168m Nigerians Living in Unclean Environment, Says Report …Abuja, Akwa Ibom rated cleanest city, state

Clean-Up Nigeria, an environment group, in its 2019 report on Nigerian Environment Performance Index Ratings, revealed that over 168 million of Nigerians are still living in an unclean environment.

The study conducted in partnership with the Clean-Up the World, Australia; International Council for Local Environment Initiative, Canada; Keep America Beautiful, United States; DSZ Germany, and Suez Foundation in France, also ranked Akwa Ibom State and Abuja as the cleanest state and city respectively for 2019.

The study conducted from January 2018 to December 2019, comprised of 15 members who were split into seven teams comprising two persons per team for each geo-political zone, with five  international partners that carried out verification tours around the country to monitor and re-evaluate earlier scores submitted by each study team.

The National Coordinator of the National Technical Study Group (NTSG), Clean- Up Nigeria, Prince Ene Owoh, who unveiled the group’s findings in Abuja, said 33 out of 36 states in Nigeria from the average scores derived from the graphic statistical study are dirty and unclean.

Owoh said the group used performance indicator scores of streets and roads cleanliness, vegetation and drain control, waste management service and public opinion poll to arrive at its findings.

He said other indicators used for the assessment included social media and knowledge, attitude and practice of hygiene and sanitation of the populace.

Highlights of the study's observations revealed that funding by states and local government councils are still inadequate and actually amount to nothing when compared to the work at hand, this he said calls for serious review on the part of governments at all levels.

Owoh said the sanitation and hygiene practices of the people in over 34 states and the FCT still leave much to be desired.

He said: "As the results have shown, Akwa Ibom has emerged the cleanest state in Nigeria for the year 2019, while Abuja emerged the cleanest city in Nigeria beating Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, by only two percent (68 percent against 66 percent). In 2019, our studies showed that only five states which scored above 40 percent can be considered to be clean, compared to 2018 when it was only three states and two cities. Abuja and Uyo can be said to be the cleanest from year 2018 to 2019 results."

"On waste management services provided by the states only five states- Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ebonyi, Cross Rivers and Abuja-scored an average of 15 percent and above out of the 30 percent.

“On personal hygiene and sanitation, only two states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River scored three percent out 10 percent can be said to come close to the highest level of personal hygiene/sanitation practice," the report said.

ASUU Offers to Serve as Volunteers to Tackle COVID-19

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said its members nationwide are willing to work with medical and paramedical workers as volunteers in carrying out public enlightenment and professional intervention initiatives against the COVID-19 spread in Nigeria.

The Union, which recently embarked on an indefinite industrial action over the disagreement with the federal government on the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPIS) and funding of universities, said its members are ready to wave aside the strike to join hands in stemming the tide of the dreaded coronavirus in Nigeria.

ASUU President, Biodun Ogunyemi, who stated this during a presentation of COVID-19 intervention materials on Tuesday at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, said if there had been qualitative and accessible university education, the universities in the country would have acted as "a storehouse of knowledge in scientists, doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists and other medical and paramedical personnel to cope with a pandemic of the magnitude of the COVID-19."

Ogunyemi, who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Ibadan Zone, Prof. Ade Adejumo, while addressing journalists at the University of Ibadan, said the Union has made her members available to help in checking the menace of COVID-19.

He said the decision of ASUU to support government’s efforts towards stemming the tide of the coronavirus was taken at its recent emergency meeting held at the University of Abuja.

"At that meeting, NEC resolved that the Union should participate actively in the ongoing efforts to prevent and control the spread of the coronavirus. At the press conference that followed on March 23, 2020, we had declared: ‘To demonstrate our concerns for the welfare and well-being of the Nigerian people, ASUU members nationwide shall be willing to work with medical and paramedical workers as volunteers in their public enlightenment and professional intervention initiatives," he stated.

Ogunyemi said all branches of the Union have been directed to explore areas of strategic collaboration with federal, state and local governments to provide support in terms of information and expert skills drawn from our membership across the country.

He said although ASUU believes that this is not the time for apportioning blames, the universities appears to  have no place in the current efforts of the government to tackle coronavirus outbreak.

