Paul Okah

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Chief Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (P. Noble), has sponsored a writing competition for facebook users; in order to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown boredom. The competition, which held on the facebook page of a journalist, Prince Paul Okah, commenced on Monday, April 27, 2020, with the caption "2020 P. Noble Writing Competition" and had 18 participants write stories on the topic "My COVID-19 lockdown experience". After assessment on Tuesday, April 28, 2020, due to betraying rules bordering on writing below the 1,000 word length specification, editing entries after posting, ungrammatical expressions, directionless stories, among others, 15 participants couldn't make it to the finals and were awarded consolation prizes of N1,000 airtime each; for their participation in the competition. Also, after critical assessment, on Wednesday morning, three participants, Miss Ezeali Blessing Oge...

ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CUMULATIVE LOCKDOWN ORDER OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ON COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 2020 1. Fellow Nigerians 2. I will start by commending you all for the resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against the biggest health challenge of our generation. 3. As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000 recoveries. Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of this pandemic. 4. The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 5. Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and ass...

President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to address Nigerians today. In a short statement released to the media Monday afternoon, which was by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, President Buhari will address the nation by 8pm today. The statement reads: "President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation Monday, April 27, 2020 at 8pm. Television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively for the broadcast. However, analysts are of the opinion that the national broadcast is to address the two-week lockdown on Ogun, Lagos and the FCT, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, but which expired today, after an earlier two weeks lockdown. Nigerians are, therefore, expecting that the lockdown will either be lifted or prolonged, with a large percentage of Nigerians fav...

The index case of COVID-19 in Ebonyi State, a  31 year old  commercial driver  from Ukawu, Onicha Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State, made contact with 300 people. While addressing Nigerians in a 11:06 video on Sunday, April 26, which was watched by  Paulokahblog , the governor of the state,  Engr. David Nweze Umahi, said that the yet-to-be-named index case came into Ebonyi State from Ore,  a town in Odigbo LGA of Ondo State , but was detected and subsequently isolated. He said: " The first COVID-19 index case is a 31 year old man from Ukawu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He rides a hire purchase business with his Sienna vehicle, which he uses to carry food items to Ore in Ondo state. Usually, after selling his food items, he uses his vehicle to carry passengers back to south East.  "He has made two journeys this year: one on 29th of March and returned to Ebonyi on 1st of April. Second one was at about 12th Of ...

Nigeria has recorded 239 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infections recorded in the country to 1273. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known via its website on Sunday. NCDC said, “On the 26th of April 2020, 92 new confirmed cases and five new deaths were recorded in Nigeria. “Four new states (Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Kebbi and Taraba) have reported confirmed cases in the last 24 hours. “Till date, 1273 cases have been confirmed, 239 cases have been discharged and 40 deaths have been recorded in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory. “The 91 new cases are reported from sixteen states- Lagos (43), Sokoto (8), Taraba (6), Gombe (5), Ondo (3), FCT (3), Edo (3), Oyo (3), Rivers (3), Bauchi (3), Osun (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Bayelsa (1), Ebonyi (1), Kebbi (1).” As it stands, 33 states have all recorded coronavirus cases, leaving out only  Cross River, Kogi, Yobe and Nasarawa states.

Ebonyi State governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has implored residents to have hope and not despair as ban on motorcycles (Okada) and lockdown in the state may be lifted by May 1. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, and Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji and made available to  Paulokahblog  Saturday, Umahi... He said: "The Governor thanks all Ebonyians for their patience and appreciation of our modest achievements so far made on the war against Corona Virus, especially those who made donations either in cash or in material or both, to support the State Government in the fight against Covid-19 of which the total cash donation till date is about One Hundred and Twenty Million (N120,000,000.00). "In consideration of the economic peculiarities of Ebonyi State, the Governor directed me to also inform the general public in the state that he has compassionately decided no...

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has implored journalists practising in the state and beyond to join hands in moving the state forward as they are critical stakeholders. In a statement made available to  Paulokahblog  on Saturday, which was signed by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, and Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji, Umahi said that journalists are invited to partner with government to win this war against Covid-19. He said: "The Governor commends and thanks many of the journalists in Ebonyi State for standing strongly with Ebonyi State Government in this unfortunate pandemic situation in Nigeria and assures all journalists of government's continued support to carry out their professional duties unhindered. We also appeals to them to work with the state government for the benefit of Ebonyi State and the entire country. "The Governor wishes to make it ver...

