The German Mission in Nigeria has pledged € 5 . 5 m to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund , says the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria , according to reports .
The donation , according to an online currency converter , Oanda , as of 2 pm on Thursday(today) , exchanged for N 2 . 2 bn.
This is coming as the West- African country grapples with the attendant effects of economic shocks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has paralysed most activities in the country while infecting over 170 people with two deaths .
There have been cries by the populace for the government to cushion the effect of the lockdown by providing relief materials including foodstuffs and other essentials .
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria announcing on its Twitter handle , @ OCHANigeria , said the donation by Germany would help vulnerable persons in Nigeria have access to potable water , food and shelter amidst the crisis .
UNOCHA Nigeria tweeted , “ Germany pledges € 5 . 5 m to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund . It’ s more critical than ever for vulnerable people to have access to clean water , food & shelter . This will enable partners to continue delivering life- saving aid amidst COVID- 19 . ”
The Federal Ministry of Finance , Budget and National Planning has deleted a tweet in which it pleaded with American billionaire, Elon Musk , for ventilators to treat the COVID- 19 pandemic .
The ministry also issued a statement apologising to Nigerians for the error .
The Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the minister , Yunusa Abdullahi , said in a statement that the tweet was not done with the permission of the minister .
The statement read , “ An unauthorised post was made on the verified Twitter handle of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning. The fact of the post is regrettable because of which it is brought down.
“ We have made sure our internal processes are strengthened that such doesn ’ t happen again . The error is highly regrettable. ”
However , the President ’ s Personal Assistant on New Media , Bashir Ahmad , who also appealed to Musk for assistance , refused to delete his tweet and even re- tweeted similar pleas .
Buhari ’ s aide tweeted, “Hello Elon , I woke up to this your tweet all over the timeline , in this period of worldwide emergency getting ventilators is pretty hard no matter how much money you get , and that ’ s understandable ! Nigeria , my dear country is in need . Kindly send 100 s here , we really need them, thanks !”
The Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on the federal government to extend the lockdown measures to other states of the federation as the means to eliminate the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.
He stated this against the background of the three new confirmed cases in the state .
However, newsmen gathered that the three new cases are part of the 127 returnees from Cote d’ivoire, who have been at an isolation centre in Ejigbo.
The three new cases returned positive after 24 suspected cases were tested.
Speaking last Tuesday night, Oyetola said the total lockdown of the country was necessary to avoid what he termed trans-border transfer of the virus.
The governor insisted that the only way to properly safeguard entry and exit into the country and between states in the country was to announce a total lockdown of the country.
Oyetola stated this while on a special programme tagged: ‘Journalists Hangout’ on Television Continental (TVC) last Tuesday evening.
According to him, “The war against coronavirus must be total. We should not be concentrating on three or few states alone. We should see this as a national emergency. “I am advocating for a total lockdown so that what is happening in Lagos and Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can be extended to other states as a better way to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“About four days ago, my colleague governor in Ogun State alerted me to the fact that some Nigerians of Osun State origin were coming in from Cote d’ivoire. I thanked him for his efforts because he also provided escort for them to reach us.
The federal government has issued a three-month ultimatum to power Distribution Companies (Discos) to improve the quality of power supply to their customers or be sanctioned.
The Minister of Power, Mr. Mamman Saleh, in a statement in Abuja, said before the three-month delay on the take-off of the implementation of tariff measures, the Discos must be willing to supply meters, improve power supply and agree on what is the reasonable tariff for consumers.
However, power Generation Companies (Gencos) have blamed the epileptic electricity supply on the federal government for its inability to guarantee adequate gas supply to generate electricity.
The minister said there would only be a rise in tariff when the Discos had committed themselves to play their roles effectively, rather than waiting for Nigerians to pay more for electricity.
“Tariffs will only be raised as the Distribution Companies (Discos) improve the quality of supply, meter consumers, and agree with consumers on rates. Discos that fail to improve will be sanctioned,” he said.
Mamman added that the ministry of power remained supportive of a “service-reflective” tariff system, which he said would be more equitable and would encourage investment in the sector.
He said: “The ministry will work with NERC to ensure that improvements happen in the entire Discos network and estimated billing is capped per NERC Order 197/2020. This will eliminate arbitrary billing that Nigerians have raised issues with.
“We are also implementing other key emergency measures to support the NESI (Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry). We are working with the CBN to ensure payments to the generators and gas suppliers through the Payment Assurance Facility (PAF) are expedited to support power supply.
More than 900, 000 cases of coronavirus have been officially detected worldwide since the pandemic emerged in China late last year , according to an AFP tally at 1900 GMT using official sources.
