Lagos closes Marine Beach Bridge for repairs (Nation)
The Lagos State Government has announced partial closure of the Marine Beach Bridge by Total Gas, inwards Apapa for five months to pave way for emergency repair works.
The closure takes effect from Wednesday May 27 to Wednesday October 21.
Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde who made this known on Sunday, said the repair works by the Federal Ministry of Works is long overdue and vital for the safety of residents, especially motorists that ply the bridge. Read more
FRSC rescues woman in labour pains on wheels (Punch)
The Federal Road Safety Corps has rescued a pregnant woman who was struggling to drive herself to hospital amid labour pains.
The FRSC spokesman, Mr Bisi Kazeem, in a statement on Sunday, said the incident occurred in Lagos.
He said the woman later gave birth to a baby girl three hours after being rushed to a nearby hospital in Ajao Estate.
Narrating how the incident happened, Kazeem said a patrol team belonging to the Airport Unit Command of the Corps sighted the pregnant woman about 2.34 p.m. on Saturday. Read more
Lagos won’t touch salaries, to prevent job losses – Sanwo-Olu (DailyTrust)
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has assured that despite the effects of COVID-19, the state government would not touch workers’ salaries, even as the weeks of inertia in the economy had made significant impact on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
He said millions of small-scale businesses operating in the state could completely fold up if the economy is not fully reactivated. Sanwo-Olu who spoke at a webinar organised by First Securities Discount House (FSDH) Group, noted that in addition to granting three-month moratorium to MSMEs that applied for loan facilities at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the state government had started to compile data of registered MSMEs for operational support to cushion the effect of the slowdown. Read more
Sanwo-Olu tasks Muslims on spirituality, peaceful coexistence (Independent)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Muslims in the state on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and the celebration of Eid-el- Fitri, urging them to continue on the path of spirituality and peaceful co-existence among every Lagosian.
Sanwo-Olu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Saturday, said the occasion of Eid-el-Fitri is very significant to Muslims across the world as it marks the end of one month of abstinence from worldly pleasures with fasting and prayers, observed in accordance with the Islamic injunctions.
He said: “Today, I join millions of people around the world, to wish our Muslim brothers and sisters in Lagos State and in Nigeria happy Eid-el-fitri.” Read more
Buhari, family members observe Eid prayer inside Aso Villa (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his family on Sunday observed the Eid-El-Fitr prayer at the presidential quarters in line with the protocol against mass gathering issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
The protocol of social distancing was also exhibited during the two-raka’at prayer.
President Buhari had on May 22 pledged to conduct his Eid prayers with his family at home as directed by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is also the President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI). Read more
Don’t use foreign airline to evacuate stranded Nigerians – Reps Committee (Guardian)
Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, has advised the Federal Government against using foreign airline to evacuate stranded Nigerians from Canada.
Nnaji, representing Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State, said in a statement in Lagos on Sunday that the House would not condone it.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was persistent refusal by the Canadian authorities to grant Air Peace airline landing rights for the evacuation of stranded Nigerians in Canada. Read more
COVID-19 won’t disappear completely –Pastor Adeboye (Punch)
The General Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday, said COVID-19 would not be completely phased out from the earth.
The clergyman spoke during a sermon titled, ‘Seven ways to deal with a mountain,’ delivered on Dove Television Station.
Adeboye, who urged the people to rest on God in difficult situations, said just like flu and Ebola, the virus would continue to live with mankind while those who fear God would be spared.
He said, “Coronavirus is not going to disappear completely. Just like the flu and Ebola, it would subside. In the mighty name of Jesus, it would subside soon. But that it would leave the world completely, that would take a special miracle of God. Read more
Buhari tasks farmers on massive food production, says “no money for food importation” (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged Nigerian farmers on the need to embark on massive productive agricultural activities this farming season as Nigeria has no money for food importation.
The president gave the challenge shortly after observing this year’s Eid prayer alongside members of his family and few presidential aides at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Eid-El-Fitr prayer was observed in line with the protocol against mass gathering issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, while the protocol of social distancing was also exhibited during the two-raka’at prayer. Read more
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid coronavirus (BBC)
After a Ramadan marked by lockdowns and social distancing, Muslims around the world have begun celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
The “festival of the breaking of the fast” is one of Islam’s two major holidays. It begins when the moon rises on the final day of Ramadan, a holy month of fasting.
Traditionally, whole communities turn out to attend Eid prayers at their local mosques.
But with many countries still under coronavirus restrictions, Eid will look very different for many people this year. Read more
8 jihadists killed in Ivorian-Burkinabe operation (Guardian)
Eight suspected jihadists were killed and another 38 captured in a joint operation by Burkinabe and Ivorian forces near the two countries’ shared border, the Ivory Coast army said Sunday.
The captured men — 24 in Burkina Faso and 14 in Ivory Coast — were handed over to intelligence services, a source at Ivorian army headquarters told AFP, adding that a “terrorist base” was destroyed at Alidougou in Burkina Faso.
