COVID-19: Fears In Cross River Over Cameroon

By

-

March 31, 2020

By Ebere Levi

Cross River state capital, Calabar remains safe from the ravaging global pandemic, Coronavirus, code-named COVID-19, even as residents continue to adopt measures against the scourge.

Keep Your Hands

Handshake is now virtually a taboo in the capital, as people resort to sign, and in most cases, elbow greetings.

Social Distancing is also strictly adhered to in the state. Last week, a young man who stretched out his hand to greet a friend at an Eatery located at Mariam Road, got the shock of his life when the friend ignored him, jokingly telling him, “keep your hand to yourself”

No Mask, No Movement

Tuesday, the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, inaugurated a COVID-19 Response Team, a Taskforce charged with ensuring that Cross River remains free from the pandemic.

In line with strict preventive measures introduced by the state government, the inauguration was done at an open field in the governor’s office complex as opposed to the usually over-crowded Executive Chambers of the governor’s office.

President Muhammadu Buhari — **Buhari:** Needs to secure Cross River against COVID-19 in Cameroon?

Nose and face masks are adorned by almost all Calabar residents, young and old, including government officials.

At the inauguration of the COVID-19 Response Team, the Governor announced that from next week, nobody would be allowed on the streets of Calabar without wearing nose and face masks.

Monday, Ayade recalled workers of the state-owned Calabar Garment Factory for the mass production of the masks. The workers had, last week, been sent home as a result of the partial lockdown of the state announced by the government.

Because of Cameroon, Give us Special Attention

Hemmed in from virtually all corners of the state by the Republic of Cameroon, which is currently battling the scourge, and Ebonyi state where suspected cases have been reported, people of the state are apprehensive, and are calling on the federal government for special intervention.

Professor Ayade joined in the appeal Tuesday during the inauguration: “Cross River is an international border state, and with the incident in Cameroon, I call on President Muhammadu Buhari, I call on the Minister of Health to treat Cross River in a very peculiar way. We need the obvious and express attention of the federal government”

#500M, 20 Vehicles

The governor announced the release of N500m and 20 vehicles to support the activities of the Respons team, saying it was the desire of his administration to ensure Cross River remained Covid 19-free.

While charging the task force which is headed by the youthful Commissioner for Health, Dr.Betta Edu, Ayade said: “You are all aware that there is no unanimity about the history of this global pandemic but Cross River, as a state governed by two Professors, we must find ways and provide a leading direction at the sub-national level.

It is, therefore, our desire to ensure that Cross River continues to maintain zero incidence as far as this pandemic is concerned.”

Spelling out the mandate of the taskforce, Ayade said: “To achieve this, we are hereby setting up this Taskforce whose core mandate is to guarantee the full implementation of the lockdown of our borders to ensure that medicines, food supplies and welfare packages are made available to our people.

“We are sensitive to the challenges of locking down a state where people have barely earned their last salary, therefore, the social sensitivity of our lockdown must reflect in the subsequent actions we take. Against this background, I’m setting up a this taskforce with subcommittees. As I said before, this taskforce is to realise a COVID-19- free Cross River.”

Governor Ayade lamented the effect of partial lock down on the people of the state but assured of palliative measures to cushion the effects.

“Let me inform you, also, that we have recalled workers at the garment factory for the mass production of face and nose masks to protect our citizens.

“The closure of our borders no doubt has come with adverse consequences for our people. I have a moral obligation to give our people protection. With a heavy sense of burden, with spiritual consciousness that I have a responsibility to those who in search of their daily living have been affected by this border closure. It is against this background therefore, that I’m asking the Chairman of this taskforce to expedite action in ensuring that in all of those border points, proper screenings must take place so that all those who are free must get all the necessary medical supplies- sanitizers, nose masks etc.

“We are going to release the sum of N500m in the first instance. I will like to announce also that we have received the sum of N28M from UBA, we are also going to get support from Zenith Bank and First Bank. We hope that other corporate organisations will at this time come to our rescue.”

According to the governor, “As a state whose last allocation was little above N1b, Cross River cannot afford to have even a single COVID 19 incident, so prevention indeed is better than cure. And to achieve this, public fumigation of public centres becomes imperative.

