Breaking: Ondo State Commissioner For Health Dies of COVID-19

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July 2, 2020

By Ayodele Oni

Three days after his boss, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19, the Ondo state commissioner for Health, Dr Wahab Adegbenro has died of COVID-19.

Dr Adegbenro reportedly died at the state infectious disease hospital in Akure.

A native of Ilara-Mokin, Ifedore, Adegbenro could not survive the virus despite efforts by health officials to save his life.

Though, no official confirmation has yet been made, his Akure residence and premises of his private clinic are filled with relations and mourners all weeping profusely.

He reported last in office two weeks ago, and he was in the forefront of the state government’s war against the pandemic.

Fidelity Bank: High Expectations As Lender Set To Release H1 Results

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Bayo Bernard

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July 2, 2020

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By Fola James

Fidelity Bank Plc has assured the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE that its half year, H1 financial statement will be ready by August 29.

In its quarter one, Q1 financial statement released in April this year, the top lender still made great impressions despite the fact that the sector has been hit hard by the corona virus pandemic.

According to the results, gross earnings stood at N51.1 billion compared to N48.4 billion in Q1 2019, while rofit before tax, PBT and profit after tax, PAT declined slightly by one per cent to N6.6 billion and N5.9 billion respectively compared to 2019 financial year.

Ahead of the release, industry players remain upbeat that the bank will not disappoint its numerous customers and shareholders.

The lender disclosed, in the letter to NSE that the Financial statement will first be sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN for approval in line with the extant laws.

According to the bank “Upon completion of the audit, the Audited Financial Statements shall be presented to the Central Bank of Nigeria for approval and thereafter, published in compliance with the provisions of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Rule Book and other relevant statutes and/or regulations.

The Bank expects to publish its Audited Financial Statements for the Half Year ended June 30, 2020, on or before August 29, 2020.”

The Nnamdi Okonkwo-led Tier 2 deposit money bank, DMB has also directed insiders privy to the company’s affairs to stop trading its shares until further notice.

The prohibition which took off on Wednesday will remain until August 30, 24 hour after the company’s audited financial reports has been released to the NSE, the letter to the Regulator said.

The bank stated that it’s doing everything according to the provision of the Nigerian Stock Exchange Rule Book, adding that the “In addition, the trading window for dealings on the Bank’s shares shall be closed to all insiders from July 1, 2020, until 24 hours after the release of the Bank’s audited Financial Statements for the Half Year ended June 30, 2020.”

Expectations is very high, keen watchers of the bank told the magazine, from the bank, which in April, declared quarter one, Q1 pre-tax profit of N6.6 billion, a marginal decline of one per cent compared to the same period in 2019, despite the effects of the COVID 19 on the nation’s financial sector.

Buhari Laments Dwindling Revenue, To Generate N1 trn From Stamp Duty

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Bayo Bernard

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July 2, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Nigerian could earn over N1 trillion from stamp duty, President Muhammadu Buhari has said, even as the federal government laments that revenue from crude oil could no longer sustain the economy.

“Stamp duty will be second to oil revenue, as it has the potential to yield up to a trillion naira if properly harnessed,” Buhari said at an event in Abuja on Wednesday.

The president vowed to recover a backlog of unremitted Stamp Duty Tax, SDT in the last six years, as part of its new revenue drive.

Buhari who was represented by Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF at the inauguration of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Audit and Recovery of Back Years Stamp Duties and the Launch of the FIRS Adhesive Stamp, in Abuja yesterday, said his administration is looking for other sources of income to compliment revenue from the nation’s mainstay, crude oil.

He explained that it’s no longer sustainable to depend solely on oil, judging from the events of the last few months.

He said: “In the face of dwindling oil revenue, and the global shift away from oil-dependent technological products, it is even more compelling now to begin to think out of the box in order to safeguard the future of our country.

Therefore, this administration has resolved to widen the revenue base by activating stamp duties revenue collection which has been neglected for more than 20 years.

