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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 . ”

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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.

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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.

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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 . ”

Ahead of Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the Sultan of Sokoto-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, has directed Muslims in Nigeria to pray at home with their families on Sallah day, as the eid prayer congregation remained suspended, due to the rampaging and highly contagious coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.

Secretary–General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, said, in a statement, that the directive was a mandate to the JNI Fatwa Committee, under the leadership of Sheikh Sheriff Ibrahim Saleh Alhusainy, which came up with FATWA regarding the Year 2020 Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

He said the committee after due consultations, as well as considerations of the current state of COVID-19 pandemic and the serious threat it posed to life, decided that the Eid-el-Fitr congregation in the outskirts of towns and cities should be temporarily suspended.

Also, “the said ‘Eid-el-Fitr prayer be observed at home with family members or alone in case there isn’t anyone with him or her, at home.’

Other decisions taken were that “the ‘Eid-el-Fitr Prayers is two (2) RAKA’AT. Seven (7) TAKBIRAT to be pronounced in the first RAKA’AT, including the opening TAKBIR. Then SURATUL FATIHA is read and any other SURAH, preferably SURATUL A’ALA. While in the second RAKAH, five (5) TAKBIRAT be pronounced. Then SURATUL FATIHA is read and any other SURAH, preferably SURATUL GHASHIYAH.

“In the case of praying at home, as it may be, the KHUTBAH (sermon) is suspended. All above mentioned are based on the Hadith of Anas Bn Malik in Sahih al-Bukhari and Maliki School of law decisions, in MUKHTASAR, as explained by Al-Kharshi and Al-Munah al-Jalil.”

“However, in states where Governments have reached concrete decisions to observe the ‘Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts advice, strict measures of distancing, face masks and sanitizers be taken to protect worshipers. In this case neighborhood mosques can be utilized if it becomes necessary.

“Ulama should fear Allah, the Most High and be matured enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the DEEN and the Ummah.”

Vanguard

Ahead of Eid-el-Fitr celebration, the Sultan of Sokoto-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, has directed Muslims in Nigeria to pray at home with their families on Sallah day, as the eid prayer congregation remained suspended, due to the rampaging and highly contagious coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic.

Secretary–General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Aliyu, said, in a statement, that the directive was a mandate to the JNI Fatwa Committee, under the leadership of Sheikh Sheriff Ibrahim Saleh Alhusainy, which came up with FATWA regarding the Year 2020 Eid-el-Fitr prayers.

He said the committee after due consultations, as well as considerations of the current state of COVID-19 pandemic and the serious threat it posed to life, decided that the Eid-el-Fitr congregation in the outskirts of towns and cities should be temporarily suspended.

Also, “the said ‘Eid-el-Fitr prayer be observed at home with family members or alone in case there isn’t anyone with him or her, at home.’

Other decisions taken were that “the ‘Eid-el-Fitr Prayers is two (2) RAKA’AT. Seven (7) TAKBIRAT to be pronounced in the first RAKA’AT, including the opening TAKBIR. Then SURATUL FATIHA is read and any other SURAH, preferably SURATUL A’ALA. While in the second RAKAH, five (5) TAKBIRAT be pronounced. Then SURATUL FATIHA is read and any other SURAH, preferably SURATUL GHASHIYAH.

“In the case of praying at home, as it may be, the KHUTBAH (sermon) is suspended. All above mentioned are based on the Hadith of Anas Bn Malik in Sahih al-Bukhari and Maliki School of law decisions, in MUKHTASAR, as explained by Al-Kharshi and Al-Munah al-Jalil.”

“However, in states where Governments have reached concrete decisions to observe the ‘Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts advice, strict measures of distancing, face masks and sanitizers be taken to protect worshipers. In this case neighborhood mosques can be utilized if it becomes necessary.

“Ulama should fear Allah, the Most High and be matured enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the DEEN and the Ummah.”

Vanguard

Kaduna State Governor , Nasir El -Rufai , has said medical doctors and other health workers threatening to embark on industrial action in the state risk losing their jobs, noting that his administration would not “ bow to blackmail ” .

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication , Muyiwa Adekeye , the governor said he would keep the health facilities in the state running and protect workers who are willing to work.

Responding to the strike notice served by health workers in the state, El -Rufai said it is “criminal ” to declare a strike action amidst the coronavirus pandemic .

He said his government would not be bent by the strike action into excluding health workers from the mandatory donation of 25 % salary by all civil servants to fund the provision of palliatives for vulnerable people impacted by the lockdown .

He said , “The government rejects the strike threat and will regard persons who fail to show up at their assigned places of work as having forfeited their employment . Every health worker that is willing to work is required to sign the register at the Ministry of Health and the health institutions to which they are deployed .

“ The Ministry of Health has the mandate of the government to ensure that residents of Kaduna State are not deprived of public health services.

“ Every effort will be made to ensure that health facilities keep functioning , staffed by willing workers who will be guaranteed free and safe access to health facilities . Those who are not willing to work are strongly warned against criminal actions such as attempts to impede access to workplaces , harass willing workers or to sabotage facilities and equipment .

“ The state government will not be misled into granting health workers a special status amongst public servants . The consequences of concessions made along such lines by previous governments have created a sense that some public servants are more precious than others. ”

Punch

The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday – May 25 and 26 , 2020 – as public holidays to mark Eid – el – Fitri celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola , made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government.

This was contained in a press statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mohammed Manga .

He advised “ Nigerians to see themselves as a single entity and learn to tolerate one another despite their ethnic and religious differences ” .

Aregbesola further assured Nigerians that the regime of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , was fully committed to battling COVID- 19 .

He called on Muslim faithful “ to replicate the life of kindness, love , tolerance , peace and good neighbourliness as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( SAW )” .

The minister also advised Nigerians to take responsibility against the spread of the COVID- 19 .

The Nigerian Medical Association has suspended its “ sit – at – home” in Lagos State , according to reports .

The suspension of the action came barely 24 hours after the association had asked its members to embark on an indefinite “sit – at – home ” over alleged harassment by security agents in the state .

It made a reference to a situation where an ambulance carrying a patient was prevented from moving to its destination while the attending health workers were harassed and temporarily detained .

In a release , the NMA said it has got assurances from the state government and top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force that doctors will no longer be harassed or intimidated .

Part of the statement read , “The Nigerian police force has reached out to the Association to clarify and give assurance of cooperation with all health – workers .

“ The association has further received assurances from Governor of Lagos State , Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu , and the top hierarchy of the Police that no health workers will be further harassed in the course of their lawful efforts to sustain services in the middle of the pandemic .

“ Above all, the passionate appeal from the good people of Lagos State is difficult to resist considering the fact that they will be most hit by the situation.

“ Following a holistic consideration of the above development , the Association hereby resolves that the sit – at – home order issued on the 19 th of May is hereby reversed and our members are hereby directed to resume work from 6 pm today – 21 st of May 2020 (this affects those on call duty ).

“ That the Lagos state government should ensure clarity at all times , on the exempted status of healthcare and other essential workers for the entire period of the ongoing lockdown /restriction of movement .

“ That the Association will continue to monitor the situation and will not hesitate to take any action to protect the safety of our hardworking members . ”

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