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 This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Chris Ezem, made Available to ABN TV.

He called on those who have such information to send same to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Government House Umuahia, adding that their identity will be protected.

“The Abia State Government hereby announces a cash reward of 2.5 Million Naira each for any person or group that provides information leading to the arrest of those involved in the attack against the Military and Police Officers at Ukwa and Ohafia respectively.

“Any such information which should be sent to the office of of the Secretary to the State Government, Government House Umuahia will be treated with the highest confidentiality,” he said.

 

As part of the activities to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Wema Bank, the custodian of Africa’s first fully digital bank – ALAT – and one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks has introduced an Earn-from-Home scheme.

Celebrated as Nigeria’s most innovative financial institution, Wema Bank has achieved tremendous success over the years from its willingness to reinvent the narrative in the delivery of financial services and experiential banking to its customers.

In this light, the bank has launched the scheme to reward loyal customers with an opportunity to earn extra income. This is coming at a time when the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are being felt by individuals and corporate organizations locally and globally.

This is in furtherance of the bank’s long history of socially responsible projects and is both timely and sensitive as it creates an alternative stream of income for its customers at a time when income channels are drying up.

According to the Head, Retail Banking, Wema Bank, Mr Dotun Ifebogun, “we believe this will empower our transacting customers to effectively leverage on the current lockdown situation and earn while at home by recommending the ALAT App to economically active family members and friends within their social network.”

In addition to the “earn from home” programme, the bank will also host Hackaholics 2.0, a 2-day hackathon and a tech fair event. Set up to promote the development of technological solutions for financial and institutional need and other social issues, Hackaholics was postponed for a later date following the coronavirus pandemic. Themed ‘Connecting Worlds’, the hackathon will bring developers, designers and creative thinkers together to develop products and discover new technologies.

“At 75, Wema Bank sees no limit to the magic she can create, no walls to the relationships she can forge, no barriers to the excellence of service, and no impossibilities in building the bank of the future,” Mr Ifebogun added.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has set up a 12-man committee to look into allegations that himself and some members of the House collected a $10 million bribe from a foreign sponsor to see to the speedy passage of the Control of Infectious Diseases Bill.

Gbajabiamila made the announcement at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) had, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ikenga Ugochinyere, on Monday, alleged that the leadership of the House received $10 million bribe from Bill Gates to sponsor the controversial Bill.

Reacting, the spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, had told THISDAY that the House could not fall for cheap blackmail.

He said the Bill is still being baked and Nigerians should make their input through their representatives or during the public hearing.

According to Kalu, “The Bill has not been passed, it is still before the House and yet to go through clause by clause consideration among other steps before a bill becomes an Act. The House will fine-tune whatever is in that Bill but not in the public interest. The Bill is still being baked, still in the oven. Nigerians should make their input through their representatives or during the public hearing and thereafter be patient to see the final copy which I’m sure will take care of all our concerns.”

The committee is chaired by Hon. Henry Nwawuba (PDP, Imo).

Source: THISDAY

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has resumed provision of foreign exchange to all commercial banks for onward sales to parents wishing to pay schools fees and SMEs wishing to make essential imports needed to revamp economic activities across the country.

CBN said in a statement that the move was in view of the gradual easing of the COVID-19 lockdown both globally and in Nigeria.


In particular, CBN said it was resuming the provision of over US$100 million per week for both categories.

“The CBN has also made complete arrangements to resume foreign exchange sales to the BDC segment of the market for business travels, personal travels, and other designated retail uses, as soon as international flights resume,” the statement said.

“With these actions, the CBN wishes to reiterate that it is adequately meeting the needs of all legitimate users, and our continued capacity to do so should not be in doubt.

“There is, therefore, no need for panic by an end-user that could necessitate recourse to illegitimate sources and spike in foreign exchange rates.

“Given this, the Bank has ramped up its surveillance of the foreign exchange markets for speculators, smugglers and other illegal users, and will take decisive actions against anyone/institutions involved in such nefarious activities.”

