Television Nigerian

By Our Reporters

Enugu State Chief Fire Service Officer, Mr. Okwudiri Ohaa has disclosed that the major hiccup his agency was experiencing in fumigation of the state was residents’ disobedience to the state government’s stay at home order.

The state, on Wednesday, commenced fumigation of designated areas as a means of checkmating spread of COVID-19 pandemic, under the supervision of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was at the Ogbete main market for the fumigation flag off.

The fire service chief, however, said that the exercise is impeded with residents still conducting businesses and roaming the streets.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Nurses in Enugu protest lack of PPE in ESUTH

Speaking to newsmen on the exercise, Ohaa said that the state government mandated and made fund available to the fire service to embark on fumigation of highly populates areas in the state to prevent not only coronavirus but other infectious diseases but the people are not complying with the lock down order.

Meanwhile, despite non-compliance in some places, Enugu State government has inaugurated three completed isolation and treatment centers to combat the ravaging Coronavirus disease.

Conducting newsmen round the devoted centres on Wednesday, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi also disclosed that extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction has commenced at the fourth centre sited at former Colliery Hospital Enugu, to expand the state capacity for Coronavirus disease isolation and treatment.

The three centres are located at the Enugu Diagnostic centre, the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane and the third at Nsukka university town.

Vanguard noted that the state has not had any other confirmed case of the disease since two cases were earlier confirmed in the state.

Vanguard News Nigeria.

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Gov Ugwuanyi of Enugu state

By Our Reporters

Despite non-compliance in some places, Enugu State government has inaugurated three completed isolation and treatment centers to combat the ravaging Coronavirus disease.

Conducting newsmen round the devoted centres on Wednesday, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi also disclosed that extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction has commenced at the fourth centre sited at former Colliery Hospital Enugu, to expand the state capacity for Coronavirus disease isolation and treatment.

The three centres are located at the Enugu Diagnostic centre, the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital Parklane and the third at Nsukka university town.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Nurses in Enugu protest lack of PPE in ESUTH

Vanguard noted that the state has not had any other confirmed case of the disease since two cases were earlier confirmed in the state.

In a similar vein, Enugu State Chief Fire Service Officer, Mr. Okwudiri Ohaa has disclosed that the major hiccup his agency was experiencing in fumigation of the state was residents’ disobedience to the state government’s stay at home order.

The state, on Wednesday, commenced fumigation of designated areas as a means of checkmating spread of COVID-19 pandemic, under the supervision of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was at the Ogbete main market for the fumigation flag off.

The fire service chief, however, said that the exercise is impeded with residents still conducting businesses and roaming the streets.

Speaking to newsmen on the exercise, Ohaa said that the state government mandated and made funds available to the fire service to embark on fumigation of highly populates areas in the state to prevent not only coronavirus but other infectious diseases but the people are not complying with the lockdown order.

Vanguard News Nigeria.

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By Eric Ugbor – Aba

The  Abia State Police Command has arrested four suspected traffickers and rescued 19 children along Umuika axis of Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway of the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the State, E. Ene Okon who confirmed this to newsmen said the operation was carried out by operatives of State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

He said the operatives who were on stop and search duty along the expressway rescued the children as they were being conveyed in a Toyota Sienna at the Isiala Ngwa end of the busy road.

CP Okon said he directed that the four suspects be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for investigation.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Abia govt to impound vehicles defying ban

He warned child traffickers to desist from the nefarious business or face the full wrath of the law.

A police source said, “The suspects said that they have a school where they teach those children Judaism in Asa area of the state. They were not specific about the school or the place where the school is located.

According to the source “The suspects said that they were taking the children to a place in Omoba in Isiala Ngwa South where they would be quarantined.

Are the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to quarantine the children? Why didn’t they invite the parents of the children to come and pick them since last week that the state government announced the closure of schools in the state?

READ ALSO: Task force on Covid-19 has not received a kobo from private donations – Lai Mohammed

It is for the State CID to unravel where the suspects brought the children from, where they were going with the children and why they didn’t invite their parents to come and pick them up from their school in the face of this coronavirus pandemic”

“There is no reason why they should be keeping such a number of children with them when the state government has issued a stay-at-home directive? Why should the suspects be taking the children to a special place outside their home and out of the reach of their parents? I am sure that officers at the specialised section of the SCID will still talk to them individually and get all the necessary information ” the police source said.

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Governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi

By Our Reporters

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has stated that his administration will henceforth prosecute any security personnel caught collecting bribe at the borders of the state.

The governor who stated this while signing into law, the Ebonyi State CoronaVirus and other Dangerous Related Matters Law 05, 2020 at the new Government House, Abakaliki, wondered why monies will be collected from returnees following the lockdown of the state as anybody found guilty of such inglorious act will be sent to prison.

“This law provides for immediate imprisonment for anybody that collects bribe as a result of the lockdown. If we catch anybody we will prosecute the person. immediately. I feel for the returnees. We have to find a way to treat them and feed them.”

