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Author: Alpha Maidawa

Tinubu expresses displeasure on moves to remove Oshiomhole
All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu on Sunday expressed displeasure over moves by some Arty leaders to remove the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, from office.
Tinubu, in a statement, condemns the present ploys and plots to undermine the APC National Chairman.
According to him, the chairman was human, therefore had merits as well as flaws, noting that his humanity should not be grounds for his dismissal.
“The Chairman has been a tireless campaigner and mobiliser for the party; he has steered the party through difficult elections and his contributions should not be undervalued now that the bulk of elections are behind us.
“To do so would be an act of ingratitude, It is no secret that Oshiomhole and Edo Governor Obaseki are in dispute which is unfortunate.
According to him, the party has moved through proper procedures within its organs to hopefully resolve this spat.
“All party members know that such decisions are part and parcel of internal party governance, yet they shunned the agreed party reconciliation mechanism and resorted to other means to oust him,” Tinubu said.
He said that the self-help attempts were unwarranted, noting that the attempts revealed more about the perpetrators than they do about the chairman.
Tinubu noted that the plotters launched their attack solely because they perceived the chairman as an obstacle to their 2023 ambitions.
He said that they went to court knowing full well that the party constitution prohibits such action, noting that they had not exhausted all internal disciplinary procedures.
“Those engaged in these manoeuvres see themselves as clever or cunning; they do so because they only understand the mean craft of political intrigue.
” They have yet to understand the value and long-term utility of democratic governance and that is why they embark on the strangest of quest.
“They would rather dismantle and weaken the institutional core of their party just to gain control of that weakened edifice in order to pilfer the party nomination, which they crave, “he said.
Tinubu said that himself and many others had expended sweat, tears, toil and sleepless nights to build the party and their personal sacrifices were not insignificant.
He noted that the party was not simply built as a vehicle for personal ambition, but built to bring progressive governance to the nation.
“To be an APC member means more than merely carrying a membership card, It means to believe in a set of ideals and principles geared to our highest purpose as a party and a nation.
“In a broader context, those afflicted with the 2023 virus do a grave disservice to President Buhari and his administration.
“They should be trying their best to help the president, instead of seeing him as the present leader and commander-in-chief who would soon exit the post.
“How can they be committed to helping him realise his mandate when the fullness of their gaze is affixed to seizing this very mandate for themselves,” he said.
Tinubu said that the president was faced with many challenges and fighting hard on security to keep the population safe.
He noted that Buhari was also pushing for economic reforms that will augur future sustainable growth.
Tinubu added that the president’s disdain for corruption remained unwavering and his efforts to contain the corona crisis could be seen.
“We must rally around Buhari instead of everyone saying they are working for the party and nation but going their separate ways based on their selfish designs.
“We must help him build a stronger national consensus on policies that will ensure safety and bring greater prosperity; If need be we must offer ideas and suggestions that move policy and progress forward.
“This is the time for governance, it is not the moment to bring the politics of 2023 into 2020 because in due course, 2023 shall come and nothing can prevent it, “he said.(NAN)
March 16, 2020
Buhari condoles Gov. Yahaya Bello over mother’s death
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Hauwau Oziohu Bello, aged 101, praying that almighty God will comfort her family and loved ones.
The President’s condolence message was conveyed in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.
The President urged the governor, family members and all associates of Hajiya Bello to find solace in the grace of long life given to the matriarch, and her strength of character in bringing up her children, grandchildren and great-grand children in fear of God.
President Buhari lauded the deceased for promoting strong moral values in her community during her life time.
According to him, the legacies of generosity, kindness and virtue that Hajiya Bello lived by, and consistently advocated will always be remembered.
The President urged the family and all citizens of Kogi State to immortalize the matriarch by promoting her values, praying that God would grant her soul peaceful rest.(NAN)
March 16, 2020
British athlete Learmonth calls for Games to be postponed over coronavirus
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) must give athletes some “clarity, transparency and flexibility” by postponing the Tokyo Games over the coronavirus pandemic, British athlete Guy Learmonth has said.
