The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Edo 2020 Governorship election, Abdullahi Ganduje, has arrived Benin City ahead of the polls in the State.
Featured24 gathered that Ganduje, who is also the Governor of Kano State, is in Edo to show support for the gubernatorial candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
He arrived the city of Benin in the company of other chieftains of the Party in a presidential jet. The jet touched down at the Benin Airport few moments ago.
The Edo guber poll is slated for September 19 with Ize-Iyamu and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki as the biggest contenders.
One of the world's most-requested motivational speakers, Lisa Nichols, has shocked many of her fans and readers, as she's set to marry her long term friend, Marcellus.
A 54-year-old single mother who has gone through many heartbreaks, the media personality and corporate CEO announced her engagement to her friend, whom she has known for 10 years.
Featured24 gathered that the Los Angeles born who is the founder of Motivating the Masses and CEO of Motivating the Teen Spirit, has featured in The Secret, Oprah, CNN, Dr. Phil, Larry King LIVE to name a few.
Nichols is also a celebrated motivational speaker who has inspired millions through her seminars and her role as a featured teacher in The Secret.
Sharing the news with photos on her official page on Monday, Lisa Nichols recounts how Marcellus was her cheerleader from the sidelines each time she chose herself when a relationship didn’t feel right or doubted the next big move in her career.
She added that Marcellus has always been her good friend with no strings attached and no agenda.
“I’m 54 and I’ve never been married. I’ve previously opted out because it didn’t feel right. I’ve picked wrong and had to mend my heart. I’ve had to release the anger, forgive myself, and learn to trust Lisa’s picker and intuition again.
“It’s been a long journey of knowing that I’m in the right place, focusing on the right things, even when I’m doing it all alone; year after year,” her post read in parts.
She recounts how she had lonely days and lonelier nights but “refused to settle for momentary satisfaction and the management of the optics of my life or the filtered image of what others may want to see.” adding that although her journey has not been easy but it has been worth it.
“After 10 years of Marcellus being my friend, listening to me as I made my way through single parenting (and CEOing), his steady friendship helped me navigate through broken hearts and challenging business moments. He was my cheerleader from the sidelines each time I chose myself when a relationship didn’t feel right or I doubted the next big move in my career. He has always been my good friend with no strings attached and no agenda,” Lisa continued. “Little did I know back then, that I was sharing my heart, my healing and my aspirations, with my soulmate. He was just a sweet “earth angel” that God blessed me with as a friend. Now don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t blind to how FINE he was, but our friendship was paramount,” she said.
“This week I excitedly stepped into my next season. I said yes YES!!,” she said.
With Over 90,000 likes and 24,000 comments, Featured24 reports that the announcement of her engagement has been greeted with congratulatory messages from her followers.
A foremost Governorship aspirant of the PDP in Edo State, Engr. Gideon Ikhine has denied taking his party to court over the ‘faux outrage’ that arose from his party Wards, Local and State Congresses few months ago.
Responding to the misjudgement, misleading assertions on social media and sponsored attacks against him by the elsewhile State Chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, Engr. Ikhine clarified that he is neither “in court with the party nor funding anyone in court”.
He disclosed this while addressing party members of his campaign organization in Benin City, the State Capital, ahead of the party Governorship primary election which has been slated for June 23, 2020.
He lamented that the desperation of some leaders of party in the State who imposed their Candidates on the party against the wish of the people, prompted some aggrieved members of PDP in Egor, Ovia North East, Etsako West, Akoko-Edo and others to seek redress in court.
“I didn’t take PDP to court. But, let us address the basic issues. Dan Orbih keeps telling people that Gideon went to court. Now, aggrieved PDP members in Egor Local Government Area who went to court over that Congress, Is it Gideon who hails from Esan West Local Government Area of the State that told them to go to court? No!
“PDP members in Etsako West Local Government Area where Dan Orbih came from locality also went to court over that Congress. Am I the one who sent them?.
“Sir, the motto of PDP is justice. We are saying that there is problem in APC. But the problems in PDP is worse off”, he said, “if you have justice, will you go to court?”.
The aspirant warned that the the flames of discord being fanned by Orbih and his cohorts with ignoble motive if not checked may cost the party victory in the forthcoming Governorship election.
Ikhine said, “the problems in Edo PDP is transient and dangerous unlike the crisis Edo APC which is tangible”.
He further lamented that engulfed the State Chapter after the Congress festered because it was not properly handled.
Ikhine also accused Orbih of manipulation of the PDP Ward Congresses, adding that his failure to appear before the appeal panel Committee which was set up by the National leadership of the party, made the table of negotiation to collapse thereafter.
He stressed however that the fresh crisis in PDP spurred him and some leaders of the party to embark on peace building and reconciliation across almost all the 192 Wards in the State.
According to him, the tour across almost all the 192 Wards in PDP has paid off, following the return of some prominent founding members of the party including Colonel Tunde Akogun from Akoko-Edo, Mr Yisa Braimoh and Mr Oyofo and prevented the mass defection that would have befall Edo PDP after Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu defected to PDP.
“The reason why I am pursuing peace is PDP is because I see myself as the foremost aspirant who will win the Governorship ticket”.
*The Way forward:
Engr Ikhine, appealed to the national leadership of PDP to invite the aggrieved members of the party to a meeting and prevail on them to opt for peaceful settlement out of court.
“As it stands today, anybody can emerge PDP Candidate or as the State Governor, but, if the court set that Congresses aside, that person’s position, will be nullified.
“But, they have refused to do that. Rather, they have chose to impose leaders in positions to negotiate during National and presidential elections.
