COVID-19: Churches, Mosques, Organizations Told To Submit Guidelines As Nigeria Reopens

The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, has asked churches, mosques and organizations in Nigeria to submit guidelines for reopening.

Ihekweazu stated this in Abuja at the press conference of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Thursday.

The NCDC boss disclosed that the center received a draft of guidelines on Wednesday by the Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association to reopen interstate transportation while curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

He added that as the government prepares to ease more phases of lockdown in coming weeks, organizations should come up with similar guidelines to expedite the process of safely reopening the economy.

Ihekweazu said, “I was happy on Wednesday to receive a new set of draft guidelines by the Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association. Those are people that manage the long distance buses that travel across the country, what we call ‘luxury’ buses.

“They drafted their own guidelines for reopening safely and sent it to us for review.

“They are also seeking our advise on the measures they are recommended and how to manage their loading centres, buses and engagements with their customers at the point when we may allow them to reopen.”

He noted that though NCDC has its guidelines and advice, it is willing to engage with leaders of organizations on how to reopen the economy while curbing the spread of COVID-19.

“Every society, organisation, community, be it faith-based, cultural based, professionally based, have been advised to come up with guidelines for themselves.

“We are happy to advise and engage every organisation but this needs to be led and owned by the leaders of those organisations,” the NCDC boss added.

Schools Will Reopen Soon But No Date, Disregard Fake News – FG

THE Federal Government has disclosed that there are plans to soon reopen schools nationwide, saying, however, that this will not be done in two weeks as being speculated in some quarters.
Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, made the clarification on Thursday during the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 news conference in Abuja following rumours making the round the Federal Government would reopen schools in the next two weeks.
The Federal Government had ordered the indefinite closure of educational institutions nationwide as part of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
But Nwajiuba while responding to questions from the media on when the government’s plans to reopen to the schools following the easing of the lockdown, said the schools would be reopened when the safety of the school children could be guaranteed.
He said the government was wary not to endanger the lives of the school children and further spread of the coronavirus in the society.
He added that his ministry is working with other relevant stakeholders and agencies of government to put necessary measure in place that would guarantee the safety of children before the schools are reopened.
He said: “We all are seriously interested in reopening and I believe we will reopen soon. But I can’t confirm what your children said that we will reopen in two weeks.
“The issue around reopening has nothing to do with the availability of the schools or not. It has to do with national governance. The idea of shutting down the schools has nothing to do with the schools per se.
“You heard the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the SGF, keep saying it is a national response. It is a single national response and everything we do flows from that.
“When they determine, I’m sure you have seen all the experts here, that there is the measure of safety to which we can expose our children, we will gladly do that. We are watching and we are working with all bodies within and outside the country.
“The five countries of West African Examination Council (WAEC) are meeting and I just came out of a meeting with African Union (AU) Ministers of Education, everybody is concerned as you are. We hope to reopen very soon.
“This morning, I met with the Ministry of Science and Technology. We are looking at putting a system in place that can disinfect every child as he goes into a school and disinfect him as he goes out.
“If we resource our schools properly we can begin to reopen. But we must be able to ensure that the children go in safe and come out safe and not become a conduit for further infection in society.”

Nigerian Soldiers Lay Curses On Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai, After Boko Haram Ambush

Some personnel of the Nigerian Army have laid curses on the country’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, after falling into a Boko Haram trap in the North-East where the war against terrorism is at its fiercest.
In a video exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters, some soldiers while lamenting their near-death experiences and the loss of their military vehicles and weapons during the ambush by Boko Haram terrorists, accused the Nigerian Army leadership of abandoning them to die in the bush and only sending in jets when the insurgents had dealt them heavy blows.
Angered by the situation, the soldiers seen in the video rained curses on Buratai, praying for all manner of evil to befall him.

Eid-el-Fitri: FG declares Monday, Tuesday public holidays

The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday – May 25 and 26, 2020 – as public holidays to mark Eid- el-Fitri celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola , made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government .
This was contained in a press statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry , Mohammed Manga , on Thursday.
In a copy of the statement obtained by The PUNCH , Aregbesola expressed concern over the spate of ethnic conflicts that has resurfaced in some parts of Northern Nigeria in recent times .
He advised “ Nigerians to see themselves as a single entity and learn to tolerate one another despite their ethnic and religious differences ” .
Aregbesola further assured Nigerians that the regime of the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd . ) , was fully committed to battling COVID -19.
He called on Muslim faithful “ to replicate the life of kindness , love, tolerance , peace and good neighbourliness as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( SAW)” .
The minister also advised Nigerians to take responsibility against the spread of the COVID -19.

