We’re grateful for the support from @foundation_ma in strengthening Nigeria’s response to #COVID19

The supplies received have been distributed to states accordingly, with priority given to states with the highest number of cases at the time of distribution.

We’re grateful for the support from @foundation_ma in strengthening Nigeria’s response to #COVID19

The supplies received have been distributed to states accordingly, with priority given to states with the highest number of cases at the time of distribution pic.twitter.com/UacrPFmLZ3

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 1, 2020

Isiaka Yinusa, the driver that drove the truck that exploded last Saturday at Eleyewo community in Akure North local government area, has said that he did not know that he was carrying explosives.

Yinusa is still recuperating from the surgery he has undergone to remove shrapnel from his stomach as he was rushed to the hospital unconscious.

He said the last thing he heard was ‘everybody run’ before he went blank and woke up at the hospital.

Speaking in an interview monitored on the state television, Yinusa said his boss contacted him to move some items from a stranded truck at Osu axis along Ife-Ibadan expressway.

Yinusa said they loaded the consignment and was to deliver them to a company in Auchi, headquarters of Estako West local government area.

The driver said there was a police escort team and a staff of the company where the explosives were to be delivered.

He stated that when they got to Akure at the Shasha market and the vehicle become faulty, they decided to pass the night there.

Yinusa said he was sleeping inside the truck when one of the police escorts told him they should urgently leave the area because of population in the area as smoke was emitting from the truck.

“I was sleeping inside the truck. I heard a bang on the vehicle door that smoke was coming out from under the vehicle.

“We quickly move. The policeman that led the team said we should move ahead. As we were moving, the policemen in the escort started flashing him that he should stop. As we got down, I saw fire coming out from the vehicle. We brought out fire extinguisher. While other vehicles parked.

“They tried to assist. Suddenly the policemen shouted everybody run everybody run. As I was running, I heard a band and noticed something in my abdomen. That was all I knew and I woke up in the hospital.”

The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of N5000 to over 1millioin indigents across the country.

The disbursement came following the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately to beneficiaries.

The disbursement was done on Wednesday in Kwali Central Area Council of FCT by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq.

The Minister disbursed N20,000 as payment for four months to over 100 beneficiaries at the payment point in Kwali.

Speaking during the disbursement, she said: “The exercise commenced about five years ago and it is geared towards supporting the poor and vulnerable households of our society.

“We give them monthly stipends of N5000 every month and now that we have these restrictions, Mr. President has directed that we give them two months advance payment and we are here today to carry out that directive of paying the two months advance payment.”

On the number of beneficiaries, Farouq said: “We have over a million people across the country. For the FCT and this particular area Council, we are giving about 5000 households in this area.”

On how the beneficiaries were identified, she said: “It is a very long process and many people like religious leaders, community leaders and different groups all came together to identify poorest and vulnerable households in their community.”

On the claim that the beneficiaries were members of a particular political party, she said: “it is untrue and you can confirm from the beneficiaries of the process of selection.”

MultiChoice Nigeria has announced a number of initiatives to support the Federal and Lagos Governments’ efforts in ameliorating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria.

The leading entertainment and media company’s contribution in the fight against COVID-19 includes cash support of N200 million and N50 million to the Federal and Lagos State Governments respectively, the donation of 10,000 certified test kits to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Public Service Announcement COVID-19 prevention tips in English, Pidgin, Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa languages as well as approved inventory worth over N550 million highlighting the NCDC’s COVID-19 Helplines and PSAs on more than 10 channels across DStv and GOtv.

The company will also cover the remuneration for engaged creative industry professionals whose productions have been disrupted, with a committed sum of up to N400m.

As seen in the most hard-hit countries, the availability of test kits and supplies for medical personnel have been some of the biggest challenges in fighting the pandemic.

The outbreak has also had a direct impact on individual businesses and general economic activities. Nigeria’s creative industry has been particularly affected, with ongoing productions suspended in response to government’s advisory on public gatherings and social distancing.

