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The Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has been commended for her efforts at redefining the identity of Nigerians in Diaspora.
The commendation was contained in a Press release issued by the President of the US-Nigeria Trade Council, Engr. Titus Olowokere while congratulating her on her first year in office as the head of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission.
Engr. Olowokere who described Dabiri-Erewa as a pragmatic and dynamic leader, said her doggedness and conviction, brought about the establishment of the commission which has recorded success in the last one year.
According to him, "today is the celebration of one of the few times Nigeria has a round peg in a round hole in governance. It shows. It feels like five years of Office, judging from concrete achievements and notable milestones", he said.
The former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu while reacting to the judgment that nullified the Federal High Court verdict that convicted and handed down 12 years jail term to him, said in a statement that his five months in jail has taught him some invaluable lessons and presented him with some new challenges that he would dedicate the rest of his life to pursuing.
The statement read: “Today (yesterday), the Supreme Court gave a judgment in my favour, quashing the conviction, which the lower court had entered against me.
By this judgment, the apex court affirmed my right to a fair hearing and equal protection of the law.
"The past five months have been quite a profound period for me. As challenging as that period has been, it has provided me with an opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about our country, our peoples, our justice system and the true meaning of love for family, our country and humanity.
“I want to use this moment to thank my family, colleagues, friends, supporters, the people of Abia State and all Nigerians for their unflinching and unwavering confidence and trust in me through the very testing period. We all know today that their prayers have not been in vain.
“I also use this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) for the unalloyed professionalism and sincere humanity extended to me by its staff while I was in their custody.
“I must accord a special mention to the Justices of our Supreme Court for their unwavering commitment to the rule of law. We all stand reminded of the consistent and strategic relevance of the Supreme Court in holding this country together, even in moments of great peril.”
He added: “As far back as in the 1971 case of Lakanmi Vs. Attorney General Of The Federation (the Ademola Adetokunbo-led Court), the Supreme Court has severally rescued this country from the precipice.
“Also, throughout the dark era of military rule in Nigeria, the Supreme Court neither wavered nor flinched in its commitment to justice and fairness. And despite some moments of distraction and mass hysteria, the Supreme Court has remained the veritable compass to the highest ideals of justice attainable in this country.
“This long tradition of the court was exemplified in today’s judgment. I was humbled by the court’s boldness and sense of justice as shown in my case.
“Overall, my experience tested and reaffirmed my belief and confidence in our country, Nigeria. My case is a true Nigerian story with a bold MADE-IN-NIGERIA stamp on it. It is a story of initial injustice that was caught and ultimately corrected. It is a story of restoration. It is a story of how wrong was righted and how justice and truth prevailed in the end. It is a story of the power of hope.
“My case should teach us all that even though we may not get things right at the first attempt, with patience and dedication, we shall get them right eventually. That is the lesson of my case and that is the lesson of our country; that with dedication and patience, we shall place Nigeria in its rightful place eventually.
"I would like to let it be known that the events of the past five months gave me an added perspective on matters of justice and injustice in Nigeria. I have come to know that the course of justice will not be complete if it stopped at my case. It must continue until it touches the lives of millions of Nigerians who face injustice anywhere in this world.
“I shall be dedicating my time henceforth to ensuring there will be justice for all Nigerians, whether they are in Sokoto or Akwa Ibom or in Lagos or Maiduguri or Jos or Enugu or wherever they may be. Justice for one man or for a few people will no longer be enough in this country.
“A system whereby over 70 per cent of all prison inmates population is made up of people awaiting trial cannot be allowed to continue. Situations, where innocent people are falsely charged with murder just to get them out of the way, do not dignify our country and cannot continue. Justice must now mean justice for all. That is my pledge to Nigerians.
“I look forward to rejoining my colleagues in the Senate as soon as possible.”
But in its reaction, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kalu’s prosecutor, described the decision of the apex court to nullify the trial of the former governor, his firm and Udeogu and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court as unfortunate.
EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who stated this in a statement in Abuja, maintained that the decision was a technical ambush against Kalu’s trial.
Oyewale disclosed that the Commission was prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case, saying its evidence against them are overwhelming.
He added: “The corruption charges against Kalu still subsist because the Supreme Court did not acquit him of them. The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial, where justice is bound to be served, in due course.”
