A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday adjourned until July 21, to hear a suit challenging the legality of the conviction of Funke Akindele, her husband, Abdu-rasheed Bello, and 236 others. A Lagos-based Lawyer, Mr Olukoya Ogungbeje, had approached the court seeking a declaration that the law upon which Akindele and others were convicted was inconsistent with the 1999 constitution. Recall that Akindele, a popular actress; Bello, and others were arrested, tried and convicted for violating the Lagos State Infectious Diseases (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020. READ ALSO;Video: Watch groundbreaking moment when First Bitcoin ATM was installed in Nigeria ... more
…ask Education Minister to rethink By Levinus Nwabughiogu House of Representatives has disagreed with the Federal Government on the alleged cancellation of 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations due to be conducted soon. Speaking through its Committee on Basic Education and Services, the House expressed surprise over a statement credited to the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu that Nigerian students would not be participating in the examination for fear of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19). Also read: No N23Bn missing in SDGs office, National Assembly clears Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire of budget padding In a press statement signed by the Chairman of ... more
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will not recover from his knee injury in time to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, Pep Guardiola has confirmed. Aguero sustained meniscus damage during last month’s 5-0 Premier League win over Burnley and was operated on by Guardiola’s preferred surgeon, Dr Ramon Cugat. A four-to-six-week recovery period appeared to place Aguero in contention for the August 7 second leg with Madrid, which UEFA this week announced was clear to take place behind closed doors at the Etihad Stadium. City hold a 2-1 advantage over the 13-time European champions but, after Friday’s draw ... more
Robbery By Demola Akinyemi – Ilorin One of the suspects on April 5, 2018, Offa bank robbery, Azeez Salawu, yesterday told the court in Ilorin, Kwara state, how six suspects were killed in his presence by the policemen in Abuja. Azeez gave graphic details of how he was being tortured in “Generator house” at police headquarters in Abuja with tyre hung on his neck and his two hands tied to the back, and his body was hung within two main planks amid heavy beating before they shot dead six persons in his presence. All the accused; Ayoade Akinnibosun, Ibikunle Ogunleye, ... more
As Buhari signs N10.8trn 2020 revised budget President Muhammadu Buhari By Johnbosco Agbakwuru – Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Ministries, Department, and Agencies will be given 50 per cent of their capital allocation by the end of the month. President Buhari stated this on Friday when he signed the Appropriation (Repeal and Amendment) Act, 2020 into law at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Speaking at the event, the President said the 2020 budget of N10.8 trillion budget had to be revised because of the effect of Coronavirus on the nation’s economy. The revised budget passed last ... more
I’m paid N5000 to kill a person — Suspect By Ibrahim HassanWuyo The Zamfara state police command has arrested a suspect, Abubakar Namalika, who participated in the gruesome murder of a medical doctor, Dr. Enoch Okpara in Gusau, the state capital. The suspect, Namalika, who told journalists that he had killed many in the course of committing a crime, said he was paid N5000 for killing each person. While parading the suspect at the police headquarters in Gusau, the Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagoggo said the suspect was arrested at Lalan area while preparing to make a kidnap at ... more
By Bose Adelaja An Ikorodu indigene and Chief Executive Officer of Block Stale, Adekunle Daniel, Friday, launched the first-ever Bitcoin Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Lagos. He said the invention was part of the desire to eliminate the technicalities associated with Bitcoin transactions. Also read: Commonwealth Day: Cultural displays echo needs for education sector revamp – Adefisayo The ATM machine was launched after a press briefing in Aga area of Ikorodu, Lagos State. Video shows the Chairman BeepMagnet Dr Gilead Okolonkwo carrying out a test-transaction transaction while Daniel and others look on. The event was captured by Bose Adelaja ... more
By Femi Adeniyi, Akure It is no more news that the leading All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele had obtained and submitted his nomination and expression of interest form to participate in Ondo State 2020 governorship election. The Okitipupa born politician had since gone ahead to open the biggest campaign office in Akure and he had equally rolled out his road map to economic prosperity for Ondo State. He is quite conscious of what it takes to wrestle the gubernatorial ticket of the APC from a sitting governor in the primary election. He has been ... more
Sexual harassment bill The Media Women Forum has described the Sexual Harassment Bill recently passed by the Senate as a welcomed development as it would prevent sexual harassment and exploitation of female students by lecturers in the Nation’s tertiary institutions. The bill which was passed on Tuesday, July 7, prohibits and redresses sexual harassment of students, while also outlawing any form of sexual or romantic relationship in tertiary institutions. Also read: Reps pass bill to bar governors from paying state Judges, Lawmakers In a statement signed by Mrs Toro Ladipo, the Forum noted: “While we would have loved to ... more
…Commission’s Director of Operations to take charge Buhari-Magu By Johnbosco Agbakwuru President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate suspension of Ibrahim Magu as Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The suspension is in order to allow for unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws. The President also approved that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mohammed Umar, should take charge and oversee the activities of the Commission pending the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and further directives in that regards. Vanguard News Nigeria. The post Breaking: ... more
UEFA Champions League Barcelona and Bayern Munich will meet in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League should both sides make it through, Friday’s draw for the final eight confirmed. READ ALSO: Premier League admits VAR blunders Both teams still need to complete their last-16 ties, with Bayern 3-0 up against Chelsea after the first leg and Barcelona having drawn 1-1 with Napoli. Other quarter-finals will see Real Madrid or Manchester City play Juventus or Lyon, while RB Leipzig will face Atletico Madrid and Atalanta were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain. All ties from the quarter-finals onwards will be played in ... more
President Muhammadu Buhari MDAs to get 15% allocation by end of July By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA- PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed into law, the revised N10.8 trillion budget for the year 2020 passed by the National Assembly in June. Appending his assent on the revised budget, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President said the 2020 Appropriation had to be revised because of the effect of coronavirus on the nation’s economy. READ ALSO:US hails Taiwan-Somaliland diplomatic ties, as China kicks He said the ministries, department and agencies will be ... more
.Seeks advice on Transmission Service Provider, Independent System Operator By Udeme Akpan THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday, began actions targeted at unbundling the operations of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), into transmission and operations, which are to be provided by the Transmission Service Provider (TSP) and Independent System Operator (ISO). The Commission had previously issued TSP and System Operations (SO) licenses to TCN in accordance with the nation’s Electric Power Sector Reform Act. READ ALSO:Van Bronckhorst ‘can’t imagine’ Barcelona without Messi While TCN would continue to play its transmission role, operations would be transferred ... more
Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara addresses participants of the “G20 Investment Summit – German Business and the CWA Countries 2019” on the sidelines of a Compact with Africa (CWA) in Berlin, Germany on Nov. 19, 2019. (John MacDougall/Pool via AP) Leaders from Ivory Coast’s ruling party agreed at a closed-door meeting late Wednesday to press President Alassane Ouattara to seek a third term in October’s presidential election. This follows the sudden death of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, two sources said on condition of anonymity. “All options are on the table, including a new candidacy for President Ouattara,” AFP ... more
Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi By Dayo Johnson – Akure The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olanrewaju Akeredolu, has rejected the move by the state House of Assembly to impeach the defected deputy governor. Justice Akeredolu’s rejection was contained in a letter she wrote to the House of Assembly in response to a directive that she should constitute a seven-man impeachment panel to probe the state’s Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi. The Chief Judge in her response rejected the request on the ground that the two-third majority required by the 1999 constitution for setting up such a ... more
The United States government has commented on “controversial” diplomatic overtures between Taiwan and Somaliland. “Great to see Taiwan stepping up its engagement in East Africa in a time of such tremendous need. Taiwan is a great partner in health, education, technical assistance, and more!” the US National Security Council, NSC; posted on Twitter late Thursday, July 09. Reports of the relationship between Hargeisa and Taipei has been cast in the shadows of the wider U.S. – China rift and overall influence in Africa, especially under the Trump administration. ALSO READ: Brazil’s president says he feels ‘very well’, praises hydroxycholoroquine According ... more
Professor Akin Abayomi The Lagos State Government has advised residents to take responsibility by wearing face masks in public places to reduce the spread of COVID-19 disease. Prof. Akin Abayomi, the State Commissioner for Health, gave the advice through his Twitter handle on Friday. Abayomi said that residents should always wear face masks when in public spaces, in addition to regular handwashing and physical distancing to reduce the spread of the virus. READ ALSO:Troops rescue 3 kidnapped persons from bandits in Kaduna “Stopping community spread of #COVID-19 begins with you. Staying alive and safe together for a greater Lagos ... more
Lionel Messi Former Barcelona defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst told AFP that he hopes Lionel Messi will finish his career at the Camp Nou, as speculation swirls about the superstar’s future. Messi is reportedly frustrated with Barcelona’s failure to build a top-notch squad, and tired of purported leaks from the Spanish club which paint him in a bad light. Radio station Cadena Ser reported last week that the Argentine had broken off negotiations on extending his contract, which runs until 2021, and was thinking of leaving. Dutchman van Bronckhorst, 45, who is now coaching Guangzhou R&F in China, told AFP: “I ... more
Talks between crisis-hit Lebanon and the International Monetary Fund are deadlocked, and leaders reluctant to enact reforms. Without a vital multi-billion-dollar bailout, is Lebanon headed for “hell”? For months, the Mediterranean country has grappled with its worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war. Tens of thousands have lost their jobs or part of their salaries, while a crippling dollar shortage has sparked rapid inflation. After the country for the first time defaulted on its sovereign debt in March, the government pledged reforms and in May started talks with the IMF towards unlocking billions of dollars in aid. But ... more
Paul Pogba vowed to help Mason Greenwood reach the top after the Manchester United teenager scored again at Aston Villa. Greenwood, 18, dispatched another brilliant long-range strike into the net in United’s 3-0 win at Villa Park to take his tally to four goals in three games. He is only the second teenager, after United’s all-time top scorer Wayne Rooney, to score in three successive Premier League matches for the club. Pogba, who scored United’s third to end his 15-month wait for a Premier League goal, has been impressed with what he has seen from Greenwood so far ... more
Hushpuppi By Rasheed Sobowale The law firm representing Nigerian Dubai-based big boy, Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi has claimed he is innocent of all charges levied against him by the United States. Hushpuppi is currently held at MCC Chicago Prison. This was confirmed by a search conducted by Vanguard on the US Federal Bureau of Prisons website using the Find an Inmate feature. Abbas was accused and arrested for money laundering conspiracy charges in the United States of Arab (UAE), Dubai, and later extradited to the United States. In an analysis by our correspondent, Henry Ojelu, ... more
Ibrahim Magu Apparently sensing that the Presidency may keep him in detention indefinitely until he answers allegations made against him by the Attorney-General, embattled Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, may go on hunger strike. Vanguard gathered, on Thursday, that some politicians and other wealthy Nigerians and foreigners, who alleged that they were duped by Magu and some operatives of the EFCC, are said to have started forwarding petitions on how they were coerced to part with huge sums of money and property under the guise of recovering ill-gotten wealth. Magu, still being ... more
Zlatan Ibrahimovic doubts he will remain at Milan if the situation does not change while insisting neither he nor the Serie A club belongs in the Europa League. Ibrahimovic returned to Milan – where he previously won the Scudetto in 2011 – as a free agent in January after leaving MLS side LA Galaxy but there are doubts over his future beyond 2019-20. The 38-year-old striker has scored six goals since his Milan comeback, rejuvenating the team and helping the Rossoneri – seven-time Champions League winners – move into Europa League contention. Milan are seventh and just two points ... more
President Muhammadu Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari will on Friday sign into law the revised 2020 budget passed by the National Assembly in June. The Personal Assistant on New Media to the President, Bashir Ahmad, confirmed this on his tweeter handle in Abuja on Thursday. The two chambers of the National Assembly, Senate and House of Representatives, had on June 10 and June 11 respectively passed the revised 2020 budget of N10,805,544,664,642. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) had on May 13 approved a revised budget of 10.523trillion. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who disclosed this, ... more
