Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Alpha Maidawa

Spanish coronavirus cases overtake China
Spain on Monday overtook China’s total number of coronavirus cases.
However, business leaders and regional authorities criticised the government’s decision to further restrict the movement of people and keep non-essential workers at home until mid-April.
An overnight death toll of 812 people brought total fatalities in Spain to 7,340 while the number of infections rose by eight per cent to 85,195, against 81,470 in China, where the disease originated at the end of 2019.
Health emergency chief, Fernando Simon, who has been holding daily briefings on the epidemic, has tested positive for the virus, his deputy said.
Maria Jose Sierra, who replaced Simon, said the daily infection increase had slowed since the introduction of lockdown measures to 12 per cent on average since March 25 from around 20 per cent in the March 15 to 25 periods.
As Spain awoke to its third week of a nationwide lockdown, the strictest yet, flags flew at half-mast in the capital and the surrounding region, which has been the epicentre of the epidemic.
The government said it was imposing caps on funeral prices, following reports that undertakers were taking advantage of increased demand.
The first batch of medical supplies requested by Spain from NATO’s disaster coordination centre arrived from the Czech Republic by plane on Sunday evening.
After the government announced on Saturday that all non-essential workers should stay home for two weeks, Antonio Garamendi, President of Spain’s Business Association, said the lockdown could lead to a full-blown social crisis.
He, however, criticised the delay in clarifying which sectors were “essential”.
“If you stop the country, we’ll have a huge social problem within five months,’’ he said in a television interview.
The government gave businesses an extra 24 hours to wind down operations, with the full closure of non-essential activity to start on Tuesday.
In the Basque Country, a major industrial hub, business association ConfeBask described the new measures as irresponsible and thoughtless, insisting that further shutdowns would only worsen the social and economic impact of the crisis.
Catalan business group, Foment del Treball, called for further measures to cushion the blow from the enforced shutdown and said the state should cover 75 per cent of labour costs incurred during the period by companies with limited access to funds. (Reuters/NAN)
March 30, 2020
Military neutralises several terrorists, destroys their logistics facilities in Sambisa forest
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that several Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) have been neutralised in air strikes executed by the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) at Valangide in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno.
The Acting Director Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, added that the terrorists’ structures and logistics supplies were also destroyed.
Onyeuko said the mission was conducted on March 27, in continuation of subsidiary Operation Decisive Edge.
He said it was carried out after an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft spotted and tracked some terrorists to compounds within the settlement where they resided in some well-developed structures.
According to him, the theatre command of OPLD consequently scrambled its fighter jets to engage the location.
“The jets were vectored to the target by the ISR aircraft, with their munitions making direct hits in the target area, neutralizing some of the BHTs and damaging some of their dwellings.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the Northeast, will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Nation,” he said. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
COVID-19 : Gov. Ganduje flags off fumigation of public places
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has flagged off a special fumigation exercise of the state as part of proactive measures against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during the monthly sanitation exercise on Saturday at the Government House, Ganduje said that the fumigation would particularly be in worship places, markets, hospitals, motor parks and major roads.
“This is a start-up exercise of sanitizing our environment, because we are fighting this pandemic from all angles,” he said.
The governor commended Lee Group of companies for supporting the government with four trucks of chlorine as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“Lee Group of Companies heeded to our request urging private companies to join hands with us in this fight against the pandemic.
“Lee’s intervention is part of the company’s CSR which we really commend. We are calling on other private hands to also join us in these measures,” he said.
The governor alongside the Commissioner of Information, Malam Muhammad Garba and that of Environment, Dr Kabiru Getso witnessed the flag off at government house, state road and Muhammad Abdullahi Wase hospital.
The governor explained that, it was because his government did not want to cripple the economy that the closure of Kano borders did not affect essential needs like food, some raw materials among others.
“We are in this sorry and emergency situation and we will do our best to see that suffering of our people is minimized,” he stated.
He also disclosed that markets would remain opened and encourage people to take issue of social distancing very seriously, but added that it will be better for them to remain indoors.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, said that the state government was committed to providing healthy environment for the people of the state.
According to him, the major reason why government closed schools and directed workers to stay off their offices, is to stop the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
Getso said that the fumigation exercise which started on Thursday, would target major roads and public places including places of worship and motor parks.
He also urged people of the state to maintain good hygiene, wash their hands regularly with soap or sanitizer, use nose mask and maintain social distancing.
Getso said that fumigation against mosquitoes will be done simultaneously with that of Coronavirus to rid the state of mosquitoes. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
COVID-19: FRSC sensitises drivers on social distancing
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced massive sensitisation of drivers in motor-parks in Enugu on social distancing in their commercial vehicles to check spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Enugu State Government had earlier directed commercial vehicle drivers to carry only two passengers per long seat in their buses as well as only one passengers and the driver in the front.
The government also directed commercial tricycle operators to only carry two passengers behind; while taxi should carry two passengers at the back and one passenger with the driver at the front of the car.