The Police have arrested three men in Katsina State including a septuagenarian for allegedly insulting President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State.
Lawal Abdullahi Izala,70yrs; Bahajaje Abu,30yrs; and Hamza Abubakar,27yrs, all of Gafai Quarters, Katsina,were accused of insulting Buhari and Masari in a viral video on the social media.
Spokesman for the State Police Command, Gambo Isah, confirmed the men’s arrest in a statement on Friday.
He said the three men “contemptuously” insulted the president and the governor and the police took action after their attention were “drawn” to the video.
He added:“Consequently, the commissioner of police, Katsina state command, CP Sanusi Buba, ordered for investigation, which led to the arrest of the trio of Lawal Abdullahi Izala, ‘m’, aged 70yrs, Bahajaje Abu, ‘m’, aged 30yrs and Hamza Abubakar, ‘m’, aged 27yrs all of Gafai Quarters, Katsina, Katsina state.
“In the course of investigation suspects confessed to committing the offences.
"To this end, the command wishes to warn members of the general public that the police will not fold its arms and watch while disgruntled elements violate the sacred laws of the land.
“Any person found taking undue advantage of the social media to insult others, contrary to the provisions of the Cyber Crime Act, will face the wrath of the law.”
Journalists in Ogun state, both electronic and print on Friday boycotted a press conference scheduled by the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
The journalists reportedly got angry after waiting for the governor for over four hours at the entrance of the governor’s office, Oke-Mosan.
It was gathered that the journalists got angry having waited for the governor for over four hours at the entrance of the office to no avail.
The journalists include corespondents of Punch, The Nation, Sun, Daily Independent, Tribune, Daily Trust, News Telegraph and Business Day.
Other correspondents include Silverbird TV, Galaxy, Blue print, Platform Times, PM News, among others.
The journalists walked out of the governor’s office premises over what they described as the usual delay of the governor.
They recalled that the press conference was not the first time the governor will be delaying journalists.
The press conference which was scheduled to begin by 2pm has not commence as at the time of filling this report.
Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Ogun State has warned the state governor, Dapo Abiodun against any intention to deduct or cut workers pay in a bid to source funds to cushion the economic crisis occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The workers maintained that any attempt by the government to cut their pay will definitely not go down well with the workers and Labour union.
The acting Chairman of TUC, Akeem Lasisi, said this in Abeokuta, while addressing newsmen on Workers’ Day Celebration.
Lasisi insisted that the workers in the state are part of those affected by the economic crisis occasioned by COVID-19.
The union also accused the governor of “betrayal” on the promise to implement the new minimum wage from March this year.
The TUC chairman expressed disappointment over what he termed “feeling of betrayal as government failed to live by its promises.”
He said, “In fact, government had earlier announced that workers would be paid their March, 2020, salaries based on the workings of the minimum wage.
“The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Ogun State council wishes to register its shock, disappointment and indeed feeling of betrayal as government failed to live by its promises.
“We wish to place on record that the Congress was not privy to the decision of the government to backslide from the earlier agreement.
“In furtherance to our bid as a labour centre to engender industrial peace and work force efficiency, we wish to remind government of its constitutional responsibility and moral obligations so as to think out of the box and re-engineer its economic machinery to be able to implement the payment of the new minimum wage in spite of everything that has happened since March to date,”
The chairman, however expressed concern that promotion exercises for the State Civil and Public Servants for 2018 and 2019 had not been conducted as at May 1st.
Lasisi called on Abiodun to set machinery in motion to effect this exercise without delay.
According to him, in the same vein, we are bothered by the nonpayment of the accumulated gratuity to our senior citizens who have retired in droves from 2012 to date.
He added, “it is illogical, unwholesome and ungodly to owe people who had contributed immensely to the economy and stability of the state.
“This is the best time they can be made happy and comfortable in retirement.
"It is a fact that our contributive pension deductions and government’s counterpart funding, are hanging in the balance since God knows when.
“It means that those of us in service are not promised of any comfort any time we retire. We therefore urge government to stop deductions immediately while we return to table to fashion a way forward.”
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 says normal work activities are to resume in Federal government offices nationwide from May 4.
National Coordinator of the PTF on Covid-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, said at the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic that the resumption will be based on specific grade levels.
