Tag: Covid-19 - Page 15 - African News Today

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...

Government Cannot Afford to Subsidise Petrol in the Face of Revenue Drop, Says Buhari

8Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Economy, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

Government Cannot Afford to Subsidise Petrol in the Face of Revenue Drop, Says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration cannot afford to subsidise Premium Motor Spirit, widely known as petrol, as Nigeria’s revenue has remarkably dropped. The President disclosed this during the opening of the First Year Ministerial Performance Review Retreat at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Buhari said a return to the era of subsidy would lead to ‘several negative consequences,’ among which is the long queues at filling stations for hours before petrol could be bought. His view has been countered by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria (ASUU), who called on President Buhari to fulfil his promise to rehabilitate the country’s refineries. The Buhari administration had in March deregulated the petroleum sector allowing petrol p...

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...

FCT Doctors Embark on Indefinite Strike, See Reason

1Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, News, Nigeria, Press Statement

FCT Doctors Embark on Indefinite Strike, See Reason

The Association of Resident Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, ARD-FCTA, have embarked on an indefinite strike action from September 1, 2020 to protest unfavourable work conditions. This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the association, Roland Aigbovo and Mustapha Ibrahim. It said the decision was taken due to non-payment of the COVID-19 hazard allowance and the non-implementation of the variation of the 2018 promotion exercise. The association said, “Due to the insensitivity displayed by the Office of the Permanent Secretary, FCT, and widespread agitations among our members in the various FCT hospitals and isolation/treatment centres, we regret to notify the administration and by extension the general public that the assoc...

Enugu Airport Reopens After 370 Days Closure as South East Leaders Commend Buhari

31Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Aviation, Finance, News, Nigeria, Transportation

Enugu Airport Reopens After 370 Days Closure as South East Leaders Commend Buhari

The federal government of Nigeria on Sunday commissioned the rehabilitated Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, for flight operations. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had closed the airport on August 24, 2019 for rehabilitation after its runway had become deplorable. In his address at the inauguration on Sunday, President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, describes the airport reopening as a “promise kept.” According to Buhari, the airport was important to the aviation industry as well as the people of the South-East because of its revenue base, noting that informed the concerted effort at delivering the airport on time. The minister stated that the Buhari had shown commitment towards the infrastructural...