Resident doctors suspend their nationwide strike

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended the nationwide industrial action.

The association began the strike on Monday, September 7 to press home their demand which includes payments of its COVID-19 allowances, health insurance for frontline workers and others.

The President of NARD, Dr Aliyu Sokumba, confirmed the suspension of the strike this evening. The suspension came after the Federal Government and the doctors reached an agreement at a meeting presided over by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, in Abuja today.

At the meeting, the FG made it known that it had paid N9.3bn to insurance companies for Life Group Insurance and payment of death benefits for health workers, adding that enrolment was by the submission of nominal rolls by the various health institutions, which NARD had been mandated at a previous meeting to accomplish.

On the payment of outstanding 2014, 2015, and 2016 arrears, the meeting recalled that it had been agreed that the issue would be further discussed post-COVID-19; therefore, no agreement was breached.

It was further agreed that discussions for review of a Permanent Hazard Allowance for all health workers would commence as soon as possible after consultations by the Minister of Labour and Employment with all stakeholders in the health sector is concluded.

 

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Customs intercept Dubai-bound passenger with 2,886 ATM cards concealed in noodles carton in Lagos

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

A Dubai-bound passenger with 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card carefully concealed in a noodles has been intercepted by operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) command and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

The Kano passenger identified as Ishaq Abubakar with Passport Number A08333717, was intercepted on Thursday September 10 while travelling to Dubai via Emirates Evacuation flight.

The Deputy Controller of customs in-charge of the MMIA, Abdulmumin Bako said in a media briefing; 

“At about 1145 hours on Aug. 22, at the departure hall gate ’B’ of the MMIA, Abubakar with Passport Number A08333717 from Kano State travelling to Dubai via Emirates flight was intercepted with 2,863 ATM Cards and 4 sim Cards by our officers on duty. The ATM cards and sim cards were carefully concealed in an noodles carton by the suspect.

“The suspect claimed that one Mr Musliu was assigned to him to facilitate his movement through the checks at the airport by one Mr Suleiman but due to the diligence of our Officers who insisted on conducting physical examination, revealed the concealment."

Commenting on the arrest, Lagos Zonal Head of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa said the ATM cards could be used for money laundering or Foreign Exchange Malpractices. He also vowed that everyone involved in the conspiracy will be arrested and prosecuted by the commission.

Bawa said; 

“We have taken over Ishaq Abubakar who is in possession of 2,886 ATM cards concealed in a carton of noddle together with four SIM cards. It is for us here to investigate and know whether the conspiracy is for foreign exchange malpractices or money laundering.

“We are also to determine whether banks or bankers are involved in this crime. We will investigate and anyone found wanting will be prosecuted alongside the suspect,” the EFCC Zonal Head stated.

On whether it is a crime to be in possession of ATM Cards, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa explained that “It’s not a crime to be with ATM cards but for a person to be in possession of 2,886 ATM cards at a time brings about a lot of suspicion and conspiracy.

“That the ATM cards are of different banks is another conspiracy and that raised a lot of questions that needed to be unravelled.”

 Bawa also raised the fresh alarm of Nigerians selling their bank accounts to fraudsters saying that has been the latest trend in the last couple of years. 

He added; 

“In the last couple of years, we noticed a new trend whereby Nigerians are selling off their bank accounts to fraudsters. The fraudsters advise them to open bank accounts and they buy them off for as low as N10,000.

“Nigerians should know that anyone buying off their bank accounts is using it for fraudulent transactions and banks also needed to be investigated because that means they aren’t carrying out due diligence such as Know Your Customers (KYC) on respective bank customers.”

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Nigeria will save over N1trn annually from removal of fuel subsidy – Sylva

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva on Thursday September 10 said the Federal Government will be saving over N1trillion annually with the removal of subsidy from Premium Motor Spirit. 

Sylva told newsmen that the money will be used to fund other critical aspects of the economy.

The Minister who maintained that the sustenance of the fuel subsidy regime was no longer tenable as it had always provided the leeway for rich and unscrupulous Nigerians to steal and enrich themselves at the expense of the masses, also averred that with the deregulation of the downstream sector of the oil sector, it would be easier to woo investors required to revitalise the nation’s comatose refineries soon.

He said; 

“What is deregulation going to do? It is going to free up a lot more money. At least from the very beginning, it will save us up to a trillion and more every year. Already, we have taken up the budgetary provision for subsidy which is about N500 billion in the budget.

“Also, we have taken off the excess forex price that special rate that was given to NNPC which also came at a cost. So, all the money that we used to defend the naira at that time to subsidise the dollar will now be freed up for development. And, I believe that going forward, we will begin to see a lot more development, a lot more money available to the government that will be put into critical infrastructure instead of being burnt in our cars.

