-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Primary schools in Delta State are to resume academic activities as primary six pupils have been asked to resume school on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
In the same vein, all primary school teachers in the state have been ordered to resume duties on Monday, September 14, 2020.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Patrick Ukah, in a statement in Asaba today (11/09/2020) after a comprehensive meeting with relevant stakeholders, said that the reopening is in line with the decision of the state government, in conjunction with the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to implement phased resumption of schools beginning with exit classes.
He said that on resumption, the pupils are to immediately commence revisions for their cognitive placement examination scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 26, 2020.
Chief Ukah called on primary school heads to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols as enumerated by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) are strictly adhered to in order to avoid the spread of the disease among teachers and pupils.
The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner charged the school heads to emulate their secondary schools counterparts who adequately organised their schools for the return to school of SS 3 and JS 3 students.
Chief Ukah restated that each class room should not accommodate more than 20 pupils to ensure proper physical distancing, in addition to complying with other protocols put in place to control the spread of the disease.
According to him, no pupil should be allowed into the the school compound without wearing a facemask, adding the state government will provide facemasks for them.
Chief Ukah revealed that teachers who have been trained on COVID-19 preventive measures are expected to train other teachers between Monday when the teachers will resume and Wednesday when the pupils will come back.
He added that officials of the ministry led by himself, those from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and members of the committee set up by the state government to ensure compliance with the established protocols, will from Monday, September 14, 2020, go round to monitor the situation of things in all primary schools in the state.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) —By Ogbeide Osas KENNEDY:

Chief Obafemi Awolowo the only Nigerian referred to as the late SAGE. Have you ever wondered the dictionary meaning of a sage ‘’wise, knowledgeable, learned; shrewd, skillful”. No other Nigerian till date has been described as a sage, he was referred in death as the best President Nigeria never had by his perceive antagonist Late Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

He was responsible for modern Nigeria making what is today known as South West as the economic power of the country, his contributions were countless , 1st ever TV Station in West Africa, he introduced free education at all levels, cocoa boom, the palm business , let me not re-write history. He authored several books (22) in number and the most popular of them all was ‘’My march through prison.’

His image, many Nigerian folks, especially in the South West believe in the moon (a folktale). Nigerians obviously were the looser as he was denied the seat of power severally, yet we knew he was sagacious enough in making Nigeria an envy in the committee of nations. We lost an opportunity.

Chief MKO Abiola, a Nigerian businessman, publisher, politician and aristocrat of the Egba clan. He was the Aare Ona Kankafo XIV of Yoruba land. He later became a politician and contested for the Presidency under the political platform of the now defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) on June 12, 1993.

The election was declared Nigeria’s freest and fairest presidential election by national and international observers, with Abiola even winning in his Northern opponent’s home state of Kano. Abiola won at the national capital, Abuja, the military polling stations, and over two-thirds of Nigerian states. Men of Northern descent had largely dominated Nigeria’s political landscape since independence; Moshood Abiola, a Western Muslim, was able to secure a national mandate freely and fairly, unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.

However, the election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, causing a political crisis which led to General Sani Abacha seizing power later that year. We eventually lost him to the cold hands of death while still under custody of the then military junta which eventually pave way for the 4th republic in 1999, he is today better known as the Symbol of Democracy. We lost an opportunity.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Nigeria, the Lion of Bourdilion, the NEWSUN.

He is a master strategist who has dominated the politics of Nigeria’s commercial capital for over two decades, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has long been expected to make a run for the country’s top job – his formidable political network, propensity for deal-making and substantial personal wealth give him a head start over many other contenders. Tinubu has not held an official position in government since his second term as Lagos governor, which ended in 2007, but his influence in national politics has grown.

He is credited with the social and economic progress seen in Lagos over the past two decades. He has also ensured that progressive governors run the state since he left the post.

Some of Tinubu’s notable achievements as governor includes improving the state’s waste management system, and better incentives for civil servants (salary increases and better quality of working environments). A notable Nigerian and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka described BAT as follows: “I do not admire BAT because he is saint, I do not admire BAT because he is from the South, I do not admire BAT because he is a Yoruba, If I want saints, I will proceed to heaven not on earth for every man is fallible, I admired BAT because he saved Nigeria from falling into ‘one party state’”. Away from Soyinka, testimonies are abound, he made Kings, he made Ministers, made Senators, he made Federal Legislators, he made Chairmen, he made LEADERS, those who followed him never regretted, he made Lagos better, he sure will make Nigeria even greater and a new nation.

Et tu, Brute—Then fall, Caesar!. “The noblest man that ever lived in the tide of times’’. Awo fell and died, MKO fell and died. They were both noble men,
BAT another refined aristocrat, a noble man will not fall, he will rise to the occasion to take his mantle. An opportunity gained, never again will it be a lost opportunity.

“Bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.”
BAT- The NEWSUN an opportunity GAINED.

#Jagaban#newdawn

• Ogbeide Kennedy write from Lagos.

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Austen AKHAGBEME:

To the average political pundit and the avowed political watcher, Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his politics needs no introduction. This owes partly to his near cult figure among his followers and his many political battles fought (in a not too friendly turf) and won in the past.

The Jagaban, as Sen Bola Tinubu is fondly called, left no one in doubt about his taunted political ambition with his loud body language and his consistent invincibility where it matters most.

Presently speaking, so many kites are being flown and dummies presented, all in a bid to outsmart one another by the two cardinal political power blocs in Nigeria– the north and the south.

Within the ambit of the ruling party, rumours are rife that constitutionally speaking, the issue of rotational Presidency is silent and therefore, not biding and as such, the north may not be committing any infraction by choosing to continue with the status quo as regards which part the Presidency Pendulum swings come 2023.

This has generated undue heat and discomfort amongst the rank and file of the several caucuses angling at producing the next President from their fold within the Party.

The recent visit to Tinubu by the controversial former senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and the rumoured talk and ongoing consultation between former vice President, Atiku Abubakar and some powerful northern power brokers, is a Pointer that the Jagaban may be in for a battle of his life.

Whether or not he’s fighting for himself or a stooge as he’s won’t to do, may not be the question that needs an answer in the ageing mind of the Jagaban; what needs an answer is his continued political relevance, when the battle is lost and won.

As a loyal and indefatigable party man, party consensus has always been his disposition; he emphasizes party loyalty and discipline to the core. But whether or not he would jettison this for self preservation when the odds are against him is yet to be known.

Those who are familiar with the jagabanism brand of politics appreciate the power of mentoring and result associated with it. It is a zero sum brand of politicking that leaves no chance to the opposition. It is politics embedded at the grassroots with enough clientele and hangers-on.

It’s cyclical nature makes one philosopher King her cherished pivot. It’s principles are hinged on elite comfort but based on populism. Coupled with her financial might, elections are contested and won and the opposition, overrun. This is the stuff Jagabanism is made of and the protagonist remains Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

• Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Austen AKHAGBEME:

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode is widely known for one conspicuously obvious reason. And that is far from his accidental appointment as the Nation’s Aviation minister or his biological ties with the famous Fani Power of the first Republic who happened to be his Dad.

Despite the fact that the above helped, in no small measure, in formatting his present persona, FFK became popular from his constant vitriolic darts of public criticism, chant, disagreement with the status quo and timeous vociferous bile of dissent with popular govermental opinion.

He got some right and missed so many targets, too. For so many people, FFK passed for nothing but an ethnic jingoist who have lost out in the power game at the centre. At some point, he was the only self appointed unofficial voice of the opposition PDP, especially when the embattled Olisa Metuh lost his voice and was fighting for his dear life.

But the recent event, that saw him shouting down and emotionally asaulting Eyo Charles, the Daily Trust journalist for asking a seemingly innocuous question in his professional line of duty, threw him up as a bully par excellence, waiting to be unveiled.

Fani-Kayode is not new to criticism. He loves and cherish controversy, dissent and likes to fan the ever yawning embers of tribal fault lines and discontent.

What FFK did to Eyo Charles is simply metaphorical of the basic oppression the average journalist, nay Nigerian, face in the hands of our overbearing elites and task masters.

Fani-Kayode couldn’t hide his pretentious populist grandstanding. He was flippant and pedestrian when he asked the popular Nigerian elite intimidating question: “Do you know who I am”?

Much as I would like to say that the FFK outburst was misplaced and uncalled for, I would like him to tender an unreserved apology to the umbrella body of the NUJ in general and Mr Eyo Charles in particular.

Like a hunter who dislikes being hunted, FFK’s vociferous outburst and misplaced denigration of Eyo Charles in the presence of his bewildered colleagues is an assault on our collective conscience and what journalism stands for — the societal watchdog.

The fact that the erstwhile young, dashing, outspoken former minister is gradually growing into an untamable monster is a cause for concern for advocates of youth leadership in Nigeria. His tongue has been caustic, no doubt. But FFK will be doing himself a disservice if he allowed it so. Let him come down from his high horse. Let him swallow the humble pie and apologise.

Until and unless he does that, he will have no moral justification to fire any salvo at any given opportunity as his custom is.

–Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)- From Mike SOGBOLA (North-East):

Elections into local government councils in Borno State are now to hold on November 28, 2020, the Borno State Independent Electoral Commission (BOSIEC) has announced

The electoral body also said all political activities in the state could now commenced preparatory to the election.

The election which was earlier scheduled to hold in June had to be suspended because of COVID-19.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Chairman of BOSIEC, Alhaji Abdu Usman said November 28 has been fixed for the elections into the 27 councils of the state.

He said: “I have the singular honour and privilege to address you today (Monday) on the resumption of political activities in Borno State.

“It is also to resume full political activities in order to entrust full democratically elected leaders at the grass root or third tier of government.”

He said the processes to enable the Commission to supervise and ensure credible election in all the 27 local government areas of the state are now in place.

Usman said: “Modalities have been put in place with the time table for the electoral processes which is being kick started today with the press briefing which is aimed at notifying all stakeholders as well as political parties who may be interested in vying for various offices.”

He assured of the position of the Commission to conduct free, fair and credible election that “will stand out as best.”

• Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Austen AKHAGBEME:

When the ecclesiastical come calling, every other duty or obligation of mine takes the back seat. This is the very reason yours sincerely couldn’t catch up with the trends of events in the national and international arena, with an exhaustive discussion on any one of them in a single article as usual.

So, a rigmarole of some sort may suffice here, as I beg your pardon. From the ‘madness ‘ in Mali to Former President Obama’s unpresidential demarketing of President Donald Trump , there are issues everywhere.

The NBA’s disinvitation to El- Rufai, preventing him from speaking at the association’s annual event is seen as a masterstroke at bursting the bobble of the governor’s new found confidence on the western Nigerian elites vis-a-vis his recalcitrant stance and grandstanding on the Southern Kaduna massacre back home.

The Bar Association’s volte face was equally interpreted as a reflection of the prevalent internal contradiction coloured in ethnic cum religious tendencies within the Nigerian state, reflecting at a micro level.

The coincidental visit of the ebullient former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to Kaduna and his attempt at explaining the incidence away in defence of his loyal friend became counterproductive in a way.

For the matter to attract the deposed Emir’s attention such that he kept on sermonizing on El- Rufai’s good virtues as against his widely proclaimed villainy, shows to his detractors that the NBA ‘bullet’ truly got to its target.

Nevertheless, a lesson on public governance is being taught: that it is better to be on the popular side of the people than to be haughty and masquerading as the champion on the side of the elites.

As the hate against President Donald Trump deepens coupled with the coordinated media war against him by the leftists, Former President Obama offers to be the arrow head of late. With a combined salvos from his wife, Obama took Donald Trump to the cleaners, calling for a rejection of any semblance of Trump at the white house come next election.

This was not after Africa rose up to the rude shock of a another madness of a coup d’etat in politically troubled Mali. The ‘juvenile’ military junta came in without a comprehensive plan on what to do nor a terminal date of their interregnum. They probably only consider the grandeur of office and the soon shortlived cheers from a confused populace who had no options than to choose between the Devil and the deep blue sea.

Edo state gubernatorial elections are around the corner, too. It has been more of a war of words and character assassination than that of policy issues and development. We’re waiting for it to come and go with bathed breath and Prayers. At long last, we will still be fine. Permit me to continue my romance with the celestial. I will soon be back.

• Austen AKHAGBEM is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)- By Editor

The news of Asaba Airport’s re-opening has been confirmed and contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Delta State Government, Chiedu Ebie and made available to Blank NEWS Online on Thursday, August 13 2020.

It reads:

“The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has approved the re-opening of the Asaba International Airport for commercial operations.

“The approval was conveyed to the Delta State Government following the inspection of Asaba International Airport last week by officials of the NCAA to ascertain the level of preparedness for its re-opening pursuant to the Federal Government’s lifting of the ban on local Air Travel.

“The NCAA in its letter conveying the approval stated that the Asaba International Airport had satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements of the COVID-19 restart guidelines and protocols and therefore had been granted the authorization to resume normal operations.

“We thank the management of the NCAA for their promptness and professionalism and assure air travellers using the Asaba Airport of the continued commitment of the Delta State Government to the provision of modern facilities for the effective and efficient operation of the Airport.”

It could be recalled that the SSG had a week earlier, on Thursday August 6, 2020 during an inspection conducted by the Airport’s Project Director, Mr. Austin Ayemidejor comprising the SSG, Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, his counterpart in the Ministry of Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief David Edevbie; said the airport was fully set to host full flight operations.

He claimed the Asaba Airport was ready to resume flight operations, several months after it was shut down due to Coronavirus pandemic which paralysed business and socio-economic activities across the globe.

Ebie said that the state government had put necessary protocols in place at the airport for passenger compliance with COVID-19 injunctions given by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for aviation activities.

He explained that the inspection was to ascertain the level of preparation on the part of the management of the airport for full resumption of flight operations in the airport.

Ebie said that personnel of the airport had undergone training to enable them function optimally in line with the “new normal’’.

Meanwhile, when flight operations resumes, no fewer than six airlines, including Ibom Air, Azman and Arik Air, would be on the Asaba route.

Earlier, the Special Project Director of the airport, Mr Austin Ayemidejor, had said “steps have been taken to ensure that there is physical-distancing, compulsory wearing of face masks, washing of hands at the point of entry and temperature check”.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Senate Committee Chairman on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions has denied media publication reporting it to have indicted the Chairman of the UBA Group, Dr. Tony Elumelu, over a N41 billion allegation fraud.

This followed a clarification by the Senate Committee in which it distanced the person of Dr. Elumelu from the alleged fraud and claimed that its position on the matter was misinterpreted.

The document entitled “Clarification of Allegations of False and Malicious Publications Against Chief Tony Elumelu, Chairman/CEO of UBA Plc” was signed by the Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Ayo Akinyelure and was sighted by journalists on Wednesday August 12^th, 2020 at the National Assembly, Abuja.

The clarification came after two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Mr. Lawal Rabana and Mr. Oluwakemi Balogun, who are lawyers to Elumelu, in a letter to Senator Akinyelure, intensely frowned at the allegation as false and threatened to sue the senator if he failed to retract the publications and apologise to the UBA Chairman within seven days.

The lawyers had described the reported allegation as malicious with the intent to destroy Dr. Elumelu’s personal and business reputation.

They further described the allegation as sub-judice because when UBA previously appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, attention was drawn to facts and circumstances leading to the disputes on the alleged financial indebtedness which was pending before the Supreme Court.

In his clarification, Senator Akinyelure explained that there are two separate petitions before the Senate Committee with parties holding divergent claims.

The lawmaker explained that his decision to address the press was to “distinguish between the two petitions and was not meant to cause malicious damage to the management of UBA Plc…”

According to Senator Akinyelure, ‘my media briefing was therefore never intended to blackmail or cause any malicious damage to the reputation of Chairman/CEO of UBA Plc, Chief Tony Elumelu or any of its officials but our responsibilities to the whole Nigerians as democratically elected representatives of the people in the legislature to fight for their rights where we feel that their rights have been infringed upon.

“It is my belief that Chief Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of UBA Plc, a man of integrity and a celebrated banker of high repute over the years in the banking industry, has not been properly briefed about what transpired between my Committee and UBA Plc representatives and therefore misinterpreted the noble gesture of the institution of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to resolve the issues as a win-win situation for the benefit of all Nigerians”, he stated.

It is however not certain if the UBA Group will accept the clarification as a public retraction and apology, which it demanded for.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) – From Michael EKOKORUWE:

In continuation of the peace advocacy to actualize the vision of a stronger Delta, the Special Adviser to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta State on peace building and conflict resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor JP, has reiterated government commitment to the security of lives and sustaining enduring peace towards the development of Isoko North local government area of Delta State.

Chief Uzor gave the hint at Opute Hall Ozoro, Isoko North local government area, during the peace advocacy workshop for communities in Isoko North. He urged the people to give the state government enabling peaceful environment for development, as the country is going through reforms that will bring positive changes.

Uzor stated that the changes will not happen overnight even as occasionally, there could be frustration, disappointments, or criticisms that could lead to escalation of tension, but peace should remain as our ultimate goal. He added that without peace there will be no development just as the life of many people will be turned into a dream.

The special adviser called on the people to stop fighting and killing themselves which according to him cannot provide the required solution to inter – personal or inter communal crisis currently posing challenges across the state and nation at large. He urged the people to spread the message of peace, noting that “we can support and contribute to lasting peace in Isoko Nation”.

On his part, the Chairman of Isoko North, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor said, the spirit of give and take is required in the process of negotiations, adding that where there is no understanding and tolerance, the outcome is breakdown of peace and security.

Egbabor maintained that the causes of violence and conflict in the local government are “disagreement over ownership of land, dispute over boundary, traditional ruler’s inheritance, election results, crises over communities elections, youth matters, rivalry within and among cult groups, crises from oil bunkering activities and entitlements from oil companies”.

Egbabor stated that “resolving issues that would have caused mayhem to save lives is cheaper than to allow the crises degenerate into war”. He urged the people to be involved in strategies that can prevent intra – communal and inter – communal crises and foster a more cohesive community- people relationship.

Other speakers during the peace advocacy workshop were Dr. David Idoge, Dr. Akpotu Chris, and Ambassador Caroline Usikpedo. They emphasized on major aspects of the culture of peace and non – violence to include, human rights, democracy, tolerance, promotion of development, education for peace, the free flow of information and wider participation of women and youths.

The speakers maintained that, there cannot be true peace unless the mind is at peace, adding that setting a new agenda for sustainable peace in Isoko Nation requires tolerance, solidarity and dialogue to settle differences. They cautioned that Isoko has experienced enough violence and cannot afford more, emphasizing that “the time to act is now”.

In separate speeches, the Majority Leader Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Tim Owhefere, the Director General, Warri / Uwie Development Agency, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, the President General Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe and the Commissioner for Transport Delta State, .Ovie Oghoore, urged the people to sustain the culture of peace through equity, fairness and justice.

They appealed to community leaders to cooperate with members of various communities with patience and understanding in building peace and to resolve conflicts, noting that fighting and confrontation should not be an option to settle conflict. They urged the people to use dialogue and negotiations to resolve crises, emphasizing that “we are one as Isoko people”.

In attendance were traditional rulers, president’s general, political appointees from Isoko North and South, some executive members of Isoko Development Union and a cross section of women, youths and notable leaders from Isoko North local government area of Delta State.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Mike SOGBOLA:

Eighty-five (85) persons have been arrested for drug related offences by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Borno State.

The NDLEA also got two persons convicted for drug offences, the Borno State’s Commandant NDLEA, Mr. Joseph Icha told journalists at the weekend in Maiduguri.

Icha, who said those arrested fall between 20 and 47 years, noted that 84 were men and that only one was a woman.

Recounting the achievements of the agency, Icha said that in July, a total of 20.706kgs of assorted illicit substances were seized and withdrawn from circulation.

He said the substances seized include cannabis sativa (3.283kgs), cocaine (2.8gms), heroin (1.4gms) and psychotropic substances (17.419kgs).

He noted that: “Other drugs and prescription drugs of abuse that are in mils are as follows: codeine syrups 1200mils, pentazocine Injection 40mils, tramadol Injection 20mils and oxytocine 170mils, bringing a total of 1430mils.”

He disclosed that: “Forty-two 42) drug users were counselled within the month under review and were successfully treated and handed over to their families, while three other persons, referred to as clients are admitted to undergo residential counselling in the command.”

He said: “The agency enjoyed tremendous synergy with other sister security agencies operating in the state as well as the State government.”

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) – By Albert OGRAKA:

The Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA has commissioned all completed projects executed by the Commission in Isoko to mark their one year in office.

The commissioning has the Chairman of the board, Hon Evang Michael Diden and all Executive Directors present.

During the commissioning, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oberevwori, the member representing Isoko South Constituency II, Hon Kenneth Ogba and President General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Idu Amadhe graced the various ceremony and commended the Rebranded Board for a work well done.

The commissioned projects includes a four classroom block with Head-Teacher and Staff Office at Eweri Primary School, Emede, as well as a modern toilet with borehole water running in the school.

Others are Aluta street, Irri; Chief Godspower Obaro road, Oleh; Okpesia road, Oleh and Kenneth Ogba Road, Oleh.

The Rebranded DESOPADEC has put smiles on the faces of Isoko people because of the numerous ongoing projects which cuts across Isoko land.

Following are pictorial scenes from the event.

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, has expressed satisfaction with the level of teachers’ and students’ compliance as SS 3 students in the state resumed school today (04/08/2020) preparatory to their West African Senior School Certificate Examination observing the necessary COVID-19 safety measures.

Chief Ukah, while monitoring the resumption of schools on Tuesday, August 04, 2020, said that the essence of the visit was to ascertain the turn out of students and teachers and to observe how much the COVID-19 preventive measures were being adhered to, adding that the enthusiasm shown by the students indicated that they were happy to resume and prepare for their examination.

Chief Ukah, who restated that every student and teacher must always wear their face masks and undergo temperature checks at the entrance to their schools daily, disclosed that in no distant time, JS 3 students would resume to begin preparation for their Basic Certificate Examination and enjoined the teachers to immediately embark on revision classes with the students that have resumed.

Chief Ukah admonished teachers to shun laxity and ensure that they redouble their commitments towards impacting more positively on the children.

The Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner, who particularly stated that a minimum of five minutes break in between classes should be given to the students, said that a 5-member committee have been put in place in all the Local Government Areas of the state to monitor compliance with the COVID-10 protocols in the schools.

He restated that only SS 3 students resumed have resumed, adding that resumption dates for JS 3 students and primary six pupils will be made public in due course.

Chief Ukah and his team visited Government Model Secondary School, Westend Mixed Secondary School, St. Patrick’s College, Asagba Mixed Secondary School, Osadenis Mixed Secondary School and Isioma Onyeobi College all in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Trinity College, St. Augustine’s College, Ibusa Mixed Secondary School, Omu Boys Secondary School, all in Ibusa, and Okpanam High School, Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, as well as Adaigbo Secondary School, Ogwuashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area.

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh, FCNA, CrFA has felicitated with the former Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, as he turns 62 years.

Bashorun Askia, who described Chief Ibori as a man of imperishable legacies, recalled that the former governor’s love for the people led to the creation of DESOPADEC, which has been addressing the needs of the oil producing areas of Delta State.

