The Hood – Hearing from your neighborhood

5G: Nigeria Denies Giving Operational license, says it was test-runned

Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), FNCS, FBCS, FIIM Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy has denied rumours spreading like wildfire that lockdown is to keep Nigerians inside in order to lay 5G viber. Honourable Minister said in a press release which read:

“The attention of my office has been drawn to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria. Based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify as follows:

i. The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G;

ii. No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country;

iii. A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria;

iv. As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial; and

v. The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.

His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.

Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.

I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology.

Prison Break: Warders reportedly kill 8 inmates

Warders reportedly kill 8 inmates linked to Kaduna prison break attempt

The last may not have been heard about the attempted prison break by inmates of the Kaduna Correctional Centre, as reports say about eight of the inmates believed to be arrowheads of the attempt may have been killed.

It would be recalled that inmates at the centre had embarked on a protest that later turned violent over concerns that they may contract the dreaded COVID-19 disease that is sweeping across the world, because of the over crowding and lack of proper ventilation at the correctional centre.

Though the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) said one inmate died while officers were trying to quell the riot, sources say eight people were moored down.

The names of those said to have been deliberately killed by warders at the centre were given as Hammed Abdullahi, Lucky Ugokama, Ibrahim Abukabar, aka Baba Lolo, Yahu Salisu, Elvis Wisdom Adekpe, Lucky Njoku, Oluchukwu Oche, also known as ‘No Witch’, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, while Ogume Osifo Osarome is said to be in critical condition after being severely tortured.

According to sources, they were killed because they are believed to have spearheaded the protest the inmates embarked upon to demand for their safety.

The sources also disclosed that on April 1, a day after the unrest, prison waders went round cells and ordered those believed to have spearheaded the protest to come out.

One of the sources said: “One Hammed Abdullahi was shot in the stomach by a prison guard, he died immediately.

“Yahu Salisu was shot in the buttocks while Ibrahim Abdullahi died of torture.

“Lucky Njoku was beaten to death by prison guards, he died of the wounds inflicted on him.

“Ibrahim Abubakar died yesterday too from the beatings he received from the prison guards.”

There are however efforts, according to sources, by Management of the Kaduna Correctional Centre to cover up the killings.

The spokesman of the centre, Muhammad Jalige, while responding to enquiries over the reports, insisted that the matter was “an internal problem between staff and inmates of the correctional facility”.

World Bank excludes Nigeria from its $1.9bn COVID-19 response fund

Nigeria’s indebtedness to World Bank hits N3.6tn

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors excluded Nigeria from the list of 25 countries that will benefit from its $1.9 billion first set of emergency support operations for nations that had been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision, the World Bank said in a statement, was reached by the board on Thursday and it was prepared to deploy about $160 billion in the next 15 months to help countries deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and quick economic recovery.

The statement read:

“The World Bank Group is prepared to deploy up to $160 billion over the next 15 months to support COVID-19 measures that will help countries respond to immediate health consequences of the pandemic and bolster economic recovery.

“The broader economic program will aim to shorten the time to recovery, create conditions for growth, support small and medium enterprises, and help protect the poor and vulnerable. There will be a strong poverty focus in these operations, with an emphasis on policy-based financing, and protecting the poorest households and the environment.”

Also, the bank’s president, David Malpass, said the group was taking broad and fast action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 across the world.

He said: World Bank Group is taking broad, fast action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and we already have health response operations moving forward in over 65 countries.

“We are working to strengthen developing nations’ ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and shorten the time to economic and social recovery. The poorest and most vulnerable countries will likely be hit the hardest, and our teams around the world remain focused on country-level and regional solutions to address the ongoing crisis.”

Coronavirus: Buhari orders payment of salaries

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the payment of March salaries to federal workers following his movement restriction in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.

The president directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to pay the salaries immediately.

Buhari gave the directive while meeting the COVID-19 Impact Assessment Committee on Thursday to review the effect of the outbreak on the economy.

The president directed the ministry to ensure that critical infrastructures were protected and as much as possible.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting in Abuja said the President further directed that measures be put in place to protect the poor during this lockdown.

According to Channels TV, the President had in March set up a special committee to immediately look into the effects of COVID 19 on the price of oil, with a view to reviewing the crude oil benchmark of the 2020 budget.

