575 new cases of Coronavirus recorded in Nigeria

575 new cases of Coronavirus were recorded in Nigeria on Monday, July 6.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC, Lagos recorded 123 new cases, FCT-100, Delta-58,  Edo-52,  Ogun-42, Katsina-24, Bayelsa-23, Rivers-22, Borno-19, Plateau-18, Ondo-18, Oyo-17, Kwara-15, Osun-13, Enugu-9, Nasarawa-7, Abia-6, Cross River-5, Kaduna-3, Ekiti-1.

Nigeria has now recorded 29,286 cases of COVID-19 with 654 deaths, while 11,828  patients have been discharged from various Isolation centers across the country. 

See a break down of the cases in different states below.

Most entertainers are broke, COVID-19 has shown who saved for the rainy day - Illbliss

Nigerian rapper, Illbliss has shared his thoughts on the effect of Coronavirus in the entertainment industry. 

In a tweet the rapper shared, he stated that most entertainers are now broke as they blew their "lean change on jewellery, rented terrace houses, sneakers and drugs." Illbliss added that COVID-19 has now shown those who saved for a rainy day.

He tweeted; 

Don’t be fooled kid. Most of these cats are dead broke. They blew their lean change on jewellery, rented terrace houses, sneakers and drugs. Covid is a bastard. Now we know who saved for the rainy day.

policemen allegedly attack in Imo by Baby factory operators

Some policemen suffered an attack upon storming a "hospital" in a Umuocha community in Oguta council of Imo state while trailing a man who allegedly stole a baby from its mother at gunpoint. Upon entering the health facility the man they were trailing ran into, the policemen saw many children and expectant mothers allegedly used for child trafficking. However, while asking questions about the property, the owner of the hospital identified as Innocent Onuoha allegedly mobilised youths of the village who surrounded the building, demobilized the police vehicle, and attacked the four policemen with different objects, inflicting various degrees of injuries on them. A member representing Oguta State constituency in the state house of assembly, Frank Ugboma intervened and helped the policemen escape from further attacks. The Nation reported that Ugboma said; "The policemen told me that immediately they stormed the illegal baby factory disguised as a hospital, the owner raised the alarm and the youths came out and started resisting the police from arresting the man. They overpowered the policemen and destroyed their vehicle that night while the policemen managed to escape”. The state police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu confirmed the incident and also disclosed that the owner of the baby factory was arrested but released by the youths. A police inspector also sustained injuries in the attack.

"I'll have to put on more size than i did for Thor' - Chris Hemsworth reveals ‘insanely physical’ workout for new Hulk Hogan film

Actor, Chris Hemsworth, who is best known for his role in Thor, has revealed that he will have to bulk up much more than he did for Thor for a new biopic film about Wrestling legend, Hulk Hogan.

The biopic will be a Netflix original directed by Todd Phillips, the mastermind behind 2019’s Oscar-winning hit Joker.

Hogan, 66, 6ft 7ins, is a 12-time wrestling world champion, was last seen on WWE television when Team Hogan beat Team Flair at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia last October.

Hemsworth speaking about his role, told Total Film: “As you can imagine, the preparation for the role will be insanely physical.

“I will have to put on more size than I ever have before, even more than I put on for Thor.”

Hemsworth added: “There is the accent as well as the physicality and the attitude.

“I will also have to do a deep dive into the rabbit hole of the wrestling world, which I’m really looking forward to doing.”

Actress Ada Karl laments over not being able to conduct some online activities linked to the US because she is in Nigeria

Nollywood actress Ada Karl has expressed her disappointment of not being able to conduct some online activities linked to the United States because she is in Nigeria. 

 

The actress who linked this to the activities of "Nigerian fraudsters", stated that almost half of her daily online activities are linked to the US and she can’t even access most of them from Nigeria. 

Ada Karl wrote; 

Monkey dey tiff...baboon dey suffer

This is what #Legit pple like us have to go through bcos of many crooks who have spoilt our name....almost half of my daily online activities are linked to US & I can’t even access most from Nigeria....I have to rely on my sisters in the States to run my life

Woman's announcement that she has converted to Christianity sparks mixed reactions

A Twitter user took to the platform to announce that she has converted to Christianity and the reactions to her tweets have become heated as people fight for religious supremacy.

"Today, I converted to Christianity," Ema wrote, adding, "I hope that you respect my decision."

Christians reacted by praising her for her decision while welcoming her to the fold. Muslims expressed their "condolences" and told her she's destined for hell, and atheists told her either ways, she's still being deceived because there's no God.

At the moment, a debate is playing out in the replies to her tweet as people argue over religion.

See some comments below.

Oluwo of Iwo kicks against family planning in Nigeria

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has kicked against the practice of family planning in Nigeria saying its application will wipe out the human race.

