N-Power beneficiaries protest in Lagos (Guardian)
Some beneficiaries of the Nigerian government empowerment programme N-Power on Tuesday protested at the Lagos Television, Alausa, Lagos State.
The aggrieved beneficiaries accused the Lagos State Government of ignoring them in its recruitment processes.
“We have volunteered for them for like three years and there is a lot of recruitment going on and we have not been considered at all,” Ayo Opeyemi, a beneficiary of N-Agro and one of the coordinators of N-power beneficiaries in Lagos State, told The Guardian. Read more
Obey judgment stopping compulsory blood donation, SERAP tells Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
Advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately obey Monday’s court judgment ordering all hospitals in the state to stop the practice of mandating husbands to donate blood as a condition for their pregnant wives to access ante-natal care.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Raliat Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, who described the practice as “unconscionable, arbitrary, unfair and a violation of Section 38(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” which guarantees citizens’ right to life”.
In a statement on Tuesday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare, SERAP hailed the judgment, saying if obeyed, it would inch Nigeria closer to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. Read more
Lagos Assembly passes Amotekun law (Nation)
Lagos State House of Assembly at plenary on Tuesday passed the bill to create Amotekun Corps as a special unit of the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps.
It passed the bill after taking the third reading of the amendment to the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps Agency Law 2019. Read more
Police warns against kidnap pranks in Katsina (Guardian)
The Katsina State Police Command has warned the public against calls and text threatening to kill or kidnap people or their relatives for ransom.
This was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Gambo Isah, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Katsina.
“It has come to the notice of the police that some people have devised new tactics of calling or sending text messages to friends, neighbours, relatives or acquaintances, claiming to be bandits or kidnappers from the forest. Read more
Father of six commits suicide over alleged infidelity (Nation)
A father of six, identified as Felix Edore, has reportedly committed suicide over alleged infidelity by his wife of 16 years.
The Nation gathered the incident occurred late Friday in Sapele, Delta State.
According to sources, Edore, a cab driver, who shuttles neighbouring Abraka and Eku communities only recently bought a fairly-used car for his business. Read more
Coronavirus: Presidency screens Aso Rock visitors, workers (Punch)
The Presidency has joined in taking preventive measures against the Coronavirus disease by screening all visitors to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
All Aso Rock workers are also screened as they enter the main reception for public access into the offices.
Health personnel stationed at the reception check the temperature of visitors and workers upon arrival. Read more
IPOB expresses dissatisfaction over supreme court dismissal of Ihedioha’s application (Vanguard)
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has expressed sadness over the Supreme Court dismissal of Emeka Ihedioha’s application for review of its January 14, 2020 judgement that installed Hope Uzodimma.
IPOB in a statement made available to Vanguard, alleged, “the Supreme Court of Nigeria has allowed itself to become a willing tool of the caliphate in its quest to conquer South East”.
The group maintained that the apex court has defied the logic that unaccounted and untraceable result sheets were admitted by the court, stressing the world will now understand how corrupt Nigerian judiciary really is. Read more
Navy nabs 10 rice smugglers in Akwa Ibom (Punch)
Operatives of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have arrested 10 suspected smugglers with 956 bags of rice.
The suspects were arrested in three different operations carried out by naval patrol gunboats on February 15, 23 and 25, 2020.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Peter Yilme, said during the first operation, 165 bags of rice were seized from suspects; 707 bags were seized in the second operation; while 84 bags were recovered during the third operation. Read more
Nigeria’s hot temperature may suppress spread of Coronavirus – Virologist (Nation)
A Consultant Virologist, Dr Adeola Fowotade, has said that hot tropical climate as obtainable in Nigeria could help suppress the spread of coronavirus COVID-19.
Fowotade of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, said this while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
According to her, some experts think the COVID-19 may behave like the influenza virus, which is a seasonal disease common in colder climate, making Nigeria too hot for coronavirus to spread. Read more
Coronavirus: Chinese national quarantined at Lagos airport, under observation (DailyTrust)
A Chinese onboard an Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa was on Monday evening quarantined at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos. The Chinese national was said to be coughing onboard the aircraft and was subsequently handed over to officials of the Port Health Service at the airport after being separated from other passengers. Though details of the incident are still sketch, the Chinese is currently under observation for any symptom of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19), our reporter gathered on Tuesday. Read more
Africa looks to Ebola lessons in fight against coronavirus (Guardian)
Their continent has so far only registered two coronavirus cases, but sub-Saharan African governments are looking to their experience with Ebola as they prepare their fragile public systems for outbreaks of the new virus.
