Coronavirus: Lagos, Ogun identify 100 people who had contact with patient (Punch)
In furtherance to the placing of the patient of the Coronavirus disease, a 44-year-old Italian, in a quarantine centre, Lagos and Ogun state governments have identified at least 100 persons who had contact with the index case of the disease in the country.
Subsequently, the contacts are being followed up as a precautionary measure against the spread of the virus in the states and the country at large.
Nigeria had been spared of the coronavirus outbreak, which was first recorded in Wuhan, China, until it was detected on Thursday on an Italian businessman aboard a Turkish Airlines flight arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from Milan, Italy, having transited through Istanbul, Turkey.
The victim arrived in Lagos on Monday night and was said to have spent the night in a hotel around the airport area before leaving for business in Ogun State on Tuesday morning. Read more
FG reopens Kara bridge today (Nation)
The 600 metre portion of the Lagos/ lbadan expressway between Berger and Kara will be opened to the public on Sunday.
Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Adedamola Kuti, stated this on Saturday while inspecting the completed portion of the rehabilitated and reconstructed four-lane portion of the expressway.
He said the road from the Berger end will join the Ogun River at Kara bus stop to ease traffic on the expressway.
He further said that the Magboro end will be opened by the first week of March while the Mowe end will be ready by April to complete 32 kilometers out of the 43 kilometers road on the axis where construction is currently ongoing. Read more
19-year-old impersonates American pilot, defrauds woman of N27m (Punch)
A 19-year-old secondary school leaver, Chigemezu Arikibe, has been tracked down by the police after using fake social media accounts to swindle a Cambodian woman to the tune of $75,000 (N27m at N360 to 1$).
To woo his victim identified simply as Sophanmia, Arikibe reportedly paraded himself on Facebook and Instagram as an American pilot working for a British airline.
City Round gathered that after establishing a relationship with the woman, Arikibe offered to send her expensive gift items and $500,000, for investment in real estate business in Cambodia.
The suspect reportedly told Sophanmia that he would send the parcel to her through a courier in Indonesia and asked her to send $800 for the service. Read more
Insecurity: Archbishop Martins urges Christians to a non-violent war (Vanguard)
Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins has urged Christians in Nigeria to take advantage of the Lentern period to intensify a Holy war against current unbridled spate of killings, shameful insecurity techniques at all levels and a sheer lack of respect for our common humanity.
In a statement titled: “War of non-violence”, Archbishop Martins said: “In the midst of these threatening and highly inflammable times, Christians must stand to ‘wage war’ against these menaces that give us a horrific stare, with all the weapons of Christian moral values and a surprising attitude of non-violence to a violent society.
“Our war isn’t that of bloodshed, vengeance, anger, hatred but the conquering of evil and its perpetrators with the light of truth and the balance between faith and reason that exalts humanity as the centre of every endeavor,” he maintained. Read more
Hotel attendant stabs guest to death over N1,200 (Punch)
An attendant at a makeshift inn in Whitesand, Ijora-Badia area of Lagos State, Emmanuel Ben, has been taken to police custody for alleged murder of a customer identified only as White London.
Ben reportedly stabbed the 25-year-old man with a knife during an argument over N1, 200.
City Round learnt that White London had gone to the inn around 11am on February 8 with his lover to have fun and was charged N1,200 for a room.
He reportedly agreed and promised to settle the bill when he returned from the room with the lover. Read more
Woman says Abuja hotel cancels her reservation because she is married to Italian (Guardian)
A Nigerian woman’s four-night hotel reservation was cancelled by an Abuja hotel due to “global threat corona virus”.
Nigeria recorded its first case of coronavirus on Thursday after an Italian, who worked with a Lafarge Africa vendor, tested positive to the virus in Lagos.
Mitchelle Iannone said the Italian testing positive to the virus was the reason her reservation was cancelled by Casalinda Hotel and Gallery Resort.
The reservation was done by her husband Fabio through Bookings.com and a total of $308.33 was paid. A confirmation email was sent to Mitchelle on February 26 acknowledging the receipt of the payment and the duration of the reservation. Read more
Abuja’s disabled defying odds through entrepreneurship (DailyTrust)
While some people grumble about work challenges, some physically challenged persons have made giant strides to live beyond their disability, do business, and record achievements, even more than the able-bodied. Daily Trust on Sunday came across some physically challenged persons who are on top of their game. Umar Ali, a 45-year-old trader, started business in 1994 with a bag of onions. Despite his physical challenge, Umar, who didn’t see street begging as an option, rose against all odds to make a living from his trade. He has also been able to sponsor himself through school, got married and have two children, who are currently in school. He said business started for him when he requested for a bag of onion from a merchant in Wuse Market Abuja.“A bag of onions cost N6000, so I took it on credit. I sold it and returned the money to the merchant. I continued like that until I made enough profit that enabled me expand my business to include selling tomatoes and pepper.” Read more
Ugwuanyi donates N10m to widows of fallen soldiers (Guardian)
Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Saturday, donated N10 million to some widows of fallen soldiers to improve their petty businesses and welfare.
