Pandemic
World Bank: Nigeria faces worst recession in 40 years
The collapse in crude oil prices, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to “plunge the Nigerian economy into a severe recession, the worst since the 1980s”, the World Bank said on Thursday. The World Bank, in a new report, titled ‘Nigeria in times of COVID-19: Laying foundations for a strong recovery,’ estimated that Nigeria’s economy would likely contract by 3.2 per cent this year. “This projection assumes that the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria is contained by the third quarter of 2020,” it said. The bank said if the spread of the virus became more severe, the economy could contract further. It said, “Before COVID-19, the Nigerian economy was expected to grow by 2.1 per cent in 2020, which means that the pandemic has led to a reduction in growth by more than five percentage poin...
Taraba governor launches 100-bed capacity isolation centre
Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Monday launched a 100-bed capacity isolation and treatment centre at the state NYSC Orientation Camp in Jalingo. He said that the establishment of the centre was part of measures to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Taraba. Represented by his Deputy, Haruna Manu, the governor said “there is currently no single case of COVID-19 in Taraba.” He explained that the move was, however, aimed at taking precautionary measures toward checking any spread in the event of an emergency. He commended the management of Access Bank PLC for donating beds for the centre and urged other well spirited individuals and groups to support government efforts at ensuring that the state remained COVID-19 free. Ishaku further urged the people to abide by the best global hygi...
Kid Rock’s Nashville Bar Has Beer Permit Suspended for Violating Pandemic Rules
Earlier this year, Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk and Steakhouse was one of a handful of Nashville establishments that refused to close despite Mayor’s orders as the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the city. Now, the very same tavern has had its beer permit suspended for violating social distancing guidelines upon re-opening. According to the Tennessean, Kid Rock’s Big Honky Tonk and Steakhouse, along with Broadway Brewhouse and Nudie’s Honky Tonk, were spotted serving patrons alcohol at their bars this past weekend. As part of Phase 2 of Nashville’s re-opening plan, a public health emergency plan bans people from sitting at bars. “They were in violation of two points of the order that states bar areas must remain closed to the public,” inspector Melvin Brown explained. “No interaction with the pub...
Refugees Day: Don seeks global support for refugees, IDPs
University of Ilorin Dr Abiola Adimula of the University of Ilorin has advocated for greater global support for refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Adimula made the call on Saturday in a statement made available to newsmen to commemorate the 2020 World Refugees Day. She called on the Federal Government to take more proactive measures to provide good health facilities, welfare items and economic empowerment for IDPs. According to Adimula, every action counts in supporting stateless people and their hosts. “Everyone, including refugees, can contribute to the society and every action counts in the efforts to create a more just, inclusive and equal world. “Whoever you are,no matter where you come from, every one of us can make a difference. “Every action truly counts; do an action...
Togo pay tribute to Edem Koudagba after unexpected death
The Togolese Football Federation have paid tribute to ASC Kara striker Kossi Edem Koudagba following his death at the age of 24 on Thursday. The striker, who netted against Nigeria at the 2019 Wafu Cup of Nations, died in his hometown of Davie following a short illness. “In these painful circumstances, the Executive Committee of the FTF wish to salute the memory of the player, whose qualities on and off the field are known to all,” a communique from the federation began. “The FTF Executive Committee would like, on behalf of Togolese football, to express our deepest condolences and express our feelings of sympathy to the family of the deceased, loved ones, the ASCK club, as well as the staff and players of the Togo national team.” Koudagba’s death was announced on Thursday, with the young f...
Minister: Nigeria working on plasma of recovered coronavirus patients for treatment
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on Sunday said the Federal Government is working on research, using plasma from the blood of recovered Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients to treat people infected with the virus. Ehanire said this while answering questions from journalists in Abuja on the possibility of using plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients to treat serious cases. The minister, who spoke at a news conference to commemorate the World Blood Donor Day (WBDD), said some research institutes were already working on the new research. According to him, plasma of patients recovered from COVID-19 is called Convalescent plasma. “It is believed that persons who suffered COVID-19 and have recovered will have antibodies inside their plasma, which can be used to treat others. “It can be used...
