₦airaland Forum

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has described Africa’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak as remarkable.

Guterres in a statement said most African countries have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures as measures to tackle the virus.

The statement said, “The African continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable lessons for the rest of the world in meeting this challenge. Most African countries have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures. Governments and health authorities are also drawing on the experience of HIV/AIDS and Ebola to debunk rumours and overcome mistrust of officials, security forces and health workers.
“Nonetheless, continued vigilance and preparedness are critical as the virus remains a threat to life, livelihoods and health across the continent.

“Many countries across the continent have enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years. Standards of living have risen; the digital revolution has taken hold; and the African Continental Free Trade Area is moving from vision to reality.

“This is now at risk, as COVID-19 aggravates long-standing inequalities and deepens hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability to disease. Millions could be pushed into extreme poverty. Tourism, remittances and demand for Africa’s commodities are already declining, and the opening of the trade zone has been delayed.

“The United Nations, and I personally, stand in total solidarity with the people and governments of Africa, and with the African Union, in tackling COVID-19. UN agencies, country teams, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian workers are providing training, expertise and other support. United Nations solidarity flights have delivered millions of test kits, respirators and other supplies.

“The policy brief just issued by the United Nations calls for urgent international action to strengthen Africa’s health systems, maintain food supplies, support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat, and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings,” he said.

The UN Chief said since the start of the pandemic, he has called for a global response package amounting to at least 10 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product.

“For Africa, that means more than $200 billion as additional support from the international community. I also continue to advocate a comprehensive debt framework -- starting with an across-the-board debt standstill for countries unable to service their debt, followed by targeted debt relief and a comprehensive approach to structural issues in the international debt architecture to prevent defaults.

“It will also be essential for African countries to sustain their efforts to silence the guns and address violent extremism – and I welcome African support for my call for a global ceasefire. Political processes and elections in the coming months offer potential milestones for stability and peace.

“And African countries, like all countries, must have quick, equal and affordable access to any eventual vaccine and treatment for COVID-19. These must be considered global public goods.

“Women will be central to every aspect of the response. Stimulus packages must prioritize putting cash in the hands of women, increasing social protection and targeting them for grants and loans. Creating jobs, training and educational opportunities for Africa’s young people must be another central goal.

“Many difficult decisions will need to be taken as the pandemic unfolds; it will be essential for governments and health authorities to build and retain the trust and participation of their citizens. The response to this pandemic must be based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and the dignity and equality of all.

“These are still early days for the pandemic in Africa, and disruption could escalate quickly and spread uncontrollably. Global solidarity with Africa is an imperative – now, and for recovering better.”

Trump claims the United States just sent 1000 ventilators to Nigeria.
The US president was inspecting a Ford Motors facility where essential medical protection equipment were been manufactured.



#God bless Nigeria


watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2RYuWmeTnA
(see his exact statement at 38 minutes)

Not many can claim ignorance of the fact that Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man for almost a decade, he is not worth half as much as he was in 2014.
Not many can claim ignorance of the fact that Aliko Dangote is Africa’s richest man and has been for almost a decade.

What many do not know, however, is that despite remaining the richest man in Africa for nine consecutive years, Aliko Dangote of 2020 is not worth half as much as he was in 2014.



Dangote had been in business for more than a decade before deciding to transit from merely importing products to resell in the Nigerian market, to actually producing them in 1997. This was the year he set up a plant to produce what he had been importing in the previous years – sugar, salt, flour and pasta.

He also acquired a state-owned cement company – Benue Cement Company (BCC) – and set about expanding its operations. This marked the turn-around in his fortunes and that of Nigeria.
The next step was to list the companies in the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and this started in October 2010 with the listing of Dangote Cement. This must have been the game-changer for Dangote because, by the next year, his name was listed as number 1 in Forbes list of African billionaires.

By August 2014, Dangote Cement stocks were accounting for 20% of the total market capitalization of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, and the value of the stocks was growing astronomically.

Since then, Dangote has remained number 1 on the list, even though his position on the global ranking has not been too predictable.

The rest, as they say, is history.

But why don’t we take a look at history and see how the Billionaire’s fortunes have fared over the years.
Dangote first became richest African in 2011, with a net worth of $13.8 billion, a major increase from $2.1 billion the previous year.
This placed him in the 51st position on the global ranking, and second in the Middle East and Africa, second only to Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Alsaud who was worth $19.6 billion.

In March 2012, there was a slight decline to $11.2 billion.

In March 2013, his worth had risen to $16.1 billion, and by June 2013 Dangote went down in history as the first African entrepreneur to hit a personal net worth of $20 billion.

In February 2014, Aliko Dangote’s worth hit the highest ever at $25 billion.

Then the decline started.

In February 2015, his net worth dropped to about $22 billion.

In January 2016, Forbes reported that Dangote’s worth had dropped by $3 billion dollars between December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, placing his worth at $17 billion. Two months later, it dropped further to $14.4 billion.
By end of December 2016, Forbes reported that based on the stock prices and exchange rates at the time, Dangote was only worth $12.4 billion, making him one of the biggest billionaire losers for the year.

