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Author: Alpha Maidawa

COVID-19: Aero suspends flights services for 2 weeks
Aero Contractors on Tuesday announced suspension of all its flight services for two weeks to support the Federal Government effort to stop the Coronavirus pandemic from spreading further.
Capt. Ado Sanusi, the Chief Executive Officer of the airline made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Sanusi said that the suspension, which would commence from Thursday, March 26 would last for two weeks.
The airline chief said management of the airline would review the progress to contain the virus at the expiration of the two weeks before it would resume operations.
Sanusi said the suspension of all its flight was in support of initiatives and precaution to ensure that there was no community infection in the country.
He said: “This is also in line with the decision of the Lagos State Government, which has prohibited any gathering that is more than 20 persons.
“Coronavirus, known as COVID-19, is a global threat to our humanity and considering its devastating effect on many countries where it has led to death of thousands of people.
“We therefore crave the understanding of our esteemed customers to recognise our decision as a responsible corporate citizen and our support for full government effort to protect our citizens.
Sanusi said the airline had also taken care of all the future schedule of its customers.
He said the airline would ensure that those who had booked flights with it would be taken to their destinations in its usual safe and efficient service. (NAN)
March 25, 2020
COVID-19: Bauchi govt. to procure 150 kits for preliminary test
Bauchi State Government says it will procure 150 kits for preliminary test against the dreaded Coronavirus before submitting the samples to the referral laboratory.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aliyu Maigoro made the disclosure at a news conference shortly after announcing that Gov. Bala Muhammed tested positive to the virus.
Maigoro said that the state would also construct additional hold rooms across the state within shorted possible time to contain the pandemic from escalating.
“The state has set up hold rooms in Bauchi Specialists Hospital, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, General Hospital Toro, and contractors are presently in Federal Medical Centre, Azare, to commence construction of another hold room.
‘We are appealing to all those that came in contact with His Excellency to come forward for testing.
” We are using scientific approach, we have primary and secondary contacts.
“Presently, we are to collect the samples of others that were with Gov. Bala Mohammed’s entourage from Lagos to Abuja, six samples were earlier collected and tested, then samples from members of his family, which are being collected.
“The state is partnering with the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital and all the equipment for Respiratory tract, MRI and City Scan are ready.
“I want to assure the people of Bauchi state that Governor Bala Mohammed is not showing any symptom and that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has taken over his treatment,” he said.
Maigoro said that officials of NCDC would soon be in Bauchi to support the state against the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed expressed concern over the spread of fake news by the social media users on the outcome of the Governor’s test result.
“Information should be verified before it is made available to the public.
“I was still on my way to the referral laboratory in Abuja, when I received the information that the Governor’s result tested negative,” he said.
Mohammed said that presently, Bauchi state has Lassa fever and first confirmed case of COVID-19 to contend with.
He said effort to curtail the spread of the two diseases could be overwhelming for the state already battling with different challenges.
The official emphasized the need for the public to embrace handwashing, good hygiene and social distancing as a vital tool in the fight against the pandemic.
He said that the results of the six initial tests carried out by the NCDC on Gov. Bala Mohammed, his family and aides that accompanied him to Lagos are being released.
It would be recalled that out of the six initial tests carried out in the state, one sample belonging to Governor was confirmed positive of COVID-19, which is the first in Bauchi state.
Mohammed called for collective efforts by the general public to abide by the guidelines on COVID-19 and Lassa Fever.(NAN)
March 25, 2020
No confirmed case of COVID-19 in South-East – Umahi
Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has confirmed that states in the South-East zone were yet to record any confirmed case of the dreaded Coronavirus, known as COVID-19.
Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum stated this at a press briefing on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
He said that the Ebonyi government had put in a number of measures aimed at ensuring that the virus was contained and prevented from entering the state.
The governor added that before the first record of COVID-19 in Nigeria that the Ebonyi government had built two quarantine centres in Abakaliki and at the border between Enugu and Ebonyi State, in Ishielu Local Government Area.
He said that the state-of-the-art Virology Centre in Abakaliki, built in 2016, which was donated to Federal Government for lassa fever, would be vital for testing for the Coronavirus with the necessary testing kits.
“For now, there is no confirmed report of COVID-19 case in Ebonyi and any state of the South-East.
“However, our government has put in place a number of measures to protect the people.