An occupant of Taiwo Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi area of Lagos, Taiwo Eluyemi, dispersed some neighbours who came to his apartment to watch movies on Wednesday in compliance with social distancing rule to curtail the spread of coronavirus. He never knew the action would cost him his life 24 hours later. One of the neighbours identified simply as Habeeb, who was upset by Eluyemi’s action reportedly ambushed him along the street on Thursday and hacked him to death.  Eluyemi was popular in the neighbourhood, a personality that attracted people to his house. It was gathered that Habeeb, who also resides on Taiwo Street, and his friends stormed Eluyemi’s house on Wednesday to watch movies but he turned them back on the grounds that his apartment was becoming crowded. Eluyemi’s countenance was said to have angered Habeeb, resulting in an altercation between them. A tenant in the area, Tope Akande, told our correspondent that some people intervened and both parties...

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has relaxed the coronavirus lockdown imposed on the state and has asked churches to commence full activities. The governor stated this in a broadcast to the people of the state on Saturday evening. Before the broadcast, church activities had been restricted for 14 days as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. But on Saturday, Obiano asked churches to resume full activities, stating that the worshippers must wear face masks and observe the World Health Organisation’s guidelines during worship. The governor announced that movements around the state were not restricted, stressing, however, that all boundaries in the state remained closed. He said, “With regards to religious groups, leaders of the church should ensure that worshippers comply with the standards protocols of COVID-19 which includes wearing of face masks to church, use of hand sanitizers, social distancing and regular washing of hands....

The Ebonyi State  Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Chief  Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali (aka P. Noble) has commended the efforts of the state governor, Engr. David Umahi, in making sure that the Coronavirus pandemic does not spread to the state. In a statement he signed and made available to  Paulokahblog  Saturday morning, P. Noble said that the proactive measures undertaken by the governor since the Coronavirus pandemic berthed in Nigeria is worthy of commendation and emulation. He said: " The battle against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic might be far from over, but the efforts of those standing at the frontlines have been nothing but heroic. Surely efforts count for something and that is why the Governors of Lagos State, Edo State and Ebonyi State standout in this wartime.  "It is particularly important to single out Engr David Umahi of Ebonyi State for the urgency with which he responded to this pandemic by immediately shutting down ...

Expectedly, the number of people infected by COVID-19 surpassed the 1,000 mark on Friday night, after the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 114 new cases in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The NCDC said on its Twitter handle that 80 new cases were recorded in Lagos, 21 in Gombe, five in the FCT and apiece in Edo and Zamfara, while four states: Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, and Sokoto, recorded one case apiece. Therefore, Nigeria currently has 1, 095 confirmed cases of coronavirus with 32 deaths and 208 discharged cases (as of 11:30 p.m. 24th April, 2020). According to NCDC, “Breakdown of the cases on state-by-state shows the following: Lagos-657, FCT-138, Kano-73, Ogun-35, Gombe-30, Katsina-21, Osun-20, Edo-19, Oyo-18, Borno-12, Kwara-11, Akwa Ibom-11, Kaduna-10, Bauchi-8, Delta-6, Ekiti-4, Ondo-3, Rivers-3, Jigawa-2, Enugu-2, Niger-2, Abia-2, Zamfara-2, Sokoto-2, Benue-1, Anambra-1, Adamawa-1, Plateau-1.” Interestingly, Ebonyi, ...

With over 40 doctors and other healthcare workers testing positive to COVID-19, Nigerian Medical Association, NMA has appealed to Nigerians to help save the lives of doctors and other health workers by disclosing their medical history as well as reporting to approved isolation Centres by the government for COVID-19 treatment. In a press statement jointly signed by the President of NMA, Dr. Francis Faduyile, and the General Secretary, Dr. Olumuyiwa Odusote, the NMA noted the call became necessary as the country may hit 1000 figure for confirmed cases of Coronavirus disease by the end of Friday, April 24, 2020. Stating that 3 doctors and a nurse had paid the ultimate price, he stated: “This very disturbing and unsettling development comes against the unfolding scenario as reported in the media that some VIPs in the society are refusing to report to and be admitted at Isolation and Treatment centres for treatment, rather, prefer to stay at other non-accredited facilities. “The ...