Osagie Ehanire DR — **Dr Osagie Ehanire, Health Minister:** Battling the pandemic.

Food Bank for the Vulnerable

Ayade further charged members of the Response Team: “You are also to ensure that citizens have access to food, access to livelihood because after the Coronavirus comes humanity. And so we must be careful so that we don’t create social vices- increased in criminality because of lack of food.That is why the Food Bank Director- General must recognize that food supplies to the various local governments are essential.”

Commissioner as Food Coordinators

He mandated all his Commissioners to ensure that food supplies from the Cross River Food Bank get to their local governments: ” I use this opportunity to announce that all Commissioners are the Food Coordinating officers, supplies coordinating officers for their various local governments areas”

Ajax FC Terminates Contract Of Youngster After Three Years In Coma; Family Sues Club

By

The Source

-

March 31, 2020

0

By Akinwale Kasali

The family of former Ajax Football Club of Netherlands Youngster, Abdelhak Nouri, has taken legal action against the Dutch Club Side for terminating the contract of the footballer.

Nouri had severely damaged his brain, and has been in coma since collapsing, three seasons ago, the Dutch Daily De Telegraaf said Tuesday.

The club intervened ahead of the July 1 date when the contract was due to be renew for the 22-year-old who had collapsed while warming up for a pre-season friendly against German club, Werder Bremen in July 2017.

Known to fans and teammates as Appie, Nouri, joined the Amsterdam club aged seven, and developed into a teenage sensation.

In 2018, Ajax agreed to pay for his medical care for life due to the player’s inability to live independently, following his debilitating brain damage.

The Club has however backed out of the initial plan to cater for the player for life, forcing his family to file a suit against the club. It was determined that the player had received inadequate care after his collapse which was triggered by heart problems, querying the rationale behind the club’s decision to terminate his contract as against the previous agreement.

Coronavirus: Nigerians Groan Over Hike In Food Prices

By

The Source

-

March 31, 2020

0

By Akinwale Kasali

Sellers of food stuffs and commodities are capitalising on the shutting down of markets, and the restrictions placed on movements, to make a kill. They have inflated the prices of commodities by over a 100 %.

Helpless buyers are complaining.

Buyers are also angry, and have frowned at this development. Consequently, they are calling on the government to look into this issue urgently.

For example, before the Sunday broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari which locked down two States – Lagos and Ogun – as well as Abuja, and gave a tacit support to the closure of state borders by state governors, in a bid to contain the spread of Coronavirus, a Derica of Rice went for N350 but now it is being sold for between N420-450.

The price of Cassava flakes, popularly known as Garri, has also skyrocketed.

It increased from N500 per plastic paint to N1,000. In some parts of the country, it is selling for as high as N2,000.

Spaghetti, which sold for between N200-220 has increased to N250-270 depending on the brand of Spaghetti one is buying.

A sachet of pure water is selling for 20 naira, as against 10 naira.

In a chat with some residents in Iyana Ipaja, Ikeja and Alimosho Local Government Areas of Lagos State, unarguably the most populous areas in the State, they lamented that government needs to curtail the excesses of these sellers, who have cashed in on the present situation to hike the prices of commodities.

A shocked buyer, Mrs William, lamented:

“This is Nigeria for you. Any opportunity like this, we capitalise on it by inflating prices, later we will be blaming the government.

“Is it not the same Rice she has in her shop over two weeks ago that she is still selling? Why then increase it, because the demand is high. The government should look into this issue before it gets out of hand”.

Another resident, Nosa Ephraim, said that what baffles him is that it is the essential food people cannot do without that the prices are being increased.

“This is another crisis brewing if not addressed, because, how can you increase the price of Garri, that is the only available option? This is disheartening”, he concluded.

It is, however, worse in the South- east and the South-south.

In Owerri, for instance, a paint of Garri which sold for N600.00, now sells for N2,000. A bag of Rice, which sold for between N25.000 and N27,000, depending on the brand, now goes for between N35,000 and N38,000.

A Paint of Tomatoes now goes for N2,500, up from N750.00. It is the same thing in parts of the South-South.

