President Donald Trump said he had taken a coronavirus test , as the White House began protectively checking the temperature of anyone coming into close contact with him or Vice President Mike Pence .
Appearing at a White House news conference where he attempted again to provide guidance and assurance to worried Americans, Trump said he had yet to receive the results of his own test .
Contrary to medical advice , the president was seen shaking hands all round as he gathered his coronavirus response team at the White House — a practice he said Saturday owed to long- time habit as a politician but which he said would have to change .
Trump had earlier said he ’d “most likely ” get tested for the novel coronavirus , as he was grilled on his recent contacts with several members of a visiting Brazilian presidential delegation who have since tested positive.
But a White House doctor later walked that back , saying he “ remains without symptoms ” and did not need to be tested .
Briefing reporters, the president said he did indeed take the test on Friday night , and expected the results in a day or two .
The White House announced earlier in the day that “ out of an abundance of caution , temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president . ”
Before today’s briefing , a member of the White House medical team took the temperature of all journalists wishing to attend.
This is as Chairman, ASUU in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, branch, Dr. Biodun Olaniran, dismissed Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige, saying he goofed by declaring the strike by the union illegal. Their activity has already grounded the institution.
Also, The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Kano zone yesterday faulted the claim that 55 per cent of its members enrolled into the Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS).
In addition, ASUU, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife has aligned itself with the ASUU NEC and resolved to embark on two weeks warning strike from March 9 to 22nd, 2020 to press home its demand for renegotiation of 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement.
The Zonal Chairman of the union in Kano, Dr. Mahmoud M. Lawal told reporters that the claim of the federal government that 55 per cent of its members were enrolled into the IPPIS was false.
The Chairman challenged the federal government to provide the accurate statistics of those who enrolled into the IPPIS, pointing out that over 80 per cent from the university strata were yet to enroll.
He lamented that the government was yet to pay its members their February, as well as March salaries, adding that non-remittance of their members deductions, was a clear indication that government was inviting another round of crisis in the university system and should not be blamed for any unpalatable consequences that may arise.
‘’The threat to stop the salaries of our members will not only make them more resolute but determined to fight this matter to a logical conclusion. Nigerians, especially the students, parents and other stakeholders should know who to blame as the situation becomes protracted and prepare for a long stay at home.’’
In addressing some of the issues usually involved in the English tests , I am going to rely on the product of a research I earlier carried out on them, which culminated in the publication of a book entitled Right Option English : A Clinical Approach to Lexis and Structure . One of the principles the book establishes , which I want you to note , is that the exams are a practical evaluation of all the English teachers have been teaching the candidates since the primary school days . For instance , although WAEC will not ask you ‘ What is an expository essay ?’, it may give you one to write. Also , while JAMB will not ask you to define a verb or state how many types of adverbs you have , it will test how correctly you can use some of them – or identify how they are best used .
Before we go into a particular segment of the exams , I also want to warn that each of the WASSCE and UTME English tests is a standard exam. The early the candidates – and their teachers as well as other stakeholders, including parents – realise this , the better . The implication is that , to really do well in the exams , they need to be adequately prepared. Teaching has to be systematic and thorough. They have to know the various language rules and also be able to apply or praticalise them. The candidates need to have read widely over the years to be able to , for instance , do well in questions bordering on , say, register and vocabulary , as there is no way the teachers can cover such in class . Of course , they need to practise as many past questions as possible , to the extent that they can master some patterns the questions take as well as be able to discipline themselves in terms of completing questions for a particular year within the time the examiners allow.
… Nearest in meaning …
This is one of the aspects of the OBJECTIVE (OBJ ) test that many candidates dread most . It is hated by many who prefer to first go to ‘ friendly’ sections such as ‘ That best completes’ and ‘ Appropriate interpretations ’ . They then retire to the courts of ‘ Nearest in meaning ’ , ‘ Most opposite in meaning ’ and ‘ Register ’ .