Senegal postpones school restart after teachers test positive for coronavirus
Senegal has postponed the restart of schools until further notice after several teachers tested positive for the new coronavirus, the education ministry said late on Monday. Schools were scheduled to gradually resume on Tuesday, after weeks of shutdown due to the pandemic. Senegal has recorded 3,739 positive COVID-19 cases since the start of the outbreak, with 43 deaths. An education ministry statement said teachers tested positive for coronavirus in Ziguinchor, in the Casamance area, south of the country. It said Senegal’s President Macky Sall decided to “postpone the restart of classes until a later date, in order to avoid any risk of the virus spreading in schools.” The government began bussing teachers from the capital Dakar to schools in the other regions last week in preparation for ...
Microsoft is replacing newsroom journalists with machines
Dozens of news producers who oversee MSN websites for Microsoft are being replaced by software. Media reports in Seattle, where the company is based, say around 50 news producers in both the US and Britain will not have their contracts renewed. Microsoft says the decision is not related to the pandemic. Get more stories like this on Twitter You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagined what a dating should be. It begins with giving you back power. Get to meet Beautiful people, chat and make money in the process. Earn rewards by chatting, sharing photos, blogging and help give users back their fair share of Internet revenue.
Ekiti polytechnic produces hand washing and sanitiding machines
The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, has produced machines for hand washing and sanitiser as part of its contribution to governments’ efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Speaking at the inauguration of the hand-free and pedal-operated equipment on Saturday, the Rector, Dr. Dayo Oladebeye, commended the efforts of the Department of Mechanical Engineering on the initiative. Oladebeye also applauded the functionality of the machine saying that, “it is efficient to use and it is smooth, without any friction.” The rector said that aside the hand washing and sanitising machine products, the Polytechnic has other initiatives that will attract patronages from across the country. “The Polytechnic is already making contacts to present the pedal-operated handwashing and sanitising ...
Olusegun Obasanjo’s library sacks many workers
The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State has sacked lots of workers following downturn caused by the deadly Coronavirus in the country. The library is owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Head of Human Resources, Administration and Procurement, Olanike Ogunleye, in a letter to affected workers, said the development was due to the overwhelming adverse impacts of coronavirus on the organisation. According to the letter, the current COVID-19 pandemic has had a toll on all business significantly, which had resulted to making some difficult business decisions. “Due to this situation, we regret to inform you that your employment will be put on hold till further notice. “You are to hand over all company properties in your possession to the human resource department...
Instacart’s tip-baiting system is short-changing shoppers – US senators
Instacart’s tipping system is getting some new scrutiny from Congress. In a pair of letters today, a group of senators led by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) raised concerns that the service’s tipping system may be unfair or deceptive and called for a regulatory investigation of the practice. One letter sent to Instacart CEO Apoorva Mehta took the service to task for allowing buyers to promise large tips but reduce them to zero after an order is fulfilled. “People are facing unprecedented economic hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the senators wrote, “and so we hope online delivery companies like yours are taking the necessary steps to protect shoppers and prevent unfair and deceptive practices.” Reached for comment, Instacart defended the system, arguing that it typically increases the...
President Buhari commiserates with victims of Sokoto attack, orders fierce military operation
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with families who lost loved ones in an attack by bandits in Sabon Birni Local Government, Sokoto State, praying for the quick recovery of those that sustained injuries. “As the world and Nigeria battle Coronavirus pandemic, it is tragic and unfortunate that bandits have remained active in parts of the country, killing innocent people and throwing families into despair. “We will not abandon you to your fate because we are determined to bring these mass murderers to their knees and crush them totally,” he said in a statement. The President noted that a major military operation code named “Operation Accord” has been launched by the military, targeting the bandits that have been tormenting North-West and North Central states. “This operation will be a f...
