₦airaland Forum

MIsurgical:
Happy New Week People

Jamesrock:
Now you know

haryorbarmie83:
Ooin. People will cross border with their legs. Good move by FG>>This is serious

Nbote:
Hahahahahahah��

darlenese:
Hmmmm

Abuja – Rivers State has recorded its first case of Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 51, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General of NCDC, made this known in on Thursday in Abuja, while giving an update on the COVID-19 infections. Ihekweazu said NCDC on Wednesday reported five new cases of coronavirus, with two cases each in Abuja and Lagos, and one in Rivers. The NCDC said out of the five new cases, three are returning travellers into Nigeria and two are close contacts of a confirmed case. “As at 11:25 pm March 25, there are, 51 confirmed cases, two discharge and one death,” he said. He classified the cases as 48 active cases, two recovered and discharged and one death. The death was a Nigerian with an underlying health condition. Ihekeazu said that NCDC would continue to share verified updates regarding COVID-19, and the importance of practising social distancing, regularly and thorough washing of of hands with soap or alcohol based hand sanitisers. “ If you’ve travelled recently to a country with widespread transmission in the last 14 days and you’re showing symptoms of Fever, cough or breathing difficulty, please stay at home and dial the NCDC toll free number : 080097000010

“We’ve highlighted the importance of social distancing in four languages- Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Pidgin, all on the NCDC website. “ To reduce the spread of fake news, there’s a World Health Organisation (WHO), but that is available globally to receive live updates on COVID-19 on your WhatsApp. “Please share this with friends and family, lets all do what we can to stay safe during this period. We can get through this, if we #TakeResponsibility, stay at home and reduce the spread of fake news,” he advocated. COVID1-19 pandemic grows, health officials continue to monitor the number of confirmed cases. Globally there are 468,156 cases and 21,180 deaths from COVID-19 outbreaks. COVID-19 has affected 198 countries and territories around the world.

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, said Nigerians deserve palliative measures to cushion the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Abubakar, in a statement, also pledged to provide N50m to a relief fund for Nigerians.

The former VP’s statement read in part, “Nigerians deserve palliative measures (amid the coronavirus pandemic). To this end, Priam Group pledges N50m on my behalf as my humble contribution to a relief fund that will form part of the stimulus package.”


Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 poll, applauded state governments for taking proactive measures, such as issuing stay-at-home orders and shutting down non-essential markets and other places of mass gatherings, while also giving guidelines for social distancing.

He, however, urged the federal and state governments to provide palliatives for Nigerians to cushion the effects of painful measures being taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Atiku said, “However, we must accept the fact that much of the Nigerian public have a subsistence existence.


“A large percentage of our people do not have the financial capacity to withstand long periods of self-isolation and even a lockdown. It is, therefore, incumbent on the federal and state governments to provide palliatives to the Nigerian people to enable them survive, even as they abide by these necessary measures put in place or their own safety.

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

COVID-19: World Bank to deploy $150bn for economic recovery – The Coronavirus pandemic had led to unprecedented disruptions to global supply chains, sharp drop in global crude oil prices, turmoil in global stock and financial markets, lockdown of large swaths movements of persons in many countries, among others.

The World Bank Group has expressed its readiness to deploy about $150bn over the next 15 months to stimulate economic recovery of countries affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

These outcomes have had severe consequences on households’ livelihoods and business activities, resulting from drop in global demand, declined consumer confidence and slowdown in production.

The World Bank Group President David Malpass in his remarks from the G20 Finance Ministers conference call on the COVID-19 pandemic said these are difficult times for all, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable. For the World Bank Group, he said the first goal is to provide prompt support during the crisis, based on a country’s needs.

He noted that it was vital for governments of countries affected by the pandemic to shorten the time of recovery and create confidence that the recovery can be strong.

Malpass said the bank is currently restructuring existing projects in 23 countries. He said the bank is also preparing projects in 49 countries through a new fast-track facility. Beyond the severe health impact from the pandemic, we should expect a major recession of the global economy. The World Bank boss said, “We are working to provide a fast response, utilizing all our available instruments.

“Countries need to move fast to boost health spending, strengthen social safety nets, support the private sector and counter financial-market disruption.

“Countries will need to implement structural reforms to help shorten the time to recovery and create confidence that the recovery can be strong.

He added, “For those countries that have excessive regulations, subsidies, licensing regimes, trade protection or litigiousness as obstacles, we will work with them to foster markets, choice and faster growth prospects during the recovery.

President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare (Esq.), has accused Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operators of oil mining lease (OML) 30 of initiating a “divide and rule,” policy, in order to put some host community leasers in compromising positions.


President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eric Omare (Esq.), has accused Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operators of oil mining lease (OML) 30 of initiating a “divide and rule,” policy, in order to put some host community leasers in compromising positions.


Omare also called on members of the National Assembly to investigate HEOSL’s conduct against its host communities.

