The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced the closure of its offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun States following the Federal Government’s announcement of a lockdown in the three States.
The bank, in a statement today, March 30, confessed that Nigeria might be entering a period of uncertainty, but that it would continue to its customers it’s priority “and we commit to providing reliable and convenient services to you always.
“We are working around the clock to ensure that we meet all your financial needs in this rapidly changing situation. Here’s an update on our plans:
1. Branch Availability
Our bank branches in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun State will not be open, but our ATMs and Digital Banking Channels will be available 24/7. Branches in other parts of Nigeria will run skeletal services at usual working hours.
Staff in branches have been provided with masks and gloves, and security officers have been mandated to enforce the use of alcohol-based sanitizers by all customers before granting entry to our branches. Please co-operate with them.
We’re limiting the number of customers in our branches at a time to ensure we practice social distancing as we serve you.
As conditions evolve, branch locations and opening hours will adjust accordingly.
2. You can bank anywhere. Literally!
We encourage you to use our digital channels during this period for all your banking needs.
You can bank conveniently from home using Leo, *919#, Mobile App or Internet Banking – pay bills, check account balances, transfer money, buy airtime and more.
These are difficult times and fraudsters are on the lookout for ways to take advantage of this crisis.
We’ve heard cases of scammers posing as COVID-19 relief officers calling customers to ask for their bank details. Please stay alert. Don’t fall victim to scammers.
Remember, UBA will NEVER ask you for your personal information over the phone, via email or by SMS. Please do not share your bank details with anyone.
If you have a suspicion or need clarification, please contact our Customer Fulfilment Centre immediately.
We would like to let you know once again that #WeAreInThisTogether and we will continue to keep you updated on any new development.
If you have any enquiries, please call our 24hour Customer Fulfilment Centre on +234 1 280 8822, +234 700 2255 822 or send an email to cfc@ubagroup.com.
The American University of Nigeria has announced a switch to the online mode of instruction for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.
This was announced in a statement today, March 30, by the institution’s spoke person, Daniel Okereke.
He said that the online instruction which began today, March 30, is being adopted after the Governing Council had approved full compliance with the Federal Government of Nigeria’s directive to all tertiary institutions to close down as a precautionary measure against further spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Okereke quoted the Vice President of University Relations, Dr. Abubakar Abba Tahir, as saying that the program will end on April 17, 2020.
“This is a familiar measure deploying AUN’s vast technological resources and support infrastructure toward ensuring that the remaining weeks of the semester are concluded within reason while meeting the remaining learning outcomes of the courses our students are enrolled in”, Dr. Tahir said.
While announcing the closure of the campus on March 20, AUN’s President (Vice-Chancellor), Dr. Dawn Dekle assured departing students and their parents of continuity in their studies despite the shutdown as the University prepared to switch to online delivery modes which students and faculty (lecturers) are already familiar with.
“I am proud of how our AUN learning community is adjusting to the COVID-19 health crisis. We have transitioned to alternative learning platforms quickly, allowing us to continue our Spring 2020 semester with as little disruption to the academic calendar as possible, said Dr. Dekle, while adding that ”Our capacity for swift and successful deployment of AUN’s massive tools and techniques of technology within such short notice, is unprecedented in the region.”
In preparation for a seamless transition to online course delivery systems, the Office of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance (APQA), in collaboration with the Office of Technology Support (OTS), organized refresher sessions on the use of online course delivery systems for faculty and staff.
Participants were drawn from the Schools of Information Technology & Computing, Business & Entrepreneurship, Arts & Sciences, Law, and Engineering.
Also, to ensure that the online model of instruction comes closer to the lively, interactive classroom experience which is a uniqueness of AUN’s American-style liberal arts system, students have been assigned a Mentor/Learning Support Advisors who will facilitate additional support and interfaces with instructors and support staff elsewhere.
The University library has granted the undergraduate and post-graduate students unimpeded access to scholarly e-books and e-journal articles they may require for their courses and research.