MultiChoice Nigeria’s intervention, in line with its values as a responsible corporate organisation and leader in the media and the creative sector is aimed at supporting the authorities in fighting the pandemic and reducing its attendant impact on Nigeria’s national economy.

According to Mr Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN), Multichoice Nigeria Chairman; “We are donating 10,000 certified test kits to support the great work being done by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“In addition to these, we are also contributing N250 million to the Federal and Lagos State Governments’ efforts in providing adequate healthcare delivery facilities to fight COVID-19. We are doing this because we recognize the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on Nigerians and the economy. We hope our contributions to NCDC, the Federal and State Governments, alongside other donations, will go a long way towards effective management of the outbreak.”

Additionally, John Ugbe, the CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria added, “We have committed N550 million worth of inventory to public service announcements in our indigenous languages in addition to English and Pidgin to ensure that every Nigerian understands how to prevent COVID-19 or call for help through the NCDC helplines. Also, the creative industry salary payment of up to N400 million will offer a much needed financial reprieve for producers, actors, and technical talent currently contracted to MultiChoice Nigeria, whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the pandemic.”

Governor, State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola has urged the Federal Government to extend the lockdown measures to other states of the federation as panacea to eliminate the spread of the Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19.

He said this against the background of the three new confirmed cases in the state as at Tuesday.

It was gathered that the three new cases are part of the 127 returnees from Cote d’ivoire, who have been at an Isolation centre in Ejigbo. The three new cases returned positive after 24 suspected cases were tested.

Speaking on Tuesday night, Oyetola said the total lockdown of the country was necessary to avoid what he termed trans-border transfer of the virus.

The governor insisted that the only way to properly safeguard entry and exit into the country and between states in the country was to announce a total lockdown in the country.

Oyetola spoke while lending his voice on a special programme tagged “Journalists Hangout” on TVC, on Tuesday evening.

“The war against Coronavirus must be total. We should not be concentrating on three or few states alone. We should see this as a national emergency.

“I am advocating for a total lockdown so that what is happening in Lagos, Ogun and FCT can be extended to other states as a better way to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

“About four days ago, my colleague governor in Ogun State, alerted me to the fact that some Nigerians of Osun origin were coming in from Cote d’ivoire. I thanked him for his efforts because he also provided escort for them to be conveyed to us.

“We immediately received them on arrival and kept them in an Isolation centre in Ejigbo. By Tuesday, out 24 samples that were tested, three are already positive. So you can imagine what the other outcomes will look like by the time we get the results of the remaining 103 samples.

The popular Orita Olaiya in Osogbo, Osun state capital as Oyetola ordered the lockdown of the state from 1 April.

“So we should look beyond Lagos, FCT and Ogun, if we must adequately contain the spread of the virus. I want Federal Government to come to the aid of the states. As it is, most of the states do not have the facilities to combat the disease.

“As we all know, most of the states are struggling to pay salaries, like us in Osun, in spite of the fact that we are struggling to pay salaries, we have purchased seven new ventilators and set up isolation centres. So FG should come to our aid.”

Governor Oyetola appealed to Nigerians particularly the people of Osun to adhere to the ‘Stay at Home” directive put in place by the state, saying the measure was ordered in the interest of the state and the citizens.

“I want to appeal to our people to stay at home, that is the only way to contain the spread of the virus because there is no two ways to it.

“Though, there are confirmed cases, but if we obey this rule, it will be very easy for us to contain the spread, because we will be able to know who and who is infected, and treat them.

“The cases we have for now are stable. They are receiving adequate medical care. We have also set up the State’s Food and Relief Committee to help cushion the effect of the lockdown,” Oyetola added.

Ikeja Electric Plc (IE), Nigeria’s leading electricity distribution company, has announced that non-paying customers within its franchise network will not be disconnected during the 2-week stay-at-home period enforced by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19.

According to the DISCO, the decision to suspend all disconnection activities was taken to allow all its customers enjoy electricity supply during the lockdown period, while giving consideration to those who cannot afford to pay their March 2020 bills due to the closure.

