Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has said there are plans to begin COVID-19 clinical trials in the state.
Abayomi, speaking during a press briefing in Ikeja, the State capital on Monday, noted that it would be in partnership with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and other institutions.
“There are a lot of research going on around the world, so it is possible that at some time in the near future, we will have what we may describe as a definitive cure for COVID-19.
“Indeed we are setting up our own clinical trials in Lagos in collaboration with other institutions and the NCDC and hopefully by this time next week, we should have started some clinical trials on our patients and on our staff in Lagos State,” he said.
As at Monday night, there were 120 confirmed cases reported in Lagos state.
It remains the highest in Nigeria, with the FCT second with 48.
Of the total of 238 cases in the country, 35 patients have been discharged, while five are dead.
The Federal Government has declared Friday, April 10 and Monday, 13, as public holidays to mark the 2020 Easter Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, through a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, on Monday, in Abuja.
Aregbesola urged Christians in the country to emulate the outstanding characteristics of Jesus Christ amongst which were tolerance, love, peace and compassion.
He further charged Christians to use the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration to pray for Nigeria and the entire world at this time of the global emergency of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister appealed to all Nigerians to continue to support the efforts of government towards fighting the Coronavirus disease.
He reminded Nigerians of the need to adhere strictly to the measures put in place by relevant authorities towards preventing the spread of the virus in the country.
Aregbesola wished Christians a peaceful Easter celebration.
He assured that the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration would continue to cushion the effects of the pandemic on the lives of Nigerians, ” especially with the palliative measures already put in place.”
World Health Organization (WHO) Director, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus has been accused of covering death toll in China.
This has led to a call for Tedros to resign after theories came up about the false death toll in China.
China reported 81,000 cases with 3300 deaths compared to the US’ death toll now over 10,000 and the US believes China covered up their death toll and in the process helped spread the disease.
Tedros, in February, had said there was no need for countries to impose travel restrictions when China reported 17,238 infections and 361 deaths.
But as death toll continues to rise, US politician, Republican Sen. Martha McSally has called for Tedros’s removal for allegedly aiding China cover up a lie with some estimates suggesting their death toll could be as high as 40,000.
“Dr Tedros deceived the world. At one point, he even praised China’s ‘transparency during its coronavirus response efforts.
“Despite a mountain of evidence showing the regime concealed the severity of the outbreak. This deception cost lives.
“I don’t trust Communists, Chinese government’s ‘cover-up of this virus that originated from Wuhan has caused unnecessary deaths around America and around the world. I think Dr Tedros needs to step down,” She told Fox News on Monday.
Recall that the doctor, Dr Li Wenliang, who first alerted the rest of the world to the escalating crisis of Covid-19 within Hubei province, was sanctioned by medical authorities and police before his death.
Covid-19 has spread to 204 countries and territories since the first case was recorded in Wuhan, China, in December.
About a total of 1,00,800 people have been infected with the virus. However,210,200 of that number representing 21% have recovered from the disease.
The Lagos State government and the Nigeria police have come under attack over the arraignment of Funke Akindele and her husband, JJC Skillz in court on Monday.
The actress was arrested on Sunday for flouting the Lagos State social distancing order implemented to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
She and her husband, JJC Skillz, hosted a party that had over 20 people at their home in Amen Estate, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
The Chief Magistrate, Yewande Aje-Afunwa, fined them N100,000 and sentenced them to serve 14-day community service, among other sanctions.
However, the couple on arrival at the court, were swarmed with journalists and security operatives violating social distancing order.
Some Nigerian celebrities took to their social media pages calling the attention of governor of Lagos state, Jide Sanwo-olu to what they described as an irony of execution of social distancing order.
According to them, those spotted in the video should also be prosecuted for violating the social distancing policy and ban on public gathering of more than 20 people.
Nollywood Actress Opeyemi Aiyeola on her Instagram page wrote, “Ok the Bello’s were persecuted for breaking the law. Correct they should be persecuted but ejor making a show at this extremely delicate and sensitive time of a pandemic is what I don’t understand.
