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FG Relaxes Lockdown Orders in FCT, Lagos, Ogun As COVID-19 Cases Hit 174
The Federal Government has relaxed total lockdown it imposed on the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The government, in the new guidelines it issued on Wednesday, stated that markets selling food would open from 10am to 2pm every other day.
Also, supermarkets and pharmacies are to open from 10am to 4pm every day, but must maintain a high level of hygiene.
The new guidelines also ban bus services during the lockdown. It adds that a mass gathering of more than 20 people is not allowed.
The Federal Government reviewed the lockdown on Wednesday just as COVID-19 cases rose to 174 with 35 new cases.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control had on Tuesday put the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country at 139.
Following the rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday ordered the lockdown of the FCT, Lagos and Ogun states.
He ordered residents of the FCT and the two states to stay at home during the 14-day lockdown, which began in Lagos and Abuja at 11pm on Monday.
The President, however, exempted health personnel, journalists, workers of telecommunication and power companies from the stay-at-home order.
On Monday, Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, and some prominent lawyers, including Mr Femi Falana, SAN, disagreed with the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, over the legality of the lockdown.
In the new guidelines released to journalists by the National Coordinator for the fight against COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, during a press conference organised by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, supermarkets, food stores, pharmacies and markets are exempted from the lockdown, but must operate under strict rules
He said all residents of the two states and the FCT would be confined to their homes, except for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining essential goods or service or seeking medical care.
The Punch
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its failure to pay outstanding wage awards owed to federal civil servants, describing the government as callous and economically mismanaged.
Atiku lamented that despite promises to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal with a N35,000 monthly wage award, the government has only paid six months’ worth, leaving workers with four months of unpaid arrears amounting to N140,000 per worker.
“The decision to remove petrol subsidy without proper plans has buried the average Nigerian under the weight of inflation, hunger, and despair,” Atiku said.
He condemned the Tinubu administration for taking an excessive 10 months to finalise the new minimum wage figure, calling the delay a broken covenant that has exacerbated the economic hardship Nigerians face.
“That promise, like many others under this government, has become a broken covenant,” Atiku stated.
Atiku also criticised the government’s approach to labour issues, saying: “While several state governments have shown commendable responsibility in managing labour affairs, the Tinubu-led Federal government has distinguished itself by its utter disdain for workers’ welfare.”
He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of labour activist Andrew Uche Emelieze, who was arrested and detained for attempting to organise a peaceful protest over unpaid wage awards.
“Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act—not to repress,” Atiku said.
He warned that the government’s approach reflects a growing authoritarian trend and urged the administration to engage in dialogue and fulfil its promises instead of resorting to tyranny and suppression of free speech.
Atiku’s criticism underscores growing dissatisfaction with the current administration’s handling of economic and social issues, reinforcing his call for a new path toward good governance and relief for Nigerians amid prevailing hardship.
Chelsea, on Sunday, thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 in the Club World Cup final.
The Blues were considered underdogs ahead of the game, in which they came up against the Ligue 1 and Champions League winners.
However, it was the Premier League club that flew out of the blocks in the first half, scoring the three goals that effectively decided the match.
Cole Palmer curled in a pair of identical goals from the right side of the box, putting Chelsea firmly in control at the MetLife Stadium.
Palmer then provided a slide-rule pass for João Pedro to make it 3–0, his third goal of the tournament since joining Chelsea.
There were no goals in the second half, as Enzo Maresca’s men held on to win the Club World Cup, in addition to the UEFA Conference League they clinched last month.
For PSG, they will not be winning an unprecedented sextuple, but they will have a chance to claim the UEFA Super Cup next month against Tottenham.
President Bola Tinubu has received with profound sorrow and a heavy heart, news of the passing of his predecessor in office, Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari died on Sunday in a London hospital after an undisclosed illness.
In a tribute message he personally signed, President Tinubu said Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman.
“He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.
“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential. He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on, and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.
“In this moment of national mourning, I extend my deepest condolences to his beloved wife, Aisha, with whom I have been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.
“I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate.
“We honour his service. We reflect on his legacy. And we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul,” Tinubu’s statement read in part.
As a mark of respect to the former Nigerian leader, Tinubu directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today.
He said that he has also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council (FEC) session on Tuesday, dedicated to Buhari’s honour.
Tinubu added that the Federal government will accord President Buhari full state honours befitting his towering contributions to our country.
“May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
“And may his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness,” the statement added.
