Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: covid-19

  • Pronounced dead 3 times, Obey shares his experience, warns of Covid-19

    Pronounced dead 3 times, Obey shares his experience, warns of Covid-19

    For about the umpteenth time since he was rumoured to have died on three different occasions in July, juju music maestro, Chief Ebenezer ‘Obey’ Fabiyi has again reacted to his purported death, saying it wasn’t a good experience.

    The 78 year old legendary performer, who was a guest on an Ogun State Television (OGTV) programme in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, monitored by Echotitbits on Friday, expressed disappointment about how people would declare a living man dead.

    File photo: Professor of Music and Juju maestro, Ebenezer ‘Obey’ Fabiyi, whose style of music, laced with proverbs and deep meanings, is widely accepted to have revolutionised Yoruba language in Nigeria.

    In his explanation, Obey said he was taken aback when he heard his son explained to a caller on the phone that “my father is alive, he’s right here”.

    “I don’t wish anybody to pass through such an experience. Because my son was with me we were discussing, I just heard my son speaking on the phone saying, there is nothing wrong with my daddy.

    “My son, Bishop Folarin ran inside and said daddy they’ve come with fake news again. From that moment all over from Canada, everywhere, it was not a easy thing for a living man to be declared dead when you are alive hale and hearty.”

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    Still apparently puzzled, Obey wondered what could be a reason for anyone to have declared him dead three times in one month.

    “Then within a month, to have carried such a rumour three times. I’m still asking, I don’t know what those people want, and I won’t even know why. It is still a puzzle to me. But I thank God for everything.

    “Nothing is wrong with me, I am hale and hearty, and I thank God. I believe that I haven’t finished my assignment yet, I must fulfill my purpose, it is not my time yet, I still have much more to contribute to humanity and to the expansion of the kingdom of God”, he retorted, as if to remind his traducers of his 1973 track- Baba Lo Ran Mi Wa, released when he was under the label Decca records.

    The Nigerian Miliki crooner and founder of the old Inter-Reformers Band, who has always been ingenious in music composition using his personal life experiences, disclosed that just as he had done in the past with tracks like Edumare Dariji Won, he would record a song about his experience while people already greeted him ‘rest in peace’.

    “…definitely, I’m going to be in the studio, I’m going to release a song”, Obey said emphatically.

    Chief Obey, who had recorded two music tracks in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, which has been playing across television and radio stations in Ogun State, urged musicians to use their popularity and platform for the advancement of society.

    Commenting further on COVID-19 and government effort to mitigate the spread, the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye music professor stressed that it is the duty of musicians to use their popularity and platform for the advancement of the society.

    He further stressed the realness of Coronavirus pandemic and advised Nigerians to adhere to government regulations.

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    ” I knew quite a lot of people that are yet to believe the reality of COVID-19. COVID-19 is real, it’s not only in Nigeria or Africa, it is all over the world. London, Canada, US, Asian countries, Japan, Korea and Italy, everywhere. This COVID-19 has killed numerous thousands of people.

    “People please; I want you to take note that COVID-19 is real. Let us do everything that the government has told us to do. Let’s cover our nose, let’s obey social distancing, let’s do what they have told us to do, now that the government is opening the schools gradually, opening houses of worship gradually, let us comply and let us be extra careful, please COVID-19 is real. Don’t take it for granted”, he warned.

    Obey, who started professional music since the mid-50s, is widely known for his style of music, which comprises a variety of Yoruba instruments, lyrics dense with proverbs laced with deep meanings, and musical percussions, merged in a style only unique to him. This uniqueness is fueled by his passion and strong sense of responsibility that music should teach morals that will help build the society.

    While he lauds younger generations of musicians, he admonished them to further use their music to influence the society in positive ways.

    “I think the young generation of young musicians, they are contributing their quota and they are all doing very well. Their own approach is different to what we had. They are definitely reaching their own generation, they understand their language, what they are doing is great.

