Lockdown Is Slowing down Economy, Finance Minister Raises Alarm

April 2, 2020

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed has raised alarm that lockdown of some states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as a way of controlling the spread of coronavirus is slowing down economy.

“The consequences of the lockdown are the additional slowing down of the economy and the measures that we need to take to mitigate the negative consequences of the slow trade and businesses.’’

The minister, who spoke to news men today, April 2, shortly after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on the impact of the coronavirus on Nigeria’s economy with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja, said that the committee briefed the president on the effect of coronavirus on the economy.

“This meeting was just to brief Mr President as the situation we are in keeps evolving on a daily basis, as the health crisis gradually expands, affecting states and also the lockdown that has been ordered to help curtail expansion of the health crisis.”

She said that the President directed her ministry to ensure that salaries of workers are paid, adding that the president also directed the committee to put in place measures meant to protect the poor and less privileged members of the society from unnecessary hardships as a result of the virus.

The asked the ministry to also ensure that critical infrastructure like roads, rails are protected and as much as possible, use local inputs so that the country retains value within her economy.

“Well, he has directed that we should make sure that salaries are paid, make critical infrastructures like roads, rails are protected, as much as possible use local inputs so that we retain value within our economy.

“And also make sure that we take measures that protect the poor and the vulnerable.”

Don’t Trample On Rights Of Citizens, Police Boss Cautions Officers

Editorial staff

April 2, 2020

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed A Adamu has cautioned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force currently deployed for the enforcement of the lockdown and social restriction orders to ensure the rights of Nigerians are not infringed upon under any pretext.

He said that persons on essential duties, duly exempted from the restriction orders should be accorded due courtesies and unfettered access to and fro their places of duty.

A statement today, April 2, by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba quoted the IGPas saying that the global community is now in extra-ordinary times, with the lockdown taking its tolls on every component of the national life.

“Therefore, all police officers deployed for the enforcement of these restriction orders must be professional, humane and tactful and must show utmost respect to the citizenry. To this end, the IGP has directed Command Commissioners of Police to immediately commence conduct monitoring of Police Officers deployed on enforcement duties in their areas of responsibilities.

“The IGP has equally charged Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) across the nation to ensure adequate supervision of personnel under their watch, as well as due compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure guiding this special task. The AIGs and CPs are also to ensure robust anti-crime patrols and surveillance around vulnerable targets such as medical facilities, shops and markets, residential areas, financial institutions and Automated Teller Machines (ATM) points, amongst others so that criminals do not take undue advantage of the current COVID-19 challenge to perpetrate crimes against the citizenry.”

Meanwhile, the IGP has expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their resilience and voluntary compliance with the social restriction orders and cooperation with the Police at all times.

He urged citizens to continue to observe all precautionary measures issued by relevant health authorities in order for the nation to defeat this pandemic.

Photo: President Buhari Meets Coronavirus Committee

Greenbarge Reporters

April 2, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari , today, April 2, received briefing from the Minister of Finance, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, Minister of State for Petroleum Resoucres, High Chief Temipire Sylva and GMD of the NNPC, Mele Kyari during a meeting with the Presidential Committee to Review the Impact of Coronavirus on the Economy held at the State House Abuja.
Photo by Sunday Agaeze.20

Abba Kyari, Like Others, Is Entitled To Privacy – Health Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

April 2, 2020

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has made it clear that Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is entitled to his privacy like any other Nigerian. Abba Kyari was last week, tested positive to coronavirus and has since gone into isolation in a location that is still shrouded in privacy.

The minister, who answered reporters’ questions at the Presidential task force briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, stressed that Abba Kyari’s location is not important.

“I want to repeat that every person, including each of you here, has a right to privacy. Each of you has the right to tell anyone whether you have been screened or whether you have tested negative or positive and that right is also granted to those who are in public office or VIPs.

