₦airaland Forum

The Queen won't be holding any special occasion to mark her 94th birthday this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. A spokesman for Buckingham Palace today announced at the Queen’s request and for the first time during her 68-year reign, there will be no gun salutes in the royal parks this year.

The aide said: “Her Majesty was keen that no special measures were put in place to allow gun salutes as she did not feel it appropriate in the current circumstances.” A social media post will mark the day on Tuesday, but any calls or video calls with family will be private.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport have written to government buildings giving the standard advice on flag flying protocol but included the following in their instructions: “In the current circumstances we are not expecting everyone to be able to follow this advice and you should continue to adhere to social distancing guidelines as set out by the Government.”

'As has already been announced, there will be no Trooping in June and there are no plans currently for any alternative marking of her official birthday.'

The Queen praised the actions of millions of Brits saving lives by staying at home over Easter declaring “Coronavirus will not overcome us”. In her first-ever Easter message, the Queen stressed the importance of maintaining the lockdown, saying 'by keeping apart we keep others safe'.

With the outbreak making church services impossible, the Queen delivered what was believed to be her first Easter address, which had the resolute message: 'We know that coronavirus will not overcome us.' The Queen will mark her birthday privately in Windsor, where she has been with her 98-year-old husband Prince Philip since leaving Buckingham Palace on March 19.

SOURCE: https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2020/4/coronavirus-queen-cancels-birthday-tradition-for-first-time-in-68-years-amid-uk-lockdown-2.html

Governors in the south-west have agreed to shut their borders and make wearing of face masks compulsory, to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region. Governors of the 6 states in the region reached the decision during a virtual meeting.

Rotimi Akeredolu, chairman of the south-west governors forum, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday.

“That entry points of our six states be closed forthwith to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“The state governors agreed that people involved in essential services or dealing in medicine, water and consumable items in particular traders and market men/women should endeavour to wear face masks while outside plying their trade, to minimise the spread of the deadly virus.

“The governors further agreed that wearing of face masks would be made compulsory for everybody coming out of their homes effective from Friday, April 24, 2020 in their respective states.”

The presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 had blamed the spread of the virus on interstate travel, saying it has led to community spread of the disease.

SOURCE: https://www.thecable.ng/covid-19-south-west-govs-to-make-wearing-of-face-masks-compulsory

1. For your glory by Tasha Cobbs.
2. Victory belongs to Jesus by Todd Dulaney.
3. Everlasting God by William Murphy.
4. You're doing it all again by Todd Dulaney.
5. No Other God by Dr Tumi.
6. Hosannah by MOGmusic (YouTube).
7. Hallelujah by MOGmusic (YouTube).
8. Elohim by MOGmusic (YouTube).
9. We fall down by ChrisTomlin.
10. I'm blessed by Charlie Wilson.

More to come...

An unexpected fallout of the Covid-19 Lockdown are the reports of an upsurge in crime, specifically in certain parts of Lagos and Ogun States.

Hunger is no excuse for engaging in criminal activity or violence. If your area comes under attack by hoodlums/thieves, here are some GSM numbers to call:

(1). Coordinating DIG, Special Intervention Team: DIG Peter Ogunyanwo 08033893226.

(2). Control Room, Lagos Police Command 08127155132, 08065154338, 07055462708.

(3). Control Room, Ogun Police Command, 08081770416, 08081770419.

Have a safe lockdown guys!

Although health experts around the world advise people to isolate themselves to minimise chances of getting infected with the novel coronavirus, one German mayor did the opposite, deliberately contacting the virus so he could then be immune to it.

Berlin District Mayor Stephan von Dassel sparked controversy in Germany last week after admitting to consciously contracting coronavirus from his partner to self-immunise and be able to work while others were off sick.

Even though his decision went against the general consensus of public health experts, most of who recommended social-distancing to avoid the virus, von Dassel claimed that he saw his deliberate infection as a ‘contribution’ towards the long-term goal of flattening the curve of the infection. He did admit that he underestimated the virus, though.

The Berlin official went on to tweet a link to a statement published by Berlin Mitte office from von Dassel, which stated that he was quarantined for 14 days after his partner tested positive for coronavirus. He added that living in close proximity to someone infected, catching the virus himself would have been ‘almost unavoidable’ anyway.

“Since infection with a common home quarantine for 14 days is hardly avoidable despite all precautionary measures, I consciously accepted to catch it quickly,” von Dassel concluded.