“Sadly, some of them are not looking at the capacity to win elections, rather, what they want is to keep trading with the party in exchange for money and remain in opposition.
“In Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, PDP has four Officers who are from two Wards in that locality. They are Edo South Senatorial district Leader who is also the State Vice Chairman of the party, his younger brother who is an ex-Officio member of the party is from there. In addition to that, the Edo South women Leader and the State PDP Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Chris Nehikhare are both from Orhionmwon Local Government Area”. Is that justice?, Engr Ikhine queried.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested and detained the trigger happy police officer who allegedly shot a 16-year-old girl simply named Tina in Iyana Oworo area of the state.
Bala Elkana, the Lagos police spokesman in a statement on Friday said the officer has been detained at the headquarters.
Alhtough, he did not mention the officer’s name, Mr Elkana assured that justice would prevail.
“The killer cop is identified, arrested and detained at the Headquarters. He will face the full weight of the law. Justice will surely prevail. Members of the Public will be updated on the outcome of the investigation,” he wrote.
16-year-old Tina was reportedly shot on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 and was said to have died in the early hours of today, Friday, May 29, 2020.
Saddened by the heart-wrenching news, Nigerians including celebrities drew the authorities’ attention to the matter via social media platforms with the hashtag #JusticeForTina.
A STATE-WIDE BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY, NYESOM EZENWO WIKE, GOVERNOR OF RIVERS STATE ON TUESDAY MAY 26, 2020.
My Dear Good People of Rivers State,
2. In the last two months we have implemented several calculated measures in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus in our State.
3. Some of these measures were severe, but necessary, including the total lockdown of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas, which are, without doubt, the social and economic never-centres of our State.
4. Arguably, these measures and your sacrifices have enabled us so far, to contain and limit the spread of this virus to 4 out of the 23 local government areas of the State.
5. Also, the pattern of infection remains predictable, as there is yet, any evidence of serious community transmission, although this cannot be ruled out with the increasing number of positive cases; the majority of which, are connected with contacts with oil company workers who imported the disease into the State.
6. And so, while we should all still be concerned, since our set goals in the battle against the virus are not yet achieved, there is no need to fear.
7. We are totally in control, working hard every day and believing that the worst will soon be behind us.
8. In continuation of our struggle against the spread of covid-19 in our State, we had planned to resume the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas from Wednesday 27th May 2020.
9. However, after a comprehensive review of the measures we have taken and further considerations placed before us by well-meaning members of the public, the State Security Council has decided to cancel the proposed lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas of the State.
10. In essence, no part of Rivers State is or will be under any lockdown from this moment and this will be so, except where it becomes necessary again.
11. As we all know, the regular washing of hands, religious wearing of face masks, keeping effective physical and social distance of between 1.5 to 2 meters from other people, completely avoiding touching of faces with unwashed hands, and cleaning of surfaces we regularly touch have been identified as some of the most effective measures against contracting this virus in the absence of vaccine.
12. These are not difficult measures that should warrant any excuses for negligence, non or ineffective compliance.
13. Consequently, we wish to re-enforce our decision on the continuous implementation of the following measures throughout the State to mitigate the spread of this virus: (i) All land borders, including all exit and entry routes into Rivers State shall remain closed to human and vehicular traffic, except those on essential services and duly exempted. (ii) All residents must wear face masks or covering into any public space, including our roads, banks, shopping malls, shops, hotels and in any lawful social gathering. (iii) The State task force and the security agencies have been directed to arrest and summarily prosecute any person seen on our streets or any other public place without wearing face masks. (iv) All banks, motor parks, hotels, restaurants, shops, business centres, shopping malls, and offices must maintain social distancing and enforce the wearing of face masks in their premises. (v) The State task force and security agencies have been directed to seal up, prosecute and confiscate to the State any bank, shopping mall, restaurant, shop, business place or office that fails to enforce social distancing and the wearing of face masks in its premises. (vi) In addition to providing daily guest list to the Police and the Department of State Security, hoteliers must not host large gatherings, including parties and receptions. Defaulting hotels will be sealed-up and the owners summarily prosecuted. (vii) All bars, beer palours, or drinking joints, night-clubs, viewing centres, open markets and cinemas shall remain closed until further notice; (viii) Oil mill market in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area shall remain closed until further notice; (ix) Oginigba Slaughter market in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area shall similarly remain closed until further notice. (x) Mbiama market in Ahoada West Local Government Area shall also remain closed until further notice; (xi) All public weddings, burials and large social gatherings shall remain banned. (xii) Churches and other religious gatherings should continue to comply with the existing advisory on social distancing, initiate temperature checks and enforce the wearing of face masks during their activities; (xiii) Dealers in Ikoku Spare Parts markets are warned for the last time to stop converting public roads to mechanic workshops or risk final closure. (xiv) Similarly, no mechanic workshop should be found along Ikwerre road as Government will prosecute defaulters and confiscate any vehicle being repaired on any public road. (xv) Private and commercial vehicles, including tricycles must continue to limit their passengers to the number earlier established and enforce the wearing of face masks by all passengers. Defaulters will be prosecuted and their vehicles confiscated by the Task force.
14. We have taken these measures at in the best interest of our State, to protect our lives, businesses, and jobs as well as, to prevent our troubled economy from suffering irreparable damage.
15. This also means that, residents now bear much greater responsibility to stop and prevent our State from suffering the exponential and potentially devasting spread of the virus being experienced across the country.
16. As I have stated earlier, there is nothing to worry about the increasing number of positive cases as such is not unexpected in the light of the intensification of contact- tracing and increased testing of suspected cases.
17. As 60% of the positive cases recorded in the State are connected with oil company workers, we have initiated a meeting with all the major oil companies to work out strategies on how we can stop this trend and stop the risk this category of workers now pose to the State.
18. Furthermore, Government is investigating the rumored or suspected outbreak of the virus at Bonny Island. 19. Our team of medical personnel led by the Commissioner for Health has visited Bonny Island and collected samples from suspected cases for analysis and immediate intervention should the results indicate the outbreak of the virus in the area.
20. Finally, our intelligence has intercepted a clandestine plan by some criminal elements led by Bobosky to cause security breaches in the State by instigating violence and burning down churches in Khana, Eleme, Gokana, Tai and Oyigbo Local Government Areas of the State. 21. We want to assure all residents that the State Government is fully ready and prepared to deal with the situation and continue to guarantee the protection of lives and property throughout the State.
22. We implore all residents to be vigilant and report all suspicious characters and movements in their neighbourhoods to security agencies. 23. As a further security measure, we have decided to impose a nighttime curfew on all the 23 Local Government Areas of the State from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting from the 2nd of June 2020 until further notice.
24. Leaders and vigilante groups in our communities are to work with the security agencies to enforce the curfew in their localities and arrest and prosecute anyone that violates the curfew order.
25. As a government, we are doing our best and will continue to spare no efforts to protect our State and advance the best interest of our people. Nothing can scare, deter or derail us from this path.
26. And so, we urge our people to stop the fake news on social media; stop the baseless bickering, the needless blame game, and the seditious rumours that does no good to our image or provide any solution to the common challenges that we face.
27. Rather, we should all come together, put our fate in our own hands and work for the common good of all, whether as individuals, families or as communities.
28. This is the only way to spare our State, our people and our economy from the devastating effects of the corona pandemic at this time. 29. We cannot stop appreciating our health workers who have continued to put their lives at risk in the forefront of this battle so the rest of us can be safe and secure. We cannot thank you enough. Only God can reward you in his fulness. 30. We call on all residents to continue to support the Government and pray for God’s gracious intervention in the affairs of the State. 31. Thank you and God bless you all.
A 19-year-old girl who faked her own death on Facebook to avoid financial pressure from her mother has been arrested by the Lagos State Police.
This was disclosed by the Lagos police spokesman, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday, May 24.
According to the statement, 19-year-old Margaret Adiya, was arrested following a petition signed by a man, Tony Iji, on behalf of the family of Ms Adiya from Oni community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.
The statement said: “The petitioners stated that their attention was drawn to a post on Facebook stating that the said Margaret Adiya died few days ago and was secretly buried by her two friends Marvelous Mary and Nneka Buddy at Ajah area.
“The family further stated that they were able to establish contact with the said friends who confirmed to them that their daughter is dead. That they were instructed by Margaret not to allow members of her family know anything about her death and that they were authorised by the deceased person to secretly bury her.
“To make them believe that the girl is dead, they sent WhatsApp chats to a member of the girl’s family with picture of a casket showing that the girl is buried. The known phone number of the girl is permanently switched off. The family also got in touch with a man on phone who claimed to be her boyfriend. He corroborated the claim that she is dead.”
Mr Elkana said the girl was eventually found by the police to be alive and working as a house maid in an estate at Ajah area of the state.
“When her employer saw the report of her purported death, they quickly informed the Police and she was brought to Ajah Police Station,” the spokesman added.
“In her statement, she confessed to have created the Facebook account and posted her obituary with intent to keep her family away from her. That her mother was putting financial pressure on her, constantly demanding that she send money to her.
“The girl is apparently bitter with her mother and uncles, over their inability to sponsor her education after the death of her father. Her sojourn to Lagos is to work, save some money and return to school.
“She admitted using her employer daughter’s photograph Dr Nimechi Ugorji (without her knowledge) in the fictitious Facebook account she created, as profile picture. After posting the obituary notice on the account, her uncle downloaded the profile picture and reposted, calling on members of the public who know the person on the photograph to report to the nearest police station.”
Elkana said investigation is still ongoing in the case.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday announced Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as his new chief of staff following the death of Abba Kyari in April.
Mr Kyari died on April 17 in Lagos of coronavirus (COVID-19) complications.
Gambari, an Ilorin prince, began his time as chief of staff on Wednesday after being unveiled at the maiden virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Below are nine foreign schools the professor of political science has had relations with in his lifetime.
1. Gambari earned his BSc (Econs) degree from the London School of Economics in 1968.
2. The renowned diplomat began his teaching career as a lecturer at Queen’s College, City University of New York in 1969.
3. He bagged his MA in 1970 and PhD in 1974 in Political Science/International Relations from Columbia University, USA.
4. He was an assistant professor at the State University of New York from 1974 to 1977.
5. Since becoming a professor in Nigeria in 1983 at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Gambari was visiting professor at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) of Johns Hopkins University.
6. He was also visiting professor at Georgetown University.
7. The 75-year-old was also visiting professor at Howard University in Washington DC, USA. All took place between 1986 to 1989.
8. Gambari was also a research fellow at the Brookings Institution, Washington DC.
9. He was a resident scholar with the Rockefeller Foundation Centre in Bellagio, Italy.
Former Minister of External Affairs, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, who has been spoken of as President Muhammadu Buhari’s next chief of staff following the death of Abba Kyari, has arrived State House, Abuja.
