COVID-19: Doctors, Nurses Flee As Suspected Cases Hit Lagos Hospital [PUNCH]

There was pandemonium at the  Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, on Thursday when four white men suspected to have coronavirus were brought to the emergency ward of the hospital for treatment.

According to sources at the hospital, the men said to be Egyptians, were brought in a private vehicle around midnight,  with one of them coughing uncontrollably and showing other symptoms of coronavirus.

One of the sources, who spoke with Sunday PUNCH,  said, “It was around midnight that they came to the hospital and I was on duty that day.

“So, when they got to the emergency ward, nurses and doctors on duty came out to attend to them. But upon getting to the vehicle, they noticed that the four occupants were whites with one of them critically ill and coughing uncontrollably.

“Immediately the nurses and doctors saw them, they all took to their heels.

“Some of the nurses began to shout ‘this is coronavirus! Coronavirus is not my portion. God forbid! Here is not IDH (Infectious Disease Hospital), Yaba, please go there. Where is security? Security, please come and send these people out of this place.’

“When the screaming became too much, some of the security guards on duty that day summoned courage from afar and ordered them out of the hospital, because they too were afraid and they drove out.

“They were not allowed to come down from their vehicle.

“Everybody ran because some of the doctors said the symptoms that they saw were clearly that of COVID-19.

“Their visit truly caused commotion  at the hospital.”

Another worker in the hospital, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said after the incident the management decided to bar foreigners from the hospital.

The source said, “All workers at the hospital have been warned not to attend to foreigners. And anybody whose body temperature is above 40’C is not allowed in.” The source added, “The situation (presence of the four white men) affected  patients on admission as  many people withdrew their sick relatives and loved ones after the incident.”

The Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Adeleke Kaka, who confirmed the incident, however, said it was only one Egyptian suspected to have coronavirus that was brought to the hospital, not four.

Kaka said, “The guy was suspected to have COVID-19 by the doctor that saw him in a private hospital and referred him to the  Gbagada General Hospital. He was sent to Mainland Hospital for further evaluation and testing.”

However, he denied claims that health workers in the hospital took to their heels when they saw the four men.

Tinubu To Buhari: Print More Naira Notes, Suspend VAT [PUNCH]

All Progressives Congress National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says Nigeria’s health care system cannot withstand a coronavirus pandemic on the scale of America and Europe.

He, therefore, called on the government and the citizens to do everything to curb the spread of the virus in the country.

Tinubu said this in a statement he wrote in commemoration of his 68th birthday on Friday.

The former Lagos State governor said, “The public health care systems of developed nations have been overwhelmed by this virus. They are running out of equipment and healthy doctors.

“Our public health care system is much smaller and less equipped than those in Europe and North America. We cannot afford to put undue pressure on our system because it cannot bear the great weight of a pandemic.

“Thus, it is incumbent on us to thoroughly implement and obey social safety and distancing techniques so that we halt the spread of the disease and keep hospitalisation to the barest possible minimum.”

Tinubu asked the Federal Government to print more naira notes to save the economy from collapse even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to bite harder.

The APC chieftain said the United States Federal Reserve had printed more dollars bills to boost the economy.

He said Nigeria could also do the same.

Tinubu added, “Already, the price of oil has fallen to less than $30 a barrel. This will bring a dollar shortfall. This does not, however, necessitate a corresponding shortfall in public sector naira expenditures.

“The US controls dollar issuance. We control naira issuance as is our sovereign right. Just as America has used its sovereign right to issue its currency to stave off economic disaster, so too may Nigeria issue naira for the same purpose.”

Tinubu also asked the Federal Government to stop collection of the Value Added Tax immediately.

Recall that the government of the President, Maj.Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had last month increased VAT from five per cent to 7.5 per cent.

However, Tinubu said the government must reduce the sufferings of Nigerians by introducing tax cuts while the Central Bank of Nigeria must reduce interest rates

He wrote, “Government should announce a tax credit or partial tax reduction for companies or firms. VAT should be suspended for the next two to four months. This will help lower import costs and protect against shortages.

“We need to protect the people from food shortages and high prices. As such, we must quickly improve farm-to-market delivery of agricultural produce. Also, government should initiate a crash programme to decrease spoilage of agricultural produce by construction of storage facilities in local marketplaces in and around major cities and towns throughout the country.”

The APC leader asked all Nigerians to unite against the pandemic, adding that experience had shown that the virus neither respected social class, ethnicity nor religion.

He, therefore, said this was not the time to play politics.

Tinubu added, “The rich cannot bargain with the disease or pay it off. It neither reads bank account statements nor is it intimidated by them. The poor, likewise, are subject to it for it has no mercy nor cares about one’s prior or present hardships. Neither does it seem to study geography.

“Northerners and southerners are equally its prey. It will attack those who pray at the altar in church as well as those who face the Qiblah when praying in the mosque. To corona, we are all the same. Thus, to fight corona, we must treat each other the same, as brothers and sisters in one national family under one Heaven. For we are of one blood; this crisis is a stark warning that we must begin to act in consonance with that common humanity.”

Coronavirus: FCT Task Force Shuts Wedding Reception, Church For Violating Ban [PUNCH]

The Federal Capital Territory enforcement team on Saturday disrupted a wedding reception at Police Quarters at Wuse Zone 6 in Abuja.

It was learnt that the enforcement, acting on a tip-off, stormed the venue and “dispersed” the hosts and guests numbering about 300 for violating the ban on public gathering.

The bride and groom were about arriving when the team got to the scene located at a residential neighbourhood.

The FCT Administration had announced the development via its Twitter handle.

“The FCT Enforcement Team which includes security & law enforcement agents has shut down a wedding happening at Wuse Zone 6.

“NOTE: The FCTA will not tolerate any kind of gathering as we continue to urge residents to abide strictly by the laid down guidelines,” it said.

Speaking with our correspondent on the development, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications to the FCT Minister, Abubakar Sani, explained that no arrest was made.

“They were only dispersed not arrested,” he said.

In another development, the enforcement team shut down activities at a popular Pentecostal church in Jabi district of the city.

The team, which commenced its operation at the popular Wuse market, moved to the church following complaints that members were violating the no-church gathering rules and holding weddings among other activities.

Upon arrival, the team led by the chairman, FCT Traffic Management Task team, Ikharo Attah, addressed the gathering and subsequently dispersed the worshippers.

At the Wuse, Utako and Dutse-Alhaji markets, the team lamented that traders did not fully comply with the social distancing directive and threatened to shut down the markets.

Recall that the FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, had announced a total shutdown of churches and mosques, and banned public gathering in the city as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.

He had also announced that only traders selling food items and other essential commodities in the markets and shopping malls would be allowed to operate.

The government warned that it would not tolerate any kind of gathering and asked residents to abide by the stipulated guidelines.

