Wednesday, 20 May 2020

Nigeria records 226 new cases of COVID-19, total infections now 6401


Nigeria has recorded  226 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infections in the country to 6401.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on Tuesday.
The centre said that one patient died of coronavirus-related complications in the country, bringing the total number of fatalities to 192.

It said “On the 19th of May 2020, 226 new confirmed cases and 1 death was recorded in Nigeria”

No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.

Till date, 6401 cases have been confirmed, 1734 cases have been discharged and 192 deaths have been recorded in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The 226 new cases are reported from 16 states- Lagos (131), Ogun (25), Plateau (15), Edo (11), Kaduna (7), Oyo (6), FCT (5), Adamawa (5), Jigawa (4), Ebonyi (4), Borno (4), Nasarawa (3), Bauchi (2), Gombe (2), Enugu (1), Bayelsa (1)

Tuesday, 19 May 2020

BREAKING: FG Fires Managing Director Of TCN

The Federal Government has on Tuesday, removed the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Usman Gur Mohammed.

The Minister of Power , Mohammed Sale, approved of Mohammed ’s sack on Tuesday.

This was disclosed in a statement by spokesman of the minister, Aaron Artimas.

Artimas also confirmed the authenticity of the statement and appointment of Sule Abdulaziz in acting capacity.

He said: “As part of continuing measures to reposition and improve the performance of the power Sector in the country, the Honorable Minister of Power Engr. Sale Mamman hereby announces major changes at the Transmission Company of Nigeria,”.

“Accordingly, the Managing Director of the TCN, Usman Gur Mohammed has been removed from office with immediate effect. He is being replaced with Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, as Managing Director, in acting capacity.

“The Honorable Minister has also confirmed the appointment of four directors who have been on acting position in the Company for some time.”

BREAKING: APC fixes dates for Edo, Ondo Guber Primaries as INEC sticks to timetable

The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has announced Monday, June 22 and Monday, July 20 for its governorship primary elections in Edo and Ondo states.

This came as the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC said it would stick to its timetable and schedule of activities regarding the elections in both states.

National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Festus Okoye in a statement on Tuesday night said the commission had met earlier in the day and deliberated on a wide range of issues including the conduct of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections, as well as the nine outstanding bye elections in different parts of the country.

He said; “The Commission deliberated extensively on a Policy Framework that will guide its operations, activities and engagements with critical stakeholders in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic and its impact on the electoral process in Nigeria. 

Based on this, the Commission will on Thursday 21st May 2020 issue a Policy Framework for engagement with stakeholders, the conduct of the two end of tenure governorship elections, outstanding bye elections and future electoral activities.

“The Commission reiterated its commitment to conduct the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections on 19th September and 10th October 2020 as contained in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities released on 6th February 2020.

“We reassure Nigerians of our resolve and determination to provide the requisite guidance, innovation and leadership in conducting elections in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Commission is committed to fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of conducting elections but without jeopardizing the health and wellbeing of citizens, stakeholders or its valued staff.

“The Commission will accelerate consultations and engagements with political parties, civil society organizations, security agencies and health authorities as soon as its Policy Framework is finalized this week.
“We again urge everyone to remain safe and healthy by complying with all the guidelines and protocols issued by the health authorities”, said.
APC Primaries

APC in a notice by its National Organizing Secretary, Emma Ibediro fixed the cost of its nomination and expression of interest forms for N22.5 million cumulatively.
While there is no separate charge for running mates, female and physically challenged aspirants were however given a 50 percent rebate.(Vanguard)

Court Convicts Four for Sneaking into Ekiti from Lagos

An Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday arraigned four persons who attempted to sneak into Ekiti State from Lagos while the COVID-19 lockdown is still in force.

The quartet, Afolabi Shuaib, Daramola Sulaimon, Ibe Gregory and Adeniyi Idowu were brought before Chief Magistrate Abdulhamid Lawal on a three-count charge.

