₦airaland Forum

...Says Gov uses DSS to lure her to death zone

Following the recent judgment of the appellate court affirming the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello's election, the Social Democratic Party aspirant in the November 16 gubernatorial election in the state, Natasha Akpoti has raised alarm of attempted murder by the former.

She made this known on her Facebook page on Monday while narrating her ordeal.

"Between 8 and 9am today (Monday), I got two random calls from unknown (identity disclosed) numbers. The first (in pidgin English) warned me not to heed any invitation by any security agency in Kogi state as I would be attacked and killed before arriving Lokoja; while the second (calm & elderly) cautioned my safety as my interview on Channels Television last night with regards to the Appeal Court’s ruling on the Kogi St Guber elections infuriated Yahaya Bello.

"I was perplexed, naturally worried but thought to shove it off. At 9:46am today, I noticed a missed WhatsApp call from Mr. Tosin Ajayi Kogi state’s DG of DSS. My phone was on silent but even when I saw his missed call, I decided to speak with my lawyers on the developments: the two strange calls and the missed call from the DSS boss."

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/gov-yahaya-bello-s-evil-ploy-to-eliminate-me-uses-dss-kogi-to

Following the deepening crisis in the Ondo State chapter of Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Acting Chairman of the party, Dele Thomas has called on the Inspector General of Police, to instruct Ondo State Commissioner of Police to immediately seal up the party secretariat in the state.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Akure by the State Acting Chairman of the party, Mr Dele Thomas, Monday.

According to him, the closing down of the secretariat would prevent the crisis in the party to further degenerate and preventing needless faceoff.

The State Working Committee of the SDP, which had been embroiled in leadership tussle, had declared its dissolution by the Prof. Tunde Adeniran-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party as illegal.

Vanguard learnt erstwhile Chairman, Hon. Korede Duyile has decided to step aside for a caretaker committee to handle the affairs of the party till November National Convention of the party.

The Committee at a meeting in June announced the legal Adviser of the party in the state, Mr Dele Thomas as its acting Chairman, the SWC also suspended the former candidate of the party in the 2016 governorship election, Dr Olu Agunloye over allegations of anti-party activities and gross misconduct.

community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/sdp-crisis-seal-up-the-party-secretariat-ondo-chairman-tells-igp

The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has rubbished claims by Chief Olusola Oke, one of the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, that he approached him to step down ahead of the elections.

Oke made the remarks after submitting his nomination and declaration of interest forms in Abuja.

According to the controversial Unity Forum candidate, he has been “reaching out” to Akeredolu, to try and convince him to step down.

However, Akeredolu’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, on Saturday said Oke made such statement to attract sympathy.

Odebowale said: “It is laughable to see a man who rejoined the APC after suffering the most crushing defeat in the last gubernatorial election in the state, boast of his political stature necessitating exigent intervention.

“It is sad indeed that the man who alleged that he lost the gubernatorial primaries in 2016 because of phantom 300 votes allegedly given to an opponent and the eventual winner could not use his popularity to win on another political platform, the moribund Alliance for Democracy, (AD), resuscitated to promote treachery.”

Odebowale added that unlike Akeredolu who won the 2016 election, Oke only “flaunts some specious credentials of service won in two local government areas in 2012 and 2016.”

Javalist:
What about their payment system on OPay app? Are they closing that too?

No, the payment system is still open

Popular Chinese-owned African fintech startup, OPay, has given reasons for suspending some of its Nigerian operations including ORide, OCar, and OExpress, excluding its payment operation, Opay.

In a statement on Thursday, the company said it is pausing some of its operations “due to the harsh business conditions which have affected many Nigerian companies, including ours, during this COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown and the government ban.”

According to a statement issued by the company, Opay attributed the demise of the business units to “the harsh business conditions which have affected many Nigerian Companies”, the COVID-a9 Pandemic, the Lockdown, and the Lagos State Government ban on motorcycles.

The decision follows a memo sent by OPay’s investors to the Nigerian team yesterday directing all other verticals but payments to shut down operations and all the Chinese expatriate workers to return to China as soon as possible.

The Nigerian team is said to have already set up a team tasked with the recovery of all the ORide motorcycles on the road.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/why-we-re-suspending-our-operations-in-nigeria-opay

33-year-old six-time Balloon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi reached a career milestone on Tuesday night after he scored his 700th goal for club and country as Barcelona drew Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine forward has now scored a total of 630 goals for Barcelona senior team, and 70 for Argentina national team.

