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COVID -19: Igbo Community In Bauchi Distributes Palliatives To Host Community

Published

5 years ago

May 6, 2020

As Bauchi State is in partial lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 scourge ravaging some parts of the country, Igbo Community living in the state has distributed some palliative items to the host community towards cushioning the effect of the pandemic in the state.

Among items donated were bags of rice, millet, groundnut oil,seasonings and other food items worth several thousands of naira.

In his remarks during the distribution exercise yesterday, the President- General of the Igbo Community in the state, Chief Dominic Ifaiyin Nkwocha, said that the donation of the items was aimed at complementing the state government’s determination to reduce hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic partial lockdown of the state.

He said the donation was also in line with the community’s core areas of competence in assisting the less privileged in the society.

The President- General of the Igbo Community in Bauchi, Chief Dominic Ifaiyin Nkwocha

While explaining that the gesture was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the the Igbo and their host community, the President – General said the palliative provided was in collaboration with the member representing Bauchi Central constituency at the state House of Assembly, Hon. Jamilu Umaru Dahiru.

“We advise every Igbo indigene resident in Bauchi State to cooperate and obey all directives of the state government as regards the COVID-19 pandemic for our safety and the safety of the general public”, Nkwocha said, even as he praised Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for his efforts to combat COVID-19 through ensuring the safety of the citizens.

In her remarks, Chief (Mrs) Louise Ekemma Igwe, Vice Chairman, Peoples Club of Nigeria, Bauchi State chapter, appreciated the efforts of the community in providing the palliative towards supporting the present administration of Governor Bala Mohammed, in reducing the hardship being faced by the people.

According to her, “Bauchi State is not among the total lockdown states but authorities here are advising the public on the need for social/physical distancing and observance of all precautionary measures given by health personnels towards curtailing the spread of COVID-19, and I strongly advise our people to adhere strictly to these measures for the betterment of all”.

Mrs Louise Igwe who is also the chairperson of Ebonyi State Igbo community resident in the state, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for reviewing the lockdown of the state to curtail the spread of Coronavirus, as she appealed to all residents in the state to comply with all directives of the state government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

In his brief remarks, Eze Patrick C. Anyanwu, Onu Na Ekwuru Imo ll, called for judicious distribution of the donations made ‘to the less privileged in the society’, and enjoined the people irrespective of ethnic or religious background to continue to pray fervently ” for us to overcome this deadly and dreaded pandemic “.

The traditional ruler then commended the Igbo community for the kind gesture and also used the forum to call on other communities, NGOs and philanthropists to emulate the kind gesture of the Igbos especially now that most people are in dire need of every little assistance.

News

Lagos Suspends BRT Lane Enforcement On Eko Bridge, Odo Iya-Alaro

Published

5 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has temporarily suspended enforcement of the Bus Rapid Transit lane along the Eko Bridge and Odo Iya-Alaro corridor to ease growing traffic congestion.

This gridlock is a result of the ongoing structural rehabilitation on the Ogudu-Ifako Bridge expansion joint.

Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa announced the suspension on Wednesday, describing it as a strategic move to tackle gridlock in affected parts of the city.

“This remedial measure, conceived as a palliative response to mitigate commuter hardship, aligns with the Lagos State Government’s forward-thinking and adaptive transportation strategy under the THEMES Plus Agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, particularly within the framework of sustainable traffic management and infrastructure modernisation,” Giwa said.

He explained that the temporary suspension is a transitional and conditional measure aimed at absorbing the anticipated vehicular overflow caused by the partial closure of the Ifako-bound carriageway of the Third Mainland corridor.

“We are fully cognizant of the immense strain currently imposed on key ingress routes into the Lagos Mainland. Consequently, this tactical suspension of BRT lane enforcement is a calculated response designed to deliver immediate relief, reduce commuting time, and preserve the fluidity of vehicular movement throughout the duration of the bridge repairs,” he added.

According to him, the directive takes immediate effect and allows general vehicular access to previously restricted BRT corridors on Eko Bridge and Odo Iya-Alaro, particularly during peak travel periods.

He said this move is expected to expand available road capacity and ease traffic along critical routes.

Giwa, however, stressed that commercial buses and articulated vehicles must remain in compliance with existing safety rules and loading guidelines to avoid worsening traffic conditions or compromising public safety.

He also disclosed that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been mobilised to strengthen its presence along the affected corridors.

“Enhanced personnel deployment and traffic equipment are now in place to ensure orderly conduct, prevent exploitation of the temporary suspension, and respond promptly to any emergent traffic disturbances,” Giwa stated.

News

Lagos Opens Teacher Recruitment Portal For Two Weeks

Published

5 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has announced the reactivation of its teaching job recruitment portal to allow qualified individuals to apply for entry-level teaching positions.

In a notice issued by the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission on Tuesday, the portal will be open for applications from Tuesday, July 1 to Monday, July 14, 2025.

“The Lagos State Teaching Service Commission is set to reactivate its Recruitment Portal as a bold step towards improving access to employment opportunities, equity, and fairness.

“The job portal, which will be accessible for two weeks (Tuesday, July 1st 2025, to Monday, July 14th, 2025), is intended to provide a centralised platform where individuals can apply for State Teaching jobs at the entry level (GL 08) in their relevant fields,” the notice read.

The move, according to the Commission, is aimed at improving access to employment opportunities in the education sector while ensuring equity and fairness.

TESCOM urged interested applicants with a degree in Education or other relevant qualifications to visit the official portal https://tescomjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng and apply for teaching roles at Grade Level 08.

The notice was signed by the Chairman of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission.

News

FG Unveils N50m Grant To Boost Student Innovation, Entrepreneurship

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Editor

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced a N50m Student Grant Venture Capital Initiative to support scaling student-led enterprises in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

Alausa said the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by turning homegrown research into commercially viable products and services.

The minister made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja when he inaugurated the Research and Innovation Commercialisation Committee.

He said the scheme, which will be anchored by TETFund in partnership with the Bank of India, targets undergraduate students in 300-level and above with viable business models and innovations ready for market expansion.

According to the minister, the development is aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of transitioning Nigeria from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven one.

“We have hundreds of thousands of young geniuses across our institutions. This fund is designed to unlock their potential and help them build globally competitive enterprises,” the minister said.

On her part, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, described the inauguration as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s education and innovation history.

“For too long, research in our tertiary institutions has been reduced to tools for promotion rather than solutions for development. This must change,” she said.

In his response, the Committee Chairman, Dr. Tayo Aduloju, described the RICC as “a matter of national urgency”, noting that Nigeria’s research investment as a percentage of GDP is among the lowest when compared to peer nations.