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Trump, wife in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19
The United States President,
Donald Trump, and his wife, Melania, are in self-isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.
The US President confirmed on Twitter that he and the first lady had contracted COVID-19 and they are in quarantine.
He stated, “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
Mr Trump is expected to be in quarantine for two weeks while facing treatment for the disease, with his diagnosis coming just one month before the US election on 3 November, according to Sky News.
The President is 74 years old and his health records earlier this year showed he is categorised as obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from the virus.
Mr Trump’s physician Sean Conley said the President and first lady would remain at the White House during their period of isolation.
He said, “Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments.”
Writing on Twitter, Mrs Trump said, “As too many Americans have done this year, (the President) & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19.
“We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.”
Trump on Thursday had said, ‘End of pandemic is in sight’
Mr Trump said he and his wife were self-isolating after Hope Hicks, one of his top aides, had contracted COVID-19.
Ms Hicks, who serves as a counsellor to the President, tested positive for the disease on Thursday, the day after she travelled with the President to a rally.
She is the closest aide to Mr Trump to test positive for coronavirus so far.
She had travelled with the President several times over the last week, including on presidential helicopter Marine One, and on Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate.
Mr Trump had earlier appeared to blame soldiers and law enforcement officials for Ms Hicks contracting the virus.
He told Fox News, “It’s very, very hard when you are with people from the military or from law enforcement and they come over to you and they want to hug you and they want to kiss you.
“You get close and things happen.”
Several White House staff members have tested positive for the virus in recent months, including Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller, and one of the president’s personal valets.
Mr Pence tweeted that he and and his wife Karen “send our love and prayers to our dear friends President Donald Trump and Melania Trump”.
“We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery,” he wrote. “God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania.
Why the President’s age and physical condition put him at higher risk from COVID-19
According to his White House schedule, the president was due to host a phone call on Friday on “COVID-19 support to vulnerable seniors”.
His positive test come as the virus continues to spread at an alarming rate in the US, even as Mr Trump has tried to downplay the threat of the disease.
More than 200,000 people have died in the US after contracting COVID-19 and more than seven million people in the country have been infected with the disease.
But Mr Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies which have drawn thousands of supporters during the pandemic.
Mr Trump addressed a packed rally in Duluth, Minnesota, on Wednesday
His diagnosis now throws into question the nature of the rest of the campaign, including the remaining two presidential debates.
The next debate is scheduled for 15 October in Miami.
Two days before testing positive, during the first debate, Mr Trump belittled his Democratic challenger Joe Biden for frequently wearing masks and not having campaign rallies that matched his own in size.
He continued to shake hands with visitors despite public health officials warning against it and also initially resisted being tested. Mr Trump also refused to wear a mask in public under almost all circumstances.
Trump’s COVID-19 bombshell puts US election in uncharted territory
In a statement, White House spokesman, Judd Deere said, “The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”
Trump is not the only major world leader known to have contracted COVID-19.
Prime Minister of Britain
Johnson tested positive for the virus in March before being admitted to hospital the following month, while Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was diagnosed with the illness in July.
Prime Minister Johnson, who spent time in intensive care with COVID-19 in April, said, “My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady. Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus.”
News
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
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