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

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!”

Coronavirus Pandemic: Nigeria Closes Doors On People Coming From US, UK, France, Others

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

The Federal Government of Nigeria has closed it’s doors on 13 high-risk Coronavirus countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Italy and China.

Briefing newsmen today, March 18 in Abuja, health minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire also named the countries with high burden of coronavirus that are included in the travel ban as Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany and Norway as well as Netherlands and Switzerland.

The minister said that the ban would take effect from Friday, March 20 and last for four weeks subject to review.

The government also announced the temporary suspension of all visas issued to nationals from these countries.

Meanwhile five new cases of coronavirus has been confirmed in Lagos state today, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight.

three of the five cases arrived from the United States, while two arrived from the United Kingdom.

Detailed information is still being obtained but based on the available information, two of the three travelers from the USA are Nigerian (a mother and her six weeks old baby, the youngest corona virus patient we have) and the third is an American National who crossed the land border as a biker.

Yesterday, the Government of Nigeria held the inaugural meeting of a Presidential Task Force that constitutes nine Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. WHO is a member of the Task Force.

The Task Force issued the following:

1. Travel restrictions on entry into the country for travelers from 13 high risk countries (China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Japan, France, Germany, Norway, USA, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland).

2. Temporary suspension on all visas issued to nationals from these countries.

3. Prohibition of international travel by public servants.

4. Travel advisory to the public against non-essential travel to high burden countries.

5. Firm self-isolation for 14 days for all persons returning from abroad.

Nigeria Announces Five New Cases Of Coronavirus

Editorial staff

March 18, 2020

The Federal Ministry of Health has announced five new cases of coronavirus bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to eight.

According to the statemet, all the five new cases had a travel history to the United Kingdom and the United States, The PUNCH reports.

Three of the new cases arrived from the US while the other two arrived from the UK.

Four of the cases were Nigerians including a six-week-old baby while the fifth was a foreign national who came in through the land border.

This is the first recorded case of the infection through Nigeria’s land borders.

Details later…

I’m Prepared To Change My Style Of Leadership To Get Along With Others – Oshiomhole

Editorial staff

March 17, 2020

Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole | Photo credit: Premium Times

The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole has promised to change his leadership style so as to get along with other leaders of the party.
Speaking today,March 17 at the opening of the party’s National Working Committee meeting in Abuja, Oshiomhole said that he would reconcile his style of leadership with that of other members of the party so that they can work together.
The APC strong man dmitted that he is not a perfect being but that his sincerity of purpose cannot be denied.
Oshiomhole insisted that conflict is natural in a party of the APC size, even as he claimed that the APC is united and not divided.
According to Oshiomhole, parties that are pro-people usually have more challenges than conservative parties.
He thanked the judiciary for overturning the high court ruling saying internal differences will be settled internally.

Coronavirus Scare:Nigerian Bans Civil Servants From Foreign Trips

Editorial staff

March 17, 2020

Nigeria’s Federal Government has banned all government officials from embarking on foreign trips as the world continues to battle to COVID-19 disease.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the declaration on Tuesday after the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force Team on the COVID-19.
He advised Nigerians coming in from outside the country to self-isolate themselves for 14 days.
Details later…

Coronavirus: Saudi Bans Jum’at, Other Congregational Prayers

Editorial staff

March 17, 2020

Saudi Arabia has banned all forms of congregational prayers, including Friday (Jum’at) in Mosques across the country as one of the measures to control coronavirus.

Report reaching us indicated that Senior Ulema Council of Saudi Arabia, made up of Islamic scholars of highest order, issued the Fatwa (pronouncement) today, March 17, directing all Mosques in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be closed, including Friday Prayers except for calling for Adhan.

“Muadhins are directed to call Pray at your homes.

“Haramain Sharifain to remain open as per protocols issued.”

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