Author: Chronicle Editor

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday, 28 March received Health Minister, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu at the State House. The duo briefed the President on the containment effort of the health ministry and the disease control centre. The President who had been rumoured to have travelled to the United Kingdom looked in very good health and did not wear the face mask that both the minister and DG wore. No curfew in Lagos, says Sanwo-Olu VIDEO: President Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) just concluded a meeting with Health Minister,…

Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has dropped the idea of imposing a curfew in the state meant to allow the fumigation exercise of public space. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Gboyega Akosile said the state government has not given any directive on the curfew. He said the state government was relying on experts advice and that the governor said the disinfectant is non toxic, noting that the exercise has commenced. He said: “I am pleased to note that we have taken possession of over 200 disinfecting machines, and starting today, we will be disinfecting all major highways, bus…

Nigeria’s 43 Cabinet Ministers have donated 50% of their March 2020 salaries to support the Federal Government’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, quoted the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, who coordinated the donation, as saying it was a gesture of solidarity and support for the Federal Government’s efforts to tackle the disease. “This global virus outbreak will require nations, continents and smaller communities to pull together to contribute their resources and support one another. COVID-19: Obasanjo…

…Governor Signs Infectious Diseases Regulation 2020 Into Law To Legalise Restrictions Lagos State Government on Friday opened 50 neighbourhood food markets across the State to serve as makeshift groceries for residents to buy food items, as confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) increases the chance of possible stringent measures. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a briefing on Friday disclosed that the initiative was necessary, hinting that the State Government may take “tougher decisions” if the confirmed cases of coronavirus surpass the threshold set by the State. Sanwo-Olu said that there had been a “strange trend” recorded by the State in its response…

At least 100 residential buildings, schools, churches were destroyed by an explosion suspected to be bomb blast in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Saturday morning. The blast which occurred in the early hours of Saturday cut off the ever-busy Akure /Owo road while many people were said to be injured. The explosion which happened less than a kilometre away from the Akure Airport, affected many residents of Eleyowo community, destroying completely a church and a school in the area. Many people who lived within the church premises were said to be injured while some were rescued by the people…

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday announced that his former residence at the Presidential Hilltop, Abeokuta, Ogun State be used as isolation centre for victims of the coronavirus disease. In a statement by Kehinde Akinyemi, Special Assistant Media to the former President, Chief Obasanjo said the 32-room facility has been handed over to the Ogun state government for immediate take over. Akinyemi said that the former President was concerned about the pandemic “and I think those who can in one way or another assist in this situation should do so,” he was quoted as having said. COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu rolls out…

The Insight by Lateef Adewole “If you muddle the water, we’ll all drink from it” Last week, I wrote about an impending meltdown in our national activities within the Nigerian space and they have begun to fully take effect with all that is currently going on. A journey to a complete lock down is dawning on us. Finally, the chicken has come home to roost. It is becoming exhausting to think of the challenges facing the world and our country, Nigeria specifically, as a result of the ravaging Covid-19. So, I had earlier resolved not to write about it again…

Italy has recorded 919 new coronavirus deaths, its highest daily figure in the outbreak so far. It means 9,134 people have now died from the virus in the country. Earlier World Health Organization chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a “chronic global shortage” of protective equipment was one of the “most urgent threats” to the ability to save lives. Italy is the worst-affected in Europe. Almost everything has been closed and people told to stay at home. Earlier on Friday, authorities warned that restrictions were likely to be extended beyond 3 April. What is the latest from Italy? The northern…

President Donald Trump has signed the largest-ever US financial stimulus package, worth $2tn (£1.7tn), as the country grapples with the coronavirus pandemic. The House of Representatives passed the cross-party bill two days after the Senate debated its provisions. On Wednesday the number of Americans filing for unemployment surged to a record high of 3.3 million people. The US has more confirmed cases of coronavirus than any other country, with more than 100,000 positive tests. No Democratic lawmakers were invited to the historic signing ceremony, which was held at the White House, though the president thanked both parties “for coming together,…

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled economic stimulus package for the indigent and the most vulnerable days after the Lagos State Government issued a stay-at-home directive to residents to curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The stimulus, which comes in food packs, to be distributed to every local government in the State is aimed at cushioning the effect of the fourteen days stay-at-home directive. Speaking after an on-the-spot assessment of one of the State-owned food banks, located inside the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Agege, Sanwo-Olu said the economic stimulus will reduce the burden of the temporary…