AGF Malami provides legal justification for Buhari’s lock down order To Stop The Spread of Covid-19.

By Peter Akpah

Coronavirus: AGF Malami provides legal justification for Buhari’s lock down order

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Monday said President Muhammadu Buhari acted legally by imposing movement restriction in two states and Abuja. Mr Malami also provided the law that he said backed the president’s action.
The AGF was reacting to a senior lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, over his criticism of Mr Buhari ‘s order restricting movement in Lagos, Abuja and Ogun.
Mr Malami’s reaction is contained in a statement he personally signed and shared with various media houses
President Buhari had in his first address to Nigerians on the coronavirus crisis, on Sunday, ordered residents of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja to stay at home for 14 days from Monday.
He said in his speech that, “based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States.
“All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period.
“The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States, as well as the Minister of the FCT, have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed.”
In reaction to the president’s speech, the senior lawyer in a statement said Mr Buhari had no right to make such a proclamation without recourse to the National Assembly.
However, the AGF in his reaction on Monday, said the president did not commit any illegality.
Mr Malami said, “It is important to inform the discerning members of the public that the President did not make a declaration of a state of emergency under Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which would have required the concurrence of both House of the National Assembly.
“Even at that Section 305(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) permits a proclamation of a State of Emergency to run for a period of 10 days without the approval of the National Assembly when the parliament is not in session as in the present situation wherein the National Assembly has shut down.
“The learned silk also goofed when he questioned the President’s powers to restrict movement and claiming that such powers can only be exercised by the state governors and the respective state assemblies.
“It is clear from the President’s broadcast that what His Excellency sought to address is a public emergency occasioned by a dangerous and infectious coronavirus disease.
The restriction of movement came on the heels of advice received by the President from the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, the two focal agencies in the fight against COVID-19.”
The justice minister said the correct position remains that the president acted rightfully under the powers conferred on him by the Quarantine Act 1990 CAP 384 LFN which has the title: “An Act to provide for and regulate the imposition of quarantine and to make other provisions for preventing the introduction into and spread in Nigeria, and the transmission from Nigeria, of dangerous infectious diseases”.
He said it is not in doubt that COVID-19 is an infectious disease of a contagious nature which the president rightly declared under Section 2 of the Quarantine Act to be a dangerous infectious disease.
“Section 3 of the Act enables the President to declare any part of Nigeria as an infected area. Section 4 of the Act further empowers the President to make regulations to prevent the introduction, spread and transmission of any dangerous infectious disease.
“Section 6 of the Act requires the President and State Governors to provide sanitary stations, buildings and equipment.
Thus, in recognition of the critical roles being played by the state Governors in these trying times, the Federal Government has been working with the states in line with the dictates of Section 6 of the Act,” he said.
The AGF added that “the President has so far acted in accordance with the executive powers of the federation conferred on him under Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the provisions of Section 14(2)(b) which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
As of Monday night, there were 131 cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria including two deaths.

Chairman Bassa LGA Inaugurates Task Force And Distributes Sanitizers To Ensure Total Compliance

By Peter Akpah

Bassa Chairman Distributes Sanitizer’s , Inaugurates Task Force To Ensure Compliance

The Executive Chairman of Bassa Local Government Hon.Dr Chindo Gona Girga has taken awareness and Covid19 to his people in full effect to ensure total compliance.

The Chairman held a meeting with stakeholders to set up a taskforce that will ensure compliance to directives by the Federal and state Government on social distancing and measures to be taken to curb the spread of the dreaded Virus to Plateau State.

Mr Gona told the stakeholders that Government has ordered close of shops, restriction of movements and gathering of not more than 50 persons in Places of worships.

The chairman tasked security operatives to to vigilant and dedicated to their duties in ensuring total people obey the measures highlighted by Government.

“You know that Bassa has boundary with 3 states and people will want to come into Jos and exit from Bassa ,so all borders in Bassa must be cordoned to ensure total compliance” He stated.

The Chairman distributed sanitizer’s to key stakeholders for onward distribution to the 20 wards of the local Government.

The Chairman inaugurated the task force committee to got round and carry out the enforcement in the LGA.

