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     Gov. Seyi Makinde has signed the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) Bill into law. The signing of the bill into law took place at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan. In his address shortly after signing the bill into law, the Governor made it known that Agribusiness is one of the cardinal programmes of the current administration, and signing of the Agency bill into law will give it a legal backing to run as OYSADA. He noted that the agency will be based in Saki and the signing of its bill will enhance the commencement of full operation to kick start the Farm Estates projects in Eruwa, Ibarapa axis and Akufo, Ibadan as soon as possible. The Governor gave insights into the advantages the Agency has to offer the state, which entails developing strategies, coordinating and implementing Agribusiness Investments/projects in the state through public, private and development partnerships which will enhance the optimisation of agro-food value chain business wit

    By Terver Akase and Jimin Geoffrey Owing to the current economic realities and the impending recession caused by Coronavirus pandemic, the Benue State Government has cut down the 2020 Budget from N189 billion to N119 billion. Govenor Samuel Ortom disclosed this today at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi while briefing journalists shortly after a meeting of the State Executive Council which also had in attendance members of the State Action Committee on COVID-19. He explained that the downward review of the budget which is to be forwarded to the Benue State House of Assembly became necessary following International Monetary Fund, IMF’s projection of a recession in Nigeria that would force a contraction of the country’s economy by 3.4% and states of the federation would be adversely affected. Governor Ortom said as part of measures to mitigate the negative effect of the looming recession, Benue has resolved to take advantage of its rich agricultural potentials by going into i

      The administration of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum has so far connected 17 towns to the National grid in Southern Borno senatorial district. The benefiting towns and villages include, Bidam, Damaturu, Borkulak, Kulara, Lakundum, Gundiri, and Bargu in Shani local government area. Others include, Kukurupu, Kwakshar, Pelathabu, Yaragi, Nduraku, Sakwa Bura, Ngasam and Gula in Hawul local government area, as  well as Jaragol in Bayo local government area. This is unprecedented in the quest to bring development and dividends of democracy to the door step of the rural dwellers, which will in turn reduce the rural urban migration.One more photo below.

      A Nigerian medical practitioner, Dr. Chugbo Emeka, in private practice, on Wednesday morning, died of coronavirus-related complications after treating an infected patient in his hospital. The doctor, identified as Dr. Chugbo Emeka, who died at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, was said to have been admitted at the hospital on Monday, after contracting the disease from a COVID-19 patient he was said t o have managed in a private hospital, where he worked before his death. Vanguard gathered that the patient he was treating died on Friday April 3. Confirming the development, Chief Medical Director, LUTH, Profesor Chris Bode, said the doctor was not a staff of the hospital, but was rushed to the facility after he showed severe signs of the disease. Bode said: “He was brought in late, so there was no much we could do. He was a staff in LUTH years back before he went to join the private sector.

       The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to visits by motorists to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) and Task Force offices for the release of their impounded vehicles as directed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Governor Sanwo-Olu directed the release of all vehicles impounded for minor offences from 1st March 2020 to 14th April, 2020, in addition to ot her palliative measures introduced to cushion the effect of lack of economic activities in the State due to the lockdown.​ For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor’s directive does not invalidate the lockdown as imposed by the Federal Government. Concerned motorists are, therefore, not expected to visit the offices of LASTMA, VIS and Task Force for the release of their impounded vehicles until the lockdown order is lifted by the Federal Government. Please stay at home and ensure social distancing as well as regular washing of hands with soap and ru

      A nurse who is 8-months pregnant has died and her husband has been accused of beating her to death. The woman, identified as Ms Anya Adaeze, aka Mummy David, was allegedly beaten by her husband, Olabode Oluwasanmi, in Akure, Ondo State. According to sources, the incident happened last week. The deceased was 8-months pregnant when the domestic violence incident occurred. It was revealed that she had a misunderstanding with her husband and he allegedly beat her up with an iron rod. The beating was so serious that she was rushed to Federal Medical Centre, in Owo, and upon examination, it was discovered that her uterus had been ruptured. An emergency Caesarean section was done to bring out the baby but the baby didn't survive. Adaeze was placed on oxygen and died on Tuesday, April 14th, 2020. It was gathered that Adaeze, who was the breadwinner of the house, had allegedly revealed to her colleagues at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, about the abusive nature of Olabode b

      *CP Abang ordered for a full scale investigation into the matter* The attention of Anambra State Police Command has been drawn to a video clip that went viral in the Social media on the 14/4/2020 in which a Police officer allegedly shot and deflated the front tyres of a Mazda CX-9 4WD with Registration AKD 277 FM driven by one Nnaemeka Offor at Nkwo roundabout Umunze in Orumba South LGA of Anambra State. The Commissioner of Police *CP John B.Abang,fdc* is deeply saddened by the unfortunate incident and has ordered for a full scale investigation into the matter. The CP further assures the public that justice would be done in the case and the outcome of Police investigation shall be made public in due course please. *SP Haruna Mohammed,PPRO* Anambra State Police Command, For-Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command.

