The Lumine News

Tag: COVID-19

COVID-19: Buhari releases 2,600 prisoners to contain coronavirus outbreak

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of 2,600 prison inmates across Nigeria.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced at a press conference on Thursday, April 9, 2020, that the amnesty is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to decongest the custodial centres and discourage the spread of coronavirus (COVID19) in the country.

The minister said that the affected inmates are state offenders in custodial centres across the country.

He noted that the amnesty only applies to inmates who are 60 years old and above; those suffering from ill health that could be terminal; inmates serving three years and above and have less than six months left to serve; inmates with mental issues; and inmates with options of fine not exceeding N50,000.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, announced the amnesty during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday (Daily Trust)

Aregbesola said the amnesty will not apply to inmates sentenced for violent offences such as terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry, rape, human trafficking, and culpable homicide.

“The president has graciously approved this request and others,” the minister said during a press conference.

He said governors of all 36 states in the country will complete the amnesty exercise in line with the federal principle.

41 federal inmates and 29 inmates in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja who met the pardon criteria will be released today from the Kuje Custodial Centre, the minister said.

As of April 8, Nigeria has recorded a total of 276 coronavirus cases in 16 states and the FCT.

44 people have recovered and been discharged, but six people have died.

April 9, 2020
Covid- 19: No procession during palm Sunday, only five persons during mass/service – Etta

By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

As the world continue to contend the pandemic virus codenamed Civid- 19, the Cross River State government has maintained that on no account should any church hold procession during the palm Sunday, which according to the catholic calendar is billed for 5the of March, 2020.

In a release signed by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Father Bob Etta and made available to THELUMINENEWS indicates that only 5 persons are permitted per time to attend the palm Sunday masses/services.

The release reads in part “His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade KSJI the Governor of CRS, the Hon. Commissioner for Health and indeed the COVID 19 Response team in CRS wishes to thank CAN CRS for the great co-operation shown thus Far in the fight against Coronavirus in our dear State. We are grateful that your efforts has kept our State Coronavirus free today.

“His Excellency wishes to remind us that these last days are critical therefore:

1. For Masses/ Services tomorrow Palm Sunday only 5 persons are permitted.

2. No Processions are not permitted tomorrow. Social distancing of 3 meters is still in Place.

3. Since the Church is first a Family, we are encouraged to hold our religious services in our homes and Pray for the wellbeing of our State and Nation.

4. Remember to wear a Mask when going out.

5. May God save our State from the scourge of this pandemic and Bless us All”

Fr. Bob B. Etta
Snr. Special Adviser
Religious Matters.
4/4/2020

April 4, 2020
COVID- 19: NMA launches online health connect services in Cross River
BY Gorge Odok Jr. – Calabar

The Nigerian Medical Association in Cross River has launched a free Healthcare Connect Service at the Calabar Women and Children Hospital for residents in the state.

Launching the Connect Service on Saturday in Calabar, Dr Ofem Enang, 2nd Vice President of NMA, National, said the service was meant to connect residents in the state with qualified healthcare personnel in view of the stay at home order of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Enang said that the launching became necessary in other to help residents access quality healthcare within this period.

According to him, the Connect Service will ensure that residents in the state are linked up with specialist on different medical fields to attend to their health needs.

Speaking, Chairman of NMA in the state, Dr Agam Ayuk who gave out the numbers, 09081599993 and 09081599994, urged residents to call and lay complain whenever they have health challenges and needed prescriptions or referrals to any health facility for treatment.

Ayuk said that with the stay at home order of the government, suspected Covid-19 cases and others who may have other healthcare needs may be prevented from accessing desired or required healthcare.

He explained that hospitals and other health institutions were doing everything possible to keep crowds away from the hospitals.

“As we prepare to contain Covid-19, we must not lose sight of other health challenges faced by the populace, especially the vulnerable in Cross River and beyond.

“Our consulting rooms are scanty for the above stated reasons; pertinent questions that should bother us as healthcare providers are; has Covid-19 made other diseases to suddenly disappear?

“If the answer is no, where are the patients receiving care? If they can’t get to the certified professionals, are they seeking help from quacks or they just remain at home and bear their burden and wait for dead?

“The focus of the Connect Service is to provide citizens the go-to-place to access evidence based, Covid-19 public health and safety information”, he said.

