In a saddening video making the rounds online, the CEO of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, announced to staff the possible retrenchment of a large percentage of their staff nationwide as a result of the economic difficulties that have characterized the COVID-19 pandemic plaguing the world.
This is coming as a shock to many especially after the fact that Access Bank, which merged with Diamond bank early last year, donated the sum of ₦1bn towards palliatives for the Coronavirus.
Watch the video of the CEO, Herbert Wigwe speaking below:
This is the reason why access bank want to lay off 75% of its staff.. From the mouth of the MD himself pic.twitter.com/dUDBeozLCu
The number of health workers infected by coronavirus has risen to 113, the government said on Thursday. The figure was 40 last week.
The government said most of the health workers including doctors are from private hospitals and clinics.
It said some of the health workers treat coronavirus patients in private hospitals and clinics without taking the necessary precautions and without the necessary training, thereby putting themselves and their families at risk of contracting the virus.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said: “As for the over 300 doctors (infected by Covid-19) that’s a fable. It is not true. There are not so many people in the health sector who are infected. Latest figures we have is that there are about 113 and these 113 are not all public health workers.
“A good number of them are from private hospitals and if you hear us speaking here frequently against trying to treat coronavirus in private clinics we are actually referring to people who do so without having the necessary precautions, without having the necessary training. Because they risk infecting themselves and they go home and give this infection to their family. That is not the right thing.
“The healthcare workers who have no training, have no business actually handling coronavirus. As for those who do not have the necessary equipment, we have said that we have provided equipment personal protective equipment (PPE) for those who are out there.
“There are one or two places where we have heard that there is tightness in supplies and we have tried to send them over there. But let me remind you again that there is a global shortage of PPEs.
“There is a global shortage. Many countries are struggling and hustling to PPEs, even for the gowns, for face masks and I reminded you of an argument between two world powers over 200 face masks if some of you read about it that were supposed to be delivered to one but ceased by the other.
“It tells you that these things are really scary and we are doing everything we can to make sure our frontline workers have requirements and that we also have a stockpile that we can send quickly.
Meanwhile, the fear of lack of bed space for coronavirus patients at isolation centres has gripped the government.
There are 3,500 bed spaces at the various isolation and treatment centres in the country. These will became inadequate given the anticipated spike in positive cases as a result of the planned testing of two million people.
Lagos, which is the epicentre of the pandemic in the country, with close to 1,000 case as at Thursday, out of which 718 are active and 192 discharged, is worst-hit.
It has about 540 bed spaces, at the five official isolation centres, excluding the spaces at private facilities including the one in Badagry.
The government is now seeking the possibility of home treatment.
Besides, owners of uncompleted buildings or empty property are urged to donate them to the government for use.
Nigeria on Wednesday recorded 196 cases of coronavirus, its highest daily figure since the first case was recorded in February.
Before Wednesday’s cases, the highest daily figure was 195 recorded on Tuesday.
The country also recorded seven deaths from the disease on Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths to 51 from 44 on Tuesday.
These details were provided late Wednesday night by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on its Twitter handle.
“196 new cases of #COVID19 reported; 87-Lagos 24-Kano 18-Gombe 17-Kaduna 16-FCT 10-Katsina 8-Sokoto 7-Edo 6-Borno 1-Yobe 1-Ebonyi 1-Adamawa.
“As at 11:55pm 29th April- 1728 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Discharged: 307 Deaths: 51,” the health agency wrote.
The 196 cases on Wednesday brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 1,728 including 307 patients who have been discharged after recovery, and the 51 deaths.
The States
One new state, Yobe, has reported a case for the first time since the beginning of the outbreak in February, bringing to 34, the states in Nigeria with at least a case of the disease.
A breakdown of all the 1,728 cases shows that Lagos State has so far reported 931 cases, followed by FCT – 174, Kano – 139, Borno – 59, Gombe – 64, Ogun – 50, Osun – 34, Katsina – 40, Edo – 37, Bauchi – 29, Oyo – 21,Sokoto – 27, Kaduna – 32, Akwa Ibom – 12, Kwara – 11, Ekiti, Taraba and Ondo – 8, Delta and Rivers – 7, Enugu – 3, Jigawa – 7, Niger – 2, Ebonyi – 2, Adamawa – 2, Abia – 2, and Zamfara – 4. Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Bayelsa,, Kebbi, Nasarawa Yobe and Imo have one case each.
Ease of lockdown
Although more new infections are being detected in the country, the federal government on Monday eased the lockdown measures which had been in place in three cities – Abuja, Ogun and FCT. Instead , the government adopted other measures to contain the spread of the disease in the country.
The ease is expected to commence next Monday (May 4), and would be done in phases for the next six weeks.
The Director General, NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said it is critical for Nigerians to adhere to these measures to prevent COVID-19 spread.