Buhari, Govs, Lawan, Gbajabiamila Hail Tinubu At 68 [THE NATION]

GOODWILL messages are pouring in for the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as he clocks 68 years old today. President Muhammadu Buhari, while noting his ability to live above all stereotypes, particularly religious and ethnic, hailed him for his broad-minded leadership, his party branded him an outstanding politician and statesman, whose contributions to the enthronement and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria have been phenomenal and acknowledged far and wide.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan called him champion of national unity while House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said his beliefs in democratic tenets are unparalleled. Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege said the former Lagos State governor still has a lot to offer Nigeria.

President Buhari, in the message, contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, prayed for a longer and healthy life for the party Leader, acknowledging his wisdom in solving problems and directing way forward, especially in situations like the current global health emergency. “President Muhammadu Buhari joins Nigerians and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in celebrating former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the governing party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on his 68th birthday, March 29, 2020.

“President Buhari salutes Asiwaju’s courage, forthrightness and diligence in providing exemplary and broadminded leadership for the political party, extolling him for particularly taking the path of wisdom in solving problems. The President believes the former governor has inspired great leadership in Lagos, which is the commercial nerve centre of the country, and extended his large-heartedness to other states and the legislature, steadily providing a ladder for budding leaders to grow and contribute to national development.

“President Buhari affirms that Asiwaju’s greatest strength lies in his ability to look beyond religious, ethnic and political stereotyping, embracing the reality of Nigeria as one entity, and extending his warmth, acumen and experience to other parts of the country, particularly in difficult times like the current struggle against COVID-19. The President prays that almighty God will grant the APC National Leader longer life, strength and good health”, the statement said.  The APC in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said it was proud to identify with “Nigeria’s icon of democracy as he celebrates his 68th birthday.” He said: “the leadership and entire members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), join other well-meaning Nigerians to celebrate our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his 68th birthday.

“As a party, we are proud to identify with this outstanding politician and statesman, whose contributions to the enthronement and sustenance of democracy in our country have been phenomenal and acknowledged far and wide”.

“As governor of Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Asiwaju Tinubu implemented policies and programmes that have not only endured till date, but being copied and replicated in many other states across the nation. Fundamentally, he did not only lay the foundation for the transformation of Lagos, but also put in place an enduring blueprint for the progressive development of the state.

“Under his guardianship, successive governors have been dutifully implementing the Asiwaju Blueprint which has seen Lagos, viewed previously as a densely populated slum, become a modern mega city”. It noted Tinubu’s outstanding contributions to the ruling APC and its concept of “Common Sense Revolution”, which culminated in the overwhelming rejection of the PDP by the majority of Nigerians in the 2015 general elections.

It recalled how,as  an opposition leader, Tinubu “exemplified a strong fidelity to responsible politics, taking on the retrogressive inclination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government at the centre with gusto, superior ideas and principles through legal and constitutional channels.”

The party prayed for more wisdom, sound health and long life for him in the service to the party, country and mankind.

He’s champion of national unity, says Lawan

Senate President  Ahmad Lawan said:”All through his political life, Asiwaju Tinubu has doggedly groomed leaders, set development templates and built bridges for national integration and cohesion, all of which he sees as necessary tools for robust development and great nationhood.

“Asiwaju Tinubu’s concept of leadership enables him to motivate associates and inspire in them confidence and loyalty. His imprints are indelible on politics and governance at the sub-national and national levels in Nigeria.”

The Senate President rejoiced with him, his family, friends and political associates on the auspicious occasion. He prayed that the Almighty Allah grants him many more years of service to humanity and his beloved Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila: Tinubu’s belief in democratic tenets is unparalleled

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said Tinubu has become a great phenomenon in Nigerian politics, and his belief in democratic tenets unparalleled. The Speaker described himself as a product of the Tinubu   and he has no regrets whatsoever to be his close political associate. He said:“Today, our current democracy, which started in 1999, enjoys stability due largely to the contributions of Asiwaju and others of like mind.

“It is on record that after serving as the Executive Governor of Lagos State for eight unbroken years, Tinubu laid the foundation for a modern Lagos State, where Nigerians from all walks of life are accommodated. Not only that, Asiwaju began the modern infrastructural development in Lagos State, which all his successors had no problem in sustaining.

“But his political frontiers transcend Lagos State as he has become a force to reckon with virtually everywhere in the country. There is no state where Asiwaju does not have a group of mentees due to his openness, accommodating nature, and political sagacity.

“Nationally, in the days that he was in the opposition, he ensured that he remained focused and later played significant role in the merger that saw the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC), about six years ago.

“He led the APC as an opposition party to form the government at the centre in 2015 for the first time since 1999. He did this while joining forces with other patriotic Nigerians within the fold of APC.

“I make bold to say that Tinubu’s style of politics will in years to come be a subject of intense research among political scholars. This is because of his uniqueness. There is hardly a politician that gets the kind of loyalty and support that he gets.”

He still has a lot to offer Nigeria, says Omo-Agege

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege said Tinubu’s antecedents “are clear attestations to my belief that you still have a lot to render to your fatherland -a Senator who later set the template for the greatness and viability of Lagos State; a political icon known for standing resolutely for democracy during the military era, leading eminent patriots towards actualising the restoration of democracy.

“Your capacity to work vibrantly with people across all forms of divides has enriched Nigeria’s politics and fostered tremendous unity of purpose such as that which birthed the All Progressives Congress. I have no doubt that, for you and all your ardent followers, this birthday will signpost a renewal of hope and the strong resolve to lift our nation higher, even in the face of daunting odds.

“I heartily felicitate with you, the family, friends, associates and innumerable admirers as you clock 68 today. I wish you good health and greater prosperity in the years ahead.”

He’s a political genius—Oyetola

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State called Tinubu a man of many parts and a political genius. He said: For a man who is an active player in two human endeavours where integrity and competence are critical factors — accounting and politics — Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spent a good part of his life building institutions and men that will make both sustainable.

“When he decided to leave Exxon Mobil for politics after decades of meritorious service to the global oil giant, it was clear that he needed a wider platform to serve humanity.

“There can be no doubt that Asiwaju is imbued with a Midas touch. As Governor of Lagos, he changed the political landscape and governance architecture of The Centre of Excellence, putting the State in the grips of the Progressives Family for 20 unbroken years, turning around its economy, assembling the best brains to run the affairs of the State, instituting unprecedented policies that make Lagos the reference point even in Africa. No wonder many regard him as the father of new Lagos.”

A Time For Unity, A Time For Thought, A Time For Action [THE NATION]

Today is my birthday. I thank God for giving me the life and time on earth he has provided me. He has blessed me beyond the ability of words to describe; I am more than cognizant of His great mercies toward me.

I have much to be thankful for. However, this is not the moment for exuberant celebration or light talk on my part.

At this moment, it is better that we confer in prudence and wisdom, one to another, so that we can better deal with that which seems eager to severely deal with us.

We have entered a sobering period. We face a challenge we cannot see but one that can find us all too easily. As individuals, this puts every one of us at a startling disadvantage.

Each is rendered vulnerable by the reckless act of his neighbour. Each is made safer by the enlightened conduct of a stranger. The very nature of this assailant calls us toward greater unity and kindness.

In the normal push of our daily affairs, we tend to focus on what divides us. We are either APC, PDP or another political affiliation. One person is rich. Another is poor.

