Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Alpha Maidawa

NFF calls for prayers against deaths, kidnappings of players
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday called on all members of the country’s football family including stakeholders to pray hard against death and kidnapping of players.
This, it said, was in view of recent deaths and kidnappings of football players, which had caused serious concern in the sector.
Three footballers died in a horrendous auto crash along Benin-Agbor Road on Sunday, among them Rangers International FC star forward Ifeanyi George.
Also, Enyimba FC’s Dayo Ojo and Abia Comets’ Benjamin Iluyomade in Ondo State were kidnapped some hours later.
A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communication, on Monday quoted President of the Federation, Amaju Pinnick as saying that the deaths and kidnappings were huge causes for concern in Nigeria’s football firmament.
“These sorrowful incidents are becoming too much for us to bear. We must seek spiritual solace and seek help from Almighty God.
“I am short of words following these deaths and kidnappings. We must all get involved in prayers to stop this type of grief and sorrow in our football sector.
“I am heartbroken. Not long ago, we lost Tiamiyu Kazeem of Remo Stars Football Club and Chineme Martins of Nasarawa United in different circumstances.
“We need to call on God to show us mercy and stop these unfortunate happenings,” he said.
George, a former Home-based Eagles star who featured for Nigeria at the 5th African Nations Championship in Morocco early in 2018, died in a car crash alongside Emmanuel Ogbu, a player of Rangers International Feeder team and Eteka Gabriel, also a football player.
All were in a car that ran under a stationary trailer on the Benin-Agbor Road.
Some hours later, in Ondo State, Enyimba FC of Aba’s Dayo Ojo and Abia Comets’ player Benjamin Iluyomade were reported kidnapped in the Owo area of Ondo State.
Pinnick appealed for the release of the players by their captors, adding that the NFF was going through a lot of difficulties already.
“We also earnestly appeal to the kidnappers of Dayo and Benjamin to release them unhurt to their families.
“We are going through too much difficulties at the same time, with the coronavirus pandemic also around.
“We need serious prayers from everyone in the football family,” Pinnick pleaded. (NAN)
March 24, 2020
UEFA postpones Champions League, Europa League finals
This season’s Champions League, Europa League and women’s Champions League finals scheduled for May have been formally postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, European soccer’s governing body UEFA said on Monday.
All three competitions are currently suspended along with almost every European domestic league because of the coronavirus while UEFA last week postponed the Euro 2020 tournament until 2021.
“No decision has been taken on rearranged dates,” UEFA said in a statement.
It also did not say whether it would be able to complete the competitions in the current format or would have to shorten them.
The Champions League was halted halfway through the return legs of the round of 16 with four ties still to be decided.
The final was due to take place in Istanbul on May 30.
Some media reports have suggested ties could be reduced to one leg instead of two from the quarter-finals with a “final four” tournament in Istanbul.
In the Europa League, two of the round of 16 first leg matches have still to be played and all of the second legs. The final was due to be held in Gdansk, Poland, on May 27.
The women’s Champions League final was scheduled for Vienna on May 24. (Reuters/NAN)
March 24, 2020
ASUU commences indefinite strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has commenced an indefinite strike over the Federal Government’s inability to meet up with various agreements entered with the union.
ASUU had declared a two-week warning strike on March 9, 2020, due to skeletal and actual non-implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Memoranda of Action (MoA) .
The agreements range from the non-funding of public universities and non-payment of outstanding balance of arrears of Earned Academic allowance.
Others are salary shortfalls, underfunding and proliferation of state universities, NUPEMCO, visitation panels, renegotiation of 2009 agreement and IPPIS.
Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, ASUU President, announced the decision during a news conference at the end of an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Monday in Abuja.
Ogunyemi said that it was difficult for NEC to take some painful decisions at the meeting.
According to Ogunyemi, based on the review of reports from ASUU leadership’s engagement with government, the NEC concluded that government had failed to satisfactorily address the outstanding issues raised in the FGN-ASUU 2019 Memorandum of Action.
“Government has also ignored the objections of ASUU against the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
“Consequently, NEC resolved to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike beginning Monday, 23rd March, 2020 until the issues are satisfactorily resolved,” he said.
He explained that NEC had observed that the document being put together by government for ensuring sustainable funding of education in Nigeria did not, in anyway, refer to the 2019 FG-ASUU MoA.
Ogunyemi said that ASUU wanted a clear timeline for the phased release of the outstanding balance of about N1.1 tr. based on the 2013 Memorandum of Understanding of government and ASUU.
