Nedu Echianu's Blog

The Nigerian Senate has announced the decision by Distinguished Senators to contribute 50 percent of their salaries to the efforts to respond to the spread and treatment of Corona virus in Nigeria. The acting spokesman of the Senate, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, announced the decision through a statement on Monday. "After due consultations following a keen review of the national efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, the Senate wishes to announce that from March, 2020, Distinguished Senators will be donating 50 per cent of their salaries to these efforts to stop the spread of the disease, otherwise known as COVID-19, in our country. "This monthly contribution from the Upper Legislative Chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from the ravages of this deadly disease. "The Senate commends the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the administration towards the goal of securing our nation against this plague. The Senate is willi

President Muhammadu Buhari will make a nationwide broadcast this evening at 7 pm, the State House has said . “President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 7 pm. “Television, radio and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) respectively for the broadcast”, a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said.

The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has directed all GOTV, DSTV, NTA Startimes, FreeTV and other pay TV platforms in Nigeria to decrypt all local channels to enable subscribers to access daily reports and directives on the Coronavirus pandemic. The NBC management, in a statement signed on Friday by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Ekanem Antia, said the decryption will last for one month. “Further directives on this shall be issued by the Commission after detailed assessments of subsequent development,” the statement noted. The NBC had earlier requested broadcast stations to ensure timely basic information and updates on the pandemic. According to the statement, the commission noted that daily broadcast monitoring reports so far indicated that broadcast stations across the country have been giving detailed reportage on the campaign for awareness on the virus. However, the commission noted with dismay that a few broadcasters aired “unsubstantiated news and na

Six patients being treated for the coronavirus have recovered and will soon be discharged by the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Lagos. Tunde Ajayi, special assistant to the Lagos state governor on health, disclosed this on twitter on Thursday afternoon. He wrote: “Six of our #COVID19 inpatients have recovered and will be discharged soon. There is something Lagos is doing right. Lagos takes the lead.” TheCable

A coronavirus vaccine trial in the United State, has given a dose to its first participant. The study aims to enroll a total of 45 healthy adults over a six-week time frame. Each will receive two injections about a month apart in varying doses, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases says. The study, which is a Phase I trial, is meant to establish that the vaccine is safe and induces a desired response from participants’ immune systems. Proving that the vaccine is effective in preventing COVID-19 infection, however, will require follow-up studies involving many more participants – which will take many more months, experts say. “Finding a safe and effective vaccine to prevent infection with [the novel coronavirus] is an urgent public health priority,” NIAID Director Dr Anthony Fauci said in a statement. “This Phase I study, launched in record speed, is an important first step toward achieving that goal.” The trial is funded by NIAID and run out of the Kaiser

Some suspected gunmen have kidnapped the elder brother of Bauchi state governor, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed Duguri, in Bauchi metropolis. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, said Alhaji Adamu, popularly known as Yaya Adamu, was kidnapped on Wednesday evening where he usually rest and pray with friends. Gidado said the abductors of Adamu are yet to contact the family adding that security operatives have been alerted. Narrating the incident, a friend to the victim, who craved anonymity, said Adamu was kidnapped around 7pm by four gunmen along Anguwar Zaki street where he used to stay and chat with his friends. “We were discussing when four armed men entered the shop and ordered their victim forcefully into their vehicle before they whisked him off and they fired several gunshots in the air to scare people away,” he said. When contacted, Police spokesman in the state could not be reached as at the tim

The Leadership of the National Assembly on Wednesday held a meeting with some Ministers and Heads of agencies from the Executive arm of Government to brainstorm on the impact of Coronavirus pandemic on the Nigerian economy. The meeting specifically touched on the planned review of the 2020 budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper passed late last year by the National Assembly. The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the meeting, in his opening remarks said that an immediate review of the 2020 budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework is imperative, particularly against the backdrop of the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on global economy. The meeting, which lasted almost four hours, according to Lawan, was summoned to “discuss the proposed review of the 2020 pbudget and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework.” “If we have to review the budget itself, we have to consider the MTEF/FSP. “Even in sickness, we need governme

Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo has tested negative to coronavirus, according to the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu. Taking to his twitter handle, @Babafemi ojudu, on Wednesday, said, “Vice- President Yemi Osinbajo tests negative.” He did not say when the test was conducted. Osinbajo’s spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, confirmed it. He said, “Good morning sirs and ma : (I) have been inundated with calls on whether indeed the VP had undergone a COVID -19 test and the outcome. Yes, he has and results negative. An official tweet would follow. Thanks.” Osinbajo went on self - isolation on Monday night, following reports that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari, had tested positive to coronavirus. The VP was one of many government officials that Kyari had direct contact with upon his return from a trip to Germany and Egypt last week. The VP did not come to work at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday. Punch

The speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly, Frank Okiye, has tested positive to Coronavirus. Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, disclosed this Wednesday while briefing journalists. He said the state is taking measures to tackle further spread of the virus.

