YellowStone Media International

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has decried the alleged neglect of the state by the federal government in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. He opined that there must be collaboration between different tiers of government for the fight against the spread of coronavirus to be successful. The governor stated this on Thursday when he received the new Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan, at the Government House in Port Harcourt. He said Nigeria does not need the nature of politics being played by the federal government and its agencies at this time when coronavirus is ravaging the world. According to Wike, "There must be a collaboration to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The Nigerian Centre fo Diseas Control (NCDC) is building laboratories in Lagos, Ogun and Kano States, but not in Rivers State. "This is a state that is exposed to several foreign and local visitors with no single federal intervention.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on Thursday stated that its newly recruited graduate trainees would resume duties next Monday. A statement issued by the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the over 1,000   trainees recently recruited would first begin work virtually. According to Obateru, "The trainees are to assume duty first virtually, while the corporation monitors the COVID-19 situation and the federal government’s directives to determine a date of physical resumption of duty." The statement added that the option of virtual resumption of duty was necessitated by the need to comply with the extant protocol on social distancing and reduced number of people in workplace among other measures that have been introduced by the government as a result of the pandemic. The NNPC spokesman said the trainees had completed online documentation, and would commenc

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew in the state by 14 days effective from April 30, 2020, as part of renewed measures to halt the spread of COVID-19. Obaseki, who disclosed this during a press briefing at the Government House on Thursday,   said the extension of the curfew would further help the state government to restrict movement of persons to check the spread of the deadly virus. The governor also expressed appreciation to the Edo people for their cooperation and compliance to the curfew in the last 10 days, adding: “I am extending the curfew in Edo State for another 14 days from 8p.m. to 6a.m.” He disclosed that one Mrs. Amaka Okoro, a nursing mother, who lives at No. 2 Ator Idubor Street, off Second Ugbor, was wanted for treatment after she tested positive for COVID-19 and has since been unreachable. The governor said Mrs. Okoro’s baby has already started coughing, urging those with useful information a

Tragedy struck in Enugu last Wednesday when five members of the same family were discovered dead in their house at Amaokpo, Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. The family of Onyekwere Chukwumalu, who hails from Eziowelle, Idemili LGA of Anambra State reportedly went to sleep last Monday night but could not wake up till they were discovered dead on Wednesday morning. As at the time of filling this report, the cause of their mysterious death was unknown. According to residents of the area, nobody knew of their death until a co-worker with the late Chukwumalu, a building contractor, visited his home but found the house locked, with his vehicle parked outside. After several calls with no response, the co-worker had to force open the door, and on entry, discovered the entire members of the family had been lying dead. The incident reportedly attracted those in the neighbourhood, who went into the house and brought out thei

Move by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State to have a consensus candidate to face the incumbent state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in the party primary election ended in a deadlock on Thursday as the meeting was postponed. However, it was gathered that consultation is still ongoing, and a fresh meeting rescheduled without any date given. The meeting, which held at the residence of a former Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Lucky Imasuen, was disrupted during the process of trying to agree on modalities to be used for the shadow election. Problem, was learnt, began when some persons queried   the rationale behind the inclusion of the 14 members-elect of Edo State House of Assembly who are yet to resume sitting to vote in the meeting.   Eventually, when they were allowed to vote, another controversy erupted as most of them were said to be supporting the aspiration of one of the aspirants, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

A man has been arrested in Yobe State for allegedly having carnal knowledge of an 18-month old girl. A statement issued on Thursday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, said: “During the week under review, Yobe State Police Command, through Karasuwa Divisional Police headquarters, succeeded in arresting Alhaji Ado Kanwa, who hails from Kazaure in Jigawa State but presently residing in Karasuwa LGA of Yobe State. “The suspect was arrested after allegedly molesting and raping an 18-month-old baby (name withheld) in Karasuwa LGA of Yobe State. “The victim sustained various degrees of vaginal injuries as a result. Investigation has since begun for subsequent prosecution of the suspect.” The PPRO said: “Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police has called the members of the public to always report all forms of criminalities around them while going about their lawful activities. The commissioner further assures the state of the