An average tuber of yam, sells for N1,500, as against N600. And, Lemon, which profile has gone up since its unproven efficacy for Coronavirus, now sells for between three or four for N1,000, depending on the size.Co

Both the people and the traders blame this situation on the government and security personnel.

The government, they say, did not factor-in the poor man when they shut down markets and interstate borders.No Food at Home

Only those who have money can stock food items, they chorus.

Some people depend on every day sales to feed their family, they explain.

“My children and I are going to be hungry,” one woman lamented in tears. She is a widow, and had four children. The eldest is 13 years.

They also accuse security personnel of making things more difficult for the people.

For instance, even though President Buhari did not restrict the movement of food items, Soldiers in Asaba, Delta State, for example, are not allowing trucks carrying food items to drive past.

In other places in the South-east, a number of Policemen and Soldiers are making a kill by demanding bribe money from even those carrying food items, before allowing them a passage. “When we pay them to move food items, we add it to the cost when selling,” they say. They ask that such unscrupulous security personnel be called to order.

Recently in South Africa, the South African Government promulgated and gazetted, as a crime, any hike in the prices of food, and any item, whatsoever, throughout the period of the lockdown, until further notice.

Olalekan Ologbon, a social commentator said that a government that has the interest of its citizens at heart will never miss this vital aspect for any reason whatsoever.

Ologbon stressed that traders in Nigeria who have hiked the prices of food items should be made to face the wrath of the law and be severely dealt with to serve as a deterrent to others.

“The South African government, in addition, subsidized companies that produce food items, including their transportation and distribution costs.

“This was done to complement the emergence law against hike in food items, which was a total package. This is what governments do. Not only borrowing money that they plan to loot”, Ologbon concluded.

Coronavirus: Tokyo Olympics Rescheduled Dates Revealed

By

The Source

-

March 31, 2020

0

By Akinwale Kasali

New dates have been picked for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games rescheduled to the Summer of 2021.

The National Olympic Committee, NOC, and the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, had met to deliberate on favourable dates following the game’s postponement due to the deadly Pandemic, Covid-19 disease.

The games will, however, now, expected to take place from July 23rd to August 8, 2021. This will avail adequate preparation by contingents around the world.

The Paralympics Games will commence few weeks after the Olympic Games.

The Japanese Government has lost a whopping $8 Billion following the postponement of the Games.

Before the NOC announced the postponement of the Games, the Japanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Sports and Finance were optimistic that Japan could still host the world despite the Pandemic. They had hoped it would be curtailed before the scheduled date.

But the NOC thought otherwise, as Countries like the United States of America, Russia, Canada, Spain, Denmark, Norway had planned to boycott the competition if it was not postponed.

Coronavirus: Yoruba Leaders Slam Buhari Over Curfew

By

Bayo Bernard

-

March 31, 2020

0

SOYINKA URGES STATE ASSEMBLIES TO REVERSE DECISION

By Fola James

President Muhammadu Buhari has gone ahead to sign the Executive Order declaring curfew in Lagos, Ogun and FCT despite controversy that greeted the action.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Ebun Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN have expressed their reservation over the manner the president declared a curfew in the two states.

The Pan-Yoruba political group, Afenifere has also slammed the president, insisting that the decision was hasty as it did not give enough room for the people of the state to prepare.

Yinka Odumakin, the spokesman of the group said the curfew will impose more hardship on the people.

On Sunday, the president in a nationwide broadcast ordered a total shut down in the two states and FCT, as part of the federal government’s effort to stop the spread of the corona virus.

The novel disease has already killed two Nigerians while over 120 have tested positive to the global pandemic, according to the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.

“Based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020.

This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States,” Buhari said in the broadcast.

But few hours before the curfew took off, the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun said the stay-at-home order will no longer commence until Friday this week.

Abiodun said this was necessary to enable his people prepare for the emergency.

He said the president has already approved of the reversal.

But Soyinka, in his reaction to the issue said President Buhari has usurped the powers of the states’ assembly to decide on whether to impose curfew.

“Constitutional lawyers and elected representatives should kindly step into this and educate us, mere lay minds.

