CBN Mentain Interest Rate At 12.5%

The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has retained the monetary policy rate at 12.5 per cent.

Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele announced this at the end of the MPC’s meeting on Monday.

Emefiele explained that other parameters were held constant, leaving the CRR at 27.5% and the liquidity ratio at 30%.

He added that the move to tighten will contradict the initiative of expansion of affordable credit to the real sector while increasing MPR at the stage will be counter-intuitive and will result in upward pressure on market rates and cost of production and a further cut will not be realistic

The CBN Governor stated that the earlier loosening to 12.5% in May is yielding positive impact as credit growth increased significantly in the economy and more time needs to be given for the impact to be felt further.

According to him, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew in the first quarter of 2020.

“Available data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that real Growth Domestic Product (GDP) grew marginally by 1.87 per cent in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the 2.25 per cent and 2.10 per cent in the proceeding and corresponding quarters of 2019,” he said.

Although the CBN Governor noted that there was a decline in output growth, he, however, attributed the decline to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The performance was largely driven by 5.06 per cent growth in the oil sector and 1.55 growths in the non-oil sector. The decline in output growth in the first quarter was largely attributed to the decline in the oil prices and the shock from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Committee observed the gradual but persistent decline in the manufacturing and non-Manufacturing Purchasing Indices below the benchmarks. 10 members of the committee were in attendance,” he said.

Eight members of the committee voted in favour of holding the MPR, while two members wanted it reduced.

In addition to the MPR, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) was retained at 27.5 per cent, liquidity ratio at 30 per cent, while the Asymmetric Corridor was retained at +200/-500 basis points. 

Source:

Read More

Air Force Unveils Identity Of Classmate Who Overthrow Tolulope Arotile

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has unveiled the identity of the secondary school classmate who knocked down Tolulope Arotile, Nigeria’s first female combat helicopter pilot.

Ibikunle Daramola, air force spokesman gave the name of the man as Nehemiah Adejoh and also disclosed that he and two other civilians were at the Nigerian Air Force base in Kaduna to visit the wife of a squadron leader. 

He further revealed that Tolulope Arotile was awaiting deployment for her next assignment when the sad incident occurred. 

The Late Flying Officer Tolulope Arotile, a Squadron Pilot at the 405 Helicopter Combat Training Group (405 HCTG) Enugu, attached to the Air Component of Operation GAMA AIKI in Minna, having recently completed her Promotion Examinations, was in Kaduna awaiting deployment for her next assignment. During this period, she stayed with her sister, Mrs Damilola Adegboye, at Sabo Area in Kaduna, visiting the NAF Base whenever necessary.

“On 14 July 2020 at about 10.55am, Late Flying Officer Arotile received a phone call from her colleague, Flying Officer Perry Karimo, a fellow helicopter pilot from the 405 HCTG, who wanted to discuss arrangements for their return to Enugu, requesting that she comes to the Base so that they could work out the modalities. Subsequently, at about 10.58am, the Late Arotile placed a call through to Squadron Leader Diepiriye Batubo, the Group Operations Officer (GOO) of 405 HCTG, who was in Minna at the time, to clarify issues regarding her deployment. It must be highlighted that the call FROM Flying Officer Karimo as well as the one TO the Squadron Leader Batubo both took place before 11.00am, over 5 hours before the incident which led to her death.

“Flying Officer Arotile was later conveyed from Sabo to the NAF Base Kaduna by her sister, Mrs Adegboye, where the Deceased dropped her phone for charging at a house in the Instructor Pilots’ Quarters belonging to Squadron Leader Alfa Ekele. Her elder sister later dropped her off at the Base Mammy Market at about 4.00pm, where she proceeded to photocopy and laminate some documents.

“It was while she was returning from the Mammy Market at about 4.30pm that 3 of her former schoolmates at the Air Force Secondary School (now Air Force Comprehensive School) Kaduna; Mr Nehemiah Adejoh, Mr Igbekele Folorunsho and Mr Festus Gbayegun, drove past her in a Kia Sorento SUV, with Registration Number AZ 478 MKA.

“It is noteworthy that Messrs Adejoh, Folorunsho and Gbayegun are all civilians who live outside NAF Base Kaduna, but were on their way to visit one Mrs Chioma Ugwu, wife of Squadron Leader Chukwuemeka Ugwu, who lives at Ekagbo Quarters on the Base.

“Upon recognizing their schoolmate, Arotile, after passing her, Mr Adejoh, who was driving, reversed the vehicle, ostensibly in an attempt to quickly meet up with the Deceased, who was walking in the opposite direction. In the process, the vehicle struck Flying Officer Arotile from the rear, knocking her down with significant force and causing her to hit her head on the pavement. The vehicle then ran over parts of her body as it veered off the road beyond the kerb and onto the pavement, causing her further injuries.

“Flying Officer Arotile was subsequently rushed to the 461 NAF Hospital Kaduna for treatment, while Mr Folorunsho (one of the occupants of the vehicle) who is also an Accident & Emergency Nurse at the St Gerard Catholic Hospital Kaduna, administered First Aid.

“Flying Officer Arotile was confirmed dead by the On-Call Doctor at the 461 NAF Hospital at about 4.45pm on 14 July 2020, as a result of the head injuries.

“The trio of Messrs Nehemiah Adejoh, Igbekele Folorunsho and Festus Gbayegun were immediately detained at the Air Provost Wing, 453 Base Services Group Kaduna as investigations began. They were subjected to Toxicology Tests at the 461 NAF Hospital but no traces of alcohol or psychotropic substances were found in their systems. It was however discovered that the driver of the vehicle, Mr Nehemiah Adejo, did not have a valid driver’s license.

“Having carefully considered the foregoing, the preliminary investigation concluded that: The death of Flying Officer Arotile was caused by blunt force trauma to the head and significant bleeding resulting from being struck by the vehicle.”

Daramola affirmed that the case would be transferred to the police for further investigation. 

Sources:

Read More

Lampard Hails Chelsea’s ‘Mentality’ After FA Cup Semi-Final Success

Lampard Hails Chelsea’s ‘Character’ After FA Cup Semi-Final Success

Channels Television  

Updated July 20, 2020

Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard gestures during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on July 19, 2020. Andy Rain / POOL / AFP

Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard gestures during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London, on July 19, 2020. Andy Rain / POOL / AFP

 

Frank Lampard saluted Chelsea’s “character and personality” as they powered into the FA Cup final with a 3-1 win over woeful Manchester United on Sunday.

