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The Federal Government has threatened to dismiss officers caught leaking official documents on social media .

It said recent “ unfortunate unauthorised disclosure of official documents on social media ” was embarrassing and therefore unacceptable .

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation , Dr Folasade Yemi – Esan , issued the threat in a circular marked HCSF/ 109 /S . 1 /120 with the title, ‘ Unauthorised circulation of official documents /information on social media . ’

News correspondent obtained a copy of the circular dated May 22 , 2020 on Sunday .

Yemi – Esan issued the threat barely a week after a query she issued the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology , Dr Mohammed Bello Umar , for allegedly buying what she described as “ uncompleted carcass ” building for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the sum of N7 bn became a public knowledge.

The HCSF had claimed that Umar superintended over the transaction for the purchase when he was still the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development .

She also accused the permanent secretary of giving out seven deep drilling rigs for borehole procured at N1 . 3 bn to some unnamed individuals under “ fraudulent arrangements . ”

Umar ’ s six – page response to the query dated May 14 , 2020 , in which he denied all the allegations levelled against him and described them as mere concoction based on malice also found its way into the media .

The text of the April 28 nationwide broadcast of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , on measures being taken to curtail the spread of COVID- 19 was also leaked on social media platforms some hours ahead of the 8 pm broadcast time .

Yemi – Esan , in the May 22 circular, however , described leaking of official documents as “ an act of serious misconduct ” which attracts dismissal as contained in the Public Service Rules .

The circular read , “The attention of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation has been drawn to the recent unfortunate unauthorised disclosure of official documents on the social media .

“In some cases, official documents that have been minuted on are also leaked . This irresponsible and reckless action is an act of serious misconduct with a penalty of dismissal from service as provided for in Public Service Rules Nos. 030401 and 030402 .

“ The ugly development is embarrassing to government and therefore not acceptable . Any public officer caught engaging in this act of serious misconduct will be severely dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules .

Punch

The World Health Organisation said that it had “ temporarily ” suspended clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID- 19 being carried out across a range of countries as a precautionary measure .

The decision came after the publication last week of a study in the Lancet indicating that the using the drug on COVID – 19 patients could increase their likelihood of dying , WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference , adding that the WHO -backed trials had been “ suspended while the safety is reviewed . ”

Punch/Vanguard

An FA statement read: “The FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board has today confirmed the decision to end the 2019/20 season for the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s Championship, with immediate effect.

“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board has been in regular consultation with clubs and key stakeholders from across both leagues to identify the most suitable and appropriate way to conclude the 2019/20 season, and to give clubs and players the clarity and support they need at this time.

“Following overwhelming feedback from the clubs, the decision to bring an end to the 2019/20 season was made in the best interest of the women’s game. This will also enable clubs, the FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board and The FA to plan, prepare and focus on next season when football returns for the 2020/21 campaign.

“Supporting the welfare of the clubs and players will continue to be our primary concern throughout this process, which also involved a robust and thorough examination of the logistical, operational and financial challenges that the game currently faces.

“Following full and thorough consultation with the clubs, the FA Women’s Super League & Women’s Championship Board has discussed various recommendations which will be sent to The FA Board to determine the most appropriate sporting outcome for the 2019/20 season. This will include identifying the entries for the 2020/21 UEFA Women’s Champions League, which would be based on sporting merit from the 2019/20 Barclays FA Women’s Super League season.

“We are not in a position to comment further until the FA Board has had sufficient time to consider all of the recommendations and options.”

Skysports

In the wake of lifestyle changes occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has said it would be adopting more technological tools in discharging its mandate, disclosing of its resolve to pioneer electronic voting in the country by 2021.

This was as the electoral umpire decried the rising cost of elections in the country, saying it would be liaising with the National Assembly to see how political parties can nominate replacements for dead representatives in line with a Supreme Court judgment that votes belong to the parties and not individuals.

