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Donald Trump Reopens America Despite Increase In COVID-19 Deaths

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Donald Trump Reopens America Despite Increase In COVID-19 Deaths

U.S. President Donald Trump has said border control and travel restrictions would be top priority as the country prepares to reopen its economy after a costly coronavirus shutdown.

Trump said during his daily news briefing on COVID-19 at the White House on Thursday where he announced a three-phased plan for the reopening process.

“As we begin a science-based reopening, we must be extra vigilant in blocking the foreign entry of the virus from abroad.

“Border control, travel restrictions and other limitations on entry are more important than never before to keep the virus in check and allow Americans to get back to work,” he said.

Citing expert advice, the president said the pandemic curve had flattened and the peak in new cases behind, hence the need for Americans to “start our lives again”.

However, he said the States would decide on when to reopen, but the guidelines recommend criteria that would have to be met in this regard.

“America wants to be open.

“Based on the latest data, our team of experts agree we can start the next front in our war, which we are calling ‘Opening up America Again”.

“And that is what we are doing, opening up our country and we have to do that,” he said.

Trump said that a prolonged shutdown combined with “a forced economic depression” could deeply hurt the country and its economy.

The document lays out the guidelines to be followed for reopening of businesses across the country badly hit by the economic impact of the pandemic.

One of the key recommendations for the first phase is the avoidance of groups of more than 10 people where appropriate social distancing is impossible.

The first phase also discourages non-essential travel, and encourages telework (working from home) and closure of common areas in offices.

Also recommended is the need for States to achieve a 14-day “downward trajectory” in coronavirus cases before beginning the re-opening process.

Under the plan, States are expected to set up screening and testing centres in addition to develop contact tracing capabilities.

It also recommends that hospitals should have a “robust testing programme,” in place for healthcare workers, among others.

While acknowledging that there would be challenges ahead, Trump said the goal was to quickly identify and address new cases.

“If the virus returns in the fall as some scientists think it may, possibly, these guidelines will ensure that our country is up and running so that we can likewise put it out quickly,” he said.

(NAN)

Free electricity amid Coronavirus pandemic is not for all Nigerians – Femi Gbajabiamila

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Free electricity amid Coronavirus pandemic is not for all Nigerians - Femi Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has revealed that the free electricity proposal amid the Coronavirus pandemic is not for all Nigerians.

The Speaker disclosed this after a meeting yesterday April 16, with top federal government officials, principal officers of the House of Representatives and stakeholders in the power sector.

It was agreed that a joint committee will be setup to work out modalities for the proposed two-month free power supply to Nigerians aimed at cushioning the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Femi Gbajabiamila said the committee would identify Nigerians that would benefit from the free power supply using the number of households connected to the national grid “which will give a way forward for regular power supply to Nigerians after the COVID-19 crisis.”

Tweets shared on his official Twitter handle reads;

As part of ongoing efforts to provide free electricity to Nigerians during this COVID-19 lockdown, today the @HouseNGR leadership under my watch met with the power sector stakeholders,the Minister of Power, GMD of NNPC @MKKyari, NERC Chairman, MD of NBET, Heads of all DISCOs…..to work out the most practical way to effect this palliative.

With all the useful submissions I have set up a technical committee that will design a workable model that will hopefully target intended consumers throughout Nigeria.Everyone is committed to achieving this objective

Free electricity amid Coronavirus pandemic is not for all Nigerians – Femi Gbajabiamila

On his own part, the NNPC GMD Mele Kyari stated that the issue of gas supply to the GenCos is critical to power supply in the country. He added that the proposal is workable if the issue of who is to carry the burden of cost and margins in the supply value chain is settled and agreed on.

Mele further disclosed that “note had to be taken of the actual beneficiaries of the two-month free power supply palliative because not every Nigerian falls into the category of the poorest.” He pointed out that the industrial sector should be of concern at the end of the crisis period.

