Coronavirus: Nigeria’s First Lady Shuts Her Office, Quarantines Her Daughter Just Arriving From UK

March 19, 2020

The Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has announced the closure of her office and self-imposed stay-at-home by her daughter that returned from the UK today, March 19.

In a statement today, Aisha Buhari said: “I have shut down my office for two weeks with immediate effect while essential staff can work from home as a result of some Staff who recently returned from the UK.”

She said that earlier today, her daughter (whose name she did not mention), returned from the UK being among the high Burden listed countries of COVID-19.

“Based on the advice of the Hon. Minister Of Health , Presidential Task force on COVID – 19 and that of NCDC, She is on Self Isolation, not because she displayed any symptoms of the Covid-19.”

Aisha Buhari called on all parents to do the same if possible as prevention is better than cure .

She commended the North Western Governors, including Niger and Kwara on preventive measures taken to curb the spread of COVID-19 at their security meeting yesterday in Kaduna.

“Let’s keep following the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, which encourages maintaining social distancing, high hygiene culture through regular washing of hands with soaps and sanitizers.

“Let’s adopt preventive measures and ensure the safety of our families and that of General public.

“We will overcome the Covid-19 pandemic if we all take the necessary precautions at the same time !

“God bless you all.”

Coronavirus: Pastor Adeboye Cancels Church Services, Senate Stops Public Hearing, 4 More Victims Uncovered

Editorial staff

March 19, 2020

Coronavirus panic is spreading across Nigeria as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye cancelled church services, beginning from this Sunday even as the Senate stopped all public hearings, just as four more people have been confirmed positive to the virus.

Pastor Adeboye’s announcement of the cancellation of church services was passed to Pastors of the Church by the Assistant General Overseer in charge of Admin and Personnel, Pastor J.F. Odesola.

A memo issued today, March 19, dated March 18, 2020, said that the programme scheduled for Sunday, March 22, which has now been cancelled is with the theme: “Emerge.”

The memo explained that any Parish that has less than 50 members could go ahead with the service in the auditorium, but anyone with more than 50 should split into home fellowships for the purpose.

It said any parish that has the facility to run more than one service can do so, adding that officials of the church can be sent to such centres outside the church for statistics purposes.

It then advised members to hook onto Dove Television for live broadcasts from Pastor Adeboye.

The internal memo said: “Kindly be informed that this arrangement shall be in operation for the next few weeks, based on the position of the government.”

Also the Senate resolved today, March 19, to stop all public hearings and excursions to its building till further notice over the outbreak of Coronavirus.

The Senate decision came 24 hours after the House of Representatives resolved to ban visitors from the its building over the same issue.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan announced the stoppage of public hearings and closure of the Senate Gallery to visitors after a closed door session, which lasted for over one hour.

“Senate resolves to suspend all public hearings till further notice as a result of the Coronavirus and the Senate gallery will remain closed to the public till further notice, including excursions from schools and other organisations, from Tuesday, 24th March, 2020.”

Meanwhile, Lagos state government today, March 19, announced four new cases of coronavirus codenamed Covid-19 bringing the total number of positive cases in Nigeria to 12.

The commissioner for health, Prof Akin Abayomi, made the announcement at a press briefing in Lagos, saying that the four tests turned positive out of the 19 suspected cases and contacts of the five cases announced on Wednesday.

The ministry is currently tracking over 1,300 people suspected to be infected.

“What we have is a combination of imported cases and local transmission,” Prof Abayomi said.

Coronavirus Threatens 25 Million Jobs, ILO Fears; Advocates Coordinated Policy Response

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has expressed fear that the economic and labour crisis created by the Coronavirus pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million, even as it advocated what it called “internationally coordinated policy response” to address the challenge.

