The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reviewed its testing strategy for COVID-19 regarding the management of confirmed cases.
It was gathered that the new guideline requires patients to be discharged after testing negative once for the disease, unlike it is usually the case.
This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the NCDC, Emeka Oguanuo, on Wednesday, May 13; stating the agency will soon publish the new guidelines with further details.
Nigeria has so far recorded 4,787 cases of COVID-19 out of which 959 patients have recovered and have been discharged from isolation centres across the states.
But before getting discharged, NCDC initially required that patients must test negative at least twice for their health status to be confirmed.
It is not immediately clear the reason for the revision; but the agency has repeatedly said its response to the pandemic is guided by the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendations.
On April 30, the NCDC said it was struggling for bed spaces to admit COVID-19 patients in Lagos.
While briefing the media, the director-general of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu said efforts are being made to change strategy; in order not to allow inadequate bed spaces to affect the fight against the coronavirus.
He also said no state in the country has enough bed space to admit COVID-19 cases.
Various countries and organisations, however, adopt different strategies in their responses.
For instance, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said a single negative test for COVID-19 (especially if from an upper respiratory tract specimen) “does not exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
The WHO recently said there is no evidence that those that have recovered are immune to the disease. Indeed, some of those patients have tested positive a second time after recovery.
A certain Nigerian lady with the username @harbeeola08 has stunned her followers with her recent post on the microblogging site, Twitter.
The Nigerian lady who is reportedly a makeup artist could not hold back her excitement as she mocked her friend; who she claims is still barren. According to the single mum, her friend mocked her intensely when she got back pregnant during her time in school.
@Harbeeola08 mentioned that she took in when she was still in 400 level in higher institution. This propagated stigma amongst her peers as her friend gossiped about the incident and it has never sat well with her.
Fast forward to 2020, news got to the vexed Nigerian lady that her friend from the university; is yet to give birth after tying the knots for two years.
“My friend was against me having a child when I was in 400L. She gossiped about me several times but I didn’t get mad. She has been married for 2 years and I heard she’s praying to God for the fruit of the womb,” she wrote.
After she made the post, several Twitter users took to her handle to call her out for jubilating over her friend’s childlessness.
Some have stated that she is disrespectful for mocking her friend due to her current condition. In fact, a commentator stated that she is too bitter to be called a mother.
Meanwhile, others some cautioned her against thinking that it is God that revenged on her behalf.
Eight people were on Wednesday killed in a fresh attack by suspected bandits in Gonan Rogo, Kufana District, Kajuru Local Government area of Kaduna State.
DAILYPOST recalls that 17 people were killed on Tuesday while several houses and property worth thousands of naira was destroyed. Wednesday’s attack took place in three villages, Bakin- Kogi, Idanu and Makyali linking Gonan Rogo in Kufana District. It was reliably gathered that after Tuesday’s attack, wives and children from the three villages ran for safety, took shelter in a nearby Idon community while the men stayed behind in case of further attack. But, they were all taken unaware when the bandits stormed the area early Wednesday morning. Confirming the latest killings, President of the Adara Development Association (ADA), Mr. Awema Maisamari, said the attackers stormed the village shooting sporadically and killed seven instantly, while one person was found dead in a nearby bush. According to him, the gunmen attacked Bakin- Kogi, Idanu and Makyali communities.
Mr. Awema Maisamari said two other persons were seriously injured and were taken to a nearby hospital. Kaduna State Police Command’s PPRO, ASP Mohammed Jalige did not respond to calls put across to him for confirmation.
Following the reports of the recent death of Rinji Peter Bala who was shot to death by security operatives, the state Operation SAFE HAVE HAVEN have issued a statement
READ:
“OPSH REGRETS THE UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF CIVILIAN ON 12 MAY 2020
Operation SAFE HAVE HAVEN regrets the unfortunate death of a civilian by name Mr Rinji Peter Bala by its personnel.