Messi scored the landmark goal by gently chipping the ball into the net in a well-taken penalty as Jan Oblak dived the wrong way.

The goal took Barcelona 2-1 up in their crunch game at the top of the table, but Atletico fought back again to end the game at 2-2.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-messi-nets-700th-career-goal-as-barcelona-forced-to-draw

Johnson5258:
How do I change sim pin?

Follow these steps;

1. Go to SETTINGS in Your phone.

2. Go to SECURITY & LOCATION under SETTINGS

3. Go to SIM CARD LOCK.

4. Click on LOCK SIM CARD.

5. Enter Your mobile network default SIM CARD PIN.

*For MTN users it is "00000".

*For 9mobile users it is "0000"

* For GLO users, it is "0000"

*For AIRTEL users it is "1111".

6. After entering the MOBILE NETWORK DEFAULT PIN, under it You will see " CHANGE SIM PIN", click on it to change to your unique 4 digit pin,

7. Confirm Your unique 4 digit pin by entering it again & YOU ARE DONE.

The activities of hackers in the recent times have been on an alarming rate with many still counting their losses after falling victims to these fraudsters.

It is safe to be guided with the right information on how to stop these cyber criminals from having access to your social media and bank accounts. With this relevant information, you will be able to protect all your accounts from hackers.

Here are the easy steps you need to follow so as to protect your social media and bank accounts from hackers;

Facebook

Go to your Facebook account settings. Click on it. Scroll down to security. Click on it. Scroll to security and login. Scroll to use two factor authentication. Click on it. Fill in the information. Thereafter, a code will be sent to your phone number. Save the code. Never reveal the code to anyone.

Whatsapp

Click on the 3 dots at the right hand corner side of your Whatsapp account. Click on it. Scroll down to settings,click on it, scroll down to account,click on it, scroll down to two step verification, click on it, scroll down to activate, you will be directed to give your secret code. Never reveal your code to anybody.

Mobile banking

IF YOU DO MOBILE BANKING from your phone, there is need to put a PIN on your SIM, otherwise your account can be wipe clean anytime you lose your phone or your phone is stolen. The process to do is very simple but if ignored can cost you all Your life savings.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/easy-ways-to-block-hackers-from-hacking-your-facebook-whatsapp

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried Governor Yahaya Bello’s supposed lackadaisical attitude towards COVID-19 prevention and management protocols in Kogi State.

The party in a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the alleged attitude of the governor to the virus had resulted in spread and avoidable deaths in the state.

“Our party is deeply worried over alleged unreported cases of COVID-19 as well as issues of ‘silent deaths’ in the state, which have become scary,” Ologbondiyan said.

He further noted that the issue of unreported cases of COVID-19 in the state had put citizens in fear, “especially as Governor Bello’s administration has remained nonchalant and unresponsive towards the matter.”

Read more>>> http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/covid-19-silent-deaths-in-kogi-scary-pdp

The Nigerian Army has reacted to the death of a 75-year-old man, Alh. Salisu Ibrahim of Filin Samji who was killed by the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur in Katsina, Monday.

Vanguard learnt the sad incident happened around Mani House Junction in the state where the deceased was sharing wedding invitations.

However, in a statement signed, Tuesday, the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, condoled with the family of the deceased.

The Army spokesperson said the incident happened when the vehicles went to refuel and were expected to pick up the commander, 17 Brigade later.

According to him, a delegation of the Army led by the Brigade Commander has paid a condolence visit to the family and will be fully involved in the burial rites of the deceased.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-nigerian-army-reacts-to-death-of-man-killed-by-buratai-s

Personal Assistant, Abdulateef Suleiman to the governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello has been confirmed dead.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Muhammed on Wednesday.

The statement reads in part;

"We regret to announce the passage of the Personal Assistant to the Governor of Kogi State, Abdulateef Suleiman."

Vanguard learnt the deceased had been on admission at a private Hospital in Abuja for the treatment of Septic Shock but died of Cardiac Arrest this morning at the age of 41.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-pa-to-gov-bello-is-dead

The All Progressive Congress, APC, may still win the September 16 Edo gubernatorial election despite the qualifications of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the governorship primary.

Recall we earlier reported that the APC screening committee disqualified Governor Obaseki from participating in the governorship primary of the party.

The disqualification of the embattled governor has been generating reactions.

However, poll conducted by Daily Post with some political analysts revealed the decision of the APC screening committee might not affect the chances of the party in winning in the coming election.

A Professor of political science at Osun State University, Bolaji Omitola, clarified that the party has supreme power on its processes.

