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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday said the current outbreak of COVID-19 across the world will soon subside but will not be ‘completely eradicated’.

Mr Adeboye, who addressed his congregation across the globe via a live broadcast on Sunday, also said God had revealed to him earlier in the year that the world would experience a ‘compulsory holiday’, hence his earlier call to church members to undertake a 50-day fast in January.

The Redeemed Church, like many others across the nation, has stopped physical services, and resorted to online services in line with the directives of many governments to halt mass gathering.

The directives were given as a means of curbing the coronavirus which has so far infected about 26 persons in Nigeria and killed thousands across the globe.

“I have heard one prophet say the coronavirus will soon die. And I said ‘amen’. You know prophets are greater than pastors. I heard another prophet say the world will experience rain for seven days and (it) will wash the plague away. I said ‘amen’. But I am speaking with you my children. The coronavirus will certainly subside after God has removed the plague but to say it will die, let me speak in local parlance, ‘na lie’ (it is a lie),” the pastor said.

He said the outbreak was God’s way of calling the attention of the whole world to godly living, irrespective of class or social standing and to show that He is still in control of human affairs.

He said this is because the ‘compulsory holiday’ now affected both the low and high class citizens as most nations across the world have now locked down their communities and closed their borders.

He also disagreed with those that argue that Satan was the source of all evil and not God. He reminded them of the story of Job in the Bible.

“Even Satan could not touch Job with any ailment or tragedy until God gave him express permission. The coronavirus plague is God’s way of telling the world, He is still in control. It will certainly subside and go away ‘for a while’ and the world will recover,” he said.

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Exhortation

Speaking copiously from Psalm 91, 121, Isaiah 25 and a few other scriptures, Mr Adeboye urged Christians not to fret but to depend on God for protection in this trying time.

He said for those, who put their trust in God for their protection and provision, no plague is permitted to come near them.

“He that dwells in the secret place of the almighty must abide under the shadow of the almighty. The conditions is for you to ‘dwell’ and ‘abide’ so you can enjoy the scriptural blessings God has promised in this end time,” Mr Adeboye said.

Online

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Oyo State has recorded its first case of coronavirus (COVID- 19 ) , bringing the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 23 .

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State confirmed this in a statement .

The statement read , “The COVID- 19 confirmation test for the suspected case at Bodija has come back positive. The result was released at 17 : 35 pm of March 21 , 2020 .

“ A follow- up on the Ekiti COVID- 19 case revealed that the deceased was picked up directly from Lagos Airport to a private apartment in Ona Ara Local Government Area .

“ The health authorities have contacted the family concerned and the community has been alerted for intensified contact tracing and self -isolation of identified close contacts . The information given that he stayed in some hotels in Ibadan has been found to be false .

“ Another returnee from Texas , USA , has also been identified at Oluyole Local Government Area . She has been kept in self – isolation with close monitoring by the State Epidemiological Team . All recent returnees are again urged to identify themselves to Ministry Officials and self – isolate for 14 days. ”

The International Labour Congress says almost 25 million jobs could be lost worldwide as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic .

Mr . Guy Ryder , ILO Director – General , said this in a statement in Abuja .

He said the finding was according to a new assessment by the ILO .

He said , “ An initial assessment of the impact of COVID- 19 on the global world of work says the effects will be far – reaching, pushing millions of people into unemployment, underemployment and working poverty, and proposes measures for a decisive, coordinated and immediate response .

“ The economic and labour crisis created by the COVID – 19 pandemic could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million

“ However , if we see an internationally coordinated policy response , as happened in the global financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 , then the impact on global unemployment could be significantly lower. ”

He noted that the organisation are protecting workers in the workplace, stimulating the economy and employment , and supporting jobs and incomes .

“ These measures include extending social protection , supporting employment retention such as short-time work, paid leave , other subsidies and financial and tax relief , including for micro , small and medium – sized enterprises .

