ECOWAS Denies Endorsing Any Herbal Medicine For COVID-19

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May 7, 2020

The judge who pronounced the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Justice Dahiru Saleh is dead.

Details of his death are sketchy but TheCable (not ABN TV) understands that he died in Bauchi state and would be buried in his hometown of Azare, still in Bauchi, on Thursday evening.

Until his death, he held the title of “Mutawallen” of Katagum emirate in Bauchi. He was the chief judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court.

June 12, 1993 election was adjudged as one of the most credible in the history of the country.

MKO Abiola, the Social Democratic Party candidate, was leading Bashir Tofa, his National Republican Convention rival, by a wide margin but the exercise was cancelled ahead of the final announcement of results.

This threw the country into months of chaos as protesters hit the streets, calling on Ibrahim Babangida, then the military president, to step down.

More to follow…

Buhari Approves Import Duty, VAT Waivers For Critical Medical Equipment

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May 7, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the waiver of import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for critical medical equipment and supplies.

The Presidency revealed this in a series of tweets on Thursday, saying the import duty, VAT waiver was for a period of six months in the first instance.

It explained that the President’s action was part of measures put in place by the Nigerian government to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its economy.

According to the Presidency, the waivers which are the latest of the fiscal policies also aim to boost the health infrastructure in the country.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has directed the Nigeria Customs Service to ensure critical medical equipment and supplies were given expedited clearance at all times.

He stressed that this should be done in line with the standard operating procedures for the clearance of humanitarian and relief materials.

The Presidency noted that the measures to facilitate the importation of some COVID-19 essential medical supplies were in line with the indicative list recommended by the World Customs Organisation and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

It added that the list was reviewed by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

Read the tweets below:

These waivers are the latest of the fiscal policies measures introduced by @NigeriaGov to combat the economic implications of the #COVID19 pandemic, and to support the strengthening of health infrastructure in Nigeria.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 7, 2020

These measures to facilitate the importation of some COVID-19 essential medical supplies are in line with the indicative list recommended by the World Customs Organisation @WCO_OMD in conjunction with the World Health Organisation @WHO.

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 7, 2020

“Those items for which Nigeria has adequate local capacity to produce, such as textile face masks, undenatured ethyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide (medical and disinfectant), hand sanitizers and syringes, with or without needles, have been removed from the list.” — @ZShamsuna

— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 7, 2020

Reopen Churches & Coronavirus Will Vanish – Pastor Giwa

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May 7, 2020

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The senior pastor of Awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa has said that the earlier the government reopen churches the quicker the coronavirus pandemic will vanish.

He said it was unfortunate that the world is moving far away from God by preventing Christian fellowships across the globe.

Giwa, in a statement to DAILY POST on Thursday, said it was a pity that the people could not see beyond their nose.

The cleric revealed that the coronavirus pandemic had been cooked up a long time ago by those who want to control the world.

He said,” It’s a pity that people cannot see beyond their nose. The earlier they reopen the churches the quicker the pandemic will vanish.

“Where is your faith? Our faith has been sold for money. Can you imagine a pastor addressing his congregants to sit at home if they love themselves?

“I said it in the past that the church was their target. Let me tell you that they have succeeded in creating fear in the minds of unbelievers with their staged pandemic.

“Do you know how many people died in Kano mysteriously? In some cases, they inject people to die.

“Why are you killing the people you cannot create? The devil has taken over the people, and they don’t believe in the house of God anymore.

Read Also: 25 Passengers On Flight From Kano To Beirut Test Positive For COVID-19

“The majority of people who support the closure of God’s house claim to be Christians. I am sure no true Christian will support the closure of the church.

“We are now living in a society where people don’t know the God they serve. They believe in scientists more than the God who created us.

“No wonder Jesus Christ asked in the book of Luke 18:8 that when the Son of Man comes, would he find faith on the earth?

“He also said in Matthew 20:16 that the first would be last while the last would be first; for many be called but few chosen.

“Those that the people see today as foremost religious leaders are disappointing their members by what they say.

“In these trying times, a true man of God would stand by the WORD OF GOD in Matthew 10:26 that tells us to only fear God, not man.

“Why are people trading their faith for money after everything God has done for us? Is this how we repay Him,”.?

