Economy News

Ogun First Lady Distributes Another Batch of Palliatives to Vulnerable

By Web News 886

In a bid to soften the harsh effects of the lingering lockdown on vulnerable members of the society, wife of the Ogun state governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun has offered support to widows and children in the state through the provision of basic materials for their use. 

Mrs Abiodun while giving out the palliatives, including food items, snacks and educational materials said the gesture was necessary as incentives to help the vulnerable groups to cope with the prevailing economic condition. 

The wife of the governor who was represented by the wife of the Permanent secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs. Omolola Osota distributed the relief items to widow groups registered with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

A director in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Bolanle Fadairo who received the relief items on behalf of the commissioner noted that the efforts of the governor’s wife would help to ameliorate the hardships faced by women, particularly widows in the state. 

Some representatives of the groups, including Pillar of Life Widows Foundation and NASFAT Widows Foundation, Abeokuta Branch also applauded Mrs. Abiodun for reaching out to them at this critical period of the lockdown.

In the spirit of Easter celebration, the representative of the governor’s wife also visited many homes to present gifts to pupils, including an eleven year old Segun Olutokun in Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta, a ten year old Modupe Kayode, in Ilisan, Ikenne Local Government Area and eleven year old Ilerioluwa Sosanya, in Isara, in Remo North Local Government Area of the state. 

According to a statement by the Press Officer, office of the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Kemi Oyeleye, and appreciable quantity of the relief materials had also been allocated to the wives of chairmen across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state for distribution to children in their council areas.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Economy News

Lagos Residents Expressed Mixed Feelings towards Extension of Lockdown

By Web News 687

In Lagos State, mixed reactions have trailed the extension of the lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the state and the country at large.

Yesterday in his second nationwide broadcast on Covid-19, President Muhammadu Buhari had extended the lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and the FCT by another 14 days, beginning from tonight.

When Radio Nigeria went to town to sample people opinions about the extension of the lockdown order, it was observed that the extension did not really come as a surprise to many residents of the state due to broad speculations about it, prior to the announcement by President Buhari.

While some residents are not too happy with the extra measure, others described it as a welcome development which would further ensure that Covid-19 is completely eradicated.

Some of those who spoke with Radio Nigeria however lamented over the shortfall in social amenities and interventions which they said has been making the lockdown unbearable, especially their inability to benefit from the palliatives sent out by the two tiers of government.

“The timing only favored salary earners and government workers, what of those who are not in these categories, what should they do?  “I just gave birth, there’s no money, they are sharing food, but they did not give us in Bariga here we did not see anything, they are just suffering us”  “I am selling fruits and the little gain I make, I use to feed myself and my child” “Because of the virus, to feed and to live is now very difficult for poor people” the respondents lamented’.

However, some respondents are of the opinion that the extension of the lockdown order was necessary to truly curb the spread of the virus, but some of them also identified factors making it seemingly difficult for the measure to be one hundred percent effective.

They said: “governments have been doing quite well to be honest, they just need to improve to be better” “I think Lagos state government had done well already” “This is a typical example of why social distancing cannot be observed in this community, there’s no light, some of them are ignorant of what is going on and moreover, because there’s nothing for them to put in their stomachs, some of them may go begging and borrowing”  

While commending President Buhari for directing that an additional one million households should be added to the 2.6 already on the social intervention palliatives, the respondents are of the opinion that the food and stipends for a category of citizens should be quickly distributed to make it easier for them to cope for the next 14 days. 

Omolara Omosanya

Lifestyle

COVID-19 Lockdown: Analysts Calls for Patience

By Web News 652

Federal and State governments affected by the lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country need to consider the wellbeing of Nigerians in the implementation of the 14 days extension of the lockdown. 

A public affairs analyst, Mr Phil Aragbada stated this while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech to Nigerians on the update of COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mr Aragbada said it was the responsibility of government to ensure safety of lives and property but in carrying out such responsibilities, the wellbeing of every citizen must be considered to avoid hunger and its adverse effects. 

While commending the President’s promise to introduce more measures to encourage the health workers in the frontline, Mr Aragbada challenged government to also ensure rewarding incentives for journalists both in government and privately owned media, considering their roles in information sharing at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Mr Aragbada appealed to Nigerians to be patient with government, stressing that with all hands on deck the country would successfully overcome the current challenged posed by COVID-19 epidemic.

