Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Alpha Maidawa

Britain’s Johnson ‘stable’ in intensive care, does not have pneumonia
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in stable condition in intensive care and has received oxygen, but he does not have pneumonia, Downing Street said on Tuesday.
“The prime minister has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits,” a spokesman told reporters.
“He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any other assistance.”
Cabinet minister Michael Gove, Johnson’s long-term friend, tweeted that he was self-isolating after a family member “started to display mild symptoms of coronavirus on Sunday.”
“I have not displayed any symptoms and am continuing to work as normal,” he said.
Johnson was moved to intensive care late Monday, following his admission to hospital on Sunday for tests after he experienced “persistent symptoms” of the novel coronavirus. He reported his infection with the virus on March 27.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab will “deputize where necessary” while Johnson remains in intensive care, Downing Street said earlier.
Get-well messages poured in from international leaders and from Johnson’s British political allies and opponents following news that he was in intensive care.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korean President Moon Jae In and French President Emmanuel Macron all wished Johnson a quick recovery.
US President Donald Trump said he had offered assistance to Johnson’s health team and that unspecified medical companies working on therapeutics to treat Covid-19 had “arrived in London” and were “ready to go.”
The Downing Street spokesman said British officials were confident that Johnson was “receiving the best possible care from the health service.”
Queen Elizabeth II paid tribute to all medical staff in a message to mark Tuesday’s World Health Day.
“I want to thank all those in the healthcare profession for your selfless commitment and diligence as you undertake vitally important roles to protect and improve the health and well-being of people across the Commonwealth, and across the world,” the queen said.
“In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore; the dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging of circumstances, is an example to us all,” she said.
Britain had reported 5,373 deaths linked to Covid-19 by Monday, making it one of the worst-affected countries.
Government experts estimate that hundreds of thousands of people are infected.
Many health experts have criticized the government’s slow response to the crisis, the low level of testing for the virus and the poor provision of intensive care beds, ventilators and protective equipment.
April 7, 2020
Japan’s Abe declares state of emergency for Tokyo, virus-hit regions
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for several regions battling against the coronavirus, as a rising rate of infection caused alarm in major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.
The state of emergency applies to the Japanese capital, the three neighbouring provinces Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitma, as well as Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka. It is to come into effect on Wednesday and remain in place until May 6.
The move will empower local authorities to order residents to stay at home, while also closing schools and other facilities.
However, the measures are not as extreme as the lockdowns seen in Italy or France.
Japanese citizens impacted by the state of emergency can not be prosecuted for disregarding it, nor can companies be forced to close. Instead, the country is relying on social pressure to keep people from spreading the potentially deadly virus.
Also on Tuesday, the Japanese government adopted its largest-ever economic stimulus package, worth 108 trillion yen (990.2 billion dollars), in an effort to protect the world’s third-largest economy against the coronavirus crisis.
The measures mainly aim to support families and small businesses.
The economic stimulus is far greater than the around 57 trillion yen made available during the 2008 global financial crash.
Japan’s gross domestic product shrank by 7.1 per cent in the final quarter of 2019, with the ongoing health and economic crisis only adding to economists’ concerns that the country is sliding into a technical recession, defined by two consecutive quarters of economic decline.
In another blow to the country, the 2020 Summer Olympics, which were to be hosted by Japan, have been postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has ground world travel to a halt and led to the introduction of draconian measures to slow the outbreak across the globe.
According to the latest figures from the US Johns Hopkins University, almost 4,000 cases of infection have been confirmed in Japan, with 92 deaths from the Covid-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus. Around 600 people have recovered from the illness.
April 7, 2020
COVID-19: NYSC members donate 1,000 face masks to Nasarawa govt
Some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Nasarawa State have produced and donated 1,000 face masks to the Nasarawa state government as part of their contribution to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Miss Deborah Oladeji, a 2019 Batch B Corps member serving in the Nasarawa state Ministry of Finance, Budget and Planning, led other corps members to make the donation to the Nasarawa state government in Lafia on Tuesday.
The Nasarawa state Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, received the donation on behalf of the state government.
Oladeji said the face masks were made by the corps members who put into practice what they learnt at the NYSC Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurship Department (SAED) during their orientation exercise.
“We came together and thought of a preventive means of ensuring the virus does not penetrate in to Nasarawa state and what we chose is well-tailored local face masks given the tailoring skill we learnt through the NYSC SAED training.
“We decided to come out, pool our resources to make the face masks for distribution to residents so they can protect themselves to prevent the infection of the virus and also to serve as service to humanity.
