As part of the measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the nation, the Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate closure of tertiary institutions, secondary and primary schools nationwide. 

Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja said the closure of all the 104 Unity Schools in the country on the 26th of March, 2020 was a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.﻿﻿

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The Minister noted that in carrying out the directive, all the principals of the 104 unity colleges “should fast-track the ongoing second term examinations and close shop until further notice.”

The ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr Ben Goong, in a statement, said, “The Federal Government has ordered the closure of all the 104 unity schools in the country on  March 26, 2020 as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.

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Adamu directed the Principals to immediately report any suspicious case to the nearest health authorities, emphasizing that nothing should be taken for granted at this delicate time of the global pandemic.

“In the meantime, the minister said the management of all the unity colleges should immediately activate the necessary emergency procedures and processes such as the provision of alcohol-based sanitizers and hand washing facilities among others, adding that students should strictly adhere to the principles and best practices of good hygiene.

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FG ORDERS CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE OVER CORONAVIRUS

The Senate has announced the partial closure of its activities to members of the public as part of measures to prevent the outbreak of Coronavirus in the National Assembly complex.

READ ALSO LAGOS GOVT TO SHUT DOWN SCHOOLS FROM MONDAY OVER CORONAVIRUS

This announcement was made by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, at plenary after a one-hour closed session. Lawan said all forms of public hearing and excursion of students to the Senate have been suspended till further notice.

The Senate President, in addition, announced the closure of its gallery where journalists and members of the public, usually converge to observe plenary proceedings. The suspension takes effect from Tuesday, March 24th, 2020.

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SENATE SUSPENDS PUBLIC HEARING, CLOSES GALLERY OVER CORONAVIRUS 

Practice Social Distancing- Commissioner for Education

As part of the preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Lagos State government has announced its plan to shut down all public and private schools in the state from Monday, 23rd March 2020 

The State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday.

READ ALSO CORONAVIRUS: SHUT DOWN WORSHIP CENTRES- REPS TO FG

This had been earlier mentioned by Prince Anofiu Elegushi, through the communique that announced the ban of religious gathering above 50 worshipers, saying it was part of measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

According to Adefisayo, the move by the State Ministry of Education to close schools is necessary to prevent children and their teachers from being unduly exposed to the pandemic.

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She said it was important for parents to ensure that their children practise “social distancing” while at home, wash their hands regularly or use hand sanitizers and observe high standards of personal hygiene, adding that children should be encouraged to remain at home.

Speaking further, Adefisayo said the closure of schools was not intended to create panic but to arrest the spread of the disease, which had become a global threat, even as she assured that the Incident Command Centre, headed by the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would continue to trace all contacts of the identified cases and encourage anyone who had information about suspected cases to report to the nearest hospital or call the emergency telephone numbers: 08023169485, 08033565529, 08052817243 and 08023401214.

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LAGOS GOVT TO SHUT DOWN SCHOOLS FROM MONDAY OVER CORONAVIRUS 

Stop Receiving Visitors for Now- Reps to Lawmakers

As a result of fears over the raging Coronavirus pandemic, the House of Representatives on Wednesday urged Federal Government to shut down worship centres. They called for the roll-out of thorough measures to forestall the spread of the pandemic into Nigeria. 

This followed the adoption of a motion of national public importance on ‘Covid-19 emergency travel regulation and further protocol’, sponsored by Honourable Muktar Chawai, who stressed the need to ban all foreign flights coming into the country.

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He stressed the need for sanctions, restrictions and regulations on travel policy in and out of Nigeria, along with the shut down of worship centers. The NCDC and Federal and Lagos State agencies have made frantic efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

The lawmaker, while acknowledging the critical role played by Nigerian medical practitioners and National Orientation Agency in the area of public awareness, underscored the need for Nigeria to put necessary steps towards restricting travel into the country through land, air and sea borders, as well as initiate internal control mechanisms.

