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COVID-19: Capital Market Support Committee to Raise N1bn From Participants

By Peter Akpah

capital market

The Capital Market Support Committee on Covid-19 has been given the responsibility to raise N1 billion from market participants and stakeholders within the shortest possible time.

The committee was inaugurated by the Nigerian capital market community, led by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A statement by the Head Corporate Communication, Securities and Exchange Commission, Efe Ebelo, on Tuesday said the move is aimed at supporting the fight against COVID-19 and its impact on the Nigerian economy.

The statement, while quoting the Acting Director General of the SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk, disclosed that the fund is expected to assist in cushioning the effects of the pandemic on poor and venerable Nigerians as well as providing some critical medical supplies.

“The Committee has commenced work and has set a target to raise the sum of One Billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) from market participants and stakeholders within the shortest possible time. The money will be used to provide palliatives to the impoverished and medical equipment to designated hospitals and isolation centres.”

While acknowledging on-going efforts at providing critical medical supplies and palliatives to Nigerians, Uduk stated that the Nigerian capital market community recognises that more still needs to be done, especially for the vulnerable and less privileged in the society.

“To this end, the Nigerian capital market community, led by the Securities and Exchange Commission, on Thursday, April 16, 2020, inaugurated a market-wide Committee, the Capital Market Support Committee on Covid-19, to coordinate the capital market community’s effort in mitigating the medical and economic impact of the pandemic on the vulnerable and the less privileged.

”This is a challenging time for everyone and the capital market community cannot afford to stay on the side-lines in the fight against Covid-19.

We urge fellow Nigerians to continue to take all necessary safety precautions and abide by all directives issued by the Federal Government and its relevant agencies. Together, we will overcome this pandemic” she added.

FG, States And LG’s Share N780.926bn Federal Revenue In March

By Peter Akpah

A total of N780.926 billion has been shared between the Federal, States and Local Governments for March 2020 by the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC).

This was disclosed in a statement by the Director, Information, Press and Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike, after a virtual FAAC meeting with the 36 state commissioners of finance, revenue generating agencies and officials of the federal ministry of finance.

From the shared sum comprising statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Exchange Gain, “the Federal Government received N264.330 billion, the State Governments received N181.487 billion, and the Local Government Councils received N135.950 billion.”

“The Oil Producing States received N38.751 billion as 13% derivation revenue, while the cost of revenue collection by Revenue Agencies and allocation to NEDC was N160.408 billion.”

The statement added that gross statutory revenue for the month of March 2020 was N597.676 billion, higher than the N466.058 billion received in February and January 2020 by N131.618 billion.

According to the Statement, the Federal Government received N217.773 billion from the gross statutory revenue of N597.676 billion; the State Governments received N110.457 billion and the Local Government Councils received N85.158 billion. “The sum of N32.299 billion was given to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue and N151.989 billion was cost of revenue collection by Revenue Agencies and allocation to NEDC.

“The Federal Government received N16.777 billion from the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N120.268 billion available in the month of March 2020. The State Governments received N55.925 billion, the Local Government Councils received N39.147 billion, while the cost of collection by Revenue Agencies and allocation to NEDC was N8.419 billion.”

Meanwhile the Federal Government also received N29.780 billion, the State Governments received N15.105 billion, the Local Government Councils received N11.645 billion and the Oil Producing States received N6.452 billion from the total revenue of N62.982 billion available from Exchange Gain.

“The month of March 2020, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax(CIT), Import and Excise Duties, Oil and Gas Royalties and Value Added Tax (VAT) all recorded substantial increases.

Lalong condoled The Family of Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of The Federation, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide

By Peter Akpah

LALONG EULOGISES FORMER MINISTER OF JUSTICE/ATTORNEY GENERAL, CHIEF RICHARD AKINJIDE

Governor Lalong describe the life of the former Attorney General as worthy of emulation as he has serve the country diligently Lalong stated it in a press statement by his director of Press Dr Makut Simon Macham as contained below.

Plateau State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governor’s Forum Simon Bako Lalong has condoled with family of former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide.
Governor Lalong in a condolence message described the legal icon as a man who made remarkable impact on the country and affected its polity positively particularly as Minister of Education in the First Republic, Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the Second Republic, as well as a member of the 1975-77 Constitutional Drafting Committee among other responsibilities he carried out.
Lalong said “as a senior member of the Bar, Chief Richard Akinjide set standards and conducted his Affairs with the highest sense of decorum, patriotism, hardwork and honesty such that he was an inspiration for many within and outside the legal profession. He remains a shining example even in death”.
The Governor said although the death of the legal luminary is a painful loss, the legacies he left behind and the testimonies of many people he mentored and impacted will remain fresh and propel others to follow his footsteps.
The Plateau State Governor also used the opportunity to on behalf of Northern Governors Forum condole with the Government and people of Oyo State, the Bar and Bench, as well as the Court of the Olubadan of Ibadan.
Lalong prayed that God Almighty will grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort his family.

