Coronavirus: We should be helping people offline - Patoranking tackles his colleagues doing giveaways online

Nigerian dancehall star, Patoranking has taken a swipe at his colleagues who in the last few days have launched giveaway campaigns online over the Coronavirus pandemic.



In a tweet he shared, Patoranking stated that Nigerian artistes should be contributing money to help those offline as they are the most disadvantaged people at this time.



He tweeted;




Instead Make we artist come together and contribute money to support people, Those once wey no Dey online Oo, Wey understand wetin giveaway mean ( people for slums and ghetto) wey Dey disadvantaged due to this Covid-19 Lockdown, una Dey here Dey talk about this Vs This, Wise up.





Patoranking also slammed a Twitter user who stated that entertainers must do giveaways online because "all work and no play makes Jack a fool".

COVID-19: No Nigerian living abroad has asked to be evacuated back home – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama

Minister of Foreign Affair, Geoffery Onyeama, says no Nigerian residing abroad has asked to be evacuated back home as the world battles the Coronavirus pandemic.



Onyeama said this when he spoke at the daily briefing of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 in Abuja on Tuesday March 31st.


As of now, we do not have any request from any of the embassies from Nigerians wishing to be evacuated from various countries. But certainly, if we receive notification from any of our embassies, we will react accordingly” he said

Petrol to sell at N123.50 beginning from today April 1st

The Federal government through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), has announced a reduction in the pump price of petrol.



A statement signed by the PPPRA Executive Secretary, Abdulkadri Saidu, says the new retail price of petrol would be N123.50 beginning from today April 1st.



The new price is N1.50 lower than the N125 per litre announced on March 18th.


“The PPPRA, in line with the government approval for a monthly review of premium motor spirit (PMS) pump price, hereby announces guiding PMS pump price of N123.50 per litre. The guiding price, which becomes effective April 1, 2020, shall apply at all retail outlets nationwide for the month of April, 2020. The PPPRA and other relevant regulatory agencies shall continue to monitor compliance to extant regulations for a sustainable downstream petroleum sector. Members of the public and all oil marketing companies are to be guided , accordingly.” he said



Recall that on March 18, the Federal Executive Council had approved a reduction of petrol pump price from N145 to N125. After the slash of petrol pump price was announced, PPPRA announced that the federal government approved a monthly review of petrol price to reflect global crude oil market trends.

"Fighting Ceeza Milli will be another stupid mistake" Cubana Chief Priest warns Burna Boy

Show promoter Cubana Chief Priest has warned Burna Boy that it will be a "stupid mistake" to fight Ceeza Milli after Burna threatened the songwriter for stating that he wrote his hit song "On The Low".



Ceeza Milli said during a radio interview that he has written for Burna Boy. When asked which song he wrote for Burna, Ceeza replied, "On The Low."



This angered Burna Boy and he took to Twitter to threaten Ceeza, writing: " Just pray that coronavirus catches you before I do cuz you know what it is when I catch you."







Ceeza Milli reacted to Burna's denial by stating that he "vibed about 50 to 60 percent" of the song (read here).



He added: "I had heard the beat by Kel P and vibed the into of the song on my phone."



He continued: "We went through the process and recorded the song. Without a doubt, Burna changed some words in the vibes I laid out for him... A song that you vibed about 50 to 60 percent of, will you be wrong to express that you wrote it?"



Well, Cubana waded into the drama by warning Burna to back out of fighting Ceeza.



Cubana wrote:




@burnaboygram There Is Nothing Wrong In SomeOne Shining From Your Glory, Fighting @ceezamilli Will Be Be Another Stupid Mistake Just Like That Of @mr.2kay Which Caused You So Much Stress, The World Now Is Suffering So Much Pain, Panic, Grief N Fear, What I Learnt From It All Is That Love Conquers All, We All Need To Preach Love Not War N Violence, At This Point What You Need To Do Is To Grow People With Your African Giant Platform, Na Person @davidoofficial Grow That @peruzzi_vibes Wey You Admit Say E Dey Write Song For You, We Need To See Your Offsprings Burna, You Are Too Great Your Glory Is Too Big For You Alone, These New Dude’s Needs To Shine, Abeg Support Them, Free Them, Forgive Them N Give Them Chance. Happy New Month

Nigerian paralympic gold medalist, Ndidi Nwosu is dead

Ndidi Nwosu, an ace Nigerian powerlifter and gold medalist at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro is dead.



