BREAKING: Buhari Receives Madagascan COVID-19 Herbal Drug Samples From Guinea Bissau’s President
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday received the Madagascan native formulation against COVID-19 from President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea Bissau at the State House, Abuja. Buhari while receiving the samples of the traditional medicine as shared to African nations by Madagascar, said his position on all such herbal or traditional medicine remained the same. “We have our institutions, systems and processes in the country. Any such formulations should be sent to them for verification.
“I will not put it to use without the endorsement of our institutions,” the President said in a statement released by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu. On the main reason for his visit, President Embalo said having stabilised his country after the tussle that attended the general elections won by him, he had come to seek counsel from Buhari on his plan for a government of national unity and a proposed war against corruption in his country. “Problems of Guinea Bissau are problems of Nigeria. I have come to you as your son. I need your help and assistance to make the people happy. I will not let you down, neither will I put you in any difficult situation,” the visiting leader told President Buhari. In response to these demands, Buhari commended Embalo on his confirmation as President and for stabilising the country. “I commend your political dexterity in getting the opposition to join the proposed unity government,” he said.
Coronavirus: NANS gives Varsities four conditions for virtual classes
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has given four conditions to tertiary institutions authorities before it will allow its members to take online classes. The association made this known in a statement on Wednesday by its Southwest spokesperson, Kazeem Olalekan Israel. “It is sad that despite the fact that we are in a critical period of our national life, the Nigerian government, rather than show commitment to continued survival/sustenance of the people has been paying lip-service to provide palliatives where there is none. “To make things worst and to show how unprepared we are as a people, the management of tertiary institutions in the country in adhering to the directives of the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education is about to kickstart a virtual learning process for their students without providing means. “Though, as an association, we are in support of virtual learning for students because it is an advancement as against the conventional mode of learning, but, it is very unfortunate that the Federal Government has failed to meet our demands which include but not limited to the provision of specified data and Cost of Study Allowance (COSA) of at least #100,000 for each student all over the country in order to aid the online learning process that is about to commence. “We feel disappointed that management of higher institutions in the country are colluding with the Federal Government to make students carry the brunt of governmental failure and inefficiency with the introduction of online lectures for their students even when our demands have not been met. “It is on record that these demands of ours would act as a stimulus for the actualisation of online classes because, without being economical with the truth, many if not all the tertiary institutions in the country lack the facilities to handle online learning. The reason for this cannot be far-fetched; despite calls from a different angle for the proper funding of the educational sector, the Federal Government has failed to invest in the sector which is why private institutions in the country can boast of having what it takes to hold online classes for their students and which has actually commenced in full force there while public higher institutions are yet to have a headway. “As an association, we believe that the order for the commencement of online classes for students in tertiary institutions by the Federal Government is hypocritical as successive governments in the country have actually failed to invest in education which has indeed make it impossible to hold online classes as a result of the lack of the resources. As the saying goes, you cannot build something on anything and, there is no man that wants to build a house and will not first draw a plan and count the cost. The Federal Government should accede to the demands of students by providing data for all Nigerian students. “It is evident that with the lack of adequate power supply in many part of the country and the lack of funds to buy sufficient data on our laptop, online learning is and would remain a mirage. In summary, if Nigerian students must attend online classes, the following demands must be met;
Provision of study allowance of no less than One hundred thousand naira (#100,000) to purchase Internet WiFi, data, alternative electricity generators in the absence of decent electricity.
Special provision to get decent Laptop across to students.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities be consulted on school materials necessary to deliver successful online lectures.4. Given the truncation of the economic lives of our parents due to the COVID 19 lockdown, we forthwith demand that fees across tertiary institutions be slashed by 50%. Conclusively, we reiterate that free, quality and compulsory education remains a right and not a privilege.”
As global collective efforts continue to intensify towards procuring the cure for novel coronavirus, former president Olusegun Obasanjo has joined about 140 current and former world leaders calling for “a people’s vaccine” against the ravaging virus. The call, which was contained in a petition they signed on Thursday, May 14, is urging all governments to push for a free Covid-19 vaccine for all when developed.
Obasanjo, who led Nigeria as a civilian head of state between 1999 and 2007, is a member of the Champion for an AIDS-Free Generation. In the petition, the leaders are demanding that when a Covid-19 vaccine is developed, it should be made available free of charge to all, NAN reports. According to UNAIDS, the demand is the most ambitious position yet by world leaders “on what has become the most urgent quest in modern science.” President of South Africa, who also doubles as the chairman of the African Union (UN), Cyril Ramaphosa; his Senegalese and Ghanaian counterparts, Macky Sall and Nana Akufo-Addo, respectively, are among the signatories. According to UNAIDS, the demand is the most ambitious position yet by world leaders “on what has become the most urgent quest in modern science.” The petition came ahead of a virtual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the world’s highest health policy-making body comprising health ministers from UN member states, holding on May 18.
