Headline

See Top Personalities Sidelined by Coronavirus

Published

6 years ago

March 28, 2020

Eric

On a day that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson became the latest celebrity to test positive for COVID-19, joining heir to the throne Prince Charles, the British Health Secretary and Director of Health also joined the fray.

Here is a roundup:

– Politics –

On Friday Johnson revealed on Twitter he had developed mild symptoms: “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.” Two days earlier Prince Charles, eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, also tested positive with mild symptoms, his office announced.

Prince Albert II of Monaco has tested positive, although there are “no concerns for his health”, the palace said on March 19.

Michel Barnier, who leads EU negotiations with Britain on Brexit, announced on March 19 that he had the virus. A day later, Britain’s lead negotiator in the talks David Frost went into self-isolation after showing mild symptoms.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg said Tuesday it was “extremely likely” she had contracted the illness after experiencing symptoms following a trip to central Europe. She has self-isolated with her father.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been in isolation since March 13 after his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive.

The first test result for German Chancellor Angela Merkel came back negative on Monday. Merkel began self-isolating on Sunday after being treated by a doctor who later tested positive for the virus.

On Tuesday Finland said Nobel laureate and former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, aged 82, has contracted the virus.

In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari was said to have tested negative while his Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari tested positive for the disease. A state governor (Bauchi) as well tested positive and so did the son Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

– Arts –

Veteran Afro-jazz star Manu Dibango, 86, on Tuesday, became one of the first global stars to die as a result of COVID-19.

Terrence McNally, a revered American playwright, also died Tuesday aged 81, following coronavirus complications.

Congolese music legend Aurlus Mabele, known as the “King of Soukous”, a high-tempo modern variant of Congolese rumba, died in Paris last week, aged 67.

Spanish opera star Placido Domingo said Sunday he had tested positive, adding he was “in good health”.

Fallen Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, in prison in New York state after being sentenced to 23 years for rape and sexual assault, has also tested positive, US media reported.

Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his wife, actress and singer Rita Wilson, said on Monday they were doing better after nearly two weeks quarantine in Australia.

British actor Idris Elba said on March 16 that he had tested positive and gone into self-isolation.

Chilean author Luis Sepulveda, who lives in northern Spain, also has the virus and is in hospital. He felt the first symptoms on February 25.

In Nigeria, Chioma, the fiancee of wave making hip hop artist, Davido has also tested positive on March 27.

– Sport –

Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz died on March 21 aged 76, three days after being hospitalised with the coronavirus.

In Italy, several players at Juventus are infected, including France’s 2018 World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi and Argentinian attacker Paulo Dybala.

Former AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini and his footballer son Daniel are also positive.

In England, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive.

Turkish football icon Fatih Terim, manager of Istanbul giants Galatasaray, is also positive.

At least 14 players from the NBA have tested positive, including Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant and France’s Rudy Gobert of Utah Jazz.

(AFP)

Headline

Supreme Court Fixes April 22 for Hearing in ADC Leadership Crisis

Published

7 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Eric

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.

Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.

The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.

It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.

The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.

Headline

Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.

First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.

The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.

The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.

Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.

According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.

The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.

The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.

INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.

Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Guardian

Headline

Shettima Lacks Respect, I Won’t Engage Him, Atiku Responds to VP’s Challenge

Published

2 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at incumbent Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s poser over achievements in office, saying he won’t take the challenge because Shettima was disrespectful.

Shettima had reportedly challenged Atiku to provide details of eight projects he executed for the development of Northern Nigeria during his tenure as vice president for eight years, as well as name eight individuals he empowered while in office.

But, speaking in an interview with GTA Hausa podcast, Atiku said he would not engage the vice president on the matter.

“I will not respond to Kashim Shettima because he is disrespectful. I am older than him and I have more experience in governance than he does, so I will not respond to him,” he said.

The former vice president further argued that cultural values in Northern Nigeria discourage younger individuals from publicly challenging their elders in such a manner.

“It is not part of our tradition in the North to disrespect elders. You cannot look at someone who is above you in both age and accomplishments and start taunting him. That is not our tradition, so I won’t engage with him,” Atiku emphasised.