Author: Chronicle Editor

Two Nigerians temporarily living in Switzerland have indicated that they desire to be evacuated to Nigeria amid the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world. Ambassador Baba Madugu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Switzerland disclosed this on Tuesday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in that country. It will be recalled that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently directed all its missions abroad to compile lists of willing nationals who wished to return home to Nigeria. That was sequel to the request by Nigerians stranded abroad in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa,…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja praised the European Union (EU) for donating the sum of N21 billion (50 million euros) to support Nigeria’s efforts at controlling the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Receiving the EU delegation to the country, led by Amb Ketil Karlsen, President Buhari said the donation would go a long way in supporting Nigeria’s efforts at controlling & containing the virus to prevent community spread, as well as revitalise the national health care systems. The President used the occasion to express sincere condolences of the Government and people of Nigeria to European Union-member countries and…

As chairman of the Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC), Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is seeking ways to protect jobs and also create new ones after the coronavirus pandemic. Globally, workers are losing jobs in their millions but the ESC inauguarted by President Muhammadu Buhari is seeking ways to ensure that most Nigerians keep their jobs. It was also gathered that the committee, which will meet today, has also recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari to approve the expansion of the COVID-19 palliatives to accommodate more Nigerians, especially those who rely largely on daily income. Investigation revealed that based on the recommendations made…

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has dismissed claims on social media that small-scale businesses who apply for COVID-19 loans are required to pay a certain amount as application processing fee. In a statement, its CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor, said: “For the avoidance of doubt, there are clearly spelt out procedures for accessing the N50 billion Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) stimulus package to support households and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are disbursed through the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB). “Members of the public, particularly households and owners of small-scale businesses, are…

Sen. Bernie Sanders on Monday endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president, pledging to help him defeat President Donald Trump in the general election as the two agreed to launch a series of task forces to work jointly on policy matters. “We need you in the White House. I will do all that I can to see that that happens, Joe,” Sanders said to Biden during a livestream broadcast by Biden’s campaign on his website and on social media. The endorsement of Biden by his leading Democratic rival marks a key moment for Democrats as the party seeks to…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 20 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in Nigeira, taking the total to 343 as at Monday night. The disease control centre says the total number of states with coronavirus cases are now 19. “Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported as follows: 13 in Lagos 2 in Edo 2 in Kano 2 in Ogun 1 in Ondo. “As at 09:50 pm 13th April there are 343 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. 91 have been discharged with 10 deaths No of states with confirmed cases:19. NCDC stated that, as…

– DIG in charge of South-west to coordinate – 191 Suspects arrested The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has deployed intervention squads to Lagos and Ogun following a spate of armed robberies in both state. The IGP also said 191 suspects have been arrested by the police in both states. “In the wake of recent activities of hoodlums and street urchins in the border communities between Lagos and Ogun states, the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu has ordered the immediate deployment of additional intelligence and operational assets of the Force, comprising Police Mobile Force (PMF) Units, Federal…

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria addressed Nigerians on Monday 13 April explaining that there will be another 14-day lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states. Read his full speech below: 1. Fellow Nigerians 2. In my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of fourteen days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020. 3. Many State Governments also introduced similar restrictions. 4. As your democratically elected leaders, we made this very difficult decision knowing fully…

President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the lockdown in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lagos and Ogun states by 14 days. The President said the 14-day extension was going to enable the country to adequately tackle and contain the spread of coronavirus. “In my address on Sunday, 29th March, 2020, I asked the residents of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Federal Capital Territory to stay at home for an initial period of 14 days starting from Monday, 30th March 2020. “However, such sacrifices are needed to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our country. They were necessary to…

The federal government would henceforth work with state governments to reach out to beneficiaries of its palliatives provided to ease the effects of COVID-19 on the poor. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadiya Umar-Farouk, made this disclosure on Monday at the daily briefing of the Taskforce. Responding to a question on whether the federal government was thinking of changing the strategy of sharing the palliatives, owing to criticism from quarters, the Minister said the country had a national response plan on ground, with representatives from the national to local government on board. She said all…