As at 11:10 pm 20th April, breakdown of cases by states:
Lagos – 376
FCT – 89
Kano – 59
Osun – 20
Oyo – 16
Edo – 15
Ogun – 12
Kwara – 9
Katsina – 12
Bauchi – 7
Kaduna – 9
Akwa Ibom – 9
Delta – 4
Ekiti – 4
Ondo – 3
Enugu – 2
Rivers – 2
Niger – 2
Benue – 1
Anambra – 1
Borno – 3
Jigawa – 2
Abia – 2
Gombe – 5
Sokoto – 1
SOURCE
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
A U.S. surveillance aircraft flew over South Korea, an aviation tracker said Monday, on an apparent mission to monitor North Korea amid stepped-up military moves by the communist regime in recent weeks.
The U.S. Air Force’s RC-135W Rivet Joint was spotted in the skies above the city of Incheon, just west of Seoul, and the adjacent Gyeonggi Province, Aircraft Spots tweeted without specifying the exact time of the operation.
The U.S. has deployed several types of spy planes here more often than before in recent months, such as the Navy’s EP-3E, after Pyongyang has moved to beef up its defense capabilities amid stalled denuclearisation talks with Washington.
As the latest in a series of muscle-flexing maneuvres, North Korea fired what appeared to be cruise missiles off its east coast and air-to-ground missiles from fighter jets into the East Sea last Tuesday, one day before the birthday anniversary of late national founder Kim Il-sung.
The deployment of such reconnaissance aircraft by the U.S. is part of its regular operations, but it might have let some of them be spotted “intentionally” to send a message of pressure to the North, according to sources and experts.
An increase in surveillance activity could also suggest unusual moves may be under way in the communist nation, such as preparations for missile launches.
(NAN)
Kolade Adeyemi, Kano
The former governor of Kano state senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on Monday donated AMANA HOSPITAL to the Kano State Government to aid the fight against COVID-19 .
A statement by Saifullahi Hassan Media Aide to senator Rabiu Kwankwaso said the contribution was to assist the “Management Committee overcome this epidemic.”
Hassan explained that “AMANA HOSPITAL is newly built, fully equipped with 60-beds capacity, completed last month and it has not yet been commissioned. It is located at Miller Road, Bompai, Kano State.”
Not a lot is known about the achievements of SF Records CEO Temidayo Joseph Agunbiade. His magnificent skills and especial prowess in his field make him disparate from the variety of record label owners in the country.
In this interview with The Nation, Soft Mide, as he is popularly known, provides an insight into his creative process and how music and building up an enterprise has impacted his life.
We all know you as Soft Mide, what is your real name?
My name is Temidayo Joseph Agunbiade
May we know about your background?
I am from Ifon, Ondo State Nigeria, I basically had my childhood in Ondo state, I was born on 26th November 1993. My primary education was at L.A primary school in Ifon Ondo State, and secondary education at Immaculate college also at Ifon.
How did you kick start your record label and SF Clothing Store?
Just as every entrepreneur has a mindset to be distinct, avid, and productive, I saw the need to start something new, and far from the usual, SF clothing started from the high demand for fashionable wears and the record label started from the need to create a platform to produce music.
My aim is to use my record label to serve as a platform to endorse proficient artists oozing talent and also a very good platform to produce hit songs that would earn my team members credits from numerous streams and downloads.
While My brand SF clothing line provides clients and customers with elegant clothing and classy apparel.
Aside from producing music, what did you study in college?
I started my higher education at The College of Health technology in Offa, Kwara state Nigeria. I furthered my education at the Vocational School for Office Management and Industrial Clerks, situated in Munich, Germany. Basically all through my life, music and making money as well as being industrious has been my thing.
How would you describe your expertise and what should the public lookout for from you?
