Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on Saturday after being hospitalised with coronavirus.
Sanz, 76, was president at the Bernabeu from 1995-2000, a period in which Real won the Champions League twice.
"My father has just died," wrote Sanz's son Lorenzo Sanz Duran on Twitter.
"He did not deserve this end in this manner. One of the best, most courageous and hard working people I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion."
Sanz signed players such as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Davor Suker during his time in charge of the 33-time Spanish champions,
Another victim of the explosion that rocked Abule Ado, in the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, has died seven days after the tragedy.
The Punch gathered that the victim died on Saturday at the Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital, Surulere.
The victim’s death had increased the number of fatalities recorded from the explosion that rendered hundreds of residents homeless on Sunday to 23.
Confirming the development, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the female victim died while receiving treatment in the hospital.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “We regret to report that the fatality rate from the Lagos pipeline explosion has climbed to 23 with the death of a female victim who had been receiving treatment at the Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital.
“A revised total of 500 people have been displaced from their homes and 100 of them have been accommodated in the LASEMA relief camp.
“Our help desk remains manned and personnel remain on hand to manage enquiries and arrange transfer to the relief camp for those rendered homeless by the explosions.
“We appeal for calm and urge members of the public to keep off the scene and to be law-abiding.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation plans to suspend all passenger services in the country effective Monday, March 23, says the Federal Government.
The suspension is not unconnected to the spread of the novel COVID-19 which increased from 12 to 22 in the country on Saturday.
Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant on New Media to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), made this disclosure on Saturday via his verified Twitter handle.
FG also announced the closure of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; and the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja effective Monday, March 23.
FLASH: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) plans to suspend all passenger railway services in the country, part of the measures being taken by the Federal Govt to prevent the spread of coronavirus pandemic. The suspension is set to take effect on Monday, March 23. #COVID19
The Lagos State Government has banned all religious and social gathering of over 20 people.
The state government announced this on its Facebook page after 22 cases of coronavirus were recorded in the country on Saturday.
Before the new development, the LASG had imposed restrictions on gatherings of over 50.
It urged residents in the state to adhere to the new directive.
The Federal Ministry of Health had on Saturday confirmed 10 new cases of the coronavirus disease in Nigeria – three new cases in the Federal Capital Territory and seven in Lagos State.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 22 (twenty-two).
However, the index case and the second case have both been discharged.
All 10 new cases are Nigerian nationals; nine of them travelled to Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
The 10th case had close contact with a previously confirmed case.
There are 10 new cases of confirmed coronavirus in Nigeria, the Federal Government has announced.
Three of the new cases are in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and seven new cases in Lagos State.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 22.
A statement by the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire said: “All 10 new cases are Nigerian nationals; 9 (nine) of them have travel history to the Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.
“They returned to the country in the past 1 (one) week; the 10th case is a close contact of a previously confirmed case.
“The 3 cases in the FCT are being treated at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada while the 7 new cases in Lagos are being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH), Yaba.
“All 10 new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are currently receiving treatment”.
The spiritual and traditional head of the Aborigine Ogboni worldwide, Oba Olakisan Adetoyese has offered to perform rituals to appease to gods in bid to end the scourge of coronavirus in the country.
Oba Adetoyese said that the federal government should tackle the pandemic disease with traditional and spiritual means.
The head of fraternity made this known in a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo, Osun State on Saturday.
He said that coronavirus should be fought with spiritual power and not only scientific means.
The statement read, “the disease is not an ordinary one and it demands spiritual solution to send it packing. Several terrible epidemics in the past had always been tackled through spiritual means even when there was no medical or scientific know-how.
“I offered to embark on spiritual activities to curb the disease in the country and I will meet with some selected Governors in the South West on ways to avert the spread of the disease.
“Also, I am ready to appease the gods through rituals in some selected cities within the South West region as a means of solving the epidemic.
He called on traditional rulers and other religious leaders especially Muslims and Christians to also embark on spiritual activities to curb the menace of coronavirus ravaging the entire world.
Three persons have tested positive for Coronavirus in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
According to a report by The Punch, the capital index case is an official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
He was one of the passengers on the British Airways’ flight that landed on March 13, 2020.
Punch confirmed that a medical doctor who disclosed the index cases said that the three patients had been moved to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.
The Spanish Government is ordering the closure of all hotels across the country by next Thursday so they can be converted into hospitals after the country’s death toll rose by 169 in a day to 1,002
The Ministry of Health in Spain published the regulation on Thursday night in an extraordinary Official State Gazette notice.
The new measure orders ‘the suspension of opening to the public of all hotels and similar lodgings, tourist accommodation and other short-term accommodation… situated on national territory,’ the official notice reads.
“The concentration of people in tourist accommodation, which must share certain common spaces, implies an increased risk of contagion, which is why, given the situation of restriction in the mobility of people, it is necessary, to guarantee the containment of the pandemic, to proceed to suspend the opening of these establishments to the public,” said the health department.
The new rule will affect all hotels and similar accommodation, tourist accommodation and other short-stay accommodation, camping sites, caravan parks, and other similar establishments, located anywhere in the national territory.
Although the measure does not apply to long-term accommodation where guests can cater for themselves – as long as they can obey quarantine rules.
According to the Ministry of Health, 1,002 people have died from coronavirus after 169 new deaths were announced today with 18,077 confirmed cases.
2019 Big Brother Naija former housemate, Diane Yashim, popularly called Diane Russet, has recounted how she once ‘hated God’ because of what she went through after the death of her father.
The reality star in a recent interview with The Punch, opens up on the setbacks she faced and how she questioned God for years.
She said, “My mother’s prayers have been working for me. I didn’t know that the love I’m getting was going to be so overwhelming and I’m surprised about everything.
“I remember crying more than I prayed. I remember questioning God and for a couple of years, I hated God if that makes any sense. It was difficult for me to get back to where I was with God because I struggled to pray. You know, I lost my dad. School wasn’t going fine and I had a lot of setbacks. But looking at things now, I feel that I had to have gone through that phase to be where I am today. That’s why I appreciate things now and I won’t trade my journey so far for anything now.
“My mum has been really supportive because she believes in me. She understands why I’m passionate about my career and has never complained that I’m overdoing things. It’s been all positive vibes from her and even people in the northern part of the country (where I come from) have been very supportive, to my surprise.”
Also speaking relationship with other ex-housemates, Diane Russet said, “I am friends with all the housemates; together, we are a ‘vibe’. We act like brothers and sisters and care for one another. I personally have a genuine love for all the ex-housemates. All that happened at my birthday bash was just us having fun as we had always done while in the house.”
“I found a sister I never had in Mercy Eke. Initially, I didn’t think I would be close to her but I can’t help loving her; she’s really a nice person. She pushes and inspires me to do things that I didn’t know I could do.” She added.
Gboyega Akosile, chief press secretary to the governor says some hospitals in Lagos state have started receiving patients suffering from chloroquine poisoning.
Akosile who quoted Oreoluwa Finnih, senior special assistant to the governor on health, urged people to stay away from excessive consumption of chloroquine as a measure to fight coronavirus.
Following a statement by US President, Donald Trump saying chloroquine, oral artemisinin-based monotherapy (oAMTs) has been approved for the treatment of covid-19, many Nigerians rushed to purchase the drug in excess.
The Anambra state police command have arrested 75-year- old man, Raphael Mbanyereude aka Papa Okoye, pictured above, for allegedly defiling two sisters aged two and four in Okija, Ihiala Local government area of Anambra state.
In a statement released on Friday March 20th, the spokesperson of the state police command, Haruna Mohammed, said the aged man was arrested following a report by the mother. He said the Commissioner of Police, John Abang, has ordered for immediate transfer of the case to the State CID for discreet investigation.
“On the 17/3/2020 at about 11:am, following a formal complaint, Police operatives attached to Okija Division arrested one Raphael Mbanyereude alias (Papa Okoye)’m’ aged 75years of Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Suspect allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge with two minors all females, aged 2 and four years(Children of same parent) respectively.
The dastardly act was discovered by the Children’s mother when she saw her children crying and holding their private parts. She then became curious and checked only to discover water coming out and their private parts became reddish as well.
Meanwhile, victims were taken to the hospital for medical examination where laceration of their hymen was confirmed.Suspect has voluntary confessed to the crime. The CP enjoins parents to strictly monitor their children in order to avert similar ugly incidents.” the statement read
A cluster of 35 coronavirus cases linked to a marriage ceremony near Sydney and new government measures have hit Australia’s multi-billion-dollar wedding industry and forced many tearful couples to cancel the big day.
Restrictions on gatherings of more than 100 people were announced this week in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.
Among the new rules was the stipulation that indoor events should allow at least four square metres (43 square feet) per person, while the government has advised people to stay at least one metre away from one another.
The outbreak and new rules have thrown the wedding industry — worth around Aus$4 billion (US$2.3 billion) a year in Australia — into limbo.