At about 10pm on 12 May 2020, information was received on the activities of suspected armed robbers and cultists operating around No 18th Street, Jos South LGA of Plateau State. The report revealed that the criminals took advantage of the lockdown and curfew to perpetrate crimes. Consequently, Sector 1 patrol troops of OPSH swiftly responded and arrested 7 suspects, which were immediately moved to the Headquarters Sector 1 for preliminary investigation. Thereafter, 5 out of the 7 suspects were cleared and asked to leave the premises. Unfortunately as they were leaving the premises, one of the personnel on sentry duty mistook them for escaping suspects. Thus opened fire on them, which led to the death of Mr Rinji Bala.
However, a thorough investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile the MOPOL personnel involved in the incident has been arrested and detained accordingly.
Operation SAFE HAVEN has condemned the sad incident. Representative of OPSH has also visited the parents of the deceased to commiserate with them. OPSH also assures the general public of justice”.
Ibrahim Shittu Major Media Officer, Operation SAFE HAVEN
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong expresses shock and sadness over the death of Mr. Rinji Peter Bala, who was said to have been shot by security personnel along Zaria Road, Jos on 12th May 2020.
Consequently, he has directed that thorough investigation be carried out to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killing of the young man. He assures that those found culpable will face the law of the land. Already, a security personel alleged to have been involved in the incident has been taken into custody for further investigation. The Governor appeals for calm and commiserates with the family of the late Rinji Bala.
Meanwhile, Governor Lalong has appealed to citizens to continue to observe the lockdown directives put in place towards curbing COVID-19.
A 20year old youth named Rinji Peter Bala also know as Bobo has been reported shot by men of the Nigerian army at Sector 1 in the evening hours of Tuesday 12th 2020 in Jos Plateau State. AT the family house we learnt that the youths numbered 7 were apprehended by vigilantes breaking the lockdown order around 7pm at hwolshe area overhead bridge and where handed to the soldiers around 18th street Lounge and later transferred to the Army Sector 1 at the new Zaria Road stadium. Describing the incident one of the 7 boys(names withheld) said that after thorough investigation and torture they were found innocent and told to run away. He said as they ran out of the Army Sector 1 as been instructed, they were shot at and the deceased was shot dead and they all had to keep running after which they noticed that the absence of Rinji.
The father who later got reports of the arrests went on to the Army sector only to be told that the boys had already been released as they were not criminals but on getting home, he was told by the other boys that his son fell after he was shot at and had to go back. The father later saw the boy lying lifeless on the road close to the Army sector at Zaria Road.
The family is yet to issue any statement on the incident as they have been in continuous mourning. As at the time of filling this report the remaining 6 boys have been taken to the state Police A-Division to file a report after which an investigation will commence.
Ambassador Gambari, a Nigerian scholar-diplomat, was the first Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa (1999-2005). In that capacity, he worked closely with heads of government, key policy makers as well as institutions on the continent to develop the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). During this period, he was concurrently the Resident Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Mission to Angola (2002-2003). He has been a delegate to the Assembly of the African Union as a national delegate (1984-1985) and as a member of the UN Secretary-General’s delegation (2000-2012).
Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, is currently the Founder/Chairman of Savannah Center External link in Abuja, Nigeria, a think-tank for research, training and public policy debate on the nexus between diplomacy (conflict resolution), democracy and development in Africa.
His last assignment at the United Nations was as the Joint Special Representative of the Secretary General and Chairperson of the African Union Commission/Head of the UN and AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) from January 2010 to July 2012. During Ambassador Gambari’s tenure, UNAMID was the world’s largest international peacekeeping mission.
Ambassador Gambari has held several leadership positions at the national, regional and international levels and has built extensive contacts with governments as well as public and private institutions, especially in Africa. He was the Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid (1990-1994) during which he worked closely with African governments to coordinate UN policy to eradicate apartheid, thereby building trust and confidence with governments and policymakers in member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
At the global level, Ambassador Gambari was Under-Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (2005-2007). In that period, he also operated as UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Cyprus, Zimbabwe and Myanmar. On May 22, 2007, the Secretary-General entrusted him with the Good Offices Mandate on Myanmar. He was also appointed in 2007 by the Secretary-General as Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Iraq Compact and Other Issues, positions he held until 2009.
