Author: Chronicle Editor

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arrested suspended chairman of the Special Investigation Panel on Recovery of Public Property (SPIP), Okoi Obono-Obla five months after he was declared wanted. He was on Friday arrested in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital for charges bordering on forgery and fraud. Mr Obono-Obla, who was declared wanted by ICPC for allegedly refusing to honour its investigation, was picked up in an undisclosed location in the Federal Capital Territory. The former special assistant to the president on prosecution is undergoing medicals at ICPC headquarters in Abuja. Confirming the development, ICPC spokesperson, Rasheedah…

Nollywood actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim on Friday said she is presently under self-isolation after she arrived Nigeria from the United Kingdom. Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, had advised travelers arriving Nigeria to self-quarantine for at least 14 days, in order to limit the potential spread of the deadly coronavirus. The self-quarantine is highly recommended especially for those arriving from coronavirus hotspot countries, including the UK. “Yesterday, in the morning, I returned to Lagos from the UK – one of the countries listed as a COVID-19 hotspot by the Federal Ministry of Health,” Ikpe-Etim said on Twitter. COVID-19: FG shuts three…

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has announced the closure of three International airports in the country as part of measures taken to combat the spread of coronavirus. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman PTF, Boss Mustapha, stated that effective from Saturday 21st March, 2020 midnight, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa will be closed to all international flights. However, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos will remain…

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has directed all its members currently on strike to suspend their action as part of efforts to tackle COVID-19 in the country. The association’s President, Dr Francis Faduyile, gave the directive on Friday in Abuja at a news conference on the response of the NMA and dental practitioners towards containing the global pandemic of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Faduyile said that the directive was one of the NMAs guidelines towards the management of the COVID-19. “We direct all state NMA to set up a five-man committee of health professionals including doctors, pharmacists and nurses to monitor…

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has suspended group bio-metric clearance for corps members because of the deadly coronavirus. The scheme also suspended the weekly Community Development Service meetings of corps members because of the disease. The NYSC noted that these are proactive measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus among corps members. The Director-General, Brig. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, stated these in a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations of the NYSC, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi on Friday in Abuja. Ibrahim said the NYSC has taken adequate precautionary steps towards ensuring that all corps members are safe. He…

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has postponed the 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates indefinitely. A statement by head, WAEC Nigeria’s National Office, Mr. Patrick Ehidiamen Areghan, said the examination scheduled to begin April 6, 2020 in member countries, was postponed as a result of coronavirus pandemic. “The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) in Nigeria, nay, the West African sub-region, has decided to put on hold the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2020, earlier scheduled to commence on April 6, 2020,” the statement said. Senate mourns…

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of Nigerians especially with the current happenings around the world. Speaking while receiving the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in State House, President Buhari said: “I am pleased that you are working with the Ministry of Health on protecting our citizens from Covid-19 virus.” “You must work to guarantee the safety and security of our pilgrims. As a government, this is now a key priority for us. I therefore enjoin you to ensure that adequate medical provisions and other welfare…

President Muhammadu Buhari has shared heartfelt sorrow with Senator Ben Murray-Bruce on the loss of his wife of 41 years, Evelyn. The President prayed God to comfort the Senator, who represented Bayelsa East in the 8th Assembly, the children left by the deceased, and the entire family. Urging them to take solace in the quality of life lived by the departed, President Buhari beseeches God to soothe their pains, and grant succour to all those who mourn Mrs Evelyn Murray-Bruce. Senator Murray-Bruce had disclosed on Twitter that he lost his wife after she battled cancer. In his eulogy to his…

Social distancing would be needed for “at least half of the year” to stop intensive care units being overwhelmed, according to the government’s scientific advisers. The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) recommended alternating between more and less strict measures for most of a year. Strict measures include school closures and social distancing for everyone. Less restrictive measures include isolating cases and households. It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday that the UK could “turn the tide” on the coronavirus outbreak within 12 weeks. Schools in England, Scotland and Wales will close on Friday until further notice – except for…

The Federal Government has added Austria and Sweden to the list of high-risk countries restricted from entering Nigeria over the coronavirus outbreak. Already, 13 countries, considered high-risk, have been placed on the list released on Wednesday. They include: China, Iran, South Korea, Germany, Italy, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Spain, France, and Japan. Coronavirus: 1,300 people under watch in Nigeria Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday during a briefing.