The FRSC Sector Command in Enugu State, Mr Ogbonnaya Kalu, disclosed this to NAN in Enugu on Saturday.
Kalu said the sensitisation had been taken to Holy Ghost motor-park, Garki Market motor-park, New Market motor-park, Abakpa motor-park and Emene motor-park.
“We have continued through the ongoing sensitisation to advise commercial drivers to adhere strictly to government orders to checkmate the spread of the Coronavirus.
“Whatever order or policy put in place by the government is for the benefit and good of members of the public,’’ he said.
According to him, no responsible government will want its citizens to die or be hospitalised unnecessarily.
The sector commander said that apart from sensitisation, the FRSC had also joined other security agencies to ensure the implementation of the directive by commercial drivers to the latter.
“As it is being observed, majority of the transport companies are already complying with the government order and residents of the state are happy about this,’’ he said. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
COVID-19 Lockdown: Food shortage hits Bayelsa as prices soar
Restrictions of movements over the coronavirus pandemic has led to shortage of staple foods and rising prices in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.
The affected items include, sachet water which the residents depend on due to absence of potable water, grains and food condiments amongst others.
A market survey at rural and urban markets in Bayelsa at the weekend showed over 100 per cent increase in the prices of Garri, Yam, Tomatoes and other food items following measures put in place to check the spread of COVID-19.
Checks at Okordia-Zarama, a rural market and Swali market in the urban area of the state capital showed that a four-litre plastic container measure of garri which sold for N600 few days before the restrictions, now sells for N1,500.
For sachet water packaged in bags of 20 pieces which sold for N100, same now goes for N150 as dealers said the lockdown had held down supplies from neighbouring states.
Mrs Obiageli Nwafor, a housewife said that the quantity of tomatoes she usually buys at N300 now goes for N800 on Saturday due to the lockdown announce by both Rivers and Bayelsa governments.
She said that iced fish, meat, vegetables and other edible items were not left out of the upward swing in prices.
“The restrictions announced by the government which effectively closed interstate borders between Rivers and Bayelsa has caused scarcity of food in the markets as traders run out of stock.
“The traders source a lot of things consumed in Bayelsa from neigbouring states and the directive to halt inter-state travels has affected food prices and traders are capitalizing on it by exploiting the people,” Nwafor said.
She noted that the preventive measures were necessary to discourage unnecessary travels amongst the people but advised Bayelsa government to take a closer look at the directive to allow vehicles to bring in food.
According to her, although Bayelsa had not recorded any incident, the confirmed infection in Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital on Thursday, was a source of concern. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
COVID-19: Rivers residents lament hike on prices of consumables
Some residents of Rivers, on Saturday lamented the hike on prices of food stuffs and consumables following the lock down on markets and interstate borders by the state government.
The Rivers State Government had in a state wide broadcast on Wednesday, announced lock down on markets, as well as interstate border closures, as part of measures aimed at combating Corona virus (COVID-19), in the state.
Some residents of Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA), of Rivers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the high cost of living in the state was becoming unbearable, especially for low income earners.
Mrs Max Ene, a petty trader, said her business had crumbled following the lock down on markets as traders were apparently chased out of the popular Oil-Mill market by armed security officials on Wednesday.
She said her household was currently battling starvation as they could not afford essentials from the few stalls operating in the area.
“I quite understand it is a very trying period all over the world, but our greatest challenge here in Rivers is the high cost on foodstuff, and this is more challenging than the COVID-19 pandemic itself.
“A mudu (measure) of garri, which was sold at N450, is currently selling at N1500, while a litre of groundnut oil, sold at N550, now goes for N850.
“Furthermore, a sizable tuber of yam sold for N700 now sells at N1000, same goes for rice, palm oil and other consumables,” she said.
Mr Joel Ama, a civil servant in the state, also expressed dissatisfaction over the hike in the cost of foodstuff.
Ama urged the state government to set up a price monitoring committee to check unnecessary inflation.
“The government should set up a price monitoring committee just the same way it constituted the task force on COVID-19, to check inflation,” he said.
Mr Johnson Egor, a businessman, urged the government to partner with the task force on Petroleum Price monitoring committee, to ensure that fuel stations in Rivers adhered strictly to the new reduction on pump price of fuel.
“As we speak most filling stations are still dispensing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, at N145 per litre even when the Federal Government has announced a reduction to N125 per litre,” Egor said. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
COVID-19: Gombe Govt. suspends N30,000 minimum wage, slashes political appointees salaries
The Gombe State Government has suspended payment of the N30,000 minimum wage following dwindling finances due to the effect of coronavirus pandemic on the economy.
Mr Manassah Jatau, the state Deputy Governor, said at a press briefing on Saturday in Gombe, that the decision was taken after consultation with the standing committee on minimum wage and relevant stakeholders.
According to him, the new minimum wage suspension is with effect from March 2020.
“The minimum wage increment and its consequential adjustments adopted by the state has been suspended until when the economy of the state improves.
