchers .
Olatunde said the herbal syrup had been submitted to the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control for approval .
He said, “ Our university is one of the core universities that engage in research into the COVID - 19 pandemic and in partnership with Anjo , one of our core effective partners in herbal medicine , we’ ve been able to produce an anti- COVID -19 herbal syrup which we’ ve processed to NAFDAC for approval .
“ So, I can assure you that it went through all the necessary protocols that you can have in trying to produce a herbal syrup. It ’ s a joint efforts of Anjo and the Olabisi Onabanjo Department of Medicine Research of this university . ”
One of the researchers , acting Director , Research , Linkages and Advancement , OOU , Dr Ashidi Joseph, said the remedy was formulated based on results of post - mortem research conducted on those who died of COVID -19 infection as the team had no access to samples of COVID - 19 patients for laboratory test with the syrup.
https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/06/03/oou-produces-anti-covid-19-herb-awaits-nafdac-approval/

Akeredolu Breaks Silence on Direct primary.

Ahead of f October 10, 2020 governorship election in Ondo state, the incumbent Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the weekend declared that he will be ready for any mode of primary election that will use to pick the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the primaries slated for July 20.

The governor also dismissed insinuation that he is afraid of direct primary system, noting that most of those advocating or clamouring for the direct primary election do not even have structures to win any contest in the party.

Akeredolu who spoke in Akure, the state capital through the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said he is popular and had performed well to win any mode of primary election conducted by the APC.

Some of the Governorship Aspirants in the state including Hon Isaacs Kekemeke and the Unity Forum leadership chaired by former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi had advocated the adoption direct primary system, claiming that it was a mode that will enable all APC members to choice the party’s candidate for the October 10 polls.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the governor, Ojogo flanked by other members of the governor’s media team, pointed out that it was strange that some of the party’s chieftains who are parading themselves as governorship aspirants would not obtain nomination form while others were only known on social media.

The National Secretariat of the APC said it was yet to take a final decision on the mode of primaries to adopt in picking its Ondo State governorship candidate while Direct primary had been approved for Edo governorship primary slated for June, 2020.

Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission had fixed the governorship elections in both Edo and Ondo states for September 19 and October 10, respectively.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/31/ondo-2020-im-ready-for-apc-direct-primary-or-any-other-system-akeredolu-2/

….orders Cancellation of form charge at LG loans Board.

……. NUT, NLC hail Governor's package.

In fulfillment of his earlier promise and history making movement today, as the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, flagged off disbursement of car loans for primary school teachers across the state, with a directive to the local government loans Board to stop collecting N6,000 form charges from primary school teachers and local government workers.

Ondo State government car loan for primary school teachers is a one digit interest loan in which cheques of 47.6 million naira were disbursed.

At the distribution of cheques to beneficiaries of the primary school teachers' loan held at Government House Ground Akure, Akeredolu said it was an injustice for the local government loans board to be collecting form charges from primary school teachers on car loans while other workers and secondary school teachers were not being surcharged before obtaining car loans in the state.

The governor who said the order should be effected immediately at the local government loans board, said the car loan scheme was part of deliberate steps by his administration to enhance welfare of primary school teachers.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Sunday Adeleye-Oluwole had earlier asked the governor to stop collection of loan form charger of #6,000 that was being collected from benefitting primary school teachers.

Also, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Victor Amoko, had described the disbursement of the loans to the primary school teachers as historic and watershed as it was the first time in the south west zone that primary school teachers would be considered for such scheme.

Akeredolu, who thanked the workers in the state for their understanding and support, assured that his administration would ensure more workers and teachers benefit from such welfare packages when the state finance improves.

Akeredolu who explained that the opportunity would be spread once the State's purse became buoyant, cautioned relevant government's agencies against every form of abuse and corrupt practices in the disbursement of the car loans and pension payment.

The governor also noted that arrangements had been made to employ more teachers as soon as possible to complement massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of classrooms in the state.

Appreciating Governor Akeredolu for the gesture, the state NLC chairman, Comrade Adeleye Oluwole and a beneficiary, Mr Willie Famuwagun described the step as the first since the creation of the state in 1976

Also speaking, the state NUT chairman, comrade Victor Amoko who also commended governor Akeredolu for the rare privilege, encouraged the beneficial primary school teachers to maximise the money for better economic advantage and educational advancement.

Amoko said, "It is indeed an honour and a very rare 'privilegeto stand here today witnessing history being made and the fulfilment of a long awaited dream.

"Your Excellency, this is a watershed in that you have succeeded in recording a very novel and another unprecedented loud first in workers welfare especially to the Teachers in the Primary Schools here in our Sunshine State.

"With every sense of humility, Sir, this is the very first time since the creation of Ondo State that Teachers in Primary School will' have access to Car Loan from any Government via a Loan Revolving scheme. Mr. Governor, On behalf of the Teachers, I say, very big thank you," Amoko said.

The NUT National President was represented by a national officer of the Union and former Ondo state Chairman of NLC, Comrade M.M. Braimoh



https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/28/arakunrin-akeredolu-grants-car-loans-to-teachers-in-ondo-state/

Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has directed the resumption of guided religious activities throughout the state.

The Governor said only weekly Friday Jumat services and Sunday Church services will commence in the first instance, while daily programmes within the week are not yet approved for take off.

He said Religious leaders and administrators must ensure strict compliance with the social and physical distancing in the places of worship.

He said:"In the case of churches, not more than three people are expected to sit on a pew, while the equivalent applies to the sitting positions in the mosques and other worship centres as well. "

Governor Akeredolu, who spoke on the latest development of the Covid-19 pandemic in the state, said water and soap must be provided at all entry points into the centres or halls of worship, while all worshipers must be made to wash their hands in the standard pattern approved and practised since the beginning of the pandemic.