By Boston Edogi Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) brought the entire world almost to a standstill and state of confusion. However, many countries’ leaders, teams and World Health Organization (W. H.O) battled (and still battling) the ravaging disease head-on and tirelessly with all their medical teams including health care workers, researchers, media teams, volunteers, citizens, as well as a number of support sources to tackle the COVID-19 crisis. I would like to seize this opportunity to extend well-deserved applause and appreciation to the Nigerian government, world leaders, teams, healthcare workers, researchers, volunteers, media, and others for sensitizing about the ... more
Poland, the EU’s sixth-largest economy, will hold a presidential election on Sunday, weeks after the ballot was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Boasting more than 1,000 years of history, Poland was invaded by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during World War II, then spent decades under communism. Today it is a member of NATO and the European Union. Here are five things to know about this central European country of 38 million people: – Rule of law – Since coming to power in 2015, the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party has introduced various reforms, especially to ... more
By Gabriel Ewepu – Abuja Civil Society Organisations, CSO, including Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, WaterAid Nigeria, ActionAid Nigeria, Concerned Nigerians, Health For Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, CDNDC, Thursday, scored Federal and State governments on six months fight to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. They gave their score while speaking with Vanguard on the inclusion of CSOs in advocacy, public enlightenment, monitoring of monies spent, distribution of palliatives, transparency, accountability, research, level of testing, trust, and ... more
Late Tunde Braimoh By Ebun Sessou The member representing Kosofe Constituency 2 at Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Tunde Braimoh is dead. Although the cause of his death had not been formally stated, his colleagues insinuated that it could be COVID-19 and that he must have got it from late Senator Bayo Osinowo(Pepperito), his close friend Braimoh, until his sudden death was the House Committee Chairman on Information, Security and Strategy, and had contributed to state development policy. ALSO READ: Senate President mourns death of Senator Rose Oko According to one of his colleagues, Mr. Victor Akande (Ojo ... more
Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai is still the Chief of Army Staff By Isaac Ikpa It astounds infinitely to listen to even learned and experienced Nigerians insistently argue that the solution to resurgent insecurity in Nigeria resides in the sacking of Service Chiefs. And they back it up with very infantile and laughable reasons. The promoters of such faulty campaigns claim the Service Chiefs have overstayed their service years or have outlived their usefulness and most irritatingly, they say, the continued stay of the incumbent Service Chiefs have stalled career prospects for younger officers in the Military. It betrays the influenced ... more
By Kingsley Omonobi The Military High Command has confirmed that scores of Boko Haram terrorists fleeing intense land and air offensive against their hideouts and camps in the North East were infiltrating the North West and North Central, emboldening armed banditry and other crimes. This is even as Defence headquarters disclosed yesterday that 104 bandits and 92 Boko Haram terrorists were eliminated during several encounters with troops in several military operations in the North East and North West in the last one week. The maritime component also de-activated 17 illegal refinery sites in the South-South, particularly at Agor-Illa, Warri South ... more
Ifekwe Udo By Ugochukwu Alaribe Residents of Ebem, Ohafia town in Abia State where the Church of Satan was located, yesterday expressed their joy following its demolition by irate youths, claiming they were afraid to confront the founder because of alleged possession of evil powers that could kill anyone who challenged his activities. The Church also known as Assemblies of Light Bearer Greater Church was founded by a young man identified as Ifekwe Udo. He was alleged to have converted some youths of the area to his church by assisting them with motorcycles for commercial business (Okada) and other ... more
Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education By Adesina Wahab Some stakeholders in the education sector have condemned the policy somersault by the Federal Government on when schools in the country will reopen and when final year students in Senior secondary schools will write their terminal examinations. The stakeholders, who spoke with Vanguard on Thursday, said such a development shows a lack of synergy in government and in the formulation and execution of policies. They included the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, NAPPS, and the National Association of Private School ... more
President Muhammadu Buhari …As Finance Minister consults NASS leadership on 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP By Henry Umoru President Muhammadu Buhari will today sign into law the revised 2020 budget of N10.8 trillion. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, disclosed this yesterday while briefing the leadership of the National Assembly on plans to submit the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) later this month. Ahmed, who briefed principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the President had given directives ... more
By Ibrahim HassanWuyo The Federal Operation Unit, FOU, Zone ‘B’ Kaduna of the Nigeria Customs Service, NSC, has seized items from January to June worth N1.6 billion. The Comptroller FOU Zone ‘B’ Mustafa Sarkin-Kebbi said they made 645 seizures worth Duty Paid Value, DPV, of N1,668,014,050 from January to June, as against 425 seizures with DPV of N762,051,950 recorded within the same period in 2019. The Comptroller, while briefing journalists in Kaduna, gave a breakdown of the various seizures made within the period under review. According to him, “seized items from January to June include 157 vehicles; 6,340 (50kg) ... more
…9 lawmakers write chief judge, dissociate selves …As Ajayi warns Akeredolu against turning Ondo to banana republic By Dayo Johnson THE Ondo State House of Assembly, yesterday, directed the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olarenwaju Akeredolu, to set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi. This came on a day nine members of the Assembly wrote to the Chief Judge of the state, dissociating themselves from the ongoing plans to impeach the deputy governor. Similarly, the embattled Deputy Governor, yesterday, warned Governor Rotimi Akeredolu against turning the state ... more
EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. …7 Untouchables accused of blackmail, extortion of money from suspects; appropriating exhibits, selling off forfeited / seized assets …Asked to explain role in exploits of Ag. EFCC chairman …Magu brought to Aso Villa at about 10:00 yesterday for more grilling By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor, Kingsley Omonobi & Johnbosco Agbakwuru Interrogation of embattled Acting Chairman of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu entered Day Four yesterday with the Presidential panel led by Justice Ayo Isa Salami grilling select operatives of the commission. The operatives, referred to as “Magu’s Boys”, are said ... more
