Nearly a quarter of a billion people across 47 African countries will catch coronavirus over the next year, but the result will be fewer severe cases and deaths than in the US and Europe, new research predicts.
A model by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional office for Africa, published in the BMJ Global Health, predicts a lower rate of transmission and viral spread across the continent than elsewhere, resulting in up to 190,000 deaths. But the authors warn the associated rise in hospital admissions, care needs and “huge impact” on services such as immunisation and maternity, will overwhelm already stretched health services.
About one in four (22%) of the one billion people in the countries measured would be infected in the first year of the pandemic, the model suggests. However the disease is likely to linger for longer – possibly for several years.
The continent’s much younger age profile compared to other countries is behind the lower transmission rates, the authors say. Lower rates of obesity in African countries, compared to the US and elsewhere, also help to slow its progress.
“The biggest factor that plays out in our numbers is age,” said data analyst Humphrey Karamagi. “We also have very few people who are obese, although the numbers are rising. But not at the levels in the US.”
A report by the UN Economic Commission for Africa in mid-April predicted a much higher infection and death rate on the continent, of 1.2 billion infections and 3.3 million deaths. However, the models are not comparable, because the new model uses data from the WHO African Region, a smaller grouping of the continent that does not include Djibouti, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan or Tunisia. The paper has been peer-reviewed. Scientists have also learned much more about the virus and its transmission since the UN research.
Men in Mali greet each other without touching hands to prevent the spread of Covid-19, 29 March, Bamako.
“We tried to factor in what we are seeing on the ground,” said Karamagi. “And we are seeing slower transmission rates in African countries compared to Europe and the US.”
Some commentators have speculated that African countries may be reporting fewer cases because they are not detecting them, but Karamagi points to South Africa, which has “good detection capabilities, but low numbers”.
“There might be an effect of reporting but we do not think that fully explains the rates, when we are seeing the pattern we are seeing. There is something around social-cultural or developmental or environmental structure that is slowing the transmission rates,” he added.
The researchers have calculated the risk of exposure, and estimated the number of infections and deaths for each of the 47 countries in the WHO region.
“We are including a risk of exposure into our estimation of the risk of transmission” said Karamagi.
The risk of exposure, which is country specific, is driven by factors including number of people in a household, population density, what proportion of the population lives in slums, and road infrastructure.
Small countries, including Mauritius, are likely to be the most vulnerable, while sparsely populated countries, such as Niger, Mauritania and Chad, less so, the research found. Per head of population, Mauritius, Seychelles and Equatorial Guinea are likely to have the highest numbers of cases.
Larger countries, including Cameroon, South Africa and Algeria, would be most at risk, while Nigeria is set to have the largest number of infections overall, followed by Algeria and South Africa.
Recent data about who is likely to suffer more severe symptoms, for instance those who are obese, or who have hypertension or diabetes, has informed the research. Levels of diabetes in Africa are similar to elsewhere, but the condition is more likely to be undiagnosed, so more cases of severe infections in people thought to be healthy are expected.
“The pattern that seems to be emerging is that it is diseases of lifestyle that pushes someone to severe illness as opposed to diseases of poverty,” said Karamagi. “We have fewer people whose infections will progress to a more serious disease.”
The infection mortality rate across Africa, he said, was 0.06%, compared to about 0.1% elsewhere.
The Aketewi of Iketewi in Osun State, David Ogungbemi, 62, was on Thursday arraigned alongside his son, Idowu, and one Sarafa Olayiwola before an Osogbo Magistrates’ Court for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl.
They were arraigned before Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara on three counts of conspiracy, rape and sexual exploitation.
They were alleged to have conspired among themselves and sexually exploited the victim.
The defendants were also alleged to have had sexual intercourse with the victim, who got pregnant in the process.
The police prosecutor, John Idoko, alleged that the defendants committed the offences on May 5, 2020, in Ilare-Ijesa.
According to him, the defendants were living in the same house with the victim when they committed the act.
