Cross River State Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade has began to relax some of the restrictions he put in place in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak by directing all categories of civil servants to return to work on Monday.
Ayade who about two weeks ago recalled civil servants from grade level 10 and above back to work, has now directed all civil servants to return to work tomorrow, Monday, May 4th, 2020.
In a statement issued by Mr. Christian Ita,Special Adviser to the Governor on Media & Publicity reminded the returning civil servants that the no mask no movement order was still in full force and must be observed by them.
“Consequently, all the returning civil servants are, therefore, to wear nose mask as they resume in their various offices,” the statement emphasized.
The statement said other restrictions such as border closures and ban on large gatherings, be it social or religious, remain in place.
He also said that the measures will be reviewed as the days go by.
The Central Bank of Nigeria and the banks in the country have agreed to shelve the planned sack of workers in the banking sector as a result of the pandemic .
This was contained in a statement by the apex bank’ s Director , Corporate Communications , Isaac Okorafor.
Earlier, the Presidential Task Force Team on COVID- 19 had said last week that banks would be allowed to re – open for commercial operations as the lockdown eases in parts of the country effective Monday , May 4 .
Some banks had proposed the idea of downsizing their workforce as they plan to recommence operations, a decision that has met public outcry.
But the apex bank said it convened a meeting with the banks to review the economic impact the proposed action would have on workers and their families, especially at such a difficult time .
It said , “ A special meeting of the Bankers ’ Committee was convened on May 2 , 2020 , to further review the implications of the COVID- 19 pandemic on the Nigerian banking industry . The Committee particularly deliberated on the issue of the operating costs of banks in view of the disruptions emanating from the global economic difficulties and decided as follows :
“ In order to help minimize and mitigate the negative impact of the COVID19 pandemic on families and livelihoods , no bank in Nigeria shall retrench or lay – off any staff of any cadre (including full – time and part -time ).
“ To give effect to the above measure , the express approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria shall be required in the event that it becomes absolutely necessary to lay – off any such staff .
“ The Central Bank of Nigeria solicits the support of all in our collective effort to weather through the economic challenges occasioned by the COVID- 19 pandemic . ”
The Association of Resident Doctors at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital , Sagamu , Ogun State , says its members will commence a three- day warning strike on Monday .
The warning strike by the association , whose members manage the isolation centres for the state government , is coming amidst the ravaging coronavirus in the state and the country.
The ARD OOUTH in a letter written to Ogun State Governor , Dapo Abiodun , a copy which was obtained by newsmen , explained that the warning strike became imperative following the alleged refusal of the government to yield to its agitations on the need to better its members ’ welfare.
The letter was jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the Association, Popoola Mutiu, and Osundara Tope , respectively .
They added that the association would review the response of the government after the three- day warning strike .
The letter read in part , “ We have a human face and we know people are the basis of our practice as medical professionals . We shall , therefore , exclude our members working at COVID- 19 isolation centre from joining the strike action . They shall not take part in the strike .
“ Following the three- day warning strike , we shall review the government ’ s response and appropriate action shall be taken thereafter.
“ The whole house is very much displeased with the government on issues that bother on our agitations and welfare.
“ We are perturbed with the non -committal response from the government despite repeated calls and letters to get their attention .
“ There has been no commitment whatsoever from the government on the issue of Appropriate Remuneration , Entry Level , New Minimum Wage , Hazard allowance and Life Insurance for our members .
“ No response to the letter written by the National Body of the Association of Resident Doctors notifying Ogun State Government on the aberration concerning the Appropriate Remuneration to her members at OOUTH.
“ Despite the inadequate response of Ogun State Government to the Health risks confronted by our members during this COVID – 19 pandemic , our members went ahead to continue their work diligently in their various departments and at the Isolation Centre .
“ We were taken aback by the arbitrary change in only hazard allowance to be given as COVID- 19 Special Hazard Allowance to all health workers . The 200 per cent increase in hazard allowance is just an increase from N5000 to N15 , 000 for just the month of April. ”
Ogun State Governor , Dapo Abiodun , has said residents of the state who work in Lagos State are not permitted to move out or into the state as the lockdown eases next week.
This was contained in the latest guidelines by the state government over the Federal Government- ordered partial lockdown in the state .
Announcing via Facebook , the governor said the lockdown in the state ends on Sunday , May 10 , as a result of the initial grace the state was granted.
He , however , stressed that the use of face masks would become mandatory for everyone in public places effective May 4 .
