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Former Kano State Governor , Rabiu Kwankwaso , has alleged that COVID- 19 is responsible for the deaths of senior citizens in the state.

He said this in a letter written to the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , a copy of which was obtained via his Twitter handle .

A copy of the letter was also shared by the Personal Assistant to the President , Bashir Ahmad , who accused Kwankwaso of playing politics with COVID – 19 .

According to the former governor , the absence of a testing centre in the Kano has made many people resort to “ self – help ” .

He claimed that those who died in the state contracted the COVID – 19 from persons who are positive but unaware .

Part of the letter read , “ Permit me , Mr . President , to draw your attention to the spike in mystery deaths among the aged population in Kano State in the last couple of weeks . Hundreds of funerals have been recorded in all the cemeteries of the eight metropolitan local governments alone .

“ Looking at the pattern elsewhere in the world where senior citizens with preexisting conditions were the main fatalities of the novel coronavirus , we are concerned that the inability to conduct tests in the state to determine the status of these senior citizens might be responsible for their death.

“ We are even more concerned that if sincere and efficient machinery is not urgently put in place to understand and mitigate against this , more lives of innocent senior citizens will be lost .

“ I should inform Mr . President that since the announcement of the positive results of the members of the committee, no test was ever conducted in the entire state again . This is very frightening as neither asymptomatic nor active cases are being identified and isolated, as such carriers of this dreaded virus are all about and spreading it and causing the untimely death of especially our senior citizens . ”

He also urged the federal government to take over the responsibility of rapid response on coronavirus in the state .

Among other recommendations given by Kwankwaso to end the rising deaths in Kano are that “ the State Government should be made to constitute a proper State Taskforce on COVID- 19 with members selected base on their professionalism and competence .

“ At least five additional test centres should be established with 10 other sample collection centres across the State .

“ An independent Federal Government team of experts should be mandated to investigate the rise in cases of death in the elderly population across the State . ”

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , will address Nigerians at 8 pm today ( Monday ) .

Personal Assistant on New Media to the President , Bashir Ahmad , made this known via a tweet .

He tweeted, “ Buhari will address the nation later today , at 8 :00 pm . Television , radio , and other electronic media stations are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the NTA and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria respectively for the broadcast . ”

The President had on March 29 imposed a 14 – day lockdown on the FCT and the two states to contain the spread of the virus . At the end of the 14 days , which terminated on April 13 , the President extended the lockdown by another 14 days , saying the pandemic had become a matter of life and death and that it was no longer a joke .

However , barely a day to the end of the extension , stakeholders have disagreed on whether the President should extend the lockdown or ease it.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Mr Boss Mustapha , had maintained that only the President could decide on whether there would be an extension of the lockdown or it would be lifted .

As of April 13 when the President extended the lockdown , the number of cases was 343 in 19 states and the FCT. The number of deaths was 10 while 91 persons had been discharged . But , as of today ( Monday ) , there are 1273 confirmed cases of # COVID- 19 reported in Nigeria ; 239 recoveries and 40 deaths .

There is a fire outbreak at the Yaya Abatan area of Ogba, Lagos State .

Reports gathered that the fire which gutted the filling station had spread to nearby houses along College Road.

As of the time of filing this report , the cause of the fire is unknown .

“ Yes , there is fire , ” a resident in the area , Bukola , told our correspondent on the telephone .

Children in China ’ s two most important cities went back to school Monday after more than three months at home, as coronavirus restrictions eased and governments around the world began charting a path out of the pandemic lockdown .

Europe ’ s four worst- affected countries all reported marked drops in their daily death tolls , offering hope that the outbreak may have peaked in some places — at least for now.

But leaders and experts remain divided on how quickly to revive shuttered economies while maintaining a delicate balance between freedom and safety .

Italy and New York laid out partial reopening plans , with France and Spain to follow suit this week, while tens of thousands of final – year students returned to school in Shanghai and Beijing after months of closures .

“ I ’ m glad , it’ s been too long since I ’ ve seen my classmates, ” 18 – year- old Hang Huan said in Shanghai . “ I ’ ve missed them a lot . ”

Students in Beijing must have their temperatures checked at school gates and show “green ” health codes on an app that calculates a person’ s infection risk, according to the education ministry .

Norway , which says it has the new coronavirus epidemic under control , reopened primary schools to the youngest students on Monday , in another step toward a gradual normalisation , though some parents expressed concern .

One week after nursery schools , pupils aged six to 10 started returning to their school desks after six weeks of remote learning from home in the Nordic country.
Classes were however reduced to a maximum of 15 students .

Norway has progressively begun lifting restrictions imposed on March 12 to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus .

Hair salons and dermatologists were also authorised to resume business .

Many measures remain in place , such as bans on sporting and cultural events, as well as social distancing and hygiene recommendations .

“ We should not let down our guard , we have to work hard to keep the spread under control, ” Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Friday .

“ If we ’ re not careful , this could have serious consequences for others. In the worst of cases, we ’ ll have to tighten restrictions again . We ’ ll have to make sure to avoid that . ”

Gawat Jubril , Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Lagos State , Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu , says his principal’ s directive compelling all residents of the state to wear face masks in public spaces is no license to defy the lockdown order currently in place.

Jubril made this known via Twitter shortly after the governor kicked off the “ Mask Up Lagos ” campaign as part of efforts to curb the circle of transmission of the coronavirus disease in the state .

Sanwo- Olu said , “Dear Lagosians , even as we observe the lockdown , we are kicking off # MaskUpLagos ; the COMPULSORY wearing of face masks in Lagos . Face masks help to protect us from droplets and secretions from coughing, sneezing , etc as not everyone that is infected will show symptoms .

