Nedu Echianu's Blog

The Senate has warned the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to stop what it described as blackmail of the National Assembly in an attempt to stop the probe of the commission following alleged mismanagement of over N40billion. The Senate spokesman, Ajibola Basiru in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, warned the Executive Director of Projects in the NDDC, Cairo Ojougboh to accept the fact that the National Assembly has the constitutional right to oversight all agencies of government. According to the statement: "The attention of the Senate has been drawn to a statement credited to Dr. Cairo Ojougboh the Executive Director of Projects of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Interim Management Committee (IMC) that Senators and Members of House of Representative are behind the fraud in NDDC. Ordinarily, while we are still at a loss as to why Dr. Ojougboh has repeatedly made such allegations at a time when the NDDC is under scr

Source: Steemit.com An undergraduate of the University of Benin has died after being raped inside a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, sparking outrage on social media. On May 27, 2020, the victim, Uwa Omozuwa, was said to have visited the RCCG, Edo Province 10, Ikpoba Hill, Benin, where she was reading. Some men were reported to have made their way into the church auditorium where they struck her in the head with a fire extinguisher, raped her and left her for dead. A security guard at the church reportedly found her in a pool of blood and informed his superiors at the church. The 22 - year- old victim, who was unconscious, was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital where she narrated her ordeal. She, however, succumbed to her injuries three days later. The case was reported at the Oregbeni Police Station, Benin. According to friends of the deceased, she only recently gained admission into the federal university and had yet to do matriculation as of the

At least 268 Nigerians evacuated from China have arrived in Abuja, The Punch newspaper reports. It said the flight that conveyed the evacuees landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Saturday afternoon. Disclosing this in a tweet, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the returnees would proceed on compulsory 14 days quarantine as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Some of the nationals had faced serial racial discriminations in Guangzhou, China, from provincial officials. They were reportedly evicted from their apartments and hotels following their alleged refusal to go for the mandatory quarantine imposed by the Guangdong Provincial authorities sequel to the outbreak of coronavirus. Some Nigerians sent a video of a woman with two children who were staying on the streets. In the footage, the unidentified woman was feeding her infant daughter as the older second child slept in a baby walker; she was allegedly evict

President Muhammadu Buhari says close to $1bn was “stolen under a previous, undemocratic junta in the 1990s.” Buhari, in an article published in Newsweek, a United States -based magazine, expressed appreciation to the “friendly nations” that returned the stolen funds. Though the President did not mention Abacha by name, it was apparent he was referring to the deceased dictator. It would be recalled that three weeks ago, Nigeria received $311 m in repatriated Abacha loot from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey. After Nigeria recovered the loot from US and Jersey, the Attorney- General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said the money would be used in expediting the construction of the Lagos -Ibadan expressway, Abuja -Kano road, and the Second Niger Bridge. Previous recoveries had also been made from UK and Switzerland. Buhari, in his article, stated that the country could move forward with road, rail and power station construction, “partly under own resources, thanks

The immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, is dead. Baru ’s death was announced by the current GMD of the corporation, Mele Kyari, on Saturday morning. The former NNPC boss was said to have died late last night. In a tweet via his official Twitter handle, Kyari described his predecessor as a brother, friend and mentor. He said, “My brother, my friend and my mentor, Dr. Kachalla Baru, immediate past GMD of NNPC died late last night. “He was of exemplary character and disposition. May Allah forgive him and have mercy upon him” Kyari twitted. Punch

May 30th 2020 marks the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of the state of Biafra, a breakaway state in the South-East of Nigeria whose government was led by the late General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The effort to create a new state out of Nigeria was a failed attempt, but this documentary takes a deep look at the problems that led to the declaration of Biafra and the war that followed.