"See, for instance, how naked and empty our teaching hospitals turned out to be when threatened by the early wave of COVID-19. Yet, these are laboratories established to produce medical and paramedical personnel for our dear country! Our aspiration for improved quality of life for Nigeria’s teeming population will remain a mirage for as long as the ruling class cannot see the ineluctable consequences of the neglect of university education for qualitative health services," he said.

Speaking on the appropriateness or otherwise of the ongoing strike by the Union, Ogunyemi said the government had enough opportunity to consider the union's demands on the non-implementation of some key aspects of the February 7, 2019, FGN-ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA) and imposition of IPPIS, but that the authorities went ahead to order stoppage of lecturers' February salary.

"The current action commenced way back on March 9, 2020, with the warning strike declared at the Enugu State University. We had thought that the two-week window would be used by the government to respond satisfactorily to our demands on the non-implementation of some key aspects of the February 7  2019 FGN-ASUU Memorandum of Action (MoA) and imposition of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS) on Nigerian academics. Instead, the government stuck to its gun on IPPIS, withheld payment of salaries and allowances of ASUU members and seized the check-off dues, cooperative society contributions and other third-party deductions made on behalf of the Union and its members," he said.

Border Closure: Armed Robbers Ambush Passengers in Ebonyi, Rob with POS

Following the closure of Ebonyi State borders, armed robbers on Tuesday ambushed passengers, robbing them of their luggage and money.

The victims were passengers  who  took  to the bush path to avoid being caught at the checkpoint manned by security agents with  the  Deputy  Governor, Dr. Kelechi  Igwe.

The robbers barricaded the bush where the passengers were robbed of their money and other valuables.

It was gathered that the suspects commanded their victims who have ATM cards to  transfer money to a specified bank account through POS.

One of  the   robbers who was already in the  custody  of soldiers,  Ifeanyi Eze, narrated that  they were  only  collecting  money  from  the  passengers  because   they destroyed their  crops in the farms.

He said  he dealing on plantain chips  in  Lagos  before he returned home over  the  COVID-19.

The Nkalagu Ebonyi-born man had with him a knife, which he said he was traveling to Enugu state with.

Another suspect, who was arrested, gave his name as Ifeanyi Ochu, saying he was conveying passengers through the bush with his motorcycle.

Ochu, who wore  a black vest with  the inscription ‘SECURITY’, explained that he was  only  helping  those who were  stranded to get  into  Ebonyi State.

Meanwhile, the DPO of Ishielu Police Division  in Ebonyi State has  been  arrested and  removed from office  following the order of  the state Governor,  David Umahi.

The DPO was accused of  complicity  in mass passage  of migrants into the state.

COVID-19 Scare in C'River over Isolation of 28 Oil Workers in Tinapa … Govt gives reasons for stopping 35 Americans flight

The Cross River State capital, Calabar, has been enveloped by COVID-19 scare following reports that 28 persons suspected to be workers of an oil exploration company who entered the town last Saturday are being lodged in a form of isolation at the Tinapa Lakeside Hotel.

The scare may have been heightened due to the confirmation of a COVID-19 suspected patient who tested positive in Port-Harcourt last week, and the suspicion that the 35 Americans whose flight was denied from landing in Calabar last Monday, were billed to converge with the oil workers that are in Tinapa.

Sources close to Tinapa and the hotel, who pleaded not to be quoted, said the 28 oil workers are being lodged in a manner that can be described as ‘Self-quarantine’ as they asked the management of the hotel not to accommodate any other guest while they are being lodged there.

The sources also said the oil workers demanded that none of the workers should leave the hotel while they are lodged there, and that they would pay for all services and inconveniences.

The development has created serious anxiety because of the report of a positive case of COVID-19 in Port-Harcourt, and the fact that the US where 35 others were to join them from currently holds the record of the country with the highest rate of the virus infections.

Also, their demand to stay isolated or ‘quarantined’ with the workers of the hotel through out their stay, even without the knowledge of the state government about their presence in the state, has added to the scare.

The fear in the town is that they have not undergone any form of test since they arrived Calabar last Saturday, more so as they had entered the town after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Port-Harcourt, River State.

