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Nigeria Records 238 New Coronavirus Cases, Total Hits 2,170

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 238 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

This brings the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 2170, ABN TV reports.

Also Read: NCDC: We’re Running Against Time With Insufficient Laboratories, Ventilators

The NCDC made this known via its Twitter handle on Friday. it also said that 92 of the new infections were recorded in Kano.

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ABN TV Boss Salutes NBA Director At 60, Calls Him Astute Administrator

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The Director ABN TV, Mr. Ifeanyi Okali has congratulated the Director National Broadcast Academy (NBA) Engr. Ajibola Abiola as he marks 60th birthday.

Mr. Okali extolled the administrative dexterity of Engr. Abiola, describing him a humble.

“Engr. Abiola has exhibited uncommon humility which has enhanced his relationship with the staff members of NBA and the trainees as well. As an astute administrator, he has piloted the affairs of the Academy to enviable height, making it a Mecca of sort to big players in the broadcast industry” he said.

Also Read: Prof. Gregory Ibe Felicitates With Abia Workers On 2020 May Day

While expressing gratitude to God for the level He has brought Engr. Abiola in life, he prayed for many more years of good health, abundance, and service to humanity for the celebrant.

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Prof. Gregory Ibe Felicitates With Abia Workers On 2020 May Day

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The Chancellor of Gregory University Uturu, in Abia state, Prof. Gregory Ibe has congratulated members of Nigeria Labour Congress, Abia chapter on this year’s international day of labour, saying he appreciates their dogged illustrious spirit, ABN TV reports.

In a letter addressed to the chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Abia State chairman on Friday, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe, Prof. Ibe extolled the contribution of workers to nation-building even as he acknowledges the challenges posed by COVID-19, urging them to maintain all safety protocols.

Also Read: COVID-19: Abia State University Develops Geographical Tracking Device, Risk Map For Nigeria

Sequel to the commemoration of International Labour Day on 1st May 2020, I hereby write to felicitate with the entire leadership and members of Abia state chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress.

“There is no doubt that from inception of the state in 1991 till the present time, the Abia workforce has remained an indispensable ally to government in the onerous task of developing the state. This is the reason why international recognition continues to be given to the Abia worker, in appreciation of his dogged industrious spirit.

“It is therefore against the backdrop of the challenges posed by the ravaging COVID 19 pandemic that I urge all Abia workers to continue to implement all operative safety protocols while sustaining the courageous lifestyle of resilience. As the biggest corporate private-sector employer of labour in our state, next to government, I remain committed to the task of providing a safe work environment that stimulates productivity while encouraging individual and collective growth.

“Do receive assurances of my sustained support, even as we look forward to increased partnerships?” he said.

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Appointment Of Ogbulogo Into FCC Board Laudable — Group, Berates Abia APC For Kicking

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Members of the Coalition of Southeast Youths for Buhari (COSYB), a Buhari Support Group that was part of the 2015 and 2019 electoral victories of President Muhammadu Buhari, have lauded the President on the appointment of one of their members Mr Henry Ogbulogo into the Board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

In a release signed by the National Conveners, Styv Nkem and the National Publicity Secretary, Ifeanyi Azi, which was made available to media men in Abuja, Friday, the group pointed out that President Buhari was living up to his promise of trusting the Nigerian youth with responsibilities that will aid the development of their leadership acumen and clout.

They, equally, praised the choice of Mr. Ogbulogo for the job, stressing that, apart from being a staunch APC stalwart who has immensely contributed to the development of the Party in Abia State, Ogbulogo possesses the character, learning, and competence to deliver and make Abians proud in his new appointment.

Also Read: Abia APC Chieftain Thanks Buhari, Ogah Over Appointment Of Hon. Ogbulogo Into FCC Board

“We want to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for the appointment of one of us, Hon. Henry Ogbulogo, who is a founding member of COALITION OF SOUTHEAST YOUTHS FOR BUHARI into the Board of the Federal Character Commission as Abia Representative.

“This appointment not only proves that you, Mr. President, truly have a place for the youth of this country in your heart as you often state always but also shows that you reward hard work and loyalty to your good self and our Great Party.” the statement read in part.

The statement continues: “For those who have forgotten, Hon. Henry Ogbulogo remains one of the first and most ardent believers of the Buhari cause when he formed and financed a Pro- Buhari Group before he decided to collapse his group into COSYB in the heydays of the campaign for President in order to strengthen the group, which did so well during the APC campaign and election by 2019 around the whole South East.