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Umahi orders arrest of police, family members over conduct of burial ceremonies

Umahi further expressed dismay over the dwindling economic situation posed by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country and called on leaders of the state to focus their attention on the diversification of the economy instead of relying solely on the dividends of politics.

“Oil have not been sold in this country for the past two months. We are fighting for the survival of the state. Many are depending on politics. It is better we go into agriculture. There so much to do in Ebonyi and I’m appealing to our leaders. We have to re-establish the future of our children. The law ratified all that we have done,” he said.

“Anybody that refuses to be screened will be deemed as a crime.”

“Security personnel should break up any place that continues to hold gathering. Hoarding of foods or essential goods and services within the state is a crime. False information concerning COVID-19 is now a crime.”

The Governor while formally proclaiming the Ebonyi State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulation, 2020, added that the “Purpose of this Regulation is to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, Lassa fever, Cholera, etc within the State.

Vanguard News Nigeria.

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By Evelyn Usman

Everyone is affected by the compulsory stay-at-home directive. When this reporter drove round some parts of Lagos, most brothels and hotels had lost its original bustle.

Commercial prostitutes in brothels around Okota, Ire-Akari, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Bolade and Ajah areas of Lagos, were seen lamenting the impact of the lockdown on their trade.

At a popular pup on Ire-Akari street, Isolo, some of these commercial sex workers were sighted at about 11 pm Wednesday, looking for any stray customer to ‘service’.

ALSO READ: Sex workers stranded in Germany as coronavirus shuts brothels

Unfortunately, there was none. In an outburst of anger, one of them, spoke in pidgin, “ e no go better to this stupid coronavirus, wey come spoil market for us “. In response, her colleagues burst into laughter, cursing under their breath at the same time.

In what seemed like answered prayer to their petition, a grey coloured Venza car stopped in front of them. Immediately, these ladies in their skimpy bum shorts scrambled towards the car, trying to outrun the other, in order to gain the motorist’s attention.

But the expression of excitement on their faces turned to disappointment, as the motorist turned out to be a lady, who alighted to check one of the tyres that deflated.

In anger, they booed the lady and shouted at her to take her car away from their business place.

Vanguard News Nigeria.

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In this Handout photo made available by the University Hospital in Bonn (UKB) medical staff transport one of two Italien patients who are infected with Covid-19 upon arrival at the University Hospital in Bonn, western Germany from Bergamo, Italy on March 28, 2020. (Photo by Felix Heyder / University Hospital in Bonn (UKB) / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / University Hospital in Bonn / Felix Heyder ” – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Spain, one of the countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, has registered 932 new COVID-19 deaths within 24 hours, bringing the total to 10,935, the Health Ministry in Madrid announced on Friday.

For the second day in a row, Spain has seen the death rate surge above 900.

It is the seventh consecutive day that the country has registered over 800 deaths.

READ ALSO:Over 1 million coronavirus cases globally as pandemic spreads

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed new infections rose by almost 7,500 to a total of almost 118,000.

According to official data, at the same time, almost 4,000 patients infected with COVID-19, the potentially deadly disease caused by the new coronavirus, were released from hospital after recovering.

Of the over 56,000 people treated in Spanish hospitals for COVID-19 to date, over 30,000 have now recovered.

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 Medical staff

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter,  says it appreciates and  will continue to pray for all health workers in the state, the country and in the world at large for their sacrifices to curtail COVID-19.

The state Chairman, Rev. John Hayab,  who said this in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna, noted that the  prayers were for the sacrifices the health workers were making for humanity in this difficult time to combat COVID-19.

READ ALSO:COVID-19 lockdown: Commercial sex workers lament impact

According to him, many of us have been carried away by our pains and challenges.

“We have forgotten that there are others who have pains and challenges like us but their line of duty requires that they attend to us and do their work as if they do not have any pains.

“Medical workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria and all over the world have no time to sit at home with their families as we are doing. They are attending to victims of this dreaded pandemic which has exposed them to risk.

“As people of faith and patriotic citizens, we in CAN believe that we owe these special group of persons a duty to pray for their safety,   their families and their general welbeing.

“It is right and godly to appreciate those who are making sacrifices for you to be alive, happy and be enjoying.

“CAN wishes to salute all our health workers in the hospitals and everywhere that they are rendering services to humanity. We want them to know that we are praying for them and are wishing them well.

“May God protect, secure and reward them with love and kindness for all their unquantifiable sacrifices at this delicate time in human history.

“In appreciation of their sacrifices for us during this painful season, we  promise to follow their advice and guidance on how to fight this virus.

“We know that together we will defeat this virus so that we will have our sweet and normal life back .

“This will enable you, our amiable health workers, to reunite with your families freely and have more happy times together.

“May God bless our doctors, nurses, lab scientists and keep all our medical staff safe and healthy,” Hayab said.

