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FG Approves N71m for Coronavirus Surveillance, Screening

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By Orkula Shaagee and Laide Akinboade, Abuja

 The Federal Government has earmarked the sum of N71 million in preparation for the detection, assessment and response to identifiable cases of Coronavirus in the country.

Minister of Health, Dr.

Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at a  Coronavirus inter-ministerial/multisectoral preparedness and response meeting, added that with the declaration of the  2019-nCoV as a global public health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), there was the need for Nigeria to strengthen its  surveillance and response system to emergency situations.

 He noted that although Nigeria had the capacity to manage the virus if it was confirmed, there was the need to map out plans and strategies to prevent it from being imported into the country either by air, land or sea travel. 

“The amount approved for Port Health Services to scale up what they are doing is N71million. Every penny that was requested was approved. As a matter of fact, they gave a little bit more than was requested. That demonstrates the seriousness of government. The approval came within 24 hours.

” Preliminary data suggests that 2019-nCoV has transitional and characteristics similar to SARS and MERS, Coronavirus making it likely that without intervention, it will spread to communities and overwhelm health care facilities around the country. This gives us reason for concern. 

 “As at Friday 31st of January, more than 9,700 confirmed cases have been reported mostly in Mainland China and about100 cases around the world. Fatality, as at this morning, was 213 all of it in the Hubei province of China where the epidemic epicentre is and no casualty anywhere else. There are no confirmed cases in Africa, but the potential has been clearly demonstrated. 

 “While the risks of importation exist, we must assure Nigerians of our capacity to detect, assess and respond to this and other public health threats at the ports of entry.

“Ongoing surveillance involves thermal scanners and visual observation of travellers who may have visual signs of symptoms where any suspect cases are detected the travellers are asked to step aside and travel history is taken to ensure relevance to determining  response. The established public health emergency contingency plan will then be activated accordingly.

“The President has approved additional funds for the Port Health Services yesterday (Thursday). The resources are being provided for surveillance and screening activities that will be done at the ports of entry to Nigeria”, the minister stressed.

While soliciting the support of state governments, especially those hosting international airports to enhance surveillance, preparedness and responses activities in their states, he disclosed that, “The NCDC has activated the coronavirus preparedness group and will activate its incident command system for the corona virus once there is a suspected case in Nigeria. NCDC is also working closely with WHO and other partners to establish testing capacity at NCDC reference laboratory in Abuja or abroad if need be.

“The government of Nigeria is strongly committed to strengthening preparedness in the event of the novel coronavirus or any other outbreak as we continue to monitor the situation Nigerians are advised to remain calm and protect themselves.”

Also, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai, Mohammed who revealed that the entire international community has a lot of confidence in Nigeria, arising from the manner in which the Ebola crisis was managed in 2014, appealed to the citizenry to ensure they undertake the preventive measures of frequent hand washing with soap under running water, proper covering of mouth and nose when sneezing and/or coughing which can be done into the elbow or a tissue that must be immediately discarded, and to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.

“The entire international community are not expecting anything less from us. We must not just do what we did in 2014, we must do better”, Mohammed said.

…NIHSA Calls for Early Preparation against 2020 Flooding

Also, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), yesterday called on all tiers of government in the country, to begin early preparation for the 2020 flooding season.

 NIHSA  also advised stakeholders, multi-nationals and public-spirited individuals against possible high-level flooding and called for early preparation to avert consequential damages.


The agency advocated the building of more dams to contain the upsurge of flooding, stressing that there were no sufficient dam to curtail flooding in the country.

Director-General of NIHSA, Engr. Clement Nze, said at a press briefing in Abuja, that the early preparation became necessary “because of the increasing global population and the expanding activities of man’.

He said since flooding would continue to persist, there was the need to “control human activities, environmental adjustment and purposefully adopting actions in certain areas that would make adjustment possible.

“Flooding problem is a global environmental issue, which is faced by many countries worldwide, particularly in areas close to low lying terrains and river valleys.

