Ridoola's blog

A leaked presidential speech has sparked debates on national security and the president's safety. President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, Femi Adesina, has disclosed that the mole in the presidency who leaked a draft copy of the president’s speech on Monday, April 27, 2020, has been apprehended. Pulse had written about the leak here . We had also reported Adesina’s explanations on how the leak occurred and how the presidency was left embarrassed by it all. In an article which he titled ‘Enemy of the State’, Adesina detailed how the culprit was apprehended. “You have possibly watched the 1998 action-thriller film with the above title, starring Will Smith. It was the box office hit story about a group of people plotting to kill an American congressman, and the tape of the plot was discovered,” he began. “Well, an Enemy of the State struck in Nigeria on Monday, but this time, it was no fiction. It was real life act of sabotage from somebody who does not wish his own country...

Oyetola announces a dusk to down curfew in Osun starting from Monday, May, 4, 2020. In a bid to check community spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Osun State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola has announced new measures to tackle the spread of virus in the state. In a broadcast on Thursday night, the governor extended the lockdown in the state by three days and also announced a dusk to dawn curfew from Monday May, 4, 2020. twitter.com Excerpt from the broadcast posted on Twitter reads, “To avoid escalating community transmission,we have decided to review the lockdown which terminates at midnight of today,Thursday30th April, to strike a midway without unnecessarily putting the lives of our people &the economy of the State at risk. “There shall be 3 days lockdown extension, with effect from 11.59pm on Thursday, 30th April till Sunday, 3rd May. All the prevailing lockdown conditions shall subsist during this period. “Effective from Monday, 4th May, 2020, the following rules shall be...

With 80 new cases, Kano now has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in Nigeria Nigeria has recorded what would for now be acknowledged as its highest number of coronavirus cases in one day with 204 new cases on Thursday, April 30, 2020. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed the new cases in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Kano recording the highest number of cases. The NCDC updates on Thursday has Kano state leading with 80 new cases, followed by Lagos, the epicentre of the virus in Nigeria, recording 45 more cases. twitter.com This brought the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos to 976, while Kano overtook the Federal Capital Territory to become the state with the second-highest cases of the pandemic in the country. Kano now has 219 confirmed cases followed by the FCT, Abuja with 178. According to the NCDC, 12 of the new cases were recorded in Gombe state; nine each in Sokoto and Bauchi; seven each in Borno and Edo while Ogun...

The governor says he's taking responsibility if anything goes wrong from the use of chloroquine in his state. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state is recommending the drugs chloroquine and Zithromax for the treatment of coronavirus patients in his state because he can attest to their efficacy. Mohammed disclosed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 on March 24 and recovered from the virus on April 9. In his latest COVID-19 update to the state, the Bauchi governor announced that he is taking responsibility for any consequences of approving the drugs. “Our medical team is using their own ingenuity to use chloroquine and Zithromax to treat the patients, even though in some places, they said it is against the protocol,” Mohammed said. “As the governor, I’m taking responsibility for that because I don’t want anyone to die. Bala A. Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi statesays chloroquine saved me [Twitter/@SenBalaMohammed] Addressing health officials directly, Mohammed said, ...

The cause of legend's death has not been confirmed. On April 30, 2020, legendary Nigerian drummer, Tony Oladipo Allen died at the age of 80 in Paris, France. At this time, the cause of death is still unknown, but it has been confirmed that the legend has passed away. Allen is known as one of the founders of Afrobeat with the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti . In his heyday, many revered him as one of the greatest drummers to have ever lived. Fela once famously said, “ Without Tony Allen, there would be no Afrobeat ." Tony Allen is known as one of the pioneers of Afrobeat Allen was a core member of Fela’s Africa 70 band and made the following albums with Fela, Gentleman (1973), Expensive Shit (1975) and Zombie (1976). Famously, he worked with Max Roach , Frank Butler , Damon Albarn , King Sunny Ade , the late Manu Dibango and many more. ridoola.blogspot.com

