How to Obtain CBN Loan Without Collateral

CBN Loan Form 2020/2021: How to Apply for AGSMEIS without Collateral: Apply for N10 million CBN AGSMEIS 5% Loan Today. The Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS) is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria. CBN AGSMEIS Loan 2020 application is currently ongoing – Apply here! With the CBN AGSMEIS Loan, you can access up to N10M at 5% per year from the Agric, Small and medium enterprise scheme (AGSMEIS), an initiative from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); this is without collateral.

 

What is Agric Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS)?

 

AGSMEIS is an initiative of the Bankers’ Committee in a bid to support and complement the Federal Governments’ efforts at promoting Agri-businesses/Small and Medium Enterprises as a vehicle for sustainable economic development and employment generation.

 

AGSMEIS is a voluntary initiative of the Bankers’ Committee approved at its 331st meeting held on 9th February, 2017. The Scheme requires all banks in Nigeria to set aside 5% of their profit after tax (PAT) annually.

The initiative is to support the Federal Government’s efforts and policy measures for the promotion of Agricultural Businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as vehicles for sustainable economic development and employment generation.

 

Objectives of the Agric, Small and Medium Enterprise Scheme (AGSMEIS)

The objectives of the Scheme include :

 To ensure Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)have access to finance

To generate much-needed employment opportunities in Nigeria

To develop agricultural value chain and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.

To boost the managerial capacity of Agri-Business/SMEs as pipelines of growing enterprises that can become huge corporate organizations.

 Interested applicant must have been trained by an Entrepreneur Development Institute (EDI)

Interested applicant will apply for loan via an EDI

The applications will then be sent to CBN for processing

Applicants will be called for an interview regarding his/her business.

Those qualified will be contacted and given the loan.

Fill clearly the new form with all the details required , sign and get them authenticated by EDC – http://www.edcsouthwest.org/

Note: Maximum loan is 10million; Interest rate is 5% per annum; Tenor is 7 yrs and Moratorium is 18 months.

 

Requirements for CBN Loan Approval of Application and Disbursement of Funds

 

The following are the Requirements necessary either during application or before final approval of the CBN loan application and final disbursement of funds to an applicant.

 

Registered business with CAC

Evidence of tax payments

BVN

Letter of Introduction

Letter of Guaranty

Certification by an EDI

Passport photo of you and guarantor

Valid ID card

Who Can Write Letter of Introduction for CBN AGSMEIS Loan?

 

Your Pastor

Chief Imam

LGA Chairman

CDA Chairman

Village Head

Senior Civil Servants Level 14 above

MD of Blue Chip Companies

Your friend or spouse can write the guaranty letter.

Important Notice: Please note that applicants who submitted last year and was sent a link to provide further details before the last requirements came out do not need to re-submit again.

 

AGSMEIS Loan Interest Rate

 Five percent(5%) for the first five(5) years. If you obtain One Million Naira(N1,000,000), you will pay back One Million Fifty Thousand Naira(N1,050,000) throughout the duration of the loan.

 

How To Apply For CBN AGSMEIS Loan Form 2020 Without Collateral.

 Step 1 : Get Trained

Attend a one week compulsory training at a CBN certified Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI). You can check the list of CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria.

Step 2 : Apply For Loan

 

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) guides and assists you in getting all necessary documents required to secure the loan. Download the agsmeis loan application form pdf. Note that, you can get the current application form from the CBN EDC that trained you.

Step 3 : Receive Funds

 

Loans are paid into the account of beneficiaries. Unqualified candidates are given feedback.

Step 4 : Get Business Support Services

 

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute assists you to implement business plan and provide business support services commercially.

Step 5 : Make Sales

 

Sell products and services to pay back loan and make profit.

Step 6 : Repay Loan

 

Run your business, keep proper records, monitor sales and expenses to maximize profit and pay back the loan.

About National Microfinance Bank (NMFB).

 

cbn loan

cbn loan

The National Microfinance Bank is a leading Nigerian financial institution licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Nigeria. The Company was incorporated as a Private Limited Company in 2019 and commenced operations following the grant of a licence by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate as a National Microfinance Bank in the same year. It is Owned 50% by the Bankers Committee, 40% by NIRSAL and 10% NIPOST. So far the bank has disbursed approximately 776 million in loans to eligible SMEs under the AGSMEIS.