He also referred to the order of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , restricting inter – state movement as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID- 19 .
Partial lockdown would begin in Lagos on Monday , May 4 , and business activities are expected to resume in the nation’ s commercial capital .
A tangible percentage of the working population in Lagos live in Ogun due to its affordable housing and nearness to the nation’ s economic epicentre .
But Abiodun said this category of people would not be permitted to move in or out of the Ogun as the lockdown eases .
He said , “ All schools remain closed , while students will continue with their DigiClass .
“ All essential service personnel will continue to work despite the lockdown .
“ All public religious gatherings remain banned . All pubs , clubs , stadia , public pools, spas, gyms, salons , etc. and all assemblies of more than 15 people remain banned . Restaurants may open on the approved days for take – out meals only .
“ Burials and naming ceremonies are allowed but there must not be more than 15 people including the officiating ministers.
“ There is a total ban on interstate travel ( outside Ogun) . If you work in Lagos or any other state but you live in Ogun State , you are not allowed to go to Lagos or any other state and return to Ogun. ”
Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje , has called for compliance with the lockdown in state two days after asking the Federal Government to ease the restriction .
Recalled that Buhari in a nationwide broadcast on Monday ordered a total lockdown in the state as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus disease .
But Ganduje asked the Federal Government to ease the 14 – day total lockdown on Thursday , saying it would result in economic hardship in the state .
The governor’ s appeal , however , led to an outrage on social media , with many commenters asking him to prioritise the health of residents.
On Friday, Kano recorded 92 new cases – the highest daily figure to be reported in any state in Nigeria within 24 hours.
After the new cases recorded on Friday, the governor in a series of tweets said the lockdown was necessary to curb the spread of the virus .
He also urged residents to obey the lockdown order and maintain social distancing .
He tweeted , “ We ’ re working fast to deal with the spread of # COVID19 in our great state with the conversion of some facilities in the state to isolation centres . The Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital , Murtala Muhammed Library Complex , Hospitality and Tourism Institute formerly Daula Hotel.
“ Sports Institute at Karfi and the Nigerian Air Force Hospital will now house carriers of the pandemic going forward . The Murtala Muhammad Library Complex is expected to accommodate over 200 beds and also an estimated 300 beds will be provided at Karfi Sports Institute .
“ I reiterate my plea for all Kano citizens to adhere to the lockdown rule . We need to slow down the virus and this is only possible with social distancing . Please stay in your homes . ”
With the 92 new coronavirus cases recorded on Friday, confirmed infections in Kano have increased to 311 .
Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control ’ s website showed that Kano has recorded no recovery since Nigeria reported its first COVID- 19 case on February 27 .
Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:
International Investment Law and Climate Change Mitigation View project Geofrey Eneyo Aberdeen Business School 2 PUBLICATIONS 0 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
All content following this page was uploaded by Geofrey Eneyo on 01 May 2020.
The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.
COVID-19 IN NIGERIA – INCREASE TESTING CAPACITY AND STEM COMMUNITY TRANSMISSIONS: TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
On Monday, April 27 2020, after listening to President Buhari’s broadcast about easing lockdowns in Lagos and Ogun from May 4, 2020, without any reassurance of sufficient provisions for what he described as ‘aggressive testing,’ I thought to myself, when will our government move away from rhetoric to reality? If by now, you cannot put numbers on available testing kits, available protective equipment and expanding accredited testing laboratories through half the states of the federation, contact tracing will merely be a matter of optics. We must move at the speed of emerging scientific/medical advisory on this pandemic by learning very fast from the experiences of worst-hit countries. The first step to that reality is to ensure that every Nigerian State has and can do more testings. That is the only way to implement contact tracing efficiently.