The new measures are: daily curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., mandatory use of face masks, ban on social and religious gathering and restricted inter-state travel.
He urged Nigerians to also observe physical distancing as it is an effective way to limit the spread of COVID-19
“It is important to maintain a distance of 2 metres from others at all times. Let’s all take responsibility and adhere to guidelines put in place by authorities so that we can soon resume normal activities, he said.
An entrepreneur and graduate of Political Science from Covenant University, Judith Omonua, popularly known as Ghunu, has died after battling a heart condition for years.
Omonua was 24 years old at the time of her death.
She was supposed to undergo a heart surgery abroad but owing to the lockdown occasioned by the outbreak of Coronavirus she couldn’t travel for the surgery.
The young lady died on Monday after battling the ailment for three years. Judith Omonua
Omonua was the Chief Executive Officer of Ghunu Effects, an organic skincare brand.
SaharaReporters had last week reported how with no alternative, Nigerian patients billed for elective and emergency surgeries in India and other developed countries had to cancel their plans and seek care at home.
In a tribute to her by her sister, Obehi Omonua, the deceased was described as one, who risked her health to support others.
The tribute read, “She supported the launch of so many brands and was the technical adviser to many. She planned so many weddings for friends and family, travelled when necessary for all her friends’ weddings knowing fully well that it would take a toll on her health because on her return, it would land her in the hospital.”
Obehi said she had regularly been on oxygen mask since 2017 and was being treated at a private ward at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
She added, “Judith was one of Nigeria’s best makeup artists but had to give up that career when her health started declining in 2017. Several hospitals stays, countless injections, drips and oxygen mask marked Judith’s life from 2017 till 2020.
“On several occasions, she passed out but our prayers brought her back. LASUTH became used to her and always reserved a private ward for her but Judith was known to work from her sickbed.”
Mourning her death, Nigerians described her as a hardworking and loving lady, who died when she was just rising to fame.
Joke Oshodi said, “Why…someone who accomplished so much so young… already an independent business guru and very beautifully and wonderfully made? So many questions but we cannot question Almighty God, for only He holds all the answers. May her soul rest in peace with God. Amen.”
Tosin Ola wrote, “RIP. The most intelligent and hardworking girl filled with wisdom. Angels rejoice over your beautiful soul.”
Adebola Fayeun, who identified herself as Judith’s cousin, said she was a loving person and also attested to her kind nature.
She said, “Judith is my cousin (I can’t even bear to address her in the past tense as I can’t believe she’s gone).
“She was loved, adored and admired. It gives me great comfort and joy to hear of her glorious achievements and to know that she was loved because she touched lives beyond measure.
“I’m so deeply hurt at her passing. I am still trying to make sense of it. Thank you all for your beautiful tribute to her.”
Eweka Patricia Iyos said, “This is so sad, oh my God. You left at the peak of your career, at a time you started making an impact and your name becoming a household name. Ghunu effect, may your soul find rest.”
On Twitter, @Bubble_minakie recounted how Judith sent her money for her birthday cake in 2019.
She said, “She sent me money for my birthday cake last year and she barely knew me, I was always stuck on her page, she was so lovely.
“You will never ever know she was going through something like this. May Ghunu rest in peace.”
@Betty_Ekems said, “I’m in disbelief, how she always stayed strong, happy and ever hardworking. I would never have imagined she was battling a heart condition. I’m in so much shock.”
@Igu_chioma tweeted, “I’ve found it really hard to accept this news since I saw the news yesterday. She was a bubbly person, so full of life. She’s resting now. The earth lost one of her angels.”
The kidnappers of the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture, Folorunso Olabode, have slashed the ransom demanded from N30 million to N15 million.
The abductors had on Monday contacted his family and demanded a sum of N30 million ransom to secure the commissioner’s release.
Olabode and one other whose identity was still unknown were kidnapped by unknown gunmen along Iludun-Isan road on his way from Ado-Ekiti to Iye-Ekiti around 7.30 pm on Sunday.
A Councillor and House Leader at the Ilejemeje local government area of the state and one other occupant of the vehicle conveying the abductees was shot dead on the spot
A family source has now revealed to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday said that the ransom was reduced in the process of negotiating with the captors.
“The process of negotiation began on Monday and the initial request was a sum of N30 million.
“But as of today, Wednesday, the captors had reduced to N15 million. We are hoping that the Commissioner will be released soon because we are all concerned about his safety”, he said.
Speaking on the security measures being taken to secure Olabode’s release, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ekiti Command, Mr. Sunday Abutu, said the police and other security networks are on the trail of the bandits.
Abutu added that the police and other security have begun serious stop and search along the route to ascertain the identities of commuters.
He said the police were not aware of any negotiation on the demand made by the abductors, assuring that every security measures would be put in place to secure Olabode’s release.
