Lagos Assembly asks Sanwo-Olu to account for COVID-19 donations (Guardian)
The Lagos House of Assembly on Thursday asked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to account for expenses incurred from donations received in support of the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
At the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, the House asked Sanwo-Olu to introduce a co-chairman from the executive arm to represent state’s COVID-19 Incident Commander before the House.
Obasa said: “It is our own duty to do what is right. Read more
Man arraigned over nude video of 13-year-old girl (DailyTrust)
The police in Lagos yesterday took a 23-year-old man, Ebuka Augustine, before a Yaba chief magistrate court for allegedly uploading a nude video of a 13-year-old girl online. The police said that Augustine, who the police described as a co-tenant with the girl’s parents in the Alaba, Ojo, area of Lagos, lured the teenager into his room, where he allegedly defiled her and recorded her nudity in the process. The police alleged that the defendant posted the video to her school friends and also shared it on social media, while tagging the girl’s mother to watch. “The accused used his phone to record the act. He started by extorting the girl, but later sent the video to her mother,” the police said. Read more
Curfew: Don’t disturb journalists, Odumosu warns policemen (Sun)
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has warned police officers and other security agents on enforcement duty of curfew in the state not to disturb the activities of media organisations as they are on essential duty.
Odumosu said newsmen in Lagos are part of essential services providers, so they are not affected by the curfew in the state.
Police public relations officer in the state, Bala Elkana, said that policemen and journalists are partners in progress. Read more
Lagos discharges 48 coronavirus patients (Guardian)
Lagos State Government on Thursday said it has discharged 48 coronavirus patients who have recovered from the disease.
“I’m pleased to announce to you the discharge of 48 more patients; 32 males and 16 females, all Nigerians who were discharged from our Yaba, Lekki, Onikan and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) isolation facilities to reunite with the society,” Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu tweeted.
“The patients, 28 from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, 6 from Lekki, 1 from Onikan and 13 from LUTH Isolation Centres were discharged having fully recovered and tested negative to #COVID19 in two consecutive readings.” Read more
Emzor Pharma supports frontline workers in Lagos, Ogun (DailyTrust)
As part of its contribution towards the COVID-19 pandemic fight in the country, Emzor Pharmaceutical Industries has launched a COVID-19 Response Programmme tagged EMZOR CARES. The Programme provides free face masks, alcohol-based Emzor sterilink sanitizers, and Emzor paracetamol for frontline workers.
According to the company’s Group Business Manager, Lagos and Ogun States, Chinyere Kelvin, the workers who have benefited from the gesture are the police, Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency (LNSC) and some hospitals. Read more
$319m fresh Abacha loot expected from UK, France (Sun)
Fresh indications have emerged that Nigeria may soon receive another tranche of $319million loot of former Head of State, late General Sani Abacha from France and the United Kingdom.
According to the US authorities involved in negotiations for its release, about $167million of the loot is in France with the UK still in custody of $152million which is also a subject of litigation.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, the US said: “The funds returned last week are distinct and separate from an additional $167million in stolen assets also forfeited in the United Kingdom and France, as well as $152million still in active litigation in the United Kingdom. Read more
Petrol price reduction won’t be immediate, says marketers (Punch)
The latest reduction in the ex-depot price of petrol to N108 per litre will not translate to an immediate drop in the pump price of the commodity at filling stations, oil marketers stated on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation announced a reduction in the ex-depot price of petrol from N113.28 per litre to N108 per litre.
Reacting to the development, oil marketers told our correspondent that the reduction was welcomed but added that it would not immediately reflect on the current pump price of petrol.
The Vice President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Abubakar Maigandi, said marketers would have to sell their old stock at the current N125 per litre price before effecting any reduction. Read more
Highlife star Olaiya buried in Lagos (Nation)
The remains of the late Highlife maestro, Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya, were laid to rest yesterday at the Vaults & Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The funeral was attended by select family members and very few friends of the late music legend.
Olaiya was laid in state briefly at a hall to enable guests pay their last respect to him. This was followed by his internment in a brown shiny casket.
The burial was streamed live on Facebook and had guests wearing face masks as well as observing social distancing in line with the Lagos State Government’s rules on curbing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
Change boxers daily to prevent groin infection – Medical Expert (Vanguard)
Dr. Chinonso Egemba, a medical expert, says wearing a boxer for more than one or two days can encourage the breeding of harmful fungi, which may lead to jock itch and groin infection.
Medical experts popularly known as ‘Aproko Doctor’ made this known on Thursday in Awka, that unwashed or repeating use of the same boxers for days could irritate the skin.
He said: “Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal infection that causes a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body. Read more
Father-son duo charged with murder in shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery (NYPost)
The father-son duo caught on camera sparking the confrontation that led to the shooting death of unarmed black jogger Ahmaud Arbery were charged with murder on Thursday, authorities said.
Gregory McMichael, 64, and Travis McMichael, 34, both armed, approached Arbery on Feb. 23 on a street in Brunswick, Georgia before Travis fatally shot the jogger, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Read more
Endangered pangolins for sale on Facebook amid potential link to coronavirus (Independent)
Endangered pangolins have been discovered for sale on Facebook, according to a new investigation.
A report by Tech Transparency Project identified a handful of public pages, created in the past few months, offering pangolins and their body parts for sale. One post also offered rhino horns.
