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  Borno’s Covid-19 update. (5:30pm; Tuesday, April 22, 2020) 44 contact-persons test negative, 2 results awaited, Deputy Governor reveals ... Borno’s confirmed cases now 4 Of the 104 persons believed to have had contacts with Borno’s Covid-19 index case, 48 persons have been tested and of them, 44 persons have tested negative to coronavirus while two persons tested positive and two results are being expected. The state’s deputy governor who serves as chairman of the high powered response team, Umar Kadafur has revealed. He said the two postive cases were those already announced from an update released by the National centre for Disease Control, NCDC on Monday night. The deputy governor gave the update at the first in series of daily media briefings by his team, which held at the multipurpose hall of the government house on Tuesday afternoon. Kadafur told journalists that Borno has four cases as at Tuesday evening which combines the index case, two persons who had cont

     The Queen has sent a message to the people of Nova Scotia following yesterday's shooting. PRESS RELEASE: Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Nova Scotia,and we send our condolences to the families,friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives. I also pay tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other police services who selflessly responded to these devastating attacks,and to the emergency services who are supporting those who have been injured and affected. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nova Scotia and all Canadians at this tragic time.                                                                                                                               - ELIZABETH R. More photos below.

       The Lagos State Government has extended the distribution of its Food Relief Stimulus Package to the riverine communities of Epe and Badagry divisions respectively. The exercise, which is coordinated by the Riverine Volunteer Team, is led by Prince Taye Oyefolu, popularly known as Town Crier. A statement issued by the volunteer team disclosed that aside from distribution of the relief package items, the communities were also enlightened about measures put in place by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the grassroots. The group emphasised the importance of social distancing as well as regular washing of hands with running soap and water in the fight against the deadly disease and advised grassroots communities to abide by the preventive measures of NCDC and the Ministry of Health. The statement disclosed that “Aside from the sensitisation campaign, the Volunteer team will also carry out an extensive fumigation exercise to disinfect the entire riverine co

      April 21, 2020 Press Statement PDP Restates Demands For Fuel Price Slash...Asks NNPC To Recover Overcharge, Stolen Subsidy Fund The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has restated its call on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Federal Government to slash the pump price of fuel to reflect the prevalent slump in the cost of crude oil and petroleum products in the international market. The PDP insists that the APC and its government have no justifiable reason to continue to retain the pump price of fuel at N125 per liter despite the drastic crash in the international price of crude oil. The party notes that given the prevalent international price, the appropriate price template for domestic pump price of fuel in Nigeria ought to be between N60 to N70 per liter, in response to the variables of international market forces. The PDP stressed that the APC government ought to have reduced the pump price, earlier in the year, to N90 per liter when crude oil price slumped

     The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni, has condemned the glaring unprofessional conduct and misuse of firearms by a policeman at Ebem Ohafia area of Abia State on Friday, 17th April, 2020 which led to the unfortunate death of one Mr. Ifeanyi Arunsi. The IGP equally condemns the resort to self-help by some people and the resultant arson and damage to Government property and operational assets of the Nigeria Police Force. Meanwhile, the IGP has set-up a Special Investigation Panel headed by the DIG Anthony Michael Ogbizi, fdc in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the unfortunate incident. The Panel will review police actions and inactions prior, during and after the death of Mr. Ifeanyi Arunsi and the circumstances surrounding the attack on the police station and damage to property. In a related development, the IGP has ordered the immediate deployment of CP Janet Agbede as the new Commiss

       April 21, 2020 Press Statement COVID-19: PDP Asks FCT To Prosecute SGF, Others The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) notes the apology by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 pandemic, Boss Mustapha, on the violation of health safety and social restriction directives by certain government officials during the funeral of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari. Our party understands that the apology came after widespread condemnation of the conduct of such government officials and other individuals at the funeral. The PDP describes as unfortunate that those who make and enforce rules over ordinary Nigerians were found directly violating the same rules with impunity, thereby compromising the efforts to check the spread of the pandemic in our country. Our party holds that the SGF and other government officials including PTF members ought to have shown respect to the memory of

