Author: Chronicle Editor

The US has been accused of redirecting 200,000 Germany-bound masks for its own use, in a move condemned as “modern piracy”. The local government in Berlin said the shipment of US-made masks was “confiscated” in Bangkok. The FFP2 masks, which were ordered by Berlin’s police force, did not reach their destination, it said. Andreas Geisel, Berlin’s interior minister, said the masks were presumably diverted to the US. The US company that makes the masks, 3M, has been prohibited from exporting its medical products to other countries under a Korean-War-era law invoked by President Donald Trump. On Friday, Mr Trump said…

Two more persons have died from coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, taking the total number of deaths in the country to four as at Friday night. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) disclosed that the two persons who died from the virus were treated in Lagos – epicenter of the virus in Nigeria – and Edo state. “Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Nigeria; 11 in Lagos, three in the Federal Capital Territory, three in Edo, two in Osun and one in Ondo. “Two new deaths have been recorded in Lagos and Edo State,” NCDC said. Six…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 20 new confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nigeria on Friday night. The disease control centre said this takes the total number of confirmed cases to 210 with four deaths recorded. “Twenty new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Nigeria; 11 in Lagos, three in the Federal Capital Territory, three in Edo, two in Osun and one in Ondo. “Two new deaths have been recorded in Lagos and Edo State,” NCDC said. Six new coronavirus cases announced in Osun “As at 10:30 pm 3rd April there are 210 confirmed cases…

Two shops with household utensils were destroyed in a fire which gutted two shops at Maola Shopping Mall in Idumota area of Lagos on Friday. Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the fire had been put off by emergency responders. According to him the combined efforts of emergency agencies put off the fire within 30 minutes. “Upon arrival of the Emergency Responders at the scene it was revealed that a building (Maola Shopping Mall) was affected by a fire of unknown origin. Again, fire guts 7 buildings in Balogun…

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has announced the first case of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) on Friday night. Akeredolu who made confirmation via his official Twitter account said infected person has been placed under isolation and would be monitored closely. He said he has activated all necessary protocol to locate all contacts. “We have just received confirmation of our first positive COVIDー19 case in Ondo State this evening. “The index case is a military officer who was a returnee from India. He has been in isolation since he returned and has been monitored by the medical team of the military…

The Adamawa Police Command has confirmed a clash between some youths and COVID-19 Joint Task Force at Damilu area in Yola North Local Government Area of the state. DSP Sulaiman Nguroje, the spokesperson of the command, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Yola. Nguroje said that the elements defied government lockdown order and arrived Damilu Mosque to observe Friday congregation. “We are on patrol to monitor the lockdown order compliance when we received a distress call that there was suspected unrest around Damilu Juma’at Mosque. “So, we rushed to the scene and on…

Bill Withers, the acclaimed 1970s soul singer behind hits Ain’t No Sunshine and Lean On Me has died from heart complications aged 81, his family said. The singer died on Monday in Los Angeles, the family told the Associated Press. They described him in a statement as a “solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world”. “He spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other,” the statement said. Known for his smooth baritone vocals and sumptuous soul arrangements, he wrote some of the 70s best-remembered songs, including Just The Two Of Us, Lovely Day and…

Lagos Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, has disclosed the State has 74 active cases of coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Prof Abayomi disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos Island. He said Lagos has recorded 68 percent imported cases and 32 percent local transmission. Lagos discharges four coronavirus patients More to follow…

Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has directed all missions across the world to compile lists of citizens who want to return home in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. This was a sequel to requests by Nigerians stranded abroad especially in countries that have been described as epicenter of the pandemic. She, however, said that the MFA had instructed that “the financial implications will be borne by the prospective evacuees, who will be compulsorily quarantined when they returned”. According to a statement on Friday by the Head, Media and Public Relations…

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Nigerian Army to join the police and flush out bandits from forests around the country, particularly in the areas that witnessed recent attacks. The President gave the directive in response to the killing of 22 people in Sokoto State, whose community was attacked by armed bandits as well as the reported killing of 10 others in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. In a quick response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai has already got in touch with the General Officers Commanding the army formations in the affected states, directing them…