There is the labourer then there is the boss. One person is of the north, another of the south, with both often acting as if the boundary between the two cannot be traversed. We are of different ethnic groups; these identities mean so much to us that we behave as if the affiliations are the very source of our humanity.

In this, we tend to forget God. Even when we worship God, we divide ourselves in ways that too often bring violence to a way of life meant to bring peace and compassion.

But, the coronavirus is now here. If we carry forth in our usual ways, we may well carry ourselves into national disaster. Normal practices will not suffice.

We all must do better lest we all fail and suffer the grave consequences of collective failure. We pray that this terrible cloud will pass from us. However, we must prepare for the possibility that it may linger to rain hard upon us.

For the past 11 years, a colloquium was held on my birthday. Each year, the colloquium gathered some of our best minds in both the public and private sectors.

They would dissect and explore the weighty issues of the day in order to find solutions to the social, political and economic difficulties that confront our nation.

However, the threat of the coronavirus obligated colloquium organizers to postpone the event; we did not want a large number of people gathered in a relatively compact physical space.  This was a decision well taken.

It has been a custom at the colloquium that I offer a few comments pertaining to the issue at hand.

In the spirit of the colloquium, I offer these remarks today. In that coronavirus put a brake on the colloquium, I thought it proper to return the favour. I therefore tender these humble comments in hope they contribute to halting the spread and ill consequences of this dreadful sickness.

The foremost imperative is that we recognize that corona is here. We must cast aside the myths that we have comforted ourselves with these past weeks. We told ourselves this was not a black man’s disease.

We took false comfort in this self-deception. Well, black people have contracted the ailment; black people have also died from it. We hoped that our hot climate would bake and destroy the virus.

That wish now appears too optimistic. We even said our history in dealing with malaria and other tropical diseases granted us some type of immunity.

Well, I doubt that immunity exists as there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim. If such an immunity exists, it is at most incomplete and so unreliable as to be of no avail to large segments of our population.

The rich cannot bargain with the disease or pay it off. It neither reads bank account statements nor is it intimidated by them.

The poor, likewise, are subject to it for it has no mercy nor cares about one’s prior or present hardships. Neither does it seem to study geography. Northerner and Southerner are equally its prey.

It will attack those who pray at the altar in church as well as those who face the Qiblah when praying in the mosque. To corona, we are all the same.

Thus, to fight corona, we must treat each other the same, as brothers and sisters in one national family under one Heaven. For we are of one blood; this crisis is a stark warning that we must begin to act in consonance with that common humanity.

It is true that we and other African countries are among the nations thus far least affected. However, we must not think this means geography and climate have erected a protective shield on our behalf. At best, these things constitute a partial barrier that may have slowed but will not prevent the growing threat.

China and other Asian nations took drastic, wholesale action to thwart the viral spread. North America and Europe initially took small steps against the virus. Those did not work. Now they are fast implementing lockdowns of whole cities and closures of key segments of their economies.

We must be prepared to do the same, though it is alien to our communal culture and way of life. Let us be frank. The public health care systems of developed nations have been overwhelmed by this virus.

They are running out of equipment and healthy doctors. Our public health care system is much smaller and less equipped than those in Europe and North America. We cannot afford to put undue pressure on our system because it cannot bear the great weight of a pandemic.

Thus, it is incumbent on us to thoroughly implement and obey social safety and distancing techniques so that we halt the spread of the disease and keep hospitalization to the barest possible minimum.

Second, limit your social contacts. Unless for necessary matters, one should not venture out. To purchase food is essential. To redo one’s hair or go to a bar for a drink are not.

Places like banks offer needed services such as cash withdrawals. But they should limit the number of customers in the bank at any given time. Supermarkets and grocers should do the same.

We should continue to postpone sporting events, weddings, and other large gatherings. Funerals, if they must take place, should be attended only by small numbers of family members.

While we put aside the large events for now, we must do better looking after our fellow man. Please check on a neighbour. Make sure the elderly near you are well and have food and water.

Use this moment to teach your children about compassion and the traditional values of care and concern that often get diluted in our rush toward modernity and growth.

Not only is the coronavirus a health and medical problem, it will bring heavy economic costs. China and the West face severe economic contractions. Cities are shuttered. Multiple industries have closed.

Millions have suddenly been rendered jobless. Supply chains have busted. Economic activity is a fraction of what it was just a month ago. Deep recessions are forecasted.

Some experts fear depression now tracks the world down. Governments worldwide are responding by embarking on unprecedented stimulus packages to keep their economies afloat.

The Chinese are pumping untold trillions into their financial markets and productive economy. The most austere large nation, Germany, casts aside its constitutional prohibition on deficit spending to enact a historic, unprecedented fiscal stimulus package.

The free-market Tory government of Boris Johnson has abjured his conservative upbringing if but for this harsh moment. His government is launching a fiscal stimulus unseen in the UK for decades.

 

Likewise, the Bank of England vows to pump as much money into the financial market as is needed to unfreeze it and get it working again.

The conservative Trump government also abandons its laissez faire ideology in the face of this exigency. Trump wants to give 2 trillion in fiscal stimulus and this will likely be just the first tranche.

The Federal Reserve has announced an aggressive monetary policy to bolster the financial sector. This is atop the 2 trillion the Fed already promised.

In the end, do not be surprised if the US government injects over 5 trillion new dollars into the economy in the months to come. This would represent 25 percent of last year’s GDP for that nation.

Moreover, the US economy is also enacting various forms of debt moratoria such as forbearance on rental payments for struggling families and small businesses to tax relief of various types for companies large and small.

This is truly an eye opening endeavour based on lessons learned from the 1929 Great Depression when government failed to appropriately act and the 2009 Financial Crisis when governments acted in time.

The lesson learned is that a government has the sovereign power and requisite duty to intervene in the economy in order to stave calamity.

To aid in this task, a government has the unlimited ability and again public duty to issue as much of its own currency as needed to quell shortage and buffer the populace from hardship.

We, fortunately, are not at the stage where we need to implement such strong economic measures; however, we should be preparing a response for that urgent moment may fall swiftly upon us.

In doing so, we must be guided by the same lessons other nations have followed. When it comes to expenditures that can only be made in dollars, we must be extra careful.

Dollars now come at a steep premium. However, when it comes to expenditures that can be made in naira, government cannot afford to be bashful or reticent when the need arises.

Already, the price of oil has fallen to less than 30 dollars a barrel. This will bring a dollar shortfall. This does not, however, necessitate a corresponding shortfall in public sector naira expenditures.

The US controls dollar issuance. We control naira issuance as is our sovereign right. Just as America has used its sovereign right to issue its currency to stave economic disaster, so too may Nigeria issue naira for the same purpose.

While individuals, companies and even state governments can go bankrupt during hard times, the federal government cannot become naira insolvent because it has the ability to issue our national currency.

He who holds the printing press is never insolvent. The most serious concern and limitation on federal naira spending is not insolvency but inflation.

