Governors in the South- West have agreed to jointly close all the borders in the region as part of measures to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease .
The decision was made at the virtual meeting held by the governors of the region – namely, Lagos , Ogun, Oyo , Osun , Ondo and Ekiti states – under the auspices of the South – West Governors ’ Forum .
In a statement personally issued by the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ondo State , Mr Rotimi Akeredolu , the governors also resolved that using of face masks was now compulsory for all the residents of the region .
The statement read , “ The entry points of our six states be closed forthwith to contain the spread of COVID- 19 pandemic .
“ The state governors agreed that people involved in essential services or dealing in medicine , water and consumable items in particular traders and market men /women should endeavour to wear face masks while outside plying their trade, to minimise the spread of the deadly virus .
“ The governors further agreed that wearing of face masks would be made compulsory for everybody coming out of their homes effective from Friday, April 24 , 2020 in their respective states . ”
The South – West governors ’ decision came just as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Friday announced fresh 51 cases of the COVID- 19 in the Federal Capital Territory and seven other states .
Lagos recorded the highest number of new cases at 32 . Six new cases were recorded in Kano; Kwara, 5 . The FCT, Oyo and Katsina recorded two new cases each , while Ogun and Ekiti states recorded one new case each .
The fresh cases brought to 493 the number of COVID- 19 cases in the country. While 159 patients had been discharged , 17 patients had died .
Speaking on the joint border closures , the Ogun State Governor , Dapo Abiodun , tweeted via his verified Twitter handle @ dabiodunMFR on Friday, saying, “ My counterparts and I in the South – West have unanimously taken the decision to close the borders of all the six states within the region , as part of joint efforts to combat the importation of coronavirus .
“ This is the result of our cooperative approach to flattening the curve in the region and Nigeria at large . # COVID19 # Building Our Future Together . ”
Also , the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who spoke through his media aide , Moses Alao , said the border closures agreement by the governors of the South – West might affect states that shared borders with any of the six states in the zone .
“ I think that going by the decision at the virtual meeting, states in the South – West sharing borders with other states outside the zone would close their borders so that there would not be an entry into the zone , ” he said .
Meanwhile , the South – West Governors ’ Forum has also dissolved the Board of Directors of Odu’ a Investment Limited .
The forum mandated the Group Managing Director of the company to be in charge of the region ’ s business venture .
“ As the owner state governors , we dissolve the Board of Directors of Odu’ a Investment Limited with immediate effect . The Group Managing Director should take charge of the conglomerate affairs pending the constitution of a new board , ” Akeredolu said .
Following new revelations regarding the reported maltreatment of Nigerians in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China , the Federal Government said it would immediately begin the process of evacuating affected persons .
Minister of Foreign Affairs , Geoffrey Onyeama , said the government would ensure compensation for about 100 Nigerians who were evicted from their homes and hotels by Chinese officials in Guangzhou.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the minister said he had summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria , Dr Zhou Pingjian, for the second time in one week since the reports surfaced in the media to register Nigeria ’ s displeasure with the incident .
Onyeama stated that the Nigerian Ambassador to China , Ahmed Jidda , as well as other African ambassadors in China had met with the Chinese Foreign Ministry and expressed their concerns. He said they made a number of demands from the Chinese Government, including respecting the rights and dignity of Africans and Nigerians in Guangdong .
He added that the Chinese Government was committed to looking into the matter and ensuring no maltreatment of any Nigerian or African in China .
The minister stated , “After we had made a statement in the media , I have continued to receive information from Nigerians in China and I engaged directly with our officials in Guangzhou and people who were on the ground .
“ And I must say that contrary to what we believed , that the situation had stabilised and was fully under control and there were no longer issues , it became apparent that there were still very distressing incidences and that it was almost as if it was an institutional attack on the rights and dignity of Nigerians and Africans there. ”
Onyeama added, “ So , as I said , with confirmation from people who were there, I again , invited today ( Friday) , the Chinese Ambassador and presented these facts to him . I said ‘ look, contrary to what was agreed , promises made and guarantees given , the situation does not seem to have ameliorated and this is totally unacceptable . ’
“ That we have stories of Nigerians who had been evicted from their residences and were unable to get back in ; that they had been moved from where they were into more expensive hotels and Nigerians not being served when they went to restaurants and shopping malls . I told him this was totally unacceptable and something needed to be done . ”
He added that though the narratives were conflicting , sometimes among Africans in the area, there were consistent reports of unacceptable treatment of Nigerians and other Africans in Guangzhou.
