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Friday, March 29, 2024

Nigerian Newspapers Headlines Sunday Morning

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Coronavirus: Fear Grips Health Workers As Two Edo Doctors Test Positive [PUNCH]

There has been panic among medical workers at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, after two doctors tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday, Sunday PUNCH can report.

It was gathered that the two affected doctors worked at the facility’s Pathology and Obstetrics and Gynecology departments.

A senior medical officer at the hospital, who spoke with one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, said the two doctors were currently in isolation in their different homes.

The source said the doctors became infected after attending to two patients without protective gear and unknown to them that the patients were carriers of the virus.

ISTH is a World Health Organisation-recognised centre for Lassa fever research and treatment in Africa.

According to the source, the doctors began to exhibit the commonly known symptoms of COVlD-19 after attending to the patients. The tests ran on them however came out positive.

This came as the number of cases in the country rose to 214 on Saturday with five new cases recorded in Bauchi and the Federal Capital Territory.

Bauchi had three while the FCT had two. The number of deaths has risen to four while 25 persons have so far been discharged in Edo and Ekiti states.

Overall, Lagos State, with the highest in the country, has 109 cases; Osun (20 cases); Oyo (nine); Akwa Ibom (five); Ogun (four); Edo (seven); Kaduna (four); Bauchi (six); Enugu (two); Ekiti (two); Rivers (one); Benue (one) and Ondo (one), which was confirmed on Friday evening, and the Federal Capital Territory with 43 cases. As of Saturday night, however, the number of cases across the world had risen to 1,196,049 cases, out of which 246,110 had recovered and 64,542 had died.

Meanwhile, the source said, “The tests were well done. lrrua as you know has been at the forefront of combating Lassa fever and is equipped. Sadly, the tests were positive. The victims are resident doctors in their mid-thirties. One of the doctors met with one of the patients 10 days after returning from Lagos where he went to put finishing touches to overseas travel plans.

“We don’t have personal protective equipment; no enough face masks, hand sanitisers and hand gloves. The doctors were doing their normal work. The centre where the two doctors worked was involved in the treatment of coronavirus at lrrua. The two patients infected two doctors in two separate departments in the facility.

“What is clear now to everybody is that the two affected doctors didn’t know that the patients they were talking to and examining were carrying the virus. Most people with the virus were usually asymptomatic at the beginning. There was no prior knowledge of the medical condition of the two patients.

It’s Strange To Hear Buhari’s Chief Of Staff Summons Service Chiefs – Useni [PUNCH]

Senator Jeremiah Useni, a retired Lieutenant General, was Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during the regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha-led  military junta. The 77-year-old politician who contested the 2019 governorship election in Plateau State speaks to JAMES ABRAHAM on a number of issues

You contested the 2019 governorship poll in Plateau State and pursued your case from tribunal to the Supreme Court, but lost. What is the next step now?

There is nowhere to go again. The Supreme Court is the highest court of the land. So, what do you mean by what next again?

We have heard some people going back to the Supreme Court asking for the review of their cases. Are you also considering that line of action?

That thought never crossed my mind. But you are aware that those who went back never succeeded in getting what they were asking to encourage others to do the same. The Supreme Court threw away that of Bayelsa State review request by the All Progressives Congress and that of the Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State by maintaining its earlier judgements. So, I can’t just join the band wagon because people are going there. What I believe is that only God knows if the judgement of the Supreme Court in my governorship petition is right or not. But the fact remains that it is the highest court of the land.

Have you given up on your governorship ambition or do you still want to govern the state?

It takes four years before another election. So, I’m still looking at the situation whether there were mistakes on my part, on the part of my party, individuals or the judiciary and ensure that one can guide against it. So, my priority is not that I must be governor.

You have been minister and a senator after a successful career in the military, yet you want to be a governor. People are wondering what you really left undone in your previous positions.

In the military, you have restrictions. No matter the good intentions you might have, you have to be very careful as a military man. You can’t even make a political statement. You cannot climb the podium and address the people. But as a politician, the door is open.  As long as the statement is not against the government or such that it will be taken as a security threat. And of course, as a politician, you move freely with the people and sympathise with them when necessary and be able to explain to the people why certain things happen or why certain things cannot be done.

I was close to the late (Gen Sani) Abacha and people thought I would be implicated one way or the other and jailed but they never knew that my friendship with the former Head of State had nothing to do with corrupt enrichment of self because I did not care about what he did. I was only doing my job. When I was military Governor of Benue State, I would stop people sweeping my office by 7:00 am. I told them to come by 6am if they actually wanted to sweep my office because I had no time for such dereliction of duty.

FG Votes N500bn Intervention Fund To Tackle Coronavirus [LEADERSHIP]

The federal government has earmarked N500billion as COVID-19 crisis intervention fund to tackle the global pandemic in the country.

Accordingly, the minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, yesterday met with the leadership of the National Assembly to seek approval for the executive proposal to establish the intervention fund.

Ahmed, alongside senior officials from her ministry held the meeting with Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

The meeting which held behind closed doors at the National Assembly complex was also attended by the deputy Senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy Speaker, Idris Wase and some other principal officers from both Chambers.

The meeting is sequel to the one held last week Wednesday between the National Assembly leadership and members of the presidential committee set up for the management of the COVID-19 crisis.

“What we are proposing is an establisment of a N500 billion COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund,” the minister told the National Assembly leaders.

“This Fund that we are proposing, that should be created, will involve mopping up resources from various special accounts that the government as well as the Federation have, to be able to pull this N500 billion,” the minister said.

The United States has so far evacuated 38,296 citizens from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic, and 75 other countries on account of the coronavirus pandemic.

The citizens were airlifted in 330 flights coordinated by the US Department of State.

The emergency evacuation commenced on January 29, 2020, according to the coronavirus repatriation statistics published on www.state.gov, updated on Friday.

This is happening as Nigeria directed its foreign missions to compile a list of stranded Nigerian nationals who wished to come back home.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “the financial implications will be borne by the prospective evacuees, who will be compulsorily quarantined when they return.”

The repatriation report said the US government had evacuated 369 citizens in three flights from Nigeria while 1,070 US nationals were evacuated from Ghana in five flights and 825 from Senegal in four flights.

The US had also airlifted 109 Americans from Burkina Faso; 524 from Cameroon; 866 from China; 400 from Cyprus; 2,770 in 23 flights from Ecuador; 1,686 in 29 flights from the Dominican Republic; 2,406 in 15 flights from El Salvador and 3,014 in 18 flights from Guatemala.

The report said, “The Department of State is rising to meet the historic challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, every day, all over the world. The US Government has no higher priority than the protection of American citizens.

“The Department of State has coordinated the repatriation of 38,296 Americans from 78 countries since January 29, 2020. On April 2, approximately 140 US citizens and residents were repatriated from Colombia.”

Meanwhile, no fewer than 188 Europeans were evacuated from Nigeria on Friday through the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The flight was operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft owned by Austrian Airlines, a subsidiary of the Lufthansa Group.

Amongst those on the flight were Germans and Austrians.

No Licence For Deployment Of 5G, Says FG [LEADERSHIP]

The federal government has clarified that it has not given any licence for the deployment of the fifth generation (5G) network in Nigeria.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who made government’s position known, explained however that the ministry allowed for a three-month study trial of the network which commenced on November 25, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria.

There had been speculations making the rounds in various social media outlets that the outbreak of Coronavirus across the globe may not be unconnected to the deployment of the 5G network.

But in a statement he personally signed yesterday, the minister said, “The attention of my office has been drawn to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of fifth generation mobile networks (5G) in Nigeria.

“Based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify as follows, the National Frequency Management Council (NFMC) of which I am the chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G; no license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country.”

He further said the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had been directed to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and that the ministry also invited these agencies to participate in the trial, adding that the process had been concluded and the study and reporting process were currently ongoing.

Pantemi emphasised that government places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians as such its desire for technological advancement would never be at the expense of the health and welfare of Nigerians.

He continued: “Government will not act on speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public.I have also directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.

“I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology”.

Military Destroys ISWAP Camp In Borno [LEADERSHIP]

Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, through the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Artillery Batteries of Sector 3 of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have destroyed an Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) camp at Tumbun Fulani on the fringes of Lake Chad in Northern Borno State.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko, in a statement said the feat was achieved by combined air and artillery bombardments conducted on 3rd April 2020 as part of the coordinated joint offensive by the MNJTF to dislodge and completely rid the Islands (Tumbuns) of Lake Chad of terrorists’ presence and activities.

He said the operation was executed on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that the ISWAP elements, with their structures concealed under the dense vegetation of the area, used the settlement as a base from where they plan and launch attacks.

“Accordingly, the joint interdiction mission was launched with a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft coordinating the barrage of artillery and air fire towards designated targets in the settlement, destroying them and neutralizing some of the ISWAP fighters in the process,” he said.

In a related development, he said the Air Task Force has continued to provide airlift support to troops of participating MNJTF national contingents, along with their logistics.

“NAF ISR platforms and helicopters are also providing aerial command posts for enhanced coordination of close air support missions as well as fire control support for independent ground artillery bombardment of terrorists’ positions,” he said.

‘Infected Nurse: I’m Glad COVID-19 Didn’t Kill Me’ [THE NATION]

People who are able to go to the hospital on time stand a better chance of surviving, but the thing is that they are asking people to self-quarantine because since it’s a virus, it will run its course and go by itself. Where it becomes complicated for many people is when they now have underlying illnesses like diabetes, asthma, cardiac problems, and pneumonia. I am diabetic, that’s what made mine worse.”

Those were the opening lines of May Toba, a United States-based nurse, mother of two and visibly elated survivor of the Coronavirus, as she relived her wrestle and recovery from the rampaging virus.

It all started with a bit of temperature, she recalled.

“I was having a bit of temperature; I own a thermometer, so I checked myself and found that it was 38.4. Usually, temperature is supposed to be between 35 and 37.5. I checked the first day, took paracetamol; I kept monitoring it daily and it kept increasing.

“The next day, I decided to go shopping with my son. I didn’t isolate because, to be honest, I was in denial that it could be Coronavirus. I thought it was common cold and general body weakness. By this time, people in London were panic-buying. Everybody was rushing to buy tissues and other things. So, I went shopping with my son, so that if London shuts down over the weekend, we would have food at home.

“I live in South-East London, so as we got to Woolich, I was short of breath and also couldn’t walk long distance without stopping to sit somewhere. When we got home, I asked my son to offload the things we bought, that I needed to go to the hospital because I was having signs of COVID-19. I drove down to the hospital where I work. I work in Accident and Emergency and we are the front-liners. Everything comes through our doors.

“On getting there, my colleague said to me: ‘May, you should know better. These are flu-like symptoms. Why don’t you just stay at home for seven days instead of coming to the hospital?’ I told her I wasn’t feeling right at all and that if I was, I wouldn’t come to the hospital.

Coronavirus: Nigerians Overseas Share Their Lockdown Stories [THE NATION]

Planet Earth on vacation. That’s the way some funny character described the pervading lockdown across the globe on social media. For the first time in living memory, all major cities/countries of the world are either on partial or total lockdown, or contemplating one. Otherwise bubbly cities like New York, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, London, Berlin, Rome, Milan, Lagos are now like ghost towns. And usually overcrowded tourist sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum both in Paris, Times Square and Central Park both in New York, The Taj Mahal in India, the Great Wall in Beijing – China, Walt Disney in California have all gone empty for weeks.

For probably the first time in history, the Kaabah in the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican City of Rome, two top religious centres in the world, received no visitors, as they were closed for days. All sporting events, including the globally renowned English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga, Italian Seria A, the French Lique 1, Wimbledon Tennis Championship; even the world’s largest sporting festival, the XXXII Olympic Games billed for Tokyo, Japan in July this year has been postponed, altering for only the second time since inception, its regular four year rotation. Also, businesses have closed and according to the head of the International Monetary fund, IMF, the global economy has officially entered recession – the second in less than two decades.

All because of the rampaging Coronavirus.

But how are Nigerians in the diaspora coping with the lockdown, especially those in some of the virus’ hotspots?

It’s depressing not to be able to attend ‘owanbes’ – Folake Jubrilla, London

Folake Jubrilla, 51, lives in London, United Kingdom. She is a teacher/Learning Advocate (Primary School) and an MC on the side.

In all her two and half decades in the UK, she has never witnessed any lockdown of this nature; and nothing near it.

Presently, she works from home, mostly doing online training courses and completing course assignments.

She has been stuck indoors, courtesy of the government’s lockdown of the city for two and half weeks, and still counting. “I actually think there might be an extension,” she says – perhaps until the virus is curtailed and it is safe to mingle again.

Her thinking is probably based on the scary number of cases and fatality figures emanating from the Health Department. The UK throughout last week, announced unprecedented number of cases and deaths, sending panic and fears across board.

Asked how she has been spending her time. Jubrilla said, “I read books or watch films on Netflix when am not doing my online training course. Even before the lockdown, I have been used to staying indoors during the week, although I socialise weekends. Quite frankly, it is very depressing having to just stay indoors without being able to socialise with my Yoruba Owanbe crew.”

Asked to confirm the news that stores have gone empty due to panic buying, Jubrilla said, “Yes, food and essentials have gone empty at the stores because of panic buying. Depending on what you like to eat, people hurriedly stocked their home with food items. I also did. I stocked my house with my traditional food stuff and less of Oyinbo foods. Thankfully, the government has put an order in place to prosecute anyone who increases food prices because of the current situation.

“Old people have a free first to buy opportunity ahead of others. Key workers like those in the health sector and the likes must be allowed to buy food first and people are told to buy just three items per person, so that supplies can go round. Food stores are also open but people have to adhere to the social distancing rule. Also, the panic buying has subsided and the shops are becoming packed again.”

Edo/Ondo Polls: Fresh Concerns Amidst Uncertainties [THE NATION]

Contrary to the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that the Edo and Ondo governorship elections slated to hold on September 19 and October 10 this year respectively, will not be altered against the background of the raging Coronavirus pandemic, there are indications that the commission and other stakeholders may eventually have no choice than to shift the dates earlier scheduled for the polls.

According to a release by the commission last February, the governorship elections has been fixed for September 19th in Edo State while the election will hold on October 10 in Ondo state. Similarly, the commission announced that primary elections and nomination of candidates by political parties in Edo state should hold between the 2nd and the 27th of June while the same exercise is slated for July 2nd to July 25 for Ondo.

But checks by The Nation in the two states revealed that many of the stakeholders, including political parties and gubernatorial aspirants, are doubtful of the possibility of the dates fixed by INEC. According to Chief Oluwole Edema, a chieftain of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, the party is worried that the outbreak of COVID 19, as well as the lock down ordered in the state by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu may make it impossible for most political parties to conclude their primaries by the stipulated date.

Edema also confirmed that many of the political parties in the state are of the same opinion: “We are members of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and I can tell you for free that many of the political parties in Ondo are worried about the possibility of meeting INEC’s deadlines. Any party that desires a rancor-free primary election will agree with me. And once the primary elections are not concluded by the scheduled dates, there will be a need for an extension,” he said.

Concerns like the above are mounting as a result of the pandemic which has already seen about 200 cases spread in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Bauchi, Enugu, Benue, Rivers, Oyo, Edo, Ekiti, Osun, Akwa Ibom and Kaduna, according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). While Edo State now has 4 confirmed cases of COVID 19, Ondo is yet to record a case. But Governor Akeredolu has already ordered a lock down of the state as a preventive measure, bringing most, if not all political activities, to a halt.

Already, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has postponed indefinitely the local government elections billed for April 18, 2020, in the 18 council areas of the state due to ravaging Coronavirus. Yomi Dinakin, Chairman of the Commission, disclosed this in Akure, Ondo state capital, while speaking with journalists, saying that the 10 political parties had agreed to the postponement because they could not hold any campaign rallies.

According to him, political parties argued that they complied with the directives of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu ban on political rallies and gatherings. On a new date for the election, Dinakin said the Commission would monitor state government activities and announcements. Dinakin expressed optimism that the federal government would also postpone the implementation of its policy that all local councils in the country must have elected officials by May this year.

Absconded Osun Confirmed Case Found, Returned To Isolation Centre [SUN]

The State Government of Osun says it has found the only person who reportedly absconded from the isolation centre in Ejigbo yesterday.

The State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemode, who made this disclosure in a statement, said the woman has been returned to the isolation centre.

She said that the state government was still in the process of tracing individuals she might have come in contact with. The Commissioner also noted that security within and around the isolation centre had been beefed up.

Mrs. Egbemode assured that the government would continue to enhance measures to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the state.

COVID-19 Pandemic: COVID-19: Confusion At UBTH As 2 Cleared Patients Test Positive Again [SUN]

There was confusion among health workers at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) yesterday after two patients who earlier tested negative to coronavirus pandemic were declared positive after further tests were conducted.

‎The development came as the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Friday confirmed the death of two patients of coronavirus in Edo and Lagos State.

Following the initial results, an umbrella body for the doctors, Association of Residents Doctors (ARD), in its updates to members said: “Both patients were moved to the isolation ward on March 31, based on suspicion of COVID-19.

“Samples were sent for PCR at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital same day as they were both being managed for medical illnesses; chronic kidney disease and Bronchopnuemonia.

“The patient with chronic kidney disease unfortunately died this morning while the other is still receiving care. Both results have returned negative for COVID-19.

“EXCO wishes to reassure members that as of today there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 being managed anywhere in UBTH,” the ARD statement said.

But in another update of the ARD days after, the doctors expressed dismay that “the earlier results of the two suspected COVID-19 cases previously declared negative have turned out to be positive after further tests.”

According to the update, “Whilst the EXCO cannot fully ascertain at this time what may have led to this, it has become imperative at this point to inform our members on the sudden turn of events.

FG Has Not Issued License For 5G –Minister [SUN]

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami, has said that the Federal Government has not issued any license for Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria.

The Minister who said this in a press statement yesterday, in reaction to rumours making the rounds on social media, noted that his office has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G.

Many Nigerians had taken to social media to speak against the deployment of 5G in Nigeria, believing that the technology had already been deployed in the country. Many people spoke with concern as the 5G technology is rumored to be unsafe to human health and has not been proven otherwise.

Pantami addressed the fears of Nigerians in his statement, saying: “The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G; no license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country.

“A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria. As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial and the trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.

“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens,” Pantami explained.

Monthly Petrol Pricing Template May Upset Downstream Sector – Stakeholders [THE GUARDIAN]

The Federal Government’s monthly plan to implement and re-activate a pricing template for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol set in May 11, 2016, might disrupt the current stability enjoyed in the downstream sector, as the inability of marketers to immediately align with set prices could result in product scarcity and resumption of fuel queues.

In fact, the new monthly pricing template, which has not been implemented in the last four years may set the Federal Government on a collision course with marketers, who continue to advocate full deregulation of the sector.

The country has enjoyed stability and a level of uninterrupted supply of petroleum products within the last four years, due to a pricing mechanism that was retained, despite changes in global oil prices and government’s monopoly in the importation of petrol.

While major marketers may find it easy to adjust their prices immediately, independent marketers are struggling to maintain their books, as many struggled to comply with the initial reduction to N125 last month.

Already, the major marketers are calling for full deregulation of the industry, rather than the controlled prices.

According to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), the present situation gives the government an opportunity to deregulate the market.

With oil prices relatively unstable and foreign exchange presently scarce, especially for the importation of fuel by marketers, the impact of the monthly price review might not be felt immediately till the lockdown ends, and demand for PMS rises.

If the oil prices maintain the upward movement, having risen to $34.11 at the weekend, and going by moves by OPEC and OPEC+ to agree on a deal, the relief on the pump price of petrol might be a short one, as government might have to revert to the pre-existing template of N145 per litre.

OPEC and its allies are regrouping over the weekend following signals from the United States President Donald Trump that American producers would not be joining any production cut, and a rift between Saudi Arabia and Russia put Monday’s planned summit on the ropes.

Similarly, there are concerns about the sustainability of monthly pricing template, considering that marketers stock products to meet demand and uncertainty in price affects the margins from the business; importations are still being managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); and the ability of many Nigerians to bear additional fuel costs may not be feasible, even as government revenue dwindles.

The Federal Government had in 2016 promised to monitor market fundamentals in line with the new policy of appropriate pricing with a view to advising marketers on subsequent guiding price band for products at the beginning of every month, but failed to fulfil the promise, until the recent fall in oil prices.

Already, Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has said that its members across the country have recorded massive losses due to the current changes in the price of petrol.

The National President of the group, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry stated that even though it was commendable for the Federal Government to reduce the pump in the face of COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant economic down turn globally, the development has adversely affected businesses for the retailers.

While the Federal Government had in March reduced the pump price from N145 to N125 per litre, it again, through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), announced a further reduction of the pump price of petrol from N125 to N123.50k per litre last week.

With the further reduction, Gillis-Harry stated in Abuja that the marketers would lose a sizable amount of money, which would impact negatively in their buying power.

“Our association wishes to bring to the notice of the Federal Government, the challenges of petroleum products retail outlets owners in Nigeria. Our members have recorded massive losses from March 19, 2020 when the first reduction was announced by the Federal Government.

“We therefore wish to appeal to the Federal Government, the PPPRA and other relevant stakeholder to come to our aid by urgently setting up an intervention fund to be midwifed by the CBN and disburse to our members in form of soft loans so as to cushion the effect of the PMS price reduction on their businesses and to guarantee replenishing re-investible capital,” Gillis-Harry said.

‘Over 1.5 Million Borno Idps May Contract Virus [THE GUARDIAN]

The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has warned that about 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno camps and host communities may contract Coronavirus.

The Doctors without Borders raised the alarm, yesterday, in a statement by Scot Hamilton, Borno’s Communication Manager.

It read: “In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, malaria, malnutrition and water-borne diseases will not relent. About 1.5 million IDPs in Borno now face the spectre of the deadly virus that has claimed over 52, 000 lives globally.

While lamenting the state of IDP camps, Hamilton said: “Many live in vastly overcrowded camps, with poor water and sanitation facilities, limited supplies of hygiene essentials, such as soap and water. There is also no space with the crowed makeshifts and tents.”

He noted that functioning health infrastructure in Borno is scarce, and the capacity to refer patients extremely limited.

He disclosed that, since many people are already vulnerable to outbreaks of disease, essential humanitarian assistance must be maintained.

To him, water and sanitation facilities must be improved in IDP camps, and frontline health workers on whom the population depends must also have access to personal protective equipment (PPE).

He said many IDPs already suffer from illnesses endemic to overcrowded settlements, such as water-borne diseases and respiratory tract infections like pneumonia, which has been identified as a significant threat, when coupled with COVID-19.

Lebanese Nationals Won’t Leave Nigeria Over COVID-19 [THE GUARDIAN]

Lebanese nationals in Nigeria are not contemplating leaving the country for fear of contracting Coronavirus.

The pandemic, presently wreaking havoc on human lives and global economic, has compelled the European Union to evacuate its citizens from Nigeria.

But the honorary Consul of Lebanon in Kano, Khalil Muselmani insisted Lebanese nationals would remain in Nigeria, regardless of any threat.

Muselmani, who spoke yesterday, while delivering donation of food items and medical consumables worth over N100m to Kano Fundraising Committee on COVID-19, said Kano is home to hundreds of Lebanese.

Although the Consul disclosed that the decision to leave the country remains personal, he, however, confirmed that hundreds of Lebanese nationals declined evacuation proposal by the United Kingdom, American and Lebanese authorities.

He pledged continuous support of Lebanese community to Kano State government in moment of joy and need.

Receiving the lorry loads of food items and consumables, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje applauded the Lebanese community’s intervention, which would further consolidate government’s palliative measures against Coronavirus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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