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A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc

By Bashir Bello – Abuja

Business mogul and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has donated a 500 bedded isolation facility to Kano State government as part of his contribution to the fight against coronavirus pandemic in the state.

The 500 bedded isolation facility arrived the state on Thursday which led to the commencement of the construction of the isolation center at the 15,000 capacity Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The Kano State Ministry for Health, Information Officer, Hadiza Namadi stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in the state on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Dangote tests negative for coronavirus

Namadi said, “In fulfilment of the promise made by the President of Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote, to establish 600-bed Isolation Center at  Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, equipment for 500 beds have arrived the venue today Thursday as construction has commenced in earnest.

“A committee, chaired by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, has already being formed on the establishment of the Sani Abacha Stadium Covid-19 Isolation Center to determine how the center will function including issues on water and power supply and waste disposal.

“Members of the Committee include Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Alh. Kabir Lakwaya, Commissioner of Works, Alh. Magaji Mu’azu, Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Tijjani, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Abdullahi Umar, and representative from Dangote Foundation.

“The Health Commissioner and other members of the committee have inspected the ongoing construction at the Sani Abacha Stadium site,” Namadi said.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: we are committed towards providing information on virus- NCDC

Recall that Governor Ganduje had at the weekend during the inauguration of a 38-man fund raising committee on Covid-19 announced plans by Dangote to support the state with 600 bedded isolation facility.

In a related development, Namadi said the ministry had also received donation from El- Hage and Medicus Industries.

Items donated include Hand Gloves, Hand Sanitizer, Hypo, Digital Thermometer, Shampoo, Antiseptic Disinfectant, Multi Purpose Soap and Face Mask among others.

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…Berates APC for manipulating prices, fleecing Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects the April 1 tweaking of fuel price from N125 to N123.5 instead of the appropriate N90 per liter canvassed by Nigerians.

Our party describes the reduction of pump price by N1.50k as offensive, fraudulent; a further display of cruelty and insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the plight of Nigerians, particularly as the nation battles the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PDP insists that the correct price of pump price fuel is between N80 to N90 per liter, given the slump in the price of fuel and crude oil in the international market.

The PDP holds that any price beyond that is completely unacceptable, as it amount to fleecing Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Buhari is right; fuel subsidy is a fraud

The party berates the APC administration for attempting to delude Nigerians by tweaking the cost decimals to create a misleading impression of price reduction while fleecing the unsuspecting public.

The PDP challenges the APC and its administration to explain how they arrived at the pump price of N123.5 instead of the appropriate price of N90 per liter despite the fall in international price.

The PDP asks the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to disprove Nigerians by immediately publishing the full prevailing landing cost, the prevailing 3% depot cost, the 3% trucking cost as well as the retail outlet admin cost and show why the pump price should be above N90 per liter.

It indeed smacks of heartlessness that the APC, its leaders and cronies in government circle are rather manipulating fuel costs at this critical time when other governments across the world are seeking ways to mitigate the economic hardship being faced by their citizens.

Our party maintains that since Nigerians earlier had to bear the brunt of high cost of fuel in the face of high oil prices in the international market, it is only fair that they also enjoy the benefits of the cut in international prices; an advantage the APC had continued to deny them.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note how the APC and its leaders had remained silent and failed to support the demand for reduction of fuel price; a development that only points to apparent complicity in this sleazy scheme against our citizens.

The PDP therefore charges the APC and its administration to immediately reduce the pump price to the appropriate price of N90 as well as refund the accruable, so far, from the N35 per liter difference and channel same to provision of palliatives to Nigerians.

Our party also challenges the APC to join the PDP and other well-meaning Nigerians in our persistent demand that President Buhari orders the recovery of over N14 trillion oil money stolen by APC leaders in the last four years including the stolen N9trillion detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, and redirect same to the welfare of Nigerians.

Furthermore, the PDP reiterates its demand for the establishment of Eminent Nigerians Group to manage donations towards mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and ensure that the palliatives get to venerable Nigerians without any political and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

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Professor Jesse Otegbayo

Eight days after isolation and treatment, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, has tested negative for COVID-19.