He stated , “ I spoke to some of our people there in Guangzhou; and what do we do and where do we go from here ? Quite a lot of them said they just wanted to come home and we are putting in place as quickly as possible the mechanisms to start bringing them home. That clearly is the immediate solution here , ” Onyeama added .
A total of 7 , 153 persons have been tested across all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory for the dreaded coronavirus as of Friday evening .
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control disclosed the figure in its update on COVID- 19 outbreak in Nigeria for Week 16 which it published .
“ As of 6 pm, April 17 , 2020 , 7 , 153 samples had been tested for COVID- 19 in Nigeria .
“ We are working very hard to increase the number of samples tested , including community surveillance in the FCT and Lagos , ” the centre said .
According to the centre , 6 , 649 persons were tested as of Thursday evening .
The new figure of 7 , 153 indicated that 504 samples were tested on Friday alone .
According to the report , 20 states ( including Abuja ) have recorded confirmed cases of the virus as of the time of publishing the report .
It said the gender pattern of confirmed cases ( put at 442 then ) showed that more males tested positive for the virus than females .
The number of males with confirmed cases is put at 314 (71 % ) while that of females is 128 ( 29 %) .
Of the confirmed cases, the NCDC said 210 ( 48 %) had travel histories ; 129 ( 29 %) were contacts ; 11 (2 % ) were of unknown sources while 92 (21 % ) were “incomplete . ”
The centre put the total number of cases globally at 1 , 991, 562 and 130 , 885 deaths .
According to the report , 210 countries are so far affected .
The novel coronavirus has killed 1 , 000 people across Africa since the pandemic emerged late last year , according to an AFP tally using official figures .
Algeria is the African country with the highest number of deaths at 364 , followed by Egypt with 205 , Morocco 135 and South Africa 50 , according to the figures compiled at 2000 GMT .
African countries have recorded a total of 19 , 334 infections since the virus emerged in China in late December , the figures show .
Africa has so far suffered less than other regions from COVID- 19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus — at least according to official numbers .
But limited testing in many countries has deprived African officials of a full picture of the disease ’ s spread .
The worldwide death toll has topped 150 , 000 people while more than 2 . 2 million infections have been declared .
Health experts have warned of the devastation the deadly virus could cause in Africa , where most hospitals are desperately short of equipment and trained staff .
The World Health Organization last month warned Africa faced a dramatic evolution of the pandemic even as governments imposed restrictions, curfews and travel bans to help curb the spread. The continent appears poorly equipped to manage a major health crisis and is struggling to test enough to monitor virus cases.
Containment measures in poorer parts of Africa have also been difficult to enforce in impoverished and densely populated neighbourhoods , where houses are overcrowded and most survive thanks to informal work.
The World Bank and IMF said on Friday that Africa needs $ 44 billion more to fight the coronavirus pandemic despite a freeze in debt payments for many countries and massive pledges of support to help the continent prepare for a possible surge in infections and the economic fallout.
Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde has declared that the state government has reached a decision on the use of face mask as the best way to prevent, contain and control the spread of COVID-19.
Makinde in a press briefing said that the state government will engage the services of 100 tailers who are expected to produce 10,000 face masks for one million people in Oyo State.
He also revealed that one of the two positive COVID-19 cases confirmed yesterday, is from Yemetu and the other is a returnee from the United States who is based in Ikolaba area of the state.
The governor ran a thread of the press briefing on his Twitter handle.
“During the COVID-19 Task Force meeting today, we were informed that two more tests came back positive. So, we have four new cases from the tests being conducted at Adamasingba Stadium. This brings the number of active cases in Oyo State to seven.
“It has been our aspiration to test a lot more people and we think as we do this mass testing, we can see the pattern of the virus within our environment and from those results, we can implement appropriate measures designed to deal with the situation.
“While the 100-bed Infectious Disease Centre at Olodo is ready to receive cases, we are already upgrading the isolation centre at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. The Maternal and Child Health Centre, Saki is also being converted to an isolation centre.