According to the President, ‘the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited
15 laboratories across the country with an aggregate capacity to undertake 2500 test per day across the country.’ With such numbers, we are very far from the road to recovery, and there is not a single way to grapple with the idea that a country of about 200 million people is still projecting only 2500 test each day since announcing the first lockdown of Lagos on March 29 2020. According to the Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Nigeria is adopting ‘a strategy of ‘managed acceleration’ and would not pool samples to multiply testing capacity as is being done in Ghana which currently has one of the largest testing programmes in the region.’ Quoting from Bloomberg news, Dr Chikwe while addressing the World Health Organisation on Thursday, April 23 2020, insisted thus- ‘I would rather go a little bit slower and get it right than speed into a situation that we will end up regretting.’ But while precision in testings is critically vital and cannot be sacrificed on the altar of speed, Dr Chikwe and this government should also appreciate that this virus may be moving faster than we thought, and delays with tests expansion could leave us in more dire strait. Some countries are already deploying automated testings to ramp up progress. We cannot afford to be mechanic and unwieldy at the same time. Perhaps, it is this slow testing capacity, and delayed containment strategy not helped by a President who barely steer affairs of State that led the ace broadcaster Fortune ‘General’ Omosola to tweet in despair- ‘Nigerians will survive anything, they are lone survivors, brave, intrepid, fearless and that’s the real reason why the government can’t see beyond their musty corridors. It’s a shame.’ (italics mine). To have any chance of winning the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19), the first and most critical shot at it is a continuing increase in your testing capacity. Anything other than that, as a nation that always adopts prayer as our usual strategy to solve every single human problem, we may have to now resort to praying for quick discovery of appropriate containment vaccine.
Interestingly, the United Kingdom has only a few days ago, ran its first vaccine test on a volunteer medical practitioner, and she did not die, she is still alive and full of pride risking it for all of us. However, it is unclear when the vaccines would have been mass-produced, enough to be correctly administered on every contact case here in the UK. In other places notwithstanding issues around product or process patent that could potentially slow progress in sending out to or developing similar vaccines in countries like Nigeria. I understand that some may argue that, given we have a global emergency of this magnitude on our hands, it will be insensitive for patent issues to serve any bottlenecks at this time. Just like you, I agree it should not, but it usually does not work that smooth.
Increase in testing for contact cases has continued to help countries understand the extent of this problem, providing direction for next cause of action and enabling them to measure their level of progress and areas to improve going forward. In the United States, the most infected country with over a million case, over 6.3 million tests have been carried out. In Spain, with 236,889 cases and second most infected country after the US, a total of 1,455,306 people are confirmed tested. Italy, the third most infected country with currently 203,591 cases, a total of 1,910,761 tests have been completed as at yesterday. I also do know a lot of people will argue that the socioeconomic strength of these countries should not be compared to Nigeria, after all, they are industrialised economies, and we are not.
Yet, despite having an ‘industrialised health sector,’ these countries have seen unprecedented deaths from the virus. Why so? For instance, before the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Italy on February 20, 2020, from a 38-year-old man, people who initially presented symptoms in hospitals were thought to have mere seasonal flu or pneumonia. With the virus not detected early enough, by the time the authorities got a hold on testings, a lot of transmission chains had taken place. It was a pattern similar to worst-hit countries with record losses. Worryingly, as the seventh-largest population in the world after China, India, the United States, Indonesia, Pakistan and Brazil, if we do not ramp up testings and detect spread early, community transmission among us could become too much to handle. In the United Kingdom, while names of people with the infection within your local area are concealed, a quick online check of the number of cases within your community pops up. With this, you have a clear idea about taking extra-precaution to keep yourself safe, especially when stepping to the groceries for food and other essentials.
Of the other six populated countries, apart from Indonesia and Pakistan with testing capacities at 94,599 and 174,160 respectively, Brazil and India have covered no less than 330,000 of its vast population respectively, testing 339,552 and 716,733 of its citizens as at April 29 2020.
So, why should one not be concerned when on average test per 1 million people, we are as weak as having just tested 66 people? We must act with rapidity to ensure our testing capacity does measure cumulatively on our population at the very least. No government can hide its cluelessness through this pandemic; it will expose your incompetence to the world.
Now coming to Africa where we love to play the giant ostrich of the continent, you would be stunned by what some African countries are doing to tackle this virus. Most of these countries understand that putting words into action by increasing their testing capacity may just be the most critical and first antidote to this pandemic, and results are trickling in as well. In Kenya and Mauritius, a total of 396 and 332 cases have been recorded respectively. And even with their populations nowhere near ours, these countries have tested more. A total of 20,268 and 14,445 people apiece while Nigeria trails at 13,689 tests. Also, while 144 people have recovered in Kenya, in Mauritius, 310 people have recovered so far with recoveries in Nigeria now 307. South Africa, on its part, has now recorded 5,350 cases, tested 197,127 persons, and 2,073 patients have recovered. I bet you do not want to do that maths, but I can give you a look-in. Although we are yet to reach half the cases in South Africa, the number of those we have sadly lost to this virus is about half the number of people lost to the pandemic in South Africa. They have lost 103 persons; we have lost 51 persons. While analysis of these figures may not bode well with some, facts must be presented to Nigerians, so they can continue to demand more action, less scripting from this government. Secondly, these data should give us a clear perspective of what may be coming if NCDC does not ramp up testing across the country.