     April 21, 2020 Press Statement PDP Mourns Ex-AGF Richard Akinjide...Urged FG To Immortalize Him The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deeply mourns the death of elder statesman, foremost legal icon, former Minister of Education, former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide SAN. The party laments the death of Chief Akinjide as a monumental national loss especially coming at this period when his wealth of experience and patriotism is needed the most by our nation. The PDP describes Chief Akinjide as an exceptional nationalist, a quintessential democrat and astute administrator who dedicated his energy and resources towards the unity, political stability and development of our dear nation. Chief Akinjide’s performance as minister of education in the First Republic as well as the Attorney General of the Federation in the Second Republic laid the solid platform for the development of education and administration of justice s

     The Oyo State Government has taken delivery of three truckloads of rice donated by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). The Comptroller of Nigeria Customs Service for Oyo/Osun Area Command; Comptroller Helen Ngozi made the donation of three truckloads of rice to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development this evening. While making the symbolic donation, she noted that the Nigeria Customs is extending the donation to Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states as part of measures to  cushion the hardship of Nigerians at this period. The Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Ojekunle Ojemuyiwa and the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agribusiness, Dr. Debo Akande took delivery of the donation on behalf of the Governor and the Oyo State Government. They appreciated the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),Federal Ministry of Humanitarian and Federal Government for the benevolent gesture, while promising that the palliative measures in plan by the state would reach those who need them

     Today 21/4/2020 the Nigeria Police Medical Services Anambra State Command in collaboration with National Centre for Disease Control(NCDC) organised a one day training for Police health officers on COVID-19 "infection prevention and control" in Anambra State. Aim of the training was to enable Police health officials with the basic skills needed to prevent the spread of the dreaded corona virus among officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force who are at the forefront in the enforcement of Government order against the spread of COVID-19 which has become a global pandemic. While addressing participants during the training session at the Command Conference hall,the Commissioner of Police *CP John B.Abang,fdc* enjoined them to pay attention to the training in order to get the requisite knowledge about the deadly virus and how to prevent it's spread through prevention and control measures for the benefits of the entire officers and men in the Command. The training

     REMARKS BY HONORABLE MINISTER OF INFORMATION & CULTURE, ALH. LAI MOHAMMED at   # PTFCOVID19   PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY 21 APRIL 2020 COVID-19: UPDATE ON PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT AND ADVOCACY Although a respected opinion poll, the NOIPolls, has shown that 99% of Nigerians are aware of COVID-19, the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and its agencies have ramped up their public enlightenment and advocacy campaign to continue to reach Nigerians with information on how they can protect themselves and avoid contracting the disease. This is necessary because, in the absence of vaccine or drugs, Non Pharmaceutical Intervention (NPI) remains the most effective way to contain the spread of the disease and protect Nigerians. The campaign has therefore continued to focus on the need for the populace to adhere strictly to social distancing and mass gathering restrictions, wear face mask and ensure good personal hygiene. The Ministry has now rolled out a new set of TVCs and rad

     The Lagos State Government has launched ‘EKO TELEMED’ for residents, as part of concerted efforts aimed at protecting the citizens and reducing their risk of contracting the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, speaking on Tuesday at the launch in Lagos, said that with effect from Wednesday, 22nd April 2020, residents would have access to highly-trained and experienced Medical Doctors for non-emergency primary care consultation via voice or video call from the comfort of their homes. Dr. Zamba urged residents who develop any non-COVID-19 health issues during the lockdown period to dial 08000EKOMED (08000356633) toll-free line for consultation. According to her, “the toll-free line would enable residents have direct access to non-emergency primary care via voice or video call and speak with trained medical doctors in any of the four major languages in Lagos State - English Language, Yoruba,