In a bid to safeguard the National Assembly, the House also directed lawmakers to henceforth stop receiving visitors pending when the deadly disease would be curtailed. To this end, the House urged the Federal Government to sign an agreement with other countries to secure testing kits so as to manage the Coronavirus. 

In the same vein, the House urged the management of all public institutions at all levels to regularly check temperatures. The House also mandated the Minister of Health to ensure to brief the leadership of the House of Representatives weekly.

CORONAVIRUS: SHUT DOWN WORSHIP CENTRES- REPS TO FG

FG Restricts Entry from 13 High-Burden Countries 

The Federal Ministry of Health has announced five new cases of coronavirus, all of whom had travel history to the United Kingdom and the United States; bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to eight. 

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Three of the new cases arrived from the US while the other two arrived from the UK. Four of the cases were Nigerians including a six-week-old baby while the fifth was a foreign national who came in through the land border.

This is the first recorded case of the infection through Nigeria’s land borders. Of the five new cases, four are in Lagos State while one is in Ekiti State. 

Subsequently, Nigeria has placed travel restrictions on entry into the country from 13 countries with high-burden (over 1000 cases) of coronavirus. The countries are China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Italy, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, France, and Japan.

READ ALSO MASSOB GIVES HERDSMEN 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO VACATE ENUGU COMMUNITY

The Federal Government also announced the temporary suspension of the visa-on-arrival policy. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Covid-19, Boss Mustapha, made the announcement on Wednesday morning at a press briefing.

“The restriction will come into effect from Saturday for four weeks, subject to review, “ he said.

NIGERIA RECORDS FIVE NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS 

We Will No Longer Tolerate Killings - MASSOB 

The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra on Tuesday gave herdsmen 48-hour ultimatum to quit the Ogboli-Ohaja community, in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, saying they would not be held responsible for whatever happens if they fail to heed the warning.

This announcement came on the heels of  an alleged attack on a 32 year old man, Kenneth Ude, on his farm by some herders on Monday. Ude was said to be working on his cassava farm when the herders led their cattle to graze there. The herders were said to have attacked him with machetes when he attempted to stop them, leaving him for dead. He was, however, later rescued and rushed to the Jideofor Medical Hospital, in Awgu.

READ ALSO CORONAVIRUS: NYSC ORDERS ALL ORIENTATION CAMPS SHUT

The development was said to have fuelled tension as some young men combed the bush in search of the fleeing herdsmen.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the Deputy National Leader of MASSOB, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwe, said the group would no longer tolerate killing of innocent people by herdsmen in the area.

 “We will fish them out wherever they may be in this community after 48 hours and handle them our own way. No more will we allow our people to be subjected to this level of maltreatment in their own soil. I do not think it is a crime for one to go to his farm,” he said. 

Ekwe stated that farmlands had been destroyed in the area by herders, stressing that attempts to get authorities address the situation had proved abortive.

MASSOB GIVES HERDSMEN 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO VACATE ENUGU COMMUNITY

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Wednesday shut down all its camps and suspended the on going orientation course for its corps members nationwide as preventive and precautionary measures against coronavirus.

The decision was blamed on the outbreak of coronavirus which on Tuesday forced the Federal Government to cancel the National Sports Festival. The ongoing orientation for Batch A Stream 1 corps members, which was supposed to end 30, March 2020 has now been terminated 12 days in advance. 

READ ALSO GOVT OFFICIALS AND WORKERS BARRED FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD OVER CORONAVIRUS

The decision was conveyed in a statement from the NYSC management on its Facebook page Wednesday morning which reads 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: SUSPENSION OF THE ON-GOING ORIENTATION COURSE

Sequel to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic which led to the cancellation of the National Sports Festival, Management of the National Youth Service Corps Scheme wishes to announce the suspension of the on-going Orientation Course for the 2020 Batch “A” Stream 1 Corps Members.

