774,000 Jobs: Lawmakers walk Keyamo out of n'assembly after intense argument

Festus Keyamo, minister of state for labour and employment, engaged in a shouting with members of the national assembly on Tuesday over the planned recruitment of 774,000 people by the federal government.

In April, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, had announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had given approval for the employment of 774,000 Nigerians.

Those recruited would be engaged in a special works programme domiciled in the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

On Tuesday, Keyamo appeared before a joint committee of the senate and house of representatives on labour alongside Nasiru Ladan, NDE director-general.

The NDE DG was asked to speak on the criteria used in appointing a 20-member committee for the implementation of the programme. and Ladan said he only knew eight members of the committee.

The lawmakers then turned to Keyamo and asked a series of questions, suggesting that he had taken over the programme from the NDE.

At this point, the tension in the room escalated and the proceedings became rowdy with Keyamo and some lawmakers shouting on the top of their voices.

The lawmakers then opted for a closed-session but Keyamo disagreed.

While shouting, Keyamo said: “How can you expose corruption without the cameras? How can, how can you expose it? I must respond to what he said. You cannot say something and I won’t respond. It is wrong.”

Then some of the lawmakers responding altogether in chorus, said: “Go go, get out. Where is the sergeant-at-arms to walk him?”

He was subsequently ordered out of the hearing room.

Speaking with journalists outside the hearing room, Keyamo alleged that the lawmakers were trying to take charge of the recruitment exercise which his ministry supervises.

In May, Keyamo said up to 10 percent slots of the beneficiaries of the programme in each state would be alloted  to political office holders “like our distinguished senators, honourable members, ministers and governors”.

But on Monday while inaugurating the committee, the minister said some politicians are trying to blackmail him over the recruitment.

Just In:FG Considers Another Lockdown Of 18 LGAs

The Federal Government may consider a lockdown of the 18 Local Government Areas considered to account for 60 per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria in the next phase of eased lockdown in the country.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, gave the indication in an interview with journalists and other State House correspondents after leading some members of the task force to brief the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Monday.

Mustapha, who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said affected state governments would implement what he called “precision lockdown.”

While noting that the nation has not reached its peak as far as confirmed cases were concerned, he urged all stakeholders to ensure compliance with all non-pharmaceutical interventions.

He also gave an insight into the reason behind the low fatality rate in Nigeria, saying 80% of the infections are in the age bracket of 31 to 40 years, which he described as a very active part of the population.

According to data earlier released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, 11 out of the 20 local government areas that account for 60% of the cases are in Lagos State.

• The report listed the councils to include that Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mushin Local Government Area, Eti-Osa Local Government Area in Lagos and Tarauni Local Government Area in Kano State.

Ajimobi Laid To Rest In His Ibadan Residence (IMAGES)

The body of the former Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, was this morning laid to rest in the premises of his Oluyole Estate residence in Ibadan residence.

According to reports his body was interred at exactly 10.05am, with less than 20 people in attendance.

Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheikh Abubakri AbdulGaniyu Agbotomokere, reportedly led other Islamic clerics to perform the burial rites.

A special prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased is scheduled for 12 noon, at the Ishaq Abiola Ajimobi Mosque, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

• The former governor died at a private hospital in Lagos on Thursday from COVID-19 related complications.

COVID-19: Kogi Chief Judge Dies At Isolation Centre

Nasir Ajanah, chief judge of Kogi 
According to reports Ajanah died at the COVID-19 isolation centre in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

• A member of the family confirmed the death to newsmen on Sunday morning.

His death came less than two weeks after an aide to Yahaya Bello, the state governor, also died in an Abuja hospital.

Ajanah has died a week after the passing of Ibrahim Shaibu Atadoga, the president of the Kogi customary court of appeal in Kogi state.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information, did not immediately respond to enquiries for comments, but Mohammed Onogwu, chief press secretary to the governor, directed newsmen to the state judiciary or Ajanah’s family.

• “They are the first people that will break the news of the death,” he said.

Although the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has so far announced three cases of COVID-19 in Kogi, the state government has insisted the state is free of the disease.

It accused the NCDC of falsifying COVID-19 cases in Kogi.

Ajanah was born in 1956 to the family of MJ Fari Ajanah in Okene local government area.

He studied law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was called to the Nigerian bar as a barrister and solicitor of the supreme court.

Ajanah later set up his private firm, Nasiru Ajanah & Co in Okene, where he practised law between 1985 and 1989.

