29032020 - El Rufai tests positive as experts insist on Total lockdown

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PAGE 38 – SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 29, 2020 SUSPECTED HERDSMEN KILLINGS IN DELTA: By Festus Ahon, Asaba FOR residents of Issele-Azagba in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, life h<strong>as</strong> become unbearable <strong>as</strong> suspected herdsmen have laid siege to their forest from where they launch attack on them once they are hungry. The suspected armed herdsmen have apparently occupied the forest from where they launch attack on unsuspecting residents of the hitherto peaceful community. The community farmers no longer go to farm <strong>as</strong> they used to for fear of being attacked by the hoodlums. Since October 13 l<strong>as</strong>t year when the marauders launched their first attack on the community by invading the Issele- Azagba Secondary School and kidnapping the Principal and some teachers after beating security at the gate, the community h<strong>as</strong> not known peace. It h<strong>as</strong> been more or less one week, one trouble for residents of the community. The suspected herdsmen have launched over six different attacks on the community and several persons killed, several others kidnapped and many others sustaining bullet wounds. On February 23, the suspected herdsmen stormed the community, attacked the residence of one Daniel Benwari, shot sporadically, killed the man, who w<strong>as</strong> said to be of Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic extraction, injured his daughter and kidnapped the wife, Helen. Few days later, the wife w<strong>as</strong> rele<strong>as</strong>ed with body injuries after undisclosed amount of ransom w<strong>as</strong> paid. She w<strong>as</strong> immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba where the daughter had earlier been taken for treatment. Again, the suspected herdsmen, on March 4, besieged the community, killed the manager of a hotel and kidnapped eight persons. Lamenting the situation, President General of the Issele-Azagba Development Union, Mr Ben, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their rescue. Illoh confirmed that the suspected herdsmen had killed four and kidnapped several persons who were freed after the payment of ransom in separate attacks. He said residents of the town no longer sleep with their two eyes closed, appealing to Buhari to prevail on the security agencies to liberate them. According to him, the situation had overwhelmed the local vigilante group. co.uk Attackers take advantage of our hospitality — Issele-Azagba natives Illoh said: “These attacks have become a very big problem to us. The vigilante and government presence is here. The police have arrived and there is a serious patrol going on but we want more support. “For example, teachers are afraid to go and teach, it took serious efforts to get some of them back to school and the presence of vigilante operatives h<strong>as</strong> given them the courage”. The community youth leader, Mr Ogebu Edozie, who also spoke, said “Issele-Azagba is very receptive to strangers irrespective of tribe or religion”, adding, however, that “bandits have taken advantage of such hospitality to unle<strong>as</strong>h terror on us”. Edozie <strong>insist</strong>ed that armed herdsmen were responsible for the series of attacks on the community, noting that those who have encountered the hoodlums, including freed kidnapped victims, confirmed that the attackers are Fulani going by the language they speak and their physical appearance. His words: “Victims confirmed that these people are Fulani herdsmen from the language they speak and their physical appearance. “We were told by those abducted that they were speaking Hausa. We are not trying to stereotype anybody; if a Fulani man is involved, nobody should shield him, likewise an Igbo man or a Yoruba man, it is not about tribe. “What we are saying is that we are under siege and vicious attacks. The people doing this are our enemies. They come with very sophisticated weapons which you cannot see around here. It is not war between us and Fulani, but war between us and bandits, criminals and killer herders”. Saying the attacks had taken a huge toll on the socioeconomic life of the people, he said, “Social activities are now at the lowest level while farmers are too scared to go to their farms to avoid deadly confrontation with bandits”. Meanwhile, Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, h<strong>as</strong> vowed