Author: Chronicle Editor

The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 has warned that allowing a second wave of the pandemic in Nigeria can destroy the economy and lead to too many deaths. Its National Coordinator, Dr. Sani Aliyu, gave the warning yesterday at a media briefing in Abuja. “Specifically, we urge businesses that are reopening to align themselves to our efforts by establishing and practising COVID-19-sensitive business precautionary measures. “We eventually have to reopen, but we can only do so if we reopen safely. It is quite clear, as we can see from the other parts of the world, that certain countries are…

The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed has explained that the 300,000 low cost housing scheme in the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) will be executed by young architects and engineers in small firms. Speaking on the plan by the Nigerian government on Monday, Ahmed said the 12-month plan will give new homes to 300,000 Nigerians across the country as included in the ESP. “Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) is a plan that is for 12 months, designed to help the economy and also help our capacity in reaching the health challenges that we are facing as a result of #COVID-19” “The target…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 288 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Monday. The 288 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 44129. The NCDC also announced the discharge of 355 patients from isolation centers across the country with eight new deaths reported. Lagos state, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria reported 88 new confirmed cases taking the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos alone to 15355. Nigeria announces 304 new coronavirus cases Kwara state reported 33 new cases, Osun recorded 27…

Local carrier, Air Peace, has sacked scores of pilots across its fleet and have slashed staff salaries by up to 40 per cent, the company said on Monday. The airline spokesperson, Mr. Stanley Olise said the retrenchment and shedding of staff salary became necessary following the economic devastation caused by COVID-19 pandemic. He described the sacking as “painful but rightful decision,” in a statement. He added that the airline’s management said the cutbacks were necessary to ensure that Air Peace survives the hardship of the times. The spokesman’s communique further stressed that the decision was inevitable under the circumstances, adding…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has demanded that the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) account for $2 billion China loan and $460 million on CCTV. The ruling APC also explained that agreements on loans secured by the Buhari administration were standard procedure. “The statement issued by the Media Office of former Vice President, Alh. Atiku Abubakar on the standard sovereign guarantee and sovereign immunity clause embedded in Nigeria’s loan agreements with China to fund the ongoing national railway projects is unresearched, unintelligent and pedestrian. “As the Minister for Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has explained the guarantee/clause in the loan…

Presidency has described Trade Union Congress (TUC) proposed nationwide protest against corruption in Nigeria as “totally uncalled for and ill advised”. Garba Shehu, spokesperson to President Muhammadu Buhari said the union should partner with the President on corruption, not stampede him. “The reported plan by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to embark on a nationwide protest over the alleged President Buhari’s “inaction over the high-level of corruption uncovered at the Niger Delta Development Agency (NDDC), the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC)” is ill advised and totally uncalled for, considering that there…

A Georgia teenager who lost both his parents to COVID-19 within a week is urging people to take precautions during the pandemic. Justin Hunter said he and his parents had all tested positive for the coronavirus last month. He was asymptomatic, but soon his mom and dad started having symptoms, Yahoo News reported, quoting Atlanta ABC affiliate, WSB. “Their temperature skyrocketed, they had headaches, a horrible cough. They just felt very lazy,” Justin said. After both, his parents were admitted to the same hospital, his father, Eugene Hunter, 59, a musician, died on July 26. “The last thing he said…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the final forfeiture of N827, 679,098.32 (Eight Hundred and Twenty-Seven Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Ninety-Eight Naira, Thirty-Two Kobo) from Flank Power Resources Limited and GMFD Ventures Limited, both of whom are firms linked to contractors with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. Matthew Edevbie is the Chief Executive Officer of Flank Power Resources Limited. The forfeiture followed the order of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, sequel to an affidavit deposed to by an EFCC investigator, in which the Commission prayed the court for the…

A store manager in one of the shops at the Ikeja Mall has stated that Shoprite Nigeria is not shutting down, rather it is being acquired by a local retail company. Many Nigerians woke up to the news that Shoprite Nigeria was shutting down following an official communication by the supermarket giant that it is closing its Nigeria branch. Many took to social media to blame President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for Shoprite’s failing. The South African supermarket chain is leaving Nigeria after 15 years. In reaction to a question that Shoprite was shutting down, the store manager, Adeyinka Saka offered clarification…

The Insight by Lateef Adewole In the midst of plethora of distasteful revelations in Nigeria about mind-boggling corruption, financial heist and massive stealing of public funds by public officials, elected and appointed, news like the one that exonerated the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) on Tuesday, was a sweet relief. It was like a soothing balm on a sore wound. Why such feelings? Sincerely, when the allegations surfaced months ago about wrongdoings which bothered on unethical practices against Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, there were serious concerns and genuine worries by people of goodwill across the globe, and by us in…