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CACOVID to ‘Feed’ 1.7 Million Households in Nigeria

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CACOVID

By Dipo Olowookere

No fewer than 1.7 million households will benefit from the food relief package from the private sector-led Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

At a news conference in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), Ms Zouera Youssoufou, stated that this gesture was part of complementary efforts to help alleviate the effects of the lockdown and restrictions adopted by governments across the nation.

Also, Ms Youssoufou noted that the group has ordered for 250,000 supplies for tests and another 150,000 extraction kits to fast-track molecular testing for the deadly coronavirus, noting that the reality of the situation at hand was such that efforts must be put together with no stone left unturned in dealing with the scourge.

She stated that the coalition has set up isolation centres in five states of Lagos, Kano, Rivers, Borno and Enugu as well as FCT, while renovations of hospitals and medical supplies are being carried out in other states.

According to her, all the partners in CACOVID are ready to roll out in all parts of the country having commenced building and equipping of isolation centres in some states.

She said there are currently three testing platforms for molecular testing in Nigeria, one of which is the Open PCR machines, which the coalition has ordered for 10 units, with eight laboratories certified to conduct COVID-19 tests.

“Open PCR machine is currently the standard platform. Eight labs in Nigeria are certified to conduct COVID-19 testing; 10 new PCR machines and 150,000 extraction kits have been ordered. The other is Roche Cobus Platform with 6 Machines in Nigeria, each capable of testing 960 tests at a time.

“Nigeria was on track to receive 38,000 but we have ordered 250,000. 10,000 tests ordered by UNICEF have arrived on Thursday, April 16,” she said.

“We also have Cepheid Gene Expert Machines – there are 400 machines installed in the country. 250 are expected to be functional with trained lab technicians.

“Cepheid has developed a COVID-19 testing cartridge that has received FDA approval, and will begin shipping to Africa in two weeks. We have ordered 250,000 cartridges and expect shipment receipt in two weeks,” Ms Youssoufou added.

In his remarks, the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr Herbert Wigwe, said the coalition right from the onset knew the fight against coronavirus was not going to be easy but would require collaborative efforts of all.

He said the CACOVID-19 is approaching the fight against the virus from three levels, “One, it was clear from the beginning that no one institution can go it alone, so we solicit everybody’s cooperation in tackling this scourge.

“Two, while several measures are being taken to stop the spread, including lockdowns, restriction, social distancing, there is the need to address hunger. How do we cater to the feeding needs of the people if these measures are to be effective?”

Mr Wigwe explained that the third level was the thought leadership aspect of the plan which is to tackle the post-pandemic aspect.

According to him, “a lot of businesses have been badly affected and economies have been disrupted. How do we get them back to life after we might have defeated the coronavirus?”

The Access Bank GMD explained the modalities to be adopted to get the food relief materials to the targeted households, pointing out that it would be done from the bottom of the pyramid, which is the 774 local government areas where the CACOVID partners would be assigned to deliver the materials.

He said he was optimistic that the food relief materials would reach all intended beneficiaries because according to him, it was a path that has already been trodden by Aliko Dangote Foundation, which has been distributing foods to the vulnerable in the states and has been achieving results.

Also, responding during the briefing, the Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr Ferdi Moolman urged other private sector organizations which are yet to identify with CACOVID in the onerous task to join hands and make their modest contributions.

Justifying why no organization could afford to stay aloof, Mr Moolman said the whole the world is not at peace presently and every nation is on its own fighting the battle of COVID-19.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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BREAKING: Awujale of Ijebuland Sikiru Adetona Dies at 91

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Awujale of Ijebuland sikiru adetona

By Dipo Olowookere

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Sikiru Kayode Adetona, has died at the age of 91, reports reaching Business Post say.

It was gathered that the prominent Ijebu monarch died on Sunday on a day one of his longtime allies, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, died in a London clinic.

The traditional ruler was not present at the popular Ojude Oba held in Ijebu Ode last month, as he was represented by his wife.

Born on May 10, 1934, he became the Awujale on April 2, 1960, making him one of the longest reigning monarchs in Nigeria.

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Tinubu Orders Shettima to Accompany Buhari’s Corpse to Nigeria

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Kashim Shettima

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shetima, has been directed by his boss, President Bola Tinubu, to travel to the United Kingdom to accompany the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari to Nigeria.

This directive was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Buhari died in a London clinic on Sunday and in the statement, Mr Tinubu offered his deep condolences to the family of his predecessor, especially the window, Mrs Aisha Buhari.

“President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.

“President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria,” a part of the statement said.

President Tinubu has ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

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JUST IN: Former President Buhari Dies in London

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President Buhari

By Dipo Olowookere

The immediate past president of Nigeria, Mr Muhammadu Buhari, has died, his former spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu, has confirmed.

The Katsina State-born former military officer and politician breathed his last on Sunday after he was admitted in a clinic in London, the United Kingdom.

“The family of the former president has announced the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin,” Mr Shehu announced on Sunday evening.

The deceased first ruled the country from 1983 to 1985 as a military Head of State, and then elected as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023.

After he left office on May 29, 2023, he moved to the UK and later relocated to Kaduna State from Daura, Katsina.

Some days ago, it was reported that he was ill and was taking treatment in a London health facility. He could not attend the book launch of Mr Shehu on Wednesday in Abuja.

On Friday, Mr Shehu, during a programme, Politics Today, aired on Channels Television and monitored by Business Post, the former presidential spokesperson said his former boss was recuperating in London.

While in office, Mr Buhari was a frequent visitor to the UK for medical treatment.

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