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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God , Pastor Enoch Adeboye , has advised Nigerians and Africans to suspend trips abroad after the coronavirus lockdown has been lifted .

The septuagenarian preacher said the return journey to normalcy had begun , appealing to everyone to continue to maintain high hygiene practices, during and after the lockdown period .

In his sermon broadcast via the church ’ s Channel , DOVE TV , Adeboye urged Nigerians and Africans to steer clear of Europe , the Americas , Asia and other places outside the African continent till everything is safe again .

He said , “ The return journey to normalcy has started . But I am appealing to you , please don ’ t stop being very hygienic. Please remain hygienic .

“ May I also had this one : even after the lockdown is gone , any journey abroad that is not very crucial , postpone it because God is going to give us victory here in Nigeria and in Africa , even before it extends to the rest of the world.

“ So , I will advise you ; unless it is very essential, maybe for the next month or two , you suspend all the jumping up and down , until everything is completely safe again . ”

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The Chairman of the Board of Management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Alhaji Shettima Ibrahim Bako Bagudu has tested negative to the coronavirus (COVID 19).

It would be recalled he was tested positive three weeks ago.

The authorities of the Federal Ministry of Education have met with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria to fashion out modalities for the take -off of the nationwide school radio and television broadcast as a result of the closure of schools due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .

The ministry told news correspondent that the school teaching classes on air would follow a timetable which was already being worked on as well as the possibility of writing an examination after taking the lessons .

News correspondent learnt that the school broadcast classes could commence by May if the modalities for getting operational licences and the purchase of transmitters were tidied up by the education ministry , the FRCN , the Nigerian Television Authority and the National Broadcasting Commission in April.

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu , had stated on Tuesday during the daily COVID – 19 Presidential Task Force briefing in Abuja , that the Federal Government was going to commence the basic primary school classes on the national media to enable pupils learn during the COVID- 19 pandemic break.

Adamu had said the government planned to sustain the audio – visual classes , even after the coronavirus pandemic break .

News correspondent learnt that the minister had met with the FRCN authorities and the issuance of licence by the NBC was also underway .

The Director of Press at the ministry , Mr Ben Goong , said in an exclusive interview that a timetable would be drafted as well as the possibility of writing an examination after the nationwide audio- visual classes .

Goong said , “We are taking the next step between Friday and Tuesday . There will be a radio component and a television component . We plan to create a different network on the FRCN so that we don ’ t break into the established listening schedules .

“ The broadcast will run from morning to night , covering all subjects such as Mathematics and English . We will segment the programmes into classes . What we plan is to bring the best hands from our schools to take the subjects . We will use the best in specific subjects . The issue of inability to deliver well will not arise .

“ Two, the broadcast will be uniform . What is being taught in Jigawa , Sokoto will be watched in Lagos . There will be series of subjects in a day for different classes . There will be nothing like , our teachers didn ’ t come to school today .

“ When it is time for exams , you register in the centre nearest to you and you write your exams , class by class . It will be impossible with these broadcasts for children to still be regarded as out – of – school children . We are likely to bring the request letter formally from the ministry in the coming week to FRCN . Due process must be followed . ”

The ministry ’ s spokesman noted that the broadcasts would eradicate the problem of rising out- of – school children currently put at about 10 . 2 million as well as bridge the gap that was created due to the closure of schools during the pandemic .

The Oyo State Governor , Seyi Makinde, says a medical doctor at the University College Hospital Ibadan , has tested positive for coronavirus .

Makinde made this known on his verified Twitter handle .

He said , “The COVID- 19 confirmation test for one suspected case ; a doctor at the University College Hospital Ibadan came back positive today .

“ Isolation and contact tracing have commenced , So there are currently eight active cases in Oyo State . ”

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/18/just-in-348-males-145-females-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-ncdc/

The PUNCH reports that the Chief Medical Director of UCH , Jesse Otegbayo , earlier tested positive for the virus but recovered four days after .