Senator Ahmad Lawan and Mr Femi Gbajabiamila The National Democratic Front (NDF) has called on the National Assembly leadership to initiate the process of recognizing the Service Chiefs and other well-deserving members of the Armed Forces in the fight against insurgency. NDF said it arrived at this conclusion after extensive consultation with stakeholders in the critical security sector. According to the group, this singular act would serve as a morale booster to the Service Chiefs who have displayed “patriotism, commitment, and dedication to the cause of our fatherland”. Also read: We won’t allow any group undermines territorial integrity of ... more
…As minister inaugurates implementation committee By Emmanuel Elebeke Nigeria has achieved 40.18 percent broadband penetration, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Alli Ibrahim Pantami, disclosed yesterday. The minister revealed this while inaugurating Broadband Implementation Steering Committee, BISC, to accelerate the attainment of 70 percent broadband penetration target by 2025 in Abuja. Pantami, who expressed satisfaction with the contribution of the sector to the nation’s GDP, described the contribution as unprecedented. READ ALSO: NSE market capitalisation opens week with N37bn growth “If you look at the contribution of technology to our GDP, what we have achieved in the ... more
Nigeria risks losing generation to insurgency in North-East — Amnesty International By Idowu Bankole The Citizens Against Fake Activists (CAFA) has called on the National Assembly to amend the nation’s anti-terror legislation to dish out stiffer penalties, such as death by hanging to fake activists and others who aid and abet terrorism. CAFA said it came to this conclusion after thoroughly evaluating the ongoing war against terrorism in the north-east and other security breaches across the country. In a statement signed by its Director, Media, and Strategy, Joseph Audu, on Thursday, CAFA said these individuals and groups are currently ... more
The ECOWAS Court of Justice ordered that the government of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire is liable for the violation of the rights of a girl who was excluded from benefitting from the estate of her late father. The court in its judgment in the suit filed by Dame Marie Ajami on behalf her under-aged daughter ordered the government to pay 250 million CFA in damages for violating her right to equality before the law. Justice Januaria Moreira Costa who read the judgment by a three-member panel of justices also ordered the Ivoirian government to amend its legislation concerning ... more
By Elizabeth Adegbesan The value of mobile Inter-scheme transactions rose by 365 percent, year-on-year (YoY) to N853.7 billion in the five months ending May 31st, from N183.7 billion in the corresponding period of 2019. This huge growth, the highest in three years, according to mobile money agents was due to the restrictions in movement and visit to banking halls occasioned by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Mobile Inter-scheme refers to transactions through the agent network of the 26 licensed Mobile Money Operators (MMO) in Nigeria. READ ALSOCOVID-19 will not hinder our desire to build stronger Delta — Aniagwu The 365 ... more
Dayo Johnson – Akure A former Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association in Ondo state, Dr. Michael Adeyeri has died of COVID-19 complications. Adeyeri died on Thursday, at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Owo. His death is coming a week after the death of the state Health Commissioner, Dr. Wahab Adegbenro who also died of complications from COVID-19 at the same hospital. Sources said that the late doctor had been battling underlying illness before he contracted the deadly virus. READ ALSO: COVID-19 testing: FG is shifting responsibility to citizens — NMA He was reportedly taken to the hospital after ... more
By Victor Young THE Management of Egbin Power Plant, has given insight into how it has so far maintain steady power supply to its customers and safety of its employees since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, saying uninterrupted power supply and staff safety is its priority, A statement by the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of the plant, Paul Harriman said the Company’s seamless business continuity plan and its proven safety machinery had continued to drive its high performance levels and employee well-being at Egbin, one of Africa’s largest power generation companies. Harriman said the deployment of the company’s safety ... more
Announces plans to evaluate world response By Chioma Obinna The World Health Organisation, WHO, on Thursday, said it would be reviewing the transmission mode of the ongoing COVID-19 as new evidence indicates that airborne transmission of the virus may be possible indoors even as it announced plans to evaluate the world’s response to the pandemic. Disclosing this at a virtual press briefing in Geneva, the agency said there are plans to update its advice on the transmission mode of COVID-19 after hundreds of experts urged the agency to reconsider the risk of aerosol transmission. The Agency’s Technical Lead on ... more
Afenifere Dayo Johnson – Akure The Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Organisation, Afenifere on Thursday condemned the Federal Government for ordering the continued closure of schools across the Country Recall that the Education Minister Adamu Adamu had directed that school across the country should remain closed because of the ravaging effect of COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking with newsmen in Akure, the Secretary-General of Afenifere, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa asked President Muhammadu Buhari “to sack both the minister of Education and his Minister of State for planning to ground education for a year. READ ALSO: Service Chiefs: Yoruba youths urge Afenifere to avoid those with selfish ... more
Petitions President Buhari By Chioma Obinna The Joint Health Sector Unions, JOHESU, and the Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association, AHPA, on Thursday, rejected the appointment of Pharmacist Ahmed Tijjani Mora as the new Chairman for the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN). In an open letter signed by the Acting National Secretary of JOHESU, Comrade Matthew Ajorutu to the President and copied to the Chief of Staff to the President, they called for the immediate termination of the appointment of Mora as PCN chairman. The organisations in the joint letter claimed that Mora was presently on the roll of dishonour ... more
•Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe, one of the new arrivals. By Theodore Opara THE all new Mercedes Benz GLS sport utility vehicle has once again raised the bar in its segment, flaunting new attributes like never before. Apart from being luxury personified, the new GLS is now more specious, refined, faster with arrary of safety features. Announcing the arrival of the new GLS, Mr. Mirko Plath, chief operating officer of Weststar Associates Ltd., representatives of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, said the GLS is Mercedes-Benz’s largest and most luxurious SUV. It offers more of everything: more space, more comfort and indeed more luxury. ... more
