TheNewsGuru

Tag: newsletter

  • 3 killed in suicide bombing near presidential palace

    At least three persons were killed and seven others injured in a suicide car bombing in Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday, a government official confirmed.

    Ismael Mukhtar Omar, government spokesman, said a suicide bomber, who blew himself up, targeted Blue Sky restaurant in central Mogadishu.

    “Three people were killed and seven others injured in suicide bombing outside Blue Sky restaurant,’’ Omar said in a brief statement.

    Witnesses said the suicide bomber blew up himself outside the restaurant near the heavily fortified presidential palace in Mogadishu.

    The latest explosion came after a security warning of an imminent terror attack in the restive capital.

  • Billionaire daughter, Temi Otedola, makes acting debut

    Billionaire daughter, Temi Otedola, makes acting debut

    Temi Otedola, daughter of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, says she’s excited about her acting debut in an emotional movie,’Citation’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the star- studded movie, which happened to be a teaser of Otedola’s first feature movie, was directed by Kunle Afolayan.

    Temi played a role in a character as Moremi Oluwa in the movie ‘Citation’ which also featured prominent artistes.

    Temi, who said she was so excited and overfilled with gratitude over her first debut, took to her Instagram page @temiotedola to make the announcement to her fans.

    “I can’t believe this day is here. I can officially share the first teaser for #CitationTheMovie…

    “This day is an emotional one for so many reasons. As many of you already know Citation is my debut feature film, and is directed by the legendary @kunleafo, someone who I have been a fan of since Figurine.

    “He not only trusted me to bring Moremi Oluwa to life, but also my Citation Family, made up of the most wonderful and supportive cast and crew members. For that trust, my heart is overfilled with gratitude right now.

    “We put so much sweat, tears and sleepless nights into the movie, and I hope you guys will love it as much as this experience changed my life.

    “Enjoy this teaser, get ready for the full thing,” she wrote.

    NAN also reports that the movie ‘Citation’ discussed about sexual harassment, which passed a powerful message to the society.

  • Nigeria records lowest Covid-19 figure in over two months

    Nigeria records lowest Covid-19 figure in over two months

    Nigeria’s COVID-19 caseload slumped again on Tuesday for the second time in a week to give the nation hope of flattening the curve.

    On Tuesday, the nation recorded 252 new cases, much lower than the 321 cases reported on Monday, 332 cases on Sunday, and 340 cases on Saturday.

    The 252 new cases brought the total number of confirmed cases to 52,800, according to the NCDC via its Twitter handle.

    “On the 25th of August 2020, 252 new confirmed cases and 3 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

    “Till date, 52800 cases have been confirmed, 39964 cases have been discharged and 1007 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The 252 new cases are reported from 18 states- Plateau (50), Enugu (35), Rivers (27), Lagos (26), FCT (18), Kaduna (18), Ekiti (10), Kano (10), Taraba (9), Anambra (8), Edo (8), Oyo (8), Delta (7), Ogun (6), Abia (5), Bayelsa (5), Ebonyi (1), Osun (1),” the NCDC said.

    See the breakdown of cases by state below:

    Plateau-50
    Enugu-35
    Rivers-27
    Lagos-26
    FCT-18
    Kaduna-18
    Ekiti-10
    Kano-10
    Taraba-9
    Anambra-8
    Edo-8
    Oyo-8
    Delta-7
    Ogun-6
    Abia-5
    Bayelsa-5
    Ebonyi-1
    Osun-1

    52,800 confirmed
    39,964 discharged
    1,007 deaths

  • Lagos health commissioner speaks after testing positive for COVID-19

    Lagos health commissioner speaks after testing positive for COVID-19

    The Lagos Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, says he’s responding positively to treatment after testing positive to COVID-19 pandemic, and I remains committed to discharging my duties.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, had in a statement on Monday disclosed Abayomi’s COVID-19 status.

    Abayomi, in a message posted on his Twitter account @ProfAkinAbayomi, said that he remains committed to discharging his duties to the state.

    “With utmost sense of responsibility, I am obliged to make it known to the general public that I have tested positive to #COVID-19.

    “Consequently, I have proceeded on 14 days self-isolation and treatment at home.

    “Nevertheless, I remain committed to continuing to discharge my duties as the Commissioner for Health and Deputy Incident Commander for #COVID-19 responses in Lagos State.

    “I am extremely enthusiastic and hopeful of overcoming this phase of our collective fight against #COVID-19,” he said.

    Abayomi said he has the full support of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the entire Cabinet of the Government of Lagos State, as well as his team at the state Ministry of Health, to put the incident behind as soon as possible.

    “I wish to, however, assure you all that my family members and I are fine and are responding positively to treatment,” he said.

