FG halts UNILAG’s convocation (Tribune)
The Federal Government has directed the authorities of the University of Lagos to suspend its forthcoming convocation cereminies because they did not get the approval of the school’s governing council.
A letter from the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education to the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) which containsthe directive reads:
“The attention of the honourable minister has been drawn to the attached copy of letter dated 2nd of March, 2020 from the pro-chancellor and Chairman of Council, Dr. B.O Babalakin to the effect that the 2019 convocation ceremonies were not approved by the Governing Council in line with the laws of the university. Read more
Coronavirus: Suspected cases in Lagos rise to 3 (DailyTrust)
Suspected cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus in Lagos has risen to three, the state Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, said on Thursday night. He said that aside the Italian man who has been confirmed infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there are now three suspected cases of the virus in Lagos state. In a tweet post via his Twitter handle: @ProfAkinAbayomi, he said: “We now have three suspected cases under isolation in our containment facility in Yaba. One from France, one from England and one from China. Their samples have been taken and results are been expected.” Read more
Coronavirus: Quarantined Italian suffers depression, Lagos isolates France returnee, others (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said the Italian being treated for coronavirus at the Infectious Disease Centre, Yaba, is depressed although getting better.
At a briefing on Thursday, Abayomi said the Italian, who had been at the centre for one week, was responding to treatment, but would only be released when he would no longer be a threat to the other members of society.
“The Italian has been with us for one week now; his clinical situation is quite stable, the symptoms are dramatically resolving; so, we are expectant that we will continue to make this kind of progress.
“Sometime over the weekend, he developed a respiratory symptom, and we initiated some therapy in the form of ant-viral, which are not curative, but just to make it easier for his immune system to fight the infection. He seems to have responded to that; so we are keeping him on that and there are no side effects. Read more
12 girls, pregnant women rescued in Ogun baby factory (Nation)
The Police in Ogun State have uncovered baby making factory at Imedu Okori community in Mowe area of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state where young girls in various phases of pregnancy were rescued.
The Police burst the factory on February 28 when one of the inmates, who escaped from the home, reported at Mowe police station she was lured into the facility and held captive there for sometime against her consent.
The escapee alleged the female Operator of the criminal home, Florence Ogbonna, who lured her into the home usually contract the service of some able bodied men to impregnate them.
Immediately any of them gave birth to a baby, she further alleged it would be taken away by Ogbonna to only God knows where. Read more
ICPC arraigns SEC ex-DG, NIMC official for alleged N4.9m fraud (Guardian)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned the suspended Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Mounir Gwarzo and a Principal Manager with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Jamila Ahmad Muhammad before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Apo District for alleged N4,887,360 fraud.
The pair are standing trial before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on a 14-count charge bordering on gratification and abuse of office.
The anti-graft agency claimed that Gwarzo abused his office when he allegedly influenced the award of a N3,499,200 contract for the installation of 12 units of air conditioners and four units of refrigerators at SEC Lagos zonal office to a firm, Outbound Investment Limited, in which he is a director and shareholder on or around December 28, 2016. Read more
Ganduje directs Emir Sanusi to appoint district heads (DailyTrust) Kano State Government has directed the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi ll to immediately initiate a process of assigning the four Kano Kingmakers as District Heads of Local Governments under the jurisdiction of the Kano Emirate Council. A letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Alhaji dated March 2, 2020, indicated that the affected Kingmakers are Alhaji Mukhtar Adnan, Alhaji Yusuf Nabahani Ibrahim Chigari, Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim and Alahji Abubakar Bello Tuta. The letter entitled, ‘Assigning The Former Kano Kingmakers to Relevant Local Government Councils Under the Jurisdiction of Kano Emirate,’ addressed to Emir Sanusi, urged him to comply with the directive. Read more
Kano Court sets aside ruling suspending Oshiomole as APC chairman (Tribune)
A Federal High Court in Kano, Court one, presided over by Justice Lewis Allagoa had, on Thursday, set aside a court ruling sacking the National chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Adam Oshiomole.
Given the ruling on the interim injunction, Justice Allagoa ordered the various parties to maintain the status quo, pending the hearing and determination of the case
Justice Alagoa then ordered that the status quo ante Bellum be maintained, pending the hearing of the motion on notice by the applicant, Aliyu Muhammad Rabiu. Read more
Nigeria needs quality power supply – NERC (Vanguard)
Prof. James Momoh, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC ) says Nigeria needs a quality energy supply to ensure sustainable economic growth.
Momoh stated this at a public hearing organised by Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), on Thursday in Yola.
He said that the public hearing was organised to gather information on tariff review in pursuant to the commissions’ tariff regulations, as part of efforts to ensure stable power supply in the country.
