AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina By Michael Eboh African Development Bank Group (AfDB), yesterday, said it has approved a new Gender Equality Trust Fund (GETF), that would unlock up to $2 billion in credit, in the first instance and further mobilise $5 billion in the long run, for women-empowered businesses in Africa. In a statement in Abuja, the AfDB explained that the GETF, which was funded by donors, would support the delivery and scale-up of the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) programme and promote gender transformative lending and non-lending operations. According to the bank, the GETF, ... more
Liverpool council’s director of public health Matthew Ashton has suggested the rise in coronavirus cases in the city may be influenced by the decision to allow the Reds’ Champions League match against Atletico Madrid to take place. There were just 14 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Liverpool on Friday, March 20, but that number has swelled to 309 less than two weeks later. MPs in Liverpool and former England striker Gary Lineker were among those questioning the wisdom of allowing 3,000 supporters from coronavirus-hit Madrid to travel for the last-16 second-leg fixture at Anfield on March 11. ALSO READ: COVID-19: ... more
By Nkiruka Nnorom The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has made another donation of N20 million to Osun State government to support its effort to cushion the effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) on Osun residents. As at today, Friday, April 3, 2020, Odin ranks third among the states with confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 30 confirmed cases out of the 198 confirmed cases in Nigeria as released by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC). The state, no doubt, would require all the support that it can get in the fight against ... more
By Perez Brisibe THE Nigerian Army, Friday night said it has arrested the two soldiers behind the viral video threatening to unleash mayhem on women in Warri, Delta State over Thursday’s attack on military personnel during a protest by youths against the killing of one Joseph Pessu. The victim was killed by security operatives after he was alleged to have refused stopping at a checkpoint by the operatives who were monitoring the 14-days lockdown order by the state government. The army authorities in a tweet on its verified twitter handle @HQNigerianarmy, said the soldiers were arrested at the ... more
***Accused keeps mum ***As Gov. Bello orders investigation Kogi State Commissioner of Water Resources, Abdumumuni Danga. PHOTO: Facebook By Boluwaji Obahopo – Lokoja A 22 years beauty queen, Elizabeth Oyeniyi, has accused Kogi State Commissioner of Water Resources, Abdumumuni Danga, of abduction, assaults and battering. The single mother of one, while narrating her ordeal to Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, said the commissioner abducted and battered her for advising him to be responsible towards his family members. Elizabeth said when she heard that the commissioner was distributing relief materials for Covid19, she made a post on social media asking him to ... more
…urge Deltans to disregard trending threat video clip by two soldiers By Festus Ahon, Asaba Against the rumour making the rounds, Delta State Government has said soldiers were not killed in Warri, Delta State, urging the public, particularly Deltans, to discountenance video clips purportedly on Warri residents defying the stay-at-home order of the state government over the Coronavirus pandemic. The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who made the clarification in a statement, said Warri residents did not confront security operatives, let alone killing soldiers, saying the videos were “concocted and therefore, fake”. Aniagwu said the concocted videos ... more
Ola Ajayi – Ibadan He said this just as he disclosed that volunteers will start training as from today. Alonge, who is the former Chief Medical Director of the University College Hospital, Ibadan said: “As of yesterday, we are tracking close to 140 people and the concept is not to track them and ask them to leave their homes. The level of contact is variable. If I am speaking to you from about three to four metres, that does not contact because I am not sneezing into the air. That level of contact is so low that we ... more
IMF Says over 90 seeking IMF financial assistance Emma Ujah The Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms Kristalina Georgieva, has said that COVID-19 has created an economic crisis worse than what the world economy experienced under the global financial crisis in 2008. “It is way worse than the global financial crisis of 2008-09,” she said during a press conference, jointly addressed with the Director-General (D-G) of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, in Washington D.C., today. She added: “Never in the history of the IMF have we witnessed the world economy come to a ... more
By Dayo Johnson – Akure Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State says today on his verified Twitter handle that “We have just received confirmation of our first positive #COVIDー19 case in Ondo State this evening. The infected person is currently under isolation and will be monitored. We have activated all necessary protocol to locate all contacts and will be working closely with @NCDCgov. “The infected is in very stable condition and we ask for calm from all in Ondo State. We are on top of this and ask that our citizens continue to follow all preventive measures to ensure ... more
By Chris Ochayi The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has directed its personnel detailed on enforcement of the Presidential directive on lockdown and other states restrictions to be tolerance, civility, courteousness in dealing with the citizens. The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, who gave the directive via a statement in Abuja, however, cautioned the Corps to resist just anything that could lead to the torture or harassment of lockdown violators apprehended during the enforcement patrol. Oyeyemi, speaking through the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, cautioned the personnel to be highly professional at this critical time ... more
Liverpool FC manager, Jurgen Klopp Germany have identified Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as the man to take over from Joachim Low in the national team dugout. Since arriving at Anfield in 2015, Klopp has guided Liverpool to 155 victories from 256 games in charge, and the 57-year-old is committed to the Champions League holders until 2024. ALSO READ: COVID-19: FG urges states to provide 300-bed facility each However, according to The Mirror, Klopp has privately admitted that Liverpool is likely to be his last managerial role at club level, and he is said to have taken an interest in the ... more
“Tiger King” star Joe Exotic, 57, has been transferred from coronavirus isolation to a prison medical center. Inmate records show Thursday that Joseph “Exotic” Maldonado-Passage, is currently located at the Federal Bureau of Prisons-operated Federal Medical Center Forth Worth in Texas. Exotic’s fourth husband, 24-year-old bartender Dillon Passage, told Andy Cohen that Exotic had previously been isolated at the Grady County Jail in Chickasha, Oklahoma, over coronavirus concerns. The facility is an hour’s drive from Exotic’s former zoo, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park. ALSO READ: COVID-19: Challenges of growing economy in competitive environment The facility “put him on COVID-19 ... more