The Presidency has again warned that attempts are being made to politicise the mysterious disease claiming lives in Kano State, saying there is no time for wasting energy on political point-scoring by current or former political office holders. Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday. He advised, however, that all concerned citizens should be prepared to accept the medical and scientific result of the autopsies being carried out by experts in Kano and work together to confront the common enemy. ”Nigeria is only weeks into our fight against the invisible COVID-19 that earlier this year, was unknown to almost every nation in the world. ”Only earlier this month Dr Mike Ryan , Executive Director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, made clear that ‘We are at the beginning in Africa’. ”There is much that remains unknown about this virus. What we do know is that global infections ra...

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has saluted healthcare and frontline workers amid the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic outbreak in the country, especially those who had not been infected with the virus. Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General, NCDC, gave the salutation during his address at the Presidential Task Force briefing on COVID-19 on Wednesday in Abuja. “I put a phone call through to the health workers in our team who have been infected with COVID-19 and instead of sounding discouraged, they revealed how they have continued working even in isolation. “Yesterday after work, I spoke to a number of people in my team that have sadly become infected as part of their response in the line of duty. “I called to encourage them, but we ended in a situation where they ended up being encouraged." They encouraged this Presidential Task Force (PTF) to keep pushing. They said our work is so important for the future of our country and they wanted to keep at it. “E...

The Lagos State Government says it will inaugurate an enlarged committee, comprising government and private sector players to work out gradual easing of the COVID-19 lockdown. The state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the announcement on Wednesday at Lagos House, Marina, while addressing newsmen on the update of the management of COVID-19 in the state. ” Tomorrow, Thursday, April 30, I will inaugurate a committee, comprising representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, private transport operators and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association. ”The committee will also comprise the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. ”This committee will be charged with the responsibility of communicating to their members, the framework on the controlled easing of the lockdown, so that we all will full...

The Bauchi State Government says 39 people have lost their lives to Lassa fever in the state since January. Dr Aliyu Maigoro, Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, disclosed this at a news conference in Bauchi on Wednesday. He revealed that due to the timely and massive intervention by the state governor, Bala Mohammed , the only person currently on admission and receiving treatment would soon be discharged. “On the issue of Lassa fever, 39 people have lost their lives since January till date, but currently, we have only one case on admission and he is about to be discharged. “We have stayed for almost four to five weeks now without anybody being admitted for lassa fever in the state. “His Excellency, the Executive governor, really supported the campaign against lassa fever even before the COVID-19 pandemic and that was what really helped in intensifying the effort that we have gone up to zero with Lassa fever in the state,” he said. The commissioner also disclosed that 342 cont...

Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has directed the 17 Local Government chairmen, neighbourhood watch groups and traditional rulers to man their council borders to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state. A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Simon Ortuanya in Enugu on Thursday said this followed reports that persons on non-essential duties had continued to traverse the boundaries of the state. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state recently recorded a new index case of COVID-19 after two previous cases were discharged. The governor directed the council chairmen to also mobilise Development Centre administrators, councillors, town union Presidents General and youth leaders to man the boundaries that are contiguous with other states. He also directed the Council Chairmen to liaise with members of National Union of Road Transport Workers, Association of Tricycle Riders Transport Union and Motorcycle Riders Union to ensure that intending p...

A total of 51 coronavirus deaths have been recorded in 13 states and the FCT. Lagos State has announced its 20th coronavirus-related death two months after the disease broke out in Nigeria. An update by the state's Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi , on Thursday, April 30, 2020 showed that the patient died on Wednesday, April 29. "We regret to announce additional #COVID19 related death involving a 25-year-old male who at the time of admission was in a state of severe breathlessness," Abayomi said. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi [Twitter/@ProfAkinAbayomi] The state is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria with 931 cases recorded, 53.9% of the country's total of 1,728 cases. In its Wednesday update, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) indicated that Lagos has actually recorded 21 fatalities, the highest of any state in the country. A total of seven deaths were recorded on Wednesday, the highest in a single day si...

