The Juventus first team comprising of star player Cristiano Ronaldo and head coach Maurizio Sarri have agreed to give up their four months wages in order to help the club's finances during the coronavirus pandemic.

Football leagues in Europe have been suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic and football businesses including games have been affected by the crisis as lack of merchandise sales, ticket sales and television subscriptions mean clubs round Europe will suffer financial losses this period.

According to the Telegraph Sport, the players will help the club save about £80million during the league break caused by the disease outbreak

The club has thanked its players and managers for agreeing to give up their salaries.

The statement on the official website read;

'Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that, due to the current global health emergency is preventing the performance of the sporting activity, it has reached an understanding with the players and the coach of the First Team regarding their compensation for the residual portion of the current sport season. ' The statement read.

'The understanding provides for the reduction of the compensation for an amount equal to the monthly payments of March, April, May and June 2020. In the coming weeks, personal agreements with the players and the coach will be finalised, as required by the current regulations. '

'The economic and financial effects of the understanding reached are positive for about EUR 90 million for the 2019/2020 financial year. '

'Should the current season’s matches be rescheduled, the Club will negotiate in good faith with the players and the coach conditional increases of compensations according to the actual resumption and finalisation of official competitions. '

'Juventus would like to thank the players and the coach for their commitment at a difficult time for everyone.'

So far three Juventus players, Daniele Rugani, Paulo Dybala and Blaise Matuidi have all tested positive to Coronavirus.

NCDC confirms 20 new cases of COVID-19 in Nigeria as toll rises to 131

The NCDC has confirmed 20 new cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria. According to the agency, 13 cases were confirmed in Lagos, 4 in FCT, 2 in Kaduna and 1 in Oyo State. This brings the total number of cases to 131 in Nigeria.

The International Monetary Fund chief, Kristalina Georgieva has alerted the world leaders that the global economy is now in a recession following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The 66-year-old Bulgarian economist made this known during a press briefing over the weekend, and said that she was pleased to see world leaders finally realizing that only a coordinated effort will help halt the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“We have stated that the world is now in recession and that the length and depth of this recession depend on two things: Containing the virus and having an effective, coordinated response to the crisis,” she told CNBC’s Sara Eisen.

“I’m very encouraged by what I see now. I see much clearer understanding [among global leaders] that if we don’t beat it everywhere we won’t be able to get out of it,” she added.

“We should not go ... with small measures now when we know that it is a gigantic crisis,” she said minutes later. “We’ve never seen the world economy standing still. Now we [do]. How we go about revitalizing it is another important topic.”

This comes days after the international body said it “stands ready” to use its $1 trillion lending capacity to help countries around the world that are struggling with the humanitarian and economic impact of the novel coronavirus.

On March 16, Georgieva wrote that the IMF’s Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust “can help the poorest countries with immediate debt relief, which will free up vital resources for health spending, containment, and mitigation.”

14 new cases of Coronavirus confirmed in Lagos and FCT

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC has confirmed 14 new cases of Coronavirus in Lagos and Abuja.

According to the agency, 9 of the new cases are in Lagos while 5 are in Abuja.

Singer, Davido's fiancee and mother of his son, David Jnr, Chioma, has tested positive for Coronavirus.

The singer announced this on his IG page this evening. He said their son however tested negative.

''Hey everyone ! I came back recently from America after cancelling tour. My fiancé Chioma also came back from London recently with our baby. We had no symptoms and still both feel perfectly fine but because of our recent travel history we decided to take ourselves and our all close associates we’ve come in recent contact with for the COVID-19 test on the 25th of March.

Unfortunately, my fiancé’s results came back positive while all 31 others tested have come back negative including our baby. We are however doing perfectly fine and she is even still yet to show any symptoms whatsoever. She is now being quarantined and I have also gone into full self isolation for the minimum 14 days. I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for your endless love and prayers in advance and to urge everyone to please stay at home as we control the spread of this virus! Together we can beat this!

Love, D '' he wrote

Five new cases of Coronavirus have been recorded in Nigeria.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC, three of the cases are in the Federal Capital Territory while two were recorded in Oyo state.

Nigeria now has 70 cases of the viral disease. 

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi has disclosed that the state's coronavirus cases might increase to 39,000 in coming weeks if stringent measures are not put in place to stop the spread of the disease.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday March 27, Abayomi stated that they are still tracing about 3,000 primary contacts of those infected with the disease.

The Commissioner who disclosed that the mathematical projection was that the state could have up to 39,000 cases, said it might become a reality if contacts are not observing self-isolating or embracing social distancing. He added that with social distancing, the figure could be limited to 13,000 cases.

Abayomi said;

“Our mathematical modelling shows that the worst-case scenario is that we may see up to 39,000 cases in Lagos.

“If we add social distancing to active contact tracing, then we will be able to bend the curve further.

“The figures may seem alarming at this point, but this is just to emphasise to the Lagos community to follow instructions of the incident commander to make sure that we practise social distancing.

“Looking at the same timeframe from the introduction of the index case, you can see that Lagos state is not seen anywhere near what Spain, Italy and Iran are showing.

“So, at weeks two and three of our index case, we are flat and at week four, we have 37 cases; while at the same fourth week, Italy, Iran and Spain had more than 20,000 cases.

“So, we are doing something right in the state. Then if we continue to do that, we will remain on the lower trajectory.

“It shows we are keeping the curve flat which is allowing us to keep up with the number of cases we have so far.”

