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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has left intensive care , where he had spent the three previous days for treatment against coronavirus , his Downing Street office said .
“ The Prime Minister has been moved this evening from intensive care back to the ward , where he will receive close monitoring during the early phase of his recovery, ” said the statement .
AFP
The Federal Government has said it would provide insurance cover for all the frontline health workers battling to keep Nigerians safe from the coronavirus pandemic .
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed , said this in Abuja.
The minister said that adequate insurance , compensation, and support would be provided to frontline health workers during and in the aftermath of the COVID 19 pandemic .
She said it had become compelling to offer the needed support through an adequate insurance policy .
Reports says that some of the hazards suffered by the frontline health workers are pathogen exposure, psychological distress , fatigue , occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence .
Ahmed while commending the sacrifice of the workers said the government would be engaging the insurance industry to come up with a package that would take care of their health risks.
She said , “ The government would be engaging with the insurance industry to package special health care insurance , which is life insurance for healthcare workers .
“ The government is taking steps to activate , release and enhance the hazard allowances provided in the remuneration structure of the Federal health sector workers .
“ The Federal Government recognises the patriotism and sacrifice of our frontline healthcare workers , whose critical roles in combatting the COVID- 19 pandemic place their health and lives at risk. ”
According to the World Health Organisation , employers and managers in health facilities assume overall responsibility to ensure that all necessary preventive and protective measures are taken to minimise occupational hazards on healthcare workers during a pandemic.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has announced that the total number of confirmed Lassa fever cases has increased to 963 in 2020 .
It said 12 new cases were recorded between March 30 and April 5 , 2020 .
The NCDC said this in its 2020 Week 14 report made available on its website .
It also said 188 deaths have been reported in the country this year .
Part of the report read , “ In week 14 , the number of new confirmed cases decreased from 19 cases in week 13 , 2020 to 12 cases. These were reported from five states – Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi , Bauchi , and Sokoto .
Cumulatively from week 1 to week 14 , 2020 , 188 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 19 . 5 per cent which is lower than the CFR for the same period in 2019 – 22 . 7 per cent.
“ In total for 2020 , 27 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 126 Local Government Areas .
“ Of all 963 confirmed cases, 72 per cent are from Edo ( 32 per cent) , Ondo ( 32 per cent ) and Ebonyi ( eight per cent) states .
“ The predominant age – group affected is 21 – 30 years . The male to female ratio for confirmed cases is 1 :1 . 2 .
“ The number of suspected cases has significantly increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2019 . No new healthcare worker was affected in the reporting week 14 . ”
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has directed the Commissioners of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun States to continue enforcing the lockdown order imposed by the Federal Government to contain the COVID-19 disease.
He also called on religious leaders in the FCT, Lagos, Ogun and other states affected by the restrictions, to continue to cooperate with relevant government agencies.
The IG asked them to use their leadership positions to encourage worshippers to observe prayers and fellowship programmes in the confines of their homes.
Adamu noted that the call had become necessary in order to curtail the community spread of the COVID-19 pandemic “which has immensely challenged humanity across all spheres of life.”
These were contained in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba.
It said, “The IG expresses deep concerns that for the first time in the annals of our history, circumstances have compelled us to emplace restrictions on social gatherings, which inevitably is also affecting religious programmes of all faith.
“He, therefore, enjoins Nigerians to see the restrictions in the light of the symbolism of Easter which connotes sacrifice, tolerance, perseverance, love and ultimate triumph.”
The police boss reassured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police would remain steadfast and committed in the duty of ensuring public safety and security during the Easter period and beyond.
The Federal Government has granted amnesty to no fewer than 2 , 600 inmates as part of measures to decongest prison facilities in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic .
The Minister of Interior , Rauf Aregbesola , disclosed this at an ongoing press conference at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja .
He said at least 70 inmates, who are serving various terms for crimes against the society , would be processed and released later today .
Aregbesola said the affected inmates include inmates that are 60 years and above ; those suffering from ill – health likely to terminate in death; convicts serving three years and above and have less than six months to serve; inmates with mental issues ; and inmates with an option of fine not exceeding N50 , 000 .
He said , “ In a symbolic gesture of the amnesty given to the 2 , 600 inmates across Nigeria , 41 Federal inmates and 29 FCT inmates making a total of 70 inmates who met the above criteria will be released today from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja .
“ This amnesty will not apply to inmates sentenced for violent extreme offences such as terrorism , kidnapping , armed banditry , rape , human trafficking , culpable homicide and so on .
“ The Governors of the 36 states under whose jurisdiction most of the inmates were incarcerated will complete the exercise in line with the federal principle . ”
Super Eagles coach , Gernot Rohr , has admitted he wants to continue in his position with the national team.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation , Amaju Pinnick, on Monday , disclosed that the contract extension papers with conditions will be sent to the Franco – German next week, for him to study .
Pinnick stated that the contract entailed that the coach would be paid in Naira and would have to be domiciled in the country and monitor games of the Nigeria Professional Football League .
Despite the conditions, Rohr insists his aim is to continue with the national team and help them qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2023 World Cup .
“ I want to finish my work in Nigeria , I want to go to the next AFCON and World Cup , which means we must continue working together , ” he told ESPN correspondent Colin Udoh in an Instagram live video monitored by news correspondent .