Idoko said the actions of the defendants were contrary to and punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Vol. II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002, as well as sections 31 and 32 of the Child’s Right Act, Cap 050, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Yinka Popoola and Tunbosun Oladipupo announced appearances for the defendants.
They applied for bail on behalf of their clients and promised that they would provide reliable sureties.
Magistrate Ayilara, however, remanded the defendants in police custody.
He adjourned the matter till Monday, May 18, 2020, for a ruling on the bail application.
Meanwhile, Owalare of Ilare, Oba Adejoro Otebolaku, has said he is not the monarch involved in the sex scandal as reported in a section of the media recently.
In a statement he personally signed, the monarch said the man alleged to have committed the act was the Aketewi of Iketewi, a community under Ilare.
A driver with the Bus Rapid Transit, Collins Nnodi, has gone into hiding after crushing a businesswoman, Mrs Grace Okeleke, to death at the Agric bus stop in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The incident happened on Monday.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Grace, the wife of the Head of Public Relations, Globacom, Andrew Okeleke, attempted to cross the road after being dropped off by her driver around 7.20pm, when Nnodi, who was driving a bus with number plate EPE 59 XR, knocked her down.
It was learnt that the businesswoman died on the spot.
However, Nnodi was said to have zoomed off and abandoned the victim at the scene of the accident.
Annoyed by the development, it was gathered that an angry mob vandalised some BRT buses plying the route.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, the family said in a statement that until her death, Grace was a minister at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, adding that the businesswoman was survived by her husband and children.
The statement read in part, “The death has been announced of Mrs Grace Okeleke, wife of the Head, Public Relations, Globacom, Mr Andrew Okeleke.
“Mrs Okeleke died in a motor accident on the Lagos Road, Ikorodu, on Monday evening. She was hit by a Lagos BRT bus with number plate EPE 59 XR.
“The deceased was crossing the road after being dropped off by her driver just after the Agric bus stop, inwards Ketu, where there was no pedestrian bridge, when she was hit by the BRT bus. She died on the spot before she could be taken to hospital.
“The late Mrs Okeleke, a businesswoman, hailed from Issele-Mkpitime, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. She was until her demise a top leader of her town’s women group in Lagos as well as a minister of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Grace Hall Parish, Ikorodu.
“Mrs Okeleke is survived by her husband and children. Burial arrangements will be announced later by her family.”
When contacted, the Chief Security Officer, Primero Transport Services Limited, the franchise holder of the BRT buses, Cletus Okodolor, while commiserating with the family, condemned Nnodi for abandoning Grace at the scene of the accident.
Okodolor said, “We sympathise with the family and we are shocked at the action of the busman. The accident involved one of our buses, with number 344. The bus was coming from Ikorodu inwards Mile 12, and she was trying to cross to the other side of the road without actually looking properly; she entered the BRT corridor to cross and there was contact.
“The woman died on the spot. But the busman did not help matters, because he drove off out of fear of being hurt and refused to put us in the picture. Suddenly, we started getting calls that an angry mob was vandalising our vehicles, because one of our buses knocked someone down on the corridor and we quickly informed the Traffic Division of the Owutu Police Station and its personnel were dispatched in the area.
“When we got there, we learnt that the husband had taken the corpse to the morgue. But during our investigation, we realised that the busman had parked his bus in front of our office and left the engine running, instead of parking it at the right place.
“So, we started searching for the busman, but he was nowhere to be found and that was how we realised that it was the busman, who knocked down the woman.
“The driver is still at large and we are working with the police to get him arrested. We have also taken the bus to the police station.”
A 22-year-old mother, Oluwafunmilola Adisa, has been arrested for killing her daughter, Oluwanifemi, at their place of residence on Plot 221 Gowon Estate, in the Ipaja area of Lagos State.
The incident, which happened on Monday, also saw the woman dropping a note for her sister, Damilola, chronicling how she perpetrated the crime.
She blamed Oluwanifemi for the hardship she had been facing after she gave birth to her 21 months ago, adding that the daughter’s arrival cost her an admission to study law.