The prosecutor, Mr Clement Ayoola, the Director of Evaluation and Monitoring Department in the Ministry of Justice, told the court that the defendants were nabbed at Igbara Odo while attempting to illegally enter Ekiti while hiding inside the truck.

He said that the driver converted his truck with the registration number EPE 964 LP to a commercial vehicle and transported the other defendants from Alaba Market in Lagos State to Ekiti State.

The prosecutor noted that the offence contrary to the provision of Regulation 2 (1) (a) punishable under Regulation 12 of the Ekiti State Coronavirus (Pevention of Infection) Regulations 1-4, 2020 made pursuant to Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Cap Q2, LFN, 2004.

All the defendants, however pleaded guilty to the three count charge.

Lawal, in his ruling said against the background that Lagos is the epicenter of Coronavirus in Nigeria, convicted and imposed a fine of N30,000 on Shuaib, the driver of the truck which conveyed them from Lagos.

The three passengers who hid inside the truck were also convicted and bagged a fine of N10,000 each for violating government order on restriction of movement across borders. (The Nation)

Welder Commits Suicide Over Inability To Pay N120,000 Debt

        Sunday’s welding workshop in Olu-Odo road, Igbogbo, Ikorodu.


A man identified as Sunday Welder during the weekend committed suicide in his house in Ikorodu over his inability to deliver a N120,000 job he owed one of his customers.

“He (Sunday) has always told me that he would kill himself if he’s unable to pay the debt,” Osaze, an Okada part seller whose workshop is beside Sunday’s workshop said.

Sunday, a known welder in Olu-Odo area of Igbogbo, Ikorodu was discovered dead in his house in Awobo area of Igbogbo on Sunday evening.

Osaze said the deceased’s girlfriend, Embella, had gone to visit him but discovered the door to Sunday’s room was locked.

She reportedly asked Sunday’s neighbours of his whereabouts and was told that they saw the deceased going into his room and had not left since then.

Sunday’s neighbours afterwards reportedly made efforts to open the door when he was not responding to their calls and discovered that he had drunk a poisonous portion inside a small bottle.

Narrating the circumstances of the debt that led to Sunday’s death, Osaze said two people contracted Sunday to construct containers for them.

The first person, Osaze said, paid Sunday 96,000 while the other person paid N120,000 to the deceased welder.

Osaze explained that after the time given to Sunday had elapsed, the person who paid Sunday N96,000 for a container came to collect it but Sunday was unable to produce it.

“The customer returned another day and found the container that Sunday made for the person that paid N120,000 and carried it,” Osaze said, “Sunday has been unable to produce the N120,000 container to the owner.”

Sunday’s decision to drink the poisonous portion he took surprises Osaze who said the deceased has ready-made fabricated “Gates and doors worth over N300,000 in his shop.”

“He always told me that he would drink something and die to save himself of the stress,” Osaze said.

Sunday’s remains have been taken to at a mortuary in Ikorodu, our correspondent learnt.

Confirming the incident, spokesman to Lagos State Police Command Bala Elkana said, “there is a case of a young man found dead in his room in Igbogbo.”

Elkana said police officers discovered a bottle of “a substance suspected to be sniper” which is with the police for postmortem examination.

He, however, denied claims that the girl was arrested and kept in custody over Sunday’s death.

“No, the girlfriend is not in custody. She was not arrested. She has only been with the police for enquiry on the deceased,” Elkana told The Guardian. (The Guardian)

Enough Of Femi Fani-Kayode's Madness - By- Adam Abdullahi, PhD


 
By Adam Abdullahi, PhD

Before now, I had remain silent to all the irrational and lunatic comments of FFK on many prominent Nigerians. But now, he has jumped into a river he knows nothing about its depth i.e. History of Ilorin and the Appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari.
First, there wasn’t any Oba in Ilorin before the establishment of the Emirate in 1823/24. Although, Aare Afonja was the Generalissimo of the Oyo Empire and forth of his generation in Ilorin after Laderin, Pasin and Alugbin. It is a fact that the Oyo annexed Ilorin in the 17th century by Alaafin Ojigi to protect the Igbominas from the Nupes incursion. However, Ilorin had been in existence centuries before Oyo’s authority.

