The Federal Government has assured that Nigeria's financial sector will continue to offer skeletal services during the lockdown. The assurance was coneyed in a joint statement by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The statement said exemptions have been obtained from President Muhamamdu Buhari to allow very skeletal operations in the financial system and money markets.

It adds that all relevant staff of affected outfits and agencies should look out for further instructions from their immediate bosses.

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Nigerian senators have agreed to contribute 50 percent of their salaries in efforts to curb the spread and treatment of coronavirus in the country. The Senate Committee Vice Chairman on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Godiya Akwashiki, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Senator Akwashiki said the monthly contribution from the Upper Legislative Chamber will be sustained until Nigeria is declared safe from effects of the deadly disease.

The lawmaker said the Senate is willing and ready to do whatever is required of the Legislature for the effectiveness of the measures presently in place, or that may be required in the future to win the fight against COVID-19. He commended all agencies of the Federal and State governments for working in collaboration to protect public health across the country.

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The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it expects the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country to keep rising.

NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who stated this on Monday , was hopeful that Nigeria would be able to manage the situation and reverse the trend.

He said the country has crossed the hundred mark and the reality is that there is a virus circulating in our midst and that is why Mr. President came up yesterday to speak to Nigerians.

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Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies have pledged to inject over 5 trillion dollars into the global economy to limit job and income losses from the coronavirus pandemic.

The G-20, in a statement, says it is committed to do whatever it takes to overcome the pandemic. The statement was contained in the most conciliatory G20 language on trade in years. It pledged to ensure the flow of vital medical supplies and other goods across borders and to resolve supply chain disruptions.

It however stopped short of calling for an end to export bans that many countries have enacted on medical supplies.

The G20 leaders also expressed concern about the risks to fragile countries, notably in Africa, and populations like refugees. They also acknowledged the need to bolster global financial safety nets and national health systems.

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Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call on Friday that he would have China’s support in fighting the coronavirus, as the United States faces the prospect of becoming the next global epicentre of the pandemic.

Xi’s offer of assistance came amid a long-running war of words between Beijing and Washington over various issues including the coronavirus epidemic

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The United States now has more confirmed cases of coronavirus than any other country, with more than 85,500 positive tests. According to the latest figures collated by Johns Hopkins University, the US has overtaken China and Italy.

However, the US has almost 1,300 Covid-19-related fatalities, lagging behind China which recorded 3,291 and Italy's 8,215.

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Still in Asia, Toyota Motor Corporation has sought a credit line totaling 1 trillion yen, or about 9.23 billion dollars, from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and MUFG Bank. The credit line is to raise funds on the back of the coronavirus pandemic.

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In Asia, shares have continued a global stock market rally on hopes global authorities will do more to combat the impact of the coronavirus.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 1.6%, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong was up by 1.6% and China's Shanghai Composite rose 1%.

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European shares tumbled in early trading on Friday after a stunning three-day rally. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 1.8 percent in early trade, but still on course for one of its best weeks since the global financial crisis.

The benchmark index has recovered almost 17 percent since hitting a low on March 16. However, it remains more than 26 percent below its all-time high last month.

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UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Prime Minister made the announcement in a tweet, over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. Johnson said he is self-isolating and working from home. He said thanks to “the wizardry of modern technology” he will continue to lead the national fightback against the virus.

He thanked the NHS and everybody working to keep the country going through the pandemic and re-emphasised that staying at home is crucial to curbing the spread of the virus.

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