It’s quite an amazing feat for the global community and Russia in particular as it announced its successful production of the first batch of its newly approved vaccine, Sputnik V, some hours after health ministry reported the commencement of its production. This was disclosed in a statement made by the Russian Health Ministry and quoted by Russian news agencies.
It would be recalled that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, some few days ago announced the registration of the world’s first Covid-19 vaccine in what could be described as a step ahead of other vaccine developments.
But this announcement of its approval was met with caution from world scientists and World Health Organisation (WHO) who expressed non approval and demanded a rigorous safety review, and some fear Russia could be doing this just for it’s own political gains ahead of other developed nations thereby putting national prestige safety ahead of safety.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/15/covid-19-russia-moves-ahead-of-other-nationsgets-approval-of-vaccine/

A letter of assumption of office as the Acting Vice Chancellor has been purportedly issued to Prof. Theophilus Omotunde, a prof of sociology by the Governing Council of the University of Lagos headed by Dr Wale Babalakin stating he assumes office as acting vice chancellor with immediate effect.

Speaking via a telephone conversation, the prof of sociology stated that he has resumed office and now in charge because the letter of appointment given to him notified him to do so with immediate effect.

But many feel he could resume officially at the 11th floor of the senate building where the Vice Chancellor's office is situated. This is based on the removal of Prof. Ogundipe just this week by the Governing Council.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/14/unilag-prof-soyombo-to-assume-office-as-acting-vc-on-monday/

The former US ambassador to Nigeria Mr Walter Carrington is dead. He died on Tuesday 11 August, 2020 at age 90 in the United States of America.

He was appointed as an ambassador to Nigeria shortly after the annulment of the June 12 election. His love for Nigerian is by no means in doubt as he later got married to a Nigerian beautiful lady Dr Arese Carrington.

He was a lover of democracy, very vocal against the Military regime in Nigeria and always lent his voice and support for the black race and black nations all over the world

https://dambela.com/2020/08/12/former-us-ambassador-walter-carrington-dies-1930-2020/

The University of Lagos popularly known as UNILAG has reportedly fired its Vice Chancellor Prof. Olawatoyin Ogundipe Sacked.

His removal was announced by the the institution's Governing Council presided by Pro-Chancellor Dr. Wale Babala,in (SAN) on Wednesday during a meeting held at the National Universities Commission (NUC) building in Abuja.

It was reported that a panel made up of 12 members voted. 7 voted for his removal while 4 voted for his stay and 1 voted for his suspension.

Reports are still sketchy about the cause of his removal. But will shall keep an update on it.

breaking-unilag-vice-chancellor-prof-olawatoyin-ogundipe-sacked

Now the real battle has begun as US presidential hopeful Joe Biden finally picks Senator Kamala Harris as his VP running mate.

This selection is really strategic as analysts see it as a great challenge for President Trump who is being regarded as a racist and white supremacist and anti-women?

Will she do the magic? Especially as regards black votes and women votes? Can Joe Biden win with this strategy of chosen a black woman and a senator from a popular state? Many more questions begging for answer. Only time will tell.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/12/us-election-finally-joe-biden-picks-kamala-harris-as-vp/

The Pan African Bank, Ecobank has unveiled its branded card-less Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
This is done through the bank’s Xpress Cash which enables users to withdraw cash from ATMs using only a mobile phone without the physical card.
This process is simple, convenient, fast, seamless and above all very secured and it is driven by the use of the bank’s USSD code *326# or mobile app, Ecobank Mobile.
An e-token will be sent to customers mobile phone which would be used on the ATM nationwide and one good thing about this product is both customers and non customers including those without a bank account can receive the e-token and make withdrawal at any Ecobank’s ATMs nationwide.
According to the Nations Newspapers, the Head, Consumer Banking , Olukorede Demola-Adeniyi said “Digital payments are fast evolving. Customers want seamless experience across channels. We are committed to providing suitable options for our customers. Forgetting your card at home should not be a showstopper when you need cash.”
https://dambela.com/2020/08/12/ecobank-introduces-card-less-atms/

