The Lagos State Government on Wednesday banned all religious gathering of over 50 people within the state in a bid to curtail the spread of the deadly Coronavirus.

The decision was arrived at after a meeting of the Lagos State Government with religious bodies in the state.

The religious bodies include the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN and Muslim leaders.

Reading a communique after the meeting held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Government Secretariat, in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi said the meeting agreed that all large religious gathering of over 50 people should be suspended with immediately.

He said the suspension would last for four weeks, with necessary review carried out if need be.

Elegushi added that a committee had been set up to monitor the enforcement of the suspension to ensure that both Muslims and Christians in the state abide by the decision.

The 15-member committee comprises representatives of Muslims and Christians in the State.

Elegushi also said the meeting agreed that the state government should embark on massive sensitisation of people at the grassroots on the need to embrace proper hygiene.

He added that the meeting agreed that all health workers in the state should up their games in the battle against Coronavirus.

Elegushi stated that it was agreed that the Federal Government should shutdown borders, especially land borders to checkmate the influx of foreigners into Lagos in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

The commissioner said the state government would immediately embarked on massive sensitisation of residents to be more aware of the danger posed by Coronavirus.

Elegushi appealed to Lagosians to desist from handshaking and to always wash their hands with soap and water or made use of sanitisers.

Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla said the action of the state government was commendable, urging all Muslim leaders to abide by the decision and to also make personal hygiene a priority.

Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola said the nation was at a critical point, stressing that since the outbreak of Coronavirus, Christians had been praying.

“We are at a critical moment in Nigeria, since we heard this, we have been praying. We have listened carefully to one another, particularly the government. The responsibility of every government is to protect the lives of the people.

“We must be proactive and take preventive measures. It is no longer the issue of religion but survival. We are going to accelerate the education of our people. We must listen to the instruction of the government and take the instruction seriously. We agree with the action of the government,” he said.

Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, Lagos, has cancelled all musical activities this weekend over coronavirus fears.

This was made known in an Instagram statement by Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti and Femi Anikulapo-Kuti.

View this post on Instagram

The Management of the New Africa Shrine has decided to cancel all musical activities this weekend as precautionary measures against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the globe. We will continue to monitor the situation of things before we revert to our regular programming. STAY SAFE EVERYONE #saynotocoronavirus Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti and Femi Anikulapo-Kuti.

A post shared by Afrika Shrine (@afrikashrine) on Mar 18, 2020 at 5:24am PDT

The statement reads: “The Management of the New Africa Shrine has decided to cancel all musical activities this weekend as precautionary measures against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the globe.

“We will continue to monitor the situation of things before we revert to our regular programming. STAY SAFE EVERYONE #saynotocoronavirus”.

The Federal Government has released the sum of N20billion, to fast track the completion of the East-West Road Project.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, disclosed this at a meeting held in his office with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Federal Ministry of Finance and the Contractors handling Section I-IV of the East-West Road Project, which has lingered since 2006 till date.

Akpabio ordered contractors handling the East-West Road to return to site immediately for the speedy completion of the project in line with the Presidential directives that Section IV of the road be completed on time to enable the people of the region experience the dividend of democracy has promised during his electioneering campaign.

The Minister urged contractors to cooperate with the Ministry and return back to site, explaining that the Ministry will soon come out with a dated plan of releasing N20billion to the contractors after signing the tripartite agreement in line with Presidential directives, which transferred the project to the Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PIDF) under the NSIA.

The Minister said, “The project which was first awarded in 2006 was scheduled for completion by the end of 2010, but this could not be achieved due to inadequate funding. The physical progress of the East-West Road when the project was transferred to the newly created Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in 2008 was just 8% of work done by Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

“However, additional funding received between 2012 and 2015 from the African Development Bank (AFDB) and Subsidy Reinvestment and Development Programme (SURE-P) enabled the completion of two Sections which are now ready for commissioning. The outstanding Sections and recently awarded upgrade contracts were rescheduled for completion by 2020.

‘’The overall project achievement stands at an average of 76% of the total 676km (338×2) carriageway for Section I-IV, a total of 611.05km of earthworks, 584.60km of asphaltic binder course, and 523.75km of wearing course, 1143 no. of culverts and a total of 41nos. bridges (total length of 5,483m) with the second 850m Imo River Bridge, Okoso, Mbiama, Patani-Eket and Kaima Bridges have been substantially completed as at March, 2019.” Akpabio added.

