COVID-19: Sanwo-Olu deploys disinfectant equipment to fumigate Lagos (DailyTrust)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has disclosed that the state is deploying disinfectant equipment to fumigate the entire state with a view to keeping the environment safe and curtailing the COVID-19 contagion. Sanwo-Olu, on his official twitter handle, @babajidesanwoolu, tweeted that the fumigation machines would be deployed to every part of the metropolis for sterilization of public spaces and surfaces. “We are very aggressive in our efforts to combat the novel coronavirus in the state. We all have to take responsibility and do our part in ensuring we remain safe and healthy,” he said. The governor stressed the need to adhere strictly to all the directives being issued by the health authorities, including social distancing, obedience of the simple rules of hygiene, covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing, no handshakes and touching of noses or faces, regular hand washing with soap and water, and regular use of hand sanitizers. Read more
Lagos State sets up temporary food markets in school (Guardian)
Sequel to the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, that some school grounds be used as temporary markets as part of measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Ministry of Agriculture has set up sites for food and agricultural produce in selected schools across Local Governments in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal disclosed this development, noting that the markets were set up to provide Lagosians access to food supplies during this restriction period in order to prevent panic buying after the directive that all markets and stores trading in non-essential commodities be closed.
Lawal outlined the Local Governments where the food and agricultural markets would be set up as: Mushin, Alimosho, Surulere, Ikeja, Apapa, Lagos Mainland, Eti-Osa, Surulere and Ifako-Ijaiye Local Governments. Read more
Land dispute: Suspects arrested over death of 2 persons (DailyTrust)
Two persons, whose names the police in Lagos would not disclose yet, are being detained at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCIID), Yaba, over the murder of two persons in a land dispute between two families in Amuwo-Odofin and Isheri Oshun communities in the state. The slain men, Oluwoyo Debo and Daniel Chibuzor, were hacked to death penultimate Friday by some thugs allegedly contracted by some unknown persons during a peace meeting said to have been called to settle the dispute. It was gathered that five other persons sustained injuries during the meeting. SCIID detectives were understood to have begun a manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang of hoodlums that invaded the venue of the meeting. Read more
Buhari approves N10 billion to Lagos to tackle coronavirus (Guardian)
Nigerian President Muhammdu Buhari has approved the immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State.
Buhari said the grant will enable the state to increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity-building.
Nigeria, as at 9:20 pm on Thursday has 65 confirmed cases of coronavirus, 44 of which were recorded in Lagos. Read more
Religious leaders agree on Zero gathering in Lagos, Benue (Nation)
Religious leaders of key and large gatherings in Lagos State yesterday agreed to put on hold all religious gathering regardless of the numbers of congregants pending further directive from the State Government.
The Christian leaders under the auspices of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN comprise of the Anglican Communion, Methodist, House on the Rock Church, African Church of Nigeria among others, met with the leadership of State Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday, to review the earlier restriction order on social gathering.
Addressing the representatives of CAN at the brief meeting held at Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofi Elegushi, was convened to intimate the spiritual fathers of the latest development regarding the new numbers of persons allowed to gather at any point in time, saying that the state government had further reduced the number from 50 persons to 25 persons. Read more
Coronavirus: All suspected cases in Nigeria tested negative – NCDC (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday confirmed that all the 31 suspected cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria tested were negative. “This means Nigeria is free of Coronavirus,” the Director, Emergency Preparedness and Response, NCDC, Dr John Oladejo said. He disclosed this in Sokoto at a symposium on “The emerging and re-emerging Viral Infections: The story of Lassa fever and COVID-19,” organised by the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. He assured that the NCDC has the necessary devices to detect the disease adding that screening has been strengthened at points of entry while in-country surveillance has been enhanced through state epidemiologists. Read more
Eight in court for chasing cows to death (Punch)
Eight men appeared before an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ile-Ife, on Thursday, for allegedly chasing four cows until the animals fell into a deep pit and died.
The defendants, Ayodele Jide, Akinyode Timothy, Akinsanwo Najeem, Akinola Abiodun, Samuel Oladeyin, Sunday Ejembi, Fadayo Akinniyi and Adereti Temitope, pleaded not guilty to the four counts preferred against them.
The police prosecutor, Emmanuel Abdullahi, said the defendants committed the offences on March 13, 2020, in the Erefe area of Ile-Ife.