UK prime minister, Boris Johnson has confirmed he has tested positive for coronavirus.

This comes just after a Downing Street spokesperson announced in a statement that Mr.Johnson tested positive for coronavirus 'after experiencing mild symptoms yesterday'

Confirming the news on Twitter, the 55-year-old wrote: 'Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus. Together we will beat this.

Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.

I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.

There are more than 11,600 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, and 578 people have died from the disease.

The Lagos state Ministry of Health has confirmed the report by the NCDC that of the 12 new cases of Coronavirus confirmed in the state on Thursday March 26, 6 were detected on a vessel that arrived the state.

Recall that the Nigerian Ports Authority called out the NCDC on Twitter over the said report that six of the cases were detected on a vessel.

Lagos state government confirms six new cases of Coronavirus were detected on a vessel in the state

In a tweet posted on Friday morning, the Lagos state government said out of the six cases detected in a vessel, one of them is a Polish national, the other a Ukranian while the remaining four are Nigerians.

Up to 14% of recovered coronavirus patients in China have reportedly tested positive again after being discharged from the hospital.

Doctors at a hospital in Wuhan, China, where the virus emerged reported that between 3 and 14% of cured patients became reinfected with the illness, though it’s unclear whether they were contagious the second time, the South China Morning Post reported.

The news comes as experts raised an alarm that China is facing a second outbreak due to the increasing number of imported cases as well as the 'silent carriers' who show no symptoms.

Tongji Hospital, which identified the first COVID-19 case, confirmed that five of 145 patients, a little over 3% tested positive again in nucleic acid tests, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

“So far there is no evidence to suggest that they are infectious,” said Wang Wei, the hospital’s president.

According to him, five patients who tested positive again did not have any symptoms and none of their close contacts had been infected.

He added that surveillance of similar patients showed that 80 to 90% had no trace of the virus in their system one month after being discharged from the hospital, according to the report.

But he said: 'these are just “small samples” and “not enough to assure us of the validity of our initial findings. We need a large-scale epidemiological study to guide our disease surveillance and prevention works.”

Health news outlet Life Times, which is affiliated with state-run newspaper People’s Daily also reported that other quarantine facilities in Wuhan have seen about 5 to 10% of their recovered patients test positive again.

The United States has overtaken China and Italy with most confirmed cases of coronavirus as over 85,500 Americans have tested positive for the virus.

State-by-state figures published late on Thursday showed confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US had overtaken the 81,782 cases reported by China and 80,589 reported in Italy. The biggest outbreaks were confirmed in New York, New Jersey and California.

The US has recorded 1,300 coronavirus deaths, behind China with 3,291 and Italy with 8,215.

When asked about the recently confirmed cases of coronavirus at a White House briefing on Thursday afternoon, President Trump said it was "a tribute to the amount of testing that we're doing".

Trump said;

“Number one, you don't know what the numbers are in China. We are testing tremendous numbers of people.”

Vice-President Mike Pence also disclosed coronavirus tests were now available in all 50 states and more than 552,000 tests had been conducted nationwide.

The US President had set a much-criticised goal of Easter Sunday April 12, for reopening the country. This is coming after it was reported that over  3.3 million Americans lost their jobs because of coronavirus.

Trump said;

"They [the American people] have to go back to work, our country has to go back, our country is based on that and I think it's going to happen pretty quickly.

"We may take sections of our country, we may take large sections of our country that aren't so seriously affected and we may do it that way.

"A lot of people misinterpret when I say go back - they're going to be practising as much as you can social distancing, and washing your hands and not shaking hands and all of the things we talked about."

14 new cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed by the NCDC.

In a tweet posted on Thursday evening, the agency said 12 new cases were confirmed in Lagos and 2 in Abuja.

Out of the 12 confirmed in Lagos, 6 were detected on a vessel while three are returning travellers.

As of today, the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in Nigeria is 65.

Three new cases of Coronavirus have been recorded in the FCT, Ogun and Bauchi states.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC, the new cases have travel history to Germany and the UK.

The third case was confirmed by the Ogun state government. According to the state Commissioner of Health, Tomi Coker, the new case is a 62-year old male resident of Sagamu with recent travel history who returned to the Country on March 17th 2020.

She said the patient has been transferred to the Isolation Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu for isolation and further observation.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday March 24, confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents killed at least 47 soldiers in a recent attack.

Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche disclosed this in a session with journalists in Abuja. He revealed that  troops of Operation Lafiya Dole were on clearance and fighting patrol operation to Gorgi in Borno between March 21 and 23, when they were ambushed by the insurgents.

Eneche said some of the terrorists were killed and their gun truck was immobilized after the Air Component of Operation Lafiya Dole scrambled immediately to the scene and provided close air support to the ground troops.

The DHQ Spokesperson said;

 “We are in a fluid conflict situation between March 23 to 24, troops who were on a clearance and consolidation operation which was successful were ambushed and we suffered some casualties.

“After the successful operation, the troops were heading to Buk when the Boko Haram insurgents shot at the last vehicle conveying supplies and the bombs exploded in the process killing some of the soldiers and all the insurgents that mounted the ambush.

“Accordingly, air assets, including an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and fighter jets, were immediately scrambled to provide Close Air Support to the troops. While the ISR platform provided situational awareness to the troops, the fighter jets engaged the BHTs, immobilizing a gun truck and neutralizing some of the terrorists. Some others, who attempted to beat a hasty retreat, were mopped up by the jets in follow-on attacks.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the Northeast, will continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of our Nation.