I hereby also direct and request that all relevant MDAs, particularly the Central Bank of Nigeria, NIBBS, MDBs, FIRS, NIPOST should give maximum cooperation to the Committee in the discharge of its mandate.”

Going forward, the president said accruals from stamp duty must be remitted to the Single Treasury Account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Nami, the chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, has disclosed that the Service has grown revenues from Stamp Duties by over 1,000 per cent, totalling N66 billion in the first five months of 2020 alone, compared with N6 billion naira collected from January to May 2019.

He attributed this increase to the Finance Act 2019, and the deployment of technology and stakeholders’ collaboration.

Nami said, “The introduction of the FIRS Stamp Duties Adhesive Stamp will, among other things, plug the revenue sink-hole; enable proper accountability and transparency; simplify the administration of Stamp Duties; and reduce disputes.”

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, had earlier promised that the National Assembly will continue to support all government revenue generating agencies.

Unity Bank Denies Keeping Secret Account For NPA

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Bayo Bernard

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July 2, 2020

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ByTosin Olatokunbo

The management of Unity Bank Plc has debunked claims by a whistleblower, John Okupurhe that the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA operated a secret account containing the sum of $1 billion with the Bank.

Recall that Okupurhe recently wrote a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari accusing the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami of denying him reward after revealing that the maritime agency kept a secret account with the bank

But responding to allegation the bank said “We hereby state categorically that the said claim is false, baseless and lacking in merit whatsoever.”

A statement from the tier two bank stated that “The clarification has become necessary following certain online reports citing the whistleblower’s petition to President Muhammadu Buhari.

As a responsible organization conducting its business with utmost professionalism and due regard for all extant regulatory and statutory requirements, the Bank’s banking relationship with the NPA is without any blemish.”

It urged the general public to ignore the entirety of the spurious report, which apparently was concocted deliberately for mischief.

“We are confident that the relevant apparatus of government must have investigated the alleged whistle blower’s claim, found same untrue and therefore unworthy of any further consideration in the circumstances.

The bank remains determined and focused to provide transparent banking services to all her customer’s within the ambit of the law and duty of confidentiality,” the statement said.

Covid 19: Akeredolu’s Opponents, Opposition PDP, Send Get Well Message

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The Source

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July 2, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP, has sent a get-well- quick message to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state for testing positive for Covid-19.

Two of his co-contestants in the All Progressives Congress, (APC) primaries have also called for prayers for his quick recovery.

The party primary to pick a candidate for October governorship election is slated for July 20.

Two of the APC aspirants, Isaac’s Kekemeke and Olusola Oke described the news of the Governor testing positive to the Virus at this time as unwelcomed.

The PDP in a get-well message to Governor Akeredolu, signed by its Director of Media, Mr Zadok Akintoye remarked that “while we are a bit glad that the Governor is at the moment asymptomatic, we are, however, concerned about the possibility of identifying, isolating and testing those who may have been exposed to His Excellency particularly within the last 14 days.

“It is quite unfortunate that the actions of Mr. Governor during his trip to Abuja to submit his nomination form may have also exposed members of the House of Assembly who joined him on that trip. A viral video clearly showing the Governor sneezing into his hands in the midst of the honorable members of the House of Assembly, was shared online making it imperative that the National Centre for Disease Control takes immediately action in testing and isolating anyone who may have been exposed to the Governor within the last few days.”

The commissioner for information, Mr Donald Ojogo has announced that the governor has directed all his Aides to go for Covid 19 test.

Ojogo said: “Mr. Governor trusts in God that all will be well even as he seeks the prayers of all and sundry during this period. It must be noted, however, that the decision by the Governor to go into self isolation is voluntary and clearly depicts the need for transparency as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Accordingly, there is nothing to fear; and no component of Government business will be adversely affected within the period of the Governor’s self-isolation. In this regard, Mr. Governor calls on all to be steadfast and remain committed to his or her assigned official responsibilities.

