Author: Chronicle Editor

The UK will have to live with some disruptive social measures for at least the rest of the year, the government’s chief medical adviser has said. Prof Chris Whitty said it was “wholly unrealistic” to expect life would suddenly return to normal soon. He said “in the long run” the ideal way out would be via a “highly effective vaccine” or drugs to treat the disease. But he warned that the chance of having those within the next calendar year was “incredibly small”. “This disease is not going to be eradicated, it is not going to disappear,” he said, at…

Nigeria northern governors have agreed to close Islamic schools which house millions of men and boys across the region due to concerns over spread of coronavirus. The governors in a statement said the risk to children from the virus prompted this week’s decision to close the schools, and children would be evacuated to their parents or states of origin. Orphans would be taken care of by the state government where they are located. Islamic schools, known within Nigeria as almajiris, fill a gap left by state educational institutions. State schools are so overcrowded they cannot accommodate a booming population in…

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 91 new cases of coronavirus in Nigeria on Wednesday taking the total to 873. The centre for disease control also announced the death of three patients. “Ninety one new cases of COVID-19 have been reported; 74 in Lagos, 5 in Katsina, 4 in Ogun, 2 in Delta, 2 in Edo, 1 in Kwara 1 in Oyo 1 in FCT 1 in Adamawa. “As at 11:25 pm 22nd April there are 873 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Nigeria. Discharged: 197 Deaths: 28,” NCDC said. A break down by NCDC reveals that…

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned “the blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists and media houses by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and the illegal banning of the Correspondent of The Sun newspaper, Chijioke Agwu, and the Vanguard Newspaper, Peter Okutu, from entering Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.” The journalists and media houses have been reportedly banned over a report on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state. Reacting, SERAP in a statement by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said: “This action is a blatant violation of the right to freedom…

Nigerian governors have “unanimously” agreed to the implementation of an inter-state lockdown in the country for the next 14 days to contain the spread of coronavirus across the country. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), reached the agreement after receiving briefing from the Governors of Lagos, Bauchi, Oyo and Ogun States who shared their experiences and lessons from the fight against COVID-19. A communiqe issued by the NGF chairman and governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, at the end of the sixth COVID-19 teleconference meeting said only essential services would be permitted. State governors called for the decentralization of the COVID-19…

The Federal Government has banned inter-state movement of Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in the country.

More than 70,000 extra troops will be deployed in South Africa to help enforce a lockdown intended to stop the spread of coronavirus

The heir to British throne, Prince Charles has described the death of Abba Kyari, the former Chief of Staff to the President as “a desperately sad news,” for which he sent his “deepest possible sympathy” to President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Nigeria. Prince Charles regretted that the death of Mallam Kyari had occurred through this “pernicious virus…I can only begin to imagine what an immense gap Mr. Kyari’s untimely death will leave in Your Excellency’s life and my heart goes to you and Mr. Kyari’s family.” In a message through the Embassy of Rwanda in Abuja,…

The Premier League is considering making some behind-closed-doors fixtures available free-to-air when the season restarts, the culture secretary has said. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said he has been having “productive talks” with governing bodies from across British sport on restarting following the coronavirus shutdown. He said the resumption hinges on passing the government’s five tests as well as meeting social distancing guidelines. Dowden said it was also important to send out a message that is “consistent” with that being given to the public. Football is suspended indefinitely across most of Europe because of the continued spread of Covid-19. On how sports…

Romelu Lukaku has apologised to Inter Milan after claiming that 23 out of 25 players had suffered coronavirus symptoms in January. Former Manchester United striker Lukaku made his claims during an Instagram Live conversation with Belgian TV presenter Kat Kerkhofs on Tuesday. Inter were stunned by the suggestions as they completed their January games with virtually a full squad of players. The club are understood to have reprimanded Lukaku. Sources have told BBC Sport that because the Belgium international apologised, the matter is now regarded as closed. Lukaku is reported to have said: “We had a week off in December, we returned…