While making the announcement, Folake Soetan, Acting CEO of the company said: “At Ikeja Electric, we are committed to ensuring that our customers enjoy steady and quality supply throughout this difficult period and beyond. We recognize the fact that electricity supply is critical to our ability to stay safe, clean and indoors.

“Therefore, we have also taken a decision to suspend all disconnection activities of non-paying customers for the period of two weeks starting today. This is to ensure that customers who cannot afford to pay their March bills due to the closure continue to enjoy supply until the stay at home order is lifted.

“Customers who also wish to pay their bills can also do so using any of our designated online payment platforms. 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,” she said.

Speaking further she noted that Ikeja Electric as one of the companies designated as essential services has put measures in place to ensure that engineers and technicians are available to clear all forced and unforced outages, while also continuing with the preventive maintenance programmes.

Ikeja Electric said in line with its mantra of treating customer first, using technology now policy, the customer service representatives will be available to respond to all complaints and inquiries promptly and professionally.

Ikeja Electric said it will leverage on its world class communication tools online and via social media to attend to complaints and inquiries while also increasing the turnaround time for resolution.

It also noted that all employees on essential services throughout this lock down period are committed to ensuring that customers get the best service in line with our processes and best practices.

She urged customers to avoid giving any monetary inducement to any employees as they carry out the job of serving customers 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.

“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,” the DISCO added.

Ikeja Electric said the management and staff are keenly following developments across the country as well as advice of government and health institutions as part of concerted efforts to safeguard everyone and to make sure the workplaces remain safe.

It further urged customers to also observe precautionary measures and other safety protocols stipulated by government agencies and health organisations in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from the virus.

I am now overseeing this in Kaduna State and I shall explain, says Saude Amina Atoyebi, who cuts across as an Evolving Human | Christ Follower | Public Servant | Curious Cat | Lifelong Learner | Wife | Mother | @oddsnbitsng

Indeed approval has been given for payments to commence this week.
The reason why the cash transfers aren't so popular in the social media space is because the beneficiaries and not in the category of citizens who own smart phones.

Now, about selection of beneficiaries.
In Kaduna State, beneficiaries were identified by the World Bank poverty rankings of Local Governments. The poorest LGAs identified are Birnin-Gwari, Lere, Sanga, Kauru, Kachia, Sanga, Chikun, Kubau, Kajuru.

These LGAs make up about 40% of the total LGAs in Kaduna state and as you can see, they cut across the 3 senatorial zones. They were chosen as the pilot LGAs. Did this mean that other LGA's won't be reached? No. But the process is to conclude obtaining data in the pilot LGs before moving to the rest.

What's the process?
Beneficiaries are identified via Community Based Targeting. There are government officials at the State and Local Government levels who are trained to coordinate these activities. Summarily they go to communities and villages in these LGAs, engage them and guide them towards identifying the poorest among them via Proxy Means Tests. E.g it could be that most have pit latrines but some don't or some are old and disabled and unable to fend for themselves.

Based on the established criteria (poverty interpretation varies across communities), those who are deemed poor are enumerated. Their hoseholds are visited, information about poverty verified and then they are captured in the Nigerian Social Register after data validation.

The Social Register is the national database of poor and vulnerable households/individuals in the country. @NasscoNigeria has this data but states can mine from it for social protection interventions or even for planning purposes.

There is a National Cash Transfer Office which does the Cash Transfers.
They mine data from the Social Register to enlist beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme and those mined are the ones who receive the N5,000 monthly. So a lot of people think 5k is nothing. It's my data money, e.t.c. Yes, 5k may be chicken change to you but it is a big deal to these people. They have been able to form savings groups and are engaged in different forms of livelihood activities.

