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HEDA Tells Nigerian Government To Stop Harassment Of Sowore

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has asked the Nigerian Government to stop the harassment and intimidation of SaharaReporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

The group said Sowore was kept in detention amidst a rash of court orders — none of which guaranteed his freedom in recent past.

It said there were concerns in the human rights circle that in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Sowore’s life may be at risk.

Recall that Sowore had raised the alarm over plans by the authorities to rearrest him to a military barracks where he alleged he would be tortured and infected with COVID-19.

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Sowore said he had written through his lawyers to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to inform him of plots by the Nigerian Army to detain him for revealing “classified information on SaharaReporters”.

SaharaReporters had reported that Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Abba Kyari, tested positive for Coronavirus.

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HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, said the organisation was worried about the fate of Sowore in the light of growing lockdown occasioned by COVID-19 spread.

Suraju said the group was also touched by the recent outcry from Sowore over alleged plans to endanger his life.

Suraju said, “The Federal Government can better guarantee protection for Sowore and other citizens by issuing a stern and clear warning to officials of government to refrain from any form of political or unwarranted arrest of citizens under the current situation.

“At this period of COVID-19 pandemic, this is a difficult moment for Nigerians who are free. For those in detention, their ordeal will multiply.

“They fall into the category of those that would have been vulnerable if in detention. We are worried about precautions taken by the government to protect Sowore and other citizens from repressive actions of government officials.”

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March 30, 2020
UPDATE: Buhari Orders 14-day Lockdown In Lagos, Ogun and FCT Over Coronavirus Outbreak

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday during a nationwide broadcast ordered the restriction of movement in Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, following the outbreak and continued spread of Coronavirus in the country.

The restriction is expected to last for two weeks in the first instance to enable the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and other stakeholders rally all available resources to control the spread of the disease.

Buhari urged citizens in these areas to stay in their homes in order to reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

He equally advised that inter-state travels should be postponed.

According to the President, the containment period will be used to identify, trace and isolate all individuals that had come in contact with confirmed cases, including ensuring the treatment of confirmed cases while restricting further spread to other states.

He said, “Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, March 30, 2020.
“This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two states.”

Nigeria currently has 97 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and one recorded death.

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March 30, 2020
COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hungry Man Is Not A Free Man By Adekunle Adeyemi (Scotty Aluta)

According to John F. Kennedy, “The war against hunger is truly mankind’s war of liberation.” It is no longer news that Coronavirus (Covid-19) is quite alarming and far spreading while food prices have risen dramatically around the country in recent days, fuelling widespread concern and social unrest in communities confronted with devastating price increases when buying provisions and food stuff. Exactly what accounts for this wild upswing in market prices and what do these trends hold for those already living in precarious conditions?

Hunger and malnutrition are self-perpetuating issues that affect a person’s mental ability, health, work and productivity. They constitute the world’s greatest public health risk, more pressing than corona virus (Covid-19).

There will be restrictions of movement due to the outbreak of Covid-19 (Corona Virus) and yet the government have no plan for its citizen during the sit at home period while other countries made provisions for their citizen so as not to lose their lives to hunger because hunger kills faster than a virus. At least 70 per cent of Nigerians are living on stipend even when they go out to hustle to put food on their tables, what will be their fate staying at home for a longer period without having an alternative? How do they survive? If they eventually survive the virus, will they survive the hunger?

The Nigerian government should put a proper measure in place so our case won’t end up like that of Italy, Spain and America respectively or even worse. Nigerians cherish their lives and am very sure the whole of the cities will be empty like a grave yard if the government can roll out an economic stimulus package to its citizen or better still give out relief funds to every individuals.

Influential individuals and organizations are not left out, I personally go against the act of tokenism portrayed by our banking sectors as i see it as policy or practice of making only a symbolic effort. 80% Nigerians are bank users and as well have a BVN (Bank Verification Number), relief funds can be disbursed to Nigerians via their BVN numbers irrespective of where they are. Billions of naira have been paid to the government account by individuals, organizations as well as the banking sectors to support during this pandemic while its citizens are languishing. I hope mosquitoes don’t swallow all the billions as we will be left with no choice as usual to believe it was swallowed by mosquitoes.

The government should put in place an alternatives for its citizen not just to tell us to sit at home and die of hunger as majority of Nigerians lives on hand to mouth on daily basis.

Education and awareness are the first steps to understanding and solving any issue and hunger is no different, while malnutrition is the single largest contributor to disease.

You pray for the hungry, then you feed them. This is how prayer works. – Pope Francis.

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March 30, 2020
National Prihatin Aid: HASiL care line resumes operations on March 30

CYBERJAYA: The Inland Revenue Board (IRB) announced today that its Hasil Care Line (HCL) call centre will resume operations from tomorrow (March 30) to answer questions related to the National Prihatin Aid (BPN) and taxation issues.

In a statement issued today, the IRB said the call centre will operate throughout the movement control order (MCO) period from 9am to 5pm daily from Sunday until Friday.

