₦airaland Forum

When schools reopen fully in England in September, the government wants teachers to keep classes or whole year groups apart in separate "bubbles".

New guidance has been published for England. There are separate plans for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Who will be expected to go back?
Nearly all children of legal school age will be expected to return to class full-time in September to "start to reverse the enormous costs of missed education".

This includes those with special educational needs and disabilities, or who have been shielding during the pandemic.

Do I have to send my child back?
Attendance will be mandatory again from the beginning of the autumn term.

Head teachers will be told to follow up pupils' absence and issue sanctions, including fines in some cases.

But what if there is a Covid-19 cluster at a school?
If a school has a suspected coronavirus outbreak - with two or more confirmed cases within 14 days, or an overall rise in suspected coronavirus sickness absence - teachers will liaise with local health teams.

A mobile testing unit may arrive - focusing first on those in the affected child or teacher's class, followed by their year group, and then the whole school if necessary.

A large number of pupils may be asked to self-isolate at home as a precaution, but the government says a whole school closure "will not generally be necessary" unless advised by health officials.

How will the school day work?
Schools will be asked to return "to a broad and balanced curriculum," Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Commons.

They will be asked to minimise the number of contacts each pupil has during the day, by keeping classes or whole year groups apart in separate "protective bubbles" rather than practising individual social distancing.

Schools must:

have strict hand-washing policies
promote the "catch it, bin it, kill it" approach when it comes to coughing and sneezing
step up cleaning arrangements
be ready to contact NHS Test and Trace
The government expects school kitchens to be open from September.


What about getting to and from school?
There may be staggered start and finish times to keep groups apart - although that should not reduce the amount of overall teaching time.

Walking or cycling to school will be encouraged. Parents should not gather in groups at school gates or go on site without an appointment.

Public transport use should be kept to an "absolute minimum", especially at peak times.

Dedicated school transport services will be asked to:

Move children in "bubbles"
Provide hand sanitiser
Apply social distancing where possible
Ask children over 11 to wear face coverings
Schools will also need a process for staff and pupils to remove face coverings safely on arrival at school.

What about breakfast or after-school clubs?
If possible these should resume in September, but the government acknowledges it will be "logistically challenging" and may take longer for some schools.

Children should ideally stay within their year groups or bubbles - but if this can't be done then schools should use "small, consistent groups" to minimise the risk of infection.

TENNI storms the gospel scene with an inspirational and soul-stirring new single titled FIMIDARA.

Fimidara is a song of prayer and supplication composed to help people focus on God’s sovereignty and subtle workings even in trying times.

Fimidara is a fusion of African music with an urban feel written and composed by Tenni Owoeye. A soulful and eclectic blend of urban classics, jazz and folklore produced by the skillful and ever consistent Amb.Wole Oni.

DOWNLOAD NOW

ABOUT TENNI
Tenni, (Teniola Owoeye) is an exceptional blend of graces.
She wears many hats among which are – singer, songwriter, composer, worship trainer and prophetic minister of the gospel with an impeccable track record of excellence.
Tenni has been devoted to honoring God and blessing humanity with her music. Since her teenage years, she has led choral groups and also as a young adult she was a choral lead/music director, songwriter, composer, and self-taught vocalist.
Tenni is also an HR professional, humanitarian and social entrepreneur committed to helping individuals, organizations and human systems thrive and evolve through an holistic mix of solutions and interventions through her organization – Total Lifestyle.
Tenni is also the founder of Worshippers Connect an organization that embodies worship, humanitarian activities and acting as a bridge that connects believers worldwide.
They have a mandate to transform lives, systems and nations; reminding the world of the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Tenni is well known within and outside the shores of Africa for her rhythmic mix of urban African mix of jazz, mild folklore and soul.

Multiple award-winning Nigerian gospel artiste, Frank Edwards drops a brand new song off his forthcoming album, he calls this one; NO ONE LIKE YOU.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW

Lyrics: No One Like You By Frank Edward
[Chorus]
You made a Way
Where there was no Way
Lord, There is no one like You
You are the Way
You are the Truth and Life
There is no one like You

The Wilderness is now
A Fruitful Ground
There is no one like You
The Stone the Builders rejected
Is now the Chief Cornerstone
There is no one like You

[Bridge]
{Aka, aka Ya, Aka, aka Ya
Aka eh, Aka Jehovah
Na’eme Mma
(The Hand of Jehovah
Is doing Good) } [x2]

[Verse 1]
When the enemy comes like a Flood
I just shut him up
In the Name of Jesus
Cause Your Name is Great
‘Cus Your Name is Power
‘Cus Your Name is Mighty One
No One like You

[Verse 2]
Let’s Talk about
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
They were thrown in the Fire
But You became
The Fourth Man in the Fire
Oh God, No One like You

[Verse 3]
What about Daniel
In the Lion’s Den
He was Left to be Devoured
By the Lion
But You Stepped in
Everything Changed, Oh God
No One like You

[Verse 4]
What about Paul and Silas
They Prayed,
They Sang Hallelujah
And the Spirit of the Lord
Came down
No One like You

[Verse 5]
What about me, what about me
What about me, what about me
You put Your Spirit
Oh God in me
And then You said that I’m
The Apple of Your Eyes

[Outro]
Nobody can Challenge You
Nobody can Challenge You
No Cabal, no disease
No demons, no devil, no infirmity
You’re Bigger than them all
You’re bigger than them all
So I come in the Name of Jesus
In the Name of Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!
We Conquer in the name of Jesus
We Triumph in the Name of Jesus
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

Abuja — The federal government has announced that it has approved the fifth evacuation flight that would bring home stranded Nigerians in the United States.

This was coming as 590 Nigerian evacuees have departed Gatwick North Terminal, United Kingdom on Air Partner UK.

A statement that was issued by the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta on Monday, which was made available to journalists yesterday, said that the Ethiopian Airline flight N0. 547, is scheduled to depart George Bush International Airport, Houston, Texas, on Friday by 16:00hrs to arrive Murtala Mohammad International Airport, Lagos, on Saturday by 20:00hrs
It stated: "The Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Atlanta. Georgia, in collaboration with other Nigeria Missions in the United States of America is pleased to announce that the Federal Government of Nigeria has approved 5th Evacuation flight for stranded Nigerians in the U.SA.