Ugwuanyi made the donation at the 82 Division 2019 West African Social Activities (WASA) held at the division’s Parade Ground, Abakpa Military Cantonment Enugu.
The governor also reiterated the commitment of the state government in supporting the Nigerian Army and ensuring that the army achieved its constitutional mandate.
“WASA provides avenue for officers, soldiers, their families, friends and well-wishers to come together, relax and enjoy the rich culture and heritage of the country. Read more
Harry Garba dies at 61 (Nation)
One of Nigeria’s leading literary scholars, Prof Harry Garba died at the weekend in South Africa.
Prof Garba until his demise was a scholar at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. A statement by the university last night said, “UCT is greatly saddened to announce that Professor Harry Garuba (61) passed away on the evening of 28 February 2020 following a long illness. The university conveys heartfelt condolences to the Garuba family and friends.”
He was a lecturer at the University of Ibadan before moving to South Africa. His first collection of poems, ”Shadow & Dream and Other Poems”, was published by New Horn Press, when he was 24. His second collection of poems, “Animist Chants and Memorials” was published in 2017 by Kraft Books Limited. Read more
Luxembourg becomes first country with free public transport (Guardian)
Luxembourg on Saturday became the first country in the world to offer free public transport, as the small and wealthy EU country tries to help less-well-off workers and reduce road traffic.
Some cities elsewhere have already taken similar, partial measures. But the transport ministry said it was the first time such a decision covered an entire country.
The free transport, flagged as “an important social measure”, affects approximately 40 percent of households and is estimated to save each one around 100 euros ($110) per year.
Not all passengers were aware of the change, which was brought forward one day ahead of schedule. Read more
Margaret Thatcher: Former PM named outfits after Gorbachev and Reagan (BBC)
Margaret Thatcher named some of her outfits after other world leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan, newly released documents show.
A 1990 diary entry records she wore her “Pink Chanel Gorbachev” suit during a visit to the set of Coronation Street.
Records reveal the Conservative prime minister also named several outfits after BBC broadcaster Terry Wogan.
Other papers show Mrs Thatcher was warned over a 1990 newspaper article on Europe written by Boris Johnson. Read more
Premature baby gorilla weighing just 1kg rejected by mother (Metro)
A baby gorilla who was rejected by her mother after being born prematurely is now ‘fighting fit’ after being hand-reared. Yaounde weighed just 1.04kg when she was born in Kent’s Howletts Wild Animals Park in June last year. Keepers had to step in when they witnessed the mother’s neglect of her infant, which may have been linked to her condition after being born six weeks early. Rejected gorilla babies have been known to bond to other adult females from the same species, but in Yaounde’s case the staff have become the surrogates. According to the centre, she is attached 24/7 to her ‘foster parents’ who have helped her grow to a weight of 5.19k. Read more
Trump says not to panic after first coronavirus death on US soil (Guardian)
President Donald Trump said Saturday that despite the first death on US soil from the new coronavirus, the threat to Americans remained low and there was no reason for “panic.”
Trump confirmed that the first fatality, announced by officials in Washington state, was a woman in her late 50s. She lived in King county, which includes Seattle, local officials said.
“Additional cases in the United States are likely,” Trump told a White House news conference, adding that “healthy individuals should be able to fully recover.” Read more
Pope cancels third day of events in coronavirus-hit Italy (Metro)
Pope Francis has cancelled official engagements for the third day in a row as he battles an apparent cold. The 83-year-old, who lost part of a lung to a respiratory illness as a young man, has never cancelled so many official audiences or events in his seven-year papacy. He is continuing to work from his residence at the Casa Santa Marta guesthouse and is receiving people in private, the Vatican press office said. On Saturday, those private meetings were with the head of the Vatican’s bishops’ office, Francis’s ambassadors to Lebanon and France and a Ukrainian archbishop. Read more
South Carolina primary: Joe Biden on course for large win (BBC)
Former US vice-president Joe Biden has been handed a huge boost in the race to challenge Donald Trump in November’s election.
He is set for a large victory in South Carolina’s primary, where voters have been picking who they want to be the Democratic nominee for the election.
Left-winger Bernie Sanders, who is second in South Carolina, is likely to remain in the lead overall.
Another 14 states vote on Super Tuesday this week. Read more
Katy Perry says she and Taylor Swift ‘don’t have a close relationship’ despite ending feud (Metro)
Katy Perry has opened up about her friendship with Taylor Swift, admitting the pair don’t have a ‘close relationship’ as they are both busy. The pair ended their feud last year, after falling out when Taylor accused Katy of ‘stealing’ her tour dancers for her own tour. The bad blood lasted around six years before they called it quits, and Katy opened up about where things stand now. She told Stellar: ‘Well, we don’t have a very close relationship because we are very busy, but we text a lot. ‘I was impressed by her documentary [Miss Americana] because I saw some self-awareness starting to happen and I saw a lot of vulnerability. Read more
Berlin International Film Festival: Iranian film about executions wins top prize (BBC)
A film by an Iranian director about capital punishment has won the top prize at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Mohammad Rasoulof was banned from directing in 2017 and produced There Is No Evil, his sixth film, in secret.