In a statement issued to newsmen, the IYC president disclosed that shortly after its press briefing last week, the company on Saturday, met with some leaders of its host communities in Lagos, where it agreed to pay some of its indebtedness to the contractors who are leaders of the Global Memorandum of Understanding and Clusters.

The statement which reiterated the call for the revocation of the oil company’s operating license over “incompetence” to operate the OML, emphasized that host areas to the firm are experiencing untold hardship due to its refusal to pay local contractors for jobs executed for as long as three years ago.

Warning that companies that adopted the divide and rule tactics in the Niger Delta region ended up selling off their assets, he noted that the people will resist the move, as in the past.

It is common knowledge in the host communities to Heritage and close watches of events relating to Heritage management of OML 30, that inability to pay contractors and discharge contractual obligations have become a common feature in the affairs of Heritage which has led to protest against the company both at its Warri and Lagos offices.




“This response was another divide and rule strategy which has become common with Heritage operations in OML 30. Instead of Heritage to take steps to pay all the contractors their indebtedness irrespective of the contractors status in their host communities, it decided to only address their indebtedness to a few leaders in their host communities so as to compromise them from speaking on the matter.

“We wish to remind Heritage that companies that have adopted divide and rule tactics as a company policy in the past in the Niger Delta region have ended up selling their assets because in the end the people would resist them. This would surely be the case with Heritage if it continues with this same divide and rule strategy.

“The host communities to Heritage are experiencing an unprecedented poverty because of Heritage deliberate refusal to pay local contractors while transporting the money realised from their communities to other parts of the country and abroad.

“We also call on the relevant committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to investigate the oppressive conducts of Heritage against its host communities. We are ready to bring the facts and evidence against them in such a public hearing.”

Meanwhile, the management of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited has clarified that verified local contractors are being paid, while others remain other investigation.

The management of Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL) has clarified that it has been paying its local contractors whose jobs had been verified, while some others were being investigated.

The company, also in a press release, said the youths claim on its incompetence and refusal to pay indigenous contractors, does not reflect the true situation.

HEOSL, stressed that it only manages the assets for the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and Shoreline Natural Resources Limited, adding that when it took over operations of OML 30, in 2017, the firm inherited huge debts and ongoing contracts.

“The company noticed that while some of the invoices could be verified, there were some that could not. Despite this, the company went ahead and commenced with the payment of verified invoices while investigating others.

“The volume of the debts necessitated the development in conjunction with contractors of payment plans for installment payments. Since then, the company has been steadily reducing the debts according to the agreed payment plans,” parts of the statement read.

It has been a long year for us Nigerians, even when the year has hardly started. The year 2020 is one of a kind. I heard some people are sending humble appeals to God to take by this 2020 and give us another year. Many around the world, not just Nigerians, actually are wishing there was an opportunity for such a deal with God, to rescind a bad year and replace it with a good one. This year 2020 has actually seen more disasters in three months than so many did in twelve months. It brought with it a complex chain of events that presented differently to different people – to some a good lesson and opportunity to change; to others bad news.

As a year subsequent to one in which some elections were held, 2020 bore the brunt of some of the dirtiest things that are Nigerian politics and jurisprudence. Many, who lost elections the year before, suddenly woke up occupying the exalted offices they could not win at the ballot, by some yet to be resolved judicial/legislative abracadabra. This year also brought to a sudden end, the ambition of some Nigerian individuals to enter the Guinness Book of Records, as those with the largest number of names, aliases and name combinations – a feat our efficient election umpires and those that ought to prevent such ridicule failed to perform.

But that was the small part of the big events that have lined up. A deficit budget was made and while efforts were on to borrow and fill the hole; hell was let loose in the world oil market. Saudi Arabia and Russia began a production fight and prices began to tank towards a hitherto unimaginable $20 mark. Under the earth tremor that followed, even the president did not need a counsellor to chill his $28 million controversial loan ambition. From that point on, Nigerians went into a tunnel of confusion as they waited for the budget to be reviewed to realistically reflect developments in the oil market. Then nature came and reviewed it for us.

Then suddenly came Coronavirus, COVID 19, the new killer virus now rampaging the whole wide world. While this was going on the price of the county’s major foreign exchange earner, oil continued to go south, dropping to as low as below $27 per barrel.

In the midst of the confusion, the monetary authorities are taking a number of panic measures meant to achieve some unknown objective – the currency was “adjusted”, not devalued, to N370 per dollar. Many are still reading some tough books in Economics to fish out the fine differences between the two words. Many governments have asked workers to stay off work as COVID 19 rules the waves – in the poverty headquarters of the world. You must be in for some news.

The truth is that nobody is making any money today. In a few days, hunger, which was hanging around the corner, will take its proper place among the very same unfortunate members of the world’s poorest human enclave. I know that many of us have gone spiritual; and who wouldn’t, when giants and invincible like Bill Gates have long turned to prayer and fast. Sadly, COVID 19 does not even allow for a fellowship of the brethren. At times like these, when men can no longer trust in their skills, contacts and connections, the divine takes pre-eminence. At such times, it is usually no longer a matter of faith but a question of what works, and the spiritual part of us comes alive. I really and truly join my faith to those of all Nigerians who have since the crisis become more spiritual. I continue to hope and pray that your doubts and fears will disappear soon enough so you may return to your sinful way. God forbid.

Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu on Monday night discussed Combating COVID-19 pandemic in Delta on AIT’s ‘Democracy Today’ in Asaba via Skype and Nosa Akenzua, monitored it.

********* Your neighbouring state of Edo has confirmed a case of the COVID-19, what is Delta State government doing to avert further spread of the virus to Delta?

The COVID-19 is a virus that has come to show that it doesn’t have respect for government, but what we have done is to try as much as possible to put in place possible preventive measures and in case it comes, how to also manage the challenges that comes with it. It’s unfortunate that it is a disease that has come into our territory and of course you know what it has done across the length and breadth of the developed world and how it has somehow overwhelmed their medical expertise and of course we do hope that when it spreads, because you can’t be using if at this time, that we will have by the grace of God the strength to contain this particular contagious virus. Good enough, the index, that is the first contact, has been reported to have recovered and has now tested negative, but here in Delta we have put in place a lot of options; Number one, inspite of the fact we don’t have it in Delta, the government of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has put in place a lot of facilities including where we can have a holding point where anybody that is suspected to have it could be placed pending when we are able to ascertain whether the person have it or not and then from there we have also developed a place where we can for the purpose of case management. Of course, you know at the moment it is reported not to have any known vaccine you can deploy to treat it, but what we have done is to try as much as possible to put in place those things that will enable us not to be caught napping when it comes, but we pray it doesn’t come.

************ What is your government planning to do to alleviate the sufferings of your people in case of any lockdown? Well most importantly, we are putting in a lot of efforts aimed at preventing the spread, if it eventually gets to this part of the country, but beyond the preventive approaches that we have been able to seriously emphasise, we have also if you will recall, last week the governor, that is my boss, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the governor of Sokoto State, Rt Hon Aminu Tambuwal had course to inspect the Isolation Centre that we built at the Federal Medical Centre here in Asaba and it is reputed to be one of the best in the country in terms of facilities, but beyond that we have also established another one which is much bigger at the Central Hospital here in Asaba. But what we are trying to do is to as much as possible take it closer to the people. In Warri, we have also earmarked a place and a lot of activities is going on at the Warri Central Hospital and at the Central Senatorial district in Oghara, we have also set up an isolated area where we can also deal with such issues. But the one in Asaba we inspected it this afternoon. Though at the moment it is a 24 bed space, it has the capacity to take as much as 50 to 52 persons, but what we have done is to give some gap but if it is stretched, we pray it doesn’t get to that level, we will be able to deal with it.

Now we have been able to carve out an area that is going to serve as a holding place where they can take the sample and then send it to Irrua for testing and if it happens that the person tests positive, the person is now moved to a place where we have the treatment centre. The centre is where we handle symptoms that usually come with COVID-19. Because it is believed that as you continue to treat those symptoms, it is possible that the individual will rise up to the challenge. Because when he becomes immune to the extent of withstanding whatever threat that the COVID-19 poses, of course the international community particularly the World Health Organisation (WHO) is putting in a frantic effort to ensure that vaccines are developed to curb this particular health challenge. But just like the other viruses that comes, after sometime the body is able to build its own soldiers and then mount immunity to be able to withstand it and so we are hoping that a solution will be found soon to combat the pandemic.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority on Monday cleared cargo flights and aircraft in emergency for operations.

In a circular to foreign and domestic airline operators, the NCAA also said over flights, operations related to humanitarian aid, medical and relief flights were considered essential and would be permitted to operate.

According to the regulatory agency, others considered for exemption from the international flights restriction include technical stop where passengers do not disembark and other safety operations.

“With the exception of aircraft in a state of emergency, request for approval for other flights is required and should be addressed to the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika,” the circular read in part.

The NCAA had on Saturday announced that the Murtala Muhammed International, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja would be closed to international flights from Monday, March 23.

The NCAA also said on Monday that all aircraft must be disinfected and all passengers’ temperature checked and hands sanitised before each flight.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Immigration Service has suspended for one month the processing of passports and migrant e-Registration due to the current outbreak and spread of COVID-19.

The Comptroller General of Immigration Service, Muhammad Babandede, gave the directive in a statement on Monday by the Service Public Relations Officer, Mr Sunday James.

updatefly33:
It's spreading very fast

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed an additional five cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases to 35.

The NCDC via its Twitter handle, @NCDCgov, on Monday said, “Five new cases of #COVID19 have been confirmed in Nigeria: two in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), two in Lagos State and one in Edo State.

“Two cases are returning travellers from the United Kingdom. As of 09:45 am on 23rd of March, there are 35 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria. Two have been discharged.”