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has resumed provision of foreign exchange to all commercial banks for onward sales to parents wishing to pay school fees and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor made this known in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday. Okorafor explained that the development was due to the gradual easing of the COVID-19 lockdown in the country and across the globe. He said this step would also help owners of SMEs to make essential imports needed to revamp economic activities across the country. “In particular, the CBN is resuming the provision of over 100 million dollars per week for both categories. “The bank has also made complete arrangements to resume foreign exchange sales to the Bureau de Change segment of the market for business travels, personal travels and other designated retail uses, as soon as international flights resume. “With these actions, the CBN wishes to reiterate that it is adequately...

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condoled with Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa over the loss of his mother, Hajiya Fatimah Umaru. Abubakar, in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Mr Paul Ibe, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the deceased as an exemplary disciplinarian. The ex-vice president noted the role the deceased played in shaping Gov. Fintiri into who he is. Abubakar said that every death diminishes humanity, but that there could be no loss like that of a mother. He counseled the governor and his family to take solace in the fact that his mother lived a fruitful and rewarding life as a community leader and devout Muslim. “Hajiya Umaru was an exemplary disciplinarian. The way she brought you up is manifesting in your public service disposition. “You are the legacy that she has left behind, ” Abubakar said. The former vice president prayed Allah to forgive the deceased of her sins and grant her Aljannah Firdaus. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Leading African financial institution, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) held its Annual General Meeting virtually by proxy on Wednesday, April 29, 2020 – a first in UBA’s seventy-one year history. The meeting, which had in attendance shareholders, management and staff members, together with representatives of relevant regulatory bodies, was held using an Online Meetings Platform, in accordance with Guidelines issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission. Opening the meeting, UBA Group Chairman, Tony O. Elumelu noted this was a very special meeting, held in extraordinary circumstances. It was only right at the outset to express the Group’s deep appreciation to all the health workers across Africa, who are at the forefront of fighting the deadly pandemic. The Group Chairman also commended the Federal and State governments in Nigeria and governments across Africa, for their rapid actions against the threat. He acknowledged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele for ...

The Federal Government has appealed to State Governments to give attention to setting up of more isolation centres and bed spaces in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic. The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, made the appeal during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, on Wednesday in Abuja. According to Ehanire , there is an urgent need to provide and prepare more isolation centres and more bed spaces in all states of the federation. “I wish to appeal to each state authority and the FCT to give first line attention to this requirement, in order to meet expectations and obligations. “As testing ramps up, the need will become more and more obvious. It should therefore be prioritised, so that we are not taken by surprise. “I should take the opportunity to request distinguished Senators, members of Houses of Representatives and Assemblies to also get involved in the disease surveillance and notification efforts in their constituencies. ‘”The lawma...

The First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has donated medical equipment to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, to support government’s efforts in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria. Represented by Dr Hajo Sani, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs and Administration, Mrs Buhari said the gesture was part of her effort to support vulnerable women in these trying times. The first lady also donated food items to the Federal Ministry of Women for onward distribution to various women groups across the country to cushion the effect of lockdown. She expressed her concern towards protecting the rights and privileges of women and children especially during these period of lockdown. Mrs Buhari reaffirmed her readiness to remain committed in addressing the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic. Aisha Buhari donates foods palliative, medical equipment to FMC, women groups. [Twitter/@aishambuhari] The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen , received ...

The Benue Government says it has concluded plans to return to their respective states, 40 Quranic education pupils, popularly known as “Almajiri”, who sneaked into Makurdi after violating the inter-state travel ban. Deputy Governor Benson Abounu, who is also the chairman of the COVID-19 Response Team in the state, disclosed this on Wednesday in Makurdi during an expanded meeting of the committee. Abounu said that the Almajiri, mostly teenagers, who were discovered in a one-room apartment in Wadata area of Makurdi, would be sent back to their states of origin on Thursday, April 30. The deputy governor also disclosed that the state had paid for 100,000 sets of face masks at the cost of N20 million from the Cross Rivers Government. “ The masks will soon be delivered to the Benue government; we paid N20 million to the Cross Rivers government for them. They were produced at a unit cost of N200.” He explained that many companies submitted proposals for the procurement of face-masks but...

