Here are key March 12, 2020 Nigeria Current Affairs for knowledge-base.
Business & Economy
1. Coronavirus: Nigeria’s Budget will suffer severe strain due to outbreak of COVID-19
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed on Wednesday declared that the country’s budget will suffer severe strain due to the impact that the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus is having on the global economy, especially the international oil market.
She made this disclosure at a consultative round-table with Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja while also describing the fall in the price of oil as a “shock”.
Education
1. Nigerian Federal Government Declares ASUU Strike illegal
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, on Wednesday March 11, 2020 declared the two-week warning strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as “illegal.”
The minister made this known to the State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari. He accused ASUU of not following laid down procedures before embarking on the industrial action.
Health Awareness
1. Italian COVID-19 Patient to be Discharged Soon — Nigeria’s Health Minister
Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire has said that the index case of Cornavirus in Nigeria, an Italian will be discharged soon.
The minister disclosed this on Thursday March 12, 2020 in Abuja during a conference with the diplomatic community about measures being taken by the Federal Government to tackle the spread of the disease, TVC News reports.
Dr Osagie, emphasised on the fact that there are only two confirmed cases in Nigeria, the index case and the second person who was a primary contact of the Italian.
2. Yellow Fever & COVID-19: Yellow Card now a Requirement for all Travels, says FG
In a bid to reviewing the operationalization of Nigeria point of entry policy on the prevention and control of cross border transmission of yellow fever, the Federal Ministry of Health has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to call on airlines operating international and regional flights in the country to commence the implementation of the use of Yellow card as a requirement for travel.
The General Manager, Aeromedical Standards, Dr. Wilfred Haggai who on behalf of the Director General, NCAA, issued a statement explained the review of the policy had arisen because of the compelling priority of the ongoing entry screening at points of entry by Port Health Services for COVID-19.
Appointments & Promotions
1. NNPC Promotes 68 Senior Managers to Fill Vacant Positions
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Group Managing Director, Mr. Mele Kyari on Thursday March 12, 2020 directed 36 top management staff at General Manager and Group General Manager ranks due to retire by December 31, 2020 to proceed on retirement with immediate effect.
Following this directive, the NNPC promoted 68 senior managers to fill those vacancies and other prior vacancies in an exercise that has been described as fair, even and balanced.
All the six geopolitical zones were proportionately accommodated with at least 11 positions to each zone. This is the first time in the history of NNPC that a GMD has delivered a promotion exercise reflecting the diversity and ethnic mix of Nigeria.
Sports
1. Coronavirus: La Liga suspended after Real Madrid basketball player tested positive
LaLiga has been suspended for the next two matchdays after Real Madrid established a self-imposed quarantine following a positive coronavirus test by one of their basketball players.
Madrid confirmed a member of their basketball team tested positive for COVID-19 and, since those players share training facilities with the football squad at their Valdebebas base, they too have been told to isolate themselves.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo Quarantined in his Madeira Home
Following the news of his team-mate Daniele Rugani who tested positive to coronavirus, world football star, Cristiano Ronaldo has been quarantined in his Madeira home.
The Portuguese star flew to his homeland to visit his mother, who recently suffered a stroke, before the news broke and must stay put rather than fly back to northern Italy where the outbreak is at its most rampant.
Both Ronaldo and Rugani shared a dressing room on Sunday when Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-0 behind closed doors. A picture posted on Instagram by Miralem Pjanic after the game show Ronaldo and Rugani celebrating the victory in a close huddle with their team-mates.
International News
1. Indian government announces suspension of all tourist visas into the country as part of measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
The move comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) Thursday declared the outbreak a pandemic, with countries worldwide already scrambling to contain the spread of the disease.
A statement released by the India Ministry of Health on Twitter Thursday said: “All existing visas, except diplomatic, official, United Nations-international organisations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till April 15, 2020.
2. Google writes all of its employees in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to work from home starting March 12th, following the outbreak of coronavirus.