“Are these people not more than 20?
Where’s the practice of social distancing? Whose breaking the law now? Shouldn’t everyone in the video or the gatherer of the gathering be persecuted as well?
“Everyone in this video should be rounded up and put in isolation. Government risking people’s lives, just to show they are working.
“Which way Nigeria? Naija and show off mentality. The guilty judging the guilty!
“Sanwo-Olu please Sir look into this!”
Also, Actress Beverly Naya wrote, “Imagine being prosecuted for breaking a law only to be surrounded by a swarm of people breaking the exact same law.
“Weird times! Break the law to enforce it? Smh!”
Actress Iyabo Ojo, calling the attention of the Lagos government to the situation at the court on Monday asked that those present be quarantined.
“What happened was wrong no doubt, however, we’re all humans and no one is perfect, So on her behalf and hubby I apologise once again.
“It’s going to be ok dear, stay strong Funke Akindele this shall pass.
“Moreover, I will like to bring to your notice sir, that everyone most especially the media personnel who went to court today on this issue should all be quarantined because there was no social distancing in display. Thank you Sanwo-Olu.”
As the onslaught against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) continue, Chad’s President Idriss Deby has warned the sect’s factional leader Abubakar Shekau to surrender or risk being killed inside his Dikoa hideout.
Deby issued the warning in a state address to his countrymen shortly after leading his army in an offensive against the terrorists that left about 100 killed.
According to the President who spoke in French, Shekau has the chance to surrender now or risk being smoked out of his hideout in Dikoa and he would be killed the same say some of his commanders were killed.
Following a seven-hour ambush on Chadian troops by the terrorists that left 92 soldiers dead recently, Deby who said he would not accept defeat launched Operation Wrath of Bomo to avenge the death of his men.
Named after the town where the Chadian soldiers were killed, the operation which commenced on Thursday, saw the president leading his armed forces to battle at Kelkoua bank and Magumeri where they fired rockets and 12.5mm rounds ammunition on the criminals.
The troops were said to have also destroyed several BHTs bunkers, recovered cache of arms and arrested a top BHT commander.
At Magumeri, a local government in the northern Borno State, the Chadian troops were alleged to have set free some Nigerian soldiers held captive by terrorists.
According to reports, the Chadian troops have dealt the terrorists massive blow and have advanced into neighbouring countries with a vow to destroy them completely in few days.
Video footages and pictures of the operation which were shared on social media showed corpses of suspected terrorists littering the floor with hundreds of assorted gun lumped together. It also showed a suspect partly covered in blood alleged to be a top Commander who was arrested while fleeing through one of the bunkers.
Hours after the victories of the Chadian armed forces went viral, Shekau released an audio message where he appealed to his fighters to stand form.
Shekau who spoke in Hausa was translated to have said: “People of Chad, leave us alone, this operation is not approved by the Qur’an. It is not the will of the Prophet Muhammed but if you want to continue, God will help us too because he is bigger than you. To my fighters, take heart. It is I, Abubakar Shekau, your leader.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have continued to sing the praises of Deby dealing the terrorists massive blows at a time own government was offering them amnesty.
Many likened the Chadian President to late Gaddafi, commending him for leading his men into Nigerian soil to free Nigerian soldiers held hostage by Boko Haram terrorists.
However, checks by our Correspondent revealed that troops of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) have also sustained their onslaught against the terrorists, smoking out those fleeing from the mangroves border with Chad.
Contacted to ascertain if it was true Deby led his troops on such mission, the spokesman for the MNJTF Colonel Timothy Antigha said: “Clarification on whether President Idriss Deby led his troops in the operation against Boko Haram terrorists can only be made by the Chadian authorities. I do not have any authority to speak on their behalf.
“On the involvement of the MNJTF in the operation; Yes, Sector 2 of the MNJTF is actively involved in the operation. This is the much I can say.”
