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Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Exceeds 1,000 As NCDC Confirms 114 More Infections

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Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Exceeds 1,000 As NCDC Confirms 114 More Infections

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases exceeded 1000 on Friday, following the recording of 114 new cases of the novel coronavirus.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), 80 of the new infections were recorded in Lagos, 21 were in Gombe and 5 were recorded in the FCT.

The country’s total deaths from the virus now stands at 32 while 208 have recovered.

Lagos Urges Public to Disregard List of Hospitals Exposed to COVID-19 Cases

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Lagos Urges Public to Disregard List of Hospitals Exposed to COVID-19 Cases

The Lagos State Government has urged members of the public to disregard a list making the round on social media of hospitals and health facilities purportedly exposed to COVID19 cases in the State.

The Executive Secretary, Lagos Health Facility and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) who disowned the list which was purported to have emanated from the Ministry of Health disclosed that the Ministry of Health through HEFAMAA never issued any statement advising the public not to patronize certain facilities in the State.

“This is the handiwork of mischief makers and fake news merchant who are bent on causing panic in the community and eroding the success recorded in the battle against COVID19”.

“I therefore urge residents to disregard the list in its entirety and rely solely on the Ministry of Health and HEFAMAA for information on the operation of health facilities and management of COVID19 cases especially at this critical time”, She said.

Idowu explained that some health facilities might inadvertently admit or treat patients with #COVID19 without knowing. She stated that if this happens the facility will be temporarily closed for decontamination while the staff would be trained on Infection, Prevention and Control after which the facility is safe to carry on its normal operations.

She appealed to members of the public to desist from stigmatizing health facilities that might have been exposed to #COVID19 cases as well as patients infected with COVID19 to prevent severe health problems.

“We need people to desist from stigmatizing such facilities, they are only closed for decontamination and once that has been done as well as other necessary protocols, the facility is safe to offer services to the public,’’ the Executive Secretary stated.

Idowu also observed that stigma can drive people to hide the illness to avoid discrimination, prevent people from seeking health care immediately and discourage them from adopting healthy behaviours.

She urged all health facilities operating in Lagos to adhere strictly to the principle on Infection Prevention and Control, maintain high degree of suspicion for #COVID19 and adhere strictly to laid down protocols for COVID19 suspicion. She added that IPC will help reduce human-to-human transmission and secondary infections among close contacts and health care workers.

Highlighting some of the critical components of the Protocol, Idowu explained that each healthcare facility must have a plan and a team in place to address COVID19 issues such as triaging and assigning responsibility for notification or communications with the Lagos State COVID19 response team through the 08000CORONA toll free line, 08000267662 or the Ministry of Health and the Local Government Area.

She advised facilities against unauthorized admission and treatment of confirmed COVID19 cases, warning that any facilities caught violating the laid-down protocol of operations especially with regard to COVID19 case management will be sanctioned in line with the extant provision of the law.

She reiterated that only facilities approved by the State Government for COVID19 case management are expected to carry out the management of COVID19 cases.

Idowu urged individuals in the State to desist from issuing panicky statements to the public on operation of health facilities. This according to her is capable of causing confusion and making the fight against the pandemic more challenging.

‘’I enjoin all health facilities operators in the State to direct all enquiries and complaints on COVID19 case management as well as other issues bordering on their operations to the Lagos State Ministry of Health through HEFAMAA. We can be reached through the following telephone numbers – 09015637023, 09057273396, 09038795500, 08172704228 or visit our website at hefamaa.lagosstate.gov.ng”, She said.

Police Kill Two Notorious Bandits, Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers in Katsina

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Police Kill Two Notorious Bandits, Arrest 10 Suspected Kidnappers in Katsina

Police in Katsina state have gunned down two notorious bandits and arrested ten suspected kidnappers across five Local Government Areas in the state.

Before meeting their Waterloo on Thursday, the criminals were reportedly responsible for terrorising innocent citizens of the affected LGAs comprising Batsari, Faskari, Charanchi and Dutsinma including the Katsina metropolitan area.

In a press briefing held before the command headquarters on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah told reporters that one AK 49 rifle with five rounds of ammunition, unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycle, charms and the sum of N6,465 Naira were discovered in possession of the two bandits killed by the police.

Meanwhile, the command according to the police spokesman arrested one Sa’ad Yahaya who had allegedly attacked his father while asleep and robbed him the sum of 435 thousand naira.

 

Malaria deaths in Africa could double amid pandemic, WHO warns

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Malaria deaths in Africa could double amid pandemic, WHO warns

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that the number of deaths caused by malaria in sub-Saharan Africa could double to 769,000, as efforts to tackle the disease face disruptions by the coronavirus pandemic.

