…orders 400,000 tests kit to increase Nigeria’s testing capacity
The private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) has ordered for 250,000 supplies for tests and another 150,000 extraction kits to fast-track molecular testing for the deadly coronavirus, noting that the reality of the situation at hand was such that efforts must be put together with no stone left unturned in dealing with the scourge.
The coalition also disclosed that no less than 1.7 million households would benefit from its food relief package as part of complementary efforts to help alleviate the effects of the lockdown and restrictions adopted by governments across the nation.
Briefing newsmen in Lagos on the group’s activities in helping the Federal Government halt the spread of the virus, leaders of CACOVID stated that the coalition has set up isolation centers in five states of Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Borno and Enugu as well as FCT, while renovations of hospitals and medical supplies are being carried out in other states.
Chief Executive Officer of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Zouera Youssoufou explained that all the partners in CACOVID are ready to roll out in all parts of the country having commenced building and equipping of isolation centers in some states.
According to her, there are currently three testing platforms for molecular testing in Nigeria, one of which is the “Open PCR machines”, which the Coalition has ordered for 10 units, with eight laboratories certified to conduct COVID-19 tests.
Ms. Youssoufou said, “Open PCR machine is currently the standard platform. Eight labs in Nigeria are certified to conduct COVID-19 testing; 10 new PCR machines and 150,000 extraction kits have been ordered. The other is Roche Cobus Platform with 6 Machines in Nigeria, each capable of testing 960 tests at a time. Nigeria was on track to receive 38,000 but we have ordered 250,000. 10,000 tests ordered by UNICEF have arrived on Thursday, April 16.
“We also have Cepheid Gene Expert Machines – there are 400 machines installed in the country. 250 are expected to be functional with trained lab technicians. Cepheid has developed a COVID-19 testing cartridge that has received FDA approval, and will begin shipping to Africa in two weeks. We have ordered 250,000 cartridges and expect shipment receipt in two weeks.”
In his remarks, Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, said the Coalition right from the onset knew the fight against coronavirus was not going to be easy but would require collaborative efforts of all.
He said the CACOVID-19 is approaching the fight against the virus from three levels, “One, it was clear from the beginning that no one institution can go it alone, so we solicit everybody’s cooperation in tackling this scourge. Two, while several measures are being taken to stop the spread, including lockdowns, restriction, social distancing, there is the need to address hunger. How do we cater to the feeding needs of the people if these measures are to be effective?”
Wigwe explained that the third level was the thought leadership aspect of the plan which is to tackle the post-pandemic aspect. According to him, “a lot of businesses have been badly affected and economies have been disrupted. How do we get them back to life after we might have defeated the coronavirus?”
The Access Bank GMD explained the modalities to be adopted to get the food relief materials to the targeted households, pointing out that it would be done from the bottom of the pyramid, which is the 774 local government areas where the CACOVID partners would be assigned to deliver the materials.
He said he was optimistic that the food relief materials would reach all intended beneficiaries because according to him, it was a path that has already been trodden by Aliko Dangote Foundation, which has been distributing foods to the vulnerable in the states and has been achieving results.
Also, responding during the briefing, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdi Moolman urged other private sector organizations which are yet to identify with CACOVID in the onerous task to join hands and make their modest contributions.
Justifying why no organization could afford to stay aloof, Mr. Moolman said the whole the world is not at peace presently and every nation is on its own fighting the battle of COVID-19.
The attention of Olugbo’s palace has been drawn to a false publication making the round on the media space fuelled by Adebanjo Mafimisebi; published by Sahara reporter against His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Ilaje, Ondo State.
HRM. Dr. FEO Akinruntan CON, the Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom
It is pertinent to note that; Kabiyesi Oba (Dr) FEO Akinruntan CON, the Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom, who is the chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas and chairman of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Council, is a promoter and lover of peace, it is very disheartening for anyone to link Kabiyesi to such absurdity. Every claim made in the said publication was targeted to rub the reputation Kabiyesi has built over the years in the mud.
Kabiyesi condemned in totality and entirety the attack on his people. He said; “I have urged all relevant security agencies to investigate deeply. Anyone found culpable during the process of investigation must be charged to court and be allowed face the wrath of the law. I was also briefed that the prime suspect, who shot the gun has been apprehended by security agency.”
For over eleven years on the throne as King, Kabiyesi has maintained peace and tranquility within the kingdom. As a father and guardian, ordering an attack on resident of his community as falsely reported should be discarded. Moreover, the said house was not occupied by any of the victims and not even a private residence or palace of the deposed Olugbo Adebanjo Mafimisebi, former Olugbo who was deposed on the order of Nigeria’s apex court; Supreme Court in 2007.