In a statement today, Mach 18 after a new assessment, ILO said that similar measure was taken in the global financial crisis of 2008/9, adding that with such measure: “the impact on global unemployment could be significantly lower.
The Labour body called for urgent, large-scale and coordinated measures across three pillars: protecting workers in the workplace, stimulating the economy and employment, and supporting jobs and incomes.
These measures, it said, include extending social protection, supporting employment retention (i.e. short-time work, paid leave, other subsidies), and financial and tax relief, including for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

“In addition, the note proposes fiscal and monetary policy measures, and lending and financial support for specific economic sectors.
“Based on different scenarios for the impact of COVID-19 on global GDP growth, the ILO estimates indicate a rise in global unemployment of between 5.3 million (“low” scenario) and 24.7 million (“high” scenario) from a base level of 188 million in 2019. By comparison, the 2008-9 global financial crisis increased global unemployment by 22 million.
“Underemployment is also expected to increase on a large scale, as the economic consequences of the virus outbreak translate into reductions in working hours and wages. Self-employment in developing countries, which often serves to cushion the impact of changes, may not do so this time because of restrictions on the movement of people (e.g. service providers) and goods.
“Falls in employment also mean large income losses for workers. The study estimates these as being between USD 860 billion and USD 3.4 trillion by the end of 2020. This will translate into falls in consumption of goods and services, in turn affecting the prospects for businesses and economies.
“Working poverty is expected to increase significantly too, as “the strain on incomes resulting from the decline in economic activity will devastate workers close to or below the poverty line”. The ILO estimates that between 8.8 and 35 million additional people will be in working poverty worldwide, compared to the original estimate for 2020 (which projected a decline of 14 million worldwide).
“This is no longer only a global health crisis, it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people,” said ILO Director-General Guy Ryder. “In 2008, the world presented a united front to address the consequences of the global financial crisis, and the worst was averted. We need that kind of leadership and resolve now.”

Fall In Oil Price: Nigeria Makes Budget Cut Of 20% On Capital Expenditure, Others

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the ministry of finance to cut down the capital expenditure budgeted by 20 percent across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The President also approved a 25 percent cut on all government owned enterprises, including the ones that are in the 2020 national budget and the ones that are not included in the budget.

The minister of Finance, Budget and National planning, Hajiya Zainab Shamsunna Ahmed, who briefed news men today, March 18, shortly after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Buhari, said that by this measure, “we expect that the operating surpluses that will accrue to the federation will increase because when their operational expenditure reduces, the operating surpluses that they remit to the treasury will also increase significantly.”

She said that the other policy matters that have been discussed for implementation is for the administration to stop recruitment, except for essential services, such as security and health services and to also restore and comply by the Civil Service Retirement Regulations.

“We have been asked also to review the modalities for the implementation of the social investment programme and finally to review the non-essential tax waivers that we are implementing right now to cut down on our tax expenditure so that we can realize more revenue.

“These measures mean that we are going to re-engage with the National Assembly and we will be doing that shortly, may be from today or tomorrow, to revise the EMTEF as well as to revise the 2020 Budget.”

Zainab Ahmed said that the ministries had earlier presented the fourth quarter GDP report to the Council, adding that as at 2019 Q4, the GDP was 2.55% and full year was 2.27%, but that since then, because of the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a run on the crude oil price, “we had to step back and make an assessment of the impact of this pandemic as well as the impact of the crude oil price decline on the Nigerian economy.

“We have: myself, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the CBN Governor, have had cause to brief this group twice on the assignment that was given to us by His Excellency the President.

“I’m pleased to report that just yesterday, His Excellency has approved a number of measures for us to implement. These measures include the introduction of PMS price modulation mechanism. “The reason being that at the low crude oil price of $30 to $32 per barrel, there’s no under-recovery. The under-recovery is right now zero. In fact, we are at an over-recovery stage, meaning the PMS price will be reduced to reflect the reduced price of the crude oil in the international market.

“Mr. President also approved that we should cut down on the size of the federally funded upstream projects of the petroleum sector. The reason being that we want to be able to get more revenue, by less reduction from NNPC. The reduction of the crude oil price from the $57 per barrel that we budgeted to $30 means that we are going to get so much less revenue, almost 45% less than we planned and because of that, we have to amend a lot of projections in the budget as well as in EMTEF to reflect our current realities.

“The President also agreed that we should do a scenario to reflect what the actual position will be with a $30 crude oil price, that is we were to anticipate what will be the worst case scenario and we have worked on that scenario and this scenario necessitates that quite a number of expenditures needed to be cut down, even as we review how we can enhance revenues that are not directly affected by the crude oil price decline.

“So we are looking at enhancing production to make sure that at the minimum the 2.18 million barrels that is in the budget as production volume is realised and NNPC has directives to that effect.

“We also need to adjust Customs revenue, which has been budgeted for at N1.5 trillion, but we are adjusting it downwards because we anticipate that trade volumes will reduce and once trade volumes reduce, Customs revenue will be significantly impacted as a result.