He served in various capacities such as chairman, Kabba disturbance tribunal, Kogi, (1994); chairman, election petitions tribunal in Adamawa state (1998); member of governing council of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (1999 and 2006) and chairman, panel on Murtala Mohammed international airport fire incident (2000).

Ajanah, whose remains will be buried in Abuja on Sunday, served as chairman, election petitions tribunal in Akwa Ibom state (2007) and chairman, election tribunal petitions in Rivers state (2008).

Ex-Oyo Governor, Ajimobi, Dies Of COVID-19

A former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, is dead.

The 70-year-old, who had been on a life support machine since last Friday at First Cardiology Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos, after slipping into a coma following Coronavirus complications, finally died on Thursday, according to findings.

On Monday, a reliable source close to the ex-governor had told reporters that Ajimobi had been on life support machine after he slipped into a deep coma and may not make any recovery going by the observations of medical experts around him. 

The source further disclosed that the former Oyo governor had a lung surgery since being rushed to the Lagos hospital but made no progress while his kidneys had also failed.

Doctors treating Ajimobi, it was reliably gathered, last Friday informed his family that his situation had defied every medical intervention and that only a miracle could bring him back to life.Support65 C3 Days Ago

Those projections came true on Thursday as the ex-governor finally succumbed to the virus that has also killed several prominent Nigerians including late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, who was also treated for the disease at First Cardiology Hospital until he died

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We still lack PPE in OOUTH- Ogun Doctor Cries Out

A Medical Practitioner in Ogun State Teaching Hospital has reiterated how they still lack Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Ogun State which is the face mask and gloves to combat COVID-19 emergency patients.

The Doctor who wants to be anonymous said,
"Our lives are at risk because we are not being provided with the minimum requirement for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is the face masks and gloves."

"At some point we were given an improvised face mask which was made of tissue paper carefully folded and held with pins at the edges, and rubber bands used as the arms of the facemask."
Tell me how this would protect the health care workers at the Frontline from contracting the virus."
Even developed countries where health workers have the full PPE being used still records health workers contracting this deadly disease despite using the full PPE."
Italy has recorded over 100 deaths of doctors in Frontline. Other places affected are US, UK and Spain.
What is our fate without PPE? This is like facing Boko Haram without live ammunition. Indirect death sentence is the outcome," he said.
The worst of it was that it came with a threat the whoever refuses the tissue paper facemask, should have his/her written down-- equivalent to a court martial for soldier running from battle front due to paucity of live ammunitions.
OOUTH is the Epicenter for isolation of suspected and confirmed cases of Coronavirus patients.
As at today there are no facemasks, hand sanitizers and gloves specially provided for doctors attending to patient in the emergency and the ward.
"The importance of these materials can not be overemphasized, we are left to face patients without facemasks being provided."
What the CMD said is that facemasks is now Gold so they can't provide it.
The way the hospital which is supposedly to be the foremost hospital in delivering the highest level of care to patients in Ogun state is managing this Coronavirus pandemic is hapless.
The hospital doesn't have the interest of her doctors and nurses and other health workers on her mind.
"Our lives are at risk, help us."
Whereas the Lagos state government has just increased the hazard allowance of health workers in the state by 400 percent.

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However the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) recently visited the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) as nurses have started testing positive and dying of the coronavirus pandemic due to the lack of PPE aswell in state.

It will be recalled by this website that, Hakeem Muri-Okuno, head of service in the state, said Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor, approved the increment of the health workers’ hazard allowance from N5,000 to N25, 000.

Five Doctors Among COVID-19 New Cases In Benue-Deputy Gov.

Benson Abounu, deputy governor of Benue state, says five medical doctors and three health workers are among the 47 cases of COVID-19 in the state.

Abounu, who is also the chairman of the state action committee on coronavirus, said the confirmed cases include 26 males and 21 females.

“We have recorded 47 cases so far in Benue. Of the number, three doctors and two ambulance drivers directly involved in taking samples and conveying to Abuja for testing have been infected,” he said.

“While the other two doctors infected are not directly working with us and then one worker at one of our emergency centres also tested positive for coronavirus.”

Abounu said the first casualty of the disease in the state may have contracted it while on admission for leukemia at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) where he underwent major surgery.

He said the deceased, who had access to family members and caregivers, started coughing three days to his demise and his samples were taken to Abuja for a test which returned positive.

“He had a major surgical operation 20 days ago and was managed for that issue,” Abounu said.

“It was Leukemia. Three days to his demise, he started coughing and we took his sample to Abuja which result returned positive on Tuesday evening, a day after he gave up the ghost on Monday.

“The belief is that while he was in the hospital, he contracted COVID-19 because he was managed at the general ward and people, relations among others were coming to see him.”