The International Press Centre, IPC has expressed concern over the increase in the number of incidents of abductions of journalists and media professionals as evident in the kidnap of Mrs. Chinyere Okoye, a female reporter with Nigeria Television Authority, NTA Aba, Okoye's abduction is coming barely two weeks after another female On-Air Personality with Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria FRCN, - Pacesetters FM - Umuahia, Chinenye Iwuoha, was abducted. Reports say the hoodlums who appeared to have laid in wait to pick Mrs. Okoye to an unknown destination while she waited for the gate to her residence to be opened; has since contacted the husband to demand for ransom. In a statement, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of IPC, said it was worrisome that journalists have become endangered species, emphasizing the importance of supporting efforts to improve safety of journalists in the country. The IPC Director said the spate of insecurity in the country should be a big concern to

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the redeployment of Edo, Ondo and Oyo State Commissioners of Police. Eight other CPs were also redeployed in various Commands and Formations, according to a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba. The statement said, “The IGP has ordered the immediate posting/redeployment of the following Commissioners of Police to Commands/Formations as follows: Edo State, CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo; Osun State, CP Undie J. Adie; Bauchi State CP Lawal Jimeta Tanko; Ebonyi State, CP Philip Sule Maku; Gombe State, CP Ahmed Maikudi Shehu; Ondo State, CP Bolaji Amidu Salami; Oyo State, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu; Eastern Port, CP Evelyn T. Peterside; Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD), CP Okon Etim Ene; Airport Command, CP Bello Maikwashi; and Anti- Fraud Unit (FCID Annex Lagos), CP Olukolu Tairu Shina.” The statement also quoted the IGP as urging the newly deployed CPs to prioritise community policing, crime prevention

The English Premier League season is set to restart on 17 June with Aston Villa vs Sheffield United and Manchester City vs Arsenal. The matches are the two games in hand. A full fixture list would then be played on the weekend of 19-21 June. Clubs are still discussing the idea at a meeting on Thursday, but it is understood all have agreed in principle at this stage. There are 92 fixtures still to play. The Premier League was suspended on 13 March because of the pandemic and it will be 100 days after Leicester City's 4-0 win over Aston Villa on 9 March that competition will resume, with games now behind closed doors. On Wednesday, clubs unanimously voted to resume contact training, having started non-contact training last week. BBCSport

President Muhammadu Buhari, has written to the House of Representatives to request for the approval of fresh external borrowings totalling $5.513 bn. Buhari, in the letter read by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, at plenary on Thursday, said the funds were for 2020 budget deficit, financing of critical projects, and some states of the federation. The President also presented a revised 2020 Appropriation Bill and 2020 -2022 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper. The National Assembly had recently approved a loan of N850 bn for the Federal Government, while another of $22.79 bn, which the Senate has already approved, is pending before the House. Punch

The Nigeria Football Federation has extended the contract of Gernot Rohr as the coach of Super Eagles. The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, made this known on Wednesday without giving details of the contract. Rohr's contract is due to expire in June and negotiation has been ongoing for months. The NFF boss tweeted, “ I’m happy to announce that the @thenff and Coach Gernot Rohr have concluded all contractual discussions and he will stay on as Coach of the Super Eagles. “We have always had confidence in his abilities and we are confident that the national team can only go higher from here.” He expressed optimism that the completion of the contract would enable the coach to concentrate on developing football in the country. Pinnick said, “With the distraction of the contract talks out of the way now, we can now face our football on the pitch, totally. “Again, I never lost confidence in Gernot Rohr’s ability to take our football forward and I ’m convinced our football will only get

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to close down social media platforms after Twitter labelled two of his tweets “unsubstantiated” and accused him of making false claims. Twitter targeted tweets in which the president said that mail-in voting would lead to fraud and a “Rigged Election” in November. Under the tweets, Twitter posted a link which read “Get the facts about mail-in ballots” — a first for the social network which has long resisted calls to censure the president. In response, Trump fought back, tweeting that “Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen.” Trump repeated his allegations, saying “we can ’t let large scale Mail-In Ballots take root in our Country. It would be a free for all on cheating, forgery and the theft of Ballots. “Whoever cheated the most would win. Likewise, Social Media. Clean up your act, NOW !!!!” he added. The

