Author: straightnewsng.com

By Akanimo Sampson The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has expanded its COVID-19 response plan. It has also launched a revised appeal for $499 million to support vital preparedness, response, and recovery activities in over 140 countries. As the number of new coronavirus disease cases continues to rise, the United Nations agency expanded the scope of its Global Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan (SPRP) to include far-reaching interventions that aim to mitigate the dire health and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic. The newly-launched SPRP – an update to the previous IOM appeal for $116.1 million – broadens the Organisation’s approach to…

By Akanimo Sampson A molecular entomologist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is linking mosquitoes’ proliferation concerning the spread of Buruli ulcer (BU) to agriculture. The molecular entomologist, Rousseau Djouaka, who is also the Head of the institute’s AgroEcoHealth Platform in Cotonou, dropped the bombshell at IITA headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State. In his presentation: The IITA AgroEcoHealth Platform, Starting from Ground Zero towards New Challenges, he has revealed the role of agriculture in the proliferation of mosquitoes concerning the spread of Buruli ulcer (BU). According to him, ‘’Buruli ulcer, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, is a chronic and devastating…

By Akanimo Sampson The rampaging coronavirus does not appear to be in a hurry to slow down pretty too soon in Nigeria. That seems to be the case because positive cases in the country are busy racing upward on a daily basis. As of 11.20 p.m on April 15, a total of 407 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Nigeria. While the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that made this known says there are 34 new confirmed cases in the country, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State is yet to test negative of the deadly virus. NCDC, however, points…

A former beauty queen, Regina Askia-Williams has attributed promiscuity among the womenfolk in the country to poverty. Askia-Williams an Akwa Ibom indigene was reacting to gossips and beef from videos posted on social media by some women, threatening to expose adulterous women and accusing some politicians of encouraging promiscuity among some women in Akwa Ibom. This was as one Happiness, an ex-pastor’s wife confessed to being a runs girl with a threat to expose the wife of an Uyo-based politician for ‘assaulting’ her of having a relationship with the husband as well as Blessing Ossom, a politician and caterer who…

By Akanimo Sampson Vital medical items are being airlifted to countries in Africa where supplies are desperately needed to contain the spread of COVID-19. The first United Nations “Solidarity Flight” left Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Tuesday. The World Health Organisation (WHO) cargo is being transported by the World Food Programme (WFP) and includes face shields, gloves, goggles, gowns, masks, medical aprons and thermometers, as well as ventilators. The cargo also includes a large number of medical supplies donated by the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Jack Ma Foundation Initiative to reverse COVID-19 in Africa. The African Union, through the Africa…

Barack Obama, a one-time US President, has endorsed Joe R. Biden Jr, his former Vice President, saying the country needed a steady leader to combat the coronavirus pandemic. In a video released on Tuesday, Obama emerged from political hibernation on Tuesday to endorse Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, urging the Democratic Party — including, explicitly, supporters of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont — to unite behind its presumptive presidential nominee in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. This is as Senator Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, the immediate Democratic presidential aspirants, had also endorsed him. In a lengthy video announcing…

By: Israel Umoh Of the different classes of Nigerians, the hewers of wood in Nigerian society are seen as the least. They are endangered species of society. They are the most oppressed and deprived as well. They do menial jobs just to eke out a living; others are incapable to work due to illness. Access to high-quality medical facilities, accommodation and education is a luxury to them. They are voiceless, though they are in the majority. In fact, they are the poor among the poorest. Living does not make sense to them. Sometimes, they feel that they are existing on…

Another person has tested positive to #COVID-19 in Akwa Ibom State in the South-south region of Nigeria, bringing the total to six. This is one of the 19 new pandemic cases reported in Nigeria on Tuesday. Of the 19 new confirmed coronavirus cases, 14 were recorded in Lagos, two in the Federal Capital Territory, one each in Kano and Edo states, bringing the number in the country to 362. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control made this known via its Twitter handle on Tuesday. The NCDC also confirmed that one new death has been recorded, making the number of fatalities…

Nigeria’s effort to fight coronavirus pandemic has gotten a boost of €50 million from the European Union. Apart from some wealthy Nigerians and NNPC giving more than N40 million to the country, the United States has also given 2.6 billion for the fight. The donation was announced when the President General Muhammadu Buhari received in audience the EU Delegation at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja on Tuesday. Making this known in a tweet, Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said Head of the EU delegation at the event, Amb Ketil Karlsen, announced the…

By Akanimo Sampson The rampaging coronavirus pandemic is driving oil companies to seek more savings in the shape of production cuts. Industry watchers say this is also raising questions about storage capabilities and other infrastructure constraints. Oil companies are facing slumping demand resulting from business shutdowns to combat the pandemic as well as about of oversupply with Russia and Saudi Arabia locked in a price war over market share. Already, as major oil-producing countries are set to meet on Thursday, there is fear that even agreed-upon supply curbs will not be enough given the plunge in demand and other pitfalls.…