Police to arraign 65 Lagos partygoers Monday (Punch)
The police will on Monday (tomorrow), arraign 65 partygoers for violating the lockdown order in the state to curb the spread of coronavirus.
This was disclosed to our correspondent by the state police Spokesperson, Bala Elkana, on Friday.
The Lagos State Task Force on COVID-19 on Wednesday arrested the suspects who gathered at 84 Parks and Gardens in the Abule-Egba area of the state for a birthday bash.
The task force, comprising personnel of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, Lagos State Safety Commission, Rapid Response Squad and the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement Unit), went to the venue to arrest the violators following a tip-off from some members of the public. Read more
No resumption date for UNILAG staff, students – Varsity authorities (Independent)
Against the ease of lockdown order announced by the federal government in Ogun, Lagos and the FCT, Abuja, the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has asked its staff not to resume on Monday, May 4, 2020.
The decision was reached during a meeting held on Tuesday April 28, 2020 where the directive of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, concerning the phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in the three states was reviewed. Read more
Lagos records four new coronavirus deaths (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Ministry of Health on Saturday confirmed four more COVID-19 related deaths in the state.
The ministry, which disclosed this on its Twitter handle, however, did not give additional information about the age, sex, nationality, and medical history of the deceased.
It said: “Unfortunately, four #COVID-19 deaths were recorded. This brings the total number of #COVID-19 related deaths in Lagos to 25.” Read more
Covid-19: Kaduna records 14 new cases (Guardian)
Kaduna State has recorded 14 fresh positive cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina Mohammed Baloni, has confirmed.
She disclosed this in Kaduna on Saturday at the daily briefing by the State Standing Committee on COVID-19.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, the Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai. Read more
Coronavirus: NCDC fears spread may worsen as lockdown ends today (Punch)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has expressed fears that the number of coronavirus cases in the country will continue to rise for the next few months. This hint came as the lockdown imposed on the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states ends at 11:59pm today.
The Director General, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, told Sunday PUNCH in an interview that the number of cases was likely to increase given the increasing capacity to find and test more cases. Read more
Emir of Rano dies at 74 (DailyTrust)
The Emir of Rano, Dr Tafida Abubakar Ila ll, one of the four emirs recently appointed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for the new emirates, died yesterday at the Nassarwa Specialist Hospital, Kano at about 4:45pm after a brief illness. He was 74 years old.
The Turakin Rano, Alhaji Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, told Daily Trust that the late emir was earlier admitted at the hospital yesterday.
Rurum, a former speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, said the emir would be buried yesterday in his emirate according to Islamic rites. Read more
Covid-19: Atiku urges prayers for Dokpesi, others (ThisDay)
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar Saturday expressed sympathy and solidarity with the family of media mogul, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and members of his family who tested positive to Covid-19.
In a press statement released by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president called on all well-meaning Nigerians to put the matter of the speedy recovery of Chief Dokpesi and his family, and other victims of the Covid-19 pandemic in prayers. Read more
Coronavirus: ‘Covid toe’ and other rashes puzzle doctors (BBC)
Five rashes, including Covid toe, are affecting some hospital patients diagnosed with Covid-19, a small study by Spanish doctors has found.
The rashes tended to appear in younger people and lasted several days.
It is not uncommon for a rash to be a symptom of a virus, such as the spots that indicate chicken pox.
But the researchers said they were surprised to see so many varieties of rash with Covid-19.
Rashes are not currently included in the list of symptoms of the illness. Read more
Italian mafia sees business opportunities in Covid-19 crisis (France24)
Italy’s mafia has worked out how to profit from the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic crash. From offering opportunistic social aid and usurious loans to new business investments, the mafia is all set to exploit the vulnerable.
This is not the first time that mafia families have identified an easy business opportunity. In 1980, an earthquake struck Naples and the Campania region, killing almost 2,700 people. The Neapolitan arm of the mafia, the Camorra, quickly developed their construction enterprise and secured much of the reconstruction work. Read more
Asia’s ‘murder hornet’ found in US for first time (NYPost)
Now, deadly hornets from Asia that measure up to 2 inches long have been found for the first time in the US — and researchers are worried they’re colonizing.
The aggressive insects, nicknamed “murder hornets,” can wipe out bee colonies within hours and have stingers long and powerful enough to puncture beekeeping suits.
Beekeepers in Washington have already seen the hornets devastate their hives; Japan attributes 50 human deaths a year to the nasty buzzers, which have “teardrop eyes like Spider-Man, orange and black stripes that extend down its body like a tiger, and broad, wispy wings like a small dragonfly,” according to the New York Times. Read more
France records lowest Covid-19 daily death toll since March 22 (France24)
The number of people who died of coronavirus infection in France increased by 166 to 24,760 on Saturday, the lowest daily increase since March 22, government data showed.
