Headlines News in Nigeria this Wednesday, 3rd of June, 2020

1. Buhari directs security for telecom infrastructure

The of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, Defence Headquarters, DHQ, and other security agencies to protect telecom infrastructure across the country, following the request of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ibrahim Pantami.

The Department of State Security, Department of State Service, DSS, the Police and the Civil Defence Corps are also to ensure that telecom infrastructure are critical infrastructure need protection from vandalism, while the minister’s media aide, Uwa Suleiman, however, called on telecoms firms to reciprocate the gesture by reducing the price of data.

2. Senate okays Buhari’s $5.513b loan request

The Senate of Nigeria has yesterday approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s $5.513 billion external loan request to finance the revised 2020 budget, following the presentation and consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, Senator Clifford Odia, from Edo Central at the Upper Chamber.

Recall that, President Buhari had, in his letter of request, the $5.513 billion external loan is to enable the Federal Government fund the 2020 revised budget, to enable the Federal Government execute its priority projects and for projects to support State Governments in stimulating their economy, which has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. 812 health workers infected till date, says Fed Govt

The Federal Government on Tuesday disclosed to newsmen that, no fewer than 812 health workers have been infected with the COVID-19 virus in the line of duty, noting that, the protection of health workers, especially those in the frontline of the pandemic are its priority, and will ensure the constant provision of personal protective equipment, PPEs, to shield them from exposure.

While the Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this known during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, in Abuja, reminding all of Health Workers that the easing of the restrictions doesn’t mean the easing of the response. In fact, the public response is being strengthen.

4. Worship centres stay shut, say Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, Kaduna

Lagos, Kaduna, Oyo and Kwara states are not about to unlock religious centres in spite of the window for reopening provided by the Federal Government, as Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs Prince Anofiu Elegushi disclosed a result of disagreement at a meeting of religious leaders with the government reopening of religious centres was put in abeyance, according to newsmen.

Further expressed during the ministerial briefing on the activities of the state government yesterday that: ‘’Even before the pronouncement by the Federal Government, we have been having meeting with the religious leaders, we even had one with the Safety Commission in order to look at the possibility of reopening of religious houses in the state.

5. Buhari ‘to work with others’ for Adesina’s re-election

African Development Bank, AfDB, President, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina’s re-election bid received a massive boost on Tuesday with President Muhammadu Buhari assuring him of Nigeria’s total support, when he hosted Adesina at the State House in Abuja.

Decal that, the African Union, AU, and the bank’s board have already endorsed Adesina as a sole candidate for the continent, but some stakeholders, including the United States, are trying to ensure that, he was re-investigated over some allegations, as President Buhari, supported Adesina’s bid for the position in the year 2015, even when they both belonged to different political parties, according to report.

6. Ondo APC governorship: Chairman, NWC lack power endorse aspirants

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has not endorsed the re-election bid of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, clarified on Tuesday, adding that, the ruling party’s National Chairman Adams Oshiomole and the National Working Committee, NWC, have endorsed Akeredolu for another term.

Issa-Onilu further noted that the party’s national chair, nor its NWC, has the power to endorse any aspirant, saying the rumour is indeed a grievous falsehood intended to create disaffection among APC members.

7. Oil Prices Rise As Market Eyes OPEC For Extended Production Cut

Oil prices were up yesterday as the global oil market awaits the meeting this week between the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and its allies to further extend crude production cuts, as International benchmark Brent crude traded at $38.68 per barrel for a 0.9% gain after closing Monday at $38.32 a barrel.

The American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $35.74 a barrel at the same time for a 0.8% increase after ending the previous day at $35.44 per barrel, while, OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing nations are set to meet sometime this week to discuss the possibility of extending oil production cuts through July or August.

8. Lagos Boosts Water Transportation With Nine Concrete Jetties

The Lagos State Government has stated that it has intensifying efforts in completing construction works on nine concrete jetties, with shelter and shoreline protection across the State waterfront, adding that this would improve and boost water transportation, as well as decongest traffic on the roads.

Arch. Kabiru Abdullahi, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, disclosed this in Lagos during press briefing to review that activities of the first year in office of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, noting that, the Ministry was able to complete the Baiyeku Waterfront Jetty in Ikorodu during the period under review, as the project would be part of those that would be commissioned by the Governor to mark the one year in Office.

9. Buhari’s Performance In Education In Five Years Woeful – Ogirima

The National President of Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU, Comrade Nuhu Ogirima, has described the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of education as a total failure, expressed disappointment in the government for failing to make significant efforts at tackling the myriads of problems facing the education sector since he came into power.

The union leader, Comrade Nuhu, wondered why the retired Army General turned politician had not considered it necessary to do something meaningful that would immensely turn around the fortunes of the education sector in the country, while, lamented the deliberate neglect of Colleges of Education by the government, stressing that such portended serious implications for the country’s education system.

10. Coronavirus: Red Star Express delivers food

The Red Star Express Plc has been involved in the delivery of food items to several less-privileged communities in Lagos and Ogun states to cushion the effect of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Group Managing Director, Dr. Sola Obabori, disclosed the delivery was in line with the corporate social responsibility of the group in support of families and communities affected unfavourably by the COVID-19 pandemic.