“The Defence Headquarters commiserate with the families of our fallen gallant heroes who paid the supreme price in the course of defending our fatherland."

Eneche who assurred Nigerians that the military and other security agencies would continue to sustain the offensive against the enemies of the nation, added that this would be done in furtherance of the objective of restoring peace and security in the North East and other parts of the country.

President Buhari has reportedly tested negative for Coronavirus as his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, has allegedly tested Positive to the vrius.

According to Thisday, presidential sources say the test for the president was necessitated after his Chief of Staff, Mr. Abba Kyari tested positive on Monday. Kyari had travelled to Germany on Saturday, March 7th to meet with officials of Siemens in Munich on the Nigerian electricity expansion programme. He returned exactly one week later on Saturday, March 14th, but did not show any symptoms.

He was said to have been at a meeting on containing the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria all through Sunday March 22nd where he reportedly started to cough. Subsequently, he voluntarily submitted himself for testing and was informed of his status yesterday.

Kyari has however gone into absolute isolation following the test result. He is said to be hale and hearty and showing no symptoms apart from the occasional cough.

UEFA has officially postponed the men's and women's Champions League finals and the Europa League final which could all be scrapped altogether due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All three finals were due to be played in May with Turkey's Istanbul set to host the men's Champions League final on May 30, while the Europa League final was due to take place on May 27 at Gdansk in Poland.

Last week UEFA put in place provisional dates of June 24 and 27, but the European football’s governing body has now decided to postpone the Champions League and Europa League finals with no rearranged dates discussed.

It was also discussed at the meeting of the European Clubs’ Association whether to abandon them altogether.

According to the Mirror, the postponement means in reality that even UEFA have no idea when football will restart - but there is an acceptance the season will not be completed by the end of June which was their original target.

The UEFA statement read:

“As a result of the COVID-19 crisis in Europe, UEFA has today formally taken the decision to postpone the following matches, originally scheduled for May 2020:

UEFA Women’s Champions League Final

UEFA Europa League Final

UEFA Champions League Final

“No decision has yet been made on rearranged dates.

"The working group, established last week as a result of the conference call among the stakeholders of European football, which was chaired by UEFA President, Aleksander will analyse the options available.

"The group has already begun its examination of the calendar. Announcements will be made in due course.”

5 new cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Edo, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), bringing the total number of cases in the country to 35.

According to the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), there are two new cases in Lagos, two new cases in FCT and one case in Edo State.

As at 09:45am on March 23, the total breakdown of coronavirus cases in the country is Lagos- 24, FCT- 6, Ogun- 2, Ekiti- 1, Oyo- 1, Edo- 1.

Nigeria has recorded its first death from Coronavirus.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the deceased is a 67 year old man who returned home from the UK where he had gone for a medical treatment.

The victim has since been identified as Suleiman Achimugu, a former managing director of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of Nigerian National Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC). He reportedly died at 2am on Monday.

The deceased, an indigene of Kogi state was said to have returned from the United Kingdom two weeks ago.

Achimugu, 67, was said to have started exhibiting the symptoms of the virus on Tuesday and the case was reported to the NCDC who took his blood specimen for a test. He reportedly tested positive and was evacuated to the specialist hospital, Gwagwalada in Abuja but died while receiving treatment.

According to reports, his family members are reportedly under quarantine at their home.

A statement from the family issued by Abubakar Achimugu said the deceased had been buried according to Islamic rites.

”Our family is deeply saddened to inform you of the sudden death of our beloved Father, Uncle, Brother and friend. Engr. Suleiman Achimugu (former Md of PPMC),” the statement read.

”He died of COVID 19 on 22/03/2020 some days after he arrived Nigeria from the UK. He was in self isolation upon his return from the UK and personally called NCDC after experiencing some discomfort that are related to COVID 19 symptoms.

”He tested positive and was promptly evacuated to the specialist hospital. He died while receiving treatment.

”We implore the general public to pray upon his soul and the recovery of infected persons. Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated.

''Please maintain the public social distancing and restriction advice as we all walk through this very difficult time. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. May Allah SWA have mercy on him.”

Most Nollywood actors lift themselves by using sugar daddies and mummies - Wale Adenuga says as he reveals that the film industry in Nigeria is not profitable

Wale Adenuga has described the film industry in Nigeria as unprofitable, adding that things are not going on well as expected with the sector.

Adenuga, who is the chairman of Pefti Film Institute, disclosed this over the weekend in Ibadan while speaking with newsmen.

He said the Federal Government had done its best by providing loans for film making but it isn't enough. He went on to advocate for a total restructuring of the sector.

He pointed out that the actors and actresses who live flamboyant lifestyles are able to do so from other sources outside of the film industry.

He added that "Many of them lift themselves by using sugar daddies and sugar mummies."

He said: "Many people are oblivious of the fact that many of the young Nollywood actors and actresses who live flamboyant lifestyles make their money outside film making. They make people believe everything is alright in the film making.

"You see them building big houses, living in affluence, but their source of money is beyond making the film."

He criticized lack of an organised association to govern the activities of the actors and moviemakers in the industry saying: "Although the average Nigerian may find this shocking but Nollywood is the only industry with no organised association to govern the activities of actors and moviemakers in the industry.