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By Boluwaji Obahopo

LOKOJA – ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has called on the Federal Government to track and monitor the utilisation of resources committed to the COVID-19.

The Country Director, Ene Obi who made this known in a press statement issued on Friday said this can be carried out by setting up a clear accountability mechanism structure in partnership with Civil Society Organisations.

Obi noted that ActionAid Nigeria applauded some of the steps taken by the Presidential Task Force and other stakeholders including the media and first responders who are working tirelessly to ensure that the COVID-19 virus is exterminated from our shores.


She stated further that ActionAid Nigeria believes the COVID-19 response requires a wider and multi-dimensional perspective compared to the approach currently adopted by the federal government.

READ ALSO:Sokoto Govt. to establish 2 additional schools for persons with specials needs

“A huge amount of funding has been committed to the COVID-19 response by both the government and private sector, yet there is no proper accountability put in place, which is likely to breed corruption and defeat the effectiveness of government’s noble efforts.

“The idea to sustain the school feeding programme is commendable, however, children are not in school and there is no clear workable strategy for its implementation. More so, there is no clear information on how child education will be sustained nationally at this time.

“Access to testing and quality of service received by COVID-19 infected persons remains a point of concern with some citizens reportedly paying for testing while others have complained of neglect and favouritism of infected influential persons,” she noted.


On their part, Ene Obi stressed that strategic funds have been released from AAN to their project partners in different states to cater to the protection of women during the period of the epidemic.

She stressed that AAN has set up a 9- member Committee on COVID-19 finalising a strategy and seeking innovative ways of working with relevant stakeholders during this period.

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The Federal Government has asked Governors to provide, at least, 300-bed space facilities in their respective state “in case of upsurge in the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic spreading across the country”.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Friday in Abuja, when he featured on a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum to update Nigerians on government’s efforts to contain the disease.

Mohammed, who is a member of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus, said that the facilities would serve as isolation centres and Intensive Care Units for covid-19 patients.

He said that while testing for the virus is centralised, it would be difficult to move people that test positive across states.

“The governors must not wait for a deluge of patients before making the preparation.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Alleged Benue State index case demands rerun of test

“We are not asking them to build hospitals, but if they have facilities that can be converted such as hotels, conference centres, let us know and we will come and accredit them.

“We will tell them what equipment they would need and what type of training we are going to give as support,” he said.

The minister hailed the cooperation the task force had so far received from the states in the fight against the disease, and assured Nigerians that the federal government would continue to take the lead and set the policies.

He also expressed the optimism that the government would use the covid-19 advantage and experience to further develop the health facilities in the country.

“We pray sincerely that we will not fall into the same error after we fought Ebola, and we relaxed.

“We intend to use the opportunity of this coronavirus to improve our health care system at the federal, states and local government levels.

“Nobody ever thought that what is worse than Ebola will come. The successes we have achieved so far is through technology, sharing data with WHO, US Centre for Disease Control,” he said.

On the distribution chains for the70,000 tonnes of grains released as palliatives by the government, the minister said that the data bank obtained through the assistance of the World Bank being used for special intervention programmes, would be applied.

“The criteria includes age, health status, at times your location, and the level of poverty.

“We have this in place and we have been using it to transfer money every month to beneficiaries.

“NEMA, over the years, has also developed a plan when there is a disaster. They know how to reach the victims.”

He said that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development would coordinate and supervise effective distribution of the commodities to ensure they got to the poor masses. (NAN)

Vanguard

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Muslims praying 

By Ishola Balogun

The Chief Imam of Lagos State Sheikh Sulaymon Abou-Nolla and Baba Adinni of Lagos Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou have directed the divisional imams and all Muslims in the state to pray for speedy containment of COVID-19.

The duo in a separate message to Muslims urged all Muslims to beseech Allah at their various homes against the spread of the disease.

“In view of this, we directed the divisional imams to include speedy containment of the virus in all their five daily prayers, whether individually or in congregation. He stressed that maintaining social distancing and complying with government’s regulation at all times would help to contain the disease.

On his part, the Chief Imam hailed the divisional Imams for complying with the suspension of Jumat service across the state, urging them to always educate their followers on importance of social distance at all times.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Nigeria records 10 new cases as confirmed cases rise to 184

“Our people need to understand that the world is battling with a deadly disease that has become pandemic. We cannot afford not to be part of the solution. As the government tries to contain the virus, we must support them with prayers and adhere strictly to the government’s directives,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to maintain a high level of hygiene and avoid large gathering.

“We should all shun crowded place and our Mosques should not be crowded by worshippers,” he said.

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Islamic Matters, Alhaji Abdullahi Jebe said that prayers and compliance with government directives would go a long way to contain the virus.

Alhaji Jebe advised Muslims not to congregate more than 20 people in the local mosque, and provide hand sanitisers at the mosque for worshippers.

Vanguard

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