Author: Chronicle Editor

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has tested positive for coronavirus, as second wave of the pandemic kicks in across Nigeria. Deputy governor Manir Dan’iya is expected to take over as Governor Tambuwal goes into self-isolation and recovery. “Governor Tambuwal goes into isolation after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19,” a tweet on his official account said. Adding that, “The Deputy Governor will oversee all activities of the state pending the outcome of the test result of the Governor.” Nigeria hospitalisation has spiked since the second wave kicked in with more people testing positive than in…

Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the convoy of the Emir of Kaura Namoda, Zamfara State, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad Asha leaving eight members of his entourage dead. Among the dead were palace guards, a driver and three police men attached to the Emir. An online platform, SILN reports that the Emir’s convoy was attacked along Zaria-Funtua road, Kaduna state. Reports however said that the traditional ruler, who was said to be on his way back to Kaura Namoda from Abuja where he attended an event, escaped unhurt. SILN further reported that the Kaura Namoda Emirate Council were making arrangements to convey…

The Senate, shortly before it adjourned plenary on Thursday, passed the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). The passage of the document was sequel to the consideration of a harmonized conference report of the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives. In his presentation, Chairman of the Committee on Finance, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola (APC – Lagos West), said the Conference Report of the Senate and House of Representatives was a harmonized position of both chambers upon examination of the differences contained in the 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP document. According to the lawmaker, the Joint…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced 1,145 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Thursday. The 1,145 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 76,207. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 335 patients from isolation centers across the country with one new death reported. Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria reported 459 new confirmed cases taking the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos alone to 25,895. Nigeria announces 930 coronavirus new cases The Federal Capital Territory recorded 145 new cases, Kaduna state…

Warns that hospitals and facilities are overwhelmed, calls for strict enforcement of compliance protocols At the monthly meeting on Thursday presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, members of the National Economic Council, NEC, expressed alarm at the spike in COVID-19 cases in Nigeria and decided to act on the strict enforcement of measures to contain the spread of the disease across the country. In a resolution released after the virtual meeting attended by State Governors, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and other federal ministers, the Council noted that it “is alarmed that the current trends are now…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed with the governor of Zamfara, Bello Mohammed after it alleged that a governor from the northwest was behind the heightened cases of banditry, abductions and other violent crimes in the zone. The APC urged security agencies to launch investigation into an intelligence report, which it claimed indicted the governor. But the Zamfara state governor has since kicked back, stressing that, he dedicated the whole of his precious time and efforts in the last 100 hours to ensure the release of these innocent children was taken aback when immediately after their release. He described the position…

The US has suggested that the process to find a new Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) needs to be reopened, in what would be an unprecedented move. Donald Trump’s trade chief Robert Lighthizer told the BBC on Wednesday that the WTO needs “someone with real experience in trade”. The US opposes former World Bank economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for the job. A consensus still hasn’t been reached. The doubling down on the rejection of Ms Okonjo-Iweala, despite widespread support from other countries, escalates one of the most pressing global trade issues Joe Biden will have to solve as US…

President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community. In a short remark shortly after their release was announced, President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible. President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’ He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force…

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has urged Nigerians to disregard her tweet claiming Kankara boys have regained their freedom. She claimed that her Twitter and Instagram accounts were hacked for some minutes drawing fierce criticism from Twitter users. “Please don’t credit any post on Katsina boys to my Twitter handle. I lost control of my handle in the last couple of minutes, along with my Instagram. I have recovered and changed my password,” she claimed. In her previous tweet, she claimed that the 333 schoolboys abducted by Boko Haram have been recovered, showering praise on…

Another member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, Hon. Sam Onuigbo on Thursday announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement of Onuigbo’s defection was received with a standing ovation by members of the APC family in the House and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who was admitted into the chamber to witness the brief ceremony. However, the defection of the Lawmaker who is one of the oldest members of the House created uproar from members of the opposition in the House who insisted that the constitution has…