Land Rover Freelander By Theodore Opara LAND Rover will celebrate the arrival of the New Defender in Africa with a 110-minute special online streaming event promising informative discussions, interesting news and in depth looks at an icon reimagined for the 21st century. Xola Ntshinga has been enlisted to lead the show and the well-known sports presenter will take viewers on a journey through various segments exploring the Defender’s historical importance and its rebirth as an adventure vehicle for the digital generation. Bryan Habana, who fell in love with the New Defender when he witnessed it driving onto the field after ... more
By Chioma Obinna The spike in Nigeria’s COVID-19 cases continued, on Thursday, with another 499 confirmed new infections in 24 states of the federation. With the latest report, the country now has a total of 30,748 confirmed cases; 12,546 discharged and 689 deaths. The report also showed that five more Nigerians lost their lives to COVID-19. ALSO READ: COVID-19, a long-tailed tornado, says Richard Quest Out of the cases released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, Lagos, again, topped the charts with 157, followed by Edo with 59 cases and Ondo, 56. Oyo recorded 31, Akwa Ibom, ... more
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: An official Nike Premier League match ball on April 27, 2020 in Manchester, England (Photo by Visionhaus) The five substitutes rule could be here to stay for next season as football’s law makers IFAB consider keeping it in play. Managers have been allowed to make five changes rather than three since football resumed. It was set to be a short-term rule change with the motivation being player welfare following the return of competitive games following a length lay-off. ALSO READ: Ribery to stay at Fiorentina despite home burglary But, according to the Athletic, IFAB are ... more
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has denounced recent extrajudicial executions of 180 people in Djibo, northern Burkina Faso. In a Wednesday report based on testimonies from local residents, the human rights organization said: “mass graves containing at least 180 bodies have been discovered in recent months, and available evidence suggests the involvement of government security forces in mass extrajudicial executions.” According to residents of Djibo, the dead, all of them men, were left in groups of between three and 20 along main roads, under bridges, and in fields and wastelands. The bodies were buried in mass graves “in March and ... more
De Gea David de Gea moved past Peter Schmeichel on Thursday to become the overseas player with the most Manchester United appearances. The Spanish goalkeeper played for United for the 399th time when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side travelled to Aston Villa in the Premier League. ALSO READ: Ex-Chelsea playmaker Kakuta rejoins boyhood club Lens It saw De Gea, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, move beyond another keeper in Schmeichel in the club’s all-time list. De Gea, 29, remains a long way behind Ryan Giggs, the man with the most United appearances regardless of nationality. The Welshman spent his ... more
Pogba Real Madrid are contemplating whether to revive their interest in Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. At a time when the coronavirus pandemic will reduce spending in the transfer market, Pogba has made an impact alongside Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford. ALSO READ: Solskjaer realistic on transfers but keen to keep Pogba However, despite it being increasingly likely that the World Cup winner will continue his stay at the Premier League giants, it appears that one long-term admirer is not prepared to give up on his signature. According to Get French Football News, Real boss Zinedine Zidane would back a ... more
Resumption of flight operation at the Domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday. Photos Lamidi Bamidele As COVID-19 cases surged in many parts of the world, the island nation of Seychelles was looking good: 70-plus straight days without a single infection. Then the planes arrived. Two chartered Air Seychelles flights carrying more than 200 passengers also brought the coronavirus. A few tested positive. Then, between June 24 and 30, the country’s confirmed cases shot from 11 to 81. Now the Indian Ocean nation has delayed reopening for commercial flights for its lucrative tourism industry until Aug. ... more
Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Manuel Akanji Paul Pogba is ‘excited’ by the prospect of playing alongside Jadon Sancho at Manchester United, according to reports. The England international is one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top targets for the upcoming transfer window as he is keen to strengthen United’s attack. Borussia Dortmund are open to selling Sancho this summer but reports in Germany are claiming that the Bundesliga club are demanding a €120 million (£108m) transfer fee. Dortmund have also set a deadline for United to complete the deal as they want Sancho’s future decided by August 10, which is the ... more
…says Akala bought rigs for LGs from a joint account By Adeola Badru THE Oyo State Government has insisted that no administration after 1995 bought a water drilling rig for the State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA) except the present administration. The Chairman of RUWASSA in the state, Engr. Najeem Omirinde, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday, said his assertion was clear on the fact that only the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration deemed it fit to procure the machine after the long period of time. Also read: Domestic violence: Police arrest woman ... more
Vinicius Junior has been included in Real Madrid’s squad to face Deportivo Alaves on Friday. The Brazilian winger has been in outstanding form for the LaLiga leaders since the season’s restart, but his involvement in their next match was in doubt. Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane revealed on Thursday that Vinicius had missed training to take a coronavirus test. ALSO READ: Guardiola pleads with Messi to settle Barca feud and sign new contract An initial test “went badly” – seemingly returning an anomalous result – and had to be repeated, Zidane said. Madrid offered no update on Vinicius but named ... more
Former Super Eagles winger, Finidi George said he was more than ready to work with any Nigeria Professional Football League club, only if they can guarantee a regular payment of his wages. Finidi, won the European Champions League with Ajax in 1995. He was also an African Nations Cup winner with Super Eagles in 1994. Having finished his career in Spain, he obtained a UEFA coaching badge, but his desire of coaching any of the national teams has not materialised. ALSO READ: Osimhen set to reject Napoli, waiting on Man United, Arsenal bid “It is not that I’m not willing ... more
Ifekwe Udo By Ugochukwu Alaribe Residents of Ebem, Ohafia town in Abia State, where the Church of Satan was established, said they were afraid to confront the founder because it was feared that he possessed evil powers that would kill anyone who challenged his activities. The Church, also known as Assemblies of Light Bearer Greater Church, was founded by a young man identified as Ifekwe Udo. He was alleged to have converted some youths of the area to his church by assisting them with motorcycles for okada business and other forms of empowerment. ALSO READ: COVID-19: Abia Deputy Speaker ... more