Kehinde Mosope

Health

COVID-19 Case Update: 20 New Cases, 91 Discharged

By Web News 1390

Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported as follows:
13 in Lagos
2 in Edo
2 in Kano
2 in Ogun
1 in Ondo
As at 09:50 pm 13th April there are 343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. 91 have been discharged with 10 deaths.
No of states with confirmed cases:19.
Lagos- 189
FCT- 56
Osun- 20
Edo- 14
Oyo- 11
Ogun- 9
Bauchi- 6
Kaduna- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Katsina-5
Kwara- 4
Ondo- 3
Delta- 3
Kano- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Benue- 1
Niger- 1
Anambra- 1
@NCDCgov

Health

Expert Wants Nigerians to Prioritize Hand Washing

By Web News 1065

A Laboratory scientist, Mr Ayodeji Awe wants Nigerians to prioritize the use of water and soap to wash their hands as a way of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Mr. Awe, an assistant Director of laboratory services at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, gave the advice in a reaction to concerns over the prevalence of substandard hand sanitizers as the world combats COVID-19 pandemic.

Irekpita Francisca

Crime

Gov. Abiodun Pledges to Deal Ruthlessly With Criminals

By Web News 692

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has pledged to ruthlessly deal with criminals in the state.

The governor made the pledge in a statement made available by his chief Press Secretary, Mr Kunle Somorin.

Governor Abiodun urged the police to intensify efforts at curbing the nefarious activities of criminals and promptly investigate those involved in criminal activities across the State.

The Governor pointed out that his administration would provide necessary materials and logistics for all security outfits in the state including the Department of State Security Service and the armed forces towards curbing crime and criminality in the state.

Governor Abiodun commended the State Police Command for its swiftness and prompt adherence to directive of the State Government to flush out those turning the sit-at-home order to a criminal enterprise.

He also called on other security agencies to immediately enhance their intelligence gathering mechanisms towards ensuring that there was no recurrence of the criminal acts, especially as the State continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governors Abiodun enjoined all law abiding residents of the state to remain calm and continue to comply with the stay-at-home directive adding that the situation is under control. 

The Police in Ogun state had recently claimed it had arrested one hundred and fifty suspects in connection with  series of harassments, robberies, burglaries and cult clashes  within  Agbado Ijaiye, Sango, Ijoko and Ifo axis of the State.

Wale Oluokun

Health

Covid-19 Update: 5 New Cases Recorded, 85 Discharged

By Web News 829

Five new cases of covid-19 have been reported as follows:

2 in Lagos
2 in Kwara
1 in Katsina

As at 09:10 pm 12th April there are 323 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria. 85 have been discharged with 10 deaths

There are 19 states with confirmed cases in Nigeria they are:

Lagos- 176
FCT- 56
Osun- 20
Edo- 12
Oyo- 11
Ogun- 7
Bauchi- 6
Kaduna- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Katsina-5
Kwara- 4
Delta- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Ondo- 2
Benue- 1
Niger- 1
Anambra- 1
Kano-1

@NCDCgov

News Analysis

Examining the Effects of Lockdown on Nigerians

By Web News 2773 11

Covid-19 has wreaked havoc worldwide, with over one million confirmed cases, while deaths are being recorded on a daily basis.

To curtail the spread of the pandemic, the federal and some state governments have been coming up with various measures, which include total lockdown in three states, partial lockdown in few states, with a ban on religious and social activities.

Also, dusk to dawn curfew was imposed in some states of the federation, where few cases of Covid-19 were recorded, while the large gathering of people is also banned.

Though it sounds so harsh, the lockdown order in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, remains the government’s most proactive step towards containing the spread of covid-19.

In China, the United States and England for instance, lockdowns worked to a large extent.

In China, in particular, the couple of weeks delay in imposing a lockdown by the country accounts for the importation of the virus into other parts of the world.  

According to research, if China had implemented its control measures a week earlier, it could have prevented a large percentage of all cases in the Asian country.

However, the government’s plans at cushioning the effects of the lockdown on Nigerians seem to be slow as this has caused the inability of citizens to comply with the lockdown, with some being arrested in parts of the country.

Though many Nigerians had stocked up their homes with food items in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak, the government must provide free electricity and water services to the people during this lockdown.

Some state governments had begun distribution of food packages to people of the state, efforts must be intensified at ensuring even distribution of the packages to virtually all indigent residents of their states.

The Ministers of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, and that of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed had at different functions said millions of Nigerians had benefitted from government’s palliative measures, but it is still like a drop of water in the ocean.

A large part of the population depends on a daily trade for survival; therefore, asking Nigerians to stay indoors for weeks in the name of lockdown will be so difficult and bring so much damage to their finances.

Though health is wealth, and effective lockdown will no doubt reduce the prevalence of Covid-19, but the government must as a matter of priority provide effective palliative measures for Nigerians.

Policymakers and other stakeholders must use the effects of the lockdown to address many challenges confronting the wellbeing of the masses, most especially the poor state of the healthcare system, epileptic electricity supply, provision of potable water and good road network.

