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The Federal Government on Thursday debunked the rumour that President Muhammadu Buhari `has been coughing and now on a ventilator”.The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while giving an update on the measures being taken by the government to tackle the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by the government, said that the news was fakeThe President is well, kicking and in control of the affairs of the country,” the minister said while responding to questions on the health of the President. He frowned at the rising instances of fake news associated with Coronavirus, stressing that fake news was now competing…

The Leadership of the National Assembly on Wednesday held a meeting with some Ministers and Heads of agencies from the Executive arm of Government to brainstorm on the impact of Coronavirus pandemic on the Nigerian economy. The meeting specifically touched on the planned review of the 2020 budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper passed late last year by the National Assembly. The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the meeting, in his opening remarks said that an immediate review of the 2020 budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework is imperative, particularly against the…

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja  The management of the Investments & Securities Tribunal has scaled down its operations to the barest minimum following the rising scourge of the COVID-19 Corona Virus pandemic. According to the Acting Chairman of the Tribunal, Barr Ike Udunni, the action became imperative in order to shield the staff and clients from exposure to the virus and ensure their safety. A statement from the Corporate Affairs Department in Abuja on Wednesday said the Tribunal took the preventive measures after its management meeting on Monday. According to the statement, some of the measures include suspension of all Tribunal…

ABUJA – Following the current impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) on the global economy coupled with efforts by the Nigerian Government, including partial lockdown in some States and at the Federal level, to check the spread of the virus in Nigeria, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has informed stakeholders and members of the Nigerian public that the Bank will remain open for business during this period. It says as a responsible public institution and regulator, “we have triggered our business continuity plans to ensure that the Bank’s operations remain largely undisrupted at this present time when social distancing has…

ABUJA – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on the Federal Government to put in place a Relief Fund to cushion the effects of Covid-19 that is ravaging the country. In a statement, he personally signed on Wednesday, Atiku, who announced a donation of N50 million to the Relief Fund, posited that governments at all levels must put in place palliative measures that must reach about 30 million households. He also tasked the mobile telecommunication companies to give free airtime to their subscribers this trying period. The statement reads in full: “As the coronavirus pandemic ravages the world, I…

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is now in sel-islolation and working from home, his Media Aide, Laolu Akande has confirmed. This became necessary following announcement that the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari has tested positive for coronavirus. President Muhammadu Buhari was also tested but returned negative. Akande via his Twitter handle @akandeoj, says: “VP Osinbajo yesterday at the office conducted his meetings via video conferencing, while observing social distancing. Today, he continues his work from the home office, as he is in self-isolation in accordance with NCDC protocols.” However, Akande did not say if Mr Osinbajo’s sample has been taken for…

The Presidency has temporarily locked up the State House Council Chamber, the venue of the hitherto weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reliably learned that the action of the presidency was in adherence to the directive by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. NAN, however, gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari performed his normal presidential duties at his office. The Taskforce had Monday announced the suspension of the council meeting until further notice. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman PTF-COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, announced the suspension as part of additional measures by the Federal…

By Kazeem Qudus, IBADAN Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has tested negative for Covid-19 also known as coronavirus, TVC News is reporting. Mr. Osinbajo’s sample was taken for the test following exposure to the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who on Monday tested negative. Prompt News reports that President Muhammad Buhari has also tested negative for the deadly virus. Many people have been calling on top shots at the Presidential Villa to self-isolate and submit to testing for Covid-19. Other high profile individuals that have tested positive for coronavirus include Bauchi governor Bala Mohammed and Mohammed, son…

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has delivered three internally-rehabilitated 1.80 kilometres roads to the management of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Mrs Boade Akinola, the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, made the disclosure in a statement to newsmen in Abuja, on Wednesday. The 1.80km roads which were rehabilitated by the Federal Government have asphalt overlay, construction of culvert and line drains within the tertiary institution. The roads include Gongola, 230 metres, Sokoto Crescent, 560 metres, and Amina Way 1,010 metres. It will be recalled that the Federal Government, under the 2017…

Mr Philip Shaibu, Edo Deputy Governor, says the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr Frank Okiye, has tested positive to Coronavirus. Shaibu said this while addressing newsmen in Benin on Wednesday. “The index case of Coronavirus in Edo, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Frank Okiye, who traveled to the United Kingdom came back and has been on self-isolation. ”He was tested and proved positive. He is in stable condition and his family members have been tested and they all came out negative. ”Gov. Godwin Obaseki has also gone on self-isolation, following his close contact with…