IYANDA'SBLOG

Ondo State has recorded a new case of Coronavirus.

The fresh case brought the total number of confirmed cases of the virus in the state to 20.

Commissioner for Health in the state, Wahab Adegbenro, confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Sunday.  Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

He said the new case involved a woman, who visited one of the private hospitals in Akure, the state capital, for treatment but suddenly began to show symptoms of the virus. 
According to Adegbenro, the hospital immediately reached out to the COVID-19 response team while the health workers came to take the blood sample of the woman before taking her to an isolation centre.

He said, "The contact tracing had commenced just to reduce the spread of the disease in Oke Aro community where the facility was situated."
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3cJU5Jh

Ondo State has recorded a new case of Coronavirus.

The fresh case brought the total number of confirmed cases of the virus in the state to 20.

Commissioner for Health in the state, Wahab Adegbenro, confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Sunday.  Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

He said the new case involved a woman, who visited one of the private hospitals in Akure, the state capital, for treatment but suddenly began to show symptoms of the virus. 
According to Adegbenro, the hospital immediately reached out to the COVID-19 response team while the health workers came to take the blood sample of the woman before taking her to an isolation centre.

He said, "The contact tracing had commenced just to reduce the spread of the disease in Oke Aro community where the facility was situated."
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3cJU5Jh

Garba Shehu, spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that his boss was planning a proactive operation against armed bandits in Katsina State.

Reacting to protests by residents of Katsina over the rising insecurity in the state, Buhari, according to Shehu, was finalising plans for a proactive military operation. 

He said, "President  Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the commencement of a major military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina State. 

"A major proactive operation by Special Forces, which details are being kept secret, is now in progress to replace the reactive strikes against insurgent camps.

"To give a full effect to the exercise, a planning team is already in the state selecting targets and making preparations for the execution of the “unprecedented” operation.  See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Kastina Residents Block Highway, Protest Incessant Attacks, Kidnappings By Bandits 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

"The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, who has been measured in issuing official statements on the oncoming exercise, briefed the President on the plan he intends to flag off shortly.

"President Buhari who expressed sadness over the recent attacks in the state, extended his condolences to families of those killed and prayed for the recovery of the injured."
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2z5Jzhf

Garba Shehu, spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that his boss was planning a proactive operation against armed bandits in Katsina State.

Reacting to protests by residents of Katsina over the rising insecurity in the state, Buhari, according to Shehu, was finalising plans for a proactive military operation. 

He said, "President  Muhammadu Buhari has authorised the commencement of a major military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina State. 

"A major proactive operation by Special Forces, which details are being kept secret, is now in progress to replace the reactive strikes against insurgent camps.

"To give a full effect to the exercise, a planning team is already in the state selecting targets and making preparations for the execution of the “unprecedented” operation.  See Also Breaking News BREAKING: Kastina Residents Block Highway, Protest Incessant Attacks, Kidnappings By Bandits 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

"The Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, who has been measured in issuing official statements on the oncoming exercise, briefed the President on the plan he intends to flag off shortly.

"President Buhari who expressed sadness over the recent attacks in the state, extended his condolences to families of those killed and prayed for the recovery of the injured."
 

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2z5Jzhf

The Lagos State Government has discharged 15 Coronavirus patients from its isolation facilities after recovering from the disease.

The announcement was made by the Lagos State Ministry of Health via its Twitter account on Sunday.

The patients comprised nine females and six males, all Nigerians. 

The tweet reads, “15 COVID-19 Lagos patients; nine females and six males, all Nigerians have been discharged from our Yaba, LUTH and Agidingbi isolation facilities to reunite with the society.

“The patients; nine from Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, one from Agidingbi and five from LUTH Isolation Centres have fully recovered and tested negative twice consecutively to COVID19.

“With this, the number of patients successfully managed and discharged in Lagos have risen to 623.”

 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2RNzV9e

About 10 members of staff at the Lagos State Government House, Marina, who tested positive for COVID-19 have recovered.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known during media briefing.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, had in a tweet on May 7 announced that 10 persons at the Government House tested positive for the virus. 

