PRESS RELEASE - Corona Virus: Nigerians Deserve Palliative Measures, says Atiku

Atiku Abubakar

As the corona virus pandemic ravages the world, I applaud the various Nigerian state governments who have proactively taken measures, such as issuing stay at home orders, and shutting down non-essential markets and other places of mass gatherings, while also giving guidelines for social distancing. 

However, we must accept the fact that much of the Nigerian public have a subsistence existence. A large percentage of our people do not have the financial capacity to withstand long periods of self isolation and even lockdown. It is, therefore, incumbent on the Federal and state governments to provide palliatives to the Nigerian people to enable them survive, even as they abide by these necessary measures put in place for their own safety. 

At an approximate 30 million households or thereabouts, government should devise modalities to distribute N10,000 as supplement for food stuff to each household, among  other palliative measures, with no one left behind.

It is thus time for the National Assembly to reconvene in an emergency session, perhaps by teleconference (in line with the demands of social distancing), to legislate a Stimulus Package Act that will cater for all Nigerian citizens.

I also call on all Mobile Telephony Companies in Nigeria to urgently develop mobile money platforms so that government can reach the unbanked with financial assistance. I also urge these telecommunications firms to offer each of the 100 million mobile phone lines in Nigeria free credit of at least ₦1500 per mobile line, so that Nigerians who show symptoms, or those who just want information, can call the nearest available health facility, or even an ambulance service, as the case may be.

I commend all all individuals and corporate organisations who have one way or the other provided some form of relief for the Nigerian people. This is what makes Nigeria great, when we help each other at such crisis times as this, irrespective of any differences. I further call on more more corporations and individuals with capacity, to assist the public in these trying times.

To this end, Priam Group pledges N50 million on my behalf as my humble contribution to a relief Fund that will form part of the stimulus package.

May God bless Nigeria. 

Atiku Abubakar

Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007

Abuja

25th March 2020

Is the coronavirus in Bible prophecy? Pastor David Jeremiah answers

Pastor David Jeremiah

By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter

Popular Pastor David Jeremiah weighed in on the question of whether COVID-19 is mentioned in biblical prophecy and stressed that no matter how devastating it gets, “the coronavirus is not a big deal to God.”

“Is there a connection between COVID-19 and the End Times?” Jeremiah, pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California, began in his Sunday sermon. “Are we living in the last days before the return of Jesus Christ? Is all that is happening to us at this moment a sign that the world is coming to an end? How do we know if the coronavirus is a sign?”

The founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries defined a “biblical sign” as an “event or a symbol or an object or a place, or a person whose existence indicates something important on God's plan for the future.”

“Jesus said in the future there are going to be signs,” he said, adding that Jesus also said no one knows the “day or hour” of His return. 

“If someone tells you they know when Jesus is coming back, you can tell them absolutely that’s not possible,” he said. 

Jesus does identify six signs that “let us know if we’re in that time,” Jeremiah said, including deception by false Christs; disputes and warfare among nations; deliverance of believers to tribulation; the defection of false believers; and the declaration of the Gospel to the whole world.

“Is this a sign of the Second Coming of Christ? I cannot say with any sense of certainty that it is. But neither can I say with any certainty that it is not. It could be the early evidence of number three on Jesus' sign list, the coming of pestilence,” he said. 

Jesus refers to what will happen at the end of the age as a “pestilence” (Luke 21:11).

Merriam Webster defines pestilence as a “contagion or infectious epidemic that is virulent and devastating.”

“That's a pretty good description of what's going on right now,” Jeremiah said. 

“Jesus said this pestilence would arrive like ‘birth pains,’” he continued. “This means that it will increase in frequency and intensity in the time leading up to His return. This means that as the end approaches, we should expect infectious disease outbreaks to occur more frequently, impact more people, and be more deadly. This is what the coronavirus threatens to do.”

There are more than 451,300 diagnosed cases globally of COVID-19, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Some 20,500 have died worldwide and over 112,900 have recovered. 

In the U.S., more than 60,100 people have been diagnosed with the virus and 827 people have died as of Wednesday afternoon.

The coronavirus is “probably” not the pestilence Jesus was referring to, Jeremiah clarified, as it does not “perfectly qualify as a prophetic sign.”