He further said that the Connect Service will also identify and manage other health problems requiring over the counter medications based on standardized protocols.

According to him, the centre will also request essential laboratory tests, where necessary for patients with minor health problems based on standardized protocols.

“The centre will also provide remote consultation for patients with chronic illness for the purpose of ordering medication refill or schedule hospital appointments for them with their respective hospitals to keep them safely away from the public.

“The e-health centre will also provide online triage of respiratory infections and scheduling special appointments for these patients with relevant hospitals.

“The centre will also provide those on schedule healthcare appointments with a valid, verifiable electronic pass to see their respective doctors and home service when necessary for the elderly”, he said.
- The Connect Service is headed by Dr Elihu Osim, the Chairman of Information and Communication Technology Committee.
April 4, 2020
BREAKING: Missing Osun coronavirus patient found

By Damaris Onyendi – Calabar

The missing COVID-19 patient from Osun State Isolation Centre in Ejigbo has been apprehended and returned to the centre.

The patient, a woman, was apprehended in Ejigbo town and returned to the facility by the police on Saturday afternoon.

Chief Press Secretary to Osun State Governor, Ismail Omipidan, confirmed the development to The PUNCH.

He said that the patient had been apprehended and returned to the facility.

Prior to this, the Osun State government debunked the information of 6 missing coronavirus patient, saying that a headcount was carried out as just 1 patient was found to be missing from the isolation centre.

April 4, 2020
6 Coronovirus patients abscond from isolation centre in Osun State

By Damaris Onyendi – Calabar

Six persons tested positive for coronavirus have escaped from their isolation centre in Osun state on Friday night, 3rd of April, 2020.

The six patients according to Nigerian Tribune belong to a cluster of COVID-19 cases who recently returned to the state from Ivory Coast.

Upon their return to Nigeria on Saturday, March 28, 2020, Osun state government immediately isolated the travellers at Gedu in Ejigbo.

But six of them escaped from the isolation centre on Friday night.

An official who spoke to Daily Trust said the state government has launched a manhunt for the patients.

Below are the names of the six persons with their phone numbers and addresses, as sent to Pulse by a source.

1. LAWAL Waliyulah, Masifa Ejigbo, 08063691573

2. LASISI Murafat, Olugbodi’s compd Ejigbo, +22505368845. C/o Ganiyat Alabi, 08075441187

3. Yusuff Afees, Ile Alawe, Ejigbo, 07011196193

4. Isola Abibat, Ile Olori, Ejigbo, 08055905010

5. Nua Oyeleye, Ile Jesu, Oguro Ejigbo, 08109375276

6. Juel Olasupo, Ile Baale Ejigbo, 08149584397

April 4, 2020
BAF Donates Cash & Preventive Supplies to Covid-19 fight in Cross River State

By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

As part of the efforts to combat the dreaded Covid -19 pandemic, the Ben Akak Foundation has made donation of essential preventive supplies to assist the Cross River State government.

This is the most high profile example of how a foundation are utilizing their assets and funds for social good amid a devastating outbreak that has pretty much shut down the State economy.

The Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu on receiving the items said the foundation has gone beyond bound to show earnomous support to the state as this is a fight for humanity and appreciated the founder of the foundation, Engr. Ben Akak and others who have made this donation possible.

According to her this is a huge response to the team effort in tackling the dangerous pandemic as the state will ensure those who have supported the course of the fight will have their names written in gold as remembrance of their efforts for future purpose.

The leader of the team Mrs. Josephine Ben Akak said they are not ignorant of the efforts of His Excellency towards eliminating Covid-19 in Cross River State. According to her this is the reasons Ben Akak foundation which cares about the people’s standard of living in the state has donated the items.

Over 300 Sanitizers, 400 surgical gloves , 200 face masks and 1million Naira cash was donated to the Cross River State Ministry of Health as their support to His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade efforts in tackling the pandemic. Also in the Ben Akak Foundation delegation was high profile appointees of the Governor, Mr. Austin Ibok, SSA on Amnesty, Mr. Raphael Morphy, SSA Job Placement, Mr. Effefiong Nta Eke, PDP Chairmanship candidate of Calabar Municipality LGA amongst others.

April 4, 2020