“I was ill longer than I thought. I got infected almost on purpose to develop immunity and thought I’ll be a bit sick for three days and then I’ll be immune — I can’t catch it and won’t pass it on to anyone, but it was a lot worse than I imagined,” von Dassel told public broadcaster RBB.

The mayor’s statement sparked a heated debate online, with many accusing him of being irresponsible by consciously ignoring general guidelines during the pandemic and putting others at risk. However, von Dassel continued defending his actions, adding that perhaps his original statement was not as clear as he would have liked.

“Perhaps my statement on the radio today was misleading. But my behaviour was and is responsible. I was, am and remain in quarantine, until I’m no longer infectious,” von Dassel said on Wednesday.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/german-mayor-willingly-contracts-coronavirus-from-wife/

INCREDIBLY, it has been 6 years since the Chibok schoolgirls’ embarrassing abduction by Boko Haram jihadists from a territory that was then under a state of emergency.

It is a grim milestone that their families, Nigerians and humanity never imagined when the tragedy occurred on April 14, 2014. But here we are with its agony, lamentations and angry reflections on the failure of governance that led to it. A moment like this, therefore, calls for sobriety and soul-searching by the government, whose primary responsibility as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, is the protection of life and property.

The world was shocked when a total of 276 girls were violently seized from their school in the dead of the night, while they were preparing for the Senior West African School Certificate Examinations. Interestingly, 57 of the girls managed to escape when the trucks conveying them temporarily broke down. It was a benevolent fate, which the country did not capitalise on; a perfect storm under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, helped by its earlier denial, tentativeness and incompetence.

However, the coming of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in 2015 offered hope, radiated in his inaugural speech: “But we cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents.”

Such optimism has been raised twice since then. In 2016 October, 21 of the girls were freed; and in May 2017, another batch of 82 increased the tally. It was a pleasant surprise, against the backdrop of the avowal of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau to sell the girls “in the market.” The sight of some of the freed girls carrying babies when they were hosted at Aso Rock confirmed their sexual exploitation by the jihadists.

With 104 of the girls out of the evil den, the common belief was that the release of others was imminent. For the #BringBackOurGirls” group that was in the vanguard of the campaign for their release, the hope that the regime would fulfil its pledge was renewed.

Unfortunately, that confidence has collapsed with the seeming lack of enthusiasm by the government to secure the freedom of the remaining girls. The countdown of their days in captivity that used to grace the front pages of newspapers has since disappeared.

The banner of the #BringBackOurGirls is evidently flagging, partly because of police harassment of the campaigners. But resilience and inimitable communal spirit thrive on this kind of struggle. With another of the girls escaping with her child and the jihadist husband a few years ago, a total of 105 girls are still unaccounted for. The indignities they continue to bear diminish Nigerians as a people.

But all is not lost. In February, Shekau in a video, called for a swap of his fighters in government’s custody with the remaining girls. He said, “… the only way to have those girls back is for our men in prison to be released.” This window of opportunity should be seized with both hands to close this ugly episode in the country’s history.

In the wake of the release of 82 of the girls was the allegation that the Federal Government swapped them with some Boko Haram commanders. Though the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, flatly denied it, evidence globally indicates that this practice has become an acceptable counter-insurgency strategy.

The United States has sometimes taken advantage of the option despite its advertised policy of not negotiating with terrorists. In 2015, it swapped 5 terror suspects for Bowe Bergdahl, a US Army Sergeant held captive by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2009. Israel has also made such compromise deals. In 2011, it released 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a single Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, held by Hamas. This is revealing; a country should go to any length to save a citizen’s life in danger even outside of its shores.

Critically, at issue here are the lives of 105 girls enslaved by depraved minds, some of whose parents have died from the trauma; others have succumbed to debilitating illnesses on account of the tragedy. There were local and international channels that facilitated the release of the other girls. Why were those outlets allowed to close? The situation bespeaks the government’s lack of total commitment to the cause.

The 2016 and 2017 breakthroughs, according to a former senator involved in the swaps, were the outcome of a series of meetings and negotiations held in Sudan, the Swiss Embassy in Nigeria, Bern and Geneva in Switzerland. He also identified the lead negotiator as Mustapha Zanna, lawyer to the Borno State Commissioner, Buji Foi, identified as a Boko Haram member and who was killed during a confrontation between the extremists and security forces in 2010.

All channels should be reactivated immediately and new ones explored, to ensure that the remaining girls are freed. Foreign offers of assistance were made in the past, some of them dubious. It is for this reason that the government should go about it with circumspection.

