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Kano to evacuate 251,000 Almajiris as number of COVID-19 victims rises

Kano to evacuate 251,000 Almajiris as number of COVID-19 victims rises

 

By Abdulmumin Murtala & Femi Bolaji

 

Kano State government has completedplans to evacuate 251,893 Almajiris from the eight local government areas that make up the metropolis back to their states, following upsurge in confirmed cases of COVID-19, which currently stands at 37.

This came on a day Taraba State government expressed fears over the continuous inter-state trade between traders in the state and suppliers in Kano, despite the restriction on movement in the state. Taraba currently has no reported case of COVID-19.

Kano State Commissioner for Local Governments Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo, who disclosed this at the presentation of report by the various COVID-19 committees set up in the state to tackle the pandemic, said “of the identified numbers of Almajiris, 79,411 are indigenes of the state while 178,472 are non-indigenes.

He said from the metropolitan local government areas, 1,452 Almajiris were ready to be taken to their various states of origin.

In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje said the presence of Almajiris in the state was posing serious threat, especially on the issue of social distancing.

According to him, 2000 Almajiris have so far been taken to their respective states.

“We have finished all the necessary arrangements to take away those Almajiris back to their states and those who are Kano indigenes will be taken to their new Almajiris centre and any parent or guardian who resists the move will be prosecuted accordingly,’’ the governor said.

He also explained the steps taken by the government to curb the spread of the virus in the state, saying: “We have taken three major steps to fight the pandemic, which include proactive, preventive and, indeed, Isolation.”

Ganduje added that by locking down Kano State, activities had stopped to pave way for health personnel to find out those who have contracted the virus through the usual tests to get them isolated.

Taraba expresses fear over continuous inter-state trade with Kano

Meanwhile, Taraba State government has expressed fears that inter-state trade between the people of the state and Kano State might spread COVID-19 to the state, lamenting that the restriction of movement put in place to check spread of the virus was not working.

The state Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the committee on COVID-19, Dr Innocent Vakkai, also expressed displeasure with the enforcement of the governor’s directive on restriction of movement by security agencies.

He said: “In the entire North, Kano has the highest number of recorded COVID-19 cases and we are worried because traders here are still going to Kano to bring in goods.

“We know there is inter-state restriction on movement but we wonder how these people still manage to go to Kano and come back.?
Source: Vanguard News

CORONAVIRUS: SEN. KWANKWASO CONTRIBUTES 65-BED CLINIC IN KANO

His Excellency Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has offered the Amana Clinic to the Kano State Taskforce on Covid-19, to help in the fight against the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic.

 

AMANA CLINIC is a newly built, fully equipped medical facility with 65 beds capacity, located along Miller Road, Bompai, Kano. The  medical facility was built to serve as a health centre for the less privileged, but considering the healthcare challenges caused by the current global pandemic, Sen. Kwankwaso has decided to release the medical complex, to be used by the committee as an isolation centre, so as to contribute towards defeating the deadly Coronavirus.

 

While wishing all those infected with the virus quick recovery and praying for the repose of the souls of those that lost their lives including the late Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, Sen. Kwankwaso also commends our health workers and all those providing essential services who are in the frontline. He also appreciates the contributions of individuals and corporate bodies who have in one way or the other provided some form of relief for the Kano people during this trying period.

 

Finally, he enjoins the general public to continue observing hygienic measures and practicing social distancing, to minimize the spread of the virus, as recommended by health professionals.

Source: Saifullahi Hassan Media Aide to H.E Kwankwaso

Sultan Urges Muslims To use Facebook, Skype, YouTube,Zoom As He Declare, No Ramadan lectures & congregational prayers this year.

Sultan Urges Muslims To use Facebook, Skype, YouTube,Zoom As He Declare, No Ramadan lectures & congregational prayers this year.

 

 

From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

As Muslims begin Ramadan fasting this week, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has declared that, there will be no Ramadan lecture sessions and congregation prayers in Mosques.

 

The Sultan told Nigerian Muslims that, this year’s Ramadan is one with a difference, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, hence everyone should pray at home with their families, as Muslims cannot afford to be reckless with their lives.

Sultan in a statement issued through the Secretary-General of JNI, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, therefore, recommended that Muslim faithful should in addition to recitation of the Holy Qur’an, listen to Ramadan lecture through internet and other virtual means.

 

 

 

While noting that, most Muslim countries have unanimously agreed to suspend public religious congregation, in order to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said, in actual sense is in tandem with the teachings of the Prophet, Sultan said, “As Muslims, we are not however oblivious of the fact that death is inevitable, but we must not be reckless with our lives, Q2:195 is a clear testimony to that effect.”

 

The statement read in parts that: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, felicitates in advance with the Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming month of Ramadan. Unequivocally, Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, the month of Du’a (supplication) and Dhikr (Allah’s remembrance), the month of Zakah and Sadaqah (giving poor dues and charity), and the month of Qiyamul-Layl (standing in the night for prayers).

 

“But due to the overwhelming eruption of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, the Ummah’s enthusiasm needs to be reinvigorated as against what obtains of palpable fear over the pandemic outbreak.

 

“It should be made known that all Salawatun-nawafil (optional and nonobligatory prayers), including Taraweeh, are originally preferred to be observed at home, even though it is Mustahabb (desirable) to observe it in congregation.