The worst development I can conceive is to have a situation where rational measures for the containment of the coronavirus pandemic are rejected on account of their questionable genesis.”

Does the president has the power to impose curfew, Soyinka asked?“So, before this becomes a habit, a question: does President Buhari have the powers to close down state borders? We want clear answers.

We are not in a war emergency.

Appropriately focused on measures for the saving lives, and committed to making sacrifices for the preservation of our communities, we should nonetheless remain alert to any encroachment on constitutionally demarcated powers.

We need to exercise collective vigilance, and not compromise the future by submitting to interventions that are not backed by law and constitution.”

He said the president did not act on time “A President who has been conspicuously AWOL is now alleged to have woken up after a prolonged siesta, and begun to issue orders.

Who actually instigates these orders anyway? From where do they really emerge? What happens when the orders conflict with state measures, the product of a systematic containment strategy – `including even trial-and-error and hiccups – undertaken without let or leave of the centre.

So far, the anti-COVID19 measures have proceeded along the rails of decentralised thinking, multilateral collaboration and technical exchanges between states.

I urge governors and legislators to be especially watchful. No epidemic is ever cured with constitutional piracy. It only lays down new political viruses for the future,” he said.

Adegboruwa , a human rights activist, had slammed Buhari for imposing curfew in the two states, describing it as illegal.

“Though I commend the federal and State governments for their proactive measures to combat the COVID 19 menace, this cannot be the basis for the restriction of movements or imposing total lockdown by executive proclamations,” the SAN said.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the president took the decision for the collective interest of Nigerians, as it was the right thing to do at the moment.

Malami said the President has not committed any illegality.

According to him, “It is important to inform the discerning members of the public that the President did not make a declaration of a state of emergency under Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which would have required the concurrence of both House of the National Assembly.”

He cited constitutional provision to support the act “Even at that Section 305(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) permits a proclamation of a State of Emergency to run for a period of 10 days without the approval of the National Assembly when the parliament is not in session as in the present situation wherein the National Assembly has shut down.

Adegboruwa’s is wrong, he said. “The learned silk also goofed when he questioned the President’s powers to restrict movement and claiming that such powers can only be exercised by the state governors and the respective state assemblies.

It is clear from the President’s broadcast that what His Excellency sought to address is a public emergency occasioned by a dangerous and infectious coronavirus disease.

The restriction of movement came on the heels of advice received by the President from the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, the two focal agencies in the fight against COVID-19,” the AGF said.

COVID 19: Calm In Oyo, Makinde Gets APC, PDP Support

By

Bayo Bernard

-

March 31, 2020

0

By Fola James

Agodi Secretariat, Oyo State Government House, used to be a beehive of activity. Not so anymore since the news that Governor Seyi Makinde has contracted coronavirus hit the people of the state like a thunderstorm.

On Monday, Makinde, in an address to his people revealed that he has tested positive to the global disease.

Two other governors, Nasir el Rufai of Kaduna state and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state have already tested positive for the virus.

A day after Makinde’s revelation, unusual quietness has pervaded the entire state.

Worst hit is the state secretariat which no longer experience the usual activity as politicians and civil servants maintain quietude.

The state’s helmsman has been at the frontline, rallying his people on how to contain the novel virus in the state.

Just before his result came out, the governor had led other state officials to officially open the quarantine center built by his government at Olodo town, an outskirt of the state.

In spite of the revelation, however, the governor, who has now self-isolate said he will not be discourage, as he will continue to galvanize necessary efforts needed to contain the deadly disease.

Also, the good people of the state have not abandoned him at this critical time of need.

Goodwill messages, across party lines, have been pouring across the state to support him on this fight to save more people in the state from contracting the disease.

At least three persons in the state have already tested positive to the global pandemic.

The Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, has expressed support for the governor, adding that the people of the state are with him and praying for his recovery.

According to a get-well-soon message the minister sent to the governor, he said his transparency in declaring his status has proven him as worthy leader.

The minister thanked the governor for reinforcing the need to flatten the curve of the virus by deciding to self-isolate, even though he is asymptomatic.

Dare ” Let me join all concerned citizens of Oyo State and your family and friends to wish you a quick recovery from the effect of the coronavirus.

