Boko Haram attack: Elders hold service in burnt church

Four Nigerian church elders held a Sunday service in their burnt church building on February 23, 2020, two days after Boko Haram militants abducted some of the church’s female members and set fire to the building.

 The terrorists’ rampage had destroyed churches, homes, schools and businesses, in the Christian village of Garkida in Gambi Local Government Area of Adamawa State on February 21.

Heavily-armed militants stormed into the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN—the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) during a women’s fellowship meeting and kidnapped some of the Christian women and left the building a burnt out shell.

A local Christian leader said that, in spite of their anguish and shock, the pastors decided to continue to meet together to show that “‘church’ isn’t the building razed down, but the Christians living – the Christian body is the church”.


On the day of the attack, the jihadists approached the village in Adamawa State “in about nine trucks, and more than 50 motorcycles carrying at least two persons on each,” a local eyewitness told Barnabas. The attack lasted around six hours, during which two other churches were also set alight, a local market looted, a health centre burnt down and two ambulances destroyed.

Former Nigerian Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, took part in a prayer rally for peace, on Sunday, February 23. “Lord, as your people, we bring confession of the needless bloodshed, killings, and attacks by the dreadful Boko Haram insurgents, banditry and the spate of kidnappings and all kinds of evil in various parts of the country. Lord, we plead for your forgiveness, mercy, and cleansing of the land,” he prayed.

The number of attacks by Islamist militant groups has sharply increased, since April 2019. Christians in Nigeria are on high alert, calling for urgent prayer against the onslaught of Boko Haram attacks against them.

Meanwhile, American faith leaders met with representatives of Nigerian communities devastated by Boko Haram and Fulani tribesmen as well as key figures within the Buhari administration as part of a fact-finding mission to investigate reports of escalating insecurity in the West African country.

Johnnie Moore, an evangelical communications executive and president of the Congress of Christian Leaders, and Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Jewish human rights group, traveled to Abuja on February 17 and met with dozens of victims of terrorism from five different Nigerian provinces for three days.

“After our journey there, we want the world to know that you haven’t heard half of it,” the faith leaders said in a joint statement. “The terrorists’ aim is to ethnically cleanse northern Nigeria of its Christians and to kill every Muslim who stands in their way.”

In addition to victims, the two met with the chiefs of staff for both President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as part of their quest to determine the severity of the situation. They also met with four Muslim leaders.

Their trip came as thousands have been killed by Boko Haram (an Islamic militant group in Nigeria’s northeast with a splinter faction that has claimed allegiance to the Islamic State) and radical Fulani herdsmen who have in recent years increasingly raided predominantly Christian farming villages in the country’s Middle Belt.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/boko-haram-attack-elders-hold-service.html

Osinbajo, the most honest person I have ever met – Gbajabiamila declares

Gbajabiamila congratulates Osinbajo on his 63 birthday described him as a very courageous and dependable person.

In a congratulatory message, the speaker who has known the vice president for decades said Osinbajo personifies humility, sagacity, courage, forthrightness, sincerity and patriotism.

According to him, “Our Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who is marking his 63rd birthday today, is someone very dependable in all ramifications.

“Apart from being a reliable human being, the VP is one of the most honest people I have come across in my life. I make bold to say that the VP has qualities worthy of emulation by other Nigerians.


“On his 63rd birthday, I wish Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo continuous good health and God’s protection.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/osinbajo-most-honest-person-i-have-ever.html

I can act nu.de if it’s worth it –Angela Eguavoen

Budding role interpreter, Angela Eguavoen, has said she gets attracted to funny and dark-skinned tall men.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Eguavoen said, “I easily get attracted to funny, dark, tall, generous and romantic men. When he smells good, kisses well and has all these qualities, he literally has my ‘mumu’ button.”

Sharing what makes her distinct from other actresses, she said, “I am a versatile actor. I always bring my A-game to every project. I strip myself of Angela and become the character I am playing and I do anything feasible to portray my character greatly.