At least 905, 589 infections including 45 , 719 deaths have been recorded in 187 countries and territories globally , with 203 , 608 cases and 4 , 476 deaths in the United States where the pandemic is spreading rapidly .
Italy with 110 , 574 detected cases has the highest number of fatalities with 13 , 155 deaths . Spain has 102 , 136 cases including 9 , 053 deaths and China has 81 , 554 cases and 3 , 312 deaths .
The governor was reacting to rising calls by stakeholders for a total lockdown in Oyo State as part of measures to curb the spread of the COVID- 19 in a telephone interview on
Fresh 105 . 9 FM , Ibadan .
Explaining that total lockdown might plunge a section of the public into crisis of survival, the governor said the option was at the bottom of the list by his administration .
The governor, who stressed the need for a logical approach to the issue, said , “Everything that can be done to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 in Oyo State is on the table . We will continue to assess the situation and take additional measures where necessary .
“ Lagos can be on lockdown , Ogun can be on lockdown ; Oyo State , yes , people have been saying should have a total lockdown and then I have been asking them questions . What will be the benefits here ? Are there alternative courses of action for us to take?
“ If you ask people not to come out , you lock down the market places , there are people whom the profit from today ’ s activities is what they will eat tomorrow . There are plenty of people like that within our environment . So , are there alternatives available to us ? Can we do selective lockdowns ?
“ I think, everything is on the table but it has to follow a logical pattern and it will need the input of experts . We are not just going to lockdown because everyone is locking down . ”
THE federal government, Wednesday, began the disbursement of N5,000 to one million indigent Nigerians in the country.
But the beneficiaries the money said to be from the Conditional Cash Transfers Scheme, were paid N20,000 each covering four months.
The action was in line with a recent directive by President Muhammadu Buhari that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately to beneficiaries.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, performed the disbursement at Kwali Local Government Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to over 100 beneficiaries.
“The exercise commenced about five years ago and it is geared towards supporting the poor and vulnerable households of our society,” the minister said while carrying out the exercise.
She added: “We give them monthly stipends of N5000 every month and now that we have these restrictions, Mr President has directed that we give them two months advance payment and we are here today to carry out that directive of paying the two months advance payment.
“We have over a million people across the country. For the FCT and this particular area Council, we are giving about 5000 households in this area.”
Describing the process leading to the identification of beneficiaries as rigorous, she said: “It is a very long process and many people like religious leaders, community leaders and different groups all came together to identify poorest and vulnerable households in their community.”
While the coronavirus ravages the earth, six of the 54 countries in Africa have not reported any case of infection.
Although many are superstitious about it, experts express fear that the virus might be incubating and/or absence of testing in some of the ‘spared’ countries.
South Sudan
The East African nation is barely emerging from six years of civil war and with high levels of hunger, illness and little infrastructure, observers fear the virus could wreak havoc.
Doctor Angok Gordon Kuol, one of those charged with overseeing the fight against the virus, said the country had only carried out 12 tests, none of which were positive.
He said the reason the virus has yet to reach South Sudan could be explained by the low volume of air traffic and travel to the country.
“Very few airlines come to South Sudan and most of the countries affected today they are affected by people coming from abroad.”
He said the main concern was foreigners working for the large NGO and humanitarian community, or people crossing land borders from neighbouring countries.
South Sudan has shut schools, banned gatherings such as weddings, funerals and sporting events and blocked flights from worst-affected countries. Non-essential businesses have been shuttered and movement restricted.
The country can currently test around 500 people and has one isolation centre with 24 beds.
Burundi
Another country in Africa is Burundi, which is gearing up for general elections in May. Authorities thank divine intervention for the lack of cases.
“The government thanks all-powerful God who has protected Burundi,” government spokesman Prosper Ntahorwamiye said on national television last week.
At the same time, he criticised those “spreading rumours” that Burundi is not capable of testing for the virus, or that it is spreading unnoticed.
Some measures have been taken, such as the suspension of international flights and placing handwashing stations at the entrances to banks and restaurants in Bujumbura.
However, several doctors have expressed their concerns.
“There are zero cases in Burundi because there have been zero tests,” a Burundian doctor said on condition of anonymity.
Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe— a tiny nation of small islands covered in the lush rainforest — has reported zero cases because it is unable to test, according to World Health Organisation, WHO, representative Anne Ancia.
However “we are continuing preparations,” with around 100 people in quarantine after returning from highly-affected countries, and the WHO keeping an eye on cases of pneumonia.
With only four ICU beds for a population of 200,000 people, the country is desperate to not let the virus take hold and has already shut its borders despite the importance of tourism to the local economy.