In his remarks, the Managing Director, NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji, commended the Minister for his renewed energy and commitment to the completion of the East-West Road to accomplish the objective set by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Orji noted that NSIA involvement in the project is to manage the PIDF, set-up by the President in 2018, to manage key projects of this administration which includes the East-West Road, Abuja-Kano Highway, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Third Niger Bridge and the Mabilla Power Project.

He explained that for the project to be viable, they would be tolled projects to be covered by tripartite agreement.

The Lagos state Ministry of Health has confirmed four new cases of coronavirus cases, one short of the five announced by Health Minister Osagie Ehanire.

In a tweet Wednesday afternoon, the Lagos Ministry described the four as: a mother and child who arrived Lagos on 13th March, 2020 from California on Virgin Atlantic flight number VS411, an American citizen who came into Lagos through Benin Republic border on 13th March, 2020, Another Nigerian who returned to Lagos from London on 13th March, 2020 via Virgin Atlantic Flight number VS411.

Breaking! #COVID19Lagos
➡️Lagos confirms 4 new cases of #COVID19 bringing the total confirmed cases in Lagos to 7
➡️We have a mother and child (Nigerian🇳🇬)who arrived Lagos on 13th March, 2020 from California on virgin Atlantic flight number VS411@jidesanwoolu@drobafemihamzat pic.twitter.com/9NLKRnBBMY

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 18, 2020

➡️An American🇺🇸 citizen who came into Lagos through Benin republic border on 13th March, 2020
➡️Another Nigerian 🇳🇬 who returned to Lagos from London on 13th March, 2020 via Virgin Atlantic Flight number VS411@EpiAFRIC @EpidAlert @aproko_doctor @toluogunlesi @Mr_JAGs

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 18, 2020

➡️An American🇺🇸 citizen who came into Lagos through Benin republic border on 13th March, 2020
➡️Another Nigerian 🇳🇬 who returned to Lagos from London on 13th March, 2020 via Virgin Atlantic Flight number VS411@EpiAFRIC @EpidAlert @aproko_doctor @toluogunlesi @Mr_JAGs

— LSMOH (@LSMOH) March 18, 2020

According to the figures by Lagos, there are now 7 coronavirus cases in the country.

But the Federal authorities said there are eight.

Perhaps the Federal authorities added the suspect case of an Indian, who was also admitted into the coronavirus facility.

But Lagos said the Indian national tested negative.

“He is doing perfectly well in our isolation unit. His case will be reviewed in the morning”, LSMOH said.

Katsina State on Wednesday announced its first suspected case of COVID 19 since the outbreak of the Global pandemic in December 2019.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Kabir Musptapha, told newsmen during a briefing the patient, who is presently on self isolation, returned from Malaysia and developed symptoms that warrant further investigations.

He further disclosed that the patient’s samples have been taken and results were being expected by on Thursday after which contact tracing will commence.

He said: ‘’The ministry is taking all precautionary measures and closely working with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), on the matter.”

According to him, the patient’s history of travel was a high index and the symptoms reported at the clinic prompted actions, noting that since his arrival into the state, he was taken into personal protection by using face mark and self isolation.

He advised the host community of Dutsinma town to be cautious of movements and gatherings, saying that people should feel free to seek medical attention as all precautionary measures are in place to provide medical support.

Scores of bandits operating in Walawa, Yadi and Kuduru hills in Kaduna State were flushed out from their hideouts by Nigerian Air Force fighter jets.

Many of the bandits were killed and their logistics supplies were destroyed in the joint air and ground operation.

The Director Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, in a statement disclosed that the “the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in a special operation conducted in coordination with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, has smoked out armed bandits from their camps at Walawa, Yadi and Kuduru Hills areas of Kaduna State, neutralizing several of them and destroying some of their logistics supplies in the process”.

He added that, “this was achieved in a joint air and ground operation executed yesterday, 17 March 2020, after credible intelligence reports and days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions revealed that the bandits, after driving away the original inhabitants of the area, had continued to operate from the locations with impunity.

“Accordingly, the NAF detailed its attack aircraft to conduct series of air raids at the bandits’ camps resulting in the destruction of some of the logistics facilities and structures housing the armed bandits as well as the neutralization of several of them.

“The air strikes also paved way for ground forces to conduct mop-up operations, supported by NAF combat helicopters. In all, no fewer than 5 commanders of Ansaru and a dozen armed bandits were neutralized in the operation”.