Rohr says he will accept all the conditions the NFF have laid out in the new contract. Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that he is ready to accept a pay cut to continue his project with the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Rohr has been with the Super Eagles since August 2016 and his current contract expires on June 30 2020. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have however the Franco-German a new contract which states that he will get a lower wage compared to what he was paid before. Despite the reduction in wages and the terms that state that he must reside in the country and be paid in local currency, Rohr says he will accept the contract. " But I heard like everybody what was said by President [Amaju] Pinnick, that I have to accept to be paid in Naira, and I have to be resident in Nigeria. I agree to these two things, and even I agree to have a lower salary, ” Rohr told ESPN . " I am not doing my job for money. I am doing my job because I like it. Because we ha...

The singer went on to bless Chioma for making him a happy man. Music star Davido is in celebratory mood for his fiancée's birthday but rues that they won't be able to 'turn the city upside down' because of the coronavirus lockdown. Choima whom David is engaged to, clocks a new age April 30 of every year. For 2020, the music star won't be able to celebrate his girl's birthday the way he wants because of restrictions still ongong to curb the spread of coronavirus. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE STRONGEST WOMAN I KNOW !!! @thechefchi !!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ !!! Ohhhh Man if we wasn’t on lockdown u already know we for turn the city upside down!! !!!! My dear wife, may your birthday be as happy as you have made me. AND THATS ON GANG ! #1 CRO 💪🏿 "Happy birthday to the stronggest woman I know. Man if we wasn’t on lockdown u already know we for turn the city upside down," Davido wrote in his post. " My dear wife, may your birthday be as happy as you have...

The actress says she only charged a fee from the sponsor as a business woman. Eniola Badmus has come out to clear the air over the rumours that she defrauded a well-meaning Nigerian. According to the gist, Eniola Badmus was contacted by an individual who wanted to giveaway N500,000 to Nigerians amid the lockdown order issued by the government. Things took a different turn when Badmus allegedly asked the sponsor to pay the sum of N150,000 as a fee for her to be able to dispense the cash gifts. Eniola Badmus has come out to clear the air over the rumours that she defrauded a well-meaning Nigerian. [Instagram/EniolaBadmus] Then rumours started making waves that when the sponsor refused to pay Badmus' fee, she stopped responding to him, thereby making way with the money meant for the giveaway. Badmus, however, debunked the rumours insisting that she only asked for a fee to pay for the bank charges that will be incurred by her. The alleged conversation between Eniola Badmus an...

If you reside or do business in Lagos , this is what living in coronavirus times would mean for you. On Wednesday, April 29, 2020, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, addressed residents on the new lockdown restrictions that will kick in from May 4. The new directives from the governor are a corollary to President Buhari’s nationwide address on easing the coronavirus restrictions which have been in place for a month now. If you are Lagosian, we are unpacking Sanwo-Olu’s COVID-19 era directives in the following paragraphs: There will be a curfew from 8pm to 6am, the governor says. “This means we expect all Lagosians to stay in their homes during the curfew. Furthermore, there is also a ban on interstate travel at this time. This means no one will be allowed in and out of Lagos till further notice.” Elderly folks and folks with underlying or pre-existing health conditions are advised to stay indoors as much as practicable.  You are allowed to bury your dead, but you have to ob...

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed commitment to the welfare and safety of health workers on the front line in combating the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The governors expressed commitment in a communiqué issued by the NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in Abuja on Wednesday after the forum’s seventh teleconference meeting on COVID-19. Fayemi said that the governors were collaborating with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to provide training for health workers on infectious disease control and prevention. He said that there were a presentations by Dr Francis Adedayo Faduyile, President, Nigerian Medical Association; and Sam Ohuabunwa, President, Federation of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria at the meeting. The body also had a presentation by Mr Abdulrafiu Adeniji, President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM). Fayemi said: “The governors assured the associations of their commitment to ensure that ...

