Confirmed Cases Rise To 343 As NCDC Announces 20 More [THE NATION]
THE Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 20 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases on Monday night.
Thirteen of the cases were confirmed in Lagos; two each in Edo, Kano and Ogun states and one in Ondo State.
The fresh cases brought the national tally to 343.
So far, 91 persons have been discharged and 10 deaths recorded.
The two confirmed cases in Kano are returnee Nigerian student from Istanbul, Turkey and a 63-year-old woman.
Nineteen states have recorded confirmed cases they are: Lagos (189); FCT (56); Osun (20); Edo (14); Oyo (11); Ogun (nine); six each in Bauchi and Kaduna; five each in Akwa Ibom and Katsina; Kwara (four); three each in Ondo, Delta and Kano; two each Enugu, Ekiti and Rivers and one each in Benue, Niger and Anambra.
Earlier, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had announced the discharge of six additional patients from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba, Lagos mainland. Five of the discharged patients are males.
Sanwo-Olu broke the news in a statement he signed, saying the patients have fully recovered and tested negative twice to COVID-19.
The statement reads: “This brings the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from our facilities to 61.
“For us, this is significant and indicative of our will power to triumph in this war against the lethal COVID19. We won’t be deterred and we will not relent until victory is achieved.
“I thank you all for your continued perseverance and patience, especially at this critical time. This sacrifice of ours, I am most certain will not be in vain.”
Prospective Nigerian Returnees Now 2,110 [THE NATION]
THE number of Nigerians desirous of returning to the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic has risen from 1, 000 to 2,110.
The Nation reported on Friday that over 1,000 Nigerians in the United States (US) and some European countries, including the United Kingdom(UK), and others had applied to the Federal Government to facilitate their return to the country.
A document obtained at the weekend by our reporter in Abuja, showed that the 2,110 prospective returnees are from 75 countries, including about 466 in the UK; 253 in the United Arab Emirate; 229 in China; and 163 in the US.
Eight of the prospective returnees from the UK were found to be positive after tests conducted on 40 people who submitted themselves for screening in compliance with the Federal Government’s insistence that the COVID-19 status of anyone seeking to return home must be ascertained.
More Fatalities Unlikely, Says Fed Govt [THE NATION]
THE Federal Government is not expecting an upsurge in COVID-19 fatality, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, said on Monday.
There is, however, more work to be done, he added.
Also on Monday, the Federal Government said Nigeria now has 11 molecular diagnostic laboratories following the activation of two in Kano and Jos.
It added that the spread of COVID-19 has slowed down, but warned against stigmatising those who tested positive for the virus.
Henceforth, governors are to handle the distribution of relief materials in states, the Federal Government said.
These are highlights of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 daily briefing in Abuja yesterday.
Buhari Extends Lockdown As Cases Rise To 343 [PUNCH]
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has extended the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states by an additional 14 days to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.
Buhari had, on March 29, ordered the lockdown for an initial period of 14 days, while several states had also introduced similar restrictions.
The President, who made the announcement in a televised speech on Monday evening, maintained that the Federal Government had a two-step approach to tackling the virus.
According to him, the approach is, first, to protect the lives of Nigerians and residents living in the country and, second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners.
He said, “With this in mind, and having carefully considered the briefings and report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the FCT for another 14 days, effective from 11.59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020.
IMF Excludes Nigeria From 25 Nations Granted Debt Relief [PUNCH]
The International Monetary Fund has granted debt relief to 25 countries, mostly African nations excluding Nigeria.
A statement by the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said it would provide $500m in grant-based debt service relief to these countries.
“Today, I am pleased to say that our executive board approved immediate debt service relief to 25 of the IMF’s member countries under the IMF’s revamped Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust as part of the Fund’s response to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.
It listed the beneficiaries as Afghanistan, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, D.R., The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Togo and Yemen.
Meanwhile, the fund has advised commercial banks to restructure loans in a bid to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a report entitled ‘Maintaining Banking System Safety amid the COVID-19 Crisis’, IMF Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department, Tobias Adrian, called for the restructuring of loans extended to sectors that were adversely affected by the pandemic.
Farmer Punches Wife To Death In Ondo [PUNCH]
A farmer, identified as Eric Olowokande, has been arrested by the men of the Ondo State Police Command on Monday for allegedly beating his wife to death at Idanre town in the Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The 71-year-old suspect allegedly committed the offence during an argument with the deceased, who was also identified as Mojere.
According to a source, immediately after committing the act, Olowokande ran into the bush to evade the arrest of the police but was later arrested by a team of policemen.
The source said, “There was a hot argument between the man (suspect) and his wife and the argument led to fisticuffs. The man started punching the wife until she fell down and became unconscious.
“Immediately after that, she was rushed to the hospital but it was at the hospital that the doctor confirmed her dead.”
The source added that the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the General Hospital in Idanre.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the police command, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed the incident and the arrest of the suspect.
“The suspect is already in our custody and we have begun investigation into the matter; after the completion of the investigation, he would be charged to court,” the PPRO stated.
Lockdown: Prices Of Food Items, Drugs Soar [PUNCH]
Prices of staple food items in markets across Lagos State rose to unprecedented levels over the last two weeks of COVID-19-induced lockdown now extended by two weeks by the Federal Government.
Checks at some markets across the state revealed that food items, though relatively available, have gone beyond the reach of most households.
At Mile 12 Market, a basket of tomatoes now goes for between N7,500, N8,000, N10,000 depending on its size as against the former prices of N3,500, N5,000 and N7,000 respectively. A small bag of carrots formerly sold for N15,000 has now now risen to N30,000 while a medium size basket of green pepper currently sells for N3,000 as against N2,000.
Similarly a medium sized tuber of yam sold for between N700 and N800 before the lockdown has risen to between N1,000 and N1,200.
At Iyana Iba Market, Ojo LGA, a paint of garri that sold for N500-N600 now sells for between N1,100-N1,500; while a medium sized tuber of yam that sold for N800 is now selling for N1,500. A derica cup of local rice that sold for between N250-280 is now selling for N380.
Daily Sun investigation at Ijedodo Market, Ojo LGA, shows that a paint of garri formerly sold for between N400 and N550 (white & yellow garri) now goes for between N800 and N1,000 respectively. A paint bucket of tomatoes that cost between N500 and N800 before the lockdown, depending on the size, now coasts N1,000, 1,500, 1,800 also depending on the size.
At the same market, a paint of pepper sold for around N400-N500 now sells for around N600-N700 respectively. A sizeable tuber of yam prior to the lockdown went for N500-N700 now goes for N700-N1,000. A kilo of fish that formerly cost N800 now costs N1,000; a kilo of chicken sold for N1,200 is now selling at N1,500 while a kilo of turkey going for N1,500 before the lockdown now sells for N1,700.
A 50kg bag of local rice at Ijedodo Market sold for between N17,000, and N21,000 now sell for between N19,500 and N23,000 respectively, depending on the brand. A medium sized bag of Semovita formerly sold at N3,000 is presently selling for N3,250.
COVID-19: Govs To Share Palliatives –FG [SUN]
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic has succumbed to the demands of state governors for them to be in charge of sharing palliatives to their citizens henceforth.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs. Sadiya Umar-Farouk, made this disclosure at the daily briefing of the task force, yesterday.
Governors of the 36 states of the federation had last week called on the Federal Government to allow them oversee the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID-19.
The palliatives being distributed to the vulnerable are currently being handled by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The governors had made their request during their interaction with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, via teleconferencing.
Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, had in a communique released on behalf of the governors said: “The forum expressed appreciation to the private sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria for their pledge to support states to increase their capacity to mitigate the spread of the virus and care for confirmed cases through the construction of isolation centres and the distribution of personal protective equipment to states.
CAN Seeks Transparent Distribution Of Palliatives, Re-Opening Of Churches [SUN]
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said the lockdown has affected many businesses and made the citizens vulnerable and expecting palliatives.
According to Primate Elisha Akinsulere, CAN Chairman, Ondo South Senatorial District in Okitipupa, many Nigerians are hungry because of the lockdown.
He called for sharing of palliatives should be devoid of sentiments – ethnic, religious and political.
“We learnt that the government is sharing palliatives to vulnerable citizens; millions are yet to benefit from these palliatives and cash transfer. Nigerians are hungry and need palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown.
“Ethnic, religious and political sentiments should not be introduced in the process because we are one.We appeal to the government to ensure that its officials uphold accountability and transparency in the distribution process for more Nigerians to benefit,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to continue to pray against the COVID-19 pandemic, avoid gatherings, maintain social distancing and adhere strictly to government precautionary measures, including staying at home, aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
has called on the government to be transparent in the distribution of palliatives to vulnerable Nigerians during lockdown against COVID-19 spread.
Meanwhile, the South East Chairman of CAN, Bishop Goddy Okafor, has expressed concerns over the shutdown of churches.
Our Advisory Committee Pays N50000 To Doctors Daily, Says FCT Minister [THE GUARDIAN]
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Musa Bello, has disclosed that the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19 in the FCT pays as much as N50000 daily to its doctors assisting in the fight against the spread of coronavirus.
Bello also revealed that the Dr. Aliyu Modibo Umar led committee has been paying nurses, pharmacists and other supporting staff between N30000 and N20000 daily.
The Committee on COVID-19 presently leading the private sector initiative was set up by the administration in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak to assist in mobilising finance and human capital to fight the pandemic in the FCT.
Bello, who used the occasion to commend the efforts of the health professionals in the fight, stated this during the FCT COVID-19 media briefing in Abuja at the weekend and restated the administration’s commitment to the welfare of everyone at the forefront of the fight to put an end to the pandemic.
Speaking further, he expressed hope that in the coming days, Abuja will record the discharge of more patients managed in the FCT of COVID-19.
Bello cautioned that violation of the lockdown order aimed at curbing the spread of the virus would leave the FCT administration no choice than to adopt stricter measures to curb the spread of the virus in the nation’s capital.
While lamenting the rising number of confirmed cases in Abuja, he said the administration has put in place adequate measures including expanding and securing more facilities as isolation centres to manage patients in the FCT.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has asked the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to build a primary healthcare facility in Wuse Central ward.
Aliyu, who made the call when the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, led other management staff visited her office in Abuja at the weekend, stressed that the administration was prioritising the primary healthcare sector for rejuvenation and service provision of service to the residents that need it most.
I’ve COVID-19 Cure, Just Provide Five Victims, Don Tells Fed Govt [THE GUARDIAN]
Jigawa ex-gov under surveillance after attending burial
A Kaduna-based scientist, Professor Ayodele Israel Adeleye, yesterday insisted that he had found a solution to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, urging the Federal Government to produce five victims for free treatment to further prove his claim.
The former lecturer with the Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, (ABUTH), Zaria said there was a three-day window for the coronavirus cure discovery, just as he assured that if adopted, the current lockdown world over due to the scourge would be history.
Chibok Girls Will Never Be Forgotten, Says President [LEADERSHIP]
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his sincere wishes to the people of Chibok, Borno State, as they hold prayers and thanksgiving services to mark the sixth anniversary of the kidnap of their daughters by Boko Haram terrorists on April 14, 2014.
President Buhari, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his media aide, Garba Shehu, said that the girls can never be forgotten and regretted that the current COVID-19 pandemic, with restrictions on movement, made it impossible for any government delegation to be with them during the event.
He, however, assured the people of Chibok that he is still mindful of their welfare and their concerns, especially regarding “our daughters who are still missing.”
On the specific issue of the freedom for the remaining girls held by the terrorists, the president noted the ongoing efforts on two fronts: The armed forces of the country which are on general operations in the entire region continue in their hope that they would encounter these girls, as they did thousands of other hostages, rescue and bring them back home.
English Premier League Targets June 6 Return [LEADERSHIP]
English Premier League is aiming to resume at the beginning of June, with clubs already working towards June 6 as a date for the return of competitive action, though matches would be behind closed doors.
Football across Europe, with the exception of the Belarus Premier League, remains suspended due to the coronavirus crisis that has led to many national governments imposing a state of lockdown which restrict the movement of the population and forbid public gatherings.
While football in Italy and Spain remains suspended indefinitely, the authorities in Germany have allowed clubs in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 to return to training, ahead of plans for games to take place behind closed doors from early May.
A video conference of all 20 Premier League clubs is due to take place this Friday in order to discuss and outline a tentative schedule for the resumption of the league in the coming weeks.
But sources have told ESPN that the EFL, which includes the Championship, League One and League Two, is working towards games being played from June 6 onwards after an initial three-week mini preseason starting on May 16.
