The Lumine News

Category: National News

  • Buhari Approves Transfer Of Identity Management Agency To Communications Ministry

    Buhari Approves Transfer Of Identity Management Agency To Communications Ministry

    Source: Premium Times

    President Muhammadu Buhari has granted approval for the transfer of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

    A statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Uwa Suleiman, sent to PREMIUM TIMES Monday morning, said the decision was to ensure “synergy and effective ministry supervisory mechanism is put in place to coordinate, monitor and track the progress of Federal Government’s digital transformation initiatives.”

    Transferring the identity commission to the ministry, according to the statement, will aid the harmonisation of citizens’ data which will aid planning, the economy and security.

    The commission which is in charge of managing national identity database for Nigerians was hitherto domiciled under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

    Mrs Suleiman in her statement said in granting the approval, Mr Buhari considered the role of NIMC in achieving the objectives of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy for a Digital Nigeria (NDEPS).

    She said the presidential directive for NIMC to be under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is an illustration of Mr President’s vote of confidence on the minister, Isa Ibrahim (Pantami), “based on an unprecedented performance.“

    The statement noted that the minister had “within his first year in office, amongst others, resolved the ICT sector’s decade-long dilemma of Right of Way charges.

    “He was also able to secure Mr President’s approval for the provision of security as well as designation of Telecommunications Infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, regularization of improperly registered SIM cards and deactivation of unregistered ones, the deployment of over 250 digital projects across the country under his policies and supervision as well as built the capacity of over 36,000 Nigerians.”

    It may be recalled that NIMC is mandated to create, manage, maintain and operate the National Identity Database established by the NIMC Act, 2007.

    In an effort to realise this, the commission has so far registered around 41 million eligible enrollees for the National Identity Number (NIN).

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on the other hand has details of over 191 million mobile subscribers.

    Furthermore, the National Information Technology Development Agency has recorded huge successes in the development and implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), the country’s first codified data protection regulation. The Agency has also reached an advanced stage on the implementation of the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI). Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) also provides services to Government Agencies – Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service. The need therefore for NIMC, NCC, NITDAand GBB to work closely together under the supervision of one Ministry towards harnessing what has already been achieved cannot be overemphasised.

    The NIN, considered as a social security as well as civil number, is very important for economic planning and social intervention.

    “With Federal Government’s digitalisation initiatives in line with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, access to services and interventions will require it.

    “We therefore urge all eligible individuals to enroll as soon as possible. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister is assuring Nigerians as well as residents that appropriate measures will be put in place to ensure that opportunities for enrollment are provided to all.”

  • I Disappointed Myself: Fani-Kayode Apologises For Harassing Journalist In Calabar

    I Disappointed Myself: Fani-Kayode Apologises For Harassing Journalist In Calabar

    By Admin

    Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has rendered an unreserved apology to a journalist for the verbal harassment he meted out during a recent press conference in Calabar, the Cross-River State capital.

    Fani Kayode also apologised to the Nigeria Union Journalists, family members, friends, and colleagues of the Daily Trust reporter.

    Speaking today during a press conference at the Government House in Uyo, the ex-minister said he disappointed himself and everyone, noting that his reaction was undefendable.

    “I’m deeply sorry for the manner I reacted to the said reporter. I was too hard on him. The question was mischievous, but I fell for it,” he said.

    “I should have been smarter than that. I am using this opportunity to reach out to him, and I hope he will be kind enough to forgive me.”

    “I disappointed myself, my family and friends, my colleagues and even my bosses, those who hold me in high esteem.

    “I have regrets, it was not my finest day. No leader or public figure should ever react like that. I disappointed myself. I deeply regret it and I believe it will never happen again.”

    This comes barely three days after Fani-Kayode branded the reporter ‘stupid’.

    The reporter had asked Fani-Kayode who was “bankrolling” his recent tour of several southern states, a question that irked the ex-minister.

  • COVID-19: All Eligible Public, Private Hospitals Nationwide To Become Sample Collection Sites – Dr. Ehanire

    COVID-19: All Eligible Public, Private Hospitals Nationwide To Become Sample Collection Sites – Dr. Ehanire

    By Grace Anyanwu

    The Honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire has stated that it is the plan of the Federal Ministry of Health to boost overall COVID-19 sample collection, by preparing all eligible public and private hospitals nationwide to become collection sites. The Minister disclosed this at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Press Briefing held on Monday, 6th July, 2020.

