FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOOD SUPPORT FOR RIVERINE COMMUNITIES REACHED BADAGRY WEST
As part of the Federal Government effort to relief this people of hunger this lockdown period, the Executive Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, Hon Gbenu Joseph Henugbe confirmed that the Federal Government Food Support arrived Badagry West for distribution to the people yesterday.
According to the Chairman, a total of 56 25Kg of Garri and 15 50Kg of Rice was received through the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture which coordinated the program on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for effective and efficient delivery.
The relief food according to the council chairman was directed to be distributed to riverine communities whose names have been specified from the Ministry of Agriculture.
In Badagry West, some of the riverine communities that benefited from the food response includes; Itedo Ilaje, Ashipa, Boglo, Agorin Sea beach, Wesere, Gbethrome, Ilashe Apa, Pashi, Agonvi Topa, Yenawa, Gbaji Yeke, Igbogbele, Kweme and Akoko Ilaje.
After distribution, each beneficiary communities went with 4 bags of 25kg of Garri with 1 bag of 50Kg of rice.
The riverine community leader, youth and representative who came to pick the packs at the residents of the chairman at Boglo appreciated the federal government for a good gesture, saying it very timely but very little.
The Council Chairman further assured the riverine areas that more of this will be distributed explaining that this is the first batch of the riverine COVID-19 relief package.
While the Council Chairman took time to address the people on the dangers and precautions on COVID-19, he however delegate the Vice Chairman, Hon. Rauf Rikay Yemaren to do the official presentation. Also at the presentation was the SSA on Information & Tourism, Hon. Solomon ZOSU, the SSA on Budget & Planning to the Chairman, Hon. Alli Kareem and the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman, Mr. Ogungbe
Solomon ZOSU.
Wednesday, 22 April 2020
Civil servants to receive April salaries as FAAC shares ₦780.926bn for March 2020
Civil servants to receive April salaries as FAAC shares ₦780.926bn for March 2020 – In the next few working days, civil servants will be paid their April 2020 salaries.
This is because the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared a total of ₦780.926 billion as March 2020 Federation Account Revenue.
The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) disclosed in Abuja that the Federal, States, Local Governments and relevant Agencies in the country shared ₦780.926 billion as at the end of the FAAC meeting.
According to the statement: “The N780.926 billion comprised Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), and Exchange Gain.”
It was also disclosed the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) grew a little to $72.221 million.
The gross statutory revenue for the month of March 2020 was put at ₦597.676 billion.
This was higher than the ₦466.058 billion received in February 2020 by ₦131.618 billion.
Value Added Tax (VAT) yielded gross revenue of ₦120.268 billion in March 2020 as against ₦99.552 billion in February 2020, resulting in an increase of ₦20.716 billion.
A total of ₦62.928 billion was available from Exchange Gain in the month under review.
The OAGF noted: “The Statement of Accounts indicated that from the total revenue of ₦780.926 billion, the Federal Government received ₦264.330 billion.”
Continuing, the Office said: “The State Governments received ₦181.487 billion, and the Local Government Councils received ₦135.950 billion.
“The Oil Producing States received ₦38.751 billion as 13% derivation revenue while the cost of revenue collection by Revenue Agencies and allocation to North-East Development Commission (NEDC) was ₦160.408 billion.”
According to the Statement of Accounts, the Federal Government received ₦217.773 billion from the gross statutory revenue of ₦597.676 billion.
The State Governments received ₦110.457 billion and the Local Government Councils received ₦85.158 billion.
The sum of ₦32.299 billion was given to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue and ₦151.989 billion was cost of revenue collection by Revenue Agencies and allocation to NEDC.
The Federal Government received ₦16.777 billion from the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of ₦120.268 billion available in the month of March 2020. The State Governments received ₦55.925 billion, the Local Government Councils received ₦39.147 billion, while the cost of collection by Revenue Agencies and allocation to NEDC was ₦8.419 billion.
The Statement confirmed that the Federal Government received ₦29.780 billion, the State Governments received ₦15.105 billion, the Local Government Councils received ₦11.645 billion and the Oil Producing States received ₦6.452 billion from the total revenue of ₦62.982 billion available from Exchange Gain.
It was also revealed that in the month of March 2020, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Import and Excise Duties, Oil and Gas Royalties and Value Added Tax (VAT) all recorded substantial increases which resulted in the large volume of money shared.
The monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting for the month of April 2020, where the sharing of the March 2020 revenues was discussed, was held through virtual conferencing.
Members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) could not meet in Abuja due to the lockdown in the country occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source of infection in 203 COVID-19 cases unknown —NCDC
Nigeria recorded 117 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 782.