Gambari was received on Wednesday by senior government officials including the Director of Protocol, Yakubu Ahmed, and the Permanent Secretary State House, Tijani Umar.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has sacked his Personal Assistant, Tijani Nwadei, and a Special Adviser on Skills Development, Mrs. Dare Ukinebo, over alleged financial misappropriation and fraudulent practices, according to trusted government house sources.
Global Times learnt that the development is not unconnected to the governor’s Edo Jobs program which critics say is a failure as a result of alleged financial misappropriation by Ukinebo, who doubles as coordinator.
The Delta-born Tijani Nwadei, has been at the center of series of allegations of fraud and illegal kickback deals with firms contracted by the Edo State Government to execute projects after a “sudden accumulation of wealth” following his appointment by Obaseki in 2016.
It was alleged that Tijani used his close relationship with Obaseki as PA to subdue other senior government officials, both elected and appointed, and secure contractual deals for selected firms in exchange for undocumented rewards.
This reportedly led to an exchange of blows between him and Obaseki’s cousin, Mandela Obaseki, last year at the government house when the governor’s sibling, confronted Tijani over his influence and favoring of other friends and individuals in corrupt deals.
Global Times recalls that in an explosive Facebook post, Mandela gave hints to his conflict with Tijani and affirmed the “cronyism and corruption” have consumed the ‘embattled’ governor’s administration.
Mrs. Dare Ukinebo, on her part was fired for poorly managing the Edo Jobs initiative designed to help the Obaseki government achieve its target of 200,000 jobs promised during the 2016 campaigns.
The initiative was marred by allegations of nepotism, diversion of budgeted funds, and poor execution of trainings and programs.
“Safe to say it failed broadly in its job creation mandate and contributed to the angst against the Obaseki-administration.
“Both aides of the governor were eased of their duty quietly to avoid media scrutiny into the events that led to their ouster,” a source told Global Times.
“The governor specifically declared his Personal Assistant, Tijani persona non grata, banning him from his official and private residence,” the source added.
Recall that Obaseki’s Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele, recently resigned his position citing differences in principles and alluding to the fact that the duties of his office have been hijacked by other figures in the administration who were bent on punishing him for advising against the drawn-out war the governor declared against his predecessor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole.
The continuous sackings and political jostling in the Obaseki-administration have reportedly distracted it from the management of COVID-19 in the state as the number of confirmed cases continues to soar, with 67 so far confirmed by NCDC.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has sworn-in the new Head of Service (HOS), Anthony Okungbowa Esq., urging him to contribute his quota to ongoing reforms in the state’s civil service.
The governor, who swore-in the HOS at Government House, Benin City, noted that as the state battles coronavirus (COVID-19), the civil service is needed more than ever to action government’s policy directives.
According to him, “If we ever imagined that the public service was not important in our lives, COVID-19 has shown that without the instrument of state to mobilise and harness the talents and skills of the workforce to direct public behaviour and reaction, no society can thrive.
“It can be seen in every aspect of our lives, including the healthcare system, which is struggling to cope with the pandemic. If we had not realised how critical and important the need to change and reposition the public service was before now, the lesson of this pandemic has revealed it.
“The reform of the civil service is non-negotiable and it is the engine room for public service delivery. You are coming at a time when we have taken steps and actions in reforming our public service. We started by improving the physical environment where our civil servants work and the governance system within the service. We have now put in place the contributory pension scheme to make things even better.”
Obaseki said the state government will continue to build capacity and train the state workforce to respond to the needs of the times, adding, “You can’t expect people to deliver when they are not trained. With the completion of the John Odegie Oyegun Public Academy, Edo State has moved to an era where our civil servants would be trained to carry out their duties based on the information and knowledge given to them to work.”
He expressed confidence that Anthony Okungbowa Esq., will bring his experience to bear in transforming the civil service, noting, “I have no doubt that you have the capacity, training, preparation to cope with the challenges ahead of you. You are required to chart a new course of leadership that is based on fundamental values.
“Your selflessness, hard work, dedication, honesty, fairness and diligence stood you out for this job. As the youngest Head of Service appointed in the state, a lot is expected from you in terms of providing leadership for the state and the nation. You represent a new generation.”
In his response, Okungbowa praised the governor for his leadership style and reforms which have made Edo State the envy of other states, especially with the contributory pension scheme.
The Edo State government on Thursday extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew it imposed on the state for two weeks.
Governor Godwin Obaseki said this during a live broadcast on Thursday, April 30.
The governor said that due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state, the government had decided to extend the curfew it imposed in the state to two weeks.
“Following a review of the recent developments in the fight against the spread of COVID__19 , I have extended the dusk-to-dawn curfew in Edo State for the next 14 days, but with some alterations to the timing.
“The curfew would now be from 8pm to 6am daily,” he wrote.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Thursday meets with the father of the boy who refused to house his son, who flouted lockdown order in Ekiti State.
It was reported on Thursday that the governor invited the man to his office for his disciplinary posture and determination to war against the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, when he refused to accommodate his son who travelled from Lagos to Ekiti state despite lockdown order by the two states.
Publisher of Sahara Reporters and the convener of RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, has filed an appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja restricting him to stay in the area.
Mr Sowore, in his application filed at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, wants the court to set aside the bail condition restricting him to the Federal Capital Territory pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed against him by the Federal Government.
Sowore and his co-accused, Olawale Bakare, are being tried for treasonable felony, fraud among others.
Many escaped death in a multiple crash involving four vehicles in Benin City on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
Global Times learnt that the accident occurred on the ever-busy Upper Mission Road in the state capital.
The vehicles included a 18 seater passenger bus, a red car, an ash car and a truck fully loaded with 7up soda drink.