Femi, your lack of historical facts made you say Aare Afonja rebelled against Oyo. Now let me lecture you. The animosity started when Alaafin Aole became the King of the Oyo Empire. As it is the tradition to execute all Alaafin’s real or perceived enemies for his peaceful reign, King Aole was asked by his Chiefs the names of his enemies. The king first mentioned one Baale Apomu and the man was quickly killed. The Alaafin was asked further of the last person and he replied thus: “my last enemy is more formidable than me.” Surprised, the chiefs asked again, and the king said “Afonja in Ilorin.” 

All of them alarmed and scared; because Afonja was the most power man in the entire oyo empire. Aole and his chiefs later came up with a grand plan to execute Afonja; but the generalissimo’s spy quickly ran to Ilorin and briefed him. This was the beginning of the crisis that later frustrated the king and made him to commit suicide. But before his death, he curse the entire Yoruba race and Afonja. The Oyo Mesi and other generals declared war against Afonja and he sought the help of his friend, Salih Ibn Janta a.k.a.  Alimi; and together they embarked on a defensive war against Oyo… end of class.

FFK also demonstrated his historical naivety by saying Alimi killed Afonja and all his children. The class continues… Femi, the crisis that led to the death of Afonja was not between him and his friend, Alimi, but between Afonja and the slave soldiers who were rampaging the city after the wars. After the death of Alimi, there was a confrontation between Afonja and the slave soldiers which led to the death of the generalissimo. There are two points to be noted here my student. One, Alimi was no longer alive when the fight occurred between Afonja and the soldiers. Two, all Afonja’s children were not killed; and that is why there is a noble family of Magaji Aare in Ilorin till date.
On the issue of Masu Jamba, it’s like Femi doesn’t know its historical origin before opening his stinking mouth to talk. The name was giving to Ilorin by the Ibadans who closed the only root to the coast against Ilorin during the Ilorin-Ibadan wars as economic blockage to force Ilorin to surrender. Instead, Ilorin formed an alliance with Ijaye to navigated Abekuta and down to Eko (the coast). When the Ibadans discovered, they said “Masu Jamba mani awon Ilorin yi.” The name was as a result of Ilorin’s higher thinking capacity and diplomacy and not as a result of betrayal.

Now to the appointment of Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari. Femi Fani-Kayode, you were talking about Islamisation and Fulanisation of Nigeria. Are you talking about the handwork of your election-rigging and selfish father who was a slave of the North during his lifetime? So, you are not insulting the global citizen, Prof. Gambari, but your late father. The demise of late CoS, Abba Kyari, left a vacuum in the government and the President exercised his power and appointed a trustworthy, competent and resourceful man in Prof. Gambari and you, once again, ignited your madness sense to talk evil about an international public servant and lecturer of highest repute who your father is not qualified to clean his shoes. 

Femi, I am not surprised because this your show of shame shows that you are not a bastard but a true son of your father. It was your father that taught you how not to be responsible and the trick of stealing from public treasury. Baba iya to bi omo buruku.  When President Obasanjo thought he should future young people in his Administration and appointed you as the Minister of Aviation, what did you do? You stole the country dry plus the money laundry of 2015. I can’t wait to see justice been served on your corruption case in court. The country needs those monies to build hospitals and roads in your village.

Femi, enough of your madness. If you need help, I can introduce you to a Counselor friend of mine and I will pay the bill. Or if is a psychiatric hospital, there is a famous one in Lagos where you can be treated. I have decided to be taking you and others like you to cleaners anytime you show any sign of madness.

Least I forget, let me remind you of the song of betrayal that the Yoruba people sang for your father declaring him as a black sheep “Fani-Kayode jegbese ote!, Fani-kayode Jegbese ote…..” If you are not careful your own song is under composition; Omo osan tinko pompo ba iya e.