He however asserted that the present Board, Management and Staff of DESOPADEC, have keenly followed Chief Ibori’s leadership footsteps in tackling the challenges in the oil bearing communities of Delta State..

The statement personally signed by Bashorun Askia reads:

“Hurray, Our Leader is 62!!!

“On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, I join well wishers to celebrate a man of imperishable legacies, who personifies equity and justice, His Excellency, Chief James Onanefe Ibori.

“Your uncanny love for the people led to the creation of DESOPADEC, which has been faithfully addressing the needs of the oil producing areas. And we have been fortunate to follow your leadership footsteps in tackling the challenges.

“May God continue to keep you in good health and provide you protection from all adversaries. Amen.
Happy birthday, Your Excellency.”

• Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE:

Ozoro youths, alleged to be Yahoo Boys, went on rampage in Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State, protesting over harassment, brutality and extortion by the police in the area.

The youths went on rampage within Ozoro metropolis just as a 23-year old boy identified as Collins died, after he was hit by a stray bullet from a gun shot.

The protesters took to the streets of the town, displaying placards with various inscriptions such as “Police stop extorting money from us”, ” Police leave us alone” among others, as they marched from Owhelogbo junction down to other major streets before terminating at NDC road.

A source who craved anonymity said the youths came out to protest against the police continuous harassment of young boys suspected to be internet fraudsters.

They complained about the police searching their phones on the way and asking them to pay some huge amount of money to bail themselves on the spot otherwise they will be taken to the station. Others complain of being invaded in their houses by the police without search warrant.

The source stated that police in the process of trying to dispel the protesters, a gun shot from a stray bullet hit the the boy and he died on the spot.”

The development has generated tension in the area as various trucks of policemen were seen mobilizing in strategic positions to restore normalcy to the town.

Meanwhile, the body of the deceased had been taken to the mortuary of a private hospital in the area.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya confirmed the incident saying “we heard that yahoo boys protested. We are still trying to investigate who shot.”

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:

The Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has said it is ready to move on with the resumption of Senior Secondary schools in the state, in strict adherence to the Federal Government guidelines on COVID19 protocols.

The Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, on Monday, August 03, 2020 in Asaba while briefing journalists stated that the State Government has put adequate preparatory measures in place for the resumption of 29,525 students sitting for the West African School Certificate Examination (WASSC) in the state.

The Commissioner disclosed to newsmen that the necessary COVID-19 preventive equipment have been distributed to virtually all 466 public secondary schools in the state, which are also essentially registered examination centres.

Chief Ukah stated that apart from providing all the necessary protocol materials in schools in the state, the usual morning assembly and prayers will no longer be holding, instead, prayers will now hold in each class.

Meanwhile, medical records forms are being distributed to students to ascertain their health condition and to make the government know those with underlining ailments so that proper arrangements can be made for such students.

Chief Ukah, who said that maximum of 20 students would sit in each class, in tandem with the COVID-19 physical distancing guidelines, highlighted the critical measures put in place to include the fumigation of schools in the state by Ministry of Environment, provision of infrared termometers, soap, hand sanitizers, even as he noted that hand towels and face masks would be distributed to each student and teacher in the state.

He further said that water storage tanks had been made available in schools for the supply of water, adding that sickbays had equally been provided where health officials would use for handling the treatment of any ailments, just as he emphasized that whenever there was any signs of COVID-19 ailment in any class, all the students in the class would be quarantined for immediate attention.

He said that school hostels have also been arranged in such a way that appropriate physical distance is maintained by boarding students, adding that students are expected to be in the school premises only when necessary.

“Predominantly, our students are day students but for those who are in the boarding houses, instead of the two metres distancing, it should be four metres apart and if one person is on the bunk, nobody will be under. You will agree with me that it is the same thing as isolating them because we will know exactly what is happening to those in the boarding houses.

‘But for the day students, they are kept in a classroom of 20 students. If we have any incidence, it’s easy to lock down that particular classroom. At the same time the medical records that we are taking will make us know those with underlining ailments so that the ministry of health will make special arrangements for such students.”

Chief Ukah particularly noted that teachers and students would undergo temperature check on daily basis, adding that one student and a teacher would serve as minders.

He mentioned that a toll free line have been given to all the schools and a quick response centre established in all 25 local government areas of the state to handle emergency cases, if any, from the 466 public secondary schools across the state

While commending Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, for his continued support to the ministry, especially towards ensuring that all the requirements for COVID-19 protocols were provided in the schools, the Basic and Secondary Education Commissioner said that a 5-man committee comprising officials of his ministry and that of Ministry of Health have been put in place to monitor activities in the schools.

He reiterated that a total of 5,697 teachers in both public and private schools were trained recently by the State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education on COVID-19 protocols, saying that other teachers have been trained by them on curtailing measures of COVID-19 protocols in the schools.

