FG asks airlines to prepare for resumption of international flights

 The Federal government has asked airlines to begin the process for the resumption of international flights.

 

National coordinator of the presidential task force on COVID-19, Aliyu Sani, disclosed this at the daily press briefing of the task force today Thursday, August 6. 

 

In his words

“The restrictions in the entertainment and education sector as well as other activities that attract mass gatherings such as operation of markets and worship centres, remain. Specific to air transportation, domestic operations have already resumed as well as the railways.

For international travel, we have made recommendations to the aviation industry to commence the process for opening international airports provided all existing international and local prevention guidelines on Covid-19 are in place.

We have modified the advice with regards to the arrival for flights. Passengers arriving at the airports for domestic flights are advised to arrive at least one and a half hours before their flights and three hours before international flights when it is restarted.

There might be requirements for additional infrastructure in some of the airports. What we want to do, and we have made it very clear at the PTF is, we want to reopen as soon as possible but in a safe manner that does not put at risk all the efforts we have made to control this pandemic. Hopefully, the airports would open in weeks, rather than months. That is what we are looking at” he said

 

Aliyu also announced that the 10pm to 4am nationwide curfew still remains. He also announced that daycares and primary schools remain closed and should only open for those in exiting classes that require to sit for their transiting examinations. He said gyms, bars and cinemas remain shut.

 “For community activities as it relates to daycare and primary schools, all daycare and primary schools are to remain closed till further evaluation.

However, while primary schools must remain closed, registered pupils may proceed to take the National Common Entrance as soon as it is feasible, provided there is compliance with issued non-pharmaceutical guidelines. For secondary and tertiary institutions, these remain closed. However, we have made arrangements for exiting and graduating students in their final year of secondary school to partake in exams in line with guidelines issued by the Federal Ministry of Education.

However, schools must comply with the six (6) recommended steps and required measures issued by the Federal Ministry of Education and which is available online. There are no new changes to places of worship – our policy remains the same. 

We continue to allow personalised services such as mechanics, artisans, hair salons etc. who own their own workshops or workstations, and can clearly adhere to non-pharmaceutical interventions.

“For hotel restaurants and eateries, hotels may continue to remain open but must observe all mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions. Restaurants have to maintain the takeaway/ delivery system until further notice. Bars, gyms, cinemas and nightclubs remain closed until further evaluation.” he said

The PTF coordinator also disclosed that the management of the National Youth Service Corps NYSC has been told to start working towards resumption in the next phases of the eased lockdown.

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354 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria

 

354 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Nigeria on Thursday, August 6.

 

 

A breakdown from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicates that the FCT had the highest number of fresh cases – 78,  and is followed by Lagos with 76.

 

Other states with confirmed cases of COVID-19 include Kaduna-23, Ebonyi–19; Oyo–18;  Nasarawa–17;  Rivers–17; Delta-6; Kwara–15; Akwa Ibom–13; Edo–12, Ogun-2, Plateau–11; Kano–9; Bauchi–6 ; Borno–6 and Ekiti  -6.

 

Nigeria now has 45,244 confirmed cases of the viral disease. 32,430 patients have been discharged so far with 930 deaths recorded.

 

See a breakdown of the viral disease in the different states below

DJ Kaywise gifts his mum a car on her birthday (photos)

 Nigerian DJ, Kaywise gifted his mum a car on her birthday which was on Thursday, August 6.

 

Posting photos of him presenting the car to his mother, DJ Kaywise wrote;

''Happy birthday once again mum I love you !!! thank you for everything  #MamaOkiki #MamaIbeji #MamaKaywise #MamaThai #Okiki''

More photos below...

 

 

Footballer, Ahmed Musa and his wife, Julie, welcome a baby boy

 Super Eagles player, Ahmed Musa and his wife, Julie, have welcomed their second child together, a boy. This will be Julie's second child and Ahmed's fourth child as he already has two children from his first wife, Jemila. 