The deputy governor added that the committee had already traced 56 health workers who came into contact with the deceased while he was hospitalised and that over 100 people, including relatives, believed to have had contact with him, have been traced.

• He complained that the abuse of the interstate travel ban is also one of the reasons for the rising COVID-19 cases in the state

Some lifestyle changes the world is going through since COVID-19

Before 2020, no one could have guessed that the events of the first quarter would rock the entire world. Then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. And since then, the events resulting from the disease have formed topics of discussion, concern, and even a turning point for some.

With an event as drastic as the pandemic, life is sure to change in more ways than we can imagine.

More than we may care to admit, our lifestyle choices have changed since the Rona came to town. Here are some ways people’s lifestyles have changed:

• Face Masks Are The New Must-Have Fashion Accessory

Face masks are here to stay. At the early stages of the worldwide outbreak of corona, medical personnel advised the public to adhere to making use of masks as a preventive measure to reduce the spread of the virus.

At the time, this was just a medical recommendation but now, the face mask game has totally changed. No longer are people just wearing the regular plain, boring disposable masks. Fashion designers have churned out great face masks inspirations made from both semi-luxury to luxury materials. Patterns, such as velvet, satin, have been experimentally used in designing face masks.

In fact, the face mask game is taken a step further when some people wear facemasks to match their outfits.

• Big Events Are The New Evil

Yep. Large religious gatherings, concerts, raves, parties, etc are the new evil. No longer are companies and individuals organizing events attracting large audience during this period.

Instead, people are opting for virtual spaces as alternatives to hosting their large events. And in cases beyond their control, people and organisations opt for smaller events. For instance, a wedding ceremony which could have taken a gathering of 100 people will be substituted for a virtual wedding where attendees follow the ceremony online; watching from a distance.

• Everyone Needs Their Own Space. Literally

The time for maximising personal space is here. With the nature of the disease, keeping a good distance from people is an important way to keep safe.

We’ve seen basic gestures like handshakes, hugs, and perks dying off among strangers and sometimes, with friends. Waves, bows, feet-shakes and air gestures have replaced the way we used to greet and express salutation to others.

Major lifestyle change alert guys.

• Remote Work Is The New Normal

You’re probably tired of hearing the term “remote work”. This work culture is a major lifestyle change for a lot of people and is gradually taking a solid stand in the working economy.

Some people have already adapted to working from home in their sleepwear and consuming more internet than they ever have. Virtual meetings are the new normal so also are other work tasks which should have been executed virtually.

• COVID-19 Jokes

There’s never a situation no matter how deadly or serious that has escaped being the topic of humour in Nigeria. The COVID-19 is not an exception.

Comedy skits on the subject are not lacking. Conversations laced with COVID jokes are also common and it’s very likely you too, know at least one of these jokes.

• Change In Spending Culture

Remember when you used to spend on some unnecessary stuff? We bet the pandemic has somehow changed your spending culture.

Now, most people can confirm that at the start of the lockdown, they assumed they’d be saving more since they wouldn’t have to spend on transportation. Most soon realised that all that transportation money would go into data and internet subscriptions. Mad science really.

You may not have noticed it, but you’re more conscious of the price of items when you shop these days. Coincidence? I think not.

Recognize any changes that apply to you?

13 Imo Lawmakers Succumb To COVID-19

Thirteen members of the Imo state house of assembly have tested positive for COVID-19.

Chinedu Iwuala, spokesman of the state task force on COVID-19, confirmed this to reporters on Tuesday.

He said after a member tested positive, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) decided to test the lawmakers and 13 more result came back positive.

Iwuala said the affected lawmakers have gone on self-isolation.

Last week, Collins Chiji, the speaker, had ordered a lockdown of the assembly complex after one lawmaker tested positive for COVID-19.

Chiji had said had said fumigation of the assembly complex would commence immediately.

WHO approves use Of E5 drug for critically sick COVID-19 patients

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved the use of dexamethasone for critically-ill COVID-19 patients.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, disclosed this during a press briefing on Monday.

On June 16, 2020, a team of medical researchers from Oxford University had said dexamethasone, commonly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma, can speed up the recovery of high-risk COVID-19 patients.

Martin Landry, the lead researcher, had also said the drug costs £5 per patient and is available worldwide.

Speaking on the use of dexamethasone, WHO called for increased production and distribution, but emphasised that there is no evidence that the drug works for patients with mild symptoms.

“Although the data are still preliminary, the recent finding that the steroid dexamethasone has life-saving potential for critically ill COVID-19 patients gave us a much-needed reason to celebrate,” he said.