But speaking at the news conference on Sunday, the governor said the workers recovered after receiving treatment at the state’s isolation centre.

He said, “They are back here if I must say to you. They’ve been there, and they’ve been treated and they’ve done well and they’re back at their duty posts and I’m indeed happy that all of them are back working with me and I’m excited about that.”

Sanwo-Olu further disclosed that government was reviewing the phased lockdown relaxation for more businesses to open.

 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WH08HV

So much furore has attended the naming of Professor Gambari as chairman-designate of the steering committee of the Nigeria Delta Summit. Indeed the former External Affairs Minister and one time Ambassador/Premananet Representative to the United Nations would never have known that there was so much animus, antipathy and antagonism towards him from certain parts of the country, if he had not accepted to do the job offered him by President Umaru Musa Yar'adua.

Let's consider some prominent voices that have risen against Gambari's choice and why.

Professor Kimse Okoko, President Ijaw National Congress said Gambari was not acceptable because he had shown clear signs of bias against the region. "We will prefer a neutral person of international repute to chair the summit. We do not believe Prof Gambari is well kitted for the job".  Femi Adesina

Prominent Isoko leader, Chief James Otobor: "It is politically silly and belittling of the leader of the Niger Delta to say that Ibrahim Gambari should preside over the proposed summit which in the first instance is unnecessary, irrelevant and uncalled for."

What of irrepressible social activist and virologist, Professor Tamunoemi David-West who incidentally was Gambari's cabinet mate in the Buhari regime from early 1984 to August 1985, "It's an insult for him to talk on Nigeria Delta issue...He was with me in the Buhari/Idiagbon government so I knew him very well. He is no doubt a qualified academic but the least qualified to be at the Niger Delta Summit, to chair or coordinate it. He is my personal friend and he knows, but the issue we have at hand is bigger than Gambari."

John Iyene Owubokiri, Cordinator Niger Delta Initiative for Non-Violent change: "The people of the Niger Delta have no confidence that Ibrahim Gambari, a beneficiary of the oppressive abitraryness of the majority tribes over the peoples of the Niger Delta can successfully moderate a summit to the satisfaction of principal stakeholders in the region."

Prof Benedict Ijomah: "Prof Gambari is an illiterate on matters concerning the Niger Delta. He is not schooled in the fauna and flora of the Nigeria Delta ecology, it is not something he understands so he cannot chair a meeting on the region."

Daily Sun columnist, Okey Ndibe, describes Gambari's choice as "cynical", adding about the diplomat: "Whatever his gifts, he is a democratably poor choice to lead any summit on the Nigeria Delta. His apologia for the Sani Abacha regime after the dictator hanged Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists ought to disqualify him."

True, many of Gambari's antagonist have hinged their resentment on the fact that as Permanent Representative to the UN when Saro-Wiwa and others were hanged in 1995, he described the dead as "common criminals", justifying their execution. By this, they submit that Ibrahim Gambari is a Niger Delta hater and military apologist. That conclusion is debatable, but it may be an argument for another day.

The thruist of this piece is the dimension added to the controversy last weekend by notable Niger Delta activist, Comrade Joseph Evah. When I read his interview published by SATURDAY SUN, I had a good laugh. Yoruba people say nagative things often comes with some form of hilarity, and this is what I found in Evah's words as follows. "Jonathan (Vice President) cannot be talking of Gambari who insulted Ken Saro-Wiwa and Ledum Mitee as common criminals. For such a man to chair the committee is absurd. I thank God that all Niger Delta leaders have told him they don't want any summit and they don't want Gambari. If they hold the summit in places like Port Harcourt or any other Niger Delta state, and Gambari enters the hall as chairman, some of us will slap his face regardless of the presence of soldiers. Gambari cannot hold a summit in that name of the Niger Delta. Even if I have the opportunity of meeting Gambari, I will slap his face."

Are you letting out a guffaw? Yes, isn't this side (unidentifiable word), despite the very serious nature of the issue at hand? Evah almost broke my rib as I read the interview. Imagine (unidentifiable word) Evah, with his muscular Niger Delta arms giving an aging Prof Gambari a slap? The man will not only see stars, he will see an immeasurable company of angels. And all that at the venue of the summit that will attract international attention. What poor publicity for Nigeria and the Arewa people whose son have been so assaulted in the process of a national assignment, how will they feel? Won't we have another immediate strife on our hands?