One Killed, Several Injured As Tanker Crashes Into Bus On Otedola Bridge

LAGOS – One person has been reportedly killed while several others injured after a tanker collided with a fully loaded commercial bus on Otedola Bridge, Lagos. 

 NEWS FLAKES NG gathers that the accident which occurred about 20 minutes ago at the lane inwards Berger, is said to have caused heavy traffic that stretches beyond the state Secretariat in Alausa.

Already, emergency workers are said to be on ground battling to save the situation and prevent a fire outbreak.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency confirmed the accident.

LASTMA noted that the accident involved a fuel tanker and a fully loaded commercial bus.

It tweeted, “Fatal accident on Otedola Bridge inward Berger involving a tanker and a fully loaded Mazda bus. All relevant emergency agencies alerted.

“Traffic backlog building up beyond Secretariat.”

COVID-19: All 50 US States Move Toward Reopening

As the US COVID-19 death toll surpasses 93,000, all 50 US states have partially reopened after a two-month shutdown.

On Wednesday, Connecticut became the final state to lift restrictions when it gave the green light to shops and restaurants under certain conditions.

But wide discrepancies remain between states in terms of infection rates and the pace of their economic restart.

Many have not met the federal guidance on how to reopen, including a 14-day “downward trajectory” of cases.

The District of Columbia is expected to announce its reopening next week.

Countrywide, the US is seeing an overall downward trend in new cases and deaths over time.
Some of the hardest-hit areas, including New York, New Jersey and Washington state are now showing the sharpest declines, while the majority of states have reached plateaus. Still, states like Arizona and North Carolina continue to report increases.

What are the different states doing? Many like Connecticut have started with a state-wide approach, with varying degrees of restrictions.

In Maryland, for example, residents must stick to outdoor recreation, including golf courses, beaches and campgrounds, while states like Oklahoma now allow residents to attend religious services, get a tattoo, and even spend an evening at a nightclub.

Slower moving states – mostly concentrated in the country’s North East and West Coast – have begun regional openings.

In California, for example, some restaurants and retail locations will be allowed to open, but only in counties that meet standards for testing and declining infection rates.

Last week, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser extended the city’s social distancing restrictions until at least 8 June.

The guidelines may be loosened, however, if DC meets a series of reopening metrics set out by Ms Bowser, including a two-week decline in community spread of the virus.

What does the new guidance say? In 60 pages of guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control this past weekend, the centre provides detailed guidance to particular sectors.

In schools, for example, desks must be placed six feet apart and face the same direction, with temperature checks for all staff and students.

In restaurants, the CDC advises establishments open first with limited seating to allow for social distancing, and place higher-risk workers in roles that limit their interaction with customers.

COVID-19 Governor Umahi says FG will likely enforce another lockdown

The Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi has said he expects the federal government to enforce another lockdown if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.
Umahi on Wednesday, May 20, that COVID-19 cases in the country have increased due to the easing of the lockdown.
COVID-19 Governor Umahi says FG will likely enforce another lockdown
Source: Facebook
He explained that COVID-19 cases were on the decline when the lockdown was enforced but that cases spiked in a surprising manner after the lockdown was lifted.
He said the Nigerian government has to impose another lockdown if it wants to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Extension Of Lockdown Not Punitive —SGF

Mustapha stated this at the PTF on COVID-19 daily press briefing in Abuja, adding that there was a need to balance between safety and economic considerations before reopening the economy.

He said, “I wish to repeat that the decision is not punitive. We share your pains and also share your concerns, however, our future remains in our hands and compliance is one of the keys to opening that future. Boss Mustapha

“As we go into the first week of the extension of phase one under the eased lockdown regime, we appeal once more to everyone, to diligently comply with measures put in place.” 

He said of particular importance was the need to obey the curfew, ban on interstate travels, observe physical distancing, avoid large gatherings, observe personal and respiratory hygiene and align with the policy on the use of face masks.

