THE INTENSIFIED REPORT

Nigeria recorded 204 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by the Nigerian Center for Disease Control, NCDC on Thursday (April 30, 2020). Nigeria has now recorded a total of 1932 cases of COVID-19, with 319 discharged and 58 deaths. State by State breakdown of the new cases are stated below with Kano recording the highest cases. 80-Kano 45-Lagos 12-Gombe 9-Bauchi 9-Sokoto 7-Borno 7-Edo 6-Rivers 6-Ogun 4-FCT 4-Akwa Ibom 4-Bayelsa 3-Kaduna 2-Oyo 2-Delta 2-Nasarawa 1-Ondo 1-Kebbi

Following today’s decision of the French Professional Football League (LFP) to end the 2019-2020 season, the Ligue 1 title has been awarded to Paris Saint-Germain. This 9th league championship title in the club’s history is dedicated by Paris Saint-Germain to all healthcare staff and to the thousands of front-line professionals working every day to keep the country running. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Paris Saint-Germain Chairman and CEO, said: " We would like to dedicate this 2019-2020 Ligue 1 title to healthcare staff and to all the everyday heroes on the front line whose commitment and self-sacrifice over many weeks have earned our deepest admiration. We understand, respect and support the decisions taken by the French Government to end the championship. Health, as the government has always said, must be everyone’s priority. I would like to thank the players, the coach, the technical and medical staff as well as all the club’s employees for their tremendous work. This troph

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health has confirmed 16 new Covid-19 cases in the state, saying the new cases are Almajiris who came from Kano. Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, Commissioner of Health, in a statement said their test results returned positive from a sample of 40 persons whose test results were released today. The statement added that the latest cases have raised the number of active Covid-19 cases in Kaduna State from nine to 25. Dr Baloni, said the Ministry of Health welcomes the approval granted by the Kaduna State Government for the payment of occupational safety incentive to: “Our frontline health workers as well as the provision of enhanced life and disability insurance packages.” The statement reads: “The high number of positive results from persons with travel history from outside the state confirm the Kaduna State Government’s fears about the danger of infection from neighbouring states and the role of interstate travel in facilitating the spread of Covid-19 a

Colombian investigative journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima has been named as the laureate of the 2020 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize on the recommendation of an independent international jury of media professionals. Born in 1974, Jineth Bedoya Lima’s reporting has focused on the armed conflict and peace process in Colombia and on sexual violence against women. Ms Bedoya Lima was herself a victim of sexual violence in 2000 when she was abducted and raped in connection with an investigation into arms trafficking she was conducting for daily newspaper  El Espectador . Three years later, while working for the daily  El Tiempo , she was kidnapped by militants of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). “The courage and commitment of Jineth Bedoya Lima, doubly exposed to unacceptable risks as a woman and as a journalist, inspire profound respect,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. “We need the work of professional and independen

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has announced another COVID-19 related death, involving a 25-year-old male patient. Abayomi, through his Twitter handle on Thursday, said the deceased at the time of admission at the state isolation facility was in a state of severe breathlessness. “We regret to announce additional #COVID19 related death involving a 25-year-old male, who at the time of admission, was in a state of severe breathlessness. “Total number of #COVID19 related deaths in Lagos is now 20,” he said. The commissioner added that 87 new cases of COVID-19 infection was confirmed in Lagos as at April 29, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Lagos to 947. “The good news is that 49 additional #COVID19 survivors have been discharged following their full recovery. “The total number of discharged patients in Lagos now stands at 187,” he said. Abayomi advised residents to remain committed to observing necessary precautionary measures to sto

The World Health Organization is worried by the community spread of the new coronavirus in a significant number of West African countries, the regional head of the organization said on Thursday. Sub-Saharan Africa has confirmed around 23,800 cases with over 900 deaths. A number of countries have issued targeted lockdowns in some major cities, as well as dusk-to-dawn curfews and restrictions on interurban travel, but have stopped short of nationwide lockdowns as in most European countries and South Africa. On Tuesday, the government of Senegal said in its daily outbreak briefing that one case of community infection in the Casamance region of the country contaminated 25 other people. “We are very concerned about West Africa where we are seeing some community spread, in a significant number of countries compared with others,” Matshidiso Moeti told a news conference, without identifying the countries. Senegal, with a population of nearly 16 million, has recorded 933 COVID-19 ca

