The Central Bank of Nigeria has reacted to news it has devalued the Naira by as much as 15 percent, moving it from the official price of N307 to N360 and also adjusting the import and export window price from N360 to N380.

In a tweet on Saturday night, the bank deployed semantic obfuscation to describe its action, quoting Governor Godwin Emefiele as saying the devaluation “is an adjustment of price”.

#FOREX #CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele clarifies supposed devaluation of Naira. Says it is an adjustment of price and not a devaluation of the currency

— Central Bank of Nigeria (@cenbank) March 21, 2020

The bank had taken commercial banks by surprise on Friday when it sold dollars at N360, instead of N307.

Later same day, the bank reflected its ‘new adjusted price’ on its website.

P.M.News reported on Friday that the bank made the adjustment cum devaluation to harmonise its multiple exchange rates and also because of the reality of the oil market, which gives Nigeria 90 per cent of its FX earnings.

One new case of #COVID19 has been confirmed in FCT, Nigeria

As at 11:00 am on the 22nd of March, there are 27 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

Of the 27 confirmed cases, 2 have been discharged with no death.

One new case of #COVID19 has been confirmed in FCT, Nigeria

As at 11:00 am on the 22nd of March, there are 27 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

Of the 27 confirmed cases, 2 have been discharged with no death pic.twitter.com/Taxi37NzjW

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 22, 2020

First and foremost, I'll like to assure you my children, that let no your heart be troubled or be afraid, for no pestilence shall come near your dwelling.

The Lord said to me in the early part of the year that - "The World will be on Compulsory Holiday in 2020". That is already happening.

The Lord is proving that he can shutdown the whole earth so the whole world can see, believe and understand altogether that he is the Almighty.

The reason while Coronavirus is unique is because, it's making a lot of noise. It is a noisome pestilence. But it will subside, not die, but go into the background.

I have heard some prophets say by March 27th 2020, coronavirus will die; i said Amen; me that am a pastor; who am i to say anything when a prophet has spoken.

Another said, they'll be seven days of heavy rain and it'll die off. I said Amen. Prophets are greater than pastors and so i said amen.

Coronavirus will not die, it will subside. And therefore my children, relax and let your mind be at ease, do not be troubled enjoy your public holiday declared from Heaven. Coronavirus will subside and go into the background like ebola and all the likes like it.

The service held at the National Headquarters at Ebute Metta Lagos after which the Assistant General Overseer, Pastor Odesola says that the commision is just obeying constituted authority of obeying the laws of the Land by not gathering more than 20 as stipulated by the lagos State Governemnt earlier in the week.

The number of Coronavirus cases in Nigeria is now 26 from 22 less than 24 hrs ago. This was confirmed on the NCDC twiiter handle this morning, the 22nd of march, 2020.

See tweet below:

One new case of #COVID19 has been confirmed in Oyo state, Nigeria

As at 08:05 am on the 22nd of March, there are 26 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria

Of the 26 confirmed cases, 2 have been discharged with no death pic.twitter.com/Usk6KoKgOy

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 22, 2020

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

Currently;
Lagos- 19
FCT- 3
Ogun- 2
Ekiti- 1
Oyo- 1

Total: 26 confirmed cases#COVID19Nigeria

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 22, 2020

Rivers State Government has ordered the closure of all schools in the state and directed religious organisations to restrict their activities as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.

In a broadcast on Friday, Rivers State Governor State, Nyesom Wike, said the action was taken in the interest of the state.

The closure, according to the governor, affects public and private primary, secondary schools and tertiary institutions.

He said, “To further strengthen our resolve to protect our citizens, the State Government has taken the following decisions;

”All schools in the state are to be closed down with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020. All religious organisations are to restrict their activities.

“As you are aware, the World Health Organisation has described coronavirus as a pandemic. This development calls for collective action by all well-meaning citizens.

“As a responsive government, we have set up a five-man Inter-ministerial committee to carry out aggressive public enlightenment that will protect all those living and doing business in the state from the disease.

“This decision was taken because we understand that we are the headquarters of the Hydrocarbon Industry and also a major commercial hub in the country that attracts people from all walks of life.

“The committee had since its inauguration carried out stakeholder engagement with Community Development Committees, religious groups, principals and headteachers of schools, traders association, National Union of Road Transport Workers, military, paramilitary, police, international oil companies and Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria.