“Some VIPs have chosen to disclose by themselves; some have authorised that their own result can be announced and I announced mine, the SGF gave me the permission to announce his, the Vice-President also gave us permission.

“For those who didn’t give us the permission, we don’t announce their results and we don’t tell you who is positive or negative and we don’t go into the fact of whether they are in treatment or not because it is not part of what the public needs to know.

“But let me tell you that all those who are screened and found positive, whether VIP or common man, are all in good care and in custody and are being properly taken care of.”

Source: The Punch.

Group On Coronavirus Gets Donations Of N15 Billion From CBN, Dangote, Others

Editorial staff

April 1, 2020

A group known as Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID), under the auspices of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has made a total of N15 Billion from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Present of Dangote group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and other donours.

A statement issued today, April 1, on behalf of the coalition by the Director in the corporate communications department of the CBN, Isaac Okorafor, said that 37 donors, including individuals, banks and other corporates contributed, with CBN and Dangote giving out N2 Billion each.
Other donours are Alhaji bAbdul Samad Rabiu (Bua Sugar Refinery); Segun Agbaje (GTB); Tony Elumelu (UBA); Oba Otudeko (First Bank); Jim Ovia (Zenith Bank); Herbert Wigwe (Access Bank) and Femi Otedola of Amperion Power Distribution donated N1 Billion each to the relief fund.
Others also include Pacific Holding Ltd, Union Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Citi Bank Nigeria Ltd, FCMB, Fidelity Bank, ECOBank, African Steel Mills and Multichoice Nigeria Limited.
The statement listed others as FSDH Merchant Bank, FBN Merchant Bank, Rand Merchant Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank, Sun Trust Bank, Providus Bank, Wema Bank, Unity Bank, Heritage Bank, Nova Merchant Bank, Polaris Bank, and Keystone Bank.
Globus Bank, Titan Trust Bank, Takagro Chemicals Ltd, Ahmadu Mahmoud and Handy Capital Ltd make up the list of those that have sofar made contributions to the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Relief Fund domiciled at the CBN.
The CBN chief spokesman said that the coalition was full of appreciation to the list of good spirited individuals and corporate bodies for hearkening to the clarion call championed by the CBN and the private sector,
He called on more Nigerians and corporate bodies to key into the coalition with a view to supporting the fight against the pandemic, stressing that Nigeria could overcome the scourge with all hands on deck.

Lockdown: Federal Government Still Weighing Options On Palliatives

Editorial staff

April 1, 2020

Federal Government of Nigeria is still putting its acts together on the best way to implement palliative measures to alleviate the challenges posed by the Coronavirus and lockdown of Lagos, Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to the senior special assistant in the Presidency, Laolu Akande, in a statement today, April 1, the Special Committee of the National Economic Council on COVID-19, headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, met today to fashion out the palliative moderlities.
Akande gave the names of those who attended the meeting held via videoconference, anchored from the presidential villa, Abuja to include Governors Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna; Abdullahi Sule, Nasarawa; Mohammed Abubakar, Jigawa; Godwin Obaseki, Edo; David Umahi, Ebonyi; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun and Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi. The meeting was also attended by the Finance Minister, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Ben Akabueze among several other top officials.
The statement said that the meeting received the report of its Technical Working Group which proposed an array of policy options and recommendations on how federal, state and local governments can bring relief to the people and take other adequate measures in containing and responding to the adverse economic effects of the pandemic.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice President emphasized the importance of the assignment and the urgency required, asking that public enlightenment and sensitization on the seriousness of the pandemic should be further intensified at all government levels so that more and more Nigerians would become aware of the compelling and critical dimensions of the situation.
He assured the governors that the FG is already packaging further resources for a comprehensive economic response to alleviate the challenges of the pandemic, support the States and provide succor to Nigerians in a timely and effective manner.
He disclosed that the newly created Economic Sustainability Committee (ESW), constituted by the President, will also be meeting this week to start its work and respond to the situation appropriately.

Presidency Asks Wole Soyinka To Stay Clear Of Science Issue Like Coronavirus

Editorial staff

April 1, 2020

The presidency has advised Professor Wole Soyinka to stay away from what is clearly the matter that has to do with Coronavirus, which is a science issue. The Presidency therefore advised the Nobel Laureate to rather concentrate on the field he is well-known, which is English literature through which he won prizes for writing books and plays for theatres.

In a statement today, April 1, senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu recalled Wole Soyinka’s comments on the legal status and description of 14-day lockdown announced by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying:“Professor Soyinka is not a medical professor.
“His qualifications are in English literature, and his prizes are for writing books and plays for theatres. He is of course entitled to his opinions – but that is exactly all they are: semantics, not science. They cannot – and should not – therefore be judged as professional expertise in this matter in any shape or form.
“Across the world – from parts of the United States and China, to countries including the United Kingdom and France, government – mandated lockdowns are in place to slow and defeat the spread of coronavirus. All have been declared, and all have been made necessary, based on medical and scientific evidence. The guidance of the Nigerian Government’s medical specialists is to advise the same.
“Professor Soyinka has also declared, doubtless based on his specialism as a playwright, that: “We are not in a war emergency.”
Garba Shehu quoted eminent scientists like Dr Richard Hatchett, Head of the International Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (and former Director of the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) who said, ‘War is an appropriate analogy’.
“Professor Anthony Fauci, Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force has said of the battle against the pandemic: ‘It’s almost like the fog of war’.
“As for the legality of the lock down, the Government of Nigeria’s primary duty in law and action is the defence of the people of Nigeria. We face a global pandemic. Nigeria is now affected. The scientific and medical guidance the world over is clear: the way to defeat the virus is to halt its spread through limitation of movement of people.
“Perhaps Wole Soyinka may write a play on the coronavirus pandemic, after this emergency is over. In the meantime, we ask the people of Nigeria to trust the words of our doctors and scientists – and not fiction writers – at this time of national crisis.”

Coronavirus: Buhari Has Not Been Sleeping – Presidency

Editorial staff

April 1, 2020

The Presidency has chronicled many interventions and activities of President Muhammadu Buhari to show that he had remained steadfast In the area of controlling the spread of coronavirus.

A statement today, April 1, by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that on January 28, 2020, one month before the first case of Corona Virus entered Nigeria, President Buhari assured citizens of the country of the readiness of his government to strengthen surveillance at five international airports in the country to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Such airports are in Enugu, Lagos, Rivers, Kano and the FCT.
The statement listed a catalogue of the actions taken either directly by the President or agencies in the government. They are as follows:
· January 28: The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also announced that it had already set up coronavirus group and was ready to activate its incident system if any case emerged in Nigeria.
· January 31: Following the developments on Covid-19 pandemic in mainland China and other countries worldwide, the Federal Government set up a Coronavirus Preparedness Group to mitigate the impact of the virus if it eventually spreads to the country. On the same day, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed Nigeria among other 13 African countries identified as high-risk for the spread of the virus.
· February 27: Nigeria reports its first Coronavirus case
· Early March: Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, announced that 60 persons who had contact with the index Italian patient were under isolation – 40 in Ogun State and 20 in Lagos State.
· March 9: President Buhari established a Presidential Task Force for the control of the virus in the country.
· March 17: Nigeria postponed the 20th National Sports Festival that was billed to hold in Benin City, Edo State from 22 March to 1 April.
. March 18: Presidential Task Force Press Briefing during which the Federal Government announced that travellers from 13 countries would no longer be allowed to enter Nigeria until the Coronavirus pandemic was over.
. Nigeria is restricting entry into the country for travellers from China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, United States, Norway, United Kingdom, Netherlands & Switzerland. These are countries with over 1,000 cases domestically.
· The government also stopped issuance of visas from the countries.
· The Federal Government also suspended the issuance of visa on arrival to travelers from the earlier named countries. All travelers returning from these countries prior to the restriction will be in supervised self-isolation, monitored by NCDC and Port Health Services.
· March 18: The Management of the National Youth Service Corps suspended the 2020 Batch A stream one 21 days orientation exercise indefinitely. The orientation exercise commenced on 10 March and was expected to end on 30 March, before it was suspended after just 8 days.
· March 18: Nigeria placed a travel ban on 13 countries with high cases of the virus namely: United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, China, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Japan and Iran.
· March 18: The Nigeria Football Federation suspended all football activities for four weeks.
· March 19: Nigerian President’s daughter in isolation after returning from Britain.
· March 20: Nigerian government announced the closure of tertiary educational institutions, secondary and primary.
· March 20: Nigeria extended travel ban to two more countries, Sweden and Austria.
· March 20: Nigeria announced the closure of international airports in Enugu, Port Harcourt and Kano.
· March 21: The Nigerian Railway Corporation announced the suspension of all passenger services from 23 March.
· March 21: Nigeria announced the closure of the remaining two international airports in Abuja and Lagos.
· March 23: The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad ordered all courts in Nigeria to shut down from 24 March.
· March 23: Nigeria announced the suspension of Federal Executive Council, (FEC) and National Council of State (NCS) meetings indefinitely.
· March 23: The Independent National Electoral Commission announced suspension of all activities for 14 days.
· March 24: The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board suspends activities for two weeks.
· March 24: The National Examination Council announced an indefinite postponement of the 2020 common entrance examination into 104 Unity schools in Nigeria, which was scheduled to hold on 28 March.
· March 24: The Federal Capital Territory Administration ordered the immediate closure of shops in the markets and neighbourhood centres, except those selling food items, medicines and other essential commodities.
· March 24: FCT also directed the immediate suspension of gathering in churches and mosques.
· March 25: Government announced the closure of Asaba airport with effect from March 27; land borders from March 29.
· March 26: CBN announced Covid-19 fund contributions by seven Nigerian billionaires and banks. Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s biggest lender by assets, is teaming up with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to provide treatment and isolation centres across Africa’s most populous nation as it braces for the impact of the coronavirus.
· March 26: Federal Government received 107 boxes of medical supplies from China, comprising surgical masks, protective clothing, face shields and detection kits.
· March 27: Federal Government released 10 Billion Naira to Lagos State, and 5 billion Naira special intervention fund to NCDC to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.
· Closure of the nation’s international Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance, to enable the country put up the appropriate policies, processes and infrastructure to cope with suspected and confirmed cases at home, without risking compounding of the situation with more imported cases.
· Only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days would be allowed to dock in the ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities.
. NCDC to draft all its recent retirees back into service to beef up manpower.
· Furthermore, all NCDC staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments are to return immediately. Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducting an evacuation mission to bring back some of Nigerian specialists in Central Africa, to enable them support the national response.
· March 27: President Buhari commends the monetary policy authorities for their financial intervention to support entrepreneurs and companies. Government also looking at fiscal measures to minimise the negative impact of this pandemic on the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.
· Government begins the process of reviewing the federal budget.
· President Buhari directs the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), to ensure that production of essential items such as food, medical and pharmaceutical products continues.
· The Minister of Health stated that of the 65 Coronavirus cases, 40 had immediate travel history to one or more of the Coronavirus affected countries in the last two weeks;10 are close contacts of confirmed cases; 6 had neither a recent travel history nor a known contact and 6 were detected on an offshore oil vessel. He further revealed that, 3 persons had been discharged from treatment and one fatality was recorded. The Minister affirmed that 61 currently active cases are clinically stable with mild or moderate symptoms.
· The Minister of Health hinted that Lagos State is currently the epicentre of COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, stating also that the Lagos State government and the ministry of health had scaled up their response activities as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control supports them as well as other affected states, through the rapid response teams deployed.
· The minister emphasised that health facilities and health workers at all levels should be on high alert and maintain a high index of suspicion to give full cooperation to contact tracers everywhere. He added that while train stations, land borders and international airports remained closed, precautionary measures should be taken by FG to protect sea ports.
· The minister emphasized the containment strategy of social distancing which he said, had been repeatedly announced. He added that directives had been issued at National and State levels to limit large gatherings, including religious, social and political gatherings, school events etc.
. March 27: A circular was issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) directing public servants on Grade Levels 12 and below on non-essential roles to work from home.
· Contact-tracing is on-going to identify persons who had been in close contact with confirmed cases.
· The Federal Ministry of Health is working closely with States and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to review response activities, and initiate measures to protect the health and wellbeing of Nigerians. The Multi-Sectoral Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), led by NCDC coordinates it and other national response activities
· NCDC launched a WhatsApp APL, a free to use service to provide a central source of accurate, verified and current information on COVID-19 in Nigeria.
· The Minister of Health also emphasized that the NCDC hotline is available 24/7 and toll free and that various states also have hotlines that could be called for direct state specific questions on COVID-19, while urging citizens to use them legitimately for reporting and enquiries.
· March 29: Presidential Broadcast.
· March 30: President Buhari signs Covid-19 Regulations, 2020 into law.
· March 30: 11pm: Lockdown begins in FCT and Lagos, as directed by President Buhari.

Abba Kyari Seems Well And Happy – Lagos Commissioner

Editorial staff

March 31, 2020

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi has said that Malam Abba Kyari, Chief Of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is recuperating and seems well and happy. Abba Kyari was last week tested positive for the Coronavirus disease.

The Commissioner, who spoke today, March 31 when he fielded questions from journalists, said however that he didn’t know exactly the location Abba Kyari but that he had been in constant communication with him over strategic issues.
“I’m not aware of the Chief of Staff’s itinerary, so I don’t know where he is.
“We exchange messages on WhatsApp but from WhatsApp, you can’t tell where somebody is.
“We are exchanging information but I haven’t asked him for his location. He seems well and happy and we are exchanging information on strategic issues and it’s been a long time we’ve talked about his health so I presume he’s made a full recovery,” Abayomi said.
This came days after the Chief of Staff confirmed his health status in an official statement personally signed by him on Sunday.
In it, the presidential aide said that based on medical advice, he would be transferred to Lagos for additional tests and observation after testing positive for the COVID-19.
Kyari said that vhe would be getting treatment at his own expense in order not to burden the public health system, adding that he had not experienced high fever or any other symptoms associated with the disease.
He explained that he has been working from home since he tested positive for, and expressed optimism that he return to his desk soon.
Source: Channels TV.

Arewa Forum Cautions Against Embezzling Donated Money On Coronavirus

Editorial staff

March 31, 2020

The Arewa Consultative Forum has cautioned against Embezzling of billion of Naira donated by individuals and organisations for the control of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

“We in the forum believe that as commendable as the efforts of the organized private sector are, there is need to track the money so far raised because similar funds raised by noble minded people to fight equally noble causes in our country have on several occasions been subjected to criminal abuse to the amazement of all patriots.”
In a statement today, March 31, its National publicity secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, the Forum insisted that the funds should be applied mainly for developing the required infrastructure in which Nigeria is solely deficient and without which we cannot have the capacity to fight the pandemic.
It said that since coronavirus is global pandemic, all Nigerians should not read local ethnic, political or religious meanings into it’s emergence.
The ACF commended President Muhamadu Buhari for the outline of measures, he announced on Sunday to be taken by the federal government to control the spread of the virus.
It said that though various regulations intended to maintain the principle of social distance may sound harsh, especially to residents of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states, “we call on the residents of these places to obey the instructions of the federal government more so when there is no alternative in the form of treatment yet discovered for the ailment.
“The Forum also wishes to commend the efforts of the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition which organized a successful launching against COVID -19 during which billions of Naira was raised to support the war against coronavirus.”

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