The NNPC GMD said though 100 per cent uninterrupted power supply is impossible because not enough is generated due to the COVID-19 crisis, he assured that gas supply would not be an issue as 100 per cent supply is guaranteed once the debt issue is addressed.

The DisCos assured that they can deliver the mandate as soon as all the details were worked out and agreed on.

KWAM1 Finally Breaks Silence On Sleeping With Alaafin’s Olori

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
KWAM1 Finally Breaks Silence On Sleeping With Alaafin's Olori

Fuji music legend, King Ayinde Wasiu aka KWAM1, has reacted to rumors of his alleged affair with one of the wives of the Alaafin of Oyo, Ajoke Adeyemi. Rumors have been rife online since yesterday April 15th that the wife of the 80-year-old monarch had been sent packing from the palace over her alleged affair with the music maestro.

In a statement released this afternoon, KWAM1 said the allegation is a lie concocted from the pit of hell. He opined that those behind the allegation were only bitter that the monarch conferred a reverred chieftaincy title on him a while back. He hinted he will be seeking legal redress.

Read his statement below

The attention of Fuji Maestro and Mayegun of Yorubaland, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1 De Ultimate, has been drawn to the rumour making the rounds in the past 48 hours, on social media platforms, where it has been alleged that the music icon was having an affair with Olori Ajoke, one of the wives of Alayeluwa, the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111.

Ordinarily, one would have waved off this allegation as one coming from the warped mind of one possibly numbed by high covid-19 fever.

But as known in these parts, a lie repeatedly told, has a way of transmuting to truth.

Let me categorically state that the rumour is lies concocted from the pit of hell by those whose aim is to drag to the mud, the name of K1 De Ultimate and ultimately that of the most revered kingdom in Yoruba land.

These agents of Lucifer have continued in their warped delusions to see K1 go to the ground just for being conferred with the title of Mayegun of Yoruba land. The Alaafin’s crime is the conferment of the honour, hence the grim plot to drag him down also. Moreover, the higly respected Monarch and his Olori have both debunked the story as baseless and unfounded.

For the records, as the Mayegun of Yorubaland, K1 is aware of the customs and traditions of the Yoruba and as such, can not put the culture and tradition of the Yorubaland to disrepute.

Let me remind the rumour mongers that Nigeria has adequate laws to bring anyone who has embarked on character assassination of the innocent to book. The fans and the general public should be rest assured that we will legally seek redress for this allegation.

Signed;

Kunle Rasheed,

Media Adviser

Panic As Coronavirus Cases In Kano Double, Bringing Total Number In Nigeria To 407

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Panic As Coronavirus Cases In Kano Double, Bringing Total Number In Nigeria To 407

Some Nigerians have reacted to the accelerated increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kano.

Kano State Government had yesterday confirmed twelve new cases of Coronavirus.

Reacting, Nigerians took to the social media, stating that the development was highly worrisome.

In several tweets, some expressed worries that the outbreak will not be ending anytime soon and that the lockdown will likely be extended because of the rise in the confirmed cases in Kano within just 48 hours.

Others alleged that the figures were increased because the state wants to get COVID-19 allocations.

Here are some comments gathered by DAILY POST:

@nwafresh”With the way Kano state is picking up, I think someone should tell Kano state that this is not the 2019 election result o. If Alamajeri children contact this expensive thing, it is finished o.”

@ mrmanhere_” It isn’t surprising how Kano state went from just a single case to 12 cases in the space of 48 hours. When we said the Corona will spread like wildfire if it ever gets to the north, some people almost turned into a tribal war on this TL .”

@ danny_walter ”Kano please this is not Election ooo, don’t bring that Energy abeg we are tired of staying at home.”

@kolamide_”12 cases in Kano is just like Usain Bolt running 100meters …. Taking over Lagos soon expecting Kano Pro Max very soon. NCDC please build more isolation centers I don’t see this Corona Holiday ending soon.”

@ewawunmii”I told my friend that if this thing enter Kano, Kaduna and co it will be very terrible and will even be topping Lagos, she insulted me saying it’s because I don’t like Arewa I’m like chill, My daddy is from kaduna and I know what I’m saying, I guess she will see this tweet.”

