Russia rolls out first approved COVID-19 drug as infections pass 500,000

Russia on Thursday rolled out a drug approved to treat patients suffering from the novel coronavirus, its state financial backer said, as the number of infections there surpassed half a million.

The first deliveries of the new antiviral drug, registered under the name Avifavir, were made to some hospitals and clinics across the country, Russia's RDIF sovereign wealth fund said in a press release. RDIF has a 50% share in a joint venture with the drug's manufacturer ChemRar that runs the trials.

The health ministry gave its approval for the drug's use under a special accelerated process while clinical trials, held over a shorter period and with fewer people than many other countries, were still underway.

There is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and human trials of several existing antiviral drugs have yet to show efficacy.

RDIF chief Kirill Dmitriev last week told Reuters the plan was for ChemRar to manufacture enough of the drug to treat around 60,000 people a month.

Dmitriev on Thursday said more than 10 countries had made requests for Avifavir supplies.

Negotiations were underway to supply the drug to almost all of Russia's regions, with seven of its more than 80 regions receiving Thursday's initial deliveries, Dmitriev added.

With 502,436 cases, Russia has the third highest number of infections in the world after Brazil and the United States, but has a relatively low official death toll of 6,532 - something that has been the focus of debate.

The Moscow health department on Wednesday raised its death toll for the month of May, citing changes in the way it determines the cause of death for patients suffering from other health problems.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Thursday denied there was anything untoward with Russia's official coronavirus death data after the World Health Organisation said this week that Russia's low death rate was "difficult to understand".

Meet Davido's Baby Mamas

Nigerian music superstar, David Adeleke who is widely known as Davido has three known baby mamas plus two ‘mysterious’ baby mamas.

Most people are conversant with the three. Here are the five of them, according to ghgossip.com

1. Davido and Sophia got attached in 2015 and in the course of the relationship, Imade Adeleke was born. Sophia Momodu is a well-known entrepreneur.Amanda is 
2. Davido’s second babymama who is based in Atlanta, USA. They have a child known Hailey Adeleke.
3. Chioma and Davido are still dating. Davido has even promised Chioma will be the mother of the rest of her kids and their marriage is scheduled to come off later this year. They have a child together, Ifeanyi Adeleke.
4. Ayotomide Labinjo: According to reports, she was with Davido way before he became popular. They have a child – Mitchell Anu Adeleke.
5. Larissa Lorenco:Larrisa became popular a few days ago when her baby bump photos hit the internet. She is allegedly expecting a child with Davido and this will be Davido’s fifth child.

Wizkid Inspires Me-Teni

Nigerian female songstress Teniola Apata popularly known as Teni has spark different reactions on her Twitter wall by her fans over her recent post.

Teni took to her Twitter page on Wednesday morning June 10th and disclosed that, her colleague in the music industry Wizkid has been an inspiration to her music. According to Teni, Wizkid motivated her to record a massive hit songs like her “Uyo Meyo” track in 2018. Teni also claimed that Wizkid is the real owner of her breast for being an inspiration.

Buhari to address the nation on Democracy Day

President Muhammadu Buhari will address the nation on Friday.  This was announced on Thursday in a statement issued by Femi Adesina, special adviser to the president on media and publicity.

According to Adesina, the address is in commemoration of Democracy Day.

“To commemorate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, President Muhammadu Buhari will broadcast to the nation on Friday, June 12, 2020 at 7am,” it read.

“Television and radio stations as well as other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria respectively for the broadcast.”

In 2018, Buhari had approved June 12 as Democracy Day to honour MKO Abiola, presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election.

Before 2019, Democracy Day had been observed on May 29.

The Cable

Burundi cabinet meets on way forward after president’s death

Burundi convened an extraordinary cabinet meeting Thursday to discuss a way forward after the sudden death of long-serving ruler Pierre Nkurunziza left many anxious over the future of the troubled country.

Nkurunziza, who died on Monday aged 55, had been due to step down in August after his surprise decision not to run in an election last month won by the ruling party’s handpicked successor.

But his death has raised uncertainty and fears of a power struggle in a country that has witnessed violent political upheaval, a refugee exodus and a bloody civil war in its recent history.

The Guardian 

NSCDC arrests suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier in Borno

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command in Borno has arrested a suspected Boko Haram logistics supplier with a car filled with fuel and other commodities.

The state NSCDC Commandant, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, made the disclosure on Friday in Maiduguri while parading the suspect.

Abdullahi said that the suspect, Bakura Ibrahim, 35, was arrested on June 6, at the Muna Garage along Gamboru Ngala Road, Maiduguri.

UN mobilises $182m COVID-19 lifeline for Nigeria

The United Nations is mobilising $182 million to support millions of Nigerians hit by the coronavirus pandemic, including conflict-torn communities in the North East.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said the funds were needed to sustain life-saving aid for the next six months

The lifeline is to aid three million people in Kano, Abuja and Lagos in addition to the Federal Government’s social protection schemes.

The Guardian