Category: Covid-19 - Page 16 - African News Today

14Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Education, News, Nigeria

Ekiti Set to Reopen Schools, Fixes Date

The governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has ratified September 21 for the resumption of primary and secondary schools in the South West state. This comes after the recent approval by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for the reopening of schools which have been shut since March in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Fayemi made the announcement in a state-wide broadcast on Sunday evening. He approved October 2 as resumption date for tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, subject to each institution’s governing council decision. According to the governor, students in students in SSS II, JSS III and Primary 6 are to resume on September 21, while students in SSS I, JSS II and Primary 5 and 4 are to resume from September 28. He added that Students in JSS I and Primary 1-...

Schools in Lagos State to Begin Phased Opening for the 2020/2021 Session from 21/09/2020

13Sep

By adminNo Comments

Covid-19, Education, Lagos News, Nigeria, Press Statement

Schools in Lagos State to Begin Phased Opening for the 2020/2021 Session from 21/09/2020

The Honourable Commissioner for Education, Lagos State Mrs Folasade Adefisayo has announced the plans for *both Public and Private Schools* resumption in the State after the lockdown of schools as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also wish to congratulate SS 3 students who have successfully completed their WASSCE exams and urge them to stay safe even as they await their results. The plans for reopening for *a new 2020/2021 academic session* are as follows: *PUBLIC SCHOOLS* The Ministry is adopting a phased approach to opening *public schools* . This phased approach to opening will enable *public schools* meet COVID-19 social distance rules and safety protocols and will help us watch the behaviour of the pandemic as we gradually open up our schools. The present JS 3 and SS 2 ...

CAF Postpones Continental Club Competitions Due to COVID-19 Upsurge

11Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, Covid-19, News, Sports

CAF Postpones Continental Club Competitions Due to COVID-19 Upsurge

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed all the remaining matches in Africa’s two continental club competitions for a second time due to COVID-19 concerns. The postponement was informed by a surge in COVID-19 cases in Morocco which caused cancellation of fixtures in the North African country during the first two weeks of September, Punch reports. Two Moroccan clubs are still in the semi-final stage of the CAF Champions league and Confederations Cup and were scheduled to host the last two rounds of the Confederations Cup. Ahmad Ahmad, CAF chairman during a press conference said the decision was reached after consultations with the various parties. CAF disclosed in August that the two-leg Champions League semi-finals which will see Egyptian club faceoff against Egyp...

11Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Safety

Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced suspension of its nationwide strike. This was disclosed by Dr Aliyu Sokumba, President of NARD in the late hours of yesterday, This Day reports. Sokumba said the union deliberate on the progress made in negotiation with the federal government in the next two weeks. The federal government and the striking doctors on Wednesday reached an agreement to end the industrial action. During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said federal government had approved additional N8.9 billion to offset the June 2020 COVID-19 allowance of all health workers nationwide. According to Ngige, the implementation of the payment of the Special Hazard and Inducem...

CBN Defends Policies, Responds to NESG’s Claims

10Sep

By Obiajulu Joel Nwolu19 Comments

Covid-19, Economy, Finance, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

CBN Defends Policies, Responds to NESG’s Claims

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has defended its intervention programmes aimed at stimulating economic growth, saying it everted food crisis during the peak of COVID-19 lockdown. This was stated in a statement by the CBN titled, “Re: Matters of Urgent Attention,” signed by its Director, Corporate Communications, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, which was in response to claims by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), that its stimulus programmes were without policy clarity. According to a statement released on Monday, NESG had alleged a huge loophole between food production and the needs of Nigerians despite the enormous sums disbursed by the CBN under its intervention programs. The CBN, in its reaction defended its action claiming its intervention packages were channeled to sectors crit...

ASUU Kicks Against Resumption of Tertiary Institutions, See Reason

7Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Education, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety

ASUU Kicks Against Resumption of Tertiary Institutions, See Reason

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned against reopening of universities at the moment as it could lead to second wave of COVID-19 in the country. This was disclosed by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Dr. Igbana Ajir in Mukurdi, Benue State at the weekend. Ajir cautioned that reopening of tertiary institutions now without proper arrangement to contain the spread of COVID-19 such as hostel accommodation, availability of facilities to enable social distancing in large and overcrowded classrooms among others would be counterproductive, Guardian reports. Speaking on establishment of illegal universities, he wondered how government have allegedly turned establishment of universities into constituency projects. Ajir said, “The visitors of these new institutions are...

Money Rain at Wedding of President Buhari’s Daughter, Hanan (See Video)

6Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Celebration, Covid-19, News, Nigeria

Money Rain at Wedding of President Buhari’s Daughter, Hanan (See Video)

There was no shortage of spectacular scenes as President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan and her groom, Mohammed Turad wedded on Friday. The lavish wedding which had its planners flown in from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to reports by Sahara Reporters saw the rain of naira as guests sprayed money on the couple during their dance. The extravagant ceremony comes on the heels of increment of the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol by President Buhari’s administration from N145 to N160, causing attendant hardship on many households in the country. In a video of the lavish ceremony tagged 'The First Wedding' for being the first of its kind to hold inside Aso Villa, Nigeria's seat of power, and seen by AfricaNewsTodays, guests were seen gathered c...

Osinbajo Advocates Accessible, Affordable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine

5Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

African Development, Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety

Osinbajo Advocates Accessible, Affordable Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine should not be based on the highest bidder but rather be provided at an affordable and accessible manner. Osinbajo made the call while speaking at the virtual 2020 EURAFRICA Forum themed, “Towards a Realistic Euro-African Partnership During and Beyond the COVID-19 Era,” said his media aide, Laolu Akande. He said the approach would ensure contain the spread of the virus. Dignitaries such as UN Secretary-General, Mr. Antonio Guterre and the Prime Minister of Cape Verde, Mr Ulisses Correia Silva among others made presentations at the summit which aims to promote collaboration between Europe and Africa. Osinbajo said, “Europe should work closely with Africa to ensure that when a vaccine is finally deployed, i...

Nigerians React to News of FG’s Receipt of Covid-19 Vaccine from Russia

4Sep

By adminNo Comments

Africa, Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Science

Nigerians React to News of FG’s Receipt of Covid-19 Vaccine from Russia

When the news broke today that the Federal Government had taken delivery of Covid-19 samples from Russia, Nigerians reacted with a lot of pessimism and even scorn. While Nigeria's minister for health, Osagie Ehanire, said that the country indicated interest in the vaccine as a way of "exploring all knowledge in terms of therapeutics and vaccines,” Nigerians wide assumed that the vaccines were received in large quantities for immediate use on Nigerians. The minister stated that what was received was samples. It is however not clear if there will be human trials in Nigeria with those samples. With all the mystery that appears to have shrouded the issue of the pandemic, Nigerians are not receiving this news with enthusiasm. We have captured some comments on social media from a wide s...

Nigerian Government Approves Phased reopening of Schools

4Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Economy, Education, Finance, News, Nigeria, Safety, Transportation

Nigerian Government Approves Phased reopening of Schools

Reviews curfew from 12am to 4am Lifts ban on market, cinema and gym Approves reopening of NYSC orientation camp The Nigerian government has ratified the phased reopening of educational institutions across all states of the federation after schools were closed in March as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19. Government tasked state government and stakeholders in the education sector to commence preparations for the full resumption of schools and also approved the extension of curfew from the initial 10 pm to 4 pm to 12 am to 4 am. The extension of the mandate of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF), was extended from September till December 31. Briefing reporters in Abuja, Dr. Sani Aliyu, National Coordinator of the PFT said, “For educational...