“And, let us look at subsidy critically. Who are the beneficiaries of subsidy? When a few years ago you have this subsidy scam all over the place all the monies that were taken by all the subsidy thieves and so on, how many poor people were among those people? Subsidy only provides opportunity for rich and unscrupulous Nigerians to steal and enrich themselves at our expense, at your expense.

“So, deregulation is actually a policy direction that is good for the common Nigerian. It is going to produce a lot of opportunities. Before now, you would asked: Why has the refining sector not developed? It is because no refinery can operate commercially in Nigeria with subsidy.

“If you have a refinery and you refine your product and you are expected to sell it at a subsidised rate, how is the refinery going to make profit and survive? So, nobody wanted to invest in refineries. And that is one of the reasons why our refineries became unsustainable as well because they were refining and selling at a loss. So, every time they came back to government to ask for money.

“Anytime any part got bad they had to come back because they were not operating commercially. So, they don’t have money to replace those parts. That was why we were refining and selling at a loss. With deregulation, it means that refineries can operate commercially.

“And then you can see a lot more investment in that sector and it is going to create a lot of opportunities and jobs for our people. With deregulation, it also means that marketers can import product by themselves and sell at market rates to Nigerians. It is going to create a lot more activities and opportunities.

“So, deregulation is going to really open up. You know what happened in the banking sector with deregulation. We had a few banks but today I cannot count the banks because that sector was deregulated. You see what deregulation did for the airline sector; we had only Nigeria Airways those days.

‘When the sector was deregulated you see that the sector has become a major employer of Nigerians. Deregulation has always been good for sectors. Look at the deregulation of the telecom sector, look at the revolution that it has created for Nigeria and for Nigerians.

“So, why are we shying away from deregulating this sector that is going to provide a lot of opportunities if we do deregulate because we believe that once we deregulate there would be a lot of investment coming into Nigeria to build refineries because at that point it will become commercially viable for them to build refineries because all these issues we are talking about will not be there.

“Even the NNPC can easily find the funds to even fix their refineries because it will then be commercially viable because you are going to operate refineries commercially. Why are we running away from this thing? It is people who are political about it. They want to politicise everything that are saying all kinds of things about the policy direction that has been taken especially at this time.”

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Gunmen abduct residents of Abuja community, escape into Niger

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 Authorities say efforts are underway to rescue all the abducted victims

AFP

At least 10 residents were abducted when gunmen attacked Tungan Maje, a village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Thursday, September 10, 2020.

The spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Anjuguri Manzah, said in a statement that the gunmen attacked around midnight.

He disclosed that five of the 10 people abducted were rescued by a joint team of Police operatives from the command's Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Rapid Response Squad, and Zuba Police Division who responded to the scene.

"A concerted effort has been deployed to rescue the remaining five victims that are still with the hoodlums who escaped into Niger State through a nearby forest that is surrounded by rocky terrain," he said.

The deputy superintendent assured members of the public that the Force remains committed to deploying proactive crime-fighting measures to ensure the security of lives and property in Abuja.

The attack comes just days after an internal memo signed by the Comptroller, Enforcement of Customs headquarters, H.A Sabo, noted that Boko Haram terrorists are planning attacks in the capital city.

He said in the leaked memo at least five terrorist camps were already set up in and around Abuja in anticipation of the attacks and called for enhanced security awareness.

The Nigerian Army last month discovered a bomb-making factory belonging to members of Darul Salam, identified as a terrorist group, during a clearance operation in Uttu, located in Toto local government area of Nasarawa, a state sharing borders with the FCT.

Over 400 family members of the group's fighters were recovered from the forest by troops, while many fighters fled.

Troops recovered several IED-making materials at the location including two scales, six rocket launcher bombs, one bag of fertilizer, half a bag of gun powder, 10 locally-made hand grenades, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb fuse, one locally-made rocket launcher, two Improvised Explosive Devices, and 13 improvised rocket bombs.

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FG to spend $2.3bn on 1st phase of Presidential Power Initiative- Minister

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 The Minister of State for Power, Mr Goddy Agba says the Federal Government plans to spend 2.3 billion dollars on the first phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) projects aimed at increasing the nation’s power transmission capacity to 7,000MW.

Jedy-Agba disclosed this during the Nigerian Energy Forum (NEF 2020) Webinar in Lagos, tagged “Energy Solution for Sustainable Recovery” on Thursday.

According to Agba, the various interventions are grouped into phases with the near term objective being to increase the transmission capacity from the current level of just over 5,000MW to 7,000MW.

