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The Embassy of Israel in Nigeria has donated 2 , 000 protective face masks to support Nigerian medical personnel in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria, Mr Shimon Ben- Shoshan , while delivering the face masks to the Minister of Health , Mr Osagie Ehanire , said the items were designed in Israel and manufactured in Nigeria .

Ben- Shoshan , also Permanent Representative of Israel to ECOWAS, said the items were put together by the Embassy of the State of Israel in collaboration with Skill – G , an Israeli company .

Ben- Shoshan said , “ This is something that we have been doing, even before the outbreak of the COVID- 19 , which is using medical innovations of Israel in Nigeria .

“ What we see today is another fantastic cooperation between Israeli companies with group of companies in Nigeria in production of protective masks.

“ The protective masks which were designed in Israel and manufactured in Nigeria were printed with 3 – D Printers in Nigeria .

“ What we have here is contribution of Israel to Nigeria ; our goal is to donate 10 , 000 protective face masks for medical staff in the frontline of fighting COVID- 19 .

“ Today , we are donating the first phase of 2 , 000 face masks, we wish to continue and to bring the rest as soon as possible , and unfortunately the production process takes time. ”

He observed that COVID- 19 cases recorded in Nigeria was less than what obtained in Israel , where 16 , 500 cases and 237 deaths have been recorded.

He described the disease as something no one expected , adding that COVID- 19 is not about Israel or Nigeria but the world at large .

Receiving the items , Ehanire expressed appreciation to the Ambassador and his team for the donation .

According to him , the donation is a sign of consideration and concern .

“ It is something that is very handy and we will be very happy to use the face shields in all our activities, because there are many situations we need this protective face masks.

“ We shall start deploying the protective face masks immediately to places we have need for them; our country is large and unfortunately the pandemic has spread to almost everywhere . ”

Barely a week after helping to repatriate $ 311 m ( N118 bn) stolen by the late Head of State , Gen. Sani Abacha , the United States says there is a separate $ 319 m (N 121 bn) Abacha loot in the United Kingdom and France .

The US Embassy in Nigeria said in a statement that there is $ 167 m in stolen assets in France while there is a separate $ 152 m in the UK which is being challenged in court .

The statement read in part , “The funds returned last week are distinct and separate from an additional $ 167 m in stolen assets also forfeited in the United Kingdom and France , as well as $ 152m still in active litigation in the United Kingdom . ”

Bloomberg had reported that the repatriation of the $ 152 m ( now $ 155 m due to interest) to Nigeria is being challenged by the UK and the US because of alleged plans by the Nigerian government to give $ 110 m out of the money to Kebbi State Governor , Atiku Bagudu , a known associate of the late Abacha .

Nigeria is seeking the approval of a UK court to take ownership of the assets before returning 70 percent of the proceeds to Bagudu under the terms of a 2018 deal, according to Bloomberg .

Nigeria ’ s Attorney- General , Abubakar Malami ( SAN ) , has , however , denied ever entering a deal with Bagudu but court papers say otherwise .

The UK government ’ s National Crime Agency is also “ opposing the Federal Republic of Nigeria ’ s application , ” according to a motion filed by Bagudu ’ s brother, Ibrahim , to the District Court for the District of Columbia in the US capital on March 30 .

The US Department of Justice said in February that its Nigerian counterpart is hindering its efforts to recover the allegedly laundered money from the UK.

Bagudu was part of a network controlled by Abacha that “ embezzled , misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria , ” according to the US Department of Justice.

While successive Nigerian governments have repatriated billions of dollars looted by Abacha , who died in office in 1998 , the current regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , said it is prevented from assisting America ’ s ongoing forfeiture efforts by an agreement between Bagudu and a previous government in 2003 .

Abacha is estimated to have stolen as much as $ 5 bn during his five- year rule .

That 2003 settlement, which was approved by a UK court , allowed Bagudu to return $ 163 m to Nigeria “ without admitting to wrongdoing , ” according to US court filings .

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has announced a reduction in the ex -depot price of petrol from N 113 . 28 per litre to N108 per litre.

The ex – depot price is the price at which the product is sold to marketers at the depots.

It said the price reduction took effect across all its products loading facilities as well as in its throughput operations .

The corporation ’ s Group General Manager , Group Public Affairs Division , Kennie Obateru, quoted the Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company , Musa Lawan , as saying that the new ex -depot price of Premium Motor Spirit ( petrol ) was a reflection of the company ’ s market strategy.

Lawan said the strategy was to make more sales while complying with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency ’ s price template.

