Aso Villa Reads for 29/06/2020
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received briefing from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Chairman of PTF on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha, led the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the Director-General of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu and the Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, to brief the President as the second phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown ends today. President Buhari had on April 27 announced the gradual easing of a five-week lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states which then were the epicentre of the Coronavirus pandemic. The first phase of the lockdown was extended by two weeks elapsed midnight on June 1 and the second phase which was implemented over four weeks spanning June 2nd — 29th, is still subject for review. In the second phase, government had relaxed restrictions on banking operations and worship places, while the Federal government retained nationwide curfew but reduced the time from 10pm to 4am, to limit social interactions and, therefore, reduce the risk of the transmissions of the virus which is now on community transmission level. Vanguard reported.
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday flag off the construction of $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline, thus laying the foundation for the stimulation of Nigeria’s economy. A consortium of indigenous and international engineering firms will deliver the 614-kilometer gas pipeline conceived to provide the highly desired stimulus to domestic industrial growth. In a statement obtained by Vanguard, Oilserv Limited, involved in the project, stated: “This project will also, signal the finest hour so far for the Nigerian Content Policy goals. The president, by the flag off of this project at Ajaokuta, Kogi State, would be turning to reality some of the nation’s long term economic aspirations of boosting domestic energy infrastructure, b) deepening the local gas market, creating industrial corridors with cleaner fuel, and commercializing the country’s abundant gas resources. The project, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), will significantly curb gas flaring in the Niger Delta and guarantee better air quality in the oil producing region.” Similarly, it stated: “Furthermore, the pipeline, which was conceived to connect demand from the northern part of the country with supply from the south, would be the biggest infrastructure development in the country’s recent history. It will also mark a significant shift in the nation’s energy policy; from revenue, targeted export programmes to development focused domestic supply programmes.”
As reported by Vanguard, the federal government on Sunday has debunked reports that the N-Power portal had been hacked. Rather, the government said the portal was not only secured but also that it had not been compromised in any way. This was as it also disclosed that more than one million applications were received from intending N-Power enrollees across the country in less than 48 hours. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, in a statement, Sunday night, through its Deputy Director Information, Rhoda Iliya, said, “Over 1,000,000 applications have been received from across the Federation in less than 48 hours after the Honourable Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq declared open the new N-Power Portal on the Ministry’s website.” It called on all young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 with or without formal education to apply for a slot in the new programme which it said, “would be very focused on agriculture.” “The Ministry will like to assure Nigerians that the N-Power portal is secured and no data has been compromised,” it said, adding: “The portal is open for Nigerians who meet the application criteria.”
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has apologized to Nigerians especially those affected by activities of terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals across the country. The DHQ has also commended Nigerians for their patience and cooperation with the armed forces in tackling the various security challenges bedeviling the country by giving the military timely and credible information on the activities of criminals in their localities. It assured that troops deployed for various internal security operations across the nation would continue to remain committed and resolute in achieving the operational mandate of curtailing criminal activities. Coordinator, Defence Media Operation, Major-General John Enenche, during media briefing held at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, said: “The Military High Command empathizes with all those who have been affected by the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminals in one way or another. It equally appreciates Nigerians for their patience and cooperation in giving us timely and credible information on the activities of criminals in their localities. Enenche said that following the presidential directive to the armed forces on insecurity in the country, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, have met with the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and Heads of other Security and Intelligence agencies to re-strategize and enhance existing synergy among all security agencies to address the lingering security challenges bedeviling the nation. Sun News reported.