 

List of CBN Approved Entrepreneurial Development Centers (EDC) in Nigeria.

 

The CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria provide physical structures, training materials, equipments, human resources and other facilities that would assure internationally competitive, effective and sustainable services capable of meeting the needs of MSMEs in the country. This is to encourage private entrepreneurship, self employment, job creations, income growth, poverty eradication and economic development.

 

The CBN Entrepreneurship Development Centres (CBN EDCs) which target those with at least secondary education has the following specific objectives:

 

To develop entrepreneurship spirit amongst Nigerians and provide insight into the tools,

techniques and framework for managing all functional areas of business enterprise, including

production, marketing, personnel and finance.

To develop skills of would-be-entrepreneurs to successfully start, expand, diversify and

manage business enterprises as well as link them with financial institutions for start up capital,

especially the microfinance banks.

To generate employment opportunities for Nigerians in pursuance of the provisions of the

National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy [NEEDS] and recently vision

2020.

To raise a new class of entrepreneurs/owners, who can compete globally and succeed in

managing MSMEs and provide the bridge for future industrialization of the country.

List of CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria.

 

Below is the list of CBN EDC Centres in Nigeria and their addresses :

 

CBN-EDC, Ibadan (South West)

Website: www.edcsouthwest.org

Address: Old SDSTC (Oyo Oodua Skill Acquisition Centre Premises),

Samonda, along Sango-UI Road,

Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

 

CBN-EDC, PortHarcourt (South South)

Website: www.ssedc.org

30 Trans-Woji road, Grace plaza, by Slaughter Bridge Woji Town,

Port Harcourt, Rivers State

 

CBN-EDC, Maiduguri (North East)

website : edcnortheast.com.ng

Address: Old Informatics Institute, Njimtillo, Kano Road,

Maiduguri, Borno State

 

CBN-EDC, Kano (North West)

Address: Murtala Muhammed Library Complex,

Kano, Kano State

 

CBN-EDC, Makurdi (North Central)

Off Jonah Jang Crescent,

Near Federal Secretariat,

Makurdi, Benue State.

 

CBN-EDC, Minna (North Central)

Address: Minna Innovation Institute,

Behind Niger State Sharia Commission,

Justice Ndajiwo Drive,

Minna, Niger State.

 

CBN-EDC, Enugu (South East)

Address: Ebenezer Villa Suite

8, Ogenyi Close, Off Cornerstone Avenue

Off Nike Lake Resort Road,

Enugu, Enugu State.

 

You can get more contact addresses of Entrepreneurship development centres in Nigeria – https://www.boi.ng/edcpartners/

 

Centre for Entrepreneurial Development

website : www.cedl.org

36, Murtala Mohammed International

Airport Road, Lagos.

 

Do you need high paying jobs in Nigeria? If yes Submit your CV here and stand a chance of landing your dream job!

How To Teach Engish Online

By Pooja Mishra

Are you searching for online jobs? There are plenty of online jobs available on the internet, from where you can earn decent money.

However, among those lists, the easiest and more accessible online job is being an online tutor. I am saying this because online tutoring job has more advantages over the other online jobs.

The best thing about online tutoring is you can earn as much as you want and the remuneration is higher.

So why don't you choose the best option available for you where you can make decent revenue in less time with minimum effort.

Anyone with the sound knowledge about a subject can become an online tutor. Being an online tutor nowadays is bliss. One can easily make money by spending a few hours on online tutoring sites.

The best part of being an online tutor is one can opt it as a part-time earning option or as a full-time job. Both are profitable.

Why should you become an online tutor?

In the era of technology, most of us do not utilize our time properly. If you know how to make your spare time valuable or if you have learned to make it profitable, nothing would be better than this.

Online tutoring is one of the emerging career options in this decade. It does not demand a particular profession or particular degree.

Some website may require your educational background and some may ask for experience. However, many websites demand only your expertise in any subject, and you can start teaching online.

I have listed down both kind of websites. So why are you wasting your time? If you have not started yet, start today. Otherwise, after a few years, you will be left behind the masses.

