The Ondo State Government said it had not directed or permitted the reopening of primary and tertiary institutions, public or private , in the state while secondary schools have been permitted to open for only Senior Secondary School 3 and Junior Secondary School Class 3 .
The government said the directive was in line with its objective of strengthening public safety , protecting the lives of residents, and further mitigating the spread of COVID- 19 .
The state Chairman of the Inter -Ministerial Committee on Covid – 19 , Professor Adesegun Fatusi , stated this in Akure , the state capital.
According to him , all school authorities – both public and private had been ordered to comply fully with the government ’ s directive , to remain closed until the state government expressly permits such.
Fatusi said , “ The Government is very keen to see students return to classes , but in a safe , serene and secured environment . The government would not tolerate any illegal act of re -opening schools contrary to the government ’ s directive .
He urged the parents to ensure that their children and ward continued to stay at home until the government directed otherwise .
Governors of the 36 states of the federation under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum will on Thursday hold an emergency virtual conference to find a solution to the looming industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the recent increase in the pump price of petrol .
This was contained in a terse press statement titled “ NGF Emergency Virtual Teleconference, issued by NGFs Head, Media and Public Affairs , Abdulrazaque Bello- Barkindo , in Abuja .
The statement read “Ahead of the threat by the Nigeria Labour Congress to resort to an industrial action to force the Federal Government to rescind its decision to hike oil and electricity prices in the country.
“ The Nigeria Governors ’ Forum is holding an emergency meeting of all the governors to seek ways of settling the rift and finding a mutually agreed soft landing on amicable grounds .
“ All governors are expected to attend the meeting as the matter is considered to be of urgent national importance , which needs to be quickly resolved in order not to worsen the already bad situation of Nigerians as caused by the COVID- 19 pandemic .
“ The meeting which is the first NGF emergency virtual teleconference starts at 6 pm . Tomorrow, Thursday September 25 . ”
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja for Bissau to attend ceremonies celebrating the National Day of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, September 24.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina Wednesday in Abuja.
According to the statement, while in Bissau, President Buhari will also commission a road named in his honour by the host government.
It said, “The Nigerian leader and other invited Heads of State will attend an official lunch hosted by President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau. Nigeria and Guinea Bissau established diplomatic relations in 1974.
“Following a military coup in that country, Nigeria in 2012 deployed troops under the auspices of ECOWAS Mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) to maintain peace.
“President Buhari had in response to a request for assistance by the Government of Guinea Bissau, during its last legislative elections, donated $500,000 dollars, 17 vehicles and 350 electoral kits to support the country’s electoral process.
“In May this year, the President received President Embalo in Abuja, during which the Nigerian leader congratulated his counterpart on his confirmation as President, assuring him of Nigeria’s support to the new government in Guinea Bissau.
“The Nigerian troops were only withdrawn on September 10, 2020, after the return of stability to the West African country.”
The statement further noted that the President will be accompanied by top government officials including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), the National Security Adviser, Major-General Babagana Monguno (retd) and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.
President Buhari will return to Abuja at the end of the ceremonies on Thursday.
The management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has apologised to its customers at Mowe, Ibafo and Magboro, all in Ogun, over poor electricity supply in the areas.
The company, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan, said that work was already in progress to address the challenges.
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of IBEDC, Mr John Ayodele, attributed the poor power supply being experienced in those communities to some challenges between the company and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
“Another major challenge is that the 33KV, which is a straight network, is solely under the control of TCN.
“Whenever there is a fault, the normal routine is that our engineers must get approval from TCN before repairs can commence, and this process is a bit challenging,” Ayodele said.
“We are also appealing to our unmetered customers in this locality to take advantage of the Meter Asset Provider Scheme (MAP) to get metered.
“Our staffers are on strict schedules to ensure that customers’ issues are promptly addressed,” Ayodele said.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has vowed to proceed with its planned strike and protest with effect from September 28 following the failure of the Federal Government to reverse the hike in electricity tariff and fuel price.
Rising from its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja a few minutes ago , the NLC President , Ayuba Wabba , said the proposed action by the organised labour would proceed from next week.
He stated that the decision was unanimously taken by the chairmen of the 36 states and FCT chapters of the NLC .
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), congratulated Edo State Governor , Godwin Obaseki , on his victory at the state governorship election held on Saturday .
Obaseki , the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party , defeated Osagie Ize -Iyamu of Buhari ’ s All Progressives Congress at the poll.
The President , according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity , Garba Shehu , commended the electoral process that saw the Independent National Electoral Commission declaring Obaseki winner .
In the statement titled “ President Buhari commends election process in Edo State reiterates commitment to free and fair elections , ” Shehu quoted Buhari as reiterating his commitment to credible elections .
In congratulating Obaseki , the President was further quoted as urging him to “ show grace and humility in victory . ”
Buhari said , “ My commitment to free and fair elections is firm , because , without free and fair elections , the foundation of our political and moral authority will be weak .
“ I have consistently advocated for free and fair elections in the country because it is the bedrock of true democratic order .
“ Democracy will mean nothing if the votes of the people don ’ t count or if their mandate is fraudulently tampered with . ”
In the same vein, Members of the House of Representatives have congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party for defeating Osagie Ize – Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election held in Edo State on Saturday.
In a statement titled, ‘ Edo: Reps Minority Leader, Elumelu , Congratulates Gov Obaseki on Reelection’ , Elumelu described Obaseki ’ s reelection as well -deserving , given his sterling performance in developing the state and empowering the people during his first tenure.
