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Friday, March 29, 2024

Nigerian Newspapers Headlines Friday Morning

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FG Tracks Down 71% Of 6,000 Contacts [LEADERSHIP]

The federal government hinted yesterday that it has traced up to 71 per cent of the estimated 6,000 contacts of Coronavirus cases in the country. It expressed worry over Nigerians returning to the country through land borders, saying they run a higher risk of infection while in a confined space for a long time like transit in a crowded bus or car.

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, who disclosed this yesterday at a briefing by the presidential taskforce on COVID-19, noted however that the shutdown in areas with more cases of the virus offers government the opportunity of meeting more people at home during contact tracing. He said, “As contact tracing and testing capacity are being ramped up, more and more cases will be found and the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases is expected to rise initially.

“With the expanded national case definition and the addition of two laboratories to the NCDC network of COVID-19 molecular laboratories, the national testing capacity has increased. “Moreover, the lockdown in high burden states presents the advantage of reduced population mobility and leaves more people at home to be found during contact tracing.

All of this means that more people and samples can be collected and tested more quickly, giving a shorter turnaround time, but it also means that more cases will be discovered initially than before.” Ehanire advised all travelers in the country to postpone non-essential trips, both local and international.

“In this regard, Nigerians are also advised to remain where they are resident and so stay safe, except if returning home from a journey.” Ehanire cautioned.

Coronavirus Cases Surpass One Million Worldwide Meanwhile, the global cases of coronavirus have surpassed one million. As of yesterday, more than one million confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported worldwide.

According to reports, the novel coronavirus has spread to 204 countries and regions, sickened 1,001,079 and killed 51,385. This is as Nigeria has confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 184. Another 11 persons have also recovered from the disease and were discharged yesterday in Lagos.

This brings the total number of discharged persons in the country to 20. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), seven of the cases were reported in Lagos and three in the Abuja.

The Centre gave the breakdown of cases by states as follows: Lagos98, FCT- 38, Osun- 14, Oyo- 8, Akwa Ibom- 5, Ogun4, Edo- 4, Kaduna- 4, Bauchi- 3, Enugu- 2, Ekiti- 2, Rivers-1 and Benue- 1. “As at 08:00pm 2nd April, there are 184 confirmed cases of COVID19 reported in Nigeria. 20 have been discharged with two deaths”, it noted.

Earlier yesterday, Lagos State government said it had discharged 11 coronavirus patients at the infectious Disease Centre in Yaba Mainland Hospital, bringing the total number of patients discharged in the state’s facility to 18. Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this while giving update as the incident commander of COVID-19 management in the state.

He said,’’ Today, I have some good news for you concerning our desperate battle against Coronavirus, the lethal disease that has changed our world and tested to the limit our resilience as a people.

“Even as this battle continues amid so much anxiety all over the world, I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the news of the release today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba. “They have fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19 and have been allowed to return home to their families. This brings to 18 the number of discharged patients in Lagos since the index case was reported.

 

FIRS Generates N1.115trn In 3 Months [LEADERSHIP]

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has recorded a 10.4 per cent increase in its revenue drive in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year.

FIRS, in a press statement issued yesterday by its spokesman, Abdullahi Ahmad, said that it collected N1.115 trillion in the first quarter of 2020, adding that the revenue collection for Q1 2020 was higher than the N1.046 trillion recorded in the same period of 2019. The tax agency said that it realised N643.9billion from Capital Gains Tax during the period.

Similarly, the FIRS recorded a 522 per cent increase in collection from the NITDEF to cap at N691.206 billion in Q12020, compared to N111 billion in Q1 2019. Since he assumed office as FIRS chairman, Mr Muhammad Nami has instituted a regime of policy reforms anchored on deployment of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to block tax leakages and motivate the members of staff by restoring a number of their statutory roles which were outsourced to private consultants.

Also, during the period under review, Gas Income Tax increased by 286 per cent, which amounted to N11.49 billion compared to N2.97 billion raked in the first quarter of 2019. Similarly, Company Income Tax (CIT) collected in Q1 2020 increased by 135 per cent to N95.7 billion from the corresponding figure of N40.696 billion recorded 2019.

Stamp Duty collection in Q1 2020 was N4.75 billion, a 40 per cent increase to the Q1 2019 figure of N3.4 billion. In the education sector, the FIRS recorded an 82 per cent increase in its collection of Education Tax, resulting in N13.1 billion to the federal coffers as against the N7 billion that was received in Q1 2019.

Both NCS and Non-Import Value Added Tax (VAT) also increased by 12.4 per cent in Q12020 N63.3 billion and N266.3 billion respectively from the Q1 2019 figures of N57 billion and N236 billion in that order.

However, Petroleum Income Tax (PIT), Withholding Tax and Personal Income Tax all took a deep in the period under review, a development the agency attributed to fluctuations in the price of crude oil at the international market as well as the interregnum witnessed between passing the 2019 Finance Act into law and its coming to effect on February 1, 2020.

The statement did not provide details of revenues from PIT.

 

President Orders Payment Of Workers’ Salaries [LEADERSHIP]

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to pay salaries the salaries of workers to cushion the effects of the stay-at-home order occasioned by the outbreak of coronavirus.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this to State House correspondents, yesterday, at the presidential villa, Abuja. She said that the president had also directed the ministry to ensure that critical infrastructure such as roads, rails are protected and as much as possible, use local inputs so that the country retains value within her economy.

The minister, who heads the presidential committee to review the impact of coronavirus on the economy, said that the president further directed that measures that protect the poor and the vulnerable are in place. She said that the committee briefed the president on current happenings around the world due to COVID-19 and its impact on the nation’s economy.

She said: “Well, he has directed that we should make sure that salaries are paid, ensure critical infrastructure like roads, rails are protected, as much as possible use local inputs so that we retain value within our economy. And also make sure that we measures that protects the poor and the vulnerable. “This meeting was just to brief Mr. President as the situation we in keeps evolving on a daily basis.

As the health crisis gradually expands, affecting States and also the lockdown that has been ordered to help curtail expansion of the health crisis.

