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COVID-19: PSG Crowned French Ligue 1 Champions

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  • COVID-19: PSG Crowned French Ligue 1 Champions

Paris Saint-Germain has reportedly been crowned French Ligue 1 champions after the season was forced to come to an end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the French publication, L’Equipe.

ABN TV recalls that Ligue 1 and all other major European football leagues suspended their domestic competitions due to the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

PSG was 12 points clear of second-placed Marseille when the season was called off by the government on Tuesday and had a game in hand over their rivals.

Read Also: Civil Servants On Grade Level 14 & Above To Resume Work From Monday – FG

France’s Prime Minister Edouard Philippe stated that the return of games would not be authorized before September, even behind closed doors, as part of the next stage of the country’s lockdown plans.

In a statement, Philippe said: “The big sporting affairs cannot occur before September. The 2019-20 football season cannot return.”

It is not yet known whether any teams will be relegated to Ligue 2, with Nimes, Amiens, and Toulouse facing an anxious wait over their topflight future.

This is coming less than a week after the Dutch topflight league cancelled their season.

Civil Servants On Grade Level 14 & Above To Resume Work From Monday – FG

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The Federal Government has ordered civil servants from grade level 14 and above, to resume their duties effective Monday, May 4. ABN TV Reports.

In a communique on Thursday evening, the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan stressed that the resumption order includes those on essential services across the country.

According to the statement, all those mandated to resume on Monday will be allowed to work three times a week and closing time would be 2 pm.

The Head-Of-Service further directed that those who are resuming must adhere strictly to the observance of social distancing, use of face masks, hand sanitisers, and good general hygiene, adding all Federal Secretariats have been decontaminated and efforts were ongoing to do same in other public offices.

Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan

READ ALSO: Scientist Warns Buhari, Governors Over Implications Of Lockdown Ease

Below is the full statement as released from Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan’s office.

OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE OF THE FEDERATION

30th April, 2020

PRESS RELEASE

PARTIAL RESUMPTION OF OFFICERS ON GRADE LEVEL 14 AND ABOVE INCLUDING THOSE ON ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The Head of Service (HOS) of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi -Esan has directed officers on Grade Level 14 and above including those on essential services to resume work with effect from Monday, 4th May, 2020.

The directive is further to President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast on a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown measures occasioned by COVID-19.

The Head of Service in her statement also issued the following directives;

Offices are to open Three (3) times a week, namely Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The closing time shall be 2.00pm on each day.

The concerned officers are to ensure full compliance with the directives and advice on the prevention of the COVID -19 pandemic.

These measures include maintenance of social distancing, regular washing and /or sanitizing of hands and wearing of face masks.

Officers are to limit the number of visitors they receive to the barest minimum. They should also ensure that the visitors comply with safety and health advices/ directives.

Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executive Officers are also advised to ensure that hand washing and sanitation facilities are placed at entrances and strategic points in their MDAs. Infrared thermometers are to be provided at the entrance of the MDAs for compulsory temperature checks while as much as practicable the entrance to the MDAs is limited to only one.

It will be noted that the Federal Secretariat Complexes have been decontaminated while efforts are ongoing to do same in other public offices.

Olawunmi Ogunmosunle
Director, Information

Scientist Warns Buhari, Governors Over Implications Of Lockdown Ease

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A scientist, Dr Livinus Abonyi, has advised President Muhamadu Buhari and Governors to ensure that Nigerians comply with measures against coronavirus as the lockdown ease commences May 4.

He warned both the government and individuals to be more careful as “any complacency may lead to complications that Nigeria might not be able to cope with”.

Abonyi, a lecturer in the Department of Medical Radiography, Faculty of Clinical Sciences at the University of Lagos College of Medicine, in an interview with NAN on Thursday, also commented on the high rate of deaths in Kano.

The scientist warned citizens not to take lightly, COVID-19 instructions given by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“People must be proactive and should not relax yet, not minding the lockdown ease; continue to maintain optimum personal hygiene, avoid crowded places and ensure social distancing as Nigeria has yet to be out of COVID-19,” Abonyi said.

The medical expert urged federal and state governments to be more proactive in proffering solutions to the pandemic.

Read Also: Ebonyi Commence Production Of Electric Vehicles, Tricycles To Reduce Dependence On Oil

“For instance, the present increasing deaths in Kano- there is nothing like ‘mysterious death”, the scientist declared.

“Let the Federal Government investigate and research into the deaths to find out what is actually causing the deaths and proffer necessary solutions, instead of allowing the dead to be buried just like that.

“Also, Nigeria’s testing and treatment capacity on COVID-19 needs to be boosted to the full capacity.”

Abonyi said easing the lockdown order is an indication that there would be real danger ahead because going by the rate of increased confirmed cases, the spread of the virus might likely be doubled.

