Television Nigerian

By  David Odama

Not less than 68 persons have been arrested for allegedly violating the state government order aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the state.

Out of the number, 48  apprehended in Karu local government area of the state and  charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others in the state.

The Police Public Relation Officer Nasarawa state command, A S P Nansel Rahman disclosed this  in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Thursday while speaking to journalists

READ ALSO: COVID-19: We stand by number of confirmed cases in Akwa Ibom, says NCDC

The command  PRO  said about 59 suspects have also been charged to court and the remaining 9 suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded

He explained that violation of an order duly promulgated by a public servant goes contrary to section 152 of the Penal code.

“A total number of 68 suspects were arrested to that effect while 59 have been charged to court while the remaining 9 suspects will also be charged to court at the end of the investigation,” he added.

According to him,  the proclamation order made by the Nasarawa State government in order to curtail and contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the State.

vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

By Demola Akinyemi – Ilorin

Kwara State Technical Committee on Corona Virus (COVID-19) will Thursday night begin fumigation of markets across the state.

According to the statement issued last night by Spokesman of the Committee Rafiu Ajakaye, the fumigation takes place between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.

“Fumigation is slated to begin across seven markets tonight (Thursday). These markets are Baboko Market; Oja Oba Market; Mandate Market; Ipata Market; Kulende Market; Ago Market; and Yoruba road Market,” Rafiu Ajakaye, spokesman of the technical committee, said in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital,

READ ALSO: COVID-19 and Kwara’s capacity to hold its own

The statement said the committee had earlier consulted with market leaders in the state on the measure.

The statement said, “The fumigation exercise will extend to other parts of the state in the coming days. It is part of the government’s holistic approach to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kwara State and keep the people safe.

The government, meanwhile, has commended corporate organisations and private individuals who have also donated to the humanitarian cause — apart from the donors that had earlier been acknowledged.

It said,”The government hereby expresses its appreciation to various organisations and individuals who continue to donate to the efforts to keep Kwara people safe. Specifically, we commend Tuyil Pharmaceuticals Limited for donating N10m to the cause; Mr. Yusuf Ali (SAN) for donating N5m; the Head of Service and the Forum of Serving Permanent Secretaries in Kwara State for donating 40% of their March salary; the Forum of Retired Permanent Secretaries in Kwara State for giving us N500,000,” it stated.

“Similarly, we are grateful to HMA Medical Limited for donating N2m to the cause; Bioraj Pharmaceuticals for the gift of N1m; OFM Charity Foundation in collaboration with Yusuf Olaolu Ali Foundation which donated 2000 bottles of hand sanitisers to the government; Ambassador Yahaya Seriki for donating 720 bottles of sanitisers; and DIG Bolanta for lending his industrial sprayers for fumigation of markets.”

READ ALSO: N20,000 for vulnerable: No section of Nigeria’ll be left, says Farouq

The statement also commended eight-year-old Akinduro Oluwapamilerin who donated his savings of N1,120 to the state government’s anti-COVID-19 campaign.

“The government is definitely impressed by this rare show of altruism, and is confident of Pamilerin becoming a leader of his generation,” it stated.

The government also commended individuals and corporate organisations who have agreed to channel their palliatives to the ward committees earlier announced by the subcommittee on palliatives, saying such measures would ensure social distancing and temperature measurement of beneficiaries, among other safety protocols.

vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

…as 11 more recover, rejoin families

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State.

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government, on Thursday, discharged 11 more patients from the Infectious Disease Hospital, IDH, Yaba, after being tested negative twice for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and have been allowed to return home to their families.

The latest figure brings to 18 the number of discharged patients in Lagos, since the index case was reported.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Incident Commander, disclosed this while giving an update on COVID-19 situation in the state.

According to Sanwo-Olu, “Today (on Thursday), I have some good news for you concerning our desperate battle against coronavirus, the lethal disease that has changed our world and tested to the limit our resilience as a people.

“Even as this battle continues, amid so much anxiety all over the world, I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the  news of the release today (on Thursday) of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba.

“They have fully recovered and tested negative to COVID-19 and have been allowed to return home to their families.

