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Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government says it will meet with indigenous manufacturers to discuss and facilitate the local production of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to enhance the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic ravaging the world.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this in Abuja when he featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, to give an update on government efforts at containing the pandemic.

READ ALSOCOVID-19 Lockdown: food items skyrockets in Nsukka

Mohammed said that the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olorunnibe Mamora, and the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investments, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo, would meet with the manufacturers on behalf of the government.

He said that the move had become necessary because of the shortage of equipment and the need to encourage and develop local manufacturing of medical equipment.

“PPE is in short supply globally and we want to see how we can start manufacturing them locally.

“All over the world, people are making mask locally because there is a short supply of masks.

“Those we got from Jack Ma have been shared with the states.

“We call them starter packs and they contain masks and test kits. We have given them to states according to their needs.


“Naturally, Lagos got more because it is the epicenter of the virus.

“We are trying to source the PPE more locally, but one thing about PPE is that if you don’t get it right, you may lose more lives,” he said.

Speaking on whether or not the two weeks lockdown directed by the government could be extended, the minister said it was dependent on how Nigerians behaved themselves.

“If we don’t behave ourselves, there is likely that the lockdown will be extended, but if we behave ourselves, there might not be an extension and I hope we do so.

“If we stay at home for two weeks and we are doing everything we are supposed to do, we should be able to effectively contain the disease.

“Therefore, my appeal to Nigerians is that they should obey the directive on social distancing, personal hygiene and shun gatherings; after two weeks, we will resume our normal life.

“But if they think it is a joke, then we may have to stay at home more than the two weeks,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a national broadcast, had directed the cessation of all movement in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States for an initial period of 14 days effective 11 p.m. of March 30.

He said that all citizens in the affected areas are to stay at home, adding that the containment period would be used to identify, trace and isolate individuals that had come in contact with confirmed cases.

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Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke, have tested negative for the coronavirus.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, stated this on his official Twitter account under his #COVID19Lagos Update tweets on Friday.

He also revealed that personal aides of the governor and the first lady who were also tested for coronavirus tested negative for the disease.

Abayomi said: ”I am happy to announce that #COVID19Lagos Incident Commander, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu, the First Lady of Lagos @jokesanwoolu and their immediate family members, as well as aides, have all tested negative to #COVID19.”

• READ ALSO: BREAKING: 11 coronavirus patients discharged in Lagos, says Sanwo-Olu

The commissioner thanked the people of the state for their support and show of understanding as the state government continued the battle against the spread of the virus.

He, however, urged Lagosians to keep up with the social distancing practice, as the state was poised to win the battle against the coronavirus.

“We thank Lagos residents for their concern and support. We urge all to maintain social distancing.

“Together we can defeat #COVID19! Please stay safe #ForGreaterLagos,” Abayomi added. (NAN)

Vanguard

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The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke, have tested negative for the coronavirus disease.

The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known on his official Twitter account under his #COVID19Lagos Update tweets on Friday.

Abayomi also revealed that personal aides of the governor and the first lady who got tested for coronavirus were all negative.

Also read: COVID-19: Nigeria records 10 new cases as confirmed cases rise to 184

”I am happy to announce that #COVID19Lagos Incident Commander, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu, the First Lady of Lagos @jokesanwoolu and their immediate family members, as well as aides, have all tested negative to #COVID19,” he tweeted.

The commissioner thanked Lagosians for their support and show of understanding as the state government continued the battle against the spread of the virus.

He, however, urged Lagosians to keep up with the social distancing practice, as the state was poised to winning the battle against the coronavirus.

”We thank Lagos residents for their concern and support. We urge all to maintain social distancing.

”Together we can defeat #COVID19! Please stay safe #ForGreaterLagos,” Abayomi tweeted.

Van]guard

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The management and owners of the Calabar Mall and SPAR would like to go on record to clarify certain false communications that are circulating online. The Calabar Mall building did NOT collapse as suggested through fake claims on the internet, and the shops remain open to customers.

Mrs. Egbunu Kemi, the Management of the Mall has stated on record that the External Advertisement Board located by the parking of the mall collapsed, possibly due to heavy winds. We are delighted and relieved that nobody was hurt in the incident, but unfortunately a few vehicles were damaged.

READ ALSO: COVID -19 lockdown directive: Worshippers attack taskforce in Lagos

In her words, “the collapse of the billboard happened in the evening of April 2, 2020, as a Safety Conscious organization, we have hitherto ensured that the entire mall is built to leading standards. The External billboard collapsed and thankfully, nobody was hurt.”

“As an organization, we will want to reiterate that the mall is installed with the best safety measure and our safety equipment are top-notch because the safety of all of our tenants and shoppers is of utmost importance to us,” she added.

The Calabar Mall and SPAR supermarket remain open to customers and is safe, and we continue to do our best to ensure that our stores are well-stocked to meet our customers’ demands.

Staff and security on ground are adhering to all health and safety regulations provided by the government during these tough times, and assure customers that safety is our number one priority.

