Television Nigerian

Says FG not fully prepared in fighting COVID 19

James Ogunnaike – Abeokuta

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the federal government’s decision to relax the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Ogun and Lagos State.

The students’ body berated the Federal government for relaxing the lockdown order, insisting the government is not fully prepared to fight the spread of the deadly pandemic.

NANS position was contained in a press release signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Azeez Adeyemi, and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

NANS insisted that the Federal government’s directive that selling foodstuffs be opened between 10 a.m to 2 p.m in Ogun, Lagos and Abuja has further exposed the government’s “unseriousness, unpreparedness, and lack of policy directive” in the fight against the spread of the virus.

READ ALSO: NANS leadership writes DSS over impostors, inaugurates new executives

“Radical problems require radical solutions. The Federal government cannot relax the lockdown by opening market and there won’t be vehicular and mass human movement.”

“This new development will do no good but to further increase the risk of more people contracting the virus. The government’s decision will further expose innocent Nigerians to the risk of the contracting viruses even on a large scale.”

“The government has done nothing good but to further promote the spread of Coronavirus by opening markets. And as the concerned and responsible body of students in Nigeria, we call on  the Federal government to immediately reverse the decision.”

“If we want to really defeat the evil plaguing this country called COVID-19, we must be ready to pay the price no matter the cost. The number of victims is drastically increasing every day and we must not allow the virus to get out of control.”

“It is a shame that the Federal govt is not considering COVID-19 a dangerous pandemic that consumes the entire nation if not properly managed otherwise what else can we call this unseriousness and deliberate carelessness on the part of the Federal government.

NANS also called on President Mohammadu Buhari to probe the alleged distribution of N3billion by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq to the vulnerable people within 24 hours.

The students’ body challenged the Minister to provide Nigerians with adequate information on how the money was spent.

READ ALSO: NANS warns against politicising Amotekun, flays AGF’s comment

NANS also called on President Buhari to set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the alleged distribution of cash with the view of finding out if the money was really distributed to the vulnerable Nigerians.

NANS also called on the Federal and State governments that have promised to support Nigerians with relief materials like foodstuffs and stipends to focus on the vulnerable people.

The students’ body specifically wants the government to focus on people with daily income whose sources of livelihood would be cut off following the lockdown.

According to NANS, this category of people includes petty traders, widows, aged, artisans, orphans, students and the unemployed, among others.

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By Francis Efe, Warri

There was pandemonium at ogunu community in Warri South Council Area of Delta State as a soldier on Thursday allegedly shot dead a middle-aged man identified as Mr Joseph Pessu, two days into the lockdown order by the Delta government.

The deceased was allegedly killed by the soldier while attempting to escape from his Toyota Camry car after breaching a security checkpoint.

According to a reliable source who spoke to Vanguard under strict anonymity, the deceased had suspiciously drove through a police checkpoint at Ubeji community with his car without a plate number making the police who were not armed to alert soldiers who were on patrol for enforcement.

According to the source, “When the deceased refused to stop, the soldier went after him and shot at one of the rear tyre. The young man continue to drive the car with a burst tyre until he got to Ogunu junction and blocked the road with his car, jumped out and started running.

“It was then the soldier assumed him to be a suspect and shot at him. Immediately, the incident happened, the soldier drove directly to the Area Command of the Nigeria Police to report himself.

Vanguard learnt that angered by the incident, irate youth moment after in reprisal attack allegedly lynched two naval personnel and had their motorcycle burnt at the scene of the incident.

According to a source, the naval personnel were not from the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), DELTA.

“They were not armed and were going to their respective units when the hoodlums attacked them,” the source said.

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Festus Keyamo

Perez Brisibe, Ughelli

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported killing of a man in Warri by soldiers implanting the lockdown order by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.

The victim, Joseph Pessu, was allegedly killed at the Ubeji community while attempting to escape from his Toyota Camry car after breaching a security checkpoint in the area.

Reacting to the incident, the minister in a statement, said: “I have received disturbing reports and images of the high-handedness and shooting of innocent citizens by men of the armed forces deployed to enforce the COVID-19 lockdown in my State, Delta State.

ALSO READ: Lockdown: Soldier kills man for allegedly breaching checkpoint in Delta

“Specifically, I have received reports of the killing of an innocent young man, Mr. Joseph Pessu in Warri.

“I unreservedly condemn this barbaric act by men of the armed forces who should exercise restraint when dealing with the civilian populace.

“I will be forwarding a petition to the relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate this murder and bring the officer(s) to book. In the interim, let us not take the laws into our hands, please.”

ALSO READ: Doctor contracts coronavirus while treating infected patients in Edo

Appealing to the people to be calm and not take laws into their hands, he said: “I will also use this medium to sincerely appeal to my brothers and sisters in Delta State to be law-abiding and obey the orders of restrictions imposed by both the Delta State Government and the Federal Government.