Good fortune seems to be smiling the way of Nigeria as the country is set to commence the production of gold in 2021 after the launch of the Segilola Gold Project in Osun state.
This was stated by the Honourable Minister of Mines and Steel Development Olalekan Adegbite in a statement signed by his special adviser on Media , Ayodeji Adeyemi who stated that the project is going to create about 400 jobs directly and about 1000 jobs indirectly through its value chain.
Once this project kicks off, it will place Nigerian on the centre stage as one of the gold producing countries and would enable the diversification of the economy and create massive job employment and also increase our foreign reserves.
It would be interesting to note that the Federal government had already licensed two gold refineries to refine gold to the London Bullion Market Association, LBMA, standard.
On the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, Adegbite stated that the global travel restriction caused by the Covid-19 pandemic had prevented technical experts from Russia to conduct an audit on the steel plant and as soon as travel restriction is relaxed, hope of reviving the plant.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/10/nigeria-set-to-commence-gold-production-with-segilola-project/

Tonight witnessed yet another eviction in the big brother naija show as two housemates Eric and Tochi were evicted from the house thereby bringing their stay in the show to an end.
They were evicted after they were put up for eviction along two other housemates Kaisha and Trickytee. They had the least votes and other housemates had to decide their fates.

Eric stated that he feels blessed leaving the house and will continue his pursuit of love with Lilo.
For Tochi, he stated he feels disappointed leaving the house so soon. He confessed his desire to date Nengi but because there were many guys going after her he had to let her go and maintain his friendship with her.
Meanwhile, the host Ebuka accused Erica of playing games with Kiddwaya and Laycon by eating her cake and having it.
https://dambela.com/2020/08/09/bbnaija-tochi-and-eric-finally-evicted/

Tragedy struck in Serbia on August 7, 2020 as a popular Nigerian basketball player Michael Ojo, was pronounced dead by his last club on Friday.

The Lagos born basketballer who played for KK Crvenazvezda Basketball club died at the age of 27years in the capital city of Belgrade in Serbia. He was 216 centimetres tall and weighed 147 kilograms wore the Red Star Jersey with number 50 for the first time before the start of the management of KK Crvena zvezda.

The club stated that his sudden death was a great shock and deeply affected everyone, the players coaches , management and board of the club in which he was accepted from day one and has won many trophies for the club were shocked and has won the hearts of many Zveda players and well-meaning basketball fans in Serbia.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/08/top-nigerian-basketballer-michael-ojo-dies-in-serbia/

The global supermarket and shopping mall brand known as shoprite which has its roots from South Africa and has many outlets in many African countries are set for a shutdown and massive layoffs of its workers amidst global economic crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The firm had announced a planned divestment from its Nigerian operations barely three days ago, while in Kenya it stated it will be laying off 115 staff effective 31 August, 2020.

The retail big store announced on Monday that it will be divesting from its business operations in countries located outside South Africa as a result of low profitability. An internal memo released to its Nigerian staffs stated that the new owners wil work with the management to drive the expansion plans in the Nigerian market.
https://dambela.com/2020/08/05/shoprite-plans-shut-downto-sack-workers/

Inspite of the potential bad image done by some few unscrupulous Nigerians like Hushpuppi, Woodbery and the likes in the UAE, many Nigerians were shocked and taken aback by the show of love and generosity done by the crown prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the Nigerian couple wah were stranded in Dubai after giving birth to quadruplet.


The father of the quadruplet Tijani Abdulkarim had expressed shock over the payment of the medical bills which is about a whooping $11,500 too much for him to handle. His wife Suliyat Abdulkarim , a 29 year old gave birth to two boys and two girls at the Latifa Hospital for Women and Children.

