Buhari Approves Release Of N10 Billion To Lagos, N5 Billion To NCDC On Coronavirus

March 26, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N10 billion to the Lagos State government to enable it combat and contain the spread of the Coronavirus. The presidential approval came today, March 26, barely two days after the State government made the request.

The President also approved and ensured the prompt release of N5 billion special intervention requested by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip and expand their facilities and laboratories.
In a statement today, senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the President has given approval to NCDC’s request for an aircraft from the Presidential Air Fleet for emergency situations.
“He has furthermore authorized the evacuation of three critical members of the NCDC team who are stuck in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo where they went for a training organsied by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“These measures are in addition to the ones approved and announced by the Presidential Task Force, PTF including the closure of land borders to human traffic for four weeks; the conversion of all Hajj transit camps to be utilized as COVID-19 isolation centers; the directive that all non-essential government employees to work from home and for a daily briefing of the nation through the PTF.
“Other approved measures already put into place include the ban of flights from and into the country, suspension of the Federal Executive Council and National Council of State meetings and a directive for engagements, at the highest levels between the Federal Government and the state governments.”
The statement said that President Buhari has also directed for the escalation of the nation’s capacity for testing and detection with the acquisition of testing kits and establishment of additional test centers; acquisition of Personnel Protection Equipment and the mobilization of experts and trained staff serving and recall of some of those retired.
“The closure of schools and tertiary institutions and the suspension of religious and other gatherings above the fifty prescribed number are also parts of the measures approved and are in place.”

The President is keeping a close eye on international developments on the spread of COVID-19 and will intensify or introduce new measures if they become necessary to protect Nigerians.

Buhari To Nigerians: I’m Proud Of You For Uniting To Fight Coronavirus Spread

Editorial staff

March 26, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has praised Nigerians for the unity of purpose they have so far displayed in the fight against the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

He referred particularly to the willingness of the citizens for self-isolation, social distancing, and contributions of public spirited individuals and institutions who consistently mobilize resources to supplement efforts of Federal and State governments.
A statement today, March 26 by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu quoted the President as extolling State Governments, religious bodies, health workers, Federal Government agencies, including security outfits, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for rising to the occasion to protect the country and its citizens.
The President who gave assurance that the government will remain steadfast in deploying more resources to lessen the burden of the pandemic, called for more compliance with regulations and restrictions on movement and gatherings for the safety of all citizens.
President Buhari reassured that government directives will not affect production and distribution of food, medications, medical equipment and other essentials as the nation wades through the global health challenge, which already portends dire economic strains.
He directed all relevant agencies and regulators to provide enabling environment for industries to sustain their operations by ensuring reasonable access to industrial supplies and inputs like water, fuel, gas and essential infrastructure and relaxing of stringent laws.
He also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks for the interventions to make forex and credit more accessible to those on the manufacturing line.
The President gave bassurances of firm support for the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria by proactively addressing the potential impact of the pandemic on the Nigerian economy, even as he requested that all necessary measures be put in place to protect and promote the health and safety of industrial workers.
Buhari called on all leaders across the country, including religious and traditional leaders, to further support the Federal and State governments in the ongoing sensitization programmes on the need to stay at home and keep a safe distance in the public, and to dissuade citizens from panic buying and rumour mongering.
The President said that the collective effort of all Nigerians will make a historic difference in checking the spread of coronavirus, rehabilitating those already affected and keeping citizens alive.

