BREAKING: Nigerian Senate shuts down as several senators test positive for coronavirus

BREAKING: Nigerian Senate shuts down as several senators test positive for coronavirus

The Nigerian Senate has on Tuesday 24th March 2020 announced the shutting down of the senate for two weeks.

The Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan has made the announcement of the shutdown after a two-hour closed door session of the law makers.

The shut down according to the senate president will last for two weeks, and all things being equal, the house would resume on the 7th of April 2020.

In addition to the announcement of the Senate’s shutdown, they also requested the Federal Government to allocate funds specifically to fight the ravaging scourge of Coronavirus. The senate president in further statements requested that the Federal Government should assist states with emergency funds to fight the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Senate President, in another statement admonished his senate colleagues to ensure that they watch out and stay safe from the monstrous virus, Covid-19.  He also asked the Senate Committee on Health and Communicable Disease to expedite action to ensure proper coordination of activities in order to put the coronavirus pandemic under control.

Report edited by Obinna Ejianya @obinna_ejianya

9News Nigeria @9newsng

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COVID-19: Presidency Restricts Villa Coverage To 13 Media Houses

The Presidency has scaled down the coverage of the State House by media houses to only 13 in the wake of coronavirus spread to the seat of power.

The restrictions will be in place “until further notice as the coronavirus incident indicates.”

It said the decision was in compliance with the “social distancing” rule and accommodation of not more than 50 persons at any gathering.

The 13 media houses allowed to have access to the Villa henceforth are Deutsche Welle, NTA, Channels TV, TVC, FRCN, VON, NAN, The Sun, ThisDay, Leadership, Daily Trust, The Guardian and Vanguard.

A statement by the Director of Information, State House, Mr Attah Esa, said the Presidency had scaled down the number of staff in other departments as well, noting that “over 100” correspondents gathering for work daily was not in line with the social distancing rule and overcrowding.

The restrictions take effect from today.

Findings indicated that the directive was part of efforts that may gradually lead to shutting down the Villa, except for essential services.

It came amid reports on Tuesday that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari, and three of his members of staff, tested positive for coronavirus.