Dangote’s multi billion-dollar refinery is 75% complete, Otedola says. Aliko Dangote and his slide from $25 billion to $7 billion
In February 2017, the mogul’s worth was put at $12.1 billion; still first on Africa’s list of billionaires.

In January 2018, Dangote’s net worth was $12.2 billion, about $100 million dollars up from the previous year. At this time, he had started moving away from cement gradually and had made investments into fertiliser production as well as the oil refinery which is soon to start operations.

In March 2019, Dangote was worth $10.8 billion, after pocketing $650 million dividends from Dangote Cement Plc.

In February 2020, Forbes estimate and ranking showed that Dangote’s net worth had dropped by another $200 million from $10.3bn in the previous year to $10.1bn.

On 11th of April 2020, Forbes again announced that the billionaire’s worth had dropped to $7.4 billion, even though he was worth $8.3B only four days earlier. (Dangote currently worth $8 billion, as at April 16, 2020).

NOTE: Net worth of billionaires on Forbes, which reflects changes since 5pm EST prior trading day, changes based on their share values.
One has to wonder how the genius businessman has stayed as the richest man in Africa despite the several drops in his worth over the years.

Dangote Cement reveals share buyback plans, Dangote Cement Plc: Frail macro conditions to pressure earnings in 2020, Aliko Dangote and his slide from $25 billion to $7 billion
Dangote Cement factory

He is currently number 162 on Forbes list of billionaires around the world, and number 1 in Africa.

Why the fluctuations?
When Dangote’s net worth is to be calculated, the first thing to be considered apart from his personal stocks is stocks owned by the Dangote Industries Limited which he is a beneficial owner of. The DIL owns majority stocks across all subsidiaries in the Dangote Group, and added to Aliko Dangote’s personal stocks, one can see that Dangote’s net worth is largely reflective of the value of the stocks of the company in the Nigerian stock exchange.

For instance, as of March 2014 when his worth hit $25 billion, Forbes attributed it to the increasing value of the stock price of Dangote Cement Plc, making him $9 billion richer than he was a year earlier. The company had moved to become present in 15 African countries and its stock was up by 65%. However, this has changed in recent times, as the company’s stock price has also been on the decline.

According to our research findings, the decline in this networth is due to the drop in the price of his shares in the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Nigerian stocks have largely falled over the years mostly due to the crash in oil prices that began in 2014.
Exchange Rate.
Though the value of his stocks in the Nigerian bourse is an important factor, a more important and probably overriding determinant would be the exchange value of the naira to the dollar. Since the Forbes makes its estimates for global ranking purposes, the values have to be converted into the US Dollars for all the world billionaires.

According to Ajayi, the devaluation of the naira has played a critical role, because while he earns his money in naira, the ranking is done in dollars.

Ajayi was, however, optimistic that this trend would change for the billionaire as soon as the refinery kicks off operations.

“The refined products are going to be sold in dollar and I believe this would have a significant impact on his net worth. The oil refining business has a lot of dollar components and I think that is one of the attractions for him to go into that market,” he said.

Over the years, the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar has been quite volatile, and Dangote finds himself on the receiving end of this volatility since his stocks are in the naira market.

Dangote Flour Mills shareholders unanimously approve company acquisition, Aliko Dangote and his slide from $25 billion to $7 billion
A quick peek
In 2011, a dollar exchanged for N154.50, at about the same time Dangote’s net worth was $13.8 billion.
In 2012, an exchange of N157 to a dollar put his worth at $11.2 billion.
A dollar exchanged for N160 in 2013. At this time, Dangote was worth $20 billion.
In 2014, a dollar exchanged for an average of N164 and Dangote was worth $25 billion.
In 2015, the exchange went up to N199 to a dollar, while Dangote’s worth dropped to $22 billion.
In 2016, exchange was up to N300 to a dollar, and Dangote’s worth dropped again to $14.4 billion.
In 2017, exchange averaged between N359 to N362, while Dangote’s net worth was $12.1 billion.
In 2018, it was N364, and Dangote’s worth was $12.2 billion.
In 2019, it went as high as N391 to a dollar, while his net worth dropped to $10.8 billion.
The year 2020 has probably seen the most fluctuations in one quarter, as the first quarter of the year has seen the exchange rate sometimes soaring over N400 to a dollar, but never going below N360.
Aliko Dangote’s net worth started the year at $10.1 billion, declining later to $8.2 billion and currently $7.4 billion. The trend shows clearly that an appreciation in the value of the naira is more likely to give this billionaire a better ranking in the list of world’s billionaires.

Another investment expert, Mr Abimbola Olaniyi, opines that the decline of the billionaire’s net worth is significantly linked with the removal of some concessions which he enjoyed from the government before 2015.

