News Agency of Nigeria
Business , Economy/Business

Acquisition: C&I Leasing assures minority shareholders of value enhancement

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By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

C & I Leasing Plc on Wednesday expressed optimism that the emergence of Peace Mass Transit as the company’s majority shareholder would bring enhanced value creation for all its stakeholders.

Mr Andrew Otike-Odibi, the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, gave the assurance at a virtual meeting on the loan stock acquisition by Peace Mass Transit Ltd.

Otike-Odibi said that the impact of the acquisition would be positive for all the company’s stakeholders.

C&I Leasing had on Tuesday notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the investing public of the purchase of 313,326,316 units of the Neoma Africa Fund L.L.C unsecured variable coupon redeemable convertible loan stock in registered units of N4.75 each by Peace Mass Transit Ltd.

The loan stock, when fully converted, will result in the issuance of 987,500,000 ordinary shares of the company which will represent 55.82 per cent of the issued shares of the company.

“C & I Leasing is 30 years, and in 30 years we have seen some board changes, we have seen a significant management change, where the former managing director handed over to the current managing director.

“C & I Leasing is going into yet another change. I will say that taking the business on its own, business structure and business model is very solid, the ownership of the business can only add value to that structure and that model.

“So, for the minority shareholders, I did not see any fear or any concern.

“Rather, I see a reason for value enhancement in the sense that the impact of this acquisition will be positive for all the stakeholders of the company,” he said.

He said that the company’s business model would not change with the coming on board of Peace Mass Transit.

“We will likely finetune the model to make it more rewarding to shareholders,” Otike-Odibi said.

Speaking on the loan conversion into equity, he said it would be concluded before the end of the first quarter.

He said that Peace Mass shareholding, after the conversion, would be in the region of 67 per cent.

Otike-Odibi said that Peace Mass bought some stake in the company during its rights issue of 2019, while the loan stock is 55.82 per cent.

He said that the purchase and eventual conversion of the shares would strengthen the company’s credentials in raising new equities.

“We see this as a new road into inviting more equity to the business; one of the things that have held the company back from raising additional equity has been the loan stock issue.

“With the loan stock being converted to equity now, it now helps the company to open up to raise additional equity,” he said.

On outlook for 2021, Otike-Odibi said that COVID-19 had brought out new opportunities for the company.

He said that the company would play more on digital space due to the emerging opportunities in the technology space brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The managing director said the company would create new businesses from the array of opportunities that came out from COVID-19. (NAN)

Health

Association pledges collaboration with award-winning blind DJ

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By Patricia Amogu

The Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD) on Wednesday pledged its collaboration with the blind DJ, Austin Akpeji, a.k.a Aus J, who won 2020 Aid Talent Show.

The President association, Mrs Ekaete Umoh,made the disclosure when organisers of the Miss Health International Foundation and winner of the Aid Talent Hunt Show paid her a visit in Abuja.

Umoh said that the collaboration was aimed at changing the narratives and creating more awareness on the abilities of Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWDs).

“Most of the barriers that we see is the school of thought that says ‘we are not able, ‘everything is in the negative’,

“But Austin’s story is a proof that there is ability in disability.

“DJ Austin has said that he wants to change the narrative about PLWD’s,most of the challenges we might be facing is trying to get people to unlearn everything negative about persons with disabilities, and give them alternatives or better strategies on how best to live with PWD’s.

The president also disclosed the association’s plans to identify those with talents,encourage more people  as well as solicit support for them from the government.

“I think he has succeeded in encouraging others to move forward, and I think it’s going to bring about enhanced self esteem and continue to mentor others.

“Our eyes would be on those systemic barriers that are standing in the way of moving forward for PWD’s like politics, the law has already taken care of,” she said.

Austin Apke, 23 years old, a blind 400 level Mass Communication student at the University of Ibadan, promised to mentor a lot of young minds that would want to be like him.

“First things first, I’d love to be able to give back to the society and the system that has projected me. I would mentor other people too who would love to do what I do.