According to Premium Times report on April 27 2020, ‘with over a thousand cases in Africa, Nigeria has the worst testing capacity.’ On April 1, the Nigerian government stated that ‘to expand coverage, it has increased its testing capacity from 500 to 1500 daily coverage. Three weeks after, precisely on April 21 2020, the Presidential Task Force for COVID-19 again, told Nigerians, that the NCDC would increase our testing capacity across the country to 4000 each day. But the Nigerian Infectious Diseases Society (NIDS) have retorted, noting that the country
It is easy to ease lockdowns, and yes, fear over projected economic depression should not be a stand-alone reason for taking such decision, there are other factors this government ought to consider alongside the economy. I say this with regards to some of the options currently being weighed by the UK Government as they too look to relax lockdowns soon. If we must lift lockdowns, our government ought to also consider the following:
(1) The ability of our health system to cope in the event of a spike in cases after we relax lockdown. Can we comfortably say our intensive care units, for example, can deal? Do we have enough bed spaces to admit patients if this decision leads to a fresh wave in COVD-19 patients? We cannot forget that hospitals will also continue to accept people who fall sick from other causes. So, do we think a 3000 capacity bed spaces for cases in Nigeria enough, knowing as at April 30, 2020, Nigeria still has 1,370 active cases? Did our government consider the impact an overwhelmed sector might have on the mental health of our frontline workers too?
(2) Did our government also consider how a decision to lift lockdown could affect our number from falling or rising? A consistent fall in cases or record deaths would have been good, but for over a week now, NCDC daily report shows we have seen a steady rise in cases. Yesterday April 29 2020, Nigeria saw its highest numbers, 196 new contacts according to NCDC.
(3) What indicators show that lifting restrictions will not implode our cases from current manageable levels?
(4) With inadequate testing capacity after two months of keeping Nigerians in the dark on the real extent of community transmissions, what assurances do we have that we can fix this before the lockdown of Lagos and Ogun is relaxed next week? Or that we have enough PPEs in stock for our health and other frontline workers. We must prioritise the safety of those putting their lives on the line for us during this pandemic. We must guard and guide against sacrificing them merely because of the misplaced government priorities!
In conclusion, Mr President, how about doing the needful first? The first thing we need to see is a consistent cumulative increase in Nigeria’s testing capacity. Increase in testings is the first window that gives you a sneak peek into whether or not you have a hold on this situation.
While I agree that a lockdown without food may be counterproductive and call for alternative palliatives to ease the burden of survival, relaxing lockdowns without ramping up testings across Nigeria could be immensely disastrous for our nation. It is not an alarmist view but to raise awareness and remind the government that we are wasting valuable time by not testing enough of our citizens for this virus. If we must successfully detect and stem the extent of community transmissions, then time is of the essence here! Geofrey Eneyo is a researcher and writes from Port Harcourt Nigeria. You can reach him at eneyofenomenon@gmail.com
8. Tope Alake, ‘Nigeria Defends Slow Pace of Virus Testing as Concern Grows’ (April 24
2020, 08:54 BST Updated on April 24 2020, 13:20 BST). Available at
‘https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-24/nigeria-defends-slow-pace-ofvirus-testing-as-concern-grows accessed April 30 2020.
10. Worldometer, ‘COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic’ (Last updated: April 30, 2020, 14:57
GMT). Available at
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/?utm_campaign=homeAdUOA?Si. All
data from here were as reported by Worldometer on April 30, 2020, before 6 PM the
UK/Nigerian time and accessed April 30 2020
The Academic Staff Union of Universities , has described as an act of illegality the request by the Accountant General of the Federation , Ahmed Idris, that lecturers who had yet to receive their salaries should submit their Biometric Verification Number as a pre – condition for payment .
ASUU , in a statement entitled, ‘ This mountain shall be removed . ’ made available to journalists by the Chairman , ASUU , University of Ibadan chapter , Prof Ayo Akinwole, said the AGF’ s directive was at variance with the order of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , that all striking lecturers should be paid by April 24 .
It said it remained committed to the demand for full implementation of agreements between ASUU and the Federal Government, including the payment of earned allowances from 2012 till date .
It read in part, “Section 1 . 6 of the CBN Regulatory Framework for BVN shows clearly those who are entitled to request for BVN and defines the procedure for obtaining it. The Accountant General of the Federation is neither eligible nor has he obtained a valid court order or approval from the CBN .
