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Tag: Lockdown

  • Police arrest Imam for violating lockdown

    THE Delta State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a cleric Mohammad Young Okotie for violating the stay-at-home order of the state government.

    Police Commissioner Hafiz Inuwa, who ordered the arrest of the Muslim cleric, also ordered his men to fish out worshippers who attended last Friday’s Jumaat service at his mosque.

    Okotie and hundreds of congregants allegedly held last Jumaat service at the Ekakpamre Central Mosque in Ughelli South council, thus violating the prohibition of large gatherings in the state.

    Inuwa has said, “I have directed for the arrest and prosecution of the Imam. The laws of this country are unambiguous and they apply to all.”

     

  • BREAKING: Buhari orders immediate lockdown of Kano over mysterious deaths

    BREAKING: Buhari orders immediate lockdown of Kano over mysterious deaths

    Sequel to the mysterious deaths and the rising coronavirus cases in Kano State, President Muhammadu on Monday during his live nationwide broadcast on the coronavirus development update ordered the immediate lockdown the state.

    “These revised guidelines do will not apply to Kano State. The total lockdown recently announced by the State Government shall remain enforced be enforced for the full duration. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic,” Buhari said.

    More details later…

     

  • BREAKING: Buhari approves gradual easing of lockdown measures

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in the federal capital territory (FCT), Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020 at 9am.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari announced the approval in a nationwide broadcast on Monday, stressing that no country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.

    “Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most parts of our country have been under either Federal Government or State Government lockdown. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in our country.

    “However, such lockdowns have also come at a very heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihood. Many businesses have shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.

    *In my last address, I mentioned that Federal Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while preserving livelihoods.

    “In these two weeks, the Federal and State Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the need to protect health while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global best practices while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.

    “We assessed how our factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time adhering to NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.

    “We assessed how our children can continue to learn without compromising their health.

    “We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised. Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key consumption centres.

    “Our goal was to develop implementable policies that will ensure our economy continues to function while still maintaining our aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These same difficult decisions are being faced by leaders around the world.

    “Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.

    “However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.

    “Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows; there will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services; there will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice; partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and we will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, 4th May 2020,” Buhari said.

  • President Buhari will determine when to lift lockdown, says Health Minister

    President Buhari will determine when to lift lockdown, says Health Minister

    Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Minister of Health, on Sunday said President Mohammadu Buhari would determine when to lift the lockdown occasioned by th novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country.

    Ehanire said this on SundayPolitical on Channels Television in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that on April 13, Buhari announced a 14-day extension of lockdown in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to combat the pandemic.

    The initial 14-day lockdown in the three states began on March 30.

    “The President in his wisdom will decide if the lockdown will be lifted,” he said.

    The minister said that the decision to extend COVID-19 lockdown was tailored according to the needs of every country.

    “We do think that the restriction of movement limits significantly the spread of the virus.

    “The models we have seen show that we have not gotten to the peak yet,” he said.

    Ehanire advised Nigerians that if their symptoms were not meeting the case definition of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), officials might turn them back.

    He said that the government had been studying the case in Kano State with their authorities, adding that the ministry would be sending high ranking fact finding missions to there.

    Ehanire said that the fact finding mission would meet with the governor to be able to diagnose the situation, adding it was not really clear if they were COVID-19 related.

    Ehanire said that the fact finding mission would also looked at if their would be room for improvement in the state’s response activities on COVID-19, like surveillance, testing, case finding, contact tracing and isolation.

    “Kano does not have experience with COVID-19 and the rate it has exploded should be of concern to all.

    ”It is possible to be able to contain it, if the right processes are followed and the right resources are brought in.

    “The testing center should be back on stream tomorrow because a team has gone there now from NCDC and have arrived there today. They should be able to resumed screening tomorrow (Monday).

    “In addition, we are going to have a second laboratory, we shall have a PCR laboratory, so we should be able to take care of the backlogs and be ready to take care of any other samples that will be brought in, from the seven or eight local government areas that are affected,” he said.

    The minister said that Lagos State had a mechanism that was well oiled compared to Kano State, that were of the same population density, adding that Lagos was able to respond to COVID-19 quickly and aggressively because of the 2014 Ebola outbreak.

    He said that with the resources Kano State has, they were trying their best but, definitely they do not have the strength that Lagos has and their human resources were doing their best, but there was also need for re-enforcement.

    Ehanire said that the ministry would be sending human resources and materials resources PPRs and laboratory reagents and testing swabs, all of which would come in to the place, if requested.

    The minister said that about 40 health workers tested positive for the virus in the country, adding that not all were infected in the line of duty.

    NAN reports that the coronavirus pandemic was an ongoing public health emergency of international magnitude, first identified by health authorities in Wuhan, China.

    At this moment there are 1.182 known infections in Nigeria. Currently 35 people have died, 925 people are still sick and 222 people have recovered from the coronavirus in Nigeria.

    The coronavirus is affecting 211 other countries around the world, including one international conveyance (the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship harboured in Yokohama, Japan.

  • BREAKING: Kaduna State extends lockdown by 30 days

    BREAKING: Kaduna State extends lockdown by 30 days

    The Kaduna State Government has extended the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown in the State by 30 days.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication made this known in a statement on Sunday.

    Read full statement below:

    KADUNA UPDATE: KDSG extends quarantine by 30 days

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has extended the quarantine orders being enforced in the state for another 30 days. The governor’s decision follows a recommendation to that effect by the State Standing Committee on Covid-19, which is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe. This is effective from today, 26th April 2020.

    With Covid-19 cases rising rapidly in neighbouring states and the FCT, and with strong evidence of interstate travel being a major means of spreading the virus, the Standing Committee’s evaluation is that measures to protect Kaduna State residents require further strengthening and more vigorous enforcement.

    Malam Nasir El-Rufai has endorsed this evaluation and has accordingly reviewed the Quarantine Orders to strengthen the provisions against unauthorised movements. The two-day window during which the restriction of movement is relaxed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been reduced to only one day.

    Henceforth, only Wednesdays will be lockdown-free, until the trajectory of Covid-19 infections becomes clearer.

    All persons that venture out of their homes for whatever reason must wear facemasks and observe social distancing everywhere they go, in markets and in authorised vehicles. Government is making efforts to provide facemasks for poor and vulnerable residents, and it appeals to everyone that can afford it to get their tailors to make them cloth face masks which they can wash after every use. The government also encourages tailors to produce facemasks for sale to those that are neither poor nor vulnerable.

    Wearing of face masks will be robustly enforced as a critical public health measure to reduce person-person transmission.

    The state government said that the measures announced on 26th March 2020, to contain Covid-19 remain in force and have been renewed. These were imposed in exercise of the powers vested in the Governor by Section 45 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended), Sections 2 and 8 of the Quarantine Act 1926, now known as CAP Q2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and the Public Health Law of 1917.

    Therefore, further to these declarations, and in accordance with the law, the quarantine orders imposed at midnight on Thursday, 26th March 2020, are further extended for another 30 days, with the following conditions, amongst others:

    i. All residents of Kaduna State are quarantined and must stay at home.

    ii. No office, event centre, market, shop or business of any sort or place of worship is allowed to open;

    iii. The only category of persons exempted are workers in essential services such as health workers, the fire service, water corporation, electricity distribution and security personnel. Tankers conveying fuel to petrol stations are also permitted to move;

    iv. Businesses in the food and pharmaceutical value-chain are exempted; and shall enjoy the protections accorded to other essential services;

    v. Schools, places of worship, event centres, sports grounds, bars, restaurants, public parks and all other places where large crowds could gather are to remain closed until further notice.

    vi. Residents are advised to stay at home, observe social distancing, avoid large gatherings, wear facemasks and wash their hands regularly with soap and water.

    The Quarantine Orders prescribe fines, imprisonment and forfeiture for violations of the provisions specified therein.

    The Kaduna State Government has clearly stated that no visitor is welcome to enter the state while the Covid-19 pandemic is raging. Entry into or passage through Kaduna State is prohibited whilst the Quarantine Orders remain in force. Persons seeking to come into the state will be denied entry. Such persons will be given the option of returning to their take-off points or entering isolation for 14 days in locations and conditions that are so austere that nobody can mistake them for holiday resorts.

    The vehicles being used to enable such attempts to breach the quarantine conditions will be confiscated and forfeited to the government. The companies operating those vehicles will also be prosecuted and shall lose their license to operate in the state, even after the Covid-19 pandemic is contained. Within the state, vehicles of whatever type that are determined to be in violation will be confiscated and forfeited to the government, while the persons driving them will be fined, and may be imprisoned upon conviction. Motorcycle taxis and tricycles (popular known as Keke Napep) are prohibited in the state. Persons driving or riding in them shall be prosecuted while the vehicles shall be forfeited upon conviction.

    Mobile courts have been empowered by the Quarantine Orders to try violators and impose the prescribed penalties, including fines, imprisonment and forfeiture of vehicles, upon conviction.

    Conscious of the need to keep vital industries and businesses in the farming, food and pharmaceutical value chains operational, trailers and trucks conveying food, seeds, fertilizer and medical products are exempted from the restriction of movement. Such vehicles must, however, not carry more than three persons, including the driver. Otherwise they will be deemed to be engaging in illegal transport of persons which is a breach of quarantine orders.

    Anyone thinking of disguising as a food vendor by parading a few bags of rice or other food in their cars must cut the pretence as they will be prosecuted at the mobile court and the vehicle forfeited to the government upon conviction.

    The Kaduna State Government has also directed the Ministry for Local Government to ensure that local government chairmen are fully involved in enforcing the quarantine orders in their council areas. The Ministry of Local Government has also reminded traditional and community leaders of their obligation to report violations of quarantine conditions in their localities. Places of worship that violate the quarantine orders in any form will lose their titles to the land and the buildings will be demolished.

    Regarding burials, guidelines from the Ministry of Health will outline the maximum number of persons that can attend any burial, while observing safety and social distancing rules. Gatherings for condolence are prohibited until the Covid-19 pandemic is declared over. The burial of any fatality from Covid-19 will be in accordance with the strict protocol to be announced by the Commissioner of Health.

    The extension of the quarantine conditions imposes an obligation to make provision for the low income, poor and vulnerable persons that would be adversely affected, as they may be unable to earn any income while the lockdown persists. The state government has done a first phase of distribution of food across 59 community clusters in nine local government areas. The next phase will be conducted across the 23 local government areas.

    To fund the provision of these support packages, the Kaduna State Government expects all those fortunate enough to still earn a regular income to live up to their neighbourly responsibility towards those who are unable to earn any money due to no fault of theirs. Therefore, the less than 100, 000 persons who work for the Kaduna State Government as political appointees and public servants must contribute financially towards enabling the almost 10m persons living in the state to survive and thrive in this emergency period.

    Therefore, the Kaduna State Government has directed all its senior appointees, including Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers and Heads of Agencies to each donate N500,000 in April 2020. In subsequent months, they will donate 50% of their salaries until the quarantine ends. Other categories of political appointees will also be making monthly donations to support the provision of relief to the low income, poor and vulnerable residents of the state.

    Career public servants earning a net pay of N67,000 and above after tax will also donate 25% of their pay monthly whilst the quarantine conditions are in place. No public servant will have less N50,000 monthly to manage in this emergency period.

    We are obliged to demonstrate that as government workers, we care enough for others to donate part of our earnings for their wellbeing. As a state government, we are also seeking donations from high net worth individuals, the private sector and development partners to support our efforts to contain Covid-19 and its consequences.

    The Kaduna State Government wishes to inform potential donors that we prefer donations to be in kind: personal protective equipment, PCR machines, medical facilities and equipment, facemasks, food, pharmaceuticals, and fertilizer, seeds and seedlings and other support for farmers. The state government will publicly acknowledge all donations in addition to the letters of appreciation that shall be sent to all donors.

    Signed

    Muyiwa Adekeye

    Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication)

    26th April 2020

  • Lockdown: Economist seeks gradual unlocking of sectors

    Lockdown: Economist seeks gradual unlocking of sectors

    An economist, Dr Boniface Chizea, on Saturday in Lagos urged the Federal Government to consider gradual unlocking of sectors of the economy as it continues to fight COVID-19 spread.

    Chizea, the Managing Director of BIC Consultancy Services, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that gradual unlocking of the economy would prevent desperation, irrational and anti-social actions from the citizens.

    BIC Management Consultancy Company offers consultancy services to organisations including the Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Company.

    Chizea hailed the federal and state governments for efforts in fighting the pandemic.

    He noted that the lockdown was necessary but urged that it could be gradually eased to save the economy.

    “More farmers, for instance, should be able to go back to farms,” he said.

    “We need to ensure we do not miss the planting season; otherwise, we would be inviting hunger.

    “As most countries are going to be facing similar challenges, the option of food importation might not be there even if we are able to find the funds to do so.

    “This is one strong reason to acknowledge the initiative of the Central Bank with its Anchor Borrowers programme, which has made the country self-sufficient in rice production among other staple products,” he said.

    The economist said that the government should, however, continue enforcing the social distancing order to prevent COVID-19 spread.

    Chizea said that financial services providers and telecommunications services providers could operate without attracting crowds of people.

    He added that eateries and food vendors could also offer home services or takeaways to avoid crowd.

    He advised that supermarkets should be allowed to open with all necessary safety protocols observed.

    Chizea said that elite recreational centres could re-open under a strict condition that they should avoid crowd-pulling events at the moment.

    He advised that markets should be allowed to open on selected days with adequate precautionary measures observed in place.

    “We have a very large informal market with a sizable proportion of the population who are youths engaged in that sector, and if they don’t work, they won’t eat,” he said.

    Chizea advised that states where no index case had been reported should continue to close borders to prevent spread of COVID-19 into them.

    According to him, wearing of face masks should be enforced.

    Chizea advised that regular washing of hands with soap under running water should be sustained.

    He urged increased testing for COVID-19 to isolate those infected and trace their contacts.

    He urged the government to increase testing capacity.

  • Kaduna govt. sets up mobile courts to try violators of lockdown order

    Kaduna govt. sets up mobile courts to try violators of lockdown order

    The Kaduna State Government on Friday said it had set up mobile courts to try violators of its lockdown order.

    The state’s Solicitor-General, Chris Umar, in a letter dated April 22, to the Chief Registrar of Kaduna State High Court, said the decision was taken by the State Executive Council to enforce the executive order.

    The solicitor-general said that the mobile courts would deal with violators summarily without the need for the present cumbersome procedure of taking offenders to court over such violation.

    According to Umar, magistrates that will preside over the mobile courts have already been assigned by the state Ministry of Justice.

    He explained that the magistrates would be sitting at various locations across the city starting with Kakuri, Kawo, Magajin Gari, Rigasa, Sabon-Tasha, Maraban Rido and Rigachikun.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, had invoked the 1999 Constitution, Sections 2 and 8 of the Quarantine Act of 1926 and the Kaduna State Public Health Law of 1917 and imposed a lockdown throughout the state on March 26.

    Violations of the restriction of movement order, social distancing and the gathering of large crowds have been reported.

    The state government had threatened to sanction traditional leaders of communities where such violations took place.

    The deputy governor had also threatened to revert to the 24 hour-lockdown, by closing the two-day weekly window of Tuesdays and Wednesdays that allows residents to re-stock foodstuffs.

  • COVID-19 lockdown: FCT minister extends market opening hours

    COVID-19 lockdown: FCT minister extends market opening hours

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammed Bello has approved the extension of business hours for Markets in Abuja to operate from 8a.m. to 3p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

    Bello in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, explained that the directive which takes effect from Saturday, April 25, was against the earlier approved time of 10a.m. to 2p.m.

    The minister also directed the decongestion of the existing markets through the establishment of Neighbourhood Selling Points in the various Districts within the Federal Capital City by Abuja Markets Management L.t. d.

    Bello, therefore, urged FCT residents to support the intent of the lockdown by patronising markets in their neighbourhoods.

    The minister ordered the law enforcement Agencies to clamp down on residents who hide under the window of market days to flout Government directives.

    Bello also urged Abuja Markets Management L.t.d to liaise with the FCT Area Councils to ensure full implementation of all COVID-19 Pandemic protocols with regards to the markets across all the nooks and crannies of Abuja.

    He explained that the concept of Neighbourhood Selling Points was aimed at taking pressure off the existing markets in the FCT through the provision of an initial 40 units -adopting either public schools or green areas where they exist- across the various districts in the city.

    ” This will further enhance the attainment of social distancing among residents which is a key requirement for eventual winning of the battle against the dreaded virus.”

    The Minister further directed relevant FCTA Secretariats, Departments and Agencies to support Abuja markets management to actualise the mandate with a view to.ensure quick set up of the selling point.

    Bello insisted that all users of markets in the FCT must use face mask and also observe social distancing.

    He mandated the Managing Director, Abuja markets management, Abubakar Faruk to ensure that existing selling points for food items within the markets are decentralised immediately to achieve social distancing.

    The minister, however, encouraged the markets managers to continue to sensitise the markets users on other hand and respiratory hygiene.

  • Lockdown: Nollywood actress, Chika Ike distributes stimulus package to Lagosians

    Lockdown: Nollywood actress, Chika Ike distributes stimulus package to Lagosians

    Nollywood actress, Chika Ike and her foundation team has began the distribution of stimulus package to Lagosians to cushion the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

    The renowned actress, who is also a business woman, made this known on her Instagram page @chikaike, where she stated that “with the extension of the Covid-19 lockdown, it has been difficult for most people to feed”.

    “These past few weeks have been a trying time for everyone. My team and I focused on making donations to some motherless babies and less privileged homes.

    “But we decided to hit the streets this week. Thanks to @jccproperties for supporting this cause .

    “Please stay home and stay safe so we can flatten the curve. #stayhome #staysafe #socialdistancingstreet,” she wrote.

    According to her, they will still donate to motherless babies and less privileged homes.

    Ike is a famous Nollywood actress, model, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is currently the United Nations Ambassador.

    Ike, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Fancy Nancy Collections, began her career as a model at the age of 16, before moving to the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood).

    In 2005, the actress joined the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) and starred in her first film, “Sweet Love,” which staged her.

    In 2005, she became famous when she starred in Nollywood’s blockbuster film “Bless the Child,” which featured her as the most promising actress in Nigeria at the African Movie Academy Awards.

    Ike has starred in more than 250 Nollywood films, including Paradise, Mirror of Beauty, The Love of a Stranger, Girls Cot Reloaded, Happy End, Bless the Child, Sweet Love, etc.

    In 2015, Ike worked with Rok Studios to produce films such as “Happy Ending” and “Stuck on You”.

    She has a charitable foundation called ‘Help the Child’, a non-governmental organisation, aimed to help disadvantaged children, especially on the street, without anyone meeting them.

    Her “Fancy Nancy” collection is reputed for creating stylish, comfortable and fabulous fashion outfits and accessories such as jewelry, bags and shoes.

    She has won several film awards, which include: Best Actress of the Year at the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards, and the most promising actress in Nigeria at the African Movie Academy Awards.

    Currently, she is one of the richest and most influential actress in Nigeria, coupled with her meaningful contributions to entertainment industry.

  • Coronavirus: Count Kebbi out of governors’ 14 days total lockdown – Bagudu

    Governor Atiku Bagudu declared Thursday that there would be no lockdown in Kebbi state, as agreed by Nigeria Governors Forum.

    Instead, the people would continue to observe all the precautionary measures against COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Governor disclosed this at a meeting with the State Task Force Committee on COVID-19.

    The meeting at Medical Centre Kalgo, was called to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures put in place to check the spread of the coronavirus.

    The Governor commended the task force for living up to expectation.

    Recall that governors under the aegis of NGF agreed to impose a 14-day lockdown in their states, with immediate effect.

    The Kebbi governor was the first to opt out of the idea.

    Bagudu announced that the Federal Government has allocated three truck-load of food items to the state, comprising 2,262 bags of 50kg rice, oil and sugar.

    He also announced that the Minister for Humanitarian Services, Sadiya Umar Farouq would visit to disburse money to vulnerable persons on behalf of the Federal Government.–