“We decided to do this due to the basic training we got through our SAED training in the fashion design line and we thought of rendering this Community Development Service to the community here in Nasarawa state,” Oladeji said.
She said that the face masks, made with cotton, were durable and had sterilised inner linen, which prevents the easy passage of airborne viruses that are harmful to the human system.
“The advantage is that we can maintain this type of face mask since it is not the disposable type and washing thoroughly with antiseptics and sun drying is what is required in maintaining it,” the corps member said.
She said that the project was collectively undertaken by all corps members in the state with some donating money, others fabrics and the those with knowledge of sewing completing the task by producing the face masks.
Receiving the donation, Akabe lauded the Corps members for the gesture and expressed joy at their creative invention and patriotism.
“I am so elated when I see Corps members with such commitment, foresight, zeal to want to assist and contribute their quota to help humanity; and that is what NYSC is all about.
“Having to produce these masks, I cannot but thank you for the foresight because we know what is happening the world over with regards to COVID-19,” he said.
The deputy governor said the provision of the masks would go a long way to help the state government contain the spread of the virus.
“Face masks ideally are supposed to be used and disposed of and not reusable but we cannot afford disposable masks for everybody in this country considering the population we have.
“So this idea of this reusable cotton masks will go a long way in preventing the spread of the virus.
“Like you said, we have to use it hygienically. We cannot afford to use it without cleaning . So our people should know this.
“I want to again thank NYSC for this noble gesture, especially the management in the state because the Corps members would not have succeeded without the support of management,” he said.
Mr Stephen Dewan, Coordinator of NYSC in the state, and other management staff of the scheme were present during the donation. (NAN)
April 7, 2020
Table tennis: World Championships provisionally scheduled for September to October in South Korea
The Table Tennis World Championships, which was postponed due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, has been provisionally scheduled to hold in South Korea between Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, the sport’s governing body said on Tuesday.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) had decided earlier this year that the event, which was originally scheduled to be held in March in the Southern city of Busan, would be shifted to June following the COVID-19 outbreak.
The move followed the governing body’s decision to suspend all ITTF events and activities until June 30.
“The ITTF has been working in close cooperation with the Korea Table Tennis Association (KTTA) in order to establish the new provisional dates and also have other optional dates to stage the World Championships, if necessary,” the ITTF said in a statement. (Reuters/NAN)
April 7, 2020
Experts seek proper implementation of FG’s N500bn fiscal stimulus package
Financial experts on Tuesday said the N500 billion fiscal stimulus package of the federal government would mitigate heightened risks posed by COVID-19 to the economy if properly implemented.
The experts spoke with the Nigeria News Agency (NAN) in Lagos on the N500 billion fiscal stimulus package announced by the Federal Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uche Uwaleke, Professor of Finance and Capital Market at the Nasarawa State University Keffi, commended the federal government for introducing the N500 billion fiscal stimulus package announced by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uwaleke said, if well implemented, the fiscal stimulus package, together with the palliatives already announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), would subtantially mitigate heightened risk posed by the pandemic to public health and the economy.
“This package which includes about N102 billion direct intervention to State governments as well as for the improvement of health facilities nationwide, will go a long way in the provision of critical health infrastructure required to fight the disease including intensive care units, personal protective equipment, ventilators and so on.
“It is cheering news that the government has also made provision for the enhancement of hazard allowance including insurance of health workers especially those on the frontline,” he stated.
He added that the activation of the Finance Act 2020, which granted tax concessions and waivers to Small and Medium Enterprises was a welcome development.
“However, granted that the Finance Act has widened exemptions with respect to VAT, the federal government should consider postponing the implementation of the VAT increase till the crisis is over just as was done in the case of new electricity tariffs.
“The government needs every kobo it can raise in order to provide these palliatives.
“This is why the government’s effort to take advantage of a COVID-19 concessional rapid credit facility, at zero interest rate, from the International Monetary Fund should be supported as other countries like Rwanda and Mozambique have done so,” Uwaleke said.
Also speaking, Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella, Professor of Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, commended the N500 billion fiscal stimulus package, saying that it was directed largely at health sector expenditure.
Tella stated the fiscal stimulus would complement the donations made by wealthy Nigerians, corporate bodies and financial institutions to tackle the effect of the pandemic.
“One aspect I have not heard from allocations from all these sources is how much is voted for research; for a medical research institution like the one in Oshodi, Lagos, towards contributions to finding global solutions to the COVID-19. There is the need to be explicit on this.
