YouTube Star Steve Cash Commits Suicide

We live in uncertain times. Please always create time to check on people around you,l - family, friends, neighbours, etc.

YouTube star Steve Cash who was the voice behind the Talking Kitty Cat videos has committed suicide at the age of 40.

Social media sensation Cash died on Thursday morning from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a battle with mental health issues, TMZ reported.

The YouTube star had more than 2.43 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, with his videos racking up more than 770 million views.

His heartbroken wife, Celia DeCosta Cash, announced the news of his tragic death Friday morning.

'This is so hard. I'm not even sure what to say, or for that matter, what to do. I just lost my best friend, my sidekick, my lover, my mentor, my absolute everything, this morning,' she wrote in a Facebook post, alongside a photo of the couple.

'I'm so sad to say, my husband, Steve Cash took his own life this morning 4/16/2020. It hurts me to share this.

'Please understand, give the family time to grieve, but know that Steve is no longer in pain.'

Cash became an instant YouTube hit when he set up his sketch comedy series Talking Kitty Cat back in November 2007. 

Last Statement Of Abba Kyari Before His Death: "I Hope To Be Back Soon"

Six days after he went on self-isolation following the confirmation of his COVID-19 status, the now late Abba Kyari, former chief of staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, issued a statement on his health, which has turned out to be his last.

Below is the statement which he signed:

I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation. This is a precautionary measure: I feel well, but last week, I tested positive for coronavirus, the pandemic that is sweeping the world. I have followed all the protocols government has announced to self-isolate and quarantine.

I have made my own care arrangements to avoid further burdening the public health system, which faces so many pressures. Like many others that will test also positive, I have not experienced high fever or other symptoms associated with this new virus and have been working from home. I hope to be back at my desk very soon. I have a team of young, professional, knowledgeable and patriotic colleagues, whose dedication has been beyond the call of duty, who continue to work seven days a week, with no time of the day spared. We will continue to serve the President and people of Nigeria, as we have for the past five years.

I want to thank all our fantastic, talented and brave healthcare professionals, working across the country in such a difficult time; all the good Samaritans looking out for the most vulnerable in our communities; the key workers that will keep our country going through this; friends and family and often strangers, who have sent me such warm wishes and displayed such a generosity of spirit.

We should be calm, measured and diligent – be meticulous in your hygiene, especially with cleaning hands, if possible stay at home or keep your distance. Listen to good advice from the proper authorities: pay no heed to quack cures or fake news from social media. President Buhari will do whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of our people and get the country back on its feet as soon as possible.

Like the whole world, we are dealing with a new disease. Our experts are learning more all the time about coronavirus, what it does and how we can combat it. What we do know is that while some may become very sick, many others who contract the virus will not, and may have no symptoms at all. This is a disease that recognises no difference between north and south, men or women, rich or poor. We are all in this together.

Sincerely,
Abba Kyari
Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari

Wike Talks Tough: "I Don't Take Orders From Abuja"

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has said he would not receive orders from President Muhammadu Buhari or anyone in Abuja regarding exempting oil companies from flying into his state.

Wike, lamenting about flights still entering Rivers, said the state government is ready to fight to protect its people rather than endanger lives by allowing oil companies and expatriates to enter the state during Coronavirus lockdown.

He said he would only receive instructions when there is a dialogue with Buhari, adding that he is not one of the ‘Beggar governors’ who visit Abuja to beg for funds for their states.

According to him, Nigeria is not a military government but a federal state.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Wike stressed that the state does not have N10bn to make isolation centres to treat Rivers people, hence they would fight against any plan to infect the state.

“Is this lockdown only for the poor? It’s unfortunate for someone to go against the lockdown rules of the government at this time.

“Akara sellers in Lagos trying to make daily income are chased out of the street and carried to court, but they said we should leave oil companies and allow them to operate and fly.

“As long as they do not enter my territory, I have no problem because we will fight, if we don’t fight, we cannot survive.

“I don’t take orders from Abuja but Rivers people. If they want to work with me they should come, I will not go and beg them. If they want war, we will fight, but I will make sure my people are protected from coronavirus.

“My people wouldn’t die. I’m not against the federal government, what are we fighting for, but I will do what is right if you want me to work with you, talk with me and don’t give me a directive.