A fuel pump (stock photo). The Ibadan branch of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says its members will not sell the petroleum motor spirit (PMS) below N125 per litre. This is contained in a circular signed by its Secretary, Alhaji Ismail Abdul-Majeed, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Ibadan. READ ALSO:COVID-19: 23 persons placed on supervised isolation in Benue ― Health Comm Recalls that the Federal Government had within the last few weeks announced a downward review twice from its initial N145. The Federal Government had reduced the prices of petrol to N125 and later N123.50k. ... more
As part of efforts to stem the spread o the COVID-19 scourge, Youth and Sports Development Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare has teamed up with some Nigerian sports icons and the Nigerian Olympic Committee, NOC on a massive awareness campaign to educate people on keeping safe. Iconic sports stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Mary Onyali, Blessing Okagbare, Tobi Amusan, Eniefiok Udo-Obong, Segun Odegbami, Samsom Siasia, Funke Oshinaike, Chika Chukwumerije, Ahmed Musa, President of the Nigerian Olympic committee Ahmed Gumel among others are leading the campaign of educating Nigerians and the world to fight the dreaded COVID-19 virus. ... more
Ortom to make outcome of test result public when ready By Peter Duru- Makurdi The Secretary of Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19 and Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Sunday Ongbabo, says 23 persons who allegedly had close contact with the Benue index case have been traced by his surveillance team and placed on supervised isolation. Dr Ongbabo who made the disclosure yesterday in Makurdi told Vanguardthat the staff of the private hospital where the index case had earlier sought medical attention in Makurdi were also on supervised isolation by the state government. He said: “We ... more
Guy Ikokwu Chief Ikokwu, the Chairman of the defunct Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) in the old Anambra State in the Second Republic has said that the South East “must remain vigilant and not take things for granted” since the insurgent group, Boko Haram, “has threatened to attack the South-East. The elder Statesman and politician during an interview with Vanguard advised South East people to critically study the ongoing economic and biochemical clashes between the Western and Eastern nations. “From the millennial creation of humans and animals it has been wars and bickering everywhere and survival of the fittest in ... more
Peoples Democratic Party …Stands with Nigerians against security brutality The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vehemently condemns the extra-judicial execution of an innocent Nigerian by the security operatives in Warri, Delta state, on Thursday. The PDP also condemns reported brutalization of Nigerians in many parts of the country by security forces under the guise of enforcing the lockdown order to check the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in our country. The PDP insists that such acts of violence against our citizens cannot be condoned or justified under any guise whatsoever. The party calls on Nigerians to hold the Buhari Presidency and ... more
Perez Brisibe The Imams for the Ughelli main Mosque and Okorodafe Mosque were both invited by the Police following Friday Jumat services in the mosques despite the 14-day lockdown ordered by the Delta State Government. Hundreds of Muslims had despite the lockdown, stormed the Mosques in flagrant disregard of the order by the state government which was done to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state. Angered by the position of the Muslim faithful, the Ughelli Police Commander, ACP Adamu Lawal Shinkafi had summoned the Imams of the two Mosques for a meeting which was still ongoing as ... more
Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigeress’s captain, Evelyn Akhator has said that the team are not in a good shape to participate in the 2020 Olympics. Akhator, therefore, submitted that the forced coronavirus postponement of the event was a blessing in disguise. The D’Tigeress qualified for the first since 2004 for the Olympics and Nigerian basketball enthusiasts were hoping that in Tokyo 2020, the team will improve upon their 11th placing at the Athens Games, but according to Akhator, the team is not ready to compete if the Games were to start on July 24, 2020. ALSO READ: Covid-19: FG ... more
Social distancing. Photo: Google Peru and Panama both started on Thursday limiting the times men and women can leave their homes in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Amid a strict quarantine in Peru, President Martin Vizcarra said on Thursday that men and women will only be allowed to leave their homes on designated days divided by gender. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only men will be able to leave their homes to stock up. Women can go out on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Nobody will be allowed to leave home on Sunday. “We ... more
By Chinonso Alozie – Owerri The State Chairman, Imo state Hoteliers Association, Chima Chukwunyere, has said that the figures of those quarantined at the fancy hotel Umuguma, in Owerri, were 30 in number. Chukwunyere spoke in Owerri, on Friday, as he called on the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, to tell Nigerians whether Christigonus Aguwa, owner of the fancy hotel, died of COVID-19 virus or not. He said among other things while recalling that, “Aguwa, returned back from outside the country, and visited his hotel within that period he was in a critical situation ... more
Netflix led rivals YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ with more than 59 million installs in the first quarter of 2020, but more time was spent on YouTube’s Kids service as usage boomed following the shutdown of thousands of schools in March. YouTube, owned by Alphabet’s Google, collected $110 million in in-app spending during the same time period, the highest among major streaming apps globally, according to a report by analytics firms Apptopia and Braze. ALSO READ: Black Friday: Fallen container laden truck kills one in multiple auto-crash in Lagos The report did not give actual hours of usage, but ranked ... more
The Lagos SWAN family has joined thousands across the world to commiserate with the family of the Izamojes over the death of their matriarch, Madam Felicia Ewere Izamoje. The Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association, Debo Oshundun, expressed sadness at what he described as an irreparable loss while commiserating with the family of one of its members, Dr. Larry Izamoje, CEO of Sports Radio, 88.9 Brila FM. ALSO READ: Ebonyi to prosecute security personnel caught collecting bribe “Mama deserved to rest from all earthly toils, but no matter the age of our loved ones when they ... more
Arogbonlo Israel Following the allegations of assault, battery and other serious crimes levelled against the Commissioner of Water Resources, Abdulmumini Danga, the Kogi State Government has said it would uphold the path of justice over the matter. This was disclosed, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo in Lokoja recently. The statement reads apart; ALSO READ: We’re now homeless, widower of slain Kogi PDP Woman leader cries out, seeks justice “The attention of the Kogi State Government has been drawn to the allegations of assault, battery and other serious crimes levelled against the ... more
By Abayomi Adeshida – Abuja An America-based Non-profit group, Equal Rights for Persons with Disabilities International, has urged the Federal Government to leverage on the foundation laid by the Obasanjo administration thirteen years ago to protect over thirty million Nigerians with disability from deadly diseases including the ravaging COVID-19 that is currently increasing in Nigeria. In a widely circulated statement that was signed by it’s President, Chief Eric Ufom, it implored the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the UN document signed by the Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo to provide adequate protection from the current COVID-19 ... more
