Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Friday, made unscheduled visit to the boundary points with Delta and Rivers states in furtherance of the directive on the lockdown of the state.

Senator Diri, who first visited Adagbabiri, the boundary community to Patani in Delta State, virtually took the security personnel at the entry point unawares as he arrived unannounced in an unmark Hilux vehicle and without siren blaring.

He immediately went into checking of vehicles coming into Bayelsa and anyone without the approved permit to be on the road was asked to turn back and prevented from entering the state.

The Acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that he would embark on such surprise visits regularly to the border points to underscore the seriousness his administration attached to preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic into the state.

“We cannot sleep or rest while we have an enemy we cannot see. COVID-19 is an enemy that we must fight till it is completely defeated,” he said.

Governor Diri directed the Divisional Police Officer at Kaiama, Mr. E. Elisha, to ensure strict compliance with the directive on the lockdown of the entry points in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

At the Igbogene boundary point with Rivers, the governor met a large number of persons that the security personnel had prevented from entering the state.

While addressing them, he noted that the preventive measures so far taken by the state government were in their interest and that of others in the state.

His words: “We are doing this for your health. We have said nobody comes into Bayelsa and nobody leaves too. We have locked our boundaries with Delta and Rivers states. So, please for your health, stay where you are for now.

“We pray nobody contracts COVID-19 or dies from it. We want you to be safe where you are. We also know it is difficult for everyone at this time. But please go back and stay where you are.

“When the issue of COVID-19 relaxes, we would open our border for everybody to come in. For now, we can only allow in those whose movement is essential. But they too must have a permit to be allowed in.”

The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, declared that in every crisis there is a hidden opportunity, and the opportunity in this COVID-19 pandemic for Nigeria and African countries is the adaption to Smart Automation.

He made this known during his online presentation on Smart Automation Africa/West Africa hosted by Tradepass.

The Webinar, hosted by Tradepass was the biggest in Africa. The theme of the webinar was “Smart Automation in Africa”; the virtual event was exclusively focused on the benefits of automation for organisations in East and South Africa. It has over 300 participants.

The aim of the meeting is to focus on the benefits of automation for organizations in West Africa channeled towards growth and development.

Mallam Kashifu deliberated on the effects of Smart Automation which he said constitutes pre-era, era and post-era of COVID-19. According to the DG, this era consists of the fear, the hope, crisis, impact and the silver lining as well as the recovery and the Digital First strategy. He stated that; “smart automation expedites processes and minimizes human errors. It power’s industries to innovate and grow in size exponentially”.
Abdullahi categorized his presentation into three folds; Smart Automation in pre-COVID-19, (fairs and hubs), Smart Automation in COVID-19 (the crisis, impacts and the silver lining), and Smart Automation post COVID-19 (the recovery and the digital fast strategy).
The DG NITDA, speaking to his online audience said; “in February 2020 according to statistics, global Automation market size was more than 186 billion USD and predictions shows its increase to over 214.3 billion USD in 2021 with process Automation topping the market share with 71.2billion USD. This was followed by industrial software, factory automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing and drum step technology”.

He further mentioned that according to World Economic Forum, the emerging estimated professions resulting from automation could account for 6.1 million jobs globally from 2020 to 2022. JP Morgan believes automation can increase global GDP by over 1.3 trillion USD in the next 10 years from 2020.Mallam Kashifu believes that in Nigeria today, smart automation is the most promising silver lining in this crisis. The banking sector now is the most automated in terms of process automation. There have been reports of huge revenues through electronic transactions which are done by customers from the comfort of their homes with Mobile devices. This also applies to other African countries using smart innovations to increase their earnings and run their day to day activities smoothly, he said.

He stressed that people should discard the fear of loosing their jobs to machines but rather implore the use of smart automation to transform economies and workforce for better development in the digital economy. He said, the world is now faced with health and economic crisis through covid-19 pandemic disrupting businesses, supply chains and creating loss of job, but this, has a result, has opened opportunities for digital platforms and smart automation to take over in the post COVID-19 pandemic.