Global rights group, Amnesty International, has condemned the treatment of children arrested for allegedly engaging in terrorism. Amnesty said the children were locked up alongside adult terrorists who sexually abuse them while military officials look the other way. The rights group said this in its latest report titled, ‘We dried our tears: Addressing the toll on children of Northeast Nigeria’s conflict’. The report examined how the military's unlawful detention and torture have compounded the sufferings of children from Borno and Adamawa States who faced crimes against humanity in the hands of Boko Haram. The report read in part, “The Nigerian military ’s treatment of those who escape such brutality has also been appalling. From mass, unlawful detention in inhumane conditions, to meting out beatings and torture and allowing sexual abuse by adult inmates – it defies belief that children anywhere would be so grievously harmed by the very authorities charged with their protectio

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with Nigerian children on the occasion of the 2020 Children's Day. Lawan thorough a statement signed by his media aide, Ola Awoniyi noted that the Day was set aside to highlight the realities of children in society with a view to promoting their well-being and happiness now and for the future. The Senate President said the surest route to a happy and fulfilling future for Nigerian children is to provide them quality education and healthcare, and to protect them against all forms of abuse. Lawan said it was this realisation that led the Federal Government in 1976 to introduce Universal Primary Education, which in 1999 was expanded to the Universal Basic Education, and also to enact the Child Rights Act in 2003. The Senate President, however, expressed concern that despite all such efforts, Nigeria is still heavily burdened with a high number of out-of-school children, a situation which he said portends a grave danger fo

The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, on Sunday traded words on Twitter over the forced eviction of NIDCOM staff from their office at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. While Dabiri-Erewa, in a series of tweets, accused Pantami of being disrespectful to women, the minister, who tweeted back, called the NIDCOM boss a liar. The scuffle between the duo started after the former House of Reps member, in a video posted on NIDCOM Twitter page, accused Pantami of ordering armed men to chase away her workers from their office. She noted that the office was given to them by the Nigerian Communications Commission, lamenting that the working tools of the staff had been locked up. She said in the video, “In one year, we don’t even have an office. The office we got, given to us by the NCC, we were actually driven away by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Econ

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of the Ramadan Fast, urging them, however, not to relent in their prayers and concerted efforts against COVID-19 pandemic. Ekweremadu equally enjoined them to continue in the virtues of love, forgiveness, and unity imbibed during the Ramadan Fast. The lawmaker, who represents Enugu-West Senatorial District, stated these in his goodwill message to the Muslim Ummah at Eid-Fitr signed by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu. “I felicitate with our Muslim brothers and sisters on this occasion of Eid-Fitr. “It is, however, important to note that this will be an unusual Sallah without the normal fanfare and exchange of goodwill visits across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “I, therefore, enjoin the Muslim Ummah to celebrate safely, bearing in mind that this pandemic will pass and there will be more Sallah celebrations ahead. “Importantly, I urge them

I felicitate with all Nigerians and in particular the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of this year's Eid-el-Fitr which marks the breaking of fast and the end of the Holy month of Ramadan. I congratulate the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the fasting period despite the formidable challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic which stood between us and total observance of key rituals of the period. Even as the holy month has ended, I enjoin us to continue to observe the health precautions and sustain the acts of purity, charity, perseverance and tolerance in our daily lives and general conduct. We should also continue to pray for Nigeria, our dear country, for God's intervention against all the challenges that confront our nation and our world. I assure you on behalf of my colleagues that the National Assembly will continue to provide the initiatives and responses expected of a responsible Legislature in a vibrant democracy and as an arm of a caring government. I wis

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, signed into law an Executive Order to grant financial autonomy to the legislature and the judiciary across the 36 states of the country. The order also mandates the accountant-general of the federation to deduct from source amount due to state legislatures and judiciaries from the monthly allocation to each state for states that refuse to grant such autonomy. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said these in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Umar Gwandu. Mr Malami said the Executive Order No. 10 of 2020, made it mandatory that all states of the federation should include the allocations of both the legislature and the judiciary in the first-line charge of their budgets. According to the AGF, “a Presidential Implementation Committee was constituted to fashion out strategies and modalities for the implementation of financial autonomy for the State Legislature and S