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

Former Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Dr. Tony Elumelu has given the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition, Senator Ayo Akinyelure seven days, to retract a statement credited to him, indicting the eminent banker in a N41billion fraud allegation.

Lawyers to Dr. Elumelu, in a letter to Senator Akinyelure, threatened to drag the lawmaker to court if he fails to retract and publicly apologize to Dr. Elumelu over his reported indictment on the said fraud allegation.

The committee Chairman was reported to have claimed that Dr. Elumelu, who is also the Chairman of Tony Elumelu Foundation and Heirs Holding Group, was indicted in a N41 billion naira fraud, when he was the Managing Director of UBA.

According to the Senate Committee Chairman on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, “the N41billion alleged fraud was committed against the defunct Telecommunication company and National Carrier, NITEL

“The said sum was withdrawn systematically from NITEL for nine years under Tony Elemelu’s watch and two other former Managing Directors of United Bank for Africa,” Akinyelure was quoted.

Acting on a petition by counsel to NITEL, J.U Ayogu and Co, the Senate Committee has summoned the Group Managing Director (GMD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United Bank for Africa, Kennedy Uzoka to appear before the committee on August 5, 2020.

However, in a letter by his lawyers, Lawal Rabana, SAN and Oluwakemi Balogun, SAN, the Senior Advocates stressed that their client, Dr Elumelu, was alarmed and appalled by this deliberate peddling of falsehood and misinformation against an unblemished personal and business reputation, painstakingly built over several decades, with great personal sacrifice and unquestionable integrity.

The lawyers stated, “It is important to emphasize that when UBA appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, attention was drawn to the fact that the facts and circumstances leading to the disputes on the alleged financial indebtedness was pending before the Supreme Court in SC/CV/112/2020.

“It was resolved that given the pendency of the matter at the Supreme Court, it was sub-judice and all actions on the matter be suspended.

“It is shocking and sacrilegious that a matter pending at the Apex Court could be subjected to debate, contrary to the Rules of the Senate and by extension, the Principle of Law that when a matter is sub-judice, it should not be subjected to debate before a decision is reached by the Court.

“The publications ascribed to Senator Ayo Akinyelure are in total disregard of the Rules of Senate and the Rule of Law”.

The lawyers therefore demanded an immediate, open, public and unreserved retraction of the said statements credited to Senator Akinyelure as well as an apology from Senator Akinyelure for “this false allegation and defamation” of their Client.

“We have our Client’s further instruction to take all appropriate legal actions against Senator Akinyelure and his media agents if our above stated demand is not met within Seven (7) days of their receipt of our demand letter,” the lawyers added.

–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)- From Mike SOGBOLA (North-East Bureau Chief):

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has said that the war on insurgency should have been over had it not been for sabotage.

The war on Boko Haram has been since 2009 and despite huge budgetary allocations and investment, the end is not yet in sight.

The attack on Borno Governor by alleged insurgents in Baga last week after he had received an “all clear” from the military to go into the town, has reinforced the allegation that the war has never been dusted because of sabotage.

It would be recalled that recently large number of soldiers resigned from the Nigerian Army with claim that their lives is put at risk in the war that there seems to be no plan of winning.

Speaking to two of his colleagues on Sunday, Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) who represented the Progressive (All Progressives Congress) Governor in the North to pay a solidarity visit on him, Zulum alerted President Muhammadu Buhari of sabotage on the side of those involved in fighting terrorism in the North East.

He alleged that this was the reason there is yet no end in sight to the war on in insurgency in the Northeast.

He said some elements are trying to frustrate the effort of the government in ending the insurgency and President Muhammadu Buhari needs to know the truth.

He said: “Let me also re-echo my previous position with respect to the level of insurgency in Borno State, I earlier said that the gravity of the insurgency cannot be compared with what has happened between 2011 to 2015, and 2015 to date. Yes, it’s true. The President has done well.

“But there’s sabotage in the system that will not allow insurgency to end; the President has to know this very important point. When he came to Maiduguri two months ago, I said so because between 2011 to 2015, at a time, almost about 22 LGAs were under the insurgents.

“Out of the four main roads that lead to Maiduguri. only one was functional.”

He called on the President to examine the security situation in the region critically, to ensure the effort of his administration is no longer undermined.

The governor told his colleagues that he has come to know that the military has taken over the farmlands of residents.

He said there was no justification for this, stressing that the residents displaced by insurgency should not have been prevented from returning to their ancestral homes.

Zulum said: “There is one very important question that we need to ask, why is the insurgency not ending? There’s sabotage in the system and there’s a need for the President to examine the current situation with a view to resolving it.