“Also, intervention to firms producing hand gloves, facial masks and other medical attires, specifically for the pandemic have to be clearly stated so that the public can appreciate efforts at providing for and protecting medical personnel,” Tella said.
Mr Ambrose Omordion, the Chief Operating Officer, InvestData Ltd., said economic crisis was at hand with the coronavirus outbreak since December 2019.
“Our delay as a nation in putting preventive measures earlier will cost us a lot to curtail the spread and manage the effects on the economy.
“The ongoing economic palliative of food sharing, transfer of money to the poor will not have impact on economic recovery or growth.
“The N500 billion intervention fund is a welcome development for managing the spread of virus and post coronavirus economic recovery if effectively utilised,” Omordion stated.
He noted that the intervention funds and palliatives should be targeted at critical sectors of the economy such as agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare, among others to ensure quick recovery. (NAN)
April 7, 2020
COVID-19: Lagos markets record drop in prices of perishables food items
One week after the restriction of movement in a bid to curtail the spread of COVID-19, prices of perishable food appears to be plummeting.
This is according to a survey conducted by NAN in no fewer than ten markets including Mile 12, and Oyingbo, on Tuesday.
NAN reports that a 40 kilogramme (kg) basket of tomato, which sold for N12, 000 immediately the lockdown was announced had dropped to N8, 000.
Similarly, a 50kg basket of bell pepper (Tatashe) dropped from N10, 000 to N7, 000.
The survey also showed that a 50kg Chilli pepper (Shombo) has now been pegged at N8, 000 instead of its former price of N10, 000.
Also, the price of a jute bag of scotch bonnet pepper was equally affected as it dropped from N9, 000 to N7, 000.
Mr Femi Odusanya, Spokesperson, Mile 12 Market Traders Association, attributed the situation to fear of depreciation of life of the items, adding that supply was now greater than demand due to the lockdown.
“ Citizens are observing the movement restrictions as ordered by the government and this has also led to traffic in our markets,’’ he said.
Odusanya explained that the prices of most perishable items had soared immediately the lockdown was announced due to increase in demand.
He also said the time frame allotted for markets across Lagos might have been too short to stimulate greater demands for perishable food items, adding paucity of fund was also responsible for the downward slide of the demand graph.
Odunsanya, therefore, urged the government to intervene by providing farmers and dealers of such items with some palliatives to cushion the effect of the losses.
Malam Mauzu, a dealer of perishable food items in Oyingbo market confirmed the situation, saying that the high cost of transportation had increased the burden.
“I would usually leave home as early as 4am and pay triple to transport my produce to get to the market only to sell them at very ridiculous prices,’’ he said.
However, there seem to be exponential increases in prices of bags of sachet water, tomato paste and other food items like garri, yam flour and the likes.
Mrs Funmilayo Makinde, a water retailer, said a bag of pure water which sold for N80 had increased to N150 at the last chain.
She said retailers had before the shutdown bought the product at N80 and resold at N100.
She attributed the increase to scarcity and increase in cost of getting nylons for packaging.
Also, a carton of sachet tomato paste which sold for N2, 250 had soared to N3, 400.
“No enough supplies of these items due to the restrictions and many stores are hoarding what they have and increasing the prices,” she said.
The sharp drop in prices of perishable food items may not be unconnected with the neighbourhood markets constructed by the Lagos State Government to ameliorate the suffering of residents during the lockdown.
However, the reported increases of prices of some other manufactured food items could simply be linked to interplay between high demands and hoarding which allowed prices to be determined by negative market forces. (NAN)
April 7, 2020
COVID-19: Visa Foundation commits $210m to support SMEs
The Visa Foundation says it has committed 210 million dollars to two programmes to support small and micro businesses to address urgent needs from local communities following the spread of COVID-19.
Mr Al Kelly, Chairman, Visa, said on Tuesday in Lagos that the support was in alignment with the foundation’s long-term focus on women’s economic advancement and inclusive economic development.
Kelly, in a statement, detailed that the first programme of 10 million dollars was designated for immediate emergency relief to support charitable organisations on the frontlines responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to him, such include public health and food relief in each of the five geographic regions in which Visa operates.
“As COVID-19 continues to unfold, communities are feeling the effects and need our immediate support.
“As a global company that operates a very local business, we recognise this need.
“We are also committed to the long-term recovery, and will continue to explore way to accelerate economic activity in line with our mission to help individuals, businesses and economies thrive,” he said.
Kelly said the second programme was a five-year strategic 200 million dollar commitment to support small and micro businesses around the world, focussing on fostering women’s economic advancement.
