FG has restricted all international flights from Lagos, Abuja

Federal Government of Nigeria has finally banned all international flights from coming into Murtala Muhammad International Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja over fear of coronavirus.

The Government said it was part of the preventive measures taken to halt the spread of the virus in the country.

Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, made this known to newsmen.

Ehanire stated that International flights will only go through the two airports until further notice.

In addition, the Federal Government of Nigeria has shut down, Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa following the recent outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

FDA Chief counters President Trump on claim of approving Chloroquine for treatment of coronavirus

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has countered President Donald Trump on claim of approving Chloroquine for treatment of coronavirus.

Recall that during a press briefing on Thursday March 19, Trump said the Food and Drug Administration had approved the “very powerful” drug chloroquine to treat coronavirus.

However the FDA debunked the claim in a post-briefing statement it released. Speaking from the same podium at a White House Press Conference, Steven Hahn, the FDA head contradicted Mr Trump, saying the president had “directed us to take a closer took” at whether the drug could help people with coronavirus.

Mr Hahn said;

“We want to do that in the setting of a . . . large pragmatic clinical trial to actually gather that information and answer the question that needs to be answered.”

In the post-briefing statement, the FDA said “there are no FDA-approved therapeutics or drugs to treat, cure or prevent COVID-19.”

The American regulatory agency added that because chloroquine has been approved for other purposes, doctors are legally allowed to prescribe it for the unapproved or “off-label” use of treating the coronavirus if they want. But its safety and effectiveness has not been proven with regard to the coronavirus.

The FDA further disclosed that they are working with government and academic entities that are investigating whether chloroquine can be used “to treat patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 to potentially reduce the duration of symptoms, as well as viral shedding, which can help prevent the spread of disease.”

Pregnant lady attempts suicide in Anambra after discovering her boyfriend is a married man

The police in Anambra state have arrested a 20-year-old pregnant lady identified as Oluchi Akabilo, for attempting to commit suicide after discovering her boyfriend is a married man.

A statement from the state police command spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said Oluchi and her boyfriend had dated for a while. When she got pregnant, she discovered that the said boyfriend is a married man, and to make matters worse, he allegedly asked her to have an abortion.

Oluchi who became devasted after her boyfriend abandoned her, drank a liquid substance suspected to be insecticide in a bid to take her own life.

The statement reads

“On the 19/3/2020 at about 4pm, there was a report at Awada Police Station that a young girl later identified as one Oluchi Akabilo, 20, of Azia Street, Ngbuka-Obosi, allegedly drank a liquid substance suspected to be insecticide in a bid to take her own life.

The young girl allegedly got pregnant in a relationship with one Chinedu, surname unknown, who unknown to her is married with children. She became devastated upon the discovery of the marital status of her boyfriend. And to make matters worst, she was abandoned by the same man.

“The victim decided to buy poison to kill herself with part of the N10,000 allegedly given to her by the boyfriend to abort the pregnancy. She was rushed to the Hospital in Onitsha by the Police for medical attention and doctors are making frantic efforts to save her life.

“Investigation into the incident has commenced and effort is ongoing to get the fleeing boyfriend apprehended in order to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

APC gets court’s approval for emergency NEC meeting

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been given go ahead by an Abuja high court to hold Emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for next week.

The court ordered a restrain on the National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party loyal to Adams Oshiomhole, to keep off from obstructing the conduct of the meeting which is expected to decide the fate of the embattled former Edo governor.

Justice S.U. Bature on Wednesday granted an interim order against Babatunde Ogala, National Legal Adviser; Lanre Issa-Onilu, National Publicity Secretary and Waziri Bulama, National Secretary.

He warned them not to disrupt the NEC meeting scheduled for March 17, 2020, or any subsequent date pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed.

The court ruled on ex-parte filed by APC National Vice Chairman (North East), Salihu Mustapha against the trio. Mustapha is one of the Oshiomhole-must-go NWC members.

They called the invitation to NEC members announced by Victor Giadom, the Deputy National Secretary, illegal, stating that the APC constitution provides how a NEC meeting shall be convoked.

“Victor Giadom is not vested with any constitutional powers to convene any NEC meeting, neither has he been so directed by the National Chairman”, their joint statement read.

They advised NEC members to ignore the notice and/or invitation described as a product of mischief that should not be given any probative value.