Following media reports that a coalition of Nigerian legal practitioners has filed a class action against the People’s Republic of China over the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians, the Asian country has responded that it is also a victim of the pandemic and not a perpetrator or accomplice. The Embassy of China in a statement issued on Thursday said in the face of a major public health crises and infectious diseases, the international community should stand in solidarity and work together, not resort to mutual accusation or demand retribution and accountability. The Chinese Government noted that since the outbreak of the COVID-19, it has taken the most comprehensive, rigorous and thorough measures to contain its spread and conduct international cooperation in an open, transparent and responsible spirit. China added that in the process, it has made tremendous sacrifices, accumulated valuable experience, and made significant contribu

The Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19 on Thursday repatriated a batch of 58 persons suspected to have been trafficked to Makurdi, the state capital, back to their states. The state Deputy Governor and Chairman of the state COVID-19 Action Committee, Benson Abounu, led a taskforce to repatriate the youths from the state in the early hours of yesterday. He said the youths had been brought to the state in violation of the lockdown rules and had to be returned to the safety of their homes. To redress the situation, the deputy governor revealed that the committee had provided the means of transportation as well as security and documentation to facilitate safe passage on the highways for the affected young persons. Face masks were also handed to the said youths after they had been given orientation on safety tips necessary for them to avoid contracting and spreading the virus. He stressed that the lockdown in Benue State remains in

As the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have adverse effect on the economy, the organised labour in Ekiti State has told the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, not to contemplate any move to reduce their salary, despite the slump in the state government revenues. The labour unions, comprising Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress, also requested immediate payment of outstanding salaries by the governor to ease the effect of the lockdown on the populace. Fayemi had last Tuesday announced the slashing of his salaries, that of his Deputy, Bisi Egbeyemi, and political appointees by 50 percent. The made this agitation at a press conference jointly addressed by the Chairmen of NLC, Kolapo Olatunde, and his counterpart in TUC, Sola Adigun, in Ado Ekiti prior to Workers' Day.   In his address, the NLC boss asserted that the menace of COVID-19 has affected every worker, saying this time remains the most app

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has amended the state 2020 budget from N597.7 billion to N366 billion, saying the decision was to meet the economic challenges occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world. Also, the Assembly explained that the amendment and passing of the budget into law which took place on Thursday at plenary was sequel to a letter sent by the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to the state Assembly during its emergency plenary. Briefing journalists after the plenary, the Chairman, Assembly Committee on Appropriation and Finance, Uduak Ududoh, said the recurrent expenditure of N111.22 billion earlier approved for the 2020 budget has been reduced to N98.22 billion. He added that the capital expenditure which stood at N369.10 billion has been reduced to 186.94 billion, while the consolidated revenue charges now stood at N80.83 billion as against N116.93 billion. The chairman explained that the total budget size a

  Three persons were reportedly killed in a bloody clash between two rival cult groups in Akwa Ibom State. The clash occurred in Inen community in OrukAnam Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that one Otobong Ben Ufenang was allegedly killed last Monday by a five-man gang and his body dismembered near the community primary school at Inen Ikot Etim. Another victim was allegedly lynched in Odoro Ikot at the boundary village between Ukanafun and OrukAnam council areas. Also, the third victim was murdered in Inen Ikot Obio Idang, where houses were looted and residents fled the area for their dear lives. An eyewitness said the deceased Ufenang was murdered near the community primary school in Ikot Etim. Members of the yet-to-be-identified gang were said to have descended on the victim with machetes, cutting him severally until he slumped in the pool of his blood. "They just swoop on the young man, accosted h