Nigeria should put undue arrogance and false nationalism aside and seek maximum foreign assistance in whatever form to achieve the objective of freeing the remaining girls and crushing Boko Haram. This war cannot be fought forever. Chad’s recent routing of Boko Haram in its area of Lake Chad, in a military offensive personally led by President Idris Deby, is a lesson for the country.

With renewed energy, deployment of intelligence, equipment and absence of compromises, this rogue army can be wiped out. But while this macabre drama lasts, it presents a “sober reality check for all of us” a former US Assistant Secretary of State, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, once said.

https://punchng.com/unbelievable-chibok-girls-six-years-in-captivity/

Thanks, my brother. Will check out Dunsin Oyekan's music.

God bless you!

Symorne:
Any worship song by Dunsin Oyekan is a hit for me.
Favorite is "Fragrance to Fire"

Note: I'm not rating.

1. I lift Your Name by Sarai Korpacz.
2. You are Holy by Evelyn Amo.
3. You are Jehovah by Elijah Oyelade.
4. Angels bow by Steve Crown.
5. Elohim by Nathaniel Bassey.
6. Highly lifted by Elijah Oyelade.
7. Awesome God by MOGmusic (YouTube).
8. You are Holy by James Fortune.
9. Excess love by Mercy Chinwo.
10. Still by Natashia Midori.

More coming...

Enter God's outer courts with thanksgiving; enter His inner courts with praise, and finally, go into His innermost sanctum (the holy of holies) with heartfelt worship!

This Covid-19 Lockdown is an opportunity for us, not only to spend time with our families, but also to get closer to God in worship. Let's share here, any godly music that has blessed us.

The thread is not intended for rating any musician or their music. Its solely for sharing any music that has helped us in our worship of God.

May God richly bless us as we share and edify one another!

A Michigan couple whose wedding plans were thrown into chaos by the coronavirus pandemic said the pews will still be full during their ceremony — but the guests will all be made of cardboard.

Dan Stuglik and Amy Simonson said about 160 people were due to attend their wedding on Saturday (today) in Dowagiac, but COVID-19 lockdown left them with a suddenly empty guest list. Stuglik then enlisted the help of local company Menasha Packing to provide human-shaped cardboard cut-outs to represent their friends and family during the ceremony.

“I didn’t like the idea of Amy having to walk down the isle with no one in the pews, that seemed like a very lonely walk, so I wanted something to represent the guests,” Stuglik told WSBT-TV. “I went to just buy a few sheets of cardboard and they went in and brought a designer and made some,” Stuglik said.

The couple said they would have their honeymoon at an Airbnb with a more extravagant trip to Rhode Island when coronavirus lockdown measures were no longer active.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/cardboard-to-replace-wedding-guests-over-covid-19/

The Coronavirus pandemic has dragged China’s economy into its worst 3-month period in decades. The world’s second largest economy shrank 6.8% in the first quarter of 2020 compared to a year earlier, according to government statistics released Friday.

The plunge is the worst for a single quarter that China has recorded since it started publishing those figures in 1992. It’s also the first time China has reported a contraction since 1976.

SOURCE: https://businessday.ng/lead-story/article/chinas-economy-shrinks-for-the-first-time-in-decades/

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Kwara state chapter has waded into the alleged misconduct of Professor Alakija Salami in the management of a suspected deceased COVID-19 patient who died under his care at the University of Ilorin teaching hospital recently.

In a chat with newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday, the state NMA Chairman, Dr Muhammed Kolade Solagberu, disclosed that the medical ethics committee of the association headed by Professor Boduwoye is currently investigating the matter to ascertain what transpired.

DAILY POST, however, learned that all the doctors who had contacts with the embattled Dr Salami in the management of the deceased were currently on self-quarantine,” hence “it is difficult to get any information from them as the investigation intensifies.”

Dr Solagberu further said, ” it is not the best for us to call them on the phone to know what transpired in the course of management of the deceased patient. Until the ethics committee completes its investigation and submits its report, we will know the next line of action as we can’t rely on social media information,” he added.

DAILY POST recalls that Professor Salami, a consultant with the University of Ilorin teaching hospital, was suspended by the authorities following his alleged misconduct in the management and eventual death of a suspected COVID-19 patient under secrecy.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2020/04/14/covid-19-nma-ethics-committee-wades-into-dr-salamis-misconduct-at-uith-in-kwara/

Unknown gunmen on Monday abducted Olori Funbi Ojo, wife of Oba Olusanjo Ojo, the Baba-Aso of Igboole in Igboora area of Oyo State and her daughter. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wife of the monarch is the Matron of Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH) health centre.