“The patients include two females and nine males, who were discharged after testing negative twice consecutively to #COVID19.

“That the tests results of these patients came out negative twice is a big assurance to us that they pose no threat to the community. We are, therefore, releasing them in furtherance of our commitment for a disease-free state.

“May I use this opportunity to, once again, thank our frontline health workers who took care of the patients as well as members of the Lagos State Health family and the Emergency Operation Centre for their resilience and diligence in the face of the daunting challenges confronting our state in curtailing the spread of this pandemic.

“It is a thing of joy that we have not recorded any mortality and we hope— and pray— that it remains so.

“We will not rest on our oars, but continue to work assiduously for the full recovery of the other patients so that they can return home to their families and the community.

“I am happy to note the excitement of the patients. They are full of gratitude to our dear state that has stood by them all the way; the health workers and all those who contributed one way or the other in the fight against this unseen but vicious enemy of mankind.

“The Health Commissioner and all members of the medical team got kudos.”

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Lagos health commissioner reveals how patient got into Nigeria

Patient reacts

Sanwo-Olu quoted one of the former patients of coronavirus to have said: “Initially, I found it hard to settle into the facility. In fact, the first two days I spent here were so lonely for me, but I gradually settled and found companions in my fellow ward mates.

“The doctors and other health workers, who attended to us, were amazing and we appreciate their sacrifices.”

The governor continued: “May I warn that this is not the time to relax, but to maintain our vigilance against coronavirus because of the community infection that we are beginning to experience. We should be sober as the battle continues.”

Sanwo-Olu, therefore, urged residents to remain steadfast as they stick to the rules of hygiene.

“Let us continue to observe Social Distancing. Let us remain indoors, shunning the temptation to breach the presidential restriction that has been placed on our state so that the gains made so far in the fight against COVID-19 is not eroded. We should shun any gathering for whatever reason at this delicate period.

“Reports  of youths gathering for social and sporting activities, as well as those massing for religious purposes, are unfortunate.

“This kind of insensitivity could be a weak link in  our collective effort to break the chain of transmission of the infection.

“The order for law enforcement agents to ensure that residents comply with the directive to stay indoors remains.

“I enjoin members of the organised private sector and others to read the Federal Government’s guidelines on the restriction of movement so that the directive is not breached in any way.

“Again, I assure you that at the end of it all, we will hoist a flag of victory – with your co-operation and by the grace of The Almighty,” he concluded at the announcement of the 11 more patients.

Vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami

Courts are expected to attend to matters that are urgent, essential or time-bound, even during the lockdown, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has said.

Malami said this in a statement issued by Dr Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Minister.

“Speedy dispensation of justice is a cardinal principle of the Justice Sector Reform of the present administration, hence, time-bound cases are treated with dispatch and accorded the required attention,” Malami said.

Malami had given the directive of the speedy dispensation of time-bound cases in a letter addressed to all heads of court dated April 1, conveying the COVID 19 Regulation 2020.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Buhari’s restriction declaration legal, enforceable – Malami

He said that the earlier directive issued by the Chief of Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is in tandem with the COVID-19 Regulations 2020 made pursuant to Quarantine Act 2004 by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR).

In a previous news, Vanguard reported that the Attorney General, Malami had replied Mr Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa, SAN, on his criticism of President Buhari’s proclamation on restriction of movement on account of COVID-19.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun under lockdown to help stop the spread of coronavirus in the countryis valid, legal and enforceable.

“Mr Olu-Adegboruwa is wrong and misconstrued the law of sections 5, 14, 20 and 45 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sections 2, 6 and 8 of the Quarantine Act, as well as Article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 11 on Human and Peoples Rights which make the declaration by His Excellency the President, valid, legal and enforceable’’.

“Ebun Olu-Adegboruwa had claimed that the president lacked the powers to restrict movements in any part of the country without the consent of the National Assembly.”

[NAN]

Vanguard News Nigeria.

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

By Jeremiah Urowayino

Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi

The member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi has condemned the alleged killing of a youth by some men of the Nigerian Army in Warri, Delta State on Thursday.

