THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appointed Ahmed Mu’azu, one of its National Commissioners representing the North-East Zone, as acting chairman of the commission.
Mu’azu’s appointment was announced today at the INEC headquarters in Abuja by Mahmood Yakubu, whose tenure expired today as chairman of the commission.
While stating that the choice of Mu’azu was the decision of the remaining National Commissioners, Yakubu added that it will be inappropriate for him to still remain in office while his reappointment by President Muhammadu is yet to be confirmed by the senate.
“As you are already aware, the renewal of my tenure as Chairman of the Commission has been announced, subject to confirmation by the Senate. Our work as election managers requires us to enforce the law, regulations and guidelines. In doing so, we must demonstrate strict respect for, and compliance with, the Constitution of Nigeria and subsidiary laws. Consequently, it will be inappropriate for me to remain in office beyond today, 9th November 2020, without confirmation by the Senate and swearing to another oath of office as provided by law,” he said.
“Pending the conclusion of the statutory process, the remaining National Commissioners have resolved that AVM Ahmed Mu’azu (rtd) will oversee the affairs of the Commission. It is therefore my pleasure to hand over to him in the interim. We have worked as a team for the last four years. Therefore, there is nothing new to anyone of them.”
He expressed his appreciation for the support of the commission members, the Resident Electoral Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, the Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Directors, members of the technical team, heads of the various security agencies deployed to INEC and all staff of the Commission nationwide.
Yakubu, who succeeded Attahiru Jega was first appointed by Buhari as INEC chairman in November 2015.
OVER 3,600 Ivorians are confirmed to have fled to neighbouring Liberia, in a bid to escape the electoral violence triggered by the controversial presidential elections, according to a United Nations, UN report.
President Alassane Ouattara of Cote’d’Ivoire had won a third term in office on October 31 by a landslide in a controversial election, after the opposition had boycotted the poll after accusing him of breaking a two-term limit which was unconstitutional.
While Cote’d’Ivoire has a limit of two presidential terms, Ouattara insists a new constitution in 2016 gives him a chance to run for the elections.
Cote’d’Ivoire’s Constitutional Council also formally ratified President Ouattara’s re-election to a third term despite the tense election that has been marred by clashes and an opposition boycott.
“Alassane Ouattara is proclaimed elected in the first round,” the Council President Mamadou Kone said on Monday in a national broadcast.
At least 40 people have been killed in clashes between political supporters, protesters and security forces since Ouattara first announced he would run for the third term in August.
In early March, Ouattara said he would not seek another mandate, which seemed to end months of speculation that he would extend his stay beyond the two-term mandates.
However, Ouattara revised his position five months later following the sudden death of his handpicked successor, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly.
Roseline Okoro, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ representative in Monrovia, said that the numbers had risen in the past week.
“We have 3,600 people who have already crossed from Ivory Coast to Liberia,” she said.
According to Okoro, about 1,600 Ivorians arrived in Liberia the day after the election, and most are younger people who are staying in local communities rather than refugee camps adding that the UN was distributing food, but shelter was “becoming a problem”.
With a population of 4.8 million people, Liberia is still recovering after back-to-back civil wars from 1989 to 2003 and West Africa’s 2014-2016 Ebola crisis.
Sester Logan, the director of the Liberian government’s refugee agency, said the country is not “economically ready to host the influx of refugees”.
He added that the actual numbers of people fleeing electoral violence were difficult to determine because of the porosity of Liberia’s border with Ivory Coast.
On Saturday, opposition leader Pascal Affi N’Guessan was arrested for creating a rival transitional government.
While other opponents to President Ouattara are under investigation for the insurrection in the country, alongside prosecutors who are pressing “terrorism” charges against more than a dozen of those who called for an election boycott.
ABUBAKAR Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has inaugurated a committee to sell looted assets recovered by anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria.
Malami, during the inauguration on Monday in Abuja, disclosed that the committee would be chaired by Dayo Apata, the Solicitor General of the Federation.
