Oshiomhole Remains Suspended, Etsako Ward Chairman Insists

 

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Etsako Ward 10, Edo State, Mr Oshawo Stephen, has dismissed claims that the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a member of the party had been lifted, insisting that the ward executives stand by their suspension of the erstwhile National Chairman of the APC.   

In a statement, Stephen said the ward executives, who were elected into office in 2018, remain intact and had not been displaced by anybody, describing the claims of the lifting of the suspension as a charade.

He said, “The suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the ward executives remains valid. The statements to the contrary in the media are false and should be disregarded. We stand by our decision and have no reservation on the action as it is in the best interest of the party. 

"The ward executives as well as our counterparts at the Etsako West Local Government level stand by the suspension of Comrade Oshiomhole for his divisive role in the crisis rocking the APC in Edo State." 

Chairman of the APC in Etsako West LGA, Ezolomhe Rabiat, also affirmed that the local council executives were still members of the party in the state and stand by the suspension of Oshiomhole.

Source: Sahara Reporters

‘Edo PDP will witness implosion if Obaseki is forced on party’

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) youths coordinator in Edo State, under the aegis of PDP Youths for Justice, Musa Kadiri, has declared that the state’s chapter of the party will witness implosion, if Governor Godwin Obaseki is forced on Edo PDP as its governorship candidate.

Kadiri made the declaration Saturday in Benin, in an interactive session with reporters, while insisting that PDP’s leadership must reward loyalty, rather than looking for opportunities.

He said: “Any of the three earlier screened and cleared governorship aspirants of PDP in Edo State: Kenneth Imasuagbon, Gideon Ikhine and Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, is capable of defeating the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the September 19 election.

“I am clearly stating that PDP in Edo State will witness an implosion, if Governor Obaseki is given the party’s ticket during the June 23 governorship primary election, using indirect mode, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

“Edo PDP youths, who are on the ground, know that the party has positioned itself to win this year’s governorship poll. We do not need Governor Obaseki, who was chased out of the APC, based on questionable credentials.”

While also speaking, the women leader in Egor Local Government Area of Edo state, Mrs. Imuwahen Osasu, corroborated Kadiri, by stating that Edo PDP did not need Obaseki, at this crucial period.

Some chieftains of PDP in Edo Central Senatorial District are, however, backing the governorship aspiration of Imasuagbon, popularly referred to as the “Rice Man,” in view of his annual distribution of free rice to Edo residents in the 18 LGAs of the state.

Speaking Saturday on behalf of the PDP chieftains from the five LGAs in Edo Central senatorial district, Elder Solomon Eboigbe, urged Imasuagbon not to accept any offer to step down from the race.

Edo Central PDP chieftains noted that their support for Imasuagbon, who refused pressure to step down from the race for Obaseki, was the need to reward loyalty and commitment.

The PDP elders from Edo Central senatorial district stated that they consulted widely across Edo state, while the verdict from the people was Imasuagbon as their choice.

Meanwhile, Edo South senatorial district’s leader of PDP, Chief Dickson Imasogie, maintained that Edo governor never induced leaders of the party to join PDP, while insisting that his coming into the party was purely strategic.

Imasogie said that Obaseki’s defection to PDP was almost late, considering the fact that the party had to shift its governorship primary election from June 19 to June 23, in order to accommodate Edo governor.

He said: “Members of any active political party will certainly be excited having a sitting governor of a state, with his party ruling at the centre, defecting to an opposition party. It shows, among other consideratiions, the valuable rating and respect the defecting governor has for the party.

“So, we in the PDP have accepted Governor Obaseki into our fold and the leadership of the party has granted him and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, the necessary waivers to contest on the platform of the party.”

Imasogie also expressed optimism that Obaseki would emerge victorious on June 23 and September 19, thereby continuing in office beyond November 12 this year.

(The Nation)

Ekiti govt confirms 2 new cases of coronavirus

Ekiti State Government can confirm two (2) new #COVID19 positive cases whose result came back last night. 

 Four (4) previous cases have also been discharged.

This brings the total confirmed cases in Ekiti State to thirty-two (32), of which four (4) active, twenty-six (26) discharged, and two (2) deaths.

Maupay stuns Arsenal with late Brighton winner

Neal Maupay scored the winner five minutes into added time as relegation-threatened Brighton clinched a huge win over Arsenal, who once again lost a key player to injury.

The French striker showed coolness and class to slot in his ninth and most important goal of the season, give Albion their first league win of 2020 and cap a remarkable comeback.

Nicolas Pepe had fired the Gunners into a deserved lead with a superb curling shot with just over 20 minutes to go, but Lewis Dunk scrambled an equaliser over the line from close range to set up a barnstorming finish.

Maupay's winner was a sucker punch to the Gunners, who have now lost back-to-back games since the Premier League returned - results that surely make a late run to Champions League qualification very unlikely.

They may also have to navigate the rest of the season without goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who was stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his ankle in the first half following an aerial challenge with Maupay.

Maupay's role in the incident seemed to anger Leno's team-mates, some of whom became embroiled in a shoving match with the striker at full-time.

Leno joins defender Pablo Mari and midfielder Granit Xhaka on the sidelines, both of whom were injured in Wednesday's 3-0 loss at Manchester City.

There is no such negativity for Brighton, though. They appeared to come through the game largely unscathed and are now five points above the bottom three.

Brighton dig deep

Brighton were the first team to publicly voice opposition to games being played at neutral grounds as the debate raged last month about how the Premier League might conclude during the coronavirus pandemic.

With five of their remaining nine matches being at home, four of them against teams in the top half of the table (including Saturday's), the Seagulls need every advantage that playing on home turf brings.

But while the Amex was obviously lacking in fervent home support, this did not hamper Albion's appetite for the fight or ability to rouse themselves after a setback.

Pepe's opener was a hammer blow, especially coming at a time in the game when the league's three-month absence due to the coronavirus pandemic would have started to take its physical toll on the players.

But they dug deep and found parity through Dunk, who took advantage of some Arsenal hesitancy in their own box to poke the ball in after it had ricocheted his way.

Prior to that they had threatened rarely, with Aaron Mooy's low first-half drive their best effort.

They would have the final say, though, as Maupay gathered the ball from substitute Aaron Connelly before producing a deft, decisive finish. (BBC Football)

BREAKING: Oshiomhole’s ward executives lift suspension

Executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in ward 10 Estako West local government area of Edo have lifted the suspension order on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Seventeen out of the 27 members of the executives of the All Progressives Congress APC in Ward 10, Etsako West local government of Edo state have lifted the suspension slammed on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Details later…

Brazil records 54,000 coronavirus cases in a single day

 Brazil has become the second country in the world to hit one million coronavirus cases after infections soared by 54,000 in one day.