    He stated that this will require working with State governments and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) to identify the facilities and the space within them, to conduct training for the personnel selected and supply both PPE’s and sample collection kits, as well as the logistics to go around to recover test samples, and to better utilize available laboratory assets in the country, which even now are capable of handling far more cases than they presently do.

    “If logistics around samples collection and delivery to test sites are better organized, a lot more will be achieved”, he stated.

    Speaking further, Dr. Ehanire disclosed that the current figure of tested samples in the country stands at 152.952 of which 28,711 are confirmed COVID-19 positive cases while 11,665 have been treated and discharged with 645 fatalities, majority of them have underlying illnesses.

    Similarly,the Minister also revealed that a total no of 15,532 cases was confirmed from 74,580 with 303 death that was recorded was recorded for the month of June alone.

    The Minister also appealed to citizens especially those that are COVID-19 positive who show no symptoms at all, not to go to treatment centers but to cooperate with health officials and understand that measures taken are protective and it is in the interest of the public.

    He informed that a 17 man team of the Federal Ministry of Health, led by the Executive Director of National Primary Health Development Agency, left Abuja for Calabar to engage with the Cross River State government in setting up their COVID-19 response and aligning it with the national response.

    According to the Minster, Agencies and different Departments of the Ministry of Health, such as NCDC, Hospital Services, and Family Health are well represented in the delegation to make sure that there is equal level playing ground between the Federal and State service delivery pillars and also to ensure that the disruption of routine medical services, which has been observed in the State, is minimized or eliminated in Cross River State. “We have called also called on the Cross River State National Medical Association (NMA), to suspend their strike action and receive the Ministry’s delegation.”

    Dr. Ehanire hinted that His Excellency, Governor Ayeade has requested that a senior immigration officer is to map and study the border challenges with Cameroon, as well as a Port Health officer to assess risks posed by sea travelers arriving Cross Rivers State ports particular from neighboring Central African countries of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, and Angola etc.
    He informed that arrangements are under way to beef up security at the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja for protections of staff and patients. “The Federal government will do all it can to attend to the needs of the citizens, while we seek ways to engage the State authorities.”

    The Minister revealed that the Federal Government through the NCDC has launched an E-Learning platforms on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for health workers. He stated that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) have been distributed to health facilities in good numbers and the use is being monitored to reduce wastage. “I urge our health workers to ensure appropriate use. “I also particularly warn against unprofessional disposal of used PPE’s in common waste dumps, where scavengers have been seen to pick them up for risky reuse.” This is dangerous and sure pathway to promoting community transmission.” “All COVID-19 waste is to be incinerated”, he added.

    The Minister also reminded Nigerians that testing for COVID-19 and treatment in government-run facility is totally free and urged them to report anyone who demanded payment, for necessary action.

    Signed:

    Olujimi Oyetomi,
    Director, Information, Media & Public Relations.

  • COVID-19: Federal Government Commends Cross River, Says Response Is Innovative And Imaginary

    COVID-19: Federal Government Commends Cross River, Says Response Is Innovative And Imaginary

    By Admin

    The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has described as excellent, the various measures adopted by Cross River State against the pandemic, including a drive through test centre established by Governor Ben Ayade for the testing of samples for COVID-19.

    The team was in the state on Monday to assess its readiness for the management of the phase two of the pandemic.

    Speaking immediately after inspecting the testing center, and facilities as well as the state garment factory where they witnessed the production of Personal Protective Equipment including face shields, leader of the PTF team, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, lauded Governor Ayade for what he dubbed his creative imagination.

    His words: “I Think it’s excellent. I think it is incredible the level of innovation, creative imagination seen in Cross River since the team arrived here earlier today (Monday) and we are really impressed with what is going on in Cross River State and we believe that the sample collection centre will be a boost to the Covid 19 outfit response that the Cross River State government has elaborated in the last few weeks and I think it is really impressive.”