Advantages of being an online tutor

1. Online tutoring jobs give flexibility of working hours. (You can choose your working hours, whether in the morning or evening and you can select the number of working hours also.)
2. You can teach from anywhere and at any time just with the help of a laptop and a stable internet connection.
3. No geographical boundaries. You can teach students from different places and countries from your home.
4. Easy, quick and high earnings compared to other online jobs.
5. Saves you a lot of money and time spent on travelling.
6. Suitable for college students or engineering students (to get freedom from monthly pocket money).
7. Suitable for the homemaker to generate extra income for the family.
8. A regular source of income.
9. Total earning will depend on you. The more time you will devote on teaching the more money you can make.

How much can you earn with Online Tutoring Jobs?

It depends on many factors like which subject you are teaching, number of working hours etc. Some websites ask for previous teaching experience, and they pay really well, and some websites do not ask for experience.

If you are fresher in this field or you are a student, and you have good command over any one subject, then also you can start teaching with websites which do not ask for experience.

Salary range varies from INR 10,000 to 100,000 per month (depends on many factors). Some sites also give flexibility, where you can decide your fees per hour.

Where can you find an online tutoring job?

I will list down all the legitimate websites of both the kind I have mentioned earlier. You can directly apply to these websites.

Some websites hire when there is a vacancy like MeritNation, and on some sites, anyone can teach with sound knowledge of the subject like Chegg.

One more thing you can do. You can make your profile on Naukri.com as an online tutor. They will update you regarding the vacancy created on any online websites.

Things you need, to become an online tutor

1. It would be best if you have a passion for teaching.
2. You need to have a good internet connection and a laptop or personal computer.
3. You should know how to create video lectures or presentation files (if required).
4. It would help if you are aware of web-based software like whiteboard, blackboard and digital pen etc. and if you know how to use it.
5. You should have a digital pen and writing pad (some firms provide it).
6. You must have excellent communication skills.
7. You should have the sound knowledge of the subject which you are going to teach.

Online tutoring jobs are best for graduate homemaker, college students, the retired teacher this is emerging as the best source for extra income. Nowadays this profession is opted by working professionals also.

How can you become an online tutor?

The process of recruitment is different for different online firms, and they mention it on their website. You have to apply through their websites.

Most common procedures are: you have to submit a copy of your education certificates and resume. They will take a test or interview before recruitment. Some of them also demand demo lectures.

You have to choose subjects you want to teach, and accordingly, you will be tested for that subject. You have to show your expertise in the selected domain.

You can also choose more than one subject to teach on some websites.

List of websites for online tutoring jobs

There are many sites which offer you to become an online tutor. Here I am sharing the list of those websites and their details. You can click on the subheading for the direct link of tutor registration.

1. Chegg

CheggIndia is very popular among teachers and students. It is one of the best platforms where you get paid for sharing your knowledge. Here you don’t have to give any video lecture.

The students post questions on the website, and you have to provide answers by writing on their post.

You can choose which question you want to attempt, and then you have to answer that in a limited time.

You can solve as many questions as you want. The earning potential depends on which subject you are choosing and how many questions you are answering per month.

The rate per question is higher for subjects like computer science, Engineering subjects, accounting, finance, management etc. (approx Rs 168-195 per question).

Moreover, for subjects like Math, English, Chemistry etc. it is lower (Rs 75-90 per question).

It pays you for every correct answer you post. A starter can expect 10,000 per month if you are regular in solving two questions per day.

Even if you give 1-2 hours per day, you can get a good amount. The best thing about Chegg is, it pays the salary on time.

2. MeritNation

Meritnation’s process is different. It is the leading online tutoring jobs. Here the teaching method is through Skype or video calling.

Targeted students are of grade 6-12 and entrance exam preparing students as well.

Meritnation offers you around Rs 600 per hour for teaching. You can teach from anywhere and can choose the subject of your own choice.

You can earn decent money in a month by teaching basic school education to students. The earning potential on Meritnation is higher.

You can apply on their website directly or you can call them to schedule an interview for job.

3. Vedantu

Vedantu is very popular online tutoring job site among students. Moreover, the website itself mentions that you can earn up to Rs 25000 per month by spending 4 hrs per day and 75000+ per month for the full-time job.

Isn’t that cool?

Vedantu.com is like Meritnation, one-on-one live classes. You can teach subjects of grade 6th-12th, from any board you pick.

