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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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Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said that it is committed to providing information to Nigerians on the Novel  Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak in the country.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, made this known  on Thursday in Abuja, while giving an update on COVID-19 in the country.

Ihekweazu said that was the more reason the Presidential Task Force held daily news briefing.

READ ALSO:Right or wrong: Nigerians debate as Min of Finance begs Elon Musk for ventilators

“Please listen for updates. We can flatten the curve, if we join hands together,” he advised.

The NCDC DG said that the agency had also updated list of State Emergency numbers.

“If anyone requires testing they should contact their states through the listed numbers.

“Provide relevant details e.g. travel history, and stay at home and wait for further advice,” he said.

He, however, advised Nigerians that they needed to reduce their contacts with each other.

“This way, even cases we have not yet found have less chance of transmitting the virus to others,” he advised.

NAN reports that as at 7:30 p.m April, 1, there were 174 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria, 9 had been discharged with two deaths.

There were 82 cases in Lagos  Abuja – 28, Oyo– eight; Osun– 14; Ogun– four; Kaduna-three; Enugu– Two, Edo– Four and Bauchi-Two, Ekiti-Two, while Rivers and Benue had one case each.

There are 23 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria- nine from Lagos , seven from FCT, five from Akwa Ibom and one each from Bauchi and Kaduna states.

The cases reported were from travellers who had just returned to the country.

Other cases were from people who had come in contactwith infected people. 

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Mountain goats roam the streets of Wales, UK.

As coronavirus leaves the world’s major cities deserted by humans, animals have been spotted enjoying the peace and quiet during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global outbreak of the virus has seen many countries such as Spain, Italy, Japan and Chile, as well as the UK, impose a lockdown on citizens.

But mother nature is making the most of the situation as various wild animals have been spotted reclaiming the streets.

The animals are breaking cover to explore the world’s most densely-populated areas, which have been abandoned due to the coronavirus lockdown.

In the town of Llandundo in Wales, UK, mountain goats were seen roaming free on the streets.

A local councillor told the BBC that the herd was drawn this time by the lack of people and tourists due to the COVID-19 outbreak and quarantine measures

In Odisha, India, Olive Ridley Turtles were seen along the coastline in their hundreds undisturbed by human interference.

In east London, a herd of 100 deer, believed to have come from nearby Dagnam Park, got comfortable at a housing estate in Harold Hill.

A herd of deer decided to rest in a housing estate in Harold Hill, Romford, east London

Similar scenes have been captured in the ancient Japanese capital of Nara, where around 100 deer were seen casually walking around the city.

Spotted deer were also seen wandering along a road in the city of Tirupati, located in India’s populous Uttar Pradesh region during the nation’s lockdown of 1.3 billion people.

ALSO READ: Spain sheds nearly 900,000 jobs since coronavirus lockdown

In the north of Italy, wild boar have been seen roaming regions such as Bergamo, with one filmed tottering through empty cobbled streets with her little ones in tow.

While Bergamo in northern Italy is one of the country’s worst affected areas, this wild boar took her piglets out for a wander

Paris also became a playground for a pack of wild boar making the most of the city, while crowds in the French capital have vanished during lockdown.

And in the Chilean capital Santiago, Puma were seen on the streets of the city, the fourth most populous metropolis in South America.

A one-year-old puma prowls the streets of Santiago, Chile.

According to Chile’s Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), puma came down from the nearby mountains in search for food as less people are seen in the streets due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Lagos shuts Agege Central Mosque over attack on COVID-19 Taskforce

The Lagos State Government has shut the Agege Central Mosque after some worshippers attacked members of the State COVID-19 Taskforce mandated to monitor and enforce compliance against public gatherings exceeding 25 people. Executive assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on public relations and new media, Olusegun Fafore, confirmed this on Thursday afternoon.

Lagos shuts Agege Central Mosque over attack on COVID-19 Taskforce
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