Saraki urges Muslims to sustain the good values imbibed during Ramadan

A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fast and urged them to sustain the good values they imbibed during the holy month.

Saraki in a statement by his media aide, Yusuf Olaniyonu, on Saturday noted that the holy month taught the Muslim faithful piety, self-denial, good neighbourliness, discipline, empathyn and caring for the underprivileged in the society.

He said if all the values were permanently sustained by Muslims, they would help to build a great country for the benefit of all.

He urged Muslims to continue to pray for Nigeria and the entire world in view of the challenges posed by the raging COVID-19 pandemic, including its impending socioeconomic implications. He said,

“This last Ramadan was very unique in that we observed it without all the normal gathering for Iftar, tarawih prayers, listening to tafsir and going for lesser hajj.

Also, as advised by both health and religious authorities, there will be no gathering for Eid prayers.

We all must, therefore, cooperate and work together to eliminate this pandemic and restore good health to our society.

I enjoin all Nigerians to use this period of the Eid-el-Fitri to rededicate ourselves to our country, pray for good health and a stronger economy that can withstand the post-COVID-19 socioeconomic challenges.”

NASS management insists on tenure elongation for clerk

A fresh crisis is imminent at the nation’s apex legislative institution over the insistence of its management to implement a document which approved extension of tenure for the clerk, Mr. Mohammed Sani-Omolori and other directors.

The immediate-past board of the National Assembly Service Commission had carried out a review of the condition of service of the parliamentary bureaucracy and approved tenure elongation for Sani-Omolori and other senior management staff.

Some official documents sighted by our correspondent on Saturday, indicated that the condition of service of National Assembly staff was amended shortly before the end of the 8th National Assembly.

It was titled, ‘Retirement age and conditions of service’ and was allegedly adopted and approved by the immediate past leadership.

But the management of the federal parliament through the Director of Information, Rawlings Agada, has said the arrangement was in order and would be implemented accordingly.

Agada said contrary to argument of some people, the amendment of the service rule was not a Bill and does not need a presidential assent to be effective. He said,

“The rules applicable to civil servants don’t apply to National Assembly staff. The staff are regarded as public servants. The parliament is an independent arm of government.”

The controversial document increased the retirement age for civil servants in the National Assembly from 35 to 40 years. It also extended the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

Some aggrieved senior management staff of the nation’s parliament are currently grumbling that the ‘amended’ rule was being implemented without the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari, as required by law.

The implication of the new rule is that Sani-Omolori and others would remain in office for another four to five years, despite attaining the legal age for retirement.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that Sani-Omolori was born in June 1961 and joined the civil service in February 1985.

Going by the new rule, he is expected to stay for another five years, despite attaining the compulsory 35 years in service.

Further findings also showed that the clerk was the Legal Officer of the Ajaokuta Steel Company in 1985, before he transferred his services to the National Electric Power Authority in 1989.

He also transferred his services to the National Assembly in February, 1991 as a Principal Legal Officer on Level 12. His antagonists argue that he ought to have proceeded on retirement leave last year but remained in office. They said those who joined the civil service in February 1985 had already retired.

Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, were said to have instructed the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, to act on the allegation that amended Service Rule was forged.

Contractors appeal to Ekiti Government over unpaid balances

Some contractors with Ekiti State government have appealed to Governor Kayode Fayemi to pay their outstanding contract sums to enable them to repay their debts with banks and survive the hardship occasioned by the raging coronavirus disease.

The contractors, numbering about 10, who pleaded anonymity for the fear of incurring the wrath of the government, noted that the government had made efforts to pay them but that it had overdrawn its account in the bank where their claims were submitted. This, they said, had made the bank not to honour the state’s instruction to pay them.

One of the contractors, who executed a contract for the State Universal Basic Education, told our correspondent that the state’s refusal to pay them despite executing the contract successfully had made life difficult for them, their employees and family members, especially in the face of the COVID-19. They added that the interest on the loans they took from banks had continued to rise. The contractor said,

“I did some work for SUBEB in the state and we understand that the names of those of us to be paid had been given to a bank in the state since March 16. But we understand that the state government had also overdrawn the account by about N900m, which made the bank to decline honouring the payment instruction.

While we are thankful for government’s patronage, we are also dying in silence, which has made us to resort to this. We are never in doubt of the Fayemi administration’s dedication to excellence and good relationship with all. Thus, we decided to appeal to Your Excellency to use your good offices to look into our plight and ensure that we are paid.”