“I want people to know that PWD’s can do what other people do or could even do better.

“I learnt to mix sounds when I was challenged by some one in school,who said I can’t do it, people should stop looking at our physical appearances and look within.”he said.

Mr Nick Bebiem, Founder of the Aid Talent Show Hunt, expressed satisfaction at the show’s success in identifying  young minds like Austin who would take on the world and change people’s impression of the physically challenged (NAN)

Defence/Security

Remembrance Day: Sanwo-Olu donates N5m to ex-servicemen

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By Florence Onuegbu

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, donated the sum of N5 million to the Armed Forces Remembrance Appeal Fund, toward boosting the welfare of ex-servicemen.

Sanwo-Olu made the donation during the launch of the emblem for the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and Appeal Fund, held at the Lagos House, Marina.

He said that all sacrifices made by members of the Nigerian Armed Forces in keeping the nation united would continue to be recognised and honoured by the state government.

The governor said that the state would always identify with the heroics and gallantry of servicemen who gave their all to the service of the country.

He said that the state government would not relent in supporting family members of ex-service personnel who died fighting for Nigeria’s unity.

Sanwo-Olu, who is the patron of the Legion, said that the state government would be supporting the Legion to assist in the welfare of ex-service personnel that became physically challenged in line of duty.

He also pledged assistance to Lagos-based relatives of soldiers who died in active service.

“As a government, we will continue to modestly support the welfare of our heroes and identify with your cause.

“We will continue to ensure that we bring succour and relief to the gallant officers that have served this country at one point in time or the other.

“The ex-servicemen who have now grown to become old soldiers have served the country at their prime. The least we can do as a state is to continue to celebrate these brave men and women who made sacrifices for our country’s unity.

“Through the Legion, we will assist in the welfare of those living with disabilities, while ensuring the families of fallen heroes are not forgotten. This is the reason the state generously donate to the Appeal Fund,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor promised to strengthen its engagement with the Legion and improve their operational efficiency, by donating more patrol vehicles and provide logistical support to ex-servicemen.

He said the state would augment budgetary allocation to the Legion.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi, said that the launching was one of the important pre-event activities lined up for the marking of the Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

Elegushi said there would be a special Jumu’ah service on Jan. 8 at the Secretariat Central Mosque and an interdenominational church service on Jan. 10 at Chapel of Christ the Light in Alausa to commemorate the day.

The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigerian Legion in Lagos, Col. Fola Akande, said that the launch of the Appeal Fund by the governor would put smiles on the faces of over 2,000 beneficiaries of the Legion’s yearly empowerment programmes.

Akande, who is also the Lagos State Chapter Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, said the Legion usually reached out to widows of ex-servicemen, disabled soldiers and orphans.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Chapter of Nigerian Legion.

The main event for the annual Armed Forces Remembrance holds on Jan. 15, with military and paramilitary parades to commemorate the gallantry of servicemen and ex-personnel. (NAN)

Economy/Business

W/Bank predicts 4% global economic growth, 1.1% for Nigeria in 2021

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By Folasade Akpan

The World Bank says global economy is expected to grow by 4 per cent in 2021, assuming an initial COVID-19 vaccine rollout becomes widespread throughout the year.

It said this in a statement issued in Washington D.C. on Tuesday at the presentation of the January 2021 Global Economic Prospects.

It added that the said recovery would likely be subdued unless policy makers moved decisively to tame the pandemic and implement investment-enhancing reforms.

The bank also said that growth in Sub-Saharan Africa was forecast to rebound moderately to 2.7 per cent in 2021, while Nigeria’s growth was expected to resume at 1.1 per cent.

For the region, it said that while the recovery in private consumption and investment was forecast to be slower than previously envisioned, export growth was expected to accelerate gradually, in line with the rebound in activity among major trading partners.

“Expectations of a sluggish recovery in Sub-Saharan Africa reflect persistent COVID-19 outbreaks in several economies that have inhibited the resumption of economic activity.