 

Ahmed took to his Instagram page to announce the birth of his son.

''Life is indeed a gift and Allah has decided to give us a gift that can't be bought with money. He decided to bless my family this morning with a bouncing baby Boy
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Mother, baby are doing well Thank you for all your prayers and support always.'' he wrote

 

Chairmanship election of the Nigerian Medical Association ends in violent clash in Enugu (videos/photos)

 The chairmanship election of the Enugu chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) ended in a violent clash. 

 

Some members of the association were spotted in a viral video destroying some of the election materials and there were also some with bloodied face. 

 

Twitter user and medical doctor @Dr_Nwaneki who shared photos from the scene wrote; 

 

The chairmanship election of the Nigerian Medical Association #NMA Enugu state branch turned violent as doctors were involved in activities unbecoming of the noble profession. This goes to show that the association is no longer about the common interest of the Nigerian doctors.

 

Porn star, Kingtblakhoc explains why he is always looking dirty and unkempt

 

Nigerian porn star, Kingtblakhoc has explained why he is always looking dirty and unkempt. 

 

The porn star was dragged into an Instagram exchange with a follower who told him that it takes nothing to look good. 

 

The follower wrote; 

 

AV been a fan way before peace olayemi set,I just want to let you know there is nothing healthy about looking haggard and unkept...you have raised many superstars and it cost nothing to look good..

 

 

However reacting to the comment, Kingtblakhoc disclosed that he has Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),  a mental health disorder that can cause above-normal levels of hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. 

He wrote; 

 

Check Albert Einstein. And so many people that have ADHD LIKE ME- WHAT I think is more than buying clothes and grooming myself for you to be happy. Fuck off. Am listening to song now see you later

 

Cossy Ojiakor engaged to her Nigerian-German boyfriend (video)

 Nollywood actress, Cossy Ojiakor is engaged to her mixed race, Nigerian-German boyfriend, Abel. 

 

The excited actress showed off her engagement ring in an Instagram post she shared with the caption; 

 

Ring Alert.. Yes Yes Yes 2020. A beutiful year to plan a wedding.

 

 

Tanker accident kills woman in Mile 2, Lagos (graphic photo)

 

A woman was killed in a lone accident involving a tanker in Mile 2, Lagos.

 

The accident occured at about 5:30am on Friday, August 7, near the Nigerian Army Signal Barracks.

 

The tanker was laden with 55,000 litres of premium motor spirit.

 

 

Recovery of Tanker is still ongoing and this has caused heavy traffic.

 

A spokesperson for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor, confirmed the incident on Friday.

 

He noted that emergency responders are at the scene of the incident.

 

 

“LASEMA Response Team is at Mile 2, inward the Nigerian Army Signal Barracks in recovery operation of a fully-loaded Oil Tanker conveying 55,000 litres of petrol involved in a lone accident which killed a female adult,” he added.

 

We’ll suspend governorship elections in Edo and Ondo if violence continues - INEC

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has threatened to suspend the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo if the violence allegedly ongoing in the states continues. 

 

INEC's Spokesperson, Festus Okoye who issued a statement after a meeting on Thursday August 5 said the elections will be suspended if the political actors threaten law and order before or during the polls.

 

Okoye added that the commission is deeply concerned by the “escalating levels of violent actions and incendiary statements” by parties, candidates and their supporters in the two states.

 

The statement read; 

 

 “Consequently, parties and candidates must on no account underestimate the resolve of the Commission to enforce the rules and regulations and apply appropriate sanctions against those who choose to break them. The Commission remains determined to conduct peaceful elections in the two States and in the outstanding National and State Assembly bye-elections.

“Political Parties must realize that Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are taking place at a time of a global pandemic and the Commission is working assiduously to observe and comply with all health and safety protocols issued by the Commission and health authorities.

“Political Parties must remember that Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections have strict constitutional and statutory timelines and threats of violence or actual violence can disrupt those timelines and create a constitutional crisis.