Consequently, should circumstances require increased spending, we should not hesitate to do so; but we must keep the watchful eye to ensure inflation does not climb too high.

However to save both lives and livelihoods during a moment of historic emergency, a touch of extra inflation from enhanced government spending is a small price to pay.

In fact, it is a price that must be paid. The alternative may be a harmful deflation which historically has proven more difficult to tame and cure than a small inflationary increase.

In all of this, the international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank must be cooperative and forward-leaning.

These institutions must discard their mainstream orthodoxy of fiscal austerity which will straitjacket and injure nations like ours. They must encourage nations to engage in economic stimulus.

Moreover, they must suspend debt repayments for poor and developing nations and begin to fashion a plan of partial debt forgiveness for indebted nations.

Below are a few preliminary thoughts on the economic action we might take should the coronavirus mortally threaten our economy.

1.MAINTAIN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES:

The natural instinct will be to reduce spending. Such reductions may be prudent for individuals and households. For government to move in this direction only feeds economic carnage by amplifying economic hardship. Prudent fiscal policy is generally “countercyclical.” As the private sector shrinks, government does more.

At minimum, the federal government must stick to its naira budgetary expenditures. In fact, government should increase naira expenditures by at least 10 – 15 percent during an emergency.

Allocations to state and local governments should be included in this addition. If not, we risk subnational recessions in important sections of the country.

2. GOVERNMENT PROJECTS:

If the virus is largely kept from becoming a widespread public health menace, government should accelerate spending and actual work on key infrastructural projects particularly regarding transportation. This will lower costs while bolstering the economy by generating employment and business activity.

If the virus does become a large-scale public health challenge, more funds should be allocated to the health sector.

3. TAX REDUCTIONS:

Government should announce a tax credit or partial tax reduction for companies or firms. VAT should be suspended for the next 2-4 months. This will help lower import costs and protect against shortages.

4. FOOD SECURITY:

We need to protect the people from food shortages and high prices. As such, we must quickly improve farm-to-market delivery of agricultural produce.

Also, government should initiate a crash program to decrease spoilage of agricultural produce by construction of storage facilities in local marketplaces in and around major cities and towns throughout the country.

We must establish a strategic grain reserve. Government should help ensure supply by establishing minimum premium price for certain food products.

5. LOWER INTEREST RATES:

CBN should lower interest rates to spur borrowing and private sector activity.

6. QUANTATIVE EASING:

CBN and other financial regulators should be alert to signs of fragility in the financial markets and banking sector.

The Central Bank should be prepared to enact extraordinary measures should the financial sector exhibit stress. The CBN should be prepared to give banks liberal access to its loan discount window to ensure adequate liquidity within the banking sector. The Cash Reserve Requirement for banks should be revised downward.

Also to ensure liquidity, the CBN should be willing to expand its balance sheet and improve liquidity by purchasing government bonds and other instruments held by banks and other institutions.

The Nigerian stock market is falling.  CBN and others should be planning how they might intervene to prevent a potential run on the stock market.

Potential measures include expanding Quantitative Easing to enable the Central Bank to purchase strategically important instruments trading in the stock market and instituting a moratorium on margin calls.

7. EXCHANGE RATE:

The Corona crisis will shrink the inflow of dollars. Hopefully, this is temporary, no more than a few months. CBN can allow some downward pressure on the naira without energetically intervening to defend the exchange rate. Only if and when the rate seems that it might dip precipitously should the CBN intervene.

The Bank may want to revisit its decision prohibiting non-institutional Nigerian dollar holders from participation in Open Market Operations.  Greater leniency will bring more dollars into the CBN.

8. DEBT SUSPENSION:

If economic trouble does come, government must be willing to freeze payment of certain consumer-related private debts. Evictions, foreclosure and light and water cut-offs might have to be suspended.

Suspension or partial reduction of payment of school fees for our most indigent families must be considered (that is when schools reopen) while government offers temporary support to the schools themselves.

9. INCREASE STIPENDS TO THE POOR: We must be ready to increase stipends to the poor. We do this by widening the net, substantially increasing the number of recipients of anti-poverty stipends.

In conclusion, I proffer these measures not as some comprehensive solution. I hope these ideas spark needed dialogue about the ways we may need to employ to protect our nation from assault by the coronavirus. I do not know if such a confrontation shall come. What I do know is that wise preparation will carry us close to victory. Unity, compassion and brave implementation of good policy will take us the rest of the way home.

We shall not go down. We shall rise.

Many Injured As Explosion Destroys 50 Houses In Ondo [THE NATION]

• Government must rebuild our houses, victims • Family of five escapes death during all night service • APC sympathizes with victims, Ondo government

NO fewer than 50 houses including a church were left in ruins on Saturday by a midnight explosion in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Several people were injured.

Five members of a family escaped death.

Victims asked government to rebuild their damaged property.

The explosion dug a massive crater on the Akure-Owo Road, a major artery linking the Southwest with the North as well as the Southeast and the Southsouth.

Buried down the crater at Eleyewo in Akure North Local Government Areas about two kilometres from the Akure Airport, is the truck carrying the explosives.

The sound of the explosion blew off roofs and caused vibration felt up to five kilometres from the scene.

Time was about 2am.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and security officers were among the early callers at the scene.

Akeredolu in a series of tweets on Saturday painted a picture of the accident.

According to him, “A vehicle in a convoy transporting explosives to a storage facility in a neighbouring state developed a fault while in transit along the Akure/Owo Road about 2km from the Akure Airport.

“Security personnel and other individuals transporting the ordinances noticed smoke from the vehicle. After several attempts to extinguish the resulting fire failed, the vehicle and its consignment ignited causing a massive explosion that was felt in Akure and its environs.

“Presently, efforts are being made to ascertain if there are casualties. Following my visit to the scene, I have directed that the area be cordoned off to allow the explosive ordinance department/bomb squad to extricate the vehicle buried underground because it is unclear if there are still explosives that are yet to be detonated.

“The destruction made by this disaster can only be imagined. I have gotten brief from the security and the preliminary report to me is an accidental discharge of explosive that was in transit through Ondo State to another state where it was needed.

“We will advise all citizens not to come near this place at all. This happened about 1am. All of us in Akure heard the sound. The people should vacate and move out of these premises. The vehicle carrying this explosive is buried in the crater created by this explosive. The people should allow the police do their work. We should not forget the other problem of corona virus.

“Everything is under control and I will be updating the public on any new developments.”

The Commissioner of Police, Undie Adie, was also there.

He dismissed insinuations that the explosives belonged to terrorists who were conveying them to some parts of the country for use.

The explosives, he told reporters, during an on the spot assessment of the situation were owned by a quarry firm.

He said that after going through the required processes, the explosives needed to be moved to where they would be used.

Police personnel were accordingly assigned to escort them in a convoy to their destination.

However, one of the vehicles developed a fault during the journey.

The team decided to take the vehicle as far as possible from a residential area so that in the event of an accident there would be minimum damage.

He said: “This consignment was being escorted. Along the road here, the vehicle developed a fault.