A Magistrate court sitting in Lagos has sentenced Nollywood actress Funke Akindele and her husband Abdulrasheed Bello a.k.a JJC skills to 14 days community service each.
The duo were ordered to pay a fine of N100,000 each.
247NNU recalls that Akindele and her husband pleaded guilty to flouting social distancing regulation amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The couple were arraigned for breaching the Lagos Infection Diseases Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) which prescribes a jail term of one month or N100,000 fine .
Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, the Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre has disagreed with Pastor Chris Oyakilome over claims of a link between the 5G network, Coronavirus and anti-Christ.
For the past few days, popular pastors and politicians have found a way to link the 5G network with spiritual things and Coronavirus epidemic.
Oyakhilome told his members in a sermon that the 5G was part of the new world order where some figures of authority in the world were trying to build a religion, economy and government for the entire universe.
Quoting Revelation Chapter 13, he said there is no need for a vaccine, adding that these are part of the Antichrist’s plan for a new world order.
However, Ashimolowo countered Oyakilome’s statement, explaining that there was no correlation between 5G and end-time signs.
He warned Christians not to join Christian leaders in promoting conspiracy theories.
According to him, all those claims were conspiracy theories that had nothing to do with the anti-Christ.
He maintained that COVID-19 was a pandemic and must be dealt with as such.
“If coronavirus is caused by 5G, why is it in his village that does not have a 5G?
“It has always been the nature of Christian leaders to plant fear in their members whenever there was going to be a major world occurrence.
“The church should be more concerned about preparing their members for the Second Coming of the Lord instead of condemning a major technological breakthrough.
“It’s fake news to associate 5G to coronavirus,” he said.
Adele has reportedly won her request to have her divorce proceedings with ex Simon Konecki kept private. The Someone Like You singer split from the philanthropist last April after eight years together.
They share six-year-old son Angelo and are said to be on amicable terms despite the end of their romantic relationship. Sources now claim that Adele, 31, filed a request to ensure their divorce settlement is not made public.
A judge in Los Angeles reportedly granted the privacy request, according to The Sun. This means that ‘financial, sales or other confidential business information’ will be kept under wraps and those who require access to those details will likely have to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
An insider told the publication: ‘Hollywood divorces can drag on for years and become extremely ugly. Adele and Simon clearly don’t want that.
‘They are both committed to keeping the details as private as possible for the sake of their son. They are trying to work out their issues.’
Adele filed for divorce in September citing irreconcilable differences and requested joint custody of Angelo, proving she and Simon are on the same page about co-parenting. Announcing their split several months before, a rep for the singer confirmed: ‘Adele and her partner have separated.
They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy. There will be no further comment.’
The former couple are said to be co-parenting amicably (Picture: PA) Simon, 46, also agreed that all financial issues surrounding the end of the couple’s marriage should be handled ‘in private mediation’, according to legal documents obtained by The Blast.
It has been widely reported that the pair did not have a prenup, and could split their $180 million (£144 million) combined fortune in half.
They might not be too far from each other either as Adele was said to have bought a Los Angeles property last May for over $10.65million (£8.53million), right down the road from Simon.
Former Lagos Governorship aspirant, Babatunde Gbadamosi has apologized after partying with the Bello’s at their residence in Amen Estate amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
Nigerians on the social media had called on the Lagos State government to, with immediate effect, arrest popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele and her husband, Abdul Rasheed Bello, for disobeying both the State and the Federal government orders on Saturday by hosting an in house party in celebration of JJC Skillz’s birthday.
Reacting, the Lagos State Police Command, on Sunday night arrested the popular movie star. The Force said its attention was drawn to a viral video showing a large number of persons mainly in the entertainment industry in an Estate, along Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki axis, Lagos.
Gbadamosi, who was equally seen partying with the family, took to his Twitter account to upload a video, stating that he thought he was just going to see the Bello’s alone.