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu (2nd right), and the project Manager, Levant Construction, Mr. Ghassan Fadel,during the inspection the of the massive storm water drainage under construction at Okotomi area in Okpanam. The Delta Government says that notwithstanding the ravaging Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic it will continue with all its outlined projects in line with the administration’s development agenda for the state. The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, stated this on Thursday when he accompanied his counterpart in the Ministry of Works, Chief James Augoye, on projects inspections in Okpanam area of the capital territory. ... more
2 to join in implementation of N2.3trn stimulus programme. —Excess Crude account now $72.4m By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA-GOVERNORS of the 36 States on Thursday kicked against the alleged imposition of health workers hazard Allowance being contemplated by the Federal Ministry of Health as part of the national response to COVID-19 on states. The Governors at a virtual National Economic Council, NEC, meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, coordinated from the Vice President Office, Presidential Villa, Abuja, recommended that the allowance should only be presented with general guidance to enable individual states to negotiate with its workers. ... more
Hassan Dankwambo By Dirisu Yakubu ABUJA- The National Working Committee, NWC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has appointed former Gombe state governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo as chairman of the Ondo state governorship appeal committee. In a statement issued by the national organizing secretary of the panel, Col. Austin Akobundu (retd), the panel is mandated to consider appeals arising from the conduct of the Ward Congresses for the upcoming 2020 governoship election in Ondo State. READ ALSO:FIDA, NCWS, others attack Ayade over Justice Ikpeme The three-man committee is made up of Barrister Victor Kwon (secretary) and Barrister ... more
As Finance Minister consults NASS leadership on 2021-2023 MTEF/FSP***Buhari to sign revised 2020 budget todayBy Henry Umoru ABUJA- THE Federal Government told the Senate yesterday that President Muhammadu will present before the joint National Assembly, the 2021 Appropriation Bill. Disclosing this year in Abuja while briefing principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said that President Muhammadu Buhari had directed the Ministry to expedite action on next year’s budget estimates to ... more
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River. By Ebunoluwa Sessou, Victoria Ojeme & Fortune Eromosele International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Nigeria; Women in Politics and National Council for Women Society, Nigeria, among others civil society organisations, have described the refusal of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and members of the state House of Assembly to confer Justice Akon Ikpeme as the Chief Judge of the state, as gross injustice. In separate interviews with Vanguard Law and Human Rights, the groups cautioned that such injustice should be condemned and not be allowed in a decent society. Speaking with ... more
…IMC gave Police N475 Million to buy Face masks, Sanitizers …Spent N1.3 billion on Community Relation, N1.95 billion on Lassa Fever; N23.8 billion for Consultancy; N85.6 million on over Sea travels …As Commission accuses Lawmakers of hijacking contracts …As Senate frowns at Akpabio shunning investigative hearing …Allegations of financial recklessness in NDDC unacceptable – Lawan …NDDC N40 billion Probe: No Kobo is missing and misapplied by the IMC, Ojougboh tells Committee …N281 billion released to NDDC from 2016 to May this year, says Accountant General of the Federation By Henry Umoru Senate Thursday took a swipe at the Interim Management ... more
…Says 10 aspirants may boycott July 20 Primary All Progressive Congress By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ondo state, Tpl. Olu Olatuja has accused the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, his counterpart in Kaduna state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi of fueling the intra-party crisis in Ondo state. Olatuja made the allegation on Thursday while addressing journalists at the national secretariat of the APC in Abuja. This was as he expressed concerns that 10 of the 12 aspirants ... more
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has constituted a Ward Congresses Electoral Appeal Panel for its Ondo State 2020 Gubernatorial Primaries.The panel, according to a statement issued by PDP National Organizing Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), would be chaired by former governor of Gombe, Ibrahim Dankwambo Akobundu said that the nomination of the Mrs Rita Orji to serve as member and Mr Victor Kwon as Secretary of the panel was also approved by the party NWC. READ ALSO:COVID-19: Benue State Assembly shut indefinitely “The Panel is mandated to consider appeals arising from ... more
By Peter Duru Makurdi.The Benue State House of Assembly has been shut indefinitely to allow members and staff to undergo COVID-19 screening and treatment. The spokesman of the Assembly and House Committee Chairman on Information and Orientation Mr. Tertsea Gbishe who made this known yesterday in Makurdi said the decision to shut the Assembly was arrived at following the sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state. According to him, “given the nature of the assembly’s functions which requires that members interact with their constituents on one hand and top government functionaries in Ministries Departments and ... more
Some education stakeholders on Thursday expressed divergent viewpoints on Federal Government’s postponement of the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination in Nigeria due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic. In separate interviews with Newsmen in Lagos, the stakeholders also spoke on the suspension of partial resumption of certain categories of secondary and technical schools students, including primary school pupils. NAN reports that the Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu, on Wednesday announced that students in the country would not sit for the SSCE, being organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). Mr Simeon Fowowe, National President, Association of Nursery and Primary ... more
By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Ahead of the September 19 Governorship election in Edo state, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has expressed concerns over the visibility of the campaign councils of political parties as opposed to having candidates and their party manifestoes taking the centre stage during electioneering. INEC expressed its reservations in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja and signed by a National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Barr. Festus Okoye. He said; “Fourteen political parties conducted primaries and nominated their candidates for the Edo Governorship election holding on Saturday 19th September 2020. ... more
Senate Says Buhari to sign revised 2020 budget Friday• President to present 2021 budget in September Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed on Thursday met with the leadership of the National Assembly on plans to submit the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF/FSP) later this month. The Minister while briefing principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari had given directives for the Ministry to expedite ... more