According to him, others that will resume on Monday are those in the banking, construction and manufacturing sectors, as well as food processing companies.
Aliyu said that temperature test, respiratory hygiene and restriction of gathering to not more than 20 persons will be introduced.
According to the coordinator, the PTF would be engaging with state governments to make sure that the PTF have a common approach to the opening of offices.
Aliyu said: “For government offices, government staff will be allowed to resume from the 4th of May but it will be based on specific grade levels and specific days so that we can reduce the amount of congestion that we might have in our government offices and we will be discussing further with state governments to make sure that we have a common approach to this.
“Banks will be allowed to open but there will be restriction in the opening hours to between 8am to 2pm and together with all the other preventive measures I have already mentioned.
“In addition to this, from the point of agriculture and rural development, companies involved in food processing can commence operation.
“In construction sites, critical roads will be allowed but waivers will be provided by state governments to enable movement.
“For the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, we will encourage shift work and limiting staff to only 30 to 50 per cent to maintain social distancing and pharmacy shops may remain open overnight.”
Sani, however, said that restrictions on social gatherings remain suspended pending review of the new measures put in place by the government.
He said that restaurants and schools remain closed.
However, Sani said that neighbourhood markets are allowed to operate during the relaxed lockdown.
He said: “Restaurant will not be opened to the publics but will be allowed to engage in home delivery of food. “Schools will remain closed till further evaluation.
Schools are encouraged to continue with e-learning and virtual teaching.
“Social activities such as the use of recreational parks. Communal sports, concert, social parties and movie theaters will be suspended until further review.
“Neighborhood markets will continue to open with the same standard and restrictions that we have applied in the past as well as supermarkets, and retail stores.”
He urged those above 65 years and with mobility challenge to avoid co-mingling with the public so that they protect themselves from catching Covid-19.
“There will be general pieces of advice, for instance, discouraging persons above the age of 65 and those with mobility challenge from co-mingling with the public so that they protect themselves from catching Covid -19 because they are the ones that are most likely to develop severe illness.
“We will be providing additional details and hopefully the implementation guidelines and the protocols will follow over the next day or two to allow businesses and offices to prepare for these changes,” he added.
The Sun
One hundred and ten (110) trucks of foodstuff have been dispatched by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to the Kano State Government for distribution to the needy, vulnerable and people of concern in the State.
The Minister in charge Sadiya Umar Farouq said the ministry delivered ten trailer-loads of parboiled rice to the State Government about two weeks ago, and in addition to that directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deliver 100 trucks of grains to five locations in Kano State for distribution to poor and vulnerable households on the instruction of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Salisu Na’inna Dambatta who signed the statement for the minister said the grains delivered in 100 trailers was on their way to Kano, adding that they comprised millet, sorghum and maize, which were released from silos holding the country’s strategic food reserve located across the country.
It could be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to release 70,000 metric tons of food for distribution to less-privileged Nigerians to cushion the effect of the lockdown aimed at checking the spread of the killer-disease triggered by COVID-19 in Nigeria.
The minister emphasised that “one of the humanitarian interventions provided by the Federal Government is the delivery of food items as palliatives to the poor and vulnerable in all states affected by the Covid-19 pandemic to ease the lockdown situation”.
Sadiya Farouq assured the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Engineer Mustapha Maihaja that: “The ministry will continue to work closely with all the agencies under its purview, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in discharging its mandates, including providing effective coordination of humanitarian interventions both nationally and internationally for the benefit of the citizens of this country, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.”
A business Technology Company, Showola Limited has promised to support government by reducing the rate of unemployment in Nigeria through its online training programme which is focussed on creating business start-ups across the country.
The founder of Showola technology Company, Yusuf Sadiq, stated this while launching the Tech Company at the Margrellos Event Centre, Bode Thomas, in Surulere, Lagos.
Yusuff Sadiq, a business consultant and founder said with a versed background in manufacturing, support, research and development of ideas, Showola Ltd was poised to training people online in the comfort of their rooms.
He said, "when armed with basic knowledge and skills, they will be able to start a business of their own.
The Operations Manager and Co-Founder of Showola Ltd, Adebayo Odeyemi disclosed that the website of the online training is opened for business on www.showola.com where people can register for any course of their choice.
He said, there are various courses which include training in digital art, beauty, exportation, finance and importation among others.