Besides, it is feared that if any of them is a carrier of the virus, there was no guarantee that such person would not infect their contacts in the hotel, who are residents of the town, and even other contacts in the town since the much-talked-about self-isolation is not guaranteed.

One of the sources, who is very much privy to their stay in the hotel, spoke to some journalists in confidence about the development.

"They are oil workers from Port-Harcourt. Why did they not stay in Port-Harcourt and fly with their chopper to their rig? Why should they come in, and stay quietly in a hotel, when hotels are shutting down? So, there is something fishy about their stay. They don't want the workers to go out, and funnily enough, Tinapa is in the outskirts of Calabar and its not even functioning to accommodate guest, let alone oil workers who often go for the best hotel in town. Besides, Cross River has no oil rig or platform.

"Or could it be that as rig workers, they don't want the rig to be infected or alarmed, hence they decided to keep them on shore, first for observation for some time as they are managed by their own doctor? This disease grows in astrometry order, which is one can affect one, two infect four and in that order. That is why the Cross River State Government has to get to the bottom of it because if 28 persons are infected, it is possible over 1,000 can get the virus in Calabar," the source said.

Responding to enquiries from the media about the presence of the 28 oil workers from Port Harcourt, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu, said she had no knowledge of their presence in Calabar.

"I have not heard of that, I only know of the 35 persons who tried to make their way into the state but were stopped.

“I have never heard about this other group of people. I just heard about it for the first time, and I will send our team down there to confirm the story.

The general situation in Calabar is still calm, and we are working on sensitisation, especially in the rural areas, where they seem not to understand the implications of COVID-19," she stated.

In a related development, the state government has offered explanation on why it stopped the aircraft carrying 35 Americans from the US from landing at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar.

The state government said it took the decision in line with the order of the state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, that the air, land, and sea boarders of the state be closed for a period of time to checkmate the spread of COVID-19, which has become a pandemic.

The state government's position on the development was stated in a statement issued yesterday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, entitled: ‘No Air Peace flight landed in Calabar’.

It stated in part: "While there was indeed a curious arrangement to have the flight come to Calabar, the governor, however, refused outright to allow the airline fly into the state in line with his order to restrict flights as well as other cross border movements on land, air and sea."

Bustling Lagos Turns Ghost Town under Virus Lockdown

Nigeria's seething economic hub of 20 million that residents say never sleeps -- was silenced Tuesday as Africa's largest city went into lockdown to stave off the coronavirus.

Gone were the traffic jams that snarl bumper-to-bumper out to the suburbs, gone was the hustle, the noise and the sweat that usually fills the crowded streets with endless life.

After President Muhammadu Buhari ordered residents to stay indoors and all movement to cease from Monday evening, the singing of birds and the hum of generators were the only sounds to be heard on the first morning of the shutdown.

The waters of the lagoon were still, bridges that are normally impassable at rush hour were empty, and the vendors that sell their wares to passing traffic had vanished.

On a key highway leading to the capital, a group of boys playing football had replaced the usual mass of cars, buses and lorries.

Police dressed in protective gear stopped vehicles coming into or leaving Lagos state and refused to let any deemed non-essential pass.

A hundred trucks carrying cement from the company of Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote stood motionless in a line at one checkpoint.

"We received instructions not to allow any vehicle to pass except those on essential services," a masked officer told AFP.

Police backed up by personnel from the city's myriad of other security agencies checked identity cards of drivers before determining whether to let them by.

The Lagos state governor has urged security forces to be "friendly and civil" but officers have also been licensed to use force on those who do not comply.

Officials insist the draconian measures are needed to halt the spread of a virus after 135 cases and two deaths were confirmed across Nigeria.

Lagos is the hotspot with 81 infections detected so far.

- 'We need to eat' -

Along the main road through the middle class neighbourhood of Lekki, betting shops, mattress stores, churches, florists and scrap metal dealers had all closed their doors.

But in the alleyways of the poorer district of Ajah there was clear anxiety and rising anger.

Most of the people here have very little savings to fall back on. They live hand-to-mouth, relying on their daily earnings to survive.

Police had passed by in the early hours to disperse the few people refusing to obey the lockdown.

Margaret Ajeji was still out on the street smoking a catfish to sell to any rare passersby.

Food stores are allowed to remain open -- and it seemed those hawking their goods by the side of the roads were being allowed to keep working.

But it wasn't much help.

"People have no money to eat. They don't buy anything," Ajeji lamented.

Next to her Tewole was trying to sell the sachets of water that provide one of the only sources of drinking water for many Nigerians.

She had only had two customers all morning.

"If I don't sell this water then I won't make my small income," she said in Pidgin, the widely spoken local language.

"I won't have anything to eat. If my children get sick there won't be any money to take them to hospital."

Young man Samuel Agber could not hide his desperation.

"We work and still go hungry in Nigeria, so what about when we stay at home," he said.

"They have to restrict movement, but provide food for us. We are humans, we need to eat."

CULLED FROM YAHOO

Lockdown: Govs Seek Exemption of Beverage, Healthcare Companies

In an attempt to ease the flow of essential commodities during the lockdown, state governors in the country on Tuesday threw their weight behind food, beverage, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies towards ensuring their continuous operations and making essential goods and services available to Nigerians throughout the period of the lockdown.

This was a fallout of the concerted efforts by governors to bring succour to the Nigerian people during the lockdown as well as ensure that the remedy does not ultimately turn out to be counter-productive.

According to the Head of Media and Public Affairs of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, quoting  a letter to the manufacturers, which was signed by the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governors noted that “considering the crucial role you play in ensuring the production of essential items such as nutritious food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical products critical for the sustenance and the well-being of individuals and families especially in these times, and following careful and deliberate considerations we are pleased to convey to you our full support to ensure that your operations continue unhindered.”

To guarantee the continued effective movement of essential foods, beverages and medical supplies as well as attendant essential services, the governors further stated: “We note that the whole value chain from farmers to suppliers of raw materials, from manufacturers to suppliers of packaging materials, transporters, distributors, sales teams and retailers should continue with their lawful operations within the confines of the law and to the extent that the current realities permit.”

The governors reasoned in the letter that lending their support to these key players in the industry whose products are critical to the daily existence of the Nigerian people, they would need some waiver to continue to move their products around the country without let or hindrance.

The letter reads: “In view of the essential nature of food, beverage and pharmaceuticals, all parastatals and agencies of state governments have been advised as follows:

‘To guarantee the continued effective movement of essential foods, beverages and medical supplies as well as attendant essential services, the whole value chain from farmers to suppliers of raw materials, from manufacturers to suppliers of packaging materials, transporters, distributors, sales teams and retailers should continue with their lawful operations within the confines of the law and to the extent that the current realities permit.

‘The operations and activities of food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical product companies and their suppliers of raw and packaging materials, transporters, distributors, sales team and retailers should not be hindered by officials or agents of the state governments.

‘To ensure the safety of food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical products and also that of the suppliers of raw and packaging materials, transporters, distributors, sales teams, retailers and other employees who will be on the road during this time.

‘To guarantee that the distribution and movement of raw and packaging materials and finished products of food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical products from various points within and across states are seamless.

‘That in the event of closure of open markets or shops, clear alternatives are defined on how to get finished food, beverage and pharmaceutical products to consumers in their neighbourhood.

‘The responsiveness of relevant agencies of the state governments in playing their part fully in ensuring that what they need to do as prescribed by the law and extant regulations are carried out with dispatch’.”

However, the governors also included a caveat in order to regulate the operations and forestall abuse, saying similarly, all food, beverage, pharmaceutical and medical companies are required to adhere to the following: ‘Issue all suppliers and transporters a letter of authority confirming that they are authorised by you.

‘All your staff need to ensure identity cards are carried at all time for all movements with a copy of this letter of authority

‘All organisations should ensure compliance to all COVID-19 guidelines on social distancing, personal and respiratory hygiene for the safety of individuals and the community at large’.

These suppliers and their operators are to be provided with Toll free numbers they can call, just in case they have any problems or bottlenecks during the course of performing their duties, stressing that governors are working assiduously to ensure unhindered flow of essential goods and services.

Buhari's Broadcast Belated, Say Afenifere, PANDEF

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, and its Niger Delta counterpart, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), have given a hard knock to last Sunday evening broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari on the menace of COVID-19 pandemic.

The two groups in separate reactions on Monday flayed the delay in the presidential address more than two months after the outbreak of the epidemic in the country, saying the broadcast was belated.

Afenifere, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, while noting the ‘overdue presidential broadcast on COVID-19’, stressed that "we honestly cannot fathom why it took so long for such to come as the only thing new in it was locking down Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States.

"The rest of the broadcast are about washing hands and sneezing on elbows  and handkerchiefs which can only still be useful to the senator removing his face mask to sneeze for the consumption of his colleagues at this point."

The group wondered why enough time was not given by the government to residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as Abuja before the lockdown became effective.

It said: "While we agree that a lockdown is necessary at this point, it should not have been done as if we were shutting down a barracks under 24 hours. The people should have been given a few days’ notice before now so that they could get themselves prepared for a shutdown.

"It is also a big shame that a rich country like Nigeria has been badly run over the years and up till the time, Nigeria cannot afford any serious stimulus package for its citizens beyond moratorium for NPower earners."

Afenifere also wondered why "the president was asking the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to go and get students to be fed with School Feeding Programme when all students in the country are at home."

The group nevertheless encouraged Nigerians to cooperate with government to curtail the spread of the pandemic.

On its part, PANDEF agreed that there was nothing new in the presidential broadcast.

PANDEF Chairman, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), told THISDAY on telephone that the ‘belated’ broadcast by President Buhari did not address anything new about coronavirus pandemic.

He said: "The broadcast came rather very late more than two months after the first incident was recorded in the country on February 27."

Nkanga also said most of the things highlighted in the president's speech had long been taken care of by some state governors who had before now rolled out a lot of programmes to address the pandemic.

According to him, "What Nigerians had expected from the president in this trying times was not an address but leadership and encouragement, and I can say that in the aspect of leadership, which the people needed,  the President failed in that regard."

PANDEF, he further said, saluted the state governors who rose up to the occasion timely on the issue of the global disease, "and we urge them to do more to save lives of the citizenry.

"We will also like to commend the medical personnel for their desperation in fighting the pandemic while not leaving out the individuals and corporate bodies that have donated money and medical materials towards tackling the COVID-19," Nkanga noted.

Our COVID-19 Cases Do not Require Ventilators, Says Minister

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, has said most of the COVID-19 cases that Nigeria is handling do not require ventilators.

Ehanire made the submission on Monday at the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 inter–ministerial joint press briefing in Abuja.

He clarified that only one of the coronavirus cases in Nigeria requires a ventilator as against others who require just the oxygen.

According to him, though the federal government is addressing the issue of the shortage of ventilators in the country, probably less than four percent of the cases confronting the country require ventilator.

He also said the number of available ventilators does not determine survival rate.

The minister also said ventilator shortage is not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that there is no one country in the world, including the United States, that has adequate ventilator.

He added that the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) is prudent with the test kit while testing for suspected cases of coronavirus.

The minister said the country would still need to obtain the regent that is required for the testing from South Africa, as such is not readily available in the country.

He said over 30,000 test kits are available in the country but will require conversion from the machines in the testing centre.

According to him, “Importantly, there are no Rapid Diagnostic Tests available that have been WHO validated because they often give unreliable results. Unless you have been tested in one of the six molecular laboratories for COVID-19 in Nigeria, your results are most likely useless.”

The minister also stated that in order to meet the demand that would arise as a result of the expansion of the case definition, the NCDC has added a new laboratory to its network of molecular laboratories for COVID-19.

 These include the Virology Laboratory of University College Hospital, Ibadan, while nationwide testing capacity will be expanded with the addition of seven more labs in three weeks in Abakiliki, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Sokoto.

Ehanire also urged the members of the public to note that testing is free and at no cost, warning that any one demanding to be paid or given a tip should be immediately reported to the appropriate authorities.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has said trucks of relief materials will be distributed to the three locked down states of Ogun, Lagos and Abuja by the end of last night.

Also, the Chairman of the PTF, Boss Mustapha, said he could give a categorical time frame on when the pandemic will last, saying with the determination of all Nigerians, the virus will be overcome.

Mustapha, who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said the federal government is doing everything to ensure conformity of policies with state governments, and it is doing everything within its powers to stop the case.

Wike Imposes Curfew in Port Harcourt

 

Rivers State Government has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew  on some parts of Port Harcourt metropolis following the violation of its market closure order.

This is as the state granted waivers to medical and pharmaceutical personnel, food and beverages, essential oil and gas staff, petroleum products and media workers and newspaper distributors in its restriction of movements.

In a broadcast on Monday,  the state Governor,  Nyesom Wike, said the State Security Council reached the decision after it monitored compliance with the state government's directive.

According to him, "With effect from  March 31, 2020, there will be a dusk-to-dawn curfew from Obiri-Ikwerre Junction (Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to  Choba and from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction, Ikwerre Road.

"All beer parlours and public drinking bars are hereby closed because they have suddenly become  an extension of night clubs that were earlier shut down.

"Any beer parlour or public drinking bar found open shall be acquired by the state government. 

"All landlords are advised to warn their tenants who use their property as beer parlours or public drinking bars to adhere to this directive. 

"Traditional rulers, youth leaders and community development committees are to ensure that beer parlours and public drinking bars in their areas remain closed."

He added: "Any traditional ruler who allows markets to be open in his domain will be deposed.

 "The government is investigating the illegal operation of markets at night in Woji and Elelenwo communities. Further violation by residents of these two communities will attract declaration of curfew."

Wike warned that further violation of the directive for markets to remain closed will attract a state-wide curfew.

The governor, however, announced waivers to different categories of persons in view of the directive of the state government.

They include medical and pharmaceutical personnel; food and beverages, essential oil and gas staff, petroleum products and media practitioners and newspaper distributors. All these categories of staff must identify themselves with valid identity cards,” he said.

The governor declared: "My dear good people of Rivers State, based on suggestions by well-meaning Rivers people, government is looking into the setting up of food markets across the state."

Ooni Prescribes Alternative African Medicine for COVID-19

The  Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, on Monday revealed that the cure to the COVID-19 pandemic lied in the ability to explore the potential of the alternative and natural medicine.

The monarch, who doubles as the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria(NCTRN), made the disclosure while addressing journalists at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile Ife, emphasising that Nigeria as a country and the world at large must look inward for alternative solution.

According to him, "A divine proclamation came out to the world on June 6, 2019, during the World Ifa Festival-Otura Meji-which foretold the impending rage of this invisible pandemic war, but few listened us.

"Look at Cuba, a country that has a strong traditional ties with Nigeria, the kingdom of Ife in particular, they have not only defeated the COVID-19, but now rendering huge medical assistance to several countries across the world because they value their traditional heritage inherited from us here.

"As the spiritual head of the Yoruba race, I have gathered a lot for the use of mankind. I am also currently working with Yem Kem International (Alternative Medicine Expert) pharmaceutical company for the packaging and distribution of these alternative medications globally. I also challenge researchers both in Nigeria and abroad to make these natural herbs into clinical medicine and extract the vaccines from it.

"Necessity is the mother of innovation; we must create results from our current ways of life which is strange to us as a people. For example, the stay-at-home policy of the government should be improved upon to enable people work from home irrespective of their geographical locations."

While advocating that there are several positive sides to the pandemic, the Ooni noted that leaders especially those in the political class must rework the country's system with a view to enable Nigerians, especially the youths, to maximise their potential.

 

He added: "This is the first time in Nigeria that we will have so much money and other resources being expended on our health sector either as donations or budgetary. This in itself is a divine lesson that we must revive our health sector to satisfy everyone especially the poor and other vulnerable members of our society.

"Look at us now; nobody can leave his or her country across the world, which implies that all parts of the world must be made habitable. We must all come together to make this country work, as there is no perfect system anywhere in the world.

"Imagine how the world giant economies like United States and United Kingdom bowed and are still bowing to coronavirus. The disease is not a respecter of anybody or any nation; it is the common enemy of mankind that we must collectively combat and defeat."

The African foremost monarch equally thanked stakeholders across the country's private sector for their kind donations, urging them to do more as it will remain an undisputed legacy that they stood for the country and its people in this moment of global health and economic challenges.

In the same vain, the monarch urged Nigerians to adhere to the strict precautionary measures laid down by the state and federal governments as well as the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as the country struggles to end the pandemic.

Nigeria in Unusual Times, Says Senate PDP Caucus …Lauds FG's move to contain pandemic

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate has described as unusual what Nigeria is currently going through with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The party, however, commended the federal government efforts towards combatting the ravaging COVID-19 as contained in President Muhammadu Buhari's national broadcast to Nigerians last Sunday evening.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the caucus said though they had expected the presidency to engage the National Assembly more in some of the policy areas that are statutory, however, they have to recognise the fact that these are unusual times that may require quick policy responses.

"These are perilous times in the world and indeed an unusual situation for our dear country, so the PDP caucus described as a step in the right direction the president's broadcast and policy measures, which we believe while being short on prioritising the poor and vulnerable in our society, nevertheless, if properly implemented, will keep our people safe from this deadly virus," he said.

Abaribe stressed that the caucus is ready to work and engage in a bipartisan manner with the presidency, including reconvene should the need arise to ensure that the country curb the spread of COVID-19, which has held down the entire world.

The caucus, however, canvassed for proper monitoring of the disbursement of the palliative measures to ensure that it gets to the people it is meant for "and we also call for humane approach by the relevant security agencies while strictly implementing the measures that has to do with the restrictions of movement of our people. 

"The security agencies should bear in mind that these are unusual times and first of its kind experience that Nigerians would be asked to stay home and maintain social distance. As such, the approach should be more of humane engagement rather than the application of force."

Nonetheless, the PDP caucus, according to Abaribe, advised Nigerians to adhere strictly to the federal government directives and other containment measures rolled out by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), adding that doing so would certainly put the ravaging virus at bay.

"It could be tough, but the measures are necessary now if we must survive this deadly scourge and emerge stronger after," he stated.

Panic Buying as Ondo Orders Total Closure of Markets

Panic on Monday gripped residents of Ondo State as the state government ordered total closure of all markets in the state irrespective of item sold in the market.

The state Governor, Oluwaroyimi Akeredolu, gave the order in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation.

The government had last week ordered partial closure of markets, but exempted food, water and medicine sellers, however, the system, according to findings, seemed not to be working.

The statement said: "It has been observed however that residents have flagrantly disobeyed this directive which is a potent measure to avoid the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

"Compelled by this unwholesome infraction, the state government hereby places a total ban on all markets across the state with effect from March 31, 2020. This ban is irrespective of any item sold in the market. For emphasis, all markets must remain closed until further notice."

 

As the news filtered into town, residents quickly moved to different markets to purchase food items which resulted in panic buying.

The panic buying has already resulting in hike in prices of food items.

Sequel to the sudden hike in price of food items, residents have started complaining, blaming the state government for not giving them adequate notice to prepare.

Makinde Gets Coronavirus

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has tested positive for coronavirus and he is currently in self-isolation.

Makinde disclosed this in a series of tweets on Monday, saying he had designated a former chief medical director of the University College, Ibadan, as the head of COVID-19 task force while he recovers fully.

“I just received my COVID-19 confirmation test result. It is POSITIVE. I am asymptomatic and will continue to self-isolate,” he tweeted.

“I have designated Prof Temitope Alonge, former Chief Medical Director of the University College, Ibadan, as the Head of COVID-19 Task Force while I recover fully. Please continue to comply with all the directives from the COVID-19 Task Force. Stay home, stay safe.”

Makinde is the third governor to be affected by the disease which broke out in Wuhan, China, in December. Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, and Nasir el-Rufai, his Kaduna counterpart, had earlier tested positive for the virus.

Two weeks ago, the governor was severely criticised over a PDP mega rally in Ibadan, Oyo capital. He had initially defended the choice of the state for the rally but later apologised over hosting such large gathering in the thick of the pandemic.

Douye Diri, Byelsa governor, who was with Makinde at the rally, later announced that he tested negative for the virus.

There are currently 111 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country. Seven patients have recovered and discharged from the hospital, while two have died.