Television Nigerian

• Say School Feeding Programme irrelevant

• ‘Measures capture only 15% of people that need support’

By Peter Egwuatu, Assistant Business Editor & Naomi Uzor

Experts and stakeholders in Nigeria’s economy have expressed mixed feelings over the Federal Government’s decision to use TraderMoni, conditional transfers and School Feeding schemes as vehicles for palliatives to cushion the effect of lockdown in Lagos and Ogun states as well as Abuja, as a result of coronavirus outbreak.

President Muhammadu Buhari had, while announcing the 14-day-lockdown, which commenced on Tuesday, in a broadcast last Sunday, said, “For residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities around Lagos and Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be affected by some of these restrictive measures, we shall deploy relief materials to ease their pains in the coming weeks.

“Although schools are closed, I have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding program during this period without compromising our social distancing policies.

“The Minister will be contacting the affected States and agree on detailed next steps.

“Furthermore, I have directed that a three-month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect.

“I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all Federal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank.

“For on-lending facilities using capital from international and multilateral development partners, I have directed our development financial institutions to engage these development partners and negotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers.

“For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks.

“We also call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to support those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping them with whatever they may need”.

Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said there is a major problem with the appropriateness of the palliatives announced by the President, adding that the School Feeding Programme, for instance, is not relevant when all schools are closed already.

He said: “The segment of the vulnerable that should be targeted at this time is the urban poor, many of them in the slums of Lagos especially, and other states currently on lockdown.

“This was the understanding of the palliatives that were contemplated in the wake of the pandemic and eventual lockdown.

“The pre-COVID-19 pandemic palliatives should be markedly different from what should happen at this time.

“There is a need for a comprehensive review of social intervention programmes to bring it in alignment with the current social crisis resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The context has changed. Therefore the intervention model should change as well.”

Many vulnerable people not captured—MAN

Also speaking, Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Apapa branch, Engr. Frank Onyebu, commended the President for the measures taken so far.

However, Onyebu expressed dismay that the vulnerable people in the country have not been captured.

Specifically, he berated government for using TraderMoni as one of the palliative measures to cushion the effect of COVID-19.

He said: “I must, however, say that majority of the vulnerable members of the society have not been captured in government’s plan.

“It is wrong to use TraderMoni and School Feeding programmes as platforms for the palliatives.

“It is clear that these programmes, despite their good intentions, never went beyond a certain insignificant percentage of the intended beneficiaries.

“Government must, therefore, device means of reaching out to majority of the people.”

Continuing, he said: “One way of doing this is to go through the local community leaders, churches, mosques, and all such organisations with direct link to vulnerable members of the society.

“This way, we can be sure that majority of intended beneficiaries are captured.

“In the longer term, government should fashion out an all-encompassing social programme to cater to the needs of the vulnerable amongst us even beyond the current crisis.

“Government can borrow a leaf from advanced countries where such social programmes have been in practice for generations.

I must say that it is important that this issue is given careful consideration because of the security implications of having a very large population of unemployed people, especially young people.

“I do not want to imagine what a large population of hungry, unemployed youths can do if pushed to the limit.

“There is a saying that a hungry man is an angry man.”

FG should look at other directions —NASME

Similarly, President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (NASME), Prince Orimadegun Agboade, noted that TraderMoni, conditional transfers and School Feeding schemes were programmes designed by government to address identified pains that different groups of people go through.

“For instance, TraderMoni was for micro businesses operating informally, conditional transfers for internally displaced people while the School Feeding Programme is to attract pupils to school, especially those with a high probability of dropping out of schools.

“In the light of this, government’s plan to use the same programmes/schemes to serve the purpose of cushioning the effects of lockdown is not appropriate. “Using the same schemes will not be able to capture all those who truly need support this time around.

“In the same way, one can state that the percentage of Nigerians captured by TraderMoni and conditional transfers to the vulnerable is so small.

“It is less than 15 percent of Nigerians that need support. We should not forget that the whole population is affected by lockdown.

“How then will the school meal reach pupils, if the same scheme is to be used now?

“The good news is that the Chairman of the Presidential Committee informed Nigerians that the President has approved release of 70MT of grains from National Reserve with Lagos and Ogun states as well as FCT as first beneficiaries.’’

Design policies that will help private sector — NACCIMA

National President, NACCIMA, Hajia Saratu Iya Aliyu, on her part, said: “We look forward to a more comprehensive package that will include fiscal policies that will help resuscitate businesses in the private sector after this crisis.

“We are also calling on state governments to work closely with our members to design policies and programmes that will help the private sector in their states taking into consideration their specific circumstances.”

