Lagos has discharged 31 out of 120 COVID-19 cases (DailyTrust)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that a total of 31 people have fully recovered from COVID-19 in Lagos and they have been discharged to join the community. He said this on Monday evening while giving updates through his Twitter handle. According to the Governor, two more people, both females, have recovered fully and have tested negative to COVID-19 test twice consecutively. They have been discharged from the infectious disease hospital (IDH) facility. As at April 5, Lagos has a total of 120 COVID-19 positive cases, 85 active cases, two evacuated, two deaths and 31 discharged. Read more
Heavy traffic in Lekki as Lagos residents flout lockdown (Punch)
Despite the lockdown in Lagos State to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, hundreds of motorists were on Monday stranded in a gridlock on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.
Footage of the gridlock, which was trending online, showed hundreds of vehicles stuck in traffic.
“No isolation anymore, no quarantine in Lagos State, from Jakande Estate to Agungi, full hold up is going on right now,” the person, who recorded the video, could be heard saying.
Some of the stranded motorists lamented having to spend hours for journeys that should have lasted minutes. Read more
Former Lagos governorship candidate Gbadamosi arrested (Guardian)
Former gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Babatunde Gbadamosi, has been detained by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly contravening lockdown order declared by the State Government to curtail coronavirus spread.
Gbadamosi was detained after being spotted in a viral video attending a birthday party organised by Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello for her husband, Abdul-Rasheed Bello, held in Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki axis of the state. Read more
LUTH rolls out strategic measures to combat challenges of COVID-19 management (Vanguard)
The management of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, says it has rolled out strategic measures and ready to combat the challenges of management of COVID-19 resolutely.
Prof. Chris Bode, the Chief Medical Director, made the assertion while addressing the management and members of staff of the institution in Lagos on Monday.
“We are ready for this challenge and, let me tell you, if we do not combat COVID-19 resolutely, COVID-19 may look for each of us in our homes. Read more
Lagos begins COVID-19 clinical trial (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said the state has concluded plans to start COVID-19 clinical trial in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and other institutions.
The commissioner spoke in Ikeja at a briefing on Monday.
He said, “There are a lot of research going on around the world, so it is possible that at some time in the near future, we will have what we may describe as a definitive cure for COVID-19. Indeed we are setting up our own clinical trials in Lagos in collaboration with other institutions and the NCDC and hopefully by this time next week, we should have started some clinical trials on our patients and on our staff in Lagos State. Read more
Nigeria confirms six new cases of coronavirus, total now 238 (Guardian)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Monday evening confirmed six new cases of coronavirus.
The number of confirmed cases of the virus in the country now stands at 238.
“Six new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria: 2 in Kwara, 2 in Edo, 1 in Rivers and 1 in the FCT,” NCDC said on Twitter.
“As at 09:30 pm 6th April there are 238 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Thirty-five have been discharged with five deaths.” Read more
BOI donates N700m relief fund to Lagos, FCT (DailyTrust)
Bank of Industry BOI The Bank of Industry (BOI) has donated the sum of N700 million in relief funding as part of its contribution in advancing regional efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic through the supply of critical care equipment, facilities and essential relief aid. Out of the N700 million, the institution has contributed N500 million of its relief funding to the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID). Financial support of N100 million will be donated to the FCT Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 and the Lagos State Government will be given a donation of N100 million. Read more
All attendees of Funke Akindele’s party to be charged to court (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government is to prosecute all those who attended Saturday’s birthday party hosted by Nollywood star, Funke Akindele.
The state Attorney-General, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) ), said on Monday that they would be prosecuted for flouting social distancing regulation of the state.
He made the disclosure shortly after an Ikeja chief magistrates’ court convicted and sentenced Akindele and her husband for flouting the regulation.
