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Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, has said that the Federal Government expects the injection of about N2 trillion stimulus into the economy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fall in oil prices. He spoke on Tuesday at a webinar on “Citizens Dialogue Session on Government Fiscal Policy Decisions to the Fall in Oil Process and the COVID-19 Pandemic” organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and supported by Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL) and the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The Minister of Finance,…

As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the world and businesses and individuals suffer the effects, Nigerians have been urged to look to the capital market as an avenue to create wealth. Acting Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, (SEC), Ms. Mary Uduk stated this in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mrs Efrain Ebelo in Abuja on Tuesday. Uduk said the Commission is aware of the economic implications of the virus and that is why the Management of the SEC has ensured that the market remains open for trading. The SEC Boss stated that while the…

The Sokoto State House of Assembly, has passed a bill into law to amend the appropriation law 2020 to make provision for its downward review in line with the existing global economic realities caused by COVID-19 Pandemic. This followed a motion moved by the Assembly Leader, Alhaji Bello Ambarura (APC- Illela), after the consideration of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at the plenary on Tuesday. Presenting the report, the Committee Chairman, Alhaji Malami Basakkwace, (PDP- Sokoto South II), said the committee after due consultation on the government’s request to review the 2020 budget downward accepted…

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has approved the appointment of Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa as the new Emir of Rano.‎ The new Emir succeeds, Dr Tafida Abubakar Ila, who died on Saturday at the age 74, after a brief illness‎.Announcing the name of the new Emir on Tuesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Alhaji, said that Inuwa was the choice of the four kingmakers of the Emirate.The new Emir, until his appointment, was the Kaigama of Rano Emirate and district head of Kibiya.‎ Alhaji, who congratulated the new Emir urged him to carry every body along…

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, ABUJA BUREAU Contrary to the blames heaped on the doorsteps of commercial banks for the unprecedented crowds recorded across the political and economic capital cities of Abuja and Lagos yesterday by the Director-General of Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, the banks may be innocent of the accusation after all. Prompt News investigations have revealed that the leadership of NCDC and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) took a joint decision with the commercial banks to scale down their operations by closing some of their branches immediately after the easing of Coronavirus (Covid-19) lockdown.…

By Tony Obiechina, ABUJA Following the dwindling oil revenues and novel coronavirus pandemic, Nigerian Government officials on Tuesday projected that the economy will contract by 3.4 percent. This is even as they also noted that the situation has forced the country to cut budget plans for a second time to assume a lower petroleum price of $20 per barrel. Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said in March that this year’s record 10.59 trillion nairas ($29.42 billion) budget would be cut by about 15%. At the time, she said the initial assumed oil price of $57…

The Jigawa Government has directed its workers to continue to work from home for the next two weeks, with the exception of those on essential duties. Gov. Muhammad Badaru told newsmen in Dutse on Tuesday that those exempted were workers in the Ministries of Health, Finance and Water Resources. Gov. Badaru said: “As you’re aware, civil servants have been working from home for about one month now. The situation on ground does not permit us to recall them to office. “Therefore, the work at home order has been extended for another two weeks until May 19, 2020.” The News Agency…

A driver with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Nasarawa. The state Gov. Abdullahi Sule made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lafiaduring an expanded state security meeting. Sule said that the driver transported test samples to the NCDC in Abuja and got infected in the process. Sule said the driver who resided at Ado in Karu Local Government Area of the state, was confirmed positive on Tuesday morning. According to the governor, the patient had been moved to an isolation centre at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi, for treatment. Sule…

The Senate on Tuesday directed its committees on Communication, Science and Technology and Health to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the status of the Fifth Generation (5G) Network in Nigeria. The Senate resolution is sequel to a motion on the present status of 5G Network in Nigeria. The motion was sponsored by Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP Anambra), who in her lead debate said there were growing concerns on the on-going discussion about the current status of 5G network in Nigeria, especially in regards to the question, ‘if Nigeria is presently connected to 5G.’ She said there were further concerns…

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday placed a ban on daily operations in major markets in the state to prevent the spread of the Covid-19. Akeredolu gave the directive in Akure at a press briefing at the Government House. He decried the disobedience to the government’s directives on social distancing in markets. The governor explained that the markets would only be allowed to open on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Akeredolu also directed that perishable goods such as tomato and pepper would be allowed on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Shasha, Iloro, and equivalent markets across the state. He also…