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COVID-19: Emmanuel Adebayor Defends Refusal To Make Donations Former Arsenal star, Emmanuel Adebayor, has defended his refusal to donate to his country, Togo, in the fight against COVID-19.  Some fans had called on Adebayor, 36, who plays for Olimpia in Paraguay to make donations to help in the battle against the pandemic. Earlier this month, former Chelsea forward Didier  Drogba offered his hospital  in his native Ivory Coast to the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. READ ALSO :  Ahmed Musa Denies Being Infected With COVID-19 In Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o gave out soaps, food,  sanitisers and protective equipment. Adebayor, however, said he is not moved to make donations due to the actions of others. In a live video on his official Facebook page on Thursday, the former Real Madrid man said he did not bring the virus to Togo. “I always do things according to the wishes of my heart and not according to the words of others,” he said. “I’m sor...

I never thought Kyari’s case’ll come to a tragic end-IBB By Ibrahim HassanWuyo Former Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has said that he prayed for late Abba  Kyari to recover from  COVID-19 and never envisaged his case would come to  tragic end. He said in a statement on Sunday, that the erstwhile chief of Staff of President Buhari was an exemplary student in Ivy League universities, whose dedication in office was excellent. In the statement he personally sighed, Babangida said ” I woke up this morning to receive the sad news that Mallam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammad Buhari is dead due to COVID-19 complications.”  READ ALSO: Social distancing compulsory at burial of COVID-19 death — LASG “I knew that from the last statement he made and released to the media that he was attacked by coronavirus and is advised to seek appropriate medical attention. I never imagined or thought it would come to this tragic end. ...

Aisha Buhari condoles with Abba Kyari’s family The first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, on Saturday condoled with the family of the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, who died on Friday. Aisha Buhari who released a statement via her Twitter account said; “(From God Almighty we came and to him we shall return) I condole with Mrs. Kulu Abba Kyari and the entire family of Late Malam Abba Kyari over the death of their husband and father. “I pray that Allah (SWT) will forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannatul Firdausi and give the family the fortitude and patience to bear the loss, Ameen. While wishing all those infected a speedy recovery and I pray for an end to COVID-19 Pandemic.” ALSO READ: How presidential aides announced death of Abba Kyari Kyari’s death was announced by media aides to President Muhammadu Buhari early morning of Saturday.  Announcing the death, Garba Shehu, the Official Spokesperson (SSA, Media & Publicity) to the President of ...

Umahi orders arrest of journalist over Lassa fever story By Dennis Agbo Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, on Saturday, ordered the police to detain indefinitely THE SUN Correspondent in the state, Mr Chijioke Agwu, after the Governor reportedly arrested and detained him in the state Government House. Vanguard gathered that Agwu’s travail is connected to a Lassa Fever disease story he recently authored and which the epidemic has continued to ravage the state, but the statistics grossly underreported. ALSO READ: Don’t use COVID-19 relief materials for political patronage – Prof Olurode The reporter was said to have attended a press conference at the Government House where he was whisked away by the Chief Security Officer, at the instance of the Governor.  SUN’s Head of South East Bureau, Magnus Eze, who confirmed the story said he informed that Ebonyi Governor Umahi ordered the arrest and prosecution of The Sun Newspapers state correspondent, Chijioke Agwu, while he att...

FBN Holdings notifies NSE of plans to divest from FBN Insurance First Bank Nigeria, FBN Holdings Plc has formally notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) of on-going discussions with its partner Sanlam Emerging Markets (“Sanlam”) the owners of 35 percent equity in FBN Insurance Limited (FBNI)regarding the proposed sale of the Company’s 65 percent equity in FBN Insurance Limited. According to information gathered in a notice sent  to the Exchange and signed by the Company Secretary Seye Kosoko,FBNH stated that “the move is in line with the “Group’s strategic objectives” adding that they are currently engaging the regulators for the necessary approvals.  FBN Holdings however assured the Exchange that further announcement will be made if the transaction is concluded. The proposed divestment is said to be a strategic business decision for FBNH. When completed, the transaction will involve the transfer of FBN Holdings’ 65 percent stake in FBN Insurance Limited to Sanlam.” ...