“The Commission wishes to reassure the people of Edo and Ondo States of its determination to conduct credible and safe elections in the two states. The Commission shall not hesitate to discontinue the process should the actions of political actors lead to cogent and verifiable threat and/or breakdown of law and order before or during the elections.”

Tanzanian miner and father-of-30 who became an overnight millionaire after digging up two huge gemstones worth $3.35m, has found another stone worth $2m

 

The Tanzanian miner and father-of-30 children who became an overnight millionaire after digging up two massive chunks of one of the world's rarest gemstones worth $3.35million, has found a third multi-million-dollar lump of Tanzanite.

 

The third stone allegedly weighs six kilograms and has an estimated value of $2million (£1.5million ).  

 

Mr. Saniniu Laizer found Tanzanite, which has a deep violet-blue colour, near his home in northern Tanzania, according to local report. 

 

 

The 52-year-old, who has four wives and 30 children, previously vowed to use some of his earnings to build a school and a shopping mall in his community, where many parents can't afford to pay for their children's education.  

 

Last month, the Tanzanian government gave Saniniu a cheque for 7.74 billion Tanzanian shillings ($3.35million) for the first two stones which weighed 9.2kg and 5.8kg

 

 

 

I had never felt that way before in my entire life - Governor Sanwo-Olu's media aide recounts his experience as he recovers from COVID-19

  Gbenga Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has recounted his experience after recovering from the novel Coronavirus.

 

Gbenga in a post shared on social media, said himself, his wife and driver tested positive for the virus in July.

 

The media aide said the experience was scary for him as he had never felt that way before. He stated that his wife's situation deteriorated with time as the doctors detected underlying illnesses she had before she contracted the viral disease.

 

Gbenga who has since recovered and has returned to work, wrote;

 

Thank God I am back at my duty post! I returned to work today, Wednesday, August 5, 2020 after several weeks away, battling the monstrous Coronavirus.
It began with a feverish condition on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. I usually don't joke with my health so I stopped at a pharmacy on my way home, got an anti malaria drug with some paracetamol and I used it as recommended.

I must state here that I have never completed a full dose of any malaria treatment or drugs before getting back on my feet in my adult life, never! In fact, you would have to remind me sometimes before taking my drugs because I would have felt well after taking the second dose. This time, I completed the malaria medicine yet there was no improvement. By Thursday (July 2) evening and Friday (July 3) morning, my health condition had started to deteriorate. The feelings gradually moved from headaches to severe body pains and cold. Same day, I had a responsibility to organize a media briefing for my boss. I didn't raise the alarm just yet because everybody was wary of everyone else, especially if you showed any signs of illness. But the truth is I was sick, terribly sick.

I told my wife on Thursday evening that there was a need for us to get tested for COVID-19. I convinced her that we needed to clear all doubts. She understood clearly, knowing it may not be out of place that I had been exposed to the virus, especially now that Lagos was experiencing rise in community spread.

We drove straight to the Yaba Infectious Diseases Hospital on Friday morning and in less than an hour; the very efficient Lagos health workers in charge of sample collection and testing attended us to.

Although he was not ill and showed no signs of COVID-19, I encouraged my driver to join us for the test. We left for Marina to continue with the day’s official activities. While Mr. Governor was briefing and responding to questions from journalists, I stood there on the beautifully tendered State House lawn shaking from within. I could feel that my legs were wobbling from inside my bone marrow. Not even the beauty of the grass, which I usually admire, could calm the way I felt.

I remember how much I tried to keep more than two metres away from some colleagues who had come to me for some clarifications on issues or points raised by Mr. Governor. Since I was not sure of my status, I needed to take responsibility by ensuring that nothing was discharged into the atmosphere from my side.

I waited till the end of the press conference, managed to move towards my boss but ensured that I didn't move close to him. In that socially distanced position, I informed him of my state of health and his response was direct, "have you gone for another test?" He asked because he had mandated his entire close aides to go for COVID-19 test on two or three occasions. He has also done the test repeatedly, just for everyone to feel safe around the office. I answered him in the affirmative, "yes sir, I just did this morning. Results should be out on Sunday." He then said I should go home for a couple of days. I thanked him and I left the State House.

