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Iran approaches IMF for loan to battle coronavirus outbreak as death toll hits 429

By

 Dagana Abul-Basit

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March 12, 2020

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Iran said on Thursday that it has sought immediate financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help it combat one of the world’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks.

According to a tweet by Iran’s top diplomat, IMF chief Kristina Georgieva had “stated that countries affected by #COVID19 will be supported via Rapid Financial Instrument (RFI)”.

“Our central bank requested access to this facility immediately,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif added on his Twitter account.

Iran has not received assistance from the IMF since a “standby credit” issued between 1960 and 1962, according to the fund’s data.

Zarif said the IMF and its board “should adhere to fund’s mandate, stand on right side of history and act responsibly”.

The various loans that can be granted by the IMF must be approved by the institution’s executive board, where the United States practically has a veto on decisions.

The United States is currently pursuing a policy of “maximum pressure” aimed at crippling the finances of Iran’s government.

In an Instagram post picked up by state news agency IRNA, central bank governor Abdolnasser Hemmati claimed to have formally requested access to RFI by letter on March 6.

“Given the widespread prevalence of coronavirus in our country and the need to continue to take strong measures to prevent and cure (the disease), and to address its economic impact,” Iran was asking for “about $5 billion” in assistance, Hemmati wrote on his Instagram account.

Iran on Thursday reported 75 new deaths from COVID-19, the highest single-day toll since the Islamic republic announced the first deaths from the outbreak on February 19.

It took the overall death toll to 429 out of a total of more than 10,000 confirmed cases of infection.

The World Health Organization called for Iran to be given more support in its fight to bring the outbreak under control.

“Iran is doing its best… We are trying to mobilise more support for Iran,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva, adding that the country needed more supplies.

According to the IMF’s website, the RFI “provides rapid financial assistance, which is available to all member countries facing an urgent balance of payments need. ”

El-Rufai to visit Sanusi in Awe

Indications emerged on Thursday afternoon that the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is set to visit the dethroned emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State.

Tontrends gathered from security sources that the governor is making plans to visit Sanusi.

However, the Kaduna government is yet to officially confirm the planned visit.

El-Rufai recently appointed the deposed Emir as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University(KASU).

It was the second appointment for Sanusi from the Kaduna state governor within 24 hours. He was earlier appointed the Vice-Chairman of Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) on Tuesday.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication), Muyiwa Adekeye, said that the deposed emir Sanusi II has consented to serve as Chancellor of KASU and as Vice-Chairman of the board of KADIPA.

It stated that:

“The Kaduna State Government has named His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University (KASU).

He succeeds the pioneer Chancellor, His Highness, Malam Tagwai Sambo, the Chief of Moro’a, who was appointed to the role in 2005.”

The statement noted that Governor El-Rufai had no doubt that as Chancellor, the deposed emir would provide symbolic and substantive leadership in raising the profile of KASU as an emerging centre of learning on the national and global level.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is delighted to appoint His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University.

In public life, His Highness has demonstrated a strong commitment to education,” the statement reads in part.

It said the appointment came at an exciting moment for KASU which is transiting to a multi-campus structure with presence across the state, adding that Governor El-Rufai had conveyed the profound appreciation of the government to HH Malam Tagwai Sambo for the long years of distinguished service to KASU and the state.

“The Kaduna State Government is grateful that HH Muhammadu Sanusi II continues to support and assist the realisation of the governance objectives of the Kaduna State Government,” it stated.

Sanusi was dethroned as Emir of Kano and banished to Nasarawa State last Monday by the Kano State Government. His lawyers are challenging his banishment in court.

Larry Gaaga, Ini Edo Spark Dating Rumors With New Photo

Music producer, Larry Gaaga has sparked dating rumors with actress, Ini Edo by sharing a loved-up photo of them.

Music producer, Larry Gaaga

Information Nigeria recalls Ini Edo and her alleged lover, Stanley Ugochukwu went their separate ways earlier this year even after they had planned to tie the knot.

It appears the actress has moved on if the photo on Larry Gaaga’ IG page is anything to go by
.In the photo, the music producer held on to Edo’s waist and he wrote;“The SECRET of change is to FOCUS all your ENERGY,not on FIGHTING the OLD,but on BUILDING the NEW

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My mandy👸❤️💯 @iniedo 💋”

Read Also: Nollywood Actresses Celebrate Late Moji Olaiya’s Daughter On Her 21st Birthday

See the photo below:

Larry Gaaga and Ini Edo

Reality star Coco Austin shares racy lingerie photos to celebrates Valentine’s Day

American glamour model and reality TV star, Coco Austin, took to Instagram share these racy photos of herself showcasing her assets, to celebrate the Valentine’s Day.

See more photos below.

Nigerian Government Announces N36M Cash Reward For Any Nigerian Scientist Who Finds A Cure For Coronavirus

The Nigerian government has announced that they are going to give any Nigerian scientist who finds a cure for the deadly coronavirus a N36 million cash reward.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu in a recent submission at the send forth party organised in honour of the former director of Chemical Technology in the ministry, who recently retired.

