Banker Commits Suicide After Marriage He Took Loan For Crashed In Just 2 Months

The family of Mr. Okpanachi John is currently mourning after their son committed suicide over his marriage crashed two months after his wedding.

John works in one of the new generational banks in the Kaduna branch and is 37 years of age.



His elder brother Michael Okpanach, said, a note found beside his corpse inside his sitting room reveals he committed suicide over his marriage crash. He, however, added that the deceased borrowed over N3 million from a bank for his wedding.

John, who lives at the Sabo area along the refinery road in Kaduna, married a lady from the Ankpa area of Kogi state while he comes from Ofu local government in the same state with his wife.

Michael said John’s marriage hit a rock as soon as they wedded, narrating how his brother had on many occasions called him to report how the wife was trying to turn him into a house boy, an attempt he said his brother resisted.

He disclosed that the marriage finally came to an ended when John’s ex-wife pulled him out of a car he was driving on a busy street of Kaduna, on the ground that the car is a wedding gift from her father, claiming her husband has no right to drive the car without her approval.

Michael told W.A.R., angry with the development, his younger brother; John terminated the marriage, two months after the wedding and did not come out of the trauma until he committed suicide.

John who committed suicide on Tuesday morning according to the elder brother drank a poisonous chemical suspected to be a sniper and was seen when his neighbours forced open his door when they did not see him until 1:00 pm.

He, however, added that his dead body has been deposited in a mortuary while the family is preparing to take him back to Ofu for burial.

Two Headed Snake Baffles Wildlife Experts (Photos)

Startling footage shows a rare two-headed snake which has baffled wildlife experts.

Incredibly each of the heads compete against each other for food - meaning such serpents do not usually live long.



The distinctive reptile was found in the Dhenkikot forest range of Keonjhar wildlife sanctuary in Odisha, eastern India.

The newborn was discovered by Rakesh Mohalick, and was identified as a Wolf Snake - which is a non-venomous species.

Photographer Rakesh said: "One among the two heads is slightly more developed and both are known to fight over food."

The snake is 14cm long and has two fully formed heads, meaning it has four working eyes and two flickering tongues.

Both its heads work independently and this becomes a challenge for such creatures to survive in the wild, according to Rakesh.

Two-headed animals are considered in many cultures to be a portent of disaster, and they have frequently appeared in mythology.

But although they are rare, they exist in around one in 100,000 live births in the wild, Mirror UK reports.

After being identified, the rare snake was released into the wild.

Another Monarch, Yusuf Bayero Dies In Kano

The Dan’iya of Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Bayero, is dead. He was the district head of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.

Bayero was said to be the first district head of Ajingi Local Government Area in the history of Kano state.


Not much has been disclosed about the cause of his death.

147 stranded Nigerians await evacuation in South Africa

There are about 147 Nigerians stranded in South Africa due to the global covid-19 pandemic awaiting evacuation, it has been learnt.

This number is beside others who had signified interest to return to Nigeria.

The stranded Nigerians in South Africa comprises of  students research work, those who went for  conferences, holiday, medicals and business but for the global lockdown they are still there and are eager to return home.

Nigeria High Commissioner to South Africa, Mr. Kabiru Bala who confirmed this, said the commission is already in talks with the South African and Ethiopian airlines.


Bala said the High Commission is also in contact with the government of South Africa on the evacuation process.

He said, “We have about 147 Nigerians stranded and others who have registered with the High Commission and consulate in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

“We are in talks with SAA and ET airlines on cost, modalities, dates… we are also in contact with South African authorities in regard to the evacuation.”

South Africa is Africa worst hit by the pandemic with over 8,895 confirmed cases and about 200 deaths.



source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/147-stranded-nigerians-await-evacuation.html

Ghana overtakes Nigeria as Covid-19 number surges

Ghana has recorded 251 Covid-19 cases on Saturday, taking the national total to 4,263.

This makes the country the worst hit in the West African region ahead of Nigeria, which has 4,151 cases.

On Friday, Ghana had announced 921 confirmed cases, its highest daily figure till date.

According to Ghana Health Service (GHS), the huge number recorded on Friday came mainly from the outbreak in an industrial facility.


Out of the 1,300 workers tested there, 533 came out positive.

At the moment, the country has 22 deaths and 378 recoveries.

Ghana’s COVID-19 cases have increased by over 3,000 since 20 April.