According to Olaniyi, the billionaire had certain concessions in the area of cement production for the backward integration adopted by the government, which only allowed those with cement manufacturing plants to import cement. However, this concession was removed alongside others, putting Dangote at par with competitors and significantly affecting his net worth.

Well, considering that Dangote has investments in several unlisted firms, as well as some real estate investments which are not included in the net worth calculation since their value cannot be universally verified, one can safely conclude that his worth is well above yearly estimates drawn by Forbes.



https://nairametrics.com/2020/04/16/aliko-dangote-and-his-slide-from-25-billion-to-7-billion/

Nigeria has impounded an aircraft belonging to Flair Aviation, a United Kingdom company, after it was discovered to be conducting commercial flights to the country despite a ban on all flight operations due to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The company, according to Nigeria's Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, had been granted a waiver to carry out humanitarian operations but instead carried out commercial flights.

COVID-19. Flair Aviation, a UK company, was given approval for humanitarian operations but regrettably we caught them conducting commercial flights. This is callous! The craft is impounded, crew being interrogated. There shall be maximum penalty. Wrong time to try our resolve!

https://mobile.twitter.com/hadisirika/status/1262011252924198913

People in Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru, three major towns in Yobe State, have continued to express concern over rising number of what is described as ‘mysterious’ deaths.

There are huge concerns among residents that such deaths may be connected to Coronavirus.

At least 741 people were reported dead in one month, with more deaths recorded on daily basis.

A resident of Nguru told SaharaReporters that at least 12 people were buried daily in recent weeks.

In Gashua, the graveyard had been witnessing massive expansion on daily basis as a result of sudden and frequent deaths.

Despite this, Yobe State Government officials have been claiming that the massive deaths were as a result of malaria and other seasonal ailments.

State officials, politicians and state-controlled social media groups have unveiled a massive propaganda to divert attention from the suspected possible community transmission of Coronavirus in some parts of the state.

The plan includes attacking those, who use any platform to ask for thorough investigation on daily loss of lives in the state.

SaharaReporters confirmed that those, who show symptoms of Coronavirus, never get their sample taken and mostly left at emergency sections of hospitals till they died.

The sudden death of the ambulance driver of Gashua General Hospital escalated fear both in the hospital and in the town.

A visit to the hospital also shows that there is no plan on the ground and no ambulance on standby to convey those in critical condition to the right place to prevent the spread of the dreadful disease.

“Many people within and outside Yobe State have been stunned by total lack of competence and gross failure of Yobe State Government and the committee handling COVID-19 in the state,” said a resident of Potiskum, who craved anonymity.

Hi family, I hope you are all doing well and safe.
I would love to have your advice. I have saved up 100,000 naira and looking forward to investing it in some form of a business. The saving process lets say was by God's grace. It appears the investing path is also challenging for me, especially in the Nigerian environment.
To all the business gurus in the house.
Where and in what kind of business would you invest 100,000 naira if that is all you have today?

#Must appreciated

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has extended the lockdown in the state by another week.

The governor announced this on Friday while briefing journalists in the state.



The governor frowned at the flouting of social and safety guideline to ensure the eradication of the virus in the state.

He noted that the lockdown extension was a precautionary method, adding that residents must wear face masks.

He said, “Reports reaching us have shown that many of our people are showing utter disregard for the precautionary guidelines, international best practices and safety measures rolled out, especially, during the window of relaxation of the lockdown.



“We have heard and seen the havoc that COVID-19 continues to wreck in other lands. Let us learn from these experiences.

“Now, to preserve the lives of our people, we are persuaded to extend the currently modified lockdown, which has been slightly eased, for another one week alongside the current guidelines.

“Wearing a face mask is mandatory. It is important to note that we have provided, and continue to provide, facemasks to public servants, groups and association."

Abiodun said the test had intensified its contact tracing and would continue to test and treat people suspected or infected with the virus.

He added, “As of today, we have screened over 10,000 people and tested over 700. In addition to that, we have intensified our contact tracing capacity and have traced over 551 contacts of the COVID-19 positive patients.

“We are doing this to detect and treat people who are already infected rather than leaving them undetected which will be more detrimental because this will increase community transmission.”

The Presidency on Friday announced the death of President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew, Muritala Dauda.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, who confirmed this in a statement in Abuja, said, “President Muhammadu Buhari has consoled the members of his extended family and Daura community at large following the death of his nephew, Alhaji Mutari Dauda, Mallam Mamman Daura’s younger brother.

“May Allah forgive his gentle soul and reward his goods deeds with aljanna.”

The Spurs forward should now be available to feature for the north London club, should the 2019-20 Premier League season be allowed to resume
Tottenham star Son Heung-min has completed his mandatory three-week military service in South Korea, with the Spurs forward reportedly boasting the best performance of all the trainees who had been taking part.

According to information published by the Korea Herald, the attacker finished as one of only five individuals to receive an award at the Marine Corps' training camp graduation ceremony on the southern island of Jeju.