    “One thing that I’ve been saying and will continue to say is that…and I thank God, I can see them, they have been borrowing a leaf from the advice of elders.

    “We have different things happening these days, the ‘Yahoo’ and all the negative things that have been happening. They can use their music because they are well accepted; they can use their music to pass a message. And I can see that they have been doing that.

    “Our own time, the way we do it, we are still telling them to borrow a leaf from what we have done. If they add what we have done to what they are doing now they can balance it and it will be a good thing.

    Obey, the juju music legend, whose style of music is accepted in many quarters to have revolutionised Yoruba language, enthused that younger generations of musicians should not be discouraged.

    “So I don’t want us to discourage them because they are easily reaching the youths, and that is good. At the same time, the ‘Yahoo’ and all the ills in the society, they are something that music can correct. So I have advised that they look into that area and they are changing”, he added.

    By Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Trump Fulfills Promise as Nigeria Receives 200 Ventilators from US

    Trump Fulfills Promise as Nigeria Receives 200 Ventilators from US

    United States President Donald Trump has finally fulfilled his promise to send ventilators to Nigeria.

    Receiving 200 ventilators on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at a ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, described the medical items as critical to saving the lives of persons who have been severely affected by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, at an event in Abuja where he received ventilators donated to Nigeria by the US. Tuesday, 2020.

    The Minister said: “This donation consists of 200 ventilators, which, as we all know by now, are a critical component of the response strategy to save the lives of persons who have been severely impacted by this viral infection.

    “They will certainly be of great benefit to the people of Nigeria and I wish to convey the appreciation of His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and of the government of Nigeria, to President Donald Trump and the United States Government for the generous consideration and friendly gesture.

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    “The Federal Ministry of Health, and its public health Agency, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), have focused on providing guidance to tackle the challenges.

    “Our health workers have been trained and equipped and are doing the needful to attend to COVID-19 patients and give emergency care, while not losing sight of routine and essential health services.

    “The speed and ease with which COVID-19 has spread across the globe clearly shows that it is a threat to mankind. Without the full collaboration of all nations, the threat of COVID-19 to any one part of the world is a threat to all.”

    US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, at an event in Abuja, where she delivered ventilators donated to Nigeria by the US. Tuesday 11, 2020.

    In her remarks at the event, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, who made the donation on behalf of the US Government, said: “The 200 ventilators being transferred today are compact and portable, and can be easily mobilised to reach those patients with the most severe symptoms of COVID-19.”

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    She noted that the support includes training on the use and maintenance of this equipment and ensuring that the ventilators could address other respiratory illnesses in the years beyond the virus.

    The Ambassador described the ventilators as “life-saving equipment,” noting that it’s a fulfillment of the commitment made by Trump and Buhari earlier this year to assist in tackling the rampaging COVID-19 in Nigeria.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • COVID-19: Governor Abiodun grants Ogun residents tax reliefs

    COVID-19: Governor Abiodun grants Ogun residents tax reliefs

    As part of efforts to cushion economic downturn occasioned by the effect of COVID-19, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has granted various tax reliefs to residents of the state.

    In a statement on Saturday, the Governor said he has directed the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) to immediately effect these tax reliefs to reduce the COVID-19 induced burden on taxpayers in the state.

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    According to Governor Abiodun, the types of taxes that taxpayers will enjoy reliefs include: “6-month deadline extension for filling of 2019 income tax returns by the self employed/informal sector from March 31, 2020 to September 30.

    “8-month extension of filling of 2019 annual PAYE returns by PAYE operators/tax agents from January 31, 2020 to September 30, as well as complete waiver of interest and penalty for late filling for the extension period.

    “Complete waiver of interest and penalty for late remittance of monthly PAYE for the extension period.

    “Same waiver for late payment of Direct Assessment/Personal Income Tax by the self employed from January 1, 2020 to December 31.