"In this regard, all prospective evacuees duly registered with any of the three Nigerian missions in the USA can purchase their one-way tickets through [url=https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrCmnQekQ5fWRUAJBBEDN04;_ylu=X3oDMTEyN2ZqaWs1BGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwM1BHZ0aWQDQzAyNjJfMQRzZWMDc3I-/RV=2/RE=1594818974/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.justgospel.com.ng%2f2020%2f06%2fmp3-download-spirit-of-victory-jephthah.html/RK=2/RS=EvQE8d1ir5lQzI7iatmw84sFpWk-]www.ethiopianairlines.com[/url]. The airfare is $1500 for the economy class and $3,000 for the business class for adult/child fare, including all taxes, with the usual percentage reduction for infants under two years."

The consulate noted that prospective evacuees, who purchased tickets, should forward a copy of their evacuation ticket, together with the name, phone number and contact address of their next of kin in Nigeria to info@nigeria-Consulate-atl.org.The Consulate emphasised that the sale of tickets would be on a 'first come, first served' basis.

It demanded that all prospective evacuees must present an original COVID-19 negative test result, not older than 14 days on the day of departure at the Airport and undergo three temperature check 4hrs before departure in accordance with the Nigerian Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

It said: "Any intending evacuee without the stipulated test result or a body temperature above 38 degrees centigrade, or any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, will not be allowed to check in."

The consulate noted that, all prospective evacuees are required to wear face masks while on board and be in possession of a hand sanitiser for intermittent use throughout the duration of the journey.

In addition, prospective evacuees were further enjoined to adhere strictly to all instructions of Port Health Services (PHS) officials and observe other entry screening protocols on arrival in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, yesterday said that 590 Nigerian evacuees have departed Gatwick North Terminal, UK, on Air Partner UK.

The minister, who tweeted from his verified Twitter handle, said that 261 passengers departed at 1.00 p.m. for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja while 329 passengers departed at 1.30 p.m. for Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He said that all evacuees would proceed on the mandatory 14 days self-isolation.

A simple pair of sunglasses that projects holographic icons. A smartwatch that has a digital screen but analog hands. A temporary tattoo that, when applied to your skin, transforms your body into a living touchpad. A virtual reality controller that lets you pick up objects in digital worlds and feel their weight as you swing them around. Those are some of the projects Google has quietly been developing or funding, according to white papers and demo videos, in an effort to create the next generation of wearable technology devices.

The eyewear and smartwatch projects come from the search giant's Interaction Lab, an initiative aimed at intertwining digital and physical experiences. It's part of Google Research, an arm of the search giant with roots in academia that focuses on technical breakthroughs. The Interaction Lab was created within Google's hardware division in 2015, before it was spun out to join the company's research arm about two years ago, according to the resume of Alex Olwal, the lab's leader. Olwal, a senior Google researcher, previously worked at X, the company's self-described moonshot factory, and ATAP, Google's experimental hardware branch.

The goal of the Interaction Lab is to expand Google's "capabilities for rapid hardware prototyping of wearable concepts and interface technology," Olwal writes. Its initiatives appear to be more science experiment than product roadmap, with the likely goal of proving ideas rather than competing with the Apple Watch or Snapchat Spectacles. But taken together, they provide a glimpse at Google's ambitions for wearable tech.

The other projects were collaborations with researchers from universities around the world. At least two of them -- the VR controller and smart tattoos -- were partly funded through Google Faculty Research Awards, which support academic work related to computer science and engineering. The efforts highlight Google's close ties with the academic community, a bridge to the company's beginnings as a Stanford University grad school project by co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin that grew into a global behemoth with deep hooks into our lives.

Google and Olwal confirmed the company had developed or funded the projects.The experiments could play a critical role in coming years as tech giants open up a new battlefront in wearable tech. Many in the industry see it as the next major computing platform after smartphones. Google, Apple, Amazon, Samsung and Facebook -- through its virtual reality subsidiary Oculus -- have all released wearables, including watches, rings, earbuds and jean jackets. Almost 370 million wearable devices will be [url]shipped [/url=https://justgospel.neocities.org/links.html]this year, forecasts the research firm IDC, growing to more than 525 million in two years.

It isn't just about selling hardware. Getting sensor packed-devices onto consumers could mean a treasure trove of data beyond what people produce on their phones or at their desks. It's an especially valuable haul for Google, which makes more than $160 billion a year, mostly through targeted ads that are informed by the personal data of people who use its services. The gadgets also create inroads to lucrative new businesses for tech giants, like health and fitness, though lawmakers and regulators have privacy concerns about Silicon Valley's ever-expanding scope.

Google has been trying to get a toehold in wearables for years but hasn't quite found the spot. In 2012, the company unveiled Silicon Valley's most notorious foray into wearable technology: Google Glass eyewear. The device was maligned from the start and ultimately flopped. Google has also developed an operating system specifically for smartwatches and other devices, called Wear OS, though it's earned little more than a niche following.

Recently, however, the company has made a more determined push. Last month, it acquired North, a Canadian company that makes smart glasses called Focals, reportedly for $180 million. Google last year announced a $2.1 billion deal to acquire Fitbit, the struggling fitness tracker pioneer, in an attempt to bolster Google's hardware operation. The buyout has sparked alarm among critics worried about Google's ability to strong-arm its way into new industries and buy the health data of millions of people.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has given reasons for disengaging 500, 000 (comprising batch A and B) beneficiaries of its N-Power programme.

N-Power is a programme designed by the Nigerian government to address the challenge of youth unemployment by providing a structure for large scale and relevant work skills acquisition and development while linking its core and outcomes to fixing inadequate public services and stimulating the larger economy.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the need to provide opportunities for new beneficiaries informed the decision to disengage the batch A and B beneficiaries of the scheme.

"In 48 hours, over 1,000.000 young men and women like you submitted their applications on the portal in their bid to gain an opportunity of participating in the N-Power Programme.
"That opportunity will be denied them if we do not create the space for them to take part," the minister noted.