This was when the government eased the lockdown in hardest hit regions.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/ghana-overtakes-nigeria-as-covid-19.html

Bauchi residents allege massive deaths from strange ailment which has 'claimed 300 lives'

Bauchi State residents are alleging massive deaths from a ‘strange ailment’ in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

About 301 people are feared dead in the last two weeks in the area, according to residents.

Some suspect the strange ailment to be COVID-19

The State Government on Saturday alleged exaggeration of the matter.


Deputy Governor Baba Tela told reporters that the situation in the Azare was being blown out of proportion by those who don’t reside in the state.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ibrahim Baba, in a May 8, 2020 letter to President Muhammadu Buhari spoke of a “massive outbreak of coronavirus” in Azare.

He said the town recorded over 100 COVID-19 deaths in one week alone, sparking panic among residents.

He said: “Sir, I write to draw your kind attention to the massive outbreak of coronavirus in Azare town and environs in Bauchi State, which has already resulted in over 100 in the last one week, and this has thrown the entire area into great mourning, panic and confusion,” he wrote.

“The centrality and proximity of Azare to Bauchi, Kano and some major cities of Jigawa State make the town’s large population susceptible to the virus due to the already existing large cases of the disease in those areas.

“And because media coverage is always largely skewed toward states capital and other more prominent cities, the ongoing horrific situation in Azare has not gotten the attention it deserves, and that’s why I want to use this privilege to appeal to you for urgent action to arrest the unpalatable situations.

“Consequently therefore, I wish to appeal to your Excellency to direct the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and the presidential Task force on COVID-19 to urgently reach out to Azare town with all the necessary facilities and palliatives to assist the communities there.”

He also appealed to the president to allow a facility the Central Bank of Nigeria built at a Federal Medical Centre in the town to be used for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

“And to help in this expected effort, may I draw your attention to the fact that at the Ophthalmology unit and laboratory have already been built and equipped by the Central Bank of Nigeria at the Azare Federal Medical Centre Since 2013 but have not been commissioned and put to use up till now,” he said.

“This facility can be repurposed to a COVID-19 test and treatment center provided the right equipment are added, including ventilators.

“As a matter of life death, I have the utmost trust in your sense of patriotism and commitment to the well-being of Nigerians that you will assist the beleaguered people of Azare town and environs to overcome this harrowing situation. And while I look forward to your kind response, please, accept the assurance of my high esteem and loyalty.”

In a similar letter to Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Deputy Public Relations Officer (P.R.O) of the State Asset and Recovery Committee, Musa Azare claimed that 301 fresh graves were dug at the Azare cemetery in the “last 14 days.”

Azare who posted the letter on his Facebook wall said:  ‘’ Dear Kauran Bauchi,

“Information reaching me from Azare says that as at yesterday there were 301 fresh graves in the Azare cemetery, dug in the last 14 days. I have verified this information from multiple sources.’

‘’Equally of serious concern is the way people escort their dead ones to the cemetery. No observance of any counter-measure against the Covid-19 pandemic. There is need to intensify awareness campaign.

‘’And to our people, you better wake up, and accept the reality of what the whole world is going through. This deliberate ignorance and reckless skepticism will not do anyone any good. In fact, it is part of the reasons why we’re witnessing more and more deaths. And truly, it amounts to we killing ourselves!”

An Azare resident, Muhammad Muktar, however told The Nation the 310 said to have died were “aged” people.

Another resident, Salisu Azare said: “of course, what you heard is true. The figure may be even be more than that and most of them are within the range of 60 years and above.

“But no one would tell you what killed them. I think only scientific examinations could prove the ailment that killed them. But we are really scared.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/bauchi-residents-allege-massive-deaths.html

Joe Biden s.e.x accuser claims he made vulgar comments

Tara Reade, the woman who's accused Joe Biden of s.e.xual assault, sat down with Megyn Kelly for her first major on-camera interview and included new details about the alleged incident - and said she wants to see Biden drop out of the presidential race.

For the first time in the telling of her story to news organizations, Reade told Kelly that Biden 'said something vulgar' to her during the alleged assault, which Reade said occurred when she was working for Biden in the U.S. Senate in 1993.

'He said I want to f*** you,' Reade told the former Fox News and NBC News anchor.


