Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
President Muhammadu Buhari has tested negative to coronavirus following a test conducted on Tuesday. The test became necessary after his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari tested positive to coronavirus. Kyari, who was sighted after Jum’aat prayers on Friday, was not seen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today He was believed to have contracted the disease after his recent trip abroad.
A presidential aide confirmed the story, adding that an official statement will be issued later. The virus is spreading fast in Nigeria and the number of confirmed cases has now risen to 42 as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Monday evening confirmed four new cases in the country.
The centre said three of the new cases were in Lagos State and one in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “Two of these cases are returning travellers,” the centre said. Two of the 42 confirmed cases in Nigeria have been discharged while one death has been recorded .
The NCDC also confirmed first death from the disease last Monday. Consequently, the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, called for a total lockdown in Nigeria. Mrs Buhari, in a tweet on Monday, commended the recent school lockdown in the country but described the act as counterproductive if parents still go to work.
She had announced last Thursday that one of her daughters who returned from the United Kingdom earlier in the day has been self-isolated. The President’s wife said in her tweet: “It is commendable that state governors have closed down schools; however, this could be counterproductive if parents are still going to work. We should not isolate students and expose their parents. Let us remember that they will meet at home.” And last night, the Federal Government directed federal civil servants from Grade Level 12 and below to stay and work from home with effect from today, to stem the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, gave the directive in a circular with reference number: HCSF/109/SJ/1/100 and titled “Compulsory stay at home of non-essential public servants on Grade Level 12 and below as a further measure to curtail the spread of Covid-19”.
“Government is concerned about the welfare and safety of all public servants just as it is about other Nigerians. All public servants are, therefore, strongly advised to follow the measures being put in place by government to curtail the spread of the pandemic,” the circular stated in part.