Covid-19: Obligation of obedience to constituted authorities in Islam By Imam Murtadha Gusau All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all creation. May Allah extol the mention of the Prophet in the highest company of Angels and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow him exactly till the Day of Judgement. Dear brothers and sisters, as you all known, the coronavirus spread from a town in China to various parts of the world and has proved to be a global disaster. It has rapidly killed thousands and affected millions of people worldwide, not just the poor and weak, but also the rich and powerful. This shows how lethal and penetrative this virus is.  The recent predictions are ominous suggesting that as many as 240,000 Americans could die. Because the United States did not impose restrictions early on, the coronavirus spread there rapidly, especially in Seattle and New York. While Asian countries like China and South Korea ...

TIDI commends residents for compliance, set to distribute food items BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME Chairman Warri south local government area, Dr Michael Tidi   has lauded people of the local government for their compliance to the sit at home order of the state government, saying  governor Ifeanyi Okowa had graciously sent food items to  vulnerable, aged and indigents in various communities in the local government. Tidi who took delivery of the items in two trailer loads said  the member representing Warri Federal constituency, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Senator representing Delta south, Senator James Manager also sent in cash sums to acquire more food items to add to what the state government sent.  The council boss said some of the items sent by the state government included bags of beans, rice , noddle , adding that they would get to the targeted persons in the various communities. READ ALSO: 300,000 people may die of COVID-19 in Africa – UNECA “ We took delive...

Four killed in Edo cult war, two by suspected herdsmen By Ozioruva Aliu – Benin City Not less than six persons have been reportedly killed in some parts of Edo state by suspected armed herdsmen and cult related fight over supremacy. Two farmers in Odighi, Ovia North East local government area were allegedly killed by suspected herdsmen on their ways to their farms. An eyewitness, Hilary Omoregie, disclosed yesterday that “I am from Odigutue, a neighbouring community to Odighi and I was going to my village this when I saw people gathered around two dead bodies. It was gathered that the farmers were going to their farms when they were ambushed and shot by suspected herdsmen.  The two bodies were later evacuated by police officials from Ekiadolor Police Division. ALSO READ: Ogun police arrest 150 suspected cultists over Ifo/Ota crisis Meanwhile, four persons have been killed since Easter Sunday as a result of continued clash between members of Eiye and Black Axe confraterni...

FG terminates contracts over cash transfer delays in Bayelsa,3 others ABUJA-THE Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, has directed the immediate termination of the contract of two Payment Service Providers (PSPs) for their total failure to meet the contractual agreement to commence Conditional Cash Transfer to beneficiaries in four states of the federation assigned to the two PSPs. The affected states are Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom in the South-South; Abia in the South East and Zamfara, in the North West. The immediate termination of the contract would be with the guidance of the World Bank, and a new procurement process launched using World Bank procurement guidelines to ensure that payments commence in the affected states on or before April 28, 2020.  READ ALSO:Come and I will increase your heavy burden The minister, according to a statement, Tuesday, her Special Adviser on Media,Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, said the federa...

Police Special Tactical Squad bust notorious car stealing syndicate By Kingsley Omonobi – Abuja. The Nigeria Police Special Tactical Squad (STS) has smashed a two-man car stealing gang led by one Bashir Isiaku, aged 34, notorious for stealing cars from the car park of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The arrest of Bashir, a graduate of one of the Federal Polytechnics, came after painstaking efforts and investigations by operatives of the STS to hunt down the criminals. Bashir and his accomplice, Aminu Yakubu specialized in using customized master key, crafted out of screwdriver to open and start vehicles.  A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba said, “Police investigations show that their choices of cars are ones without special security features such as pedal or steering locks. “A total of twenty-one (21) vehicles have so far been recovered from the hoodlums and their criminal receivers. “The following criminal receivers have also been arres...