He added that the committee is tagged ‘the inter-ministerial committee on the disposal of Federal Government of Nigeria’s forfeited assets.
According to the AGF, the committee is drawn from relevant agencies that deal with the recovery and disposal of Federal Government of Nigeria’s assets.
“Your mandate is to ensure the expedient disposal of all FGN Forfeited Assets and generate revenue for the Federal Government of Nigeria. I wish to implore the inter-ministerial committee to work as a formidable team with the relevant agencies in accordance with extant laws and regulations. It is also my hope that the proceeds from this exercise will be a source of additional revenue for the country,” Malami stated.
Apata assured that the committee would be guided by principles of transparency and accountability in selling the assets.
He called on all assets recovery agencies of the Federal Government to urgently send records of recovered assets to the committee’s secretariat, which is the Assets Tracing Recovery and Management Unit in the office of the AGF.
Members of the committee are said to be drawn from the office of the Chief of Staff to the President; Federal Ministry of Justice; Federal Ministry of Finance; Federal Ministry of Works and Housing; Auditor-General of the Federation; the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related offences) Commission.
Others include Nigerian Army; Nigerian Navy; Nigeria Police; Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps; Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency; Department of State Security; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency; Department of Petroleum Resources; National Oil Spillage, Detection and Response Agency; and the Bureau of Public Procurement.
Representatives of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); a representative of the youth organisations, a representative of the media; and “any other Nigerian with exceptional expertise that could add value to the committee as deems fit by the Attorney General of the Federation were said to have been included.
Dog guarding bones?
Various controversies have surrounded looted and recovered asset by anti-corruption agencies of the federal government.
Most recently is the suspension of the former acting EFCC boss, Ibrahim Magu who was alleged to have ‘re-looted’ assets recovered by the commission under his watch.
According to 2018 reports, Magu failed to give a proper account of missing 332 out of the 836 recovered real estate properties.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a report by the Presidential Committee on Audit of Recovered Assets (PCARA) said the unaccounted property was worth billions of naira.
The PCARA report read that “For instance, EFCC stated 836 as the number of Recovered Real Estate in the Original Returns it made to the President on 07/04/2017.
“However, in its 1st Returns to PCARA on 13/12/2017, EFCC short-changed the system and gave the figure of 339 thereby failing to account for 497 properties.
“It is interesting to note that when the Acting Chairman was further queried on this lapse, he made further contradictory 2nd return of 504 on 09/03/2018 thereby bridging the gap to 332 properties.’’
In his defence, Magu through his lawyer accused Malami of selling vessels belonging to the Nigerian government, a function beyond the purview of his office.
Tosin Ojaomo, Magu’s counsel said Malami authorised contractors to sell vessels seized by the Nigerian Navy and handed over to EFCC without approval.
Magu called on the ICPC to investigate Malami over the sale of the vessels.
It should be noted that the newly inaugurated committee chairman, Apata works under the AGF.
Also in March, Ekoi Obona-Obla, the former chairman of the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP) was arrested by the ICPC over allegations of misconduct.
In October 2019, ICPC said it received petitions from Nigerians against Obona- Obla, alleging that he was living above his income and collecting gratification from suspects under the investigation of the SPIP.
THE Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR), in collaboration with the Centre for Information Resilience, the International Centre for Investigative Reporting and Africa Uncensored, is set to launch a unique programme to fight disinformation in the age of COVID-19.
The organisation is currently seeking passionate people committed to fighting the Covid-19 infodemic to join the programme.
The Africa Resilience Network programme aims to build a network of journalists, activists and analysts to identify and expose Covid-19 related disinformation in Kenya and Nigeria.
Successful applicants will receive support to develop, publish and promote research and reporting exposing Covid-19 disinformation.
Applicants will be exposed to training in the latest tools and techniques to identify and expose disinformation, focusing on open-source intelligence and network analysis.
