COVID-19: Ivorians Skeptical About Fairly Used Clothes From Europe

The outbreak of COVID-19 has taken a heavy toll on Abidjan’s second-hand goods and clothing market.

At the Angré market, a neighborhood north of the city, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a drop in activities as traders and consumers fear catching the new virus through the purchase and use of second-hand clothes.

Zossou Junior Kings, a salesman told the media: “The clothes we sell in Africa come directly from Europe. So once they are infected there and then it comes to Africa, it can also infect you.

“So if the government can help us in this business by controlling what leaves the European continent to come to Africa and control it directly at the port.”

Although statistics on the rate of patronage of second-hand clothing in the country is not readily available, traders say its purchased by all classes of people.

Lobue Keren, a shopper said: “I once wore what we call second-hand clothes but i got spots all over me. Even though I washed them and dried them afterwards I saw spots on my body. So I stopped (buying second-hand clothes) and prefer to buy new clothes.”

The Government of Ivory Coast has introduced a curfew to contain the spread of the coronavirus. The country has closed all of its borders while the number of cases of contamination has exceeded 80 since Wednesday.

COVID-19: Lagos State; 7-yr-old Princess And Her Sister Donate N4,210 Life-savings To FG

A seven-year-old girl and her eight-year-old sister have broken their lifetime savings and decided to support President Muhammadu Buhari and Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the fight against coronavirus.

The girls, Princess, 7, and Vera Akpa, 8, donated N1,850 and NN2,350 respectively.

In her letter, which was exclusively made available to Vanguard and addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vera narrated that she intended to give her saving to an orphanage in Warri, Delta State, but the coronavirus pandemic made her change her mind, explaining that the “the need of the country is vital to me.”

“How do send the money to the Federal Government? Much love for my country and my president,” the letter reads.

Princess in her address to Lagos State governor told a story of the widow in the bible that “donated little money of no value to the temple, but she was appreciated by God.”

“My current saving is N1,850, which I intend to use for a big cup of vanilla ice cream, but saving lives is more important to me. Please accept this token from me from my heart as a donation to help the Lagos State government fight coronavirus…”

COVID-19: Panic In Delta State As Prices Of Foodstuffs, Others Skyrocket

Deltans, engaged in panic of foodstuffs and other essential commodities ahead of tomorrow’s (today) total shutdown of the State as part of steps to contain the spread of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic in the State.

The State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa had on 26th March announced that the State would be completely lockdown to movement within or outside the State from April 1.

Our Correspondent reports people were seen at the Ogbogonogo, Midwifery markets, shopping malls and supermarkets buying foodstuffs and other items in large quantities apparently to stock their homes to avoid food shortage during the period of the lockdown.

Meanwhile, prices of commodities such as garri, onions, tomatoes, pepper, fish, rice, vegetable oil, red oil and other items had gone up with over 100 percent.

Our Correspondent, reports that a bucket of garri which being sold for N400 had risen N1800, bag of rice which was selling for N20,000 had gone up to N35,000, and 4 litre vegetable oil risen from N3,000 to N3,800.

Preventive materials like face mask which was selling for N150 had gone up to N600, and alcohol based hand sanitizer which was selling for N200 has jumped to N1000.

Our Correspondent however observed that hand washing facilities were placed at strategic points leading into the market for those going in and out to buy or sell to wash their hands.

Commercial banks which opened to customers from around 10 am to about 12 noon due to shut down of their systems from their headquarters, maintained social distancing rule as not more than 20 persons were allowed go in at a time.
Some of the Banks erected canopies and provided seats at their entrance for customers while they await their turn.

COVID-19: At Kaduna Correctional Centre Inmates Protest

As inmates of Kaduna Correctional Centre protested for fear of the COVID-19 pandemic,adherents of the Shia sect in Kaduna have raised concern over the plight of their leader in the correctional facility ,Sheikh Ibrahim Yakubu el-Zakzaky.

Journalists in Kaduna learned that inmates of the Kaduna Central Correctional Center had protested due to fear of contracting the coronavirus in the facility.

However ,the protest was quelled by the authorities.

A source said that it was an attempted jail break and riot in the centre due to fear of the virus.”Some of the centre officers had it rough while trying to restore order,” the source claimed.

Calm has been restored in the facility, while the injured were said to be receiving medical attention.
The Comptroller of the centre had confirmed the protest ,adding that situation was now under control.
However, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) led by Zakzaky,said they were deeply worried over the safety and security of Sheikh Zakzaky in the correctional centre.

A statement from the President of IMN’s Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa ,said ” credible reports emanating from the Kaduna Correctional Center, where the government is wrongly detaining Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife has reached the Islamic Movement in Nigeria of a turmoil leading to the opening of fire and blocking of all access roads to the Center.”

“We are rightly concerned about these developments and we strongly call on all relevant authorities to ensure that the security and safety of the Sheikh and his wife are guaranteed.

“We would hold the federal government responsible for any harm to them. It is the responsibility of governments to protect all inmates in such homes, especially with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, especially as the law presumes all to be innocent until proven otherwise by a law court.

“The case of Sheikh Zakzaky in particular, is quite different, where a federal high court had declared his arrest and detention as unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights. Furthermore, the charges for which he is standing trial at the moment have been punctured by two different courts, who tried nearly 200 members on the same charges and discharged and acquitted them all.”

“We demand for the immediate release of the Sheikh and his wife,” they said .

COVID-19: PDP Condemns Opposition Over Attack On Makinde For Testing Positive To Coronavirus

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, has condemned in strong terms, insinuations in some quarters that Governor Seyi Makinde knowingly exposed himself to the virus.

The PDP, through its chairman, Alh. Kunmi Mustapha, made the condemnation while reacting to the barrage of attacks fired on the governor for testing positive to the dreaded Coronavirus on Monday, in Ibadan.

The party chairman also added that the governor went to meetings and events on behalf of the good people of the state which was expected of a good leader.

He described Governor Makinde as an exemplary leader of the people, who would rather face the battle and win it instead of delegating in the face of crisis.

Mustapha further said the governor has continued to exhibit traits of an astute and brave leader, doing everything to make easier for his people even in the wake of the spreading virus.

His words: ”It is with a rude shock we heard of the result of the test conducted by our governor on the dreaded COVID-19, my people have been so apprehensive about his condition while I assure them that the governor is alright, he will soon be certified cured of the virus.

”The fear we nurse is not out of place, judging from the fact that this man has provided an exemplary leadership trait, both in politics and governance, we will continue to support him in prayer, my Governor is going to bounce back with full vigor soon.”

”The moment was of great fear and trepidation and this is when you know who is a leader, he had to do some things himself and he did, some other people would have sacrificed their lieutenants at that moment, he went to meetings and events on behalf of the good people of the state and that is expected of a good leader, our prayers are with him, as I said, we will soon hear good news about his status.”

“Governor Makinde announced on Sunday that the test he took because of his exposure to the virus at a meeting at Abuja came back positive, which heightened fear among the people of the state.”

He, then, called on God to heal the governor in no time so he could continue his good work for the benefit of the people of the state.