“The State Ministry of Health has also been empowered to set up intervention resources; 158 Surveillance and Ad-hoc personnel have been trained, one treatment centre, holding centres in the two teaching hospitals and all General Hospitals in the state are fully functional.

“All health workers, both private and public have been trained and briefed on infection control measures and appropriate use of personal protective equipment, hand sanitizers have been procured, infrared thermometers have been procured and stockpiling of other commodities and equipment and we have redoubled surveillance at our airports, seaports, waterways and land routes.

“Let me assure all those resident in the state, that the State Government under my leadership is ready and willing to protect their lives at all times.

“May I, therefore, call for the understanding and collective support of all and sundry to keep our state safe from coronavirus. Together, we shall win with God on our side.”

P.M.EXPRESS Reports
A 35-year old man, Uche Okeke, who broke a bottle to stab a lady in a squabble over sex in a hotel in Lagos, has ended up damaging another man’s eye while trying to prevent him from attacking the lady.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the pieces of the bottle he broke pierced into the eye of the victim, Ikenna Okeke, while he was attempting to separate the fight and damaged the eye instantly.

The incident happened at Romeo and Juliet Hotel located at NNPC Junction, Ejigbo area of Lagos.
It was gathered that Uche Okeke went to the hotel to drink, met the lady believed to be a sex worker and they had negotiation over sex.However, the negotiation broke down and there was exchange of words between them. In the process, Uche broke a bottle to stab her and part of bottle hit the victim’s eye.

The victim was said to have bled profusely and was then rushed to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that the left eye had been damaged and the victim cannot see with the eye again.

The matter was reported to the Police and Uche Okeke was arrested. After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and later charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrates Court for condemning the victim’s eye.He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Supol Kenneth Asibor, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the offence.The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T. O. Shomade, granted him bail and ordered his remand in prison custody pending when he will perfect the bail conditions.The matter was adjourned till 23rd March, 2020.

As part of the measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Lagos State Government has restricted religious and social gatherings to 20 people.

The government made the announcement on Saturday via its verified Twitter handle.

The state government had banned gatherings of over 50 people, explaining that it would be easier to trace that number of people if the need arises.

But with the confirmation of 10 new cases of coronavirus in Nigeria, with 7 in Lagos State, the government has now urged the people to adhere strictly to the new directive.

“The Lagos State Government has banned all religious or social gathering of over 20 people within the State.”

“It is important we all adhere to this directive,” the statement released on Saturday stated.

Public Service Announcement @jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @gbenga_omo@ProfAkinAbayomi @LSMOH #LASG #COVID19Lagos pic.twitter.com/vBzptxyUM0

— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) March 21, 2020

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced the closure of all the country’s airports to international flights till April 23, 2020. The Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu disclosed this in a letter to all foreign airlines and operators on Saturday. He said domestic flights will continue normal operations at all airports.

The NCAA had shut down the international wing of three airports in Nigeria on Friday. This is in line with the directive of the Federal Government to restrict international flights in response to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. The three airports closed down were; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa. This leaves only the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja in operation.

However, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, late yesterday, said Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos would be closed too. Sirika, while fielding questions from State House Correspondents on Friday, said the five international airports should have been closed instead of singling out three. Since then, 10 more cases of the coronavirus disease have been confirmed in the country, bringing the country’s burden of coronavirus infections to a total of 22.

Three of the 10 new cases are in Abuja, the country’s capital. The other seven are in Lagos. Nine of the new 10 infections had “have travel history outside Nigeria in the last one week,” the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control said in a tweet.

NCAA Original Document

Nigeria’s coronavirus cases jumped overnight from 12 to 22, with three new cases in Abuja and seven new ones in Lagos.

The Nigerian centre for Disease Control made this known on Saturday.

” Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed 10 new cases of #COVID19 in #Nigeria. Of the 10 new cases, 3 are in the Federal Capital Territory and 7 are in Lagos

@Fmohnigeria has confirmed 10 new cases of #COVID19 in #Nigeria

Of the 10 new cases, 3 are in the Federal Capital Territory and 7 are in Lagos

9 out of the 10 cases have travel history outside Nigeria in the last one week. The 10th case is a close contact of a confirmed case pic.twitter.com/Bm557clqL0

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) March 21, 2020

9 out of the 10 cases have travel history outside Nigeria in the last one week. The 10th case is a close contact of a confirmed case”, NCDC said.

“All new cases have mild to moderate symptoms, and are being managed at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and Infectious Disease Hospital, Lagos.