Since March, Reade has told reporters that Biden pushed her up against a wall in a Capitol Hill hallway, told her that he 'heard' that she liked him, and proceeded to stick his hand down her skirt and digitally penetrate her. When she froze up and indicated that she wasn't interested, she consistently quoted him saying to her that she meant 'nothing' to him.

In the telling with Kelly, she added the four-letter expletive.

'And he said it low. And I was pushing away and I remember my knee hurting because our knees, because he had opened my legs with his knee and our kneecaps clashed, so I felt this sharp pain,' Reade said. 'His fingers were inside of my private area, my vagina,' the ex-staffer added.

In every telling of the story, Reade said Biden told her she 'was nothing' before walking away. 'I think that's the hardest thing,' she told Kelly. 'Those words stayed with me my whole life.'

'I remember small things,' the accuser continued. 'I remember trying to put my shoe back on because I came out of my shoe and I remember my knee hurting and I remember the smell.'

She told Kelly that she wanted to say 'stop.' 'I thought it, I don't know if I said it,' she said.

She also said she wanted Biden to end his presidential run and face the music. 

'I want to say you and I were there, Joe Biden, please step forward and be held accountable, you should not be running on character for president of the United States,' Reade told Kelly, who had asked what her message was for Biden.

Kelly followed up by asking Reade if she wanted Biden to withdraw from the presidential contest.

'I wish he would,' Reade answered. 'But he won't, but I wish he would, that's how I feel emotionally,' Reade said. She previously wrote on social media that Americans should support Bernie Sanders, Biden's former Democratic primary rival.

She then told Kelly that an apology now wouldn't be sufficient. 'I think it's a little late,' Reade said.

Reade revealed to Kelly that she had taken her complaint to both Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris' presidential campaigns when they were still active.

'I tried to reach out to them,' Reade said. 'I didn't get a response.'

She said she chose Harris because as a Californian, the ex-2020 candidate is her senator. 

Reade also told Kelly that she would testify under oath and be cross examined, but she'd only take a polygraph test if the former vice president took one first.

'I'm not a criminal,' Reade said. 'Joe Biden should take the polygraph. What kind of precedent does that set for survivors of violence? Does that mean we're presumed guilty? And we all have to take polygraphs.'

'So I will take one if Joe Biden takes one, but I am not a criminal,' Reade added.

Kelly, formerly of Fox News Channel and NBC News, had announced earlier Thursday on Twitter that she had nabbed the first major sit-down with Reade, who previously complained about the big networks not giving her TV time.

'Her story & some tough Q's in a riveting exchange,' Kelly wrote. 'A ton of news coming ... ,' she said and included a photo of both she and Reade.

Since leaving NBC News in January 2019, Kelly has worked for herself, posting interviews to her YouTube channel, and then promoting them on social media platforms. 

The first clip of the interview, which Kelly posted on Twitter late Thursday afternoon, began with Reade telling the former Fox anchor about harassment she's endured at the hands of so-called Biden 'surrogates.' 

'It's been stunning, actually, how the - some of his surrogates, with the blue checks, that are his surrogates, have been saying really horrible things about me and to me on social media,' Reade said.

'He hasn't himself, but, there's a measure of hypocrisy with the campaign saying it's safe,' she continued.

'It's not been safe,' Reade said. 'All my social media has been hacked. All my personal information has been dragged through. Every person that maybe has, you know, a gripe against me, an ex-boyfriend or an ex-landlord, whatever it is, has been able to have a platform rather than me.'

Late last month, Reade told The New York Times' media critic Ben Smith that no major networks had offered to put her on TV.

'They're just doing stories. No anchors, no nothing like that,' she said. 

At the time, Smith reported, Reade was in talks with Fox News Channel about doing an on-camera interview, with 'Fox News Sunday' with Chris Wallace looking to be the venue.

Reade told The Times that she backed out due to getting death threats. A Fox News source told DailyMail.com that the network was en route to the interview and Reade canceled for security concerns.

She brought the death threats up again Thursday in her sit-down with Kelly.

'I got a death threat from that because they thought I was being a traitor to America,' Reade said, pointing to some postings that branded her a Russian agent.

'And his campaign is taking this position that they want all women to be able to speak safely, I have not experienced that,' she added.

Reade previously did an on-camera interview with Hill.TV, but when discussing media coverage with The Times, she was referencing major network television, saying she had hoped for a sit-down with someone like Gayle King, the host of 'CBS This Morning.'

