Tag: COVID-19

Covid-19: “We’ve spent N502.3bn for intervention” – Zainab Ahmed

Aminu Imam

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has disclosed that N502.3 billion has so far been spent by the Federal Government to stabilise the economy after being hit by the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, at the ‘National Dialogue on Covid-19: Economic Impact and Assessment of National and States’ recovery plans and Policy options‘, the minister explained that Nigeria was deeply affected by the pestilence because it was recovering from recession before Covid-19 led to an all-time fall of crude oil prices being the…

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COVID-19 infections rise for 4 consecutive weeks globally- WHO

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

COVID-19 infections have continued to rise globally for more than a month now, with over four million cases reported in the past week alone, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. The UN health agency, in its latest update, attributed the uptick to “substantial” caseload increases of 33 per cent in the Western Pacific and 37 per cent in the Eastern Mediterranean – where coronavirus fatalities also rose 48 and 31 per cent, respectively. The number of deaths in the four remaining WHO regions of Africa, Americas, Europe and South-East…

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Covid-19: NAHCON urges intending Umrah pilgrims to abide by Saudi’s regulations

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged intending Umrah pilgrims and licenced Tour Operators to abide by the regulations laid down by the Saudi Authority for successful participation in Umrah for external pilgrims. The Head, Public Affairs of NAHCON, Fatima Usara, made the call in a statement in Abuja. “NAHCON enjoins licensed Umrah operators and the pilgrims to be abreast with the Saudi Arabian’s regulations and guidelines for the performance of the pilgrimage, especially with regards to precautionary measures detailed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “As in…

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Covid-19 third wave: Kano suspends Eid-el-Kabir festivities

Aminu Imam

…Zazzau Emirate also cancels Sallah procession In compliance with the Federal Government’s placing of six States on red alert, the Kano State government has suspended all Eid el-Kabir (Sallah) festivities. This was announced by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba.  He said the development was part of a measure adopted by Nigeria, like most parts of the African continent now facing a Covid-19 third wave, after detecting the more transmissible Delta variant. According to him, Eid prayers would be held in all the five Emirates and mosques across the…

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Covid-19: Presidential Committee puts Lagos, 5 States, Federal Capital on red alert over third wave

Aminu Imam

…As NCDC confirms 123 new cases  The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on Covid-19 has put six States and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja on red alert, to ensure a safe and healthy nationwide Eid-el-Kabir celebration. The PSC Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said this in a statement made available at the weekend, in Abuja. Mustapha said that the red alert was part of the preventive measures against a third wave of the pandemic and the rising number of infections and hospitalisation in the…

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Nigeria’s imported Covid-19 cases jump 478% in a week – Official

Aminu Imam

…As daily count hits 4-week high Amid fears of a third wave, Nigeria’s Covid-19 cases from inbound international travellers jumped 478% from July 5th to 11th, almost five times the count a week before. The latest update of the National Centre for Disease Control, (NCDC), situation report released on Friday shows positive cases among inbound travellers stood at 14 the week before July 5, but rose to 81 as of July 11. Cases during the week in view also moved from 693 to 392, with Lagos, Rivers and Enugu, accounting…

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Covid-19 deaths in Africa surge more than 40% over previous week – WHO

Aminu Imam

Covid-19 mortality has increased by 43% week on week in Africa, as hospital admissions climb rapidly and governments face oxygen and intensive care bed shortages. The number of deaths increased to 6273 in the week ending July 11, up from 4384 the week before. Africa is now only a fraction of a percent below the weekly high of 6294 deaths set in January. Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia accounted for 83% of all new deaths in the previous week. The continent’s case fatality rate, which is the percentage…

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Covid-19: UNILAG asks students to vacate campus indefinitely

Aminu Imam

…Reverts to online classes The management of the University of Lagos, (UNILAG), has asked students of the institution to vacate their halls of residence indefinitely on or before 12:pm today, Thursday, to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 infection in the campus, as more students have tested positive to the infection. This decision was reached at an emergency meeting held by the University Senate, yesterday. According to an issued statement, students have been assured that lectures scheduled for the rest of the semester will be delivered virtually, with effect from…

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Child Scavengers: The Toil for Livelihood Amidst Covid-19 Pandemic

Aminu Imam

By Khadija Bawas When 11year-old Usman was brought to Kano as an Alamajiri child the infant may never have reckoned that staying alive is a battle of wits until he started growing into the reality that he must eat to survive and scavenging became the next available option for him. Armed with a gunny bag, Usman, a native of Wudil, who is popularly known as “Alajin leda” at the Aisami solid waste dump site in Kano metropolis, usually rummages through heaps of other peoples garbage, searching for anything salvageable that…

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Covid-19: Workers laud President Buhari for non-disengagement despite job losses

Aminu Imam

President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended for not sacking some workers in the federal civil service over the impact of Covid-19 on the nation and global economy. The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, said this on Friday in Abuja, during a special Juma’ah service, as part of activities commemorating the 2021 Civil Service Week, themed: “Building the Africa we want through embracing an African culture that underpins purpose-driven leadership in the face of crisis.” According to her, the event was a special occasion…

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