No sooner had I left the State House than the real symptoms started in fearful proportion. To be honest, I was scared. I had never felt that way before in my entire life. Driving from Marina to Ikeja felt like travelling from Lagos to New York. The vibrations and other bodily pains I experienced that day can't be described here. I rolled from one end of the vehicle to another. All I remember was my driver's voice, saying "epele sir (sorry sir)". It was excruciating! By the time we got home, my eyes had turned red, with the retinal looking the other way. My wife took over immediately as the resident nurse. She was scared too but she summoned the courage and took charge. She insisted we went to the hospital. We did. I told the doctor that I had gone for COVID-19 test but he said he would place me on another round of malaria treatment.

I took some shots that evening, repeated them on Saturday morning and evening. I went again on Sunday morning but there was no remarkable improvement. By Sunday evening, our COVID-19 test results were sent to me via email. My worst fear stared at me in the face; we all tested positive for Coronavirus - my wife, driver and I. I immediately called my driver to inform him. Clearly he was asymptomatic because as at that time and up till the time of writing this piece, he had no symptoms. Life has been normal for him. Nonetheless, I insisted that he should self-isolate at home for 14 days and not go about infecting other people.

I duly informed my principal and then called my direct boss, Mr. Tayo Ayinde, the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who immediately made arrangements for my treatment. The doctors called in and asked that we isolate at home. They tutored me on all the protocols, most of them I was already familiar with, having been part of the communication team on Lagos State Government's response to COVID-19.

Case management started and in two days, I had lost my sense of smell, taste and every symptom that comes with COVID-19 had fully manifested in me. Trust me, it was not a particularly pleasant experience.

In eight to nine days of medication, the initial pains and discomfort started to disappear. I began to experience a new lease of life. My SPO2, which is a small device used in checking the flow of oxygen in a patient’s system was back to normal. BP was good and body temperature returned to normal. This time, I could attend to work related issues. I started working from home.

Recall that three of us tested positive and one was asymptomatic. My wife too showed some symptoms from Monday, July 5, so she was placed on same medication. While I improved, her condition took a downward turn; her oxygen level was below the acceptable limit of 95! At first, it fluctuated between 90 and 94; sometimes it would hit 95 so I was hopeful. Her Blood Pressure was also irregular. The value was inconsistent; sometimes good, at another time bad.

On Tuesday, July 14, her SPO2 went down to 88! That was when it dawned on everyone that she had to be evacuated to an isolation centre. She was taken to the Onikan centre, where she received some of the best treatment that COVID-19 patients in the United States of America are looking for. I don’t get scared easily by anything or situation. This time, I was very scared. I thought the worst phase of my life had come when after three days of her admission, she had not responded well to the treatment. She neither called home nor picked her phone. Everyone was worried.

Thanks to the Lagos State Government, the Ministry of Health, the health workers; doctors, nurses and drivers, among others who ensured that my wife, like all the other patients that were brought in under very terrible conditions returned home with joy.

After spending five days, we started to connect again via video calls.

Since I was not in the isolation centre, the closest was when I took her birthday cake there for a symbolic celebration; I could only rely on her experience, which she described as wholesome.

I decided to touch on my wife’s experience to draw attention to the fact that people do not necessarily die of COVID-19. You lose people to complications from underlining ailments. Unknown to us, my wife had a silent case of pneumonia and had some blood clot related issues. And since she had not fallen sick, these conditions never manifested in any form. Everyone in the house appeared healthy and truly so until the COVID-19 incident.

It is very important to conduct comprehensive medical checks, even if it is once in a year. If we had known this earlier, perhaps our experience would have been less traumatic when COVID-19 came calling.