Former President of the Nigeria Powerlifting Federation, Queen Uboh confirmed the death of the Paralymic games star. Ndidi who also won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, died in Owerri Imo state on March 1, 2020, following complications arising from a lung infection.



Ms Uboh disclosed that the husband of the late powerlifter, Ikechukwu Nwosu called her to convey the sad news of his wife's demise.







She said;




“Ndidi sustained an injury from the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. She was a heavyweight powerlifter. I had actually assisted by paying for two of the surgeries she had in Owerri but after the surgery, she was never the same again.

“She had been off and on in the hospital and that was why she couldn’t take part in this last World Cup.

“Even before she died, she appeared to me in the dream. She told me not to leave her family and that I was still her mummy despite not being the Powerlifting President anymore. So when the husband called me to inform me of her passing, I knew already because she had appeared to me in the dream.

"I sent some money to Nwosu to start a petty business but she couldn’t manage it with her poor health.

“She had called me to say she couldn’t sustain the business because she couldn’t move about anymore and moreover, she was using the money to buy drugs.

“She was a very quiet powerlifter and that’s why many people really didn’t know her. Ndidi became a professional powerlifter in 2008 and won gold in the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016 and also at the 2018 Commonwealth Games It was at the Commonwealth Games that she sustained an injury which affected her spine.”



In a tribute to late Ndidi, the Minister of Youths and Sports Sunday Dare praised the podium performances of the powerlifter “which etched and ranked the name of her fatherland- Nigeria- amongst the countries parading great para powerlifters on the international scene.”

I made a joke about Coronavirus but the disease is real - Governor Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed that Coronavirus is real even though he made a joke about it.



Recall that in a video which went viral on social media, the Oyo state Governor was spotted saying Coronavirus is not in his party (PDP). He was however diagnosed with the disease few days after the said rally.



In a telephone interview on Fresh FM on Tuesday March 31, Makinde said he never doubted the existence of Coronavirus even though he joked about it. He added that he used COVID-19 in same metaphorical way an APC leader did, when they were fighting about their chairmanship.



He said;




“Okay, first, you know we had a rally, I believe two weeks ago and then I have seen the video that has been circulating on social media which is being misinterpreted to mean that, I doubted at any time, the existence of COVID-19. The reality is no, I actually never did.

“I had used COVID-19 in the same metaphorical way that their APC leader did when they were fighting about their chairmanship and he said, well, the virus has gotten into the party.

“So, I made a joke out of it and the video has been circulating that I said there is no coronavirus, that it only exists in the APC. Well, it was a metaphor.

“But to the good people of Oyo State, I want to say again: COVID-19 is real. So, they must follow all the measures government has put in place to prevent, contain and control this virus.”



The Governor who is one of the 8 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Oyo State, stated that they would continue to assess the situation and take measures where necessary.



Makinde added;




“Oyo is not going to be locked down because every other state is doing that. Yes, Lagos can be on lockdown, Ogun can be on lockdown, Oyo state, yes, people have been saying have a total lockdown and then I have been asking them questions,” he said.

“What will be the benefits here? Are there alternative courses of action for us to take? If you ask people not to come out, you lock down the market places, there are people who what they sell today – the profit from today’s activities is what they will eat tomorrow.

“There are many people like that within our environment. So, are there alternatives available to us? Can we do selective lockdowns? That’s why I imposed the curfew, to say look irin ti o ba ye ka rin.”

Coronavirus: ''Stop giving your children sanitizers to drink- Ogun state govt warns mothers

Ogun state Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, has warned mothers in the state to desist from giving their children sanitizers to drink.



According to reports, some mothers have formed the habit of giving their wards sanitizers to consume because they were told that it helps prevent Coronavirus infection.



Addressing mothers at a press briefing on Tuesday March 31st, Dr Coker said


We also want to address some myths in society. There are mothers that are actually giving their children sanitisers to drink. There is no evidence that giving sanitisers to children will prevent COVID-19. So, we encourage people to cease from doing this.”