In attendance is his Royal Highness Rev.Ronku Aka the acting President Bassa Traditional Council,Hon Adamu Gweni, Deputy Chairman,Hon.Jeje Kucha Asukutuk, Secretary Of The Local Government,Col.T.A Ayoola Sector 3 commander,Hon.Isandu.I.Ayiki,Leader of house,SP Kennedy Roman,DPO amongst host of others

Plateau State Got a Boost in The Fight Against Covid-19 as the State Recieved a whopping Some of 28.5 Million Naira Donation.

By Peter Akpah

PLATEAU ESTABLISHES COVID-19 ENDOWMENT FUND: RECEIVES 28.5 MILLION NAIRA DONATION FROM UBA.

Plateau State Governor has earlier during the outbreak of the Covid-19 called for support from spirited individuals and cooperate and business organization to support in the fight of the coronavirus, and donations have started coming in to the state.

Governor Lalong who earlier this month 23th of March 2020 visited and inspected some facilities in plateau state specialist hospital, JUTH, and Binham teaching hospital in jos the plateau state capital to ensure the ready of the state to tackle should in case there’s an outbreak in the state, Lalong who noticed that most of the isolation centres don’t have enough ventilator promise to buy more ventilators and also increase the capacity if need be, and this donation came timely according to him.
The government have received a donation of 28.5 million Naira from united Bank for Africa (UBA), through its UBA Foundation as part of their contribution to the fight against the disease covid-19 to day being 30th of March 2020,
The presentation was made on behalf of the Bank by Steve Gadzama, Regional Bank Head in Jos.

He explained that the bank has remained a partner to the Government of Plateau State and is happy with the measures taken so far to deal with the situation. He said the bank has also constructed and donated an isolation facility and incubators at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos.
On behalf of the state government Governor Lalong thanked the UBA for setting the pace in contributing to the fund he assured that the account will be managed transparently and the money applied to critical areas including responding to the needs of the poor and people in rural areas.
He urged other corporate organisations and well meaning individuals to also donate to the fund known as PLATEAU STATE COVID-19 SUPPORT FUND. ACCOUNT NUMBER: UBA 102275174

Plateau State Government To Soon Get a Testing Center For Covid-19.

By Peter Akpah

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR MEETS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, APC STATE LEADERSHIP ON COVID-19; SAYS STATE TO GET TEST CENTRE SOON.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says the State is to get a centre for the test of COVID-19 disease soon.
He said this in continuation of the efforts to contain the Corona Virus disease and ensure that it does not spread to Plateau State, as he met with more critical stakeholders to ensure that the State mitigates the impact of the pandemic.
The Governor met with the leadership of the Plateau State House of Assembly as well as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State at the Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.
Governor Lalong who chairs the State COVID-19 Emergency Response Task Force, explained that the meeting became necessary so as to carry everyone along in the fight against the disease.

He said “we are dealing with an abnormal situation and so we need to take drastic measures in order to protect the lives of the citizens. We have already put in place various measures to ensure that the disease does not come into Plateau. Thankfully, there is no recorded case yet and we pray that it remains so. However, we must work hard to keep things this way”.
Lalong also said there was the need to also work with the legislature and the ruling party leadership in the State to look at the socio-political impact of the disease in the State. He said the stakeholders will need to work together and make hard choices that will keep the State afloat.
Commissioner of Health Dr. Nimkong Lar briefed the stakeholders on the effectiveness of the preventive measures already taken such as contact tracing, closure of markets, monitoring and checks at entry points to the State, as well as public enlightenment. He said the people of the State are being sensitized and are cooperating with measures put in place.

He explained that the old JUTH has been earmarked as an isolation centre while the State is purchasing more ventilators, drugs and other essentials that are needed for the disease.
Chairman of the Plateau State Economic Team Mr. Ezekiel Gomos also briefed the stakeholders where he said the revenue of the State has been hugely impacted and will make execution of programmes and projects very difficult.
This he said necessitated the recommendation of the Economic Team that the 2020 budget be cut by 40 percent while all non essential expenditure be equally reduced drastically. Some of the measures already announced by the Governor in his statewide broadcast according to him are in line with the recommendations of the Committee.
Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Ayuba Nuhu Abok expressed the support of the legislature and commended the Governor for all proactive measures taken so far.
Chairman of the APC in the State Chief Letep Dabang also supported the measures put in place, but asked for more sensitization of more stakeholders especially in the rural areas.
Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu also said the State has opened a COVID TRUST FUND Account for corporate organisations and individuals to contribute to the fight against the disease.