“The General Hospital at Igbo-Ora is being evaluated for a section of it to be used as an isolation centre.
“As I stated at an earlier interview, one of the measures we considered to prevent, contain and control the spread of COVID-19 in Oyo State is the compulsory use of face masks in public. Today, we reached a decision to implement this measure.”
Makinde also stated that “The Oyo State Government will produce an initial one million cloth face masks to kick start the mask in public places policy for Oyo State. 100 tailors will be commissioned by Monday, the 20th of April, 2020 to make 10,000 face masks each.
“We are collaborating with experts who have already designed these face masks to train the tailors on how to make them.
“The results we are receiving from Adamasingba Stadium has made us move the resumption at the State Secretariat forward to Monday, the 27th of April 2020. This is subject to further evaluation based on our circumstances closer to that time.
“Food security is a major issue which we have to address. This is planting season and we want to ensure that our farmers are able to farm. So, we are ramping up on enlightenment of the farmers on how best to remain safe during the planting season.
“We are also collaborating with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IART) to get seedlings for the farmers so that they don’t miss the planting season.
“We are still working on palliatives; we now have the data & we’re sure that we’ve been able to identify the poorest of the poor in our environment. Palliatives will be distributed by the end of next week. We want to ensure that the palliatives get to those who actually need them.
“Let me use this opportunity to thank our health workers. This government will continue to make their welfare our priority and ensure that they are adequately protected as they remain on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 in Oyo State,” Makinde wrote.
COVID 19: Ogun enforces use of face mask
In another development, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has announced that the government will begin enforcement of compulsory use of face masks by residents of the state, as parts of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease.
Abiodun, who made the announcement in Iperu, noted that “using of face mask has the benefits of preventing an afflicted person from infecting others and vice versa.”
The governor said to make the law effective, the state government had engaged the services of fashion designers to mass produce face mask, which will be distributed to market men and women, transporters and other people considered to be necessary.
Abiodun said he will leave no stone unturned to prevent further infection, spread and death from the dreaded coronavirus.
The governor also announced a relaxation window during the14 days extension of the lockdown period scheduled to start on Saturday.
There have been a widespread rumour that the new fourteen days lockdown is going to be total, but the governor said there will be total lockdown of the state for 48hours starting from 11:55pm on Friday, 17th April, 2020 to Sunday, 19th April, 2020.
He said the relaxation window will be observed on Monday, 20th, Wednesday, 22nd and Friday, 24th April, 2020 from 7am to 2pm each days.
“The period of relaxation will be between the hours of 7am and 2pm on each of these days. This means that citizens are expected to remain indoors tomorrow Saturday, April 18, 2020; Sunday, April 19, 2020; Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 as period of the lockdown”.
“I enjoin our people to scrupulously spend the window periods to restock on food items and conduct essential businesses during the period of the extended lockdown. We must understand that we cannot afford to be complacent or lower our guards, even as we maintain this delicate balance between people’s welfare and healthcare”.
“We must only go out if there is need to do so. And even then, we must scrupulously use a face mask. For non-health workers, any face mask or shield made from local material or fabric that effectively covers nose and mouth is just appropriate. Also, people should use tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the used tissue immediately. In the absence of clean tissue, cough or sneeze into your bent elbows”.
“Let me also re-emphasise that while the window of relaxation is being observed, all interstate and international borders of our dear State will remain closed. As usual, all personnel on essential services will be given access to perform their duties. This window of relaxation of the lockdown will be reviewed from time to time”.
The governor expressed displeasure that some people play politics with the outbreak of the pandemic
“It is worrisome that at this critical time of a global pandemic, some individuals and groups would still play politics with lives of our people and public safety by concocting, fabricating and circulating misleading and mischievous stories and videos with sinister motive to undermine the efforts to flatten the curve of the coronavirus and the palliatives meant to cushion the effect of the lockdown on our people”.
“This is uncharitable and inhuman, to say the least. Going forward, such misinformation capable of inciting the public and causing breach of peace will be met with the full weight of the law”.
“In the same vein, I have news for those who may want to take advantage of the current situation to perpetrate any form of crime or criminality. Ogun State has zero tolerance for crimes. And if you test our will, the government and the security agencies will be swift in appending you and severe in bringing you to justice. I call on parents and guardians to ensure the conduct and activities of their children and wards are in consonance with law, public morality and order”.