Equally, may we, also, thank Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, OON, FCA, the Honourable Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development and erstwhile candidate of the APC for Abia Governorship in 2019, who we are reliably informed, availed us of his useful contacts and personality to make Hon. Ogbulogo’s candidature for the position sail through Presidential approval and adoption. We pray that Hon. Ogbulogo will use his new appointment to raise other youths like him”, the statement concludes.

In a related development, members of Coalition of Southeast Youths for Buhari (COSYB) have also frowned at a news material, which was said to have emanated from the Abia State Chapter of the APC and purportedly signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the Party, Comrade Benedict Godson, disparaging the appointment of Hon. Ogbulogo, while alleging that the new appointee of Mr. President is not known to the APC in Abia State.

In a telephone interview, the National Convener, added: “While we choose to believe that Comrade Godson may have acted alone, with neither input nor directive from/by other members of the Party leadership in Abia, if, indeed, he had signed that statement, as we are led to believe, we, however, make haste to point out that Hon. Ogbulogo’s stead in APC is never in doubt and, in fact, has all the successes that go with a serious involvement in Party matters, electioneering campaigns, and financing of structures.

For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Ogbulogo was the Ward Agent for the APC in both Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in the 2019 electoral season. Just as would be expected of any such serious involvement, Hon. Ogbulogo won at both his Ward and Polling Unit for both President Buhari and Dr. Ogah in the two separate elections. If Comrade Godson, indeed, had the cheek to make the wild and spurious allegations that couched in that statement would he be confident to come and stand before Hon. Ogbulogo or any member of COSYB to point out the same scorecard of success in relation to the last election in his Ward and Polling Unit, where he lost out completely to the PDP.

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“In any case, except if Comrade Godson wants the position for himself, we do not see why he would bother to use the name of the entire Party leadership in a State where he should be receiving directives to go on air on a serious issue such as we have at hand before doing so. If the Abia State Chapter of the APC decides to challenge the appointment of one of its own, will it be right for Comrade Godson to be the only one signing a document intended for such a serious matter? Again, with the benefit of hindsight, this is the kind of dangers that emanate from Parties when elected Party leaders live and work outside the State where they are leading. Comrade Godson lives in Abuja and it is obvious that people like him hardly know who is who in the Abia State APC. This is in spite of parading the position of State Publicity Secretary.”

The group also called on the general public and members of the APC in Abia to disregard the statement attributed to Comrade Godson, describing it as an attempt to clap with one palm, which, they say, has failed even before the act is tried.

DAAR Communications Founder, 7 Family Members Test Positive For Coronavirus

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The founder of DAAR Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and his daughter-in-law along with six members of his family have tested positive for Coronavirus.

ABN TV reports that this is coming 3 days after his son and chairman of the board of the company, Raymond Dokpesi Jnr also tested positive for the virus

A test conducted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on the Dokpesi family came out positive for eight members of the family

High Chief Dokpesi and the affected family members have been evacuated by the NCDC to the isolation centre at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital Gwagwalada where his son is already receiving treatment

Speaking on Friday shortly after the arrival of the NCDC Ambulance, High Chief Dokpesi said he is feeling well. “I am of quite ok, I feel very well”, he said, an indication that his condition is still asymptotic.

Also Read: Nigeria Records 204 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Now 1932

On Monday, the chairman of the DAAR board was the first to test positive for COVID-19 after symptoms which he said were similar to malaria. But following persistent bouts of cough, he decided to reach out to the NCDC. His test later turned out positive.

Contact tracing immediately commenced with his family members including his father, High Chief Dokpesi and members of his household

The test was later extended to senior management and members of staff who had been in close contact with the company’s index case.

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The FCT Health Authorities had also carried out immediate fumigation of the entire DAAR headquarters building sitting aloft the Kpaduma hills in Asokoro District Of Abuja

Removal Of Ohafia Police Area Command Anti Peace, Counterproductive — Group Tells IGP

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A civil society group, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, FENRAD has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu to reconsider plans to relocate the Police Area Command situated in Ohafia local government area of Abia state to Arochukwu, saying it is counter peace and counterproductive.

In a letter jointly signed by the Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, and Head Legal Team, Barr. Olusegun Bamgbose, Dated April 30, 2020, and addressed to the IGP obtained by ABN TV, the group expressed regret over the destruction of Police facility in the community as well as other public properties as a result of the killing of Friday Arunsi, a native of Ebem Ohafia by a team of policemen recently.

“FENRAD wishes to kindly remind the Inspector General of Nigeria Police Force, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar Adamu (mni), that while the ugly incident of Friday, 17 April, 2020 involving off duty policemen and Mr. Friday Ifeanyi Arunsi resulting in the untimely death of the latter is regrettably lamentable, it is hopeful that constructive approach is adopted in (re)building blocks of peace, especially, with regards to civil-police relations than taking measures which may not guarantee a win-win outcome to both parties in the end.