“I could not stand here and say to you and have any confidence in saying that this is the fulfillment of number three on Jesus sign list of Matthew 24,” he said. “But it surely is a picture of it, isn't it? It surely does remind us that such signs exist, and such things will happen.”

However, the virus is none-the-less a sign, he explained, adding, “Not so much perhaps as a sign of the future but a sign for today.  A reminder of things we too easily forget.”

The coronavirus teaches us the vulnerability of everyone; the credibility of the Bible; the uncertainty of life; the scarcity of hope; and finally, the sufficiency of Jesus, the bestselling author said.

“Jesus doesn't just overcome the event. He overcomes the environment where the event happens,” he explained. “In these challenging days, we cannot forget what Jesus told us in 2nd Corinthians 12:9, that His grace is sufficient for us. You will find that out during these days, if you haven't found it out already. The sufficiency of Jesus Christ for those who have put their trust in Him will be on display everywhere.”

He concluded, “How uncertain and how precious are our days? I hope we can all use some of this required quiet time to reflect on our lives and give thanks for God’s grace.”

In an interview with Megan West of My Faith Votes on Monday, Jeremiah told listeners that amid anxiety and uncertainty, “God is a breath away,” adding, “There aren’t any surprises for God. He didn’t get surprised by any of this.”

Jeremiah also stressed the importance of controlling what goes into one’s mind. “If you want to be depressed, if you want to be overwhelmed, you can do that by spending hours watching the reports,” he said. 

While it’s important to be informed, Jeremiah recommended listening to one condensed report a day instead of inundating oneself with negativity.

“This is not the end of the world. Step back, take a deep breath, and get into the Word of God and be reminded that God is in control,” he said. 

When tempted to focus on the negative, the pastor recommended focusing instead on blessings. “We can take a moment and count our blessings and ask God to hear our gratitude for all that He does for us,” he said. 

“I want to encourage everybody to not let fear become a greater problem than the coronavirus, but trust God,” he concluded. “The coronavirus is not a big deal to God. He’s able to control this and take in, and we’re going to come through this better than we were when we came in. In the meantime, we have to be calm and ask Him to give us peace.”

https://www.christianpost.com/church-ministries/is-the-coronavirus-in-bible-prophecy-david-jeremiah-answers.html

Catholic Cardinal says churches must stay open despite coronavirus pandemic

Cardinal Raymond Burke

By Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter

A Roman Catholic Church cardinal has called on churches to continue holding worship services and making the sacraments available despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the past several weeks, large numbers of churches of all denominations have taken to canceling worship services to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

Cardinal Raymond Burke, a noted conservative critic of Pope Francis, posted a statement on his website last week offering his views on the question of whether churches should close.

“Just as we are able to purchase food and medicine, while taking care not to spread the coronavirus in the process, so also we must be able to pray in our churches and chapels, receive the Sacraments, and engage in acts of public prayer and devotion, so that we know God’s closeness to us and remain close to Him, fittingly calling upon His help,” Burke wrote.

“Historically, in times of pestilence, the faithful gathered in fervent prayer and took part in processions. In fact, in the Roman Missal, promulgated by Pope Saint John XXIII in 1962, there are special texts for the Holy Mass to be offered in times of pestilence …”

Burke went on to denounce the idea from “our totally secularized culture” that worship and prayer are “not essential and therefore can be cancelled for the sake of taking every precaution to curb the spread of a deadly contagion.”

“But prayer, devotions and worship, above all, Confession and the Holy Mass, are essential for us to remain healthy and strong spiritually, and for us to seek God’s help in a time of great danger for all,” he continued in the post.

“Therefore, we cannot simply accept the determinations of secular governments, which would treat the worship of God in the same manner as going to a restaurant or to an athletic contest.”

Burke said he believes there are ways to adapt mass and the sacraments to be compatible with “social distance,” such as having worshipers sit farther apart and applying disinfectant to the screen between cells in a confessional.

“Even if, for whatever reason, we are unable to have access to our churches and chapels, we must remember that our homes are an extension of our parish, a little Church into which we bring Christ from our encounter with Him in the bigger Church,” Burke added.

“Let our homes, during this time of crisis, reflect the truth that Christ is the guest of every Christian home. Let us turn to him through prayer, especially the Rosary, and other devotions.”

