Chief of Coros !! Abba Kyari moved to Lagos

Malam Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari has been moved to Lagos for treatment of his coronavirus infection, sources told P.M.News on Tuesday night.

Lagos has a better facility at the Mainland Infectious Hospital in Yaba. Kyari was initially been treated at the University of Abuja Gwagwalada Taeching Hospital in Abuja.

Kyari, who returned from Germany on 14 March tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, triggering huge panic in the Presidential Villa in Abuja and outside on the possibility that he may have spread the virus to his contacts.

At the moment, three workers in his office have tested positive, but both President Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have tested negative.

There are fears that many contacts of the President’s chief aide may have contracted the virus through him.

Among the contacts is Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who sat with Kyari at the wedding of the son of Police IG, Mohammed Adamu in Abuja on 14 March.

Kyari also interacted with Minister of Power Engineer Mamman Sale.Both actually travelled to Germany together..

On Twitter on Tuesday, Nigerians called out the engineer to quickly self-isolate. They also criticised him for hosting the American ambassador Mary Beth Leonard on 19 March

Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who now heads the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is also another Kyari contact.

So was the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu.

Others are Garba Shehu, President Buhari’s SSA Media and Senator George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information..

Kyari visited Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on 17 March on his return from Germany, to deliver Buhari’s message to Bello at the prayers marking the eighth days since the death of Bello’s mum.

Lai Mohammed, Akume, Shehu were all at the event.

Kyari travelled to Munich, Germany, on Saturday 7 March and returned on 14 March.

He went to meet with officials of Siemens over the Nigerian electricity expansion programme.

- PM NEWS

‘Ask Cuba for help to fight coronavirus’ — Falana writes FG

Femi Falana, senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has asked Osagie Ehanire, minister of health, to reach out to the Cuban government for help to fight coronavirus. 

As of Wednesday, Nigeria has recorded 46 cases of COVID-19. 

Since the outbreak, 59 countries are reportedly receiving medical assistance from Cuba.

In his letter, Falana said Cuban medical professionals set a record in Africa when they helped fight ebola virus disease (EVD) in 2017. 

“We have confirmed that the Cuban drug known as ‘Recombinant Human Interferon Alpha 2B’ developed by Cuba has so far proved to be the most effective weapon against COVID-19. Apart from the Chinese Government which has  chosen ‘Interfron Alpha 2B’ as one of the drugs for combating COVID-19 the Italian Government has adopted it and secured the services of Cuban doctors along with Chinese experts in combating the dreaded disease,” he wrote. 

“The right wing Brazilian Government which had expelled Cuban doctors two years ago on ideological  grounds has been compelled to request for the assistance of Cuban medical team amidst coronavirus pandemic. Similarly, other Latin American, Caribbean and European countries are reported to have requested the Cuban drug and also help from Cuban medical professionals to fight the  COVID-19 scourge.  

“In view of the foregoing,  we call on you to use your good offices to confirm the efficacy of the Interfron Alpha 2B’ and recommend the same for the treatment of COVID-19.  Having regards to the selfless role of the Cuban medical professionals in eradicating the Ebola virus in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2017 we call  without any further delay. The health of humanity should not be sacrificed on the alter of ideological disputation.” 

Notable Nigerians who have tested positive for COVID-19 include Abba Kyari, chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, and Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi state.

- THECABLE

COVID-19: Victor Moses, six Inter Milan players forced to leave Italy

Former Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses, has left Italy this week following the mandatory 14-day quarantine, L’Equipe reports.

Moses is among seven Inter Milan players that have left the country with the highest number of coronavirus cases.

Others who have returned to their bases include Romelu Lukaku, Ashley Young, Christian Eriksen and Diego Godin.

The Serie A team was forced into self-isolation, after Juventus defender Daniel Rugani tested positive to COVID-19.

Rugani was an unused substitute in the Derby d’Italia game that ended 2-0 in favour of Juve.

-DAILY POST

COVID-19: Aubameyang’s future at Arsenal uncertain

Arsenal captain, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, is facing an uncertain future at the club, according to the UK Mirror.

Aubameyang’s current deal at the Emirates will run out in the summer of 2021.
But the Gabon striker wants Champions League football and has been linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

However, both LaLiga clubs do not know what they are planning for, as the season has been called off indefinitely.
The Spanish giants do not know when this season will restart or when next season begins, putting everything on hold.
The COVID-19 outbreak has also affected club’s finances, with players urged to take pay cuts, as there is no incoming revenue.

It is the same for football agents, who have had no guidance from FIFA, as to when the transfer window may open or close.

- DAILY POST

Harvard University president Lawrence Bacow, wife hit by coronavirus

Lawrence Bacow, Harvard University president and his wife Adele Fleet have tested positive for the coronavirus.

They have begun a 14-day self-isolation.

In a statement to Harvard community, Bacow expressed surprise that he and his wife contracted the virus.

This was because they started working from home 14 March.