- world stage

The Oyo State Executive Council, on Tuesday, approved the award of the contract for the construction of four Ultra-modern Bus Terminals to be located in Iwo Road, Challenge, New Ife Road and Ojoo.

The state’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja, who stated this while speaking shortly after the day’s meeting of the State Executive Council, said that shop owners who will be affected by demolitions at the different locations would be considered for shop allocations when the new terminal is ready.

He stated that the bus terminals, also to be known as transport interchanges, will not only address problems associated with transportation in Ibadan, the state capital, they will also address security issues.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the commissioner as saying that the four Ultra-Modern Bus Terminals would redefine the skyline of the State capital, enhance security and the quality of life in the transport sector.

According to him, the Bus Terminals would incorporate Restaurants, Shops, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) galleries and Café, among others.

Afonja said: “The State Executive Council today (Tuesday) approved the award of the contract for the construction of four ultra-modern bus terminals that will include galleries for Automated Teller Machines, restaurants and shops.

“The purpose is also to collapse the transport units into bus terminals, beautify the skyline and also for security purpose. As you can see, the terminals are strategically located.

“They will also help the operations of the big buses that will soon start operation in the state. The four terminals combine the major inter-state transport units and that is why we are focusing on them.

“The state government has also upgraded the Fire Department to an Agency.”

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Tuesday hailed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for delivering on his words to pay frontline health workers daily allowances in appreciation of their work.

Kwara State Chairman of the NMA Dr Kolade Solagberu said in a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, that AbdulRazaq has fulfilled his promise to pay decent allowances to all the health workers involved in the COVID-19 campaign.

While medical doctors are being paid N25,000 daily, all other categories of health workers in the frontline are getting varying allowances on a daily basis to encourage them to do more.

“This is to appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who has kept to his words by fulfilling all promises, especially the recently disbursed financial motivations to the Frontline Healthcare workers in Kwara State who are actively involved in facing the COVID-19 challenge in the State,” Dr Solagberu said.

“This is no doubt motivating and an added impetus towards driving the ready spirit of the health workers. 

“The Kwara State branch of the Nigerian Medical Association is proud to have you as our Governor at this crucial time and shall sustain our collaborative stance to further break newer grounds for an overall improved health care system in Kwara State.”


The government meanwhile has commended the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for its technical support for the state’s medical team, saying the NCDC delegation would be leaving Kwara better prepared to manage COVID-19 and similar cases in the future.

“I write on behalf of His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the good people of Kwara State to express our profound appreciation for your noble contribution while in the state particularly in the fight against COVID-19,” Kayode Alabi, Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Kwara State Technical Committee, said in a letter addressed to the NCDC team which departed the state on Tuesday.

“Your expertise and technical know-how has tremendously improved the state’s healthcare services especially during this crucial time of combating the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic. It is also pertinent to state that the history of the present health challenges will not be complete without your contribution written in gold.”

The NCDC delegation, led by Dr Shuaib Belgore, arrived Kwara a few weeks ago to drill the state’s medical team on the handling of the pandemic, resulting in strengthened capacity and capability of the state to tackle the pandemic.

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has revealed the drug used in treating COVID-19 patients in Nigeria.

Ehanire during a press briefing on Tuesday said Nigeria has started using Remdesivir.

Remdesivir is an antiretroviral drug, in managing COVID-19 patients.

“We have been using that (Remdesivir); we have tried that in Lagos too,” he said.

“So, we have tried the antiretroviral drug to see what effect it has.”

He added that Nigeria has moved from disease importation to community spread.

Recall that the US had approved emergency use of Remdesivir, for treatment of the disease.

The US National Institute of Health had said the drug proved effective against the new coronavirus disease.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has so far recorded 2802 cases while 93 persons have died from the coronavirus infection.

Airports will not reopen for commercial flights on Thursday, Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika confirmed on Monday.

Sirika announced the extension of airports closure by two weeks.