In a bid to alleviate her suffering, Oluwafunmilola said she drowned her baby in a bucket of water, adding that after committing the crime, she went to the Gowon Estate Police Station to report herself.
Explaining the events leading to the baby’s death, the Ogun State indigene stated, “I turned myself in after killing my daughter on Monday, May 11, 2020. “At first, I was thinking of strangling her, later I thought of suffocating her with a pillow, but my sister warned me to keep Oluwanifemi away from water after she had a dream and that gave me the idea of drowning her.
“On the day of the incident, around 2pm, Oluwanifemi was assisting me to dress up, because she thought that I would take her out with me. But I told her that she was not going anywhere, because she would die that day and I would be going to the police station after killing her. So, I opened a big bucket of water, threw her in and covered the bucket, but she was able to push away the cover.
“The water in the bucket was not much, so, I poured more water in it, but she was still able to push away the cover to breathe, so I turned her upside down, threw her in the bucket of water and closed it.
“After some time, I saw her floating and when I brought her out, she was still breathing. I put her in again and brought her out after some time, but she was still breathing and at the third attempt, I left her for some minutes till she died. I didn’t feel any pain killing her, because I was desperate.”
After perpetrating the crime, Oluwafunmilola stated that she wrote a letter to her sister, Damilola, to inform her that she had fulfilled the promise of killing her baby, adding that she took the action because of the shame the baby’s birth had brought to her and aas a result of lack of money.
She stated, “The reason for the drastic decision is lack of financial help; I was tired and ashamed; when I gained admission to study law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, I got pregnant and deferred my admission, which I later lost.
“So killing my baby and losing my admission have a connection. I felt I would be free if I kill her and would be able to go anywhere I like and no one would disturb me that I had a daughter outside wedlock.
“After she died, I removed her from the bucket of water, placed her remains on a pillow and covered her with a white cloth. I confirmed that she was dead, because her legs and hands were very pale; her tongue also popped out in between her teeth.
“I also dropped the note I wrote to Damilola beside her corpse and the reason I wrote the letter was to let my sister know that I was the one who killed Oluwanifemi and that I was going to report myself at the police station.
“I had been telling Damilola of my plans to kill her, but she usually prevailed on me. I wanted to carry out my plan on Sunday, but Damilola started calling our parents and the pastor, so I postponed it till Monday, when I was home alone with my daughter. Damilola had gone to work when I killed her.”
The letter that Oluwafunmilola wrote to her sister read in part, “Good day Damilola, thanks for everything you have done for me and Mama (Oluwanifemi), for the fake love, real love, false accusations, lies, and everything. The purpose of writing this letter is because Mama (Oluwanifemi) is dead. I soaked her inside a bucket filled with water and I am telling you to know that I have fulfilled it. Extend my greetings to father, pastor, friends. Goodbye forever, don’t look for me, save your money and invest.”
She claimed that the father of her baby, one Folarin Yusuf, abandoned her after she got pregnant.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said Oluwafunmilola was in custody, adding that she would be charged.
Elkana stated, “When we got the report that a woman was suspected to have killed her baby, our homicide detectives went there and found the baby dead on the bed. But the woman left a note beside the baby’s corpse that she was the one who killed her.
“She confessed that she dipped the baby in a bucket of water three times till she died and said she was frustrated and killed the innocent baby, because she was tired of life. The State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department has commenced investigation into the matter. The suspect will be charged for the crime.”
Maria Branyas, a 113-year-old believed to be the oldest woman in Spain, has recovered from COVID-19 after being diagnosed with the disease in March.
Branyas was said to have tested negative weeks after she suffered mild symptoms of the ailment, making her the oldest reported person in Spain, and possibly the world to survive COVID-19.
She was said to have tested positive for the disease and later got isolated at her care home in Olot, Catalonia, which has reported the deaths of several people suffering from the disease.
“Now that she is well, she is wonderful, she wants to speak, to explain, to make her reflections, it is her again,” BBC quoted the woman’s daughter to have said following her recovery.