The South American country recorded more than 1,200 deaths for the fourth consecutive day bringing the total to nearly 49,000 yesterday.

It comes two months after the US reached the one million mark and just days after the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa Etienne said Brazil was a major concern.

A lack of testing in the country with a population of 209 million has led experts to suggest the real figure could be much higher.

Hours before the latest figures were revealed the World Health Organisation’s director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned the coronavirus pandemic was entering a ‘new and dangerous’ stage.

He said cases were rising at the same time as people are growing weary of lockdowns and governments are seeking to restart their economies.

Walter Braga Netto, the head of the office of the Brazilian president’s chief of staff, known as Casa Civil, and one of the top officials handling the crisis, has previously said it was under control in the country.

‘There is a crisis, we sympathize with bereaved families, but it is managed,’ said Braga Netto, who spoke during a webinar held by the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro.

Braga Netto said Brazil’s deaths-per-million-people figure was better than that of Belgium, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy and France. As such, the Army general said he ‘was trying to convey a message of optimism in the management of the crisis.’

Latin America’s largest country accounts for about a quarter of the roughly four million coronavirus cases in the Americas and nearly 25 per cent of the deaths, she said.

‘We are not seeing transmission slowing down’ in Brazil, Etienne said.

PAHO recommends that Brazil and other regional countries strengthen social distancing and urged that reopening of the economy be done slowly and carefully.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has long opposed social distancing measures, and many of the country’s states are re-opening for business even though the outbreak remains severe.

Some villagers in the eastern Amazon are spurning Brazilian government advice to take the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to keep the novel coronavirus at bay and are drinking tea of jambú, also known as the toothache plant.

Maria de Nazaré Sajes, 65, tested positive for the coronavirus and believes she fought off the symptoms by drinking the infusion of bitter leaves.

‘I made jambú tea and felt healthy again. People said: “Look at Maria, how she has recovered, she no fever or pains”,’ Maria said while she was boiling water on a gas stove in her wooden house.

Her village on the banks of a tributary of the Amazon was visited by public health workers to test inhabitants for the virus that is ravaging Brazil in the world’s second-worst outbreak after the United States.

US regulators withdrew approval this week for the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine to treat patients with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

It is still being prescribed in Brazil as scientists around the world are working to develop a vaccine and effective treatments.

Source: Daily Mail

POLITICS OF PERFIDY -By - Lanre Ogunjobi

Politics, from my point of view is about touching the lives of others in a quest to serve the people; using the legitimate power bestowed by the plurality of votes of a free people for the common good of the people. While  retiring at the end of the day to live in peace amidst the people you have dutifully served, your name goes down in history as one who has served humanity and is remembered as one with so much honour even after death. 

The above typifies the kind of leadership qualities exemplified by iconic leaders like Mahatma Ghandi, Obafemi  Awolowo, Kwame Nkruma, Julius Nyerere, Ahmadu Bello, Zik of Africa as well as Mandela; among many world leaders of note in the past. They could be said to have engaged in politics of wellbeing as they catered for their people rather than their pockets. 

Today, politics has taken new dimensions. Unnecessary chicanery, vindictiveness, mudslinging, character assassination, sabotage and other crooked antics  that makes  politics to be viewed as immoral are now rife in our society. It's an era where whoever is seen as opponent gets unwholesome treatment in the form of barefaced lies, blackmail, vindictive criticism, schism and unnecessary bad blood in order to sway the impressionable minds for the ungodly reasons of drawing sentiments from the unsuspecting public.

Since politics is a game of number, there has never been any limit to the shenanigans of such ungodly undoings of perceived opponents. It happens at different levels;  intra or inter party levels, and the ultimate end is either to have an edge over the other person or to destroy in order to make an entry to political stardom and reckoning. After all, all is fair in war. 

Even when these lots of wannabes who don't mean well attempt to expunge morals from politics, history is replete with men and women who stood for enduring ideals in faith, perseverance, service and forthrightness. While observing this scenario, history is rich with numerous examples of treacherous men and women who had taken such routes and their calamitous end is a lesson to those who do not wish to repeat a sordid past. 

I reckon that politics shouldn't come with deliberate blindness where armchair critics, who never see anything good in any government or individuals take the centre stage. Good at criticism, but lack the moral muscle when it comes to providing better alternatives to what they criticise. They have no idea to lend a hand. They have no traceable path that inspires anyone. They have penchant for 'pull him down' syndrome which has been inimical to the development of a sane society. 

My first encounter with the word, 'perfidy' was from the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the early 80s. Chief Awolowo at a time, when recounting his travails in the course of his voyage  in politics, was moved to specifically mention some people who betrayed him or tried to put him down. He described them as perfidious elements and predicted how they would end their lives. He called them "sons of perdition". Surprisingly, Chief Awolowo's prediction came to pass in the lives of such individuals before his death. Perfidy does not pay. Lying and destroying others in order to lower their esteem as well as create hatred and suspicion about people we lie against do not pay. It's like the pancreas that is cooked with food which is gulling as well as bitter. 

Yes, treacherous people may gain the momentary advantage(s) they desire but they will surely pay dearly for such evils.

The end result is always a bitter one. Many people may not know but when karma comes calling, those who triumphed in evil would always experience a debilitating end while the undiscerning people around would come to sympathise.

If only we are for progress, our quest to play politics and be relevant shouldn't come with bitterness. We must always remember that for every evil we do against our fellow men to gain advantage, there's always a pay day; a time of recompense. For it's written, whatsoever we sow, we shall reap. 

 Like the characters in the days of Chief Awolowo, anguish, defeat and regrets are always the rewards of perfidious people especially at the twilight of their lives. 

Politics cannot be dirty if men and women of noble character play it. It's these same perfidious people that corrupt our politics. Politics should be about integrity, honesty, forthrightness, conscientiousness and truth.

It is my hope that this piece will communicate to somebody; somewhere. I hope it will save someone from a calamitous end.

It's another brighly beautiful day.

LanreOgunjobi;SnrKosija @oshojokini

Nigeria records 667 new coronavirus cases

Nigeria on Friday recorded 667 new cases of Coronavirus Disease with more deaths.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control reported the figures on its Twitter handle on Friday.

According to the NCDC, Lagos State returned 281 cases, while Abia and Oyo States had 48 and 45 infections, with the Federal Capital Territory returning 38 positive patients.

Others were Ogun, Enugu, Ondo, Plateau, Edo, Delta Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna and Kano States, which returned 37, 31, 23, 21, 19, 18, 18, 17, 17, 14 and 12 positive cases respectively.