While the exact scores of the trainees were not revealed, officials were quoted as saying that Son finished top out of a total of 157 people.
The Premier League ace arrived at the camp on April 20 for a period of three weeks, with his military service having previously been delayed after the 27-year-old inspired his national team to a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games.

During his time back in his home nation, Son participated in a program that included shooting and bayonet skills, chemical, biological and radiological training, individual fighting skills and medical training. It is said that Son scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in the shooting discipline.
"He received the 'Pilsung' prize which is one of five types of awards for best performers," a Marine Corps officer said, as quoted by the Korea Herald. 'Pilsung', which translates as 'certain victory', is the battle cry of the South Korean Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force.

"All the courses were judged in a fair and strict manner, and his military training officers have said he went through the training faithfully," the official added.

All of Son's training took place in a private setting, with the Corps having been keen to make sure that no media outlets tried to gain access to the forward and thus risk exacerbating the spread of coronavirus in the Asian country.

Instead, the Marines' official Facebook account posted photos of Son during and after his training following several requests from South Korean media.


With football across the globe largely brought to a halt in March, Son returned to his country later that month to complete rehabilitation on an arm injury and subsequently carried out his training.

In South Korea, all able-bodied men are required to complete around two years in the armed forces as a service to their country, although Son's Asian Games victory meant that he was only mandated to take part in basic training.

He does, however, have to complete 544 hours of community service over the next 34 months around his career as a professional footballer.



https://www.goal.com/en/news/tottenham-star-son-completes-military-service-south-korea/1w68s22cu2yox1bmtbpkd1dbkb

Trending on twitter; police fire shots in Access bank
Please let us stay safe



https://twitter.com/Gidi_Traffic/status/1258413845481209857?s=08
https://twitter.com/i/status/1258413845481209857

Civil Servants in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have raised concerns over the terrible conditions of toilets and the general office environment with the Federal Secretariat Complex.

The workers said the unhygienic state of the offices with the complex especially after officials failed to fumigate the place, has the potential of causing an outbreak of diseases, which could endanger the health of many of them.

The over one-month lockdown put in place by government as part of measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 in the country has further exposed the decay in the secretariat complex.


The Federal Government had earlier directed that civil servants from Level 14 and above should report for work beginning from last Monday.

The workers, who expressed serious concerns over the offensive odour emanating from the toilets within the complex, called on authorities to intervene urgently.

Some of the workers, who spoke with Saharareporters, described the situation as worrisome and pathetic.

A staff, who painted the lurid picture of the stench emanating from the conveniences, told SaharaReporters that their health was in danger.

He said, "The bad odour in some of the offices and corridors is too much. You cannot even stay inside your office for one hour. I expected government to have fumigated all these offices before asking us to resume work.

"Our lives are in danger and we are vulnerable to COVID-19 and other outbreak of diseases.”

A staff of Ministry of Science and Technology said he lacked words to describe how terrible the toilets in the complex had become, adding that there was urgent need to address the issue to prevent an epidemic.

He said “The situation is terrible and most of us that have been asked to come to work are sitting on a keg of gun powder. Maggots have taken over some of the toilet facilities in the complex.”

Though the FCT Administration recently fumigated some of public offices and markets in the city to make it safer for people to move around, many places including the Federal Secretariat in the country’s capital are yet to be fumigated or properly cleaned up as at Wednesday, SaharaReporters discovered.

A public health physician, Oludare Ajakaye, who spoke with our correspondent on the health hazard of dirty toilets, explained that it could cause deadly infections of all kinds.

According to him, women were more vulnerable and at the risk of contracting bacteria and viral infections.

Efforts to get reactions from the office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation were unsuccessful as at the time of this report.






http://saharareporters.com/2020/05/06/foul-smelling-toilets-dusty-disease-prone-offices-greet-civil-servants-returning-work

Friends of Iwunna Innocent Udonna, a staff of Union Bank of Nigeria, have taken to social media to mourn his death.

Udonna died on Monday at the Yaba Infectious Diseases Hospital after contracting Coronavirus.

SaharaReporters gathered that the deceased graduated from the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, where he studied Agricultural Extension.
SEE ALSO

BREAKING: Union Bank Staff Dies Of COVID-19 In Lagos
0 Comments11 Hours Ago
He was said to have contracted the disease at one of the bank’s branches while discharging his official duty.

A friend to the deceased identified as John Aderogba said, “Udonna, the news of your death came as a shock.

"You were full of life with tall dream and aspirations but you succumbed to the wicked hands of death as a result of COVID-19.

“Report has it that you contracted the virus while at work with Union Bank. May your soul rest in perfect peace. COVID-19 is real."

Another friend, Over Nwanyereugo, wrote, “My heart bleeds as we have lost a jolly good fellow to the cold hands of COVID-19. Let the FUTO community and SAAT in particular have it on record that Iwunna Innocent is no more.

“He got infected with Coronavirus while working with Union Bank in Lagos State. RIP UD."

Another Facebook user, Elvis Akpobi Majority, wrote, “COVID-19 just turned off another candle.