Lampard’s side were gifted their goals by an error-strewn display from United goalkeeper David De Gea, but Chelsea were deserved winners as they dominated the semi-final from start to finish.

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring late in the first half and Mason Mount got the second after the interval at Wembley.

Harry Maguire’s own goal killed off United before Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty.

After some shaky performances in recent weeks, including a 3-0 hammering at Sheffield United, Lampard was impressed with the spirited way his players out-classed in-form United at Wembley.

“I can’t ask for any more from my players than that. The work ethic and the level of performance. We were on top and when they changed their system we were even better,” Lampard told the BBC.

“Where we are at, it is going to happen that we have some bad displays like against Sheffield United. But to do that against Manchester United, I’m delighted and very proud.

“There was a lot of work done in the last two days to change the system, and you’re only as good as your players in that situation. They deserve a huge amount of credit.

“They should take confidence from that display. We have leaders, you can’t compare across eras but we have leaders in the team. It was a performance full of character and personality.”

Chelsea’s victory moved Lampard a step closer to silverware in his first season in charge of the club where he earned legendary status as a player.

Before their FA Cup final date with London rivals Arsenal on August 1, Chelsea have to focus on qualifying for the Champions League via a top four finish in the Premier League.

They sit third — one point above Leicester and United — with games against Liverpool and Wolves to finish the league season.

“We have finals ahead. Two in the league and then Arsenal,” Lampard said.

“We want to win things, and at the start of the season we wanted to be up there challenging for the top four.

“A lot of people were tipping against us, but quietly I was always hoping.

“I don’t want to put everything on these three games defining everything we’ve done and the progress we’ve made, but of course we want top four, we want trophies and we’re at the business end, so let’s see.”

Source:

Read More

Court sentences man to prison for rejecting facemask

An Osun State Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, on Wednesday, sentenced a man, Jonathan Ukonwe, to 30 days imprisonment for resisting arrest and intentionally disobeying the constituted authority for not wearing facemask. 

The 45-year-old man was arraigned for assaulting a female operative of Amotekun Corps. 

The prosecutor, ASP Abiodun Fagboyinbo told the court that Jonathan assaulted one Meshack Funmilola (F) of Hunters Group of Nigeria by beating her up while performing her lawful duty on the enforcement of the use of facemask.

He said the convict conducted himself in a manner to cause breach of peace by resisting arrest and intentionally disobeyed the constituted authority and deliberately refused to wear facemask. 

The three-count charge filed against the convict read; “That you Jonathan Ukonwe on the same date, time and place in the aforementioned Magisterial District did conduct yourself in a manner to cause a breach of peace by resisting arrest for not wearing your facemask and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 249(D) of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Voll. Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002. 

“You intentionally disobeyed the constituted authority and deliberately refused to wear facemask in the public and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 203 of the Criminal code CAP 34 Vol II Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

You assaulted one Meshack Funmilola ‘F’ of Hunters Group of Nigeria by beating her up while performing her lawful duty on the enforcement of the use of facemask and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 356 of Criminal Code CAP 34 Vol 1l Laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”

The accused pleaded guilty for count one and two but pleaded not guilty for assaulting Amotekun female corps. 

Magistrate Opeyemi Badmus sentenced the accused to 30 days imprisonment for resisting arrest and intentionally disobeyed the constituted authority for not wearing facemask.

Magistrate Opeyemi later Adjourned the third charge to July 29, 2020, for hearing. 

Source:

Read More

Abe Aku tests positive for coronavirus

The Plateau State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Abe Aku, has rested positive for coronavirus.

The state governor, Simon Lalong, disclosed this through the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Dan Manjang, in Jos, the state capital. 

Consequently, Governor Lalong directed all members of the State Executive Council to undergo test for dreaded virus and thereafter isolate beginning from today, July 1, 2020.

He said, “Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has directed members of the State Executive Council to undergo test for COVID-19 and thereafter isolate beginning today, 1st July, 2020.

“This follows the fact that a member of the State Executive Council and Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Abe Aku, tested positive for the virus after he carried out the test. 

According to him, “Based on the governor’s directive, specimens of the commissioners are to be taken and forwarded to the COVID-19 Laboratory at The National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom for testing.

“During the period and pending the outcome of the results, members of the public are advised to be guided by unnecessary visits to members of the State Executive Council while they isolate,” he maintained.

“This action is to not only prevent the possible spread of the disease, but also show leadership by example.”

DAILY POST recalls that, at the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic about three months ago, Governor Lalong and his family carried out the test and all tested negative.

Source:

Read More

The Federal Government has extend the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency has announced a new price band of N140.80 to N143.80 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol.

Sources at the Abuja headquarters of the agency said the rise in petrol price was primarily due to the increase in global crude oil prices.

A circular released on Wednesday July 1, from the PPPRA to marketers reads;

“After a review of the prevailing market fundamentals in the month of June and considering marketers’ realistic operating costs, as much as practicable, we wish to advise a new PMS pump price band of N140.80-N143.80 per litre for the month of July 2020.

All marketers are advised to operate within the indicative prices as advised by the PPPRA.”

The federal government, in March, announced that the retail price of petrol would be adjusted monthly to reflect realities in the global crude oil market. On May 31, 2020, the PPPRA announced a price band of N121.50 to N123.50 per litre for the product. 

Source:

Read More

EFCC Capture N7.9bn Stolen By Rochas Okorocha

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has asked the former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha to get ready for his days in court while revealing that about N7.9bn belonging to the state has been seized from him.

According to the Zonal head of the anti-graft agency, Usman Imam who made this known on Thursday, the commission has returned over N5.7bn to various administrations in Imo to pay salaries and pensions of workers.

He said: “I started the Imo state case in Enugu and upon my deployment to this zone, the investigations of corruption allegations against the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, was transferred from the Enugu zone to Port Harcourt for further investigations.

“Within the period, the commission succeeded in freezing about in different accounts. All the monies that were released to Imo State government were from the N7.9bn recovered from Okorocha. The monies were released in batches.

“N2.7bn was released in March for salaries. In the PDP government of Emeka Ihedioha, excess of N2.5bn upon series of writings and our insistence of monitoring it was released to pay salaries and pensions because they were monies recovered from the state so it has to go back to the state.