“Specifically, Mr. Governor calls on his Campaign Team to continue with all planned events and itineraries as regards the Re-run Project. We shall win and win big, he assures.

“In the meantime, Governor Akeredolu has directed all members of the Cabinet, close aides and others who have had reasons for constant contacts with him to undergo compulsory tests.”

In a statement in Akure, the campaign organization of Mr. Isaac Kekemeke said “We commend the Governor for the disclosure and for his decision to self-isolate immediately.

“This is fair, responsible and Godly. By going into self-isolation, he has demonstrated concern and care for the health and welfare of those around him and those who will necessarily come into contact with him by virtue of his high office.

Signed by Demola Ijabiyi for the group, the statement added “we pray for his quick recovery and urge all the people of this State and beyond to begin to offer special prayers for him. May God speak His healing words into his life.

“The Chairman of our Movement, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke, hereby extends to the Governor the assurances of his highest regards and best wishes.”

In his get well soon message, Chief Olusola Oke, remarked:

“The news from the official briefing came as a rude shock to me, my family and the entire members of my campaign organisation.

“We are however confident in the medical explanations that the governor was not symptomatic and in the final analysis, it only suggested a home management isolation treatment for the governor.

“While we pray and will continue to pray for the governor and wish him soonest recovery, we enjoin all the citizen of Ondo state to obey all the precautionary measures handed down by medical experts and NCDC.

“It is my belief that in compliance with the precautionary procedures, together we can stamp out this dreaded pandemic from our state and Nigeria.”

CAF Postpones 2021 AFCON Tournament Till 2022

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The Source

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July 2, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced the postponement of the 2021 African Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to hold in Cameroon in the Summer of 2021 to 2022.

The postponement became necessary following the Covid-19 Pandemic outbreak ravaging the world, which led to the suspension of all football activities around the world. Some European Leagues resumed a couple of weeks ago to end the 2019/2020 soccer season.

The CAF Executive Committee, on Tuesday, announced the postponement of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations by one year, with continental games to now hold in Cameroon in January 2022.

The decision was reached after the committee met via video-conference to discuss the future of competitions and other related issues amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After consultation with stakeholders and taking into consideration the current global situation, the tournament has been rescheduled for January 2022. The date for the final tournament and the remaining matches of the qualifiers will be communicated in due course,” the football body said in a statement.

CAF also rescheduled the finals of the African Nations Championship 2020, shifting it to January 2021 also in Cameroon.

“The Executive Committee is satisfied with t the Cameroonian authorities for their commitment towards the hosting of the two competitions. Cameroon is ready to host either competition and are within schedule,” CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad said.

The statement also read, “The Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, will resume in September with a Final Four (4) format. Semi-Final matches will be played in a single match.

“Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled.

“The 42nd CAF Ordinary General Assembly has been rescheduled for December 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“CAF has allocated an additional USD 16.2 Million to assist Member Associations to mitigate challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Each Member Associations will be entitled to USD 300,000.”

Breaking: FG Announces Flight Resumption Dates

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Uche Mbah

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July 2, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has announced the resumption dates for local flights after several weeks of flight disruption due to the effects of COVID 19 Pandemic.

Only special authorized flight, mostly on government charter, were allowed to operate in the Nigerian airspace during the lockdown period. Recently, airport authorities have been working on the renovations of various airports preparatory for the normal take-off of operations.

In a tweet Wednesday night, Sirika said that Lagos to Abuja flights will resume on July 8, while others will follow later.

“I am glad to announce that Abuja & Lagos airports will resume domestic operations on the 8th of July, 2020. Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri & Maiduguri to resume on the 11th. Other airports on the 15th. Date for international to be announced in due course. Bear with us, please”, he tweeted.

Foreigners, however, are not comfortable with the delay in reopening international flights, as many who were not part of those evacuated by their home countries are still stranded.