I would start by saying; I am proficient by measuring my competence, I am versatile. I have my life planned out already, I look forward to learning a lot and working on myself to be better than I used to. And as well taking up a leadership role in the future, but I prefer to work with others to gain more experience and knowledge about people’s character and how well to perform. Given a chance to be a leader of many, I am confident enough that I would shape the team into being successful workers, and also moulding the firm into what is a lot different and qualified from what we have now.
What is your genre of music?
I focus more on Afropop and Beat.
What’s your creative process?
I am a music producer, and an entrepreneur, I run a fashionable clothing brand anyone can attest to that by listening to the songs we have produced and more to come and also if he or she has worn any of the brand’s outfits.
What year would you say was a breakthrough year for you?
2020! I kickstarted my record label earnestly, and signing Arcydan into the record label was worth it. We are currently working on a project which I believe would be a banger.
What inspires you to make music?
My inspiration comes from God because he has been the source all through my life. Secondly, I get daily inspiration from my family and friends and happenings around me.
Of all the good entrepreneurs in the world, which of them do you admire?
I am a fan of Nigerian business tycoon, Femi Otedola. He is a mentor and role model, his versatility is unique and has booming businesses and he is a renowned African entrepreneur.
What have you learned so far?
It is said that “humans shouldn’t stop trying and working hard to get desired results.” Life has taught me that it is unwise to settle with just an option while trying to make it further. But rather, multitask, and venture into various ideas and see how things take positive turns. Many call me a jack of all trades, but my ideology about life generally is that “it isn’t over until it’s over.
The Jigawa Government on Monday confirmed the first index case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
Gov. Muhammad Badaru who made the disclosure at a news conference in Dutse, said the index case was recorded in Kazaure Local Government Area (LGA)of the state.
Badaru said the patient had been transported to an isolation centre in Dutsel, adding that contact tracing with regard to the patient was already ongoing.
He explained that all contacts traced would be isolated pending the outcome of test results to be carried out.
“On April 19, Jigawa state reached a grim milestone in its fight against COVID-19 disease, as one the samples taken from Kazaure LGA returned positive.
“The patient was transported to our isolation centre in Dutse and contact tracing is currently ongoing. All the contacts will be isolated pending the outcome of test results to be carried out.
“Therefore, I urged all residents of the state to remain calm as we work collectively to overcome this pandemic,” Badaru said.
He said that the Kazaure LGA would be lockdown for seven days, to prevent the spread of the virus in the state.
“In order to curve the spread of the infection in the state, Kazaure LGA will be locked down for a period of seven days from 12 midnight of April 20, 2020.
“Security agencies will work with Civil Society Organisations, vigilance groups and the Hisbah to enforce the lockdown.
“So all are directed to stay at home pending the time all contacts are traced, samples taken and results known for the suspected individuals,” he said.
Badaru said that the government would take additional measures to curve the spread of the virus in the state.
“My dear residents of Jigawa, as you can see, time has come to enforce additional measures that will ensure safety of people of the state.
“The Task Force Committee is consulting and we will soon announce additional measures to curve the spread of disease in the state.
“At this juncture, I will urge all of you to intensify prayers and ensure that you keep your eyes and ears open and report all suspected case to the authorities,” the governor said.
According to him, as part of palliative, the government would distribute grains, including food items donated by well meaning citizens to residents in order to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown.
“As part of support to residents of Jigawa, grains will be distributed soon in order to alleviate the suffering encountered by some people.
“All food items donated by well meaning citizens within and outside the state will also be distributed,” Badaru said.
He also announced the donation of three trucks of rice and tomato paste to the state by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
“Let me also use this opportunity to thank all that have given donation either in cash, in kind, through prayers or messages of goodwill as we pass through this difficult time in our history,” he said. (NAN)
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, on Monday, announced the donation of more medical equipment to Africa in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chinese billionaire made the announcement on his verified Twitter handle.
Ma twitted: “Our 3rd donation to Africa will immediately be made to @_africanunion and @AfricaCDC.