He who finds a wife findeth a good thing. Gedoni Ekpata, former Big Brother Naija contestant, is indeed a lucky man. Their coming together was destiny and everyday, they keep proving to all and sundry that they are meant to be. Khafi Kareem, former Big Brother Naija contestant and Fiancee of Gedoni, took to her Twitter handle to pray and bless her man. She wrote: "[Thread] My 1st #PrayerForGedoni is that you would love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind. I pray you will love God MORE than you love me. Strange yes but I know the more you love God, the more you will love me, as God teaches us DIVINE love. I also pray that: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. Your offspring will be blessed and whatever you do will be FRUITFUL. #PrayerForGedoni You will be above and not beneath. You will be a lender and not a borrower. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. #PrayerForGedoni You will be an amazing father a

Ayoleyi Hanniel Solomon aka Reekado Banks has declared Mavin Boss Don Jazzy as the best in the Music business. Reekado Banks made the statement when responding to a Twitter user who tried to make fun of his songs by saying he is suprised the star had good songs. He tweeted, "lol. Reekado actually has good songs." Responding, Reekado Banks tweeted,  "What is the ‘lol’ for , what is the ‘actually’ for? Na my job, been doing it for 6yrs now. If you don’t expect me to have good songs, the joke is on you ! Musically, no one knows more than Don jazzy that introduced me to the game, so fuck you and the useless surprise." Do you agree with Reekado Banks? Let's hear your opinion in the comments section.

Paris Saint-Germain are set to be named champions of France after the Ligue 1 top flight was brought to a premature end due to the Coronavirus pandemic.    This comes days after French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that 2019-20 seasons would not be able to finish and that professional sport would not be returning to French life until September.   Speaking at a press conference, Philippe said: "The big sporting affairs cannot occur before September. The 2019/20 football season cannot return."   The announcement left a question on how the Ligue 1 season was going to be resolved with most teams having played 28 of their 38 games.   But the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has made a decision to award the title for the 2019-20 campaign to PSG, as they currently lead with 12-points over Marseille with a game in hand, according to L’Equipe reporters.  It will be the PSG's ninth Ligue 1 title and third in a row.   Paris Saint-Germain alongside Marsei

Alhaja Abebi, Zinat Omotonwo, mother of the Chairman, NURTW Lagos State, Alhaji Musiliu, Ayinde Akinsanya (MC Oluomo), has passed away early Thursday morning. This was disclosed in a statement issued by MC Oluomo’s Media and Publicity team on Thursday Morning. The aged woman, who was 87,  and a Muslim until her death passed away peacefully in her Lagos residence located near Ejigbo, NNPC. In accordance with the Islamic rites, she will be buried today (Thursday) at her residence, the statement read. The members of the family, however, appreciate everyone that has been calling to condole with the family since the news. They appreciate their concerns and uses this avenue to inform them that the burial will be attended strictly by family members Only. “We appreciate and understand that there are so many people who would have loved to pay their last respect to our late Mother Alhaja Abebi Zinat Omotonwo but will be unable to do so due to the present ban on large gatherings. “Ple

Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, has directed all workers in the state to resume work on Monday, May 4. The workers were ordered home by the state government about a month ago as a measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. But in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, obtained by newsmen on Thursday, the workers were asked to be on their duty posts on Monday. The statement included teachers amongst the category of workers that would resume work on Monday but stressed that primary and secondary school pupils in the area would remain at home. The statement read in part, “The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has directed that civil and public servants in the state, including primary and secondary school teachers resume work on Monday, 4th of May, 2020. “Pupils and students should still remain at home and follow Anambra Teaching On Air through ABS radio, ABS TV and ABS online platforms. “All workers in the state, and ind