She added that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic had thrown a big challenge to the economy just as she urged the affected enrollees of the scheme not to see the federal government's action as punitive.

"The COVI D-19 pandemic has thrown up huge challenges that have impacted us negatively across the spectrum from our health to the economy and taken a serious humanitarian toll on lives...

"... .the Nigerian economy, like most economies around the world will require a boost to recover from the economic effects of the pandemic.

"This is the major reason why we have commenced enrolment of Batch C, which is providing opportunities for more Nigerian youths to gain skills for employability and entrepreneurship.

"It is also providing a pipeline of skilled workers to help rebuild the economy post-COVID 19.
"So, the transitioning and exit of Batch A& B, which begins today, June 30 and which terminates on July 31, is not a punitive action.

"It is rather a proactive intervention to help upskill your brothers and sisters and assist them further along on their journey through life."

The minister expressed delight that some members of the Batch A and B of the scheme, which started in 2016, had gone to set up businesses at their various communities from their savings accrued from the scheme.

"At the last count, over 109.823 beneficiaries from Batch A & B have gone on to set up businesses in their communities, underlining and highlighting the impact and imperative of the N-Power programme."

The federal government, on the 26th of June, began the enrollment of batch C applicants of the N-Power scheme which is part of the four social investment programmes established in 2016 to tackle poverty and hunger across the country.

The Presidency has said that those who see the investigation of the suspended Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr Ibrahim Magu, as a signal that the fight against corruption is failing, have failed to see the point.

In a statement on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that there couldn’t be a better indication that the anti-graft fight is real, than the will to openly investigate anyone who has been charged to head such systems.

“There is no better indication that the fight is real and active than the will to investigate allegations in an open and transparent manner against those who have been charged to be custodians of this very system,” the statement read in part.

According to Mr Garba, there are no sacred cows and even Mr Magu is not immune, regardless of the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by him, given the office he held, may appear for the government.
He also noted that Mr Magu is being availed the opportunity to defend himself and answer the allegations against him.

“This is how it should be, as is the fact that under the Laws of Nigeria every citizen is presumed and remains innocent until proven guilty,” Garba said, adding that the fight against corruption is not a static event, but a dynamic and ever-evolving process, in which the EFCC is just one actor.

“As we continue to work towards improving our democratic process so shall every institution of ours also embark on that journey of evolution,” the president’s aide added.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday affirmed the suspension of Mr Magu and it took effect immediately.

According to a statement from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the presidential directive was to allow for an unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws.

Meanwhile, the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, has been directed to oversee the activities of the commission.

Read the full statement below.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE SUSPENSION OF MR. IBRAHIM MAGU

A series of documented allegations were made against the Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Following a preliminary review of the allegations leveled against the Ag. Chairman and several other members of his staff, there were grounds for a detailed investigation to be conducted.

Hence, an investigative panel was constituted in compliance with the extant laws governing the convening of such a body.

As is the proper procedure, when allegations are made against the Chief Executive of an institution, and in this case an institution that ought to be seen as beyond reproach, the Chief Executive has to step down from his post and allow for a transparent and unhindered investigation.

The EFCC does not revolve around the personality of an individual, and as such cannot be seen through the prism of any individual.

Therefore, the suspension of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, allows the institution to continue carrying out its mandate without the cloud of investigation hanging over its head.

The EFCC has many good, hardworking men and women who are committed to its ideal and ensuring that the wealth of our country isn’t plundered and wherein there is an act of misappropriation such person(s) are brought to justice.

Meanwhile, Mr. Magu is being availed the opportunity to defend himself and answer the allegations against him. This is how it should be, as is the fact that under the Laws of Nigeria every citizen is presumed and remains innocent until proven guilty.

We must realize that the fight against corruption is not a static event, but a dynamic and ever evolving process, in which the EFCC is just one actor; and as we continue to work towards improving our democratic process so shall every institution of ours also embark on that journey of evolution.

What is however important is that there must be accountability and transparency and our people must realize that they would be held to account. This is the building block in the fight against corruption, the establishment of the concept of Accountability and the recognition of the Rule of Law.

Those who see Mr. Magu’s investigation, as a signal that the fight against corruption is failing, have unfortunately, missed the boat.

There is no better indication that the fight is real and active than the will to investigate allegations in an open and transparent manner against those who have been charged to be custodians of this very system.

Under this President and Government, this is our mantra and guiding principle. There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered.

Mr. Magu was not immune – and regardless of the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by him, given the office he held, may appear for the government.

No other administration in the history of Nigeria would have moved to bring into the light and public domain such an allegation.

House of Representatives has disagreed with the Federal Government on the alleged cancellation of 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations due to be conducted soon. Speaking through its Committee on Basic Education and Services, the House expressed surprise over a statement credited to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu that Nigerian students would not be participating in the examination for fear of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).

In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere on Friday in Abuja, the lawmakers stated that the Education Minister did not inform the country if the decision was in agreement with other West African leaders or in consultation with the examination bodies, the state governments and other stakeholders in the education sector. The House called on the relevant ministers to immediately interface with various State governments and stakeholders in the education sector on how to conduct a hitch-free exercise. They warned that failing to conduct the examination will spell doom for the growth of the country.
Ihonvbere said: “The Minister also did not also inform the public if the decision was the outcome of a meeting with all State Governments that are in charge of all but the Unity Secondary Schools that are owned by the Federal government.
“The Hon. Minister of State, in his usually consultative and participatory approach, had briefed the nation at the Covid 19 presidential Committee briefing, over the airwaves and in an appearance before the House Committee on Basic Education where he assured Nigerians that all steps had or were being taken to ensure full compliance with all Covid 19 protocols.
“This sudden policy reversal is not good for the country. It is bound to create further confusion in the education sector, create disappointment and suspicion among parents, frustrate the students, and show to our development partners and Nigerians that the distortions and disarticulations in the sector are only getting worse. “The reversal also shows that our policymakers may just be adopting a laid-back approach to the need to confront the novel coronavirus rather than taking proactive and creative steps to manage and contain it. “House Committee disagrees with the Honourable Minister and believes that reconsideration is urgently needed to save our educational system on the following grounds that Nigeria is not the only country expected to write the examination in the midst of Covid 19, that Nigeria should insist that the examination be based exclusively on the already covered syllabus of schools. “The Federal Ministry should not chicken out of its responsibilities but take charge, provide policy direction, engage the states and other stakeholders; that WAEC should quadruple its invigilators and use all classrooms and event centres to conduct the examination and comply with covid protocols.
“The Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as the Ministries of Environment and Health, should immediately work out an agenda to fumigate all classrooms, provide handwashing buckets with soap and water, and facemasks to all students; that the original plan of opening hostels for boarding to facilitate so-called revision classes should be cancelled immediately and the students should come from home, write the paper and disperse immediately and Mr President should direct all his Ministers to return to their states, work with the Governors and ensure the smooth implementation of the policy and conduct of the examination.
“We are parents just like him. No Nigerian parent would want to delay, distort, even terminate the progress of their child. We are convinced that if our policy of no boarding house, the reconceptualising scope of exams, use of all classrooms and halls in the schools, quadrupling the number of invigilators, provision of facemasks, sanitizers and handwashing facilities are followed, the WASSCE can be conducted with ease and with no repercussions. Let us collectively save and advance our educational system and build a future we can be all proud of”.