Also on the list of states with positive results on Friday were Bauchi (9), Gombe (4), Osun (3), Benue (3), Nasarawa (3), Kwara (3), Ekiti (2) and Borno (1).

In all as at Friday night, Nigeria has had a total of 19,147 confirmed cases, 6,581 discharged and 487 deaths.

EFCC Uncovers Additional 400 Ghost Workers In Kwara

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, June 19, 2020 uncovered 400 fresh ghost workers in Kwara state.

At the Ilorin Zonal Office of the Commission, N31,000,000 (Thirty One Million Naira only), meant for the payment of salaries of the ghost workers, was allegedly shared by the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, Kwara State, Salihu Idris Toyin and the Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Bayo Audu Onimago, among others.

Other beneficiaries of the money include, Director of Finance, SUBEB, Ahmed Husain, Coordinator, NUJ, Kwara State, Tijani Idris and Controller of Finance, SUBEB, Omole John.

In a confessional account of how the money was shared, Toyin told operatives of the EFCC that "A sum of N12million was paid into an account operated by me and others, the money was actually not supposed to come but when the cash hit the account, I withdrew it and gave it to SUBEB Officials, they gave us N3million for free and we shared it among ourselves."

"We also received another N19million. I withdrew N4million from it, I used N1.5million for clearing and interlocking of our quarters, the remaining N2.5million is still with me".

Toyin also said that the money he used for the clearing and interlocking of the quarters was not receipted.

It would be recalled that the EFCC, last week announced the uncovering of about 1000 ghost workers allegedly smuggled into the payroll of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board.

All the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.

COVID-19: Just Like Lagos, Ogun Suspends Reopening of Churches, Mosques

The Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun on Friday announced the suspension of the planned reopening of religious centres across the state.

Recall that Governor Abiodun had earlier fixed June 19 for the planned reopening of the worship centres in the state and had set up a tripartite committee to work out the modalities for the reopening.

The Governor said the suspension became imperative in the face of the rise in the community transmission and spread of COVID-19 in the state.

He made the declaration while briefing journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital.

On Tuesday, Lagos state, too, had suspended its plan to reopen religious centres.

Abiodun, in his Friday address, announced that the current ease of lockdown from Monday to Friday is still in force while residents are expected to stay indoors on Saturdays and Sundays.

While reading the riot act on further flaunting of the laid down directives on measures to flatten the pandemic, the governor said interstate-travel is still prohibited.

Federal Government Unveils New Highway Development & Management Initiative (HDMI)

• 
  

• "Phase one is for 10 FG Highways: Benin–Asaba; Abuja–Lokoja; Kaduna–Kano; Onitsha–Owerri–Aba; Shagamu—Benin;
  Abuja—Keffi—Akwanga; Kano–Maiduguri; Lokoja–Benin;
  Enugu—Port Harcourt;
  Ilorin—Jebba." 🛣️🚧
  
  The HDMI programme is funded by a series of highly-subscribed SUKUK bonds. The third of which has recently attracted a capital investment of N163.3bn for a provision of N16.3bn for each of the 10 roads. This creates & sustains 23,322 jobs on the construction of the 10 highways.👷🏿‍♂️
  
  SUKUK bonds will be taken annually until Phase one of HDMI is completed by Q1 2023. These capital investments will be paid back through the services provided by investors in the post-construction period, including: Cashless e-Tolling, Rest Areas & Weighbridge Stations.
  
  🛣️🚧💵
  
  Weighbridge Stations will fine/stop overloading tankers/trailers which undermine user safety & road durability. Rest Areas will lessen accidents & offer commercial points for locals.

FG to begin enrolment of third batch of N-Power next week

...Current enrollees to exit July 31st

...Online portal to open for application on June 26, 2020

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has said that it will commence the enrolment of the third batch of N-Power beneficiaries next week.

According to the ministry, the decision to enrol the third batch of the scheme was made following consultations and a review of the submissions on the reform of the programme for greater efficiency.

It also explained that the enrolment will provide opportunities for more Nigerian youths to access the programme, in furtherance of the President’s vision of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The ministry said the current enrollees of the scheme (Batch A) will exit June 30, 2020 while (Batch B) will exit the programme on July 31, 2020.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Friday by the Deputy Director Information of the ministry, Rhoda Iliya.

According to the Minister, Sadiya Farouq, “We have commenced the transitioning of beneficiaries from Batches A and B into government entrepreneurship schemes and engaging private sector bodies to absorb some of the beneficiaries after the completion of psychometric assessment to determine competency and placement into various opportunities.

“The Federal government is committed to the continuation and expansion and as such will now begin enrolment and onboarding of a new Batch of beneficiaries. Skills acquisition for entrepreneurship and job creation are critical for an economy that will require a boost post-COVID-19 and we are gearing up proactively for the challenge.”

On the mode of application, the ministry said: “Applications will be conducted using a hybrid system of enrolment to ensure that all Nigerians are given an opportunity to participate. As a Ministry that caters for the vulnerable, we will also make special considerations for Persons living with disabilities.

“The online portal would be open to receive applications from noon on June 26, 2020 and will provide a level playing field for all applicants.

“As part of the Ministry’s reforms to make the programme more efficient, all applicants must supply their Bank Verification Number (BVN) in their application to ensure a streamlined and transparent selection process.”

The ministry further explained that once applications are submitted, it will review submissions and publish a list of successful applicants.

It also stated that comprehensive details for the new batch will be announced in the coming weeks.

It however noted that past beneficiaries will not be eligible to participate in the application process.

The N-Power Programme was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) with the mandate of lifting citizens out of poverty through capacity building, investment, and direct support.

The programme has enrolled 500,000 beneficiaries so far with 200,000 from Batch A which started in September 2016 and 300,000 from Batch B which kicked off in August 2018.

The beneficiaries were supposed to spend not less than 24 months on the programme and were spread across the key industries targeted by the programme; agriculture, health, education, and tax.

(The Nation)

Fayose is a chameleon - Ekiti APC

Fayose is a chameleon - Ekiti APC

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ekiti state has described former governor of the state, Mr Ayo Fayose as a type of politician that will do or say anything just to attract attention.

Such a politician, according to APC will shout Hosanna! today and crucify him! tomorrow in as much as their daily bread is guaranteed.

 A statement in Ado Ekiti on Friday, signed by the Director of Media and  Publicity of Ekiti APC, Elder Sam Oluwalana on some recent comments by the immediate past governor about the party, noted that the same Fayose has been hob nobbing with leaders of the party across the country seeking for favours.

Elder Oluwalana pointed out that during the four years of misrule of Fayose in the state, he was the executive, legislature and judiciary, as he crippled the other arms from performing their functions 

"It is on record that the mace of the assembly, which is the authority of the legislature was kept at the government house, while the law makers would have to seek permission from Fayose before convening any sitting.

