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Some Nigerians have expressed outrage over the invitation of 18 Chinese medical experts to the country to assist in the fight against the coronavirus , a microbe which causes COVID- 19 .

Observation by news correspondent showed that the Nigerians distrusted the Chinese government , hence they asked the Federal Government to be wary of bringing in the Chinese medical team, especially as they are coming from where the disease originated from .

The Chairman of the association, Dr Muhammed Adeboye, said in Ilorin that Nigeria has no alarming cases compared to other countries to warrant external help.

”It is bad for us to be expecting experts because people are not dying massively in Nigeria and cases are not increasing astronomically.

”For now, we are not stressed out as far as the crisis is concerned and people are been discharged day-in-day-out.

”So, there is no indication to bring any professional from any part of the world,” Adeboye said.

He cautioned that any external unwarranted assistance could aid the foreigners to manipulate the virus to be more harmful to Nigerians.

”Bringing people in can be an avenue for many terrible things to happen as well, because we don’t have the capacity to manipulate viruses whether confirmed or not.

”It is a novel virus which might be probably man made and to a large extent, the rate of infection here is not as much as what we have in other countries.

”They can still manipulate to want to know what it is that is working for us, then go ahead to manipulate the virus again.

”And then, they will now import the virus with the so called unwarranted assistance, before you know it more people will be dying of it.

”So, we don’t need any foreign assistance, not even from China,” the MDCAN president said.

Meanwhile, The resident doctors, however, say they have distanced themselves from the plan.

“In the interim, NARD wishes to distance herself from the planned importation of Chinese medical experts to Nigeria in whatever guise or hood for the reasons presented in this write-up and many more,” Sokomba stated.

“NARD shall not contemplate further warning to distance herself from the Chinese adventure by way of withdrawing all her members from every public health facility in Nigeria so that the anticipated downturn in the output of Nigeria’s healthcare service delivery can be properly situated and traceable to the Chinese as is the case today in Italy.

“NARD hereby reiterates her position which was canvased earlier in the week for the FG to immediately and massively employ all qualified but unemployed doctors and other healthcare workers. Get them trained, insured, motivated and deployed nationwide”.

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As the coronavirus pandemic spreads and countries struggle to respond , China has somewhat positioned itself as a global leader and benefactor in public health by donating coronavirus testing kits , ventilators , face masks and medics to African countries and others such as Italy , France , the Philippines , Spain , Iran and Iraq .

Some of the countries have , however , complained that thousands of the Chinese equipment are below standard or defective, while some countries have also turned down the offer by China to send its medics to them.

About a week after Nigeria received some medical equipment from Chinese billionaire Jack Ma , the Minister of Health , Dr Osagie Ehanire , disclosed that 18 Chinese medics would soon arrive in the country to assist in the fight against COVID- 19 .

The minister said this on Friday during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 in Abuja , adding that he had been notified of medical supplies from China courtesy of a group of Chinese companies working in Nigeria .

The Lagos State Governor , Babajide Sanwo- Olu , has said that lockdown order may be extended in the state beyond 14 days .

He said this during a media briefing , according to reports .

He said that the lockdown would be extended depending on the situation of things , adding that
the number of patients discharged in Lagos has risen to 24 .

The governor , however , assured residents that palliatives would be provided.

He said , “If there’ s a need to extend the lockdown , I will. We got one discharged patient today (recovered from the coronavirus ). We are going to sit down with the committee that is working on the community markets and see if we can announce more next week. ”

On alleged assault of residents by enforcement agents, Sanwo- Olu said , “ There ’ s been no backlash on the handling of people by the security operatives so far . I always tell them to ‘ wear a human face’ . ”

Abuja and Lagos had been shut down for at least two weeks to curb the spread of COVID- 19 .

Ogun State Governor has hinted that the state would be on total lockdown until Tuesday morning when it would be reviewed.

The Governor said the total lockdown imposed on the State which had commenced 11 pm of Friday, would be lifted every two days to ameliorate the effects of the lockdown order .

Abiodun said this during a press briefing held at his residence in Iperu -Remo .

He , however , explained that the state would relax the lockdown for seven hours every 48 hours.