“They are lawful orders and they are for our own good. Images and reports of attack on law-enforcement agents by the civilian populace do not help our cause. I call on all and sundry in the entire country too to exercise the utmost restraint at this point.”

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Mr. Charles Aniagwu

Delta State Government has called for an investigation into the alleged killing of a 28 year old Joseph Pessu in Warri on Thursday.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu in a statement in Asaba said government was worried about the report of an alleged killing of a 28-year old man in Warri by security agencies on regular patrol duty.

READ ALSO:Court remands painter for allegedly beating wife to death

The Commissioner said the state government has sent a delegation to the deceased family to condole with them over the loss of their son.

He stated that the military authorities have been contacted to carry out an investigation into what led to the killing of the deceased.

He however called on the people to remain calm and not to take laws into their hands while the government conducts an investigation into the killing.

Mr Aniagwu thanked Deltans for their cooperation so far by remaining indoors and called for further cooperation with the State Government in the best interest of Deltans.

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Kano State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 said on Thursday that 22 of the 25 suspected coronavirus cases in the state have tested negative to the virus while three others are still pending.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ibrahim Tsanyawa, disclosed this at a press conference in Kano.

Tsanyawa, who is also a member of the committee, said the state government had adopted proactive measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the state.

He listed some of the measures to include the closure of schools, restriction of movements and closure of state boundary, encouraged stay-at-home order, promote the practice of handwashing, environment, and personal hygiene as well as social distancing.

• READ ALSO: COVID-19: Buhari directs prompt payment of salaries

The commissioner added that the state also expanded the scope of its Rapid Response Team, set up additional emergency helplines and isolation centres.

He said: “An endowment fund has been established to mobilise resources for the protection, control and prevention efforts as well as ease hardship caused by measures adopted against the spread of the virus.”

He urged the people to sustain support to the fight against the spread of the virus, which he said has not been recorded so far in the state. (NAN)

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We’re working hard to rescue economy from collapse — Emefiele

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru – Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed prompt payment of salaries to all employees.

He also directed the ministry to ensure that critical infrastructure like roads, rails are protected and as much as possible, use local inputs so that the country retains value within her economy.

This is as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has said that the global economy was facing serious problems that could lead to recession and that the government was doing everything possible to rescue the nation’s economy.

President Buhari gave the directive for the prompt payment of salaries when he met with the members of the Presidential committee to review the impact of COVID-19 on the economy at the State House Abuja.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Keyamo vows to petition killing of Delta youth by army

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, said the committee met with the President to brief him on the current happenings around the world due to COVID-19 and the impact on the nation’s economy.

The Minister who fielded questions from journalists said, “well, he (President) has directed that we should make sure that salaries are paid, make critical infrastructures like roads, rails are protected, as much as possible use local inputs so that we retain value within our economy. And also make sure that we measure that protect the poor and the vulnerable.”

Asked the purpose of the meeting, Mrs. Ahmed said, “This meeting was just to brief Mr. President as the situation we are in keeps evolving on a daily basis.

“As the health crisis gradually expands, affecting States and also the lockdown that has been ordered to help curtail the expansion of the health crisis.

“The consequences of the lockdown is the additional slowing down of the economy and the measures that we need to take to mitigate the negative consequences of the slow trade and businesses.”

Also speaking, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, painted a gloomy picture on the economy, saying that it was not in the best of sharp due to COVID-19.

He also said that the global oil prices were collapsing every day, adding that the situation required regular briefing of the President.

On his part, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Chief Godwin Emefiele, said the economy was not looking as simple as every thought it would be.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: 22 of 25 suspected cases test negative in Kano

He said: “The global economy naturally like we all know at this time will naturally suffer growth problems and may even lead to recession globally. So we are trying to see what we can do as a country to rescue our own situation so we don’t go the direction many will go.

“It is not going to be easy but we can only assure our people that we are on top of it and that we will resolve it and Nigerians will still be better for it.”

Other members of the committee are

Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mela Kyari.

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on his 60th anniversary on the throne, which makes him one of the oldest reigning monarchs in the country, following his formal coronation on April 2, 1960.

President Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja on Thursday, said that he joined indigenes of Ijebu land, government and people of Ogun State in celebrating the milestone.

ALSO READ: Greatest Nigerian footballer: Shorunmu disagrees with Amokachi on Mikel

He commended the octogenarian for upholding the legendary history and tradition of his forefathers, especially the highly organized political, economic and social structures that preceded many civilizations in Africa.

ALSO READ: COVID-19: Buhari directs prompt payment of salaries

As the royal father marks 60 years on the throne, President Buhari “affirms that his exposure, knowledge, and charisma before ascending the position deeply impacted and expanded the influence of the domain, most remarkably among other traditional rulers and various state governments that rely on him for wise counsels.”

The President said he believes the wisdom, warmth, and friendliness of the monarch also translated into peace and civility in the domain.

He prayed that the almighty God will continue to bless the Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom and grant him more years of fruitful reign.