25 Passengers On Flight From Kano To Beirut Test Positive For COVID-19

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May 7, 2020

At least 25 passengers on a flight from Kano to Beirut on Wednesday have tested positive for COVID-19, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health has confirmed.

The government of Lebanon had asked Middle East Airlines to evacuate its citizens from foreign countries last month.

On May 5, an aircraft with flight number ME570 took off from Kano to Beirut, according to a flight schedule provided by the Middle East Airlines.

25 of those aboard the flight have now tested positive for COVID-19.

The statement said the affected people will be taken to hospital for treatment, while others who tested negative would be quarantined.

“The Ministry of Public Health announces that it has been confirmed that 25 positive cases with COVID-19 were recorded among the passengers on board the flight that arrived from Nigeria.

“Accordingly, the affected cases will be transferred to the hospital with an emphasis on the application of strict domestic quarantine for negative cases, knowing that they will be followed up daily by the Ministry and whoever shows any symptoms will be referred to the hospital for re-examination,” it read.

As of Thursday, Lebanon has confirmed 784 COVID-19 cases and 25 death

Abia Doctor Salutes Buhari Over Removal Of Import Duty On Medical Devices

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May 7, 2020

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As the country battles to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, a medical doctor with Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. C’fine Okorochukwu has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for scrapping import duties on all medical consumables and devices.

The doctor in a thank you message to the President made available to ABN TV said he had earlier raised concerns about high import duty on this medical equipment and drugs.

Also Read: Abia APC Chieftain Thanks Buhari, Ogah Over Appointment Of Hon. Ogbulogo Into FCC Board

“President Muhammadu Buhari thanks so much for listening to us. One week ago I complained bitterly about the high import duty on the imported medical consumables and devices especially the medical syringes that attract 70% levy making the price go higher.

“Somebody sent me a private message to give him the details, that he will make representation to the presidency. He also told me that he has been enjoying my posts. I never knew these big men are reading our grievances here. We exchanged contacts and I thanked him.

Also Read: COVID-19 Costs Nigerian Aviation N17bn — Sirika

“Yesterday, the same person called me that President Muhammadu Buhari has removed import duties on all medical devices, equipment, and drugs. See page 8 of Sun Newspaper, Wednesday 6th May 2020.

“My President Muhammadu Buhari, my Big man that called. I say thank you immensely for this gesture. This will further reduce the cost of medical services” he said.

Vehicles Impounded During Lockdown Will Be Auctioned – Wike Warns

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May 7, 2020

The Rivers State government has said all vehicles impounded during the lockdown in the state will be auctioned to members of the public.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim said the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice have been directed to auction all the vehicles impounded for violation of the lockdown order.

Nsirim in a statement said members of the public who are interested in buying the auctioned vehicles should watch-out for advertorials on National dailies.

The statement reads; “Rivers State Government hereby warns residents of Ward 20, Amadi-Ama in Port Harcourt Local Government Area and Mgbuosimini, Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area to desist from flouting government directives on lockdown.

“Government will deal decisively with the residents of these areas if they are found to default again.

“Anyone parading exemption letters except the one issued by the Governor is doing so at his or her own risk as such permits are invalid.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice has been directed to auction all the vehicles that violated the lockdown order.

“Members of the public who are interested to buy the auctioned vehicles are to watch out for details in The Sun, The Nation and Vanguard Newspapers.”

Meanwhile, the 24hour lockdown declared on Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt city Local government by the Rivers State government has taken effect.

This has led to the total shutdown of activities in the Rivers State capital, with young men seen playing football on the streets.

DAILY POST reports that there is no vehicular movement along all major and minor roads in the two Local government areas.

Security agencies are also seen positioned in all strategic routes giving access only to those on essential duties.

DAILY POST also sighted stranded heavy-duty trucks numbering over fifteen laden with goods at the Airport road axis of the Obiri-Ikwerre interchange.

Governor Nyesom Wike on Monday declared a twenty-four-hour lockdown on Obio-Akpor and PHALGA as part of measures to stop the spread of Coronavirus and ensure that Rivers state does not record more numbers of the virus as seen in other states.