But of the total 782 confirmed COVID-19 cases, how 203 patients contracted the disease in Nigeria remains unknown,
This is according to the NCDC in its ‘COVID19Nigeria situation report for 21st of April 2020’ published on Wednesday.
The report showed that 8,934 samples have been tested in 24 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
It said that of the 782 that tested positive for the virus, 544 (70 per cent) are males while 238 (30 per cent) are females.
The data also showed people within age bracket 31-40 constituted 20 per cent of those infected.
While giving the summary of the cases provenance, the report read, “travel history – 210 (27 per cent); contacts – 274 (35 per cent); unknown source – 203 (26 per cent) and incomplete – 95 (12 per cent).”
It also showed that the NCDC had identified 9,233 persons of interest among whom 9,079 (98 per cent) have exceeded follow up.
The NCDC also said 25 persons have died from coronavirus-related complications in the country while 197 have recovered.
According to the NCDC, of the new 117 cases, 59 were discovered in Lagos, 23 in FCT, 14 in Kano, six in Borno, four in Kastina, three in Ogun, while one each in Rivers and Bauchi.
The centre stated that there are 560 active cases of COVID-19 in the country.
It said, “Breakdown of cases by states: Lagos – 430, FCT-118, Kano-73, Osun-20, Ogun-20, Oyo-16, Katsina-16, Edo-15, Kwara- nine, Kaduna- nine, Akwa Ibom- nine, Borno- nine, Bauchi-eight, Gombe-five, Delta- four, Ekiti- four, Ondo- three, Rivers- three, Jigawa- two, Enugu- two, Niger- two, Abia- two, Benue- one, Anambra- one, and Sokoto-one.”
The NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health advised Nigerians to stay home and minimise contact with people outside their households to prevent the spread of the disease.
Other steps Nigerians have been asked to take are monitoring for symptoms, practicing social distancing, avoiding touching frequently touched items and regularly washing their hands.
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Nothing is happening between myself and Gedoni - BBNaija Khafi assures fans
- According to Khafi, everything is fine between both of them
- The reality star also flaunted her engagement ring for those that have been asking about it
Former Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) housemate Khafi Kareem has dismissed dispelled rumors and speculations that things are not well between her and fiancé, Gedoni Ekpata.
The bubbly lady recently joined her fans and followers on social media on an Instagram live video session and Khafi entertained questions from many who have been wondering what she has been up to amidst the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Khafi used the opportunity to reiterate that things are completely fine between her and Gedoni.
Recall that the two had captured the attention of millions of Africans with their interesting love story back when they were in the Big Brother house. Weeks after they exited the show, the two left people speculating about the status of their relationship.
To the delight and surprise of many who have been following their love story, Gedoni posed the big question to Khafi and asked her to be his wife.
Khafi in her Instagram live session wondered why everyone keeps asking about what is going on between her and her man.
Still on the matter, the BBNaija star flaunted her lovely engagement ring for those who have been asking about it and made it known that the ring isn’t going anywhere.
Coronavirus lockdown: 3 ways households can lend a financial helping hand to the underprivileged
Without a community that respects the services of workers, and chips in to support by way of demand where possible, subsidy where needed, lending where feasible, and charity without loss of self-respect, how would we protect the vulnerable?
The ongoing crisis will hit the underprivileged hard.
By Uma Shashikant
We are staring at a disruption in our economic lives. Things will return to normal eventually, and we may all behave better. There is nothing like a crisis to offer hard lessons. While we wait for things to play out, what are the economic tasks we can do better? The most immediate economic impact is on cash. The first response of businesses will be to conserve cash. An enterprise might be profitable and thriving but operating with a small amount of cash. Higher sales are achieved by offering credit; and goods are bought from suppliers on credit. As one set of cash inflows are realised, another set of cash outflows are funded. There is working capital funding from banks and NBFCs to meet shortages.
A fall in economic activity hits this cycle first and hard. When no sales happen, there is no money to pay suppliers, employees, utilities, and other costs. Businesses will ask suppliers to wait; that in turn will create cash crunches for the supplier, for whom this is revenue. Firms will ask employees to take salary cuts. This is better than being laid off, an option that may not be available to many. A slowed down production, transportation, storage and distribution system will make lower demands on cash. Businesses will work on existing stocks to incur lower costs until demand comes back. Liquidity in the system to support this level of economic activity is critical.