The All Progressives Congress (APC) , Ebonyi chapter, has cleared the air on the alleged appointment of a ‘dead’ man from Ebonyi as member of the Federal Character Commission (FCC). The state party chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, made the clarification at a news conference on Wednesday in Abakaliki. This followed news reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had appointed the late Chief Tobias Okwuru into the FCC even when it was clear that he died early this year. But Nwachukwu explained that Chief Tobias Okwuru was hale and hearty at the time he was nominated for the position by Mr President. Nwachukwu said that the nominee unfortunately passed on in February between the period he was awaiting to be screened and confirmed by the Senate. The chairman therefore urged the public to discountenance the mischievous reports. “ Okwuru was nominated ‘a living man’ in January, healthy, hearty for the position and he updated and submitted all his necessary curriculum vitae by himself. “Wha...

The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Katsina, Dr Bello Suleiman, on Wednesday disclosed that six out of the 14 COVID-19 patients in Katsina State have been discharged after they tested negative twice. Suleiman, speaking in Katsina, also revealed that a two-and a half-year-old child was among the discharged patients. He noted that the feat was achieved after 19 days of treatment of the Coronavirus. According to him, all the discharged patients were from Daura Local Government Area of the state, where the first index case was recorded. He said that the remaining eight patients were being treated at the facility and responding well to the treatment. Suleiman expressed the hope that five other stable patients could soon test negative for the second time and be discharged from the centre. The medical director commended various stakeholders that contributed to the successful discharge of the patients. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state government i...

The move didn't happen and Ogu believes he was too expensive for the club. John Ogu was startled by a message he received from Gerard Piqué’s Instagram account sometime in August 2019. He didn’t believe it, so he thought it might have been from a hacker. It, however, turned out to be Piqué and some conversations with the Barcelona legend later, Ogu was on the cusp of a move back to Spain. The encounter with the Spanish World Cup -winning defender came at a time when Ogu was without a club having left Israeli side Hapoel Be'er Sheva after a successful five-year stint. At home after representing Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and while waiting on his next movie, Piqué hit him up . “ I woke up one day and I got a message from Piqué from his handle on Instagram. To be honest with you, I was shocked. I thought maybe it was some hacker that had sent me a message ,” the midfielder told Pulse in an Instagram Live interview. When a Legend and a Top player ...

307 patients have recovered from the virus in Nigeria. Coronavirus cases in Nigeria have risen to 1,728 as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed 196 new cases on Wednesday, April 20, 2020. In its Wednesday updates, the NCDC announced that the new cases were reported in 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory. twitter.com 87 of the new cases were reported in Lagos, bringing the total cases of the pandemic in the state to 931. The bulk of the new cases were recorded in the northern part of the country. According to the NCDC, 24 of the cases were confirmed in Kano, 18 in Gombe, 17 in Kaduna and 16 in Abuja. 10 cases were also recorded in Katsina, 6 in Borno and one case each in Yobe and Adamawa state. Seven cases were recorded in Edo while one case was confirmed in Ebonyi state. The NCDC’s report also stated that seven new death were recorded bringing the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Nigeria to 51. 307 coronavirus patients have also recov...

Public servants in Kaduna State on Wednesday decried the 25 per cut on their monthly salaries by government following the challenges posed on the state’s revenue by Coronavirus pandemic. Some of the public servants told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the salary cut would cause major setback for them and affect the well-being of their families negatively. They appealed to the the state government to have rethink on its decision, saying that their salaries could not “take them home.” NAN recalls that Kaduna State Government had effected 25 per cent and 50 per cent cut on salaries of public servants and political appointees respectively. Government said the measure was to contain COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Mrs Elizabeth Ambi , a civil servant residing on Kigo Road, said she found out that she had nothing to fall back on when she received her April salary. “I am servicing a loan; besides, I make a monthly contribution. So, as it is, I don’t have enough to cater for my hou...

