Expect Another Lockdown Or Reorganize Yourselves-NCDC Warns Nigerians

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says the federal government may issue another lockdown if there is an explosion of COVID-19 cases in the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier issued a five-week lockdown in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja to contain the spread of the disease.

The lockdown ended on Sunday, leading to a partial reopening of the economy.

On Monday, there were reports of non-compliance with social distancing and other guidelines of the NCDC.

Speaking at the presidential task force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja on Monday, Ihekweazu said the federal government may be forced to issue another lockdown if cases explodes.

He said the country will record an increase in cases as a result of violation of social distancing measures.

The NCDC DG called on Nigerians to conduct themselves based on the issued guidelines in order to check the spread of the virus.

“It is not the guidelines per se, it is the thinking behind it. How do we want to manage the risk of explosion and transmission? Today, we might forgive a little bite because it is the first day,” he said.

“We will have infection because of what happened today, no doubt about that. But how can we learn from the mistakes of today into tomorrow, next tomorrow so by Friday hopefully we have normalised some of these things.

“Yes, we knew today would be a problem because for the first time, people were let out of their homes but now they are out and we have seen the sunlight again, the challenge for us as a society is how do we now organise ourselves to mitigate these risks and limit transmission?

“We might have a few extra infection today and tomorrow but what we don’t want is an explosion of new infections. If we do have that infection, there will be almost no choice left for the leadership of the country than to ask all of us to go back into our homes. So for the benefit of coming out to reopen parts of the economy, there is a price to pay which is to reorganise ourselves to do this safely.”

As of Sunday evening, Nigeria recorded 2,558 cases of COVID-19, out of which 400 persons have recovered while 87 persons have died of it.

Easing of Lockdown:Don't Resume On Monday, Sanwo-Olu Orders Civil Servants

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered all civil servants in the state not to resume work on Monday, May 4 as the gradual easing of the Covid-19 lockdown begins.

The governor in a statement on Sunday evening asked all its civil servants not to resume work immediately, noting that the delayed resumption is a deliberate attempt to prevent overcrowding in the state.

He, however, added that emergency workers and those on essential duties would be allowed to work on Monday.

Sanwo-Olu said, “In amending the work guidelines earlier issued, which stopped members of the public service from Grade Level 1 to 12 from going to work; we have had to review this position and we are extending the directive to all civil servants, regardless of level. All civil servants must stay away from work on Monday.

“On Tuesday, only officers from Grade Level 15 and above have express permission to come to work. All other essential officers that may need to be at work will be informed by the Accounting Officer of each Ministry as may be required.

“From Monday on, there will be a curfew from 8 pm to 6 am and all movements within these hours are prohibited, except for people on essential services, which are agro-products, petroleum products, relief materials, and food supplies.

“We want to use this as a demonstration of our commitment to the gradual easing of the lockdown. We do not want people to rush out tomorrow and see the easing of the lockdown as an attempt to believe that the spread of the pandemic is all over.”

As at the time of filling this report Lagos has the highest number of the coronavirus pandemic cases.Here is the breakdown as released by NCDC.

170 new cases of #COVID19;

39-Lagos
29-Kano
24-Ogun
18-Bauchi
15-Kaduna
12-FCT
12-Sokoto
8-Katsina
7-Borno
3-Nasarawa
2-Adamawa
1-Oyo

2558 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria
Discharged: 400
Deaths: 87 https://t.co/oy3zTQ1hAy

"Thanks For Adding Colour To My World" Elegunshi Celebrates First Wedding Anniversary With Second Wife

Saheed Elegushi, traditional ruler of Ikate-Elegushi, Lagos state and Hadiza Yakasai, his second wife, have taken to social media to celebrate their first wedding anniversary together. 

The couple took to their different Instagram pages on Sunday to pen beautiful messages to each other to mark the occasion.

The monarch described Hadiza as a blessing to his life. He also appreciated his wife for adding “colour” to his world.

“Happy 1st Anniversary to my beautiful wife. The past year has been very amazing because I’ve been married to an amazing and loving woman,” he wrote. 

“Truly, time flies when you are having fun that must be why the last year has flown by so fast. We’ve been married for 365 days, and I’ve loved every second of it. Thank you for adding colour to my world. Happy Anniversary to us. Our best years still lies ahead.”

In the same vein, Hadiza reaffirmed her love for the monarch.

She said she decided to observe the anniversary without much celebration due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Ramaadan fast being observed by Muslims.

“Wow, it’s Been ‘ages’ together! ‘In the end, it is not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.’ Those words of Abraham Lincoln, a former United States President ring true about us,” she wrote.

“Like yesterday, it’s a year already and forever to go, insha Allah. Although there won’t be any speech making or merriment today as we observe the Holy Month of Ramadan, with crucial attention to the global challenge posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“But I’ll do at least one thing: reaffirm our vows. It’s for better or worse and till death do us part. Happy anniversary to us, King G and Queen G.”

Elegushi married Hadiza at a decorated ceremony in May 2019, after he earlier tied the knot with Aramide Sekinat, his first wife.

14 Almajiri Kids Test Positive To Coronavirus In Kano, Ganduje Relaxes Lockdown

Fourteen of the almajiri children who were sent to Kaduna from Kano state have tested positive for COVID-19 as State Governor relaxes lockdown today.

Amina Baloni, commissioner of health in Kaduna, broke the news on Saturday evening.

She said the figure may rise as more test results were being awaited.

Baloni, however, said the standing committee on COVID-19 ensured that the repatriated almajiris were kept in one location so as not to mingle with people and further spread the disease.

Amid Coronavirus Pandemic, Ogun Doctors Begin Warning Strike On Monday

The Ogun State University Teaching Hospital Doctors (OOUTH) has affirmed the intent of  a 3-day warning strike on Monday for agitation for payment of appropriate renumeration amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

 In a statement yesterday the decision was made in the Association of Resident Doctors.

The warning strike on Monday is for agitation of appropriate renumeration (Skipping + minimum wage + review of hazard allowance) and also life insurance.

This is coming after much deliberations with the state government which has proven futile.
However, the doctors working in the isolation centre would be spared to work for this period because of public sympathy.

A meeting will be reconvene on Thurs to review whether to go on indefinite strike which would also cripple the isolation centre in OOUTH.

He added that, "if the government attends to the needs, the doctors would not downtool the strike."

As at the time of filling this report Ogun has recorded 56 confirmed cases, 47 on admission, 8 discharged, No. of deaths 1.

Just In: Abiodun Extends Lockdown

The Ogun state government has extended its lockdown from May 4 to May 9 .
This in a statement Friday was necessitated by the fact that the state did not begin the first 14 days lockdown with Lagos and the FCT, hence the extension.

The statement reads:The Ogun lockdown extension will now end on Saturday, 9th May, taking into consideration the initial one week of grace granted Mr President.

The relaxation window for the next one week is:
Monday May 4,
Wednesday May 6
Friday, May 8

Now from 7am. to 5pm.

People must get to their various homes before the commencement of the daily curfew as directed by Mr President.

For the avoidance of doubt, the curfew is from 8p.m. to 6a.m. everyday and will be strictly enforced.

Just In: NCDC Announces 238 Covid-19 New Cases, Nigeria Exceeds 2,000

Nigeria crossed the 2,000 mark on Friday as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 238 new cases in the country.

The agency announced the new cases via its Twitter handle on Friday, with 92 cases recorded in Kano.

The number of discharged patients also increased from 319 to 351, while ten fatalities were recorded, bringing the total number of fatalities to 68.

A total of 2,170 cases have now been confirmed in 34 states and the federal capital territory.