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has confirmed that a coronavirus test carried out on him had turned out to be positive. This is even as a 71 year old Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) bishop, the head of Valjevo eparchy, Milutin Knezevic, was confirmed dead of the virus a few hours after conducting service.
Governor Makinde, in a tweet today, March 30, said that he would henceforth self isolate until his condition becomes stable.
And the church in Serbian said today, March 30 said: “Bishop Milutin was infected by the coronavirus while serving as a shepherd in his eparchy and among his people.
The infections and the death of 71-year-old Knezevic follow public outrage over practices, including the kissing of shrines and even using a single spoon in the communion, which had been banned under emergency regulations but which some clergymen had not foregone.
After Serbia declared a state of emergency on March 15, several videos emerged of people taking communion from a single spoon and goblet.
“It is senseless and extremely malicious of all those who neither go to church nor take communion to expect the church to deprive its faithful of what is the most important to them,” the SPC said.
One of the discharged coronavirus patients in Lagos has called on Nigerians not to panic as there are hopes that the virus can be defeated.
The patient, who spoke to newsmen shortly after he and four others were certified healthy to be discharged from the isolation center, said “I came in here on the 15th and after the test showed positive, I was asked to come back the next day. So I was admitted here.
“Initially, there were hitches but it later turned out fine. The health workers did fine, all our challenges were attended to. I’m a living witness together with my other colleagues.”
He gave an impressive hope, saying people should not panic as the virus could be defeated.
“We can beat it. I want to assure others that this is not their resting place. Encourage yourselves, take your medications and in no distant time, you will get out of here.
“I want to appeal to the federal government and Lagos State government that they should remunerate all those workers who have volunteered to work accordingly, so as to serve as encouragement to others, adding: “If they are not here as first responders, many would have died.”
Another patient said: “I was admitted last Sunday. Initially there were challenges, the following day, they brought bed, mask and some equipment.
“Apart from what my colleague said, the workers should be insured. Proper insurance will let people do what they have to do.”
He narrated a scenario where the workers could not attend to him because he tested positive, saying “they went back and I slept of. I woke up around 3 a.m. So they deserve life insurance to encourage them to do their job
So far, eight coronavirus have to-date being the discharged from the Lagos isolation centre.
The Chief Medical Doctor of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, has tested positive for coronavirus.
Prof Otegbayo disclosed this in a message today, March 29, which he personally signed.
The Statement reads: “On Monday 23rd March, we commenced a 12man quarterly board meeting which was meant to last 5 days in the hospital, we observed social distancing and other precautionary measures for covid-19 as much as possible.
“However, on Wednesday morning, one of us presented with what appeared to be symptoms of covid-19, his samples were immediately taken for test and the meeting called off.
“His results returned positive on Friday morning and every participant (including me) immediately went into self-isolation while our samples were also taken for test.
“Unfortunately, my result returned positive on Saturday afternoon and I remain in isolation as I am not symptomatic. All staff who have been in contact with me and other participants during this period have been advised to immediately proceed on self-isolation pending the time they get tested.
“Covid-19 is spreading faster than we think and I enjoin everyone to take precautions. If one person has it, then a gathering of two becomes dangerous. Stay at home, avoid unnecessary outing and stay safe.”
Otegbayo had recently written an open letter to “well-meaning groups and associations” appealing for funds to enable UCH upscale its isolation centre in response to the wide-spreading coronavirus disease.
President Buhari addresses the nation on Covid-19 outbreak, 29th March, 2020
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.
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!
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.”
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The United Bank for Africa (UBA) has announced the closure of its offices in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun States following the Federal Government’s announcement of a lockdown in the three States.
The American University of Nigeria has announced a switch to the online mode of instruction for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.
One of the discharged coronavirus patients in Lagos has called on Nigerians not to panic as there are hopes that the virus can be defeated.
The Chief Medical Doctor of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Professor Jesse Otegbayo, has tested positive for coronavirus.
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.
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.
