10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers, Friday morning, March 27, 2020

These 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers will interest you this Friday morning.

1. COVID-19 cases in Nigeria rise to 65 as 14 fresh cases confirmed

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday confirmed 14 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the country. The centre, which disclosed this on its twitter handle, said the fresh discoveries bring to 65 the total number of infections in the country. Read more

2. Buhari speaks on steps his govt is taking to combat COVID-19 spread

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday ordered the immediate closure of international airports and land borders for four weeks following the outbreak of coronavirus in the country. The President in a series of tweets on his Twitter handle – @MBuhari – directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure the quick return of staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments to the country. Read more

3. COVID-19: Presidency dismisses claims Buhari, Kyari flown abroad

The Personal Assistant on New Media to the President, Bashir Ahmad, Thursday described as false the claim that President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, have been flown abroad for medical treatment. A voice note from an unidentified lady had claimed that President Buhari and Kyari, who tested positive for coronavirus were flown abroad on Wednesday night. Read more

4. Lagos Assembly passes bill on COVID-19, empowers Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passed into law an emergency bill to help the state combat the Coronavirus, the pandemic currently spreading across the world. Personally sponsored by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, the Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020 also afforded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu the legislative concurrence to spend an initial N20 billion to effectively contain the virus and enforce compliance by Lagosians. Read more

5. COVID-19 may be s*xually transmitted – Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, said on Thursday there was a high possibility of the Covid-19 virus being transmitted through s*xual intercourse. Ehanire, who disclosed this at an emergency press briefing in Abuja, said he believed the virus could be transmitted sexually if one of the persons involved was positive. Read more

Read also: 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers, Thursday morning, March 26, 2020

6. France evacuates nationals from Nigeria

260 French citizens left Nigeria for Paris on Thursday after Air France was granted approval to land in the country. The Nigerian government had last Saturday announced the closure of the country’s airports following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. The directive took effect on March 23. Read more

7. COVID-19: Kaduna govt imposes curfew

Worried by the apparent refusal of the people of Kaduna State to comply with certain measures put in place to check the spread of COVID-19, the state government Thursday imposed curfew throughout the state. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, who announced this in a statewide broadcast, said the decision was in line with the 1999 Constitution. Read more

8. Bauchi confirms fresh case of COVID-19

Bauchi State government Thursday announced one fresh case of COVID-19. The state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Aliyu Maigoro, who disclosed this to journalists, said the patient is a close friend of Governor Bala Mohammed. Read more

9. Nigerians not cooperating in fight against COVID-19 — Lai

The Federal Government on Thursday lamented the lack of cooperation from Nigerians in its efforts to effectively tackle the coronavirus scourge in the country. The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who addressed journalists on government’s efforts to tackle the disease that had infected 51 Nigerians in Abuja, expressed disappointment that many people are busy with “meaningless” criticisms instead of complying with the stipulated directives to keep the citizens safe. Read more

10. JAMB hands over 180 UTME candidates to police over alleged malpractice

The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board, (JAMB) has handed over 180 candidates that allegedly engaged in various forms of malpractice in the just concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) to the Nigeria Police for prosecution. Read more

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