One of the world's largest lunar meteorites goes on private sale at Christie's on Thursday, valued at £2 million (US$2.49 million). The moon rock, weighing over 13.5 kg, was probably struck off the surface of the moon by a collision with an asteroid or comet and then showered down on the Sahara desert. Known as NWA 12691, it is thought to be the fifth largest piece of the moon ever found on earth. There is just 650kg of moon rock known to be on earth. "The experience of holding a piece of another world in your hands is something you never forget," said James Hyslop, Christie's head of science and natural history. "It is an actual piece of the moon. It is about the size of a football, a bit more oblong than that, larger than your head." Like many meteorites that are discovered, it was found in the Sahara by an anonymous finder, then changed hands. Scientists can be certain that it is from the moon after comparing it with rock samples brought b

DMW Boss David Adeleke aka Davido took to Twitter to celebrate his Fiancee Chioma who turned 25. He tweeted: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE STRONGEST WOMAN I KNOW !!!  !!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ !!! Ohhhh Man if we wasn’t on lockdown u already know we for turn the city upside down!! !!!! My dear wife, may your birthday be as happy as you have made me. AND THATS ON GANG ! #1 CRO 💪🏿." Chioma recently overcame the deadly Coronavirus.

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has reported 196 new cases of COVID-19 in the country, taking the total cases in the country to 1728, with 307 discharged and 51 deaths. State by State breakdown of the new cases are as follows: 87-Lagos 24-Kano 18-Gombe 17-Kaduna 16-FCT 10-Katsina 8-Sokoto 7-Edo 6-Borno 1-Yobe 1-Ebonyi 1-Adamawa

Russia's nationwide tally of confirmed coronavirus cases neared the 100,000 mark on Wednesday after 5,841 new cases of the virus were registered overnight along with a record daily rise in the death toll. Russia, the world's largest country by territory, has been on lockdown since President Vladimir Putin announced the closure of most public spaces in late March. It this week overtook China and Iran in the number of confirmed cases. The figures mean Russia now ranks eighth worldwide for the number of confirmed cases, though it has so far recorded far fewer deaths than many of the most hard-hit countries. The nationwide case tally now stands at 99,399, the country's coronavirus crisis response center said on Wednesday. It said 108 people diagnosed with the novel coronavirus had died in the last 24 hours, a record daily rise. That means the official overall death toll now stands at 972 people. Authorities began recording a sharp rise in cases this month. Russia is

A 45-year-old man identified as Osita Ezuruike has committed suicide at Umudafa, Awo Mbieri in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. According to reports, the neighbours of the deceased alerted the police after they found him hanging from the roof of his house. The Police is yet to ascertain why the deceased committed suicide, however, sources in the community claimed that he expressed frustration with life over the lockdown declared by the state government to curb the spread of COVID-19. Spokesperson of the state Police Command Orlando Ikeokwu, who confirmed the incident said that Ezuruike’s corpse had been taken to a morgue. “On April 27, acting on a report, operatives of the Divisional Police headquarters in Mbieri moved to Umudafa, Awo Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA, in a house belonging to one Osita Ezuruike, 45, and met the lifeless body of the said Osita hanging. The reason for taking his own life could not be ascertained. However, the corpse has been removed to the

Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds has given birth to a baby boy.   A spokesperson for the Prime Minister and his partner said both mum and baby are "doing very well" after the birth in a London hospital on Wednesday morning.   The spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds are thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy at a London hospital earlier this morning. Both mother and baby are doing very well.   "The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team."   This comes just days after Boris Johnson returned to work after weeks spent in a hospital recovering from Covid-19.   The Prime Minister had been in intensive care where he received oxygen treatment.   Carrie Symonds was also in bed for a week with the virus and had isolated from her partner in the last week of March.   Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds have been dating since he split from his wife Marina back in 2018. They got engaged earlie

Two men were hospitalised after drinking disinfectant in an effort to prevent COVID-19. The patients, in Georgia, who both have a history of psychiatric problems, are expected to make a full recovery. Gaylord Lopez, director of Georgia Poison Centre, said a man in his 50s, from southwest of Atlanta, was hospitalised after claiming to have drunk 16 ounces of bleach on Saturday. He was later moved to a psychiatric ward before being discharged,  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution  (AJC)  reports. Mr Lopez told the newspaper: “I don’t know very many patients who will take 16 ounces, but then again, it is a psych history patient.” The following day, a man in his 30s, from Atlanta, reportedly consumed a combination of cleaning product Pine-Sol, mouthwash, beer and painkillers. He has also since been discharged. It is not clear whether there is any link between the men ingesting the disinfectants and Comments made by Donald Trump during a press briefing last week. The US president h