“When the driver noticed it, they tried to move away from where there were houses and see how they put out the problem.

“They noticed that smoke was emitting from the engine. The effort to put out the fire was not possible.

“They had to move out and that was the best professional thing to do. That is why they are safe. Fortunately the school here was not in session. It was an accident. It is not what we have control over.

“I have called the MD of the company the consignment was meant for. It was meant for a quarry.

“We have cordoned off the place and asked the people to stay away from here. Our EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) units are on ground. Throughout the night they were here.”

The explosion came two weeks after the Abule Ado, Lagos, gas pipeline fire that claimed about 20 lives and destroyed many houses.

Victims: ‘Government must rebuild our houses’

Owners of the houses damaged by the explosion asked the state or federal government to rebuild such property.

Many of the residents were asleep when the explosives went off.

One of the  exemptions was a family of five who were all at a vigil in church.

The roof of their church caved in.

But they escaped death.

A security personnel at a nearby school said he saw the truck when it was emitting smoke prior to the explosion.

He claimed seeing four occupants of the truck running away and warning policemen at a checkpoint not to go near the truck.

“Soon after they ran away we heard boom,” the eyewitness said yesterday on condition of anonymity.

He added: “The sound shook us and we thought we were coming under attack. We occupants of the vehicle just kept running away.”

The Olu of Eyelewo, Chief Boboye Ojo Adekunle, whose palace was partially damaged urged government to rebuild the houses because the people are poor farmers.

He said: “Part of my palace was affected. Some persons are in the hospital. The government should help the people because they are farmers. They cannot just raise money to build new houses.”

A son of the founder of Possibility Prayer Mountain for All Nations Church, Mr. Kehinde Ayelabu, said his mother, Prophetess Olayemi Adesida Omo Obajesu and two other members of the family were hospitalized following injuries suffered.

The Ondo State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Reverend John Ayoladapo, described the incident as a national disaster.

“The volume of destruction here is beyond what one can imagine. The entire compound is littered and shattered,” he said.

Continuing, he said: “I went to the hospital to see those injured. They are now stable. Getting here to see the level destruction showed it must have been divine for them to be in that state they are now.

“All the buildings here were destroyed beyond repairs. We are happy no lives were lost but government needs to come out to say what really happened. It happened on the last Friday of the month.

“There would have been a large number of people in the church. That is why we thank God. If not for the coronavirus, more people would have been involved.”

A security personnel at the church who gave his name as Noah said he crawled out of his room after the building collapsed

Mrs. Abiodun Fasheye, whose residence was destroyed said she would have died if she had not gone to an all-night service.

She however said the church collapsed on them after the explosion.

“We got home and saw that our building had collapsed. If we were to be at home, our house would have collapsed on us. I am a widow and I don’t have anybody to help me.”

APC sympathizes with victims, Ondo government

The All Progressives Congress (APC) sympathised with the victims of the explosion and the Ondo State government.

The party also called for calm.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, in a statement in in Abuja said that from the images of the buildings and other property destroyed in   the explosion, it was clear that the blast was a powerful one.

He hailed Governor Akeredolu for his quick response and advised the people of the affected area to desist from unnecessary and unfounded conspiracies surrounding the unfortunate explosion.

The party said that “while relevant authorities ascertain if there are casualties, we urge calm and assure all residents that the authorities are attending to the situation with a cordon in place and anti-bomb squad deployed to the area. There is no cause for further alarm.”

It expressed confidence in the state government to put in place rehabilitation measures that would cater for people displaced and affected by the explosion.

Trump Signs $2 Trillion Coronavirus Bill Into Law As US Economy Approaches Crash [SUN]

President Trump on Friday signed a massive $2 trillion emergency spending bill into law, promising to deliver a tidal wave of cash to individual Americans, businesses and health care facilities all reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.

His signature came just hours after the House of Representatives passed the massive package by an overwhelming voice vote, and less than 48 hours after it received unanimous approval from the Senate.

“This will deliver urgently needed relief to our nation’s families, workers and businesses. And that’s what this is all about,” Trump said at a signing ceremony in the Oval Office, with GOP congressional leaders and administration officials crowded behind him.

But tensions between the White House and Congress over how the law will be implemented became immediately apparent. In a signing statement, Trump wrote that he would not permit a new inspector general to issue certain reports to Congress “without presidential supervision.” Democrats insisted on the creation of the new inspector general in order to make sure the White House didn’t improperly disburse taxpayer money.

Now the White House, the Treasury Department, the Small Business Administration and other agencies are rushing to implement each part of the new law. It authorizes the Internal Revenue Service to send $1,200 payments to millions of Americans and creates programs to disburse close to $1 trillion in business loans and guarantees to millions of large and small companies throughout the economy.

There are now roughly 100,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States and it has caused more than 1,500 deaths domestically, figures that have risen rapidly. To try to contain the contagion, much of American life has shut down. Schools have closed. Most public gatherings have been canceled. Many Americans have stopped leaving their homes, devastating millions of businesses that depend on consumer spending for their cash flow.

The economy’s screeching halt led 3.3 million workers to file for unemployment benefits last week, by far the most over a seven-day span in recent American history. A number of economists believe the U.S. economy has taken a nose-dive from a period of relative economic strength to one of the worst recessions ever recorded.

To respond, the White House and Congress assembled a massive spending bill that directs money to households, businesses, cities, states and hospitals while seeking to buttress state unemployment programs that are overwhelmed with new filers.

Trump said some of the key decisions would be based on consultations his advisers have with Wall Street executives and “the smartest, most brilliant people in the world in finance.” He left open the possibility that some of these companies could be compensated for their roles, but he did not offer more information.

It will require speed and cooperation between the White House, states and private companies, even though tensions among all sides has flared in recent days.

“I can’t think of any precedent where there were this many programs involved in a single piece of legislation that were trying to be stood up so quickly,” said Shai Akabas, director of economic policy at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Akabas said the law’s move to pump $250 billion into the unemployment program could be a particular challenge, as it would require fast cooperation between the federal government and every state as Americans continue flooding into the program with requests for assistance.

The White House has promised it will implement the new law as quickly as possible, but its economic approach to the coronavirus crisis continues to change by the day. For example, Trump on Friday invoked the Defense Production Act in an effort to compel General Motors to manufacture ventilators after holding back on using that tool for more than a week. And there’s confusion about who will qualify for some of the emergency funding. Some members of the cruise industry have indicated they might not be able to receive the U.S. taxpayer assistance even though Trump has said multiple times that he wants them to be beneficiaries.

Trump’s top advisers will have to make a number of crucial decisions in the coming days, such as whether to protect taxpayer investments by taking equity stakes in struggling companies and whether to prioritize some industries over others as firms teeter on the brink of bankruptcy.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin promised in a Fox Business interview Friday that the Internal Revenue Service would quickly send out direct payments to Americans who qualify for the individual checks — those with incomes under $99,000 — and that the SBA would stand up a new lending program within a week. Small businesses will have access to close to $400 billion in loans from the new legislation.