Buhari Orders Payment Of Salaries For All Lecturers Not Enrolled In IPPIS

By Peter Akpah

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved immediate payments of salaries owed some lecturers who are not enrolled in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Following the refusal to enrol in the IPPIS, some lecturers’ salaries were withheld, however, President Buhari in Abuja on Tuesday, asked that the arrears owed these lecturers be paid.

President Buhari gave the approval order after a meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige yesterday in Abuja.

This was confirmed on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha.

Mr Mustapha who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation noted that the approval is in line with measures to see that no one is left at a disadvantage during this trying time.

Prior to the President’s intervention, the Federal Government and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have been at eachother’s necks over the refusal of the university lecturers to join in the IPPIS payment platform.

Nigerian Governors Agree On Two-Week Inter-State Lockdown.

By Peter Akpah

Nigerian Governors Agree On Two-Week Inter-State Lockdown.

The 36 state governors in Nigeria have recommended a two-week national inter-state lockdown to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

This decision was taken during a meeting of the governors on Wednesday, a day after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control confirmed 117 new coronavirus cases in the country with total infections rising to 782.

Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, said the inter-state lockdown would help halt the continued rise in the number of cases as well as the spread of the pandemic.

According to him, the governors also resolved to set up COVID-19 committees at the regional level to be headed by health commissioners.

The news comes a day after Governor Fayemi said the governors were very concerned about the spread of the disease and warned that the country was in for a long ride in the battle against the pandemic.

Fayemi had on Tuesday spoken about the efforts of state governors in curbing the spread of COVID-19, during an interview.

“We are very concerned. If you look at the number of times we met over the last one month. We’ve had five meetings which focused almost exclusively on COVID-19 and its spread and the concomitant economic effects on the Nigerian citizens,” Governor Fayemi had said when asked about the situation.

He, however, said the governors were trying to use all their capacity to fight the pandemic.

To complement the actions of the government, he called on Nigerians to play their part and follow directives and protocols.

“I don’t think we have reached the peak yet. So, Nigerians need to take this very seriously. This is not entertainment,” he warned.

Lalong Has Directed The State Economic Advisory Council To Evolve Post-Covid economy Blueprint.

By Peter Akpah

GOVERNOR LALONG DIRECTS ECONOMIC ADVISORY COUNCIL TO EVOLVE POST-COVID ECONOMIC BLUEPRINT

Owing to the serious impact of the Corona Virus pandemic on the global economy as well as its effect on Nigerian economy and by extension the Plateau State economy, Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has directed the State Economic Advisory Council headed by Chief Ezekiel Gomos, to immediately brainstorm and come up with practical and comprehensive strategies on the sustainability and continuation of the State Economy under COVID-19.
To ensure that Plateau State adapts to this new economic reality, the Governor has equally directed the Council to put together a post-COVID road map for the Plateau State economy especially for its revival and recovery.
To achieve this task, the Governor has mandated the Council to liaise and consult extensively with all Ministries, Department and Agencies; Local Government Councils; key private sector players in the State in the manufacturing, agriculture, banking and finance; hospitality and entertainment; trade and commerce; ICT; mining sector; and other important stakeholders like the MSMEs; the informal sector; Trade Associations; Chambers of Commerce; development partners NGOS and CSOs, Labour Unions etc.
The Council is expected to submit periodic policy and strategic recommendations to the Governor on the State economy under COVID19 and beyond.

Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to
the Governor of Plateau State and
Chairman, Northern Governors Forum
22nd April 2020.

“COVID-19: Rep. Bagos Distributes Food Items as Palliative to Constituents in Apo District, Abuja”

By Peter Akpah

COVID-19: Rep. Bagos Distributes Food Items as Palliative to Plateau Indigenes in Apo District, Abuja

Rep. Dachung Musa Bagos, Member representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the Nigerian National Assembly Abuja, has distributed food items to some Plateau State indigenes resident in APO DISTRICT of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Hon. Bagos who was ably represented by his Abuja Liaison Officer and former staff of the British Council, Rwas Julius Dung Turu stated Rep. Bagos was moved by the accentuation of the World Health Organization (WHO), that ‘’Hunger will be another crisis to deal with in Africa during the COVID-19 lockdown”.

Therefore, it was necessary to consider the disadvantaged class of people, who depend on daily patronage to make a living, especially since the advent of this COVID-19. They are now stranded and starving because all their clients and customers are locked down at home for safety.

The anchor of METRO ANGELS HUMANITARIAN RADIO SHOW, on HOT FM 98.3 Abuja, Mr. Victor Chollom who was present at the presentation of the food items said “beyond being a great act of kindness to Plateau State indigenes, this is the first time any Abuja based-Plateau State elected member has considered this category of artisans (Mechanics), who are grossly affected by the COVID-19 lock down.

Elizabeth Iliya, expressed gratitude and showered prayers for the honorable member. She added “God has given us a son in Dachung Bagos and today, the son was sent us timely intervention May God bless him for his benevolence, she spoke on behalf of the widows who were part of the beneficiaries.