"This country cannot speak of a unified national association of filmmakers, the way that doctors talk about the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), lawyers talk about the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the gentlemen of the press have the Nigerian Union of Journalists(NUJ).

"It is true that Nollywood has all manners of guilds but these are all based on the sentiments.

"One is persuaded to believe that the inability to come together under an umbrella is one of the reasons why Nollywood have some of the problems that hinder them from the development of the business in Nigeria"

He added that the industry may witness bad days soon if deliberate efforts are not made to address the problem in the industry.

He said: "If things are not checked, there are disasters ahead. The cinemas that we have are too elitist in outlook and the common man cannot afford the luxury. What we need are community cinema houses where people can pay as low as N500.

"If Nollywood is well structured, there would be pension and health insurance schemes to the advantage of practitioners but that is not the case at the moment. What we have are self creations and growth of cabals.

"When there is no structure, there would be cabals. That is why there is high prevalence of abuse in the industry.

"A lot is going on in Nollywood and this is encouraged by lack of structure. Nollywood is the only industry that has no united front. In Nollywood, it is an all-comers affair. Anybody can become a director. There are no ethics and no professionalism. I can say that 90 per cent of the popular artistes in the industry do not belong to any association.

"I can name actors that died without proper care. Our members are too proud whereas all is not well with Nollywood. We just grandstand and create wrong impression. It is only the men that are painting the real picture in Nollywood and it is the picture of poverty. People who are enjoying from the muddy water of the Nollywood will not want things to be reformed."

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, has revealed that his son tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

The former vice president who shared the news via his verified Twitter handle, stated that the NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control), has been duly informed about the situation and that his son has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and Management.

"My son has tested positive for coronavirus,” he tweeted.

"The @NCDCGov has been duly informed, and he has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and management. I will appreciate it if you have him in your prayers. Stay safe, coronavirus is real,” he added.

Atiku also asked that Nigerians put his son in prayers.

RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye says God told him in the beginning of the year that there will be a compulsory holiday worldwide and that he would use the plague to prove to the whole world that he is still the Almighty God.

He said this during a sermon in his church on Sunday morning.

In his words;

He told me loud and clear that this year, the whole world is going to be on compulsory holiday. I know the last time we got close to the world being on holiday. It was after 9-11. Remember there was this attack in America on the World Trade Center towers that all planes were grounded, at least around America.

So when he said the whole world is going to be on compulsory holiday, I thought maybe something like that is going to happen. Now, if that is what it meant and somebody had prophesied it and it happened, the Interpol would have come and picked the follow and said you had about the plot, you knew when they were planning this thing and you didn't speak.

But now, the compulsory holiday is here. You can see the major nations of the world locking down. The smaller nations are also going to be locked down. This is because nobody wants to travel by air because if you travel by air and there is just one person on that plane that is infected, they would look for you and put you on Quarantine.

Compulsory holiday because my daddy says he wants to show the world that he is still the one in control. He wants to show those of us who thinks hat we are someone that Heaven is still his throne and the whole earth, his foot stool. So if you think that you are big, he is compel you to seat down at home and not move at least for two weeks.

The good news about this is that as soon as he has proved to the whole world that he can shut down the whole earth if he wants, then he would remove the plague.

How long before that happens, I am sorry I can't tell you but from the look fromthe look of things, he is already achieving his purpose if he stops the plague now. The world by now should know that there is someone called the Almighty'' he said

The clergyman added that Coronavirus would never be washed away like some prophets have predicted. He said the only thing is the virus would subside but that it will never go away.

The federal Ministry of Health has confirmed ten new cases of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

Three of this are from the Federal Capital Territory and seven in Lagos.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to twenty-two.

All ten new cases are Nigerian nationals, nine of them have travel history to Canada, France, Netherlands, Spain and United Kingdom.

They returned to the country in the past 1 week while the 10th case is a close contact of a previously confirmed case.

The ministry added that the three cases in Abuja are being treated at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, while the new seven cases in Lagos are being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.

All the ten new cases have mild to moderate symptoms and are currently receiving treatment.

Country music legend, Kenny Rogers, who dominated the pop and country charts in the 1970s and 1980s has died aged 81.

His family confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday.

"The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10.25 pm at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family," read the family statement.

Rogers' family is planning a small private service because of the coronavirus pandemic with a public memorial planned for a later date.

The American singer who enjoyed a career spanning across six decades which began in 1957, retired from touring in 2017 at age 79. He was a three-time Grammy winner and was also a Country Music Hall of Fame member.

Kenny, who has been married five times is survived by his last wife Wanda Miller and five children, Carole, 60, Kenny Jr., 55, Christopher Cody, 37, and 14-year-old identical twin sons, Jordan and Justin.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has made an alteration in exchange rate of dollar to Naira as confirmed in a communique to all banks and Bureau De Change on Friday March 20.

The apex bank on Friday sold dollars to deposit money banks at the rate of N380 to one dollar signaling the official return of a single exchange rate regime in the country’s foreign exchange market.

The CBN directed banks and Bureau De Change to ensure that the end-user sales of the Dollar should not be more than N380/1USD. The communique was on the disbursement of the proceeds of the International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO).

CBN's communique which backed the highest official exchange rate between the dollar and naira in over two years, came barely a week after the apex bank denied plan to devalue the Naira.

President Buhari has reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of Nigerians especially with the current happenings around the world.