It also offers Math+Science courses, JEE main & Advanced courses. You can choose subjects or courses of your own choice. You can earn 15000+ per month from this website if you are regular and spending a minimum 1-2 hours.

You can set your teaching fees, and the earning depends on how much time you devote and how many sessions you are taking in a month.

If you go through testimonial of tutors at Vedantu, you will find incredible experience from them.

4. Vidyalai

Vidyalai is an online tutoring website to teach to 8th-12th-grade students for Board exams or competitive exams (IIT, NEET etc.).

You have to take live one-on-one class through online video chat, and it pays for each session. The remuneration is not fixed in Vidyalai.com

It depends on your experience in teaching and also on your expertise level on that subject.

5. Learnpick

This website gives you the option to work online, or you can also choose home tuition, and it will help you to find students.

Register yourself on Learnpick, and you have to fill the amount you charge per hour for each subject. It covers various subjects from school level to competitive exam preparation level.

6. Teamlearn

Teamlearn offers you to teach subjects of CBSE, ICSE or other board schools. It also offers engineering tuition to all branches. The teaching mode is live video lectures.

You need to apply on the website with your resume, and through a particular selection process, you will be recruited.

7. Teaching Care

Teaching Care is the online live video classes. Here you can teach students of grade 4th to 12th of any board and the students of the entrance exam.

If you have command over English, you can also take special English classes.

It also offers lots of other subjects like accountancy, Job skills, communication English etc. If you are good at any subject, you can take classes and earn good money.

8. BharatTutors

Here the teaching mode is classroom teaching as well as a personal one to one live classes using an inbuilt whiteboard. Tutors can decide their fees per subject and can take classes as per their availability.

If you are not available on weekdays, you can choose weekend classes. It helps tutor in finding students. Moreover, BharatTutors also helps to promote tutor in various social media platforms.

9. TutorIndia.net (Teacheron.com)

You can teach multiple subjects of your choice on this platform. Teacheron offers subjects like school grade subjects, programming languages, job skills, engineering branch subjects, communication skills and many more.

You can also pick up assignment jobs in this platform where you just have to help students in completing their assignments. Here you have to decide per hour fees or charges. And you can teach online via Skype.

10. CueMath

Here you teach maths to KG to 8th class children to make their foundation strong. It provides unique teaching and learning experience.

All the teaching material will be delivered to you at your home.

This website CueMath follows a unique way to teach kids, and they will provide you training and certification for that. After that, you will be able to take classes.

Working from the comfort of home you can earn upto Rs 40000 per month from this website.

11. Trivium Education

Trivium Education is very different from other websites. It only recruits highly educated and experienced tutors.

If you want to teach school grade students, your minimum qualification should be bachelors degree and to teach college grade students minimum qualification required is Masters degree.

It offers math, chemistry and physics subject to teach. If you have high-level command on these subjects then only you will be recruited to teach.

After applying you have to give subject test followed by a demo class with an expert. After clearing the test, you have to go through the English typing speed test.

If you clear this test, they will provide you training for 15 days, and again you have to give telephonic interview and demo lecture.

The recruitment process of Trivium is difficult, but the remuneration is much higher. You can earn up to 40000 INR for 6 hours of working.

12. Udemy

This is different from the other online tutoring sites I have mentioned above. You have to create some videos or courses and post it on Udemy. If people buy your course then only you get money.

However, the advantage is that it is a one-time investment. If people liked your video, they would keep buying in future, and from one course you can generate decent money in future.

So you have to ensure you make quality content. The amount of money you can make on Udemy will depend on the type of course which you have created.

You can create courses on all kind of subjects, for example, Digital Marketing, Programming Languages, Leadership Skills, Communication Skills, Mathematics etc.

It gives you the freedom to choose your topic or any subject to create videos. You can decide the price of your course.

Search online which topic is more in demand or in which courses maximum students have enrolled. Make valuable content on the same and earn more money on Udemy.

13. 2tion.com

Here you can teach students online, and this platform also provides the marketplace to the tutor where they can sell their books and notes to students and can generate some extra income.

You have to teach the basic school grade level subjects to students, and you can also help them in completing their homework and assignment.

14. Unacademy

Unacademy is a platform where you can teach students by making a video lecture series. You can pick any subject from any category and can make a series of videos.

You do not have to take live classes here, you can make power point presentation and can teach students. Unacademy is more about passion for teaching.