“Yes there are challenges like inadequate funding, policies and enabling environments, over reliance on foreign goods and technologies faced by African countries, but with this covid-19 crisis, African countries should think within the box to produce what it desires”, he argued.

Mallam Kashifu Abdullah however advised African countries to come up with right policies, enabling environments and best practices with adequate funding to achieve optimum goals and growth during this crisis. “From the activities of the COVID-19, it is clear that the world is going digital in it operations. This means things will not be the same as it was before the crisis. Hence, there is need for us in Africa to embrace technology. It is the next cash flow for every country and will serve as an avenue for growth and development”, he added.

Other presenter at the webinar include the Chief Information Officer, Dangote Group Prasanna Kumar Burri and and Chief Executive Officer of Vodacom, Ghana, Mr. Moses Okundi.

Muslims have been enjoined to use this period of Ramadan fast to pray for peace and the return of normal life to the world.

Chairman North Central Governors Forum and Governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sani stated this as Muslims commence Ramadan Fast.

A statement made available by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mrs Noel Berje indicates that Governor Sani Bello explained that this year’s Ramadan fast is being observed with the world ravaged by (COVID 19) Pandemic and congratulated them as they embark on spiritual mission at this unique time.

“It will be a Ramadan of seclusion, Ramadan where we would be grateful that our families are safe, healthy and alive even if they are at a distance , considering the fact that so many families will be entering this month without their loved ones, while others have lost loved ones and so many will also be losing their loved ones . The only way we can get through this is to be thankful and be patient in all circumstances..”

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello advised that in this period of the Holy Month, Muslims should abide by the pieces of advice offered by the Government and even the spiritual head Sultan of sokoto , Abubakar sa’ad the 3rd to curtail the spread of the coronavirus, which include social distancing, use of face mask, avoidance of crowded areas and the practice of personal hygiene.

He urged Muslim Ummah to fast and pray towards the end of the Coronavirus pandemic so that normal life will return to the World.

He reminded them of the need to , show absolute love to one another without discrimination, Sober reflection, empathy, piety, almsgiving especially to the aged, poor and the less privileged.

He also called on the residents of the State to remain vigilant and be security conscious considering the security challenges threatening the state by reporting any suspicious movement in their locality.

The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello has approved the extension of business hours for Markets in Abuja to operate from 8a.m. to 3p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Bello in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, explained that the directive which takes effect from Saturday, April 25, was against the earlier approved time of 10a.m. to 2p.m.

The minister also directed the decongestion of the existing markets through the establishment of Neighborhood Selling Points in the various Districts within the Federal Capital City by Abuja Markets Management Ltd.

Bello, therefore, urged FCT residents to support the intent of the lockdown by patronising markets in their neighbourhoods.

The minister ordered the law enforcement Agencies to clamp down on residents who hide under the window of market days to flout Government directives.

Bello also urged Abuja Markets Management Ltd to liaise with the FCT Area Councils to ensure full implementation of all COVID-19 Pandemic protocols with regards to the markets across all the nooks and crannies of Abuja.

He explained that the concept of Neighbourhood Selling Points was aimed at taking pressure off the existing markets in the FCT through the provision of an initial 40 units -adopting either public schools or green areas where they exist- across the various districts in the city.

” This will further enhance the attainment of social distancing among residents which is a key requirement for eventual winning of the battle against the dreaded virus.”

The Minister further directed relevant FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies to support Abuja markets management to actualise the mandate with a view to ensure quick set up of the selling point.

Bello insisted that all users of markets in the FCT must use face mask and also observe social distancing.

He mandated the Managing Director, Abuja markets management, Abubakar Faruk to ensure that existing selling points for food items within the markets are decentralised immediately to achieve social distancing.