Burke’s views brought criticism from many, including the editorial staff of the National Catholic Reporter, which published a piece on Tuesday calling his comments an example of “ignorance and stupidity.”

“On the other hand, we're accustomed to the good cardinal's eccentricities, most of which, given his current removal from any perch of power, can be ignored,” the publication argued in its editorial. “But his encouragement to his determined base of admirers and others who find some solace in his traditionalist formulations is downright dangerous in the current moment.”

https://www.christianpost.com/church-ministries/catholic-cardinal-says-churches-must-stay-open-despite-coronavirus-pandemic.html

God is using coronavirus to wake us up to fragility of the world, says Pastor Greear

Pastor JD Greear.

By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter

Pastor J.D. Greear explained how Christians should respond to the coronavirus and suggested that God is using the pandemic to show people that the world is both temporary and incapable of sustaining us. 

In a recent episode of his podcast, Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, said that because Jesus told His disciples that it was not for them to know the times or the seasons, nor the day and hour of His return, “it’s unwise for us to say, ‘Hey, this indicates that the coming of Jesus is right around the corner.”

“But having said that, what I think Jesus is showing there, is that God uses things like this to indicate and shake up the foundations of the world, telling them the foundations they are standing on are fragile and there is a new reality," he clarified.

The epidemic is also showing “God’s mercy,” the pastor explained, demonstrating that many of the things we have trusted in — from the economy to the healthcare system — won’t sustain us. 

“You just think about how something we can’t even see has rocked the foundations of our society,” he said, stressing that even if the world recovers from the virus, “the economic implications of this are going to be staggering.”

“God is saying ... the world you are living in is not as secure as you think it is, and you need to rethink the foundations that you have.”

When responding to the crisis, Christians should first and foremost “heed wise counsel,” Greear said. 

“It’s not a time for carelessness or bravado, nor is it a time for panic,” he said. “We all have a natural bias. Some of us gravitate toward worst-case scenarios and doomsday prophecies and we overreact. Others of us tend to brush aside reports as hysteria or some kind of mainstream media political agenda. It’s probably the wisest thing to recognize what your bias is and listen to an array of counsel.”

“Our disposition as a church, at this point, is to defer to the CDC and our government,” he added. “We believe this is why God gave us governing officials, and so in absence of any compelling reason to not follow their instruction, that’s what we’re going to do.”

The president of the Southern Baptist Convention advised young people: Don’t take anything for granted, and even if you are low-risk, you should take precautions for the sake of your neighbors. He quoted another Christian leader, Andy Crouch, who once stated that, “love, not fear, is the reason we should change our behavior.

Second, Greear encouraged the Church to move forward in faith, not backward in fear. 

“This doesn’t surprise [God] and He’s going to give us the resources to be faithful,” he said. “What does faithfulness look like? It’s not retreating in fear, it’s serving God in faith. The early church wasn’t known for stockpiling ample food and ammunition for themselves or spreading fear on social media.”

“Christian witnesses throughout history have been known for hope, faith, and self-sacrifice,” he added. “We do this because we follow a Savior who ran toward tragedy, not away from it.”

Greear advised Christians to care for the elderly, vulnerable, and hourly workers; buy gift cards from service places; support healthcare workers, and participate in church ministries. 

“Proclaim hope,” he stressed. “This is a time where God is shaking the foundations, and we have a unique moment to step in and show Gospel hope, that when everything else around us turns into shifting sands, we are able to say, ‘Christ is the solid rock and all other ground is sinking sand.’”

Greear advised using this season to develop good habits, encouraging listeners to view it as an “extended Sabbath.”

“Don’t just make it through this time. Redeem this time. Don’t waste your quarantine,” he said. “We know that God does a lot of his greatest works in times when there isn’t a lot of activity.”

He concluded by saying, “I don’t know the future, but we know that while we’re alive we should live. And what living looks like is growing in Christ, it looks like meeting needs, it looks like making the Gospel famous.” 

As the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States, a number of pastors and ministry leaders have offered advice and encouragement to those uncertain of what the future holds.

Renowned apologist Ravi Zacharias recently urged Christians to “combine our faith and trust in God with wisdom and common sense.”