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President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the Presidential Committee on the impact of the coronavirus on Nigeria’s economy, and directed the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to ensure that salaries were paid.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, who chairs the presidential committee, said this in Abuja while answering questions from State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

She said the committee briefed the President on current happenings around the world due to COVID-19 and its impact on the country’s economy.

READ ALSO:COVID-19: Presidency begins fumigation of Buhari’s offices

According to her, the President also directed the committee to put in place measures meant to protect the poor and less privileged members of the society from unnecessary hardships as a result of the virus.

She told the State House correspondents that the President also directed the ministry to ensure that “critical infrastructure like roads, rails are protected and as much as possible, use local inputs so that the country retains value within her economy’’.

On the directives given, Ahmed said: “Well, he has directed that we should make sure that salaries are paid, make critical infrastructures like roads, rails are protected, as much as possible use local inputs so that we retain value within our economy.

“And also make sure that we take measures that protect the poor and the vulnerable.”

The minister further explained that the purpose of the meeting was to update the President on situations that are evolving on a daily basis.

“This meeting was just to brief Mr President as the situation we are in keeps evolving on a daily basis, as the health crisis gradually expands, affecting states and also the lockdown that has been ordered to help curtail expansion of the health crisis.

“The consequences of the lockdown is the additional slowing down of the economy and the measures that we need to take to mitigate the negative consequences of the slow trade and businesses,’’ she added.

The Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who is also a member of the committee, said: “The economy is not in the best of shapes due to COVID-19 and oil prices are collapsing every day, hence the need for the President to be constantly briefed.’’

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele said: “the economy is not looking as simple as everyone thought it would be.

“The global economy, naturally, like we all know at this time, will naturally suffer growth problems and may even lead to recession globally.

“So we are trying to see what we can do as a country to rescue our own situation so we don’t go the direction many will go.

“It is not going to be easy but we can only assure our people that we are on top of it and that we will resolve it and Nigerians will still be better for it.”

Other members of the committee are Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba, and the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mela Kyari.

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National Emergency Management Agency

By Emem Idio – Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State government on Wednesday, began distribution of foodstuffs to the various local government areas in the state for onward distribution to the people as parts of efforts of palliatives to cushion the efforts of covid-19 pandemic in the state.

Distributing the foodstuffs mainly Garri and Guinea Corn, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Major Zedekiah Isu, rted, who supervised the exercise, said the food items were  brought by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, last year to cushion the effect of the 2019 flood season.

On why the delay in the distribution of the food items, the SEMA chairman who is also a member of the state COVID-19 Task Force, attributed it to NEMA officials, adding that it took the intervention of the state Governor Senator Douye Diri before the items were release for distribution almost four months after they were sent to the state.

READ ALSO: Gov Diri laments as windstorm wreaks havoc in Bayelsa

He pointed out that over five thousand bags of garri and guinea corn are to be distributed among the eight local government areas with the state beginning with Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas

Izu said: “These are NEMA food items, they were brought by NEMA,  NEMA normaly sent their representatives who in turn distribute these items in synergy with the state government through SEMA. I wrote letters to NEMA repeatedly but then to no avail, they didn’t come. In fact these items have been here for over three months.

“I repeatedly call them(NEMA) and told them that even the items were going bad most especially garri yet they did not respond. I was forced to make a report to the governor who later intervened and lended his miracle voice before there was response that we should go ahead to distribute. I am not a garri scientist to know if there are bad. I was not given directive to test, I was given directive to distribute.”

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Violators risk six-month imprisonment

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola

In a bid to enforce the lockdown order with a view to preventing the spread of coronavirus in the state, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday, signed the Diseases Emergency Prevention Regulations 2020.

Oyetola noted that he made the prevention order in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other relevant provisions of the State of Osun Public Health Law.

The law is aimed at preventing and containing the spread of coronavirus anywhere within the territories of Osun State.

ALSO READ: Ondo shuts borders with Ekiti, Osun, Edo, Ogun over coronavirus

Following the signing of the law, anybody who violates the sit-at-home order will be sentenced to six-month imprisonment or an option of a fine upon conviction.

Under the law, transmission or dissemination of false information regarding coronavirus is also an offence and it attracts the same punishment.

Similarly, the promotion of unverified, untested, or unapproved cures, vaccines or other similar items that purport to cure, alleviate or reduce instances of persons infected with coronavirus, also constitutes an offence and offenders, upon conviction, will be liable to six-month imprisonment or an option of fine.

“The governor may direct the removal of a potentially-infectious person, where such a person fails or refuses to go to a place specified for screening and assessment. The governor may direct a potentially-infectious person within a local area, to go into isolation for an initial period of 14 days,” parts of the emergent regulations read.

Signing the regulations, the governor said: “It has become imperative to go beyond making suggestions and giving directives in order to stem the tide of the spread of Covid-19, save lives, reduce ill-health and ensure that the economy in which the people of the state of Osun operate does not become weakened and stretched.

“I make the following regulations for the good order, safety, security and public health in the State of Osun.”

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