TheNigerian News
Fake News: We haven’t spent N1 billion on SMS – NCDC
By Toby Prince The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has denied reports that it already spent N1 billion to educate Nigerians via SMS about the novel coronavirus. NCDC made this known in tweet on Thursday morning. According to the health agency, the SMS is an in-kind support by Airtel, MTN and Glo. “The headline […]
Fake News: We haven’t spent N1 billion on SMS – NCDC
TheNigerian News
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has denied reports that it already spent N1 billion to educate Nigerians via SMS about the novel coronavirus.
NCDC made this known in tweet on Thursday morning.
According to the health agency, the SMS is an in-kind support by Airtel, MTN and Glo.
“The headline claiming that NCDC has spent N1 billion on SMS to Nigerians is fake,” the tweet reads.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state
The Police Command in Sokoto on Wednesday arrested no fewer than 21 persons for violating the inter state movement restriction order imposed by the state.
Mr Ibrahim Kaoje, Commissioner of Police in Sokoto told journalist that the defaulters were arrested at Bimasa along Gusau Road, entry point to the state from Kaduna State in three different vehicles.
According to him, despite being aware of the restriction order, the defaulters still went ahead to travel to the state.
Earlier, the State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, had directed the Police Command to liaise with the state Commissioner of Justice to ensure the prosecution of some erring passengers he encountered on his way.
Tambuwal gave the directive when he accosted a bus conveying eight passengers out of the state, handed them over to the state police Commissioner for prosecution.
The governor, who was on his way from Tureta Local Government Area, bordering Sokoto and Zamfara, accosted the vehicle on the road and discovered that it was a commercial bus, conveying passengers out of the state.
The Police Commissioner said that all the passengers were being interrogated to know their culpability, promising that they would soon be charged to court.
Governor Darius Ishaku
Taraba state government has relaxed the total lockdown order imposed on the state to allow movement and opening of business from 8am to 2pm.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Darius Ishaku, Hassan Mijiyawa in a statement late Wednesday, said the reviewed order is to take effect from Thursday April 9, 2020.
The statement in part reads, “Taraba state governor, Darius Ishaku has approved the relaxation of the lockdown earlier imposed on the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with effect from Thursday, April 9, 2020.
“From then until further notice, markets, shops and other places of business are allowed to operate between the hours of 8am to 2pm everyday.
“Human and vehicular movements are also allowed during the period but people are advised to avoid large gatherings and observe social distancing.
“Gov Ishaku thanked all Tarabans for their compliance, adding that government is not unmindful of the hardship the lockdown has caused many families but it remains a necessary step that must be taken to protect the lives of our people.”
The Chinese doctors arrived Nigeria on Wednesday.
Lagos—Organised Labour yesterday faulted Federal Government’s resolve to accept from the construction giant, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, CCECC, 15 Chinese medical experts to assist the country in the battle against the coronavirus, despite opposition from such groups as Nigeria Medical Association, NMA and National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, United Labour Congress of Nigeria, ULC, in a statement by its President, Joe Ajaero, warned that the Chinese experts might worsen the nation’s woes if care was not taken.
The statement read: “Why would such a crucial decision be taken in secret without coordinate input from critical stakeholders in the nation? This sector is a highly specialised area which requires that at all times the input of the professionals in this sector should be sought.
“We are also worried that a company which has had a pervasive influence on the government of this nation, being in charge of various critical infrastructural projects in this country, is the one making this offer at this time.
‘’Could it be that this may be our government’s way of granting favour to the company to take charge of their Chinese personnel during this pandemic? Was there a quid pro quo that may compromise our nation’s ethos, interests and medical processes?
‘’Congress is forced to speak up on this matter on hearing the reaction of the SGF, Boss Mustapha, on the complaints and concerns raised by many Nigerians on the attempt to bring in the Chinese without proper consultation.
‘’We view that response as unproductive, if not entirely dismissive of the well-founded objections raised by these concerned organisations and individuals.
“It is always better to err on the side of caution than suffer adverse consequences eventually. Prevention is better than cure, they say. The Federal Government should address the fears of Nigerians who have rejected the idea of the Chinese experts, instead of the apparent imperious declaration that there is no going back on that decision as if the opinions of Nigerians do not matter.
‘’We believe that for the nation to have a successful battle against the pandemic, we must carry our indigenous stakeholders along and have everybody working together without the schisms that have become apparent.