Sanwo-Olu directed the drivers of tricycles operating in unrestricted areas not to carry more than two passengers per trip. Ahead of the Monday expiration of the ongoing lockdown in Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu has ordered restaurants and markets in the state to reopen on selected days. The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, announced this in a series of tweets on Wednesday, April 29, 2020. “Eateries and restaurants to open between 9 am -3 pm and are to do only takeout. No eat in. Also, 9 am — 3pm only! Take note! Must wear gloves and masks. Markets to open from 9am to 3pm on selected days,” he tweeted. twitter.com Sanwo-Olu also ordered all entertainment centres within private estates to remain closed. He said, “All entertainment centres including gyms, spa, recreational facilities inside private estates are to remain closed for two weeks post lockdown in Lagos. This would be reviewed after two weeks.” The governor also asked tricycle operators to take two passen...

The Bauchi State government said on Tuesday that 15 new cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) had been recorded, bringing the total to 29. Dr Rilwan Mohammed, Executive Chairman, Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the results were sent in from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Abuja in “just this evening”. “As I am speaking with you right now, the total number of confirmed new cases in the state is 15, and not 11 as earlier announced. “This is because I just received the results of additional four people who have been confirmed positive, and added to the previous number of newly confirmed cases of 11. “In total, we have recorded 29 confirmed cases in Bauchi State. “Some of the confirmed new cases are from our contact tracing while others have recently traveled out of the state,” he said. NAN reports that of the 29 confirmed cases in Bauchi State, 23 are active cases, while six persons have been treated and disch...

The Debt Management Office (DMO) says the Federal Government has reappraised its Borrowing Plans and decided to raise the N850 billion earlier approved as External Borrowing from Domestic Sources. The DMO made this known in a statement by its head of media, Mrs Chinenye Onu, in Abuja on Tuesday. Onu explained that with the COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant effect on the world economy and the International Capital Market, the Federal Government felt it was more expedient to raise the N850 billion earlier approved as External Borrowing from Domestic Sources. She said this conversion from external to domestic was to ensure that the implementation of the 2020 Appropriation Act was not jeopardised by lack of funds. “Thus, the N850 billion is not New or Incremental borrowing, rather it is an amendment of the source of borrowing from External to Domestic. “For compliance with the law, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari forwarded requests to the Senate and House of Representati...

The Jigawa Government has confirmed two additional cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. Gov. Muhammad Badaru told newsmen in Dutse that the cases were confirmed after tests were conducted on suspected persons. According to Badaru , the two infected persons are from Birnin Kudu and Gumel Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. He added that the two affected LGAs, including Gujungu town in Taura LGA, which the suspects had visited, would be locked down for seven days from 12 midnight of April 30. “Birnin Kudu, Gumel, and Gujungu will be on total lockdown for one week starting from April 30, by 12 midnight after two cases were confirmed from those areas, ” he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor had on April 20 announced the first index case of the COVID-19 in Kazaure LGA. Kazaure was then locked down for seven days in order to prevent the further spread of the virus. The governor pledged that the state government would take additional m...

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state has announced the death of three COVID-19 patients in the state. Tambuwal disclosed this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Muhammad Bello. The governor noted that all the three victims had history of other diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and high blood pressure. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state’s Chairman of the Taskforce Committee on COVID-19, Dr Muhammad Ali Inname , had on Monday confirmed 8 new cases of the coronavirus, which took to 10, the total number of infected persons in the state. Inname, who is also the state’s Commissioner for Health, said that eight new cases were recorded on April 26 and were all among the 32 traced contacts from the index case recorded in the state. He said that the second case was recorded on April 23 and that all the traces had been investigated. He added that they were all quarantined, while all the positive patients were isolated. Innam...