He added that the defendants ran after the cows belonging to one Adamu Suleiman with the intent of harming them and made the animals to fall into a deep pit. Read more
Ibadan residents in panic buying as markets, bank ATMs witness surge (Nation)
Bank Automated Teller Machines (ATM), open markets at Bodija, Gbagi, Agbeni and Alesinloye as well as pharmacy stores witnessed a surge of crowd across Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday, as residents embarked on stocking their homes with food and other basic items in preparation for possible total lockdown in Oyo State.
The development may have been partly fuelled by payment of March salary by the Oyo State Government yesterday. Governor Seyi Makinde has been paying salaries on 25th of every month.
When our reporter visited Bodija market at about noon yesterday, the market was fully crowded while the roads leading to it were almost locked down in traffic. Read more
Nigeria’ll overcome Covid-19 — Bakare (Vanguard)
Founderand Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has assured that Nigeria will survive the deadly Coronavirus.
Similarly, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Ekiti State, yesterday, urged its members across its 17 jurisdictional centres to abide by Governor Kayode Fayemi’s restriction of the number of congregation to 20.
Also, the Agbekoya Farmers Association, yesterday, proffered a solution to the Covid-19 virus. Read more
Israel election: Netanyahu rival Gantz ‘agrees emergency unity government’ (BBC)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main rival has reportedly agreed to join a unity government, ending a year of political deadlock.
Benny Gantz’s surprise election as speaker of parliament on Thursday paved the way for the deal.
He will stay in the role until he is named foreign minister, Israeli media report, and will then take over the premiership in September 2021.
Mr Gantz had refused to serve under Mr Netanyahu because he is facing trial.
The Israeli leader was formally charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in January. Read more
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle flee coronavirus in Canada for California (PageSix)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have fled coronavirus in Canada to set up a permanent home in California, taking a private jet to Los Angeles, a source confirmed to Page Six.
The couple, with their 10-month-old baby Archie, took a secret flight to the L.A. area, leaving their recent bolthole on Vancouver Island after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the country’s borders were closing last week.
Harry and Meghan are setting up home near Hollywood — after looking at homes in the Beverly Hills area — the UK Sun newspaper first reported. Read more
Michelle Obama describes her family’s daily routine during their coronavirus self-quarantine (CNN)
Netflix, conference calls and online college classes are part of the Obama family’s day-to-day life during their coronavirus self-quarantine, Michelle Obama told Ellen DeGeneres in a televised phone call posted on Twitter.
With their daughters Malia and Sasha home from college, the family is trying to establish a routine, the former first lady said.
“We’re just trying to structure our days,” she said. “Everyone’s here — the girls are back since colleges are online, so they’re off in their respective rooms doing their online classes. Read more
Coronavirus: South Africa begins three-week lockdown (BBC)
South African security forces have begun enforcing a three-week nationwide lockdown in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
All but essential movement is forbidden and both the army and the police are enforcing the measures.
Ahead of the midnight deadline there were long queues outside supermarkets as people stocked up on essentials.
South Africa has reported 927 coronavirus infections – the highest in Africa – but so far no deaths. Read more
Nude woman ignores coronavirus warnings to straddle ‘Charging Bull’ (NYPost)
A nude woman rides the Charging Bull at Bowling Green during a shelter in place order.
A nude woman rides FiDi’s “Charging Bull” statue during the city’s coronavirus lockdown.Taidgh Barron/New York Post
Where are her gloves?!
This blond bombshell straddled the “Charging Bull” statue in the nude Thursday — brazenly ignoring all coronavirus protection measures. Read more
Huawei launches P40 phones and new Sound X speaker at virtual event (Metro)
Huawei has revealed the next flagship smartphone in its line-up alongside the company’s first wireless speaker. The P40 phone and the Huawei Sound X were unveiled online at a virtual press conference in place of the physical event that was cancelled due to coronavirus. Like previous flagship phones from Huawei, the P40 contains top-level specs with a focus on the camera that was designed in conjunction with German camera-maker Leica. The P40 comes in three flavours: the P40 with a 6.1-inch screen, and the P40 Pro and P40 Pro+ which both have a 6,58-inch screen. Read more
Coronavirus: US overtakes China with most cases (BBC)
The US now has more confirmed cases of coronavirus than any other country with more than 83,500 positive tests.
According to the latest figures collated by Johns Hopkins University, the US has overtaken China (81,782 cases) and Italy (80,589).
But with 1,200 Covid-19-related fatalities, the US death toll lags behind China (3,291) and Italy (8,215).
The grim milestone came as President Donald Trump predicted the nation would get back to work “pretty quickly”.