@abubakarsadiqusman”This Kano own is something else o. I just imagine how it would be in the next few days.”

@ahmedmayaki” When Elrufaitook proactive measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, some pessimists thought he was overreacting. With the scary surge of cases in Kano & Katsina, even cynics now understand it was for public interest.Let’s pray for our neighbors.”

@bhadmusakeem”NCDC is reporting 16 confirmed cases. Kano is reporting 21 confirmed cases. My fear lies in the unreported cases.”

@islimfit”Another major fear with Kano? Ramadan is fast approaching. They are going to gather in their numbers. They should lock down all the mosques and sensitise the entire people about the deadly outcome of their refusal to stay at home.”

@thpreco9dayz” How Kano went from 1 case to 12 is something that shouldn’t be ignored.”

@iamtopsy4real”The way things are going i think Kano state should be put on a red flag by now. With the massive population of people in Kano and also Kano been the commercial hub of business in the north, more light should be deam to Kano state right now.”

@dondekojo”One death within 10 minutes. Kano.”

@iamgigin ”Why do I feel KANO is just giving numbers so that they will get COVID19 allocation.”

@dellizing ”Well, I’m doubting Kano figure because since the announcement of EU supporting fund Kano infected cases is rising daily…Wetin I know self?? ”

@adesolaahmed”Wow wow wow… I just believe the governor is culpable. He didn’t act fast enough. He ought to have closed down congregational prayer earlier than he did but they don’t like to hear it. Now we are here.”

@highlandre1 ”Despite living in Lagos with the highest number of Coronavirus cases, these Kano figures really scare me. They’d better shut down Kano now!!”

 

DailyPost

MFM G.O Olukoya lists effects of Coronavirus on individuals, politicians, reveals only solution

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
MFM G.O Olukoya lists effects of Coronavirus on individuals, politicians, reveals only solution

The founder and General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr. Daniel Olukoya, on Wednesday, highlighted what the deadly coronavius has done to Nigeria, politicians and Nigerians.

Olukoya, who spoke during the church’s Manna water live broadcast, said nothing happens in the spiritual and physically without the permission of the Almighty.

Calling on Nigerians to pray for peace in the world and not panic, the cleric listed some of the effects of the virus on politicians and Nigerians.

He said “the virus is teaching the human race a vivid lesson that God is the Almighty and human race are just humans

“The human race has rested from their recklessness, Human beings have learnt how to bow their proud heads and think quietly

“The greedy heart of some many people is being purified, many mouths is being purified. People who do not pray are now praying. This is what I call holiness by fire by force.

“Suddenly nobody is thinking about business, many have abandoned their concubines. No more spending lavishly on artists.”

He, therefore, called for sober reflection, while advising Christians to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Olukoya also prayed for the governemnt to get divine wisdom to handle the pandemic, adding that he hopes politicians turn a new leaf.

“People are no longer Gluttonous. This is the time for sober reflection, time for thinking deeply on how we live our life. Some now have the strength of management, we understand that’s going to church is not the same as going to God. Money is now useless to the rich, fathers understand why it is necessary to have a family.

“Hopefully this one will touch politicians to turn a new leaf. Tragically and sorrowfully the most busiest place now are places people fear most, the hospitals and morgues.

“It is time to assess how you live your life. It is time to put your house together and prepare for the second coming,” he said.

InterPol Foils €1.5m Face Masks Supply Fraud Linked To Nigeria

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
InterPol Foils €1.5m Face Masks Supply Fraud Linked To Nigeria
This photo taken on February 18, 2020 shows a worker sorting face masks being produced to satisfy increased demand during China's COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, at a factory in Nanjing, in China's Jiangsu province. - The medical equipment factory switched surgical instruments and dental equipment production lines to a mask production line to meet the increased demand. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

The International Criminal Police Organisation says it has foiled a coordinated multinational face masks supply fraud worth €1.5 million allegedly linked to Nigeria.