Branyas was born in Mexico in 1907, but was said to have later moved north to San Francisco in the Catalan province of Girona during World War One with her Spanish journalist father.
She has raised three children, one of whom recently turned 86; has 11 grandchildren, the oldest of whom is said to be 60-year-old; and 13 great-grandchildren.
The case of Branyas, who has also lived through the flu pandemic of 1918 alongside the 1936-39 Spanish civil war, comes after a 106-year-old Spaniard also won the war against COVID-19.
Spain has been greatly hit by COVID-19 with nearly 27,000 deaths recorded from the disease so far as well as 269,520 confirmed cases, according to Worldometres.
Ulcers can develop in most parts of one’s body including the lining of the stomach. Though there is no complete cure, some natural remedies can help relieve the pain and various symptoms that ulcers illicit.
Stomach ulcers are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or part of the small intestine. Stomach ulcers are also known as peptic or gastric ulcers.
Causes of ulcers include:
an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and ibuprofen
Stress and spicy food can also exacerbate the symptoms of an ulcer. Although they do not cause ulcers, they can make the situation worse by increasing the amount of stomach acid produced.
1. Honey
Manuka honey has antimicrobial properties that may be useful when treating ulcers.
Honey is a popular, natural sweetener used across the United States. People who consume honey regularly can enjoy a range of health benefits.
Some use honey to speed up wound healing, including skin ulcers, burns, and wounds.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a popular plant-based oil found in many topical lotions, cosmetics, and foods.
Some studies looking at how aloe vera affected stomach ulcers produced favorable results. Studies have also shown that aloe vera treated ulcers in a similar way to a popular anti-ulcer medication.
3. Garlic
Garlic is popular in many parts of the world for adding flavor to food. Garlic has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which make it helpful in fighting infections.
Some studies do support garlic’s effectiveness in treating ulcers. For example, a 2016 study on animals showed that garlic could help prevent the development of ulcers and help speed up the healing process.
4. Probiotics
Probiotics are living organisms that help restore balance to the bacteria in the digestive tract. As well as helping achieve optimal gut health, they can help with treating ulcers.
When taken alongside other treatments, probiotics may help eradicate harmful bacteria.
People can find probiotics in the following sources:
yogurts
fermented foods
probiotic supplements
Some foods have probiotics in them. But, consider taking supplements as they have higher concentrations of probiotics per serving.
5. Ginger
Many believe that ginger has gastroprotective effects and some people use it to treat stomach and digestive conditions, such as constipation, bloating, and gastritis.
However, the majority of these positive results hail from tests on animals so it is not clear whether the effects would be similar in humans.
Couple having argument on the couch at home in the living room
It’s no secret that building and maintaining healthy, long-term relationships is not always easy. Once you’re past the early, heart-fluttering phase of your romance, you’re going encounter difficulties — every couple does — so it’s important to develop healthy strategies for dealing with conflict. And because every partnership is unique, so too is the manner in which you have disagreements, so what works for some couples might not work for others.
In fact, some habits might even appear to be toxic, but that doesn’t mean they are. I spoke to relationship experts about it, and here are the relationship habits that everyone thinks are toxic, but that are actually perfectly healthy.
Fighting in front of the kids
It’s no fun when your parents get into a fight when you’re a kid, nor is it fun to be fighting with your partner in front of the whole family. But it isn’t toxic as long as you’re respectful of one another in your disagreements; it could actually be helpful.
Melody Li, a licensed marriage and family therapist associate and relationship specialist, told me, “There are couples that that tell me they do not know how their parents resolved conflict because their parents always disagreed behind closed doors to shield their children from it. I understand the loving intention behind that but as a result, their children miss opportunities to learn healthy conflict resolution.”
So the way you argue can be a model for the kids, showing them to work out disagreements. Li continued, “By showing children that it’s normal and healthy to disagree, and by modeling negotiation, compromise, and sharing needs and feelings, the couple not only strengthens their own relationship but also sets up the future generation for relational success.” But if you resort to excessive yelling and screaming, name-calling, and threats, that’s toxic all the way.
