Chief Medical Doctor At Ibadan Catches Coronavirus
The Chief Medical Doctor of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, has tested positive for coronavirus.
The Chief Medical Doctor of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, has tested positive for coronavirus.
President Muhammadu Buhari has stopped all movements from and into Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm tomorrow, Monday, 30th March 2020, adding that this restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
In a nation wide broadcast today, March 29, the President said that all citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes.
“Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.
“The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.
“We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.
“This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.
“Furthermore, commercial establishments such as;
a. food processing, distribution and retail companies;
b. petroleum distribution and retail entities,
c. power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and
d. private security companies are also exempted.
“Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.
“Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.
“All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority.
“Furthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the country will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas.
“Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is hereby directed to redeploy all Port Health Authority employees previously stationed in the Lagos and Abuja Airports to key roads that serve as entry and exit points to these restricted zones.
“Movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis.
“We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and death, if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in Italy, France and Spain.”
Read the full text:
ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC SUNDAY 29TH MARCH, 2020
1. Fellow Nigerians,
2. From the first signs that Coronavirus, or COVID-19 was turning into an epidemic and was officially declared a world-wide emergency, the Federal Government started planning preventive, containment and curative measures in the event the disease hits Nigeria.
3. The whole instruments of government are now mobilized to confront what has now become both a health emergency and an economic crisis.
4. Nigeria, unfortunately, confirmed its first case on 27th February 2020. Since then, we have seen the number of confirmed cases rise slowly.
5. By the morning of March 29th, 2020, the total confirmed cases within Nigeria had risen to ninety-seven.
6. Regrettably, we also had our first fatality, a former employee of PPMC, who died on 23rd March 2020. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this very difficult time. We also pray for quick recovery for those infected and undergoing treatment.
7. As of today, COVID-19 has no cure. Scientists around the world are working very hard to develop a vaccine.
8. We are in touch with these institutions as they work towards a solution that will be certified by international and local medical authorities within the shortest possible time.
9. For now, the best and most efficient way to avoid getting infected is through regular hygienic and sanitary practices as well as social distancing.
10. As individuals, we remain the greatest weapon to fight this pandemic. By washing our hands regularly with clean water and soap, disinfecting frequently used surfaces and areas, coughing into a tissue or elbow and strictly adhering to infection prevention control measures in health facilities, we can contain this virus.
11. Since the outbreak was reported in China, our Government has been monitoring the situation closely and studying the various responses adopted by other countries.
12. Indeed, the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) was one of ten global health leaders invited by the World Health Organisation to visit China and understudy their response approach. I am personally very proud of Dr Ihekweazu for doing this on behalf of all Nigerians.
13. Since his return, the NCDC has been implementing numerous strategies and programs in Nigeria to ensure that the adverse impact of this virus on our country is minimized. We ask all Nigerians to support the work the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC are doing, led by the Presidential Task Force.
14. Although we have adopted strategies used globally, our implementation programs have been tailored to reflect our local realities.
15. In Nigeria, we are taking a two step approach.
16. First, to protect the lives of our fellow Nigerians and residents living here and second, to preserve the livelihoods of workers and business owners to ensure their families get through this very difficult time in dignity and with hope and peace of mind.
17. To date, we have introduced healthcare measures, border security, fiscal and monetary policies in our response. We shall continue to do so as the situation unfolds.
18. Some of these measures will surely cause major inconveniences to many citizens. But these are sacrifices we should all be willing and ready to make for the greater good of our country.
19. In Nigeria’s fight against COVID-19, there is no such thing as an overreaction or an under reaction. It is all about the right reaction by the right agencies and trained experts.
20. Accordingly, as a Government, we will continue to rely on guidance of our medical professionals and experts at the Ministry of Health, NCDC and other relevant agencies through this difficult time.
21. I therefore urge all citizens to adhere to their guidelines as they are released from time to time.
22. As we are all aware, Lagos and Abuja have the majority of confirmed cases in Nigeria. Our focus therefore remains to urgently and drastically contain these cases, and to support other states and regions in the best way we can.
23. This is why we provided an initial intervention of fifteen billion Naira (N15b) to support the national response as we fight to contain and control the spread.
24. We also created a Presidential Task Force (PTF) to develop a workable National Response Strategy that is being reviewed on a daily basis as the requirements change. This strategy takes international best practices but adopts them to suit our unique local circumstances.
