Author: The Gazelle News

A coalition of Niger Delta groups has lauded the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, led by Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, over its commitment in cushioning the effects of the lockdown of states on Niger Delta people. In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, they commended the efforts of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio under whose supervision the IMC has ‘displayed swift support in alleviating the sufferings of the Niger Delta people especially with the lockdown directive issued to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. The statement jointly signed…

By Geoffrey Onyeama I first met Abba Kyari in 1977 at Warwick University in England. I had gone there to do law as a second first degree. He had come to do a degree in sociology. I had a pending application to do Law at Cambridge and when the result of that application came and it was positive, I left Warwick during the second semester. But my five months at Warwick was enough to build a strong friendship with Abba that lasted till his passing. Almost 43 years! There was a small group of Nigerians at Warwick then, which…

By Waziri Adio The last time I spoke to Mallam Abba Kyari was in the evening of 29 March 2020. He was on the way to the airport to board that flight to Lagos. He had shared a statement on WhatsApp, which I wanted to confirm was for public consumption. He said sure, and I prayed again for his quick recovery. In that press statement, he had expressed the hope of being back to his desk soon. That was vintage him, a workhorse who approached his brief with near missionary and clear patriotic zeal. Alas, it was not meant…

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has directed the 193 wards across the state to form their own committees to deepen enlightenment on the COVID-19 pandemic and own the campaign against community transmission of the virus. “The Governor says the time calls for everyone to take responsibility for our collective safety. He, therefore, encourages all the wards in the state to form their own COVID-19 committees. They can pattern their own committees after the template already established at the state level,” spokesman to the Governor Rafiu Ajakaye said in a statement on Monday, 20 April, 2020. “They can…

By Qasim Akinreti My heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian media and the family of late Mallam Abba Kyari, who died from the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday 17th April 2020 and buried on Saturday, 18 April, 2020. He was a former Editor of a national tabloid, The Democrat among other media positions held, and before his death, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. All offices he held adding values to the media at various levels. The Glorious Quran is clear: “Inna Lillahi Waina Illaehim Rojiun – Indeed it’s from Allah we came and unto him we shall all return“.…

Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, has described the death of Mallam Abba Kyari as a big loss to Nigeria and the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration. Gbagi commiserated with President Buhari, Abba Kyari’s family and members of the Federal Executive Council. Kyari was the Chief of Staff to the President until his death last Friday, April 17, 2020. He noted that Kyari leveraged on his vast experience in service to the country and humanity. “The death of Mallam Abba Kyari came as a shock not only to me, but everyone who knew this fine gentleman as one…

Editor’s Note: Emmanuel “Manny” Asika spent 10 days at the Isolation Centre in the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Yaba, Lagos. An IT professional who took precautions early to protect himself and his family against the novel coronavirus, he was shocked to learn that he had tested positive for COVID-19, when his ‘malaria symptoms’ persisted after treatment. In this exclusive piece for Nigeria Health Watch, Manny shares his journey from becoming a COVID-19 patient at IDH to becoming a COVID-19 survivor and advocate. Image credit: Nigeria Health Watch I remember waking up early on the 28th of February 2020 to the news…

The Lagos Socio-Political Group, Team Jandor, continued the distribution of its free food packages in Lagos State through the aid of its food bank initiative to cushion the effect of the stay-at-home order. It could be recalled that the Lead Visioner of Team Jandor, Mr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, has since the inception of the lockdown in Lagos state, ordered the coordinators of Team Jandor across the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas to embark on the distribution of free food packages to the citizens. Joining other LGs and LCDAs who are beneficiaries of the Jandor Food Bank initiative, the…

A coalition of Niger Delta groups has lauded the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, led by Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, over its commitment in cushioning the effects of the lockdown of states on Niger Delta people. In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, they commended the efforts of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio under whose supervision the IMC has ‘displayed swift support in alleviating the sufferings of the Niger Delta people especially with the lockdown directive issued to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19. The statement jointly signed by…

By Geoffrey Onyeama I first met Abba Kyari in 1977 at Warwick University in England. I had gone there to do law as a second first degree. He had come to do a degree in sociology. I had a pending application to do Law at Cambridge and when the result of that application came and it was positive, I left Warwick during the second semester. But my five months at Warwick was enough to build a strong friendship with Abba that lasted till his passing. Almost 43 years! There was a small group of Nigerians at Warwick then, which included…