Obafemi Awolowo Elder Statesman, lawyer, and politician, Chief Guy Ikokwu, has claimed that indecision by the Yoruba delegation’s denied Obafemi Awolowo a Yoruba/Igbo joint presidential ticket. According to the 83-year-old; “We met Zik at Nsukka and Awo in Apapa, Lagos. Our team included statesmen like Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya. Dr Abubakar Rimi. Chief Solomon Lar. We agreed to have a common united political front to stop the domineering Fulani jihadist tactics in Nigeria. “Both Zik and Awo gave us their blessing and we organized the biggest party conference for the public in Enugu, which was attended by both leaders and ... more
Victor Ogunyinka Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has announced that four patients of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital after testing negative. Babajide shared what he termed “more great news” on his Twitter handle. This brings the total number of recovered persons from the coronavirus disease to 23. “More great news from our Infectious Disease Hospital as 4 patients; 3 females and 1 male have recovered fully, tested negative twice and have been discharged. This gives us a lot of hope as we continue to listen to our health experts and provide the resources to ... more
Police in South Africa on Thursday forced the evacuation of hundreds of foreign migrants who had been sheltering in a church premise for months. Wearing riot gear, the police officers broke down the front door of the church and forced their way. The migrants refused to leave the church, demanding that the government relocates them. ALSO READ: Russian PM says coronavirus situation could become worst case scenario “People here at the church were still concerned about their own issues and were not entirely happy but there is nothing we can do, we have to make sure everybody is safe and everyone ... more
Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (C) Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-min will report to a marines boot camp later this month to fulfil military service duties, a report said Thursday. All able-bodied South Korean men are obliged to serve in the military for nearly two years, making up the bulk of Seoul’s 600,000-strong forces — who face off against North Korea’s army of 1.3 million. But Son was spared a career-threatening stint as a conscript when South Korea took gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, earning the team an exemption. ALSO READ:Tottenham accounts ... more
Deontay Wilder Mike Tyson was honored in the ring as a heavyweight icon and then proceeded to sit ringside to watch the rematch between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas. Tyson said the one-sided victory for the British boxer was a result of Wilder (42-1-1, 41 KOs) failing to show up to the grand occasion against the newly crowned WBC champion Fury (30-0-1, 21 KOs). “The first fight, [Wilder] fought with confidence like he could win. In this fight, he fought like he didn’t have no zest, no life in him. I don’t think ... more
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Ibijoke, have tested negative for the coronavirus disease. The state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, made this known on his official Twitter account under his #COVID19Lagos Update tweets on Friday. Abayomi also revealed that personal aides of the governor and the first lady who got tested for coronavirus were all negative. Also read: COVID-19: Nigeria records 10 new cases as confirmed cases rise to 184 ”I am happy to announce that #COVID19Lagos Incident Commander, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu, the First Lady of Lagos @jokesanwoolu and their immediate family members, ... more
By Chinonso Alozie – Owerri The Imo State Commissioner for Special Projects, Simon Ebegbulem, yesterday called on the state Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Fafowora, to unravel the sponsors of the murder of three persons in Umuike Ndiowere community in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of the state. The commissioner made this call in Owerri while expressing the grief suffered by his people regarding the killings. Just as he asked Fafowora, to do everything professionally to investigate the six persons the villagers had arrested and handed over to the police, so as to enable him to uncover how the suspects ... more
Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai By Ibrahim Hassan The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Tukur Buratai,has led troops to special forces push ups so as to further demonstrate the importance of physical fitness to the military. Butatai was at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry ,Jaji near Kaduna on a one day working visit where he assessed the level of a tailor made Special Forces training. This was contained in a statement signed by Col. Sagir Musa, Acting Director Army Public Relations,issued to Vanguard on Friday. The Special Forces comprised of elements of 81 Battalion ... more
herdsmen By Marie-Therese Nanlong After months of reprieve, violence has erupted in some communities in the Irigwe Chiefdom of Bassa Local government area of Plateau State as locals raise alarm over fresh invasion of their communities by night attackers. The recent incidents have caused set back to the peace efforts in the area as the people say isolated attacks had been ongoing in the last two weeks. It would be recalled that frantic calls were made by residents of Teigbe and other neighbouring communities on Thursday night about an invasion by people they say are Fulani herders ... more
. The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is expecting 27 ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods from April 3 to April 10. The NPA stated this in its publication, `Shipping Position’, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency o in Lagos on Friday. READ ALSO:Coronavirus: The rent is due but many Americans can’t pay the bills According to it, the ships are expected to arrive at the Lagos Port Complex from April 3. The publication said that the ships would be bringing into the country : bulk ... more
Muslims praying By Ishola Balogun The Chief Imam of Lagos State Sheikh Sulaymon Abou-Nolla and Baba Adinni of Lagos Sheikh AbdulHafeez Abou have directed the divisional imams and all Muslims in the state to pray for speedy containment of COVID-19. The duo in a separate message to Muslims urged all Muslims to beseech Allah at their various homes against the spread of the disease. “In view of this, we directed the divisional imams to include speedy containment of the virus in all their five daily prayers, whether individually or in congregation. He stressed that maintaining social distancing and complying ... more
Coronavirus fever has taken a strange turn in India, with a couple naming their newborn twins Corona and COVID – reportedly to remind them about the hard times they are enduring amid the epidemic. As India is under a nationwide lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus, a couple from the Indian city of Raipur found unusual inspiration from the situation. They decided to name their boy Covid and their girl Corona. ALSO READ: Can your faith overcome the fear of Coronavirus? The 27-year-old mother told PTI news agency that these will be their names for now, but ... more
