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COVID-19: Gov Wike cancels lockdown in Rivers, imposes statewide curfew

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Rivers State Government has cancelled its former decision to resume lockdown of the capital city, comprising Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt local government areas, as part of its strategy to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The lockdown billed to commence tomorrow Wednesday, 27 May, 2020 in Rivers State has been cancelled, Television Nigerian gathers.

The governor, who spoke in a statewide broadcast on Tuesday imposed 8pm to 6am curfew in the 23 local government Areas of the state beginning from June 2 till further notice.

He disclosed that his government uncovered plans by some criminal elements led by one Bobosky to cause security breaches in Khana, Eleme, Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo and Ikwerre local government areas.

He said: “After a comprehensive review of the measures taken and further considerations placed before us by well-meaning members of the public, the state security council has decided to cancel the proposed lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of the State.

“In essence, no part of Rivers State is or will be under any lockdown from this moment and this will be so, except where it becomes necessary again”.

He advised residents to strictly observe all protocols and measures put in place to contain the pandemic such the regular washing of hands, religious wearing of face masks and keeping effective physical and social distance of between 1.5 to 2 meters from other people

He said residents should completely avoid touching their faces with unwashed hands and ensure that regularly touched surfaces were cleaned as part of effective measures to contain the pandemic.

But he said: “All land borders, including all exit and entry routes into Rivers State shall remain closed to human and vehicular traffic, except those on essential services and duly exempted.

Rivers people have in recent times complained about Governor Wike’s highhandedness in enforcing previous lockdown in the state in the wake of the pandemic.

Boko Haram: ‘Buhari, Army Have Done What is Impossible for World Leaders’ -Abubakar Tsav

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A former commissioner of police, Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav has described the five years of President Muhammadu Buhari in the saddle of leadership in Nigeria as phenomenal in the annals of the country with regards to the prosecution of the war against terrorism.
Abubakar Tsav stated this in an exclusive interview he granted on the state of the nation recently. According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari came on board at a time when the country was grappling with myriads of challenges, and despite all of that he was able to stir the ship of Nigeria out of turbulence.
“For those who know me know that I am very objective when it comes to issues of national interest. What was happening in Nigeria before Buhari came on board was not a joke. We were on the verge. But he was able to stabilize the polity and Nigeria is better off today. This is indeed phenomenal, and I must extend my utmost commendation to him.”
He also stated that what assisted the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the past five years was his commitment to the war against Boko Haram terrorism and other acts of economic sabotage that became the order of the day in previous administrations.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is a man of unquestionable integrity, and this has been the hallmark of his administration. I think its common sense for all those in his team to understand the body language of their principal and this is what we need in this country as we march forward.”
“This administration has carried out a near-impossible task in just five years, which is a rare feat that would make other world leaders green with envy. Virtually all sectors of the economy have been affected positively, and this is what you get when you have a leader that is upright and committed to the Nigerian cause.”
When asked about the commitment of the government in the fight against terrorism and other militant groups in the country, Abubakar Tsav stated that the hallmark of the Buhari government is the feat recorded by the Nigerian Army in turning the tide against the Boko Haram terrorist group.
“The Nigerian Army has been excellent since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari. One of the first pointers that he meant well was the composition of the Service Chiefs. Mind you I am of that constituency, and when I saw the caliber of those appointed, I was convinced that it was just a matter of time before we turn the tides against those insurgents.”
“So I was not surprised that in less than a year, the insurgents were dislodged from their operational headquarters in Sambisa forest, and all the local government areas that were under their control were recaptured.”
“Make no mistakes; this is a rare feat for those of us that understand asymmetric warfare and in terrain like North-East Nigeria. The Nigerian Military indeed rose to the occasion, and they must be commended regardless of the propaganda campaign against it by some unscrupulous elements.”
He further averred that the Nigerian Military has rapidly transformed into a professional force that abides by the rules of engagement in the prosecution of the war against terrorism in Nigeria.
“There is something called professionalism. This is the perfect description of the Nigerian Military of today. When I hear things like Directorate of Army-Civil relations I marvel. Also looking at the creation of Human rights desk in the Nigerian Army is novel in the security architecture in Nigeria.”
“Sorry to say this, during our years, there was never going to be a mention of such, let alone talk about the establishment. But here we have a military that is responsive and as well committed to the preservation of human rights in its operations. This is very commendable.”
Abubakar Tsav also commended the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai for repositioning and leading the Nigerian Army in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgent group.
“I salute the doggedness of the Chief of Army Staff, Buratai. He is such a brilliant officer who understands what it means to be a leader. He has indeed led by worthy examples, and I am sure that posterity would be kind to him for his numerous sacrifices in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.”
He advised that the government should be alert to the possibility of the resurgence of the Boko Haram group due to external support it receives.
“The government must be careful not to celebrate too early because terrorism is dynamic and also with the fact that the Boko Haram group has assumed a regional dimension and that is to say there are eternal sources that support its operations. We must be careful in this regards and continue to monitor things closely.”

