Arsenal star, Mesut Ozil and wife welcome baby daughter

Mesut Ozil has shared a photo on his Twitter of his new daughter Eda after wife Amine gave birth.

The Arsenal star has been expecting his first child for some weeks having sought permission to miss the club's Europa League defeat against Olympiacos several weeks ago.

And the former Miss Turkey has now popped out the little girl.

Ozil said on social media: "Thank God our daughter "Eda" was born healthy. God willing us to be a good son to his environment and all humanity."


The Gunners playmaker is currently in lockdown along with the rest of the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the arrival of his first child will provide the couple with plenty of cheer in this testing time.

Şükürler olsun ki kızımız “Eda” sağlıklı bir şekilde dünyaya geldi👨‍👩‍👧❤️ Rabbim bize, çevresine ve bütün insanlığa hayırlı bir evlat olmasını nasip eder inşallah, AMİN🤲🏻
Amine & Mesut Özil🇹🇷🧿🤲🏻 pic.twitter.com/oElNb9dOeG

— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) March 30, 2020

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Grandfather granted his shocking last wish of being buried in a Mercedes Benz (photos)

Two years ago Tshekedi Pitso shocked his family when he told them he wanted to be buried inside his favourite car.

Pitso, who was 72 years old at the time, had bought himself a 1980s E500 Mercedes Benz adding to a fleet of Mercedes Benz that he owed.

Pitso’s niece Sefora (Pitso), 49, said at first the family was shocked at the news, but he always spoke about how he would love his funeral to be.

The village of Jozanashoek in Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape, where Pitso was a chief and also a member of United Democratic Movement (UDM),  came to a standstill on Saturday as their chief was buried in Mercedes Benz.


“My uncle made it clear that he wanted to be buried inside his car. He was a lover of Mercedes Benz and as a family we had to grant him his wish,” she said.

Villagers watched in awe as Pitso was car was towed to his grave in the family grave yard. As the mourners joined the funeral procession, Pitso’s car was towed and he was dressed in a cream white suit and seated behind the steering wheel with both his hands placed on the steering wheel.

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said he was not surprised that Pitso wanted to be buried in his car.

“This is so like Pitso, he was an old stock, however, he was also very streetwise,” Holomisa said.

Holomisa could not attend Pitso’s funeral as he had to test for Coved-19 as he was one of the people who were in contact with ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe.

Passing of Tshekede Bufton Pitso , of #Sterkspruit .My condolences to the family , relatives , friends & UDM members. We thank Pitso 4 everything he did for the UDM. I was on my way to his funeral but Rev Meshoe’s #CoronavirusTest results yesterday , changed everything

— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) March 28, 2020

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Celine Dion shares a throwback school photo on her 52nd birthday

She has been a giant in the music industry for more than three decades.  And Celine Dion marked her 52nd birthday on Monday just weeks after cancelling her Courage world tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her team posted to mark her special day with a throwback photo of the singer as a child and to wish her a happy day on Instagram.

In the photo, a young Celine posed in front of a sky blue background for a school portrait.


She had her brunette locks cut just above her shoulder with jagged cut bangs during her childhood in Charlemagne, Quebec Canada.
For the photo she wore a green and red plaid dress with a high and keyhole neckline.

'Happy Birthday, Celine! Wishing you health, love and happiness,' the caption read in French and English, signed off by 'Team Celine.'
Celine didn't share any information herself about how she is spending her birthday, though it is likely she is with her children Rene, 19, and twins Nelson and Eddy, nine, who she shared with her late husband Rene Angelil, who passed in 2016.

She is celebrating her birthday amid the global pandemic that has caused much of the affected countries and cities to go on lockdown, encouraging residents to stay home and avoid contact with people.

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Drake's baby mama shares more family snaps with son

Drake's son Adonis made his Instagram debut on Monday, more than two years after his birth.

And after the rapper, 33, posted a series of snaps of himself with the toddler and his mother Sophie Brussaux, 30, the model followed suit and shared her own photographs of them together.

In one of the snaps, former adult film star Sophie jokingly turned herself and Drake's hair blonde after fans were baffled by the light colour of Adonis' curly locks.

Within the nine photographs, Sophie captured Adonis' happy, sweet nature with shots of him laughing innocently. 


