Ebola: Catholic Church suspends ‘sign of peace’, Anglican primate suspends handshake

As the fear of the spread of Ebola sweeps across Nigeria, Catholic churches in Lagos have suspended the 'sign of peace' where the congregation shake hands during mass. While some Anglican churches have suspended handshakes during communion.

The Archbishop of Lagos Adewale Martins released a statement yesterday saying that while the handshakes have been suspended, Catholic priests should continue the traditional hand to mouth method of given Holy Communion for now, but asked the priest to make sure their hands don't touch the tongues of the recipient. He also said Holy Water bowls usually placed at the entrance of churches should be discontinued to contain the spread of the virus.

In the same vain, the Primate of the Church Of Nigeria Anglican Communion the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh today suspended shaking of hands during the exchange of the peace. He also suspended the age long mouth method of administering communion. He said this is aimed at preventing the spread of the disease through physical contact.

Bitter Kola and Ebola: What Nigerians must know - Health Minister

Talking about Dr. Maurice Iwu’s thesis regarding bitter kola and Ebola (Iwu said Kolanut could cure Ebola - based on research), Nigerian Health Minister Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said the government is considering making laws to arrest people who make bogus claims to have a cure for Ebola, and said Nigeria needs to work with Dr. Iwu. The Minister said told Vanguard;

Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu

"One of the things we decided to focus on by setting up that committee is to streamline claims of possible scientific cure, not a situation where pastors and imams claim  they can cure Ebola.   We might even go to the extent of making laws to arrest people with such bogus claims. We would take every suggestion seriously. About Professor Iwu, we know that quite a number of Nigerians accessed his article through the internet. Continue

What Professor Iwu and his research team proved in America is that in the laboratory test-tube – not in an animal or a human being –  bitter kola extract was able to hinder the growth of Ebola virus, that it was able to slow it down or kill it. That research was not concluded according to Professor Iwu himself and he says he is disappointed that the research was not taken to its logical conclusion.

We need now to work with him and that is why we need him.   He is a distinguished world renowned professor of pharmacognosy; and he is someone we value in this country because of his professionalism and working with others; we would be able to put all ideas to the test and see how far we go. This is a serious business.

Outrage in Missouri as 18yr old unarmed boy is shot dead by police

18 year old Michael Brown (pictured above) was shot dead yesterday Saturday August 9th by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. Michael, who had just graduated high school and hoped to begin college in the fall, was on his way to his grandmother’s house in the city of Ferguson when he was gunned down at about 2:15 p.m in the middle of the street.

It's still unclear why the police man opened fire but eye-witnesses said Michael was unarmed and his hands up in the air when he was shot after an argument between Michael and the police man.

"The police shot again and once my friend felt that shot, he turned around and put his hands in the air,” said witness Dorian Johnson. “He started to get down and the officer still approached with his weapon drawn and fired several more shots.” Continue...

 

His grandmother said she was driving through her neighborhood Saturday afternoon when she saw her grandson walking a few blocks from her house. After she arrived home minutes later, she heard a commotion and ran outside to see his body on the pavement nearby.

Michael's killing triggered outrage among residents who gathered at the scene cursing and shouting “kill the police.”. 

St Louis Police spokesman said they are trying to figure out what led to the shooting, promising a "lengthy investigation." See pics from the protest below...

Michael mom

Michael's grandmother

President Jonathan Congratulates Aregbesola

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun  State on his victory in Saturday's governorship election in the state.

The President commends the Independent National Electoral Commission and  national security agencies for ensuring that the elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful in keeping with the avowed commitment of his Administration.

President Jonathan also applauds the people of Osun State who came out en masse yesterday in all the local government areas of the state to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right, trusting in his assurance that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure their safety and the sanctity of their votes.

The President  believes  that the free, fair and peaceful conduct of the elections have fully reaffirmed his administration's determination  to positively reform Nigeria's electoral processes.

The outcome of the election has also given the lie to the false, unfair and uncharitable allegations that measures put in place by the federal government for the Ekiti and Osun State elections were partisan and designed to achieve a favourable outcome for his party.

As Governor Aregbesola prepares to begin a second term in office, President Jonathan looks forward to continuing to work with him and other state governors to further improve the living conditions of Nigerians in Osun and other states of the country.