Small businesses will lose N62bn —ASBON

Also speaking, the President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON), Dr. Femi Egbesola, said: “A lockdown will make business owners in the informal sector lose their businesses and source of livelihood.

“I can tell you that quite a number of these businesses will die with this lockdown.

“For those who live on a daily/weekly income, the lockdown portends hunger.

“Yet to some others, the stay-at-home will force them to dip their hands into their meagre working capital and savings.

“Of course, you can’t have stipends with you and watch your family die of hunger.

“The long term effects of this lockdown will haunt us when Covid-19 pandemic is over.

“Now that the nation’s earnings are dwindling, government should support micro and small businesses. They are the engine of our economy.”

A 104-year-old World War II veteran living in Oregon has recovered from the novel coronavirus, making him what is believed to be the nation’s oldest survivor of the pandemic.

Family of William “Bill” Lapschies revealed that he came down with symptoms of the virus on March 5 and was isolated in his room. On March 11, a test came back positive for COVID-19. Luckily, his doctors said he only had a mild case of coronavirus and did not develop respiratory symptoms that might have required the use of a ventilator.

Lapschies, who also survived the Spanish flu, reportedly recovered from the virus this week just in time for his 104th birthday on Wednesday. Unlike his 100th birthday, which had 200 guests, his celebration this week was a bit smaller.

Family members met up outside the Edward C. Allworth Veterans’ Home in Oregon with balloons and signs to share their birthday wishes for Lapschies, with everyone remaining at least 6 feet apart to comply with social distancing guidelines.

Asked how he survived, Lapschies told said with a laugh: “I don’t know. … It just went away. Sit out here and you can get rid of anything.”

The nursing home where Lapschies resides has seen 16 coronavirus cases among residents and two deaths. The virus spreading among seniors at long-term care facilities has been a major concern of health experts as the elderly are at a higher risk of facing more serious illness from the disease. In Washington state, nursing homes were at the epicenter of the outbreak.

Asked by his granddaughter how he felt to be 104, Lapschies said: “Pretty good. I made it.”

A 103-year-old grandmother in Wuhan, China, and a 101-year-old Italian person have also recovered from the illness. Lapschies is believed to be the oldest person known to recover from COVID-19 so far in the United States

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The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC on Saturday confirmed that it has received medical equipment and ambulance donated by Living Faith Church to support the fight against coronavirus in Nigeria.

Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church had on March 31 announced that the church will be donating medical equipment and relief materials to Lagos and Ogun States to aide the fight against coronavirus.

The donation was made known in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Church’s Editorial Board, Prof Sheriff Folarin.

Oyedepo emphasized that the church will join hands to support the government and Nigerians, saying that Living Faith Church as a faith-based organization with a global outreach wishes to register its support, in entirety, to the Nigerian government and global efforts to win the war against this unseen but common enemy of mankind.

Confirming the donation, NCDC on its verified Twitter handle said “this week, NCDC received an ambulance, medical equipment & protective gear from Living Faith Church to support #COVID19Nigeria response We are grateful for the collective efforts of the government & community institutions to #PreventCOVID19Spread”

This week, NCDC received an ambulance, medical equipment & protective gear from Living Faith Church to support #COVID19Nigeria response

We are grateful for the collective efforts of the government & community institutions to #PreventCOVID19Spread#TakeResponsibility pic.twitter.com/VY6RGlJkiS

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 4, 2020

A police officer identified as Sgt. Edidiong Alexander attached to Safer Highway has lost his rank for violating the rights of one Dr Daniel David Edet working at the University of Uyo teaching Hospital (UUTH) while on duty.

According to a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer CSP Fredrick Nnudam, made available to newsmen Saturday night, the erring police officer was reduced to a Corporal after being subjected to orderly room trial in line with the police Act and Regulations.

The statement reads, “Sequel to the enforcement of the directive of Akwa Ibom State Government for a total Lockdown of the state occasioned by the incident of COVID- 19, the police command swung into action and deployed all security personnel, including members of other sister security agencies to every part of the state.

“At about 5:40pm of 03/04/2020, the report of an altercation between one Dr Daniel David Edet of UUTH, Akwa Ibom and F/No. 426297 Sgt Edidiong Alexander attached to Safer Highway was received.

“The said medical Doctor was allegedly assaulted by Sgt Edidiong Alexander at Nung Oku junction where he was on duty.

“Consequently, The CP ordered for his arrest and detention. The erring officer who has been in detention was subjected to orderly room trial in line with the Police Act and Regulations and was found guilty by the adjudicating officer.