 

“To sum it up, there will not be the annual Tafsir sessions and no congregational Taraweeh in mosques, until when situation permits. We should therefore pray with our families at home and stay safe.

 

 

 

“Medical experts and mid-course Ulama’s advice on COVID-19 should be religiously adhered to. We must collectively shun the vituperations of extremists in thoughts and actions on any matter, as warned by the Prophet (PBUH).

 

“Most often, extreme position on matters of religion creates more dissent views and counteractions, which in the final analysis generates acrimony and animosity rather than solutions, and for all intents and purposes that isn’t the essence of the Islamic faith!

 

“Despite the challenges of physical and social distancing, Tafsir and other religious teachings could continue using various information technology (IT) platforms, such as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Zoom, etc., to live stream preaching sessions. Reliable information and communication technology (ICT) professionals could be consulted for proper guidance.

 

“It is on this basis that the JNI calls on the Ulama’ to as usual make the fear of Allah their watch word, bearing in mind that knowledge is a trust from Allah and shall be accounted for on the Day of reckoning, thus it should be handled with the utmost caution it deserves.

 

“Muslims should fervently pray for an end to the myriad challenges bedeviling the world and Nigeria in particular, and to also seek Allah’s interventions for better well-being and prosperity.” Sultan said.

 

Speaking on the economic effects of the lockdown on the fasting Muslims, Sultan called on the wealthy Muslims to increase their generosity during the Ramadan and extend hands to those in need, to ameliorate their sufferings by providing them with food and other necessities.

 

According to him, “This is a Ramadan with a difference as most people will be under lockdown. Hence, they will certainly be in dire need of assistance, because of the economic realities and the attendant suffocating inflationary trends. Our spirit of generosity should be fully activated in higher proportion so as to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor in our midst by providing them with food and other necessities.

 

“In this regard, the JNI calls upon those who have since planned for this year’s Umrah (lesser pilgrimage), to channel those resources to help the less privileged as the Umrah cannot be possible in the current global pandemic reality.

 

“The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to be the most generous of mankind and he used to be at the peak of his generosity during Ramadan. Expectedly, as our role model we should be seen to be doing exactly like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

 

“Bearing in mind that the month of Ramadan is fast approaching, we call on Governments at all levels to assist in making life bearable to the downtrodden. Likewise, business enterprises and their owners should review downward prices of goods and services – as an act of Sadaqah (charity) such that every ordinary man could afford.

 

“In this regard, worthy of commendation is the Nigerian business community, philanthropists as well as the business moguls who dished out colossal amount of money to support the federal and some state governments, at this critical economic period. The gesture remains very indelible to the JNI and we pray that they be compensated accordingly by Allah.

BREAKING: Imo state Government speaks on renaming University after late Abba Kyari

BREAKING: Imo state Government speaks on renaming University after late Abba Kyari

 

 

The Imo state government has reacted to reports that the Governor, Hope Uzodinma is planning to rename the Imo State University, Owerri after late Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that the rumour originated from a press statement reportedly the state government announcing the governor’s decision. The statement read;

“Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has hinted that plans are in place to rename the state-owned Imo State University to Mallam Abba Kyari University. The Governor made this call when the management staff of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adaobi Obasi paid him a visit at the Executive Chambers of the Imo State Government House.”

“The Governor went on to say that Mallam Abba Kyari played a pivotal role in the liberation of Imo State and no gesture is too big for a man who died as a patriot. The Governor also said that consultations are underway with relevant stakeholders both in the education sector and in the State to critically look at the situation and take a decision.”

“The Governor urged the management staff of IMSU to live up to expectation while pointing out that his administration is very committed to quality education in the State and that Imo State University as the epicentre can not be left behind.”

“The University management through the VC commended the Governor for a job well done so far. She also called on all and sundry to support His Excellency to succeed.”

However, when POLITICS NIGERIA reached out to the chief press secretary to Governor Uzodinma, Oguwuike Nwachukwu, he described the report as ‘fake news’.

He confirmed to this paper that the statement was not issued by the Imo state government.

 

Coronavirus: Governor Ganduje’s daughter goes into isolation

 

Dr. Amina Umar Ganduje, daughter of Kano state governor, has gone into self-isolation after a co-member on the State Task Force on COVID-19 she worked with got infected with the virus.

Other members of the Kano Task Force team include health commissioner Aminu Tsanyawa, environment commissioner Kabiru Getso, Imam Wada, secretary of the committee and Deputy Governor Gawuna, chairman of the committee.

However, all members of the team have gone into isolation after co-chairman of the committee, Professor Abdulrazaq Garba Habibu tested positive to Coronavirus.

 

DailyTrust quoted a reliable source within the government to have said, “You know, since they have mingled with the co-chair, whose status is now known, the best for the rest members of the committee is to go for self-isolation.

 

 

“Their specimen has been taken for test, but their results are not out for them to know their status.

 

“We are praying that the results would turn negative. But I can confirm to you that virtually all members of the Kano task force on COVID-19 are now in self-isolation and are waiting for their results,” the source said.

 

Abdulrazaq Garba Habibu, a professor of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, had since been admitted at the state isolation center at Kwanar Dawaki.

 

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje inaugurated the task force on 21st March 2020 with a core mandate to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Kano as well as rendering effective management of cases.

 

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kano State as of 10:20 pm on Thursday was 21.

 

 

 

Source: PMnews