Sincerely speaking, I have some sympathy for candidates who hold the view that ‘ Nearest in meaning ’ is tough . For one , I understand that it stretches the knowledge and experience of many candidates more than ‘ That best completes’ does . However , running away does not make the questions become easy . Neither does it solve the problem . As a way out, we are going to analyse some questions , detect the examiner ’ s ‘ tricks’ and explain how to beat them.
Form the words lettered A to E below each of the following sentences , choose the one that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word as used in the sentence .
1 . In view of the worldwide economic recession, massive
retrenchment is going on at the various commercial houses in the country.
2 . withdrawal
3 . entrenchment
4 . recruitment
5 . reorganisation
6 . cutting back
7 . Many critics have accused the Government of exacerbating the suffering of the people instead of alleviating it .
8 . eliminating
9 . popularising
10 . tackling
11 . reducing
12 . increasing
13 . The court restrained the company from laying off the workers .
14 . compelled
15 . ordered
16 . prevented
17 . cajoled
18 . persuaded .
Questions in the ‘ Nearest in meaning ’ segment are designed to test the richness of your vocabulary through SYNONYMY. Your knowledge of SYNONYMS is being examined . Remember , SYNONYMS are words with similar meanings – and not words with the same meaning . The clarification should be made since it has been observed that no two words have exactly the same meaning . At the most , they mean the same thing in one context but not in the other . WAEC, NECO and JAMB etc. are aware of this fact . Hence , they ask you to choose the word that is the nearest in meaning to the one underlined , and not the one with the same meaning . What do you do in this section ? The following guidelines will be of help.
Antidote One : Understand the target The first idea can be inferred from the point stressed above : You are looking for the word nearest in meaning , and not that with the same . Also , ‘ nearest ’ suggests that there are other options that are near or nearer. But your duty is to look for the nearest .
Antidote Two : Consider the context The options given can be similar orthographically ( in terms of spelling ) , structurally( grammar) and in terms of the emotion they convey. Too similar , thereby landing you in confusion . The first antidote to such confusion is that you have to consider the CONTEXT . The option that you are to choose should be the one that fits into the circumstance of use . The meaning must be perfectly relevant to the idea expressed in the given clause.
That is, you must consider the chemistry of the whole sentence along with the special attention paid to the underlined word . Consider Question 1 above . If the candidate is not careful , he brings into the question the general idea he has about ‘ retrenchment, ’ in terms of sacking or retiring workers , i . e . the notion of stopping the contract . He may thus rush for ‘ withdrawal . ’ This is wrong not because ‘ withdrawal’ has no meaning relationship with ’ retrenchment’ , but because it is odd in the context . We can withdraw services, statements etc. , but not workers when they are being sacked .
Option D has a similar problem . When there is a general economic recession (slacking of business and industrial activities etc. ) , the drastic measure is not really to re- organise . Re- organisation is often a measure aimed at improving the level and rate of development in the company . Workers can change positions , departments etc . , but they are not normally sacked . In the company in question here , there is recession – inadequate or lack of raw materials , fall in production capacity , fall in profit rate – all of which invariably affect workers ’ salaries . Therefore , re -organisation is wrong . The right answer is cutting back , which is option E , sacking; that is, reducing the strength of the workforce to the number the company can cope with.
Antidote Three: Consider grammatical clues Another aspect of the CONTEXT that will guide you in making the right choice is GRAMMAR . At times , certain options will be synonymous with the underlined word , but the given grammatical context will not favour them. If you thus choose such , then , grammatically , you are wrong . Consider Question 3 where the presence of ‘ from ’ in the sentence demands that the option you have to choose be the one that can go with the preposition :
compelled from laying off ( compelled to )
ordered from laying off x ( ordered against )
cajoled from laying off x (cajoled to )
persuaded from laying off( persuaded against)
The answer is, thus , prevented from . Consider this also:
Antidote Four : Use elimination technique When you do not know the meaning of the underlined word at all, you can use the elimination technique . This is the kicking out, one – by – one , of the options whose senses contradict the idea in the remaining part of the statement . Let us consider Question 2 . You may be ignorant of the meaning of exacerbate or even alleviate . Yet , the fact that critics are accusing the government readily implies that it has not been able to effectively deal with the suffering of the masses ; instead , it must have been worsening their condition .
