Author: Chronicle Editor

The United Nations-backed government in Libya has imposed a 24-hour curfew for 10 days to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The curfew will start on Friday, Reuters news agency reports quoting a statement from the government based in the capital, Tripoli. The country has 48 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and has reported one death. It recorded its first case on 24 March. All vegetable and meat markets will be closed during the curfew, according to Anadolu agency, but bakeries and some shops will remain open. Libya has been wracked by conflict since the 2011 uprising which ousted long-time leader Muammar…

The baby of a “highly valued and loved” nurse who died after contracting coronavirus has been delivered successfully. Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, 28, had worked for five years at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, where she died on Sunday. A hospital trust spokeswoman said the nurse’s “child was doing very well” but could give no further information. Ms Agyapong was admitted to hospital on 7 April, having tested positive for Covid-19 two days previously. David Carter, chief executive of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said she was a “fantastic nurse and a great example of what we stand for in this…

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, has disclosed that the N128 billion budget of the National Assembly is shrouded in secrecy. The Minister said this in an interview with Kadaria Ahmed on radio, which was monitored by The Eagle Online. Ahmed explained that the Ministry is not aware of the recurrent expenditure, capital expenditure and overheads expenditure in the budget of the National Assembly for 2020. The Minister said: “The President directed us that we should protect salaries and pensions and we must cut expenditure. “But we are asked to cut expenditure by 20 per cent…

Sterling Bank has introduced some palliative measures for customers to cushion the effects of the government’s lockdown as Nigeria continues to battle coronavirus. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman explained that the bank understands that a lot of businesses have had to shut down their operations to curb the spread of the virus. “This has taken a toll on the employment and source of livelihood for many people. We are offering a range of solutions to help Nigerians manage through temporary or extended periods of reduced or lost income as a result of COVID-19,” he said in a statement. Among…

The Kano State Government has reported an additional five coronavirus cases that was not captured by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) late Wednesday night. According to the Kano State Ministry for Health twelve new cases were confirmed on Wednesday but the NCDC reported 16. Disclosing the update via its official Twitter account, the ministry said: “Wednesday, 15th April 2020. As at 11:55 pm, 1 death of #COVID19 has been recorded.” Wednesday, 15th April 2020. As at 11:55 pm, 1 death of #COVID19 has been recorded in @KanostateNg @NCDCgov @FMICNigeria @dawisu @NOA_Nigeria @Chikwe_I @NphcdaNG #StaySafeNigeria #StayHome pic.twitter.com/SC68LnBZHT — Kano State…

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state disclosed his coronavirus status on Wednesday, explaining that, he is still positive and in self isolation. El-Rufai, chaired the State Executive Council meeting through a video conference yesterday, made the disclosure on his Twitter handle afternoon. Urging Nigerians and Kaduna State residents to disregard conflicting news on his coronavirus status, the governor promised to make a public statement when he is giving a clean bill of health. He tweeted yesterday: “Earlier today, between 10am and 2pm, I took few hours during my isolation and chaired a virtual meeting of the State Executive Council. El-Rufai…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 34 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday night taking the total to 407 confirmed cases. The disease control centre also stated that two deaths were recorded on 15 April, taking total death figures to 12. There was good news too. The total number of discharged patients have risen to 128 after patients tested negative in both Lagos and Osun states. According to the NCDC, “Thirty-four new cases of COVID-19 have been reported as follows: 18 Lagos, 12 in Kano, two in Katsina, one in Delta and one in Niger. “As at 11:20…

Former Vice-President Joe Biden has denied an allegation that he sexually assaulted a former aide nearly 30 years ago as a US senator. Tara Reade, who worked briefly as a staff assistant in Mr Biden’s office, has said that her former boss forced her against a wall, putting his hands under her shirt and skirt. “This absolutely did not happen,” Mr Biden’s campaign said this week. Mr Biden, 77, is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. “He firmly believes that women have a right to be heard – and heard respectfully,” said his campaign spokeswoman. “Such claims should also…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the launch of its 12th and 13th testing laboratory, 17 days after it announced expansion of testing labs. On March 29, the NCDC had said that it was working hard to expand our testing capacity for COVID-19. At the time, the disease control centre said there were currently six labs in Nigeria with capacity to test for COVID-19. “We aim to scale up to 13 labs in next three weeks,” NCDC said. At the time the testing labs in progress were Abakaliki, Maiduguri, Kano, Sokoto, Port-Harcourt, Jos and Kaduna. As of today,…

The chairman of Agbado/Oke Odo, Dr. Augustine Adeoye Arogundade has ordered the immediate closure of Ile Epo market as part of efforts to support the Lagos State Government in the containment of the coronavirus pandemic. The chairman ordered the immediate closure on Wednesday, 15 April warning that those who do not obey will face the full wrath of the law. “The Executive Chairman Agbado/Oke Odo, Dr. Augustine Adeoye Arogundade today, Wednesday 15th April 2020 ordered the immediate lockup of Ile Epo Market,” a message sent to Chronicle NG read. “This is a result of non-compliance with the federal government directives…