The Tokyo Olympics are not contingent on the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus, International Olympic Committee member John Coates said on Wednesday. His comments come after the president of the Japan Medical Association (JMA), a powerful physicians' lobby, said on Tuesday it would be "difficult" for Japan to host the already postponed Games in 2021 without an effective COVID-19 vaccine. Australian Coates, the head of the IOC's Coordination Commission for the Olympics, said JMA president Yoshitake Yokokura's comment was an "opinion". "But the advice we're getting from WHO (the World Health Organisation) says we should continue to plan for this date and that is what we're doing, and that's not contingent on a vaccine," Coates told Australian Associated Press. "A vaccine would be nice. "But we will just continue to be guided, as we must be, by WHO and the Japanese health authorities because in all of t

A fuel truck tanker explosion has killed at least 46 people in the northern Syrian city of Afrin. The predominantly Kurdish enclave has seen a series of car bombings in the last few months. At least 46 people were killed by a fuel truck blast in northern Syria on Tuesday. The explosion took place in a market in Afrin, a city controlled by Turkish-backed rebel fighters. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least six turkish-backed rebel fighters were among the dead.  There are fears that the death toll could rise as 50 people are reported to be wounded, with some in critical condition. While it's not clear who was behind the blast, the Turkish Defence Ministry blamed the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in a statement posted on Twitter. The YPG is viewed as a "terrorist" offshoot of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), which has been waging a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. "The

A woman has allegedly accused a hospital of stealing her baby after she claims that she gave birth to twins. The incident occurred at St. Raphael hospital in Ikorodu area of Lagos. Mrs. Faith Obinna, explained that prior to her giving birth, series of Ultrasound scans revealed that she pregnant with twins but on the day of delivery she stated that she was sedated against her volition, only to be presented with a baby, when she regained consciousness, from the caesarian session. Recounting what transpired on the day of delivery, Obinna, said “I delivered through a caesarean session on March 6, 2020, at Saint Raphael hospital. Before the caesarean session, I had done three scans in the same hospital which confirmed I was pregnant with twins. “After I did the first scan, the doctor asked me to do another, to check the sex of the babies which I did at the same hospital. It was confirmed that one of the babies is a boy while the other’s sex wasn’t showing because of the position

President Donald Trump has explained the reason there are more cases of Coronavirus in the United States than any other country. Trump said that the United States has done much better testing than any other country in the world. Trump made the claim in a tweet, he wrote: "The only reason the U.S. has reported one million cases of CoronaVirus is that our Testing is sooo much better than any other country in the World. Other countries are way behind us in Testing, and therefore show far fewer cases!" The United States currently has surpassed one million COVID-19 cases.

The L.A. Lakers are giving back $4.6 million in federal loan money aimed to help small businesses affected by COVID-19, the team announced. The Lakers confirmed they applied for -- and received -- $4.6 mil in loans under the Payroll Protection Program.  CNBC is reporting  the Lakers are the ONLY team in the NBA that applied for the loans. But, the team says it's had second thoughts after learning federal funds earmarked for the program were running super low. "The Lakers qualified for and received a loan under the Payroll Protection Program," the team told CNBC. "However, once we found out the funds from the program had been depleted, we repaid the loan so that financial support would be directed to those most in need." "The Lakers remain completely committed to supporting both our employees and our community." The Lakers' payroll is reportedly more than $122 MILLION -- so, it ain't exactly a cheap franchise to operate. However, For

Nigeria on Tuesday (April 28) recorded 195 new cases of Coronavirus taking the country's total to 1,532 according to reports by the NCDC. A Break down of the cases and their States are as follows. 80-Lagos 38-Kano 15-Ogun 15-Bauchi 11-Borno 10-Gombe 9-Sokoto 5-Edo 5-Jigawa 2-Zamfara 1-Rivers 1-Enugu 1-Delta 1-FCT 1-Nasarawa  According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, A total of 1532 cases have been recorded , with 255 discharged and 44 deaths.

