The Lagos SWAN family has joined thousands across the world to commiserate with the family of the Izamojes over the death of their matriarch, Madam Felicia Ewere Izamoje.

The Chairman of Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association, Debo Oshundun, expressed sadness at what he described as an irreparable loss while commiserating with the family of one of its members, Dr. Larry Izamoje, CEO of Sports Radio, 88.9 Brila FM.

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“Mama deserved to rest from all earthly toils, but no matter the age of our loved ones when they die, it is normal for us to mourn their absence and memories.

“We are proud of what late mama Felicia did while alive. She gifted the world a visionary and trailblazer in the world of sportscasting”, Oshundun said.

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He urged Dr. Larry Izamoje and the entire family to take solace in the fact that the matriarch of the Izamoje’s family played her part while leaving an indelible mark on the sand of time.

“We pray that her soul finds the deserved rest in the bosom of God while praying for those she left behind to be consoled in the fact that the ultimate end of every living soul on earth is death.”

Madam Felicia Izamoje died at the ripe age of 89. Burial announcements will be made public by the family.

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Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said on Friday the families of the dead coronavirus victims would not be allowed to claim their remains for burial.

This minister,  who spoke at a forum in Abuja, said such corpses are properties of the Federal Government.

He said: “Coronavirus is very dangerous and contagious; there is no medicine for it yet and it is not just capable of killing and overwhelming the health care system but it will destroy the economy.

“In some countries, they are putting dead bodies in big refrigerators because the morgues have filled up.

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“Nigerians should not forget that this is not the type of corpses that can be claimed for burial because it must be handled by the Ministry of Health.

“It is not a joke; stay at home and stay safe, obey simple instructions of basic hygiene and social distancing, in few weeks, we will resume our normal life.” (NAN)

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• By Chinonso Alozie – Owerri

The State Chairman, Imo State Hoteliers Association, Chima Chukwunyere, has said that the figures of those quarantined at a hotel Umuguma, in Owerri, were 30 in number.

Chukwunyere spoke in Owerri, on Friday, as he called on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, to tell Nigerians whether Christigonus Aguwa, owner of the fancy hotel, died of COVID-19 virus or not.

He said among other things while recalling that, “Aguwa, returned back from outside the country, and visited his hotel within that period he was in a critical situation in Imo before he left to Abuja.

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“Those people quarantined in that hotel have exceeded 14 days and we want something to be done so that they can be free.

“Also, We want the federal government and the NCDC, to open up and tell us whether the man died of the virus or not. We need to know. and 30 people are in that hotel

“And I want to tell you, the state government has checked those people in a fancy hotel, for the first time and the government came back for the second time to test them those quarantined in that hotel and nobody has tested positive.

“When their gas finished, I brought them firewood and other items for them to eat. I have been taken care of them yet it is not enough.”

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EU countries agreed Friday to boost help for Africa in its coronavirus fight, as the bloc’s top diplomat warned that poor countries with weak healthcare could become sources of reinfection.

During talks held by video link, foreign ministers from the 27 EU countries approved a plan to step up assistance, with details to be worked out by development ministers next week.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who chaired Friday’s meeting, said the bloc was keenly aware it could not solve the COVID-19 pandemic on its own.

READ ALSO: COVID 19: 30 persons quarantined in Imo Hotel

“Even if you solve the problem in Europe it will not be solved if it is not solved everywhere,” he said.

“Africa is of particular concern to us because the pandemic there could get out of control very rapidly.”

The meeting of development ministers on April 8 aims to put together a “Team Europe” financial package based on contributions from EU institutions as well as member state governments.

But with EU budgets already nearing their limits and national governments focused on fighting the epidemic at home, it remains to be seen how much spare capacity is available for Africa.

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Want help-desks established for report of cases

rape victim

By Joseph Erunke – Abuja

Women groups numbering 286, have alleged increase in sexual violence against women and girls as Nigerians observe the ongoing stay-at-home directives of both federal and state governments over coronavirus outbreak in the country.

To this end, the groups faulted President Muhammad Buhari for failing to direct the setting up of help desks for victims to report cases too, saying victims were going through traumas following the inability of avenues where they can lodge complaints.

A statement Friday, signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation

Centre (WARDC), Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary-General, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and Joy Ada Onyesoh, Country Director, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, said reports indicated that there was an increase in sexual and gender-based violence.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: 44,000 households to benefit from food bank programme ― Cross River

“We, therefore, call on Nigeria’s Federal and state governments to ensure respect of women’s human rights and protection from gender-based violence within the context of the lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun states, and other states in total or partial lockdown,” they said in the statement.

The groups while expressing concern “that the president’s speech did not address the issue of gender-based violence during this hard time” also alleged that, “There was no mention of the needed measures to monitor and curb the escalation of gender-based violence.”

“Measures that indicate how sexual and gender-based violence victims can access help in the restricted conditions of the lockdown were not included,” it said, urging that, “Essential services and facilities in form of short term (shelters), legal and trauma counselling services when required should be included.”

“As the nation locks down, and in a bid to prevent the pandemic, it is important that these support and protection services are available and accessible so that women are shielded from the risks of transferred aggression in their homes,” the statement said.

According to the women groups,”Focused sensitization and information on essential services are important for women and other marginalized groups who may be in violent situations arising in family settings, neighborhoods or from the actions or inactions of other state and non- state actors.”

“From experience, it is our opinion that in these circumstances it will be more difficult for women to seek help or escape from abusive relationships particularly where they live with the abusive partner during the lockdown”, the statement said, adding that: “Equally worrisome is that children are also open to more violence and will need protection during this period.”

They called on both the federal and state government to designate and strengthen gender desks and family support units within police departments and other departments of governments.

Besides, the groups urged governments to, “Ensure that the family support unit and Gender Desk are provided with effective telephone hotlines that persons with disabilities and vulnerable citizens can report domestic violence or any other gender-based violence and get immediate help.”

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They tasked the authorities to also do the following:” Ensure that within and beyond this COVID 19 crises, support resourcing and access are extended to organizations responding to domestic violence to provide assistance, including shelter, counselling, and legal aid to sexual and gender-based violence survivors; “Ensure that in the COVID-19 awareness programs on radio and television, targeted information dissemination on gender-based violence prevention.

“Direct provision of designated public services, including shelters, to remain open and accessible to vulnerable people during this period as essential services.

“Launch and intensify public enlightenment campaigns aimed at preventing and containing the spread of the virus, including sign language, closed caption, and other appropriate means.

“Consult and work with civil society organizations in all initiatives to provide information and services to the public.

“Target persons with special needs providing information and resources to alleviate their vulnerabilities especially those needing shelter (IDPs), migrants, refugees, and neurotypical persons.

“Ensure that pregnant women and other women at risk in hospitals and detention centers, who are at higher risk of contagion during this crisis, enjoy appropriate care to address their needs.

Lastly, we call on Nigeria’s Federal and State Governments to monitor and ensure that restrictions taken in the public interest do not result in any gender-specific harm to women and girls who are already extremely vulnerable and at risk of being denied their basic human rights.”

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Guterres

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has commended Nigeria’s response to the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Guterres, who spoke at a virtual news briefing in New York, the United States on Thursday, singled out Nigeria as one of the developing countries that have “shown a remarkable capacity to respond to the coronavirus.”

“I have to say this; some of these developing countries have shown a remarkable capacity to respond.

• READ ALSO: COVID-19 lockdown: Women decry hike in prices of food items in Ekiti

“I was quite impressed to see, for instance, Nigeria putting in place and immediately establishing a hospital.

“And I saw difficulties in countries that are much more developed to do quickly the same.”

Nigeria currently has 190 cases of COVID-19 with two deaths. (NAN)

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Some women in Federal Housing, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday said that the lockdown order, occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic, is taking its toll on them.

They decried the sudden hike in prices of some food items and disruption of their petty trading.

Speaking to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ado Ekiti, Mrs Ilori Abodunde, a civil servant, said that a bag of Sachet water now goes for N170, as against N150 before the lockdown.

She said that before the directive, the same bag directly from the distributors cost N100, now goes for N150.

“The price of fuel has reduced, so we are not supposed to experience hike in the price of food items at this time,” Abodunde said.

Mrs Tina Adesegun, a housewife, said buying fish in the area had become very expensive too.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Stay-at-home heightening sexual violence against women, girls — Groups

She said that the fish that normally sells for N120 now goes for N200, which had made it extremely difficult for her to cook a befitting soup for her family.

Mrs Nana Seidu, a petty trader, said the disruption in her groundnut trade was of major concern.

She said that the lockdown notice was short and that the government did not consider the poor like her who feeds “from hand to mouth”.

She said she survived on her daily income as a groundnut seller, saying that her daily income was barely enough to feed her and her kids.

Seidu said she would be happy if the state government could assist her and her kids to feed, while the lockdown period lasted.