Electricity tariffs won’t be increased unless DisCos improve supply – Minister

The Minister of Power, Sale Mamman who reacted to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) statement which confirmed that the plan to increase electricity tariff from April 1 has been postponed, has stated that the plan won't still take off unless Distribution Companies (DisCos) improve the quality of supply, meter consumers and agree on rates with consumers.



Mamman stated though the implementation of the new tariff plan was delayed for the next three months as palliative measures against Coronavirus, DisCos which fail to improve its supply will be sanctioned.



The Minister added that the Ministry he heads is supportive of a “service reflective” tariff system which is more equitable and will encourage investment in the sector.



Read the full statement below;




COVID-19; Minister’s Statement on Tariffs and Palliative measures for the Power Sector.

As part of the Federal Government efforts to ameliorate the current challenges occasioned by the ravaging COVID – 19 pandemic, The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission today issued an Order that included a 3-month delay in the implementation of tariff measures.

The 3-month delay in the implementation of tariff measures is consistent with His Excellency the President’s announcement on March 29th granting a moratorium for certain Federal Government funded facilities to the Nigerian Public.

There will be no tariff action in APRIL. Thereafter, tariffs will only be raised as the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) improve quality of supply, meter consumers and agree with consumers on rates. DISCOs that fail to improve will be sanctioned. This is based on the outcome of the public hearings on tariffs. The Ministry is supportive of a “service reflective” tariff system which is more equitable and will encourage investment in the sector. The Ministry will work with NERC to ensure that improvements happen in the entire DISCO network and estimated billing is capped per NERC Order 197/2020. This will eliminate arbitrary billing that Nigerians have raised issues with.

We are also implementing other key emergency measures to support the NESI (Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry). We are working with the CBN to ensure payments to the generators and gas suppliers through the Payment Assurance Facility (PAF) are expedited to support power supply. TCN is also creating emergency measures to ensure staff will be available to monitor the grid and perform technical interventions.

These changes and emergency measures will have an impact on Government finances. The Power Sector Recovery (PSRP) Financing Plan is being updated to reflect the changes. The Financing Plan will help support ongoing discussions with the World Bank on financial support for the sector and the transition away from tariff support as Government optimises its resources.

During this difficult time the President has instructed that critical infrastructure projects and programs for the poor and underserved be continued. The Ministry will continue to
implement key infrastructure programs such as the Siemens/Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). The Ministry through TCN will also continue the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Program in partnership with the World Bank, African Development Bank, AfD, JICA and other key development partners. To support the underserved and citizens without access in this difficult time, the Ministry will accelerate programs with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) focusing on Solar Home Systems and Solar Mini-Grids that impact the poor. These programs continue to be supported by the World Bank, African Development Bank, USAID, DFID and other key development partners. The Ministry is also in discussions with the Central Bank to provide financing to accelerate Solar Off-Grid programs with the REA.
The Ministry will engage with key NESI players in this difficult time to ensure sustainability of supply.

I commend players in the NESI that have made commitments to ensuring stable power supply in this period. Thank you to all the industry players for this patriotic stand. Indeed, times like these demands nothing less.

I am assuring Nigerians that the priority of this government as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari is to provide support for all citizens as we battle the global pandemic.

Engr. Sale Mamman
Honourable Minister of Power
31/03/2020

Burna Boy reveals he felt "totally sick" when he lost at the 62nd Grammy Awards

Burna Boy has said he felt "totally sick" when he lost at the 62nd Grammy Awards.



The singer, whose birth name is Damini Ogulu, was nominated in the Best World Music Album category with his groundbreaking "African Giant". However, he lost to Beninese singer-songwriter, Angelique Kidjo.



He opened up about how losing made him feel on Twitter.



A follower asked: " Burna how did you feel loosing the Grammy."



And Burna replied: "Sick. Totally sick."



He added: "But my musical Mother @angeliquekidjo told me everything I needed to understand about the Grammys. So now I’m 'Twice as Tall'."