According to eyewitnesses, the duo were kidnapped by the gunmen around Keji Abra farm, Igbole area of Igboora, around 8:15 p.m on Monday. It was gathered that the monarch’s wife and daughter, a trained nurse and also a serving corps member, were kidnapped while returning from the college where she worked.

However, her son who drove the bullet-ridden vehicle was lucky as he escaped being captured by the suspected kidnappers.

Another source, who confirmed the incident, to NAN said the victims were abducted close to the palace. “There was a case of kidnapping in Igboora yesterday around 8:15p.m., which involved the wife of the Baba Aso of Igbole. The Olori also doubles as the matron of OYSCATECH health centre.”

Confirming the development, Mr. Olugbenga Fadeyi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, said efforts have been intensified by police operatives to rescue the victim from their abductors.

Meanwhile, the family is yet to be contacted by the kidnappers as vigilante groups within and around the town have started combing the bush to rescue the victims.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2020/04/14/oyo-monarchs-wife-daughter-kidnapped/

Your quote from the Swiss philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau is quite apropos:

"Quand les pauvres n'auront plus rien à manger, ils mangeront les riches" - When the poor have nothing more to eat, they will eat the rich!

Unfortunately, in the present circumstances, those being "eaten" (attacked) by these miscreants are the poor! Consequently (in view of realities on ground) the best advice for all those living in such currently besieged neighbourhoods is to immediately organize yourselves for self defence, by:

1. Holding an emergency general meeting of the entire street, estate or neighbourhood as applicable.
2. Discussing/deciding whether to employ vigilantes or arrange your own men and youth into a neighbourhood watch. Immediately implement whatever you decide.
3. Agree on modalities for raising the alarm whenever the miscreants are sighted (e.g. whistles, remote car alarms, re-routed PHCN alarms etc).
4. If/whenever the "Awawa", "One million", "Vile henchmen" etc boys eventually show face, vigorously defend yourselves but ensure that the Police are also called/informed.
5. Ensure that any hoodlums eventually captured are handed over to the police.

Like Aesop said, "caelum audaces iuvat se" (Latin) - Heaven helps those who help themselves! May our good LORD be with you as you quickly get organized.

irunoko:
Hmnn

Please this is the time you need to invest in this local community vigilante.make Una gather as a community contribute money give vigilante to ensure security

I pray it doesn't get worse

There was panic in Ogba, Ojodu and Agindigbi areas of Lagos State on Monday evening over the presence of suspected members of the Awawa Boys and "One Million" Boys. It was learnt that some residents, who had lived in Agege – the base of the hoodlums, identified the boys and raised an alarm.

The PUNCH had reported that there was pandemonium on Sunday evening in Agege area of Lagos after suspected members of the Awawa Boys and One Million Boys dispossessed many residents of their valuables.
When the news broke that the hoodlums have arrived in Ogba and Ojodu, residents trooped out in their hundreds carrying cutlasses, iron metals, and broken bottles in an attempt to defend themselves.

Some elderly men were also seen dressed in red and black carrying juju in their hands. At the Oke-Ira axis, some youths climbed the roofs of houses with weapons such as stones and catapult in anticipation of the hoodlums’ attack. The PUNCH gathered that some residents of Ogba and Akiode areas kept vigil on Sunday in a bid to defend their territories against the siege of the hoodlums.

One of the youths, identified simply as Saka, said, “We are gallant. We are ready for them. We are all suffering and feeling the pains from the lockdown. We had to keep vigil at Aguda yesterday when we heard gunshots. We have the information that some of them are around surveying the area.”

Another resident, popularly known as Baba Kayode, said, “We heard they went to Akiode yesterday and the boys refused to let them in, they shut the gates against them. We will not also allow them here. We call on police and other security officials to come to our rescue.

“What we heard is that police have overpowered them in Agege and they are planning to move to Ogba, being the closest area to them. Akiode is also close to Ogun State for the One Million Boys. We have asked all our boys and vigilantes to be ready for war.”

Efforts to reach the Lagos State Public Relations Officer, Elkanah Bala, proved abortive. However, the Lagos State Police Command tweeted that its officers had visited the areas to restore calm. It said, “Police officers visited Omole and Ogba this evening to calm the nerves of the residents in the area.

