Principal, 16 others killed, 50 houses razed in Lagos gas plant explosion (Punch)
No fewer than 17 persons have been confirmed dead and 25 others injured after a gas explosion rocked the Abule-Ado area, near the International Trade Fair Complex, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State on Sunday.
More than 50 buildings in the area were impacted by the explosion, as hundreds of residents were rendered homeless.
Several vehicles parked in the area were also destroyed by the explosion.
Boarding pupils of the Bethlehem Girls College were trapped in the wreckage of their hostel, as residents and sympathisers pulled them out of the rubble. Read more
School children among 15 killed in Lagos explosion (Vanguard)
At least, 15 persons died and several others injured in the early hours of yesterday in an explosion suspected to have been caused by gaseous substance at Ado Soba, Abule Ado, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Over 200 residents of Hyacinth Maduekwe and Chosen Streets, in Abule Ado community were rendered homeless by the blast.
Although Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said they were still investigating the cause of the blast, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, was categorical that it was cylinder explosion. Read more
Fake naval officer arrested for mutilating man’s private parts (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a fake naval officer, Azeez Ali, for allegedly mutilating the private parts of a 42-year-old man, Sunday Amoo.
It was gathered that Ali, during an argument, used a military Jack knife to mutilate Amoo’s private parts, which resulted in multiple deep cuts.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday, said Ali, who impersonated a naval officer, was arrested around Berger bus stop in the Bariga area of Lagos. Read more
Lagos explosion: 15 die in Abule Ado – NEMA (DailyTrust)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says 15 corpses, including a family of four, have been recovered from the scene of Sunday’s explosion which occurred at Abule Ado, Trade Fair axis of Lagos state. No fewer than 60 students of Bethlehem Girls College located within the area who sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident were also taken to the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Ojo Cantonment. Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Coordinator of NEMA in Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the couple and their two sons were caught by the explosion on their way to church around about 9:00a.m. on Sunday. Farinloye said over 50 buildings, including Bethlehem Girls College and a popular hotel, were damaged in the explosion. Read more
Buhari, Lawan, Gbajabiamila, governors, Tinubu, others sad over explosion (Nation)
Sunday’s explosion that ravaged a community at Abule Ado, a Lagos State suburb attracted commiseration with notable Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
Governors Olurotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Oladele Daji; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
They commiserated with the victims, members of their families, the people and government of Lagos State, describing the devastating explosion that claimed lives, properties and left many severely injured as unfortunate. Read more
Fayemi visits Alaafin over Ekiti traditional council controversy (Guardian)
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State yesterday visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, in his palace, Oyo town.
The visit was a follow-up to the letter written by the monarch on behalf of other six royal fathers in Yorubaland asking Fayemi to be very careful in the manner he handles the leadership crisis rocking the state traditional council.
The Chief Press Secretary to Fayemi, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, who spoke on the visit in a telephone interview with The Guardian, said the visit was to shed light on some fundamental issues raised by the royal father in the letter. Read more
Eight nabbed for killing police inspector in Ogun (Punch)
Eight suspects have been arrested by men of the Ogun State Police Command over the killing of a police inspector at Imasai in the Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.
There was a violent clash on Sunday in the border town between officials of the Nigeria Customs Service and residents of the community, which resulted in the death of the inspector.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident on Sunday, said eight persons had been apprehended in connection with the murder of the police officer. Read more
Expert tasks FG on viral hepatitis, says 20m Nigerians at risk (DailyTrust)
A gastroenterology specialist, Professor Abraham Orkurga Malu of Jos University Teaching Hospital, has called on the federal government to take decisive action through proper funding to curb the menace of hepatitis in the country. Malu, who was a guest lecturer at a colloquium organized by the Bayero University, Kano in honour of the President, National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, Professor Musa Muhammad Borodo, said about 10 percent of Nigeria’s population, majority of whom are economically active are presently living with the deadly viral disease. He described viral hepatitis as one of the major global health problems with more than 500 million patients chronically infected, causing over one million deaths per year globally. Read more
Anenih’s kinsman emerges Edo PDP chair (DailyTrust)
A kinsman of late Chief Tony Anenih, Anthony Aziegbeni, has emerged chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Aziegbeni, a former member of the House of the Representatives, was elected yesterday during the state delegates election held in Benin Announcing the result, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who is the chairman, electoral panel for the congress, said Aziegbeni scored 817 votes to defeat his closest rival, Felix Imoisili, who polled 488 votes. Represented by his political adviser, Babatunde Oduyoye, Makinde said with the turn out in the delegate election, if the party can work together, it would be able to win the forthcoming governorship election in the state. Read more
‘The day I discovered I was born without a vagina’ (BBC)
A routine question from her doctor about menstruation set Kenyan Julian Peter, now 29, down a path that led her to discover she was born without a womb, cervix or a vagina. Twelve years on she shared her story with the BBC’s Anne Ngugi.
I was born with a condition called Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH), where you have no womb or vagina, and you can also find yourself with just one kidney.
A woman who has MRKH can never get periods.
I don’t have a uterus, so I’ve never had periods. This is the normal that I know, I don’t feel bad about it.
People have different feelings about who I am. Read more
Personal trainer keeps Spaniards fit in quarantine with rooftop workout (Metro)
Spain may be on coronavirus lockdown but that doesn’t mean citizens can use it as an excuse to miss a workout, a fitness instructor has urged. In a bid to try and slow the spread of the pandemic, 47 million Spaniards were told on Saturday that they must stay home for 15 days. They are only permitted to leave to buy food or medicine, go to hospital, go to work, or other emergencies. This means the gym is definitely off the cards but that hasn’t stopped one personal trainer from motivating his neighbours by holding a mass workout from their balconies in Seville, southern Spain. Read more
Israeli rivals hold unity government talks to tackle coronavirus (BBC)
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has met the leaders of two rival political parties to try to form a unity cabinet to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
No deal was reached, but PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who heads Likud, and Benny Gantz of the Blue and White bloc, said the talks would continue on Monday.
The crisis meeting follows Israel’s third inconclusive elections in a year.
Last week, Israel said everyone arriving in the country must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Coronavirus: Israel to bring in 14-day quarantine for all arrivals
Israel has recorded 200 confirmed cases of Covid-19, but no deaths. Read more
Italian newspaper prints 10 pages of obituaries in town hit by coronavirus (Metro)
A video shows how an Italian newspaper went from having one and a half pages of obituaries to ten in just a month. On February 9, there were only a few to print, but by March 13 there were dozens in Bergamo’s daily newspaper, in the Lombardy region. Silvia Merler took video of both editions of L’Eco di Bergamo side by side, showing the contrast as Italy’s death toll soared. By this morning, more than 1,800 people in the country had died after contracting Covid-19. Read more
Biden wants woman VP and other debate takeaways (BBC)
The candidates face off, six feet apart due to coronavirus concerns
Nine months after 20 Democratic candidates gathered for the first debate of the 2020 primary season, it has come down to two candidates – Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden.
Given the circumstances, one might expect a sombre mood with respectful disagreements. Instead it was an at-times feisty affair, with Sanders going on the attack in a way he never did four years ago in his unsuccessful presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton.
If the Bernie revolution is on the ropes, the candidate – who just a few weeks ago was considered the front-runner – isn’t going to go down without a fight. Read more
US Federal Reserve slashes rates to near zero (Metro)
The US Federal Reserve has slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero. It also announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The central bank said the effects of the outbreak will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook. It said it will keep rates at nearly zero until it feels confident the economy has weathered recent events. Read more
Coronavirus: Louis Vuitton owner to start making hand sanitiser (BBC)
Louis Vuitton owner LVMH will use its perfume production lines to start making hand santiser to protect people against the coronavirus outbreak.
The luxury goods maker says it wants to help tackle a nationwide shortage of the anti-viral products across France.
“These gels will be delivered free of charge to the health authorities,” LVMH announced on Sunday.