 Being beautiful and having a great body is an added advantage to my success in the industry. The fact that I am so easy to work with, understanding and I don’t cause any sort of problem or be the reason a producer or director is having headache during production, has also opened doors for me.”



Recounting an awkward moment she had with a fan, the actress said, “I went to a mall with my sister and one of my fans started shouting my name from afar, ran to me and hugged me tightly. I didn’t know whether to disappear or remain there because the love was so real. It wasn’t embarrassing at all; it felt so good. We are now friends though.”

On whether she can act nu,de in a movie, she said, “I can only go nude in a movie if it is very imperative. I can do it for a film or scene that is worth it”.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/i-can-act-nude-if-its-worth-it-angela.html

Coronavirus: Fresh concerns over Nigeria’s borders as virus hits Togo, Cameroon

There are subtle fears in some quarters that Nigeria may be at a higher risk of recording another case of the coronavirus disease following new cases recorded in neighbouring Cameroun and Togo.

Both countries confirmed their first cases on Friday. Cameroon shares boundary Nigeria while Togo shares boundary the Republic of Benin, which shares boundary with Nigeria. The new cases recorded by the two countries bring the number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa hit by the epidemic to five.

An official of the Nigeria Customs Service told Sunday Punch that as of Saturday the surveillance at the borders was very low unlike in 2014 when the Ebola Virus Disease hit Sub-Saharan Africa.

“Port health officials are stationed at the borders but as of now, they are not active,” he added.


The Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, had last month raised concerns over the porous nature of Nigeria’s land borders. He said the land borders were a challenge and health officials should be mobilised to prevent the virus from entering through them.

Responding to a question about Federal Government’s plan to monitor the borders, he said, “We do have a challenge at our land borders.”

He however said his agency’s current risk assessment for the virus was that most people coming from China would most likely be coming through the airports.

With the new cases recorded in neighbouring Cameroon and Togo, however, the the risk assessments seem to have changed.

Speaking with punch correspondent, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, said indeed the new cases in Togo and Cameroon would require a reshaping of the response to the disease in Nigeria.

Mamora said surveillance would be increased at the eastern borders especially.

The minister said there were already port health officials at the land borders but that surveillance would be intensified.

He added, “Initially, we said the focus would be more on the airports because we believed that those coming from affected areas would come by air. But that doesn’t mean we abandoned land borders. With these new cases in West Africa, coupled with the proximity; Cameroon is our neighbour, we will pay greater attention to the eastern borders.”

Speaking with Sunday Punch on Saturday, the NCDC boss said indeed the risk assessment had changed and new measures would be put in place, noting that they continuously carry out risk assessment to redefine their strategy.

When asked if a new response had been put in place due to the new development, he said, “Responses are shaped every day.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/coronavirus-fresh-concerns-over.html

Israel Adesanya defeats Yoel Romero, retains middleweight title

Israel Adesanya maintained his middleweight title in a frustrating, bizarre unanimous decision over Yoel Romero to close out a wild UFC 248 card in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Adesanya and Romero are two of the most dangerous fighters in the division. If that wasn't clear going into the fight, all one had to do was look at how they approached each other.

Romero—who typically fights in bursts—waited for Adesanya to make the first move so that he could explode and do damage. More often than not, that move never came as the champion opted to mostly attack the lead leg from distance.

The end result was a bout that didn't give the judges much to think about.


Adesanya moved right on to his next likely challenger: Paulo Costa.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/israel-adesanya-defeats-yoel-romero.html

Nigerian gospel band, Empraiz Gospel ranks best african gospel group

Nigerian Afro-contemporary gospel band, Empraiz Gospel Group has been ranked one of the Top Best Gospel Group in Africa.

The Gospel group was ranked by International gospel choir of New Foundland.

Empraiz Gospel was nominated at the Africa Gospel Music Award (AGGMA) in London and won the awards for Best Traditional Group (West Africa) and BAGMA awards in the United States respectively.