They will also have access to expert mentors who will provide personal and professional support to support the counter-disinformation mission.
Upon graduating from the programme, they will become members of a global community, with lasting links to disinformation experts and fellow practitioners around the world.
Training and support will primarily be conducted online, with supplementary in-person support, as the ongoing health emergency allows.
Introductory sessions are expected to be held in December 2020, followed by training and networking sessions delivered in two cohorts between January and April 2021. The programme will require a commitment of at least eight hours per week for two months.
THE Chinese and Mexican governments have reacted to the outcome of Tuesday’s United States presidential election that produced Joe Biden as the winner.
Wang Wenbin, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson told newsmen in Beijing on Monday that his country observed that Biden was the one that “declared he is the winner of the election.”
He added that China will only act according to international practices to congratulate Biden.
“We understand that the outcome of the general election will be determined in accordance with the laws and procedures of the United States. We will handle the issue of the statement (of congratulations) in accordance with international practice.”
On the other hand, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexican President, has also said it is too early to congratulate Joe Biden, as president-elect of the United States.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Obrador said his country would wait for “all legal issues” in the election to be resolved before congratulating the winner.
“We don’t want to be imprudent. We don’t want to act lightly and we want to respect people’s self-determination and rights,” Obrador said.
“We have a very good relationship with the two candidates. President Trump has been very respectful with us and we have reached very good agreements, and we thank him because he has not interfered and has respected us. And the same goes for Biden.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has joined other world leaders to congratulate Biden on Saturday.
The president in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, his senior special assistant said Biden’s election was a reminder that “democracy is the best form of government because it offers the people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means.”
Poor sanitation and lack of access to water affect the health and education of school children in Nigeria, but this problem is yet to gain the full attention of the government at various levels in Nigeria. Olugbenga ADANIKIN visited a number of schools in South-East and South-West where this problem is acute. Here is his report:
OKONKWO Blessing, 16, attends Olona Mixed-School in Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State. In the last six years, she has been going to the school on daily basis, armed with a keg of water because the school has no water and the toilet facility is always in unhygienic condition.
Other students either take to the wilds to relieve themselves or use toilets in neighboring houses.
“Yes, since JSS1 we visit the bush to defecate,” Blessing says in affirmation. “There is a toilet but we have to bring water from home to school.”
The female students including Okonkwo Blessings after an interview with the girls at Olona Mixed School, Onicha-Olona, Aniocha LGA. Photo Credit: Olugbenga Adanikin, The ICIR
Hope Okia, 16, another student shared similar concern as her friend, Blessing. Respite comes only when it rains.
“We fetch from those tanks and visit the toilet behind our class,” says Hope pointing to a water tank near the former principal’s office.
Hope who was shy to recount how they cope without water during the dry season said; “We use the bush. It is not dangerous,” she said tacitly.
The ICIR and Public-Private Development Centre (PPDC) found out during a monitoring exercise that there are five water closets in the school lavatories already taken over by weeds, giant spider webs, and animal wastes.
The investigation revealed that most school constituency projects in some South-Eastern do not have proper toilet facilities, and many were poorly done or abandoned since 2015 when the project were commenced.
Poor state of the mixed school’s toilet due to lack of water facility. Photo Credit Olugbenga Adanikin, The ICIR
Oyeniyi Nafisat, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member undertaking her primary assignment in Olona mixed-school shared similar experience as the students.
To prevent toilet infection, Nafisat says she would rather engage in open defecation than to risk using the school’s restroom. She disclosed she has never used the toilet, not even to urinate.
“It is not hygienic,” she said.
Open defecation one of Nigeria’s greatest burden
Poor sanitation and low access to good toilet facilities have remained notable water-related, health problem most common among poor and rural communities in Nigeria. Waterborne diseases, Diarrhoea are evident especially when faeces and animal wastes wash down the streams. But rural dwellers have no other options than to rely on the poor water source for drinking and other domestic purposes.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says ‘Toilet saves lives! Without toilets, deadly diseases spread rapidly.”