“This includes 4.6 million masks, 500,000 swabs and test kits, 300 ventilators, 200,000 clothing sets, 200,000 face shields, 2,000 thermal guns, 100 body temperature scanners and 500,000 pairs of gloves.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ma, through his foundation, had earlier made his first set of donation to the 54 African countries.
He donated 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 medical use protective suits and face shields.
Ma also announced his second set of donation to the continent on April 6 which included 500 ventilators, 200 thousand suits and face shields, two thousand thermometers.
Others are one million swabs and extraction kits and 500,000 gloves.
(NAN)
Ex-Super Eagles and Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme does not feel slighted by having to fight the cruel condition of leukaemia. His new book on the journey, and the title, Why Not Me?, is emblematic of his inspiring outlook.
It was something he never worried about while playing football, but now it is the one thing he is determined to make the most of. Carl Ikeme – diagnosed with leukaemia in 2017 after returning abnormal results from a routine pre-season check-up – admits he thought he was going to die.
But in June of 2018, he was told he was in complete remission.
Leukaemia changed his life, no doubt, but Ikeme reflects on his footballing career with fondness and relishes the simpler things these days.
He never took the love of his family for granted. It is extra special now, though.
“I was always really grateful anyway. Most people will tell you that I’m not a flashy sort of guy, I’m quite down to earth,” said Ikeme, who made more than 200 appearances for Wolves and won two promotions.
“I’m always really grateful, but it just makes you appreciate things more on a different level.
“It makes you appreciate time with your family.
“That’s the main thing now. It gives me purpose of time because when I was playing, football takes your life over.
“That’s one thing my family didn’t have with me – time.
“So, now, I appreciate everything 20,000 times more than I did do anyway.
“I appreciate time with my friends and time with my loved ones – moments together, the hugs and kisses from my daughters.
“Even though they felt like the best-ever before, they feel even better now!”
Ikeme, of course, is still wary of the risk of infection – the cancer depleted his immune system – but over the past several months, going out in busy places is something he has grown more comfortable with.
So much so, he has started going to Wolves games more frequently.
And after playing for the club since the age of 14 – albeit with a few loan spells away in there – Ikeme likes the simplicity of being a fan.
“I think 2018 was a year of me coming back and getting back on my feet,” he said.
“This season, I’ve watched more games and come to more games.
“I think I was always a bit cautious with coming because my immune system was still really low.
“It was always a case of come – but stay safe. I was always a bit wary.
“Now, I can just come and enjoy the game. I came to the Villa game and it was nice to just be a fan. I enjoy it.
“It sounds strange, but I enjoy just being a normal fan and supporting Wolves.”
Ikeme was born in Sutton Coldfield and raised in Birmingham to a white mother and black father.
He was steadfast, though, and went on to achieve his footballing dream. He played for Villa as a kid but did not like the seriousness of it all.
“I’d been at Wolves for half of my life. It felt special to me. I felt a part of Wolves, not just playing for them. I felt an integral part of the club as a whole, so that was really important to me.
“And representing Nigeria was massive for me, such a powerful experience.
“You’re representing a country, it’s surreal. It was something that felt more deep-rooted as I knew it would make my family so proud.”
Since Ikeme had to call it a day, Wolves’ keepers have refused to take the No.1 shirt out of respect to him.
Rui Patricio and John Ruddy wear 11 and 21 respectively.
But Ikeme, who says both have touched him with their support, is more than happy for Patricio to start wearing No.1 now.
Ikeme says that with a wide smile on his face, and he is quite happy to talk about what having cancer was like.
He has left no stone unturned in his new book, Why Not Me?
Seeing his story on paper, at first, was a difficult experience. Those memories which had been cast away to one side and locked away came flooding back.
But, in the end, it is has been an uplifting and cathartic experience.
Ikeme was in and out of hospital as he battled leukaemia
“It’s been strange, really, a bit tough at times,” said Ikeme.
“There were some things that I’d not forgot, but just not spoken about – put to one side.
