NIAMEY, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The novel coronavirus caused the death of Niger’s minister of employment and labour, Mohamed Ben Omar, public television announced. The minister’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) reported Ben Omar, 55, had died on Sunday at the main hospital in the capital Niamey but did not list…

WASHINGTON, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The International Monetary Fund approved a $226 million loan to help Cameroon to combat the coronavirus as it faced plunging oil revenues. It was the latest disbursement under its Rapid Credit Facility (RCF), which is aimed at the world’s poorest nations and has been doubled…

A committee has been forced to investigate the conduct of the laboratory DAR ES SALAAM, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Director of Tanzania’s National Health Laboratory and its quality manager have both been suspended pending investigation over coronavirus testing kits credibility. The suspension of the top officials comes a day…

Tanzania President Magufuli DAR ES SALAAM, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Tanzanian president, John Magufuli, has ordered a probe on the country’s coronavirus testing kits after samples taken from a goat and papaya tested positive. Speaking at an event in Chato in the northwest of Tanzania on Sunday, the President said…

Emmerson Mnangagwa, President of Zimbabwe HARARE, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Zimbabwe is headed for a health and economic catastrophe from the coronavirus pandemic because its debt arrears mean it cannot access foreign lenders, the finance minister warned in a letter to the IMF. Mthuli Ncube said in the letter dated…

NEW YORK, May 5 (NNN-ALLAFRICA) — Evacuation of Nigerians stranded in the US due to the novel coronavirus pandemic is to begin on May 10, according to the Consulate-General of Nigeria in New York. The Consulate-General disclosed this in a notice signed by the Consul-General, Benaoyagha Okoyen, on behalf of…

President Gnassingbé has been in power since 2005 LOME, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé has been sworn for a fourth term at a subdued ceremony in the capital, Lome. About 200 guests – government officials and diplomats – attended the ceremony. They all wore face masks and…

Fifty passengers were hidden inside the lorry ABUJA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fifty persons from Zamfara state hidden inside Lorry loads of fruits were intercepted in Ilorin by officers of Kwara state police command. They were intercepted at the Oyun area in the state capital after the trailer developed mechanical…

Nigeria is one of the nations starting to ease restrictions ABUJA, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A number of countries in Africa are beginning to ease lockdown restrictions. In Nigeria, businesses have reopened to try to restart the continent’s largest economy. Rwanda has loosened restrictions after 45 days of lockdown, even…

NAIROBI, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Kenyan nurses have threatened to strike over a coronavirus risk allowance. Union leaders gave a two-week warning to the government that health workers could take industrial action if their demands for those on the frontline are not met. Some of the issues that union officials…