“Allowing the Chinese to distract us at this time is counterproductive and we think the government should reconsider its stance for now, pending when it has fully consulted all the relevant stakeholders in the battle against the disease.”
The Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Wednesday embarked on operational tour of troops’ locations in the theatre of operations against insurgency across the Northeast.
In all the locations visited, Buratai interacted with the officers and men.
While addressing troops in Super Camp 1 at Molai and the Special Forces Super Camp 12 in Chabbol near Maiduguri, he expressed his appreciation and that of President Muhammadu Buhari for their commitment, dedication and sacrifices to the nation.
Buratai emphasised the need for officers and men of the Army to reinvigorate their efforts and to hasten the defeat of insurgency in Nigeria.
He also directed the troops to train, prepare adequately and brace up for the final onslaught and eventual defeat of Boko Haram/ISWAP’s insurgency.
The COAS assured the troops that their additional operational needs would be provided in a couple of days, adding that the Army had already taken delivery of more fighting equipment procured by the Federal Government.
“Gentlemen, I’m aware you have conducted many successful operations, you have also suffered setbacks especially in recent times.
“You must ensure it is not repeated. You should prepare adequately for the next phase of the counter insurgency operation in our beloved country.
“Other issues expected of you will be communicated to you by your respective Commanders soon,” he stated.
Among the locations visited by the COAS in addition to the two super camps included the Forward Operating Base at Alau Dam, outskirts of Maiduguri.
He also accompanied the troops on patrol to Mairimari Forest located southeast of Tamsu Ngamdua in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Similarly, the patrol went through Maigilari Forest in the east of Tamsu Ngamdua in the southwest of the same Mafa Local Government Area.
These areas are generally known as the routes and directions of approach into Maiduguri by the terrorists.
A major highlight of the tour was the inspection of various military stores, hardwares and other assets including artillery, motar, anti aircraft guns, multi barrel launchers, armoured personnel carriers and many gun trucks among others in all the visited super camps.
-NAN
The Ondo State Government has suspended COVID-19 restrictions for the celebration of Easter on Sunday.
This was made known by Donald Ojogo, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, in a press statement on Wednesday.
Ojogo disclosed that this is necessary as Easter is “one of the most important annual celebrations of the Church”.
He, however, warned that there would be no “Good Friday retreats, Jumat on Friday or ‘Gallilee’ on Monday.:
The Commissioner added that the ban on all social, political and religious gatherings continues afterwards, until further notice.
Read full statement below:
The State acknowledges concerns expressed in many quarters in respect of the above subject matter. This is especially in relation to the last Government Statement on the sustenance of the anti-COVID 19 measures put in place vis a vis the public statement issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) on same.
Government deems it necessary to clarify that much as it appreciates public concern over this matter, there is no need for any misgivings. As a matter of fact, the position of CAN and the Government Statement should be seen as mutually inclusive.
CAN’s statement is explicit enough that Government had graciously granted a special relief to enable Christians celebrate Easter Sunday, being one of the most important annual celebrations of the Church. That is the true position; more so that the word ‘restriction’ advisedly applied to provide the caveat for this special concession in line with crowd control regulations.
Accordingly, the State Government has already communicated to the Ondo State Police Command, this concession granted CAN to, as it were, temporise and allow the celebration of Easter Sunday in CHURCHES.
This is, however, without prejudice to all precautionary measures and guidelines earlier put in place to contain the spread of the pandemic as enunciated in Government’s earlier statements and as agreed to by the leadership of CAN.
For emphasis, there will be no Easter Retreat (Good Friday Programmes) or the Jumat service gatherings on Friday or ‘Gallilee’ on Monday. The ban on all social, political and religious gatherings continues afterwards, until further notice.
As the nation continues to grapple with the dreaded coronavirus, the Federal Government would welcome any support it can get from all stakeholders.
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) have backed the measures taken by the President Muhammadu-led administration and pledged to avail free and regular power supply for two months.
ANED reckoned this is a necessity to mitigate the hardships that are currently being borne by customers and other citizens all over the country.
In a statement signed by Barr Sunday Oduntan, ANED’s Executive Director (Research & Advocacy) and Spokesman for all the DISCOS, on Wednesday, the group assured of its commitment to work with all stakeholders for more efficient power supply within this difficult period.
ANED, however, urged Nigerians to stay at home and stay safe.
