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Nobel laureate , Prof . Wole Soyinka, has questioned the legality of the lockdown ordered by the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) .

According to reports, Buhari had ordered the lockdown of Abuja , Lagos and Ogun States in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.

But Soyinka in a statement wondered if the president has the power to order such lockdown .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/03/30/lockdown-your-id-card-is-your-pass-minister-tells-journalists/

The Nobel laureate called on constitutional lawyers and lawmakers to clarify the legality or illegality of the lockdown .

He also warned against “constitutional piracy” in the fight against coronavirus in the country .

The statement , titled ‘ Between COVID and Constitutional Encroachment ’ , read in part , “ Constitutional lawyers and our elected representatives should kindly step into this and educate us , mere lay minds . The worst development I can conceive of us is to have a situation where rational measures for the containment of the Coronavirus pandemic are rejected on account of their questionable genesis .

“ This is a time for Unity of Purpose , not nitpicking dissensions . So , before this becomes a habit, a question : does President Buhari have the powers to close down state borders ? We want clear answers . We are not in a war emergency .

“ Appropriately focussed on measures for the saving lives , and committed to making sacrifices for the preservation of our communities , we should nonetheless remain alert to any encroachment on constitutionally demarcated powers . We need to exercise collective vigilance, and not compromise the future by submitting to interventions that are not backed by law and constitution.

“ Who actually instigates these orders anyway ? From where do they really emerge ? What happens when the orders conflict with state measures , the product of a systematic containment strategy – ` including even trial – and – error and hiccups – undertaken without let or leave of the Centre . So far , the anti – COVID- 19 measures have proceeded along the rails of decentralised thinking , multilateral collaboration and technical exchanges between states .

“ The Centre is obviously part of the entire process , and one expects this to be the norm , even without the epidemic ’ s frontal assault on the Presidency itself . Indeed , the Centre is expected to drive the overall effort , but in collaboration, with extraordinary budgeting and refurbishing of facilities .

“ The universal imperative and urgency of this affliction should not become an opportunistic launch pad for a sneak RE – CENTRALISATION , no matter how seemingly insignificant its appearance . I urge governors and legislators to be especially watchful. No epidemic is ever cured with constitutional piracy. It only lays down new political viruses for the future . ”

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State , has said the lockdown of the state has been shifted to Friday .

Abiodun said the state government made a request to the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , to shift the lockdown which was supposed to take place on Monday night to Friday, April 3 , 2020 , and has been granted .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/03/30/lockdown-your-id-card-is-your-pass-minister-tells-journalists/

He said the request was to prepare for the lockdown by providing food for the people.

The governor said the lockdown would now take place on Friday and would be total except those on essential services.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State , has said the lockdown of the state has been shifted to Friday .

Abiodun said the state government made a request to the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , to shift the lockdown which was supposed to take place on Monday night to Friday, April 3 , 2020 , and has been granted .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/03/30/lockdown-your-id-card-is-your-pass-minister-tells-journalists/

He said the request was to prepare for the lockdown by providing food for the people.

The governor said the lockdown would now take place on Friday and would be total except those on essential services.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has told journalists in states affected by the total lockdown over COVID-19 to use their identity, ID, card for easy movement.

A statement in Abuja by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President, Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, advised all working journalists and other media staff in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to use their ID cards as pass.

It stated that journalists “have been advised to use their valid Identity Cards to access their places of work and assignment venues during the 14-day lockdown directed by the President in the two states and the FCT.

“The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the clarification becomes necessary in view of the inadequate time to properly accredit working journalists in the affected states and the FCT during the period.

“He said members of the media are expected to continue to provide essential services during the lockdown, in order to keep Nigerians well updated on the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Senate has pledged that its members would sustain the donation of their half salaries to the Federal Government until the nation is totally free of the pandemic .

Earlier,  reports had it that the senators agreed to donate half of their March 2020 salaries to the fight against coronavirus in Nigeria .

The red chamber , while confirming the report in a statement by its acting spokesperson , Senator Godiya Akwashiki , added that the federal lawmakers would continue the gesture beyond March .

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Part of the statement read , “ After due consultations following a keen review of the national efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Senate wishes to announce that from March 2020 , distinguished senators will be donating 50 per cent of our salaries to these efforts to stop the spread of the disease , otherwise known as COVID – 19 , in our country.

“ This monthly contribution from the Upper Legislative Chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from the ravages of this deadly disease . ”

The Senate commended the efforts of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) and his regime towards the goal of securing the nation against this plague .

The Senate expressed its willingness and readiness to do whatever is required of the legislature for the effectiveness of all the measures now in place or that may be required in the future to win the fight against this menace .

“ It also acknowledges the patriotic response of public – spirited individuals and organisations who have contributed in one way or the other in support of this fight .

“ The Senate further appeals to the citizens to comply with the directives on social distancing and observance of basic rules of hygiene as explained by public health officials.

“ It is the most effective way to protect ourselves , families and country against COVID – 19 .

“ This is a global adversity that is testing the wit and resilience of mankind all over the world .

“ By staying resolute and each of us responsibly playing our roles , COVID- 19 like all epidemics before it will soon be pushed into history , ” the statement added.

Nigeria has discharged five coronavirus patients at the Infectious Disease Centre, Yaba Mainland Hospital, Lagos under the supervision of Lagos State Government and Lagos state ministry of health.

This brings to eight the total number of discharged patients from the Centre.

The patients are said to have fully recovered from the virus and tested negative after being quarantined for weeks.

Although the discharged patients preferred anonymity, they expressed joy and satisfaction over the treatments they received.
While thanking the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his support and proactiveness, they pleaded that the workers at the Centre should be given life insurance.
While speaking to the press, one of the patients said, I came in here on the 15th and after the test showed positive, I was asked to come back the next day. So I was admitted here.

“Initially, there were hitches but it later turned out fine. The health workers did fine, all our challenges were attended to. I’m a living witness together with my other colleagues.”

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He gave an impressive hope, saying people should not panic as the virus could be defeated.

“We can beat it, I want to assure others that this is not their resting place. Encourage yourselves, take your medications and in no distant time, you will get out of here.

“I want to appeal to the federal government and Lagos State government that, they should remunerate all those workers who have volunteered to work accordingly, so as to serve as an encouragement to others, adding that, “If they are not here as first responders, many would have died.”

Another patient said, “I was admitted last Sunday. Initially, there were challenges, the following day, they brought bed, mask and some equipment.

“Apart from what my colleague said, the workers should be insured. Proper insurance will let people do what they have to do.

He narrated a scenario where the workers could not attend to him because he tested positive, saying “they went back and I slept off, I woke up around 3 a.m. So they deserve life insurance to encourage them to do their job.”

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games have been rescheduled to start on July 23, 2021 after being postponed due to coronavirus, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed.

The Games will run until August 8, taking up the same slot as originally scheduled for 2020, while the Paralympic Games will now take place from August 24 to September 5.

“These new dates give the health authorities and all involved in the organisation of the Games the maximum time to deal with the constantly changing landscape and the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” a joint statement from the IOC, International Paralympic Committee, Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and Japanese Government read.

“The new dates, exactly one year after those originally planned for 2020 also have the added benefit that any disruption that the postponement will cause to the international sports calendar can be kept to a minimum, in the interests of the athletes and the international federations.

“Additionally, they will provide sufficient time to finish the qualification process. The same heat mitigation measures as planned for 2020 will be implemented.”

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/03/30/covid-19-saga-condom-scarcity-looms-says-producer/

The Executive Board of the Organisers of Tokyo 2020 met on Monday and announced the required number of volunteers had been reached, and will now be asking those who have confirmed their roles if they would participate in the rescheduled Games.

Torchbearers who were confirmed for the postponed Torch Relay will also be given priority selection for next year’s Olympic Torch Relay.

Organisers are working on measures to ensure purchased tickets will be valid for corresponding rescheduled events next year and that face value refunds are given to ticket holders who cannot attend events in 2021.

In addition, the organisers have announced all 18 Olympic Test events from April 2020 onwards are postponed.

The world ’ s biggest maker of condoms , Karex Bhd , has warned of a global shortage as supply falls by almost 50 per cent while its stockpile is set to last for just another two months.

Group Chief Executive Officer at Karex , Goh Miah Kiat , revealed this to Bloomberg in an interview .

He also warned that Condoms could also get much more expensive.

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Kiat said demand was growing at “ double digits” as governments around the world issued stay – at – home notices and many people abstain from having children due to the uncertain future .

“ I would definitely say this is an unprecedented stage, we have never seen such a disruption .

“ We are still paying all our workers ’ full salaries but workers only come in half the time so generally there will be a cost increase , ” he added .

The Inspector – General of Police , Mohammed Adamu , has set up a Special Investigation Team to unravel the cause of the explosion that occurred at Ogbese near Akure , the Ondo State capital early Saturday.

The team, which is headed by Maikudi Shehu , Commissioner of Police in charge of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit , Force Headquarters , Abuja , has as members , police officers from the Police Bomb Disposal Squad , a specialised arm of the police that oversees explosives and ordinance operations of the Force .

The blast was reportedly caused by exploding dynamites which destroyed over 50 houses and injured over 20 persons , including some policemen who were accompanying it to a quarry in Edo State .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/03/30/breaking-covid-19-cases-top-700000-globally/

While the police in Ondo State attributed the incident to an explosion from the dynamites , a professor of Geophysics at the Obafemi Awolowo University , Ile – Ife , Adepelumi Adekunle , contradicted their findings , saying a giant rock from space known as meteor impacted the location

But a statement in Abuja on Monday , by the force spokesman , Frank Mba , said the police investigation team would work jointly with experts from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency .

It noted , “The NGSA Agency has a state – of – the – art laboratory with the capacity and expertise to carry out a wide range of geo – scientific examinations including Laboratory /Forensic Examinations, Geochemical Analysis of Rocks, Minerals, Water , Sewage , Soil Samples and Site Investigations amongst others.

“ The IG hopes that with the involvement of NGSA , the quality and integrity of investigations into the explosion will be greatly enhanced . ”

Adamu cautioned residents not to tamper with the scene of the incident as investigations continues .

He also sympathised with the government and people of Ondo State particularly victims , who sustained injuries or lost their property to the explosion .

More than 700 , 000 cases of the novel coronavirus have been officially declared around the world since the start of the pandemic , according to an AFP tally at 0800 GMT Monday (today) based on official sources.

There have been at least 715 , 204 cases including 33 , 568 fatalities in 183 countries and territories.

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These are notably in the United States which has reported 143 , 025 cases and 2 , 514 deaths and Italy with 97 , 689 cases and the world ’ s highest death toll of 10 , 779 .

China , where the outbreak first emerged in December , has registered 81 , 470 cases and 3 , 304 deaths .

The figures represent only a fraction of the number of infections as many countries only carry out tests on suspected cases if they are hospitalised or with severe symptoms .

AFP