COVID-19: FAAN prepares for reopening of airports

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has put arrangements in place on passenger facilitation and what to expects ahead of resumption of flights.

Speaking at an aviation webinar organised by Women in Aviation (WIA) Nigeria with the theme: “Aviation: The New Norm in the post COVID”, General Manager Corporate Affairs of FAAN Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said passengers should expect delays and long hours of checks and re-checks right from when they arrive the airport and departs.

She said escorts of VIPs would no longer be allowed to follow their principals into the terminal and such principals would be subjected to all health checks.

To this end, she said passengers are expected to leave their home early hours before their flights to go through the various checks before entering the terminal and after.

“We are going to expect flight delays, flights will experience delays from checks and re-checks. If you are travelling, I will expect a potential traveler to leave home hours before his flight. Why do I say this?

”Because there is going to be a lot of checks in the front of the terminal we have been told that some may activities and procedures will take place in front of the terminal. So air travelers are expected to leave home very early so that they can get to the airport on time.”

The FAAN spokesperson also explained that passengers should expect that airlines would charge more in terms of airfare, adding the International Air Transport Association, IATA said that there would be 45 percent increase in fares.

Yakubu stated that the COVID-19 had brought a lot of changes to air travel and to ensure the safety of passengers and airport users the way of doing things before have to change, adding that the pandemic would make people cut down on non-essentials and lead to low demand of air travel.

At all airports, she said social distancing would be 100%, temperature screening, wearing of face masks, disinfection of shoes and luggage of passengers would also be carried out 100% regardless of personalities.

“There will be floor markings indicating where each passenger will wait on the queue, arriving Passengers will also be subjected to temperature screening, physical distancing too will be observed while Passengers are waiting by the carousel to pick up their luggage.”

Passengers are expected to arrive the airport with their face masks on, their luggage and pairs of shoes to be disinfected. Passengers are expected to observe to observe social/physical distancing.”

“Passengers will subject themselves to temperature screening and departure halls will be arranged in such a way that physical distancing too will be observed,” she added.

General Manager Customer Service/SERVICOM, FAAN Mrs. Ebele Okoye harped on the decongestion of the terminal building especially outside where all sorts of people who do not have business at the airport mill around.

According to her, in reducing contact, the days of opening people’s bag at the airport to search what is inside should be done away with.

” I will urge all the airports to consider and make provision for different kinds of passengers, social distancing, adequate information and security and more importantly, Social security.

Okoye urged passengers to save themselves the stress of coming to the airport to buy tickets rather they buy their tickets online, check in online and pay for their trolleys online to reduce the hours they would have to spend carrying out these activities.

“Social security can be done online ticket purchase am sure that the airline will notify the people who purchase their ticket online to check in online and decongest the terminal building, no hangers around, touts should be
out of the airport, anyone not travelling should not be allowed to enter the airport, how do passengers get their trolley, they can pay online, you don’t need contacts.”

The webinar moderated by the WIA President, Mrs Rejoice Ndudinachi featured the Airport Manager South West Airports/Airport Manager, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba, former Rector, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria and other top women professionals in the industry.

Africa Day: Galaxy of stars shine at coronavirus online concert

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Some of the biggest names in Africa’s music scene, including Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour and Grammy-winner Angelique Kidjo, have taken part in a virtual concert to raise awareness about the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 100 artists and celebrities from across the continent and the diaspora performed in the WAN Show broadcast online by the Worldwide Afro Network and carried by 200 African channels on Monday to mark Africa Day.