Reports say Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is in self-isolation. Osinbajo’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, stated this on Tuesday. Akande said his principal is self-isolating in accordance with the “protocols” of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. It would be recalled that Abba Kyari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday. It was also gathered that the Presidential Task Force on coronavirus led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, was on an inspection visit to the Villa on Tuesday. On whether some staff of the State House tested positive for coronavirus, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed stated during the inspection; “ We don’t mention names in carrying out this responsibility. It’s a global practice so you don’t expect us to mention any name to you”. As of Tuesday evening, there are 44 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeria including Ba

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has tested positive for coronavirus. The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, disclosed this in a press release made available on Tuesday. The governor earlier said he met and shook hands with Mohammed, the son of former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, who tested positive for the virus on Sunday.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC-Kwara), on Tuesday said no Senator in the 9th Senate tested positive for COVID-19 pandemic as being speculated. Oloriegbe made this known to newsmen shortly after the Senate adjourned to April 7 due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The chairman said it was untrue that some Senators defied screening at the airport on arrival from foreign countries. There was widespread ispeculation in the country that about 10 senators, who recently returned from countries affected by the COVID-19, refused to be tested. According to Oloriegbe, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and security operatives at the airports have confirmed that no lawmaker refused to be subjected to COVID-19 test. Describing it as fake and misleading, Oloriegbe said there was no letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, by the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, that some lawmakers had refused t

Prof Akin Abayomi, Lagos state Commissioner for Health has directed that all attendees at the just concluded African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA7) to self isolate themselves. Abayomi who gave the directive on his twitter handle @ProfAkinAbayomi, said they might have come in contact with a COVID-19 infection. “I hereby notify you that all participants at the African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA) held on 14th March at the @EkoHotels, may have come in contact with one of the confirmed cases in Lagos and are most likely to have been exposed to COVID-19 infection. “Attendees at the said event are therefore advised to ; strict self isolation.

The Senate on Tuesday adjourned plenary till April 7 as part of measures to prevent further spread of COVID - 19 in Nigeria. The lawmakers took the decision after a closed -door session that lasted one hour. President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, urged the Federal Government to assist the states with funds to combat the menace. He also stressed the need to set up a special fund to assist victims of COVID - 19. The senators also observed a minute silence for the late Senator Rose Oko who passed away on Monday in a UK hospital.

There are unconfirmed reports that Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, has tested positive for coronavirus days after returning from an official trip to Germany. Online news medium, TheCable reports that he ran the test on Saturday based on medical advice, although he was not exhibiting any symptoms. The result came back on Monday positive and he has gone into self-isolation as the symptoms are yet to manifest. Following his result, President Buhari was also advised to run a test but he was negative, according to Aso Rock sources. Alongside a minister, Buhari’s chief of staff had attended a meeting in Germany with officials of Siemens to discuss issues relating to the Nigerian power sector. Reports of Kyari’s status of COVID-19 was disclosed after the federal executive council meeting was suspended indefinitely. It is not clear if the development made the federal government to suspend the weekly meetings. A letter Kyari wrote to the leadership of

Four new cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Nigeria. 3 are in Lagos State and 1 in FCT. Two of these cases according to Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC are returning travellers. “As at 11:00pm on the 23rd of March, there are 40 confirmed cases of the virus in Nigeria. 2 have been discharged with 1 death recorded”

The lawmaker representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Mrs Rose Okoji Oko is dead. She was aged 63. The late Senator Oko, who died last night at a UK medical facility, was a second term member of the Red Chamber of the National Assembly and the serving chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. A close aide of the late Senator, who confirmed the news, expressed shock and sadness at the development. A close relative, Mr Patrick Ikorgor Okoroji speaking about he demise said, "Heart broken to hear of the passing of my dear Cousin Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko after a long fought battle with physical affliction. "You gave your best to your world now that it has pleased the Almighty God to call you home may your soul find eternal rest in Heaven. Adieu,Distinguished Senator Dr Rose Okoji Oko." Rose Okoji Oko, was born on September 27, 1956 is a Nigerian politician and senator. She was a Member of the Federal House of Representatives from the ruling