By Evelyn Usman Crime rate has dropped drastically in most parts of Lagos, following the lockdown, as pickpockets have been rendered useless because their prey has been forced to remain indoors. Workers and traders who usually left their abodes before 5am, are also heaving sighs of relief, from the incessant attacks by robbers who operate on motorcycles. Traffic robbers, Catch-in-the-air robbery gangs and robbers who attack customers coming from banks also have their own share of regrets, following the forced break-in operation, owing to the lockdown in Lagos, especially. ALSO READ: Cybercrime, e-fraud, major challenges facing telecommunication users — NCC ... more
The Federal Government has asked Governors to provide, at least, 300-bed space facilities in their respective state “in case of upsurge in the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic spreading across the country”. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this on Friday in Abuja, when he featured on a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum to update Nigerians on government’s efforts to contain the disease. Mohammed, who is a member of the Presidential Task Force for the Control of Coronavirus, said that the facilities would serve as isolation centres and Intensive Care Units for covid-19 patients. ... more
Illustrative, Medical staff By Ishola Balogun As victims of COVID-19 contend with the treatment, trauma of isolation, others at home are finding it extremely stressful to deal with the lockdown, lonely experience, and loss of income. Many artisans who depend on their megre daily income to make ends meet will be one of the hardest hit in the whole scenario. Also, prices of some food items including groceries have skyrocketed since the President handed down the order to stay at home in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja. As Muslims, what we need to activate our zakaat and sadaqah scheme as ... more
By Olasunkanmi Akoni Tragedy occurred late Thursday evening during the ongoing restriction of movement order, when two fallen 20feet container laden trucks, a private tow truck and a towed Toyota Sienna involved in a multiple road crash along Apapa-Oshodi Express Road, en route Cele Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, Lagos, killing one yet be identified man on the spot. According to a source, the accident which claimed the life of a truck assistant of a private tow truck, occurred when the tow truck broke down along the Apapa – Oshodi Express Road, inward Oshodi, while efforts were being made to ... more
Thousands of foreign prostitutes working in Germany have been made homeless after brothels closed due to the coronavirus outbreak and borders snapped shut, making it difficult for them to return home. Authorities in the country, where prostitution has been legal for almost two decades, shut brothels last month along with other non-essential businesses like restaurants and nightclubs to slow the spread of the virus. “The coronavirus has been a disaster for me,” said a Polish prostitute in the western city of Bochum known to her clients as Nicole. “I have had no income since mid-March and no place to ... more
President Muhammadu Buhari. Dr Shehu for FMC Jalingo By Johnbosco Agbakwuru PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr Bassey Eyo Edet as the Medical Director, Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar, Cross River State and Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu, as the Medical Director Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, Taraba State. The appointments were contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja yesterday. Dr Edet hails from Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State and graduated from University of Calabar in 1998. He is a Fellow of the ... more
National Assembly Suspends proposed N37bn complex By Levinus Nwabughiogu Strong indications emerged Thursday night that the federal government has slashed 2020 of the National Assembly (NASS) budget to N25.6 billion. The amount represents 20 per cent of the N128 billion approved for the National Assembly for this fiscal year. It will be recalled that the approved 2020 budget for the Federal Government was N10.3tr budget. But it had been reduced to N8trn due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic which had affected the international oil prices. ALSO READ: Nigeria faced with unprecedented economic challenge – Osinbajo The government ... more
Akinmutola Abayomi The United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security defines food security as a situation where all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their preferences, and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Food and medicines remain the basic needs of man. However, with the partial and total lockdown across the world arising from the coronavirus pandemic which by origin; is a zoonotic disease arising from interactions between humans and wildlife, many businesses including restaurants have been affected due primarily to social distancing and restriction ... more
Infantino Football will be totally different when it eventually resumes after the coronavirus outbreak, the head of global body FIFA Gianni Infantino said on Thursday. “Football will come back, and when it does, we’ll celebrate coming out of a nightmare together,” he told the Italian news agency ANSA in an interview. “There is one lesson, however, that both you and me must have understood: the football that will come after the virus will be totally different…(more) inclusive, more social and more supportive, connected to the individual countries and at the same time more global, less arrogant and more welcoming.” ... more
Perez Brisibe Reactions have continued to trail Thursday’s reported killing of a youth in Warri by soldiers during the 14-day lockdown order by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Delta State. The victim, Joseph Pessu, was said to have been killed after he allegedly failed to stop at a security checkpoint mounted by security operatives to monitor the level of compliance of the lockdown by residents in the area. Describing the incident as regrettable, Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Askia Ogieh, appealed ... more
Gov Hope Uzodinma By Chinonso Alozie – Owerri The Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, will on Friday launched a testing centre for COVID-19 virus in Imo State. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba, who is also chairman planning committee of the event, disclosed this on Thursday to Vanguardin Owerri. At the event, Emelumba said that six isolation centres will be launched in the state as well as 28 ambulances. He also said that a hundred brand new security vehicles will be launched alongside other healthcare programmes in Imo. ALSO READ: Coronavirus threatens to knock South Korea ... more
Iraq has thousands of confirmed COVID-19 cases, many times more than the 772 it has publicly reported, according to three doctors closely involved in the testing process, a health ministry official and a senior political official. The sources all spoke on the condition of anonymity. Iraqi authorities have instructed medical staff not to speak to the media. Iraq’s health ministry, the only official outlet for information on the coronavirus, dismissed the sources’ reading of the spread of the disease. READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Iraq Shiites defy curfews to commemorate revered imam “It’s incorrect information,” said Saif al-Badr, the health ministry spokesman, ... more
The coronavirus pandemic has remained till date largely an urban scourge, with most of the officially-documented cases and fatalities situated at the upper levels of the socio-economic pyramid. This is because the pandemic was imported by the globe-trotting elite. Within the lower levels of the socio-economic pyramid, COVID-19 is erroneously tagged a “big man’s disease”. We must join efforts not only to disabuse this notion, we must also fight hard to ensure the pandemic does not make a landfall among the grassroots. The grassroots, in this instance, consists of the urban poor and the rural folk. COVID-19 being for ... more