“ I want to show my players and employers that I have the motivation to continue. I cannot speak about what we said in the meeting in February because it’ s confidential, ” he added .
Rohr says he is not worried about money as he is not seeking an increment in his salary but only wants the freedom to carry out his duties .
“ I don ’ t want more money , I don ’ t want more bonuses , I don ’ t want anything special. I only want to work as free as I could . I have to speak with my assistants because I have to pay them all from my salary . I also have to speak to them. ”
Rohr insisted that staying in Nigeria wasn ’ t a problem , saying he had lived more in the country in the last three years .
“ All I can say is that I am always in Nigeria , most of my time. It’ s been three years since I ’ ve been in Nigeria.
“ I spend time in Nigeria but , all my players are in Europe and it is only one ( Ikechukwu Ezenwa ) that ’ s in Nigeria . I hear lots of things about it on social media , TV and newspapers , about what has been said . But I cannot comment on it. I have to see my players in their clubs and meet their coaches , watch their matches and communicate with them.
“ I spend more time in Nigeria than in Europe . I am waiting for them; I am waiting for the proposals. ”
The 66 – year – old has also revealed that in the time he has been with the country, he has turned down several job opportunities
“ I got a few offers from some other countries but I refused them because I said I ’ m still under contract . ”
Rohr ’ s contract is due to expire in June and negotiation has been ongoing for months.
The National Examinations Council has said it has not postponed the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination and Basic Education Certificate Examination due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The council said it was studying the prevailing situation in the country and would postpone the exams if there was any need .
Both the SSCE and BECE usually take place around May and June of every year with candidates drawn from public and private schools nationwide .
The council in a statement by its Head of Information , Mr Azeez Sani , said , “ We state categorically that apart from the 2020 National Common Entrance that was postponed indefinitely due to the outbreak of Covid – 19 , the council has not review any of its remaining examination timetables for BECE and SSCE , neither is it contemplating such for now.
“ The general public is urged to disregard such fake news, as the council is monitoring the prevailing situation in the country and will make an official pronouncement on the examinations if the need arises. ”
Some residents of Ile Ife staged a peaceful protest over failure by a group that had earlier announced it was giving them food items to fulfill its promise .
The protesters after a march through Lagere , Iremo and Sabo areas , had stormed the premises of Crown FM ,
Eleyele , a private road station based in Ile Ife , on which the public announcement of the food donation had been aired the previous day .
Policemen deployed to the scene were said to have arrested some of the protesters and dispersed others.
The General Manager , Crown FM , Ile Ife , Israel Ogunlade , said the protesters accused him of giving them false information about the plan by a group to distribute food items to cushion the effect of restriction of movement ordered by government to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Ogunlade said , “ A group, had announced through my station that , it would distribute food to residents today .
“ Unfortunately when those handling the distribution brought the food to where people had been told to assemble, they were overwhelmed by the numbers of the residents. What they had could barely go round . ”
“ That was what led to protest . They were shouting and everything was in the state of disorderliness before the police arrived . ”
Police Public Relations Officer for Osun Command , Yemisi Opalola , said some people fighting over food were dispersed by the police in Ile Ife .
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State said that the state would explore ‘ home- grown solutions’ in the prevention and cure of COVID- 19 in the state.
Makinde said since Nigerians had their ways of dealing with flu, catarrh and cough differently from the Western world , the state would devise a cure .
The governor said this during a briefing shortly after the state ’ s COVID- 19 Task Force meeting held at the Government House, Agodi , Ibadan .
He said as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in Oyo State , the government was already working on laws that would compel the use of face masks.
Makinde, said , “ We are looking at local solutions. I know that a lot of people have been calling me all sorts of names on the social media but , from my experience , one thing that I know you have to do to conquer the virus is that you have to boost your immunity . We do have local solutions and , of course , we have to defer to experts ’ opinion as part of the home -grown solution to deal with COVID- 19 .
“ People may ask if we have been funding the research institutes very well. They may even ask if we are in a position to bring any kind of solution to the world . My answer is yes . Even chewing something like bitter – cola . When the western world was having flu season , they had flu shots. But here , we have things like catarrh . When we are crossing over from dry season to rainy season , people always fall sick . Cold , cough , catarrh , we have ways of dealing with all of these locally . ”
The governor said the isolation process for the two new confirmed cases of COVID- 19 had already been initiated and contact tracing and collection of samples had commenced .
Power distribution companies has announced that they were in support of the proposal by the National Assembly and the Federal Executive arm of government that Nigerians should get two months of free electricity.
Speaking through their umbrella body, the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, the Discos stated that modalities for the free power would be worked on and made public in due course.
The Executive Director, ANED, Sunday Oduntan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja .
He said, “The electricity distribution companies recognise the challenging effects of the coronavirus on the economic and daily lives of our customers.
“In fulfillment of our commitments to the nation, we hereby align ourselves with the efforts of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive to mitigate the hardship that is currently being borne by our customers and other citizens all over the country.”
Oduntan added, “We are committed to working with them to ensure more efficient power supply within this difficult period, as the nation battles with the ravages of COVID-19.
“We are also completely aligned with the plans to ensure palliative measures, including free electricity supply to all Nigerians for two months, to make life easier, during the lockdown period. Details of implementation to come soon.”
He reiterated the commitment of the Discos to improving service delivery to the nation during the period of the coronavirus pandemic and thereafter.
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