Breaking: FG To Open Inter-state Borders

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The Source

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June 2, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Inter-state Borders may be opened for movement as early as the third week of June.

Dr Sani Aliyu, the National Coordinator on COVID-19 disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking, during the PTF briefing.

He said that the Federal Government would review the closure of the inter-state borders as soon as flights resume on June 21.

When the PTF disclosed on Monday that Flights would resume on June 21, and insisted on the closure of the inter-state borders, questions were asked how smart that was. The question was: If you allow flights, the aim of inter-state border closure has been defeated.

Inter-state borders have been closed since March to curtail the spread of Coronavirus. But it is debatable how effective it has been.

Motorists routinely violated the closure in connivance with unscrupulous security personnel.

It is an open secret that they bribe their way through the borders.

…Details later.

COVID 19: Sanwo-Olu Dashes Hopes, Directs Churches, Mosques To Remain Shut

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Bayo Bernard

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June 2, 2020

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By Fola James

Churches and mosques in Lagos state will remain closed for now, the state government has said.

The federal government had on Monday lifted ban on faith based groups in the country subject to safety protocols of various state governments.

But the state government has now disclosed that the state has reached an understanding with the two major religions where the opening of worship centers was ruled out.

The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegus made this known while responding to reporters at the ministerial briefing to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu one year in office.

Elegushi said, “even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meeting with the religious leaders, we even had one with safety Commission. Looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.

The central government on Monday lifted the ban on Mosques and Churches in the country based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.

We also had one with the leaders of the two faith and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally.

The state said the leadership of various religious bodies are not prepared to take responsibility for the safety of their members.

The faith based bodies ‘’claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them.

Like an Imam said he doesn’t know what is going on at the back immediately he is leading a prayer. He said if more than 20 or 50 people are staying at his back he is not going to take responsibility for their presence

So in the meeting we ruled out in totality the issue of reopening the religious houses until we have a clear coast for us to do so.”

He said the state is worried over the spike in the number of corona virus cases in the last few days and cannot afford to take chances.

‘’We all know Lagos is still having more figures, so definitely that will speak to our decision.

But the governor of the state will come out with further directives from that directive.

We will call the two faith together and discuss the pronouncement and I can assure you that they themselves will tell us not to do it,’’ Elegushi said.

Buhari To AfDB President, Adesina: No One Has Faulted The Step I Took On Behalf Of Nigeria; I’ll Stand By You

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The Source

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June 2, 2020

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President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria will stand solidly behind Dr Akinwumi Adesina in his bid to get re-elected as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB)

The President spoke at State House, Abuja, Tuesday, while hosting Dr Adesina on a courtesy visit.

“In 2015, when you were to be elected for the first term, I wrote to all African leaders, recommending you for the position. I didn’t say because you were a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Minister, and I belonged to the All Progressives Congress (APC), so I would withhold my support. I’ll remain consistent with you, because no one has faulted the step I took on behalf of Nigeria,” said President Buhari.

The President pledged that Nigeria would work with all other leaders and stakeholders in AfDB to ensure that Dr Adesina was elected for a second term built on the record of his achievements during his first term.

The African Union had already endorsed the incumbent AfDB President as sole candidate for the continent, but some other stakeholders are trying to ensure that Dr Adesina is re-investigated on some allegations, and rendered ineligible to run.

Giving a background to what was happening in the bank, Dr Adesina, a former Nigerian Minister for Agriculture, said the 16 allegations raised against him were trumped up, “and without facts, evidence, and documents, as required by the rules and regulations of the bank.”

He added that the Ethics Committee of the bank cleared him of all the allegations, and calls for fresh investigation by the United States of America, were against the rules.

“My defense ran into 250 pages, and not a single line was faulted or questioned. The law says that report of the Ethics Committee should be transmitted to the Chairman of Governors of the bank. It was done, and the governors upheld the recommendations. That was the end of the matter, according to the rules. It was only if I was culpable that a fresh investigation could be launched. I was exonerated, and any other investigation would amount to bending the rules of the bank, to arrive at a predetermined conclusion,” Dr Adesina said.

Stressing that the motive was to soil his name, and that of the bank, the AfDB President said he was proud to be Nigerian, and thanked President Buhari for his unflinching support.

“You helped me to get elected in the first place, and you have supported me robustly all along, and the African Union unanimously endorsed my re-election” he declared.

While commiserating with President Buhari on the death of the former Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, Dr Adesina described Professor Ibrahim Gambari, new Chief of Staff as “a man of integrity, and of global standing.”

Adesina is seeking for a second term in office, but the American Government is seen to be standing against it, insisting that an independent probe panel be set up to probe him.

The USA is a shareholder in the Bank, and if it rallies other shareholders, especially, European countries, a second term may be difficult for Adesina, his brilliant performance notwithstanding.

Orji Kalu: How Ignorance Denied Him Of Early Freedom

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The Source

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June 2, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

But for inexplicable ignorance, Senate Chief Whip, and former two-time Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Kalu, would have been released from jail since May 8 – long before the freedom given to him on Tuesday, June 2, by a Lagos Federal High Court, presided over by The Hon. Justice Mohammed Liman.