Their initial plan was to travel back to Nigerian and give birth since they did not have enough money to foot the bills but the travel ban placed across the globe due to the Corona-Virus pandemic forced them to remain in the country. News went viral that a couple had given birth to a set of beautiful quadruplet but were unable to pay the bills, the news dominated most media headlines which attracted and caught the eyes of the crown Prince, thereafter , the crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, immediately ordered his office and directed that the bills should be taken care of and other expenses relating to that.

Both couple had been stranded and being helped by some Nigerians in Dubai before now . Their story seems to have changed for good now and it was all joy when the news was broken to them.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/02/how-dubai-crown-prince-paid-hospital-bills-of-stranded-nigerian-couple/

Amidst growing deepening economic and political rift between the United states of America and China, the United states is making frantic moves to ban the fast growing video App from China, Tiktok which has over 80 million active monthly users in the United states.

President Trump has announced banning of the Chinese owned video sharing app Tiktok. He made this known to reporters stating that he could sign an executive order early Saturday.

Security officials in the US have expressed concerns that the Chinese firm ByteDance , producers of the App could be used to collect and breach the personal data of Americans.

“As far as Tiktok is concerned, we are banning them from the United states” Trump was quoted saying to reporters aboard Airforce one.

https://dambela.com/2020/08/02/widening-us-china-rift-trump-to-moves-to-ban-tiktok-app/

As the plot to unseat the incumbent governor of Edo state Godwin Obaseki thickens by the the All Progressives Congress camp, it is being speculated that President Buhari is yet to officially endorse the APC candidate Ize-Iyamo as all effort by the APC campaign team and its candidate to meet with the President, which has become the usual tradition of receiving presidential blessings, is yet to materialise and have met brick walls.


Reports have it that some APC governors are not quite happy over the maltreatment meted out to one of their own , the incumbent governor during the last primary elections as he was literally sidelined and same goes to the President which eventually led to the sack of Oshiomhole and the entire NWC of the party and also the President has been seen according audience to Obaseki during and after the primary elections of the APC.

Supporters and stakeholders in the APC fear that this might spell doom for Ize-Iyamo if the President refused to grant him audience and openly endorse him.

Meanwhile, the PDP camp led by the governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike have started gearing up for the forthcoming elections as they are now mobilising resources and supporters and even led crucial team to visit the Oba of Benin.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/31/edo-electionbuhari-yet-to-endorse-ize-iyamo/

More Nigerians have reacted and shown their displeasure concerning the reality show being aired on live TV popularly known as Big Brothers Naija 2020 reality edition show as erotica video of Prince smashing out Nengi surfaced online.

In a rude shock to many, Prince and Nengi were seen showing off the degree of vulgarity to the faces of all housemates sitting and watching them.

Viewers across the country have sence been reacting to the night of immorality the reality show keeps popping out to millions of viewers and its negative implications and impact to future generations. Thereby, making the demand for the Federal Government to intervene and put an end to the programme.
More videos:
https://dambela.com/2020/07/31/bbnaija-more-outrage-sparks-erotic-show-of-prince-and-nengi/

The US President Donald Trump has called for the Postponement of the presidential election coming up in November 2020 sighting reasons as "With Universal Mail-in voting ( not Absentee Voting, which is good) 2020 will be the most INNACURATE and FRAUDULENT Election in history.

Its gonna be a great embarrassment to the USA. The President wants the election to be delayed so that people can properly, safely and securely vote.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/30/breaking-trump-demands-postponement-of-us-presidential-election/

Following their divorce claims, kanye West and his popular TV personality wife Kim had got reunited days after the singer who turned politician apologised to her publicly at the Grammy award concert.

He has spoken about how they tried having an abortion of their first child North lambasting Kim's mother Kris Jennifer and also how he had been trying to get a divorce paper since two years after Kim had a professional meeting with a popular rapper Meek Mill in an hotel.