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has declared that it would make rigging impossible for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu during the incoming governorship election in the state.
News reports that the party in a thread of tweet on Thursday, July 9, said that the APC should desist from its plots to rig the Edo election, saying that the people of the state would firmly resist it.
The party asked members of the APC to blame themselves for their current woes and get ready to accept their inevitable crushing defeat at the poll.
It also noted that it is only a discredited and rejected party like the APC that would enlist the services of known election manipulators, who have now started their assignment by sponsoring fake reports, to run its campaign.
The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, during a political rally in 2019.
Source: Depositphotos "The public has not also forgotten how an individual, who came a distant fourth in the Imo state governorship election, suddenly became the winner. "Nigerians can also recall how, in the Kogi election last year, gunmen and police helicopter were used to chase away voters, while an innocent woman, Salome Abuh, was killed by APC thugs in celebration of their bloodstained electoral conquest in the worst election in our political history as a nation," the party tweeted.

It added that Nigerians already know how the “Gandollar” election was driven by mercenaries from neighboring countries who disrupted electoral processes and inflicted injuries and pain on its compatriots. "It is common knowledge among Nigerians that characters, such as ‘gandollar’, the killers in the Kogi election as well as manipulators in the Imo election, being paraded by the face of their campaign in Edo state, were foisted into office through rigging, bloodletting and manipulation of election results.

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that Pastor Ize-Iyamu alleged that the PDP lacks tact and strategy to win the election. It was reported that Ize-Iyamu wondered why the PDP would decide to field Governor Godwin Obaseki as its candidate after condemning him as a non-achiever. He said it was confusing for PDP leaders to be singing Obaseki’s praise after describing him as a failure who deceived the courts and the INEC with counterfeit credentials.

https://www.justgospel.com.ng/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/ExternalLink_the-oyedepo-podcast-bishop-david-oyedepo-7e4_WbIEsag.1400x1400.jpg
Why Is There No Upsurge In Tanzania Despite No Lockdown? Tell Any Devil I Said This Lockdown Is A Game
You know why Corona Virus is lingering on in quote?
It is Corona noise, it is not Corona virus.
People are milking the system. I tell you the truth. You know I’m a prophet.
I don’t have any natural spy in my life.
You are cooking it in your room, I know.
Praise God! But judgement is around the corner.
There is no upsurge in Tanzania up till now and they never locked down once.
This upsurge is a game. It’s a game.
Tell any devil I said it’s a game.
All churches are operating, all schools are operating in Tanzania. Is it another world, is it in space?
Join me and pray in the Spirit against all forces out to wreck humanity.
The schools are locked down.
The future of our children is being sold off.
Market places are open, the most vulnerable place on the earth.
Particularly, markets in Africa and Nigeria where you will be sneezing on one another nose…and decent schools are shut down.
In the name of Corona virus.
This is economic virus.
Not only leaders have brain to think. That’s where we have a problem.
Thinkers are shut down because of what they will eat.
This mission owes no government a dime since inception till tomorrow.
I have a mandate of liberation from all oppressions of the devil and I’m answerable to the caller.
Glory to God.
I decree liberation for the nations of the world in the name of Jesus.
Pray rescue for this nation…
Thank you Father.
READ MORE POST

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, became the third African country to record over 10,000 cases of COVID-19. The milestone was reached on May 31 when 307 new cases took its tally to 10,162.

As Africa’s biggest economy, the federal government has continued to enforce regulations across the board even though most state governments have moved to relax restrictions.

Lagos being the economic nerve center is rolling out a progressive reopening of the economy. It is the most impacted state with over 5,000 cases as of May 31. Only Cross River State had yet to record a case.


The national response is led by the Presidential Task Force, PTF, led by SGF Boss Mustapha along with a national coordinator and relevant ministers – chief among them, Health, Foreign Affairs and Education ministries. At the heart of the response is the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC.

This article is dedicated to covering events from the country throughout the month of June. Our May 2020 daily updates page also gives you a rundown of major activities.

June 2020: Nigeria grows cases by over 15,000
In the month of June alone, Nigeria’s coronavirus cases grew by over 15,500 cases. The country also introduced an eased lockdown which entered phase II as of today, July 1.

Nigeria as of today is Africa’s third most impacted behind only South Africa and Egypt. The federal and state governments are working to increase testing as authorities stress that cases definitely far exceed the current tally of 25,694.

Figures as of June 30 vs. June 1 = difference

Confirmed case: 25,694 – 10,162 = 15,532
Active cases: 15,358 – 6,868 = 8,490
Recoveries: 9,746 – 3,007 = 6,739
Number of deaths: 590 – 287 = 303
June 30: 25,133 cases, Ondo governor infected
Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, today confirmed that he had contracted COVID-19. According to a post on Twitter, he said he was asymptomatic and self isolating.