The Governor further said Hand sanitizers must be provided and used by each worshipper at every entry point to the centres and at other convenient points within the premises, adding that all worshippers and workers inside the centres and within the premises must wear face masks properly for the duration of the service.

According to the Governor, Churches, Mosques and other religious centres must regularly decontaminate and sanitise the premises, facilities and equipment before and after the services.

Arakunrin Akeredolu said the government has placed appropriate machinery in motion to monitor and ensure that the guidelines are implemented to the letter.

He said cases of infringement, disregard or wilful neglect of these extant regulations will be considered as serious threat to the society and will be sanctioned.

He said:"Let me be more direct. Any Church, Mosque or worship centre which fails to obey the simple rule will be shut down immediately."

The Governor explained that out of the twenty-four confirmed cases recorded in the state, nineteen cases have been discharged after treatment, two death recorded while there are only three cases on admission receiving treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Akure.

He said:" We have four more cases added to the 20 cases announced last week Monday, making a total of 24 cases. Among the additional four, only one was a case of interstate importation. It was a case of an individual of northern Nigeria extraction who travelled from Sokoto state to Ondo state.

"The second, third and fourth cases were those of community transmission. While the second case was discovered at Oluwatuyi Quarters, Akure and reported by the Federal Medical Centre Annex, Akure, the third case is an official of the Nigerian Correctional Services who is resident in Ijoka road, Akure. His case was reported by the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital Akure complex.

"The fourth case was presented to the General Hospital Igbara Oke as a regular patient of flu, fever, cough and other symptoms similar to those of COVID-19. He died the same night he was brought to the hospital. Not leaving things to chances, our health workers ensured the corpse was tested for COVID-19 and the result came back positive.

"The corpse has since been buried in his hometown, Iragbiji, Osun State. Apart from contacting Osun State Government accordingly, we have activated a wide line tracing to arrest further infection and possible spread."

Olabode Richard Olatunde
Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media)
May 27, 2020.

�Nguher Gabrielle Zaki

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ELECTRONIC Voting Machine (EVM) will be used for future elections in the country beginning from next year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indicated.

But, the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states will run on the existing order, the agency added.



It said its decision on e-voting is in line with the demands by Nigerians to deepen the use of technology to conduct elections.

The agency has suspended Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR) to prevent the health risks associated with it as a result of COVID-19.

According to the details of the conduct of elections and voting in line with the guidelines for the management of Coronavirus Disease as released yesterday, polling unit layout shall be redesigned with e periodic disinfection of chairs, tables and work areas, as well as adequate ventilation.

It said the threshold for Voting Points shall be increased from 500/750 to 1,000/1,250.

It also clarified that any voter who does not wear a face mask will be disenfranchised.



The commission also unveiled as part of “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” uploaded on its website that:

“The Commission recognises the critical role that ICT will play in an electoral process that is being vastly reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the growing demands by Nigerians for the deepening of the use of technology in our elections.

“Consequently, the Commission shall:

Continue to apply relevant, value-for-money technology in all aspects of the electoral process and election management.
Regularly validate and clean up the biometric Register of Voters by removing multiple registrants and deceased persons.
Suspend the Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR) for the time being to prevent the health risks associated with it in the context of COVID-19.
Continue to make available its electronic channels for voters to check their registration status.
Pilot the use of Electronic Voting Machines at the earliest possible time (not Edo and Ondo), but work towards the full introduction of electronic voting in major elections starting from 2021.
Although the commission was not specific on whether it will seek constitutional backing for EVM, it said it acted in line with Section 160 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 153 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended),

It said: “Section 160 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to by rules or otherwise, regulate its own procedure or confer powers and impose duties on any officer or authority for the purpose of discharging its functions. The Commission is also empowered by Section 153 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) to issue regulations, guidelines and manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act.”

On the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, it said: “As already announced by the Commission, the dates for the Governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states remain 19th September 2020 and 10th October 2020 respectively.

“Dates for the four postponed by-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau States, as well as other by-elections that become due during the COVID-19 pandemic will be announced by the Commission following its established procedures.

“The Commission will engage with the legislature and other stakeholders to explore ways of responding to the rising cost of conducting frequent by-elections, especially in consideration of the Supreme Court position that votes belong primarily to political parties, as well as the Commission’s records, which show that only in 10% of all by-elections since 2015 did the party that won originally lose the election.

“The Commission will engage relevant authorities, including the legislature, to designate election as an essential service to enable the Commission function effectively in times of national emergency.”

“Conducting elections in a pandemic such as COVID-19 is yet uncharted waters. Only very few jurisdictions have any experience with this.

“That notwithstanding, the Commission is committed to conducting all elections that are due within the extant legal framework. However, in so doing it will put a premium on public safety and mitigation of health risks from COVID-19. Citizens must be assured that they will be safe while participating as voters, candidates and officials.”

On the conduct of election during the COVID-19 pandemic, INEC said it will enforce a no face mask, no voting measure.

It also said Methylated Spirit and cotton wool will be provided for the disinfection of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs).

It said: “The most immediate challenge that COVID-19 poses to the electoral process is health related. In order to protect voters, election officials and other stakeholders in the electoral process, the Commission shall implement the following: Infrared thermometers will be supplied and used at the Registration Area Collation Centres, the Local Government Area Collation Centres and the State Collation Centres.


“The use of face masks is mandatory for all involved in the election process and must be worn at all election locations. The Commission shall provide face masks for all election officials.

“Alcohol based hand sanitizers will be provided for election officials at the polling units. Methylated Spirit and cotton wool will be provided for the disinfection of the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) after the fingerprint of each voter is read.

“The rules of physical distancing shall be enforced at all election activities, including stakeholder engagements, training, queuing at Polling Units, etc.