President Buhari Writes To Nigerians

Greenbarge Reporters

March 26, 2020

My dear country men and women,

Over the last few days I have received extensive briefings on the state of the nation as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic, from the relevant Federal Government agencies as well as the Lagos State Government.
Accordingly, I approved the following:
The immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, which remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. This grant will enable Lagos State increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity building.
The immediate release of a 5 billion Naira special intervention fund to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.
The Nigerian Air Force is already making its fleet available to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, to enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country.
To protect our homeland from external exposure, I directed the immediate closure of our International Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance, to enable us put up the appropriate policies, processes and infrastructure to cope with suspected and confirmed cases at home, without risking a compounding of the situation with more imported cases.
The inconvenience caused by these flight and travel restrictions to our fellow citizens abroad who want to return home is regrettable, but it is necessary for the greater good, and I thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.
I have also directed that only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days be allowed to dock in our ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities. This 14-day restriction however does not apply to vessels carrying oil and gas products as by their nature, there is minimal human contact.
We have also suspended the movement of commuter trains to limit the spread of the virus to other parts of the country.
I have directed the NCDC to draft all its recent retirees back into service to beef up our manpower as we respond to the pandemic.
Furthermore, all NCDC staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments are to return immediately. Already the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are conducting an evacuation mission to bring back some of our specialists in Central Africa, to enable them support the national response.
I commend the monetary policy authorities for their financial intervention to support our entrepreneurs and companies as we go through this difficult time. We are also looking at fiscal measures to minimise the negative impact of this pandemic on the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.
As you are aware we have begun the process of reviewing the federal budget. We shall communicate our fiscal interventions once the budget review process is concluded.

In the meantime, I have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, to ensure that all production of essential items such as food, medical and pharmaceutical products continues unhindered.
We are engaging our international friends and partners to share knowledge and to seek their support in our response to the pandemic. We are grateful for the show of support thus far – we have already started receiving goods and supplies intended to help us scale up our efforts.
Let me specially thank and commend all of the hard and heroic work being done by our medical personnel, the NCDC, Port Health Authorities, Security Agencies, State Governments, and all ad-hoc staff and volunteers.
I urge all Nigerians to be mindful of those among us who seek to spread panic and misinformation, and sow confusion at this time. We must all pay attention only to the relevant government agencies working day and night to make accurate and useful information available to the public.
I will also ask all of us to strictly obey all public health guidelines and instructions issued by the Federal and State health authorities, regarding personal hygiene and social distancing. These guidelines will be updated from time to time as new information and treatments are obtained.
In the meantime, I want to assure all Nigerians, that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting all Nigerians. We seek your full support and cooperation as we go through this very difficult time. Together we will triumph over this pandemic.

President Muhammadu Buhari
26/03/2020

News About Buhari Coughing After Coronavirus Test Was Fake – Information Minister

Editorial staff

March 26, 2020

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that the news making the rounds in social media that President Muhammadu Buhari was coughing after being tested negative Coronavirus was fake.

Speaking today, March 26 at a press briefing, Lai Mohammed said that the President is physically fit, strong and fully in charge of the country.
“Mr. President is well and fully in charge of the country.
”Some have alleged that the President is coughing, it is fake news.”
He announced that he had tested negative for the virus after he sent his blood samples for testing on Wednesday, adding that all members of the Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus have all tested negative too.

Coronavirus: Fundamental Failure Of Nigerian Leaders, By Abdulhamid Babatunde

Editorial staff

March 26, 2020

Permit me to point out what I regard as a fundamental failure of leadership in government which is most critically prevalent at state and federal levels for decades.

When environmental issues took the centre stage across the world, it was decided to prioritise Environmental Impact Assessment in approval considerations for various major government and private projects.

Over the years, it has become obvious that governments pay little or no attention to the more important issue of Human Impact Assessment on which I have editorialized in the past.

In Kaduna, we can see this failure in the ongoing urban upgrade projects which put the focus on infrastructure at the expense of survival of people impacted adversely by the projects.

Now, in the efforts to check the spread of the coronavirus, we are seeing drastic lockdown and stay at home regulations which practically deny the majority of people a means of daily livelihood on which they depend but make no reference or effort to acknowledge and redress this.

Yet, the leaders luxuriate on the “mandate” of the people with impunity. The commoners even celebrate the fact that coronavirus has equalised the health inequities by foreclosing foreign medical treatment and forcing the top shots to survive or perish in makeshift isolation sites, sharing the appalling lack of basic facilities with our notorious “consulting clinics.”

Can government not even consider commissioning bakeries to produce and distribute bread in the ghettos? Can governors not show concern by giving their locked down citizens the IDP humanitarian reliefs?

When we clear our cities of the struggling roadside traders, can they not be absorbed into the labour force of the contractors or otherwise deployed to earn something to subsidize the suffering?