“Then the government of Emeka left and this government came, we had a remnant of the money in excess of N2bn. We were able to release N514milion just last month because excess of about N1.8bn is encumbered with a court process. Contractors went to court and targeted the funds. The process is lingering. They still have excess of N1.8bn that is not released”. 

Source:

Read More

Obaseki Eliminated from APC Primary

Governor Obaseki

Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki has been disqualified from participating in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) primary election scheduled for June 22nd.

The embattled governor was disqualified by the screening committee for the Party’s governorship primary.

Jonathan Ayuba, chairman of the screening committee, said this while presenting his report to Adams Oshiomhole, APC national chairman, at the national secretariat in Abuja on Friday, June 12th.

Oshiomhole is believed to be behind his ordeal and also believed to be interested in the emergence of Ize Iyamu as the party’s governorship flagbearer for the state.

Source:

Read More

Army trains officers on new equipment

As part of efforts to consolidate on the gains of its fight against Boko Haram terrorism in the Northeast, the Nigerian Army has organized a training for its officers in Bauchi on the new battle tanks and other sophisticated war equipment acquired by the federal government.

Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai declared the training open Thursday in Bauchi at the Nigerian Army armoured school. 

DAILY POST reports that general Buratai also inspected the living accommodations of the officers destroyed by rainstorm in the shadawanka barracks Bauchi and the new officers’ quarters, tagged Tukur Yusuf Buratai village, currently under construction at the barracks. 

However during the visit, the Chief of Army staff delegated the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa to address the press on his behalf.

Musa explained that there were over 155 students in the State undergoing course on how to handle the newly acquired battle tanks, saying the new war equipment was purchased to enable soldiers to crush the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists in the region.

According to him, the Nigerian troops have in the last two months killed over 1,015 Boko Haram militants, adding that within the period under review, there has been no major terrorist activity in the entire North east. 

For the last four months, we have not had any major case of terrorist activity. What we have majorly is terrorists inactivity as if they are non-existent.

“Just last week when the Chief of army staff addressed Soldiers, officers and even His Excellency governor of Borno state was there during the sallah lunch with troops, he mentioned that in the last two months, over 1,015 terrorists were neutralized. And that is a big success.

“This is translated in the fact that we have not seen any major terrorist activity in the north east at the moment,” he said. 

He opined that the training would have a serious impact in the battle against terrorists in Nigeria, assuring that after the first batch of the training, more soldiers would undergo similar courses. 

He urged members of the public to continue to provide useful information to the Nigerian Army on any suspected terrorist activities so that they can respond in good time. 

Source:

Read More

LaLiga verify season will resume June

Spain’s LaLiga will restart with the derby between Sevilla and Real Betis on Thursday, June 11 with the season set to conclude over the weekend of July 18-19.

LaLiga officially confirmed their restart date with the first game coming six days before the resumption of the Premier League in England.

All matches will be played without spectators although fixtures are yet to be officially confirmed.

League president Javier Tebas has also announced that he wants next season to begin on September 12.

‘The important thing will be when the season finishes although we’ll only be able to congratulate ourselves when we start the following season,’ Tebas told Spanish newspaper Marca.

‘God willing that day will be September 12 and hopefully we’ll be able to say we have overcome this most difficult period but at least we will be better prepared.’

Football in Spain was suspended on March 12 because of the spread of COVID-19. Champions Barcelona lead LaLIga by two points from Real Madrid with 11 rounds of the season remaining.

Spanish clubs returned to training in groups of no more than 10 last week and this was increased to groups of 14 this week.

They will next progress to full squad training in the coming days before the matches resume on June 11.

The authorities in Spain are gradually lifting lockdown restrictions in a country where nearly 30,000 people have died with COVID-19.

The government gave permission for the LaLiga season to resume after June 8.

It is the latest major European league to confirm a restart date. Germany’s Bundesliga is already back underway, while England’s Premier League will resume on June 17 and Italy’s Serie A on June 20.

Source:

Read More

Mr Portable shout for help after his friend duped him

Yoruba actor, Olu Olowogemo Arijan popularly known as Mr Portable, has cried out to Nigerians to help him after he was duped by his friend.

Sharing a video via Instagram, the actor wrote;

“Yes!! I was duped by a friend, ki Olorun gba wa lowo ota bi ore.

He is hiding under the umbrella of not staying in Nigeria and I will hide under the voice of my lovers cause I know you people will come to my rescue and let justice be done.

I have nothing, but I have my voice and you all,even if I am a millionaire, I won’t just sit back and be duped by a friend.

I am using this opportunity to call on you all to come to my rescue and make him see that he can be disciplined no matter where he is hiding.

I will soon be posting his details, I am giving him just 10days more. Kindly help me broadcast this video 🙏”

Source:

Read More

Court release Adeleke Over Alleged Examination ‘Malpractice’

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out the case against Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senator Adeleke was charged to court by the Federal Government over alleged exam malpractice.

However, on Thursday, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Simon Lough filed an application for the withdrawal of charges against the Senator.

The trial judge, Justice Inyang Eekwo in his ruling on Friday, in turn, discharged Senator Adeleke with the view of Mr Lough’s (the prosecutor) decision to withdraw the charges against him.

Source:

Read More

Cultists forced Delta Police Station To Free Robbery suspect

Delta State Police command has confirmed the death of two persons yesterday at the Jesse Police Station in Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State after they were alleged to have stormed the police formation at the early hours of Wednesday in an attempt to free some robbery suspects, Vanguard has reported.

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Onome Onowhakpoyeya, who confirmed the attack, told Vanguard that “two persons were shot dead after they attacked the Jesse Police Station cell this early morning and attempted to free some robbery suspects, in fact they had actually broken the key of the cell when Policemen on duty, reenforced and went after them and two of them were shot dead in the process” she said.

But a source at the community who craved anonymity told Vanguard that the police were economical with the truth “the truth is that one of those Yahoo boys had an issue with another one involving money and one chased the other into the police station with a machete, and right there he butchered him to death and the murderer was running away when the police shot him”.

The source said, residents of the community were angered by the brutal way the guy was shot so they mobilised themselves with an intention to set the station on fire, and in the process, a woman was hit by stray bullet “and she is now receiving treatment in an undisclosed clinic in town”.

Early this month, cultists were said to have engaged in a confrontation that needed the police to intervene with cultists openly confronting each other in broad daylight.