He added that ASUU would align forces with the labour movement, professional bodies, students, among others, to ensure that the dignity of scholars was not totally eroded in Nigeria. (NAN)
March 24, 2020
COVID-19: Gombe Govt inaugurates task force
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has inaugurated a 21- man task force on COVID-19 with Prof. Idris Mohammed as its Chairman.
Inaugurating the committee in Gombe on Monday, Yahaya said he had no doubt that the committee would achieve its mandate considering the caliber of its members.
He said the decision to inaugurate the committee was informed by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country with the number of confirmed cases increasing from 22 to 30.
Yahaya said that the mandate of the task force was to assess the situation in the state in terms of the risk of the outbreak, occurrence and design a plan to prevent, contain and mitigate the consequences of such outbreak.
The task force is also to identify a suitable isolation centre for the management of moderate to severe forms of COVID-19 as well as equip the centres with required equipment including ventilators.
Its other responsibilities include ensuring availability of necessary consumables and other medical supplies for the management of COVID-19 in the state and also to identify and recommend to the government a laboratory in the state to upgrade for COVID-19 testing.
The task force is also expected to facilitate the training of relevant health workers in the state on the management and containment of the pandemic, among other things.
In his response, Mohammed, the Committee Chairman, thanked the government for finding the members suitable to carry out the assignment.
He said that although the task ahead of them was a difficult one, they would do everything possible to ensure that even if there was any outbreak, it would not cause devastation in the state.
“We will not leave any stone unturned in addressing the task before us. What we want is support from the public to enable us succeed,” he said.
Mohammed, a Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, expressed confidence in his members, adding that all the committee members were selected based on their track record.
He said he had no doubt they would carry out the assignment successfully. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
Montenegro records first coronavirus death
Montenegro on Monday recorded its first death from the novel coronavirus, according to the state broadcaster RTCG.
RTCG reported that a 65-year old man died shortly after his arrival at a hospital in the capital Podgorica on Sunday.
According to RTCG, the man had earlier travelled to Serbia.
Currently, 22 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the Balkan country.
The Health Authorities said that another 5,500 people suspected to have the virus were under observation. (dpa/NAN)
March 23, 2020
Nepal closes borders with India and China
Nepal on Monday closed its border with neighbouring India and China for seven days after the Himalayan nation also suspended all international passenger flights in a bid to prevent a possible coronavirus outbreak.
According to the Finance Minister, Yubaraj Khatiwada, all cross-border movements will be restricted for seven days from 10 a.m (or 0415 GMT) until March 29.
“The supply of essential goods will continue as usual. The lockdown of the borders could be extended further following dialogue with India and China,” Khatiwada said.
Nepal shares borders with China on its Northern side and with India on the other three sides.
The border lockdown with its neighbours comes into effect just hours after Nepal suspended all international flights, except cargo and emergency ones and passenger flights to evacuate foreigners stranded in the country.
Nepal had only one confirmed patient with the new coronavirus, who has since recovered.
However, the government has taken several measures including the cancellation of all climbing and trekking permits, the closure of educational institutions and all frontline services excluding emergency services to prevent an outbreak.
According to Kathmandu’s Traffic Police Superintendent, Raj Baidawar, hundreds of thousands of internal migrants have fled Kathmandu in the last few days due to panic over the novel virus.(dpa/NAN)
March 23, 2020
Malaysia hands out face masks as COVID-19 deaths hit 14
Malaysia’s Government on Monday promised to hand out 10 million protective face masks to citizens as concerns grew about the local impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
As the local death toll rose by four on Monday, bringing the total number of death to 14, the Health Ministry linked two of the deaths to an Islamic ceremony, held in February in Kuala Lumpur.
According to the ministry, the ceremony was attended by an estimated 15,000 people and has resulted in coronavirus cases in Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand as well as in Malaysia.
The deaths were announced as the government sought to ramp up its response to the growing crisis by ordering 10 million masks from China.
“I have directed the National Disaster Management Agency to look into this and make sure the face masks are brought in as soon as possible,’’ Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.
Yassin, also announced several short-term measures to assist businesses, most hit by the spread of the virus.
The Health Ministry said on Monday that Malaysia confirmed cases of COVID-19, the lung disease caused by the coronavirus, reached 1,518 after 212 new positive diagnoses.
Malaysia’s caseload has almost tripled from 553 a week ago, the same day the government announced a lockdown, billed as an attempt to break the chain of infection, from March 18 to March 31.
