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Sunday, 24 May 2020
"COVID-19 is a test from God" – Atiku
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says COVID-19 is a test from God.
In a Sallah message on Saturday, Atiku asked Nigerians to continue to abide by the guidelines issued by health authorities.
The former vice-president said guidelines are for the benefit of Nigerians and the world at large. In his words,
“All these strictures could not have made our fasting less valid because, as Muslims, we believe that everything that happens is with the command of Almighty Allah. We are taught in the scripture and the Sunnah of Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that God would test our faith individually and as an Ummah.
The current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic is a test from Allah and, having fasted as we are enjoined as Muslims, let us continue to remember that it is part of our faith to protect all lives and to abide by regulations from those in authority, especially during a time of great uncertainty like this.
Those protocols about avoidance of crowded places, social distancing and regular washing of hands are for our own benefits and the benefits of humankind in general.
As Muslims, it is incumbent upon us to do our best both in action and in prayers to ensure that the world is healed of this deadly virus in the earliest possible time.”
Atiku said it is incumbent on governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare of the people when planning for post-COVID-19 era. He said,
“People in leadership positions all over the world should learn from countless examples of how Prophet Muhammed (SAW) and his immediate disciples took the welfare of the people as priority in administration of a state.
This time calls for sacrifice in leadership. This is no time for extravagance and living in luxury.This year’s Eid-el-fitr celebration is already a special one.
But I wish all Nigerian Muslims and their counterparts across the world a more special celebration, filled with pleasant moments as we pray together and enjoy the day with our families.”
Buhari mourns Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte
President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte. Justice Karibi-Whyte died on Friday at the age of 88 years in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, noted that Justice Karibi-Whyte served Nigeria with his wisdom, knowledge and experience all through his life as a scholar and a law man.
President Buhari, while commiserating with the family of the deceased, the government and people of Rivers State, as well as his professional colleagues, commended his legacies to the Law and the State, noting that his contributions were not just for Nigeria, but for the whole world.
“President Muhammadu Buhari sends condolences to government and people of Rivers State over the passing of legal icon, author and Professor of Law, Justice Adolphus Godwin Karibi-Whyte.
President Buhari prays that God will comfort all who mourn the legal colossus, especially his family, the academia, Nigerian Bar Association and Body of Benchers, friends and associates, commending his contributions to law and jurisprudence in the country, and beyond, leaving a legacy of integrity and nationalism.
President Buhari notes, with deep conviction, that the legal luminary used his knowledge, wisdom and experience in serving the nation he loved so much, working diligently as a scholar for many years, before transiting to the judiciary, and pursuing his passion of ensuring fairness through the Federal Revenue Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The President affirms that Justice Karibi-Whyte played many historic roles in growing Nigeria’s legal system, strengthening democratic institutions and shaping the policy direction of many governments and international agencies, as he served as Chairman, Nigerian Constitutional Conference, 1994-1995, Counterfeit Currency Tribunal, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities, and Judge and Vice-President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague.
The President believes the erudite jurist lived and led by example, set a standard for resourcefulness and patriotism, and brought honour to the country, praying that the almighty God will grant his soul a peaceful rest”, the statement said.
Pregnant mother stabs lover to death
Hell has no fury like a woman scorned. That much was proven in the life of Mr. Anyakwo Mohammed whose lover stabbed to death for impregnating another woman. In a sensational confession to the Nasarawa State Command of the Nigerian Securities and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Veronica rendered an account of how she drove a knife into her husband’s chest during a quarrel, causing him to die before he could be rushed to the hospital.
Already, the NSCDC has vowed to charge her to court for murder.
Narrating the events that culminated in the fatal incident, Veronica said her late Mohammed refused her request that she should allow him to make a call with his phone, and the situation resulted in a heated argument. She said:
“I was roasting a yam for him because he was very hungry, but a disagreement broke out in the process. I went inside the room to pick the knife with which I would peel the yam.
As the quarrel continued, I told him that he would no longer eat from the yam and that he should go and eat at the place of the woman he impregnated.
He got angry, stood up and held my hand in a bid to forcibly collect the knife from me so that he would peel the yam by himself.
As we dragged the knife, its sharp end drove into his chest, causing a deep cut and serious bleeding. It was in the night, so before they could rush him to the hospital, he died.”
Expressing regrets over the incident, Veronica said she would not have picked a quarrel with her late husband if she had any inkling that it would result in his death.
“I would not have engaged in a quarrel with him if I knew. I loved him so much even though he disappointed me.
May God Almighty forgive all my sins and his shortcomings. I believe that God will take my husband to heaven to be with Him. May his gentle soul find peace.
His death was not deliberate. I will forever miss him. I didn’t mean to kill him. I will continue to pray for his soul for the rest of my life.
The only promise I will make is that nobody will ever take his place in my heart. I am two months pregnant for him, apart from the two-year-old daughter we already had. My prayer is that the unborn baby would be a male child so that I would name it after him as a mark of honour.
It is clear to me now that I have made a big mistake by killing my husband and his spirit may hunt me for the rest of my life. But God knows it was not intentional.”
The tragic incident, which occurred in the backwoods of Obene Ward in Keana Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, on April 28, 2020, saw everyone who heard or saw the gory details reeling in shock.
In her no-holds-barred confession at the state command of the NSCDC, 22-year-old Veronica blamed her husband for the tragic end to their marriage, which she claimed started on a good note before the irreconcilable disagreement set in, even though they were not legally married.
In an emotion laden voice during an interview with our correspondent, she recounted the fatal incident that led to her stabbing her husband to death.
“She explained that she was staying with her grandmother before she died and her uncle took her to Keana Local Government Area to live with him. It was during her stay with her uncle that she met her late husband who impregnated her outside of wedlock.
Veronica, a primary school dropout, said her late husband dated her for four years before he impregnated her with a promise that he would marry her if she converted to Islam. She said:
“My parents who brought me to the world have humiliated, cheated and frustrated my entire life. If I knew early enough that the people I stayed with were not my biological parents, I would have run away from them. I was deceived and introduced to fake parents by my own blood sister.
What a wicked world! My parents violated my human right and my late husband, Anyakwo Mohammed, who impregnated me without paying my bride price, deceived me.
It was frustration and anger that pushed me into stabbing my late husband. Bringing in another lady with pregnancy worsened the situation.
Since this incident occurred, I have been very unhappy. I called my husband’s brother who works with the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) to plead on my behalf. I have sinned against them.
My late husband’s brother said I should not worry; that it was how God wanted it, for there was nothing they could do to bring their late brother back to life.
I am begging the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to forgive me and help me to get out of my predicament.
I was arrested by the NSCDC. I am being neglected by my family members. Even the people I regard as my parents have also abandoned me to my fate.
I regret my action. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I did not know that he would die. I had been having a misunderstanding with my late husband over a woman he impregnated and it led to constant quarrels and fighting. I got tired of it all.
I returned from my ‘parents’ house and was told that Mohammed was with another lady whom he impregnated.
When I asked him if the pregnancy was his, he refuted it. He said the lady was his girlfriend but the pregnancy was not his.
We were staying together with the lady but she left us before the incident occurred.
My late husband promised to marry me if I could change my religion. But when we started having constant quarrels, I was discouraged about it.”
She explained further that her late lover visited her people twice and bought them some items as an in-law. She said:
“I have a two-year-old baby for him. The baby is in Lafia with my husband’s family. But shortly after we had the baby, I did not understand him again even though we were together.
Our relationship broke down irretrievably with the damming discovery that he was sexually involved with another woman and had impregnated her and was even planning to bring her in, all because I refused to convert to Islam.”
Already, the NSCDC has vowed to charge her to court for murder.
Cubana Chiefpriest claps back at Burna Boy over Davido
Remember the feud about Burna Boy dragging Davido that he's living off his father's wealth even as a musician? Cubana Chiefpriest has replied him on Davido's behalf. He said,
"No Be @davidoofficial Say Make Adeleke Born Am !!!! Don’t Ever Fight Destiny, You See This Crown👑 Na God Give Am To Him, Na Natural, Na Follow Come, E Dey The Body.
David🇺🇸🇳🇬 As Ajebo Never Looked Out For A Rich/Blown Girlfriend Rather He Blew His Girl, David At 26 Has A 5 Year Old Daugther, David With His Said Papa Money Has Raised Talents To Super Stars Even Gate Man Sef Blow !!!!
You Wey Wan Check Am If To Say Your Papa Get This Money Pride No Go Gree You Do Music For A Living, David Turned Poor Ikotun Boys To Island Big Boys, Come On !!!!
There Are Levels To This Championship🎖 Thing, Na Who Blow Come Still Blow People Na Him We Wey Be Igbo🇳🇬 People Dey Call Odogwu👑 #CubanaChiefPriest🔑 #CelebrityBarMan".
"No Be @davidoofficial Say Make Adeleke Born Am !!!! Don’t Ever Fight Destiny, You See This Crown👑 Na God Give Am To Him, Na Natural, Na Follow Come, E Dey The Body.
