FASWAP

Abba Kyari, former chief of staff's sudden demise has obviously left a huge lacuna in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and there has been an ongoing battle on who will take the mantle from where the late lawyer dropped it. Kyari, considered the most powerful chief of staff in the history of Nigeria,  died on Friday, April 17, at the First Consultants Hospital in Ikoyi , Lagos after weeks of a battle with complications from Covid-19 infection. The Borno-born lawyer turned politician was buried on Saturday, April 18, according to Islamic rites. He was interred at exactly 11.20am at the military cemetery in Abuja’s Gudu neighbourhood amidst tears from family members and supporters. Without any iota of doubt, Kyari's death is a big blow that left a huge scar not only in the hearts of friends and family members but also in the Buhari-led administration which he co-defined with his piercing influence as the chief of staff. And there are indications that...

Nigerian state governors have agreed to impose an inter-state lockdown for two weeks in order to contain COVID-19 spread - The state governors reached the agreement during a meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum on Wednesday - The state governors also called for the decentralization of the COVID-19 response, saying it is the best chance of curbing community transmission Governors of the 36 states of the federation on Wednesday, April 22, have “unanimously” agreed to impose an inter-state lockdown in the country over the next two weeks to check the state-to-state spread of COVID-19. The governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) reached the agreement after receiving a briefing from the governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo and Ogun states who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against COVID-19. Daily Trust reports that a communique issued by the NGF chairman and governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, at the end of the virtual meeting said only e...

 A Nigerian man on Twitter has said that the Canadian government gave them c$2,290 (N626,406.62) each as a palliative package during the lockdown - The unnamed man, therefore, compared the caring response of the Canadian authorities with the Nigerian government, scoring the latter low - The Canadian resident then redefined the concept of home, saying it is where the government really cares rather than where one is born A Nigerian Twitter user who is living in Canada with the handle @ChuksJaphet has revealed that the Canadian government gave them c$2,290 (N626,406.62) each. He said that they were first given a deposit of c$2000 (N547,080.02) before they were on Monday, April 19, given another c$290 (N79,326.60). @ChuksJaphets berated the Nigerian government for asking them to come back home and telling them that they would be paying for their flight cost. The Nigerian Twitter user, therefore, added that home is not where one is born but where the political leaders hav...

Warrant Officer Lawal Mato, one of the personal bodyguards of President Muhammadu Buhari has died   The presidency said the officer who had been off duty for three years was treating diabetes before his death     Buhari described the late officer as a very thorough trustworthy and dependable soldier who carried out his duty with diligence and focus Warrant Officer Lawal Mato, one of the personal bodyguards of President Muhammadu Buhari died on Tuesday, April 21, after struggling with diabetes. The presidency in a statement through, Garba Shehu, a presidential spokesperson, disclosed that the deceased who had been off full duty for three years was treating diabetes. Mato was said to be part of a team that former president, Umaru Musa Yar’adua, restored to President Buhari as personal security. The presidency said the officer had been working with Buhari for many years before he won the 2015 elections. According to the presidency, Buhari described the late ...

Nigerians have been informed that life won't return to normal; after the COVID-19 pandemic. This was stated by the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.  The NCDC boss said a return to the pre-COVID lifestyle could bring about a high resurgence of the infection. The director-general, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has informed Nigerians that life won’t return to normal after COVID-19 pandemic. Ihekweazu stated this while speaking on a radio programme in Lagos on Monday, April 20. He said that a return to the pre-COVID lifestyle, once the current restrictions are relaxed, could bring about a high resurgence of the infection. The NCDC boss also advised business owners to adjust their business model such that it is compliant to social distancing and reduces the level of interaction among people Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu says pre-COVID lifestyle could cause a high resurgence of in...

Kaduna state government has denied rumours about Governor El-Rufai under ICU - Governor El-Rufai had on March 28, revealed that he tested positive for coronavirus pandemic - Muhammad Sani Dattijo, the chief of staff to El-Rufa’i, however, said on Monday, April 20, that his boss is working from the isolation centre The Kaduna state government has given new updates on the health status of Governor Nasir El-Rufai some weeks after being tested positive for coronavirus pandemic. Muhammad Sani Dattijo, the chief of staff to Governor El-Rufa’i, said that, his boss is not in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as being speculated on social media. Dattijo in a tweet on Monday, April 20, revealed that El-Rufai is working from the isolation working It should be recalled that the governor via his Twitter handle on March 28, revealed that he tested positive for coronavirus, and recently updated that he has not been discharged. El-Rufai is one of the high profile personalities who tes...