Setting the records stright; the said residence is an ancestral home/residence of any reigning and incumbent Olugbo of Ugboland, where necessary traditional rites are performed. Ever since Kabiyesi Oba (Dr.) Obateru Akinruntan ascended the throne in 2009, he has been performing his traditional rites in the said residence. Recently, Kabiyesi used the ancestral home/ residence as the venue for the distribution of food items and cash worth millions of naira as palliatives to the sons and daughters of Ugboland as a result of lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the said residence has been in existence long before the short reign of the deposed monarch. How then can this same residence be claimed to have been owned and occupied by the deposed monarch?
It is worthy to note that Kabiyesi has been using his wide network and influence to further concentrate on the development of Ugboland for more development and modernization. “It is important to let you know that the people of Ugboland are at home with the monarch and cannot be painted as being at war with his subjects as falsely claimed. He is always at peace with his people. Kabiyesi has warned that nobody will be allowed to cause breakdown of law and order in the Ugbo Kingdom, most especially, during this critical time. Kabiyesi urges sons and daughters of Ugbo to continue supporting the Kingdom and the government to ensure peace and development in the land.” Olugbo-in-Council disclosed.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of Peak and Three Crowns brands of milk, has donated the sum of N500million as a contribution towards Nigeria’s COVID-19 intervention fund organized by the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).
The donation, which is coming as part of FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s corporate social responsibility follows the company’s recent donation of N100million worth of Peak and Three
Crowns milk products to support over 100,000 families in low-end communities and vulnerable groups who are at risk of compromising their nutritional needs. This donation is in
line with its purpose of providing better nutrition.
Explaining the corporate gesture in Lagos April 16, the Chairman of the Board of Directors,FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe, said “The novel coronavirus
pandemic is a global disaster that has cost the world thousands of lives and threatens its economic well-being.
“At FrieslandCampina WAMCO, we believe that everyone must come together to make a difference. If we all join hands with government and credible associations to provide
substantial palliatives, critical medical supplies, and with the cooperation of every Nigerian through the adherence of precautionary measures, we will defeat the COVID-19. Hence our donation of products and funds” Ajekigbe said.
The Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Mr. Ben Langat further said, “As a company, we have made several donations to support meaningful initiatives in the fight
against the COVID-19 pandemic; this indeed represents the confidence and care we have for Nigeria. As we encourage Nigerians to unite to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and reach for their peak again, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria will continue to take responsible actions that ensure we make nourishing dairy nutrition accessible for Nigerians.”
Heritage Bank Plc has disclosed that the safety and wellbeing of its customers and employees are amongst the most pressing business needs, as the world grapple with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on human lives, businesses and economies.
In view of this development, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo in his message to customers, explained that the bank has adapted to the changing environment swiftly to offer more seamless services that is usable and accessible without interruption.
According to him, the bank adopted a systemic business continuity management strategy, as a crisis response measures in place to minimise and manage the risk arising from the disease and ensure that the payment infrastructure and logistics to maintain seamless operations are readily available.
Mr Ifie Sekibo
He stated that despite the cessation movement by the Federal Government to contain the spread, “Heritage Bank remains resolute to continually serve you seamlessly despite prohibitions imposed on physical contact through our bouquet of electronic products which have been made available on notable mobile stores and our website (www.hbng.com).
Sekibo, who reiterated that Heritage Bank is people focused, noted that a percentage of its workforce work from the business offices to carryout duties which cannot be executed remotely, whilst others work remotely from home for safety.
He further stated that efforts were ongoing via the bank’s intranet and other channels to keep staff and customers up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 information and provide clear direction and guidance expected of workers and customers.
“All Heritage Bank staff have been trained in safety and protection measures and I will make it a responsibility that our organization continues to practice goof hygiene, through frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, and practicing social distancing during and beyond the pandemic.
“We have setup a COVID-19 Support Centre to offer COVID-19 safety tips to all our customers during this period, in support of the efforts of the Government and relevant bodies. Please send any information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic via these channels: E-mail: HeritageBankCovid19Support@hbng.com and contact number: 01-2369099,” the bank’s helmsman stated.
Sekibo, who said, “we are in this together,” noted that the world are inspired by the selfless health workers on the frontlines; whilst commending them for their self-sacrificing and bravery in the fight to contain the spread of the virus to keep the world safe and inhabitable.
