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Tag: COVID-19 lockdown

  • COVID-19 Lockdown: Nigerian women risk high rate of rape, unwanted pregnancies – Family health expert

    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).

  • COVID-19 lockdown: EKEDC donates food items worth N26.6m to LASG

    COVID-19 lockdown: EKEDC donates food items worth N26.6m to LASG

    Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) on Friday donated food items worth N26.6 million to the Lagos State Government to support relief efforts to citizens during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown.
    The food items, presented by Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi, Managing Director, EKEDC, were received on behalf of the government by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Gbolahan Lawal.
    The items include 3,000 bags of 5kg rice, 3, 000 bags of 5kg beans, 3, 000 bags of 5kg garri, 3, 000 cartons of tomato paste, 3, 000 cartons of groundnut oil and 2, 000 cartons of noodles.

    Fadeyibi thanked the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his team for their commendable and rapid response in handling the COVID-19 situation.
    According to him, a large majority of individuals who earn a living from their daily activities have been having hard times, and the economy is slowing down due to the state-wide lockdown.

    Fadeyibi said: ” EKEDC will not stand aside and watch, as this virus ravages our city and threatens our fellow citizens and our way of life.

    “That is why our board and management has approved a budget of N150 million towards assisting the government during this crisis.
    “The approved budget will be used to provide relief items for the low income earners and less privileged.
    “It will also be used to invest in infrastructure to deliver consistent electricity to isolation centers within our coverage area.”
    He urged the Private Sector to support the government by lending a helping hand to communities in Lagos State during the critical period.
    “We continue to pray and hope that all the factors in play in Lagos state and across Nigeria result in our country being less vulnerable and more fortunate than others have been, as we battle this pandemic.
    “We all are required to be conscious of and practice social distancing as we continue maintaining high standards of hygiene, sanitary conditions and safety in order to beat and survive this COVID-19 pandemic.”
    Responding, Lawal commended EKEDC for the gesture and called on other corporate entities to emulate the DisCo by supporting the government’s relief efforts.
    Lawal assured the donors that the items would be utilised judiciously to ensure that they bring succour to the people of the state, especially those worst hit by the lockdown.
    He also debunked the claim that only members of the ruling party were benefiting from the relief support.
    The commissioner said that items were being distributed through Community Development Associations, councillors, religious bodies and traditional rulers.
    “So, Lagosians should just be calm. They should stay at home and maintain social distancing guidelines to help us contain this pandemic.
    ” We are targeting 200, 000 at the first instance, of which we will be able to complete 100, 000 households by Saturday.
    “We are also restrategising on the model of distribution and we are calling for more support because we want to be distributing house by house.
    “We don’t know how long this lockdown will be, but we want to assure Lagosians that a lot of people are supporting us and they should bear with the government because it is for the good of everybody,” he said.(NAN)

  • COVID-19 lockdown: Women decry hike in prices of food items in Ekiti

    COVID-19 lockdown: Women decry hike in prices of food items in Ekiti

    Some women in Federal Housing, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday said that the lockdown order, occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, is taking its toll on them.

    They decried the sudden hike in prices of some food items and disruption of their petty trading.

    Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti, Mrs Ilori Abodunde, a civil servant, said that a bag of Sachet water now goes for N170, as against N150 before the lockdown.

    She said that before the directive, the same bag directly from the distributors cost N100, now goes for N150.

    “The price of fuel has reduced, so we are not supposed to experience hike in the price of food items at this time,” Abodunde said.

    Mrs Tina Adesegun, a housewife, said buying fish in the area had become very expensive too.

    She said that the fish that normally sells for N120 now goes for N200, which had made it extremely difficult for her to cook a befitting soup for her family.

    Mrs Nana Seidu, a petty trader, said the disruption in her groundnut trade was of major concern.

    She said that the lockdown notice was short and that the government did not consider the poor like her who feeds “from hand to mouth”.

    She said she survived on her daily income as a groundnut seller, saying that her daily income was barely enough to feed her and her kids.

    Seidu said she would be happy if the state government could assist her and her kids to feed, while the lockdown period lasted.

    The women said while they fully understood that the lockdown was very necessary at this time, the government should intervene in ensuring stability of prices of food items. (NAN)

  • Kaduna Electric promises residents uninterrupted power supply

    Kaduna Electric promises residents uninterrupted power supply

    The Kaduna Electric on Friday reiterated its commitment to provide uninterrupted power supply to residents in its franchise states where measures were put in place to curb Coronavirus ( Covid19) pandemic.

    The company’s chairman, board of directors, Alhaji Hamisu Abubakar, spoke while on a tour of some of the company’s injection substations and service centers in Kaduna.

    He said that the company was in full support of the measures taken by the federal government and some state governments to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

    The chairman said that the company would continue supplying uninterrupted power to assist residents cope with their stay indoors during the restriction period.

    Abubakar promised that Kaduna Electric would provide adequate power to
    all hospitals,water works, security organisations and other essential services to ensure that they discharge their duties effectively.

    He urged the staff of the company to see their sacrifice as a duty to the entire residents of the company’s franchise state and humanity.

    ” In this difficult time, all Nigerians, particularly the business community, have a responsibility to come together and offer selfless service.

    “Nigerians should adhere to the advice of health officials and government and ensure the relevant protocols to combat the spread of the virus”, he said.

    Abubakar said that the company would continue to provide qualitative service to its customers beyond the lockdown. (NAN)

  • Philippines orders masks to be worn outside amid lockdown

    Philippines orders masks to be worn outside amid lockdown

    The Philippine government on Thursday ordered those allowed out to wear face masks on the country’s main island while it is under a month-long lockdown to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

    The island of Luzon, home to more than half of the Philippines’ population of an estimated 100 million, has been on lockdown since March 16. The government said authorities were still determining if the restrictions will be lifted or expanded.

    “Let me repeat – if you need to go out of your house, you need to wear a mask,” government official Karlo Nograles said.

    The covering can be improvised rather than a medical mask, but must cover the mouth and nose, Nograles added.

    “Reusable or do-it-yourself masks, face shields, handkerchiefs or such other protective equipment” that lessened the transmission of Covid-19 were all acceptable, he said.

    The order was a shift from the health department’s earlier advisory that only people who are sick and those working on the frontline to battle the virus needed to wear masks, with the aim of ensuring that there would be an adequate supply for those who require it most.

    Nograles added that local governments units may “impose such penalties as may be appropriate” for those who violate the rule.

    On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he would order the police and the military to shoot dead anyone who “creates trouble” during the lockdown, as complaints about the slow delivery of food packs and cash assistance triggered public outrage and protests.

    The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Philippines stood at 2,311 on Wednesday, including 96 deaths. There have been 50 patients who have recovered from the disease, the health department said.

  • COVID-19: Ikeja Electric suspends disconnection of customers

    COVID-19: Ikeja Electric suspends disconnection of customers

    Ikeja Electric (IE) has announced the suspension of all disconnection activities of non-paying customers for a period of two weeks effective April 1, due to the lockdown of Lagos State caused by COVID-19.
    Mrs Folake Soetan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, made the announcement in a statement in Ikeja on Wednesday.
    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Sunday in a nationwide broadcast announced the 14 days lockdown Lagos State, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, from 11pm on March 30, as part of efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
    Soetan said the suspension of the disconnection activities was to ensure that customers who could not afford to pay their March bills due to the closure would continue to enjoy supply until the stay at home order was lifted.
    According to her, customers who wish to pay their bills can also do so using any of the DisCo’s designated online payment platforms.
    She said: “Our prepaid customers can buy energy online using any of your preferred online banking or merchant platforms. You can also visit our website to purchase vending units.
    “In line with treating our customer first, using technology now policy, our customer service representatives will be available to respond to all your complaints and inquiries in a prompt and professional manner.
    “We will leverage on our world class communication tools online and via social media to attend to your complaints and inquiries while also increasing the turnaround time for resolution.
    “All employees on essential services throughout this lockdown period are committed to ensuring that you get the best customer service and have been mandated to deliver in line with our processes and best practices.
    “We, therefore, implore you to avoid giving any monetary inducement to any of our employees as we carry out the job of serving you better.
    “At Ikeja Electric, the job is not done until it is done. It is our job to serve you.
    “In carrying out their job, our trained engineers will deploy globally accepted safety procedures and practice social distancing, and all that is required to contain the spread of COVID-19.”
    While urging IE’s customers to cautiously observe the stay at home order and other safety measures, she noted that defeating the pandemic requires a collective effort by all and sundry.
    She said the DisCo was committed to ensuring that its customers enjoy steady and quality supply throughout the difficult period and beyond.
    Soetan said: “We recognise the fact that electricity supply is critical to our ability to stay safe, clean and indoors.
    “As one of the companies designated as essential services, we have put measures in place to ensure that our engineers and technicians are available to clear all forced and unforced outages, while also continuing with preventive maintenance programmes.
    “We, therefore, solicit the support of customers to cooperate with our staff as they carry out their duties, while we restate our commitment to deliver steady electricity supply in line with our allocation.” (NAN)

  • Lockdown: Ilorin residents appeal for palliatives

    Lockdown: Ilorin residents appeal for palliatives

    Some residents of Ilorin have on Tuesday called for palliatives to cushion the effect of the stay at home order I posed by the State Government.

    They complained of lack of money to buy food for themselves and their children, which they said is as a result of the lockdown policy to prevent spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the state.

    The Kwara Government had on March 23, directed residents to stay-at-home to complement Federal Government effort at containing COVID-19 pandemic.

    The restriction in movement affected all commercial vehicles, including government, private and public offices and shops, with exceptions of food, provisions and pharmaceutical shops.

    Speaking with NAN in Ilorin, Mr Saheed Olapeju, a vehicle repairer said that the action taken by the government is commendable, but there is need to make preparation for the lower class, as most of them depend on their daily income.

    “We rely on our hard earned money, through the work of our hands, but with this disease that the world is battling with, we had to stay indoor and there is no other means to provide for ourselves and our family

    “Many of us have finished the little food we have at home and there is no how we can work and get money to buy another food. We are broke and stranded

    “Government should come to our aid, so that we will not fall ill as a result of hunger,” he said.

    Mr Tope Isa, a foot wear seller, said that the government only allowed those that are selling food, drinks and medicine store, which he said has affected the living condition of other businessmen.

    “We do not know when this stay-at-home will last, and we did not plan for it, which is the reason why many of us have started asking for help from the rich people in our area.

    “It is shameful to ask for help, but more painful not to get assistance from those you relied on, and those you believed can help,” he said.

    A trader, Madam Iya Tawa said that there is poor sales, adding that many people are complaining of no money and are begging to buy on credit, for them to pay later.

    “Even those of us that are allowed to sell drinks and provisions are finding it difficult to sell well, as many of our customers are complaining of no money, since they could not open their shops

    “Some youths have started behaving cunny, thereby looking for how to maneuver their way to buy one thing and steal three other things in the process.

    “This is so unfortunate. We plead to government to assist us by all means and reduce this hunger that is already affecting us,” she said.

    Some youths have started stopping vehicles in Oja-Oba market, Ilorin, begging for money to buy food, while others are sited by the road sides looking dejected. (NAN)

  • COVID-19 lockdown: Prices of perishables crash in Jigawa

    COVID-19 lockdown: Prices of perishables crash in Jigawa

    Prices of perishables have crashed in Guri Main Market, in Jigawa following the lockdown by Federal Government over COVID-19.

    A bag of onions now goes for N3,500 instead of the usual N8,000, while a bag of dry pepper that was sold for N9,500, has dropped to N7,000.

    Also, a bag of chili pepper sold at N5,000, now cost N3,000, while a bag of dried tomatoes has dropped to N6,000 from the old price of N8, 000.

    A bag of soybeans now goes for N8,000 as against the previous price of N13,200.

    The Chairman, Perishable Sellers Association in the market, Alhaji Musa Zugo, said that the crash was due to the lockdown which had prevented customers from going to the market.

    “Majority of our customers from Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and Port Harcourt are no longer coming because of the lockdown in the country.

    “Very few customers come to the market and you know, if demand drops, price also drops,” he said.

    Zugo, however, appealed to the federal government to assist in cushioning the effect of the lockdown on the poor and the vulnerable in the country.

    “The federal government need to come up with a strategy to assist the people at the lower cadre of the society who rely on daily earnings to survive.

    “If you keep this category of people at home with nothing to fall back on, they will die of hunger,” he said. (NAN)

  • COVID-19 lockdown: Prices of perishables crash in Jigawa

    COVID-19 lockdown: Prices of perishables crash in Jigawa

    Prices of perishables have crashed in Guri Main Market, in Jigawa following the lockdown by Federal Government over COVID-19.
    Our Correspondent reports that a bag of onions now goes for N3,500 instead of the usual N8,000, while a bag of dry pepper that was sold for N9,500, has dropped to N7,000.

    Also, a bag of chili pepper sold at N5,000, now cost N3,000, while a bag of dried tomatoes has dropped to N6,000 from the old price of N8, 000.

    A bag of soybeans now goes for N8,000 as against the previous price of N13,200.

    The Chairman, Perishable Sellers Association in the market, Alhaji Musa Zugo, said that the crash was due to the lockdown which had prevented customers from going to the market.

    “Majority of our customers from Lagos, Ogun, Abuja and Port Harcourt are no longer coming because of the lockdown in the country.

    “Very few customers come to the market and you know, if demand drops, price also drops,” he said.

    Zugo, however, appealed to the federal government to assist in cushioning the effect of the lockdown on the poor and the vulnerable in the country.

    “The federal government need to come up with a strategy to assist the people at the lower cadre of the society who rely on daily earnings to survive.

    “If you keep this category of people at home with nothing to fall back on, they will die of hunger,” he said.