Lagos identifies first Lassa fever case as Law student from Ebonyi (Punch)
The Lagos Ministry of Health has identified the state’s index Lassa fever patient as an indigene of Ebonyi who arrived at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos over the weekend.
The state health ministry’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Tunbosun Ogunbamwo, confirmed this to PUNCH HealthWise on Wednesday.
He said the state was confident that the outbreak would be “comfortably contained.”
Mr. Ogunbamwo only said the index patient was from Ebonyi State, without disclosing further details. Read more
Man allegedly steals N250,000 gold chain at Tejuoso market (Vanguard)
A 24-year-old man, Seidu Abdulahi, who allegedly stole a 3.9 gram gold chain worth N250,000, on Wednesday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
Abdulahi, of no fixed address, is facing a charge of stealing.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Anthonia Osayande, told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometime in the month of January, at Tejuosho Market, Yaba, Lagos.
Osayande alleged that the defendant, who got tips for bringing customers to shop owners in Yaba, tricked the complainant, one Bashiru Mumini, into believing that someone wanted to buy a gold chain, and immediately absconded with it.
She said that Abdulahi was arrested weeks after, when he was spotted again at the market. Read more
Olubadan accuses new monarchs of blackmail, threatens legal action (Guardian)
The crisis between Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and the newly installed monarchs on Wednesday deepened as the Olubadan threatened legal action against the new obas for blackmail and denigration of the institution he represents.
Apparently referring to the letter “Re: Grievances; our response” of February 14, 2020 signed by Otun Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun which was obtained from the public domain, the first-class monarch vowed to clear his name of the damaging claim that he sold a traditional chieftaincy title for as high as N30 Million.
Olubadan, who responded through his Personal Assistant/Media and Publicity Director, Mr. Adeola Oloko stated that the “embattled high chief” should have substantiated his claim by mentioning the name of the chief or chiefs who paid the sum. Read more
Jubilation as Anthony Joshua arrives in Sagamu (Punch)
There was jubilation in Sagamu on Wednesday when the World heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, arrived at the palace of Akarigbo of Remo.
The PUNCH gathered that Joshua met the Akarigbo and other chiefs in Sagamu around 1.15pm.
Head, Anthony Joshua Supporters Club, Sagamu, popularly known as Mr Naira, confirmed Joshua’s presence to The PUNCH.
He commended the boxer for yielding to their calls to visit Sagamu. Read more
Assailants kill Aso Rock director, set body on fire (Punch)
An Assistant Director attached to the State House, Abuja, Laetitia Dagan, has been killed by yet-to-be identified assailants.
Dagan was said to have been killed in her apartment in Galadimawa, Abuja, on Monday shortly after she returned from work.
The 47-year-old Plateau State indigene was said to have left her office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, around 8pm while the incident happened around 11pm.
She was said to be a participant in an ongoing training for civil servants holding at the Manhattan Event Centre, Uke, Nasarawa State. Read more
Actors’ Guild sets up fundraising committee for Asuzu (Nation)
The President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr Emeka Rollas, says that the body has set up a committee to raise funds for its ailing member, Ernest Asuzu.
Rollas told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that other members of the guild had begun to respond to the directives of the association toward assisting their ailing colleague.
NAN reports that the AGN is the umbrella body that regulates the affairs of film actors both in Nigeria and abroad.
It also reported that Asuzu had been down with stroke since 2015.
Rollas said, “Ernest Asuzu is one of us.Read more
The Ugandan village devastated by elephantiasis (BBC)
Despite sitting down as she shells bright-pink beans, Margaret Tindimutuma’s swollen feet are in pain. The Ugandan matriarch has a rare type of elephantiasis that has caused her family untold suffering.
“I have always had allergies since I was young. So when my legs started to develop little swellings, like boils, I didn’t think much of it,” the octogenarian says as she sits on a papyrus mat in the centre of a compound of mud houses.
“But the pain became so intense, I would feel pinpricks all over. The skin in between the toes broke out in sores. Then my sons started to fall sick. I wondered if they had inherited my illness.” Read more
UK to close door to non-English speakers and unskilled workers (Guardian)
Industry leaders warned that the government’s plans could have serious implications for many sectors of the economy including restaurants.