Meanwhile, the MD, who expressed his heartfelt wish for full recovery of those affected directly or indirectly by the virus, stated, “it is my supreme hope that the global halt comes to an end and that its cause, the virus, is vanquished sooner than later. I know that when this happens, we will rise from it all, stronger, as we started together.”
Strong indication has emerged to the effect that the running mate to Late Chief MKO Abiola in the annulled 1993 Presidential election, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe may replace the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari whose death was announced by the Presidency late Friday night.
In a statement released by the Presidency yesterday, Mallam Abba Kyari, who had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.
ThePage reliably gathered that plans have started in earnest to fill the vacant office of the Chief of Staff to the President even as checks have revealed that Babagana Kingibe may be appointed the new Chief of Staff.
“Forget his ignoble role in the June 12 saga, Kingibe is a diplomat and a technocrat. He is close to the President. He is the unseen hand in charge of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA as it is today. He is one man who has been part of this government from behind the scene” a source privy to the plans towards the appointment of a new Chief of Staff revealed to The Page.
If Kingibe is eventually named the Chief of Staff, the appointment may be a good step towards his realising his Presidential ambition.
ThePage gathered that Kingibe may have before now, been one of the favourites, penciled down to succeed President Buhari, hence his involvement in the behind the scene day -to -day running of the Buhari administration.
Information just reaching us now is that President Buhari Chief of Staff Mr. Abba Kyari has lost the battle against the Covid-19.
Making this known few minutes ago through his twitter handle the SA Media to the President announced that the Chief of Staff is dead and that burial announcement will be announced by the family.
Mr Kyari was tested positive to the novel Corona Virus weeks back, he was thought to be coming out until the news was broken of his demise, we pray God grant his families and loved ones the power to bear the loss.
It was a bloody Thursday for the family members of Kuje Amuwo Orofin a community at Whitesand, between Festac and Amuwo Odofin as popular Mushin elder statesman who has since relocated to Isheri-Oshun, Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi popularly known as Alado has been fingered in breach of public peace.
It was a big shock to many people when investigated and discovered that the whole attack was masterminded by Alado, a Chieftain of APC in Mushin and who always preach against violence each time there is election.
Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi (Alado)
The whole saga started on Thursday March 19, 2020, investigation revealed that over 50 hoodlums attacked members of Kuje Amuwo Orofin’s family, the members are: Monsuru Akande, Surveyor Bayo Benson (Whose security details was seriously wounded and attacked) , Alhaji Akande’s Vehicles windscreen was broken and vandalised, his Techno LA 7 Phone was forcefully taken and confiscated by the hoodlums who are said to be from Alado.
The sad part of the scenario or what can be termed as Alado’s boys reign of terror is that they killed two of the boys working for Kuje’s family on the land, the boys are Oluwoyo Debo (a labourer) his dead body was taken to Festac Police station, we gathered that he had multiple deep machete cuts.
The other person who was unlucky in the hands of death was Daniel Chibuzor, a recharge card seller , he was severally stabbed, taken to Ikoyi hospital where he later gave up the ghost.
This menace was properly monitored by Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi ‘Alado’ , Segun Akinde (A.k.a Segun Echo), Ayokunle Fakiyesi, Ikechukwu (a.ka Ik), a police officer Inspector Nureni Agoro, Musiliu Idowu, Inspector Adewale Olopa from SARS among others.
According to investigation conducted in the neighborhood they confirmed to us that they have to run for cover because the attack was much on the Kuje’s family.
Who is Taoreed Farounbi on the land ?
According to our investigation, we gathered that Fagbile Isheri-Oshun employed the service Alhaji Taoreed Farombi also known as Alado as their agent on the land.
It will be worthy or constructive to also mention that there had in the past been misgivings and allegation of trespass unto the land between Kuje Amuwo royal family and Fagbile Isheri-Oshun.
Cause of Attack
According to investigation and a report by Vanguard Crime Guard, The Cable and Daily Independent, we gathered that the attack was as a result of a misunderstanding between two families from Amuwo Odofin and Isheri –Oshun, over land boundary.
We also learned that those attacked were invited to Whitesand on the pretext of a peace meeting on the disputed boundary, only to meet the unexpected.
Narrating what transpired that fateful day, head of the Kuje Amuwo Royal family, Chief Ligali Suabu Hassan, said, “For some time now, we have been having issues with the Fagbile family in Isheri Oshun over boundary issues on our land but we have never experienced anything like what happened on Thursday.
“We have our surveyor and they have their surveyor too but they hired an agent to be selling the land for them.
“The two families met and agreed to invite a neutral surveyor, who has a vast knowledge of the boundaries of all the communities in Amuwo-Odofin, Isheri Oshun and other parts.