Head of Public Relations Unit of the hospital, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola, said the last test on his blood sample has come back negative.

Akinrinlola said the test result arrived at about 3:45p.m. to gladden the heart of family, friends and workers of the institution.

Otegbayo had tested positive to the virus seven days ago.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Israel’s PM Netanyahu to self-isolate for week after minister tests positive

He said he may have contracted the virus through Board meetings of the hospital held from Monday to Wednesday last week.

The week-long meetings were suspended on Thursday after some members showed symptoms of COVID-19.

He was among the eight confirmed cases in Oyo State as at Wednesday April 1.

The Provost of the College of Medicine and his deputy have also tested positive for the virus and have since placed themselves in self-isolation.

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Pastor Ize-Iyamu

By Gabriel Olawale

The leading aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu has today announced the appointments of 13 directors into his campaign organization.

The appointed directors and their positions are; Hon. Charity Amanyaevbo, Director of Mobilization; Hon. Kehinde Garrick, Director of Special Duties; Mr. Gideon Obhakhan, Director of Research; Hon. Almed Momoh, Director of Welfare; Engr Tom Eshemogie, Director of Administrations; Chief Barr Frank Erewele, Director of Logistics; Abu Momodu, Director of Finance; Mrs. Jubrin Mariam, Director of Women Mobilization; Hon. Pius Alile, Director of Strategy; C.P Victor N. Ojo (Rtd), Director of Security; Amb. Johnson Iyamu, Director of Youth Mobilization; Mike Igaga, Director of NGOs; Director of New Media Ms. Tinyan Otuomagie and Mr. John Mayaki, Director of Communication & Media.

READ ALSO: PDP to Buratai: Stop pitching military against Nigerians

A statement from the campaign organization announcing the appointments read: “To drive the SIMPLE agenda of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu’s campaign and consolidate on the gains recorded, we have assembled a cast of seasoned political campaigners and highly-experienced professionals with diverse skillsets and knowledge fields.”

“The appointed Directors are all experts with extensive knowledge in their assigned duties.”

“We are confident that they will make significant contributions to our guided efforts to offer responsible leadership to the people of our dear state and coordinate the activities of the campaign which, at this time, is focused on helping the government in the fight against the scourge of the coronavirus disease and provide relief to the poor and vulnerable who are often the worst hit in times of economic disruption and social upheavals.”

“All the appointed Directors have resumed duty, and have expressed delight to serve. The entire campaign team is rejuvenated by the appointments,” the statement concluded.

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Mr. Stephen Akintayo (middle) during the donation. 

As part of relief efforts to cushion the impact of coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Gtext Homes, Mr. Stephen Akintayo, has donated N2 million to orphanages and the vulnerable.

Speaking during the donation, Mr. Akintayo, Founder of Stephen Akintayo Foundation, noted that it was not a season to think of you and your family alone.

ALSO READ: CORANIVIRUS: In Abuja, IDPs beg for protection

His words: “This is the season to give. We need to be our brothers’ keepers by ensuring that those that do not have benefit from our deeds of kindness, as this will also go a long way in helping people stay off the street and forestall the spread of the epidemic in the country.

“I am also using this opportunity to call on our partners, friends and other Nigerians, both corporate and individuals to see the need to give to the vulnerable among us.”

The beneficiaries include Gideon Orphanage and Widow Homes, N250,000, and Tivid Orphanage Home International, N250,000.

Another is Maiduguri IDP camp, which will also benefit through an NGO that will buy food items and distribute, as well as medicine for the hospital in the IDP Camp.

Meanwhile,  one million Naira has been given to www.ginido.com, an e-commerce website, that will be distributing groceries to communities in Ajegunle and other areas.

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Delta Govt orders investigation, sue for calm

Commiserate with deceased family

By Jimitota Onoyume & Festus Ahon – Asaba

Apprehension, on Thursday enveloped Warri, Delta State, following the alleged killing of a 28 years old boy by suspected Soldiers who were out to enforce the ‘sit at home’ order issued by the State Government as part of effort towards containing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic in the State.

