Lagos Assembly rejects Sanwo-Olu’s nominee, confirms three (Nation)
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday rejected one of the five nominees of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the State Audit Service Commission.
It however confirmed three others while one was absent.
The rejected nominee is Mr. Abiodun Oladipupo Akhigbe while nominee Jimoh Akerele Ibrahim was absent.
The nominees confirmed by the Assembly included the Chairperson Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adepeju Adegbuji-Onikoyi; Mr. Emmanuel Sunday Kappo (member) and Mrs. Jokotola Ojosipe-Ogundimu (member). Read more
Man who battered wife, bragged on Facebook, arrested (Punch)
A Lagos-based man, Mr Afobaje Maiyegun, who allegedly battered his spouse and bragged about it on Facebook will be charged to court on Friday.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team made the disclosure in a statement on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Maiyegun had on May 5 posted on his Facebook page, “I beat my wife and I am waiting for her police.”
He added photographs of the allegedly battered spouse to the post. Read more
Oyo State environment commissioner is dead (Guardian)
Oyo State commissioner for environment and water resources Kehinde Ayoola is dead.
He was reportedly sick for two weeks and died in Ibadan.
The commissioner who hailed from Oyo town was the first Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly during the era of Lam Adesina as Governor.
Ayoola represented Oyo East state constituency between 1999 and 2003. Read more
How security agents compromise interstate travel ban (DailyTrust)
Commercial vehicle operators and other commuters are still travelling across the states despite the restriction placed on interstate movement as part of efforts to mitigate further spread of coronavirus in the country, Daily Trust investigation has revealed. While some drivers have doubled the cost of transport fare in order to use the additional income to “buy their way” at checkpoints and roadblocks mounted by security operatives, others have created alternative routes through the bush paths to ferry their passengers. This development is heightening fears over increased community transmission of the virus at the state level. Read more
SIM card: Court awards N10m against DSS, absolves Buhari’s daughter (Punch)
A Federal High Court in Asaba has awarded N10m in damages against the Department of State Services for illegally detaining a trader, Anthony Okolie, for 10 weeks without charge.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, however, struck out the prayer requesting the President’s daughter, Hanan Buhari, and telecoms company, MTN, to pay N500m.
Dimgba delivered his judgement on Thursday, The PUNCH reports.
Okolie, had sued the President’s daughter as well as the DSS and MTN over his 10-week detention after purchasing a SIM card previously owned by Hanan. Read more
Raymond Dokpesi, two grandchildren discharged from isolation centre (Guardian)
Founder of Daar Communications Plc Raymond Dokpesi has been discharged from University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Isolation Centre, Abuja.
“I am exceptionally indebted to God Almighty for keeping and protecting me and my entire family all through our isolation at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Isolation Centre,” Dokpesi said in a letter of appreciation on Thursday.
Dokpesi was discharged with two of his grandchildren. Read more
I did not order the demolition of properties in Makurdi town – Ortom (Vanguard)
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has described as outright falsehood and mischief allegation on social media that he ordered the demolition of residential buildings on the Logo I area of Makurdi town.
He also described the allegation as a campaign of calumny against his person and office wondering why those behind the falsehood chose to smear his name and office.
The Governor in a statement on Thursday by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Terver Akase regretted the situation where youths take undue advantage of the social media to run their leaders down and asked the persons peddling the false news to apologize or face the wrath of the law. Read more
Group cries out to Buhari over alleged abuse of Amotekun security outfit (Guardian)
A coalition of Yoruba groups, under the aegis of Yoruba Appraisal Forum, has cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari over alleged abuse of the Amotekun security outfit in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country.
The Convener of the group, Comrade Adeshina Animashaun, in a letter to President Buhari argued that there was the urgent need to check what he termed the excesses of the security outfit to check imminent bloodshed in the region and Nigeria at large.
It alleged that in the name of Amotekun, some individuals in the South West had been exploiting the overstretched deployment of the police, due to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, “to sustain unprovoked attacks and intensify the provocation of other Nigerians.” Read more
Dozens of babies born to Ukrainian surrogate mothers left stranded in Kiev hotel due to Covid-19 (RT)
It has emerged that nearly 50 infants waiting to be delivered to their foreign would-be parents are stuck in Ukraine’s capital due to border closures, adding to worries about the country becoming a supplier of surrogate babies.
The news, broken by a handful of local media outlets, revolves around a video appeal issued by Biotexcom, which describes itself as a “center for human reproduction.” It shows 46 newborn babies lying in their cradles at a hotel called ‘Venice’ or being taken care of by the clinical staff.
Foster parents, the clinic lamented, “do not have the opportunity to pick up their newborns” as borders remain shut and lockdowns enforced because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, they shouldn’t worry about “these sweeties,” as nurses regularly feed them and expose them to fresh air. Read more
Why millions of Americans are losing health coverage during COVID-19 pandemic (CBC)
Millions of Americans have been hit with a double blow during this pandemic: they’re out of work and without health insurance if they get sick.
The U.S. isn’t the only developed nation lacking universal coverage. It’s also distinct in that most working-age people rely on their job to provide health insurance.