“Over the years, there had been increasing concern that human actions and natural catastrophes have been adversely impacting the environment, posing serious ecological and environmental hazards. “Though flood is a natural environmental phenomenon, it can be greatly accelerated by human Induced activities as it is the case worldwide. “Thus, with increasing global population and the expanding activities of man, it is believed that flooding will continue to persist and, therefore, there is the need to control human activities, environmental adjustment and purposefully adopting actions in certain areas that would make adjustment possible.

 “Some flood events may cause little or no damage, but some may result in major disasters involving structural and erosion damages, disruption of socio-economic activities, loss of lives and property, displacement of people, destruction of agricultural land and contamination of water and environment in general.

“The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) wishes to use this medium to advise state and local governments, stakeholders, multi-national companies and public-spirited individuals and philanthropists that this period of the dry season is the best time to prepare for the year 2020.

 “This is the appropriate time to construct drainages where they are necessary (but not provided), dredging river channels, clear blocked gutters, and drainages, pull down structures that are within the floodplains and flood paths, etc.

“There is a reasonable time to do that before the rains set in.” Recall that the 2020 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) made public recently by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), indicated that February 24th and June 22nd are the predicted onset of rainfall in the South-South and Northern States respectively, while the respective predicted cessation dates are December 28th and September 26th.

This implies that Nigeria is likely to experience a longer period of the rainy season in 2020 compared to the year 2019”.

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FG Invests $617m in Creative Enterprise Fund

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

Federal Government has invested $617million in Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises as initiative to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital economy and creative industries.

The Special Assistant to the President on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Ayo Adeagbo who disclosed this during his address at the African Fashion and Arts Award Business and Mentorship Summit held in Abuja yesterday said the initiative tagged the iDICE fund offered access to start-up capital and resources for the nurturing of talent in Nigeria.

While describing the formation of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy by the president as a “remarkable investment”, Adeagbo added that the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa should ensure the building of greater pathways for young talent to reach their global potential

“After the inauguration of Mr President, one of the remarkable investments he made into the country was the creation of a ministry to handle the affairs of art, culture and creative economy.

“The ministry, ably led by Hon. Hannatu Musawa has achieved significant strides in less than a year for the benefit of our creatives and the nation as a whole.

“Some pivotal actions taken include the significant $617 million investment in Digital Economy and Creative Enterprises (iDICE), known as the iDICE Fund – an initiative that aims to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in digital technology and creative industries.”

While unveiling the enterprise, the minister made it known that the fund offers access to start-up capital and resources essential for nurturing talent in Nigeria.

The Acting Director of the FCT Department of Arts and Culture, Kayode Aiyegbusi, who also represented the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud noted the importance of a synergy between the private sector and the government to grow the creative economy, adding that while the government would continue to create the enabling environment, to allow the industry to thrive.

Similarly, the convener of the AFAA, Kingsley Amako, described the creative industry as “the next oil boom”, and encouraged youths to develop their skills, build capacity and learn to produce and market their products, noting that the AFAA provided a platform for their recognition.

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Reps Query OAGF Over N15bn Payment  to Remita

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the House of Representatives yesterday queried the payment of N15 billion to Remita, a payment platform from the Office of the Accountant General for the Federation (OAGF).

The committee accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Commercial Banks of complicity in the sharing of the N150 billion remittance.

Rep.

Bamidele Salam, Chairman PAC made the allegation at the resumed investigative hearing on revenue leakages in Abuja.

Salam said that the payment of N15 billion to Remita from the OAGF from 2016 to 2018 was questionable, adding that the OAGF paid the money without agreement or contract.

He described the payment as illegal. “The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision, so where did they source the money from?” the chairman queried.

He said, “The CBN also shared in the money. The money is an illegal payment. There was no budget provision so where did they source the money from?

 “Ordinarily, that whole sum of VAT ought to go to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) but what they are doing in this transaction is that they will now add that VAT to the N150.

“They will add it up, and take it to the CBN,” he alleged.

He said, “System Spec and Remita, both collect revenue for the federal government, will share 50 percent, while the banks and the CBN will also have their share.”

He said that by the time the committee finishes its reconciliation, “I am very sure that hundreds of billions of naira will be the VAT component that was not remitted to FIRS.”

According to him, each bank ought to take the money and directly remit it to FIRS.

“Now Remita is saying that those collecting should calculate the money that has been shared. How do we track this kind of money?” he asked.

The PAC chairman warned the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS), Mr Zacch Adedeji against disregard for the committee, stressing that Adedeji’s actions amounted to contempt of parliament.

Salam said that for four times the committee invited the FIRS chairman but he failed to show up.

According to him, “In addition to writing him officially, we have also made sure that such letters were delivered personally to his mail box and his WhatsApp number.

“And we condemn and describe it as irresponsible and arrogant, and we tell him that there will be consequences if he continues this contempt of parliament.”

He said that several letters had been written him without responses, adding that the Value Added Tax (VAT) that the federal government should be collecting on Remitta had not been collected by FIRS.

The Director of Banking Services of the CBN, Mr Ahmed Abdullahi said they deemed it fit to source for an alternative way of remitting revenue and Remita and System Spec were selected because they had been rendering similar services to banks.

According to him, Remita was engaged in 2011 and operations commenced in 2012 with system module names. The CBN only finalised the transaction

He said that the fees charged under the TSA were in line with the structure of banking. The volume of revenue collection that passed through Remita was N86 million.

Mr. Oyewole Adewale, Chief Accountant, TSA Department, representing the Accountant General for the Federation, accused the CBN of not honoring its letters to reconcile the revenue accrued to the country through TSA.

He said the OAGF had developed a system where all revenue generated by the Ministries of Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) could now be monitored without any interference.

Mr Aderemi Atanda, the Director of Remita Payment Services Ltd., while reading the summary of the TSA collection record, said that 10, 20, and 50 percent were shared among CBN, commercial banks, and Remitta.

He said that collections are not static, they vary.

“From 2015 to 2016, it was N4.2 million, and the fee paid was N8.5 billion; in 2016, N1.3 billion was paid.”

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Tinubu Makes Numerous Promises at Slain Soldiers Burial

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the military to within the next 90 days ensure that all the benefits of the 17 officers and men of the army killed in Okuama on March 14 be paid to their families.

Tinubu said that government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

He said that all the children of the deceased would enjoy a Federal Government scholarship up to University level.

He described the officers and soldiers as patriotic, brave and gallant Nigerians.

The president said that the deceased gave their lives to defend and protect the Nation against internal and external threats.

At the burial ceremony of the officers and soldiers on Wednesday in Abuja, Tinubu said that their death serves as a rallying point for Nigerians to condemn crime and criminality.

“They went as peacemakers and peacekeepers, seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.“The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats,” he said.The 17 military personnel killed included Lt.-Col. Ali, Maj. D.E Obi, Maj. S.D. Ashafa, Capt. U. Zakari, Staff Sgt. Yahaya Saidu, Corporal Danbaba Yahaya, Corporal Kabir Bashir, Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim, Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna, Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi, and Lance Corporal Bello Anas.The rest were Private Alhaji Isah, Private Clement Francis, Private Abubakar Ali, Private Adamu Ibrahim, Private Hamman Peter, and Private Ibrahim Adamu.Tinubu said that the deceased have all been awarded posthumous national honours.“The four gallant Officers have been awarded Member of the Order of Niger (MON). And the 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded Officer of the Federal Republic Medals.“As Commander-In-Chief, I do not take the contributions of members of our Armed Forces for granted. I recognise your valour and bravery.

“I honour your unflinching commitment to making our country safe from criminals, bandits, kidnappers and insurrectionists.”The President urged the officers and men of the military not to be deterred by these setbacks and be prepared to continue to work for peace and harmony.Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rededicate themselves to rebuilding communities and making them places where love, tolerance and harmony reigns.“Leaders at all levels, especially community leaders and traditional rulers, must work to strengthen the bonds that unite us. We must end the cycle of violence and bloodletting.“I want to make it clear, once more, that those who committed this heinous crime will not go unpunished. We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.“The elders and chiefs of Okuoma also have a duty to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime against our men.”The president commended the Armed Forces for their restraint in choosing not to carry out any reprisal attacks in Okuoma or its neighbouring communities.“We must all ensure that the innocent people of Okuoma are not made to bear the punishment of the guilty and wicked among them.”

On his part, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army who were gruesomely murdered in Okuama Community in Delta on March 14, left behind 10 widows three of whom are pregnant and 21 orphans.Lagbaja made this known at the burial of the 17 personnel comprising one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers, on Wednesday at the National Cemetery in Abuja.According to him, the Okuama killing has added to the care of the Nigerian army and, by extension, the Nigeria state, 10 widows, three of whom are four, five, and eight months pregnant, 21 orphans, and many other dependents, including parents.“While commiserating with the families of these gallant soldiers, I assure them that the Nigerian army and the good people of this country will not leave them in the cold.“We shall do all within our power to provide succour to them and preserve the memories of their departed loved ones,” he said.Lagbaja said he considered his toughest job to be putting fine men and women in harm’s way, sometimes knowing that they might not return to their families and loved ones.He added that his men, correspondingly and intriguingly, know that in spite of the equipment, training, and other forms of preparations, sometimes some may not make it back alive, while some may return handicapped.According to him, “when soldiers die in the hands of the enemies of the State, we take it as dying for what the nation has considered a just cause; we celebrate them as gallant heroes.“But when they are gruesomely murdered by the very people they are trained, equipped, and took an oath to protect, it is highly demoralizing.“It is no longer news that 17 of the Nigerian Army’s finest men, whom we have come to bury, were murdered in a reprehensible manner on March 14 in the Okuama community of Delta State while they went on a legitimate peace-making mission.

“It grieves my heart that it took our search and recovery effort over 72 hours to recover some vital organs of the decapitated and disembowell bodies of my men that were scattered all over the Okuama community by the community youths and their friends.“I consider it the most barbaric act any citizen or community can commit against the authority of the state, and I must place on record that a lot of restraints have been exercised so far in our search and recovery efforts for missing arms, ammunition, other equipment, and body parts.“I assure the President and all Nigerians that the Nigerian Army remains committed to its constitutional responsibilities and will not be deterred by setbacks such as witnessed in the Okuama community.“As tasked by the President and Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army, with the assistance of its sister services and other security agencies, is committed to bringing the perpetrators of the Okuama murder to book and recover all service and personal belongings taken from the murdered troops.“The Nigerian Army will continue to seek the cooperation of all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly in the affected area, towards swift and successful conduct of our search and recovery operations,” he said.The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, said the fallen heroes exemplified the very best of service to nation and love for country.Musa said they were the vanguards of peace, the guardians of freedom, and the sentinels of security, adding that their selflessness and unwavering dedication to duty would forever be etched in their hearts and memories.He assured the families of the deceased officers of the support of the nation and the armed forces in every way possible, urging them to find solace in the knowledge that their loved ones made an indelible mark on the nation’s history.The defence chief said the military would honour their memory by continuing the fight against those who sought to undermine the peace and security of the nation.

“We will remain steadfast in our resolve to build a nation worthy of your sacrifice.“The loss we feel today is immeasurable, but we must not allow it to dim the light of hope within us.“Instead, let us use this moment as a rallying cry to come together as a nation, to support our armed forces, and to work tirelessly towards a Nigeria free from the grip of violence and insecurity.“We owe it to these fallen heroes to honour their memory by redoubling our efforts to create a safer and more prosperous nation for all.“Let us build a nation where every citizen can live without fear, where communities can thrive, and where our children can grow up knowing the true meaning of security and stability.“To the men and women who continue to serve in the armed forces, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your dedication to duty.“Your commitment to defending our nation, even in the face of great peril, is truly commendable,” he said.Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and governors of Delta, Bayelsa, Kano, Kogi and Imo states amongst others attended the burial ceremony.

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