I'll share success stories

I am now overseeing this in Kaduna State and I shall explain.
Indeed approval has been given for payments to commence this week.
The reason why the cash transfers aren't so popular in the social media space is because the beneficiaries and not in the category of citizens who own https://t.co/RdFHUQTpRm

— Saude Amina Atoyebi (@minibaby) March 31, 2020

She produces rice pic.twitter.com/WsiwLwS1q8

— Saude Amina Atoyebi (@minibaby) March 31, 2020

Kuli-Kuli production pic.twitter.com/SWHP3h0TOf

— Saude Amina Atoyebi (@minibaby) March 31, 2020

She advises other beneficiaries to make the best of the monies being received pic.twitter.com/VaJAve2fQe

— Saude Amina Atoyebi (@minibaby) March 31, 2020

Mama wants to meet President @MBuhari to throw a salute and personally thank him 😁 pic.twitter.com/wtQACoCOV9

— Saude Amina Atoyebi (@minibaby) March 31, 2020

Follow her work @minibaby

An American who tested positive for Coronavirus in Lagos, Nigeria, has been evacuated to the United States.

Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi disclosed this while giving update on Coronavirus cases in the state on his twitter handle.

#COVID19 Lagos Update!
*️⃣Lagos records a new case of #COVID19, 31st March, 2020.
*️⃣Total #COVID19Lagos cases is now 82.
*️⃣8 patients have so far been discharged following their full recovery.
*️⃣One of the confirmed case who is an American citizen has been evacuated to USA🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/UbqOqvAu3v

— Prof. Akin Abayomi (@ProfAkinAbayomi) April 1, 2020

According to him, “One of the confirmed case who is an American citizen has been evacuated to USA.”

The commissioner said Lagos recorded another case of Coronavirus on 31 March, 2020, bringing the total cases in the state to 82.

He said of the 82 cases, eight had been discharged following their full recovery.
He said the state now had 73 active cases if Coronavirus.

Despite lockdown, tragedy struck in Lagos on Tuesday as a Silo truck crushed six persons to death after Epe Long bridge, Epe area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that six people died in the tragedy.

According to him, on arrival at the above scene, a Silo truck with unknown registration number was discovered to have fallen on a fully-loaded commercial taxi OPEL car with registration number SMK-312ES.

“Investigations revealed that a total of 7 people were in the crushed car with 6 of them having lost their lives on or shortly after the impact while efforts are ongoing by the response team to extricate the single adult man who is alive but remains trapped beneath the silo truck.

“Recovery operation ongoing. The deceased will be transported to the mortuary for processing,” he said in a statement around 12:16 am.

“We also wish to appeal to members of the public to comply with the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines laid down by the Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, to avoid endangering themselves as well as the rescue workers who are already operating under extremely challenging conditions,” he said

Four new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 3 in the FCT and 1 in Lagos

As at 08:00 pm 31st March there are 139 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths.

Four new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 3 in the FCT and 1 in Lagos

As at 08:00 pm 31st March there are 139 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Nine have been discharged with two deaths pic.twitter.com/d8EyMmyGIZ

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 31, 2020

As at 08:00 pm 31st March, there are

139 confirmed cases
9 discharged
2 deaths

For a breakdown of cases by states in real time, visit http://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng

Currently;
Lagos- 82
FCT- 28
Oyo- 8
Osun- 5
Ogun- 4
Kaduna- 3
Enugu- 2
Edo- 2
Bauchi- 2
Ekoti- 1
Rivers-1
Benue- 1

As at 08:00 pm 31st March, there are

139 confirmed cases
9 discharged
2 deaths

For a breakdown of cases by states in real time, visit https://t.co/zQrpNeOfet

Currently;
Lagos- 82
FCT- 28
Oyo- 8
Osun- 5
Ogun- 4
Kaduna- 3
Enugu- 2
Edo- 2
Bauchi- 2
Ekoti- 1
Rivers-1
Benue- 1

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 31, 2020

No fewer than 11 million Nigerians will benefit from the Federal Government’s palliative measure to cushion the effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Farouk stated this on Tuesday.

She spoke during the daily briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja.

The palliative distribution has started with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast who have received two months rations of relief materials.

She said the government already had a social register with details of those considered as the vulnerable in society in 35, adding that these people belong to around 2.6 million households across the country.

The Minister said the federal government was working with state governments to reach about eight million pupils in about 50,000 schools across the country.

”The social register is still there. We have registered about 2.6 poor and vulnerable households and so far we have reached out to about one million people, which is about 436,000 households across the country.