“Nobody can use Rivers state as a toy, If you don’t like me, that will encourage me to like myself. Even my father has never given directive but calls me and has a dialogue for a way out, but you that is not my father will issue directive so you can kill Rivers people.

“I won you in 2015, I won you in 2019, have I not won, not one project in Rivers but you stay in Abuja and give me directives I will not agree. We are in a federal system, but governors have been reduced as beggars.

“We are not in a military government where you will sit down in your office and direct me. I’m not one of those governors that will come to Abuja to ask for help, so don’t issue me a directive when you were elected like me.

“As a governor, the right thing must be done so people must not die.

“Is there any oil company operating in America, it’s only here in Nigeria. I’m a boy to Rivers people, not anybody outside this state.

“The other time it was Caverton, now it’s ExxonMobil. The lockdown is not for the poor alone; it includes everybody..." 

Visitors To St. Edward Hospital, Ajah, Lagos Advised To Self Isolate Over Presence Of Patient With Coronavirus

St. Edwards hospital in Ajah area of Lagos state has called on all those who visited the facility in the last one week to undergo self-isolation for a period of 14 days.

Metro Health, one of the state’s health maintenance organisations (HMOs), disclosed that the hospital had been attending to a COVID-19 patient unknowingly.

The patient, with cardiac symptoms, was said to have been admitted to the hospital on April 11, without providing information about previous contact with a COVID-19 case.

In a statement, the hospital said it received a call from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on April 12 regarding the patient.

“The Hospital received the team from NCDC, and sample was taken from the patient on that Sunday, April 12, 2020,” it read.

“NCDC communicated the result on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, which confirmed the patient to be positive and said they were coming to evacuate the patient.

“NCDC did not come on Tuesday but eventually came on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, and evacuated the patient.

“The hospital has been cooperating with NCDC, WHO and all other health agencies that have called or visited since the incident.

“The hospital had been decontaminated on April 15 working with NCDC and following the guidelines stipulated by NCDC. Though NCDC counselled that they can start normal work after one (1) hour of decontamination, the hospital decided to remain closed and reopen for business on Friday, April 17, 2020.”

The hospital said in line with guidelines prescribed by NCDC, those who visited the facility between April 11 and April 15 should “immediately self isolate, stay at home and avoid contact with people including your family (by staying in a room) for 14 days.”

It advised such persons to avoid public places and public transportation.

Dino Melaye, Festus Keyamo, Others React To Death Of Abba Kyari

Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, died on Friday April 17, weeks after testing positive for the dreaded Coronavirus.

Kyari tested positive in Abuja and was moved to Lagos for further medical attention but unfortunately passed away yesterday.

Nigerians including Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state, Dino Melaye, Ben Bruce, Minister Festus Keyamo, and many others have taken to social media to mourn and react to Kyari's death.

Read some of their reactions below...

Governor Obaseki tweeted;

I received the news of the death of Mallam Abba Kyari with a heavy heart. We have indeed lost a rare gem. 

As Chief of Staff to President @MBuhari, Mallam Abba Kyari commanded great influence that made him a rallying point for key policy decisions. He would be missed greatly.

Minister Festus Keyamo wrote;

When I chatted with him exactly on Tuesday, March 24, 2020, he assured me his health was fine and that he would faithfully take the treatments. But God always knows best. Sincere condolences to the Kyari family and the Government of Nigeria. Adieu Mallam Abba Kyari.

493 Confirmed Cases Of Coronavirus Now In Nigeria, With 17 Deaths

Fifty-one new cases of #COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria in the last 24 hours; 32 in Lagos, 6 in Kano, 5 in Kwara, 2 in FCT, 2 in Oyo, 2 in Katsina, 1 in Ogun, 1 in Ekiti.

As at 10:10 pm 17th April there are 493 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Discharged: 159. Deaths: 17.

19 states and FCT active. The breakdown...

Lagos- 283
FCT- 69
Kano- 27
Osun- 20
Edo- 15
Oyo- 15
Ogun- 10
Kwara- 9
Katsina- 9
Bauchi- 6
Kaduna- 6
Akwa Ibom- 6
Delta- 4
Ondo- 3
Ekiti- 3
Enugu- 2
Rivers- 2
Niger- 2
Benue- 1
Anambra- 1

IGP Redeploys Rivers CP Over Actions Of Governor Wike

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has removed the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura.