Complaining
No one wants to be on the receiving end of a laundry list of complaints by anyone, let alone their partner, but you should make room in your relationship for both making and receiving complaints.
Heather Seguin, a licensed marriage and family therapist, told me, “Complaints are a way of letting our partners know the things that matter to us. This is different from criticism; criticism attacks your partner’s character, but complaints indicate behaviors they can change. For example, ‘I’m upset that you didn’t take out the trash like you said you would. Can you please take care of that now?'”
The important thing here, for Seguin, is that complaining allows for a grievance to be aired, and subsequently fixed. She notes that, “Complaints can be repaired, while criticism is destructive.” That means the disagreement can be resolved, reasonably.
Taking time apart
No one wants to hear the dreaded words “I need some time to myself.” It can make you anxious that your partner is thinking about splitting up, or that they’re just interested in doing things without you. But there’s nothing toxic about people needing a little room to breathe on their own.
Tina Wilson, a dating and relationship expert, told me, “Most people think that time apart can be toxic, but we’ve learned from our Assisted Romance surveys that many people say that they are better in a relationship when they spend the occasional evening all alone.”
This especially makes sense if you and your partner have divergent interests, such as you enjoying a sports event while he opts for board game night. And if you’re introverted, you might just need some time with a good book. But if your partner is talking about moving out or separating, that’s a different situation — a couple’s counselor should be called if that’s the case.
Ignoring a partner’s texts
Since the invention and proliferation of cell phones, we’re more connected than ever before, especially to our partners and families. And though it’s wonderfully convenient, it can also be a distraction from other activities.
Jonathan Bennett, a certified counselor, told me,”We live in an age with an expectation of complete availability and transparency. Consequently, it’s considered bizarre if you don’t make yourself fully available to your partner.” But it can be quite healthy to not always be instantly available. Plus, being too demanding of your partner’s time, or vice versa, can have consequences. “Constant phone access can lead to neediness and controlling behaviors,” continued Bennett. “Ignoring your partner’s texts to focus on your job, workout, driving, or just mindfully enjoying the moment is the healthy habit. Then, when you’re free and ready, you can respond.”
Additionally, being glued to your phone can make you seem less interesting. Kimberly Hershenson, a NYC based therapist, told me, “You don’t want your partner thinking you have no life outside of the relationship either. It is a positive to not always respond right away because you should have other things going on in your life.” So don’t hesitate to throw your phone in your locker.
Setting boundaries
Everyone has different emotional needs and thresholds, and they’re not always naturally compatible with the needs and thresholds of others. That’s why it’s good to set boundaries for yourself out of the gate.
Relationship therapist, educator, and author Shadeen Francis told me, “We often think about good relationships as having an element of accessibility; that person will be there for you no matter what. However, we all need to set boundaries in our lives, and that can be misinterpreted as toxic behavior.” But boundary setting is anything but toxic when it comes from an honest place.
Francis continued, “Boundaries are the invisible lines between us that keep us safe. Despite caring for others, we may have to be firm, clear, and consistent about our limits in order to maintain our mental health and emotional wellness. Saying no to people you care about is hard, but is important.” So let your partner know what your needs are, from designated time alone to time you need alone together. Barring abusive behavior, this is healthy self-care.
Being critical
If you’ve ever had a parent or partner who is excessively critical of you, you know how exhausting it feels and how toxic it can be. “In a relationship, having a ‘critical’ partner can be considered toxic, especially if feelings are hurt,” noted Bennett. And while that kind of criticism is not healthy, some criticism can actually be helpful for you and your partner.
He continued, “Honest criticism, done correctly, can actually be good for the relationship. Bad judgment from one partner can have major consequences. While it’s important to keep a calm, empathetic, and non-threatening tone, there are times when one partner’s behavior might need to be called out. A few examples are financial mismanagement, drug use, or a refusal to deal with an out of control child.” So as long as you’re not needlessly harping on your sweetie, there’s room for important critiques.