But this message is often disregarded while implementing education or health policy in Nigeria.
The UN agency maintains that girls could miss school activities due to shortage of toilets in their schools, mainly during their monthly flows (menstruation). It is estimated that one in three schools globally lacks adequate toilets while 23 per cent of schools do not have a toilet at all.
Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) as of June 2019 highlights further the importance of potable water for proper sanitation. It reports that 2 billion people globally lack access to basic toilet facilities, as a result, forced most people to practice open defecation.
“Inadequate sanitation is estimated to cause 432 000 diarrhoeal deaths annually and is a major factor in several neglected tropical diseases, including intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. Poor sanitation also contributes to malnutrition,” the WHO sanitation report adds.
2019 report by UNICEF Nigeria further shows that 47 million Nigerians still defecate openly.
Data Representing Access to Proper Sanitation Globally and in Nigeria. Infographic by Samson Samuels, The ICIR
As of 2018, Water Aid Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation revealed that 120 million Nigerians lack access to a decent toilet. It says out of 10 persons, less than three actually have access to a good toilet – a trend that might prevent the country from realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG) except deliberate action is taken.
Earlier, in 2016, the federal government through the Ministry of Water Resources with support from the UNICEF designed a roadmap to achieve Open-Defecation-Free (ODF) status by 2025. The goal designed to reduce the trend of open defecation was further endorsed by the National Council on Water Resources.
It includes the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply and Sanitation (PEWASH) programme. However, five years to the target – 2025, not so much has been achieved. Only 24 Local Government Areas (LGAs) from the 774 have achieved ODF status while Nigeria currently ranks top among the global index in open defecation.
It could be recalled that in October 2019, Nigeria beat India to emerge the top global ranking.
Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources subsequently declared Nigeria as the nation with the highest global rate of open defecation. The ranking came after President Muhammadu Buhari declared State of Emergency on water and sanitation. Yet, as of date, Nigeria still grapples with meeting the ODF target except for interventions from Civil Society Organisations (CSO).
A block of toilets at Community Secondary School, Umunnachi, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State Photo Credit: Olugbenga Adanikin, The ICIR
Girls, female teachers at risk of toilet infections, kidnapping
In Anambra state, St. Anthony Secondary School, Azia, Ihiala LGA, the sanitation challenge is worse than schools visited in Delta. Located in the midst of a thick bush and close to a river, St. Anthony School has no perimeter fencing except for a tiny rusty gate at its entrance.
A constituency project awarded at N35 million to Pranav Contracting Nigeria Limited to construct new laboratory and other structures remained uncompleted five years after it was awarded. Students are left to openly defecate around the forest walls or compelled to use the old abandoned toilets.
Onyebuagu Margaret, one of the female prefects in the school shared insights on how her friends reportedly got infected with toilet diseases and had to struggle to get a cure. She identified one Chiamaka and Nkiru among those affected. The victim’s parents, she said could not afford to medically treat the girls of the infections, thus had to seek help.
“I have friends who contracted toilet diseases. They complain daily over this and their parents needed to seek help for treatments,” Onyebuagbu told The ICIR.
Although, the two girls mentioned were absent in school during the visit, Onyebuagbu said in video evidence that one of the two girls allegedly suffered staphylococcus. She was later advised to stop using the school toilet.
“We found out that they contracted toilet diseases due to the school toilet. It is so dirty, messy and not just good,” says Onyebuagbu. “We need a befitting water-closet toilet where students can defecate at their comfort.”
Meanwhile, during separate interviews at different locations, heads of schools benefitting from the constituency projects accused contractors of sidelining them in project execution. They argued it was always difficult to ascertain the project components, especially if toilets are incorporated in the approved projects or not.
The bid of quantity for the school constituency projects under review was kept away from the school management.
Usually, needs assessments are conducted by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in partnership with the benefitting schools prior to project execution. Findings are presented to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) at the federal level from where schools projects are awarded and delivered in line with the conducted assessment.