Lionel Messi would rather Barcelona sell Ousmane Dembele and keep hold of Philippe Coutinho, according to reports. Coutinho looks certain to leave the Nou Camp in the summer after failing to impress following his £142million move from Liverpool. The 27-year-old's career has stagnated in recent months, and he needs to a move if he wants to rediscover his form from 2018. A host of Premier League clubs are lining up to sign the Brazilian, with Chelsea, Everton, Leicester City and Newcastle all believed to be in the running. But not everyone at Barcelona believes selling Coutinho would be best for the club. According to  The Athletic,  Messi and other senior players at Barcelona would rather the club sell Dembele and retain the services of Coutinho. The report adds that players are aware that someone will need to be sold if the club have any chance of finding the money to re-sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain. Messi recent announced that he and his Barcelona team-mates wo

France said Tuesday that shops and markets can reopen next month, becoming the latest country to ease strict coronavirus measures as nations tread a fine line between allowing stalled economies to reboot while staving off a new wave of contagion. More than half of humanity is under some sort of lockdown around the world to stem the spread of the deadly pandemic that has tipped economies toward a bruising global recession. Over three million people are now infected worldwide, and more than 211,000 have been killed since the virus first emerged in China late last year. But with some countries reporting falling infection numbers, governments are beginning to chart their way out of shutdowns that have pummelled the economy. France on Tuesday said some shops and markets could resume business after May 11, along with primary schools and daycare centres that would reopen gradually. But face masks will be required on public transport, French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe said, ad

Germany has announced another financial intervention to assist Nigeria in its response to the coronavirus pandemic. Announcing in a statement via its  Twitter  handle, @GERinNigeria, on Tuesday, the country said it is providing €5.5 million this time to support vulnerable people in Nigeria’s North-Eastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe. The statement read, “Germany provides an additional €5.5 million (c. 2.2bn Naira) to the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Nigeria to continue life-saving aid in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. “Ongoing activities include drilling of wells, construction of sanitation facilities, rehabilitation of buildings or construction of shelters for internally displaced persons and other victims of insecurity in the North East. “This brings Germany’s contribution to the NHF to a tota of €29 million since it became operational in May 201

Former Liverpool striker Michael Robinson has died at the age of 61, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. Ireland international Robinson, who won the league, League Cup and European Cup with Liverpool in the 1983-84 season, also played for Brighton & Hove Albion and Queens Park Rangers before finishing his career with Spain's Osasuna. Robinson stayed in Spain after his playing career and became a respected television commentator, pundit and presenter. "Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the passing of former player Michael Robinson, aged 61," the club said in a statement. "With tremendous sadness we inform you of Michael's death. It leaves us with a great emptiness but also countless memories full of the same love you have shown him," his family wrote on his Twitter account.

The Indonesian Government announced through its spokesperson on COVID-19, Achmad Yurianto, that the country has recorded 415 new cases of COVID-19. Yurianto made the announcement in a live streaming press conference at the Graha building BNPB, Jarkata. Total number of cases recorded in the country is now 9,511, with 1,254  discharged and 773 deaths.

(Reuters) - More than 2,200 Indonesians have died with acute symptoms of COVID-19 but were not recorded as victims of the disease, a Reuters review of data from 16 of the country's 34 provinces showed.   Three medical experts said the figures indicated the national death toll was likely to be much higher than the official figure of 765.  Indonesia has one of the lowest testing rates in the world and some epidemiologists say that has made it harder to get an accurate picture of the extent of infections in the world's fourth most populous country. The most current data from the 16 provinces shows there were 2,212 deaths of patients under supervision because they have acute coronavirus symptoms. Indonesia's health ministry uses the acronym PDP to classify these patients when there is no other clinical explanation for their symptoms. The data is collated by provincial agencies daily or weekly from figures supplied by hospitals, clinics and officials ove