Reade has accused Biden of sticking his hand down her skirt and digitally penatrating her in a Congressional hallway when she worked for him as an aide in 1993.

The allegations evolved from what Reade had told reporters in 2019 when a number of women came out and said Biden had touched them inappropriately, though not in a sexual way.

Reade had previously claimed that Biden liked her legs and wanted her to waittress at a Capitol Hill cocktail party while she was on staff. Reade also complained that he was touchy-feely, putting his hands on her shoulders, neck and hair. 

'This is not a story about sexual misconduct; it is a story about abuse of power,' she had told Vox reporter Laura McGann, who wrote about Reade's changing story in an essay Thursday.

Reade first told her sex assault story to journalist Katie Halper for her 'Katie Halper Show' podcast on March 25.

'None of that means Reade is lying, but it leaves us in the limbo of Me Too: a story that may be true but that we can’t prove,' McGann wrote.

While a neighbor of Reade's recalls the ex-Senate staffer talking about an incident with Biden in the mid-90s, according to reporting from Business Insider, so far no official documentation has been produced. Reade has also said that the sex assault charges weren't included in any Senate complaint she said she made. 

Biden denied the allegations on-camera last Friday on 'Morning Joe,' which was his first television appearance pushing back on Reade's story.

'I’m saying unequivocally, it never, never happened,' Biden said.

Kelly was among the women at Fox News Channel who accused the late Fox News Channel CEO Roger Ailes of sexual harassment.

Since leaving NBC News, Kelly's video report on how real life Fox News employees responded to the movie 'Bombshell,' a film where she's portrayed by Charlize Theron, was her most widely viewed piece of content, receiving 1.5 million hits on YouTube.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/joe-biden-sex-accuser-claims-he-made.html

Again, another monarch dies in Kano state

The Dan’iya of Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Bayero, is dead.

He was the district head of Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.

Bayero was said to be the first district head Ajingi Local Government Area in the history of Kano state.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/again-another-monarch-dies-in-kano-state.html

Florida Governor is slammed for going shopping without wearing a face mask

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was eviscerated on Twitter after sharing a seemingly harmless post showing him supporting businesses ahead of Mother's Day - only he and the two women seen inside weren't wearing masks.

The Republican governor shared the photo in a post, which pictured him at the Rusted Arrow in Pensacola.

'With Mother’s Day around the corner I stopped by Rusted Arrow in Pensacola to pick up some gifts,' DeSantis said in the post. 'Great store in a beautiful downtown area!'

Co-owners Samantha Breedlove and Ruth Cornelius are seen in the picture with DeSantis, and none of the three are wearing gloves or masks.


The owners took to Instagram to share the governor's visit and it appears they had an additional employee actually handle the items DeSantis purchased. While she was also not wearing a mask, she did have on gloves.

'Thanks for shopping small with us today @rondesantisfl! Such a special visit and it was a pleasure to meet you and your staff,' they said in the post. 'Thank you for your continued efforts and support to reopen small businesses in Florida.'

While the Rusted Arrow arrows hash-tagged the photo '#socialdistancing,' no one in the photos actually appeared to be staying 6ft apart.

Folks on Twitter slammed DeSantis for a number of points, especially for not reopening the economy.

But a bulk of those slamming the governor were disgusted that he hadn't taken measures to ensure everyone's safety.

Gov. DeSantis has only advised all Floridians to wear masks in public, but counties like Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade have mandated all residents cover faces in supermarkets and businesses.

Other cities such as Hollywood, Cooper City, Miramar, Miami, Boca Raton, and Delray Beach already have mask orders in place.

'What is with the GOP,' asked one user, who added DeSantis in a group along with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Missouri Governor Parsons.

Another wondered: 'Where the hell is your mask, jacka*s.'

One person pointed out that one of the women in the store classified as 'high-risk', seemingly because she is older, calling DeSantis a 'clown.'

'Wow photographic evidence they do not care about their customers and you do not care for health or safety of others,' one critic declared. 'Lovely.'

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/florida-governor-is-slammed-for-going.html

Policemen Beat Soldier For Refusing To Wear Face-Mask

There was pandemonium in Benin City, Edo State on Saturday, when a combined team of police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps operatives, allegedly beat up a soldier, for not wearing face mask.