He now joins Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who also confirmed being infected early this month. Governors Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and Seyin Makinde of Oyo, have all recovered from the virus.

Over at the presidency, president Muhammadu Buhari led a virtual flagoff of a major gas pipeline. The Ajaokuta – Kaduna – Kano, AAK; gas pipeline project is led by the state oil firm, NNPC.

On the ground, Buhari was represented by the kogi State governor, Yahya Bello who cut the tape to mark the official flag-off of the construction phase of the project.

Confirmed cases = 25,133
Active cases = 15,158
Recoveries = 9,402
Number of deaths = 573
John Hopkins Uni stats valid as of June 29, 2020
June 29: 24,567 cases; Buhari receives Task Force
President Muhammadu Buhari today received a briefing from the Presidential Task Force, PTF, on COVID-19. The meeting comes as the second phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown ends.

The second phase of the gradual easing of the lockdown was for an initial period of four weeks – spanning June 2nd – 29th. It has been extended for another month spanning June 30 to July 27.

The chairman of the PTF said the taskforce remained: “committed to striking a delicate balance between lives and livelihood. Mr. President has carefully considered and approved that with the exception of some modifications, Phase 2 of the Eased Lockdown will be extended for another 4 weeks : 30 June – 27 July 2020.”

In the second phase, government had relaxed restrictions on banking operations and worship places. For the next four weeks inter state travel outside curfew hours will be allowed.

President Buhari has today approved the re-opening of schools only for students of graduating classes, to allow them prepare for examinations. That is, Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 and Senior Secondary School 3.

The PTF stressed that all Daycare and Primary schools to remain closed until further evaluation, except for Common Entrance pupils. All Secondary and Tertiary Institutions remain closed.

Arrangements to be made for exiting students resume as soon as possible for preparation for exams. Local air services are also expected to be restarted “as soon as practicable.”

Apostle Arome Osayi is the Founder of Remnant Christian Network, a Christian Organization with a global network of apostolic centers, churches & missions.
Born December 2nd, as the fifth child in a family of seven to the family of late Chief Paul Ameh Osayi, a Christian home, Arome Osayi gave his life to Christ at the age of seven in ECWA 1 Makurdi barracks road during a Sunday school class.

Speaking about his transition from being born again to becoming a preacher of the gospel?
Apostle Arome has this to say “My early Christian life was shaped by the writings of Watchman Nee and the ministry of Benny Hinn. Even though my discipline is in the line of chemistry I was sure about my call at the age of 12/13 when I had series of encounters with God and I began to work towards it from that time. My transition to a preacher is referenced to an encounter I had where I was taken to heaven and I stood on a mountain and watched people going to hell and I was sent to do something about the situation of the people. This happened when I was 13 years old. And those moments began to shape my life. I couldn’t find rest in any other thing outside ministry.



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Yesu Mo is released on the day Joe Mettle celebrates his birthday as well as the day he holds his annual worship concert Praiz Reloaded, clearly serving as a double worship experience for his fans.

The simple, calm yet groovy contemporary worship tune translated as ‘Thank You Jesus’ brings praise and worship before King Jesus for transforming our lives and bringing us to the top even when men rejected us.
‘Yesu Mo’ is available today on all digital music platforms for streaming and download with the beautiful visual set to premier later tonight.
As a part of the worship experience package, Joe Mettle as earlier said will hold his annual Praiz Reload concert virtually with the theme ‘The Secret Place’ later tonight at 5 pm, feed will be streaming live on all Joe Mettle’s Social Media Platforms.



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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate, compulsory, and indefinite suspension from the Office of the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Adebayo Somefun. Also suspended from office are three executive directors, Mr. Jasper Ikedi Azuatalam, Executive Director, Finance and Investment, Mrs. Olukemi Nelson, Executive Director, Operations, and Alhaji Tijani Darazo Sulaiman, Executive Director, Administration.
Other management staff suspended are the General Manager, Administration/Human Resources/Maintenance, the General Manager, Finance, Mr. Lawan Tahir, Mr. Chris Esedebe, General Manager, Claims and Compensation, Mr. Olodotun A. Adegbite, Deputy General Manager, Investment and Treasury Management, Mr. Emmanuel Enyinnaya Sike, Deputy General Manager, Finance and Accounts, Mrs. Olutoyin O. Arokoyo, Deputy General Manager/Acting Head, Legal, Ms. Dorathy Zajeme Tukura, Deputy General Manager, Administration, Mrs. Victoria Ayantuga, Assistant General Manager, Internal Audit
A statement signed by the Deputy Director/Head, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Charles Akpan, stated that the suspension was as a result of the preliminarily established prima facie infractions on the extant Financial Regulations and Procurement Act, and other acts of gross misconduct. According to the statement, “During the period of their suspension, the suspended Officers are to face a Joint Board and Audit Investigative Panel that has been set up to look into the financial and procurement breaches, as well as gross misconduct in the NSITF for periods of 2016 to date, which have invariably put the Contributions of stakeholders in a perilous state. “The affected officers have also been directed to hand over to the most senior Officers in their respective Departments. The Executive Directors are therefore to hand over to the most senior General Managers, while the Managing Director will hand over to the most Senior Officer in the Fund. “The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment accordingly approved and directed that: Mrs. Temitope Akinwale,
FCA, a fellow of Institute of Chartered Accountants, and Regional General Manager in charge of the Ibadan Region should take charge as General Manager in charge of Finance and to concurrently oversee the Office of the Executive Director of Finance and Investment as the Acting Executive Director. “Barrister (Mrs.) Maureen Allagoa, FIPM, also the Regional General Manager in charge of Port Harcourt Region moves to
NSITF Headquarters as General Manager in charge of Administration, Human Resources, and Maintenance and to concurrently oversee the Office of the Executive Director of Administration as Acting Executive Director.
“Mr. Baba Ma’aji Kabir, General Manager of Administration and Maintenance moves to the Enforcement Department while concurrently overseeing the Office of the Executive Director of Operations as the Acting Executive Director. “Dr. Kelly Nwagha, General Manager of the Health, Safety and Environment Department, as the most senior General Manager in the Fund, assumes the position of Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive. “All the appointments are with effect from Monday, 6th July 2020, and will last until further notice.
“The Honourable Minister has also charged the Chairman of the Board – Mr. Austin Enajemo Isire, FCA; FCII; to take charge, in order to ensure that the Investigative Panel commences work as soon as possible and for the Board to facilitate the smooth running of the Fund by creating the enabling environment and all the necessary staff adjustments and movements, in order to guarantee that services by staff to the Contributors do not in any way suffer.”

