Man nabbed for brutalising lady who rejected sexual advances (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a man, Muyideen Ajayi, for allegedly brutalising a lady, Ibukun Emmanuel, for refusing his sexual advances in the Agbado-Ijaiye area of the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Ajayi had been pestering the mother of one for an intimate relationship, which she allegedly turned down.
However, Ajayi, who lives in the same compound with Ibukun, was alleged to have accosted her on Friday, April 10, 2020, in the Bajomo compound around the Ahmadiyya bus stop, Agbado-Ijaiye, in a bid to have his way.
He allegedly attempted to have his way and when Ibukun reportedly resisted, Ajayi was said to have become annoyed and brutalised her. Read more
COVID-19: FG expresses worries over mass transportation of people out of Lagos in trucks (Tribune)
The Presidential Task Force on the coronavirus pandemic has alerted on what it called ‘mass transportation’ of people out of Lagos State in trucks, thereby worsening the spread of the disease.
The National Coordinator of the Task Force, Dr Sani Aliyu, disclosed this during the daily media briefing of the task force in Abuja on Thursday.
The PTF said that COVID-19 transmission is being exacerbated by people moving across state borders, noting in particular the mass transportation of people out of Lagos State in trucks.
He therefore appealed to Nigerians to take federal and some states governments’ lockdown order seriously. Read more
Lagos govt gets 1000 boxes of assorted food items (DailyTrust)
To support the efforts of the Lagos State government to provide relief for the poor and the vulnerable due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown, Vava Furniture yesterday donated 1000 boxes of assorted food items to the state.
The donation, according to the company, was part of its corporate social responsibility project and the realization that government alone cannot shoulder the responsibility of cushioning the effects of the lockdown. The food items were handed to the officials of the state government at the Ministry of Agriculture warehouse. Read more
VIPs, hospitals’ disregard for NCDC rules worries govt (Punch)
Federal and state governments are bothered by some very important persons’ increasing disregard for the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s protocol on COVID-19, The PUNCH has learnt.
It was gathered on Thursday that most of the individuals with COVID-19 symptoms, who patronised private hospitals, contrary to government’s directive, were prominent persons.
At its daily media briefing on Thursday, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 said government would shut unaccredited private hospitals secretly treating COVID-19 patients. Read more
Enforce social distancing in markets, group urges (Guardian)
Traders and buyers besiege Agbor-obi market on their market day amid coronavirus fears in Agbor, Delta State yesterday.
The Coalition for A Better Nigeria has urged the federal and state governments to enforce social distancing in markets and bus parks. It advised that market associations and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) be compelled to implement the directive.
National Coordinator of the group, Awa Bamiji, in a statement, said: “The three tiers of government must do more on enforcement of social spacing, and ensure that the NURTW and market associations follow them.” Read more
As 1-week lockdown begins: Security agents take over Kano major streets (DailyTrust)
Heavily armed security operatives have taken over major streets in Kano as the one-week lockdown imposed by the state government took effect from 10 O’clock last night. The lockdown is to stem the fast-spreading coronavirus which is increasing daily. Daily Trust reports that Kano has a population of over 13 million people, and is the third state in the North West to record the COVID-19 case after Kaduna and Katsina.
Before Kano recorded its index case on Saturday, April 11, there had been mounting pressure on the government to shut its borders with other states in addition to stricter movement measures. Read more
No sufficient isolation centres for Nigerians awaiting evacuation – Onyeama (Punch)
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has said the planned evacuation of Nigerians from foreign countries will be staggered as the number of interested persons is high.
The government had concluded plans to bring back Nigerians from the United States, United Kingdom, China, United Arab Emirates and other countries on account of the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 2,000 Nigerian nationals had registered with various Nigerian embassies abroad to return home. Read more
FG tasks tailors on mass production of masks (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government has declared that with the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria is in a state of war against an invisible enemy. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chairman of the Presidential Taskforce Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this in Abuja yesterday at a briefing of the task force. Mustapha said: “The PTF appeals to Nigerians to take responsibility and play their roles properly. As you all know, we’re in a state of war against an invisible enemy.
