President Muhammadu Buhari gave his administrations readiness to securing lives in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic ravaging the world.

He did mention his pledge to protecting Nigerians in a series of tweets on his verified handle.

Nigerians have been demanding that the president should address them in times like these.

He said " Protecting Nigerians from the Coronavirus is a key priority for us as a Government. We have the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) working round-the-clock with several other agencies, as well as State Governments, to ensure this."

"I have absolute confidence in the relevant Ministers in the cabinet, the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus which I recently established, and the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who are all providing constant updates and professional counsel."

Protecting Nigerians from the Coronavirus is a key priority for us as a Government. We have the Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) working round-the-clock with several other agencies, as well as State Governments, to ensure this.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 20, 2020

I have absolute confidence in the relevant Ministers in the cabinet, the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus which I recently established, and the officials of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), who are all providing constant updates and professional counsel.

— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) March 20, 2020

The Osun State Government has banned all gatherings of 50 or more people in the same place as part of measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

A statement by Mr Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola, on Friday in Osogbo, said the ban takes immediate effect and until further notice.

It said the ban would affect all Schools, Churches, Mosques, Night Clubs and Sports arenas across the state.

The statement noted that the state government arrived at the decision after wide consultations with health professionals and stakeholders in the health sector.

It said the ban became necessary following Federal Government’s directive to ensure precautionary measures were taken to prevent the spread of the disease.

Government advised the citizenry not to panic, saying no Coronavirus case had been recorded in the state so far.

According to the statement, government noted that the mere fact that few cases have been reported in its neighbouring states makes it imperative to act.

“As at 18th March 2020, the total number of cases as announced by the Honorable Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, stands at eight (8), with one of the five (5) recent cases confirmed on Wednesday, in Ekiti State.

“Though we have not recorded any case of the deadly virus, as a responsible government, we must be prepared so that we are not taken by surprise.

“The Coronavirus scourge is a complex public health emergency, the type the world had never seen.

“Therefore, to protect our dear state, our children, and our economy will require our collective response and sacrifice.

“Government at both state and local government levels will lead but we will all need to do our bit to get through this bad patch.

“As a responsible and responsive government that places premium on the well-being of its people, we will protect our citizens from potential and actual threats.

“We also urge our people to dedicatedly observe the precautionary protocols of thorough washing of hands with soap and clean water and the use of hand sanitiser; observing social distance and avoiding large gatherings, and alerting the authority of any suspected case.

“Our Technical Action Committee is working round the clock to beef up the State’s capacity for epidemiological control and management.

“We therefore call on citizens not to give in to undue panic, ”.

Some customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) have been plunged into darkness as its 33KVA feeder located around the on-going railway construction site near the popular Tejuosho market, Yaba has been damaged owing to the activities of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

A statement signed by EKEDC’s Corporate Communications General Manager, Godwin Idemudia, revealed that excavation of the railway site exposed underground cables that were instrumental to the supply of electricity to places in Yaba and environs, further stating that the cables were later vandalised and stolen by unscrupulous elements.

According to Idemudia, the issue was detected by the Operations and Maintenance team of EKEDC on routine surveillance of the feeder.

Further investigation discovered that suspected cable thieves had carted away 180 meters of the cable which has caused outage to customers in the following areas within Yaba and Environs; Tejuosho Market, Montgomery, Ojuelegba, Abeokuta Express, Borno Way, Freeman, Capital Works, Herbert Macaulay, Sabo Express, Muritala Mohammed, Jacob Mews amongst others.

He said “We are yet to ascertain if this was a deliberate act by the company (CCECC) for whatever reason or its construction workers took advantage of the situation for personal gains. However, we can confirm that this is not the first case of a similar incident involving the company and it is our duty to inform customers of the source of their inconvenience”.

The EKEDC Spokesperson assured customers that investigations are being conducted to apprehend the culprits and prevent such incidents from recurring.

He also pleaded with customers to exercise patience while efforts to resolve the issue and restore supply as soon as possible are underway.

The speaker of Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.(Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu and the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi to intensify efforts in disseminating information about the coronavirus to people of Lagos State.

The Speaker wants such information to be very regular and in different Nigerian languages that residents of the state can easily understand.

Obasa made this statement during the plenary session of the assembly on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

“The way things are now we don’t know the number of people that have been infected going by the number of people that have tested positive to the virus,” he said.

He said if people had listened and followed the precautions earlier given by the government the number of infected person would not have risen up to what it is now.

He also said it is now imperative for the government to continue to churn out more information on preventive measures to be taken by the people in order to stem the spread of the virus.

He applauded the government on its decision to reduce the number of people in places of worship.

He also advised that the meetings with market women and NURTW members should be regular for further enlightenment.

