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Author: Alpha Maidawa

China’s producer prices down 1.5 per cent in March
China’s Producer Price Index (PPI), which measures costs for goods at the factory gate, dropped 1.5 per cent year on year in March, compared with a 0.4 per cent decline in February, the National Bureau of Statistics said Friday.
On a month-on-month basis, the PPI fell 1 per cent last month.
“In the first quarter of 2020, the PPI on average inched down 0.6 per cent from the same period of last year.
“Factory prices of capital goods decreased 2.4 per cent year on year in March, widening from a 1 per cent decline in February.”
Ten of the 40 surveyed industries saw price hikes month on month, while 28 reported price drops and two witnessed unchanged prices.
Among major industries, prices for oil and natural gas extraction saw the fastest retreat in March, plunging by 21.7 per cent year on year.
Prices for processing of oil, coal and other fuel slumped 10.6 per cent year on year, while those of chemical raw materials and chemical products manufacturing went down 5.3 per cent over one year ago in March.
The bureau’s senior statistician, Dong Lijuan, said the carry-over effect of last year’s price movements was almost zero, while new factors contributed entirely to the overall 1.5 per cent drop last month.
Monday’s data also showed China’s consumer price index, a main gauge of inflation, grew 4.3 per cent year on year in March, moderating from 5.2 per cent in February. (Xinhua/NAN)
April 10, 2020
Centre says FG’s N500bn COVID-19 intervention fund responsive
A Pan -African centre of excellence in health innovation, African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI), has described the approval of N500 billion COVID -19 Crisis Intervention Fund by President Muhammadu Buhari as responsive and commendable.
Prof. Wellington Oyibo, Head, ANDI, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that the approval was a step in the right direction.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had in a statement on Fiscal Stimulus Measures, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, said the fund was proposed to be utilised to upgrade healthcare facilities.
She also said it would be used to support states in improving healthcare facilities, among others tbings.
Oyibo said: “This is expected, but the question is: What kind of upgrade are we talking about? In what areas? Is it in the area of equipment, training or remuneration? All of these have to be properly defined.
” If upgrade will mean equipment, then we have to look at the capacity building and operational framework that include equipment repairs/maintenance and utilisation,” he said.
He advised that a strategy should be put in place to prioritise what would be needed and at what scope, after a need assessment and appropriate stakeholder engagement would have been done.
He suggested that construction of a containment facility should meet all the technical specifications.
According to him, this construction must be carried out in cities with international airports and borders
“Beyond these, there is the infrastructure that is needed for health. This has to be unpacked nicely because only then can we tell if this fund is adequate or not,” he said.
Oyibo also urged that health upgrade must be nationalistic by supporting in-country platforms to develop research and development platforms where innovation could be helpful.
He added that development of technologies with energy-efficient and easy-to-use devices/equipment would ensure accessible services that could be provided.
On insurance, support and compensation for frontline healthcare workers during and after the pandemic, Oyibo commended the government for efforts.
He said: “However, permit me to add that, when the needful comes last, it does not help with the required motivation.
“We understand the deontological aspect of the work in terms of commitment to humanity.
“The high risk in providing care without protective materials and the expectations on what should be done is not balanced.
“Remember that fatality that occurs while providing national services are not appreciated or rewarded. Going forward, a more holistic approach is recommended,” he said.
He called for further strengthening of the capacity of the frontline staff so that the country could benefit from their experiences in the future.
He suggested that they should be kept together as a group or network, noting that so much had happened in recent weeks with massive skills in surveillance, logistics, case management (diagnosis and treatment) communication etc, built for the country.
He said that making them to be in groups would help the government to have a framework in place so as to do the right thing at the right time.
On the Chinese doctors in Nigeria to help contain the pandemic, Oyibo urged the government to clearly define their roles.
“There should be more communication on what they are needed for when the country’s health team has successfully managed cases.
“Their roles should be clearly defined as we put the country’s interest first. Professional and ethical conduct is critical,” he said. (NAN)
April 10, 2020
Turkey sends medical aid supplies to Britain
Turkey sent a military cargo plane on Friday carrying medical aid supplies to Britain in an effort to help fight the novel coronavirus.
The medical equipment was sent on a Turkish Armed Forces plane from Etimesgut airport near the capital, Ankara, the Defence Ministry said on Twitter, sharing footage of the freight.
Ankara on Friday separately sent medical supplies to Libya, the Defence Ministry said. Ankara, which backs Libya’s UN-recognised government against a rival group, has military training personnel stationed in the war-torn North African country.