“We are not aware that the bandits were requesting for any ransom, we have not been told.
“The police have begun serious security checks in that axis. We have taken strict security measures and we are closing in on them”, he said.
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, has said bank branches in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja, will be open to customers from Monday, May 4.
According to the National Coordinator of the task force, Sani Aliyu, banking halls would be open to customers between 8am and 2pm.
Aliyu also said government offices and staff of “specific grade levels” will go to work on “specific days.”
This follows President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on Monday, for the four-week lockdown to be eased from next week.
“For government offices, government staff will be allowed to resume from May 4, but it will be based on specific grade levels and specific days so that we can reduce the amount of congestion that we might have in our government offices and we will be discussing further with state governments to make sure that we have a common approach to this.
“Banks will be allowed to open but there will be a restriction in the opening hours to between 8am to 2pm and together with all the other preventive measures I have already mentioned.
“In addition to this, from the point of agriculture and rural development, companies involved in food processing can commence operation.
“In construction sites, the critical roads will be allowed but waivers will be provided by state governments to enable movement.
“For the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, we will encourage shift work and limiting staff to only 30 to 50% to maintain social distancing and pharmacy shops may remain open overnight.”
Aliyu however reiterated safety precautions like self-distancing, use of temperature monitors and hand sanitizers.
The Kano State government has confirmed 38 new cases of coronavirus disease in the State.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, on Tuesday confirmed 195 new cases of coronavirus in the country.
Out of the 195 cases, thirty-eight cases were recorded in Kano.
Confirming the development, the Kano State Ministry of Health, in a tweet via its Twitter handle on Wednesday, also said the State has recorded three deaths.
The tweet read “COVID19KN Update as at 1:20am 29th April 2020.
“38 New #COVID19 cases confirmed.
“Total confirmed cases in @KanostateNg are now 115.
“3 COVID19 deaths were recorded.
“StayAtHome to break the chain of COVID19 transmission.”
Mass retirement of senior staff of The Niger Delta Development CommissionNiger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) may take place today, The Nation has been reliably informed.
It was gathered the action may affect senior staff of the commission with two years or less to retire.
Some of those that may be consumed by the purge are Directors, Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors.
Also to be affected are staff with cases at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
A reliable source close to the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the commission, who spoke in confidence, disclosed the Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei-led management will have a crucial meeting by 9 am today, which would be followed by a meeting with the staff to drop the bombshell.
It was also revealed Pondei and four other members of the IMC of NDDC were not happy that forensic audit of the commission from 2000 to 2019 ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, was being frustrated by internal saboteurs.
This, it was gathered, necessitated the drastic action.
The source disclosed that most of the former top officials of NDDC and contractors that would be affected by the forensic audit have their informants among senior personnel of the commission.
It was learnt they have been divulging secrets/classified information while attempting to frustrate the activities of the IMC, which he said would not be allowed.
NDDC’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, couldn’t be reached on phone for reaction as at press time.
A Federal High Court in Lagos State has ruled against the 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Bukola Saraki, his campaign director in the 2019 general election over unauthorised use of the photograph of Mrs. Amuda Adeleke, Lagos-based trader, on their campaign billboard.
Late last year, Mrs Adeleke, a Lagos-based trader, had dragged Saraki who was the Director-General of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation during the 2019 General Election, before the court for using her picture on campaign billboards without her consent.
Also joined in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/./19, were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party’s presidential flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr Peter Obi, his running mate.
Justice Ayokunle Faji, who has been in charge of matter, made a monetary award of N5m to Mrs. Adeleke, yesterday, explaining that the money would be jointly and severally paid by Atiku, Saraki, the PDP, and Peter Obi, Atiku’s running mate during the election.
Atiku and Obi lost the election to the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidates, Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
The trader had told the court that the unauthorised use of her photograph for the party’s campaign caused her embarrassment.
“All my friends who saw the campaign billboard said it portrayed me as a woman stricken with poverty who had lost all hope and was prepared to commit suicide,” she said.
She asked the court to award N45m against Atiku, Saraki, the PDP and Obi for infringing on her fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.
However, after ruling in her favour, the judge, instead, awarded N5m against the defendants.
195 new cases of Coronavirus have been recorded in Nigeria.
According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC, 80 of the new cases were recorded in Lagos, 38 in Kano, 15 in Ogun, 15 in Bauchi, 11 in Borno, 10 in Gombe, 9 in Sokoto, 5 in Edo, 5 in Jigawa, 2 in Zamfara, 1 in Rivers, 1 in Enugu, 1 in Delta, 1 in FCT and 1 in Nasarawa State.
As at 11:50pm 28th April- 1532 confirmed cases of COVID19 were reported in Nigeria. Discharged cases: 255 Deaths: 44