Coronavirus not yet contained in Germany — Robert Koch institute A lower number of new coronavirus cases in Germany in recent days is likely due to less testing over Easter and the outbreak is not yet contained, the head of the Robert Koch health institute said on Tuesday. Germany’s number of confirmed coronavirus infections has risen by 2,082 to 125,098, data from the Robert Koch Institute showed earlier on Tuesday, marking the fourth daily decline in the number of new cases. Reported deaths rose by 170 to 2,969. The death rate is far lower than among other countries most affected, but the German authorities remain wary of lifting restrictions on public life. “We can’t speak of containment yet – we still have high numbers each day.  We are seeing a slowdown,” Robert Koch Institute President Lothar Wieler told a regular news conference. READ ALSO: Germany to tighten up on foreign take-over of strategic companies Urging Germans to wait and remain disciplined with social d...

BREAKING: EU gives Nigeria grant of 50 million Euro to fight Covid-19 The European Union has given Nigeria a grant of €50 million to fight COVID-19. The grant was announced by the Head of EU delegation in Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, at a meeting with President Buhari in Abuja. The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also confirmed this in a tweet on Tuesday. READ ALSO: COVID-19: Full text of President Muhammadu Buhari’s address Adesina said “EU gives Nigeria a grant of 50 million Euro to fight Covid-19. Head of EU delegation, Amb Ketil Karlsen, at the event commended President Buhari for “your powerful address to the nation last night,” and for “the bold and necessary measures you’ve taken.”

Air Peace Airline crews not quarantined on our campus ― UNILAG By Adesina Wahab The management of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, has refuted a news report that the crew members of Air Peace Airlines that recently brought some Chinese doctors to the country were quarantined in one of the hostels in the institution. In a statement made available to our correspondent in Lagos on Tuesday, the institution said no such thing happened. The statement was signed by a Principal Assistant Registrar, Mrs Taiwo Oloyede.  ALSO READ: Air Peace denies its Beijing flight crew absconded from quarantine facility “The University of Lagos (UNILAG) Management wishes to inform members of the University community and the general public that contrary to the publication entitled, “Chinese doctors’ flight: How three airline crew members ‘disappeared’ from Lagos quarantine centre” by a traditional medium (not Vanguard), dated Sunday, April 12, 2020, the airline crew members that conveyed the Chinese d...

Four hospitalised as LAWMA truck drives against traffic in Lagos By Bose Adelaja Four people were reportedly hospitalised, weekend, in Lagos, after a truck belonging to Lagos State Waste Management Agency LAWMA, drove against traffic and had a head-on collision with a pickup van. The incident occurred at Ile Zik inward Oshodi in the wee hours but no life was lost. The charcoal-laden pick up van with an unknown number plate was said to have journeyed from Oshodi while the LAWMA truck was driving against traffic from Ile Zik, when the Pickup van rammed into the Compactor truck and four people, including the driver of the pickup van was said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH for treatment.  READ ALSO: COVID-19 lockdown: Armed robbers, miscreants on rampage in Lagos suburb Confirming the incident, the Director General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said th...

Boris Johnson discharged from hospital after coronavirus battle Boris Johnson was discharged from hospital today a coronavirus battle that took him to ‘death’s door’. Downing Street confirmed this afternoon that he had been released from St Thomas’s Hospital in central London, after being admitted last Sunday. His time in the care of the NHS included three nights in intensive care receiving oxygen treatment at a tense nation waited for news of his condition. Mr Johnson, 55, will now head to his official country residence of Chequers in Buckinghamshire to rest, with a spokesman saying that ‘on the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work’.  As his release was revealed, his pregnant fiancee Carrie Symonds, 32, tweeted her praise for staff at St Thomas’s, adding: ‘There were times last week that were very dark indeed. ‘My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones. ‘I cannot thank our magnificent NHS...