“The Ministry of Finance is to review the 2020 budget to reflect the reduction in the price of oil in the international market and subsequent adoption of 30 dollars per barrel benchmark by the Federal Government.
“In view of the above, all salaries of political office holders and Permanent Secretaries will be reviewed accordingly as a sacrifice to the state”, the deputy governor said.
He said that the state revenue service would be strengthened to perform better with a view to reducing the state’s over reliance on Federal allocations.
Jatau added that the government would announce new austerity measures to further reduce financial leakage and enhance savings for execution of necessary capital projects.
Mr Mohammed Musa, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called on civil servants to remain calm and appreciate the current situation the state government had found itself.
“At the last federation allocation, Gombe State lost N800 million from its allocation due to the dwindling oil price at the international market,’’ he said.
The NLC chairman assured workers that the suspension is temporary, as full implementation of the minimum wage and payment of all arrears will commence when the state’s financial situation improves. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
Senate President felicitates with Tinubu at 68
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with the National Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, who turns 68 on March 29.
Lawan in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi on Saturday, said Tinubu, a former Senator and governor of Lagos state, was an inspirational political leader, champion of national unity and development.
“All through his political life, Asiwaju Tinubu has doggedly groomed leaders, set development templates and built bridges for national integration and cohesion, all of which he sees as necessary tools for robust development and great nationhood.
“Tinubu’s concept of leadership enables him to motivate associates and inspire in them confidence and loyalty.
“His imprints are indelible on politics and governance at the sub-national and national levels in Nigeria,” Lawan said.
The Senate President rejoiced with Tinubu, his family, friends and political associates on the auspicious occasion.
He prayed that the Almighty Allah grants him many more years of service to humanity and his beloved Nigeria. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
COVID-19: Pathologists demand support, more testing centres
The College of Nigerian Pathologists (CNP) has demanded support and motivation through provision of necessary materials and appropriate incentives over COVID-19 pandemic.
Prof. Phillip Olatunji, CNP President, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, also called for establishment of more testing centres across the country.
He urged government to decentralise the testing centres as a strategy to accelerate the control of COVID-19.
Olatunji said pathologists and medical laboratory scientists in tertiary health care centres in the country should be allowed to carryout COVID-19 tests.
The CNP President urged the Federal and state governments to deploy a portion of the COVID-19 budget to bridge whatever deficiencies existed in the tertiary diagnostic laboratories in the country.
He commended government for the various interventions toward curbing COVID-19 spread across the country.
According to him, those in the front line must be fully supported and motivated through the provision of all necessary working materials and appropriate incentives.
“This is important because, while educational institutions, markets, recreation areas, beaches, and religious places can close and communities locked down, hospitals must remain open and health care personnel must remain at work,” he said.
Olatunji stated that CNP members had in their varied capacity played leadership roles in case identification, case management and development of guidelines and protocol for infection prevention and control of COVID-19.
He commended CNP members and other health workers who were at the forefront in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that they should not relent until it was brought under control.
He said CNP was aware of the advertisement of a few rapid serological test kits being touted for the diagnosis of COVID-19, and some were already showing interest.
According to him, in the first instance, many of these kits are antibody-based and may not be appropriate for accurate diagnosis and also they are not validated, hence, their sensitivity and specificity are unknown.
“While we caution against using these test kits, we recommend that an in-country evaluation could be done for some that are said to be antigen-based.
“We are of the view that anything that can positively contribute to the control of the pandemic should be embraced,” he said.
He said that at these critical moment, diagnostic utility should employ the NCDC recommended Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), while calling for a more innovative and quicker diagnostic approach.
Olatunji also expressed concerned over a possible abuse of Chloroquine arising from its purported usefulness in treating COVID-19 infection.
He said it was gladdening to note that more than 95 per cent of infected persons were now stable, stressing that there was no need to panic, confused or over-react. (NAN)
March 28, 2020
Covid-19: Don’t panic, observe precautionary measures – 2 Face Idibia
Popular Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia a.k.a 2Baba has urged Nigerians not to panic but rather observe precautionary measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The legend, who gave this advise in a video clip on his Instagram page @2babaofficial said that Nigerians should develop the habit of washing their hands regularly.
“Stay safe my people. Let’s not go into panic mode because all we need to do is simple.
“Wash hands with soap regularly. Stay clean. Minimize social contact.
# ONELOVERELIGION
#WARRIOR,” he wrote.
He said that everybody should take the Coronoavirus pandemic seriously, adding that it only required hygiene and social distancing to curtail the virus.
The singer added that even after this pandemic comes to an end, Nigerians should not relent but continue to wash their hands always.
Idibia is a Nigerian singer-songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur.
He is one of the most decorated and successful Afro pop artists in Africa and also one of the most bankable artists in Africa.
2Baba has received numerous awards which include: MTV Europe Music Award, World Music Award, five Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), BET award for his musical work among others.
He has contributed immensely to entertainment industry in the country and beyond, with numerous songs, thereby making himself outstanding.(NAN)
March 28, 2020