By Dario Lemut Apple is known for its innovations and impressive design. Tablets, laptops, desktops, and iPods made by Apple have met innovation upon innovation as they hit the marketplace and place new standards on technology. A well-known example of this is the iPod. Although it wasn’t the first mp3 player to be made, it was the one that changed how and set the standard to how music players will work. The iPod was the first music player that allowed the creation of playlists as well as the music shuffle to spice things up a bit. It was truly ahead…

Covid-19 is the global pandemic is killing the entire nation and the future is looking blur to finding its cure. Research is ongoing and several countries of the world such as Cuba, the United States of America, Germany, and China. As of today, these nations have come up with different solutions to cure this pandemic that is taken the world power away from the West and shifting it to Asia. THE PANDEMIC: CORONAVIRUS In Africa, several countries have been hit by the virus and Nigeria is not an exception in the pandemic crises. Nigeria’s challenge began with an Italian businessman…

By Dare Ojelade and Blessing Williams, Lagos  As the Muslim Coalition Against COVID-19 concludes logistics arrangements to kick start its relief operations, not less that 700 health workers have been mobilized for the task. Under the first phase, relief package distribution will start in the Federal Capital Territory, Rivers, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States. The Chairman of the Medical Committee, Dr. Salisu Ismail gave the breakdown of medical and allied professionals to be mobilized to the frontline as follows:   Medical Doctors 120 – Nurses 150 – Pharmacists 100 – Laboratory Scientists 100 – Health Record Officers 80 – Environmental…

By Ademola Akanni, Abuja Lagos recorded the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases with 70 new cases reported on Sunday, 19 April, 2020, The Gazelle News.com reports. Also, the virus makes entry into Borno and Jigawa States as new cases were reported in the two states. Eighty six new were reported by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on its verified twitter handle as at 11.50pm on Sunday, 19 April, 2020. The total number has now risen to 627 cases in Nigeria. Out of these 86, Lagos has 70, FCT has seven, three in Katsina, one each in Jigawa,…

By Adetutu Audu The General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has assured Nigerians that the return journey to normalcy has begin, as the lockdown order given by the Federal Government over the ravaging Corona virus pandemic will soon be over. Speaking during the special Sunday service today the reverred man of God announced that the church pastors will soon return to their duty posts, even as he encouraged them to continue to pray for mercy. “We bless the name of the Lord for another Sunday. Please continue to pray for His mercy.I bring good…

By Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN As the inks flow in tributes to Abba Kyari by those who loved and despised him, let us not forget that Abba was much misunderstood and often maligned. Wherever you stood then and stand now, let us not forget that Abba was a patriot. He executed President Buhari’s vision with his own single mindedness. One of his favourite quotes was credited to Jeff Immelt to the effect that “The job looks easy when you are not the one doing it.” He seemed to take a lot of comfort from these words when his actions…

The Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria (MUSWEN) has admonished all Muslims in the country’s Southwest region to guard against any speculation about the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast. The admonition was issued by MUSWEN’s Executive Secretary, Professor Muslih Tayo Yahya on Sunday, April 19, 2020 in view alleged speculations making the rounds about the commencement of this year’s Ramadan fast. While enjoining the Muslim Ummah in the region to be grateful to Allah for sparing their lives, despite the global lockdown situation imposed on them by an expediency of the moment, Professor Yahya said the Ummah had transcended…

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare has commiserated with the family of the late President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation, Mr Yahaya Muhammed who died on Saturday, 18 April, 2020 in Kano. The Minister noted that the sterling leadership provided for the federation by Muhammed in his lifetime would be greatly missed by the weightlifting federation and the sporting industry in Nigeria at large. He prayed God for the repose of the soul of the late Wrestling Federation President and the fortitude for his family to bear the loss.

The Rivers State Government on Sunday, 19 April, 2020 released the 22 Staff of Exxon Mobil who were arrested for violating the State Executive Order restricting movement in the state. Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State, Professor Zaccheus Adangor said that the mobil staff were released without charges. The Attorney-General said the State Government will no longer press charges against them. He said that they were released following interventions by well-meaning Nigerians. The Attorney-General of Rivers State noted that he monitored the release of the 22 Exxon Mobil at the State Isolation Centre at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium…

Gunmen suspected to be of Fulani herdsmen extraction have assassinated an Inspector with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) in Benue State. He is Inspector Joseph Ochogwu, an Idoma man from Benue South senatorial zone. The Commandant of Corps in the state, Mr. Isah Kamilu Ado confirmed the killing during the handing over of over 460 cows belonging to Fulani herdsmen that were impounded by the Livestock Guards for violating the anti-grazing law of the state. Ado said the Inspector Ochogwu was killed in Guma Local Government Area in his line of duty, a fortnight ago. The…