Author: Chronicle Editor

Nigerian government on Monday said it might use the military and other security operative to enforce social distancing and contact tracing as the country cases spike.

The Federal Government has accused some members of the House of Representatives, who recently returned from foreign trips of posing serious threat to the safety of Nigerians by refusing to subject themselves to screening at airports. The Presidency, in a letter dated 21st March, 2020 informed Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila of the report from the Minister of Health on the refusal of some House members to subject themselves to screening at the airport as directed by health officials. The letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, asked the Speaker to direct all members of the House…

The Federal High Court Abuja on Monday, intensified protective measures to guard against the spread of COVID-19. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observed that the court procured additional hand sanitizers at the entrance of the main court building and every court room. Also multiple health workers were sighted at the entrance of the court complex checking the temperature of lawyers, litigants and the general public. There is however, no restriction on the number of people inside the courtrooms. Court nine, where the former Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita is to be arraigned by the EFCC is filled to…

The Lagos State Government on Monday issued public transport guidelines to operators and passengers to curb further spread of the coronavirus in buses, cabs, motor parks and garages. NAN reports that the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde said in a statement he signed that the measures were parts of the efforts by the government to further prevent a state-wide spread of COVID-19. He said the stand has become imperative to leave with the reality of time because of the 30 records of coronavirus in the country, Lagos State has the highest cases of 22. According to him, henceforth it…

First Lady Aisha Buhari of Nigeria on Monday called for families to stay at home following the increasing cases of coronavirus in the country. She commended state governors for closing down schools but noted that it could be counterproductive if children stay and home and parents go to work. “It is commendable that state governors have closed down schools; however, this could be counterproductive if parents are still going to work. “We should not isolate students and expose their parents,” she said in a tweet, adding that, “Let us remember that they will meet at home. #TotalLockDown #StayAtHome Nigeria has…

Former managing director of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) Engr. Suleiman Achimugu has died after contracting coronavirus. Engr Achimgu is Nigeria’s first recorded death from coronavirus. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) described him as a 67-year old male who returned home following medical treatment in UK. “He had underlying medical conditions- multiple myeloma, diabetes and was undergoing chemotherapy”. The disease control centre added that, “Kindly note that NCDC will not be commenting on the management of individual cases. The management of cases is the responsibility of States and treatment centres and they are doing their best under…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced five new case of coronavirus in Abuja, Lagos and the first case in Edo state on Monday. The disease control centre said one new case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the FCT on Monday morning. “Five new cases of #COVID19 have been confirmed in Nigeria. Two in FCT, two in Lagos and 1 in Edo state. The NCDC said two cases are returning travellers from the United Kingdom. COVID-19: IGP orders Zonal AIGs/CPs to enforce restriction “As at 09:45 am on 23rd March, there are 35 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in…

The 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo have been thrown into further doubt after Canada became the first major country to withdraw. Their announcement came shortly after the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, admitted for the first time that the games could be postponed. Meanwhile, the Australian team has said it was “clear” the games could not go ahead, and told its athletes to prepare for a 2021 games. The games are due to begin on 24 July. What did Canada say? The country’s Olympic and Paralympic committee said it had taken “the difficult decision” to withdraw after consulting…

Warns against unnecessary arrests/detention of suspects The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu has ordered Zonal Assistant Inspector Generals and Commissioners of Police to enforce social restriction orders across Nigeria. Mr Adamu said the decision is against the backdrop of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) global health threat and the subsequent social restriction orders imposed by governments at all levels. He explained that this will enable its containment, while enjoining citizens to voluntarily adhere to the orders, directs all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure that all legitimate orders given in pursuant to the containment efforts are…

Former Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has confirmed that he has tested positive for coronavirus. In a post on Twitter, the 32-year-old, who is now at Chinese club Shandong Luneng said he hopes “to return to the game as soon as possible”. Chinese media reports say Fellaini is in isolation at Jinan hospital, which specialises in infectious diseases. The Belgium international moved to China in 2019 after 11 seasons in England with United and Everton. Former Real Madrid president dies after contacting Coronavirus Fellaini, who had recently returned to the country to resume training, is reportedly the only Chinese Super League player…