“Mr Iwunna Innocent Udonna, a graduate of Federal University of Technology, Owerri.

"He contracted the Coronavirus disease in Lagos State while discharging his duty as a staff of Union Bank. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”

But in a memo to staff members on Monday, the management of Union Bank claimed that Udonna did not contract the virus from the branch he works as he had been working from home since March when the lockdown order was put in place by the government.

How can we ever have justice when we can not call things what they are?

Five rashes, including Covid toe, are affecting some hospital patients diagnosed with Covid-19, a small study by Spanish doctors has found.

The rashes tended to appear in younger people and lasted several days.

It is not uncommon for a rash to be a symptom of a virus, such as the spots that indicate chicken pox.

But the researchers said they were surprised to see so many varieties of rash with Covid-19.

Rashes are not currently included in the list of symptoms of the illness.

There have been many reports about "Covid toe" - a rash appearing on Covid patients' feet even in the absence of other symptoms - but lead researcher Dr Ignacio Garcia-Doval said the most common form of rash in the study was maculopapules - small, flat and raised red bumps that tend to appear on the torso.

"It is strange to see several different rashes - and some of them are quite specific," Dr Garcia-Doval told the BBC.

"It usually appears later on, after the respiratory manifestation of the disease - so it's not good for diagnosing patients," he added.
All the patients in the study were already in hospital and had respiratory symptoms.

The peer-reviewed paper was published this week in the British Journal of Dermatology.

All dermatologists in Spain were asked to share details of Covid patients they had seen who had developed rashes in the previous two weeks. There were 375 in total.

The five rashes were:

Asymmetrical, chilblain-like lesions around the hands and feet, which could be itchy or painful. Generally found in younger patients, lasted on average 12 days, appeared later on in the course of the disease, and were associated with mild infections. Accounted for 19% of cases.
Outbreaks of small blisters, often itchy, found on the trunk and limbs. These were found in middle-aged patients, lasted around 10 days, and appeared before other symptoms. (9%)
Pink or white raised areas of skin that looked liked nettle rash, and often itchy. Mostly on the body but sometimes on the palms of the hands. (19%)
Maculopapules - small, flat and raised red bumps. These accounted for 47% of cases. They lasted around seven days and appeared at the same time as other symptoms but tended to be seen in patients with more severe infections.
Livedo (also known as necrosis) was present in 6% of cases. The skin looked blotchy red or blue, with a net-like pattern. It's a sign of poor blood circulation. This appeared in older patients with severe illness.
However, the researchers stressed that rashes can have many causes, and it can be difficult to differentiate between them without medical expertise.

"The relevance of this study is not so much in helping people self-diagnose, but rather to help build our wider understanding of how the infection can affect people," said Dr Ruth Murphy, president of the British Association of Dermatologists.

Dr Michael Head at the University of Southampton said that rashes were a well-known side effect of many viral infections, including pneumonia.

"With Covid-19, rashes and skin ulcers have been noted in a few per cent of hospitalised patients. We don't yet know the extent of these links, or precisely why this inflammation occurs in some patients but not others."

The American Academy of Determatology is also compiling a register of skin symptoms seen by its members.

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52493574

The continent's elite could redefine the game's landscape over the next five years if they opt to leave the current domestic structure behind
When assessing what the future of football has in store right now it is difficult to find many concrete answers.

Will the season finish? Will teams get relegated? What about the television and advertising revenue? Are teams going to survive in a post-coronavirus world?

The immediate future is uncertain but so too is the long term. For the past 30 years discussions have been lingering in the background over a potential European Super League before leaked documents, published in 2018 by Der Spiegel, suggested talks of a breakaway league were more fleshed out than ever before.
The memos suggested a league of up to 18 European teams, made up of those with the strongest television presence. It would likely bring about the end of the domestic league structure as we know it. No need for Champions League or Europa League qualification anymore, with the continent's top clubs potentially waving goodbye to the competitions that made them.

“I do not agree much with the idea. Someone should explain to me,” Pep Guardiola told Ara last year. “If it happens we’ll kill the leagues. If Barca and Madrid go and they do not play against Espanyol, who will follow the league? The Spanish league will die. In England they are very intelligent, the grounds of the fourth division are full. England will not let this essence of local football die.”

Despite that potential for "death", City would almost certainly be one of the elite who would benefit should a Super League ever get off the ground. They would be joined by fellow English sides Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. In short, it is a scheme to help the rich get richer with little to no regard to those further down the pyramid.

“Let’s be frank, owners in the Premier League from the United Arab Emirates, United States, China or Thailand don’t care about Walsall or Accrington Stanley - it’s collateral damage," football finance expert and lecturer Kieran Maguire told Goal. "If those clubs survive then fine, but if they don’t then the likes of [Roman] Abramovich won’t lose sleep over it. Neither will the Saudi investment fund that’s buying into Newcastle.