This action, he said, would expand the Visa Foundation’s long-standing support for small and micro businesses globally.
“The funds from the Visa Foundation will provide capital to non-government organisations (NGOs) and investment partners supporting small and micro businesses.
“Small and micro businesses are backbone of the global economy, accounting for more than 90 per cent of worldwide businesses and contributing 50 to 60 per cent of global employment.
“There is a 300 billion dollars annual credit deficit in funding for women-owned small and micro businesses.
“This is expected to grow given the recent economic turmoil unfolding due to COVID-19.
“Now, more than ever, we must accelerate our support for small businesses on the frontlines driving economic growth.
“As many small and micro business owners are women, there will be a ripple effect supporting women’s economic advancement.
“We believe this is one of the most important ways to achieve gender equality, reduce poverty and foster inclusive economic development,” Kelly said.
Also, Mr Graham Macmillan, President, Visa Foundation disclosed that through the 200 million dollars SMEs programme, the Visa Foundation would provide 60 million dollars in grants to NGOs dedicated to supporting small and micro business owners, many of whom are women, in every region where Visa operates.
“The Visa Foundation will also allocate140 million dollars with investment partners that generate positive social and financial returns for small and micro businesses.
“Two hundred million dollars in new financial resources demonstrates our continuing commitment to support small and micro businesses, with a focus on women’s economic advancement globally.
“When women thrive, communities thrive. We know this matters now, more than ever as the global economy seeks to recover and rebuild,” Macmillan said.
Visa operates in North America; Latin America and the Caribbean; Europe; Asia Pacific; and Central Europe, Middle East and Africa. (NAN)
April 7, 2020
Violence mars distribution of free food in Kaduna
Residents of Narayi area of Kaduna have swooped over foodstuffs meant to be distributed to vulnerable people in the area, with members of the committee responsible for the distribution looking helplessly.
The foodstuffs were being distributed by the Kaduna State Government to cushion the hardship facing indigent people as a result of the lockdown over Coronavirus.
Chairman of the distribution committee, Malam Sule Garba said the incident took place on Monday evening at Narayi LEA Primary School.
Garba, who is also the Village Head of Narayi, told NAN on Tuesday in Kaduna that a rowdy crowd of young men and women swooped over the foodstuffs and carted it away.
He listed the food items as 170 cartons of spaghetti, and 1,250 cartons of indomie, 650 and 230 small bags of about three measures of rice and beans, as well as 800 gallons of vegetable oil.
He explained that in the spirit of transparency, the committee offloaded the items at LEA Primary School Narayi, but shortly that, a massive crowd of women and children, majority of whom were young and agile youths flooded the venue to collect their share.
He said that problem began when the committee became divided over the modalities to adopt in distributing the items, with everyone insisting on his idea.
The village head said that while the argument persisted, some of the community members began handing over the food items to their families and friends.
“We were distributing the foodstuffs, one item each to every beneficiary when we lost control of the crowed and boom! The exercise became free for all.
“We did the best we could, but we were overwhelmed by the massive crowd of hungry people who want to get a share at all cost,” he said.
He added that members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, who were there to provide the needed security and ensure successful distribution of the items, also joined in the struggle to get their share.
“I am glad that no life was lost,” Garba said.
Reacting to the allegation, one of the leaders of the Civilian JTF, Mr Silas Kure, said he was not aware of the involvement of his members in the brawl, but said that the allegation would be investigated.
Also, Mr Yusuf Goje of Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition, described the development as very unfortunate, and said the situation would have been prevented with good planning and proper coordination. (NAN)
April 7, 2020
Lockdown: FCT residents take to jogging to overcome boredom
Many residents of the Federal Housing Estate and Lugbe community, a satellite district of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have taken to jogging as a way to overcome boredom occasioned by the COVID-19 lockdown.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the exercise has become a daily event in the area since the Federal Government’s directive for a 14-day lockdown in the city, which entered its Eighth day on Tuesday.
The directive, which ordered residents of the nation’s capital city to stay at home for the period of the lockdown, was part of government’s measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the area.
Mr Charles Ugochukwu, a trainer at a local fitness centre, told NAN that it was his first time to see such a large number of people coming out to jog every morning.
Ugochukwu said, “It has never happened and I think it is the lockdown that has propelled them to turn their interest to exercise, which is commendable.”
He also said that prior to the lockdown, people who went out to jog in the community were usually few in number and hardly came out regularly.
“It’s like you know their faces but this sudden influx of people getting fond of morning jogging and exercises on a daily basis, I think it’s because of the lockdown,’’ he said.