Without sounding immodest, Lagos State Government is a model State on the COVID-19 response in Africa. Special thanks to Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who built excess capacity in readiness for the pandemic. This has helped the State to manage the effects of the pandemic since it broke out.

COVID-19 is not a hoax, it’s very real. Use your face mask wash your hands regularly, use sanitizer and please keep to the social distance protocols.

Now I am back on the beat, what have I missed?

Akosile is the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor.

Big Brother Cameroon housemates flee as house almost goes up in flames (video)

 The house where the Cameroonian version of the Big Brother reality TV show is currently holding, almost caught fire last night.

 

In a video that is making the rounds online, some of the housemates were working in the kitchen when a loud noise accompanied by fire erupted from the gas cooker. The incident saw the housemates scampering for safety. Thankfully no one was injured. Watch the video below

 

 

Trust Nigerians to react to the incident. See their tweets below

Kwara governor’s wife offers to help blue-eyed mum and kids abandoned due to their eye colour

 Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the wife of Kwara State Governor, has offered to help the blue-eyed Kwara mom who was abandoned by her husband after she gave birth to blue-eyed kids.

 

Risikat Azeez moved back in with her parents after her husband, named Abdulwasiu Omo-Dada, and his family started acting up because of the unusual colour of her children's eyes. When the animosity got out of hand, she left and her husband never came after her (read here).

 

After the story of Risikat and her kids went viral, the Kwara State governor’s wife, Olufolake Abdulrazaq took to Twitter to express willingness to help Azeez and her kids. She said she has been in touch with the mother-of-two through her foundation, the Ajike People Support Centre. 

 

She added that she would also work to possibly reunite the woman with her husband, but Twitter users did not approve of that part.

 

 

Risikat had mentioned that she would like her daughters to be well educated. She pointed out that her older daughter is 5 and hasn't started going to school because of lack of funds.

Concert: Naira Marley arraigned before Abuja Mobile Court, fined N200,000 (photos/video)

 Singer, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, was this morning August 7, arraigned before an Abuja mobile court for violating COVID-19 protocols. 

 

The FCT Administration filed a four-count charge against him for hosting a concert in Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja, in clear violation of COVID-19 directives on June 13, flouting the presidential ban on Interstate travels and public gatherings.

 

After the charges were read to him, Naira Marley pleaded guilty and the presiding magistrate Idayat Akanni handed down a fine of N200, 000 on him. This comes a day after a mobile court in Lagos also fined him and his manager N100, 000 for travel out of the state for the concert.

 

Naira Marley flew in a chartered plane meant for a Lagos judge to the Federal Capital Territory for the concert which was held on June 13.

 

Watch a video of him being arraigned before the court below..

 

Man robbed of his entire $200k life savings outside bank seconds after withdrawing the money (video)

 A man was robbed of his entire life savings outside a bank just seconds after he withdrew the money from his bank.

 

Francisco Cornejo was attacked outside a Chase Bank in Huntington Park, California, US.

 

A masked man was seen on video running off with Francisco Cornejo's life savings of $200,000.

 

The video shows Francisco Cornejo trying to grab the thief as he falls to the ground. He can then be heard begging for help as the man runs off with his money.

 

The money came from a recent sale of his house and was everything he had in his bank account.

 

Francisco’s lawyer, Nathan Soleimani explained: "He was parked as close as possible to the bank, knowing he was going to withdraw a large amount of cash.

 

"Before he was able to get to his car, he was grabbed and beaten.

 

"And when he was being beaten he was doing his best to try and retain the bag that he brought with him."

 

 

The lawyer said investigators are now looking into CCTV footage from the bank to try and hunt the suspect. The FBI is also involved and a representative from Chase Bank said they were working with law enforcement.

 

 

Though the violent attack left Francisco battered and bruised, his family say they are grateful he's alive.

 

Huntington Park police has asked anyone with information to call.

 

Below is a video of the attack.

 

 

288 new cases of COVID-19 recorded in Nigeria

288 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Nigeria on Monday, August 3.

