Author: Chief Editor

•Malami denies involvement in former emir’s travails The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission will soon invite the deposed Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, to defend himself against charges of impropriety in an alleged N2.2 billion land scam. The scam was said to have involved the sale of some hectares of land in Darmanawa Phase I and II and Bubbugaji in Kano. A source close to the commission told THISDAY at the weekend that the evidence before it is adequate to warrant the invitation and investigation of the deposed emir along with others involved in the land…

The number of people infected with the coronavirus in Spain increased by a third to 7,753 and more than 100 new deaths were recorded over the last 24 hours, health officials said Sunday. The latest spike in Europe’s second-most affected country after Italy comes after the Spanish government imposed a near-total nationwide lockdown, banning people from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food. The country’s death toll from the outbreak climbed to 288 on Sunday from at least 183, while the total number of cases rose to 7,753 from 5,753. The wife of Spain’s…

Iran on Sunday urged its citizens to stick to guidelines and stay at home to stop the new coronavirus spreading, as it announced another 113 deaths from the outbreak. The latest death toll announced by the health ministry took to 724 the official number of people to have been killed by the disease since last month. People “should cancel all travel and stay at home so that we may see the situation improving in the coming days,” ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour said in a televised news conference. Jahanpour also reported 1,209 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection, raising the total…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced a suspected case of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Enugu, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The information is on the official Twitter handle of NCDC @ncdcgov. The centre stated that the suspected person had been isolated and the sample was collected for further verification. It added that the result of the medical test would be out by Monday. The statement on the Twitter handle reads: “Nigeria Centre for Disease Control is aware of the patient in Enugu, suspected to have #COVID19. “This is one of several alerts received daily at…

Spain confirmed more than 1,500 new cases of coronavirus between Friday and Saturday raising its total to 5,753 cases, the second-highest number in Europe after Italy. The country was expected to declare a state of alert on Saturday to try to mobilise resources to combat the virus, which has so far killed 136 people in Spain. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez was due to speak at a cabinet meeting at 1300 GMT to announce the state of alert and new measures expected to limit the movement of people. On Friday said the government would adopt a series of extraordinary measures in…

Bruno Fernandes says his stellar form since he arrived at Manchester United in January is not the only reason why the club’s fortunes have improved on the pitch. After an inconsistent first half of the season, United are unbeaten in the nine games Fernandes has featured in since his £47 million ($58 million) move from Sporting Lisbon. In the Premier League, United are unbeaten in five games and up to fifth place, firmly in the battle for Champions League places. The midfielder has scored three goals and made four assists. “I see the same team from one month ago,” the…

US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in what critics say was a long-delayed admission of the gravity of the coronavirus crisis that has triggered the shutdown of schools, sporting events, offices and travel in the world’s richest country. Trump’s declaration Friday frees up some $40 billion in disaster relief funds for local authorities. The House of Representatives early Saturday also overwhelmingly passed a coronavirus relief package backed by Trump which will provide for paid sick leave and free coronavirus tests for Americans affected by the outbreak. “Look forward to signing the final Bill, ASAP!” Trump tweeted before the…

•Anglican Church bans use of same cup for communion wine, handshakes, hugs •Trump declares emergency The Lagos State Government yesterday stated that the 179 Nigerians who had contact with the Italian, Nigeria’s Coronavirus index case, and subsequently quarantined, have been declared free of the virus and released to integrate with the public. On the same day, The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, banned the use of one chalice for the sharing of wine during Holy Communion in all its churches, as one of the steps to stop the spread of Coronavirus. Of the 179 Nigerians, who had contact with the…

BY DELE MOMODU  Fellow Nigerians, please permit me to start, uncharacteristically, with several preambles, rolled into one today. You will discover why in a jiffy. I’m out to establish some principles that drive and guide me. I hate any form of oppression regardless of who is concerned or affected. One of the reasons Nigeria has been in this monumental mess is due to the wickedness and vindictiveness of our leaders. Lest I forget, the followers, the so-called lumpen proletariat are not left out. Government after government seeks to outdo the other in doing evil to fellow citizens, and the hapless…

The Premier League have announced the suspension of all matches for three weeks amid the coronavirus outbreak. The decision was reached after an emergency meeting held Friday morning by stakeholders after two top personalities in the league tested positive to the virus, according to a statement posted on the Premier League official Facebook page. The Premier League, along with the EFL, FA Cup and Women’s Super League have all been postponed until April 3. England’s upcoming international friendlies at Wembley with Italy and Denmark have also been put on hold. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi have…