Another contractor told our correspondent that life was gradually becoming unbearable for him and his staff due to the pending payment.

“We therefore plead with the conscientious governor to intervene so we can be paid without further delay.”

When contacted, the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayoola Owolabi, told Sunday PUNCH he was in a virtual meeting. Subsequent calls to his phone were, however, not answered till the time of filing this report.

"100 days later, Diri has stabilized Bayelsa" - Aide

The Director of Strategic Communications and Documentation in the Office of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Justice Joffa, on Saturday said Governor Douye Diri had brought stability to the state since assuming office 100 days ago.

Joffa also said the reduction in the number of active ministries, departments and agencies from 32 to 21 had brought about a sharp drop in the cost of governance.

He said that the stability was a conscious effort by the governor to ensure the steady development of the state. Joffa stated,

“A significant reduction in the number of active ministries from 32 to 21 helped to ensure a reduction in the cost of governance. The extra funds now suddenly available will help drive home other policies that tend to cater directly to the peoples’ needs.

The governor has managed to return an atmosphere of stability to the state at a time when many predicted a descent to low levels. This is credited to his ‘no enemy’ mentality in leadership and the penchant to carry everyone along. The stability of both political and economic structures is needed to be able to add any value and get everything and everyone working again.’

So stable is the vital structures of the state that it has improved both social and economic security levels in the state. A decreasing crime rate is being witnessed as the populace is seemingly looking forward with hope and the anticipation of a prosperous future.”

Speaking on the COVID-19 palliatives by the government to cushion the effect of the lockdown, Joffa said the government ensured that there was no bias or political affiliation in the distribution process.

“Provision and distribution of palliatives and support to people and businesses are being carried out without any consideration of political or otherwise affiliations. Indeed, the general handling of the issue thus far shows a government that knows what it is doing,” he added.

US set to announce travel ban on Brazil

The United States is poised to announce a travel ban from coronavirus-hit Brazil, a top aide to US President Donald Trump said.

“I think that we’ll have a new travel decision today with respect to Brazil and just like we did with the UK and Europe and China, and we hope that’ll be temporary,” Robert O’Brien, the US national security advisor, said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

“But because of the situation of Brazil, we’re going to take every step necessary protecting American people,” he said.

The United States had previously cut off travel from China, Europe and Britain as the virus surged in those countries. Brazil has emerged as the latest COVID-19 flashpoint, second only to the United States in the number of cases and with a death toll that has surpassed 22,000.

900 Britons stranded in Nigeria to be evacuated - UK

900 more British travellers who are stranded in Nigeria are set to return home on three flights chartered by the United Kingdom government. This was contained in a statement on the website of the UK government obtained on Sunday.

According to the statement, the new flights are scheduled as follows – May 29: Lagos – London, June 1: Lagos – London and June 6: Abuja – London.

The statement added that :

“The additional charter flights have been arranged for British travellers, and their dependants, whose primary residence is the UK. Priority is given to the most vulnerable travellers, for example people with health conditions.

Once completed, these additional flights will bring the total number of people flown back to the UK from Nigeria on government charter flights to around 2,000, following flights arranged last week from Lagos and Abuja to London.”

The statement also quoted UK’s Minister of State for Africa, James Duddridge, as assuring that the UK government would continue to work closely with its Nigerian counterpart. Duddridge said,

“Our next phase of UK government charter flights will mean another 900 British travellers are able to return home from Nigeria. We appreciate this has been a difficult time and will continue to work closely with the Nigerian authorities to support those wishing to return to the UK.”

It also urged British travellers to visit the Nigeria Travel Advice pages for further information.

“The UK Government is working with the airline industry and host governments across the world to bring British travellers home as part of the plan announced by the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on March 30.

There is up to 75 million Pounds available for special charter flights to priority countries, focused on helping the most vulnerable travellers.

So far, charter flights have returned British travellers from countries including India, the Philippines, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nepal, Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria and Peru,” the statement added.

Abia State Commissioner for Environment passes away

The Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Chief Solomon Ogunji, is dead.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday. The statement read in part,

“It is with great sadness and a deep sense of loss that we announce the demise of a member of Abia State Executive Council and the Honorable Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Solomon Ogunji, who passed away on Saturday, 23rd May, 2020, at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, after a brief illness related to high blood pressure.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who received the sad news with shock yesterday (Saturday) has personally communicated and condoled with the family of the bereaved and is currently in mourning.