“All protocols issued by the NCDC, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, State Committees on COVID-19 and other relevant health authorities shall be observed by election officials and all stakeholders.

“The Commission shall work with the PTF and health authorities to have in place a system of voluntary COVID-19 testing for INEC staff before and after deploying for elections. “

As for voters and Election Officials showing symptoms of COVID – 19, the policy said: “The Commission shall work with the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and health authorities in the states having elections to develop a protocol for dealing with persons who show symptoms of COVID-19 at election venues.

“Where an election official, a voter or any other person present at an election venue shows symptoms of COVID-19, the prevailing protocol shall be observed; the person must be isolated; from other persons at the venue; the attention of the security personnel should be drawn; the dedicated number for COVID – 19 emergencies shall be called; and if the affected person is an election official, the Commission must be notified through the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC).”

INEC also came up with a long list of protocols for the conduct of elections and voting.

It added: “All ad hoc staff databases in the commission will be harmonized for better management. To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the Commission shall reduce to a minimum interstate movement of staff, including ad hoc staff, for off-season and bye elections.

“The rule shall be that only shortfalls requested by the States are filled from outside the state. As much as possible, all election staff will be sourced in-state. d. Transportation of election staff shall comply with COVID-19 containment protocols.

“Consequently, there shall be a reduction in the number of passengers per vehicle on election day from 14 to 7 for buses, and from 12 to 6 for boats. Motorcycles and tricycles must be used sparingly with one passenger per motorcycle and two per tricycle. All passengers and drivers must wear face masks and it shall be mandatory and the responsibility of vehicle owners to provide hand sanitizers for occupants of their vehicles.

“In the establishment of Voting Points, in order to reduce the number of points in a Polling Unit to be monitored and controlled for COVID-19 compliance, the threshold for Voting Points shall be increased from 500/750 to 1,000/1,250.

“In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Polling Unit layout shall be redesigned by the Commission to ensure substantial compliance with the protocols established by health authorities. Among other things, social distancing, general hygienic conduct and enforcement of COVID-19 prevention protocols shall be emphasized in the redesign.

“There shall be a two-tier queuing system at the Polling Unit – one outside and the other in the voting area. Voters will be brought into the voting area periodically to prevent overcrowding. Tags and twines may be used to ensure crowd control and maintenance of social distance.”

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/26/inec-okays-e-voting-from-2021/

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Tuesday said the Federal Government was disturbed that COVID - 19 deaths came from many educated , well -to -do Nigerians who chose home - based care and were only rushed to hospitals after sudden complications .
The minister , who stated this during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19 in Abuja , advised everyone who tested positive for COVID - 19 to seek medical attention, and not use drugs without a doctor ’s prescription.
Ehanire said five centres in the country were researching into possible COVID - 19 drugs . He said chloroquine was one of such drugs .
The health minister said, “ As we learn more about coronavirus every day , we must be ready to adjust our strategy , based on knowledge and evidence . As of Monday , we had sadly recorded 191 deaths in 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja .
“ Even though this figure seems low compared to other countries , a disturbing picture emerging from the statistics is that not only are most fatalities linked with pre -existing diseases , many are educated , well -to -do people , who chose home -based care, where they develop sudden complications and have to be rushed to hospital.
“ Experience is showing that complications in COVID -19 patients can arise with little or no notice . This is an added reason why all persons should seek medical attention when they test positive . ”
The minister said the ministry of health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control were assessing isolation centres across the country .
He added, “ We have recently been in Yenagoa , Bayelsa State, and Osogbo , Osun State. We will continue providing diagnostic commodities and facilities in collaboration with partners . ”
Minister warns against self -medication
Ehanire added , “ On chloroquine , first , we do not at any time or in any way support self -medication . If you hear that anyone is taking medication of any type, it has to be something prescribed by his doctor. There are medicines that should not be in your hands unless they are prescribed by your doctor .
“ There are medicines over -the -counter that you can buy . But there are prescription medicines , which you should not have unless your doctor prescribes them .”
Ehanire noted that a ministerial task team was already in Calabar , Cross River State – one of the two states with no COVID - 19 cases s – and had useful meetings with state government officials .
FG team visits states to enforce routine hospital services
The health minister added that the Federal Government had embarked on missions to states to ensure that normal medical services were restored in hospitals .
He said, “ The Federal Ministry of Health places special priority on the maintenance of essential services in both private and public hospitals throughout the country , because of the serious harm that arises from neglecting routine healthcare services like immunisation , chronic disease management , and others due to fear of COVID - 19 or sole focus on COVID -19 .”
The health minister warned Nigerians to desist from buying sanitisers , unless they were at least 60 per cent alcohol -based and had been certified by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control .

https://punchng.com/many-top-nigerians-dying-due-to-covid-19-home-care-fg/

The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has announced Monday, June 22 and Monday, July 20 for its governorship primary elections in Edo and Ondo state

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/19/apc-fixes-dates-for-edo-ondo-guber-primary/

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The Ondo State Government under the leadership of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has Kickstarted a Skeletal Assembly of Trucks in Ondo Linyin Industrial Hub.


The Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub has an Automobile Assembly Plant, Paper Mill Factory, Textile Company, largest Cassava to Ethanol Factory in Nigeria, as well as the country’s first MDF Factory that produces high-density fibre and marine boards.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/18/skeletal-assembly-of-trucks-kick-start-at-ondo-linyin-industrial-hub/

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In line with the Covid 19 protocol of maintaining physical distancing, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi, SAN, on Thursday, May 14, 2020 flagged-off this year's Agricultural Planting Season.

At the event which took place at the Government House, Akure, Arakunrin Akeredolu reiterated his administration's avowed commitment to the development of agriculture in the state.

The governor also announced the facilitation of two billion naira Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CACS) loan for land clearing, youth empowerment and other agricultural development projects in the state.