    Speaking on the mission of the team to the state, Dr.Shaibu who is also the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Healthcare Department Agency disclosed that “One of the reasons we are here today as the PTF and the Federal Ministry of Health is to come and see what Cross River State has done so far as a second phase of interactions with Cross River State. Just like the first team that came here were also impressed with the level of seriousness, the level of innovation that the Cross River State government has brought to bear.”

    On assessment of the face masks and face shields produced by the state’s garment factory, Shuaibu stated: “We where earlier at the garment factory where we have seen face masks and face shields and overalls being produced. Our partners, NAFDAC, the Standard Organization of Nigeria were really impressed with what is going on there.

    “We made a commitment to dig deep and see how we can collaborate with the government of Cross River to make sure that all of the work that is going on there will easily meet global standards. We have already assessed physically and our representatives from these two organizations are happy with what they have seen.

    “We just need some further testing to make sure that we can now scale up and make sure that Nigerians are able to benefit from the manufacturing that we are already seeing in Cross River State. It is an opportunity to encourage other governors to be very proactive in making sure that we use such an instance where there is necessity to become great innovators for PPE’s like we need right now.”

    Speaking on the partnership with the state government, the National Health care Development Agency’s CEO said: “It’s really Incredible what we have seen in the last few hours and the federal government will continue to partner with Cross River State government so that other governors can be encouraged by what is going on. In the next few hours we are going to continue our collaboration to look at the Public health emergency operation centre”

    He further said:”We will also look at the issues around the borders to see how FG can support Cross River State to maintain Integrity and security along the borders. But overall, we have had very fruitful conversations with His Excellency and his team and we are really amazed by all of the work that is going on.”

    Responding, Governor Ayade thanked Shuaib for his understanding of the issues around the state’s handling of COVID-19.

    “Let me specially commend Dr. Faisal for his personal intelligence and understanding of the local situation. Let me thank the team and I want to thank the federal ministry of health for deeming it fit to send a team to come and look at what Cross River has done. I want to thank you for for your kind words and I want to say that the federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, the PTF and Covid 19 response Team, the Minister for Health, the DG NCDC for sending a team with NAFDAC, SON to look at our PPE’s from the face shields to the face masks to the overalls with a view to supporting encouraging and patronising us.”

    According to the governor, “that is the incentive that Nigerians want to see and that is the impetus that will encourage other governors to go into it.”

  • FG Sends 17-Man Delegation To Resolve Cross River Health Sector Crisis

    FG Sends 17-Man Delegation To Resolve Cross River Health Sector Crisis

    By Moses Emorinken, Nation Newspaper

     

    The Federal Government on Monday sent a 17-man delegation to Cross River State to beef up its COVID-19 response strategy and ensure that the disruption of routine medical services is eliminated.

    The delegation will also be meeting with the State’s branch of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to help resolve their grievances and restore calm.

    It, therefore, urged doctors in the State not to down their tools and suspend their strike action.

    Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire stated this during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja.

    According to him, “A strong 17-man team of the Federal Ministry of Health led by the Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, left Abuja today for Calabar to engage with Cross River State Government in setting up their COVID-19 response strategy and aligning it with the national response.

    “Agencies and many Departments of the Ministry such as Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), hospital services and Family Health, are represented in the delegation to ensure the appropriate technical handshake between Federal and Cross River State service delivery pillars, and also to ensure that the disruption of routine medical services, which has been observed in many states, is minimised or eliminated in Cross River State…

    “We have also called on the Cross River State Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) branch to suspend their strike action and receive the Ministry’s delegation arriving there today (Monday)”.

     

  • Meet Miss Egoagwuagwu Agnes Maduafokwa, The Girl With The Highest JAMB Score 2020

    Meet Miss Egoagwuagwu Agnes Maduafokwa, The Girl With The Highest JAMB Score 2020

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    Miss Egoagwuagwu Agnes Maduafokwa. She currently has the highest JAMB score of 365 out of 400. She is the President of the Maths Club, and the 1st Assistant Head Girl of Louisville Girls High School Ijebu-Itele in Ogun State. She wants to study Engineering, were she can apply mathematical concepts in solving societal challenges.

    Egoagwuagwu is from Ihiala in Anambra State and she wrote her UTME on March 14th 2020 in St Michael Otedola Education Centre in Epe, Lagos State.

