Fashola Inspects Ongoing Repair Works on Third Mainland Bridge

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July 28, 2020

Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Tuesday said the on-going repair works on Third Mainland Bridge and other Federal Government projects in Lagos State were borne out of a long years of neglect by successive governments in Nigeria.

Speaking while inspecting repair works on Third Mainland Bridge on Day Four of the partial closure of the bridge, the minister said he’s at the site to ascertain the status of the work done and the impact of the partial closure on traffic movement.

Accompanied by Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Frederic Oladeinde; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye; her counterpart in Transportation, Toyin Fayinka; South-west Federal Controller of Works, Adedamola Kuti; and other top government officials, Fashola noted that his visit was to lend support to his team of engineers and other crew, who had been on ground for about two weeks in preparation for the repair works.

He added that his men had concluded their scientific laboratory works in Abuja before coming to Lagos for practical fieldwork to fix the worn out expansion joints and other maintenance works required to keep the 11.8 kilometre bridge in good shape.

“As you would have noticed, Eko Bridge is also undergoing repairs, likewise, Apapa, Oworonshoki, Apongbon.

“We just completed Liverpool Bridge, Gbagada-Oworonshoki is on-going and many other bridges. This is as a result of many years of not working or maintaining them by successive governments.

“This government is, therefore, faced with the reality of repairing and maintaining all these bridges and other federal projects across the country for the safety and benefit of our people.

“I want to thank you sincerely for your level of cooperation so far, while I assure you that we will continue to collaborate to ensure there is less pressure on commuters as a result of this work,” Fashola said.

The minister outlined other bridges with renovation work either completed or on-going as: Marine Bridge (Apapa); Kara Bridge (Lagos-Ibadan Expressway); Falomo Bridge (Lagos Island); Ojuelegba; Eko Bridge; Apongbon; and Obalende among others.

While expressing happiness that the impact of the partial closure was not much on vehicular movement when he and his team inspected vehicular movement from Oworonshoki in-bound Lagos to Adekunle and Adeniji Adele end of Third Mainland Bridge, Fashola, a former Lagos State governor, ordered operatives of the Federal Safety Corps (FRSC), and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to immediately move away from the main bridge where construction work was currently ongoing to the alternative route areas where there’s likely to be congestion, especially during the peak hours.

Fashola commended the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government for effectively managing the situation through the rehabilitation of various alternative routes and provision of adequate traffic management officials.

He urged Lagosians to be calm as the Federal Government would work hard and collaborate with the Sanwo-Olu administration to ensure that the repair work does not extend beyond its stipulated period.

Earlier, Oladeinde, while briefing the minister on the traffic management strategy adopted to ensure free vehicular movement, disclosed that about 650 LASTMA personnel have been deployed by his ministry to support about 250 FRSC men on ground to direct traffic and ensure less congestion while the construction works last.

Oladeinde added that since just about 25 per cent of Third Mainland Bridge users are going to be affected, the state government, through the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, has done palliative work to ensure alternative routes are accessible to ease congestion while the government has increased the BRT fleet plying Lagos Island corridor.

The commissioner also advised Lagosians to make use of the waterways by plying the various jetties in the metropolis to reduce travel time, noting that the state government in consideration of the likely increase in the use of water routes has provided improved safety guidelines and measures for ferry operators.

While allaying the fears of residents over the partial closure of the bridge, the commissioner urged road users to cooperate with LASTMA and FRSC on the laid down traffic directives to minimise inconvenience in movement and ensure free flow of traffic.

Also speaking, Adeyoye reaffirmed that palliative works on several alternative routes provided for motorists have been completed, assuring that her ministry would keep on monitoring the work progress to identify other areas where rehabilitation works are necessary.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Osinbajo Chopper Crash: AIB indicts Caverton Helicopter for crash in Kogi

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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Osinbajo-and-the-crashed-helicopter — A collage of Nigeria's Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the crashed helicopter in kabba, Kogi Sate. The incident occurred in 2019.

The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Tuesday released its final report on the cause of a near fatal crash of a helicopter conveying Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, in Kabba, Kogi State, over a year ago.

According to the report released by AIB Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Engineer Akin Olateru, the Bureau blamed the crew members for what it described as a misjudgment of distance, inappropriate landing techniques and non-adherence to the landing process.

Olateru in the report, did not spare the helicopter operator as Caverton Helicopters was indicted for its failure to conduct a risk assessment of the landing preparedness.

