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292 Nigerian nationals arrive Abuja from Saudi Arabia
The Federal Government on Tuesday received a batch of 292 stranded Nigerians from Saudi Arabia. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the evacuees with a large number of nursing mother and children were flown to Abuja. This is coming after the country successfully evacuated Nigerians from United Arab Emirates (265); United Kingdom (253) and the United States (160). The latest returnees bring to 970 the total number of stranded Nigerians who have been evacuated. Onyeama, via his verified Twitter account, stated that the returnees are doing well and have all settled down in hotels for the mandatory 14-day quarantine. “We received 292 evacuees stranded in Saudi Arabia yesterday. The Saudi Government transported them to Abuja. A large number are nursing mothers and ch...
EU must focus on health, jobs now, fiscal matters later – Commission
European Union (EU) countries must now focus on investment in public health and protecting jobs and companies, and worry about fiscal sustainability later, the European Commission said on Wednesday. European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs Paolo Gentiloni said that EU should coordinate its approach to economic recovery once the coronavirus pandemic subsides in its annual recommendations to the bloc’s 27 countries. Budget gaps in all EU countries except Bulgaria will widen well beyond the EU’s usual ceiling of 3 per cent of gross domestic product this year as governments use public money to prop up economies that are expected to plunge into their deepest recessions ever this year. Public debt is also going to rocket, breaching the EU’s normal requirement that it should be fa...
Few signs Sweden’s coronavirus strategy will save it any economic pain
Sweden side-stepped a Europe-wide lockdown in mid-March, diverting from the path taken by neighboring states in the scramble to slow the spread of coronavirus. Since then, observers have been keen to see whether the Nordic state’s contrarian approach — which allowed businesses to keep running and children to keep going to school — was enlightened or badly misguided. Sweden’s death rate from COVID-19 of 364 per million is proving hard to interpret. It is well above some locked-down states like Finland at 54 but well below other countries with a much stricter regime, like the U.K. at 510. Experts say they will need more time to make a proper assessment of the effect of different lockdowns on public health. Meanwhile, when it comes to the economic effects of Sweden’s more relaxed approach to ...
Kaduna governor accuses security agents of sabotage
Governor Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State has accused security agents of sabotaging efforts put in place to stop the influx of travelers in Kaduna state. He said the level of traffic in and out of Kaduna state despite a Presidential directive that bans interstate travels, was disappointing. He spoke in a live chat radio program on Tuesday, adding that almost all those who tested positive to coronavirus in Kaduna had travel history. According to him, the influx of people into the state was because of corrupt security agents on the highway. “They are sabotaging the state government’s efforts for monetary gain,” he alleged. “We have tried everything but the security agents have not been cooperating. We have heard of instances where commercial drivers and others pay them to come into Kadu...
Yobe governor mourns deceased chief judge
Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has expressed deep shock over the death of the State Chief Judge, Justice Garba Nabaruma who died yesterday at the National Hospital, Abuja. The governor described the death of the late Chief Judge as a huge loss to the family, the judiciary, the state and the country. Buni said: “He was a humble gentleman and a consummate professional who was known for fairness and justice. Late Nabaruma has done the state and the judiciary proud in the course of discharging his duties as a legal officer.” Buni prayed that God will give the family, the judiciary and state the grace to bear the unfortunate loss. He said the Chief Judge will be remembered for his enormous contributions to the development of the judiciary in Yobe State and Nigeria. Late Naburama who battle...
Didier Drogba: How Juan Mata helped me win Champions League trophy
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has revealed how his former Blues’ teammate, Juan Mata, helped him win the 2012 UEFA Champions League. Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties in the final to win their first Champions League trophy eight years ago at the Allianz Arena. Thomas Mueller put the host in front with eight minutes left to the end of the match before Didier Drogba equalised for the Premier League giant following an assist from Mata as the encounter ended 1-1 after 120 minutes. “Eight years ago, the manager [Andre Villas-Boas] had been sacked by the club and we, the players, had a team meeting where we recognised being partly responsible for his departure,” Drogba wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night. “The captain @johnterry spoke, @franklampard @petrcech and other leaders in the ...