Saturday’s daily tally of Covid-19 fatalities was markedly lower than the 218 recorded a day earlier.
Health Ministry officials said the number of people in intensive care units fell to 3,827 from 3,878 on Friday, down for a 24th consecutive day. Read more
Venezuela prison riot death toll hits 47, officials say (VOA)
The death toll from a prison riot in western Venezuela has risen to at least 47, with 75 wounded, an opposition politician and prisoners’ rights group said Saturday.
“At the moment we have been able to confirm 47 dead and 75 wounded,” deputy Maria Beatriz Martinez, elected from Portuguesa state where the Los Llanos prison is located, told AFP. Read more
Coronavirus: Johnson reveals ‘contingency plans’ made during treatment (BBC)
Boris Johnson has revealed “contingency plans” were made while he was seriously ill in hospital with coronavirus.
In an interview with the Sun on Sunday, the PM says he was given “litres and litres of oxygen” to keep him alive.
He says his week in London’s St Thomas’ Hospital left him driven by a desire to both stop others suffering and to get the UK “back on its feet”. Read more
Scrubs actor Sam Lloyd’s cause of death revealed as wife shares heartbreaking statement (Metro) Sam Lloyd’s wife Vanessa has revealed he died as a result of cancer complications. The Scrubs actor passed away on 30 April, aged 56, more than a year after he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
And the late star’s wife, Vanessa, has shared a heartbreaking statement, explaining his death hasn’t sunk in yet. TOP ARTICLES 3/5 Zelda would be better if Link had a gun – Reader’s Feature In a statement, shared with Metro.co.uk, she said: ‘Sam passed away peacefully at 10:30 on April 30th, 2020 as a result of complications from lung cancer. Read more
Danladi dissects NFF’s contract with Rohr, says it’s fair deal (DailyTrust)
As reactions continue to trail the new contract the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has offered Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, the Chairman of Nasarawa United, Barrister Isaac Danladi has said the new conditions outlined in the contract are fair to both parties.
As the Franco-German football tactician’s contract is about to end, the football federation recently offered him a new contract but added conditions which require that he would reside in the country within the duration of the contract and take his salary in local currency. Read more
Michael Jordan showed no mercy playing sons in basketball: ‘Earn everything’ (NYPost)
Michael Jordan was a notorious competitor on the court, always looking for an edge, no matter how minute. The six-time NBA champion was the same way at home, pushing his kids to be their best. He didn’t take it easy on them in basketball, either.
“He would treat us exactly the same as any other basketball player he was playing,” one of Jordan’s sons, Marcus, said on NBC’s “Today” show to discuss the documentary, “The Last Dance,” that chronicles his legendary father’s final season with the Bulls.
Jordan and his two sons, Marcus and Jeffrey, would often play a game of one-on-one-on-one against each other. Whoever scored got to keep the ball. Read more
Beaumont re-elected World Rugby chief, calls for unity to tackle Covid-19 crisis (France24)
Bill Beaumont was re-elected as World Rugby chairman after beating Argentine Agustin Pichot in the first round of voting and has called for unity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the sport’s governing body said on Saturday.
The Englishman prevailed by a 28-23 margin to secure a second consecutive four-year term.
Frenchman Bernard Laporte, who was running unopposed, was elected vice-chairman.
“Now is not the time for celebration. We have work to do,” Beaumont said in a statement. Read more
Premier League: Brighton ‘not in favour’ of finishing season at neutral venues (BBC)
Playing the remaining Premier League fixtures at neutral venues has the “potential to have a material effect on the integrity of the competition”, says Brighton’s chief executive Paul Barber.
On Friday, top-flight clubs were told on a video conference call that neutral venues will be the only way to complete the season. Read more
Game of Thrones star Hafthor Julius Bjornsson sets new deadlift world record (Metro)
Game of Thrones star Hafthor Julius Bjornsson has set a new world record by deadlifting 501kg (1,105lbs) at his gym in Iceland. The Icelandic strongman, who played the Mountain in the smash-hit HBO series, broke the previous record held by Brit Eddie Hall. It has taken four years for someone to beat Hall’s effort, with Bjornsson lifting just 1kg more than his rival. The coronavirus pandemic meant Bjornsson had to attempt the world record at his gym and seek official recognition for the lift as it was out of competition. Read more
FIFA vice president ponders calendar-year season In Europe (Independent)
FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani has said that moving the European soccer season to the calendar year is a “possibility to be discussed” in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic has brought football to a standstill around the world.
In an interview with Italy’s Radio Sportiva, Montagliani, who was seen as a close ally of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said the move would fit in with the 2022 World Cup being played in Qatar in November and December. Read more