“They were urged to lay down their arms, maintain social distancing and return to their homes as the police will be on ground to provide adequate security.”

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/panic-in-ogba-ojodu-over-suspected-presence-of-awawa-boys/

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread worldwide, so too do rumours and conspiracy theories about the disease - this time, in relation to the 5G technology. There have been viral posts on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and most recently, Whatsapp, claiming that 5G technology is the cause of the Covid-19 infection.

FIRST, WHAT IS 5G?
5G, or "fifth generation", is the latest in wireless mobile phone technologies, first widely deployed in 2019. Just as other mobile technologies like 4G, 3G and 2G, 5G data is transmitted over radio waves—a type of electromagnetic radiation. They are superfast and represent an evolution in telecommunication standards.

LINKED TO CORONAVIRUS?
One of the latest of such viral posts is from Dino Melaye, a former senator from Kogi state, who alleged there is a “powerful global force for economic interest trying to introduce the 5G into the global market” which would ultimately harm a lot of persons.

In a video shared via his Twitter page, Melaye, who has about 1.3m followers on the platform, added: “From my research, this coronavirus is really not the problem. The major problem is this 5G that has been delayed. It is the reaction from this 5G that has some biological interactions with our cells. 5G technology is a killer; 5G technology is what is now helping to mobilise flu that comes in (the) form of coronavirus.”

Melaye has yet to respond to TheCable’s inquiry on the source of his claim, but similar posts have also appeared online such as this one in which a user named Ravager_Girl claimed 5G towers will “kill a lot of people” in Nigeria.

There have also been many other such claims.

ARE THESE CLAIMS TRUE?
There is no known link between the coronavirus and 5G technology, according to checks by TheCable, including from expert sources. While it is true that 5G technology was rolled out in China around the same time the coronavirus was discovered, there is no scientific evidence they pose any health risk, much less causing Covid-19 disease.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says “a large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk (and) to date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.”

It also says of the 5G technology: “Till date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies. Health-related conclusions are drawn from studies performed across the entire radio spectrum but, so far, only a few studies have been carried out at the frequencies to be used by 5G.”

The global body explains further that the main mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency fields and the human body is tissue heating, and that “radiofrequency exposure levels from current technologies result in negligible temperature rise in the human body.”

“As the frequency increases, there is less penetration into the body tissues and absorption of the energy becomes more confined to the surface of the body (skin and eye). Provided that the overall exposure remains below international guidelines, no consequences for public health are anticipated.” it adds.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says there is “no scientific evidence [that] currently establishes a definite link between wireless device use and cancer or other illnesses….”

The Public Health England also says while it is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area, “the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health.”

Such guidelines for limiting exposure to electromagnetic fields, as stipulated by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection has limits of as high as 300GHz, whereas the maximum for 5G is around 26 GHz. The UK’s department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) also argues that there is “absolutely no credible evidence of a link between 5G and coronavirus.”

Even UK media outlets have been warned not to promote “conspiracy theories” about links with 5G and coronavirus. However, this does not mean some scientists do not think otherwise. Experts such as Camilla Rees, a senior policy advisory at the National Institute for Science, Law & Public Policy, writes on the hazardous effects of phone radiation on health, but there is no generally accepted scientific proof to this yet.

‘CORONAVIRUS IS 5G’
A number of the claims on the social media, also re-echoed by Melaye, suggests that the current pandemic is a result of exposure to the 5G technology and not the coronavirus. One of those posts, a tweeted video which has been viewed more than a thousand times, says: “…it is not the virus killing you or making you sick, it’s 5G towers.” But contrary to the claim, most of the countries to which Covid-19 has spread do not have a 5G network.

While the coronavirus has spread to about 200 countries, the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) – the umbrella body for companies across the worldwide mobile ecosystem – reports that the fully mobile 5G services have been launched in about 40 countries.

Across West African countries, most of which have recorded the coronavirus, there is no use of 5G network, except in Nigeria where it was launched for trials in November.

HOW THEN IS CORONAVIRUS SPREAD? RADIO WAVES?
No, not radio waves. These waves are non-ionising, meaning they don’t damage the DNA inside cells, as other waves such as X-rays, gamma rays and UV rays are able to do.

WHO says people contract COVID-19 from others who have the virus, meaning it is through human-to-human transmission. The disease can spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. It adds that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

VERDICT
The coronavirus does not have any link with 5G technology which in itself has not been scientifically proven to be harmful to health.

