COVID-19 hits Army, GOC dies...

There was panic at the venue of the botched Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference in Abuja following the reported sudden death of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Johnson Olubunmi Irefin, from COVID-19.

The Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sagir Musa had in a statement announced the suspension of the conference over the sudden illness of the General.

The statement read: “Due to resurgence of COVID-19 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in what appears to be a second wave of infection cycle and the unfortunate incident on December 8, where an officer participating in the ongoing Chief of Army Staff’s Annual Conference 2020 in Abuja, tested positive for COVID 19, the remaining activities of the conference have therefore been immediately cancelled.

All the participants have been mandated to immediately proceed on self-isolation in line with the Federal Government’s protocol for COVID-19 and to prevent any further spread of the disease,” General Musa added.

It was, however, gathered that Major General Irefin who hailed from Kogi State died Thursday morning in Abuja following sudden illness The Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference which was taking place in Abuja had President Muhammadu Buhari addressing participants virtually when it kicked off a few days ago. 

SOURCE: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

NGF starts distribution of palliatives donated by R&A

To cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on players, officials, and clubs, the Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF) at the weekend started distributing COVID-19 palliatives donated to the country by the world golfing body, Royal & Ancient of St. Andrews, Scotland.

The distribution of the first tranche of the palliatives to golf clubs commenced at the just concluded 29th edition of the Port Harcourt Ladies Amateur Open Championship with Bonny International Golf Club (BIGC) the first to receive it.

Presenting the items, which include packs of facemasks and hand sanitisers, to BIGC Captain, Dr. Okuns Ohiosimuan, on behalf of NGF President, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, NGF Director, Finance, Rev. (Mrs.) Omatsola Williams urged golfers to always be safety conscious.

She said, “We have to thank R&A for these palliatives; it will go round the clubs in all zones of the Federation, but we’re beginning with the South-South.

“However, this is to let us know that COVID-19 is still with us and there’s a need for us not to backslide on the safety protocols: washing of hands all the time, wearing your facemasks and social distancing, it’s very important.”

Dr. Ohiosimuan in the same vein commended NGF for being alive to its responsibilities and carrying the clubs along.

Port Harcourt Golf Club’s palliatives were received by the manager, Mr. Pennington.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris named Time ‘Person of the Year’

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have been chosen as Time magazine’s 2020 “Person of the Year,” the publication announced Thursday.

The Democratic pair was chosen ahead of three other finalists: frontline health care workers and Anthony Fauci, the racial justice movement, and President Donald Trump who Biden defeated in November’s election.

Time’s magazine cover has a picture of Biden, 78, and Harris, 56, with the subtitle “Changing America’s story.”

Biden beat Trump by 306 electoral college votes to Trump’s 232 to end the real estate tycoon turned politician’s presidency after one term.

Biden received roughly seven million more votes than his Republican adversary, who is yet to concede, claiming widespread fraud of which there is no evidence.

Time magazine’s award — handed out annually since 1927 — honours the person or people who most impacted the news, for better or worse, during the calendar year.

Earlier Thursday, Time named basketball superstar LeBron James Athlete of the Year for his achievements on and off the court.

The 35-year-old Los Angeles Lakers player was honoured for battling voter suppression among Black citizens in a year when he won his fourth NBA title.

K-Pop sensation BTS was named Entertainer of the Year.

Teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg was Time’s Person of the Year last year, while Trump won in 2016.

SOURCE: GUARDIAN