Author: straightnewsng.com

By: Israel Umoh In the beaming moonlight under udara tree, the children numbering 10 gathered in the village square. A puny-sized storyteller stood up and cleared his parched throat. During this time, social distancing was not practised. Everybody clustered in a circle.  And the children listened attentively. The storyteller began “Once upon a time, there was a village head who used to send emissaries for a crucial meeting, a gesture his subjects repulsed. During an outbreak of cholera in the area, the village head mandated a town crier to go round and invite people for a meeting on a said…

By Akanimo Sampson The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has accused the Federal Government of sidelining it in the fight against the raging coronavirus. NMA President, Dr. Francis Faduyile, says Nigeria would have recorded low coronavirus cases if Health Minister, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, had not sidelined the association in the fight to contain the spread of the disease in the country. But the minister had on Wednesday accused the NMA of not offering support for his ministry in the effort to fight the pandemic. He also lashed out at the association for saying there were no enough ventilators in federal hospitals…

“Is life so dear or peace so sweet that it must be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death” – Patrick Henry, 1775, VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 128. Thank God for COVID-19, all the southern states were on the way to being sold into slavery by the parasitic North represented by Buhari – ably supported by elected senators from the South. The instrument, this time, was the $22.7 billion loan approved by the Lawan-led…

By: Israel Umoh The Health Commissioner is a member of NMA. Having worked in the then Mobil Producing Unlimited for several years, he has been exposed to public life and the dictates of the health sector. Even though the NMA officials might have shown intransigence in their discussion, Dr. Dominic Ukpong knows how to talk them in. He has to invite them for a family meeting and bring in old medical doctors in the state and the matter would be amicably resolved instead of heading for hair-splitting. It is improper for him to join issues with his colleagues knowing once…

By Akanimo Sampson  The commitment of the G20 leaders is an important first step in constructing a truly global response to the unprecedented challenges created by the coronavirus pandemic, says Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Guy Ryder. “The G20’s strong and clear commitment to do whatever it takes to overcome the intertwined health, social and economic impacts of the pandemic is a very welcome first step. Their decision to spare no efforts to protect people, jobs, incomes and enterprises is extremely important,” says Ryder. Adding, he said, “this is the time for global solidarity, especially with the most…

By: Israel Umoh The contest on Mt. Carmel in the Bible paints a vivid account of two groups with opposing views. Mt. Carmel noted for a range of hills was known for Baal worship. Theologians analyse that only the state-supported false prophets were allowed to religiously lead the Israelites but the true prophets of God were relegated to the ground. As a result, the people were in a fix between falsehood and truth. Angered by this, Prophet Elijah challenged the Baal prophets to a contest on Mt. Carmel to knowing the true God for people to worship. Unfortunately, the Baal…

The United States Government has announced $7 million dollars (about N2.6 billion) emergency health and humanitarian aid to Nigeria amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is part of $274 million dollars (N103 billion) assistance package to no fewer than 63 countries affected by the disease, according to a statement by the Department of States on Friday. Nigeria’s share, the statement said, would go into funding of “risk communication, water and sanitation activities, infection prevention, and coordination’’. “This assistance joins more than 5.2 billion dollars (N1.9 trillion) in U.S. health assistance and more than 8.1 billion dollars (N3 trillion) in total…

With 81,943 Americans now testing positive for Covid-19, the US has overtaken China to become the country with the largest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. State-by-state figures published late on Thursday showed confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US had overtaken the 81,285 cases reported by China, with the biggest outbreaks in New York, New Jersey and California. A total of 1,177 Americans have died from the rapidly-spreading virus. Donald Trump, the US President, said the figures were a “tribute to our testing” and that he would speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping later on Thursday. “Number…

Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus. The prime minster tweeted a video message confirming he had COVID-19, adding: “Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for Coronavirus. “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.” Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives ✔ @BorisJohnson Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.…

By Akanimo Sampson The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) says it is ready to work with the Federal Government to address the issue of food security in Nigeria. IITA’s Deputy Director General of Partnerships for Delivery, Kenton Dashiell, who made this known said the Institute is also ready to work with government to address production of quality commodities for export. Dashiell was speaking while chairing a meeting when the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) visited the Institute. NEPC is exploring possible ways of strengthening its collaboration with IITA. To this end, a delegation from the Export Assistance Office, in the Southwest…