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, became the third African country to record over 10,000 cases of COVID-19. The milestone was reached on May 31 when 307 new cases took its tally to 10,162.

As Africa’s biggest economy, the federal government has continued to enforce regulations across the board even though most state governments have moved to relax restrictions. Only Cross River State has yet to record a case.

The national response is led by the Presidential Task Force led by SGF Boss Mustapha along with a national coordinator and relevant ministers – chief among them, Health, Foreign Affairs and Education ministries.

This article archives our May 2020 coverage of major COVID-19 news in Nigeria. Our June 2020 daily updates page is LIVE with major updates as cases top 10,000 mark.

June 1: 10,162 cases; Buhari holds weekly meeting with Task Force
Case load passed the 10,000 mark on May 31 with 307 new cases pushing Nigeria past the line only crossed till date by South Africa and Egypt. With 10,162 cases, Nigeria is only behind leader South Africa (32,683 cases) and Egypt (24,985 cases).

The Presidential Task Force, PTF, yesterday held their weekly briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidency. SGF and leader of the PTF, Boss Mustapha said they presented a report to Buhari in which they made recommendations on reopening places of worship, schools and businesses across the country.

“But you know that Mr President is the only one that can take decisions in respect of that. In the framework, the states are sub-nationals; they have their own responsibilities too.

So, it is in the exercise of those responsibilities that they met with religious bodies and agreed on the protocols and guidelines on how to open up. But in the framework of the national response, we are taking that into consideration,” he said.

The SGF stressed a long held position by the PTF that the states governments will take responsibility for the next phase of the lockdown relaxation.

Confirmed cases = 10,162
Number of deaths = 287
Recoveries = 3,007
Active cases = 6,868

Headlines of our May 2020 coverage
May 31: Record 553 new cases as Nigeria inches towards 10,000 mark
May 30: 9,302 cases, third most impacted in Africa
May 29: record low new cases, WHO trials, Trump’s ventilators
May 28: 8,788 cases, Kogi records case
May 27: 8,344 cases, chloroquine treatment to continue
May 26: 8000+ cases, Africa’s 4th most impacted
May 25: 7,839 cases, Buhari on global impact, food sufficiency
May 24: 7,526 cases, no death recorded in 24-hours
May 23: 7,261 cases, Buhari’s private Eid, chloroquine warning
May 22: 7,016 cases, Eid uproar, more evacuations expected
May 21: 6,677 cases, northern governors express concern
May 20: Cases hit 6,401; state govts tasked to do more
May 19: Cases top 6,000; lockdown lifting risky
May 18 : 5,959 cases, Buhari meets Task Force
May 17 : 5,621 cases, three Dubai returnees infected
May 16: 5,445 cases, govt on evacuees expenses
May 15: 5,162 cases, Canada evacuation hits snag
May 14: 4,971 cases, recoveries pass 1,000
May 13: 4,787 cases, Buhari names Abba Kyari’s replacement
May 12: Cases hit 4641, Bauchi lockdown, Madagascar donation
May 11: 4,399 cases, Wike demolishes hotel, Kaduna busts escapees
May 10: 4,121 cases, US repatriation underway
May 9: 3,912 cases, UK returnees, stretched bed spaces
May 8: 3,526 cases, more repatriation flights expected
May 7: 3,145 cases, Niger State patients protest
May 6: Ban on flights extended, repatriation starts, cases hit 3,000 mark
May 6: Almost 3,000 cases, Gombe patients protest ‘poor care’
May 5: Cases hit 2,802, Buhari waives medical import tax
May 4: Relaxation of lockdown starts, Kano deaths explained
May 3: Ganduje relaxes Buhari’s lockdown, 2,388 cases so far
May 2: Nigeria tops tallies in West Africa, 5th on continent
May 1: How Nigeria recorded about 1000 cases in a week

May 31: Record 553 new cases as Nigeria inches towards 10,000 mark
The NCDC recorded a record 553 cases on Saturday bringing the total case count to 9,855. Number of discharged patients stands at 2,856 with 273 deaths so far.

Lagos State has a tally of 4,755 whiles Kano and Abuja complete the top three slots with 951 and 616 cases respectively. Cross River State remains the sole uninfected state till date.

268 Nigerians arrived in Abuja yesterday, the latest batch of evacuees returning through the intervention of government. The Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, shared a video of the arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

All evacuees will be proceeding on compulsory 14-day quarantine as mandated by the NCDC and Health Ministry, NIDCOM further noted. Previous evacuations include from U.S, U.K, UAE and Saudi Arabia.

On May 25, NIDCOM also facilitated the return of 50 trafficked girls and Nigerians stranded in Lebanon. A number of African countries including Ethiopia have undertaken similar evacuations.


May 30: 9,302 cases, third most impacted in Africa
Nigeria became Africa’s third most impacted country on Friday after crossing the 9,000 mark and toppling Algeria from the slot. Only South Africa and Egypt have more cases than Nigeria.

The NCDC confirmed the second highest daily toll of 387 cases which took the national tally to 9,302 cases. The figure means between May 26 and May 29, the country recorded a total of 1,234 COVID-19 cases.

The 387 new cases recorded in 13 states and the federal capital territory (FCT). The highest daily toll was recorded on May 27, with 389 new COVID-19 cases. 35 states and the FCT have recorded cases with the sole uninfected being Cross River State.

The number of discharged persons increased from 2,592 to 2,697, while two deaths were recorded, increasing the figure of fatalities from 259 to 261.


May 29: record low new cases, WHO trials, Trump’s ventilators
A record low new cases was recorded by the NCDC late Thursday as cases reached 8,915. The 182 new cases was a low compared to between 200 – 300+ cases recorded over the past week.