    “Waiver of weekly tax by operators and promoters of pool and betting businesses from April 1, 2020 to June 30”, the categories stated in parts.

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    Prince Abiodun also stated that: “The Tax Audit Reconciliation Committee (TARC) will also henceforth adopt video conferencing as the default mode for their meetings to continue ensuring ease of doing business while maintaining physical distancing.”

    He therefore urged taxpayers in Ogun State to make the best use of the reliefs as they make necessary payments to the State’s designated accounts in approved banks.

  • COVID-19: Buhari directs FCT, States on enforcing use of face mask

    COVID-19: Buhari directs FCT, States on enforcing use of face mask

    Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and state governments on enforcimg the use of face masks in public places across the country.

    This was disclosed Thursday by the Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, at the daily briefing of PTF in Abuja.

    In his review of the activities PTF, Mustapha, said the president ordered that the current phase of the National Response to COVID-19 should be maintained for another four weeks, but allowing some modifications.

    Mustapha stated that: “President Buhari also asked the PTF to partner with states and local governments to improve community sensitisation and engagement to step up response to the COVID-19 response.

    “He also encouraged state governments to collaborate with local government authorities to intensify necessary measures such as contact tracing, grassroots mobilisation and risk communication.

    “He also ordered that collaboration with other mandate groups at federal/state levels to harmonise the country’s COVID-19 response be strengthened on the short, medium and long-term basis,” he said.

    Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), warned against stigmatisation and skepticism among Nigerians in the fight against COVID-19.

    “I wish to remind all Nigerians that this fight is for every one; everyone must take responsibility.

    “Disbelief and skepticism will further complicate our situation; we should not stigmatise anyone infected. Our communities should own the response and educate our citizens,” he said.

  • Bristow Helicopters sacks 100 Pilots hours after Air Peace layoffs

    Bristow Helicopters sacks 100 Pilots hours after Air Peace layoffs

    The management of Bristow Helicopters Limited has terminated the appointment of no fewer than 100 pilots.

    Bristow Helicopters, in a statement on Tuesday, said those sacked comprised both Nigerian nationals and expatriates working with the company.

    It explained that the decision to sack the pilots was due to the severe impact of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

    This was coming barely 24 hours after another Nigerian airline, Air Peace, sacked over 70 pilots over the COVID-19 crisis.

    Bristow Helicopters added that it had engaged with the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers to negotiate a fair and equitable redundancy compensation for those affected.

    “The spread of the COVID-19 virus has severely impacted all sectors in the aviation industry including our market, which primarily serves the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

    “In addition, the ongoing downturn in the global oil and gas market continues to influence and determine the demand for our services.

    “The combined effects of these ‘arisings’ has resulted in very significant reductions to our business particularly a reduction in the number of contracted aircraft in Nigeria.

    “As a result, the company must now restructure all aspects of its business model (both Rotary & Fixed Wing), including an extensive review of its operations and we continue to drive efficiencies, but with zero compromise to safety and our core values.

    “One of these measures includes the right sizing of the business to ensure that the company has the optimal level of personnel to continue the safe delivery of its services to its clients, whilst allowing the appropriate capacity for future growth.

    “Accordingly, and with much regret, the company has taken the very difficult decision to release over 100 pilots and engineers (both National and Expatriates) over the next couple of weeks.

    “In compliance with the relevant labor and local content laws and also best practices; the company has engaged the leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) to negotiate a fair and equitable redundancy compensation for the affected individuals,” the statement explained.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Kwara Deputy Governor, wife test positive for Coronavirus

    Kwara Deputy Governor, wife test positive for Coronavirus

    Kwara State Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, and his wife, Abieyuwa, have tested positive for the novel (Coronavirus) COVID-19.

    Alabi is also the Chairman of Kwara State Technical Committee on Coronavirus.

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    Disclosing this on Tuesday, Kwara State Government in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the couple underwent COVID-19 test after they showed slight symptoms of the virus.

