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Yahaya Bello’s aide dies of suspected COVID-19

Lukman ABOLADE
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Yahaya Bello’s aide dies of suspected COVID-19

ABDULATEEF Suleman, a Personal Assistant to Yahaya Bello, the Governor of Kogi State, has died of suspected Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Suleiman, 41, died during the early hours of Wednesday in a private hospital in Abuja  where he was admitted for treatment of an illness believed to be COVID-19 related.

In a picture seen by The ICIR, the late Aide to Kogi  Governor died while he was on ventilator in the private hospital.

However, Onogwu Muhammed, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,  in a statement said he died of cardiac arrest in the private hospital.

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According to Muhammed, Suleiman has been on admission at the private hospital for treatment of septic shock.

“The deceased had been on admission at a private hospital in Abuja for the treatment of septic shock but died of cardiac arrest Wednesday morning at the age of 41,” the statement read.

Muhammed announced that Suleiman would be buried later on Wednesday in accordance with Islamic funeral process.

Although the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded three cases of COVID-19 in Kogi State,  the state government says there is no such case in the state.

As at the time of filling this report, the government of Kogi State has not acknowledged any case of COVID-19 in the state.

 

China considers loan repayment exemption for some African countries

Ihuoma ILO
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China considers loan repayment exemption for some African countries

CHINA will exempt some African countries from repaying zero-interest rate loans due at the end of 2020, Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting President Xi Jingping’s speech at a summit.

Under the framework of the China-Africa cooperation forum, China will further extend loan payment forbearance for some countries including African countries, Xi told the China-Africa summit.

China is willing to give priority to African countries once COVID-19 vaccines are ready to use, Xi added.

The summit attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and other African leaders virtually was on China- Africa Solidarity Against COVID-19 pandemic.

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Buhari while speaking at the summit, commended António Guterres, the UN Secretary General,  for launching a COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund for low and middle-income countries to tackle the health emergency, address social and economic consequences of the crisis and, strengthen the recovery efforts of most vulnerable countries

He further pledged Nigeria’s supports to join any joint and collective action plan at regional and global levels to tackle this pandemic and its fallout.

“In these endeavors, we must not fail because the lives and livelihood of our peoples depend on our collective efforts,” the Nigerian president said.

‘I believe I have the skills to lead the World Trade Organization’ – Okonjo-Iweala

Editorial
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‘I believe I have the skills to lead the World Trade Organization’ – Okonjo-Iweala

By Vincent UFUOMA

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has expressed her optimism to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO), citing her skills and experiences for the past 30 years as qualification.

In an interview with Manuela Saragosa of BBC Business Day, the Nigerian-born renowned economist said she believes in the power of trade to change the world and the WTO has a role to play irrespective of the challenges.

She said that she is prepared to lead the necessary reforms that will position the multilateral organisation in a forefront of solving problems most especially in a time when the world is still being ravaged by COVID-19.

“I believe the World Trade Organisation is one of the most important multilateral bodies in the world. And despite the challenges it faces and the reforms that need to be done, I believe it is very relevant for the economic development and growth and the sharing of prosperity in the world.

“I want the job because I think I have the skills for it. I think the organisation needs some reforms to make it relevant for the times we are and to make it fit for purpose.

“I have a reputation as a strong reformer. I have written a book titled; Reforming the Unreformable, where with a team, we undertook very important reforms in Nigeria.

“I am also a strong person with strong negotiation skills. I have had a career for over 30years. I have constantly being involved in negotiating important agreements between two countries,”

When asked how she intends to use her negotiation skills to foster trade harmony between the United States and China, in the wake of the trade war between the two countries, she said with the help of other countries, she will bring the two countries together to identify their areas of common interests.

“I think what is involved is being a good listener. It is important to listen. What are the concerns of the Americans? What are the concerns of China? What are the concerns of Europe? What are the concerns of Africa, Asia and other member countries and try to bring them around shared common interests.

“I strongly believe that this world we live in today, we need a fora where we can bring common interests together. In spite of the words you hear, I think there is a need to bring people together to build trust around shared common interests,” she said.

She said having an African at the top job of the WTO is extremely important as it will position the continent to benefit from the world trading system and to also reposition the continent’s economy which is about 3 per cent  of the world trade.

“For Africa, this is extremely important. Africa has never held the job. Africa countries feel that they can also benefit from the world trading system. Africa has negotiated a monumental agreement. They have an Africa continent free trade agreement to strengthen the economies of the continent to enable them to trade better with each other. To enable them to face the world trading system. Africa trade now is about 3 per cent of the world trade.

“I think having an African at the WTO is something that would benefit not just Africa but the intention I have is to make sure that all parts of the world benefits,” she said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, had earlier nominated Dr. Okonjo-Iweala earlier this month as the country’s nominee for the WTO DG election after he withdrew the nomination of the current deputy Director General of WTO, Yonov Frederick Agah.

The election which is scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2021, has so far officially seen the nomination of three candidates vying for the WTO job. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt and a Mexican representative, Jesús Seade Kuri.

FG defends rising debt profile, says loans meant to build infrastructure

Seun DUROJAIYE
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FG defends rising debt profile, says loans meant to build infrastructure

THE Federal Government has reacted to concerns raised by Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President over the growing debt profile of the country, insisting that the loans were for building infrastructure and implementing long-lasting projects.

The former Vice President had on Tuesday written that the growing debt profile was an indication that the country was in a crisis.

But in a reaction, Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture explained that the loans being obtained by the current administration were being primarily used to finance infrastructure projects as opposed to ‘servicing the crass indulgence of a few fat cats’ – a reality he said was obtainable in the past administration.

“We have said that in the face of massive infrastructural decay, no responsible government will sit by and do nothing,” Mohammed said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This Administration’s borrowing, therefore, is aimed mostly at revamping our infrastructure. The loans for the educational sector will contribute to the development of our human capital while the loans for the agricultural sector will help the move to diversify the economy.”

Mohammed said the figure of Nigeria’s debt to revenue ratio of 99 percent in the first quarter of 2020, quoted by the former Vice President, is not in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, where he stated he got it from.

”We are also not able to ascertain the source of the first quarter figures of N943.12 billion for debt servicing and N950.56 billion for retained revenue, which he also quoted,” he said.

Adding that the debt service provisions in the annual budgets include principal repayments, interest payments and all other applicable charges.

“Therefore, the statement that debt servicing does not equate to debt repayment is not only wrong, but ill-informed,” the Information Minister said.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government has taken several steps to shore up revenue, explaining that the reason for increased debt to revenue ratio is tied to poor revenue generation.

”One of the reasons why debt service to revenue is high is because revenue generation in Nigeria has been low, with over-dependence on the oil sector. This is corroborated by the fact that the ratio of Nigeria’s tax revenue to GDP is one of the lowest in the world at about 6%,” the Minister said.

He however listed that the current administration has introduced several measures to shore up revenues, including passage and implementation of the Finance Act, 2019, various on-going reforms in the oil and gas, tax administration and collections, as well as the strategic revenue growth initiatives.

Nigerian children write Buhari, demand solutions to problems affecting children

Abeeb ALAWIYE
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Nigerian children write Buhari, demand solutions to problems affecting children

NIGERIAN Children have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to treat with urgency many issues affecting the interest and future of children in the country.

In an Open Letter written on behalf of Nigerian children by Purity Oriaifo – Girl Child Ambassador, Save the Children International Nigeria and  Maryam Ahmed – Youth Ambassador, Save the Children International, Nigeria, to President Buhari on the occasion of the African Child’s day celebration, they lamented that the impacts of COVID-19 have put children’s right to accessible, uninterrupted, safe, free and quality education at risk.

“Your Excellency, our schools were closed down abruptly in March 2020 due to the increasing transmission of COVID-19, forcing us to be at home, and living with the uncertainty of when schools will
resume,” the children in the letter obtained by The ICIR.

The children said they appreciated some innovations to bridge the learning gaps through radio and TV programs and in some cases, online learning platforms, but lamented not all children have access to these facilities.

“We worry that many of us living in rural areas and those living in low-income households will be left behind. We also fear that once the schools reopen, there will be a lot of pressure on both students and teachers to catch up with lost time to complete the 2020/21 school curriculum,” they said.

“There is also the possibility that many children will not go back to school (especially the girls) as their families may decide to marry them off as a way of dealing with the uncertainties.”

On insecurity, they called the attention of the president to incessant attacks on children across the country, noting that their right to safety and protection has been at higher risk.

“Children are under attack by the increasing number of sexual abuse, molestation and violence, including rape, early child and forced marriage, child labor and trafficking, making us feel more unsafe, unprotected and experiencing different forms of trauma,” the children ambassadors said.

They added that children in Nigeria fear that the current threats on their safety and protection would reduce the gains achieved towards the implementation and domestication of the Child Rights Act over the years.

On the implementation of the Child Rights Act 2003, they appealed for the establishment of at least one specialized children’s court and dedicated law enforcement units within the Nigerian Police, Security and Defense forces, agencies and services in each of the six geo-political zones of the country to fast-track the full implementation of the Act.