Donald Trump United States President, Donald Trump, announced Thursday that he has taken his second coronavirus test at the White House since the outbreak began and it was again found to be negative. “I just took it this morning,” he told a news conference. “It said the president tested negative for COVID-19.” This was his second test. This time he used a new rapid method that he said took a minute to complete and barely 15 minutes to return a result. “I took it out of curiosity to see how quickly it worked. It is a lot easier. I ... more
An eight-year-old boy, Akinduyo Oluwapamilerinayo, on Thursday, donated a sum of N1,120 to the Kwara State Technical Committee on COVIDE-19. Making the donation to the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Mr. Kayode Alabi, Master Oluwapamilerinayo said his desire to donate the cash was to assist in curbing the spread of the pandemic in the state. Oluwapamilerinayo stressed that his father, School teacher and Sunday School teacher gave, him money which he added to his personal savings and donated it to the committee to fight the scourge. He said that his wish was to see the society free of the ... more
The number of officially reported coronavirus cases worldwide topped the one million mark on Thursday, signifying a sharp acceleration in the number of infections and deaths over the past few weeks as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads exponentially. What do the latest figures tell us? – At least 1,000,036 infections have been reported worldwide and 51,178 deaths, according to an AFP tally on Thursday at 1900 GMT. In the past seven days, as many new cases have been diagnosed around the world as in the 86 days previously. The number of reported deaths has doubled since March 27. To date, ... more
…Recalls suspended council boss Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike By Egufe Yafugborhi – Port Harcourt Governor Nyesom Wike has lifted the curfew he imposed on parts of Port Harcourt metropolis in sustained Rivers state’s aggressive measures to check the spread of coronavirus in the state. Wike had 30 March imposed the 24hr curfew from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction along Ikwerre Road and Obiri Ikwerre Junction to Ozuoba, Rumualogu and Choba localities of Port Harcourt metropolis in anger over perceived residents’ violation of his order on closure of markets. The Governor in a Thursday evening broadcast said the ... more
The Nigerian Private Sectors under the umbrella body of the Coalition Against Coronavirus (CACOVID), on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, confirmed their joint efforts to fight the virus and minimise its negative socio-economic consequences. The initiative is led by industry giants, such as Access Bank Group, Dangote Aliko Dangote Group, Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, MTN, KPMG and many others. According to a statement released earlier by the group, it’s mission and objectives were born out of its collective desire to protect and preserve humanity and to fight the spread of coronavirus in Nigeria. These will be achieved by raising ... more
Athletes already qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will need to be picked again by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to compete at the postponed Games in 2021. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced this on Thursday. The IOC and Japanese government had succumbed to intense pressure from athletes and sports bodies around the world last week by agreeing to postpone the Games by a year to 2021. READ ALSO:Jigawa gov, Badaru, urges fervent prayers against spread of coronavirus This was because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some 57 percent of the expected 11,000 athletes had already qualified ... more
…as NERC demand 4yrs performance record By Ediri Ejoh In a bid to restore efficiency in the power sector to grow the country’s economy, the Federal Government has threatened to sanction the Distribution Companies of Nigeria, DISCOs, on improved quality in power supply, issuing a three-month ultimatum to that effect. This came as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, directed the DISCOs to finalise and submit their Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) between 2017 and 2020. On the DISCOs performance, the Minister of Power, Mr. Mamman Saleh, in a statement in Abuja, said before the three-month delay on the take-off ... more
“On the 20th of (March), I tested positive for COVID-19 and I was brought over to the Isolation Centre at Gwagwalada University Teaching Hospital where I have been since. “I am currently on my 12th day here and I hope to be out soon – perhaps when my next test is taken and the results are favourable. I should be on my way out, hopefully. “I decided to do this video so that I could speak about my experience to be of help to Nigerians. “I was asymptomatic in my first few days here and nervous; I had a level of ... more
Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel As he announces complete cessation of movement extended to 14days By Chioma Onuegbu – Uyo GOVERNOR Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state has promised that his administration will leave no stone unturned in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic. Emmanuel made the promise during a state broadcast yesterday (Thursday) while reacting to the five reported cases from the state announced Wednesday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). His words, “My dear people of Akwa Ibom State, little over a week ago, I had cause to address you concerning the state of affairs ... more
A fuel pump (stock photo). By Victor Young Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, has raised the alarm that many filling station owners had not provided hand sanitisers and other safety kits to the petrol station workers, PSW. The union said the negligence had exposed the workers other Nigerians to the risk of coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic. President of NUPENG, Prince Williams Akporeha, said this during a monitoring exercise to some fuel depots and filling stations in parts of Lagos, including Apapa, alongside the union’s General Secretary, Olawale Afolabi, and other officials. Akporeha appealed to Nigerian National ... more
Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Abubakar Badaru Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, on Thursday urged residents to pray fervently against the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) to the state. Badaru made the call after inspecting the state’s Isolation Centre in Dutse. He also urged residents to comply with experts’ and government’s directives on what they should do in order not to contract the disease. The governor said that prayers and compliance with experts’ directives would go a long way toward preventing the spread of the virus to the state. “Even though Jigawa has zero status of the virus, there is ... more
By David Royal and Victor Ogunyinka Confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeria have now risen to 184 on Thursday.This is as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC recorded 10 new cases in Lagos and Abuja as at 08:00 pm 2nd April.Seven of the cases were recorded in Lagos while 3 were in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. READ ALSO: NCDC confirms 10 new cases of COVID-19 in NigeriaMeanwhile, the Lagos state governor, on Thursday announced that 20 patients have been discharged in the state after recovering from the disease and testing negative. Also, confirmed cases ... more