Silverbird Group Chairman and Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce has lost his wife of over 40 years, Evelyn.

Murray-Bruce, who made the announcement on his official Facebook and Twitter accounts on Friday morning, said his wife died of cancer.

In his message, he described his late wife as a blessing to many.

He also mentioned early detection and treatment of cancer as a key to survival.

“I’m broken. Just lost my beautiful wife to cancer. She was my best friend for 43 years and my wife for 41 years. Cancer is real, but it shouldn’t be a death sentence awareness, and early detection and treatment are key to survival. I miss her so so much. I’m broken.

“Our children are devastated, I am too. But I have to be strong for them. Please put our family in your prayers. Like the sun, my wife was a blessing and touched the lives of everyone she met. Though she’s gone, she’d remain alive in our hearts forever.

“I miss you, my sweetheart, and my most beautiful girl, Evelyn Murray-Bruce. Forever yours,” he wrote.

Murray-Bruce, who is also the founder of Silverbird Group, represented Bayelsa East senatorial district in the eight Senate.

He was married to late Evelyn for 41 years and has four children.

The Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde has apologised for the hosting of the Peoples Democratic Party Zonal rally in Ibadan on Wednesday amidst the growing COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.

The governor, in a statement Thursday, admitted the rally shouldn’t have happened but took responsibility for the gaffe.

“I have received your complaints about the rally that was held yesterday (Wednesday), and I feel obligated to state in clear terms that we acted based on the information we had at that time. In retrospect, it should not have happened and I take responsibility for that lapse in judgement,” he stated.

Speaking further on the measures that the Oyo State Government is taking to ensure the prevention, containment and control of the COVID-19 situation in the state, Governor Makinde said in the last few days “a lot has come to light in Nigeria regarding COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus Disease, which has been ravaging the world for the past few months.

“At a point, some people thought we were immune to this disease. I know some among you may still hold that opinion. Although as stated by our Commissioner for Health, Dr Bashir Bello, at a press conference this morning, we do not currently have any confirmed case of Coronavirus in Oyo State; we still all need to be more proactive.

According to the governor, following the oath he swore to on assuming office on May 29, 2019, he assured that his administration will do everything in his power and working with the agencies of the Federal Government, to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.

Makinde urged members of the public to not give in to any form of panic.

His words; “As a people, we can take several measures to beat this virus. It has been shown that maintaining proper hygiene through frequent washing of the hands, scrubbing for 20 seconds with soap and water, and the use of hand sanitizers that are 90% alcohol based, is a key way to prevent the spread of this disease. I implore all citizens to make these practices a routine and a priority. Social distancing is also highly encouraged.”

Makinde also announced the immediate steps the State Government is taking to tackle the disease.

“Setting up the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force led by me. This task force will be holding its first meeting tomorrow, Friday, March 20, 2020. Immediately after the meeting, I will hold a press conference and update you on all decisions reached and so far, implemented.

“The Free Health Mission which was launched on Monday, March 16, 2020, will continue. The mission will be used as a vehicle for disseminating information about Coronavirus prevention and control.

“However, anyone who has shown any known symptoms of COVID-19 such as dry cough, fever, nausea, severe headaches, difficulty breathing and tiredness should please, isolate themselves and call the following Oyo State Ministry of Health helplines:‬ ‪08038210122‬, ‪08023229267‬ or ‪08073431342.‬‬‬

“Once again, I urge all citizens of Oyo State to remain calm and observe all preventive measures announced by the State and Federal Ministries of Health and their agencies.”

An Indian staff of Onshore Construction Company, an instrumentation contracting firm with Dangote Fertilizer Limited, who had shown symptoms associated with COVID-19 and subsequently isolated, has been confirmed negative.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who disclosed the outcome of the test via his Twitter handle said, “An Indian national that was admitted in our facility yesterday (Monday) night with symptoms suggestive of #COVID19 has tested negative to #COVID19.

“He is doing perfectly well in our isolation unit. His case will be reviewed in the morning (Wednesday)”, the tweet added.

It would be recalled that the management of Dangote Industries Limited had announced that an Indian national working for a third party firm at its fertilizer plant had shown up at the site clinic exhibiting symptoms suggestive of Covid-19 pandemic and was immediately quarantined and taken to the Lagos Mainland Hospital, Yaba.

According to the company, “the patient’s complaint triggered our COVID-19 Preparation and Prevention Protocols which necessitated further screening and isolation immediately.”

DIL said one Mr. Akhil Kunyil, of the Health and Safety Environment unit of the Onshore Company had reported the development to it, following which local authorities were contacted.

