Author: The Nation

Our Reporter

 

Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu on Monday expressed shock over the death of former Information Minister Chief Tony Momoh.

He described the late lawyer and politician as a statesman, patriot and exemplary journalist.

In a condolence message by his Media Office, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Tony Momoh.

“I recall reading his interview in one of the national newspapers a few days ago where he restated his love of this country and his belief in its future.

“He was a statesman and patriot resolutely committed to the unity and progressive development of this country.

“Exemplary journalist, he earned domestic and global recognition as Editor of the old Daily Times in those challenging days for journalists.

Read Also: Tinubu mourns Martins-Kuye

“He was not just a journalist, he was also a notable politician. He was one of the true founders of the APC.

“A close associate of President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Momoh as Chairman of the CPC worked day and night to bring about the historic merger with the ACN and other parties that led to the APC.

Tinubu added: “His death is a great loss at this time his wise counsel is needed in the country.

My condolences to his family. I pray that God give them the strength to overcome this loss. I commiserate with the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, the Guild of Editors and indeed with the Media Confraternity.

“I also mourn with the government and people of Edo State and the entire country.

May the soul of Chief Momoh rest in perfect peace in the bosom of the Lord.”

 Nicholas Kalu and Moses Emorinken, Abuja

 

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu on Monday ordered the full enforcement of the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, last Tuesday.

The order was to Assistant IGPs in the 17 zonal commands and their constituent Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, they are to ensure full compliance with the Regulations in their respective Areas of Responsibilities (AoR).

The statement reads: “The IGP gave the order to the Strategic Police Managers following the directives by the President as contained in the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021 which mandates the Nigeria Police Force and other agencies of government mentioned therein to ensure full enforcement of the Regulations in public places – places of worship, workplace and schools, banks, public transport vehicles, hostels, boarding houses, detention centres, etc – and general restrictions on gatherings as well as the use of face masks.

“The IGP, while noting that the uncertainty and risks engendered by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic have placed additional responsibilities on the general public, calls on citizens to voluntarily comply with the provisions of the Regulations for the safety of all.

“The IGP further cautions officers enforcing the Regulations to show tact, compassion, and empathy with the citizens. He reiterates that the officers must be firm and professional and at the same time remain polite, civil and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.”

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) lamented that some faith leaders were teaching that COVID-19 is non-existent and could not harm Christians.

Read Also: IGP Adamu: Two years on

CAN President, His Eminence, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, described this as “reckless confidence”, noting that Christians were known to have died of the virus.

Ayokunle, who spoke in Abuja, during a sensitisation meeting on COVID-19 vaccine introduction for Christian leaders and scholars, by the National Primary Health Development Agency (NPHCDA), advised them not to take the Grace of God for granted.

He urged the federal and states government to enforce compliance with safety protocols to halt the virus’ spread.

While urging the public to observe the non-pharmaceutical interventions of properly wearing face masks, hand washing/sanitising, and practising social distancing, CAN also urged religious leaders to show responsibility by teaching their congregations about the dangers of the virus.

He said, “Covid-19 would have been more deadly if not for the mercies of God, especially for Nigeria and Africa, with issues in its health infrastructure. We would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

“All covid-19 protocols ought to be obeyed for our good and the good of our world. Kudos to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for their activities and collaborating with us since the beginning of the outbreak.

“We should not be myopic and allow this virus to cut short our dream. It is not good to show reckless confidence by some faith leaders that COVID-19 is not existent and not for Christians. We have seen Christians die from the virus. If you love your congregations you will teach them about the strains. Other countries with better health infrastructure are suffering. We should not take the Grace of God for granted.”

Ayokunle thanked the President for ordering the enforcement law.

He said: “This is one of the ways we are getting it right because Nigerians have become recalcitrant. People disobey safety protocols perpetually, thereby transmitting the disease to others.

“Signing the law is not what is more important, but enforcing it. Enforcement has to be drastic and tough.

“The PTF, Federal Government, and State Governments have to cooperate to enforce, especially in the unorganized markets which have become dangerous.”