The flu-like virus which originated in China late last year has already killed over 6,000 people globally and infected more than 160,000.
It has wreaked havoc on the global sporting calendar and sparked concerns over the viability of the July 24-Aug 9 Games.
On Saturday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reiterated that his country continued to prepare to host the Games as planned.
“Purely from an athlete’s point of view, we need clarity, transparency and flexibility,” said Learmonth, who hopes to compete at Tokyo in the 800 meters event.
“The press conference I saw from the Japanese prime minister didn’t exactly fill me full of confidence that these Games are going to go ahead… We have no idea how bad this is going to get and what we’ve seen so far might be the tip of the iceberg.
“Of course the IOC and the whole world wants a successful Olympics. But for that to happen I strongly believe the event needs to be postponed – unless the authorities can guarantee it’ll be business as usual, which I don’t believe they can.”
Learmonth said he expected qualifying events to be hit and called for the Games to be postponed until at least October.
“If the British government are saying the peak is going to hit us around May or June there might not even be any Olympic trials,” Learmonth added.
“I’d be happy if they postponed (the Games) until at least October – or maybe later to 2021 or 2022. At least that would give athletes time to plan, train, and more importantly, time for this virus to settle down.” (reuters)
March 16, 2020
African countries tighten borders as coronavirus continues creep
African countries on Sunday cancelled flights, closed schools and banned cruise ships from their ports as coronavirus continued its spread across the continent.
Declaring a national disaster on Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa moved to close schools and border posts and ban gatherings of more than 100 people.
South Africa has also closed its borders to foreigners from areas hit by the pandemic, he said, the number of coronavirus cases climbed to 61.
Travellers from Germany, Spain, China, the U.S., Italy or Iran would no longer be allowed to enter South Africa, and all visas granted to citizens from these countries would be cancelled, he said.
Similar restrictions would be applied to foreigners who had recently visited high-risk countries.
Madagascar, which is yet to register a case of coronavirus, and the west African state of Senegal, which has 21 cases, took similar precautions on Sunday, with both countries banning all cruise ships from docking in their harbours.
“On average, 6,000 tourists arrive on the island every week,” Madagascan presidential spokeswoman Rinah Rakotomanga told dpa on Sunday.
“They have until March 20 to find a return flight – otherwise they will have to stay in Madagascar for another 30 days,” she added.
Kenya is also set to ban travellers from high-risk areas and restrict entries to citizens and foreigners with valid work permits.
Namibia, which was among the African nations to report its first coronavirus case over the weekend, suspended all flights to Qatar, Germany and Ethiopia for the next 30 days.
Africa had long been thought to have been spared the worst of the global pandemic, but is now seeing the steady creep of the virus, which is now been confirmed in 23 of the continent’s countries.
Rwanda, Eswatini and the Seychelles registered their first cases over the weekend, while Congo, now nearing the end of an Ebola epidemic, confirmed its third case, as did Cameroon and Kenya. Ethiopia registered three new infections, bringing the current total to four. (dpa/NAN)
March 16, 2020
NBA hiatus could be three-plus months
The NBA’s season — on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic — could be suspended for at least three months, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday night.
Per the report, owners and executives are bracing for the possibility of mid-to-late June — a time when, in a normal year, the NBA Finals would typically be over — being the best-case scenario for play to resume.
When the season was suspended on Wednesday night, about a month’s worth of regular-season games remained. The postseason typically runs from mid-April through early-to-mid June.
Wojnarowski reports fears exist that the season might not resume, but the league is considering a variety of creative options for a possible return. With the CDC recommending on Sunday that gatherings of 50 or more people should be avoided for the next eight weeks, one plan could involve a return without fans at games, perhaps even playing games in smaller venues like team practice facilities and a different television experience.
