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Gov Ortom’s specimen being taken for COVID-19 test

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and his Deputy, Mr. Benson Abounu, Thursday voluntarily had their specimen taken for the COVID-19 test.

Also taken for the COVID-19 test were samples of the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Mr. David Olofu.

Speaking on his decision to willingly go for the test, Governor Ortom said it was the right thing to do by everyone and not only when they noticed symptoms of the disease.

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Gov Ortom encouraged other Benue people to also present themselves for the COVID-19 test, as doing so would help check the spread of the disease in the state.

“I had said earlier that I would submit myself for the test, that is what we have done and apart from knowing my status, it would help create awareness of the virus in our state.

“So I would advise everyone to do the same to enable us to know our status and also help check the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our state,” Gov Ortom stated.

ALSO READ: Akwa Ibom commences contact tracking of 5 suspected COVID 19 patients, others 

Governor Ortom stressed that there was nothing shameful about knowing one’s COVID-19 status since it would aid early detection and help save the life of the victim.

He urged the people to cooperate with the COVID-19 Action Committee at the state and local government levels, while observing the preventive measures against the pandemic.

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

IN a bid to cushion the effect of recent slash in the price of petroleum products, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has appealed to the federal government to come to the aid of its members with soft-loans. 

The association made the appeal in a statement signed by its President, Dr Billy Gillis-Harry, and the Assistant Secretary, Ogbuefi E. Erasmus, which was made available to journalists in Abuja.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, for showing leadership and compassion to the feeling of the ordinary Nigerians, by reducing the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) twice in less than four weeks, 

Also read: Covid-19: We’ll keep filling stations open, away from fuel scarcity – IPMAN assures residents

PETROAN noted that its members had incurred huge losses, which could send most of them out of business if there was no fast intervention.

It assured that its members would comply with government’s compassionate move of price reduction, and pleaded with the President to direct relevant government agencies to urgently arrange an intervention fund to be managed by the nation’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, for PETROAN members as soft loans to sustain their businesses with.

The statement read in part, “We, the members of PETROAN, as an obedient citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and partners in progress with the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are very willing to obey and comply with the new reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit as this, we are confident, will help reduce the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigeria Economy.

“However, our association wishes to bring to the notice of the Federal

Government the challenges of Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners in Nigeria. Our members have recorded massive losses from 19th of March 2020 when the first reduction was announced by the Federal Government.

“With the further reduction in price by the Federal Government our members again will lose a sizable amount of money, which will impact negatively on their buying power, which will inevitably spiral down to a reduction in patronage of the government approval petroleum products distribution depot.

“We, therefore, wish to appeal to the Federal Government, PPPRA and another relevant stakeholder to come to our aid by urgently setting up an intervention fund to be midwifed by the CBN and disburse to our members in form of soft loans so as to cushion the effect of the PMS price reduction on the businesses of our teeming members and to guarantee to replenish investible capital.

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Fayose

A former governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose, said on Thursday that he had undergone voluntary testing for coronavirus and turned out negative.

The ex-governor said in a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, he was delighted to be adjudged free of the disease and asked more Nigerians to go for a test while praying for the victims.

• READ ALSO: Fayose, Olujimi in verbal war over Ekiti PDP ward congress

He said: “I took a COVID-19 test yesterday (Wednesday) because of my perceived exposure in the last two weeks, I just got the result which is negative

“Notwithstanding, I will remain indoor like other Nigerians and I encourage more people to go for the test and remain at home in line with the government’s directive.” (NAN)

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The World Health Organisation (WHO), Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, said on Thursday there are now 6,075 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Africa with 214 deaths.

The United Nations health agency gave the update in its regional official twitter account @WHOAFRO in the Congolese capital.

It said: “They are 6,075 cases on the African continent, with 214 deaths and 478 recoveries reported.

• READ ALSO: COVID-19 social relief: Osun prioritises sick, poor people

“In the past seven days, four new countries in the Region have confirmed cases of COVID-19, including Botswana, Burundi, Guinea Bissau, and Sierra Leone.”

The agency said South Africa currently leads the rest of the continent with 1,380 cases and five deaths, Algeria 847 cases with 58 deaths and Burkina Faso has 261 confirmed cases with 14 deaths.