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of all land borders with immediate effect. It also advised all Abuja and Lagos residents to stay at home. The Presidential Task Force for the Control of Covid -19 announced these at a press briefing on Monday as part of additional measures to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the announcement in Abuja, on Monday. The SGF said, “All land borders that have been hitherto under partial closure shall now be closed for human traffic for four weeks effective, 23rd March, 2020; in order to protect Federal Civil and Public Servants, a circular to be issued by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation shall direct on actions to be taken immediately. “All Abuja and Lagos residents are strongly advised to stay at home, avoid mass congregation of any kind as well as non -essential outings until further advice is given.”

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed the first death from the Coronavirus in Nigeria. The NCDC through its Twitter handle, @NCDCgov, on Monday said, the deceased was a 67-year-old male who returned home following medical treatment in the United Kingdom. It went further to say that the victim had underlying medical conditions-multiple myeloma and diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed additional five new cases of Coronavirus in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 35. The NCDC through it’s Twitter handle, @NCDCgov, on Monday said, five new cases of the virus have been confirmed in Nigeria: two in the FCT, two in Lagos and one in Edo state. It said two cases are returning travelers from the UK. The NCDC said as at 09:45 am today, there are 35 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Nigeria, adding that two have been discharged.

Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has confirmed that he has tested positive for coronavirus. In a post on Twitter, the 32-year-old, who is now at Chinese club Shandong Luneng said he hopes "to return to the game as soon as possible". Chinese media reports say Fellaini is in isolation at Jinan hospital, which specialises in infectious diseases. The Belgium international moved to China in 2019 after 11 seasons in England with United and Everton. Fellaini, who had recently returned to the country to resume training, is reportedly the only Chinese Super League player to have contracted the illness. A statement from his club read: "The official test confirmed that the player Fellaini has tested positive for coronavirus during the quarantine observation period. "During this period, the player's body temperature has been normal and there are no other discomforts. He has received further observation and treatment at a designated medica

The Federal Government says the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja will be shut effective Monday, March 23. Reports say Nigeria’s cases of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic increased geometrically from 12 to 22 on Saturday. The Lagos and Abuja airports are the two major entry points into Nigeria. In a statement signed by the Director -General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Musa Nuhu, the closure of international flight operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports are in addition to the three other international airports in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt shut for flight operations on Saturday. Nuhu said the closure would last through April 23, adding that emergency and essential flights could be operated from any of the airports within the period. He noted that domestic flight operations would continue normally in all airports in the country. Punch

The Federal ministry of health have announced ten new confirmed coronavirus infection in Nigeria. Seven cases were discovered in Lagos and three in Abuja, Nigeria's federal capital territory. The three cases in Abuja are said to be undergoing treatment at the University of Abuja teaching hospital, Gwagwalada. All the ten new cases are said to be Nigerians.

American country music legend Kenny Rogers has died aged 81. A family representative said he "passed away peacefully at home from natural causes". Rogers topped pop and country charts during the 1970s and 1980s, and won three Grammy awards. Known for his husky voice and ballads including The Gambler, Lucille and Coward Of The County, his career spanned more than six decades. He once summed up his popularity by explaining that he believed his songs "say what every man wants to say and that every woman wants to hear". BBC

A former Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray-Bruce, has lost his wife to cancer. The deceased was 43-years-old. Murray-Bruce made this disclosure on Friday through his verified Twitter handle.

The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate closure of tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools nationwide over the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the country and as part of measures to contain the spread. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny Echono, confirmed this in Abuja on Thursday. When sent an inquiry through a text message , Echono simply replied, “Confirmed.” Punch

Katsina State Commissioner for Health, Engineer Yakubu Danja, on Thursday, said the state has no case of Coronavirus. He disclosed that the earlier suspected case tested negative. The commissioner, who made the declaration at a press conference, urged the people of the state to maintain high levels of personal hygiene and avoid mass gatherings, where necessary. Danja said, “On 18, March 2020, a press conference was held by the officials of the state Ministry of Health where we briefed you that there was a suspected case of COVID -19 in the state and informed you that we were waiting for the result. “I am pleased to inform you that the result is out and it is negative. “Therefore, Katsina State has no case of COVID - 19.” The commissioner urged residents of the state to remain calm, assuring them that the government would continue to do everything possible to safeguard their health through the provision of effective health care delivery systems. “We acknowledge the support and