The process of becoming an online tutor is very easy. Through their app, you have to upload a demo lecture, and within few hours you will get approved, and you will be listed as a tutor.

The remuneration is low, but the videos you create here can be used as an experience to get work on other websites. (you have to download ‘unacademy tutor app' to become a tutor on Unacademy).

Most of the websites I have shown above are based in India. There are many international websites that pay well for online tutoring jobs. However, their process of application is lengthy and bit difficult.

I will recommend you should go with these websites when you have some good experience in online teaching. With your experience, you can earn more from these websites.

They take more time to approve you as an online tutor. Some of those US/UK based popular online tutoring sites are:

15. Tutor.com
16. Tutorme.com
17. TutorVista
18. MyTutor24
19. Brainfuse
20. Skooli

All the online tutoring websites I have listed in one place. But the cherry on the cake is still to come. And here it is:

So cherry on the cake is ENGLISH.

Here I have listed down the websites from where you can get handsome money by teaching English or any language to the students.

English is the most demanding language of all time. Its fashion and passion will never fade.

People of India or the other countries, where English is not the mother tongue (like China, Japan, Korea), face problem in learning international languages.

They recruit teachers from all over the world who have good command in the English language and are fluent in speaking English.

You can easily get recruited if you have the expertise in this language or any other foreign language.

I have also listed one Indian Website that is Ufaber, where you can teach English language or can take speaking English classes.

1. TheFluentlife.com

TheFluentLife is India based firm founded by IIT entrepreneurs. They will provide you teaching material, and you have to take live video classes one-on-one through Skype or Zoom video calling.

Even if you are a college student, you can teach others.

You can teach Spoken English, business communication etc. They have other website called Ufaber there you can teach competitive exam courses like Gate, UPSC and IELTS.

You can call them or email them to apply for a tutor.

2. Italki

Italki is HongKong based company. Not only English but you can also teach another foreign language on Italki if you have good command over any language.

The best part of this international website is that you can also teach Hindi language to students.

You have to create a video profile talking about your introduction and your expertise in the language you want to teach. Based on that students will pick you as a tutor. You will be paid for each session.

3. Fluentify

Fluentify is different from other. Because it strictly demands 2-year teaching experience and certification in English language (TEFL Certificate).

However, if you have this, you can apply here because its remuneration is quite higher than other websites. Becoming tutor on this website is little tricky.

4. Preply

On PrePly, you can teach English, Hindi and other foreign languages. This website does not demand experience to teach any language.

Here you have to create your video profile, talking about yourself and your education qualification and knowledge of the language etc. and you have to upload on the website.

They will give a rating on your video. On Preply, they also provide you with the option to teach Math, computer and other subjects.

However, mostly it is known for online language learning classes.

5. VIP kids

VIP kids is a China-based firm. You can teach spoken English or basic school grades level English to Chinese students.

After submitting application, you have to appear in their test or interview and when there is vacancy they will hire you.

All these five websites I have mentioned pay really well, and they are very genuine. You can earn upto 40000 rupees from these websites within a few hours.

Working with these websites, one can easily turn their passion into a profession and their spare time into a profitable one. So do not sit back and start earning.

If you have suggestions other than these websites or regarding these websites, please let us know. Share this valuable information with more people so that everybody gets benefited with online tutoring jobs.

Thank You..

source: surejob.in

Mysterious Deaths Grip Kano, Nigeria

Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje yesterday directed the state Ministry of Health to carry out verbal autopsy to determine the cause of the recent wave of strange deaths in the state.

Verbal autopsy is a method of gathering information about symptoms and circumstances for a deceased individual to determine their cause of death. Health information and a description of events prior to death are acquired from conversations or interviews with a person or persons familiar with the deceased. These are then analysed by health professionals or computer algorithms to assign likely cause(s) of death.

The governor, according to a statement issued by Commissioner for Information Muhammad Garba, directed a combined team from the Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to undertake the investigation across the eight local government areas within Kano city.

The statement reads: “I am pleased to inform the good people of Kano State that verbal autopsy to determine the real cause of the deaths of our citizens who lost their lives over the weekend has begun in earnest.Following the directive of the governor, health experts from the state Ministry of Health and the NCDC have been drafted to visit the families and relatives of the dead so as to trace their medical history, with a view to ascertaining what really led to their deaths.

“Our primary healthcare system has also been re-activated across the 44 local government areas to guarantee easy access to healthcare delivery, even as we continue to battle the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.”

Ganduje, who called for calm, urged residents to continue to adhere strictly to the advice by health experts on how to avoid contracting COVID-19.

“At this point, all of us must come together, irrespective of religious and political affiliations, to overcome this health challenge facing our great state.

“We solicit the cooperation of religious leaders, political leaders, opinion leaders, community leaders, traditional rulers and every other stakeholder to enlighten our people on the need to stay safe and stay healthy.

“The state government also wishes to passionately appeal to residents to religiously observe the lockdown order, stay at home, observe personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly, observe social distancing and also pray fervently for the end of this dark era of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

“Together, we shall win this war. This turbulent time shall pass away. We shall come out stronger and better; and our dear state will be great again,” he added.

At the weekend, the Kano State government had acknowledged and decried the rising death rates in the state, although it declared none was caused by COVID-19.

Donald Trump angers China by warning US may seek damages over virus

China accused US politicians of telling lies to distract from their own performance, shortly after US President Donald Trump renewed his verbal attacks on China.

Worldwide the number of people confirmed to have coronavirus has risen to more than three million, and at least 211,000 have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Some 894,000 people have recovered.

US President Donald Trump returned to his daily press briefings after a few days' absence to attack China over its handling of the coronavirus, saying his administration was conducting "serious investigations" into what happened.

The United Nations human rights chief has warned countries flouting the rule of law in the name of fighting the pandemic risks sparking a "human rights disaster"

China lab rejects COVID-19 conspiracy claims

Claims that the coronavirus pandemic originated in a laboratory in the Chinese city of Wuhan have no basis in fact, the head of the lab told Reuters, adding that there were still no conclusive answers as to where the disease started.

Conspiracy theorists have claimed SARS-CoV-2, now responsible for more than 200,000 deaths worldwide, was synthesised by the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV), based in the city where the disease was first identified.

Though the scientific consensus is that the coronavirus evolved naturally, such claims have gained traction. US President Donald Trump said on April 15 that his government was investigating whether it had originated in the Wuhan lab.

source: aljazeera.com

Burkinabe traders Demand Reopening of Markets

Hundreds of Burkinabè traders demonstrated Monday in Ouagadougou to demand the reopening of all the markets, which were closed at the end of March to combat the spread of the coronavirus, an AFP journalist noted.

“We want the markets to reopen so we can resume our activities and provide for our needs,” said Soumaila Tiendrebeogo, a clothes trader at the Nabi-Yaar market in Ouagadougou’s working-class neighbourhood.

The epidemic, which has caused 42 deaths out of 623 confirmed cases in this West African country, according to the latest official report on Sunday, had led to the closure of some 40 markets in the capital of 3 million inhabitants on 25 March, two weeks after the outbreak of the disease.

On 20 April, the authorities reopened the large market in Ouagadougou and then the one in Bobo-Dioulasso, the country’s second largest city, raising high hopes among traders in the other markets that remained closed.

Gathered around the Sankaryaré and Nabi-Yaar markets, located in two working-class neighbourhoods of the capital, the demonstrators, mostly young people and women, set up a few roadblocks on tracks using stones, used tyres and tree trunks, preventing any traffic. These roadblocks were then dismantled by the police, without a hitch.

source: africanews.com

ADDRESS BY H.E. MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE CUMULATIVE LOCKDOWN ORDER OF LAGOS AND OGUN STATES AS WELL AS THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY ON COVID- 19 PANDEMIC AT THE STATE HOUSE, ABUJA, MONDAY, 27th APRIL, 2020

Fellow Nigerians

I will start by commending you all for the resilience and patriotism that you have shown in our collective fight against the biggest health challenge of our generation.

As at yesterday, 26th April 2020, some 3 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been recorded globally with about 900,000 recoveries. Unfortunately, some 200,000 people have passed away as a result of this pandemic.

The health systems and economies of many nations continue to struggle as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Nigeria continues to adapt to these new global realities on a daily basis. Today, I will present the facts as they are and explain our plans for the coming months fully aware that some key variables and assumptions may change in the coming days or weeks.

