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Tag: Senate

  • Senator ’s trial for ‘peddling injurious falsehood’ against IG begins Nov 28

    Senator ’s trial for ‘peddling injurious falsehood’ against IG begins Nov 28

    THE Federal Government yesterday arraigned the senator representing Bauchi Central, Isah Misau, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, Abuja, on charges of peddling injurious falsehood against the Inspector General (IG) Ibrahim Idris.

    Misau is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on dissemination of falsehood against the person of the IG, the Police Service Commission and the Police between August and October 2017.

    Part of the charges filed before the FCT High Court are: “That you, lsah Hamman Misau of Hamman Misau Residence, Turaki Street, Misau, Bauchi State, on or about  August 10, 2017, at Abuja and other part of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did make a false statement of fact to wit: that police officers pay as much as N2.5 million to get special promotion and posting through the Police Service Commission as published in the Daily Trust Newspaper dated August 10, 2017, knowing that such false statement of fact would harm the reputation of Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun ldris (the serving Inspector-General of Police), the Police and the Police Service Commission and you thereby committed an offence.”

    The defendant was also alleged to have on October 5, 2017, in Abuja, made false statement of fact to the effect that N10 billion was been received monthly by the Inspector General of Police from oil companies, banks and hotels among others and that the allegation was capable of harming the reputation of the IG, Chairman of Police Service Commission Mike Okiro and the Police.

    However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges that were read to him.

    Misau’s lawyer Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) moved an oral application for his bail on the grounds that Section 393(1) of the Penal Code under which the defendant was charged carried a maximum of two years punishment upon conviction.

    “I urge your lordship to admit him to bail on self-recognisance because the essence of bail is to secure the attendance of the accused person,” Obla said.

    He added that Section 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, expressly makes provision for bail for the defendant.  Obla argued that Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution presumed the defendant innocent and that been a serving senator, he could not run away.

    He said the defendant could not tamper with police investigation since it has been completed. Obla added that Misau could not influence prosecution witnesses, who are said to be serving police officers.

    The prosecution counsel, Mr. Saliu Barkun, did not object to the bail. Barkun said he would leave it to the discretion of the court.

    In his ruling, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court Justice Ishaq Bello said although Obla applied for bail in self-recognisance for the defendant being a serving senator representing Bauchi Central, he would want sureties for the defendant.

    He then granted Misau bail for N5 million and two reliable sureties in the same amount.

    After the ruling was delivered, Justice Bello fixed the trial for November 28 and 29, for the prosecution to call its witnesses.

  • Senate to review release of Paris Club refunds to governors

    Senate to review release of Paris Club refunds to governors

    The Senate will next week consider how the Paris Club refunds doled out to state governments was approved.

    President Muhammadu Buhari gave part of the Paris Club refunds to state governors as bail out funds to assist them to off set mounting salary arrears.

    The Senate resolution followed observation by Senator Samuel Anyanwu that the upper chamber should look into the legality of the bail out funds given to governors by President Buhari.

    Anyanwu (Imo East) sought to know who gave approval for the distribution of the Paris Club refunds since the National Assembly was not consulted before the disbursement of the funds to state governors.

    Anyanwu said, “I am worried about the Paris club refunds. Governors are asking for more funds. Where is this money coming from. The Senate has not given any approval for the disbursement of any such funds. Who gave approval for the bail out funds and where is the money for.

    “I heard the President scolding them the other day. The President was asking them how they sleep at night even when they do not pay salaries. They have received billions of naira. I feel worried. Even the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has told the President to stop giving bail out funds to governors.

    “If you look at front page of newspaper, you will see the issue there. This is the problem. If my colleagues will allow me, I want to bring this as a motion at our next legislative day. I so submit.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, sought the leave of the Senate to authorize that a proper motion be brought on the issue.

    Saraki said, “Senator Samuel Anyanwu has spoken. Is it the wish of our colleagues that this motion be brought at another legislative day.”