“The pandemic is projected to cause per capita incomes to decline by 0.2 per cent  this year, setting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further out of reach in many countries in the region.

“This reversal is expected to push tens of millions more people into extreme poverty over last year and this year,” it stated.

For Nigeria, it said activity was anticipated to be dampened by low oil prices, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quotas, falling public investment due to weak government revenues, constrained private investment due to firm failures and subdued foreign investor confidence.

It, however,  said that the rebound in Africa was expected to be slightly stronger, although below historical averages among agricultural commodity exporters, adding that higher international prices for agricultural commodities were expected to sustain activity.

Projecting risks for the region, it said that they were tilted to the downside as growth in major trading partners could fall short of expectations.

It said that wide scale distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine in the region would likely face many hurdles, including poor transport infrastructure and weak health systems capacity.

“Such constraints, compounded by natural disasters such as recent devastating floods and rising insecurity, particularly in the Sahel, can  delay recovery.

“Government debt in the region has increased sharply to an estimated 70 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020,  elevating concerns about debt sustainability in some economies.

“Banks may face sharp increases in non-performing loans as companies struggle to service their debt due to falling revenues.

“Lasting damage of the pandemic can  depress growth over  long term through the chilling effects of high debt on investment, the impact of lockdowns on schooling and human capital development, and weaker health outcomes,” it said.

On the global scene, it said that to support economic recovery, authorities also needed  to facilitate a re-investment cycle aimed at sustainable growth that was less dependent on government debt.

It however,  said that the collapse in global economic activity in 2020 was estimated to have been slightly less severe than previously projected, mainly due to shallower contractions in advanced economies and a more robust recovery in China.

“In contrast, disruptions to activity in the majority of other emerging markets and developing economies were more acute than expected,” it said.

David Malpass, the bank’s President said that while the global economy appeared to have entered a subdued recovery, policymakers faced  formidable challenges as they tried  to ensure that this still fragile global recovery gained traction and sets a foundation for robust growth.

“To overcome the impacts of the pandemic and counter the investment headwind, there needs to be a major push to improve business environments, increase labor and product market flexibility and strengthen transparency and governance,” it said.

The report said that the near-term outlook remained highly uncertain and different growth outcomes were still possible, adding that a downside scenario in which infections continued to rise and the rollout of a vaccine  delayed,  could limit the global expansion to 1.6 per cent in 2021.

Meanwhile, it said that in an upside scenario with successful pandemic control and a faster vaccination process, global growth could accelerate to nearly five per cent.

Examining the amplified risks of the pandemic, it said that as severe crises did in the past, the pandemic was expected to leave long lasting adverse effects on global activity.

“It is likely to worsen the slowdown in global growth projected over the next decade due to underinvestment, underemployment and labor force declines in many advanced economies.

“If history is any guide, the global economy is heading for a decade of growth disappointments unless policy makers,  put in place comprehensive reforms to improve the fundamental drivers of equitable and sustainable economic growth.

“Policymakers need to continue to sustain the recovery, gradually shifting from income support to growth-enhancing policies,” it further said.

It added that in the longer run, in emerging markets and developing economies, policies to improve health and education services, digital infrastructure, climate resilience, and business and governance practices would  help mitigate the economic damage caused by the pandemic, reduce poverty and advance shared prosperity.

The bank said that in the context of weak fiscal positions and elevated debt, institutional reforms to spur organic growth were particularly important. (NAN)

Health

Second wave: Nurse appeals to governments on improved COVID-19 education

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By Oluwafunke Ishola

A registered nurse, Ms Edith Declan, has appealed to both the Federal and state governments to improve on educating the public on measures to curtail COVID-19 transmission and thus  strengthen Nigeria in fighting the second wave.

Declan, also an Adjunct Nursing Professor at Houston Community College, Texas, United States, said this during a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

She said that her visit to Lagos and Owerri revealed that compliance to COVID-19 safety measures of wearing face masks, hand washing and observing social distancing were absent in most places, except the airport.

“I feel that lots of education is required at this point, especially with the second wave that has   new variants of COVID-19 which is believed to be more virulent than the first.