“The consequences of the lockdown are the additional slowing down the economy and the measures that we need to take to mitigate the negative consequences of the slow trade and businesses. Another member of the committee and minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said the economy is not in the best of shape due to COVID-19 and oil prices are collapsing daily, hence the need for the president to be constantly briefed. The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, said that the economy is not looking rosy as everyone thought it would be. He said: “The global economy naturally like we all know at this time will suffer growth problems and may even lead to recession globally.

So, we are trying to see what we can do as a country to rescue our situation so we don’t go the direction many will go.” BY ANDREW ESSIEN, Abuja The federal government has been urged to make its palliative for Nigerians as comprehensive to ease the hardship of the current lockdown of the country because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The call was made by the president of the Chris Emeritus Foundation and United States of America (USA)-based Nigerian, Chris Emejuru, who suggested that feeding centres at ward level should be created in addition to the payment of N18,000 minimum to poor Nigerians.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Emejuru said that his foundation has developed a proposal capable of addressing some of the challenges Nigerians experience during the total lockdown. The package, he said, three major areas which include health, economy and the social welfare of the citizens, are the major concerns. Emejuru said: “In the package is a proposal of N18,000 for the next several months to the poorest in Nigeria as well as the opportunity to start a business.

“Through collaborative efforts with NGO’s, feeding centres should be created to address the food shortage problems. Hygiene and sanitation materials (toiletries) should also be distributed to the most vulnerable and every Nigerian citizen who needs it.

“The government at all levels should also make vehicles available at every strategic locations so as to convey people who might develop any form of sickness to healthcare centres and to assist those affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

 

COVID-19: Govt Finds 3,550 Contacts, Concern As Cases Reach 190 [PUNCH]

  • Osun Cote d’Ivore returnees’ patients rise to 18
  • Lagos discharges 11 patients
  • 248 on self-isolation in Oyo

The Federal Government on Thursday said it had succeeded in tracing 3,550 people who came in contact with patients infected with COVID-19 in the country.

The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who disclosed this at a press conference organised in Abuja by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, said the 3,550 people were being monitored for symptoms of coronavirus.

The NCDC said this as there were concerns in the country over the rising COVID-19 cases, which increased to 190 on Thursday.

In Osun State, residents of Ejigbo, where six Cote d’Ivoire returnees tested positive, stayed indoor for fear of contracting the virus.

But in Abuja, the NCDC assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was fighting the virus.

Ihekweazu had, at a  press conference on Tuesday, said  government  was searching for  5,000 people who came in contact with COVID-19 positive patients

The director general, who said there was an urgent need to get such people and prevent community transmission of the virus, said many of the contacts came from abroad and gave wrong phone numbers and addresses on the flights they boarded.

On Thursday, Ihekweazu was asked the extent government had gone in tracing the contacts following the two-week lockdown the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) ordered in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states.

He responded, “We have traced and monitoring 71 per cent of all of them. By the end of today, that figure will increase. This is what this period of two weeks is for. Lagos has been transformational in the last few days. The teams have been able to move incredibly across the state to monitor all these contacts.

“The early cases had large number of contacts.  Many of them were on planes and we have to basically contact everyone. But everyone we identify now has a maximum of 30 or 40 contacts. So the number of contacts in confirmed cases is reducing because we no longer have people that were exposed to a plane.”

On the kits donated to the country by a Chinese billionaire, he said every state government was asked to come to Abuja to collect its share of the kits.

No preferential treatment for those in isolation –NCDC boss

He also said there was no preferential treatment for anyone in all the coronavirus isolation centres across the country.

He said, “There is no preferential care at treatment centres. Everybody is getting the same level of care in Abuja and Lagos and health care workers are really working hard to make sure everybody is supported through the period of care.”

FG asks NMA to open register for volunteers, retired doctors

At the press conference, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said registers would be opened, particularly in Abuja and Lagos for retired health workers who would be recalled to strengthen the workforce for COVID-19.

Ehanire disclosed that he had met with the Nigerian Medical Association, adding that the association had promised to assist government in the fight against coronavirus.

He said, “Yesterday, I had a meeting with the Nigerian Medical Association leaders. We have urged them to invite retired members particularly in Lagos and Abuja to register and volunteer their services.”

Lockdown: FG exempts fertiliser transport

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha,  said the movement of vehicles transporting fertilizer across Lagos, Ogun and the FCT had been included in the list of services exempted from the lockdown.

Govt recommends 300-bed limit for COVID-19 isolation centres

Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said, “We are requesting that the sub-national governments should provide at least a 300-bed facility; either a hotel or other facilities.”

According to him, such facilities should contain basic nursing and other required procedures before patients are moved in.

He added, “Those facilities starting from 300 beds should be expanded as the need arises.”

Satellite markets, others also join exemption list

The National Coordinator for the fight against COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu,  at the press conference,  said businesses exempted from the lockdown also included markets, food stores and supermarkets.

He explained that the neighbourhood markets were essential services that could open for four hours every other day.

Aliyu, however, explained that operators of such facilities were expected to provide equipment for measuring body temperature and sanitising hands.

He said, “The decision of the PTF is that satellite markets will operate every other day from 10 am to 2 pm. This does not refer to the main markets that are already closed and neither does it refer to markets that had been closed by local authorities. We do not expect them to open.

“But for markets that supply neighbourhood, we will allow them to operate for just four hours every other day.

“I need to re-emphasise to shop owners, particularly those operating supermarkets and food stores, that they are allowed to operate only if they are dealing with food and perishable items, including pharmaceuticals.”

In Oyo,  248 in self-isolation

The head of the Oyo State contact tracing team, who identified himself simply as Dr Sola, in an interview with The PUNCH said, “All of the 248 ‘people of interest’ are under close surveillance and they are being monitored twice a day.  They are all in self-isolation.

“Of these 248 people, 44 have already completed the 14-day self-isolation period and have been cleared of coronavirus. We are actively containing the virus in Oyo State.

“We even want to announce now that anyone who feels he or she had contact with any of the known cases should call us.  The names are in public domain.  We would do risk assessment for you and let you know what you need to do.”