President Buhari on Thursday also joined a United Nations virtual meeting which discussed financing of development in the post COVID-19 era. He was joined by a number of fellow presidents and government leaders.

Nigeria will also partake in the UN’s solidarity trials which is seeking a vaccine for the virus. A number of African countries including South Africa are taking part. The other clinical trial underway is of chloroquine.

At the daily press briefing of the presidential task force on COVID-19, information minister Lai Mohammed gave updates on claims by US president Donald Trump that he had ordered ventilators to be sent to Nigeria.

The first time Trump raised the issue was in April. Last week, during a working visit in Michigan, the US president stressed that he had sent 1,000 ventilators to the West African country. But the minister said if the consignment arrived, it would be announced publicly.

Trump spoke to Buhari on 28 April during which exchange the promise was reportedly made. He said also spoken to South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta over US support for combating the pandemic in the respective countries.

Total confirmed cases = 8,915 (new cases = 182)
Total recoveries = 2,592
Total deaths = 259
Active cases = 6,064

Figures valid as of close of day May 28, 2020

May 28: 8,788 cases, Kogi records case
Kogi State became the last but one state to record infections. The NCDC reported two cases from there on Wednesday evening. It means Cross River State remains the sole uninfected state as of May 27.

The NCDC also stressed the need for state governments to take charge of managing the pandemic in their jurisdictions. The outfit said it currently had 100,000 reagents available for testing.

At the daily briefing, Minister of State at the Education Ministry also touched on reopening of schools. “Until we can guarantee safety of children from COVID-19, our schools cannot resume. We will provide guidelines for the safe re-opening of schools,” Emeka Nwajiuba said.

Minister of state at the Health Ministry also said the ministry was developing sector specific advisories for the reopening of various sectors of the economy. Minister Olurunnimbe Mamora also said training on case management was ongoing for health workers nationwide.

Total confirmed cases = 8,733 (new cases = 389)
Total recoveries = 2,501
Total deaths = 254
Active cases = 5,978

Figures valid as of close of day May 27, 2020

May 27: 8,344 cases, chloroquine treatment to continue
The director of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac), Mojisola Adeyeye, has disclosed that clinical trails for virus treatment using chloroquine will continue despite a recent move by the WHO to suspend a similar trial over safety concerns.

She told a local broadcaster that even though Nafdac did not dispute WHO’s conclusions, the decision to continue with the trial was in order to generate their own data.

“I do not know the data that they’re looking at, whether it’s from the Caucasian population or from the African population. If the data they’re looking at and the reason for suspending the trials is from Caucasian population, then it may be justified.

“But I don’t think we have data from the African population yet, because our genetic make up is different,” she added. Lagos State had announced last week that trials were to start with the anti-malarial drug.

A number of African countries have also been using the drug to treat COVID-19. Algeria has also said it will continue using it for treatment. Cameroon’s health minister recently affirmed that chloroquine continued to be the preferred drug for treatment.

Medical journal, The Lancet reported on Friday May 22 that patients getting hydroxychloroquine were dying at higher rates than other coronavirus patients.

The WHO has 3,500 patients from 17 countries enrolled in what it calls the Solidarity Trial. This is an effort overseen by the WHO to find new treatments for COVID-19.

Total confirmed cases = 8,344 (new cases = 276)
Total recoveries = 2,385
Total deaths = 249
Active cases = 5,710

Figures valid as of close of day May 26, 2020

May 26: 8000+ cases, Africa’s 4th most impacted
Cases in Nigeria breached the 8,000 mark on Monday evening when the NCDC announced 229 new cases. The latest tally of 8,068 cases means that Nigeria is currently fourth most impacted on the continent.

It comes behind, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco. The country has consistently recorded 100 plus new cases for the last over one month.

Lagos continues to be the most impacted state whiles Kano is marching towards the 1,000 mark. Two states have yet to record cases, Cross River and Kogi.

Total confirmed cases = 8,068 (new cases = 229)
Total recoveries = 2,311
Total deaths = 233
Active cases = 5,524

Figures valid as of close of day May 25, 2020

May 25: 7,839 cases, Buhari on global impact, food sufficiency
President Buhari has stressed the global impact of COVID-19 describing it as a leveler between the developed and developing world. He noted the fewer deaths that Africa was recording as against figures from other continents.

Speaking at the presidential villa where he observed the post-Ramadan Eid prayers, Buhari also expressed hope that local food production could be rapidly scaled up to cater for needs of Nigerians.

He commended the Minister of Health and asked all citizens to obey all laid down protocols to the later in the interest of public safety. The first lady Aisha Buhari also reiterated the call to obey health instructions while condoling with families of those lost and wishing the ill speedy recovery.

“You can see that COVID-19 has reduced us, when I say us; both the developed and the developing countries to the same level. In fact we have less casualties than they have. So it is a very frightening development.

“I advice Nigerians to be very careful and to take the advice from the Ministry of Health. The Minister of health has been doing very well, speaking and educating people, so Nigerians we should be very careful.

“I hope the raining season will be bountiful, we will get a lot of food, I wish the farmers will go and till the land so that we can produce what we eat. Especially so that we don’t have to import, we don’t have any budget to import food; so we must produce what we are going to eat.”

Total confirmed cases = 7,839 (new cases = 313)
Total recoveries = 2,263
Total deaths = 226
Active cases = 5,350

Many parents in Nigeria appear to be in a dilemma at the moment. They are caught in-between the desire to see their children go back to school as soon as possible and the fear of the children contracting the dreaded coronavirus (Covid-19), which was the reason for shutting down schools across the country since the month of April. Some of the parents who spoke with BDSUNDAY said

Though, the parents expressed concern that this year’s academic calendar may have been altered, which by implication, would prolong the children’s stay in school when schools eventually reopen, they also expressed fear that rushing to reopen schools may lead to trading the lives of their children for knowledge acquisition.

BDSUNDAY findings show that one of their major fears is the ability of schools to abide by the protocols stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and most importantly, the ability of pupils to restrain themselves from mingling dangerously with one another.

But Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River State, believes that Nigeria could be waiting for eternity, advising that schools should reopen as the coronavirus may have come to stay. He said that what was needed to be done was to fashion out ways of living with the pandemic.