The incident occurred at Lagos street, barely 24-hours after the state government shut down the street to all business activities over alleged refusal of traders and residents of the street to comply with the directives to participate in the ongoing screening and testing exercise for Coronavirus, as part of efforts to contain the pandemic.



It was gathered that trouble started when an unidentified military operative who was on the street was asked to put on his face mask.

An eyewitness who declined to mention his name said the soldier who was on military khaki short had an handkerchief on his neck and that his wife did not properly put on her face mask.

“On entering Lagos Street, the soldier and his wife were asked to wear their face mask by the policemen on duty. The soldier brought his ID card to identify himself but the police officer dismissed the ID card as fake.

“The soldier got infuriated when one of the police officer pushed his wife with a gun in a bid to force her to wear the face mask.

“Following the argument that ensued, the policemen descended on the soldier and injured him on the head with the butt of their gun,” he said.

Traders and passers-by were forced to run in different directions, as men of the Nigerian Army who later stormed the area, allegedly shot repeatedly into the air to scare the police and NSCDC officers.

Quick intervention by officers of the Nigerian Army and the State police command, quelled the situation.

The feuding parties were later driven to the nearby Oba Market Police division to resolve the issue.

The State Police Command’s spokesman, DSP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not be reached on his mobile for for comment.

Lagos May Return Lockdown, Governor Sanwo-olu Gives Reasons

A statement by Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu reads;
Lagos,
We are at a critical point in the management of the #COVID19 pandemic in our state and every resident needs to #TakeResponsibility for their health and wellbeing.

As citizens, we have a great burden upon us, to behave responsibly. These times demand a lot from us, in terms of actions and behaviours that may not be comfortable. It is difficult to adjust to the changes, but adjust, we must.



As a government elected to uphold the security of its citizens, which includes health security, we will not hesitate to review the terms of #EasingTheLockdown if we do not see an improvement in the adherence to our public health guidelines over the next couple of days.

Despite massive advocacy, it is disappointing to see the crowd at banks & markets across the state flouting the guidelines.

We will be forced to take the painful decision of bringing the state under lockdown if it remains clear that Lagosians are determined to flout the rules.

In the weeks ahead, there will be a change in our isolation strategy as we transition towards decentralization.

We will be introducing community management of cases by accrediting primary healthcare facilities for the management of mild-to-moderate cases of #COVID19 patients.

Low compliance with the guidelines by operators of commercial buses and the flouting of the directive by commercial motorcycles will not be tolerated and the security agencies have been directed to confiscate any motorcycle seen flouting the rules.

Getting rid of #COVID19 in our state must be a collective responsibility. It is not something government can do alone. We must all do our part.

The wearing of a face mask in public is not a suggestion. It is a necessity and mandatory.

We remain committed towards strengthening our capacity in combating the pandemic and I want to thank our frontline medical and emergency workers for their amazing sacrifice.

We will beat this.

But everyone must do their part.

Stay safe and #TakeResponsibility.

239 New Cases Of Coronavirus In Nigeria, Total Now 4151

In the last 24 hours, a total of 239 new cases of COVID19 have been reported in Nigeria; 97-Lagos, 44-Bauchi, 29-Kano, 19-Katsina, 17-Borno, 7-FCT, 6-Kwara, 5-Oyo, 3-Kaduna, 3-Sokoto, 2-Adamawa, 2-Kebbi, 2-Plateau, 2-Ogun, 1-Ekiti.

4151 confirmed cases of COVID19 in Nigeria. The breakdown;

Zero turnout as Poland holds bizarre ghost election

Poland's election day, Sunday will be one for the history books as polling stations remain closed and turnout will clock in at zero due to a political crisis set off by the coronavirus pandemic.

The EU member of 38 million people has found itself in the bizarre "Twilight Zone" predicament in which the presidential ballot is formally neither postponed nor cancelled, because the government and opposition were unable to agree on a constitutional and safe solution.

"We're in a fog of legal absurdity," Warsaw-based political scientist Stanislaw Mocek told AFP, echoing the widespread head-scratching and concern.

The government "should have declared a natural disaster to lawfully postpone the election" under the constitution.

The right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party has explained away its refusal to do so by saying Poland's coronavirus situation is not severe enough to warrant the move.

The party has also implied that were it to declare a natural disaster, multinational corporations present in Poland would claim huge sums in compensation that the state would be hard-pressed to pay.

But the liberal opposition and many observers also see another rationale for why the government was set on the May 10 date, despite opinion surveys showing that three out of four Poles wanted a deferral.