The report adds that teams are exploring the availability of venues through August for the playoffs, and that a financial report is expected to be presented to owners soon. That report would include projections on expected revenue that would be lost if canceling the rest of the season, resuming at some point without fans or holding the playoffs without fans.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reports the league has informed teams that players can begin traveling outside of their home market beginning Monday, with the requirements that they provide their whereabouts, remain at home and practice social distancing.
According to a separate ESPN report, the league extended its ban on team practices indefinitely, though players remain allowed to work out at team facilities on their own.
Earlier Sunday, ESPN reported that the G League, the NBA’s minor-league system, is expected to have the remainder of its season canceled.
The NBA was the first major sports league in America to suspend its season, doing so Wednesday after news emerged of Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive test for the virus. All other leagues in the U.S. have quickly followed suit. (reuters)
March 16, 2020
Israeli opposition head Gantz wins chance to form new gov’t
Benny Gantz – the leader of Israel’s centrist Blue and White party and the main rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – will be tasked with forming a new government on Monday after winning a majority of recommendations from lawmakers.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin is due to officially give Gantz the mandate to form a government on Monday, hours before Israel’s new Knesset is scheduled to be sworn in.
Israel has been without a government for more than a year after three consecutive inconclusive elections left no party able to build a parliamentary majority.
In the last election on March 2, neither Netanyahu’s bloc of right-wing and religious parties nor the Gantz-led bloc of centre-left and Arab parties won a decisive majority.
Netanyahu claimed victory, however, after his conservative Likud party emerged as the largest party in the 120-seat Knesset with 36 seats. Gantz’ centrist Blue and White came in second with 33 seats.
On Sunday, a disjointed opposition came together to back Gantz, including Avigdor Liberman of the ultra-nationalist, secular Yisrael Beiteinu party with seven mandates, and 15 lawmakers on the Arab Joint List.
Rivlin summoned Gantz and Netanyahu to an “urgent” meeting at his Jerusalem residence on Sunday night to discuss a possible emergency unity government.
After meeting with Rivlin, Netanyahu and Gantz “agreed that (their parties’) negotiating teams will meet as soon as possible,” they said in a joint statement.
Unity government negotiations have previously failed over Netanyahu’s refusal to give up the premiership, and Gantz’s refusal to sit with an indicted prime minister.
Netanyahu’s corruption trial had been due to start on Tuesday, but was postponed to May 24, after courts were put on emergency schedules as part of coronavirus prevention measures, a Jerusalem District Court statement said.
Netanyahu has been charged with bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three corruption cases after allegedly offering political favours in return for positive press coverage and helping wealthy business contacts in return for gifts.
It is the first time in Israel’s history that a sitting prime minister has been indicted. (dpa/NAN)
March 16, 2020
Hajia Hauwawu, mother of Kogi governor, dies at 101yrs
Hajia Hauwau Bello, mother of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, is dead.
A statement personnaly signed by the governor and circulated among media houses in Lokoja said that Hajia Hauwau died after a brief illness on Sunday at the age of 101 years.
“We are relieved that her passing was peaceful and painless,” Bello said in the statement.
According to him, she will be buried according to Islamic rites on Monday, March 16 at her residence in Nagazi, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State .
She is survived by children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many adopted children. (NAN)
March 16, 2020
Trump offered German firm cash for U.S. coronavirus vaccine – Report
The Trump administration offered large sums to a German company working on a coronavirus vaccine to make it available for exclusive use by the U.S., a German newspaper reported on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump approached scientists employed by CureVac, a German pharmaceutical company based in Tuebingen, and tried to lure them to work for the U.S., Welt am Sonntag reported.
Trump’s lucrative offer – reportedly of 1 billion dollars – was explicitly made to secure any future vaccine “only for the U.S.,” the newspaper said, citing anonymous sources in the German government.
According to the report, the German government has countered the U.S. offer with its own funds in an attempt to keep the company in Germany.