The governor also said the period of the lockdown would be used to fumigate the state public places such as markets, motor parks and other essential areas across the state .

According to Abiodun , the lockdown will be lifted by 7 . 00 am and 2 . 00 pm on Tuesday and subsequently every other day to allow operations of essential services.

He said this would give an opportunity for economic activities to strive within the few hours of the relaxation time

He explained that personnel of essential services providers such as security and fire service personnel, petroleum products dealers , food producers, and water distributors would have unlimited access to movement to perform their duties .

He said “ The lockdown will be total from now till 7 . 00 am on Tuesday . The lockdown will be suspended between 7 . 00 am and 2 . 00 pm to allow for essential business activities.

“ This 7 . 00 am to 2 . 00 pm window will be observed every other day therefrom that is, Tuesday instant , Thursday , and Saturday for the coming week . ”

The Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance has reached out to the National Assembly to intimate it with an Executive Proposal to establish a N500 billion COVID- 19 Crisis Intervention Fund .

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed , led the Federal Government’ s team and met with the Senate President , Ahmad Lawan , and Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila , to work out the modalities.

According to a release from the Office of the Senate President , the finance minister along with senior officials from the ministry held the meeting at the National Assembly.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Senate President , Ovie Omo -Agege ; Deputy Speaker , Idris Wase , and some other principal officers from both chambers .

The meeting was a follow- up to one held last week Wednesday between the National Assembly leadership and members of the Presidential Committee which was set up for the management of the COVID – 19 crisis .

The finance minister said , “ What we are proposing is an establishment of a N500 billion COVID- 19 Crisis Intervention Fund .

“ This Fund , that we are proposing , that should be created , will involve mopping up resources from various special accounts that the government , as well as the Federation , have , to be able to pull this N500 billion .

“ Our general view is that this crisis intervention fund is to be utilised to upgrade healthcare facilities as earlier identified .

“ The Federal Government also needs to be in a position to improve health care facilities not only in the states but to provide intervention to the states .

“ We know that there will be a need for the parliament to agree and approve the taking of loans from these special accounts and we will be coming back with a proposed bill in that regard that will define what the fund will be used for . ”

The minister said that in addition to the identified special accounts from where the money would be drawn as loans, the proposed intervention fund is also expected to be sourced from grants being expected and loans from multilateral institutions.

She told the lawmakers that the Fund , if approved , would take care of special Public Work Programmes currently being implemented by the National Directorate of Employment.

In his remarks , the Senate President said the meeting was in fulfilment of an earlier promise to provide support as the need arises in this time of crisis .

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Lawan said , “ Just like we told Nigerians when there is need for us to meet or to take legislative action in support of ensuring that the government responds appropriately to developments issues and challenges in the country, we will do so .

“ I think coming to us for those loans is critical because we are in an emergency and time is of the essence . So , we must work as expeditiously as possible to ensure that we place the request before the National Assembly.

“ I think the time has come for us to redefine the implementation of the Social Intervention Programme , probably going out to communities to give them N20 , 000 per person might not be the best way to go . It is still an effort , but I think we need a better approach that will be more efficient . ”

The Minister of Health , Dr Osagie Ehanire , said that Chinese doctors , nurses and medical experts would arrive in Nigeria in a few days to assist in the fight against COVID- 19 .

The minister said this during a briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 in Abuja .

Cases in Nigeria have reached 210 as the global figure also surpassed one million mark . He said Nigeria was also exploring the possibility of producing some medical equipment after key stakeholders met in Abuja .

The coming of the Chinese medical experts was announced just as the Director – General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control , Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu , said efforts to contain COVID- 19 in Nigeria were being limited by finance, manpower and other indices despite the support from government and individuals .

Ehanire said , “ The global number has crossed one million mark , barely three months after the first cases were first reported in Wuhan , China . It is an indication that it is a public health challenge that we must not take lightly . ”

He continued, “ We are already seeing what may be the indication of community transmission , in that 30 per cent of the cases have incomplete epidemiological information . 51 per cent are imported cases and 19 per cent are through contacts of known cases.