The reunion was said to have been an emotional one as the TV personality star Kim flew to Wyoming to meet with the presidential hopeful Kanye West. Kim hasn't seen Kanye for weeks running. She is said to be very emotional about everything and has also got herself exhausted too after trying to reach him several times without success.
More details here:
https://dambela.com/2020/07/30/kanye-west-and-kim-kardashian-reunites-in-tears-of-love/

People just criticising her without looking at the substance of the matter.
She was bold and courageous, we should encourage her.

More support seems to be coming the way of Nigeria’s former finance minister and world bank Vice President Okonjo Iweala who is currently vying for the position of the Director General of the World Trade Organisation coming up soon as the former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has thrown his weight behind her candidacy for the top job.

This major boost to her candidacy came as Gordon Brown was said to have stated that Okonjo-Iweala had a record of “delivering results in the toughest of jobs”.
She has been tipped as the best candidate for the job amongst other contestants as she is said to possess the required requisite , experience, pedigree and charisma for the job even as she is the only female candidate gunning for the top job.
Other African nation’s head of government have equally given their support to her with the Nigerian government constituting a campaign team for her.

The British newspaper, The Times in its report quoted the former prime minister to have stated that Okonjo-Iweala would make an outstanding success of running the Swiss-Based regulator which he said was facing an existential crisis and grappling with the global economic disruption caused by Covid-19. And also emphasised that she is “well respected across the whole world ” She is currently leading the board of GAVI, the global vaccine alliance.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/29/wto-ex-british-pm-gordon-brown-backs-okonjo-iweala/

The Federal Government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige has revealed that it had paid medical doctors in teaching hospitals and primary health care centres across the country hazard allowance worth N15.8 billion.
He also confirmed that the Federal Government has cleared the April and May special allowances. According to him, medical personnel can now withdraw their normal salaries and other allowances.

It would be recalled that resident doctors had threatened to embark on strike if their allowances were not paid . This payment followed threats by the resident doctors to embark on strike if their hazard allowance needs were not paid. ” The federal government has so far spent not less than N15.8 billion naira for hazard allowances in its teaching hospitals, medical centres and some other non-Covid facilities where doctors have also been treating virus cases.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/28/covid-19-fg-settles-doctors-with-n15-8b-hazard-allowance/

Reports just coming in has confirmed that the President of the African Development Bank Dr Akinwunmi Adesina has been exonerated of any wrong doing he is being accused of by the American government and other African countries.

It would be recalled that an investigative panel was instituted against him to probe allegations of corruption, misconduct in office, favouritism and nepotism amongst other allegations levelled against him. The panel seems to have concluded its investigation and submitted its report.

This is still a developing story as reports are still sketchy and we shall keep you posted.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/28/breakingafdb-investigative-panel-exonerates-dr-akinwunmi-adesina/

AS hilarious as it could sound, one of the BBNaija guest Florence Anyani popularly known as Wathoni has set the internet on fire has she has revealed to viewers in an interview session how she got pregnant while still a Virgin at age 23.

And this revelation has generated a lot of reactions from fans and non fans as many wondered how it this be? Could she be telling the truth?
See more video:
https://dambela.com/2020/07/27/bbnaija-special-wathoni-claims-to-be-pregnant-as-a-virgin-at-23/

The World Health Organisation has released a report showing an increase in the number of cases rising by 284,196 within 24 hours, while the number of death cases rose by 9,753 which is the highest since April 30 when the WHO recorded 9,797 death cases and 259,848 number of cases since July 18.

With this latest report, the number of of recorded death cases is now on the average of 5,000 per day in July, up from an average of 4 600 daily as compared to the month of June.

According to the World Health Organisation, this new surge in cases are mostly from the United states with 69,641 new cases, Brazil with 49,310 cases, India with 49,310 and 13,104 for South Africa. This is the first time the number of new daily infections has surpassed a quarter of a million.
Global death cases rose by 7,360 the largest daily increase in May with the biggest increase in Peru 3,876 deaths , Brazil 1,284 , US 1,074, Mexico 790 and 740 for India.