Breaking! #COVID19Lagos
1️⃣ Lagos has confirmed 7 new cases of #COVID19 bringing total confirmed cases in Lagos to18
2️⃣6 out of the 7 new cases have travel history outside Nigeria in the last one week
3️⃣One of the 7 new cases is a close contact of a confirmed case@LSMOH@NCDCgov pic.twitter.com/auOHtGtcq4

— Prof. Akin Abayomi (@ProfAkinAbayomi) March 21, 2020

4️⃣Of the total 18 confirmed cases in Lagos, 2 have recovered and have been discharged.
🔊Take note that travellers on Flights BA75 and KLM 587 which arrived in Lagos on the 18th March, 2020 have been exposed to confirmed #COVID19 cases.@SegsDr@Fmohnigeria @Mr_JAGs @COS_LASG

— Prof. Akin Abayomi (@ProfAkinAbayomi) March 21, 2020

#Nigeria has recorded 10 new cases of #COVID19 in Lagos and FCT.
That is a total of 22 cases in #Nigeria: Lagos 16, FCT 3, Ekiti 1 & Ogun 2. 2 have been discharged.
All cases are clinically stable and receiving adequate care. pic.twitter.com/f82GbSW3bS

— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) March 21, 2020

All are Nigerians, 9 returning from Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain & UK, 1 close contact of a known case.
In FCT, the cases are being treated at Uni. of Abuja Teaching Hosp., Gwagwalada.
In Lagos, the cases are being treated at Infectious Disease Hosp., Lagos.

— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) March 21, 2020

“We urge the public to remain calm and adhere to social distancing and other measures in place”.

Lagos, which appears to be the epicentre of the COVID-19 in Nigeria, now has 17 cases, Abuja 3 and Ekiti 1. The 22nd confirmed case, an Italian was discharged on Saturday, when his tests turned negative.

Minister of Health, Prof. Osagie Ehanire has disclosed that Nigeria has recorded 10 new cases of the deadly Coronavirus, bringing the total to 22 cases.

Ehanire, on his twitter handle on Saturday said the 10 new cases were recorded in Lagos and Abuja.

“That is a total of 22 cases in Nigeria: Lagos 16, FCT 3, Ekiti 1 and Ogun 2. two have been discharged.
All cases are clinically stable and receiving adequate care,” he said.

#Nigeria has recorded 10 new cases of #COVID19 in Lagos and FCT.
That is a total of 22 cases in #Nigeria: Lagos 16, FCT 3, Ekiti 1 & Ogun 2. 2 have been discharged.
All cases are clinically stable and receiving adequate care. pic.twitter.com/f82GbSW3bS

— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) March 21, 2020

All are Nigerians, 9 returning from Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain & UK, 1 close contact of a known case.
In FCT, the cases are being treated at Uni. of Abuja Teaching Hosp., Gwagwalada.
In Lagos, the cases are being treated at Infectious Disease Hosp., Lagos.

— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) March 21, 2020

According to the Minister, all new cases were Nigerians, nine returning from Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and UK and one close contact of a known case.

He said in FCT, the cases were being treated at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, adding that in Lagos, the cases were being treated at Infectious Disease Hospital.

Ehanire said to contain Coronavirus in Nigeria, residents must strictly observe regular hand washing, non-contact greetings, avoid crowded gatherings, social distance (2 metres), self-isolation if returning from abroad following the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control guidelines.

Following the rampant cases of men’s death as a result of domestic violence, the Anglican Archbishop on the Niger, Anambra state, Most Rev Alexander Ibezim, has cautioned women against killing their husbands .

Also, he warned the menfolk to stop the violence against women, while tasking women to be loving whenever provoked and allow reason to prevail and enjoy their marriages rather than kill their spouses.

Ibezim, who is also the Anglican Bishop of Awka Diocese, spoke Saturday as part of his message on 2020 Mother’s Day in the state.

According to him,” I detest domestic violence and I urge all parties to a marriage to practice tolerance in order not to be associated with domestic violence. I hate violence as a way of expressing one’s anger.

“People should be able to jaw jaw and resolve their problems rather than resort to killing their spouse.

“Violence against women must not be tolerated, but women must bridle their tongues always and respect their husbands. Men , I charge you to love your wives.

” There is no justification for domestic violence. Domestic violence against women must be condemned by the Church and society.

” I decry the rate of homicides these days and the rate at which women kill their husbands for their boyfriends and man friends.