    The approval was unanimous.

    President Buhari, in 2015, few weeks after he assumed office, approved bailout funds to states to settle salary arrears, without any recourse to the National Assembly.

    The 1999 Constitution, (as amended) noted in Section 80 (4) “No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

    In late 2016 and early 2017, President Buhari approved the disbursement of N760.17 billion in two tranches of N243.79 billion each to the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory.

    The funds were also meant to offset backlog of salaries of state civil servants.

    Only last Tuesday, governors once again met with President Buhari, to demand for the release of the outstanding Paris club refund by November, to enable them include it in their 2018 budget appropriation.

    Read Also: Governors demand payment of Paris club refund balance

     

  • Shots fired as angry Kaduna women protest

    Shots fired as angry Kaduna women protest

    In spite of heavy security backing, shots were fired on Wednesday morning by an Operation Yaki van escorting high profile prisoners from a court hearing to the Kaduna Convict Prison, who were obstructed by thousands of angry Kaduna women were on a procession to protest the non approval of a $350 million loan requested by the state government

    The women, most of whom had babies strapped to their backs, while on the procession along Independence Way, occupied the road and in a bid to clear a portion of the road, shots were fired.

    Fielding questions from newsmen who tracked them up to the entrance of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, State Women Leader of international Women and Youth Development Revival, organisers of the protest, Saratu Abdulazeez explained that, the protest was targeted at expressing displeasure on the delays in approving of the loan.

    She said that they are not accusing the Senator Representing Kaduna Central of preventing the approval of the lian, but are only appealing to him to fast track its approval.

    “We are here because we want our leader to assist our government in getting money needed to develop the state. We are not accusing Senator Shehu Sani for frustrating the loan request. We voted for him, we took him to Abuja.

    ”We are only pleading with him that he should listen to us, not accusing him,” she stressed.

    Also explaining why they embarked on the peaceful protest, Kaduna Central Women leader of the group, Amina Ali said that the NGO which has been in existence for over two years are begging that the loan is approved to ensure a better future for them and the generation yet unborn.

    The protesting women, under the aegis of international Women and Youth Development Revival had commenced the procession from the Murtala Mohammed Square at about 11am.

    Other stop overs were at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Kaduna Council Secretariat, the All Progressives Congress (APC) North West Secretariat before reaching the final point, the Kaduna State House of Assembly where they delivered a letter to the Speaker, expressing their displeasure over the non approval of the lian request.

    Similarly, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations in the state had on Monday issued a seven-day ultimatum to Senator Representing Kaduna Central, Comrade Shehu Sani to ensure the requests scales through, or face consequences.

    The coalition during a press briefing in Kaduna on Monday, in which the text was jointly signed by its chairman, Comrade Zubairu Mukhtar and Secretary, Comrade Richard Augustine and read by the chairman.

    According to the coalition, “we are saying that Senator and his pay masters should as a matter of urgency hands off and reverse their position to stop the Government of Kaduna State from accessing the loan. Kaduna State does not belong to any individual. We the people of Kaduna State stand in solidarity with the leadership of the state to acquire the loan of $350 million for our state’s development”.

  • Pressure on Senate panel to drop $25b contracts probe

    The Senate Ad Hoc Committee probing the “$25billion transactions” by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is under pressure to drop the enquiry, The Nation has learnt.

    Some prominent citizens have been asking committee Chairman Aliyu Wammako to either stay action on the probe or work towards a “soft-landing” investigation and report.

    Others, who are influential stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, have been lobbying the Senate leadership to suspend the probe in the light of “convincing clarifications” by the Presidency.

    Besides, they maintain that there are “no issues” to investigate again, a source said.

    But some members of the committee are said to be adamant, insisting on the investigation of the issues in the August 30 memo of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.

    The pressure is believed to have accounted for why the panel has not started sitting since it was constituted by the Senate on October 4.