“Trust in God doesn’t mean you’re careless in what you do. You have to protect your children, you have to protect your family, and if the elderly are the most vulnerable, they’re the ones we need to protect,” he said. 

Zacharias urged Americans to avoid falling into the “extremes” of panic and fear or “complete indifference.”

“In America, we get so used to comfort that when we find something is out of our control, it’s very daunting,” he said, commending the U.S. government for “taking the lead” in helping Americans “navigate” the virus. 

“Be sober-minded about it, don’t be cavalier about it. And make sure that at all times, your life and your relationship with God and with your family is strong. That’s what’s going to matter at the end of it all,” he advised.

https://www.christianpost.com/news/jd-greear-god-is-using-coronavirus-to-wake-us-up-to-fragility-of-the-world.html

Covid – 19: Okowa gives directives, all schools to close Wednesday 25th, levels 1-12 workers to stay at home

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta.

All schools, primary, secondary and tertiary, are to close for a period of 30 days with from after school hours on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has directed.

The directive was part of measures taken to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic raving the world.

The governor in a state wide broadcast today, Tuesday, March 24, 2020 also directed that “All workers on grade levels 1 -12 (except those on essential duties (Health Staff, Fire Services, Water Corporation/agencies) are to stay at home effective 26th March, 2020.”

“

Biometric operations at all levels of Government are hereby suspended till further notice

 Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, hotels and bars must, in addition to providing Sanitizers at various entry points, ensure social distancing by allowing only few persons at a time.

Market leaders to ensure that Sanitizers are provided at all entry points to the markets. Failure to do this will attract sanction from the Government.

All night clubs/lounges and cinemas are to be closed forthwith.

All burials and social events must be low-key, not attracting crowds of more than twenty (20) persons or be put off indefinitely. Security Agencies will be directed to enforce this henceforth. Social distancing must be complied with.

“The State Government is to immediately convene a meeting with religious bodies and their leaders to enable us take far-reaching decisions on worship. However, all crusades and conferences must be suspended for now.

 “All Local Government Council Chairmen are hereby directed to urgently meet with traditional rulers and opinion leaders (men/women) in their domain to partner with the State in carrying out this advocacy to curtail the spread of the infection.

“All buses and taxis must provide hand Sanitzers for travellers.

     “All town union gatherings or youth 

          conferences/gatherings are prohibited until further   

          notice.

    “All political gatherings and conferences, summits and

          gatherings involving more than 20 persons are

          banned until further notice.

Below is full text of the governor’s broadcast.

STATE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR, DR. IFEANYI OKOWA, GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ON TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2020.

My Dear Deltans,

For the second time in one week, I am addressing you on the coronavirus pandemic.

2.        As at 2 pm today, 24th March, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed 42 cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria. While there is no case of COVID – 19 confirmed in Delta State we must take some precautionary measures to prevent, as well as limit infection if it occurs.

3.        The Multi-sectoral Coronavirus Preparedness Group led by NCDC has activated its national Emergency Operation Centre, and they are working closely with State Health authorities.

4.        I wish to urge all Deltans to adhere strictly to the following precautionary measures:

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 - 60 seconds and use alcohol-based Sanitisers.

           

Social Distancing: maintain at least two metres (six feet) between yourself and anyone, especially those coughing or sneezing.

Persons who are coughing or sneezing should stay home or keep a social distance. They should not mix in a crowd.

Ensure good respiratory hygiene by coughing into your sleeve at the bent elbow or using tissue to cover your mouth and nose.  Then dispose of the tissue immediately.

Deltans are advised to avoid all non-essential travel within or outside the State.

It is important we realise that the virus does not spread itself; it is spread by people.

     If you feel unwell with symptoms like fever, cough and

     have difficulty in breathing, call the following    

     numbers for guidance:- 0803 123 0480,  0803 123 0481

   (viii)         Do not engage in self-medication.

5.        My dear Deltans, in the spirit of love for one another, any one of us who has recently returned from high risk countries such as China, USA, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, UK, Iran, South Korea, Japan, must self-isolate from friends, family and others for minimum of 14 days. All who have had close contact with those who visited these high incidence countries are also advised to self-isolate for the same period.