INEC disclosed this in a document released in Abuja which was tagged, “Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic”, and signed by its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The commission also added that voters without face masks would be disallowed from voting in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

Vanguard

The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force, has relaxed the existing curfew imposed on the state in respect of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic to between 8.p.m. and 5 a.m.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that the decision was reached at the COVID-19 Task Force meeting presided over by the governor.

According to the statement, the state has so far recorded 233 COVID-19 positive cases, while 171 of them are active cases.

It stated that a number of creative measures were approved for implementation by the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), which coordinates the operations of the thematic segments of the containment drives.

One of such is the approval of a facility in Ibadan for use as observation and isolation centre for a category of patients after thorough reviews.

“The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force headed by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved that the curfew currently in force in the state runs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The new directive replaces the initial order which pegs the curfew at between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m.

“Agreement has been struck with the management of a facility in Ibadan to provide bed spaces for a number of positive cases, whose status have been well considered by the experts,” the statement read.

It advised farmers in the state to take advantage of the decision to stop the curfew at 5 a.m. to enhance their farming activities.

According to the statement, the state government is also wrapping up further renovation and face-lifting activities at its Isolation centres located at Agbami, Jericho, Ibadan, Igbo-Ora, Ogbomoso, Saki and Aawe, near Oyo town.

Besides, the statement also indicated that the planned community testing, which could not be kickstarted at the weekend owing to the festivities and public holidays, would commence by the end of the week.

The Task Force stated that training of health workers who will participate in the exercise will commence in the 10 locations after the holidays.

Vanguard

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has assured Nigerians that lockdown measures put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus would not remain longer than necessary .

He said this in a statement containing his message to Muslims on the occasion of this year ’ s Eid – el – Fitr .

The statement issued was signed by the President ’ s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity , Malam Garba Shehu .

Buhari was quoted as saying that COVID- 19 , which caught the world off guard , and has put a damper on what would otherwise have been “ a time of celebration for the Muslim faithful to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting period . ”

The Nigerian leader commended the sacrifices of both Muslims and Christians for their cooperation in the enforcement of the social distancing guidelines.

He assured Nigerians that “ the lockdown measures would not go on longer than necessary because they would be reviewed from time to time to ease the increasing hardships on the people.

“ I am well aware of the inconveniences these tough measures have brought on the lives of Nigerians , including limiting religious activities and gatherings in large numbers .

“ No government would intentionally impose these tough and demanding measures on its citizens if it had a choice . ”

The retired general also appealed to Nigerians “ whose businesses and means of livelihoods were badly affected by the prolonged lockdown measures for their understanding and cooperation . ”

He said , “For the first time in recent years , the COVID- 19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the people’ s spiritual , social , and economic lives .

” This year ’ s fasting period was particularly challenging for Muslims because they had to forgo many important aspects of their daily worship , including the routine congregations for prayer and the recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur ’ an as well as traveling for the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah .

“ It is not easy to give up many of these important duties and activities, but it became imperative to do so in order to control or limit the spread of this deadly disease . ”

Punch

The Sultan of Sokoto and President General Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has declared Sunday 24th May 2020 as the first day of Shawwal 1441 After Hijirah, which is Eid-ei-fitr day.

The Sultan revealed this in a statement signed by the chairman advisory committee on religious affairs Sultanate council, Sambo Wali Jinaidu.

According to the statement, the national moon sighting committee did not receive any report from the various moon sighting committees across the county confirming the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal 1441AH on Friday 22nd of May 2020.

He said therefore, Saturday, 23rd of May 2020 is the 30th day of the month of Ramadan 1441AH.

He urges all Muslims to continue to pray for peace, Progress and development of the country while wishing them Allah’s guidance and blessings

He wished all Muslims Happy Eid-ei-fitr.

Vanguard

Ogun Government has yet again extended the existing lockdown by another week. Governor Dapo Abiodun made this known while briefing journalists in Abeokuta.

He maintained that the state was constrained to extend the lockdown for another week as it continued to record more cases of the Coronavirus.