The proud mother showed herself cuddling her son, beaming with delight to have him with her. 

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David and Victoria Beckham 'purchase $24 million skyscraper apartment in Miami' (photos)

The Beckhams have reportedly purchased a $24million (£20million) apartment in Miami's One Thousand Museum building, after sportsman David's team Inter Miami CF made their Major League Soccer bow against Los Angeles FC earlier this month.

David and Victoria's new condo - designed by late architect Zaha Hadid - was completed in late 2019, just months after the couple joined three of their children, sons, Romeo, 17, and Cruz, 15, as well as daughter Harper, eight, for a tour of the phallic-shaped building in the summer.

According to The Sun, the famous family are set to live in the lap of luxury as the extravagant property boasts five bedrooms, a luxury swimming pool and even its own rooftop helipad.


Their new abode serves as a nice addition to their fancy property collection, including their £31million mansion in London and their Cotswolds home, said to be worth £6million.

The 62-story building is 215 metres (705 ft) tall, making it one of the tallest buildings in the city, with prices for the apartments ranging between $5,900,000 (£4.7 million) to $21,850,000 (£17.6 million).
The museum-quality residence boasts 84 residences, consisting of a two-story duplex penthouse, four townhouses, 10 full-floor residences, and 70 half-floor units.

As well as the luxury private apartments, the building boasts a communal swimming pool is installed at the top of the building, whilst there is also a two-room treatment spa, hair and beauty salon, acai and juice bar fueled by Raw Republic, and a sunbathing area.   

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Nigerian student dies of coronavirus weeks before graduation

Weeks before he was set to graduate at the Western Michigan University, a Nigerian-America student, Bassey Offiong, died from coronavirus after being refused a test several times in Michigan.

The Punch gathered that the deceased is a 25-year-old college student studying Chemical Engineering at the Michigan-based university.

A relative to the deceased told The Punch that he tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

Offiong’s cousin, Rosalyn Afiong, added that the student died on Sunday, describing the deceased as a “shining light.”

“My dear sweet cousin, this is unreal. I don’t even know where to begin. May your soul rest in eternal peace. You did everything and more with your time here on Earth, and although you weren’t anywhere near done in your purpose, you’ve been called for a higher purpose bigger than us all.

“I love you so much and I pray you to keep that same light shining on us from above,” Afiong said while paying a tribute on Facebook.

According to his sister, Offiong was refused testing several times despite showing symptoms of the deadly virus.

She said the victim had shortness of breath, fatigue and fever before his death.

“I told him to ask them to test him. He said they refused to test him,” she told Detroit News.

Confirming his death, WMU president, Edward Montgomery, said, “On behalf of the entire Bronco community, I want to extend my deepest condolences to his entire family, including his sister Asari, who has been generous in communicating with us regularly.”

One of his friends, Koko Adiaha, said it was “extremely hard” to believe Offiong’s death,

Adiaha said, “My mother called me frantic and told me we lost Bassey Offiong due to COVID-19. I just can’t wrap my head around the why and how.

“This one is extremely hard to process. Beloved by everyone who knew him. Bassey deserved much more than what was offered to him.”

A representative of Michigan’s Sixth Congressional District, Fred Upton, added, “I woke up this Sunday morning to the sad news of a WMU Engineering student who passed away with coronavirus.

“He had a ventilator and, likely, other members of his immediate family are also impacted along with perhaps his roommates at WMU. Our condolences are with them.”

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FACT CHECK: Coronavirus is not an airborne disease – WHO

With the canard making the rounds that the pandemic disease, coronavirus, is an airborne disease, the World Health Organisation, WHO, has faulted the report, saying that the virus codenamed covid-19 is not an airborne disease.

Announcing this via its official twitter handle, WHO said, “COVID19 is not airborne. The coronavirus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

To protect yourself: -keep 1m distance from others -disinfect surfaces frequently -wash/rub your Open hands -avoid touching your.

“These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air. They quickly fall on floors or surfaces.

“You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within one meter of a person who has COVID-19.

“You can be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.’’

“To protect yourself, keep at least one meter distance from others and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently.

“Regularly clean your hands thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose’’

FACT: #COVID19 is NOT airborne.

The #coronavirus is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks.

