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Tag: Kaduna

  • Covid-19: ‘I could have died, if not for my doctors’ – El-Rufai

    Covid-19: ‘I could have died, if not for my doctors’ – El-Rufai

    Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i has again spoken of his traumatic experience while knocked down by coronavirus, saying that he could have died but for his doctors.

    El-Rufai, who spoke in a Hausa Radio programme on Wednesday, said he went through trauma and battled with debilitating headache while he addressed the state from isolation.

    The Governor noted he was the first to suffer from the virus in Kaduna state and Allah knows why.

    According to him: “I could have died, if not for my doctors. I followed their instructions strictly and took my medications.

    “My wives collaborated with Dr Hadiza, the Deputy Governor and seized my phones while in isolation. I was only left with an iPad, the device I used to read and go online.

    “I survived it, someone else may not, that is why we are very serious about the disease.

    “I went through trauma, even when I spoke online from isolation, I was battling with a debilitating headache. I won’t like even my enemy to suffer from coronavirus.”

    He added: “I can’t exactly say how I contracted the coronavirus. But I was in Abuja and had interacted with many people, some from overseas.

    “I was assigned to chair committees by the government. I believe it was from these interactions that I got the virus.”

    While advising strict compliance with public health guidelines on prevention of the virus, Governor El-Rufai said: “Despite the security around me, I got the virus. This goes to show that the virus does not recognise any personality.”

    Speaking on why he returned to his clean shave looks, El-Rufai said: “I’m truly aging. I am a few steps above 60 and this disease is not kind to the old. I am old. That is the danger.

    “If one is above 50, one should be very careful not to contract the virus. To an aged person with other health complications like diabetes, hypertension, coronavirus will be very deadly.

    “When I came out from isolation, I intended to leave my beard because it was the tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, (May the peace and blessings of Allah be with him). But as I visited my mother to greet her, she was against my new look.

    “She asked me to shave. According to her, my father was not bearded during his lifetime.

    “I had no option but to shave my beard because I want to live peacefully with my mother.”

  • Coronavirus: Kaduna discharges fifth patient, confirms three new cases

    The Kaduna State Ministry of Health said on Wednesday that it had discharged one more patient out of the six persons who tested positive for the coronavirus in the state.

    The state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Mahammed Baloni, who gave the confirmation, said the latest discharge had taken the number of cleared cases to five since April 14.

    Baloni, however, confirmed three new cases of coronavirus infection in the state, bringing the latest total number of pending cases in Kaduna state to four.

    According to her, among the three new cases, is a 23-year-old male “who came into the state from Istanbul via Dubai sometime in March.’’

    She added that the second patient “is a 51-year-old male who was tested in Samaru, Sabon-Gari Local Government Area, after coming in from Kano.’’

    Baloni said that the third patient had earlier travelled to Kano and he is a 42-year-old male from Unguwan Geza, Kaduna.

    “These new cases reflect the danger that inter-state travels pose to efforts to contain coronavirus.

    “Such travels spread the virus from place to place, complicate contact-tracing, and risk implanting the virus in communities,” she said.

    The commissioner insisted that the lockdown, which compelled “people to stay at home is based on the logic that during a pandemic, the less contact with others, the safer everyone is.’’

    She, therefore, advised residents “to avoid inter-state travels and to promptly report to the authorities any person who has recently travelled from an affected state and develops symptoms of cough, fever, or sore throat.

    “Such reports can be made to the COVID-19 Call Centre in Kaduna State, on the following numbers: 08051217710, 09058008251, 08118588175, 08118588176, and 09032102632.’’

    She also urged the public not to disregard “the importance of hand-washing, personal hygiene, social distancing, and the avoidance of large gatherings in helping to protect us all from COVID-19.

    “It is important to stay home, stay safe and save lives.”

  • Kaduna discharges fifth COVID-19 patient, confirms three new cases

    Kaduna State Ministry of Health has discharged one more patient out of the six COVID-19 active cases, bringing the number of discharged cases to five.

    Commissioner of Health, Dr Amina Balon, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    She said that the latest discharge brings to five the number of patients discharged since 14 April 2020.

    The Commissioner also noted that three new cases of COVID-19 in the state, which brings the total number of active coronavirus patients in Kaduna State to four.

    The three new cases in Kaduna were earlier announced Monday night by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The Commissioner further said that among the three new cases is a 23- year- old male, ‘’who came into the state from Istanbul via Dubai sometime in March.’’