David🇺🇸🇳🇬 As Ajebo Never Looked Out For A Rich/Blown Girlfriend Rather He Blew His Girl, David At 26 Has A 5 Year Old Daugther, David With His Said Papa Money Has Raised Talents To Super Stars Even Gate Man Sef Blow !!!!
You Wey Wan Check Am If To Say Your Papa Get This Money Pride No Go Gree You Do Music For A Living, David Turned Poor Ikotun Boys To Island Big Boys, Come On !!!!
There Are Levels To This Championship🎖 Thing, Na Who Blow Come Still Blow People Na Him We Wey Be Igbo🇳🇬 People Dey Call Odogwu👑 #CubanaChiefPriest🔑 #CelebrityBarMan".
"We've spent over N640m to conduct coronavirus tests in Lagos State" – Abayomi
Prof. Akin Abayomi, the state Commissioner for Health, made this known at the Lagos COVID-19 update on Thursday.
Abayomi said that there were plans to ramp up testing capacity to about one thousand tests on a daily basis.
He said that Lagos had conducted the highest number of COVID-19 tests in Nigeria, with four testing laboratories, and planned to increase the testing sites in the coming weeks.
According to him, as the state ramps up its testing capacity, there will be need to subside the cost of the test, either through insurance or donor funds.
“For now, the Lagos State Government is providing COVID-19 tests free of charge,” he said.
The commissioner said that the state would validate rapid test kits to enhance case detection, adding that the process had commenced and manufacturers of the tests kits identified.
According to him, the state is about to roll out Hydroxychloroquine trial.
He added that the state was also participating in a World Health Organisation (WHO)’s solidarity trial of the drug in one of its isolation centres.
“In about a month, we should start getting results from the Lagos trial. Then, we can decide whether Chloroquine can act as a preventive or curative purpose, and how effective it will be in reducing the severity of the disease,” the commissioner said.
"Nigerian economy will definitely go into recession" – Finance minister
The minister said this on Thursday, May 21, 2020, after the National Economic Council meeting. She said,
“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has made an assessment. So, it is the NBS assessment that Nigeria will go into a recession measuring at an average of -4.4%.
But with the work that the Economic Accessibility Committee is doing; bringing stimulus packages, we believe that we can reduce the impact of that recession.
And if we applied all that have been proposed and we are able to implement it, we may end up with a recession that is -0.4 percent. In any case, we will go into recession but what we are trying to do is to make sure that it is shallow so that we will quickly come out of it come 2021.”
A country’s economy goes into recession when its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduces for two consecutive quarters.
In her statement on Thursday, Ahmed suggested that Nigeria would slip into recession in the second quarter of 2020.
Nigeria is one of the countries hardest hit by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
On why Nigeria is gradually reopening its economy despite the daily increase in coronavirus cases, the minister said the economy needs to be supported to prevent it from falling into a depression. She said,
“This is a very difficult time because the challenges we have now are double. There is health challenge, there is an economic challenge. Even as we are addressing the current health challenge, we still have to look at how we can support the economy so that the economy does not fall into a depression.
We have to feed the people and you can only feed the people if people go out and farm. We are a very large population, we don’t want to take the risk and we don’t have enough fund to cushion the effect.”
Minister announces number of persons to benefit from Lagos State home feeding
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouk, has said about 337,589 people will benefit from the modified school feeding programme in Lagos.
The minister, who was represented at the inauguration of the school feeding programme by the Director, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDP’s, Mrs Margaret Ukegbu, said this in Lagos on Thursday, May 21, 2020. She said,
“The special homegrown feeding intervention will impact 337,589 beneficiaries made up of parents, guardians and caregivers of primary schoolchildren in participating schools.
The identified and selected households will each receive 5kg bag of rice, 5kg bag of beans, vegetable and palm oil, salt, tomato paste and 15 pieces of eggs.
These rations have been revealed by a nutrition expert to ascertain the nutritional value and benefits to the children.”
Also speaking at the inauguration, Lagos Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folashade Adefisayo, said the modified school feeding programme was a continuation of the existing homegrown feeding programme of the state government.
She stressed the importance of food in the development of a child, adding that the modified feeding programme would go a long way in achieving that. She said,
“When a child is growing, it’s quite imperative that a child should have a good, quality, balanced diet to ensure that the brain grows appropriately because a hungry child cannot learn properly.”
Inflation rises in Nigeria for 8 straight months
Nigeria's inflation rose for the eight consecutive month as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced on Thursday, May 21, 2020 that the consumer price index increased by 12.34% (year-on-year) in April 2020.