      President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with government and people of Oyo State over the passing of an illustrious son, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide, SAN. President Buhari condoles with family members, friends, professional and political associates of the legal icon, who made remarkable impact on the country as Minis ter of Education in the First Republic, Minister of Justice and Attorney General in the Second Republic, and member of Judicial Systems Sub-committee of the Constitutional Drafting Committee of 1975-1977. The President joins the Olubadan of Ibadan Court, Nigerian Bar Association and entire Judiciary in mourning the legal luminary, affirming that he used his rich experience and knowledge in serving the country and humanity. President Buhari prays that the almighty God will grant the departed eternal rest, and comfort his family. Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media &am

     After three years of struggling with diabetes, one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s bodyguards, Warrant Officer Lawal Mato, on Tuesday passed away. The President described the officer, who had been working with him for many years before he won the 2015 elections, as “very thorough, trustworthy and dependable soldier who carried out his duty with diligence and focus.’’ President Buhari prayed that Allah will ease his passage to paradise and grant his family, government and people of Jigawa State, the fortitude to bear the loss. WO Mato was part of a team that former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua restored to President Buhari as personal security and he had been off full duty for three years, treating diabetes. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) April 21, 2020.

     The Ogun State Government has announced the opening of one of its COVID-19 drive-through testing centres. The testing centre, located at Ijamido Town Hall, Opposite Ansar-u-deen Comprehensive College, Ota, in Ado-Odo Ota LGA, will begin operation tomorrow, Tuesday 21st April. The Ogun State Walk-in & Drive-through Testing Centre, which is one of a number of others to be set up in border communities, will curb the risk of community transmission and reduce time spent on testing and result provision. The Ota Centre has been firstly established, according to the Government, because Sango borders Lagos, the nation's economic capital, which remains the epicentre of the pandemic which has hit the country socioeconomically.

     The Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, in collaboration with LTV and Radio Lagos, has commenced the distribution of food items and relief packages to some vulnerable members of the society, especially households within and around Alausa in Ikeja Local Government Area of the State. According to the Chairman of the mosque, Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, the gesture was to lessen the burden of those incapacitated by the lockdown order of the government as well as support efforts in the distribution of relief materials to Lagosians. Speaking at the premises of the Lagos Television (LTV) and Radio Lagos/Eko FM, where the leadership of the mosque presented some of the food items and relief materials to the broadcast outfits, the Chairman pleaded with the broadcast stations to help in further distributing the items to vulnerable persons that visit for assistance and support. He said "We want to leverage on the influence of these stations on the populace such that the donated

    In a further bid to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Nasarawa State Government, has ban all congregational prayers, ordering shut all neighbourhood mosques across the state, ahead the coming month of Ramadan. The decision to ban all congregational prayers, including the five daily obligatory prayers, was arrived at following an expanded meeting, attended by security chiefs, some senior traditional rulers and other top government officials, at the instance of Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, which held at the Government House, on Monday. The meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the strategy put in place by government so far aimed at controlling and containing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, after which more proactive steps are taken. Briefing journalists on the outcome of the meeting, the Emir of Lafia, who doubles as the Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, HRH Justice Sidi Bage, said decisions taken at the expanded me

      Anambra State mourns the passing of Abba kyari 1. The people of Anambra State join other Nigerians to mourn the departure of Malam Abba Kyari, the dedicated and intelligent Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari from August 27, 2015, until last Friday, April 17, 2020, when he died in a Lagos hospital of complications arising from COVID-19. The departure was unexpected. When it was announced thre e weeks ago, shortly after he attended the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, that he was afflicted by the coronavirus, he looked strong enough to survive the illness. One important lesson from this tragic development is that the coronavirus is real and deadly. Therefore, all Nigerians must continue to fight the pandemic together. 2. Malam Abba was a Nigerian nationalist and patriot. He exhibited enormous interest in Federal Government projects in Anambra State. He always inquired from Governor Willie Obiano the progress of work on such major projects as the Zik Mauso