Malawi
Malawi’s health ministry spokesman Joshua Malango brushed aside fears that Malawi might not have registered any COVID-19 cases due to a lack of testing kits:
“We have the testing kits in Malawi and we are testing.”
Dr Bridget Malewezi from the Society of Medical Doctors told AFP that while “we may not be 100 percent ready”, government was gearing up for the arrival of the virus.
She suggested it may only be a matter of time before the pandemic hits Malawi.
“It’s only been in the past few weeks that it has been rampantly spreading across Africa so most people feel it will get here at some point…,” she said.
Malawi has asked people coming from hard-hit countries to self-quarantine, which Malawezi said had helped “safeguard the country from any possible spread of the virus”.
Tiny Lesotho, a kingdom encircled by South Africa with only two million inhabitants, went into national lockdown on Monday despite registering zero cases.
Until last week the country had no tests or testing centres and received its first kits thanks to a donation by a Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma.
Authorities had reported eight suspected cases that they had not been able to test and the first results are expected soon.
Comoros
The Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros, situated between Madagascar and Mozambique, has yet to detect a single case of the virus, according to the health ministry.
One doctor in the capital Moroni, Dr Abdou Ada, wonders if it may not be because of the wide use of the drug Artemisinin to treat malaria.
“I believe that the mass anti-malarial treatment explains the fact that Comoros is, at least for now, spared from COVID-19. it is a personal belief that needs to be confirmed scientifically.”
The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, and Medical Guild have raised the alarm over an alleged “ undue” harassment of health workers by men of the Nigerian Police Force .
The NMA in a release signed by its Chairman , Dr Saliu Oseni , said the statement made by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police , Hakeem Odumosu , was “ unfortunate ”.
The Lagos NMA Chairman added that the statement by the CP was exposing its members and other healthcare workers to unwarranted harassment by the police .
“ The attention of the Association has been drawn to the comments made by the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State pertaining to the movements of health workers in the state against the background of restriction of movement informed by the fight against the spread of the COVID- 19 disease in the country.
“ The comments were aired on TVC News on March 31 , 2020 . The CP said , amongst other things , that health workers , in addition to carrying valid means of identification , must show evidence of being on duty whenever they move around the state .
“ Is the CP suggesting that health workers engage in ‘ illegal duty ’ or wander about aimlessly ? Perhaps , the CP underestimates the enormity of the work at hand. For the avoidance of doubt , all hands are needed on deck at this critical time . Several countries have already called thousands of health workers out of retirement . ”
In a related development , the Medical Guild leadership said its members are being harassed by the Police on their way to attend to sick patients in the hospitals
The Chairman of the Guild, Dr Oluwajimi Sodipo, said , “ The Medical Guild wish to call on Lagos State Government to prevail on the security operatives to allow all health care workers through the roads to provide services in our hospitals .
“ We strongly urge the Commissioner of Police to retract his directive which will lead to loss of lives of members of the public unnecessarily. ”
The Federal Government night reduced the price of petrol from N125 / litre to N123 . 5 / litre.
Current petrol price indicates a reduction of N1 . 5 on every litre of petrol purchased nationwide .
It announced the reduction through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency , after a whole day meeting with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector in Abuja .
Announcing the reduction , the Executive Secretary of the PMS pricing regulator, Abdulkadir Saidu, said , “ PPPRA, in line with the government approval for a monthly review of Premium
“ Motor Spirit pump price hereby announces guiding PMS pump price of N123 . 50 per litre .
“ The guiding price which becomes effective 1 st April 2020 , shall apply at all retail outlets nationwide for the month of April 2020 . PPPRA and other relevant regulatory agencies shall continue to monitor compliance to extant regulations for a sustainable downstream petroleum sector . ”
It added , “ Members of the public and all oil marketing companies are to be guided accordingly. ”
The spokesperson for PPPRA, Kimchi Apollo , had told our correspondent at 7 . 30 pm that stakeholders had been meeting on the new price since Tuesday Morning .
Officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria , Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , oil marketers and labour unions , among others, who constitute the petroleum products price modulation committee attended the meeting .
On March 19 , 2020 , a day after the Federal Government announced the pump price of N 125 /litre for petrol , the PPPRA declared that there was the possibility of a new price regime for the PMS beginning from April 1 , 2020 .
It explained that the N 125 /litre price might last till the end of March , as a new cost for petrol might be introduced on April 1 .
Saidu had told journalists that the PPPRA would be undertaking a review of the PMS price and would announce a new price for the product on April 1 ( today ) if there were changes in the parameters used in determining the N125 / litre pump price.
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