“It is very much geared towards the rich getting richer and an acceleration of the gaps between the existing elite and the rest.”
To put the figures into context, the forecast in the leaked emails suggested a European Super League would generate "€500 million (£444m/$555m) plus” per club, per season. By way of comparison, Real Madrid received around €88.6m (£77m/$103m) from UEFA when they won the Champions League in 2016.

You can understand, therefore, why there is so much support from Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli for the idea. The Bianconeri chief claims his backing of the European Super League is to maintain an interest in the sport in the future, but coincidentally his club would be one of a small number set for a big pay day.

“If we are not progressive, we are simply protecting a system that is no longer there, a system that is made of domestic games that will have little interest for our kids,” Agnelli said in 2019. Is that true though? Or is Agnelli just driven by dollar signs and a desire to attempt to get his club to be on a level with Real Madrid and Barcelona?

Take the Premier League. Attendance figures do not suggest that anybody is getting fed up of the format. Ask Liverpool, United, City, Arsenal or Chelsea fans at the start of the season which game is their biggest and they would not say a potential clash with Barcelona or Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Those nights are always special, but it is the deep-seated rivalries between domestic foes that has kept them thriving for so long. Does Agnelli really believe that by 2024, when the current agreed structure for European football comes to an end, fans will have become bored of their domestic leagues?

Andrea Agnelli

It is naive and unfair to think it would just affect teams in the top flight, too.

A Middlesbrough Supporters’ Group has written to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to express its concerns over the proposal of a closed European Super League. But why should Championship clubs or those even further down the pyramid care? Why does it matter to them if the ‘Big Six’ in the Premier League break away?

Money.

“If we take a division like the Championship, the reward won’t be as great for promotion to the Premier League, so therefore the present level of acceleration of wages will be reversed,” Maguire says. “Then there’s going to be reduction in revenue which will in turn mean a reduction of costs.”

And that will filter down through the leagues. The gap between the elite and ‘the rest’ will widen. Will the big clubs look to help those beneath them? It’s very unlikely.

While managers have been vocal in their anger against the proposals, with Jurgen Klopp saying he hopes it “never happens”, there has not been the same dismissal from owners. Liverpool's owners FSG, for example, have been non-committal when asked about the proposals rather than dismiss them as their outspoken coach has done.

Liverpool owner John W Henry

“You would like to think that the clubs higher up would help those beneath them but it’s not going to happen,” Maguire admits. “All you need to do is look at the way the new TV rights were negotiated. All we will see is the owners of those clubs at the top wanting more money and they’re able to exploit the fact they are global brands.

“They’re only going to want to accelerate that gap rather than wanting to spread the money more evenly to make it a more competitive league.”

And what about the fans who will be forced to get their heads around what would be the biggest shake-up within football for generations?

“These proposals are totally counter to the principles of sporting achievement, and the knock-on effects would be disastrous throughout the game,” a spokesperson for the Football Supporters Association said. “The plans could force lower league clubs to the edge of the abyss, destroy domestic cup competitions, and pull up the drawbridge on teams with no European pedigree.

"It doesn’t matter how big or small your club is – these proposals would be massively damaging throughout the football pyramid. We’ll do everything in our powers to oppose them.”

The problem is that money talks within modern football. And while it is not a priority at present, clubs at all levels are going to take a huge financial hit due to Covid-19, and owners will be keen to listen to any way to turn that around.

Getting a European Super League off the ground remains a way off for the likes of Agnelli, but it only takes a handful of U-turns for the concept to start gaining momentum and become a reality.

As Guardiola quite rightly pointed out, the football league system as we know could well be dead in the not too distant future.


https://www.goal.com/en/news/european-super-league-future-football/65m2fxyaxihc1q6r99oln90et

Avalancheman:
Not just Diamond bank. Intercontinental too.

It is FG that has been stopping them from shutting down all the old Intercontinental bank branches since the shady take-over happened...

Now, with the Coronavirus and 1Billion naira "donation", the coast is now clear for them to do as they have always wished.

You made my day! They want to use this crisis as a cover-up to cut costs by laying-off these staff at the worst possible time.
When it comes to staff, the opposite of essential is not "non-essential".
Without the security men/women and the cleaners, will the MD maintain the social distancing and clean environment himself!

Lord, that they may feel what the common man feel....
Please share your thoughts below.

