News
Edo Shuts Markets As Two Fresh COVID-19 Cases Are Recorded
Edo State Government on Monday recorded two fresh cases of the novel coronavirus bringing the total number in the state to 11.
It was also announced that Governor Godwin Obaseki who has been in isolation for the past 14 days will personally lead the battle against coronavirus from today (Tuesday).
The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Philip Shaibu, who addressed the press on the update on COVID-19 said the state governor was in good health condition and held meetings with traditional rulers and local chairmen via Skype.
He said worried by the cases, the state government had ordered the closure of all markets from 12 midnight of Tuesday (today) while the food section would be relocated to the field of nearby public primary or secondary schools.
According to him, the state government, which now has 234 contact tracing, had made the wearing of face masks mandatory for those moving out of their homes.
Shaibu maintained that anyone caught moving about without a face mask as a precautionary measure would be sanctioned.
“These measures were put in place to save residents of the state from contracting the disease. Information reaching the state government indicated that some returnees who are of Edo origin were using hotels to self-isolate. I want to say that henceforth, the state government has banned the use of hotels and homes for self isolation,” he said.
The deputy governor narrated how one of the 11 that tested positive reportedly took a public transport to Irrua Specialist Hospital instead of taking a taxi. He said he was referred to the specialist hospital from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
“Only God knows how many people he has infected with the disease. And that is why we are tracing those who may have had contact with the man that tested positive. It may not be just his family members alone but those that boarded the same vehicle with him,” he said.
He advised anyone that suspected having symptoms of the disease should approach any of the four isolation centres located across the three senatorial districts of the state, including Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City where the state has two isolation centres and one holding centre.
The deputy governor added that the state government had put in place a screening centre to receive anyone in the state for any ailment, noting that “COVID-19 is here with us, so everyone should join hands with us to fight the disease.”
Also speaking, representative of World Health Organisation, Mrs Faith Ireye, pointed out that samples from 61 persons indicated that 50 were negative while 11 were positive.
“I am very glad the state government has ordered that the markets be shut down from midnight of tomorrow (Tuesday) because anytime I pass through the market and see the way people are crowded, there is no self distancing. But from tomorrow, I think we will begin to have some relief.
“I want to inform us that from the confirmed cases in the contacts that we have seen whose specimen were taken to the laboratory, we found out that they walked into the virus. Let me talk about the last case whose two relations are positive. He got it from his two friends who came from Italy and the United Kingdom. The two have gone back but they left the virus with us. So, please self distancing is very important.
“We have 11 cases and from that 11, we are tracing 234 contacts. Two weeks ago, it was just one, now we have 11. If we continue like this, by the middle of this month, we will be having 22,” she said.
She stated that social distancing and regular washing of hands were key to warding off the pandemic from spreading.
The Punch
A dramatic confrontation erupted at the Peoples Democratic Party National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday as Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and the governors of Oyo and Bauchi states, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammed, clashed in a fierce struggle for control of the party’s headquarters.
Mary Chinda, reporting for ARISE News, said that security operatives loyal to both camps engaged in a free for all over who would take possession of the secretariat, with heavy teargas fired around the Wuse Zone Five premises as tensions boiled over.
Governor Makinde arrived at the venue with the newly elected National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, while Wike remained firmly positioned inside the building with Samuel Anyanwu, the embattled National Secretary who maintains that his tenure remains valid until December 8, 2025.
The intense standoff deepened concerns within the party, with several PDP leaders accusing the Police of failing to demonstrate neutrality in the escalating leadership crisis.
Source: Arise News
Suspected terrorists have reported invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSSS), Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, of Zuru Emirate, Kebbi State, killing the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and abducting an unspecified number of students.
Zaragoza reports that a resident, Malama Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the attackers stormed the school at night and operated freely, throwing the community into panic.
The resident was said to have described the invasion as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning”, adding that the bandits moved in large numbers and overpowered the area without resistance.
Gishiri said the late Vice Principal was shot while attempting to protect students from the attackers.
“People in the community have been offering prayers for his soul, asking Allah to grant him mercy, a peaceful resting place, and to console his family over this painful loss,” she said.
The people of Maga further appealed to the government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted students, saying they may not have gone far, and to strengthen security around schools and communities in the area, which have suffered repeated attacks by bandits.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has signed a landmark Internet connectivity agreement with the Imo State Government through its Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Governance.
Globacom disclosed in a press statement that the deal which is the largest single fixed Internet connectivity project in the history of Globacom’s Enterprise Business Group marks a significant milestone in the State’s drive towards achieving a fully digital economy, e-governance structure, and the establishment of a Smart City in Owerri, the state capital.
According to the telecommunications giant, the deal accentuates its pivotal role in delivering robust telecommunications infrastructure and next-generation digital solutions across Nigeria and beyond. The project will empower the company to provide high-capacity Internet connectivity to critical locations within the State, including the Smart City project in Owerri—home to 15 mega buildings—as well as the Ministry of Digital Economy and e-Governance, and the Imo State University for Innovation, Science and Technology, formerly Imo State Polytechnic.
Said Glo, “Our Glo-1 submarine cable, which connects Nigeria directly to Europe through our privately-owned international fibre optic network, will form the backbone of this ambitious project. The Glo-1 infrastructure guarantees superior bandwidth capacity, minimal latency, and highly secures connections, making it ideal for supporting the State’s digital transformation agenda and enhancing the efficiency of public services”.
The company added that the partnership with the Imo State Government will strengthen its commitment to providing reliable, high-quality connectivity that drives socio-economic progress and bridges the digital divide across Nigeria.
Furthermore, Globacom said: “We are honoured by the confidence reposed in Globacom by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Hope Uzodinma and his team,” adding that “This partnership is a testament to our technical capability, nationwide coverage, and proven efficiency in delivering enterprise-grade connectivity solutions. We will work closely with the State’s technical team to ensure timely delivery of the project and to support Imo’s vision of a thriving digital economy.”
“Imo State is setting a remarkable example for other states in Nigeria by leveraging technology to improve governance, education, and business efficiency. “We applaud the Governor’s focus on empowering the youth and building an innovation-driven economy. This partnership aligns perfectly with Globacom’s mission to power Nigeria’s digital future, enhance the State’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure and training initiatives for young people which will create new employment opportunities, stimulate innovation, and accelerate sustainable economic growth”.
Globacom has sustained its imposing presence in every region of Nigeria backed by its resilient network that traverses West Africa. The company has its footprints in digital connectivity solutions for both public and private sectors. Its advanced infrastructure — anchored on the Glo-1 international fibre network, extensive metro fibre coverage, and resilient enterprise systems — ensure that institutions, governments, and businesses can rely on seamless, secure, and scalable connectivity.
The network called on other state administrations to emulate Imo State’s bold initiative by embracing strategic digital partnerships saying, “The future belongs to states and nations that invest in technology and connectivity. We encourage other governments to partner with Globacom in building digital infrastructures that can power education, commerce, governance, and innovation. Together, we can strengthen regional economies, create opportunities for millions, and drive poverty out of our communities.”