Now, this question, is Prof Gambari qualified to chair the steering summit of the committee? Eminently so. The political scientist has made name as an academic, administrator, diplomat and peacemaker. But must he chair the summit in view od tje dust that has been raised since his nomination by the federal government? The answer is no. It is not do or die. The Yoruba have a saying, "You are not welcome in a town and you raise a song, who will chorus it for you?

If Niger Deltans, old and young say they do not want Gambari chairman of the committee, is it by force that he must still preside?

The decent and honourable thing was for the man to have declined serving immediately he saw the frenzy and hullabaloo generated by his nomination.

Another lesson that we should learn from this development is the veracity of the saying, "Old men have long shadows". About 13 years ago, Gambari felt he was doing his representative as Permanent Representative to the UN when he defended the hanging of Ken Saro-Wiwa and others by the Abacha regime, now the chicken has come home to roost.

Must he call Ogoni leaders "common criminals" as he is quoted to have said? "When you are sent on a slave errand, do it as a freeborn" is another Yoruba saying.

Gambari enslaved himself to please his paymasters. Now, 13 years after, the shackles are still tied around his neck, threatening to asphyxiate him. What an eternal lesson for fawning bootlicking grovellers to learn. Old sins indeed have long shadows.

We have heard of slaps that hit the national limelight in the country. In the second republic, one governor of the South-South a dirty but resounding slap, and the much younger deputy rolled his sleeves, folded his trousers and proceeded to give his boss such good biding that it took security detail of the governor to separate the combates.

We saw same in both the last Senate and House of Representatives, leading to the suspension of belligerent lawmakers. If Prof Gambari eventually chairs the Niger Delta Summit against good advise, and Comrade Evah carries out his threat, it will indeed be a slap that will ricochet not only nationally but internationally.

Note: This article was first published on July 12, 2008 in the Saturday SUN Newspaper

Opinion AddThis :  Original Author :  Femi Adesina, First Published On July 12, 2008 Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3aTdK9y

Three pastor on Sunday in Abuja hid their identities as clerics and also denied members of their different churches when officials of the Federal Capital

Territory Enforcement Team acting on a tip-off stormed a mountain top they were holding church services in contravention of an order by government to curb the spread of Coronavirus.

The enforcement team upon arrival at the mountain in the Federal Housing area of Lugbe District made attempts to arrest the pastors but found it difficult after the clerics hid among worshippers. 

Luck however, ran out on one of them when some members pointed at him as their pastor and revealed his identity as  Vitalis Udeazi of Dominion Chapel.

The two other pastors of the remaining churches operating on the mountain were eventually identified and arrested.

Chairman of the enforcement team, Attah Ikharo confirmed the development.

The pastors were consequently arraigned before a mobile court where they were found guilty and fined N5,000 each in addition to three hours of community service.
File Photo: A church Google

Christianity PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3fSA9X3

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
The world's third biggest economy has fallen into recession for the first time in more than four years.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has announced 31 new cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Makinde made this known via his official Twitter account on Saturday night.

The governor said 30 of the cases were members of staff of the same organisation based in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area. 

He said, “The COVID-19 confirmation tests for 31 suspected cases came back positive. Thirty of these cases are members of staff of the same organisation based in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area. The organisation has been shut down and will be decontaminated.

“We urge members of the public to remain calm as the situation is under control. Intensified contact tracing has already commenced. We will give an update on any additional measures that may need to be taken.

“The remaining one case is from Egbeda Local Government Area. So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State as at 8pm today is 107.”

 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3aVkMdA

Some 28 patients have recovered from Coronavirus infection in Bauchi State discharged from isolation facilities.

Giving the update on Saturday, the Situation Room Update of the COVID-19 Emergency Operation Centre of the state's Ministry of Health said the patients tested negative to COVID-19 twice.

This brings the total number of patients discharged in the state to 69.