France has now seen 120 deaths from the coronavirus as the pandemic spreads.
“LVMH will use the production lines of its perfume and cosmetic brands… to produce large quantities of hydroalcoholic gels from Monday,” LVMH said in a statement. Read more
Ighalo undergoes two tests daily (Punch)
Odion Ighalo and his Manchester United teammates are being tested twice a day for coronavirus during training, according to reports.
Club doctors at Manchester United’s Carrington training ground are unwilling to take any risks with the virus continuing to spread the Mirror claims.
As a result, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are tested when they arrive and leave the training ground.
However, United are taking precautions, with only essential first-team staff allowed to come into close contact with players. Read more
Plateau Utd survive Nasarawa Utd scare to pull away from title contenders (DailyTrust)
Table toppers Plateau United yesterday stretched their lead at the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League table following their hard earned 2-1 victory over neighbours Nasarawa United at the new Jos stadium in Jos. Meanwhile United’s closest rivals, Rivers United and Lobi Stars suffered losses at Enugu Rangers and Heartland to give the 2017 winners a breathing space. And at the other end of the table, among the ‘relegation clubs’ only Kwara United recorded victory as the other strugglers, Adamawa United, Jigawa Golden Stars and Wikki Tourists suffered losses away from home. Read more
Onazi rues fans absence in Denizlispor’s win (Punch)
Ogenyi Onazi has described the absence of Denizlispor fans in their 1-0 home win against Genclerbirligi in Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig tie as tough.
Denizlispor’s home tie against Genclerbirligi was played behind closed-doors due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the absence of their fans, Denizlispor emerged victorious thanks to Hugo Rodallega goal off an assist from Onazi.
Reacting to the win Onazi, however, commented on the importance of the fans not being at the stadium, while also advising them to be safe. Read more
Mutiu Adepoju: Life is ‘boring’ without football (DailyTrust)
Mutiu Adepoju Former Real Madrid midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has joined the rest of the world to speak about Covid-19. The global plague has forced the postponement of all sport, including the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga. In a series of tweets, the former Nigeria international who is one of the La Liga ambassadors has issued a plea for everyone to stay safe, while assuring the beautiful game will be back soon. “A world without football is like an airplane without a propeller. The last few days have been one of the most boring in my life because footballing activities are suspended,” Adepoju tweeted. Read more
Joshua’s bout with Pulev doubtful (Punch)
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title defence against Kubrat Pulev could be cancelled due to coronavirus.
The WBA,WBO, IBO and IBF champion is due to fight the Bulgarian at the Tottenham Stadium on June 20.
“We know we are in the s***!’ sports promoter Barry Hearn admitted.
“We’ve got a massive fight on June 20, Anthony Joshua facing Pulev, but we don’t know whether that will happen now. Read more
I won’t ask NFF for contract renewal – Rohr (Punch)
Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that he won’t be asking for a contract extension from the Nigerian Football Federation, Sports Extra reports.
Rohr has three months left on his current deal with the NFF which penned two years ago when he qualified the Eagles for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
And despite talks of a possible renewal, the federation are yet to approach the 67-year-old Franco-German.
“I will not ask the NFF what is going on with my contract renewal (with just over 3 months left on his present deal). It’s for the NFF to approach me. I am still waiting,” Gernot Rohr told Osasu Obayiuwana. Read more
Serena isolates self amid coronavirus outbreak (Nation)
Tennis great Serena Williams shared on Instagram that she would be spending the “next six weeks in solitude” in order to protect herself and her family from the coronavirus pandemic — which has put the sports world on pause the past two days.
“Spending the next six weeks in solitude,” Williams wrote with a video of her doing her makeup. “Being a wife. Being a mom. Cooking. Cleaning. Spring cleaning. Face mask. Makeup tutorials. I’ll let you know how it goes … Stay safe everyone. This is serious.”
Williams hasn’t played since a pair of Fed Cup Qualifiers early last month in Washington, her first outing since she fell in the Round of 32 at the Australian Open in January. Read more