“The NAF, working in consonance with other security agencies, will sustain its operations to flush the armed bandits out of the Northwest Zone of the country”.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in announcing the release of the results of the 2020 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) also advised the candidates on how to check them.

JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede directed the candidates to send ‘RESULT’ to 55019, on their mobile phones, used to register for the exam.

Candidates should send RESULT, via SMS, to 55019 using the same number that was used for registration (you must have a credit balance of at least N50 on your line).

The result, would be replied as an SMS shortly after.

Another way to check for your results is:

• Go to JAMB result checking portal at http://www.jamb.org.ng/eFacility/CheckUTMEResults.

• Enter your JAMB Registration Number/Email Address in the required column.

• Click on ‘Check My Results’ and the portal will load your result if it’s ready.

Note that UTME results are released in batches. Expected responses can be the following:-

• If a candidate uses a phone number that was not used to register, a message will be sent to him thus: ‘This phone number was not used for registration.”

• A candidate with a result will receive the message: “Dear Mr/Miss X, your result is as follows… (and the details will be provided).

• If a result is withheld, a “Result Withheld” message will be sent to the candidate.

• If a candidate belongs to the category being given the benefit of the doubt, the message to the person will be: “Result withheld pending the upload of clarifications/document required from you.”

• If a candidate was absent, s/he would get “CANDIDATE ABSENT” as feedback

• A candidate that was ABSENT WITH REGISTRATION NUMBER also CANCELLED will be so informed.

• “Invalid Entrance into the Exam Hall” will be sent to a candidate who gained unauthorized access to the examination hall.

Image Credits: My School Gists

The Senate on Wednesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to immediately brief Nigerians on efforts by the government to address the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in the country.

The call on the President was contained in resolutions reached sequel to the consideration of a motion brought to the floor by Senator Danjuma Goje (APC – Gombe Central).

Oluremi Tinubu (APC – Lagos Central), in her contribution to the motion said the outbreak of the disease is a wake up call for Nigerians to take personal hygiene seriously, adding that Nigerians should not go about in fear.

Ajayi Boroffice (APC – Ondo North), said because Nigeria’s borders are porous, foreign nationals now use the land borders as entry and exit route to and from Nigeria.

He, therefore, urged the Ministry of Health to immediately place a ban on citizens of countries already affected by the Coronavirus disease.

Jibrin Barau (APC – Kano North) advised authorities of churches and hotels to introduce the use of testers in identifying infected persons so as to control the spread of the dreaded disease.

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (APC – Niger North) said, “the issue at stake is one that calls for caution and proactive measures.”

“There are people who are having the virus and the symptoms are not there.

“For us to deal with this matter, individual contribution is key. Those who have travel to the epicenter of the disease are supposed to isolate themselves. Are they keeping to this?

“If you look at our health facilities, it is not in the best of state. Countries with good health facilities are on lockdown,” the lawmaker added.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP – Taraba South) said, “we (Nigeria) are the largest black nation in the world, and our borders are very porous.”

“The dangers that this virus will bring upon us because of our policy will be very dangerous.

“Once you’re not a Nigerian, we should stop them at the border and ask them to return to where they are coming from,” Bwacha added.

Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP – Rivers East) said, “even those that have the technology to solve the problem, the virus is still spreading without respecting any person.

“Let the ministry of health come with real standard on how to behave now.

“Our airports and seaports are still open, and you don’t have the equipments to fight it.

“Let no one from this chamber travel out of here. Let us quarantine those coming from outside. Let us be more careful because we don’t have the resources to fight it,” the law maker appealed.

Sam Egwu (PDP – Ebonyi North), urged Senators who travel out of the country to quarantine themselves before coming to the chamber to attend plenary proceedings.

Senator Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC – Kwara Central) advocated for more resources to enable Nigeria establish test Centres across states.

He stressed that the availability of funds will ensure effective tracking, testing and quarantining of anyone who comes in contact with persons identified to be infected with the disease.

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, in his concluding remarks called for improved measures to be taken so as prevent uncontrollable outbreak of the disease in Nigeria.

He cautioned that, “even if our environment is hostile to Coronavirus, we need to be extremely careful. We won’t know when it adjusts to the environment and become very potent.”

The Senate in its prayers, accordingly, urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to keep abreast of all measures and developments related to Coronavirus globally.

Similarly, the Upper Chamber while urging the National Assembly to give the federal government full support to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread, called for a Special Intervention Fund to combat the deadly disease.

Nigeria has recorded five new coronavirus cases, jacking up the national total to eight.

