The Adamawa State Government has appealed for cooperation and support from the general public in the efforts to contain and reverse the spike in COVID-nineteen cases in recent weeks across Nigeria.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in a statement by his press Secretary Mr Humwashi Wonosikou expressed worry over the lack of compliance with COVID-nineteen restrictions stressed warns that Coronavirus Pandemic has emerged as a truly global health crisis.

The Governor express disappointment that preventive measures to reduce transmission of the virus which include advocacy of behaviours like wearing of face mask observing, social distancing, regular washing of hands, and restrictions on public gatherings have not been adhered to by the people, adding that the guidelines on Restriction of Movement and Matters Incidental Thereto issued in March, last year still in force, while advising members of the public to adhere to the provisions.

The statement pointed out that the order that social gatherings of more than fifty people at a time is also still in force.

It urged the general public to adhere strictly to the provisions of the guidelines such as compulsory use of face masks in any public gathering or public transport, Social distancing in any gathering and ensure regular washing of hands and use hand sanitizer.

The statement added that Hospitality businesses such as Clubs, Cinema halls, Event centres, Conferences and Congresses and other similar gatherings with population beyond one hundred at a time remain banned.

While clarifying that movement of people between ten o’clock at night and five o’clock in the morning is also not allowed.

The statement called on leaders at Worship centres to ensure use of face mask by all worshipers while ensuring social distancing.

Governor Fintiri explained that government action followed identification of a new variant of the COVID-nineteen virus and directives in line with safety measures by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-nineteen.

The statement warned that any Club, Event centre or business premises found contravening outlined regulations will be  closed down while security agencies have been directed to ensure strict adherence to the various protocols imposed by Government.

The Governor pointed out that people should not wait, as happened earlier, for corona virus to again spiral out of control before taking preventive action.

He noted that the world is facing a surge in Coronavirus cases and hospital admissions, while calling on people to adhere to regulations so as to avoid stricter measures by government which looks increasingly likely.

The statement declared that Government will ensure that all health facilities are prepared and ready to handle any eventualities relating to coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has expressed concern over the new wave of Coronavirus spread in Nigeria which health authorities maintain is covering more areas and affecting more people than before.

Governor Umaru Fintiri is therefore putting the State on notice of possible new restrictions adding that Government is not leaving anything to chance at tackling the spike of the Pandemic that has been reported across Nigeria.

The Governor in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Humwashi Wonosikou said with the confirmation that Nigeria is experiencing the second wave of coronavirus Pandemic that changed developments across the world for much of the year twenty-twenty declared that government has resolved to ensure that citizens observe the protocols for prevention of COVID-nineteen for their own good.

While regretting the toll of the disease on the economy and social activities, he assured that Government intends to keep businesses open as nobody would wants to go through another round of total lockdown.

The governor advised the people to adhere strictly to various measures to counter the spread of COVID- nineteen in the State stressing that best thing for both Public health and the economy is for residents to respond to the measures necessary to stem the tide of COVID- nineteen spread.

Governor Umaru Fintiri particularly cautioned residents to ensure use of face mask, avoid crowded places, observed frequent washing of hands and use of sanitizers, while also adhering to social distancing and avoiding un-necessary travels.

The Governor maintained that Government will need the cooperation and support of social club owners, event centres and those operating businesses at night at this time of the second wave of coronavirus Pandemic, urging them to ensure that they close by ten o’clock at night in the morning in the interest of the public as Government works hard to halt the spread of the virus.

He sought the understanding and cooperation of the people to stop the spread of the virus while wishing a prosperous year twenty-twenty.

Nigerians Living in the Diaspora have donated Personal Protective Equipment PPE to Adamawa state Covid-nineteen containment committee to enhance the fight against Coronavirus in the state.

Presenting the items to the state Commissioner of Health Friday, the state focal person of the association who is also the state Commissioner for special Duties, Mr Alloysius Babadoake said the gesture was to complement state government efforts at fighting Coronavirus spread in the state.

He said Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has provided the enabling environment for those in the Diasporas to contribute their quota in the development of the state various sectors.

