Chelsea fight back to beat Aston Villa

Chelsea returned to Premier League action by coming from behind to beat relegation-threatened Aston Villa and strengthen their bid for a top-four finish.

The Blues dominated the first half but fell behind when Kepa failed to hold Anwar El Ghazi's shot and Kortney Hause was on hand to bundle in.

Chelsea fought back after the break and turned the game on its head with two goals in as many minutes.

First, substitute Christian Pulisic smashed Cesar Azpilicueta's cross into the roof of the net at the far post before Olivier Giroud drove in from 15 yards with the help of a slight deflection.

The win means fourth-placed Chelsea restored their five-point advantage over Manchester United and Wolves, who are fifth and sixth respectively.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone, one point from safety after taking one point from their first two games back following the resumption of the Premier League. (BBC)

Ondo Deputy Gov resigns from APC

Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi has announced the resignation of his membership of the ruling party, All Progressive Congress (APC), on Sunday, June 21.

The Ondo deputy governor broke his bond with the ruling party following months of prolonged political feuds between him and his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Ajayi resigned on Sunday at Ward 2, Apoi in Eseodo local government.

The Ondo Deputy Governor immediately picked membership card of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) at his ward.

It is speculated that nine members of the Ondo House of Assembly would join him to officially defect to the PDP on Monday.

COVID-19: Ekiti State Case Update

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

 This brings the total confirmed cases in Ekiti State to thirty-four (34), of which six (6) active, twenty-six (26) discharged, and two (2) deaths.

FG reacts to demolition of High Commission building in Ghana

The federal government has reacted to the demolition of Nigerian commission officers quarters in Ghana by unknown men.

Some armed men had invaded the Nigerian High commission in Accra, Ghana on Friday, destroying some apartments under construction.

The affected buildings were reportedly being constructed to house staff and visitors.

A Ghanaian businessman had accused the commission of encroaching on his land.

men.

The minister of foreign affairs on his tweeter handle condemned the act, says Nigerian government is engaging the Ghanaian government on the dastardly act

He demands urgent action in finding the perpetrators and ensuring protection of all Nigerians in Ghana

The demolition of the Nigerian high commission  officers residence is an action that could spark diplomatic tussle

According to foreign policies, Ghana is supposed to protect properties including residences of other countries within their  domain

This is not the first time Ghanaians have been violent to Nigerians, Nigerian traders in Ghana have also complained of their properties been destroyed several times.

Churches in Oyo state reopen after three months Nigeria

Churches in Oyo State have reopened after three months of closure due to the ban placed on religious gatherings by the government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had in March, placed a ban on religious gathering as part of measures to curb the spreading of the novel coronavirus disease.

The government, however, announced recently that churches and mosques in the state could reopen with some guidelines.

It directed that religious centres must operate, at not more than 25 per cent capacity, while wearing facemasks throughout the service among other measures.

The NAN correspondent, who visited some churches including the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and Winners Chapel among others on Sunday in Ibadan, observed that the churches maintained the guidelines set by the government.

It was observed that there were buckets of running water and liquid soaps placed at entry points for members to wash their hands before and after the service.

Some of the churches had earlier fumigated their environments while all members were sighted putting on face masks as sitting arrangements gave room for social distancing.

Some of the churches held multiple numbers of services so as to allow social distancing while thermometers were used to check members’ temperature before they entered the church.

Also, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman in Oyo state, Apostle Joshua Akinyemiju, urged churches to maintain the guidelines set by the government.

“While appreciating the governor for allowing churches to worship, Christians must endeavour to abide by all the government’s guidelines to that effect.

We should remember that the Bible enjoins us in Hebrew 13:17, to obey those that have the rule over us.

“Now that government has lifted the ban on religious centres with conditions attached, it behoves us, as religious leaders, to ensure absolute compliance to protect the government from being blamed for its leniency,’’ Akinyemiju said.

Also, the Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus Assembly Parish, Ibadan, Pastor Vincent Ajiboye, thanked God and the government for the opportunity to reopen churches.

“It’s good really to open in phases because of all we have gone through.

“Our church is open and to the glory of God we are fully prepared.

“May the Lord see us through in Jesus name, amen,’’ Ajiboye prayed.

A Christian faithful, Mr Ademola Ilori, expressed gratitude to God for giving him and family the grace and opportunity to worship again.

“We thank the government also for this, but we will appreciate them to increase the time/hours given for churches to operate, so as to enable us to express our profound gratitude and service to God,’’ he said.

NAN

Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its nationwide strike with immediate effect from Monday, June 22.

The organisation said it took the decision in order to enable the government time to fulfill outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors ’ Forum and other stakeholders.

NARD made the announcement in a communique read to journalists by its President, Dr. Aliyu Sokomba , on Sunday in Abuja after its National Executive Council meeting attended by over 300 members .