The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has condemned the attack on Garkida town in Gombi Local Government Area by suspected Boko haram members.

Reports say the attack caused the death of two civilians, including a 5-year-old.

Governor Fintiri says, “This latest cowardly attack on Gombi town is yet another desperate rearguard action by the Boko haram terrorists who have been under intense pressure from the Nigerian military.”

While sympathising with residents of Garkida over the unfortunate Christmas Eve attack, Governor Fintiri gave the residents of the state the assurance that the latest attack would not go without severe consequences.

He called on security agencies to do more to forestall attacks in the state.

Governor Fintiri regretted the appalling attack on innocent civilians, saying ”it is a cruel reminder of the indiscriminate aims of the terrorists and an example of why everyone must be involved to confront a menace without boundaries.”

“I stand with Garkida community in this difficult time, and will continue to support the Military’s efforts to ensure peace, security, and justice for the people,” Governor Fintiri said.

He described the attack as outrageous and an affront to the people of Adamawa and to all humanity.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Lagos State government has stressed the need for residents to comply with the restrictions on various activities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a bid to tackle the outbreak of the disease at the early stage of its second wave which has begun to manifest, it reminded the residents of 13 guidelines to follow to prevent a further spread of the virus in the state.

These include making it mandatory for prospective couples to obtain clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission before weddings can take place.

Churches and mosques were directed to ensure Covid-19 protocols were strictly followed and attendance must not exceed 50 per cent of the maximum capacity of the venue.

The government also asked clinically extremely vulnerable people to stay at home while bars, night clubs, and pubs must remain closed.

See the guidelines contained in a notice titled ‘Stay At Home’ and released on Christmas Day below:

Meeting friends and family – Maintain adequate social distance.

Bars and pubs – All bars, night clubs, and pubs are to remain closed.

Retail – Retail shops can open but should ensure COVID-19 protocols.

Work and business – Some staff must work from home to reduce crowd in workplace.

Education – All schools are to remain closed until further notice.

Exercise – Maintain safe distance.

Entertainment – No carnivals/ concerts or street parties and jamborees.

Personal care – Wash your hands regularly, use alcohol-based sanitisers, maintain social distancing.

Overnight stays – The midnight to 4am curfew imposed by the Federal Government remains.

Wedding and social gatherings – Must not exceed 300 people with prior clearance from the Lagos State Safety Commission.

Places of worship – To follow Covid-19 protocols and not exceed 50 per cent of the maximum capacity for attendance.

Clinically extremely vulnerable – Are advised to stay at home.

Travelling – All non-essential travels are seriously advised against.

Channels Tv/Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Speaker Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr. Balarabe Abdullahi has joined other numerous well-wishers, to congratulate, Governor Abdullahi Sule on his 61st birthday.

On behalf of the Assembly, he wished him more rewarding years ahead in service to the state and humanity.

Mr Abdullahi acknowledged that the giant strides of the Governor in all facets of life and the state, in particular, called for special appreciation.

The speaker said ”the Assembly is impressed by Governor Sule’s style of leadership so far.”

He emphasised that ”the Members of the House would continue to give the Governor all the needed support and cooperation to succeed.”

“We members of the Assembly as an institution have assessed and acknowledged the zeal and passion His Excellency,  Abdullahi Sule brought into his administration for the good of the people. And on that note, we, the members of the State Assembly could not hesitate but to pass a vote of confidence on him,” the Speaker stated.

He reiterated that the entire legislators have therefore unanimously accepted to work closely with the Governor in peace and a harmonious relationship for positive developments by according him all the necessary supports to be able to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people.

Abdullahi also remarked that in less than two years, Governor Abdullahi Sule has made his marks in such areas as completion of some very significant projects bequeathed to him by the previous administrations, especially the Aliyu Akwe Banquet Hall, Almakura Presidential Lodge, Disease Diagnostic Centre, electricity and water projects, the ongoing Lafia Airport among others.

The speaker also noted other various projects initiated by the Governor on the assumption of office to include the opening of the much needed urban and rural roads, bus terminals, and his penchant for an investment policy that would launch the state to new pedestals in business.

Other strategic and challenging areas include pension, security funding, salaries, LGAs, control of Covid-19, creation of investment opportunities, disaster control, including prompt and effective attention to disasters, flooding, protests among others.