A civil servant, Miss Patricia Imo, said that she developed interest in going out to jog every morning during the stay at home order of the federal government.
“In fact, it all started after seeing my co-tenant going out to jog every morning.
“I then asked him if he could take me along and he said he would, and I had to go and buy jogging shoes,’’ Imo said.
Also, another civil servant, Ibrahim Adam, said the lockdown afforded him the opportunity to look into his health status and “burn out some fat.’’
Mr Olatunji Alfred and his wife, Kehinde, both admitted the lockdown fuelled their desire for exercise as the situation afforded them the time to indulge in it.
“We realised we suddenly had enough time due to the lockdown, therefore, we needed to take advantage of it by regularly going out to jog every morning,’’ Alfred said.
The couple further said that apart from jogging, they also spend time playing badminton.
Mr Chinedu Matthew also told NAN that he was motivated to take to regular jogging every morning due to the lockdown.
“Four of my neighbours actually made me do it because by the time I get out of bed maybe by 8:30 in the morning, I would see them returning from jogging,’’ he said.
Matthew, a trader at Wuse Market, said he had to develop the interest in physical exercise to keep himself refreshed all day, adding that it could be boring and frustrating to be home all day long.
A banker, Miss Angela Harfeez, said she had to imbibe the culture of engaging in physical exercise every morning because of the lockdown.
She said that before now she could not muster the courage to go for jogging on her own, even though she knew her body needed some physical exercise to keep fit.
“But when my colleague invited me, I immediately went for it,’’ Harfeez said.
The joggers cut across different strata of society and age brackets, including the elderly, middle aged, working class, professionals in different spheres and teenagers, among others. (NAN)
April 7, 2020
COVID-19 Lockdown: Nigerian women risk high rate of rape, unwanted pregnancies – Family health expert
Ms. Ajani Oluwatobi, a family health expert, says unless adequate measures are put in place, the lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic will expose Nigerian women to high risk of rape and unwanted pregnancies.
Oluwatobi made the assertion in a statement she signed and issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Asaba.
She is the Family Planning 2020 (FP2020) Youth Focal Point, Nigeria for Development Communications (DevComs) Network and Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI II).
The family health expert said that the lockdown would expose the women, particularly the younger ones and those within reproductive age, to danger by aggressive men who currently were idle.
According to her, Nigerians should be concerned about high rate of conception and unplanned pregnancy at this time of lockdown against the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) in the country.
“Though, it might seem that Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) should be the least of our worries during this COVID-19 outbreak, however, learning from the Ebola experience, such situations could increase the risk of the vulnerable population.
“Such situations often result in internally displaced persons, women and girls being exposed to rape, teenage pregnancy, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, gender-based violence and domestic violence.
“The coronavirus pandemic is currently affecting the global economy and basically disrupting the world order, and as the days go by, we have continually seen how the unexpected situation affects every aspect of our lives.
“But the sure question is who thinks about sexual activities when people are getting sick and some are dying from COVID-19,” she stated.
Oluwatob said that the social distancing and the lockdown directives of government were reasonable but not without their negative consequences.
According to her, the stay-at-home order which involves closing down offices, businesses, schools, markets and others, creates room for idleness.
“It makes a lot of people including young people very idle. Consequently, adolescent girls and vulnerable women end up in various compromising situations.
“For instance, the young girl that finds school as a safe space is back in the house with that abusive uncle, neighbor or stepfather.
“That woman who intentionally spends most of her time selling in the market to avoid engaging in sexual activities with her husband especially for fear of pregnancy is now stuck with him at home.
“Young people in relationships are more likely to engage in consensual sexual activities this period.
“We should be concerned about high rate of conception and in turn unplanned pregnancies at this period,” she said.
Oluwatobi urged all stakeholders particularly the media to create the awareness and ensure people took the right options as regards their sexual and reproductive life during the period.
“This serves as a reminder to us that social distancing or the stay- at- home policy is not a license to perpetuate gender-based violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and domestic violence.
“Also, it is crucial that we all take responsibilities for our sexual needs during this time.
“Married and co-habiting couples who are not on a long-acting contraceptive and family planning method should remember to stock up condoms.
“Young people should endeavor to abstain at this time and if they can’t get handy condoms and emergency contraceptives.
“The reality is that this is not a good time to have unplanned pregnancies because the pressure of the pandemic on the health system will affect and disrupt routine Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services,” she said.
Oluwatobi listed such SRH services as family planning, ante-natal services, post-abortion care services, immunisation services, among other. (NAN).
April 7, 2020