The boy who was reportedly shot at about 10am at the Ogunu flyover bridge in Warri for allegedly refusing to stop for a check, was said to be driving towards the Warri NPA from Ubeji when he was accosted by soldiers enforcing the lockdown order.

According to sources, the soldiers chased the victim to the Ogunu flyover area where he jumped from the unnumbered Toyota Camry after using his vehicle to block the road to prevent military men from arresting him.

READ ALSO: Fuel Price: PDP rejects N123.5 price tweak, insists on N90 per liter

The dependable sources, said the deceased ran into a bush in the area where he was allegedly shot by one of the soldiers who were chasing him.

The soldier who allegedly killed the boy hasreported himself to police where he is being detained at the Warri Area Command of the Delta State Police Command.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has called for an investigation into the circumstances which led to the killing.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu in a statement in Asaba said government was worried about the report of an alleged killing of a 28-year old man in Warri by security agencies on regular patrol duty.

Saying the the state government has sent a delegation to the deceased family to condole with them over the loss of their son, Aniagwu said the military authorities have been contacted to carry out an investigation into what led to the killing of the young boy.

READ ALSO: Covid-19: Dangote donate 500 bedded isolation facility to Kano

While urging the people to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands, he said government would conducts an investigation into the killing.

Aniagwu thanked Deltans for their cooperation so far by remaining indoors, suing for further cooperation with the State Government in the best interest of Deltans.

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Mike Ashley will sell Newcastle United if the consortium fronted by Amanda Staveley produces the cash to do a deal.

We have learned that, since January when Staveley’s name reappeared as part of a group including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Ashley has joked about walking down his driveway and opening his mailbox every morning only to find no cheque inside.

Fresh reports surfaced this week claiming a deal has moved closer and that paperwork from both sides had been submitted to the Premier League.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Lockdown: IGP warns Policemen against trampling on citizens rights

However, sources at the Premier League have indicated they will only become ‘interested’ once instructed by the seller that a deal has been reached and the takeover process can begin, although documents being lodged is a step in the right direction.

Those close to Ashley have consistently said they will only have a decision to make when presented with an acceptable offer and the cash to complete and, as of now, that has not happened. Ashley’s lieutenant Justin Barnes is the man tasked with making any deal happen.

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…Accuses APC of manipulating prices, fleecing Nigerians

By Dirisu Yakubu

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has rejected the new N123.50k pump price of fuel and tasked the federal government to settle for no more than N90 per litre.

This is even as the party described the reduction of pump price by N1.50k as “offensive and fraudulent; a further display of cruelty and insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the plight of Nigerians, particularly as the nation battles the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In a reaction contained in a statement signed by the spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan on Thursday, the  PDP insisted that the appropriate price should be “between N80 to N90 given the slump in the price of crude at the international market,” adding that “any price beyond that, is completely unacceptable, as it amounts to fleecing Nigerians.”

Also read: Flood: Amnesty Office distributes N90m relief materials to Niger Delta communities

The statement also chided the APC-led administration for allegedly attempting to delude Nigerians “by tweaking the cost decimals to create a misleading impression of price reduction while fleecing the unsuspecting public.”

The statement further read: “The PDP challenges the APC and its administration to explain how they arrived at the pump price of N123.5 instead of the appropriate price of N90 per litre despite the fall in international price.

“The PDP asks the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to disprove Nigerians by immediately publishing the full prevailing landing cost, the prevailing 3 per cent depot cost, the 3 per cent trucking cost as well as the retail outlet administrative cost and show why the pump price should be above N90 per litre.

“It indeed smacks of heartlessness that the APC, its leaders and cronies in government circle are rather manipulating fuel costs at this critical time when other governments across the world are seeking ways to mitigate the economic hardship being faced by their citizens.

