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...
French president, Emmanuel Macron has put France on total lockdown with the country's borders closed in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. The President addressed the nation on Monday night after the number of coronavirus cases "doubled every three days" to more than 5,000 people.
He said the country was effectively “at war” as he announced a 15-day lockdown beginning on midday on Tuesday with 100,000 police to enforce restrictions on movement."Movements will be very strongly reduced" for 15 days. “Never before in history has France had to take such exceptional measures in a time of peace,” Macron said. ”You will no longer be able to see your loved ones ... or continue your daily routine.”While the lockdown will affect about 67 million people, the President added that people will only be permitted to leave their homes only for essential duties and any violation of the edict would be punished.His Interior Minister Christophe Castaner later confirmed that anyone walking outside “for any reason” will have to download a form stating the reason for their trip.According to him, if they do not comply with this they could be fined up to £188.France has suffered 5,500 cases of coronavirus and 127 deaths, making it the seventh-worst affected country.