World Bank approves $114.28m for sub-national fight and other #COVID-19 updates across Nigeria
The World Bank Board of Directors has approved a $114.28 million funding to help Nigeria prevent, detect, and respond to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a specific focus on state-level responses.
The facilities are a $100 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA), and another $14.28 million grant from the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEFF).
Pandemic stalling Ajaokuta Steel revival efforts, says FG
Nigeria’s Federal Government has said that global travel restriction occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, was preventing the technical experts from Russia from coming over to conduct an audit of the steel plant.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite, while taking stock of activities in the last one year, however, noted that the technical audit of the plant would be done as soon as the flight restriction was over. He said: “I am hopeful that Ajaokuta will come on stream before the end of President Buhari’s tenure, and when that happens it is poised to create thousands of jobs.”
Oyo governor sacks commissioner who spent 55 days treating COVID-19
The governor of Oyo, Seyi Makinde, has sacked the state commissioner of works, infrastructure and transport, Raphael Afonja.
In a statement on Monday, the chief press secretary to the governor, Taiwo Adisa, said the termination of Afonja’s appointment was contained in a letter dated August 10 and signed by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Olubamiwo Adeosun.
Buhari calls COVID-19 a ‘fantastic phenomenon’
President Muhammadu Buhari has described COVID-19 as a “fantastic phenomenon”.
Speaking when he hosted governors from the north-east Monday, the president said the pandemic has affected the finances of the country.
Governors from the region and service chiefs met with the president over the attacks of the Boko Haram sect.
“COVID-19 is a phenomenon. It has no respect for colour; you can’t smell it; you can’t see it; you can’t hear it. America and us are the same; it’s a fantastic phenomenon. I think we should all go back to God,” he said.
FG directs civil servants on levels 12, 13 to resume work
The Federal Government has directed federal civil servants on Grade Levels 12 and 13 as well as those on essential duties to resume full duties.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, gave the directive in a circular on Monday in Abuja.
Currently, only workers on Grade Level 14 and above go to offices, and work for just three days in a week, as part of measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