The joint operation also seized arms, ammunition, USB keys and cell phones, the source said. Read more
Coronavirus patients no longer infectious after 11 days: study (NYPost)
Coronavirus patients stop being infectious 11 days after contracting the disease — even if they still test positive for COVID-19 on day 12, according to a new study.
Singaporean infectious disease experts said they found that the virus “could not be isolated or cultured after day 11 of illness,” according to a joint paper from the country’s National Center for Infectious Diseases and the Academy of Medicine.
Researchers looked at the “viral load” in 73 COVID-19 patients to measure whether the bug was still viable and could infect anyone. Read more
Kim Jong-un calls for stronger nuclear war deterrent (RT)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has urged his army’s top brass to boost the country’s “strategic forces” and put them on high alert, as reports that he may be seriously ill have yet to cease completely.
The call-to-arms was made at a high-profile gathering of military commanders and members of North Korea’s security services, state news agency KCNA reported on Sunday.
Presided over by Kim Jong-un, the meeting focused on “the persistent military threats, big or small, of the hostile forces” and ways to “reliably contain these,” the agency reported without directly quoting the commander-in-chief. Read more
Iran oil tanker reaches Venezuela amid US tension (BBC)
The first of five Iranian oil tankers has entered Venezuela’s waters carrying more than a million barrels of fuel.
The Iranian tankers are being escorted by the Venezuelan navy and air force.
The US, which has has imposed sanctions on both countries, says it is monitoring the convoy. Both Venezuela and Iran have warned Washington not to interfere with the delivery.
Venezuela is suffering a shortage of refined fuel, despite having the world’s largest oil reserves. Read more
‘Back to The Future’ writer asks for ‘censored’ sequel to be destroyed (Metro)
Back to the Future writer Bob Gale revealed he asked for Netflix’s edited sequel of the film to be destroyed. The writer and director Robert Zemeckis had no idea there was another version in existence but puts the blame on Universal. A tiny section of the 1989 sequel was changed – specifically when Marty finds the Oh La La magazine within the sports almanac dustcover – and fans were peeved. The cover of the magazine – which showed a lingerie model – was edited out but the standard version has since been put back up. Read more
Okala marks 69, raps NFF over ex-players’ welfare (Nation)
Legendary Green Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala over the week celebrated his 69th birthday by urging the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), state FA’s and administrators to step up their welfare of ex-internationals and players.
Marking his 69th birthday on May 17th with a group of ex-Nigerian players, the former Rangers International player and coach thanked his colleagues while calling on the apex football authority in Nigeria to map out strategies to celebrate Nigerian football heroes.
Okala is the first goalkeeper in the history of African football to be awarded African Footballer of the year award in 1975. Read more
Hull City: Two people from Championship club test positive for Covid-19 (BBC)
Championship side Hull City have confirmed two people at the club have tested positive for coronavirus.
The English Football League earlier said there were two positive cases out of more than 1,000 players and staff tested at the 24 second-tier clubs.
In a statement, Hull said the pair were asymptomatic and feeling no ill effects, but would self-isolate for seven days in line with EFL guidelines.
They will both be tested again at a later date. Read more
Premier League coronavirus testing: Bournemouth player one of two new positives (BBC)
An unnamed Bournemouth player is one of two new coronavirus cases discovered by the latest round of Premier League tests – taking the overall total of positive results to eight.
The Cherries said the player’s identity will not be disclosed – they will now self-isolate for seven days.
The other positive was at a different club which has not been named.
Tests took place on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of last week, with 996 players and club staff tested. Read more
Everton: ‘I broke down in tears after hitting my rock bottom’ – Keane (BBC)
Michael Keane has admitted he broke down in tears in front of his family after hitting “rock bottom” during his struggle with injuries and poor form.
In an interview with the BBC, the Everton defender also revealed that he hid himself away through embarrassment at his performances on the pitch.
Having opened up himself, he is now working with mental health charities to encourage others to seek help.
“I didn’t want to go out, didn’t want to see anyone,” he said. Read more
Mike Tyson says deal will be done within days for comeback fight (RT)
Former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has said fans could find out within days who he will face in his much-hyped ring comeback at the age of 53.
Preparations continue for Tyson to make his ring return after 15 years away, with erstwhile rival Evander Holyfield tipped as a possible opponent – but ‘Iron’ Mike says there are numerous big names in the mix.
The former ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ has revealed a deal is close to being signed with another boxer to seal the event. Read more
Ighalo deserves Man United permanent deal – Hargreaves (Nation)
Manchester United Champions League winner Owen Hargreaves expects Odion Ighalo to be signed permanently.
Ighalo had a successful start to his loan spell at United after arriving from Shanghai Shenhua in January. The experienced Nigeria striker scored four goals in his first eight appearances in all competitions.
“He’s a big United fan isn’t he and he’s done great, he’s done really good, better probably than he could have hoped and Man United could have hoped and he’s been a good addition to the team,” Hargreaves told talkSPORT. Read more