I forgive those who lied against me – Soludo By Vincent Ujumadu Awka – FORMER governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Professor Charles Soludo says he has forgiven those who lied against him in the last few days, apparently referring to the negative comments concerning the multimillion hospital project which he is executing in his home town, Isuofia, Aguata local government area of Anambra State in memory of his late mother. An aide to one of the governorship aspirants for the 2021 election in Anambra State had alleged that Soludo received N2 billion from donors without executing the project.  READ ALSO: Anambra 2021: We’re yet to hear from Soludo — APGA It was, however, gathered that although many people, including politicians, made pledges towards building the hospital, 98 percent of the pledges were not redeemed. Despite that, some structures had been built at the site of the hospital, including the diagnostic center and the doctors’ quarters. In his Easter message t...

Carveton pilots: You endanger lives with reckless media falsehood, Rivers Govt tells FG …As C’Mitee accuses FG of placing economic benefits above lives in N’Delta By Egufe Yafugborhi RIVERS State Government has accused Federal Government (FG) of “reckless politicization” of the fight against Corona Virus over perceived media falsehood by the Ministry of Aviation in the arrest and detention of two pilots and 10 passengers of Carveton Helicopters in Port Harcourt.  Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim who echoed the accusation in Port Harcourt Saturday said the Aviation ministry alleged sponsorship of media campaigns against Rivers poses threat to lives of over 6million Rivers populace. Also read: Defunct PHCN pensioners protest over unpaid benefits Nsirim said, “Contrary to the view by the Minister of Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika, the two pilots of Carveton Helicopters 10passengers were not arrested because they operated a permit gra...

Nigeria Records 14 New COVID-19 Cases, Total Infections Now 288 The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 14 new cases of coronavirus in the country. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections recorded in the country so far to 288. The NCDC confirmed the latest figure – which rose from 276 – in a tweet on Thursday evening.   READ ALSO :  Bauchi Governor Bala Mohammed Recovers, Tests Negative For COVID-19 Of the 14 cases, 13 were confirmed in Lagos while Delta recorded a new case – bringing the total confirmed case in the south-south state to two. With the new confirmed cases, Lagos which has been described as the epicentre of COVID-19 in Nigeria now has 158 infections. The figure in Lagos is almost three times the number of infections in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has 54 cases of coronavirus. Others states where COVID-19 cases have been confirmed are Osun – 20, Edo – 12, Oyo – 11, Bauchi – six, Akwa Ibom – fi...

Naira Marley To Make Free Audio-Visual In Campaign Against COVID-19 Popular artiste, Afeez Fashola also known as Naira Marley has given an undertaking that he will join the Lagos State government’s campaign against the spread of COVID-19 by making a free audio-visual publication. He made the undertaking in a letter dated April 9, and addressed to the Governor of the State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The letter of undertaking was tendered at the Magistrate court today as part of the conditions for the government to withdraw a charge of breaching the social distancing directive made against him. Chief Magistrate Yewande Aje-Afunwa subsequently approved the withdrawal of the charge against the musician. READ ALSO:  Lockdown: Gbadamosi, Naira Marley Tender Apology To Lagos Govt She also approved the withdrawal of the charge against Marley’s co-defendants Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Babatunde Gbadamosi and his wife, Folasade. On Wednesday, the 8th of April, Magist...

South Africa Extends Coronavirus Lockdown South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday prolonged by a further 14 days a national lockdown aimed at stemming coronavirus, saying the struggle was “far from over” as infections rose to 1,934. “After careful consideration of the available evidence, the national coronavirus command council has decided to extend the nationwide lockdown by a further two weeks beyond the initial 21 days,” Ramaphosa announced in a televised address. The president added that while it was too early to make a “definitive analysis” of the pandemic in South Africa, there was evidence to suggest the measures had been effective. “In the two weeks before the lockdown, the average daily increase in new cases was around 42 percent,” Ramaphosa said. “Since the start of the lockdown, the average daily increase has been around four percent.” But he warned against complacency and said it was not the time to “relax”. South Africa is the worst-affected co...