Professor Charles DokuboPresident Muhammadu Buhari has approved the suspension of the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty programme in Niger Delta, Professor Charles Quaker Dokubo.
President Muhammadu Buhari has confirmed Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan as Head of the Civil Service of the Federation even as he approved the retirement of Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita.
In defiance of the advice of the former Nigeria’s Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he contested the 2019 election has blamed the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for the entry of conoravirus into the country.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar | ReutersFormer Nigeria’s Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has advised the citizens to stand united to stave off the deadly Coronavirus which made an entry into Nigeria via an Italian citizen.
Permanent Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has said that the administration will not welcome beggars running away from some some states that have banned street begging.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that coronavirus (COVID -19) can be contracted through contact with fluid dropping from infected persons onto surface objects such as telephones, desks, tables and others.
This is even as it called for the promotion of regular and thorough hand-washing hygiene. It added that coronavirus (COVID-19) can be contacted when someone infected coughs or exhales.
The global health body said that people can contract the virus if droplets of infected fluid fell on nearby surfaces and objects such as desks, tables or telephones.
“People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
“If they are standing within 1 or 2 meters of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them.
“In other words, COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to the flu. Most persons infected with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover. However, some go on to experience more serious illness and may require hospital care.
“Risk of serious illness rises with age, people over 40 years seem to be more vulnerable. People with weakened immune systems and people with conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are also more vulnerable to serious illness.
“Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic, surfaces (e.g. desks and tables) and objects (e.g. telephones, keyboards) need to be wiped with disinfectant regularly.
“Why? Because contamination on surfaces touched by employees and customers is one of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads. Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors and customers.
“Put sanitizing hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the workplace. Make sure these dispensers are regularly refilled. Display posters promoting hand-washing, ask your local public health authority for these or look on www.WHO.int.
“Make sure that staff, contractors and customers have access to places where they can wash their hands with soap and water. Why? Because washing kills the virus on your hands and prevents the spread of COVID-19.
“Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace. Display posters promoting respiratory hygiene. Combine this with other communication measures such as offering guidance from occupational health and safety officers, briefing at meetings and information on the internet, etc.
“Ensure that face masks and/or paper tissues are available at your workplaces, for those who develop a runny nose or cough at work, along with closed bins for hygienically disposing of them.
“Why? Because good respiratory hygiene prevents the spread of COVID-19. Advise employees and contractors to consult national travel advice before going on business trips.
“Brief your employees, contractors and customers that if COVID-19 starts spreading in your community, anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever (37.3 C or more) needs to stay at home.”
The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed the case in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2020.
According to the statement, the case involves an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and just returned from Milan, Italy on the 25th of February 2020.
He was confirmed to be positive by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The ministry, however, noted that the patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
Read the full statement below.
The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case in Lagos State, Nigeria. The case, which was confirmed on the 27th of February 2020, is the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the outbreak in China in January 2020.
The case is an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on the 25th of February 2020. He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The patient is clinically stable, with no serious symptoms, and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
The Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health has been strengthening measures to ensure an outbreak in Nigeria is controlled and contained quickly. The multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has immediately activated its national Emergency Operations Centre and will work closely with Lagos State Health authorities to respond to this case and implement firm control measures.
I wish to assure all Nigerians that have we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of cases in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case.
We have already started working to identify all the contacts of the patient, since he entered Nigeria. Please be reminded that most people who become infected may experience only mild illness and recover easily, but it can be more severe in others, particularly the elderly and persons with other underlying chronic illnesses. All Nigerians should take care of their health and maintain hand and respiratory hygiene to protect themselves and others, including their own families, following the precautions below:
1. Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
2. Maintain at least 1 & half metres (5 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
3. Persons with persistent cough or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance, but not mix in-crowd.
4. Make sure you and people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene, meaning cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or into your sleeve at the bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
5. Stay home if you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Please call NCDC toll free number which is available day and night, for guidance- 0800-970000-10. Do not engage in self-medication.
6. Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19 through official channels on TV and Radio, including the Lagos State Ministry of Health, NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health.
Citizens must not abuse social media and indulge in spreading misinformation that causes fear and panic. The Federal Ministry of Health, through Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, will continue to provide updates and will initiate all measures required to prevent the spread of any outbreak in Nigeria.
Dr Osagie Ehanire
Hon. Minister of Health
NAHCON Chairman/CEO, zikrullahi
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has suspended lesser hajj, Umrah by Nigerians to Saudi Arabia or to visit the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah.
A statement today, February 27 by the Commission’s spoks person, Fatima Sanda Usara said the suspension of lesser hajj is as a result of the temporary suspension of Umrah by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19 (new coronavirus infection) that has spread to about 48 countries globally with a record of over 82,164 confirmed cases as at 27th February 2020.
Fatima recalled that the COVID-19 has recorded many fatalities that has forced some countries with confirmed cases to close down schools and other social gatherings.
“It is worthy and gladdening to note that the National Centre for Disease Control, an Agency under the Federal Ministry of Health, as at today Thursday 27th February, 2020 reported that there is no recorded case of COVID-19 in Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Health has taken all the necessary measures to prevent the disease in Nigeria.
“Therefore, NAHCON identifies with this courageous step by Saudi Arabia and affirms its commitment and cooperation in the interest of world Muslims and humanity in general.
“This measure was taken in accordance with approved international standards towards curtailing spread of the disease.
“Consequently, NAHCON cautions Nigerian pilgrims for Umrah to note that this suspension is effective on those who have already been issued travel visas and about to embark on the journey as well as for those planning to do so in the nearest future.
“NAHCON urges all stakeholders to comply with the directive and await further instructions from the Kingdom’s authorities.”
Report reaching us said that Vice President of Iran for Women and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar, has tested positive to the coronavirus.
Acccording to a report on Aljazera, Iranian officials have also confirmed that Deputy Health Minister, Iraj Harirchi had tested positive to the virus and was under quarantine.
The report said that Ebtekar was the English-language spokeswoman for the 1979 hostage-takers who seized the US embassy in Tehran and sparked the 444-day diplomatic crisis.
The country’s health ministry said the new coronavirus had killed 26 people while there are 245 confirmed cases.
As part of steps taken to halt the spread of the virus, the report said Iran had cancelled Friday prayers in the capital, Tehran, and around the country.
Iran has also banned Chinese citizens from entering the country.
The new coronavirus has spread to all the continents of the world except the Antarctica, with 82,000 cases in 48 countries. China however remains the worst hit with 78,000 cases and 2,747 deaths. 32,531 of those infected by the virus have recovered so far.
Judge of Kogi State High Court, Justice John Olorufemi has ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party ((PDP) had no candidate in the November 16, 2019 Governorship election in the state.
The judge ruled today, February 27 in Lokoja, that the September 3, 2019 primary election which produced Engineer Musa Wada as the PDP candidate was fraught with irregularities.
The ruling was in a pre-election matter filed by the Abubakar Idris, the eldest son of a former governor of the state, Ibrahim, challenging the emergence of Wada as the PDP candidate in the governorship election held on November 16, 2019.
The judge said however: “neither the claimant, Alhaji Abubakar Idris, nor the defendant, Engr. Musa Wada, can lay claim to being the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party since the primary was inconclusive.”