Speaking while receiving the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in State House, President Buhari said:

“I am pleased that you are working with the Ministry of Health on protecting our citizens from Covid-19 virus. You must work to guarantee the safety and security of our pilgrims. As a government, this is now a key priority for us. I therefore enjoin you to ensure that adequate medical provisions and other welfare requirements are afforded our pilgrims,” he said.

The President expressed his delight with the operations of the Commission so far especially, the reduction to up to 15 per cent in Hajj fares.

“I am pleased to hear of the progress you have made thus far especially in reducing Hajj fares by up to 15 per cent. I am also impressed that you are still working to further bring down the cost next year. This is commendable now especially with the recent global events that have impacted on the economy. Such savings will be timely and most welcome to the pilgrims as well as to Nigeria’s economy,” he said.

“However, as you assess and reduce these costs, you must ensure that quality service and comfort are provided for our pilgrims as these are the core mandates of your Commission and must remain your primary goal,” he said.

As part of measures to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state, the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the immediate closure of nightclubs, bars and other social gatherings.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the directive today when he spoke at a press briefing. He said following extensive consultations with various religious leaders, the state government has also directed immediate suspension of gatherings of not more than 50 people.  He advised Lagosians to avoid any form of gathering either academic, social, family, professional, political or religious.

This means that gatherings around our event centres and clubs, both day clubs and night clubs, bars etc are also affected by this directive,” he said.

Zenith Bank Plc has cleared the air that it has no binding offer to acquire any financial institution. The bank disclosed this in a statement it issued to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Tuesday.

The statement signed by the Company Secretary of the bank, Michael Otu, read, “Zenith Bank notes certain recent internet and social media reports suggesting a proposed acquisition of Union Bank Plc by Zenith Bank. We hereby state categorically that Zenith Bank has not made any binding offer to acquire any financial institution.”

Meanwhile, Nairametrics had reported that Zenith Bank Plc has been given the green light to merge or acquire Union Bank Nigeria Plc. The leading financial news platform got wind of this from a reliable source. We understand talks are currently ongoing between the banks and a tentative arrangement may have been reached to commence due diligence.

Zenith Bank is Nigeria’s largest bank by profits and second by total assets and could increase its size significantly further with a potential acquisition or merger of this magnitude.

Sources from both banks denied any merger plans have been concluded but will not deny or affirm if talks are ongoing. Sources also inform Nairametrics that some executives of both banks are not favourably disposed to a merger while others are. Any merger between the banks will surely require the blessing of Jim Ovia, the Chairman and Founder of Zenith Bank, and we now also understand no decision has been made. One of our other sources also claims that he denied any such deal.

Zimvest

We did not expect an affirmation of a deal at this stage. Nairametrics also got a similar response when it contacted sources in First Bank for the reported merger with Polaris Bank and Heritage Bank.

But is it true there are no merger talks: In 2018 Access Bank and Diamond Bank also denied any merger plans when we reached out to them when the initial merger news broke. Both banks eventually announced a deal and consummated a merger in December 2018. Deals like these are typically not confirmed until the clearance is obtained from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Why the merger: It is not immediately clear why both banks will be considering a merger, however, Union Bank owners Atlas Mara with a 49% stake has been under pressure to exit their African holdings. Last year (February), Atlas Mara co-founder Bob Diamond announced he was resigning his post as Chairman of the company. The company said it was looking at selling off banking assets in countries where it was not the dominant player.

Earlier in January, Union Bank sold its United Kingdom subsidiary to MBU Capital Limited. The London-based management investment firm acquired Union Bank UK after emerging as the most preferred bidder. According to the bank, “This sale is aligned with Union Bank’s strategy to geographically streamline its business operations to focus on growth opportunities in Nigeria.”

Union Bank also recently raised N20 billion in series 3&4 commercial paper after successfully raising N24.3 billion through the issuance of the Series 1 and 2 of its N100 billion commercial paper programme.

Why Zenith: We believe for Zenith Bank a potential merger could be for two main reasons. Firstly, a merger firmly solidifies Zenith Bank’s position as the largest bank by total assets after falling second to Access Bank with N7.1 trillion. It also gives Zenith Bank control over several juicy assets and right of ways owned by Union Bank from its legacy years.

UEFA have officially decided to postpone the Euro 2020 until the summer of 2021 to allow European leagues to complete their seasons amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Norwegian FA confirmed the news on their social media accounts as they say the tournament which was to be held across 12 European cities and was scheduled to begin on June 12, will now be played between June 11 and July 11, 2021.

 "Uefa has decided that the Euros should be postponed until 2021. It will be played from 11 June to 11 July next year."

UEFA har bestemt at EM utsettes til 2021. Det skal spilles fra 11. juni til 11. juli neste år. Mer informasjon kommer.

— NorgesFotballforbund (@nff_info) March 17, 2020

The decision comes after UEFA held conference calls with its 55 member associations, the board of the European Club Association and the board of the European Leagues.

The postponement provides a chance for European leagues that have been suspended to now be completed.

The Federal government has confirmed a third case of Coronavirus in Nigeria.

According to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, the patient is a Nigerian lady who just returned to Lagos from the UK recently. He however said she is clinically stable and is being treated at the Infectious disease hospital in Lagos.

The first confirmed case is of an Italian man who is still undergoing treatment.

The second is a Nigerian who had contact with the Italian man. He has since tested negative to the disease after undergoing treatment.

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgement on an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) which sought a review of its judgement on Zamfara election.