     Today 15/04/2020 at about 2pm,Police patrol team while on routine patrol to enforce the lockdown order around New Tyres by UBA, Nkpor in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State suddenly came under unprovoked attack by a group of miscreants with substance suspected to be acid.As a result, one Operative attached to the team Cpl Christopher Ozor sustained serious injuri es all over his body following the attack while the hoodlums rushed his AK 47 rifle with 30 rounds of live ammunition in a bid to snatch it.The team swiftly resoonded repelled the hoodlums with gunshots and retrieved the AK 47rifle from them. Meanwhile,one of the attackers who was fatally wounded was prevented by the miscreants from being taken to the hospital but the injured Police man was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Following the incident, Youths in their hundreds holding offensive weapons went on rampage at Nkpor and New parts general area destroyed Police patrol vehicle with Registration numbe

      • To announce lockdown relaxation window for coming weeks The Ogun State Government said it has purchased a molecular laboratory as part of its efforts towards flattening the curve of the Coronavirus pandemic in the Country, just as it is working on reviewing relaxation windows for people of the State during the 14-day lockdown extension recently ordered by the Federal Government. In a statement on Wednesday, Governor Abiodun said the molecular laboratory would be unveiled during the period of this lockdown at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Sagamu, where finishing touches are being put to its operationalisation. The Governor had, while declaring open two Isolation Centres in the State, promised to establish a biomedical laboratory so that tests of suspected cases in the State could be done without going to Lagos, Ede or Abuja. When unveiled, it will minimise the test turn-around time which currently is between 3-5 days and fast-track the handling of positive cases

     Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong inspects the NCDC approved COVID-19 Test Centre at the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State. Lalong was briefed by the Acting DG of the Institute Dr. Ocholi who told the Governor that the centre is ready to begin testing samples. It can process 1000 samples per day and get the results within 3 hours. 15.04.2020 Photo credit Josiah Jenvulu. More photos below.

    Five more contact persons of the index case in Kano State have tested positive for coronavirus. Salihu Yakasai, the Special Adviser to Governor Abdullahi Ganduje on Media, stated this on his twitter handle on Wednesday while confirming five new cases recorded in the state. Yakasai tweeted that, “The Kano State Ministry of Health has announced 5 new additional Covid-19 cases in the state making it a total of 9 confirmed positive cases. “The 5 new cases were all traced to the index case. Stay at home and stay safe,” the tweet reads. Meanwhile, with this brings the number of persons who tested positive after coming in contact with the index case to six while two others were returnees from Istanbul.

        The Lagos State Fire Service, today, prevented a row of multi-million Naira shops trading in electronic equipment from going up in flames during the early hours of yesterday in Lekki. The Ag. Head of the Fire Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, who disclosed this while speaking at the scene of the fire incident, explained that the Agency’s timely response to the emergency call and deployment of firefighter s to Peace Estate, Lekki ensured the timely containment of the fire disaster. According to her, “On arrival at the scene, we discovered that the fire had engulfed nine out of the 19 shops where electronic products of different brands and sizes are being sold. But our firemen were able to save the remaining 10 shops full of goods worth millions of Naira from being destroyed, by ensuring the fire was promptly extinguished”. While acknowledging the support and contribution of the Federal Fire Service in suppressing the inferno, she implored all Lagosians to be more careful

      Good people of Lagos, I have more great news from our isolation facilities. 16 persons; 14 males and 2 females including 3 foreigners - 1 British, 1 Chinese and 1 Polish citizen have been discharged to join the society. The patients; 14 from IDH, Yaba and 2 from Onikan Isolation centre have fully recovered and tested negative twice consecutively to COVID19. This brings the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from our facilities to 85. As our front line health workers record successes in the battle against COVID19, we are duty bound as citizens to break the chain of transmission of the infection by staying safe at home, practicing social distancing and adopting the highest possible personal hygiene. We will continue to do our best as Government to cushion the effect of this lockdown by re-energizing our welfare package. Please keep faith with us as we work to win this battle together. Thank you for your continued perseverance and patience. Gove

     Photos: President Buhari holds Teleconference with members of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 to discuss Response Efforts from State House on 15th April 2020.One more photo below.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, following his discharge from hospital over Covid-19. In a congratulatory letter dated April 14, 2020 to Mr Johnson, President Buhari said he received “with great relief the news of your discharge from hospital after being successfully treated for Covid-19.” Expressing delight on behalf of his family and the government and people of Nigeria, at the Prime Minister’s recovery, the Nigerian leader said: “We all join you in appreciating the wonderful staff at both the hospital and the NHS who worked round the clock to look after you and those afflicted by Covid-19.” President Buhari also wished the Prime Minister “full recovery and good health in the coming days.” Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) April 15, 2020.