When approached for comment, the German Health Ministry referred dpa to an earlier statement made to the paper:
“The government is very keen that a vaccine against the novel coronavirus is developed in Germany and in Europe,” a spokesperson said.
“The government is in intensive discussions to that end with the CureVac company,” the spokesperson added.
CureVac is reportedly working with the Paul Ehrlich Institute, a German body responsible for approving vaccines and pharmaceuticals, on a coronavirus vaccine.
In a report due to be published in the Mannheimer Morgen newspaper on Monday, CureVac’s investors said they would never consider working on an exclusive vaccine for the United States.
“We want to develop a vaccine for the whole world and not for individual states,” Christof Hettich, director and co-founder of dievini Hopp BioTech Holding, which is CureVac’s chief investor, told the paper. (dpa/NAN)
March 16, 2020
Homosexuality is caused by Ogbanje – Pete Edochie
Popular Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie who has been in the news of late for airing out his opinions on crucial matters like; engagement proposals, and single mothers, have once again opined on a controversial topic.
This time around, the veteran talked about homosexuality and how it is caused by “Ogbanje” (Abiku in Yoruba).
In a video making the rounds on micro blogging platform, twitter, Edochie said that when a child is born and looks sickly, he or she is suspected to be an ‘Ogbanje’(spirit child) and a mark is put on the child’s hand.
Edochie further says that the child eventually dies and then if the child comes back to the world, the spirit of a different gender might still be inside of him which may cause homosexuality.
Homosexuality is an issue that has become quite prevalent in the society and social media has also further helped to popularized it.
March 14, 2020
‘Mulan,’ ‘Fast and Furious’ delayed as Hollywood adapts to coronavirus
The release of Walt Disney Co’s epic action movie “Mulan” and Universal Pictures’ ninth “Fast and Furious” film were postponed on Thursday as Hollywood scrambled to adjust to the worldwide spread of coronavirus.
Disney had held a red-carpet premiere on Monday to promote “Mulan” and said at the time that the film would be released in the United States as planned on March 27.
But on Thursday, as U.S. authorities urged against large gatherings and took other steps to stop coronavirus spread, Disney said it had decided “out of an abundance of caution” to postpone the debut of “Mulan” as well as April releases “The New Mutants” and “Antlers.”
“We truly believe in the moviegoing experience, and we are looking at new potential 2020 release dates to be announced at a later date,” a Disney spokesperson said.
“F9,” the new “Fast and Furious” movie from Comcast Corp’s Universal Pictures, was scheduled to debut May 22. Its release was delayed by nearly a year to April 2, 2021.
“Mulan” and “F9” were expected to rank among the biggest box-office hits in the coming months but were among several disruptions to global entertainment caused by coronavirus.
The virus has closed movie theaters in China, Italy and many other nations, while a ban on travel from Europe to the United States announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday is seen likely to curtail red carpets and other promotional events for movies and stars.
U.S. movie theaters remained open as of Thursday. But an industry source said operators may close larger theaters in some areas depending on advice from local authorities.
Ohio on Thursday banned crowds of more than 100 people. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom advised against non-essential gatherings of more than 250 through the end of the month.
Movie theaters were exempted, but even if they stay open, their schedules would have to be rearranged.
Also on Thursday, Paramount Pictures, a unit of ViacomCBS Inc, indefinitely delayed the release of thriller “A Quiet Place Part II,” which was due to start its international rollout on March 18. And it postponed romantic comedy “The Lovebirds,” originally set for April 3.
“Due to the ever-changing circumstances of what’s going on in the world around us, now is clearly not the right time to do that,” the “Quiet Place” director John Krasinski said in a post on his Instagram account.
The decisions followed the postponement last week of the James Bond movie “No Time to Die” to November from April, and a delay for “Peter Rabbit 2” to August from March 27.
Separately, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland postponed its induction ceremony scheduled for May 2 to an unspecified future date. That followed the cancellation of the Coachella music festival, South by Southwest and other large entertainment gatherings.
March 14, 2020