Ekiti centre has one ventilator – Commissioner

The Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade,  on her part, said the state had only one ventilator in its isolation centre.

Yaya-Kolade, who disclosed this at a press conference in Ado Ekiti, said the state was awaiting the result of a test conducted on a 23-year-old male patient, who manifested some symptoms of the virus.

She said the second COVID-19 case in the state, a 42-year-old male patient who tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, had been admitted into the isolation centre while the environment team would be going to disinfect his premises as soon as possible.

The commissioner also stated, “We have only one ventilator at the isolation centre at Oba Adejugbe Hospital. However, we are making efforts to source for others to make it two.”

A’Ibom’s  five cases came in contact with foreign medical outreach – Commissioner

The Akwa Ibom State Government said it had commenced tracing contacts with persons suspected to have come in contact with a foreign mission from where the five index cases might have contracted the virus.

The state Commissioner of Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, who briefed journalists on Thursday after a meeting with the state incident management committee, said the five cases were those whose came in contact with a foreign mission that conducted a medical outreach in the state.

He said,  “We have started tracing the contacts of those who assisted the foreign mission that conducted a medical outreach here in Akwa Ibom State. We  started doing that  yesterday( Wednesday) when the results  were announced.”

Health ministry fails to provide sanitiser, thermometers for workers

The Federal Ministry of Health has failed to provide sanitiser and forehead thermometers to check the temperature of workers and visitors to its office in Abuja.

Findings on Thursday showed that workers and visitors to the ministry were not screened or given sanitiser despite the leading roles of the health ministry in the campaign against the coronavirus disease in the country.

One of our correspondents, who visited the ministry’s office located at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday, was not screened with the thermometer or given sanitiser as was being done in other public places, including shopping malls and private offices.

An assistant director in the ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that everyone was baffled by the failure of the authorities to provide the safety kits for the staff of the ministry.

He said that the workers had resorted to buying sanitiser, face masks and other safety kits that should have been supplied by the government.

He noted, “We have been demanding the reason for the refusal of the health minister and the permanent secretary to provide safety kits such as sanitiser,   forehead thermometers and face masks for workers, but no one is saying anything.

“When you (our correspondent) were coming into the office, did anyone check your temperature or give you sanitiser? The same thing happened during the outbreak of Ebola.  We were not given any safety or protection kit until one month after the crisis had ended.”

But the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs Enefaa Bob-Manuel, claimed the authorities had provided bottles of sanitiser for the workers.

We are testing samples from Enugu, Abia – Abakaliki centre

The Chief Medical Director of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Dr. Emeka Onwe-Ogah, on Thursday, said the laboratory in the hospital was testing samples from  Abia and Enugu states.

The CMD, in an interview with The PUNCH,  noted that the centre just commenced work on Wednesday.

On the number of testing kits that had been deployed in the laboratory, he said, “We were given testing kits and they (the NCDC) said more would be given to us soon.”

Ogah said, “We don’t have those you can call suspected patients in the Lab currently. The people we have there now are not for test; they are for observation.

“These people, who are currently in the Laboratory, do not meet the criteria for which they could be described as, “suspected Coronaviris” patients. We don’t just test people anyhow. For one to be tested, one must have NCDC criteria.

“The samples being tested at the Testing Lab, currently, are from other states namely, Abia and Enugu states.

Why we allowed Côte d’Ivoire  returnees who tested positive — FG

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola,  defended the decision of the Federal Government to allow 127 Nigerians, who  returned  from Côte d’Ivoire through the Ogun State land border,  to enter Nigeria

He said, “Depending on the characteristics of such a returnee, he could be picked up based on his record and detained and, in this instance, the arrangement made by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other agencies involved is to isolate such returnees.

“We have even signed  an international treaty that says no human being is stateless. We are not even talking about those who are accredited nationals of Nigeria. We are saying, by our own admission and commitment, we do not believe any human being is stateless.”

Edo doctor treating Covid-19 patient contracts disease

A doctor treating COVID-19 patients at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, has contracted the disease, the President of the National Association of Resident Doctors has said.

The NARD President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, said this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme monitored by our correspondent on Thursday.

He stated,  “Just yesterday again, one of our doctors in the  ISTH, Iruaa,  tested positive for  the COVID-19 disease. What that means is that these doctors that are testing positive for various diseases are being left alone to take care of themselves.

“There is no form of life insurance for them. There is no form of compensation. To say the least, what these doctors benefit at the end of every month as hazard allowance is N5,000. So, we are worried that if victory against COVID-19 and Lassa fever outbreak in the country is to be achieved, the welfare and wellbeing of doctors and other health workers who are on the frontline must be secured.”

11 Lagos COVID-19 patients recover, discharged

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday said 11 more COVID-19 patients were been discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba after testing negative

The governor, in a series of tweets, said, “I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the news of the release today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba.”

“They have fully recovered and have tested negative to #COVID19 and have been allowed to return home to their families.

“The patients include two females and nine males. Their results came out negative in two rounds of tests. I want to use this opportunity to, once again, thank our frontline health workers and other professionals for their service.

“Let me reiterate that this is not the time to relax, but to maintain our vigilance because of the community infection that we are beginning to see. I assure you that at the end, we will hoist a flag of victory – with your cooperation and by the grace of the Almighty.”

Six  more Cote d’Ivoire returnees test positive

The Osun State Government on Thursday confirmed that six more Cote d’Ivoire returnees tested positive for coronavirus. With the latest cases, the state now has 20 COVID-19 cases.

The Osun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, told The PUNCH that all the 127 returnees had been tested and 18 of them had returned positive.

All the 18 coronavirus cases were said to have been moved out of the isolation centre to another facility. Before 18 cases were recorded, the state had two COVID-19 patients.

The 127 travellers from the West African nation had arrived the state last Saturday and were kept in isolation at the Unity High School, Ejigbo, where many of the returnees hailed from.

Following reports that at least one of the returnee left the centre and visited pub, many residents of Ejigbo stayed indoor.

Sources in the town told one of our correspondents that the decision to stay indoor was not only as a result of the stay-at-home directive of the state government, but largely due to the fear that the man that reportedly left the isolation centre might have spread the virus.

