Headlines
Coronavirus: Quarantine Passengers on Flight with Italian, FG Told
As Nigerians woke up to the perplexing news of the first confirmed case of the novel Coronavirus disease in the country on Friday morning, there have been reactions for the Federal Government to identify and isolate passengers onboard the Turkish Airlines flight with the Italian businessman who tested positive to the virus.
There were also calls on financial institutions and other businesses to beef up preventive measures in their premises to curtail the spread of the virus.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, on Friday, said the Italian businessman flew a Turkish Airlines flight into the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos from Milan, Italy, having transited through Istanbul, Turkey.
The commissioner said the victim arrived in Lagos on Monday night at 9 pm and spent the night in a hotel around the airport area before leaving for business in Ogun State on Tuesday morning.
The victim was said to have fallen ill after which he tested positive for the novel virus.
The patient is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire at a press briefing today said the Federal Government has contacted the airline and has begun the process of reaching out to possible contacts of the Italian to break the cycle of transmission.
Meanwhile, some Nigerians on Friday insisted that all the passengers aboard the Turkish Airlines flight with the Italian victim should be identified and quarantined to prevent a possible outbreak in the country.
A Twitter user, @OlanusiAkin, said, “The Federal Government should immediately look for the other passengers onboard the aircraft that brought that Italian into the country and get them examined. This is a serious problem and should be urgently handled.”
@osangcynthia said, “What about the airplane he boarded into the country, let them quarantine all of them. God help us. We aren’t done with insurgency and here comes a virus that even the developed country can’t handle.”
@rubiconlex said, “What about all those on that flight? What measures are taken to start tracing and testing these people?”
Also, some were of the opinion that banks in the country should beef up preventive measures to curtail the spread of the disease.
@riginawokaholic said, “Since the first case of Coronavirus has been confirmed in Nigeria, banks should help curtail its spread by providing gloves and face masks at entrances, thereby protecting staff and customers.”
@empopson said, “Since we all know that Lagos is the gateway to Nigeria, we should have been on the alert. People coming from infected countries are to be properly screened and quarantined.”
@BIOlokodana said, “My boss’ cousin came in from China and she said she wasn’t even checked at all. So, what are we now saying? They should at least check those particularly coming in from countries with major outbreaks.”
The Senate had on Thursday berated the Federal Government for not doing enough to screen passengers coming into the country from the nation’s airports and seaports.
The novel virus is fast spreading, having been reported in over 20 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and lately in Africa.
The Italian businessman is the second confirmed case in Africa following one recently recorded in Algeria in North Africa.
With 14 deaths and 528 infections, Italy is by far the European country worst affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