             The House of Representatives on Tuesday ordered an investigation into the causes of the increasing number of mysterious deaths in Kano State. The House has also directed its Committees on Environment, Healthcare Services and Agricultural Production and Services to investigate the washing ashore of dead fishes in brackish water in Bonny-Andoni, Rivers State, other communities in the Niger Delta region, as well as Ondo and Akwa Ibom States. Also, following the extension of the lockdown by President Muhammadu Buhari to curb the spread of COVID-19, the House of Representatives at the resumption of plenary yesterday resolved to sit once every week till the lockdown order is lifted. It also called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency and priority scale up the country’s COVID-19 testing capacity. The resolution of the House yesterday was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Alhassan Doguw

Following the continued maltreatment of Nigerians in China, the House of Representatives at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday ordered a probe on the legality of Chinese nationals living in the Nigeria currently for possible repatriation to China. This was sequel to the adoption of a motion titled: 'Maltreatment and Institutional Acts of Racial Discrimination against Nigerians Living in China by the Government of China', which was sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Kalu and nine other lawmakers. Adopting the motion, the House directed the Committees on Interior, Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring, and Commerce to investigate the validity of all immigration documents of every Chinese person in Nigeria and the expatriate quota of all the Chinese businesses in Nigeria to ascertain the number of illegal and undocumented Chinese immigrants in Nigeria and to repatriate them to China. It also urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant Min

Rights group, the Campaign for Democracy (CD), on Tuesday tasked President Muhammdu Buhari to give financial palliative to all Nigerians in the wake of the continued lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. The group, therefore, gave the federal government up till April 30 to credit individual bank accounts nationwide or risk civil disobedience. In a statement issued by its National Secretary, Ifeanyi Odili, which was made available to THISDAY in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the CD challenged the federal government to name individuals it had credited their accounts with its touted monetary palliative. Accordingly, it said: “Our leaders commit a hell of evil with impunity, hoping there is nothing we can do. “I tell you, we can do many things; only that we are still giving them more ropes to pull. “According to our leaders, trillions of naira had been transferred to individuals’ accounts. When and whose accounts? Who were the beneficiaries? They think

The Registrar and Chief Executive of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Prof. Segun Ajiboye, on Tuesday said the teaching profession would witness a total revolution after the COVID-19 pandemic is over. This is just as he said faculties of education and Colleges of Education in the country need to review their curricula to include technology-driven training and preparations. Ajiboye, while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,   said COVID-19 has thrown up a challenge for a paradigm shift in the way teachers are trained and the way learning is executed in Nigeria, stating that the advanced countries are able to continue teaching and learning through the deployment of technology which is still yet to be engaged fully in the country. He added that the post-COVID 19 reality is that Nigeria must invest in technology to drive her educational system, noting that the world will not wait for the country to catch up with it

The federal government has declared May 1, 2020, as a public holiday to mark this year’s International Workers’ Day celebration. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the federal government, commended Nigerian workers for their resilience, patience and understanding, particularly in their support of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms. Georgina Ehuriah, the minister thanked Nigerians and the labour force for their sacrifices in the of trial, and assured them that better days are ahead. According to him, "Their commitment and patience will complement the efforts made by the government and other stakeholders to ensure the speedy control of the virus. "With the cooperation of every citizen as well as strict adherence to the measures put in place by relev

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has announced a partial relaxation of the state lockdown to tackle COVID-19 pandemic, which included weddings and burial ceremony, with strict observance of social distancing rules. While thanking the citizens, security agencies and other stakeholders for the contribution to the appreciable success and gains of the 28-day lockdown, Okowa said in a broadcast in Asaba on Tuesday that the ban on certain public gatherings like sports and religious congregation as well as mass movement in vehicles would still be in force. Schools are to remain closed for at least one more month while the ban on inter-state movement, other than for specified essential services as announced last Monday by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be strictly enforced in Delta State, the governor added. Okowa, who reiterated the readiness of his administration to continue to tackle the challenge posed by coronavirus frontally and proactively, said: