Mr President, you're indeed a president for every state and Nigerians - Wike hails Buhari

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has extended his warm appreciation to President Buhari for refunding the state N78. 9b spent in fixing federal roads. The said amount had been a point of feud between the state and federal government for a long time before the reparation.

The appreciation was contained in a signed statement published on The Nation Newspaper on Monday, June 29, 2020.

Governor Wike has put aside party's politics to hail Buhari and infer he is impartial and unbiased in his treatment for Nigerians and Nigerian states.

“Mr President has by this remarkable and heartwarming gesture shown not only your love for the government and people of Rivers state, but, also, demonstrated expressively that you are indeed a president for every state of the federation and all Nigerians” Wike said.

This is surprising however given to the perceived strained relationship between Wike and President Buhari's Federal Government which was heightened during the initial phases of the lockdown.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 cases hit 25,133 after 566 new infections

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 566 new cases of COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 25,133.

The centre disclosed this on Monday night via its verified Twitter handle.

“566 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-166 Oyo-66 Delta-53 Ebonyi-43 Plateau-34 Ondo-32 FCT-26 Ogun-25 Edo-24 Imo-15 Bayelsa-13 Benue-12 Gombe-11 Kano-11 Kaduna-11 Osun-8 Nasarawa-7 Borno-5 Katsina-2 Anambra-2.”

BREAKING: FG Lifts Ban On Interstate Movement

The Federal Government on Monday extended the Phase Two of the eased lockdown by four weeks. 

Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce PTF on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha who disclosed this at a briefing Monday in Abuja, also announced the partial lifting of interstate ban. 

The SGF said; “I am pleased to inform you that Mr. President has carefully considered the 5th Interim Report of the PTF and has accordingly approved that, with the exception of some modifications to be expatiated upon later, the Phase Two of the eased lockdown be extended by another four weeks with effect from Tuesday, June 30, 2020 through Midnight of Monday, 27 July, 2020. 

“Specifically, however, the following measures shall either remain in place or come into effect: Maintaining the current phase of the national response for another four weeks in line with modifications to be expatriated by the National Coordinator; Permission of movement across State borders only outside curfew hours with effect from 1st July, 2020; Enforcement of laws around non-pharmaceutical interventions by States, in particular, the use of face masks in public places; Safe re-opening of schools to allow students in graduating classes resume in-person in preparation for examinations and; Safe reopening of domestic aviation services as soon as practicable”.

Fayose lambasts Ojudu over comment on PDP

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has said that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the State was not interested in making any gain from the ongoing political feud between Governor Kayode Fayemi and Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.

Ojudu, who is having a running battle with the State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, over the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State had reportedly said on a radio station on Saturday that; "If I die and they put PDP flag on my coffin I will wake up, tear it and go back to sleep."

Responding, Fayose who spoke through his Media Aide, Lere Olayinka, likened the ruling APC to a "left hand used to clean asshole," saying; "Ojudu has no hand at all. He should not even be referred to as politician."

The former governor described Senator Ojudu as a political opportunist, who is always fighting for his own selfish gains, saying; "He fought against Niyi Adebayo, myself, Segun Oni and he is fighting Fayemi now.

Over 1million apply for N- Power in 48 hours

The online portal for recruitment of third batch of N-Power enrolees has witnessed over 1million applications barely 48 hours after it was opened.

The Federal Government had disclosed that 400,000 applicants would be absorbed into the third batch of its N-Power National Social Investment Scheme (NSIP).

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development commenced the enrolment process of the third batch of the N-Power beneficiaries on June 26.

The ministry explained the enrolment will provide opportunities for more Nigerian youths to access the programme in furtherance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

An update on the enrollment exercise is contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday night by the Deputy Director Information of the Ministry, Rhoda Iliya.

It reads: “In line with the ongoing N-POWER Batch C online application which commenced Friday June 26, 2020, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, hereby announces that over 1,000,000 applications have been received from across the Federation in less than 48 hours after the Honourable Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq, declared open the new N-Power Portal on the Ministry’s website.

“The Ministry wishes to reiterate that all young Nigerians between the ages of 18-35 with or without formal education can apply for a slot in the new programme which would be very focused on agriculture.

“The number of applications so far received is an indication of the number of our youths who need jobs and the confidence in the programme.

“The Ministry will continue to collaborate with its technical partners to provide timely support to all applicants.”

The Ministry promised that the selection process would be fair and transparent, adding that the public would be carried along at every stage.

It also assured Nigerians the N-Power portal is secured and no data has been compromised.

It further stated the portal is open for all Nigerians who meet the application criteria. (The Nation)

Nigeria records 490 new coronavirus cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 490 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 24,567.

The health agency in a tweet Sunday night said the new cases were reported in 20 states.

The 490 new cases were reported from 21 states- Lagos – 118, Delta – 84, Ebonyi – 68, FCT – 56, Plateau – 39, Edo – 29, Katsina – 21, Imo – 13, Ondo – 12, Adamawa – 11, Osun – 8, Ogun – 8, Rivers – 6, Kano – 5, Enugu – 3, Bauchi – 3, Akwa Ibom – 3, Kogi – 1, Oyo- 1 and Bayelsa – 1.

All the reporting states already had at least a case of the virus.

As of the time of reporting, 35 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease. Only one state, Cross River, is yet to officially report any case of the virus.

Till date, 24, 567 cases have been confirmed, 9, 007 cases have been discharged and 565 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.