“Before the agreed date for the boundary resolution, we wrote a letter to the police at FESTAC division to give us policemen who would serve as witnesses.
“When our people got there, they saw policemen and soldiers around and they felt assured that there wouldn’t be any problem.”
“But to our surprise, there were hoodlums there too and before our people could think of what to do, the hoodlums descended on them and began to use different weapons on them, right in the presence of the policeman who accompanied our surveyor to the site.
“A member of the family who escaped death by the whiskers, Alhaji Monsuru Akande, said ‘despite the fact that I told them that I had come to buy land there, they kept attacking me with charms and machetes’.
“There were over 50 hoodlums, soldiers and policemen around, who watched them unleash mayhem on us.
“We went there in two vehicles and were expecting policemen whom we had earlier written letter to, to join us when the hoodlums approached our vehicles and ordered us to come down.
“I told the driver to wind up all the glasses in the vehicle but they showed us guns which were carefully tucked under their shirts. Others came out from where they were hiding and there was nothing we could do.
“I told the driver to escape but they caught up with us and descended on us. We ran into different directions but they still caught up with us.”
Police delay
“To my surprise, the same policemen who were watching us from a distance still came to pick those of us who were injured, to Isheri Oshun police station, instead of taking us to the hospital. Policemen from Alagbon came to pick us from Isheri Oshun, to their command.
“It was when they saw the degree of injuries on Daniel and Debo, that they allowed them to be taken to the hospital. But first, they took them to FESTAC police station for medical report before they were taken to the hospital.
“Unfortunately, Debo died later that day while Daniel died on Saturday”.
Call on IGP
Determined to get justice for those killed, Counsel to the Kuje Amuwo family, Bayo Omoniyi in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Mohammed, dated March 19, 2020 demanded an investigation to be carried out to know why there was no response from the Police in spite of previous report on the attack.
Part of the letter read: “Recall that we had recently cried out over the menace of armed bandit attacks, which had become a recurring decimal in the area and sought the deployment of armed personnel to ensure safety of lives and property in the area in respect of which your office has graciously approved the deployment of mobile policemen to secure the area”.
Some alleged principal actors in the attack were mentioned in the letter, with a call to the IGP to investigate their culpability.
We are not responsible
But a member of the Fagbile clan who spoke to Crime Guard on the condition of anonymity, said his party did not have a hand in the attack.
Though he admitted there was supposed to be a meeting between both parties that day, he maintained that “we were preparing to come when we heard that some hoodlums were attacking some persons there. Perhaps we were their targets”.
All the letters written shown below;
Police arrest two
Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command said it had begun investigation into the attack with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
Already, two persons, according to the command spokesman, DSP Elkana Bala, had been arrested in connection with the attack.
He said, “There was an attack on some people but the police at FESTAC division was only contacted when there was an issue and they quickly deployed officers to the scene.
“Two injured persons were rescued and were rushed to the hospital by the police. One of them died that day and the other died later. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the attack and investigations are ongoing.
Two persons, whose names the police in Lagos would not disclose yet, are being detained at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCIID), Yaba, over the murder of two persons in a land dispute between two families in Amuwo-Odofin and Isheri Oshun communities in the state. The slain men, Oluwoyo Debo and Daniel Chibuzor, were hacked to death penultimate Friday by some thugs allegedly contracted by some unknown persons during a peace meeting said to have been called to settle the dispute. It was gathered that five other persons sustained injuries during the meeting. SCIID detectives were understood to have begun a manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang of hoodlums that invaded the venue of the meeting.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident and the death of the two persons. Elkana said policemen at the FESTAC Town Division responded to a distress call that hoodlums were invading the venue of a peace meeting. “The Division quickly deployed officers to the scene. The officers rescued two injured persons, who they rushed to the hospital. One of them died that day and the other died later. “Two persons have been arrested in connection with the attack and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
Emmanuel TV has released a video to YouTube showing citizens and residents of China confirming the ‘controversial prophecy’ from Prophet TB Joshua that the coronavirus outbreak would end in Wuhan, China by 27th March 2020.
“I had been hearing about TB Joshua since I was a kid but I never believed in him,” one of the residents explained.
However, he heard the prophecy on social media where Joshua declared “rain would fall to wipe away all fears of the unknown”, specifying it would fall in Wuhan, China – the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak and mentioning the date of March 27th 2020.
He immediately dismissed it as a “fake prophecy” but became perplexed when heavy rain fell across the region from 23rd to 26th March 2020.