Last week, the NWC released the names of new national officers it said were nominated by stakeholders.

This was hours after same High Court of the FCT, which gave the latest ruling, suspended Oshiomhole.

Apart from Bulama, who was named National Secretary, former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, emerged as the Deputy National Chairman (South) and Paul Chukwuma as the National Auditor.

The appointments evoked condemnations by some state APC chapters. According to them, the new NWC officials were not unanimously adopted by their respective zones as claimed.

Some analysts, party stalwarts and members believe that Bulama, Ajimobi and Chukwuma were hurriedly included in the NWC to ensure that Oshiomhole has a good number on his side as the plot to oust him thickens.

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Iran approaches IMF for loan to battle coronavirus outbreak as death toll hits 429

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 Dagana Abul-Basit

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March 12, 2020

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Iran said on Thursday that it has sought immediate financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help it combat one of the world’s deadliest coronavirus outbreaks.

According to a tweet by Iran’s top diplomat, IMF chief Kristina Georgieva had “stated that countries affected by #COVID19 will be supported via Rapid Financial Instrument (RFI)”.

“Our central bank requested access to this facility immediately,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif added on his Twitter account.

Iran has not received assistance from the IMF since a “standby credit” issued between 1960 and 1962, according to the fund’s data.

Zarif said the IMF and its board “should adhere to fund’s mandate, stand on right side of history and act responsibly”.

The various loans that can be granted by the IMF must be approved by the institution’s executive board, where the United States practically has a veto on decisions.

The United States is currently pursuing a policy of “maximum pressure” aimed at crippling the finances of Iran’s government.

In an Instagram post picked up by state news agency IRNA, central bank governor Abdolnasser Hemmati claimed to have formally requested access to RFI by letter on March 6.

“Given the widespread prevalence of coronavirus in our country and the need to continue to take strong measures to prevent and cure (the disease), and to address its economic impact,” Iran was asking for “about $5 billion” in assistance, Hemmati wrote on his Instagram account.

Iran on Thursday reported 75 new deaths from COVID-19, the highest single-day toll since the Islamic republic announced the first deaths from the outbreak on February 19.

It took the overall death toll to 429 out of a total of more than 10,000 confirmed cases of infection.

The World Health Organization called for Iran to be given more support in its fight to bring the outbreak under control.

“Iran is doing its best… We are trying to mobilise more support for Iran,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters in Geneva, adding that the country needed more supplies.

According to the IMF’s website, the RFI “provides rapid financial assistance, which is available to all member countries facing an urgent balance of payments need. ”

El-Rufai to visit Sanusi in Awe

Indications emerged on Thursday afternoon that the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai is set to visit the dethroned emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State.

Tontrends gathered from security sources that the governor is making plans to visit Sanusi.

However, the Kaduna government is yet to officially confirm the planned visit.

El-Rufai recently appointed the deposed Emir as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University(KASU).

It was the second appointment for Sanusi from the Kaduna state governor within 24 hours. He was earlier appointed the Vice-Chairman of Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) on Tuesday.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication), Muyiwa Adekeye, said that the deposed emir Sanusi II has consented to serve as Chancellor of KASU and as Vice-Chairman of the board of KADIPA.

It stated that:

“The Kaduna State Government has named His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University (KASU).

He succeeds the pioneer Chancellor, His Highness, Malam Tagwai Sambo, the Chief of Moro’a, who was appointed to the role in 2005.”

The statement noted that Governor El-Rufai had no doubt that as Chancellor, the deposed emir would provide symbolic and substantive leadership in raising the profile of KASU as an emerging centre of learning on the national and global level.

“On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is delighted to appoint His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University.

In public life, His Highness has demonstrated a strong commitment to education,” the statement reads in part.

It said the appointment came at an exciting moment for KASU which is transiting to a multi-campus structure with presence across the state, adding that Governor El-Rufai had conveyed the profound appreciation of the government to HH Malam Tagwai Sambo for the long years of distinguished service to KASU and the state.

“The Kaduna State Government is grateful that HH Muhammadu Sanusi II continues to support and assist the realisation of the governance objectives of the Kaduna State Government,” it stated.

Sanusi was dethroned as Emir of Kano and banished to Nasarawa State last Monday by the Kano State Government. His lawyers are challenging his banishment in court.