“The PPI is structured into various three phases, aimed at increasing power delivered to Nigerians to 7GW in first phase , 11GW in the second phase and 25GW in third phase.

“The project is to be executed at the cost of 2.3billion dollars forms the phase 1 of the PPI and is funded by a loan from a consortium of German Banks for 85 per cent of the contract sum; while 15 per cent counterpart funding is provided by the federal government.

“A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called FGN Powerco is in the process of being set-up following Mr President’s approval.

“The SPV will warehouse the project’s contingent liability for accountability.

“We have also constituted the Nigerian Project Management Office (PMO) with the sole responsibility of providing project management of the project on behalf of the government,” he said.

Agba said that the government was also implementing the Transmission Enhancement Programme with key development partners to improve the sector.

“The World Bank, AfDB, JICA have raised 1.6 billion dollars for Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme (TREP), which is ongoing now with major projects as follows:

“The Alaoji-Onitsha, Delta Power Station-Benin and Kaduna-Kano at 410 million dollars and 29 million dollars is intended to build a 330kV Double Circuit 62KM line between Birnin Kebbi and Kamba.

“The Lagos/Ogun Transmission Infrastructure Project (JICA) with 200 million dollars, Abuja Transmission Ring Scheme (AFD)-170 million dollars and Northern Corridor Transmission Project (AFD & EU) with 274 million dollars,” he said.

The minister commended the NEF team for its tenacity and vision in building the platform into a credible vehicle for the exchange of knowledge, skills, ideas and proffering solutions towards the development of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

Also speaking, Prof. James Adeche Momoh, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said the new tariff put in place would address the challenge from stakeholders in power sector.

Momoh said that the regulatory body would be monitoring service providers to ensure that quality services were provided for customers.

He said that with the presidential intervention in metering, meters would be provided for enumerated customers in a year or two.

Mr Adeyemi Kings, the National Chairman, Nigerian Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineer (NIEEE) said there should be more infrastructural development in the sector to meet the demand of increasing customers.

The Chief Executive Officer of University College Hospital (UCH), Prof. Abiodun Otegbayo said the slightest power interruption can affect the results of a laboratory test and also affect treatment in healthcare.

According to the CEO, we need uninterrupted power supply on our equipment, patients and operations.

He said that the healthcare required remarkable investments and investing in power challenges will assist the sector.

In his welcome speech, Dr Daniel Adeuyi, NEF Chairman said over 300 participants participated at the virtual conference and workshop.

“Globally, the grand challenge is how to recover quickly from the COVID-19 outbreak.

“Sustainable energy solutions can facilitate economic growth at local, national and regional levels.

“However, lack of access to modern and affordable energy services can reverse development,” he said.Mr Adekunle Makinde, former National Chairman, NIEEE and the Co-Chair of NEF 2020, had earlier said that efforts was being made to feature four top-class workshops on Power Africa Nigeria Power Sector Programme.

“They are Women Leaders Energy Roundtable, Clean Energy Recovery Impact by All On, and the Africa Energy Ideas Competition Finals, led by NIEEE-NEF in collaboration with All On Hub.

“We challenge all stakeholders to act together in exchanging knowledge, building capacity and initiating new business to accelerate the pace of recovery and sustainable energy development in Nigeria,” he said.

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Police kill suspected robber in Delta State

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri on Thursday in a telephone interview.

Inuwa said that the police were on the trail of the other fleeing members of the gang who escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds.

“It is true and confirmed that the police encountered a robbery gang at a highway junction and one of them was gunned down, while the rest escaped with bullet wounds. We are on the trail of the fleeing suspects,’’ Inuwa said.

A reliable source said that the incident happened on Wednesday at the highway Junction in Udu.

According to the source, the Anti-Crime Patrol Team of the police was on a `Stop and Search’ when they encountered the robbery gang.

The source added that the suspected robbers were in a Lexus 360 jeep suspected to have been snatched from a popular hotel at Ovwian community in the Udu LGA.

“The gang had earlier attacked motorists dispossessing them of their money and other personal effects.

“Luck, however, ran out of them as they encountered the police on patrol who engaged them in a gun duel. In the process, one of them was gunned down. The car and live cartridges were recovered from the suspects,’’ the source said.

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Trump goes on defensive after new book claims he intentionally misled the American public about the dangers of COVID-19

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 US President Donald Trump, has gone defensive after a new book revealed he knew how “deadly” coronavirus was as far back as February, but in public he was declaring to Americans it was no worse than the flu while insisting it was under control. The claims made in a new book by journalist, Bob Woodward, and released on Wednesday September 9, say Trump deceived Americans publicly but in private was really scared about the disease.