“As funny as it seems, we still have a lot of people who don’t believe that COVID-19 exists, if you don’t believe something exists, you are not going to fight it.

“We, as Africans, don’t believe things till we see it. We don’t have this proactive mindset to things, we wait until the disaster happens before we address it.

“Some believe that COVID-19 is malaria or typhoid or other respiratory illnesses, and that it goes away after a while.

“Because the healthcare system and data collection are very poor, it is very difficult to ascertain who has COVID-19, what the numbers are, and how they can be assisted,” she said.

The professor noted that non-compliance to COVID-19 safety measures could be devastating to the country’s income.

Declan stressed that appropriate hand washing with soap and water, wearing of facemasks, and observing social distancing are still the best non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce the virus spread.

According to Declan, the emergence of the COVID-19 vaccine has brought excitement and trepidation globally.

NAN reports that about 50 countries including the U.S., UK, China, Canada, Germany, Russia, United Arab Emirates, have started vaccinating their citizens against COVID-19.

Declan said that a lot of Americans had taken the vaccine, saying that she was yet to have any personal contact with anybody who reported any adverse effects to the vaccine.

“Of course, like the regular vaccine when people take the vaccine, there could be a little soreness, fever, light headedness or dizziness.

“Some people can have adverse reactions and it is a very minute percentage of the recipient, which is typical.

“Even with the food we eat, some people will eat egg and are very good, and some people will eat egg and will die.

“It’s not because the eggs are bad, it means that their system didn’t accept the eggs appropriately. The same thing applies to the vaccine,” she said.

Declan noted that the vaccines had been proven to be safe thus far, adding that while awaiting the arrival of the vaccine across the globe, everyone should maintain good hand washing, wearing of face masks, and observing social distancing.

She expressed optimism that working together individually and collectively would enhance the fight against the virus and ensure global success. (NAN)

General News

Nigeria, China sign MoU to strengthen cooperation

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By Ifeanyi Nwoko

Nigeria and the government of the Peoples Republic of China on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to establish an inter-governmental committee that will coordinate the cooperation and relations between both countries.

The Committee which will be co-chaired by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both countries will also strive to deepen the cooperation between both countries, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffery Onyeama said in Abuja.

Onyeama disclosed this while briefing newsmen after a closed door meeting with the Chinese State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi who is visiting Nigeria as first of five countries in Africa to be visited.

Nigeria’s foreign minister while lauding the establishment of the committee, noted that the decision by his Chinese counterpart to visit Nigeria first was a reflection of the importance which China attached to her relationship with Nigeria.

He pointed out that China had contributed greatly to the successes recorded in the priority areas of the current administration as declared by President Muhammadu Buhari, which include infrastructure development, economy diversification and job creation.

“He is on a five country tour of Africa and has selected Nigeria to be the first country that he visits, this is not a coincidence, it is a deliberate decision that reflects the importance that they attach to the relationship between both countries.

“This visit by the State Councillor is a very important one, we have held discussions and we agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on establishing an inter-governmental Committee that will be in charge of coordinating all aspects of cooperation between the two countries in many areas in many sectors in which we are cooperating with the Chinese

“In our meeting today we talked about transportation, our railways, defense system, political matters and how to structure political cooperation.

At the end of the talks the Chinese government through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced a donation to Nigeria of 100 million Renminbis, the Chinese local currency which we reckon to be roughly 50 million dollars or N6 billion,” he said.

Some of the Minister on the Nigerian delegation included: Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Health Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu and the Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika.

Also giving an account of the closed door meeting, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi who spoke through an interpreter, said that the traditional friendships between Nigeria and China needed to be advanced.

He corroborated that both countries had agreed to set up intergovernmental committee that will synergise Chinese new developments, deepen cooperation and advance key projects to support more rapid industrialisation in Nigeria.

“We will expand cooperation into new areas of digital and green economy to make development more diversified.

“Our two countries will continue to work closely on COVID-19 response and strongly support each other to a final victory which is a cure.