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , no fewer than 16 confirmed COVID- 19 cases have been recorded in Oyo .
Of the 16 cases, seven have been discharged and one was transferred to Lagos State .

The NCDC said , “ Forty – nine new cases of # COVID 19 have been reported : 23 in Lagos , 12 in FCT, 10 in Kano, two in Ogun , one in Oyo and one in Ekiti .

“ As of 10 : 40 pm on the 18 th April, there are 542 confirmed cases of # COVID19 reported in Nigeria . Discharged : 166 ; Deaths : 19 .

“ Number of states with confirmed cases of # COVID19 : 19 + FCT. Currently , Lagos has 306 cases, FCT- 81 , Kano- 37 , Osun – 20 , Oyo – 16 , Edo- 15 , Ogun – 12 , Kwara- nine , Katsina – nine , Bauchi- six , Kaduna – six , Akwa Ibom – six , Delta – four , Ekiti – four , Ondo- three, Enugu – two , Rivers- two , Niger- two , Benue – one and Anambra – one . ”

Rivers State Government released the 22 workers of Exxon Mobil , who were arrested for allegedly violating the State Executive Order restricting movement in the state .

Attorney- General and Commissioner of Justice , Rivers State , Professor Zaccheus Adangor , said that the ExxonMobil staff were released without charges .

Adangor said the state government would no longer press charges against them.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , has said of the total 493 infections recorded in Nigeria since the pandemic began , 348 were males while 145 were females .

This was contained in the Centre ’ s situation report on the pandemic in the country.

In the report released via its Twitter , the NCDC said the most affected age bracket were those between 31 years old and 40 years old .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/18/just-in-weve-tested-7153-for-covid-19-ncdc/

It added that a total number of 7154 tests have been conducted so far while 9221 people of interest have been identified.

Of the positive cases , 210 had travel history , 175 were contacts of those with travel history , 16 persons were unknown sources while 92 were “ incomplete ” .

However , 159 recoveries have been made while 17 fatalities have been recorded, unfortunately.

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Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has sacked his Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Mu’azu Magaji for celebrating the death of late Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Kano Commissioner was said to have taken to his Facebook wall and twitter to make indiscreet comments to celebrate the death of Kyari who passed away on Friday night from the coronavirus pandemic.

Ganduje in a swift reaction through a statement by his Commissioner of Information, Muhammad Garba relieved Magaji of his appointment with immediate effect.

According to the statement, “the commissioner was removed following his unguarded utterances against the person of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.

“He (Ganduje) said as a public servant, the commissioner ought to have respect the profanity of the office by refraining from any act capable of rendering the office to disrepute.

“The action of a public servant, personal or otherwise reflects back on the government and therefore, the Ganduje administration would not tolerate people in official capacities engaging in a personal vendetta or otherwise.

“Late Abba Kyari had led a life worthy of emulation by serving his country to the best of his ability,” the statement reads.

Magaji posted on his Facebook wall, “Win-win… Nigeria is free and Abba Kyari ya mutu a cikin annoba… Mutuwar Shahada in Har da Imani mutum ya cika!” meaning “Win-win… Nigeria is free and Abba Kyari died in a disastrous way without faith.”

Other source said the Commissioner also tweeted that “…We pray this time around, may God give us a good Chief of Staff, CoS”.

Again shortly after he was relieved of his appointment, he wrote in hausa language on his Facebook wall, “Nima na shiga laying murabus… Saidai ba inda aka tafi dani, ina nan a Kano Daram” meaning “I have joined the club of dethronement but I have not been taking to anywhere. I am still in Kano,” the post reads.

Vanguard

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has said that his late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari was the best of them at the Presidency.

President Buhari in his tribute to Mallam Kyari who was buried yesterday after he passed on as a result of complications from the COVID-19 virus, has also directed that people mourning should observe social distancing.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said that he would not be available for condolence visits.

According to the statement, “On the sad occasion of the demise of Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff, the President has directed on three things.