FG Instructs NAFDAC To Assess Herbal Cough Mixture As Potential Cure For COVID-19

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May 7, 2020

The Ministry of Health has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC to carry out necessary procedures for the assessment of a plant-based cough mixture to treat COVID-19 patients.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mashi Abdullahi, issued the directive in a memo with REF no. TCAM/077/I/65 addressed to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.

The document, dated April 28, 2020, was titled ‘Formulation of a Phyto-Medicine-Based Cough Mixture/Syrup for the Management of COVID-19 Patients by Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Department of the Ministry’.

It read, “As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic is currently ravaging the world with no definite treatment or vaccine.

“This has necessitated countries to look for solutions from within and Nigeria is no exception. It is worthy to note that Nigeria is blessed with medicinal plants which could be exploited.

“It is heartwarming to note that the Department of TCAM has taken the pains to research into scientific materials to come up with a formulation intended for the management of cough in COVID-19 and other cough-related infections.”

According to Abdullahi, the formulation is a Cov-herbal cough mixture.

He said, “Interestingly, all the ingredients that make up the formulations are medicinal plants that are widely used as food materials and medicines.

“They include Allium Sativa (garlic); Allium cepa (onions); Zingiber officinale (ginger): Piper guineense (West African Black Pepper); and Adansonia digitata (baobab fruit). The innovation here is the composition of the formulation.

“These medicinal plants have documented scientific evidence of long use for the management of cough and other respiratory infections, with medicinal properties of mucolytic, antitussive, expectorant, soothing, demulcent, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.”

The permanent secretary stated that the ministry was determined to “walk the talk” in the promotion and integration of herbal medicine into the health care delivery system.

“In view of the foregoing and the desire of the ministry to showcase to the public a product that is 100 per cent sourced locally, you are requested to carry out the necessary procedures for listing.

“The ministry will contract the packaging of the product to some identified pharmaceutical companies. Find attached scientific pieces of evidence of the products end labelling for your information end necessary action,” he added.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un Deliberately Faked His Death To Expose Traitors In His Circle – Report

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May 7, 2020

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According to reports, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un may have deliberately faked his death to expose traitors in his circle and those who had hopes of taking power from the leader’s “death”.

Kim, 36, may have consciously pretended to be dead so that he could figure out if there were leaks in his inner circle in North Korea, Sky News Australia reports.

Recall that Kim disappeared from state media for three weeks, sparking wild rumours about his health and whereabouts, and worry about prospects for the nuclear-armed state in the event of an unexpected succession.

Also Read: More Rumors Claim North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un Is Dead

Those rumours were squashed on Saturday when North Korean media published photographs and video of Kim at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of a fertiliser plant.

Sky Outsiders host James Morrow told Australian viewers that Kim Jong may have been pulling a “classic Stalinist manoeuvre” to see what the public’s response was.

It is now possible that the leader will use the responses from his long period of absence to begin “purging” those he believes colluded to take over.

The leader’s reappearance into the spotlight has ruined the credibility of high profile defectors who had suggested Kim Jong was suffering from a life-threatening illness or had died.

His re-emergence came as a blow to the credibility of some high-profile defectors from the North who had speculated that Kim was suffering from a grave illness or could even be dead, the report added.

One of the defectors, Thae Yong-ho, was North Korea’s deputy ambassador to Britain, where he managed secret funds for Kim. Thae fled to South Korea in 2016 and was one of a pair of defectors elected to parliament last month.

“I am aware that one of the reasons why many of you voted for me as a lawmaker is with the expectations of an accurate analysis and projections on North Korean issues,” Thay said in a statement. “I feel the blame and heavy responsibility.”

“Whatever the reasons, I apologise to everyone.”

The other prominent defector elected to parliament, Ji Seong-ho, had said in a media interview he was 99% certain that Kim had died after cardiovascular surgery and an official announcement would come as soon as Saturday.

Daily NK, a Seoul-based news outlet with sources inside North Korea, reported in April that Kim was recovering from a cardiovascular procedure.

Ji, who was invited t attend US President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address in 2018, issued a statement to apologise.

“I have pondered on myself for the past few days, and felt the weight of the position that I’m in,” Ji said.

BREAKING: Ten Person Associated With Lagos State House, Test Positive For Coronavirus

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May 7, 2020