Latest News Updates in Nigeria For Today, Wednesday 27th May, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the world, Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has tasked African countries to look inward for home grown solutions.
Dr. Jonathan also stressed the need for the boosting of economic activities and co-operation in Africa, noting that increasing trade within the continent would significantly improve the economies of African nations. The former President stated this during a teleconference organised by the Universal Peace Federation, UPF, on Monday to mark the occasion of Africa Day 2020.
The conference, which is part of UPF’s peace talks webinar series, focused on the theme “creating an interdependent and prosperous Africa in a world in conflict at the time of the COVID-19 crisis”, had panelists drawn across different countries, especially from Africa.
Jonathan spoke alongside Dr. Nevers Mumba, former Vice President of Zambia, Mr. Delfim Santiago das  Neves, President of the National Assembly of Republic of Sa Tome and Principe, Ms Marie-Laurence Sranon, former Minister of Family, School Affairs and Microfinance, Benin and Dr Thomas Walsh, Chairman of UPP International.
Emphasising why Africa should leverage this challenge to look inward, the former President  observed that such efforts would produce home grown solutions.   “Those who are managing the crisis must look at the circumstances of their nations. The issue of lockdown for example should be enforced in consideration of the peculiar circumstances of African nations.
Jonathan also made a case for good governance, stressing that “issues of justice, democracy, equality and the rule of law are the necessary conditions to achieving a prosperous and peaceful continent.”
He said further: “The agenda 2063 is quite robust and interesting as it gives a blueprint on how to transform Africa into a global political and economic powerhouse that youth and women will be proud of where their dreams, and talents will be realised.
“But we cannot realise this without peace, good governance, and strong institutions.  Good governance will strengthen our institutions, until we have strong institutions, as we cannot move forward as a continent. We must come up with policies that will lead to the industrialisation of the continent. We must encourage democracy and conduct credible and transparent elections.
Highlighting the effect of COVID-19 and the need for interdependence among Africa nations, the former president noted: “The post COVID-era will be very challenging for many nations, because with the lockdown of our economies, poverty may likely go up. We need to increase trade within the continent, presently, intra-Africa trade is just about 18 percent compared to the EU that is up to 80 percent. If we can increase intra-African trade to 40 percent, it will significantly boost the economies of our nations.’’Nepal says 875 people have committed suicide during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The country has been under lockdown since March 24, Xinhua reported on Tuesday.
Data compiled by the Nepal Police shows that suicide cases in the country increased by 16 per cent in the first month.
“The suicide cases have been recorded as of May 16,’’ said Police spokesperson, Niraj Bahadur Shahi.
482 suicide cases were filed during mid-March to mid-April in police stations across the country, against 414 cases for the period between mid-February and mid-March.
38 people took their own lives in the Kathmandu valley alone.
742, the highest number, died by hanging themselves, followed by 114 people who committed suicide by consuming poison.
They were found to have used burning, stabbing, drowning, jumping from heights ways of attempting suicide.
Psychiatrists have linked the deaths with mental health of the people who were forced to stay indoor during lockdown.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has recorded highest COVID-19 death ever.Nigeria on Tuesday recorded sixteen, 16, COVID-19 deaths in the country.
The new figure is the highest COVID-19 related death recorded since its first index case in February.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) had on Monday confirmed a total of 232 COVID-19 deaths.
However, it jumped to 249 deaths on Tuesday.
The agency while confirming 276 new cases said, “8344 cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria
“Discharged: 2385. Deaths: 249.”In other updates, The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has approved Sahel MediCare Centre, a private laboratory in Katsina State, as a test centre for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The centre, located within the state metropolitan area, was built and equipped by a private citizen who was worried over the rise in a number of COVID-19 cases.
Governor Aminu Masari said yesterday that NCDC officials had inspected the laboratory and given the nod for it to commence operation.
On the state government’s effort at combating the disease, Masari said Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed on modalities for the laboratory’s operation.
He added that the lab was capable of processing 170 samples daily and that the facility would help reduce the burden on the Kano and Abuja offices of NCDC.
Lamenting that results of more than 400 samples sent to the NCDC laboratory in Kano and Abuja were still being awaited, the governor said the lab would go a long way in helping to get results of in good time, and that neigbouring states would also benefit from the project.
Masari also said the lockdown in the state would continue in Katsina and Daura councils where 80 per cent of cases were discovered.
He said the lockdown would commence today by 7 a.m. and that the rest 32 councils of the state would be made to adhere to both inter-state and inter-council travels.
Meanwhile, Ogoni women protest semi-nude, and demand demolished hotel manager’s release.A group of Ogoni women from the Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, on Tuesday, protested semi-nude over the continued detention of their son and manager of the demolished Prodest Hotel, Dr Bariledum Azoroh.
The women, who gathered in the Zaakpo community, Khana LGA, called on Governor Nyesom Wike to release Bariledum.
He was fined N50,000 and quarantined for 14 days for violating the COVID-19 guidelines.
The hotel manager was also reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.
But the protesting women, including Bariledum’s mother, Beewo, threatened to go totally naked if the state government failed to release their son soon.
Some of the placards displayed by the protesters read, ‘Ogoni cannot lose another son again’, ‘Wike, please, release our son’ and ‘Our son is innocent’, among others.
Beewo said, “My son is innocent; since I was born, I have never seen such intimidation and victimisation. Please, Governor Wike, release my son.
“As a mother, I have been traumatised and took ill since the arrest of my son. Mr Governor, I believe you have a mother and brothers. How will you feel if someone treats them the way you are treating my son?”
Another woman, who gave her name simply as Grace, said Bariledum was healthy and nothing was wrong with him.
“There is no sickness in our son’s body. That is the truth. We beg you in God’s name to release him. Our son does not have the COVID-19 sickness,” she stated.
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