The latest launch of the planting season is the third of its kind since Arakunrin Akeredolu came on board as the governor of Ondo State.

Since the Akeredolu-led government came on board, Ondo State has recorded a number of milestone achievements in the last years as a result of which there is significant leap in the number of youths, women and even professionals who have embraced agriculture and agric-business.

In spite of these remarkable successes, Governor Akeredolu is still not comfortable with the level of food suffiency in the state.

He has, as a result, urged all stakeholders' sincere dedication and commitment to agricultural development for the purpose of actualising the avowed dream of self-reliance in food production.

Also, Governor Akeredolu-led government has embarked on a number of measures and support programmes to mitigate the challenges that could hamper food production chain this year due to the ripple effects of Covid 19 pandemic.

A few of the prioritised measures to mitigate the challenges are: distribution of 20 units of farm tractors with accompanying tillage implements to farmers at 30% subsidy; bush clearing of 1,250 hectares in 15 locations across the state to open up more land for small holder farmers; approval of palliative loan for disbursement to farmers at 6% interest rate as an intervention to guarantee good security during and after the Covid 19 pandemic.

Other measures include the release of the sum of N9,098,210.65k to Ondo State Agricultural Commodity Association (OSACA) and the sum of N1,819,642.13k to Ondo State Cooperative Federation Limited (OSCOFED) respectively from Agricultural Development Fund as grant to support agricultural development in the state; distribution of improved maize seeds to farmers as part of palliative to cushion the effect of Covid 19 pandemic and ensure good security; and the state government's plan to distribute 500,000 and 50,000 cashew seedlings to farmers to further boost cocoa and cashew production.

Falodi Fisayo
Press Secretary (Print) to Gov Akeredolu


https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/14/2020-planting-season-akeredolu-boosts-food-production-with-n2-billion-loan/

The Federal Government on Wednesday adjusted the 2020 budget downward from the original N 10 .59 tn to N 10 . 52 tn .
The budget deficit is in excess of N 5. 3 tn .
The approval was made in Abuja by the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd. ) , at the State House .
The new figures were captured in the revised 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework submitted to the council by the Minister of Finance , Budget , National Planning , Mrs Zainab Ahmed .
Parameters adjusted in the budget include the crude oil benchmark now further cut to $ 25 from $ 30 .
Recall that the original benchmark was $ 57 , but the government , in the wake of the COVID - 19 , had opted for $ 30 as crude oil prices cashed .
But FEC took another $ 5 out of the benchmark on Wednesday in the latest cut to settle at $ 25 .
Ahmed , who spoke with State House correspondents after the meeting , said daily crude oil production was now 1 .94 million barrels per day , while the naira - dollar exchange rate was put at N 360/ $ 1 .
She stated , “ The revised budget is now in the total sum of N 10 . 52 tn , a difference of just about N 71 . 5 m when compared to the approved budget.
“ This is because , as we cut the size of the budget, we also have to bring in new expenditure previously not budgeted , to enable us to adequately respond to the COVID -19 pandemic.
According to the minister , the dwindling finances owing to the crude oil crash means that the budget comes with a huge deficit to be funded through foreign and domestic borrowings .
The minister said, “ The Federal Government in this budget will have direct revenue of funding the budget of N 5. 158 tn . The deficit to this budget ( is ) N 5. 365 tn and this will be financed by both domestic as well as foreign borrowings .
“ The foreign borrowings we are doing for 2020 are all concessionary loans from the International Monetary Fund , the World Bank , the Islamic Development as well as Afro -EXIM Bank .
“ There will also be some drawdown of previously committed loans for major ongoing projects that we will be drawing from both existing facilities as well as some special accounts with the approval of Mr President and the National Assembly. ”
On his part , the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sabo Nanono, disclosed that the ministry sought approval for a loan of € 950 ,000 ( about $ 1 .2 bn ) for the “ purposes of agricultural mechanisation in this country that will cover about 632 local governments plus 140 processing plants .”
He explained that the money would be used to establish tractor serving centres in the designated 632 locations.
Nanono said, “ We have made our calculation and we have come to the conclusion that if your tractor works for between N 65 ,000 and N 75 ,000 per day , if you know the operational cost of about N 30 ,000 to N 35 , 000 you will have a net profit of about N 40 , 000 .
“ Our calculation is that between the period of three and four years, you will pay off the loan completely . And then you will have these assets worth over N 150m . You have to understand that this country , in terms of agricultural mechanisation, is at lowest level .
“ We have only about seven tractors per 100 square kilometres ; Kenya has 27 tractors per 100 square kilometres . In fact, the standard is 127 tractors per 100 square kilometres .
“ In most developed countries , it is about 1 ,000 tractors per 100 square kilometres .”


https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/14/fg-adjusts-2020-budget-to-n10-52tn-adopts-25-oil-benchmark/

