World Economy Has Moved Into Recession, Developing Nations More Hit – IMF

March 27, 2020

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised an alarm that the global economy has moved into a recession and that developing countries would be more hit.

The boss of the Washington-based lender, Kristalina Georgieva, said today, March 27 that the developing countries would need colossal financial stimulus to resist current ravaging coronavirus pandemic.

“It is clear that we have entered a recession” that will be worse than in 2009 following the global financial crisis, Mrs. Georgieva said during an online media briefing.

She put the estimated financial intervention needed by emerging markets at this time at $2.5 trillion.

Georgieva nevertheless said “we believe this is on the lower end.”

More than 80 nations have approached the IMF for emergency aid.

Obasanjo Donates 32-Room For Coronavirus Isolation Centre, As Europe Records Over .3 Million Cases

Editorial staff

March 27, 2020

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has donated a 32 – room facility to Ogun State Government for use as isolation centre for coronavirus patients.

The facility is Obasanjo’s former residence, located off the Presidential Boulevard, Oke Sari, Abeokuta.

A statement today, March 27 by Obasanjo’s Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the 32-room facility had been handed over to the state government for immediate use. According to the statement, Obasanjo is concerned about the pandemic and felt that those who can assist in one way or another to safe the situation should do so.

This even as report has it that so far, Europe alone has recorded over 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, just as over 900 deaths were recorded in Italy alone.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commended prominent Nigerians, including top industrialists for the financial and material assistances they have rendered to the government so far in the battle against the spread of the pandemic.

Those who the President particularly mentioned in a statement today, March 27, are President of Dangote Group, Alhaji like Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Herbert Wigwe, Segun Agbaje and Jim Ovia of UBA, Access, GT, and Zenith Banks, respectively. Each of them contributed N1 billion.

The President mentioned also former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who pledged N50 million, even as First Bank is partnering with government, the United Nations, and innovative technological firms to provide e-learning solutions to at least one million children under its ‘Keep Them Engaged, Keep Them Safe’ initiative.

President Buhari commended every other helping hand that has been lent by individuals, groups and organizations, which may not necessarily be in the public domain.

He prayed that God who sees all things will abundantly recompense.

He recommended these laudable strides to other high net-worth Nigerians and organizations, even as he said that hand in hand, the country will overcome the challenges brought by the pandemic, and chart new course in nationalism and brotherhood.

NNPC, Others Donate N11 Billion For Battle Against Coronavirus Spread

Greenbarge Reporters

March 27, 2020

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has made an intervention of $30 million (N11 billion) to help combat the spread of Coronavirus pandemic and its attendant impact on the Nigerian economy.

The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, who announced the intervention initiative today, March 27 in Abuja, said the intervention was done in collaboration with its partners in the oil and gas industry, adding that it is in line with the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to curb coronavirus spread in the country.

Kyari said that the intervention is aimed at supporting the country’s healthcare delivery facilities and would cover three major areas, including provision of medical consumables; deployment of logistics and in-patient support system; and delivery of medical infrastructure.

“The three thematic support initiatives amount to a total of $30 million (N11 billion) and will be delivered in phases, starting today.

“To address the increasing demand of medical services, we are immediately providing medical consumables covering testing kits, medical protective suits and ambulances to the highly impacted areas across the federation.

“This will be followed, in the next few days, with the deployment of ventilators, beds and temporary intensive care facilities across the geopolitical zones of the federation.”

The industry players that partnered with the NNPC to make the intervention possible include the Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited, Oando Oil Limited, Oriental Energy Resources Limited, Pilar Oil Limited, Platform Petroleum Limited, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc and Shoreline Natural Resources.

Others are Suntrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited, Vertex Energy Limited, Waltersmith Petroleum Oil Limited and Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Limited among others.

UBA, Again, Assists Abuja With N500 Million, To Contain Coronavirus

Editorial staff

March 27, 2020

Twenty four hours after the United Bank for Africa (UBA) announced a donation of billions of naira to Africa for the battle against the spread of coronavirus pandemic, the bank has also given out the sum of N500 million to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for the same purpose in the Federal capital.

The Vice Chairman of the Bank, Ambassador Joe Keshi who gave out the donation to the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, said that it is part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and a show of support to FCTA in the face of coronavirus pandemic.

Keshi expressed concern over the likelihood of a spread in densely populated areas of the country and called on well-meaning Nigerians to join hands to fight the disease.

He said N200 million of the sum is being set aside for the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), adding that the donation is to strengthen the testing capacity of the Centre.

Receiving the cheque from Ambassador Keshi, who led the Bank’s delegation, the Malam Muhammad Musa Bello said the donation is the first large sum of money received by the FCT Administration since the onset of the pandemic.

He commended UBA for such a generous donation, saying that the money would serve as a major boost in the efforts by the Administration to nip the spread of the virus in the bud in the FCT.

He assured that FCTA is working hand in hand with the NCDC to ensure that the organization gets the necessary working tools.

He said that plans are already in motion to grade the road leading to the NCDC testing office in Gaduwa for ease of access, adding that the donation will go a long way to ensure that the job is done as soon as possible.