As of Thursday, the region had registered more than 26,000 cases of COVID-19, the highly infectious respiratory disease caused by the new coronavirus. Some 7,000 people have so far recovered, while almost 1,250 have died.

At a media briefing, WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti urged all countries to ensure that essential malaria prevention work continues during the coronavirus pandemic.

“A recent analysis has found that if insecticide-treated bed net distribution stops, and case management reduces, malaria deaths in sub-Saharan Africa could double in comparison to 2018,” Moeti said on Thursday.

“This would be the highest number of deaths seen in the region since the year 2000.”

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne disease that often causes fever, chills and flu-like symptoms. It is a treatable disease if it is caught early, but current antimalarial drugs are failing in many areas due to increasing drug resistance.

In 2018, there were 213 million malaria cases and 360,000 related deaths in the African region, accounting for more than 90 percent of cases worldwide.

The WHO said that if the focus on slowing the spread of the new coronavirus leads to a 75 percent reduction in access to anti-malaria medicines, deaths could double to 769,000. Such a scenario would have devastating consequences for young children, with those under five making up more than two-thirds of all malaria deaths in 2018.

The global health agency called on countries in sub-Saharan Africa – where nearly 95 percent of all the world’s malaria cases and deaths occur – to distribute malaria prevention and treatment tools now, before they become overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases.

“Countries across the region have a critical window of opportunity to minimise disruptions in malaria prevention and treatment and save lives at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak,” the WHO said in a statement.

The doubling of the number of deaths represents the worst-case scenario, which also assumes the suspension of all distribution of treated mosquito nets due to the pandemic, the global health agency added.

Moeti cited figures from Africa’s Ebola outbreak showing that more people died of other diseases, including malaria, than from Ebola itself, due to lack of access to treatment.

“Let us not repeat that again with COVID-19,” she said.

In a separate statement on Thursday, the WHO also repeated a call to maintain immunization services worldwide to ensure the measures taken to halt the pandemic do not end up sparking a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and polio.

“While the world strives to develop a new vaccine for COVID-19 at record speed, we must not risk losing the fight to protect everyone, everywhere against vaccine-preventable diseases,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in the statement.

“These diseases will come roaring back if we do not vaccinate.”

International community cautions Israel against West Bank annexation

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International community cautions Israel against West Bank annexation

UN’s Middle East envoy says move would be ‘devastating’ to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United Nations and the European Union have warned Israel not to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

The UN’s special Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov on Thursday said such a move would be a “devastating blow” to the internationally-backed two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as the EU said annexing Palestinian territory “would constitute a serious violation of international law”.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz signed a coalition agreement that includes a clause to advance plans to annex parts of the West Bank, including Israeli settlements, starting on July 1.

Reporting from the UN, Al Jazeera’s James Bays said the formation of a government in Israel has brought the question of annexation into focus.

“The new coalition government in Israel makes the prospect of the annexation of parts of the West Bank much more likely. That means that areas currently seen as occupied under international law, would be brought under Israel’s sovereignty.  At least that’s how Israel would see it,” he said.

In a video briefing with the UN Security Council, Mladenov warned that “the dangerous prospect of annexation by Israel of parts of the occupied West Bank is a growing threat”, and said such a move would violate international law.

The envoy said annexation would also “deal a devastating blow to the two-state solution, close the door to a renewal of negotiations, and threaten efforts to advance regional peace.”

Separately on Thursday, the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the bloc of 27 member countries does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the Palestinian territory and that it will “continue to closely monitor the situation and its broader implications, and will act accordingly”.

 

Over 40 Health Workers Tested Positive for COVID-19, Says Health Minister

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Over 40 Health Workers Tested Positive for COVID-19, Says Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, says about 40 health workers have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.

Dr Ehanire disclosed this on Thursday during the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

He, therefore, appealed to medical workers in the frontline of the COVID-19 fight to always protect themselves while giving treatment to infected patients.

COVID-19: Why Private Broadcast Stations in Northern Nigeria May Shut Down

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COVID-19: Why Private Broadcast Stations in Northern Nigeria May Shut Down

Northern Private Broadcast Stations have raised alarm over financial crunch that may lead to total shut down of their businesses.

The group under the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association said hard hit by low-income generation as a result of the current economic downturn and exacerbated by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed businesses across the world and indeed Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement issued by Chairman Executive Council, Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association, Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan on Thursday.