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-THE Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN, Thursday, protested to the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, over the appointment of Pharmacist Ahmed Mora as Chairman of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria, PCN. During the protest, led by PSN National Secretary, Emeka Duru, the group called on the federal government to take a second look at its action by removing Gora as a matter of urgency. Duru, speaking to newsmen, said the call became imperative to protect the heritage of Pharmacy practice and healthcare in Nigeria. READ ALSO:Ondo Assembly directs Chief Judge to ... more
Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN By Joseph Erunke ABUJA-THE Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, PSN,Thursday, protested to the Minister of Health,Osagie Ehanire,over the appointment of Pharmacist Ahmed Mora as Chairman of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria,PCN. During the protest,led by PSN National Secretary, Emeka Duru,the group called on the federal government to take a second look at its action by removing Mora as a matter of urgency. Duru,speaking to newsmen,said the call became imperative to protect the heritage of Pharmacy practice and healthcare in Nigeria. READ ALSO:Ondo APC Chair accuses Amaechi, Fayemi, El-Rufai of stoking crisis He ... more
Dr Kawu on his hospital bed By Omeiza Ajayi ABUJA: Acting Secretary, Health and Human Services Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA, Dr Mohammed Kawu has tested positive for Covid-19. The office is the equivalent of a Health commissioner in the states of the Federation. Speaking with journalists from his sickbed at the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja, Dr Kawu, explained that his journey to the isolation centre began 12 days earlier when he experienced feverish conditions, a development which prompted him to take the Covid-19 test which turned out positive. He said; “I want every Nigerian ... more
Dayo Johnson Akure. THE Ondo State House of Assembly yesterday directed the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olarenwaju Akeredolu to set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the defected Deputy governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi. Recall that 14 lawmakers had signed an impeachment notice against Ajayi while nine dissociated themselves from the exercise. The House of Assembly in a letter signed by the Speaker Rt Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun and dated July 7 to the Chief Judge of the state asked the Chief Judge to set up a seven man panel to investigate the ... more
Ibrahim Magu By Sherifat Lawal The embattled acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu was on Monday taken forcibly to Aso villa By officers of the Department for State Service, DSS, haven’t declined pervious invitations by the Presidential Panel. The Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel probes him on the disposal of assets worth N37 billion and to account for 380 houses and seven vessels loaded with crude oil. READ ALSO: Magu quizzed over 380 houses, 7 crude oil-laden ships, N37bn assets Magu is being grilled, following allegations raised against him by Attorney-General of the Federation ... more
By Innocent Anaba A Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, former Group General Manager in charge of Crude Oil Marketing has narrated to a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, how he delivered 12 padlocked bags containing $70 million to an Abuja-based banker on the instruction of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke. The trial judge in the matter is Justice Muslim Hassan. The ex-NNPC boss, who is an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, prosecution witness in the going trial of a former Executive Director, an old generation bank, Dauda Lawal, further claimed that he delivered money ... more
Says users to access doctors, medication and diagnostic testing By Gabriel Ewepu – Abuja Two health care giants, DRO Health and Emzor Pharmaceuticals, yesterday, partnered on providing quality health care services via medical mobile app and devices to Nigerians amid Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic. This was disclosed by the Founder, DRO Health, Dr Ifeanyi Iwuchukwu, while speaking on the decision for his company to partner with Emzor Pharmaceuticals. According to Iwuchukwu the collaboration is to launch DRO Health’s new ‘ORDERS’ feature on its medical app that allows patients to make order over-the-counter and prescription. READ ALSO: COVID-19: Aremu pleads for adherence ... more
By Tordue Salem – Abuja The Ambassador of Lebanon to Nigeria, Mr. Houssam Diab, on Thursday, walked out on the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs. Mr Diab was summoned by the House Committee headed by Rep. Tolu Akande-Shadipe, to respond to questions on the maltreatment of Nigerians in Lebanon. But as the hearing was about to commence, at about 10: 52am, the Lebanese envoy, walked out of the room and shut the House’ hearing room 348 door, behind him. details later… The post Lebanese ambassador walks out on Reps appeared first on Vanguard News. ... more
In this image distributed by Russian Investigative Committee, Sergei Furgal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region is escorted by Russian Federal Security Service (FSB, Soviet KGB successor) and Russian Investigative Committee agents in Khabarovsk, Russia, Thursday, July 9, 2020. A provincial governor in Russia’s far east has been arrested on charges of involvement in multiple murders, officials said Thursday. Sergei Furgal, the governor of the Khabarovsk region along the border with China, was arrested in Khabarovsk and was flown to Moscow. The Investigative Committee, the nation’s top criminal investigation agency, said Furgal is accused of involvement in the murders ... more
Mainz 05 are looking to re-loan Liverpool youngster Taiwo Awoniyi this summer, according to reports from the UK tabloid, Liverpool Echo. Awoniyi has now returned to the club following his stint with the Bundesliga outfit who were ‘very happy’ with him. Mainz’s director of football, Rouven Schroder, was impressed by the 22-year-old striker. As cited by Sport Witness who relay Kicker, Schroder said: “Taiwo is a symbol of identification despite not being a permanent member of the club. He raised his voice internally to describe what the players could do for the club. ALSO READ: LA LIGA: Leganes can’t afford ... more
Hon lsaacs Kekemeke By Dayo Johnson AS the governorship aspirants of the All progressive Congress in Ondo state awaits the mode of the primary to be adopted for the election, the Pioneer State Chairman of Party, Hon lsaacs Kekemeke, has said that any other mode of primary apart from Direct mode, will produce an unpopular candidate. Kekemeke said that adopting any other mode will “prevent party members from picking most popular among the 12 aspirants in the party during the primary election. The screening of the ten aspirants started on Wednesday in Abuja and was expected to end today. ... more
By Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, The call for restructuring Nigeria has been the subject of discourse by many stakeholders who, over the years, have lent their voices, heard and unheard towards revisiting the institutional, socio-economic and political structure of Nigeria. Without a doubt, diverse reasons exist for the call for restructuring Nigeria. While some advocate that it will foster autonomous economic advancements, others have sworn that the issue of insecurity in Nigeria will be laid to rest if the nation is restructured. Indeed, the presence of a myriad of voices in Nigeria, and in the diaspora, calling for the ... more