Mr Babadoake emphansized that more interventions are coming to Adamawa as Nigerians Living in the Diaspora have indicated interest in investing in Health care delivery and Infrastructure in the state.

The commissioner thanked Adamawa state Covid-nineteen containment committee for its relentless efforts in containing the spread of the disease in the state.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Covid-nineteen containment committee, the state Commissioner for Health professor Abdullahi Isa appreciated the donor for the assistance and described it as timely.

He expressed commitment of the present administration in supporting the activities of Nigerian in the Diaspora for the development of the state.

Professor Abdullahi gave assurance of proper use of the items for the containment of Covid-nineteen in Adamawa.

The Personal Protective Equipments include face shield, face mask, gloves, Nurses Cap and gowns among others.

The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese and also the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Stephen Dami Mamza has tested positive of Covid19.

A press release from the Bishop office Sunday afternoon indicate that he is tested positive of the coronavirus after showing symptoms of the virus and run a test which medically tested positive.

Bishop Dami Mamza said he has already gone on self isolation, and called on people not to panic rather seek for their prayers for his quick recovery.

The Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese further appealed to people in Adamawa and Nigeria as a whole to adhere strictly to the NCDC and Government protocols on Covid19 as the coronavirus is real.

Bishop Dami mamza also advised people to always observed social distances,wash their hands under running water,use hand sanitizer and Always wear the face masks in other to curtailed the spread of the diseases.

By Tina Shedrack

A Non-Governmental Organization, NGO Agenda Helping Hands Association has distributed face mask, hand sanitizer and hand washing buckets to members and some groups as contribution in effort to check the spread of coronavirus in Adamawa state.

The exercise which took place at the office of the District head of Jimeta Sunday land drew beneficiaries from the twenty one local government Areas in the state.

Handing over the items, District Head of Jimeta Alhaji Innuwa Baba Paris, thanked organizers of the event, described it as timely as it will go a long way in boosting the fight against spread of Covid- nineteen which has taken heavy toll on lives and the economy around the globe.

The District stressed that health is wealth adding that Corona virus is real and kills the vulnerable hence the need for people to observe   preventive measures.

Alhaji Innuwa Baba Paris while commending Governor Amadu Umaru Fintiri for state government commitment to maintaining peace in the state added that even the problem of the criminal Shilla Boys being address and called for support to this present administration for more developmental projects and progress in the state.

Earlier, the National Chairman of Agenda Helping Hands Association, Alhaji Bashir Ishaku Madugu had declared that Covid- nineteen is a killer disease, and called on citizens to be active in the task of halting its spread.

Alhaji Madugu saluted Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for focusing on his developmental agenda, adding that the Association remains ready to support government at all levels by carrying out activities in line with relevant policies that will   move the state to the next level.

The representative of the wife of the governor, Hajiya Larie Mohammed noted that all hands should be on deck to curtail the spread of Covid-nineteen and commend the Association for coming up with the intervention.

The National Chairman of the Non-Governmental Organization, NGO Helping Hands Agenda Initiatives Alhaji Bashiru Ishaku Madugu says the organization is set to distribute preventive equipment against Corona-virus which were donated by Sarki Matasa Adamawa Foundation.

Speaking while receiving the items at the residence of Sarki Matasa Adamawa along Army Barracks Road jimeta, Alhaji Madugu appreciated the donor for the assistance and pledged that they will be used for the purpose intended.

He said the assistance will go a long way in complementing government efforts at curtailing the spread of Corona-virus in the society.

The chairman noted that the organization will go round the twenty one local government areas to enlighten citizens on preventive measures against the disease and distribute the items.

In his remark, the Sarkin Matasa Adamawa, Barrister Aliyu Wakili Boya said the aim of the assistance is to contribute his quoter in the fight against Covid-nineteen.

He advised people to abide by the preventive guidelines so as to ride the state and Nigeria of the disease.

The preventives items donated include Hand sanitizer and face mask among others.

      The Acting Director of the National Orientation Agency NOA, Adamawa state Alhaji Bashiru Muhammad Gabdo has expressed concern on the doubts being expressed on the reality of Corona virus by some Nigerians especially in the rural areas.