It said private-owned broadcast stations in northern Nigeria have reached a point where their operations may completely shut down any time soon unless a quick intervention comes to our rescue.

A statement by the group said the economic downturn may affect about 40 radio and television stations spread across the northeast, northwest and north-central, who collectively employ about 40,000 personnel in diverse fields such as engineering, journalism, administration and marketing.

‘’The broadcast stations, under the umbrella of the Northern Broadcast Media Owners Association, formed in 2014, have a combined audience base in excess of 80 million, which is about 85% of the population of Northern Nigeria, ‘’said the statement.

‘’The NBMOA has written to the relevant authorities, including the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) to explain the fast deteriorating financial and operational condition of private broadcast stations in the region with a view to seeking assistance by way of special intervention and different forms of patronage in programmes sponsorships and advertising.’’

‘’Indeed, even before the advent of the COVID-19 scourge, NBMOA member stations have operated on meagre revenues due to the absence of big industry in the region as we all shared from a small basket of advertising revenue that occasionally trickled in from Lagos based advertising agencies; alas, as it is, even agency revenue has been eclipsed by the effects of the COVID-19 on our national economy. We are unarguably in a precarious situation. Thus, we are in need of HELP!’’

We have also been in the forefront of accentuating sensitisation campaigns against terrorism, banditry and kidnappings at all three tiers of administration in the country, as well as consistently broadcasting contents in support of publicity efforts of government on the COVID-19 at no costs.

”We remain committed to the time-honoured function of informing and educating society and keeping diverse audiences abreast of government policies at all times, more so during this most trying period that requires broader collective efforts in taming the dreaded COVID-19 Pandemic from further harm to our citizens and to our nation’s socio-economic life.”

COVID-19: Wike’s task force kills police woman protecting petty traders’ goods

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COVID-19: Wike’s task force kills police woman protecting petty traders’ goods

A female Police officer Lovender Elekwachi by name was killed by a Task Force Police Escort in River’s State Taskforce group at Eneka Town in Obio- Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, as she was trying to help the street traders to recover their items when the Rivers State Task Force was destroying their properties in a wrong and illegal  mode.

“She was seen telling the Task Force group that it is wrong the way they carry on their activities, a police man protecting the Task Force immediately shoot her from behind, she fell down and die flat.” An eye witness said.

Reacting to the development, the Rivers police PRO, DSP Nnamdi Omoni revealed that the Police officer who shot the police woman has been arrested and investigation has being launched.

“The Rivers State Police Command regrets to announce the death of W/Sgt Lovender Elekwachi who until her untimely death was serving at Eneka Division and was posted to the Eneka roundabout on traffic duties.

The late Woman Sergeant was shot while controlling traffic by Sergeant Bitrus Osaiah attached to the Operations Department of the Command.

Meanwhile, the Sergeant who is said to be attached the Rivers State Task Force on Decongestion, has been arrested, disarmed and undergoing Orderly Room Trial. Two other members of the Task Force have also been arrested and are being questioned.

The Hilux vehicle belonging to the Task Force has been impounded and the corpse of the Woman Sergeant deposited in the mortuary.”

– DSP Nnamdi Omoni revealed in the press briefing.

Another eyewitness, Mr Wobo Christian bemoan the manner in which Rivers State Task Force carry out their duties, says they are bringing bad reputation to Rivers State government and Rivers State in general.

“It’s unfortunate that the poor masses can not do their business due to COVID 19 lockdown while the rich people businesses are allowed to operate freely including all the big Shopping centres and eating Malls in Rivers State.
It seems the unprofessional Task Force are focused on the poor masses and chasing petty traders that hardship (to make ends meet) force them to do little business. ”

Nigerian, Bénin Navies foil pirates’ attack, rescue 11 MV TOMMI RITSCHER’s crew men

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Nigerian, Bénin Navies foil pirates’ attack, rescue 11 MV TOMMI RITSCHER’s crew men

A combined naval operation under the auspices of ECOWAS Maritime Zone E (Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo and the Gendarmerie of Republic of Niger) involving Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (NN SBS) operatives and Benin Navy has led to the rescue of 11 crew men onboard a Portuguese flagged container ship, MV TOMMI RITSCHER in Benin Territorial Waters.

The vessel was reportedly attacked by unknown number of gunmen at Zone 3 anchorage in Cotonou waters at about 2300 on 18 Apr 20. At the time of the attack, there were 19 crew members comprising Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Filipinos.

Following the pirate attack, the Nigerian Navy (NN) received a request for assistance from the Benin Navy under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of ECOWAS Zone E.