Something odd occurred in the crude oil markets days ago. Prices plunged so low that some oil traders had to pay oil buyers to bail them out.
Something odd occurred in the crude oil markets days ago. Prices plunged so low that some oil traders had to pay oil buyers to bail them out.
The price of U.S. oil, also known as West Texas Intermediate (WTI), dropped more than $50 a barrel to about -$30 per barrel—meaning that an oil trader trying to sell a barrel of crude oil had to pay a buyer $30. This was the first time ever that crude oil prices became negative.
Something odd occurred in the crude oil markets days ago. Prices plunged so low that some oil traders had to pay oil buyers to bail them out.
The price of U.S. oil, also known as West Texas Intermediate (WTI), dropped more than $50 a barrel to about -$30 per barrel—meaning that an oil trader trying to sell a barrel of crude oil had to pay a buyer $30. This was the first time ever that crude oil prices became negative.
Oil futures contracts are structured for crude oil buyers to take possession of crude in May, so on the day before expiration, nobody wanted crude oil because oil storage tanks around the world were almost full.
Ugonna Ohiri-Anyanwu, CFA, a financial expert at one of the leading Tier 1 Nigerian bank, explained to Nairametrics the reasons crude oil had lost value. She said:
“Oil is a commodity; hence, it has a tendency to have large fluctuations/volatility in prices. Its prices are largely driven by the forces of demand and supply.
“Crude oil’s recent plummeting can be attributed to the decline or non-existence of demand, owing to the recent outbreak of the Covid-19 virus which has seen the whole world shut down its operations, thereby affecting logistics and the possibility for crude oil to be physically delivered.
“It was projected that the world demand for crude would decline by 30% by April 2020 and there is the possibility of a further decline in prices if demand continues to decline; hence, largest oil-producing countries are considering cutting supply to match the recent low demands and avoid a further decline in price.”
In addition, the demand for crude oil is still dropping, in spite of a deal brokered by the Saudis, Russians, and other oil producers to reduce oil production. The world is already experiencing an oil glut market, with about 100 million barrels of crude produced daily. As at the start of 2020, Brent crude sold at about $60 a barrel, but by Thursday, it dropped to about $24 per barrel.
Omeiza Makoju, ACCA, an energy analyst at an oil-producing firm, spoke on phone with Nairametrics explaining how cheap crude oil has become. He said:
As at the close of global markets on 29/04/2020, WTI and Brent prices per barrel were $15 and $22 respectively (Average volume of an oil barrel is 158.987 litres). Applying N360/$, which is our current exchange rate according to the “adjustment of price” by the CBN, the price of WTI and Brent per litre in Naira is N36 and N51 respectively.
“This interestingly shows that the current price of a litre of Brent is the same as the average price of a litre of bottled water in Nigeria. This is just a coincidence and does not answer the question. From a global perspective, the major cause of dwindling oil prices is the sharp fall in global demand. The sharp fall is as a result of the double whammy effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Saudi and Russian oil price war currently ravaging world economies.
“The bigger problem is the pandemic which has led to a shutdown of global economies and which in turn has led to a drastic reduction in the consumption of crude oil. The biggest consumers have had to shut down their industries and also have to contend with oil glut/storage difficulties offshore and onshore.”
He also explained in detail, how oil demand had plummeted, causing storage facilities to fill up rapidly.
“The global oil glut is also evident in the news with images of storage tankers filled up with oil, floating, and begging to be purchased at low prices. In the Nigerian context and in addition to the impact of the pandemic, it is also clear that there are other significant local constraints we face that makes us willing to sell at low prices in a bid to survive.
“Some of them include a lack of suitable oil refining and storage capacity, operational inefficiencies, host community challenges, and financing difficulties.”
Unfortunately, oil analysts believe that the prices of oil will continue to decline as global consumption of crude oil will remain low until a vaccine is created to treat COVID-19. How soon this will be remains the major concern of world leaders, as the killer disease has brought the world to it knees.


https://nairametrics.com/2020/05/02/the-time-crude-oil-became-cheaper-than-water/

Gary Gillespie doesn’t remember how he and his teammates celebrated Liverpool winning the English first division title in 1990. “We probably got together and had a few drinks and reminisced about the season,” the former Liverpool defender tells CNN, chuckling at his hazy recollection.

There was little reason to especially savor that year’s yield, Liverpool’s 18th league title and Gillespie’s third in five seasons, because winning was what the club did. Springtime in Liverpool was the season for picking up trophies.

There was satisfaction and relief, an uplift to the red half of the city after a heartbreaking decade, but not the intoxicating hit on the senses that usually comes with the glory of being the best in the land.

Liverpool, it was assumed, would do it all again in the seasons to follow, or come close at least. No one knew the 1989/90 campaign was an ending, a full stop on what had been an unforgettable sentence in English football history.

“Everybody was used to winning and maybe took it for granted, and, anytime you take anything for granted in life, sometimes it comes back and smacks you in the face,” says Gillespie, “and that’s exactly what happened because we’re talking about this 30 years down the line, and Liverpool haven’t managed to win a title since.”

This year was supposed to be different. Jurgen Klopp’s men were 25 points ahead of nearest challengers Manchester City, within two victories of winning English football’s biggest prize, before the coronavirus pandemic caused the world to pause.

As the 30th anniversary of the club’s last league title success is marked, the wait continues. Agonizing, uncertain, with the story of the club’s revival missing its final page.


https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2020/04/sport/liverpoolpremierleaguetitle/

North Korean state-run media is reporting that Kim Jong Un made an appearance at a May Day celebration, which would be his first public appearance in about three weeks after global speculation over his health.