25. Our goal is to ensure all States have the right support and manpower to respond immediately.
26. So far, in Lagos and Abuja, we have recruited hundreds of ad-hoc staff to man our call centers and support our tracing and testing efforts.
27. I also requested, through the Nigeria Governors Forum, for all State Governments to nominate Doctors and Nurses who will be trained by the NCDC and Lagos State Government on tactical and operational response to the virus in case it spreads to other states.
28. This training will also include medical representatives from our armed forces, paramilitary and security and intelligence agencies.
29. As a nation, our response must be guided, systematic and professional. There is a need for consistency across the nation. All inconsistencies in policy guidelines between Federal and State agencies will be eliminated.
30. As I mentioned earlier, as at this morning we had ninety-seven confirmed cases. Majority of these are in Lagos and Abuja. All the confirmed cases are getting the necessary medical care.
31. Our agencies are currently working hard to identify cases and people these patients have been in contact with.
32. The few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons who have travelled from these centres.
33. We are therefore working to ensure such inter state and intercity movements are restricted to prevent further spread.
34. Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
35. All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.
36. The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.
37. We will use this containment period to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that have come into contact with confirmed cases. We will ensure the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other States.
38. This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution.
39. Furthermore, commercial establishments such as;
a. food processing, distribution and retail companies;
b. petroleum distribution and retail entities,
c. power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and
d. private security companies are also exempted.
40. Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.
41. Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.
42. All seaports in Lagos shall remain operational in accordance with the guidelines I issued earlier. Vehicles and drivers conveying essential cargoes from these Ports to other parts of the country will be screened thoroughly before departure by the Ports Health Authority.
43. Furthermore, all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the country will also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas.
44. Accordingly, the Hon. Minister of Health is hereby directed to redeploy all Port Health Authority employees previously stationed in the Lagos and Abuja Airports to key roads that serve as entry and exit points to these restricted zones.
45. Movements of all passenger aircraft, both commercial and private jets, are hereby suspended. Special permits will be issued on a needs basis.
46. We are fully aware that such measures will cause much hardship and inconvenience to many citizens. But this is a matter of life and death, if we look at the dreadful daily toll of deaths in Italy, France and Spain.
47. However, we must all see this as our national and patriotic duty to control and contain the spread of this virus. I will therefore ask all of us affected by this order to put aside our personal comfort to safeguard ourselves and fellow human beings. This common enemy can only be controlled if we all come together and obey scientific and medical advice.
48. As we remain ready to enforce these measures, we should see this as our individual contribution in the war against COVID-19. Many other countries have taken far stricter measures in a bid to control the spread of the virus with positive results.
49. For residents of satellite and commuter towns and communities around Lagos and Abuja whose livelihoods will surely be affected by some of these restrictive measures, we shall deploy relief materials to ease their pains in the coming weeks.
50. Furthermore, although schools are closed, I have instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to work with State Governments in developing a strategy on how to sustain the school feeding program during this period without compromising our social distancing policies. The Minister will be contacting the affected States and agree on detailed next steps.
51. Furthermore, I have directed that a three month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect.
52. I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all Federal Government funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export Import Bank.
53. For on-lending facilities using capital from international and multilateral development partners, I have directed our development financial institutions to engage these development partners and negotiate concessions to ease the pains of the borrowers.
54. For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our Internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks.
55. We also call on all Nigerians to take personal responsibility to support those who are vulnerable within their communities, helping them with whatever they may need.
56. As we all pray for the best possible outcome, we shall continue planning for all eventualities.
57. This is why I directed that all Federal Government Stadia, Pilgrims camps and other facilities be converted to isolation centers and makeshift hospitals.
58. My fellow Nigerians, as a Government, we will avail all necessary resources to support the response and recovery. We remain committed to do whatever it takes to confront COVID-19 in our country.
59. We are very grateful to see the emerging support of the private sector and individuals to the response as well as our development partners.
60. At this point, I will ask that all contributions and donations be coordinated and centralized to ensure efficient and impactful spending. The Presidential Task Force remains the central coordinating body on the COVID-19 response.
61. I want to assure you all that Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies with a role to play in the outbreak response are working hard to bring this virus under control.
62. Every nation in the world is challenged at this time. But we have seen countries where citizens have come together to reduce the spread of the virus.
63. I will therefore implore you again to strictly comply with the guidelines issued and also do your bit to support Government and the most vulnerable in your communities.
