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Russian Prime Minister tests positive for COVID-19 Russian Prime Minister, Mikhali Mishustin, has tested positive for COVID-19. Mishustin revealed this in a video meeting the President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. He said he will self-isolate to avoid putting members of the cabinet at risk. According to him, “It just became known that the coronavirus tests I took came back positive, so I must oblige by the self-isolation rules and it’s mandatory [that I do that] for the safety of my colleagues.” He also urged Putin to sign a decree appointing Andrey Belousov to his role on an acting basis. Speaking on the development, Putin while assuring him that anyone could contact COVID-19 wished the Minister a quick recovery. “What is happening to you now can happen to anyone. I hope that you stay able to work and will actively participate in government decision-making. “Without your opinions and your participation these decisions will not be made,” h

COVID-19: Some states playing politics of number to attract sympathy – Northern Elders The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said some states have made false claims over the number of COVID-19 infected persons in order to attract attention and get huge amount of money from Federal Government. Professor Ango Abdullahi, the Convener of the forum in a statement on Thursday, in Kaduna, said with the little resources available, the country can turn around its fortune of this nation in transparent and professional manner, but some states were playing politics of number with the current situation with a view to divert attention. He added that what the country needed at the moment were good policies and facilities that would protect the citizenry. The statement reads in part, “The forum regrets the appearance of attempts by many state governments to play politics with numbers for what appears to be expectations that more funds from Federal Government and forei

Kano deaths: Nigerian govt gives update on probe, efforts Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this at the daily briefing on Thursday. He assured that investigation into the causes of the high number of  deaths in Kano  would be pursued to a logical conclusion. President Muhammadu  Buhari had announced  that a probe was ongoing. Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced that the PTF had released a number of equipment to be transported to Kano. “These include two oxygen concentrate and three ventilators, 280 protective gowns, 538 examination gloves, 25 boot covers, medical masks, surgical caps, and infrared thermometers.” He noted that the government had established isolation and treatment centres with a holding capacity of 274 persons in Kano. “The PTF will further strengthen Kano State to scale up its response with the provision of necessary facilities and equipment, capacity building, imp

Buhari reacts to death of Goni, Aliyu   President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, over the death of his father, Aliyu Daneji. His condolence message was conveyed via a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Thursday. Buhari recalled that Daneji, pioneer Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Kano State, had worked diligently to provide a formidable structure for governance in the state. “His foresight and large-heartedness in investing his time and resources in education have continued to bear fruits in the state and the nation. May the Almighty God comfort Aliyu and the entire family,” the statement said. Buhari also condoled with the people and government of Borno over the demise of Mohammed Goni, the first civilian Governor of the state. He noted that Goni’s dedication and commitment to the development of the state re

COVID-19: Plateau Govt evacuates 243 Almajiris to Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has said the first batch of 279 Almajiris have been evacuated. According to him, 243 out of the aforementioned figure were sent to their home States of Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna. DAILY POST recalls that Governor Lalong had stated on the April 23, 2020, during a statewide broadcast, that “Considering the grave danger that Almajiri children are exposed to as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am directing the immediate profiling and return of all Almajiris from Plateau State to their respective States of origin to join their families and guardians. “Accordingly, I have set up a Committee for the immediate profiling and return of Almajiris to be headed by Brig. General Salihu Inusa (rtd)”, he maintained. “This action is in tandem with the resolution of the Northern Governors Forum, which agreed to act in unison to protect these vulnerable children and

COVID-19: Obaseki extends Edo lockdown Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Thursday, extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew from 8pm to 6 am for another 14 days. The extension takes effect May 3. Obaseki, at a media briefing, explained that the measure was to safeguard the people amid the coronavirus crisis. He noted that the state had made tremendous progress in the area of screening, testing and improving awareness on the pandemic for our people. “Working closely with the public and private hospitals, we have screened no fewer than 20,000 people and tested 297 of them. This is the reason for the increased number of cases,” he said. “We are aggressively pushing to screen our minimum target of about 500,000 people and test about one percent of them which is about 5,000 in the next few weeks. “Of the 20,000 people we have screened and the 297 samples taken, we have recorded 37 confirmed cases as at today, discharged eight and lost three people. “It is wort

NCDC list States with confirmed COVID-19 cases as Nigeria’s toll hits 1728 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, has given an update of States across the country with confirmed cases of Coronavirus. NCDC said as at Wednesday night, 34 States and the FCT have confirmed cases of COVID-19. Lagos State has the highest number of confirmed cases. In a tweet, the NCDC wrote: “As at April 29 2020 breakdown of cases by state.” Breakdown of States below: Lagos-931 Abuja FCT- 174 Kano-139 Gombe- 64 Borno-59 Ogun- 50 Katsina -40 Edo- 37 Osun- 34 Kaduna -32 Bauchi- 29 Akwa Ibom – 12 Kwara- 11 Sokoto-27 Ekiti-8 Ondo-8 Delta-7 Rivers-7 Taraba-8 Enugu-3 Niger-2 Jigawa -7 Abia-2 Zamfara-4 Benue-1 Anambra-1 Adamawa-2 Plateau-1 Imo-1 Bayelsa-1 Kebbi -1 Ebonyi-2 Nasarawa-1 Yobe-1 Total – 1728

Lockdown ease: Buhari fails to clarify schools’ resumption d Published   2 days ago   on   April 28, 2020   President Muhammadu Buhari was silent on the schools’ re-opening as he made a nationwide broadcast on Monday night. It is now expected that States will decide on resumption of schools or otherwise. The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) could take a definite position in their awaited reaction to the president’s speech. Buhari  announced lockdown ease  effective May 4 and extended the ‘stay at home’ directive till May 3. Again, only Lagos, Ogun States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja are affected. However, the President imposed a ban on interstate movement. Last week, there was confusion over rumours that  learning institutions may reopen soon. Messages shared on social media platforms didn’t help matters either. The speculations forced the Lagos State Government to elucidate that all private and public schools remain closed, t

25-year-old dies of COVID-19 in Lagos The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has announced another COVID-19 related death, involving a 25-year-old male patient. Abayomi on his Twitter page on Thursday said the deceased at the time of admission at the state isolation facility was in a state of severe breathlessness. “We regret to announce additional COVID-19 related death involving a 25-year-old male, who at the time of admission, was in a state of severe breathlessness. “Total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Lagos is now 20,” he said. Abayomi advised residents to remain committed to observing necessary precautionary measures to stop COVID-19 infection. He urged residents to be vigilant and report any concern about COVID-19 infection in their communities.