While praying God to give the Governor more rewarding years, the speaker also wished him ample and adequate strength to forge ahead in sound health, more wisdom, guidance, and protection.

Abdullahi therefore, called on the people of the state to continue to cooperate with the government and to pray and support the Governor to succeed.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Christians have been urged to ensure adequate compliance with all protocols and guidelines of Covid-19 pandemic as they celebrate Christmas. 

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama stated this in his Christmas message to Nigerians as the World battles the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic.

He urged Christians to emulate the life style of Jesus Christ by living in peace and harmony with non Christians.

The Archbishop expressed worries on Covid-19 pandemic and other preventable illnesses, wreaking havoc in 2020, thereby bringing the whole world to a standstill.

In his words; “Our beloved country Nigeria very badly needs to hear that Good News again in a year that will soon leave behind deep, ugly scars on the psyche of both citizens and the nation. In it, our country quickly transited from one major crisis to another, making 2020 a year never to be forgotten in a hurry. The Covid-19 pandemic which began the previous year, wreaked havoc in 2020, bringing the whole world to a standstill and bringing down nations to their knees, socially, politically and economically.

”What Christmas promises is universal peace, the lion and lamb lying down together; reconciliation, enemies forgiving each other; valleys of justice, love and peace filled up; food for all, every sheep carefully tended to; restfulness from our longing, everyone peacefully in loving company, healing from all wounds, and God himself drying every tear on earth.”

Archbishop Kaigama also called on Nigerian government to resolve all security challenges bedeviling the nation for socio economic development saying Christmas celebrations should be a lesson of love, faith and hope for the mankind.

Similarly, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Reverend Jonah Samson, explained the efforts of the Church in coping with the disruptions from Covid-19 pandemic.

He said; ”When you look at it, actually yes, the Covid-19 Pandemic makes religious activities so cumbersome because before now, we are used to worshiping with all freedom, gather crowd and stay together, shake and embrace one another as a sign of fellowship and also our coming together was more frequent because the bible says in Hebrews chapter 10:25, do no cease coming together, that is fellowshipping as others are in the habit of doing but rather we should encourage one another as we see the day fast approaching. Now when Covid-19 came, because of the protocols given to curb its spread, we have to readjust ourselves and let me give you an example, we have to segment our worship since it was a requirement, then it became cumbersome.”

As Nigerians join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2020 Yuletide amid Pandemic, Religious Leaders in Nigeria have urged their counterparts across the country to ensure that the second wave of Covid-19 is contained.

Monitoring team
Reverend Samson also said that the Church has set up a monitoring team to ensure full compliance to the Covid-19 Protocols.

He spoke on the need for peaceful co-existence during the celebration amongst Nigerians saying; “we must be our brothers keepers either of Christian faith, Muslim, or Traditional Religion. Whatever faith, be our brother’s keepers, this is how we stay together, co-exist with one another and when we do that, there will be harmony. The bible said we are peacemakers so I pray that this peace of God will permeate our heart and help us to enter into the 2021 with high expectation.”

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The National Universities Commission, NUC, has called on Vice-Chancellors of universities not to allow any form of academic activities involving large crowds to be organised or hosted on their campuses.

Following a resurgence in the number of Covid-19 reported cases, the Nigerian Government, had issued a circular directing Officers on Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for a period of five weeks, effective from Wednesday, 23rd December, 2020.

The NUC, in a circular signed by the Deputy Executive Secretary (Administration), Chris Maiyaki, said classrooms, hostel accommodation, conferences and seminars should be suspended.

It further directed that ”universities should remain closed during this intervening period, pending further directives by Nigerian Government on the reopening of schools.”

“Vice-Chancellors are to please note that the directive is part of the measures approved by Mr. President to mitigate the second wave of Coronavirus infections in the country. The affected officers are expected to perform their duties from home while those on GL 13 and above should strictly adhere to the extant preventive measures, including maintenance of physical distancing, regular washing of hands and/or sanitizing of hands, wearing of face masks and reducing the number of visitors to offices,” it said.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

PR/Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has cleared some of the parks of fun seekers who gathered there for Christmas celebration.

Newsmen report that some of the parks where fun-seekers were sent out by taskforce included the famous Millennium Park, Jabi Lake, Unity Fountain and Magic Land.