While ex-Governor Abdulazeez Yari’s faction of the APC, through their counsel Robert Clarke (SAN) brought the application seeking a review of the consequential order of the apex court which voided the total votes polled by the APC in the election over the conduct of the October 3, 2018 primary of the party, Counsel to the Senator Kabiru Marafa-led faction of the APC, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) asked the court to dismiss the application with punitive costs.

Ozekhome argued that the decision of the Supreme Court is final and cannot be reviewed, and further backed his argument by citing recent cases in Bayelsa and Imo states and Section 235 and 285 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Mohammed who led a five-man panel that presided over the case, said the judgment date will be communicated to all the parties.

President Donald Trump drew backlash on Monday March 16, after he described coronavirus as a 'Chinese virus'.

The US President said this after giving an address on Monday afternoon in which he revealed the country may be headed toward recession and called for social distancing.

Tweeting in support of industries affected by the coronavirus, Donald Trump wrote;

"The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!"

The tweet has however been criticized by many including the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Redfield, for being ''inaccurate and potentially harmful in promoting racist associations between the virus and those from China.''

Trump who has been accused of losing control of the situation, had released a series of sweeping guidelines which will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society in the next 15 days. The US has had more than 4,600 confirmed cases of the virus and there have been 79 known deaths from the infection.

Australian researchers claim they've found a cure for novel coronavirus, COVID-19 after patients they tested responded 'very well' to treatment after patients they tested responded 'very well'.

The researchers at the University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research believe two drugs may eradicate coronavirus entirely.

According to the researchers, the first drug is a medication used to suppress HIV, while the other is an anti-malaria treatment known as chloroquine.

Professor David Paterson, an infectious diseases physician disclosed that the patients will likely enroll in a clinical trial of both drugs by the end of March.

He said that it wouldn't be wrong to consider the drugs a possible 'treatment or cure' for the deadly respiratory infection.

Professor Paterson also confirmed that one of the medications was given to some of the patients, who were first identified as carriers in Australia, and appeared to lead to the 'disappearance of the virus'.

He told news.com.au it's a 'potentially effective treatment' that should be considered for a large scale medical trial immediately.

'What we want to do at the moment is a large clinical trial across Australia, looking at 50 hospitals, and what we're going to compare is one drug, versus another drug, versus the combination of the two drugs.'

'That first wave of Chinese patients we had (in Australia), they all did very, very well when they were treated with the HIV drug,' Professor Paterson said.

Professor Paterson has launched a fundraising appeal alongside the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to raise money to support the clinical trials. The Coronavirus Action Fund hopes to raise $750,000.

Decomocrat U.S. presidential aspirant, Joe Biden has said that he will pick a woman to be his running mate.

The former vice president said this at Sunday’s Democratic debate on CNN.

Mr Biden said:  “Number one, I committed that if I’m elected president and have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts, I’ll appoint the first black woman of the courts. It’s required that they have representation now. It’s long overdue.

"Secondly, if I’m elected president, my cabinet, my administration will look like the country and I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a — I’d pick a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women who are qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president is.

"Number three, I’m the guy that wrote the domestic violence law. I’m the guy that put in the prohibitions that no one who abuses someone else should be able to own a gun. Period. They should not be able to own a gun."

Mr. Biden made his commitment in response to a videotaped question from a voter posed first to Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont about how he would ensure his cabinet would be equipped to offer the best possible advice about women’s physical and financial health.

A couple and their three children have been reported to be among the 17 persons confirmed dead in the explosion that took place at the Abule Ado axis of Lagos state in the early hours of Sunday March 15th.

According to reports, the couple and their children were caught in the fire caused by the explosion while driving in their vehicle to church.

The Director General/CEO LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyimtolu, who confirmed the number of casualties, said the cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.

"17 bodies have been recovered while 25 casualties are being treated for injuries on site. We sympathise with the families that lost their loved ones to the inferno and wish the injured quick recovery. We appeal for calm and urge residents to shun fake news. Operation is still in progress. Updates will continue through the course of operation while investigations remain on going" stated Oke-Osanyintolu.

Over 50 buildings in the area and neighbouring communities were affected by the unfortunate incident.

Bola Tinubu, the APC National leader, has broken his silence on the moves made by some members of the party to remove the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, from office.

Recall that on March 4th, Justice Danlami Senchi of an Abuja High Court sitting in Jabi, suspended Oshiomhole as APC National Chairman following a petition from aggrieved members of the party who argue that he cannot continue to be the party chairman since he has been suspended in his ward in his home state, Edo state. The court order has been set aside by Kano state High court.

Since then, there have been moves and countermoves by some members of the party to remove Oshiomole from office.

In a statement released today Sunday March 15th, Tinubu said while Nigeria has been able to contain Coronavirus, there are still “Ambition-virus 2023” infecting some politicians in the land.

He condemned the moves to remove Oshiomole from office

While Corona has been presently contained in Nigeria, we must be alert to another sickness that seems rampant within a certain segment of society. That sickness is old Ambition-virus 2023. This illness afflicts many in the political class along with their allies in the media.

Those touched by this malady find that their ability to tell time and discern the difference between the present and the future has been strongly impaired. The carriers of this sickness are confused as to the very season our nation now finds itself.

They conflate things, which no sensible person would conflate. The primary symptom of their malady is the driving tendency to believe the events of 2023 will be decided before we even exit the year 2020.