The long-term investment cycle comes to a standstill. Faced with uncertain revenue, new projects will stall, and businesses will be unwilling to make capital investments. Precious cash will be preserved to run the business than expand. Cash that is locked into half-finished projects will hurt businesses. They will have to fund these assets until they become productive. Lenders will have to wait longer, and be willing to defer the interest payments where needed. Interest is income to the lenders, and that chain reaction hurts their cash inflows.
We will thus enter a period of accommodation in the business segment: suppliers accommodating buyers; employees accommodating employers; lenders accommodating borrowers and so on. These adjustments are critical to keep afloat.
What about households? How well prepared are we to manage the cash flow requirements of our family? More importantly, how well do we recognise that we are economic units with the power to influence the cash and income positions of people who live in our community?
First, many households in India have moved from a position of shortage of income to a position of comfort, where a small surplus remains in the bank after all expenses are met. These are cash surplus households. They are in a position to build assets with the surplus incomes they have. These assets offer a buffer and help them tide through tough times. These households should see themselves as mass affluents that can keep their communities going: they are in a place where they can still buy goods, pay for services, and rebound quickly when normalcy returns. They should continue to pay their household help, buy from local vendors to keep them going, support local small businesses and enterprises, and bounce in to spend.
Second, there are households with remarkably stable incomes that are not at risk due to the economic crises that businesses face. They draw government pensions; are supported by well-heeled NRI children; or work with the government departments and large profitable enterprises, or in senior positions and face lower risks of pay cut and retrenchment. They are a segment that enjoys stability and should contribute to their community by doing what we listed above, apart from being able to lend or offer cash support where needed. Personal loans may be unpalatable to many, but chipping in to support someone in need due to the financial crisis, by paying a college fee that is overdue; or a medical bill that is high; or a rent that has become tough to pay due to pay cuts; and so on. Their stable incomes can offer solace in these tough times, both for spending and for lending.
Third, there are households that are in wealth, with adequate and diverse sources of income and assets that are inherited or built to last generations. They can undoubtedly spend and lend like the other two segments we discussed, but they have the unique power to give; to extend their wealth in charity; and to invest capital. They can begin and support local initiatives to feed the hungry; to house the poor; to offer subsidies to families impacted by unemployment; to begin local enterprises that need capital; to support with funds entrepreneurship ideas for these tough times; and so on. They are like the bank that local community can lean on during tough times.
We all worry about the daily wage earner. Without access to bank lending or any other formal finance, how would someone with no income tide over this period? Without a community that respects the services of such workers, and chips in to support by way of demand where possible, subsidy where needed, lending where feasible, and charity without loss of self-respect, how would we protect the vulnerable? We can begin with the simple act of paying our household staff even if they can’t come to work. But we may have to do more – to find out who depends on us for their daily living and how we depend on them for our comforts, and to redress their cash crises. Being willing to ask, enquire, empathise, organise and distribute is all it takes.
As we hoard our kitchen cupboards with rice and flour, sugar and oil, we might want to pause to think about the farmer. Those who grow our food still have the power. They stand out there, seeds in their hands, and a prayer for rains on their lips, growing food so we all live. May this crisis restore their true place at the top of this world.
(The author is Chairperson, Centre for Investment Education and Learning)
Coronavirus lockdown: How to maintain a healthy relationship while in self-isolation
Going from simply living together to spending every waking moment together can be taxing on a relationship.
For those wishing to avoid the drama that comes with constant cohabitation, psychologists Dr. Rachel M. Allan, a chartered counseling psychologist, and Ruth Cooper-Dickson, a positive psychology practitioner, are sharing their tips to keep both yourself -- and your relationship -- healthy while in self-isolation.
Going from simply living together to spending every waking moment together can be taxing on a relationship. (iStock)
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Create individual and shared routines
For your own mental health, as well as that of your partner’s, it is important to “maintain some structure to your days,” Allan told Fox News.
“Get up in the morning if you are able to, and go to bed at a reasonable time at night,” she said, whether you are working from home or just living together.
However, more than just creating a schedule, Cooper-Dickson said you have to start by "coming up with your own personal day-to-day routines" under isolation.
“Come up with a plan of what your ‘normal’ weekly work routine is and how it can be adapted for isolation in the home. For example, if you usually went out for a coffee mid-morning, designate the garden as a no-go zone where you are explicitly allowed an hour of uninterrupted me time,” she said, stating the importance of individual “protected time.”
Allan said it is crucial to carve out this time for your own daily tasks, but also to create a blended routine.
“Build planned joint activities into your day-to-day routine. This can be as simple as scheduling a coffee or lunch break together during the working day if you are both working from home. These milestones give us something to focus on, and create an experience of re-grouping after spending time on separate tasks,” she said.