The corpses have been deposited in a mortuary around the community.

When Vanguard visited the scene, Security men and members of the vigilante were seen on ground in an attempt to calm the situation.

Source:

Read More

Luiz , three other defenders set to leave Arsenal

David Luiz looks set to leave Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer, reports talksports.com. The defender only signed a one-year contract when he joined from London rivals Chelsea in 2019 – not a two-year deal as was widely reported – and Sky Sports say that he’s not been offered an extension.

Mikel Arteta has praised Luiz’s influence on the team since his arrival as manager and wants him to stay. But Sky claims the 33-year-old is now heading for the exit door, as Arsenal chiefs look to cut costs amid the coronavirus pandemic and the likely lack of Champions League football.

A return to Benfica could be on the cards for Luiz, who recently told television network SporTV in his homeland: “I always said that I would like to end my career at Benfica.

“I love Benfica. My dream is to step on the pitch of Estadio da Luz in their colours.”As well as David Luiz, a number of other defenders could be on the way out of Arsenal.

According to David Ornstein – a very reliable source on all things Arsenal – the club could well put Rob Holding, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis Papastathopoulos up for sale. Speaking on The Ornstein and Chapman Podcast, he said: “Arsenal have a vast number of central defenders and presumably they’ll need to get rid of some this summer.

“We know that some of them, including Rob Holding, Sokratis and maybe Shkodran Mustafi as well, Arsenal will listen to offers for.”

Holding took to Instagram after Ornstein’s comments where he posted a cryptic message.

Uploading a picture of him training, the England Under-21 international wrote: “Focus your energy on what you can control.”He arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2016, as did Mustafi but things haven’t worked out for the pair. Holding was in good form last season before a cruciate ligament injury stunted his progress.

Mustafi’s time at the Emirates Stadium has been a disaster, with his faulty displays in Arsenal colours leading to him being subject to huge ridicule among fans.

Sokratis joined the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund in July 2018.

Source:

Read More

Akeredolu Lifts Ban On Worship Centres In Ondo

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has lifted the ban on religious gatherings in the State.
The Governor on Wednesday announced that worship centres in the State will resume on Friday months after being shut down in order to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
The religious activities, according to Governor Akeredolu, are to be guided and syndicated throughout the state.

Akeredolu said the religious activities were asked to resume after consultation with religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders in the state.
The Ondo Governor noted that if guided religious worship is carefully managed, a casualty on account of such gatherings could be avoided.

Akeredolu said mosques are to hold only Friday Jumat services while churches would hold services on Sundays only.

He warned religious leaders and administrators to ensure strict compliance with the social and physical distancing in the places of worship while water and soap must be provided at all entries into the centres or halls of worship.

Source:

Read More

Messi looking forward eagerly to 'weird' La Liga restart

Barcelona and Argentina captain Lionel Messi said he was eager to start playing again but thought La Liga games behind closed doors would feel “weird”.

Messi, who after a few weeks confined like the rest of Spain by the coronavirus pandemic, is training with Barca again ahead of a planned resumption of La Liga behind closed doors on the weekend on June 12.

“We cannot think about what we are leaving behind this year. It is better to think about the future,” said Messi on the website of sports brand Adidas.

“Like going back to day-to-day training, seeing your teammates, playing your first few games. No doubt it will be strange at first, but I am looking forward to competing again!

He said playing without fans “implies a series of challenges. The preparation at squad level is the same as for any other match, but it is true that individually you have to train and get mentally prepared to play without people because it is very weird.”

“It will be like starting over,” he said. “Technically it will be the same season, but I think all teams and players will experience it differently.”

Messi was due to lead Argentina this summer in the Copa America, where his country are joint hosts with Colombia, but in March, the competition was postponed to June and July next year.

“Postponing the Copa America was a huge disappointment, but of course it was reasonable and most logical,” Messi said.

“The Copa was going to be a big event for me this year and I was really looking forward to playing in it again,” he said.

“It was hard when I heard about the postponement, but I understood it perfectly,” he said

Source:

Read More

Huawei ICT Academy hosts online training for students

Huawei Technologies has not relented on its efforts to ensure Nigerian students registered under its Authorized Information and Network Academy are trained in core ICT skills in the face of the Covid19 pandemic. The company moved its classes online, engaging hundreds of students across the country on their computer screens from the comfort of their homes.

The Huawei Authorized Information and Network Academy (HAINA) in collaboration with more than 70 universities in Nigeria was established to train students for free in the latest internationally relevant ICT skills in subjects such as Networks, Cloud Computing and Big Data. As at today, over 10,000 Nigerian students have benefitted.

In an exclusive interview with some of the teachers and students, we got insights into the structure of the Huawei ICT Academy online training program and its impact.

Mr. Lawal Ahmad Alassan, Head of IT Technical Support Unit, Kastina State Institute of Technology and Management, who is also a Huawei Academy Instructor in Routing, Switching, Storage and Security said his first batch of online classes held from the 10th till the 15th of May 2020 and he had between 75 to 50 students from different educational institutions from all over Nigeria. He said classes were split into 2 classes of 40 each. The training was structured for 3 hours daily with breaks in between. The entire course was broken down into 4-5 topics daily.

Speaking about his experience teaching the students online, he said “It was a wonderful experience coming from a virtual classroom organised by Huawei. The students were so overwhelmed and as we speak now we have over 250 students waiting to be trained and still making enquiries and application for training. To some of the students, it was a new experience and they never thought they could achieve such a training process while staying at home.”

Excited about the regular participation of the students, he said “the online training has made instructors and the students bother less about the lockdown because we have been made to acquire knowledge through Huawei’s training platform in the most incredible manner. With this training, the ICT industry in Nigeria would grow faster.”

“If our education sector could include virtual classes in our educational platform, it will go a long way in solving most of our educational challenges in Nigeria. On behalf of the students and myself and co-instructors, Huawei has made the stay at home caused by the covid-19 a blessing in disguise.” Mr. Lawal recommended.

Augustine, another Huawei Academy Instructor from the University of Port Harcourt, who teaches on Programming, Algorithms, Data Structures and Artificial Intelligence said he also held his classes from the 10th till the 15th of May 2020 with over 100 students from various location in Nigeria (Port Harcourt, Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Niger, Anambra, Delta, etc.) According to him, “the experience was very refreshing and the students were very eager to learn.”