Consequently, everything they say and do is geared toward obsessive jockeying for position to control and manipulate a race still three years away. In doing so, they recklessly undermine the very party which they claim to serve and weaken the administration of President Buhari to which they claim to be loyal. They line up to run a race for which the track has not even yet been constructed.

Put another way, they seek to pluck the fruit before the seed is even planted. As such, their actions border on the pathological. True, ambition is inherent in human endeavour. Without it, nothing great is achieved. However, strong ambition applied in the wrong way has never done anything positive.

At best, it results in confusion. Usually, its results in something worse. No matter how great one’s ambition and how able one may be, nobody can rush or speed time. That is beyond the realm of human capacity. To do so is to contest against fate itself. When it ends, such a contest rarely ends well.

In a well-structured society, people come to understand that the time for politics is seasonal; it is periodic. The responsibilities of governance are what is perpetual. Many of our politicians sadly have inverted this reality.  Politics and electioneering are secondary to governance for they are but tools of governance, the platforms by which one demonstrates his or her worthiness to lead a great people.

The more a person obsesses over and constantly engages in political manoeuvring is a warning sign. Not only is he prone to the 2023 virus. He likely has little to offer in the way of good governance. He wants to hold public office that you might serve him not he serve you.

For if he had adequately studied and been acquainted with the ways and means of progressive governance, he would be focused on that important task at the present moment. He certainly would not drown himself and all around him in harmful political intrigue.”

The former Lagos state governor said those working for Oshiomhole's removal are doing so because they perceive he would be an obstacle to their 2023 ambitions.

The plotters launched their attack solely because they perceive the chairman as an obstacle to their 2023 ambitions. People went to court knowing full well the party constitution prohibits such action because these people had not yet exhausted all internal disciplinary procedures.

We even had a national deputy secretary improperly call for a NEC meeting on the basis that he believed himself the acting national chairman. Clearly, this man would not have summoned the temerity to make such a move had he not been instigated by powerful individuals who he thought would reward or, at least, protect him for committing the wrongful act.

Those engaged in these manoeuvres see themselves as clever or cunning. They do so because they only understand the mean craft of political intrigue. They have yet to understand the value and long-term utility of democratic governance. Thus, they embark on the strangest of quest. They would rather dismantle and weaken the institutional core of their party just to gain control of that weakened edifice in order to pilfer the party nomination, which they crave. This is more than sad.

Many of us expended sweat, tears, toil and sleepless nights to build this party. Our personal sacrifices were not insignificant. We built this party not simply as a vehicle for personal ambition. We built the party because we saw it as perhaps the only enduring hope to bring progressive governance to this nation. Those who now seek to abuse the party by using it as their personal device do it great harm.

They should not be allowed to sacrifice this collective enterprise at the altar of their self-aggrandizement. Somehow, some way they should find in themselves the bearing to adhere to the democratic spirit on which the party was founded. To be an APC member means more than merely carrying a membership card. It means to believe in a set of ideals and principles geared to our highest purpose as a party and a nation.

He tackled the anti-Oshiomhole elements within APC, stating they were distracting President Muhammadu Buhari from fixing the nation. According to him: “In a broader context, those afflicted with the 2023 virus do a grave disservice to President Buhari and his administration. They should be trying their best to help the president. Instead of seeing President Buhari as our present leader and commander-in-chief, their sole contemplation is upon his eventual exit. Yet, not even a full year has passed since his second inaugural. How can they be committed to helping him realise his mandate when the fullness of their gaze is affixed to seizing this very mandate for themselves?

The President is faced with many challenges. He is fighting hard on security to keep the population safe. He is pushing for economic reforms that will augur future sustainable growth. His disdain for corruption remains unwavering.  Add to it now the Corona crisis and its resultant social as well as economic impact. Politicians express loyalty to him but the words of too many of our politicians are like butter under a burning sun; they melt quickly away. Better to be loyal in deed. Instead of trying to manipulate party and other mechanisms solely to their political gain, it is time to shelve political intrigue for the time being. It is time for all party members to truly see what is at stake and work with Mr. President for the collective good of the nation.

This means we must rally around President Buhari. Instead of everyone saying they are working for the party and nation but going their separate ways based on their selfish designs, we must help him build a stronger national consensus on policies that will ensure safety and bring greater prosperity. If need be and when called upon, we must offer ideas and suggestions that move policy and progress forward. This is the time for governance. It is not the moment to bring the politics of 2023 into 2020. In due course, 2023 shall come. Nothing can prevent it. However, that time is not today.  If we are earnest, the present offers sufficient work and challenges for us without trying to add to it by rushing the future. Let us dedicate our energies to helping President Buhari win the present. In this way, you better secure the future for the nation, the party and even for whatever personal ambitions you may nurture.

I have said what is on my mind in hopes that some people may leave the 2023 frenzy and commit themselves to the harder yet more rewarding task of improving progressive governance, whether within the party or at the local, state or federal levels.  Yet, I am not so naïve to think all will heed this counsel.  The stubborn, those obsessed with the obsession of their ambitions, will ignore all advice.

They will constantly pull 2023 into all that occurs in 2020. Their vision is blurred and judgment made faulty by their ailment. We are democrats so we cannot physically quarantine them. However, we can quarantine their ideas and antics by not falling prey to them.  This is the best way we help President Buhari fulfil his mandate and inoculate our party and the nation from grave folly.”

President Donald Trump has tested negative for coronavirus, the White House has announced.

