News

Saturday, 09 May 2020 05:13

Nigeria enlists comedians in the fight against Covid-19

Nigerian comedian, Ms Maryam Apaokagi has a sure-fire way of getting people to listen to her Coronavirus health advice - she delivers it with a hard slap in the face. The 21-year-old has joined a line-up of the nation’s top performers working health tips into their routines to spread the word about Covid-19. In one of her online videos, she plays the role on an all-knowing, all-controlling Nigerian mother who watches in horror as a young man sneezes into his hands. Within seconds she grabs a bottle of sanitiser from the bosom of her dress, slathers it over her palms,…

Saturday, 09 May 2020 05:12

Farmers warn of food shortage as bandits take over Katsina

The resurgence of criminality by bandits and kidnappers in Katsina State if not promptly nipped in the bud by security agencies and state government, would stoke unprecedented food crisis in the state, farmers have warned. The bloodletting orchestrated by the bandits who refused to accept the state government’s peace accord, the farmers said, would not only lead to food scarcity and hunger, but would have grave economic implications on the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Governor Aminu Bello Masari had granted amnesty to bandits after a tour to Fulani settlements and strong enclaves of the bandits in Rugu Forest on…

Saturday, 09 May 2020 05:08

UK 'to bring in 14-day quarantine for air passengers'

UK airlines say they have been told the government will bring in a 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving in the UK from any country apart from the Republic of Ireland in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The new restriction is expected to take effect at the end of this month. Industry body Airlines UK said the policy needed "a credible exit plan" and should be reviewed weekly. People arriving in the UK would have to self-isolate at a private residence. Government and aviation sources told BBC News that the quarantine would mean people might be expected to provide an address…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:40

Analysis: Nigeria contends with ‘a double whammy’ of Covid-19 and disappearing oil revenue. What’s the way out?

Africa’s most populous nation is getting almost nothing from its massive oil wealth. While headline Brent-crude futures have rallied sharply in the past few weeks -- rising above $30 a barrel on Tuesday -- a glut of Nigerian oil is fetching about $10 less than that. It’s a level that means fiscal revenue for the continent’s biggest economy has cratered. “It’s now dawned on everyone across the country how severe this threat is,” said Andrew Nevin, a partner and chief economist for Nigeria at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. “There is a possibility that at least for three to five years, there’s going…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:39

US to FG: There remains another $319 Abacha loot in UK, France

US embassy in Nigeria says another $319m (N121bn) looted by Sani Abacha, former military dictator, is in the United Kingdom and France. This comes three days after Nigeria repatriated $311 million Abacha Loot from the US and the Bailiwick of Jersey. In a statement on Wednesday, the US embassy revealed that there is a separate $167 million in stolen assets in France and another $152 million in the UK which is still subject to litigation. “The funds returned last week are distinct and separate from an additional $167m in stolen assets also forfeited in the United Kingdom and France, as…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:38

$311m recovered Abacha loot doesn’t belong to FG alone, lawyers insist

Some lawyers have tackled Federal Government’s plan for the $311m Abacha loot returned to the country. Federal Government after receiving the money on Monday from the United States and the Bailiwick of Jersey, announced that it would support and assist in expediting the construction of three major infrastructure projects across Nigeria, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abuja-Kano Road, and the Second Niger Bridge. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami had said this was based on agreement with the US and Jersey. A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, said the money ought to be…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:37

Buhari reconstitutes Board of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company

President Muhammadu Buhari has reconstituted the Board of Directors of Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc (NBET). Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, said in a statement on Thursday that President Buhari has given approval for the Board to be reconstituted. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, is the Chairman, with Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Alex Okoh, as non–Executive Director. BPE holds 80 per cent equity in the electricity bulk trader incorporated on July 29, 2010 as the special purpose vehicle to carry out the business of bulk…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:36

