INSTANT NEWS

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has announced total restriction of movement in Lagos and Abuja.

The President also restricted movement in Ogun State because of its proximity to Lagos.

He said this during a nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

According to him, the restriction will last for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th of March, 2020.

He, however, said the order will not affect persons delivering health care, manufacturing institutions as well as petroleum distribution firms, private security firms, print, and electronic media staff.

Buhari said, “The few confirmed cases outside Lagos and Abuja are linked to persons who have travelled from these centres. We are therefore working to ensure such inter-state and intercity movements are restricted to prevent further spread.


“Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, March 30, 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states.

“Furthermore, commercial establishments such as food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities; power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted.

“Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored. Workers in telecommunication companies, broadcasters, print and electronic media staff who can prove they are unable to work from home are also exempted.”

Buhari said all seaports would remain operational but changes would be made.

The President stated that all vehicles conveying food and other essential humanitarian items into these locations from other parts of the country would also be screened thoroughly before they are allowed to enter these restricted areas.

Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said a vehicle moving improvised explosive devices to a nearby state caused the explosion that rocked Akure, the state capital.

The PUNCH reports that the explosion which occurred in the early hours of Saturday split the Akure-Owo Road into two, destroying over 50 buildings.

Akeredolu, who inspected the scene of the explosion on Saturday, said he was briefed by security chiefs.

He explained that the vehicle was in a convoy heading to a storage facility in a neighbouring state when it broke down along the Akure-Owo Road, some 2km to the Akure Airport.

The governor said the explosion, which destroyed over 50 buildings, happened in the process of fixing the vehicle.

He said the state would commence work on creating an alternative route for commuters due to the importance of the split Akure-Owo road.

He said, “I have been briefed by the security chiefs that in the early hours of Saturday, March 28th, a vehicle in a convoy transporting explosives to a storage facility in a neighbouring state developed a fault while in transit along the Akure Owo Road about 2km from the Akure Airport.

“Security personnel and other individuals transporting the ordinances noticed smoke from the vehicle. After several attempts to extinguish the resulting fire failed, the vehicle and its consignment ignited causing a massive explosion that was felt in Akure and its environs.

“Presently, efforts are being made to ascertain if there are casualties.

“I have directed that the area be cordoned off to allow the explosive ordinance department/bomb squad to extricate the vehicle buried underground because it is unclear if there are still explosives that are yet to be detonated.

“I have instructed the State Ministry for Works to commence the rehabilitation of the alternate route, a rural road through Iluabo, due to the importance of the Akure-Owo Road. We will also engage the Federal Government on how to fast track the repair of the damaged portion.

“Everything is under control and I will be updating the public on any new developments.”

He warned the people of the state to stay away from the spot where the vehicle exploded, advising them to maintain a respectable distance to avert another disaster should another explosion recur.

“Do not also forget that coronavirus is in the country. I thank God that there has not been any recorded case in Ondo State,” he added.

Nigeria has recorded five new cases of coronavirus in the Federal Capital Territory and Oyo State.

This brings the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country to 70 from 65.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known on Friday evening via its Twitter handle.

NCDC tweeted, “Five new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria: Three in FCT and two in Oyo State

“As of 08:00 pm, 27th of March, there are 70 cases of confirmed #COVID19 reported Nigeria.

“Three have been discharged with one dead.

“Currently, Lagos has 44 cases; FCT- 14; Ogun – three; Ekiti – one; Oyo- three; Edo – one; Bauchi- two; Osun – one; and Rivers – one.”

Nigerian authorities have closed airports and borders and shut schools across the nation as part of a series of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has warned Nigerians against social visits to police stations nationwide.

According to a series of tweets by the Nigeria Police, the IGP also cautioned the citizens to minimise official visits to police stations, except where absolutely necessary.

The police boss also ordered formations nationwide to properly screen individuals before admitting them into custody.

“The IGP enjoins citizens to avoid social visits to police stations and other police offices and minimize official visits, except where absolutely necessary.

“The IGP further directs that adequate measures be emplaced to screen persons to be committed into police custody,” he stated.

Adamu also directed zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and state police commissioners to strictly enforce the directives on social restriction order imposed by the government in their respective jurisdiction.

He also ordered the closure of all institutions owned by the Force in line with the Federal Government’s directives on the closure of all schools in the country.

“Also, in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive that all tertiary institutions be shut, the IGP has ordered the immediate closure of the Nigeria Police Academy as well as all Police Primary and Secondary Schools nationwide.

“The Force Medical Services has been empowered and directed to step up sensitisation programmes across Commands, Formations and Barracks in the country,” he stated.