To protect yourself:
-keep 1m distance from others
-disinfect surfaces frequently
-wash/rub your 👐
-avoid touching your 👀👃👄 pic.twitter.com/fpkcpHAJx7

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 28, 2020

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COVID 19: Rep urges FG to suspend payment for electricity, water bills for 2 months

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep Shehu Koko has urged the Federal Government to include suspension of payment of electricity and water bills for two months, as palliatives for the less privileged.

Koko who made the plea through a press statement yesterday represents Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency (APC) of Kebbi State and is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Airforce.

Rep. Koko said: “Our country is going through trying times just like the international communities. While we continue to pray for God to come to our rescue, I urge the Federal government to provide basic amenities like water and electricity at no cost especially those at the grassroots level without interruption”

“This I believe will go a long way to assist the federal government’s decision to provide relief materials he described as a step in the right direction.

While thanking President Buhari for the immediate implementation of the repayment moratorium for all Tradermoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans, the lawmaker said free access to power and water should be included.

Recall that President Muhammadu had on Sunday, March 29, announced the implementation of the moratorium for traders to cushion the effect of the pandemic on the economy.

“Furthermore, I have directed that a three-month repayment moratorium for all TraderMoni, MarketMoni and FarmerMoni loans be implemented with immediate effect.

“I have also directed that a similar moratorium be given to all federal government-funded loans issued by the Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and the Nigeria Export-Import Bank.

“For the most vulnerable in our society, I have directed that the conditional cash transfers for the next two months be paid immediately. Our internally displaced persons will also receive two months of food rations in the coming weeks.”

To this end, Rep. Koko is asking the Government to include suspension of payment of basic amenities.

He called on Nigerians, especially his constituents, to adhere to the stay-at-home order, in line with the government’s directive, starting from yesterday.

“I will also use this trying period to educate my constituents on the danger of Coronavirus and preventive ways to contain the virus for a better Nigeria.”

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Makinde contracted Coronavirus from known people in Abuja — CPS

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr Taiwo Adisa, has explained that his principal contracted Coronavirus from known people in Abuja.

While speaking on Silverbird Television (STV) on Tuesday morning, Adisa said there was no need to politicise the issue of COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

He explained that the issue of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally on March 18, did not come to play, adding that there was no known incident of the virus in the state as at then.Dismissing insinuations, he said the governor did not also have any symptom (s) at that time.

“The issue of the March 18 PDP southwest Zonal Unification Rally doesn’t come to play because there was no known incident of the virus in Oyo State and the governor didn’t also have any symptom(s) as at that time.”

“The governors went back to Abuja the following day and they held a series of meetings. The governor had contact with people that are known. So, we should not politicise an issue like this,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, a former governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has prayed for a quick recovery for the governor who was tested positive on Monday for Coronavirus, and other victims of Covid-19 in Nigeria and globally.

In a statement personally signed by the former governor, Otunba Alao-Akala called for intensified prayer from Christians and Muslims for God to end the scourge, while tasking people of the state and Nigerians to follow the hygienic rule and guideline stipulated to ward off the disease.

“I am saddened to receive the news of the infection of Governor Seyi Makinde with Coronavirus (Covid-19). Jehovah Ropheka: The Lord our Healer Exodus 15:26 will heal you.

“I pray to Almighty God to heal you and protect your family as you go through the self-isolation and proper treatments. Similarly, I pray for the protection of all the citizens of the state from the Covid-19 scourge.”

“There is no established cure for COVID-19 yet but it is not a death sentence as it can be managed.”
“Therefore, I urge my fellow people to obey the governments and work collectively to stop the spread by constantly washing our hands and observing high standards of hygiene, avoiding social gatherings and events. Stay at home, stay safe,” the statement concluded.

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12-year-old infected with coronavirus dies in Belgium

A 12-year-old girl confirmed infected with COVID-19 has died in Belgium, health officials said Tuesday.

Fatality at such a young age “is a very rare occurrence,” said government spokesman Dr Emmanuel Andre, adding that her death “shook us”.

The girl had had a fever for three days before her death, and tested positive for COVID-19, said another spokesman, Steven Van Gucht.

No other details were given about her case, including whether she had any other underlying health problems.

It was the first death of a child in the coronavirus crisis in Belgium, which has now recorded a total 705 deaths from the disease it causes, according to the latest official toll.