The airports, which were initially shut as part of efforts to control the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) were projected to reopen on April 23.

On March 23, the Federal Government announced the closure of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja for one month in the first instance as part of measures to combat the coronavirus scourge.

Sirika explained that the new projected date of opening of airport operations is consequent upon the two weeks extension of the lockdown by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The extension was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Director of Public Affairs in the Aviation ministry, James Odaudu.


The statement reads: “As a result of the extension on lockdown by Mr. President, it is no longer possible for us to open our airspace and airports for normal operations by the 23rd April, 2020.”

The minister also explained that the new projected date of reopening will be subject to review.

He, however, appealed to air travellers and all stakeholders in the aviation industry to see the extension and the other measures taken by the government as necessary sacrifices to safeguard the health and well-being of Nigerians.

The Gombe State House of Assembly has recommended total lockdown of the state following the outbreak of Coronavirus in the state.

Abubakar Ibrahim, Speaker of the house stated this at the plenary session on Tuesday in Gombe.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state recorded five positive index cases of the virus on Monday.

The speaker stressed the need for a quarantine centre for all people coming into the state to be restricted for 14 days before being allowed entry.

He said the house recommended the use of NYSC temporary orientation camp, Amada in Akko Local Government Area of the state, along Gombe-Bauchi Road as quarantine centre.

According to him, the house decries the attitude of some security agencies that allegedly allow people to come into the state which leads to having the positive cases in the state.

He directed the house committee on security to meet with the heads of security agencies in the state on the matter and the way forward.

Ibrahim also expressed the need for more awareness campaigns against the spread of COVID-19, especially among women, adding that all forms of social gatherings must be stopped.

He further emphasised the need for everyone in the state including the governor to undergo a test toward containing the spread of the virus.

NAN also reports that the house approved the appointments of Chairmen and members of the State Civil Service Commission and State Independent Electoral Commissioners forwarded by Gov. Inuwa Yahaya (NAN)

Nigerian non-denominational Christian assembly, The Elevation Church (TEC) has undertaken several efforts to provide nutritional, medical, spiritual, emotional and psychological support to the residents of Lagos State most affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Lagos has been the epicentre of the virus in the country since the index cases in the country, a foreign national, arrived in the state at the beginning of February.

Through its social intervention arm, Pistis Foundation, the church set up a Food Bank that has provided over 4,000 food bags to the indigent. The food bags were comprised of staples such as rice, beans, garri, tinned tomatoes, milk, sugar, oil and much more to enable recipients feed in these critical times where economic activities have stalled. In adherence to the social distancing preventive measure as advised by the World Health Organisation, the Foundation set up a call centre, which received thousands of calls and emails from Nigerians in need, to process the selection and delivery of the relief materials. It later patterned with GIG logistics to deliver food bags to the recipients residing around the Lagos metropolis following the strictest standards of hygiene and safety for all involved. In the face of continued need, the Foundation will continue to increase its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the poor in the state.

Pistis Foundation and the church’s team of medical professionals are also providing free medical interventions to those who might need the same at this time at no cost to the beneficiaries. This is done in partnership with St. Kizito’s Clinic, Lekki and Chion Hospital, Maryland, Lagos.
To foster community, emotional support and mental wellness, The Elevation Church has also partnered with the Institute of Family Engineering and Development to provide free psychological counselling services to people who require support or a listening ear at this time, while also deploying more phone lines for church counselling services via 0700ELEVATE (3538283). This goes alongside several initiatives that have been launched to engage and support people online via social media.
In a bid to aid spiritual growth during this period where the physical congregation is prohibited, the church has expanded its TV ministry and now broadcasts on Wazobia Max, Pop Central, Hallelujah Channel, TVC News, Dove TV, STV and TBN while also providing content on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Mixlr for adults, teenagers and children.