“ In addition , the note proposes fiscal and monetary policy measures , and lending and financial support for specific economic sectors . ”

Ryder also said the ILO estimated that between 8 . 8 and 35 million additional people would be in working poverty worldwide , compared to the original estimate for 2020 , which projected a decline of 14 million worldwide .

According to him , there must be swift and coordinated policy responses to the issue.

“ This is no longer only a global health crisis , it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people.

“ In 2008 , the world presented a united front to address the consequences of the global financial crisis , and the worst was averted . We need that kind of leadership and resolve now .

“ This is no longer only a global health crisis , it is also a major labour market and economic crisis that is having a huge impact on people. ”

Tunisian President Kais Saied has declared a nationwide , round -the – clock self – isolation of inhabitants to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country after an increase in confirmed cases .
Saied did not specify the start time or duration of the self – isolation .

Tunisia , which has already closed its borders and imposed a curfew from 6 : 00 p. m . to 6 :00 a . m . ( 1700 – 0500 GMT ), has reported more than 50 cases of the COVID- 19 disease and one death .

Meanwhile , Jordan will also impose a round – the – clock curfew from Saturday morning until further notice to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country, the government announced .

The exceptional measure , to be applied for an indefinite period , was taken after “ citizens did not respect directives ” calling on them not to leave their homes except for extreme emergencies , government spokesman Amjad Adayleh said .

Adayleh warned that lack of compliance with the curfew would result in “ immediate imprisonment , which will not exceed one year” .

The kingdom has reported 69 cases of the COVID – 19 disease , with no deaths so far .

“ In view of the exceptional circumstances in the world and in our region and to avoid epidemics, a curfew will come into force from Saturday at 7 :00 a . m . ( 0500 GMT ) and until further notice in all regions of the kingdom, ” Adayleh , who is also the minister of state for media affairs, said at a news conference in the capital Amman.

All shops will be closed and authorities will announce on Tuesday the “specific times according to specific procedures ” for the population to get supplies , he added .

“ Unfortunately , in the past two days , citizens did not respect directives and have been out in the streets and markets . This poses a great danger to their health and safety. ”

Earlier this week, the army was deployed to enforce directives calling on the population to “ only leave their homes in cases of force majeure ” .

Jordanian authorities also banned travel between provinces and sealed off the capital as well as suspending public transport and flights .

Only bakeries and pharmacies have remained open .

AFP

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The association’ s president , Dr Francis Faduyile , gave the directive at a news conference on Friday in Abuja .

Faduyile said that the directive was one of the NMA ’ s guidelines towards the management of the COVID – 19 .

He said , “ We direct all state branches of NMA to set up a five- man committee of health professionals including doctors , pharmacists , and nurses to monitor the level of preparedness and management of our hospitals.

“ This committee should interact with the different committees set up by their respective state governors and FCT Minister .

“ In line with the above , we direct all medical associations that have declared strikes against their management to suspend all actions as the national NMA shall take over the disputes and interact with the different organs / agencies of government .

“ In this regard , the Association of Resident Doctors of FCTA, Gombe , ESUT- Parklane and Kaduna as well as NMA Cross Rivers are directed to report back to work and treat Nigerians .

“ This gesture is geared towards treating fellow Nigerians notwithstanding the inhuman treatment meted on our members nationwide . ”

NAN

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> “gatherings of more than 20 persons are prohibited…”

Ekiti State Governor , Dr Kayode Fayemi , has barred social , political, religious and family gatherings of more than 20 persons as part of efforts to check the spread of coronavirus .

The governor , who announced that “ all public and private schools and institutions in Ekiti State are to close down from Monday , March 23 ” , also directed that “ all non – essential workers in private and public sectors are encouraged to work from home from Monday , March 23 ” .

