Television Nigerian

Police in South Africa on Thursday forced the evacuation of hundreds of foreign migrants who had been sheltering in a church premise for months.

Wearing riot gear, the police officers broke down the front door of the church and forced their way. The migrants refused to leave the church, demanding that the government relocates them.

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“People here at the church were still concerned about their own issues and were not entirely happy but there is nothing we can do, we have to make sure everybody is safe and everyone is healthy and obviously they are going to a place which may not be the best but certainly is in their best interests that they moved out the church and be placed in Belville (a suburb 30 km (19 mi) away’‘, Chris Nissen, Part-Time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission said.

The operation at the Central Methodist Church was aimed at ending a long standoff between the group of foreign nationals and city authorities.

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South Africa is in the midst of a 21-day lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic; hence the migrants will have to remain at the temporary camp for at least the remaining two weeks of the lockdown.

Last month, police undertook a similar operation to remove migrants who had been camping in the square outside the church.

AP

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By Abayomi Adeshida – Abuja

An America-based Non-profit group, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, has urged the Federal Government to leverage on the foundation laid by the Obasanjo administration thirteen years ago to protect over thirty million Nigerians with disability from deadly diseases including the ravaging COVID-19 that is currently increasing in Nigeria.

In a widely circulated statement that was signed by it’s President, Chief Eric Ufom, it implored the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the UN document signed by the Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo to provide adequate protection from the current COVID-19 as well as other diseases that might affect them due to the problems of climate change in Nigeria.

“So far, there has not been adequate provision for protecting Nigerians living with disabilities and being vulnerable people, they would become helpless if the virus should infect them.

READ ALSO: COVID 19: Gov Emmanuel announces 14 Days total lockdown in Akwa Ibom

“President Muhammadu Buhari should, therefore, direct the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation., Mr. Boss Mustapher to work with the UN document that Nigeria endorsed thirteen years ago.

“That treaty of the United Nations provides adequate protection for the over one billion living with disabilities around the world if domesticated and implemented by countries that endorsed the vital document.

“Similarly, the document is capable of providing coverage for the over thirty-one million Nigerians who have been identified to currently live with one form of disability or the other in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria”,”Chief Ufom submitted.

While giving some details of the UN Treaty, he said, on December 13, 2006, the United Nations member state adopted the Human Rights Treaty of the 21st Century, called, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and mandated that; “The Convention follows decades of work by the United Nations to change attitudes and approaches to persons with disabilities.

“It takes to a new height the movement from viewing persons with disabilities as “objects”  of charity, medical treatment and social protection towards viewing persons with disabilities as “subjects” with rights, who are capable of claiming those rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as being active members of society.”

The UN Treaty went further to mandate on its Article 4, titled General Obligation, especially, in section 4.3 that; “In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities, States Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations.”

READ ALSO: COVID-19 Lockdown: food items skyrockets in Nsukka

“March 30, 2007, was a miraculous day because Nigeria through Her Excellency, Ambassador Prof. U. Joy Ogwu, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations, joined the World’s community, to sign the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its accompanying Optional Protocol for the Protection and promotions of the rights, equality, and dignity of Nigerians with Disabilities.

“Also present at the memorable event as a member of the Nigerian delegation to witness the signing was Chief Eric Ndubueze Ufom, who serves as a member of the Rehabilitation International (RI), Disabled Peoples International (DPI), United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD), International Disability Alliance (IDA), International Disability Caucus (IDC) and the UN, Ad Hoc Committee on a Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (A/RES/60/232).

Chief Ufom  who leads the Non-profit organisation based in Texas, United States of America, has successfully led a team of Nigerians in the Diaspora through the advocacy and negotiations with Nigeria and also witnessed Nigeria’s signing of the UN CRPD on behalf of Nigerians with Disabilities.

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The Lagos SWAN family has joined thousands across the world to commiserate with the family of the Izamojes over the death of their matriarch, Madam Felicia Ewere Izamoje.

The Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association, Debo Oshundun, expressed sadness at what he described as an irreparable loss while commiserating with the family of one of its members, Dr. Larry Izamoje, CEO of Sports Radio, 88.9 Brila FM.

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“Mama deserved to rest from all earthly toils, but no matter the age of our loved ones when they die, it is normal for us to mourn their absence and memories.

“We are proud of what late mama Felicia did while alive. She gifted the world a visionary and trailblazer in the world of sportscasting”, Oshundun said.

ALSO READ: Defiance to lock down obstructs Enugu fumigation — Fire Service Chief

He urged Dr. Larry Izamoje and the entire family to take solace in the fact that the matriarch of the Izamoje’s family played her part while leaving an indelible mark on the sand of time.

“We pray that her soul finds the deserved rest in the bosom of God while praying for those she left behind to be consoled in the fact that the ultimate end of every living soul on earth is death.”