Good Governance Is Not Buhari’s Style. By Seyi Oyetunbi
Seyi Oyetunbi
Mr. Femi Adesina has repeatedly told Nigerians to either align with Buhari’s style of failed governance or brace up to contest in 2023 general election. Or quash their unsolicited opinion; even when he was reminded that Buhari is there because Nigerians voted for him, and by that string, he (Buhari) remains the subject of the state. What you heard from him is exactly or an euphemistic tone of the president’s perception of leadership. If only we understand what good governance is, we would have sent Buhari packing from our political space, 4years ago.
Buhari cannot out-perform his capacity, the same way we cannot expect a 5litre gallon to take in 10 litre of water. We have seen his best in his first term, this second time is a period for the former dictator with kakistocratic mindset to sleep hard and snore harder in power. Whatever he is doing or not doing with power is his style, and no body is permitted to whine; even when it is at the expense of the governed, this has been the point Mr. Adesina has been trying to drive down into our hands. That is possibly one of the most dangerous jokes I have heard all my life. The only rationale for our heightened tolerance of malgovenance is simple: a large number of Nigerians don’t know what good governance is and few who know it are bought, compromised and lost in the struggle for a working Nigeria. I cannot recollect who said “a sick country cannot be managed by a sick president,” but that statement truly explains why we should hibernate our hope for a new Nigeria, with Buhari at the helm of affairs. Mr. President with his cabinet members is convinced that Nigeria and Nigerians deserve nothing better than his obsolete style of dictatorship. The day we become concerned about things that matter will be the end of political catastrophe in Nigeria.
Anytime I take a pew to watch CNN, Aljazeera and other international news stations, and I see Britons and Americans infuriated about their governmental policies, I find it uneasy to beat-down the thinking that Nigeria and good governance are two parallel lines that can never meet; under this callousness earthen under leadership. If Americans and Britons can protest, lament, spit fire at their public office occupants, inspite of the ocean of life supporting amenities they can access, I feel Nigerians should pack their mats and mattresses and match forward to the streets of Abuja to oust president Muhammadu Buhari, who is retiring in power.
The state of governance in the most populous African state, from all indications shows that our leaders have failed and are drastically failing. Basically, you would agree with me that the essence of social contract: reason for (the populace) submitting to be governed is for government to do that which we cannot do for ourselves. What has Buhari done in the past 5years better than gagging the media, institutionalizing corruption and defending failures with excuse of 16years ruins of their sister party?
The standard yardsticks to measure good governance are: following rule of law, efficient, accountable, transparent, responsive, consensus oriented, participatory and inclusive. On this basis, can you see how far we are from good governance? It is indeed unfortunate that we tolerate failure. We are too apathetic and indifferent about happenings in our political space. This is costing us so much.
May be we should say to ourselves that we have roles to play in government-when a policy is made, reaction from the public follows. Do we really react to anything they offer us? Instead, we try to look at things the way they position us to look at things like zombies. We sometimes prefer to whine behind closed doors and resort to asking God ‘why’
God cannot do that which we can do for ourselves; he is too busy with things we cannot do. Governance is what we can do, and what we should do.
Gombe State Government has announced the suspension of the ban imposed on places of worship to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya announced the lifting of the suspension on Thursday in Gombe after a meeting with religious leaders in the state.
Yahaya said the decision followed assurances from the religious leaders to comply with all health directives on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yahaya noted that the restriction imposed by the state government to contain community spread of the disease had yielded results.
He said since the religious leaders had given assurances that they would comply with all health authorities’ directives on COVID-19, churches and mosques should open for worship.
The governor directed that some members of the religious organisations be trained by the state’s task force on COVID-19 to ensure effective observance of the preventive measures.
Yahaya, however, warned that should the religious organisations fail to comply with the health directives, the government would reimpose the ban.
Earlier, Chairman of the state’s Taskforce on COVID-19, Prof. Idris Mohammed, appealed to the people to ensure compliance with the directive by observing physical distancing, regular hand washing, use of face masks and sanitiser.
Mohammed stated that the taskforce would train some members of religious organisations, who would, in turn, pass on the training to create more awareness on preventive measures.
Rev. Ibrahim Jodi, Gombe State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), promised that they would observe all health directives, adding, “We have been complying with physical distancing and other directives before the lockdown.”
Malam Salisu Muhammad, leader of the Izala Muslim group in the state, said they were ready to abide by all rules while worshipping in Mosques.More in Home
Muhammad further pledged more supports for the state government’s fight against COVID-19 in the state.