Makut Simon Macham, Ph.D
Director, Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
30th March 2020.

Plateau To Soon Get a Testing Center for Covid-19 in The State Says Lalong

By Peter Akpah PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR MEETS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, APC STATE LEADERSHIP ON COVID-19; SAYS STATE TO GET TEST CENTRE SOON.Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says the State is to get a centre for the test of COVID-19 disease soon.
He said this in continuation of the efforts to contain the Corona Virus disease and ensure that it does not spread to Plateau State, as he met with more critical stakeholders to ensure that the State mitigates the impact of the pandemic.
The Governor met with the leadership of the Plateau State House of Assembly as well as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State at the Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.Governor Lalong who chairs the State COVID-19 Emergency Response Task Force, explained that the meeting became necessary so as to carry everyone along in the fight against the disease.
He said “we are dealing with an abnormal situation and so we need to take drastic measures in order to protect the lives of the citizens. We have already put in place various measures to ensure that the disease does not come into Plateau. Thankfully, there is no recorded case yet and we pray that it remains so. However, we must work hard to keep things this way”.
Lalong also said there was the need to also work with the legislature and the ruling party leadership in the State to look at the socio-political impact of the disease in the State. He said the stakeholders will need to work together and make hard choices that will keep the State afloat.
Commissioner of Health Dr. Nimkong Lar briefed the stakeholders on the effectiveness of the preventive measures already taken such as contact tracing, closure of markets, monitoring and checks at entry points to the State, as well as public enlightenment. He said the people of the State are being sensitized and are cooperating with measures put in place.He explained that the old JUTH has been earmarked as an isolation centre while the State is purchasing more ventilators, drugs and other essentials that are needed for the disease.
Chairman of the Plateau State Economic Team Mr. Ezekiel Gomos also briefed the stakeholders where he said the revenue of the State has been hugely impacted and will make execution of programmes and projects very difficult.
This he said necessitated the recommendation of the Economic Team that the 2020 budget be cut by 40 percent while all non essential expenditure be equally reduced drastically. Some of the measures already announced by the Governor in his statewide broadcast according to him are in line with the recommendations of the Committee.
Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Ayuba Nuhu Abok expressed the support of the legislature and commended the Governor for all proactive measures taken so far.
Chairman of the APC in the State Chief Letep Dabang also supported the measures put in place, but asked for more sensitization of more stakeholders especially in the rural areas.Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu also said the State has opened a COVID TRUST FUND Account for corporate organisations and individuals to contribute to the fight against the disease.Makut Simon Macham, Ph.D
Director, Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State
30th March 2020.

Plateau State To Soon Get a Testing Center For Covid-19

By Peter Akpah

PLATEAU STATE GOVERNOR MEETS HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, APC STATE LEADERSHIP ON COVID-19; SAYS STATE TO GET TEST CENTRE SOON.

Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong says the State is to get a centre for the test of COVID-19 disease soon.
He said this in continuation of the efforts to contain the Corona Virus disease and ensure that it does not spread to Plateau State, as he met with more critical stakeholders to ensure that the State mitigates the impact of the pandemic.
The Governor met with the leadership of the Plateau State House of Assembly as well as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State at the Government House, Little Rayfield Jos.
Governor Lalong who chairs the State COVID-19 Emergency Response Task Force, explained that the meeting became necessary so as to carry everyone along in the fight against the disease.
He said “we are dealing with an abnormal situation and so we need to take drastic measures in order to protect the lives of the citizens. We have already put in place various measures to ensure that the disease does not come into Plateau. Thankfully, there is no recorded case yet and we pray that it remains so. However, we must work hard to keep things this way”.
Lalong also said there was the need to also work with the legislature and the ruling party leadership in the State to look at the socio-political impact of the disease in the State. He said the stakeholders will need to work together and make hard choices that will keep the State afloat.
Commissioner of Health Dr. Nimkong Lar briefed the stakeholders on the effectiveness of the preventive measures already taken such as contact tracing, closure of markets, monitoring and checks at entry points to the State, as well as public enlightenment. He said the people of the State are being sensitized and are cooperating with measures put in place.
He explained that the old JUTH has been earmarked as an isolation centre while the State is purchasing more ventilators, drugs and other essentials that are needed for the disease.
Chairman of the Plateau State Economic Team Mr. Ezekiel Gomos also briefed the stakeholders where he said the revenue of the State has been hugely impacted and will make execution of programmes and projects very difficult.
This he said necessitated the recommendation of the Economic Team that the 2020 budget be cut by 40 percent while all non essential expenditure be equally reduced drastically. Some of the measures already announced by the Governor in his statewide broadcast according to him are in line with the recommendations of the Committee.
Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Ayuba Nuhu Abok expressed the support of the legislature and commended the Governor for all proactive measures taken so far.
Chairman of the APC in the State Chief Letep Dabang also supported the measures put in place, but asked for more sensitization of more stakeholders especially in the rural areas.
Secretary to the Government of the State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu also said the State has opened a COVID TRUST FUND Account for corporate organisations and individuals to contribute to the fight against the disease.