    It was learnt that in the past two weeks, lobbyists have been trailing Wammako to his residence in Asokoro District.

    One of such high-profile lobbying sessions took place last Wednesday.

    A source said: “These bigwigs actually wanted the Senate to suspend the probe. But the chamber said since the issue was already in the public domain, it will not be good for the image of the Senate.

    “The battle has shifted to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee. Some of these lobbyists have either asked Wammako to either stay away from the probe or work towards a “soft-landing” investigation and report.

    “In one breath, they claimed that since the Presidency and NNPC had made convincing clarifications that there was no contract awarded, going into the allegations contained in the Minister’s memo will be chasing shadows.

    “They alleged that since the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru have reconciled, there is nothing to probe.”

    “Some of the lobbyists are believed to have cautioned the Senate Committee against causing a fresh distress in the oil sector.

    They told some members of the committee that even Kachikwu and Baru did not want the investigation to go on because it might affect the oil and gas industry. About 40 oil firms are likely to be summoned.

    “This is the real reason why the committee has not been able to sit. The chairman and members are really under pressure,” the source said.

    But some members of the committee have insisted that the investigation must go ahead “in the interest of Nigerians” and to protect the integrity of the Senate.

    The logic, according to a member of the committee, is that “since the committee has been mandated by the Senate to look into issues between Kachikwu and Baru, we have no choice than to carry out this legislative duty.

    “To me, I believe the interest of Nigeria is paramount than any other consideration. I believe the probe will go on; what we are working out is logistics,” he said, pleading not to be named.

    Apart from Wammako, other members of the committee are Senators Tayo Alasoadura; Kabiru Marafa; Albert Bassey; Sam Anyanwu; Ahmed Ogembe; Chukwuka Utazi; Rose Okoh and Baba Kaka Garbai.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Edmund Ibe Kachikwu and the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, have been locked in a big row over alleged award of $25b contracts, insurbodination and lack of respect for due process.

    Kachikwu asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call the GMD to order.

    He said he was always being blocked from seeing the President.

    Kachikwu, who made his views known in an August 30th, 2017 memo to President Muhammadu Buhari, claimed that five major contracts were never reviewed by or discussed with him or the Board of NNPC. He listed the contracts as follows:

    • The Crude Term Contracts – value at over $10b
    • The DSDP contracts – value over $5b
    • The AKK pipeline contract – value approximately $3b
    • Various financing allocation funding contracts with the NOCs – value over $3bn
    • Various NPDC production service contracts – value at over $3bn – $4bn

    Both the NNPC and its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru have insisted that the transactions were validly conducted within the agency’s expenditure limits.

    They claimed that the board of NNPC cannot approve contracts but they can review and give advice.

    They insisted that the NNPC only carried out transactions and did not award contracts.

     

     

  • $25b contract: Senate postpones probe of NNPC GMD

    THE Senate yesterday postponed the planned probe of the Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, over alleged award of $25 billion contract without due process.

    The upper chamber also resolved to investigate Baru over alleged insubordination and abuse of office as contained in the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu’s letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who announced the postponement, said the investigation wouldbegin next Tuesday.

    The investigative panel to be chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko ought to have started yesterday.

    Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary, did not give any reason for the sudden postponement.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki constituted the ad hoc panel last week following a resolution of the Senate and public outcry over the content of Kachikwu’s letter.

    The committee was given four weeks to submit its report.

    A source said earlier meeting scheduled last week by the committee chairman was also called off at the last minute.

    Wamakko is yet to address the reporters about the modalities his committee would adopt to conduct the investigation.

    Kachikwu’s letter was leaked to the press last two weeks.

    In the memo, Kachikwu alleged lack of due process in the award of contracts valued at over $25 billion by NNPC.

     

  • Rich Nigerians should pay more tax- Senate

    Rich Nigerians should pay more tax- Senate

    Asks FG to implement free compulsory education

     

    The Senate yesterday backed the Federal Government’s position that rich Nigerians should be made to pay more taxes as a way to engender wealth redistribution in the country.