Last week, France reported the death of a 16-year-old girl from coronavirus in the greater Paris region.

Although serious COVID-19 infections are uncommon among the young, some exceptional cases have been taken to hospital intensive-care wards, as US health authorities have pointed out.

Belgium’s toll on Tuesday represented a jump of nearly 200 fatalities from that given the previous day, which stood at 513.

It comprised 98 deaths recorded in the preceding 24-hour period, plus another 94 deaths over previous days but which had not been counted in the national tally, Andre said.

The small EU country, with a population of 11.4 million, now has 12,775 cases of persons tested positive for COVID-19, of whom 4,920 have been hospitalised, including 1,021 in intensive care.

Hospitals in Brussels and in two provinces, in the north and the west, are now confronted with “a more complicated situation” as beds fill up, Andre said.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share their final Sussex Royal Instagram post

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have shared their final post before they step down from royal duties.

Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle, 38, who will drop the royal from their titles today after giving up their positions as senior members of the Firm, posted a message to their account yesterday evening.

The couple promised to continue their charity work behind the scenes, and revealed they were focusing 'the new chapter to understand how to best contribute'.


Encouraging followers to be strong and positive amid the pandemic, they thanked fans for their support and said they looked forward to 'reconnecting soon', with the post reading: 'Thank you for your support, inspiration and commitment to the good in the world.'

The post, which had the comments switched off, racked up thousands of likes within minutes and signed off with 'Harry and Meghan'. The comments on their remaining posts appear to also have been switched off.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's farewell message in full 

As we can all feel, the world at this moment seems extraordinarily fragile. Yet we are confident that every human being has the potential and opportunity to make a difference—as seen now across the globe, in our families, our communities and those on the front line—together we can lift each other up to realise the fullness of that promise.

What’s most important right now is the health and wellbeing of everyone across the globe and finding solutions for the many issues that have presented themselves as a result of this pandemic.

As we all find the part we are to play in this global shift and changing of habits, we are focusing this new chapter to understand how we can best contribute.

While you may not see us here, the work continues.

Thank you to this community - for the support, the inspiration and the shared commitment to the good in the world. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon. You’ve been great!

Until then, please take good care of yourselves, and of one another.

Harry and Meghan

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Niece dies and 17 members of family infected after funeral of aunt killed by coronavirus

A family is pleading that people take social distancing measures seriously after losing two loved ones to coronavirus and almost all remaining relatives becoming infected.

Sheila Brooks, 86, died on February 9 from Covid-19.

Her funeral was held two weeks ago, before lockdown measures were put in place and attended by the majority of her extended family.

Within days of the March 13 funeral, niece Susan Nelson, 65, fell ill and later died of suspected coronavirus.


She had no underlying health conditions.

Now, a further 16 family members have said they suspect they too caught the virus at Sheila’s funeral.

Susan, a retired sandwich shop owner from Halesowen, West Midlands, died on the same hospital ward as her aunt Sheila.

Her daughter Amanda, 34, an NHS business support manager, is now isolating at home with her father, Robert, who suffers from Addison’s Disease.

Amanda said she is worried the disease could claim the life of another family member.

She said: ‘We now have someone else in our family in hospital that’s probably not going to survive it.

‘My 21-year-old cousin has it, right the way up to a great uncle that is 88 and is showing some symptoms.

‘It is a whole section of us, none of us seems to have been missed out of it just yet. It’s a bit strange.

‘I would say around 17 family members have been displaying symptoms since going to that funeral.

It’s hit young and old in our family.

‘Our beautiful, caring mum was the centre of the family – we are a very close, large family and this has destroyed us.’

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COVID-19: China deports foreigner for abusing health officers

Chinese authorities have ordered a foreign national to be deported after the “foreigner” assaulted health officers who asked him to wear face mask, according to an official statement.

The foreign national was captured in a video yelling ‘motherf*****’ at the officials before throwing his phone at them.

The foreign resident is facing deportation after being arrested by local police for disrupting public services.

“We received a report that a foreigner in our jurisdiction did not wear a mask while entering the residential complex he lived in and disobeyed the property management staff,

“His behaviours disrupted the public order and we ordered him to leave the country within a time limit,” Chinese local police stated in their statement.

The statement did not mention the man’s nationality, but officers confirmed to MailOnline that he comes from Morocco.

A witness told the local press that the foreign national appeared to be intoxicated.

“I was at the convenience shop nearby when I heard someone smashing things and shouting,’ the witness told Pear Video. ‘He smelled of alcohol.”

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Covid-19: Youths allegedly battle garri sellers over hike in price

Some youths in Udu area of Udu local government area yesterday reportedly stormed some markets in the area forcing garri sellers to revert to the old price of N800 naira for the small paint can.

The youths according to eye witness accounts were heard shouting that the lockdown which commences in the state from Wednesday should not trigger off hike in the price of foodstuff.

Meantime there has been hike in the price of foodstuff in several markets.

A paint of Garri which sold between N750 and N800 as at yesterday went for N1800. A paint can of beans which was N600 as at yesterday was selling for N900. A tuber of yam that was sold between N500 to N600 as at yesterday was selling for N900.

Some of the traders told the Vanguard that they had no choice but to increase the price for what they sold.

“If we don’t increase our price for what we sell we can’t buy things we need at the end of the day from others that have raised their process”, some said.

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COVID-19: Oyo traces 101 contacts as cases hit seven

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Oyo State was seven as of Monday.

It was learnt that the blood samples of some persons being located through contact tracing had already been sent to the diagnostic centre.

The state Incident Manager, Dr Olabode Ladipo, who spoke in a telephone interview with punch correspondent on Monday, said, “We are still with 76 (cases). One of those cases seems to have recovered. We are going to have confirmation of his results very soon.

 “If the result comes out negative, we would have had a case that has recovered in Oyo State. However, we are expecting the second results which might be in any time from now.

 “We are still with seven (confirmed) cases and we are still following up with the contacts. At this point in time, we have a total of 101 cases that we are tracing. We have been able to make contact with about 50 of them. We are trying hard to locate the others.”

  Asked how they follow up on the already traced contacts, he said, “We call them every day. We actually try and see them every other day or every three days.”

 Ladipo said 28 samples had been sent for tests.

He added, “The (availability) of kits is the major issue now. But you have to understand that it is a thing that is all over the world now, not in the country alone. We are trying to see how we can work with the virology laboratory and make up by improvising so that we would be able to meet the demand for testing.”

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Kwara restriction task force shuts church, arrests transporters

The United Bank for Africa on Monday boosted the fight against the coronavirus in Kwara State with a donation of N28.5m.

The state Technical Committee on COVID-19 said that it shut down a church in Idofian, a suburb of Ilorin on Sunday, while 15 transporters were arrested and 80 motorcycles seized on Monday for alleged violation of the partial lockdown rules in the state.

Presenting the cheque to the state Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, who is the chairman of the Technical Committee on COVID19, in the state, Mr Kazeem Salaudeen, Head of UBA in Kwara, said it was the financial institution’s way of supporting the government in the fight against the spread of the virus.

The deputy governor, in his reaction, expressed appreciation to the bank for the gesture and promised that the money would be domiciled in the bank for accountability purposes.

He also promised that the funds would be judiciously used to ensure that the state contain coronavirus and manage the situation very well.

Earlier before the presentation, Alabi had briefed members of the committee on COVID-19 that no fewer than 15 transporters were arrested on Monday for violating the government’s directive and protocols on the partial lockdown imposed on the people to curtail the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The deputy governor disclosed that no fewer than 80 motorcycles were sized for violating the stay-at-home order.

Alabi said he had directed that none of the arrested persons or property sized should be released out until he gaves any further directive from him.

He commended the members of the task force for their self

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Troops kill Boko Haram leader, Usamah, others in Borno

Troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole being coordinated by the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, have killed a top Boko Haram leader, Abu Usamah, and scores of other terrorists during a gun battle with the insurgents in Gorgi in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said on Monday that Usamah, one of the top commanders of the insurgents, was killed by troops on a subsidiary operation, Ayiso Tamonuma, noting that his death had created a “consequential vacuum in the Boko Haram leadership.”

The Defence Media Operations in a statement noted that ammunition including two AK-47 rifles, two AK-47 rifle magazines, one Rocket Propelled Grenade bomb, 273 rounds of Anti-Aircraft Gun ammunition, 101 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and a Boko Haram terrorists’ were recovered after the killing of Usamah.

The Director, DMO, Brig Gen Bernard Onyeuko, said, “Own communication intercept confirmed by accurate intelligence revealed that a top Boko Haram Commander, Abu Usamah, was among those Boko Haram insurgents killed during the Gorgi encounter. He sustained gunshot wounds in the fire fight that ensued during the encounter before his foot soldiers hurriedly evacuated him and withdrew. Nevertheless, Abu Usamah died in the process.

“His death has no doubt created a consequential vacuum in the Boko Haram leadership particularly as the gallant troops remain resilient and continue to rout the criminal elements from their last enclaves in the North-East.”

The military spokesman noted that in another development, troops of 159 Task Force Battalion in Kanama community in the Yunusari LGA of Yobe State, killed scores of the Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province insurgents who attempted to infiltrate their location on Friday.

“The terrorists were decimated by troops supported by the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole. Furthermore, during the encounter, several terrorists were neutralised while one Gun Truck and various arms and ammunition were captured by the troops,” Onyeuko added.

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Cross River turns back 35 US oil workers, demands thorough screening

The Cross River State Government on Monday turned back 35 American oil workers over coronavirus screening.

The state government was said to have asked the workers to go for further screening in Lagos or Abuja before they would be allowed in.

It was gathered that they were later taken to Abuja.

A Charter flight said to be from the United States on Monday landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with the Americans heading to Calabar, Cross River State.

An eyewitness said the Americans came into the country to work with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

According to findings, after screening by officials of the Port Health Services, the Americans were taken to Calabar onboard an Air Peace charter flight.

An industry source said the flight was part of the special flights granted permission by the Federal Government to land during the suspension of all commercial and private jets movements in the country due to the shutdown of the international airports over COVID-19.

The source said an approval was given by the Ministry of Aviation before the flight.

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Kim Kardashian melts hearts with ultra sweet photo of her smiling sons Saint and Psalm

Kim Kardashain brought some cheer to her fans Saturday amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The reality star, 39, shared a heart-warming photo of her darling sons, Saint, four, and Psalm, 10 months, playing with one another.

In the photo, the youngsters smiled wide whilst nestled against two white pillows.

'My boys,' Kim captioned the photo with two grey heart emojis.

Psalm was the picture of happiness as he sat right next to his big brother, who placed his hand upon the youngster's head.

Kim shares her two sons - as well as daughters North, six, and Chicago, two - with her husband Kanye West.

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COVID-19: Adenuga donates N1bn to FG, N500m to Lagos

Billionaire businessman and one of Africa’s richest entrepreneurs, Mike Adenuga, on Monday, announced a donation of N1.5 billion to the initiatives to combat coronavirus in Nigeria.

He announced the donation in a letter sent to the Lagos State Governor, Jide Sanwo-Olu, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, through the Mike Adenuga Foundation.

The donation is broken into two: N1 billion to the federal government and N500 million to the Lagos State Government.

Announcing the N500 million donation, he said, “We shall in addition to this contribution actively continue our ongoing efforts to assist various bodies and institutions in the country with the supply of such essential items as sanitisers, masks, test kits, ventillators, PPEs and other necessary requirements.”

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Opposition leader in Niger freed under COVID-19 prison release

The main opposition figure in Niger, Hama Amadou, who has been in prison since last November for alleged baby smuggling, is among more than 1,500 inmates who are being released early because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Amadou’s name is among those of 1,540 prisoners who have been pardoned by President Mahamadou Issoufou “for humanitarian reasons and to reduce prison numbers” because of the pandemic, according to a list read on state radio.

A source close to Amadou confirmed the former premier and parliamentary speaker “is definitely concerned by the presidential pardon and in theory will be leaving prison (today).”

Amadou has several months left to serve of a controversial one-year jail term.

The 70-year-old, dubbed “The Phoenix” for his political comebacks, ran against Issoufou in presidential elections in March 2016, but his campaign was marred from the start.

He was arrested on November 14, 2015, on his return from exile and was later accused that he and others, including one of his wives, smuggled babies into Nigeria via Benin for wealthy couples in Niger.

He denied the charges as a fix and was forced to campaign for the presidency from behind bars.