According to Prof Bolaji, Obaseki lost due to a defective certificate, he may have scaled through his first term but recent events in Bayelsa State could have contributed to APC’s decision.

Prof Omitola said, “APC has done what is best for it, and nobody can say what will come out of the election but Obaseki’s defection might not affect the party’s victory in the coming election.

“It has happened before in Lagos where an incumbent Governor didn’t win the party primary and the party still won the election.” He said.

Meanwhile, another Political scientist, Rasheed Rasheed explained that the APC as a party may not be affected because the overall decision to pick a candidate rests on the party structure.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/why-obaseki-s-disqualification-will-not-affect-apc-s-chances-of

The Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a statement addressing reports making rounds over the declaration of the state governor, Godwin Obaseki joining the party amid his disqualification by the All Progressive Party (APC) screening committee.

Recall Obaseki, Friday made headlines after his party disqualified him from contesting the gubernatorial primaries scheduled to hold on June 22.

Speaking on the development, the new PDP Chairman in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi told newsmen in Abuja that people have been calling on behalf of the Governor, but that he has to go through the ward level to get registered.

He said if the Governor joins the PDP, it is only the National Working Committee under the leadership of Uche Secondus could grant him a waiver to participate in the primary election because the process had been concluded.

As at the time of filing this report, Obaseki still a member of the APC.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-edo-pdp-clears-air-on-obaseki-s-plan-to-join-party

I am obliged to write to you this open letter. I decided to make it an open letter because of the recent happenings around the country which must be of great worry to all concerned Nigerians and that means all right thinking Nigerians and those resident in Nigeria.

Lately, our dear country, Nigeria has been enmeshed in a firebox of insecurity leading to scores of deaths of innocent civilians, a host of members of the nation’s security personnel, notable individuals and many government workers. The insecurity challenge has assumed formidable dimensions forcing the country’s political and economic managers and, indeed the entire nation, to rue the loss of their loved ones, investments and absence of safety in many parts of the country, especially the war-torn areas of the North-East geopolitical zone. The number of violent crimes such as kidnappings, ethnic clashes, armed banditry, carjackings, politically-motivated killing and others has increasingly become an issue for both government and social concern.

Sir,

We won't need a soothsayer to tell us how bad the security mechanism and system of this country has become. As it is generally known that insecurity is the antithesis of security and such has the ability to attract common descriptors as want of safety, danger, hazard, uncertainty, want of confidence, state of doubt, inadequately guarded or protected, instability, trouble, lack of protection and being unsafe, and others. All these aforementioned descriptors best describes the sorry state Nigeria has found itself in the hands of assailants and its troubles.

The recent ugly and gory happenings in South Kaduna, Katsina, Borno and Kogi states have left little or rather nothing to be desired about our country. The Boko Haram militant Islamist group has tore a principal part of the country apart. They have destabilised the North-East of Nigeria. The group has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more. In the recent unfortunate happenings in the zone, several people have fled their homes and towns, and the direct consequence of the conflict is that the North-East has been plunged into a severe humanitarian crisis.

As I write this letter, they are still carrying out their heinous acts and continue to throw the attacked

towns and village into indescribable torment, trauma and jeopardy.

Your Excellency,

More to the aforementioned is the perpetual killings in the Middle Belt of Nigeria owing to the unending clashes between farmers and herd men in that region. It has been a prolonged face-off between the predominantly Christian farmers and the mostly Muslim cattle herders.

The Middle Belt region of Nigeria has faced prolonged violent clashes between the predominantly Christian farmers and the mostly Muslim cattle herders and at the core of the conflicts are disputes over access and rights to land and water resources and rapid desertification which has changed the grazing patterns of cattle. It is quite understandable that these clashes are not necessarily new, but since 2015, the disputes have become more frequent and violent.

Sir,

One of the frequent acts of violent crime that have grown to form a major threat to Nigeria’s national security is Kidnapping. This doesn't just happen without a ransom being demanded from the families and relatives of their captives thus making it the most virulent form of banditry in Nigeria. It has become the most pervasive and intractable violent crime in the country.

In noteworthy researches carried out, it is understood that kidnapping can be targeted at individuals or at groups. Innocent people have been kidnapped by these unscrupulous elements in various parts of Nigeria. Countless number of people are already caught up in the webs of the perpetrators of this inglorious act.

Most times, the prime targets of kidnapping for ransom are those considered to be wealthy enough to pay a fee in exchange for being freed. Invariably, the poor captives get killed in the process of bargain.