https://punchng.com/fg-adjusts-2020-budget-to-n10-52tn-adopts-25-oil-benchmark/

The crisis rocking the Unity Forum in the Ondo State branch of the All Progressives Congress (APC) worsened on Wednesday.
Former Deputy Governor and Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, implored members of the forum to accept Chief Olusola Oke as the forum’s consensus aspirant.
He (Oke) is to stand against Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu at the primaries.
Over 10 governorship aspirants of the forum on Tuesday opposed the emergence of Oke as a consensus aspirant.
But Olanusi said Oke was chosen because of his popularity, as they would contend against a governor, “who has all, except popularity, at his beck and call.”
He said that a meeting of a 52-man Special Purpose Committee to review the Screening Committee report could not hold in order not to violate the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC’s) COVID-19 pandemic rules.
Olanusi said that he consulted on the report that recommended Oke as the adopted candidate of the Unity Forum to avoid delay, considering the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) position with regards to date of the primary election.
He appealed to other aspirants to accept the decision of the Special Purpose Committee in good faith in the interest of the forum.
Said he: “You will please recall that all the stakeholders in the forum came together for the sole reason of salvaging the state from the despotic Aketi administration in the last three years.
“While all the aspirants are vibrant politicians, we will, however, perform better as a forum if we parade our best. The task ahead of us is a Herculean one. We are contending with an incumbent governor who has all, except popularity, at his beck and call. Remember that we have nothing to share in zero; but a lot to salvage if we work as a team.
“I believe that in this type of enterprise, there is no conqueror or vanquished. Let us therefore close ranks and join forces to salvage the state.
“I appeal to Chief Oke to put up the best acts as a mature politician so that together we can win the primaries and emerge victorious in the October governorship election. I thank you all for your time, while extending the ‘olive branch’ to our leaders at the various levels and assuring them of our loyalty to the cause of our great party, the APC, at all time.
“I also plead with our party members and the generality of our people in Ondo State to embrace our candidate. We assure you that Olusola Oke, SAN, is an astute politician and a game changer, who will apply the soothing balm to the wounds inflicted on us all in Ondo State, when given the chance.”
Information and Orientation Commissioner Donald Ojogo said Olanusi deserved pity for saying Governor Akeredolu was not popular.
“Even if he actually said so, we don’t want to add to his burden. He has enough to carry. The old man deserves the pity of all, rather than engaging him further to deepen his pains,” Ojogo added.
The Chairman of the seven-man Screening Committee of the Unity Forum, Senator Yele Omogunwa, has opened up on alleged inducement of the committee that made them pick Chief Olusola Oke as the forum’s consensus aspirant.
Omogunwa said the committee shared only N1.2million given to them by aspirants in the process of carrying out their duties.
Addressing reporters in Akure, Omogunwa denied allegations of collecting millions of naira for Oke to be picked as the consensus aspirant.
He said: “When we were holding meetings here, there was no water, no biscuit and we were working day and night. Segun Abraham came and gave us N100,000. It was in the open. Odimayo gave the committee N200,000. Another aspirant gave N500,000. Kazeem gave us N20,000 and Adelegan gave N50,000.

“The amount shared by the seven committee members was N1.2million. It was out of the money we booked hotel for the secretary for three days because he was coming from Ife.”
Explaining how the committee picked Oke, Omogunwa said the aspirants promised to accept anybody the committee used its wisdom to select.
He said the committee had interfaced with the aspirants for two days and all the aspirants agreed to support whoever that was chosen.
Omogunwa said the committee relocated to a church where a decision was reached to pick Oke.
He said the Secretary of the committee, Prof. Sola Ehindero, wanted a technocrat-governor, while the only woman in the committee picked Mrs. Jumoke Ajasin-Anifowose.
“All the aspirants are competent, but I agreed with the majority that picked Chief Oke. The secretary left without signing. The only woman in our midst also did not sign.
“The aspirants told us to do it the way it pleased us, noting that they would support whoever emerged.
“We followed the mind of the public. A politician should wait for his time,” Omogunwa added.
A chieftain of the APC in Ondo State and a member of the forum, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, has said that he cautioned the forum against going for a consensus aspirant.
Amodeni, who is also a member of the seven-man Screening Committee of the forum, said he also warned that the outcome of the committee screening would make the forum more disunited than before.
In a statement in Akure, Amodeni said he informed the forum that the committee had no capacity to determine many things to pick a particular aspirant as the consensus candidate.
He wondered why the report of the committee was not shown to the three members who did not append their signatures

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/14/ondo-apc-unity-forum-crisis-deepens/

Nigeria and other countries in sub -Saharan Africa will lose about $ 200 bn in incomes by the end of 2020 , according to the International Monetary Fund.
The development is as a result of the COVID - 19 pandemic, which is pulling the global economy towards recession.
IMF had already, in its latest Regional Economic Outlook, projected that the economies of Sub -Saharan African countries would contract by 1 .6 per cent this year .
The projected 1 .6 per cent contraction is the worst reading on record for the region.
The projected $200 bn loss in income for Nigeria and other countries in the region was disclosed in a podcast posted on IMF website on Tuesday .
In the podcast, which was listened to by our correspondent, Papa N ’ Diaye, Head of the Regional Studies Division in IMF ’ s African Department , noted that the region was “ facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis that threatens to reverse much of the development progress it has made in recent years” .
Ndiaye , who heads the research team that worked on the Regional Economic Outlook, observed that at the end of 2020 , countries in the region would face income losses of about $ 200 bn relative to what they were expecting six months ago .
“ There will be large income losses from this crisis . By the end of 2020 the region will face income losses of about $ 200 bn relative to what they were expecting six months ago , ” Ndiaye said.
“ We are expecting incomes to be four per cent below what they were six months ago ,” he added .
The IMF official pointed out that Sub -Saharan African countries were making tremendous progress towards achieving sustainable economic development before the outbreak of the pandemic.
He noted that several countries in the region recorded increase in per capita income and life expectancy, among other indices .
Ndiaye also observed that the countries had agreed on the African Continental Free Trade Area , an arrangement which would facilitate regional trade integration.
He expressed regrets that the implementation of the ACFTA “ which promised to be a game changer” had been delayed by the pandemic.
“ We hope it ( delay ) is temporary ,” he added , noting that the ACFTA would increase income in the region .
Ndiaye warned that failure to contain the spread of the virus in the region would have catastrophic economic , health and humanitarian consequences .
“ Failing to contain the outbreak will stretch weak health systems and lead to catastrophic economic , health and humanitarian consequences ,” he said .
He observed that failure to check the spread of the disease could undermine progress recorded in other parts of the world .
Major oil producing countries , such as Nigeria and Angola , will suffer more losses , the IMF official said.
“ The drop in oil prices is hitting the oil exporting countries like Nigeria and Angola .
“ It is having a big impact and not just in terms of growth , they will suffer a sharp decline in terms of revenue .
“ They have limited fiscal space and will need the support of the international community ,” he observed.
Although he admitted that countries in the region that import oil will benefit from the fall in oil prices, Ndiaye pointed out that “ no country will be spared ” the negative economic consequences of the pandemic.
https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/13/nigeria-others-to-lose-200bn-in-2020-says-imf/

https://punchng.com/nigeria-others-to-lose-200bn-in-2020-says-imf/

Yobe government has said the strange deaths in different communities across the state are not related to the COVID-19.
The state has recorded about 471 “strange deaths” within three weeks spanning the last week of April till date.