“Let me also advise that whenever you’re outside the confines of your homes, make sure it’s for very legitimate reasons covered by the exemption or within the hours relaxed for the purchase of basic items. Similarly, you should carry with you a valid means of identification.” Read more
Yemi Solade kicks against filming abroad (Nation)
Actor Yemi ‘Olufela’ Solade has criticized filmmakers who travel abroad to shoot movies.
The 60-year-old actor discussed the setback the trend has brought to the Nigerian film industry in an interview with Aajiirebi on Africa Magic TV.
According to him, it’s of no advantage to go abroad to shoot a movie because it is a way of showcasing and promoting other people’s country.
“Of what value it is when I go to Dubai to shoot a movie when I can easily go to a village in Ondo state to shoot my movie? Read more
Africans feel targeted by china over coronavirus (VOA)
In a video shared with VOA, a Congolese student in Guangzhou, China, peeks through a cracked-open door and pleads for permission to leave his apartment.
Speaking in Mandarin, he tells a masked Chinese worker that he has been in his home for two months and has no symptoms of coronavirus. The worker tells him he must stay inside for 14 more days.
“It’s our job, we need to implement this. Because the [pandemic] situation is pretty critical in Africa,” the Chinese worker tells the student.
“But I didn’t travel to Africa,” the student replies.
As China tries to reopen from coronavirus, African residents say they are being singled out for additional testing, quarantine and in some cases, are being evicted from their homes. Read more
NYC nurse who beat coronavirus pummelled, robbed by group of thugs (NYPost)
A New York City nurse who recently recovered from the coronavirus was attacked on her way to work by a group of vicious youths who badly beat her and ran off with her purse, police sources and the victim told The Post.
Martha Toscano had just gotten out of the 6 train station on her way to work at Bellevue Hospital Wednesday around 10:30 pm when about 15 thugs ran her down and pummelled her to the ground.
“I thought they were going to kill me,” Toscano, 60, said in a phone call from her Queens studio Thursday. Read more
China’s virus-hit economy grows at slowest rate in decades (BBC)
The Chinese economy shrunk at its fastest ever pace in the first quarter of the year, as factories and businesses were forced to close.
The world’s second biggest economy contracted 6.8% according to its official data released on Friday.
The financial toll the coronavirus is having on the Chinese economy will be a huge concern to other countries.
China is an economic powerhouse as a major consumer and producer of goods and services. Read more
Why COVID-19 hit high-income countries harder (VOA)
After the novel coronavirus burst out of China in January, experts have been fearing catastrophic impacts on developing nations with weak health care systems.
So far, though, the highest death tolls have been reported in wealthier nations in Europe and in the United States.
On a widely used map from Johns Hopkins University, the red dots representing the number of confirmed cases shows a notable north-south divide. Sub-Saharan Africa in particular appears to have relatively few infections.
A worker attaches a billboard, advertising sales of hand sanitizer and masks, to a building ahead of a 21 day lockdown aimed at…Read more
Coronavirus: Lions nap on road during South African lockdown (BBC)
Sooner or later animals were going to notice that the humans had disappeared and in South Africa’s Kruger National Park lions have been taking advantage.
Park ranger Richard Sowry was out on patrol on Wednesday when he snapped a pride sleeping on a road which would normally be busy with tourists.
But Kruger, like other wildlife parks, has been shut since 25 March as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
Big cats would usually only be seen by rangers on the roads by night. Read more
Review launched into why ethnic minorities worst hit by coronavirus (Metro)
The disproportionally high number of coronavirus cases among people from ethnic minority backgrounds will be formally reviewed, Downing Street has confirmed. A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the investigation would be led by the NHS and Public Heath England. The Runnymede Trust, an independent race equality think-tank, has previously warned of the disastrous ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic among black and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, suggesting it was very likely to be a combination of health, social, and economic imbalances in society. Read more
World Press Photo 2020: Image from Sudan uprising wins (BBC)
An image from last year’s popular uprising in Sudan has won the prestigious World Press Photo of the Year Award.
The photo, titled “Straight Voice”, was taken by AFP photographer Yasuyoshi Chiba.
It shows a demonstrator reciting protest poetry, while a crowd of fellow protesters illuminate him with the light from their phones.
Judges said Chiba’s “poetic” photo showed the power of youth and art. Read more
Beyoncé surprises Disney singalong show with ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ (PageSix)
It’s no R9, but we’ll take what we can get.
