"Nigerians will no longer suffer for passports" - Aregbesola

Nigeria’s Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, has promised a new era of passport registration, retrieval and renewal for citizens.

The minister made the promise during the ‘Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Colloquium 2020,’ which held on Saturday, May 30.

The virtual conference which was live on Youtube, Facebook, Zoom and Twitter, had as its theme: ‘Government Unusual-Innovative economic solutions to unlock mass prosperity.’

Some of the seven panelists drawn from the public and private sectors were Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Kebbi Governor Abubakar Bagudu and Bismarck Rewane who is a member of President Buhari’s economic advisory council.

“A new era will arrive in passport delivery in Nigeria,” Aregbesola vowed as he re-echoed a promise he made to one of the panelists, development economist and Country Director of DAI, Dr Joe Abah, who did a nice job of reminding him at the commencement of the session. 

“Just take away the coronavirus months,” he said in between laughs.

Nigeria’s passport processes can be cumbersome, tardy, frustrating; and could take months from registration to retrieval.

The minister also spoke about how he focused on the majority at the expense of the minority rich as governor of the southwest state.

“I reversed that model completely. Instead of focusing on the top of the pyramid so that wealth trickles to the base of the pyramid, I did the opposite. Let it also be on record that during my time as governor of Osun, we did not incur debts to fund our social programs.

I also believe that an empowered, mobilised people cannot be a debt burden. What we did in Osun was focus on human capital development because when you do that, you reap in the nearest future,” Aregbesola said.

COVID-19 : 4-month old child recovers in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has discharged a four-month-old baby that recently tested positive for coronavirus in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Amina Mohammed Baloni announced this in a statement on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

The child was among the 20 coronavirus cases detected in the state two weeks ago.

The commissioner, however, noted that Kaduna as of Friday, May 29, 2020, had 76 active cases.

According to her, out of “the total number of 232 cases reported, 149 have been discharged, while seven deaths have been recorded.”

Baloni, who said almost 2000 samples have been tested in the city opined that the number of cases is expected to rise due to increased testing. She said, 

“The state has tested almost 2000 samples but case numbers are likely to rise further as more tests are conducted in more places.

COVID-19 cases have been recorded in 33 wards in nine local government areas of the state: Chikun, Giwa, Igabi, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Makarfi, Sabon-Gari, Soba, and Zaria.

The data shows that 80% of the infected persons are male.”

Buhari loses another nephew, Ibrahim Dauda

Ibrahim Dauda, a nephew of President Muhammadu Buhari died in Daura, Katsina State, following a prolonged illness.

In a condolence message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday, Buhari said the death has robbed the family and the Daura community of one of its finest gentlemen.

“I am deeply touched and devastated by the passing of yet another family member, a man who had demonstrated amazing kindness and honesty in all his dealings,” he said.

Buhari prayed God to forgive the soul of the deceased and reward his great and noble deeds with paradise.

The deceased, Dauda is survived by a number of children, including Dauda Ibrahim, a Chief Administrative Officer in State House, Abuja.

Lassa fever death toll in 2020 nears 200 as fresh deaths occur

Two people have died in Ondo and Benue as a result of Lassa fever infection between May 18, 2020, and May 24, 2020.

According to the latest situation report published by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Friday, May 29, the acute viral haemorrhagic illness, caused by rodents, has killed 197 people in 2020.

Nine new cases were recorded in the week under review with five in Ondo, two in Edo, and one each in Benue and Ebonyi.

Suspected cases in Aba, Bauchi, Delta, Imo, Plateau, and Taraba returned negative results.

1,015 cases have now been recorded in 27 Nigerian states, with at least one confirmed case across 128 local government areas across the country.

One of the new cases recorded is a healthcare worker in Ondo State, according to the situation report.

The NCDC declared in April that the emergency phase of the 2020 Lassa fever outbreak was over because its case count dropped below levels considered to be a national emergency.

However, the agency's Director-General, Chikwe Ihekweazu, said Nigeria would continue to record Lassa fever cases even though the country had passed its usual January to April peak period.

Male contraceptive that stops sperm being developed

It has been reported that a male contraceptive capable of blocking sperm from leaving the penis during ejaculation is being developed by scientists.

The yet to be named drug, being developed by researchers at the Monash University, said to be 100 percent effective, will likely be ready in the next five years.

It blocks two key proteins in the brain that are responsible for releasing swimmers during a male orgasm, the Mailonline has reported.

It is also said to have the ability to boost libido by dilating blood vessels – exactly how Viagra works.

Lead researcher Dr Sab Ventura, according to Mailonline, has announced that trial will begin if the next stage of drug development proves successful.

"We are moving closer to developing a convenient, safe, and effective, non-hormonal oral male contraceptive that can be readily reversed," he said.

He continued: "We aim to do this by developing a combination of two drugs that simultaneously block sperm transport rather than disrupt sperm development or maturation.

With this non-hormonal approach, sperm are unaffected so the contraception is likely to be readily reversible once the medication has been stopped."

