Television Nigerian

The Coronavirus pandemic has been the most discussed issue in Nigeria since its first confirmed cases in February. As of the time of filing this report, close to two million persons have been affected across the globe and over 60,000 persons have been buried.

While many countries across all continents battle for survival, Africa countries including Nigeria need at least $114bn to fight the pandemic, says the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

POLITICS NIGERIA understands that as of the time of this publication, experts are yet to get the vaccine and the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued a warning that in order to avoid contracting the illness, people must “stay at home”.

In Nigeria, it has infected a total of 782 of which 197 recovered and have since been discharged. The country has also recorded 25 deaths including President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, late Mallam Abba Kyari.

Lockdown




Due to this menace, the Federal and state governments forbid gatherings of more than 20 persons. Several violators have been arrested, arraigned, prosecuted and convicted. A very notable case is that of Funke Akindele, a popular actress who organised a birthday party for her husband. She was duly prosecuted alongside her husband by Lagos State government and made to pay a fine of N100,000 each.

President Muhammadu Buhari imposed a month lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja. It was first for two weeks and later extended. He said the extension was to further check the spread of COVID-19. The president appealed to Nigerians to obey the directive and orders by different state governments.

“This is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death,” Mr Buhari said.

Decaying health sector

The Nigeria Medical Association and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives also expressed their concern over the poor state of the country’s health sector. Nurses especially, claim to have been ‘marginalised’ by authorities.

“While health workers risk their lives for the public good, there is no provision for remuneration or any encouragement from government,” chairperson of the association of nurses and midwives at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Samuel Adeyemi said.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, recently condemned that state of Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. Mr Mustapha, who is also the chairman of the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on COVID-19, said: “I can tell you for sure, I never knew that our entire healthcare infrastructure was in the state in which it is. Until I was appointed to do this work,” he said.

He noted that the pandemic has provided the opportunity to examine the state of the national health care systems which is in dire need of reforms and funding.

FG intervention




To tackle the Coronavirus scourge, in early April, the Federal Government has earmarked the sum of N500 billion as ‘special funds’ to combat the virus.

This newspaper, however, looks at how the funds could better be managed. Our analysis shows if properly divided, each local government could get about N640 million which can help in providing a complementary healthcare system in Nigeria.

The 774 local government areas in the country will be able to get nine ventilators each, construction and development of nine laboratory centres, employment of nine health workers and at least 1 laboratory attendant. This will contribute greatly to strengthening the failing health sector.

Expert reacts

An expert, Lekan Alao who spoke with POLITICS NIGERIA said: “corruption is the order of the day in Nigeria but we can contain it. The health sector is the most important”.

“If all local government areas get N640 million as analysed the country health system won’t be the same and folks will not have the need to be travelling abroad for treatment,” he said.

He told POLITICS NIGERIA that the funds if disbursed “must be tracked by credible platforms like yours”.

The Police in the United Kingdom have arrested a Nigerian rapper, identified as Mike, for firing shots from a balcony in Chatam.

A spokesman for Kent Police said the incident occurred on Wednesday at a flat on Dock Head Road, Chatham, Kent. He added that the suspect flaunted several of his “weapons” to the camera in a string of bizarre Instagram videos.

The police said the suspect sent panicked shoppers in Kent running for their lives as he fired around 50 shots before armed police rushed to the scene and arrested him.

According to the police, he filmed himself shouting out Tupac lyrics while he pulled the trigger, saying: “I see them, they run, dem dey craze?”

“They don’t wanna be us, dem dey craze, call the f***ing cops.”

The police said: “Kent Police was called at 8.35am on Wednesday 22 April 2020 to a disturbance at a flat on Dock Head Road, Chatham.

“Members of the public reported seeing a man on a balcony with weapons and patrols, including armed officers, attended the scene.

“The police helicopter was also deployed and a man in 30s has now been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

“Patrols remain at the scene where officers have located four suspected imitation firearms as part of their enquiries.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reacted to the ban placed on two newspapers by the Ebonyi state government.

In a statement signed by the group’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare and sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, the group demanded the immediate reinstatement of the newspaper houses.

The group also condemned “the blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists and media houses by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and the illegal banning of the Correspondent of The Sun newspaper, Chijioke Agwu, and the Vanguard Newspaper, Peter Okutu, from entering Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.”

The journalists and media houses were reportedly banned over a report on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state.

“This action is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. We will pursue appropriate legal action nationally and internationally against Ebonyi State authorities if this illegality is not reversed within 48 hours of the publication of this statement.”

“We urge Governor David Umahi to show a greater level of transparency and accountability by immediately reversing the purported ban, and allowing journalists and media houses to freely cover the activities of his government.”

“Nigerians expect their leaders to show a greater level of transparency and accountability and to explain and take responsibility for what they are doing rather than threatening, intimidating, harassing and banning journalists and media houses from covering their public functions. These journalists and media houses are simply doing their work and playing their constitutional roles.”

“The ban clearly runs counter to the notion of a free marketplace of ideas, necessary to serve the best interests of the public. Barring journalists undermines Nigeria’s pledges on democratic reforms and the rule of law and must stop now.” the statement read.

The COVID-19 Committee in Taraba State announced the arrest of 134 travellers at various entry points into the state on Wednesday.

The travellers will be quarantined for 14 days, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

According to Innocent Vakkai, the Chairman of the committee, who made this known while inspecting a quarantine facility at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Jalingo, the state capital, the travellers were intercepted by security operatives.

Vakkai, who is also the state Commissioner for Health, said the committee deemed it necessary to visit and inspect the facility.

He said that some of them were travelling from Bauchi en route Gombe, noting that  Bauchi was affected by the novel coronavirus.

He noted that some of the travellers were coming from Yobe. The official said that all the travellers would undergo  COVID-19 test to ascertain their status.

The commissioner said that the state would do its possible best to prevent people with the virus from entering the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Taraba Governor, Hassan Mijinyiwa, in a statement obtained by this paper, said the borders of the state remain closed.

“Taraba State Government wishes to state for the avoidance of doubt that security agencies in the state are under strict instructions to also shut border towns in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state.

“From 11pm today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020) Balaifi town bordering Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Amache/Bachama town bordering Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State and Jeb-Jeb town bordering Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State will be shut with security agents deployed there to ensure strict enforcement,” the statement read in parts.

The Borno State government on Wednesday recorded a second death from the Coronavirus pandemic.

So far, Nigeria has a total of 782 cases of the respiratory disease with 25 deaths, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

Meanwhile, the situation is not a hopeless one after all as 197 have recovered and had been discharged.

The Deputy Governor and the Chairman of the State Committee on COVID-19, Umar Kadafur, disclosed this while giving an update on the pandemic in the state.

According to him, the deceased is from Biu town of and already his contacts have been traced.

“One of his contacts is a trader in Biu market. Following this development, the state government has ordered the closure of market for immediate fumigation.

“As of today, 144 contacts had been traced, 55 were tested and nine people tested positive including the two who died,” he said.

He urged the public to maintain hygiene and other precautionary measures advised by experts.

This paper reports that the first case was a retired anesthetic nurse, who died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Saturday. Sequel to the confirmation of the COVID-19 index case in Borno, Gov. Babagana Zulum ordered a two-week total lockdown as from Wednesday.

Zulum, who made the declaration in a broadcast in Maiduguri on Monday, however, said the restriction would not apply to the providers of essential services.

Recall that POLITICS NIGERIA reported how the state assembly postponed plenary indefinitely owing to the surge of the pandemic.

The Imo State Police Command has reacted to an incident where a police officer, Chibuike Ukazu, and his alleged gay partner, Yellow, were rescued from being lynched over alleged homosexuality.

The state police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, in a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Wednesday, said the two men were rescued after the youths of the community claimed to have caught the constable with his partner in the act of homosexuality.

Ikeokwu said an investigation into the matter has commenced with a view to unravel what actually happened.

He said: ”On April 21, upon information received through a phone call, the Divisional Police officer in charge of Nkwere Division promptly moved into the community and rescued one F/NO.512351 Chibuike Ukazu.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the youths of the community claimed to have caught the constable with one of his friends, name yet unknown but nicknamed ‘YELLOW’, in acts of homosexuality.

“As a result, the youths pounced on them and beat them to stupor, then took them to the palace of the traditional ruler before their rescue by the DPO and his team.

“The command, therefore, wishes to warn members of the public to desist from taking laws into their hand by resorting to self-help especially on infractions by the members of the Police or other security agencies, all are advised to report all grievances to the nearest Police station for prompt and decisive action.

“However, an investigation into the matter has commenced with a view to unravel what actually transpired and if found culpable will face the wrath of the law.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reacted to the ban placed on two newspapers by the Ebonyi state government.

In a statement signed by the group’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare and sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, the group demanded the immediate reinstatement of the newspaper houses.

The group also condemned “the blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists and media houses by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and the illegal banning of the Correspondent of The Sun newspaper, Chijioke Agwu, and the Vanguard Newspaper, Peter Okutu, from entering Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.”

The journalists and media houses were reportedly banned over a report on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state.

“This action is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. We will pursue appropriate legal action nationally and internationally against Ebonyi State authorities if this illegality is not reversed within 48 hours of the publication of this statement.”

“We urge Governor David Umahi to show a greater level of transparency and accountability by immediately reversing the purported ban, and allowing journalists and media houses to freely cover the activities of his government.”

“Nigerians expect their leaders to show a greater level of transparency and accountability and to explain and take responsibility for what they are doing rather than threatening, intimidating, harassing and banning journalists and media houses from covering their public functions. These journalists and media houses are simply doing their work and playing their constitutional roles.”

“The ban clearly runs counter to the notion of a free marketplace of ideas, necessary to serve the best interests of the public. Barring journalists undermines Nigeria’s pledges on democratic reforms and the rule of law and must stop now.” the statement read.

The COVID-19 Committee in Taraba State announced the arrest of 134 travellers at various entry points into the state on Wednesday.

The travellers will be quarantined for 14 days, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

According to Innocent Vakkai, the Chairman of the committee, who made this known while inspecting a quarantine facility at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Jalingo, the state capital, the travellers were intercepted by security operatives.

Vakkai, who is also the state Commissioner for Health, said the committee deemed it necessary to visit and inspect the facility.

He said that some of them were travelling from Bauchi en route Gombe, noting that  Bauchi was affected by the novel coronavirus.

He noted that some of the travellers were coming from Yobe. The official said that all the travellers would undergo  COVID-19 test to ascertain their status.

The commissioner said that the state would do its possible best to prevent people with the virus from entering the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Taraba Governor, Hassan Mijinyiwa, in a statement obtained by this paper, said the borders of the state remain closed.

“Taraba State Government wishes to state for the avoidance of doubt that security agencies in the state are under strict instructions to also shut border towns in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state.

“From 11pm today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020) Balaifi town bordering Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Amache/Bachama town bordering Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State and Jeb-Jeb town bordering Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State will be shut with security agents deployed there to ensure strict enforcement,” the statement read in parts.

The Borno State government on Wednesday recorded a second death from the Coronavirus pandemic.

So far, Nigeria has a total of 782 cases of the respiratory disease with 25 deaths, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

Meanwhile, the situation is not a hopeless one after all as 197 have recovered and had been discharged.

The Deputy Governor and the Chairman of the State Committee on COVID-19, Umar Kadafur, disclosed this while giving an update on the pandemic in the state.

According to him, the deceased is from Biu town of and already his contacts have been traced.

“One of his contacts is a trader in Biu market. Following this development, the state government has ordered the closure of market for immediate fumigation.

“As of today, 144 contacts had been traced, 55 were tested and nine people tested positive including the two who died,” he said.

He urged the public to maintain hygiene and other precautionary measures advised by experts.

This paper reports that the first case was a retired anesthetic nurse, who died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Saturday. Sequel to the confirmation of the COVID-19 index case in Borno, Gov. Babagana Zulum ordered a two-week total lockdown as from Wednesday.

Zulum, who made the declaration in a broadcast in Maiduguri on Monday, however, said the restriction would not apply to the providers of essential services.

Recall that POLITICS NIGERIA reported how the state assembly postponed plenary indefinitely owing to the surge of the pandemic.

The Imo State Police Command has reacted to an incident where a police officer, Chibuike Ukazu, and his alleged gay partner, Yellow, were rescued from being lynched over alleged homosexuality.

The state police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, in a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Wednesday, said the two men were rescued after the youths of the community claimed to have caught the constable with his partner in the act of homosexuality.

Ikeokwu said an investigation into the matter has commenced with a view to unravel what actually happened.

He said: ”On April 21, upon information received through a phone call, the Divisional Police officer in charge of Nkwere Division promptly moved into the community and rescued one F/NO.512351 Chibuike Ukazu.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the youths of the community claimed to have caught the constable with one of his friends, name yet unknown but nicknamed ‘YELLOW’, in acts of homosexuality.

“As a result, the youths pounced on them and beat them to stupor, then took them to the palace of the traditional ruler before their rescue by the DPO and his team.

“The command, therefore, wishes to warn members of the public to desist from taking laws into their hand by resorting to self-help especially on infractions by the members of the Police or other security agencies, all are advised to report all grievances to the nearest Police station for prompt and decisive action.

“However, an investigation into the matter has commenced with a view to unravel what actually transpired and if found culpable will face the wrath of the law.”