" And he is now shouting that there is no democracy in APC.

"It was during his regime that the minority members of the assembly impeached a Speaker while vocal members were railroaded into indefinite suspension until they succumbed to his whims.

"The people of the state will not quickly forget how Fayose administration equally crippled the functions of the judiciary, while his attorney general was always privy to any judgement to be delivered by Judges, he even led some of his thugs to storm a court in session and physically beat up a presiding Judge.

The people of the state are praying that they will never experience the type of Fayose's democracy in which workers were owed salaries, pensioners were dying of hunger, and citizens turned to beggars.

"The spate of killings in the state became aggravated with people unable to sleep with two eyes closed.

"He has succeeded in disintegrating his party, PDP, leading to the national excos imposing foreigners to administer the party as caretakers.

"Fayose is wandering across the country like someone that has been cursed. He thinks he can cause confusion in the APC as he has done to his party, unknown to him that he is dealing with more matured politicians.

"He should seek divine intervention to wash the curse placed on him by senior citizens of the state he made to suffer when he was governor.

APC also advised Fayose to leave the party alone and stop his divisive tendencies."

"Can democracy be said to be thriving under this one -man show? Fayose has no moral right to criticize democratic practice in this country as he who demands equity must come with a clean hand," he added. 

Oluwalana stated further that Fayose's undemocratic moves are the major problems of his party, PDP as he is single handedly imposing leaders on members.

He advised him to stop his dubious escapades of wining and dining with leaders of the APC across, the country  while also turning back to make unfounded allegations against the party.

Obaseki joins PDP

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki formally joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after his recent resignation from the All Progressives Congress. 

He was received by the leadership of the party led by the state Chairman of the PDP, Hon Tony Aziegbemi. 

 The party confirms the development in a tweet on his official handle.

APC factions continue battle as court affirms Giadom party chairman

• NWC consults S ’ South stakeholders for deputy secretary ’s replacement

• Ajimobi’ s men inaugurate Uzodinma committee, appeal panel on Edo poll

By John Alechenu and Ade Adesomoju

The two factions of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday continued their battles for the control of the party .

The APC Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom, who , on Wednesday , declared himself as the acting national chairman after the Court of Appeal suspended the substantive Chairman , Adams Oshiomhole , on Thursday obtained a court order affirming him as the acting chairman.

The High Court of Federal Capital Territory, which gave the latest order, also directed Giadom to preside over the party ’s National Executive Committee meetings.

But the pro - Oshiomhole faction led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi began consultations with the APC stakeholders in the South - South with the aim of replacing Giadom as the deputy national secretary.

It also went ahead to inaugurate its primary and appeal committees for the Edo State governorship election.

The leadership crisis in the ruling party began on Tuesday when the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upheld the judgment of the FCT High Court, which suspended Oshiomhole as the national chairman.

On Tuesday night , the APC National Working Committee held an emergency meeting, where Ajimobi, who is receiving treatment for COVID- 19 in a Lagos hospital , was appointed acting chairman.

But on Wednesday morning , Giadom, who cited an order given by the Abuja court in March , declared himself as the acting national chairman.

A few hours later , 15 NWC members led by the National Vice - Chairman , South - South , Hilliard Eta, disowned Giadom and affirmed Ajimobi as the acting national chairman.

Court renews order allowing Giadom to act as APC chairman

On Thursday , the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja, extended its March order, which allowed Giadom to act as the national chairman.

The court permitted Giadom to act as the national chairman of the party for 14 days.

Justice Samira Bature had, on March 16, 2020 , in a motion ex parte filed by the APC National Vice Chairman (North - East ), Mustapha Salihu, ordered Giadom to be acting chairman.

The plaintiff’s counsel, Wole Afolabi , on Thursday applied to the court for an extension of the interim order.

Justice Bature granted a two- week extension of the March 16 , 2020 interim order.

The judge cited Rule 3 of the COVID- 19 Practice Direction of the FCT High Court.

The order read, “ Consequent and in line with Rule 3 of the COVID- 19 Practice Direction of the FCT High Court, 2020 , the order of this court made on the 16 th day of March , 2020 is hereby extended for a period of two (2 ) weeks.

“ Application is hereby granted as prayed ,” Bature stated.

The court also allowed , Salihu, to act as national secretary pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Joined as defendants in the motion marked FCT/ HC /M / 6447 /2020 , are the Legal Adviser of the party, Babatunde Ogala ; the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa- Onilu ; the National Secretary , Waziri Bulama and the party , and the APC itself.

Salihu had in the suit sought an interim order allowing Giadom to pilot the affairs of the party as acting chairman .

He had also in the motion sought an order allowing Giadom to preside at all meetings of the party ’s NEC.

The applicant also sought an interim order restraining the APC and its officers or anyone purporting to act as an officer of the 4 th defendant ( the APC)from preventing or in any way disturbing Giadom from functioning as the acting chairman.

Now , Giadom is acting national chairman – Lawyer

The lawyer to Giadom, Afolabi , who appeared on a Channels ’ Television Programme, Politics Today, in Abuja on Thursday , argued that by virtue of the latest court order, Giadom was the APC acting national chairman.

“ As of today, Victor Giadom is the Acting National Chairman until a national convention is held.”

We have not been served – APC

When contacted, the APC national legal adviser said, none of the orders being flaunted by Giadom and associates had been served on the party.

He spoke during a Channels Television Political Programme, Politics Today. He said, “ The only person vested with authority to coordinate , receive processes and institute actions on behalf of the party is the National Legal Adviser, no other person has the power, and that is me. I have not been served any of these processes .”

Giadom’ s associate, Salihu, disowns court order

But there was a crack in Giadom’s camp as his ally , Salihu, dissociated himself from the fresh order which asked him to take over as national secretary of the party.

Mustapha told reporters in Abuja on Thursday that he was not a party to the suit and that it was impossible for him to be a party to the suit because he convened the virtual Zonal Executive Council meeting where the appointment of Bulama as APC National Secretary was ratified.

Salihu said, “ My zone , the North - East has already nominated Waziri Bulama in the presence of the Senate president , the APC governors from the zone and other party stakeholders as the acting national secretary . I was at the meeting where this decision was reached . So why now would I go back to obtain a court order to act as national secretary?

“ I was not part of such shenanigans . It is not in my character to play such dirty politics and I condemn in strong terms those behind the act . At a time like this when the party is going through trying times , it is such a time that all lovers of the party must come together to keep the party running.”

NWC begins search for Giadom’ s replacement

In a fresh move , Ajimobi - led NWC asked the South -South geo- political zone to nominate a replacement for Giadom.