The opposition, which has long called for a delay over concerns that a free, fair and safe election is impossible under lockdown, believes the PiS wants the ballot held as soon as possible so that its ally and incumbent Andrzej Duda wins.

The president is the current frontrunner and could secure a second term in the first round with 50 percent of the vote, but his support would likely drop once the economic effects of the pandemic are felt.

Last month, the PiS-controlled parliament passed a law stating the election would be held by postal vote only in a bid to quiet health concerns while maintaining the date.

But the opposition-controlled senate sat on the legislation for weeks before rejecting it, leaving the government no time to organise the election.

On Wednesday, the PiS and its allied Agreement party announced that the poll would be declared null and void after the fact.

"After the May 10, 2020 date passes and the Supreme Court annuls the election as expected in light of the fact that the vote will not have taken place, the speaker of parliament will announce a new presidential election for the first available date," they said in a statement.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/zero-turnout-as-poland-holds-bizarre.html

PHOTOS: LASEMA rescues suspected COVID-19 patient on street

Men of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, on Saturday, in an emergency call, rescued a lady suspected to a patient of COVID-19 along Ajose Adeogun by Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Director-General of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed the report saying the patient has been taken to general hospital for treatment.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “Sequel to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s activation, the agency’s Medical Unit was directed to the above-mentioned scene where a woman was said to be lying down weak and helpless by passersby who called the agency’s emergency toll-free line 112.

“On getting to the scene of the incident, the Team discovered a self-reported 22-year-old female who self-identified as “Princess” sitting on the pavement.

“Further questioning revealed that the young lady who described her occupation as a “runs girl”, (p.r.o.s.t.i.t.u.t.e) was involved in an accident which led to her sustaining bruises all over her body. On medical examination, all her vitals were found to be stable and within normal limits.

“They have since transferred the patient to the General Hospital Lagos for further evaluation and management.”

See photos below:

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/photos-lasema-rescues-suspected-covid.html

Kwara records first COVID-19 death

A man, who recently returned from Lagos after suffering a stroke, has died from COVID-19 complications in Kwara state.

The incident, which is said to be the first COVID-19-related death in the state, occurred on Saturday morning.

Rafiu Ajakaye, chief press secretary to the governor and spokesman of the Kwara state technical committee on COVID-19, disclosed this in a statement.

The man was said to have returned from Lagos with his wife and child, and they were treated as suspected COVID-19 cases, and their samples were taken for testing.

However, the man died before the test result was received on Saturday.

“Kwara State Government hereby announces the death of a COVID-19 case. The fellow had recently arrived Kwara from Lagos with his wife and a child shortly after he suffered stroke at his Lagos base,” Ajakaye said.

“Before his death, the government had treated him, his wife and their child as suspected cases and samples were taken from them. The results of their samples came back positive.

“Unfortunately, he died early Saturday morning even before the family got to know about their COVID status. He has been buried accordingly.

“Everyone involved in the burial has now had their samples taken. Because of the peculiarity of this development, the Rapid Response Team has moved in to bring all those involved into the isolation centre, including the wife and the child.”

The government prayed for the repose of the soul of the late patient, and urged citizens to see COVID-19 for what it is, as “a deadly and highly contagious virus that requires adherence to all safety protocols, including obeying the lockdown order.”

“We repeat that there is no shame or blame in contracting the virus as this is a global pandemic from which no one is immune,” the statement added.

The government also announced four new positive cases of COVID-19, “from amongst those who sneaked into the state from the northwestern axis of the country.”

According to Ajakaye, Kwara has now recorded 28 COVID-19 cases, of which 19 are active cases, even though asymptomatic.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/kwara-records-first-covid-19-death.html

COVID-19: Man who sneaked into Osun from Kano tests positive

Osun State Government has confirmed that a male Kano State returnee has tested positive for coronavirus in the state, bringing the total active cases to three.

A statement by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu on Saturday stated that the man was isolated after sneaking into the state through Iwo.

It added that the patient’s neighbours alerted the state COVID-19 taskforce of his arrival.

“The COVID-19 confirmation test for one suspected case came back positive on Friday out of the 14 samples we sent for testing at the NCDC accredited Testing Centre; the African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases, Ede during the week. The case sneaked into the State from Kano State and the neighbours immediately alerted our COVID-19 team.