 

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos recorded 88 new cases while the FCT recorded 25 fresh cases. The other states with new cases include Kwara – 33, Osun – 27, Enugu – 25, Abia – 20, Kaduna – 17, Plateau and Rivers – 13, Delta – 10, Gombe – 8.

 

Nigeria now has 44,129 confirmed cases.  20,663 patients have so far been discharged with 896 deaths recorded.

 

See a breakdown of the cases in different states below

 

Pastor arrested for allegedly raping his co-pastor's 11-year-old daughter in Imo

The Imo state police command has arrested one Pastor Joseph Anthony of the Living Faith Church in Njaba, a community in the state, for allegedly raping one Favour Chikanma, the 11-year-old daughter of his fellow pastor, one Pastor Chukwuma Okoronkwo. 

 

A statement from the spokesperson of the state police command, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, says that Anthony was arrested on July 13.

 

''Preliminary investigations revealed that the said Pastor Chukwuma Okoronkwo accommodated Pastor Joseph Anthony in their house and on the day of the incident, the said Pastor Joseph Anthony took advantage of the fact that he was at home alone with the victim and had canal knowledge of her.

Investigation is at advanced stage. He will be charged to court accordingly.'' the statement read

 

In a related development, the police have also arrested a 38-year-old man identified as Ifeanyi Nwaogu, for allegedly raping a 10-year-old girl, Chisom Ohanyere.

 

According to the police spokesperson, on July 4, Nwaogu was arrested for defiling Chisom. Investigation by the police revealed that the victim was running an errand for her mom when the suspect saw her pretending as if he wanted to send her on an errand and then forcefully dragged her into the bush and allegedly had canal knowledge of her.

 

Ikeowku said investigation has reached an advanced stage and that the suspect will be charged to court soon.

 

Husband dies of shock after he and his wife were defrauded of N5m by fake herbalist

The Ogun state police command has arrested a 37-year-old national of Benin Republic, Gbese Peter for allegedly defrauding a couple, Mr and Mrs Bamigboye Alao of N5 million under the pretense of helping them overcome their spiritual problems and shielding their children from untimely death.

 

The command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi said the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at Sabo Police Station by Mrs Bamigboye. 

 

He said; 

 

“The suspect was arrested following the complaint lodged at Sabo police station by Mrs Bamigboye who reported that she and her husband met the suspect about five years ago when he started discussing with them about a serious spiritual calamity (problem) awaiting them and their children if an urgent spiritual step is not taken.

"Out of fear of the unknown, they agreed to embark on the said spiritual journey and he took them to the Republic of Benin where he gave them a wooden coffin which he instructed them not to open until he asked them to do so.

"She stated further that the suspect started collecting money from them until they coughed out the total sum of N5 million. When they realised that they have been swindled, the shock led to the death of her husband”.

 

Upon being arrested and interrogated, the suspect confessed to collecting money under false pretense from the couple, but claimed that he only duped them of N3.5 million and not N5 million as claimed by the woman. Gbese further disclosed that he used the money to build a house for himself.

 

A wooden coffin containing white cloth and other substances, a horn wrapped with white cloth and beads were recovered from the suspect. 

 

The Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspect to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for proper investigation and diligent prosecution.

Anthony Joshua set to defend his three world heavyweight titles against Kubrat Pulev in December

Anthony Joshua will fight his mandatory IBF challenger Kubrat Pulev in December to defend his three world heavyweight titles, according to boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

 

The pair were due to face each other at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20 but the coronavirus pandemic forced the clash to be canceled. 

 

A new date for the clash has not to been announced yet but it's likely going down in December with London's O2 Arena as a possible location.

 

Speaking with ESPN, Hearn said: “We know AJ’s only going to fight once this year, so we want to give ourselves the best opportunity to bring in a crowd, and that would obviously be the later the better.”

 

“But it’s still not a gimme at all. There’s still a very strong chance that AJ will have to fight behind closed doors.