Olaolu Fawole

Health

Covid-19 Case Update: 16 New Cases Recorded 44 Discharged

By Web News 707

Sixteen new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria: 10 in Lagos, 2 in the FCT, 2 in Oyo, 1 in Delta and 1 in Katsina.

As at 09:30 pm 7th April there are 254 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria.

Fourty-four have been discharged with six deaths.

Currently:
Lagos- 130
FCT- 50
Osun- 20
Oyo- 11
Edo- 11
Bauchi- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Kaduna- 5
Ogun- 4
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Benue- 1
Ondo- 1
Kwara- 2
Delta- 1

Katsina 1

@NCDCgov

Health

Covid-19 Case Update: 6 New Cases Reported 35 Discharged

By Web News 736

Six new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria: 2 in Kwara, 2 in Edo, 1 in Rivers and 1 in the FCT.
As at 09:30 pm 6th April there are 238 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria. Thirty-five have been discharged with five deaths.
Currently :
Lagos- 120
FCT- 48
Osun- 20
Oyo- 9
Edo- 11
Bauchi- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Kaduna- 5
Ogun- 4
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-2
Benue- 1
Ondo- 1
Kwara- 2
@NCDCgov

Security

Covid-19: NSCDC Enforces Total Border Lockdown in Ogun

By Web News 881

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, is engaging residents of riverine communities along the Nigerian – Benin Republic border towards enforcing the restriction of movement on the creeks and waterways.
Ogun State Commandant of Corps, Mr Hameed Abodunrin who made this known to Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta said 570 officers and men of the Corps had been deployed at strategic locations to ensure the total lockdown directed by President Muhammadu Buhari against the spread of covid-19.
Mr Abodunrin said personnel from the marine section and disaster management unit of the state command were detailed to riverine communities around the international borderline to monitor identified creeks and waterways for compliance.
He maintained that the Corps had adopted non custodian arrest approach in handling violators of the lockdown by delaying them for about one hour before allowing them to go back home.
The NSCDC State Commandant said the community leaders, led by Chief Ezekiel Tundonu from Whekan town in Ipokia Local Government area of Ogun State and youth groups in the border communities had been trained to enlighten others on the need to adopt precautionary measures against the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Oluremi Olugbenro

News

Covid-19 Case Update: Ondo Coronavirus Patient in Stable Condition

By Web News 696

The first covid-19 Patient in Ondo State is in stable condition and responding to treatment.

Commissioner for health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro who disclosed this to Radio Nigeria in Akure expressed optimism that the patient would soon recover.

Dr Adegbenro urged residents of the state to remain calm and adhere strictly to all safety measures especially social distancing, staying at home and maintaining personal hygiene.

He also reaffirmed the closure of all markets in the state while sellers of essential products such as foods, drugs and water should do so within the streets.

Dr Adegbenro solicited the support of all residents to help contain the spread of the disease in Ondo state.

Bukola Bardi

Health

Covid-19: Ogun Governor’s Wife Distributes Relief Materials to the Vulnerable

By Web News 1081

Residents of communities in Ogun Central and Ogun West senatorial districts of the state have benefited from the distribution of relief materials by the wife of the Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun.

Mrs Abiodun who spoke with journalists after the distribution said the gesture was to assist the less privileged especially the vulnerable during the stay at home order by both the Federal and Ogun state governments.

Represented by the wife of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Omolola Osota, the wife of Ogun State Governor maintained that it was crucial for the aged and the vulnerable to be catered for particularly at this period when the young ones who could cater for their needs would also be indoors.

Mrs Abiodun advised the people to continue to observe all the precautionary measures and directives laid down by the government, promising to further extend the gesture to other parts of the state.

Olusegun Folarin

Health

Covid-19 Case Update: 8 New Cases Recorded 33 Discharged

By Web News 818

Eight new cases of covid-19 have been reported in Nigeria: 5 in Lagos, 2 in the FCT and 1 in Kaduna State.
As at 09:30 pm 5th April there are 232 confirmed cases of covid-19 reported in Nigeria. Thirty-three have been discharged with five deaths.
Currently:
Lagos- 120
FCT- 47
Osun- 20
Oyo- 9
Edo- 9
Bauchi- 6
Akwa Ibom- 5
Kaduna- 5
Ogun- 4
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers-1
Benue- 1
Ondo- 1
@NCDCgov

Lifestyle

Covid-19 Lockdown: Streets, Markets Deserted in Ogun

By Web News 532

The lockdown order by the Federal Government to curtail the spread of coronavirus pandemic has commenced in Ogun State with high compliance by the residents.

Correspondent Wale Oluokun, who monitored the situation in Abeokuta reports that the major roads were deserted while the markets were empty all around the capital city.

His report.