to rid the state of criminal elements, including armed herdsmen terrorizing communities. Inuwa said he w<strong>as</strong> determined to change the narrative of crime and criminal activities in the state, maintaining that vigilante groups were playing a pivotal role in <strong>as</strong>sisting the police to fight crime especially at the gr<strong>as</strong>sroots. COVID-19: NIMR begins test trial tomorrow – Prof Salako ...to commence trial on efficacy of chloroquine in 2 weeks By Chioma Obinna • Prof. Salako As part of efforts to provide lab oratory testing for more Nige rians following the incre<strong>as</strong>ing c<strong>as</strong>es of Coronavirus dise<strong>as</strong>e in the country, the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, will begin clinical trials on three rapid testing kits for the dise<strong>as</strong>e tomorrow. Also, the institute will commence clinical trials on the efficacy of chloroquine on people who tested <strong>positive</strong> to COVID-19 and those showing symptoms but not confirmed yet. Disclosing these in an exclusive interview with Sunday Vanguard, Director- General of NIMR, Professor Babatunde Salako, explained that the free Rapid Kits Test w<strong>as</strong> designed to <strong>as</strong>certain the accuracy of the kits compared to the PCR testing which is the gold stand recommended by the World Health Organisation, WHO. The free clinical trial of some Rapid Test Kits, according to the Director- General, is strictly for Nigerians who just returned from high-risk countries and are showing symptoms of COV- ID-19. His words: “We hope to start the test on Monday. We are doing more clinical trials on some of the new Rapid Test Kits. There are about three of them and we are trying to do clinical trials on those devices and then compare with the WHO recommended gold standard which the country is currently using. The result of the use of the kits will be presented to the Nigerian Centre for Dise<strong>as</strong>e Control, NCDC. “The test kits will determine if a per- son h<strong>as</strong> the dise<strong>as</strong>e or not. We are also doing this trail to know how effective they are. For the one I have seen, the result is generated within 10 to 20 minutes.” Salako, who said the free testing for Nigerians w<strong>as</strong> part of Federal Government’s efforts to provide more testing opportunities for Nigerians, said the institute w<strong>as</strong> working with NCDC, and Infectious Dise<strong>as</strong>e Hospital, Yaba, Lagos. According to him, <strong>positive</strong> persons during the period of testing would be sent to Infectious Dise<strong>as</strong>e Hospital or the NCDC. Noting that the test kits were still expensive, he said they have up to 2,000 test kits provided by a group of people free of charge to the institute. He said: “We have enough to start. We are testing the kits we want to use which is about 2,000 and will get more if we have more money. Plans are underway for those who are supporting us to ensure that that we have more. “We are only going to test people who have come in contact with <strong>positive</strong> c<strong>as</strong>es and those who just returned from high-risk countries with some symptoms. We will not be able to cope with testing everybody. We will start with these people then, if we find out that we have more kits we can review the rules and bring in more people whether they are showing symptoms or not. On Chloroquine trial, Salako said they would be looking at the use of chloroquine for people who are <strong>positive</strong> for COVID-19 to determine whether the drug works or not to be able to advise policymakers. He said:” Chloroquine will be used on people that tested <strong>positive</strong> and also on those who have come in contact with confirmed <strong>positive</strong> persons and then follow them up for about three or four weeks.’’ On what they would do if the drug becomes effective against the dise<strong>as</strong>e, he said: “Ours is to write an official report on it and p<strong>as</strong>s to the NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health to decide. “We are hoping to do it very quickly to see if we can provide information for the health sector for them to use it on patients. We are starting in a few weeks because there are processes, ethica approvals involved. We have to get the drugs but we are already close to the ethics approval so within the next few weeks we should start. We will also let Nigerians know when we start.”