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim spoke to officials at an event to celebrate Labor Day and inaugurate a fertilizer plant.
"When the Sunchon Phosphatic Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant goes into operation, it will represent a historical development in our country's fertilizer industry, it will be a glorious revolution and a splendid display of our nation's great economic potential, and it will be an uplifting banner that assures us of the achievements of our country's general economic frontline," Kim said, according to the KCNA report.
The report added that Kim "expressed satisfaction about the wonderful creation" and congratulated staff from Kim Chaek University of Technology, "repeatedly stressing that talents are a great source and a motive power of the development of the country."
KCNA also released a still photograph purportedly showing Kim at the ceremony. The picture shows him cutting a red ribbon, with his sister Kim Yo Jong behind him.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/01/asia/kim-jong-un-public-appearance-kcna/index.html

While many Nigerian CEOs are busing following each other like sheep giving to a hyper corrupt government COVID 19 donations so as to look good...
The companies they created are making the most out of the same crisis.





what will you do if you are one of these businesswomen/men?

If you have not seen the trending video by Access Bank Plc MD/ CEO Herbert Wigwe talking about firing some "non-essential" staffs you have not been paying attention.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX0HYZdL7HY

Rightly like most, I am somewhat saddened by its content and want to get my frustration out, I feel we all should be asking questions here.

1: Are cleaners, security men and women "non-essential staffs"? For how long have they been "non-essential staffs"?
2: Outsourcing company:
- Should they be regulated? Prevented from sending massively underpaid staff to the financial sectors?
- Should any work that lasts more than 6 months in any form be allowed to be filled with temporary staff?
3: Access Bank Plc:
- If this is a cost-saving ritual, do these 70% largely outsourced "non-essential staff" EARN more than the remaining 30% (including the top management)?
- Should the bank investigate and fire (the only armo they seem to have and love using) who leaked the video?
- Should an employee be even considering recording a private company meeting?
- Should the CEO not try to save costs in these environments where revenues are certain to head south?
- Did the CEO go after people that represent simple numbers on a screen instead of his close c-suits team?
4: Nigeria (A country is never ready-even in the good times)
- Should naija ban outsourcing staffs
- Should naija have unemployment benefit programs?
- Should naija step in right now and prevent firms from laying off their staff? Using grants, forgivable loans, threats (of nationalization) if necessary.

Sadly things will only get worst:
- next, it will be the oil companies (with negative oil prices)
- the banks that have exposures to the oil companies
- state governors abandoning the minimum wage pledge (I hope they don't)
- Federal government cutting budgets
- construction firms etc
- people buying only "essentials" affecting services and more

No one can be prepared for a pandemic, however, neither Nigeria nor most Nigeria CEOs nor most employees were prepared for any kind of downturn. We were set for perfection until COVID 19 hit.
I pray and hope COVID -19 will join the history books soonest and its lessons will stay with us.

I am sure you more questions and answers please drop them in the comment below.

Even me Total dey send me regret email....na woa oh! Lols. French classes activated.....

#Impactever(Emma) please drop your email. I will gladly reply/answer any question you have that I can... Warm Regards.
Thanks you soo much #Randy91 and #mrsimzu. Congrats to you guys too.

FOR THOSE THAT NEVER BELEIVED...
Dear xxxxxxxxxx ,

Invitation for Scholarship Aptitude Test

Total is one of the largest publicly-traded integrated international oil and gas companies in the world with strong values of sustainable development in the countries where we operate.
As part of our development initiatives, the company grants annual Post Graduate Scholarships to deserving scholars into notable Universities in France.

One of Total's aim is to develop technical knowledge in Geosciences, Engineering and Management disciplines relevant to the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry whilst also adding value to the country and its people.

We are happy to inform you that we have received your application and you are hereby invited to participate in a competitive Aptitude Test which will take place as follows:

Date: Saturday 18th March 2017
Time: 9:00 AM
Venue: Eko Tower. Plot 1415-E Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

You are requested to come along with:
(a) One recent passport size photograph.
(b) A valid photo identification card (Driver's License, National ID Card or International Passport).
(c) ORIGINAL COPIES and a photocopy of all of the following documents - Evidence of change of name(if applicable), first degree certificate/statement of result and NYSC discharge certificate.
(d) As well as a calculator, pencil, eraser and sharpener.

Please note:
• You will be responsible for your transport and following the test you will receive a moderate contribution to your expenses.

Please print this email and come along with it to the Security Post at the main gate of the above Total Office Complex where you will be directed to the venue of the test.
Kindly respond to this email to confirm you will be attending



Yours Sincerely,

The Recruitment Team


For: Total Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited

The information contained in this communication is confidential and may be legally privileged. It is intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom it is addressed and others authorised to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in reliance of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Kindly destroy this message and notify the sender by reply email in such instances.
We do not accept responsibility for any changes made to this message after it was originally sent and any views, opinions, conclusions or other information in this message which do not relate to the business of this company are not authorised by us.

It sure will.....congratulations in advance.