Vanguard

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By Chinonso Alozie, Owerri

The Imo state commissioner for Special Projects, Simon Ebegbulem, yesterday called on the state Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Fafowora, to unravel the sponsors of the murder of three persons in Umuike Ndiowere community in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state. 

The commissioner made this call in Owerri while expressing the grief suffered by his people regarding the killings.

Just as he asked Fafowora, to do everything professionally to investigate the six persons the villagers had arrested and handed over to the police, so as to enable him to uncover how the suspects linked to the killings have been operating within the affected communities.

Also read: COVID-19: Abia Lawmaker, Uzosike, distributes relief materials to constituents

Narrating how the tragedy occurred serially in the villages, Ebegbulem said: “Three persons were killed in my community, specifically in Umuchaku Uhuala, another one at Umuodoma Alaocha. Two of the people killed were dumped in a hole where the bodies were found.

“While the third person was killed at Mbaraocha Umuike when she went to the farm. These killings were carried out a month ago. Again, these killers who came from outside the Local Government stormed my community again on Thursday.

“Six of them came on a bus and when they arrived in the same area, they attempted to abduct a man called Rufus on his farm. While they were struggling with him to push him into the waiting bus, the wife raised an alarm which attracted our community members.”

He continued: “That was how these suspected ritualistic were apprehended. Four of them were apprehended at the scene while two escaped but were later arrested after our people combed the bushes.

“They were handed over to the police for further investigation because we believe that these same people may have been involved in the killings going on in our community.

“So we are appealing to the CP of police in the state to investigate the six persons arrested thoroughly so we can get to the root of these killings in the community. We want to know their sponsors and why they have unleashed mayhem in our community. And of course, those involved must be prosecuted.”

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By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Tragedy occurred late Thursday evening during restrictions of movement order when two fallen 20feet container laden trucks, a private tow truck and a towed Toyota Sienna involved in a multiple road crash along Apapa-Oshodi Express Road, enroute Cele Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, Lagos, killing one yet be identified man on the spot.

According to source, the accident which claimed the life of a truck assistant of a private tow truck, occurred when the tow truck broke down along the Apapa – Oshodi Express Road, inward Oshodi, while efforts were being made to repair it, a faulty articulated truck conveying two 20feet containers which was on top speed, suddenly developed mechanical problems (break failure), and rammed into the parked tow truck and the towed vehicle.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 lockdown: Fallen truck crushes 6 to death in Lagos

The ill-fated vehicles have all been evacuated by officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, from the road, placed on a layby and handed over to members of the Nigerian Police Force present incident scene.

The multiple accident also left the towed Sienna damaged beyond recognition, after the two units of 20feet containers fell off the articulated truck conveying them, onto the other vehicles on impact of the crash, then eventual recovery of all vehicles involved, utilising LASEMA’s heavy duty equipment (Crane), to set the road free for vehicular activities.

READ ALSO: How we killed three policemen, civilian before snatching their rifles — Suspects

According to Director-General, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, “Preliminary report gathered at the scene of the incident revealed an accident which involved a truck with registration number APP 444 XV conveying  twin 20fts containers and a Toyota Sienna Bus with registration number SMK 22 AV which is being towed by a private towing truck with an unknown registration number.

“Further investigations revealed that the tow truck broke down along the above mentioned corridor and efforts was being made by the operators to fix it before the truck which was on top speed suddenly developed break failure and rammed into the tow truck and the towed vehicle.

“Unfortunately, the two containers fell off the truck and landed on the Toyota Sienna and the tow truck, killing the truck assistant of the truck at the spot and damaged the Sienna beyond recognition.

“However, the commodity has been evacuated by the Nigerian Police, Ijesha division before the arrival of LASEMA Response Team.

Vanguard

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OPEC

Energy ministers from the OPEC+ oil cartel would conduct a video conference on Monday, in an effort to find a way to stabilize prices for the commodity, Azerbaijan announced on Friday.

“This meeting is being held at the invitation of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia after the talks mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump,” Azerbaijan’s Energy Ministry said in a statement.

The meeting will include the members of the Vienna-based Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied oil-producing states in the OPEC+ format, such as Azerbaijan and Russia, according to the statement.

A Vienna-based source confirmed that OPEC+ ministers will conduct talks on Monday, which may be joined by additional countries.

READ ALSO: COVID-19 lockdown: Pickpockets, robbers, burglars rendered useless in Lagos

Azerbaijan, an oil-rich, former Soviet republic on the Caspian Sea, has close economic relations with Russia.

Trump said on Thursday that he expected Russia and Saudi Arabia to cut oil production in an effort to stabilize prices.

A price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia has drastically driven down oil prices globally. On top of that, a slowdown prompted by the coronavirus pandemic has reduced demand.

Trump has been in contact with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, and Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to discuss the oil market.

“I expect and hope that they will be cutting back approximately 10 million barrels and maybe substantially more, which, if it happens, will be great for the oil and gas industry,’’ Trump said on Twitter.

VANGUARD

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