“You’re not just dealing with having to cancel an event… that people have been literally dreaming and thinking non-stop about,” Sydney-based wedding planner Lara Beesley told AFP on Saturday.
“It’s very heartbreaking to see and there’s been lots of teary phone calls.”
From florists to photographers, those working in the industry were already feeling the impact as weddings were put off indefinitely, she added.
A total of 35 cases of the virus have now been traced back to the wedding south of Sydney earlier this month, health authorities said.
Groom Scott Maggs told the Sydney Morning Herald the discovery of a cluster linked to his wedding had come as a shock.
“There was no hysteria or bans on March 6, it just wasn’t on the radar,” he said.
Couples are being urged to consider postponing or hosting smaller events, Elise James from wedding planning agency Easy Weddings said. “We’re encouraging couples to do that where safe,” she said.
Australia’s confirmed cases climbed to more than 900 on Saturday, with seven deaths in the country since the outbreak began.
A man in Spain has been arrested for walking the streets wearing a T-Rex dinosaur outfit to take his trash outside while the country is on lockdown.
It is gathered that the man who tested positive for coronavirus was arrested after he was seen dressed as nan enormous brown dinosaur.
The Murcia Police located in the southeastern Spanish city shared footage of the man dressed as a dinosaur and warned citizens to stay at home.
Writing on Twitter, Murcia Police said while dog owners can go on short walks, dinosaurs cannot. They wrote:
“During state of alarm, walking of pets is allowed if accompanied by one person, always short walks so they can relieve themselves. Having a Tyrannosaurus rex is not covered. #stayathome.”
The man’s arrest is coming just a day after earlier Murcia Police reminded nationals of the quarantine rules:
“Remember that you can go outside during the essential time so that our pet meets his needs and do not forget to collect their droppings. Do not use your pet as an excuse to break the rules.”
American television talk show host Andy Cohen is the latest celebrity to test positive for the novel coronavirus.
The 51-year-old host of the long-running late-night show “Watch What Happens Live” revealed on his Instagram page that he tested positive for coronavirus
“After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus… I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves.”
The revelation is coming hours after Andy Cohen had announced that he would be filming his show without a live audience and from his New York home in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. That plan is now on hold as Cohen said he would be focusing on getting better.
“As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we’re putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better.”
As a result of the spread of the coronavirus, a number of live television shows such as Trevor Noah’s The Daily Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show With Steven Colbert, Late Night With Seth Meyers and Full Frontal With Samantha Bee, Wendy Williams’ show, among others, would no longer fil with a live audience.
A former General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church, Prophet Samuel Abiara, has urged world leaders to seek God’s intervention by convening national prayer sessions in addition to proactive medical measures being taken to end the COVID 19 pandemic.
Abiara, who said that the killer virus would mysteriously fizzle out the same way it came, however, stressed that all legitimate means should be deployed in combating the scourge.
The renowned cleric spoke yesterday during a press conference held on the coronavirus pandemic at the Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The man of God lamented the poor state of health facilities in the country, saying, “There is need for Federal Government to equip both the big hospitals and the primary health centres.
“This is the time for government to provide sophisticated equipment in our hospitals. If this is done, the rich and the political office holders would not engage in medical tourism as being done today.
The trend is partly responsible for capital flight. But, if our hospitals are well equipped with sophisticated equipment, the people would no longer be attracted to travelling overseas for medical care. As such, in situations such as this, the country would not be badly hit.
“I can say that what is happening currently in the world is a warning sign that Jesus Christ is coming. Let the whole world be prepared. God doesn’t want anybody to perish, so COVID 19 will feezle away the same way it came. It is only prayer that can solve this problem because science cannot explain so many things about it.
Let the presidents of nations of the world proclaim one day and one night prayer and coronavirus would disappear”.
On government’s directives that social distance should be maintained to curb the spread of the virus, he said, “We shall obey the rules and maintain social distance.
The coming service may not be different from the way we use to observe it in the past but we shall definitely review things by avoiding handshakes during service.”
There was chaos on Friday in Minna, Niger State, when angry commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as okada riders, burnt down the office of the Federal Road Safety Corps .
The okada riders were angry over the death of one of their colleagues allegedly caused by some FRSC officials.
It was learnt that the late motorcyclist rode against traffic along the GRA in the state and in a bid to arrest him, the FRSC officials on patrol opened their vehicle door to block his motorcycle.