Empraiz Gospel group is led by multitalented artist, Emmanuel Olowoyeye popularly known as Empraiz. The group is known for their traditional uniqueness of singing and performing in different African and Local languages.
Their music is infused with African traditional folks and percussion instruments which has carved a niche for the band both local and international.

In 2019, Empraiz won the Best Traditional Gospel Group category in the South South Award for their diligence and foresight.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/nigerian-gospel-band-empraiz-gospel.html

Kano begins evacuation of Almajiri from streets

The Kano State government has started ridding its streets of Almajiri as it begins to put into effect its recent ban on begging in the state.

About 1500 of such young beggars have been taken off the streets, although some of them were rounded up a few months back.

Those from outside the state have been sent back to their states origin.

In a similar move to discourage street begging ,the Kebbi State government plans to involve 504 Quranic schools in the state in a World Bank assisted integrated programme to give the children proper education and care.


Government has earmarked N70 per meal for the children and N500,000 grant to each of the pilot Quranic schools.

The House of Representatives also plans to initiate reforms of the Almajiri system of education in the country.

A member of the House, Dr Balarabe Kakale, from Bodinga/Dange-Shuni/Tureta Federal Constituency in Sokoto State (PDP-Sokoto), said the matter has been slated for debate on Thursday, March 12.

Spokesperson for Hisbah in Kano State , (the state’s Sharia enforcer), Lawan Ibrahim Fagge, told The Nation by phone that 70 percent of the Almajiri who were apprehended on the streets by the Anti-bara unit of Hisbah over the last five months have been sent back to their states of origin including Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Borno and Yobe.

Some of the young beggars are from Kano, Adamawa and neighboring countries of Chad and Niger Republic.

He said that following government’s ban on street begging some parents have voluntarily withdrawn their children from the streets.

Fagge said: “Those arrested children from Kano were classified. Those who can read and write the Holy Qur’an were identified while we await further directives from the governor.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/kano-begins-evacuation-of-almajiri-from.html

Better to delay Lagos-Ibadan rail than infect Nigerians with coronavirus – NRC boss

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) declared on Saturday that the possible delay in the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project owing to the outbreak of Coronavirus is better than exposing the health of Nigerians to risk.

Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, had on Thursday, said the outbreak of Coronavirus in China might delay the completion of the rail project.

The COVID-19, which has become a global health challenge, is threatening the April deadline of the project being handled by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The minister said the bulk of the workforce handling the project was stuck in China, where the disease broke out and spread to other countries.


According to him, the Chinese government prevented some of the workers from returning to Nigeria because of the virus.

Reacting on the possible delay, Lagos Railway District Manager, Mr. Jerry Oche, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the federal government would not sacrifice health of Nigerians because of any project.

“The simple question we should ask ourselves is what do we want? Do we want to be infected with the Coronavirus because we want to meet the time for the completion of the project?

“Or we prefer a situation where the Chinese take care of themselves and get over the epidemics before coming to complete the project so that we all will be safe and healthy?

“The project we are talking about is for the living people, not for the dead. If the Coronavirus should infect us, how do we handle that?” he said.

According to him, most Chinese working with the CCECC went to China for the New Year celebration holidays and had not returned before the outbreak of the disease in their country. Oche said that if the Chinese were going to come back to Nigeria and continue the project, they must be certified Coronavirus-free so as to protect the country.

“If the project is going to be delayed and we are safe of this disease, I think it is better. Even, if they come and carry the virus, they won’t be able to do the work.

“It will now be double jeopardy for the country. We will be running from pillar to post to contain the spread and the work will be stopped also. Safety is still the first,” he said.

Work across the 10 stations along the 157 km long Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line has been skeletal since the beginning of the year because of the COVID-19.

Most staff working on the project are yet to resume because of the deadly disease.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/better-to-delay-lagos-ibadan-rail-than.html

One killed, four injured in Lagos Abattoir accident

In a similar development, a female, adult has been killed after a fence collapsed on her within an Abattoir complex in the Agege area of Lagos state, and her remains were moved to the Nigeria Police (Abattoir Division).