A resident of Ejigbo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Some of them don’t believe they are threats with their status, but we have been explaining to them the need to remain in isolation to prevent community spread of the disease.

At the isolation centre, sources confided in one of our correspondents, said agitation by those in the centre continued, even though operatives of Department of State Services had also been drafted into the premises to join anti-riot police in providing security.

Osun State deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, it was learnt also visited the centre on Thursday to ensure that the situation was put under control.

COVID-19 cases rise to 190

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in the country increased to 190 on Thursday. On  Wednesday the NCDC said the cases were 174.

On Thursday, it said seven cases were recorded in Lagos and three in the FCT. The agency was, however, silent on the six Cote d’Ivoire that Osun State Government earlier on Thursday said tested positive.

With the latest cases, Lagos now has 98 cases; the FCT, 38, Osun, 20, Kaduna, four; Oyo, eight, Enugu, two, Edo, four, Bauchi, three, Ekiti, two, Akwa Ibom, five and Ogun, four.

Rivers and Benue have one case each.

20 patients have been discharged with two deaths recorded.

 

Kogi Commissioner Allegedly Assaults, Rapes Beauty Queen [PUNCH]

  • Governor orders probe

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has ordered accelerated investigation into the alleged battering of a beauty queen, Elizabeth Oyeniyi, by the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdumumini Danga.

Oyeniyi had accused the commissioner of assaulting and raping her over a Facebook post.

Oyeniyi had on March 29, 2020, made a post on her Facebook page about Danga not taking care of his sibling, who is her friend.

It was gathered that the post did not go down well with Danga and he allegedly ordered his boys to look for Oyeniyi and beat her up.

The victim told PUNCH Metro that after she was beaten by the boys, she was ordered to strip naked and apologise to the commissioner thereafter.

The 23-year-old beauty queen added that the commissioner took her to a hotel and raped her.

She said, “I left Abuja for Okene to stay with my friend because of the spread of the COVID-19 and on getting there, she explained to me that the commissioner, who is her stepbrother, had not been taking care of her.

“I saw a post made by a local comedian showing the commissioner distributing foodstuffs to people and I made a post that charity should begin at home and that the commissioner should take care of his household before taking care of outsiders.

“The comedian saw the post and screenshot it after insulting me in the comment section for making that kind of post. An hour later, some guys came to my friend’s house to pick us up on the instructions of the commissioner and they took us to Lokoja.

“On getting to Lokoja, I was beaten up by the commissioner and his boys; I was asked to strip naked and a video was made and my friend and I were made to apologise under duress to his fans and him that what I posted about him was wrong. He later took me to a hotel for the night and forcefully had sex with me.

“I have been living in fear of what they might do to me, because they threatened to pour acid on me and take my life. The commissioner is threatening me to come out and drop the case. I want justice to be served, because he treated me like an animal and said nobody would fight for me.”

When one of our correspondents contacted Danga, he told her to call back in 30 minutes; however, subsequent calls put across to him were not picked and a message sent to his telephone line was not replied as of the time of filing this report.

However, the state Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said in a statement on Thursday that the governor was shocked about the incident and had ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

The statement read in part, “The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to the allegations of assault, battery and other serious crimes levied against Abdumumini Danga, who is a serving commissioner in Kogi State.

“It was alleged that he was involved in the alleged abduction and assault of a woman, which allegedly occurred in Lokoja recently.

“Governor Yahaya Bello, who is an avowed advocate of the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, and especially within the boundaries of our dear state, is shocked by these accusations.

“The governor hereby assures the accuser and the accused as well as the general public that the whole truth will be uncovered and justice served as appropriate.

“The Kogi State Government reaffirms its unalloyed commitment to the protection of everyone from all forms of oppression and will not tolerate violence against women or children under any form or guise.

“We give our word that if these allegations are proven, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice.”

 

Lockdown: Lagos Shuts Mosque Where Worshippers Attacked Officials [PUNCH]

The Agege Local Government Council of Lagos State, on Thursday, sealed off the Agege Central Mosque for violating the ban on the gathering of more than 25 persons at a time and attacking enforcement officers.

PUNCH Metro had reported that worshippers in the mosque, on Tuesday, attacked personnel of the Lagos State COVID-19 Task Force, who were enforcing the lockdown ordered by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Officers of the task force were attacked by some Muslim faithful observing the Solatul Ishal prayer inside the mosque.

The worshippers, numbering about 300, were said to have rushed out of the mosque and started hurling missiles at the task force’s patrol vehicle and physically attacked the officers.

Reacting to the incident, the local government fumigated the mosque and sealed it off.

The Chairman, Agege Local Government Council, Ganiyu Egunjobi, stated that the shutdown of the mosque was necessary to avert a recurrence of the attack and serve as a deterrent to other errant faith groups and adherents.

He said, “We cannot continue to condone acts capable of spreading this dreadful disease. Even Saudi Arabia placed restrictions on the number of people, who must worship in the two holy mosques, Haram and Nabawi, and banned congregational prayers in all other mosques across the country. Honestly speaking, we cannot be more Roman than the Romans.

“We have had engagement with the leadership of the mosque, including the Sarkin Hausawa, Musa Muhammed, and our resolution is that it should be shut down until further notice.”

When one of our correspondents visited the mosque on Thursday, it was observed that it had been shut, but some men from the northern part of the country were seen hanging around the premises.

Personnel of the Lagos State Police Command were also seen patrolling the street in a bid forestall a breakdown of law and order.

 

Akwa Ibom, NCDC Disagree On Five Positive Cases [THE NATION]

  • Emmanuel locks down state

Akwa Ibom State government on Thursday demanded fresh tests for the five persons who the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said tested positive for coronavirus.

But Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, said there was “a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure”.

He spoke to reporters after a meeting with the State Incident Management Committee at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.

Ukpong said: “Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news.

“The Director-General of NCDC was not aware of the reported result announcement.

“All five reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have shown no COVID-19 symptoms.

“While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.

“Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative.

“Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, healthcare professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the five reported cases.”