SOURCE (abridged): https://www.thecable.ng/fact-check-is-there-any-link-between-5g-and-coronavirus

The world’s top oil producers have pulled off a historic deal to cut global petroleum output by nearly 10%, putting an end to the devastating price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

After a week-long marathon of bilateral calls and video conferences of ministers from the OPEC+ alliance and the Group of 20 nations, an agreement finally emerged to tackle the impact of the pandemic on oil demand.

Prices rose more than 4% to almost $33 a barrel in London after swinging wildly in the first few minutes of trading following the deal. Investors are trying to establish whether the cut will be enough to dent the massive glut that keeps growing as the virus shuts down the global economy.

The talks had almost fallen apart late last week — amid resistance from Mexico — but came back from the brink after a weekend of urgent diplomacy. President Donald Trump intervened, helping broker the final compromise.

“Unprecedented measures for unprecedented times,”said Ed Morse, a veteran oil watcher who is head of commodities research at Citigroup Inc. Unprecedented in historical discussions of production cuts, the U.S. played a critical role in brokering between Saudi Arabia and Russia for the new OPEC+ accord.”

OPEC+ will cut 9.7 million barrels a day — just below the initial proposal of 10 million.

“We have demonstrated that OPEC+ is up and alive,” Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told Bloomberg News in an interview minutes after the deal was done. “I’m more than happy with the deal.”

The accord caps a tumultuous month when Brent crude, the global benchmark, plunged to its lowest in nearly two decades, falling toward $20 a barrel. Earlier this year, it traded above $70 a barrel.

OPEC+ ministers had to race onto a video conference call on Easter Sunday, less than 4 hours before the oil market reopened, to close the deal.

SOURCE: https://businessday.ng/lead-story/article/oil-higher-as-price-war-ends-with-historic-deal-to-cut-output/

Residents of Enugu State on Sunday condemned the closure of the popular Akwatta market where tomatoes, oil, yam among other food items were being sold, over alleged booing of the state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Friday.

The governor was said to have visited the major market in the state, ‘Ogbete Main Market’ to observe level of compliance to directives that all the markets in the state (with exemption of food markets) should be closed down, to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state.

But when he got to the market, those selling wares were said to have taken over the food section of the market and were allegedly ordered by the governor to vacate the market as they were not exempted to trade. The governor’s directive was said to have enraged the traders who booed the governor while calling him names.

But some of the residents who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday described the total closure on account of the incident as inhumane and showed the governor’s intolerance to dissenting voices.

But the state government has denied all the accusations. The Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Emeka Onunze, in a statement he personally signed said the allegations were “false, misleading, baseless, mischievous and a failed calculated attempt to undermine our genuine efforts to upgrade the environmental condition of the market for the health and wellbeing of our people”.

Onunze said, “We have temporarily relocated the traders of the Tomato market in Akwatta to Garki Market, Enugu, to enable the council rebuild the section of the Ogbete Main Market to standard before they return to the market to continue their business transactions.

SOURCE: https://punchng.com/market-shut-as-traders-boo-gov/

The UK's biggest family - the Radfords - have welcomed their 22nd baby and shared a touching photo of the newborn on their Facebook page.

Sue Radford has given birth to her 22nd child. In a statement on the family's Facebook page alongside a photograph of the baby's hand, the family said: "We welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world on Friday night. We’re all so in love with her." The family promised a vlog introducing the baby to the world would be published tomorrow.

The mum to Britain’s biggest family had previously revealed that she had found her second trimester “stressful”. In a YouTube video, she explained this was because of a complication concerning her placenta. Despite this, the 44-year-old said the pregnancy had flown by. Fans had been excitedly anticipating the arrival of the Radfords' baby girl.

The tot will now join the huge family, who have become social media stars. Sue and her husband Noel are parents to Chris, 30, Sophie, 25, Chloe, 23, Jack, 22, Daniel, 20, Luke, 18, Millie, 17, Katie, 16, James, 15, Ellie, 14, Aimee, 13, Josh, 12, Max, 11, Tillie, nine, Oscar, seven, Casper, six, Hallie, three, Phoebe, two, Archie 18 months, and Bonnie, one. The mum is also a grandma – as 25-year-old Sophie has three kids of her own.

Previously, the household revealed their plans to meet one of Australia's biggest broods.