Ighalo wins United’s goal-of-the-month award •Set to get contract extension ODION Ighalo h<strong>as</strong> won the Manchester United’s March Goal-of-the- Month award, for his sparkling effort against LASK in the Europa League. The former Super Eagles top striker scored a stunning goal against the Austrian club, after some skilled ball juggling in the build-up, it w<strong>as</strong> an effort that perhaps shut up the critics of his loan move to United, who are not poised to give Ighalo a permanent £100,000-a-week contract extension <strong>as</strong> claimed by Italian football journalist Nicolo Schira. Ighalo had his United form cut short by the rampaging coronavirus, which h<strong>as</strong> forced virtually all sporting activities postponements. He scored 32 percents of the votes beating Scott McTominay, whose memorable late goal against Manchester City received 26 per cent and Bruno Fernandes’s first strike from open play for the Reds, at Everton, finished third in the poll with 16 per cent. United coach Ole Gunnar Solksjaer is hoping that Ighalo will shun the £ 400, 000-a-week offer from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua to remain at Old Trafford. He is expected to return back in May to China’s Shanghai Greenland Shenhua. Football pundit Paul Merson urged United to keep Ighalo who h<strong>as</strong> scored four goals in the brief spell. “ He’s been absolutely outstanding since he arrived at Old Trafford. “I know he h<strong>as</strong>n’t played a lot of football but when he’s come off the bench and when he h<strong>as</strong> got some game time, he’s looked cl<strong>as</strong>s. “He’s said all the right things since joining Manchester United. He’s turned around enough times and said he’s dreamed of playing for United so if they do offer him a permanent deal, I can’t see him turning it down.” •Ighalo ELP targets April 30 return ENGLISH football will not resume until April 30 at the earliest, the Premier League h<strong>as</strong> confirmed. Not only have leagues been put on hold, Euro 2020 h<strong>as</strong> been postponed by at le<strong>as</strong>t a year and clubs, such <strong>as</strong> Spanish giants Barcelona and Osimhen laments Covid 19 quarantine LILLE of France striker, Victor Osimhen h<strong>as</strong> revealed his boredom following the forced coronavirus break from football. The f<strong>as</strong>t spreading dise<strong>as</strong>e h<strong>as</strong> made it expedient for all sporting activities to be grounded around the world and footballers have found other means to keep themselves busy. But Osimhen wished that the •Dybala whole episode p<strong>as</strong>ses away f<strong>as</strong>ter since he wants to return to work. “I miss doing my job,” Osimhen posted on Instagram. Osimhen h<strong>as</strong> been in terrific form since teaming up with the Great Danes from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi l<strong>as</strong>t summer scoring 18 goals and providing six <strong>as</strong>sists in 38 appearances across all competitions. •Osimhen I struggled for breath, Dybala reveals JUVENTUS forward Paulo Dybala, one of the highest-profile players to be infected with the coronavirus, h<strong>as</strong> started training again after recovering from the illness which he said left him struggling for breath. Musa swims with ‘dolphin’ to kill time NIGERIA interna tional and Al- N<strong>as</strong>sr star Ahmed Musa is ‘swimming with a dolphin’ to p<strong>as</strong>s the time in self-isolation. The spread of Covid-19 h<strong>as</strong> brought all football competitions across the world to a stop, with the players in self-isolation to avoid spreading the pandemic. Those diagnosed with the coronavirus have had to go into quarantine for two weeks, while others are keeping themselves busy with one challenge or another. For the 27-year-old, who h<strong>as</strong> found himself sitting at home in isolation, turned to the swimming pool to spend his time. In a video posted on Musa’s Instagram, the forward is seen struggling to climb onto pl<strong>as</strong>tic dolphin in the pool. “See what staying at home caused. But finally I calmed oh, who want to see the ending?” The ex-Leicester City man bo<strong>as</strong>ts of 17 appearances with no goals in the Saudi Arabian elite division this term for Rui Vitoria’s men. In his maiden se<strong>as</strong>on at Riyadh’s King Fahd Stadium after moving from CSKA Moscow, Musa contributed seven goals from 24 games. Dybala is one of three players at Juventus who have tested <strong>positive</strong> for the virus alongside defender Daniele Rugani and midfielder Blaise Matuidi. “I’ve had strong symptoms, but I’m much better today,” Dybala, 26, told the Juventus television channel. “Now, I can move and walk and try to work out. A few days ago, when I tried to do those things, I w<strong>as</strong> struggling for breath. My muscles ached.” Football around the world h<strong>as</strong> been brought to a standstill by the pandemic and Serie A h<strong>as</strong> been suspended since March 9. Championship outfit Leeds, are being forced to cut or defer wages <strong>as</strong> the crisis continues. The English leagues had initially been postponed until the first weekend of April but the Football Association announced l<strong>as</strong>t week that the suspension would l<strong>as</strong>t until at le<strong>as</strong>t the end of the month. Several of the