“The student’s participation was encouraging as most of them were always early to join the meeting. They also participated during the practical sessions. The contents of the entire content of the Routing and Switching curriculum were cover with focus on key topics.” He added.

Speaking on the impact of the training on the students, Augustine said “the training would be very beneficial to the students and the society at large as it not only provides them with the needed experience to boost their career but also a source of inspiration to spawn new ideas in network development on creativity.”

Ngei Mkpuru-mpio, a student participant said “The HCIA training was insightful and detailed though in a short time. It forms a foundation for my Huawei 5G career pursuit.”

Akpunonu Chidozie Joseph, a student participant also said “Networking is one of my favourite courses and HCIA R&S has enlighten me more about IT and E-LEARNING, showing that everything is still possible without classroom despite the challenges of network and other things. It has added to my skill base and also enriched my CV.”

Erewari Eke, a student participants said “my learning experience in the HCIA Routing and switching class was educative and I was able to understand what the lecturer explained better than the actual written explanation in the pdf. I learnt how to navigate and manage Huawei products through the virtual routing platform, built efficient data switching environments through the management of switching products and manipulation of link layer protocols, I understood the principles of routing and configure RIP/OSPF routing protocols and many more. As a Computer Scientist, It will help me a lot as I progress in real life networking. Thanks a lot.”

Elele Gideon, a student participant said “I am so happy to have benefitted from these Huawei virtual classroom happening across the country. I learnt a lot on subjects such as IP Address, subnetting, Enterprise Network Design and Implementation. The program was resourceful and helped my understanding of technology irrespective of the duration. I look forward to more trainings like this. So grateful to Huawei for organizing this”

According to Kenneth Igwe, Huawei Channel Training Manager (ICT Talent Ecosystem Development) in Nigeria, “although we live in difficult time with the Covid19, Huawei will not relent in making knowledge available to students across the nation. Huawei plans to get 2000 Nigerian students certified in core technology courses during this pandemic period, through the online training and certification.”

“Through the online home training, our partners in the Academia are staying safe, and also improving students’ knowledge capacity.”

Source:

Read More

Oyo State records seven new COVID-19 cases

Ignorance, denial can escalate virus, says decontamination, containment chairperson

Oyo State has recorded seven new cases of coronavirus.

The state’s governor, Seyi Makinde, who disclosed this yesterday while giving an update on COVID-19, said that six out the new cases were from the Ibadan company, iSON Xperiences.

He said: “The COVID-19 confirmation tests for seven suspected cases came back positive. Six are from iSON Xperiences and one case is also from Ibadan South-West Local Council. So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State is 240.”

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Oyo State COVID-19 Decontamination and Containment Project Team, Prof. (Mrs.) Olanike Adeyemo, has said that living ignorantly and in denial of the prevalence of the coronavirus can increase the number of infection cases in the country.

Adeyemo, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), University of Ibadan (UI), who spoke with The Guardian in Ibadan yesterday, added that such ignorance and denial could make the coronavirus difficult to contain.

She was speaking against the backdrop of the conspiracy theory of the non-existence of the virus, being circulated among the public.

The theory is believed to be having an impact on the public’s level of compliance with safety protocols put in place to contain the spread of the pandemic.

“It is a bit of ignorance on the part of the people who do not know as much as they should – those that may be uneducated and a bit of denial.

“We can be educated but illiterate at the same time.

“For me, this COVID-19 has shown that it is not going to school that makes you educated.

“This is because the kind of conspiracy theory that is flying around makes it even a bit difficult to separate the educated from the uneducated.

“If you hear what the educated people are saying, it is actually tedious.

“For the uneducated, if you have somebody that is educated around you, you will prefer to look up to them to guide you.

“But most people around now – even the educated ones – are buying into the conspiracy theory.

“They say, ‘Oh! COVID-19 is a scam in Nigeria’, ‘the government is just using it to make money,’” she said.

Adeyemo, who decried a situation where Nigerians make jokes of everything and the negative effect that kind of attitude could have on efforts at containing the spread of the virus, therefore, urged those at the helm of affairs at isolation centres across the states to be circumspect in disseminating some kind of information that could jeopardise the fight against COVID-19.

“We do a lot of things carelessly in Nigeria. Isolation centres should not be places where pictures should be coming out from and people begin to say all sorts of things.

“So, anybody that is not taking care of himself or herself is posing danger to himself/herself and anybody around him/her because we don’t know who is going to have the serious one.

“And even if that is not the case, you have loved ones that may contract the serious strain of the virus and it leads to death,” she further said.

She described the efforts being made to contain the spread of the virus as war-like, adding: “People use the analogy of a war. This is like a war situation where nobody is talking about anything other than survival.”

Source:

Read More

Muslims should reflect on spiritual benefits of Eidul Fitr - Simon Lalong

“While this year’s Eid-el-Fitr may be celebrated in solemnity and privacy of your homes, the occasion nonetheless presents the opportunity for our Muslim brothers and sisters to reflect on the spiritual benefits accruing from their fasting and prayers, and apply it to their lifestyle for a better society where there is love, peace and tranquility.”

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong stated this while rejoicing with Muslims as they mark the Eid-el-Fitr under unusual conditions occasioned by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a statement by the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor, Dr. Makut Macham, in Jos yesterday, the governor congratulated them for a successful Ramadan fast – thereby fulfilling a very significant injunction of Islam.

Sallah in Jos, the Plateau State capital, was very peaceful yesterday, as Muslim faithful prayed in their various homes, in compliance with the directives of the state government to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

All the prayer grounds were deserted, including the Jos Central Mosque. But the Muslims were grumbling as the state government did not relax the lockdown for the two-day public holiday declared by the Federal Government.

Lalong, who is Chairman, Northern Governors Forum, said “the challenges of COVID-19 will remain with us for a long time to come and that is where we shall need lifestyles that are commensurate with the teachings of our faiths, as people and governments work together build a better society.”

He appealed to Muslims to continue to cooperate with government by observing all regulations put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, including observing social distance, using face masks, constantly washing hands and applying sanitisers, and staying at home – particularly as states witness community transmission.

The governor also enjoined Muslims to reach out to the less-privileged members of the society and people of other faiths as a way of enhancing bonds of friendship and brotherhood that promote tolerance, peace and solidarity.

While wishing all Nigerian Muslims Eid Mubarak, Lalong asked them to continue to intensify prayers for the peace and progress of Plateau and for God to stop the pandemic which has interrupted lifestyles, freedoms and economic prosperity.

