We thought Naira Marley was Buhari’s minister, Fashola – Airline apologizes to FG

Owners of the private jet which flew in Naira Marley to Abuja amid coronavirus pandemic has apologized to the minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Recalls that the airline, Executive Jet Services, was on Monday suspended by the Federal Government for airlifting Nigerian musician, Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley, from Lagos to Abuja.

There had been outrage and criticisms on social media after the video emerged of Naira Marley hosting a concert at Jabi Lake Mall despite the interstate lockdown and flight restriction

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Mr. Sam Iwuajoku, in a letter sent to Minister of aviation, said that the airline airlifted Naira Marley due to a case of mistaken identity.

He said there was no indication from the names in the manifest that Naira Marley was part of the flight, as they thought it was Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola.

The Chairman added that the passenger manifest dated June 13, 2020, the Lagos-Abuja-Lagos flight conveyed to Abuja: Adewunmi Segun, Chinonso Opara, Fashola Babatunde, Fashola Adeshina and Adeyeye Tobi.

Others were: Michael Opeyemi, Idowu Emmanuel, Seyi Awonuga, Wisdom Intoto and Abayomi Akin.

The letter read in part: “On Saturday morning, 13th June, 2020, my staff called and told me that they have a charter flight to Abuja and that the passengers were already at the lounge.

"As a rule, passenger manifest is always sent to me before any departure.

“When I went through the manifest and I saw Fashola Babatunde, I thought it was the Hon. Minister of Works going to Abuja so we decided to do the flight, since he is serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” (Daily Post)

Osinowo was a true patriot, says Adetunmbi

Message of condolence on the passing of Senator Adedayo Osinowo by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi

June 16th, 2020

The depressing news of the sudden death of my colleague Senator Adedayo Osinowo leaves me in shock. 

Senator Osinowo was a true patriot and distinguished public servant who served the people with utmost distinction. His passing has left all of us grief-stricken and lost of words to express how much he will be missed and remembered for his long-standing service to our Nation and as a Distinguished Senator at the Ninth Senate. He was the Chairman of the Committee on industries.

As we mourn the passing of a great patriot and outstanding public servant, I’d like to on behalf of the good people in Ekiti North extend heartfelt condolences to the Osinowo Family, Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu and especially the people of his constituency in Lagos East. 

Rest In Peace Senator Adedayo Osinowo, your passing has left a void in our hearts. 

Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi

Ekiti North

June 16th, 2020.

IG Briefs Buhari, Says 799 Rape Suspects Arrested

...719 cases reported in five months

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, over the upsurge in rape incidents nationwide.

Briefing State House reporters after the meeting, the IGP said cases of sexual violence against women had been on the rise as a result of the lockdown caused by the outbreak of COVID-19, adding that 799 suspects have so far been arrested.

According to him, 717 rape cases have been reported in the last five months, 631 of them have been investigated and charged to court, while the remaining 52 cases are still being investigated.

Adamu also said the police and other security agencies as well as non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations had been collaborating to jointly check the scourge, adding that the federal government has joined the league with a view to stemming the tide.

“It has come to the public knowledge now that because of the COVID-19 restrictions, we have surge in cases of rape and gender-based violence. These are cases that are now coming up but we want to let members of the public know that rape and gender-based violence has been there.

“The law enforcement agents have been dealing with these cases. In most cases, members of the public are not aware of the actions that the law enforcement agents have been taking.

“The Nigeria Police so far from January-May 2020 has recorded about 717 rape incidents that were reported across the country. About 799 suspects have been arrested; 631 cases conclusively investigated and charged to court and 52 cases are left and under investigation.

“The police and other security agencies and other non-governmental organisations have been collaborating, to see to it that these cases of rape and gender-based violence are dealt with.

"The NGOs and CSOs that have the capacity to deal with this kind of offences have been cooperating with law enforcement agencies in capacity building, management of victims of rape and similar offences and procedures for collecting evidence, towards successful prosecution. The government has taken the matter to another level now because of the surge we have noticed,” he said.

Adamu appealed to Nigerians whose loved ones are victims of sexual violence and anyone who comes across any victim of the menace to promptly report the matter, saying failure to do so would only embolden rapists to continue with the nefarious acts. (ThisDay)

Governor Fayemi Mourns Senator Oshinowo's Death

GOVERNOR FAYEMI MOURNS SENATOR  OSHINOWO'S DEATH

Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has mourned the death of the Senator representing Lagos East at the National Assembly, Senator  Adebayo Oshinowo. 

The Governor in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday described the death of Senator Oshinowo as very shocking and unfortunate.

Dr. Fayemi said the deceased had made a remarkable impact on the lives of the people of Lagos State whom he had served both as a member of the State House of Assembly for 16 years and later as a Senator. 

He described Oshinowo was a seasoned politician who had endeared himself to the people of Lagos State as reflected in the number of electoral victories he recorded through their votes.

The Governor said the deceased was a thoroughbred professional and successful businessman who had a career in the public service before joining politics.

Dr. Fayemi said the late politician would be sorely missed for his contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the nation's democratic experience.

He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

"On behalf of the government and good people of Ekiti State, I commiserate with Senator Osinowo's immediate family, the leadership of the National Assembly, the leadership of APC in Lagos State as well as his political associates and followers. May God heal the wound and grant the departed eternal rest", the statement added.

Signed 

Yinka Oyebode 

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Nigeria records 573 new coronavirus cases, total infection now 16,658

Nigeria’s tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose to 16,658 as 573 new infections were announced by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

Four deaths were recorded from the virus on Monday bringing the total number of confirmed deaths from the virus to 424.

The health agency in a tweet Monday night said the new cases were reported in 20 states.

These are Lagos, Rivers, Oyo Edo, Kano, Gombe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Delta, Plateau, Bauchi, Niger, Kebbi, Ogun, Ondo, Abia, Nasarawa, Kwara, Benue and Anambra.

All the reporting states already had at least a case of the virus.

As of the time of reporting, 35 states and the FCT had recorded at least a case of the disease. Only one state, Cross River, is yet to report any case of the virus.

Lagos State recorded the highest daily figure for the confirmed cases on Monday with 216 cases.

The 573 new cases are reported from 20 states- Lagos – 216, Rivers – 103, Oyo – 68, Edo – 40, Kano – 21, Gombe – 20, FCT – 17, Delta – 13, Plateau – 12, Bauchi – 12, Niger – 10, ,Kebbi – 9, Ogun – 8, Ondo – 8, Abia – 7, Nasarawa – 5, Borno – 1, Kwara – 1, Benue – 1 and Anambra – 1.

“Till date, 16658 cases have been confirmed, 5349 cases have been discharged and 424 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” the NCDC stated.

BREAKING: FG hands flight company indefinite suspension for conveying Naira Marley to Abuja concert

Hadi Sirika, the minister for aviation, says the flight that conveyed Naira Marley to Abuja for a concert was approved for a different purpose.

Answering questions during the daily briefing on the presidential task force on COVID-19 on Monday, Sirika said the flight company has been suspended indefinitely.

He also said the flight captain will be sanctioned for providing false information.

More to follow…