“Presently, we have 3 active cases in the State. The good news is that the new case on arrival self-isolated although wasn’t showing any symptom of the Virus”, he added.

Dr Isamotu disclosed that a total of 434 tests have been conducted at the NCDC accredited Testing Centre in Ede adding that testing was still ongoing.

The Commissioner, who said that the State government is not resting on its oars in preventing community transmission of the virus, appealed to residents of the State to always be on the alert and immediately report any suspected case of Coronavirus.

He also urged them not to accommodate anyone from outside the State at this time, saying that it is dangerous to do so at the moment.

“I am appealing to all the residents of the State to always be on the alert, take charge and report any suspected case by calling our COVID-19 hotlines. Let us desist from accommodating people in our homes no matter who they are and stop inviting your family and friends to return to the State at this time as this might be dangerous”, Isamotu said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/covid-19-man-who-sneaked-into-osun-from.html

COVID-19: Ogun triples doctors hazard allowances, offers them life insurance

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has decorated that his administration has put in place life insurance policy for the State health workers, just has their hazard allowance has been reviewed from 200 to 300 per cent.

The Governor who disclosed this when he met with representatives of health workers in the State at his Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the life policy would have taken off immediately but would wait to go along with the federal government, which is also putting in place similar programme.

“I want to inform you that we have put in place life policy for our health workers. We would have started immediately, but we will wait to go along with the federal government which is also planning similar programme”, he said.

The Governor who noted that his administration was determined to provide adequate health care services to the people, also informed that health worker would be appropriately accommodated in the new minimum wage.

Abiodun said he was impressed with the spirit of negotiation, adding that their requests and resolutions with government was a pointer that they were concern with what was going on in the health sector.

“What transpired was because we have not been engaging each other as much as possible. I am impressed with the spirit of negotiation. Your requests and resolutions point to the fact that our health workers are concerned with what is happening in the health sector”, the Governor noted..

While enumerating efforts of his administration to reform the sector, he said prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, rehabilitation of hospitals had commenced with 236 Primary Health Care Centres across the State.

He appealed to the health officers not to allow issues degenerate, but keep communication open with government.

“This pandemic is a surprise to everybody. This happened just as we were beginning to roll out plans for total reform of our health facilities beginning with 236 Primary Health Care Centres. However, I want to assure you that this government is determined to ensure provision of adequate health care for our people”, the Governor promised.

The governor appreciated the health personnel, particularly those tackling the Coronavirus, assuring them that Personal Protective Equipment and other accessories needed to perform their duties effectively, would be made available.

In her remark, the Commissioner for health, Dr. Tomi Coker, described the State health workers as people with passion who are ready to give their all in the sector.

She lauded the governor’s efforts at revamping the sector, saying things are looking up for good.

Speaking, representative of the health workers, Dr. Femi Odubote, lauded the State govenment for addressing their concerns, as all contending issues were adequately trashed out, adding that they would continue to do their best in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges in the State.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/covid-19-ogun-triples-doctors-hazard.html

Google and Facebook to extend work from home plan till 2021

Google and Facebook have announced plans to reopen their offices soon but are allowing more home working flexibility. Google originally said it would keep its work from home policy until 1 June but is extending it for seven more months.

Facebook said it would reopen its offices on 6 July as coronavirus lockdowns are gradually lifted. Google chief executive Sundar Pichai said that employees who need to return to the office will start being able to do so from July with enhanced safety measures in place according to a report by BBC.

But the majority of employees who can carry out their jobs from home will be able to do so until the end of the year, Pichai added.

The announcement coincides with Facebook’s as more companies start rolling out their back-to-work strategies.

Facebook has taken the next step in its return to work philosophy. Today, we announced anyone who can do their work remotely can choose to do so through the end of the year. As you can imagine this is an evolving situation as employees and their families make important decisions re: return to work.

The social media platform was among the first tech firms to ask its employees to begin working remotely. Facebook gave employees $1,000 (₦390,000) bonuses for their work-from-home and childcare costs.

The trend for working from home may suit some companies while they redesign their office spaces to cater to new social distancing guidelines.

Many companies are reluctant to resume work amid the coronavirus crisis.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/google-and-facebook-to-extend-work-from.html

Man killed by Airplane after security breach in Airport

A man was struck and killed by a Southwest Airlines plane as it was landing on the runway of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport late Thursday, according to airport officials.

