COVID-19: Hoteliers decry low patronage, chloroquine drug to undergo clinical trial, Oyo Govt orders closure of schools, FUTA, BUK, UNILAG suspend academic activities, WAEC postpones exam, Don prescribes prayer, UN Chief tests positive

The Lagos Hoteliers Association (LHA) on Friday decried low patronage in hotels, attributing it to people’s reaction to the spread of COVID-19.
The Association’s President, Mr Adekunle Akilo, said that a good number of hoteliers lamented over the low patronage during their recent meeting in Lagos.
According to him, the low patronage can also be attributed to government’s recent directives to minimise social gatherings.
He noted that visits from neighboring towns had reduced as people were trying to be careful and guide against contacting the viral disease.
“Business in hotels is now at a standstill; personally I don’t even have one customer in my hotel presently. It is that bad.
“We had a meeting yesterday with members and the major issue discussed was on how to tackle this issue of low patronage, it is the same story across board.
“We observed that visits from neighboring towns have reduced and hotel businesses cannot thrive when there are restrictions on travels,’’ he said.
The president urged the Federal Government to put into consideration the economic implications of restricting some gatherings.
He said government should rather intensify efforts in sensitising Nigerians on the precautionary measures for guidance and not stop people’s activities.
“Government is only compounding issues by stopping people from attending religious gatherings and schools; this will have adverse effect on the economy.
“We hope things will take the right shape soon anyway,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government says it will conduct a clinical trial on the effectiveness of chloroquine in the prevention or management of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) infection.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said in a statement on Friday that the clinical trial was necessary in view of the fast-spreading information that chloroquine could be effective in preventing and managing COVID-19.
Abayomi, however, said that the drug had not been ascertained as an effective treatment of Coronavirus disease, as the state was still watching the global research space to clearly define the efficiency of the drug in the control of the disease.
”We do not have any hard evidence that chloroquine is effective in preventing or managing COVID-19. We are watching the global research space to clearly define its efficiency in COVID-19,” he said.
Abayomi said that chloroquine had significant side effects, hence, it should not be used without medical supervision, as it might cause more harm than good.
He urged citizens to seek the advice of a physician and await the directive of the Ministry of Health on the use of the drug.
The commissioner urged the public not to panic, but adhere to instructions of the government, as the present administration was committed to fighting the spread of the virus.
Abayomi appealed to citizens not to take advantage of the present situation on COVID-19 to hike or hoard domestic consumables and enrich themselves.
According to him, members of the public should continue to be their brothers’ keepers and join hands with the government to curtail the pandemic.
”It is condemnable to use this situation to enrich yourselves by hoarding or hiking the prices of domestic consumables for profiteering. We should be responsible citizens in the quest to make Lagos disease-free,” he said.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has ordered closure of all schools in the state till after Easter celebration.
Makinde gave the order on Friday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting of the State Task Force on COVID-19, held at the Government House, Agodi in Ibadan.
He also suspended the ongoing state workers verification exercise and the free medical mission indefinitely.
The governor, however, advised religious centres against holding activities that would bring more than 50 persons in the same place.
He said the measure taken was to avoid the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus disease currently spreading globally.
He said emergency operation centres would be activated within 72 hours, while diagnostic centre would be set up within 72 hours.
He further announced that the Maternity and Health Centre at Olowo area in Ibadan should be redesignated as the State Infectious Diseases Hospital.
The governor said that there was no confirmed case of the disease in the state, saying that test result of a case of an individual who just returned from the UK and was observing the protocol of self-isolation had been proved negative.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the wellbeing of every resident of the state.
He assured the people of the state that his administration was doing everything in his power and working with the agencies of the Federal Government, to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
The authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has directed that all academic and related activities  in 2019/2020 session involving students, be suspended with effect from March 20 over spread of coronavirus in the country.
The directive is contained in a statement signed by the institution’s registrar, Mr Richard Arifalo, on Friday in Akure.
“Following incidence of Corona Virus infestation in parts of the country the Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA, has directed that all academic activities and related matters involving students be suspended from Friday, March 20, 2020.
“Consequently all students, except international postgraduate students, are to proceed on mid-semester break and therefore should vacate all halls of residence by today , March 20, 2020 as fumigation of halls of residence will begin immediately,” the statement read.
According to the statement, students are strongly advised to observe all prescribed precautions and hygienic practices relating to the prevention against Coronavirus and Lassa fever during and after this period.
It also enjoined the students not to engage in any activity that could endanger their lives or put their studentship in abeyance during the course of the break.
It added that the date for resumption would be communicated to them through the extant university’s channels in due course.
The statement, however, asked members of staff of the school to continue with their normal official functions, urging them to maintain proper hygiene and other prescribed anti-infection practices including social distancing.
Bayero University Kano (BUK) has suspended lectures for one month, following a circular from the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Universities Commission (NUC), ordering the closure of Univeristies to prevent the spread of Corona Virus (COVID-19) in Nigeria.
A statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Lamara Garba, revealed this on Friday.