According to report, the accident occurred as the drivers were trying to beat the 7pm curfew imposed by the state government.
Recall that on April 19, Governor Godwin Obaseki imposed a 10-day dusk-to-dawn curfew on Edo, with effect from April 20.
This was in a bid to curtail the spread of the deadly coronavirus as he planned to increase screening and testing of citizens for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The curfew is expected to be reviewed tomorrow as the initial 10-day lapses.
As at time of this report, no death was recorded at the scene of the incident as individuals involved were rushed to a nearby hospital.
A clinically tested ventilator, produced by a team of researchers in the Faculties of Engineering and Medical Sciences, University of Benin, has been presented to the Management of the University led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami.
The invention is in response to the Vice-Chancellor’s challenge to various experts in the University to continue to strive to make relevant marks in order to place the institution among the very best and on a world class pedestal.
Leader of the team, Professor Kessington Obahiagbon, explained that the group, known as COVID-19 Initiative, took into consideration, the peculiar circumstances of the country, hence the ventilator is produced to work without electricity for at least one hour. It is also designed to function in a dual mould for adults and children.
An obviously elated Vice Chancellor, Professor Salami, thanked the team for the feat, especially for looking inwards in efforts to seek solutions to the pandemic.
The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has relieved all personal staff and political appointees attached to his office with immediate effect, pending further actions, Global Times has learnt.
Personal Staff: Special Advisers, Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants attached to the office of the Governor, Chief of Staff, Secretary to State Government; Commissioners and Head of Agencies are affected by this development.
“The action is necessary to weed out loyalists of former Chief of Staff, Taiwo Akerele who resigned last Friday to the surprise of the Governor and all his loyalists.
“It is also to deter other top aides who may have concluded plans to resign,” says Dr. Odaro Ize-Omoregbe.
The Director, Media and Communication Office of the Treasurer, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone B, Oghenetejiri Ovwigho-Ugbede, has tendered his resignation.
Global Times reports that Ovwigho-Ugbede, also known as OTICS, was appointed on 7th February, 2020. He exited office on Friday 25th April 2020, the date on his resignation letter.
Ovwigho-Ugbede explained that his decision to exit office is born out of personal desire to stay true to personal principles and convictions especially with a view to maintaining both a good name and a clean record both now and in times to come.
“With great appreciation for my appointment as Director of Media and Communication received in the letter dated 7th February, 2020 which also appointed 12 other individuals, and having acted in that capacity since the emergence of the AMB. Etinyene F. Offongekpe led Zone B executives in 2019, I write to notify you of my wish to resign my appointment forthwith.
“My decision to resign this office is born out of my personal desire to stay true to personal principles and convictions especially with a view to maintaining both a good name and a clean record both now and in times to come.
“Many thanks for the privilege to serve Nigerian students through your office,” he wrote.
The NANS Treasurer could not be reached for comments.
Ovwigho-Ugbede served as a media aide to the former Assistant Secretary-General of NANS, Joseph Eleonoteh, who was elected from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
He was again picked by Payeke of the University of Benin, the Zone ‘B’ Treasurer to serve in that same capacity. He is said to be the first person to join the UNIBEN NANS before appointments became official.
Rumours have it that OTICS and Payeke have had several differences in opinion especially in the wake of a factional zone ‘B’ structure. Global Times could not immediately confirm this.
The resignation may affect the Treasurer’s office as the Director of Communications has been described as a cerebral part of the administration.
Global Times reports that OTICS is a former speaker of the School of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Benin (UNIBEN).
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDSD) was established in 2019 as a special intervention ministry for humanitarian affairs, management of disasters and social interventions.
It was created on August 21, 2019 with a mandate to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response, and manage the formulation and implementation of equity-focused social inclusion and protection programmes in Nigeria.
Headed by Honourable Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, it is at the forefront of the Covid-19 intervention as the ministry saddled with providing palliatives to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Here are 13 other things to know about the ministry.
1. To concentrate efforts in tackling Covid-19, the Ministry inaugurated its Technical Working Group (TWG) on the 27th March, 2020. The TWG will complement efforts of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) which is in charge of coordinating efforts in the fight against COVID-19. The mandate of the TWG is four-fold – social interventions, humanitarian interventions, advocacy and sensitisation, as well as monitoring & evaluation.
2. Sadiya Umar Farouq has made a pledge that all poor and vulnerable Nigerians will be impacted positively – “I want to assure Nigerians that we are focused, equipped and ready to deliver, in a transparent and rapid manner, palliatives that will help our vulnerable populations deal with the shocks brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. We solicit the support of Nigerians as we set about the task of delivering on this pressing assignment”
3. The Ministry has solicited the commitment of the Social Protection Donor Group to secure funding for up to $1 billion dollars for the Covid-19 shock response social safety nets in line with its humanitarian, disaster management and social intervention mandate.
4. The Ministry is working with the National Social Investment Programs (NSIP) & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to take action on Sustaining Social Interventions during this emergency. It is also collaborating with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) & National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficked Persons (NAPTIP) in providing social protection for the vulnerable.
5. The Ministry using the National Social Register, made up of 2,644,495 poor and vulnerable households had paid 537,886 beneficiaries existing on the national social register, a 2-month advance payment of N20,000 as directed by Mr. President. Further, to the directive of the President, the Ministry through the National Social Safety Nets Programme (NASSP) has been actively rapidly expanding the National Social Register, and a specialized COVID-19 Shock Responsive register to complement existing Conditional Cash Transfer of Government for vulnerable and/or at-risk population (non-traditional groups) who will be impacted by the COVID – 19 pandemic.
6. Following the Presidential directive, the Ministry has granted a 3-month moratorium to 1,794,633 Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) beneficiaries and initiated the Conditional Cash Transfer to 453,744 poor and vulnerable households in 24 states plus the FCT since April 1, 2020.
7. The Ministry has facilitated the disbursement of Trader Moni and Market Moni loans to 12,000 beneficiaries in Abuja and Lagos. In Ogun state, beneficiaries are being revalidated in readiness for disbursement. The Bank of Industry will disburse loans to 10,000 beneficiaries in the 3 frontline states and loans to 5,000 beneficiaries in 2 states per geopolitical zone.
8. The Federal Government has approved the release of 70,000 metric tons of grain from the Strategic Grains Reserve for deployment by the ministry to 13 front line states based on reported cases of COVID 19, population and density using the existing structure provided by NEMA. 5,820 metric tons have been delivered to Lagos, Ogun, and FCT, whilst 2,550 are in transit whilst the remaining grains are being bagged and transferred.
9. In addition, the Nigerian Customs Service has released 65 trucks of rice to the Ministry. So far, the rice has been distributed to Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, Jigawa, Katsina, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Kebbi and FCT, with distribution ongoing to other States.
10. The Minister upon assumption of office immediately appointed a Special Assistant, Special Needs with oversight for issues related to People living with Disability. The first of its kind in Nigeria.
11. Working with the NEDC, the Ministry has commenced construction of both a 14-bed and 21-bed facility, each close to a large IDP Camp in Maiduguri to serve as COVID-19 Isolation Centres in the North-East using pre-fabrication technology.
12. The Ministry has provided, through the NEDC, 11,000 Personal Protective Equipment, 12 ventilators, 6,000 surgical masks, 3,000 ordinary masks, 192 infra-red thermometer, 2,400 hand gloves & 2,500 hand sanitisers to 6 states in the North East.
13. 500,000 N-Power beneficiaries have been paid their stipend for March 2002 even as the Ministry works to overhaul the programme to be more efficient. It is also working, despite the logistical challenges during this lockdown, with sundry stakeholders to transition the current beneficiaries whose tenure ended 18 months ago and on-board new beneficiaries.
A manhunt has begun for a Lebanese who offered to sell Nigerian woman for $1,000.
Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said this on Tuesday.
The Nigerian mission in Lebanon has since reported to the host authorities. A manhunt is on for the man and all out search for the young girl. Let’s keep her in our prayer.
Nigerians have reacted with outrage as the Nigeria Immigration Service prepares to discipline three female officers who participated in a social media challenge known as “bop daddy/don’t rush challenge” started by rapper, Falz, to promote his new single ‘Bop Daddy’.
To join the challenge, participants dance and flip dresses after covering their phone camera.
However, immigration authorities, in an inquiry, accused the officers of “indecently flaunting your bodies” and desecrating the service “uniform/beret and the use of inappropriate language thereby, sabotaging the values upheld by the service.”
Deputy Comptroller-General, Iam Haliru, said in a query dated April 15: “To state the obvious, your act has caused a lot of embarrassment to the NIS and in line with our standard as a paramilitary organization is considered scandalous and an act unbecoming of an officer and therefore a violation of PSR 030401 and 030402.
“This is a serious misconduct liable to dismissal from service. In view of the foregoing, therefore, you are requested to make a representation, if any, within 72 hours on receipt of this letter, why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for violation of the following; PSR 030301 (a)(i) immoral behaviour, PSR 030402(t), PSR 030402(w) any other act unbecoming of a public officer.”
A memo dated April 14 by the deputy comptroller-general asked the comptrollers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Lagos State Command to release the affected officers so that they would be able to report to the service’s human resource management at the headquarters in Abuja.
A 68-year-old woman has been delivered of a set of twins, following an IVF conception, the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has said.
Chairman, LUTH Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof. Wasiu Adeyemo, said in a statement on Sunday that the woman was pregnant for the first time.
Adeyemo said she was delivered on April 14 through an elective Caesarean section, at 37 weeks gestation.
He said the IVF and embryo transfer were done at a facility outside LUTH.
Adeyemo added that the woman was then referred to LUTH at early gestation and was subsequently managed till she was delivered.
The statement read; “LUTH has successfully delivered a Sixty-Eight (68) year old primigravida (pregnant for the first time) with twin (a male and a female) gestation (pregnancy) following an IVF conception. She was delivered through an elective Caesarean section at 37 weeks gestation on Tuesday 14th April 2020.
“The IVF & embryo transfer were done at an outside facility. She was thereafter referred to LUTH at early gestation and subsequently managed till term.”
“This is the first in LUTH, Nigeria and Africa,” he said, adding that both the mother and the babies were in good conditions.
No fewer than 34 persons have been sentenced by a Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos to one month of community service for violating the social distancing directives of the Lagos State Government.
All the defendants pleaded guilty except three.
The court on Wednesday found them guilty on a one-count charge of working out in a group larger than 20 persons on the Gbagada-Oworonsoki Expressway.
The court ruled that the violators should be quarantined for 14 days at the Infectious Diseases Hospital Yaba or any other place designated by the government.
Nigeria’s Burna Boy has been listed alongside international celebrities like Lady Gaga, John Legend, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Finneas, Idris Elba and Jimmy Fallon to raise funds in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
The stars will come together as Global Citizen and the World Health Organization (WHO) partner for a special one-night event tagged One World: Together at Home to air across BET/MTV/MTV base on Sunday, April 19.