“These include shutting down of schools, night clubs, ban on sporting activities, wedding receptions, burial ceremonies and any social gathering with more than 50 persons.
“We have not shut down religious and worship centres, because we have not had any confirmed report of the virus in any part of the South-East.
“From March 25, it shall be an offence for gathering of persons other than essential service centres, including markets, rice meals, religious centres, banks and hotels.
“These service centres must ensure the provision of face masks, running water, hand sanitizers and must ensure that people entering and coming out wash their hands to protect them.
“Churches and religious centres must observe all health precautions to protect their members and the general public,” Umahi said.
The governor assured the people that government would explore every necessary avenue to ensure protection of the people against the virus.
He said that the state would henceforth record all passengers entering the state from Lagos, Edo and all the South-West states to assist the medical team to monitor and evaluate their health status.
The governor, who urged residents of the state to imbibe best personal health hygiene, said that government would procure hand sanitizers and other disinfectants for distribution to those in the hinterlands.
He noted that government had deployed health workers and other public office holders to the grassroots to sensitize the people on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Umahi said that the government had established COVID -19 team to be coordinated by himself as chairman. (NAN)
March 25, 2020
Buhari expresses grief over killing of soldiers in ambush
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday expressed “profound grief and sorrow’’ over loss of soldiers who were ambushed by terrorists in Gorgi Village, Borno State.
The President made his feelings known in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja.
He said: “sacrifices of our gallant patriots cannot be quantified, and their sacrifices cannot go in vain,’’ and commiserated with their families and those that sustained injuries.
According to President Buhari, the death of every soldier causes deep pains because I know what it means to be a soldier, and fully understands the extreme risks associated with the profession.
He said, “despite the tragedies and incidents, we cannot allow anarchists and mass murderers to hold the country hostage.’’
The President appealed to the military “not to allow the incident to affect their morale’’.
He assured that his administration would continue to motivate and equip them adequately in order to cope with the complex challenges of unconventional warfare.
The presidential aide revealed that the Nigerian Army has since dispatched a team to assess the situation and report back to the government.(NAN)
March 25, 2020
COVID-19: Supreme Council for Shari’ah backs closure of worship centres
The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has supported the directive by Federal and state governments for the closure of all worship centres as as part of measures to stem the spread of Coronavirus.
A statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba Ahmed, urged all Muslims to support government in the efforts to tackle the pandemic.
“After due consultation, the Council is hereby calling on all Muslim faithful to abide by the instruction, until
counter-notice is issued by the government.
“While praying Allah to relieve the country of this pandemic and others yet unknown, we call on all Muslims to be law abiding and adhere to all precautionary measures against the pandemic.
“We also call on all Muslims to desist from all sorts of sins and turn to Allah for repentance.”(NAN)
March 25, 2020
COVID-19: Gov. Bagudu directs civil servants to work from home for 2 weeks
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on Tuesday directed all Civil Servants to stay and work from their homes for two weeks.
The directive is contained in statement issued by the Acting Head of Civil Service, Hajiya Fatima Sani-Ango, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi.
She said: “the civil servants mentioned below are to remain and work from their homes with effect from Wednesday, 25th March, 2020. This is for an initial two weeks.
“This directive, however, does not include those on essential services such as health personnel, financial institutions, internal revenue collection, water board, media outfits, electricity supply, security and emergency service, etc.
Sani-Ango said that Bagudu had urged the general public to remain vigilant, calm and report any suspected case to the health authorities. (NAN).
March 25, 2020
UN mobilises N756m to fight COVID-19 in Nigeria
The United Nations says it has mobilised $2 million (N756 million) to assist Nigeria’s fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, made the announcement at a “national conference” in Abuja on Tuesday, the organistion said in a report on its website .
Kallon said the funds would be used to procure essential medical supplies in support of government’s efforts to contain the virus and care for those infected.
As of Tuesday, there were 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one resultant death in Nigeria, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“The UN system in Nigeria will support rapid procurement of disease commodity packages for surveillance, prevention and control, and clinical management,” he said.
Kallon added that the UN would support the government’s efforts to immediately set up a national response fund to address the pandemic in the country.
The fund is expected to serve as a “single national platform and financing framework, coordinating partnerships and mobilising resources that can make an effective impact on the ground.