In 2014, an Ebola outbreak stormed West Africa, leaving more than 11,000 dead mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone and also reaching Nigeria and Mali.
Then, the World Health Organization was criticised for what some saw as a delayed response to what became the worst Ebola epidemic ever recorded. Read more
Coronavirus: Germany, France, Britain to fly medical supplies to Iran (Nation)
Germany, France, and Britain yesterday said they will be flying urgent medical supplies to Iran to help it combat the COVID-19 outbreak that has claimed at least 66 lives in the country.
The supplies, which were expected to be delivered yesterday, include testing kits, protective equipment and gloves, a statement from the French Foreign Ministry said.
The three countries – the European signatories to the 2015 deal on Iran’s nuclear programme – said they will also be providing financial aid of almost 5 million euros ($5.6 million) via the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other UN agencies to combat the outbreak in Iran. Read more
Coronavirus could push airlines to merge, says Air France-KLM boss (Punch)
The spread of the coronavirus could force weak airlines to merge with competitors, the head of Air France-KLM and the A4E association of European airlines said Tuesday.
“There are quite a few weak carriers around the world,” Benjamin Smith said at the association’s annual meeting. “I believe this will accelerate consolidation”.
Dozens of airlines scaled back or halted flights to China in January as the coronavirus outbreak that causes COVID-19 gained steam in the country, with people reluctant to travel and governments erecting travel restrictions.
Last week, airlines moved to reduce flights to Italy where the largest outbreak in Europe is underway. Read more
Coronavirus: Iran temporarily frees 54,000 prisoners to combat spread (BBC)
Iran has temporarily released more than 54,000 prisoners in an effort to combat the spread of the new coronavirus disease in crowded jails.
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told reporters that the inmates were granted furlough after testing negative for Covid-19 and posting bail.
“Security prisoners” sentenced to more than five years will not be let out.
The jailed British-Iranian charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe may be freed soon, according to a British MP. Read more
Barnier says Brexit trade talks ‘going well’ (Guardian)
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Tuesday said trade talks had started on the right foot as officials began a three-month sprint to settle future EU-UK relations.
Each side assembled about 100 officials at a Brussels conference centre and split into nine groups for intense and detailed negotiations on a wide range of topics, with trade the thorniest issue.
“The negotiations are going well,” Barnier told reporters. “In the first phase, we are trying to see clearly, precisely, where our divergences, grey zones, convergences are.” Read more
South Africa slips into second recession in two years (Punch)
South Africa slipped into recession in the final three months of 2019, the country’s statistics bureau said on Tuesday, the second contraction to hit the economy in as many years.
It is the third recession the continent’s most industrialised economy has suffered since the end of apartheid in 1994, but the second since Cyril Ramaphosa came to power in 2018.
The weak performance piles pressure on Ramaphosa’s administration which has been struggling to keep his election pledge to revive economic activity in one of Africa’s powerhouses. Read more
Russia’s Putin wants traditional marriage and God in constitution (BBC)
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants marriage to be defined as the union of a man and woman in a revised constitution, ruling out gay marriage.
It is among several constitutional amendments proposed by Mr Putin, which are set to be put to a public vote.
Critics see the proposals as a move by Mr Putin to keep a hold on power after his presidential term ends in 2024.
The package includes a proclamation of Russians’ faith in God and a ban on giving away any Russian territory. Read more
India suspends visas to nationals from Italy, Iran, S. Korea, Japan (Nation)
India on Tuesday suspended with immediate effect all regular visas or e-visas granted to the nationals of Italy, Iran, South Korea, Japan issued on or before March 3 to curb COVID-19, said a revised travel advisory.
These visas also included visas-on-arrival for Japan and South Korea, according to the travel advisory.
“Those requiring to travel to India under compelling circumstances may apply for fresh visas to the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate,” it added. Read more
Deadly tornadoes kill nineteen in Nashville, Tennessee (BBC)
Media captionDramatic footage of tornado-devastated Nashville
At least 19 people have died after two tornadoes ripped through central Tennessee, including the state’s biggest city Nashville.
Officials said the tornadoes also caused widespread damage to buildings in the city.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper said the city was “devastated”, and urged people to “lend a helping hand” to neighbours.