Britain is to close its borders to unskilled workers and those who can’t speak English as part of a fundamental overhaul of immigration laws that will end the era of cheap EU labour in factories, warehouses, hotels and restaurants.
Unveiling its Australian-style points system on Wednesday, the government will say it is grasping a unique opportunity to take “full control” of British borders “for the first time in decades” and eliminate the “distortion” caused by EU freedom of movement.
But industry leaders immediately accused the government of an assault on the economy warning of “disastrous” consequences with job losses and closures in factories and the high street. Read more
Elated passengers leave Cambodia cruise ship after virus all-clear (Guardian)
Dozens of passengers stuck for nearly a week on a US cruise ship in Cambodia disembarked Wednesday, after being given the all-clear from a deadly coronavirus.
The Westerdam made shore in Sihanoukville on February 13 after being rejected by five countries over fears its passengers could be carrying the new virus, which has killed more than 2,000 people.
Hundreds were allowed off after basic health checks — among them an 83-year-old American woman who was later diagnosed with the virus while in transit in Malaysia. Read more
Utah Senate supports bill decriminalising polygamy (BBC)
Utah’s state Senate has voted unanimously to decriminalise polygamy among consenting adults.
Under current laws, anyone found to have multiple spouses could face up to five years in prison.
Proponents of the bill argue it would remove the secrecy surrounding communities which practise polygamy and allow victims to report abuse. But critics warn it could empower abusers.
The bill still needs to be approved by the state’s House of Representatives. Read more
Gladiator star John Shrapnel dies aged 77 (Metro)
John Shrapnel has died, aged 77. The actor – most known for his roles in Gladiator and Notting Hill – passed away following a battle with cancer. The National Theatre led tributes on Twitter, posting: ‘We’re very sad to hear that the wonderful actor John Shrapnel has died. TOP ARTICLES 3/5 Photo shows Lewis Burton’s head injury following Caroline Flack’s assault charge ‘He performed in many productions at the National Theatre, including Phèdre – our first @NTLiveproduction.’ While Richard E Grant – who starred alongside him in How To Get Ahead In Advertising – shared: ‘Sad to learn that John Shrapnel has died. Read more
Osimhen rated third-highest African scorer in Europe (Punch)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is the third-highest scoring African player in Europe’s top leagues (EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1), Sports Extra reports.
The Nigeria international took his tally to 13 Ligue 1 goals in Lille’s 2-1 home loss to Olympique Marseille last Sunday.
The strike was his 10th Ligue 1 goal at the Pierre Mauroy, scoring three away goals as well in the French topflight.
The 21-year-old has scored 18 in all competitions for Lille since joining in the off-season from Belgian side Charleroi in a deal worth €12m. Read more
VAR: Arsene Wenger suggests offside law could ‘change a little bit’ (BBC)
Fifa’s chief of global football development Arsene Wenger says there might be room to the change the offside law “a little bit” in response to video assistant referee controversy.
VAR has contentiously ruled out a number of goals for marginal offences.
“[I’m speaking about] the offside by a margin of a fraction of a centimetres,” said the former Arsenal manager.
“Maybe there is room to change the offside rule a little bit so we don’t say a part of his nose was offside.”
Wenger’s role at the world governing body includes sitting on the technical panel of the International Football Association Board (Ifab), which sets football’s laws. Read more
Manchester City claim Uefa ban ‘less about justice and more about politics’ (Guardian)
Ferran Soriano has claimed Manchester City’s two-year Champions League ban is “less about justice and more about politics”.
The chief executive is the first club figure to speak since City were found to have seriously misled Uefa and broken financial fair play rules. The Premier League champions, who were also fined €30m (£25m), say they are innocent and are to appeal to the court of arbitration for sport.
Manchester City could face new Uefa investigation into Abu Dhabi sponsors.