The women said while they fully understood that the lockdown was very necessary at this time, the government should intervene in ensuring stability of prices of food items. (NAN)

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By Lawani Mikairu

MMA Lagos.

American citizens who were scheduled to be evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos were yesterday stranded at the airport.

The flight could not get clearance to fly over some countries whose airspace has been closed on its way to the United States of America. An airspace permit is needed before an aircraft can overfly any country.

The Americans who had already done the boarding formalities were later seen collecting their baggage from ” arrival baggage belts with the plan to go back home “.

READ ALSO:British Airways suspending flights from London’s Gatwick

An official report said that the flight that was supposed to be operated by OMNI Air international as a chartered essential flight to evacuate the Americans were ‘canceled due to the inability of the airplane to over-fly some countries’.

Overflight permits are obtained from the Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) of the country whose airspace will be overflown by a particular aircraft on its way to the final destination.

” These differ in terms of regulations and airspace coverage area, depending on the country. It’s always important to check over-flight permit requirements in advance with your 3rd-party provider for the planned route of flight”, according to a report.

Recall there has been a series of evacuation of different countries national in recent days. About 637 French and German citizens were on Wednesday evacuated from Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by their governments.


Air France’s A330 airplane which was the first to land departed at 13.56hr while Lufthansa German Airline departed with her nationals at 15.46hr.

The evacuees were screened for the coronavirus by the airport officials before they were allowed to board their flights.

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By Olayinka Ajayi

A member of the Federal House of Representatives and the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Army, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye has risen in defense of the Nigerian Army on the recent redeployment of some senior officers.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the Federal House of Representatives member who is representing Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency said on Friday that the argument that greeted the redeployment of Major General Olusegun Adeniyi was needless.

Adefisoyr explained that not less than twenty senior officers were affected in the regular redeployment exercise. He described the castigation of the Nigerian Army on account of the redeployment of one officer out of twenty that were redeployed as unwarranted.

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It will be recalled that Maj. Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi was a few days ago removed as the Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and redeployed to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre as a Senior Research Fellow.

He (Adefisoye) said, “Removing the Chief of Army Staff is not the solution to ending this Boko Haram war. On the other hand, the removal of the Theatre Commander is a tactical strategy that aimed at ensuring the total defeat of Boko Haram. We need to realize that the Chief of Army Staff who is in charge of that institution has undoubtedly passed through the ranks of the Army before he became a Lieutenant General”.

“The Army Chief had seen it all and fought in several wars within and outside the country. I am quite upbeat that General Tukur Burutai is very much on course to defeat Boko Haram if only we could give him our maximum support.

“The bitter truth about the insurgency war is that replacement of the Chief of Army Staff with another member of his team or perhaps a junior officer will still not make any difference. The expected result of this insurgency may be a mirage after all if we don’t collectively fight the Boko Haram insurgency.

“It is an expected that even if a junior officer is appointed to replace General Burutai today, the same junior officer will still run to the present Army Chief for all sorts of advising every now and then”.

He said, “Soldiers are trained to fight wars and defend the territorial integrity of the country. We must note that the Nigerian Army has its modus operandi and strategic approaches to different operations. On the basis of this, we can only advise them and not question them on why an officer was transferred from a command to another”.

He also added that the Chief of Army Staff has the duty to redeploy and undertake the regular evaluation of the operational success or otherwise of all the officers that are working in all Army formations across the country.

“I am of the opinion that civilians are not expertly qualified to question the operational tactics and redeployment in the Army. Officers can be transferred from one command to another at any time if it is well perceived that old strategies are no longer yielding the desired result for the military institution”, emphasized Adefisoye.

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Peoples Democratic Party

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has commiserated with the opposition PDP and the people of Ekiti local government area of the state over the death of one of the suspended councilors, Hon. Adeniyi Emmanuel.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emmanuel was the Speaker of Ekiti Local Government Legislative Council before his suspension.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye on Friday in Ilorin, said that Emmanuel died on Thursday.

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“This is one death too many, particularly because the deceased left behind his two parents, wife and little children.

“We wish this never happened, but we are all pencils in the hands of our Maker.

“We are, therefore, left with no choice than to accept God’s decision.

“We commiserate with the family of the deceased and the entire PDP family in the state.

“We also commiserate with the entire suspended executive and legislative councils of Ekiti local government.

“We share in the pains of his young family and pray the almighty God to strengthen them at this somber time and always. We also pray for the repose of his soul,” AbdulRazaq said. (NAN)

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