Delta Community Residents Protest As Fulani Herdsmen Ambush, Kill Vigilante Leader, Member While Attending To Distress Call

Residents of Okpanam community under Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State and residents of Justice Estate along the Asaba-Benin Expressway on Thursday embarked on a peaceful protest over the killing of the community's vigilante chairman and a member by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The angry protesters accused the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, of treating the issues of Fulani herdsmen in the state with levity while Deltans were killed, kidnapped, maimed and raped on daily basis.

The vigilante chairman and a member of the Okpanam community vigilante were said to have been killed by the Fulani herdsmen around 9:00pm on Wednesday in a nearby bush after receiving a distress call by an unknown person. 

Speaking with SaharaReporters, a member of the community’s vigilante group, who simply identified himself as Uzor, revealed that the late chairman known as Emeka Chosen got a distress call at about 9:00pm on Wednesday that someone was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen and responded.

He said, "Emeka Chosen received a distress call at about 9:00pm Wednesday that someone had been kidnapped by the Fulani herdsmen. Emeka and two other members of our vigilante group mobilised and entered the bush so as to rescue the victim.

"On arriving the bush and unknown to Emeka, the herdsmen had laid ambush for them and fired several gun shots at him and one of the vigilante members from behind. They died immediately while the third member narrowly escaped into the bush with bullet wounds.  Late Emeka Chosen

"The third vigilante member managed to make some emergency calls to other vigilante members that same night who mobilised to the bush but by then the Fulani herdsmen had escaped." 

Our correspondent reliably gathered that last month a man was killed while three persons were kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen at Justice Estate.

As at the time of filing this report, the two corpses have been retrieved and deposited at the mortuary.

Contacted on the issue, the Police Public Relations Officer in Delta State, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident.

"The information we earlier received was that someone was kidnapped and the vigilantes in Okpanam were alerted and they pursued the kidnappers.

“But because they were banned from carrying arms, the kidnappers laid ambush for them and shot two of them dead."

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Farida Dankaka’s nomination refreshes storm over abuse of federal character principle

The nomination of Dr. Farida Muheeba Dankaka as chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) by President Muhammadu Buhari has refreshed the controversy over the president’s perceived non-application of the principle of federal character in his key appointments.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, had on Tuesday read the president’s letter seeking Senate approval for the nomination of Dankaka and 37 others as chairman and members of the commission, instituted by Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to ensure that no section of the country dominates appointments to the federal government and its agencies.

Specifically, the section specifies: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.”

FCC is saddled with the responsibility of enforcing this constitutional provision.

Dankaka’s nomination is said to be in conflict with this provision of the constitution on the ground that she is from Kwara State, Northern Nigeria, she ought not to have been so nominated because the secretary of the commission, Mr. Muhammad Tukur, is from Taraba State also from the North.

The critics’ argument is that this pattern of appointment negates the constitution, the enabling law and convention.

They refer to Section 4 of the enabling law, Federal Character Commission Act No 34 of 1996, to buttress their argument. It states: “Where the number of positions available cannot go round, the states of the federation or the Federal Capital, the distribution shall be on a zonal basis. But in the case where two positions are available, the positions shall be shared between the northern and southern zones.”

For them, the two principal positions are the chairman and secretary of the commission and by the spirit and letters of the law, they ought to be distributed between the North and the South.

They also summon convention as their witness, saying past administrations have maintained a balance in appointments between the two principal geo-political zones.

According to them, a brief history of the leadership of the commission shows that from 1996 till date, there have been lopsided appointments of the executive chairmen of the commission.

For instance, Alhaji Adamu Fika from Yobe in North-east; Alhaji Bello Kofabai from Katsina in the North-west and Professor Shuaibu Oba Abdul Raheem from Kwara in the North-central, have held the position since 1996.