The lawmaker accused the soldiers of overzealousness and the use of excessive force in enforcing the lock-down directives of the state government.

READ ALSO:[ICYMI] AKURE EXPLOSION: I didn’t know I was carrying explosives —Truck driver

Speaking to Vanguard on telephone on Thursday Chief Ereyitomi said: ”My attention has been drawn to various human rights violations in form of torture, degrading and inhuman treatment meted out to citizens of Warri Federal Constituency by men of Nigerian Army in their bid to enforce the laudable directives of the state government against the spread of COVID-19 virus. The latest of such being the gruesome murder of one Mr. Joseph Pessu, along Val Arenyeka Street, Ugbuwangue this morning (yesterday), which led to civil unrest and violent protest from youths and people from the community.

”May I quickly state that I unequivocally condemn the actions of the men of the Nigerian Army who carried out this barbaric act, as I believe they should have shown more restraints, tact and professionalism in enforcing the sit-at-home order, more so, when we are not at war with ourselves but against the dreaded pandemic. I know for a fact that these barbaric and unlawful acts do not form part of the rules of engagement for enforcing the state government’s directive. We cannot afford to add military brutality to the lot we have on our plate presently.

”I however, call on the good people of Warri Federal Constituency to remain peaceful, law abiding and obey the directives of the state governor to remain indoors and safe, in a bid to conquer the dreaded virus.

”I have contacted the appropriate authorities and they have promised to cause an investigation of the unfortunate incident to bring the perpetrators to justice. I commiserate with the Pessu family, the people of Ugbuwangue and pray that the Holy Spirit who is the great comforter, comforts you in this trying times. Be rest assured that in my capacity as representative of Warri Federal Constituency, I will pursue this case to a logical conclusion.”

”Once again, I urge you all to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while staying safe within the context of our homes. I pray that in no distant time, we as a people and the world at large will conquer this COVID-19 and become better and stronger for it. God bless us all. Amen.”

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

By Idowu Bankole

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has said with unity, Nigeria will defeat the Coronavirus pandemic just like it overcame Ebola.

In a statement signed by NIMN President/Chairman of Council, Tony Agenmonmen, the Institute urged Nigerians to adhere strictly to the health advisory published and announced by the relevant health authorities such as WHO, Ministry of Health and NCDC, in order to contain the spread of the Coronavirus.

He also commended health care workers in the country for their commitment and tireless efforts to keep the country free of the pandemic.

Also read: Akwa Ibom commences contact tracking of 5 suspected COVID 19 patients, others

He said this is not the time to give in to despondency, surrender to helplessness, and resign ourselves to fate.

“Rather, this is the period to dig deep into our reservoir of courage and resilience and be resolute in our collective avowal to confront the monster challenge of Coronavirus pandemic. Last time, together we defeated Ebola. This time, united, we can also defeat Coronavirus,” he said.

According to Agenmonmen, it will be stating the obvious that the increasing cases of COVID-19 or Coronavirus infection globally, and in Nigeria in particular, is alarming, stressing that this is creating heightened apprehension and fear as the end to the scourge seems not to be in sight.

He said, “the situation is already bad enough. So, we should not be part of fake news being peddled around on social media which can only serve to create more fears among our people.

“The Federal and various state governments have imposed restrictive measures to combat the pandemic. These measures will no doubt cause great hardship and inconvenience to our people. But they represent necessary sacrifices we have to make in the wake of the serious challenge posed by COVID-19.

“We note and commend the various palliatives already announced by the Federal government. We urge the government to ensure that these palliatives are not hijacked and that they reach the intended recipients. We further urge the government to do even more in alleviating the impact on the significant population of our people whose daily means of livelihood has been pulsed as a result of the various restrictions.”

The NIMN President urged the Federal Ministry of Information, through the National Orientation Agency to live to the challenge of educating Nigerians,  especially those in the rural areas, about the pandemic and the preventive steps to take.

He said, “We salute the magnanimity and benevolence of the Nigerians and Corporate organisations that have donated generously, both in cash and kind, to the Federal and State Governments, resources to manage the Coronavirus challenge. We extend our appreciation to the state governments that have put in place some palliative packages for their people. Others that are yet to do so should recognize it as important and necessary and do the needful.