The partially collapsed fence at Abattoir complex in Oko-Oba was alleged to be responsible for the death of the female victim and injuries sustained by four others who were said to be at a proximal distance to her along same fence.

Confirming the incident to The Nation, Nosa Okunbor, spokesperson of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said, “a fence collapsed within the Abattoir leading to the loss of life of an adult female, while four other victims who sustained minor injuries. Investigation conducted revealed illegal shanties built behind the fence led to the incident.”

He also added that a LASEMA rescue team was involved in an operation where the ‘Live’ cable of an electrical wire cut and fell on a truck in a motor stand, thereby igniting it and four others at Mile 2 Inward Berger Suya area of the state.



“On arrival at the scene of the above incident, it was discovered that an unidentified company that sells Trucks was gutted by fire and had four of its truck razed by the Inferno with one partially razed. The course of the inferno was attributed to an Electrical life wire cable that fell on one of the trucks. No life was lost and injuries were not sustained,” he said.

Similarly, LASEMA recovered a truck laden with iron rods involved in a lone accident when it developed a mechanical fault at Okegbegun area of Ikorodu also in the state. “It was revealed that a truck with registration number FKJ 664 XY laden with iron rod was involved in an accident.

Further investigation revealed that the accident was as a result of mechanical fault (brake failure) led to the truck rolling back while ascending the hilly part of the road and subsequently fell into a ditch thereby obstructing 90 percent of the road in the process,”Okunbor said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/one-killed-four-injured-in-lagos.html

Police rescue 13 kidnap victims

Police in Enugu State said they rescued 13 people who were being driven to an unknown destination by a gang of kidnappers early yesterday.

They were being conveyed in a Toyota Hiace bus when the police intervened.

The Enugu State police spokesman, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmad Abdurrahman, after receiving an intelligence report, detailed a team from operatives of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ who traced the gang and the victims in the Toyota Hiace bus with Reg. No. MSA 657 XA.

After sighting the police along the Enugu-Markurdi highway, the kidnappers reportedly diverted to Akomagbo Ugbaike community in Igbo-Eze North LGA.



But they were trailed and located in their hideout in the house of one Chidi Ogbonna (aka Egbe) within Akomagbo Ubgaike where they held the victims hostage.

Ndukwe said the kidnappers took to their heels, while the police picked a female member of the gang, Onyeke Gloria Nwanezi, and rescued the 13 victims. They also retrieved one locally made pistol with two live cartridges, one toy pistol, one Toyota Hiace bus and two motorcycles.

The commissioner then ordered a manhunt for the run-away members of the gang as he appealed to law-abiding citizens of the state, especially community leaders, to expose and avoid harbouring criminals, warning that the command would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone found encouraging crime.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/police-rescue-13-kidnap-victims.html

FG discovers over 70, 000 ghost workers

The Federal Government says it has discovered over 70,000 ghost workers in the Federal civil service following the introduction of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the opening of the 2020 Management Retreat for Treasury Directors of Finance and Directors of Internal Audit in Kano.

According to the minister, with the newly introduced system, Federal  Government is hoping to make the system free of ghost workers soon.


“I know that we have up to 70,000 ghost workers that have been identified in this process and we hope that we will come to a time when we will say that we have no ghost workers,” she stated.

While responding to questions on University lecture’s refusal to register with IPPIS, the minister said about 55 percent members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had registered in IPPIS.

She also declared that lecturers yet to be captured in the IPPIS won’t be paid February salary.

“Unfortunately, most reforms that you undertake you come across resistance. We have had resistance from ASUU on the implementation of the IPPIS and I am happy to report that, at least, up to 55 percent of ASUU members are registered and the ones that are not are not getting their February salary,” the minister said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/fg-discovers-over-70-000-ghost-workers.html

Police officer shoots wife dead over children's custody

Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a Police Inspector identified as Tuddy Warebayigha for shooting his wife dead.