 

The update showed that the total number of confirmed cases had increased to 212 while the active cases in the state dropped down to 140.

The number of death from the virus remains three.
 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2SjN4XA

The National Association of Nigerian Students has berated some tertiary institutions in Osun State for commencing online studies for some select students.

The students also condemned some institutions for closing their online portal for payment of school fees, an act that could lead to extension of academic years of some students.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Agbogunleri Seun Michael (Gandhi), Chairman, NANS JCC Osun Axis; Comrade Ogunsakin Oluwafemi Sunday, Secretary General, NANS JCC Osun Axis; Comrade Raji Keji (Paracetamol), Public Relations Officer, NANS JCC Osun Axis; the students described the acts by the tertiary institutions as “inhumane and inconsiderate”. 

The association stated that despite the global pandemic ravaging humanity at this moment, the management of Osun State University closed the institution's portal for payment of fees not minding that many students could not afford to pay now. 

“The institution, in reckless display of insensitivity to the plight of students, parents and guardians and in furtherance of its callous and despotic policies, also kick-started e-learning for the negligible few ones who are lucky to have paid and affirming they will go ahead with online e-examination. 

“Also in our findings, we are made to understand that  Osun State University is not alone in this display of callousness, OSCOTECH, Esa Oke has also begun e-learning for some of her students not minding those who can't afford to purchase data or having the e-learning facilities (computer and smartphone). 

“The cut-throat charges at UNIOSUN has already made the institution unaffordable for average parents in the state, the latest e-learning antic is therefore a complete attack on the people and a bolder step towards the transformation of the university to a stark anti-poor,  pro rich institution.

"We shall fight against this and other obnoxious policies of the university,” the association said.

The students' body also urged the Osun State Government to persuade the institutions to reverse their decisions and be considerate in their academic policies.

It said, “They are admonished to be considerate and reverse their decisions, first, by putting on hold any form of online study or e-learning for Nigeria students as we have made to understand that not all students are having full access to the facilities (computers and smartphone) and not all those having the facilities can afford datafication of the gadgets presently as a result of the present economic reality.

“All tertiary institutions should open and activate their school fees portal till when the schools reopen as most parents are trying to provide for survival with their families presently and can't afford payments of school fees.”

Education News AddThis :  Original Author :  Saharareporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2z1ERks

Twenty-four health workers have tested positive for Coronavirus in Bauchi State.

Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, made this known on Saturday.

Mohammed however, said no death had been recorded among the affected medical workers.

  Google

He revealed that 17 of them were from Azare, the headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of the state, while seven were from Bauchi Local Government Area.

He added that all necessary Personal Protective Equipment had been provided for the frontline healthcare workers in the state.

He said, “Here in Bauchi, we are really very concerned about this infection that is affecting our healthcare workers so that they will not be discouraged or demoralised.”

He however, advised the health workers to be very careful and ensure that they properly used their PPE at all times.

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3cm22nJ

Sixty-seven more persons, who had been battling with Coronavirus in Lagos State have been discharged.

This is just as the state government announced the delivery of a baby boy by a pregnant patient in its isolation centre.

The baby was delivered through caesarean section at the Gbagada Isolation Centre on Saturday. 

Announcing the delivery of the child, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the feat was another validation of government's position that it would stamp out Coronavirus from the state.

He said, “I bring you great news from our isolation facilities. Today, a pregnant COVID-19 patient was delivered of a baby boy through caeserian section at the Gbagada Isolation Centre. Both mother and baby are doing well.

"Today's achievement is a pointer that our strategies in Lagos State are working and yielding the desired results. It is also a sign of victory and motivation for us as we push ahead in the battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.

"Also, 67 fully recovered COVID-19 patients; 22 females and 45 males including three foreign nationals -- two Indians and a Chinese, were discharged to join the society.

"The patients; 24 from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, 22 from Onikan, 11 from Agidingbi, two from Lekki and eight from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Isolation Centres, were discharged having tested negative to COVID-19 in two consecutive readings.”

The governor said with the latest development, the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from isolation facilities in Lagos stands at 608.
 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2TciiRg

The Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq Umar, on Saturday affirmed that COVID-19 was real.

