Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 21st April 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 21/04/20
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Six Private Hospitals In Lagos Secretly Treating COVID-19 Patients Revealed
Six private health facilities in Lagos that had been secretly attending to rich Coronavirus patients, have been revealed.
One of the private hospitals, First Cardiology Consultants Hospital, Ikoyi, was where late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, was treated for the virus until his death was announced on Friday.
The others are St. Edwards Hospital, Ajah, Premier Specialist Hospital, Victoria Island, Vedic Lifecare Hospital, Lekki, County Hospital, Ogba, and St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.
The involvement of these private hospitals in the treatment of Coronavirus cases was despite the insistence by Minister of Health in Nigeria, Osagie Ehanire, that they will never be given approval for such.
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REVEALED: Abba Kyari Died At Lagos Hospital, First Cardiology Consultants
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At a forum last, Ehanire had said, “Treating of private patients is not allowed. It is risky.
“Coronavirus is one of the most easily transmitted diseases you can think of. So, it is not allowed to treat Coronavirus privately.”
Apart from Kyari, a medical doctor, Emeka Chugbo, was also killed by the virus after contracting it from a patient he was treating in a private hospital.
Already, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association has warned doctors and medical practitioners against receiving and treating COVID-19 patients in their private facilities, stressing that such practice could put the lives of health workers in danger.
NMA, in statement signed by Saliu Oseni and Moronkola Ramon, Chairman and Secretary respectively, said there could be an explosion in the number of infections in the state and the country at large if private hospitals continued to treat Coronavirus patients.
All the named private hospitals are supposed to have been closed down by government, according to experts, but had been left to continue to operate because they served the interest of the elites and rich in the country.
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COVID-19: Chrisland Schools, Parents Disagree Over Resumption Of Learning, Examination During Lockdown
Despite the ongoing lockdown and restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory, Chrisland Schools have asked students to resume for lectures while it directed their parents to pay school fees.
The school fixed April 27 for resumption of academic activities, adding that only those, who pay fees would be allowed to attend classes.
In a letter by the Managing Director, Mrs I.O. Adeyemi, to parents, classes would take place on its online platform.
The letter reads, “Please note that this term’s bill can be paid in two instalments of 50 per cent each. The first half has been discounted considering there are some services we will not be rendering during the lockdown, like feeding, club and other activities.
“It is hoped that the lockdown order will be repealed before the mid-term, hence the full 50 per cent fees payment for the second half of the term.
“Should the lockdown continue, however, the same discount applies. Please note also, that there is an additional discount on the total bill for any parent who pays the entire fees for the term on resumption.
“Once the school fees are paid, a password will be generated for the learners to log into the online school.”
However, Irked by the move of the school, aggrieved parents have accused the management of Chrisland of acted insensitively especially following the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak in the country and other parts of the world.
One angry parent, whose sentiments was shared by others, said, “The management of Chrisland Schools may be shopping for trouble and heading for possible fracas with us judging by a recent letter the Managing Director of the school, Mrs. I.O. Adeyemi, dispatched to us.
“Chrisland management did not consider the fact that nobody envisaged the lockdown, which is also an indication that some parents may not have the required gadgets and infrastructure to enable their wards prepare for the examination. We will not accept this.”
Most state governments across Nigeria had announced the closure of schools to help curb the spread of the pandemic, hinting recently that there is no date in sight yet for resumption due to the continued spread of the virus.
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BREAKING: Nigeria Records 38 New COVID-19 Cases
Nigeria has recorded 38 new Coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 665.
The number of deaths also increased from 21 to 22, just as the number of recoveries also rose to 188 patients.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control disclosed this in a tweet on Monday.
It said, “Thirty-eight new cases of #COVID19 have been reported; 23 in Kano, five in Gombe, three in Kaduna, two in Borno, two in Abia, one in FCT, one in Sokoto and one in Ekiti.
“As at 11:10pm April 20, there are 665 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.” Thirty-eight new cases of #COVID19 have been reported;23 in Kano5 in Gombe3 in Kaduna2 in Borno2 in Abia1 in FCT1 in Sokoto1 in EkitiAs at 11:10 pm 20th April there are 665 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria.Discharged: 188Deaths: 22 pic.twitter.com/k354y8KS0W— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 20, 2020
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Niger Delta Group Calls For Urgent Intervention As Dead Fishes Wash Ashore In Rivers And Akwa Ibom
The Niger Delta Activist Forum has called on the Nigerian Government to investigate the washing ashore of thousands of dead fishes, which has been attributed to oil spill by activities of companies operating in the area.
The group in a statement on Monday by Comrade Success Jack, National President, Comrade Ambrose Obioha, National Spokesman, and Comrade Tamunoimama Tamunobelema, Chairman Rivers State chapter, said its findings revealed that the circumstances surrounding the death to the fishes in large numbers point to the depleting of the natural ecosystem through pollution.
The group said, “About a fortnight ago, we started getting reports of multitudes of fishes in their millions being washed ashore dead around the coastal communities and fishing ports along the Atlantic shoreline.
“Regrettably, this ugly disaster of global proportion continued unabated till Friday, 17th April 2020. Sadly, observations from initial investigation reveals effects suspected to be chemical in nature with the following abnormalities; the fish starts rotting from the tail as against the natural pattern of starting from the head, cysts are clearly seen on the flesh of most of the fishes, with greenish fluid trapped inside.
“Other observations include smoked samples clearly defied conventional pattern of emitting body fluid and shrinking homogenously, rather it was seen to remain fresh and plastic in nature.”
The group said it suspects that the poisoning of the fishes where as a result of Benzene, Toluene, Ethylene, Xylene and other chemicals from improperly treated production water or gas seepage.
It called on the Nigerian Government to act fast by saving the ecosystem and preserving the livelihoods of people along the coastline.”
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BREAKING: Policeman Enforcing Lockdown In Jigawa Shoots 10-Year-Old Boy
A 10-year-old boy, Usman Abdulkadir, was on Monday shot by a policeman enforcing the lockdown imposed on a market in Jigawa State.
The incident had led to pandemonium in Sankara community under Ringim Local Government Area of the state where it happened.
“The incident occurred earlier in the day and the youth have started protesting, the boy has been taken to Ringim General Hospital. I pray he survives it,” a resident of the area told SaharaReporters.
He also alleged that the policeman, who fired the shot, is a popular person in the town known for his brutality.
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E2%80%99s-lockdown-order-cry Nigerians Locked In Chinese Company In Ogun, Forced To Work Despite Government’s Lockdown Order Cry For Help
Guangdong Free Trade Zone
Guangdong Free Trade Zone
A Chinese company in Ogun State has locked up Nigerians working in the firm and refused to let them leave despite a lockdown order in the state instituted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The workers are being held against their wish despite the company owing them months of unpaid salaries
Workers of the company in Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone, who were visibly angry at the decision of the management, refused to work, staged a protest, and also set a truck belonging to the company ablaze.
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Coronavirus: Chinese Company Locks Nigerian Workers Inside Premises In Ogun, Refuses To Allow Them Leave
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Recall that the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, described the incident as an ordinary dispute between the workers and the management.
He also added that the workers had been released to go to their houses.
Unmoved by the protest action of the workers, the company kept the employees inside the company and have continued to force them to work.
This is in contravention of an order by President Buhari that residents of Lagos, Ogun and the Federal Capital Territory should remain home or work remotely in order to curb further spread of Coronavirus.
One of the workers, who spoke with SaharaReporters, revealed that the company was being backed by Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, adding that the organisation assured the Chinese firm of safety from any form of sanction from government.
Keeping to its words, the company has continued working for 20 days as both the Ogun State and Federal governments look the other way.
The workers singled out the NEPZA Zone Administrator, Mr Solomon Topa, and one Mr Ofili Emmanuel, as among those enslaving Nigerians at the factory.
“The NEPZA Zone Administrator, Mr Solomon Topa, has not risen up to his duties to regulate and monitor the activities of the zone, he is only there for his monetary and selfish gains.