”We are looking at areas of rapidly registering more poor and vulnerable households, but we are also mindful of the fact that this lockdown is also going to affect the urban poor and this is an area where we are working very seriously to see how we can take this intervention to these urban poor across the country.

”We are expanding the social register. As it is today, we are capturing about 10.6 million people and we have already had discussions with the UN Social Protection Working Group this morning and they have agreed that we are going to register at least one million more households to benefit from the palliatives.

”National social register provides a pathway to reach at least 2.6 million vulnerable households nationwide, with information, sanitisation, essentials and relief supplies. We take these things to them to relieve the effects of the restrictive measures that have been put in place.

”Let me give you a brief statistics of this social register. The social register has captured 11,045,537 individuals, covering 2,644,995 poor and vulnerable households around the country, with 47,698 communities 4,946 wards and 453 local government areas, in 35 states of the country.

”This is the register that we already have, with all the information and we are going to use it to carry out the interventions that we are supposed to carry out in the affected states”, she said.

Also on Tuesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said more palliatives are to be developed by the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led Economic Sustainability Committee which he head, to cushion the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on Nigeria.

Dropping the hint yesterday, the vice president reminded Nigerians that containing the spread of the pandemic and tackling its fallout requires the cooperation and effort of all.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement said that the vice president spoke while responding to questions at a Google Hangout in Abuja.

The event was organised by the HACK COVID-19 Call Centre, where young Nigerian technology innovators talked about the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and wellbeing of Nigerians.

Osinbajo responded to questions on how the Buhari administration intended to handle the consequences of the restriction of movements in parts of the country and support vulnerable Nigerians.

The statement said: “We must see this as a joint effort, everyone is involved in this, it really is an all-Nigeria effort and I am happy that everyone is responding.’

“The Committee is to take care of the economic challenges and fallouts of the pandemic and the attendant movement restrictions in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states.

“The Committee will also develop further palliatives, and a sustainability plan to reposition the economy and grow the non-oil sector.

He said that one of the critical things about the Home Grown School Feeding Programme had been a large number of cooks.

“There are over 100,000 men and women scattered across the local government areas in this country who cook for these children, the vice president said, adding: “So, at the moment, they may well be out of work, so part of what we are also looking at is for them to continue to earn a living even with the current closing down of schools; they are also obviously endangered.

“The minister of Health is working on that and I will be working closely with her to see what can possibly be done to deliver on the president’s directive on that.

The vice president, however, assured that though the challenges were daunting and expectations high, government was ready and willing to address all of them.

He said efforts were also being made towards incorporating local manufacturers in the production of items needed to manage the pandemic.

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Ibrahim Pantami, has urged telecoms companies to subsidise the cost of calls and data to cushion the effect of the ramgpaging COVID-19 pandemic.

A British telecom firm, Vodafone had, in the wake of the pandemic, offered a 30-day free unlimited mobile data to half a million of its pay monthly customers.

The mobile network said it was doing so as part of its support measures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Customers considered “vulnerable” will be automatically upgraded, it said, while others can apply.

Pantami, on his official Twitter handle, urged telecoms companies to ensure they further subsidy or reduce calls and data for citizens in this criticla time.

The telecoms firms, however, said they have been supportimng the nation and first responders as they tackle the menace of COVID-19.

They, however, said they were not interested in making a showmanship of the gesture at this trying time.

Acting under the aegis of Association of Licesned telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, said though the times are hard, the telcos have been doing a lot to support the country during this trying times.

Adebayo said the industry is looking at various options as responsible and caring corporate citizens to support the government and the customers.

A Coronavirus patient has escaped from an isolation centre where she was being kept with eight others.

The culprit is one of the eight Guineans who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

She escaped from the facility in which they were being quarantined in Tamale, Ghana.

So far, Ghana has recorded 152 cases of Coronavirus, with five death and two recovery.

According to the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, the patient, a woman in her early 20s, scaled over a wall leaving behind her belongings on Monday.

He described it as “a very disturbing situation because she is positive” with the novel coronavirus.