Your Excellency, the brave services of the Nigerian Police cannot be denied; The Nigerian police anti-kidnapping squad as endeavored to stem the menace but in spite of measures put in place by the government, it seems enough is not yet done, mainly due to a lack of manpower and poor logistics.

In my candid opinion, these efforts have also failed because of weak sanctioning and deterrence mechanisms. Kidnapping thrives in an environment that condones crime; where criminal opportunism and impunity prevail over and above deterrence. As a matter of urgency, this obviously calls for a review of Nigeria’s current anti-kidnapping approach to make it more effective.

Lastly, there have been widespread outrages following the surge of rape cases across the country.
In the past two (2) weeks, issues of rape have been the principal focus out of the several rungs in the society. The cases are so shocking and which have led to several street protests.

Your Excellency,

The data made available in the print and electronic media reveal that rape issue has become a serious social problem of epidemic proportion and no longer an isolated criminal act affecting just a few women in the society.

It is no news that the incidences of rape have increased at an alarming rate in Nigeria in recent time.

To make things worse, there is little or no policy or law that helps protect the victims as they are blamed, stigmatized and humiliated by the public if it is brought to the public domain. To these, new laws should be enacted to punish the perpetrators of the heinous criminal act.

Your Excellency,

History will look upon you favorably if you get these done the right and humane way. It will look upon you forever as the devil if good change does not materialize.

We, fellow Nigerians still trust you and we still believe in your government. So, Goodluck and God's speed.

Sincerely,
Dr Zainab Suleiman.

A governorship aspirant in Edo, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has expressed gratitude to the Edo Governorship Screening Committee for carrying out a thorough job.

The aspirant, in a statement by his Campaign Organisation, Director of Communication and Media, Mr. John Mayaki said: “I wish to send my deepest gratitude to all the members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for a joyful cooperation that led to a seamless but thorough screening exercise.

“The progress made today by completing this exercise reveals the true spirit and character of our party premised on a bold insistence on fairness, accountability, and transparency.

“On my own part, having passed the screening tests, I want to state my consistent readiness to take the will of the party as the ultimate, regarding its laws and principles as the supreme guide for the execution of our affairs and assignments.

“I urge all the members of our party whose indefatigable commitment, loyalty, and cooperation has led to the success we experienced in recent times, to remain focused and committed to our general ambition as a party, and in the same vein pursuant of our personal political dreams in light of our progressive philosophy.

“As we prepare for the primaries and the election itself, it is time we bind together and close ranks, remembering that the greatest goal is the progress of Edo State, the moving forward of our great homeland, and the betterment of life for all of its people”.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-ize-iyamu-finally-speaks-on-apc-screening-process

Arogbonlo Israel

Just like yesterday, Nigeria clocks another year of an uninterrupted democratic system of government that since been experiencing one form of transition to another. All thanks to the real heroes of our democracy who sacrificed their ambitions for the common goals of the country at large. I don't need to mention them, history will always remember them for such heroic deeds.

Needless to say, Nigerians have been craving for good governance devoid of sentiment and incompetency but can we really boast of having satisfied the requirements for such a state of affairs as maladministration has set the pace for leadership in the present time; leaving us with no option than accepting our fate like the prodigal son in quest of shelter.

Predominantly, more Nigerians have been killed by violent attacks in recent time, leaving the country in a state of despair as insecurity looms. It's true that no country in the world is 100% secured but, we can always avoid these unforeseen circumstances if we were more proactive in our reactions to matters of national concerns.

It's a sad story for the families of the victims who lost their lives to the Boko Haram and Abuja-Lokoja robbery attacks respectively. How can we boast of having topnotch security in a country where killings has become the order of the day? This is a clarion call on the part of the government to look inward in the fight against insecurity in the country. The death of one Nigerian is as sine qua non as the lives of many Nigerians. We should be more proactive rather than waiting to adopt the fire brigade approach to situation detrimental to the safety of the citizenry.

The topic above is a paradox of thrift to the current mumbo-jumbo in the country; setting a pace for redefining the image of democracy where all lives will be treated fairly irrespective of their tribe or socioeconomic background.

As we celebrate today, we must reflect on the tenets of democracy that regards people with high esteem, a system where humanity comes first before anything else. True democracy can only be achieved if we all put the aforementioned into perspectives by contributing to the development accordingly without fear or favour.


God bless the heroes of our democracy!

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday told the Bayelsa Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja, that it made correction to the name on the exemption certificate of the deputy governor, Sen.Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at his request.

The Service, represented by Mrs Keziah Okonofua, stated this while testifying as a subpoenaed witness in the petition filed by Mr Ebizimo Diriyai, who contested the Nov. 16 governorship election in the state on the platform of Accord Party.
Diriyai had dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Gov. Douye Diri; Ewhrudjakpo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the tribunal.

The petitioner is claiming in the petition that the deputy governor forged his NYSC exemption certificate, which he presented to contest the election.

The petitioner further alleged that the person Ewhrudjakpo claimed was his elder brother who deposed to his declaration of age was even younger than him going by the date of birth therein.

Diriyai is seeking for an order of the tribunal to disqualify Diri and his deputy on the ground of the alleged forgery and declare him the duly elected governor having polled the second highest votes in the election.

The NYSC representative stated that she was before the tribunal as a subpoenaed witness to tender some documents and testify.
She then tendered the subpoena, and two letters written and signed by her on behalf of the NYSC’s Director-General to the

Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria police.

In the letter addressed to the DSS, dated March 10, 2020 the NYSC confirmed and reiterated that it corrected the deputy governor’s name.

The second one, addressed to the police, dated Dec. 20, 2019 also confirmed and reiterated that it was the NYSC that corrected the deputy governor’s name from “Ewhrudjakpa” to Ewhrudjakpo.

Led in evidence by Diri’s counsel, Chief Chris Uche SAN, Okonofua told the tribunal that Ewhrudjakpo sometime in 2019 wrote to the NYSC to effect a correction in the spelling of his name on the exemption certificate issued to him by the Service.

According to the witness, the deputy governor asked that the Ewhrudjakpa on the certificate be changed to Ewhrudjakpo.

She informed that the Service promptly changed the letter “a” to letter “o” on the certificate.

While being cross examined by counsel for the deputy governor, Mr Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume SAN, the witness stated that the letter she signed was written in response to a letter sent to the NYSC by the DSS.

She further told the tribunal, while being cross examined by counsel for PDP, Mr Emmanuel Enoidem, the witness stated that some former corps members sometimes asked NYSC to effect changes on their certificates.

Counsel for the petitioner, Prof. Amuda Kannike SAN, however, asked the witness to read some portion of the NYSC’s letter to the hearing of the tribunal, which she did.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/bayelsa-governorship-nysc-clears-air-on-deputy-governor-s

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has expressed fears that he may not get justice since the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole was the “judge” in the case.

He said this while speaking to journalists soon after undergoing two hours of screening at the party’s headquarters, in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said; “The last time I came here, I asked that Oshiomhole recuse himself from the process in the interest of peace and justice. But as a party man, I have had to go through the screening like everybody else.
“Since he is the judge and the jury in this matter, I will just wait for the outcome of the screening. I have given them all the information they need; the controversial certificate from the University of Ibadan has been tendered.

“Like I said, as a party man, I had to go through the screening process but I do not believe that I will get justice because Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is an interested party in the Edo process.

“One of the questions asked was why did I issue a gazette that will prevent the party from performing direct elections in Edo.

“That did I not see it as an anti-party activity? I just felt that if we put politics above the lives of the people of Edo State, we may be missing the point.”

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-obaseki-reacts-to-apc-screening-process

Residents in Ayedun quartres of Akure, Ondo have called on the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN as many were rendered homeless by heavy downpour.

The rain which started around 11pm on Monday left property worth millions of naira destroyed as some houses were reportedly flooded to the brim.

Residents of the community have therefore sent a Save Our Soul (S.O.S) message to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the flood ravaging the community.

The affected areas include houses along Alaakure filling station, Tuyi street, Overhead bridge connecting Araromi, among others.

A victim, Mr. Sunday Owadayo confirmed his room was flooded as a result of the heavy downpour while urging Governor Akeredolu to help them because of the untold hardship they are experiencing.

All efforts to reach the community leader over the incident met rebuff as at the time of filing this report.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/photos-residents-call-on-govt-as-flood-wreaks-havoc-in-ondo

THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Rasaq Sherifat Folashade is partially paralysed. While her head, neck, brain, eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, and breathing are active, her arms, legs among other body systems have lost total function. Her mother who has been the only source of support since she lost her father last year (2019) due to the illness is desperately seeking help to raise money for a crucial surgery that would save her from going completely paralysed.

Folashade who was diagnosed of chronic typhoid and paralysis, requires N1 million to enable her dormant parts of the body become active.