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA—THE daughter of President Muhammadu Buhari who went on self-isolation after returning from the United Kingdom, UK, two weeks ago has rejoined the family. Recall that the First Lady, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari had about two weeks ago wrote on her Twitter handle that her daughter had gone on self-isolation for 14-days. She had explained that the action was a precautionary measure to curb any spread of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) as the daughter returned from UK which is one of the high-risk countries. But a statement issued by Aliyu Abdullahi, Special Assistant to the President on ... more
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed that there are 10 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria as at 8:00pm Thursday. This puts the total number of cases to 184. Of the 10 new COVID-19 cases, seven of them are from Lagos, the epicentre of the pandemic and three others at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. ALSO READ: BREAKING: COVID-19 cases pass 1 million mark globally with 51, 378 deaths “Ten new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 7 in Lagos and 3 in the FCT. As at 08:00 pm 2nd April there are 184 ... more
Victor Ogunyinka The global confirmed cases for COVID-19 have now crossed the one million mark globally with the United States of America, China, Italy and Spain highest hit nations. The total number of confirmed cases as at the time of filing thing report according to worldometer, is 1, 001, 069, with about 51, 378 deaths and 210, 245 recovered cases. The Director-General of World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, hinted earlier that the figure could go seven digits in a couple of daysbut it only took hours before that was achieved, which shows the geometrical rate of ... more
Olympic medalist Ndidi Nwosu Former President of the Para Powerlifting Federation, PPF, of Nigeria Ms Queen Uboh has expressed sadness over the death of one of her athletes and Rio Olympic gold medalist, Ndidi Nwosu. Uboh, who broke the news in tears on Monday night, said she was in deep shock after she learned of the death of Ndidi. The former President, who resigned in January 2020 after the World Cup which she hosted in Abuja, said Ndidi Nwosu had been ill since after the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where the deceased won gold in the women’s ... more
* Recalls suspended council boss Wike By Egufe Yafugborhi PORT HARCOURT – GOVERNOR Nyesom Wike has lifted the punitive curfew he imposed on parts of Port Harcourt metropolis in sustained Rivers state’s aggressive measures to check spread of Coronavirus in the state. Wike had on 30 March imposed the 24hr curfew from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction along Ikwerre Road and Obiri Ikwerre Junction to Ozuoba, Rumualogu and Choba localities of Port Harcourt metropolis in anger over perceived residents’ violation of his order on closure of markets. The Governor in a Thursday evening broadcast said the lifting or ... more
By David Odama Not less than 68 persons have been arrested for allegedly violating the state government order aimed at curbing the spread of the deadly Coronavirus in the state. Out of the number, 48 apprehended in Karu local government area of the state and charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others in the state. The Police Public Relation Officer Nasarawa state command, A S P Nansel Rahman disclosed this in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital on Thursday while speaking to journalists READ ALSO: COVID-19: We stand by number of confirmed cases in Akwa Ibom, says NCDC ... more
FIFA President Gianni Infantino FIFA boss Gianni Infantino admitted Thursday that “nobody knows” when football can resume around the world, and that when it returned it was “going to be different”. He said that because of the deadly coronavirus pandemic, for once football “is not the most important thing”. “We all wish that we could have soccer tomorrow but unfortunately it’s not possible and nobody in the world today knows when we will be able to play like before,” Infantino told South American football chiefs via video link. “Our world and our sport is going to be different when ... more
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle). The Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who is also the Incident Commander of the #Covid19Lagos, has announced the recovery and discharge of 11 more patients from the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, after testing negative twice. The patients comprise nine males and two females, making the number of those who have recovered to 18. ALSO READ: Lagos discharges five coronavirus patients According to the governor, “I am happy to break to you, my good people of Lagos, the news of the release today of 11 more patients from our facility in Yaba. ... more
Andy Robertson is like a “Duracell bunny” and brings the most banter to Liverpool’s changing room, according to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Liverpool have romped into a 25-point lead this season at the top of the Premier League after their Champions League glory at the end of the last campaign. ALSO READ: 6.6 million Americans file for umemployment benefits ― Report One of the reasons for their success is their tight-knit squad of players with everyone seemingly pulling in the same direction. On who has the best banter at Liverpool, Oxlade-Chamberlain told a live Instagram Q&A on Wednesday: “I’m going to have ... more
As test on Ivory Coast returnees round up Shina Abubakar – Osogbo Six new cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) virus among the isolated returnees from Côte d’Ivoire has been confirmed by the Osun State Government summing the total case in the state to 20. This is as the test on the samples of all the 127 returnees from the West African country was completed on Thursday. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, while confirming the report said all the persons at the isolation have been tested and 18 were positive. ALSO READ: COVID-19: 70 per cent ... more
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, flanked by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (left) and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola (right) during a media briefing to update on the Coronavirus pandemic, at Lagos House, Marina, on Sunday, March 22, 2020. Eleven more people have recovered from coronavirus (COVID-19) and have been discharged in Lagos State. The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced this in a series of tweets on Thursday. He revealed that the persons – two females and nine males – have fully recovered and have tested negative for COVID-19, weeks after they tested positive for the ... more
By Jeremiah Urowayino Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi The member representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi has berated some men of the Nigerian Army over the maltreatment, torture and human rights violations of people of his constituency, especially Warri indigenes and others in their efforts to enforce the lock-down directives of the state government.Speaking to Vanguard on telephone on Thursday Chief Ereyitomi said: ”My attention has been drawn to various human rights violations in form of torture, degrading and inhuman treatment meted out to citizens of Warri Federal Constituency by men ... more