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/18/updated-kyari-gets-private-burial-in-abuja/

” First, that this tribute be issued in recognition of the enormous sacrifices and contributions made by the deceased to the success of his politics and administration and to the overall development of the nation.

” Second, the President wishes to direct strict observance of the social distancing rules as prescribed by the National Center for Disease Control, the Federal Ministry of Health; and other safe hygiene practices as advised by relevant local authorities.

” In this regard, the President will not be available for condolence visitors but urges, in place of that prayers be offered for the repose of soul of the departed Chief of Staff.

” Third, the President wishes to convey his deep appreciation to foreign leaders and all Nigerians, from whom a stream of messages have been reaching him over this irreparable loss. May Allah accept his soul.”

The body of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, was flown into Abuja Saturday morning for interment.

It was received at the Nnamdi International Airport, Abuja by senior officials of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The body arrived preparatory to its interment in a private ceremony in the Federal Capital Territory in accordance with Islamic rites.

His remains were taken to his residence, Defence House for a brief stopover and thereafter, in a motorcade taken to Gudu Cemetery, Abuja for internment.

Kyari died in a Lagos hospital Thursday from complications related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, who confirmed the story in a statement in Abuja, said that the body was handled according to the protocol put in place for the burial of Coronavirus victims by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
He affirmed that the burial would be private and that there would be no ceremonies of condolences visits.

Shehu said: “We just received the body of Abba Kyari the deceased Chief of Staff the President in Abuja. In strict observation of the protocol put in place for the burial of Coronavirus victims by the @NCDCgov and the Federal Ministry of Health, the funeral prayer and burial will be private.

“Thereafter,there will be no such ceremonies as condolence visits. Well meaning friends, family members and the general public are encouraged to pray for the repose of Abba Kyari’s soul.

“May Allah grant the family and nation the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Abba Kyari, had been diagnosed with coronavirus which he is believed to have contracted whiles on official duty in Germany. He was transferred from the capital Abuja to Lagos for medical care.

The late Kyari, who is said to be in his 70s, has been described as “an important figure in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and his illness could have ramifications for the running of the country.

The late Chief of Staff to the President , Abba Kyari , will be buried on Saturday (today ).

Personal Assistant on New Media to the President , Basir Ahmad , made this known via his Twitter handle .

He tweeted, “Mallam Abba Kyari will be buried later today in Abuja according to Islamic rites . ”

The PUNCH r eports that Kyari was announced dead on Friday, 25 days after testing positive to the coronavirus .

Before announcing the deceased burial , Ahmad described him as one of the most misunderstood people.

He said , “ Abba Kyari certainly was one of the most misunderstood people in the history of Nigeria . Those who had the opportunity to know him personally will tell you how extremely a good person he was .

“ A man of honor , will be remembered as someone who sacrificed his life for this country.

“ It was Mallam Abba Kyari’ s turn last night , my time and your time will definitely come no matter how long it may take. And none of us will be here and healthy in the next 150 years . ”

Jonathan, Atiku, Lawan, others mourn Abba Kyari

Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan , former Vice – President , Atiku Abubakar , and Senate President , Ahmad Lawan, have expressed shock to the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President , Abba Kyari .

In a separate tweet on Saturday morning , the three politicians paid tributes to the departed CoS .

Expressing his shock to the death of the CoS , Atiku tweeted , “ Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji ’ un . I am saddened by the death of Chief of Staff , Abba Kyari. May Allah SWT comfort his family , forgive his sins and grant him AlJannah Firdaus . Ameen . ”

Jonathan prayed that “ Allah ” strengthens his family and friends during this moment of grief .

Lawan said death is inevitable and it only comes at an appointed time while praying for God to comfort Kyari’ s family .

Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation , Mele Kyari, described the departed CoS as a “ truly good man , profoundly faithful and loyal to our country” .

Former Deputy Senate President , Ike Ekweremadu , said he was “ deeply saddened by the news ” while expressing condolences to his family .

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