As a result , options such as eliminating, tackling and reducing are outright expelled . A ( good ) government is neither expected to enjoy nor magnify the suffering of die people. But where it does , it won’ t mount a publicity campaign over such . Therefore , popularising is also struck out to give way for the only remaining option, increasing , to emerge as die right one . The process of elimination is applicable to many of the NEAREST IN MEANING questions since they are largely a system of contextualisation .
Antidote Five: Beware of homonyms Beware of lazy candidates’ options . By using ‘ lazy candidates’ , I am only feigning courtesy for not expressly stating the term as it comes to my mind: foolish candidates ’ options . The point here has a little connection with what has been discussed above. It indicates that the examiner will include some options that can readily deceive a lazy candidate . At times , words with similar spellings or sounds will be dropped among the options . Please , beware of such words . You are looking for a synonym, not a homonym or homophone . Consider the inclusion of collaborated in :
4 . The evidence of the witness
corroborated that of the accused .
5 . contradicted
6 . collaborated
7 . confirmed
8 . sentenced
9 . condemned
Some could think that since corroborated and collaborated sound some what alike, they should have related meanings . No , this is at rap for shallow- minded candidates ! Such a devil – word is hardly the right answer . Corroborated suggests ‘ agreed to ’ , while collaborated (with ) means worked together . Note that four out of the options begin with co , out of which only confirmed is right . That is the kind of trick I mean !
When we cry , the tears that form in our eyes are just as important as the sight our eyes provide. Each teardrop is filled with enzymes required for a healthy eye .
Tears aren ’ t just mere liquid , the layer of liquid that makeup tears are a compound of elements that helps to keep the eyes healthy and functional. The elements in tears include oily lipids , metabolites , hormones , electrolytes and enzymes .
According to medical reports , our eyes pick up dirt and other particles from the dust in the atmosphere . Our eyes also pick particles from ointments and other substances we apply on the eyes or close to the eyes area.
Specifically, ladies, that apply makeup to the eyes , such as ; eyeliners , eye shadows , eye concealers and eyelashes .
With study , it has been deduced that the healthy level of our eyes often depends on how often our eyes secrete tears . It is also dependable on the situation that triggers the tears .
Tears can be induced as a result of our emotions or reflexes . Either way , the tears help to clean the eyes of dirt and give a clearer vision .
Types of Tears
Emotional Tears : The human body is triggered to express what we feel , as soon as the feeling sets in . The brain sends a message to our tear glands to secrete tears when we feel a certain type of emotion, the tear glands are also triggered when we feel physical pains . So when we feel a certain type of emotion such as ; happiness , laughter and anger we laugh or cry and possibly do both at the same time . Those tears that spill out in response to sadness , joy or fear is called “ emotional tears ” .
Reflex Tears: Reflex tears form whenever foreign objects come in contact with the eye . In an attempt to get rid of the object , the eye secrets moisture that flows as tears .
More so , people try to suppress the urge to cry because it is viewed as a show of weakness . In suppressing tears as science suggests , could be detrimental to our health .
Crying is therapeutic to the human state of mind, because it;
Induces a Soothing Effect
Crying helps to regulate our emotions and reduce distress . A medical study of 2014 shows that crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system , which helps to relax the body .
Relieves Pain
Shedding emotional tears help to relief not just emotions pains but also physical pains . Study shows that crying emotional tears release oxytocin and endorphins . These elements when released in the body system help to ease emotional and physical pain, thereby making the body system feel good .
Aids Sleeping
A 2016 medical research indicates that crying can help babies to sleep better . although , it is still yet to be confirmed if it is applicable to the system of adults . However , it follows in line that the soothing , mood-enhancing and pain relief effect that comes from crying can help to make sleeping easy.
Wash Away Irritants / Dirt
Irritants could be smoke , dust , strands of hair or eyelashes and more. The tears come running from the eyes to protect the eyes . The liquid helps to rinse out the irritants disturbing the eye . Without tears , these irritants could clog to the eyes and prove a great threat to our eye vision .