Odeyemi said the courses were fixed at affordable rates to assist and encourage those seeking for jobs to be able to partake in the online training.
He said the company is targeting at least about 10,000 people in it's training in the next two years which amounts to 5,000 people per year.
Nigerians have been urged to see this troubled time of the Covid-19 Pandemic as a period to express selflessness, love, understanding and support to one another.
The advice was given in a Press Statement by a former African Action Congress (AAC) Gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 governorship polls in Ogun state, Princess Eniola Otasanya-Martins.
The former AAC candidate said, "the people must come together to present a common front to fight the scourge which is threatening to wipe the world, adding that Nigerians must observe their duties as patriotic citizens.
According to her "We must obey all guidelines and directives which include washing of hands regularly with soap and water, using hand sanitizers, staying at home, keeping social distance as well as reporting any suspected symptoms related to the virus to the appropriate authority."
Princess Otasanya-Martins said, "these are part of the duties expected from all of us as responsible citizens."
She observed that beyond the duties expected from citizens, Government at all levels must not fail to take responsibilities in the fight against the pandemic, saying adequate planning and provision must be put in place to cushion the effects of the lockdown, especially among the vulnerable and others who depend on daily earnings for survival.
Princess Otasanya-Martins commended medical workers and other officials working at the frontline, providing essential services to contain and keep the Country safe and free from the deadly virus.
She called on Government to ensure that adequate provisions are made to protect and cater for such officials including security operatives.
"The security operatives have been working round the clock to neutralize the security threat posed as a result of the lockdown especially in my State, Ogun", she said.
The former AAC gubernatorial candidate appealed to various political parties, corporate bodies and Private individuals to support the ongoing humanitarian services by donating relief materials to the poor and the vulnerable around them in order to help reduce the economic hardship in the country.
While expressing appreciation to the national Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Dr. Leonard Nzenwa, she said "the chairman's economic succour especially to the less privileged and the vulnerable regardless of their political leaning is highly appreciated."
Princess Otasanya-Martins stated that her State, Ogun and other States in Nigeria have benefited immensely from the humanitarian gestures coming from AAC and some members of the party without having recourse to party affiliations.
She however advised Federal and state governments, private bodies, political bodies, religious bodies and others to ensure transparency in the distribution of relief materials.
In her words "No one should be made to go through hardship at this point on political or religious grounds or being indifferent. Humanity is first and it takes it all," she added.
CORONAVIRUS: INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL POLICE BUSTS 1.5 MILLION EURO FACE MASKS FRAUD TRACED TO NIGERIA
The INTERPOL says it has foiled a coordinated multinational face masks supply fraud worth Eur 1.5 million linked to Nigeria.
The International Criminal Police Organisation in a statement on its website on Tuesday said the scheme involved the use of compromised emails, advance payment fraud, and money laundering.
The alleged fraudsters use the global scarcity of medical supplies following the coronavirus pandemic to dupe their victims. According to INTERPOL the suspects used a compromised email address linked to a legitimate company in Spain selling face masks and a fake website.
The company originally claimed to have 10 million masks but could not deliver them. It later referred the buyer to a dealer in Ireland. The Irish dealer also promised to put the buyer in touch with a different supplier in the Netherlands.
“Claiming to have a strong commercial relationship with the company, the man provided assurances that the alleged Dutch company would be able to supply the 10 million face masks. An agreement for an initial delivery of 1.5 million masks was made, in exchange for an up-front payment of EUR 1.5 million.
“The buyers initiated a bank transfer to Ireland and prepared for delivery, which involved 52 lorries and a police escort to transport the masks from a warehouse in the Netherlands to the final destination in Germany,” INTERPOL explained.
But just before the order was to be delivered, the buyers were told that the funds had not been received, the alleged fraudster then asked that an emergency transfer of Eur880,000 be made to the suppliers in the Netherlands to secure the merchandise.
The fund was sent but the buyers soon realised that they have been duped and immediately contacted their bank in Germany, which in turn contacted INTERPOL’s financial crimes unit. A frantic chase involving multiple agencies in Europe to retrieve the money began.
“Banks, financial intelligence units and judicial authorities, as well as partner organizations Europol and EUROJUST, joined INTERPOL in the chase.