Her mother, Rasaq Fatima, who hails from Osun State, told Vanguard about her daughter's ordeal, calling for help from well meaning Nigerians.

She said the problem started on October 18 2017, two years after her daughter graduated from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. According to her, Folashade (daughter) woke up to find one of her legs paralysed. Months later, she could not eat, bath or do anything with her arms and legs due to taking her from one place to another in quest for solution.

“We had to take her (Folashade) to Trauma Medical Centre, Ondo where she was diagnosed of having partial paralysis and admitted for some days before leaving there due to financial constraints that held us back.

“It was from there that we were referred to Federal Medical Centre, Owo to seek further medical treatments.

“We were told by the hospital that it would cost a minimum of N1 million to get her to normalcy. I am old while my husband is late. All our earnings and life savings went into her medical treatment. She (Folashade) had to dispose her shop where she sells provision to foot some of the medical bills but all to no avail," she said.

Fatima said her husband's family refused them access to the latter's (late Rasaq) properties, which makes things more difficult as they spend huge sums of money on drugs ever since.

She appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the family and help save Folashade from losing her body system and her life, especially as the situation is making her blood pressure to be on the high side.

A breakdown of the cost as provided in a letter from Federal Medical Centre, showed that approximately N1 million is required for the treatment and other incidental expenses.

Donations to save Folashade’s health condition can be paid into GTB Account No. 0034233857, Account Name: Rasaq Sherifat Folashade. For more details, call 08034742292.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/lady-31-seeks-n1m-to-safe-self-from-paralysis

Kogi State Government, Saturday has cleared air over the purported COVID-19 cases reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), insisting the latter is so desperate to impose the pandemic on the state.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, it was revealed how one of the index cases had earlier refused the intervention of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Lokoja when offered.

"Nigerians are in the know of the stand off between Kogi State and NCDC that has been on for a while now, which is not unconnected to our stance to resist the ascription of fictitious confirmed cases of Covid-19 to our Dear State to suit a preformed narrative we believe is the agenda of NCDC, which is to claim every State in Nigeria has Covid-19," the report confirmed.

"In the heat of this stand off, we woke up one morning to hear that NCDC has recorded two cases of Covid-19 for Kogi State. Your suspicion will be as good as ours hence we set out to investigate the claim and here are our findings.

"That NCDC claims a 62 year old man and his son from Kabba LGA of Kogi State tested positive to Covid-19. According to the son, his father, who is a Hypertensive/Diabetic had attended a burial ceremony where he was stung by bees. He then developed facial problems from the sting and was taken to the Hospital. The facial swellings subsided but the body weakness persisted where eventually the managing Doctor discovered he had High Blood Sugar, which the Doctor continued to manage.

"The Doctor confirmed that there was no time the patient presented with fever, cough or difficulty in breathing. The only complaint was that of general body weakness.

"The Doctor had no reason to refer the patient to FMC Lokoja except on the insistence of the patient because they felt he was not getting better."

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/kogi-govt-clears-air-over-purported-covid-19-cases-reported-by

Following the recent fallout between the Kogi State Government and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as regards the index cases of COVID-19 earlier reported, one of the families affected has cleared air over the issues surrounding the pandemic in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed, Friday by the Obatebise of Oweland, Chief Tai Ejibunu on behalf of the Ejibunu family in Kabba area of the state.

The statement reads in part;

"Our attention has been drawn to the series of discussions going on, on this Platform concerning Covid-19 index case in Kabba and the identity of the index case. I wish to affirm, on behalf of Ejibunu family, that the Chief Imam of Kabba, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Ejibunu, was down with flu some few days back and he had to be hospitalised at the Specialist Hospital in Kabba. Further medical attention was sought at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Lokoja as the flu did not abate after some days," the report confirmed.

"At the FMC, he was referred to the National Hospital in Abuja and the text conducted on him by the NCDC showed that he was Covid-19 positive. The text conducted on one of his sons who had been with him since, came out negative. The family would have come out to speak on the matter, but we were not comfortable with the ding dong game going on between the NCDC and the Kogi State government," the report added.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-family-finally-breaks-silence-over-covid-19-patient-in

Arogbonlo Israel

The Global Outreach Day (GOD), a non-denominational global soul winning organisation has revealed this year's edition of its one day evangelism exercise scheduled for Saturday, May 30, has its focus on Nigeria.

Speaking at an online conference recently, the national coordinator, Evang Oguazi Onyemobi disclosed that while the vision is to reach one billion souls across the globe in one day, the Nigerian chapter has the aim to reach 20 million souls with the love of Jesus Christ.