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has assented to a bill repealing the law that created pension allowances and gratuities for former governors, deputy governors, assembly speakers and deputy speakers. Signing the bill into law in Owerri on Friday, the governor noted that the erstwhile law runs contrary to the 1999 Constitution as amended, which stipulates that a pensioner must have worked for at least 10 years and must be up to 45 years of age. He regretted a situation where some of the beneficiaries of such payments also get a huge amount of money as salaries and allowances in other positions they occupied, such as serving as senators or members of the House of Representatives. He said: “Apart from the inconsistency of such a law to the provisions of the ground norm, which is the Constitution of 1999 (as amended), this has led for very long time precedence that does not encourage diligence and prudence in service delivery.” He, however thanked the State House of Assembly for ri

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called on Nigerians to draw enduring lessons from the holy month of Ramadan, which includes personal sacrifices and self denial. Senator Omo-Agege in his Eid-el-fitr message, also called for prayers for the country to overcome its challenges, even as he charged citizens on peaceful coexistence. The Delta Central lawmaker noted that the auspicious occasion of Eid el-Fitr does not only mark the end of fasting, kindness and good deeds during the holy month of Ramadan but its global focus on worthy virtues can help lift the world towards being a much better place. According to him, in view of the global Covid-19 health challenge, Muslims are making an unusual sacrifice because they were not able to congregate and perform iftar during this year’s Ramadan. “Today, the health challenge is a test for all our Muslim brothers and sisters but while being unable to congregate, it has enabled them to repair and build stronger bo

Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu,  has asked professional groups and faith-based organisations, including churches and mosques, to submit guidelines for reopening to the NCDC to review and advise. He made the request during the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 in Abuja. Chairman of the taskforce and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha urged Nigerians to be cautious during the celebration of the Eid-el-Fitri in order to avoid the spread of the virus. He said, “The foregoing admonition becomes critical as we prepare for celebrations at the end of the month of Ramadan. “It is the prayer of the PTF that we shall all celebrate this Sallah and many more in good health and beseech the Almighty to accept our supplication and look upon our nation and the world, with mercy.

Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, on Wednesday agreed to terms of a new two-year contract sent to him by the Nigeria Football Federation. A member of Rohr’s backroom staff, who spoke with Punch Newspaper on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the Eagles coach had already agreed to the terms of the new deal. He said the draft sent to the Franco-German was agreed on and the federation would send the contract document to the coach to sign latest next week. “He (Rohr) has accepted the new terms and it’s just a matter of days before the deal is sealed. He loves Nigeria and he is excited to coach the Eagles again,” our source said. Rohr, whose contract with the NFF expires in June, had been in contract renewal talks with the federation since the beginning of the year. NFF president, Amaju Pinnick had listed some of the conditions the federation gave Rohr before his contract could be renewed, which states that he must live in Nigeria and also watch the Nigeria Professional Football Leag

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has distributed food palliatives to thousands of residents in the six local government areas in Yobe North Senatorial District of the State. The local governments are: Bade, Nguru, Jakusko, Yusufari, Karasuwa, and Machina, respectively. The gesture by Senator Lawan was aimed at providing relief to residents of his Constituency, who are affected by the lockdown policy following the spread of the COVID-19 disease. The distribution of palliatives was accompanied with the provision of infrared thermometers, chemicals for disinfection, spraying machines, hand sanitizers, face masks, hand gloves and boots. Also to be provided are Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) to some hospitals across the various local governments in Yobe North Senatorial District. The distribution of the palliatives which commenced with a first phase on 28 April, 2020; entered its second phase on May 9, 2020; and will be concluded with a third phase to be carried out on

The Cross River Government says it has suspended Dr Offiong Okoho, over an alleged unprofessional practices leading to the death of Prince Otu-Otu Duke, a patient under his care. Duke, who was the Special Adviser to Gov. Ben Ayade on Waste Management, died on April 3, 2020, after undergoing surgery for hernia at the Covenant Clinic and Maternity, owned by Okoho. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, told newsmen on Thursday in Calabar that Okoho has been suspended and his private clinic, Covenant Clinic and Maternity also closed down. Edu said that the state Ministry of Health took the decision based on complaints from some patients and clients against Okoho. The family of the late Prince Duke, had earlier wrote petition against Okoho over the mismanagement of their late brother’s health leading to his dead. A younger brother to the deceased, Mr Orok Duke, had sent a petition to the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Uche Anozia, about poor handling of his late brother’