The state appealed to the NCDC to ensure that all future tests follow due process.

“Residents and citizens are enjoined to remain calm while observing all personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued as well as adhere to the social distancing prescriptions.

“The Enforcement Committee of the Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulations 2020 has been mandated to see to the full operation of the provisions of the regulations.

“The incident management committee will continue to meet daily to review and analyse the situation while updates will be provided as and when due,” Ukpong said.

But NCDC Director-General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, speaking at the Presidential Task Force Briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja, said a team had been deployed to the state to provide support.

Reacting to the state’s statement, Dr Ihekweazu said there was no reason for Akwa Ibom to dispute the validity of the results.

“I just read the press release of the Commissioner for Health in Akwa Ibom State, and I think it’s a little bit unfortunate because there was some delay in reporting the results to him.

“These tests were done of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. This is our oldest and most experienced lab in carrying out Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis. So, there is no reason to dispute the validity of these results.

“We must focus on the challenge on our hands; every new case in a new state always leads to a little bit of anxiety and people need time to accept these results and what they are.

“But they are what they are and I have no reason to doubt the results coming out from any of our labs, especially the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

“After every positive case, we will retest anyway after three to four days because the only way you can know whether people are recovering or not is by retesting them. So, that will be done.

“This is not the time to dispute and doubt especially within government but to come together. It is not the time to release press statements against other government bodies.

“So, this is my appeal to every state. There is no reason why anyone would give results without verifying.

“We are working very hard to make sure that these results are correct; sometimes, we delay in releasing these results, and we get a lot of complaints of why the results are taking so long. It is because the tests are being repeated so that we can be very sure.

“But if there is one lab in Nigeria that I can almost be 100 per cent sure on the validity of their test, of course, there can always be a mistake, but to have mistakes in five results in a lab like Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, will be very unlikely.

“I would like to call on everyone to have confidence in what we are doing. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is not an NCDC-owned lab, but one that we support to make sure that the testing is done appropriately.”

Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday announced a 14-day lockdown of the state, placing a restriction order movements and banning all social events.

The step followed the confirmation of five Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases of the in Southsouth state.

According to the governor, the lockdown became necessary to enable a thorough process of contact tracing to identify those who may have been exposed to the five confirmed victims.

 

COVID-19: 11 Patients Out Of Hospital As Cases Rise To 190 [THE NATION]

             Six more returnees positive in Osun

             Buhari’s daughter out of isolation

Eleven coronavirus (COVID-19) patients were on Thursday discharged from hospital in Lagos – a big boost to the battle against the pandemic.

This brings to 18 the number of patients treated and discharged in the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria.

Ekiti State on Tuesday discharged its index case after treatment.Another case was discharged in Oyo State.

To be certified fir after treatment, a patient must test negative twice after treatment.

The index case of the virus in Nigeria, an Italian, who travelled to Lagos from Milan, was discharged from the Infection Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos on March 20.

However, 16 new cases surfaced on Thursday.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), confirmed 10 cases – seven in Lagos and three in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Osun State Government announced the remaining six cases in Osogbo, the state capital. The new cases in Osun had not been captured by the NCDC as at 8pm.

On Wednesday, patients at the disease control centre shared a video they produced to improve awareness about the virus.

The video shared on a verified twitter handle @mojidelanoblog features some of the patients displaying boards with messages of hope and thanking health workers for resuscitating their health.

In a statement, Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu said the discharged patients had fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19.

He said: “The patients include two females and nine males, who were discharged after testing negative twice consecutively to #COVID19.

“That the tests results of these patients came out negative twice is a big assurance to us that they pose no threat to the community. We are, therefore, releasing them in furtherance of our commitment for a disease-free state.

“May I use this opportunity to, once again, thank our frontline health workers who took care of the patients as well as members of the Lagos State Health family and the Emergency Operation Centre for their resilience and diligence in the face of the daunting challenges confronting our State in curtailing the spread of this pandemic.”

The governor expressed joy that the state has not recorded any fatality.

He said: “We will not rest on our oars but continue to work assiduously for the full recovery of the other patients so that they can return home to their families and the community.

“I am happy to note the excitement of the patients. They are full of gratitude to our dear state that has stood by them all the way, the health workers and all those who contributed one way or the other in the fight against this unseen but vicious enemy of mankind.  The Health commissioner and all members of the medical team got kudos.”

The statement quoted one of the former patients as saying: “Initially, I found it hard to settle into the facility. In fact, the first two days I spent here were so lonely for me, but I gradually settled and found companion in my fellow ward mates. The doctors and other health workers who attended to us were amazing and we appreciate their sacrifice.”

Sanwo-Olu warned that this is not the time to relax, but to maintain vigilance against Coronavirus because of possible community infection.

The governor said: “We should be sober as the battle continues. I, therefore, advise Lagosians to remain steadfast as they stick to the rules of hygiene we have been told to practise.”

“Let us continue to observe Social Distancing. Let us remain indoors, shunning the temptation to breach the presidential restriction that has been placed on our state so that the gains made so far in the fight against COVID-19 is not eroded. We should shun any gathering for whatever reason at this delicate period.

“Reports of youths gathering for social and sporting activities – as well as those massing for religious purposes – are unfortunate. This kind of insensitivity could be a weak link in our collective effort to break the chain of transmission of the infection.

“The order for law enforcement agents to ensure that residents comply with the directive to stay indoors remains. I enjoin members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and others to read the Federal Government’s guidelines on the restriction of movement so that the directive is not breached in any way.

“Again, I assure you that at the end of it all, we will hoist a flag of victory – with your co-operation and by the grace of the Almighty.”

The NCDC, through its verified Twitter account, said that as  at 8pm, there were 184 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria.

It said 20 had been discharged with two deaths. The 11 discharged in lagos had not been captured.

The Centre, said currently, there are 92 cases in Lagos; Abuja (38); Oyo (eight); Osun (14); Ogun (four); Kaduna (four); Akwa Ibom (Five); Edo (four); Bauchi (three); Enugu and Ekiti (two cases each), while Rivers and Benue had one case, respectively.

