Tag: Covid-19 - Page 17 - African News Today

Eased Lockdown: PTF Ratifies Gradual Reopening of International Air Flights in Weeks

7Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Aviation, Covid-19, Economy, News, Nigeria, Safety, Transportation

Eased Lockdown: PTF Ratifies Gradual Reopening of International Air Flights in Weeks

The Boss Mustapha led Presidential Task Force (PTF), on COVID-19 has signed off on gradual reopening of international air flights and train services across Nigeria in weeks, and not months. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that this formed part of the concessions agreed upon at the end of the second extension of the second phase of eased lockdown. This was announced by Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), while addressing the press at the daily briefing of the PTF on Thursday in Abuja. He said, “It’s important to ensure that restrictions are not completely relaxed in order to control transmission. “It is also important that at this Community Transmission Phase of the pandemic sub-national governments step up to tak...

FG Extends Phase Two Lockdown by Four Weeks, Retains 10pm Curfew

7Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Aviation, Covid-19, Economy, Education, Finance, News, Nigeria, Transportation, Youths

FG Extends Phase Two Lockdown by Four Weeks, Retains 10pm Curfew

President Muhammadu Buhari has ratified the extension of the phase two lockdown measures in response to COVID-19 by another four weeks. This implies that all guidelines introduced to curb the spread of the virus under the second phase of the relaxed lockdown which took effect on June 1 will remain effective with slight modifications to address the economic, socio-political and health concerns as contained in the latest report by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. This was disclosed by the Chairman of the PTF who is equally the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, boss Mustapha, at the press briefing of the task force in Abuja on Thursday. Mustapha said state governments and authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be mandated to enforce non-ph...

Botswana Bans Sale of Alcohol, Halts Liquor Licences as Part of Measures to Curb COVID-19 Spread

6Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Covid-19, Economy, Finance, News, Safety, Science

Botswana Bans Sale of Alcohol, Halts Liquor Licences as Part of Measures to Curb COVID-19 Spread

Botswana has banned the sale and consumption of alcohol in public places and withdrawn liquor licenses in the country as part of effort to curb the spread of the fatal COVID-19. This was disclosed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi through a gazette notice released on Wednesday by the government. “NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that His Excellency the President, acting in accordance with regulation 30G of the Emergency Powers (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020, has with immediate effect suspended all liquor licences issued in terms of the Liquor Act,” the notice read in part. The statement also clarified that “liquor” also included traditional beers, which are brewed by a majority of rural households in Botswana. “The suspension of the sale of alcohol is based on evidence that consumption of alc...

Africa, World Risk ‘Generational Catastrophe’ on Education, UN cautions

4Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Africa, African Development, Covid-19, Economy, Education, Employment, Finance, Interview, Life, News, Press Statement, Safety, Science, United Nations, Youths

Africa, World Risk ‘Generational Catastrophe’ on Education, UN cautions

The United Nations (UN) cautions that Africa and the rest of the world could witness a “generational catastrophe” due to the closure of schools around the world amid the COVID-19 scare. This was disclosed by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a communique. Reports suggest as at mid-July, at least 160 countries had closed their schools keeping more than 1 billion students at home while at least 40 million children have missed out on pre-school. Guterres said ensuring the safe return of students to classroom must be a “top priority”. “Now we face a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potential, undermine decades of progress, and exacerbate entrenched inequalities,” said Guterres as he launched a U.N. “Save our Future” campaign. He further stated that, “...

Lagos State Government Shuts Down Eti-Osa COVID-19 Isolation Centre as COVID-19 cases reduce

2Aug

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

African Development, Covid-19, Economy, Finance, Interview, Lagos News, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Science

Lagos State Government Shuts Down Eti-Osa COVID-19 Isolation Centre as COVID-19 cases reduce

The Lagos State Government has closed the Eti-Osa coronavirus patients’ isolation centre. This was announced by Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the 17th update on the management of the coronavirus in the state. The governor while reporting progress in curbing the diseas said the Agidingbi Isolation Centre would also be shut down and patients relocated to a large capacity centre – Indo-Centre in Anthony area, which would soon commence operation. He said, “Over the last four, five months, we have built an excess capacity centre, but that is only the way to go, you cannot over-prepare. “We have got to a stage where we need to balance the economics of this and which of these facilities do we need to keep running. “Some of them now are having less than 20 per cent...