    The upper chamber said that said that people who earn higher emolument should pay high taxes on luxury goods.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over yesterday’s plenary said the rich must pay more taxes, while poor Nigerians should pay less.

    He said with more money in government’s confers, more Nigerians will be lifted out of poverty.

    Ekweremadu was contribution to a motion on eradication of poverty raised by Senator Ali Wakili and 22 others to commemorate United Nations International Day for the eradication of poverty.

    Ekweremadu said, “In other countries of the world, governments make deliberate efforts to get their people out of poverty. This is the practice all over the world. Nigeria should not be different. We need to provide for our people and get them out of poverty.

    “There are so many ways we can achieve this. Government needs to implement policies that will take us out of poverty. One of them is the issue of taxation. The rich need to pay more taxes, while the poor should pay less. When the rich pay more taxes, there will be enough money to get our people out of poverty.

    “We have our able youths who are jobless, despite the fact that they are educated. This cannot continue. We need to provide jobs for our youths and take them off the streets. As a parliament, we will take the necessary steps to ensure that this is achieved.”

    Read: Nigeria loses over N15tr yearly to tax evasion 

    Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had while speaking to the press at the annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC on Sunday, insisted people with higher income must bear a greater part of the tax burden.

    Wakili in the motion noted that a recent report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), no fewer than 112 million Nigerians representing 67.1 per cent of the country’s estimated population, now live below the poverty level.

    He said that commemoration is intended to promote dialogue and understanding between people living in poverty and their communities and society.

    “It is meant to demonstrate the strong bonds of solidarity between people living in poverty and people from all works of life, and the commitment to work together to overcome extreme poverty,” Wakili said.

    Senator Shehu Sani, (Kaduna central) in his contribution lamented that more than 80 per cent of Nigerians live below the poverty level.

    The lawmaker said that successive governments have not done enough to implement programmes that will lift Nigerians out of poverty.

    Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North) described poverty as a weapon of mass destruction.

    He noted that China in the last 20 years has lifted more 300 million of its citizens out of poverty.

    Barau urged the Federal Government to do more and implement social programmes to lift the living conditions of Nigerians.

    Lawmakers, after a brief debate, called on the Federal Government to declare free education at every level.

    The upper chamber said that policies and programmes evolved by the Federal Government through the Social Investment Programmes and other poverty alleviation and eradication measures be vigorously pursued.

  • $25bn contract: Senate postpones probe of NNPC GMD

    $25bn contract: Senate postpones probe of NNPC GMD

    The Senate Tuesday postponed the planned probe of the Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, over alleged award of $25 billion contract without due process.

    The upper chamber also resolved to investigate Baru over alleged insubordination and abuse of office as contained in the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu leaked letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who announced the postponement, said that the investigation will now commence next Tuesday.

    The investigative panel to be chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko ought to have started Tuesday.

    Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary did not give any reason for the sudden postponement.

    Sources said that the court case praying the court to stop the Senate from conducting the investigation might have been the reason for the shift.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki constituted the adhoc panel last week following a resolution of the Senate and public outcry over the award of the alleged shady contract.

    The committee was given four weeks to submit its report.

    A source said that earlier meeting scheduled last week by the chairman, Wammako, was also called off at the last minute.

    Wamakko is yet to address the press about the modalities his committee would adopt to conduct the investigation.

    Kachikwu’s letter, addressed to President Buhari was leaked to the press last two weeks.

    In the memo, Kachikwu alleged lack of due process in the award of contract valued at over $25 billion by NNPC.

    In the August 30, 2017 letter, Kachikwu attributed the slow growth in the oil and gas sector to illegal practices by the departments and agencies under his ministry, especially the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) headed by the GMD of Baru.

    He told President Buhari that the country’s petroleum industry would have recorded tremendous progress, but for Baru’s alleged inaction.