“He is a tool in the Chinese hands. Also working closely with him is one Mr Ofili Emmanuel who has been there for over six years and sees himself as a demi-god in the zone therefore enriching themselves through the maltreatment of Nigerians.
“As we speak, there are Nigerians holed up in the factories in this pandemic period, workers are owed and all complaints to Solomon Topa and at times through Emmanuel Ofili, had proved abortive,” one of the workers said.
The workers have vowed to continue rioting to ensure their freedom, lamenting that government had not come to their aid.
They urged both the federal and state governments as well as the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to look into their plight and that of other Nigerians being locked down in Chinese factories in Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone.
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E2%80%99s Presidential Task Force On COVID-19 Apologises For Violation Of Guidelines During Abba Kyari’s Burial
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has apologised for the violation of guidelines during the burial of Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, in Abuja on Saturday.
Kyari tested positive for Coronavirus in March and his death was announced on Friday.
Speaking during a media briefing on Monday, Chairman of the Task Force, Boss Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said, “The PTF recognises, regrettably, the unintentional violation of the principles and protocols that form the core of our message to Nigerians at the funeral of the late Chief of Staff.
“These principles, for emphasis, include the guidance provided on mass gatherings, social distancing, personal hygiene, and restriction of movement. Lessons have been learnt and appropriate measures have been taken to close all gaps.”
Kyari’s burial had generated outrage as government’s directive on social distancing and restriction of movement were violated with many members of the PTF present and scores of other persons also in attendance at Gudu Cemetery in Abuja.
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Imo Government Denies Renaming State University After Abba Kyari
The Imo State Government has said it does not plan to rename the Imo State University after late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, whose death was announced on Friday.
Chief Press Secretary to Imo State governor, Oguwike Nwachuku, in a statement on Monday described the news as fake.
The statement reads in part, “Since Kyari passed on, the same persons have been issuing press statements, forging the logo of government and the name of Mr Nwachuku with the intent to deceive Imolites in particular and the public in general into believing their propaganda and fake news to be real.
“In one of such fake statements they issued and also circulated on social media, they mischievously credited Governor Uzodimma to have said he would immortalise Kyari for making him governor.
“We also advise the reading public to take fake news seriously and make conscious efforts to identify the promoters and ensure that they join others who stand against fake news globally to make their trade unattractive.”
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COVID-19: Nigerian Courts To Hear Cases Via Teleconference, Online Technology
Nigeria’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has said government was working out a modality that would make judges conduct court proceedings via teleconference and online technology.
Malami said the plan was aimed at ensuring that the judicial time lost to the COVID-19 lockdown were recovered.
In a statement on Monday, Malami said judges will be sitting and maintaining social distance while the lawyers would be interfacing with the courts through their digital devices.
Malami said, “Robust use of technological tools to conduct proceedings including virtual proceedings, this would also enable the justices/judges to preside over matters in their chamber without being physically present in a formal court room, parties and their counsel will only connect through teleconference means.
“The way to go in effect is that court proceedings should also be handled in a manner that reduces the number of persons in the courts at any given time.
“Although this requires the movement of suspects from prisons to the courts, all such suspects should be tested, in fact everyone entering the court premises should be tested to ensure that they are not already positive, thus risking the lives of other people.”
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Nigerian Government Extends International Airport Closure By Two Weeks
Muritala Muhammud International Airport, Lagos
Muritala Muhammud International Airport, Lagos
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The Nigerian Government has extended the closure of airports in the country by two weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, via his Twitter handle.
However, government said emergency and essential flights could be operated from any of the airports within the period.
Recall that government shut all international airports in the country on Monday, March 23, for one month.
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BREAKING: Nigeria Closes Airports To International Flights Over Coronavirus
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While disclosing the extension of the current closure, Sirika said the airports would no longer open for commercial operations on April 23 due to the extended lockdown in the three cities.
He said, “As a result of the extension on lockdown by Mr President, it is no longer possible for us to open our airspace and airports for normal operations by the 23rd April 2020.
“They will remain closed for a further two weeks. This is subject to review as appropriate.”
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