“INTERPOL contacted its National Central Bureau in Dublin as well as the Irish bank. Prompt intervention by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau allowed them to freeze the 1.5 million in the account and identify the Irish company involved.
“The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service quickly tracked down the EUR 880,000 which had been transferred from the German company. Nearly EUR 500,000 of those funds had already been sent to the United Kingdom, all of which was destined for an account in Nigeria.”
Luckily due to an alert raised by investigators, the UK bank successfully recalled the full amount and the funds have been repatriated to the Netherlands where it remained frozen.
“They adapted their sales pitches to take advantage of strained supply chains and generate huge profits. I can only salute the quick work of both the private and public authorities involved. INTERPOL will continue its work on the case – and the many others like it – in close cooperation with all of our partners,” added the INTERPOL Chief.
“INTERPOL said two persons have already been arrested and more arrests are likely as investigations continue across Europe.
When reached for comment about the investigation and what role, if any it played towards the repatriation of the funds, spokesperson Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Tony Orilade, promised to get back to this reporter after confirming. However, several hours later he neither answered nor returned calls made to his mobile number.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, says urban poor dwellers with an account balance of N5,000 or less will be among the beneficiaries of the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer scheme.
The minister made this known when she fielded questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday, April 14. She added that Nigerians who buy N100 call credit are also people who will be considered poor and vulnerable and will be allowed to benefit from the scheme.
The minister, who earlier confirmed that N-Power beneficiaries were being paid their stipends, stated on Tuesday that the prospective beneficiaries would be part of the additional one million households approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to boost the nation’s social register.
President Buhari had on Monday, in a broadcast, directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks.
The president said that the expansion of the social register was part of the palliative measures to address the hardship being experienced by the poor and vulnerable members of the society as a result of the extension of the lockdown order.
The minister, who had earlier updated the president on the activities of her ministry, revealed that those saddled with the responsibility of carrying out president’s directive on expansion of the social register would focus more on the urban poor.
She said: "You are also aware that Mr President in his broadcast yesterday (April 13) has directed that we expand the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer by one million.
"In this regard, we are going to focus more on the urban poor. These are people who depend on informal sector to earn their livelihood – They are daily wage earners and these are people we are really going to focus more on as well as people living with disabilities."
The minister further explained that apart from the National Social Register, the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and previous record of purchase of recharge card by mobile phone owners would form parts of criteria in identifying the beneficiaries of the cash transfer.
She said: "We are also using the mobile network, people that top up their phones with maybe N100, N200. These are the people we consider to be poor and vulnerable."
Nigerians have expressed displeasure with the methods the federal government has employed in the disbursement of cash and food items. Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) criticized President Muhammadu Buhari for "failure to provide palliatives" to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
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The Lagos state government says another patient has died from the complications of COVID-19.
This comes a day after the sixth death was recorded in the state.
Akin Abayomi, the state commissioner of health, broke the news on Twitter.
Abayomi said the patient, a 63-year-old male, had no travel history or contact with any confirmed case.
Lagos had its highest number of daily infections on Monday. 25 new cases were recorded bringing the total number of cases in the state to 217.
“COVID-19 Lagos Update as at April 14, 2020, 25 new COVID-19 cases confirmed, bringing total confirmed cases in Lagos to 217,” he tweeted.
“Eight more persons; two females and six males; including one foreign national from Croatia were discharged. Total discharged now 69.
“Lagos recorded another COVID-19 death; a 63-year-old male Nigerian who had no history of travel or contact with any confirmed case. Total related deaths now stand at 7.”
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Keniebi Okoko, Bayelsa-born billionaire businessman and philanthropist, has died in Lagos, throwing many Bayelsans into mourning.
Some reports said Okoko, son of Professor Kimse Okoko, died on Tuesday during a liposuction surgery in a Lagos hospital.
A power outage was blamed for the death.
Okoko was in his early 40s.
He contested the Bayelsa primary for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party last year. He did not succeed.
He was also a pastor of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt.
Many Bayelsans and people who he had touched in his lifetime, were shocked by his sudden death.
They poured out their anguish in posts on Facebook.
Ojims Michael wrote: “Keniebi Okoko please wake up, please remember all we prayed about.
“This one came as a big shock to me last night, suddenly gone forever OMG you are just too young for this I can’t even wrap my head around this oh God why?, wrote Stephanie T.Douglas.
