Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Four ministers in Burkina Faso have tested positive for coronavirus, as the country slammed a curfew and closed all land, sea, rail and air links. Foreign Minister Alpha Barry is among the four ministers declared positive in a day. He initially dismissed the news as a rumour. But hours later, in a post on Twitter, he admitted contracting the deadly virus. “The rumour has become reality … I have just been notified positive for COVID-19”, he wrote, without revealing more information about his condition.
Barry was the third minister declared infected by COVID-19 in a single day. The country’s education minister, Stanislas Ouaro and mines minister, Oamaru Idani also tested positive on Friday. Also reported as testing positive was minister of territorial administration Simeon Sawadogo. “I wish to inform the public opinion that I have been tested positive at #Covid19. Consequently, I invite all my collaborators, as well as all the people, having been in contact with me to kindly report themselves to the competent services by calling 3535”, Sawadogo tweeted. Burkina Faso reported its first confirmed COVID-19 case on March 9 and now has 40 confirmed cases. Roch Marc Christian Kabore, President of Burkina Faso, on Friday evening announced a curfew throughout the country from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., and the closure of land, air and rail borders. These measures will become effective from midnight March 21.