They also requested the government to design a child-led, comprehensive, multi-sectoral, national development agenda and plan for children.

“The government, at all levels, should prioritize the implementation and domestication of the Child Rights Act 2003. This will provide children in Nigeria with the necessary legal policy framework for seeking justice when our rights are denied or abused.”

While concluding their letter, Purity and Maryam said the children, represent the future, and deserve an opportunity to realize and release their full potentials.

“Your Excellency, the Children of Nigeria, will continue to look up to you and your administration for our growth and the development of our dear country at large.”

Nigerian Army, Bauchi, Cross River govts disagree over 35 soldiers declared positive for COVID-19

Olugbenga ADANIKIN
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Nigerian Army, Bauchi, Cross River govts disagree over 35 soldiers declared positive for COVID-19

THE Nigerian Army says it is unaware of the claim made by Bauchi State Government that 35 soldiers in the state have tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

The Cross River State government also denied the report, describing it as fake.

Bala Mohammed, the Bauchi State Governor and Rilwan Mohammed, the Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency had on Wednesday, June 10 told newsmen at the Government House how the military personnel, 10 inmates from the Nigeria Correctional Center, Bauchi, four Imams tested positive for COVID-19.

The government officials also announced that a medical official died due to the pandemic.

Mohammed, who is also the Chairman, COVID-19 Contact Tracing Committee in the state explained that the 35 confirmed cases comprise officers from the 245 battalion in Calabar, Cross River State, 223 battalion in Zuru, Kebbi State and some were from the Staff of Army Medical Referral Services.

He said the 35 personnel were being treated at the Bayara Isolation Centre.

17 from the 35 cases were from Calabar – Bala Mohammed  

The State Governor was more specific while disclosing the military base of the soldiers before they arrived Bauchi.

According to him, 17 from the 35 confirmed cases were from Calabar in Cross River.

Mohammed noted that though, he would not like to dwell in the controversial issue with the state government over repeated claims of recording no COVID-19 cases in the state, he said there was no need for pretence.

“We have seen that the Armed Forces have 35 cases. Some of them came from Calabar, Cross River State; Calabar that is said to be COVID-19 free and when they came to Bauchi, we tested them and they are 17 from that state,” the Mohammed stated.

“We, in Bauchi, are not pretending, I don’t want to join issues with anybody. There is no need pretending that this thing is not there.”

 We are not aware – Army

But, Sagir Musa, the Army Spokesperson debunked the claim when The ICIR reached out to him. He said the Army was unaware of the incident.

“I am not aware of this development. To the best that I know, there is no report of this nature in the Nigerian Army,” Musa responded to The ICIR’s enquiry via text message.

It is fake news – Cross Rivers State Govt.

Betta Edu, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, also dismissed the news report.

She simply labelled the report as “Fake News!” when the reporter reached out to her to verify if truly 17 from the 35 COVID-19 cases were from her state.

Meanwhile, as of May 28, 2020, the Cross River state was yet to record a case of the pandemic. Edu attributed the zero-infection to the proactive efforts of Ben Ayade, the state governor.

“This is neither a coincidence nor luck, this free status of the state is as a result of the state’s early measures and proactive efforts even before the said virus hit Africa,” she stated.

Cross River is currently excluded from the list of states with confirmed COVID-19 cases. It is the only state in Nigeria that has never recorded any case according to the NCDC daily update.

On April 1, 2020, Ogbu Ngim, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, debunked the story of a suspected COVID-19 case after 35 Americans were denied entry into the state. Though the patient was taken into isolation as a precautionary measure, the state government insisted the female patient did not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms.

However, as of Tuesday, June 16, 17,148 confirmed cases of the virus have been recorded, with 455 deaths while 5,623 persons have recovered and discharged.

You can confirm from Bauchi state govt. – NCDC

To further ascertain the authenticity of the report, The ICIR contacted Emeka Oguanuo, Spokesperson for the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) but he could not confirm the incident.

He said the state shares data with the Centre but referred the reporter to the Bauchi state epidemiologist instead.

“The Bauchi state is more responsive. They have an epidemiologist. You can confirm from them,” Oguanuo said.

Efforts to get reactions from Mohammed, the head of COVID-19 contact tracing in the state proved abortive.

Muktar Gidado, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Bauchi State Governor did not respond to phone calls and text message sent to him.

Aliyu Maigoro, the state’s Commissioner for Health was contacted but he did not respond to both calls and text message sent to his mobile line.