Pangolins are the world’s most-trafficked animal and all eight pangolin species are protected by national and international laws. Read more
Coronavirus patients ‘are not testing positive twice – they’re just expelling dead lung cells’ (Sun)
Recovered coronavirus patients who later test positive are not getting reinfected, the World Health Organisation has said.
They are actually still expelling dead lung cells rather than contracting a new infection, officials told AFP.
It comes after South Korean officials reported more than 100 people had tested positive for coronavirus having already recovered from the bug.
Fears of a second wave in Covid-19 cases could complicate plans to lift lockdown restrictions and produce a vaccine. Read more
Most who recover from coronavirus carry antibodies, study finds (NYPost)
A research study posted online Tuesday claims that most patients who recover from the novel coronavirus will make antibodies despite age, gender or how badly they were infected.
An antibody is a protein made by plasma cells in response to infection and is a sign of the body’s attempt to fight the virus.
The study, which has not been reviewed by scientific experts, was authored by doctors from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. It said the vast majority of infected patients who recover from coronavirus become immune to COVID-19. Read more
Tara Reade: Biden sex attack accuser urges him to quit race (BBC)
A woman who accuses Democratic White House candidate Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her 27 years ago has called on him to quit the presidential race.
In an interview, Tara Reade urged Mr Biden to “please step forward and be held accountable”.
She added: “You should not be running on character for the president of the United States.”
Mr Biden, who is set to challenge President Donald Trump in November, has denied Ms Reade’s accusation. Read more
Adele’s personal trainer hits back at ‘fatphobic’ comments over singer’s weight loss (Metro)
Adele’s former personal trainer has hit back at the negative comments about the singer’s weight loss, insisting her transformation was never about getting ‘super skinny’. The Hello singer unveiled her new look this week in an Instagram photo to celebrate her 32nd birthday. While fans have praised Adele’s transformation, other commentary hasn’t been so positive sparking a debate about her weight loss.
‘You’re about to see my favourite stuff’ Addressing the reaction to her new look, the singer’s former London-based trainer Pete Geracimo wrote in an Instagram post: ‘It’s disheartening to read negative commentary and fat-phobic accusations questioning the genuineness of her amazing weight loss. Read more
Yaya Toure backs Didier Drogba’s bid for Ivorian FA presidency (BBC)
Yaya Toure is backing former Ivory Coast team-mate Didier Drogba’s bid to become president of the Ivorian Football Association (FIF).
“It’s time for change in our football. It needs modernity,” said Toure.
“When I say I support Drogba, it’s also for the good of the country, to have a former player of his kind investing himself in Africa.”
Drogba represented his country 105 times and announced his intention to run for the post back in September. Read more
Andy Murray signs up Paul Jubb to management agency (Metro)
Andy Murray has snapped up rising British tennis star Paul Jubb, adding the 20-year-old from Hull to his management agency.
Jubb rose to prominence in 2019, earning himself a wildcard at Wimbledon after winning the NCAA national singles championships for the University of South Carolina – following in the footsteps of the likes of John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors – and beating now world No. 14 Andrey Rublev in Eastborne.
The world No. 519 turned pro last month after leaving college and was selected for the Lawn. Read more
Minister places late Yekini’s mother on monthly stipend (Sun)
Eight years after the death of her son, Alhaja Sekinatu Yekini, mother of legendary Super Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini has received some succour, as the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has placed her on a monthly stipend.
Alhaja Yekini received the cheering news, when a representative of the Minister, Sunday Dare, Olaitan Shittu visited her in Ijagbo, near Offa in Kwara yesterday to donate various foodstuffs and provisions, as well as cash gift of N50, 000 on behalf of the minister to the aged mother. Read more
Lukas Podolski hints at future coaching role at Arsenal (Metro)
Lukas Podolski has suggested he could return to Arsenal in a coaching capacity in the future and revealed what he told Arsene Wenger prior to his exit from the club.
German World Cup-winner Podolski joined Premier League giants Arsenal in 2012 and scored 28 goals across his first two seasons at the Emirates.
He fell down the pecking order during the 2014-15 campaign, however, and was sent on loan to Inter Milan for the second half of the season. Podolski spoke to then-Arsenal manager Wenger about his role at the club but deciding to secure a permanent move away from north London in the summer of 2015. Read more
Canada’s Pospisil hits out at Kyrgios for merger opposition (DailyTrust)
Canada’s Vasek Pospisil has hit back at Nick Kyrgios for opposing the proposal to merge the men’s ATP and women’s WTA tennis tours, saying the Australian did not have enough information to comment on the matter. Roger Federer called for a merger between the two governing bodies last month, with both ATP Tour Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi and his WTA counterpart Steve Simon welcoming the suggestion. Rafa Nadal, the other member of the so-called ‘Big 3’ alongside Federer and Novak Djokovic, also voiced his support as did many other past and present players. Read more
FIFA investigates Manchester United’s signing of Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon (Guardian)
FIFA have launched an investigation after Sampdoria filed a complaint over the transfer that saw Bruno Fernandes sign for Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon, reports Manchester Evening News.
United signed Fernandes for £47 million in January and the Portuguese playmaker has enjoyed a stunning start to his Old Trafford career. But Serie A side, Sampdoria, have claimed they are due a slice of that fee, having negotiated a 10 per cent sell-on clause when selling Fernandes to Sporting in June 2017 for €8.5 million. Read more