The news comes just hours after Trump revealed during a Saturday press briefing at the White House that he took the test on Friday amid concerns about his exposure to several people who have been infected for the virus.

"Last night after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed," according to the statement about the results released by press secretary Stephanie Grisham with Trump's permission. "One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free. I have been in daily contact with the CDC and White House Coronavirus Task Force, and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation."

Trump's decision to take the test comes after he said he was concerned about his close contact with the press secretary for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and Brazil's chargé d'affaires in Washington who both tested positive for coronavirus days after they met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

The US has more than 2,826 confirmed cases, with 58 deaths from coronavirus.

President Trump has since declared a national state of emergency to release $50bn (£40bn) to fight the spread of the virus, while the UK and Ireland have also been added to the already existing European travel restrictions.

WBA, IBF, WBO champion Anthony Joshua has slammed WBC, Lineal and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury saying the Gypsy King has only had two ‘good fights’ in his entire career.

Fury and Joshua, both British, are set to fight at the ending of 2020 providing that Joshua beats his IBF mandatory challenger Kubrat Pulev in June and Fury wins his third fight against Deontay Wilder this summer.

Fury after defeating Wilder to claim the WBC belt, recently blasted Joshua by stating that Joshua is not a true champion because he(Fury) had dethroned Wladimir Klitschko on a famous night in Dusseldorf five years ago to capture the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO world belts - all now held by Joshua - but was quickly stripped of them due to drug and mental health issues.

'I've already been the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world when I beat Klitschko, I had all of the belts,' Fury said during an appearance on This Morning alongside his wife Paris.

'So as far as I'm concerned, Anthony Joshua has only got my leftovers because I never lost those belts. I had to vacate them for mental health problems. They're my belts.'

Anthony Joshua has now hit back by saying Fury’s only difficult opponents during his career have been Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko.

‘The fight can happen when Tyson Fury gets past his third match with Deontay Wilder and the fight can happen when I get past my next match with Kubrat Pulev,’ Joshua said in a promotional video for Land Rover.

‘If Fury wants that fight to happen, he’ll make it happen. ‘We’re keen, we always like to put on big events and cater for the boxing community, so that’s something that we’ll take really seriously. ‘Congratulations to him on his last performance.

‘He’s had two good fights in his career in my opinion, against Klitschko and Wilder and he’s managed to win them both so he’s on a high right now. ‘But he has to be careful what he wishes for because the young gunners are coming up and we’ll definitely take that Tyson Fury challenge with both hands.’

Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, says the second confirmed case of Coronavirus in Nigeria has tested negative. Recall that on Monday March 9th, the Minister announced that a Nigerian man who had contact with the Italian man who is the index case of the virus in Nigeria, tested positive. The Nigerian man met with the Italian man in Ewekoro, Ogun state.

At a press briefing today, Ehanire said recent tests shows the Nigerian man is now free of the virus. He also announced that all those who had contact with the Italian man, have completed their follow up period and have been certified free to rejoin the society.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo's convoy was involved in an accident while on his way to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Friday March 13.

One of the police escort riders on the Vice President’s convoy, Inspector Ali Gomina died in the accident. The escort rider who died at the age of 45, is survived by his wife, children and relatives.

A statement released by spokesman of the vice-president, Laolu Akande reads;

“With grief in our hearts, we announce the death of one of the police escort riders on the Vice President’s convoy, Inspector Ali Gomina, aged 45, who was involved in a road accident while on official duty today.

“The accident occurred on the road to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. The Vice President, who is greatly saddened by this occurrence, has aborted the scheduled trip.

“The Vice President described Gomina as a diligent, hardworking and serious-minded officer who will be greatly missed by the team. He is survived by his wife, children and relatives.”

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been spotted preparing to leave Awe community of Nasarawa State, where he was banished to after being dethroned by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State.

Justice Anwuili Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the immediate release of the dethroned Emir of Kano from confinement/detention in Awe community in Nasarawa state earlier today March 13. The Judge issued the order after Sanusi filed a lawsuit, challenging his confinement in a two-bedroom apartment in Awe community.

The dethroned monarch is heading to Lagos today, he will be leaving the Nasarawa community with Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, who paid him a visit earlier today.

Europe's premier football club competition, the UEFA Champions League, the English Premier league and the French football league have suspended all it's matches in light of the current global crisis being caused by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Sporting events across Europe have been put on a hold as European governments aim to quell the spread of the virus.

UEFA posting on it's official website, said ''In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed.

This includes the remaining UEFA Champions League, Round of 16 second leg matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020; all UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 second leg matches scheduled on 19 March 2020; all UEFA Youth League, quarter-final matches scheduled on 17 and 18 March 2020.''

''Further decisions on when these matches take place will be communicated in due course.As a consequence of the postponements, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League quarter-final draws scheduled for 20 March have also been postponed.UEFA yesterday invited representatives of its 55 member associations, together with the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues and a representative of FIFPro, to a videoconference meeting on Tuesday 17 March to discuss European football’s response to the outbreak.''

The English premier league after a meeting with all 20 club representatives today, also suspended all footballing activity till April 4.

Posting on it's official website the Premier league wrote;

''Following a meeting of Shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time.

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: "Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19.

"In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority."

Despite the challenges, it is the Premier League's aim to reschedule the displaced fixtures, including those played by Academy sides, when it is safe to do so.

In this fast-moving environment, further updates will be provided when appropriate.''