With these listed benefits of tears , it is safe to say that crying is healthy to the life of every human .
As top Federal Government officials battle to find ways to minimise the impact of the oil price crash on the Nigerian economy due to the global coronavirus crisis, the Group Managing Director (GMD) Mr. Mele Kyari, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has alerted Nigerians to prepare for trouble.
Oil prices have fallen to about $32 per barrel, while Nigeria’s Federal Government’s 2020 budget was benchmarked at $57 per barrel.
Kyari spoke at the Consultative Roundtable on the economy organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in Abuja.
Even at that low price, he revealed that demand for crude had fallen so much, to the extent that 50 cargoes of Nigeria’s crude had not found buyers.
He said: “For the oil market, all of us here are aware of what happened – the Black Monday. It also signifies the importance of oil in the global economy.
‘’Oil affects everything. When the oil market collapses, everything collapses. And oil market collapses in two ways: one is low prices and the other is 2008 -2010 when the global crisis was caused by very high oil prices.
“Right now, we are getting oil from the least expected places. We have plans, we can take our production to three million bpd but we must produce at low prices.
“Today, I can share with you that there are 12 LNG cargoes globally, it has never happened. LNG cargoes that are stranded have no call because there is absolute collapse in demand, associated with coronavirus.
“It is also affecting the liquid crude. As at today, for Nigerian crude, we have about 50 cargoes that have not found landing. It means the traders have bought them but they don’t know where to take them to. And this is true of other jurisdictions.
“As at yesterday, Iran dropped its price by $5 (per barrel); Saudi Arabia dropped price by $8 (per barrel.), so when you have oil price at $30 and you drop it by $8, it means that you are selling it at $22 and that is a huge problem.
“In Saudi Arabia, their average production cost is about $4 or $5 pbl. Today, the best of our production is about $17 pbl. Today, there are countries which cost of production is categorized at $30 pbl and we are one of them. If the oil price is $30 or $32 pbl and you are producing at the cost of $30, you are out of business.
“Therefore, depending on the potential of coming out of the impact of this coronavirus for a long time to come, at least three months, so prepare for trouble for at least three months, even if prices come back today, you have a backlog of production cost.”
President Donald Trump does not need testing for coronavirus despite having met with an aide to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro who was found afterwards to test positive, the White House said .
“ The White House is aware of public reports that a member of the Brazilian delegation … tested positive for COVID- 19 , ” Trump spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement .
Trump and Vice President Mike Pence “ had almost no interactions with the individual ” during Bolsonaro ’ s trip to a Trump golf club in Florida last weekend.
They “ do not require being tested at this time, ” she said .
Grisham said that under government guidelines “ there is currently no indication to test patients without symptoms , and only people with prolonged close exposure to confirmed positive cases should self – quarantine ” .
AFP
The Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has cautioned Nigerians to reduce the culture of handshakes and hugs to avoid contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).
Aregbesola said this at the ground-breaking ceremony of a 3000-capacity custodial centre in Karshi, Abuja .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country recorded her first case of coronavirus on Feb. 27 when an Italian having the virus flew in from Milan.
The minister, however, urged the people to always stay three-feet away from one another and avoid crowded places.
”Don’t shake hands again; don’t hug for now except your family members. Maintain three-foot distance between you and the next person,” he warned.
Aregbesola also advised Nigerians to greet by bowing and touching their chests.
He said that coronavirus had become a global emergency and all hands must be on deck to ensure it did not become a serious problem in Nigeria.
“We must be cautious of coronavirus and work towards preventing it. We owe it to ourselves, our family, and community to be very vigilant,” he said.
Aregbesola urged the people not to panic and encouraged hygienic living to prevent the virus.
This is just as the West African country records its first index cases of COVID- 19 , joining its regional neighbours including Nigeria , Togo , Burkina Faso , Senegal , amongst others.