According to him, the group's vision is to raise an army believers that will bring people into personal relationship with Christ Jesus.

"The Global Outreach Day is an initiative that mobilises believers across all denominations to preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in one day. And the day that is slated for that is the last Saturday of May, every year. For this year, it is the 30th of May," he said.

He continued; "On that day, every believer irrespective of their denomination, would go out and preach the gospel. There are diverse ways by which one can preach the gospel through one-on-one in spite of the COVID-19. With social distancing, we can still share the gospel one-on-one, using the social media and other media platforms to touch the world with the love of Jesus Christ.

"We are in the generation when a lot of people because of religion kill and do a lot of things that are not right. So, we are sharing this man of Galilee who scarified His precious blood to save man from sin. Our message is simple, we want every believer to come out bold and keep sharing the message of our Lord Jesus Christ and make an impact."

With so many struggling with the instability brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic, the group believe the time is ripe to share the message of Christ and reap a harvest of souls.

Organisers say they will meet their goal of sharing the Gospel with one billion people if every Christian believer reaches just five people in their social circles.

While commenting on the zoom conference held last week, the national coordinator urged the believers to be good ambassadors of Christ.

"Recently, the Global Outreach Day had a webinar programme where the entire leaders of the entire church in Nigeria gathered via online programme. We saw the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Samson Ayokunle among others anointed ministers of God charging the believers to come together irrespective of their denomination to preach the gospel and win souls for Christ.

"We also had the Vice President TEKAN, Joel Bill speaking to the believers about the great harvest waiting for them in the Northern Nigeria. He has seen many people demonstrating their religious beliefs in diverse ways. He noted further that, despite the violence, killings and unrest, we still have many people coming out to give their lives to Christ in the region. So, these were the testimonies of the people that spoke at the zoom conference.

"In a separate zoom conference organised for young people in Nigeria, the son of the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Leke Adeboye and the son of the founder of Mount Zion, Damilola Bamigboye also charged the believers to be bold as soldiers of Christ whenever they go preach the gospel of Christ," he said.

In a bid to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the group also released the following guidelines ahead of the slated day for the outreach;

1. One-on-one evangelism (Wear your face mask).
2. Give out tracts (Talk about the tracts too).
3. Show love with food, gifts, etc.
4. Ask people about their challenges and needs and pray for them.
5. Make phone calls to family members, acquaintances and colleagues and share about Jesus.
6. Send Gospel messages to them.
7. Send Gospel messages through Email, WhatsApp, Facebook and other Social Media.
8. Send out the Online Gospel tract “Why The Cross” to your contacts, via the link: https://online.flipbuilder.com/jail/fvgo/
9. Use hashtag such as: #MyHopeStory, #TheBestDayOfMyLife, #FollowTheCross or any other, to reach out.
10. Share short Gospel Audio or Video messages on your Social Media Platforms with your contacts.

The Kogi State Government, Thursday has denied the two index cases reported by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), insisting the state is still COVID-19 free.

Recall the NCDC on its website alleged that, two index cases were recorded in Kogi as at Wednesday, May 27 2020, making the total cases in the country at 8733.

In a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Saka Haruna Audu, described the claim as fallacy.

The statement reads in part;

"Kogi State till this very moment is Covid-19 free. We have developed full testing capacity and have conducted hundreds of tests so far which have returned negative.

"We have also continued to insist that we will not be a party to any fictitious Covid-19 claims which is why we do not recognise any Covid-19 test conducted by any Kogite outside the boundaries of the State except those initiated by us. Any attempt to force us to announce a case of Covid-19 will be vehemently rejected.

"We continue to enjoin our people to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic into the State and give no listening ears to rumour peddlers and mischief makers.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/just-in-we-re-still-covid-19-free-kogi-govt-insists

Kogi popularly called the 'Confluence State' was created in 1991 from parts of Kwara and Benue respectively. The State consists of twenty-one (21) local government areas. Which are: Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Koton Karfe, Lokoja, Okene, Olamaboro, Omala, Yagba East, Yagba West, among others.

In recent times, the state has been faced with series of controversies surrounding its COVID-19 status of which the Governor, Yahaya Bello claimed there has not been any record of the pandemic since the outbreak in Nigeria (February 27 2020).