    According to her: “The second patient is 51-year old male who was tested in Samaru, Sabon-Gari local government area, after coming in from Kano.’’

    Dr Baloni further said that the third patient had earlier travelled to Kano and he is a 42-year- old male from Unguwan Geza, Kaduna.

    ‘’These new cases reflect the danger that interstate travels pose to efforts to contain COVID-19,’’ she pointed out, warning that ‘’such travels spread the virus from place to place, complicate contact tracing and risk implanting the virus in communities.’’

    Dr Baloni argued that, “the lockdown which mandates ‘people to stay at home is based on the logic that during a pandemic, the less contact there is with others, the safer everyone is.’’

  • Kaduna govt threatens reverting to 24hrs lockdown

    Kaduna govt threatens reverting to 24hrs lockdown

    Kaduna State Government has threatened to review the ongoing lockdown, by closing the two-day window provided for residents to re-stock food supplies, if they continue flouting the quarantine law.
    The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe who gave the warning on Monday in a statement said that Government has ordered security agents to deal decisively with violators henceforth.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the state government had reviewed the 24 hour lockdown on April 1, by giving a two-day window of Tuesday and Wednesday every week, to enable residents buy food and other essential commodities.
    The statement was issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
    Balarabe said she was alarmed that some people took the Coronavirus disease for granted which explained why they are defying the lockdown.
    She said that the restriction of movement has been violated and threatened to revert to the 24 hour lockdown.
    She further said that the state Task Force on COVID-19 met with representatives of traders and resolved that foodstuff and essential commodities dealers are permitted to bring in and offload goods five times in a week.
    According to her, the days are; Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
    Balarabe warned that only food and essential commodities would be sold on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the markets open, adding that “sellers of other merchandise are not included in the exemption.’’
    The deputy governor advised residents to shop only in markets within their neighbourhoods as going to far for commercial hubs are not allowed.
    She also urged traders and buyers to observe social distancing at the markets, warning that, “Kawo market will remain closed because it does not have space for social distancing.”
    She further cautioned traders against hiking prices of commodities during the emergency period, describing the practice as callous, unacceptable and inhuman.
    She said that the government would prosecute the people she referred to as ‘’unscrupulous traders’’ if they do not desist from the ungodly act.
    ‘’At this time, we will not just stand by and let a few elements add to the hardship already being faced because of selfishness,’’ she said.
    On palliatives, Balarabe said they are being distributed from clusters to households and in some local governments and that the target beneficiaries have already received deliveries.
    ‘’However, to ensure more transparency and accountability, the palliatives committee will work with credible Civil Society Organisations(CSOs), to monitor the distribution,’’ she added.
    Balarabe added that the administration has put robust system to check abuse and diversion of the essential commodities.
    ‘’Not withstanding, no system is completely foolproof and in any case, another layer of monitoring will only improve on what is on ground’’, the deputy governor argued.
    She urged those responsible for identifying vulnerable groups and persons within communities to do so in a manner that depicts fairness, honesty and sincerity of purpose.
  • COVID-19: Kaduna relaxes curfew

    COVID-19: Kaduna relaxes curfew

    Kaduna State Government has temporarily relaxed the restriction of movement imposed throughout to check the spread of COVID-19.

    In a state broadcast on Wednesday, the Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said that the curfew will be eased from 3pm on Wednesday to 12 midnight on Thursday.

    Dr Balarabe said that the measure ‘’ is to enable people to stock up on food and other essentials.’’

    According to her: ‘’Subsequently, the restriction of movement will be lifted every Tuesday and Wednesday. Traders in food and other essentials will open their shops on these two days.’’

    Balarabe, who apologised for the inconvenience that the restriction of movement has caused, said that the decision was taken because of the extraordinary times which was brought about by COVID-19.

    The Deputy Governor appealed to the people of the state to still ‘’observe social distancing, avoid crowded places and to wash our hands regularly.’’

    Kaduna state so far has three cases of COVID-19.

    The first was Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i, who announced his positive status on Saturday.

    Two other persons, who had contact with the index case in the state, were also announced positive on Monday.

  • Nigeria confirms 20 new cases of coronavirus in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna

    Nigeria confirms 20 new cases of coronavirus in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 20 new cases of coronavirus in Nigeria taking the new total to 131.

    “Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Nigeria,” the disease control centre said on Monday.

    Of the 20, Lagos recorded 13 new cases while the Federal Capital Territory recorded four. Two in Kaduna and and in Oyo State.