“We should all rise against domestic violence. Killing should not be part of problem resolution as it does not end the situation.

” I don’t like it, either when the media make justification for homicide on the part of the men. The media should stop glorifying homicide. It should be condemned” the Bishop said

On the issue of sex for marks in Higher institutions, the Cleric said it was a dangerous phenomenum

Ibezim said, “Why should Academics be associated with sex for marks or sex for cash? It is a dangerous phenomenun and hydra headed monster everyone who calls himself an academic must fight to stop.

“I condemn anyone in the Tertiary institution encouraging such because; it is blight on the society. It undermines our collective efforts to bequeath a morally upright society to posterity.

” I charge Vice Chancellors and the university governing councils across the country to be decisive on this challenge and rid the academic institutions of all undesirable elements,” he said

American country music legend Kenny Rogers has died aged 81.

A family representative said he "passed away peacefully at home from natural causes".

Rogers topped pop and country charts during the 1970s and 1980s, and won three Grammy awards.

Known for his husky voice and ballads including The Gambler, Lucille and Coward Of The County, his career spanned more than six decades.

He once summed up his popularity by explaining that he believed his songs "say what every man wants to say and that every woman wants to hear".

After growing up in poverty on a federal housing estate in Houston, Texas, Rogers began recording with a string of bands, including Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, before launching his solo career in 1976.

He was never a favourite of music critics, but became one of the most successful pop-country crossover acts of all time, and the 10th best-selling male artist in US history in terms of album sales.

He collaborated with other country music legends during his career, including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson.

n 2007 he unexpectedly found himself back in the limelight in the UK when The Gambler became the unofficial World Cup anthem of England's Rugby Team.

The song became so popular that during his 2013 Glastonbury Festival legends slot Rogers played it twice.

That same year, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association.

In their statement his family said he had "left an indelible mark on the history of American music".

A keen businessman, Rogers led several ventures over the years, mainly in property and the restaurant sector.

He also acted in several movies and TV shows, including starring as a race car driver in the 1982 movie Six Pack.

Source: BBC

Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA) and Bayero University Kano(BUK) have suspended lectures for one month and asked students to go home, as part of measures to contain coronavirus.

Both universities suspended lectures following a circular from the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Universities Commission (NUC), ordering the closure of universities.

BUK Public Relations Officer, Malam Lamara Garba, said on Friday: “The Federal Government granted approval for the closure of all schools (including tertiary institutions) for a period of one month effective from Monday, 23rd March, 2020.

“The Management of Bayero University, Kano, considers the health and well being of its students and staff to be of utmost importance.

” Therefore, in line with the above directives and in the overall interest of the well-being of members of the University Community,

“It is hereby directed that all students are requested not to return to the University.

” Consequently, those in Campus should vacate the hostels and return to their respective homes” the statement read in part.

The BUK management said that staff of the University were expected to continue with their normal duties and were strongly advised to abide by the safety guidelines, including social distancing as issued by professionals.

FUTA’s registrar Mr Richard Arifalo, announced the closure of the school on Friday.

“Following incidence of Coronavirus infestation in parts of the country the Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA, has directed that all academic activities and related matters involving students be suspended from Friday, March 20, 2020.

“Consequently all students, except international postgraduate students, are to proceed on mid-semester break and therefore should vacate all halls of residence by today , March 20, 2020 as fumigation of halls of residence will begin immediately,” the statement read.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has welcomed the decision of the Federal Government to slash the fuel pump price from N145 to N125 per litre.

In a statement in Lagos yesterday, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the IPMAN, Barrister Akin Akinrinade, said the decision by the government was the right thing to do, in view of the sudden fall of over 50 per cent in the price of oil in the world market from about $65 per barrel to $24 as at yesterday (Thursday).

But Barrister Akinrinade said the federal government should compensate all oil marketers that loaded fuel between Monday and Wednesday during the week because they would be losing a minimum of N20 per litre on the fuel they had loaded, depending on the distance or destination.

According to Akinrinade, the difference between the old price of N145 and new price of N125 per litre for a marketer that loaded 33,000 litres of fuel, the shortage would be N660,000 and for a marketer who loaded 45,000 litres, the loss for that marketer would be N900,000 for that single transaction.

The IPMAN Chairman said if the marketers who loaded their trucks between Monday and Wednesday this week were not compensated, they might run out of business because of huge financial losses they had incurred.

The sudden fall in the price of oil in the world market was as a result of coronavirus ravaging the world.

The Army Headquarters said it has embarked on mass recruitment of personnel into its Special Forces Concept Training nationwide.

The Director, Directorate of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve, Brig.,-Gen Emmanuel Akpan, made this known on Friday, saying it was in line with global best practices to reinvigorate the force.

He spoke in Ado Ekiti at an advocacy visit to Gov. Kayode Fayemi.

Akpan said the sensitisation and enlightenment tour would take him to all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He said the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai, had directed that the Special Forces concept be integrated into all Nigerian Army training institutions.

The exercise, he added, had already commenced and would end on April 29.

He said the nationwide tour had become imperative to enable states fill their quotas.

” This new approach to training implies that all new recruits must undergo special forces training

” The current approach, apart from ensuring that all Nigerian Army personnel can adopt and function seamlessly in any operating environment, is also expected to imbue in personnel special skills that enable them win battles,” he said.

The army chief, who later met with a group of youths at the Government House, educated them on the pride in serving their country.

He urged them to get the information across to their mates and colleagues by enlisting in the army, saying a fulfilling career awaited them.

Akpan assured them that it was an opportunity that required no god-father’s help to be recruited.

” I can assure you that contrary to insinuation and rumours, you do not need a godfather to join the Nigerian Army

” It is your army, it is our army, every able-bodied Nigerian without criminal record is free to join so that they can serve without having to know anybody as a precondition.

” Whoever is taken must have been taken on the basis of fulfilling all normal requirements,” he said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Fayemi, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, thanked the army chief for the visit.

He pledged the state government’s commitment to encouraging all willing youths to participate in the recruitment exercise.

The governor also advocated adequate supply of sophisticated weapons for the army to enable it to confront all security challenges in the country.

The Italian who was first diagnosed with Covid 19 in Nigeria is now free of the virus and was, on Friday evening, allowed to leave the isolation centre of Yaba Mainland Hospital where he was quarantined and treated.

This was confirmed by the Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“As the COVID-19 Incident Commander for Lagos State, I am glad to inform you that the index case the Italian gentleman is now negative.

“Through a combined effort of Lagos State, Ogun State and Federal Health Authorities, we were able to limit the transmission of the virus to a single contact.

“This involved aggressive contact tracing and containment strategies. However, we now have several new imported cases and we hope we can apply the same contact tracing strategy along with social distancing to slow down the outbreak which may be brewing from these new cases.

“The index patient consented to donate one unit of white blood (otherwise called plasma) before he was discharged today. The blood plasma is rich in antibody proteins that target the #COVID19 virus.

“The white blood plasma is frozen in our Bio-bank and will be useful in handling new cases.

“The blood plasma will be beneficial for the treatment of new patients in the absence of a defined therapeutic drug for #COVID19 yet.

“The index patient appreciated the exceptional care and support given to him by the staff of the mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, all members of the EOC / @followlasg.

“The EOC team was extremely happy to bid the patient farewell.

“Once again, we like to convey the enthusiasm of our team to do the very best possible in handling incidents of Coronavirus,” Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu wrote on his Facebook page.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has postponed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, 2020 indefinitely.

This was confirmed in a statement released by WAEC Nigeria’s Head of National Office, Mr. Patrick Ehidiamen Areghan.

The statement stated that the examination scheduled to begin April 6, 2020, was postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement reads in part: “The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, nay, the West African sub-region, has decided to put on hold the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination

“This is as a result of the impact of the novel and deadly Corona Virus pandemic (COVID-19) and the serious implications it has for the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates, 2020, coupled with the anxieties it has generated among the populace.

“This decision is a demonstration of the organisation’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria and the governments of the other member countries to check the spread of the disease.

Areghan noted that the timetable for the examination had been suspended and would be “reviewed once the health situation improves.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the production of Chloroquine for clinical trials in tackling the deadly Coronavirus.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, agency’s Director-General, who spoke in Lagos on Friday, stated that NAFDAC was not approving Chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 but for clinical trials to find treatment for the virus.

She said in the case of Chloroquine, it had been demonstrated in the literature and with clinical research which is still ongoing, that Chloroquine is superior to the Placebo.

“NAFDAC is not approving Chloroquine as a product that can be used for Coronavirus because there is no submission to us for registration but because it is under clinical trials, NAFDAC approves medicines meant for clinical trials.

“Therefore the medicine is being approved just for the clinical trials,” Adeyeye said.