In this time of global crisis, the church has also not failed to lift up daily prayers for the nation and also recently concluded an online 72-hour non-stop prayer chain with over 4,100 participants. Godman Akinlabi, lead pastor, The Elevation Church also holds a weekly national prayer hour with other pastors to intercede for the nation and the world.
Commenting on the ongoing initiatives, Pastor Akinlabi emphasized that one of the cardinal objectives of TEC from inception was to be a church that practically impacts the lives of people wholesomely.


“From our E200 programme designed to support the most financially challenged at the bottom of the socioeconomic pyramid, to our Ubomi Medical/Surgical Outreach to the medically underserved, and our Pistis Foundation driving several other people-centric initiatives, we have embedded within our DNA, an ingrained culture of practically uplifting lives. It is, therefore, consistent with this commitment that we rapidly responded and will continue to play our part in ameliorating this unfortunate hardship by providing relief materials and support to not only needing members, and to the most vulnerable of the society.” He remarked
All initiatives are at no cost to the beneficiaries. To benefit from the Food and Medical interventions, please email covid19@pistisfoundation.org or call our helpline on 07000PISTIS (747847). For other enquiries, email info@elevationng.org

As Muslims begin Ramadan fasting this week, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has said there will be no Ramadan lectures and congregation prayers in mosques.

The Sultan said this year’s Ramadan is one with a difference, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, hence everyone should pray at home, as Muslims cannot afford to be reckless with their lives.

Sultan in a statement issued through the Secretary-General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, recommended that Muslims should in addition to recitation of the Holy Qur’an, listen to Ramadan lectures through the Internet and other virtual means.

Noting that most Islamic countries have agreed to suspend public religious congregation, in order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said is in tandem with the teachings of the Prophet, Sultan said: “As Muslims, we are not, however, oblivious of the fact that death is inevitable, but we must not be reckless with our lives, Q2:195 is a clear testimony to that effect.”

The statement reads: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates in advance with the Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming month of Ramadan. Unequivocally, Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, the month of Du’a (supplication) and Dhikr (Allah’s remembrance), the month of Zakah and Sadaqah (giving poor dues and charity), and the month of Qiyamul-Layl (standing in the night for prayers).

“But due to the overwhelming eruption of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, the Ummah’s enthusiasm needs to be reinvigorated as against what obtains of palpable fear over the pandemic outbreak.

“It should be made known that all Salawatun-nawafil (optional and non-obligatory prayers), including Taraweeh, are originally preferred to be observed at home, even though it is Mustahabb (desirable) to observe it in congregation.

“To sum it up, there will not be the annual Tafsir sessions and no congregational Taraweeh in mosques, until when situation permits. We should, therefore, pray with our families at home and stay safe.

“Medical experts and mid-course Ulama’s advice on COVID-19 should be religiously adhered to. We must collectively shun the vituperations of extremists in thoughts and actions on any matter, as warned by the Prophet (PBUH).

“Most often, extreme position on matters of religion creates more dissent views and counteractions, which in the final analysis generates acrimony and animosity rather than solutions, and for all intents and purposes that isn’t the essence of the Islamic faith!

“Despite the challenges of physical and social distancing, Tafsir and other religious teachings could continue using various information technology (IT) platforms, such as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Zoom, etc., to live stream preaching sessions. Reliable information and communication technology (ICT) professionals could be consulted for proper guidance.

“It is on this basis that the JNI calls on the Ulama’ to as usual make the fear of Allah their watchword, bearing in mind that knowledge is a trust from Allah and shall be accounted for on the Day of reckoning, thus it should be handled with the utmost caution it deserves.

“Muslims should fervently pray for an end to the myriad challenges bedevilling the world and Nigeria in particular, and to also seek Allah’s interventions for better well-being and prosperity.”

Speaking about the economic effects of the lockdown on the fasting Muslims, Sultan called on the wealthy Muslims to increase their generosity during the Ramadan and extend hands to those in need, to ameliorate their sufferings by providing them with food and other necessities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Africa, 112 health workers from 16 countries have been infected.