He was released on medical grounds on March 16, 2016, four days before the second round of the voting, and flew to France.

Issoufou went on to win with 92 percent of the run-off ballot. With the opposition boycotting the election, Amadou only picked up seven percent of the vote.

After a one-day trial in March 2017, Amadou was given a 12-month term in absentia.

In November last year, he returned to Niger to serve the remaining eight months of his sentence. He went to France for two weeks in February this year for medical reasons.

His party, Moden, named him its candidate for presidential elections due in December this year, although he may be legally excluded from running because of his conviction.

Niger, one of the poorest countries in the world, has recorded 22 cases of coronavirus, three of them fatal, since March 19.

The presidential pardon was announced last week on television..

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Billionaire businesswoman Folorunsho Alakija pledges N1bn to support FG’s fight against coronavirus

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Famfa Oil Limited, Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija have donated N1billion to support the fight against COVID-19 in Nigeria.

According to them, the donation symbolises their resilience, character and strength as they plan to work with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

In a statement issued, the business philanthropists also announced the donation of N250million Lagos State Government and the NCDC respectively.


“As the world rallies to deal with the health, security, economic and social implications of the coronavirus, it’s clear that we will feel the effects much more deeply than many of the developed world. Managing a crisis of this magnitude means that the strength of our response will determine our ability to weather the storm.

Individually and collectively, we are rising to this unprecedented challenge in a way that symbolizes our resilience, our character and strength,” the statement partly read.

Similarly, the medical workers on the frontline in Lagos and Abuja will each get N100million while another N100m will be for the supply of medical equipment to relevant organisations.

Also, the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Dr Ameyo Stella Adadevoh foundation (DRASA), and the Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons were supported each with N50million.

Alakija believes that the listed organisations will decide on where to deploy their contribution to the needed impact.

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COVID-19: Kesington Adebutu donates N300m to Lagos

Popular philanthropist and businessman, Sir Kesington Adebutu, has donated the sum of N300 million to the Lagos State government towards combating the coronavirus in the state.

The state currently has the highest number of coronavirus cases in the country with 68 and the state government has put in place measures to fight the disease.

In a letter addressds to the state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, dated March 30, Sir Kesington, popularly known as Baba Ijebu, described the donation as his own way helping the state in bringing succour to those who are down with the disease.


According to the letter written by the businessman, “On behalf of myself, my entire family and organisation, we commend the dynamic efforts of Your Excellency in bringing succour to the sufferers of COVID-19 in the state.

“As a token of our support to the victims, myself, family and organisation are donating a modest sum of N300,000,000.00 (Three Hundred Million Naira Only) towards which we have forwarded the necessary instruction and our Banker–Wema Bank Plc has transferred the sum into the dedicated UBAAccount number 1022751273 of LASG COVID-19.

“Copies of our cheque and receipt of the payment are attached for easy reference.”

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Justin Bieber declares he is 'obsessed' with wife Hailey

Justin Bieber took to Instagram on Sunday afternoon to host a virtual Sunday Service with some of his personal favorite preachers.

And during the nearly one hour discussion, the 26-year-old took a moment to voice how 'obsessed' he is with wife Hailey and how he wishes he could be 'perfect' for her.

'I know I am flawed, but I am trying my best to be the best husband I can be, but I just, I have my selfish moments,' admitted Bieber, who married the daughter of Stephen Baldwin in 2018.

Justin continued: 'Wanting, you know, things for myself or just, you know, being just not being perfect.'


He revealed that his desire to be perfect stems from his 'perfect God' who 'loves us and is obsessed with us and never let us down.'

There is something just so awesome about that,' he concluded.

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Coronavirus cases top 700,000 globally

More than 700,000 cases of the novel coronavirus have been officially declared around the world since the start of the pandemic, according to an AFP tally at 0800 GMT Monday based on official sources.

There have been at least 715,204 cases including 33,568 fatalities in 183 countries and territories.

These are notably in the United States which has reported 143,025 cases and 2,514 deaths and Italy with 97,689 cases and the world’s highest death toll of 10,779.

China, where the outbreak first emerged in December, has registered 81,470 cases and 3,304 deaths.

The figures represent only a fraction of the number of infections as many countries only carry out tests on suspected cases if they are hospitalised or with severe symptoms.

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