Connect with us

BIG STORY

Don’t Lower Your Guard, COVID-19 Pandemic NOT Over – WHO

Published

on

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that COVID-19 is not over in spite of reports that cases and deaths have declined significantly.

Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, said this on Sunday at the opening of the world health assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

The world health assembly is the decision-making body of WHO comprised of representatives of 194 countries.

Ghebreyesus said more than two years into “the most severe health crisis in a century”, over six million COVID-19 deaths have been reported to the WHO with new estimates of excess being almost 15 million deaths.

He added that reported cases have declined significantly from the peak of the Omicron wave in January and reported deaths are at their lowest since March 2020.

“In many countries, all restrictions have been lifted, and life looks much like it did before the pandemic. So is it over? No, it’s most certainly not over,” he said.

“I know that’s not the message you want to hear, and it’s definitely not the message I want to deliver. There’s no question we have made progress, of course, we have: 60% of the world’s population is vaccinated, helping to reduce hospitalizations and deaths, allowing health systems to cope, and societies to reopen.

“But it’s not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere. Reported cases are increasing in almost 70 countries in all regions – and this is in a world in which testing rates have plummeted. And reported deaths are rising in my continent – the continent with the lowest vaccination coverage.

“This virus has surprised us at every turn – a storm that has torn through communities again and again, and we still can’t predict its path or its intensity.”

The WHO director-general said lowering our guard would be at “our peril” as increasing transmission means more deaths and more risk of a new variant emerging.

“Declining testing and sequencing means we are blinding ourselves to the evolution of the virus. The pandemic will not magically disappear. But we can end it. We have the knowledge. We have the tools. Science has given us the upper hand,” he said.

BIG STORY

BREAKING: EFCC Declares Yahaya Bello Wanted [PHOTO]

Published

on

Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi state, has been declared wanted by the EFCC.

He reportedly evaded arrest yesterday when the commission visited his home to enforce arrest.

More to come…

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Hydrogen, CCHub Partner To Encourage Fintech Startup Success

Published

on

As the country faces economic challenges, the need for adaptive strategies in the fintech industry becomes paramount. In line with this, leading fintech startup Hydrogen Payment Services Limited (‘Hydrogen’) has teamed up with Co-creation Hub (‘CcHub’) to host an insightful event themed ‘Adapting Fintech Business Models to Economic Climates’.

The event is set to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 12:00 a.m. WAT at the CCHub office in Sabo, Lagos, will delve deep into the intricacies of Nigerian economic challenges and how these influence the fintech ecosystem. Participants will gain actionable insights on how to adapt fintech business models to volatile economic conditions by prioritising flexibility, agility, and customer-centricity.

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both entities to empower aspiring founders venturing into the fintech space amidst economic uncertainties. By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, Hydrogen and CcHub aim to equip
emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to thrive in today’s dynamic economic conditions.

Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer at Hydrogen, commented on the strategic partnership with CcHUB: “Our alliance with CcHUB amplifies our shared commitment to pioneering transformative solutions in the Nigerian fintech sector. By leveraging Hydrogen’s technological expertise alongside CcHU’s innovative approach, we are primed to set a new standard for fintech excellence and drive impactful change across the industry.”

The event will feature a distinguished panel of industry experts and thought leaders. including Ina Alogwu, Group Director, Digital Transformation, ARM HoldCo; Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer, Hydrogen; and Miracle Ezechi, Digital Marketing Manager, Hydrogen.

The panel discussion will be moderated to encourage an engaging and insightful conversation on the strategies and innovations required to thrive in the Nigerian fintech landscape amidst economic challenges.

Interested attendees are encouraged to register here and reserve a spot.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

ECONOMY: CBN Not Using Foreign Reserves To Defend Naira — Olayemi Cardoso

Published

on

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, asserts that the nation is not defending the value of the naira with its foreign reserves.

He made this known on Wednesday in Washington, DC, where he is attending the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Spring Meetings.

Cardoso said $600 million came into Nigeria’s reserves account within the last two days.

The naira has appreciated against the dollar in recent weeks, gaining over 40%, from about N1,900/$ to about N1,000/$1 now. But while the naira rebound, Nigeria’s foreign reserves are dwindling, dropping to about $32.29 billion on April 15 — the lowest level in over six years.

Cardoso said, “What you’ve seen with respect to the shift in our reserves is normal in any country’s reserves where for example, debt is due and certain payments need to be made because that is also part of keeping your credibility.

“Other times money comes in, it takes it up again. Between yesterday and today, about $600 million came into the reserves account. We are looking towards a market that operates by itself, willing buyers, willing sellers and price discovery.

“The shift in our reserves has really little or nothing to do with defending naira and that is certainly not our objective.”

Continue Reading

Most Popular