Eyewitnesses said the rider crashed the motorcycle in the process and hit his head on the pavement, leading to a serious injury. He was said to have been rushed to a hospital where he died.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the accident resulted in the death of two people; the rider and his passenger.
Some of the FRSC officials were said to have fled when the motorcyclists mobilised themselves but they beat others who waited. The protesters later set fire to office of the corps.
Nothing could be rescued from the burnt building as official documents, valuables of officers and an ambulance at the unit were affected by the fire.
The office of the National Orientation Agency located to the FRSC office was also burnt.
The Public Education Officer of the Unit, Deputy Route Commander, Olugbemiga Bello, who described the incident as unfortunate, stated that the FRSC men on patrol did not cause the accident.
“The motorcyclist did not die but was injured. The accident was caused by the injured motorcyclist due to recklessness,” Bello added.
Meanwhile, Chairman, Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria in the area, Umar Amah, denied the involvement of members of the association in the incident.
He said, “None of our members was around when the building was touched. I personally led away members who besieged the office before the incident occurred.”
American country music legend Kenny Rogers has died aged 81.
A family representative said he "passed away peacefully at home from natural causes".
Rogers topped pop and country charts during the 1970s and 1980s, and won three Grammy awards.
Known for his husky voice and ballads including The Gambler, Lucille and Coward Of The County, his career spanned more than six decades.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and, that same year, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Country Music Association.
In their statement his family said he "left an indelible mark on the history of American music".
A keen businessman, Rogers also led several ventures over the years, mainly in property and the restaurant sector.
An Osogbo Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, to appear in person for the hearing of a matter bordering on allegations of assault filed against him by the Agbowu of Ogbaagba, Oba Dirkrullahi Akinropo.
Oba Akinropo filed a suit accusing Oba Akanbi of assault at a peace meeting in the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI, on February 14.
Through his counsel, Soji Oyetola, Oba Akinropo on March 6 sought and got relief of the court to file an application to compel the Oluwo to appear in person for trial.
Addressing the court when the matter came up on Friday, Oyetayo urged the court to issue a bench warrant for the Oluwo’s arrest over his failure to appear before the court.
Oyetayo said the defendant was duly served with the court process and should have appeared in person.
But in a counter-argument, lawyer for the Oluwo, Tiamiyu Adegboyega, said the application was served on the office of his client around 12.45pm on March 18.
He claimed that the monarch had not been informed and served the process personally.
He urged the court to discountenance the application for bench warrant for the Oluwo’s arrest, saying it had no basis in law.
Ruling on the application, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara ruled that Oba Akanbi should appear before the court in person on April 3 when the matter would come up again.
According to him, the matter being a quasi-criminal matter, will require the Oluwo’s presence in court and directed that hearing notice should be pasted on the walls of his residence.
He added that hearing notice should also be forwarded to Oba Akanbi’s verifiable phone number.
Canada’s cases of the COVID-19 respiratory illness caused by the coronavirus passed more than 1,000 on Friday.
The sobering reality of the pandemic has made Prime Minister Justin Trudeau roll out a series of measures to stop further spread of the disease.
Henceforth, Canada will turn back asylum seekers who walk over the U.S.-Canada border, Trudeau said on Friday, as economic damage from the coronavirus outbreak intensified and a ban on non-essential travel across the world’s longest undefended border was set to come into effect.
More than 500,000 applications for Canadian unemployment benefits were made so far this week, versus just under 27,000 in the same week last year, Trudeau said. The monthly number of unemployment insurance claims last year averaged 239,000.
“This is of course an unprecedented situation and it is putting a lot of pressure on our system, but we’re on it,” he told reporters outside his house, where he has been in isolation since his wife tested positive for the virus last week.
Air Canada, the country’s largest carrier, said on Friday it will temporarily lay off more than 5,100 employees.
The jobless claims indicate an unemployment rate over the next two months “probably the likes of which we have not seen in the post-war era,” said Bank of Montreal Chief Economist Douglas Porter.
The Bank of Canada on Friday said it would take additional measures to help ensure financial markets continue operating smoothly “given the rapidly evolving uncertainty”.
Canada has closed its borders to most foreign nationals and agreed with the United States this week to close their shared border. A notice from the U.S. Homeland Security Department (DHS) said restrictions will begin at 11:59 p.m. EDT Friday and last until April 20.
Trudeau said the measure to return asylum seekers who walk into Canada outside official border stations was a temporary one to protect the health of Canadians during the coronavirus outbreak.
As the border deadline approached, traffic was already snarled on some crossings early on Friday owing to stepped-up screening measures by the Canada Border Service Agency.