64. I will take this opportunity to thank all our public health workforce, health care workers, port health authorities and other essential staff on the frontlines of the response for their dedication and commitment. You are true heroes.
65. I thank you all for listening. May God continue to bless and protect us all.
President Muhammadu Buhari
29th March 2020.

Nigeria First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has sent a word of sympathy and encouragement to the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai who was tested positive yesterday for the ravaging coronavirus.
In a Tweet today, via her confirmed handle: @aishambuhari, the First Lady wrote: “Gov. Nasir, I am deeply touched by the news of your Covid 19 status. On behalf of my family, I extend our sincere prayers for your quick recovery. I want to assure you that with collective effort, we will overcome it, in Shaa Allah!
“Allah ya bamu lafiya gaba daya.”
The national leader of the ruling All Progresssives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warned that Nigeria’s public health system is not adequate to withstand coronavirus pressures.
“We cannot afford to put undue pressure on our system because it cannot bear the great weight of a pandemic. Thus, it is incumbent on us to thoroughly implement and obey social safety and distancing techniques so that we halt the spread of the disease and keep hospitalization to the barest possible minimum.”
Asiwaju Tinubu, who issued a statement today, March 28 to mark his 68th birthday which comes up tomorrow, March 29, noted that the public health care systems of developed nations have already been overwhelmed by coronavirus.
“They are running out of equipment and healthy doctors. Our public health care system is much smaller and less equipped than those in Europe and North America.”
He said that the only way the virus can be prevented from spreading and putting pressure on the nation’s meagre health facilities is for the people to adhere to health advised given by relevant authorities.
“Places like banks offer needed services such as cash withdrawals. But they should limit the number of customers in the bank at any given time. Supermarkets and grocers should do the same.
“We should continue to postpone sporting events, weddings, and other large gatherings. Funerals, if they must take place, should be attended only by small numbers of family members.”
He said that people should use this moment to teach their children about compassion and the traditional values of care and concern that often get diluted in our rush toward modernity and growth.
“Not only is the coronavirus a health and medical problem, it will bring heavy economic costs. “China and the West face severe economic contractions. Cities are shuttered. Multiple industries have closed. Millions have suddenly been rendered jobless. Supply chains have busted. Economic activity is a fraction of what it was just a month ago. Deep recessions are forecasted. Some experts fear depression now tracks the world down. Governments worldwide are responding by embarking on unprecedented stimulus packages to keep their economies afloat.
“The Chinese are pumping untold trillions into their financial markets and productive economy. The most austere large nation, Germany, casts aside its constitutional prohibition on deficit spending to enact a historic, unprecedented fiscal stimulus package. The free-market Tory government of Boris Johnson has abjured his conservative upbringing if but for this harsh moment. His government is launching a fiscal stimulus unseen in the UK for decades. Likewise, the Bank of England vows to pump as much money into the financial market as is needed to unfreeze it and get it working again.
“The conservative Trump government also abandons its laissez faire ideology in the face of this exigency. Trump wants to give 2 trillion in fiscal stimulus and this will likely be just the first tranche. The Federal Reserve has announced an aggressive monetary policy to bolster the financial sector. This is atop the 2 trillion the Fed already promised.
“In the end, do not be surprised if the US government injects over 5 trillion new dollars into the economy in the months to come. This would represent 25 percent of last year’s GDP for that nation. Moreover, the US economy is also enacting various forms of debt moratoria such as forbearance on rental payments for struggling families and small businesses to taxrelief of various types for companies large and small.
“This is truly an eye opening endeavour based on lessons learned from the 1929 Great Depressionwhen government failed to appropriately act and the 2009 Financial Crisis when governmentsacted in time.
“The lesson learned is that a government has the sovereign power and requisite duty to intervene in the economy in order to stave calamity. To aid in this task, a government has the unlimited ability and again public duty to issue as much of itsown currency as needed to quell shortage and bufferthe populace from hardship.
“We, fortunately, are not at the stage where we need to implement such strongeconomic measures; however, we should be preparing a response for that urgent moment mayfall swiftly upon us.In doing so, we must be guided by the same lessons other nations havefollowed. When it comes to expenditures that can only be made in dollars, we must be extra careful. Dollars now come at a steep premium. However, when it comes to expenditures that can be made in naira, government cannot afford to be bashful or reticent when the need arises.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Nusa Bello has mobilized religious leaders for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable members of the society as the coronavirus threatens to spread further.
The Minister, at a meeting with the leaders of the Christian and Muslim faith today, March 28, said: “religious organisations should be in the forefront for humanitarian activities, particularly if the situation escalates to a point where there is the need for massive support for the poor and the vulnerable members of the society.”
Muhammad Musa Bello said said that the traditional institutions and religious leaders have organized structures that can be used and mobilized towards providing palliatives that will ease the problems of the poorer members of the communities.
He said that as part of resolutions reached during the meeting, religious, traditional and political leaders will galvanize and mobilize individuals of means within the communities “so that we can create a very wide structure of safety net for our poor people”.
“For us to really fight this pandemic, every person has to be disciplined to comply with the regulations of periodic and constant handwashing with soap and water and alternatively, hand sanitizers.”
The minister said that the religious leaders agreed that it was imperative in these uncertain times to intensify prayers for divine intervention in the face of the COVID 19 pandemic.
“We have also agreed that in times like this, prayers are paramount. So, we are appealing to all residents and citizens of the FCT to continue to pray to God Almighty for us to get over this pandemic. The leaders of the two religious groups have assured us that they will use their internal network to encourage individual prayers by their followers wherever they are, based on already established protocol for such prayers by all the religious organisations”
In attendance were the FCT Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Jonah; Chairman, FCT League of Imams Dr. Tajudeen Adigun; former AMAC Chairman, Hon. Zaphaniah Jisalo, other religious leaders as well as senior members of the FCTA management.

Senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu has tested negative to ccoronavirus, even as Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai tested positive.
Malam Garba Shehu, in tweet today, March 28, said that he had to make the result of his coronavirus test public because of several phine calls he had received from friends, well-wishers and other Nigerians across the country.
He wrote: I tink it is only necessary that I ease the fears of my friends and relations with whom I made recent contacts about the coronavirus. Fake media had said all sorts of rubbish about me and the President I work for.
“My test proved negative for the virus. Alhamdu Lillahi! Notwithstanding , I advise everyone that we continue the isolation and work from home.”
This was even as Governor el-Rufai, himself, announced that the test carried out on him turned out positive.
In a statement today, which he also broadcast, the governor said: “earlier this week, I submitted a sample for the Covid-19 test. The result came in this evening, and I regret to say that it is positive.
“According to the protocols for managing Covid-19, I am in self-isolation as required by the case management guidelines of the NCDC for someone that is showing symptoms.
“I wish to appeal to the people of Kaduna State to continue to closely observe the preventive measures already announced.
“It is most important that everybody should do their utmost to stay safe, stay home and stay alive.
“The Deputy Governor is chairing our Covid-19 Taskforce and will continue to issue statements from time to time.”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised an alarm that the global economy has moved into a recession and that developing countries would be more hit.
The boss of the Washington-based lender, Kristalina Georgieva, said today, March 27 that the developing countries would need colossal financial stimulus to resist current ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
“It is clear that we have entered a recession” that will be worse than in 2009 following the global financial crisis, Mrs. Georgieva said during an online media briefing.
She put the estimated financial intervention needed by emerging markets at this time at $2.5 trillion.
Georgieva nevertheless said “we believe this is on the lower end.”
More than 80 nations have approached the IMF for emergency aid.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has made an intervention of $30 million (N11 billion) to help combat the spread of Coronavirus pandemic and its attendant impact on the Nigerian economy.
The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, who announced the intervention initiative today, March 27 in Abuja, said the intervention was done in collaboration with its partners in the oil and gas industry, adding that it is in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to curb coronavirus spread in the country.
Kyari said that the intervention is aimed at supporting the country’s healthcare delivery facilities and would cover three major areas, including provision of medical consumables; deployment of logistics and in-patient support system; and delivery of medical infrastructure.
“The three thematic support initiatives amount to a total of $30 million (N11 billion) and will be delivered in phases, starting today.
“To address the increasing demand of medical services, we are immediately providing medical consumables covering testing kits, medical protective suits and ambulances to the highly impacted areas across the federation.
“This will be followed, in the next few days, with the deployment of ventilators, beds and temporary intensive care facilities across the geopolitical zones of the federation.”
The industry players that partnered with the NNPC to make the intervention possible include the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Pilar Oil Limited, Platform Petroleum Limited, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc and Shoreline Natural Resources.
Others are Suntrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited, Vertex Energy Limited, Waltersmith Petroleum Oil Limited and Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Limited among others.