Fayemi , in a statewide broadcast in Ado Ekiti , said , “ Now that we are aware of its presence in our midst , we must leave no stone unturned to make Ekiti State coronavirus ( COVID- 19 ) free. We must combat and curtail its spread by ensuring our people are actively involved in government ’ s efforts to fight this global pandemic . While the world frantically searches for a cure , our best and only defense is prevention . ”

Fayemi added , “ All public gatherings of more than 20 persons are prohibited from today , Friday, March 20 . These include religious gatherings like worship and prayer services , night vigils , house fellowships , and Asalatu; social gatherings like burials , weddings , family meetings and parties of any kind ; political gatherings , like rallies , congresses , ward meetings ; night clubs , bars, beer joints, and NYSC CDS meetings among others. ”

He listed the non – essential workers in private and public sectors who should work from home to include civil and public servants from level 12 and below ; except essential services like health workers , caregivers , social welfare officers , fire service officers , emergency response officers , and security guards / watchmen in public institutions.

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The West African Examinations Council made this known in a statement .

The statement quoted WAEC Nigeria ’ s Head of National Office , Mr . Patrick Areghan , as saying that the examination scheduled to begin April 6 , 2020 , was postponed as a result of coronavirus pandemic .

Areghan said the timetable for the examination would be reviewed after the coronavirus pandemic situation improves .

The statement read , “ The West African Examinations Council in Nigeria , nay, the West African sub -region , has decided to put on hold the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates, 2020 , earlier scheduled to commence on April 6 , 2020 .

“ This is as a result of the impact of the novel and deadly Coronavirus pandemic (COVID- 19 ) and the serious implications it has for the conduct of the WASSCE for school candidates , 2020 , coupled with the anxieties it has generated among the populace.

“ This decision is a demonstration of the organisation ’ s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by the Federal and State Governments of Nigeria and the governments of the other member countries to check the spread of the disease . ”

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This is coming a few days after shutting down its orientation camps nationwide .

The suspension of the CDS was contained in a press statement obtained by news correspondent .

The statement , which was signed by NYSC Director of Human Resource Management Abdulrazak Salawu , said the CDS suspension was because of the increasing cases of Covid – 19 .

The statement explained that the CDS meetings have a large number of persons coming in close contact .

It also ordered all Local Government Inspectors to immediately comply with the directive .

The statement read , “Sequel to the pandemic of coronavirus globally and management ’ s concern for the wellbeing of corp members nationwide , I am directed to inform you to suspend all Community Development Service activities until further notice .

“ This obvious course of action is directed by circumstances beyond our control .

“ The sudden changes in many countries warranting social changes between persons and isolation of persons on account of COVID- 19 present no other option but to stop CDS activities because of a large number of persons in close contact.

“ With the abundance of caution , avoidance of errors is easily achievable . ”

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Addressing the press after the union ’ s 97 th National Executive Committee meeting at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede , Osun State , ASUP President , Anderson Ezeibe , said members would embark on strike unless the Federal Government implemented agreement reached with it and meet its other demands .

He also demanded urgent steps to rectify irregularities that accompanied payment of February salary to its members through Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System .

According to him , victimisation of many ASUP officials that participated in lawful struggle had continued unabated , adding that seven lecturers of the Institute of Management Technology , Enugu , and the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo , had been dismissed for participating in union activities, while two others from Yaba College of Technology were suspended .

“ Based on these which epitomise neglect , disregard and disrespect to the sector ; coupled with the insincerity of the government in respecting signed agreements entered into with our union , the union is hereby issuing a 15 – day ultimatum to resolve these pending issues affecting the sector or face industrial action by our union without the benefit of any other warning , ” Ezeibe added .

Punch

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JAMB said the move was to address the public panic over the coronavirus scare whereby schools and other public places were shutting down across the country.

The JAMB Head of Media , Dr Fabian Benjamin , in a statement , confirmed the new dates, saying a large proportion of the total 1 . 9 million candidates who registered had been attended to and only few centres in Rivers and Bayelsa states had till next week to finish the examination.

He said , “The board has not rescheduled its examination as being speculated . All examination will be finishing on Saturday with only few centres in Bayelsa and Rivers who will be writing in the early days of next week.

“ The board in its determined efforts to give the candidates the best has adjusted the schedules of the remaining candidates in these two states . We have also contacted the few candidates to reprint their slips.

It’ s not a general thing as it is being rumoured . ”

Punch

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