“We’re going to have a new program up by next Friday where banks can lend. I mean that — that would be a historic achievement that is just incredibly aggressive,” Mnuchin said. “This is a brand-new program, the Treasury working with the SBA. We’re doing everything we can because Americans need that money now. They can’t wait for government to take three or four or six months like we normally do.”

On direct payments to Americans, Mnuchin said: “I’ve committed that the IRS will get these direct deposits [out] in three weeks. Again, American workers can’t wait.”

But there are a number of logistical hurdles that the Trump administration will need to resolve. For example, officials can send electronic payments to households that have bank accounts on file with the IRS, as many people have had their tax refunds directly deposited to their bank accounts. But the IRS will also likely need to send paper checks to millions of other people, a process that could take much longer.

Similarly, the new law requires certain oversight structures to monitor how the money is spent. It directs Trump to nominate a new “Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery,” a position that must be confirmed by the Senate. This is the inspector general that, in the new signing statement, Trump suggested he wanted to report to him instead of Congress. Congressional leaders will also appoint five members to a Congressional Oversight Commission, which is also tasked with scrutinizing how the money is disbursed, though that entity’s jurisdiction and clout is unclear.

Friday began on a note of chaotic uncertainty in the House, where the threat of a procedural objection from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) had forced more than 200 lawmakers to return to Washington. These lawmakers traveled by plane and car, some coming from places like New York where people are supposed to quarantine after leaving.

Leaders had hoped to pass the massive legislation by “unanimous consent” or by “voice vote” with just a few members present, so that lawmakers scattered to their states wouldn’t have to return to the tight quarters of the Capitol in the midst of a pandemic. But Massie, who opposes the legislation because it adds to the deficit, was prepared to insist on a quorum — or majority of the House — which is specified in the Constitution but rarely enforced.

Massie’s move drew bitter complaints from lawmakers of both parties and from Trump, who derided him over Twitter as a “grandstander” who should be tossed out of the Republican Party. (Washington Post)

Kaduna Arrests 2 Clerics For Conducting Friday Prayers [SUN]

Kaduna State Government has arrested two clerics for conducting Friday congregational prayers in two communities of Kaduna North Local Government Area in violation of the curfew imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this at a press conference, Saturday, named the culprits as  Malam Aminu Umar Usman and Malam Umar Shangel, from Malali and Unguwan Kanawa respectively.

The commissioner said that their conduct violated government orders as well as advice given by leaders of faith, adding that the clerics would be prosecuted accordingly.

Aruwan said that government expected compliance with the quarantine orders, which imposed curfew in the entire state ‘’and will continue to enforce them.’’

The Commissioner further warned that ‘’security agencies would enforce government orders and uphold the 24 hour curfew until further notice, adding that any group who defies the directives stand the risk of arrest and prosecution.’’

‘’It should be clear that the inconveniences associated with the preventive measures, while regretted, are nothing compared to the suffering and deaths that coronavirus will cause if it is allowed to get here and spread,’’ he argued.

According to the commissioner,  such violations   are ‘’ patently illegal and irresponsible conduct, at a time that requires sober and rational conduct to protect our people from coronavirus.’’

COVID-19: El-Rufai Tests Positive [SUN]

Kaduna State governor has tested positive to the Coronavirus disease.

This was contained in a statement he personally signed by yesterday evening.

El-Rufai had on Thursday placed curfew and banned religious activities in the state as part of measures to curtail the spread of the disease.

He said: “Earlier this week, I submitted a sample for the Covid-19 test. The result came in this evening, and I regret to say that it is positive.

“According to the protocols for managing Covid-19, I am in self-isolation as required by the case management guidelines of the NCDC for someone that is no showing symptoms.

“I wish to appeal to the people of Kaduna State to continue to closely observe the preventive measures already announced.

“It is most important that everybody should do their utmost to stay safe, stay home and stay alive.

“The Deputy Governor is chairing our Covid-19 Taskforce and will continue to issue statements from time to time”.

Coronavirus: Artisans, Traders, Commuters Defy Lockdown Order [LEADERSHIP]

As the federal and state governments intensify efforts to enforce their restriction order with a view to curtailing the rapid spread of Coronavirus across the country, most Nigerians, especially artisans, traders and motorists have flouted the directive to close their businesses and stay at home.

Following the social restriction order imposed by government to halt the spread of the disease, law enforcement agents, including the military and the Nigeria Police had their zonal and state commands to strictly enforce the directive in their respective jurisdiction.

But a good number of the populace at the weekend refused to adhere to the order.

Our correspondents who monitored enforcement of the restriction order observed that major shops, markets and other businesses across the states and the Federal Capital Territory remained the same, with traders selling their goods and products in all the markets visited.

Despite warning that limiting the numbers of close contact with potentially infected individuals and objects was important in curbing the spread of coronavirus, the usual practice of drivers overloading passengers without bothering that people could contract the virus in buses and taxis continued.

It was observed that most commercial drivers with no sanitizers in their vehicles for passengers still jam-packed people in their buses and taxis in total disdain to government’s directive that citizens should adopt the social distance strategy to curtail spread of the deadly virus.

In Kaduna, the state government arrested two clerics for conducting Friday congregational prayers in two communities of Kaduna North local government area in violation of the curfew imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this at a press conference on Saturday, named the culprits as Malam Aminu Umar Usman and Malam Umar Shangel, from Malali and Unguwan Kanawa respectively.

The commissioner said that their conduct violated government orders as well as advice given by leaders of faith, adding that the clerics will be prosecuted accordingly.

Aruwan reiterated that government expects compliance with the quarantine orders and the curfew imposed on the entire state and will continue to enforce them.’

The commissioner said, “Security agencies will enforce government orders and uphold the 24 hour curfew, until further notice. Those who seek to defy the directives stand the risk of arrest and prosecution.

“It should be clear that the inconveniences associated with the preventive measures, while regretted, are nothing compared to the suffering and deaths that coronavirus will cause if it is allowed to get here and spread.

“However, government has also sadly noted that certain individuals, including clerics, are violating the restriction of movement, large gatherings, trading and congregational prayers.

“Such violations are patently illegal and irresponsible conduct, at a time that requires sober and rational conduct to protect our people from coronavirus”.

In the FCT, the ministerial team on COVID-19 restriction Enforcement yesterday cut short activities at a popular pentecostal church at Jabi district.

The team which commenced its operation at Wuse market moved to the church following information that the church was holding wedding ceremonies and other activities against the directive that there should be no gathering of more than 50 people.

The taskforce led by the chairman of FCT traffic management task team, Ikharo Attah, addressed the gathering and consequently disperse the worshippers.

At Police Quaters in wuse zone 6, the team also stopped a large wedding reception which was ongoing with over three hundred persons.

The team arrived the scene of the wedding reception at a residential neighbourhood when the bride and groom were about show up at the event.

LEADERSHIP Sunday also gathered that when the team got to the Wuse and Dutse Alhaji markets, they discovered it was partial compliance to the social distancing directive.

At the Utako market, it was business as usual, with the team insisting that it must be shut down immediately.