Turkey earlier sent aid to combat the contagious virus to NATO allies, Italy, Spain, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, as well as Serbia, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
Turkey has so far reported 908 deaths from the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus and 42,282 confirmed cases. (dpa/NAN)
April 10, 2020
Belarus club puts virtual fans in homeground stands to fight virus
FC Dynamo Brest of Belarus, one of a handful of football clubs still playing in Europe, is filling its stands with mannequins sports cut-out portraits of fans.
This is to boost the atmosphere in their homeground as many supporters stay home because of the coronavirus.
Belarus has the only professional football league in Europe still playing, as its authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, has shown little regard for the pandemic or the need for lockdowns to prevent it spreading.
The league is one of Europe’s least glamorous, and rarely gets a team into the latter stages of UEFA’s continental competitions.
But its moment in the spotlight is filling the void for foreign fans starved of football at home, and raking in a string of foreign broadcast deals.
Nevertheless, many local supporters, more worried about the pandemic than their president, have stopped going to matches.
The club found a creative answer by inviting fans from around the world to buy virtual tickets online.
In return, the fans’ photos are pasted onto the top half of a fashion dummy sitting inside the stadium.
The fans themselves receive a match day magazine sent to their home address.
The money raised will be donated towards fighting the coronavirus.
“Our fans from all over the world seem to be happy! Thanks for your support, guys!” the club tweeted.
On Wednesday, as Dynamo Brest hosted Shakhtyor Soligorsk, a section of the stands was filled with the faces of supporters.
These are from countries which include Russia, Britain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Iran, sporting a range of overseas club shirts.
Belarus has 1,486 confirmed coronavirus cases and 16 deaths, according to the health ministry.
Lukashenko has called the outbreak a “psychosis” that can be fought by drinking vodka, taking saunas and driving tractors.
Brest next play at home on Sunday, against FC Isloch.(Reuters/NAN)
April 10, 2020
China ramps up efforts on business environment amid COVID-19 battle
China is ramping up efforts in optimising business environment to stabilise development of enterprises and economy amid the fight against COVID-19, reports Economic Information Daily on Friday.
Ren Rongfa, Deputy Commissioner of China’s State Taxation Administration, said by March, more than 100 reform measures had been introduced nationwide to improve the business environment, with 70-odd of them promoted across the country.
According to the report, central China’s Henan Province started to solicit public opinions on its regulations to optimize business environment recently.
The Chinese capital city Beijing has already approved its own business environment optimisation regulations which will be effective on April 28.
A number of regions have also announced key tasks to improve business environment.
East China’s Zhejiang Province would focus on helping enterprises with work and production resumption amid the epidemic while improving the business environment.
Shenzhen of south China’s Guangdong Province has worked out 210 reform measures centering on 14 key areas like business registration, project approval, corporate financing and cross-border trade.
Judging from the regulations and key tasks announced by all localities, reduction of enterprises’ burden and stimulation of market vitality had been further highlighted, said the report.
For example, Zhejiang proposed to further advance the “10 + N” initiative to improve facilitation in starting a business, carrying out cross-border trade and getting credit.
It also puts forward to cut taxes, fees, rent, interest and expenses for enterprises by about 150 billion yuan for the year, and to deepen the reform regarding electricity to ensure lower electricity price for industry and commerce.
Improved business environment at this critical time is particularly crucial, which is helpful for enterprises to tidy over difficulties posed by the epidemic and socio-economic development back on track, noted experts. (Xinhua/NAN)
April 10, 2020
COVID-19 cases in Africa rise to over 11,900 – WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo, says the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Africa has increased to over 11,900.
The UN’s health agency gave the update on its official twitter account @WHOAFRO on Friday.
“COVID19 cases in Africa rise to over 11,900 – with 1,586 recoveries and 608 deaths reported,’’ it said.
The breakdown in the WHO African Region COVID-19 dashboard showed that South Africa, Algeria and Cameroon had continued to top the list of countries with the highest reported cases.
South Africa has 1,934 cases and 18 deaths followed by Algeria with 1,666 cases and 235 deaths, while Cameroon has 730 confirmed cases with 10 deaths.
It also showed that the countries with the lowest confirmed cases are South Sudan and Burundi, which had reported three cases each with zero death.
The second lowest confirmed cases of COVID-19 countries in Africa are Gambia and Sao Tome, which have confirmed four cases each while the latter has zero death, the former (Gambia) has recorded one death.
Mauritania is in the third category with lowest cases as the country has recorded six confirmed cases with no death.
Also, the dashboard showed that COVID-19 cases had risen to 288 in the past two days from 254 confirmed cases with seven deaths in Nigeria.
However, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa, said COVID-19 had the potential not only to cause thousands of deaths, but to also unleash economic and social devastation.
In a statement posted on the agency’s website, the regional director said the virus had continued to spread on the continent.
“Its spread beyond major cities means the opening of a new front in our fight against this virus.
“This requires a decentralised response, which is tailored to the local context.