According to a statement issued after the incident in 2019, Caverton Helicopters had blamed “unusual weather conditions” for the crash landing of an Agusta Westland 139 chopper with registration number 5N-CML carrying Osinbajo alongside 11 others including the crew members.

The Vice President was scheduled to flag off the distribution of traders’ money to market women in Kogi State.

File Photo: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo went ahead with his activities in Kabba, Kogi State despite the crash of his chattered chopper, 2019.

The commissioner said the helicopter crew had initially sighted the football field before losing visual contact with the ground and the external surrounding.

The report stated that at 1:43 p.m, the helicopter experienced a hard landing on the right main landing gear and rolled over and the occupants were evacuated without injuries.

However, the Commissioner said 11 days after the crash, the bureau issued two interim safety recommendations to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Caverton.

The other three reports were two incidents involving Ilorin Aviation College at the Ilorin International Airport and Aero Contractor Port Harcourt- Lagos flight which experienced smoke on board.

Tobiloba Kolawole

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Southern Africa growth may contract by -6.6% in 2020, says AfDB

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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In the worst-case scenario, growth in Southern Africa would fall to -6.6 per cent in 2020 before recovering to 2.2 per cent in 2021.

Growth is projected at –4.9 per cent in the baseline case, mainly driven by the deep recession in South Africa, induced by a fall in commodity prices, containment measures, weather-related events, and the structural issues related to public utilities. The region’s growth is projected to be the most affected by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Before COVID-19, Southern Africa’s economy was projected to recover from an estimated 0.7 per cent growth in 2019 to 2.1 per cent in 2020.

As has been the case historically, South Africa, the region’s largest economy, is projected to contribute an average of 60 per cent of regional economic output in 2020.

These are some of the highlights contained in the new Southern Africa Regional Economic Outlook released on Monday by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Released annually since 2003, the African Economic Outlook provides compelling up-to-date evidence and analytics to inform and support African decision makers.

Since 2018, the publication of the African Economic Outlook has been coordinated with the release of five Regional Economic Outlook Reports for Central, East, North, Southern and West Africa.

“This year’s third edition of the Southern Africa Regional Outlook report offers robust options for policy makers at national and sub-regional levels to confront the challenges of sustainable economic development through skills development for the future of the workforce in the post-COVID-19 era,” said the African Development Bank’s Acting Director General for Southern Africa, Josephine Ngure.

The report recommended inclusive, broad-based and pro-poor policies to address inequality and reduce poverty rates, adding that a higher level of preparedness is urgently needed to prevent and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Africa, including additional resources for testing and to reduce the impact on households and the economy.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, economic growth forecasts declined by seven percentage points from the original projection under the baseline scenario, and 8.7 percentage points under the worst-case scenario.

Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia are seen as more vulnerable to South Africa’s impending contraction in economic growth, while Mozambique’s sales of gas and electricity could be adversely affected.

In addition, countries that rely on tourism, such as Mauritius, would be adversely affected.

Eureka House is reputed to be one of the largest houses on the island, with 109 doors and windows. The Eureka house was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1986. The museum has areas dedicated to music, art, antique maps, Chinese and Indian house wares and quirky contraptions like a colonial-era shower.

However, the immediate outlook depends on the spread of new cases. South Africa is now the fifth-worst affected country in the world, with close to 400,000 confirmed cases.

The service sector, which accounts for over 50 per cent of the GDP of most of the regional economies, is projected to be negatively impacted by the pandemic, worsened by travel bans, as well as disruption to transport, distribution, hotels and restaurants, entertainment, retail and trade.

Economic diversification, characterized by commodity-driven industrialisation, would help boost the region’s resilience during downturns, the report noted.

The outlook identified poverty and inequality as twin challenges affecting the Southern Africa region and called for policies aimed at making growth inclusive, broad-based and pro-poor if growth is to substantially address both issues.

Compared with other regions in Africa, the region has the highest unemployment levels, averaging 12.5 per cent between 2011 and 2019, followed by North Africa averaging11.8 per cent over the same period.

Unemployment is likely to escalate, especially in hardest-hit sectors such as tourism and hospitality, entertainment, retail and trade and agriculture, where most of the people in the region are employed.

Improving business environment competitiveness in the region is therefore critical.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is projected to provide medium- and long-term opportunities for markets to spur economic growth. The intra-African market is expected to mitigate some of the negative effects of COVID-19.