Running away from a fight
Sometimes, if you and your partner are fighting, you may find yourself overwhelmed and needing to step away. That’s actually not a bad move, especially if the fight is getting dirty.
“It’s never healthy to stay in the same place arguing and getting nowhere,” noted Hershenson. “One of you will have to be the grown up and call a time out. This means taking time apart away from the situation so you can regroup and come back together rational.”
The same is true for afterwards, when emotions are still running high. Bennett told me, “The standard advice is that you should always keep the lines of communication open after a fight. Running off to a room and slamming the door or going out with friends is considered toxic behavior. But, after a fight, your adrenaline is flowing and emotions are running high. Because of that, trying to reconcile immediately can not only be difficult, but can sometimes cause the fight to start again.” So as long as you make the effort to restart communications later, it’s perfectly acceptable to flee.
Going to bed angry
One of the more common pieces of relationship advice is that couples should never go to bed while still angry at each other. There have even been studies that show how doing so could have a negative impact on your relationship. But it’s not always the best option, especially if you don’t have the time or energy to properly resolve the conflict.
Dr. Wyatt Fisher, a licensed psychologist, told me, “While it’s ideal to work through tension before bed, it may not always be feasible. Both spouses may need time to de-flood, process through what they’re feeling, and then re-address the topic in the morning.” So even if one of you sleeps on the couch, it’s totally okay if you’re clear-headed and ready to reconcile the next morning.
Having different friends
It’s not uncommon for couples to have the same friends, and to go out together with the same group of folks. But in some cases, there are good reasons why a person might have friends that they don’t share with their partners — and there’s nothing wrong with that.
David Ezell, the clinical director of Darien Wellness, told me, “Cultivating friendships outside of the relationship — both opposite sex as well as same-sex — allows partners to be express parts of themselves that they cannot be in the relationship.” This is especially true if you don’t share the same hobbies and interests. Ezell continued, “If you love theater and your partner is a TV person, having a theater buddy allows you to feed that need (and also reinforces trust between the both of you).”
So as long as your communication is clear and open, and you’re always being honest, it doesn’t matter what friends you do or don’t share.
Communication is key
A lot of toxic habits arise either because one partner is abusive, or because communication isn’t paramount in a partnership. That’s why it’s important to evaluate your relationship habits, and speak to a therapist — or even a trusted friend — if you have any doubt about your situation. Additionally, make sure you’re putting in the work and effort that your relationship deserves, and don’t sweep things under the rug or ignore things that bother you.
Honest and direct communication can go a long way in eliminating toxic behavior patterns, as can regular check-ins with your partner when you’re both calm. A little work goes a long way in making it last!
President Muhammadu Buhari has tapped a former Under United Nations Secretary as his Chief of Staff, it was learnt on Tuesday.
Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, 75, is expected to assume office today as replacement for the late Mallam Abba Kyari, who served in the post since 2015 until April 17 when he died from Coronavirus complications.
It was learnt that the President picked Gambari, who was Minister of External (Foreign) Affairs during his time as Military Head of State between January 1984 and August 1985 because he is apolitical.
The President, according to sources had a breakfast session with the renowned diplomat yesterday where he offered him the appointment.
He was reportedly picked from a list of 14 others screened for the position, which is the clearing house in the office of the President.
Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina neither confirmed nor denied the appointment of Gambari. There was also no official communication.
Adesina said yesterday when contacted: “An announcement will be made during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting tomorrow (today).”
A virtual FEC will hold on Wednesday, the first after weeks of partial lockdown of the State House since mid-March – over the outbreak of Coronavirus.
It was learnt that the President opted for Gambari because of his patience and reputation as an international bureaucrat.
Another factor which informed the President’s position was Gambari’s unofficial advisory role since 2015 without asking for any favour.
It was gathered that the President listed his expectations when he met with Gambari.
A highly-placed source said: “The appointment was sealed at an early morning meeting between the President and Gambari.
“The meeting had barely ended when many foreign embassies got the hint and they became excited about the President’s choice.”