    The statement said: “The results of their test are positive. The second couple are very stable and in high spirit, and are now undergoing standard management protocols supervised by the government’s medical team.

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    “Immediate contact tracing and tests, among other safety protocols, are being done for persons who have met with the couple in the past few days.”

    It would be recalled that Chief of Staff to Kwara State Governor, Aminu Adisa, had died of COVID-19 last month, thereby throwing the state into mourning.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Abiodun bows to pressure, cancels N25,000 COVID-19 test for SS3 students

    Abiodun bows to pressure, cancels N25,000 COVID-19 test for SS3 students

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, Monday succumbed to public outcry over the N25,000 fee payable for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) test for all returning SS3 boarding students in the state.

    The Abiodun administration had come under heavy criticism for creating a near pandemonium situation in Ogun State over the introduction of N25,000 fee for COVID-19 test over the weekend ahead of students’ resumption today.

    Parents, unionists, religious leaders, business people, politicians among others rejected the state government’s policy which made the N25,000 COVID-19 test fee compulsory for the returning SS3 students.

    Reacting to the matter on Monday evening, Abiodun made frantic effort to justify his administration’s position, but ultimately bowed to the public pressure and rescinded the policy.

    “After reviewing these developments, I have today immediately directed that the Government Laboratories carry out test for all returning SS3 boarding students at no cost. I have also directed that all those who have paid for tests be refunded.

    “Consequently the State Government has therefore stepped down the COVID-19 test as a mandatory requirement for returning students in our exit classes. We therefore enjoin Private School owners to exercise their duty of care to their pupils. The admittance of students into boarding house in private secondary schools will be at the discretion of the management and the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of such private schools.

    “Ogun State Government recommends that students who do not have to stay in the boarding house should attend school from home, especially those with underlying health conditions.

    “The inconvenience and confusion experienced yesterday is highly regrettable and my sincere apologies to the parents and students so affected.

    “The quality and standard of education and well being of our children are issues that are very dear to my heart,” the governor cringed.

    Abiodun laboured emphatically to establish the genesis of the matter and the eventual decisions taken in the best interest of the state.

    AccordIng to him, “In line with the Federal Ministry of Education recommendation and WASSCE timetable, we decided to open our schools on the 4th August 2020 for SS3 students only. We put in place guidelines that would ensure that our students resume in a safe environment.

    “In our pre-opening engagements with stakeholders, opening of boarding houses was discussed. Our State has one of the largest population of boarding students in the country, coming from all over the country. After consultations with health professionals, we concluded that testing the children for COVID-19 before admittance will reduce the risk of community transmission. This is to reassure parents and even teachers of the safety of everybody concerned.

    “The state planned and provided testing, free of charge, for boarding students in our public schools and allowed for the management and parents of private schools to make their arrangements to get COVID tests. The two State owned laboratories have a capacity for about 500 tests a day and conduct free tests for traced contacts or symptomatic patients. To meet the additional demand for the expected number of boarding students, the statement from Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology listed some private test centers which set up sampling points in some of our health facilities.

    “These private laboratories have been accredited by NCDC and Lagos State Government for walk-in tests and charge N50,400 per test but I understand that the Ministries of Health and Education negotiated this to N25,000 for boarding students in private schools that may wish to use them. There is no financial benefit to the state government.”

    Abiodun also used the occasion to announce “the provision of face masks to all students in both private and public schools.”

    He appreciated the cooperation, support, resilience and understanding of all the people of Ogun State towards flattening the curve of COVID-19 in the state, expressing hope that “this phase will end soonest.”

  • Don’t reopen worship centres in Lagos, Bakare warns Churches

    Don’t reopen worship centres in Lagos, Bakare warns Churches

    Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) Sunday advised churches to ignore Lagos State Government’s directive to reopen on Sunday, August 9.

    Speaking during an online sermon on Sunday, Bakare queried the decision to reopen the worship centres when the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would peak in Nigeria in August.

