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Tag: Covid 19

  • N570billion was World Bank COVID-19 palliative not FG largess

    Opacity continues to dug the Bola Tinubu Presidency as Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state disclaims the assertion that the N570 billion released to governors was a handout or bailout from President Bola Tinubu’s government to the 36 states to expand the livelihood support to citizens across the country.
    On Thursday, Mr Makinde explained that the N570 billion was part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project, a programme for results intervention aimed at helping states to recover from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    On the contrary, President Tinubu had claimed, during the nationwide broadcast on Sunday following the #EndBadGovernance protests that grounded activities in major cities of the country, that his administration had released more than N570 billion to states.
    “Also, more than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens, while 600,000 nano-businesses have benefited from our nano-grants. An additional 400,000 more nano-businesses are expected to benefit,” Mr. Tinubu claimed in the national broadcast.
    Debunking the claim, Gov Makinde asserts:
    “Let me state categorically that this is yet another case of misrepresentation of facts. The said funds were part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project—a programme for results intervention. The World Bank facilitated an intervention to help States in Nigeria with COVID-19 Recovery. CARES means COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus. It was called ‘Programme for Results’ because states had to use their money in advance to implement the programme. 
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    “After the World Bank verified the amount spent by the state, it reimbursed the states through the platform provided at the federal level. The federal government did not give any State money; they were simply the conduit through which the reimbursements were made to states for money already spent,” the Oyo governor pointed out.
    Acknowledging that the World Bank fund was a loan and not a grant to the states, Mr Makinde explained that each state of the federation is expected to repay the loan adding that the NG-CARES, which was christened Oyo-CARES predated the present federal administration.
    “So, in direct response to the message, the federal government did not give Oyo state any money. We were reimbursed funds (N5.98 billion in the first instance and N822 million in the second instance) we invested in the three result areas of NG-CARES, which includes inputs distribution to smallholder farmers within our State.
    “In fact, when the World Bank saw our model for the distribution of inputs preceded by biometric capturing of beneficiary farmers, they adopted it as the NG-CARES model,” the governor stated.
  • Biden Tests Positive For Covid, White House Confirms

    Biden Tests Positive For Covid, White House Confirms

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    President Joe Biden has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently experiencing mild symptoms, according to the White House.

    Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House Press Secretary, confirmed that President Biden, who is vaccinated and has received booster shots, tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

    The 81-year-old President was active earlier in the day, visiting supporters in Las Vegas and speaking at an event.

    However, a scheduled campaign speech later in the night was cancelled following the positive test result.

    Jean-Pierre stated that President Biden plans to isolate at his home in Delaware while continuing to perform “all of his duties fully.”

    Dr. Kevin O’Connor, the President’s doctor, reported that Biden has presented with upper respiratory symptoms, including a runny nose and a cough.

    The President has started a course of Paxlovid, an antiviral medication used to treat Covid-19.

    In a tweet, President Biden expressed gratitude for the well wishes and assured the public of his commitment to continue working during his recovery.

    The President’s positive test comes amid increasing pressure from within his party regarding concerns about his age and its potential impact on his candidacy for re-election.

    According to US media, Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer and House Majority Leader, Hakeem Jefferies have privately met with President Biden to express their concerns that his candidacy could adversely affect other House and Senate races.

    President Biden took to Twitter to address the situation.

    In one tweet, he thanked everyone for their well wishes and reassured the public that he would continue to work during his recovery.

    In another tweet, he humorously remarked, “I’m sick… of Elon Musk and his rich buddies trying to buy this election. And if you agree, pitch in here.”