TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lockdown

  • Situation report: Customers storm banks as ease of lockdown begins in Lagos [PHOTOS/VIDEOS]

    Situation report: Customers storm banks as ease of lockdown begins in Lagos [PHOTOS/VIDEOS]

    Commercial Banks in Lagos State on Monday witnessed very large turnout of customers flooding banking premises to carry out various transactions, checks have revealed.

    A correspondent who visited few banks around Ikotun-Egbe, Ejigbo-Isolo and Okota axis of Lagos reports that the crowds at those facilities were enormous.

    That made it difficult for people to maintain the two meters physical distancing as directed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The customers also violated NCDC’s guidelines on mass gathering of not more than 20 people outside of a workplace.

    At the Ikotun branches of Zenith Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank and Firstbank of Nigeria, the queues waiting to gain entrance into the banking halls were uncontrollable.

    Customers took turns to get into the premises where they were administered hand sanitisers and their temperature checked before they were allowed entry into the banking halls.

    Mrs Jane Akume, a trader, who complained to NAN about the time she had wasted waiting to get into her bank, prayed that she would be attended to before the bank closed.

    She said: “I have been here since 9am. Before I even got here there were no fewer than 40 people on ground.

    “This is about 1pm and I hear that banks will close by 2 pm. I hope and I pray that my time here is not wasted and that I will be attended to before the closing time,” she said.

    Mrs Patience Benedict, a Civil Servant, complained of the slow pace of bankers in attending to customers.

    However, she applauded the safety measures put in place by the deposit organisations.

    She said: “Aside from that they are slow in attending to people I like the fact that they have put safety tools in place.

    “We are called in and attended to in batches, and as you approach the gate your temperature is checked and you are shown sanitisers on the wall for you to use before getting in.

    “Right in there, you are strictly asked to keep two meters distance from another customer. This is very impressive,” she said.

    See photos/videos below:

    https://twitter.com/OtieraD/status/1257229571080048640?s=19

  • Covid-19 RISKS: Nigerians troop out, overwhelm banks as FG relaxes lockdown [Video+photos]

    Covid-19 RISKS: Nigerians troop out, overwhelm banks as FG relaxes lockdown [Video+photos]

    Nigerians on Monday besieged banks to withdraw cash after the Federal Government unlocked restrictions in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states.

    Thenewsguru.com, (TNG ) reports that after unlocking restrictions residents in Lagos and Abuja flooded banks apparently to cash money to cushion the effects of lockdown.

    In Lagos, the coastal mega-city which was largely empty during the lockdown had returned to its wild ways- roads were busy with cars, buses and motorised tricycle taxis.

    Faced with morning rain, people in the city’s Iyana Oworo district huddled under a bridge, ignoring social distancing rules, but most people wore masks.

    In most banks in Kubwa, a satellite town of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT montiored by TNG, Policemen had to send back several residents who were not wearing face masks back to their homes.

    Those who wore face masks were given free passage to their various locations in Kubwa.

    But okada riders the fastest mode of transportation in the area were barred from operating on the major Gado Nasko road harbouring all the commercial banks in Kubwa.

    Any okada rider that tries to cross the partially opened road block is arrested and his bike impounded immediately.

    This development did not go down well with many passengers who complained that the restriction has been lifted.

    At the Access bank branch in Kubwa well over 300 customers were seen outside the bank as the social distancing rule as enunciated in the covid-19 guideline was adequately in place.

    But the bank had to introduce tally with numbers to control the customers entering the banking hall.

    First Bank also on Gado Nasko road had a large crowd of customers that queued outside the bank waiting to carry out various bank transactions.

    TNG however noticed that at First Bank tally numbers were not used to control the large crowd.

    Lagos wild crowd shuns social distancing:

    Commercial Banks in Lagos State on Monday witnessed very large turnout of customers flooding banking premises to carry out various transactions, checks have revealed.

    A correspondent who visited few banks around Ikotun-Egbe, Ejigbo-Isolo and Okota axis of Lagos reports that the crowds at those facilities were enormous.

    That made it difficult for people to maintain the two meters physical distancing as directed by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    The customers also violated NCDC’s guidelines on mass gathering of not more than 20 people outside of a workplace.

    At the Ikotun branches of Zenith Bank, Guarantee Trust Bank and Firstbank of Nigeria, the queues waiting to gain entrance into the banking halls were uncontrollable.

    Customers took turns to get into the premises where they were administered hand sanitisers and their temperature checked before they were allowed entry into the banking halls.

    Mrs Jane Akume, a trader, who complained about the time she had wasted waiting to get into her bank, prayed that she would be attended to before the bank closed.

    Recall that the relaxation of restriction of movements was announced last week Monday but became effective this week Monday.

    Nigeria has recorded 2,558 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus and 87 deaths since recording its first case at the end of February.