Coming less than eight weeks before Election Day, the revelations in the book claim the president’s handling of the pandemic that has allegedly so far killed about 190,000 Americans even as Trump pushes for a resumption of normal activity to bolster his political position in his electoral campaign against rival, Joe Biden. In a Feb. 7 call with Woodward, Trump said of the virus: “You just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed. And so that’s a very tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flus.”

“This is deadly stuff,” the president added.

Then Just three days later, Trump said in an interview with Fox Business: “I think the virus is going to be — it’s going to be fine.” According to Trump, he told Woodward in March that his public rhetoric was part of a strategy to deliberately minimize the danger. “I wanted to always play it down,” the president said. “I still like playing it down because I don’t want to create a panic.”

Though he restricted travel from China in January, Trump did not begin to devote extensive federal resources to procuring vital personal protective equipment, including face masks, or expand the production of ventilators until March. In fact, U.S. officials recommended against widespread mask wearing until April in part because of a shortage of protective masks required by front-line medical workers. Trump  has now defended himself saying, he was just being a “cheerleader” for the nation and trying to keep everyone calm.

Speaking at the White House, Trump acknowledged he downplayed the virus, insisting he was trying to strengthen Americans and the world. “The fact is I’m a cheerleader for this country. I love our country and I don’t want people to be frightened. I don’t want to create panic, as you say,” Trump told reporters. 

“Certainly, I’m not going to drive this country or the world into a frenzy. We want to show confidence. We want to show strength.” Biden has now seized the opportunity to attack Trump saying the book shows Trump “lied to the American people. He knowingly and willingly lied about the threat it posed to the country for months.”

“While a deadly disease ripped through our nation, he failed to do his job — on purpose. It was a life or death betrayal of the American people,” Biden said at a campaign event in Michigan. Biden’s campaign released a new ad on Wednesday night featuring the audiotapes of Trump’s remarks. “And Trump knew all along,” the ad’s narrator says.

 

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Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis tests positive for Coronavirus after attending a meeting with 20 represetantives

Thursday, September 10, 2020 SPORT No Comments

 Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis has tested positive for coronavirus after reportedly attending a meeting with 20 representatives from Serie A clubs. 

On Wednesday reports from Italian media claimed a top official had been diagnosed with COVID-19, with the news forcing all those who attended to get tests and go into self-isolation.

The Club chiefs were meeting in person for the first time in months to discuss preparations for the 2020-21 campaign. 

 

On Thursday morning September 10, Napoli released a statement which read: 'SSC Napoli announces that President Aurelio De Laurentiis tested positive for Covid-19 following the swab carried out yesterday.'

Napoli are due to start the new season at Parma on September 20.

 

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Man allegedly strangles 17-month old stepson in Jigawa (photo)

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

The operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Miga, Jigawa state have arrested 40-year-old Usman Sama'ila, pictured above, for the alleged murder of his seventeen (17) month old stepson, Adamu Gambo.

A statement released by the spokesperson of the Jigawa command of NSCDC, SC Adamu Shehu, said the suspect allegedly took his stepson to a farm where he strangled him until he eventually died.

Shehu said the suspect tried to cover up his heinous crime but it was discovered and reported to the command by his second wife, Bahayura. Bahayura had married Gambo, the father of deceased ( Adamu) and later married the suspect after the termination of her first marriage.

 

''The incident occured on 14th August, 2020, when the suspect was alleged to have taken his Seventeen (17) month old stepson, Adamu Gambo, to a farm and strangled him which eventually led to his death. The suspect tried to cover his heinous act by relating the child's death to cold-related infections, but his wife suspected foul play. According to her, her husband (Sama'ila) attempted to strangle the poor child about two times, of which the second attempt was in her presence, due to the intense dislike of the child, but was not successful.'' Shehu said

The NSCDC spokesperson said after thorough interrogation by the Intelligence and Investigation team of the Command, Sama'ila confessed to having committed the crime, saying that the Baby was a distraction and interference to his love life. The suspect said he wants his wife to give him all her love and attention.

 

Shehu said the suspect did not show any trace of mental health but he will be taken to a psychiatric hospital for a proper mental evaluation.

''Preliminary medical examination on the suspect's mental condition reveals no trace of mental disorder, however, he will be taken to a Psychiatric Hospital in Kazaure, Jigawa State to properly ascertain his mental status before being charged to a court of competent jurisdiction.'' Shehu said

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BBNaija star, Mike Edwards and wife reveals his baby's face in adorable family photos

Thursday, September 10, 2020 BB NAIJA 2020 No Comments

BBNaija season 4 housemate, Mike Edwards and his wife, Perri, welcomed their son, Matthew, on August 26. Read here.