He explained that the new price regime would enable the PPMC to boost its sales volumes from the billions of litres of petrol it had in storage while providing affordable price to millions of customers .

Lawan said the new price was arrived at after extensive review of market realities by the PPMC internal price review unit .

The corporation , however , did not state whether the new downward review of its ex – depot price would translate to a reduction in the pump price of PMS .

The PPMC boss further pointed out that Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel , being already deregulated , had its prices determined by market forces .

On March 18 , 2020 , the NNPC reviewed its PMS ex – coastal , ex – depot and NNPC retail pump prices .

Thus , effective March 19 , 2020 , the NNPC ex – coastal price for PMS was reviewed downwards from N117 . 6 /litre to N99 . 44 /litre .

Its ex – depot price was also reduced from N133 . 28 / litre to N113 . 28 / litre.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has announced a reduction in the ex -depot price of petrol from N 113 . 28 per litre to N108 per litre.

The ex – depot price is the price at which the product is sold to marketers at the depots.

It said the price reduction took effect across all its products loading facilities as well as in its throughput operations .

The corporation ’ s Group General Manager , Group Public Affairs Division , Kennie Obateru, quoted the Managing Director of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company , Musa Lawan , as saying that the new ex -depot price of Premium Motor Spirit ( petrol ) was a reflection of the company ’ s market strategy.

Lawan said the strategy was to make more sales while complying with the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency ’ s price template.

He explained that the new price regime would enable the PPMC to boost its sales volumes from the billions of litres of petrol it had in storage while providing affordable price to millions of customers .

Lawan said the new price was arrived at after extensive review of market realities by the PPMC internal price review unit .

The corporation , however , did not state whether the new downward review of its ex – depot price would translate to a reduction in the pump price of PMS .

The PPMC boss further pointed out that Automotive Gas Oil, also known as diesel , being already deregulated , had its prices determined by market forces .

On March 18 , 2020 , the NNPC reviewed its PMS ex – coastal , ex – depot and NNPC retail pump prices .

Thus , effective March 19 , 2020 , the NNPC ex – coastal price for PMS was reviewed downwards from N117 . 6 /litre to N99 . 44 /litre .

Its ex – depot price was also reduced from N133 . 28 / litre to N113 . 28 / litre.

The Federal Government, in partnership with states , is set to start feeding schoolchildren in their home , the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs , Disaster Management and Social Development , Sadiya Umar- Farouq , announced .

Speaking at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID- 19 in Abuja, Umar- Farouq said the government had overhauled the school feeding programme in a way to ensure that schoolchildren were fed at home despite the lockdown .

She said , “ We have made progress in the overhauling of the homegrown school feeding programme and sensitisation has already begun in the three frontline states of Ogun, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory for implementation .

“ The overhauling was sequel to a March 29 , 2020 directive by Mr President to identify modalities and continuation of the school feeding programme during the COVID- 19 pandemic in the lockdown states as of then . ”

She noted that following the directives , her ministry in the collaboration with state governors worked out modalities for the implementation home feeding programme, adding that the initiative was set to commence .

“ The plan has been adopted , with implementation now set to begin . The programme will therefore be carried out based on data provided and structures put in place by participating states with support from partners that include the World Food Programme. ”

The minister had explained that the food would be distributed door – to -door , as vouchers would be allocated at specific collection times to avoid overcrowding .

She explained that the vouchers would be redeemed at designated distribution sites .

This came as the Federal Government handed food items to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for vulnerable women across the country .

Umar – Farouq presented over the items to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development , Pauline Tallen, in Abuja .

The Ogun State Government has given conditions to relax its lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic .

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communications , Remmy Hazzan , said the state was monitoring the COVID- 19 situation in the neighbouring states , particularly Lagos to decide whether to relax the lockdown or not .

Lagos has recorded more cases of the killer virus in the country.

Hazzan said the state government would announce its decision on Friday.

When asked whether the state government would continue the lockdown following COVID- 19 cases rise in the state , Hazzan said they were monitoring the situation.

He said , “ Have you considered the number of those that have being discharged ? So that you will now look at the active cases, 93 cases do not mean 93 people are undergoing treatment . About 20 people have been discharged.

“ We are looking at the situation, we are looking at what is transpiring in the neighbouring states like Lagos , all of that will help us make a decision on Friday, whatever we ’ ve decided will be communicated to the people of Ogun. ”

Hazzan added , “ The way it is now is the way that we ’ ve asked for it . The lockdown continues with the windows.

“ It was for seven hours – from 7 am to 2 pm – but now it is 10 hours – 7 am to 5 pm and we still hope to continue till weekend.