Launched with Chris Martin of Coldplay on March 16, 2020, Together at Home has become an outlet for artists to share music with their fans for a purpose, to educate and inform millions around WHO’s critical effort to prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One World: Together at Home is not a charity event, but a broad global entertainment special to support the World Health Organization and the global fight to end COVID-19.
The two-hour programme will be hosted by marquee personalities from each of the major networks. It will include both live and pre-taped performances from the world’s most prominent artists with multimillion-naira pledges to the WHO’s Solidarity Response Fund.
The show will lift viewer’s spirits in these trying times with exclusive and unique cameos from the worlds of music and arts, sports superstars, and comedic sketches, while always drawing back to its core purpose to educate and inform on COVID-19 risks, prevention and response. The broadcast will also feature interviews with experts from WHO as well as stories of frontline healthcare workers from around the world.
First time Grammy nominee, Burna Boy, recently released the video for Odogwu’, his first official single of 2020.
Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State Government has extended by 7 days the lockdown order in the state in a bid to curtail the spread coronavirus across the state.
This was announced in a statement released by the Barrister Chris Ezem, the Secretary to the government, obtained by Global Times on Tuesday evening.
Recall that the state government put the lockdown in place in order to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus(COVID-19).
According to Ezem, the extension of the lockdown order was necessary to ensure that the state was truly free of the virus.
The statement reads: “The Abia State Government hereby announces the extension of the lockdown by Seven Days effective from Wednesday, April 8, 2020.
“This extension is necessary to confirm that we are indeed free of the virus. This is because the normal incubation period for the virus is 14 days.
“Government is aware of the hardship and inconvenience this situation has brought upon our people. But it is better to live with temporary inconvenience than to expose ourselves to this disease in search of comfort.
“The NCDC is still tracking over 2000 suspected cases across the country. While these persons are not from Abia, this is a time that calls for extra vigilance.
“Within this period, Government will continue to distribute some food items, sanitizers and face masks which commenced officially today.
“Government hereby directs all the various enforcement teams at the State and Local Government levels as well as all security agencies to continue the enforcement of the directives on lockdown at the borders, markets, Transport operators, Religious Groups and all forms of public gathering.
“Transition Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas and Security Operatives are directed to remain vigilant.
“Government commends all Frontline Service Providers, and all those on essential services including but not limited to medical and paramedical personnel, environmental and community health officers, ASEPA, all volunteers and security agencies who have stood firm with the State Government to battle this virus.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is grateful to Ndi Abia for keeping faith and complying with the sit at home directive so far.”
Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, has announced the death of the state’s first coronavirus (COVID-19) patient.
The governor on Tuesday named the deceased as Dr Aliyu Yakubu, a Daura-based private medical practitioner, who recently returned from Lagos to Katsina.
The 60-year-old died at the Nigeria Air Force Reference Hospital, Daura three days ago.
Masari said the deceased owned a private hospital in Daura and had visited his home state, Kogi, from where he travelled to Lagos some weeks ago.
The governor said that after returning to the state, the deceased fell sick and was admitted at the hospital, where he died three days ago.
“We have received a bad news of COVID-19. The deceased samples showed COVID-19 positive,” he said.
“Before his death, he was also diagnosed for hepatitis and hypertension, three years ago.”
He added that the state medical response team was in Daura taking samples of all those that had contact with the man before his death.
Nigerians are the strongest citizens in the world. The level of adaption to every situation is alarming and quite encouraging. There’s no situation Nigerians can not easily adapt in. The story of Covid-19 in Nigeria is very different from the tales of Covid-19 in other countries of the world.
The same covid-19 that killed thousands in other countries, ruined their healthcare systems and made their excellent administrators shivered came into Nigeria in a least unexpected way, besides the encouraging rate of recovery, how positive cases of the rich and elite suddenly turn to negative after some days are nothing but surprises.
To the world, Covid-19 is a deadly disease, killing thousands but to us in Nigeria, Covid-19 is a whistle blower. The disease has exposed the rottness in our system, revealing how selfish and despotic some of our politicians could be and most importantly how lowly in intelligence people we so much rated high by their professions or certain positions they hold could be.
In the time of election and gladness, every politician, celebrity and elite vowed to stand with the poor especially politicians who promised the poor heaven and earth but now we know politicians/rich who did their best and those who did nothing.
We are now in a season of camera boys following donors in the name of philanthropy and printed faces of most donors nearly have weight than items distributed. Many politicians got to power, filled their pockets with public funds but fail to remember people who elected them nor retribution (Karma). For Nigerians, Covid-19 is a sad story of hunger.
Truly, many incidents have accompanied the outbreak of Covid-19 in Nigeria. Besides the palliatives story and how a particular state allegedly staged a poorly scripted play “Covid-19” to have access to grants, recent acts of three characters propelled me to write this piece; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; Nollywood Actress, Funke Akindele and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde.
GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE AND HIS 1 BILLION NAIRA CORONAVIRUS PROJECT
Some days ago, the Executive Governor of Oyo state, Engr. Seyi Makinde reportedly disclosed that his administration has spent the sum of 1 billion naira to tackle Coronavirus in the state. Members of the opposition and some residents of the state have accused the young governor of mismanagement and diversion of public funds.
“The only isolation centre in Oyo state was built during Ajimobi’s regime even though the centre has been renamed by the new administration. They just furnished the centre and extended its capacity. So what exactly did they use the 1 billion naira for? A rather sad resident of the state asked.