According to Channels TV, she, therefore, called on experts and researchers that were interested in doing a clinical trial on Chloroquine to approach approved outlets, adding that a drug company had been given an approval to produce chloroquine in batches.

“Right now, we have asked one company to make a batch of Chloroquine for the purpose of clinical trial,” Adeyeye added.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the police and other security agencies to arrest people gathering in large number in violation of government’s order. The government had banned large religious gathering in excess of 50 across the state due to the raging Coronavirus pandemic.

Sanwo-Olu on Friday in a statewide broadcast in Marina, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria extended the ban on large gathering in excess of 50 to social clubs, night clubs, event centres, among others.

Sanwo-Olu said following the resolution by government and religious leaders to stop large social gatherings, law enforcement officers had been ordered to disperse large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Governor directed all tertiary institutions in the State to abide by an earlier directive to shut down all public and private schools immediately, and also appealed to operators of bars, night clubs and similar public places to follow the advisory on social distancing.

In our bid to fight #COVID19 and protect our residents, I gave a press briefing today announcing the closures of clubs, bars, and other social gatherings in addition to other announcements affecting religious and academic institutions of all levels. pic.twitter.com/T9PmVZhpPR

— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) March 20, 2020

He said that social distancing remained the best way to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the State.

He added that operators of high capacity buses would be directed to carry only their maximum sitting capacity of 47 passengers and appealed to residents to desist from sharing fake news, and misinformation as this may cause panic.

The Governor also appealed to Lagosians to stop panic-buying of the Chloroquine drug, foodstuff, and other household items.

Sanwo-Olu also confirmed that cases of COVID-19 were eleven in Lagos State, but clarified that the patient infected by the Index patient was free of the virus and had been discharged, while the Index patient himself was now negative and would be discharged any moment from now.

Following reports of people being treated for Chloroquine poisoning in some Lagos hospitals, Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi appealed to members of the public to desist from self-medication as no test has certified the drug as a cure for COVID-19.

The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 19, 2020 secured the convictions of two FBI suspects and four others before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State for various offences bordering on impersonation, Internet fraud and operating a vessel within Nigerian Waters without due registration and licence by appropriate authority.

One of the convict, Patrick Erakposhere Onajokpe, alias John Mark was arraigned on a two count charge of fraudulently impersonating the identity of John Mark through which he defrauded unsuspecting American ladies.

One of the count reads: That you Chief Patrick Onajokpe (alias James Mark) Glory Agbare (at large) Alfred Akpewe (at large) Elena Onah (at large) sometime between 2014 and 2015 in Warri within the jurisdiction of this honourable court fraudulently impersonated the identity of one James Mark claiming to be a black American working in deep sea off coast of taxes, USA, in your hush app account where you enticed unsuspecting American ladies into romantic relationships online and in that process, obtained the aggregate sum of $878,489,24 from ladies and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (prohibition prevention, ets) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.

Upon his arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

However, the defence counsel, Paul Ejiga, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant was a first time offender and has become remorseful.

Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced Onajokpe to five years imprisonment, in the alternative, a fine of N6, 000, 000 (Six Million Naira). He is also to forfeit all items recovered from him which include a Range Rover Jeep, a Petroleum Filing Station, an uncompleted plaza and phones. Justice Nwite also ruled that the properties be sold with the proceeds restituted to the victim of the crimes.

In a similar vein, the court also convicted MacDonald Chukwuma Nnamdi who was arraigned on a two count charge of obtaining personal identification information and using same to file fraudulent tax returns with the inland revenue service, USA.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. The Prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly. The defence counsel John Okhuihiev be prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

Justice Nwite sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment with an option of one million naira fine.

One of the charges against him read. "that you MacDonald Chukwuma Nnamdi, Daniel Mercedis (at large) sometimes between 2018 and 2019 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud used attached e-mail to obtain personal identification information of others online and used same to file fraudulent tax returns with the inland revenue service (IRS) of the USA and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 36(1)of the Cybercrime ( prohibition prevention etc)Act 2015.

Similarly, the Commission secured the convictions of Akinwade Olajide, Onume Kingsĺey, Kelechi Ogbuiton and Seje Skinn. They were arraigned for operating a motor vessel on Nigerian Waters without due registration and licence from appropriate authority. They were convicted and fined the sum of N600,000 (Six Hundred Thousand Naira) each. The judge also ordered that the defendants undertake in writing to be of good behaviour.