“Nigeria has 174 confirmed cases, nine have been discharged with two deaths,’’ it added. (NAN)

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A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Nigeria news, Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc

By Bashir Bello – Abuja

Business mogul and President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has donated a 500 bedded isolation facility to Kano State government as part of his contribution to the fight against coronavirus pandemic in the state.

The 500 bedded isolation facility arrived the state on Thursday which led to the commencement of the construction of the isolation center at the 15,000 capacity Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

The Kano State Ministry for Health, Information Officer, Hadiza Namadi stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in the state on Thursday.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Dangote tests negative for coronavirus

Namadi said, “In fulfilment of the promise made by the President of Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote, to establish 600-bed Isolation Center at  Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, equipment for 500 beds have arrived the venue today Thursday as construction has commenced in earnest.

“A committee, chaired by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, has already being formed on the establishment of the Sani Abacha Stadium Covid-19 Isolation Center to determine how the center will function including issues on water and power supply and waste disposal.

“Members of the Committee include Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Alh. Kabir Lakwaya, Commissioner of Works, Alh. Magaji Mu’azu, Executive Secretary, Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Tijjani, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr. Amina Abdullahi Umar, and representative from Dangote Foundation.

“The Health Commissioner and other members of the committee have inspected the ongoing construction at the Sani Abacha Stadium site,” Namadi said.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: we are committed towards providing information on virus- NCDC

Recall that Governor Ganduje had at the weekend during the inauguration of a 38-man fund raising committee on Covid-19 announced plans by Dangote to support the state with 600 bedded isolation facility.

In a related development, Namadi said the ministry had also received donation from El- Hage and Medicus Industries.

Items donated include Hand Gloves, Hand Sanitizer, Hypo, Digital Thermometer, Shampoo, Antiseptic Disinfectant, Multi Purpose Soap and Face Mask among others.

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…Berates APC for manipulating prices, fleecing Nigerians

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects the April 1 tweaking of fuel price from N125 to N123.5 instead of the appropriate N90 per liter canvassed by Nigerians.

Our party describes the reduction of pump price by N1.50k as offensive, fraudulent; a further display of cruelty and insensitivity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the plight of Nigerians, particularly as the nation battles the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PDP insists that the correct price of pump price fuel is between N80 to N90 per liter, given the slump in the price of fuel and crude oil in the international market.

The PDP holds that any price beyond that is completely unacceptable, as it amount to fleecing Nigerians.

READ ALSO: Buhari is right; fuel subsidy is a fraud

The party berates the APC administration for attempting to delude Nigerians by tweaking the cost decimals to create a misleading impression of price reduction while fleecing the unsuspecting public.

The PDP challenges the APC and its administration to explain how they arrived at the pump price of N123.5 instead of the appropriate price of N90 per liter despite the fall in international price.

The PDP asks the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to disprove Nigerians by immediately publishing the full prevailing landing cost, the prevailing 3% depot cost, the 3% trucking cost as well as the retail outlet admin cost and show why the pump price should be above N90 per liter.

It indeed smacks of heartlessness that the APC, its leaders and cronies in government circle are rather manipulating fuel costs at this critical time when other governments across the world are seeking ways to mitigate the economic hardship being faced by their citizens.

Our party maintains that since Nigerians earlier had to bear the brunt of high cost of fuel in the face of high oil prices in the international market, it is only fair that they also enjoy the benefits of the cut in international prices; an advantage the APC had continued to deny them.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note how the APC and its leaders had remained silent and failed to support the demand for reduction of fuel price; a development that only points to apparent complicity in this sleazy scheme against our citizens.

The PDP therefore charges the APC and its administration to immediately reduce the pump price to the appropriate price of N90 as well as refund the accruable, so far, from the N35 per liter difference and channel same to provision of palliatives to Nigerians.

Our party also challenges the APC to join the PDP and other well-meaning Nigerians in our persistent demand that President Buhari orders the recovery of over N14 trillion oil money stolen by APC leaders in the last four years including the stolen N9trillion detailed in the leaked NNPC memo, and redirect same to the welfare of Nigerians.

