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Chairman Josnorth Hon Shehu Usman has condemned in totality the attacks of vigilante by Some youths of Sabon gari Tudun Wada community.

By Peter Akpah The Chairman Josnorth local government Hon Shehu Bala Usman has condemned in totality the attacks of vigilante by youths in Sabon gari community the incident happened at about 10:30am sourcenews24 who happened to be on ground when the unfortunate incident happened show a clash by the vigilante and the youths that even amounted to the demolition of the road blocks put by the vigilante to ensure total compliance.u

Speaking to one of the elder in the commitee Nde Kofab he said the actions of the youths is totally bad and not acceptable them as elders in the community totally comdemn the act and call on the relevant authority to deal with any person that think is above the law he also said the vigilante are doing a selfless service to humanity to help in the fight against covid-19 and for them to be treated that way is very bad according to him, sourcenews24 gathered that the incident happened when a youth from the community came to cross the road off from his area and as usual the vigilante asked him where he was going and he replied back and say what is their business and wanted to forced his way and was asked him to go back in reaction he kick one of the vigilante and started fighting him and some of the youths in the area who show what was happening came out in their numbers with sticks and merchet and started attacking them so they have to call for reinforcement by the police.

Some of the vigilante also complained that they are having issues with the people of Sabon gari as they don’t obey the total lockdown according to them there is absolutely no compliance and you dear not talk to them, and all the recieved from them are insults and telling them how much are they paying them.

The counselor representing tudun wada dung Hon Azi Christopher Atang also condemned the act of the assault on the vigilante he said such action is totally unacceptable and Sabon gari youths should stop taking laws into their hands as the vigilante are there for their own safety and therefore call for calm and destroying the roads blocks is also out of it.

Meanwhile Hon shehu Bala Usman have also call for calm and ask the Sabon gari community to cooperate with the vigilante as they are there for the safety of the community and to also support government in the fight against covid-19 and government will not take it lightly with any one the is assaulting the vigilante on the selfless service they are doing and with what has happened in Sabon gari in tudun wada government will take some proactive measures to stop further occurance.

We Are Struggling At The Moment For Bed Spaces In Lagos – NCDC DG

By Peter Akpah

The Director-General of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday made an outcry about inadequate bed spaces to accommodate COVID-19 patients in isolation centres.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu said Lagos State is the worst-hit by this challenge of inadequate bed spaces although Kano State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are also affected.

He stated this while responding to questions from journalists at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja. Ihekweazu added that although there are about 3,500 bed spaces available across the country, this is insufficient and it leaves the infectious disease control agency to struggle.

“In response to the question about bed spaces. There is not doubt about that, we are struggling in certain places especially in Lagos. To an extent Kano and Abuja too but the biggest challenge right now is in Lagos where bad spaces are really tight.

“Across the country we have about 3500 bed spaces identified as available for COVID-19 but in Lagos we are really struggling. So, we are going to keep trying to work with them to make more spaces available and ultimately,” he said.

The NCDC boss added that due to this challenge, there might be need for a change of strategy and start treating some patients at home.

“We might have to change our strategy a little bit and start considering home care in certain circumstances where the person is able to provide a room where a patient can be managed sufficiently and secondly, we are able to support the care by enabling healthcare workers come to that.

“We will always be honest with Nigerians, we are struggling at the moment we might have to adapt that strategy because of the reality we have faced over the next few days and weeks,” Ihekweazu said.

Nigeria currently has 1,728 confirmed cases of COVID-19 across 34 states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Only 307 persons have been discharged while 51 deaths have, so far, been recorded.

COVID-19: Nigeria’s Jerry Mallo Manufactures Ventilators To Help Poor In Africa

By Peter Akpah

Jerry Isaac Mallo, a Nigerian engineer and entrepreneur has started manufacturing ventilators from locally available materials.

Mr Mallo who first caught the world’s attention when he manufactured Nigeria’s first ‘carbon fibre’ sports car, said in a interview posted on social media that his latest invention is not only something to fit into the times, but a work aimed at alleviating the pains of the masses.

Mallo who is still in his late 20s, is the CEO of Bennie Technologies LTD, noted in a post via Twitter that he is inspired to save lives using his technological skills.

He said his machine design, fabrication and manufacturing company saw the need to venture into production of ventilators because African countries are suffering to purchase the medical equipment which has become rather too expensive.

