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35 Days After Lockdown, FCT Edges Back To Life

Published

6 years ago

May 4, 2020

…Resident throngs Banks, Private owners business open, Hustling Soar

Joel Ajayi

Resident, Government offices, Banks, Private owner business, and some activities is gradually come alives in the Capital City of Nigeria after a 35 days of lockdown in the city.

Though, Educational Institutions, recreation centers, Churches, Mosques, Markets amongst amongst other were seen closed.

Restrictions on movement in the last 5 weeks are tentatively being relaxed now in FCTas life begins to return to normal.

The consensus is that the worst has passed in FCT after 5 weeks of widespread quarantine people are able to catch up with friends again.

Major streets in the city were seen busy, as movement of vehicles is second to none transporters in their numbers resumed work earnestly, Private owner business were equally seen opening their businesses.

Not only that, Hustlers in the city littered everywhere to commence the hustling, Artsian, such as car wash operators, food vendors, Mechnics, sellers were everywhere ekeing for the living.

Though Customers were not allow to enter banks en mass because of social distancing, residents in the FCT on Monday thronged various banks to do one transaction or the others.

Like a fury fire, the rates of new infections of COVID-19 continue to soar in Nigeria from data released by Nigerian Center for Diseases Control NCDC as at the 3rd of May 2020. 278 persons were affected, in the FCT as the cases of affected persons in the country rises to 2558, 400 discharged while 87 death recorded so far.

It with be recalled that on 27th of April President Muhammadu Buhari in his Nationwide broadcast anounced gradual ease of lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, 2nd May, 2020 at 9am.

According to Buhari, Based on the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, 2nd May, 2020 at 9am.

“However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos & Ogun States shall subsist remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9am.” Part of the speech read.

Also, the office of the Head of Service of the federation under the leadership of Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, stated the readiness of civil servant to resume duty in a memo dated April 30 and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, all ministers and MDAs.

The circular read: “Further to Mr. President‘s broadcast on a phased and gradual easing of the Iockdown measures occasioned by COVID-19, officers on GL. 14 and above and those on essential services are hereby directed to resume work with effect from Monday 4th May, 2020 in the first instance

“Offices are to open three times a week Monday, Wednesday and Friday and close at 2.00pm on each day. In resuming, the concerned officers are to ensure full compliance with the directives and advice on the COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures including maintenance of social distancing, regular washing and/ or sanitizing of hands and wearing of face masks.

“Officers are advised to limit the number of visitors they receive to the barest minimum and such visitors should also comply with safety and health advice/directives.

“As you are aware, the Federal Secretariat Complexes have been decontaminated while efforts are ongoing to do some in other public offices.”

The Gleamer Online News who take a short trip within the FCT On Monday reported that life is returning to FCT as some busineses, offices open their business for their day to day activities.

Federal Secretariat witnessed low turn out as only Senior and essential staff were gaining entrance while old Federal Secretariat in Area 1 follow the suit.

At the Area 7 Garki popularly known as the home of banks, Various banks has reopened all previously declared closed as the virus spread rapidly, resident besieged the banks either to withdraw or do other transaction.

Though market management FCT did not open the gate of UTC a Popular business place in Area 10, the place indeed, come back to life, as traders and hustlers in their numbers positioned themselves outside the gate to start their business while some are eargerly looking for customers.

At Area 2 Market, only fruits shops were allow to open while others shops still remain closed.

Almost all the Major roads in FCT were busy with millions of vichular movement as resident are happy to gain freedom after 35 days in Captivity.

However, the effects on livelihoods could last for many years, with lots of businesses facing bankruptcy, unemployment, losing means of livelihood, inflation jumped, and economic output in one of the Africas fastest economies was at its lowest level
in the period of quarantine.

It may be too early to do a victory lap just yet, but for anyone around the world looking for signs of positivity and hope, Nigeria would be a good place to turn to.

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Featured

Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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