When government callously scoops pension funds to beef up its budget, is it unaware of hundreds of unpaid pensioners waiting in vain for verification?

How does it feel to consciously prevent people from seeking daily bread and caring less about their survival?

Death by starvation cannot be a humane substitute for death by coronavirus unless it is part of the evil scheme to rid the world of the poor so that the rich can thrive!

God dey, na poor man prayer.

Leaders need to put humanity above authority or they will continue to pay the price that the Altimate Authority imposes to equalize inequities, created by heartless leaders.

Human Impact Assessment is non-negotiable.

Babatunde, one time chairman of the Editorial Board of defunct New Nigerian Newspapers, wrote from Kaduna.

UBA Donates N5 Billion For Coronavirus Relief Support Across Africa

Editorial staff

March 26, 2020

United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced a donation of over 5 billion Naira (USD14 million), through the UBA Foundation, to catalyse a comprehensive pan-African response to the fight against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic.

The donation, according to the bank, will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries, by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to governments.

In the statement today, March 26, the bank said the support programme will be allocated as follows:

N1 billion (USD2.8 million) to Lagos State Government in Nigeria.

N500 million (USD1.4 million) to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

N1 billion (USD2.8 million) to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria.

N1.5 billion (USD4.2 million) to UBA’s presence countries in Africa.

N1 billion (USD2.8 million) for Medical Centres with equipment and supplies Free Telemedicine Call Centre facility.

The pan-African bank said that it will fund a medical centre immediately in Lagos, Nigeria, with beds for isolation and ICU facilities, managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.

In addition, UBA is providing a free telemedicine platform, that is physician-led, to provide direct access to medical advice to citizens, in compliance with social distancing requirements.

UBA Group Chairman Tony O. Elumelu, was quoted in the statement as saying: “this is a time when we must all play our part. This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly. As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the Coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various governments, in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.

“We commend the efforts of governments and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective effort, that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”

Operating in 20 African countries and globally in the United Kingdom, the United States and France, the United Bank for Africa has a strong record of supporting its communities, through challenging times.

Dangote, Access Bank Boss Plan Private Hospitals For Coronavirus Testing, Isolation, Others

Editorial staff

March 25, 2020

President of Dangote Group, Alhji Aliko Dangote and Managing Director of Access Bank Group, Herbert Wigwe, have announced that they are currently spearheading a coalition of private sector organizations to support governments’ ongoing efforts at tackling the coronavirus menace.

“The coalition is working with Lagos State Government to erect fully-equipped medical tents (hospitals) that will serve as training, testing, isolation and treatment centres. We are also providing an additional facility on Victoria Island, Lagos.

“In addition, we will be bringing in experts from around the world to provide technical and training support.

In a statement today, March 25, Dangote said that work had begun to ensure that the facilities are completed in good time to serve the growing need of the population.

He said that the initiative, which is called the Coalition Against Coronavirus, “will enhance the erection of fully-equipped medical tents to house patients and serve as training, testing, isolation and treatment centres.

“COVID-19 affects us all and threatens our collective health – economic, social, psychological and physical wellbeing; hence, the urgent need to work together to beat this common enemy.

“The task ahead is daunting and bigger than any one organisation. To win this battle, it is critical we all come together as one.”

COCAVID, led by Dangote Industries Ltd and Access Bank Group in collaboration with Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, MTN, ITB and others, “is tasked with mobilising the private sector through leadership and resources in creating public awareness, and directing support for private and public healthcare institutions”

Source: NAN.

We Won’t Shut Down Because Of Coronavirus, CBN Assures Stakeholders

Editorial staff

March 25, 2020

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured stakeholders that irrespective of the situation, including lockdown of the country, against the backdrop of coronavirus outbreak, it will not close shop.

It said that as a responsible public institution and regulator, “we have triggered our business continuity plans to ensure that the Bank’s operations remain largely undisrupted at this present time when social distancing has become key to checking further spread of the virus. We have also directed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions to do same.”

In a statement today, March 25, the apex bank said that the welfare and safety of its staff and their families, and all Nigerians, remain top priority to it.