In acting capacity, the chairmanship of the commission has been held by Alhaji Muhammadu Ari-Gwaska from North-central; Alhaji Ibrahim Funtua, from Katsina in the North-west; Alhaji Muhammad Alkali from Kebbi in North-west; Dr. Shettima Bukar Abba from Borno in the North-east; Mr. Abayomi Sheba from Ondo in the South-west, and Ambassador Shinkafi from Zamfara State, the current acting chairman whose tenure ended on April 20, 2020, after two terms in office is from the North-west. West.

It was gathered that during the period under review, the position of the substantive secretary was held by southerners, including Mr. A. O. Effenga from South-south; Mr. O. P Emerhan from South-south; Prof. Francis Durosinmi-Etti from South-west; and Mr. Rex-Ogbuku from South-south.

In acting capacity, Mr. David O. Fakeye from South-west and Mr. Jonas C. Umeh from South-east have also held the position.

The incumbent secretary is Tukur, who was appointed by Buhari in March 2017 for an initial tenure of four years, which would end in February 2021, is from Taraba State in the North-east.

Newsmen gathered that according to the principle of federal character, as contained in the Act governing the commission, leadership positions ought to be equally distributed between zones.

The implication, it was learnt, would be that the chairmanship position should, going by the principle of federal character and as stated in the constitution, automatically, go to the southern part of the country.

This North-South balance had been established by the presidency of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who had appointed northerners as chairmen and southerners as secretaries.

“When Mr. President appointed Mohammed Bello Tukur, the Legal Adviser of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as the secretary of the Federal Character Commission, many thought it was to pave the way for the first Southern chairman of the commission. That was not to be,” said a displeased senator who preferred anonymity, adding: “Instead in a rather brazen act, the penultimate Ag. Chairman, Mallam Shettima, rather than handover to a southern commissioner handed over to the secretary of the commission.”

The senator, who urged his colleagues not to confirm the nomination of the chairman of the commission, accused the Buhari administration of consistently violating “one of the most ingenious and ambitious affirmative actions entrenched in our constitution to promote national unity uniquely named federal character.”

“This consistent negation of a critical national consensus should be resisted and rejected by all well-meaning Nigerians starting from the Senate. The seeds of national discord have been systematically sowed over the past five years and should be halted,” he alleged.

The senator urged the Senate to defend the supremacy of the constitution and the need to build an inclusive state.

Buhari, in a letter dated 18th March 2020 to the President of the Senate, nominated Dankaka, a businesswoman, who was also a former president of Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), as the chairperson of FCC and 37 others as members of the board.

The 37 members are Henry Ogbulogo, Salihu Bello, Obonganwan Ebong, Ibeabuchi Uche, Mohammed Tijjani, Tonye Okio, Silas Macikpah, Abba Monguno and Nsor Atamgba.

Others are Alims Agoda, Tobias Chukwuemeka (deceased), Imuetinyan Festus, Sesan Fatoba, Ginika Florence Tor, Hamza Mohammed, Diogu Uche, Lawan Roni and Hadiza Muazu.

Also appointed are Muhammad Na‘iya, Lawal Garba, Abubakar Bunu, Idris Bello, Daniel Kolo, Are Bolaji, Nasir Kwara, Maj. Gen. Suleiman Said (rtd) and Abiodun Akinlade.

Buhari also appointed Olufemi Omosanya, Adeoye Olalekan, Adeniyi Olowofela, Stephen Jings, Wokocha Augustine, Abdullahi Tafida, Armaya’u Abubakar, Jibril Maigari, Sani Garba and Adamu Sidi-Ali.

The appointment was contained in a letter, which was read out by Lawan, at plenary on Tuesday.

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May Day: Gov. Abdulrazaq reiterates commitment to workers’ welfare

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated workers in the state on the occasion of another May Day, reiterating that they deserve the best and would always have his ears.

“I stand in solidarity with the workers across the world especially in Kwara State where our administration has been consistent in listening to them, creating a better working atmosphere, and protecting their dignity and professionalism,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement by his media spokesman Rafiu Ajakaye.

“Whatever the circumstances, we will make sure to always cater for the workers within the limit allowed by resources and demand for collective sacrifice in the midst of global economic meltdown. The constant and timely salary payments, purchase of modern tools and vehicles, and restoration of running cost for optimal service delivery are just a few examples in this regard. While the days ahead promise to be tough for every segment of the society in the face of sharp reduction in revenues, our administration will not be found wanting in showing sympathy to the plight of workers, be they in the formal or informal sector.”

The Governor commended the workers and their umbrella bodies for their support and understanding since his inauguration last year May 29.

He urged the workers and their unions to keep faith with the administration in its efforts to not just catering for them but also putting in place the necessary infrastructure to allow for a decent work environment and an economy that would make life a lot better for all.

Rafiu Ajakaye

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

May 1, 2020.

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Besides COVID-19, our drug stopped Ebola, dengue fever, says Maurice Iwu

Maurice Mmaduakolam Iwu is a professor of Pharmacognosy and President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bioresources Development Group (BDG), Abuja; International Centre for Ethnomedicine and Drug Development (InterCEDD) Nsukka, Enugu State and Bioresources Institute of Nigeria, Umuna, Onu-Imo, Okigwe, Imo State. The former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in this exclusive interview with The Guardian said besides inhibiting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a drug patented by his company also stopped growth of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and dengue fever. Iwu, among other things, said BDG plans clinical trial of the herbal-based COVID-19 drug at Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) isolation site in Lagos or other suitable site. The professor of pharmacognosy, who turned 70 years on April 21, insisted that many lives could have been saved in the country if the drug was put to use. He, however, commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) and NCDC and advised that Nigerians should eat foods and take herbs that strengthen the immune system.CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes. Excerpts:

How far with the clinical trials of your natural cure for COVID-19?

The clinical trials have not yet started. I said ‘trials’ because we anticipate sequence of trials because we are dealing with more than one product. Luckily, we have already a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) listed product which we want to subject to clinical evaluation against COVID-19. The clinical trial titled: “Efficacy and safety of IHP Detox Tea (a special blend of Andrographis paniculata, Garcinia kola and Psidium guajava) for treatment of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a pilot placebo-controlled randomized trial”. To be conducted by an independent research group led by Vice Chancellor (VC) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State. The study is planned to be carried out in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 isolation site in Lagos or other suitable site.

The trial has been registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: at www.pactr.org with registration number of PACTR202004761408382 (Approval date: 15 April 2020). We shall then undertake the full clinical trials of Andrographolide, the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API), which will be registered as a drug.

Because of cost, the objectives of the clinical trial on the IHP Detox tea are limited to testing the feasibility and acceptability of an emergency trial in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, and to collect data on the safety and effectiveness of the dietary supplement in reducing mortality and viral load in patients with COVID-19. The proposed trial actually stands out and may not directly influence the design of future studies on the pure compound, Andrographolide, which is a drug whereas IHP-Detox Tea is a dietary supplement.

The possible endpoints will include clinical disease progression, treatment-limiting adverse events, and the emergence of serious laboratory abnormalities such as elevated liver enzymes etc. Quality of life (QOL) assessments will also be conducted at baseline, and weekly during the study to assess patients’ perception of their QOL. Of course, it is entirely up to the investigators.

Now, the big surprise on the clinical trials of the proposed remedy: It may interest you that one of the plants that yielded the active compound has been clinically evaluated in several studies. In one of the published reports, Andrographis has been clinically evaluated about 33 times in full blown clinical trials. A meta-analysis, indicated that the trials (when combined) involved 7175 patients in cohorts on the use of A. paniculata for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in both children and adults. I will give you the paper to read for yourself.