    The commissioner urged Lagos citizens to continue to wear face masks, maintain physical distancing, as well as other established protocols for COVID-19 prevention.

    Also, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), through his Twitter handle wished Abayomi speedy recovery.

    “I wish my dear brother and colleague @ProfAkinAbayomi, a speedy recovery.

    “Very grateful for your strong leadership of the #COVID-19 response in Lagos State.

    “We will #keeppushing, and urge Nigerians to adhere to all public health and safety measures, so we can control this outbreak,” Ihekweazu twitted.

  • China’s first patent granted for COVID-19 vaccine

    China’s first patent granted for COVID-19 vaccine

    China’s first patent for a COVID-19 vaccine has been granted by the country’s National Intellectual Property Administration.

    The patent was jointly applied for by a research team with the Academy of Military Sciences and CanSino Biologics Inc., a Chinese high-tech biopharmaceutical company, said a report in People’s Daily.

    The team led by Chen Wei, a Researcher at the Institute of Military Medicine under the academy, developed the recombinant COVID-19 vaccine, with the modified defective adenovirus as the vector.

    In March, the vaccine became the first in China to be approved to enter clinical trials.

    According to the patent abstract, the vaccine shows good immunogenicity in both mouse and guinea pig models and can induce strong cellular and humoral immune response in a short period of time.

    It can be produced quickly on a large scale to cope with a COVID-19 outbreak.

    The vaccine has now finished phase-1 and phase-2 clinical trials, which have verified its safety and immunogenicity, said the report.

  • Nigeria records 298 new COVID-19 cases, total now 49,068

    Nigeria records 298 new COVID-19 cases, total now 49,068

    Nigeria posted another low figure for confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday as the national tally topped 49,000.

    According to the NCDC, 298 new cases were recorded countrywide with Plateau taking the grim leaderboard with 108 cases.

    Kaduna followed with 49 and Lagos, that has recorded a record of 16,503 cases logged fresh 47 cases.

    There was just one fatality in the last 24 hours among the 12,571 active cases.

    The death toll is now 975, while the number of cumulative confirmed cases is 49,068.

    In the last three days, indeed the past two weeks, Nigeria has consistently posted low cases of infections.

    On Friday, the number was 329.It fell to 325 on Saturday, only to sink even much lower on Sunday.

    Here is the breakdown of cases for 16 August:

    Plateau-108
    Kaduna-49
    Lagos-47
    Ogun-18
    Osun-17
    FCT-15
    Ondo-14
    Edo-8
    Oyo-6
    Akwa Ibom-4
    Cross River-4
    Borno-3
    Ekiti-2
    Bauchi-1
    Kano-1
    Rivers-1

    49,068 confirmed
    36,497 discharged
    975 deaths

  • Coronavirus cases soar in Nigeria, as caseload tops 46,000

    Coronavirus cases soar in Nigeria, as caseload tops 46,000

    Nigeria’s Coronavirus caseload surpasses 46,000 mark on Saturday after the nation rakes in 453 new cases.

    According to figures from the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Nigeria now has 46,140 confirmed coronavirus cases.

    Also 33,044 survivors have been discharged nationwide with 942 deaths, after six more deaths were recorded on Saturday.

    The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, topped Saturday’s coronavirus infection chat with 75 new cases, followed by Lagos with 71 cases and Benue, 53 cases.

    Twenty states, including the FCT recorded the 453 new cases, which is higher than 443 cases recorded on Friday.

    According to the NCDC, “On the 8th of August 2020, 453 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria

    “Till date, 46,140 cases have been confirmed, 33,044 cases have been discharged and 942 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory

    “The 453 new cases are reported from 20 states- FCT (75), Lagos (71), Benue (53), Delta (39), Borno (30), Enugu (25), Plateau (24), Osun (20), Abia (19), Oyo (17), Kaduna (16), Kano (13), Ebonyi (13), Ogun (9), Kwara (7), Ondo (6), Gombe (3), Ekiti (2), Akwa Ibom (1) and Rivers (1),” it said.

    How States Stand

    FCT-75
    Lagos-71
    Benue-53
    Delta-39
    Borno-30
    Enugu-25
    Plateau-24
    Osun-20
    Abia-19
    Oyo-17
    Kaduna-16
    Kano-13
    Ebonyi-13
    Ogun-9
    Kwara-7
    Ondo-6
    Gombe-3
    Ekiti-2
    Akwa Ibom-1
    Rivers-1

  • Ronaldinho inches closer to release from Paraguayan ordeal

    Ronaldinho inches closer to release from Paraguayan ordeal

    Former World Cup winner Ronaldinho Gaucho moved a step closer to ending his Paraguayan ordeal on Friday.