The first time parents shared family photos revealing the face of their adorable baby.

See more photos below

 

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Ronald 'Khalis' Bell, co-founder of Kool & the Gang band group, dies at 68

Thursday, September 10, 2020 ENTERTAINMENT NEWS, VIRAL No Comments

Ronald “Khalis” Bell, a co-founder and singer of the band group, Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 68.  Bell died at his home in the US Virgin Islands Wednesday morning, September 10 with his wife Tia Sinclair Bell by his side, publicist Sujata Murthy said. The cause of death has not been released.

In 1964, Bell and his brother, Robert “Kool” Bell, joined their neighborhood friends Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West to form a musical group. They were first known as the Jazziacs, before settling for Kool and the Gang. The group formed in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964, went to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B, and pop. They won a Grammy in 1978 for their work on the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever.

Bell co-wrote many of the group's biggest hits, including "Ladies Night," "Jungle Boogie," the band's No. 1 hit "Celebration" and "Summer Madness," which was used in several films, including "Rocky." The song was also used in a Nike shoe commercial in 2006 featuring LeBron James.

He is survived by his wife Tia Sinclair Bel and 10 children: Kahdijah, Rasheed, Nadirah, Liza, Maryam, Aminah, Jennah, Khalis, Asia, and James Bell.

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Edo Commissioner resigns from Governor Obaseki’s cabinet 10 days to election

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 Edo state commissioner for minerals, oil and gas, Joseph Ikpea on Wednesday September 9 resigned from Governor Godwin Obaseki's cabinet. 

 

The Commissioner who resigned from his position 10 days to the governorship election in the state, cited not being able to abandon the All Progressives Congress (APC) which he helped grow in Esan south local government area as the reason for his resignation. 

 

Ikpea who became the third commissioner to resign from Obaseki's government, said in his resignation letter; 

 

“This is to inform you that I am resigning my present appointment. I want to sincerely thank his Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for the opportunity given to me to serve under his administration as the Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas. 

“One of the reasons why I am resigning is that politics is all about interest, trust and respect for one another, but I have never seen anything of this till date, and I am also not sure of it even if there is tomorrow.

“Moreover, the party that’s known today as All Progressive Congress APC, was brought to Esan south LGA by me, and over 90% of my supporters are APC members till date, so it is difficult to leave the house I built. Considering also that this administration did not recognise my leadership role, even as a commissioner I get information either from ward Chairmen, LGA Chairman, or SSA to Mr. Governor.

“I will continue to give his Excellency my support at any time the need arises. I wish you success in all your endeavours.”

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FFK berates Tinubu for failing to stand up to greet Ooni of Ife at a function

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, has berated former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, for failing to stand up to greet the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, at the Coronation of the Oniru of Iruland in Lagos state on Sunday, September 6.

The Ooni of Ife had arrived at the event and was walking to the high table when he stopped by to greet Tinubu.

Some Nigerians took to social media to bash Tinubu for failing to accord the monarch his respect by standing up to greet him. Others have also condemned the monarch for stopping to greet Tinubu.

In a tweet posted this morning, FFK says it was "insulting and shameful" for Tinubu to have refused to stand up to greet the monarch.

''That the Asiwaju of Bourdillon refused to stand up to greet the Ooni of Ife speaks volumes. This was not only deeply insulting to every Ife & indeed son & daughter of Odua but it is also a crying shame. Would a northern pol. leader refuse to stand up for his traditional ruler?''his tweet reads

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Nigeria records 176 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths

Thursday, September 10, 2020 NEWS No Comments

 A  total of 1,070 Coronavirus deaths has been recorded in Nigeria. The total of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria as of Wednesday, September 9, 2020, has risen to 55, 632, following the announcement of 176 more cases. The new cases according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) were confirmed in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

In its daily updates on the spread of the disease in Nigeria, the NCDC said 40 of the new cases were recorded in Abuja, followed by Lagos with 34 cases. In Plateau, 26 new cases were detected, 14 in Enugu, 12 each in Delta and Ogun, nine in Ondo, eight in Ekiti and four in Ebonyi. While Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kwara and Rivers all recorded two new cases each, one case each was detected in Edo, Osun and Bauchi states. The NCDC update also showed that three more deaths were recorded on Wednesday as the COVID-19 death toll increased from 1,067 to 1,070. Nigeria now has a total of 43,610 discharged cases as 276 patients recovered from the virus and discharged from treatment centres.

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