India became the third nation to record more than 1 million cases of the Corona-Virus disease on July 17, 2020 after the United states and Brazil.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/26/covid-19-panic-as-who-records-high-rising-cases/

The diplomatic relationship between the Republic of China and the United States further suffered a set back as China as it orders the closure of the United States Consulate in retaliation of the US closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, thereby deepening the diplomatic face-off between both countries.
This has been interpreted as a tit-for-tat escalation by international and diplomatic affairs analysts between both countries. The US had earlier accused China of spy activities and undermining its security and intelligence apparatus.
It would be recalled that the US had earlier ordered the closure of China’s consulate and accused of it of spy activities in the United states. ‘Today China is increasingly authoritan at home and more aggressive in its hostility to freedom everywhere else. The free world must triumph over this new tyranny ‘.
This new row between the two world largest economies is affecting global trade and Investment as market shares are beginning to plunge downwards.
https://dambela.com/2020/07/25/diplomatic-face-offchina-retaliates-orders-closure-of-us-consulate-in-chengdu/

The musical maestro Oladapo Oyebanjo aka D’banj has been cleared of any rape accusations by the Police after his accuser Seyitan Babatayo withdrew her rape accusations.

In a letter dated July 17 2020 and addressed to the Inspector General of Police through her lawyer, Seyitan said she was withdrawing from the case based on personal reasons.

In a swift response, the Human Rights Group Stand To End Rape Initiative (STER), said the accuser, Seyitan decided to end the case on her own volition without any monetary inducement or compensation.

The Police through the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin) Umar Sarida said investigations had been discontinued due to lack of evidence.

Meanwhile, D’banj had denied all allegations and sued her for defamation up to the sum of N1.5 billion.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/25/dbanj-finally-cleared-of-rape-accusations-as-accuser-withdraws-case/

In a surprise move against the People Democratic Party , (PDP), the former speaker Yakubu Dogara has reportedly dumped the PDP again and moves to his former party APC which he left prior to the 2019 elections.

Many received this as a shock as it was never envisaged neither was it in the drawing board, as he was said to have paid a courtesy call on President Buhari for discussions.

This move has further deepen the fact and what is in the public domain that most of our leaders are not politically principled or are guided by political doctrines and party manifestos.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/25/again-dogara-dumps-pdp-for-apc/

In a swift reaction and move to clear its name from any corrupt allegations levelled against its members, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has given the Minister of Niger Delta Commission (NDDC) Godswill Akpabio a 48 hours ultimatum to publish names of corrupt lawmakers that benefited from contracts in the NDDC saga.

One can confidently say that the battle line is drawn between the Lawmakers and the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio as the latter is said to be fixed in-between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Will Akpabio summon the courage to name those Lawmakers that have been alleged to have had their hands in the cooking jar and got contracts from the NDDC that has suddenly become a theater of corruption and a mockery institution/parastatal.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/22/house-speaker-gives-akpabio-48-hrs-ultimatum-to-name-corrupt-lawmakers/

Gana died after a brief illness. Reacting to the news of his dead, President Buhari in a statement on Tuesday mourned the dead of his friend and political ally. In a statement made available to dambela.com ” President Buhari condoles with the family , All Progressives Congress (APC), the government and people of Kaduna state over the passing away of Alhaji Umar Tuesday after a protracted illness “.

The President recalls Alhaji Gana’s enormous contributions towards the successes recorded by the APC at the 2015 and 2019 Presidential and governorship polls during which he served as Coordinator and member of the Campaign Council respectively.

He also prays that God will comfort the family of the dedicated departed politician and grant rest to his soul”.

It would be recalled that one of the President’s former friends and associates Ismaila Isa Funtua just recently died of cardiac arrest and was buried yesterday.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/22/breaking-another-top-ally-to-buhari-umar-gana/

Fidelity bank Plc has today notified the general public and the Nigerian Stock Exchange of the appointment of Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe as the bank’s incoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1,2021.