“ Directors of the Federal Ministry of Health had discussions with the Ministry of Industry , Trade and Investment and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to explore the potential for local production of medical consumables such as face masks, gloves, sanitisers and even ventilators .

“ This is in view of looming global shortages of medical supplies for the response due to high demands from all countries . Clinical trials and other processes are ongoing to validate various therapeutic for COVID- 19 treatment . ”

After the briefing , Nigeria recorded 20 new cases: 11 in Lagos State , three in FCT, three in Edo State , two in Osun State and one in Ondo State.

Chinese medical supplies coming

Ehanire said he had been notified of medical supplies from China courtesy of a group of Chinese companies working in Nigeria .

“ A special cargo aircraft shall leave Nigeria in a few days to collect the items which include Personal Protective Equipment and ventilators .

“ Of great interest is that an 18 – man team of medical experts from China , including doctors , nurses and medical experts shall come along with the flight to assist us , ” he said .

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ), has urged security agencies to deploy tact while enforcing the lockdown in Lagos , Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory.

Buhari had, on March 29 , ordered the lockdown in the three locations for an initial period of 14 days to tackle the spread of the coronavirus in the country, while some other states have followed suit .

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , Boss Mustapha , who spoke during a live briefing of the task force in Abuja, stated that reports indicated that there was a high level of compliance with the lockdown orders in Lagos , Ogun and the FCT.

Mustapha , who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation , said the Federal Government had ramped up its synergy with the state governments through video conferencing communication and the platform of the governors forum .

According to him , the President ’ s directive is that security agencies should enforce the lockdown order with discretion but Nigerians should be law – abiding.

The SGF said , “ The PTF finds it very necessary to appeal to our law enforcement agencies to deploy tact and caution in the course of enforcing the rules even in the face of provocation .

“ We similarly appeal to all Nigerians to be law – abiding, exercise patience and self – restraint . The message from Mr President is that no Nigerian should , on account of these rules, suffer any harm or pains during this period or any other time in our national life .

“ To the Nigerian traders and businessmen and women , we appeal for resistance to the urge to hike prices of goods and commodities during this period as our compassionate nature must prevail . ”

Mustapha stated that it was the best time for citizens to be considerate and to show empathy for their fellow countrymen .

According to him , the role of the non -governmental organisations and civil society organisations in the battle against COVID- 19 is well acknowledged and recognised .

He urged them to deploy their resources , especially community-based manpower , to shore up the arrangements by the sub – national entities , mainly the states .

“ I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we made progress in the mobilisation of resources to reinforce our preparedness and implementation arrangements .

“ In recognition of the danger to which our frontline health workers are exposed to , government is working with other stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance cover for their protection .

“ I , therefore , wish to assure them of our commitment and urge them to put in their utmost best as they battle to save us from this ravaging virus , ” he said .

The Minister of Information and Culture , Lai Mohammed , said the Federal Government could extend the 14 – day lockdown should Lagosians and residents of Abuja and Ogun State not behave themselves .

The minister , who is a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID- 19 , disclosed this in Abuja when he featured in a forum to give an update on government efforts at containing the pandemic .

He said , “ If we don ’ t behave ourselves , there is a likelihood that the lockdown will be extended , but if we behave ourselves, there might not be an extension and I hope we do so .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/03/just-in-we-relaxed-never-expected-something-worse-than-ebola-fg-admits/

“ If we stay at home for two weeks and we are doing everything we are supposed to do , we should be able to effectively contain the disease .

“ Therefore , my appeal to Nigerians is that they should obey the directive on social distancing , personal hygiene and shun gatherings ; after two weeks , we will resume our normal life.

“ But if they think it is a joke, then we may have to stay at home more than the two weeks . ”

The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) in a national broadcast , had directed the cessation of all movement in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States for an initial period of 14 days .

He said all citizens in the affected areas were to stay at home, adding that the containment period would be used to identify, trace and isolate individuals that had come in contact with confirmed cases.
There are about 200 COVID – 19 cases in Nigeria including two deaths .

The pandemic , which has infected about one million people globally , has paralysed economic and socio-religious activities in most parts of the West African country.