The Federal Government has directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to reduce the pump price of petrol from N145 to N125. This, the government said, was to reflect the current crash in the global price of crude oil. President Muhammadu Buhari approved the price reduction after the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, briefed him on the matter. Sylva also made a presentation to the Federal Executive Council on Wednesday. “The drop in crude oil prices has the expected open market price of imported petrol below the official pump price of 145 per litre,” the document said. It added, “Therefore, the FG is directing the NNPC to reduce ex-coastal and ex- depot prices of PMS to reflect the current market realities.” Speaking with journalists after the session, he said the new price would take “immediate effect”. The government directed the NNPC and the PPPRA to work out the details. He added that the pump prices of diesel and kerosene would also be r

The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Nigerian agency responsible for management of disease outbreaks says Lassa fever death toll has increased to 161. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General, NCDC, said this on Wednesday in Abuja, while giving the 11 weeks update on Lassa fever outbreak in the country.  The NCDC boss said in the update that four health workers, three in Bauchi and one in Gombe, were among the dead. He said “the number of suspected cases has increased significantly with 3,735 suspected cases with a total of 906 confirmed cases”. Ihekweazu said the increase was as a result of reported new cases in 12 states which include Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Taraba, Plateau, Kogi, Delta, Enugu, FCT, Nasarawa and Gombe.  The director-general said 123 local government areas across 27 states had been affected so far.  “Ondo and Edo are the worst hit states with 15 and 11 confirmed cases respectively, while 78 patients are currently being managed.  Accordi

The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) on Wednesday confirmed five new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19)  in Nigeria within the last 36 hours, bringing the total number of cases to eight. The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed this development at a news conference in Abuja. Ehanire said that of the five new positive cases, three arrived from the United States, while two came in from UK. He added that “we are still collating information on the travellers; two of the three from the U.S. are Nigerians, a mother and child, making the six-week old baby the youngest COVID-19 patient.  “The third is an American who crossed the land border and becomes the first COVID-19 case not arriving by air. “The two cases from the UK are Nigerians,’’ he said. According to the minister, a detailed travel history of each person is being compiled and contacts currently being traced to identify persons who have recently been in contact with anyone of them. Ehanire said that the Nat

The Federal Government has ordered the immediate closure of the ongoing National Youth Corps Service camps nationwide over coronavirus fears. The 2020 Batch A Stream One NYSC members arrived on camp on March 4 and are expected to leave on March 29. But the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, on Wednesday, said the NYSC members would be released to resume at their places of primary assignment . He tweeted that the closure was a precautionary measure on coronavirus. “Today across the country, the NYSC Orientation camps will be closed and Youth Corpers will be paid and sent to their places of primary assignment. “This again is a precautionary measure on the part of the government to check the spread of COVID - 19. The DG NYSC will provide details,” he tweeted.

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has mutually terminated his contract with Turkish club Trabzonspor. Trabzonspor in an official statement on Tuesday confirmed they have indeed parted ways with Mikel, but no reason was adduced for the decision. Mikel joined the Turkish league leaders at the start of the season and played a vital role for the purple and blue, featuring in 19 games before opting to leave the club. The 32-year-old will forfeit the rest of his wages after leaving the club in what has shocked many fans in Turkey and Nigeria. The statement released on Tuesday by Trabzonspor reads: “The professional football player agreement between our company and John Obi Mikel on 30.06.2019 start date, 31.05.2021 has been mutually terminated. With a mutual termination agreement, the football player gave up all his forward-looking receivables”. Though the club did not reveal why his deal was terminated, it might have to do with Mikel’s vocal stance about playing when

Another case of the novel Coronavirus disease has been confirmed in Lagos State, Nigeria. According to the Punch newspaper, the new case is independent of the index case – an Italian. The affected person is a 30 - year -old Nigerian lady. She returned from the United Kingdom on March 14. The Ministry of Health says she is now at Mainland General Hospital receiving care.

The Enugu State Ministry of Health has disclosed that the suspected patient of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state tested negative to the investigation. A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ifeanyi Agujiobi in Enugu said the ministry received the result of the investigation sent to Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo which was further corroborated by Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as `NEGATIVE’ . “We hereby enjoin the general public to go about their normal business however, to remain alert and vigilant observing basic personal health hygiene,” Agujiobi said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspected patient, a 70 year old woman, had a recent history of having traveled to the United Kingdom where she spent five months and had just returned to the country. She was very stable in the isolation centre at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane and receiving the best available med