“FENRAD condemns the ruckus and riot which followed the death of Mr. Arunsi resulting in destruction of properties and chattels of not just the Nigeria Police Force but the Nigerian government as well and therefore wishes to apprise the IG that from available information, the said perpetrators of the incendiary attacks on chattels and facilities of the police and government were not the indigenes of Ebem Ohafia, the administrative head of Ohafia LGA, Abia State. In the words of the new Commissioner of Police Mrs. Janet Agbede, after assessing the damage done, the callous perpetrators were “not even the bereaved”. Obviously, the activities of these opportunistic elements are condemnable in all senses. The traditional leaders and leaders of thought of Ebem Ohafia have equally stated that the rioters are not sons and daughters of Ebem, a community which hitherto had hosted the Police Area Command years before Friday, April 17, 2020, happened. The activities of these elements may well liken to the proverbial outsiders weeping louder than the bereaved!

Also Read: Police Killing: Damage From Ohafia Protest Terrible, Unimaginable — Abia CP, Mourns Victim

“FENRAD understands that there is a rumoured arrangement which purports that the IG has ordered the removal and relocation of force Area Command from its Ebem Ohafia base to Arochukwu, as allegedly proposed. This, if true, cannot and does not guarantee a workable peace to either the dead and the mourning nor the police. Before now there has been peaceful coexistence between the police and natives and so this development calls for thorough investigation. Any attempt to remove force Area Command from its Ohafia location likens to forcefully separating a couple whose marriage, naturally, has not ended.

“FENRAD urges the IG to use his good offices, as he has already begun, in ensuring a lasting framework of peace and return to status quo ante. Ebem Ohafia is not notorious for crime and wanton destruction of properties and public peace disruption. Aside the police station resident therein, the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army is also quartered in Ohafia. Never had violence erupted between the host community and soldiers, so police can never be a difference.

“FENRAD wants a win-win solution to all this as facilitated by dialogue and not a separation between parties. Separation – that is in the likely case of the removal of Force Area Command from Ebem – will put paid to sustainable peace the state command and Force have put in place along the line of peace buildup. As a stopgap arrangement and in the interim, Ebem community has proposed to quarter the men and officers of the Area Command while reconstruction goes on at the damaged and torched station. This is done with a view to assuring the police and public that Ebem Ohafia is for peace.

In the light of this development, removing the Area Command from Ebem Ohafia does not guarantee the security and well-being of her sons and daughters. Conflict resolution mechanism must be explored to the letter. The best option, FENRAD believes, lies carrying on with investigations to see that justice is done and peace won. Taking the Area Command to another proposed area would throw spanner in the works as investigations are still ongoing and may even compare to desertion of duty on the part of the Force. There is no war existing between Ebem and the Police both of which have known peace and camaraderie existing together as no land exists without citizens and settlers.

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“Let whatever is left be done and achieved through opening doors of negotiation than withdrawal. Talk is better than divorce. Confidence and peacebuilding in tandem with rebuilding of the torched and destroyed properties are the only things to build, and as well, can only guarantee peace; a win-win for all, both community and police” the group stated.

https://youtu.be/TjEoYS_c5dM

BREAKING: Finally, Ikpeazu Eases Lockdown In Abia

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The Abia Government has relaxed the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 in the state, four weeks after it was announced, ABN TV reports.

The lockdown was part of the measures taken by the government to check the spread of Coronavirus in the state.

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, who announced the easing of the lockdown while briefing newsmen at the government house Umuahia however, said that all borders in the state remain closed.

More Details Later…

JUST IN: Fake Revenue Agent Nabbed In Aba [Photos, Video]

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A middle-aged man identified simply Emma who poses as an official of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), swindling unsuspecting members of the public in Aba has been arrested, ABN TV reports.

Emma who had allegedly printed fake revenue tickets, selling same to members of the public at the cost of the original emblem met his waterloo on Wednesday when ASEPA officials accosted a lady, demanding her ASEPA emblem.

Fake Revenue Agent Nabbed In Aba
Emma

The lady whose identity was not revealed was said to have tendered an emblem purchased at the sum N50,000 from the fake revenue officer, Emma.

Fake Revenue Agent Nabbed In Aba

Also Read: After 40 years blockage, Endo Industries Ltd set to clear Umuahia drainage, tunnel

This however raised the suspicion of the ASEPA officials who insisted that she purchases the original revenue emblem.