“We will further engage in military and security cooperation to contribute to the Nigeria’s national security capacity building, we will also coordinate in regional and international affairs.

“We have every confidence that China-Nigeria strategic partnership will embrace and even brighter future, together we will make a great contribution to Africa’s peace and development for the stability and prosperity of the World,” he said. (NAN)

Foreign

Russia says over 1m vaccinated against COVID-19

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Russia has vaccinated over one million people against COVID-19, the institute that developed the country’s vaccine said on Tuesday.

Alexander Gintsburg, Head, Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, said about 100,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine were administered daily.

The Gamaleya institute developed the first vaccine worldwide to earn approval. Russia began its vaccination campaign in early December.

President Vladimir Putin has put pressure on health authorities to speed up vaccinations.

By November, 70 per cent of Russia’s 146 million population were expected to be vaccinated, according to earlier reports.

Russia plans to produce half a billion vaccine doses this year, especially for export.

Two jabs of Sputnik V are needed for immunity, which is said to form within 42 days.

The number of new coronavirus infections has recently declined in Russia, with 24,200 new cases reported on Tuesday, compared with a recent high of 28,000 daily infections.

Over 3.2 million people have been infected since the beginning of the pandemic, and 59,500 have died in connection to the virus. (dpa/NAN)

General News

FG’s ESPW programme will impact Delta positively —Okowa

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By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has commended the Federal Government for the Extended Special Public Works (ESPW) programme, saying it will positively impact the state.

He gave the commendation on Tuesday in Asaba, during the flag-off of the 774,000 ESPW jobs programme of the Federal Government for the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.

Okowa was represented by the State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu.

He said that though each participant would be taking N20, 000 monthly stipend for the programme that would last for three months, the programme had the capacity of injecting about N500 million monthly into the state economy.

While thanking the Federal Government for the programme, he tasked the beneficiaries to effectively utilize the proceeds to build their future from little beginnings, and not to become reckless.

He said that the programme conformed with the State Empowerment programme, and was being executed without political party bias.

“What we have seen happen here today is that after the politicking that precedes an electioneering campaign is governance, and governance has no political coloration.

“Today’s programme is conceived by the All Progressives Congress (APC) government at the national level but it trickled down, irrespective of the party at the state level, such that the beneficiaries are Nigerians, because hunger does not know a political party.

“The more number of people you are able to empower, the more you take away crime and criminality.

“If you have in the case of Delta about N20 million going into a local government monthly, then escalate it to 25, 000 poor persons in the 25 LGAs, that brings it to N500 million monthly being injected into the state economy,” he said.

The governor said that given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the multiplier effect of the Federal Government programme was capable of healing the present recession in the country.

He said this was if the beneficiaries could effectively utilise the opportunity to invest their money.

In a keynote address, Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, said that the extended special public works programme was borne out the pilot programme approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and implemented by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) early in 2020.

The minister, represented by Mr Victor Ochie, Executive Director, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said the strategy was adopted by the Federal Government to fast- track the achievement of Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017 to 2020).

“The pilot programme was implemented in eight states in order to gauge its impact on addressing the ballooning population of unemployed and rising insecurity in some parts of the country.

“However, with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr President directed the Economic Sustainability Committee, China’s aired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to craft economic measures to cushion the adverse socio -econimic effect of the pandemic.

“The need to quickly address the above, informed the decision to implement the ESPW,” he said.

The Acting Director, NDE, Malam Abubakar Fikpo, represented by the State Coordinator, Mr Tony Olu, lauded the Federal Government for giving the directorate opportunity to execute the programme.

According to Fikpo, the ESPW prpgramme is a very significant step in Nigeria to win the war against mass unemployment as well as to ameliorate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that all the participants were duly documented and their details captured by designated banks to guarantee a fraud free, transparent and fair service delivery and to ensure effective monitoring.

The acting director charged the participants to reciprocate the gesture by diligently executing their assigned tasks throughout the three months duration.