“The next challenge is to increase production and rapidly and equitably distribute dexamethasone worldwide, focusing on where it is needed most.

“Demand has already surged, following the UK trial results showing dexamethasone’s clear benefit. Fortunately, this is an inexpensive medicine and there are many dexamethasone manufacturers worldwide, who we are confident can accelerate production.

“Guided by solidarity, countries must work together to ensure supplies are prioritised for countries where there are large numbers of critically ill patients, and that supplies remain available to treat other diseases for which it is needed.

“Transparency and constant monitoring will be key to ensuring needs dictate supplies, rather than means. It is also important to check that suppliers can guarantee quality, as there is a high risk of substandard or falsified products entering the market.

“WHO emphasises that dexamethasone should only be used for patients with severe or critical disease, under close clinical supervision.

“There is no evidence this drug works for patients with mild disease or as a preventative measure, and it could cause harm.”

Before the approval by WHO, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had said use of the drug would be evaluated before it is allowed for COVID-19 treatment in the country.

“Please note that the Government of Nigeria has not validated or approved any treatment for COVID-19. In addition, the use of Dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment has not been validated by WHO,” it read.

“We are aware of ongoing clinical trials conducted by scientists in the UK and will work with our sister agencies to evaluate this emerging data on the use of Dexamethasone. We will inform the general public on outcomes following scientific review and validation.”

FG Tells Oyo-It is insensitive to reopen schools now

The federal government says any decision to reopen schools at this time, considering the number of COVID-19 cases recorded across states, would be insensitive.

Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, stated this in response to a question on the decision of Oyo state to allow schools resume.

The Oyo government had announced that primary six pupils and students in junior and senior secondary schools three can resume on June 29, 2020.

Speaking at the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja on Monday, Nwajiuba said such decision contradicts the federal government’s position on the resumption of schools.

“The ministry of education did not give any guideline to Oyo state to reopen schools. We also think that that is a little bit contradictory,” he said.

“However, Oyo state, like all other sub-nationals, have governors and under our constitution, governors are responsible for their states.

“But you must appreciate that the primary purpose of government is the security of its citizens. Security is not only when people start shooting guns at you; public health is key and primary in that primary security delivery.

“And that’s why we are extremely cautious in making any pronouncement around this because the education sector owns the largest number of infrastructure in the country.

“For you to even begin to decide to unroll and unleash this in the public in the face of a pandemic, is, to be the very least, insensitive.”

He said the country has not reached the stage of optimal testing and as such, government “cannot even forecast where this epidemic or pandemic is most positioned at”.

“So the least we can do at the moment is to keep our children, our most prized assets, the future of Nigeria, under lock and key first. When we are sure that it’s safe to release them, gladly we will,” he added.

Nwajiuba appealed to parents to remain patient on the reopening of schools, stating that “we don’t want any of our children arriving at doctors’ clinics at all.”

Meanwhile, as of June 21, 2020, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Oyo state has recorded 912 confirmed cases, out of which 621 are active, 282 persons have been discharged, and nine deaths have occurred.

Across the country, there are 20,244 confirmed COVID-19 cases, out of which 12,847 are active cases, 6,879 persons have recovered, and 518 deaths have been recorded

Religious Gatherings Will Remain Closed In Ogun-Abiodun

State on lockdown Saturdays and Sundays
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said that the ban placed on worship centres in the state earlier scheduled to be ralxed from June 19 and 21 respectively for mosques churches have been shelved.

In a broadcast to the people of the state Friday,he said that figures from infections which he said is now community spread is not encouraging.

The governor said that the choice among various options is to save the life of the citizens of the state more so when a cure is yet to be found for the disease.

As a result, he said movement s are still allowed from Monday to Saturday within the state,while curfew imposed between 10pm-4am daily is still in force.

Besides,he said wearing of face masks in the public is still mandatory while interstate travel travel are still in force. Below is his full speech.

ADDRESS DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE,
HIS EXCELLENCY, PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN MFR,
ON UPDATE AND EFFORTS TO COMBAT COVID-19 PANDEMIC
ON FRIDAY, 19TH JUNE, 2020

My dear people of Ogun State.
​
Let me start with the update on the current COVID-19 situation in our State as reflected in the medical statistics. As at Monday, 15th June, 2020, we have recorded a total of 586 positive cases as against a total number of316 on the 4th of June, an increase of 270 or over 85% in just 14 days. Put more succinctly, the number of cases recorded from first index case on 27thFeb to 4th June – a period of 98 days – has almost doubled in just 14 days. On the positive side, a cumulative total of 315 patients have been successfully treated and discharged, representing 54% of the total positive cases. This number stood at 168 in my last update on Friday, 5th June, indicating a discharge of 147 in the last 14 days. Within this period, we have painfully recorded an additional 6 more deaths, bringing the total to 15, an increase of over 66% compared to 9 as at the last update. We beseech God Almighty to repose the souls of the departed and grant their families the fortitude to bear the painful loss.