SIP To Work Out Modalities To Pay Beneficiaries In Line With Mr President Directives Says Dr Hamza

By Peter Akpah


PRESS RELEASE FROM THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE GOVERNOR ON SOCIAL

INVESTMENT PROGRAMME, PLATEAU STATE
We are all aware of the pandemic bedeviling the world referred to as
Coronavirus or Covid-19. This virus has affected all facets of life globally hence
all hands must be on deck to fight it. We are aware that the four components of

the Social Investment Programmes namely: Job Creation –Npower; National
Home Grown School Feeding- NHGSF; Conditional Cash Transfer – CCT and
Government Enterprise Empowerment Programme- GEEP, are being implemented
in Plateau State.
These programmes have made tremendous impact in the lives of the
beneficiaries as well as their associates. The positive results recorded include
among others, investment by beneficiaries thus making them self-reliant;
improved financial inclusion among thousands; enhanced wellbeing; financial
independence and exploration of economic diversification opportunities. These
results would not have been achieved without a conducive environment to
operate. Parts of the driving parameters include peaceful environment, good

health and opportunities for economic growth. Government at Federal and State
levels have done extremely well ensuring that wellbeing of citizens is enhanced.
It is the light of the foregoing and furtherance to the awareness programmes
carried out by the SIP office, that this press release is issued. We strongly add
our voice to encourage all our teeming beneficiaries, well over 600,000, and
their associates to obey all precautionary measures put in place by Government
to ensure that we stay safe of the Coronavirus pandemic. Covid-19 is real,
hence the need to take precaution against being infected. SIP beneficiaries
should be patient as Government is proactively putting remedies in place to
cushion the effect of Shut-Down. Be assured that all your allowances will be
paid in no distant time. We call on the good people of Plateau State to pay
attention in maintaining personal and environmental hygiene. Join us to
advocate for self-protection by maintaining good personal hygiene-frequent
hand-washing, maintain social distance, use of hand sanitizer and avoid
touching your face; protection of our loved ones by not sneezing openly but use
tissue and dispose or sneeze into inner side of your elbow, avoid crowded
places and wear mask; and indeed protect our communities by seeking medical
attention if you have fever, persistent cough or feeling unwell and staying
indoors.
Finally, we are all advised to stay at home until the pandemic is put under
control and eventually eradicated from the universe. May God bless the good
people of Plateau State and Nigeria. Stay At Home Stay Safe.
Signed:
Dr. Sumaye Fadimatu Hamza (PhD)
Executive Assistant to the Governor/Focal Person
Social Investment Programme. Plateau State

COVID-19: Your Broadcast Empty, PDP Mocks Buhari

By Peter Akpah

COVID-19: Your broadcast empty, PDP mocks Buhari

MARCH 29, 2020

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sunday night lamented decried President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast on the COVID-19 pandemic, describing it as empty and failing to address the yearnings of Nigerians.

This is even as the party said outside the social distancing and isolation, which Nigerians had already imposed on themselves, “Mr. President had no new solutions to offer our nation.”
In a late reaction via a statement by spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP noted that that the address did not touch on the real necessities of majority of Nigerians who reside in the states where President Buhari had ordered a lockdown.

President Buhari had in the broadcast ordered a total lockdown in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory for 14 days in a bid to stem the control of the Coronavirus.