“The orderly room proceeding was reviewed and he was reduced in rank from Sergeant to Corporal.

“At about 8pm of 03/04/2020 the Commissioner of Police had meeting with the Chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Chairman Resident Doctors Association and the victim where he apologized to the entire members of the Akwa Ibom State Branch, for the unwholesome act/ conduct of the police officer and assured the victim of the required medical attention, and enjoined them to continue to work with the police in this trying time in order to contain COVID-19.

“He subsequently directed all Area Commanders and DPOs to effectively supervise their officers and men, and warned them to discharge their duties professionally as any further act of indiscipline would be met with unpalatable consequences”

The Galadiman Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos, Alhaji Aliyu Bambado, has frowned at the statement made by purported leaders of Hausa in the state, describing them as “self-styled” leaders and not representing legitimate Hausa communities in the state.

Bambado was reacting to a statement credited to one Alhaji Aliyu Garuba, who spoke with Vanguard correspondent on Saturday.

Garuba, who was referred to as Seriki Hausawa of Lagos,  and Seriki Idi-Araba, Alhaji Hassan Auyo, had condemned the attack on the state special taskforce by worshippers who are allegedly from the northern part of the country.

Bambado, who disowned the two personalities,  said: “As the only constitutionally and legally-recognized Arewa Council of Chiefs, we wish to outrightly disown the concocted story and dissociate ourselves from the so-called Seriki of Hausawa and Seriki Idi-Araba.

“Both claimants are unknown to the Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos State under the authentic leadership of the two eminent people, Alhaji Aminu Yaro Dogara, the Chairman Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos State and Sarkin Hausawan Lagos.

“The Sarkin Hausawan has as his deputy, Alhaji Mohammed Bambado, who is also the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos State.

“Much as we hold in high esteem the Lagos State Government and other leaders of the land, we do not think it is appropriate for any group of individuals to use our respected traditional institution for spreading false information in the media in a desperate attempt to impress anyone in government.

“Consequently, we intend to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the people behind that story which is capable of creating bad blood between people of the North residents in Lagos and the respected Arewa Council of Chiefs.

“We wish to state for the records that we have nothing to do with the claims by the two individuals and we are not aware of any such conflict between the so-called worshippers and the officials of the environmental agency.

“We call on all northerners in Lagos State to disregard the spurious claims by the two individuals, remain law-abiding and go about their lawful activities.”

“We shall keep the general public up-to-date on the those behind this misinformation, while we reiterate our unshaken loyalty to the Lagos State  government.”

A former Anambra Senator, Dr Andy Uba has urged the people of Anambra State to adhere strictly to the safety measures given by the government and relevant agencies in a bid to combat the deadly Coronavirus pandemic which has killed over 60,000 and infected more than one million persons worldwide.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the senator through the Andy Uba Foundation also distributed relief materials such as face masks, hand sanitizers and food items to rural communities in a bid to cushion the effect of the lockdown and to sensitize those at the grassroots on the dangers posed by COVID-19.

The statement reads in part: “I bring you words of comfort and concern at this critical moment of Coronavirus pandemic scourge.

“As you might have known, the disease is spreading fast, and our country at the moment is not spared.

“As we continue to pray God for a breakthrough in the effort to produce an effective vaccine, I urge you to adhere assiduously to the relevant authorities’ stipulated safety measures to include: Proper social distancing, Avoiding handshake and other inimical close body contacts, General hygiene including regular washing of hands with disinfected water and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, staying more at home and avoiding unnecessary social gathering, Coughing into the elbow, etc.

“As we continue to pray for the end of this scourge, Andy Uba Foundation, guided by its motto, which is, ‘Mission of Charity and Hope’, distributes some relief materials, including hand sanitizers targeted mainly at the remote communities of our people, for broader sensitization and prevention of the spread of the pandemic to our people.

“Please adhere to the stated preventive measures and stay safe,” he added.

Official statistics from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) indicates that Nigeria has 214 confirmed COVID-19 cases with two deaths.

5G phone masts are being set alight in the UK after online conspiracy theories have misleadingly linked the cell towers to the coronavirus pandemic. The BBC reports that at least three towers were set alight last week, and police and fire services were called to extinguish the flames.

Rumors and conspiracy theories over a link between the rollout of 5G and the spread of coronavirus have been spread primarily through social media networks. A variety of groups exist on Facebook and Nextdoor, where thousands of members repeat false and misleading claims that the technology is supposedly harmful.

One theory claims that the novel coronavirus originated in Wuhan because the Chinese city had recently been rolling out 5G. It’s now supposedly spread to other cities that are also using 5G.