Health Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the state’s COVID-19 Committee, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana, stated this on Tuesday at a media briefing in Damaturu, the state capital.
He said the preliminary report of the investigative response team constituted by the state government confirmed that 90 per cent of the mass deaths had no multiple case definition symptoms of Coronavirus disease.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/13/yobe-mystery-deaths-not-covid-19/

In his usual characteristics of being a people’s man and a compassionate leader, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, on Tuesday, 12 May, 2020, met the young artist who posted his artist's impression of the Governor on twitter yesterday.

A young lady had posted the picture of the young boy on Twitter drawing the Governor.

She tweeted, “This small boy actually did a rough art work of @RotimiAkeredolu. The white beards”

Few hours later, the Governor replied via his twitter handle: ”Where is this talented young boy? If anyone has his details, I'd love to have this piece.”

The young boy, Adefeniku imole, an SSS 2 student of Greater Tomorrow Secondary School, Okitipupa, said he drew the Governor out of the passion he has for his person. He said he had always dreamt of meeting the Governor someday.

Receiving the Art work at the Government house, Alagbaka, Akure, Governor Akeredolu thanked the young Imole, while urging him to continue to pursue his dreams.
https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/12/gov-akeredolu-meets-young-artist-offers-him-scholarship/

The Peoples Democratic Party has accused the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd. ) , and the All Progressives Congress of betraying Almajirai and Nigeria ’s poor and vulnerable after using them to grab power in 2015 .
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP , Kola Ologbodiyan , said this in a statement in Abuja , on Monday .
The party noted that the APC and its regime had continued to show their true colours especially as manifested in the neglect and dehumanising treatment they had meted out to poor and vulnerable Nigerians since the outbreak of the COVID - 19 pandemic.
The statement read in part , “ The PDP notes that APC ’s disdain and desertion of our citizens had further exposed it as a deceitful party which used lies, propaganda and false promises to mislead the people in 2015 to denounce a system of governance which had their interest at heart and worked day and night to ensure a better life for them .
“ Today , the APC and its government have succeeded in wrecking the lives of ordinary Nigerians ; stolen their common patrimony ; rendered many homeless , turned their joy into sadness, hope into hopelessness , fortune into abject poverty ; reneged on all their enticing promises, swindled and abandoned our citizens to a life of misery .
“ From Katsina to Lagos , Kano to Edo , Kaduna to Osun , Yobe to Ekiti; Plateau to Kogi and all the places where the APC has left footprints at the federal and state levels , the downtrodden people have been exploited and now abandoned; treated by the APC as sub -humans in their own country .”
It also accused APC leaders of taking delight in insulting Nigerian youths who they denied job opportunities calling them lazy and unemployable .
Ologbodiyan noted that the same APC derided the then PDP administration which took the initiative towards solving the almajirai problem once and for all .
He further said , “ Unfortunately , what we witness today are total reneging on these promises, degradation of citizens , hunger and starvation , intimidation of dissenting voices , untold corruption , neglect of our infrastructure , annexation of electoral and judicial system , violation of human rights, in addition to escalation of insurgency and bloodletting while the President , who promised to lead from the front , recedes very far into the luxury and safety of Aso Presidential villa .
“ Nigerians can recall how the PDP championed the cause of the downtrodden, established Almajirai schools , the e-wallet initiatives for rural farmers, built new universities , revamped our economy, overhauled our health care system , established the National Health Insurance Scheme , revamped the mortgage system to give Nigerians access to own homes and expanded the political space to promote youth and women participation in governance , among others . ”
The PDP accused the APC of reversing all those gains within a five year period. It maintained that the COVID - 19 pandemic had further exposed the APC as a party without plans for Nigerians , which only came to grab power to enrich themselves at the expense of ordinary Nigerians .
The party urged Nigerians not to despair , but to rally among themselves , help each other and ensure that a party like APC , did not come to power at any level after the end of this tenure .
“ On our own part , the PDP as a party , will continue to stand with Nigerians , especially the downtrodden and remain committed to protecting their interests at all times, ” the statement added .
In response, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC , Mallam Lanre Issa -Onilu said , “ The baseless accusations of the PDP have become familiar . However, let them know that the almajirai system is not an APC policy , he should talk to the states. ”

https://punchng.com/youve-betrayed-almajirai-pdp-tells-buhari-apc/

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/12/youve-betrayed-almajirai-pdp-tells-buhari-apc/