The Minority Leader praised the people of Edo for the courage they exhibited by “ coming out en masse not only to vote but also to protect their votes and monitor the process to the end. ”
Elumelu also applauded Chairman of the South- South PDP Governors ’ Forum , Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State , for the leadership role he played towards the success of the election.
He also commended Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State ; Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council , Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State , as well as other PDP governors , PDP National Assembly caucus , leaders , elders , and teeming members of the party “ for their roles in upholding a free, fair and credible electoral process in Edo State . ”
The Minority Leader urged Obaseki to continue with providing good governance for the people of Edo, which he said was the basis of his incontestable victory in the election.
The Federal Government has apologised for asking all account holders in the country’ s financial institutions to register their details again .
It tweeted, “ We apologise for the misleading tweets (now deleted ) that went up yesterday , regarding the completion of self – certification forms by Reportable Persons . The message contained in the @ firsNigeria Notice does not apply to everybody. FIRS will issue appropriate clarification shortly . ”
In a press statement , the Federal Inland Revenue Service explained that only “reportable persons ” are expected to submit the form .
The statement read , “ This is to clarify the publication for financial institutions account holders in Nigeria to complete the self – certification form , pursuant to the Income Tax (Common Reporting Standard) Regulations 2019 which is for the fulfilment of Automatic Exchange of Information Requirements .
“ The Self Certification form is basically to be administered on Reportable persons holding accounts in Financial institutions that are regarded as “Reportable Financial Institutions” under the CRS .
“ Reportable persons are often non -residents. And other persons who have a residence for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction or Country .
“ Financial Institutions are expected to administer the Self Certification form on such account holders when the information at its disposal indicates that the Account holder is a person resident for tax purpose in more than one jurisdiction .
“ The information that indicates an account holder is a resident for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction , is expected to be available to Financial Institutions during the account opening processes for the KYC and AML purpose . ”
Ahead of Saturday governorship election in Edo State , the Inspector -General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , has ordered the restriction of vehicular movement from 11 . 59 pm on Friday to 6 pm on Saturday.
The IG noted that the order was informed by the need to prevent the free flow , circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and other criminally – minded individuals .
The IG in a statement by the force spokesman , DCP Frank Mba , enjoined the citizens to go out en- masse on the day of the election and vote , noting that the police and other security agencies have been sufficiently mobilised to provide a safe , secure and conducive environment for the election.
He warned that the Force would not condone violent and destructive acts, snatching of ballot boxes, vote buying , vote selling , hate speeches, and other acts capable of compromising the electoral processes .
The statement titled, Edo election: IG orders restriction of vehicular movement , ’ read in part , “ The IGP notes that the restriction order is informed by the need to prevent the free flow , circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminally – minded individuals , especially from contiguous states from hijacking and disrupting the electoral processes . ”
The Federal Government has released more guidelines that will prevent the spread of COVID – 19 as more states fully reopen schools on Monday .
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , which disclosed this to newsmen , stated that schools had been directed to conduct COVID- 19 risk assessment every week .
The NCDC also disclosed that local governments and states were directed to conduct monthly and quarterly COVID- 19 risk assessment in schools respectively .
The NCDC Director General , Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu , stated these in an electronic mail sent to one of news correspondents in response to enquiries .
He stated , “ We have also continued to educate the public on measures to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID- 19 .
“ We know that as the economy and society re – open gradually , we may record a spike in COVID- 19 cases. We have reviewed the situation in other countries that have re- opened schools as well as guidance from WHO , UNICEF and other public health authorities .
“ There is lesser risk of COVID- 19 cases in school settings, if schools carefully coordinate , plan and put the required safety measures in place before reopening .
“ We are working closely with the Federal Ministry of Education, PTF-COVID- 19 , states and our partners to ensure that the required safety measures are in place to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on our schools . ”
“ The PTF- COVID- 19 and Federal Ministry of Education have mandated schools to conduct periodic ( weekly ) risk assessments . This is to review the gaps that may exist in reducing the risk of COVID- 19 spread in schools , and tailor interventions to address these gaps . Local governments areas and states are to conduct monthly and quarterly risk assessment respectively . ”
“ In addition to this , schools are to set up school health teams including teachers and learners that would facilitate implementation of the safety protocols in schools . LGAs and States have been advised to set up multi -sectoral school health committees dedicated to supporting and monitoring the implementation of safety protocols in the school . ”
The Federal Government has ordered all account holders in the country’ s financial institutions to register their details again .
The order was given despite the possession of the Bank Verification Number and the National Identification Number by account holders .
This new order was disclosed by the government on its Twitter account , @ NigeriaGov .
It said , “This is to notify the general public that all account holders in financial institutions ( banks , insurance companies, etc) are required to obtain, complete and submit self – certification forms to their respective financial institutions.
“ Persons holding accounts in different financial institutions are required to complete and submit the form to each one of the institutions.
“ The forms are required by the relevant financial institutions to carry out due diligence procedures in line with the Income Tax Regulations 2019 .
“ The self – certification form is in three categories : Form for entity – for controlling person (individuals having controlling interest in a legal person , trustee , etc) – Form for individual .
“ Failure to comply with the requirement to administer or execute this form attracts sanctions , which may include monetary penalty or inability to operate the account . ”
The government , however , did not give more explanation on this order.
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