EFCC Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu The probe of the former EFCC Boss, Ibrahim Magu has proved anxiety in the commission’s headquarters over who takes over as acting chairman. The anxiety stems from the fact that Magu’s suspension has not been officially communicated to the Head of Operations, Mohammed Umar, who, according to the EFCC Act, is the next in command to the acting chairman, who should act in his absence. Vanguard gathered that there appears a jostling between the Head of Operations and the commission’s secretary, Ola Olukayode, over who should act in absence of the embattled acting chairman. ... more
Ibrahim Magu The embattled Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was on Wednesday confronted with more allegations. The Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel asked him to account for 380 houses and seven vessels loaded with crude oil. The probe panel also grilled on him on the disposal of assets worth N37 billion. Magu is being grilled, following allegations raised against him by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami(SAN). The panel started quizzing Magu on Monday after his arrest by detectives in Abuja. On Tuesday, he was grilled on cash discrepancies ... more
…urges customers to report faults promptly By Adeola Badru THE Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc, on Thursday, called on its esteemed customers and the public to be very cautious around electrical installations within its network as the rainy season begins to gather momentum. The Chief Operating Officer of the Company Engr. John Ayodele, in a statement made available to newsmen, said that the rainy seasons often witness the highest levels of incidents within the electricity distribution sector because of heavy rainfall, windstorms, and floods. Also read: Why NASS directed DisCos to suspend increase in electricity tariff Engr. Ayodele, ... more
Mahrez Riyad Mahrez hailed Manchester City’s goalscoring power after the dethroned Premier League champions swept Newcastle aside 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The Algeria international found the net along with Gabriel Jesus, David Silva and Raheem Sterling, while City benefited from a Federico Fernandez own goal in the victory. The rout took City’s goal tally in the Premier League this season to 86 from 34 games — 11 more than champions Liverpool, who they hammered 4-0 last week. Mahrez’s 21st-minute strike was his 10th of the campaign, meaning he joined Sergio Aguero (16), Raheem Sterling (14), Kevin De Bruyne ... more
People wearing facemasks as a preventative measure following a coronavirus outbreak, February 5, 2020. PHOTO: AFP China defended the World Health Organisation (WHO) and lashed out at the US decision to withdraw from the UN body, adding to a litany of disputes between the world’s largest economies and increasing geopolitical rivals. Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said the move was “another demonstration of the US pursuing unilateralism, withdrawing from groups and breaking contracts.” WHO is “the most authoritative and professional international institution in the field of global public health security,” Zhao said at a briefing Wednesday, adding that the ... more
A group of local defense force fighters drive their motorbikes during an event to inaugurate a new chapter of the group in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Saturday, March 14, 2020. PHOTO: AP Armed only with a knife, Issa Tamboure was no match for gun-wielding jihadists who attacked his village in northern Burkina Faso in March. So Tamboure, 63, rounded up his family — including his 13 children — and ran, eventually reaching a camp for people displaced by violence. But Tamboure was not a typical civilian fleeing the extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization who have been ... more
New Nigeria Collective has expressed concern over the rising cases of coronavirus in the country. NNC, in a statement, warned Nigerians to take personal responsibility and observe all the safety protocols. Part of the statement read, “We, as a concerned entity in Nigeria, have taken judicial notice of the unceasing rise in the number of new cases of COVID-19 and we have come to the realisation that the growing development, apart from being a confirmation of the fact that the country might have entered the second wave of the pandemic attack, it also speaks largely to the failure of ... more
This photo taken on July 8, 2020 shows rescuers carrying an injured person at the scene of a landslide in Huangmei county, Huanggang city, in China’s central Hubei province. – Heavy rains and landslides in China have left at least 14 people dead or missing over the past day, burying houses and causing scenic areas to temporarily shut. (Photo by STR / AFP) / China OUT Heavy rains and landslides in China have left at least 14 people dead or missing over the past day, burying houses and causing scenic areas to temporarily shut. Six people have been unreachable ... more
By Ebunoluwa Sessou Professionalism and structure are key ingredients to consider when employing a Nanny and it is also a critical part of child development and work in partnership with parents to help children thrive. Founder, the Nanny Academy, Amara Agbim during the institute’s tenth-anniversary celebration disclosed this saying; most trained Nannies understand the value of contracts and the need to respect them. To achieve this level of professionalism, deep training which penetrates to achieve a mindset shift is preferred over sandwich training packages. READ ALSO: Sexual assault: Court remands Nanny in correctional facility Giving insight to this, Agbim identified ... more
More than 12 million coronavirus infections have now been recorded across the world, over half in the United States and Latin America, according to an AFP tally of official sources at 0955 GMT on Thursday. At least 12,063,425 cases and 549,451 deaths have been recorded, with the number of infections doubling since May 31. About half of those who caught the virus have recovered. READ ALSO: Super Eagles striker contracts Coronavirus With 3,055,101 cases and 132,309 deaths, the United States is the worst-hit country, with Brazil second having registered 1,713,160 cases and 67,964 deaths. The tallies probably reflect only a ... more
By Okiemute Abraham Never has there been a time in history when women’s rights have been so radically glorified than now. Rights laws and groups dedicated to the female cause in various parts of the world have done great in amplifying the voices of vulnerable women in our generation. Even in Nigeria, abused women don’t lack needed attention from numerous rights groups, except, of course, the abuser is a fellow woman! Violence on Women by Women This situation is not obscure especially in a typical Nigerian home where two “mighty” females exist: “Oga Madam” and the Maid. You ... more
Some stakeholders in the education sector have expressed support for the Federal Government’s decision not to allow students to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) amid rising cases of COVID-19 in the country. They spoke in separate interviews with Newsmen in Ibadan on Thursday. Recall the West African Examination Council (WAEC) had on Tuesday released its examination timetable and guidelines for the 2020 WASSCE. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, however, said on Wednesday that students in the country would not sit for the examination now, citing safety concerns because of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. ... more