“Though the conditions for relaxing the lockdown, particularly in Lagos have not been rolled out, whether it will be fully or partially relaxed, it is an indication of a looming danger ahead.”

The expert explained that lockdown was the best option for preventing the spread of the deadly virus.

Abonyi, however, decried the belief in some quarters that coronavirus disease was not real.

Ebonyi Commence Production Of Electric Vehicles, Tricycles To Reduce Dependence On Oil

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  • Ebonyi Commence Production Of Electric Vehicles, Tricycles To Reduce Dependence On Oil

The governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi says his administration has commenced the production of electric vehicles and tricycles to reduce over-dependence on crude oil.

He lamented that the nation’s economy which is based on oil has been affected badly as a result of the ravaging of coronavirus. ABN TV Reports.

Umahi who spoke through his Special Assistant at the Vocational College, Barr. Adaeze Nwaji made this known while briefing Journalists in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.

The governor noted that there is a need to diversify the state revenue by converting gasoline tricycles and vehicles to Electric and solar energy vehicles, especially if COVID-19 persists.

According to the governor: “We are looking forward to seeing a situation where people will no longer depend on fuel but where all the tricycles and vehicles in the state are electrically powered.

Read Also: COVID-19: Ooni Of Ife Visits Ondo, Donates Fumigation Vehicles

“We are working tirelessly to make sure that the governor’s zero oil economy initiatives are implemented. And that’s why we have come up with this.

“We are building waste to wealth projects by using abandoned containers to construct our tricycles body.

“We have a technology that enables us to convert gasoline tricycles and vehicles to Electric and solar energy vehicles.

“Before the end of this week, we will have the first Ebonyi made state Tricycles and vehicles.

Nwaji noted further that the governor directed the Department of Automobile and foundry of the college to ensure that the plan is achieved and sustained.

“Our governor is highly innovative and we are thrilled by his leadership style and we can’t help but get motivated.

“We are taking it to the next level. Secondly, we have the technology to convert existing gasoline vehicles to electric vehicles.

“The ones we are manufacturing have solar panel as an alternative power supply, especially in the rural areas and this is part of governor Umahi’s Zero Oil initiative”

She added: “Germany is currently doing this conversion and we will not be left out. We are joining the committee of nations to take global action for the planet earth.

“Electric vehicles will encourage a zero oil economy, protect the planet as it has zero carbon emission.

“As you can see, it does not have an exhaust pipe. We are currently changing our Electric vehicles with Solar as we charge.

“It is a relatively new technology and our organized technical team have spent weeks studying and trying and we are now confident to speak about it. You know, knowledge is power” he stated

COVID-19: Ooni Of Ife Visits Ondo, Donates Fumigation Vehicles

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Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi on Thursday donated two motorised modular fumigators to Ondo State government to help Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in the fight against the ravaging Coronavirus in the state.

Presenting the fumigators to the governor at the Government House ground in Akure, the state capital, the spiritual leader of Yoruba worldwide stated that it became imperative for his to assist the government to check the spread of the pandemic because he didn’t want to be king over dead bodies.

He explained that the drone was meant to fumigate areas not accessible to vehicles, noting that the state government would only use the drone for a period before returning it.

Ooni disclosed that all the fumigators were fabricated locally by an Osun State indigene based in Ondo State, Victor Badejo, and all the materials used for the equipment were sourced locally.

According to Ooni of Ife, Nigerians should look at how the citizenry could explore all available resources for the development of the nation after the pandemic is conquered.

Read Also: Governor Obaseki Extends Curfew In Edo By 14 Days

After the demonstration of how the fumigator operates, he revealed that the mixtures used for fumigation were put together by Obafemi Awolowo University’s Prof. Olapeju Esima, a World Health Organization (WHO) consultant.

Confirming that the COVID-19 is real, Ooni appealed to Nigerians to adhere strictly to all the precautionary measures being handed down by the government to prevent the spread of the dreadful virus

Appreciating the monarch for the gesture, Governor Akeredolu described Ooni as a great blessing to the nation.

He expressed interest in acquiring more of the locally mortised modular fumigators from the manufacturer.

Meanwhile, the governor disclosed that he was at Shasha market in Akure North Local Government Area of the state on Thursday, expressing his displeasure about noncompliance with the social distancing order by the market women and men.

He, however, said after sensitising the people about the risk of the spread of the pandemic, the Seriki of the market, therefore, promised to shut down the market, but would henceforth open twice a week to check the spread of the virus.

 

Governor Obaseki Extends Curfew In Edo By 14 Days

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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Thursday extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew it imposed on the state for 14 days. ABN TV Reports

Governor Godwin Obaseki said this during a live broadcast on Thursday, April 30.