According to Mallo, it became a priority for his company seeing that many African countries cannot afford to get ventilators to fight COVID-19, and those who have the funds cannot get due to the shortage in supply.

Mallo who in a video post on Twitter showed the operations of his ventilators stated that the Plateau State Government supported his firm in coming up with a prototype.

He however, noted that coming up with the prototype was not enough.

According to Mallo, his team needed a medical crew to scrutinize the functionality of the ventilator they had made.

A clinical test was eventually carried out and it was verified that Mallo’s invention could be put to use if improved upon.

In his appeal, the young engineer stated that if his firm has everything needed in place, “Nigeria will be a proud manufacturer of its own ventilators.

Lalong Relax Lockdown From Thursday Midnight To Sunday Midnight And Lockdown Resumes Lockdown 4th May.

By Peter Akpah

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, RT. HON. (DR) SIMON BAKO LALONG, KSGG, ON THE CONTINUATION OF TOTAL LOCKDOWN OVER COVID-19 PANDEMIC, HELD ON 30TH APRIL 2020.
1. Dear citizens of Plateau State, you will recall that I addressed you on Thursday 23rd April 2020 to update you about our efforts in curtailing the Corona Virus disease otherwise known as COVID-19.

2. In that address, I announced the relaxation of the total lockdown from Midnight of Thursday 23rd April 2020 to 12th Midnight of Sunday 26th April 2020 to enable people again re-stock their homes. Accordingly, the total lockdown resumed this Monday 27th April 2020.
3. As you are aware, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Plateau State on 23rd April 2020. Immediately this development was conveyed, Government activated its response mechanisms to treat the patient who was already on isolation.

4. Thereafter, health officials began contact tracing towards halting further spread and infection. This has largely been carried out with 19 contacts traced and isolated while the index case remains in isolation for treatment and is in good condition.

5. Fortunately, the results of all the 19 contacts associated with the index case have been received and all of them are negative.

6. Regrettably, the Government discovered the unfortunate leakage of a test result conducted at the COVID-19 Laboratory of the National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, which found its way to the social media.

7. This unprofessional conduct is being investigated thoroughly and anyone found culpable will be dealt with accordingly. We have equally reached out to the affected persons and their families to reassure them and mitigate the situation.

8. Having received report of a suspected case in Enugu State said to have travelled to Plateau recently, we have since identified the contacts associated with the person and 12 people who might have had contact with the index case have been put on isolation and their samples taken. Results are being awaited.

9. In addition to this, the results of other suspected cases are being awaited, while the results of 65 other suspected cases earlier sent for investigation were received today, which all returned negative.

10. Dear compatriots, with the COVID-19 index case confirmed in Plateau State, we certainly have to redouble our efforts at combating the pandemic by cutting off community transmission and blocking more imported cases.

11. The only way we can do this is to encourage and sustain preventive measures, which cannot succeed with stigmatization and discrimination. Like I have said repeatedly, Corona Virus is not a death sentence and scientific evidence suggests that there is high survival rate among those infected.

12. I appeal to citizens to avoid stigmatizing people who are either quarantined, suspected or confirmed to have the disease. While we take all necessary measure to remain safe, we must not subject people to psychological torture, which has devastating effects on their health and capable of discouraging future tests.

13. Further to the efforts at combating COVID-19, Government has taken the following decisions:
i. The total lockdown which resumed midnight Sunday April 26th 2020, shall be relaxed from Midnight of Thursday 30th April 2020 to Midnight of Sunday 3rd May 2020 to enable people again re-stock their homes. Thereafter, the total lockdown will resume on Monday 4th May 2020.

ii. This will henceforth be the pattern until further review. In order words, the period of restocking will last from Midnight of every Thursday to Midnight of every Sunday.

iii. In addition to the total lockdown which closed movement in and out of the State, and in order to curb community spread of COVID-19, Government has decided to close all intra-State borders with effect from 4th May 2020. Consequently, there shall be no movement from one Local Government to another even during the period when the total lockdown is relaxed, except for those on essential services as earlier enumerated.
iv. Farmers are strongly advised to farm within their localities and Local Government Areas to avoid breaking this order. These measures are necessary in order to curb community transmission of the disease and make contact tracing easier.

v. The profiling and return of Almajiris has commenced and shall continue until the last Almajiri is relocated. On 26th April 2020, the first batch of 279 Almajiris were evacuated. Out of this number, 243 were sent home to their States of Bauchi, Kano and Kaduna, while 36 were sent to their Local Governments in Wase and Kanam.

vi. Starting from 4th May 2020, all citizens shall be required to use facemasks in public places in addition to observing all hygiene and social distancing regulations.

vii. In line with the Mr. President’s pronouncement, there shall be overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am effective 4th May 202. Only people on essential duties are exempted from this directive.