The Director-General of the NCDC, Chikwe Ihekweazu, in his earlier response to the Kogi claim, said, "The number of tests carried out makes it difficult to know if the state is free." A few days ago, the NCDC said Kogi had done only one test, while Cross River has tested seven cases. But the State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, claimed that 5,000 test kits were procured and the 111 samples with which it conducted rapid tests were negative. Looking at this logically, one may say this is not enough as against the testing capacities in other states with record of the virus. It is glaring care that, by not allowing the NCDC to validate the measures the state has put in place, as it did for Lagos and other states, it will be an herculean task for the governor to justify his stance.

Penultimately, Kogi shares boundaries with ten states: Benue, Enugu, Kwara, Anambra, Ondo, Ekiti, Niger, Delta and Nasarawa, Edo, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, all of which have proven COVID-19 cases. Besides, it is a major transit centre of transport services between the northern and southern parts of the country. Also, its boundaries have been widely opened to influx of travellers with little or no measures in place to checkmate the passengers entering the state as well as adhering to the inter-state boundary closure put in place to contain the pandemic.

Read more>>> http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/kogi-sheep-in-the-midst-of-many-wolves

The spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council in Kogi, Mr. Okai Austin, speaks on the likelihood of his party reclaiming the mantle of leadership and the state of polity in Kogi state, in this interview with AROGBONLO ISRAEL

You said Engr Musa Wada stand a better chance to reclaim his political mandate. What gave you this impression?

The election has come and gone, and we won which you know. The whole world saw what happened in Kogi state on November 2019. It was even admitted that, "the number of bullets on ground were more than the number of ballot papers," as quoted from the words of Mr Solomon Soyemi who distributed the electoral materials during the election.

You saw that, for the first time in history, helicopters were seen pursuing people from polling units, hijacked the polling materials, went to one room and then submitted it for announcement. These are what happened. You were also aware of the desperate attempts of the governor (Yahaya Bello) and APC men in conjunction with INEC cancelled the records from the card readers and forensic examination.

We thank God for the Supreme Court who stood on the side of the law asked the tribunal to admit the forensic experts, the card readers, and other forensic materials. You heard the cases at Okene where 34,000 voters registered, 20,000 accredited, and they produced 112,000 votes. What they have was completely different from what was in the quota registered, and what was in the quota registered was completely different from what was accredited.

So, these are the issues that we are contesting against. Bello did not win, and I can tell you confidently that our principal (Musa Wada) has security votes to be the governor of Kogi state.

Read more>>> http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/yahaya-bello-enjoying-illegal-mandate-kogi-pdp-spokesperson

Following the death of Rinji Bala, a 20-year old student of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) killed by a security personnel on Tuesday, sympathisers in their large number took to the family house to pay the deceased last respect.

More photos: http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/justiceforrinji-photos-of-processionists-at-the-deceased-s

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, on Friday lifted the ban on religious gatherings across the State with immediate effect from May 15.

Mr Uchenna Orji, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abakaliki on Friday as part of measures to ease COVID-19 lockdown in the State.

He added that the decision was made following an appeal from by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the State.

He, however, announced that all churches are to observe their services only on Sundays from 9.am to 11.am.

“The re-opening of the worship centres must however, be under strict observance of the state laws and must be once a week.

“Seventh Day Adventists and Muslim faithful are to observe their services on Saturdays and Fridays, respectively and also from 9.am to 11.am.

“No religious centre shall permit more than 50 people and worshippers must observe a minimum of two metres social distancing from one another,” he said.

A seven-year-old girl, Olagoke Morire, who was declared missing on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, was found dead inside a co-tenant’s vehicle.

The mother of the deceased, Kehinde Ajayi, while narrating her ordeal on Friday, said the deceased was discovered to be missing at about 1:15pm on Thursday after she was said to have gone in search of her missing money.

Ajayi said she and the deceased’s twin brother as well as neighbours raised the alarm and a search was launched around the compound.

Her body was discovered at about 8pm inside a co-tenant’s vehicle that was parked in the compound.

” When we woke up in the morning I took care of my children as usual.

” They are twins. I gave them money to buy biscuits and left them in the house with my cousin.

” It was after this that I received a distress call from one of my neighbours around 3pm that Morire was missing and that they have searched everywhere but could not find her.

” I quickly left what I was doing and rushed home. We searched everywhere for her, yet we didn’t find her.

” We then reported the incident to Ologede Police Division and we were told to wait for 24 hours before they could take any action.

” It was later around 8pm, same Thursday, that someone discovered her corpse inside a vehicle parked in our compound with her body peeled off,” she said.

http://community.vanguardngr.com/forum/topics/shocking-body-of-missing-7-yr-old-found-in-co-tenant-s-vehicle-in