“Communities need to be empowered and provincial and district levels of government need to ensure they have the resources and expertise to respond to outbreaks locally,” Moeti said.
WHO says it has been working with governments across Africa to scale up their capacities in critical response areas.
It listed the areas of response as coordination, surveillance, testing, isolation, case management, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, risk communication and community engagement, and laboratory capacity.
It said Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Nigeria had expanded national testing to multiple labs, allowing for decentralised testing.
“These combined measures will ensure the rapid identification of cases, the tracking down and quarantining of contacts and the isolation and treatment of patients.
“It is also crucial that people are provided with accurate information which will promote healthy behaviours.
“Protection of health workers is a vital component of the response and when governments implement physical distancing measures, the basic needs of people should be taken into account,” WHO noted.
The statement quoted Dr Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, as saying: “Africa still has an opportunity to reduce and slow down disease transmission.
“All countries must rapidly accelerate and scale up a comprehensive response to the pandemic, including an appropriate combination of proven public health and physical distancing measures.
“Within that process, Member States should target effective control of the outbreak, but plan for the worst.
“Early isolation of all cases, including mild cases, is one of the key control measures, along with early detection, early treatment and contact tracing.
“Timely and accurate epidemiological data is one of the most important tools to inform and drive the response.
“We must protect our health care workers and ensure that they are appropriately equipped – they are on the front lines and need our unwavering support. We owe them a great deal.”
There is concern about the impact of the pandemic on countries with fragile health systems and those experiencing complex emergencies.
WHO further said the international community should extend technical and financial support to these countries to enhance response capacities to minimise the spread of the outbreak.
It said some countries in Africa might not have adequate intensive care unit capacity such as beds, ventilators and trained personal.
“It is critical that countries do all they can to prevent this outbreak from intensifying further. This means a strong public health response by every arm of government and every part of society.
“WHO is working across Africa to deliver essential equipment, train health workers, clinicians and public servants on how best to respond to COVID-19, and to tailor global guidance to challenging local contexts.
“We are also working to address global market failures and ensure a reliable and equitable distribution of essential supplies and equipment to low- and middle-income countries, including those in Africa,” said the statement.
April 10, 2020
COVID-19: NSCDC sensitises, distributes foodstuff to Abuja communities
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken its sensitisation campaigns to some rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory.
Mr Emmanuel Okeh, NSCDC spokesperson, in a statement said the Corps Commandant General, Mr Muhammad Gana, started the sensitisation programme at Nwalege, Gui and Sauka communities in Abuja.
Gana said that the assignment of the Corps in containing the COVID-19 pandemic was enforcement, adding that about 9,500 personnel have been deployed across the country.
He noted that though some areas in the country are not aware of the virus, the Corps had been going round to sensitise them.
“We have gone round ensuring that these people are aware and adequately informed of the virus in the country.
“We have shared sanitisers, we have gone round making sure that we have drums of buckets with running tap in the market places and enlighten them on personal hygiene.
“I got an information lately that the Management staff voluntarily contributed over one million Naira to buy foodstuffs for distribution to indigent persons to cushion the effect of the lockdown as parts of measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic,“ he said.
Gana appreciated the public on the level of compliance as regard the lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun.
Earlier, Mrs Lucy Fakoya, one of the NSCDC officers, while addressing the Nwalege community, said there was the need for the community to maintain good hygiene.
Fakoya noted that keeping social distancing, washing of hands and applying sanitisers were the major ways of protection against the virus.
“I want to urge you all today to ensure that your hands are clean always. Wash your hands under a running tap and apply sanitiser thereafter.
“Ensure you keep social distancing and avoid crowded gatherings because these are the things that could make you contract the Virus,” she said.
The items distributed include rice, groundnut oil, salt and tomato paste. (NAN)
April 10, 2020
COVID-19: NFC donates food items to Jos community
In the wake of the lockdown imposed in Plateau by the state government to curb the spread of Coronavirus, the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has donated food items to its host community in Jos.
Gov. Simon Lalong had on April 6, announced a total lockdown in the state for the fumigation of public areas such as markets, stadia, parks and others.
The Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, donated the food items to the community through its Chief, Adagwom Jos Izere, Jos North, Ada Ajik.
Maduekwe said that the donation was a palliative to cushion the effect of the hardship being experienced by the people.
“The situation is such that people have to be concerned about others, this is the time for mankind to come together to protect mankind as a whole.
“For us, this is a symbolic demonstration of what the Federal Government has started at the top, we and some of our friends in the industry contributed into this kind gesture.
“We chose this community because they host us, the permanent site of the NFC is here and we believe that charity begins at home, I consider this place my home.”
Maduekwe stated that it was part of the corporation’s gesture was in tune with the Federal Government’s agenda during this period of COVID-19.
