Heritage Update

Atiku Abubakar son finally tested negative twice for Corona virus,to be discharged anytime soon. The 31-year-old Mohammed Atiku Abubakar, however, failed to test negative for the virus until today, a 40-day ordeal that experts said could be amongst the longest ever recorded in the country since the first infection was confirmed in Lagos February 27.

Ogun state health workers have started using Nigeria's pioneer protective glass box,This was installed in the Ogun State Walk-in & Drive-through Testing Centre at the Ijamido Town hall, Opposite Ansar-u-Deen Comprehensive College in Ota. The protective glass box protects health personnel from risk of infection from persons whose samples are being taken. This is the primary advantage why the State Ministry of Health devised this equipment and method. A number of suspected patients, who were identified or voluntarily reported, have given samples that have been transferred for testing and results will be ready for assessment in a short time. The state Deputy Governor Mrs Noimot Oyedele, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker inspected the operation, including sample collection and disinfection of gears by trained hygienists.

Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir El rufai has been tested negative for Corona virus.  He said, “In the evening of Saturday, 28 March, 2020, I was notified that I had tested positive for COVID-19. “I immediately made a public disclosure of this sad news and proceeded into isolation under the strict supervision of our healthcare professionals. “I am delighted to report today that after nearly four weeks of observing a strict medical regime, I have now received the all-clear after two consecutive negative test results.“I thank Almighty Allah for His grace and mercy. I also acknowledge with gratitude the massive outpouring of sympathy, prayers and public support that followed the disclosure of the infection. “My family not only went through the trauma of potentially losing a member, but also the risk of being infected as well. “The entire family has been supportive as usual, while my many friends and colleagues from all over the world have sent their prayers and best wishes. “I...

There is a fire outbreak at the Jos branch of Central Bank of Nigeria. This was disclosed by the apex bank via its Twitter handle. It said, “Minor fire outbreak at the Jos branch of Central Bank of Nigeria, promptly contained today, April 21, 2020.”

Israeli scientists who claim a single placenta can treat 20,000 coronavirus sufferers are hopeful after beginning the treatment, as some of its first patients have shown improvement while their company’s shares have skyrocketed. Pluristem Therapeutics uses placentas to grow smart cells, and programs them to secrete therapeutic proteins in the bodies of sick people. It has just treated its first American COVID-19 patient after treating seven Israelis. There is no follow-up data on the American patient, but the company reported that as of a follow-up on April 7, all seven Israelis had survived and three were on target to soon move off ventilators, while one had shown deterioration in respiratory parameters Two of the four Israelis with multiple organ failure showed clinical recovery as well as respiratory improvement. All patients were one week after treatment at time of follow-up, apart from one, who received treatment after the others and whose health update wasn’t reported....

On the sad occasion of the demise of Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff, the President has directed on three things. First, that this tribute (below) be issued in recognition of the enormous sacrifices and contributions made by the deceased to the success of his politics and administration and to the overall development of the nation. Second, the President wishes to direct strict observance of the social distancing rules as prescribed by the National Center for Disease Control, the Federal Ministry of Health; and other safe hygiene practices as advised by relevant local authorities. In this regard, the President will not be available for condolence visitors but urges, in place of that prayers be offered for the repose of soul of the departed Chief of Staff. Third, the President wishes to convey his deep appreciation to foreign leaders and all Nigerians, from whom a stream of messages have been reaching him over this irreparable loss. May Allah accept his soul. Garba Shehu Senior ...

A rights activist and lawyer, Edward Brisibe, has reacted to the private funeral given to the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari, stating that the action by the presidency has shown that “some persons are more Nigerian than others.” The lawyer while reacting to the death of Mallam Kyari who he described as a national statesman, said the presidency has indeed lost a key figure of its inner cycle who died in active service and “indeed it will be a big shoe to fill by anyone.” Condemning the ceremony that trailed the burial of the late Chief of Staff, Edward in a statement, Saturday, accused the federal government of contradicting itself in its social distancing order and claims that COVID-19 corpses can’t be claimed by family members for burial. Edward in a statement, Saturday, said: “First I want to use this medium in joining the federal government to mourn the death of a man that has played a key role in this administration as well as the famili...

The Media Centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Abuja was on Friday morning engulfed by fire , THE PUNCH has learnt. Details later …

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has said that COVID-19 tests in all approved testing centres in Lagos State are carried out free of charge. Abayomi stated this today while reacting to an online report which alleged that patients pay 30,000 Naira for COVID19 test at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) approved centres in Lagos, noting that no designated testing centre in the State is allowed to collect money for the COVID-19 tests. “I want to state unequivocally that there is no designated COVID-19 testing centre in Lagos that collects or is allowed to collect money for the test. COVID-19 tests at the designated testing centres are free of charge,” Abayomi affirmed. The Commissioner maintained that the State Ministry of Health is not aware of any health worker at any of the testing centres that collects money for the COVID-19 test, urging residents to be wary of misleading reports targeted at discrediting front-line health workers who are committed t...

  Oyo, stae governor Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday, kicked off a rapid testing initiative for COVID-19 in the State, declaring that the outcome of the exercise would help contain the spread of the virus. Governor Makinde, who declared open the COVID-19 Drive-Through/Walk-Through Testing, an initiative that is expected to test 2,000 samples within two weeks, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, said the rapid testing initiative aligned to his administration’s commitment to test at least 10,000 residents within a short time. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that the State was scaling up testing in alignment with expert opinions that the best way to contain and control the spread of the novel Coronavirus is by ensuring mass testing. Governor Makinde appreciated the Citizen for Citizen, a non-governmental organisation headed by the chairman of First Bank Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, ...