The way it usually works is people get an insurance package when they start a new job. In normal times, most Americans tell pollsters they like their plan. Read more
Coronavirus Sanofi: France resists idea of US getting vaccine first (BBC)
France has said it would be “unacceptable” for French drug giant Sanofi to prioritise the US market if it develops a Covid-19 vaccine.
The government was reacting to remarks by Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson, who said “the US government has the right to the largest pre-order because it’s invested in taking the risk”.
Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said access for all was “non-negotiable”.
Many labs worldwide are involved in research to find a Covid-19 vaccine.
Vaccines usually take years to develop. Read more
One in four popular coronavirus YouTube videos ‘contains misleading details’ (Metro)
More than one in four of the most viewed videos related to coronavirus on YouTube contains misleading or inaccurate information, a study suggests. Researchers analysed the contents of the video sharing platform’s most widely viewed clips as of March 21. The Google-owned service has taken action to prevent the spread of misinformation around Covid-19, as have other tech giants. Read more
Coronavirus: State of emergency lifted in most of Japan (BBC)
Japan has lifted a state of emergency imposed due to the coronavirus in 39 out of 47 prefectures, after a sharp fall in new infections.
The order still applies in Tokyo, Osaka and on the northern island of Hokkaido, where new cases are emerging daily.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan’s rate of infection had reduced to one seventh of the country’s peak.
He urged the public to be vigilant, wear masks, and keep following distancing guidance. Read more
Alarming video shows how quickly coronavirus can spread at a restaurant (NYPost)
An alarming video from Japan that used a black light demonstrates how quickly the coronavirus can spread aboard a cruise ship or in a restaurant when just one person is infected.
In an experiment conducted by public broadcaster NHK in collaboration with infectious disease experts, 10 people were asked to serve themselves as usual at a buffet, according to Forbes.
Invisible fluorescent paint — visible only under a black light — was applied to the palm of one of the subjects, who was tapped as the “infected” person and coughed into his hand. The paint represented the deadly pathogen.
All the participants were allowed to enjoy the buffet for half an hour. Read more
Ighalo rated second-richest African footballer in EPL (Punch)
Former Nigerian striker, Odion Ighalo, has been ranked second-richest African footballer aged 30 and below in the English Premier League.
The raking by The Sunday Times, placed Mohammad Salah of Egypt as the richest U-30 African player in the EPL.
With a net worth of £114m, Gareth Bale rated as the richest sports star aged 30 and below, followed by Anthony Joshua who is the only non-footballer on the list.
Ighalo was estimated to have £18m wealth while Mo Salah has an estimated £19m net worth. Read more
Dele Alli ‘okay now’ after being robbed and attacked at knifepoint at his home (Metro)
Tottenham and England midfielder Dele Alli says he is ‘okay’ after he was robbed and attacked at knifepoint at his home this week. Two intruders wearing balaclavas forced their way into the 24-year-old’s home in Barnet during the early hours of Wednesday morning. The robbers punched Alli in the face and took personal items including watches and jewellery. According to MailOnline’s report, Alli suffered a ‘minor facial injury’ following a ‘scuffle’ with the intruders. Read more
Ferrari sign Sainz & Ricciardo goes to McLaren for 2021 Formula 1 season (BBC)
Daniel Ricciardo is to race for McLaren in 2021, taking the seat of Carlos Sainz, who will move to Ferrari.
The double switch was announced by both teams on Thursday morning in a choreographed series of news releases.
Ricciardo will partner Lando Norris, while Sainz is to replace four-time champion Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari.
McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown said Ricciardo brings “an exciting new dimension to the team”; Ferrari said Sainz was “the ideal fit”. Read more
UFC fighter hands his knocked-out tooth to ref during brutal bout (NYPost)
Before the fight was even called, UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith was already picking up his tooth off the mat and handing it to the referee.
By the time it was finally stopped and declared a fifth-round TKO for Glover Teixeira Wednesday night, Smith had a brutal laundry list of injuries that left him hospital-bound after UFC Fight Night in Jacksonville.
Smith’s corner is now facing criticism for not stopping the fight sooner, after he walked away with a broken nose, broken orbital bone, two missing teeth and a cut under his right eye, according to ESPN. Read more
Six-time F1 world champion Hamilton is Britain’s wealthiest sports star (BBC)
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has been named Britain’s wealthiest sports star in the 2020 Sunday Times Rich List.
The 35-year-old’s wealth increased by £37m in the past year to £224m, making him the wealthiest sportsperson in the list’s 32-year history.
Golfer Rory McIlroy – worth £170m – was the only other sports star in the main list of Britain’s 1,000 richest people.
Sport dominated the Young Rich List with 18 of the 50 places. Read more
Dortmund use mind coach to prepare for derby behind closed doors (Guardian)
Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre said Thursday it was important for his players to work with the club’s sports psychologist to help cope with playing behind closed doors in this weekend’s derby against Schalke in the Bundesliga.
“A match without spectators is really different and we have to be well prepared,” Favre said in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s home derby.
“It’s a question of mentality, which is very important. Read more