These false conspiracy theories neglect to mention that a highly contagious virus would naturally spread more in densely populated cities with access to 5G and that the coronavirus pandemic has hit counties like Iran and Japan where 5G isn’t in use yet.

There is no scientific evidence that links the coronavirus pandemic to 5G, nor any immediate negative health effects to 5G. Full Fact, an independent fact-checking charity in the UK, has explored the claims after a British tabloid newspaper highlighted them recently. it uses a higher frequency of radio waves than 4G or 3G, but regulators in the UK have recorded 5G electromagnetic radiation levels well below international guidelines.

A United States-based Delta State indigene, Mr. Tommy Onovbiona, has queried the preparedness of both the Federal and Delta Government in curtailing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus COVID-19.

Onovbiona, said this in a statement made available to Vanguard.

According to Onovbiona: “Do we have any standard hospital in Delta State or in Nigeria where people infected with this virus can go to for treatment and cure?

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Lagos State discharges one new patient

Recalling the case of his sister, Queen Omonode, who died along with four other school principals in an auto-crash in Delta State three years ago due to the poor medical facilities in Nigeria hospitals, Onovbiona recalled, “She was alive at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) without treatment. Her right shoulder was bandaged up with cardboard as she laid in intensive care unit ICU, dying for six days. UBTH refused to provide her medical records to the US hospital where she was going to be treated. The hospital could not provide any medical record, which the Florida Air Ambulance team needed to determine her flight survivability from Nigeria to Florida. Fast forward three years to now, nothing has changed to our health care system in Delta state or Nigeria as a country.”

Onovbiona said he hopes that COVID-19 will become a reality check for Nigerian government officials, who are now trapped at home unable to escape to Europe for medicare, with no welcome flights to anywhere and are now being forced to patronise the country’s dilapidated hospitals.

“This is the time for them to build state of art the hospitals. We need hospitals equipped to meet western standards. Incentives should be provided to attract the best workers (fully solar powered with standby generator for emergency use only – monthly testing to ensure that it is working properly) to show that we are capable as Deltans and as Nigerians,” he stated.

VANGUARD

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In his contribution to curbing the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 in Osun State, philanthropist and politician, Olubiyi Fadeyi – Ajagunla has called on the state government to set up 600-bed mini hospitals with full amenities and disinfect strategic locations in the state, with Ejigbo township as one of the centres.

In a statement signed by the former candidate of African Democratic Congress ADC in the Osun State central Senatorial election, also urged the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola to seek the assistance of the Federal Government.

According to Fadeyi – Ajagunla, “Osun government should request for N2.5billion as well as seek the support of corporate, private sectors and NGO’s to help to provide amenities for the proposed centre.

“The state needs protective gears, face masks, hand gloves for the front-line workers and to start the training of more front-line workers to combat COVID-19 pandemic. In my private capacity, Ajagunla Foundation will increase ongoing distribution of hands sanitizers and surgical masks to the people of the state,”said Ajagunla.

He advised the government to enforce a law of ‘No Mask, No Movement’ even after the 2 weeks restrictions placed on the state. He further charges the government on the need to give daily briefings to the citizens of the state in order to avail them with the knowledge about the approach and mechanism put in place to curb the spread of the deadly pandemic in the state.

Recently Ajagunla Foundation, founded by him commenced the distribution of hand sanitizers across the 10 Local Government Areas in Osun Central and also extended cash gift to his constituency to ameliorate hunger in the ongoing lock-down period.

Hollywood actor-turned-lawmaker, Desmond Olushola Elliot has described his social media critics as “agents of negativity” for deriding his hand wash donation to his Surulere constituents.

Reacting in an Instagram post yesterday, the visibly angry lawmaker berated the social media community for their habit of not seeing anything good in whatever other people have done.

He particularly lamented the alarming rate at which negativity thrives on social media, adding that he’s always attacked in spite of the good works he has attempted to do in his Surulere constituency.

According to him, while he is not averse to criticisms, anyone criticising him must be constructive, in addition to taking into considerations his other previously accomplished projects.

The lawmaker lambasted bloggers and social media users for peddling negativity, and rarely doing anything to support in nation-building.

“Normally, I would have ignored them, but this has to do with life and death due to the COVID-19; a response from me is very necessary this time. I got a couple of messages from people showing me the backlashes and criticisms going on social media concerning my hand washing project.

The actor-turned-politician had come under social media criticism a few days

after he showcased his hand-washing project to support the Lagos State government in combating the spread of COVID-19.

Some Nigerians on social media seemed unimpressed with the project and they expressed their dissatisfaction.