He explained that as part of his role, he had visited churches without notice, adding that “Most churches are adhering to the protocols. They have temperature checks, water, and soap, sanitisers and are practising social distancing.

According to him, the government should focus on airports, which “have started relapsing again.”

 

 

 Raymond Mordi, Deputy Political Editor

 

The passing on of Prince Tony Momoh, journalist par excellence, lawyer and politician came as a shock to many Nigerians because no one saw it coming. In the last couple of weeks, he granted some media interviews where, as usual, he spoke passionately about Nigeria. In his last full interview with The Nation, published last week Monday (January 25), he spoke about the imperatives of restructuring the country, to put an end to the humongous amount of resources spent to cater for elected and appointed public officials.

Born on April 27, 1939, in Auchi, Edo State, the late Momoh was the Yerima of Auchi Kingdom. He was the 165th child of King Momoh I of Auchi Kingdom; the third of the four children his mother had for the monarch. His mother was the junior of the three groups into which the Momoh Household of 45 wives and 245 children were organised.

The late Momoh, who was Minister of Information between September 1986 and 1990 under Military President Ibrahim Babangida would be fondly remembered as a bibliotherapist and cultural engineer. As Minister of Information, the late Prince Momoh chose to communicate vital issues of the moment to Nigerians through a series of letters, which he dubbed “Letter to My Countrymen”.

Momoh was a great Timesman; he worked with the legendary Daily Times of Nigeria of old. He started his journalism career on the sub desk of the paper. He rose rapidly through the ranks and later became the editor of the paper. He was for many years the manager of the training wing of the paper, which later became known as the Times Journalism Institute. He was also general manager (publications) and general manager (planning and development).

Given his background as a former Training Manager, Momoh was in the vanguard of elevating journalism standards in the country. He was active on the professional education circuit as secretary and president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, chairman, National Registration Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and member, Board of Trustees, Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA). Under his watch as Information Minister, the country had laws professionalizing journalism, advertising and public relations. He has also served on the boards of the Nigerian Press Council.

Read Also: Buhari mourns ex-Minister Tony Momoh

As a politician, Momoh believed so much in President Muhammadu Buhari. He participated prominently in every political party that Buhari has been involved in since 2003. He campaigned vigorously for Buhari when he contested the presidency in 2007 on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP). He was chairman, Media and Publicity of the ANPP Campaign Organisation in the 2003 and 2007 elections. In his last interview with The Nation, the late Momoh defended President Buhari’s perceived reluctance to restructure Nigeria, saying Nigerians are not ready for it because there is so much divergence of views about the meaning of restructuring.

He said: “Of all the leaders since 1999, President Buhari was more prepared to lead because he had contested the presidency three times before he eventually succeeded; unlike his predecessors. Do you think he doesn’t know what he is doing? He knows what he is doing. So, in terms of management of Nigerian affairs infrastructure wise and all other areas, with the little resources we have after we have wasted it on full-time jamboree for everybody, no other person is more qualified than him.”

Through the profile of Buhari the late Momoh published prior to the 2007 general elections, he portrayed the retired General as a man of integrity who could be trusted to manage the affairs of the country. President Buhari fell apart with prominent stakeholders of the defunct ANPP after he lost the election. While Buhari chose to pursue the case in court, his party members decided to participate in the late Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration. Shortly before the 20011 general elections, Buhari floated a new political party to contest that election. Thus, in January 2011, the late Momoh was appointed chairman of Buhari’s new party, the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). As a result, the departed Momoh was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as National Chairman of the CPC, one of the legacy parties that metamorphosed into the APC in late 2013.

Momoh was chairman of the board of directors of Nigerian Airways from 1991 to 1993. He was appointed a Member of the Edo State Economic Advisory Committee in 1991. As of 1996, Momoh was one of the directors of the Newswatch magazine. He was also Director of the Alex Ekwueme Presidential Campaign Organization in 1999. He chaired the screening and conduct of Governorship and State House of Assembly primaries in Kano Chapter of the P.D.P. for the 1999 general elections together with Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila and Senator Bala Tafidan Yauri.

He was educated at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka between 1964 and 1966 where he read Mass Communication and the University of Lagos between where he read Law 1969 and 1974. He attended the Nigerian Law School between 1974 and 1975 and was called to the bar in 1975. He had earlier attended Government School Auchi, the school King Momoh I had established at Auchi in 1922. He also attended Teacher Training College, Abraka.

He was awarded many honours, including fellowships of the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Advertising Council of Nigeria. He was a patron of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), and a holder of Selkyo Culture Award presented to him in Japan in recognition of his “great contribution to society” through his “consistent and valuable activities for the sake of the creation of peace and culture”. He was widely travelled and is married with four children, three boys and a girl, who form part of the more than 1000-member Momoh Clan in Lagos.

 

Our Reporter

 

Who will ultimately benefit from the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last Imo North Senatorial District by-election?

This will soon be known as the Supreme Court has indicated that verdict on the appeal will be given on or before February 7.

The case will be heard on February 3.

Three appeals by parties came up for mention on Monday.

The first appeal, numbered SC/971/2020, was filed Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararumen against Lady Unchenna Onyeiwu Uba and four others.

Read Also: Court remands P&ID director in EFCC custody

The second, numbered SC/971/2020, was also filed by Ararume against Chukwuma Frank Ibezim and others.

The third (SC/1060/2020) was filed by Dr Edith Chidimma Uwajumogu against Chukwuma Frank Ibezim and others.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned the APC winner of the by-election held on December 5, 2020.

It, however, did not return a candidate for the party because there were many court decisions for and against the two main contenders: Ararume and Ibezim.

 

 Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

 

Osun Government has called on the state’s residents, especially those with traits of sickness, to go for COVID-19 test as the number of coronavirus cases is increasing.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Rafius Isamotu and the state COVID-19 Incident Management Officer, Prof. Peter Olaitan, stated this on Monday in Osogbo.

Isamotu said it was necessary for residents to submit themselves for test due to the rising cases of coronavirus in the state, which was becoming alarming and needed to be controlled.

He called on the people to take responsibility to protect themselves and others against the spread of the virus, especially the new United Kingdom (UK) strain of the virus.

“As at this morning (Monday), we have a number of 1,516 coronavirus cases recorded in the state and 32 deaths.

“It is, however, unfortunate that some folks still don’t believe COVID-19 exist,” said Isamotu.

Read Also: Osun warns residents over five cases of UK COVID-19 strain

He warned that people should know that COVID-19 is real and known to have killed many people.

“We want our people to help us to stop the spread of the virus by masking up and following the COVID-19 guidelines and protocols.

“It is frustrating that the people are not complying with wearing of face masks. We are not alarmists but the deadly UK strain was found in Ede, at the Africa Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID).

“What this means is that the more deadly UK COVID-19 strain is now in Osun. The people of the state have to stick to the guidelines and always put on their face masks to prevent the spread,” he said.

Olaitan, who is also the Chief Medical Director of Osun University Teaching Hospital, said people should always wear their face masks, keep to handwashing and avoid mass gathering, especially religious gatherings.

He warned that the new UK strain of the coronavirus was more damaging, deadlier, spread faster, had more spikes and could easily penetrate the blood.

The state government expressed its readiness to lockdown residents if the state keeps on recording the deadly B117 strain of COVID-19.

It expressed worries over the discovery of the five new strain of COVID-19.

Isamontu, while featuring on a radio station, Rave FM in Osogbo during a talk show, Frank Talk, said: “It is worrisome that barely five days that the PTF announced the cases of deadly B117 strain of COVID-19, out of 25 people that were tested, five of them had the UK strain of the virus.

“It is not the wish of the government to lock down its residents but the priority of any responsible government is to keep citizens safe. With the discovery of the deadly B117 strain of COVID-19 in the state, if the state records increase in the cases of the virus and we see that our people are not conscious of safety protocols, then we have no option than to lockdown to forestall community spread.”