Yassin, however, said that the lockdown could be extended if the number of infections do not recede, warning that the pandemic, which had so far killed almost 15,000 people worldwide. (dpa/NAN)
March 23, 2020
COVID-19: LASG orders public workers stay at home for 14 days
The Lagos State Government has ordered the state’s civil servants from Grade Levels 01-12 to stay at home for 14 days, beginning from Monday.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gave the order while briefing newsmen on the update of Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) on Sunday at Lagos House, Marina.
Sanwo-Olu said that the ”Stay-At-Home” order was part of efforts to further stem the spread of the ravaging COVID-19.
He urged operators in the private sector to emulate the gesture of the state government by directing their staff, who were on non essential service to stay at home in order to effectively combat and reduce the pandemic in the state.
According to him, in terms of the proactive measures taken to protect Lagos from the disease, the government had shut down schools and issued instructons to people not to congregate or form any gathering of more than 50 people at a time.
”I thank Lagosians who have obeyed this directive, which is in no way meant to deprive anybody of his or her freedom.
”Many mosques were closed on Friday and many churches shut down today.
”In addition to all the previous directives issued so far, I am now hereby directing all public officers in the entire unified public service from Grade Levels 1 to 12, which constitutes 70 percent of the entire public service workforce, to stay at home from Monday, March 23, 2020, for 14 days in the first instance.
”We will review this as time goes on. Members of the public are advised to refrain from visiting public offices, and to transact as much business as is possible through the telephone and online channels,” he said.
The Incident Commander said that the stay-at-home order does not affect medical personnel, Fire Service, LASEMA, LAWMA and other first respondents and essential services.
He said that government was working to ramp up its capacity to take on new cases as they were confirmed; and other health facilities would, in due time, be deployed to support the Mainland Infectious Diseases Hospital.
According to him, the government is setting up more facilities in Yaba, to contain a likely upsurge in Coronavirus cases.
Sanwo-Olu said that more health workers were being trained and retired health personnel were being put on notice that they might be recalled to serve in these trying times.
”Regarding our directives limiting gatherings to no more than 20 people, it is unfortunate that some of our people have refused to obey this directive, which was taken in the interest of all of us, after consultations with religious and community leaders.
”As I noted on Friday, in South Korea and Singapore, the disease spread largely because religious gatherings went on unchecked.
”I insist that this is no religious matter; it is simply a matter of morality and responsibility. Times like this call for a heightened commitment to doing the right thing. We are only as strong as the weakest links amongst us.
”I hereby order our law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with this important Public Health Order on the suspension of all gatherings of more than 20 people.
”I am using this opportunity to encourage the private sector to take similar steps, to ensure that as many people as possible are able to stay at home for the foreseeable future.
”All traditional rulers should instruct all of their subjects and sensitize them on the need to avoid all traditional ceremonies and gatherings at this time.
”I would like to reassure all our people that there is no reason to panic. We are fully prepared for this emergency,” he said. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
COVID-19: LASG urges residents stay away from beaches, parks, tourist sites
The Lagos State Government has urged fun seekers to stay away from beaches, leisure parks, gardens and tourist sites, in adherence to the advice against congregation of more than 50 persons at any location.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, gave the advice in a statement on Monday.
Bonu said that the precaution was necessary in the wake of increasing cases of individuals testing positive to COVID-19 in the country.
He also advised tourists to comply with the directives of the Lagos State Government to prevent the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
”Our international and local tourists should stay away from clubs, beaches, event centres and parties as directed by Mr Governor in his address to Lagosians,” he said.
According to him, there is the need for social distancing and compliance with the directives from health institutions such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as Federal and State Ministries of Health.
The Special Adviser urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspected case to the nearest health facilities or call the toll-free line – 08000CORONA. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
We‘ll call for review of some elections if Supreme Court reviews judgment on Zamfara – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it will call for the review of Supreme Court judgments on some of the elections held in 2019, if the apex court reviews its earlier judgment on the governorship and other elections in Zamfara.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, stated this during a press conference held on Sunday in Abuja.
Ologbondiyan said that while the apex court had maintained that its decision were final in the earlier calls for review, the PDP had also stood by the decision of the court.
“Our position in the PDP is that since the Supreme Court has declared that its decisions are final, Nigerians have come to accept it as such.
“But if the apex court, by any way or measure, goes after Zamfara for a review, PDP will be forced to seek for review of other elections that we believed were not fair on our side,” Ologbondiyan said.(NAN)
March 23, 2020