This was part of the decisions reached during the NWC meeting held on Wednesday.

Eta, in an interview with journalists on Thursday , said the party made a mistake naming Giadom as the deputy national secretary.

He stated that Giadom resigned to contest as deputy governorship candidate of the party in Rivers State in the last general election.

Eta stated , “ So, in the wisdom of the NWC, they have now asked us in the South - South to bring forth a name to fill that vacancy that has been created.

“ I think we should be very clear on this ; I think whatever mistakes, whatever missteps have been done cannot vitiate the grand law of the party , which is the Constitution of the party.”

He said he had written to the Rivers State chapter of the party to nominate a person who has the finesse and passion for progressive politics as Giadom’s replacement.

Ajimobi inaugurates Uzodinma’s election committee, appeal panel

Also on Thursday , the NWC led by Ajimobi inaugurated the election and appeal committees for the Edo State primary, at the national secretariat of the party.

Represented by Eta, Ajimobi inaugurated the Governor Hope Uzodinma - led seven - member election committee.

In his remarks , Ajimobi said the party had commenced the process of conducting the Edo State governorship primary with the inauguration of the committees.

He further said, “ So, we are almost at the culmination of that process. It is with deep humility that I want to announce to Nigerians that those we have selected to do this onerous and herculean job for the party were carefully selected, some of the finest and best amongst us.

“ Their job is very simple, to carry out the process of selecting the flag bearer of the party in Edo State and we know that after that exercise, there may be concerns, disagreements , that is why we have constituted members of the APC governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee.”

Responding on behalf of other members, Uzodinma assured the leadership of the party that the committee would ensure justice .

Edo COVID - 19 law permits direct primary – Gov. Uzodinma

Uzodinma said the executive order put in place by his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki , provided an enabling environment for the party to proceed with its direct mode of primary as planned.

He expressed these views while speaking to journalists after his inauguration as chairman.

Uzodinma said, “ In their (NWC) wisdom. I have been appointed to chair the committee to conduct the primary, I have been given the guidelines to drive the exercise.

“ You are aware there is also a global pandemic, COVID- 19 and there are some local laws in Edo State. There is a law that does not allow more than 20 people to gather at a place , that is the beauty of direct primary.

“ When we get to Edo, we will deploy the necessary manpower to the various polling units with instructions that will not violate the local legislation that will enable our members not to gather more than 20 people at a place and by so doing, with a segmented approach , we will conduct a free and fair primary and our party will be happy for that.”

PUNCH

Nigeria records highest ever coronavirus cases as total hits 18,480

Nigeria on Thursday recorded its highest daily figure of confirmed COVID-19 cases yet, as 745 new infections were announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

With the latest update, the total tally of infected people in the country rose to 18, 480 from 17, 735 reported on Wednesday evening.

Previously, the highest daily COVID-19  cases was 681, which was recorded on June 12.

The new cases as recorded in states on Thursday are as follows:

Lagos -280 Oyo -103 Ebonyi -72 FCT-60 Imo-46 Edo-34 Delta-33 Rivers-25 Kaduna-23 Ondo -16 Katsina-12 Kano-10 Bauchi -8 Borno-7 Kwara-5 Gombe-4 Sokoto-2 Enugu-2 Yobe-1 Osun -1 Nasarawa -1

Ojudu as a Scaremonger (1) - By- Musa Omolere

Ojudu as a Scaremonger (1) - By- Musa Omolere

_In yo ooo!_ With the way my Omiye, Senator Babafemi Ojudu goes about carrying placard against his party, his state, his local government, his ward and his governor these days, one could mistake him for a Special Adviser in charge of Activism or Nuisance Making. No one should blame him though: Ojudu's job as Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Presidency is not defined at all. He does not report to the President, he is never invited for any political meeting, his advice is never sought and he is never asked to represent the President or any top Partyman at any function. Being an idle hand, therefore, the devil must find job for him. So when next you find Ojudu criticising Gov. Fayemi or anyone within his party, simply ask him what he has been able to do better as a party man either for the state or at the national level, be it during his 4 years as a Senator or in his 5 years as a Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters. In Ado where Ojudu claims to have come from, he has become a laughing stock for his meanness, mindlessness and stinginess. The Ureje River, for which he collected N2.5bn to dam as his constituency project, has since been abandoned, and it remains an eyesore. This is one reason Ojudu cannot enter Ado Ekiti in the daylight. Soon, our _Omiye_ will float another _Sakamnaje_ group, give it a name linked to a past national or international struggle and start swindling unsuspecting people in the name of _aluta_ with it.  No doubt, my brother, Ojudu is now a poster boy for scam and scaremongering.

_From Musa Omolere, a concerned Ado indigene from Ward 8._

Provisional Date Set For UEFA Champions League Restart

The 2019/20 UEFA Champions League campaign will resume in August, it was announced by UEFA in a statement yesterday.

The remaining round of 16 matches will now be played on 7 or 8 August, pending a decision on whether they will take place at the home team’s stadium or in Portugal.

UEFA also announced plans to complete the remainder of the competition as a final eight straight knockout tournament over an 11-day period in Lisbon from 12 to 23 August.

The UEFA executive committee confirmed the 2020/21 Champions League group campaign would begin on 20 October and new dates were also set for the postponed Euro 2020 finals, which will now take place next summer.

Ekiti APC asks Fayose to account for N10 billion airport project allocation

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ekiti State has advised the opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) to face its internal wrangling and woes rather than insulting the good people of the state with its incongruously written comments.

The APC, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, noted that the opposition PDP or any of its distraught members has no moral right to comment on the ongoing cargo airport project currently being executed by the APC controlled administration.

The statement, signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of APC, Elder Sam Oluwalana explained that the criticism from the opposition PDP is only reminding the people of the state of the chains of dirty deals and sufferings unleashed on them by the immediate past administration of Mr. Ayo Fayose.

“This is an administration that earmarked over N10 billion for the cargo airport and nothing to show for this taxpayers money.

“At the inception of the present administration of Dr. Kayode Fayemi, nothing concrete or visible was found at the project site despite the huge amount of money earmarked for it and approved by the house of assembly,” he added.

According to him, now that the project has been revisited and work has commenced in earnest at the site, the opposition party started raising baseless and unfounded allegations.

“If members of the PDP are not suffering from symptoms of senility or dementia praecox, it is better for them to concentrate on resolving the internal bickering currently bedevilling the party.

"I am aware that PDP members resort to blackmail in their desperate attempt to redeem their battered and diminished fortune, but the good people of Ekiti State know and understand better.