Dandaura, who is now the Provost, Force headquarters, Abuja, was believed to have been redeployed over the arrest of two Caverton Helicopters pilots and their passengers on April 7, as well as the latest arrest of 22 oil company workers.

He was replaced with CP Joseph Mukan.

Also redeployed was CP Musa Adze, who is now in charge of the Anti-Fraud Unit, a statement in Abuja on Friday by the Force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said.

The redeployments are with immediate effect.

Dandaura had on the directive of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, detained the pilots for allegedly bringing in oil workers into the state, thereby violating the border closure order of the Rivers State Government meant to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

The CP had followed the governor to the NAF base in Port Harcourt to arrest the pilots who were hastily arraigned before a magistrate’s court and quarantined in a hotel on the orders of the court.

CP Dandaura justified his action, stating that the pilots and the oil workers violated the regulations regarding the safety of the state.

Abba Kyari Dies Of Coronavirus (More Details)

The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mallam Abba Kyari, is dead. He died on Friday at age 81.

The Presidency, through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, confirmed Kyari's death.

Announcing Kyari’s death via his verified Twitter handle, Shehu wrote, “The Presidency regrets to announce the passage of the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari.

“The deceased had tested positive to the ravaging COVID-19, and had been receiving treatment. But he died on Friday, April 17, 2020.”

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also wrote via his verified Twitter handle: 

“Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon.”

It would be recalled that Kyari had tested positive for the coronavirus in March after a trip to Germany and Egypt.

Doctors attending to the late Chief of Staff, according to a report by The Punch, had obtained his medical records from Wellington Hospital, St John’s Wood, London, which showed that he (Kyari) had some other ailments.

Sadly, most of those who have died of Coronavirus around the world are people with other ailments, and most times their organs and immunity are no longer strong enough to withstand the dreaded virus.

Abba Kyari's ailments likely hampered his chance of recovery, which eventually led to his death.

Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari is dead

Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari is dead.

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity confirmed this in a tweet at 12:44 am on Saturday, April 18, 2020.

He tweeted, "Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon".

Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, passes on. May God rest his soul. Amen. Funeral arrangements to be announced soon.

— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) April 17, 2020

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/04/chief-of-staff-to-president-mallam-abba.html

Enugu Discharges Another COVID-19 Patient After Full Recovery

The Enugu State Ministry of Health has discharged the second patient from Treatment and Isolation for COVID 19.

Yesterday, the state announced that a patient had been discharged, making a total of two.

Kano In Total Lockdown As Coronavirus Spread, Security Take Over Major Roads

Heavily armed security operatives have taken over major streets in Kano as the one-week lockdown imposed by the state government took effect from 10 O’clock last night. 

The lockdown is to stem the fast-spreading coronavirus which is increasing daily. 

Daily Trust reports that Kano has a population of over 13 million people, and is the third state in the North West to record the COVID-19 case after Kaduna and Katsina.

Before Kano recorded its index case on Saturday, April 11, there had been mounting pressure on the government to shut its borders with other states in addition to stricter movement measures. 

However, the closure of the boundaries did not happen until Friday, March 27, when the state government banned interstate travels. It was 15 days after the closure of the boundaries that the index case was reported, heightening fears that the vital period had already been lost.

The first COVID-19 case was a 75-year-old retiree and a former ambassador who reportedly travelled to Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos and went back to Kano on March 25. The index case allegedly withheld critical information about his medical condition and travel history to doctors at the hospital where he was first treated, with sources saying that before then, the man had allegedly attended several functions, a development related to the rising cases of the disease in the state.

On Monday, April 13, two additional cases of the COVID-19 were recorded in Kano and on Wednesday, April 15, the state government announced five more cases in the morning and in the evening of the same day, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced 12 additional cases, making it a total of 21cases within a space of four days in the state.  

However, there are fears in many quarters on the preparedness of the state government in terms of resources, manpower and logistics to stem the coronavirus pandemic through contact tracing, isolation and treatment.

Experts say considering its landmass and strategic location as the business nerve of the North, authorities in Kano State would have to do a lot to make headway in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Seyi Makinde Visits Scene Of Fire Outbreak In Ibadan

Governor Seyi Makinde was at Dugbe-Alawo, Ibadan on Thursday to access the degree of damage caused by the Inferno of Wednesday, April 15, 2020. He empathized with the people that were affected while describing the incidence as unfortunate and heartbreaking.