Spend time alone
As important as it is to have separate routines, so is carving out time to be completely by yourself, for the health of both yourself and your relationship, according to both Allan and Cooper-Dickson, who conducted their research on behalf of Audley Villages.
But this actual self-isolation is not meant to cause distance between you and your partner, but rather strengthen the bond, Allan explained.
“Whether it is connecting with friends and family online, participating in work meetings, reading, learning or otherwise, make sure you participate in activities separately from your partner as much as possible,” Allan said. “This makes coming together for meals/coffee breaks/relaxation more rewarding, as you will have had time apart to engage with something outside your isolation bubble.”
Just because you’re physically together, it doesn’t mean you're spending that time talking and listening. (iStock)
Maintain open communication
Just because you’re physically together, it doesn’t mean you're spending that time talking and listening.
“With uncertainty often comes the need for control. When in isolation with another person, there is a risk of projecting anxiety onto the other person, and this can include trying to control their behavior or constantly seeking reassurance from them,” Allan explained. “This risks increased stress for the other person, ands add pressure on the relationship.”
To avoid this, she advises couples to “talk openly with your partner about your own anxieties, but be open to their feedback on how your ways of coping are affecting them during isolation.”
Cooper-Dickson also said it might be hard to actively listen -- especially when you are constantly together.
“Sit down to have a meaningful conversation with your partner, no distractions or phones around. Be accepting of their points as well as your own. It will require you to be more non-judgmental in your approach, especially if you feel they are not coping as to how you might have expected in the current crisis.”
Though, if talking it out in close quarters causes more anxiety, Cooper-Dickson suggested that it may be "easier for either of you to write down how you feel rather than talk through directly."
"Creating space for honest conversations will allow you to better communicate when you feel your needs for alone time are not being met.”
It is just as crucial to keep the romance alive in quarantine as it is outside of it. (iStock)
Keep date night
It is just as crucial to keep the romance alive during quarantine as it is outside of it.
“During lockdown, it is important that romantic gestures and ‘together time’ are still very much celebrated,” Cooper-Dickson said. “Get dressed up and have some make-believe fun. Set the table for a romantic dinner for two with candles and some music. Whether you are cooking or ordering take-out, enjoy some special quiet time together. Perhaps spend the evening just chatting over a drink or choose a movie to watch. Snuggle up over the popcorn."
“All the times before, with commuting and social distractions, where intimacy has taken a backseat, could now be a great time to rediscover the passion you have for each other.”
10 Simple Ways to Keep Your Relationship Strong and Healthy
It is no secret that it takes more than just love to keep a marriage strong and healthy. Obviously strong feelings for each other is a necessity, but with the many responsibilities of life, fitting in quality time with your significant other can definitely take a backseat.
Luckily there are countless ways to give your relationship the care and attention it needs to last. Best of all a lot of them don’t require a huge change in your daily schedule or a lot of money.
Here are 10 simple (and fun!) ways to keep your relationship strong and healthy.
1. Greet each other when you come home
First things first, say “hello”. This may sound like a cliché, but making sure that you greet your spouse when they come home is important. It lets your partner know that you are happy to see them and often translates to “I missed you.”
Let’s face it, it can be pretty disappointing when you show up to an event and no one greets you or seems to care that you’ve even arrived. The same goes for when your spouse gets home, so don’t forget to greet them with a loving “hello” followed by a sweet kiss! Even just spending a few minutes doing some daily activities greatly increases your relationship’s happiness.
2. Schedule a weekly check-in
Running your children around from doctors’ appointments to practices to school and back often seems to have no end. We live in a time of constant “go, go, go,” which is why it’s important to schedule in weekly check-ins with your spouse. Sure, a weekly meeting may not sound like the most romantic thing in the world. But pour yourselves a glass of wine once the kids are asleep or meet for coffee during your lunch break.
There are plenty of ways you can take 30 minutes each week to just check in. This is a time for you to discuss things that happened that week or make decisions about the week ahead. A time to share how you are doing. If you feel like you have nothing to talk about, we’ve created a list of 25 conversation starters that are sure to get the conversation flowing.
3. Don’t forget to date your spouse
Just because you are married doesn’t mean you can’t also be dating, right? In fact, it is because you are married that you should be dating. It is easy to be caught in the hamster wheel of wake up, grab a cup of coffee, kiss, run out the door, dinner with the kids, pass out, and repeat. It is also easy for your relationship to grow very tired because of this.
Schedule one night each week that is your night with your hubby, just the two of you. Go to a nice restaurant, see a movie you both want to see, go for ice cream in the summer months. There are countless opportunities to have a fun, romantic date night that you both deserve.