Furthermore, the Berom Youth leader in Kabusa, Mr. David Dung stated that, his prayer this morning was for God to just provide for his small family any means of feeding for that day, and behold the palliatives from the Honorable Member is beyond just a day, it will cover for another two weeks.

Plateau Yet To Distribute Palliatives People Should Disregard The Video Going Viral That Palliatives Are Being Distributed, Government Will Soon Commence Distribution.

By Peter Akpah

The secretary of the plateau state palliatives committee set up by the plateau state government Dr Sumaye Hamza has reacted to a video going viral that plateau state has commence distribution of palliatives, according to her that is not true and that video is not from any palliatives distribution of plateau as the committee is still setting up modalities for the palliatives across the state she stated.

The commitee has a collective data for the distribution of the palliative and is going to be in an orderly manner and well organised as the commitee has involved all relevant stakeholder across different organizations to ensure proper sharing and reaching the targeted individuals and at a time like this people should stop instigating people against the government as government is doing their best to curtail the current situation before it get out of hand and the palliatives committee is there to help cushion the effects people are facing.

According to her earlier the president have given directives for the immediate payment of the conditional cash transfer one of the component of the SIP, which payment has been going on across the state and that is not palliatives and during the payments they don’t have it disorganized as it showed in the video reason being that there is a collective data and every individual that has been benefiting from the pass knows the process and method of payment because the conditional cash transfer has being paying long before now she said.

So she call on the good people of plateau to remain calm as soonest the palliatives will be ready for distribution, and she has also said in line with Mr President directives those who have been benefiting from the SIP are not going to be part of the palliatives as the federal government has said the can’t pay each household or individual double if you have been benefiting from the past till this moment or government workers are not part of it because the palliatives are being targeted at the orphans, widows, the vulnerable and the poorest in the society so people should please take note.

Covid-19 Lockdown Security Agencies Mount Surveillance.

By Peter Akpah

Covid-19 lockdown security agencies Mont surveillance in and around the city to monitor compliance sourcenews24 on monitoring of the situation come across a cross section of security personnel around state low-cost junction checking every car and person passing through and in the process made some arrest of Diffaulters speaking with one of the security personnel who’s name withheld by this medium said they are doing a joint operation with all the relevant security agencies across the state.

The security agencies intercepted 4 trailer load with people inside from Gombe to jos along gada biu area in Josnorth the early hours of today the 22nd April 2020, in an interaction with some of the people inside the trailer said they are coming to jos according to them, and some concern citizens has called on the government to take more proactive measures to stop people from coming in to the state as the state is still free from the virus measures should be taken against such according to them, and others have asked questions where is the checkpoint some other persons also point out that where did they follow to get to where they are now and their are many checkpoints and borders where is the borders check and the CCTV cameras that where planted in the state.

The officer further stress that in the process some arrest was made and they are also out for distress calls or to checkmate hudlums that want to take advantage of the situation to cause mayhem to the public, he further said they also tracking those entering the state through other means to get them arrested and hand them over to the relevant authority to prosecute or check them properly and they are also out to protect the state against the dreaded pandemic and make sure someone did not import the virus in to the state because the virus does not move people move them he said.

Northern Governors Seek More COVID-19 Testing Centres, Ban Almajiri system

By Peter Akpah

Northern Governors Seek More COVID-19 Testing Centres, Ban Almajiri system.

Northern state governors on Tuesday called for more COVID-19 testing centres in the north and banned the almajiri system for fear the children could be exposed to the virus.

The Governors met for the second time in one month via teleconferencing, according to a press statement.

The meeting was presided by the Northern States Governors Forum Chairman, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state.

According to the statement, Lalong his colleagues that based on their resolution at the last meeting, he had a discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari where he conveyed their concerns on the need for the region to access special funding, palliatives, testing centres and other forms of support to assist the region deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the President assured him of the support of the Federal Government within the context of Federal Government programmes both under the coronavirus response and under other incentives to farmers and States.

The meeting further discussed the issue of COVID-19 Testing Centres within the Northern Region where it noted some improvement, but again insisted that all States in the region should have at least one centre in order to make the detection of the disease and its management easier and faster.

On border control and lockdown measures, the Northern Governors retained their earlier decision for the states to individually decide on the measure to adopt, but reaffirmed the need for border closures to stop inter-state spread of the disease, which is rising in the region.

The Governors also discussed the risk that Almajiri children are exposed to because of the pandemic.

They unanimously decided to totally ban the Almajiri system and evacuate the children to their parents or states of origin.

They agreed to take a cue from Kano, Kaduna and Nasarawa States who have begun returning Almajiri children to families and states of origin, while those within their States who do not have parents are taken care of by the Government.

They vowed never to allow the system persist any longer because of the social challenges associated with it including the perpetuation of poverty, illiteracy, insecurity and social disorder.