Source:

Read More

Water view

Read More

Nature

Read More

#COVID19 Nigeria update for Friday 15th May, 2020

#COVID19Nigeria update for Friday 15th May, 2020:

288 new cases of #COVID19:

179-Lagos

20-Kaduna

15-Katsina

15-Jigawa

13-Borno

11-Ogun

8-Kano

7-FCT

4-Niger

4-Ekiti

3-Oyo

3-Delta

3-Bauchi

2-Kwara

1-Edo

As at 15th May 2020, there are 5445 cases of #COVID19 in Nigeria, 1320 discharged and 171 dead.

A breakdown of cases by State can be found via: 

https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng.

#TakeResponsibility

Remember, the risk of spread of #COVID19 is higher when people gather.

❗️Avoid mass gatherings including religious settings, social events & others. 

❗️Please maintain a physical distance of 2 meters away from others at all times.

#TakeResponsibility

Read More

₦1.18 Trillion Was Recorded By Firstbank Cardholders In Transactions Value During Lockdown

  

The Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Adesola Adeduntan, also disclosed that the bank’s 53, 000 agents across the country processed about N512 billion worth of transactions with differing values while the lockdown lasted. He noted that the bank was “able to actively support her customers, their families and businesses through these challenging times.”

Adeduntan further noted that approximately 12.6 million withdrawals to the tune of N156 billion were carried out across FirstBank’s ATMs nationwide.“Our customers made transfers over 106 million times with a total value of about N8.18 Trillion across our digital channels. We have also recorded over 275,000 new sign-ups to alternative channels covering our Firstmobile, USSD and First-Online platforms,” he said. While calling on lovers of stress-free banking to get on board, the FirstBank CEO assured existing customers of the bank’s relentless efforts to ensure that banking transactions continue seamlessly, adding that COVID-19 will not slow down her activities and efforts at staying true to her brand promise to her customers.FirstBank cards come in a wide range of categories, each fulfilling tasks which are flexible, offer comfort and stress-free banking.

The range of cards available to customers of FirstBank are categorised into three broad groups — Debit, Credit and Prepaid cards. The grouping covers outstanding cards offerings such as Naira MasterCard, Verve Card and the pioneering Visa Multi-Currency Card.Others are Expressions MasterCard, Platinum MasterCard, Visa Infinite Credit Card, Visa Gold Credit Card, Naira Credit Cards (Visa Classic and Platinum), Visa Prepaid Card and Verve Prepaid Card.

FirstBank’s Naira MasterCard and Verve Card are secured by Chip and PIN technology with local POS/Web limit increase available upon request. The Naira denominated MasterCard comes with various benefits such as online purchases, bills payments and cash withdrawals at ATMs world-wide. The various transaction limit(s) on Naira MasterCard issued by the bank are N150,000 for ATM transactions, N2,500,000 for POS and N1,000,000 for web transactions.The FirstBank Verve Debit Card works with Chip and PIN technology to secure transactions. It allows the cardholder to conveniently pay for goods and services and is accepted by all ATMs, POS, Web, Mobile, Kiosk, and bank branch connected to the Interswitch network in Nigeria.

It is available to all account holders and enables daily transaction limits of N150,000, and N500,000 on ATM and POS channels respectively. Customers can transact up to N1 million on the web in a single transaction.

FirstBank cards also offer the Card Protection Transactions feature, which allows the cardholder to activate or deactivate it for all types of transactions, channels and locations, through the Card-in-Control Service on the Firstmobile app. Another card innovation service by FirstBank is the Visa Gold Card, which offers higher daily spending capacity and limit on ATM, POS and Web. With the Visa Gold Card, the customer is assured of $1,000 daily ATM withdrawal, $10,000 POS transaction and $5,000 on the web at any location around the world. It is a dollar denominated international Premium Credit Card issued in partnership with Visa International.

Moreso, it guarantees access to international emergency services such as Emergency Card Replacement and Emergency Cash Advance in situations where the card gets lost or damaged. The Visa Gold card comes handy when making airline bookings with its smooth seamless purchase options.Also, among FirstBank’s super cards is the VISA Debit Multi-Currency Card. First of its kind to be offered by any financial institution in Nigeria, the card is an enhancement to the existing Visa Debit Dual Currency card and can be linked to any or all NAIRA, USD, EURO and GBP accounts. It is an international card with Chip and PIN technology which can be used to make payment anywhere in the world and across all channels – ATMs, POS & Web.

With the Visa Debit Multi-Currency card, cardholders can make daily withdrawals to the tune of N150,000 (local) and $1,000 (international) from the ATM. However, on the web, a total of N1,000,000 is permitted locally while $6,250 is allowed on the international corridor daily. POS transaction limit is N2,500,000 (local) and $2,500 (international). The Platinum Debit MasterCard is a premium Debit Card denominated in Naira. It is linked directly to a customer’s Naira denominated current and/or savings account. It offers a convenient alternative to the use of cash, and cheques by giving direct access to funds in cardholders’ accounts across all channels like ATM, POS, web etc.

Like other card types, its transactions are easily monitored via the FirstBank FirstMobile App or FirstBank Internet Banking service and offers 24-hour access support for all card-related complaints through First Contact. It is a card linked to a Naira denominated account, and it is valid for three years. It is designed to suit the lifestyle of senior and management executives of multinational companies and leaders across various industries and sectors of the global economy. Its daily limits include; ATM: N300,000; POS: N3million; Web: N2,000,000 as well as Cross-border TXN limit: $500 monthly.

Speaking further, Adeduntan highlighted that the contactless capability of the bank’s Visa and MasterCards support less human-to-human contact in executing transactions, in the same way that the debit cards have remained the base channel for self-onboarding to any digital channel such as USSD, Firstmobile, FirstOnline etc. FirstBank has also initiated value added services attached to the cards including discounts at merchants' locations such as Jumia Friday, Health Plus, among others.

Source:

Read More

BREAKING: BET9JA REDUCE IT MINIMUM WITHDRAWAL TO #1000

If you are a sport betting lover in Nigeria, you would have heard of the mega betting company called 'bet9ja'.

You will recall vividly that their previous minimum withdrawal in online betting was #5000, which made some of their customers to be discouraged in betting online, rather, they switched to the alternative option which is offline betting that has no privacy.