The Chinese contribution to the Nigerian national response efforts against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic got boosted with another N48, 000, 000 donation by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria. Receiving the donation on behalf of the country in Abuja on Thursday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, noted that China had immensely contributed to Nigeria’s development. Mustapha, who was represented by the National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, expressed appreciation over the support Nigeria had received from the Chinese Government and its companies in Nigeria. According to a statement issued by the Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Mr Willie Bassey, Mustapha indicated that Nigeria has had strong business ties with China, particularly in the infrastructural development of the cou...

The police have arrested nine persons for alleged involvement in a crisis which claimed four lives, including a pregnant woman in Ungwan Tiv village, Lugbe, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  An unidentified policeman was said to have also lost his car in the violence. It was gathered that many structures were razed during the incident, which occurred after three scavengers allegedly attacked and killed a pregnant woman for accusing them of stealing her missing cooking pot last Thursday. A resident, Joshua Michael, narrated to our correspondent on Monday that the violence erupted after the scavengers allegedly stabbed the unidentified woman to death, following arguments over the missing pot. “Some scavengers were said to have stolen a cooking pot belonging to a pregnant woman. When she discovered that her pot was missing, she challenged the scavengers and angered by her boldness, the boys stabbed her to death. The community people then we...

Nigeria has recorded 86 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 627. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known via its Twitter handle on Sunday. It also said the total number of fatalities recorded from the virus in Nigeria has increased to 21. It tweeted, “Eighty-six new cases of #COVID19 have been reported: 70 in Lagos, 7 in FCT, 3 in Katsina, 3 in Akwa Ibom, 1 in Jigawa, 1 in Bauchi and 1 in Borno “As of 11:50 pm on the 19th of April, there are 627 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Discharged: 170; Deaths: 21. “One case previously reported in Kano, has been transferred to Jigawa state. Therefore, the total number of confirmed cases in Kano is 36 as at the 19th of April 2020. “The breakdown of cases by state is: Lagos- 376, FCT- 88, Kano- 36, Osun- 20, Oyo- 16, Edo- 15, Ogun- 12, Kwara- 9, Katsina- 12, Bauchi- 7, Kaduna- 6, Akwa Ibom- 9, Delta- 4, Ekiti- 3, Ondo- 3, Enugu- 2, Rivers-2, Niger- 2...

On Saturday, 49 new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Nigeria, with 12 of such cases in Abuja. There had been few cases in Mabushi, but the majority of cases uncovered on Saturday were from the village, with health officials now putting the total at 12. One case was also uncovered at Gishiri village, another low-income but densely populated community in the territory. None of the identified cases had any recent history of foreign travel or coming in contact with a returnee. An infectious disease expert in the Federal Capital Territory FCT Administration who spoke on the condition that his identity be covered as he was not authorised to speak to the Press, said the epidemiological situation of the territory was worrying. He said; “Due to the fear of community transmission, we had embarked on community active case search. We focused on Mpape due to its proximity to Maitama where we had a lot of cases. Then we went to Gishiri. We got one positive case. What is worrisome i...

Community leaders in the Niger Delta region have warned against a plot to blackmail and discredit the National Security Adviser (NSA), General Babagana Monguno (rtd.), as various interest groups jostle for the position of Coordinator of Presidential Amnesty Programme. The leaders gave the warning under the auspices of Forum of Progressive Niger Delta Leaders (FPNDL), amid an emerging trend of unsubstantiated reports on the social media alleging corruption against Monguno and the caretaker committee constituted by the Federal Government to manage the Amnesty Programme, sequel to the suspension of the coordinator, Prof. Charles Dokubo. In a statement on Saturday, signed by Chief Akpakpakiri Amakamu and Chief Kpokoye Morris, President and Secretary respectively, the FPNDL said recent negative reports targeted at the NSA and the Amnesty Programme caretaker committee has become worrisome. Part of the statement reads: “We are specifically dismayed at a recent report published on an...