2023: Na’abba, Agbakoba Plot To Wrestle Power From APC, PDP

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Bayo Bernard

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July 1, 2020

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By Fola James

Activists and political leaders averse to the current leadership in the country have formed a political movement, the National Consultative Front, NCF with the aim of wrestling power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in 2023

NCF made up of Nigerians from all walks of life declared in Abuja on Wednesday that “A new ideological mass Movement shall be initiated to embark on immediate mass mobilisation of the nooks and crannies of the country for popular mass action towards political constitution reforms that is citizens-driven and process-led in engendering a new Peoples’ Constitution for a new Nigeria that can work for all.”

Before the 2019 general election, some prominent Nigerians, including Olisa Agbakoba, a senior advocate of Nigeria, SAN, former minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, formed a coalition against the APC, but they didn’t succeed in their quest to defeat the ruling party.

But just barely one year after President Muhammadu Buhari was re-elected, a score of prominent Nigerian activists, from across the country, including Agbakoba and Ezekwesili have come together again to form the NCF.

The group also consists of Ghali Umar Na’abba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Col Abubakar Umar (rtd.), Femi Falana, Shehu Sani, Prof Jibo Ibrahim; Yabagi Sanni; Amb, Nkoyo Toyo, Isa Aremu and Prof Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC among others.

According to a communiqué released on Wednesday, the promoters said their objective is to engender public reform that will lead to the drafting of a new constitution for the country.

The magazine learnt that effort is on top gear to bring other respected Nigerians into the group ahead the 2023 general election.

The NCF stated that it will strive to ensure that the nation’s resources are used for the promotion of welfare of Nigerians “while also mounting an articulate and vigorous campaign to deconstruct and reconstruct obnoxious election laws which have provided leeway for opportunists in the corridor of power to subvert the will of the electorate making voting irrelevant in determining who actually becomes elected in Nigeria.”

They called on other well meaning Nigerians to join them in salvaging the country from further drifting into anarchy and poverty.

According to the communique “Our Political Coalition wish to assert that the current factionalisation and imbroglio rocking dominant political parties in Nigeria as well as the heightening political tension in the country, especially within the Nigerian ruling class, have further given credence to our resolve and intervention to provide a credible alternative political class and leadership for Nigeria as most of those who pride themselves as Leaders of our country in the last twenty-one years of civil rule have proved to be huge failures and burden to the wellbeing of our people.’

They called on President Buhari to end the mindless killing of Nigerians by Boko Haram and bandits, bemoaning the state of insecurity in the country.

Therefore “To this end, we decry in categorical terms, the ongoing mindless massacre and kidnappings in the North West, North East, Southern Kaduna, the Middle Belt, Southern part of Nigeria and in fact the country at large by armed bandits and insurgents, who invade our communities, especially at night to inflict terror and murder on hapless residents and unsuspecting indigenes.

We hereby call on those presently in charge of our Federal Government, military, and security apparatus to immediately wake up and do everything to stop the ongoing senseless pogrom against the masses of our people,” NCF said.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has warned that more Nigerians are likely to slip into poverty as a result of impact of the killer corona virus pandemic on the nation’s economy.

He however assured that his government is working tirelessly to tackle the myriad of problems facing the country.

Rivers: Buhari, Wike Settle Scores, President May Visit State

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Bayo Bernard

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July 1, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state is not the fan of President Muhammadu Buhari, having been a consistent critic of his administration and party, the All Progressives Congress, APC since they both came to power in 2015.

But with the president’s decision to refund N78.9 billion owed by the federal government to the state, Nigerians cannot totally rule out re-alignment in high places.

Governor Wike has even invited the president to the state as a measure of goodwill to the new found friendship.

While appreciating Buhari for approving the refund to the state as cost of execution of Federal Government’s road projects in the state, Wike said Buhari has proved critics wrong that he’s tribalised leader.

“Mr. President has by this remarkable and heartwarming gesture shown not only your love for the government and people of Rivers State, but also demonstrated expressively that you are, indeed, a President for every State of the Federation and all Nigerians,” Wike said in a letter of appreciation to the president.