“The suspected COVID-19 patient was immediately moved to the Lagos Mainland Hospital where he was placed in isolation ward for confirmatory test, which later turned out to be negative.

“As an organization we have taken the following stringent proactive measures across our entire group. These include: As an organization we have taken the following stringent proactive measures across our entire group:

1. Development of a comprehensive risk identification, control priotization and escalation plan executed by our Co-Vid19 Task Force constituted in January 2020.

2. Identification and retention of a competent team of medical consultants

3. Travel ban for all employees to/from high risk countries as per W.H.O publications of country exposures

4. Travel tracking of all employees and contractors staff arriving/leaving Nigeria and obligations for completion of medical checks to validate health status

5. Implementation of use of Thermal cameras across our various sites as well as infrared thermometers checking in smaller office locations

6. Identification and creation where applicable of holding, isolation and quarantine areas.

7. Implementation of use of sanitizers across all locations: sites and offices

8. Multiple and continuous awareness campaigns on preventative measures to be taken (both electronic and physical i.e posters, public announcements)

The measures, the company management said are being continually updated as the situation globally evolves and will continue to do so. “The welfare of our employees and the nation as a whole remains our utmost priority.”, it added.

With the breakout of the coronavirus pandemic, the Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) had announced a donation of N200 million to support efforts of the Federal government towards curbing the spread of the virus in the country.

Speaking during the donation in Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, who was represented by the Health and Nutrition Programme Officer, Maryam Shehu-Buhari, said the donation was part of the Foundation’s cardinal objective of partnering governments at all levels against the dreaded disease in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

In this regard, she stated that the Foundation has earmarked a sum of N124 million to support the procurement of facilities that will help prevent, assess and respond to health events at Points-of-Entry to ensure National Health Security.

Youssoufou also highlighted other areas of intervention to include surveillance and epidemiology, where facilities worth N36 million will be provided by the Foundation to support government’s efforts.

The Federal Government had acknowledged the kind gesture by the Aliko Dangote Foundation and commended its Chairman, Aliko Dangote for always rising to the occasion whenever the need arises.

The government recalled similar intervention during the Ebola crisis when the Foundation led efforts at ending the scourge not only in Nigeria but generally on the African continent.

Source: PM Express

The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, MFM, has shut all its churches in Lagos and Ogun States in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.

The church also declared 30 days prayer and fasting to seek divine intervention against Coronavirus.

A statement issued by the Assistant General Overseer (Administration), Pastor Gbesan Adebambo in the Church’s headquarters at Onike Iwaya, Lagos, said “We write to draw your attention to the directive from the Governments of Lagos and Ogun States, respectively, banning all religious meetings and gatherings of more than fifty worshippers as an urgent measure taken to curtail the wide spread of the global pandemic coronavirus in the aforementioned states.”

The statement said in strict compliance with the government’s directive, no services, including deliverance ministrations must hold in any of MFM branches at all levels in the Region until further notice.

It added that all house fellowship meetings at any of the centres were postponed till further notice.

MFM also said all members were to engage in 30 days personal prayer retreat, beginning from Sunday, 22nd March 2020 to Monday, 20th April 2020 and that the prayer booklet would be made available free.

According to the statement, “Church premises should not be opened to members/worshipers for services. However, Pastors/Ministers must be positioned at the church entrance gates(s) to attend to the uniformed members, anoint them and hand Personal Prayer booklet over to them.

“Members are to be encouraged to hook up to online page on which ministration on video will be streamed live from the International Headquarters covering the period of the interim arrangement, connecting through https:ntainoffire.org/messages. Other online platforms are; MFM youtube, streaming faith prayer, azure and audio-only prayer, MFM facebook channel and MFM Television.”

More Nigerian states have announced the shutting down of schools as part of preventive measures against the spread of coronavirus. Anambra, Niger, Benue Lagos and Enugu are the latest states to shut down schools.

The Lagos State Government, on Wednesday night, ordered the closing down of all public and private schools from Monday, March 23, 2020. A statement issued by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children practice “social distancing” while at home, wash their hands regularly or use hand sanitizers and observe high standards of personal hygiene.

Similarly, the Niger State Government, on Thursday, directed the closure of public and private schools as well as tertiary institutions across the State from Monday, 23rd March, 2020.

A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, further stated that all public gatherings have been suspended by the state government.

Matane disclosed that the closure of the schools, which is for the period of 30 days, and the suspension of all public gathering is with immediate effect.

On it’s part, the Anambra State Government ordered the closure of all schools in the state. The state government, on Thursday, ordered closure of all schools in the state for an indefinite period on or before 27th of March 2020. This announcement came while most schools in the state were planning to commence their second term examinations next week. Recall that private schools in the state were on three-day strike, that commenced on Monday and ended Wednesday.