Early laboratory tests show the drug has no impact on sexual desire.

And that the preliminary trials also showed sperm remained healthy and viable, should men express a desire for children in the future.

Regina Daniels flaunts her baby bump in new photos

Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels has flaunted her growing baby bump in new photos. 

Speculations have been going on for a long time on whether or not she is pregnant. And now, the 'forever 16' actress has confirmed the rumours by showing off her baby bump.

She posted these beautiful photos of her baby bump and captioned them,

"I have never been this happy before , This feeling of becoming a mum is the most amazing journey of my life ...I see myself speaking to my tummy all day , staring at the mirror and still can’t believe it .This child is about to change my entire life 😩Oh! How much I can’t wait."

"I need a girlfriend who will grow with me" - Anthony Joshua

British Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has opened up on his challenges in finding “someone to grow with”.

Joshua lamented that he needs a girlfriend. Speaking in an interview with The Sun, the 30-year-old father of one said, 

“I think you can date and still be a successful sportsman but it’s hard to find a balance and I would have to compromise — which I’ve not felt able to do.

My dad never gave me advice about much. But in terms of relationships what I have learnt and what I tell my son is, it would be nice to find a high school sweetheart and to grow together because as you get older you get set in your ways.

For me to have a relationship now means I would have to compromise and change my ways and I don’t know how easy that would be for me to do.

So I do date but I don’t get to the stage where I actually put anyone into that position. I don’t have a girlfriend and I haven’t had one for a while. But as I get older I do think it would be nice to have someone, someone to grow with as well — but I honestly haven’t found anyone.”

How would you advise Anthony Joshua? What will you have him do to strike a balance between his career and a romantic relationship?

268 Nigerians arrive Abuja from China

We confirmed that at least 268 Nigerians who were evacuated from China have arrived Abuja.

The flight that conveyed the evacuees landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport this afternoon.

Disclosing this in a tweet, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said that the returnees would be proceeding on compulsory 14 days quarantine as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Some of the nationals had faced serial racial discriminations in Guangzhou, China, from provincial officials.

They were reportedly evicted from their apartments and hotels following their alleged refusal to go for the mandatory quarantine imposed by the Guangdong Provincial authorities sequel to the outbreak of coronavirus in Guangzhou.

Some Nigerians sent a video of a woman with two children who were staying on the streets.

In the footage, the unidentified woman was feeding her infant daughter as the older second child slept in a baby walker; She was allegedly evicted from her apartment.

But the Chinese authorities said they subsequently provided free hotel accommodations for 207 Nigerians.

The government said the beneficiaries included Nigerians who were evicted from their hotels and apartments by officials in the wake of the compulsory quarantine and testing of foreigners for coronavirus by the Guangzhou Municipal Authorities.

"I'll knock Joshua out in third round" - Fury

Tyson Fury has predicted he will knock out Anthony Joshua inside three rounds – with a left hook.

The heavyweight world champions are on a collision course for 2021, assuming they both come through their respective title defences.

Fury must defeat Deontay Wilder for a second time while Joshua is due to defend his three belts against mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev.

Those fights are expected to take place this winter with Fury and Joshua then meeting early next year, likely in Saudi Arabia.

And Fury expects an easy night as he bids to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

“AJ’s style is tailor made for mine. He’s an upright fighter walking forward with a classic defence,” he told Sky Sports. 

“Strong and powerful. He’s got no footwork, hardly any resilience. And he’s a bit gutless when it comes down to getting clipped.

I think I’d knock him out in round two, three rounds. First time I connect on him, his legs will do a dance and I’ll just jump on him like the little fat kid did in America that time.

It’s going to be a left hook to the temple, and you’re going to see him doing a Bambi dance all over the ring.”

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn believes the rivals could fight twice next year.

"Simi hasn't put to bed, still heavily pregnant" - Anonymous

During the week, news made the rounds that celebrity couple, Simi and Adekunle Gold had welcomed their first child in the United States.

In light of this, many of their fans thronged to their social media handles to congratulate and celebrate the award-winning songstress who had announced that she was expecting her first child through her latest single titled, ‘Duduke’.

However, when news reporters reached out to a close source to the couple who preferred anonymity, the source confirmed that Simi was currently abroad with her husband and mother but had not put to bed.

The source, while thanking fans for the congratulatory messages, noted that the couple would announce the birth of their child when it happens.

“Simi is still pregnant but she will give birth any time from now. We are expecting the news at any moment. Her family is with her abroad. She was there before the release of ‘Duduke’ video. 

Right now, she has slowed down with some of her works but she has not given birth. Whenever Simi puts to bed, everybody would know,” the source said.

The couple has always kept part of their private life out of the social media space. 

Their 2019 wedding was a private affair which was attended by only close family and friends who didn’t share photos or videos of the couple or the wedding ceremony on social media.

Fans, however, caught a glimpse of the wedding when the couple released a music video that captured some of the joyful moments.