The reason why some of their customers dislike the #5000 minimum cashout is majorly because, when you place a bet and you win #3000 online for example, you have no choice than to place another bet just to try and hit the minimum withdrawal and unfortunately you ended up loosing. It will be a heartbreaking experience for any bettor.

Good news! It's now official, bet9ja has reduce it minimum cashout from #5000 to #1000.

This happened at the resuption of football after Covid19 mandatory break in most countries of the world. I believe this is a right step in the right direction for the company and a big relief for their customers. Below are the methods of payment. Online deposit (transaction, minimum/maximum deposit), bank cash deposit, ATM deposit and withdrawal on bet9ja online betting platform.

Payment Methods

Online Deposit

Method	Transaction	Min/Max Limit	Status
Interswitch	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 10,000	Good
Quickteller	Instant	Card Dependent	Good
GT Bank	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 9,999,999	Good
GT Bank USSD	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 100,000	Good
Polaris Bank	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 500,000	Good
OPAY	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 100,000	Good
NIBSS	Instant	Card Dependent	Good
Zenith	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 3,000,000	Good
Zenith USSD	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 100,000 (without a token)/1,000,000 (with token)	Good
Providus Bank	Instant	Min: 100 Max: Card Dependent	Good
UBA Instant Bills Pay	Instant	Min: 100 Max: Card Dependent	Good
UBA USSD (Magic Banking)	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 500,000	Good
Unity Bank USSD	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 20,000	Good
FirstMonie	Instant	Wallet Min: 100 Max: 50,000 Debit Card Min: 100 Max: 150,000 First Bank Account Min: 100 Max: 1,000,000	Good
Heritage USSD	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 100,000	Good

Bank Cash Deposit

Method	Transaction	Min/Max Limit	Status
Bank Deposit	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 1,000,000	Good
Stanbic IBTC	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 1,000,000	Good
Unity Bank In-branch	Instant	Min: 100 Max: 1,000,000	Good

ATM Deposit

Method	Transaction	Min/Max Limit	Status
ATM	Instant	Card Dependent	Good

Withdrawal

Method	Transaction	Min/Max Limit	Status
Withdrawal	Within 24 Banking Hours	Min: 1,000 Max: 9,999,999	Good

Source:

Read More

PULISIC NARATES HOW FIT HE IS, HELPING OUT BACK HOME AND ALSO HIS BEST DAY IN BLUE SO FAR

According to Christian Pulisic 'The Premier League is everything I hoped it would be and more. It’s one of the most competitive leagues in the world, if not the best, and there are a lot of pressures but I’ve been enjoying the ride so much.'

Christian Pulisic is back in London and eager to get back to training as soon as the authorities decide it is safe to do so. He feels fit after taking time to recover from the muscle injury that sidelined him from New Year’s Day and has come to terms with that ‘tough and frustrating’ period, which culminated in him edging closer to a return before football was curtailed due to the global public health crisis.

After spending lockdown with his family in Pennsylvania, the American has had time to reflect on his first season in the Premier League and is clearly relishing the constant challenge of testing himself on such a global stage. It is easy to forget that he’s still only 21 years old, such is his experience in European football. ‘It’s one of the most competitive leagues in the world, if not the best, and there are a lot of pressures but I’ve been enjoying the ride so much. I’ve learnt so much in this first year and I’m looking forward to getting back to it.’

Pulisic had just navigated the famously hectic English winter period when the first significant stumbling block of his Chelsea career arrived. He came off just after the hour mark in our 1-1 draw at Brighton at the start of January, though it was a few days later in training when he sustained what Frank Lampard described at the time as ‘quite a nasty injury. The niggling issue to a tendon in his adductor, a muscle in the upper thigh or groin area, has proved troublesome to shake off and our number 22 claims it was a more serious problem than he had first anticipated.

‘I didn’t take it as seriously as I think I should have,’ he admitted. ‘It was one of those you felt you could do a lot of things but you try to push it that one extra step and realise it’s not ready yet. ‘It was very tough and frustrating going through times like that. I underestimated it and tried to get back as soon as I could because I just wanted to play so bad.

‘If anything, I’ve given myself a little more time to rest now and make sure that I’m 100 per cent fit. I’d say I’m fully recovered and ready to go as soon as we get back. That will be welcome news to Chelsea fans desperate to see him back out on the pitch continuing what has been a promising maiden season in the Premier League. Following his Turf Moor hat-trick in October, the wideman netted further goals against Watford, Crystal Palace and Valencia, as well as chipping in with half a dozen assists, taking his goal contribution ratio to roughly one every two games.

The evening in Burnley, however, understandably sticks out as his best memory in a blue shirt so far. ‘It was my first start in a little while so I just had this motivation to go out and prove a lot of people wrong,’ Pulisic recalls. 'I felt I’d done okay up to that point but I hadn’t really shown everything that I could do so going into that game, I did have a chip on my shoulder. ‘Once that first goal came, my confidence shot through the roof and it was just my day after that, everything kept falling for me. It was incredible. I’ll never forget coming home after that and just sitting down and looking back on what had just happened.

‘I was so proud being able to talk to my family back home and people that had been watching. It wasn’t just the hat-trick but scoring, helping the team win and having a great game – there’s no better feeling. Football feelings are on hold for now as global attention turns to dealing with the devastating threat of coronavirus. Like many of his Chelsea team-mates, Pulisic has been playing his part in his local community back home in the US, donating to the Feeding America relief organisation that supports over 60,000 food banks across the country.

Working alongside the food chain Chipotle, he has also helped to provide free meals to nurses working at the Hershey hospital where he was born. ‘With Feeding America, it’s amazing what they do for our country and how many people who are struggling for meals that they help,’ he said. ‘I have this amazing platform where I can help people with that. ‘It’s been awesome for me to help in any way that I can because I know so many people are putting a lot of work in right now. With Chipotle, we’ve been able to help out at my local hospital and put some smiles on their faces because they’re working so hard right now, they’re putting themselves at risk and they’re doing such an incredible job.

‘I haven’t been able to go down to the hospital in person unfortunately at this time but I’ve been able to do some things on video calls and I’m hoping after all this I’ll be able to see their smiles in person.’ After spending some time in his hometown with his family, Pulisic is back in London awaiting any decisions that are made regarding the return to training. While the capital might be operating slightly differently than normal for the time being, he is relishing life in the big city right now. ‘Coming from a smaller town and now being in London, it’s amazing for me,’ he added. ‘There’s so much to do and so much you can get out to try. It’s been great for me to take my mind off things and enjoy my time here. It’s an incredible city and the culture is awesome so I’m definitely loving it.’