We pray that the Almighty God will give the family of Dr Ogunji the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss and rest his soul in the bosom of the Lord.”

AFRIMA, AU to mark Africa Day with COVID-19 concert

In commemoration of this year’s Africa Day, the Africa Union Commission and the All Africa Music Awards will host a live virtual solidarity concert for the African Union COVID-19 Response Fund.

Themed, ‘Health Security in the Context of COVID-19’ and tagged ‘#StrongerTogether’, the programme will be broadcast on TRACE Television, African Independent Television and social media platforms across Africa on Monday, May 25.

The concert is aimed at inspiring action with key messages on the prevention, protection and response measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The virtual concert will be hosted by the British-Congolese comedian, actor and philanthropist, Eddie Kadi; Nigerian singer and songwriter, Chidinma; and Cameroonian television host and entrepreneur, Pamela Happi.

Performers at the event include 2Baba (Nigeria), Sakordie (Ghana), Aminux (Morocco), Toofan (Togo), Busiswa (South Africa), Becca (Ghana), Betty G(Ethiopia), Salatiel (Cameroun), Hiro (DRC), Rudeboy (Nigeria), Master KG (South Africa), Nikita Kering (Kenya).

The Associate Producer of AFRIMA, Adenrele Niyi, said,

“Africa, just like the rest of the world, has been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The emotional and physical well-being and livelihoods of our people are bearing the brunt of the coronavirus. However, even as a new world order emerges, the African Union and member nations are showing leadership which inspires confidence that Africa will come of this stronger than before.”

Cynthia Morgan's former manager drags her, says she owes Jude Okoye a lot

Cynthia Morgan's former manager, Joy Tongo has gone on Twitter and Instagram to slam the dancehall musician after she granted an interview where she blamed Jude Okoye for her career woes.

Joy Tongo accused Cynthia of seeking sympathy with her story. She also claimed Cynthia is owing her $30,000 and owing Jude Okoye "over 40 Million". She added that she was the one who connected Cynthia to Jude Okoye and threatened to reveal more. She tweeted :

"I am in a much better place, so this time, don’t dare me. I am ready for you. Very very ready."

"People will do anything for clout! SMH!"

"Cynthia Morgan this is 2020, we haven’t forgotten all your dirt! Internet does not lie, emails does not lie and much more. I am coming for you! All the dirt you did to I and Jude and others you must pay this time around. It's over 4 years and you are still talking trash!"

"COVID-19 won't disappear completely" - Pastor Adeboye

On Sunday, the General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye said that COVID-19 would not be completely phased out from the earth.

The clergyman spoke during a sermon titled, ‘Seven ways to deal with a mountain,’ delivered on Dove Television Station.

Adeboye, who urged the people to rest on God in difficult situations, said just like flu and Ebola, the virus would continue to live with mankind while those who fear God would be spared. He said,

“Coronavirus is not going to disappear completely. Just like the flu and Ebola, it would subside. In the mighty name of Jesus, it would subside soon. But that it would leave the world completely, that would take a special miracle of God.

The good thing is that by the special grace of God, those of you listening to me now, by the time we finish, you would come out at the other end of the mountain. When you come out, I hope you will not forget to sing praises to the Lord.”

He added that many people would rejoice in the end because they would take stock and begin to count the gains of the lockdown.

“The mountain may be there but you are not climbing and you are not blasting it out; you are just flying.

There are quite a lot of good things that will come out of this lockdown. Many people at the end of the lockdown would be grateful for it. People who had not had time to spend with their wives and children are now locked down together. Thank God for compulsory holiday,” he said.

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Holy Bible, he said,

“There are certain situations and problems that you must burrow your way through. I am not just talking about coronavirus, I am talking of some situations in your life that you just have to burrow your way through the mountain.

To burrow your way through, you must trust God; remember God’s mercy and faithfulness; believe God and His prophets. You will come out of this problem safe and sound. Of course, you must take a step of faith. You must give your life to Jesus Christ.

You must trust God – the Father, the maker of heaven, and the earth. Trust the one who was before the mountain; remember God’s mercy and his faithfulness; and believe God and His prophets.”