“Consequently, with effect from Wednesday, March 25, 2020, till further notice, only essential staff of the CBN Head Office and the 37 Branches of the Bank will be expected to report for duty daily. In other words, our staff in non-critical roles have been directed to stay at home and work remotely, when their services are required.

“We have also directed all our staff to follow stipulated guidelines by the Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other relevant health agencies of government to curb possible spread of the virus in Nigeria.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN, in line with its mandate of ensuring monetary and price stability, will remain open for business during these trying times.”

Atiku Advocates N10,000 As Palliative For Each Nigerian Household Donates N50 Million

Editorial staff

March 25, 2020

Former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has advocated N10,000 as palliative for each household to cushion the effect of stay-at-home policy in this era of coronavirus pandemic. This was even as he announced donation by Priam Group on his behalf to a relief Fund that will form part of the stimulus package.

“At an approximate 30 million households or thereabouts, government should devise modalities to distribute N10,000 as supplement for food stuff to each household, among other palliative measures, with no one left behind.”

In a statement today, March 25, Atiku, who was also the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 elections, said that much of the Nigerian public have a subsistence existence, adding that a large percentage Nigerians do not have the financial capacity to withstand long periods of self isolation and even lockdown.

“It is, therefore, incumbent on the Federal and state governments to provide palliatives to the Nigerian people to enable them survive, even as they abide by these necessary measures put in place for their own safety.

“It is thus time for the National Assembly to reconvene in an emergency session, perhaps by teleconference (in line with the demands of social distancing), to legislate a Stimulus Package Act that will cater for all Nigerian citizens.

“I also call on all Mobile Telephony Companies in Nigeria to urgently develop mobile money platforms so that government can reach the unbanked with financial assistance. I also urge these telecommunications firms to offer each of the 100 million mobile phone lines in Nigeria free credit of at least ₦1500 per mobile line, so that Nigerians who show symptoms, or those who just want information, can call the nearest available health facility, or even an ambulance service, as the case may be.

“I commend all individuals and corporate organisations who have one way or the other provided some form of relief for the Nigerian people. This is what makes Nigeria great, when we help each other at such crisis times as this, irrespective of any differences. I further call on more corporations and individuals with capacity, to assist the public in these trying times.”

American Lawyer, Groups Insist Coronavirus Is Bioweapon By China, Institute $20 Trillion Lawsuit

Greenbarge Reporters

March 25, 2020

A $20 trillion lawsuit has been filed against Chinese authorities in the US over coronavirus outbreak.
American lawyer, Larry Klayman and his advocacy group, Freedom Watch along with Texas company Buzz Photos have filed the lawsuit against the Chinese government, Chinese army, the Wuhan Institute of Virology, Director of Wuhan Institute of Virology Shi Zhengli and Chinese army’s Major General Chen Wei.
The plaintiffs have sought $20 trillion, which is a bigger amount than China’s GDP, claiming coronavirus is the result of a biological weapon prepared by the Chinese authorities.
They accused China of aiding and abetting death, provision of material support to terrorists, conspiracy to cause injury and death of US citizens, negligence, wrongful death, and assault and battery.
They allege the virus was released from the Wuhan Virology Institute, adding that the COVID-19 virus was “designed” by China to kill mass populations. Biological weapons were outlawed in 1925 and hence such a biological weapon is a terrorist-related weapon of mass destruction, the lawsuit mentioned.
The American group cites multiple media reports that said that there was only one microbiology lab in China that handled advanced viruses like the novel coronavirus — in Wuhan. To cover up, the plaintiffs alleged, China linked statements on coronavirus with national security protocols.
Klayman and the plaintiffs also alleged that Chinese doctors and researchers who spoke out about coronavirus and “raised the alarm to the outside world internationally” have been “silenced”. They added that such was the desperation of Major General Chen to save herself from the virus that she injected herself and six members of her team with a potential vaccine that was yet to be tested.
They also alleged that all the defendants were working together to perpetuate “international terrorism.”
The lawsuit stated that while coronavirus is slow-acting and slow-spreading to be used against a country’s military, “it was designed to be used against the general population of one or more of China’s perceived enemy nations, such as the United States.”
The American plaintiffs also asked for a jury trial against the Chinese defendants.

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