The governor said that due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state, the government had decided to extend the curfew it imposed in the state to two weeks.

Read Also: COVID-19: Akwa Ibom Records One Death, Three New Cases

“Following a review of the recent developments in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, I have extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew in Edo State for the next 14 days, but with some alterations to the timing.

“The curfew would now be from 8 pm to 6 am daily,” he wrote.

COVID-19: Akwa Ibom Records One Death, Three New Cases

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The Akwa Ibom State Government said it has recorded one more death and three new cases of COVID-19 within the week. ABN TV Reports

Speaking on Thursday in Uyo during an update on COVID-19 in the state, Governor Udom Emmanuel said with the development, there were now two recorded cases of deaths arising from the disease, and six active cases.

He explained that the three new cases recorded were as a result of the ongoing contact tracing exercise in the state.

“On the last laboratory test we conducted on 44 suspected cases, three persons were confirmed positive, while we lost one.

“The patient we lost was a 68-year-old woman who was transferred to the centre, totally unconscious, with multiple serious long outstanding comorbidity.

“And I want to use this opportunity to appeal to doctors, whether it is COVID-19 or not, once the illness is beyond what your experience and facility can carry, seek the help of your colleagues. We would not accept cases of dumping any longer.

Read Also: Abia APC Rejects Henry Ogbulogo As FCC Board Appointee

“A situation where you bring a patient with total unconsciousness, and a few hours later, the person would just give up the ghost, we won’t accept that any longer,” he stated.

Governor Emmanuel, however, said the state has recorded remarkable success in the treatment of minor symptoms, adding, “Our recovery rate is remarkable. Only God can help the entire world”.

He mentioned that the state government was determined to continue with the provision of excellent medical care, and encouraged Akwa Ibom people to continue to follow all necessary preventive measures.

He emphasized that the restriction on movement of persons and vehicles, as well as interstate transport services, remain intact, and warned that anyone caught, would be detained for 14 days.

“No passenger movement. No motor park should load or offload, else we will keep you for 14 days; except those on essential services such as medicals, foodstuff and the media,” he said.

Nigeria Movie Industry Killing Dreams — Dauda

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A popular actor, Kingsley Ogbonna aka Dauda, has said the film industry has succeeded in killing so many dreams.

He made this known in a recent chat with ABN TV

According to Dauda, who is the special adviser on Arts, Culture and Tourism to the governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the influx of amateur actors has made the industry lose its stamina.

The industry is still alive but our movies are dead. Right now, nobody makes money from the industry. You see youtube channels everywhere. If not this or that channel, they will not sell movies again. Most of the marketers you see in Alaba or Onitsha now talk about youtube channels, nobody goes to buy CDs again. There should be an orientation on how this industry should move forward to making money. The industry has succeeded in killing so many dreams. The industry has a way of killing you. If you see some of us who started this business you will cry. I thank God that we thought ahead.

Also Read: ‘If At 38 And You Are Not Married Yet, Get Pregnant And Have A Child’ — Actress Sylvia Ukaatu Advises Ladies

I blame the industry that allowed the influx of a whole lot of amateur actors. Those days when we joined the industry before you shoot any movie, there must be a script conference. People will look at it, criticise it, you go and rewrite and come back again after which there would be an audition. Now everybody is an actor. There is no coordination, no cohesion.

“What Emeka Rollas who is the president should do right now is to put the industry straight. Keep it working again. Be very strict. Have a wonderful taskforce. If you are an actor, where are you coming from? Some are even criminals hiding under the umbrella of Actors Guild of Nigeria. People shoot movies now from every angle. The one they shoot from one village they will still bring to the market. But I know it is not easy to do but when he starts, he is going to get it 40 percent right. 40 percent is the pass mark” he said.

The Abia State University Law student also underlined that there is a need for proper orientation for industry players on how they should conduct themselves.

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There is a need for a workshop. Bring in the industry generals and the so-called ‘waka pass’ and show them how this industry should look like. There is no maturity amongst us. It is high time we learn how to comport ourselves because we reflect the image of this country if we don’t know. Then encourage education in the industry. Most people you see act today didn’t even go to school. They just came in and began to act because they can speak English. Speaking English is not going to school. Going to school has to do with interaction. There is this need for you to go through the campus and the campus goes through you. If you have gone to a university or polytechnic you must have an atom of respecting yourself wherever you are. There should be lectures about how an industry person should behave. In Law, we have conducted – how a lawyer should behave, and if you go against that, you are in trouble“.

Abia APC Rejects Henry Ogbulogo As FCC Board Appointee

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The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Abia State has rejected the nomination of Mr Henry Ogbulogo to represent Abia in the Board of Federal Character Commission(FCC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday appointed 38 persons to the board of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).