Madam Felicia Izamoje died at the ripe age of 89. Burial announcements will be made public by the family.

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Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said on Friday the families of the dead coronavirus victims would not be allowed to claim their remains for burial.

This minister,  who spoke at a forum in Abuja, said such corpses are properties of the Federal Government.

He said: “Coronavirus is very dangerous and contagious; there is no medicine for it yet and it is not just capable of killing and overwhelming the health care system but it will destroy the economy.

“In some countries, they are putting dead bodies in big refrigerators because the morgues have filled up.

• READ ALSO: Father, mother, 11 children hit by COVID-19 in Spain

“Nigerians should not forget that this is not the type of corpses that can be claimed for burial because it must be handled by the Ministry of Health.

“It is not a joke; stay at home and stay safe, obey simple instructions of basic hygiene and social distancing, in few weeks, we will resume our normal life.” (NAN)

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• By Chinonso Alozie – Owerri

The State Chairman, Imo State Hoteliers Association, Chima Chukwunyere, has said that the figures of those quarantined at a hotel Umuguma, in Owerri, were 30 in number.

Chukwunyere spoke in Owerri, on Friday, as he called on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, to tell Nigerians whether Christigonus Aguwa, owner of the fancy hotel, died of COVID-19 virus or not.

He said among other things while recalling that, “Aguwa, returned back from outside the country, and visited his hotel within that period he was in a critical situation in Imo before he left to Abuja.

READ ALSO: Uzodinma to launch testing centre, 6 isolation centres in Imo for COVID-19

“Those people quarantined in that hotel have exceeded 14 days and we want something to be done so that they can be free.

“Also, We want the federal government and the NCDC, to open up and tell us whether the man died of the virus or not. We need to know. and 30 people are in that hotel

“And I want to tell you, the state government has checked those people in a fancy hotel, for the first time and the government came back for the second time to test them those quarantined in that hotel and nobody has tested positive.

“When their gas finished, I brought them firewood and other items for them to eat. I have been taken care of them yet it is not enough.”

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EU countries agreed Friday to boost help for Africa in its coronavirus fight, as the bloc’s top diplomat warned that poor countries with weak healthcare could become sources of reinfection.

During talks held by video link, foreign ministers from the 27 EU countries approved a plan to step up assistance, with details to be worked out by development ministers next week.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who chaired Friday’s meeting, said the bloc was keenly aware it could not solve the COVID-19 pandemic on its own.

READ ALSO: COVID 19: 30 persons quarantined in Imo Hotel

“Even if you solve the problem in Europe it will not be solved if it is not solved everywhere,” he said.

“Africa is of particular concern to us because the pandemic there could get out of control very rapidly.”

The meeting of development ministers on April 8 aims to put together a “Team Europe” financial package based on contributions from EU institutions as well as member state governments.

But with EU budgets already nearing their limits and national governments focused on fighting the epidemic at home, it remains to be seen how much spare capacity is available for Africa.

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Want help-desks established for report of cases

rape victim

By Joseph Erunke – Abuja

Women groups numbering 286, have alleged increase in sexual violence against women and girls as Nigerians observe the ongoing stay-at-home directives of both federal and state governments over coronavirus outbreak in the country.

To this end, the groups faulted President Muhammad Buhari for failing to direct the setting up of help desks for victims to report cases too, saying victims were going through traumas following the inability of avenues where they can lodge complaints.

A statement Friday, signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation

Centre (WARDC), Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary-General, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and Joy Ada Onyesoh, Country Director, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, said reports indicated that there was an increase in sexual and gender-based violence.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: 44,000 households to benefit from food bank programme ― Cross River

“We, therefore, call on Nigeria’s Federal and state governments to ensure respect of women’s human rights and protection from gender-based violence within the context of the lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states, and other states in total or partial lockdown,” they said in the statement.

The groups while expressing concern “that the president’s speech did not address the issue of gender-based violence during this hard time” also alleged that, “There was no mention of the needed measures to monitor and curb the escalation of gender-based violence.”

“Measures that indicate how sexual and gender-based violence victims can access help in the restricted conditions of the lockdown were not included,” it said, urging that, “Essential services and facilities in form of short term (shelters), legal and trauma counselling services when required should be included.”

“As the nation locks down, and in a bid to prevent the pandemic, it is important that these support and protection services are available and accessible so that women are shielded from the risks of transferred aggression in their homes,” the statement said.

According to the women groups,”Focused sensitization and information on essential services are important for women and other marginalized groups who may be in violent situations arising in family settings, neighborhoods or from the actions or inactions of other state and non- state actors.”

“From experience, it is our opinion that in these circumstances it will be more difficult for women to seek help or escape from abusive relationships particularly where they live with the abusive partner during the lockdown”, the statement said, adding that: “Equally worrisome is that children are also open to more violence and will need protection during this period.”