 

“Bearing in mind he’s only going to fight once this year, I just feel as we might as well give ourselves every chance to have a crowd and that will be the first weekend of December.

 

“Their regulations comply with the government, so at the moment they’re closed.

 

”So they would need to open up. We’d need to get an understanding from the government what is allowed in arenas. Are you going to open at 50 percent [capacity]? Are you going to open up 100 percent? There’s a lot of work that has to go into that with the government and the O2 (Arena).”

 

Joshua, 30, won back his WBA, WBO, and IBF world heavyweight titles when he beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in December 2019. 

 

After his clash with Pulev clash, the British-Nigerian heavyweight champion will face WBC champion, Tyson Fury, in a British heavyweight showdown. 

 

Kaduna state government to reopen schools for SS3 students on August 10

The Kaduna State Government has announced August 10 for the reopening of schools for Senior Secondary School 3 students.

 

According to a statement released by the Commissioner for Education, Shehu Mohammed, the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, gave the approval to enable the students to write their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) slated for August 17, 2020. Mohammed directed all secondary school principals to make arrangements to receive SS3 boarding students on August 9 and day students on August 10 respectively.

“The guidelines include reduced hours of work/revision to 4 hours per shift, strict social distancing both in the classes, laboratories, libraries and hostels, consistency of temperature monitoring and handling any suspected case of COVID 19 case to the health authorities,” he said.

 

The Commissioner also advised all administrators of public and private schools in the state to use the one week period to make adequate preparation and put all COVID-19 guidelines in place.

 

Shehu warned schools against resuming before August 10.

Buratai is waging a war on Nigeria's constitutional democracy - Lawyer to detained soldier says as he accuses COAS of disobeying court order

Tope Akinyode, lawyer to detained Nigerian soldier Lance Corporal Martins Idakpini has accused the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Tukur Buratai of disobeying a court order. 

 

Recall that Justice AI Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja who presided over the Lance Corporal's case, had ruled that it was unlawful for the army who are detaining Idakpini for criticizing the COAS from seeing his lawyer and family.

 

Tope Akinyode has however now accused Buratai and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami of disobeying the court order which granted the soldier access to his lawyer and his family. He added that disobedience to court order by the military is a COUP D'ETAT on Nigeria's democracy.

 

The human rights activist and National President of Revolutionary Lawyers' Forum tweeted; 

 

Tukur Brutai, Chief of @HQNigerianArmy Staff Shamelessly Disobeys Court Order Over Lance Corporal Martins' Case On 22nd July 2020, after I argued an Ex parte motion, the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the @HQNigerianArmy  to grant a detained Soldier, Lance Corporal Martins Immediate access to his lawyer, wife and relatives.

Justice AI Chikere agreed with me that at any rate, it is a continuous breach of the detained Soldier's fundamental human rights to be denied access to his lawyer and family.

So the Court ordered the Respondents- the Chief of Army Staff and the Attorney General of the Federation to give way and allow Lance Corporal Martins access to his lawyer and wife.

After 3 attempts, Buhari's appointees, Brutai and the AGF have brazenly disobeyed the valid order of the Federal High Court.

Last week Wednesday, after the 2nd attempt to see Lance Corporal Martins failed, I placed a phone call through to the AGF to inform him of the development.

The AGF, Malami SAN told me that he has seen the court order I served on him and has minuted on it for action. That the public holiday could affect compliance but I should check back with him after the holiday.

I reached the AGF yesterday and told him I'll be visiting the Army headquarters to ensure compliance, but again, I was rebuffed on the 3rd attempt to see Lance Corporal Martins.

There's clearly no doubt that Buhari lacks respect for court orders and the rule of law and this shameful and pathetic occurrence is being embraced by his appointees.

Brutai is waging a war on Nigeria's constitutional democracy. Disobedience to court order by the military is a COUP D'ETAT on Nigeria's democracy.

Brutai is actively taking steps to return Nigeria to the dark era of military jaunta. This must stop!