The publication identified the provision of, and access to, quality education and skills as the basis of prosperity, dignity and well-being for individuals, and forms the backbone of successful economies.

To achieve economic diversification and structural change towards high-productivity sectors, a better skilled and more adaptable labour force is necessary, the report recommended.

Click here (https://bit.ly/2P6nu6p) to access the full report.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Just In: President Buhari interacts with APC Governors, commends party caretakers

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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Buhari with APC Governors 4 — File Photo: President Buhari in Virtual Meeting with APC Governors in State House on 28th July 2020. Photo: Femi Adesina.

President Muhammadu Buhari has commended members of the Mai Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee for the work they are doing in repositioning the governing party.

Recall that following the suspension of the National Chairman and the National Working Committee of the APC in June, the National Executive Committee of the party chose the Yobe State governor and others as the Chairman and members of the Caretaker Committee as well as of the extraordinary National Convention Committee respectively.

At Tuesday’s Virtual interaction with the governors of the APC-controlled States with the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in attendance, the President said that he is pleased with the work that the Caretaker Committee has been doing.

According to him, “I am pleased with the Chairman and the work of the committee. He is highly mobile in the efforts to coordinate and strengthen the party. I am happy with his personal efforts.”

President Buhari also appreciated the efforts of the APC Governors following the successful conduct of the party primaries in Edo and Ondo States, adding that, “I am happy that they knew their responsibilities as Governors and had identified the right priorities.”

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Senator Atiku Bagudu, thanked President Buhari for taking the right steps to resolve the crisis in the party.

The APC Governors also commended the President for his handling of security issues and the economy, noting in particular, the success recorded in pulling the country out of the 2016 economic recession as well as the ongoing management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are proud of your leadership and achievements,” the Governors told President Buhari.

Photo:

By Tobiloba Kolawole

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FG meets resident doctors over planned strike, promises to address issues

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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The Federal Government has assured the leadership of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) that it will address issues raises by the medical practitioners.

over the planned industrial action of the

This assurance was made during a conciliation meeting which held on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The meeting ended with high expectations that the planned strike would be shelved.

At the discussion, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who convened the meeting gave an assurance that the government would address the issues raised by the doctors.

This comes two days after the resident doctors issued a three-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to address the issues raised by the union or risk a nationwide strike.

The demands include the doctors’ welfare, the residency training programme, and the poor state of infrastructure in government hospitals.

Government officials also at the meeting include the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr Festus Keyamo.

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FG lifts ban on Executive Jets Air for violating COVID-19 lockdown

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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The Federal Government of Nigeria Monday lifted the ban placed on the Executive Jets Air Services for violating the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)-induced lockdown order.

The private airline was suspended indefinitely on June 16 by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for operating a controversial flight, conveying Nigerian popular musician, Azeez Fashola, otherwise called Naira Marley, and ex-BB Naija housemate, Kim Oprah, from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos for a concert.

The flight was said to have been approved for a different purpose at that time to convey a serving judge on official assignment from Lagos to Abuja and back to Lagos.

Disclosing the lifting of the suspension order during the bi-weekly Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing, Sirika explained that the Muhammadu Buhari administration decided to lift the ban following the compliance of the airline with sanctions imposed on it.

“Today, we lifted the ban on Executive Jets Air Services Limited. The firm has complied substantially with all of our imposed sanctions.

“The airline has paid parts of the fine and brought forward a payment plan for the balance. So, we have lifted the ban and the airline will continue to do its business. These kind of things are not punitive, they are things to make our industry work better and keep all of you safe,” the minister said.

Sirika added that he has not received the report of the investigation into alleged violations of the COVID-19 protocols by dignitaries who have been alleged to violate COVID-19 safety protocols at airports.

Some Nigerians including serving and former governors among others have been accused of violating COVID-19 safety protocols and the ban on air travels using private and official planes.

“As to the VIP offenders which are undergoing investigation, the report will be on my desk this week hopefully and we will keep Nigerians posted,” Sirika assured.

By Idowu Sowunmi

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Update: AfDB – Independent panel clears Adesina of wrong doing, up re-election

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Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 28, 2020

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The special Committee set up by governors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has cleared Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the bank’s president of any wrong doing.

The committee chaired by former Irish President Mary Robinson sent in its findings yesterday saying “It has considered the President’s submissions”.

