Author: Chronicle Editor

*VP hints of efforts to re-engineer, rethink our healthcare delivery systems Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says although the coronavirus pandemic has affected lives and livelihoods of Nigerians in different ways, it, however, offers an opportunity for the Nigerian people and government to have a reset in critical sectors of the economy and social services. Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Thursday, at a virtual launch of the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund, NSSF, – an initiative of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), the Global Citizen, and other partners. The Vice President joined the event from his office. The NSSF is designed…

The Minister, Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has flagged off the modified Home Grown School Feeding Programme in the FCT. Sadiya Farouq performed the commencement of the programme today in Kuje, Abuja, a statement by Rhoda Iliya, Deputy Director Information said. She said that the Modified Home Grown School Feeding is a National Programme funded by the Federal Government but implemented by the states. According to Farouq, “the ministry is working hard with our partners both at National and International levels to mitigate the challenge posed by hunger especially during this trying period.” The Minister disclosed that she was in…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 193 confirmed coronavirus cases in the country on Thursday. The 193 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed cases to 5162. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 110 patients from isolation centers across the country and three deaths were also reported. Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria topped the number of confirmed cases with 58 new cases. Kano recorded 46 cases while Jigawa reported 35 new cases. Nigeria announces 184 coronavirus cases “Twelve new cases were announced in Yobe and…

The leadership of the National Assembly on Thursday met with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning to be briefed by the latter on the plan by the Federal Government to amend the N10.59 trillion 2020 budget passed by the National Assembly in December last year. The meeting which had in attendance principal officers from both chambers, was presided over by Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. The Senate President, in his welcome address told the Executive arm of Government to ensure that the interest of Nigerians remains protected in the…

A test to find out whether people have been infected with coronavirus in the past has been approved by health officials in England. Public Health England said the antibody test, developed by Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche, was a “very positive development”. The blood test looks for antibodies to see if a person has already had the virus and might now have some immunity. Until now, officials have said such tests are not reliable enough. The government previously spent a reported £16m buying antibody tests which later proved to be ineffective. Sources told the BBC the Roche test was the first…

Governor Seyi Makinde has mourned the passing of the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Rt. Honourable Kehinde Ayoola. In a statement on Thursday, he said he was sad by the news of the Commissioner he described as a “loyal friend”. “I received with deep sadness, the news of the death of my dear friend and colleague, Rt. Honourable Kehinde Ayoola,” he said. “Up until his death this morning, he served as the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources in Oyo State. “I met late Rt. Honourable Ayoola in 2002, when we worked together as members of…

The trial of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, before Justice Jude Okeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama has been adjourned to June 10, 2020 for continuation of trial. The trial was to continue today, May 14, 2020 but could not due to the absence of the prosecution witness who could not travel to Abuja due to the ban on inter-state travels as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have a challenge, securing the attendance of the witness who is outside the court’s jurisdiction,” prosecution counsel, Offem Uket told…

Niger’s defense ministry says 75 fighters with the Boko Haram extremist group have been killed in two operations this week. Niger’s forces killed at least 25 on Monday after launching an offensive against Boko Haram fighters who attacked military positions over the weekend, the ministry said late Tuesday. During the offensive in the southern Diffa region, Nigerien forces destroyed several explosive devices. Violence drive 23,000 from Nigeria to Niger Also Monday, forces from Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon carried out air raids on islands in Lake Chad sheltering Boko Haram fighters, killing at least 50 in Nigerian territory, the ministry…

BudgIT, a civic organization committed to fiscal transparency has launched its COVID-19 platform for the effective tracking and monitoring of the utilization of all donations from both local and international donors for COVID-19 response. BudgIT says the platform is hosted on (https://civichive.org/covidtracka/), through the network of their project tracking officers across the country. The civic organization said they would also monitor the distribution of palliatives to the underprivileged and vulnerable communities across all states. The recent crash in global oil prices and reduced demand for oil in the global market has resulted in at least a 60% cut in oil…

There is global anxiety on what the future holds for humanity post-COVID-19, particularly in respect of the economy, healthcare, job security, and general wellbeing. Naturally, Nigerians are not immune from the disquietude, as they belong to the global community. Below is a checklist of some measures that President Muhammadu Buhari has taken, and will further take, to make life abundant for Nigerians. This should assuage some apprehensions: Buhari officially announces Gambari as Chief of Staff Economic Sustainability Committee headed by the Vice President to define a post-COVID-19 economy for Nigeria. An economic team, headed by the Minister of Finance, Budget…