He said, ”Hello everyone my name is Babatunde Gbadamosi and I am making this video to apologize for the event that happened at the Bello’s residence yesterday at Amen estate.
”We went to visit Mr and Mrs Bello to celebrate Mr Bello’s birthday with him and we believed we were the only ones going to meet with the family and the staff at their home and that is exactly what happened.
”After we arrived, at about an hour or so, a celebrity came and he had about a number of people with him.
”At that point, I think perhaps we should have left. I consider that as a lapse of judgement on my own part and I apologize for it.
”That doesn’t mean that I distract policies that have been put out by health care authorities around the world.
”I subscribe fully to it and I ask you all to please keep observing social distancing as a means of preventing coronavirus from spreading around Nigeria.
”Do note please that everybody at that gathering is a resident of Gbadamosi close, not just of Amen estate.
”Once again I sincerely apologize for what happened and thank you all for your patience, concern and also for the messages.
”We are all safe and will continue to be safe in the mighty name of Jesus amen.”
Aviation is fighting for survival. Cruise ships are grounded. As the pandemic grows, the travel industry faces an uncertain future and is scrambling to adapt.
Those aircraft still flying are now subject to stricter than ever hygiene protocols, but when the threat of the virus eventually lifts, the transportation industry will face heightened concerns about infection.
In the immediate wake of the global outbreak, airlines adopted stringent measures ranging from the mundane, like suspending hot towel service, to the extreme, like fogging an entire aircraft with disinfectant.
As more data becomes available about how the virus spreads, these may widen further. Some aspects of aircraft cabin design may even be reconsidered.
So what can passengers expect in the future to give them peace of mind about the spread of disease?
While it’s clear that planes have accelerated the spread of the virus by transporting infected passengers across continents, the risks of transmission within the cabin are less known.
Moving around
The risk of infection on board airplanes isn’t fully understood.
Sitting within two rows of an infected person on a flight is defined as a primary risk factor under World Health Organization guidelines, but passengers moving about during a flight could increase the potential for transmission. On one particularly ill-fated flight during the 2003 SARS outbreak, a passenger infected 22 out of 120 people on board, suggesting some outside the two-row zone are also in danger.
However, a team of researchers studying passenger behaviour on 10 transcontinental flights in 2018, found that although 62% of fliers moved about while in the air, none of 229 surface and air samples gathered tested positive for respiratory diseases.
“We were a little surprised by this, because we had 10 flights and eight took place during what’s called the flu season,” said Vicki Stover Hertzberg, a biostatistician at Atlanta’s Emory University, who led the study.
What airlines are doing to sanitize planes
“What we did find was that the bacteria on a plane look much like what you would find in your home, in your office or in places that people normally frequent.
She said cases where someone becomes ill due to contact with someone on an airplane are few and far between.
“Most of the infections that are due to air travel are because someone infected has been transported from point A to point B,” she said. However, Hertzberg says that the new hygiene measures the airlines have put in place are necessary and applauds them.
“I hope that this will give people pause,” she says about the outbreak. “Several years ago there were proposals for things like touchless lavatory entry and touchless lavatories in general. But the airlines would have to build that in as they’re purchasing these planes.”
Filtered air
Airlines have introduced rigorous cleaning procedures.
Modern planes are equipped with special filters, called HEPA, whose efficiency is similar to those used in operating rooms in hospitals. The air inside the cabin is an even mixture of recirculated and fresh air from outside.
“Although passenger density is very high, air from the ventilation system is very clean, because HEPA filters can block particles with a diameter of 0.3 micron or larger, with an efficiency of 99% or higher,” says Qingyan Chen, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University in Indiana who has researched the spread of air particles in passenger vehicles and how to track them.
However, Chen argues, that doesn’t mean that all the air inside the cabin is clean, because a person sneezing, coughing, talking or breathing emits droplets that could be transmitted to nearby passengers before the HEPA filter has a chance to catch them.