“Our party maintains that since Nigerians earlier had to bear the brunt of the high cost of fuel in the face of high oil prices in the international market,  it is only fair that they also enjoy the benefits of the cut in international prices; an advantage the APC had continued to deny them.

“The PDP invites Nigerians to note how the APC and its leaders had remained silent and failed to support the demand for reduction of fuel price; a development that only points to apparent complicity in this sleazy scheme against our citizens.

“The PDP, therefore, charges the APC and its administration to immediately reduce the pump price to the appropriate price of N90 as well as refund the accruable, so far, from the N35 per litre difference and channel same to the provision of palliatives to Nigerians.

“Our party also challenges the APC to join the PDP and other well-meaning Nigerians in our persistent demand that President Buhari orders the recovery of over N14 trillion oil money stolen by APC leaders in the last four years including the stolen N9 trillion detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, and redirect same to the welfare of Nigerians.

“Furthermore, the PDP reiterates its demand for the establishment of Eminent Nigerians Group to manage  donations towards mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and  ensure that the palliatives get to venerable Nigerians without any political and bureaucratic bottlenecks.”

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Akwa Ibom State Government has been commended for taking the bold and courageous step to have their citizens tested for the Coronavirus disease – the result of which yielded five positive cases yesterday.

In several messages of commendation, healthcare professionals across the world, praised the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, for displaying rare courage, transparency and commitment to battling the deadly pandemic.

Also read: COVID-19: LAGS initiates audio/visual learning programmes

A statement signed by Dr Grace Anderson a coordinator of one of the groups, Coalition of Healthcare Professionals based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, the group commended the Governor, for taking the pace, especially with the test kits the state has acquired, the world-class facility at Ibom Specialist hospital complete with modern beds and theatres, the 13 ventilators and the courage he has displayed in carrying out the test on its citizens.

“We urge other state governors to take the lead from Governor Emmanuel and allow their citizens to be tested. Let me say here that being tested positive is not a death sentence.

“Akwa Ibom State Government was able to achieve this, because they were prepared for the any case that may be positive and this is highly commendable.

“ We have been reliably informed that the five positive patients who themselves are medical professionals are currently showing mild symptoms of the disease as a result of the proactive steps taken by the State Governor”.

The health professionals urged Akwa Ibom people to abide by basic instructions from the government to stay safe from the pandemic.

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A cross-section of Ilorin residents, have lauded the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for a stable electricity supply during this sit-at-home order occasioned by the spread of coronavirus.

Some of the residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, on Thursday, expressed satisfaction with the stable electricity supply during the period.

One of the residents, Mrs Rukayat Akande, said she was enjoying her ‘holiday’ because there was consistent power supply to watch programmes on the television.

“It is not boring at all. IBEDC has really tried. The organisation surprised everybody with the way we are enjoying electricity during this coronavirus break,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Olamilekan Ibitayo, a resident of Olunlade area, Ilorin, said he was able to have special time with his family and watch movies.

READ ALSO: Fuel Price: PDP rejects N123.5 price tweak, insists on N90 per liter

“I am enjoying the holiday because there is always light. I have everything chill in my deep freezer to contain this hot weather,” he said.

Also, a resident of Taiwo Road, Ilorin, Mr Johnson Olutimi, lauded the distribution company’s effort in keeping to its promise of providing stable electricity during the coronavirus break.

Meanwhile, one Segun Ekundayo, told NAN that IBEDC is making the holiday lively due to the stable electricity supply.

“Everybody is enjoying it here in Ilorin because we don’t need to buy petrol to power our electric generating sets. We just remain indoors and watch news and programmes on the TV,” he said.

Also, a provision seller, Mrs Funmilayo Ige, called on the federal government to pay every Nigerian some token for upkeep during this compulsory holiday.

“We want the government to help us by paying small amounts of money to cushion the effect of staying at home. No food to eat, no money to spend now,” she said.

A taxi driver, Wasiu Babatunde, said the hunger was getting unbearable and called on the government to assist them., saying; we don’t find it easy at all to sit at home without work. (NAN)

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