According to the statement, “the Federal Government granted approval for the closure of all schools (including tertiary institutions) for a period of one month effective from Monday, 23rd March, 2020.
“The Management of Bayero University, Kano, considers the health and well being of its students and staff to be of utmost importance.
” Therefore, in line with the above directives and in the overall interest of the well-being of members of the University Community,
“It is hereby directed that all students are requested not to return to the University.
” Consequently, those in Campus should vacate the hostels and return to their respective homes” the statement read in part.
The BUK management said that staff of the University were expected to continue with their normal duties and were strongly advised to abide by the safety guidelines, including social distancing as issued by professionals.
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), on Friday, announced the suspension of the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates.
This is contained in a statement by the council’s Head of National Office (HNO), Mr Patrick Areghan.
The examination, which was earlier scheduled to commence on April 6, has been rescheduled for a later date.
WAEC in its decision said, ”This is as a result of the impact of the Coronavirus and the serious implications it may  have on the conduct of the examination  coupled with the anxiety it has generated among the populace.
”This decision is in demonstration of the council’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by both the federal  and state governments and that of other member countries to check the spread of the disease.
”Consequently, the earlier released time table for the conduct of the examination is hereby suspended until further notice.
”We wish to assure all candidates and their schools as well as all stakeholders and the public at large that the decision will be reviewed as soon as the health situation improves.
”We therefore enjoin all school principals presenting candidates for the examination to inform their candidates accordingly.
”A new date for the conduct of the examination will be communicated to schools and all other stakeholders in due course,”the HNO assured.
In another development, the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has implored its students and staff to adhere strictly to all recommended safety measures against the dreaded Coronavirus disease.
This is contained in a statement by the institution’s Principal Assistant Registrar, Communication Unit, Mrs. Taiwo Oloyede, in Lagos on Friday.
Oloyede said that all students of the university  had been directed to vacate the hostels latest by 4p.m on Saturday, March 21, and proceed on a month compulsory break as part of measures to prevent the spread of the virus.
”Following the increase in the identified cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, the University of Lagos Management, at a meeting held with the Provost and Deans Committee on Thursday, March 19, 2020, resolved to close the university.
”Subsequently, Senate at an emergency meeting held today, Friday, March 20, approved the resolution in accordance with the order issued by the Federal Government that all schools nationwide should be closed for the period of one month, effective from Monday, March 23,” she statement .
She noted that the  federal government decision was as a proactive step aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
”In view of the above, management hereby directs that latest by 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, all students should vacate the hostels and return to their respective homes.
“Resumption date is subject to review as developments unfold.
”Members of the university community are hereby enjoined to follow precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
”Management wishes everyone safety and good health during this period,”she added..
Dr Uthman Kankanwi of the Department of Arabic, Faculty of Arts, University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), has recommended prayers and total submission to the directives of constituted authority as potent antidotes for the prevention of Coronavirus pandemic.
Kankanwi disclosed this on Friday in his lecture at the Kobiowu Central Mosque, Awolowo road, Tanke area, Ilorin.
He maintained that all diseases are treatable, pointing out that God says there are 1,000 medications for every disease.
Kankanwi, who is the Imam of the Mosque, described the outbreak of COVID-19 as a warning signal from God, saying that the outbreak of the virus was not unconnected with our misdeeds and inhuman treatments in the society.
Kankanwi explained that nothing is happening in this world without the knowledge of the Lord, saying that God is using the virus to prove His supernatural power over all His creatures.
He said the virus can be contained with power of prayers, adding that similar diseases and agonising situations had happened to earlier human beings on earth when their misbehaviour got to the peak before God eventually showed mercy on them.
The don also appealed to people to comply with all medical advice and follow the instructions of health personnel to further halt the spread of COVID-19 in the country and beyond.
Kankanwi particularlly urged the federal government to strengthen its surveillance system in boundaries of the country, particularly the airports, seaports and at the land borders, to prevent influx of people into the country.
According to him, Islam as a religion is very clear about movement of people anytime there is an endemic, saying that it is unIslamic for people to leave or go into the community where there is outbreak of diseases.
He commended the federal and state governments for the directives on schools lockdown including some social gathering, describing the directive as in line with the Islamic point of view.
Kankanwi urged relevant government agencies and partners to utilise the money approved for the prevention of COVID-19 judiciously so that the medical personnel who will be having direct contact with suspects of the virus are protected.
Meanwhile, David Beasley, head of the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP), has announced that he had been tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“I want you to be among the first to know that in the past few hours, I have received confirmation, after testing, that I have the Covid-19 virus,’’ he said in a statement.
“I began feeling unwell this past weekend after returning to my home in the United States from an official visit to Canada and I took an early decision to go into self-quarantine, five days ago,’’ he added.
Beasley, 63, was the Republican Governor of the U.S state of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999.
He has led the Rome-based WFP, the UN’s food aid agency, since 2017.
In his statement, he said he was in good spirits with relatively light symptoms, and plans to continue working throughout the period of self-isolation which he said must now strictly observe.
Beasley also said he was working with his team at WFP to trace back anyone who he might had close contact with at a time when he was unaware of his infection.