Before joining the United Nations, he served his country as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (1990-1999). He was also Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (1984-1985) and worked closely with regional leaders, institutions and governments, particularly within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on the economic and political development of the sub-region. Prior to this, he was the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
As a scholar, Ambassador Gambari is the author of several books and scholarly articles. He began his teaching career as a Lecturer at the Queen’s College, City University of New York (1969-1974), followed by an Assistant Professorship at the State University of New York (1974-1977). Upon returning to Nigeria, he was appointed Senior Lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, (1977-1980), and rose to become an Associate Professor (Reader), (1980-1983) and subsequently full Professor at the same University (1983 –present–currently on leave of absence). Ambassador Gambari was a visiting Professor at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of the Johns Hopkins University, Georgetown University and Howard University in Washington, D.C. from 1986 to 1989. Ambassador Gambari was also a Research Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington, D.C., as well as a Resident Scholar with the Rockefeller Foundation Centre in Bellagio, Italy.
A recipient of the third highest national honour, Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), Ambassador Gambari has also been awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) form the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut (2002) and Farleigh Dickinson University, New Jersey (2006). Others include: Honorary Doctorate of Public Service, Chatham University (May 2008) and Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), University of Ibadan, Nigeria (November 2011). He has also received the Special Recognition for International Development and Diplomacy Award conferred by the Africa-America Institute (September 2007), the Distinguished (Foreign) Service Award by the Federal Government of Nigeria (April 2008), the International House Harry Edmonds Award for Lifetime Achievement, New York (May 2009) and the Campaign Against Genocide Medal by the Republic of Rwanda (July 2010).
Ambassador Gambari received South Africa’s highest national honour conferred on non-citizens, the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo, which was conferred to him personally by President Jacob Zuma on October 26, 2012. Professor Gambari was elected to the Johns Hopkins University Society of Scholars in 2002 and has since 2005 served as a member of the International Advisory Board of the Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance at Africa University, Zimbabwe. He was appointed as First Chancellor, Kwara State University in Nigeria, March 2013.
President Muhammadu Buhari has just appointed Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, CFR as the NEW Chief of Staff.
Buhari’s appointment of Gambari is coming a few weeks after the death of his former CoS, Abba Kyari. It will be recalled that Kyari lost his life to the deadly COVID-19 Virus. POLITICS NIGERIA, as at the time of filing this report, gathered that Gambari’s letter of appointment was being drafted and an official announcement will soon be made. Gambari is a Nigerian scholar, diplomat and an indigene of Kwara State.
Furthermore, he is a former minister of External Affairs. He is also the Pioneer Chancellor of Kwara State University and holds the prestigious national honour of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
Worried by the continuous violation of the closure of all boundary routes into Plateau State which has been identified as a major source of importing COVID-19 into the State, Governor Simon Bako Lalong on Monday 11th May 2020 visited some boundary entry points to assess the situation.
Governor Lalong was at the Forest-Hawan Kibo boundary point in Riyom Local Government area which is one of the major entrance routes to the State from FCT, Nasarawa, Kaduna and other parts of the country.
The Governor addressed the security personnel at the boundary where he expressed displeasure over the fact that the orders issued by the State and Federal Governments are not being carried out effectively as people still enter the State despite the closure order.
He said “We have given the order that no vehicles should come into the State while trucks should not pass this boundary once it is 6pm, even if it is exempted from the movement restriction. I see from the CCTV how these trucks pass and this must stop. I am warning the officers and men here to be more diligent, or face the consequences. You have made sacrifices to assist Government contain COVID-19, please don’t allow few among you to spoil your good work and integrity”.
Chairman of Riyom Local Government Mafeng Gwolson told the Governor that the border has been reinforced while illegal routes are also being addressed adequately through community engagement.
Along the way, the Governor intercepted some motorists for violating the movement order and non use of face masks. He counseled them and then directed security agencies to ensure they are made to comply with Government directives. When he visited the Ganawuri-Manchok boundary route, Governor Simon Lalong again emphasized the need for strict adherence to the boundary closure in order to curb the transfer of the disease from other States and within Local Governments.
He also visited the Jingre-Saminaka boundary post in Bassa Local Government where he directed that all illegal boundary routes should be blocked with concrete barriers such as the one identified near the NNPC Depot on Zaria road. He also directed the Local Government Chairman to engage the community leaders and also liaise with the NURTW to ensure that the trucks at the boundary are evacuated and strict compliance to boundary closure enforced.
