Residents of Ede Road and its adjourning areas of Ile-Ife in Osun State are now heaving a sigh of relief as the federal government hands over the channelization of the Agbara Canal project to the people, following its completion.
The project was handed over to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha at a ceremony in Ile-Ife from where Radio Nigeria’s correspondent, Adenitan Akinola files in the story.
Adenitan Akinola
The Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 says, persons who have visited Brazil, India or Turkey within Fourteen (14) days preceding travel to Nigeria, shall be denied entry into Nigeria.
This regulation, however, does not apply to passengers who transited through these countries.
Chairman of the committee and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Boss Mustapha in a statement disclosed that, after due consideration, the validity period of pre-boarding COVID-19 PCR test for all Nigeria-bound passengers has been reduced from 96 hours to 72 hours and PCR test results older than 72 hours before departure shall not be accepted.
He adds that, any airline who fail to comply shall mandatorily pay a penalty of $3,500 (Three Thousand Five Hundred dollars) for each defaulting passenger and non-Nigerians will be denied entry and returned to the country of embarkation at cost to the Airline.
While Nigerians and those with permanent resident permit shall undergo 7 days mandatory quarantine in a government approved facility at the point-of-entry city and at cost to the passenger.
On false declaration, passenger(s) who provide false or misleading contact information will be liable to prosecution and person(s) who willfully disregard or refuse to comply with directions of Port-Health staff, security agencies or evade quarantine shall be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Mr. Mustapha states that, the action is taken to continue to safeguard the health of the Nigerian population, as well as to minimise the risk of a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria.
He says, the Presidential Steering Committee carried out a risk assessment of countries with high incidence of cases and the assessment took into consideration the epidemiology of cases, prevalence of variants of concern and average passenger volume between Nigeria and each country amongst other indicators and of the countries assessed, this interim travel advisory applies to three (3) countries in the first instance, Brazil, India and Turkey.
Nosa Aituamen
Former Super Eagles striker and Nigerian Football Ambassador, Daniel Amokachi has been appointed as the Special Assistant on Sports to President Muhammadu Buhari.
His letter of appointment dated August 17th, 2020 and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha states “I am pleased to inform you that Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved your appointment as Special Assistant on Sports”
The appointment takes effect from the 11th of August, 2020.
As Special Assistant on Sports, Amokachi is expected to advise the President on all sports matters.
The former Everton of England player was earlier in the year named Nigeria’s Football Ambassador. Although a ceremonial role, as Ambassador he is expected to mentor youngsters.
Amokachi, a.k.a, ‘Da Bull’ began his career in Kaduna with Ranchers Bees Football club of Kaduna, played for Club Brugge of Belgium, Besiktas of Turkey, Everton of England and Colorado Rapids. He was thrice voted the third best player in Africa.
He played in three World Cup finals, won two nations cup as both player and Assistant Coach to Stephen Keshi, Austin Eguavoen, Samson Siasia and Lars Largerback. He won Gold in the Football event of the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
Since his careeer was truncated by injury, he had coached the U-23 National Team, served as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles and coached Nasarawa United.
Olaolu Fawole