Furthermore, the PDP reiterates its demand for the establishment of Eminent Nigerians Group to manage donations towards mitigating the impact of COVID-19 and ensure that the palliatives get to venerable Nigerians without any political and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

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Professor Jesse Otegbayo

Eight days after isolation and treatment, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, Chief Medical Director, CMD, of the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, has tested negative for COVID-19.

Head of Public Relations Unit of the hospital, Mr. Toye Akinrinlola, said the last test on his blood sample has come back negative.

Akinrinlola said the test result arrived at about 3:45p.m. to gladden the heart of family, friends and workers of the institution.

Otegbayo had tested positive to the virus seven days ago.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Israel’s PM Netanyahu to self-isolate for week after minister tests positive

He said he may have contracted the virus through Board meetings of the hospital held from Monday to Wednesday last week.

The week-long meetings were suspended on Thursday after some members showed symptoms of COVID-19.

He was among the eight confirmed cases in Oyo State as at Wednesday April 1.

The Provost of the College of Medicine and his deputy have also tested positive for the virus and have since placed themselves in self-isolation.

Vanguard

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Pastor Ize-Iyamu

By Gabriel Olawale

The leading aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu has today announced the appointments of 13 directors into his campaign organization.

The appointed directors and their positions are; Hon. Charity Amanyaevbo, Director of Mobilization; Hon. Kehinde Garrick, Director of Special Duties; Mr. Gideon Obhakhan, Director of Research; Hon. Almed Momoh, Director of Welfare; Engr Tom Eshemogie, Director of Administrations; Chief Barr Frank Erewele, Director of Logistics; Abu Momodu, Director of Finance; Mrs. Jubrin Mariam, Director of Women Mobilization; Hon. Pius Alile, Director of Strategy; C.P Victor N. Ojo (Rtd), Director of Security; Amb. Johnson Iyamu, Director of Youth Mobilization; Mike Igaga, Director of NGOs; Director of New Media Ms. Tinyan Otuomagie and Mr. John Mayaki, Director of Communication & Media.

READ ALSO: PDP to Buratai: Stop pitching military against Nigerians

A statement from the campaign organization announcing the appointments read: “To drive the SIMPLE agenda of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu’s campaign and consolidate on the gains recorded, we have assembled a cast of seasoned political campaigners and highly-experienced professionals with diverse skillsets and knowledge fields.”

“The appointed Directors are all experts with extensive knowledge in their assigned duties.”

“We are confident that they will make significant contributions to our guided efforts to offer responsible leadership to the people of our dear state and coordinate the activities of the campaign which, at this time, is focused on helping the government in the fight against the scourge of the coronavirus disease and provide relief to the poor and vulnerable who are often the worst hit in times of economic disruption and social upheavals.”

“All the appointed Directors have resumed duty, and have expressed delight to serve. The entire campaign team is rejuvenated by the appointments,” the statement concluded.

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Mr. Stephen Akintayo (middle) during the donation. 

As part of relief efforts to cushion the impact of coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic in Nigeria, the Chief Executive Officer of Gtext Homes, Mr. Stephen Akintayo, has donated N2 million to orphanages and the vulnerable.

Speaking during the donation, Mr. Akintayo, Founder of Stephen Akintayo Foundation, noted that it was not a season to think of you and your family alone.

ALSO READ: CORANIVIRUS: In Abuja, IDPs beg for protection

His words: “This is the season to give. We need to be our brothers’ keepers by ensuring that those that do not have benefit from our deeds of kindness, as this will also go a long way in helping people stay off the street and forestall the spread of the epidemic in the country.

“I am also using this opportunity to call on our partners, friends and other Nigerians, both corporate and individuals to see the need to give to the vulnerable among us.”

The beneficiaries include Gideon Orphanage and Widow Homes, N250,000, and Tivid Orphanage Home International, N250,000.

Another is Maiduguri IDP camp, which will also benefit through an NGO that will buy food items and distribute, as well as medicine for the hospital in the IDP Camp.

Meanwhile,  one million Naira has been given to www.ginido.com, an e-commerce website, that will be distributing groceries to communities in Ajegunle and other areas.

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