Metro
Plateau Shuts All Entry Routes to Curb Coronavirus Spread
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who doubles as the Chaiman of the State Task Force on COVID-19 Enforcement and Monitoring, has disclosed that all entry and exit points into the state will be shutdown from Thursday, as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus into the state.
He hinted that government may close down commercial transport system operating within the metropolis following concerns that operators were yet to fully comply with government’s directives mode of carrying commuters.
The Governor stated this through the Coordinating Secretary, Plateau Task Force on COVID-19 Emergency Response, Prof.
Danladi Atu on Wednesday, 1st April, 2020 during the media briefing on COVID-19 update held at the new Government House Little Rayfield in Jos the Plateau State capital.He stressed that although some suspected samples from the state were taken for testing in Abuja and has turned out to be negative. The Task Force have been carrying out preliminary examinations at the state border entry points to ensure that all passengers undergo temperature assessments, and has so far gone well.
Lalong frowned at the atitudes of some religious organisations who flouted the order for gathering not more than 50 people last week pointed that “they have been invited by security agencies and have equally apologised and made undertaking not to violate Government orders again.”
Accoding to the Coordinating Secretary, “Based on assessment of the situation, the Chairman of the Plateau State COVID-19 Taskforce, His Excellency Governor Simon Lalong has directed that from 6am Thursday 2nd April 2020, all entry and exit routes to Plateau State will be closed.
“No one will be allowed to come in or leave. Only those carrying out essential duties will be allowed after thorough clearance by security agencies and subject to preliminary examination by health officials. “
He said as part of the enforcement of gathering for not more than 50 people especially during religious events, “any group, which disregards this directive, will be shut down outrightly. If those gatherings of not more than
50 persons must hold, the organisers should adhere strictly to 2-metre distancing, provision of water and sanitizers at entrances.
“Traders selling food items are to henceforth maintain the 5 meters distance directive,” he stated.
The Commissioner for Health Dr. Nimkong Lar at the briefing added that 8 samples were taken from the state to Abuja, out of which and 4 turned negative as the state awaits the remaining results.
The Plateau State shutdown measures may be in connection with the in-flock of persons coming into the state with some passing into other Northern states of the federation following the shutdown in the nation’s capital(Abuja) as well as Lagos State amongst other states of the federation as a result of the increasing spread in the novel coronavirus in the country.
Metro
FG Reaffirms Commitment to Providing Enabling Environment for Migrants
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing enabling environments and adequate protection for migrants in the country.
Mr Tijjani Ahmed, the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMI), said this at the International Migrants Day in Abuja on Wednesday.
Report says that the theme of the celebration was “Beyond Borders: Celebrating Migrants’ Legacy, Protecting their Rights.
”The Commission organised a walk in commemoration of the day to sensitise Nigerians of the danger of not following the right path when leaving the country.
Ahmed highlighted the invaluable contribution of migrants to Nigeria’s development, including remittances exceeding 23 billion dollars annually, and advancements in technology and agriculture.
He said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to creating a secure and supportive environment for migrants while enhancing migration governance.
“We are here today to celebrate the migrants for their technological transfer.
“We celebrate migrants because of their contributions towards the development of this country.
“We also celebrate them today in order to inform them that the Nigerian government and the people of Nigeria are there for them.
“We do not forget the contribution of our migrants in the diaspora towards the development of Nigeria,” he said.
Ahmed emphasised Nigeria’s readiness to lead migration governance globally through the “Rabat Process” in 2025, showcasing its dedication to migration management and human rights.
“Nigeria is preparing to take over the leadership of the rubber process by 2025.
“We are asking everyone within and outside this country to support Nigeria to succeed in the governance of migration internationally.
“We have at least 10,000 migrants in Nigeria and over 20,000 outside the country that are contributing towards the development of the country, ” he said. (NAN)
Metro
FCT Civil Service Commission Begins Regularisation of FCTA Staff Appointments
The Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission has begun the regularisation of staff appointments in the FCT Administration and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
The Head of the Civilo Service, Dr Udo Atang, said at the commencement of the exercise in Abuja on Wednesday, that the move was to ensure accurate data of all staff.
Atang described the regularisation as a “critical” exercise, which forms the bedrock of the new FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC).
He pointed out that all the staff were holding letters of appointments from various agencies, departments, area councils, and the defunct Ministry of FCT and FCDA among others.
The holders of these letters, he said, have been raising issues of discrimination based on letters of appointment.
According to him, the exercise and the gazette by the commission that will come thereafter, will give all staff a sense of identity.
“The essence of this regularisation is to ensure that staff are properly documented.
“You will now have letters that will now qualify you as a bonafide staff of the FCT Civil Service Commission.”
The head of service, who appealed for full cooperation of the workers, directed that a list of all staff on course, study leave, leave of absence and other related permissions be compiled and submitted.
He added that the list should be compiled with grade level, designation and record of service, including approvals.
Atang commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for his doggedness and commitment in implementing the provisions of the FCT CSC Act, 2018.
Noting Wike’s support and love for the FCT workers, the head of service urged the workers to reciprocate the minister’s uncommon gesture, by being dedicated and committed to their respective duties.
Also speaking, the Chairman, FCT CSC, Mr Emeka Ezeh, stressed that part of the responsibilities of the commission was in the appointment, promotion and discipline of all FCTA and FCDA workers.
Ezeh also stressed the need for the workers to be more committed in the discharge of their responsibilities. (NAN)
Metro
Jos School Collapse: CWON Holds Trauma Healing Session for Parents, Survivors
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Catholic Women Organization of Nigeria (CWON) has organized a trauma healing session for survivors of the Jos Saint Academy School collapse alongside parents who lost their children in the unfortunate incident.The National President of the organization, Dame Mary Gonzum noted that the effort was part of their psychosocial support and counseling services for victims of the school building collapse as a follow-up to the assessment of the condition of the victims during their visit.
Gonzum speaking during a one day trauma session held at the Secretariat of the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas Commission (JDPC) of the Catholic Archdiocese located along Zaria Road in Jos the Plateau State capital said the trauma healing session was in continuation of their intervention to students who experienced the building collapsed.”Today, a trauma healing session was flagged off with a seminar on how to go about handling the trauma that victims of the Saint Academy School Busa Buji in Jos are passing through.”We will later select those that are so traumatic and need help to continue with the process of healing because it is not something that will end in a day or two but will need sometime.”The surviving students who experienced the building collapsed, parents of the students are all here because some parents are so traumatic, we have one other woman that lost two children”This trauma became necessary because when we went visiting in the hospitals, we observed that some of them are really traumatic. Like the other boy, his mother said up till today he kept telling his mother that he is seeing dead bodies, and anybody he sees he will say is his classmate.”Some of the affected parents while sharing their encounters after the incident said they hardly sleep in the day or night time. Some manage to sleep for two hours and they’re awake, and from the little lectures we received today it is clear that there is a problem,” She noted.The President calls on the government to ensure that those saddled with the responsibility of approving, inspecting and supervising structures are meant to do their job with all diligence to avert future happenings again.Some of the affected parents including; Hasana Suleman Sale who lost two of her children recalled with pains the unfortunate development that claimed the lives of her two children. She expressed gratitude for the trauma healing session which she said came as a means of consolation and strength for her to overcome the trauma she is passing through.