But the principals described such assessments as mere formalities.
They disclosed that most of the projects are substandard, different what is stated in the awarded contracts.
THE Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has demanded that an independent investigation be conducted into the shooting of #ENDSARS protesters by soldiers at Lekki toll gate, Lagos.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAC’s Executive Director who made the call stated that Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State cannot initiate an investigation into the shooting considering the complicity of the government in the incident.
“I already made the point elsewhere that considering the apparent complicity of the Lagos State governor in the Lekki massacre, that subject matter can no longer be part of the terms of reference or issues to be inquired into by the judicial panel of inquiry set up by the governor,” he said.
“The Lekki massacre must be independently, transparently, impartially and effectively investigated to unravel the truth and ensure justice.”
While condemning the recent frozen of bank accounts linked to the organisers of the #ENDSARS protest by the Central Bank of Nigeria, he added that the Nigerian Government had never been sincere in its commitment to dialogue with the #EndSARS protesters.
“It has always been their usual ways of deceit: pretend to be committed to dialogue but planning mischief.
“How can you set up a panel to look into the issues raised by #EndSARS protesters and the aftermath of the protests; you also have members of the group represented in the panel, yet you go ahead to freeze their bank accounts.
“That is the true nature and character of this government. Deceit, insincerity, lip service to everything, treachery and incompetence.
“This was exactly why the protesters took all the promises by the government with a pinch of salt and insisted on seeing concrete action before they would back down. Then the government deployed deadly violence to suppress the protests.”
He added that “the contradictions, the initial denials, then admission and then the buck-passing between the army and the Lagos State Government over who ordered the military deployment to the toll gate, shows the cowardice, insensitivity and cluelessness of some of the government appointees.”
THE Lagos State government has directed the release of 253 out of 361 persons arrested by the State police command in connection with ENDSARS protest.
The directive is contained in a statement signed by Moyosore Onigbanjo, the Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General.
“253 persons arrested by the Police for criminal offences in connection to the #EndSARS protests in Lagos State are to be released immediately for non-disclosure of a prima facie case against them by the Police,” the statement read.
Onigbajo said the Nigeria Police forwarded 40 case files in respect of the 361 persons arrested for criminal offences in connection with the #EndSARS protests to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for Legal Advice, between 4th and 5th of November, 2020.
“Out of the 361 persons, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder, while the Office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-disclosure of a prima facie case,” Onigbajo added.
He stated that two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the Police.
The Commissioner of Justice said he would ensure that those arrested by the Police are treated in accordance with due process of law, while it remains committed to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring peace and order in the State.
However, Onigbajo did not state if there would be any form of compensations from the government or police command to the released persons after spending time in custody of the police.
The ENDSARS protest against police brutality seized many states in Nigeria as youths came out in numbers to register their displeasure.
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former Vice President Joe Biden on his election as new President of the United States.
The president message was expressed in a statement signed Garba Shehu, his senior special assistant.
“Your election is a significant reminder that democracy is the best form of government because it offers the people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means,” Buhari said.
According to the president, “the most powerful group are not the politicians, but voters who can decide the fate of the politicians at the polling booth.”
He noted that “the main fascination of democracy is the freedom of choice and the supremacy of the will of the people.
“Respect for the will of the people is the very reason why democracy remains the best form of government, despite its limitations from one polity to another, and from one society to another.”
According to him, “I am thrilled by the fact that you are an experienced politician who had served as Congressman for 40 years and a Vice President for eight years. This is a remarkable track record that gives us hope that you will add value to the presidency and world affairs.”
The president expressed optimism for greater cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, especially at economic, diplomatic and political levels, including the war against terrorism.
He urged Biden to deploy his vast experience in tackling the negative consequences of nationalist politics on world affairs which have created divisions, conflicts and uncertainties.