The statement read: “It is unfortunate that Mr. President failed to respond to demands on hope for medications, direct social palliatives, cut in taxes as well as a reduction in the pump price of fuel even with the cut in the price of petroleum and crude oil in the international market.

“Our party notes as saddening that even in areas where Mr. President announced an ambitious intervention, such remained largely cosmetic as there is no clear palliative content but moratoriums on loans with no clear data for implementation.
“Mr President is reminded that already, the COVID-19 had affected the performance of those loans.

Granting them moratoriums is therefore of no consequence to the capital and interest on them.

“It is rather unfortunate that Nigerians had to wait this long for an address that came out empty and failed to respond to anxieties.

No confirmed Case of coronavirus in Plateau State -Governor Lalong

By Peter Akpah

NO CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONA VIRUS IN PLATEAU STATE -GOVERNOR LALONG

Plateau State Government has refuted trending news in the social media alleging that there was an index case of confirmed Corona Virus in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Since the circulation of this fake news, there has been rising concern and anxiety within and outside the state.
According to the fake news, “one Hassan Sale, an influential personality from Gangare area of Jos, in Jos North LGA, an ally of Senator Bala Muhammad Governor of Bauchi State, has developed symptoms similar to those of Corona Virus (COVID-19) having been come in contact with the Governor recently”.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Government of Plateau State wishes to state unequivocally that this assertion is false amounting to a misinformation.
Prior to this rumour however, the Ministry of Health, Plateau State swiftly acted by taking the specimen of Hassan Sale, and sent same for examination.
We are happy to announce to Plateau people and indeed to the whole world that both the preliminary and the confirmatory results of the specimen standing in the name of Hassan Sale are negative.
In the light of this development therefore, Government wishes to call on all and sundry to discountenance such misinformation and also state categorically that as at this moment, there is no known case of Corona Virus found in Plateau State.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong who is the Chairman of the Plateau State COVID-19 Emergency Response Committee wishes to use this opportunity to appeal to the Plateau people to continue to adhere to preventive measures by washing their hands regularly, staying at home and maintaining social diatance. They should also be mindful of the kind of news they pick on the street or from the Social Media space. It will do them good to verify such from the appropriate quarters please.
He assures the people that Government is working day and night through all its response Committees to ensure the enforcement of all measures put in place to safeguard the them against the disease and ensure that Plateau State does not record any case.
Think Plateau, Act Plateau.

Dan Manjang,
Honourable Commissioner,
Information and Communication,
Plateau State.
28th March 2020.

No Confirmed Case OF coronavirus in Plateaus State -Governor Lalong

By Peter Akpah

NO CONFIRMED CASE OF CORONA VIRUS IN PLATEAU STATE -GOVERNOR LALONG

Plateau State Government has refuted trending news in the social media alleging that there was an index case of confirmed Corona Virus in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Since the circulation of this fake news, there has been rising concern and anxiety within and outside the state.
According to the fake news, “one Hassan Sale, an influential personality from Gangare area of Jos, in Jos North LGA, an ally of Senator Bala Muhammad Governor of Bauchi State, has developed symptoms similar to those of Corona Virus (COVID-19) having been come in contact with the Governor recently”.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Government of Plateau State wishes to state unequivocally that this assertion is false amounting to a misinformation.
Prior to this rumour however, the Ministry of Health, Plateau State swiftly acted by taking the specimen of Hassan Sale, and sent same for examination.
We are happy to announce to Plateau people and indeed to the whole world that both the preliminary and the confirmatory results of the specimen standing in the name of Hassan Sale are negative.
In the light of this development therefore, Government wishes to call on all and sundry to discountenance such misinformation and also state categorically that as at this moment, there is no known case of Corona Virus found in Plateau State.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong who is the Chairman of the Plateau State COVID-19 Emergency Response Committee wishes to use this opportunity to appeal to the Plateau people to continue to adhere to preventive measures by washing their hands regularly, staying at home and maintaining social diatance. They should also be mindful of the kind of news they pick on the street or from the Social Media space. It will do them good to verify such from the appropriate quarters please.
He assures the people that Government is working day and night through all its response Committees to ensure the enforcement of all measures put in place to safeguard the them against the disease and ensure that Plateau State does not record any case.
Think Plateau, Act Plateau.

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