The federal government has lifted the ban on religious gathering across the country.
The government had imposed the ban two months ago to check the spread of coronavirus.
But at the briefing of the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday, Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation and chairman of the PTF, announced that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the relaxation of the ban for four weeks.
“The PTF submitted its recommendations and the PRESIDENT has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review-:
“Cautious advance into the Second Phase of the national response to COVID-19; application of science and data to guide the targeting of areas of on-going high transmission of COVID-19 in the country;
“Mobilisation of all resources at State and Local Government levels to create public awareness on COVID 19 and improve compliance with non-pharmaceutical interventions within communities; sustenance of key non-pharmaceutical interventions that would apply nationwide and include: ban of gatherings of more than 20 people outside of a workplace;
“Relaxation of restriction on places of Worship based on guidelines issued by the PTF and protocols agreed by state governments.”
Manchester City Women have appointed former Wales international Gareth Taylor as their new manager on a three-year deal.
The former City striker has been in charge of the men’s Under-18 side for the previous season, having previously overseen the Under-16s.
Taylor, who played for the club between 1998 and 2001, will now replace Nick Cushing, who recently joined New York City FC, at the helm of the women’s team.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have joined Manchester City Women and I’m extremely excited about the challenge ahead with a very talented group of players and staff who have enjoyed a lot of success in recent years,” said Taylor, who will be assisted by Alan Mahon.
“I’m really honoured to have been appointed to this role and I can’t wait to get started with our preparations for another thrilling and competitive Barclays FA WSL season in 2020/21.” He added.
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The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency has announced a new pump price band of N121.50 to N123.50 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.
The PPPRA, which is an agency of the Federal Government, disclosed this in a circular to fuel marketers dated May 31, 2020, which was obtained by our correspondent on Monday.
The sharp drop in crude oil prices on the back of the spread of coronavirus saw the landing cost of petrol hitting a record low in March, wiping off subsidy on the product.
The pump price of petrol, which is still being regulated by the Federal Government, was reduced to N125 per litre from N145 per litre on March 18, 2020, effective March 19.
The West African Examination Council has warned that its long-awaited time table for the 2020 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination will be released after the pandemic and that it will not give ample time to candidates for preparations.
The council further stated that it had made available online resources and tutorials for candidates and thus candidates should make use of it.
This statement was made by Head, WAEC Public Affairs, Mr. Damian Ojijeogu, where he stated that the body will not give candidates time to prepare again once the new timetable is released after the pandemic.
Mr. Damian said and we quote: “The turn-out of the use of our online resources by candidates has been encouraging. We have been getting great feedback. Even those who could not log in initially have been assisted to do so. All the subjects are covered.
“When the lockdown period is over, we will release the new timetable. It is not good that the candidates are idle at home. So, the online resources will help them to revise and it will assist them to avoid the mistakes of those who have written our examination in the past.
The council also said that the new timetable will be announced when the pandemic will be over
You can bring s*x to a crashing halt with ill-chosen words. The trick is to remember anything you say during s*x has twice the power, and twice the ability to lift or destroy someone, as it does in normal life. Saying things that you shouldn’t say kind of makes your partner lose it during the passion of the moment. Here are the things not to say during s*x.
You’re doing it wrong
Instead of pointing the finger at someone, try saying something instead like, “Mmmmm, that’s nice… now let’s try doing it this way
Can we get on with it?
This will mean that you are being forced into doing it and you want to play along so make the person feel ok.
You’re not very good at this
If they really are that bad, then help them learn rather than criticize them.
That reminds me of an ex
This should never be said during s*x with your partner. It means you are still thinking about or still in love with your ex. Better still, it will show that you prefer doing that with your ex.
Have you finished yet?
This will make your partner feel uncomfortable. It will show that you don’t want to do anything like that or you were forced into it.
Nothing
Rolling over after the event and saying nothing, going to sleep, or even getting dressed and making a swift exit are all really offensive things to do. Implying you were just there to get your rocks off and your s*xual partner may as well have been a s*x toy.
We should break up
Even if you want to break up with your partner, that wouldn’t be the right time to do that. As if you are having your last enjoyment before you leave the person.
Another person’s name
This can really be a turnoff for your partner. It would mean you are having s*x with another person on your mind.
Hold on, let me respond to that text
This is really a bad thing to do when you are in that sweet moment. It means that you are not involved in the activity or your mind is not on what is going on.
You really need to work out
You shouldn’t be cruel to your partner during s*x. It would mean you are not attracted to your partner but you just want to satisfy your s*xual pleasures.
Donald Trump has announced that the US will be “terminating its relationship” with the World Health Organisation.
Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House, the US president said he wants to redirect funds into other organisations, as part of an anti-China address.
He announced he would issue a proclamation that would secure research at US universities – a move which will mean the US relies on its own science, rather than that of the global health body.
Mr Trump has spent weeks taking aim at the WHO, accusing them of not acting fast enough on the coronavirus outbreak.
The president claimed in his speech on Friday that China had “total control” over the organisation, and that the country pressured the WHO to mislead the world during the initial outbreak of COVID-19.
He also doubled down on blaming China for the COVID-19 outbreak, calling it the “Wuhan virus”, and saying the country is responsible for the more than 100,000 US deaths.
It was expected that Mr Trump would also use the press conference to speak about the death of George Floyd and clarify his controversial comments on Twitter, in which he threatened to shoot protesters who had been looting in the riots in Minneapolis.
However, he left the stage before taking any questions from the press.
The commander-in-chief also criticised China over it’s stance on Hong Kong, adding that the city is no longer sufficiently autonomous to warrant special treatment from the US, and will revise its travel advice to the region, warning of increased risk of surveillance.
The US will also take steps to sanction officials from Hong Kong who have been involved in “eroding” the autonomy of the region.
China is set to introduce legislation in Hong Kong that would crack down on the anti-government protests in the city, concerning activists and governments that Beijing is chipping away at the “one country, two systems” principle, that outlines the regions autonomy.
Relationships are built on trust, and secrets are a big trust breaker. There are some secrets that are withheld for benevolent reasons. However, the truth still reigns supreme regardless of whatever reason it may be. Anything that can’t be shared with your partner could be the very same thing that will break your relationship.
It’s natural to want to keep some things to yourself. According to research, 60% of people have kept a secret from a partner at some point. But there’s a thin line between mystery and privacy. If you don’t let your partner in, then they will remain out.
People keep secrets for different reasons. Some do it because they believe their partner can’t handle the truth. Others may keep secrets because they believe the truth would make matters worse. We tend to make a lot of assumptions where truths and secrets are concerned.
Still, one needs to consider the status of that relationship. Ask yourself where you’re headed. Is your relationship long term or just a casual hookup? If you aren’t looking at going long term, then it’s okay to keep your dirty little secrets. But if you want to make the relationship work, then you should think about getting all the hidden skeletons out.
Okay, maybe not ‘all’ of them. But these six secrets are unforgivable, and if you’re guilty, start spilling!
1. Financial problems
What are you thinking? That some billionaire will just drop off one Ghana Must Go bag at your doorstep? Or maybe you believe someone would resolve all your financial issues out of the blues and she’ll never be the wiser. Wake up and smell the rain oga or aunty! Let your partner know your financial status. You don’t have to be specific with the amount if you don’t want to, but speak out about what you’re going through.
2. Health status
This goes two ways: One, are you healthy mentally (depression, bipolar, etc); and two, are you physically healthy and able to conceive? Often couples end up finding out that their spouse is barren or has a low sperm count. If this had been sorted earlier, then it wouldn’t have been an issue.
3. Infidelity
This is one beans you need to spill. If you’ve watched cliche Nigerian movies, you must have seen reality depicted where someone cheats and keeps it a secret. Sexing is even a long way in cheating. If you happen to ‘kiss’ someone who isn’t your partner, spill that bean. Tell the truth irrespective of the condition surrounding the kiss. This may end your relationship, but what matters is that you were open and honest.
4. Unhappy in bed
There are people who fake an orgasm and if you’re one of them, this may be a deal breaker. This is one of those secrets you say you’re keeping to save your partner’s dignity. However, you need to be honest. What if the problem is not with your partner but you? Or what if you need to tell the truth so you can ‘both’ work out more adventurous ways to make sex an event?