The monarch said this while making his contribution to a public debate on family planning recently.

In his opinion, Nigerians should respect the dictate of God on procreation. He argued that the assumption that overpopulation is responsible for poverty is not correct. He said that what China has achieved as the most populous nation and emerging giant of the world could be linked to the country's huge human resources. 

“There is so much misconception and about population and national growth. There is so much more strength in procreation but we oftentimes ignorantly relate overpopulation to poverty. If this belief is true, then China by now should be the most affected nation by poverty. But this is not so because today, China is an emerging world power and a nation that is getting it right in all fronts.

Few powerful nations are getting it wrong for placing limit on childbearing. Today, 75% of the Canadian population is made up of foreigners born outside Canada. In few years to come, the land may be controlled by foreigners.

Aside from this, the dictate of God on procreation should be respected by individuals willing to bear more children. Grace is great. Having more children is not a measurement of poverty. Many rose from grass to grace.

Education is the key. China became powerful because of its passion for technical education. The government should focus more on improving technical education. Education is as important as human blood.

Basic education from primary to secondary should be free and made compulsory for everyone. Higher education should be subsidized. These will encourage average Nigerians to pursue technical education This is the strength of any developed nation.

The huge population of northern Nigeria should give them an edge over other regions. There is a need to harp on the quality of education and not putting an embargo on the numbers of children.'' the monarch said

We’ll soon publish names of those earning more than N330m as pension - Governor Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has announced that the state will soon be publishing names of people who earn an annual pension of N330m. 

 

The Governor who said this during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Owerri, also stated that while some pensioners were receiving monies above their retirement salaries, others get an outrageous amount that is unaccounted for.

Uzodinma warned those “playing politics” with pensions and salaries to desist from such acts, while also disclosing that he has set up the process of integrating Imo pensioners into the National Contributory Pensions Scheme. 

He said; 

“I’ll soon publish names of those who earn above N330m per annum as pension for Imo people to know. 

“Government will no more make use of microfinance banks for payments of salaries and pensions because they are no clearing houses for BVN holders so that pensioners can be paid directly.

“Government has decided to automate all payments to enable it to migrate to the contributory pension’s scheme.”

544 new cases of Coronavirus recorded in Nigeria

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) on Sunday, July 5, announced that there are 544 confirmed new cases of Coronavirus in the country. 

 

A breakdown of the new cases across different states in the country is as follows; Lagos-199, Ebonyi-65, Oyo-47, Ondo-46, Ogun-31, Edo-30, FCT-28, Katsina-25, Plateau-15, Bayelsa-11, Kaduna-10, Adamawa-10, Akwa Ibom-8, Gombe-7, Kano-4, Taraba-3, Rivers-2, Abia-2, Ekiti-1. 

There are now 28,711 confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country and 654 deaths have been recorded. 11,665 patients who recovered have also been discharged. 

Tijani Oniru, one of the sons of late Oba of Oniru attacked by "security men" (video)

Tijani Oniru, one of the sons of Oba Abiodun Idowu Oniru, the late Oniru of Iruland who died in 2019 has been spotted in a viral video being beaten by some men who had "security" inscribed on the outfit they wore. 

 

Though what caused the altercation is still unknown at the moment, however, one of the "security" men was heard saying that he came to attack them. Tijani was subsequently pushed out of the gate.

Twitter user @harleem360 who shared the video and also tagged Lagos government authorities in his tweet, wrote; 

Hmmm ..World War 2 in oniru

The boys of the new oba of Oniru assaulting Tijani Oniru (son of former oba) ..All these is not necessary .....@followlasg @jidesanwoolu @Mr_JAGss  #oniru #lagos

Abimbola BraNig Peters also wrote on Facebook; 

This is sad, pathetic, cruel, disheartening, heartbroken and Shameful.

If you have any business around Oniru Estate in the next few weeks, just be careful because the person being rough handled in this video is Prince Tijani Oniru (TJ) cousin to the current oba of Iruland, oba Gbolahan Lawal

 Here is the video below; 

President Buhari is man of the moment for the Igbos and the entire South-East - Billionaire oil magnate, Arthur Eze

Billionaire oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, has said that the Igbos support President  Buhari and will remain loyal to him for his "tremendous provision of economic and infrastructural facilities" in the South-East since he assumed office in 2015.

 

In a statement released by his media aide, Oliver Okpala, Eze said Igbos have benefitted massively from the Buhari-led administration. According to him, projects such as the 2nd Niger Bridge, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport and the creation of zonal police headquarters (zone 13) at Ukpo Dunukofia in Anambra State, attests to the fact that Igbos have benefitted immensely from the present administration.