Pro-Jane Whatson said: “A big loss to all of us at salvation ministries. Just take it as God know why and celebrate his salvation and look very for God while on Earth”.
Michael Osaro Jnr wrote a lengthy tribute:
“I can’t find the rationale behind the death of a promising and wealthy young man like this who is even a pastor, a giver and a faithful servant of God.
“Na waaa oooo. Watin man go do for this life self. Life is absolutely nothing my brother.
“Rest in Peace and sleep well in the bosom of the Lord my beloved pastor Keniebe Kimson Koko. We will miss you greatly”
Okoko was the founder and CEO KDI Group, said to be involved in oil and gas.
He was reputed to be the godson of former Nigerian leader, Goodluck Jonathan.
According to his Facebook wall, Okoko attended University Demonstration Secondary School (UDSS), Choba.
He also went to University of Port Harcourt.
In 2018, he went for the certificate programme in Harvard Business School.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State has ordered payment of N20,000 stipends each to 25,907 indigent citizens amid coronavirus pandemic in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, on Tuesday.
Oyetola also directed immediate distribution of Debit Cards linked to the accounts of the beneficiaries to ensure transparency, accountability, and seamless process.
Omipidan noted that the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Lawal Azeez Olayemi, made the disclosures in Ile-Ife where he distributed the cards to beneficiaries.
His words: “The scheme is one of the best social intervention programmes in the country. The governor had approved the payment of N20,000 each to 15,289 elderly citizens and people living with disabilities captured under the Special Grant Transfer (SGT) scheme.”
He added that approval had also been given for the immediate payment of N7,500 stipends to 10,618 vulnerable youths captured under the Public Workfare (PWF) programme.
He clarified the disbursement of the funds under the SGT and PWF was different from the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer recently launched by the Governor.
Olayemi added that the Governor had also mandated the immediate release of the monthly and quarterly stipends to the beneficiaries as part of efforts to alleviate the effects of hardship that the people are going through due to the lockdown.
He said the scheme, which started in July 2019 was a partnership between the Osun State Government and World Bank.
However, the governor has extended the state lockdown for another 14 days in his statewide broadcast held 8:00pm. on Tuesday.
“In order to ensure a total defeat of coronavirus in Osun, we shall extend lockdown by another 14 days,” Oyetola said.
“But to allow our people to re-stock to survive this lockdown period, the lockdown is suspended between Wednesday, 15th and Thursday, 16th April, 2020,” he added.
Oyetola said the decision was imperative in view of the devastating nature of the pandemic.
2. The second lockdown shall therefore commence midnight of Thursday, April 16, 2020.
— Government of Osun (@StateofOsun) April 14, 2020
All markets and land boundaries remain closed during the suspension of the lockdown and the lockdown period. Also, the ban on all public gatherings remains in force.
Urban poor Nigerians with an account balance of N5,000 or less will be among the beneficiaries of the Federal Government Conditional Cash Transfer scheme.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouk, made this known on Tuesday.
Nigerians who regularly top their mobile phones with between N100 and N200 will also benefit.
The third category of beneficiaries are the daily wage earners as well as people living with disabilities.
The minister, who had earlier updated the president on the activities of her ministry, revealed that those saddled with the responsibility of carrying out president’s directive on expansion of the social register would focus more on the urban poor.
“You are also aware that Mr President in his broadcast yesterday (April 13) has directed that we expand the beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer by one million.
“In this regard, we are going to focus more on the urban poor.
“These are people who depend on informal sector to earn their livelihood – They are daily wage earners and these are people we are really going to focus more on as well as people living with disabilities,’’ she said.
The minister further explained that apart from the National Social Register, the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and previous record of purchase of recharge card by mobile phone owners would form parts of criteria in identifying the beneficiaries of the cash transfer
“We are also using the mobile network, people that top up their phones with maybe N100, N200. These are the people we consider to be poor and vulnerable,’’ she added.
She stated that the prospective beneficiaries would be part of the additional one million households approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to boost the nation’s social register.
President Buhari had on Monday in a broadcast directed that the current social register be expanded from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks.
The president said that the expansion of the social register is part of the palliative measures to address the hardship being experienced by the poor and vulnerable members of the society as a result of the extension of the lockdown order.