Former two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman revealed that he counseled Deontay Wilder in the aftermath of his technical knockout loss to Tyson Fury back in February at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Wilder suffered his first career defeat and lost his WBC heavyweight crown when he was dropped twice and stopped in the seventh round after his corner threw in the towel. The first time around, in December 2018, it was Fury who hit the deck twice, including a vicious knockdown in the twelfth round. The contest ended in a controversial twelve round split draw. ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Israel’s ... more
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami Courts are expected to attend to matters that are urgent, essential or time-bound, even during the lockdown, Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has said. Malami said this in a statement issued by Dr Umar Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Minister. “Speedy dispensation of justice is a cardinal principle of the Justice Sector Reform of the present administration, hence, time-bound cases are treated with dispatch and accorded the required attention,” Malami said. Malami had given the directive of the speedy dispensation of time-bound ... more
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor told the Premier League and EFL on Wednesday that he will not agree to his members (footballers) taking a pay cut even while clubs face financial ruin and non-playing staff are being furloughed. According to The Guardian, only wage deferrals are ‘sensible’ and will be considered by the PFA. It is said that they were told ‘that normal conditions cannot apply now and that players will have to share some of the game’s financial losses’. Tottenham, Norwich, Newcastle, and Bournemouth are four Premier League clubs who have already furloughed some non-playing staff, while Cherries ... more
By Peter Duru The young nurse who took part in the treatment of the Benue Coronavirus index case in Makurdi, names withheld, who earlier allegedly fled from the town after the status of the index case was made public, has been apprehended and placed on isolation. Benue State Deputy Governor and the chairman of the State Action Committee on COVID-19, Mr Benson Abounu had a few days ago disclosed that his surveillance team was in searching for the nurse. Mr Abounu, while addressing Local Government Council chairmen and traditional rulers in Makurdi explained that nurse fled from her residence ... more
Violators risk six-month imprisonment Governor Adegboyega Oyetola In a bid to enforce the lockdown order with a view to preventing the spread of coronavirus in the state, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday, signed the Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020. Oyetola noted that he made the order in exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other relevant provisions of the State of Osun Public Health Law. The law is aimed at preventing and containing the spread of Covid- 19 anywhere within the territories of Osun. ALSO READ: ... more
National Emergency Management Agency By Emem Idio – Yenagoa The Bayelsa State government on Wednesday, began distribution of foodstuffs to the various local government areas in the state for onward distribution to the people as parts of efforts of palliatives to cushion the efforts of covid-19 pandemic in the state. Distributing the foodstuffs mainly Garri and Guinea Corn, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Major Zedekiah Isu, rted, who supervised the exercise, said the food items were brought by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, last year to cushion the effect of the 2019 flood ... more
•.First time since World War II Wimbledon has been cancelled for the first time since the Second World War, with All England Club chiefs making the tough decision at an emergency board meeting on Wednesday. The coronavirus pandemic has put paid to many sporting events, and The Championships are the next to fall, with the UK death toll currently standing at 1,789. It was considered impossible for the tournament to be moved back to later in the year, or to be played without fans, and so chiefs have pulled the plug entirely. ALSO READ: COVID-19: PCN tasks pharmacists on availability, ... more
President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met with the Presidential Committee on the impact of the coronavirus on Nigeria’s economy, and directed the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to ensure that salaries were paid. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, who chairs the presidential committee, said this in Abuja while answering questions from State House correspondents at the end of the meeting. She said the committee briefed the President on current happenings around the world due to COVID-19 and its impact on the country’s economy. READ ALSO:COVID-19: Presidency begins fumigation of Buhari’s ... more
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Awujale of Ijebu Kingdom, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, on his 60th anniversary on the throne, which makes him one of the oldest reigning monarchs in the country, following his formal coronation on April 2, 1960. President Buhari in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina in Abuja on Thursday, said that he joined indigenes of Ijebu land, government and people of Ogun State in celebrating the milestone. ALSO READ: Greatest Nigerian footballer: Shorunmu disagrees with Amokachi on Mikel He commended the octogenarian ... more
We’re working hard to rescue economy from collapse — Emefiele President Muhammadu Buhari By Johnbosco Agbakwuru – Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has directed prompt payment of salaries to all employees. He also directed the ministry to ensure that critical infrastructure like roads, rails are protected and as much as possible, use local inputs so that the country retains value within her economy. This is as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has said that the global economy was facing serious problems that could lead to recession and that the government was doing everything possible to ... more
Kano State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 said on Thursday that 22 of the 25 suspected coronavirus cases in the state have tested negative to the virus while three others are still pending. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ibrahim Tsanyawa, disclosed this at a press conference in Kano. Tsanyawa, who is also a member of the committee, said the state government had adopted proactive measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic in the state. He listed some of the measures to include the closure of schools, restriction of movements and closure of state boundary, encouraged stay-at-home order, ... more
Mr. Charles Aniagwu Delta State Government has called for an investigation into the alleged killing of a 28 year old Joseph Pessu in Warri on Thursday. The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu in a statement in Asaba said government was worried about the report of an alleged killing of a 28-year old man in Warri by security agencies on regular patrol duty. READ ALSO:Court remands painter for allegedly beating wife to death The Commissioner said the state government has sent a delegation to the deceased family to condole with them ... more
Festus Keyamo Perez Brisibe, Ughelli Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, has condemned the reported killing of a man in Warri by soldiers implanting the lockdown order by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. The victim, Joseph Pessu, was allegedly killed at the Ubeji community while attempting to escape from his Toyota Camry car after breaching a security checkpoint in the area. Reacting to the incident, the minister in a statement, said: “I have received disturbing reports and images of the high-handedness and shooting of innocent citizens by men of the armed forces deployed to enforce ... more