14. Fellow compatriots, the Government remains fully aware of the collective hardship that this situation has brought upon us. No one, including those holding public offices are immune from these challenges. That is why we must exercise more patience and resilience as we work together to defeat this pandemic.

15. Already, the measures put in place to reduce the hardship among the most vulnerable have commenced with the distribution of palliatives to orphanages, people living with disabilities, and the elderly, which kicked off on Saturday 25th April. This exercise will continue with other groups up to all the Local Government Areas.

16. While Government is doing everything possible to expand the number of beneficiaries, members of the public, especially those who have the means are strongly encouraged to also initiate personal interventions by reaching out to the needy within their communities.

17. We should also avoid spreading fake rumours and unsubstantiated information about palliatives, which is capable of misleading the public and putting them under unnecessary tension at this very sensitive time. Those who are in this habit are hereby warned to desist, as they will be held responsible for their actions.
18. The Deputy Governor who chairs the palliative committee and his team are working assiduously to ensure that this distribution is carried out in a transparent, equitable and successful manner. I have confidence in their capacity to deliver and they need our support and prayers.

19. There will be no discrimination of any kind in this exercise. Nevertheless, members of the public are free to report any case of abuses directly to the Deputy Governor or myself for immediate action.

20. Government is also concerned about the impact of the Corona Virus pandemic on the education sector. That is why I directed the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board to commence the implementation of the UNICEF EDUCATION CAN NOT WAIT INTIATIVE (ECW) to enable our children learn at home.

21. At the moment, learning has started with Television and Radio lessons for children in Mathematics and English transmitted on the Plateau Radio Television Corporation from 9-11am weekdays. In addition, we have produced simplified study materials that are being distributed to children especially in rural areas that may not access Radio and Television services.

22. In addition, Government is partnering with U-LESSON Education, one of the new Education Technology Company in Nigeria founded by one of the illustrious sons of Plateau State, Mr. Sim Shagaya that will offer online science education to secondary school students.

23. Let me reiterate that the breaches in our inter-State borders remain a major challenge to our efforts at combating the virus. With the ban on non-essential inter-State passenger travel by the President, it has become imperative that more radical measures be put in place to curb illegal infiltrations of our borders.

24. We are strategizing and re-inforcing the borders especially illegal routes. It is important to warn that stiffer penalties and actions will be applied to violators no matter their Status.

25. Those who aid and abet this illegality, including Government functionaries should be ready to face the full wrath of the law. I also remind the public that all guidelines earlier issued remain in force as the mobile courts are on duty to try offenders.

26. Finally, I wish to register my appreciation to the entire citizens of the State who have shown tremendous understanding and commitment to supporting our administration in responding to the Corona Virus pandemic.

27. You have demonstrated that it is our battle which we must all fight together. God willing, we will surely win.

28. Thank you and may God bless Plateau State, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. (Dr) Simon Bako Lalong, KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State & Chairman,
Northern Governors Forum.
30th April 2020.

Enugu state covid-19 link trace history to jos plateau state 14 March 2020 according to the commissioner

By Peter Akpah

Enugu state covid-19 link trace history to jos plateau state according to the commissioner this case has a positive travel history the confirmed case travel out of Enugu on the 28th March 2020 and returned from jos plateau state 2 weeks ago 14th April 2020.

This confirmed case developed symptoms on Tuesday 21st April and was reported to a front line health centre in the state on Saturday 25th April 2020. according to the commissioner a vigilant health care worker operating on a index of suspicion person contacted the Enugu covid-19 Rapid response team and this case was brought in for sample collection on Monday 27th April 2020 the result returned on the evening of 28th April 2020 as a confirmed positive case.