Read full statement below:
The Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS) recognise the challenging effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economic and daily lives of our customers. In fulfilment our commitments to the nation, we hereby align ourselves with the efforts of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive to mitigate the hardships that are currently being borne by our customers and other citizens all over the country.
We commend the Federal Legislators, the Executive arm and The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for their initiative and we are committed to working with them to ensure more efficient power supply within this difficult period, as the nation battles with the ravages of COVID-19.
We are also completely aligned with the plans to ensure palliative measures, including free electricity supply to all Nigerians for two months, to make life easier, during the lockdown period. Details of implementation to come soon.
Again, as a key utility player in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), we hereby reiterate our commitment to improving service delivery to the nation during this pandemic period and thereafter.
Please stay home and stay safe.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
By Lawrence Audu
Following the circulation of an old story published in 2015 by some social media handlers alleging that the Nigerian Army has been absent in the fight against Boko Haram and that it is the Chadian Army alone that is battling the insurgents, some of the residents in the North-east have reacted to the issues describing it as “an attempt to demoralize the Nigerian troops.’’
A cross section of the residents who spoke to our correspondents in Borno, Gombe and Bauchi states on Wednesday said issues of security remains a very sensitive matter which must not be politicized, trivialized or peddled as fake news.
Alhaji Idrissa Babakura, a resident of Maiduguri said Nigeria supports Chadian forces in routing Boko Haram and President Idriss Déby of Chad has revealed that the Nigerian government supported his country’s Military onslaught against Boko Haram.
Deby who has relocated from Ndjamena to Baga Sola in the Lac Region said Nigeria provided “fairly substantial equipment,” in support of Operation Anger of Bohoma. The Chadian leader spoke on Monday when a parliamentary delegation made up of the ruling party and the opposition visited him in Ndjamena.
Malam Ibrahim Kawu, a rice farmer from Dadin-Kowa in Gombe state said it is discouraging for anyone to share fake story when there are successes in the fight against insurgency.
“Before 2015, we know how we were living and how we now live. The difference is clear and the army under Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai has done a good job. You cannot be online and be circulating nonsense just for motives that we don’t understand.
“We are on ground and we felt the heat of insurgency but today we owe our peace to the Army. We do our farming activities without any fear or intimidation,’’ he said.
Alhaji Mohammed Usman, a civil servant from Bauchi said: “We have to be fair to the Army. They have done a fine job from 2015 and whatever story or stories being circulated should not be used to demoralise our security agents.
“This is because it has a way of discouraging the Army who has really done well for all of us. The peace that we now enjoy must be sustained through massive support for the troops who are at the frontline of these battles.
Usman said government must initiate punitive measures to ensure that anyone who uses the social media or any platform to circulate fake news is punished to send a strong message to others.
“This is a threat to our collective existence as a nation. Fake news for any purpose must be discouraged and fought to a standstill.
Hajiyah Aishatu Idris, a resident of Nafada, one of the border towns in Gombe said though there is still work to be done in the Northeast “There should be no denial of the successes being recorded in the fight against insurgents.
“The army has done a lot and today Gombe state is safe and we are grateful to Allah. We must continue to pray for the Army and its current leadership for being professional, patriotic and committed to sustaining peace.”
By Lawrence Audu
The Nigerian Army has procured and commissioned 55 Buffalo 4-Wheel vehicles to increase the mobility and combat efficiency of its personnel in mission areas, especially the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations against Boko Haram terrorists and Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North East.
The commissioning on Wednesday in Abuja was by the Chief of Logistics Nigerian Army, Major General Joel Uniugbe, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. Uniugbe said this was a strategic directive of the Chief of Staff for year 2020 to sustain a responsive and professional Nigerian Army in its unrelenting fight against insurgency in the North-East.
He believes that the newly acquired vehicles would ease the troops’ mobility, movement of logistics and combat manoeuvres. “The model of vehicle is an asset and indeed force multiplier particularly in the North East terrain where the Armed Forces of Nigeria is conducting operations against Boko Haram criminals,” he said.
He assured that the Nigerian Army will continue to defend the nation from both the external and internal threats, as well as providing aids to civil authority in other national emergencies.
He commended the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for his committed leadership and support to the Nigerian Army. The commissioned vehicles include Toyota Hiluxes, Buffaloes, Innoson Motor Vehicles, Peugeot among others.