The statement in part reads

“President Mohammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police have demonstrated uncommon goodwill towards the people of the South-East geopolitical zone and should now rest assured of our unalloyed support and loyalty. 

The modernisation and uplifting of the Akanu Ibiam Airport to an international standard with modern runway and facilities that can compete favourably with any airport in any part of the world,   is another step worthy of commendation.

The concern of the South-East zone in terms of security,  protection  of lives and property has been tackled head on by the President

Citing a new police zonal headquarters as zone 13 at Ukpo,  Dunukofia,  in the  Awka Capital Territory of Anambra State is a feat that has shown clearly that the President is man of the moment for the Igbo and the entire South-East.''

Family dispel rumor that makeup artist Deborah Tushima was poisoned at her birthday party over an iPhone 11 as they explain what led to her death

Deborah Tushima, the makeup artist who allegedly slumped and died on Saturday, July 4, during her birthday celebration, did not die of poisoning, her family member has said.

 

Deborah is currently the number one trending topic on Twitter as people express shock over her sudden death on her birthday.

According to screenshots of a chat shared by a family friend, a family member said the young makeup artist simply slumped.

They added that she started "fainting" recently and the one that happened at her birthday party and ultimately led to her death was the fourth time she fainted.

The family member said: "Later on we discovered that she has a heart problem that makes her faint, and she has been fainting for some time but neither mum nor dad knew about that."

The family member added that she died in Makurdi, where she was doing her IT, not in Jos as claimed.

This is irresponsible and reckless- PDP knocks APC for calling for an investigation into Hushpuppi's alleged links with some of its members

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has knocked the ruling All Progressives Congress APC for calling for an investigation into an alleged link between some of its party members and arrested suspected fraudster, Hushpuppi.

 

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, over the weekend, called on the EFCC, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other sister agencies to investigate money laundering reports linking some PDP leaders and financiers to the Dubai-based international suspected fraud ring. He added that the party leadership turned Dubai into their “Strategic” meeting place ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria and that at different times, Hushpuppi was photographed in Dubai meeting with the PDP’s 2019 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Yakubu Dogara, Dino Melaye and other PDP stalwarts.

PDP in a statement released by its National spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said Nabena's statement further exposes the victimization agenda of the APC. According to the party, Nabena's statement has also further exposed how the APC administration has been using agencies under its control to "frame innocent opposition members, dissenting voices, rival political parties, and perceived opponents of the government on trumped-up charges under the guise of fighting corruption."

The PDP statement in part reads 

The desperate bid to frame innocent Nigerians who are not in any way involved with Hushpuppi, even after a very broad investigation by prominent investigators including the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), leaves no one in doubt that APC government has been victimizing opposition members with fabricated charges.

The party also revealed that it has however been made aware that the statement by the APC is part of a heinous design by certain power mongers close to the APC administration to commence a fresh clampdown on perceived political rivals within and outside the opposition circles, ahead of the 2023 general election.

Nigerians should not be surprised when the APC will begin to list the names of innocent political leaders, including those who are now being persecuted in their party, on trumped-up charges, for political interests.

While our party has no link whatsoever with Hushpuppi, as the APC also acknowledged, Nigerians are aware that his pictures with some prominent Nigerians, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which the APC is frenzied about, do not suggest any affinity beyond the usual jostling by people, world over, to be photographed with leaders.

Of course, such happens to all prominent individuals, especially leaders, including President Muhammadu Buhari.

It is therefore unfortunate that a ruling party, which is now led by a sitting governor, is spending its energy to frame innocent Nigerians instead of confronting the myriads of economic and security problems it caused the nation, in addition to finding solution to the serious demands of COVID-19 pandemic.

If the APC is indeed fighting corruption, it should have called for the investigation of its leaders who, as state governors, ministers and even APC National Chairman have been indicted for stealing and treasury looting.

The APC should be calling for the investigation of one of their state governors, who was seen on a viral video, stuffing his robe with gratification, in foreign currency, as well as their candidate in a forthcoming election, who has been declared by a former APC National Chairman as a treasury looter, who is only good for "night meetings" and not fit to be state governor.

Having been exposed, the PDP cautions the APC to steer clear of our members and other hard working Nigerians, in various fields of endeavor, who are perceived to be opponents of the APC.

Moreover, our party will not be distracted by the APC, which has gone into panic mode over its imminent electoral loss in Edo as well as Ondo state.''

Policewoman shoots her husband for not picking her calls and giving their house help money without consulting her

A Kenyan policewoman identified as "APC Maureen" is currently on the run after shooting her husband twice with an AK-47 rifle at Dago Area in Nyalenda, Kisumu following a domestic issue. 

The  Administration Police officer who is based in Kisumu East Sub County, allegedly shot her husband for giving their house help Ksh50 for lunch without consulting her and also not picking her calls. 

