TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lockdown

  • Fayemi threatens fresh lockdown in Ekiti as residents defy COVID-19 guidelines

    Fayemi threatens fresh lockdown in Ekiti as residents defy COVID-19 guidelines

    Following the gradual ease of lockdown, residents of Ado-Ekiti, and some other major towns in Ekiti State on Tuesday defied government’s directives on the mandatory use of face mask and social distancing.

    Apparently worried by the perceived nonchalant attitudes being exhibited towards the preventive guidelines, the Ekiti State Government said it could restore fresh total lockdown if the guidelines were not observed and there was spike in the number of coronavirus cases.

    The State government said it would have no option than to return to lockdown season, if the current lackadaisical attitude of defying inter-state ban, social and physical distancing, mandatory use of face masks and hand sanitizers as well as other protocols should persist.

    The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, who said this while giving update via telephone conversation on the Covid-19 situation in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, said Governor Kayode Fayemi was also disturbed by the porosity of Ekiti borders, which he said accounted for the upsurge in the number of Covid-19 active cases in the state.

    “Governor Kayode Fayemi was not interested in inflicting hardship on Ekiti people and that was responsible for why he reopened economic activities between Monday and Friday.

    “As of now, Ekiti has nine active cases and we are not happy with the ways social distancing, use of sanitizers, face masks and infra-red thermometers were being disobeyed in public places.

    “We are still maintaining that stand that banks, shops, shopping malls, eateries, market men and women must keep to all these guidelines to prevent community spread of Covid-19 in Ekiti.

    “We are still at a stage where we have not had community spread, because those who came to infect our people here came from outside the state.

    “But should our people refuse to abide by the protocols, we will be left with no other option than to return total lockdown to avert community spread,” the commissioner said.

    On the reopening of schools, Olumilua said a committee comprising government’s delegates, Parents Teachers’ Association and proprietors of schools is being mulled by Governor Fayemi to interact and come up with recommendations that can facilitate easy return of students to schools.

    “We are not in a hurry to reopen schools, because we knew that we have to provide all necessary facilities like running water, sanitizers and infrared thermometers in all schools in order not to endanger the lives of our pupils.

    “The committee will soon begin work and their recommendations will be implemented to help in this regard,” Olumilua stated.

  • NYSC looks ahead to complete lifting of lockdown

    As efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the National Youth Service Corps is strategizing for safe and efficient conduct of its operations ahead of further lifting of restrictions on socio-economic activities in the country.

    The Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this during a courtesy visit to his counterpart of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, in Abuja.

    He informed the NCDC Chief Executive that NYSC suspended the 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course just one week into the exercise as a proactive measure to avert the spread of COVID-19 to any of the Orientation Camps.

    Ibrahim said other operations of the Scheme were scaled down in line with the Federal Government’s restrictions order, adding that the Passing-out of the 2019 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Corps members was low-keyed with full adherence to the COVID-19 prevention protocols.

    He said conscious of the possibility of further or complete lifting of lockdown, the strategies mapped out by the NYSC Management had taken care of various scenarios, and would be presented to the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 through the NCDC for guidance.

    The Director-General said the suspended 2020 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Orientation Course would be completed, when the Scheme received the green light from the PTF.

    He also briefed his host on the various COVID-19 interventions made by NYSC, especially through Corps members’ activities all over the country, including sensitization; production and distribution of face masks, liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, automated disinfection chambers; as well as automated and foot-operated liquid soap, hand sanitizer and water dispenser.

    Ibrahim solicited the PTF’s support in the funding of mass production of the automated disinfection chambers for use in all the NYSC Orientation Camps.

    He commended the NCDC for its role in the overall national efforts at containing the COVID-19.

    In his response, the NCDC Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, commended NYSC for its support to the fight against the coronavirus through Corps member’s activities. He particularly expressed delight at the fabrication of hand washing machines and production of disinfectants amongst other interventions.

    Ihekweazu, who praised the contributions of the Scheme to the unity and development of the country, stressed that it deserved every form of support to enable it succeed.

    He said the proposals presented by the Director-General would be studied and recommendations made to the appropriate authorities

  • El-Rufai to review lockdown order in Kaduna Tuesday

    The Kaduna State goverment said the quarantine order imposed in the state to tame the spread of the novel Covid-19 Pandemic remains until Tuesday 9th June when the order will be reviewed by the governor

    Governor Nasir Elrufai disclosed in a state signed by his media aid Muyiwa Adekeye and posted on Twitter.