Although the gates at the Jabi Lake were closed, some anxious fun seekers made their way into the park through some porous entry points.

Upon arrival at the Lake, many of the violators took to their heels for fear of being arrested, but the Taskforce had to call them to sensitise them on the need to adhere to the safety regulations.

Head, Media and Enlightenment of the Taskforce, Mr Ikharo Attah who addressed the fun seekers said that “this second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic seems tough and we cannot allow people to gather in crowds contrary to the directives of government.” 

“We know you all want to enjoy Christmas but you can do it at home. We plead for your understanding on this matter. We don’t want to hurt anybody, but we have a duty to save residents from contracting the virus,” he stated.

Attah expressed sympathies with the residents but said there would be more celebrations in the future if they abide by the safety protocol.

He said; “We are truly pained doing this on this day but we have the responsibility to save lives and protect FCT residents from catching Covid-19. We see in large numbers, children who have come to these recreation centres to have the best of Christmas. They look obviously unhappy and we are feeling their pains and disappointment. There will be many Christmas, but please, let us not for this Christmas ruin many more to come.” 

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, has congratulated Christian faithful and Nigerians on the occasion of Christmas celebrated globally.

Governor Bagudu expressed happiness that, celebrations like Christmas bring utmost joy and merriment.

According to him,  ” the celebration afford the adherents and other citizens with the ample opportunity to ponder and reflect on the need for sustainable peace, unity and socio-economic progress of Nigeria.”

He said that the Almighty Allah has not made a mistake by creating Nigerians together, with diverse religious, ethnic and cultural affinities.

The Governor stated that ”these difference were meant to further bond all together as one, indivisible nation.”

The Kebbi State Governor also urged people in the state to live in peace with one another and to continue to observe basic Covid -19 protocols like the use of face masks, social distancing and regular hand wash, among others.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Kwara State Governor,  AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has called for unity and harmony among the people of Ilorin community and the state as a whole, saying development is tied to everyone coming together for a common agenda.

Governor AbdulRazaq spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, at the 55th Annual Conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) and N2bn fundraising for the construction of IEDPU ICT/Skill Acquisition hub/launching of 2021 calendar.

“Th people of Ilorin need to come together under the leadership of the Emir of Ilorin to make Ilorin the envy of all. Let all of us bury the hatchet and come together to make Ilorin a better place for all of us. Let’s work together for peace and progress of Ilorin and our state,” he said.

The Governor commended the Emir for his fatherly support to every Ilorin son and daughter.

Governor AbdulRazaq also commended the IEDPU for the proposed ICT hub which he said ”aligns with the ongoing programme (innovation hub) of the administration to give new skills to young people in the state.”

Donations made
He made a personal donation of N25m and announced another N25m on behalf of his friends from the business community, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote of the Aliko Dangote Group and Abdulsamad Rabiu of the BUA Group, among others, in support of the ICT project.

The Emir of Ilorin,  Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari sued for peace, unity and understanding among sons and daughters of Ilorin to ensure the development and progress of the emirate.

He commended the strides of the Governor who he described as ‘humble, pro-development, and discipline, including his signature timely arrival at public events. ‘

The Chairman of the occasion and Zanna of Ilorin, Lanre Shagaya, represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Salman, called on indigenes of Ilorin to unite, help one another, and invest at home.

“As for the union’s leadership, the challenge is to continuously appeal and always prevail on the government on the creation of enabling environment to attract investors to the Emirate and also encourage indigenes of the Emirate to invest at home,” he said.

The Guest Speaker and National Missioner of the Ansarudeen Society of Nigeria,  Sheikh Ahmad AbdulRahman called for restoration of sound moral and religious values for which Ilorin is known.

He said the violence and looting that followed the recent EndSARS’ protest, the rising menace of drug abuse, and glaring lack of respect for legal authorities signalled a breakdown of such values.

The National President Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressives Union , Alhaji Aliyu Otta Othman  rallied the people of the emirate around the agenda of peace, harmony, and development.

He specifically commended the Governor for the impacts his administration is having on the poor and the vulnerable, and called for more development projects and deeper government-IEDPU relationships.

The annual conference was attended by crème de la crème of the Ilorin emirate from all walks of life.

Mercy Chukwudiebere