Sourcenews24 in there investigation gathered that the confirmed case has visited jos based on the information he gave and afterwords this medium engage some medical personnel on the current issues if plateau have an index case on the 24th of April and a case of

covid-19 in Enugu was trace to jos haven’t travel to jos and returned to Enugu and developed symptoms and tested positive plateau most have have the case or he contacted it on the way back to Enugu or on the way to jos but the question here is has plateau state ministry of health or the covid-19 task force made any efforts to meet the Heath officials in Enugu for the person who tested positive to covid-19 to tell them where he visited in jos and those he have contacts with.

If plateau state ministry of health has not done any thing then plateau state is not ready to fight against the coronavirus recently the medical health practitioners constituted a commitee to help fight against the covid-19 that cut across all medical personnels and visited the covid-19 task force in jos headed by the governor himself Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong who was represented by the SGS prof Danladi Atu the medical practitioners headed by Dr Gomerep S Simji clearly stated that the ministry of health is not carrying them alone, and did some analysis that even the SGS prof Atu said he is hearing it for the first time, sourcenews24 correspondent was also there when the medical practitioners visited, if plateau state ministry of health don’t step up in the fight against covid-19 then plateau state is heading to lead the whole of the North if tests are conducted or contact tracing

The index case recorded in the state the ministry of health has not said anything important when the commissioner brief the press but rather said they are having challenges in the contact tracing when the commissioner was asked, if an index case and contact tracing is not done to know where and where the covid-19 patient visited and now a case from Enugu history traced to jos shortly after returning from jos then plateau state must have the covid-19 long before the index case of 24 April 2020 rather 14th march 2020.

PDP in a Factional war As Purported Swearing in of New Ward Excos With Congresses Not Held in Some LGA’S

By Peter Akpah

*PLATEAU PDP WARD CONGRESSES AND PURPORTED SWEARING IN OF NEW WARD EXCOS.*

The Plateau PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2019 election and current leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State, Lt. Gen (Rtd) Sen Jeremiah Timbut Useni, has come across a message reportedly issued by the Secretary of the party to all LGA Chairmen of the PDP.

In it, he notifies them “to inform all the newly elected Ward EXCOs in your LGA to be on standby for possible swearing in ceremonies on Thursday 30/04/05” (sic), and undertakes to communicate details of the plan “in due course.”

Senator Useni therefore wishes to make the following statements on this matter:

“I am not aware of such “swearing in” as is being contemplated. It has neither been officially brought to my notice as a critical stakeholder in PDP, and indeed Leader of the party in Plateau State, nor has it been discussed and agreed upon as the collective decision of the faithful, sacrificial and hardworking PDP stakeholders in the state.

“This is because the Ward Congress itself, and other congresses scheduled by the party had resulted in unresolved issues from across the State by party members.

“I am rather fully aware that such contentions have been documented and presented to the national secretariat of our great party for proper resolution by our leaders.

“I state unequivocally that there has been no official report by the Congress Committee or the Congress Appeal Committee on the congress itself.

“The question therefore is: who then are those who have been lined up for “swearing in” at the behest of the State Secretary?

“Even on the LG Congress, it was clear that the Plateau State Government had already announced a lockdown on the state to curtain the spread of the Coronavirus among our good people of Plateau. Their health should have been of greater concern to us as a responsible party than our craving for political offices.

“My dear and precious PDP leaders, Elders, stakeholders, members and supporters, the current action being contemplated will not bring the desired inclusiveness, reconciliation and unity of purpose sorely needed to prepare us for the next crucial battle ahead. We need each other. We must not insist on accelerating on a path that will lead us to more bumps and tempests.

“I call on you all to discountenance the notice by the office of the Secretary, and await further developments on concrete steps to ensure togetherness in the party by our national officials.”

“I further appeal to members and supporters of the PDP not to give room for the destabilisation of the very good achievements of the recent past, but to rather stay focused on rebuilding our relationships and channelling our resources toward bouncing back in 2023.”

Sen. Useni called on the people of Plateau to remain strong and courageous in the face of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

“It is a passing phase. Plateau people are alert, resilient and tough enough to overcome this challenge. We must come out of it stronger, healthier, and wiser.”

Yiljap Abraham

Media Consultant to
*Lt. Gen (Rtd) Sen. Jeremiah Timbut Useni, DSS, Fwc, mni, CFR*

April 29, 2020PRESS STATEMENT: