COVID-19: More prominent people will die – Primate Ayodele tells Nigeria action to take

The founder of Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic might not go away until next year.

The Daily Sun reports that the cleric, who is famous for his prophecies, also warned that more prominent people will die after contracting the Coronavirus.
Primate Ayodele, however, listed three things that must be done for the outbreak to be contained.

“This Covid-19 will not go either today or tomorrow. If care is not taken, it may extend till next year. More prominent people will still die of the virus, but God may still avert this imminent calamity if our government urgently takes certain steps: one is to relax the ongoing lockdown to 6pm to 7am.
“Two is to allow our churches to hold services, praise and pray to God. But under the strict adherence to measures put in place by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“Three, our rich men should stop donating money directly into the coffers of the government. They should give directly to the people, although such exercise should be supervised by government agencies,” he said.

Nigeria currently has 542 cases of COVID-19.

This weekend, the country recorded a high-profile death from Coronavirus, after President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, passed away.
He has since been buried in Abuja according to Islamic rites and passages.

- DAILY POST

TCN: FG can’t provide free electricity — it’s propaganda

Usman Mohammed, managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), says the federal government cannot provide free electricity to Nigerians.

The TCN is owned by the federal government, while the distribution and generation sub-sectors are controlled by private investors.
The DisCos had announced that they were working with the federal government to provide free two-month electricity as palliatives to cushion the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on citizens.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja, Usman said the proposal is mere propaganda.

“There is this information that went round that power is going to be free. I don’t know where that information came from,” the TCN chief said.
“But I can tell you that there is nothing like power is going to be free because the federal government cannot make power free. The federal government does not own the power.
“In the electricity industry, apart from transmission, which is just the transporter, all the other chains do not belong to the federal government. So, I cannot understand how somebody will concoct that information.

“But these are some of the people involved in propaganda who brand information that is very unnecessary, to be honest.
“I think at this stage what we need to do is to sustainably supply electricity and that is what we are doing.”

Sale Mamman, minister or power, had said the the government was concerned about how the proposal could be implemented to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians.

- THECABLE

COVID-19: US evacuates 340 Americans from Nigeria

More than 340 American citizens left Nigeria for the United States on Saturday amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was disclosed by the US Mission in Nigeria via a tweet on Saturday.
On April 9, 2020, 997 US citizens were evacuated from the country, 850 persons were flown out from Lagos, while 147 were evacuated from Abuja.

Also, on April 6, 2020, 376 US citizens were flown out of Lagos.
The evacuations come amid the COVID-19 pandemic — with the US as the worst-hit country in the world.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the US has confirmed 690,714 confirmed cases and 35,443 deaths.

“Today, over 340 Americans left Lagos for the United States on a chartered Omni Air International flight bound for Dulles Airport, near Washington, DC. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria wishes all aboard a smooth flight as they head home to rejoin family & friends. Stay Safe & Healthy!” it read.
Nigeria has recorded 493 cases and 17 deaths, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

- THECABLE

Auto crash kills 10, injures 45 in Zamfara

No fewer than 10 passengers have died in a road traffic accident along Kasuwar Daji-Gusau road in Zamfara State.

This was confimed in a statement by the Zamfara State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammad Shehu,

Shehu stated that 45 other passengers sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident that occurred on Saturday night.

He said, “With all sadness and sorrow, the Zamfara police command wishes to announce the death of 10 passengers following their involvement in a fatal motor vehicle accident along Kasuwar Daji – Gusau road.

“On 18th April, 2020 at about 2100hours, a trailer vehicle conveying passengers and goods from Kasuwar Daji Market was involved in a fatal accident.”

“The incident which resulted in the death of 10 passengers on the spot, also led to 45 others sustaining various degrees of injuries,” NAN quoted him as saying.

Shehu explained that the corpses of the passengers have been deposited at the mortuary of Federal Medical Center, Gusau, where those injured are receiving treatment.

According to him, investigation into the cause of the accident had commenced.

“The command appealed to the general public, especially drivers of commercial vehicles to refrain from reckless driving and obey all traffic regulations. Violators will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

- DAILY POST

Beckham names superior player between Ronaldo, Messi

Former Manchester United and England star, David Beckham, has said Lionel Messi is a level above Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is the only player to have gotten close to Messi, with the pair having shared 11 Ballons d’Or between them.

They are both generally regarded as the best footballers alive.

For Beckham, who passed on the No.7 shirt at United to Ronaldo, Messi edges the contest.

“He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him.

“He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest,” Beckham told Telam.

- DAILY POST

I’m ‘irritated’: Neuer speaks on Bayern contract talks

Bayern Munich captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer told German media Sunday he has become “irritated” with negotiations to extend his contract, which have reportedly stalled in recent weeks.

“All talks I have had since I have been here having been confidential… nothing has ever leaked,” the 34-year-old told Germany’s most popular daily Bild.

“But now, details about the current talks are constantly appearing in the media, and are often untrue. That irritates me. It’s not something I am used to at Bayern.”

The veteran goalkeeper’s unusually candid comments come amid widespread reports that his current contract negotiations have hit the rocks.

If the talks fail, club captain Neuer could be free to leave Bayern in June and attract the interest of the Premier League clubs.

According to Bild, Neuer and his agent, Frank Kroth are demanding a five-year deal, with a salary of 20 million euros ($22 million) per season.

In Sunday’s interview, Kroth denied such details and said he was not “confronting the club with demands which will hit it hard in the coronavirus crisis”.

With Bundesliga matches currently suspended due to the coronavirus, Bayern has recently extended the contracts of forwarding Thomas Mueller and head coach Hansi Flick, both until 2023.

However, Neuer hailed Flick as a “super coach” and said that the 55-year-old’s extension had convinced him too to stay on at Bayern.

“I want to have a contract which is a win-win situation for me and Bayern. I want to perform, be there for the team… and give 100 percent,” he said.

“The conditions have to be right (for that),” he added.

Neuer, who helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup title, has been named world goalkeeper of the year four times.

- PM NEWS

A week after first COVID-19 case, Kano now 3rd highest with 37 patients

One week after Kano recorded its index COVID-19 case, the state now has the third highest figure in the country.

Lagos currently has the highest figure with 306 confirmed cases, while the federal capital territory comes next with 81 confirmed cases.
Kano confirmed its index case on April 11, 2020.

The index patient, a 75-year-old former diplomat, had travelled across a few states, and also attended a wedding and Juma’at prayer, before he was confirmed positive for the disease.
On April 13, two additional cases were confirmed, bringing the state’s total to three at the time, and with the development, Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of the state, announced a total lockdown which took effect on April 16.

Over the course of the previous week, more cases were recorded, which included three officials of the state’s task force on COVID-19 and by the end of the week, on April 18, the state had recorded 37 cases, and one death which occurred on April 15.
Announcing the latest figures on Saturday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded 10 cases for Kano.

However, as of April 19, 2020, Nigeria’s total stood at 541 confirmed cases, and of that number, 166 persons have been discharged while 19 deaths have occurred.

Persons who have died from COVID-19 complications in the country include Emeka Chugbo, a doctor who died in Lagos; a 66-year-old Briton who had travelled from India via Dubai to Lagos.
Aliyu Yakubu, a medical doctor based in Katsina, and Abba Kyari, the chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

-THECABLE

U.S. NBA star Dinwiddie acquires Nigerian passport

Snubbed by Team USA, NBA star Spencer Dinwiddie is reportedly acquiring a Nigerian passport to play for the national team, D’Tigers.

Dinwiddie plays for Brooklyn Nets as guard.

News about Dinwiddie’s switch to Nigeria was reported by Shams Charania, an NBA insider and analyst for The Athletic and Stadium.

He broke the news in a tweet that has gone viral.

(Read his tweet: https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1251620642287489024?s=20

Acquiring a passport to play for another country is common for players who play in domestic leagues overseas.

But it is more rare for NBA players.

With the addition of Dinwiddie, the Nigerian national team has a pretty solid roster.

Dinwiddie and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie in the backcourt, Magic forward Al-Farouq Aminu on the wing and former top-10 pick Ekpe Udoh down low is a nice foundation.

 Plus, they have Mike Brown as their new coach.

Reported by CBS Sports

Another Koro !! President Buhari reportedly appoints Babagana Kingibe as new Chief of Staff

President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly appointed a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babagana Kingibe as Chief of Staff to replace Abba Kyari, according to The Times.

Former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari was buried on Saturday after he died of the Coronavirus disease.

The late 67-year-old lawyer, businessman and politician served President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 till his death on Friday.

Groups, including some from the South East had also pleaded with the President to shift the position to the region following Kyari’s demise.

However, Tell authoritatively reported on Sunday that Kingibe, who has served the nation in different capacities as a diplomat, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1995, Minister of Internal Affairs from 1995 to 1997, Minister of Power and Steel from 1997 to 1998; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation from 2007 to 2008, has been appointed to fill the vacant position.

Abba Kyari tested positive to coronavirus on his return from Germany and subsequently died of the infection in Lagos.

The magazine reports that Kingibe has been acting as Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari since Kyari left the Presidency for treatment.

- DAILY POST

Adeboye: Nigeria, Africa will recover from COVID-19 before the rest of the world

Enoch Adeboye, general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, says Nigeria will recover from COVID-19 before the rest of the world.

In a broadcast to church members on Sunday, the preacher said the country has begun its journey to normalcy.

“I believe that I have good news for us. I believe that the journey to normalcy has started,” Adeboye said.

“I am believing God that your pastors will soon return to their normal duties probably at most, I will spend one more Sunday with you after which the pastors will be back to their duties in Jesus name.

“The return journey to normalcy might not be very rapid or sudden. It might be gradual but it will be steady. I sincerely hope that when the battle is over, we will give all the glory to God.”

He encouraged members to continue to maintain basis hygiene and avoid non-essential travel.

“After the lockdown has been lifted, any journey abroad that is not essential, please suspend it.

“God is going to grant Nigeria and Africa healing before the rest of the world so stop jumping up and down. If the journey is not essential, don’t go.”

Advising members to pray against fire outbreaks, he said: “We have seen some but the really big one is on the way and we don’t want it to happen at all.

“Please against fire outbreaks and floods.”

He also urged members to clear their gutters and drainages before the rains begin.

As of Saturday, April 18, Nigeria had 356 active cases; having recorded 541 confirmed cases with 166 patients discharged and 19 deaths.

- THECABLE