6          On our part, we have taken certain steps to mitigate the impact if and when cases are detected in our State;

 A multi-sectoral Committee has been put in place and the State Emergency Operation Centre activated.  Health Staff     have been selected and trained adequately.

(ii)       The State Government has completed a purpose-built Isolation Centre at the Federal Medical   Centre, Asaba. The centre is ready for use.

(iii)      Three other Centres at the now completed central Hospital,       Asaba; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara and Central Hospital,     Warri are being prepared as additional Centres.

(iv)    To protect healthcare personnel and increase capacity, Personal Protective Equipment for health Staff are in stock and we have continued to scout for more.

(v)       The State Government has also packaged incentives for critical health staff who will be engaged in COVID-19 treatment and management.

In the last 48 hours, we have paid for and taken delivery of  19 No. Ventilators and a good number of Monitors for use           by our medical Staff. 

(vi)      Other critical needs, including Dialysis machines, dedicated for COVID -19 case management will be installed.

7.        I urge Deltans not to panic, but we must all commit to best behaviours by keeping to the advice of the NCDC and State officials.

8.        Please do not spread false information on social media, as it will do us no good.

DIRECTIVES

All institutions of learning: Primary, Secondary or Tertiary are to close for a period of 30 days at the end of School hours on Wednesday, 25th March, 2020.

All workers on grade levels 1 -12 (except those on essential duties (Health Staff, Fire Services, Water Corporation/agencies) are to stay at home effective 26th March, 2020.

Biometric operations at all levels of Government are hereby suspended till further notice

 Malls, supermarkets, restaurants, banks, hotels and bars must, in addition to providing Sanitizers at various entry points, ensure social distancing by allowing only few persons at a time.

Market leaders to ensure that Sanitizers are provided at all entry points to the markets. Failure to do this will attract sanction from the Government.

All night clubs/lounges and cinemas are to be closed forthwith.

All burials and social events must be low-key, not attracting crowds of more than twenty (20) persons or be put off indefinitely. Security Agencies will be directed to enforce this henceforth. Social distancing must be complied with.

The State Government is to immediately convene a meeting with religious bodies and their leaders to enable us take far-reaching decisions on worship. However, all crusades and conferences must be suspended for now.

 All Local Government Council Chairmen are hereby directed to urgently meet with traditional rulers and opinion leaders (men/women) in their domain to partner with the State in carrying out this advocacy to curtail the spread of the infection.

All buses and taxis must provide hand Sanitzers for    

          travellers.

     All town union gatherings or youth 

          conferences/gatherings are prohibited until further   

          notice.

    All political gatherings and conferences, summits and

          gatherings involving more than 20 persons are

          banned until further notice.

9.        Together and with God on our side, we shall overcome this plague.

Office of the Governor

Government House

Asaba

March 2020

Max Lucado shares how to choose faith over fear: 'God is talking to the world' amid coronavirus

Pastor Max Lucado

By Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter

Evangelical pastor and author Max Lucado is encouraging Christians to choose faith over fear and consider what God might be telling them as the novel coronavirus continues to spread in the United States and abroad.

“We’ve never lived in a time like this. This is unprecedented,” Lucado, pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, told The Christian Post. “Yet the Bible tells us that times have been bizarre before. You open your Bible and you read about pestilence, fears, dark times. The Bible is written for times like this.”

“I think this a time where we need to be feeding our faith,” he continued. “If you feed your faith, your fears will starve. If you feed your fears, your faith will starve. Our tendency is to feed our fears. We have to do intentional things to feed our faith.”

Choosing faith over fear amid the onslaught of negative headlines, The New York Times bestselling author said, begins with thought management. 

“When I turn on the news this evening, I’ll hear somebody say things are getting worse. If I don’t guard myself, I’ll let that create a sense of anxiety that will fill my heart, and then I will purvey that to the world,” Lucado explained.

“We think that just because we have a thought, we have to think it. We don’t. We don’t have to receive it. There are lots of lies out there and falsehoods distributed right now, in the form of exaggeration, like, ‘We’ll never get through this’ and other overstatements. We need to guard against those things because they can suck us down.”