Enugu State’s Civil Servants to Resume Work August 3 -Governor Ugwuanyi

30Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

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

Enugu State’s Civil Servants to Resume Work August 3 -Governor Ugwuanyi

The Governor Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has asked all civil servants in the state to resume work on Monday, August 3, 2020. The directive was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya. In the statement, the state government advised returning civil servants to observe all Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols for containment of the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), “including hand washing with soap, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer, compulsory use of face shield/mask and maintaining social distancing”. It would be recalled that following the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, the Enugu State Government, directed all civil servants in the state to work from their homes since March 23, 2020, as part of meas...

Ogun plans August 14 Worship Centres Reopening, Schools to Resume August 4

30Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

African Development, Covid-19, Economy, Education, Employment, Finance, Interview, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Religion, Safety, Youths

Ogun plans August 14 Worship Centres Reopening, Schools to Resume August 4

The Ogun state Government plans a conditional approval for reopening of places of worship across the state from August 14, 2020 in absolute compliance to COVID-19 safety guidelines. The state government also disclosed that schools will resume August 4, for students preparing for the recently approved senior school certificate examination organised by West African Examination Council (WAEC). In a chat with journalists on Wednesday in Abeokuta, the state capital, the Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun said his administration took the decision to reopen schools and worship centres after diligent consultation with relevant stakeholders. He acknowledged the effort of League of Imams and Alfas as well as the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for standing on t...

FAAN Speaks on Readiness for Eid-El-Kabir Celebration

29Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Aviation, Covid-19, Economy, Finance, News, Nigeria, Press Statement, Safety, Security, Transportation

FAAN Speaks on Readiness for Eid-El-Kabir Celebration

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has assured air travelers of its readiness to serve Nigerians during the Sallah celebrations. A statement released through its Twitter handled signed by Henrietta Yakubu General Manager, Corporate Affairs expressed its commitment to ensure safety of its airports and travelers. The Federal Government is ensuring gradual reopening of airports after closure due to COVID-19 pandemic. The statement read, “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) assures all airport users that Nigerian airports under its management are fully ready to play host to air travelers during this Sallah celebrations. As part of our commitment to ensure safe, healthy and seamless facilitation of our highly esteemed passengers during the Sallah celebrations...

FG Declares July 30, 31 Public Holiday to Mark Sallah

28Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

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

FG Declares July 30, 31 Public Holiday to Mark Sallah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has said that Thursday, July 30 and Friday, July 31 will be observed as public holidays to heed Eid-el-Kabir Celebration. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah announced in a statement on Tuesday. The statement contained a congratulatory message to Muslim faithful and Nigerians by Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior. It read in part, “He called on the Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country especially as the world is witnessing global health challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic.” Aregbesola asked Nigerians to observe saf...

Gahaya Links and Mastercard Foundation Partner to Protect and Empower Women-Led Artisan Communities in Rwanda

28Jul

By adminNo Comments

Covid-19, Economy, Fashion, Inspirational, News, Press Statement, Rwanda, Women Empowerment

Gahaya Links and Mastercard Foundation Partner to Protect and Empower Women-Led Artisan Communities in Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda, July 27, 2020 – Gahaya Links, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation’s COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program, has provided 40,000 vulnerable families in their artisan network with face masks, which will help them prevent the spread of COVID-19 while enabling them to safely engage in income generating activity. The face masks were produced by 1,406 tailors, mostly women, providing economic opportunity to the artisan community which has been severely affected by the lockdown measures initiated mid-March in Rwanda countrywide. Through this partnership, Gahaya Links has worked with its vast network of women cooperatives to protect its members against the health risks of the pandemic. These women, who come from homes with an average of six family members, ...