The agency explained that the suspects used a compromised email address linked to a legitimate company in Spain selling face masks and a fake website.

The company originally claimed to have 10 million masks but could not deliver them and later referred the buyer to a dealer in Ireland who promised to put the buyer in touch with a different supplier in The Netherlands.

The Interpol said, “Claiming to have a strong commercial relationship with the company, the man provided assurances that the alleged Dutch company would be able to supply the 10 million face masks.

“An agreement for an initial delivery of 1.5 million masks was made, in exchange for an upfront payment of €1.5m.

“The buyers initiated a bank transfer to Ireland and prepared for delivery.”

But just before the order was to be delivered, the Interpol explained that the buyers were told that the funds had not been received, and the fraudster asked that an emergency transfer of €880,000 be made to the suppliers in The Netherlands.

It added, “The fund was sent but the buyers soon realised that they have been defrauded and immediately contacted their bank in Germany, which in turn contacted Interpol’s financial crimes unit.”

Interpol disclosed that it contacted its National Central Bureau in Dublin as well as the Irish bank, noting that the prompt intervention by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau allowed them to freeze the €1.5m in the account and identify the Irish company involved.

“The Dutch Fiscal Information and Investigation Service quickly tracked down the €880,000 which had been transferred from the German company. Nearly €500,000 of those funds had already been sent to the United Kingdom, all of which was destined for an account in Nigeria,” the global police said.

AFP

Bribe-seeking Abia NSCDC officer shoots dead commercial driver

By
Shalom Ekelaka
-
Bribe-seeking Abia NSCDC officer shoots dead commercial driver

A commercial vehicle driver, Amobi Igwe, was on Wednesday killed by a trigger-happy officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Eke Richard.

The incident happened at the tollgate area of the Umuahia-Aba Expressway in Umuikea, Isialangwa South Local Government Area of Abia State around 7.10am, while the victim was conveying food items, like rice and tomatoes, to Aba.

The NSCDC officer was alleged to have demanded a bribe from the driver, who reportedly refused to part with any money.

Richard was alleged to have aimed his rifle at the driver and threatened to shoot him if he refused to hand over the key of the vehicle to him.

Sources said the middle-aged driver demanded to know his offence, but the NSCDC officer allegedly shot him at a close range and ran into the police station near the Umuikaa junction to escape mob attack.

The state Commandant of the NSCDC, A. C. Nwannukwu, confirmed the incident in a statement, stating that the driver from Ishiagu in Ebonyi State, was not conveying foodstuffs and allegedly refused to stop when asked to do so.

According to him, Amobi sped off dangerously, skidded over the barricade and brushed the officer with the car.

Nwannukwu added that at that point, Richard fired at the vehicle’s tyres, but “unfortunately, the bullet strayed and hit the driver, leaving him seriously wounded. He was subsequently rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead.”

Meanwhile, the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders has demanded the immediate arrest, dismissal and prosecution of Richard, describing his action as “barbaric and wicked.”

“We condemn in the strongest term the killing of the driver by the NSCDC operative. We demand the immediate dismissal, arrest and prosecution of the NSCDC personnel and the team that caused the untimely death of this young man, who had a family and children to take care of,” the group said in a statement by its President-General and Secretary-General, Goodluck Ibem and Kanice Igwe, respectively.

Similarly, the police in Anambra State allegedly killed two persons, while enforcing the lockdown order in the state on Tuesday.

The incident happened at the New Tire Market Area of Nkpor in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

An eyewitness told PUNCH Metro that one of the victims died on the spot, while the other passed away while being rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

The incident triggered a protest by residents, who blocked the New Tire Market of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway and made bonfires.

Vehicular and human movement to and from Onitsha from the Nkpor area were affected for several hours.

A resident told one of our correspondents that trouble started when the policemen on patrol ordered some youths at a pub to disperse.

The resident said, “The youth told the policemen that the place was their residence and questioned why they should be ordered into their rooms.

