Author: Citynews

Firefighters work to extinguish a major fire at a 15th-century Gothic cathedral in the western city of Nantes on Saturday.French prosecutors have launched an arson investigation following a major fire at a 15th-century Gothic cathedral in the western city of Nantes on Saturday.The blaze spewed smoke from the front windows of the Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, but the damage was mostly limited to the large pipe organ inside.The organ was “completely destroyed”, said the head of the local fire department, Laurent Ferlay.The public prosecutor’s office is now investigating whether arson was the cause and experts from Paris…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 653 new COVID-19 cases in the country as total infections from the virus rise to 36, 107.The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle late on Saturday.The health agency said that as of July 18, 653 new confirmed cases and six deaths were recorded in the country.It said that the 653 new cases were reported from 27 states and the FCT.According to the agency, only nine states did not report a new case of the disease in the past 24 hours.The NCDC added that Lagos state reported the highest…

The Federal Government has given school owners till July, 29 to meet specific guidelines for safe reopening of schools.It said schools are expected to undertake self-assessment and send feedback to State Ministries of Education, not later than 29th July, 2020.The government said an official date for safe reopening of schools will be announced once these guidelines are in place.Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, stated these on Friday in Abuja.Nwajiuba said the the Federal Ministry of Education (FMoE), having consulted widely, has in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Education in Emergencies…

Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams,has urged the Federal Government to properly investigate the gruesome murder of Nigeria’s first female combat Helicopter Pilot,Totulope Arotile, saying the death was suspicious. Adams, in a statement on Thursday, by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, described the late Arotile’s death as a personal loss, especially, to the Yorubas.While condoling with the family of the deceased, Iba Gani Adams also urged the International Community, the United Nation,European Union, United States and Britain to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the young and promising girl. “Nigeria has lost one of its best brains…

The Chairman, Federal House of Representatives’ Committee on Rural Development at the 8th National Assembly and founder, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, has sent a message of condolence to a staunch member of Ogun PDP, Hon. Olumide Aderinokun over the death of his mother, Chief (Mrs) Olabisi Adunni Aderinokun whose death occurred on Monday, 13th July 2020 at the ripe age of 81.In a statement by Afolabi Orekoya, Media Consultant, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Adebutu described Mama Aderinokun’s transition as though painful but a glorious exit.The billionaire farmer, admonished Olumide, his siblings and the Aderinokun family to…

The House of Representatives has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to order a partial reopening of schools to allow pupils sit for the 2020 West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination.The House made the call at the plenary on Tuesday following a unanimous adoption of a motion moved by a member, Nnolim Nnaji.The Committee on Basic Education and Services had earlier on Friday faulted the decision by the Federal Government to suspend the plan to partially reopen schools for pupils in final classes to take external examinations.The committee had particularly criticised the decision to disallow Nigerian…

The Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta on Tuesday, 14th July, 2020 maintains the court’s proceedings and orders of 9th June, 2020 where the Judge recused himself from suits FHC/AB/CS/24/2020 and FHC/AB/CS/44/2020.The counsel to the applicants, Barr. Ifeoma Essom addressed the court based on the motion on notice dated 10th June, 2020 requesting the court to set aside all proceedings and orders made by the court on the 9th of June, 2020. She submitted that the applicants and counsel were not available in court.In his response, the Counsel to the 1st defendant (PDP) Barr. Muyiwa Obanewa established the fact that…

Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has conducted a mid-term review of National Response Strategy on the Coronavirus pandemic outbreak in the country.Mr Boss Mustapha, the PTF Chairman, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), made this known on Monday in Abuja.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Mid-term review was attended by legislators, Chairmen of relevant Committees on Health in the Senate and House of Representatives, the Office of the Vice President, Ministers, Diplomatic Community and development partners.Mustapha said that the objectives were to review the PTF’s achievements, challenges and opportunities for improvement of COVID-19 response efforts from…

Dr Isa Pantami, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy at the Digital Skills training for ICT Reporters in Abuja. Dr Isa Pantami, Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, on Monday said that responsible journalism was key to the success of democracy.Pantami said this at the opening ceremony of the training of National Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.The theme of the five-day training programme focused on “Digital Skills in News Reportage for ICT Journalists.”Pantami said that the training was in line with one of the pillars of the National Digital Economy…

Tijani Muhammad-Bande UNGA PresidentPresident of the United Nations General Assembly (PGA), Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande has blamed the global rise in hunger on “deep structural flaws” in food systems.Muhammad-Bande spoke at the launch of the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020 on Monday.The UNGA president, who is Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, described the situation as “a scourge unbefitting of our era’’.“Malnutrition continues to surge at alarming rates with obesity, undernutrition and micronutrient deficiency affecting communities, and in particular, low-income groups around the world.“Women and children are disproportionately affected.“One in three women of reproductive age…