Author: straightnewsng.com

By: Israel Umoh Many who associate with him will confidently confirm that Nyesom Wike, the democratically elected governor of Rivers State, does not blink for anybody who plays on his intelligence.  As a politician, he goes for what he wants and does not allow shenanigans to play a fast one on him, else he will raise an alarm. To realise this, he likes to make a controversial statement or take action. He would frown his face, vent anger and talk brashly in a coarse voice to achieve his aim. For example, the standoff between Wike and the federal government over…

This year’s Easter is being celebrated amid painful situations. The novel Coronavirus pandemic, which has crumbled the world system, is also affecting the manner Easter is marked. To protect our own lives and those of others, we may not fill the streets with processions, nor will churches resound with hymns and liturgies, expressing and sharing the glorious message of our resurrected King of kings with one another. Instead, some of us will share the mystery of Easter and feel the Risen Lord in our homes, behind closed doors. Many people are embroiled in fear and uncertainty, as well as trauma,…

No fewer than 10 deaths have been recorded in Nigeria from the novel coronavirus which has spread to 19 states in the country. The Nigeria Control for Disease Control, which made this known on Saturday, also said 13 new confirmed cases were recorded in the country. The new cases, the NCDC said, have brought the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 318. The centre made the announcement on its Twitter handle at 09.30 p.m. It also announced that no fewer than 70 patients have been discharged in the country. The NCDC said, “13 new cases of #COVID-19…

What would have motivated a one-time wife of a pastor in a popular church to turn to a runs girl? This is the question on the lips of many and the stark reality confronting other members who sat under her counselling as an ex-wife of a popular pastor in Itam, Itu local government area of Akwa Ibom State, confessed that she is a runs girl. A mother of three, she, in her Instalive videos that has gone viral, revealed that she was married but is now a single mother. The light-skinned woman whose marriage is said to have packed up…

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a Nigerian female student in China has decried the inhuman treatment meted to the blacks by the Chinese government. The student (name withheld) who took to her Twitter handle to recount her sad experiences, few days after a video went viral how blacks including Nigerians in China are being kicked out their hotel rooms and were subjected to compulsory COVID-19 tests. She tweeted “I don’t have a problem going under quarantine or staying indoors for long, but the target only of people is demeaning. I see racist comments and posts towards black people from…

By Akanimo Sampson As part of future coronavirus response packages in the United States, concerned civic groups are pressing Congress to pass anti-corruption legislation. Global Financial Integrity, Global Witness and eight other organisations released a letter of support on Friday calling on the US Congress to act quickly on the matter. Their argument is that Congress must recognise the urgent risk that greatly needed aid and resources for addressing the pandemic could be diverted and lost to corruption, both in the US and abroad. They say the following four anti-corruption bills will help strengthen and protect the US response to the coronavirus pandemic:…

By Akanimo Sampson Changes in socio-economic and political behaviour are likely to have lasting effects when nations’ economies start to pick up after this rampaging coronavirus crisis. This is because the global crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic has pushed countries further into a digital world. But, not everyone is ready to embrace a more digitised existence. A new analysis from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) maps the changing digital landscape since the last major global calamity, the 2008/09 financial crisis. It looks at how a digitally enabled world is working for some, but not all…

“Please forgive me, I am sorry. Gerald please forgive me. Andre please forgive me. You guys are my life.” This was the pathetic note a young nursing mother reportedly dropped for her two children before she committed suicide due to some marital problems. Mrs. Esther Frank, from Anambra state, living in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital was alleged to have consumed Sniper, a poisonous substance. To her husband, she dropped a suicide note, “Please, take care of my children please. I can’t take the pressure and lies you are telling again. I can’t take it, please it’s too much. You made…

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Friday, confirmed 17 new COVID-19 cases. Making this known via its Twitter handle, NCDC tweeted, “17 new cases of #COVID-19 have been reported as follows: eight in Lagos, three in Katsina, two in FCT, one in Niger, one in Kaduna, one in Anambra and one in Ondo. “As of 09:30 p.m on the 10th of April, there are 305 confirmed cases, 58 discharged, seven deaths.” Giving a state-by-state breakdown of the cases, NCDC said, “Currently, Lagos has 163 cases, FCT- 56, Osun – 20, Edo – 12, Oyo – 11, Bauchi – six, Akwa…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says coronavirus infection is growing “exponentially’’ in Africa and continues to spread. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the continent has risen to more than 10 000 and caused more than 500 deaths. The killer virus was however slow to reach the continent compared to other parts of the world. It reached Africa through travellers returning from hotspots in Asia, Europe and the United States. Africa’s first COVID-19 case was recorded in Egypt on February 14. Since then a total of 52 countries have reported cases. Initially, it was mainly confined to capital cities.…