If you’re 55 and above, avoid mosques, churches – Nigerian Government

From the Federal Government on Tuesday came an advisory to Nigerians: If you are 55 years old and above, avoid churches and mosques.

Those with health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, among others, are also enjoined to stay at home to worship, the government added.

It noted that the advice was necessary because places of worship have been recognised as a major avenue of potential spread of Coronavirus.

The government stated this through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 Control. It released the guidelines for states to follow in discussions with religious leaders before the reopening of churches and mosques for worshippers.

The government said the protocols made available would be the baseline which the states are not expected to go below while firming up agreement with religious leaders.

Nigerians have been pressuring the government to reopen worship centres in spite of the spike in COVID-19 positive cases, leading to easing of restrictions on religious centres.

The PTF National Coordinator, Dr. Aliyu Sani, who announced the guidelines said religious centres should keep a record of attendees.

Dr. Sani said this would allow for contact tracing in the case of virus spread.

He urged worshippers experiencing common symptoms of COVID-19 to stay away from churches and mosques.

 

 

 

– The Nation

SA court rules lockdown regulations unconstitutional

A South African court has found some coronavirus lockdown regulations imposed by the government as “unconstitutional and invalid”.

The case was filed by a community group, Liberty Fighters Network, who challenged the government’s response measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The high court in the capital, Pretoria, ruled on Tuesday that “the regulations are not rationally connected to the objectives of slowing the rate of infection or limiting the spread thereof”.

It however suspended the judgement for 14 days to give government time to overhaul the regulations.

The cabinet has said it will “review, amend and republish the regulations” but that the measures will remain in place “for now”, according to a statement.

The country has some of the most stringent coronavirus containment measures in the world.

It eased a month-long lockdown on 1 May after dropping the alert level from level 5 to level 4, and to level 3 on 1 June.

Alcohol sales resumed this week following a two-month ban. All gatherings, except funerals and for work, are still banned. Travel between provinces is also prohibited, and international flights are cancelled except for those repatriating citizens.

The country has the highest cases of coronavirus on the continent , about 30,000 confirmed so far and 700 deaths.

– BBC

I will bring killers of Omozuwa to book – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the murder of an undergraduate of the University of Benin, Miss Uwaila Vera Omozuwa, by rapists at a place of worship in Benin.

The president on his verified twitter page: @MBuhari on Tuesday directed the police to speedily and diligently investigate the case and ”ensure that all the culprits responsible for the barbaric act are brought to justice.

”I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Omozuwa.

”I expect the Nigeria Police Force to speedily and diligently investigate this case and ensure that all the culprits responsible for this barbaric act are brought to justice,” the president stated.

Omozuwa, a 22-year-old microbiology student, believed to be a virgin, was raped and killed in a church where she went to conduct academic activities.

The killing of the university student has horrified many people across the country with human rights groups, public figures and government officials demanding justice for the deceased.

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, had on her twitter handle: @abikedabiri disclosed that one person had been apprehended in connection with the killing of Omozuwa.

She said the arrest was facilitated through the thumbprint of the suspect on the fire extinguisher used in attacking the victim.

 

 

– PMNewsNigeria

Nigerian Government Reveals Five Airports To Be Reopened By June 21

The Federal Government has announced that only five airports will be reopened when flight operations resume on Saturday, June 21. 

According to a circular by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), asides the five selected airports, all others are to remain closed for further assessment.

The memo further revealed that Nigeria’s airspace remains closed to international flights.

The domestic airports that will be opened include Omagwa International Airport Port Harcourt, Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri, and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano.

Other airports are expected to be gradually added to the network after review and assessment.

 

 

 

– Channelstv

US Embassy Warns Citizens over Protests

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has warned its citizens against visiting its Lagos consulate office over a planned protest of the killing of an African-American, Mr. George Floyd, by a Minneapolis police officer.

Video clips of the incident on the internet showed where a white police officer was kneeling on his neck for nearly 10 minutes.

The incident sparked off a global outrage, with people marching on various states in the US, some of which led to looting and vandalism of shops, across the country.

As a result of this, the US government has imposed a curfew on over 25 states.

The US authorities also announced investigations into the death of the deceased and that the four police officers involved in the incident have been sacked.

Some Nigerians on Tuesday protested the murder of Floyd at the US embassy in Abuja, calling for an end to racial discrimination and injustice.

The Cable reported that in an alert published on its website, the US embassy advised its citizens to be aware of their surroundings and avoid areas surrounding the US consulate office building.

“The U.S. Consulate General in Lagos has received reports that demonstrators plan to gather in front of the Consulate on Wednesday, June 03, 2020, to protest current events in the United States,” the alert read.

“Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

“Avoid the areas of  Walter Carrington Crescent, the U.S. Consulate General office building, and surrounding areas. Avoid  demonstrations  and large crowds.

“Be aware of your surroundings. Monitor local media for updates. Carry proper identification, including a U.S. passport with a current Nigerian visa. Review your personal security plans. Wear a mask when in public spaces to protect yourself and others from the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” it said.

 

 

 

– Thisdaylive