Oyo deputy governor denied access to Ajimobi’s 8th day fidau

There was a miild drama on Sunday at the Oluyole, Ibadan residence of the former governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, when the state deputy governor Rauf Olaniyan was denied access to the eighth day fidau prayers holding in the compound.

The family had announced the fidau prayer as a private programme, urging the public to watch through virtual channels including Zoom, YouTube and Facebook.

Olaniyan arrived the residence at about 11:20 am in a convoy of five vehicles. On getting to the gate of the road leading to Ajimobi’s residence, the convoy was stopped by policemen and members of other security agencies manning the gate. 

They insisted that only the deputy governor’s vehicle could be allowed into the street to join the prayer.

The deputy governor’s security details initially rebuffed the idea but when their argument was degenerating, a senior policeman intervened and they eventually agreed that only the deputy governor’s vehicle should go in.

But on getting to Ajimobi’s house, the gate was also locked. The deputy governor’s aides introduced their principal but they were told that the gate had been locked, and that Mrs Ajimobi was in possession of the key. Olaniyan waited, believing that the issue would be sorted in no time.

After waiting for about 15 minutes, however, without any positive development, Olaniyan left the residence.

Nigeria records 603 new coronavirus cases

Nigeria has recorded 603 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in the country, as total infections from the virus climbed 28,167.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on its official twitter handle on Saturday.

The NCDC said that as at the June 4, 603 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in the country.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

According to NCDC, till date, 28,167 cases have been confirmed, 11,462 cases have been discharged and 634 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

NCDC stated that the 603 new cases were reported from 19 states- Lagos(135), Edo(87), FCT(73), Rivers(67), Delta(62), Ogun(47) and Kaduna (20).

Others were Plateau (19), Osun(17), Ondo(16), Enugu(15), Oyo (15), Borno (13), Niger(6), Nasarawa(4), Kebbi (3), Kano (2), Sokoto(1), and Abia(1).

FG assures payment of N-POWER beneficiaries

The Federal Government has assured N-Power beneficiaries that their outstanding payments and other challenges bedevilling the programme will be resolved soon.

Minster of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Farouq made this known during a virtual meeting with some of the Batch A and B beneficiaries.

In a statement by her Special Adviser, Strategic Communications, Halima Oyelade the Minster thanked the beneficiaries for their contributions towards the success of the programme.

According to the statement, the Minster reiterated the president’s vision of uplifting 100 million people out of poverty and expressed happiness that, at least, 109,823 beneficiaries of Batch A and B of N- Power have established businesses in their communities.

The commencement of the enrolment of Batch C was predicated on the need to give more Nigerian youth the opportunity to benefit as keeping only 500,000 beneficiaries for 4 years defeats the purpose of Mr. President’s vision.

Some of the beneficiaries thanked the Federal Government for the opportunity given to them.

“Saddiq Mustapha, a beneficiary from Katsina State and graduate of Ahmadu Bello University said he was idle after his National Youth Service Corp, but with the experience gained and training in video production and editing, he has set up a multimedia company and runs the largest online media business in Katsina with thousands of followers.

Similarly, Ali Dapil from Plateau State who is physically challenged applied for N-Teach and was sent to Gindiri DEM as his Primary place of Assignment with provision of necessary device to aid him.

The Minister remained focused on President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of lifting 100 million people out of poverty in 10 years by creating opportunities to Nigerian Youths through entrepreneurship.

(Radio Nigeria)

Chelsea back into fourth after cruising to victory over struggling Watford

Chelsea 3 (Giroud 28, Willan 43, Giroud 92)

Watford 0

Chelsea boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a comfortable  win over Premier League strugglers Watford.

The result lifts the Blues back up to fourth in the table, after they were temporarily leapfrogged by Manchester United.

Olivier Giroud opened the scoring for the Blues, latching on to Ross Barkley's clever pass and steering a left-foot shot into the bottom right corner.

While Watford worked hard to contain the hosts they offered little to suggest they were capable of a first win at Stamford Bridge since 1986.

And they fell further behind before the break, with Etienne Capoue's rash challenge on Christian Pulisic resulting in a Chelsea penalty that Willian duly converted.

Thereafter it was relatively plain sailing for Frank Lampard's side, who rounded off the scoring when Barkley found the top left corner from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross.

The Blues have now won three of their four games since the top flight resumed in June.

Chelsea regain mojo and top four place

Manchester United's thumping victory against Bournemouth had seen Chelsea drop out of the top four places for the first time since 26 October.

But this was the perfect response from Frank Lampard's side who were brimming with energy throughout and appeared galvanised by Wednesday's lacklustre defeat at West Ham.

The Blues made four changes to their starting XI and looked considerably more assured defensively while Willian - who scored a penalty in his third consecutive game - Barkley and Pulisic provided the thrust going forward.

England midfielder Barkley was particularly impressive, demanding the ball in tight areas and then restricting his number of touches to get out of trouble and maintain Chelsea's attacking momentum.

Chelsea's opener was the perfect example as he controlled and swivelled away from a defender in one movement and then sliced open the Watford defence with his next touch.

Barkley, who played more attacking passes (47) than any of Chelsea's other front six players, also capped a fine individual performance with his first Premier League goal of the campaign late on.

BBC Sport

Nigeria records 626 new COVID-19 cases, total now 27,110

Nigeria on Thursday recorded 626 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total infections to 27,110.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) made this known on its official twitter handle.

The NCDC also said Nigeria reported 13 deaths,  bringing the total to 616 deaths in 35 states and the FCT.

The health agency said that no new state reported a case in the last 24 hours.

The NCDC said that Lagos State  reported the highest number of cases with 193 new cases while FCT reported  85 new infections.

Others are: Oyo-41, Edo-38, Kwara-34, Abia-31, Ogun-29, Ondo-28, Rivers-26, Osun-21, Akwa Ibom-18, Delta-18, Enugu-15, Kaduna-13, Plateau-11, Borno-8, Bauchi-7, Adamawa-5, Gombe-4 and Sokoto-1.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that the Director-General NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, disclosed that a team is enroute Cross River to begin COVID-19 testing.

He stressed that testing was the only  pathway into understanding.

The DG said by the end of next week, all states  would have capacity to test for COVID-19 with only four states away.

On the two million test target, Ihekweazu said that achieving the goal was a collective responsibility.

He said the target was birthed after the Africa CDC in consultation with all African countries  agreed to test one percent of its  population.

“This is a not a target for NCDC, PTF, Ministry of Health alone, it’s a target for every Nigerian.

“It is either we achieve it or we come back here to say the same thing and we will be on this journey and more people will die.

“This target is but an abstract or an accademic, it’s something that we need to push ourselves to achieve,” (NAN)

Court dismisses suit against Oshiomhole

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Jabi, Abuja has dismissed a suit filed against the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and three others.

The suit, filed by Comrade Mustapha Salihu and five others, was the one in respect of which the court granted an interim order on March 4 this year, suspending Oshiomhole from further acting as the APC’s National Chairman.

The Court of Appeal, in Abuja in a judgment on June 16, 2020, upheld Oshiomhole’s suspension.

Parties were to return to the High Court of the FCT for determination of the substantive suit, when on Thursday, Plaintiff’s lawyer, Oluwola Afolabi moved a motion to withdraw the case.

Read Also: ‘Oba of Benin’s relationship with Buhari, Oshiomhole cordial’

Afolabi said the withdrawal was informed by the directive by leaders of the APC that all court cases be discontinued in the interest of peace.

Lawyer to Oshiomhole and one other, Ginika Ezeoke said she was not opposed to the plaintiffs’ desire to withdraw.

Ezeoke then urged the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that parties have filed pleadings and have be enjoined issues in relation to the subject of the case.

Ruling, Justice Danlami Senchi dismissed the suit and ordered parties to bear their respective costs.

(The Nation)