Tag: COVID-19

COVID-19: Low turnout as Lagos churches reopen after 4-month closure

Ishaku Yohanna

As the Lagos State Government lifts the restriction on the religious activities, some churches within Lagos metropolis were greeted with low attendance amidst strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Federal Government, had on March 15, instituted lockdown measures and banned public gatherings while religious places were sealed as a precautionary move against the spread of COVID-19. However, tougher lockdown measures was imposed in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja given their status as the epicenter of the COVID-19 in Nigeria which later resulted…

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Senator Buruji Kashamu dies of COVID-19

Ishaku Yohanna

Former lawmaker representing Ogun-East Senatorial District and businessman, Buruji Kashamu, is dead. Kashamu, who represented Ogun-East senatorial district between 2015 and 2019, died at First Cardiology Consultants, Lagos, according to his friend, Ben Murray-Bruce, in a tweet. “I have just lost my good friend of forever to #COVID19. Until his death, Sen. Buruji Kashamu and I were inseparable. He died today at First Cardiology Consultants, in Lagos. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I pray his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this heavy loss,” Mr Murray-Bruce…

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COVID-19: Buhari extends Phase Two of eased lockdown by four weeks

Ishaku Yohanna

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the extension of a nationwide lockdown for four weeks as the country continues its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest extension is the third for the second phase of an eased lockdown meant to curb the spread of the disease in the West African country. The Chairman of the Presidential COVID-19 Taskforce (PTF) and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this while speaking at the daily briefing of the PTF on Thursday in Abuja. Mustapha said the extension…

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COVID-19: PTF to release fresh directives Thursday

Ishaku Yohanna

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Wednesday, attributed the low figures recorded in the areas of testing and confirmed cases of COVID-19 over the past few days to the public holiday declared to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir. He also identified fatigue on the part of workers as part of the factors responsible for the low figures. Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated this in an interview with State House correspondents after he led members of the task…

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How NDDC top management shared N4.9bn as medical checkups allowance, Senate report reveals

Ishaku Yohanna

More revelations are coming up concerning the alleged financial recklessness in theNiger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). A Senate report which was obtained on Monday in Abuja showed how the top management of the agency shared N4.9bn among themselves. However, it was done in the guise of medical checkups at a time when Nigeria was under lockdown to check COVID-19 spread. The Senate report also showed that the management paid N114.9m as a supplementary medical allowance to 26 staff members during the same period. The report indicated that the monies were…

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COVID-19: FCT fumigates schools, creates isolation centres, clinics ahead of re-opening

Ishaku Yohanna

By Ibrahim Musa The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it has fumigated Secondary Schools, created isolation rooms and established clinics, and made available facemasks, hand sanitizers and infrared thermometers for use ahead of Tuesday’s re-opening of schools for students in exit classes. Chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board, Yahaya Musa Muhammad, said the development is in compliance with the NCDC guidelines on the reopening of schools as well as the protocols set by the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19. Muhammed  said only the terminal classes of Senior Secondary three (SS3) as…

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COVID-19: Wedding guests take to their heels as taskforce shuts down hotel in Ekiti

Ishaku Yohanna

Operatives of the Ekiti State Task Force on COVID-19 have shut down a popular hotel in Ado Ekiti for violating COVID-19 directives. An elaborate wedding party attended by a large crowd of guests in which physical distancing was not observed landed the hotel in trouble. The hotel, located on Ilawe road in the state capital, was also sealed for breaching government’s order on lockdown during weekends. The unexpected swoop on the hotel by the Task Force brought the wedding to an abrupt end. Some of the guests fled on sighting…

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Lagos to reopen churches, mosques as COVID-19 cases decrease

Ishaku Yohanna

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu says places of worship in the state will be reopened from August 7. Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Saturday during a briefing on COVID-19 at the State House in Marina. While mosques will be reopened next week Friday, the governor said churches will follow suit on Sunday, August 9. According to him, religious leaders must make available hand sanitisers, thermometer guns, adding that the state government will ensure that social distancing is maintained. “Places of worship in Lagos will now be opened from Friday,…

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Eid-el-Kabir: FAAN urges dignitaries, VIPs to adhere to COVID-19 guidelines at airports

Ishaku Yohanna

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised dignitaries and VIPs to ensure compliance with the airports’ protocols for their safety and that of other passengers during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Henrietta Yakubu, the General Manager in charge of Public Affairs at FAAN, made the appeal in a statement she issued on Tuesday in Lagos. Mrs Yakubu said that the authority would no longer tolerate the harassment of protocol officers by VIPs at the airport. She said: “We will also like to re-state that protocol officers and orderlies of dignitaries…

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Abuja-Kaduna train: COVID-19 my worry, not security – El-Rufai

Ishaku Yohanna

The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said security is not an issue on the Abuja-Kaduna rail service but that of people obeying the federal government’s COVID-19 guidelines. Mr El-Rufai made this disclosure while briefing journalists on Saturday at the test-running operation trip of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) in Kaduna. “The train is secure, the train is well protected, even the Abuja-Kaduna highway is well protected, there has not been a kidnapping case there since October last year. “So, I’m not worried about security. What I want to…

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