Buhari Approves Partial Lockdown In Lagos, Ogun, FCT From May 4

 

     President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The President announced this during his third nationwide broadcast on COVID-19.

“Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.,” he said.

However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.

The announcement will enable many who have been forced to stay at home for more than a month as well as businesses to reopen. President had on March 29 first announced a two-week lockdown, which became effective on Monday, March 30. He would extend it for another two weeks.

Read his full speech below:

ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CUMULATIVE LOCKDOWN ORDER OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ON COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 2020

1. Fellow Nigerians

2. I will start by commending you all for the resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against the biggest health challenge of our generation.

3. As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000 recoveries. Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of this pandemic.

4. The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

5. Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and assumptions may change in the coming days or weeks.

6. Exactly two weeks ago, there were 323 confirmed cases in 20 States and the Federal Capital Territory.

7. As at this morning, Nigeria had recorded 1,273 cases across 32 States and the FCT. Unfortunately, this includes 40 deaths.

8. I am using this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families of all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is our collective loss and we share your grief.

9. Initial models predicted that Nigeria will record an estimated 2,000 confirmed cases in the first month after the index case.

Two Chinese nationals arrested for illegal mining in Zamfara

   

  Two Chinese nationals identified as Wang and Chu, have been arrested by men of the Zamfara state police command for their alleged involvement in illegal mining of Gold at Nasarawa Burkullu village in Kwali, Bukkuyum Local Government Area (LGA).
 
   They have been accused of going against the directive of the Federal government, that all mining activities be stopped in the state. The directive was issued on April 7th. Confirming their arrest, the spokesperson of the state police command said the arrest followed a tip-off received by the police on April 19, that some persons including foreigners were engaged in illegal mining despite federal government’s ban on all mining activities.

Oyo civil servants resume duty at state secretariat

 

   Oyo state public and civil servants on Grade Level (GL) 13 and above on Monday reported for work at the state secretariat.

Kano Confirms Two More COVID-19 Deaths

  The Kano State government has confirmed the death of two more patients who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

  The state Ministry of Health announced this in a tweet, saying that was the situation in Kano as of 12:15pm on Monday. This brings the total number of COVID-19 patients that have died in the state to three.

Fire Guts NNPC Petrol Station In Ogba

 

   There has been a fire outbreak at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) petrol station located along College road in the Ogba area of Lagos State.

South Korea denies that Kim Jong-Un is dead

    The South Korea Government has denied that North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, is dead, saying that the dictator of the hermit nation is ‘alive and well’. There have been media reports in Chinese, Korean and American outlets that Kim was in a very poor state physically after undergoing heart surgery last week.

   Reports of Kim’s poor health emanated after he missed the celebration of his grandfather’s birthday on April 15, a very important celebration that he never misses. He had been seen four days before that at a politburo meeting, according to North Korean state media, KCNA.

Kaduna State Governor Extends Coronavirus Lockdown By 30 Days

 

    Kaduna, Governor Nasiru El-rufai of Kaduna State has extended the state's coronavirus lockdown for 30 days.

Comedienne Real Warri Pikin And Hubby Celebrate 7th Wedding Anniversary

 

   Comedienne Anita Asuoha a.k.a Real Warri Pikin and her hubby are celebrating their 7th wedding Anniversary today April 27, 2020

COVID 19- Lockdown extension; Nigerians await Buhari's Decision

 

   There was uncertainty on Sunday night over whether the lockdown to check the spread of coronavirus will continue, it was learnt.

  President Muhammadu Buhari on April 13 renewed the two-week stay-at-home order on Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), saying the extension was the right thing to do to contain the pandemic. As at the time the President imposed the first lockdown on March 30, there were 131 cases in the country which moved to 343 on April 13.

House of Representatives to resume plenary session Tuesday

   The leadership of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has directed its members to resume plenary session on Tuesday. This is contained in a statement signed by the Clerk to the House of Representatives, Patrick Giwa.

   The statement says copies of the Covid-19 guidelines approved by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control as well as additional guidelines developed by the House will be sent to Members’ pigeon holes for collection on resumption.

Mysterious deaths in Kano not connected to coronavirus - Kano Government

   The Kano Government has said the scores of deaths, in recent days, were unrelated with the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic. But it also quickly acknowledged it was jumping to conclusion by stating that the health ministry is probing the causes.

Ondo state also rejects 'expired' Federal Government rice

 

   Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has rejected bags of rice sent to the state by the Federal Government as palliatives. It was gathered that most of the 1800 bags received by the state from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management were not fit for human consumption.

Nigeria Records 91 New Cases Of COVID-19

    Nigeria on Sunday recorded 91 new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the country’s total infections to 1,273 , according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

  According to the NCDC in a tweet via its official handle, 43 of the new infections were recorded in Lagos, 8 in Sokoto and 6 in Taraba. The country’s total deaths from the virus now stand at 40 while 239 have recovered. 91 new cases of #COVID19 reported;

43-Lagos
8-Sokoto
6-Taraba
5-Kaduna
5-Gombe
3-Ondo
3-FCT
3-Edo
3-Oyo