Month: March 2020

COVID-19: N’Assembly adjourns for two weeks …observes a minute silence for deceased lawmaker, Rose Oko

Emporium Reporters

The National Assembly on Tuesday adjourned plenary for two weeks to resume April 7, 2020. The resolution was reached during a closed session by the Upper Chamber, and announced by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, after a closed meeting by Senators which lasted about 40 minutes. Lawan, while giving details into what transpired during the closed door session, said lawmakers unanimously agreed that the National Assembly adjourn plenary for a period of two weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic which has led to most countries shutting down…

Drama as Journalists boycott Senate briefing over COVID-19 scare

Emporium Reporters

Some Journalists covering the National Assembly, on Tuesday shunned the press briefing undertaken by the Senate Spokesman, Senator Godiya Akwashiki. This was not unconnected to the rumour that about 10 Senators had tested positive to the dreaded Corona Virus, known as COVID-19. The red chamber had shut down plenary for 2 weeks, following its resolution after a closed door session which lasted for an hour on Tuesday. Drama, however, started when the Senate Spokesman arrived at the Senate Press centre for a routine media chat and journalists started rushing out…

Covid 19: Time to diversify Nigeria’s Economy By Abba Dukawa

Emporium Reporters

Following the collapse of crude oil prices from 2014 to date , which triggered unpleasant memories to Nigerian government which found itself in unchartered waters. Since than It continues to struggle to revive the economy amidst dwindling oil revenues compounded by unemployment, poverty and insecurity and due to over defendants on one major government revenue the country remains weak and fragile -being outstripped by population growth. Who to blame for this mess up: Provocative policy of the Nigerian government is the dependence on oil resources as a source of foreign…

Senate President mourns Senator Rose Oko

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has received with shock the news of the death of Senator Rose Oko, who until her death, was the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. Senator Oko, who represented Cross River North Senatorial District at the Senate, died on Monday at a medical facility in the United Kingdom where she was receiving treatment. Lawan commiserated with the deceased Senator’s family and the loved ones she left behind. The Senate President also condoled with the people and government of Cross River State over this…

BREAKING: Buhari’s Chief Of Staff, Abba Kyari, Reportedly Sick, Suspected Of Contracting Coronavirus

Emporium Reporters

Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, is said to be seriously ill and in fact suspected of being infected with Coronavirus. A top government source told SaharaReporters on Monday that Kyari has been seriously “down” since returning from a trip abroad. Kyari visited Germany and Egypt and only returned this week, giving credence to the fact that he may have indeed been infected with the virus. Egypt has 327 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and 14 deaths while Germany has 29,056 infections and 123 deaths. Though coughing…

Coronavirus: NSCIA orders all mosques in FCT to shut down

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has ordered all mosques in the federal capital territory (FCT) to shut down. In a statement on Monday, Yusuf Nwoha, its director of administration, said the directive is in line with government’s measures to check the spread of coronavirus. “In line with the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigerian to stem the steady spread of the Coronavirus (COVID 19), the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President General, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni and…

Nigeria Senate loses another Senator

Emporium Reporters

The 9th Senate has lost three members in a space of three months, with the death of Senator Rose Oko, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cross River North, last night. Oko, who as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, died at a UK medical facility at the age of 63. The late Senator, who was one of the female lawmakers at the Hallowed Chamber was elected into office as the first female Senator from her Senatorial District in June 2015 in the 8th Senate and was re-elected in 2019.…

COVID-19: Osun Govt grants civil servants two – week leave

Emporium Reporters

The State Government of Osun has directed its junior and middle-level civil servants to proceed on a two-week leave, starting from Tuesday, 24 March, 2020, as part of measures to contain the spread of the disease. According to a press release signed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola granted the leave for the workers as part of precautionary measures to forestall any possible outbreak of coronavirus anywhere in the State. The statement quoted Governor Oyetola as saying “all Officers from Grade Level…

COVID-19: Stop misinforming public, Oyo govt tells NUJ …says Makinde doing everything to halt spread of virus

Emporium Reporters

COVID-19: Stop misinforming public, Oyo govt tells NUJ …says Makinde doing everything to halt spread of viru The Oyo State government, on Monday, described as false and complete misrepresentation, a statement credited to a committee of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) indicating that the State was not ready to tackle the coronavirus scourge. The state government, in a statement endorsed by the Special Assistant (Print Media) to Governor Seyi Makinde, Moses Alao, declared that the State was not only ready but doing everything to stop the spread of the…

BREAKING: Ayade Declares Total Lockdown In Cross River Over COVID-19

Emporium Reporters

Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade Monday night declared that all entry points into the state by Land, Sea and air are hereby locked down, stressing that access will only be by thorough screening regime. He also declared that LG elections scheduled for Saturday, March 28 remain suspended indefinitely. He made the declaration in a press release signed by his Special Adviser, Media & Publicity, Mr Christian Ita and made available to Vanguard late night Monday. Read the full statement below: In view of the reality of the Coronavirus…