Coasting to a 5yr second term

With the conclusions of the Independent Review Panel exonerating the African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina, of 16 allegations of ethical misconduct leveled against him by a group of whistleblowers, the road is now clear for the bank’s governors to re-elect him to a second five-year term during the forthcoming annual meetings of the bank scheduled for August 25-27.

The much awaited report by an Independent Review Panel completely exonerated Adesina of any ethical wrongdoings.

The Independent Review Panel was set up by the Bureau of Governors of the Bank, following a complaint by the United States, to review the process by which two previous organs of the bank – the Ethics Committee of the Board, and the Bureau of the Board of Governors – had previously exonerated Adesina.

The distinguished three-member Independent Review Panel include Mary Robinson, who is a former President of Republic of Ireland, a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Chairperson of the Elders, a global body of wise persons concerned with the world’s well-being; the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Gambia, Hassan Jallow; and Leonard McCarthy, a former Director of Public Prosecutions, a former Director for the Office of Serious Economic Offenses, and a former Head of the Directorate of Special Operations of South Africa.

The findings and rulings of the Ethics Committee were subsequently upheld by the apex Bureau of the Board of Governors in May, which cleared Adesina of any wrongdoing.

In its latest report, the Independent Review Panel stated that it “concurs with the (Ethics) Committee in its findings in respect of all the allegations against the President (Adesina) and finds that they were properly considered and dismissed by the committee.”

The panel once again vindicated Adesina and stated thus: “It has considered the President’s submissions on their face and finds them consistent with his innocence and to be persuasive.”

In January 2020, 16 allegations of ethical misconduct were leveled against Adesina by a group of whistleblowers. The allegations which were reviewed by the bank’s Ethics Committee of the Board of Directors in March, were described as “frivolous and without merit.”

Scorecard in last five years

Adesina is a highly decorated and distinguished technocrat and globally-respected development economist. He was awarded the prestigious World Food Prize in 2017 and the Sunhak Peace Prize in 2019 for global leadership in agriculture and for good governance.

Since taking over the reigns of the bank in 2015, he has introduced several innovative reforms including a High5 development strategy; a restructuring of the bank including setting up offices in several African nations to get closer to its clients; an Africa Investment Forum that has attracted $79 billion in investment interests into projects in Africa between 2018 and 2019.

He successfully led a historic General Capital Increase campaign that culminated in the bank’s shareholders raising the institution’s capital from $93 billion to $208 billion in October 2019.

In June and July respectively, global credit ratings agencies Standard and Poors and Fitch Ratings both affirmed the ‘AAA’ rating of the bank, with stable outlook.

Under Adesina’s leadership, the African Development Bank launched a $10 billion crisis response facility to boost African nations’ ability to tackle the health and economic effects of COVID-19.

Several governors of the bank speaking off the record, said It’s now time to put recent events in the past; provide the bank’s President with full support; and bolster the bank’s efforts on Africa’s critical development issues.

Idowu Sowunmi

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You’re a Legendary Political Swindler : PDP to Oshiomhole on Kneeling Stunt

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B.O.B Echoload

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July 28, 2020

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Edo State Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Campaign Council has told a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, to stop deceiving himself as the elders and leaders in the state could not be swayed by his pretenses and deceptive genuflections.

The council, which is part of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s re-election bid, allegedly described “Oshiomhole as a self-confessed liar and political swindler, who can no longer enjoy the trust and confidence of the people, including members of his party, APC, who not only suspended him but kicked him out as a national chairman on account of his penchant for deception.”

“It is sad that Oshiomhole thinks that he can use his antics, orchestrations and stage-managed kneeling to suddenly grip the elders and leaders of Edo State in his voodoo of deception, to accept the same individual he exposed as a fake pastor and treasury looter, who is only fit for ‘night meetings’ and should not be trusted with the position of the governor of Edo State.

“Oshiomhole ought to have also brought the already discredited APC candidate, Ize-Iyamu, along with him to kneel and plead for forgiveness over his alleged atrocities.

“Furthermore, the sacked APC national chairman ought to have also used the occasion to offer explanation to the elders of Edo State how he allegedly siphoned billions of naira Edo State funds, for which he is being dragged to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“It is unfortunate that Oshiomhole has turned himself into a wretched clown of a derelict circus, particularly as the people of Edo State can see through his selfish shenanigans and are not ready to dance to his deceptive tune.