The Lucado Encouraging Word Bible author pointed out that in 2nd Corinthians, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

“This means, we hear that thought, and then we pray: ‘I know it seems things are getting worse, but Lord, you are in control, and I’m not going to surrender to that. I give my fear to you,’” he said. “Instead of allowing anxiety into my heart, faith goes into my heart so that later, what I say is, ‘Things are tough, but I believe in a good God and He’s on the throne.' I become one who purveys hope instead of fear.”

He encouraged every believer to ask: “‘Lord, what are you saying to me during this crisis?” God, Lucado stressed, is “talking to the world” through the global pandemic. 

“I believe His message is both personal and global,” the pastor emphasized. “Some of us need to hear something individually. For example, I sensed the Lord was telling me, ‘Max, don’t depend on the economy.’ It could be that God is telling people, ‘Don’t trust entertainment for your fulfillment.’”

“Who would’ve foreseen empty sports stadiums? This feels like a science fiction novel,” he continued. “It could be that some of us need to hear the Lord saying, ‘Quit making an idol out of these sources of pleasure. Come to me for fulfillment.”

“Go to the Lord, ask what He’s saying, and then say, ‘How can we be used by you? How can we serve others?’" he advised. "It’s not easy because of social distancing. But we can text and call people, drop gifts off for someone, we can get creative, especially with the vulnerable.”

Throughout Scripture, Jesus provides the perfect example of how to respond in times of crisis, Lucado said.

“If you want to know how Jesus responds to a global calamity, we can look at the way Jesus responded to the fact that 5,000 men women and children had no food, and how he fed them,” he said. “Want to look at the way Jesus responds to the evil specter of death? We can see how He responds when Lazarus died by raising him from the dead.”

The pastor’s most recent book, Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name, looks deeply at the life of Christ and what He means to us today. It's both for new Christians who want to “walk through the life of Christ and understand the beauty of this real person who lived on this Earth” and for seasoned believers who “want to go deeper and explore different aspects of Christ’s life,” Lucado said.

“The book helps people come to an understanding of why we treasure Christ,” he said. “The reason that God became flesh is to reveal to us the heart of God. When we see Jesus, we see God’s heart.”

“They all reveal the heart of Christ which is compassionate, hates religion that takes people away from God, and loves people.”

Like many churches around the world, Lucado’s Texas-based church has suspended on-campus worship services in response to the coronavirus. Instead, Lucado has in recent weeks hosted a brief Sunday service on Facebook and will continue to do so “for as long as is needed.” 

“On Sunday, I preached sermons to an empty auditorium because we don’t think it’s safe to gather,” he shared. “I thought, not every church has live stream capacity. So I decided to have church every Sunday for as long as this lasts. Every week, we do a 15 to 20 minute message and a time of prayer and reflection.”

In addition, Lucado is offering a free, five-week online Bible study based on his book, Anxious for Nothing, concluding on April 25. The Bible study is based on the Philippians 4 passage: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’”

“People can access it through maxlucado.com and it’s free,” he said. “The videos are free, the curriculum is free, if they want to order the book they can, but they can still benefit from the study even if they don’t have the book. In these times, we need to remember that while the challenges are great, God is greater.”

In times of calamity, Christians should strive to “keep our Bibles and hearts open” more than ever before, Lucado stressed.

“We have situations like this in history and it will happen again," he said. "I don’t know if this is an indication that we’re near the end of the world as we know it, but it could be. Nobody knows. But it’s a reminder to us to turn our hearts to the Lord and keep praying.”

·        Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/max-lucado-shares-how-to-choose-faith-over-fear-god-is-talking-to-the-world-amid-coronavirus.html

COVID-19: Okowa orders closure of schools

Governor Okowa making his state wide broadcast to the people of Delta State.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has directed closure of all primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the state with effect from Thursday, March 26, 2020 for 30 days in connection with Coronavirus pandemic.

The governor gave the directive in a state broadcast in Asaba today, Friday, March 20, 2020 and said that the closure of the schools for 30 days in the first instance was aimed at preventing possible spread of the virus.

He stated that as at March 20, Delta was free from the Coronavirus but had to take precautionary measures to ensure that the pandemic does not come to Delta.

The governor assured that the State Government had taken several measures,, including the establishment of a purpose-built and well-equipped isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba to handle any emergency, to guard against further spread of the virus.

