10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers, Wednesday morning, March 18, 2020

These 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers will interest you this Wednesday morning.

1. Coronavirus scare catches up with Nigeria as govt bars officials from foreign trips

The Federal Government on Tuesday barred all government officials, including public and civil servants, from travelling abroad. The Presidential Task Force on Coronavirus announced the decision after a closed-door meeting in Abuja. Read more

2. Lagos govt begins contact tracing of 3rd Coronavirus case

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said on Tuesday the state government has started intensive contact tracing for the passengers that travelled with the third confirmed case of Coronavirus on British Airways. Abayomi, who stated this at a media briefing in Lagos, said the third Coronavirus case came on a BA75 flight that arrived in Lagos on March 13. Read more

3. Resident doctors embark on indefinite strike over COVID-19 fears

The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Abuja chapter has embarked on an indefinite strike over anxiety and the fear of the spread of the deadly coronavirus also known as COVID-19. This declaration was made in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Tuesday by ARD President, Roland Aigbovo, who said that the decision was reached after extensive deliberation on the health threat posed by the coronavirus scare, their work conditions, and patient care. Read more

4. Bill to empower states to control electricity passes second reading

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading, a bill seeking to empower states to control electricity supply, and declaration of public holidays. The bill seeks to have the 1999 Constitution amended so that it can devolve to states some items which it reserves for the Federal Government. Read more

5. IPPIS: ASUU alleges Nigerian govt fueled varsity crisis with non-payment of members’ salaries

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) on Tuesday accused the Federal Government of fueling the crisis which led to the ongoing strike by varsity lecturers. The President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi stated this at a meeting between the union and the federal government put together to find a lasting solution to the disagreement between both parties. Read more

Read also: 10 top stories from Nigerian newspapers, Tuesday morning, March 17, 2020

6. APC lifts suspension of deputy national chairman, vice-chairman. Is the ruling party on course for real reconciliation?

The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (NWC) on Tuesday lifted the suspension on the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawal Shuaibu, and National Vice Chairman (North), Inuwa Abdulkadir. The party National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who disclosed this after the party’s NWC meeting in Abuja, said the decision was taken in the spirit of reconciliation. Read more

7. Bill seeking removal of police, mining from Exclusive list scales second reading in House of Reps

A bill seeking the removal of the police, mining, and electricity from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent list scaled through second reading at the House of Representatives on Tuesday. Read more

8. Constituency projects are not gifts from legislators – ICPC

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) said on Tuesday constituency projects were never gifts or donations to communities from legislators, but projects built by the government with public funds. The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, stated this at a town hall meeting organised for various stakeholders in Akure, Ondo State. Read more

9. Benin, Togo, Niger electricity debts to Nigeria hit N30bn

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared that the accumulated bill of the power supplied by Nigeria to its West African neighbours – Benin, Togo and Niger – between January and September last year currently stands at N29.97 billion. Niger, through its electricity company, Societe Nigerienne d’electricite, owes Nigeria an arrears of N3.01 billion, N3.69 billion and N4.1 billion for the first, second and third quarters of 2019 respectively. Read more

10. The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider placing a travel ban on countries with high risk of coronavirus.

The request was made by lawmakers following a point of order raised by the Senate Health Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Oloriegbe.

On its part, the House of Representatives also called on the federal government to halt flights from China, Britain and other high-risk countries to forestall further outbreak of Coronavirus. Read more

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