The Nigerian leader also called on Mr. Biden “to introduce greater engagement with Africa on the basis of reciprocal respects and shared interests.”
Similarly, Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister on Saturday joined other world leaders to congratulate Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris for their victory in the US poll.
He tweeted the congratulatory message in a statement where he also invited the president-elect to join others to address some of the world greatest challenge including the global Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
According to him, Canada and the US has enjoyed extraordinary relationship with common interests particularly economic wise.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election as the next President and Vice President of the United States of America…”
“I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, their administration, and the United States Congress as we tackle the world’s greatest challenges together,” he stated.
Also, Emmanuel Macron, French President also shared similar congratulatory message through his verified social media.
“The Americans have chosen their President,” he tweeted. “Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris! We have a lot do to overcome today’s challenges. Let’s work together.”
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister also applauded the two elected candidates.
He described the US as the UK’s most important friend, he expressed optimism to working together on ‘shared priorities from climate change to trade and security.’
Micheal Martin, Ireland Prime Minister described Biden as a true friend of his country while congratulating both candidates.
“I also wish to congratulate Vice President Elect Kamala Harris and recognise the huge significance of her election for so many people. Vice President Elect Harris and President Elect Biden will make a very formidable team,” he added
Charles Michel, President of the European Council in a statement also congratulated the US President-elect and his running mate for the vote so far polled. He applauded the voters’ turnout and expressed confidence of the US electoral system.
Biden and her running mate crossed the 270 threshold of the US electoral college after the candidate won the major determining States including Pennsylvania.
Moreover, reports from most international and US-based media organisations also confirmed Biden’s victory at the poll. The 77 years old former Vice President is to become the 46th president of the United States.
THE Lagos State Government says it has recorded the first case of COVID-19 in a secondary boarding school in the mainland area of the state.
Akin Abayomi, Lagos State commissioner for health, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday said a member of the school’s staff was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 2nd of November and contact tracing revealed that a student and four contacts of the affected staff are also positive for COVID-19.
The commissioner confirmed that the person fell ill for a few days and received first aid at the school clinic and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday November 2 at the Lagos State Biobank.
He explained that the State COVID-19 Incident Command System through the Emergency Operation Centre is investigating the incident, assuring members of the public and stakeholders of the school that the situation is completely under control.
According to him, “Steps are being taken to contain the spread within the school and reduce exposure to the outside community. All parents are being contacted first through the PTA and a family zoom call is being arranged to further allay their fears”.
“It is important to note that COVID-19 presents with very mild symptoms in children and teenagers, compared to other age groups. However, there is the risk of infected children transmitting the disease to adults who they interact with daily, and who may be at higher risk of severe disease and death,” he added.
Abayomi averred that the school authorities, supported by Lagos State Ministry of Health (LSMOH), Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Education, are following the COVID-19 guidelines as set out by the government, noting that students who test positive are to be isolated in the school premises and, if unwell, will be admitted in one of the accredited isolation centres in Lagos.
He discouraged infected persons, who are predominantly asymptomatic and those with mild symptoms, from going home to avoid infecting members of their families, stressing that the state ministry of health and NCDC are working closely with the ministry of education through a joint approach to manage the outbreak in this school.
The commissioner disclosed that members of the Emergency Operation Centre Lagos, NCDC and counterparts in the ministry of education have been deployed to the school to provide strategic interventions and support, including psychosocial support, infection prevention control, medical monitoring and risk communication experts enlighten affected people.
“COVID-19 is still very much with us and we must strive to prioritise the safety of all, including students and teachers, by adhering strictly to prevention protocols and guidelines issued by the government to prevent its spread,” he said.
“Lagosians should continue to observe and practise the highest standards of personal and environmental hygiene. Using face masks in public places, hand washing and hand hygiene practice, and maintaining physical distancing will help prevent the spread of the infection.”
He advised the citizens to call the 08000EKOMED or 08000356633 toll-free line, if they notice any sign or symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue or loss of taste and smell.