He was said to have committed the crime following a lingering dispute on custody of some of their nine children.

The inspector, serving at Kaima Police Division in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, reportedly shot his wife, Charity, at close range on her legs and stomach.


The deceased, who was a teacher reportedly died on the spot following the shooting that threw the entire Sampou community into mourning.

A man who spoke with newsmen in the community said the Inspector was known for his erratic behaviour and heavy alcohol consumption lifestyle.

One of the sources, who spoke in confidence said: “Sampou indigenes that witnessed the incident, said though the couple were no longer together as husband and wife, the Police inspector usually threatened to deal with the wife. As she was on her way home from the farm, her armed and tipsy husband accosted her and demanded the whereabouts of the children.

“The deceased did not react to all the abuses by her husband. Her police husband cocked his rifle and shot her in the leg. Other sympathizers attempted to grip him from behind and possibly disarm him but failed. He threatened to kill anyone who intervened.”

“After he shot her in the stomach, he was seen making phone call to an unknown person boasting that he had shot her and taught her a lesson”.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Butswat Asinim, who confirmed the incident said, “On 24/02/2020 at about 1350 hours, Inspector Tuddy Warebayigha, serving at Kaima Police Division, Bayelsa State shot his wife, Mrs Charity Francis Tuddy on her way to the farm at Sampou, Kolokuma/ Opukuma Local Government Area, over marital misunderstanding”.


“The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital, where she was confirmed dead. The suspect was arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. He has defaulted and if found culpable, will be dismissed and charged to court.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/police-officer-shoots-wife-dead-over.html

Labourer dies after part of Keystone bank building collapses in Lagos during renovation

A labourer was Saturday night killed after a Keystone Bank building at Palmgroove collapsed in Lagos, The Nation reports.

The storey building located along Ikorodu Road, was said to be undergoing renovation when it caved in. It was learnt that incident occurred around 7:20pm.

At the time of this report, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Police, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) and fire service have been deployed to the scene to extricate the deceased labourer and cordon the premises.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/labourer-dies-after-part-of-keystone.html

24 year-old woman marries 103 year-old man

An Indonesian man believed to be 103 years old and a bride, who is 27, have broken some convention by getting married.

The wedding took place in the regency of Wajo in the central Indonesian province of South Sulawesi.

The groom’s relative Ayu Anggreni Muchtar told local media, “Yes, the wedding was held this afternoon at the bride’s home on Galico Street!”

Ayu added that the centenarian groom’s name is Puang Katte while the bride’s name is Indo Alang.

He said, “I’m not really sure about their exact ages, but Katte is definitely over 100 years old.He was a fighter during the Dutch colonial era. His wife is still in her 20s.”

Aye told local media that the elderly groom paid 5 million IDR (about R5 600, about $343) as the bride price as is customary during Islamic weddings.

According to reports, marriages with this large age gap are uncommon.

Another uncommon marriage in the region took place between a 71-year-old woman and a 16-year-old boy, according to local media. The country’s legal minimum age for women to marry is 16.

However, a loophole in Indonesia’s marriage law has reportedly allowed men to wed girls much younger.

Videos showing the hunched old groom being supported by a young man as he staggers down the aisle to meet his young bride have been shared on Facebook and Twitter, putting the question of arranged marriages into question once again.

Interestingly, the dowry paid by Katte to his bride’s family wasn’t that substantial, according to local media reports. he allegedly only paid 5 million rupiah ($343) and a gold ring. The two are currently living at the groom’s house in South Sulawesi.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/24-year-old-woman-marries-103-year-old.html

Chinese nationals abscond from project site in Imo state, after citizens beg government to quarantine them

Chinese nationals have absconded from a project site in Imo State for fear of being quarantined for Coronavirus.

The Chinese nationals working for the Chec Engineering for the past three weeks left the site and had not been seen anywhere in the state, The Nation reports.