The Federal High Court , Abuja, on Monday , granted an order of interim forfeiture of N 510 m allegedly owned by a former Commander , Presidential Air Fleet , Air Vice Marshall Uko Ebong .
Ebong served as the commander of PAF between 2013 and July 2015 .
Justice Ahmed Mohammed granted the interim forfeiture order of the fund linked to Ebong in a ruling on an ex -parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission .
The anti- graft agency , through its counsel , Mr Ekele Iheanacho , alleged that the sum of N 510 m was part of proceeds of illegal acts .
The commission also alleged that the sum of N 510m was found in an account belonging to a company owned by Ebong , Elionenai International College .
The commission alleged that “ AVM Ebong , while being a public officer managed and used private companies to carry out financial transactions while concealing his identity” .
The companies, according to the commission , include Magnificent 5 Ventures Ltd, Tripple Kay Company Nigeria Ltd and Elionenai International College Ltd.
It stated that the directors of Magnificent 5 Ventures Ltd registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission were Ebong ’ s wife , Mrs Ebong Mercy Uko , and her brother , Ekpo Ubong Asuquo .
It stated that Ebong controlled the financial dealings of the company .
The commission also claimed , “ Without any contractual agreement, a total sum of N 731 , 000, 000 .00 was paid to Magnificent 5 Ventures Limited between May , 2014 and October, 2014 by the ONSA under the guise of payment for renovation of PAF barracks, PAF staff quarters.
“ There is no proof of any work carried out by Magnificent 5 Ventures Ltd based on which the above payments were made to it .
“ The payments were made into the Sterling Bank Plc Account No . 0026142493 operated by Magnificent 5 Ventures Ltd. Mrs Ebong Uko and her brother , Ekpo Asuquo , are also the signatories to the said bank account of Magnificent 5 Ventures Ltd.”
It added , “ That upon receipt of the above funds into the account of Magnificent 5 Ventures Ltd, the funds were transferred and fixed - deposited in the Sterling Bank Account of Tripple Kay Company Nigeria Ltd.
“ The transfer instructions were purportedly authorised by Mrs Ebong , the wife of AVM Ebong .”
On the EFCC ’s request for the interim forfeiture of the fund, Justice Mohammed, ruled on Monday , “ An order is hereby made for the interim forfeiture of the sum of N 510 ,000 ,000 in Sterling Bank account No : 0029581583 recovered by the applicant , which funds are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities . ”
He also ordered the EFCC to publicise the said order for anyone interested in the funds to appear before the court within 14 days to prove why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government .

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/12/court-orders-forfeiture-of-ex-presidential-fleet-commanders-n510m/

https://punchng.com/court-orders-forfeiture-of-ex-presidential-fleet-commanders-n510m/

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The Senate has said that it is already planning a comprehensive legislative intervention that will ensure that workers in the private sector do not suffer job losses as a result of the outbreak of COVID -19 in the country.
The upper chamber , however , promised to unfold its agenda after a robust engagement with the Minister of Finance , Zainab Ahmed , to know the specific plans by government to prevent private firms from collapsing .
It appreciated the moves by the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee to save the jobs of workers in the banking industry .
The Chairman , Senate Committee on Finance , Senator Solomon Adeola , gave the explanation in an interview with Sunday PUNCH.
He said , “ We are planning to invite the Minister of Finance to find out additional measures already put in place to ensure that workers in Nigeria are not laid off . This will guide our line of thought on how we could come up with legislative interventions that can protect the jobs of Nigerians.
“ As we all know , the executive arm of government is already trying its best , within the confines of the law . What we , as a legislature , can do is to still liaise with the executive because if we make any pronouncement now , we don ’ t know what the government has done or being done to assist the private firms .
“ Before we make a pronouncement from the legislative point of view , we need to know the current state of things with the companies who are planning to lay off staff . We need to know what they are doing with the executive arm of government which has its full responsibility of liaising with them.
“ As a Senate , we have to assess the economic situation in the real terms before we make any pronouncement because we need to be guided .
“ We are happy that already , the executive is taking the bull by the horns . The Central Bank and the Bankers Committee made a pronouncement that there should be no lay -offs.
“ The Federal Government is working round the clock to ensure that the post - COVID -19 fallout does not have an adverse effect on the economy and by extension , on the generality of the people .
“ Going forward, we are ready to work closely with the executive on any decision that would be taken to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and also by extension , ensure that nobody is laid off from his or her workplace. We are working, watching and looking at all these things . ”
Adeola clarified that the National Assembly was still expecting the executive to present to it the amendments made to the 2020 budget .
He said the amendments would accommodate the N 500 bn being proposed by the Federal Government as part of its intervention in fighting COVID -19 .
He admitted that the federal parliament at the moment did not have the details of the beneficiaries of the N 500 bn intervention fund .

He said , “ The N 500 bn intervention fund is still undergoing process. The executive has incorporated it in the proposal they are bringing for amendment to the National Assembly .
“ The budget document is still a work in progress . It is still within the executive , it has not been sent to the National Assembly .
“ Until it is laid, we don ’ t know the components of the N 500 bn . We don ’ t know what it would be spent on and details of the beneficiaries .
“ It is meant to be an intervention fund during the ongoing fight against COVID -19 . ”
He added that the Senate was not expecting official communication from the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd) on the N 850 bn loan currently being sourced by his regime from the local capital markets .
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties , Senator Yusuf Yusuf, had said that the upper chamber had yet to receive details of the proposed N 850 bn loan from the President .
But Adeola told Sunday PUNCH that the details were already in the 2020 Appropriation Act , passed by the nation ’ s parliament late last year .
Adeola said , “We are not expecting details of the N 850 bn loan request from the President because the money is already in the 2020 Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly .
“ It is not a fresh loan request. The capital component of the budget was to be funded with foreign and domestic borrowing .
“ 50 per cent was expected from foreign loans and 50 per cent from the local sources.
“ While the local sources are being taken care of , access to foreign loans is being hampered by the global pandemic that has taken over the whole world.
“ That is why the Federal Government decided to change the strategy by beaming its searchlight on the domestic borrowing arrangement .
“ If not for the global pandemic , the Federal Government would have taken the foreign loans , but since that is becoming difficult , it decided to borrow the same amount locally.
“ However, to enable the executive do that, they needed the Senate approval to avoid any argument .
“ The money would be used to fund the capital projects contained in the 2020 budget .
“ It is even cheaper for the country to borrow locally than go after foreign loan because of the exchange rate, ” he added