“Since yesterday, up till this morning, I have not slept, with my security people. I directed that they should use all their networks to be able to track the person down and get her,” Mr. Saeed told the media.

According to Citi News, there were two police and two soldiers who were guarding the guest house where the infected persons were being monitored.

Despite the gravity of the situation, Saeed urged citizens to remain calm.

“Our people are safe… we are working very hard to ensure that the people don’t get too panicked. Nobody should be afraid because the security personnel are on top of the issues.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has revealed the enemies of Lagosians as they collectively wage war against dreaded Coronavirus pandemic.

Sanwo-Olu, in a statement to review the first day of lockdown in the state, said the enemies of Lagosians were those who refused to observe the lockdown order.

“It is on this note that I would like to warn those who may wish to breach the restriction that their action is against the Public Health interest of all Lagosians,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu commended Lagosians for keeping to the presidential directive.

“I would like to note the high level of our people’s compliance with this presidential directive. It has shown that we realise the enormity of the challenge that we are facing and the choice that we have made – fighting to stave off a massive attack of COVID-19 and staying alive to reclaim our life that has been disrupted by this unseen enemy.

“The restriction, I would like to remind us, is to contain the community spreading of this disease by enlisting everybody in the fight and ensuring that many more do not contract it.

“On the medical front, I have been informed that all our COVID 19 patients are stable. Five of them were discharged on Monday and – by the grace of The Almighty- more will soon be out of hospital. Our medical staff – exceptional men and women all – are doing their all to ensure that the patients do well, regain their health and return home to their families. We will be doing a lot to encourage them and lighten their burden by staying indoors,” he said.

He said only those rendering essential services, who must be well identified; were allowed to go out when necessary.

According to him, “Our Welfare Package remains on course. As I have often said, those at the bottom of the economic ladder, the underprivileged and the most vulnerable among us, will not be left to fend for themselves at this difficult time, Our Relief Package, which is to reach about 200,000 households in the first instance, has continued.

“Parts of the following local governments are being covered: Amuwo Odofin, Epe, Ikeja, Badagry, Ibeju – Lekki, Agege,Oshodi-Isolo, Apapa and Lagos Mainland. Others will soon be reached. May I seize this opportunity to thank those worthy Lagosians, who have demonstrated the true spirit of “A Greater Lagos” by coming forward to help at this time.

“I salute our law enforcement agents who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the presidential directive is enforced. I enjoin them to continue in that spirit. They should be firm but courteous in discharging their responsibilities.

“Again, I have no doubt that if we continue to fight in unity, COVID-19 will be defeated and we will come out victorious as we always do,” he said.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has announced further reduction of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol from N125 to N123.50k per litre.

The agency made the announcement in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Abdulkadir Saidu, in Abuja on Tuesday night.

“PPPRA in line with the government approval for a monthly review of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) pump price, hereby announces Guiding PMS pump price of N123.50 per Litre.

“The Guiding price which becomes effective April 1 2020, shall apply at all retail outlets nationwide for the month of April, 2020.”

He added that PPPRA and other relevant regulatory agencies would continue to monitor compliance to extant regulations for a sustainable downstream petroleum sector.

Saidu noted that members of the public and all Oil Marketing Companies are to be guided accordingly.

The agency had on March 18 reduced the pump price of PMS from N145.00 to N125.00.

It noted that from April 1, it would start a new pricing modulation that would reflect the global market fundamental.

Despite lockdown, tragedy struck in Lagos on Tuesday as Dangote Cement silo truck crushed six persons to death after Epe Long bridge, Epe area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.

Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that six people died in the tragedy.

According to him, on arrival at the above scene, a Dangote Cement silo truck with unknown registration number was discovered to have fallen on a fully loaded commercial taxi OPEL car with registration number SMK-312ES.

“Investigations revealed that a total of 7 people were in the crushed car with 6 of them having lost their lives on or shortly after the impact while efforts are ongoing by the response team to extricate the single adult man who is alive but remains trapped beneath the silo truck.

“Recovery operation ongoing. The deceased will be transported to the mortuary for processing,” he said in a statement around 12:16am.