2.​The above speaks for itself – community transmission is on the increase. And regrettably, in spite of the spirited efforts of the government to create awareness about the deadly nature of the pandemic and the guidelines in place to flatten the curve of the spread, the compliance level of our people is still very much below expectation. Many are yet to appreciate that there is a new normal that demands a new way of life that is not optional and is also an individual responsibility in the final analysis. I wish to emphasise that the figures of the dead from COVID-19 related complications or the sick may appear to many as just mere statistics, but to those who are directly impacted, these are not just numbers, but caring spouses, loving fathers or mothers, sisters, brothers and cherished relatives. The intention here is not to scare us, but to drive home the point that COVID-19 is real, and we have a collective and individual responsibility to work together to tame it – through compliance with the guidelines.

3.​The challenge posed by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic is multi-faceted. Apart from the generally known facts that there are no vaccine or cure yet, the trajectory of the spread of the virus is also a moving target, despite the best efforts at arresting the spread of this highly infectious and deadly enemy.

4.​It is with this consideration in mind that our approach in Ogun State has been cautious, deliberate, methodical, and guided by data analysis, feedback from the field, and expert opinions of medical scientists. Underpinning our approach also, is continuous review of the situation and curtailment efforts, engagement with stakeholders and regular update of the public. Since COVID-19 is a global challenge, we also stay tuned to COVID-19 related developments both in other States within our shores and also around the world. One key lesson is that those who relaxed the restrictions too early are paying dearly and hurriedly re-imposing even tougher measures than those lifted prematurely. Unfortunately, the consequences for the hasty decision are human lives that could have been saved or ailments that could have been avoided.

5.​In my last briefing, we were considering a tentative date of Friday, 19th June, 2020 to further ease the restrictions and allow gradual opening of places of worship on Fridays and Sundays. Towards this end, we have had robust engagements with the religious leaders – Christian Association of Nigeria and the League of Imams and Alfas. I must thank them for their forthrightness, cooperation and even appreciation that the curve of the spread of the pandemic is worsening and that places of worship represent most potent fertile grounds for the spread of the deadly virus.

• 6.​After a careful review of the data, feedback from the field, expert opinions, and lessons from far and near, two major conclusions are very clear and obvious to all: first, the COVID-19 situation in Ogun State and indeed in the country as a whole has not improved since the last update; secondly, there are dire consequences in loss of human lives for premature relaxation of the guidelines, necessitating a rollback of the relaxation in a number of states and countries. Unfortunately, guidelines may be rolled back, the lost human lives cannot be rolled back.

Risk of Contracting Coronavirus Now Higher-PTF Coordinator

Sani Aliyu, national coordinator of the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19, says Nigerians now stand a higher risk of contracting COVID-19.

He disclosed this during the PTF briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Aliyu, there is a greater risk of infection now that the lockdown has been eased and people choose to ignore the safety guidelines set in place to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“The PTF continues to be very concerned about the issue of compliance. As you are aware, we are here to push for the containment of COVID-19 in the country through data-driven medical advisories,” he said.

“The fact that we are receiving many reports on the flouting of the guidelines, the hint by individuals, groups and organisations is simply unacceptable.

“As I said in the past, COVID-19 is far from over globally, neither is it over in Nigeria.

“There’s no doubt that a lot of community transmission is happening and it continues to increase across the states. Now more than ever before, if you go out, you’re more likely to get COVID-19 than before.

“Your risk of acquiring COVID-19 because of the numbers we have now is more than three, four weeks or five weeks ago when we had a lockdown, so there really isn’t any room or relaxation at this point.”

Aliyu said the reason the federal government relaxed the lockdown was to sustain the livelihood of Nigerians, “particularly those who depend on daily income for survival”.

“It wasn’t because COVID-19 has gone and it wasn’t because we should be more relaxed in terms of our prevention measures,” he added.

He disclosed that the federal government is working with security agencies to enforce compulsory adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines, as the PTF “will not sit back and allow public safety to be endangered by a few”.

The national coordinator called on Nigerians to accept the new normal of living with COVID-19, while adhering to safety measures and protocols to ensure protection