  • COVID-19: Gov. Douye Diri extends total lockdown in Bayelsa

    COVID-19: Gov. Douye Diri extends total lockdown in Bayelsa

    Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has extended the stay-at-home order in the State by another one week, with effect from Monday, May 4, 2020.

    This is contained in statement by the acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, made available to newsmen in Yenagoa on Monday.

    Bayelsa also adopted the Presidential curfew directive of between 8 pm and 6 am for two weeks also beginning May 4.

    Alabrah, however, noted that the curfew directive and compulsory use of face masks in public was not given by Gov. Diri, contrary to some posts on the social media.

    “The curfew and compulsory use of face masks are in accordance with the presidential directive, which are also in force in the State.

    “Violators risk prosecution from the government,” he said.

  • Covid-19: The Lockdown and family bonding – Hope Eghagha

    Covid-19: The Lockdown and family bonding – Hope Eghagha

    By Hope Eghagha

    COVID-19 has locked us all in. It has forced families to live together as they never did before. It is unlike the long weekend holidays. Then you could still drive off to the club. Take a beer. Eat some good food. Chat with friends. And return home to an exciting or boring partner. This time, we are all stuck. No clubbing. No church services. No parties. COVID-19! It has revealed, it is yet revealing things. It has confirmed certain things too. It has destroyed some mountains; mountains built over the years. It is building still for some. Those in the big cities who never had time for each other, for the kids. Now, time has been frozen. In biblical terms, like in Mount Gibeon, COVID-19 has commanded the sun to stand still. For people of faith, God will do wonders. And what we see today will never be seen again. What was lost can never be regained. Lies have been shattered. Eyeball to eyeball we have confronted the truth about ourselves, our families and our lives. Sometimes, at great cost!

    Of course, the lockdown is a bag of mixed blessings. Lagos daddies are compelled to stay at home and feel the kids. No more rushing off by 5am. No more coming late because of traffic. For four weeks in the locked down cities, there is no complaint about heavy traffic. The cars are asleep. The mechanics are home. There is no cash coming in. Food consumption is high. The kids must eat three square meals, snacks between meals. It is no time to push them to mom. Dad must do his duty. For four weeks, they must wake up and see each other, one another. There is nowhere to go; no need to go. So, we must live together.

    No more excuses about meetings, about deadlines about travels. What has it made of you? What has it made of me? For some, it is a reminder of their mortality. How temporary things are. How ephemeral the glamour of the world is! That expensive dress or suit or silk material bought with millions of naira has become worthless. No need for them. In the face of an unknown, unseen enemy, what will an apparel do? And I remember the morality play Everyman written in the late 15th century and how ultimately it is the virtues of life that count. When the eponymous character Everyman is summoned to the other world, it is only the positive aspects of life that accompany him. Wealth and Goods all disappear. They are worthless in the final analysis. They are baggage to salvation, to our humanity.

    COVID-19 has created fear too. Is the end of things near? Some charlatans have seized the day to feed rubbish to their followers. End time. Mark of the beast. The coming of Jesus Christ is around the corner. Bill Gates is an agent of darkness. Such foolish talk from the tongues of those who ought to know better! Coronavirus is not killing people. It is 5G network. It is an attempt to impose one government on the world. It is an attempt to stop God-worship. If these fear mongers had their way, huge congregations would continue to meet and worship, damning the hard realities which confront us. The tithes and offerings are more important than the lives of followers. ‘For the leaders of this people cause them to err’, so says the bible, ‘and they that are led of them are destroyed’. In Plateau State mobs chanted war songs and declared that they would rather continue worshiping and die. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia which maintains all the sacred places for Islam has frozen congregational worship.

    COVID-19 has also revealed the inherent weakness of the system that we operate as a government. There is no decent structure to deal with everyone. Hunger is real among the ordinary people. It is more terrifying than the dreaded virus. The virus appears distant. But to wake up in the morning with nowhere to go or what to do for four weeks is trying. Our leaders have failed to generate reliable data through the decades. The culture of false population figures that struggles to put one side of the country ahead of the rest has counted against us. Illiteracy and poor access to modernity is also a problem. Else, with the stroke of a pen all citizens of a certain class or age would receive credit alerts, courtesy of the federal government.

    As hunger rages, some dads are denied their masculinity. They cannot provide food. The kids know no lockdown, food must be on the table. You don’t have money daddy? Yes, there is no money. Please go to the bank and take money. You get to understand the kids and the kids get to understand you too, may be! In times of extreme hunger, the children cannot bond with parents. The kids will be angry. Angry with a failed father. A husband who is unable to feed his family cannot bond with his wife. So, the situation is complex. Patience and understanding are some of the first casualties of a relationship once certain basic needs cannot be met. Especially so for young couples. the fear of COVID-19 has prevented from going out there to ‘hustle’ a living.

