COVID-19: Boss Mustapha goes into self isolation

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14/12/2020

by Isma’il Auwal

Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, has gone into self-isolation after some members of his household tested positive for COVID-19.

A statement singned by Mr. Mustapha on Sunday night said , “I would like to inform the general public that some members of my household tested positive for COVID-19 Sunday evening.

“Although they are currently asymptomatic, they have been isolated and are receiving care in one of the government treatment centres.”

Although he and his wife negative, he said he will be in self-isolation and work from home in accordance with the protocols by the health authorities.

“I would like to remind all Nigerians that COVID-19 is real. As the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced last week, we are recording an increase in cases across several states.

“Please stay safe and protect yourself. Adhere to all public health and safety measures so that we do not lose the gains we have made in the fight against COVID-19,” the statement said.

426 students of Katsina school counted safe—Masari

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13/12/2020

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By Ismail Auwal

Keffi Emirate confers Barden Keffi on Danburan Zazzau

The Emir of Keffi, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III has conferred the title of Barden Keffi to Alhaji Sani Mahmoud Shaaban in recognition of Shaaban’s dogged efforts in philanthropy, bridge-building and establishment of familiar and cordial relationship between Zazzau Emirate and Keffi Emirate.

Shaaban, who currently holds the title of Danburan in the Zazzau Emirate is a top notch political personality being touted by Kaduna state citizens to succeed Gov Nasir El-Rufai.

Responding to the surprise gesture of Emir Yamusa, Shaaban said: “honestly I was taken aback by this gigantic gift from His Highness. I came to Keffi to pay homage, but little did I know I would be honored with his important title.

“The history of fraternity and cordial relationship between Zazzau Emirate, it’s people with Keffi Emirate it’s predates colonial time.

“And this honour has further cemented this age-long friendship, by the grace of Allah we shall continue to uphold and extend this important harmony between these two important Emirates to the zenith of fraternity.

“And to demonstrate my profound commitment to Emir Yamusa, I shall, in due course bring an important developmental projects or program to this Emirate. After all we have done it in many countries talkless of our home here in Kebbi.

While a coronation date was not fixed, the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli called in Emir Yamusa showing his gratitude and appreciation for honouring one of his title holder.

Despite over 600 students still missing, Buhari hails Anthony Joshua’s victory over Pulev

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13/12/2020

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By Abba Gwale

President Muhammadu Buhari has celebrated the decisive victory of Nigerian-born boxing sensation, Anthony Joshua, over Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on Saturday night. This celebration is coming less than 24 hours after bandits attacked a boarding secondary in Katsina and abducted hundreds of students.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President said by retaining his IBF, WBA, and WBO titles, Joshua has given boxing lovers round the world, and particularly in Nigeria, something to cheer about.

He recalled his meeting with the heavyweight champion in London earlier this year, describing Joshua as a humble, well brought up young man, “who will still go places.”

President Buhari wished Joshua all the best in his dream fight against Tyson Fury coming next year, saying that he has the prayers and goodwill of Nigerians going with him.

This is coming few hours after unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had attacked and abducted more than 600 students of Science Secondary School Kankara in Katsina state.

In his reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari strongly condemned the attack and charged the army and the police to go after the attackers to ensure that no student gets missing or harmed.

Buhari sacks NDDC acting managing director

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13/12/2020

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By Ismail Auwal

President Muhammad Buhari has approved the removal of Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, the acting managing director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Mr. Pondei’s removal was announced in a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adsina on Saturday night. He was replaced by Mr Effiong Okon Akwa, a Chartered Accountant and Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration at NDDC.

The statement said, “The development became necessary as a result of plethora of litigation and a restraining order issued recently against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC by a Federal High Court in Abuja.”

Mr. Pondei, a professor of Medical Microbiology and former chairman of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), was at the centre of NDDC probe on allegations of corruption and misappropriation between October 2019 and May 2020 by Nigeria’s national assembly. The House of Representatives invited Mr. Pondei July 2020 to appear before a panel. The then acting DG NDDC, collapsed in a dramatic fashion.

Boko Haram attacks Askira, Gwam in Borno

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13/12/2020

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By Ismail Auwal

As the nation continues to struggle with the spates of insecurity, reports coming out from Borno States, indicate that the dreaded terror group, Boko Haram, has attacked Askira town and Gwam in the state.

The attack, as reported by BBC Hausa, started around 6 pm today, with members of the terror group reportedly attempted to take over the military formations stationed in Askira town.

Human Angle, an online newspaper, also reported that the terror group has attacked Gwam in Konduga Local Government Area, which is about 20 km from capital city of Maiduguri.

At moment of filing this report, the details of the attacks are still sketchy.