The minister, however, encouraged the markets managers to continue to sensitise the markets users on other hand and respiratory hygiene.

…,..Says those attacking the governor are misguided
… Describes him as ‘most media friendly Nigerian governor’.

One governor whose strategic efforts in the fight against Covid-19 is yielding massive results is the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Apostle Dave Nweze Umahi.

Aside turning the state into a modern construction and engineering heaven with very little or no media coverage and publicity, Gov. Umahi is committed to the health and safety of the good people of Ebonyi.

His concern for public health and wellness is currently in display and has earned him accolades as he continues to adopt pragmatic and practical approaches towards ensuring that the doors of the state remain closed to the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze, President and Founder of one of the most popular, vibrant and focused Non-Governmental Organisations, the David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA) describes the efforts of Apostle David Nweze Umahi (FNATE, FNSE), the Governor of Ebonyi State, the Lion of South East and Chairman of South East Governors’ Forum to ensure that the dreaded COVID 19 Pandemic does not find its ugly presence in any part of Ebonyi State as commendable.

Monica, Aka Ada Ebonyi, in a statement circulated to media houses in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital highlighted that Governor David Umahi’s strategic application of wisdom, inclusiveness and commitment towards ensuring that the State is COVID-19 free is not only paying off, but also setting a standard on how the menace and dreadful virus can be contained and curtailed.

Monica notes with sense of excitement that Ebonyi is few of the States in Nigeria that is yet to witness any Index case, stressing that this was only achieved based on the commitment and seriousness that the Governor has displayed in the war against the pandemic.

She stated that in furtherance of his commitment to the protection of Ebonyi people from the scourge of Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world, the Governor of Ebonyi State is personally leading the Committee set up by the State to ensure the success of freeing the State from the virus by moving from one Local Government to another on daily basis to monitor compliance with the Order of total lockdown in the State borders and entry points from 7pm to 7am and other restrictions.

Though the Governor has noticed with dissatisfaction that people are still allowed entry and exit from the borders at some communities and highways of the State despite the Order and in some cases, public office holders, including Technical Assistants (TAs), Senior Technical Assistants (STAs) and Executive Assistants (EAs) are not seen at the check points in their respective communities or duty posts while others compromise at the check points especially at night thereby endangering the health and safety of Ebonyi people and based on this ugly trend the Governor resolved that he will not hesitate to sanction any Local Government appointee or State functionary, including Council Chairmen, whose borders or entry points are used as a conduit for movement of people or vehicles into or out of Ebonyi State whether in the day or in the night except as permitted by Government Executive Order.

To demonstrate the seriousness of the governor in the protection of the lives of Ebonyi people, the governor has resolved that henceforth, Office holders from the border areas where leakages are noted or compromised, the appointees from such communities, including the Coordinators shall be removed from office and elected persons from the area shall be suspended.

Lady Monica Ada Chidinma Eze, who also doubles as the Technical Adviser on Media to Governor Umahi commends the people of Ebonyi State by cooperating with the relevant bodies set up in that regard by ensuring that they wear their facemasks on daily basis and comply with all directives to keep the State free from this dreadful virus.

Ada Ebonyi reassures all Eboyians that Governor Umahi is not doing all these either to hurt or harm anybody but to ensure that we live to tell the story of this virus and how we were saved from it by a leader whose love for his people is infectious.

The President and Founder of DUNAETA not minding all the attempts to rubbish and tarnish the image of the Governor notes that Governor Umahi stands as the most friendly Media Governor in Nigeria if his inputs towards quality and sustainable journalism is anything to go by. Apart from sponsoring most of the Journalists in the State to Holy Pilgrimage every year the Governor ensures that both the Federal and state media Houses are well funded and provided with relevant equipment to enable them discharge their duties creditably.

All these notwithstanding, Ada Ebonyi notes that the assistance and cooperation given to the Correspondents in the State is unique and unobtainable in other States and for some Media Organisations to turn round to term the Governor an enemy of the Media is very unfortunate, wicked, unjust and unfair.