WHO disclosed this in a weekly Bulletin on outbreaks and other Emergencies week 16 which covers April 13 to 19 released on Tuesday and posted on WHO Africa twitter account @WHOAFRO.



This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African Region.

The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 108 events in the region.

This week’s main articles cover key new and ongoing events, including COVID-19 in the WHO African Region, Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Measles in the Democratic Republic the Congo.

According to the report, Cameroon has reported the highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases of health workers at 25, followed by Niger,13; South Africa,13; Mauritius,11; Cote d’Ivoire, seven; Sierra Leone, 11 and Republic of Congo,4.

The report stated that the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 10 confirmed cases of health workers, Togo, six; Madagascar, five; Namibia, two and Benin, Central African Republic, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, and Kenya recorded one case each.



According to the bulletin, most 96 per cent, representing 45 countries in the WHO African Region have been affected by the current COVID-19 global pandemic, with only Comoros and Lesotho reporting no cases.

Since week nine of 2020 (week ending Feb. 25), when the outbreak was first detected in the region, a marked increase in the number of confirmed cases has been observed.

In week 16 (week ending April 19), a total of 4, 405 new confirmed cases was reported, compared to 3 473 cases reported the previous week, a 27 per cent increase in the total number of reported cases.

In addition, there was a 43 per cent increase in the number of deaths (658) observed since the previous week, when 461 deaths were reported.

As of 19 April 2020, a cumulative total of 14, 068 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 658 associated deaths (case fatality ratio 4.7 per cent) have been reported across 45 countries in the WHO African Region.

Some of the countries most affected are: South Africa, 3 158; Algeria, 2,626; Ghana, 1 042, Cameroon, 1 016; Cote d’Ivoire, 847; Niger, 648; Burkina Faso, 565 and Nigeria 541 confirmed cases.

These eight countries account for 74 per cent of the cases reported in the region. Notably, two countries (Republic of Congo and Tanzania observed an exponential increase in their number of confirmed cases in week 16.

Tanzania observed an increase in the number of confirmed cases which rose by 434 per cent from 32 to 171 cases and the Republic of Congo by 104 per cent from 70 to 143 cases.

Seven countries Angola, Gambia, Mauritania, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles and South Sudan have not reported any new confirmed COVID-19 case during week 1.

The bulletin further stated that 658 deaths occurred in 31 countries.

Six countries in the region have shown very high case fatality ratios: Algeria 14 per cent which 375 deaths out of 2, 629 confirmed cases and Democratic Republic of Congo 8.0 per cent (25/332).

Mali recorded 6.3 per cent fatality ratio (14/224), Burkina Faso 6.4 per cent (36/565), Kenya 5.2 per cent (14/270) and Republic of Congo 4.2 per cent (11/143).

According to the report, the COVID-19 outbreak continues to expand rapidly in the WHO African Region, with 96 per cent (45/47) of countries being affected.

Only Comoros and Lesotho are still apparently free of the disease. The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is now 14 068 and the number of deaths is steadily growing, standing at 658, an increase of 43 per cent over the previous week.

The disease is now spreading from the capital cities to the inter-land, with most countries in the region experiencing local transmission, and a few progressing to community transmission.

Most countries are implementing lockdown measures of various types, with varying degree of societal impact.

To prevent this outbreak from further intensifying in the region, it is critical that all governments step up implementing a strong public health response:

“Physical distancing, handwashing, finding cases, providing care and isolation, contact tracing and isolation and additionally, countries need to ensure,’’ it added.

In addition, WHO emphasised that the outbreak of COVID-19 had spread to most countries in the WHO African Region, with an associated upsurge in the number of cases and deaths in the past weeks.

The agency said that many countries were now experiencing local transmission, with a few beginning to see widespread community transmission.

Rigorous efforts are needed to bring this situation under control.

WHO continues to advise all countries in the region to scale up their public health response measures aimed to contain further spread of the disease.

In areas with the widespread or potential widespread transmission, countries will need to quickly adapt mitigation measures to reduce the impact of the pandemic.

(NAN)