Beyoncé surprised Disney fans and music lovers everywhere Thursday evening by popping into the entertainment juggernaut’s “Disney Family Singalong” on ABC.
“I’d like to dedicate to all of the healthcare workers who’ve been working tirelessly to keep us healthy and safe,” Bey explained before starting her rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star,” adding, “We greatly appreciate you.”
The presence of the “Lion King” star, 38, in the Ryan-Seacrest-hosted show was not revealed ahead of time. Read more
CAF pays tribute to ‘98 Falcons (Punch)
The Confederation of African Football has paid tribute to the all-conquering 1998 Super Falcons coached by Ismaila Mabo, The PUNCH reports.
Nigeria hosted the maiden African Women’s Championship (now African Women’s Cup of Nations) 22 years ago and the Falcons took the title in an unbeaten run of five matches, scoring a remarkable 26 goals and conceding none.
The Falcons started their campaign with a stunning 8-0 win over Morocco at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna. Read more
US Open: ‘Unlikely’ tournament will be played behind closed doors (BBC)
The fate of this year’s US Open will not be decided until June, but it is “highly unlikely” to be staged behind closed doors.
The US Tennis Association (USTA) has set up a medical advisory group to help them determine whether it will be safe to play the tournament.
The US Open is due to begin at Flushing Meadows in New York on 31 August.
More than 10,000 people have died from coronavirus in the city and lockdown measures have been extended to 15 May. Read more
Iconic kits: Eagles’ Russia 2018 jersey rated No.5 (Punch)
Super Eagles’ outfit to the 2018 World Cup in Russia has been rated number five best shirt worn by football teams in the last 52 years.
According to the result of a survey by BBC Sports released on Thursday, Nigeria’s home kits, which were also used at the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, was picked by voters as the fifth best jerseys with a nine per cent vote.
Explaining why it was voted number five, BBC Sports wrote, “Nigeria took the world by storm with this release for the 2018 World Cup. Read more
Golfers ‘apprehensive’ about PGA Tour’s restart plan (NYPost)
What will it look like?
A major sporting event without spectators is a foreign concept, but it’s one of the many unwelcome new normals the COVID-19 pandemic has forced upon us.
Every major sports league — including MLB, the NBA, NHL and MLS — has acknowledged this as a possibility, if even a likelihood, once their respective seasons restart or begin.
On Thursday, the PGA Tour became the first major sports organization to announce no spectators as a reality when it mapped out its updated schedule, which begins with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club the week of June 8, and stated that at least the first four tournaments on the revised schedule will take place without fans in attendance. Read more
David Luiz reveals his doubts about Arsenal after Chelsea transfer (Metro)
David Luiz admits he was left questioning his move to Arsenal shortly after his surprise switch from Chelsea last summer.
The 32-year-old joined the Gunners in an £8 million deal last August, but following a poor start to the campaign under Unai Emery, Luiz admits he ‘often wondered why the decision was made’.
Luiz also concedes that he was fully aware of the pressure put on him to immediately improve Arsenal’s defence and says it was ‘difficult’ to see Chelsea fans being unhappy with his decision to leave. ‘I was always very happy at Chelsea. Read more
Champions League final: UEFA plans for final on 29 August (BBC)
UEFA is working to plans that would see the Champions League final end the 2019-20 season on 29 August.
European football’s governing body will meet on 23 April for more discussions about how to complete a campaign which has been disrupted by coronavirus.
It is likely one decision will be to agree that leagues could finish early, although only with Uefa’s approval.
But the idea is still to finish the season as a whole at the end of August, with all outstanding games played. Read more
Daniel Levy asks Mauricio Pochettino to take pay cut on £8.5m salary (Metro)
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has asked Mauricio Pochettino to take a pay cut on the £8.5m-a-year salary that the club continue to pay the Argentine.
Pochettino was sacked last December and replaced by Jose Mourinho less than 24 hours later, bringing to an end the Argentine’s six years in north London. Levy shared a close relationship with Pochettino and in sacking the Argentine, he agreed to pay his salary until he took up his next job. Pochettino is one of the finest managers in world football and had been expected to make a quick return to management. Read more