How did the White House react?
Asked about the latest figures at a White House briefing on Thursday afternoon, President Trump said it was “a tribute to the amount of testing that we’re doing”. Read more
Mark Blum, actor in ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ and ‘You,’ dies of coronavirus complications (CNN)
Mark Blum, a veteran stage actor known for films including “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Crocodile Dundee,” has died due to complications from Covid-19, according to a statement released by the Screen Actors Guild.
Blum was 69.
Though he was perhaps best known for the 1985 film “Desperately Seeking Susan,” in which he starred alongside Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, he most recently appeared in supporting TV roles on the HBO series “Succession,” the Netflix drama “You” and Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle.” Read more
Football world celebrate Nigerian legend Taribo West at 46 (DailyTrust)
Inter Milan and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have sent heartfelt messages to Taribo West on his 46th birthday. The former Nigeria international is famous for his solid defensive performances and colourful hairstyles during his playing years. Taribo, now a pastor, started his European career with Auxerre in 1993, having played for Nigerian sides Obanta United, Sharks, Enugu Rangers and Julius Berger. The centre-back spent four years with Auxerre, where he won the French championship and Cup titles before leaving for Italy to team up with Inter Milan and featured in 44 league games during his two-year stay with the Black and Blues. Read more
‘I miss hugging the people I love’ – Arteta on coronavirus recovery (BBC)
People should be “emotionally more open” after the coronavirus pandemic, says Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta following his recovery.
Arteta, 38, tested positive for the virus on 12 March but has since recovered after self-isolating.
“We are in a world here where everything is social media, everything is a WhatsApp text,” the Spaniard said. Read more
US Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky says postponing Olympics was ‘certainly the right call’ (CNN)
For superstar US swimmer Katie Ledecky, a five-time Olympic gold medalist who has broken 14 world records, the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games because of the coronavirus pandemic was disappointing, “but it was certainly the right call,” she told CNN on Thursday.
“I think we all expected it, as we saw how things were going around the world, and here in the US a lot of athletes weren’t able to train, and we could see in the future that was going to be the case,” Ledecky said.
“And it doesn’t really make sense to bring everyone from around the world together in the middle of a pandemic.” Read more
US Open won’t be played in June, but will stay at Winged Foot (NYPost)
The U.S. Open at Winged Foot has become the third golf major championship domino to fall as a result of the coronavirus crisis, The Post has learned.
Sources with knowledge of the United States Golf Association’s plans told The Post on Thursday night that Winged Foot has been informed the tournament will not take place in June as scheduled. The plan is for the tournament to remain at Winged Foot, but to be played later in the summer.
The 120th U.S. Open, which was scheduled to be played June 18-21 at the Mamaroneck club, joins the Masters and PGA Championship in being delayed. The Masters, which was to be played April 9-12, has been postponed until later in the year (possibly October). The PGA, which was set for May 14-17 at Harding Park in San Francisco, also has been postponed with plans for a new date later in the summer. Read more
Coronavirus: All football below National League to end (BBC)
All football in England below the three divisions that make up the National League will end immediately and all results will be expunged.
It means there will be no promotion or relegation in these leagues.
The same will happen in the women’s game below the Women’s Super League and Championship level.
However, the National League, National League North and South, WSL and Women’s Championship will continue towards a conclusion “as quickly as possible”.
The Football Association said it was “reviewing all options” to complete the men’s FA Cup, which had reached the quarter-final stage, and other cup competitions. Read more
Ajax star Abdelhak Nouri able to watch football again after waking up from coma, his family confirm (Metro)
Former Ajax ace Abdelhak Nouri is able to enjoy football again nearly three years after he was put into an induced coma, his family have confirmed. The Dutchman, affectionately known as ‘Appie’, suffered a cardiac arrhythmia attack during Ajax’s pre-season friendly clash with Werder Bremen back in July 2017 and sustained severe and permanent brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen supply. Nouri’s family asked for privacy in the days and weeks following the incident and messages of support flooded in for the youngster from around the world of sport. Read more
CAF insists 2021 AFCON will go ahead as planned (Guardian)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stated that the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will go ahead as planned, despite the current coronavirus epidemic, writes africanfootball.com.
The spread of Covid-19 has put literally billions of people under lockdown and brought an end to virtually all sporting activity, with football and the Olympics the highest profile casualties of the current crisis.
CAF recently announced the postponement of the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cameroun, but as yet they have no plans to do the same with the next AFCON, which will also be held in the central-west African country in January and February 2021. Read more