The man who died was not an employee at the airport and hopped the perimeter fence to gain access to the runway according to a report by ABC News.

Austin airport spokesperson Bryce Dubee said:

We are treating it as a security breach. This is the first time we’ve had a runway incursion like this. We have had the occasional security breach, but no one has ever gotten onto an active runway at the airport.

The pilot of the Southwest flight from Dallas to Austin reported the man on the runway to air traffic control after it was cleared to land.

After the report, the Austin Police Department’s airport unit later discovered a dead adult male on the runway.

The scene was cleared overnight, according to an airport official, and the runway reopened early Friday morning.

Southwest said none of the 59 people on board the flight were injured in the incident and that it is fully cooperating with local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration.

FAA investigators deployed to the scene last night. The agency has not confirmed whether or not the aircraft struck the victim.

A spokesperson from the National Transportation Safety Board said it is still gathering information and has not launched an official investigation at this time.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/05/man-killed-by-airplane-after-security.html

I Helped E-Money Kidnap Rich People But He Left Me Poor – Suspect

A suspect, Ifeanyi Asiegbuelam, has narrated how he helped the late billionaire kidnapper, Collins Ezenwa, popularly known as E-money, to kidnap many rich people from the South-East, especially in Imo and Abia states.

However, Asiegbuelam, 32, lamented that despite aiding Ezenwa to perpetrate the crimes, he did not make him rich.



Ezenwa, a dismissed police corporal, was killed in January 2018 during a gun duel with policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Imo State Police Command when he attempted to kidnap a South-African-based Nigerian businessman in Owerri.

More than 13 buildings including a hotel, belonging to the late kidnapper were reportedly traced by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team to Abia, Imo and Enugu states, while seven cars, two SUVs, one Hilux truck, a commercial bus, two tipper-lorries and a trailer belonging to him were also recovered from several locations within the South-East.

Asiegbuelam, who was arrested recently by policemen in Cross Rivers State and handed over to IRT operatives, claimed that he met E-money, who was killed alongside two other gang members, five years before he joined the Nigeria Police Force.

He said they were both motorcycle operators in Owerri before E-money joined the police.
Speaking to City Round during the week, Asiegbuelam, a primary school dropout from Atah town, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, said he lost his father while he was young and later had to live with his uncle in the North.

After some years, the suspect said he returned to Owerri to become a commercial motorcyclist.

He said, “Few years into the trade, I met E-money in Owerri and he was also an okada rider at the time. E-money and I became very close friends.

“We did the job for five years before he joined the police. He asked me to join him but I told him I had no school certificate. He went ahead to join the police and started driving police vehicles around Owerri.”

Asiegbuelam said after a while, he stopped seeing E-money in town and that later in 2017, he heard that E-money had travelled out of the country.

He said, “But a few weeks later in the same year, he showed up in my house in a dark-tinted Toyota Prado SUV, and there he invited me to join his kidnapping enterprise. On the first operation I went with him, we drove to Okigwe, where we kidnapped a man in his car.

“We accosted the vehicle and dragged the man out of the vehicle and took him into our own vehicle; then we zoomed off. E-money then asked me to blindfold the victim and when we got close to my town, E-money asked to come down from his SUV and he gave me N50,000. I didn’t question him and he drove the man away. I didn’t know where he took the man to, number of days the man spent with him, how he negotiated and collected his ransom.”

The suspect said he escaped to a bush on the day E-money was killed by the police, adding that he stayed in Owerri for two months after the incident.

He said, “Then I got a call from Ugo, who kept one of E-money’s rifles and we formed a new gang. But on our first operation, we had trouble. Some policemen accosted us and a shootout ensued. Ugo’s friend was killed. Ugo escaped but Chimobi and I were arrested. Chimobi sustained a bullet wound in the process and we were kept in an open-cell in handcuffs. I wouldn’t know how Chimobi got the keys to our handcuffs and we escaped again from police custody.

“I ran to Port Harcourt and stayed there for more than one year; then I moved to Calabar when I felt the police were closing in on me in Port Harcourt. I lived in Calabar for seven months with a friend who I met in Port Harcourt and we worked on a farm. I was arrested in my friend’s house and taken to Owerri before I was brought back to Lagos and handed over to the IRT. It was after my last arrest that I realised that E-money made so much money from our business and left me a poor man begging for money.”