The Kano State government has finally admitted the increasing death rate in the state, describing it as a serious situation.

ABN TV had reported about the rising deaths in the state amid the COVID-19 pandemic but Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor, had said the reports on multiple deaths were blown out of proportion.

But in a statement on Sunday, Muhammad Garba, the state’s commissioner for information, said the government is working towards keeping residents safe.

He said the government has been commended from within and outside the state over the proactive measures it took check the spread of COVID-19.

“This explains why Kano, apart from being the most populace state, did not record a case of the pandemic until lately. Though we agree that the situation on hand currently is serious, we are not resting on our oars in taking appropriate measures to ensure that the good people of Kano state, and indeed, residents in the state protect themselves from the novel COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“Moreso, the state government has three modern isolation centres where those tested positive to COVID-19 are being cared for. We are also hopeful of getting additional two isolation soonest. The government has also hired a hotel where suspected cases are accommodated.

“Also, Kano state government is collaborating with​ Bayero University Kano (BUK) to establish a testing centre within the institution, which will be ready in two weeks time after being certified by the NCDC. This will, indeed, enhance our determination to ensure that every suspected case undergo test.

“Governor Ganduje has also sent a passionate appeal to the Federal Government to urgently work on the NCDC testing centre at AKTH which has been closed down for some time now.

“We have enough medical manpower that can take care of the patients. What we are now asking for is financial assistance from the Federal Government and other donors to help sustain all this infrastructure and also continue the provision of palliatives to our people.”

He said the government is concerned over what is happening, and that the ministry of health is already handling the situation.

Garba said when the medical investigation is through, “further necessary actions will be taken”.

The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) has called on federal and state governments to make provision for life insurance for journalists who are on the frontline in the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as provision of adequate and effective Personal Protection Equipment and palliatives to ease hardships they daily encounter while on their respective assignments.

The Union also says it is becoming increasingly clear that there is an urgent need for the Federal and State Governments to intervene to save the Media Industry from collapse.

In a release signed by the National President of the Union, Chris Isiguzo on Sunday, he said media houses have continued to be pivotal in the fight against COVID-19, without any support from government at all levels, maintaining that this may not continue for long as many media organisations have sounded the alarm that very soon they may fold up due to harsh operating environment. “We should not allow this to happen” he appealed.

Mr. Isiguzo while describing journalists as the watchdog of the society and the “fourth estate of the realm” called for establishment of funds for privately owned media houses to sustain the efforts of government in the fight against COVID-19.

“We call for a Special Media Stabilisation Fund for privately owned newspapers and broadcast media so as to sustain government’s strategy in its fight to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and also ensure that the fight against the pandemic is not put in jeopardy.

“It is also important to remind government that while devising strategies to contain Covid-19, it has become imperative for a well designed economic initiative to be considered to address a likely economic recession that may follow considering that even before the outbreak of the virus, Nigeria had been designated the poverty capital of the world, with large segment of the population living below the poverty line.

“It is feared that if the present situation persists, the nation may suffer its worse economic recession, if not depression, which only a bold and well crafted economic restructuring plan by government would mitigate.

“The time for government to act is now” he said.

While cautioning journalists and media workers on professionalism, he called for enhanced salaries, allowances, pensions and general condition of service for media professionals.

“While self regulatory mechanism is another alternative means of enforcing professionalism, the Nigeria Union of Journalists as the umbrella professional platform of media practice in the country encourages its members on the importance of self respect, discipline and to always stand by the truth and justice.

“In recognition of the urgent need to enhance the working condition of journalists in the country; and considering that there can be no freedom of expression or freedom of the press where journalists work under precarious conditions and are exposed to danger, poverty or fear; the NUJ calls for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to enhance salaries, allowances, pensions and general condition of service for media professionals.

“Specifically, we call on the Federal and State Governments to take note of the fact that Journalists like in conflict situations are daily exposed to grave danger as a result of their professional calling” he stated.

The Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has adopted more stringent measures to tackle the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the state, imposing a dusk to dawn curfew in the state in addition to the subsisting lockdown.

The Governor while also warning against the conduct of economic activities in the state cautioned Transition Committee Chairmen of the various local government areas in the state as well as Traditional Rulers to ensure a total compliance as well as easy assess of health workers who are on contact tracing in their domains.

In a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Governor in making these new steps public Saturday evening at a Media Briefing expressed deep concern that inspite of the fact that Abia has recorded two index cases of the pandemic which has resulted to very aggressive contact tracing by officers of the State Ministry of Health, a good number of Abia citizens still find it difficult to heed to the Stay At Home directives made by the government.

The Governor noted that so far, 237 contacts have been successfully traced by epidemiologists from the State Ministry of Health across three local governments of Ukwa West, Ikwuano and Umuahia North.

“A Dusk to Dawn Curfew is hereby declared in the State. The implication of this is that with effect from tomorrow, (today) Sunday, April 26th, 2020, no form of movement of people shall be allowed in the State from 6pm in the evening till 6am in the morning.

“This curfew shall BE IN ADDITION to the existing lockdown in the State. Within the period of the curfew, no form of economic activity shall be allowed. Local Government Areas Transition Committee Chairmen shall monitor the compliance of the curfew in their respective local government areas.

“In view of the challenges faced by our epidemiologists in the tracing of some of the contacts of our index cases in some communities, especially in UMUORIE of Ukwa West LGA, the Governor has ordered the Transition Committee Chairman of Ukwa West and the Traditional Ruler of the relevant Community to ensure that the health officers are granted unfettered access and cooperation to do their work. Failure to do this will result to immediate suspension for both the Chairman and the Traditional Ruler.

“Also in a bid to do a comprehensive and effective contact tracing in the three Local Government Areas of Ukwa West, Ikwuano and Umuahia North, these local governments shall be on TOTAL LOCKDOWN for Seven days, effective from midnight on Sunday, 26th April 2020. The respective Local Government Chairmen in these areas shall be held personally responsible should any lapses occur.” the statement read.

The Governor while declaring that the people of Abia State cannot allow the ineptitude or carelessness of a few to put the collective well-being of people of the State in jeopardy, he added that the use of face masks in the State is compulsory and defaulters shall be apprehended and prosecuted by the Mobile Courts established for that purpose. The Courts he said shall commence sitting from Monday, 27th April 2020.

On the distribution of palliatives, the Governor ordered the Secretary to Government to expand the membership of the Committee to include Transition Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas, all Honorable Commissioners, Christian Association of Nigeria, Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organizations, Women Journalists, Presidents General of Town Unions and Development Associations and others.

“The Committee shall embark on the distribution of further palliatives from Community to Community, starting from next week.

“Also the Association of citizens of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States will also be reached while special provisions shall be for other groups like artisans, mechanics, bus and keke drivers” he said.

The Governor also acknowledged the receipt of 1800 bags of Rice from the Federal Government and stated that the supplies will be examined to ascertain their wholesomeness, after which the people shall be briefed on the modalities for their distribution.

On the receipt of a number of face masks from the NCDC, the Governor made it clear that Abia State has attained self sufficiency in the local production of face masks and there won’t be any need for any imported face masks and PPEs in Abia State.

The Governor expressed his deep gratitude and those of the entire citizens of the state to Frontline workers, describing them as our REAL HEROES.