I pray God will heal you and will see you through the period of isolation.

Thank you for the courage to be open about it and surely you will bounce back fully ready to continue to govern Oyo State.

I am certain that you will surely overcome this condition soon having promised to go into self-isolation as required.”

Meanwhile, two former governors of the state, Adebayo Alao Akala and Abiola Ajimobi have also expressed their support for Makinde, urging the people to remember their governor in prayers, irrespective of their religion.

Alao Akala said “I am saddened to receive the news of the infection of Gov. Makinde testing positive for coronavirus Jehovah Ropheka, The Lord our Healer will heal you (Exodus 15:26).

I pray to Almighty God to heal you and protect your family as you go through the self- isolation and proper treatment.

Similarly I pray for the protection of all the citizens of the state from the COVID-19.”

The former governor said the country could no longer joke with the pandemic, calling on Nigerians to maintain a high level of cleanliness to stop the disease from further spreading.

He said Nigerians should obey the stay at home order from President Muhammadu Buhari, if they want to remain alive.

Akala said “I urge my fellow Nigerians to obey the government and work collectively to stop the spread by constantly washing their hands, observing high standards of hygiene, social distancing and avoiding social gatherings.Stay at home, stay safe.”

Controversies, Claims And Confusion Trail Akure Explosions

By

Uche Mbah

-

March 31, 2020

0

By Uche Mbah

The last may not have been heard of the explosions that rocked Akure town in Ondo state, leaving a huge crater and confounding indigenous people, many of who have resorted to myths and folklore to explain it away.

Recall that an explosion rocked Akure at about 1am on Saturday March 28 , injuring 13 persons and destroying over 70 houses and making a deep crater on the Akure-Owo highway. Since then, there has been confusion over the cause of the explosion, with many fearing terrorist attack. The Police however, claimed that it was caused by an explosion from a truck carrying explosives meant for the explosives ordinance in Edo State.

According to the Ondo state commissioner of Police, Adie Odie, a truck carrying explosives developed technical faults causing the explosives to detonate and bury the vehicle in the crater. With this, they tended to explain away the non existence of vehicle wreckage at the site.

But skeptics pointed out that there is no way pieces of the wreckage will not be evident. Besides, eye witness accounts indicate that the sound of explosion was heard only once and shook the whole area around the epicenter. Explosives could have made multiple sounds.

But the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, disagreed, insisting on a different explanation for the event.

A statement by the spokesperson of the agency, Dr. Felix Ale, claimed that it may have been caused by the fall of a meteorite at the area.

“The explosion could be a natural phenomenon of a suspected fall of a meteoric from an asteroid belt on great speed from space.” Ale said:

“The global space community has a catalogue of a near-earth object that is potentially hazardous to humanity and they are constantly being monitored by organisations such as the National Space Research and Development Agency across the globe. Some of these natural occurrences may once in a while, escape observation and occur naturally as it is likely the case in the Akure explosion.”

Again, the lack of evidence of a meteorite at the site may have created doubts as to what actually caused the explosion.

American Space agency, NASA, has been warning that an asteroid with the diameter of about two miles is expected to fly close to the earth April 29, but will not hit the earth. This has created speculations that this may be a broken piece-more like a forerunner-of the asteroid that actually hit the earth. But there was no eye witness account as to the arrival.

The last time and meteorite landed in Russia, people witnessed the fireball as it landed and disintegrated Pieces of the rock were later reportedly picked for scientific research.

Meanwhile, tales have been rife in the village of mythical gods marching their feet on the area, thereby adding to the confusion.The police said they are still investigating.

Breaking: Makinde, Oyo State Governor, is COVID-19 Positive

By

The Source

-

March 30, 2020

0

By Gideon Njoku

Oyo state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has tested positive to CoronavIrus.

The Governor announced his status Monday evening via his verified Twitter handle.

Makinde becomes the third state governor to test positive for the disease. The first was Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, followed by Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el- Rufai.

Curfew: Confusion As Banks Shut In Lagos, Ogun, FCT

By

Bayo Bernard

-

March 30, 2020

0

By Fola James

Many Nigerians woke up this morning to the shock that their banks are shut for business.