Neighbourhoods throughout the city have been plunged into darkness amid infrastructure damage. Read more
Hoodlums seize Rivers United bus at gunpoint (Punch)
The club bus of Nigeria Professional Football League side Rivers United was on Sunday seized at gunpoint by suspected hoodlums in Okigwe, Imo State.
In a statement by the club’s media officer, Sammy Wejinya, the suspected hoodlums were led by a former player of defunct Dolphins FC.
“One of the officials of Rivers United FC, Charles Ahuzi, was badly beaten during the unfortunate incident,” Weijinya said. Read more
Sokratis hints at Arsenal exit (Guardian)
Sokratis Papastathopoulos has insisted he will leave Arsenal before his contract expires if he does not get more game time under Mikel Arteta.
The 31-year-old Greek defender opened the scoring in the Gunners’ 2-0 win away to third-tier Portsmouth in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday.
But that was a comparatively rare outing for Sokratis, who has often been left out by Arteta, with the Arsenal manager preferring David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi as his first-choice partnership in the centre of the Gunners’ defence. Read more
Eagles threaten to boycott Leone Star clash (Punch)
The Super Eagles are planning to boycott this month’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone following unpaid match bonuses, Sports Extra has gathered.
The double-header holds first at the Stephen Keshi stadium in Asaba, Delta State on March 27 before the reverse fixture in Freetown four days later.
The Eagles are currently owed allowances and win bonuses for their 2021 AFCON qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Lesotho, Sports Extra gathered. Read more
Edo 2020 won’t be postponed over COVID-19’ (Nation)
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare said yesterday that Edo 2020 National Sports Festival (NSF) will not be postponed due to the fear of the spread of Coronavirous.
Speaking through the Director of Planning and a member of the Main Organising Committee, Peter Nelson, and Dare said: “The 2020 Edo National Sports Festival is on track and will go on as scheduled. There is nothing to be worried about. The Minister has directed the setting up of an isolation centre (during the Games) to take care of any case of the virus. Read more
Klopp to beef up FA Cup side as Liverpool look to bounce back (Vanguard)
Jurgen Klopp said he would name a more senior side for Liverpool’s FA Cup trip to Chelsea on Tuesday after relying on the club’s talented youngsters to make it to the fifth round.
Klopp left under-23 coach Neil Critchley, who was named Blackpool manager on Monday, in charge for a 1-0 fourth-round replay win over Shrewsbury, while Klopp and his senior players enjoyed a two-week winter break.
However, the layoff has done Liverpool little good in recent weeks. They returned rusty and lost for the first time in 45 Premier League games at Watford on Saturday, beaten 3-0. Read more
Ronaldo dashes to Madeira to see stroke-victim mother (Guardian)
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo skipped training with his Italian club Juventus on Tuesday to dash to the Madeira home of his mother, victim of a stroke, local press reported.
“All we can say is that he’s not at training for personal reasons,” Juventus told AFP, without giving further details.
According to the Diario de Noticias da Madeira, Ronaldo was expected to make a whistlestop return to Funchal, capital of the Portuguese island lying in the Atlantic, arriving Tuesday afternoon but departing Wednesday in good enough time to be available for the Italian Cup semi-final between Juve and AC Milan. Read more
CAF’s General Secretary resigns (Nation)
CAF General Secretary Mouad Hajjion Monday tendered his resignation letter to CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, who has accepted his resignation.
At the request of the CAF President, the Emergency Committee will meet to appoint an Acting General Secretary.
Citing personal reasons and indicating the need to return to Morocco as soon as possible, Hajji appealed for notice of his departure to be shortened, a request which the President has acceded to.
According to the statutes of the organisation, resignations and appointments must be submitted to the Executive Committee. Thus, the CAF President has announced that a meeting of the Emergency Committee will be convened as soon as possible to appoint an interim General Secretary. Read more
Olympic chiefs prepare for ‘successful’ Tokyo 2020 (Vanguard)
The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday it was busy with preparations for a “successful” Summer Games in Tokyo in less than five months and at a time when the coronavirus outbreak is widening.
IOC president Thomas Bach, speaking at the opening of the Olympic body’s two-day executive board meeting in Lausanne, said: “We are preparing for a successful Olympic Games, Tokyo 2020.”
The IOC, he later added, remained “fully committed to” and “very confident of” that success. Read more