    Kachikwu who also presented five prayers to the President to save the oil sector from collapse, said he was always being blocked from seeing the President. He said he was disturbed that $25 billion contracts were awarded by Baru without his input and that of the board.

  • FG seeks law to export goat carcass, others

    FG seeks law to export goat carcass, others

    Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, Thursday  sought the assistance of the Senate to review the export prohibition law to enable the country export certain food items including yam and goat meat.

    Ogbe told the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development that the country cannot export certain agro-products because of the law prohibiting their export.

    The minister specifically mentioned yam as one of the agro-products that cannot be exported because of its prohibition.

    He said, “It cannot be exported because of the law. You have to help us. The law banning certain things including yam has to be amended. We have the request of goat meat from Qatar. We have the request of 120,000 goat carcass per week from Qatar. But there is a law you can’t export.”

    Ogbe noted that at least N500 billion should be set aside by the Federal Government as Agricultural Fund to move the sector forward.

    The minister who said that credit facility for farmers remained a big issue insisted that “we have to find funds for agriculture and if we don’t have up to N500 billion for agriculture we are not going anywhere.”

    He said that big time farmers in the country are foreigners because they have access to funds.

    Ogbe said that although foreigners should invest in agriculture to create employment in the country, local farmers should also be empowered to invest in big time farming.

    The minister decried the attitude of the elite who thought that “there is nothing in agriculture” and appealed for a change of attitude.

    Ogbe muted the idea of the introduction of scale as a means of buying and selling in the country.

    He said, “We have to introduce scale. If you want to buy a bag of rice, what is a bag of rice. It should be weighed and you pay. If you want to buy onions, it is weighed and you pay. A buyer should know what he is paying for. We are working on it.”

    On the menace of kidnappers, Ogbe said that the Federal Government would soon roll out fully armed 3000 Agric Rangers trained by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to guard farms and their owners.

    He said that his ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior engaged the Agric Rangers and will soon begin operation.

  • Senate passes FIRS 2017 budget

    Senate passes FIRS 2017 budget

    The Senate on Tuesday passed the 2017 budget of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) of N147 billion.

    This followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Finance in Abuja.

    While presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, John Enoh, said the overhead cost was N46 billion, while capital expenditure was N31 billion.

    He said the FIRS was funded by four per cent cost of non-oil revenue collection which is appropriated by the National Assembly as stipulated in the FIRS Act, 2007.

    “The Service projected to collect N4.89trillion from oil and non-oil revenue for the year 2017,” he said.

    For the agency budget performance in 2016, Enoh said FIRS collected N3.3trillion in 2016 as against the approved collectable tax of N4.08trillion.

    The president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, later passed the budget after deliberations by the law makers.

    NAN

  • Monkey pox: Senate seeks proactive measures to combat disease

    Monkey pox: Senate seeks proactive measures to combat disease

    •Reps summon health minister

    THE Senate has urged the Federal Government to be proactive in containing and preventing the spread of monkey pox disease.

    Monkey pox disease is a rare and infectious disease caused by monkey virus, transmitted from animals to human and with symptoms similar to those of smallpox.

    The first incident of the disease was reported on September 22 in Bayelsa State and it has also spread to some states.

    The Senate said the Federal Government’s measures could be undertaken through state and local governments.

    The lawmakers also advocated enlightenment of citizens about measures that could be taken to mitigate risk factors of exposure to the virus.

    They called for proper liaison by the Federal Government with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other relevant donor agencies for contingencies against eventualities.

    The call followed the adoption of a motion on “Urgent need for pro-active steps to nip in the bud reported outbreak of monkey pox disease in Nigeria” by Senator Ali Wakili (APC-Bauchi) at plenary.

    Presenting the motion, Wakili said the infection resulted from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and mucosal lesions of infected animals.

    He said similarly, human infections had also been documented through the handling of infected monkeys, rats and squirrels with rodents being the major reservoir of the virus.