They were said to have been in the state when the news broke out that some workers were been quarantined in Ogun State.

Some of the workers interviewed said that they have not seen the Chinese who were supervising the project at the sites.



A Nigerian worker who craved anonymity said that the Chineses were no longer coming to supervise the road construction work.

The road contract was awarded to the Chinese company to execute the Ihiagwa- Nekede Polytechnic Road, Owerri-Aba and Akachi roads, but the nationals deserted the sites when the news of the coronavirus went viral.

However, some Imo indigenes have expressed worry about the presence of the Chinese workers in the state and demanded that the state government should quarantine the workers to safeguard the citizens from the deadly virus.

Nze Paul Osuji appealed to the state government to do something about the presence of the Chinese company in the state to ensure that the Chinese nationals and the Nigerian workers are free from the disease.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/coronavirus-chinese-nationals-abscond.html

Photos: Pregnant Katy Perry proudly flaunts her baby bump

She officially announced her pregnancy earlier this week.  And Katy Perry certainly isn't shy about showing off her growing baby bump, with the pop princess sporting a tight multicoloured cocktail dress at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

The 35-year-old is currently in Australia for a number of promotional events and to perform a benefit concert to raise money for the devastating bushfire crisis.
Katy's stylish frock hugged her figure in all the right places, easily allowing for a clear glimpse of her growing bump.

She styled her peroxide blonde hair in a trendy bob and accessorised with strappy orange heels and eccentric earrings.

The Fireworks songstress certainly had a pregnancy glow about her, and was smiling brightly as she posed for photos.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/photos-pregnant-katy-perry-proudly.html

Boris Johnson's pregnant fiancée, Carrie Symonds shows off bump and engagement ring

Carrie Symonds has made her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy and engagement to PM Boris Johnson.

Miss Symonds was pictured wearing a large engagement ring at an event at 10 Downing Street to mark International Women's Day.

The 31-year-old is set to welcome her baby to the world in the summer, but the precise date has yet to be announced.

Nor is it yet known when the couple will tie the knot, but it will be the first time in 250 years that a Prime Minister has got married while in office.


The mum-to-be, a former Tory Party press officer, announced on her private Instagram account that she was expecting, saying she felt "incredibly blessed".

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/boris-johnsons-pregnant-fiancee-carrie.html

Queen to 'refuse photos' with Dubai Sheikh after court ruled he abducted daughters

The Queen is set to distance herself from the ruler of Dubai after a court ruled that he abducted and detained his daughters against their will.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum "ordered and orchestrated" the abduction and forced return to Dubai of Sheikha Shamsa, then 19, in August 2000 and her sister Sheikha Latifa twice, in 2002 and again in 2018, according to a damning judgment published on Thursday.

The confirmation of long-standing rumours surrounding Sheikh Mohammed's two daughters came out of his legal battle with ex-wife Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 45, the half-sister of King Abdullah II of Jordan, over their two children.

The Queen and Sheikh Mohammed have previously been pictured together at horse racing events and he has been invited to the Royal Box at Ascot.


But The Times reported she will "refuse to be photographed with him or the princess in public" following the court case.

Princess Haya asked the High Court to make a series of findings of fact about Sheikh Mohammed, in particular in relation to the kidnap and forcible detention of his two adult daughters, who are from another marriage almost two decades apart.

Shamsa, now 38, was abducted from the streets of Cambridge on August 19, 2000, and has never been seen in public since.

Now Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed "aspects" of their 2001 probe - which found insufficient evidence to take any action - will be revisited, although the force insisted the investigation was no longer "active".

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/queen-to-refuse-photos-with-dubai.html

Coronavirus: Pope Francis to deliver Sunday’s prayer by livestream

Pope Francis decided to deliver Sunday’s prayer by livestream and Italy called in retired doctors as the new coronavirus epidemic gathered strength and emptied streets in Europe’s worst affected country.