“Based on our experience and our perception this seems to be less about justice and more about politics,” Sorriano told City’s website, without explaining what politics he was referring to. He added: “Of course a lot of people come now and say: ‘Well what were you expecting? This is the way it works. You should have expected a negative outcome the way the system is designed.’ But we didn’t believe that. Read more
NFF, LMC parley over insecurity {Nation)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the League Management Committee (LMC) have resolved to make the league better despite some hiccups experienced in the first stanza of the ongoing season.
In a mid-season review held yesterday at the LMC’s head office in Abuja, both bodies resolved to deploy addition security officers at match venues, create volunteer stewards corps, ban unruly challenge of match officials by players and sustain review of match officials’ performance.
NFF President, Amaju Pinnick explained that the meeting was called to discuss the progress made so far in the NPFL and to explore possible strategies that can be adopted to sustain the progress and eliminate identified setbacks such as the unwarranted security breach that occurred in the Abia Derby and the breach of public peace within in Katsina metropolis after the derby match between Katsina United and Kano Pillars. Read more
Adam Lallana: Liverpool midfielder set to leave Anfield this summer (BBC)
Adam Lallana’s only goal for Liverpool this season came when he equalised at Manchester United
Adam Lallana’s only goal for Liverpool this season was in a 1-1 draw at Manchester United in October
Liverpool are set to let Adam Lallana leave in the summer when the England midfielder’s contract runs out.
There are no talks taking place between the European champions and the 31-year-old over a new deal and he will be available on a free transfer.
Lallana, who has been linked with Leicester City, moved to Anfield for £25m in 2014. Read more
Rangers vs Pillars: Madaki targets Antelopes’ scalp (Punch)
Kano Pillars defender Chris Madaki is confident the Sai Masu Gida will compound the woes of Enugu Rangers by recording a win when they both clash in a rescheduled match in the Nigerian Professional Football League on Wednesday (today), Sports Extra reports.
Rangers have been inconsistent this season, winning only five of their 18 NPFL games. They also recorded five draws and six defeats.
Seasoned NPFL defender Madaki stated that no amount of threats from the Flying Antelopes camp would intimidate them, saying they were fully ready for the encounter. Read more
Liverpool seek home comforts after Atletico wake-up call (Guardian)
Liverpool’s return to the scene of their Champions League triumph last season was not a happy one.
A 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday leaves the European champions relying on another Anfield comeback to progress.
Jurgen Klopp’s men famously thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in their last knockout tie at home to overturn a 3-0 deficit in last season’s semi-finals. Read more
Matteo Guendouzi in line to make Arsenal return (Metro)
Matteo Guendouzi is in line to make his Arsenal return after he was axed from the squad ahead of Sunday’s win over Newcastle. The France international was reported to have been involved in a bust-up with Mikel Arteta during the club’s warm weather training camp in Dubai during the winter break. Arteta was said to have harboured concerns about the 20-year-old’s attitude and performances in training. In Guendouzi’s absence, Arsenal cantered to a 4-0 win over Newcastle, their most convincing victory since Arteta’s appointment, with Dani Ceballos starring in a deep-lying midfield position. Read more
Deontay Wilder v Tyson Fury II: American vows to surpass ‘idol’ Muhammad Ali (BBC)
Deontay Wilder vowed to surpass his “idol” Muhammad Ali by knocking out Tyson Fury to land another defence of the world heavyweight title.
The 34-year-old American looked focused on a chaotic Tuesday in Las Vegas, where Fury arrived on an open-top Ferrari for a grand welcome ceremony attended by hundreds of fans.
The Briton, 31, continued to promise a knockout in Saturday’s rematch, while his rival eyed moving beyond legend Ali’s mark of 10 consecutive defences of the heavyweight title. Read more
Iheanacho may play Sierra Leone (Nation)
Reports emanating from England indicate that Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho is to get another chance to impress the Super Eagles’ technical crew in the forthcoming double-header 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Nigeria and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone slated for March 27th and 31st at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba and Siaka Stevens Stadium, Freetown.
Iheanacho fell out of favour with the Eagles’ technical crew headed by Gernot Rohr after his indifferent showing for Leicester City and the Nigerian team that cost him a place in the 2019 AFCON in Egypt. He was also close to leaving his English club in the January transfer window before his form improved remarkably. Read more