ECOWAS staff dies of Ebola in Nigeria

This brings the number of deaths to three. God have mercy on us. A staff of the Lagos Liason office of the Economic Community of West African State – ECOWAS headquarters, Mr Jatto Abdulqudir has died of the Ebola Virus disease. He was aged 36. Below is a statement from ECOWAS management.

“The ECOWAS Commission announces with deep regret the passing of a staff member of its Lagos Liaison Office, Mr. Jatto Asihu Abdulqudir, aged 36. Mr. Abdulqudir, a Protocol Assistant, was among those who assisted the Liberian delegate to a regional meeting Mr. Patrick Sawyer, who died from the Ebola Virus Disease at a Lagos hospital on 25th July 2014.
“Mr. Abdulqudir had been under quarantine following that sad incident.
“The Commission wishes to use this opportunity to express its gratitude to Nigerian government authorities and others who contributed to managing the late official while under quarantine. The Management of the Commission wishes to commiserate with Mr. Abdulqudir’s family and colleagues and prays for the repose of his soul.
“Before this sad event, the Commission working in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities, had disinfected all the facilities of the ECOWAS Lagos Liaison Office as part of precautionary measures to safeguard the health, safety and security of staff members, and will continue to monitor the situation.
“Management has also intensified awareness campaign among staff on the deadly virus and uses this opportunity to invoke the spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance.
“The Commission wishes to reassure staff of all Community Institutions all over the entire region that it is taking all necessary steps to guarantee their health and safety.
“Furthermore, Management enjoins all staff members and community citizens in general to intensify the observance of personal hygiene. They should also report any suspected case to health facilities and seek medical advice or attention for the effective containment and defeat of the Ebola disease.
“On the directive of regional leaders, ECOWAS has already set up a Solidarity Fund to fight the disease and has solicited the support   contribution of Member States and development partners to the Fund to rid the region of the virus.
“The ECOWAS Commission wishes to reiterate its continued commitment to support Member States in confronting this deadly virus.”

Rihanna reportedly interested in buying Liverpool

According to reports, Barbados-born singer, Rihanna has launched a bid to buy England club, Liverpool. She reportedly fell in love with football during the World Cup in Brazil and showed interest in buying an English football club.

Spanish newspaper, El Mundo Deportivo reports that she was actually advised by a friend and Didier Drogba to take over the John W. Henry’s Fenway Sports Group-owned club.

Ebola Virus: "60% of the transmission was spread during burial ceremonies."- President Goodluck Jonathan.

It’s sad how the carelessness of one person (a foreigner) has put the lives of citizens of another country in jeopardy. Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan during the annual Interfaith Conference in Abuja today revealed that 60% of the EVD transmission was spread during burial ceremonies.

“As a government, we promise that we will do everything humanly possible to contain the Ebola virus. On Wednesday, I will meet with governor of the states, and they must come with their commissioners of Health along. We must make sure that every state is prepared, where they lack, the federal government will support them.”

“My conversation with the WHO DG, Dr Margaret Chan was revealing, she said 60 per cent of the transmission was spread during burials. That is why in my announcement, I’ve been saying that people should be careful about burials. Some people like burial ceremonies. This is not the time for burial ceremony, somebody is dead, he is dead, leave him there. This is not the best time for those ceremonies.”

“If he is dead, he is already dead, Sawyer that brought this Ebola to Nigeria; his sister died of Ebola. And he started acting somehow, his country asked him not to leave the country, let them observe him, but the crazy man decided to leave and found his way here.” He said in a statement.

New signings, Didier Drogba and Thomas Vermaelen ruled out for months for injuries.

This has to be the most heart-breaking sport news at this period, particularly to Chelsea fans who have been looking forward to seeing their legend don the Blues kit and play again.
Chelsea and Barcelona’s new signings, Didier Drogba and Thomas Vermaelen have been ruled out for months for injuries. While Didier sustained an ankle injury during Chelsea’s game with Ferencváros yesterday, Thomas on the other hand sustained his; a thigh injury at the 2014 World Cup.
Meaning, Barcelona were aware of his situation but just decided to shroud that part in secrecy or how do we explain an injury just two days after he passed his medical at the Catalan club?
Thomas Vermaelen who was signed from passed from Arsenal for a £15m fee, according to Barca’s website “will undergo physiotherapy and will be unavailable for an unknown period.” Drogba on the other hand could return to action after 4-6 months.
Arsene Wenger is a smart biz man afterall. *winks*

Indian textile magnate wears N32million shirt for birthday

Pankaj Parakh, an Indian textile magnate, marked his 45th birthday by wearing a $211,000 (N34m) 18-22 carat gold shirt. The shirt has seven gold buttons, can be washed and hung-dried, if torn or damaged, can be repaired and modified with a lifetime guarantee of durability.

He hopes to make the Guinness and Limca World Book of Records.

Half of a Yellow Sun sets box office record.

Half of a Yellow Sun, the film adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s award-winning international best-seller has set a new cinematic record. The Biyi Bandele-directed flick which was released into the Nigerian cinemas on August 1st has surpassed Marvel Studio’s ‘Guardian of Galaxy’ and other Nollywood movies for first weekend figures.
Although the amount it has pulled in hasn’t been revealed but it has edged out the likes of The Return of Jenifa which made about N10Million, Last Flight to Abuja N8.35Million, Phone Swap N3.72Million and Maami N3.30Million.
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