A public health expert, Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, has advised Nigerians against consumption of alcohol and taking of Chloroquine drug as prevention against contracting Coronavirus pandemic infection. Odusanya, a Professor of Public Health, Lagos State University, College of Medicine (LASUCOM), gave the advice on Tuesday in Lagos. He spoke at the first virtual public lecture organised by the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, entitled: “ COVID-19: What You Need To Know and How To Cope ”. The expert said that the most effective way to prevent contracting the Coronavirus remains regular washing of hands with soap and water and use of alcohol based sanitisers. Odusanya , also a former Provost of LASUCOM and Directorate of Research Management and Innovation, said that other precautionary measures were maintaining social distancing and avoiding large gathering of people. He decried the claims that the disease could be cured by taking Chloroquine or any of the antioxidants such as garl...

It’s not every day that a Nigerian is ranked in the top 100 of ESPN’s prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. But that’s the reality for Prince Tega Wanogho, who is pushing for selection after shining as a senior for the Auburn Tigers during the last 12 months. The 6ft 5” 308lbs athlete, with size 17 feet, attended the 2020 NFL scouting combine and made a lasting impression. There’s no doubt that Wanogho ’s supreme athleticism will have captured the eye of NFL scouts. The NFL campaign is a gruelling one for players and supporters alike. Fans bet on NFL games all season long , starting with the 17-week regular season and the postseason march towards the February Super Bowl. The Super Bowl was something that Wanogho hadn’t even heard of when living in a modest village in the Delta State area of Nigeria. In fact, Wanogho had his eyes fixed firmly on becoming an NBA superstar rather than an NFL prospect. He knew little about American football and how the NFL has provided some of the best...

Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged his former side to pursue the signature of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey. Thomas Partey has been linked to Arsenal as the potential candidate to land the Krobo Odumase born if Atletico Madrid should let him leave, with the London giants having tabled down an offer of 50 million euros to meet the player’s buyout clause. READ MORE : Dong Bortey, Ishmael Addo left out of Coach J.E Sarpong's all-time GPL XI However, Atletico Madrid are keen on keeping the Ghanaian box to box midfielder in the Spanish capital until 2025 and have offered him an improved offer that would see him receive 130,000 euros a week to double his wages. But Ferdinand who has been impressed with the output of Partey has recommended him to his former club Manchester United. "I'd definitely buy Sancho. Can you imagine Sancho in that team? He draws two or three players to him and [Marcus] Rashford's playing one-v-one? Oh God, it's over. ...

The money transfer across different mobile networks, which is referred to as Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI), has increased by 358% in the first quarter of 2020. According to the figures from the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), a subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana, this is an increase compared to the same period last year where they recorded GHC1.11million. This year, the volume went up to over GHC5.12 million transactions. Before the MMI was introduced one could only send money to another of a different telecommunications network only through the token system which was somehow complicated. Since the MMI was introduced, it has become easier to transfer funds across wallets of different networks. This possibility has also led many organisations to set up their systems to accept mobile money payments. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, the Chief Executive of GhIPSS, Archie Hesse, said that the MMI has made payments through mobile money an efficient and east...

The couple is yet to officially announce the exciting baby news and are keeping their lip sealed. Gigi Hadid is pregnant and expecting her first child with her boyfriend, Zayn Malik. According to TMZ, the supermodel is twenty weeks gone. "Gigi has kept the secret close to her family and friends for a while, as she's only a few months along. It's unclear if they know the sex of the baby yet, but both of their families are very excited. [Hollywood] "Once Gigi and Zayn got back together at the end of last year, it was like they never skipped a beat and knew what they had was special. The couple and their families are overjoyed. It's unclear if they know the sex of the baby yet, but both of their families are very excited. However, the couple is yet to share the exciting baby news publicly, and are keeping details of their little one sealed. However, the couple is yet to share the exciting baby news publicly, and are keeping details of their little one seal...