States	Numbers	States	Numbers
Abuja FCT	6	Abia	0
Adamawa	0	Akwa Ibom	0
Anambra	0	Bauchi	0
Bayelsa	0	Benue	0
Borno	0	Cross River	0
Delta	0	Ebonyi	0
Enugu	0	Edo	1
Ekiti	1	Gombe	0
Imo	0	Jigawa	0
Kaduna	0	Kano	0
Katsina	0	Kebbi	0
Kogi	0	Kwara	0
Lagos	25	Nasarawa	0
Niger	0	Ogun	2
Ondo	0	Osun	0
Oyo	1	Plateau	0
Rivers	0	Sokoto	0
Taraba	0	Yobe	0
Zamfara	0

Ghana on Monday closed all schools and universities and suspended public events to stop the spread of coronavirus as a string of African nations imposed tighter restrictions to stem the spread of the global pandemic.

President Nana Akufo-Addo announced in an address to the West African nation that the authorities were shutting schools and universities “until further notice”.

Public gatherings — including conferences, religious services, sports matches and political rallies — have also been suspended for four weeks, he said.

Ghana on Sunday announced it would start barring entry to the country from Tuesday for any non-Ghanaian citizen or resident “who, within the last 14 days, has been to a country that has recorded at least 200 cases”.


The move came as the authorities reported a rise in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 from two to six, with the new cases all arrivals from abroad.

Numerous nations in sub-Saharan Africa — including Senegal, Kenya and South Africa — have begun imposing entry restrictions or closing schools as the continent scrambles to halt the spread of the virus.

Another serious merger or acquisition is imminent in the Nigerian banking sector as Zenith Bank Plc and First Bank are said to be eyeing smaller banks in the industry to build their asset and capital bases.

Blueprint gathered from reliable sources within the industry that talks are currently ongoing between Zenith Bank and Union Bank, and a tentative arrangement may have been reached to commence due diligence.

While both banks are yet to confirm or deny the merger, the source revealed that talks have reached final stage, and that official statement may be issued any moment from now.

Recall that Nigeria’s oldest bank FirstBank was also on track to merge or acquire Polaris and Heritage Banks respectively. The bank issued a press release on the Nigerian stock exchange that did not deny the claims but also did not confirm if it is true.

Deals like these are typically not confirmed until the clearance is obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

It is not immediately clear why both banks will be considering a merger, however, Union Bank owners Atlas Mara with a 49 per cent stake has been under pressure to exit their African holdings.

Last year (February), Atlas Mara co-founder Bob Diamond announced he was resigning his post as Chairman of the company. The company said it was looking at selling off banking assets in countries where it was not the dominant player.

Earlier in January, Union Bank sold its United Kingdom subsidiary to MBU Capital Limited. The London-based management investment firm acquired Union Bank UK after emerging as the most preferred bidder. According to the bank, “This sale is aligned with Union Bank’s strategy to geographically streamline its business operations to focus on growth opportunities in Nigeria.”

Union Bank also recently raised N20 billion in series 3&4 commercial paper after successfully raising N24.3 billion through the issuance of the Series 1 and 2 of its N100 billion commercial paper programme.

According to findings, a merger firmly solidifies Zenith Bank’s position as the largest bank by total assets after falling second to Access Bank with N7.1 trillion. It also gives Zenith Bank control over several juicy assets and right of ways owned by Union Bank from its legacy years.

In a notification that was sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the banking group recorded a 10.3 per cent growth in profit. The profit before tax as of December 31, 2019, was N20.35 billion as against the N18.45 billion that was achieved for the corresponding period for 2018.

Zenith Bank, on the other hand, reported a record profit after tax N208 billion out of a gross earning of N662 billion. Zenith Bank’s net assets of N941.8 billion dwarfs Union Bank’s net assets of N252 billion as of 2019.

The Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general election, Peter Obi has reacted to the death of Rev Sr Henrietta Alokha, Principal of Bethlehem Girls’ College, Abule Ado, Lagos.

It's reported that Rev Sr Henrietta was among the 17 who lost lives in the early morning explosion which occurred at Abule-Ado.

The principal was said to have died while rescuing students.

Reacting, Obi on his verified Twitter page consoled with the management of the Bethlehem College, even as he praised the heroic act by the deceased principal.

The former governor of Anambra state also expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the sad incident.

Obi wrote: “When it mattered most, Rev Sr Henrietta Alokha, Principal of Bethlehem Girls College, Abule Ado, Lagos, heroically put her life on the line to rescue her students in the Sunday explosion, in Lagos.


“Sadly she lost her life in the process when the caving roof fell on her. May her soul and that of all those who died in the tragedy rest in peace. Amen.”

Meanwhile, NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, on Sunday evening has denied claims that the explosion was from one of its pipelines.

In a statement on Sunday, the NNPC boss said investigations found that a truck hit some gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant located near the corporation’s system 2B Pipeline Right of Way which resulted in the explosion.

“The explosion was so huge that it led to the collapse of nearby houses and damaged NNPC pipeline and efforts were made to curtail the resultant fire,” he added.