5. Addiction
This doesn’t have to be a hard substance, and could be alcohol, pornography or even sex. Whatever it is you’re addicted to should be shared with your spouse. If they walk away, you will meet someone who will support you as you find help. Just don’t leave it until things go too far to turn back. If you are in that situation then chances are the truth has been revealed without you trying because addictions are difficult to hide.
6. Family history
You are getting serious in your relationship, and usually when things get serious the family gets involved. Keep nothing hidden about your family before it’s too late. Otherwise you would find yourself caught in a web of more lies. If your father was a criminal, mother was a prostitute and you have 50 extended siblings, spill that bean!
There are several more secrets people keep, so if you have some to spill, share them with us. Remember to share this post, subscribe and let’s keep the BUZZ going!
The initiative will start October 1 and each beneficiary will be paid N20,000 monthly to carry out public works, the minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, announced Thursday.
Mr Keyamo provided more details of the programme, saying each state will have a committee to choose those to be employed and the jobs they will perform.
He said political leaders in all areas will be allowed to select not more than 10 per cent of the beneficiaries in their areas.
Read Mr Keyamo’s speech at a press conference below:
PROTOCOLS
It is my singular honour and pleasure to welcome members of the Press to this briefing.
Sometime in October, 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, approved a Pilot Special Public Works Programme in the Rural Areas. The programme was domiciled in the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) for implementation.
The Special Public Works in the Rural Areas is an employment- intensive technique acquired and adapted by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) from one of the capacity-building collaborations with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the late 1980’s to the middle of the 1990’s. The Project was tagged ILO/NDE Labour Based/ Light Equipment Methods of Construction, Rehabilitation and maintenance of Public Infrastructure.
The ILO itself derived this idea of Special Public Works programme from several historical templates. According to the Development and Technical Labour Department of the ILO, these types of programmes were used during the Great Depression by industrialised nations to immediately respond to grinding poverty at the lowest level of society that normally bore the brunt of such economic upheavals. It was also effectively used during colonial Africa to quickly respond to situations such as drought and famine by mobilising the unskilled populace to engage in other labour intensive infrastructural projects as a means of immediately alleviating their situation. The concept was later adopted and developed by most Asian countries like India, China and Bangladesh to lift their countries out of the league of poor nations. This programme was one of the main reasons India quickly dropped in the poverty index and Nigeria overtook India at a point.
Consequently and arising from the need and desire of the Federal Government to create massive jobs at the lowest rung of the economy as well as to maintain critical public and social infrastructure at the rural base of the economy, Mr. President has approved that we also adopt and integrate this type of programme into the Nigerian economy.
The pilot programme earlier approved by Mr. President was designed to mitigate lack of job opportunities in the rural areas through a short-term engagement of One thousand (1,000) unemployed persons per Local Government Area for a period of three (3) months. It is a dry season/off season transient job programme and was originally designed for the rehabilitation/maintenance of public and social infrastructure. Participants were to be paid an allowance of N20,000 monthly and were to be recruited largely from the pool of unskilled persons ordinarily resident in those rural areas.
This pilot scheme was approved to be implemented in five local government areas in eight states namely: Adamawa, Borno, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Katsina and Kwara.
Beneficiaries are engaged in:
• Drainage digging and clearance
• Irrigation canals clearance
• Rural feeder road maintenance
• Maintenance of the Great Green Wall nurseries and orchards in Borno, Jigawa and Katsina
States
• Traffic control
• Street cleaning
• Cleaning of public infrastructure like Health Centres, Schools and the likes.
A total of 40,000 direct transient jobs were expected to be created in the eight pilot states.
EXTENDED SPECIAL PUBLIC WORKS ACROSS THE 774 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF THE FEDERATION
You will recall that on Monday 6th of April, 2020, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning in a Press conference, announced the approval of Mr President for the extension of this programme to all 36 states and the FCT from October- December 2020 as a means of mitigating the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy.
The Programme is also expected to provide modest stipends for itinerant workers to undertake roads rehabilitation and social housing construction, urban and rural sanitation, health extension and other critical services. Hence the directive of Mr President for the NDE to collaborate with other Ministries with rural components in their mandates.
Consequently and in exercise of my powers as Supervising Minister under Section 16 (1) of the NDE Act, I inaugurated a Special Inter-ministerial Committee on the Extended Special Public Works on Wednesday, 29th April, 2020. Let me pause here briefly to profusely thank Mr President for giving me the special and onerous task of supervising the preparation and execution of this special project in addition to being the supervising Minister of the NDE.