The event was modelled after the One World: Together At Home concert in April that brought together Lady Gaga, Elton John, Taylor Swift, the Rolling Stones and dozens of others playing from their homes.

The two-hour-long show was hosted by British actor and musician Idris Elba, who has recovered from COVID-19 – the highly contagious disease caused by new coronavirus – after testing positive earlier in March.

“After COVID-19, Africa will be great, Africa will be strong. Together we are unbeatable,” Malian kora star and hip-hop artist Sidiki Diabate said at the launch of the star-studded concert.

Malian Afro-pop star Salif Keita, Congolese singer Fally Ipupa, Nigeria’s Wizkid, Femi Kuti, Senegalese rapper Awadi, Ivory Coast’s Magic System and Beninese singer Zeynab were among the stars performing from their living rooms, home studios or gardens, ending their songs with the line: “Together as one.”

“I am optimistic, culture is at the beginning and at the end of everything,” said N’Dour, noting the event aimed “first to raise awareness of the fight against the pandemic, but also to say that in many areas nothing will ever be the same again”.

Former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also joined in.

“Africa is a continent of rich history, culture uniqueness and dynamism. Africa must rise above this as we have done with every previous challenge,” said Rawlings.

“Together as one I know we shall overcome and if music is the food of love let us play on.”

Call for unity

The coronavirus outbreak has reached every nation on the African continent of 1.2 billion people.

As of Tuesday, more than 115,000 have been confirmed as having been infected and at least 3,471 gave died, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly 46,000 have recovered.

Countries across the continent have gained praise for responding swiftly to the pandemic and keeping the number of infections relatively low compared with other parts of the world. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for vigilance, warning that COVID-19 could kill up to 190,000 people in Africa and infect between 29 million and 44 million in the first year if containment measures fail.

On Monday night, Benin-born Hollywood actor Djimon Hounsou spoke about vaccine trials in Africa, in the wake of a controversy that arose last month when two French doctors discussed on television whether to test a vaccine on the continent – a debate that unleashed accusations that Africans were being used as lab animals.

“Time for self-preservation, time to be attentive, time to stay vigilant from any Westerners coming to test their vaccine on us,” said the Blood Diamond and Guardians of the Galaxy star.

“Deceit can be powerful but truth is even more powerful,” he said.

British supermodel Naomi Campbell called for Africans to come together.

“We face an extraordinary challenge but we cannot afford to be spectators. We must show our resilience and share our commitment as Africans to overcome this and grow stronger from it,” she said.

“Use your voice to call our leaders in Africa to use this crisis as a moment to build our solidarity and deal with deep structural issues that affect our nations and their economies.”

The pandemic has also raised concerns of racism and discrimination after African nationals were reportedly mistreated and evicted in China, where the virus was first reported last December.

Jamaican reggae and ska legend Jimmy Cliff recorded “a message in these uncertain times”.

“The time has come again for us Africans to show the world who we are. Those in the continent and in the diaspora, it is time to be together as one,” he said.

Madagascar Deploys Troops, Doctors to City After Spike in COVID-19 Cases

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Madagascar is sending soldiers and doctors to the city of Toamasina in an effort to contain a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country’s second largest city.

Madagascar has confirmed 122 new cases since last Thursday.

The more than 100 soldiers sent to Toamasina are charged with keeping the peace and enforcing requirements for wearing masks and social distancing.

A spokeswoman for the anti-COVID 19 operational command center said doctors will investigate whether recent deaths on the Indian Ocean Island are due to the coronavirus or another disease.

The French News Agency (AFP) said some witness accounts revealed that bodies have turned up in the streets of Toamasina, with the cause of the deaths not known.

AFP says Madagascar Communication Minister Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy denied bodies were in the streets anywhere in the country and that reinforcements were sent to Toamasina due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

Madagascar has confirmed 527 cases of coronavirus and two deaths.

 

50 trafficked ladies arrive in Nigeria from Lebanon

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The Federal Government has revealed that 69 stranded persons including 50 trafficked Nigerian ladies arrived in the country from Lebanon on Sunday.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, disclosed this via his Twitter handle while appreciating the Lebanese Government and the Lebanese community in Nigeria for their support in the evacuation process.

“With the financial and logistic support of the Lebanese Government and Lebanese community in Nigeria, 50 trafficked Nigerian girls and 19 stranded Nigerians were successfully evacuated from Lebanon and arrived in Nigeria today (Sunday).