“From the huge amount of money budgeted for the airport project, Fayose found it difficult to pay coempensation to landowners whose properties were acquired for the project.” Elder Oluwalana declared. (Daily Post)

Nigeria records 587 new coronavirus cases, total now 17,735

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 587 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 17,735.

The health agency in a tweet Wednesday night said the new cases were reported in 18 states.

According to the NCDC, the 587 new cases are reported from 18 states: Lagos – 155, Edo – 75, FCT – 67, Rivers – 65, Oyo – 56, Delta – 50, Bayelsa – 25, Plateau – 18, Kaduna – 18, Enugu – 17, Borno – 12, Ogun – 12, Ondo – 7, Kwara – 4, Kano – 2, Gombe – 2, Sokoto – 1 and Kebbi 1

“Till date, 17735 cases have been confirmed, 5967 cases have been discharged and 469 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the agency said.

Excitement As Two Children burnt with charcoal Iron by their father discharge from hospital

Excitement As Two Children burnt with charcoal Iron by their father discharge from hospital.

••As Erelu Bisi Fayemi clears bills

 

I presumes we all still remember the story of one Mr. Babatunde that burnt his two children with hot charcoal iron on the 16th of March 2020. In this particularly incidence, the children were severely burnt by their father, because they disobeyed him by going to their mother's house to eat lunch when he wasn't at home. 

Since then, the children identified as Akin and Tope aged 8 and 7 respectively have been receiving treatments at the Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti. The two boy was said to have undergone series of operations which was all successful.

It is however a cheering news that the two children have been formerly discharged from FMC on 16th June, 2020 hailed and hearty, and all hospital bills paid by Her Excellency Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi.

Their father who was duly arrested then, is still  facing his charges for maltreating the children.

• Ekiti frown at child Maltreatment, Child Labour and all sorts of #ZGBV

Ekiti churches, mosques remain shut – Govt

Ekiti churches, mosques remain shut – Govt

The ban on worship centres and social functions in Ekiti remain, the State Government declared on Wednesday.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen.

She insisted that churches and mosques across the state remain shut to prevent escalation of the COVID- 19 cases.

 

Yaya-Kolade said it would commence the general testing of residents of the state at its molecular laboratory to boost the state’s testing capacity, adding that Ekiti still have six patients after four were discharged from the isolation centre recently, having tested negative twice.

Yaya-Kolade said : “We have met with the religious leaders and what we said was that churches and mosques remain closed. We have met and deliberated and the decision to reopen will be made as we see that we have enough scientific evidence which show that it is safe to reopen.

“We don’t want to open and later say we want to close our worship centres. A lot of things happen in churches like handshaking, embracing, clustering and taking of holy Communion together, all these must be resolved before we can say we want to open our churches” .

The Commissioner said all the patients at the isolation centre are stable, adding that those on oxygen supplimentation had been taken off and can now breathe on their own.

“Two of the six still being isolated have turned negative. We are awaiting the second negative for them to be discharged.

 

“We will begin pilot testing tomorrow (Thursday) at the molecular laboratory that we established. Everything is set for the commencement of the large scale testing .

“We are happy that there is no community spread in Ekiti, there is even decline and we have to keep this tempo going”, she said.

The coordinator of COVID- 19 Task Force in Ekiti, Prof Bolaji Aluko, stated that the security situation is still intact with no major breaches at the borders.

“The guidelines for the bringing of corpses to Ekiti still remain the same. Whoever wants to do any burial must get a death certificate to obtain clearance at the ministry of Health.

“The use of masks is still very imperative at this point, because it will help in curtailing the spread while the government is receiving palliatives from major partners and distributing to the residents to cushion the effect of the relaxed lockdown on them,” he said.

Re: False Propaganda on ‘’Double Appointments‘’ in APC , Ekiti State

Re: False Propaganda on ‘’Double Appointments‘’ in APC , Ekiti State

Our attention has been drawn to an unsigned publication circulating on social media with the title, “Yet they claimed no one holds two positions in Ekiti APC” in which some nameless and faceless persons or group of persons falsely and maliciously allege that certain esteemed members of our party, the ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) actively hold and occupy two offices as political appointees. 

Under normal circumstances, we would not have bothered to respond since the authors are too cowardly to own their spurious allegations, and our party is not in the habit of joining issues with faceless irrelevant elements of the opposition, but seeing that the intention of the undesirable authors of such inaccurate falsehood and deliberate misrepresentation of facts, is to confuse the unsuspecting public, sow discord within our united and unified party and malign the impeccable name, image and reputation of our esteemed members, we consider it necessary to set the records straight and correct the falsehood being peddled by the spineless authors before their seed of discord takes root in the minds of the public.

Before pointing out the errors in their allegation, it is important to debunk their premise. At no time did the leadership of APC in Ekiti State ever claimed that “no one holds two positions in Ekiti APC”. That statement is a figment of the author(s) imagination because by virtue of how political or public service works, it is very possible for one individual to serve in multiple roles and offices. For instance, the elected governor of a state is also automatically the leader of the party in that state just as the elected president is automatically the leader of the ruling party for the duration of his tenure.

So it is obvious that the author(s) of this falsehood are mere rabble rousers, malicious trouble makers and displaced upstarts whose only aim is to foment trouble and create a false perception of discord or discontent within our peaceful and unified structures for their own selfish agenda. We are however confident that their agenda is DOA (dead on arrival) because the APC structure in Ekiti State is well established, strong and committed to the development of our dear state and the success of the Fayemi Administration. Having established this, we want to point out their lies, deceit and unfounded libellous claims in the offensive publication.

Error 1. His Excellency, Otunba Niyi Adebayo was appointed as Chairman of the board of FAAN but never took up the appointment because the board was NEVER formally inaugurated! Now that he is currently the Minister for Trade, Investments and Innovations, his unconsummated board appointment is automatically null and void. How is he expected to resign an appointment that he was never formally inducted into in the first place? 

 

Error 2. Her Excellency, Dr Eniola Ajayi heard of her appointment into the board of the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki AFTER her swearing in as the Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary. She neither formally accepted nor was ever contacted by the institution till date.

 

Error 3. There is no one named ‘’OLUMIDE ELESHIN’’ in APC Ekiti State. Our Deputy Chairman is OLUSOLA ELESHIN and he does not hold any federal board appointment as falsely claimed in this publication.

Error 4. Professor Funmi Olonishakin is a distinguished daughter of Ekiti State who has an exemplary record as a renowned university administrator at the King’s College, London. She is neither a politician nor a card-carrying member of APC or any other political party in Nigeria. She is NOT on the board of EKSUTH as erroneously claimed. Rather, she is a member of the Governing Council of Ekiti State University EKSU. Her appointment to the Council was solely to enrich the management of the institution with global perspectives. It is an embarrassment to the career of the distinguished professor that her name would be enmeshed in such a pedestrian partisan and libellous publication. By the way, is her career vocational position at the King’s College, London also an APC “political appointment”?

