Good Morning.
We are covering INEC’s guidelines for elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, the continued search for a vaccine for COVID-19 and the dampening numbers from the National Bureau of Statistics.
INEC releases guidelines for elections
In spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, is going ahead to hold elections in some states.
On Monday, the electoral umpire released guidelines for the conduct of the Governorship polls in Edo and Ondo states, holding on September 19 and October 10.
Apart from the Governorship polls, INEC has also fixed dates for the four postponed bye-elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Plateau states.
Dig Deeper: In this report, our political correspondent, Seun Okinbaloye gives some insight into the provisions of the new guidelines.
Comment: In this interview, former Country Director of Action Aid and an Election Observer, Dr. Oseni Abdul, weighs in on INEC’s decision to continue with elections amid a pandemic.
WHO suspends Hydroxychloroquine trial
The World Health Organization said Monday it had “temporarily” suspended clinical trials of hydroxychloroquine as a potential treatment for COVID-19 being carried out across a range of countries as a precautionary measure.
The decision came after the publication last week of a study in the Lancet indicating that using the drug on COVID-19 patients could increase their likelihood of dying, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference.
Quotable: “We’re just acting by precaution,” WHO emergencies chief Michael Ryan, said.
In-depth: Our correspondent, Dare Idowu, considers the key steps towards developing a safe and effective vaccine and how close we are.
Comment: A Professor of Toxicology, Onyi Nwagbara, sheds more light on what it takes to design a vaccine for COVID-19.
Tally: On Monday night, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported 229 new cases of the novel coronavirus. As usual, Lagos, posted the highest number of cases, with 90.
Jigawa: Some 32 patients have been discharged from its isolation centre. This brings the total number of recovered patients in the state to 143.
Related: 69 Nigerians arrived in the country on Monday from Lebanon. The majority were trafficked girls.
Anambra Blocks River Niger Bridge
The battle to keep out COVID-19 in Anambra took a different turn after the government blocked the Onitsha end of the River Niger Bridge. The blockade resulted in traffic gridlock and stranded passengers.
Another angle: Governor Abdullahi Ganduje facilitated the release of 300 inmates of correctional centres in Kano to promote decongestion.
Economy Grows But Decline Evident
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the first quarter on Monday. While GDP grew by 1.87 %, growth contracted compared to the same period in 2019.
Warning: The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) said the real impact of COVID-19 will be felt from the second quarter GDP result.
Abroad: Meanwhile, oil prices eased in early trade on Monday over rising tensions between the United States and China.
What else is happening?
Nasarawa: Some young persons are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to put their creativity to work as they engage in the production of face-masks.
Bauchi: Two babies, aged four and eleven months, are among newly discharged patients from isolation centres.
Borno: At least two people have died after over 1,600 shelters were gutted by fire at the Muna Garage camp for Internally Displaced People (IDP).
Africa Day: President Muhammadu Buhari has called for leaders on the continent to move away from military force and embrace peace and development.
And that’s all for today’s briefing. See you tomorrow morning.
Solomon.