“It was tough, especially when you’ve got it on paper. As soon as it went on paper and I was reading through bits, talking about how I was dealing with it emotionally at the time, it brought back memories of what I went through.
“At the same time, it was quite therapeutic, talking about my experience, what I was going through, how I felt at the time, how it has changed me, and what I’ve learned.
“It was quite fulfilling as well and something I actually enjoyed doing in the end.”
Doing the book with freelance journalist and former Wolves head of media Paul Berry has helped Ikeme mentally.
“I’m feeling good. I’m just trying to get on with life as normal,” said Ikeme.
“Things are starting to settle down in my life now.
“I’m feeling relatively fit – not fit enough to play football, but I’m fitter.
“I’m training for the cycle ride and just enjoying life, enjoying my time with my family.”
Ikeme will be cycling a whopping 562 miles in six days across England in aid of Race Against Blood Cancer.
The challenge, which takes place in May, will begin at Middlesbrough and, aptly, finish at Molineux.
And he is on a mission to raise awareness that there is not enough stem cell donors from minority groups.
“It’s a charity close to me at the minute as cancer affects a lot of people. This is to do with the stem cell register,” said Ikeme.
“There’s not enough donors from ethnic minorities. If you’re white, you’ve got a 70 to 80 per cent chance of finding a donor.
“From an ethnic minority, it goes down to 10 to 20 per cent. I’m doing a cycle in May, 560 miles, to raise awareness and money, and do a few more donor drives to boost the numbers in the register.
“I was fortunate that I didn’t need it, but if I had, it would’ve been a struggle for me to find a donor. It’s something that’s close to my heart.
“When something is going through that, it’d be even more stress trying to find a donor.
“It’s not always easy, generally, but from an ethnic minority it is difficult, so I want to help raise awareness and create a bigger donor list.
“You never know when someone might need it – you might need it. It’s really important I try to awareness, as stem cell donors, it’s not as well-known as giving blood. And it is quite simple to do.”
Ikeme thought leukaemia was a death sentence but, more than two years later, Ikeme is thinking about the next step.
He has been renovating properties for the past six months or so, doing something which has always been an interest of his.
He is also thinking about getting back into football. The door is always open for him at Wolves, and Ikeme likes the idea of returning to the club in a coaching or mentoring capacity, although not just yet.
Out of Darkness Cometh Light is a phrase closely associated with Wolves – and it certainly applies to Ikeme.
He had some words for anyone who is experiencing trouble, whether that is cancer or any other illness, too.
“It’s difficult to have one message, but I had to accept what was going on. That really helped me deal with the matter,” said Ikeme.
“I wasn’t trying to run away from having cancer; it was just accepting what had happened.
“Trying to have a positive mindset really helped me push through the tough times.
“Having that positive mind frame, trying to be as positive as possible in bad circumstances, really helped me.
“I think it could really help anyone going through any sort of trouble.”
Ikeme added: “Your mind is the most powerful thing you’ve got when you put it to good use.”
By Agency Reporter
The Edo State Government has opened a new ultra-modern 30-bed isolation facility at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital, Benin City, equipped with 15 ventilators, oxygen concentrators, dialysis and mobile x-ray machines, among other equipment to manage cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.
Deputy Governor and Chairman, Technical Sub-committee on COVID-19 Response, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, who led a team of government functionaries to inspect the facility, reiterated the determination of the state government to fight the infectious disease.
According to him, the new 30-bed facility built at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital was constructed in 12 days, a development that re-emphasises the state government’s determination to ensure Edo people get top-notch treatment if infected by the virus.
He said, “This is an additional facility built in 12 days, to ensure Edo people get the best treatment if they contract COVID-19. This is not a make-shift hospital but a permanent hospital built for Edo people.
“The world-class facilities here will sure assist the patients in getting well fast. There are internet facilities that will enable the sick get themselves abreast of the happenings around the world as they are connected to the world through cable television channels.”
