Stabilise

Pope Francis yesterday urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to cut the debt burden of poor countries hit by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and give their governments a greater say in global-decision-making.

South Africans seeking to leave Mozambique after insurgent attacks in the northern region of the country will be aided by the government after the violence claimed the life of one of its citizens.

The Nigeria Metrological Agency (NIMET) and All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) have cautioned farmers against early planting due to the first rainfall of the year.

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday condemned Saturday’s attack on Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, and welcomed the decision of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to unveil those behind the assassination bid with the aim of bringing them to book.

The monarchs, under the auspices of the National Traditional Council of Nigeria, accused the military regimes of Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi (rtd), Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) of relegating the traditional institution to the background with no constitutional role.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has called for the stoppage of its 25 per cent revenue contribution to the Federation Account to enable it address some infrastructure gaps.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says 3.8 million farmers have so far benefited from its Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

South Africa’s consolidated fiscal deficit is expected to narrow this year because of an economic rebound, although the long-term trend of higher debt remains unchanged due to COVID-19 and pre-existing spending, a Reuters poll forecast on Friday.

Receiving members of the Hausa Guild of Actors and Film Producers, otherwise known as Kannywood, on Tuesday, the minister said the funds were provided to augment the shortfall by the distribution companies (DisCos) who have failed to pay for the electricity supply wheeled to them.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) yesterday announced that 39.82 per cent made credits in five subjects, including Mathematics and English, in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for private candidates 2020 (second series).

Oil prices jumped again by 2.49 per cent yesterday, hitting a fresh 13-month peak, and surpassing the $60 high set earlier this week.

The Bank of Industry (BoI), yesterday said about 311,000 employees of small companies have been supported under the payroll support initiative of the MSME Survival Fund Scheme.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, has again explained why he abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ethiopia’s state-run media have said authorities arrested 15 people over a plot to attack the United Arab Emirates’ embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa.

The Speaker, Cross River House of Assembly, Eteng Jonah-Williams, has explained why the lawmakers backtracked and confirmed Akon Ikpeme as substantive Chief Judge of the state, after rejecting her twice in 2020.

As Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) opens its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Monday, a financial expert, Mr Okechukwu Unegbu, has advised the committee to address rising inflationary rates.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced the signing of an advance purchase agreement securing up to 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine.

"Attention, isolation zone," warns a bright orange notice at the entrance to the main coronavirus treatment centre in Lagos, Africa's most populous city.

Malian security forces used tear gas on Wednesday to disperse an unsanctioned protest in the capital Bamako against France’s military presence in the country, one of the rally’s organisers said.

Britain’s vaccine rollout is limited by a “lumpy” manufacturing process affecting supplies of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca, but is on track to hit its targets, Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Monday.

The World Health Organisation (WHO), says it is in countries self-interest to shun vaccine nationalism and work toward equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, noting that people must come first over short-term profits.

The Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), on Tuesday, urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to continue to stabilise the foreign exchange rates for economic growth.