NCDC’s Director-General Chikwe Ihekweazu said the  agency had  started seeing early signs of community transmission of the virus.

Dr. Ihekweazu said the lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT would be helpful as the NCDC continued to intensify efforts to detect and confirm cases of COVID-19.

In Osun, the six new cases takes the number of confirmed cases to 20.

The new cases are from among the 127 people who travelled from Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamontu, confirmed the six new cases to The Nation on phone.

It was learnt that the 18 confirmed cases have been moved to General Hospital in Ejigbo.

However, a source said the government was planning to move them to the State Specialist Hospital, Osogbo.

The government began the fumigation of some areas in the state to contain the spread of the virus.

Among the areas fumigated were banks, market and other social places.

 

Akwa Ibom, NCDC Disagree On Five Positive Cases [THE NATION]

  • Emmanuel locks down state

Akwa Ibom State government on Thursday demanded fresh tests for the five persons who the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said tested positive for coronavirus.

But Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, said there was “a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure”.

He spoke to reporters after a meeting with the State Incident Management Committee at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.

Ukpong said: “Akwa Ibom State Government only heard about the test results in the news.

“The Director-General of NCDC was not aware of the reported result announcement.

“All five reported positive test cases have been contacted and they have shown no COVID-19 symptoms.

“While the tests were being processed in NCDC approved test facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation.

“Several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative.

“Owing to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, healthcare professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the five reported cases.”

The state appealed to the NCDC to ensure that all future tests follow due process.

“Residents and citizens are enjoined to remain calm while observing all personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued as well as adhere to the social distancing prescriptions.

“The Enforcement Committee of the Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulations 2020 has been mandated to see to the full operation of the provisions of the regulations.

“The incident management committee will continue to meet daily to review and analyse the situation while updates will be provided as and when due,” Ukpong said.

But NCDC Director-General Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, speaking at the Presidential Task Force Briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja, said a team had been deployed to the state to provide support.

Reacting to the state’s statement, Dr Ihekweazu said there was no reason for Akwa Ibom to dispute the validity of the results.

“I just read the press release of the Commissioner for Health in Akwa Ibom State, and I think it’s a little bit unfortunate because there was some delay in reporting the results to him.

“These tests were done of the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. This is our oldest and most experienced lab in carrying out Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis. So, there is no reason to dispute the validity of these results.

“We must focus on the challenge on our hands; every new case in a new state always leads to a little bit of anxiety and people need time to accept these results and what they are.

“But they are what they are and I have no reason to doubt the results coming out from any of our labs, especially the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

“After every positive case, we will retest anyway after three to four days because the only way you can know whether people are recovering or not is by retesting them. So, that will be done.

“This is not the time to dispute and doubt especially within government but to come together. It is not the time to release press statements against other government bodies.

“So, this is my appeal to every state. There is no reason why anyone would give results without verifying.

“We are working very hard to make sure that these results are correct; sometimes, we delay in releasing these results, and we get a lot of complaints of why the results are taking so long. It is because the tests are being repeated so that we can be very sure.

“But if there is one lab in Nigeria that I can almost be 100 per cent sure on the validity of their test, of course, there can always be a mistake, but to have mistakes in five results in a lab like Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, will be very unlikely.

“I would like to call on everyone to have confidence in what we are doing. Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is not an NCDC-owned lab, but one that we support to make sure that the testing is done appropriately.”

Governor Udom Emmanuel yesterday announced a 14-day lockdown of the state, placing a restriction order movements and banning all social events.

The step followed the confirmation of five Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases of the in Southsouth state.

According to the governor, the lockdown became necessary to enable a thorough process of contact tracing to identify those who may have been exposed to the five confirmed victims.

 

Covid-19: Buhari Directs Minister To Prioritise Payment Of Salaries [SUN]

  • Why we distributed palliatives amidst huge crowd –FG

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, directed the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to consider as its top priority  payment of workers salaries.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who heads the presidential committee on the review of the impact of coronavirus on the economy, made the disclosure in an interview in Abuja.

She said the committee briefed the president on current happenings around the world due to COVID-19 and the impact on the nation’s economy.

The minister, who said March salary had been paid to Federal Government workers said the president had directed that measures be put in place to  protect the poor and most vulnerable in the society.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has explained some of the palliatives distributed among the vulnerable poor in the the federal capital territory was rowdy.

Minister, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, at the daily briefing of the committee said the rowdiness was inevitable.

“Some of these things are very inevitable, we tried as much as possible to see that we take into consideration the social distancing policy.

“If you were there you would have seen that the people that were brought in to disburse were spaced, but people outside that might not have even been the beneficiaries were the one causing the crowing, but henceforth we will put in measures to avert that.

“And I want to say that this stay at home policy that was given is not being observed. When I went to Kwali, yesterday, most people were doing their normal businesses.

“So, I think we really have to enforce this stay at home directive. Many people did not look like they are aware of the directive.”

On the number of beneficiaries being reached, she said the Social Investment Programme (SIP) has been on since 2016 and that “the social national register that we have as at March 31, 2020 is made up of 11,450,537 poor and vulnerable people in 35 states and 453 Local Government Areas across the country.

“Now, currently the beneficiaries that we give this cash transfer to are 2.6 million people. In FCT, we have 5,982 households, in Nasarawa, we have 8,271 households, Katsina has 6,732 households, and Anambra has 1,367 households. And by general standard, households composition is six persons.

“We are thinking of expanding the register, we are in touch with the UN social protection donor group to see how the register can be rapidly expanded to cover additional one million households.

“But we have 11.4 million households in the register that are ready for this intervention. The way the people are captured is by community engagement. We go in and reach the community, opinion leaders, religious leaders who are the ones that decide which families fall within that category of poor and vulnerable households. And that is what we use, so there is really accountability and transparency in this regard.”

She assured that no section of the country will be marginalised being a National programme irrespective of religion or political affiliation.

 

Expect More COVID-19 Cases, FG Alerts Nigerians [SUN]

  • Says fake news frustrating efforts, as agency traces more contacts •Confirm case hits 184

Confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) continued its rise, yesterday  hitting 184 with 10 fresh cases- seven in Lagos and three in the FCT, last night, even as Nigerians have been told to brace up for more as contact tracing and testing capacity are being ramped up.

Writing on its tweeter hndle, NDDC confirmed: “As at 08:00 pm 2nd April there are 184 confirmed cases of #COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. Twenty have been discharged with two deaths.”

Speaking during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said plans were in place to start producing masks and other essential items locally.

Also while appearing on a live television news programme, he said managers of the COVID-19 pandemic have begun to see early signs of community transmission of the virus in Nigeria.

He said the lockdown in  Lagos, Ogun and the FCT has helped intensify efforts to detect and confirm cases.

Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, confirmed that 71 per cent of all the 6,000 contacts being traced had been reached.

“Tracing teams have been able to take advantage of the restrictions to move very quickly in Lagos to reach all those listed,” he said.

On having coordinated response, the NCDC boss said: “I want to let all the states know that we are here for you, to support you. But I also want you to know that Mr. President has called on us to have one response across the country, a single coordinated response led by PTFCOVID-19.”

He said the NCDC had scaled up its capacity to conduct tests and produce results more quickly as demanded by Nigerians.The NCDC had also expanded the criteria for who should be tested, such as testing of everyone with symptoms of fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, as well as a history of travelling to an area where cases were endemic, or being in close contact with someone who was diagnosed positive.

He said expanding the number of laboratories that could perform COVID-19 testing was critical to getting a more accurate sense of the spread. He said the incubation period was generally 14 days, adding that NCDC was using the opportunity of the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states to promptly detect, isolate and effectively treat cases.

Ihekweazu noted that the COVID-19 test, which involves a nose or a throat swab, could detect the disease, but cannot tell doctors how severe the case would become.

“It’s advisable for doctors to test their patients for other respiratory illnesses before submitting a COVID-19 test. At present, we do not recommend testing for those that do not have symptoms.

“It can take anywhere from two to 14 days for COVID-19 symptoms to develop and until they do the test they won’t pick up signs of the disease. It is more about making sure that you identify whether someone that has exposure develops the disease or not.

“Testing them early on in their incubation period doesn’t help settle that question. Even those who have been asked to quarantine often will not be tested until they have symptoms,” he said. “We want Nigerians to keep in mind that we have the capacity to test, but we want to make sure that those tests are used in the best way possible, at the state and national level we don’t have unlimited supplies. We want to focus on individuals who are in a high risk situation.”

The DG said that Nigerians should continue to think ahead about the actions that they could take to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in country.

He, however, said that, together, Nigerians could slow the spread of COVID-19: “Physical social distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak. This means making changes in everyday routines to minimise close contact with others, including avoiding crowded places and non-essential gatherings, avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes.

“Limiting contact with people at higher risk like older persons and those in poor health, keeping a distance of at least two arms’ length, approximately two metres, from others.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has raised the alarm that fake news was distracting the fight against COVID-19.

“I think this is quite unhelpful. It was trending on the social media that the equipment that we received from China, from Jack Ma, have all been infected with virus. This is not true. Also, I was quoted yesterday (Wednesday) to have said that the PTF had distributed N5 billion to the most vulnerable people in the last 24 hours. That also is not correct.

“The whole idea of this daily briefing is to eliminate any disinformation or fake news because here we give you the latest developments in the fight against COVID-19.

“Whatever any other person in the task force does, either by appearing in television, radio shows or granting interviews is simply to amplify what we’ve given you here. So, by being here, you’ll get authentic information, real time, on the fight against COVID-19,” he said.

The Federal Government has also urged all state governments to prepare facilities of at least 300-person capacity in anticipation of a surge in the spread of the disease.

Chairman of the task force, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the Federal Government would intensify consultation with state governments to better coordinate the fight against the pandemic.

Mustapha stressed that most of the harsh measures that have been introduced might be amplified, noting that COVID-19, beyond posing a potential threat to humanity, was a threat to the economy and national security of Nigeria.

On the need for coordinated work with state governments, the SGF, said: “As we continue to assess the readiness of containment and management, we recognise strongly the importance of synergy with the states. It is important for states, whether in the frontline where cases have been reported or where cases have not been reported, to intensify the preparation of facilities that will help, in the event of a surge

“In furtherance of this consultation, we are requesting that the sub-national governments should provide at least a 300 bed facility, either a hotel or any other facility that is available to them, with options, upgraded in different categories so that they provide basic nursing and earlier required procedures before patients are moved into the isolation centres or the teaching hospitals or any other facility. Those facilities, starting from 300 should be expandable as the need arises,” he said.

The SGF also said there has been no cash donation to government to fight COVID-19. He said there have been efforts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), corporate bodies and individuals to raise funds but government had no control over the initiatives. He said an account, which would be under their control, had been opened and no transaction carried out yet: “Let me inform the nation that, so far, the Presidential Task Force has not received any donation directly in terms of cash for this exercise.

“We have received donations of materials particularly from the ones that came from Jack Ma, the Chinese billionaire, and that has adequately been distributed by the NCDC. In terms of monetary contribution, the national coordinator has just informed you that different organisations and individuals are pioneering that in their efforts.

“So far, I know of four different efforts. The first is the one being driven by the Central Bank and the corporate organisations, jointly being handled by the governor of the Central Bank and Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

“They have a funding committee, they have an operation committee and they have a technical committee. They are going to run, fund, execute projects, buy equipment, all in furtherance of fighting coronavirus. At the end of the exercise, they have explained in their document that they will appoint an accounting firm that will take an audit of their exercise and make a report to the donors for the purposes of accountability and transparency. Government does not have control of those funds, the presidential task force does not have control of those funds.”

 

Confusion Over COVID-19 Case In Akwa Ibom [SUN]

  • State insists alleged 5 positive cases’re negative • FG: Test done at most reliable centres

Akwa Ibom Government has described the declaration of five confirmed coronavirus cases in the state as fake news.

Akwa Ibom, until midday of Wednesday, was one of the states with zero case of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic only to be confronted with five positive cases in one fell swoop in the evening.