The Minister who described the Chairman of UBA, Tony Elumelu as a great philanthropist, said he is not surprised that the Financial Institution is the first to make such a donation to the FCT to help fight the pandemic.

Abuja Now Records Total Of 14 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases

Editorial staff

March 27, 2020

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed another set of coronavirus cases in Abuja and Oyo State respectively.

Abuja now has a total number of 14 cases, while Oyo State has a total of 3 cases.

The addition rounds up to a total of 70 confirmed cases in the country.

NCDC announced this via its twitter account.

BREAKING: British Prime Minister Catches Coronavirus

Greenbarge Reporters

March 27, 2020

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus.
He confirmed this today, March 27 via a tweet, though he said he would continue his work via video-conference.
“Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” he said.
“I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives.”

Evil Ones And Imagined Breaking News From Aso Rock, By Femi Adesina

Greenbarge Reporters

March 27, 2020

Quite a challenging week it has been for Nigeria, and, indeed, the rest of the world. Except perhaps in China only, where the affliction started from, figures of Coronavirus infections continue to mount in other parts of the world. Italy and Spain have been particularly badly hit.
But as the world reels under the impact of a most pernicious pandemic, a suicide bomber wreaking deadly havocs, merchants of fake, hateful news remain fully at work. Aso Villa, the seat of presidential authority, has been their focus for most of the week. They have kept churning out spurious reports after the other about President Muhammadu Buhari, and some other people who work with him. If you choose to believe them, the President by now has even been evacuated, and is receiving medical attention at an undisclosed location somewhere in the wide world.

Breaking news from Aso Villa. That is what you have had day after day. And each time I am contacted to authenticate one story or the other, I tell the enquirers that the Presidential Villa is part of the world, part of humanity, and the people there are not immune from what is happening in the rest of the world.

But the outright fake, hateful news, I have ignored all week. Not a word in response. How do you begin to give wings to concocted stories through responses that will make the falsehood fly faster? No, purveyors of wickedness should not have the satisfaction of drawing us out all the time, and getting some tacit endorsement for their flight of fancy.

A top aide of the President tested positive early in the week. He is receiving adequate care, and he has our best wishes. But for the sinister minds, it was floodgate to all sorts of malediction. All sorts of Breaking News followed:
‘Intensive care machines brought into Aso Rock.’ ‘President Buhari coughing ceaselessly.’ ‘PMB under intensive care.’ ‘Adesina among those who accompanied Abba Kyari to Kogi.’ (I never did). ‘Garba Shehu under self-isolation.’ ‘Buhari may be smuggled out of the country, as condition worsens.’ And by yesterday, a recorded message started circulating on WhatsApp, saying President Buhari had been sneaked out of the country. To where? By who? Their fecund imaginations did not say.

And more Breaking News: ‘Buhari bans journalists from covering Aso Villa.’ (A man supposedly in intensive care was still banning reporters. Lol). ‘Buhari in self-isolation’ (Yet he was in the office on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, even receiving visitors). ‘Aso Villa shut down.’ And the vile beat goes on…

Why do some people conjure nothing but evil? Why do they imagine vain things? In 2017, while President Buhari had his medical challenge, they were on orgy of negative wishes, misinformation, and disinformation. But God pulled a fast one on them. He brought the President back, as right as rain. Haven’t they learned their lessons?
With the good people, however, positive things are happening. Tony Elumelu’s UBA is giving N5 billion to help Nigeria and Africa. Abdusamad Rabiu (BUA) has donated one billion Naira in cash. . Folorunsho Alakija has imported test kits and other materials for Nigerians, worth hundreds of millions of Naira. Aliko Dangote, after an initial donation of N200 million to combat Coronavirus, is leading top bankers and the private sector generally to raise aid. GTBank has donated a 100 beds care center. The Redeemed Christian Church of God has provided ventilators. And many more. These are the people and organizations that should define us as a people, not the conjurers of wickedness and doomsday. God is surely greater than them. And Nigeria too.

.Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

Buhari Approves Release Of N10 Billion To Lagos, N5 Billion To NCDC On Coronavirus

Editorial staff

March 26, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N10 billion to the Lagos State government to enable it combat and contain the spread of the Coronavirus. The presidential approval came today, March 26, barely two days after the State government made the request.

The President also approved and ensured the prompt release of N5 billion special intervention requested by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip and expand their facilities and laboratories.
In a statement today, senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that the President has given approval to NCDC’s request for an aircraft from the Presidential Air Fleet for emergency situations.
“He has furthermore authorized the evacuation of three critical members of the NCDC team who are stuck in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo where they went for a training organsied by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“These measures are in addition to the ones approved and announced by the Presidential Task Force, PTF including the closure of land borders to human traffic for four weeks; the conversion of all Hajj transit camps to be utilized as COVID-19 isolation centers; the directive that all non-essential government employees to work from home and for a daily briefing of the nation through the PTF.
“Other approved measures already put into place include the ban of flights from and into the country, suspension of the Federal Executive Council and National Council of State meetings and a directive for engagements, at the highest levels between the Federal Government and the state governments.”
The statement said that President Buhari has also directed for the escalation of the nation’s capacity for testing and detection with the acquisition of testing kits and establishment of additional test centers; acquisition of Personnel Protection Equipment and the mobilization of experts and trained staff serving and recall of some of those retired.
“The closure of schools and tertiary institutions and the suspension of religious and other gatherings above the fifty prescribed number are also parts of the measures approved and are in place.”