Source:

Read More

Covid19: Avoid Self Medication

The medicines given by authorised medical personnel to patients with diseases including #COVID19, are dependent on individual conditions.

 DO NOT engage in self-medication based on another person’s prescription as you can harm yourself.

#TakeResponsibility

Q: Who should self-isolate?

A: Those who have had contact with a confirmed case of #COVID19 should avoid contact with others for 14 days

Evacuees to Nigeria are required stay in supervised isolation in a location provided by Federal Government of Nigeria

Full guide here:

https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/media/files/SelfIsolation_QuarantineGuide.pdf.pdf

The #COVID19Nigeria situation report for 13th May, 2020 has been published.

Yesterday, the number of discharged cases in Nigeria crossed the 1,000 mark. Our daily #COVID19 situation report provides more details on this & Nigeria's response.

Download via:

https://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/sitreps/?cat=14&name=An%20update%20of%20COVID-19%20outbreak%20in%20Nigeria

We are grateful for additional medical supplies including personal protective equipment, provided by the UNDP and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) to support #COVID19 response activities in Nigeria.

One of the key strategies of Nigeria’s response is to ensure frontline health workers are protected.

Read More

Treatment Centres Running Out Of Bed Spaces –Mustapha

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, has revealed that treatment centres are running out of bed space.

The SGF, during the national briefing by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Friday., expressed that this information was gotten from reports from states in the country.

While giving his address, Mustapha said the PTF had intensified the monitoring of the level of compliance with the advisories and guidelines already issued.

He said PTF has asked the security agencies to ensure strict enforcement.

Source:

Read More

Nigerian govt speaks on coronavirus cure

By Mod 

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, says no cure has been found for coronavirus.

He made the declaration at the PTF daily media briefing on Friday in Abuja.

Mustapha is the Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

The SGF noted that everybody is only trying to lay hands on possible drugs.

He observed that even countries with big economies are yet to find a cure for the virus.

“We have seen many postulations but nobody can beat his chest and say I have found a cure. We are looking at home remedy and if we find, then we can beat our chest that the solution emerges from here,” Mustapha said.

The PTF chairman added that for now, nobody could say with precision and degree of certainty that it had found a cure.

He assured the PTF would keep the agenda of a local solution in focus.

Source:

Read More

EPL given green light to scrap use of VAR

By Mod 

The English Premier League has been given the option to scrap the use of Video Assistant Referees (VAR), the UK Mirror reports.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has made temporary amendments to the laws of the game, as football plans to make a return amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

With players set to play a high number games within a short period, teams will now be allowed to make five substitutions during games, to reduce the risk of fatigue and injury.

Every league in Europe can choose to adopt these new laws or keep the current rules in place.

The IFAB has also allowed leagues to temporarily stop using VAR, even if they started with the season with the technology.

The use of VAR in the Premier League came under constant backlash before coronavirus halted the season.

Source:

Read More

Google, Facebook extend work-from-home plans

Google and Facebook have told most employees to keep working from home for the rest of the year as part of a response by the tech giants to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

Chief executive Sundar Pichai told Google staff at an all-hands meeting that its remote work policy will be extended until 2021, the Silicon Valley giant confirmed Friday.

Any return to offices was expected to be incremental and staggered, according to the company.

The news came along with US media reports that Facebook is also letting workers tend to their jobs remotely for the rest of this year.

Google employees who need to return to offices will be able to do that in the next month or two, with added safety measures in place due to coronavirus concerns, but most of the staff will continue working from home.

Facebook’s updated plan is to re-open offices in early July, but let people work from home if they prefer until 2021, according to reports.

Source:

Read More

Barca return to training as La Liga eyes restart

By Mod 

This handout pictured made available by FC Barcelona shows Barcelona’s Spanish coach Quique Setien wearing a face mask as he attends a training session at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper in Sant Joan Despi on May 8, 2020 as Spain prepares to ease its tough lockdown measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 disease. – The Spanish government announced a deconfinement plan for professional footballers which initially allowed them to train separate from each other, with a maximum of six players on a field. (Photo by Miguel RUIZ / FC BARCELONA / AFP)

Barcelona returned to training on Friday after the La Liga champions allowed their stars to enter their facility to prepare for a potential restart to football in Spain.

Lionel Messi and company took the fields at Joan Gamper training centre for individual sessions, for which the players arrived alone in the kit and took to the three pitches without passing through the changing rooms.

As well as doing their routines, they were also subjected to tests to see what effect two months of coronavirus quarantine has had on their bodies.

“Finally we are getting back to normal. We hope to carry on and that soon we can get back to enjoying what we like to do most,” Arturo Vidal told sports daily Marca.

Sevilla, Villarreal, Osasuna and Leganes also returned to training, while Real Madrid — who were two points behind league leaders, Barca, when play stopped in mid-March — will likely start again on Monday should their players pass virus tests carried out on Wednesday.

That would mark almost two months since Real had been placed in quarantine following a positive test for a member of the club’s basketball team.

According to Spanish media, none of Real’s players has suffered from virus symptoms, but Zinedine Zidane will have to do without Serb attacker Luka Jovic after Real announced on Friday he had to fractured his right heel.

Footballers in Spain have restarted training following the announcement last week of a government plan that aims to end quarantine for professional players.

Individual training sessions are the first step to what La Liga hopes will be a return to action in June that will complete the 2019-20 season behind closed doors.

The first aspect of a four-phase de-escalation programme allows a maximum of six players on the pitch at any one time.

La Liga’s programme will then permit training in small groups before a return to larger team sessions.

In the fourth and final phase, in early June, the government has said outside events can go ahead when attended by fewer than 400 people.

League president Javier Tebas has said, “it is not an option” to cancel the season given the economic fallout, estimating it would cost clubs around a billion euros ($1.08 billion).

On Thursday, Leganes coach Javier Aguirre said La Liga will resume on June 20 and end on July 26, although league bosses refused to confirm his claim they had told him the dates.

“La Liga has just informed me officially and I am very happy about that because we have now scheduled the training sessions,” Aguirre told Marca Claro.

Source:

Read More