This has led to frustration by those who wanted to withdraw cash, to stock up, following curfew imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Lagos, Ogun and FCT as part of the measures to stop the spread of the corona virus pandemic.

The president had directed in his nationwide broadcast on Sunday that all businesses be shut for two weeks, effective (today) Monday, March 30 by 11 pm.

Buhari however said the order would not affect those on essential services.

“This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in healthcare-related manufacturing and distribution,” Buhari said.

Those in this category, he stated are “commercial establishments such as; food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities, power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted.”

According to him” Although these establishments are exempted, access will be restricted and monitored.”

Obviously, banks are not allowed to work within this period.

But the complaint in Lagos is that people were not given enough time to prepare for the curfew.

Many of those that were caught unawares by the emergency order are now trying to make last minute withdrawals and transfers, as the case may be, particularly customers who have not been making use of the online platforms, only to find out that some banks did not open for business today.

For instance, Fidelity Bank Plc has shut many of its branches in the two states and FCT after the presidential order.

Sources in the bank said other online platforms will be available for customers who may want to conduct emergency transactions.

“The management is therefore encouraging customers to make use of the virtual platforms to conduct transactions,” the source said.

But the same cannot be said of other banks.

The maagzine observed that UBA, GT Bank, First Bank, Access and others were opened for business in some parts of Lagos on Monday.

But some employees of these banks told the magazine that, their services will be skeletal, to allow customers make last minute withdrawals and perform other transactions in preparation for the two weeks stay-at-home order by the federal government.

”We will be closing early today. The customers are many but we want to make sure that we attend to everybody before 2 pm, so that those that failed to make withdrawals by the week end could do so before the end of today,” one Access Bank employee said.

He said the ATMs will be available during the period, except that it will be difficult for customers to use them due to restriction on movement.

COVID-19: WOPC Postpones Convention

By

The Source

-

March 30, 2020

0

By Charles Igbo

For the hundreds of Owerri indegenes living in the United States of America, especially, those who are members of the World Owerri Peoples Congress Incorporated, WOPC, the times are depressing.

Their problem is in three-fold. One: They are coping with the Coronavirus ravaging the US, their place of residence. Two: They are, also, thinking of their people back home in Nigeria, a country where the disease is, gradually, but successfully spreading to.

And, now, the effect of the Virus has hit them where it hurts the Congress most.

Their annual convention where they meet to unwind, discuss issues affecting them in the US, as well as problems facing their people in Nigeria, and how to help with developmental projects back home – equipping hospitals and schools, as well as giving scholarships to bright, indigent pupils, secondary school and university students, as well as providing clean drinking water.

They also invite people from back home to brief them on the needs of their people, and, hold governments accountable.

The 2020 Convention had been scheduled to hold in Sugarland, Houston, Texas, beginning from July 16.

But no longer.

The COVID-19, has forced a postponement.

A statement by WOPC’s President, Uzoma Iheanacho, announcing the postponement, said it was a consequent of the ravaging Virus, explaining that in all things, the safety of the people, and obedience to laid down rules are paramount.

A new date, he said, will be announced in due course.

Following, excerpts from Ihenacho’s statement announcing the postponement.

“This is to inform all Owerri sons, daughters and invitees to the 2020 WOPC Convention in Sugarland/Houston, Texas, July 16-19, that the Congress of the World Owerri Peoples Congress, U.S.A Incorporated, has authorized the deferment of the 2020 Convention event till further notice.

“This action is consequent of the recommendations of the Executive council & Board of the WOPC based on the emergent global health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Executive Council & the Board of directors of the WOPC regret any inconvenience this postponement may cause to our stakeholders and invited guests.

“All should be rest assured that our first and primary concern is the health and wellbeing of our people.

“No gathering will ever be justified if such a gathering constitutes an avoidable public health risk.

“We shall communicate to all when another date is decided upon.

“We use this opportunity enjoin Nde Owerri at home and in the Diaspora to follow all the guidelines by local health authorities to be safe and contain the spread of the virus.

Thank you for keeping faith with the WOPC.”

The WOPC is the apex meeting point of the Owerri People who live in the USA