The Rivers State Government on Tuesday said it uncovered a plot by some politicians in Abuja to cause a breakdown of law and order in order to declare a state of emergency in the state. The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, said the culprits had been plotting to destabilise the state but had been failing. He said as preparation for the 2023 general elections gathered momentum, the group planned to use COVID-19 to create enmity between the state and the Federal Government. “They have decided to create unnecessary tension as if indigenes of Ahoada, Eleme and Port Harcourt are fighting with northerners not to carry out their legitimate businesses,” the statement added. Nsirim said the Rivers State Government had been protecting the state from COVID-19, adding that instead of the politicians to support the government, they were looking for a state of emergency in their quest for power. “We are aware that some shameless politicians are playing politics wi

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has called for the immediate review of the privatization exercise of the power sector by previous administrations. Lawan gave the charge in his concluding remarks on a motion considered on the floor during plenary on Tuesday. The motion titled: “Power Sector Recovery Plan and the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic” was sponsored by Senator Gabriel Suswam (PDP – Benue North East). The Senate President, who bemoaned what he described as the “inefficiency of Power Generating and Distribution companies” in the country, called for a review or eventual reversal of the terms of privatization. According to Lawan, parties involved in the shared purchase agreement with the federal government can only seek the intervention of the latter when sufficiently justified. “The power sector has been privatized as we all know, but it has not delivered. We gave them our common patrimony and they still came back to us as Distribution Companies (Discos) and Generatin

The Vice-President of South Sudan, Riek Machar, who was part of a task force to fight coronavirus, is in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19. Mr Machar said as several other members of the task force were infected a new team was taking over their work. His wife, who is Defence Minister Angelina Teny, some bodyguards and other staff also have the virus. Experts worry that decades of conflict has left South Sudan incapable of dealing with a surge in new infections. So far South Sudan has recorded 236 cases of Covid-19 and four deaths. Last week, the authorities announced the virus had reached a UN refugee camp in the capital, Juba, where some 30,000 people have sought seeking shelter and protection. BBC

The Senate has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent directive to launch a military offensive against bandits in Katsina State.  The commendation came against the backdrop of a motion considered on the floor on the need to integrate adjoining States of Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto states.  The motion was sponsored by Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC – Niger North).  The lawmaker in his motion recalled that  Senate had last week Tuesday, May 12, 2020, considered two separate motions on the need for the federal government to immediately address the growing spate of banditry in Niger and Kataina States, respectively.  Senator Sabi Abdullahi said the upper chamber was “aware through a Presidential Spokesman that President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the commencement of a major military operation to sweep bandits and kidnappers out of Katsina state; as major proactive measures by Special Forces to replace the reactive strikes against the camps of thes

***seeks establishment of reserve agency  The Senate has commenced legislative work on a critical bill to ensure food security for Nigeria with the establishment of the Food Reserve Agency to avert any form of emergency food crises in the future.  The bill which scaled second reading on the floor during plenary was sponsored by Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC – Nasarawa West).  Leading debate on the bill, Senator Adamu while underscoring the importance of the diversification of the Nigerian economy, explained that there is the need for enabling laws to address the problem of food insecurity.  According to the lawmaker, the Food Reserve agency when established, would be responsible for storing food grains and other food commodities for strategic purposes.  “Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the development and growth of every nation. Any country seeking to diversify its economy, alleviate poverty, create jobs and ensure food security should prioritize agriculture.  “Nigeria

The Senate has received a request from President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of Mr. Lamido Yuguda as the new Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Also to be screened and confirmed are three nominees as full-time Commissioners of the Commission.  The President’s request was contained in a letter read by the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, during plenary today. .  The letter reads: “Pursuant to Section 3 and 5(1) of the Investment and Securities Act 2007, I write to request for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of the following four nominees as Director General and Commissioners of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Their CVs are attached herewith. Others for confirmation are: Mr. Lamido A. Yuguda, Director General; Reginald C. karausa, full-time Commissioner; Ibrahim D. Boyi, full-time Commissioner; and Mr. Obi Joseph, full-time Commissioner. 