Coronavirus: Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, reacts to reports of Abiola Ajimobi replacing Abba Kyari

The Presidency has reacted to the news making the rounds on social media that President Buhari has sacked his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and replaced him with former Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi.



Kyari has tested positive for the Coronavirus and is currently undergoing treatment in Lagos. A message of his alleged 'sack' was circulated on a Whatsapp group and was later published on social media.



The message read in part


“The termination of the appointment of Abba Kyari took immediate effect. And the President has appointed Ajimobi as New COS. The President ordered Abba Kyari to step down as Chief of Staff due to his health challenge.’’



Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant to President on New Media, described the news as “another fake news.”



Taking to his Twitter handle to react, Ahmad wrote


”Yet another fake news started trending on some WhatsApp groups that ‘President @MBuhari sacked Mallam Abba Kyari and replaced him with former Gov. Abiola Ajimobi’, disregard and dishonour it, entirely untrue!’’

Buhari and Osinbajo have been earning half of their salaries even before Coronavirus - Femi Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina has disclosed that President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have been earning half of their salaries before the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.



The Presidential Spokesperson disclosed this on Channels TV 'Politics Today', when asked if his principal and his Vice will be donating their salaries just like the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, to support the fight against Coronavirus.



Though Femi Adesina did not reveal what the unpaid halves were used for, he however disclosed that both leaders opted to be paid half of their salaries since the inception of the present administration in 2015.



On if the President and the Vice President will be making donations to support the fight against Coronavirus, Adesina said;




“I can’t say for sure; the members of the federal cabinet are donating 50 per cent of their March salaries.”

“Already, the Vice President and the President are earning 50 per cent. Right from the beginning of the administration (the first term), they had elected to earn half of the salaries they should earn … to ask them to do more will be a voluntary thing."

He wants to be arrested? Nigerian man claims Governor El-Rufai is lying about being positive for Coronavirus (Video)

A Nigerian man is of the opinion that Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai is lying about his Coronavirus status. The governor last Saturday announced he had tested positive for the virus and has gone into isolation.

In a video which has since gone viral, thei Nigerian man said that the governor came out to say he had the virus after hearing the donations the Lagos state government has received since the virus was detected in the state in February this year.

Watch the video of the man speaking below

Yobe Governor. Deputy and others donate 50 percent of their salaries to fight coronavirus in the state

Governor Mai Mala Buni and his deputy, Idi Barde Gubana have donated 50 percent of their basic salaries to fight coronavirus in Yobe state.



The State's Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Abdullahi Bego also revealed that the members of the State Executive Council, the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service and the Chief of Staff to the governor also donated 50 percent of their basic salaries to the state’s COVID-19 Support Fund to help accelerate the effort in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.



All permanent secretaries, chief executive of boards and parastatals, permanent members of Commissions, including the Local Government Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Teaching Service Board, Science and Technical Schools Board, State Independent Electoral Commission, Fiscal Responsibility Board, Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Bureau For Public Procurement, Civil Service Commission, and the Pilgrims Welfare Commission, as well as the Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs) who are currently in charge of the 17 local government councils will also donate 50 percent of their basic salaries to the effort to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in the state.



The statement read;




“The State Assembly Speaker, Hon. Ahmed Lawan Mirwa, his deputy, Hon. Mohammed Auwal Isa and 22 other members of the House of Assembly are also putting their shoulders behind the effort by donating 50 percent of their basic salaries.

“The State’s judiciary is also chipping in with the Chief Judge and Grand Khadi making available 50 percent of their basic salaries to the effort to convert COVID-19.

“As the work goes on across sectors and communities, the Yobe COVID-19 Prevention and Control Committee under the leadership of Governor Buni and his Deputy calls on the sons and daughters of Yobe State both within and outside the country, members of the business community, organisations, and philanthropists to do their part as well, by donating to the Yobe COVID-19 Support Fund through the following bank account: Yobe State COVID-19 Support
Account Number 1022751510
Bank UBA.

“The committee also reminds people across the state to continue to exercise social distancing, observe excellent respiratory etiquette, wash their hands regularly, avoid crowded places, stay at home most of the time, and pray to Almighty Allah (SWT) to provide a way out of the COVID-19 global pandemic."