Buhari appoints new head for Bank of Agric

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Alwan Hassan as the new acting managing director for the Bank of Agriculture . This was contained in a statement signed by ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Theodore Ogaziechi, on Thursday. Hassan is a seasoned banker with over two decades of experience in the banking industry. In the statement, Mr Buhari approved the immediate dissolution of the Interim Management Team of the Bank. “The approval was conveyed to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sabo Nanono via a letter dated May 5, 2020 with reference No. PRES/95/MARD/14,” the statement said. “Mr Hassan’s appointment is most…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:35

10 domestic aides of Lagos gov test positive to Coronavirus

Ten persons have tested positive to coronavirus at the Lagos State House, Marina, an official said on Thursday. Mr Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said the persons were confirmed positive, although the governor and his wife tested negative to the virus. Lagos State House is the official residence of governor of Lagos State. Details of the positive individuals were not disclosed, but the Commissioner said they are “associated” with the state house. These are the first officials at the governor’s house to test positive for coronavirus. Lagos recorded 82 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Wednesday, increasing the…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:34

Doctors flee hospitals due to lack of protective equipment

Hundreds of medical doctors and other healthcare givers in public and private hospitals across Nigeria are literally dodging from having face-to-face interaction with patients because they don’t have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that will shield them from contracting the ravaging Covid-19. PPE comprises of face shields, gloves, goggles and glasses, gowns, head covers, masks, respirators (in some cases) and shoe covers. Some doctors, nurses, lab technicians among others have moved to Covid-19 isolation centres after they tested positive, or locked themselves at home waiting for their results. The development has created a wallowing gap in health care delivery, with some…

More...

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:33

Kano commissioner sacked for ‘celebrating’ Abba Kyari’s death tests positive to Covid-19

Dismissed Kano State commissioner for works, Mr Mu’az Magaji, has tested positive to coronavirus. Magaji, on Thursday, in a series of Facebook posts, apologised to many for his inability to respond to their messages. He said this was because of his deteriorating health condition. In another post, he solicited for prayers, while announcing that his sample earlier taken by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control tested positive to Covid-19. “This morning my NCDC test is out… I have been confirmed Covid-19 Positive… And have been moved to one of the state facilities…pray for us!” Magaji posted. Kano State governor, Mr Abdullahi…

Friday, 08 May 2020 05:32

Flooding kills 260 across East Africa

Flooding as a result of recent heavy rains has killed more than 260 people across East Africa. Kenya has been the hardest hit with the government recording 194 deaths. In Rwanda, 55 people have died and floods have killed 16 in Somalia. In Uganda high water levels have trapped an estimated 200 patients inside a hospital. East African countries have also been hit by a locust invasion and Covid-19. The authorities in Kenya have told people in some of the affected areas to move away from "potential danger". The water has also washed away 8,000 acres of crops and some…

Thursday, 07 May 2020 05:05

Buhari appoints chairman, members into Police Trust Fund Board of Trustees

PRESS RELEASE Pursuant to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of retired Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, as Chairman, Board of Trustees of Nigeria Police Trust Fund. The President also approved appointments of the following as Executive Secretary and members of the Board respectively: 1. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto – Executive Secretary 2. Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri – Representing Ministry of Police Affairs 3. Inspector-General of Police – Representing Nigeria Police Force 4. Usman Bilkisu – Representing Ministry of Justice 5. Ben Akabueze (DG, Budget and National Planning) – Representing Ministry of…

Thursday, 07 May 2020 05:04

FG lists conditions for spending Covid-19 funds

Federal government has mandated prompt response to Freedom of Information (FOI) request as one of the conditions for spending funds dedicated to fight Coronavirus in Nigeria including mitigation of its social and economic effects on Nigerians. This condition is among the eight contained in the guidelines issued on Tuesday by Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation detailing the framework for the management of Covid-19 Funds in Nigeria. Since February when the first coronavirus index case, an Italian, was discovered in Nigeria, funds from governments, individuals and corporate organisations have been donated to Nigeria. Some groups have demanded details of…

Page 421 of 826

News

More...

Search

Most Read

Editorial

News

Business

Politics

Opinion

Features

Strangely

Crime

Wars

SCIENCE & TECH

SPECIAL REPORTS

Sports

VIDEOS