He added that the state government was assisting in the local production of alcohol-based hand sanitisers, assuring that government would not spare any effort or resource to ensure the health, safety and protection of citizens.

Okowa advised that it was important for people to know that observing proper hygiene and World Health Orgainsation-mandated safety protocols remained the best way to protect citizens and stop the spread of this virus.

He said: "As you are aware, the world is currently battling with the Coronavirus also known as COVID-19 pandemic. 

"As at March 16 this year, cases of COVID-19 have been reported in 151 countries and in Nigeria, there have been 12 confirmed cases recorded so far. 

"There is yet no confirmed case of Coronavirus in Delta State. However, we have taken some proactive steps to prevent the spread of the disease and stop transmission if it occurs.

"The State Government has already established a purpose-built and well-equipped isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre in Asaba to handle any emergency.

"We have embarked on training of healthcare personnel to work at the isolation ward, training and engagement of 129 Red Cross workers across the State is currently on-going.

"We have identified and established holding rooms in all zonal and all state hospitals across the State as well as training of five members of the Rapid Response Team in each local government area.’’

The governor also said "the state government has embarked upon training of laboratory scientists on sample collection, adding that "Arrival cards are to be completed by all in-bound passengers and crew in the two airports (Warri and Asaba) and three seaports (Warri, Koko, and Sapele).

``As a further precautionary measure, all passengers arriving Asaba Airport are already subject to temperature measurement and all incoming sea vessels are to observe a 14-day quarantine period to be cleared by the Port health personnel before berthing in any seaport in Delta.

``Furthermore, the Ministries of Health and Information have been mandated to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to inform and sensitize the public on safety protocols regarding COVID-19.’’

He disclosed that COVID-19 currently had no cure, adding that the virus was believed to spread mainly by person-to-person contact and could be transmitted through handshakes, coughing and sneezing by a carrier as the droplets could fall on the mouths and noses of people around, or possibly inhaled.

Okowa cautioned that the best way to prevent the virus was to avoid being exposed to it, ``by avoiding close contact with people who are sick or appear to be sick’’.

"We must practice social distancing; avoid handshakes and hugs, maintain about five feet distance when talking with people."

"We must wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds after leaving the office, workshop, market, bus/taxi, motor parks, and public gathering of any sort. Do the same after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, he said

"I want to appeal to all of us to remain calm and vigilant. We must not panic. We can easily overcome this threat if we abide by the above measures and all other information from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). 

"We will easily defeat the spread of this virus if everyone sees himself/herself as a potential carrier who does not want to spread the virus. To adopt a superstitious approach as many of us do that ‘it is not my portion’ could prove to be fatal.

"This is no time for self-medication. If you notice at any point in time that you have fever, do not hesitate to call on the relevant authorities/ or visit the nearest hospital.

"As a further precautionary measure, I wish to direct that all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions are to be closed effective Thursday, March 26, 2020 for 30 days in the first instance. 

"Parents should endeavour to provide hand sanitizers for their children and hand wash stations must also be provided at easily identifiable points in the markets. 

"All offices must ensure that they are fitted with the right type of sanitizers. Supermarkets, malls, churches and other places of worship should provide hand sanitizers for customers/worshippers.

"We are carefully monitoring developments around the country and the State and will update Deltans accordingly and, where necessary, take drastic actions.

"I advise all Deltans to desist from publishing unverified information capable of causing panic and fear, especially on the social media. 

"At this point, what we must fear most is the spread of false information not even the virus itself; infodemic is a greater danger than the pandemic. Deltans are, therefore, advised to get information from only official channels," he stated.

The governor gave 0803 075 8179 – State Epidemiologist; 0803 507 8541 – State Disease Surveillance and Notification Officer; 0803 352 1961 – State Incident Manager; 0906 503 1241 – State Health Educator as contact lines to be called for emergencies..

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the governor’s broadcast, the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr Mordi Ononye, debunked the rumour of an alleged case of COVID-19 in Warri.

According to him, so far, there is no confirmed case of the virus in Delta and we are not interested in creating panic in the state.

Ononye said that the state government had been proactive in ensuring that preventive measures were being taken, adding that ``if before the 26th March, there is a reason to change the decision to shut down schools, we will definitely do so."