He was speaking when he led officials of the agency on an advocacy visit to Gangwari Ganye, Alhaji Umaru Adamu sanda in the Palace to sensitize stakeholders on the need to educate the people on Corona-virus pandemic and the preventive measures against the disease.

The acting Director lamented that despite the sensitization and community engagements by various organizations it is unfortunate the number of infected person and those that have died from on Covid-nineteen are in the increase in Nigeria and globally.

According to him, this may not be unconnected to lack of observing preventive measures, misconception and stigmatization associated with the diseasing by some members of the public.

The acting director emphasized that Covid-nineteen is real, and urged stakeholders to put hands on deck to fight the pandemic out of Nigeria.

Alhaji Bashiru who described Covid-nineteen as a disease that affects the respiratory system with Headache, high temperature, and frequent coughing among others as its symptoms, lauded Gangwari Ganye for promoting Covid-nineteen preventive protocols in his domain.

Speaking on the increasing cases of rape, Alhaji Bashiru called on parents to closely monitor their children and educate them on the risks of close relationship with strangers in private.

The Acting Director stressed the need for people to keep the financial transactions secret earnings and observe people they relate with so as to rid the state of kidnapping and related crimes.

Responding, Gangwari Ganye, Alhaji Umaru Adamu sanda thanked the National Orientation Agency delegation for the visit, describing it as timely as the area has one suspected corona-virus case.

He pledged to extend the message to district, village and ward heads in his domain so as to enlighten the subject on the preventive measures against corona-virus.

The delegation was also at the local government secretariat in Ganye where the acting Director intimated council chairman and councilors on the purpose of the visit.

Responding, the chairman of Ganye local government council Reverend Habila Istifanus represented by the council vice chairman, Mallam Ahmed Barkindo Vinsumi appreciated the agency for the visit and promised to extend the message to the people to guard against spread of corona-virus.

In a vote of thanks, the director programmes of National Orientation Agency Mr Benjamin Inuwa said the agency has been enlightening the public on effects and the preventive measures against Corona virus.

Marking the donation, the Chairman of the Group, of Companies, Alhaji Abdulsamad Ishaka Rabiu represented by a former minister of state for health, Doctor Idi Hong said the gesture was to support the state to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Doctor Idi Hong said BUA Group of Companies Foundation has so far commited about seven billion naira in assisting governments and corporate organizations across the country and stressed that the company will continue to render intervention towards the development of the nation.

Responding after receiving documents of the vehicles and the dummy check, Governor Umaru Fintiri expressed appreciation to the Chairman of BUA Group Companies for the donation at a time when the economy is in serious crisis.

The Governor promised that government will use the vehicles and money donated for the purpose intended declaring that the two hundred million naira has already been deposited into the state COVID-nineteen Containment account

He revealed that the state government has received various donations from citizens and corporate bodies in the state since the outbreak of coronavirus in Adamawa and called on other organizations to emulate the gesture of BUA Group of Companies in supporting the fight against the virus.

Public spending on the battle against coronavirus has risen to nearly £190bn, according to figures released by the Treasury.
The total was reached after the chancellor announced a £30bn package to combat the crisis in his summer statement on Wednesday.
Reaction was mixed from business groups, with several backing Rishi Sunak’s priority of saving jobs.
But some industries in crisis such as aviation said they had been “ignored” .
And politicians in Leicester, where many businesses remain shut on government orders to control a local outbreak, responded angrily to the “brutal” lack of extra help for their city.
Direct spending on the crisis, excluding the latest measures, has risen to £158.7bn, Rishi Sunak revealed.
With the announcement of an additional £30bn, the total is nearly £3,000 for every person in the UK – and more than the entire planned health budget for 2020-21.
It means the cost of the crisis has risen by more than 40% since last month, when the government’s spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, estimated it at £133bn .
This extra spending is likely to push the gap between what the government spends and what it raises in taxes – the deficit – above the OBR’s latest estimate of around £300bn, according to the influential Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank.
Before the coronavirus outbreak began, the government was expecting a deficit of £55bn.