    “As at 09:00 pm 30th March there are 131 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria with 2 deaths,” NCDC said.

  • BREAKING: Kaduna Governor, El-Rufai tests positive for Coronavirus [Video]

    BREAKING: Kaduna Governor, El-Rufai tests positive for Coronavirus [Video]

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Saturday tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    This was confirmed by the Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Homeboy Affairs, Samuel Aruwan on Saturday evening via his Twitter handle.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B-SmEZFj65O/?igshid=u5iubdsmmyxx

    Aruwan, a former spokesperson to the governor said the sample was submitted earlier this week and the result came in this evening as positive.

  • Coronavirus: Kaduna arrests two Islamic clerics for holding public prayer meetings

    Kaduna State Government has arrested two clerics for conducting Friday congregational prayers in two communities of Kaduna North local government area, in violation of the curfew imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan who disclosed this at a press conference on Saturday, named the culprits as; Malam Aminu Umar Usman and Malam Umar Shangel, from Malali and Unguwan Kanawa respectively.

    The commissioner said that their conduct violated government orders as well as advice given by leaders of faith, adding that the clerics will be prosecuted accordingly.

    Aruwan reiterated that, government expects compliance with the quarantine orders, which imposed curfew in the entire state ‘’and will continue to enforce them.’’

    The commissioner further warned that ‘’security agencies will enforce government orders and uphold the 24 hour curfew, until further notice. Those who seek to defy the directives stand the risk of arrest and prosecution.’’

    ‘’It should be clear that the inconveniences associated with the preventive measures, while regretted, are nothing compared to the suffering and deaths that coronavirus will cause if it is allowed to get here and spread,” he argued.

    The Kaduna State Government commends ‘’citizens that are abiding by the terms of the quarantine imposed on the state as a preventive measure against Covid-19,’’ he said.

    ‘’The state government is especially grateful to religious and community leaders who have joined in appealing to the public to abide by public health warnings.

    ‘’However, government has also sadly noted that certain individuals, including clerics, are violating the restriction of movement, large gatherings, trading and congregational prayers,’’ he noted.

    According to the commissioner, such violations are ‘’patently illegal and irresponsible conduct, at a time that requires sober and rational conduct to protect our people from coronavirus.’’

  • Covid-19: Lagos, Kaduna govt commence fumigation [Video]

    Covid-19: Lagos, Kaduna govt commence fumigation [Video]

    Lagos and Kaduna State government have commenced fumigation of key public places in order to curb the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

    Recall that just some days ago, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced a 14-days mandatory self-quarantine period for government workers and ordered that markets across the state will commence lockdown from Thursday, March 26.

    It appears against the commencement of the partial lockdown, a certain section of the state are now being properly disinfected.

    On the other side, Kaduna State Market Development and Management Company has commenced fumigation of the markets against COVID 19.

    Personnel were sighted at the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market fumigating the environment.

    Though, the General Manager of Kaduna Markets Development and Management Company, could not be reached for comment on the development, the company on its official Twitter handle confirmed the development.

    It said, the fumigation was aimed at disinfecting the market as a measure to combat the spread of COVID-19.

    According to the market authority, “this evening, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi (Central) Market is being fumigated and disinfected as a measure to combat the spread of COVID-19.”

    Meanwhile, traders in the markets around metropolis have complied with the state government’s restrictions.

    At the Gumi Market and Kakuri Market in Kaduna North and Kaduna South LGAs respectively, many shops were found locked up, while traders selling drugs especially around Warri road, raw foodstuff, cooked food and drinks, were found open and conducting their businesses.

    However, people were seen indulging in panic buying stocking essential commodities afraid that Kaduna state could be locked down should there be a positive case of Coronavirus. People were seen in various shades of face masks, some with different types of sanitisers while others are seemingly unconcerned.

  • Kaduna: El-Rufai bans religious gatherings, orders immediate closure of schools

    As part of measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Kaduna State Governorment has announced prohibition of mosques and church gathering of above 50 worshippers.

    The government also directed immediate closure of all schools from nursery to tertiary.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufa’i on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, said the governorment took a cue to stop Juma’at service from the decision of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam not to hold such prayers in the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina.

    The statement, which also asked that Church gatherings should be avoided said, Pastors and congregants should learn from the experience of many Christian-majority countries like Italy, France and Germany to suspend church service.”

    “Public health expert advice is that large gatherings of more than 10 persons are not advisable at this point, and any assembly of more than 50 persons are therefore prohibited in Kaduna State until further notice.”