“We also have approvals to reduce the projected revenue from privatisation proceeds by as much as 50% because, again, with the slow down in economic activities, we are anticipating that the sale of independent power plants might not be fully realized as planned for in the budget.”

Why Abuja Students Are Excelling, Board Chairman Hints

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secondary Education Board (SEB), Alhaji Yahaya Musa Muhammad, has said that students in the capital city have lately been excelling in their academic works because the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello has provided the enabling environment.

Speaking today, March 18 at a reception for winners of the 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award (774 YONSPA 2020), Yahaya Musa said: “if you go to most of our schools, you will see series of renovations, expansions, rehabilitation of laboratories, renovation of hostels and construction of new blocks of classroom.

“So, the enabling environment is being created to ensure that the students have conducive learning environment which is giving us the result we are seeing today”.

The 774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award was organized by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Master Aimofumhe Eshiobomhe Sigmus, who won second place, represented FCT at the National Final competition of 774 YONSPA 2020 held in Abuja between 1^st and 3^rd of March, 2020. He is a student of the FCT School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada.

In a brief ceremony witnessed by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu and other top officials in the Education Secretariat, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello commended the student and teachers of the school for doing the FCT proud.

He said the cash gift was a token for Master Sigmus to express the appreciation of the FCTA for a wonderful outing.

Coronavirus: CBN Offers N100 Billion On Health Sector, Injects N1 Trillion On Economy

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced its decision to increase its intervention in boosting local manufacturing and import substitution by another N1trillion across all critical sectors of the economy.

The apex bank also offers to N100 billion in loan in 2020, to support the health authorities to ensure laboratories, researchers and innovators work with global scientists to patent and or produce vaccines and test kits In Nigeria to prepare for any major crises ahead

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who made these known today in Abuja, said that the management of the CBN will meet with the Bankers’ Committee on Saturday, March 21, 2020, to work out the modalities.

Emefiele said that an Implementation Committee that will action the private sector contribution of N1.5 trillion Infrastructure funding that will link farming communities to markets as agreed at the recently concluded “Going for Growth” Roundtable last week will be set-up next week.

Given the plunge in the price of oil, which dropped to $25 per barrel on Wednesday with its attendant low accretion to oil revenue, the CBN Governor directed all Deposit Money Banks to increase their support to the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries to enhance local drug manufacturing, increased bed count in hospitals across Nigeria, in funding intensive care as well as in training, laboratory testing, equipment and Research &Development.

In addition to the N50 billion soft loans to small businesses announced on Monday, March 16, Emefiele said that the CBN would also increase its intervention by another N100 billion in loan in 2020, to support the health authorities to ensure laboratories, researchers and innovators work with global scientists to patent and or produce vaccines and test kits In Nigeria to prepare for any major crises ahead.

According to him, the Bank will release details of how the unveiled facilities would be accessed and released, adding that the CBN had also set-up the Financial Markets Situation Room to monitor global markets and advise the Bank on adequate response.

Thre CBN boss advised all Deposit Money Banks and other regulated entities in the banking industry to trigger their business continuity plans to ensure that their staff and families are protected, and their operations remain largely undisrupted.

He called on the banks to adhere strictly to the directives, advice, and notices from the Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control and other relevant government agencies on national response measures to COVID-19.

As a way of checking possible spread of the virus, he urged the institutions to ensure regular and appropriate sanitization of their premises and make available in all their locations adequate sanitization materials and also to discourage large gatherings of staff and customers.

He promised that the CBN will continue to monitor all developments on the COVID – 19 infection and design appropriate Monetary response to protect the people and economy of Nigeria, even as he advised Nigerians to take advantage of turning what appeared to be an adversity in the pandemic into an opportunity.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Lagos Bans Religious Gathering

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

As part of measures to contain the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak, the Lagos State Government has banned all religious gathering of over 50 worshipers within the state.

The decision, according to a statement today, March 18, was taken after a meeting of the Lagos State Government with religious bodies in the state, which included the Christian Association of Nigeria and Muslim leaders.

The Commissioner of Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said the meeting agreed that “all large religious gathering of over 50 people should be suspended immediately.”He said the suspension would last for four weeks with a necessary review carried out if need be.

He said that a committee had been set up to monitor the enforcement of the suspension to ensure that both Muslims and Christians in the state abide by the decision.

