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President Buhari orders release of N10bn grant to Lagos state govt to tackle Coronavirus pandemic
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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President Buhari orders release of N10bn grant to Lagos state govt to tackle Coronavirus pandemic

President Buhari has directed the allocation of a N10 billion grant to the Lagos state government to address the increasing COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Additionally, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has received N5 billion to enhance its facilities and personnel nationwide. Echoing these efforts, the President has instructed the immediate closure of international airports and land borders for a four-week period. In a statement, the President highlighted several measures, including the provision of financial resources to states, the NCDC, and the Nigerian Air Force, along with the suspension of commuter trains to control the spread of the virus. Furthermore, he discussed fiscal and monetary policies, as well as engagements with international partners to aid the national...
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President Buhari Spotted in Office, Presidency Counters Fake News
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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President Buhari Spotted in Office, Presidency Counters Fake News

Addressing rumors of President Buhari and his Chief of Staff Abba Kyari's departure for the UK, the presidency has shared a photo of the President in his office on Thursday, March 26.    The photo was posted on the verified Nigerian president's Twitter handle @NGRPresident with a caption that read: The concocted audio message about President @MBuhari’s whereabouts should be totally disregarded. It is Fake News in its entirety. The President tonight at the State House, at work.   Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant on New Media to President Buhari, also shared a photo of the President in one of his offices, stating: President @MBuhari; still at work!    
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President Buhari Photographed in His Office, Presidency Counters Rumors
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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President Buhari Photographed in His Office, Presidency Counters Rumors

President Buhari was photographed in his office, countering rumors that he and his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, had departed for the UK the previous night.   The verified Nigerian President's Twitter handle @NGRPresident shared the photo with the caption: "The concocted audio message about President @MBuhari’s whereabouts should be totally disregarded. It is Fake News in its entirety. The President tonight at the State House, at work."   Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant on New Media to President Buhari, also shared the photo and wrote: President @MBuhari; still at work!    
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President Buhari not briefing Nigerians over the Coronavirus pandemic is ‘a matter of style'- Femi Adesina (Video)
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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President Buhari not briefing Nigerians over the Coronavirus pandemic is ‘a matter of style'- Femi Adesina (Video)

Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari, recently appeared on Channels TV where he discussed the president's decision to not directly address the nation regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. He described this choice as "a matter of style." When asked about the president's absence from addressing the nation during this crisis, Adesina explained that President Buhari has opted for a different approach, setting up a Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to provide regular briefings. According to Adesina, the Minister of Health, the Minister of State for Health, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) also provide briefings, ensuring there is no lack of information. Adesina emphasize...
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Obituary: Renowned stage actor, Mark Blum, succumbs to coronavirus at age 69
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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Obituary: Renowned stage actor, Mark Blum, succumbs to coronavirus at age 69

Mark Blum, a seasoned American stage actor, has passed away due to complications arising from coronavirus at the age of 69.   Janet Zarish, his wife of 15 years, revealed that he breathed his last at New York-Presbyterian Hospital on Wednesday, having been diagnosed with the coronavirus just the week before. She also disclosed that Blum had a history of asthma.    The New York theater company Playwrights Horizons also issued a statement confirming the loss of the actor, known for his notable roles in “Crocodile Dundee” and “Desperately Seeking Susan.”    “With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist who passed this week,” the company said. “Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theater, and to thea...
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14 new confirmed cases of Coronavirus reported in Nigeria, with 12 in Lagos and 2 in FCT
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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14 new confirmed cases of Coronavirus reported in Nigeria, with 12 in Lagos and 2 in FCT

The NCDC has confirmed 14 new cases of Coronavirus.   According to a tweet posted on Thursday evening, the agency stated that 12 new cases were reported in Lagos and 2 in Abuja.   Out of the 12 confirmed cases in Lagos, 6 were identified on a vessel, while three are returning travellers.   Currently, the total number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Nigeria is 65.  
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Call for Including Sex Workers as Essential Service During Lockdown
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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Call for Including Sex Workers as Essential Service During Lockdown

The Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat) and the National Movement of Sex Workers in South Africa (Sisonke) are appealing to President Cyril Ramaphosa to include sex workers as an essential service during the coronavirus lockdown. The plea follows President Ramaphosa's announcement of a nationwide 21-day lockdown to combat the spread of the coronavirus. While acknowledging the measure as decisive, Sweat and Sisonke raised concerns about its impact on unskilled workers such as sex workers. They emphasized the importance of recognizing sex work as legitimate labor and providing support for those affected by the lockdown. The organizations called for urgent action to reform laws and decriminalize sex work in order to ensure labor ...
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South African sex workers appeal to be recognized as essential service during lockdown
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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South African sex workers appeal to be recognized as essential service during lockdown

The Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat) and the National Movement of Sex Workers in South Africa (Sisonke) are urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to designate sex workers as an essential service during the coronavirus lockdown. The request follows President Ramaphosa's announcement of a nationwide 21-day lockdown and directive for all South Africans to stay at home in order to contain the spread of the virus. "This is a decisive measure to save millions of South Africans from infection and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people," stated President Ramaphosa. However, Sweat and Sisonke argue that the unprecedented decision poses uncertainties for unskilled workers, including sex workers, whose livelihoods have been disrupted. "Sex ...
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Stricter Rules for Lockdown Violators as Lagos Assembly Passes New Law
26Mar By Jide SalamiNo Comments
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Stricter Rules for Lockdown Violators as Lagos Assembly Passes New Law

On Thursday March 26, the Lagos State Assembly passed the "Emergency Coronavirus Pandemic Bill 2020," sponsored by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, into law.   The new law gives Governor Sanwo-Olu the authority to spend an initial N20 billion to combat coronavirus and enforce compliance among Lagos residents. It also imposes a fine of N100,000, one month imprisonment, or three months of community service for violators. Where the offense is not specified, a N200,000 fine applies.   The bill includes empowering the Governor to use the initial sum of N20 billion to combat the pandemic, declare a state of emergency, and establish a Trust Fund named Coronavirus Pandemic Trust Fund. It also mandates that only essential services such as food supply, pharmacies, shops, water supply, and petrol fil...
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