You will find that A. paniculata therapy consistently shortened the duration of dry persistent cough, sore throat and sick leave/time to resolution when compared with usual care. The combination of Andrographis, Garcinia kola and Psidium guajava leaves in the already NAFDAC listed IHP -Detox Tea is an exciting product for the management of this pandemic. Especially as possible pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis as literature on them suggest. Furthermore, the specially ‘cured’ tea has been in human use since 2016 without any reported case of adverse effects. I hope you understand what I mean when I say that the tea is cured.

What are the constituents of this product?

We actually patented three active compounds: Andrographolide from Andrographis panicultata, Akiluvir (from Garcinia kola) and Alstonine from Picralima nitida seeds. I am really surprised at your question because the whole idea of a patent is full disclosure. We had screened thousands of plant extracts for various biological activities. Many of them including black seed oil, neem, lemon grass, citrus leaves and peel, turmeric, many other spices and herbs, etc. showed some antiviral activity but these three compounds exhibited remarkable antiviral activities and significantly inhibited the growth of Severe Active Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus in laboratory studies.

Fortuitously, we had developed since 2016 a product called IHP – Detox Tea that contains two of the most active antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents, which we had earlier patented. We replaced Picralima nitida with Psidium guajava because of the anti-psychotic properties observed with Alsonine, which we have reported in many academic papers. In fact, if you Google Alstonine now the Wikipedia definition will include its antipsychotic properties, which was first identified by our group for the management of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior that impairs daily functioning, and can be disabling. People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment.

You have presented the product to the Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of State for health. What is the feedback?

The Minister of Science and Technology and his counterpart in the Ministry of Health were quite receptive and encouraging. They showed genuine interest in our work. However, I didn’t go to them for financial support or endorsement. I merely offered a possible solution to a pandemic, which Africa was unprepared for. We have received some private sector interest in the products but our interest is in actually saving lives. Perhaps, more interest should have been shown and followed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDC and other medical experts have dismissed herbal cure claims for COVID-19. They argue that you cannot claim cure for a disease that just emerged. What is your take on this?

They are either ignorant or mischievous. I heard all the comments but I have been through a lot in my 70 years that I ignore such uninformed comments. I waited and in few weeks they learnt that novel coronavirus was not novel after all. One eminent virologist didn’t not even know that COVID-19 was caused by SARS – Coronavirus 2. Labels don’t impress me. What you don’t know you don’t know even if you are United Nations Organisation (UNO), WHO or NCDC. The saying my people perish for lack of knowledge is very true in this case. Perhaps, many lives could have been saved.

The lead molecule, Andrographolide is really one of the most studied natural products in history. In our patent, we showed that in vitro inhibition of the growth of Ebola virus (Zaire) with EC50 activity of 10 µM which is twenty-five-fold the activity of the control Favipiravir (EC50 = 250µM) in the Crystal violet (Plaque reduction/ Neutral red (Toxicity) assay. It also showed significant activity against Dengue fever virus with EC50 value of 0.56 µg/ml in the Visual (Cytopathic effect/ Toxicity) Assay and EC50 of 0.58 µg/ml in the Neutral Red (Cytopathic effect/ Toxicity) Assay (comparable to the values obtained with 6-Azauridine as the positive control EC50 = 0.32 µg/ml and 0.38 µg/ml in the respective bioassays; and against SARS Coronavirus.

Andrographolide had an EC50 of 1.2 µg/ml in the Visual (cytopathic effect/toxicity) assay and 1.1 µg/ml in the Neutral Red (cytopathic effect/toxicity) assay. The compound exerts several immune-modulatory properties. In experimental models, it effectively reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1𝛽, IL-6, GMCSF, and TNF-𝛼. The compound has a good pharmacokinetics profile and relatively non-toxic even at high doses making it an ideal experimental drug for the treatment of viral infections, with possible application in the control of the Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19. I hope this data is not too heavy for a newspaper but it has become necessary to address the ignorant.

How far with your relationship with local researchers especially those at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka?