“We started experiencing symptoms on Sunday — first coughs then fevers, chills, and muscle aches — and contacted our doctors on Monday,”

“We were tested yesterday and just received the results a few minutes ago,” he said.

“Far fewer people crossed our paths recently than is usually the case,” he said.

Bacow urged his colleagues to take on more responsibility over the next few weeks as he and his wife focus on just getting healthy.

Earlier this month, Harvard asked students to move out of their dormitories by March 15 to reduce the density of the community amid the coronavirus pandemic.

- PM NEWS

Coronavirus : Prince Charles tests positive

The Prince of Wales has tested positive for coronavirus, Clarence House has confirmed.

Prince Charles, 71, is displaying mild symptoms "but otherwise remains in good health", a spokesman said.

The Duchess of Cornwall, 72, has also been tested but does not have the virus.

Clarence House said Charles and Camilla were now self-isolating at Balmoral, adding the prince "has been working at home throughout the last few days".

An official statement read: "In accordance with government and medical advice, the prince and the duchess are now self-isolating at home in Scotland.

"The tests were carried out by the NHS in Aberdeenshire, where they met the criteria required for testing.

"It is not possible to ascertain from whom the prince caught the virus owing to the high number of engagements he carried out in his public role during recent weeks."

- BBC

Ransomware hidden in Coronavirus App, do not download

The Federal Government on Tuesday warned Nigerians over the existence of an Android-based malicious and fraudulent coronavirus Ransomware application.

The warning was stated in a statement by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, signed by his Special Assistant, Segun Adeyemi.

Lai Mohammed stated that the Ransomware app claims to provide updates on COVID-19 and infections near the user but blocks access to users’ personal data and accounts and threatens deletion unless users pay $100 in Bitcoin within 48 hours.

He said the App, detected on the website www.coronavirusapp.site, “prompts users to download an Android App purportedly for coronavirus map tracking and heat map visuals.”

Mohammed noted that cybercriminals are seeking to exploit the growing spread of the virus for nefarious gains.

The minister, therefore, called on the general public not to download the Ransomware App and to seek updates on the pandemic only from the appropriate authorities.

- PM NEWS

Cuba has drugs to fight Coronavirus, Falana writes FG

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has written to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire to seek the help of Cuba as the country has a drug that has so far proven effective in the fight against Coronavirus.

Falana said “We have confirmed that the Cuban drug known as ‘Recombinant Human Interferon Alpha 2B’ developed by Cuba has so far proven to be the most effective weapon against COVID-19.

“Apart from the Chinese Government which has chosen ‘Interfron Alpha 2B’ as one of the drugs for combating COVID-19, the Italian Government has adopted it and secured the services of Cuban doctors along with Chinese experts in combating the dreaded disease.”

According to Falana, the right wing Brazilian Government which had expelled Cuban doctors two years ago on ideological grounds had been compelled to request for the assistance of Cuban medical team amidst conovarious pandemic.

“Similarly, other Latin American, Caribbean and European countries are reported to have requested the Cuban drug and also help from Cuban medical professionals to fight the COVID-19 scourge,” he said.

“In view of the foregoing, we call on you to use your good offices to confirm the efficacy of the Interfron Alpha 2B’ and recommend same for the treatment of COVID 19.

“Having regards to the selfless role of the Cuban medical professionals in eradicating the Ebola virus in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in 2017 we call without any further delay. The health of humanity should not be sacrificed on the alter of ideological disputation,” he added.

- PM NEWS

PHOTOS: Minister, Buhari’s aide defy restriction on large gatherings amid coronavirus

Muhammadu Buhari, were among those in attendance at a public event in Abuja despite a restriction on large gatherings in the nation’s capital.

The event, the 2020 annual leadership lecture organised by the Barewa Old Boys Association, Abuja branch, was held in Asokoro area of the city on Saturday morning.

Although there is no case of the coronavirus in the FCT as of Saturday morning, the federal capital territory administration had joined other states to restrict large crowds to curb the spread of the disease.

Ramatu Aliyu, FCT minister of state, announced the restriction on Tuesday during a meeting with relevant agencies in the nation’s capital.At the venue of the programme, TheCable observed that guests were asked to use hand sanitisers and their body temperature checked. But there have been cases where people are infected without showing symptoms immediately.

Sixty-four persons were present at the lecture, though 95 seats were reserved for attendees.

Below are pictures from the programme:

- THECABLE

FBI list: Nigerians sent to prison for fraud

The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has secured the convictions of two FBI suspects and four others.

They were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Warri, Delta State, for impersonation, internet fraud and operating a vessel within Nigerian Waters without due registration.

Patrick Erakposhere Onajokpe, alias John Mark, was arraigned on a two count charge of fraudulently impersonating John Mark, through which he defrauded unsuspecting American ladies.

One of the count reads: That you Chief Patrick Onajokpe (alias James Mark) Glory Agbare (at large) Alfred Akpewe (at large) Elena Onah (at large) sometime between 2014 and 2015 in Warri within the jurisdiction of this honourable court fraudulently impersonated the identity of one James Mark claiming to be a black American working in deep sea off coast of taxes, USA, in your hush app account where you enticed unsuspecting American ladies into romantic relationships online and in that process, obtained the aggregate sum of $878,489,24 from ladies and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 22(2)(b)(ii) of the Cybercrime (prohibition prevention, ets) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(iv) of the same Act.”

The defendant pleaded guilty and the prosecution counsel, Aso Larry Peters, prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendant accordingly.

Justice Nwite convicted and sentenced Onajokpe to five years imprisonment, in the alternative, a fine of N6,000,000.

The convict lost a Range Rover Jeep, a Petroleum Filing Station, an uncompleted plaza and phones. Justice Nwite also ruled that the properties be sold with the proceeds restituted to the victim of the crimes.

Also, the court convicted MacDonald Chukwuma Nnamdi, arraigned on a two count charge of obtaining personal identification information and using same to file fraudulent tax returns with the Inland Revenue Service, USA.

One of the charges read: “That you MacDonald Chukwuma Nnamdi, Daniel Mercedis (at large) sometimes between 2018 and 2019 in Benin City within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did with intent to defraud used attached e-mail to obtain personal identification information of others online and used same to file fraudulent tax returns with the Inland Revenue Service (IRS) of the USA and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 36(1)of the Cybercrime (prohibition prevention etc) Act 2015.”

The defendant pleaded guilty and Justice Nwite sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment with an option of N1,000,000.

Similarly, the EFCC secured the convictions of Akinwade Olajide, Onume Kingsley, Kelechi Ogbuiton and Seje Skinn, for operating a motor vessel without due registration and licence from the appropriate authority.

- DAILY POST

Ibrahimovic set to leave AC Milan to become a manager

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has decided to leave AC Milan, less than three months after re-signing for the club, Sport Mediaset reports.

Ibrahimovic will leave as a free agent at the end of June, as he is unhappy with the recent sacking of chief football officer Zvonimir Boban.

Boban was instrumental in bringing the Swedish striker back to Milan, where he first played between 2010 and 2012.

The departure of Boban has convinced Ibrahimovic to leave at the end of this season rather than 2021.

It is believed that Ibrahimovic has made up his mind and will inform Milan CEO, Ivan Gazidis.

The 38-year-old has netted four times in 10 appearances since his return to the Serie A club.

He is now considering a career in management.

- DAILY POST

Coronavirus: Nigerian govt. bars international flights to Lagos, Abuja as confirmed cases hit 22

The federal government has barred international flights arriving into the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Musa Nuhu, on Saturday.
Nuhu explained that the closure of international flight operations at the Lagos and Abuja airports, are in addition to the three other international airports in Kano, Enugu and Port Harcourt, which were shut for flight operations on Saturday.

It read: “Further to our earlier letter on the restriction of international flights into Nigeria, we wish to inform you that effective Monday, 23rd March at 2300Z to 23rd April at 2300Z, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos (DNMM) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (DNAA) will be closed to all international flights.
“This is in addition to the closure of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (DNKN); Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu (DNEN); and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa (DNPO) effective Saturday, 21 March at 2300Z.
“Henceforth, all airports in Nigeria are closed to all incoming international flights with the exception of emergency and essential flights.

“Domestic flights will continue normal operations at all airports.”
This comes as confirmed cases of coronavirus rises to 22 in Nigeria

- DAILY POST

COVID-19: Lagos police begin crackdown on gatherings above 50

The Lagos State Police Command on Saturday said it has begun massive crackdown on social, religious and other gatherings above 50 people in a bid to halt the spread of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the nation.

Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Bala Elkana, in a statement, said the police had decided to enforce the ban on social gatherings, clubs, parties, ceremonies and religion gatherings of more than 50 persons in Lagos State.

“Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the General Public that the Command in compliance with the guidelines and directives issued by both the Federal Government and Lagos State Government on prevention of the spread of Coronavirus, popularly known as Covid-19 which the World Health Organisation has declared as a pandemic, has embarked on massive enforcement of the ban order.

“To that effect, the Command has deployed adequate resources across the State to ensure that the orders are fully obeyed. The order imposed bans on social gatherings such as, wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, burial ceremonies, parties, clubs and religion gatherings of people more than 50.

“Commercial vehicles carrying passengers above capacity (overloading) are also part of this order. Members of the public are encouraged to avoid overcrowding themselves at bus stops, market places, business places and scene of incidents,” he said.

Elkana said the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu had called on the good people of Lagos State to obey the safety regulations put in place for the benefit of everyone, saying that “We must be alive and healthy before socio-economic activities will be effective.”

He added that the Command had rolled out its medical team to market places for awareness creation and Police detention facilities to safeguard the safety of suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate release of suspects arrested for minor offences as part of preventive measures. Together we can prevent the spread of Covid-19. For information or complaints regarding covid-19 called the following toll free number 080097000010 or text Coronavirus to 24453,” he said.

- PM NEWS