Exactly two weeks ago, there were 323 confirmed cases in 20 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

As at this morning, Nigeria had recorded 1,273 cases across 32 States and the FCT. Unfortunately, this includes 40 deaths.

I am using this opportunity to express our deepest condolences to the families of all Nigerians that have lost their loved ones as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is our collective loss and we share your grief.

Initial models predicted that Nigeria will record an estimated 2,000 confirmed cases in the first month after the index case.

This means that despite the increase in the number of confirmed cases recorded in the past two weeks, the measures we have put in place thus far have yielded positive outcomes against the projections.

The proportion of cases imported from other countries has reduced to only 19% of new cases, showing that our border closures yielded positive results. These are mostly fellow Nigerians returning through our land borders. We will continue to enforce land border arrival protocols as part of the containment strategy.

Today, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has accredited 15 laboratories across the country with an aggregate capacity to undertake 2,500 tests per day across the country.

Based on your feedback, Lagos State Government and the FCT with support from NCDC have established several sample collection centers. They are also reviewing their laboratory testing strategy to further increase the number of tests they can perform including the accreditation of selected private laboratories that meet the accreditation criteria.

Several new fully equipped treatment and isolation centres have been operationalised across the country thereby increasing bed capacity to about three thousand.

I commend the State Governors for the activation of State-level Emergency Operation Centres, establishment of new treatment centres and the delivery of aggressive risk communication strategies.

Over 10,000 healthcare workers have been trained. For their protection, additional personal protective equipment have been distributed to all the states.

Although we have experienced logistical challenges, we remain committed to establishing a solid supply chain process to ensure these heroic professionals can work safely and are properly equipped.

In keeping with our Government’s promise to improve the welfare of healthcare workers, we have signed a memorandum of understanding on the provision of hazard allowances and other incentives with key health sector professional associations.

We have also procured insurance cover for 5,000 frontline health workers. At this point, I must commend the insurance sector for their support in achieving this within a short period of time.

Nigeria has also continued to receive support from the international community, multilateral agencies, the private sector and public-spirited individuals. This support has ensured that critical lifesaving equipment and materials, which have become scarce globally, are available for Nigeria through original equipment manufacturers and government-to-government processes.

The distribution and expansion of palliatives which I directed in my earlier broadcast is still on-going in a transparent manner. I am mindful of the seeming frustration being faced by expectant citizens. I urge all potential beneficiaries to exercise patience as we continue to fine tune our logistical and distribution processes working with the State Governments.

Our Security Agencies continue to rise to the challenge posed by this unusual situation. While we feel deeply concerned about isolated security incidents, I want to assure all Nigerians that your safety and security remain our primary concern especially in these difficult and uncertain times.

As we focus on protecting lives and properties, we will not tolerate any human rights abuse by our security agencies. The few reported incidences are regrettable, and I want to assure you that the culprits will be brought to justice.

I urge all Nigerians to continue to cooperate and show understanding whenever they encounter security agents. Furthermore, for their protection, I have instructed that the personnel of all the security agencies be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment against infection.

As we continue to streamline our response in the centres of Lagos and the FCT, I am gravely concerned about the unfortunate developments in Kano in recent days. Although an in-depth investigation is still on-going, we have decided to deploy additional Federal Government manpower, material and technical resources to strengthen and support the State Government’s efforts, with immediate effect.

In Kano, and indeed many other States that are recording new cases, preliminary findings show that such cases are mostly from interstate travel and emerging community transmission.

Drawing from these, I implore all Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to the advisories published by the Presidential Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

These include regular hand washing, physical distancing, wearing of face masks/coverings in public, avoidance of non-essential movement and travels and avoidance of large gatherings.

Fellow Nigerians, for the past four weeks, most parts of our country have been under either Federal Government or State Government lockdown. As I mentioned earlier, these steps were necessary and overall, have contributed to slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in our country.

However, such lockdowns have also come at a very heavy economic cost. Many of our citizens have lost their means of livelihood. Many businesses have shut down. No country can afford the full impact of a sustained lockdown while awaiting the development of vaccines.

In my last address, I mentioned that Federal Government will develop strategies and policies that will protect lives while preserving livelihoods.

In these two weeks, the Federal and State Governments have jointly and collaboratively worked hard on how to balance the need to protect health while also preserving livelihoods, leveraging global best practices while keeping in mind our peculiar circumstances.