    Contributing, Senator Magnus Abe (APC-Rivers) said there was need for proactive measures to be put in place to tackle the disease.

    The resolutions were adopted by all the lawmakers after a voice vote raised by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    But the House of Representatives yesterday summoned the Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole over the outbreak of the disease.

    The minister is to explain to the lawmakers “the alarming situation of how a country as vast and resources as Nigeria will depend on a laboratory in Dakar, Senegal to analyse samples at such a critical time of national health crisis”.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the passage of a motion by a member, Diri Douye, titled: “Suspected outbreak of monkey pox in Bayelsa State – Urgent need for free detail government intervention and international community support.”

    The lawmaker said since the disease broke out in Bayelsa, it has spread into other states in the region “notably Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in spite of the concerted efforts of the Bayelsa State Government.”

    He expressed shock at the admission of the Minister of Health that “monkey pox could not be confirmed in Nigeria until laboratory investigations by World Health Organisation (WHO) referral laboratory in Dakar, Senegal.”

    The House called on the Federal Government to provide financial as well as logistical support to the Bayelsa State Government to reach out to threatened water licked communities.

    Also, the House mandated its Committees on Health Services to investigate and report back within two weeks for further legislative action were mandated to investigate.

     

    Ekiti confirms two cases as resident doctors begins strike

     

    Two suspected cases of monkey pox have been recorded in Ekiti State, according to Secretary to the State Government Dr. Dupe Alade

    Dr. Alade spoke at a news conference to herald activities marking the third anniversary of the Ayo Fayose administration.

    This came as the state chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) embarked on a three-day warning strike to press home their demand for the payment of six months arrears of pay.

    Mrs. Alade, in sounding the monkey pox alarm, urged residents to take all necessary precautions, regularly wash their hands and beware of what they eat.

    According to her, the suspected victims of the dreaded disease were discovered in Okemesi-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area. The community is located on the boundary with Osun State.

    The SSG explained that the victims have been quarantined and their blood samples taken to Abuja for laboratory tests.

    Ekiti ARD, in a statement signed by its President, Dr. Tunji Olaoye, explained that the industrial action became necessary as life has become unbearable for doctors, who are being owed six months.

     

    Panic in Ondo as woman was bitten by monkey

     

    The alleged bitten of an unknown middle-aged woman by monkey in Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State was caused anxiety yesterday in the area.

    It was learnt that the woman was allegedly ‘chopped’ by a monkey she was feeding last Saturday as her domestic pet.

    Sources said the woman was not taken the situation seriously until Sunday evening when she started feeling some pains.

    One of the residents around said they had thought it was a whitlow as the spot was developing some blisters.

    He said: “When the woman started complaining, her friends and family then advised her to visit a nearby health centre for treatment or minor surgery.

    “When she got to the health centre, one of the nurses who attended to her thought it was a whitlow and wanted to operate it but there was no surgical blade in the health facility.

    “It was brought to the notice of the matron, who noticed that the affected part was more of a bite than whitlow. The lady now revealed that she was bitten by a monkey, she keeps as pet.”

    It was learnt that the matron in charge of the health centre immediately referred the woman to the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, for further treatment.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Wahab Adegbenro, however, said there was no case of monkey pox in the state.

    He said residents should remain calm, stressing that the ministry of health had put its surveillance units at alert across the 18 local government areas.

     

    Edo begins 24 hours

    surveillance

     

    Edo State Government said it has commenced 24 hours surveillance against any possible outbreak of monkey pox.

    It said there was no recorded case of the disease.

    Director of Disease Control Dr. Irowa Osamwonyi, who spoke in an interview with reporters, said there was nothing to worry about the outbreak of the disease.

     

    Ogun: we have no infection

     

    Ogun State has debunked the presence of cases of monkey pox.

    This was against the reports of the National Centre for Disease Control, Abuja, that the state was among the states being affected by the disease.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Babatunde Ipaye spoke at a news briefing in his office in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.