The 15-member committee comprises representatives of Muslims and Christians in the State.

The Commissioner said that the meeting agreed that the state government should embark on massive sensitization of people at the grassroots on the need to embrace proper hygiene.

The State Commissioner of Information, Gbenga Omotosho, had earlier at a briefing said the advice to put religious gathering on hold in the interest of the public.

The Chairman of CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, said, “We are at a critical moment in Nigeria, since we heard this, we have been praying. We have listened carefully to one another, particularly the government. The responsibility of every government is to protect the lives of the people.

“We must be proactive and take preventive measures. It is no longer the issue of religion but survival. We are going to accelerate the education of our people. We must listen to the instruction of the government and take the instruction seriously. We agree with the action of the government.”

NNPC Reduces Pump Price Of Fuel From N145 To N125 Per Litre

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the reduction of fuel price per litre from N145 to N125.

In a statement today, March 18, the Group Managing Director of Corporation, Mele K. Kyari said: “all NNPC Retail stations nationwide have been directed to change the retail pump price to N125/litre.”

He said that the reduction in price is in compliance with the directives of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on PMS pricing.

Mele Kyari explained that following the directive, the Corporation had reviewed its Ex-coastal, Ex-depot and NNPC Retail pump prices accordingly.

“Effective 19th March 2020, NNPC Ex-Coastal price for PMS has been reviewed downwards from N117.6/litre to N99.44/litre while Ex-Depot price is reduced from N133.28/litre to N113.28/litre.

“These reductions will therefore translate to N125/litre retail pump price.

“Despite the obvious cost implication of this immediate adjustment to the Corporation, NNPC is delighted to effect this massive reduction of N20/litre for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Coronavirus: House Of Reps Shuts Doors On Visitors

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

File photo: Security men stand guard at the parliament gate in Abuja, Nigeria. (AP)

The House of Representatives has resolved to temporarily ban visitors from the legislative complex to check the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria.

The House said that only members, aides and staff will be allowed into the National Assembly complex.

Experts Lament Inadequate Test Machine In Nigeria To Fight Against Tuberculosis

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

Photo credit: *Lanre Oloyede/Palma Ileye*

Experts have expressed dissatisfaction with the inadequacy of the GeneXpert test machine required for accurate and effective detection and diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Nigeria.

The GeneXpert test machine is the latest technology designed and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), for accurate and timely Tuberculosis test.

According to the experts, early detection and accurate diagnosis is essential to winning the battle against the disease which is regarded as the world’s deadliest infectious killer.

Report has it that Tuberculosis kills nearly 3,975 people daily while Nigeria is ranked sixth among the 30 high TB burden countries and first in Africa with 18 Nigerians dying every hour due to TB.

The experts gave this indication at a Pre-World TB Day media conference organized to intimate stakeholders and members of the public with the activities planned to mark this year’s World TB Day 2020 which will come up on the 24th of March 2020.

National Coordinator, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) Dr. Adebola Lawanson, who gave an overview of the TB situation in Nigeria, said that out of the 398 pieces of the test machine available in the country, only two were procured by the government while the rest were procured by donor agencies and international partners.

Dr. Lawanson stressed that this was inadequate if Nigeria was to effectively combat the scourge of Tuberculosis, adding that the country require to have at least one of the test machine in each of the 774 local government areas, which means there is still a shortfall of 376 pieces of the test equipment required to start with.

Other experts who spoke at the conference also complained of inadequate funding by the federal government to fight the scourge, saying of the 278 million dollars needed for TB control in Nigeria in the year 2019, only 40 percent was available to all the implementers of TB control activities (8% domestic and 32% donor funds, leaving a 60 percent funding gap.

In his remark, Chairman House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Hon. Sarki Dahiru, promised the cooperation and support of the national assembly to TB control in the country, saying the house will work with relevant agencies of government to ensure easy passage of budget for TB control as well as ensure 90 percent fund release by the budget office.

Hon. Dahiru added that he will encourage each of the 360 members of the Federal House of Representatives to procure at least one GeneXpert test machine for their constituencies in order to bridge the shortfall currently being experienced in the availability of the test machine.

The World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is marked every march 24 to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic impact of TB and urge acceleration of efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “It’s Time To End Tb In Nigeria, with the slogan, “ Check that cough, time no dey!”

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