“By trying to go back to his vomit, the former APC national chairman has confirmed that his intention is only to deceive. The people of Edo State know that Oshiomhole’s pain is that Governor Godwin Obaseki, upon assumption of office, refused to allow him to have unfettered access to the resources of Edo State which Governor Obaseki has continued to apply towards the development of the state.

“The Edo people are already aware that Oshiomhole is desperate to foist Ize-Iyamu, who, giving his antecedents as exposed by Oshiomhole, will be ready to grant him unrestricted access to continue looting the state’s treasury.

“We counsel Oshiomhole to stop deceiving himself and perish the dream of pillaging the treasury as the people of Edo State will never trade the focused, accountable, transparent and development-driven government under Governor Godwin Obaseki for deception, corruption, incompetence and disregard for value, which Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu and the APC have come to represent,” the council alleged, in a statement by Chris Osa Nehikhare.

Idowu Sowunmi

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African Development Bank Approves $27m Grant Financing to Curb COVID-19 Pandemic

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B.O.B Echoload

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July 28, 2020

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African Development Bank has approved a sum of $27.4 million in grants to boost the African Union (AU)’s efforts to mobilise continental response to curb the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Speaking after the bank’s approval by its Board of Governors, President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina, said: “With this financing package, we are reaffirming our strong commitment to a coordinated African response in the face of COVID-19.

“Most importantly, we are sending a strong signal that collectively, the continent can address the pandemic in Africa, which is straining health systems and causing unprecedented socio-economic impacts on the continent.”

The bulk of the bank’s grant financing for this operation, about $26.03 million, would help to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to respond to public health emergencies across the continent, while the balance of $1.37 million, would be a contribution to the AU COVID-19 Response Fund.

The two grants, from the bank’s concessional window, the African Development Fund, and the Transition Support Facility, would support the implementation of Africa CDC’s COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan through strengthening surveillance at various points of entry (air, sea, and land) in African countries; building sub-regional and national capacity for epidemiological surveillance; and ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment for frontline workers deployed in hotspots and testing materials.

The operation would also facilitate collection of gender-disaggregated data and adequate staffing for Africa CDC’s emergency operations center.

The approval came on the heels of a meeting of the extended Bureau of the AU Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on April 22, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, who is the current chairperson of AU.

Adesina, who attended the meeting, pledged strong support for the AU COVID-19 initiative.

AU Bureau meeting called for contributions to the African Union’s COVID-19 Response Fund established by the AU Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in March 2020.

At the beginning of February 2020, only two reference laboratories in Senegal and South Africa could run tests for COVID-19 on the continent.

Africa CDC, working with governments, World Health Organisation (WHO), and several development partners and public health institutes, have increased this capacity to 44 countries.

Despite this progress, Africa’s testing capacity remains at less than 600 per one million people compared to 50,000 in Europe.

“Our response today and support to the African Union, is timely and will play a crucial role in helping Africa look inward for solutions to build resilience to this pandemic and future outbreaks,” said bank’s Acting Vice President, Agriculture and Human Development, Wambui Gichuri.

This support would complement various national and sub-regional operations financed by the African Development Bank under its COVID-19 Rapid Response Facility to support African countries contain and mitigate the impacts of the pandemic.

Idowu Sowunmi

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Buhari names train stations after prominent Nigerians, Awolowo, Soyinka, Ekweume, others

By

Tobiloba Kolawole

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July 27, 2020

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File Photo of Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has named railway stations across the country after some prominent Nigerians citizens including late former Premier of Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, Vice Yemi Osinbajo.

According to a statement by the Director of Press of the Transportation Ministry, Eric Ojiekwe, on Monday, also listed is the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.

The selected prominent Nigerians described as ‘deserving’ by President Buhari’s definition contributed to the progress and development of their respective communities and the nation at large.

The Minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, stated that the president approved the naming of stations along the Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe/Ajaokuta/ Aladja/Warri corridors after the deserving Nigerians.

In the statement, Kajola Station is named after Vice President Osinbajo, Apapa station was named after Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while Agege Station is named after Minister of Works and Housing, Fashola.

Other notable Nigerians named after train station include Lateef Jakande (Agbado station), Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Papalanto station), Wole Soyinka (Abeokuta station), Aremo Segun Osoba (Olodo station) Ladoka Akintola (Omio-Adio station) Obafemi Awolowo (Ibadan station) and Alex Ekwueme (Operation Control Centre).

President Buhari had only recently approved the naming of the Railway Complex in Agbor after former President Goodluck Jonathan.

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