In Kogi State, residents and traders on Saturday defied the state government t directive that residents should stay at home and that all markets in the state should be shut down.

Our Correspondent who monitored the shutdown order reports that activities in the state remained as usual, with shops widely opened and traders selling their goods and products in all the markets visited.

At Kpata market and Lokoja International market, even though all the entrance gates were under lock and key, the road to the market was crowded with traders carrying out their usual transactions.

There was however some level of compliance at the Old market during the period of the monthly sanitation exercise from 7am to 10am, but traders opened their various shops immediately after the sanitation exercise.

Some of the traders who spoke to our correspondent insisted that they were not aware of the shutdown by the state government, saying they needed to earn their daily living.

One of the traders, Mrs Hassanat Mohammed, who noted that she was not aware of the shutdown directive, said ‘’I have to sell to feed my children’’.

In Katsina, the state Police Command, said it has arrested not fewer than 90 persons who staged a protest that led to the burning down of Kusada Divisional police station, seven vehicles and ten motorcycles.

A statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, said the protesters took to the street following an arrest of one Mallam Hassan, who conducted a Friday prayer in one of the Kusada jummaat mosques and was brought to the Area Commander’s Office for questioning.

The development didn’t go well with his followers who staged a protest and burnt the police station, seven vehicles and ten motorcycles inside the station.

“Consequently, today 28/03/2020 at about 09:00hrs, this particular group organized themselves in such a tumultuous manner, rioting, attacked and over powered the policemen on duty at Kusada Division, set ablaze the police station and DPO’s Quarters. They also burnt down seven motor vehicles and ten motorcycles in custody of the police station”, the statement noted.

In Ebonyi, the state Police Command arrested nine persons in Ikwo and Ezza South local government area of the state for organising burial ceremonies in total violation the state government directive banning burial ceremonies and other social gatherings to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

The State commissioner of Police, CP Awosola Awotinde, made the disclosure in Abakaliki during a joint broadcast with the state commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr Uchenna Orji, on the preventive measures taken to stop the spread of coronavirus in the state.

According to the commissioner of Police, 2 persons were arrested in Ikwo local government area while the remaining seven were also arrested in Ezza South council area.

CP Awotinde said that the police officers who supervised the burial in Ikwo local government are also undergoing orderly room trial, adding that measures have also been taken to ensure that men of the Command and other security personal involved in the enforcement of government’s directive were civil to the public.

He urged the people to corporate with the security team in the enforcement of the directive to ensure the state stays safe from the virus.

Meanwhile, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, yesterday ordered the immediate closure of all churches, mosques and the ban of burials and marriage ceremonies across the state.

The Governor gave the orders via a state broadcast on all radio stations across the state on Saturday.

 

Uzodinma said all forms of gathering in the state remained banned, including crusades, evangelism, church, and mosque activities.

The governor also ordered the immediate closure of markets across the state.

He also ordered the immediate blockade of all the state borders by health and security operatives who are to screen persons before they enter into the state.

Governor Uzodinma, while urging Imo people to exercise faith and courage that the state will overcome the covid 19 measures, promised weekly reviews of the measures already put in place.

He explained that the measures are to protect people and safeguard the children, even as he maintained that the state and its people will overcome.

In Taraba State, Governor Darius Ishaku yesterday ordered the closure of all roads leading to the state.

The governor’s directive was contained in a press statement issued on by his chief press secretary, Hassan Mijinyawa.

The statement noted: “Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku has banned travels in and out of Taraba state with effect from Sunday, 29th March, 2020 to check spread of corona virus in the state.

“The decision to close the state’s land borders was taken as part of continued efforts by the state government to protect the residents from the spread of the dreaded corona virus.

“The commissioner of police and the commandant of National security and Civil Defence Corps have been directed to ensure strict compliance”.

Also, the Ogun State government yesterday announced the closure of its borders with the neighbouring states and the international border with the Republic of Benin.

The closure would  be effected at 12 midnight on Sunday, March, 29, 2020. It would be in force for two weeks in the first instance.

With this restriction order, movement in and out of the state is thus banned as a further measure to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Abeokuta by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the state was constrained to effect border closure in order to stem and flatten the curve of the spread of the dreaded coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, not only in the state but in the country and in the West African sub-region.

 

Confirmed Cases Now 97 As Virus Spreads To 11 States

Meanwhile 16 new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Nigeria, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 97.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), “Two of the cases were reported in the FCT, four in Oyo, seven in Lagos, one each in Kaduna, Benue and Osun States.

 

Health Minister Briefs PMB

Meanwhile, the minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, yesterday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the effort his ministry was making to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The minister met the president in his residence alongside the director general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) at the presidential villa.

The meeting also put to rest speculations about the president’s whereabouts.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the Health minister disclosed that he was in Aso Rock to answer questions President Buhari had to ask on COVID-19 in Nigeria.

He said, “It is to answer a few questions that His Excellency had about the health sector which we took the opportunity to explain further. The takeaway is that we have been able to clarify a few things in question regarding the state we are in on the coronavirus disease outbreak in Nigeria.

“Well, I explained those problems, the situation and what the projection would be going forward and the measures we think would be very necessary at this time.”

 

Ministers Donate 50% Of March Salary To Combat COVID-19

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s 43 cabinet ministers have donated 50 per cent of their March 2020 salaries to support federal government’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja yesterdaty and made available to LEADERSHIP Weekend, the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, quoted the minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who coordinated the donation, as saying it was a gesture of solidarity and support for federal government’s efforts to tackle the disease.

‘’This global virus outbreak will require nations, continents and smaller communities to pull together to contribute their resources and support one another. This will facilitate an early resolution of the problem,’’ Mohammed further quoted Senator Saraki as saying.

The ministers also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his leadership role in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

 

NNPC Assures Of Steady Fuel Supply

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured Nigerians of adequate fuel supply followingl implementation of sit-at-home order in some states to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

Group managing director,NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari, who gave the assurance in a tweet on Saturday,  said supply of petroleum products would not be affected by the lockdown.

“States have all consented to allow movement of fuel trucks and operation of stations during any sit -at- home action.

“Our stock and supply plan are robust and there is no need to buy more than you require at any time. We will keep supplying, ” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some states including Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, Edo and Delta had issued directives advising people to stay at home to contain the virus.

Nigeria currently has 81 confirmed cases with three discharged persons and one death. (NAN)

 

Covid -19: Health Minister Briefs PMB

The minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, yesterday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the effort his ministry was making to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The minister met the president in his residence alongside the director-general of the National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) at the presidential villa.

The meeting also put to bed speculations about the president’s whereabouts.

Speaking to state house correspondents after meeting the president, the health minister disclosed that he was in Aso Rock to answer questions President Buhari had to ask on COVID-19 in Nigeria.

According to him, “It is to answer a few questions that His Excellency had about the health sector which we took the opportunity to explain further. The takeaway is that we have been able to clarify a few things in question regarding the state we are in on the coronavirus disease outbreak in Nigeria.

“Well, I explained those problems, the situation and what the projection would be going forward and the measures we think would be very necessary at this time,” the minister said.