The Governor said the incidence was least expected at a time when the state is battling with the social and economic impact of COVID-19.

He however added that the state government would launch an emergency fund to address disasters and emergencies.

New Coronavirus Drug Helping Patients Recover In Few Days

The world is waiting for that big break in the search for a cure for Coronavirus and with every single day researchers and increasing efforts to do just that.

Covid-19 patients who are getting an experimental drug called Remdesivir have been recovering quickly, with most going home in days, STAT News reported on Thursday after it obtained a video of a conversation about the trial.

The patients taking part in a clinical trial of the drug have all had severe respiratory symptoms and fever, but were able to leave the hospital after less than a week of treatment, STAT quoted the doctor leading the trial as saying.

"The best news is that most of our patients have already been discharged, which is great. We've only had two patients perish," Dr. Kathleen Mullane, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Chicago who is leading the clinical trial, said in the video.

Trials of the drug are ongoing at dozens of other clinical centers, as well. Gilead is sponsoring tests of the drug in 2,400 patients with severe Covid-19 symptoms in 152 trial sites around the world. It's also testing the drug in 1,600 patients with moderate symptoms at 169 hospitals and clinics around the world. Gilead said it expected results from the trial by the end of the month

"We understand the urgent need for a COVID-19 treatment and the resulting interest in data on our investigational antiviral drug remdesivir," the company said in a statement to CNN. But it said a few stories about patients are just that -- stories

"The totality of the data need to be analyzed in order to draw any conclusions from the trial. Anecdotal reports, while encouraging, do not provide the statistical power necessary to determine the safety and efficacy profile of remdesivir as a treatment for Covid-19," Gilead said.

Free Electricity Is Not For Every Nigerian – FG

The two-month free power supply promised by the Nigerian government, as part of measures to reduce the effects of COVID-19 lockdown, is not for all, according to authorities.

To this end, the House of Representatives and stakeholders in the power sector yesterday agreed to set up a joint implementation committee to arrive at those poor and vulnerable Nigerians who will enjoy the package.

No Single Ventilator, But Nasarawa Buys ₦500 Million Cars For Lawmakers

Nasarawa is among states without a ventilator to help in the fight against coronavirus pandemic, but the state governor, Abdullahi Sule has bought 24 Toyota Hilux vehicles for state lawmakers, estimated at nearly N500 million. 

On Thursday, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 407, and today it is 442, causing more panic across the country.

Speaker of Nasarawa House of Assembly, Ibrahim Abdullahi, on Monday stated that Abdullahi gave the 24 Toyota Hilux to the lawmakers as official vehicles.

There are 169 ventilators nationwide spread across only 16 states, Daily Trust exclusively reported last week.

Most of the ventilators already present in the country are in tertiary hospitals —federal medical centres and teaching hospital. Ventilators were very important equipment, not only being used for supportive care of COVID-19 patients, but other respiratory illnesses, hence it's important for all hospitals to have them. 

Nasawara has not reported a confirmed case of COVID-19 but it shares boundaries with Kaduna, Abuja, Kogi, Benue where the virus is already active.

442 Confirmed Cases Of Coronavirus Now In Nigeria

Thirty-five new cases of #COVID19 have been reported as follows:19 in Lagos, 9 in FCT, 5 in Kano, 2 in Oyo.

As at 10:20 pm 16th April there are 442 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. 152 have been discharged with 13 deaths.

COVID19 is active in 19 states. Breakdown;

Lagos- 251
FCT- 67
Kano- 21
Osun- 20
Edo- 15
Oyo- 13
Ogun- 9
Katsina- 7
Bauchi- 6
Kaduna- 6
Akwa Ibom- 6
Kwara- 4
Delta- 4
Ondo- 3
Enugu- 2
Ekiti- 2
Rivers- 2
Niger- 2
Benue- 1
Anambra- 1

Tunisia arrests two for trying to infect police with coronavirus

Tunisia on Thursday said that two men, including a suspected member of a jihadist network, had been arrested over an alleged “terrorist” plot to infect security force personnel with coronavirus.