Angered by the double payment, she launched a manhunt on the fake revenue officer who was later arrested around Ovom in Obingwa LGA of the State, and his ASEPA branded motorcycle seized until he refunds the N50,000 collected from the lady.

https://youtu.be/uSmcaawR94k

ABN TV gathered that while the argument was on, another resident he allegedly defrauded with a fake emblem also demanded a refund of N35,000 he paid to him earlier.

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He has since been detained and would soon be charged to court.

BREAKING: Abia Discharges 1 COVID-19 Patient

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One Coronavirus (COVID-19) patient has been discharged from the Isolation center in Abia state after recovering from the disease.

The male patient was discharged after testing negative twice in tests carried out after treatment.

Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi
Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi

In a press statement made available to ABN TV, signed by Dr. Azubuike Onyebuchi who is the medical director of Federal Medical Center, Umuahia (where the Coronavirus patients are being treated) and made available to LIB by Sunny Emmanuel Irokansi, a Customer Care Officer of the facility, it was gathered that efforts are being made in collaboration with NCDC and the State government to test all the high risks contacts of the index cases.

The statement reads in full;

As you are aware on the 20th of April, 2020 we reported two confirmed cases of COVID 19 in the state both of which were patients being treated in our facility for other co-morbid conditions.

Since then both patients have been receiving treatment in our Isolation Ward for COVID 19 alongside other co-morbidities they presented with.

I am glad to inform you that today we will be discharging our first successfully treated COVID 19 case from the isolation facility.

He has shown marked clinical improvement and has met the National criteria for discharge of Covid patients from isolation centers which is testing negative two consecutive times to the coronavirus from the NCDC reference laboratory.

It is heartwarming to note that efforts are being made in collaboration with NCDC and the State to test all the high risks contacts of the index cases. All those so far tested including those with symptoms have tested negative.

To the glory of God, a good number of the contacts have exited
self-isolation uneventfully and we hope that all other contacts will exit successfully by Monday.

This incident is a wakeup call for us all to remain more vigilant by maintaining a high index of suspicion and practice infection prevention and control measures more than ever.

Also Read: Fraudsters Impersonating Me On Social Media — CMD FMC Umuahia Decries

On our part as management we will continue to strengthen safety measures in the workplace through screening of patients at the entry points, enforcement of compulsory masking of all patients, and provision
of requisite personal protective wears to staff. I also wish to say that as management we will continue to respond accordingly to changes in dynamics of the pandemic.

Leaders of various trade unions are therefore enjoined to support the management by disseminating right information to their members.

As healthcare providers we are enjoined to avoid stigmatization of COVID 19 patients and those managing them as it is a disease that can affect anyone irrespective of his or her social status. Such disposition will not augur well with our commitment to provide the best possible care to our
clients.

Finally, I wish to thank all involved in the successful management of our first COVID 19 patient, particularly our case management team for their sacrifice which shall not go unrewarded. I am also grateful to the Abia State government for their immense support so far.

For the contacts of the index cases, we will continue to support you until all successful exit self-isolation. By His grace we shall overcome.

There’s Information Indicating Coronavirus Originated From Chinese Lab – Trump

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President Donald Trump said Thursday he has seen evidence suggesting the novel coronavirus originated in a virology lab in Wuhan, China.

Trump did not provide any evidence to support that assertion, and he seemed to hedge a bit by saying there were many “theories” about the origin of the virus. He has repeatedly called for an investigation into the origin of the virus, part of what critics say is an effort to shift blame to China amid growing criticism of Trump’s missteps in response to the crisis.

The president’s comment on Thursday came just hours after his director of national intelligence, Richard Grenell, issued a statement on behalf of the U.S. intelligence community stating there was broad agreement the virus was not man-made or genetically modified.

But that statement left open the question of whether the virus was accidentally released by a laboratory in China, where the virus first emerged before spreading across the globe, or whether it came from animals and then jumped to humans, as the Chinese government has stated.

The intelligence community “will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan,” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, led by Richard Grenell, said in a statement.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has suggested, without citing evidence, that the virus may have escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology – a theory that many scientists have disputed.

Also Read: COVID-19: President Trump Promises To Send Ventilators To Nigeria

Trump seemed to lend credence to that theory on Thursday, even though the national intelligence director’s statement said that question was unresolved.

Asked if he had seen “anything at this point that gives you a high degree of confidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the origin of this virus,” Trump responded: “Yes I have. Yes I have.

The president said he could not divulge what gave him that high degree of confidence. And he seemed to hedge on his assertion later, saying “there’s a lot of theories” about the origin of the virus. “We’re going to see where it is, we’re going to see where it comes from,” Trump said.

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