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

Real Madrid ex-President Lorenzo Sanz dies of coronavirus

Lorenzo Sanz, former Real Madrid president died Saturday from the new coronavirus, his family and club said. He was 76.

Sanz had been in intensive care since the beginning of the week while being treated for the virus.

He presided over Madrid from 1995 until 2000, leading the club to two European titles, a Spanish league title and a Spanish Super Cup title.

Under his presidency, Madrid ended a 32-year drought in Europe by winning its seventh European trophy in 1998.

In a statement, Real Madrid sent condolences to Sanz’s wife Mari Luz, his children, Lorenzo, Francisco, Fernando, María Luz (Malula) and Diana, as well as his family and friends.

“Today, all of madridismo is in mourning following the passing of the president who dedicated a huge part of his life to his great passion: Real Madrid”, the club said as they promised a befitting recognition after the clouds of coronavirus had passed.

More than 24,000 people have been infected with the virus in Spain, with nearly 1,400 deaths.

- PM NEWS

Fatoyinbo’s COZA dragged for defying coronavirus warning

Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo and his Commonwealth of Zion Assembly(COZA) faced a barrage of attacks on Saturday over the planned Sunday service of the church in Abuja after reports that the city has three coronavirus cases.

In an Instagram post, the church, taking into consideration the signs of the times announced:

“Following a directive from the FCT Administration, please be informed that service would hold tomorrow, 22nd March, 2020 by 7:30am @Evelyn Centre and 9am at The COZA AUDITORIUM, Guzape Hills , Asokoro Extension, Abuja

“Electronic thermometers will be used (2) There will be alcohol based sanitizers ( 3) There will a considerable space between the worshippers. (4) The Air flow systems are effective . ( 5) The blood of Jesus puts the enemy ( pestilence) at bay. #FearNot #CovenantOfProtection #Exploits #BetterDaysAhead”.

The COZA Sunday service notice that triggered the attacks

In the second notice, the Church further assured worshippers of their safety, claiming it has taken adequate precautions.

“Hello family, we are geared up to excitedly receive you tomorrow 22nd of March by 7:30am at our #CentrePointCampus, Evelyn Event Centre, Gwarinpa. Worshippers can be assured of our unwavering commitment to a clean and conducive environment for service. Your safety is paramount to us and we are complying with the directives of the FCT Administration by ensuring: 1) Temperatures are measured using electronic thermometers 2) Availability of alcohol based sanitizers 3) A considerable space between worshippers 4) Effective Air Flow Systems 5) Above all, the Blood of Jesus severes us from this pestilence. See you there”.

Critics were not assuaged by the church’s claim of taking precautions as they went on the attack.

“Help me inform Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA that electronic thermometer, alcohol based sanitizer, spaces between worshipers and effective airflow system cannot detect #COVID19 carriers without symptoms. We need to also stop using the blood of Jesus to gamble”, tweeted Ayemojubar @ayemojubar

“Make no mistake about this. It isn’t about tomorrow’s offering but the god complex these god of men have developed over time has made them addicted to their power over their congregation”, wrote Daddy D.O @DOlusegun.

- PM NEWS