“ This is another case of illegality . A BVN is a very private instrument and should not be put in public space . It can easily be used for fraudulent activities. Staff emails and phone numbers are regularly sold to private organisations by government agencies .
“ To entrust one ’ s BVN to them will amount to committing suicide . Besides , government has the resources to verify financial information of staff from banks without requiring individuals to submit their BVNs to questionable sources. ”
The Academic Staff Union of Universities , has described as an act of illegality the request by the Accountant General of the Federation , Ahmed Idris, that lecturers who had yet to receive their salaries should submit their Biometric Verification Number as a pre – condition for payment .
ASUU , in a statement entitled, ‘ This mountain shall be removed . ’ made available to journalists by the Chairman , ASUU , University of Ibadan chapter , Prof Ayo Akinwole, said the AGF’ s directive was at variance with the order of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , that all striking lecturers should be paid by April 24 .
It said it remained committed to the demand for full implementation of agreements between ASUU and the Federal Government, including the payment of earned allowances from 2012 till date .
It read in part, “Section 1 . 6 of the CBN Regulatory Framework for BVN shows clearly those who are entitled to request for BVN and defines the procedure for obtaining it. The Accountant General of the Federation is neither eligible nor has he obtained a valid court order or approval from the CBN .
“ This is another case of illegality . A BVN is a very private instrument and should not be put in public space . It can easily be used for fraudulent activities. Staff emails and phone numbers are regularly sold to private organisations by government agencies .
“ To entrust one ’ s BVN to them will amount to committing suicide . Besides , government has the resources to verify financial information of staff from banks without requiring individuals to submit their BVNs to questionable sources. ”
Kano State Governor , Abdullahi Ganduje , has asked the Federal Government to relax the 14 – day total lockdown imposed on the state .
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , had on Monday ordered a total lockdown in the state as part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus disease in the state .
Buhari had also announced the deployment of a team of health experts to the state to address the rising cases of “ unusual deaths ” in the state .
Ganduje had immediately hailed the President ’ s decision , saying his increased focus on the state would help the state tackle the pandemic .
But speaking at the Government House during the inauguration of a panel to support the Kano State Task Force Technical Committee , the governor highlighted that it is important to relax the lockdown for a while so as to ease the hardship in the state .
“ We would engage the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 to seek permission to relax the total lockdown imposed on Kano.
“ We are making this appeal on behalf of our people who are presently running out of food items . We would love the federal government to relax the lockdown for a period of time to enable people stock their homes , especially now that majority of us are fasting . It will also ease the economic hardship in the state , ” Ganduje said , according to TheCable.
The Federal Government has released new guidelines for the new phase of containment of COVID- 19 from May 4 to May 17 , 2020 .
Part the guidelines which were signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Boss Mustapha , stated that anyone without a face mask in public will be prosecuted .
The guidelines were also specific about information to the general public , guidance to states and security agencies and description of activities allowed under the new phase .
The SGF said , “ Anyone who presents a temperature of above 38 ºC will be mandated to return home and call NCDC for evaluation.
“ Anyone without a face mask /covering will be asked to return home and will be prosecuted .
“ Anyone violating the curfew in a non – emergency situation will be prosecuted . Anyone attending a gathering of more than 20 people will be prosecuted .
“ Any member of the public who violates the ban on Inter – State movement as outlined in this guideline will be prosecuted . ”
The statement also stated guidelines for the ease of lockdown in Lagos , Ogun and the FCT.
It said , “ Following improvements in the multisectoral response to COVID- 19 pandemic , the Federal Government of Nigeria has decided that there will be a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory effective from Monday , 4 th May 2020 .
“ The easing of the lockdown will be characterised by the mandatory use of non – medical face mask /covering for all persons while in public spaces. Latex hand gloves should not be worn except for specific medical purposes.
“ The mandatory provision of handwashing facilities / sanitizers in all public places . All interstate travel is prohibited except for essential travels and services such as transportation of agricultural products , petroleum products , relief items , goods , commodities related to the COVID- 19 response , and persons on essential duty . ”
The new advisory also prohibited the mass gathering of more than 20 people outside of a workplace while there would be controlled access to markets and locations of economic activities. The FG retained the ban on all passenger flights with religious gatherings also restricted.
For intra – state travel in public transport , the guideline recommended a maximum of 50 per cent of usual occupancy while taxis were ordered to carry only four persons including the driver .
LatestNewsUpdates 