I laughed when I read the comment on social media. I could not leave the page without explaining how such fund could be properly well spent without any infrastructure in place. The administration of Governor Seyi Makinde simply did not forget the owners of the world, the mothers of the earth. They have carried big sacrifice to wade-off the virus to nearby states and such sacrifice requires a lot of money. Sacrifices in every roundabout and consoling items have been handed over to the controller of Coronavirus spirit so that Oyo state and most especially Ibadan will not record any casualty.
Big cows, large sheeps, big kolanuts and others. You will also notice that public fights have reduced because people don’t hack themselves again. Go and ask Road safety the last time they recorded accidents, they would tell you that they’ve not recorded any since the emergence of covid-19. How UCH CMD, prominent residents of Oyo state and the Governor tested negative within days of being certified positive are results of the sacrifice?
That Osun state is battling with the virus despite the lockdown while Oyo state has not recorded large numbers inspite the freedom citizens enjoy during the pandemic says it all that the 1 billion naira spent on religious centres is never a waste as opined by ignorants. I appeal to Engr. Seyi Makinde to look into the yearnings of his people. They deserve to know how the sum of 1 billion was spent.
FUNKE AKINDELE AND HER HALF-BAKED DECISION
I love Funke Akindele. Her story is inspiring and I spend my leisure time watching her plays on YouTube. She is a fantastic actress who understands the industry very well and she is not always tired in giving her best to her lovers. Coincidentally, I was watching a popular musical video titled “Pakurumo” by Wizkid. In this video, Funke Akindele popularly known as Jenifa danced so well. Barely few minutes I left her YouTube page, I saw a link on WhatsApp that she organised a birthday party for her hubby, I clicked on the link to read more. I felt terribly disappointed that the diva screen demi-god could be found wanting in respecting laws that guarantee the safety of everybody including millions of fans who made her. As much I love Jenifa, I consoled myself that she is just a comedienne and actress. Being a celebrity at times is never a passport for clearer thoughts I concluded.
The likes of Jenifa and her cohorts who defied orders of the Government over festivity are no different from pastors and Imams who also defied orders to worship God in large numbers when major religious cities have closed their religious centres. The likes of Tuface, Rihanna and other celebrities who donated grossly to government and complement their efforts in fight against covid-19 are not superhumans. Decisions for sustainability of humanity encompassed with greater good for mother earth are products of well refined minds. I feel terribly bad that Jenifa who was a product of people’s compassion besides her excellence performance on the screen could do less for her people rather endanger their lives the more.
I watched the video, looked at the people you honored the invitation and I nodded my head when I saw a former gubernatorial candidate who was defeated and ridiculed at the poll sitting comfortably at such illegal gathering and I could not but praise the decision of Lagosians at the poll. I give kudos for the Nigeria Police Force for their swift move. While Funke Akindele, her hubby and other offenders are isolated from the public, the government of Enugu should act swiftly and arrest the clergyman who vow to continue with his service despite clear stay at home order by the state. Nigeria is too broke to fight idiots with Covid-19.
THE IGNORANCE OF OLUWO OF IWOLAND
Few days ago, I received a video via whatsapp from a friend. I downloaded the video and almost concluded that it was a comedy kit but a closer look at the character in the video, I discovered that the character is a true king, the Oluwo of Iwo; Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi. Ha! Kabiyesi ke? I asked. Oba Abdulrasheed can be seen in the video soliciting for mankind and asking God that the virus should attack him so that the world would be free.
What a good king I concluded like an illiterate after watching the video. I would have ignored the video if it was made by a king in his eighties or probably the traditional ruler of my village but I felt so disappointed that the character in the video is a young adult. Oba Akanbi is an educated fellow and he’s well exposed.
He was a coordinator of caregivers in Canada before he ascended the throne and reportedly received an award from the Prime Minister of Canada as a caregiver. Why would an individual of such pedigree concludes that Coronavirus is an evil spirit despite his versatility, education and exposure?
Apart from being a second citizen of Canada where different palliatives have been handed over to the citizens, reduction in taxes and rents, the Prime Minister of Canada who handed over award to him has never failed in his duty of seeing to the proper welfare of his people.
Oluwo of Iwo is a traditional ruler of an ancient town in a state where citizens live under fear, hunger and wild poverty while the government watches carelessly. Why would Oluwo of Iwo closed down his palace and announced that only essential visitors are allowed to enter his palace over fear of Covid-19?
This same king once distributed buckets for handwashing and appealed that residents of Iwo should not come to the palace. Why did he wake up one day and called on covid-19 to come and attack him when he’s already in isolation? I do not want to share the sentiments of his embattled wife who recently left his palace. I really want to believe Oluwo of Iwo that his embattled wife lied about his personality.
The engineering department of Bayero University, Kano says it is trying to develop ventilators for use in centres dedicated to treating people with coronary heart disease.
The university’s chief engineering officer, Prof. Salisu Dan’azumi, told the BBC that 50 per cent of the work required had been completed.
“They started working and even achieved about 50 per cent of the production of this machine,” he said.
The engineering department said it had recruited specialists across the university and committed to designing a single prototype machine before it engaged in the production of sensors.
Dan’azumi said the device was obtained from the one used at Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano.
He said the specialists have been given a week to complete the production.
He added that despite the strike, they had formed a committee consisting of engineers, electricians and electricians and Mechanics and General Mechatronics under the direction of Prof. Abdussamad Umar Jibia.
The move comes amid the urgent need for ventilators as the world battles to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Politics › Edo Election: Ganduje Lands In Benin City For APC, Ize-Iyamu Campaign (Photos) by Brika(op): 5:27pm On Sep 12, 2020