SOURCE (abridged): https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/breaking-uks-largest-family-welcomes-21818810

Dear samir101ng,

Internet slows down with more users. Research has shown that for all types of Internet Service Providers (except fiber-optic cable), network congestion always causes a drop in speed.

Due to the coronavirus lockdown, many people are taking advantage of the free data period, leading to the observed drop in speed.

Fears of a massive spike in Covid-19 patients has struck Pakistan after over 100,000 people attended an Islamic Tablighi Jamaat gathering in Lahore last month, triggering hundreds of cases. Since the gathering, 154 worshippers have tested positive for coronavirus, and two patients have died to date.

Officials have said that Pakistani authorities are now searching for tens of thousands of worshippers who attended the Islamic gathering in Lahorein March.

Reports say authorities want to test or quarantine those who attended at the Tablighi Jamaat – an Islamic missionary movement - from March 10 to March 12. It comes amid fears that they are now spreading the deadly disease across the country and even overseas.

Organisers of the event say around 100,000 worship goers went to the meeting, which went ahead despite the government's requests to cancel it. Speaking anonymously, an official at Lahore’s district commissioner’s office said the location outside the eastern city has now been sealed off. The official reportedly said: "Authorities in all districts (of the country) are trying to find those who have attended the event."

So far, around 2,500 people who attended the gathering, including 1,500 foreigners, who remained around the event site have been placed in quarantine. Authorities have confirmed that at least 154 worshippers who attended the event have tested positive for coronavirus, with two deaths to date.

According to reports, officials have so far managed to track down around 7,000 attendees in Punjab province and placed them in quarantine. Officials managed to track them down after working through a list of names provided by Jamaat organisers. Tablighi Jamaat is one of the world's largest faith-based movements and has millions of followers around the globe.

A number of people from China, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, also attended this years gathering, according to organisers. It is believed others left Pakistan without being tested.

SOURCE: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/fears-massive-coronavirus-outbreak-after-21816229

15 PAIRS OF CONTRADICTORY PROVERBS

1. Look before you leap.
VS
He who hes­i­tates is lost.

2. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
VS
Don’t beat your head against a stone wall.

3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
VS
Out of sight, out of mind.

4. Never put off till to­mor­row what you can do today.
VS
Don’t cross the bridge until you come to it.

5. Two heads are better than one.
VS
Paddle your own canoe.

6. Haste makes waste.
VS
Time waits for no man.

7. You’re never too old to learn.
VS
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

8. A word to the wise is sufficient.
VS
Talk is cheap.

9. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
VS
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

10. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
VS
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.

11. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
VS
Nice guys finish last.

12. Hitch your wagon to a star.
VS
Don’t bite off more that you can chew.

13. Many hands make light work.
VS
Too many cooks spoil the broth.

14. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
VS
Clothes make the man.

15. The squeak­ing wheel gets the grease.
VS
Silence is golden.

SOURCE: https://beebo.org/smackerels/contradictory-proverbs.html

Bigflamie:
Its everywhere bro, my neighbor was kidnapped last night.

Which area is this please?

So, there you have them, folks! The band of nefarious microscopic marauders out to get rid of mankind. With enemies like these, who needs malicious aliens from distant galaxies?

ATTRIBUTION: Text and details of these 12 viruses were obtained from www.livescience.com

(12). MERS-CoV
The virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome, or MERS, sparked an outbreak in Saudi Arabia in 2012 and another in South Korea in 2015. The MERS virus belongs to the same family of viruses as SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, and likely originated in bats, as well. The disease infected camels before passing into humans and triggers fever, coughing and shortness of breath in infected people.

MERS often progresses to severe pneumonia and has an estimated mortality rate between 30% and 40%, making it the most lethal of the known coronaviruses that jumped from animals to people. As with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, MERS has no approved treatments or vaccine.

(11). SARS-CoV-2 (WHICH CAUSES COVID-19 DISEASE)
SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the same large family of viruses as SARS-CoV, known as coronaviruses, and was first identified in December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The virus likely originated in bats, like SARS-CoV, and passed through an intermediate animal before infecting people.

The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, called COVID-19, has an estimated mortality rate of about 2.3%. People who are older or have underlying health conditions seem to be most at risk of having severe disease or complications. Common symptoms include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath, and the disease can progress to pneumonia in severe cases.

Since its appearance, the virus has infected tens of thousands of people in China and thousands of others worldwide. The ongoing outbreak prompted an extensive quarantine of Wuhan and nearby cities, restrictions on travel to and from affected countries and a worldwide effort to develop diagnostics, treatments and vaccines.