The governor also stated in the letter to the president, the love and continued support of people of the state for his administration.

Governor Wike said “I assure you that the Rivers State Government is willing and ever ready to cooperate and partner the Federal Government to advance the developmental aspirations of Rivers State in particular, and our nation in general.

The governor has extended an invitation to President Buhari, to come and see what his administration has done with funds that have accrued to the state.

To this extent, “I wish to, therefore, appeal to Mr. President to kindly oblige us with a state visit when invited, to see what we have accomplished for the state and our people with the money,” Wike said.

Meanwhile, the River’s state governor has disclosed that his party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP is determined to wrestle power from the APC.

He said this can only happen if the ruling party continues on the track of costly mistakes, referring to the leadership crisis that recently rocked the party which led to the ouster of its National Working Committee, NWC led by Adams Oshiomhole from office.

Imo: Okorocha Takes Over LGAs, As Imo Govt’s. IMC Is Sacked; APC Congratulates Them, Seeks Cooperation

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The Source

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July 1, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

A major political shift took place in Imo state Wednesday afternoon.

An alleged faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, loyal to Former Governor Rochas Okorocha, has taken control of the 27 Local Government Councils in the State.

Okorocha had in 2018, suddenly held election into the LGAs, something he never did for years.

The election was meant to help in consolidating the chances of his son-in-law Uche Nwosu, to win the APC Governorship primary.

But both Okorocha and Nwosu were shocked out of the Primary by a combination of Senator Hope Uzodinma and others.

The Government of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha had tried to push them out, but we’re restrained by the law.

When Uzodinma succeeded him, he suspended them, appointment, and swore-in an Interim Management Committee with Chairmen and Councillors for each of the Council Areas.

The suspended Chairmen and Councillors went to Court, challenging their sack.

On Wednesday, 1st July, a Federal High Court, sitting in Owerri, declared the suspension of the elected 2018 Local government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors of the 27 Local Government Areas illegal.

The Hon. Justice Ringim, also, sacked all the Interim Management Committee members of the local government appointed by Uzodinma, and asked the suspended local government officers back to work with immediate effect.

The Judge, also, ordered the Revenue And Mobilization Fiscal Allocation Commission (RAMFAC) to stop further release of funds to the Imo State Government until the duly elected Local government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors take their seats fully at the local government council Areas.

Even though the government in Imo is an APC Government, and the reinstated people were elected under APC, it is seen as a major victory for Okorocha, as the thinking is that the reinstated officers would be loyal to him.

But for the Imo State APC, it is a win-win situation as it is like an “us-us” situation.

The party has congratulated the reinstated officials, asking them to work harmoniously with the government.

In a statement, the Publicity Secretary of the Imo APC, Onwuasoanya F.C.C. said that the party received with gladness, the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, which nullified the appointment of the Interim Management Committees across the 27 LGAs and ordered the immediate reinstatement of the democratically elected officials at our LGAs.

“We congratulate these chairmen and councillors, who incidentally are all members of our great Party. We concede that the governor, who is also a leader of our Party, was wrongly advised to interrupt the Constitutionally guaranteed tenure of these Chairmen and councillors, and we expect that with this rightly delivered judgement, the governor will collaborate with these honorable Party men and women to deliver the dividends of democracy to Imo people and as well further strengthen our Party at the grassroots.

“We expect that these Chairmen will put whatever grievances they may have over their erroneous dissolution behind them and work harmoniously with the State government to ensure that our Party’s progressive governance ideals which convinced the people to vote for them are implemented”

Responding to journalists in Abuja, the Deputy Chairman of Mbaitoli LGA and Chairman of Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGVON), Hon. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, thanked God Almighty for the victory and applauded the Judiciary for standing by the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Hon. Godstime affirmed that the local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors will work smoothly with the Senator Hope Uzodinma led state government for the good of Ndi Imo and Imo state.

The counsel to Imo state Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Barr. Ezeoba Maduabuchi thanked the court for upholding justice.