Therefore, the Corps Members shall be posted to commence their primary assignments forthwith, while they shall be invited back to the Orientation Camps when the situation improves, just like it happened a few years ago when the Nation was confronted by the Ebola virus threat.

Management wishes to state that no Corps Member or Camp Official has contracted the virus,

CORONAVIRUS: NYSC ORDERS ALL ORIENTATION CAMPS SHUT

Following a closed-door meeting by the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19  in Abuja on Tuesday, the Federal Government has barred all government officials, including public and civil servants, from travelling abroad.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the committee, Boss Mustapha, while briefing journalists, said the ban took immediate effect and affected all trips earlier approved.

He said, “After due consideration and the trend of the spread of the novel Coronavirus, and subsequent declaration of the outbreak as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, the committee has decided that we upscale our health emergency system to the highest level and put a measure to curb further spread.

“So far, we have had three cases; two positive and one negative. We want to make sure it does not spread beyond this minor figure. On the part of government, it has become necessary to advise all public officials in the Ministries, Department and Agencies, including parastatals, that government has banned all forms of travelling out of the country, for whatever reasons.

“Whether for meetings; bilateral or multilateral conferences, seminars, workshops, presentations, negotiations and other forms of ceremonies, this ban will remain in force until the situation of Coronavirus abates.”

The committee advised Nigerians to cancel or postpone all non-essential travels, including business and vacation trips.

Mustapha said, “This is especially so, when it comes to travelling to countries known to be seriously affected by the COVID-19. Such high-risk countries are China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Italy, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, France and Japan.”

The committee urged those returning to Nigeria from foreign countries to isolate themselves for 14 days in their homes, adding that those returning from high-burdened countries would be actively followed up for 14 days by the health authorities.

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GOVT OFFICIALS AND WORKERS BARRED FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD OVER CORONAVIRUS 

Announces N50bn facility for hard hit MSMEs

As part of the measures to cushion the effects of Coronavirus on the economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has on Monday announced the slash of interests on its various intervention programmes worth about N3 trillion to five per cent. This is a change from the current nine per cent per annum for 1-year, and is effective from March 1, 2020. 

Mr Godwin Emefiele, governor of CBN, who announced this also disclosed a further moratorium of one year on all principal repayments on all CBN intervention facilities.

“This means that any intervention loan currently under moratorium is hereby granted an additional period of one year. Accordingly, participating financial institutions are hereby directed to provide new amortization schedules for all beneficiaries.”

CBN also created a N50 billion targeted credit facility through the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank for households and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have been particularly hard hit by Covid-19, including, but not limited to hoteliers, airline service providers, and healthcare merchants. 

Furthermore, in order to meet potential increase in demand for healthcare services and products, CBN opened for its intervention facilities, loans to pharmaceutical companies intending to expand/open their drug manufacturing plants in Nigeria, as well as to hospital and healthcare practitioners who intend to expand/build the health facilities to first-class centres.

“This is in addition to growing the size of existing interventions to the agricultural and manufacturing sectors in Nigeria,” Emefiele stated.

The fifth of the sixth point roll out is regulatory forbearance, which granted all Deposit Money Banks leave to consider temporary and time-limited restructuring of the tenor and loan terms for businesses and households most affected by the outbreak of Covid-19 particularly oil & gas, agriculture, and manufacturing.

The governor said, “CBN would work closely with DMBs to ensure that the use of this forbearance is targeted, transparent and temporary, whilst maintaining individual DMB’s financial strength and overall financial stability of the system.”

In addition, in view of the success of the lending to deposit ratio (LDR) policy in growing credit to the economy and reducing interest rates, Emefiele announced that CBN would further support industry funding levels to maintain DMBs’ capacity to direct credit to individuals, households, and businesses.

While explaining that CBN will also consider additional incentives to encourage the extension of longer-tenured credit facilities, Emefiele encouraged banks to continue to build capital buffers in order to improve the resilience of the sector.

“The bank stands ready to provide liquidity backstops as and when required in view of its role as Banker to the Federal Government and lender of last resort. The CBN shall continue to monitor developments and will issue further updates as may be appropriate,” he stated.

CORONAVIRUS: CBN SLASHES INTEREST RATE TO 5%

Travellers to Be Thoroughly Screened at Ports

The Federal Government says it has no plans to impose  travel  restrictions on visitors from countries with high risk and cases of coronavirus. However,  Nigeria has  decided to screen visitors entering the  country  from  China, Japan, Iran, Italy , Germany, France,  South  Korea and Spain.

The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnibe Mamora, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said the FG decided to screen visitors  from the eight countries after the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.

READ ALSO 3 STUDENTS AWARDED FULL SCHOLARSHIPS BY BUHARI

He said, “Despite  we have not recorded a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last one week in Nigeria, it is important to remember that we are still at high risk like other countries. We  will continue to monitor returning travellers that fit our case definition and improve our surveillance, detection and risk communications.

“We have  carried out a review of our case definition. We have added three new countries to the existing list of five high-risk countries with widespread community transmission. These are France, Germany and Spain. Therefore, eight countries are on our priority list – China, Japan, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea, France and Germany.

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“Travellers from these eight countries will undertake secondary screening at the point of entry. They are also advised to self-isolate for 14 days on entry.”

He  said  between  January 7 and March 15, 48 people who  had contact with the Italian index case  were  screened for coronavirus in Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Yobe, Rivers, Kano, Enugu states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Mamora  added, “Forty-seven people  have tested negative and have been cleared. One was positive (after contact with the index case) and one result is pending. There has been no death. The index case is clinically stable and has improved greatly.”

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NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON CHINESE, ITALIAN AND OTHER VISITORS- FG

Three secondary school students who emerged winners at the 2020 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award Competition were awarded full scholarships to study by the President, Major General  Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday. 

Buhari spoke while declaring open the 2020 Science, Technology and Innovation Expo at the Eagle Square, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Enhancing The Growth of a Diversified Economy Through Science and Technology.’

READ ALSO CORONAVIRUS: CBN SLASHES INTEREST RATE TO 5%

The President praised the creativity and competitive spirit of the three young scientists for emerging tops in the competition tagged, ‘774 Young Nigerian Scientists Presidential Award.’

The beneficiaries of the awards are Akintade Akanbi from Osogbo Government High School, Osogbo, Osun State, who came first; while the second and third positions went to Uwakwe  Kamsiyochukwu of Anambra State from British Spring College,  Awka; and Aimofumhe Sigmus of the Federal Capital Territory from the School of the Gifted, Gwagwalada, Abuja, respectively. The scholarship will fund their education up to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in science disciplines of their choice in Nigerian universities.

Buhari promised that his regime would continue to invest in human capital development, being Nigeria’s greatest resource.

‘’This is richly embodied in our youths who make up tens of millions of incredibly talented persons, constantly pushing and striving towards greatness. The future of Nigeria belongs to our youth.

‘’This administration will therefore continue to create the enabling environment for them to develop to the fullest, their potential,” he added.

3 STUDENTS AWARDED FULL SCHOLARSHIPS BY BUHARI

Following the extensive damage caused by the unfortunate explosion at Abule Ado Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has set up a N2 billion relief fund to alleviate losses suffered by victims. On behalf of the state government, he also announced the donation of a N250 million as capital base for the relief fund.

READ ALSO ENUGU CORONAVIRUS SUSPECT CONFIRMED NEGATIVE 

The governor, stated this when he, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Femi Hamzat, led a high powered delegation to the site of the explosions for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.  Sanwo-Olu commiserated with those who lost their loved ones and those who sustained various degree of injuries as well as those who had their properties damaged.

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LAGOS EXPLOSION UPDATE: SANWO-OLU RELEASES N2BN RELIEF FUND

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.