    According to the statement “KDSG has stated that the Quarantine Order remains in force until Tuesday, 9 June 2020, when Malam Nasir
    Elrufai will make a state broadcast on the next steps. Until then, the lockdown remains in force. The night-time curfew also remains, until the government announces otherwise.”

  • COVID-19: Lockdown will be over soon – Pastor Adeboye

    COVID-19: Lockdown will be over soon – Pastor Adeboye

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has said the lockdown emplaced to contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) would be over sooner than later.

    Pastor Adeboye, who stated this in his sermon on Sunday during the June edition of the thanksgiving service of RCCG, commended the efforts of the government in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The popular cleric, who said the lockdown would be over sooner or later, prayed it would be a blessing to everyone who served and worshiped God.

    He also prayed for every problem troubling the world to be over before the end of the month.

    He thanked God for what the government had been doing to tackle the spread of the virus to its barest minimum through the lockdown initiative.

    “We thank God for what the government has been doing. For some people, the lockdown will be over sooner than later. If you learn to worship God, you will see the lockdown becoming an asset rather than a problem,” he said.

    In the thanksgiving sermon entitled, “Flying Over Mountains,” Adeboye enjoined everyone to wait on the Lord.

    “For you to fly over your mountain, you have to wait on the Lord; read Issiah 40: 28-31, John 19: 28 and Psalm 132: 7-8.

    “By waiting on the Lord, you have to invite and offer Him water, give Him food which is worship and treat Him with honour by offering Him praises till He is satisfied.

    “By waiting on Him, you can fly over the mountains of failure, poverty, barrenness and physical lockdown,” he said.

  • First Sunday Service After Lockdown: Abuja residents turnout en masse at various churches

    First Sunday Service After Lockdown: Abuja residents turnout en masse at various churches

    … social distancing observed

    …checks of temperature observed at entry points

    …we appreciate FG for re-opening worship centres-Pastor Sani

    … borders of FCT manned by soldiers, police, civil defense, PTF officers

    For over two months religious activities were put on hold in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun major cities in Nigeria after President Muhamnadu Buhari announced a total lock down on March 29th, incidentally on a Sunday to curb the spread of COVID-19.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that most churches across the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, showcased a massive turnout of worshipers who observed the guidelines of NCDC.

    All the churches TNG crew visited in Kubwa, Nyanya, Dutse, Sabori, Maraba,Orozo had worshipers in attendance.

    At the Omega Fire Ministries, Maraba, the social distancing, wearing of masks guidelines were strictly followed.

    In a chat with a pastor of the church, Sule Sani thanked the Federal Government for opening worship centres that it was a welcome development.

    “We really appreciate the government re-opening centres and we thank God for this wonderful opportunity to worship as a church.

    Worshipers spotted in all the Catholic churches in Kubwa wore face masks and the availability of santisers for members to use.

    Temperatures of worshipers were also checked at the various entry points of the churches in Kubwa, Dei Dei, Sabori and Dutse.

    Inside the churches a modest of social distancing was also observed in chuches with large centres like the Anglican and Catholic worship centres.

    At the Abaji border between FCT and Kogi State, soldiers, police, civil defence, officers of the Presidential Task Force, PTF were seen manning the border post.

    Also at the Nasawa entry point all the security operatives were seen checking temperature of humans, occupants of vehicular objects to ensure the lockdown on inter-state movement which has not been lifted.

    Recall that the lockdown has undergone various reviews on a bi-monthly basis since it was imposed.

  • NYSC sends important message to serving, prospective Corps members

    NYSC sends important message to serving, prospective Corps members

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has said agitations by Corps members regarding the reopening of orientation camps would be addressed as soon as the interstate lockdown is lifted.

    The NYSC made this known in a statement on Friday, stressing that the suspension of the biometric monthly clearance still stands.

    According to NYSC, payment of stipends for the foregoing months shall be effected without giving consideration to biometric clearance.

    The statement reads: “Management of the National Youth Service Corps hereby conveys to all Corps Members that the suspension of the biometric monthly clearance still stands, and shall remain in force for the months of June and July, in keeping with the rules of social/physical distancing; and avoidance of crowd.

    “Accordingly, payment of stipends for the foregoing months shall be effected without giving consideration to biometric clearance. Area Directors, State/FCT Coordinators had been notified of this directive for strict compliance.

    “Corps Members are once again advised to ensure good personal hygiene, social distancing, avoidance of crowd, use of hand sanitisers and face masks in order to guard against falling victim to the virus.

    “Management is not oblivious of the agitations by the 2020 Batch “A” Stream One Corps Members who want to know when they will be recalled to the Orientation camps, which is expected; likewise the 2020 Batch “A” Stream Two Prospective Corps Members who are desirous of knowing when they shall be moving into the camps for Orientation Course.

    “The questions and many others shall be addressed as soon as the interstate lockdown is lifted and Government gives a nod for the Scheme and other institutions to resume full activities.

    “As usual, you are advised to always stay tuned to the NYSC traditional and social media platforms to keep you updated. With correct and responsible behaviour, we shall defeat COVID-19. Stay safe”.

  • BREAKING: Gov. Bello relaxes lockdown in Kabba-Bunu LG, insists Kogi is COVID-19 free

    BREAKING: Gov. Bello relaxes lockdown in Kabba-Bunu LG, insists Kogi is COVID-19 free

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has relaxed the two-week lockdown imposed on Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of the state, barely a week into the exercise.

    He insisted that the state remained COVID-19 free.

    Bello made the disclosure while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Lokoja, on Friday, saying that the decision to relax the lockdown was informed by timely completion of contact-tracing and cooperation of the people.

    The governor said that with relaxation of the lockdown, the state residents would be free to go back to their businesses and live normal lives.

    He said that a medical team led by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, had collected samples from people suspected to have had contact with the alleged COVID-19 victims, adding that the result of their tests returned negative.

    Bello said that samples collected during the lockdown and contact-tracing would be sent to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for further tests to corroborate the result of the medical team which conducted the exercise.

    “We have concluded contact-tracing, carried out extensive tests on the members of the family,and they all came back negative. As far as we are concerned, the state is free from COVID-19,” he said.

    On the state’s COVID-19 index case allegedly discovered by the NCDC, Bello said there was need for the centre to be more professional in handling suspected cases.

    “While we have no reason to doubt the professional competence of the centre, we call for more professionalism in handling the issue of the pandemic,” he said.

    The governor expressed appreciation to security agencies in the state for helping to enforce the lockdown without reports of molestation from the people.

    “I want to place on record the appreciation of the state government to the people of Kabba-Bunu for their cooperation, and security agencies who encourage it without any incident of molestation,” he said.

    He urged the residents of the state to abide by all the protocols laid down by the World Health Organisation and NCDC to protect lives.

  • Lockdown: Osun relaxes curfew, orders civil servants to resume

    Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, has announced the relaxation of the curfew imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

    Oyetola in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Friday in Osogbo, also ordered civil servants on grade level Seven and above to resume work within normal office hours.

    He directed departmental heads to work out alternate working hours for staff on grade levels One to Six.

    Oyetola further said that the curfew which was earlier 6. p.m to 6. a.m would now be from 9.p.m to 5.a.m daily.

    The governor, however, said that the curfew would be relaxed for 14 days in the first instance.

    Oyetola also said that the total lockdown earlier imposed on the state from Friday to Sunday had been eased for 14 days in the first instance.

    The governor said the ban on political, public, religious and any kind of gatherings under whatever guise remained in force.

    He also said all major markets in the state would remain shut, while smaller markets would be opened .

    The governor said that traders in smaller markets must ensure physical distancing, the use of face masks and obsere all other precautionary measures in accordance with the established protocols of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Oyetola thanked the people of the state for their cooperation during the period of the lockdown and enjoined them to ensure the new measures on the gradual reopening of the economy were strictly adhered to.

    The governor also urged religious leaders to constantly remind their followers on the need for all hands to be on deck as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was not over.

    “As you are all aware, the Federal Government, few days ago lifted the ban on religious activities in the country.

    “We have, therefore, lifted ours too after our meeting with religious leaders on Wednesday with specific guidelines.

    “In furtherance to that, we have also further relaxed our curfew, as part of measures for the gradual reopening of our economy,” the governor said.

  • Relaxation of curfew: Call girls flood Abuja joints

    …Sokale Garden and other hotels had good patronage

    Barely 24 hours after the Federal Government relaxed curfew from 8pm to 10pm most joints and hotels located in Abuja satellite towns had good patronage.

    Recall that the Federal Government on Monday announced that the initial curfew stretching from 8pm to 5am was further extended to 10pm till 4am.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that major drinking joints and brothels that looked like ghost infested havens were filled to capacity as Abuja prostitutes solicit for men.

    Sokale Garden one of the regular joints located in Dutse where women of easy virtue sleep with men under tree was filled with customers.

    The garden where men pay just N500 for a bout of sex is one of the hottest spots in Abuja where different calibre of men ranging from military to civil servants go to cool off in the evening.

    The women who were there for brisk business to beat the 10pm deadline simply told this reporter to look elsewhere for questions”because market has been dull”.

    One of the call girls told TNG that”oga if you no de carry market go siddon drink your beer time no de for rotten tomato business.

    “If you serious bring your money make we go sharp corner for short time abeg if you hold condom come make we de go.

    Other places visited by TNG in Kubwa such as the yellow pages axis of Kubwa harbouring two night clubs and several hotels looked like a market as girls roam the area.

    The desperation to beat the 10pm deadline was too glaring as girls flaunt their backsides to attract men walking along the yellow pages street in phase ,2 of Kubwa.

    Prostitutes who were most hit by the Covid-19 pandemic due to the body contact nature of their business had gone virtual using different communication channels to advertise their wares.

  • TNG x-ray: How Kogi Rep’s timely alarm forced Gov Yahaya Bello to impose lockdown in Kabba LG

    TNG x-ray: How Kogi Rep’s timely alarm forced Gov Yahaya Bello to impose lockdown in Kabba LG

    Serving House of Representatives member representing Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Hon Tajudeen Yusuf last week averted what could have been a major crisis in the Confluence State.

    Recall that Governor Yahaya Bello had repeatedly told whoever cared to listen that Covid-19 was alien to his state. However, it took the ‘intervention’ of Hon Yusuf for the governor to rescind his statement and finally impose as lockdown in Kabba where a COVID-19 positive case was discovered.

    Without a gun shot or threat, no siren or bodyguard Hon Yusuf woke up on Sunday a holy day for that matter and made it clear to Bello that he should stop playing the ostrich over Covid-19.

    In a ten paragraph statement, Yusuf asked Bello to save Kogites from the scourge of the pandemic.

    Hear him:

    There’s need to tell the Governor to take responsibility and stop the shenanigans as playing the ostrich cannot save Kogi from the pandemic.

    “As we speak Kogi sate Government has not given a grain of rice or any palliative since the beginning of the pandemic .. whatever palliative the people has received came from NASS members , state assembly community development association or private individuals.

    “Even the food items sent from the federal government has not been shared.

    “No single test center and I am sure many would have died of covid 19 without knowing and many would been healed with out knowing.

    The the family of the Chief Imam of Kabba, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Ejibunu deserve commendation for the timely alert that confirmed the Islamic leader as the index case of COVID-19 in Kogi state.

    Yusuf pointed out that commitment to their religious faiths as well as core values of truthfulness and due consideration for others makes the Chief Imam of Kabba, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Ejibunu and members of his extended family to stand out as true sons and daughters of Kabba.

    “The people of Kabba, also known as the Okun people of Kogi state feel proud of our Chief Imam and members of his family; what is now left is for the state government to accept the ugly reality of Covid-19 in Kogi state so that the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and other relevant bodies can swiftly commence efforts to help nip the problem in the bud.

    However, immediately the statement hit the press, the governor’s men came out with various statements condemning the lawmaker.

    The incumbent senator represent Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi also insisted that the Yahaya Bello led government has distributed palliatives across the state.

    Meanwhile, with the unfolding reality, the governor was forced to announced a total lock down of the affected local government.

    No free movement, heavy restrictions worst than Gestapo martial laws to vent his anger on his innocent citizens who had enjoyed unlimited freedom since the word lockdown entered the Nigerian lexicon.

    This is just as the Federal Government has started further easing the lockdown at the FCT and Lagos.

    Bello who once rained curses on Nigerians who asked him to go for test because he hugged the Late Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari

    He sent NCDC men out of Kogi claiming that there was no pandemic in his state but swallowed his vomit when Yusuf a former leader of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS and now a serving.member of the Green Chamber coughed.