Error 5. Ayoola Owolabi is the currently serving Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Ekiti State. Prior to his appointment late last year, Mr Ayoola was a distinguished civil servant who retired with merit from the State Civil Service as a Permanent Secretary after having served also as the State Accountant General as far back as 2011-2014. At NO TIME was Mr Ayoola ever appointed to any federal board in his career. The former Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Mr Dapo Kolawole was the one appointed as the Finance Director of FERMA and he has since resigned and taken up his new appointment in Abuja since September 2019!

Error 6. Amire Kolade is currently the Chairman of Ekiti South Local Government and the Chairman of ALGON, Ekiti State Chapter. Prior to his election, he held the position of Ekiti State Legal Adviser in APC, a position he resigned from in July 2019, more than 4 months to his contesting the primaries and subsequently winning the elections in December 2019. All documents to prove this is available in the records at the Party Secretariat and with the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission. So, at what time did he ever “hold two positions in Ekiti APC” concurrently as alleged in this laughable publication?

While we acknowledge that some persons mentioned on this list did hold federal board appointments before they were appointed into office in the Fayemi Administration, what the faceless and clueless accusers cleverly did not clarify was that many of them have since resigned the said appointments and that replacements of federal board appointments usually take a long process.  

Most of the appointments are on part time basis and the occupiers did not receive  salaries from them.

The fact that they no longer function in those positions does not automatically mean their vacancies will be filled immediately. So how does any rational and right-thinking mind hold Ekiti APC responsible for the federal government’s timetable to fill outstanding vacancies on its various boards?

As 2022 become clearer in the horizon, we are aware that various carpet baggers who are unsure of their political relevance within Ekiti politics, will increase their arsenal to attempt to destabilize the party because by their antecedents, their only known strategy to political relevance is to distort, malign, blackmail or cause strife, rancour and disaffection with the hope of fragmenting the party so they can grab a piece to ride to reckoning. 

They are the quintessential “A ri je ni’bi ma da ru” (Profiteers of Chaos), destructive elements like Sanballat and Tobias who specialised in trying to distract Nehemiah from the most important work of building the wall of Jerusalem but failed; just as our able and visionary Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi cannot be distracted from the onerous task of building the structures needed for Ekiti Development; they are the Jannes and Jambres of our political history who shall not prevail this time because their folly is exposed to all well-meaning stakeholders in the Ekiti project.

 

We would have counselled them to desist but like the proverbial dog destined to get lost, they will not listen to the whistle of their superiors. 

We therefore urge all genuine members, supporters and lovers of Ekiti State APC to please ignore the barrage of baseless campaigns of calumny either against the party, its leadership, membership and structures or against the person of His Excellency, Dr John Kayode Fayemi CON, the Ekiti State Government and all of its elected or appointed officials. 

As we have proven by showing their deception in this publication, every one of their future propaganda will be rooted in falsehood, prepared with envy and unleashed with blinded self-serving indignation. They do not mean well for the APC nor for the good people of Ekiti State. 

Since it is a bit early to engage in unbridled, messy and aimless political propaganda, , we will deliberately refuse to be drawn into their planned arena. We urge them to cool their heels and hold their fire as we have a lot of governance to deliver for Ekiti residents who trusted Governor Kayode Fayemi with their mandate as we approach the second anniversary of his inauguration in October 2020. 

Nothing shall distract us.  

Signed

Elder Sam Oluwalana

Director, Media & Publicity

All Progressives Congress

Ekiti State.

OSHIOMHOLE’S SUSPENSION: Giadom faults Ajimobi’s appointment as APC Acting National Chairman

Following Appeal Court’s upholding of the suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the battle for his temporary replacement seems to have begun with both immediate past governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who is the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party and Chief Victor Giadom, the party’s incumbent Deputy National Secretary and a member of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, laying claim to the exalted ‘throne.’

Though the party (APC), shortly after the Appeal Court verdict appointed Ajimobi the acting national chairman, saying the former governor will be its interim leader, Giadom’s camp, in a statement by his counsel, Chief Wole Afolabi, obtained by Vanguard , insisted that the order of the FCT High Court issued on March 16, 2020 by Hon. Justice S.U Bature in Suit No. 

FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 to the effect that Chief Victor Giadom is to act as the National Chairman of the party due to the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman remains valid, thereby rendering Ajimobi’s appointment null and void and of no effect.

Chief Afolabi said: Our attention has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued by the Publicity Secretary of the APC to the effect that Senator Abiola Ajimobi is to act as the National Chairman of APC following the suspension from office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal.

”We wish to state that the statement must have been issued in complete ignorance of the order of the FCT High Court issued on 16th of March, 2020 by Hon. Justice S.U Bature in Suit No. FCT/HC/M/6447/2020 to the effect that Chief Victor Giadom is to act as the National Chairman of the party due to the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.

”The order was given the same day that the Court of Appeal earlier gave Oshiomhole a temporary respite by staying the execution of the said order suspending Oshiomhole. Now that the Court of Appeal has affirmed the order of suspension, it is only proper that the Order recognising Chief Victor Giadom is implemented.

”Consequently, we have written to all law enforcement agencies to implement the said order and any one who attempts to parade himself/herself other than Chief Victor Giadom as the Acting Chairman of the APC would be facing contempt of court proceedings.” (Vanguard)

COVID-19: Nigeria records 490 new cases

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 490 confirmed new coronavirus cases in the country on Tuesday.

The 490 cases announced by the Centre for Disease Control takes the total number of confirmed cases to 17,148.

The NCDC also announced the discharge of 274 patients from isolation centers across the country with 31 new deaths reported.

“On the 16th of June 2020, 490 new confirmed cases and 31 deaths were recorded in Nigeria

“Till date, 17148 cases have been confirmed, 5623 cases have been discharged and 455 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory”

The 490 new cases are reported from 16 states- Lagos(142), FCT(60), Bayelsa(54), Rivers(39), Delta(37), Oyo(30), Kaduna(26), Imo(23), Enugu(19), Kwara(17), Gombe(11), Ondo(10), Bauchi(8), Ogun(7), Borno(6), Benue(1)

BREAKING: APC names Ajimobi Acting National Chairman

The National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has named Sen. Abiola Ajimobi as its acting National Chairman.

The development followed Tuesday’s affirmation of the suspension of the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.

The party in a late statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said it has received the news indicating the Appeal Court has upheld the suspension of the Party’s National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole by an FCT High Court pending the determination of the substantive suit.