“We are here to monitor the ongoing public hearing on tariff review organised by YEDC and at the end to make recommendations on some important areas. Read more
Man kills self in Anambra over quarrel with wife (DailyTrust)
A man in Anambra state has committed suicide over a disagreement with his wife. The man, simply identified as Samuel Nweke, hung himself over a disagreement with his wife, leaving behind a suicide note. A statement issued by Haruna Mohammed, spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, which was made available to newsmen in Awka, said the disagreement led to the deceased’s wife abandoning him, which unfortunately led to his action. “On the 04/03/2020 at about 12:10 pm, there was a report at Awada Police Station that a decomposing body of one Samuel Nweke ‘m’ aged about 47 years was discovered in his apartment at No 5, Chief Nwankwo Street, Awada in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state. Read more
Boko Haram attacks Dapchi (Guardian)
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists in gun trucks have attacked Dapchi, Yobe State, forcing many residents to flee for safety into nearby
bushes.
Our correspondent gathered that some of the residents had alerted the military before the insurgents targeted the Dapchi military post along Gashua road.
The town was attacked on February 19, 2018, by insurgents who abducted 110 schoolgirls at Government Girls Science and Technical College. Five of them died, Leah Sharibu is however in the captivity for refusing to convert from Christianity to Islam while others were released.
Confirming the attack Thursday in Damaturu, an anonymous soldier attached to Dapchi military post, said “the terrorists have
torched many houses here in this town. Read more
FIRS working to increase PAYE tax compliance – Nami (Vanguard)
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it is working closely with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to increase the rate of compliance with the remittance of Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax.
The service started this in a statement issued by Mr. Abdullahi Ismaila Ahmad, Director, Communications and Liaison Department, in Abuja on Thursday.
Ismaila said the FIRS Chairman, Mr. Muhammad Nami, said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Nami explained that it was necessary to block loopholes being exploited by the MDAs to pay lesser tax than they should pay under the Progressive Tax System being operated in the country. Read more
Dubai ruler ordered kidnap of his own children, damning court ruling finds (Metro)
The ruler of Dubai ordered the kidnapping of two of his own children and conducted a ‘campaign of fear and intimidation’ against his former wife, the High Court has ruled.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s sixth wife, Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, fled to London from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last April after becoming ‘terrified’ of her husband at the beginning of last year.
The 70-year-old vice president and prime minister of the UAE – who is said to be on ‘respectful and friendly terms’ with the British royal family – was accused of using ‘the state and its apparatus to threaten, intimidate, mistreat and oppress with a total disregard for the rule of law’, in a damning publication by one of Britain’s most senior judges. Read more
Meghan is back for her first public appearance since quitting as a senior royal (Metro)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are back in the UK for a brief moment, appearing at an awards ceremony in London.
It is Meghan’s first public appearance since she and her husband announced their decision to step back from royal life.
The couple arrived under an umbrella in the pouring rain to celebrate the achievements of wounded, sick and injured servicemen and women who have taken part in sporting and adventure challenges.
Meghan wore a bright blue dress by Victoria Beckham while Harry wore a dark blue suit, white shirt and blue tie. Read more
China approves use of arthritis drug to treat coronavirus infections (Nation)
China is hoping to put a decade-old drug to use as it grapples with an outbreak of the deadly novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19.
According to Reuters, China has approved the use of the anti-inflammation drug Actemra, manufactured by Swiss drug maker Roche, to deal with complications among those infected with the novel coronavirus.
The disease has notably killed nearly 3,000 in China.
Actemra, also known as tocilizumab, was first approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for rheumatoid arthritis in 2010. Read more
Elizabeth Warren ends presidential bid (BBC)
Senator Elizabeth Warren has ended her presidential campaign following disappointing Super Tuesday results.
A favourite of the liberal left, the Massachusetts senator, 70, was once a front-runner in the Democratic field.
Ms Warren said she needed some time to decide on another candidate to support.
The Democratic contest to take on President Donald Trump in November is now seen as a two-horse race between former Vice-President Joe Biden, 77, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, 78. Read more
Coronavirus: White House concedes US lacks enough test kits (BBC)
The White House has acknowledged the nation does not have enough coronavirus test kits as cases of the disease ticked upwards on both US coasts.
Vice-President Mike Pence said the Trump administration would not be able to meet its objective of delivering one million testing kits this week.
Congress meanwhile moved with unusual speed to approve a bumper emergency aid package to combat the outbreak.
Globally, authorities have confirmed more than 92,000 cases of the virus. Read more
Guyana election: Two main parties declare victory as tensions rise (BBC)
Guyana is stuck in political deadlock after both main parties declared victory in the country’s election.
President David Granger urged his supporters to be “patient” while waiting for election officials to reveal the results of the 2 March vote.
Mr Granger was defending a narrow parliamentary majority against Irfaan Ali of the opposition PPP party. Read more
Iran rejects US coronavirus aid offer (Vanguard)
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani on Wednesday dismissed a US offer to help the Islamic republic fight its coronavirus outbreak, charging that “vicious” American sanctions are depriving the country of medicine.
Iran has scrambled to halt the rapid spread of the virus that has claimed 92 lives out of 2,922 confirmed infections in the past two weeks.
Iranian Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi wipes the sweat off his face, during a press conference with the Islamic republic’s government spokesman Ali Rabiei in the capital Tehran on February 24, 2020. Read more
Harvey Weinstein moved to jail after having heart surgery (BBC)
Harvey Weinstein has been moved Rikers Island jail in New York City after undergoing heart surgery.