He wishes Governor Aregbesola continued good health and  a successful second term in office.

Picture Of Tinubu & Fashola Celebrating APC’s Victory In Osun

Air France Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Nigeria

An Air France flight from Paris to Lagos has made an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos this evening. The pilot of the aircraft declared an emergency on its approach to the airport after it noticed the Left Hand Nose Tyre Pressure Indicator was on.

Rescue agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA); fire service; Nigerian Air Force and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were already contacted and placed on standby at the TAMAC in case the situation went out of hand.

The plane however landed safely. The flight had 178 persons on board, made up of 168 passengers and 10 crew members.  

Kunle Afolayan says he and his brother were isolated from others in Seychelles

Aregbesola re-elected governor of Osun State

Incumbent governor of Osun State Rauf Aregbesola of the APC won yesterday August 9th keenly contested governorship election in the state. According to INEC officials, Governor Aregbesola won in 22 local government areas of the state while his challenger Iyiola Omisore of the PDP won in 8 local govt areas.

The returning officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Bamitale Omole declared Aregbesola winner having polled 394, 684 votes while Omisore polled 292, 747 votes.

Aregbesola Takes The Lead In Osun Gubernatorial Election

Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State might just be re-elected again. According to the scores from today’s polling booths it shows that the Governor won in most of the local government areas. Check out the results after the cut.

S/N      LGA                      No. Poll Units  Reg. Voters    Total Vote Cast

 1         ATAKUMOSA EAST    68            31136              1346             APC=   768        PDP = 422        LP=13

2         ATAKUMOSA WEST   67            24569             4739             APC= 2486     PDP= 1689    LP=17

3         AYEDAADE             132        51252                8122               APC: 3715     PDP=3548     LP=91   

4         AYEDIRE                54          25899               1267                APC= 614       PDP= 450      LP=50      

5         BOLUWADURO      74           16844             6995                APC=3327     PDP=3241     LP=  28        

6         BORIPE                78           47137            3544                 APC=1686     PDP=1485    LP=35       

7         EDE NORTH         129        51882            7555                APC=4176     PDP=2817    LP=26

8         EDE SOUTH         68           3179             317                  APC=127       PDP =163     LP= 0          

9         EGBEDORE          53         33925            2355                   APC=1135     PDP=887      LP= 3          

10      EJIGBO                 93         51623          1638                 APC=992       PDP=492     LP= 28       

11       IFE CENTRAL      168       95471          7684                  APC= 2169     PDP=4964    LP=55    

12      IFE EAST             91          81430         1802                       APC=889       PDP=755      LP=11       

13      IFE NORTH          90        45435         4523                       APC=1658     PDP=2137    LP=87       

14      IFE SOUTH          122      44555        4599                        APC= 1923    PDP= 2117    LP=29        

15      IFEDAYO             63      13066         3892                      APC=1837     PDP=1833    LP=36      

16      IFELODUN           105   57591        2628                         APC=1378     PDP=1134    LP=14       

17      ILA                     124     33527       9152                    APC= 4996        PDP=3695    LP=41        

18      ILESA EAST         95       54746      6767                     APC=4347     PDP=586         LP=8      

19      ILESA WEST        95       52286       9582                    APC= 4443     PDP=1745    LP=52     

20      IREPODUN          127    36554       10847                  APC=6057     PDP=4066    LP=161  

21      IREWOLE            119     53487      5609                  APC=3364     PDP=1844      LP=43      

22      ISOKAN               67       38493     1625                 APC=722       PDP=782     LP=6         

23      IWO                      144    66657     4984                 APC=2565     PDP=1884    LP=258 

24      OBOKUN             83      37957      3905                 APC=  1940     PDP=1706    LP=20     

25      ODO-OTIN           112    48720     5825                APC=2329     PDP=2841    LP=205     

26      OLA-OLUWA        52      25524     421                   APC=287       PDP=59        LP=45    

27      OLORUNDA         116     71580     4594                 APC= 3173    PDP= 1082   LP= 25       

28      ORIADE               111   47113        10019                 APC=4960     PDP=4264    LP=73      

29      OROLU                83       24914     6138                 APC=3022     PDP=2480    LP=160  

30      OSOGBO             227     110670   15834                APC=11367   PDP=3043    LP=254