    I am sure dead certain that victims of savage domestic abuse will not agree with the thesis of this essay- the lockdown as a time for family bonding. They have entered a period of being left alone with a savage husband or a cantankerous and henpecking wife. Locked inside a house for twenty-four hours, all the ‘faults’ of the other person become magnified. Of course, we know that domestic abuse is not caused by the victim. It is the weakness of the aggressor. Kids are at the mercy of savage guardians. Wives too! And perhaps daughters! Reports from the UK show a spike in the number of persons calling for help since the reign of coronavirus started.

    Well, I’d rather stress the positive aspects of the reign of King COVID-19, that scourge which has humbled giants. Families ought to use this opportunity to pray together, eat together and share experiences with a view to bonding. That way, we would come out of the period stronger and closer. If we achieve this, we could claim some victory over the terror that is (that was) COVID-19! As government relaxes the lockdown let us remember that danger is still lurking. Caution is necessary. Above all, God’s grace to keep His face shining on us!

    Eghagha can be reached on 08023220393 or heghagha@yahoo.com

  • May 4: Sanwo-Olu orders Lagos workers to stay at home

    May 4: Sanwo-Olu orders Lagos workers to stay at home

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered all civil servants in the state to stay away from work on Monday, May 4.

    The governor in a statement on Sunday evening asked all its civil servants not to resume work immediately, noting that the delayed resumption is a deliberate attempt to prevent overcrowding in the state.

    He, however, added that emergency workers and those on essential duties would be allowed to work on Monday.

    Sanwo-Olu said, “In amending the work guidelines earlier issued, which stopped members of the public service from Grade Level 1 to 12 from going to work; we have had to review this position and we are extending the directive to all civil servants, regardless of level. All civil servants must stay away from work on Monday.

    “On Tuesday, only officers from Grade Level 15 and above have express permission to come to work. All other essential officers that may need to be at work will be informed by the Accounting Officer of each Ministry as may be required.

    “From Monday on, there will be a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am and all movements within these hours are prohibited, except for people on essential services, which are agro-products, petroleum products, relief materials, and food supplies.

    “We want to use this as a demonstration of our commitment to the gradual easing of the lockdown. We do not want people to rush out tomorrow and see the easing of the lockdown as an attempt to believe that the spread of the pandemic is all over.”

  • Cross River: Gov. Ayade directs civil servants to resume work

    Cross River: Gov. Ayade directs civil servants to resume work

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Sunday began the relaxation of some of the restrictions he put in place in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak by directing all categories of civil servants to return to work on Monday, May 4.

    The governor, who some two weeks ago recalled civil servants from grade level 10 and above back to work, has now directed all civil servants to return to work on Monday.

    In a statement issued in Calabar by Mr Christian Ita, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ayade reminded the returning civil servants that the “no mask, no movement” order was still in full force and must be observed by them.

    “Consequently, all the returning civil servants are therefore, to wear nose mask as they resume in their various offices,” the governor said.

    He said other restrictions, such as border closures and ban on large gatherings, be it social or religious, remain in place.

    Ayade said that the measures would be reviewed as days go by.

  • COVID-19: Task force arrests 9 pastors in Bayelsa

    COVID-19: Task force arrests 9 pastors in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Task Force on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has arrested 9 pastors of different denominations in the State capital, Yenagoa for violating lockdown measures.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr. Freston Akpor, who is also a member of Bayelsa State Task Force on COVID-19 made this known on Sunday.

    He noted that the pastors were arrested for conducting Sunday worship activities in their various churches in violation of the Executive Order on COVID-19 signed into law by Governor Douye Diri.

    Those arrested include Pastors P. B Barima of the Methodist church, Obogoro, Timi Aaron, Believers Love World, Akenfa, Adaba Glory, Saint Paul Healing Church (Zion) and Chris Ezene of God’s Grace Salvation Ministry at Obogoro.

    Others are Plus B. James of Prophetic Grace Love Ministry, Opolo, Prophet Alfred Munemune of Halleluyah Deliverance Ministries International and Daniel Owi, Winners Chapel, Obogoro.

    Also arrested are Sardauna Oguta of All for Christ Zion Church at Akenfa 3 and Tony Justice Samugba of New Covenant Tabernacle Ministry also of Akenfa 3.

    Mr. Akpor stated that the pastors are currently being detained at the State C.I.D and would be charged to court for violating the Covid-19 order, which among other things banned all forms of worship activities in the state as part of efforts to contain the pandemic.

  • JUST IN: Police detain trailer load of passengers heading to Oyo State [PHOTO]

    JUST IN: Police detain trailer load of passengers heading to Oyo State [PHOTO]

    The Police in Kwara on Sunday intercepted a trailer carrying many passengers at Oyun in Ilorin East Local Government Area of the State for contravening the lockdown order.

    A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, who was at the scene of the interception, reports that the trailer, with registration ZAR 180 XW (Kaduna) was coming from Zamfara and heading to Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

    The vehicle, carrying food items also had no fewer than 40 passengers, comprising men, women and children on board.

    The Police, however, intercepted the vehicle and asked the driver to return back to where he was coming from.

    It was gathered that two police vans escorted the trailer to the boundary between Kwara and Niger.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, said the command had stationed its men at the boundary with Niger but that the driver resorted to avoiding arrest by going through the bush-path.

    “I have directed that the trailer be escorted out of Kwara. It is the first time we intercepting vehicles that come in through an illegal route,” Egbetokun said.

    He said that he had directed his men to go and identify the route and block it.

    Recall that Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara had on April 10 ordered a complete lockdown, restricting vehicular movement in and out of the state as a measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19.

    Police in Kwara intercept trailer with passengers heading to Oyo State on Sunday, May 3, 2020 (NAN photo)
    Police in Kwara intercept trailer with passengers heading to Oyo State on Sunday, May 3, 2020 (NAN photo)
  • [Video] CUPP faults President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to ease Lockdown in Nigeria

    [Video] CUPP faults President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to ease Lockdown in Nigeria

  • INTERVIEW: This is not the time to ease the lockdown – Rep Kwewum

    INTERVIEW: This is not the time to ease the lockdown – Rep Kwewum

    …says it’s more political than realistic

    Rep Rimamnde Shawulu Kwewum, a veteran journalist former Chairman House committee on Army in the 8th Assembly and grassroots politician represents Akum/Donga/Ussa/Yangtu Federal Constituency, Taraba State.

    In this chat with TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) Regional Editor, Emman Ovuakporie, Rep Kwewum bared his mind on the recent move by the Federal Government to relax the lockdown primarily designed to curb the COVID-19 spread in Nigeria.

    Read him:

    The decision to ease the lockdown is obviously more political than realistic and scientific. The economic reasons adduced for proposed easing of the lockdown are purely political excuses that do not explain much.

    It should be pointed out that Nigeria’s economy is a monoculture economy depending on the sale of oil. Even if we increase our oil production today, there are no buyers, or off takers to buy. The argument and advice of our economists to the effect that the economy needs to be opened up quickly against sound health advice and international best practices is simplistic, inhumane and will add very little value to the economy of the country.

    Our economists have also argued that people will die even without the pandemic; that malaria, Lassa fever and other diseases are killing more people than COVID-19. That may be the case. However, the fact that some people may die does not justify policies and decisions that will actually get people killed.

    COVID-19 is still in its infancy, therefore attempting to compare it with Malaria or Lassa fever is an unscientific mischievous adventure!

    Secondly, while we have more specific information on malaria and other diseases, we don’t have scientifically verifiable information on the COVID-19. As President Muhammad Buhari himself said, the virus has no cure. Scientists have said that preliminary investigations have shown that the sequence of the virus includes broad categories of RNA viruses, which is why the cocktail used in the treatment protocol includes antiretroviral drugs.

    Furthermore, scientists are yet to determine the effects the virus has on some recovered patients. We do not know what the impact will be on people who have recovered whether there are long-term effects on their immune system or whether anything will happen to them after recovery. Imagine, if a large population are infected by the ease of the lockdown and it turns out that there are long term effects! And so, it does not make economic sense to put your population, which is the biggest asset of Nigeria has today, at risk.

    Those who argue that the continued lockdown of the economy will result in recession are not honest enough to admit to the obvious fact that as long as our economy depends on oil sales in other economies, any pressure in those economies will pull our country down into recession. In fact, given the low demand for oil resumption of massive production of oil will result in further devaluation of the product.

    Reality of COVID 19 in Nigeria

    On Friday May 1, the NCDC reported 238 new infections up from the previous days. The total number of confirmed cases has risen to 2170 with 68 deaths.

    There has been a steady increase in the announced infection rate. If out of 12,000 tests conducted, we have 2,170 confirmed cases, it simply means that our infection rate of 19% is one of the highest in the world. Our death rate of 3.1 percent, reflects the global trend.

    Going by what we know of the present global pattern, it is obvious that the cases will rise in Nigeria for some time to come. Our testing capacity is also one of the lowest in the world. The implication is clear. We do not know the true status of the epidemic in Nigeria. We may as well be sitting on something more dangerous and bigger.

    This is why the politics of the fear of public uprising should not be allowed to dictate the pace of easing the lockdown. Opening up Nigeria now that the infection rate is increasing, is unwise, reckless and inhuman. Opening up Nigeria now will not stop the slide of the economy.