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/10/covid-19-senate-may-summon-finance-minister-as-massive-job-loss-looms/

https://punchng.com/covid-19-senate-may-summon-finance-minister-as-massive-job-loss-looms/

The Friday ’ s judgment of the Supreme Court which nullified the trial and conviction of a former governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu , will cause an automatic reversal of gains already recorded in at least 50 criminal cases pending or concluded at various High Courts , findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed .
The progress recorded in the over 50 cases are attributable to the authorities given to about eight Justices of the Court of Appeal to return to their previous positions as High Court judges to conclude the cases which they were handling before their elevation to the higher bench.
But in a major upset, reversing the progress recorded in the cases , the Supreme Court on Friday nullified Section 396 ( 7 ) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act , 2015 , which made it possible for the Justices to continue handling the cases after their elevation to the Court of Appeal bench.
The section 396 ( 7 ) is one of the innovative provisions , including the prohibition of stay of proceedings in a criminal trial , contained in ACJA which was enacted in 2015 to address delays and other odds often encountered in criminal trials in the country.
The apex court had since 2017 validated Section 306 of ACJA which barred stay of proceedings in criminal trial .
But a full panel of seven Justices of the Supreme Court , on Friday , made the far - reaching decision nullifying Section 396 ( 7 ) in the case involving Kalu , who along with others had been convicted and sentenced for N 7 . 1 bn fraud on December 5 , 2019 .
The panel led by Justice Olabode Rhodes -Vivour , unanimously nullified the ex - governor’ s trial .
It also ordered that the trial which had lasted 12 years with 19 witnesses called by the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court and start afresh .

The apex court ’ s judgment was on the grounds that a Justice of the Court of Appeal , Justice Mohammed Idris , who handed down the conviction in December 2019 , lacked the power to return to the Federal High Court to conclude the case which he had partly heard before his elevation to the higher bench.
The apex court also nullified Section 396 ( 7 ) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act , 2015 which had enabled the then President of the Court of Appeal , Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa ( retd) , to issue fiat to Justice Idris to return to the Federal High Court to conclude the case .
Justice Ejembi Eko delivered the apex court ’s lead judgment and other members of the panel , comprising , Justices Rhodes - Vivour , Mary Odili , Olukayode Ariwoola, Kudirat Kekere -Ekun , Inyang Okoro and Amina Augie consented .
Few days after the Federal High Court had convicted Kalu , the then President of the Court of Appeal, Bulkachuwa , on December 9, 2019 had lauded the completion of the case.
Justice Bulkachuwa attributed the credit to the provision of section 396 ( 7 ) of ACJA , 2015 .
She spoke in Abuja at a national workshop organised by the Centre for Socio -Legal Studies in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Justice on setting of minimum standards for the effective implementation of ACJA.
Justice Bulkachuwa said at the event that she had issued fiats 50 times to about eight Justices of the Court of Appeal , including Justice Idris , to enable them to conclude such part- heard cases .
She said Justice Idris, in addition to Kalu ’s case , had concluded 15 cases through the application of the provision of section 396 ( 7 ) of ACJA.
She added , “I have given fiats at least 50 times to about eight Justices of the Court of Appeal to go back and complete their assignments .
“ The most recent is that of Justice Idris when he completed the matter of Orji Kalu . But before then , he had completed about 15 matters .
“ Similarly, Justice Talba , and Justice Umar, Justice Ojo from the FCT High Court ; and from the Federal High Court were Justices Idris , Justice Aliyu , I think about five of them from there, who have completed matters .
“ I think this is a big plus for the Administration of Criminal Justice Act because matters get to be completed within the shortest time possible and decisively. I have not seen any of the matters that have come on appeal yet. I have not heard . Maybe that is the end of the matter as it is. ”
The number of such fiats issued after the event in December could not be ascertained .
But Mr Femi Falana ( SAN ) , advised on Saturday that, “in the light of the judgment of the Supreme Court , all the cases that have been benefitting from the application of the nullified provision of ACJA have to be immediately terminated and reassigned to start afresh ”.
He said even the ones that had been concluded like the Kalu ’ s case had to start afresh .

He described the apex court ’ s judgment as “ a reversal of the gains of the Administration of Justice Act ” .
A lawyer and former National President , Committee for the Defence of Human Rights , Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, noted that “ the approximately 500 sections of the ACJA 2015 including Section 396 under review were direct legislative responses and reform efforts to cure most of the seemingly intractable challenges in our criminal justice system ” .
He said previous decisions of the Supreme Court in cases of Ogbuanyinya V . Okudo, and Bichi V . Shakarau, the apex court and the Court of Appeal , delivered a judgment similar to Friday ’ s verdict of the apex court predated the enactment of the ACJA. He noted however that the judgment casts “serious doubts on the credibility , legal and policy research and consultations that are made and scrutinised before legislations are churned out to achieve certain dynamics and progressive objectives . ”


https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/10/supreme-court-judgment-on-kalu-to-affect-over-50-other-cases/

https://punchng.com/supreme-court-judgment-on-kalu-to-affect-over-50-other-cases/

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Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has said the process of paying the outstanding salaries of the newly recruited Doctors at the State University of Medical Sciences’ Hospital, UNIMEDTH, had commenced.

He disclosed this through his Twitter handle following the protest embarked on by the residents Doctors in Ondo State today.

He said: “I have just concluded an emergency meeting with the Head of Service to clarify and rectify this situation as it relates to newly recruited doctors. I have given approval to the commissioner of finance to raise the funds to commence payment of their arrears”.

https://citadelng.com.ng/2020/05/09/i-have-ordered-the-process-of-paying-protesting-doctors-akeredolu/