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    The religious leader advised worshippers not to allow any cleric or government official to lead them like sheep to the slaughter house.

    According to him, “I have to appeal to you once again, please keep safe and do your best to stay alive. Do not let anyone, whether religious leader or governmental leader, to drive you like a sheep to the slaughter.

    “If they (the government and the disease control authorities) said that the month of August is going to be the peak of the infection, why should they ask people to rush in (re-open the churches) again?

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    “Please keep safe and do your best to keep alive by keeping all the necessary rules. We know that by the grace of God this pandemic like the others before it has an expiry date. It shall not see our end. We shall see its end in the mighty name of Jesus.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Nigeria evacuates 300 more stranded citizens from US

    Nigeria evacuates 300 more stranded citizens from US

    Three hundred more Nigerians who had been stranded in the United States have arrived in Abuja.

    This was announced by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), on Saturday via Twitter.

    The stranded Nigerians arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 15:00pm via the Ethiopian Airlines.

    NIDCOM stated that the evacuation is the fifth from the US since the Federal Government started flying Nigerians who were stranded as a result of the COVID-19 back home.

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    All the evacuees tested Negative to COVID-19 before boarding the flight but will also observe the mandatory 4-day self-isolation as mandated by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

    So far, a total of 1,430 Nigerians have been flown back home.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it has spent over N169million in transporting Nigerian returnees from overseas.

    In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the National Coordinator, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, said N22billion was released for the effective handling of COVID-19 response in the country.

    “At the moment, as far as I know, only N169million was spent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the evacuation of Nigerians, mainly on their accommodation.

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    “We haven’t spent much because of the need for prudence in the first place. We need to have clear evidence. A lot of the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government are yet to do their quick procurement,” he said.

  • Update: Gov. Sanwo-Olu reopens Lagos worship centres Aug. 7, vows to monitor

    Update: Gov. Sanwo-Olu reopens Lagos worship centres Aug. 7, vows to monitor

    The over three months COVID-19 ban on worship centres in Lagos will be lifted from August 7.

    The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this during a briefing on COVID-19 at the State House Marina.

    The Governor stated that places of worship that that were hitherto shut to curtail the spread of the novel Coronavirus will reopen for religious activities as from Friday, August 7, 2020.

    Sanwo-Olu stated that while Mosques will be reopened next week Friday, Churches will follow suit on Sunday, August 9.

    The Governor however emphasised that, religious leaders must make available hand sanitisers, thermometer guns, adding that the state government will ensure that social distancing is maintained.

    According to the Governor: “We will only be allowing 50 per cent of their capacity at either the church or the mosque. Churches that have Saturday worship day will also be allowed to start holding their Saturday worship.

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    “We must reiterate that places of worship are only permitted to have their regular once a week service on designated days.

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a briefing on August 1, 2020 announced that places of worship will reopen from August 7.

    The governor vowed that the state government will closely monitor and observe the compliance level of religious bodies before taking the next steps.

    Decrease In Positive Cases
    On the level of COVID-19 cases in the state, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced that the past two weeks witnessed a decline in fresh infections.

    While noting that the state government successfully tested 9,000 samples in the week ending July 26, the governor explained the figures represented 50 per cent increase in the 6,000 tested samples in the preceding week.

    According to him, more testing of suspected COVID-19 cases have been made possible with the creation of additional laboratories in the state.

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    He is however optimistic that the state is winning the battle against the dreaded virus owing to the increase in the number of tested samples.

    “We must, however, mention that we have seen a gradual decrease in the positivity rate in Lagos State over the last two weeks which combines with our increase in the testing numbers.

    “We will continue to fine-tune our strategy and our efforts to build on our successes and close all existing gaps if any.”

    Meanwhile, in a fresh statistics released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Friday night, Lagos recorded 78 fresh COVID-19 cases trailing the FCT with 93 cases.