The appointment was contained in a letter seeking the Senate’s approval.

The letter was read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan, on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday.

Recall that the Senate had on February 25 urged President Buhari to reconstitute boards of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) with immediate effect.

But, according to Abia APC, in a release signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson, and issued to newsmen in Umuahia, on Thursday, the appointment of Henry Ogbulogo amounted to a loss of opportunity and a massive disservice to committed, qualify and loyal members of APC.

“When an appointment meant for them are given to strangers who they never saw in the battlefield of campaigns and elections, it typifies a total disservice and blatant neglect of true and loyal APC members in Abia State.”

APC is centred on strong leadership and ever dedicated and committed members who give their all for the betterment of the party, our state and the country at large”.

APC noted that “As a party still growing and developing in Abia, our achievements so far can only be sustained by the meritorious reward of the hard-working, eminently and academically qualified members of the party in every available appointment.

“Our President is a good man who appreciates hardworking people, but the reality is that some people must have done a recommendation with no sense of justice and merit, because the said person may have been an APC member-only in his dreams”.

The Abia APC leadership reminded the National leadership of the party and the presidency that appointments like these (Henry Ogbulogo) are a massive political loophole.”

It asserted that the appointment was tantamount to the indigenous English Parlance of “Monkey dey work, Baboon dey chop.”

Read Also: Ex-lawmaker Accuses Imo Speaker, Chiji Collins Of Certificate Forgery

“A party that won a Senatorial seat, two House of Representatives seats and two State Assembly seats ought not to have an appointee whose name sounds very strange among members in the state.

“It’s an unceremonious burial for hard-work and party loyalty and it’s capable of weakening a higher percentage of our members and reducing their morale and commitments towards party affairs.

“Should appointments like this stand, what will be the fate of our dear party come 2023?

“What level of motivation are we expected to give to all the strong, dedicated, educated, vastly experienced, and loyal party men and women of Abia origin who believed and worked for APC in 2015 and 2019?

The APC, however, asked the National Working Committee(NWC) and the Presidency to kindly reconsider Ogbulogo’s appointment as one tantamount to shooting oneself on the leg.

“As our neighbouring Imo is currently building a strong APC centred on dedicated members, we have to key in and join forces with them to take over Abia.

“The reality is that if we really want a better and stronger party, we must not allow strangers who shy away from work to get appointed into positions meant for party men.

“If this stands, hard-work, dedication, and party loyalty will go into oblivion”.

Continuing, “We are very sure that our party’s National leadership knows the value of loyalty and very well appreciates the cost of betrayal. The feeling of our members in Abia is that this appointment is a total betrayal.

“The appointee never worked with us, never fought with us, and is not known by us. How come he is appointed in a position meant for a member of Abia APC?O Our message is very simple.

“The only way to save and keep APC strong is to appoint loyal, qualified, and dedicated party men who love Abia and Nigeria. Anything contrary, we shall be playing into the hands of the opposition come 2023,” the party opined

Ex-lawmaker Accuses Imo Speaker, Chiji Collins Of Certificate Forgery

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An Ex-lawmaker who represented Ehime-Mbano state constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Lawman Duruji has challenged the current speaker of the House to make public his qualifications to justify his educational claims.

Lawman, in a press statement last week, alleged that the speaker parades a forged certificate hence, should be shown the way out and arraigned for forgery of his certificate.

He denied being sponsored to challenge the authenticity of the speaker’s certificate, insisting that he will stop at nothing in exposing the truth to the general public.

The ex-lawmaker claimed that the speaker’s acclaimed PhD was fake and the NYSC exemption certificate forged.

Read Also: EU Begins Distribution Of Food Items To 1,200 Households

According to him, Chiji Collins claimed to have graduated with his first degree in 1981 when he was 24 years of age, an age he said was under average to be entitled to an exemption.

Similarly, he alleged the speaker has failed on several occasions to honour NYSC invitation to Abuja with the clerk of the House.

Duruji further accused the speaker of lobbying with the Adhoc committee set up by the Assembly to investigate his certificate status, to drop the matter in order to save his head.

But speaking in an interview, the speaker described the allegations as unfounded, challenging the ex-lawmaker to provide veritable facts to his claims.

He wondered why his certificate detail is gradually becoming an issue when, according to him, it was in the public domain.

He insisted that he passed out from an Italian University and bagged a PhD in Architecture.

The Isiala-Mbano lawmaker further described the ex-lawmaker as a confused man who lost his second term bid at the Appeal Court and is looking for where to transfer his aggression.

He, however, challenged his accusers to go to court and present facts rather than using the media to attack.

 

[Daily Post]

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