The Chief Magistrate Yewande Aje-Afunwa sentenced Akindele and her husband to 14 days of community service, each. Read more
385 Americans, 200 Canadians evacuated from Nigeria (DailyTrust)
As countries continue to evacuate their citizens from Nigeria since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States and Canada yesterday evacuated 585 of its citizens. While 385 Americans were evacuated, Canada also evacuated 200 citizens in two separate flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines. The Americans were scheduled to be evacuated last Friday before the flight was stalled following issues of flight permits in some West African countries. The Americans left Nigeria despite the advisory by the Embassy that they would be responsible for their medical bill because health facilities in the United States (US) are currently overstretched due to the COVID-19. Read more
Duffy details horrific four-week kidnap and rape ordeal (Metro)
Warning: Article contains details of sexual assault
Duffy has recounted her horrific four week kidnap ordeal. In a long statement on her website, the singer shared she was kidnapped and raped in a foreign country after being drugged in a restaurant.
She added that she was recounting her story to help anyone who has been through anything similar. She wrote: ‘The perpetrator drugged me in my own home in the four weeks, I do not know if he raped me there during that time, I only remember coming round in the car in the foreign country and the escape that would happen by me fleeing in the days following that. I do not know why I was not drugged overseas; it leads me to think I was given a class A drug and he could not travel with it. Read more
Botswana President Wants to Extend COVID-19 State of Emergency to Six Months (VOA)
Botswana’s president has proposed extending a state of emergency in the southern African country to last six months. President Mokgweetsi Masisi says the measure is needed because people are not complying with restrictions on movement to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Critics worry the plan, if initiated, would put too much power in the hands of the president.
Botswana’s parliament will convene on Wednesday to deliberate on Masisi’s proposal.
The president wants the state of emergency, declared last week in reaction to the outbreak of the coronavirus, to last six months. Read more
Coronavirus: France records highest daily death toll of 833 (BBC)
Hospitals in France reported a 10% increase in the number of deaths
France has reported 833 new coronavirus deaths in the past day, the highest daily toll since its outbreak began.
The total number of people who have died after testing positive for Covid-19 now stands at 8,911, while the number of infections is 98,010.
“We have not reached the end of the end of the ascent of this epidemic,” warned Health Minister Olivier Véran. Read more
Boris Johnson taken to intensive care for coronavirus (Metro)
Boris Johnson has been taken into intensive care for coronavirus after his condition worsened. Downing Street said Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab would deputise for him where necessary while he is unwell. The Prime Minister, 55, was admitted to hospital last night as a ‘precaution’ and for tests after suffering from the virus for ten days. A Number 10 spokesman said: ‘Since Sunday evening, the Prime Minister has been under the care of doctors at St Thomas’ Hospital, in London, after being admitted with persistent symptoms of coronavirus. Read more
George Pell: Court quashes cardinal’s sexual abuse convictions (BBC)
Cardinal George Pell has been freed from jail after Australia’s highest court overturned his convictions for child sexual abuse.
The ex-Vatican treasurer, 78, was the most senior Catholic figure ever jailed for such crimes.
In 2018, a jury found he abused two boys in Melbourne in the 1990s.
But the High Court of Australia quashed that verdict on Tuesday, bringing an immediate end to Cardinal Pell’s six-year jail sentence.
The Australian cleric had maintained his innocence since he was charged by police in June 2017. Read more
Kenya Confirms First Death of Minor from COVID-19 (VOA)
Kenya’s Health Ministry says a six-year-old child has died of coronavirus complications, becoming the youngest victim of the virus to die in Kenya. As of Friday, more than 120 people in Kenya have been confirmed to have COVID-19.
Mercy Mwangagi, the chief administrative secretary at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, announced the death at a news conference Friday.
“I am saddened to inform you that we have lost another patient to the coronavirus disease. The person, a six-year-old male child, who was also ailing from other medical conditions and had been admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital. Read more
Coronavirus wreaks havoc in African American neighbourhoods (BBC)
Stark statistics from Chicago health officials have underscored the heavy toll of coronavirus on black Americans.
Black Chicagoans account for half of all coronavirus cases in the city and more than 70% of deaths, despite making up 30% of the population.
Other cities with large black populations, including Detroit, Milwaukee, New Orleans and New York, have become coronavirus hotspots.
The US has recorded nearly 370,000 virus cases and almost 11,000 deaths.