The President is keeping a close eye on international developments on the spread of COVID-19 and will intensify or introduce new measures if they become necessary to protect Nigerians.

Buhari To Nigerians: I’m Proud Of You For Uniting To Fight Coronavirus Spread

Editorial staff

March 26, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has praised Nigerians for the unity of purpose they have so far displayed in the fight against the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

He referred particularly to the willingness of the citizens for self-isolation, social distancing, and contributions of public spirited individuals and institutions who consistently mobilize resources to supplement efforts of Federal and State governments.
A statement today, March 26 by the senior special assistant on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu quoted the President as extolling State Governments, religious bodies, health workers, Federal Government agencies, including security outfits, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria for rising to the occasion to protect the country and its citizens.
The President who gave assurance that the government will remain steadfast in deploying more resources to lessen the burden of the pandemic, called for more compliance with regulations and restrictions on movement and gatherings for the safety of all citizens.
President Buhari reassured that government directives will not affect production and distribution of food, medications, medical equipment and other essentials as the nation wades through the global health challenge, which already portends dire economic strains.
He directed all relevant agencies and regulators to provide enabling environment for industries to sustain their operations by ensuring reasonable access to industrial supplies and inputs like water, fuel, gas and essential infrastructure and relaxing of stringent laws.
He also commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and commercial banks for the interventions to make forex and credit more accessible to those on the manufacturing line.
The President gave bassurances of firm support for the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria by proactively addressing the potential impact of the pandemic on the Nigerian economy, even as he requested that all necessary measures be put in place to protect and promote the health and safety of industrial workers.
Buhari called on all leaders across the country, including religious and traditional leaders, to further support the Federal and State governments in the ongoing sensitization programmes on the need to stay at home and keep a safe distance in the public, and to dissuade citizens from panic buying and rumour mongering.
The President said that the collective effort of all Nigerians will make a historic difference in checking the spread of coronavirus, rehabilitating those already affected and keeping citizens alive.

President Buhari Writes To Nigerians

Greenbarge Reporters

March 26, 2020

My dear country men and women,

Over the last few days I have received extensive briefings on the state of the nation as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic, from the relevant Federal Government agencies as well as the Lagos State Government.
Accordingly, I approved the following:
The immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, which remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. This grant will enable Lagos State increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity building.
The immediate release of a 5 billion Naira special intervention fund to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.
The Nigerian Air Force is already making its fleet available to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, to enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country.
To protect our homeland from external exposure, I directed the immediate closure of our International Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance, to enable us put up the appropriate policies, processes and infrastructure to cope with suspected and confirmed cases at home, without risking a compounding of the situation with more imported cases.
The inconvenience caused by these flight and travel restrictions to our fellow citizens abroad who want to return home is regrettable, but it is necessary for the greater good, and I thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.
I have also directed that only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days be allowed to dock in our ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities. This 14-day restriction however does not apply to vessels carrying oil and gas products as by their nature, there is minimal human contact.
We have also suspended the movement of commuter trains to limit the spread of the virus to other parts of the country.
I have directed the NCDC to draft all its recent retirees back into service to beef up our manpower as we respond to the pandemic.
Furthermore, all NCDC staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments are to return immediately. Already the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are conducting an evacuation mission to bring back some of our specialists in Central Africa, to enable them support the national response.
I commend the monetary policy authorities for their financial intervention to support our entrepreneurs and companies as we go through this difficult time. We are also looking at fiscal measures to minimise the negative impact of this pandemic on the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.
As you are aware we have begun the process of reviewing the federal budget. We shall communicate our fiscal interventions once the budget review process is concluded.

In the meantime, I have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, to ensure that all production of essential items such as food, medical and pharmaceutical products continues unhindered.
We are engaging our international friends and partners to share knowledge and to seek their support in our response to the pandemic. We are grateful for the show of support thus far – we have already started receiving goods and supplies intended to help us scale up our efforts.
Let me specially thank and commend all of the hard and heroic work being done by our medical personnel, the NCDC, Port Health Authorities, Security Agencies, State Governments, and all ad-hoc staff and volunteers.
I urge all Nigerians to be mindful of those among us who seek to spread panic and misinformation, and sow confusion at this time. We must all pay attention only to the relevant government agencies working day and night to make accurate and useful information available to the public.
I will also ask all of us to strictly obey all public health guidelines and instructions issued by the Federal and State health authorities, regarding personal hygiene and social distancing. These guidelines will be updated from time to time as new information and treatments are obtained.
In the meantime, I want to assure all Nigerians, that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting all Nigerians. We seek your full support and cooperation as we go through this very difficult time. Together we will triumph over this pandemic.

President Muhammadu Buhari
26/03/2020

1...860861862...2,499 Page 861 of 2,499