Garba Dahiru, the state’s Commissioner for Information who responded to the enquiry told the reporter that he had no new information, aside from what was earlier announced by the governor.

He promised to confirm and get back but he did not. A text message sent to Dahiru’s line to remind him was also not replied.

But a top government source in the State confirmed the reported COVID-19 cases in the state. He said aside from the initial 35 cases, more military personnel tested positive for the virus. According to him, the state government has started preparing the list of the affected soldiers to reach out to their commands to commence contact tracing in their barracks

“Yes, it is true. We can’t just test them without the army’s notice. In fact, we are compiling names of the affected soldiers. We want to send them to their respective states so that they can start contact tracing in their families.”

The Bauchi state governor was the index case for COVID-19 in the state. He was confirmed positive on March 24 and recovered on Thursday, April 9.

As of June 16, Bauchi ranked 11th on the list of states with the highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases. It has recorded 430 cases while Lagos topped the list with 7,461.

Since the global pandemic started in Wuhan China, December 31, 2019, the World Health Organisation (WHO) as of today says 8,006,427 confirmed cases have been reported in 216 countries, areas or territories.

The death toll has reached 436,899, and WHO has advised governments across the world to take preventive measures more seriously.

APC appoints Hilliard Etta to act in Ajimobi’s capacity, Uzodinma heads Edo primary committee

Samad UTHMAN
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APC appoints Hilliard Etta to act in Ajimobi’s capacity, Uzodinma heads Edo primary committee

THE National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Hilliard Etta, the party’s National Vice-Chairman (South-South) to act on behalf of Abiola Ajimobi who was appointed on Tuesday as the acting National Chairman.

In a statement signed by Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday, the NWC announced that the unanimous appointment of Hilliard Etta, became important due to Ajimobi’s unavoidable absence.

“Due to Sen. Ajimobi’s unavoidable absence, NWC unanimously appointed the Party’s National Vice Chairman (South South), Prince Hilliard Etta to act on Sen. Ajimobi’s behalf, an action backed by the party’s constitution which empowers the NWC to appoint one of its members in an acting capacity and stipulates that the acting National chairman must be from the zone of the National Chairman,” part of the statement read.

Issa-Onilu added that the decision is backed by the party’s constitution.

The party also appointed Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State, and Ajibola Bashiru as the chairman and secretary, respectively,  of the Edo State primary election committee  slated to hold June 22.

Other members of the committee include Abdullahi Abass, Ibrahim Sabo, Ocho Obioma, Hajia Amina Lantana Muhammed and Gbenga Elegbeleye.

It also appointed Professor Mustapha Bello and  Dr. Kayode Ajulo as the Chairman and Secretary for the five-man Primary Election Appeal committee.  Others in the committee include  Umar Ahmed,  Nasiru Ibrahim Junju and  Rasaq Mahmud Bamu

Following the judgment of Appeal Court that upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of APC, the NWC announced Ajimobi, a former governor of Oyo State as the party’s acting National Chairman.

But Ajimobi who is reported to be sick due to complications from COVID-19 was not able to appear on Wednesday at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja.

Earlier on Wednesday, Victor Giadom, Deputy National Chairman of APC (South South) declared himself acting National Chairman of the party and also nullified the disqualification of Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State by the Screen Committee from contesting the governorship primary election in the state on June 22.

However, in a swift reaction, the NWC maintained that Ajimobi remains the party’s acting National Chairman.

The NWC also disowned Giadom, insisting that his membership of the NWC ceased when he resigned to contest the Deputy Governorship position in Rivers State.

Hilliard Eta, who addressed the media soon after Giadom left the party Secretariat, said preparations for the Edo Governorship primary was on course.

 

Ministerial report on Kano mysterious deaths is misleading- Ganduje

Ihuoma ILO
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Ministerial report on Kano mysterious deaths is misleading- Ganduje

ABDULLAHI Ganduje, Governor of  Kano State has reacted to report by Ministerial Task Force Team which claimed that about 60 per cent of people who died​ during the mysterious deaths in Kano was caused as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, saying the report was misleading.

“The report by the Technical Committee from the Federal Ministry of Health indicating that 60 per cent of the mysterious deaths in Kano was related to COVID-19, I think all they​ indicated certainly lacked correlation,” Ganduje said.

“In fact, their data cannot pass the test of time, reliability and validity. Once such findings could not pass validity and reliability, you can as well, throw away that investigation into an ocean, signifying nothing, reporting nothing and misleading almost everybody.”

According to a publication on the official website of Kano State, Ganduje stated this when he received the report of a study undertaken by a combined team of Kano State Ministry of Health and development partners, including the World Health Organization, (WHO), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), AFENET and Lafiya Projects.