According to the governor, it is a painful but necessary decision that has to be taken to maintain the balance between lives and livelihood.

“We cannot ignore the fact that we are having a sudden rise in the number of new cases. We all decried an increase of 30 per cent last week when I was giving the weekly update.

“This week’s increase of over 37 per cent is even more worrisome, particularly as we are still under an eased lockdown, and considering the demography and location of the confirmed cases, we can confirm that community transmission is on the increase in our state.

“I have to state that after all considerations, we are constrained to take the painful, but necessary decision to continue the eased lockdown of Ogun State for another one week till Sunday, May 31.

“As we have always maintained the delicate balance between lives and livelihood, we will continue to have our window of relaxation, from 7 am to 5 pm on Monday, 25th May; Wednesday, 27th May, and Friday, 29th May.

“We must also bear in mind that the daily curfew from 8 pm to 6 am and the ban on non-essential inter-state travel as directed by Mr. President still stand,” he said.

Gov. Abiodun, however, said that the second phase, to begin from June 1, would be accompanied by further ease of the lockdown and expansion of the windows of relaxation.

He said that the guidelines and details would be provided in due course.

The governor felicitated with the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting but cautioned them against any form of gathering.

He enjoined them to comply with directives of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and offer their Eid prayers at home.

Vanguard

The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , has assured Nigerians of robust security during the Eid – el – Fitri celebrations , noting that proactive measures had been put in place nationwide .

He enjoined the citizens to observe the Eid celebrations bearing in mind the unusual times occasioned by the outbreak of the COVID- 19 pandemic while stating that the Force would continue to enforce the restriction orders put in place to curb the spread of the disease .

The IG in a statement in Abuja, by the force spokesman , DCP Frank Mba , reminded the citizens that the COVID- 19 prevention regulation orders , including the interstate movement restriction orders , national curfew and the prohibition of mass socio- religious gatherings by the Federal Government in some states such as Lagos , Ogun , Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory, are still in force .

“ The IG notes that the successful conclusion of the Ramadan , a period of self – denial geared towards attaining wholesomeness , reinforces his belief that with the citizens ’ collective perseverance and voluntary compliance with the prevention regulations emplaced by governments at all levels, the nation will surely overcome the COVID- 19 pandemic .

“ The IG has assured the nation of adequate security during and after the Eid el – Fitr celebrations , noting that proactive and robust anti – crime measures , including the deployments of tactical and intelligence assets of the Force , are already in place to prevent any untoward incidents in the country. ”

Meanwhile , the Corps Marshal , Federal Road Safety Corps , Boboye Oyeyemi , has approved the deployment of personnel to ensure compliance with all directives on physical distancing , compulsory use of face mask , and restriction of movement across the states .

He also directed Commanding Officers to collaborate with COVID – 19 Task Force teams and security agencies to enforce the restrictions during a special patrol scheduled to commence from May 22 – 30 .

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , has approved the appointment of Prof . Godswill Obioma as the Registrar and Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council .

The council announced the appointment in a statement, saying it was contained in a letter , FME /PS / 396 /C1 / 1 /134 , signed by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu .

Obioma , a Professor of Education Measurement and Evaluation , will have an initial tenure of five years , which took effect from May 14 .

On Wednesday , Buhari had terminated the appointment of Prof Charles Uwakwe as the council ’ s registrar over various offences bordering on financial impropriety .

Alongside Uwakwe , four senior officials were also dismissed .

They are the Acting Director ( Finance and Accounts ), Mr . Bamidele Olure , Head of Procurement Division , Dr . Shina Adetona, Deputy Director , Mr . Tayo Odukoya , and the Head of Legal /Board matters, Babatunde Aina.

The council said , “ President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Prof Godswill Obioma as the Registrar and Chief Executive . The registrar on Friday formally took over the affairs of the council from the former acting registrar , Abubakar Gana, at the council’ s headquarters in Minna .

“ He was a former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council . Until his appointment , Obioma was the Ebonyi State Resident Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission . ”