Coronavirus: Doctors, Nurses Demand Life Insurance As Cases Hit 318 [PUNCH]
In the light of the increasing spread and casualties arising from the coronavirus disease, the Nigerian Medical Association, the National Association of Resident Doctors and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives have again called on the government to immediately put in place life insurance policy for their members across the country.
This, they said, would further motivate their members on the front line of tackling the raging disease, given the hazards they are exposed to on duty.
In Nigeria, as of Saturday, a doctor had died as a result of the disease, two doctors in Edo State had also tested positive for the virus, while about 25 doctors, comprising house officers, resident doctors and a consultant had been in self-isolation after coming in contact with COVID-19 patients.
Chinese Doctors’ Flight: How Three Airline Crew Members ‘Disappeared’ From Lagos Quarantine Centre [PUNCH]
Three out of the 17 pilots and flight attendants who flew 14 Chinese medical doctors and medical supplies from China to Nigeria on Wednesday have boycotted the Lagos quarantine centre provided by the Lagos State Government, investigations by Sunday PUNCH have revealed.
The crew, who flew Air Peace’s Boeing 777-200ER jumbo jet from China, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The 17 pilots and flight attendants later on Wednesday proceeded to Lagos to be quarantined by the Lagos State Government in line with an agreement the Ministry of Health reached with the carrier’s management. The Chinese medical personnel were quarantined in Abuja.
Air Peace partnered the Federal Government to ferry the 14-member Chinese medical team and medical supplies from China to Nigeria.
Easter: Global Coronavirus Deaths Top 100,000 [PUNCH]
The first person to officially die from the novel coronavirus was a 61-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan on January 9. Now, three months later, by April 10, more than 100,000 people have succumbed to the disease.
First Asia, then Europe in March and now the United States have each, in turn, become the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced more than half of humanity into lockdown.
Despite sometimes draconian confinement measures, the number of daily deaths has accelerated across the globe — from fewer than 500 per day in mid-March, to more than 5,000 at the start of April and now nearly 7,500.
In the last eight days, more deaths were registered than in the preceding 84 days.
In all, at least 100,859 people have died from coronavirus, according to an AFP tally at 1900 GMT on Friday, using official figures. More than 1.6 million declared cases have been registered in 193 countries, of which at least 335,900 are considered recovered.
Buhari: Lockdown Will Last As Long As Necessary [THE NATION]
THE ongoing lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos and Ogun States may continue for as long as necessary, President Muhammadu Buhari hinted on Saturday.
The lockdown may even be extended to more states as the total confirmed cases in the country reached 318 last night.
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has, on his own, ordered that the state be shut down immediately.
Violators of the lockdown will be arrested, he said.
His Kano State counterpart, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, directed tricycle operators in the state to carry only one passenger for now following the detection of an infection in the state -a 75 year old man described as a retired ambassador.
Buhari in a statement on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said made afresh appeal to Nigerians to endure the harsh realities of some of the conditions imposed in the fight against Coronavirus.
He said all countries of the world are currently fighting for their own survival and Nigeria’s help will come from no other country but from Nigerians themselves.
While appreciating Nigerians for their understanding so far, he warned that the current lockdown in parts of the country might be extended.
The original 14-day lockdown in the FCT and Lagos and Ogun States should have ended on Tuesday.
Wike, Akeredolu Make U-Turn On Lockdown Relaxation [THE NATION]
GOVERNORS Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Saturday backed down from their relaxation of the lockdown they had imposed on their states to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The governors and some of their counterparts in other parts of the country had given Muslims the go ahead to resume Jumat on Friday, and Christians the nod to celebrate the Easter services in their churches.
But the relaxation orders had not gone down well with many who warned that they were not meant to serve the interest of the generality of the citizens.
Information and Communications Commissioner Paulinus Nsirim said on behalf of government on Saturday that the decision to withdraw the concession followed “due consultations with eminent clergymen and well-meaning Nigerians.”
He said: “The Rivers State Government has cancelled the concession granted churches to hold services with their full congregations.
“This decision was taken after due consultations with eminent clergy men, well-meaning Nigerians and civil society groups.
Easter Provides Hope, Says Obi [THE NATION]
THE vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 General Election, Mr Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians not to despair but to be steadfast in the face of adversity.
Obi said in a message to mark the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter that the period provided the sort of hope that was needed for this period of suffering and despair.
According to Obi in a statement from his media office “that we are marking this great season under this circumstance that we cannot even Worship in our various Churches because of a virus disease, throws a huge challenge that we must reflect on our existing relationship with God. “We must therefore in the joy of Easter intensify our prayers for peace in the country,” he said.
Uzodinma: We Shall Overcome Covid-19 With Risen Christ [THE NATION]
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that with absolute trust in God and faith in the risen Jesus Christ, Christians and indeed Imo people will overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
In an emotion laden Easter message to Imo people, Uzodimma also assured that with strict adherence to safety measures, the state will overcome COVID 19, with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a statewide broadcast to the people yesterday, the governor urged them to bear the hardships induced by the need to prevent COVID 19 pandemic with the same uncommon patience and perseverance that Christ bore his passion and tribulations before his crucifixion, noting that “Christ’s resurrection is a sign of assurance that after the Coronavirus pandemic will come the joy of triumph.”.
He urged all Imo Christians to join in the sacrifice and worship on Easter day through online and electronic channels.
The governor lamented: “As a Christian I feel pained that I will not be able to celebrate Easter church service in a congregation.
But I also understand that it is a sacrifice I must make to prevent COVID 19 from having a veritable space to strike in our state. Let us all bear this painful sacrifice together as one people with one motive; to save ourselves and our children from the COVID 19 pandemic.
Covid-19: Christians Miss Easter Celebration [THE NATION]
Christian faithful in Nigeria, today, join their counterparts across the world to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ in rather unusual ways. With the exception of a few states in the country where the lock down directive has been relaxed, church services and religious fanfare, which have become the hallmark of Easter celebrations, are expected to be suspended as Nigeria joins the global battle against the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic, which has put the entire world on the edge in the last few months.
With governments putting the people under various restrictions, including stay-at-home orders and self-isolations, churches and Christian families are devising alternative ways to observe this important religious celebration with the sole aim of complying with the social distancing order to prevent further spread of the deadly virus.
In the spirit of the celebration last year, Lady Ray Okoye, a business woman, said she traveled to her hometown in Anambra State where she claimed to have had a swell time with a lot of functions to attend and had the opportunity of family reunion.
Ondo Cancels Easter Sunday Service As State Records Second COVID-19 Case [THE NATION]
Ondo State government has canceled the concession earlier given to Christians in the state to hold Easter Sunday service in their various churches today.
With the latest development, all churches are to remain under lock and key, while Easter is to be celebrated at individuals’ homes.
The decision of the state government was borne out of the discovery of the second case of Corona Virus disease in the state.
The state commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, said the state government notes with deep concern the second index case of Corona Virus Disease, hence the cancellation of Easter Sunday service in the state.
Ojogo said, “this latest development has once again, reinforced the need to deepen our collective efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Ondo State COVID-19 Response Team has reported that the second index case having traveled from Lagos to Ondo State must give the government greater concern to avoid community transmission.
Lockdown: Corpses Litter Mortuaries [SUN]
Before now, bereaved families always looked forward to burying their dead for them to rest in peace. This solemn rite appears to have eluded families in states under lockdown as most of the corpses in the mortuaries cannot be buried.
Thus, this is not the best of time for families who have lost their loved ones as the rejection of corpses in mortuaries, which began in Lagos, has swept over other states like a tidal wave.
From various parts of the country, came reports of overflow of corpses in morgues that have been stretched beyond their carrying capacity. The accumulation of corpses in mortuaries began to rise after several state governments imposed restriction of movements and social distancing to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, the pandemic that has practically paralysed economic and social activities around the world, leading to the death thousands of people.
Covid-19 Pandemic: Coronavirus Claims 3 New Lives As Confirmed Cases Hit 318 [SUN]
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that Coronavirus pandemic has claimed three more lives on Saturday, bringing total number of deaths to 10.
It also confirmed 13 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria, bringing the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 to 318. The new cases were reported in Lagos (11), Delta (1) and Kano (1).
NCDC in a tweet on Saturday, said: “As at 9:30pm 11th April, there are 318 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria; 70 have been discharged with 10 deaths. So far, there are 19 states with confirmed cases in Nigeria.”
Breakdown of cases by states indicated that Lagos has 174 cases, FCT- 56, Osun- 20, Edo- 12, Oyo- 11, Ogun- 7, Bauchi- 6, Kaduna- 6, Akwa Ibom- 5, Katsina-4, Delta- 3, Enugu- 2,
Ekiti- 2, Rivers-2, Kwara- 2, Ondo- 2, Benue- 1, Niger- 1, Anambra- 1 and Kano-1.
Meanwhile, NCDC announced that two new molecular laboratories have been activated for COVID-19 testing, and they are located at Influenza Laboratory at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, and National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State.
Cleric Trying To Stop Northerners From Taking COVID-19 Vaccine Should Be Arrested — Gumi [THE GUARDIAN]
As Coronavirus continues to kill people globally, popular Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi has called for arrest and punishment of any Muslim cleric preaching to people, especially northerners, not to receive Coronavirus vaccine, should one be found.
Gumi advised Muslim clerics to desist from misleading people not to take the vaccine if brought to Nigeria.
Gumi said: “We Northerners shouldn’t behave the same way we did with polio myelitis, where people were misled into believing polio vaccine would prevent them from having children.”
He said though the vaccine was yet to arrive, some persons were already claiming it would kill people, adding: “That was how we did with polio. Not until the government counselled people for 10 years before they accepted the vaccine. That has been a problem in the North. Our learned scholars instil fear in people. They have started again. If scientists find a cure for COVID-19, no Malam should preach to people to reject it.”
Gumi warned the scourge was real, saying: “Everybody in the world is affected by this virus, regardless of religion and tribe. There’s no disease brought by Allah that has no cure. The world is searching for a cure. Islamic clerics among us are advising we should be careful and avoid any drug named as a vaccine to COVID-19, as Northerners could be given drugs that would kill them…”
“I am saying that, if the government plans to vaccinate people, they should not reject it. No Mallam should scare people from taking the vaccine. We are very sure the government must have tested the drug and seen it to be okay for people to use. There are guidelines and procedures to determine the safety of vaccines. If any Mallam is found doing so, he should be arrested and punished…”
Easter Celebration: Ayade Restricts Worshipers To Five Per Church [THE GUARDIAN]
In line with the state policy of partial lockdown, the Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has declared that only five persons will be allowed to participate in Easter Vigil and Day Masses/Services.
Ayade who announced this in his Easter message yesterday said, “the Easter Vigil, day masses and services are allowed for five persons only (and) the duration should not be more than one hour per Mass/ Service, keeping the appropriate two meters distance.”
The message, signed by the Senior Special Adviser, Religious Matters, Rev. Fr. Bob B. Etta, said the governor has reassured Cross Riverians of his commitment “to keep us Coronavirus free, and solicits your prayers for our dear state.”
Covid-19: Churches Must Help The Needy, Says C & S Leader [THE GUARDIAN]
The Supreme Head, Cherubim and Seraphim (C & S) Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence, Prophet Solomon Adegboyega Alao has called on religious leaders to provide palliatives to vulnerable persons in the society, as the effect of lockdown is biting hard in some states.
He also called on the government to be more transparent in the distribution of palliatives to Nigerians and expand the scheme to accommodate more people.
The clergyman, in his goodwill message, to celebrate this year’s Easter, also urged Nigerian leaders to emulate Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for the redemption of humankind.
I’m Humbled By My Ordeal In Isolation Centre – Bauchi Gov [LEADERSHIP]
The Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has shared his experience while in isolation for three
weeks after he was tested positive for coronovirus disease.
The governor, who addressed journalists on Thursday at the government house, Bauchi shortly after he was discharged said, “This disease that I was infected with is a terrible experience.I went through hell while in isolation for treatment, I felt like I was alone but the love, affection and prayers shown to me
by the people of Bauchi State really kept me going.
“I thank Allah that I have now been freed from the virus. I am sorry for the inconveniences it might have
caused to anybody in Bauchi and Nigeria, it has never been my wishes to be infected,”he said.