In his submission, he stated that Nigerian scientists need to go into research to find a cure for coronavirus so the world can know that Nigeria has the best minds.

He said;

”I am confident that our scientists have what it takes to find a solution to our problems and make Nigeria be self-reliant. I have no doubt in my mind that they can do it. This is the only way we can reposition our nation to be self-reliant: creating jobs, fight poverty and create wealth for our people in line with President Buhari’s agenda.

We are doing our best to encourage them in this regard. I challenge them to go into research and find a solution to Coronavirus so that the world will know that we have the best minds we can be proud of.

I am challenging our scientists On behalf of the Ministry, I am pledging the sum of N36million for any Nigerian scientist that finds a solution to Coronavirus. We will not go to bed or rest until solution is found to this disease.”

Apostle Suleman mocks Nigerian electoral system as Supreme Court sacks David Lyon as winner of Bayelsa governorship election

Apostle Johnson Suleman has reacted to the Supreme Court Judgement which sacked David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of Bayelsa governorship election.

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministeries in his tweet said Nigerian politics is becoming comical with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducting election while the supreme court declares its winners.

He tweeted;

“Nigeria politics is becoming comical. INEC conducts election and announces results but the supreme court declares winners.

“So even if you don’t do well in election just be ready to do well in court..political quagmire, catalytic and epileptic electoral process.”

Bayelsa Supreme court ruling : Is Oshiomole the new Chief Justice of Nigeria?

The Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Aliyu Oshiomole, has come under intense public fire, over his comment that nobody will be sworn in as governor in Bayelsa today.

On Thursday, Supreme Court 5 man panel, led by the erudite Mary Odili, ruled against APC, over certificate forgery of the deputy governor to David Lyon. Oshiomole, while reacting to the verdict, said that the judgement lacked fruit of Justice, what that means is that, he is faulting the verdict.

But that is not the case, for a National Chairman not to know that it is a grave mistake, to issue a blanket statement that nobody will be sworn in, is tantamount to the fact that he is already giving his own unilateral judgement, as against the ruling of the Supreme Court.

PDP issued a statement via its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, warning Oshiomole from making further statement that can cause chaos in Bayelsa State. But from the look of things, INEC will go ahead to implement the Supreme Court judgement, because what appears as barrier, has now been cleared.

Diri won in 5 local governments which is the 2/3 spread requirement by the law, for him to be sworn in. Not only that, all the APC votes has been invalidated.

It is expected that APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole should have carefully studied the judgement, and be provided with adequate information, before reacting like he did.

He cannot take over the responsibility of the court by saying that no one will be sworn in as governor of Bayelsa.

The question is, has Oshiomole turned CJN?

Imo: National Press Club proposes visa ban for Supreme court Justices that annulled Ihedioha’s election

The National Press Club which is the largest propgessional organisation for journalists, has proposed a list of punitive measures against the Supreme Court Justices that annulled the election of Emeka Ihedioha of Imo state and instated Hope Uzodinma as the new governor.

Thisday reports that the club at a roundtable meeting held recently, warned that the judgment if not reversed could lead to more sanction against the judiciary, which is supposed to be the last hope of Nigerians. Outside the apex court justices, others to be considered for strong punitive measures are the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) whom they believed is behind the action of the apex court justices.

According to one of the speakers, the United States recently passed a law, which empowers the president at the request of the Secretary of State and various committees’ chairmen in Congress to list persons abroad that would be denied visa, have their assets frozen and be excluded from the commerce of the United States, “if they are complicit in recognised internationally rights violations”.

In my view I think the Supreme Court justices would be at risk if this decision flagrantly tainted is not reversed and it could impact not only the seven Justices who sat in that particular case but the entire bench of the Supreme Court.

The whole institution has shown that it is corrupted and compromised and we encourage others to remind them that others could be impacted if they stood on their earlier fraudulent decision” one of the speakers said

Dino Melaye bags 6th masters degree (photo)

Dino Melaye

Former member representing Kogi west senatorial district in the upper chambers of the National Assembly, Dino Melaye has taken to his official Twitter handle to celebrate his ‘6th masters degree.’

Sharing a photo of the new certificate on his page, the controversial ex-lawmaker congratulated himself for the wonderful feat.

He bagged the new degree in law enforcement and criminal justice from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

INEC declares PDP winner of Bayelsa gov’ship elections, to swears in Diri at 2pm today

INEC sets to issue Certificate of Return to PDP’s Duoye as Bayelsa Governor-elect at 2pm today.

Bayelsa Governor elect Duoye Diri and his deputy arrives INEC office Abuja for their Supreme Court ordered certificate of return before going to Yenagoa, Bayelsa for his swearing in.

More to follow…

Efia Odo looking sexy in latest PHOTOS – Covers herself for valentine

Social media influencer Efia Odo is known to be one of the social media celebrities that shows lot of skin.

Almost all of her photos she tries going n*ked just to get attention and promote her brand.

Today she has taken another level by wearing cloths that covers her body and that makes her look awesome.

It surprising her pre-valentine picture is decent and s*xy at the same time.

photos below;