Consequently, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE embarked 10 NN SBS operatives and proceeded to the objective area. NNS OSE and the SBS boarding team arrived the objective area on 19 Apr 20 to join 2 other vessels (P110 QUEME and ZOU) from the Benin Navy already in the Area.

Consequently, NNS OSE and the other 2 Benin Navy patrol boats adopted a patrol plan around the MV TOMMI RITSCHER throughout the night of 19 Apr 20 to ensure that the pirates, if still onboard would not have any room to escape.

Accordingly, after the necessary briefings, the boarding operations commenced at about 1730 on 20 Apr 20, with the NN SBS elements in the lead. After the successful boarding of the Ship, which eventually was to be unopposed. 11 crew members were rescued from different parts of the ship.

However, 8 crew members of the Ship and the pirates could not be located onboard the ship. The SBS remained onboard to ensure security of the vessel and the crew. MV TOMMI RITSCHER came alongside to Cotonou Port for a more comprehensive search of the ship on 21 Apr 20.

The team was received by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Benin Navy as well as the Defence Attaché and Deputy Defence Attaché of the Nigerian Embassy in Cotonou.

The CNS of Benin addressed the ship’s company of NNS OSE and the NN SBS team and gave them a letter of commendation for a job well done.

It could be recalled that in 2013, Gulf of Guinea Heads of State and Government met in Yaounde, Cameroon to adopt the Yaoundé Declaration on the Gulf of Guinea Security. Two key resolutions contained in the Declaration are on the creation of an inter-regional Coordination Centre on Maritime Safety and Security for Central and West Africa, to be headquartered in Yaoundé, and the implementation of a new Code of Conduct Concerning the Prevention and Repression of Piracy, Armed Robbery Against Ships and Illegal Maritime Activities in West and Central Africa. This declaration also paved way for the creation and organisation of Gulf of Guinea Navies into maritime zones.

Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Togo and Gendarmerie of the Republic of Niger form the ECOWAS Maritime Zone E under the Yaoundé Declaration.

It is against this background that the feat achieved by the Nigerian and Benin Republic Navies represents a concrete step towards the operationalization of the ECOWAS Maritime Zone E framework.

Bénin Naval Chief, lauds Nigerian Navy for gallantry in the rescue of MV TOMMI RITSCHER’s Crew

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Bénin Naval Chief, lauds Nigerian Navy for gallantry in the rescue of MV TOMMI RITSCHER’s Crew
Captain Albert Ezin Badou, Bénin Chief of Naval Staff

The Chief of Naval Staff Benin Navy, Captain Albert Ezin Badou has commended the personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship OSE for their show of gallantry and high level of professionalism during the rescue of 11 crew members onboard a Portuguese flagged container ship, MV TOMMI RITSCHER. The merchant ship which had 19 crew members consisting of Ukrainian, Bulgarian and Filipinos nationals was attacked by pirates in Benin territorial waters on 18 April 2020.

Consequently, the Benin Navy requested for assistance from the Nigerian Navy (NN) on 19 April 2020 in line with the MoU of the ECOWAS Maritime Zone ‘E’. The Nigerian Navy and Benin Navy jointly rescued the 11 crew members on 20 April 2020.

MV TOMMI RITSCHER

However, the remaining 8 members of the ship and the pirates could not be found during the rescue operation.

In recognition of the role that the Nigerian Navy played in the successful rescue operation, Captain Badou expressed his gratitude to the Nigerian Navy Ship OSE’s ship company under the command of the Officer-in-Charge of the ship, Lieutenant Bilyaminu Umar Abubakar for their prompt response to the incident.

He was also appreciative of their efforts which contributed to the success recorded. According to him, “from the moment you arrived Benin territorial waters on 19 Apr 20, you demonstrated good seamanship and security awareness in jointly patrolling the sea around the vessel with our Benin Navy patrol boats.

”This effort prevented further insecurity incidences relating to the vessel and helped build confidence in our maritime security response against piracy in the ECOWAS Zone ‘E’ maritime domain”.

He further applauded the NN Special Boat Service team that participated in the rescue for display of exceptional bravery and tactics in boarding the hijacked vessel to rescue the 11 crew members without any casualty.

Captain Badou noted with delight the great success achieved by the joint operation which has further cemented the brotherly ties shared by the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Republic of Benin.

He also specifically thanked the Nigerian Navy for its huge support towards this successful operation and urged the crew of Nigerian Navy Ship OSE to keep up the good work. The Chief of the Naval Staff of Benin Navy conveyed the appreciations through a letter of commendation forwarded to the Nigerian Navy.

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