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