Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have offered to supply electricity free of charge for two months to all Nigerians.

The gesture is to cushion the effects of the COVID -19 lockdown on the customers, according to the statement, which the Executive Director (Research & Advocacy)
Association of Nigeiarian Electricity Distributors (ANED ) Barrister Sunday Oduntan issued Thursday.

The DisCos, he said, recognise the challenging effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economic and daily lives of our customers.

ANED noted that “In fulfilment our commitments to the nation, we hereby align ourselves with the efforts of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive to mitigate the hardships that are currently being borne by our customers and other citizens all over the country.

“We commend the Federal Legislators, the Executive arm and The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for their initiative and we are committed to working with them to ensure more efficient power supply within this difficult period, as the nation battles with the ravages of COVID-19.

“We are also completely aligned with the plans to ensure palliative measures, including free electricity supply to all Nigerians for two months, to make life easier, during the lockdown period. Details of implementation to come soon.”

The statement reiterated its commitment to improving service delivery to the nation during this pandemic period and thereafter.

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Thursday denied news making the rounds that it has spent over a billion naira on short message service.

“The headline claiming that NCDC has spent N1 billion on SMS to Nigerians is FALSE,” NCDC tweeted.

“While communication through SMS is a key part of our #COVID19 response strategy, this has been largely provided as in-kind support by by @AirtelNigeria, @MTNNG, @GloWorld,” the health institute added.

The public health institute was however silent on how much it has spent so far.

The denial comes after a few news platforms claimed that the NCDC has spent one billion naira on short message service since the index case of coronavirus was reported in the country.

NCDC launched different service to engage Nigerians on how to curtail the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. The centre late last month also launched WhatsApp service.

It explained that the newly launched platform allows for a two-way engagement on WhatsApp, which would aid conversation between it and the people.

According to the NCDC, real-time messages will be sent to Nigerians who opt into the service while they can also engage directly with the centre.

As of Wednesday, Nigeria has recorded 276 cases of coronavirus, Lagos has the highest number of cases with 145 cases followed by Abuja with 54. Forty-four patients have been discharged, while six COVID-19 deaths have been recorded.

Mankind was created by Allah and was strengthened with the Glorious Qur’an to guide him in all his endeavors. Allah says in the Qur’an thus: “This is the Book (the Qur’an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who fear Allah” (Qur’an 2:2). In another chapter, Allah says: “There is not an animal (that lives) on the earth, nor a being that flies on its wings but (forms part of) communities like you. Nothing have We omitted from the Book (for man’s guidance), and they (all) shall be gathered to their Lord in the end” (Qur’an 6:38).

To convey this message of guidance to mankind, Allah chose the best of His creatures for this purpose and imbued him with extraordinary wisdom. He equally equipped him with uncommon kindness which enabled him to relate with his followers cordially in order to pass the message to them smoothly. This choice of Allah is Muhammad (SAW), who He describes as a mercy to the entire creation (Qur’an 21:107). Among other things, Allah taught His Messenger that honey contains “healing for mankind” (Qur’an 16:69).

Muhammad (SAW) delivered this message comprehensively and excellently to the extent that he addressed every facet of human endeavourincluding healthcare and medicine. Through his Prophetic Medicine, Muhammad (SAW) taught his companions and followers various forms of medical treatment for various diseases.

One of the outstanding medicines used by the Prophet (SAW) is the black seed as well as honey. Of the efficacy of the black seed, the Prophet (SAW) said, as reported by Abu Hurayrah: “Utilise the black seed for without doubt, it is a cure for all sicknesses except death.” He was also reported to have said in Sahih Bukhari, “Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur’an is a remedy for all illnesses of the mind. Therefore, I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur’an and honey.”

Relying on the pronouncements of the Prophet (SAW), generations of Muslims after the Prophet have continued to use the black seed for the treatment of respiratory conditions and digestive disorders, including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation and hemorrhoid. Other health conditions which the black seed can be used to treat include asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, the swine flu and congestive heart disease.

Honey, on its part, offers remarkable antiseptic, antioxidant and immune boosting properties for the human body. Apart from fighting infection and helping in tissue healing, honey also reduces inflammation and it is useful for digestive problems also such as indigestion, stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis.

In the current global fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, mni, CFR, calls on the World Health Organisation (WHO), medical researchers and all those who are struggling to find a cure for the virulent virus to consider the Prophet’s statements on the black seed and honey for research purposes because they both havea lot of potential for the cure of COVID-19.

This call is hinged on the testimony of the Governor of Oyo State, EngrSeyiMakinde,who just survived COVID-19 infection. In givinghis testimony on how he was healed, he is reported to have said:

My very good friend and brother, Dr MuyideenOlatunji, is the one in charge of the primary health care for Oyo State. He came to me and said, look, I am going to send you this black seed oil, it boosts immunity. So I mixed it with honey and took one tea spoon in the morning and in the evening. So, there are local solutions to boost immunity. Our people should not fret. Just as I have been able to get the virus out of my system, so will it be for majority of our people.

So, we urge Muslims especially and Nigerians at large to take note of this and do the needful when the need arises.

We also call on Muslims to continue to abide by the directives of government and health authorities: wash your hands regularly, keep social distance and avoid crowded places. This period calls for a sober reflection: what is our relationship with Allah?

We should always remember that Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in their hearts (Qur’an 13:11).

May Allah remove this fitnah called COVID-19 from our midst and grant us His divine pleasure.

Signed

Alhaji Yusuf Nwoha

for: Secretary General, NSCIA

Friday 27th March 2020 would continue to be a memorable and happiest day to the family of Hon. Justice Faustina Kola-Olalere, Presiding Judge of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Portharcourt Judicial division, as families, friends, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the holy matrimony of her Son Peter Kayode Olalere and his heartthrob Praise Toluwanimi Adio.

We pray God to grant the couple everlasting joy and happiness that stays for a lifetime.

President Buhari has commiserated with families who lost loved ones, and all those affected by explosion in Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, on Sunday March 15th.

In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President condoled with the Lagos State government and all residents affected by the unfortunate incident, which left many injured and destroyed property.

“I have received with sadness the news of this unfortunate incident which caused loss of lives and property. A misfortune of whatever scale anywhere is a tragedy to the country, and while the NNPC makes efforts to determine the cause of the incident, I send my deepest and profound sympathises to the victims, their families, government and people of Lagos State.” the statement read