The ex-movie mogul was convicted last month of two sexual assaults, including rape, at his trial on 25 February.
After the trial, he complained of chest pains and was taken to hospital where he had a stent implant to remove a blockage, a spokesperson said.
He is due to be sentenced on 11 March, and faces up to 25 years in prison for the convictions relating to two women. Read more
South Africa reports first coronavirus case (Guardian)
South Africa on Thursday confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus, a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy, health ministry announced.
“This morning,… the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive,” Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.
It is the first case in southern Africa, and the latest confirmed case in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and Senegal. Read more
Ighalo double sees off Rooney’s Derby and sends Man Utd into FA Cup quarters (BBC)
Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo says he “doesn’t care what anybody says” about his surprise move to Old Trafford after his two goals ensured an all-Premier League FA Cup quarter-final line-up and comfortable win at Derby County.
January signing Ighalo again showed why his shock acquisition in January may yet prove to be shrewd business with two smart finishes to book a tie with Norwich at Carrow Road later this month.
The 30-year-old now has three goals from just two starts and he overshadowed a reunion with United’s all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney at Pride Park.
“As long as my team-mates believe in me, the boss believes in me and the fans believe in me, I just have to keep going,” Ighalo said. Read more
Tyson Fury’s coach expects heavyweight to win ‘exciting’ fight against Anthony Joshua (Metro)
Andy Lee thinks Tyson Fury will always have the beating of Anthony Joshua because of he is ‘mentally too strong’ for his British rival.
Fury is targeting a unification showdown with WBA (Super), IBF and WBO champion Joshua at the end of the year as he is set to take on Deontay Wilder in a trilogy fight this summer.
Fight fans are desperate to see Fury go to war with his domestic rival and his coach predicted how a potential bout between the two heavyweights would go.
‘He’s the best out there,’ Lee told Boxing Social about Fury.
‘If he fights Anthony Joshua, it’s an interesting fight because Joshua can’t fight Tyson the way he fought Ruiz. Read more
Coronavirus: Premier League ditches pre-match fair-play handshakes (BBC)
The Premier League has announced that the pre-match handshakes between both teams and officials will not take place until further notice because of fears over the spread of coronavirus.
The measure comes the day after the government asked the league “to step up its contingency planning”.
The teams will still line up as usual but the home team will walk past the away side without shaking hands.
There have been more than 90,000 cases of the virus in 87 countries. Read more
Police detain Ronaldinho, brother in Paraguay over fake passport (Guardian)
Ronaldinho and his brother, Roberto, on Wednesday, were detained by police in Paraguay after entering the country with a fake passport.
According to La Nacion, passports were found in the hotel bearing the names of Ronaldinho and Roberto with Paraguayan nationality.
Ronaldinho is currently without a Brazilian passport after having it seized because of an environmental issue in 2018. Read more
Beaumelle named Elephants new coach (Nation)
Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle has been appointed as the new coach of Cote d’Ivoire.
The 41-year-old replaces Ibrahim Kamara, who left the post by mutual consent in February.
It is a return to Cote d’Ivoire for Beaumelle, as he was assistant to his compatriot Herve Renard when the Elephants won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Read more
Ghana’s ex-football chief charged with fraud (DailyTrust)
The former head of Ghanaian football Kwesi Nyantakyi was on Wednesday charged with fraud at a high court in Accra, after a landmark undercover investigation which exposed widespread graft in African football. An undercover documentary by journalist Anas Aremeyaw in 2018 sent shockwaves through the game in the West African nation, after showing Nyantkakyi allegedly soliciting kickbacks worth millions of dollars and accusing several footballing officials of corruption. The former head administrator was also shown allegedly receiving a $65,000 financial inducement. Appearing in court Nyantakyi plead not-guilty to the charges. Read more
Man City owners ‘seek French club purchase’ amid FFP violations (Vanguard)
Manchester City’s owners are reportedly in ‘advanced discussions’ to take over Ligue 2 side Nancy.
L’Equipe (via Sport Witness) claims a significant increase in TV rights in French football has increased interest in the country’s football clubs, with Nancy among a few sides approached by investors.
The report claims Manchester City’s owners would leave new Nancy president Jacques Rousselot in charge of the club for two years.
Those in charge of City’s club planning had been ‘studying’ the possibility of buying Nancy for months, according to the claims, but City’s recent problems associated with FFP are also said to be a factor. Read more
Coronavirus: Four Danish league players in quarantine after meeting (BBC)
Danish side Brondby have quarantined 13 people, including a player and their assistant coach, after former Denmark international Thomas Kahlenberg was diagnosed with coronavirus.
Brondby director of communications Christian Schultz says Kahlenberg contracted the virus in Amsterdam last weekend and was at Brondby’s game against Lyngby on Sunday.
Defender Joel Kabongo, 21, is in quarantine alongside assistant coach Martin Retov, while Lyngby also have three players in isolation. Read more