Month: March 2020

Nigeria doing poorly in Agric research, says Lawan

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has decried Nigeria’s poor performance in the area of Agricultural Research and Development. Lawan made this known in his concluding remarks after the Senate considered a bill that seeks to amend the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act. According to the Senate President, given the number of specialized agricultural institutes in the country, Nigerian farmers should have access to technology needed to make farming easy. “I want to say that we are doing very poorly in the area of agricultural research and…

COVID-19: No confirmed case in Oyo— Commissioner …says state on high alert, warns residents to practise personal hygiene

Emporium Reporters

The Oyo State government, on Thursday, allayed the fears of residents of the state on the Corona Virus pandemic, declaring that there was no confirmed case of the disease in the state yet. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bashir Bello, who made the disclosure at a press conference held at the Agodi Secretariat, maintained that following the confirmed cases of the virus in neighbouring states, all facilities in the state were on high alert and that resources have been deployed to facilities in case of unforeseen circumstances. A statement…

COVID-19: Senate suspends hearings, shuts public gallery

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday announced the decision of the Senate to suspend public hearings and restrict access to its chamber over growing concerns of Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread in the country. The announcement came after the Senate embarked on a closed session at the resumption of plenary to deliberate on the devastating impact which a spread of the disease may cause in the absence of preventive measures. “The Senate resolves to suspend all public hearings till further notice as a result of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. “In…

Insecurity: Senate wants Police Force decentralized …Says corruption responsible for indiscipline among security agencies

Emporium Reporters

The Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Security Challenges has called for the decentralization of the Nigeria Police Force as a way of improving efficiency aimed at addressing the problem of insecurity bedeviling the country. The upper chamber also recommended to the executive arm of government that the Police Command structure be decentralized with operational and budgetary powers vested in the zonal commands. These formed part of recommendations contained in the report of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Security Challenges. The Chamber also recommended that all Joint operations should be carried out…

COVID-19; Ogun Extends Ban to Schools, Worship centres

Emporium Reporters

Due to the global spread of the Corona virus and the recent ban of all high-density gatherings in Ogun State, the State Government has clarified that the ban on high-density gatherings affected all schools, whether public or private-owned, as well as all religious activities in the State. Consequently, all schools in the State will remain closed indefinitely after school hours on Friday, March, 20th, 2020. Also, all religious centres and activities including regular and special services that bring together fifty (50) or more persons in the same place are banned…

NASFAT suspends Assalatu, Juma’at over coronavirus

Emporium Reporters

An Islamic group, NASFAT at an Emergency Meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC) convened to review the latest guidance available from State and National Government Authorities,has announced the suspension of its weekly Assalatu and Juma’at service across Nigeria. In particular, the NEC’s attention was drawn to the recent directives of the Lagos and Ogun State Government and Federal House of Representatives announcing the banning of In-Person gatherings with more than 50 persons, shutdown of schools in Lagos state among other actions. Read the statement in full: After due consultation…

Corona Virus: Al-Habibiyyah suspends gatherings, Juma’at service

Emporium Reporters

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and in consonance with efforts by the Nigerian government to stave off the occurrence of Corona Virus infestation in the country, the Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society has announced the suspension of all gatherings in its mosques across the country with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020. While making the declaration in Abuja on Thursday, the National Chief Imam of the society, Imam Fuad Adeyemi, said while no case has been recorded in Abuja, the city of the society’s corporate headquarters, the society took the…

COVID-19 : NSCIA advises tbose with symptoms ,suspected cases to stay away from mosque

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has warned that any person(s) with the symptoms of coronavirus should not be allowed to partake in congregation prayers in the mosque. The Deputy Secretary-General of NSCIA, Professor Salisu Shehu handed down this warning while addressing journalists at press briefing on Thursday in Abuja. Prof Shehu, said measures are needed to be taken to stop the spread of the virus.He advised Muslims to adhere to the advice of authorities on the best ways to present the spread of the virus. NSCIA said…

Be ready for the challenges ahead, Dabiri-Erewa advises NiDCOM staff

Emporium Reporters

A Five-Day Induction Course for Staff of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM) has ended in Abuja with a call on the staff to gird up their loins for the task ahead. The Chairman/CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa implored officials of the commission that the Training and Re-training of staff was sine-qua-non to productivity and excellence. According to the NiDCOM boss “Mr President has given us this task and we must work together to achieve and build a better Nigeria “. She stressed that the Commission was ready to work with all…

NIGER STATE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE ON COVID19 (CORONA VIRUS)

Emporium Reporters

The followings are Niger state of preparedness on COVID19 (coronavirus) and other diseases of Public Health importance: • Public and health caregivers sensitization and enlightenment using all communication media including phoning in programs in radios and NTA. • Intersectoral collaboration (Min. Of Information, Education and Environment). • Staff training and retraining especially: high level of application of universal precaution and a high index of suspicion for prompt diagnosis. • Emergency Medical Response Team strengthened. • Emergency Operation Centre on the “Watch mood”. • Collaboration with FMOH and NCDC on information…