He stated that the report indicated that only 15.9 per cent of the deaths were caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is the report of the Technical Committee appointed by Kano State Government as earlier promised and we have seen this report;​ and I do congratulate this team of experts,” the governor said.

Ganduje  said the report will be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Health,  chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19,  National Coordinator on COVID-19.

Muktar Gadanya, Lead Consultant and a  professor of Infectious Diseases from Bayero University Kano (BUK) who presented the Mortality Review (Verbal Autopsy) findings by the team, countered the Minister of Health comments which was based on findings by the Ministerial Taskforce Team, which earlier said the large number of the mysterious deaths were caused by COVID-19.

According to him, the team of researchers discovered that about 1,774 deaths were recorded, but the researchers traced the relatives of about 1604 of the deceased which represented over 90 per cent of the total figure.

Gadanya maintained that out of 1604 cases traced, only 255 cases of deaths were linked to COVID-19 pandemic, representing 15.9 per cent.

He however, attributed the remaining deaths to diseases related to hypertension, diabetes, malaria and other commonly identified ailments, including self-medication by victims who could not approach the hospitals for fear of being identified as COVID-19 patients, including disruption of medical care and down turn in economic activities.

 

 

 

Nigeria’s inflation rate spikes to 12.40 percent, highest in 24 months

Damilola OJETUNDE
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Nigeria’s inflation rate spikes to 12.40 percent, highest in 24 months

INFLATION rate in Nigeria has increased by up to 12.40 percent (year-on-year) in May 2020, indicating the highest level in 24 months, Consumer Price Index (CPI) of May 2020 has shown.

The report, published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) also revealed that food inflation increased to 15.04 percent in May from 15.03 percent in April.

According to the report, increases were recorded in the 12 Classification of Individual Consumption According by Purpose (COICOP) divisions that yielded the headline index.

The COICOP includes food and non-alcoholic beverages, alcoholic, and beverages; tobacco, and kola; clothing and footwear; housing, water, electricity, and gas; furnishings and household equipment.

Others are health, transport, communication, recreation and culture, education, restaurants and hotels, miscellaneous goods and services.

The closure of land borders in the country in August 2019 was a major driving force for the upward trend of the inflation rates of the country according to NBS data which shows the rates started increasing from September 2019.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in March said inflation level will rise in the next six months due to the effect of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but it is expected to fall in the next 12 months.

Inflation in states

In May 2020, all item inflation on a year-on-year basis was highest in Rivers- 14.69 percent, Bauchi- 14.91 percent, Ebonyi, Kogi, and Plateau states- 13,87 percent, while Benue- 11.13 percent, Adamawa- 11.10 percent, and Kwara- 10.58 percent recorded the slowest rise in headline year-on-year inflation.

For food inflation, Abuja 18.13 percent, Osun- 17.40 percent, and Imo- 17.13 percent recorded the highest, while Abia- 13.64 percent, Bauchi and Kaduna- 12.97 percent recorded the slowest rise in headline month-on-month inflation.

US condemns ‘senseless’ ISIS killings in Northern Nigeria

Lukman ABOLADE
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US condemns ‘senseless’ ISIS killings in Northern Nigeria

THE United States of America (US) has condemned what it called ‘senseless and brazen’ killings of civilians by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the Northern part of Nigeria.

The US raised this concern through a statement signed by Mike Pompeo, United States Secretary of State on Thursday.

According to Pompeo, ISIS West Africa has launched multiple attacks in Borno State that killed more than 120 civilians.

“In recent weeks, suspected  ISIS West Africa  militants launched multiple attacks in  Borno  State, killing more than 120 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.  On June 9, unidentified armed  bandits  attacked a village in Katsina State, killing dozens,” Pompeo wrote.

He added that the attacks in Borno and Katsina states followed shooting of a pastor and his pregnant wife, an Imam and other civilians in Taraba State.

“These horrific crimes follow the  shooting  of a  pastor and his pregnant wife on June 1 and the killing of an imam, local village head, and several civilians  on June  5  in  the course of intercommunal violence in  Taraba State,” he noted.

Pompeo stated that in recent years, tens of thousands of Nigerians have lost their lives to terrorist attack, communal clashes among others.

“Tens of thousands of civilians have  lost their lives  in Nigeria in recent years to  violent  attacks  by  terrorist groups  or  criminal gangs, in inter-communal violence, or due to their religious beliefs,” the statement further read.

The United States urged the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen ongoing efforts to address violence, hold those responsible accountable as well as protect  civilians in the country.

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