COVID 19: HON. Ladi Adebutu Distributes N50M Worth of Relief Items Across Ogun State

Hon. Ladi Adebutu has provided succour to the people of Ogun State, the provision of relief materials which worth millions of naira was made known through a press release duly signed by the Media Consultant, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Afolabi Orekoya. The press release reads thus:

“The Corona Virus known as Covid 19 rampaging the entire globe and putting the lives of people in danger led to the declaration of a total lockdown by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Sunday, 30th March, 2020, which has also affected our dear State for 14 days with effect from Friday, 3rd April, 2020.

The Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation has come up with relief plans to assist our people, considering the effect of the lockdown due to the fact that most of our people live on daily proceeds from their various businesses which will be grossly hampered by the two weeks lockdown.

Realising the rigour the lockdown might cause, Hon. Ladi Adebutu has immediately committed over N50m (Fifty Million Naira) on food items covering live cows, pigs, Garri and other items.

The relief package which has started moving round to all the wards across the state will be distributed in the fillowing order:

1 Cow for each of the 20 Local Governments per week for two weeks totalling 40 cows

1 pig for each of the 236 wards in Ogun State per week for two weeks, totalling 472 pigs

500 (3kg) packs of Garri per Local Government per week for two weeks.

Additional 10,000 sanitizers across the 20 Local Government areas

Other items are also included in the distribution per week.

This gesture by Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is planned to complement the N100m donated to Ogun State Government by the Adebutu family earlier in the week and ultimately to support the good people of Ogun State during the lockdown period.

We are appealing to our people in the State to follow strictly all health tips and advices, keep clean environment, Stay at home and stay safe during this period.

With all humility, we assure our dear Ogun State people of the sincere concern and care of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu at this crucial period and beyond”.

Coronavirus: We’ve started immediate cash transfer to poorest households, says FG

Sadiya Farouk, minister of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, says the ministry has commenced cash transfer to poorest households in the country to cushion effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

The minister said this during a press briefing by the presidential task force on the disease in Abuja, on Monday.

Nigeria has recorded 111 coronavirus cases spread across 10 states and the federal capital territory.

The country also recorded its second death from the disease on Monday.

Farouk said the ministry has commenced advance payment of conditional cash transfer to the poorest households in the country.

She said the vulnerable group will also be expanded to consider more persons during the infection period.

“In Mr. President’s speech, paragraph 54, he directed that the conditional cash transfer should be given in advance of two months. This we have also done. We have directed immediate cash transfer to the poorest and most vulnerable households in the country,” she said.

“Because of this COVID-19, the vulnerable groups have to expanded, because we are aware that there are people who live on daily wage, so we are also going to look at those groups of people to see how we can get this food relief intervention to them in this period.”

The minister said the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed trucks of relief materials to states affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-19: Badero Olusola Set to give over hundred people #5000 each

Badero Olusola, a UK based Nigerian is lending helping hand to over hundred (100) Nigerians through his Facebook page “Maiyegun Diary Politico” while initiating the support he wrote:

“Supporting Nigerians before the Covid-19 lockdown with token of N5000 each?

Here we go. If you are interested in donating to support Nigerians who are followers of Maiyegun’s Diary, send your donation here:

0049889517

Adunmo L A

GTBank

Ref. MDP Covid-19 Donation

For the record, this account does not belong to me, I don’t have any control over it but, I have 100% TRUST in the holder to execute this life affecting noble idea. He has done it for us before. He can do it again, with proof. When I raised 500k to support indigent students with N25k each on this same Facebook, it was this fan who came through for us.

You are not under any compulsion to donate. You are not limited to what you can donate. Every kobo sent into this account will be accounted for; so with every beneficiary.

Now, the account has been given to us for our use, for this purpose only; except we agree to continue, when we hit the N500k mark, all donation will stop.

After this, I will give you all time to join me live to select the 100 beneficiaries of N5000 each. When you win, I will personally ask for your bank details and you will be credited immediately

Everyone on Maiyegun’s Diary Politico can contribute. Donation is by choice. I will open the donation with N20,000.

You too can do something.

Don’t post your bank details please, they will not be picked for anything.

