Author: Chief Editor

The World Bank Group has released 82 million dollars for immediate support in strengthening the public health response through the Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement Project (REDISSE). The bank made this known in a statement released in Abuja on Tuesday. The bank explained that in addition, the World Bank had been asked to provide a multi-pronged package of support over the next six months to strengthen the country’s preparedness for the immediate health crisis. The statement indicated that the World Bank would also provide the Federal Government with budget support for a pro-poor stimulus package and the long term recovery.…

Nigeria and fifty-three other African countries would receive 500 ventilators donated by Ali Baba Foundation to African Union Member States, The PUNCH reports. The Founder of Ali Baba Group, Jack Ma, who made this revelation on Monday, said the donation is the second batch to Africa, adding that the medical equipment would be distributed by Ethiopian Airlines. The airline had on March 24 delivered Nigeria’s share of the first batch of medical supplies donated by the philanthropist to African States. It delivered 20,000 laboratory diagnostic test kits, 100,000 medical masks, and 1000 protective suits and face shields at the Murtala Muhammed International…

Akinwunmi Oke “Sweet are the uses of adversity” is a quote from one of Shakespeare’s classic works and could be a fitting metaphor for the possibilities these trying times offer our dear country. The past few weeks has been filled with sobering moments for the global community. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the pandemic it brought along in its wake have literarily paralysed the entire world. While the developed nations have deployed all kinds of policy interventions to contain the spread of the virus and minimise its impact on their economies, I believe most developing countries (particularly in sub-Saharan Africa)…

Azuka Onwuka The cowardly nature of Nigerians against their leaders manifested with the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. When some political leaders or their relatives announced that they had contracted the coronavirus disease, many Nigerians, especially on social media, were jubilant. Their argument was that God was punishing Nigerian politicians for their corruption, mismanagement, greed, insensitivity, and irresponsibility. Many wished the politicians dead for all the pain they had caused Nigerians over the years. Politicians were derided for not building well-equipped hospitals in different parts of the country. Our politicians have always banked on flying out of Nigeria to…

Tayo Oke for the die-hard cynic who does not believe we have a listening government in this part of the world, note this economic perspective on the coronavirus from last week’s write-up: “The main area that government in African countries ought to direct the most attention is debt re-scheduling. If you have less revenue coming in, you are not selling as much, and you rely on borrowing from outside the continent, the gap for servicing the debt will widen and unless you start renegotiating the terms of repayment now, we are all heading for the rocks in the near future”,…

Virgil van Dijk wants to be remembered as a “Liverpool legend” when his playing days are over. The Dutch centre-back has been a revelation since joining the club in January 2018, playing a major role in transforming Liverpool from top-four hopefuls to Champions League winners and Premier League leaders. Before the coronavirus pandemic caused the indefinite suspension of top-level football, Liverpool were 25 points clear at the top of the English top-tier, potentially two wins from their first title in the Premier League era. Van Dijk is widely considered a major reason for their successes, narrowly missing out on last…

Pep Guardiola’s mother has died aged 82 after contracting coronavirus, Manchester City have confirmed. Dolors Sala Carrio passed away in Barcelona on Monday, with the club releasing a statement on their official Twitter account. It read: “The Manchester City family are devastated to report the death today of Pep’s mother Dolors Sala Carrio in Manresa, Barcelona after contracting coronavirus. She was 82 years old. “Everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends.” https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1247162431467483136 [Sportskeeda]

A Minister in Johson’s cabinet, on Monday, said Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains very much in charge of the British Government in spite hospital admission. According to the minister, Johnson will return to his Downing Street office soon. According to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, Johnson has been working extremely hard, leading the government and being constantly updated. Johnson, 55, was taken to hospital on Sunday for tests. He experienced persistent symptoms, 10 days after testing positive for novel coronavirus, however, his hospital admission was a precautionary step. “Obviously today he’s in hospital having the tests but he will continue to…

FIFA is getting ready to deal with complaints and appeals over wage cuts for players, producing guidelines for clubs and football bodies looking to cut costs during the stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, an internal document was seen by Reuters showed. The issue of pay cuts for players has exploded as a major controversy in England while in other countries, such as Germany and Spain, players have accepted temporary reductions in earnings. With football halted across the globe, however, FIFA is aware that it may well have to deal with a series of different agreements and possible complaints, and…

Former Super Eagles Defender, Ifeanyi Udeze has thrown his weight behind ex-Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi’s planned move to Brazilian top club, Botafogo FC, saying the former Chelsea midfielder’s outstanding performance over the years has shown that he has nothing to prove anymore in the game. Udeze said Mikel’s decision to play in Brazil would expose him to another culture and pattern of football, adding that the Brazilian league is different from the European league where the 32-year-old has spent all his years playing professional football. The ex PAOK Salonika of Greece defender, however, advised Mikel to be more focused…