Breaking: Lagos State Governor tests positive for COVID-19

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13/12/2020

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By Nasir Isa

Barely few hours after going into self isolation following a contact with some of his aides that have tested positive for COVID-19, the Lagos State Governor, Sanwo Olu, has been confirmed to be infected with the virus.

According to the statement posted on the verified Twitter handle of Lagos State Government, the governor’s PCR test result came out positive on 11th December 2020. The governor’s condition is not critical at the moment, but he has mild symptoms and fatigue.

Recently, data from NCDC is showing spike of cases of COVID-19. It’s feared that this latest spike might signal the second wave of the pandemic.

Buhari condemns Katsina attack, as over 600 boarding students are still missing

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12/12/2020

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By Ismail Auwal

President Muhammadu Buhari has, on Saturday, strongly condemned the latest bandits’ attack at the Government Science Secondary School Kankara, in Katsina State.

The President has also charged the army and the police to go after the attackers to ensure that no student gets missing or harmed.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity, Mal. Garba Shehu, President Buhari urged the “school authorities to carry out an audit of the population of the students following shootings in and around the school that sent hundreds of them fleeing and scrambling over perimeter walls.”

While sympathizing with the parents, he urged all those “who rushed to the school and removed their children and wards to notify the school and police authorities in order to have a full account of the school population.”

“I strongly condemn the cowardly bandits’ attack on innocent children at the Science School, Kankara. Our prayers are with the families of the students, the school authorities and the injured,” said President Buhari while pledging to continue to support the police and military struggles against terrorists and bandits.”

Shehu’s statement added that, “In the latest briefing received by the President from Governor Aminu Bello Masari, with whom he has been in touch, and the Army Chief of Staff, General Tukur Buratai, the military, supported by air power has located the bandits’ enclave at Zango/Paula forest in Kankara and there have been exchange of fire in an ongoing operation. Police said so far, there has not been reported any student casualty.”

Therefore, “The President has directed the reinforcement of security of all schools in line with the safe schools policy of the administration.”

Katsina school attack: They shot my colleague in the leg — survivor

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12/12/2020

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By Abba Gwale

A survivor of yesterday’s attack at Government Secondary School Kankara has said that three of his close friends were among the kidnapped students of the school and one of them was shot in the leg while running for his dear life.

Speaking in an interview with Sahelian Times, the survivor, Muhammad Abdulaziz, narrated that they were at the hostel when they started hearing gun shots but they did not sense any danger until the gun shots came very close to them.

“We thought the shooting was not withing the school premises like we used to hear gunshots outside the village almost everyday. But we soon realized that it’s right inside the school and we were told to go back to hostel but the shooting continued,” he noted.

He said when they realized that the bandits were already in the school premises, they started running for their lives with some of the students jumping over the fence to escape.

According to him, one of the students broke his leg in the stampede, while the kidnappers also shot one of them in the leg.

“Three of my friend were missing, they are among the victims, they shot one person while we were running but he was since taken to hospital for treatment, ” he said.

According to him the bandits did not come with any vehicle.

Alhaji Farouk, a resident of Kankara village, said two of his sons are among the students who were kidnapped by bandits last night in Government Secondary school Kankara in Katsina state.

During his interview with Sahelian Times, Alhaji Farouk said two of his sons Muhammad and Ahmad are still missing but he is hopeful that security agencies will do their possible best to rescue the students.

Masari orders closure of all boarding schools in Katsina over insecurity

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12/12/2020

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By Nasir Isa

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has ordered all boarding schools to be closed immediately in order to safeguard against further bandits attacks.

This instruction is coming on the heels of the latest attack on the Government Science Secondary School Kankara, which left almost 600 students currently missing.
It’s feared that the hundreds of missing students are in the custody of the bandits, who operated freely in the school premises for several hours yesterday.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Masari assured the public that the soldiers deployed to the scene are currently chasing the kidnappers in the bush in a bid to free the abducted students.

COVID-19: Kano records 2 death, 22 new cases in one day

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12/12/2020

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By Ismail Auwal

Two people in Kano State have died of COVID-19, whereas 22 others became infected of the virus on Thursday.

The Coordinator of the Kano State COVID-19 Task Force, Dr. Tijjani Hussaini, disclosed that within the last 10 days Kano has recorded 85 new cases of the virus.

“The spread of COVID-19 is increasing especially in December. In just 10 days, 85 cases have been recorded. In a single day, the virus killed two people, and 22 others have been infected on Thursday,” he said

Dr. Tijjani further explained that, “Majority of the cases were found in NYSC orientation camp in Karaye. As a result of this, all corps members must be tested”.

The State Task Force’s Coordinator also added that, the new cases were found in Nassarawa, and Kano Municipal Local Government Areas.

Dr. Tijjani has advised the public to take necessary preventive measures to slowdown the virus spread.