Thank you

Maiyegun General”

COVID-19: United Spiritual Church Orders Branches Regardless of Population to Suspend Services Until Further Notice

The United Spiritual Church has ordered all the branches of the Church to remain closed, the directive came through a memo duly signed by the Primate of the Church Most Revd (Dr.) J.O. Ogunseye, JP “with the subject “TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF CHURCHES IN OGUN STATE”

The memo reads: “Further to my pronouncement of 20th March, 2020 on the current global viral infections, I now call on our International Headquarters, our Cathedral and all our

branches to shut down until further notice.

This is in line with the decision of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogun State Chapter for all churches across the state to shut down until further notice.

Let all faithfuls join hands with the government and all relevant authorities in finding a lasting solution to this ravaging pandemic. It is our duty both as individuals and as organisation to exhibit utmost discipline especially in a time of emergency like this.

The Lord is our shepherd. Prayer remains our weapon. We shall overcome.

Shalom.”

Court refuses to hear Bayo Dayo’s application for Injunction

The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta for the second time on Wednesday, 18th March, 2020 adjourned the hearing of the application for injunction to hold the PDP congress filed by the embattled PDP Chairman in Ogun State, Chief Adebayo Dayo.

During the Court proceedings, the lead Counsel for PDP Chief Chris Uche, SAN, informed the Court of his client’s application to transfer the matter to Abuja to be consolidated with the matter which was already instituted in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Counsel to Engr. Bayo Dayo confirmed service of the application filed by the lead Counsel for PDP but pleaded with the Court to allow more time to study the application.

INEC lawyer who was also in court informed the Court of their papers which they have also filed in respect to the matter.

Chief Chris Uche SAN, thereafter, requested that the case be adjorned till after the Abuja matter holding 2nd of April, 2020.

On that basis, the matter was adjourned to 7th April, 2020.

Can we say APC is sinking earlier than expected, PDP gaining momentum?

The road to 2023 is getting increasingly interesting with each passing day if the ongoing brouhaha in the ruling party is anything to go by. With different factions representing different interests within the ruling party, the coast seems clearer for the opposition party, the PDP who barely lost the unfair and incredible election, according to several international observers. Although there has been various speculations about a former two term Governor of Lagos State and a national leader of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu taking over from Buhari, the mere thought of the possibilities has led to high level bickering even amongst his kinsmen from the southwest. From the pan yoruba sociocultural group, Afenifere to the executive power blocs in Ondo, Ekiti, Oyo, a divided Ogun, and even a marginalised Lagos, analysts believe that asides from an impending massive rejection by the ndigbo and Niger-Deltans, an out of space rigging system will have to be in place for a Tinubu to be President. In what effectively represents a survey, a social media commentator from Ogun State, Wasiu Ademola Sobowale on the morning of Tuesday, 17th March, 2020 delved into a topic in a bid to generate public opinion on the 2023 subject. “Should PDP reconsider Atiku/Obi joint ticket in 2023, Tinubu/Sanusi may become inevitable.

Support your preference with SENSE!”. The result as at the time of writing this report is a whooping 100% in favour of an Atiku/Obi ticket. The reasons are not far fetched. With the Lagos landlord believed to be the most greedy capitalist from the west with insignificant achievements after supervising Lagos state for 21 years, the grand theft occurring within the same period, including the light rail yet to be commissioned 11years after a humongous sum of 550billion naira has been made available, to make mention of only a few of the heists allegedly supervised by the bourdillion emperor. However, one achievement that cannot be taken for granted is the making of several executives across the southwest at different times, although it has been argued that it is for some selfish and inordinate ambition, the reality of this position seems to be settling in in gradually. Whether or not H.E Atiku will be recontesting, the Pan Nigerian seems favoured than ever before. The fact that the goodwill Buhari enjoyed in 2015 has been long eroded, and in addition to the fact that the current number one citizen is on a final lap leaves the North for Atiku for a near 100% grab against a Tinubu. The results of the 2019 election shows that H.E Atiku will easily get the required two-thirds from the Southwest and an Obi in the equation makes the Southeast a sure bet. The South-South is predominantly PDP, and thus most likely settled on that note.

The road to 2023 is likely to be short and intriguing. More so, several analysts are of the opinion that it will become increasingly easier to predict as the days go by. Furthermore, if it took a unified APC widespread rigging and electoral malpractices and doctored court rulings to remain in power, how unpopular is the idea of a Tinubu 2023 and how less likely will the sinking and divided brand deliver across board?

Olumide Okueyungbo.