Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Alpha Maidawa

China reports no new virus infections, but ‘imported’ cases rise
For a second consecutive day, China has reported zero locally transmitted coronavirus infections, while the number of “imported” cases has risen to 39.
There were no new locally transmitted coronavirus infections in the original epicentre of the disease in Hubei province or elsewhere across mainland China over the past day, the National Health Commission said Friday.
The commission counted three new deaths across the country, including two in Hubei province.
There were 39 new cases of “imported” infections among travellers who came from abroad – the largest daily number reported so far.
Beijing has enacted a series of measures to prevent a second wave of COVID-19 infections, including mandatory quarantine for all international arrivals to the capital and the redirection of some inbound flights.
China has so far counted 228 “imported” infections.
So far, 80,967 people have fallen ill with the coronavirus in China and 3,248 have died, while 71,150 have recovered to date, according to the commission. (dpa/NAN)
March 20, 2020
Nigerian troops neutralise ISWAP leaders, destroy its structures in Borno
The Defence Headquarters says that several leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and fighters have been neutralised in a successful air interdiction mission by Nigerian forces at Alinwa in Borno.
The Acting-Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Onyeuko added that the air strike also destroyed the dwellings of the terrorists as they gathered for meetings in a cluster of settlements West of Alinwa on the Lake Chad green fringes in Northern Borno on Wednesday.
He disclosed that the feat was achieved during the ongoing subsidiary Operation Decisive Edge.
According to him, the air strike was executed on the heels of impeccable intelligence reports, indicating that some top ISWAP Commanders with their fighters and designated suicide bombers had assembled at the location for meetings.
The meeting was aimed at orchestrating coordinated attacks against a number of targets in Borno and environs.
“Operation Lafiya Dole therefore dispatched its fighter jets to the location, recording devastating hits on many of the structures housing the ISWAP leaders and fighters, destroying them and neutralising their occupants.
“The Nigerian military will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our nation.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, enjoins the troops of OPLD to maintain the momentum” he said. (NAN)
March 20, 2020
Emancipate yourselves, Akeredolu tells women
Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has urged women in the country to emancipate themselves from mental slavery and work toward achieving a common goal.
Akeredolu spoke in Akure during a courtesy visit by members of the Oduduwa Women Advocacy Group Initiative led by Mrs Modupe Martins.
“Women are important to societal development and should always have unity of purpose to make progress in the nation,” the governor said.
Akeredolu commended the group for its efforts to improve the society through its programmes and events.
Martins, in her remarks, commended the governor for the various programmes and policies put in place in the last three years to develop women and the people of the state.
She also lauded him for the South West Security Network Initiative, stressing that it would go a long way to address the security challenges being faced by women in rural areas and beyond.
The team leader called for support of the people for the group’s initiatives.
She highlighted the various interventions of the group to make life better for the people, especially the less privileged, pregnant women and nursing mothers. (NAN)
March 20, 2020
Rivers govt. pledges enabling environment for businesses to thrive
The Rivers Government has re-assured all residents of the state of its resolve to provide an enabling environment for legitimate businesses to thrive.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, gave the assurance when he received leaders of the Hausa Traditional Welfare Association of Port Harcourt on a courtesy visit to his office.
Danagogo, who also restated that the state government would continually protect those carrying out legitimate business, urged the group to support Gov. Nyesom Wike-led administration to actualise this pledge.
He also reiterated the need for members of the public to obey extant laws to ensure peace and development.
Danagogo said the state government had set up the task force on Illegal Street Trading, Illegal Markets and Illegal Motor Parks to sanitise the streets of Port Harcourt and return it to its Garden City status.
The SSG, who expressed his condolences to the group over the death of a member, called on the Hausa community to remain calm as the police were investigating the matter.
He said the police would make public the outcome of the investigation, pledging that whoever was found culpable would face the wrath of the law.
Danagogo also advised the leaders of the Hausa community to prevail on their members who always loiter around the Hotel Presidential precincts to refrain from doing so as they have become a public nuisance.
He said that the state government would partner with the Hausa community to relocate them to a conducive and befitting place for their business.
“I know that most Bureau de Change operators are responsible, but when some of their members always hang around the Hotel Presidential road, other miscreants now join them to deface the environment and commit atrocities,’’ he said.
Earlier, Alhaji Isa Madaki, the Sarki Hausa, Port Harcourt, and Chairman, Arewa Council of Chiefs South-South and South-East, said that the visit was to draw the attention of the government to the incessant harassment of members by the task force.