Local? That is the core of our problem. We are all scientists, local or foreign. Our programme has been enriched greatly by the team led by Prof. Charles Esimone. I have learnt a lot from him and his colleagues.

Presently you said you are working with Anambra and Imo State governments in containing the viruses. Do you success stories to share?

Not that I said. I am a member of the COVID-19 Taskforce in both States. It is really a great honour to participate in that role at this time.

What are your recommendations on how best to contain the virus?

With our rather limited resources and the dilapidated health infrastructure that have been neglected for decades, the country has actually done well. As I indicated at my meeting with the ministers, now is the time to plan for the next viral outbreak. We should continue to strengthen existing health state infrastructure and systems rather than grapple with establishment of ad-hoc systems. The restrictions imposed on movement of people, for example should not only be to slow the transmission of the virus and reduce the overall size of any possible outbreak but also to afford the healthcare personnel sufficient time to train on how to deal with infection clusters and surges as they occur.

The preventive measures advocated by healthcare experts such as regular washing of hands with soap and water, the use of hand sanitizers where possible and the observation of social distancing should be followed. I support the use of facemasks whenever we are outside our homes or receiving guests. We are enforcing the ban on gathering of people for whatever reason, especially markets and social gathering. History teaches us that viral pandemics sometimes follow a W curve, with unexpected surges, coming when restrictions are relaxed prematurely. Perhaps, more importantly we should eat foods and take herbs that strengthen the immune system, such as IHP- Immunovit. This is not advert, but public assistance.

There is fear of a second wave of COVID-19. How true is this and how can this be averted?

I am not a virologist or public health expert but scientific evidence points that possibility. That is what I mean by ‘W’ curve.

Have you effectively used your product to treat or prevent COVID-19 in Nigeria?

That is what the clinical trial is all about. I am not a traditional healer or an orthodox doctor so I don’t treat people. IHP -Detox Tea has been in public use since 2016. The potent antiviral activities of two of the major active ingredients of the tea namely, Andrographolide and GB1 on SARS Corona virus were recently validated by in vitro studies carried out by the United States (US) National Institute of Health (NIH).

IHP Detox Tea have, thus, shown proven pharmacological efficacy in several of the conditions, which supports its potential beneficial use in COVID-19 patients. Apart from the proven antiviral effects of the components of IHP Detox Tea, the immune boosting and adaptogenic effects of the major phytochemical constituents will definitely contribute to better prognosis of COVID-19 patients placed on the proposed therapy. That is what the pilot clinical study will establish or disprove.

Are you in the favour of extension of lockdowns in Lagos, Abuja and others?

No answer. Not read sufficient literature on that.

This pandemic has defied the Western world. What lessons are there for us to learn?

That all human systems are vulnerable and that we are perhaps more interconnected than we hitherto believe.

Are you collaborating with NAFDAC, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Federal Institute for Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) and Nigerian Institute for Medical Research (NIMR)?

Not really. But we have good collaboration with Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in Abuja: very fruitful collaboration. Our joint work, at the inspiration of DG, won the first prize in the Nigerian Science Fair for our work on local production of Lovastatin.

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FG Directs Civil Servants From Level 14 To Resume On Monday

                                   Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan. 

The Federal Government has ordered civil servants in the country to resume duties effective Monday, May 4.

This was contained in a memo signed on Thursday by the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.

In the memo directed to all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the HoS said the workers would be allowed to work three times in a week and closing time would be 2pm.

She stressed the observance of social distancing, use of face masks, hand sanitisers, and good general hygiene at all government offices while noting that all Federal Secretariats have been decontaminated and efforts were ongoing to do same in other public offices.

She said, “Further to Mr President’s broadcast on a phased and gradual easing of the lockdown measures occasioned by COVID-19, officers on GL 14 and above and those on essential services are hereby directed to resume work with effect from Monday, May 4, 2020 in the first instance.

“Offices are to open three times a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday – and close at 2pm on each day.”

The PUNCH had reported that FG ordered all public servants on grade level 12 and below to stay at home on March 24.

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Bill Gates Lists Requirements As Nations Gradually Ease Lockdown Orders

The second richest man in the world, Bill Gates, has revealed what governments across the world must do for life to get back to normal.

This is coming up as countries are slowly relaxing lockdown restrictions enforced due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gates who is now a leading voice on how to fight coronavirus and has granted numerous interviews on how to fight it since it started, has recommended four things for life to “get back to normal”

The Microsoft founder released the list ahead of his Thursday night’s CNN Town Hall interview with White House Infectious disease expert Dr Fauci .

READ ALSO – Fani Kayode Blasts Bill Gates’ Wife Over Comment On Coronavirus In Africa

The list reads:

• Testing: Gates suggests various strategies to advance current testing methods including at-home test kits and consistent standards about who can get tested.
• Contact Tracing: Gates suggests following Germany’s model. Interview everyone who tests positive and use a database to make sure someone follows up with all their contacts. However, this relies on the infected person reporting their contacts accurately and requires a lot of staff to follow up with everyone in person. Gates suggest technology may be more adept at this, such as apps that help you remember where you’ve been or using cell phones.
• Effective Treatment: Right now, there is no treatment for Covid-19. On Wednesday, Fauci expressed optimism about an experimental drug called remdesevir, which is still in the trial phase. Other drugs like hydroxychloroquine have received a lot of attention but are still being studied. Treatments such as convalescent plasma – drawing blood from patients who have recovered from Covid-19, making sure it is free of the coronavirus and other infections, and giving the plasma and the antibodies it contains to sick people – look promising. But there is no magic drug experts can fully support yet.
• A Vaccine: Many countries and companies around the world are working at break-neck speed to develop a vaccine faster — and there are promising signs. Gates is particularly excited about pursuing a new approach called an “RNA vaccine.”

He said: “Unlike a flu shot, which contains fragments of the influenza virus so your immune system can learn to attack them, an RNA vaccine gives your body the genetic code needed to produce viral fragments on its own,” So, once your body senses traces of the infection, it attacks it.

As of Thursday, the COVID-19 death toll in the world stands at 231,000 with The US recording over 63,000.

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Nigeria’s coronavirus cases jump by single-day record of 204 cases

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Wednesday confirmed a total number of new 204 coronavirus cases in the country and also a total of seven deaths in the last 24 hours.

Nigeria economic hub Lagos and Kano states have the highest numbers. While Kano recorded 80 new cases, Lagos State recorded 45 new cases.

The spread of the virus further intensified in Gombe state as the state recorded 12 new states.

Bauchi and Sokoto states both recorded nine new cases each, Borno and Edo states recorded seven new cases each.

River and Ogun also confirmed six new cases each.

Nigeria’s capital city Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states confirmed four new cases each.

Kaduna, which is currently on a 30-day lockdown, confirmed three new cases while Oyo, Delta and Nasarawa states recorded two new cases each.

Ondo and Kebbi states also confirmed one case each in the last 24 hours.

“11:50pm 30th April- 1932 confirmed cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria,” NCDC tweeted on Thursday night.

319 persons have been discharged while a total of 58 persons have died from the virus.

Nigeria will begin a “phased and gradual” easing of more than four weeks of lockdowns in the national capital and the largest city on May 4, President Muhammadu Buhari said in an address on Monday.

Lagos and Ogun states and the federal capital territory of Abuja entered lockdowns to tame the spread of the new coronavirus on March 30.

Buhari said the lockdowns had come at a “very heavy economic cost,” stripping many citizens of their livelihoods.

“No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines,” Buhari said.

Most state governments will enforce an overnight curfew, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., and also will require all those who are out during the day to wear face masks.

The federal government will also enforce a ban on non-essential movement between Nigeria’s 36 states, a measure the governors’ forum had requested.

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