    JAMB had published the Top 10 Highest scores with 13 students making the list, they are all eager to study Engineering, 4 out of the 13 students are female.

    Egoagwuagwu made the internet sensation as holding the highest JAMB Score with a total of 365 out of 400.

    Use of English 72
    Mathematics 99
    Physics 99
    Chemistry 95

    ©Ada Ukpabi Isreal

    Na my sister sha🤪

  • Press statement By The Niger Delta activists Forum Over The Delibrate punishment Of The Niger Delta People By Babatunde Raji Fashola In The Willful Neglect Of The Odukpani-ITU-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    Press statement By The Niger Delta activists Forum Over The Delibrate punishment Of The Niger Delta People By Babatunde Raji Fashola In The Willful Neglect Of The Odukpani-ITU-Ikot-Ekpene Road

    By Admin

    Good morning Comrades, and gentlemen of the press.

    Seven months ago, issues surrounding this same Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road was on the national spot light. The Niger Delta Activist Forum agitated, vigorously and mobilized a massive protest, against the Federal Government to dramatize our pain.

    Fashola quickly released the sum of three billion and five hundred million naira, for immediate mobilization to site. We engaged further with him and the entire Ministry of Works and on the 24th December, 2019 at their Ministry headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja and a truce was brokered.

    Some of the agreements reached were;

    1. That all ongoing Federal road projects within the Niger Delta region would be completed within the 2020 fiscal year save for a few with overlapping design timeline.

    2. That Federal Executive Council approval would be sort for the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road.

    3. That the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road would be placed, on the list of projects to benefit from priority funding. Meaning that execution was to draw monies from SUKUK bond which the Federal Government would be accessing by January of 2020. And work was expected to commence before the end of February 2020
    etc.

    Weeks after this engagement, the Federal Executive Council did approve the sum of fifty billion and three hundred million naira for this project.

    But regrettably, the Honorable Minister for Works Fashola, and the Ministry of Works have demonstrated no integrity in this regard.

    We are fully aware, how they deliberately chose to prioritize and fund, other projects over this one, forgetting that Oil flows from here and not from those other places. The immediate environmental consequences are born here and not in those other places where they have prioritized over our region.

    The road in context has now become a national wreath of sorrows, tears and pains on our people and an emblem of shame, hanging over Fashola’s neck and the Ministry under his watch.

    The Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Government must as a matter of urgency devote funds immediately to this project and save us, the untold pain.

    Seven months gone bye and no sign of Work on this road. The gridlocks, the pains and sufferings, the robberies, the loss of man hours and the economic sabotage has recommenced in full force.

    *OUR DEMANDS*

    1. We demand that the Honorable Minister quickly allocate the next tranche of cash inflow to address the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road.

    2. The Honorable Minister must address us and the entire Niger Delta people on the genuineness of Federal Government’s commitment to fixing the Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene road, to be followed with immediate action.

    3. That failure to undertake the aforestated actions within the next twenty one days, the Niger Delta people will respond in the loudest way possible, including but not limited to sustained mass action.

    For the Niger Delta people,

    Comrade Success Jack
    (National President)

    Comrade Bernard Okori
    ( National Treasurer)

    Comrade Paul Abang Ajie
    (Chairman, Cross Rivers State Chapter)

    Comr.(Hon) Ogar Emmanuel Oko
    (State Public Relations Officer)

  • River State Executive Council Approves The Construction Of The Fifth Flyover, Sets Guidelines For Marriages In The State

    River State Executive Council Approves The Construction Of The Fifth Flyover, Sets Guidelines For Marriages In The State

    By Admin

    The Rivers State Executive Council has graciously approved the construction of a five hundred and five meters long flyover at the GRA Junction along the Port Harcourt Aba Expressway.

    The Wednesday, June 24, 2020 meeting that held at Government House, Port Harcourt was presided over by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

    Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for works, Austin Ben-Chioma said council also approved the dualisation of Ezimbu Link Road connecting Stadium Road from GRA junction and the Tombia Road extension linking Ikwerre road.