lower-tier leagues in the country have had their 2019-20 campaigns voided and the FA says it is “reviewing all options” regarding this se<strong>as</strong>on’s FA Cup. “The Premier League, EFL and PFA met today and discussed the growing seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic,” a joint statement confirmed. “It w<strong>as</strong> stressed that the thoughts of all three organisations continue to be with everyone affected by the virus. “The Premier League, EFL and PFA agreed that difficult decisions will have to be taken in order to mitigate the economic impact of the current suspension of professional football in England and agreed to work together to arrive at shared solutions. “The leagues will not recommence until April 30 at the earliest. They will only do so when it is safe and conditions allow. SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 29, 2020 — 39 NFF, Pinnick join war against COVID-19 World Athletics to review 2020 se<strong>as</strong>on calendar WORLD Athletics is set to rewrite the 2020 se<strong>as</strong>on calendar, following disruptions to sports schedules by the unfolding coronavirus drama worldwide. Much of the athletics activities have been affected, most especially the 2020 Olympics Games and according to a statement by the WA, a new calendar will be produced in due course most especially for the Wanda Diamond league. “Following the postponement of early-se<strong>as</strong>on events in Qatar and China l<strong>as</strong>t week, the series h<strong>as</strong> decided to also THE Nigeria Foot ball Federation (NFF) h<strong>as</strong> joined the global battle to save mankind <strong>as</strong> its president, Amaju Pinnick yesterday rele<strong>as</strong>ed a video in which he told Nigerians and followers of football to brace up against the Covid-19 pandemic. In the video, Pinnick, who spoke on behalf of the football governing body in the country and the football community, urged everyone to follow the directives of the World Health Organisation, W.H.O. <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> that of the Nigerian government urging personal hygiene <strong>as</strong> a priority. “We must join the global army in eliminating this scourge from the Planet Earth. We must listen to the dictates of our government…”, said the NFF president who urged people to follow the dictates of personal hygiene <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> social distancing. Above all, he urged Nigerians and others to adhere to the “stay at home” advisory <strong>as</strong> this will enable the battle against Covid -19 to be at le<strong>as</strong>t 90 per cent won. suspend meetings in Stockholm (scheduled for May 24, Naples/ Rome – May 28 and Rabat – May 31). “The decision w<strong>as</strong> made in close consultation with all the relevant parties. Also, Government Response To The Outbreak Of The Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19). “The dynamic global spread of the COVID-19, the travel restrictions expected to be in force for some time and above all concerns over athlete safety have made it impossible to stage the competitions <strong>as</strong> Eagles will enjoy playing at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium — Ewere •Super Eagles players and coach Gernot Rohr By John Egbokhan FORMER Bendel Insur ance player and coach, Roland Ewere is delighted with the extensive upgrading and renovation that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City h<strong>as</strong> experienced, expressing hope that the Super Eagles will enjoy playing their FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifying games in the stadium. Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Amaju Pinnick h<strong>as</strong> penciled down the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium <strong>as</strong> the venue for Super Eagles 2022 World Cup qualifying opening match, which w<strong>as</strong> initially scheduled to hold this weekend but w<strong>as</strong> pushed till October due to the suspension of all sporting activities <strong>as</strong> a me<strong>as</strong>ure to stop the f<strong>as</strong>t spreading coronavirus. And speaking to reporters from Benin City, Ewere is under no illusion that the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium would spark a rebirth of sports in Edo State. Ewere said, ‘’I am happy that I am alive to see this great turnaround of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium from a normal stadium to a worldcl<strong>as</strong>s sporting complex that can stand toe to toe with other world cl<strong>as</strong>s stadia around the world," added Ewere a Bendel Insurance legend. On NFF’s plans to organise Eagles first 2022 World Cup qualifying match at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Ewere said, ‘’it is the right thing to do because this stadium e<strong>as</strong>ily stands out <strong>as</strong> one of the best in the country and it would be a disservice if this kind of edifice is neglected and I am confident that the Super Eagles will enjoy playing here. ‘’Benin City h<strong>as</strong> a rich sports tradition and the planned homecoming of the Super Eagles to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.
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29032020 - El Rufai tests positive as experts insist on Total lockdown

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