“Profound gratitude to Ambassador Houssam Diad, Lebanese Ambassador in Nigeria and Ambassador Goni Zannabura, Nigerian Ambassador in Lebanon,” he wrote.

FG screens 19 Nigerian firms for COVID-19 drugs production

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The Federal Ministry of Health is screening 19 local firms for the production of herbal drugs that can possibly treat or cure COVID-19.

The firms, it was learnt, made many claims ranging from the outright cure for COVID-19 to the treatment of the symptoms.

It was learnt that the 19 firms had met with the leadership of the ministry and the Department of Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

The firms have, however, been asked to submit their samples to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control out of which three would be picked and recommended for funding.

The Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, confirmed this during a chat on Monday.

He said a meeting was held with the leadership of NAFDAC, the National Institute for Medical Research, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and other relevant stakeholders.

Mamora said the ministry asked interested herbal manufacturers to tell the government what their challenges were.

The minister said some of them complained about funding as well as possible theft of their patent. Mamora said concerns over how to identify patients for trial were also discussed.

He said, “We met with about 19 of them to know what remedies they have in place and to know how we can put them through the processes from listing the medicine to clinical trial and then we wanted to know the challenges they were having.

“They said those challenges essentially were funding and they needed assurances that their intellectual property would be protected and their product or remedy would not be stolen or repackaged by someone else.

“The other challenge is how to go about the clinical trial. Part of that is how they source for patients because they will need patients who are volunteers. These patients have to be volunteers since it is a new product that will be put out there.

“So, we are now in the process of screening the 19 of them and we will shortlist some of them. About three will be shortlisted for further assessment and we will recommend support for them in order to fast track the process of determining their efficacy.”

When asked if the drugs were for the outright cure of COVID-19 or just for the treatment, Mamora said it was too soon to say as discussions were still on.

He said NAFDAC would test the herbal solutions to see if they are safe for human consumption.

WHO suspends chloroquine trial, says Africa’s cases, deaths appear unreal

The World Health Organisation on Monday announced the suspension of clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19.

The organisation’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this in his opening remarks at a virtual press conference.

Ghebreyesus attributed the suspension to a recent report on the effect of the drug on patients.

He said, “As part of our continued response to the pandemic globally, WHO continues to work aggressively on research and development.

“As you know, more than two months ago, we initiated the solidarity trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations against COVID-19.

“Over 400 hospitals in 35 countries are actively recruiting patients and nearly 3,500 patients have been enrolled from 17 countries.

“On Friday, the Lancet published an observational study on hydroxycholoroquine and chloraquine and its effects on COVID-19 patients that have been hospitalised.

“The authors reported that among patients receiving the drug, when used alone or with a macrolide, they estimated a higher mortality rate.

“The Executive Group of the Solidarity Trial, representing 10 of the participating countries, met on Saturday and has agreed to review a comprehensive analysis and critical appraisal of all evidence available globally.

“The review will consider data collected so far in the solidarity trial and in particular robust randomised available data, to adequately evaluate the potential benefits and harms from this drug.

Kogi West: Tribunal Reserves Judgement in Dino’s petition

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The Kogi State National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has reserved its judgement in the petition filed by Senator Dino Melaye and his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, against the victory of Senator Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 30th, 2019 Kogi West Senatorial election.

Senator Melaye and dragged Senator Adeyemi before the tribunal, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the election.

According to him, despite the irregularities, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared Senator Adeyemi, winner of the election.

At the sitting of the tribunal yesterday, parties adopted their final written addresses.

In his written address, counsel to Senator Adeyemi, Dr. Otitoju Oladapo, urge the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lacking in merit and substance.

According to him, the petitioner failed to proof petition by bringing credible witness to proof it case.

Dr. Otitoju said, ”VWhen a witness lies before the court, it becomes unreliable and the evidence the counsel to the petitioners brought before the tribunal emanated from his table and it can not stand as evidence before your Lordships.

”I urge your Lordships to discountenance the paragraph 3.00 to 5.0, because they amount to re-argument which the court forbid. Having satisfy the law the 2nd respondents (Senator Adeyemi) was declared the winner and it has not been disprove by any witness and on this, I pray your Lordships to dismiss the petition”.