The suspected jihadist is accused of having used his influence over supporters displaying symptoms of the virus, the interior ministry said in a statement.

The other accused, who was already under surveillance and required to report regularly to a police station, said that he was told to deliberately cough everywhere to contaminate officers during his visit, the ministry said. 

Tests are being carried out to determine if the second arrested man is infected with the novel coronavirus, the ministry said.

The two men were arrested on Monday in Kebili in southern Tunisia, according to National Guard spokesman Houssem Eddine Jebabli.

Tunisia, which has registered hundreds of coronavirus infections and several dozen deaths, has been under a state of emergency since a string of jihadist attacks in 2015.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/04/tunisia-arrests-two-for-trying-to.html

19 persons die of Lassa fever in Bauchi

No fewer than 19 persons have died this year following the resurgence of Lassa fever in Bauchi State.

The State Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela, disclosed this at a press conference held on Thursday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Bauchi.

He said no fewer than 48 persons were under watch and undergoing treatment for the deadly disease in the state.

He said, “It is not as if we have gotten rid of Lassa fever completely in the state; No, we have not. And so far as at week 14 of our campaign, the total number of death to Lassa fever is 19 and we don’t have any new case so far.



“And we are following up contacts of about 48 process and those 48 have been confirmed and are under medication and they are recovering fast.”

The deputy governor, who is also the Chairman, Bauchi State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 and Lassa Fever, stated that the biggest challenge the state has is that there is a low level of awareness among the citizens.

He urged the people of the state to always report any suspected case of Lassa fever in the state, adding that early discovery and treatment could help patients recover.



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/04/19-persons-die-of-lassa-fever-in-bauchi.html

WAEC mulls online tutorials, to release WASSCE timetable soon

The West African Examination Council has warned that its timetable for the 2020 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination that will be released after the coronavirus pandemic break may not leave room for long preparations for candidates.

The council said it had therefore made available several online resources for candidates and pupils sitting for its terminal examination, adding that it was working on making online tutorials available for them.

The Head, WAEC Public Affairs, Mr Damian Ojijeogu, in an interview with punch correspondent, said there might not be time for candidates to begin preparations when the council brings out its new timetable after the pandemic.

He said, “The turn-out of the use of our online resources by candidates has been encouraging. We have been getting great feedbacks. Even those who could not log in initially have been assisted to do so. All the subjects are covered.

“When the lockdown period is over, we will release the new timetable. It is not good that the candidates are idle at home. So, the online resources will help them to revise and it will assist them to avoid the mistakes of those who have written our examination in the past.

“There may not be enough for candidates to prepare for the examination after the pandemic. Those who need online tutors are being provided with such. We hope the pandemic will end and life will return to normal.”

Recall that WAEC, on March 20, announced the postponement of its school certificate examination until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The council had noted that the new dates for the examination, which was earlier scheduled for April 6, would be communicated to schools and other education stakeholders in due course.

“This decision is a demonstration of the organisation’s concern and support for the various protocols being put in place by the federal and state governments of Nigeria and the governments of the other member countries to check the spread of the disease.

“The earlier released timetable for the conduct of the examination is hereby suspended until further notice. We wish to assure all candidates, schools presenting candidates for the examination, all stakeholders and indeed, the general public that this decision will be reviewed once the health situation improves,” the council said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/04/waec-mulls-online-tutorials-to-release.html

COVID-19: Police arrest 18 over Sapele protest

The Delta State Police Command, yesterday said it has arrested 18 persons in connection with Wednesday’s protest by women in Sapele who took to the streets to protest the two weeks extension of the lockdown imposed in the state by the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus in the state.

This is just as the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, took a swipe at the state government’s description of the protest as “politically motivated”, adding that the position of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP led state government is an “embarrassing attempt to divert attention from the State Government ineptitude in bringing about things that benefits Deltans.”

Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Sylvester Imonina in a statement yesterday, explained that in as much as the APC throws its weight behind the state government on the lockdown to check the spread of the pandemic in the state, the party is embarrassed by the spontaneous comments by the state government through the Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu who described the protest as politically motivated.

The party in the statement said: “APC, Delta sees that embarrassing statement from the Commissioner for Information as an attempt to divert attention from the State Government’s ineptitude in bringing about things that benefits Deltans.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/04/covid-19-police-arrest-18-over-sapele.html