Umar, who was speaking on his recovery from the disease, on Saturday, enjoined Nigerians to fear God and support current efforts by federal and state governments to tackle the pandemic.

SaharaReporters had exclusively reported how the emir was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit of the Federal Medical Centre in Kastina State on May 5.  Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar

“All praises be to Almighty Allah for taking us through this time, the most dangerous period in the entire world.

“I want to draw the attention of the people world over that the current pandemic is not a joke, hence people should fear God and return to God.

“If the world is not settled, people should not expect anything good even if you are physically healthy,” the emir said.

A palace source had told SaharaReporters that Umar contracted the virus from Kastina State index case, Dr Aminu Yakubu, a Daura-based private medical practitioner, who later died of the virus.

It was gathered that the late Yakubu was the personal physician of Emir Umar and had met with him and his first wife, Hajiya Binta Umar, shortly before he died.

The wife also died two weeks after.
 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2X549Gq

Over 200 residents of various communities in Batsari Local Government Area of Kastina State have been forced to abandon their homes as a result of incessant attacks by bandits.

The attacks have claimed many lives and also led to the abduction of many women and children, who have since been declared missing after various invasions.

Some residents claimed that the bandits had taken over their communities and converted it to their operational base.  A satellite view of Batsari Local Government Area of Kastina State Google Map/SaharaReporters Media

“It is trouble that forced us to leave our homes. 

"Terrorists have deprived of us peaceful life. We are attacked day and night; constantly. That is our life now. 

"We just got into vehicles without transport fare, young and old women, we are almost 200. Many of us are sick. We beg the government to protect us,” a resident, who spoke in Hausa dialect said in a video seen by SaharaReporters. 

News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2WAC6zy

A driver and two policemen attached to a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, have tested positive for COVID-19.

According to a source, the three might have contracted the virus during the funeral of Sheriff's late father, Galadima Modu Sheriff.

SaharaReporters had on May 3 exclusively reported how the former governor tricked health officials in Maiduguri, Borno State, and fled to Abuja to avoid COVID-19 test despite close contact with infected persons.

“It was after the report was everywhere that he (Sheriff) finally agreed to make himself available for test. 

"Prominent people called him to express their disappointment in him.

“So he was forced to invite NCDC officials and they came to test him on May 8. So also were members of his family and all his staff. 

“The result all came negative except that of two policemen attached to him and their driver who tested positive for the virus,” the source said.

 

The source added the trio have been moved to an isolation centre in Abuja.
 

PUBLIC HEALTH News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2X1wRYS

Gunmen have reportedly killed no fewer than three persons and nine cows in Egume under Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Assistant Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Kogi State chapter, Mallam Ademu Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of the association’s Chairman, Wakili Yusuf Damina, disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja on Saturday.

According to him, on May 14, at about 8am, some gunmen invaded Fulani community at Ofanwa Elubi in Egume and opened fire on the Fulani people and killed three persons on the spot while about nine cows were also killed during the attack.  File Photo: Gunmen middleeastpress

The names of the deceased victims according to available information are Tine Idris, Fatu Idris and Abdulkareem Saleh.

Abubakar said, “This was another attack on our innocent members who are grusomely killed in cool blood on the 14th May 2020. The repeated killings of our people and members in Igalaland is becoming unbearable.

“This time around they launched the attack on our camp, they starting shooting at them without any offence. Those killed during the attack include Tine Idris, Fatu Idris and Abdulkareem Saleh.”

He mentioned that the attack was reported to the Divisional police Officer in Egume for prompt action, adding that the DPO organised his men and took the corpses to the mortuary.
 

CRIME News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/3bBYsVJ

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Delhi is keen to exploit any shift in global investment flows prompted by the coronavirus crisis.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Public hospitals in São Paulo have reached 90% capacity for emergency beds, the city's mayor warns.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Firooza Omar volunteered to nurse newborns after a deadly attack on an Afghan maternity ward.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Scientists in Africa explain that any trials would be properly regulated and so the scare stories should be ignored.

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J
Rusty Hutson Jr is the boss of fast-growing US energy firm Diversified Gas & Oil.