“We have 15 ventilators in this centre, with 30 bed space. One ventilator is allocated to two beds,” Shaibu added.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, on his part, explained that the COVID-19 complex at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital is a three-in-one facility.
He said, “We already have a 12-bed facility here; the main building at Stella Obasanjo Hospital is a 158-bed facility, which will serve as a holding centre. Now we have newly completed 30-bed facility. We urge anyone in the state who has any symptom relating to COVID-19 to visit Stella Obasanjo Hospital to meet trained doctors and nurses here.”
“The 158-bed facility is a holding Centre where suspected persons will be kept to verify their true status. The newly completed 30-bed space has different sections for the treatment of COVID-19. I urge the people of the State to ensure that they visit the place to be sure they don’t having the disease,” he added.
He noted that the state has secured equipment for the two new testing centres in the state.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), says of the 6,649 people tested for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), nationwide, there were more males than females.
Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director General (DG) of NCDC, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Abuja.
Iheakweazu said NCDC data revealed that of the 6,649 suspected cases tested for the disease, 71 per cent were males, while females made up just 21 per cent of the total number.
He said of the sources of cases, 210 had travel history, 129 were contacts of confirmed cases, 11 infected by unknown sources, while 92 still had incomplete epidemiological information.
He disclosed that in the last 24 hours, 35 new confirmed cases were reported bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 442.
“No new case has been reported from any state in the last 24 hours, as the number of states with confirmed cases remain 19, including the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the NCDC DG, the agency continues to respond to the pandemic across the country and has prioritised the distribution of Viral Transport Medium (VTM), to all the states and FCT, for sample collection.
He also said that the deployment of COVID-19 starter packs to all tertiary institutions and the federal medical centres, was in progress.
Iheakweazu further said the NCDC had fully set up expanded laboratory network for COVID-19 across the six geopolitical zones, with 13 laboratories activated.
He, however, said that the deployment of Rapid Response Team (RRT), to support response in all states with confirmed case(s) stood at 22.
“All education materials can be found via www.covid19.ncdc.gov.ng,” he stated.
NAN reports that the country’s active cases currently stand at 277, with majority in stable condition.
NCDC, through its verified Twitter account on Thursday Night, said that by 10:20 p.m, April 16, the active cases were in stable conditions.
It said that the 35 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded from four states; 19 in Lagos, nine in FCT, five in Kano and two in Oyo State.
“As at 10:20 p.m. April 16, Lagos has a total of 251 positive cases, while the FCT and Kano have 67 and 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 respectively.
“Others are Osun- 20, Ogun – 9, Edo – 15, Oyo – 13, Bauchi – six, Kaduna – six, Akwa Ibom – six, Katsina – Seven, Kwara – four and Ondo – three.
“Delta– four, Kano– 16 , Enugu – two, Ekiti – two, Rivers – two, Benue – one, Niger – two and Anambra – one,” it stated.
(NAN)
A joint security team led by the Nyanya Divisional Police Officer, SP Ugochukwu Uhegbu, on Thursday arrested 10 suspects for mounting an illegal road block to extort money from motorists and other members of the public at the Federal Capital Territory/Nasarawa State boundary.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, on Thursday evening, the security operatives acted on intelligence.
“The suspects were arrested by the security operatives of the COVID-19 lockdown enforcement team along Nyanya-Mararaba axis. The suspects are: one Idoko Rapheal,Obi Robert, Augustine Aber, Rapheal Ikyaabo, Stephen Ikpi, Omachola Uranje, Remigius Gosioha, Dyke Ifeanyi, Chinedu Nwoyi and Uzoma Mbadoha all male.
“The cash sum of seven thousand one hundred and eighty naira (N7,180) suspected to be proceed of the crime have been recovered as exhibit. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigation.
“While reaffirming its commitment to protect lives and property in the Federal Capital Territory, especially during the lockdown, residents are also enjoined to be security conscious and comply with the Presidential lockdown order, which is to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.
“FCT residents can contact the Command Control room through any of these hotlines:- 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883,” the statement read.