Kano State Commissioner for Health , Dr Aminu Tsanyawa, has confirmed that three members of the state Taskforce on COVID- 19 have been infected with the coronavirus disease .
This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, Hajiya Hadiza Namadi .
“ With deep sense of sadness and on behalf of the state government , the Commissioner of Health , Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa hereby announces that the co – chairman and some members of Kano State Taskforce on COVID- 19 were tested and three of the results came out positive for the coronavirus disease , ” the statement said .
The statement maintained that the number of confirmed COVID- 19 cases in the state as of 11 :15 am on Friday is 21 with one death.
“ The government , therefore , advises the general public to keep social distancing , avoid overcrowding and stay at home to keep safe as it continues to take measures to contain the spread of the disease in the state , ” it added .
Voters in Mali will be called out on Sunday to complete long- delayed legislative elections , defying a jihadist insurgency and the lengthening shadow of coronavirus.
The elections aim at reviving faith in political institutions at one of the darkest times since Mali gained independence from France nearly half a century ago .
One of the poorest nations in the world is battling jihadists who have claimed thousands of lives and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes .
“ In a democracy , nothing is as important as full constitutional legality and the normal array of institutions, ” President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita said this week ahead of the vote .
Reflecting the double peril which confronts the Sahel state , the president wore an anti – coronavirus facemask .
The virus has so far claimed 13 lives out of 171 cases — a toll that , for now , is low compared with other countries .
Sunday ’ s runoff vote will complete the renewal of the 147 – seat National Assembly .
It is the country ’ s first parliamentary poll since 2013 when Keita ’ s Rally for Mali party won a substantial majority .
The elections were meant to take place again in late 2018 after Keita was returned to office but the poll was postponed several times , mainly because of security concerns.
The African Union Economic , Social and Cultural Council , Nigeria office , has urged China , France , Japan and India to write off Nigeria ’ s debt or allow a two – year moratorium on repayments .
It commended the International Monetary Fund for granting relief to 25 nations under its Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust to tackle the novel coronavirus .
The AU agency ’ s Nigeria Representative , Oba Olasunkanmi , in a statement in Abuja , explained that as major lenders , they should also grant a reprieve to the Federal Government to contain the COVID- 19 pandemic .
It said , “ Certainly, this will further assist the benefiting countries to significantly cushion the impact of the dreaded disease on their economies . Nigeria , at this time , needs support to enable it recover from the financial impact . ”
The AU further noted that it would be difficult for the nation to service the debts in the face of the economic realities imposed by COVID- 19 “as the United Nations had projected that the world would need $ 1 trillion for continual existence . ”
It noted , “ Nigeria needs China ’ s support at this trying time , with the long and fruitful bilateral relationship between both countries which has led to Nigerian government owing China the debt of about $ 3 . 2 billion .
“ We are being faithful in payment of service charges . In 2019 , Nigeria paid $ 138 . 8 million (N 53 . 7 billion ) to EXIM Bank of China in settlement , the highest amount paid to any bilateral institution for the year. ”
The Independent National Electoral Commission has doused apprehension over the fire incident which gutted its offices in Abuja with an assurance that reports of party primaries and conventions remained intact .
The commission said that apart from some office furniture and equipment , nothing sensitive was destroyed .
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee , Festus Okoye, gave the assurances in a statement .
According to him , the campaign finance database was also not affected, adding that the incident will therefore not affect the administrative or technical operations of the commission in any way .
The statement entitled: “ Fire incident at INEC Headquarters ”, reads : “ At 11 . 30 am today April 17 2020 , a fire outbreak occurred at a section of the building housing the Election and Party Monitoring Department and the Media Centre . The building is an annexe , detached from the main building of the INEC Headquarters .
“ Fire fighters attached to the commission swiftly responded to contain the inferno and they were later joined by their colleagues from the Federal Fire Service Headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory. The fire was extinguished within a short period of time and did not cause any substantial damage to the building .
“ Apart from some office furniture and equipment , nothing sensitive was destroyed . Reports of party primaries and conventions are intact . The campaign finance database is also not affected. The incident will therefore not affect the administrative or technical operations of the commission in any way . Meanwhile , investigation into the cause( s ) of the fire incident has commenced . ”
LatestNewsUpdates 