He urged Nigerians to utilize the ample time created by the stay-at-home/lockdown order to spend quality time with their loved ones and bond with friends.

He said, “We also have the opportunity to do some physical exercises to keep fit, alert and healthy. We should read educative materials to exercise our mental muscles, stay current, and informed. For movie lovers, they should watch interesting movies to relax and ease tension.

“The time is also opportune to enrol for online courses to update and upgrade our knowledge or learn new skills. More importantly, these times offer us the opportunity to reconnect with God at a more personal level and have a deeper understanding of what this life is truly all about.

“Even though these are scary times, we urge our people to be strong. Together we can and shall defeat this invisible enemy. This too shall pass.”

Vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

By David Royal

A part of the mall located in Calabar, Cross River State, has reportedly collapsed on Thursday afternoon.

According to an eyewitness, some cars belonging to customers were damaged.

As at the time of filing this report, the cause of the collapse and the number of casualties were yet to be ascertained.

Watch video of the collapsed building below:

*This Is a breaking story and will be updated soon*

The post BREAKING: Calabar mall collapses [Video] appeared first on Vanguard News.

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

By Vincent Ujumadu, Awka

Governor Willie Obiano said that Anambra state had sent more samples for testing, even as six samples tested earlier were negative for the Coronavirus.

In a broadcast in Awka, the governor said his administration was taking necessary preemptive measures even when the state was yet to record any case of the pandemic.

He said: “In Anambra State, we respect our experts. My Commissioner for Health, Dr.

Vincent Okpala has reliably informed me that at this moment in time, our dear state does not have a single recorded case of Coronavirus. Six samples have so far been sent for testing and four of the samples were declared negative. The results of the other two have not been released yet. We have sent three new samples today for testing.”

According to him, the samples were taken from individuals who just returned from any of the countries and cities that have serious COVID-19 cases and who begin to show symptoms of coronavirus, or a situation where someone who had come in contact with people suffering from Coronavirus begins to show symptoms of the pandemic.

Obiano added that his administration had successfully set up a 250-bed isolation center at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Mbaukwu/Umuawulu and another 16-bed isolation centre at the General Hospital, Onitsha, adding that the facilities would be commissioned today.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: 2,000 tests in one month, not enough – Reps deputy minority leader tells FG

The governor added: “Learning from the experience of the approaches adopted by France and Lagos in battling this pandemic, we have stockpiled the medicines used in managing outbreaks in both places in case we experience an incident here.

“To ensure that children were not adversely affected by the closure of schools, we have migrated our classrooms to radio, television, and Facebook. A partnership between the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) and the Ministry of Basic Education is meeting the educational needs of our children with a programme title “Anambra Teaching on Air.”

“Our response to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic is multi-dimensional. We have mounted a massive awareness campaign on all media platforms to enlighten our people on the threat of Coronavirus. We have closed our boundaries with neighboring states and shut down our 63 major markets in Anambra State to flatten the curve on this virus.

“We have set up Isolation Centers and equipped them with facilities that meet WHO standards. And we have also rolled out an economic stimulus package to cushion the effect of steps we have taken against the virus on the most vulnerable members of our communities.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Buhari meets with Presidential Committee assessing impact on economy

We have commenced the distribution of 200 bags of rice to each of the 181 communities in Anambra State to be distributed among our senior citizens from 70 years and above. In communities where we have more than 200 people within the specified age bracket, the distribution shall start from the oldest to the youngest in the age bracket.

“Beyond that, we have also given a 10% relief on personal income taxes to businesses in Anambra State for the year 2019. This means that if you have been paying your taxes regularly, you will get a 10% refund of the entire sum you paid in 2019. I have no doubt that this will be of great help to businesses in the state.

“We shall soon commence the distribution of 3 million masks residents of Anambra State 181 communities in Anambra. The Igwes and the PGs will assist the government in profiling the tailors in the various communities that will help in mass-producing these masks for distribution to the members of the communities.