Prof. Kelly Ejumudu, Chairman, State Selection Committee, charged the participants to see the gesture as a clarion call to serve the country.

He said that no government in the world could totally eliminate poverty and unemployment, but alleviate it.

“This is the first time that a government programme has cut through the entire 774 LGAs in the country, it is meant for the poor, not for the elite.

“This project is not for grabs, it is intended to benefit the poor in the society to enable them better their life, and at the end, the entire society will be better off.

“Participants should work, earn and develop a good investment culture and not to spend the money lavishly,” he cautioned.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Ms. Charity Okonkwo thanked the Federal Government for the programme, while promising their resolve to work, earn and manage their monies effectively.

She, however, join other stakeholders to call for government to evaluate and extend the programme beyond three months.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants were equipped with the necessary gadgets and materials to enable them keep and maintain a clean environment across the 25 LGAs of Delta. (NAN)

Business , Economy/Business

NSE drops N393bn on renewed profit taking

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By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

The nation’s bourse recorded its first loss in the year on Tuesday, dropping by N393 billion due to renewed profit taking on blue chips.

Specifically, the market capitalisation shed N393 billion or 1.83 per cent to close at N21.122 trillion from N21.515 trillion recorded on Monday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index lost 751.25 points or 1.83 per cent to close at 40,396.14 compared with 41,147.39 achieved on Monday.

The downturn was impacted by losses recorded in medium and large capitalised stocks, amongst which are; BUA Cement, MTN Nigeria Communications, Zenith Bank, Okomu Oil and Guaranty Trust Bank.

Market breadth was negative with 34 stocks losers, relative to 16 gainers.

Oando dominated the losers’ chart in percentage terms, losing 10 per cent to close at N3.33 per share.

FTN Cocoa followed with 9.72 per cent to close at 65k, while May and Baker shed 8.55 per cent to close at N3.21 per share.

FBN Holdings dipped 8.28 per cent to close at N7.20, while Associated Bus Company lost 7.89 per cent to close at 35k per share.

Conversely, BOC Gases led the gainers’ chart in percentage terms, gaining 9.72 per cent to close at N10.50 per share.

NEM Insurance trailed with 9.50 per cent to close at N1.96, while Sovereign Trust Insurance rose by 9.09 per cent to close at 24k per share.

Japaul Gold and Ventures went up by 8.82 per cent to close at 74k, while Livestock Feeds appreciated by 8.63 per cent to close at N1.51 per share.

However, the total volume of shares traded rose by 119.73 per cent as investors bought and sold 465.67 million shares worth N5.118 billion exchanged in 7,573 deals.

This was in contrast with a turnover of 211.93 million shares valued at N1.41 billion transacted in 3,438 deals on Monday.

Transactions in the shares of Transcorp topped the activity chart with 69.16 million shares worth N64.82 million.

Zenith Bank followed with 31.71 million shares valued at N788.33 million, while FCMB Group traded 26.594 million shares worth N80.21 million.

Japaul Gold and Ventures traded 26.04 million shares valued at N19.27 million, while Access Bank transacted 24.53 million shares worth N214.57 million. (NAN)

Foreign

NGO says 602 journalists died of COVID-19 in 2020

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No fewer than 602 journalists in 59 countries died of the novel coronavirus in 2020, the Geneva-based Press Emblem Campaign, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said on Tuesday.

“More than 600 journalists died of COVID-19 pandemic in 59 countries in 10 months in 2020, that is to say 60 per month, or two per day on the average,” the NGO said in a statement.

According to the statistics, Peru recorded the largest number of such deaths – 93.

The next on the list are: Brazil (55), India (53), Mexico (45), Ecuador (42), Bangladesh (41), Italy (37), the U.S. (31), Pakistan (22), Turkey (17) and the United Kingdom (13).

In Russia, eight journalists had died from COVID-19 pandemic.

The NGO noted that the actual number of victims in the global journalistic community is “certainly higher,” as the cause of deaths is sometimes not revealed publicly. (Sputnik/NAN)

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