4. Share your daily highs and lows
Written in your wedding vows somewhere was probably something along the lines of “for better and for worse.” Well, when it comes to your relationship, it is important to share the “better and worse” daily. Make it a fun dinner-time tradition to share a high point and a low point of each day. This can even be something that the kids take part in, as well! Sharing one high and one low each day is a wonderful way to maintain healthy communication between you and your partner.
5. Find something you appreciate about your spouse every day
This one is very easy because it is something that can be both said or kept to yourself. Try and think of at least one thing that you like about your spouse daily. Better yet, tell them! If your spouse brings you coffee in bed, tell them how much you appreciate that. When he or she takes the kids to basketball practice after work, let them know how much that means to you.
There is no better form of encouragement than being told by your spouse how much they appreciate the little things you do. And reminding yourself of the awesome things your partner does for you will certainly help you out in those moments when he is getting on your nerves a bit more than usual.
6. Tell your partner often why you love them
The initial stages of a relationship are filled with butterflies and constant verbal affection. The problem is, as time goes on, those butterflies tend to fly away and so do the “I love you because…” soliloquies. Of course it is normal to not be as “lovey dovey” as when you first met, but don’t forsake all verbal affection.
Tell your partner you love them often, but don’t stop there! Tell them why you love them. Whether it be for taking the kids to the mall when you clearly need some relaxation time, bringing you flowers one random evening, or simply for being him. Whatever it may be, say it loud and say it proud!
7. Look each other in the eyes
We all grew up with our parents reminding us to look people in the eyes when we speak to them. Mom and dad may have been on to something, because eye contact is just as important in marriage as it was when we were kids! Whether you are out with friends or speaking to your kids, it can be both rude and frustrating to have the person you are talking to checking their phone or looking around the room as you speak. It gives off the impression that the other person is disinterested or simply doesn’t care what you have to say. The same goes for when you and your partner are speaking.
Actions speak louder than words. Instead of saying “I’m listening”, show your partner you are listening by looking him in the eyes and eliminating other distractions when you are having a conversation.
8. Spend time together without technology
Speaking of making eye contact, eliminating technology every now and then is a great way to give your significant other your full attention. There is no denying how distracting technology can be, so make sure that you and your spouse are spending some time without it. Make a no cell phone rule for date night or leave the electronics in the other room during your morning coffee together.
Spending time together without the imposing distraction of technology allows you and your spouse to give each other the attention and consideration that you both deserve.
9. Small acts of physical affection go a long way
Marriage doesn’t automatically equate to no flirting. A simple brush of the hands or a kiss as you and your spouse pass by each other is all it takes to keep the spark from burning out. A little romance and day-to-day physical affection can truly be the cherry on top of a healthy relationship built upon good communication and trust.
Hold hands in public, hug your husband or wife from behind when they are making their breakfast, give him or her a loving peck as they read the paper. However big or small the gesture may be, regular physical affection has a major impact on a happy relationship.
10. Surprise them – and not just on their birthday!
Who said surprises must be saved only for holidays and birthdays? It’s time to take it one step further than the annual birthday cakes and Valentine’s Day cards. We’re talking about out of the blue surprises! A small gift just because “when I saw this I thought of you” or a surprise date. You can even leave a love note on the seat of your partner’s car one morning.
A simple “Love you, have a great day” with a few hearts here and there may seem a bit juvenile or silly. But hey, the lovey acts of kindness and romance worked at the beginning of the relationship, right? Well they still do the trick after years of marriage!
Conclusion
Maintaining your relationship can often be viewed as just another task on our never-ending to-do lists. It’s the small, consistent habits that keep your bond strong over the years. With these 10 simple tips, you will not only strengthen your relationship – you will also make it fun, exciting, and something to look forward to!
Latest on potential £150m signing for Manchester United as Red Devils redraw transfer strategy
The Red Devils are having to redraw their transfer plans at the moment and it seems unlikely they can afford to pay the £150million required to sign Kane, according to the Guardian.
The England international is one of the finest centre-forwards in world football and would undoubtedly strengthen this Man Utd side, but it’s unsurprising that a deal may be unrealistic in this climate.
United may well also feel they have other priorities elsewhere in the squad, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reasonably well stocked up front with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and youngster Mason Greenwood, while Odion Ighalo has also done well during his time on loan at Old Trafford.
Kane would be an upgrade in many ways, but it’s also easy to see why MUFC might feel there is more of a pressing need to strengthen in defence or midfield rather than up front.
This could be a personal blow for Kane himself, however, with the 26-year-old yet to win a major trophy and surely deserving of a big move at this point in his career.
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