General
Nigeria Ignores Calls for Border Closure Despite COVID-19 Threat
By Adedapo Adesanya
With almost 8,000 people dead globally as result of the coronavirus pandemic, governments all over the world have put in place restrictions on travel, many airports have been closed, as airlines have even started reducing travels.
But in Nigeria, travel restrictions have not been put in place despite calls to the federal government to quickly place a ban on human inflows from high-risk countries, especially in Europe.
On Tuesday, Nigeria confirmed its third case of COVID-19 and the person is a 30-year old Nigerian who returned to the country from the United Kingdom few days ago.
The third case intensified calls for closure of the borders in order to stop the spread of the deadly disease in the country.
Instead, the FG only placed a ban on foreign travels to all public and civil servants in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other government parastatals.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, at the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Task Force on the Control of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria yesterday, said the decision was taken curtail further spread of the virus.
He asked civil servants to shelve all seminars, meetings, bilateral, multilateral, conferences and workshops slated for foreign countries.
According to him, the ban remains in place until the situation on the containment of the virus abates.
However, nothing was said about people coming into the country, with the Minister of Health, Mr Osagie Ehanire, noting that with only three cases with zero fatality, the need to put flight ban was under consideration.
The Health Ministry said there would be a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine for anyone entering the country from China, Italy, France, Germany, Japan among others and noted that if there was a possible victim, the government was going to step in.
Other nations are placing restriction on countries with high cases, with Nigeria’s West African neighbour, Ghana barring entry for all travellers, except Ghanaian citizens and permanent residents, who have visited a country with at least 200 recorded cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days, effective on March 17.
Others like Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, South Africa, and Chad (which has recorded no case) have all shut their airports to countries tagged as high risks.
Many health stakeholders have since called for the closure of the country’s national borders. According to president of the National Medical Association (NMA), Mr Francis Faduyile, it was high time the country took the decision to close its airport to countries with high cases of coronavirus.
On the part of the president, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr Sam Ohuabunwa, he said “When people come from countries with high prevalence of coronavirus, they should do compulsory quarantine. Suppose the people you ask to do self-quarantine refuse and go about their businesses, what would happen? They would spread the virus.”
“I personally do not subscribe to closing borders. If everyone closes his borders, what do you think will happen to the world? There are still necessary travels that need to be done. But if you travel, ensure you self-quarantine,” he added.
The legislative arm, the House of Representatives and the Senate, also asked the federal government to toe the line of several other countries that have shut down their borders, schools, markets and banned public gatherings.
Before the third case was announced yesterday, the federal government had said it was not considering a travel ban on countries with active spread of the virus. But the Senate in addition to the ban and other prevention and control practices said that Nigeria should as well restrict travels to worst-hit countries to curb the spread of the virus.
UPDATE:
Nigeria has now placed a ban on 13 countries believed to be high risks.
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By Modupe Gbadeyanka
About 6,000 jobs have been created, with $379 million collectively raised by startups owned by entrepreneurs who have passed through the Black Founders Fund (BBF) of a tech giant, Google.
Google created the BBF initiative to empower startup owners of African origin. This programme has helped to drive innovation, job creation and business expansions because of the grants received from the sponsor of the scheme.
On Tuesday, past participants of the initiative were at iHub in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Black Founders Fund Alumni Summit, where the organisers unveiled the BFF Impact Report to highlight the significant progress and success of Black-led startups across Africa.
This annual event brought together 45-50 alumni from across the continent including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda to celebrate their achievements and discuss the future of Africa’s digital economy.
The BFF Impact Report offers a comprehensive look at the remarkable impact that targeted support for Black entrepreneurs has had on the African tech ecosystem.
The report revealed that BFF-supported startups have collectively raised $379 million, created more than 6,000 jobs, and experienced 61% faster growth than their peers, underscoring the importance of strategic investment in fostering sustainable innovation.
Through non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and networking, the Black Founders Fund has empowered entrepreneurs to overcome barriers, scale their businesses, and contribute to Africa’s digital transformation. The BFF Impact Report demonstrates the pivotal role of the program in strengthening the continent’s startup ecosystem, enabling businesses to compete globally and attract significant investment.
“The Black Founders Fund is not just about financial support—it’s about creating an ecosystem of innovation, job creation, and opportunity.
“The BFF Impact Report reflects the incredible progress Black entrepreneurs have made, and how the right resources can empower them to lead Africa’s digital future. The impact we are seeing today will set the stage for an even more vibrant African tech landscape tomorrow,” the Country Director for West Africa at Google for Startups, Olumide Balogun, remarked.
“This report is a celebration of the incredible work being done by Black founders across Africa. The BFF Impact Report proves that, when we invest in these entrepreneurs, we’re not only helping individual startups, but we’re driving systemic change within the broader African tech ecosystem,” the Head of Startup Ecosystem for Africa at Google, Mr Folarin Aiyegbusi, also stated.
In addition, the Black Founders Fund Manager Europe at Google for Startups, Mariama Boumanjal, said, “The BFF Impact Report proves that with the right support, Black founders can not only overcome these challenges—they can lead the way in innovation, job creation, and economic development.”
Business Post reports that through non-dilutive funding, mentorship, and an expansive network, the BFF has empowered over 220 startups, enabling them to scale faster and break down these barriers.
By Adedapo Adesanya
After years of laying fallow, the Port Harcourt Refinery began producing and distribute petroleum products Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene.
This development has raised expectations regarding Nigeria’s other three refineries not yet operational. These include the second refinery in Port Harcourt as well as the Warri and Kaduna Refinery.
The reactivation of these facilities, according to energy analysts, will help push out more supply of petroleum products, which may help cut down high prices that Nigerians pay while also making the country self-sufficient.
The newly operational refinery was built in 1965 and Port Harcourt II was added in 1989, increasing capacity by 150,000 barrels per day, making the total capacity of the Port Harcourt complex 210,000 barrels per day.
The Warri Refinery was built in in 1978 and is supposed to have an upgraded capacity up to 125,000 barrels per day and the Kaduna Refinery, which was commissioned in 1980, was designed with a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day.
Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of products loading at the refinery on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Group CEO, Mr Mele Kyari described the commencement of the loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
The GCEO further thanked Nigerians for their patience and for the legitimate expectations on the Company to deliver on the other refineries.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the NNPC on the successful revitalization of the Port Harcourt refinery and charged the NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
He said these efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.
The President underscores his administration’s determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.
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