BREAKING: Adamawa Asks Mosques, Churches, Cattle Markets To Reopen
Press secretary to Governor Umaru Fintiri, Humwashi Wonosikou, made this known in a statement to journalists on Thursday.
Wonosikou however, urged all religious leaders to put in place preventive and precautionary measures in their various worship centres in order to contain the outbreak and spread of Coronavirus in the state. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri
He said, “Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has eased the restriction on worship places and social gatherings earlier imposed on the state following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“Churches, Mosques and the international cattle markets under lockdown can now reopen.”
He also announced the discharge of five COVID-19 patients from the state isolation centres after testing negative for the virus.
Prof. Gambari Stuck In The Webs Of History By Seyi Oyetunbi
Men like Ibrahim Gambari can only say “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past,” when we think he has achieved so much, in reality he has not really lived for anything.
History they say, can never be re-written. You either reminisce with a bold smile or be reminded and shiver like a drenched stray hen. The reactions of notable Nigerians that trail the appointment of the new Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, only shows that the international scholar is in a loggerhead with history. You can’t pitch your tenth with the wicked and feign innocence.
The voyage of Prof. Gambari through the corridor of power started in his early 20s after his exposure to the best of education as a Political Scientist in one of the ivy league Universities in the United Kingdom. To put the record straight, he is the youngest diplomat Nigeria ever had. With his brilliance, exposure, forte, charisma and sagacity, one would expect Nigerians to be filled with joy over his appointment, but the reverse became the case. His predecessor, whose death came in as a shock, had a similar intimidating curriculum vitae, yet not as humongous as that of this Ilorin Emirati. It is not hyperbolic to opine that Prof. Ibrahim Gambari is on top of academic.
Yet, with all of his feats, the 79 Don is in a tussle with History. Ibrahim Gambari
There is apparently no historical perspective to Nigeria without these two symbolic events: annulment of the June 12 1993 election, and the unjust and arbitrary condemnation of the renowned environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa. The June 12th election could best be described as a political hullabaloo, as the election that flawlessly favoured the then African richest man was erroneously annulled to elongate the dark days of military dictatorship, in the country. Ibrahim Babangida gave the order. But like you would expect, some sycophants played active role in the way a president-elect metamorphosed to be a prisoner. Injustice of such genre should be penned in capital, isn’t it! Our professor was part of those men of wonder.
The Ogonni born, Ken Saro Wiwa was sentenced to death for asking the government for the needful. Ogonni is a locale directly linked to the major source of revenue for Nigeria, it is oil rich. Government was milking the oil at the expense of the inhabitants of the community. The brave Revolutionist armed himself with his ideology and took it upon himself to call the government to order, he was no doubt a pain to the most corrupt and callous president, of course after Buhari, in the history of Nigeria. Abacha persecuted Saro Wiwa. He went away with it. Some powerful enjoyed that tragedy of governance. Our professor was part of those men of wonder.
Nigeria should indeed be called a wonder-land, where the unimaginable happens, repeatedly. Buhari, after the demise of the London trained legal pundit, Abba Kyari was quoted to have said “he is the best of them all.” I think baba knew what he meant. Abba Kyari was what he was, but Gambari is a nightmare to all patriotic citizens of this country who understand the danger of having the country in the hands of someone like Gambari. Those who are in a way or more familiar with history are all worried. I have come to agree with Buhari that Kyari was the best of them, as his successor can tutor the devil to be more devilish.
Ibrahim Gambari was the minister of foreign affairs to president Buhari, exactly 36years ago, when Nigeria population was just 81. 45million; he is today the Chief of State to the president when the population stands above 200million. You don’t need excess grammar to understand that Buhari’s administration places no relevance on the youth population. His gerontocratic frame of mind fused with gross nepotistic mental lens is “follow-come.” That man is too rigid for repentance.
Men like Ibrahim Gambari can only say “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past,” when we think he has achieved so much, in reality he has not really lived for anything.
Nigerians can do better by sending these old wagons out of our political space, through any feasible pattern, but we care less about things that matter.
Let me borrow few words from Frantz Fanon from his major work, The Wretched of the Earth; “a government or a party gets the people it deserves and sooner or later a people gets the government it deserves.”
BREAKING: Court Slams N10m Against DSS For Illegally Detaining Man Who Purchased SIM Card Previously Used By President Buhari’s Daughter
The Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State, on Thursday slammed the sum of N10m against Nigeria’s lawless secret police, Department of State Services, for illegally detaining Anthony Okolie for 10 weeks for lawfully purchasing a SIM card previously used by President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan.