A mother, who simply introduced herself as Kate, a banker, said: “The major concern I have, which I think is the same fear many parents nurse, is how to get the children to observe what has become a sort of stereotype- don’t touch your face, your nose; don’t touch another person, maintain a distance and wash your hands regularly. Even if schools provide all the necessary things expected of them, enforcing compliance may be a little bit difficult.”

According to Kate, “I read a report a few days ago that despite all the warnings and instructions on the protocol to adopt by worshippers, some of the people were so excited on seeing their brethren that they began to hug one another and shaking hands. If it is so with adults, I cannot be sure that the children will be controlled if they should be told to go back to school today. The coronavirus is real; make no mistake about it. So, what would it profit a parent to endanger the life of a child or by implication a whole family by clamouring for school reopening? I think, for me, life is first.”

Margret Uponi, another parent and CEO of Maribet Consult Limited, told our correspondent that “Children are highly asymptomatic and could contract COVID-19 from even teachers that use public transport. The children that get infected in school may then expose their parents and other children that are highly vulnerable.”

Uponi said that it is still very unsafe to expose children either in public or private school, adding that both government and school owners need to be deliberate in the process of reopening school.

According to her, “There is really no hurry for now. The older ones in terminal classes specifically can be engaged online to complete the session and write their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) examinations digitally from all over the world. The students in higher institutions can also be engaged virtually as well. Unfortunately, our public Universities are on strike as we speak.”

She however, noted that for Nigerian Private Universities that understand how to apply the effective use of Learning Management System, the period of school closure can afford them the opportunity to extend an online teaching to their students at an affordable fee.

“This is also the time that Open University was supposed to be functional. Unfortunately or fortunately, COVID-19 has helped us to reveal our very many inadequacies. Only few of our universities are ready, a few private schools are doing their best as they see that necessity is the mother of invention,” she said.

Uponi was quick to add that if the schools were to resume today, she would not send her children back to school; a view she believed to have been shared by many of her friends. “COVID-19 is real and it’s ravaging anyhow. We need to take personal responsibility. Better be safe than be sorry.”

Niyi Akinnaso, a concerned public analyst in an article titled, ‘How schools may reopen gradually’, opines that “Knowing what we know today about the behaviour of the COVID-19; the incredulity of many Nigerians about the virus; and the non-compliance of most Nigerians with the World Health Organisation (WHO)-supported mitigation measures established by the NCDC, it will be foolhardy to think of reopening schools earlier than September. Neither the science nor the data of COVID-19 in Nigeria today leads us to think of reopening schools soon.”

Akinnaso reiterated the fear of many parents over school resumption as many schools lack the infrastructure for maintaining physical distancing and washing hands with soap regularly.

According to him, “Parents, teachers, and students often come from different parts of the country to many of the nation’s schools, especially in the cities. With the confession of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 that Nigerians are refusing to show up for testing, who knows what many of them will bring to the schools, if they were reopened while the infections are spiking without an end in sight?”

“As for the universities, the idea of online learning is nothing more than self-deception on the part of government and many universities in the country, because neither the infrastructure nor the trained personnel is available in most public universities. Even in private universities, such as Elizade University, which boast of successful online classes during the ongoing pandemic, the percentage of students who are able to participate effectively ranges from 30 to 70 percent,” Akinnaso said.

The fears expressed by parents concerning school resumption is not however, lost on some school owners, who believed that though private schools may be ready for resumption, that cannot be said of public schools.

A school proprietor, who spoke to BDSUNDAY on condition of anonymity, said in preparation for school resumption in July or any time, she had already ordered electronic sanitising machine, washing bucket with tap, soaps, temperature reading machine and have equally advised parents on their own part to be safety cautions prior to resumption.

“We will fumigate the school premises. As long as we keep personal hygiene as we should. Feed kids with healthy food. I am 100 percent sure all we go well. We will stagger their play time,” she said.

She however, observed that the elite parents are not comfortable sending their kids to school now. Their kids are not affected by this pandemic like the average low income parents. Their online learning is 100 percent going on, because they can afford whatever it takes.

“It’s tough though, but that’s where we are now. Even till September, the number of Covid-19 cases is unlikely to reduce. We might as well move on with precautionary measures until maybe vaccine will show up hopefully,” she said.

Yomi Awelewa, a lecturer with the University of Lagos and father of two children, hopes that when all measures are put in place, he can then allow his children resume.

He pointed out that since the Federal Government plans a phased opening of school, it will help ensure that the process is gradual and not too cumbersome for schools.

He further noted that children’s academic future should not entirely be put on hold because of the pandemic, “July 13 is a tentative date for resumption. So, let wait and see what will happen,” he said.

Ben Ayade, Cross River State governor, however, strongly believes that it is wise for the kids to go back to school with their nose masks and face shields.

The governor, who advised the Federal Government to reopen schools, spoke while unveiling a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) production plant in the state. According to him, Cross River State has strong commitment that children would not continue to stay at home because “the more they stay at home, the more the moral decadence; the more the indiscipline and the more they become very lazy to go back to school and get started.”

“Obviously, the coronavirus has come to stay with us and the reality is that countries that had to resume schools have had to contain with rising cases of the virus. How long are we going to wait as a country? Perhaps, we have to adopt a new lifestyle that would integrate COVID-19 as part of our lifestyle,” Ayade said.

According to him, “At every stage in life, there is a time when you have to be in class and when children miss that delicate phase, it becomes very dangerous. I think it is wise for the kids to go back to school with their nose mask and face shield. When you get to school, you drop the mask and wear the shield only to class to allow you for more ventilation and better breathing.”

“I think Cross River State would want to see that the school starts for sure. Because we care, and we would want to support our public schools with free provisions of PPEs, which is limited only to nose mask and face shield. The state is investing in mass production of face shield and nose mask because it has become obvious that PPE has become more critical. Without the PEEs, our health workers would be at risk. Therefore, there is need for the production of PPEs. This would be the first and major shield production here in Nigeria and I think that the Federal Government would be encouraged to resume schools,” the governor added.