Some of the qualities the President outlined for his new Chief of Staff are:
competence;
rich experience in bureaucracy and diplomacy
absolute loyalty;
sharing the same vision and principle with Buhari on the Next Level Agenda;
longstanding relationship with the President;
being incorruptible;
being apolitical;
less controversial; and
a man of peace
A top source, who spoke in confidence said: “Out of the list of about 14 candidates available to the President, Gambari is the least exposed to the vagaries of Nigerian politics. He is a diplomat and an international bureaucrat.
“The appointment was made to pick an apolitical fellow and to correct the mistake of the past where the Office of the Chief of Staff is exposed to politics and pressure from politicians.
“To move forward, the President wants to restrict his Chief of Staff to bureaucratic schedule and not political manoeuvres in order to fast-track the implementation of the goals of his administration.
“The manner of jostling for the Office of the Chief of Staff since the death of the former occupant of the office actually suggested that those who have political ambitions were desperate for it.
“The international profile of Gambari played a significant role in his appointment. Buhari is looking at global politics after the post-COVID-19 pandemic and opted for an experienced hand in Gambari whose mileage can add credibility to his government and attract goodwill
“Bilateral and multilateral relations will take the centre stage after the Coronavirus pandemic and he needs a respected international bureaucrat to assist his government to reach out to the world.”
The source added: “Although some ministers are very close to the President, he avoided appointing any of them because upgrading a minister will not help the system.”
Among those considered, according to sources are: Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hamid Ali; Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha; Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties, Ya’u Shehu Darazo; a former Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa; and the immediate past Permanent Secretary, State House, Mr. Jalal Arabi
Others are Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Sarki Mukhtar Abba; the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and a former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Ibrahim Shekarau.
Gambari will become the nation’s fifth Chief of Staff since 1999.
He will be the second office holder from Ilorin to occupy the Office of the Chief of Staff after Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed.
In the last 21 years, Nigeria has had four Chiefs of Staff. These are: Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed — 1999-2008; Mike Oghiadomhe — 2010-2014; Gen. Jones Arogbofa — 2014-2015; and Mallam Abba Kyari -2015 – April 17, 2020.
Although ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua scrapped the Office of Chief of Staff in 2008, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan reintroduced it in 2010.
The responsibilities of Chief of Staff are “selecting key presidential staff and supervising them, structuring the staff system, controlling the flow of people to the Presidential Villa; managing the flow of information, protecting the interests of the president, negotiating with the National Assembly and other branches of government to implement the president’s agenda; and advising the president on various issues, including telling the president what they do not want to hear.”
Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Mai-Martaba Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, yesterday thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Professor Gambari.
Sulu-Gambari in a statement by his Media Aide, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona described the appointment as great honour to the entire people of Ilorin Emirate and Kwarans at large.
He said: “The choice of the former diplomat would be justified by outstanding contributions, administrative experience, scholarship and excellence which he would inject into the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government towards ensuring good governance, democratic dividends as well as shared prosperity in the nation.
”While congratulating Professor Gambari on the new appointment, the monarch wished him a successful tenure in office even as he expressed confidence in his ability to justify the confidence reposed in him by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“He will surely bring to fore his wealth of experience as an academician, former Minister, former Diplomat, former University Chancellor, Prince of the renowned Alimi dynasty, family man and community leader of high repute.
“Professor Ibrahim Gambari is the Wambai of Ilorin Emirate.”
Gunmen stormed a maternity hospital in the western part of the Afghan capital Kabul, setting off an hours-long shoot-out with the police and killing 16 people, including two newborn babies, their mothers and an unspecified number of nurses.
Photos from the Ministry of Interior Affairs showed two young children lying dead inside the hospital.
An image showed a woman who had been killed lying on the ground still holding tightly to her baby, who a nurse in the unit confirmed to Reuters news agency had survived and had been moved to an intensive care unit at another hospital.
Security forces earlier cordoned off the area as they evacuated more than 80 women and infants from the hospital, where medical charity Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) runs a maternity clinic.