NAN

Fire has gutted Maola Shopping Mall in the Ebute Ero Market at Idumota , Lagos State .

The cause of the fire , which affected shops 35 and 36 in the shopping mall , was unknown as of the time this report was filed .

The Director- General , Lagos State Emergency Management Agency , Olufemi Oke- Osanyintolu , said emergency responders had curtailed the fire , adding that no casualty was recorded.

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/03/just-in-nupeng-threatens-strike-over-sacked-phrc-workers/

He said , “ Upon the arrival of the emergency responders at the scene, it was revealed that a building , the Maola Shopping Mall, was affected by fire of an unknown origin .

“ A combined team of the LASEMA responders from Lagos Central Zone , the Lagos State Fire ( Sari Iganmu) , Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Police Force was able to curtail the flames and only the top floor of the building (shop 36 and 35 ) was affected with no casualties .

“ Responders have returned to base . ”

The Federal Government has asked Governors to provide, at least, 300-bed space facilities in their respective states “in case of an upsurge in the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic spreading across the country”.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this in Abuja, when he featured on a News Agency of Nigeria Forum to update Nigerians on government’s efforts to contain the disease.

He also expressed the optimism that the government would use the COVID-19 advantage and experience to further develop the health facilities in the country.

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/03/just-in-nupeng-threatens-strike-over-sacked-phrc-workers/

“We pray sincerely that we will not fall into the same error after we fought Ebola, and we relaxed.

“We intend to use the opportunity of this coronavirus to improve our health care system at the federal, states and local government levels.

“Nobody ever thought that what is worse than Ebola will come. The successes we have achieved so far is through technology, sharing data with WHO, US Centre for Disease Control,” he said.

Mohammed, who is a member of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus, said that the facilities would serve as isolation centres and Intensive Care Units for COVID-19 patients.

He said that while testing for the virus is centralised, it would be difficult to move people that test positive across states.

“The governors must not wait for a deluge of patients before making the preparation.

“We are not asking them to build hospitals, but if they have facilities that can be converted such as hotels, conference centres, let us know and we will come and accredit them.

“We will tell them what equipment they would need and what type of training we are going to give as support,” he said.

The minister hailed the cooperation the task force had so far received from the states in the fight against the disease and assured Nigerians that the federal government would continue to take the lead and set the policies.

(NAN)

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has threatened to embark on strike within the next 48 hours if the management of the Port Harcourt Refinery Company fails to rescind the decision to sack over 175 casual workers who are its members .

The Port Harcourt zone of the union warned that it would order tanker drivers , petrol station workers and others to withdraw their services in solidarity with the sacked workers .

More news👉 https://latestnewsupdates.news.blog/2020/04/02/just-in-coronavirus-11-new-patients-recover-discharged-in-lagos/

Chairman of the union in the zone , Mr Mina Samuel , issued the threat while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt.

He said it was unfortunate that while the world was putting palliative measures in place and protecting workers ’ rights, the refinery was terminating the appointments of workers .

Samuel also described the action of the PHRC as the height of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerian workers struggling to survive in the face of a COVID- 19 lockdown .

He said , “ The Port Harcourt zone of NUPENG may be forced to come out of its shell as a result of the PHRC management action , to withdraw the supply of petroleum products within the Port Harcourt zone if the PHRC fails to reverse its decision with immediate effect .

“ Consequently , the PH zonal council of NUPENG is by this notice giving the PHRC management 72 hours from today to direct its contractors to withdraw all termination letters issued to all NUPENG members in their employment .

“ Hence , we advise that the Port Harcourt Refinery management to engage the union once normalcy returns to the state if need be .

“ The management ’ s action or inaction may leave the union with the option of calling out all NUPENG members within the Port Harcourt zone . ”

In his remarks , the National Treasurer of NUPENG, Mr . Alex Agwangwor , urged the PHRC to avoid moving Rivers State from the pressure of COVID- 19 to an economic crisis that would arise should NUPENG embark on strike.

Agwangwor expressed the need for companies operating in the Port Harcourt zone to guarantee workers ’ job security and safety in order to demonstrate good faith .