He is unable to travel outside Iran due to charges relating to his earlier films.
Mr Rasoulof’s daughter Baran, who also stars in the film, received the Golden Bear on his behalf. Read more
PSG ease past Dijon without banned Neymar (Guardian)
Kylian Mbappe scored twice and grabbed an assist as runaway Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain coasted to a 4-0 win over Dijon on Saturday despite the absence of the suspended Neymar.
Pablo Sarabia struck the opener inside three minutes at the Parc des Princes, as PSG played without Neymar who was serving a one-match ban after his red card in last week’s win over Bordeaux.
Dijon, who beat PSG 2-1 at home in November, are hovering just above the relegation play-off place but held out for 70 minutes before PSG added a second through Mbappe.
The France international then set up Mauro Icardi for a third goal just moments after the Argentine came on as a replacement for Edinson Cavani. Read more
Frank Lampard provides worrying Tammy Abraham injury update (Metro)
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard revealed striker Tammy Abraham has flown to Barcelona to see a specialist for advice on his ankle injury. The 22-year-old was absent for the Blues’ 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth on Saturday, with Frenchman Olivier Giroud filling in upfront. When asked about Abraham’s omission from the squad, Lampard said: ‘He went to Barcelona, to have a look at his ankle for some more advice on it. I’ve got no update for you. Lampard was not happy with his forwards after the Bournemouth game (Picture: Getty Images) ‘I’m hoping it’s not a long-term injury but I can’t tell you if he’ll be ready for Tuesday or Saturday.’ TOP ARTICLES 1/5 Mikel Arteta confirms Pablo Mari debut and names three other players ‘ready’ for Portsmouth. Read more
Ighalo set to start against Toffees (Punch)
Odion Ighalo is set to be handed his second straight start, and 95th EPL appearance by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Manchester United Premier League clash against Everton following injury to striker Anthony Martial.
Ighalo justified his first start on Thursday when he netted his first goal for the club in their 5-0 thrashing of Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa League round of 32-second leg clash at Old Trafford.
Martial is United’s top-choice striker, but he failed to train on Saturday and so he is a serious doubt for the clash at Goodison Park. Read more
Liverpool’s unbeaten Premier League run ended by Watford (Guardian)
Liverpool’s 44-game run without defeat in the Premier League came to a crashing end as relegation-threatened Watford thrashed the European champions 3-0 on Saturday.
Ismaila Sarr’s double and Troy Deeney’s strike 18 minutes from time ended Liverpool’s hopes of romping to a first league title in 30 years with an unbeaten season as they lost in the league for the first time since January 2019.
Jurgen Klopp’s men still enjoy a 22-point lead at the top of the table, but their sluggish return from a two-week winter break earlier this month was finally punished.
After single-goal victories over struggling Norwich and West Ham either side of a Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid, Liverpool were comprehensively beaten at Vicarage Road. Read more
Arsenal send class message to Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s side FINALLY lose (Metro)
It has been a pretty miserable week for Arsenal after Mikel Arteta’s side crashed out of the Europa League in humiliating circumstances, but it ended on a high after Liverpool finally lost a Premier League match for the first time this season. Jurgen Klopp’s relentless winning machine had been threatening to match Arsene Wenger’s 2003/04 Invincibles, but came unstuck in spectacular fashion at Vicarage Road at the 28th hurdle. Watford’s record signing Ismaila Sarr scored twice within the first 15 minutes of the second half and Troy Deeney made the game safe with a cool finish in the 72nd. Read more
Osimhen is thirsty for goals – Galtier (Punch)
Lille manager Christophe Galtier says Victor Osimhen is keen to maintain his goal scoring form for the club this season.
Osimhen is Lille’s top scorer this season with 18 goals this season in all competitions since he arrived from Belgian outfit, Sporting Charleroi, at the beginning of the campaign.
“Victor Osimhen brings the youthful exuberance and ambition,” Galtier told a news conference ahead of Sunday’s away clash against Nantes.
“We know his career. He works a lot. He is full of energy, of enthusiasm.
“He wants to make a big end to the season, he is thirsty for goals.” Read more
CAF Confed Cup: N’Diaye targets Enyimba scalp (Punch)
Coach of Guinean club, Horoya AC, Lamine N’Diaye, has said that his team would approach two-time CAF champions league winner, Enyimba, with all seriousness when both side face off in the quarter final game of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Enyimba International Stadium, Aba, on Sunday (today).
Speaking during the press briefing on Saturday, N’Diaye, whose side were gone unbeaten in the group stage, said he was aware of the threat that the Nigeria club possess, but he would come into the game with a different approach if they want to stand a chance of getting to the next round.
He said, “I am very happy to be here to play against Enyimba because they are a big team. They are champions of the CAF Champions League and they will always remain a champion and they didn’t get to the quarter final of this year CAF Confederation Cup by chance. But they got there because they play good football.
“The group stage is in the past. Though we didn’t lose any game in the group stages but that’s in that past because in the knockout stages, once you get beaten you are out of the competition. Read more