He added that the items donated were to help cushion the effect that the lockdown would have on families in the area of feeding.
He lauded the measures put in place by the State Government and how proactive the State had been in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maduekwe charged citizens to adhere strictly to all measures given by government to stem the spread of the virus.
The food items donated to the community were 200 bags of rice, 200 cartons of Indomie noodles and 200 cartons of cooking oil.
The Adagwom Jos Izere Chiefdom thanked the NFC for its gesture, stating that the donation came at a time when his people needed it the most.
He promised that the items would be distributed to everyone in the community.
The chief urged everyone to remain at home during the lockdown and maintain good hygiene to stop the spread of the virus. (NAN)
April 10, 2020
COVID-19: Indian firm donates 1,000 cartons of noodles to FCTA
An Abuja-based Indian firm, Tulsi Chanrai Foundation, has donated 1,000 cartons of noodles to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to support its efforts to cushion the effect of sit-at-home on the vulnerable.
Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr Shravan Kumar, presented the items to the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, on Friday in Abuja.
Kumar said the donation was to support those at the “bottom of the pyramid” who were mostly affected by the lockdown in the nation’s capital.
He also stated that the firm had developed a support package aimed at ensuring an efficient, effective and impactful response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He explained that the package would be distributed with the support of the FCT administration’s personnel.
“Controlling the COVID-19 pandemic is a mammoth task and involves some painful decisions.
“Tulsi Chanrai Foundation is doing its bit to support the nation at this time of great need and offer help to the FCT Administration to succeed in fighting back the threat of the pandemic.
“We at TCF are supporting food distribution, increasing awareness via printed handouts on how to control the spread of the disease and providing medicated soap to vulnerable households adversely affected by the measures instituted to control further spread of the pandemic in and around the FCT,” he said.
He also said that each carton of indomie noodle contains a pack of milk and soap, adding that the interventions were critical change agents as they give the vulnerable a sense of self-control over their lives.
Responding, Aliyu noted that Tulsi Chanrai foundation had demonstrated social responsibility to the Nigeria populace, especially in the areas of primary healthcare, safe drinking water and eye care services.
She said that the firm’s response in the fight against COVID-19 in the nation’s capital would not be forgotten in a hurry.
The minister also promised that the items would be taken to the vulnerable households in rural communities.
Aliyu thanked the organisation for the gesture and called on other corporate bodies to do the same as government was doing everything possible to overcome the situation. (NAN)
April 10, 2020
COVID-19: FG pledges proper distribution of donation from China
The Federal Government will ensure proper distribution of the medical supplies brought by the team from China, in the fight to contain the spread of Coronavirus( COVID-19).
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health says the on Wednesday received equipment and consumable worthy 1.3 million dollars as well as 15 medical experts donated by Chinese companies working in Nigeria.
Ehanire, in a statement, said that the team were not in Nigeria to treat patients but to conduct capacity building based on their experience.
“All available resources shall be deployed to support adequate engagement of Nigerian medical experts towards curbing the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria,’’ he said.
The minister said the Federal Government appreciated the gesture from the Chinese community in Nigeria, recognising that collaboration, knowledge sharing, and expert insight are critical in the fight against coronavirus.
“Federal Ministry of Health assures that the Federal Government, through the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), will ensure the quality of all the medical supplies that were brought into the country.
“It must be stressed that, following global best practices and in line with our advisory, the medical experts from China have gone into isolation for 14 days and will be tested for COVID-19,’’ he said.
According to him, as of April 8, Nigeria recorded 276 cases across several states with six deaths.
He also said that 44 people were discharged.
“In addition to providing their expertise, the donation provides medical supplies to augment the efforts of the government towards containing the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria.
“The mission will strengthen our response in Nigeria based on lessons from the response in China.
“The Chinese medical team will provide first-hand experience and insights on how they were able to bring the spread of the disease under control.
“The donors, a group of Chinese companies working in Nigeria, made this gesture in a show of solidarity and cooperation with the government as the world works together to contain this disease.’’
Ehanire said the donation also included medical equipment and consumables, personal protective equipment with over one million medical masks for health workers, and ventilators, amongst other items valued at over 1.3 million dollars.
“These resources will support the ongoing efforts of our hard-working and resourceful health workers across the country, including doctors and nurses, who have been at the forefront of fighting the disease.
“The PPE will also serve to protect these frontline workers and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the line of duty,’’ he said.
On April 3, during the Presidential Task Force media briefing, the imminent arrival to Nigeria of a team of Chinese medical experts was announced.
The delegation of 15 Chinese medical experts, who has arrived, is composed of doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians who will help strengthen testing and management of COVID-19 cases, especially those needing critical care in Nigeria. (NAN)
April 9, 2020