A statement from Ghana ’ s Ministry of Health signed by the Minister , Kwaku Agyeman – Manu , states that the country’ s first cases are a Turkish returnee and a Norwegian returnee .
The minister says , “Laboratory results of the two confirmed cases were received at the same time from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research .
“ Both individuals returned from Norway and Turkey . So these are imported cases of COVID- 19 .
“ Both patients are currently being kept in isolation and are stable . We have initiated a process for contact tracing . ”
Meanwhile , President Akufo – Addo is optimistic that the crisis will help the country advance domestic drug production and reduce foreign imports .
In an address , Akufo- Addo says the country is talking with health stakeholders to explore local production of essential materials to combat COVID – 19 .
He directs the Minister for Finance , Ken Ofori- Atta, to make $ 100 million available to enhance the country’ s response plan.
“ We have begun to engage with the domestic pharmaceutical industry to assist in producing as much of the logistics required to prevent and combat the virus as it is possible under the circumstances.
“ Indeed , we must take advantage of this crisis to strengthen our domestic productive capacity, so we can advance our self – reliance , and reduce our dependence on foreign imports .
“ Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention , ” says the Ghanaian president .
The Premier League will hold an “emergency club meeting” on Friday (today’s) morning regarding whether fixtures can be played in the wake of Mikel Arteta being diagnosed with coronavirus.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have tested positive for coronavirus as the pandemic continues to strike the sporting world.
Arsenal confirmed on Thursday evening their Spanish head coach had contracted the virus and the entire Gunners first-team squad would be placed into self-isolation. Brighton confirmed soon afterwards this weekend’s fixture against Arsenal at the Amex Stadium had been postponed.
Arsenal managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “Our thoughts are with Mikel, who is disappointed but in good spirits.
“We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”
Shortly after Arsenal’s announcement, a Premier League statement read: “In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures.”
Meanwhile, in the early hours of Friday (today), Chelsea said the full men’s team squad, coaching staff and a number of backroom staff would self-isolate after Hudson-Odoi returned a positive test. The club are due to face Aston Villa this weekend.
Chelsea’s statement added: “We will continue to adhere to Government and Public Health Guidelines with regard to our facilities and staff and will be discussing next steps with regards to upcoming fixtures with the Premier League on Friday morning.”
The minister of Labour and Employment Senator Chris Ngige disclosed this after about four hours of engagement between both parties.
Senator Ngige said: “I am pleased to inform you that with the four ministers and permanent secretaries, Accountant-General of the Federation and directors, Acting Chairman, National Income and Wages Commission and ASUU Presidents and executive, we held very fulfilling discussions.
“And where necessary we debated, put forward our points and the Union’s side. Issues we discussed and we used the memorandum of action, which we entered into in February 2019, to look at issues that are outstanding; issues that have not been fully addressed.
“And both sides were satisfied that we made reasonable progress in addressing the few issues that have not been fully treated. Therefore, we move to the next round of a new contentious issue, which is the issues bordering on the non-capturing of some ASUU members on the IPPIS platform.
“This resulted in the withholding of salaries and allowances of most ASUU members; those who did not come under the platform and even some other university non-academic staff members.
“Discussions were open and both sides realised that we are working for our country and that whatever arrangement we put in place would be for a better Nigeria. ASUU has developed UTAS, and we have had some preliminary agreements on what is to be done to accommodate the two systems.
“And ASUU have now to get back to their members, consult the executive committee first and all their members so that they can agree on the modus operandi of trying to couple the two systems.
“In that respect, we are continuing discussions. So the meeting is adjourned till Monday and Tuesday, pending on when ASUU is ready. For us, we have made progress. We thank the legislature for earlier this morning. Our meeting also helped us to smoothen some rough areas.”
The ASUU President, on his part, said: “From our own side, we would say that we had a frank session; frank engagement and issues were thrown up.
“Those issues, like the minister rightly mentioned, came from outstanding issues in the February 2019 Memorandum of Action, which has tended to be overshadowed by IPPIS.
“From the discussion we had, we agreed that we will go and consult. That we cannot pronounce on the proposals that came up until we consult with our members.”
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