He added that the two additional weeks should be utilised by businesses, offices, professional bodies, places of worship, educational institutions awaiting reopening to plan and adopt new strategies under a COVID-19 era.

Mustapha stated that specific directives had been issued to security agencies to strictly enforce the measures while admonishing Nigerians to observe the restrictions in full.

He assured essential workersnsuch as the front line medical personnel, the media, environmental health workers, farmers and agro-related service providers, oil and gas services, aviation, the power sector and others of adequate protection.

He however, urged them to always go with their means of identification.  

Hold Salah Prayers In Your Homes, Islamic Scholars Urge Muslim Faithful

The scholars said this was in compliance with the two-week extension of the gradual easing of the lockdown.

as announced by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, on Monday.

Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof Ishaq Akintola, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said Muslim faithful should be role models in observing health protocol in curtailing the COVID-19 pandemic.

He called on Muslims across the country to observe their prayers in their homes, saying that God can answer prayers anywhere. 

Akintola admonished them to celebrate Eid-el-Fitri in a limited way and avoid unnecessary gathering.

He said, “As we know that it affected Easter and it was celebrated in a limited way and in the same manner the Muslims should celebrate Eid-el-Fitri in a limited way. Our prayers can still be done inside our houses. We are complying and want others to do so.

“If we say we want to go out and congregate, we would endanger our own lives and other Nigerians because after the prayer, we are still going back to the society.” 

The Islamic scholar said disobedience to government in Islam is a sin, adding that the battle is for the whole mankind and humanity to come together to win the war against the virus.

On his own part, National Cheif Imam, Al-habibiyyah Islamic Society, Fuad Adeyemi, said the outbreak of COVID-19 had broadened and enriched  their belief in the act of giving to the needy.

He said they had cultivated the habit of giving foodstuff and cash to the poor before the outbreak of the virus as part of their religion obligations. 

Adeyemi explained that the reward of praying was the same anywhere in the world and the mosque can be anywhere so far it was not in the toilet or burial ground.

He called on government to create more awareness and ensure strict enforcement of the lockdown order for erring religious leaders fond of flouting the rules.

Recall that Christians in most parts of the world celebrated Easter in their houses as churches were closed and annual pilgrimages cancelled as a result of the lockdown.

PTF asks Businesses, Schools, Worship Places, Others, to Prepare For Reopening

PTF asks businesses, schools, worship places, others, to prepare for reopening
The Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus response has asked businesses, offices, professional bodies, places of worship and educational institutions, awaiting reopening to use the additional two weeks to plan and adopt new strategies under a COVID-19 era in line with the guidelines, for the new life ahead.
Chairman of the PTF COVID-19 and Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, speaking at the daily briefing on Tuesday, also urged Nigerians to prepare for “behavioral change” which he said ” is a must for every citizen because COVID-19 has changed the world completely”
Mustapha who assured that the PTF COVID-19 is committed and determined to continue to provide the required leadership for this national response, added that in the coming days, intense consultations will be deepened with different segments of the society including the state governments, security agencies, religious and community leaders to ensure a coordinated implementation of the measures.
He reiterated that specific directives have been issued to security agencies to strictly enforce the measures, and admonish Nigerians to please observe the restrictions in full.
He also assured essential workers such as the frontline medical personnel, the media, the environmental health workers, farmers and agro-related service providers, oil and gas services, aviation, the power sector, amongst others that they will be adequately protected.
“Your obligation is to always carry a valid means of identification.
“I am happy to inform you that our risk communication strategy has been enhanced by the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN).
“The professional body has offered the services of its members pro bono to the PTF, in order to strategically and effectively communicate with more Nigerians on the pandemic.
Mustapha said the PTF will leverage on existing community structures and assets right down to the ward level to push through a massive public awareness campaign aimed at ensuring voluntary community engagement and ownership of the fight, consistent with its community engagement strategy,
He reminded all Nigerians that the ravaging force of the virus does not discriminate on the basis of status, creed, political persuasion, profession or where you come from.
“Now is the time to avoid any distraction from whatever quarters and all hands must be and remain on deck. On our part, we assure Nigerians of our commitment to accountability, diligence and probity