It said the call centre’s number is 03-89111000 or +603-89111000 for those who are overseas.

Meanwhile, any enquires concerning the Cost of Living Aid (Bantuan Sara Hidup) can be directed to the toll-free line at 1800-88-2747.

For further information, taxpayers can direct the issues via HASiL Live Chat or by filling up the feedback form which is available at the IRB’s official website at www.hasil.gov.my, Facebook and Twitter.

The IRB said taxpayers can also access further information related to taxation issues during the MCO period by going to the website http://lampiran1.hasil.gov.my/pdf/pdfam/faq_1.pdf for Bahasa Malaysia and http://lampiran1.hasil.gov.my/pdf/pdfam/faq_2.pdf for English language.

The Finance Ministry in a statement here today said Malaysians who are eligible for financial assistance under the stimulus package will have to register with the IRB. – Bernama

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March 29, 2020
Batu 21-24 in Hulu Langat under Enhanced MCO, starting midnight: Ismail Sabri

KUALA LUMPUR: The government will enforce an Enhanced Movement Order Control (EMCO) in areas covering Batu 21 to Batu 24, Sungai Lui in Hulu Langat, Selangor, starting from midnight tonight.

Senior Minister (Defence) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the EMCO involves seven villages, comprising two Orang Asli settlements and five Malay villages.

The order, effective from midnight (12.01am tonight) until April 13, covers 700 homes with 3,918 residents, he said in a statement here this evening.

Ismail Sabri said the decision was made after taking into account the high number of Covid-19 positive cases involving Maahad Tahfiz AnNabawiyyah students at Batu 23, Sungai Lui.

He said the Ministry of Health had confirmed that there were 71 positive cases out of 274 students at the maahad tahfiz.

All residents and visitors who are already in the areas are not allowed to leave home during the implementation of the EMCO, he said.

“Non-residents and visitors will not be allowed to enter the areas during the period of the EMCO and all business activities suspended.

“For the next 14 days, food to all residents will be provided by the Welfare Department and a Medical Base will be opened in affected areas while all entry points into the areas will be closed,” he added.

Ismail Sabri, who is also Defence Minister, said to ensure compliance with this order, the Royal Malaysian Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and the People’s Volunteer Corps will control the entire area.

All residents should remain calm and give full cooperation to the Ministry of Health personnel as well as to follow orders from authorities, he said.

Those who need assistance or information can direct their call to 03-89254809 / 03-8911420.

For the record, this is the second EMCO implemented by the government after two areas in Simpang Renggam – Kampung Dato’ Ibrahim Majid and Bandar Baharu Dato’ Ibrahim Majid – are put under the same order, effective March 27. – Bernama

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March 29, 2020
RM200 monthly assistance for firefighters during MCO: Zuraida

KUALA LUMPUR: Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin (pix) today announced that Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) personnel will receive RM200 per month throughout the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO).

She said the incentive was an appreciation of their roles and services as front liners as the country sought to combat the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.

“In recognition of the roles of JBPM personnel as front liners, the government through the ministry will provide RM200 per month throughout the MCO period,” she said in a public service announcement which was broadcast on all television stations today.

She said the incentive was part of her ministry’s initiatives implemented under the RM250 billion people-centric economic stimulus package (Prihatin) announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Friday.

The Prihatin package covers all walks of life and also focuses on the B40 group, including those living in low-cost flats across the country, small traders and factory workers.

Zuraida said several other initiatives implemented by her ministry under the Prihatin package include the six months rental payment exemption for the People’s Housing Projects (PPRs) under the ministry’s management, involving 3,636 units of housing and costing the government RM3 million.

“There is also a six-month deferment of monthly repayment from April to September for the Rent to Own (RTO) of PPR units under the ministry’s management involving a total of RM5.7 million and 4,649 units of houses,” she said.

Zuraida, who is also Ampang MP, said to ease the burden of borrowers, all pawn brokers registered under the ministry were directed to extend the redemption period without charging interest during the MCO period. – Bernama

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March 29, 2020
Group Tells Nigerians To Report Cases Of Domestic Violence While Observing Stay-at-home Order

Women at Risk International Foundation, a non-profit organisation focused on reducing the prevalence of gender-based violence in Nigeria, has urged Nigerians to report any case of domestic or gender-based violence that may occur during the period of stay-at-home order by the government.

WARIF expressed fear that as the number of Coronavirus cases continue to increase across Nigeria and with stringent measures being put in place for individuals to quarantine and self-isolate, people might be at risk of being harmed by their abusers during the period.

Founder of WARIF, Dr Kemi Da-Silva Ibru, urged all affected adults and caregivers of young children to make use of its 24-hour confidential help line to report any case of sexual abuse.

Ibru said, “As borders close down in many countries, and governments institute mandatory lock downs and families are sequestered; children and women at risk will be locked in and quarantined with their abusers in very volatile home environments, we envisage an increase in the cases of domestic and sexual violence as abusers now see this as an opportunity to cause harm to these groups.