 

A police report which confirmed that the policewoman's husband who is also a clinical officer at Milimani Hospital in Kisumu sustained injuries on the right side of the head just above the ear, revealed that the incident occurred while he was watching television. 

The police report read; 

"She stood at the door while armed with an AK-47 rifle. She told him she is going to kill him and herself then cocked the gun, shot at him twice injuring him on the right side of the head just above the ear. 

“She then disappeared to an unknown place after returning the firearm to her fellow colleague APC Nancy at the office."

K2TV reported that the lady's husband was taken to Kisumu County Hospital where he was treated and discharged in fair condition.

Nigerians are exhibiting reckless confidence in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic – SGF Boss Mustapha

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha has expressed worries over the "reckless confidence" he said Nigerians are exhibiting in the face of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Speaking at an interdenominational church service against COVID-19 organised by the Nigerian Interreligious Council (NIREC) on Sunday July 5, Mustapha urged religious leaders to always teach their congregation the truth about the virus and how they can stay safe. 

The SGF said; 

“If you have no business going out, stay at home, it is scriptural.

“And I see a lot of Christians exhibiting reckless confidence and the Bible describes them as fools.

“Stay at home if you don’t have business going out, that is the safest place you have, if you have every genuine reason to go out, as mandatory, wear a face mask.

“My admonition to the church is that we must avoid exhibition of reckless confidence and tell our people the truth and ask them to do the proper things so that they can stay safe for their families, communities and for the body of Christ."

Mustapha added that the national response put in place by the government was intended to protect Nigerians and also curb the spread of the virus. 

He said; 

“It is not designed to afflict us.

“Every step we have taken as a presidential task force has been intended to provide for the good and welfare of the citizens."

Former Juventus striker, Mario Mandzukic terminates his contract at Qatari club Al-Duhail just six months after arriving in the Middle East

Former Juventus striker, Mario Mandzukic has terminated his contract at Al-Duhail after just six months after arriving at the club.

 

The 34-year-old Croatian football star only moved to Qatar in December 2019 after falling out of favour at Juventus, where he scored 44 goals in 164 appearances, winning four Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia on three occasions.

Mandzukic has now confirmed that he is now a free agent after he terminated his contract in the Middle East by mutual consent. 

“I reached an agreement with Al-Duhail Sports Club management to terminate my contract by mutual consent. I appreciate the trust and hospitality that I have received in Qatar and I wish the best to the club and the team in the future,” the Croatian announced on social media.

Before his move to Juventus, the veteran forward played for Marsonia, NK Zagreb, Dinamo Zagreb, VfL Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid. 

He won the Champions League with Bayern Munich in 2012-13 and represented Croatia on 89 occasions, scoring 33 times including in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals against England 

Mario Mandzukic retired from international football after the World Cup in 2018. 

Teenager gang-raped by 4 men tests positive for COVID-19 after childbirth

A teenager who was gang-raped by 4 men after she moved to Lagos in search of greener pastures has tested positive for COVID-19.

16-year-old Aishat, an Oyo state indigene, became pregnant after she was gang-raped by four men when she took shelter in a bus at a motor park in Ijesha, Surulere. 

Aishat was brought to Lagos by a guardian who took her from her parents in Saki, Oyo state. The guardian, a woman, promised to hand her over to the person she would be working with. However, the woman abandoned her at the motor park in Lagos, claiming she was coming back. She never did.  

As she knew no one in Lagos, Aisha kept roaming in motor parks leading to her being gang-raped by 4 men she says she knows.

Pregnant and homeless, Aishat continued roaming in the park where she kept seeing her rapists. She passed her nights in shops until she was heavily pregnant and she was referred to welfare workers.

Aishat was directed to the Mother and Child Care Centre in Gbaja, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, where her case was first reported. There, she had her baby girl via caesarean section. Unfortunately, Aishat wasn't producing breast milk after the birth of her child.

After the birth of her child, the plan was to take her to one of the government shelters in the state but the management of the centre insisted that a COVID-19 test be conducted on her first.

The COVID-19 test result came out positive and she was transferred to the Gbagada Isolation Centre instead.

Those who came in contact with Aishat were asked to undergo Coronavirus test.

8 of the hospital staff allegedly tested positive and have been asked to go to the isolation centre.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Austin Ejide celebrates his 7th wedding anniversary with his wife

Former Super Eagles of Nigeria goalkeeper, Austin Ejide and his wife, Chitto are celebrating their 7th wedding anniversary today, July 6. 

The goalkeeper who plays for Hapoel Hadera in Israeli took to Instagram to share beautiful photos from his 2013 wedding to his wife and then wrote: "Two hearts that beat as one. Happy Wedding Anniversary to us. Oyibo things"

The couple have four children together, two boys and two girls.