In his argument, Counsel to Senator Melaye, Professor Wahab Egbewole, told the tribunal to upheld his petition and set aside the election that brought in Senator Adeyemi as a senator in the Senate.

According to him, the election was marred by irregularities and was conducted in flagrant breach of the electoral act.

He said he was able to prove beyond g reasonable doubt that the election did not conform with the laws guiding elections in the country.

He said all the witnesses of the petitioners were able to prove that the election was everything but free and fair.

Also, INEC and the APC called on the tribunal to dismissed the petition and uphold the the election of the 2nd defendant.

After listening to the arguments of counsel in the matter, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Isa Sambo reserved the petition for judgment.

WHO temporarily stops study of malaria drug hydroxychloroquine as COVID-19 treatment

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The World Health Organization said Monday that it will temporarily drop hydroxychloroquine — the malaria drug U.S. President Trump says he is taking — from its global study into experimental COVID-19 treatments, saying that its experts need to review all available evidence to date.

In a press briefing, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that in light of a paper published last week in the Lancet that showed people taking hydroxychloroquine were at higher risk of death and heart problems, there would be “a temporary pause” on the hydroxychloroquine arm of its global clinical trial.

“This concern relates to the use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in COVID-19,” Tedros said, adding that the drugs are approved treatments for people with malaria or autoimmune diseases. Other treatments in the trial, including the experimental drug remdesivir and an HIV combination therapy, are still being tested.

Tedros said the executive group behind WHO’s global “Solidarity” trial met on Saturday and decided to conduct a comprehensive review of all available data on hydroxychloroquine and that its use in the trial would be suspended for now.

Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies chief, said there was no indication of any safety problems with hydroxychloroquine in the WHO trial to date, but that statisticians would now analyze the information.

“We’re just acting on an abundance of caution based on the recent results of all the studies to to ensure that we can continue safely with that arm of the trial,” he said. WHO said it expected to have more details within the next two weeks.

Last week, Trump announced he was taking hydroxychloroquine although he has not tested positive for COVID-19. His own administration has warned the drug can have deadly side effects, and both the European Medicines Agency and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned health professionals last month that the drug should not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of hospital or research settings due to numerous serious side effects that in some cases can be fatal.

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine are approved for treating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and for preventing and treating malaria, but no large rigorous tests have found them safe or effective for preventing or treating COVID-19.

Burundi ruling party candidate wins presidential election

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Burundi’s ruling party candidate won a presidential election held last week, securing 68.72% of the vote, the electoral commission said on Monday.

Evariste Ndayishimiye, a retired general, will take over from President Pierre Nkurunziza, after he beat the main opposition candidate Agathon Rwasa, and five others, avoiding a runoff by securing more than 50% of the vote.

General Ndayishimiye, 52, is expected to succeed President Pierre Nkurunziza. Nkurunziza, who has been in power since 2005, had decided not to stand for a fourth term and had dubbed him his “heir.

The main opposition candidate, Agathon Rwasa, president of the National Council for Liberty (CNL), has already described these results as “fanciful” and accused the government of “cheating” and “pure manipulation”.

Election held in the midst of COVID-19

According to partial results compiled by AFP covering 105 communes, Mr. Ndayishimiye obtained an absolute majority of the votes in 101 communes. In the four communes where he is defeated, he never gets less than 43% of the vote. He obtains at least 70% of the votes in 66 communes and more than 50% in 35 others.

Even if these elections, maintained despite the epidemic of new coronavirus, were generally held in calm, the CNL denounces since Wednesday the pressure exerted on its assessors, some of whom were arrested, as well as massive frauds.

Mr Rwasa thus obtains only 24.6% of the votes in Kabezi, a commune in the province of Bujumbura-rural (west) which is nevertheless considered one of its historical strongholds.

The CNL is also outraged at the case of the Musigati commune (west), where Mr. Ndayishimiye received 99.9% of the vote. The turnout rate there is estimated at more than 102%, according to an AFP calculation.

Numerous witnesses throughout the country and Burundian journalists confirmed to AFP the validity of these accusations, even though no UN or African Union observer mission had been authorised by the government.

Analysts expected a duel between General Ndayishimiye and Agathon Rwasa, which drew crowds during the campaign, which was marred by violence and arbitrary arrests.

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