The 83-year-old pontiff broke with centuries of tradition by enlisting the help of technology to keep crowds from descending on Saint Peter’s Square for the traditional Angelus Prayer.

“The prayer will be broadcast via livestream by Vatican News and on screens in Saint Peter’s Square,” the Vatican said in a statement.

It had originally promised to review the Argentine-born pope’s schedule “to avoid the dissemination” of the new COVID-19 disease.


The Vatican appears to believe that the pope’s absence from his traditional spot at the window will keep the crowds on the vast square down and the threat of contagion low.

The pope himself has been out of action for more than a week with a cold.

The Vatican is in the process of unrolling unprecedented health precautions designed to keep the city state’s 450 mostly elderly residents safe.

It recorded its first COVID-19 infection on Thursday and was awaiting the results of a test on another person who appeared at a Vatican-organised event last month.

That conference was also attended by Microsoft President Brad Smith and European Parliament President David Sassoli.

The Vatican said all those present were being notified about the test as a precaution.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/coronavirus-pope-francis-to-deliver.html

Pa Kasumu never thought his sickness would kill him – Son

The death of veteran actor, Kasumu Odumosu, fondly called Pa Kasumu came as a shock to many, even though the actor had been battling with stroke for nine years.

The 66-year-old actor who had acted in over 100 films would fondly be remembered not only for his humorous roles but for his signature voice which always singled him out.

Speaking with Saturday Beats, Pa Kasumu’s eldest son, Olatunde Odumosu, said his father never thought that his sickness would lead to death, while adding that his late father’s wish was to have a personal encounter with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Adeboye.

He said, “My father died around 1pm last Sunday. I was 30 minutes away from the hospital when he died. For his burial, we want to work around April 2 and 3. I don’t want to sound like I’m giving a precise date because it’s dependent on the venue we want to use. We have to be sure that the venue is free to accept my father’s burial.


“On that Sunday, he was first taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta but was later rushed to a private hospital because he needed urgent medical attention.

 My father never thought that his sickness would eventually lead to his death. He battled stroke for nine years. Though the doctors said it was partial stroke but I believe that stroke is stroke.

“He always felt that he would get back on his feet one day, though he was forgetting things and it seemed like he was beginning to lose his memory. He would get it back sometimes like he wanted to say something but then, he would forget again. Sir K (Pa Kasunmu) never submitted to death. He was still optimistic that he would get back to acting.

“Sometimes, he used to lament that people didn’t call him for movie roles again because of his ailment. But I always encouraged him that he would soon be hale and hearty. He constantly told us that he was targeting Pastor Enoch Adeboye because he believed that once the man of God prayed for him, his brain would come back and his health would be restored. He was not seeing well and sometimes, his eyelids would shut down that he had to use his hands to open them himself; it was that bad.

“We had a lot of offers from different people under the guise of prophets and spiritualists. He was the joy of the family. His ambition in life was to die as an actor. He wanted to live all his life on the screen and on the stage. His house was littered with scripts, both finished and unfinished.”

Pa Kasumu’s son also revealed that his father’s teachings and attitude to work were enviable. He said, “He loved his acting career like a baby loves breast milk. Acting was like his oxygen.

“I like to remember him for his strength and his passion for life and his job. His own kind of passion wasn’t driven by the availability of money. He just wanted to act. He was full of joy doing all the things he did for a living. He believed that money was automatic that would come by doing what he loved to do. He was a disciplinarian when it concerned his job. My father always said that when one loves what one does, one would find joy within one’s heart and one won’t see it as a taxing career.

“Even though I’m not in the movie industry, his attitude to work moulded my life and career. I’m also happy that my father saw his grandchild. He was a very strong man and he died as a very good man.

“I can boldly say that my father lived a fulfilled life to a very good extent. I am not happy with the way things ended with him. My father loved his acting career like a baby loves breast milk. He had too much passion for acting; like his life depended on it. Acting was like his oxygen.”




source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/03/pa-kasumu-never-thought-his-sickness.html