Lalong said “The rising cases in the State with origin from other States demand that all hands must be on deck to curtail importation and also deal with the community spread from existing cases which are 17 as at 9th May 2020”.
He also visited one of the mobile courts in Jingre where he commended the Magistrates for working tenaciously to safeguard the lives of the citizens through addressing violations of government directives.
The Governor was also at the Ryom General Hospital which has been designated as a treatment centre for COVID-19. He was briefed on the few modifications required to make the facility suitable by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Nimkong Lar.
On return to Government House in Rayfield, the Governor inspected a handwashing machine produced by one of the leading innovators in Plateau State, Engr. Jerry Mallo.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham, ANIPR Director of Press &Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State. 11th May 2020
Madagascar has reportedly sent its COVID-19 herbal remedy to Nigeria and other African countries.
The herbal medicine known as COVID Organics (COV) is reported to be effective against coronavirus.
Nigeria’s consignment has been sent to Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja.
For ease of transportation, African countries were divided into zones leading to the freighting of Nigeria’s consignments to Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria’s COVID-19 positive tally moved to 4,399 last night with 248 new cases announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Lagos recorded 81 cases, followed by Jigawa State 35 and Borno 26 cases to top the chart. Kano recorded 26 cases, followed by Bauchi with 20 cases.
There is pressure on the Federal Government by different medical and scientific organizations to allow the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to subject the drug to further analysis.
Some others are pushing for clinical trial of Covid Organics before being used in the country.
The Federal Government was yet to take a position as at the weekend because the AU has mandated its Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to review the scientific data gathered so far on the safety and efficacy of the COVID Organics. The World Health Organisation (WHO) last week insisted that the efficacy of the drug was unproven.
Also, as part of steps to contain COVID-19, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has started negotiating with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) on how to source volunteer doctors and health workers.
The health workers will help to assist ravaged states in the North-West and North-East especially, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states.
The Chairman of NGF, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, is coordinating the talks with the two professional associations with juicy welfare package.
According to a source, who spoke in confidence, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has been notified of the offer from Madagascar and arrangements were being made to bring Nigeria’s allocation to Abuja.
The source said: “The consignments of the drug are being distributed to different countries in Africa based on zonal grouping. We have been told that Nigeria’s consignment is in Equatorial Guinea from where it will be airlifted to Abuja.
“When the herbal drink is brought into the country, we will know the next step. But some medical and scientific organisations are pressurising that the drug be subjected to clinical trial.
“Some countries like Tanzania, Congo-Brazzaville, Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea have subscribed to the drugs. Also, while South Africa has offered to conduct a scientific analysis of the drug, Senegal said it will subject it to clinical trial.
“I can assure you that the Federal Government will take the best decision on the drug in the overall interest of Nigerians.
“Before any food or drug can be administered in this country, there are certain protocols that must be followed. The government will not circumvent these protocols. We want solution; we want the best for Nigerians.”
On April 28, the Chairman of the PTF on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha said the nation was ready to give Madagascar’s herbal drink a trial.
He said: “I want to assure you that whatever is happening in the world, we are mindful of it and we are keeping a tab.
“I was reading of the experiences in Madagascar– of why everybody is drinking some solutions that have been prepared.
This morning I was sharing with my wife, and I told her that probably I would request that Mr. President allow us import a plane load for a trial. “We are all navigating an unchartered cause. Nobody has ever been on this road.
So, every attempt to find solution that would bring succour to our people, be rest assured that this task force is very responsible and we would do everything to ensure that we get what will benefit our people, what will help them in the processes that we find ourselves today.”
On the talks with the NMA and NANNM, Dr. Fayemi said: “We have started negotiations on how to secure the services of volunteer health workers to help contain COVID-19 challenges in the North-West and in the North-East.
“The reality is that many states in these zones have problem of manpower, we need more volunteer health workers to assist them. We know we can draw these volunteers from the private healthcare sector without hurting the Public Health Sector.
“We are ready to offer the volunteers good welfare package, including robust incentives and adequate security. Our ultimate goal is to avert trouble in the affected states; this is why we are pooling resources together.”
