More Countries Tighten Control as Coronavirus Kills 6,000 Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu, Chinedu Eze, Martins Ifijeh in Lagos and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja More than 164, 000 people have been infected by Coronavirus globally and over 6, 000 have died from the virus, according
to Worldometers compilation of government announcement. However, more countries are tightening control as part of measures to curb the rising spread of the disease, which has hit virtually all continents. Spain, for instance, placed the country on lockdown
yesterday after more than 100 deaths were reported in Austria and Philippines resort, with an overall 2,000 new cases across the country. Kazakhstan announced a state of emergency in a bid to contain the outbreak. In Austria, the government
banned gatherings of more than five people as Philippines sealed off Manila in the most aggressive response to the pandemic yet seen in South-east Asia. Kenya, on its part, yesterday unveiled a series of strict measures to curb Coronavirus
spread, blocking entry to the country to all except citizens and residents and shutting schools as the number of confirmed cases rose to three. In Britain, the number of deaths of Britons with Coronavirus jumped by 14 in the last 24 hours to 35,
while the number of people diagnosed rose by 20 per cent to 1,372, health authorities said. The British government said earlier it would step up its response to the crisis, including isolating older people "in the Continued on page 47
AP Moller Removes MD over Apapa Port Congestion, Gridlock...
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President Gives Oshiomhole Lifeline, Meets APC Govs Today Suspends attendance at tomorrow’s NEC meeting Tinubu backs national chairman Deji Elumoye, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Ejiofor Alike in Lagos Embattled National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr.
Adams Oshiomhole, gets a lifeline today as President Muhammadu Buhari meets with the party’s governors in Abuja. Oshiomhole, who has been battling to retain his position
following his suspension by an Abuja High Court, also got a hefty relief yesterday as the party’s National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, threw his weight behind him, dismissing the move to oust the national
chairman as a selfish one being organised by those he said saw Oshiomhole as a stumbling block to their 2023 ambitions. THISDAY was informed last night by reliable presidency sources that the president
has decided to intervene in the leadership crisis that has produced multiple court rulings, which threaten to tear the party apart. Subsequently, said the source, the National Executive
Committee meeting scheduled for tomorrow would no longer be attended by the president since he intends to use today’s meeting with the governors Continued on page 46
Buhari Expresses Sadness as Explosion Kills 15 in Lagos Over 50 vehicles, buildings destroyed NNPC blames blast on accident at gas facility Govt orders investigation into incident Omololu Ogunmade, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Chiemelie Ezeobi, Segun James in Lagos President Muhammadu Buhari last night in Abuja commiserated with families, who lost their loved ones, and others affected by yesterday’s explosion in Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State. Senior Special Assistant
to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, said in a statement that the president expressed his sadness over the incident and condoled with the Lagos State government and all residents, who were affected by the explosion that left 15 dead and destroyed over 50 vehicles and buildings. "I have received with sadness the news of this Continued on page 46
States Renege on Agreement to Reduce RoW Charges for Telcos.. Page 8
ANOTHER AVOIDABLE CARNAGE... Sympathisers watch as fire from an explosion ravages lives and property at Abule Ado, Lagos…yesterday