“ Face masks, combined with frequent hand washing , being conscious about NOT touching our face, as well as # SocialDistancing , are effective in slowing the spread.

“ The state government is currently producing about 3 million facemasks for distribution to the vulnerable . N95 and surgical masks help our medical workers stay safe while cloth masks made to specifications that will be released by the Ministry of Health combined with other guidelines will help protect our residents from COVID- 19 . ”

Subsequently , the governor ’ s aide tweeted, “Some people are automatically translating Mr Governor ’ s directives on compulsory face masks in public as “ freedom of movement ” … . . You are on your own ooo …”

The Kano State Governor , Abdullahi Ganduje , has accused the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 of neglecting the state in its current efforts against the coronavirus pandemic .

Ganduje expressed his displeasures in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service , monitored by The PUNCH .

He said , “We are in a serious problem . I can tell you the situation is really bad and scary . Because what we solely rely upon in fighting the disease is the testing centre .

“ There is also a shortage of sample collection equipment . It is not common equipment that you can go and buy in the market . Those whose samples were collected are still waiting to know their fate .

“ The problem (is ) with the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 . Even its Director – General was in Kano. He spent a night here but we have not heard from him again . The Minister of Health is also aware that the laboratory is not functioning .

“ There is a serious problem . We have been complaining that Kano needs more than one testing centre , right from the beginning of this ( pandemic ). ”

When asked whether the state was not getting any support from Federal Government agencies in the fight against COVID- 19 , the governor said , “ Sincerely speaking, we are not getting deserved attention . If these equipment ( testing centres ) are under our control , we will do our best to make sure it works properly . But we are not getting the needed support and co – operation from the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 . ”

Kano State Government has said the recent deaths in the state were caused by “complications arising from hypertension , diabetes , meningitis and acute malaria ” .

The state Commissioner of Information , Muhammad Garba made this known in a statement .

He said , “ Although an investigation into the cause of the deaths is still ongoing , preliminary reports from the state Ministry of Health indicated that the deaths are not connected to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Reports have shown that most of the deaths were caused by complications arising from hypertension , diabetes , meningitis , and acute malaria . ”

“ Moreso , the state government has three modern Isolation Centres where those tested positive to COVID- 19 are being cared for . We are also hopeful of getting an additional two Isolation Centres soonest. The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated .

“ Also , the Kano State Government is collaborating with​ Bayero University Kano to establish a testing centre within the institution , which will be ready in two weeks time after being certified by the NCDC . This will, indeed , enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergo a test . ”

The House of Representatives says it will resume plenary on Tuesday as Nigeria ’ s cases of coronavirus spread to over 30 states .

Clerk to the House, Patrick Giwa, made this known in a memo made public via Twitter .

Recalled, the House adjourned plenary on March 24 , a week before the Federal Government ordered lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja as well as Lagos and Ogun States as part of measures to curb the spread of the pandemic .

Giwa stated that the aides of the members , as well as other staff of the House, were to work from home for the time being .

He stated , “This is to inform all members of the House of Representatives that the House will now resume plenary session on Tuesday , April 28 , 2020 , at 10 am . Members are advised to take note of the new resumption date .

“ The COVID- 19 Guidelines approved by the Federal Government and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and addition Guidelines developed by the House will be sent to Members ’ pigeon holes for collection on resumption.

“ Staff and Members’ aides are to work from home and will be notified when needed for any special assignment . ”

The Minister of Health , Dr Osagie Ehanire , said President Mohammadu Buhari would determine when to lift the lockdown occasioned by the novel Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Ehanire said this on Politics on Channels Television in Abuja .

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that on April 13 , Buhari announced a 14 – day extension of lockdown in Lagos , Abuja and Ogun states to combat the pandemic.

The i nitial 14 – day lockdown in the three states began on March 30 .

“ The President in his wisdom will decide if the lockdown will be lifted , ” he said .

The minister said that the decision to extend COVID- 19 lockdown was tailored according to the needs of every country.

“ We do think that the restriction of movement limits significantly the spread of the virus .

“ The models we have seen show that we have not gotten to the peak yet , ” he said .

Ehanire advised Nigerians that if their symptoms were not meeting the case definition of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control , officials might turn them back .

Kano State government has acknowledged recent deaths in the state, promising that the state government is on top of the situation.

This was also as it quickly said that deaths are not connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement by the Commissioner of Information, Muhammad Garba, said Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has already directed the state Ministry of Health to conduct a thorough investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the deaths.

Garba, said “although investigation into the cause of the deaths is still ongoing, preliminary report from the state Ministry of Health indicated that the deaths are not connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Reports from the State Ministry of Health has shown that most of the deaths were caused by complications arising from hypertension, diabetes, meningitis and acute malaria.

“Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is earnestly waiting for the final report from the State Ministry of Health so as to take necessary action.

“Governor Ganduje from the onset, demonstrated the zeal and political will to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

“Governor Ganduje’s administration has been commended from within and outside the state over the proactive measures it took towards curbing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This explains why Kano, apart from being the most populous state, did not record a case of the pandemic until lately. Though we agree that the situation on hand currently is serious, we are not resting on our oars in taking appropriate measures to ensure that the good people of Kano state, and indeed, residents in the state protect themselves from the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

“The state government is concerned over what is happening. The Ministry of Health is already handling the situation. When they are through with the medical investigation, further necessary actions will be taken.

“I urge the good people of Kano state not to panic. Government is on top of the situation. The mystery or whatever it is will soon be unravelled,” Garba however stated.

Vanguard