    He said “Council considered the
    Rumuola flyover not more fitting for the city and approved its expansion to become four lanes to ease vehicular movement and boost economic activities”

    According to him “to ensure that motorists do not suffer untold hardship during the road constructions, the state government will create alternative routes”

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim announced Council’s approval of guidelines for marriages during the Covid-19 period.

    He said prospective couples would be required to apply to the State Governor through the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation.

    Such applications, he said, must be accompanied with information on the venue of the ceremony, names, addresses and phones numbers of attendees to make contact tracing easy if the need arises.

    He stated that henceforth, those seeking to bury their loved ones would also be expected to include names, addresses and phone numbers of those to attend such funerals in their applications.

    Pastor Nsirim said government would not grant approval to any application without names, addresses and phone numbers.

    The Information Commissioner said marriages would not have more than 50 attendees including family members who must wear face masks and adhere strictly to
    social distancing of not less than two meters.

    According to him, while church weddings must be conducted between 9am and 12noon, traditional marriages would be conducted between 4pm and 7pm .

    The Commissioner said venues of marriages must have provisions for running water and soap at three points and the venue decontaminated after the event.

    Pastor Nsirim said after wedding receptions are prohibited under the guidelines to reduce the risk of community transmission of COVID-19.

    He added that violators of the guidelines would be made to pay a fine of 10 million Naira.

  • Breaking News: Oshiomhole Remains Suspended, Oshawo Insists

    Breaking News: Oshiomhole Remains Suspended, Oshawo Insists

    By Admin

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Etsako Ward 10, Edo State, Mr Oshawo Stephen, has dismissed claims that the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a member of the party had been lifted, insisting that the ward executives stand by their suspension of the erstwhile National Chairman of the APC.

    In a statement, Stephen said the ward executives, who were elected into office in 2018, remain intact and had not been displaced by anybody, describing the claims of the lifting of the suspension as a charade.

    He said, “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statements to the contrary in the media are false and should be disregarded. We stand by our decision and have no reservation on the action as it is in the best interest of the party.

    “The ward executives as well as our counterparts at the Etsako West Local Government level stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State.”

    Chairman of the APC in Etsako West LGA, Ezolomhe Rabiat, also affirmed that the local council executives were still members of the party in the state and stand by the suspension of Oshiomhole.

    Recall that some other group addressed a press conference a couple of hours ago that the suspension of Adams Oshiomole has been lifted. Mr. Emuakemeh Sule who addressed the press at the party National Secretariat Abuja said 17 out of 26 Executive Commttee members signed the resolution that lifted the suspension of Adams Oshiomole.

    With this latest development,Adams Oshiomole still has a lot of battles ahead to fight as the crisis within the party in Edo State get deeper by the day.

  • NCDC Replies C’River Says No Plans To Transport Samples From One State To Another

    NCDC Replies C’River Says No Plans To Transport Samples From One State To Another

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Nigerian Center for Disease Control NCDC has responded to the allegations by the Cross River State Commissioners of Information and Health that the commission intends to transport samples from other states suspected to be negative to test run the GeneXpert machine at the Nigerian Naval Referral Hospital, Calabar in a press briefing held on Friday 18th June, 2020.

    In a release by NCDC and sighted by TheLumineNews, indicates that the statements by the Cross River State Commissioners of Information and Health are misrepresentation of the Federal Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 testing strategy and efforts to protect Nigerians from this disease.

    “The statements by the Cross River State Commissioners of Information and Orientation and Health are a misinterpretation of the Federal Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 testing strategy and efforts to protect the health of Nigerians from this disease”

    In the release, NCDC explained that, “There are 400 sites in Nigeria with GeneXpert equipment for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. However, we have prioritised the rol-out of GeneXpert in States where there is a high level of community transmission and states with limited or no laboratory capacity for the diagnosis of COVID-19 at the moment.

    “These are Abia, Adamawa, Berue, Borno, Cross River, Lagos, Enugu, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Benue, and the FCT. Already, we have worked with NTBLCP and our partners to activated two GeneXpert laboratories in Kaduna and Nasarawa States. Eventually, we plar to roll out the GeneXpert testing sites for COVID-19 in every state in Nigeria.”

     

    As at the time of filing this report, the COVID-19 pandemic update as provided by NCDC is as seen below.