“We urge all individuals at risk to please make use of our 24 hours helpline 0809 210 0009 or send messages to our social media platforms on @Warif_ng.”

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March 29, 2020
Coronavirus: Kwara Group Calls For Palliatives For Poor Residents

Elites Network for Sustainable Development, a Kwara-based civil society organisation, has urged Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, to provide palliatives for poor people in the state.

The government has ordered residents to stay at home as part of efforts in curbing the spread of the pandemic in the country.

ENetSuD, in a letter jointly signed by its Coordinator, Dr Alagbonsi Abdullateef; and Secretary, Mahmud Usman Baba; noted that notwithstanding the laudable lockdown order, majority of Kwarans in the informal sector would be severely affected.

ENetSuD said the government should consider and approve the spending of one-month Internally Generated Revenue of the state for the provision of food items to people in the informal sector across Kwara.

It said, “Most of the people in this sector possibly cannot feed themselves and their family members without accessing their shops and rendering their daily services.

“The latest statement from the State Technical Committee on COVID-19 dated 27th March 2020 that the KWSG is considering palliatives for the poorest of the poor at this critical COVID-19 pandemic period.

“Thus, ENetSuD further suggested the following possible ways the government may wish to consider for the implementation of the proposed palliative measures: the measures should be mainly foodstuffs and agricultural items that will serve the purpose of feeding, but not hand-sanitisers or face masks.

“This is based on the fact that the lockdown order has already significantly prevented physical contacts of people as they are now unavoidably staying at home, and all households can efficiently practice hand washing with soap.

“The measures should only be for Kwara residents in the informal sector who are the most affected by this pandemic-induced lockdown.”

ENetSuD added that the measures should exclude the civil servants in the formal sector since the government had graciously continued to pay their salaries even during the period, which would remove hardship.

It also suggested that the government works with artisans, market and community associations to altruistically identify their members with a genuine need for the palliative, adding that the process should be transparent to the public.

It added, “We urge the government to strictly supervise the exercise collaboratively so that the impact could be truly felt by the people really in need of the measures.

“Distribution of items of this nature is best done by independent bodies, especially reputable nongovernmental organisations.”

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March 29, 2020
Stimulus package will flow over the three months, says Azmin

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (pix) said today that the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package is to cushion the adverse impact caused by Covid-19 on the population’s well-being.

The Prihatin Rakyat package was announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday (Friday).

According to the senior minister, the situation would simply deteriorate without any form of assistance: “Companies won’t be able to operate and have no choice but to retrench their workers. We have to resort to this (stimulus), to save these workers and help employers not to dismiss them.”

“But I am confident that this package is not just about three months but will bring about manifold benefits for the future in economic activities and growth,” he said.

He said this in a programme, Bicara Naratif Pakej Rangsangan Ekonomi that was telecast live today by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

“As we are aware, the world is facing a difficult situation and Malaysia is no exception in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and global economic slowdown.

“Malaysia as an oil producing country is also impacted by falling oil prices. Hence, why we must restructure the country and take the bold step of introducing the RM250 billion stimulus package.

“Our hope is that when the movement control order (MCO) period is over, we can see a situation that is more reassuring,” he said.

Azmin revealed that the Finance Ministry has prepared a module and specifics to all the ministries, in line with their respective responsibilities, on the disbursement of assistance to the target groups, which would be monitored by the Economic Stimulus Package Implementation and Coordination of National Agencies Unit (Laksana).

“We have complete data on the recipients from the B40 and small and medium enterprises (SME).

“As for the M40, we have some setbacks as I mentioned earlier, the government had given less priority to the category. That’s probably the reason why we do not have the complete data but this will be seen to so they too can have their right to assistance,” he added. — Bernama

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March 28, 2020
426 fraudulent face mask sale cases reported

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 426 fraud cases with regard to the sale of face masks have been reported nationwide during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period until yesterday, with losses amounting to RM3 million.

Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department deputy director Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin said 30 individuals, including 10 local women, have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in selling fake face masks on social media.

He said all the cases were being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for fraud and police were now tracking the remaining members of the syndicate, adding that of the 30 arrested, 19 have been charged unti yesterday.

He said all the deals were made via WhatsApp and the syndicate would also provide tracking numbers to deceive the buyers, but once payment had been made the suspects would disappear and their social media access blocked.

Saiful Azly said police constantly reminded the public through various social media alerts like on WhatsApp, Facebook Cyber Crime Alert, ‘crawlers’ on major television channels and in cooperation with the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission to raise awareness about the sale of masks.

He also advised the public to refer to the ‘Semakmule’ portal and the online status of sellers via http://biztrust.ssm.com.my before purchasing to avoid being victims of fraud.

He also reminded the public not to allow anyone to access their personal banking facilities and not to be hasty in making purchases.

The public can contact the CCID Infoline at 013-2111222 for more information, he said.

Meanwhile, Saiful Azly said that so far police have not received any report with regard to the fraudulent sale of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and recycled masks a viralled on social media. — Bernama

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March 27, 2020