While you may lament, not hesitate to reel out figures or release a list as long as my arm if asked about those losing from Okada ban in Ebonyi State, do you know that many people, including your neighbours, are benefiting from the ban? This is why: Neighbourhood markets In different parts of Ebonyi State, it is common to see neighbourhood markets, meant for quick-dash or for those in haste to cook, who may not bother to rush to the main market to make purchases. In Afikpo, almost every community has its neighbourhood market. While Ahia Eke Ukwu/ Eke Market is very popular and serves people from different parts of the local government, state or even nearby Cross River State, almost every village or community has a market that serves their immediate needs. Apart from Ahia Okpu in Ugwuegu, Ahia Ogo in Ozizza, Ahia Mgbasi in Ndibe, there are many "ahias" that have prevented people from bothering to enter Okada to Ahia Eke Ukwu to make purchases. Ther...

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has warned Nigerians to prepare for the transmission of the coronavirus to more states. There have been a total of 407 confirmed cases in Lagos, FCT, Osun, Kano, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Katsina, Bauchi, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Delta, Ondo, Enugu, Ekiti, Rivers and Niger. The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who appeared on Sunrise Daily, a live programme on Channels Television, on Thursday morning, noted that, though there are bound to be more cases, the goal is to build a more efficient public health infrastructure. Ihekweazu said, “What we are trying to achieve, and it’s very important for Nigerians to understand, is a landscape where we can continue our work in responding, while we restart parts of the economy. “We are responding to something, at the moment, across 22 states. But it will grow to almost every state in Nigeria. There is no reason it won’t. It is a respiratory virus. “So, what we are trying to achieve right...

The police in Ebonyi State have arrested a 75-year-old grandmother for allegedly flogging and pouring pepper into the eyes and private parts of her 11-year-old home help. The woman, who gave her name as Mrs Comfort Obi, was arrested by the personnel of the Ekumenyi Police Station in Abakaliki on Tuesday. The septuagenarian’s action was reported at the police station by a neighbour, Mr Osita Ezechukwu, who could no longer bear the level of abuse the child was being subjected to. “The suspect had been cautioned repeatedly to desist from torturing the girl. Apart from flogging her, the woman also subjects the girl to hard labour,” Ezechukwu stated. The victim’s body bore the scars of repeated flogging by Obi. It was learnt that the victim, who hails from the Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, was brought by her aunt to live with the septuagenarian on Gunning Road, Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, 12 months ago. Investigation revealed that the v...

The management of Enugu Electricity Distribution PLC (EEDC) has urged its customers to go ahead and pay their energy bills to enable the company serve them better. According to the company, electricity bill for the month of April, which is for energy consumed in March, has been dispatched to customers. Also, as part of the organisation’s effort in contending the COVID-19 Pandemic, by promoting physical distancing in its operations, some customers had their bills delivered to them electronically through SMS. This was made known by the Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, during a chat with newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday. Reacting to the claim in some quarters that the federal government has asked distribution companies to provide two months free electricity to consumers, Ezeh said that, while EEDC is in full support of the proposal, it is important for customers to note that it has not been approved by government nor the relevant legislation passed by the House of R...

Two youths were allegedly shot dead on Wednesday by the Police at the New Tyre Market Area of Nkpor, Anambra State. The incident reportedly took place where the police were enforcing restriction movement over the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the victims was said to have died instantly while the other reportedly died at an undisclosed hospital. Angry residents of the area, said to have protested the ugly incident, blocked the Onitsha-Enugu expressway area of the market making bonfire, which disrupted vehicular and human movement in the commercial city. The youths were drinking in front of a beer parlour when the policemen on patrol drove in and ordered them to go into their houses. An eye witness, who preferred anonymity, however said the youth refused to comply, insisting that there was no other place they would go as the joint was part of their compound. “The guys simply told the police that the place was their yard and can’t be ordered into their rooms. “The policemen b...

The Federal Government has said that people with over N5, 000 in their bank account will not benefit from the palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government also said that it will be using the mobile networks, to know people that top up the credit units for their phones with maybe N100 or less. Besides, the state governments will now be involved in the distribution of food items. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, stated this while briefing State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Minister also said that the Ministry will now focus on the urban poor as it carries out with President Buhari’s directive on the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on Nigerians. According to her, “You are aware that the President in his broadcast of Monday 13th April, d...