He alleged that such harassment resulted in the death of a 75-year-old man, Alhaji Yusuf Ladin. (NAN)
March 20, 2020
COVID-19: Ogun CAN, Muslim community order compliance with ban
Christian and Muslim bodies in Ogun have directed churches and mosques to comply with the state government’s directive banning all high-density gatherings as part of measures to curtail the spread of the coronavirus in the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, June Somorin, on Thursday had said the ban on high-density gatherings affects all schools as well as all religious activities in the state.
According to him, all schools in the state will remain closed indefinitely after school hours on Friday.
The State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Tunde Akin – Akinsanya, had consequently directed all churches to comply with the directive.
“Our church leaders are therefore enjoined to reduce to the bearest minimum the number of worshippers within a confined space.
” Let us as much as possible, for the situation on hand follow Matthew 18: 20 ” for where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them”; for the purposes of standing in gap for our members during this trying period.
“As we look up to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, we have confidence and assurance that He will not leave us nor forsake us as a body and as a nation,” the CAN chairman said.
The Wakilu Musleem of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Sheik Iskeel Awwal, also announced the suspension of all mosque activities, particularly the weekly Asalatu and Jum’ah prayers and any gathering of up to 50 people.
“The suspension of activities shall take effect immediately until further notice.
The decision, he said, was informed by the spread of the corona virus and Fatwa by World Islamic bodies taking cognisance of the Islamic principles of ‘preservation of life’, ‘prevention of harm’, and ‘proactive response to impending danger’.
“The society shall abide by government’s recommendations and update members and mosque users of any change in the suspension decision.
“We acknowledge that many of our members and mosque users might find this unprecedented decision very uncomfortable, we should please be reassured that this is for the good of the community and it is in compliance with the Islamic response to epidemic pandemic,” he said.(NAN)
March 20, 2020
COVID-19: Maikaba commends LMC over suspension of NPFL matches
The Head Coach of Plateau United FC of Jos, Abdu Maikaba, has commended the League Management Company (LMC) for suspending the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) matches due to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country.
Maikaba made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Jos.
The safety of players and match officials during matches is key, he said while reacting to the announcement by the LMC on Wednesday suspending the league for four weeks.
“I think for safety reasons the suspension of the matches and the entire league by LCM is a welcome development.
“We don’t know who and who is coming into the stadium and we don’t have to take chances.
“This virus is spreading very fast and it’s better we take drastic measures to contain it
“We value our fans a lot; they are our twelfth player, but we can’t take chances that may place our players and other officials at risk,” he said.
Maikaba urged the LMC to laise with the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant agencies in finding lasting solution to the pandemic.(NAN)
March 19, 2020
Tokyo 2020 Games organisers receive Olympic flame
Tokyo 2020 organisers received the Olympic flame in a scaled-down hand-over ceremony in Athens on Thursday, amid the coronavirus spread that has cast doubt on the global, multi-billion dollar event.
In a brief ceremony closed to spectators in Athens’ Panathenaic stadium, site of the first modern Games in 1896, the torch was received by Tokyo Games representative Naoko Imoto.
It will arrive in Japan on Friday and kick off a domestic relay on March 26, with the Games set to take place from July 24 to Aug. 9.
The scale of the spreading coronavirus, which has infected more than 200,000 people and killed more than 8,700 across the world, has forced the cancellation of numerous sporting events.
This has raised concerns about whether the Olympics will be able to open as planned.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Japanese government, however, have insisted the Games will go ahead.
Greece’s Olympic Committee chief Spyros Capralos handed over the lit torch to the Japanese former Olympic swimmer Imoto in front of empty stands inside the vast 50,000-capacity horseshoe-shaped marble stadium.
The flame was then transferred into a small receptacle to travel to Japan aboard a special aircraft named “Tokyo 2020 Go.”
Only a few dozen officials were allowed into the central Athens stadium as the country has imposed strict measures to contain the spread of the virus.
Tokyo Games chief Yoshiro Mori said in a video message he hoped the flame’s arrival would help “shake off the dark clouds hanging over the world.”
The plane will land at JASDF Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture on Friday before the start of a domestic relay from Fukushima Prefecture, site of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.(Reuters/NAN)
March 19, 2020
COVID-19: Kaduna YSFON suspends league indefinitely
The Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) in Kaduna State has announced the indefinite suspension of its league matches scheduled to commence on March 19.
The YSFON Secretary in the state, Abdulrasaq Usman said in a statement on Thursday that the suspension followed health emergency declared all over the world due to the spread of the Coronavirus.
“In view of the health emergency declared, the Kaduna State YSFON has suspended all its activities that will involve gathering of people.
“Therefore, the premier league that is schedule to kick off Thursday 19 March 2020 and other intending ones have been put on hold till further notice,’’ he said.