Within that time-frame, Wuhan declared it had no new confirmed cases of the disease, leading the resident to change his perception of Joshua’s authenticity.
“On March 27th 2020, the government declared China free of coronavirus; everything has since gone back to normal,” a Chinese citizen went on to confirm, adding that the few cases being managed now arose from foreign travelers but domestic cases had completely ceased.
“March 27th was the last day for the virus to finish in the epicenter,” a Chinese doctor further corroborated, explaining that the heavy ‘lockdown’ imposed by the Chinese government has now been lifted.
“We started working on March 27th,” a Chinese citizen in Shanghai equally stated. “95% of our offices are now working.”
Joshua came under scrutiny on social media after clips of his prophecy regarding coronavirus were taken out of context, isolated soundbites shared and quotes wrongly attributed to the cleric publicised.
However, the full clip of the prophecy clearly shows Joshua’s message on March 1st and 2nd was directed specifically towards Wuhan, China.
In his prophecy for 2020, Joshua had declared it “the year of humility”, specifying that “God would use challenges such as affliction to humble us’ – leading many of his supporters to link such terminology with the ongoing outbreak and its extraordinary ramifications.
VIDEO – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EESZVfYIks
Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion services provider, FirstBank, has unveiled enhanced palliative measures to help its customers and Nigerians through these times of the extended COVID 19 lockdown in some states.
Amongst these measures are; the introduction of special waivers on repayment fees on the Bank’s credit cards as well as up to 90-days moratorium on SME loans. The aim of these is to cushion the impact of the toll on employment and livelihoods.
It was announced in the course of the week that the Lagos State Government & Roducate e-learning initiative – sponsored by FirstBank – had kicked off. The initiative includes the government accredited curriculum for primary, secondary and tertiary schools designed to ensure children are adequately guided and engaged through their learning experience.
Upon the lockdown in March, the Bank had announced to move One Million children to e-learning which is implemented with a number of renowned organisations that have come on board from within and outside the continent. These partners include IBM, which is providing opportunities for the acquisition of digital skills including Coding, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science & Analytics which would promote opportunities to learn skills of the future. These measures are taken in identifying with the roles of children at securing the future of any country.
Reflecting on the words by Benjamin Franklin, thus ‘an investment in knowledge pays the best interest’ Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, FirstBank said “in keeping with who we are at FirstBank, our commitment to self-development and continuous improvement is never far from our thinking. As such we are encouraging all to consider and register for any of the excellent programmes being offered free by Ivy League schools and have curated a list of them covering topics such as management, personal development, and entrepreneurship which can be found on our website.
In addition, Dr. Adeduntan stated that “with these measures, we are delighted to support our customers because you all have empowered us to do so by choosing to Bank with us. This is indeed a time to double down efforts and explore opportunities to ease the impact of the extension on you.
Once again, we appreciate our customers for the giant strides achieved on our alternative channels, as we assure you of our commitment to continue to work tirelessly to provide essential banking services across these channels. The transaction volumes is a positive testimony to the resilience of our staff and your Bank to keep things going as COVID 19 will neither defeat nor slow us down. We remain fully persuaded that together we will overcome this too.”
“Our experience over 126 years tells us the solutions lie within us, more than ever as we uphold our promise to you to be here for you and put You First always,” he concluded.
Like it has been for the last forty years, on the 12th of April 2020 will yet again mark a mile stone in the life Lagos big boy and one of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas big players, CEO G&G Oil And Gas as he turns 40.
The grass to grace life story of Alhaji Akeem Adelaja is that of a young man who grew up knowing about the struggles of life. As a Mushin born and bred, young Akeem toiled very hard and sometimes in the dreaded hustling and jostling which is synonymous with Mushin in particular and Lagos State in general. In the midst of these tough challenges and seemingly insurmountable rocks of Gibraltar, the hard working Akeem kept on doing his legal duties as a Petrol attendant at a gas station in his Mushin, Lagos domain.
Gradually, young Akeem started learning the rudiments of business, most especially in the oil and gas sector and as time went on, he was able to develop solid interest in the business and worked assiduously towards achieving his set goals and objectives.
Alhaji Akeem Adelaja
After going through the necessary educational attainment needed to forge ahead in his life’s pursuits, Akeem Adelaja ventured into the lucrative but challenging and hotly contesting oil and gas industry and pronto, the Almighty God was with him and he gradually built for himself, an inspirational image in that sector. Today, Alhaji Akeem Adelaja, a devout Muslim who never joked with all the rules and regulations guiding the Islamic religion is a vast investor in the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