The government order read: “All inter-house sports competitions are hereby suspended until further notice. “The management of all schools in the state must provide hand wash stations at entrance of all schools. “They must ensure that all students and visitors wash their hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, allowing their hands to air-dry. It is desirable for parents to provide hand sanitizers for their wards.

“Management of all schools must, on arrival to school, take the temperature of their day students. Temperatures above 37.9 degrees Celsius must be reported to the nearest hospital. “Schools management are encouraged to take the temperature of their boarding students at least once every day. Temperatures above 37.9 degrees Celsius must be reported to the nearest hospital.

“All Primary and Secondary Schools in Anambra State must go on indefinite vacation effective 27th March 2020” “Students of Anambra tertiary institutions must proceed on vacation effective 20th of March 2020 until further notice.”

Also, the Enugu State Government has directed public and private primary and secondary schools in the state to conclude all activities in their various schools and shut down on or before Friday, March 27, 2020.

In a statement by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the state government further enjoined teachers and students to continue to observe the School Water Sanitization and Hygiene Programme (WASH) operative in the state as well as other standard personal hygiene protocol for prevention of COVID-19 infection.

Enugu State Permanent Secretary of the state ministry of health, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujiobi also urged the residents of the state to go about their daily normal activities without fear or panic. More so, the Benue State government, on Thursday, ordered the closure of all schools in the state latest by Friday, March 27, 2020.

Commissioner for Education in the state, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, told journalists shortly after the State Executive Council meeting in Makurdi that the closure was part of measures to prevent Coronavirus in the state.

Ityavyar said all schools in the state had been directed to conclude examinations on or before Friday next and proceed on holiday, stressing the need for schools authority to ensure that physical contact is restricted before the end of the examinations.

Also, the Kwara State Government announced yesterday that it will shut down schools in the state from Monday, March 23rd in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye.

Earlier on Wednesday, governors from nine northern states in Nigeria agreed to shut down schools for 30 days in the region, as part of measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Federal Ministry of Health had, earlier on Wednesday, confirmed five new cases of coronavirus in the country while the Lagos State Government confirmed another four new cases on Thursday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 12.

Source: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/more-nigerian-states-shut-down-schools-over-coronavirus-fears.html

More than 1300 coronavirus suspects are being tracked in Lagos, after being in contact with the 11 confirmed positive cases, commissioner for health, Professor Akin Abayomi said on Thursday.

He said government is following up the huge number of suspects to find information about the state of their health.

He said the number of suspects is growing everyday and appealed to the suspects to self-isolate and report themselves if they develop symptoms.

Abayomi said that 19 people were tested for COVID-19 on Wednesday, with four out of them testing positive to the virus.

He said the positive cases have been isolated for treatment at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.

Breaking #COVID19Lagos
➡️ Lagos confirms 4 more new cases of #COVID19 bringing the total of confirmed cases in Lagos to 11 out of which 9 are active cases.
➡️ The 4 new cases were among the 19 suspected cases we are investigating & contacts of the new cases announced yesterday pic.twitter.com/adARGQVsw8

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 19, 2020

We are appealing to everyone that were on these two airlines -
Turkish flight of 14th of March, 2020 TK1830 and Lufthansa Flight of 13th of March, 2020 LH568 to self isolate and contact @LSMOH on 08000CORONA.@toluogunlesi @aproko_doctor @Mr_JAGs @lagospedia @thetundeajayi pic.twitter.com/B5RvQB4nQ4

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 19, 2020

➡️ As it is now, we have a combination of imported cases and local transmission.

Currently, we are following over 1,300 people right now to find information about the state of their health and the number is increasing. pic.twitter.com/U75j8oa7On

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 19, 2020

According to him, one of the four new cases is a woman who had contact with the Nigerian woman who returned from UK and currently receiving treatment for testing positive.

“The second new case is a female who returned from France on March 14 on a Turkish Airline TK 1830”.

He said that the third case is a Nigerian male in his 50s who had not travelled anywhere, but tested positive to the virus.

Abayomi added that the fourth new case is a Nigerian male who arrived in Lagos from Frankfurt on Lufthansa Airline flight number LH568 on March 13.

He said that more tests were ongoing with some suspected cases, while appealing to passengers on the two flights to self-isolate themselves and contact the government.

“It is clear that we have combination of imported cases and local transmission. The Executive of Lagos State is meeting on the next stage on social distancing.

“The best way to slow the rate is to halt movement of the virus from person to person,” Abayomi said.

The commissioner said the first index case (the Italian male) had tested negative to COVID-19, adding that he would soon be discharged.

Abayomi urged the citizens to remain calm, practice constant handwashing and good respiratory hygiene.