Our intention in handing out 3 million masks is to ensure that after the 14-day shutdown of the state, no one will step out of their home without wearing a facial mask. The Czech Republic is relying largely on the heavy use of facial masks to minimize the incidence of Coronavirus in its territory.

These masks shall be made by our own tailors carefully selected from each of the 181 communities of Anambra State. The modalities for the manufacturing and distribution of the masks shall be worked out and announced subsequently.

“We shall also commence the fumigation of the 63 markets in Anambra State while the traders are at home. This will help to reduce the toxicity of the business environment and minimize the exposure of our people to different kinds of infections.

“We are giving a two-month waiver to Keke and shuttle bus operators in the state on the usual permits they pay. The grace period covers the months of April and May 2020. The leadership of the Tricycle Union and the Bus and shuttle bus drivers union have also given a two-month waiver to Keke and shuttle bus drivers.

I hope that this will cushion the sudden fall in their income occasioned by the restricted number of passengers they are expected to carry at a time these days. This is also a part of our economic stimulus package for the vulnerable.”

He commended indigenes of the state and corporate organizations that had donated towards the battle against Coronavirus pandemic.

Vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq

By Joseph Erunke – Abuja

As criticisms trail the disbursement of money to the vulnerable in the federal government’s Conditional Cash Transfer scheme, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq, has said no region or section Nigeria will be excluded.

Farouq said the programme was a national one with beneficiaries cutting across different religious and political inclinations hence people must desist from spreading unfounded rumors about it.

“This is a national programme irrespective of religion or political affiliation,” the minister said yesterday in Abuja, at a briefing held by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Anambra sends more samples for testing, sets up isolation centers

She added:” It is a programme that has been on and nobody is going to be shortchanged. Let us be nationalistic in this very trying moment of our lives. We are all committed to this work and I appeal that everyone should contribute his or her quota to get through this pandemic.”

To this end, she said: “I want to appeal to citizens to desist from spreading fake and malicious news around.”

” We just started the programme of the cash transfer and we have different states with their numbers all over the country. No section of this country is going to be marginalized,” she explained.

Farouq spoke further: “It is a programme that has been on for years and the national social register as at 31st March 2020 is made up of 11,045,537 poor and vulnerable people in 35 states and 453 local government areas across the country.

“Currently, the beneficiaries that we give this cash transfer to are 2.6million people. In FCT, we have 5,982 households, in Nasarawa we have 8,271 households, Katsina has 6,723 households and, Anambra has 1,857 households.

“Household’s composition by the general standard is six-person per household. We are thinking of expanding the register and we are in touch with the UN Social Protection Donor group to see how the register can be largely expanded to cover additional 1million households but we have 11.4million households already for this intervention”.

READ ALSO: Covid-19: Toyota, Elizade donate 3 ambulances to Lagos govt

“The way these people are captured is by community engagement. We go into the community and reach out to the opinion leaders there and they are the ones that decide which family falls within that category of poor and vulnerable households and that is what we use. So, there is real transparency and accountability in this regard.”

Recall that the minister had on Wednesday, commenced distribution of the N20,000 covering four months, precisely from January to April, to the vulnerable, at Kwali Central Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The development was in line with the directive of President Muhammad Buhari that money is disbursed to the poorest of the poor captured under the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer Programme.

vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News

Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State government on Thursday confirmed the release of 11 patients, who have been receiving treatment for COVID-19 at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.

The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed this on his Twitter handle – @jidesanwoolu – said the patients which include nine men and two women were discharged after their tests turned out negative.

He said: “The patients include two females and nine males. Their results came out negative in two rounds of tests. I want to use this opportunity to, once again, thank our frontline health workers and other professionals for their service.

• READ ALSO: BREAKING: Osun confirms six new cases of COVID-19

“Let me reiterate that this is not the time to relax, but to maintain our vigilance because of the community infection that we are beginning to see. I assure you that in the end, we will hoist a flag of victory – with your cooperation and by the grace of the Almighty.”

The state government had previously discharged nine patients after they were certified medically fit by health authorities.

The latest development brought the number of coronavirus patients that had been discharged in the state to 20.

Vanguard

All copyrights for this article are reserved to TheNigerian News