Globally there have been nearly 75,000 deaths and more than 1.3m cases total. Read more
What is Quibi? Netflix rival launches with superstar names like Spielberg and Witherspoon (Metro)
Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are seeing a huge rise in viewers as millions around the world deal with isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve already seen Disney+ launch in recent weeks and now a brand new streaming service has just gone live in the US. It’s unclear whether Quibi will eventually launch in the UK, but in the meantime it has some big star names signed up to create content for it in America. Steven Spielberg and Reese Witherspoon have already agreed to make content for it and Idris Elba is on board with his very own car show. Read more
Rohr given more stringent conditions to remain Super Eagles coach (DailyTrust)
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick has declared that the federation has given Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Mr Gernot Rohr more stringent conditions for him to meet before his contract would be renewed. Speaking on a breakfast programme on Arise TV yesterday, Pinnick said Rohr will be given the new contract in a week’s time. “We have told him (Rohr) he must live in Nigeria, and that his salary will be paid in Naira (the Nigeria currency). He must go round League venues and see how he can nurture the players. If he is able to accept, we have a deal. Read more
Liverpool make u-turn on furloughing staff after Manchester United decision (Metro)
Liverpool have reversed their decision to place non-playing staff on the government’s furlough scheme following the backlash over the move. The Reds became the third Premier League club after Tottenham and Bournemouth to apply for the coronavirus retention scheme that would see scores of employees receive their wages from the government of up to 80%. Liverpool had planned to use the staff to pay around 200 staff but club legends like Jamie Carragher criticised the decision, saying it went against the club’s values. However, after taking much criticism, Liverpool have now announced that they were ‘wrong’ and have reversed the decision. Read more
Odion Ighalo drops Man United future hint (DailyTrust)
Odion Ighalo has hinted that he will be looking to complete a permanent move to Manchester United, with the Nigerian stating his intention to spend “more time with the team”. A short-term deal was put in place for the former Watford striker during the January transfer window. He was acquired by the Red Devils on deadline day, with Shanghai Shenhua allowing him to head back to England. A lucrative new contract in China has been mooted for the 30-year-old, but so has an extended stay at Old Trafford. Read more
Kevin Campbell explains how Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta can emulate Pep Guardiola’s success (Metro)
Ex-Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell has explained how Mikel Arteta can reproduce Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s successful philosophy at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta, 38, spent three years as Guardiola’s assistant coach at City, taking notes as they won back-to-back Premier League titles for the first time in the club’s history. The Spaniard has clearly picked up some good habits from his former colleague, winning six and losing just two of his opening 13 games as Gunners manager. However, the former Everton midfielder’s playing style in his first foray into management has been more pragmatic than free-flowing. Read more
Luke Shaw praises Bruno Fernandes’ impact on Manchester United dressing room (Metro)
Luke Shaw has praised Bruno Fernandes’ impact since joining Manchester United in January and says he has been most surprised by the impact the Portuguese has made in the dressing room. Fernandes swapped Lisbon for Manchester in the winter transfer window, with United spending £67.6million to prise him away from Sporting, and he has already scored two goals and assisted three more in his first five Premier League appearances. Although Fernandes has brought creativity and flair to United on the pitch, Shaw says it is the midfielder’s characteristics off the pitch that have been most striking. Read more
Former Atletico, Real Madrid and Barca coach Antic dies (DailyTrust)
Serbian coach Radomir Antic, the only person to manage Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona, died on Monday at the age of 71 following a long illness.
“The Atletico de Madrid family is mourning the passing of Radomir Antic, one of our legendary coaches. You will forever live in our hearts. Rest in peace,” the club tweeted. Spanish sports daily Marca said Antic had been suffering from a serious illness for a long time. Antic, who first moved to Spain as a player with Real Zaragoza in 1978, managed Atletico across three different spells between 1995 and 2000 and led the club to a league and cup double in his first season. Read more
Agreement reached to move transfer window & extend contracts (BBC)
The summer transfer window will be moved and contracts ending on 30 June will be extended for a short period under proposals agreed by football’s major stakeholders.
BBC Sport understands talks initiated by world governing body Fifa and including confederations, federations, clubs, players and leagues have reached agreement over a number of issues arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
All parties now accept that completing the 2019-20 season by 30 June, as initially hoped, will not happen. Read more