Minister of Health, Prof. Osagie Ehanire on his Twitter handle on Wednesday, said he regretted to announce the five new cases of Coronavirus in the country.

He said the government has intensified contact tracing for these cases to control the risk of spread and that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, was already supporting the response efforts.

”I regret to announce the confirmation of 5 new #COVID19 cases in #Nigeria bringing the total no. of confirmed cases to eight.

“We have intensified contact tracing for these cases to control the risk of spread and
@NCDCGov is already supporting the response efforts,” he said.

I regret to announce the confirmation of 5 new #COVID19 cases in #Nigeria bringing the total no. of confirmed cases to 8

We have intensified contact tracing for these cases to control the risk of spread and @NCDCGov is already supporting the response efforts pic.twitter.com/pJNaU2KLln

— Dr. E. Osagie Ehanire MD, FWACS (@DrEOEhanire) March 18, 2020

Five new cases of coronavirus just confirmed in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Health were imported from the USA and United Kingdom, increasing the cases in Nigeria from three registered in Lagos to eight nationally.

Three of the confirmed cases, two of them Nigerians, a mother and her six-week old baby arrived from the US. Another two cases, all Nigerians arrived from the UK.

Government did not indicate where the cases were found.

“A detailed travel history of each case is being compiled & contact tracing has begun

“Our National Emergency Operations Centre is supporting response in the states

“The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health is conducting risk assessment to initiate other relevant measures”, said a tweet by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control.

“We urge Nigerians to remain calm as public health response activities are intensified across the country”, NCDC said.

The first index case of the virus is an Italian from Milan.

Hence, the Federal Government announced entry restriction for travellers from the US, Italy and the UK.

Other countries affected are China, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, Netherlands and Switzerland.

These are all countries with over 1,000 cases domestically.

“The Federal Government is temporarily suspending all visas issued to nationals from these countries. Nigerians arriving from these countries will be subjected to supervised isolation for 14 days.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria is also advising all Nigerians to avoid travel to these countries.

“These restrictions will come into effect from Friday 20 March 2020 for 4 weeks subject to review”, said Boss Mustapha, secretary to the Government of the Federation, who also chairs the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.

Sen. Gabriel Suswam (Benue East) has suggested that some leaders and politicians should be allowed to spend a day or two in prison to be better leaders and politicians.

Suswam made this suggestion on Tuesday at the plenary while contributing to a motion moved by Sen. Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central) on The need to upgrade, decongest and disinfect Correctional Centres nationwide.

“I want to strongly support this motion based on my personal experience of what I saw, and when I left, I recommended that for people to be proper leaders in this country, at least each and every one of us must spend one or two days in prison, we would be better human beings.

“Mr President, they took me there in the night, and the following day, which was morning the entire prison knew that I was there.

“Mr President it might interest you to know that most of the people who spend years in prison are for a misdemeanour that you can even dismiss.

“A young man spent 7years in jail for just a problem of N10, 000, various individuals were there on very minor offences that the police could afford to correct them and send them home.

“I made it a point of duty when I left that place, for the next month, I took close to twenty of those young people out of that place.

“It didn’t take anything, it was just to pay that money and take them back to court.

“I selected about three lawyers, sent them to Kuje prison to go and attend to them, and about 20 of them were taken out.

“So, I think that I want to support the motion, because most of the people who are there do not need to be there, and they unduly congest the place.

Suswam decried the poor state of hygiene in the correctional Centres, pointing out that they are breeding grounds for various forms of unthinkable diseases and crimes.

According to him, when it comes to the issue of disinfecting the place, Mr President, God forbid that this COVID-19 infects any of these correctional centres in the country, Mr President it would be a calamity.

“The environment in any of the prisons here, Mr President you would be shocked if you go there; we need to as a matter of urgency ask the authorities responsible to address the issue raised in this motion with the urgency it deserves.

“So, we can be seen as a country ready to correct people rather than sending people to go and die or become more hardened, “he said

The former governor pointed out that in some parts of the world wealthy individuals and companies build correctional centres and work in collaboration with the government.

He said “in developed climes, individuals or companies build prisons and maintain them to the highest standards and government takes care of what is needed to be taken care of.

“So, let us encourage individuals who are wealthy or companies that want to engage in that business to begin to build prisons, and maintain them and give them standards, so, we will not have the situation of congestion.“

Sen. Suswam, a former governor of Benue, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged N3.1 billion fraud and spent 2 days in Kuje prison.