Mr Tola Johnson, Special Assistant to the President on Micro Small and Medium and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), says 100,000 small businesses will get N50,000 each as part of COVID-19 economic stimulus. Johnson disclosed this at the inauguration of the Implementation of Survival Fund and Guaranteed Off-Take Stimulus Schemes for MSMEs on Thursday in Abuja. The special assistant, who is also the Project Coordinator, said that the schemes were part of the Economic Sustainability Plan drafted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo-led committee and approved by President Muhammadu Buhari. Johnson said that the schemes would go a long way in mitigating the…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
The Northern Governors Forum says the Mobile Testing Vans it ordered to conduct COVID-19 tests in the North will also be used in the diagnosis of about 30 clinical conditions such as Hepatitis, Ebola, Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, said this in a statement issued by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Macham, on Thursday in Jos. Lalong said the forum in a virtual meeting it held on Wednesday resolved to combat the pandemic headlong to restore normalcy in the region. He expressed delight at the…
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved additional N8.9 billion for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) hazard allowances to all medical health workers in the country. The Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, disclosed this at the PTF briefing on Thursday in Abuja. Mustapha also stated that in addition to this, the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for hospitals and isolation centres would be given priority. The chairman also admitted diffusion in registration for passengers coming into Nigeria. He said, “the PTF is aware of and working with our partners…
Some African farmers have highlighted the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the continent’s food system supply chain. The farmers said the pandemic disrupted access to inputs, technologies, labourers and traders/aggregators. They made the submission at the Day 3 virtual media briefing of the African Green Revolution Summit 2020 on Thursday, holding in Kigali, Rwanda. The summit has as its theme: Feed the cities, Grow the Continent: Leveraging Urban Food Markets to achieve Sustainable Food System in Africa. Mr King-David Amoah, President, Ghana Federation of Agricultural Producers (GFAP), said that the pandemic slowed down agricultural activities in his…
The key market indicators of the nation’s bourse recorded first week gain on Thursday, rebounding by 0.38 per cent on renewed bargain hunting. Specifically, the All-Share Index improved by 96.06 per cent or 0.38 per cent to close at 25,520.97 against 25,424.91 posted on Wednesday. Similarly, the market capitalisation rose by N50 billion or 0.38 per cent to close at N13.313 trillion from N13.263 trillion achieved on Wednesday. The upturn was impacted by gains recorded in large and medium capitalised stocks, amongst which are; Zenith Bank, MTN Nigeria Communications, Guaranty Trust Bank, C&I Leasing and Access Bank. Capital market analysts…
The Defence Headquarters says the military has killed several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and bandits and also arrested their collaborators in the Northwest and Northeast zones during an operation. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while giving the weekly updates on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja. Enenche said that between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, troops had conducted several clearance operations and constant Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well as intensive air strikes. He said that during the period under review, the military rescued seven kidnapped victims, recovered rustled cattle, smashed illegal arms syndicates…
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, on Thursday inaugurated members of the 9th Commission of the Nigerian Law Reform and called on them to be guided by the rules and regulations as provided by the Section 2 & 8 (1) of the Act. Malami made the call on Thursday while inaugurating commissioners of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission chaired by Professor Jummai A.M Audi. The Minister asked them to ensure that all the rules and regulations relating to management of the human, material and financial resources of the Commission are adhered to in accordance to…
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has tested positive for the coronavirus a day after taking part in a Serie A meeting for club bosses, the team confirmed on Thursday. The 71-year-old De Laurentiis received the positive result from a test taken on Wednesday, said Napoli. But the Serie A club did not provide further details. Serie A hosted Wednesday’s meeting with representatives from the league’s 20 clubs in Milan. It was decided the league should form a new company, with the help of external investors, to market media rights. Potential consequences of De Laurentiis’ infection for the Napoli team were…
Kenyan security forces said on Thursday they have rescued 16 foreigners after busting a human trafficking ring along the Marsabit-Isiolo highway in Northern Kenya. The officers from the multi-agency special operations team said six suspects, who were ferrying the foreigners aboard three vehicles were arrested during an early Wednesday operation. “The minors were being transported in three motor vehicles along the Marsabit-Isiolo highway heading towards Isiolo general direction at Ngaremara area,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said in a police report. According to the DCI, illegal immigrants had no relevant documents in their possession. “All the arrested aliens are…
Agricultural experts have said that foods produced using biotechnology were safe and would enable production of more foods in Nigeria owing to the increasing population and COVID-19 pandemic. The experts made the assertion at a day-three virtual media briefing of the African Green Revolution Summit 2020 with the theme: Feed the cities, Grow the Continent: Leveraging Urban Food Markets to achieve Sustainable Food System in Africa, currently holding in Kigali, Rwanda. Ms Patience Koku, Chief Executive Officer, Replenish Farms said that biotechnology would help Africa overcome the challenge in the food box. Koku said that all the…