Interior ministry spokesman Tareq Arian said three foreign nationals were among those safely evacuated, without elaborating.
It was unclear why the maternity hospital in Dashti Barchi, a 100-bed facility, was targeted – an attack Arian said was an “act against humanity and a war crime”.
At least three attackers wearing police uniforms entered the hospital, throwing grenades and shooting, officials said.
A paediatrician who fled the hospital told AFP news agency he heard a loud explosion at the entrance of the building in Dashti Barchi, a mostly Shia neighbourhood that has seen past attacks by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group.
“The hospital was full of patients and doctors, there was total panic inside,” the doctor said, asking not to be named.
The unconscionable #war#crimes in #Afghanistan today, targeting a maternity hospital and a funeral, must awaken the world to the horrors civilians continue to face. There must be accountability for these grave crimes, and civilians must be protected. https://t.co/Xrjzc1uQDg
— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) May 12, 2020
In the evening hours, husbands, fathers and family members of the hospital’s patients gathered around the hospital, desperate for news of their loved ones.
A man read out the names of those who had been evacuated to other hospitals.
The neighbourhood is home to many members of Afghanistan’s Hazara community, a mostly Shia Muslim minority that has been attacked by ISIL in the past, including at a Kabul ceremony commemorating the death of one of its leaders in March.
Rights group Amnesty International condemned both the attacks.
“The unconscionable war crimes in Afghanistan today, targeting a maternity hospital and a funeral, must awaken the world to the horrors civilians continue to face,” the group tweeted.
“There must be accountability for these grave crimes.”
Countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey and Pakistan released statements condemning the violence.
Justice Luma Schofield of the New York Federal High Court, US, has granted Nigerian Government’s request to access 10 bank accounts of former politicians, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife Patience.
US based legal website, Law360 reports that District Judge Schofield, ordered the banks to allow the President Muhammadu Buhari government access to sundry account details of officials listed in its subpoena request.
According to the judge, the move would enable the Nigerian government prove its claim that the $9.6 billion arbitration was obtained by Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) by fraud.
In a bid to overturn a $9.6, judgement by a UK court, Nigeria government had last month asked the federal court in New York for permission to access information about transactions involving Jonathan and his wife and others.
The transaction with Process & Industrial Developments Ltd., was carried during the administration of Goodluck Jonathan
The Nigerian government is looking for any chance to prove that the 2010 gas supply arrangement was a sham and annul the giant penalty it incurred.
The matter escalated last August when a UK judge ruled that P&ID could enforce an arbitration tribunal’s 2017 ruling, now totaling $9.6 billion including interest, which found Nigeria breached the agreement.
Nigeria and Malami’s application seeking to access the bank details of the former political office holders was filed by Alexander Pencu, a partner of Meister Seelig & Fein LLP, attorneys.
The applicants said the information being sought are meant for use in “ongoing foreign criminal investigations and criminal proceedings in the Federal Republic of Nigeria (the “Nigerian Proceedings”).”
“The requested discovery will assist applicants in the Nigerian Proceedings to investigate and prosecute individuals and entities that participated in, and were enriched by, P&ID’s fraudulent scheme,” it added.
The applicants also sought the intervention of Citibank, or any of its officers to testify in the case.
Other former political office holders named in the subpoena are Taofiq Tijani; Grace Taiga; Mohammad Kuchazi; one Michael Quinn, who died in 2014; James Nolan; Adam Quinn; and Ibrahim Dikko, as well as a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke.
Mr Pencu listed the banks involved to include “Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”) , Allied Irish Banks plc (“Allied Irish”), HSBC Bank USA (“HSBC”), Standard New York, Inc. (“Standard New York”), Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas (“Deutsche Bank”), J.P. Morgan Chase (“JPMorgan”), United Bank for Africa (“UBA”), Bank of Cyprus, Fortis Private Banking Singapore Limited (“Fortis”), and Standard Chartered International (USA) Ltd. (‘Standard Chartered”).
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