The new increase is 0.08% points higher than the 12.26% recorded in March 2020.
This is the highest Nigeria's inflation has risen since 12.48% was recorded in April 2018.
On month-on-month basis, the headline index increased by 1.02% in April 2020, 0.18% higher than the 0.84% recorded the previous month. The NBS report read,
"The urban inflation rate increased by 13.01% (year-on-year) in April 2020 from 12.93% recorded in March 2020, while the rural inflation rate increased by 11.73% in April 2020 from 11.64% in March 2020.
On a month-on-month basis, the urban index rose by 1.06 percent in April 2020, up by 0.18% from 0.88% recorded in March 2020, while the rural index also rose by 0.98% in April 2020, up by 0.18% from the rate recorded in March 2020 (0.80%)."
The CPI measures the average change over time in prices of goods and services consumed by people for day-to-day living.
The current upward rise in inflation started in September 2019 around the time President Muhammadu Buhari closed Nigeria's land borders allegedly because of the activity of smugglers.
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease that has interrupted economic activities is also believed to have played a part in April's rise.
Buhari to sit at home to observe Eid prayers with family
President Muhammadu Buhari will remain in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja to observe Eid prayers to mark the end of the Ramadan fast this weekend.
The president usually flies to his native Daura in Katsina State to celebrate the annual religious event, with prayers observed in large crowds that gather at the mosque.
However, the presidency said in a statement on Friday, May 22, 2020 that Buhari will be conducting his Eid prayers with his family at home. "This is in observance of the lockdown measures in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, put in place 'to save lives and protect people from all dangers'.
"This is also in line with the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III suspending Eid congregational prayers across the country as well as the protocol against mass gathering issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19," the president's spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a brief statement.
Graphic: Soldiers who kidnapped, killed FUTO student, arrested
A soldier and other suspects have been arrested over the kidnap and murder of Leo Micah Isiah, a 22-year-old student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, after collecting the N800,000 in his account.
One of the members of the gang, named Godson Chimezie, led SARS officers to the place where the body of Leo was dumped in Anambra State after he was kidnapped in Imo State.
Beside the victim's decaying body was the large stone he said they used in killing before pouring a corrosive chemical on his body. He said they had stopped him when they saw him with his car and they accused him of being a Yahoo boy.
They then led him away with his car and took his money before killing him. The others involved in the killing have now been caught and they said they killed the undergraduate after taking the money in his account so that “our image will not be dented.”
One of the suspects, Ifeanyi Nwaiwu of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi, Benue State, said he ordered Isiah’s killing after he received N200,000 as his share of the money collected from the victim.
Godson Chimezie, 28, who is a military deserter and also a member of the gang, said they ran into Isaiah while he was inflating his car tyre. He said:
“We saw him while he was pumping his tyre in Owerri and we sensed that a small boy like him driving that kind of vehicle must be a Yahoo boy.
We quickly accosted him and I took his phone, went through it and discovered that he was an Internet fraudster. We immediately kidnapped him on the pretext of an arrest. We took him to our hideout and the young man agreed to pay N800,000.
We collected the money, but Ifeanyi insisted that we must kill him. According to him, the man would dent his image if he walked away alive.”
Culled from Instablog
One of the members of the gang, named Godson Chimezie, led SARS officers to the place where the body of Leo was dumped in Anambra State after he was kidnapped in Imo State.
Beside the victim's decaying body was the large stone he said they used in killing before pouring a corrosive chemical on his body. He said they had stopped him when they saw him with his car and they accused him of being a Yahoo boy.
They then led him away with his car and took his money before killing him. The others involved in the killing have now been caught and they said they killed the undergraduate after taking the money in his account so that “our image will not be dented.”
One of the suspects, Ifeanyi Nwaiwu of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering, Makurdi, Benue State, said he ordered Isiah’s killing after he received N200,000 as his share of the money collected from the victim.
Godson Chimezie, 28, who is a military deserter and also a member of the gang, said they ran into Isaiah while he was inflating his car tyre. He said:
“We saw him while he was pumping his tyre in Owerri and we sensed that a small boy like him driving that kind of vehicle must be a Yahoo boy.
We quickly accosted him and I took his phone, went through it and discovered that he was an Internet fraudster. We immediately kidnapped him on the pretext of an arrest. We took him to our hideout and the young man agreed to pay N800,000.
We collected the money, but Ifeanyi insisted that we must kill him. According to him, the man would dent his image if he walked away alive.”
Culled from Instablog
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