“Guided by advice from the Party’s legal department in line with the provisions of Section 14.2. (iii) of the Party’s constitution, the Deputy National Chairman (South), Sen. Abiola Ajimobi will serve as the Party’s Acting National Chairman.

“According to Section 14.2. (iii),of the APC constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, North/South “Shall act as the National Chairman in the absence of the National Chairman from his zone”, the NWC stated. (Vanguard)

BREAKING: Bayern Munich win eighth-straight Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich sealed their eighth-straight Bundesliga title after they beat Werder Bremen 1-0 to make it seven wins in a row since the restart, 16 wins from their last 17 games and they are unbeaten in the league since December.

Robert Lewandowski chested down Jerome Boateng's chipped pass to net the winner against Werder Bremen - and seal the league with two games to spare.

Bayern's 11th straight Bundesliga win put them 10 points clear of Borussia Dortmund, who have three games left.

Bayern finished the match with 10 men after Alphonso Davies was sent off for two yellow-card offences.

How successful has the Bundesliga restart been?

Poland striker Lewandowski has scored 31 league goals this season, a tally that equals the single-season scoring record by a foreign player in the league. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, now at Arsenal, scored 31 Bundesliga goals for Borussia Dortmund in 2016-17.

Bayern were far from their best against a Werder Bremen side fighting for survival at the other end of the table.

With the game goalless, Bremen's Maximilian Eggestein went close from distance before Lewandowski's quality winner after Kingsley Coman had earlier headed narrowly wide.

Coman again went close before teenager Davies was sent off with 11 minutes remaining, while Werder Bremen had a late appeal for a penalty for handball turned down.

Bayern celebrate in unusual circumstances

Seven points clear of nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund with three games to go before kick-off, Bayern needed one win from their remaining three games to wrap up another title.

Hansi Flick's side did just that - but they got over the line in unusual circumstances.

When Bayern won the title on the final day of last season, they did so after an 

emphatic 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in front of 75,000 fans at the Allianz Arena.

On Tuesday, there were no supporters present inside Werder Bremen's 42,000-capacity Weserstadion as they wrapped up the title in pouring rain.

The full-time whistle was greeted with shouts of delight from Bayern's players which echoed around the empty stadium, but it was a far cry from previous title celebrations before the coronavirus pandemic.

EFCC Arrests Banker For Alleged N18 million Fraud

EFCC Arrests Banker For Alleged  N18 million Fraud

The Benin Zonal Office of the EFCC has arrested a staff of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Philips Orumade, for allegedly stealing the sum of Eighteen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand naira (N18,900,000) from the bank.

Orumade, who was said to be in charge of ATM gallery keys at Aduwawa branch of the bank , on November 3, 2019 allegedly disappeared with the said amount and efforts to trace him proved abortive.

According to the bank, the suspect was captured by the CCTV footage,  walking into the ATM gallery, before using a nylon bag to cover the CCTV. The suspect has been on the run and was recently apprehended in Lagos.

He has made useful statements  and will soon be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed.

Breaking: Court of Appeal affirms Oshiomhole’s suspension as National Chairman

The Abuja division of the Court of Appeal on Tuesday affirmed the suspension of the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

In a unanimous judgment, a three-man panel of the appellate court dismissed Oshiomhole’s appeal as lacking in merit.

Justice Danlami Senchi of the High Court had issued an injunctive order suspending Oshiomhole as the APC National Chairman pending the determination of a substantive suit.

The Senchi, gave the order following an application of interlocutory injunction asking the court to suspend Mr Oshiomhole, having been suspended as a member of the APC by the party in Edo State.

The application was filed by an applicant, Oluwale Afolabi.

While Mr Oshiomhole is the first respondent, the APC is the second respondent.

Mr Afolabi in his application dated and filed on January 16 had contended that Mr Oshiomhole is currently suspended by the party and has not challenged the suspension.

According to Mr Afolabi, Mr Oshiomhole’s rights as an APC member is currently abated and he cannot continue to act as chairman of the party.

He argued that Mr Oshiomhole cannot continue to enjoy benefits from the APC, despite his suspension as a member of the party.

(The Sun)

Naira Marley to Jet airline: We won’t be using your useless airline again

Superstar musician Azeez Fashola popularly known as Naira Marley has objected to the description of him and those who flew Executives Jets Services to Abuja at the weekend as a “bunch of useless people”.

Recall that the Chairman/CEO of Executive Jet Services, Sam Iwuajoku in his apology letter to the Minister of Aviation said the flight Naira Marley and his crew boarded was meant for a Judge. He said the Judge however reached Abuja on a different flight. 

He added that after his staff sent a passenger manifest bearing the name Fashola Babatunde, he felt it was a serving minister of the federal republic of Nigeria not knowing it was a "bunch of useless people". 

In his reaction via his Twitter handle on Tuesday afternoon, Naira Marley said: “Do you know that over 20,000 Marlians travel with executive jets a month? We won’t be using your useless airline again for calling us useless.

“Thank God we didn’t crash on that flight because we nearly did.”

BREAKING: Lagos Governor Suspends Reopening Of Mosques, Churches

The Lagos State Government has stopped the planned reopening of worship centers  on Friday, June 19 and Sunday, June 21.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon.

According to him, the development is as a result of the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.

According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Lagos so far has 7319 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with infections expected to rise in the coming days. 

OPERATION HADARIN DAJI AIR COMPONENT TAKES OUT SEVERAL ARMED BANDITS’ CAMPS, NEUTRALIZES SCORES OF BANDITS IN MULTIPLE AIR STRIKES IN KATSINA STATE

1. 
   In continuation of the renewed offensive to rid the North West and North Central States of criminal elements, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI has destroyed some armed bandits’ camps in a forest in Katsina State south of Birnin Kogo along the Katsina-Zamfara boundary area. The air strikes were executed yesterday, 15 June 2020, as part of missions under the subsidiary Operation ACCORD after Human Intelligence (HUMINT) reports as well as series of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions indicated that some clusters of huts in the area were being used as mini-camps by members of notorious armed bandits’ gang led by one so-called “Adamu Aleiro”.
   

2. Consequently, the Air Component dispatched a force package of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) attack aircraft and helicopter gunships to engage the area, leading to the destruction of 3 of the targeted camps, some of which were seen engulfed in flames. Several of the criminals were also neutralized in the process.

3. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), commends the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI for their professionalism and urges them to remain resolute in the conduct of air strikes whilst continuing to provide close air support for ongoing ground operations in order to eradicate all armed bandits; thus accomplishing the directives of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to restore normalcy in the North West and North Central Zones of the Country.

JOHN ENENCHE

Major General

Coordinator

Defence Media Operations

Defence Headquarters

16 June 2020