    This came about when prosecutors said they would not oppose a “conditional suspension” of the case that would allow him to return to Brazil.

    The twice World Player of the Year was arrested on March 6 along with his brother and business manager Roberto Assis after they tried to enter Paraguay with adulterated Paraguayan passports.

    They were held in jail for 32 days before being conditionally released on April 7 after paying 1.6 million dollars in bail.

    Ronaldinho, the former FC Barcelona, Paris St-Germain (PSG) and Flamengo player who turned 40 while in jail, has been held under house arrest in a Paraguayan hotel for four months since.

    A document seen by Reuters on Friday, and also reported in Paraguayan and Brazilian media, seemed to exonerate both men.

    According to it, prosecutors in the case said they found “no elements to prove that Ronaldo de Assis Moreira had a direct participation in obtaining the irregular documents.”

    They have recommended that Ronaldinho be released after paying a 90,000 dollars fine and identifying a fixed abode in Brazil.

    He would also have to present himself to Brazilian authorities every three months.

    Officials asked for a two-year suspended sentence and a 110,000 dollars fine for his brother Roberto but agreed to let him leave Paraguay.

    They said that while Ronaldinho was unaware he was using an adulterated passport, Roberto knew.

    Both men have said they were innocent and their lawyer has always mantained their detention was “arbitrary, abusive and illegal.”

    The judge is expected to set a date for the hearing next week.

  • Devastated Sarri says he can’t be judged on basis of one match

    Devastated Sarri says he can’t be judged on basis of one match

    Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri was understandably devastated on Friday by his team’s exit in the last 16 stage of the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League after a 2-2 aggregate loss.

    But after losing to Olympique Lyonnais he said he did not believe he would be judged solely on Friday’s match which saw them go out in spite of a 2-1 win.

    In spite of winning a ninth successive Serie A title last month, Sarri’s team have not managed to convince the critics during his first season in charge.

    Their failure to even match last season’s quarter-finals performance in the UEFA Champions League has added to the pressure on the 61-year-old.

    “If I wasn’t devastated by not qualifying, I’d be happy with the performance,” Sarri said after his side were knocked out on away goals following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

    “I actually expected less from us, I think we played a great game. We fell behind to a penalty kick that could have made us lose our heads and we had three chances when we were 2-1 ahead.”

    Sarri pointed out that his side had dropped only two points in the group stage.

    Also, they were unbeaten in the competition until their 1-0 first leg defeat to Lyon in March, before the COVID-19 outbreak interrupted the season for three months.

    “This competition doesn’t take any prisoners,” he said. “If it was a normal ranking, we would be first or second after six wins, a draw and a defeat.”

    On his future, he said: “I don’t think top-level executives decide based on a single game. I think they make wider evaluations – whether they be for or against.”

    He added that the coronavirus pandemic had made it an unusual season.

    “We’ve had several months where we haven’t done anything logical,” he said. “We’ve been locked indoors, quarantined, individual training, then collective training, then 14 games in 48 days.”

  • Why we increased hate speech fine to N5m – Lai Mohammed

    Why we increased hate speech fine to N5m – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government says it increased the fine for hate speech from N500,000 to N5 million in the ammended National Broadcasting Code to deter people who are willingly violating the provision to destabilise the country.
    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the explanation on Friday when he featured on a TVC live Programme, “This Morning”” monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja.

    NAN recalls that the minister in 2019 announced the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the increase of the fine which was later stipulated in the ammended Broadcasting Code.

    “What motivated the ammendment was that when the fine was N500,000 we saw the provision being violated at will because the amount was very easy to pay,” he said.

    The minister explained that some desperate people, who know that their broadcast content contains hate speech, will insist that the broadcast stations should air it while they bear the cost of the fine.

    The minister noted that those attacking the government over the increase, must remember that hate speech had destroyed many countries.

    He recalled that Rwandan lost 800,000 lives to hate speech while Bosnia and Cambodia equally lost thousands of lives to the menace.

    Mohammed said that Nigeria is not the only country to impose sanction on hate speech, adding that some nations have more stringent provisions.

    “Chad has today slow down the speed of its internet service to slow down the growth of hate speech.

    “Iceland has a provision in its penal code against hate speech and the punishment is up to five years in jail.

    “The sanction in Norway is up to two years imprisonment while South Africa separated hate speech from the protection their citizens can get from the constitution,” he said.

    The minister said that hate speech is not new but the social media and its wildfire capacity to spread information made it to be more problematic.

    He, therefore, reiterated the resolve of the government to regulate the social media without stifling the freedom of speech.