Illustrative, Medical staff By David Royal The President of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, has revealed that a doctor treating COVID-19 patients at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, has been infected with the diseases. Sokomba said this on Thursday while on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme. He said six doctors had died of Lassa fever while another doctor had been infected with COVID-19. READ ALSO: Coronavirus: Edo govt condemns arbitrary hike in prices of food items, begins monitoring “At the moment, as health workers continue to play their part in containing the spread ... more
Funeral cars and vans wait outside the Palacio de Hielo in Madrid, Spain, on March 27, where coronavirus victims’ bodies are kept at an ice rink temporarily converted into a morgue. Xaume Olleros/Getty Images Spain passed another grim milestone in its coronavirus outbreak on Thursday, reporting that more than 10,000 have now died in the country as a result of the virus. The Health Ministry said it recorded 950 new deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day increase the country has seen so far. Its total death tally is now 10,003. But there was some cause for ... more
PCN Mr. Elijah Mohammed, Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), has appealed to pharmacists to ensure the availability of essential medicines and commodities such as hand sanitisers and face masks at reasonable prices to the general public. Mohammed made the appeal in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday. The registrar commended Nigerian pharmacists on the role so far played toward the control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country through small scale compounding and production of hand sanitisers as well as public enlightenment/awareness on the disease. READ ALSO: NAFDAC partners PCN in ... more
Victor Ogunyinka Some Nigerians are bewildered on social media following the official Twitter handle of the Ministry of Finance and Budget begging for ventilators from industrial engineer, Elon Musk. On the last day of March, Elon Musk tweeted that “We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping cost are free. Only requirement is that the vents are needed immediately for patients, not stored in a warehouse. Please me or @Tesla know.”
We have extra FDA-approved ventilators. Will ship to hospitals worldwide within Tesla delivery regions. Device & shipping ... more
Illustrative, Medical staff By Chioma Obinna Leaders of the World Medical Association, WMA, have described as ‘deplorable’ the fact that even in the world’s most affluent countries, health care professionals have to deal with the coronavirus pandemic with insufficient personal protection. The physician leaders opined that when the pandemic ends, there must be a political investigation into the availability and effectiveness of supply chains. In a press statement made available to Vanguard, in Lagos, jointly signed by the President of the WMA, Dr Miguel Jorge and Chair of the WMA Council, Dr Frank Montgomery mourned the loss of physicians ... more
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai By Ibrahim Hassan A group, the Kaduna Social Protection Accountability Coalition (KADSPAC) has advocated for social accountability and transparency in the distribution of relief materials to vulnerable groups in Kaduna state. KADSPAC, in a statement signed by the Chairperson, Jessica Bartholomew, said the Kaduna State Government must ensure social accountability and transparency in the distribution of relief materials to poor and vulnerable households largely affected by the total lockdown of the state as part of measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in Kaduna State. “KADSPAC, is a network of active civil society ... more
By Dirisu Yakubu In a release in Abuja made available to journalists on Thursday, national President of the association, Engr. Sanusi Fari, however called on relevant stakeholders in the nation’s petroleum industry to always carry IPMAN along in their decision making process. According to him, members of the association were already feeling the heat occasioned by last week’ reduction of the pump price from N145 to N125 when government further announced a down review review on Wednesday. The statement read in part: “We want the Petroleum Products Pricing & Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, and other relevant agencies to always carry us ... more
Prof. Veronica Obatolu, the Executive Director, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, says Covid-19 remains a threat to food security due to the negative effects on production and research. Obatolu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan that the pandemic was raging at a time the country was entering the new cropping season. She said the effects on production would be immediate as manifested in a reduction in supply with an increase in demand and subsequent increase in cost and reduced accessibility due to limited poor crop production plan and execution. Also read: ... more
The Lagos State Government has condemned the attack on members of the COVID-19 Task Force, by some worshippers at the Agege Central Mosque. NAN reports that the COVID-19 Task force was mandated by the state government to monitor and enforce compliance against public gatherings exceeding 25 people. READ ALSO:COVID-19 Lockdown: Buhari’s declaration requires no legal backing ― APC Govs Forum Speaking on the incident in a statement, the General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Dr Dolapo Fasawe, who condemned the attack, described it as barbaric and uncalled for. ”Our people are out to protect the residents of ... more
Sequel to the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic as a world-wide emergency, organiser of the global investment meeting for Africa’s power, energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors, Africa Energy Forum (AEF), EnergyNet Limited has identified with the victims of the pandemic across the world. In a statement signed by its Head of Marketing, Amy Offord, the company recognises these are uncertain and difficult times for individuals, organisations, and countries across the world. READ ALSO: COVID-19: Nasarawa imposes 24-hour lockdown on Karu, bans vehicular movement The firm’s Managing Director, Simon Gosling commented: “We send you, your colleagues and families our best wishes and ... more
Residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State have charged to stay indoor throughout today as a masquerade would be performing traditional rite to cleanse the land of the deadly Coronavirus. According to a public service announcement signed by Chief Oyelami Awoyode on behalf of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi and made available to Vanguard on Thursday morning, the Oro deity would be moving around the entire Ife town to perform spiritual rite against the spread of the virus. Also read: COVID-19: Edo trains health workers on management of pandemic The rite, according to the announcement, is also aimed to ... more
By David Odama IN an effort to stem the spread of coronavirus because of the proximity from the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nasarawa State government has imposed a 24-hour on Karu local government of the state with effect from Thursday (today). Vehicular movements have also been banned from 8 pm to 6 am across the state. The state Governor, Abdullahi Sule, announced this Wednesday evening while addressing journalists in Government House, Lafia. According to the governor, “this is particularly necessary, considering the influx of people from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which has been locked down as part ... more