“They asked the police if the restriction on movement involved people not coming out in front of their houses to relax.

“The question angered the policemen and they started threatening to shoot; the situation became tensed and attracted a crowd.

“The youth insisted that since they were in front of their residences, the police could not force them into their rooms, particularly when there was no power supply.

“At that point, the policemen opened fire on them and rushed into their patrol van and zoomed off when they saw the lifeless bodies of their victims on the ground.”

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident.

He described the development as an unprovoked attack on the police patrol team.

Mohammed stated, “It was an unprovoked attack on the police patrol team with substances suspected to be acid by some miscreants in the area.

“They snatched the rifle of a policeman after pouring acid on him, which prompted the other policemen to use force to retrieve the rifle.”

Haruna said efforts were ongoing to restore peace in the area.

 

PUNCH

28 Years Old Pregnant Nurse Dies of COVID-19

By
Kehinde Irinoye
-

 

Tinubu Urges Government To Pay Relief Funds Through BVN

By
Kehinde Irinoye
-

National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has urged the Federal Government to make cash payments to households through Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Nigerians.

Tinubu gave the advice in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said payments could be made quickly by using the BVN of prospective recipients to make direct deposits into individual bank accounts.

The APC leader said the use of BVN would also be safer and not lead to the types of violence and crime that might follow physical cash transfers.

Tinubu said this would even encourage those without bank accounts to establish such accounts and this process would further bring millions of people into formal banking.

“The money-less family still needs food, water, shelter and, to a lesser degree, utilities. In a compassionate society, they should not be made to do without.

“Most families need relief. If relief is not forthcoming, these families risk hunger and its attendant suffering and woes,” Tinubu said.

He said the palliative measures would blunt hunger, maintain aggregate demand in the domestic economy and help sustain private-sector markets to the extent possible.

Tinubu explained that such payments could be done in either one or in a combination of three ways.

He said: “First, we can designate a stipend for every household. The amount should be enough to pay for the monthly needs of an “average” household for food and other basics.

“While this may somewhat penalise larger families, perfection cannot be had at this time.

“Second, the stipends could be given as a form of emergency unemployment insurance to those who can prove they were relieved of employment due to the crisis.

“This will be more targeted at the actual victims of the crisis but harder to administer. This stipend will also have to be extended to owners of small and medium-sized businesses.

“Third, the government can render some form of payroll support to companies and businesses that seek to retain workers albeit they may not be fully employed.

“The stipend can help companies stay in operation while maintaining workers on their payroll. By maintaining workers, the company can more swiftly return to full operation when normalcy returns.”

Tinubu said payment of these stipends would require hiring additional government workers to augment the existing bureaucracies to implement that programme.

According to him, this administrative requirement will help boost employment and aggregate consumer demand.

He said that activating Trader-moni and other programmes would help many small-scale traders but not the average wage earner who just lost his job.

Source: PM News

Coronavirus: Doctor in his 70s at Kingston Hospital dies

By
Kehinde Irinoye
-

A doctor who specialised in treating the elderly has died after testing positive for Covid-19.

Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, who was in his 70s, died on Saturday, four days after being admitted to Kingston Hospital.

The consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967, had a long association with the hospital in south-west London.

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said he had last worked on 20 March.

It had previously been reported that Dr Sebastianpillai had retired, but the BBC has been told this was not the case.

“It is with great sadness that I confirm the death of a consultant geriatrician who was part of the team at Kingston Hospital,” a trust spokeswoman said.

“Dr Anton Sebastianpillai died on Saturday having been cared for in the hospital’s intensive care unit since 31 March.

“We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family.”

‘Hugely respected’

Dr Sebastianpillai trained at the Peradeniya Medical School in Sri Lanka and qualified in 1967, according to the institution.

In an obituary notice, he was referred to as a “distinguished alumnus”.

In a tweet, acting Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said Dr Sebastianpillai’s death was “very sad news” and he had been “privileged” to meet the “hugely respected” consultant and author.

BBC News

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