In a notice on the published on the NSE website signed by the company’s secretary, Ezinwa Unuigboje, the appointment is sequel to the impending retirement of its MD/CEO, Mr Nnamdi Okonkwo from the Board of Directors of the Bank whose tenure is gradually grinding to an halt, with effect from December 31, 2020, upon his mandatory completion of his contract/tenure with the bank in compliance with the succession policy of the corporate organization.

Meanwhile, the Board has approved the appointment of Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe who is currently an Executive Director, Lagos and South West Directorate as the MD/CEO Designate of the bank to assume as a substantive MD/CEO of one of Africa’s largest bank with effect from January 1, 2021.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/21/fidelity-bank-appoints-onyeali-ikpe-as-new-md-designate/

The British royal family has come under heavy attack as the Duke and Duchess of cambridge William and Kate have been told ” to go off” and earn their own income due to the cost of maintaining their lifestyles.
Graham Smith the organization’s CEO told Express.co.uk that the UK does not owe the Duke and Duchess an income or role. Mr Smith claimed “The monarchy in general costs a lot more than the royal household admits to.”It is about £345million from the taxpayer every year, it needs to be stripped right back.
“We do not owe Prince William and Kate an income, we do not owe them a role, we don’t owe them anything.They can go off and do their own thing.”
In his advise, he stated that ” the monarchy is there to give us one person and that is the head of state,the Queen. The costs should be stripped away so that we can save that £345 million and just provided us with a head of state who will be supported by a small office.
Kate and Prince William have been married since 2011.
https://dambela.com/2020/07/21/british-royal-comes-under-heavy-attack-for-outrageous-spending/

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has tested positive to Corona-Virus.

He confirmed this today and admitted testing Positive to the Covid-19 pandemic. And stated that he wI’ll be going into isolation to avoid any personal contact. This is coming just as cases of the disease is on the increase.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/19/foreign-affairs-minister-geoffrey-onyeama-tests-positive-to-corona-virus/

Wonders they say shall never end. It was a case of two best friends working in a factory in Edo state.

Both of them had been a long time close friends sharing things together and disclosing information between each other, because of the trust they have built between each other over the years, that was how Abuchi Wisdom Nwachukwu was beheaded by his friend Moses after he informed the latter of the sum of money his elder brother had transferred into his account to the tune of N13 million in his account balance.

Nwachukwu who is a native of Isiala-Mbano, Imo state was allegedly hacked to death by Moses on January 7 2020 during a night shift in a pure water factory in Auchi, Edo state by his friend, and took hold of his ATM card and phone.

Not only did Moses killed his friend, he went ahead to behead him and dump the headless body in a near by bush close to the factory.

After getting rid of Nwachukwu, Moses went ahead to connive with internet fraudsters who assisted him with the ATM to liquidate Nwachukwu’s account with the sum of N2.2 million. And later started using POS machine to effect transfers other transfers.

Trouble started for Moses when Nwachukwu’s elder brother in South Africa wrote to the IGP notifying him of his brother’s sudden disappearance and whereabouts, and the Police quickly swung into action. It was gathered that few weeks into the investigation, the Police was able to trace some transactions from Nwachukwu’s account to Moses account and the latter was later traced to an hotel in Auchi where he has been hiding and was arrested.

Upon his arrest, Moses confessed to have killed his friend Nwachukwu and also led the Police team to some suspected internet fraudsters Yusuf Sagiru, Tony Bright, and Terrence Okochukwu including a businessman Jahswill Ogbonanya who assisted him in defrauding his late friend.

Upon continuous interrogation, Moses a 27 year old native of Auch admitted that his friend’s ghost has been chasing and hunting him ever since he killed him.

Reflections and lessons to be learnt:

Never trust anyone.
Never disclose your bank details to anyone or a third party.
Be careful of friends you keep around and information you disclose.
Be prayerful.
No one’s life is worth taking because of money and greed.

https://dambela.com/2020/07/19/sadhow-i-killed-my-friend-because-of-n13million-balance/