But the state government, through the Commissioner for Health, Dominic Ukpong, has rubbished the results of the test, saying it never knew about it just as the director general of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was equally unaware.

“We observed a disturbing breach in the test and reporting procedure; Akwa Ibom State government only heard about the test results in the news; the NCDC director general was not aware of the reported result announcement.

“All five reported positive test cases have been contacted and showed no COVID-19 symptoms while the tests were being processed in NCDC approved facilities, all suspected cases were held in isolation; several sample batches have been previously sent for testing from Akwa Ibom State and they all returned negative.

“Due to the irregularities observed in the testing and reporting procedure, health care professionals in Akwa Ibom State have called for an immediate reconfirmation test on the five cases; the results will be made public; following due process,” Ukpong said.

He said health care professionals in the state had also appealed to NCDC to ensure future tests be conducted following due process in order to maintain continued confidence in the process.

While appealing to the residents and citizens of the state to remain calm and observe personal and respiratory hygiene guidelines earlier issued as well as adhere to the social distancing prescriptions, the health boss stressed that the Enforcement Commit- tee of the Quarantine and Restriction of Movement Regulations 2020 had been mandated to see to the full operation of the provisions of the regulations.

Daily Sun learn, however, that the five persons confirmed positive had been sent on quarantine at the Ibom Multi-Specialty Hospital, Uyo while Governor Udom Emmanuel would later make a state-wide broadcast on the matter.

But in a swift reaction, NCDC Director General NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said at the daily briefing of the Presidential task force on COVID-19 that the rejection of the results was unfortunate.

Ihekweazu, while assuring that tests will be done at the appropriate time, said though they had been some delay in reporting the results, there was no reason to doubt the authenticity of the results.

“I just read a text from the commissioner for health in Akwa Ibom state. I think it’s a little bit unfortunate, there was some delay in reporting the results to him because the team that led the lab where these tests were done were actually on their way to Abuja to carry out an important national assignment.

“These tests and I will say it publicly were done in Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. This is our oldest, and most experienced lab in carrying out PCI-diagnosis.

So, there’s really no reason to dispute the validity of these results.

“We must focus on the challenge at our hand, every new case in a new state always leaves a little bit of anxiety and people need time to accept that these results are what they are. I have no reason to doubt the results coming out of any of our labs and especially the Irrua Specialist Hospital.”

On if the tests will be repeated as requested by the state government, he said: “Yes, they were tested at a specific time, after every positive case, we would retest anyway, after three-four days because the only way you can know whether people are recovering or not is by retesting them, so that would be done.

“Like I have said over and over and like the chairman of the PTF has said, this is not a time to dispute and doubt, most especially with-in government, it is a time to come together, it is not a time to release statements against other government bodies, it is a time to come together.

“There is no reason anybody will give results without verifying. We are working very hard to make sure these results are correct, sometimes, we delay in releasing these results and we get a lot of flak why are the test results taking so long, it is because the test is being repeated so that we can be very sure, but if there’s one lab in Nigeria that I can almost be 100 percent sure on the validity of their test, it is Irrua.

“Of course, there will always be mistakes, but to have mistakes in five results in a lab like Irrua will be very unlikely. I call on every-one to have confidence in the work we are doing.”

Edo suspends revenue collection for April

EDO State Government has suspended all forms of revenue collection from transporters for April to cushion the economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic on residents.

In a statement, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, said the move will enable transporters comply with the government’s social distancing guideline, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The seating guidelines for transporters are now that cars must carry one passenger in front and two at the back, while buses carry one passenger in front and two in each row.

Ogie, however, urged residents not to panic but support the state government as it steps up measures to prevent the spread of the virus by complying with directives of the government

“This is to inform the public that Edo State government’s regulations on COVID-19 pandemic have not been lifted.

“For avoidance of doubt, the public are to note that the following measures are to be strictly adhered to: ban on gathering of more than 20 persons; maintenance of social distancing of at least one metre; all businesses remain closed except markets for food items, pharmaceuticals products and eateries; suspension of all collection of revenues from transporters for April; transporters should abide by the regulations already announced as regards number of passengers to be carried per vehicle.

“Note that the various security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the above government directives,” the SSG said in the statement.

Rivers ALGON donates N23m to combat virus

Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers State chapter, has donated N23 million to support the government.

The donation came from the 23 local government councils in the state.

ALGON Secretary, Hope Ikiriko, announced this yesterday, saying members of the association wanted to complement the government’s efforts to contain the ravaging disease.

Similarly, members of the state executive council yesterday, agreed to donate their April salaries to support the government to control the spread.

Secretary to the Government, Tammy Danagogo, announced this in a statement in Port Harcourt.

Chairman of Ikwerre Peoples Forum, Michael Ewule, said after Lagos State, Rivers is the next major hub in the country that could be accessed through air, land and sea.

He said the determined efforts of the governor saved the state from the uncontrolled spread of coronavirus.

Ewule urged the government to continue to review the measures in line with new developments. Similarly, Chairman of Rivers Development Forum, Piegbara Baridoma, said the union was happy with Governor Wike for working for the people at this tough time.

Baridoma called on Rivers people to support the governor to keep the state healthy through the right measures.

Ayade orders payment of 2 months salary to factory workers

CROSS River Governor, Ben Ayade, has orderd payment of two months salary advance to garment factory workers in the state to enable them keep up with the pace of production.

Beside, he has began the distribution of free face/ nose masks to residents of the state.

Answering questions from journalists at the Calabar Garment Factory shortly after commencing the distribution of face/nose masks, Ayade said it has become pertinent for every resident to be afraid of the virus which is spreading like wild fire.

“I have ordered the released of two months salary advance to provide succour to the factory workers.

“It is pertinent for every one residing in the state to protect himself or herself from the spread of the virus giving the fact that Cross River shares a common boundary with the Cameroon, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Benue states which had already reported outbreak of the disease.

“Food shall also be made available to vulnerable families who lacked the capacity to provide two square meals for their families.

“I want you people to be afraid of the spread of the virus. It is only when you fear the virus, that is when you will protect your self from getting infected. My duty is to protect my people from getting infected.”

 

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