As at Sunday 12 April 2020, this novel coronavirus has infected more 1.7 million persons worldwide, and has
killed more than 108,000.

(10). SARS-CoV
The virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, first appeared in 2002 in the Guangdong province of southern China, according to the WHO. The virus likely emerged in bats, initially, then hopped into nocturnal mammals called civets before finally infecting humans. After triggering an outbreak in China, SARS spread to 26 countries around the world, infecting more than 8000 people and killing more than 770 over the course of two years.

The disease causes fever, chills and body aches, and often progresses to pneumonia, a severe condition in which the lungs become inflamed and fill with pus. SARS has an estimated mortality rate of 9.6%, and as of yet, has no approved treatment or vaccine. However, no new cases of SARS have been reported since the early 2000s, according to the CDC.

(9). ROTAVIRUS
Two vaccines are now available to protect children from rotavirus, the leading cause of severe diarrheal illness among babies and young children. The virus can spread rapidly, through what researchers call the fecal-oral route (meaning that small particles of feces end up being consumed).

Although children in the developed world rarely die from rotavirus infection, the disease is a killer in the developing world, where rehydration treatments are not widely available. The WHO estimates that worldwide, 453,000 children younger than age 5 died from rotavirus infection in 2008. But countries that have introduced the vaccine have reported sharp declines in rotavirus hospitalizations and deaths.

(8 ). DENGUE
Dengue virus first appeared in the 1950s in the Philippines and Thailand, and has since spread throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the globe. Up to 40% of the world's population now lives in areas where dengue is endemic, and the disease — with the mosquitoes that carry it — is likely to spread farther as the world warms.

Dengue sickens 50 to 100 million people a year, according to WHO. Although the 2.5% mortality rate for dengue fever is lower than some other viruses, the virus can cause an Ebola-like disease called dengue hemorrhagic fever, and that condition has a mortality rate of 20% if left untreated. "We really need to think more about dengue virus because it is a real threat to us," Muhlberger said.

A vaccine for Dengue was approved in 2019 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in children 9-16 years old living in an areas where dengue is common and with a confirmed history of virus infection, according to the CDC. In some countries, an approved vaccine is available for those 9-45 years old, but again, recipients must have contracted a confirmed case of dengue in the past. Those who have not caught the virus before could be put at risk of developing severe dengue if given the vaccine.

(7). INFLUENZA
During a typical flu season, up to 500,000 people worldwide will die from the illness, according to WHO. But occasionally, when a new flu strain emerges, a pandemic results with a faster spread of disease and, often, higher mortality rates.

The most deadly flu pandemic, sometimes called the Spanish flu, began in 1918 and sickened up to 40% of the world's population, killing an estimated 50 million people.

"I think that it is possible that something like the 1918 flu outbreak could occur again," Muhlberger said. "If a new influenza strain found its way in the human population, and could be transmitted easily between humans, and caused severe illness, we would have a big problem."

(6). HANTAVIRUS
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) first gained wide attention in the U.S. in 1993, when a healthy, young Navajo man and his fiancée living in the Four Corners area of the United States died within days of developing shortness of breath. A few months later, health authorities isolated hantavirus from a deer mouse living in the home of one of the infected people. More than 600 people in the U.S. have now contracted HPS, and 36% have died from the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The virus is not transmitted from one person to another, rather, people contract the disease from exposure to the droppings of infected mice.

Previously, a different hantavirus caused an outbreak in the early 1950s, during the Korean War, according to a 2010 paper in the journal Clinical Microbiology Reviews. More than 3,000 troops became infected, and about 12% of them died. While the virus was new to Western medicine when it was discovered in the U.S., researchers realized later that Navajo medical traditions describe a similar illness, and linked the disease to mice.

(5). SMALLPOX
In 1980, the World Health Assembly declared the world free of smallpox. But before that, humans battled smallpox for thousands of years, and the disease killed about 1 in 3 of those it infected. It left survivors with deep, permanent scars and, often, blindness.

Mortality rates were far higher in populations outside of Europe, where people had little contact with the virus before visitors brought it to their regions. For example, historians estimate 90% of the native population of the Americas died from smallpox introduced by European explorers. In the 20th century alone, smallpox killed 300m people.

"It was something that had a huge burden on the planet, not just death but also blindness, and that's what spurred the campaign to eradicate from the Earth," Adalja said.