Category General news

Donation

By Segun Giwa

Akure, April 2,2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), in Ondo State has donated health kits to the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), for the use of members as precautionary measures against the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that some of the materials donated by the NMA, include buckets, chlorine and hand sanitisers among others to be placed at the Press Centre for members and visitors’ use.

Presenting the materials on Thursday in Akure, the State Chairman of NMA, Dr Wale Oke described NUJ as critical partner, especially during ’emergency period.’

He urged journalists to sustain their enlightenment campaign against COVID-19.

Oke called on the state government to provide COVID-19 test kits in the state to fast track testing of suspected cases.

The NMA Chairman, who was accompanied by a medical team led by Dr Zacharias Gbelela, stressed the need for government and Nigerians to focus more on preventive measures, rather than curative.

Also, Dr Gbelela advised members of the public to get individual hand sanitisers a precautionary measure against the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives from Akoko Northeast/Northwest federal constituency of Ondo state, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, also made N100,000 cash donation to  the NUJ to fight the virus in the state.

Tunji-Ojo described media professionals as very important stakeholders at this critical time that must be supported by all stakeholders.

Responding, the State Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Adetona Aderoboye expressed gratitude to both NMA and Hon Tunji Ojo for the kind gesture.

He said the donations would go a long way to assist the union to provide necessary health kits for members and media organisations in the state. (NAN)

GSD/ESAN/IU

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Edited by Abiodun Esan and Isaac Ukpoju

COVID-19: Donate equipment not cash, NMA Committee advises donors

Fund
By Felicia Imohimi
Abuja, April 2, 2020 (NAN) Prof. Titus Ibekwe, Chairman, National Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Professional Development (CME/CPD), Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), says Nigeria urgently needs donation of medical equipment.

Ibekwe, who gave the advice in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said equipment are needed rather than cash donation in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Ibekwe lauded the donors, public spirited individuals and corporate organisations for their generosity in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

He appealed to them to toe the path of Jack Ma Foundation by donating medical equipment and laboratories to curb the spread.

Ibekwe advised such prospective donors to liaise with manufacturers of medical equipment in the quick supply of such equipment in their desire to help humanity, rather than bringing cash donations into the pool.

He noted that such measure would improve and bring about efficient, sensitive and time bound functional system required to arrest the progression of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The chairman recalled that Jack Ma, the Founder of the Chinese E-commerce giant Alibaba shipped in multi million dollars worth of equipment and consumables to African countries including Nigeria through the African Union rather than cash donation.

Ibekwe further noted that toeing Jack Ma’s path would eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks in managing and allocating the fund donated for the purpose of reducing the burden of COVID-19.

Ibekwe specifically noted that Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital’s functionality at the moment was boosted by NNPC’s procurement and donation of nine Ventilators, 14 beds and one Oxygen Extractor to the Isolation Centre.

According to him, the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) boss followed their foot step with a personal donation of a Ventilator.

The CME/CPD Chairman classified the equipment and consumables for the management of COVID-19 as ‘sensitive and non sensitive” materials.

He said nonsensitive medical materials that could be procured directly from manufacturers included ventilators, beds, oxygen extractors , disinfectants, gloves and goggles among others.

“Whereas, the sensitive ones remain the test kits which the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) procures directly through WHO. Fund could be donated for the sensitive ones and direct procurement deployed by the NCDC.

“This way, we shall unbundle the overwhelming responsibility of NCDC so they can focus on quality control and standard setting.

“The measure would enhance an efficient, sensitive and time bound functional system required to arrest the progression of the pandemic in Nigeria,” Ibekwe said. (NAN)
FUA/ KOO/AFA
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Felix Ajide

Investigation

Lokoja, April 2, 2020 ( NAN)
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has ordered immediate investigation into allegations of assault, battery and other serious crimes levied against the state Commissioner for water resources, Mr Abdulmumini Danga.

The Commissioner for information and communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed this in a statement in Lokoja on Thursday.

“The governor, being an avowed advocate of fundamental human rights is shocked by these allegations and will not allow them to go uninvestigated.

” The governor has ordered accelerated investigation into the matter and hereby assures both accuser and accused, as well as the general public, that the whole truth will be uncovered and justice served as appropriate,” the commissioner said.

A lady ( name withheld) had accused the Commissioner of abducting and assaulting recently in Lokoja recently.

However, government in the statement, reaffirmed its unalloyed commitment to the protection of all residents from all forms of oppression

” We will not tolerate violence against women or children under any form or guise.

“We give our word that if these allegations are proven, everyone found culpable will be brought to justice,” the statement said.

The governor then called on the people of the state to continue to observe the protocols of prevention and safety relating to the COVIDD-19 outbreak. ( NAN)
KKA /SH

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Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Discharge

By Ayinde Olaide

Bauchi, April. 2, 2020 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government has said that two out of the three index Coronavirus (covid-19) patients  would soon be discharged.

Alhaji Baba Tela, the Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman, Disease Outbreak Response Committee of the state, made this known in a news conference in Bauchi on Thursday.

He said that 99 people have so far been tested for the deadly virus in the state, however, only three had been confirmed positive.

“Our statistics in the state with regards to the virus basically remains the same.

“99 people were tested for the virus in the state and three tested positive while 96 were negative.

“Out of the three cases, two would soon be discharged,” he  said.

The deputy governor further revealed that the lockdown as earlier announced, which takes effect from Thursday, April 2, was not a total shutdown. 

He added that it was a process meant to ensure social distancing in a manner that people would not, by a way of congestion in markets and other populated areas expose or spread the infection.

“All borders leading to the state would be shut down today, so that unsuspecting carriers of the virus would not infiltrate or spread the virus in the state.

“Restriction of movement of people in towns and villages is, hereby eased, but people are enjoined to maintain the one to one-point two metres spacing and avoid overcrowding.

“We want to appeal to the public, though we relax these measures, we urge our citizens to show greater understanding and cooperation with the Law Enforcement Agencies to help us manage this emergency,” he urged.

Tela also urged traders who were taking undue advantage of the situation to hike the prices of commodities in the state to refrain from such acts.(NAN)

EED/AMM/SH

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Sadiya Hamza 

Enlightenment
By Ibrahim Bello
Birnin Kebbi, April 2, 2020 (NAN) The Radio Television Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), has applauded journalists in Kebbi for being steadfast in enlightening the public on preventive measures against coronavirus in the state.

The state Chairman of RATTAWU, Alhaji Umar Abubakar-Kalgo, gave the commendation while fielding questions from journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

According to Abubakar-Kalgo, in spite of the dangers and hazardous condition, media workers are out 24 hours to inform the public about the dangers and prevention against coronavirus.

He commended the state government on the measures also taken in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

He called on the government to provide journalists with face masks, sanitisers and other things that would help carry out their duties effectively.

The chairman advised people in the state to adhere strictly to the advice of the health personnel on environmental and personal hygiene to avoid infection of the disease. (NAN).
IBI/CHIN/AJA
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Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Adeleye Ajayi

Palliatives

“It will serve as a relief package to buy basic food items every month. The target is 20,000 beneficiaries in the first instance,” Yusuf said.

Hawking
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Ilorin, April 2, 2020 (NAN) Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic causing devastation globally, children who are the most vulnerable group are still found hawking around highways and across some markets in Ilorin Township

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that these children are found around market areas such as Ipata, Maraba and Oja Oba hawking pepper, tomatoes, onions and fruits among others.

NAN also observed that these children were without any protective gears such as face mask,  gloves and hand sanitizers.

The Kwara Government also has imposed a partial lockdown on the state as part of preventive measures against the spread of the pandemic.

However, only food stores and pharmacies are allowed to open at the market.

Speaking on this development, Mrs Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, the Executive Director of Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative, warned parents against sending their children to hawk in this dangerous period.

Apiriola-Ajayi noted that her organisation had observed the dangerous trend and would as a matter of urgency commence sensitisation against sending children to hawk amidst Covid 19 pandemic.

She told NAN that there was need to put in place good policy measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Apiriola-Ajayi said many people survived on daily income, and with the inactive economic situation brought about by Covid-19, the situation was worsening.

“People are suffering and they are sending children into danger to bring sustenance.

“The reality is that no parent wants to send their children into danger but are forced to do so for purpose of survival,” she said.

Apiriola-Ajayi appealed to the state government to ensure palliative measures get to the vulnerable people in the society.

Also speaking with NAN, Mr Femi Oyedeji, the Founder of Save the Future of Children Initiative in Nigeria, pointed out that poverty was aggravating the level of vulnerability in the populace.

Oyedeji explained that the economic stagnation and lack of palliative measures was a double challenge.

He said government was overwhelmed but was trying its best to alleviate the suffering of the people, adding that palliative measures should be provided by government at all levels.

Oyedeji explained that his organisation was complementing government’s effort by distributing some foodstuffs as palliative measures in Ilorin West LGA.

All efforts to get government’s officials to comment proved abortive as the government spokesman was not picking his calls.

The state government planned fumigation of markets and public places was also yet to take place.(NAN)

FATY/ORO/AFA

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Edited by Razak Owolabi/Felix Ajide

Donation

By Hassana Yakubu

Kaduna April 2, 2020(NAN) A non-governmental organisation, ‘Like Minds For Social development Initiative’, has provided about 6,000 bottles of hand sanitisers to communities in Kaduna State.

The NGO also said it had been sensitising the populace on the Coronavirus pandemic through various  enlightenment campaigns before the advent of the pandemic in the country.

The Director of the NGO, Hajiya Maijjida Abdulkadir  stated these in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna.

Abdulkadir said the gesture was part of the organisation’s efforts  toward securing the people of the state from the scourge of Coronavirus.

“We explained in detail how Coronavirus can be contracted and the need for them to practice social distancing, proper hygiene, washing of hands with soap at least 20 minutes intervals, the proper use of hand sanitisers and also the basic signs and symptoms of the virus,’’ she said.

According to her,  the NGO has been working with about 526 corporate organisations.

” We reach out to the members of each organisation through their leaders, we give out the items to share accordingly,” she said.

She said the NGO had also been reaching out to non members of the organisation, and would continue to share hand sanitisers, soap,  hand wipes and gloves among others.(NAN)

HMY/CHOM/SOA

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Oluwole Sogunle