“The gesture is part of a wider UN strategy to amplify efforts by governments around the world to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It also underscores the urgent need for collaboration, given the multifaceted nature of the virus and its impact on Nigeria’s economy and society,” the coordinator said.
According to the report, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, thanked the organisation for the support.
The minister said the Federal Government would ensure that resources are deployed where they are needed most.
Ehanire assured of the ministry’s preparedness for both “worst-case and best-case scenarios”.(NAN)
March 25, 2020
COVID-19: We’ll enforce social distance directive-FRSC
The Ogun Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Tuesday said it will enforce the regulation of social distance directive to further prevent the spread of Coronavirus outbreak in the country.
The Sector Commander, Mr Clement Oladele, disclosed this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ota, Ogun.
Oladele said the Federal and Ogun governments had warned people against overcrowding while the state government directed that two passengers should seat on a row in vehicles.
“We are going to enforce regulation of the directive as the government is making emphatic efforts to ensure that this coronavirus is curtailed in the country.’’ he said.
The sector commander admonished transporters not to wait for FRSC before they comply with the directive.
Oladele said the patrol operatives has been provided with appropriate protective kits to check the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
He added that both the FRSC officials and marshal used hand gloves and nose mask as all staff has been sensitised.
The FRSC official also said that measures have been put in place in the operational offices of FRSC across the state.
“The meeting of people coming to our office will be brief after checking that they have standard or required temperature by WHO.
“They will also wash their hands with soaps and water before being attended to.
“We will also reduce the number of people that we are having contact with because our safety is important,’’ he said. (NAN)
March 24, 2020
COVID-19: Kaduna Electric advises customers to pay bills online
The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has advised consumers under its franchise to use the digital payments channels to settle their electricity bills.
Abdulazeez Abdullahi, the company’s head of corporate communications who made disclosure in a press statement on Tuesday in Kaduna, said it would enable electricity consumers avoid crowd at the Company’s cash centres.
Abdullahi said that the advice was in response to calls by medical experts on social distancing as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
He advised customers to use any of the company’s online payments platforms to pay bills and purchase electricity token from the comforts of their homes or offices.
The company’s spokesperson advised electricity users who may have any complaint to use the Company’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) portal at www.kadunaelectric.com to lodge such complaints, assuring that the complaint shall be attended to with dispatch.
“As a responsible corporate body, we are concerned about the safety of every Nigerian, “hence, our decision to activate measures that will not only make the payments of bills convenient to our customers, but will also help to curtail the spread of the virus”, he said.
Abdullahi listed the online payments channels provided by the Company to includes: www.quickteller.com / kadunaelecticprepaid, www.irecharge.ng , www.buypower.ng.(NAN)
March 24, 2020
COVID-19: INEC suspends regular activities for 14 days
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended all regular and non-essential activities in its headquarters and offices nationwide for 14 days, from Tuesday, March 24.
Mr Festus Okoye, National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Okoye said that the commission also suspended its regular quarterly meetings with stakeholders and monitoring of conventions, congresses, conferences or meetings of political parties until further notice.
He said that the suspension was in view of the Coronavirus pandemic
and the preventive measures put in place by the Federal and State Government’s.
“In line with the advisory on social distancing from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Commission has taken the following measures to protect its staff, visitors and the general public.
“Effective from Tuesday, March 24, all regular and non-essential activities will be suspended in its headquarters and offices nationwide for 14 days in the first instance.
“The regular quarterly meetings with Stakeholders, namely: political parties, civil society organisations, the media, security agencies and all other meetings, have been suspended until such a time when normalcy returns.
“In addition, the Commission will no longer monitor the conventions, congresses, conferences or meetings of political parties until further notice,” he said.
Okoye reiterated the commission’s commitment to openness, consultation and continued communication with its stakeholders and expected all to understand the emergency situation that informed the suspension of contact engagements.
“The health and wellbeing of all our staff, officials and the general public are of paramount importance to us.
“Notwithstanding the measures outlined above, the Commission will continue to meet via non-physical contact channels while communication between the Commission and its stakeholders will remain open,” he said.
Okoye emphasised that the new measures taken do not affect the activities for Edo and Ondo Governorship elections scheduled for Sept. 19 and Oct. 10 respectively.
“We will continue to keep the public abreast of developments as they concern our electoral process,” he said. (NAN)
March 24, 2020