“ But what next week will look like will form the basis of Friday’ s press conference . ”

The Federal Government has extended the ban placed on flights in the country as part of efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus for another four weeks .

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Mr Boss Mustapha , disclosed this at the daily briefing of the task force .

Mustapha , who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , said the decision to extend the ban was taken after due consultation with experts .

Two of the 33 COVID- 19 active cases in Oyo State have absconded , according to reports .

Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed this via his official Twitter handle .

He said more results from the outstanding coronavirus confirmation tests had been received by the state .

The governor said a total of 975 samples have , so far , been collected and are being processed .

He tweeted, “We have received more results from pending COVID- 19 confirmation tests . The result of one suspected case came back positive, on May 3 . The person is based in Ibadan .

“ The results of five suspected cases came back positive on May 4 . Four of these five cases are immigrants and the last person is an Oyo State resident .

“ The results of five suspected cases came back positive on May 5 . Four of these five cases are travellers from the northern part of Nigeria and the last one is an Oyo State resident .

“ Of the 33 active cases being managed by the state , two have absconded , possibly to their permanent places of residence . This brings the number of active cases in Oyo State to 31 .

“ Ten cases are self – isolating while twenty – one cases are being managed in the isolation centres in Oyo State ; one at the University College Hospital , Ibadan and 20 in Olodo. Nineteen of these 20 cases at Olodo are asymptomatic, and the last person has anosmia ( loss of smell) . ”

The governor urged members of the public to contact the Emergency Operations Centre on the emergency numbers , “ if you find travellers from other states arriving in your neighbourhood. ”

The Senate has called for the decentralisation of the Nigeria Police as part of efforts to boost the protection of lives and property.

It also resolved to probe the status of fifth generation (5G) network in the country.

The Senate urged the 36 state Houses of Assembly to pass laws that would legalise community policing in their respective states.

The Senate, in resolving to adopt the recommendations of its Ad-hoc Committee on Nigerian Security Challenges, headed by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, called for the expansion of the states’ security councils and constitution of area command, local government and ward level advisory councils.

These were the high points of the recommendations of the ad-hoc committee report on the urgent need to restructure, review and re-organise the current security architecture, which was considered and approved in the Senate yesterday.

The committee, set up on January 29, 2020, in its report, made recommendations, which were also approved by the Senate.

The Senate, therefore, urged the executive to direct the Ministry of Police Affairs and the Inspector General of Police to “decentralise the police command structure with operational and budgetary powers” vested in the following 11 zonal commands: Kano/Jigawa/Katsina, Sokoto/Zamfara/Kebbi, Kaduna/Niger/ FCT, Ekiti/Kwara/Kogi, Benue/Plateau/Nasarawa, Bauchi/Yobe/Borno and Adamawa/Taraba/Gombe.

Other commands are: Lagos/Ogun, Oyo/Osun/Ondo, Edo/Delta/Bayelsa, Rivers/Akwa-Ibom/Cross Rivers, Imo/Abia and Anambra/Enugu/Ebonyi.

The Senate also urged the federal government to set up zonal security advisory committees at each zonal commands to advise on the security challenges facing each zone.

The proposed composition of the zonal advisory council include governors in the zone (to preside on a rotational basis); zonal Assistant Inspector-General of Police; state commissioners of police in the zone; state directors of the Department of State Security Service; zonal immigration officers; zonal customs officers; representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Correctional Service in the zone.

Others are chairmen of state traditional rulers’ council in the zone, faith-based leaders in the zone; civil society representatives; representatives of senators, House of Representatives members, business community and labour in the zone as well as and any person or persons deemed to be useful and relevant, taking into account the socio-cultural peculiarities of the zone.

China has hit back at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over his claims that the coronavirus originated in a lab in Wuhan , saying he “doesn ’ t have any” evidence .

Pompeo said on Sunday that there was “enormous evidence” to show that the new coronavirus originated in a lab in China , further fuelling tensions with Beijing over its handling of the outbreak .

“ I think this matter should be handed to scientists and medical professionals , and not politicians , who lie for their own domestic political ends , ” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing .

“ Mr Pompeo repeatedly spoke up but he cannot present any evidence. How can he ? Because he doesn ’ t have any, ” she said .

Pompeo said Sunday in an interview that there was “enormous evidence ” that the new coronavirus came out of a Wuhan lab .

Most scientists believe the new virus , which emerged in China late last year , jumped from animals to humans — possibly from a market in Wuhan selling exotic animals for meat.

The World Health Organization said the US claims were “ speculative ” .

AFP