They called on both the federal and state government to designate and strengthen gender desks and family support units within police departments and other departments of governments.

Besides, the groups urged governments to, “Ensure that the family support unit and Gender Desk are provided with effective telephone hotlines that persons with disabilities and vulnerable citizens can report domestic violence or any other gender-based violence and get immediate help.”

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They tasked the authorities to also do the following:” Ensure that within and beyond this COVID 19 crises, support resourcing and access are extended to organizations responding to domestic violence to provide assistance, including shelter, counselling, and legal aid to sexual and gender-based violence survivors; “Ensure that in the COVID-19 awareness programs on radio and television, targeted information dissemination on gender-based violence prevention.

“Direct provision of designated public services, including shelters, to remain open and accessible to vulnerable people during this period as essential services.

“Launch and intensify public enlightenment campaigns aimed at preventing and containing the spread of the virus, including sign language, closed caption, and other appropriate means.

“Consult and work with civil society organizations in all initiatives to provide information and services to the public.

“Target persons with special needs providing information and resources to alleviate their vulnerabilities especially those needing shelter (IDPs), migrants, refugees, and neurotypical persons.

“Ensure that pregnant women and other women at risk in hospitals and detention centers, who are at higher risk of contagion during this crisis, enjoy appropriate care to address their needs.

Lastly, we call on Nigeria’s Federal and State Governments to monitor and ensure that restrictions taken in the public interest do not result in any gender-specific harm to women and girls who are already extremely vulnerable and at risk of being denied their basic human rights.”

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Guterres

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has commended Nigeria’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Guterres, who spoke at a virtual news briefing in New York, the United States on Thursday, singled out Nigeria as one of the developing countries that have “shown a remarkable capacity to respond to the coronavirus.”

“I have to say this; some of these developing countries have shown a remarkable capacity to respond.

• READ ALSO: COVID-19 lockdown: Women decry hike in prices of food items in Ekiti

“I was quite impressed to see, for instance, Nigeria putting in place and immediately establishing a hospital.

“And I saw difficulties in countries that are much more developed to do quickly the same.”

Nigeria currently has 190 cases of COVID-19 with two deaths. (NAN)

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Some women in Federal Housing, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday said that the lockdown order, occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, is taking its toll on them.

They decried the sudden hike in prices of some food items and disruption of their petty trading.

Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti, Mrs Ilori Abodunde, a civil servant, said that a bag of Sachet water now goes for N170, as against N150 before the lockdown.

She said that before the directive, the same bag directly from the distributors cost N100, now goes for N150.

“The price of fuel has reduced, so we are not supposed to experience hike in the price of food items at this time,” Abodunde said.

Mrs Tina Adesegun, a housewife, said buying fish in the area had become very expensive too.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Stay-at-home heightening sexual violence against women, girls — Groups

She said that the fish that normally sells for N120 now goes for N200, which had made it extremely difficult for her to cook a befitting soup for her family.

Mrs Nana Seidu, a petty trader, said the disruption in her groundnut trade was of major concern.

She said that the lockdown notice was short and that the government did not consider the poor like her who feeds “from hand to mouth”.

She said she survived on her daily income as a groundnut seller, saying that her daily income was barely enough to feed her and her kids.

Seidu said she would be happy if the state government could assist her and her kids to feed, while the lockdown period lasted.

The women said while they fully understood that the lockdown was very necessary at this time, the government should intervene in ensuring stability of prices of food items. (NAN)

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By Lawani Mikairu

MMA Lagos.

American citizens who were scheduled to be evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos were yesterday stranded at the airport.

The flight could not get clearance to fly over some countries whose airspace has been closed on its way to the United States of America. An airspace permit is needed before an aircraft can overfly any country.

The Americans who had already done the boarding formalities were later seen collecting their baggage from ” arrival baggage belts with the plan to go back home “.

READ ALSO:British Airways suspending flights from London’s Gatwick

An official report said that the flight that was supposed to be operated by OMNI Air international as a chartered essential flight to evacuate the Americans were ‘canceled due to the inability of the airplane to over-fly some countries’.

Overflight permits are obtained from the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) of the country whose airspace will be overflown by a particular aircraft on its way to the final destination.

” These differ in terms of regulations and airspace coverage area, depending on the country. It’s always important to check over-flight permit requirements in advance with your 3rd-party provider for the planned route of flight”, according to a report.

Recall there has been a series of evacuation of different countries national in recent days. About 637 French and German citizens were on Wednesday evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by their governments.


Air France’s A330 airplane which was the first to land departed at 13.56hr while Lufthansa German Airline departed with her nationals at 15.46hr.

The evacuees were screened for the coronavirus by the airport officials before they were allowed to board their flights.

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