This Committee sat for some weeks and in their collaborative capacity they have proposed a list of projects within their Ministries that may require the intervention of the Public Works Programme. Over 3,000 projects and 42,000 Manpower are being proposed by them. In a Steering capacity, the Committee has also made certain recommendations to me.
Having reviewed all the recommendations of this Inter-ministerial Committee, I believe that the selection of the beneficiaries and projects should be a local affair and not be done from a room in Abuja. Consequently, in line with Section 16(1) of the N.D.E Act, I have decided to constitute special committees in each State of the Federation for the purpose of deliberating, selecting and recommending to my office the names of the 1,000 persons from each of the Local Government Areas in the States to be engaged for this programme. The Committees would also identify the projects to be executed in those L.G.As. These special committees would be known as the State Selection Committees of the Special Public Works (SPW). It shall be a 20-member Committee comprising of the following persons:
(1) A Chairman and Vice-Chairman who shall be indigenes of that State or who are ordinarily resident in that State.
(2) The State Coordinator of the N.D.E of that State who will be the Secretary.
(3) One representative of the Governor of that State.
(4) The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria of that State or his representative/nominee.
(5) The State Chairman of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs or his representative/nominee.
(6) The State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers or his representative/nominee.
(7) The market woman leader in that State
(8) Three persons (one from each Senatorial District) representing the traditional institutions in that State.
(9) Two persons (one male and one female) from each of the Senatorial District of the State (that is six persons) representing prominent youth organisations in those States.
(10) A representative of a prominent Civil Society Organisation of that State.
(11) Two persons representing some peculiar interests in those States.
I wish to quickly note at this point that this is a distinct and separate Committee from the State Advisory Committee under section 5(2) of the N.D.E Act whose functions are different.
Let me state clearly that all members of the State Selection Committees would not be persons holding any official position in any of the registered political parties. If any of those listed also doubles as an official of any political party, then the State Chairman of the Selection Committee of the SPW shall fill that position with another person representing that interest. We have stated this in order to make this process as apolitical as possible.
However, we are not unmindful of the fact that political office holders are also representatives of the people. We cannot also totally ignore them in the selection process. We are only trying to guard against some of us hijacking the process solely to service our political interests.
As a result and because of the need to be honest before Nigerians, the State Selection Committees would be instructed to allot to political office holders like our distinguished Senators, Honourable members, Ministers and Governors, a number in total not exceeding ten percent of the total beneficiaries in that State. This is to ensure that majority of Nigerians who do not belong to any of the political divide actually benefit substantially from this programme.
I am also pleased to inform you that for the purpose of transparency and accountability in the process, the President has approved the use of select banks to register and collate data of the beneficiaries. The banks will open accounts for all beneficiaries and in the process obtain BVN for those without accounts. Consequently, all payments would be made from the CBN directly to the accounts of the beneficiaries. The banks will also simultaneously register the participants for the Special Works Programme. Apart from the transparency and accountability this will achieve, one of the benefits of the exercise is that more Nigerians would be captured in the financial system thereby enhancing the financial inclusion drive of Government. Eventually, the data collated by the banks would be passed on to my office for use in the programme implementation.
It is important to note that this data to be collected would be used for other multifarious purposes relating to employment and social surveys. Already the National Bureau of Statistics, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, has requested for an allotment of ten persons each from the 1,000 persons in each Local Government Areas to carry out special social surveys and data collation by the Bureau.
For the ease of supervision and monitoring of such a large programme, the President has also approved the deployment of online technology. The technology will allow for robust supervision of ongoing works in various local government areas, a reliable tracking system for all man and materials used and a robust real-time monitoring system through online feedback mechanism from citizens, stakeholders and managers of the programme.
We are already at an advanced stage of discussions and negotiations with selected banks that will help us to capture, register and open bank accounts for all the beneficiaries. In the next few weeks, we shall be back here with the banks to explain to Nigerians the operational modalities.
This programme is one of the biggest social intervention schemes to be carried out within a short period of time by any government in the history of Nigeria. It is also unique because it is the very first direct employment scheme of any government that targets the very bottom of the economy. Other intervention programmes have been in form of empowerments. This shows the proclivity of this President to protect and identify with the very poor.
The programme starts on the 1st of October, 2020 and we are already tight on schedule.
In the next two weeks we will empanel and empower all the State Selection Committees so they can commence the onerous task of selection of beneficiaries and projects locally.
A website would be developed immediately where information such as composition and contact of the Selection Committees, list of the selected beneficiaries and chosen projects would be displayed for the public.
We do not want any pressure and lobbying to be directed at my office. We are passing on the responsibilities to the States Selection Committees. When we publish the names, everybody would know who to contact in their different States to make their cases for inclusion.
From now till the end of the projects, I will be holding regular press briefings to update members of the public on progress so far made.
The Lagos State Government says it will from July introduce what it describes as First Mile and Last Mile (FMLM) mobility solution to replace banned Okada and tricycle.
The FMLM are buses with certain specifications.
Frederick Oladeinde, the state’s Transportation Commissioner said at the 2020 ministerial press briefing at the JJT Park, Alausa, Ikeja, that, “Following the restriction of motorcycles and tricycles for commuter operations in some areas in the metropolis, the government is working on implementing a First Mile and Last Mile (FMLM) mobility solution.”
He explained that Okada and tricycle are not part of the state’s transport architecture, adding that they are constituting nuisance on the roads and responsible for the high rate of accidents and crimes.
“We have identified 285 last mile routes within the seven bus reform initiative zones across Lagos. We have developed bus specifications and shared same with potential bus manufacturers. We expect these to be rolled out in the next two months,” Oladeinde said.’
Lagos State Government has inaugurated 37 roads and carried out repairs and rehabilitation of more than 354 others.
It said that ongoing and uncompleted projects inherited from past administrations would be completed to improve the living standard of Lagosians.
Recall that the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration earlier this year imposed a total ban on the use of motocycles and tricycles, with very tiny exception, over security and health concerns.
The government claimed it did not license any group or business to run commercial services with motorcycles — in first conceret reaction to the controversies trailing the ban.
Gbenga Omotosho, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy said on Channels TV Sunrise Daily that the ban was imposed following threats to public health.
“You are talking about registration; as far as I am concern, the government has not registered any company to come and be running okada.”
He added, “In fact, what the government was trying to look at is how to regulate these people so that their excesses can be curtailed.
“But as far as I know, nobody has been licenced to go and start running okada because it is unfortunate that … the rate at which people are dying; the rate at which people are being robbed on the roads; the police are worried, everybody is worried.”
He made the comments a day after the government announced that it would enforce the ban on motorcycles and tricycles (also known as keke) on major roads and bridges on February 1.
Omotosho explained that the State Security Council took the decision after a robust assessment of the debate on the rate of accidents in the state.
According to him, the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) recorded about 104,000 accident cases involving the common Lagosians with broken arms and legs.
The commissioner stressed that a large number of those he called the poor people have asked the government to ban okada.
He noted that the areas with the highest figures of fatalities were areas dominated by a large population of poor.
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The Himba are often called the Ovahimba or Omhimba people who live in the Kunene region of Namibia.
Their elaborately braided hair, skin and clothes covered in a mixture of ground red rock and butter, the women of Namibia’s Himba tribe are a striking sight.
But while the women sport hairstyles of varying degrees of complexity, the men cover their heads with turbans from the moment they marry and never remove them; instead using an arrow-like implement to scratch the hair beneath the turban.
The Himba women are famous for their fascinating dreadlocks, and while you might have known that they used ground ochre to create the stunning red look, you might not have known what else goes into it. They rub the ground ochre with butter and goat hair or Indian hair extensions to create the unique style.
The red ochre that Himba people wear on their skin isn’t only to look cool or differentiate between the men and women, it also serves a biological purpose. The red ochre and butter paste that they wear is called otjize and actually cleans the skin when there is no water, protects against mosquito bites, and keeps them cooler in the hot climate.
The Himba tribe is polygamous and the men often have multiple wives at the same time. Many of the Himba women are married off as soon as puberty starts, most in arranged marriages. On average, most husbands have two wives.
They base their wealth on the number of cattle they own. Cows aren’t the only thing the Himba people farm though — they also breed sheep, goats and chickens. However, they don’t exactly eat much of the animals.
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