Borno suspends lockdown, asks mosques, churches to reopen
The lockdown declared in Borno state has been suspended indefinitely. The state government has also relaxed the ban on religious gatherings, but called for strict guidelines on maintaining physical distancing in mosques and churches. Meanwhile, the ban on Eid prayers are still in force. Umar Kadafur, deputy governor and chairman of the state COVID-19 response committee, made this known in a statement. According to him, the “stringent measures” taken to limit the spread of the coronavirus “yielded the desired results”, as the state had recorded “significant progress” in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He, however, noted that if the COVID-19 situation escalates, the government would revert to “status quo”. “Henceforth, Jumma’at prayers and five daily prayers shall be observed in all mosques as recommended by the Borno State Council of Ulamas in strict adherence with social distancing and the use of face masks,” the statement read. “All churches shall conduct church services as recommended by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Borno Chapter in strict adherence with social distancing and use of face masks. “Government has considered the recommendation of the Borno State Council of Ulamas which clearly states that Eid prayers is Sunnah (non obligatory), hence there should be no Eid prayers. Faithfuls should remain at home during the period.” The government also placed restrictions on public gatherings, especially funeral processions, weddings, naming ceremonies, among others, which it limited to not more than 20 people.
Prof. Gambari Stucked in the Webs of History. By Seyi Oyetunbi
Seyi Oyetunbi
History they say, can never be re-written. You either reminisce with a bold smile or be reminded and shiver like a drenched stray hen. The reactions of notable Nigerians that trail the appointment of the new Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, only shows that the international scholar is in a loggerhead with history. You can’t pitch your tenth with the wicked and feign innocence.
The voyage of Prof. Gambari through the corridor of power started in his early 20s after his exposure to the best of education as a Political Scientist in one of the ivy league Universities in the United Kingdom. To put the record straight, he is the youngest diplomat Nigeria ever had. With his brilliance, exposure, forte, charisma and sagacity, one would expect Nigerians to be filled with joy over his appointment, but the reverse became the case. His predecessor, whose death came in as a shock, had a similar intimidating curriculum vitae, yet not as humongous as that of this Ilorin Emirati. It is not hyperbolic to opine that Prof. Ibrahim Gambari is on top of academic.
Yet, with all of his feats, the 79 Don is in a tussle with History.
There is apparently no historical perspective to Nigeria without these two symbolic events: annulment of the June 12 1993 election, and the unjust and arbitrary condemnation of the renowned environmental activist, Ken Saro Wiwa. The June 12th election could best be described as a political hullabaloo, as the election that flawlessly favoured the then African richest man was erroneously annulled to elongate the dark days of military dictatorship, in the country. Ibrahim Babangida gave the order. But like you would expect, some sycophants played active role in the way a president-elect metamorphosed to be a prisoner. Injustice of such genre should be penned in capital, isn’t it! Our professor was part of those men of wonder.
The Ogonni born, Ken Saro Wiwa was sentenced to death for asking the government for the needful. Ogonni is a locale directly linked to the major source of revenue for Nigeria, it is oil rich. Government was milking the oil at the expense of the inhabitants of the community. The brave Revolutionist armed himself with his ideology and took it upon himself to call the government to order, he was no doubt a pain to the most corrupt and callous president, of course after Buhari, in the history of Nigeria. Abacha persecuted Saro Wiwa. He went away with it. Some powerful enjoyed that tragedy of governance. Our professor was part of those men of wonder.
Nigeria should indeed be called a wonder-land, where the unimaginable happens, repeatedly. Buhari, after the demise of the London trained legal pundit, Abba Kyari was quoted to have said “he is the best of them all.” I think baba knew what he meant. Abba Kyari was what he was, but Gambari is a nightmare to all patriotic citizens of this country who understand the danger of having the country in the hands of someone like Gambari. Those who are in a way or more familiar with history are all worried. I have come to agree with Buhari that Kyari was the best of them, as his successor can tutor the devil to be more devilish. Ibrahim Gambari was the minister of foreign affairs to president Buhari, exactly 36years ago, when Nigeria population was just 81. 45million; he is today the Chief of State to the president when the population stands above 200million. You don’t need excess grammar to understand that Buhari’s administration places no relevance on the youth population. His gerontocratic frame of mind fused with gross nepotistic mental lens is “follow-come.” That man is too rigid for repentance.
Men like Ibrahim Gambari can only say “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past,” when we think he has achieved so much, in reality he has not really lived for anything. Nigerians can do better by sending these old wagons out of our political space, through any feasible pattern, but we care less about things that matter.
Let me borrow few words from Frantz Fanon from his major work, The Wretched of the Earth; “a government or a party gets the people it deserves and sooner or later a people gets the government it deserves.”
PurpleWorld 