“We also wish to appeal to members of the public to comply with the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines laid down by the Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, to avoid endangering themselves as well as the rescue workers who are already operating under extremely challenging conditions,” he said

Nigeria has recorded four new coronavirus cases in Osun and Ogun States, bringing the total national figure to 135 cases.

According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, “Four new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Nigeria; 3 in Osun and 1 in Ogun/

“As at 11:15 am 31st March, there are 135 confirmed cases of #COVID-19 reported in Nigeria with 2 deaths.”

On Monday, 20 new cases were recorded in Nigeria, with Lagos having 13 cases.

Four new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 3 in Osun and 1 in Ogun

As at 11:15 am 31st March there are 135 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria with 2 deaths pic.twitter.com/6ziPXCPVMu

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 31, 2020

The only coronavirus-hit patient in Ekiti State has tested negative and allowed to go home.

TVC news reported that the unidentified male patient has been discharged from hospital.

The patient had served as a driver to an American who came on a visit to Nigeria and spent two weeks in Ibadan.

The American later died on suspicion of succumbing to the virus.

Breaking: Coronavirus patient in Ekiti tests negative, discharged

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:42 pm | Metro | 0 Comment(s)

Tuesday, March 31, 2020 2:42 pm | Metro | 0 Comment(s)

Dr Chikwe Iheakweazu DG NCDC: coronavirus patient in Ekiti now negative

The only coronavirus-hit patient in Ekiti State has tested negative and allowed to go home.

TVC news reported that the unidentified male patient has been discharged from hospital.

The patient had served as a driver to an American who came on a visit to Nigeria and spent two weeks in Ibadan.

The American later died on suspicion of succumbing to the virus.

But while the care-giver tested negative, the driver tested positive.

He was discharged Tuesday, a day after five persons also overcame the virus in Lagos.

According to NCDC, Nigeria now has 135 confirmed cases of the virus.

Nine persons have been discharged while two died.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the presidential order restricting movements in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States is backed by Nigerian laws.

Osinbajo made this submission in Abuja while responding to questions at the Google Hangout programme.

The programme, which took place on Monday was organised by HACK COVID-19 Call Centre – a private sector initiative, supporting Nigeria’s battle against the pandemic.

Nobel Literature laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and human rights lawyers such as Femi Falana have questioned the legal basis of the lockdown.

Osinbajo, a law professor responded: “It is entirely legal; these steps are proactive, very relevant; important and backed by law.

“I am not so sure some of the people who have commented on the issue have come across the Quarantine Act.

“There is a Quarantine Act of 1926; it has been published in all of the Laws of Nigeria, every edition of the Laws of Nigeria, it is there.”

“The Act allows the president to designate any local area, any part of the country, as a place that may be infected or under the threat of a communicable disease, and he can then make regulations of any kind.

“For instance, he can say, people should not go out; no public gatherings among others; so, it is a regulation that gives the president powers and these powers come from the National Assembly because, of course, it is an act of the National Assembly,” Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo said the 1926 Act is deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly and gives the president as well as governors extensive powers.

He urged critics to go through the legislation to understand the provisions.

“It is barely one-page legislation, so it is not particularly difficult to find the relevant provisions.

“It is not particularly difficult to read, very straightforward; so, the president has all the powers.

“Many of us are not familiar with the Influenza pandemic that killed several millions around the world in 1918.

“At that time, regulations were made here, very similar to what we have today, although that was under the colonial authorities.

“They also banned public gatherings, banned gatherings in places of worship then.

“So, there is even good historical precedence for some of what we are doing today,” he said.

Beware of unverified messages on social media!

These DO NOT protect against #COVID19:

• Consuming hot lemon, palm oil, ginger or garlic

• Gargling with salt water

• Drinking or spraying dettol on your body

Beware of unverified messages on social media!

These DO NOT protect against #COVID19:

*Consuming hot lemon, palm oil, ginger or garlic
*Gargling with salt water
*Drinking or spraying dettol on your body#TakeResponsibility#WashYourHands#StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/lknwcGoiZS

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 31, 2020