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Appeal

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, April 27, 2020 (NAN) The wife of Bauchi State Governor, Dr Aisha Mohammed, on Monday appealed to residents to support the state government’s partial lockdown order to curtail the spread of the coronavirus.

Mohammed made the appeal in her Ramadan message to the Muslim communities in the state.

She called for intensified prayers during the holy month of Ramadan for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic that has touched all sectors of human endeavours.

She said that adhering to guidelines from health experts would go a long way to reduce the spread of the virus.

She described the pandemic as “divine trial”, hence the need for total submission, devotion and prayers to God.

“Citizens of Bauchi State should be committed towards intensifying prayers during the Ramadan period.

“People should adhere to guidelines by health experts on curtailing the spread of the virus.

“I am a living witness of COVID-19; whatever measure is put in place by government or health experts should be accepted and practised,’’ she said.

Mohammed advised women and youths to be patient during the stay-at-home period to ensure a healthy society.

She also appealed to mothers of children of under five years old to ensure that their babies completed their routine immunisation while pregnant women should go for their regular antenatal clinics during the partial lockdown.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government has imposed a partial lockdown on the state, beginning from April 26.

The food and drugs suppliers, supermarkets and essential service providers are exempted from the partial lockdown.

The state government also announced Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays every week as market days from 10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. for people to restock their needs. (NAN)

AE/SSA/AIB

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Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Abdulfatah Babatunde

Yankari

By Amina Ahmed

Bauchi, April 21, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi Governnment said it has  locked down Yankari Game Reserve in order to curtail the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the international tourist centre.

Commissioner for Tourism, Alhaji Moddibbo Abdulkadir told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi.

According to Abdulkadir, the decision is to adhere properly to the health guidelines on the pandemic.

He said that although, hand washing facilities, sanitisers, scanners and other required items were provided, the need to restrict activities in the tourist site was the best practice against the pandemic.

“Yankari game reserve is now on lockdown to tourists to  curtail the spread of COVID 19.

“We have provided the required items such as hand wash, sanitisers, scanners among others in Yankari.

“Plans to fumigate the entire game reserve is also in process as another measure to fight the virus.

“No case of COVID-19 is detected in Yankari but it will be wise to take preventive measures because during the Yellow fever incidents there are lots of publicity on it which actually  affects us,” he said.

 On Sumo Wild Park, the commisioner said that the wildlife would soon be vaccinated against all zoonotic diseases.

“We take care of the wildlife in Sumo and they will also be vaccinated against diseases,”he said.

The commissioner said that the present administration would establish a new museum in Katagum Local Government council to boost its tourists activities. 

He appealed to hotel managers in the state to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines for safety of the customers and the public.

“Although some hotels in the state have officially notified us that they have closed due to COVID-19, am appealing to those still operating to adhere to guidelines provided by experts against the pandemic. (NAN)

AE/CHIN

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Edited by Chinyere Bassey and Isaac Ukpoju

Ramadan: Bauchi residents lament hike in prices of food items

By Amina Ahmed

Food

Bauchi, April 20, 2020 (NAN) Some residents of Bauchi have cried out over the hike in prices of food items mostly used during the Ramadan fast.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who went round the markets reports on Monday that prices of most food items have increased as a result of COVID-19 lockdown.

Mrs Fatima Isiaku told NAN that a bag of sugar was sold at N27,000 as against the price of N15,000 in March last month.

She said that a bag of millet now sold for N15,000 against N10,000, adding that the increase was not fair to buyers.

“Even with lockdown, food is part of essential services, so I don’t understand the reason for such increment,” she said.

Also, Alhaji Ibrahim Suleiman, a buyer, said that with the countdown to Ramadan, goods such as millet, rice, sugar and potatoes were the food items used by Muslim faithful during Ramadan.

“A bag of Irish potatoes is sold for N18,000, can you imagine?

“People are preparing for Ramadan and the restriction of COVID-19, yet some are busy thinking of ways to exploit fellow Nigerians.

“Government and manufacturers should come out and end this hike in prices because it is not fair, no palliative and the traders are not considerate,” he said.

Another buyer, Mr Mohammed Inuwa, advised traders not to use the pandemic and fasting periods for their self-gain, rather they should assist by not hiking prices of their goods.

He acknowledged that philanthropists, Non-Governmental Organisations and institutions were dedicated toward supporting the vulnerable members of the society by donating food items to reduce the hardship.

He also called on the traders to reconsider the prices as Ramadan was about to set in.

In their separate reactions, some of the traders told NAN that several factors were responsible for hike in prices of some commodities.

A rice seller, Malam Abubakar Faruq  said that the prices were determined by the export and import rates.

According to him, prices of local rice and other food items produced in Nigeria remained the same.

Another seller, Mr Ibrahim Sani said presently the goods were not affordable to small traders due to increase in the prices from source. (NAN)

AE/ESAN/MST 

Edited by Abiodun Esan/Muhammad Suleiman Tola