WHO pledges to use ‘every tool’ to fight coronavirus
The World Health Organisation (WHO) would use every tool at its disposal to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Tedros Ghebreyesus, the Director-General, has said. Ghebreyesus spoke at the closing of two-day virtual World Health Assembly in Geneva. In his speech posted on WHO website, Ghebreyesus said some of the recommendations from the assembly would be shared and be implemented. “WHO’s focus now is fighting the pandemic with every tool at its disposal. “Our focus is on saving lives. At the end of the day, what matters is life. That should be at the centre of everything we do and everything we say. “I’ve been heartened by the way countries have shared experiences, best practices through our regular Member State briefings and at this Assembly,’’ he said. The director general said the agency woul...
Live Entertainment Is Returning Down Under
Live music is about to awaken from its lockdown slumber Down Under. From next week, Live Nation will test a weekly series of socially distanced concerts and comedy events in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. The Together Again shows will start next Friday (May 29) and Saturday (May 30) at The Tuning Fork in central Auckland, part of Spark Arena (formerly Vector Arena) with a rotating line-up of local artists and comedians. The concerts giant is “excited to be welcoming back live events in New Zealand,” comments Live Nation New Zealand chairman Stuart Clumpas in a statement, issued Tuesday (May 19). Supported by Vodafone, the gigs are an “opportunity for us to unite and celebrate the power of live with some of the country’s first socially distanced shows,” he continues. Performers acros...
Willie K, Grammy-Nominated Hawaiian Artist, Dies at 59
Willie K, the Grammy-nominated Hawaiian artist and producer, died Monday night (May 18) at his home in Wailuku after a years-long battle with lung cancer. He was 59. Born William Kahaiali‘I and known affectionately as Uncle Willie, the celebrated artist mastered the blues from a young age, taught by his dad Manu Kahaiali‘I, himself a respected musician. “My father was a great influence,” says Willie K in his biog. “He groomed me to be where I am today. He was just as diverse as I am—the guy knew how to play everything: jazz, blues and Hawaiian.” Willie’s artistry wouldn’t be tied down to any genre or instrument. He could play almost any instrument needed in his performance, from guitar to bass, ukulele and more, and his music palate was just as broad, covering jazz, reggae, rock, country a...
Man commits suicide in Abia
A 50-year-old man, identified as Chukwudi Maduka has allegedly committed suicide at Umuezu-Ore Umuana village in the Uhuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. The Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Police Command, Geoffrey Ogbonna, a superintendent of police, confirmed the development in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia on Tuesday. Mr Ogbonna said Mr Maduka was found dead early on Monday in his one-room apartment. The spokesman said the man did not leave suicide note, adding that the command had commenced investigation into the incident “to possibly unravel the reason for the suicide.” Narrating the development, a resident of the area, Dave Maduakor, said Mr Maduka set his apartment on fire before hanging himself, using the ceiling fan in the room. Mr Maduakor said nei...
Minister advises on correct use of face masks
The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, has again advised Nigerians to use their face masks correctly, to protect themselves and others from contracting the dreaded coronavirus disease. The minister gave the advice at the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 daily news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. He said that no policing should be needed to do the right thing, urging citizens to abide by the mandatory and correct use of face masks for the protection of others. Ehanire said that masks worn, must be washed daily, ironed and where possible, masks should cover mouth and nose and should not be left under the chin during close contact conversations or its purpose would be defeated. “New understanding is that droplet dispersal takes place even during normal speech and common use of face mas...
PTF: Nigeria unaware of €170,000 cost for Madagascar herbal mixture
Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic, Boss Mustapha, has said he was not aware of any cost paid for the Madagascar herbal mixture. Mustapha was responding to a question on reports that Nigeria had been asked to pay €170,000 for the Madagascar herbal mixture delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday by the visiting President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo. He said he had taken delivery of the solution sent to Nigeria as well as other African countries by Madagascar without request without any invoice. “In terms of the question of whether it comes with a cost. It was handed to me without an invoice so I assume it doesn’t come with a cost. “That’s my assumption. For that, I think the Madagasc...
