Re-cap of trending news breaks around Africa
According to the latest figures published by Johns Hopkins University, 5,941,992 cases have been detected worldwide, with 365,051 deaths and 2,505,545 people now recovered.
Nigeria: 9,302 cases / 261 deaths
South Africa: 29,240 cases / 611 deaths
Ghana: 7,616 cases / 34 deaths
Rwanda deploys robots to minimise coronavirus risks
At the Kanyinya Covid19 treatment facility – just a short distance from Rwanda’s capital Kigali, Akazuba, Ikizere and Ngabo report for duty, but these are no ordinary health care workers. In a bid to minimise contact between patients infected with the coronavirus and doctors and nurses, the country has deployed the three robots to carry out simple tasks like taking temperatures and monitoring patients.
The sleek white robots, with big bright blue eyes and a rather human appearance, were donated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and are helping frontline workers tackle the coronavirus crisis in the East African nation which so far has 355 confirmed cases of Covid-19.
By relaying messages to doctors and helping the team assess the effectiveness of their clinical decisions, the robots cut the number of bedside visits that doctors have to make. Officials said the robots will be programmed to carry out additional tasks. “In the future if they are programmed to take even blood pressure and the (blood) sugar, that definitely would be so helpful,” an official explained.
Kompany declines offer to be Pep Guardiola’s assistant
Vincent Kompany has turned down an offer from Manchester City to become Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach, various Belgian media outlets reported on Friday.
Kompany, who has never concealed his desire to one day be City manager, said he wanted to stay at Anderlecht. https://t.co/jIRxyaDIT6
— The Guardian Nigeria (@GuardianNigeria) May 30, 2020
Brian Kidd is currently Pep’s number two, having taken on the job after Mikel Arteta left City to become manager at Arsenal.
Former City captain Kompany is under contract as player-manager of Anderlecht until 2022, having left the Etihad Stadium last year following a hugely successful spell in England. Kompany, who has never concealed his desire to one day be City manager, said he wants to stay at Anderlecht for the time being.
Kompany turns down offer to be Guardiola’s assistant
Vincent Kompany has turned down an offer from Manchester City to become Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach, according to various Belgian media reports on Friday.
387 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths in Nigeria
Nigeria reported 387 new coronavirus cases in 14 states on Friday. The breakdown of the new confirmed cases are as follows: Lagos (254), FCT (29), Jigawa (24), Edo (22), Oyo (15), Rivers (14), Kaduna (11), Borno (6), Kano (3), Plateau (2), Yobe( 2), Gombe (2), Bauchi (2) and Ondo (1).
Nigerian government promises stimulus package for small businesses
Special Assistant to the vice-president Tola Johnson said on Friday that small-scale and medium-sized businesses will receive aid from the government’s post-Covid-19 stimulus package.
MSMEs: Nigerian govt to provide stimulus package for businesses https://t.co/yKWbIXCu38 pic.twitter.com/3tbRmm43Jd
— Daily Post Nigeria (@DailyPostNGR) May 30, 2020
Meanwhile President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Africa must now pay more attention to manufacturing. He told Newsweek, “We do not seek to grow our manufacturing capabilities in order to grant ourselves a seat at the table of some new great geopolitical game—but merely to play our part as partners in development”.
Nigeria must investigate May 2016 killings Of Biafra Day protesters
Amnesty International has made a call for the Biafra Day massacre of 60 pro-Biafra protesters in Nkpor, Anambra on 30 May 2016 to be fully investigated.
Nigeria Must Investigate May 2016 Killings Of Biafra Day Protesters —@AmnestyNigeria | Sahara Reporters
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) May 30, 2020
AI said despite overwhelming evidence that members of the Nigerian security forces fired live ammunition to disperse the… #Biafrans
READ MORE: https://t.co/JztGNsLR80 pic.twitter.com/ctS7fEZfmA
Protesters were killed and at least 100 injured by Nigerian security forces with evidence that members of the Nigerian security forces fired live ammunition to disperse the gathering. However, no person suspected of criminal responsibility has been brought to justice.
Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said families and relatives of victims of the 2016 massacre have been waiting on the Nigerian Government to ensure that those suspected of criminal responsibility of the killings are brought to trial.
Former Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation MD dies
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Managing Director Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru passed away on Friday night. Dr. Baru, who was 60, died after a brief illness at an Abuja hospital.
Press Release:
— NNPC Group (@NNPCgroup) May 30, 2020
Former @NNPCgroup GMD, Baru, is Dead
THREAD…
1. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (#NNPC) regrets to announce the demise of its former Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, Friday night. pic.twitter.com/ZXDp7onjdS
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (#NNPC) regrets to announce the demise of its former Group Managing Director (GMD), Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, Friday night.
South Africa unions tell teachers to stay away from school
South African teachers’ unions and governing associations have urged their staff to defy a government order to return to school next week, saying schools did not yet have protective equipment (PPE) to keep educators and pupils safe, Reuters reports.
South Africa unions tell teachers to defy government, stay away from school https://t.co/zrXmGpeyWs
— Reuters Africa (@ReutersAfrica) May 29, 2020
South Africa will re-open its economy on 1 June, after two months of lockdown.
The country has more than 27,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases but only 577 deaths from the virus. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said last week schools would re-open, but only for grades 7 and 12, the last years of primary and secondary school, respectively.
“The education system … is not ready for the re-opening of schools. If the PPE (protective equipment such as masks and hand sanitiser) have not been delivered by now, chances are slim that all schools will have them on Monday,” the joint statement said.
READ ALSO Former GMD of NNPC Maikanti Baru dies at 60
S.Africa unions tell teachers to defy government, stay away from school
South African teachers’ unions and governing associations urged their staff on Friday to defy a government order to return to school next week, saying schools did not yet have protective equipment.