The Federal Government, on Monday, said the recent order of the President Muhammadu Buhari, on gradual ease of lockdown will remain in force for another two weeks. The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID - 19, Boss Mustapha, disclosed this at the daily briefing of the task force in Abuja. The President had on April 27, announced a “phased and gradual easing” of the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states, while declaring a nationwide curfew with effect from May 4. He also ordered a ban on all inter -state movements. Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said in spite of the modest progress made, Nigeria was not yet ready for full opening of the economy “and tough decisions have to be taken for the good of the greater majority.” He said, “Any relaxation will only portend grave danger for our populace. “​Advisedly, the current phase of eased restriction will be maintained for another two weeks during which st

This week Dafina is back with her new single „Running“! Spring this year is marked by patience and isolation, but the spirited and exceptional singer has her own way of dealing with it. With her unmistakable voice the young singer-songwriter appeals to our inner strength in times of Corona. "Running is an empowering track about willpower and hope. The video for "Running“ premieres on Friday, 24 April 2020! In 2017 Dafina reached third place in the MTV Swiss video charts with her debut single "Shot Calling“, in 2019 she successfully completed her studies of architecture and currently she is working on her first EP which is due in 2020. The talented singer, who has a truly international background with roots in Germany, Kosovo and Nigeria, is ready to put her deep, raspy voice out into the world again and follow up on the success of past chart entries. Keep on running Dafina! Dafina Kastrati; Singer – songwriter

The Federal Government has impounded an aircraft owned by a British company for operating commercial flights into Nigeria without approval. The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made this known on Sunday via his Twitter handle, @hadisirika. He said the company, Flair Aviation, was authorised to conduct humanitarian flights but was caught operating commercial flights. Sirika explained that in addition to the confiscated aircraft, a “maximum penalty” would be imposed on the company for the contravention of FG’s ban on commercial flights as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. “COVID -19. Flair Aviation, a UK company, was given approval for humanitarian operations but regrettably, we caught them conducting commercial flights. This is callous! The craft is impounded, the crew being interrogated. There shall be maximum penalty. Wrong time to try our resolve,” the minister tweeted. Nigeria's airports and airspace were shut in March by the President Muhammadu Buhari,

The International Press Centre Lagos has described as unjust and inhuman the suspension of Vivian Ottih, a lawyer and senior editor with the government-owned IBC Orient FM radio station in Owerri, Imo state. Mrs Ottih was suspended indefinitely following her post on Facebook dated May 4, 2020 in which she appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma’s media aide, Modestus Nwamkpa, to make a case to the governor on behalf of the workers in the government-owned radio and television stations who were yet to be paid their February, March, and April salaries. Mrs Ottih who is also the chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Imo State chapter, explained that she was personally hard-hit by the situation because she recently had a baby.  The Executive Director, IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade in a statement stated that the  suspension is a violation of Mrs. Ottih's fundamental right under the constitution and international instruments including Article 23 of the 1948 Univ

Three of the Nigerian Dubai returnees observing the 14 days mandatory isolation in Lagos have tested positive for COVID-19 pandemic. The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known on Sunday in Lagos. Abayomi, through his Twitter account, said that those affected had been admitted to the state’s COVID-19 care centre for appropriate treatment protocols. The commissioner said that the state government and its Ministry of Health would continue to adhere strictly to the quarantine protocols. He said the government would also continue to enforce necessary precautionary measures toward containing the spread of the COVID-19. “I again urge Lagos residents and particularly, those who recently returned to the country to cooperate with our #COVID-19 response teams as may be desirable at all times and in all circumstances,” Abayomi said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government evacuated 256 Nigerians from Dubai amid the Coronavirus pandemic