“We have a huge population and people do not have access to their agricultural lands, and poverty is one of the causes of insurgency; why are you not allowing people to go back to their ancestral lands so that they will go and earn their living?”

He asked that: “A situation where our Nigerian military are farming the lands, denying access to the common man to farm; what justification do they have for not allowing our people to go back to their ancestral homes?”

The Chairman of the APC Northern Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu said they came to the state to show the governor that they are with him and that they feel his pains.

He said the governor is known to be hardworking and appreciated by all.

He added that the entire governors are with him and are ready to support him in the onerous task of seeing the back of insurgency.

On hand to received the visiting governors are the state Deputy Governor, Umar Kadafur, the former Governor of the state, Senator Kashim Shettima, as well as Senator Ali Ndume and members of the State Executive Council.

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Austen AKHAGBEME:

For those who were familiar with Nigeria journalism in the late eighties and early nineties, ” Afghanistanism ” was a term used to describe the act of writing glowingly about the troubles abroad, while ignoring the anguish of the myriads of troubles back home.

It was Journalism of the Ostriches; shying away from the latching pests on the groin to chase the flying vectors in the sky. Generally speaking, it seems those seasons are back; at least, not with the loudest of silence with which the killing fields of Southern Kaduna is given attention by those whose primary responsibility it is, to protect this same people in the first place.

Living for a day of 24 hours in Southern Kaduna has gradually become a feat, no thanks to the ravaging banditry orchestrated by God knows who, in the land. The hitherto bubbling agrarian population has been turned into a famished enclave, laden with booby traps and snares of death.

At the slightest ” provocation”, communities are attacked, ravaged by gun trotting daredevil killers, leaving on their trail, sorrow, tears and blood. Bread winners are beheaded, women raped while children are left to wonder around in the bushes and lonely roads pervading the land. And this is bad, terrifying and terribly traumatic.

Those who seems to cry out against this injustice like Abubakar Idris, popularly known on social media as Abu Hanifa Dadiyata, the 34 year old English and Linguistic Lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma in Katsina state, are summarily whisked away from the comfort of their homes to unknown destinations, never to hear anything about them again. This is terrible!

A story was told by Guardian Nigeria about a blind woman of 93 years, Mrs Azumi Boka, who lost 11 of her children to this madness in Southern Kaduna. A family, close to this writer, have practically relocated aged Parents and children from their Kajuru local government country home to another neighbouring state for fear of a further attack.

The reason been peddled for this mayhem ranges from the known and the familiar, to the political and the controversial.

While some believes that it is a deliberate ploy by the hedonistic northern political elites within the state to decimate the growing, and therefore, threatening numerically superior population of the southern Kaduna people within the state for political advantage; others think it’s an age long historical battle by a conquering Fulani tribe to establish their authority by consolidating their conquest by taking over the land.

These maybe winding and unending conspiracy theories that do not take away the fact that people are dying helplessly every day unnoticed and unsung. The State Government, even though it was once fingered in the complicity that led to the controversial death of the nonconformist traditional ruler of the Kadara people, is overwhelmed and cannot be trusted to stem the tide.

But the fact that the federal government seems to be disinterested about this terrible situation and refuses to address it up until now, is suspect and baffling. Advancing and advocating for peace abroad when your very roof is on fire, is what used to be referred to as “Afghanistanism”.as earlier explained. This is not a plus for a government that rode on the strong and reassuring promise of ensuring the security of life and property, to political power.

• Austen AKHAGBEME is a Columnist with Blank NEWS Online

-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA):

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives is alarmed by Thursday attack on the convoy of the Governor of Borno State, Baba Gana Zulum by suspected bandits, insisting that the sad incident has again reinforced the urgent need to review the nation’s security architecture.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in a statement on Friday urged the presidency to implement the recent resolution of both chambers of the National Assembly asking President Muhammadu Buhari to sack his Service Chiefs.

Hon Elumelu in the statement also noted that the attack on the State Governor and other dastardly activities of the insurgents in various parts of the nation have further reinforced the urgent need to inject new hands with fresh ideas to handle the nations security architecture 

 “The worsening security situation in the country under the current Service Chiefs has reached an unbearable state to the extent that insurgents have the temerity to attack an armed convoy of a state governor.

“This is more so with the insistence by Governor Zulum of compromising of security system in the area, allegedly creating opening to the attack; a position that validates the call for immediate reorganizing of the nation’s security architecture.

“The entire nation is distressed by the incessant mindless killing of our citizens and pillaging of defenseless communities by insurgents, bandits and kidnappers, which have brought indescribable agony, anguish and torment to innocent Nigerians.

“We the opposition lawmakers hereby in the strongest terms restates the call to President Muhammadu Buhari to honor the resolution of the National Assembly and immediately remove the Service Chiefs and bring in new hands to effectively confront the security challenges confronting our nation”, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu Stated.