Usman said YSFON would continue to monitor situation and liaise with emergency health workers and directive from authorities to determine when all programmes would resume. (NAN)
March 19, 2020
Siasia, Akanni lament as COVID-19 stalls CAS hearing
A former Super Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia, is lamenting the postponement of his match-fixing allegation hearing, slated for Lausanne, Switzerland on March 19, due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.
The disease, which is currently ravaging Europe, the U.S., Asia and other parts of the world has forced the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to postpone Siasia’s invitation to the European country indefinitely.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, Siasia described the postponement of his invitation as sad.
According to him, being well and healthy in these trying times is more important.
COVID-19, known also as coronavirus has struck the global community with Europe currently having the lion’s share of people killed so far by the virus.
It will be recalled that FIFA had handed a lifetime ban on Siasia, 52, in August, 2019 for alleged match-fixing.
Switzerland is currently on lockdown because of the disease and was listed among 13 countries whose citizens had been banned by the Federal Government from entering Nigeria.
“It is sad honestly but there is nothing anybody can do at this moment other than to pray that this virus disappears.
“Being alive is the most important thing, although being able to work is important but we have to stay alive first to make the money.”
Siasia, however, pleaded with CAS to grant him permission to continue coaching, pending when his case would be heard after the March 19 scheduled date for the hearing.
“I think it will be kind and fair of them if CAS will allow me to coach, pending when moving around will be safe again,’’ said Siasia.
In the same vein, Siasia’s associate, Waidi Akanni, who was also Siasia’s former team mate during their active days as footballers, urged CAS to allow Siasia to continue with his coaching career, pending a new date for the hearing.
“Nobody knows when the coronavirus will be eradicated, that’s like putting his life on hold. This is sad as it is but the only fair thing to do is to allow him coach until a new date is fixed.
“This is his life. Most likely the only thing he knows how to do. We can only appeal that he is given a soft-landing until the coronavirus thing blows away,’’ Akanni said.
Siasia was a 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Super Eagles in Tunisia.
He also played in Nigeria’s maiden appearance at USA `94 World Cup, where he scored a goal against a Diego Maradona-led Albiceleste of Argentina.
The former striker played over 50 times for Nigeria, scoring 16 goals.
As a coach, he led Nigeria’s U-20 and U-23 sides to continental successes in 2005 and 2015, respectively.
He also guided the U-20s to a runner-up finish at the 2005 World Youth Championships (as it was then known) in the Netherlands.
Siasia is the most decorated African football coach at the Olympics, winning silver at the Beijing Games in 2008 and bronze at the 2016 Games in Rio. (NAN)
March 19, 2020
NDIC warns public against patronising wonder banks
The National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has warned members of the public to stop patronising wonder banks that are offering mouth-watering interest rates.
The Managing Director of the l, Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, gave the warning at the ongoing 31st Enugu International Trade Fair in Enugu on Wednesday.
Ibrahim said the wonder banks were offering attractive interest rates just to dupe unsuspected people of their hard-earned income.
The managing director was represented by the South-East Zonal Comptroller of the corporation, Mr Veronica Ogbo-Ikwue.
He said that the wonder banks were neither licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) nor were they under the NDIC deposit insurance scheme.
Ibrahim advised people to rather patronise insured banking institution that displays the NDIC sticker in their banking premises.
She said that NDIC would continue to protect depositors through prompt operational responses to novel developments in the banking system as they evolve.
“People should desist from keeping their monies in homes or shops to avoid the dangers of fire, theft, armed robbery, flood or other forms of losses.
“The public policy objective of the corporation is to protect depositors of licensed banks as well as promoting public confidence in the financial system.
“The objective is derived from the NDIC mandate of deposit guarantee, bank supervision, distress resolution and bank liquidation.
“Since its establishment, over 30 years ago, the corporation had recorded numerous achievements in the discharge of its mandates.
“The NDIC has fully paid all the depositors of the 18 closed deposit money banks all their monies both insured and uninsured that were trapped in such banks,’’ Ibrahim said.
He said that the corporation had developed a framework for the extension of deposit insurance cover to the tune of N500,000 per depositor for depositors in banks.
“The NDIC, like other critical participants in the financial system, is fully aware of its obligations towards the fulfilment of the federal government’s policies on the growth and development of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
“We are aware the SMEs remain the major catalysts for employment generation and poverty alleviation.
“The middle class and small businesses will require safe and secured access to financial services.’’
In an address, the ECCIMA President, Mr Emeka Nwandu congratulated NDIC for the role it played towards building the confidence of bank depositors, which he said, “is helping to grow the Nigerian financial sector’’.
Nwandu encouraged the CBN through its regulatory framework to make the work of NDIC much easier by ensuring that the chances of bank failure were reduced to the barest minimum.
He commended the CBN and NDIC as key players in the financial sector for the stability and near tranquility in the banking sector. (NAN)
March 19, 2020