We assessed how our factories, markets, traders and transporters can continue to function while at the same time adhering to NCDC guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.

We assessed how our children can continue to learn without compromising their health.

We reviewed how our farmers can safely plant and harvest in this rainy season to ensure our food security is not compromised. Furthermore, we also discussed how to safely transport food items from rural production areas to industrial processing zones and ultimately, to the key consumption centres.

Our goal was to develop implementable policies that will ensure our economy continues to function while still maintaining our aggressive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These same difficult decisions are being faced by leaders around the world.

Based on the above and in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020.

However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.

Furthermore, new nationwide measures are to be introduced as follows;

There will be an overnight curfew from 8pm to 6am. This means all movements will be prohibited during this period except for essential services;

There will be a ban on non-essential inter-state passenger travel until further notice;

Partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers; and

We will strictly ensure the mandatory use of face masks or coverings in public in addition to maintaining physical distancing and personal hygiene. Furthermore, the restrictions on social and religious gatherings shall remain in place. State Governments, corporate organisations and philanthropists are encouraged to support the production of cloth masks for citizens.

For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States shall remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Monday, 4th May 2020.

The Presidential Task Force shall provide sector specific details to allow for preparations by Governments, businesses and institutions.

In respect to the above guidelines, State Governors may choose to adapt and expand based on their unique circumstances provided they maintain alignment with the guidelines issued above.

To support our businesses and traders, the monetary and fiscal authorities shall deploy all the necessary provisions needed for production to continue and thus, jobs restored.

These revised guidelines will not apply to Kano State.

With regards to Kano, I have directed the enforcement of a total lockdown for a period of two weeks effective immediately. The Federal Government shall deploy all the necessary human, material and technical resources to support the State in controlling and containing the pandemic and preventing the risk of further spread to neighbouring States.

I wish to once again, commend the frontline workers across the country who, on a daily basis, risk everything to ensure we win this fight. For those who got infected in the line of duty, rest assured that Government will do all it takes to support you and your families during this exceedingly difficult period. I will also take this opportunity to assure you all that your safety, wellbeing and welfare remain paramount to our Government.

I will also recognise the support we have received from our traditional rulers, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and other prominent religious and community leaders. Your cooperation and support have significantly contributed to the successes we have recorded to date.

I will urge you all to please continue to create awareness on the seriousness of the coronavirus among your worshippers and communities while appealing that they strictly comply with public health advisories.

I also thank the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Task Force for all their hard work to date. Through this collaboration, I remain confident that success is achievable.

I also wish to thank corporate organisations, philanthropists, the UN system, the European Union, friendly nations, the media and other partners that have taken up the responsibility of supporting our response.

And finally, I will thank all Nigerians again for your patience and cooperation during this difficult and challenging period. I assure you that government shall continue to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and livelihoods of our citizens and residents.

I thank you for listening and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

South Africa Celebrates Freedom Day amid Controversial statement

Freedom Day, celebrated every year on April 27, commemorates South Africa's first democratic election in 1994 - the first time in the history of the country that non-white citizens were allowed to vote.

That election saw Nelson Mandela replace Frederik Willem (FW) de Klerk to become South Africa's first Black president. Mandela's liberation movement-turned-political party, the African National Congress (ANC), meanwhile took the reins from the white nationalist government that had been in power since 1948. All this transpired without the bloodshed many feared would take place.

In the years that led up to those elections, while Mandela was the face of Black forgiveness, de Klerk became the face of white compromise. In 1990, he took the step of unbanning the ANC and freed Mandela from 27 years in prison. He also agreed to the negotiations that would see the peaceful transition from racist rule to democracy.

It was, therefore, shocking to many when, on February 2 this year, de Klerk publicly stated that apartheid was not a crime against humanity in an interview with the national broadcaster, the SABC.

'Treasonous' comments

During the interview, de Klerk said he was "not fully agreeing" with the presenter who asked him to confirm that apartheid - the legalised segregation of and discrimination against non-white people - was a crime against humanity.

Immediately afterwards, the FW de Klerk Foundation supported his statement and published a response that read: "Deplorable as it is, we cannot, from a legal point of view, accept that apartheid can in this manner be made a crime against humanity."

There was an immediate public outcry as well as criticism from the media and other politicians.