Not minding that the sanctions on both Correspondents have been lifted, Monica counsels the NUJ, IPOB and the so called Ebonyi in Diaspora should have investigated why the Correspondents of both Sun and Vanguard were banned from covering events pertaining to the State before threatening to sanction and condemn the Governor for trying to protect his State from damaging reports inimical to the stability of the State.

For Chijioke Agwu of the Sun Newspaper to have reported that Lassa fever was killing Ebonyians in droves knowing what damage such a fake report can do to the State and her people and for Mr Peter Okutu of Vanguard to toe thesame line by reporting of the invasion of Army on Ohakwu Local Government when such event never happened. It will be unfair for a leader of the status of Governor Umahi to keep quiet knowing the damage such reports have done to his state.

Monica agreed with her boss that, “Ebonyi State is no longer a dumping ground where anybody can attempt to dampen the efforts of the present leadership to recreate an ideal State for our people. She says the governor plays down talking and concentrates more on practical actions with timely results and evidence speaking for themselves.

The fact remains that the journalists involved degenerated to falsehood and yellow journalism and sensationalism . No meaningful person or Government can tolerate deceit and any misrepresentation of facts to the unsuspecting public, even the journalists themselves . Such evil should be condemned by all.

She appealed to journalists to be weary of unverified and fictitious facts in order to guard against unhealthy reportage capable of wreaking havoc and throwing the state into unnecessary panic and undue apprehension.

On the allegation by the outlawed IPOB group, that Governor Umahi may have some skeletons to hide that occasioned the conflict with some Journalists, Monica describes such allegation as unfounded and the biggest joke of the year stressing that if there is any Governor who is transparent in his dealings in Nigeria that Governor is Gov. Umahi of Ebonyi State.

…..urges them to pray for Allah’s mercy, end to Covid-19 pandemic

Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has felicitated Muslims in the state for witnessing the commencement of the Ramadan fasting.

The governor, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, urged Islamic faithful to pray relentlessly during the fasting period and specifically ask the Almighty Allah to show mercy on the people.

He said that Muslims must embrace the piety demanded of them during the Ramadan and ask Allah to put an end to Covid-19, which is ravaging the whole world.

He also enjoined Muslims in the state to use the month-long fasting period to pray for the peace of the state  and the country at large.

According to the governor, sacrifice and increased prayers are important and critical at this time when the world is fighting the Coronavirus pandemic. According to him: “It was regretabble that Muslims in the state and across the country cannot observe the Ramadan the way they have been used to over the years, the situation should only be seen as part of the sacrifice we all have to make at this time.”

He added: “I am aware that our Muslim brothers have been told that they would not be able to gather for Tafsir, Iftar and Tarawih prayers during the month-long Ramadan, due to the restrictions brought upon us all by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I enjoin you all to see this as a reflection of the sober mood the world has been thrown into as a result of the pandemic.

“Please use the opportunity of this month of blessings to seek Allah’s forgiveness to make the pandemic a thing of the past.”

He also admonished Muslims to tune their minds to the messages of love, brotherliness and peaceful co-existence inherent in the messages of the Holy Prophet, while also being their brothers’ keepers.

The statement further read: “As our Muslim brothers and sisters are expected to adhere strictly to abstinence from food and other things during the month of Ramadan, I wish to enjoin them to extend their hands of fellowship to other fellow Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

“It is only by doing this, coupled with sharing whatever they have with others, particularly the underprivileged in the society, that their supplications can be answered and the world will be a good place to live in for all and sundry.”

Governor Makinde, who quoted Qur’an 2 v 267, which says “O ye who believe, give of the good things which ye have,” said this act would help the underprivileged in the society and reduce hunger and poverty confronting the people.

He wished Islamic faithful a successful fasting period, while praying to God to grant everyone the strength needed for the Ramadan.