 

Sanwo-Olu Unveils 110-Bed Isolation Centre

Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has taken delivery of a 110-bed isolation facility on Lagos Island, where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state can be managed and treated.

The facility was conceived and built in collaboration with the management of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).

Managing director of GTBank, Mr. Segun Agbaje, on Saturday, personally handed over the hospital facility to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, five days after the bank started the construction of the isolation centre sited on the main bowl of the Mobolaji Olufunsho Johnson Stadium in Onikan.

Sanwo-Olu lauded the bank’s management for the speed with which the structure was built, disclosing that the facility was equipped with world-class equipment and medical supplies that would aid the state government to deliver adequate care to those infected with COVID-19.

He said, “I am very excited to take possession of this 110-bed isolation facility which the Lagos State government and Guaranty Trust Bank have put together. In our assessment, it is a world-class facility which has been achieved within a week. Contractors at multilevel worked tirelessly to put up the structure.”

 

Presidential Spokesman, Shehu, Tests Negative

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, has tested negative to the dreaded Covid -19.

Shehu, who disclosed this on his twitter handle yesterday said it became imperative to disclose his test results following enquiries from friends.

He tweeted: “I think it is only fair that I ease the fears of my friends and relations with whom I made recent contacts about the coronavirus. Fake news media had said all sorts of rubbish about me and the president I work for.My test proved negative for the virus. Alhamdu Lillah. Notwithstanding, I advise everyone that we continue the isolation and work from home.”

Similarly, the presidency has refuted a report that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the distribution of N30,000 each to every Nigerian with Bank Verification Number (BVN).

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a tweet, said the supposed approval by the president was concocted.

He tweeted: “Fake news peddlers have concocted a statement, purportedly issued by me, saying federal government will pay N30,000 to each Nigerian with BVN, to help them stock up before an impending national lockdown. Not me.The so-called statement is hereby disclaimed.”

Afenifere, Falae, Others Demand Probe Of Akure Explosion [LEADERSHIP]

Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has demanded an inquiry into the explosion that occurred along Akure – Owo expressway in Ondo State, in accordance with Ordinance and Firearm Acts .

The group said the inquiry would  be able to determine the type of ordinances that exploded.

National publicity secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, in a statement issued and made available to journalists, expressed  displeasure with the rate of explosions in Yorubaland in recent times.

Odumakin said , “First was the blast in Ekiti State in early February with investigation blaming it on human error. This was followed by the massive explosion in Abule Ado in Lagos which was attributed to some spurious pipeline explosion which we rejected because the long-range impacts of that explosion could not have come from pipeline explosion.

“Till date we don’t know the owners of the articulated vehicles found on the scene of the Lagos explosion while the number of casualties and level of  suggested damage done to catholic- owned Bethlehem School suggested deliberate targeting.

“While we wait to know the level of casualty in the latest incident in Ondo, we appeal to our people to be very careful in these perilous times.”

He ,however, expressed  heartfelt sympathy with the government and people of Ondo State over the explosion that occurred on Akure-Owo road early this morning.

He further stated that, “ All accounts so far indicate that the explosion occurred from a possible fire incident from a vehicle that was carrying explosives through the state.”

Also, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, has called for immediate repair of the road and compensation to the affected victims.

Falae, a one-time finance minister and the Olu of Ilu Abo where the incident happened, described the incident as a great disaster.

He said, “The two buildings that are very important to the Ilu-Abo community, Possibility Church and the school were destroyed. It is a great disaster to Ilu-Abo and Akure land.”

Also, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Undie Adie, said, “The consignment was duly escorted by the personnel of Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) that were equipped, trained and charged with the responsibility of taking care of explosives of any kind.

“This consignment was duly escorted but unfortunately along the road here, the vehicle developed a fault. When the driver noticed it,( from the explanation of the escort commander), they had to move away from where there were houses so that they could put off the problem, that was when they parked and noticed that smoke was emitting from the engine.”

Following the explosion which occurred along Akure – Owo expressway in Ondo State,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South-West zone, has demanded a proper investigation on the incident.

The party further asked the federal government to develop strategies that would forestall the recurrence of such developments again.

A statement issued by the party and signed by the zonal publicity director of the party, Mr Ayo Fadaka, condemned the recent development both in Lagos and Akure outrightly.

Fadaka said the party found it curious that explosives were carelessly transported across the nation by all sorts of people, thereby continuously exposing people to unnecessarily harm.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 100 residential buildings, schools, and churches were destroyed by an explosion suspected to be a bomb blast in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

LEADERSHIP learnt that the blast which occurred in the early hours of Saturday cut off the ever-busy Akure-Owo road.

It was also gathered that residents around the Akure airport were also affected by the blast.

The blast caused apprehension among residents of Akure, Obaile, Eleyowo, Iluabo, Osi and its environs in Ondo State.

The explosion also destroyed a popular church beside the road, “Possibility Church,” where some people were said to have been feared killed.

A source told LEADERSHIP that it was a truck conveying dynamite that was bought at Ibadan, Oyo State enroute Auchi, Edo State, that got exploded at the airport junction, the scene of the incident.

According to the source, the truck was flagged down by policemen at a checkpoint when they noticed a flame of fire under it, before it exploded.

Meanwhile, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy,Agboola Ajayi, have visited the place of the incident.

Addressing newsmen after being briefed by the police commissioner , Undie Adie, Akeredolu described the incident as a monumental loss, urging the people to vacate the premises for security agents to carry out investigation.

Akeredolu said, due to the uncertainty about the possibility of leftover explosive devices underground, people should be restricted from moving close to the scene of the incident.

Addressing journalists at the scene, the state ommissioner of police, Undie Adie, informed that the detonated explosive was being conveyed to a quarry company outside the state when the truck developed fault and the device exploded accidentally.

NIS CG Gives Marching Orders To Officers On Border Closure [LEADERSHIP]

Men and officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) have been told to be on top of their game by ensuring strict implementation of federal government’s ban on international flights and border closure.

The Comptroller General of the service, Muhammad Babandede, charged all his officers to be more discreet, firm, fair, humane and conscious of the state of the nation and the expectations of the public.

Babandede, who emphasised the need for them to guard against the spread of the coronavirus as the first agency to have contact with international travelers and the citizens when leaving or coming into the country said, “This is an extra-ordinary time in the history of the world, Nigeria is not an isolation”.

He said, “as the first agency to have contact with  international travelers and the citizens when leaving or coming into the country at any of the entry or exit points, our role is very significant and strategic to the success of curbing human mobility and the fight against the spread of coronavirus.

Babandede, who warned against loopholes said, “We are the first line of action when it comes to the control and management of human mobility, dealing with human beings may not be easy at this time, our officers and men are advised to exercise restrain in the discharge of their duties.”

“You  must exhibit high level emotional intelligence and be discreet as you go about this national assignment at the land, air and sea border frontiers and interior of the country. “

“I therefore advise all officers and men to be highly professional and receptive, while adhering strictly to federal government’s  directives for restriction of International flights and closure of land borders within the stipulated period.”