Kalu was, on December 5, 2019, convicted and jailed for 12 years by the Hon. Justice Mohammed Idris, also of a Lagos Federal High Court.

Convicted along with Kalu were Mr. Jones Udeogu, Director of Finance, Government House, when Kalu was Governor, and Kalu’s business empire, SLOK, Nig. Ltd.

Udeogu was jailed for 10 years, while SLOK was forfeited to the Federal Government.

The case was instituted against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The Commission accused them of corruption and embezzlement of public funds while Kalu was Governor.

The case had been on since 2007. So, when the trial Judge, Idris, was elevated to the Court of Appeal, just when the case was coming to an end, Kalu’s Counsel, Chief Goddie Uche, SAN, wrote to the then President of the Court of Appeal, asking for a fiat to enable Idris deliver judgement in the case which had lasted for so long. The fiat was granted.

On December 5, when Idris delivered the judgement, he convicted and jailed them.

But Udeogu filed an appeal at the Supreme Court, pleading that Idris no longer had jurisdiction to deliver judgement on the case, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

On May 8, 2020, the Supreme Court agreed with Udeogu, and quashed the conviction by Justice Idris.

And, Kalu celeberated. He issued a statement, saying he had learnt his lesson.

But days turned to weeks, and Kalu was not released. Only Udeogu was released, prompting many to ask: What the problem was.

It turned out it was an inexplicable ignorance and/or big mistake. Kalu was not part of the appeal filed by Udeogu, challenging Justice Idris’ judgement at the Supreme Court.

How his lawyers ignored that option, and thereafter, did not tell him he was not part of the process, and allowed him to issue a statement thanking the Supreme Court Justices for standing up for Justice, is an explanation only they can give.

However, about two weeks later, Kalu went back to the Federal High Court, pleading illegal detention, and asking to be released, based on the Supreme Court May 8, 2020 judgement which said Idris lacked the jurisdiction over the case. His Counsel, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, argued before Justice Liman, on Tuesday, June 2, that the application for Kalu’s release “is brought pursuant to Section 159, of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act., and a fall out of the Supreme Court’s decision delivered on the 8th of May”.

The EFCC Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not object to Kalu’s release. But he urged the Court that “The order made by the Supreme Court for trial de novo should be complied with by all parties, so that Your Lordship will give us a date when arraignment will be done.

“We want the trial to go on. Losing more time will be dangerous for us”, the EFFC Counsel submitted.

Justice Liman, therefore, set Kalu free, with immediate effect.

No date has been fixed for a retrial as ordered by the Supreme Court.

Breaking: How Nigeria Lost Two Greats, As Chioma Madubuko & Majek Fashek Die

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The Source

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June 2, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Corporate/Social and Entertainment Circles were shaken on Monday with the news that accomplished Corporate Lawyer and socialite, Chioma Madubuko, and Regae artiste, Majek Fashek passed on.

How MS killed Madubuko

Chioma Madubuko’s death at the high profile Reddington Hospital took many by surprise. Perhaps, but for her family and close associates, not many knew she was ill.

Madubuko, a top lawyer, was the Legal Adviser/ Company Secretary to the Dangote Group, a position she voluntarily resigned from on January 24, 2020.

It is not yet confirmed if her voluntary resignation was because of ill-health, but a family source said she had, for sometime, been hospitalised at the Reddington Hospital, Lagos. The source said no expense was spared to save her life, “but she’s gone. She is at rest. We are devastated”.

This magazine gathered that Mrs Madubuko died of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

MS is a disease which makes the immune system eat away the protective covering of the nerves. Its symptoms include “vision loss, pain, fatigue and impaired coordination.”

As pretty as a rose, she was a top Lagos socialite, and happily married with kids.

Majek Fashek

His death has long been rumoured and denied as many times.

Many people think his health issues, and consequent death in a New York Hospital, on Monday, was self-inflicted.

For years, Majek has had a long battle with drugs and other related health issues. Born to an Edo mother and a Yoruba father, Majekodunmi Fashekunola (his real name), has been in and out of hospitals and drug rehabilitation facilities, after his lifestyle disrupted an, otherwise, promising and booming music career.

Popular as “The Rain Maker”, the news of his death was confirmed by his Manager, Omenka Uzoma, on the late singer’s official Instagram handle.

Before he travelled to the USA where he eventually died at the age of 57, he was at a London Hospital.

Announcing his death, his Manager tweeted:

“Today having pressure calls, well it is true that the African No 1 Legendary ICON has gone to be with the LORD his Maker,” he said.

“Let’s celebrate him, his achievements, and his family, whatever decisions made by his immediate family will be notified.”

Majek was born in Benin-City, Edo state,

In 2015, it was revealed that Majek was bankrupt and battling drug addiction.

After admitting that he needed help at the time, he was admitted to a drug rehabilitation centre in Abuja.

As one of Nigeria’s surviving Reggae music legend, Majek attracted international attention in 1987, with his self-penned tune, ‘’Send down the Rain.”

He will be remembered for the thought-provoking song that usually kept many on the dance floor. It was an appeal to Jag to open the heavens and bless the land with showers of blessings – aptly entitled: Send Down The Rain

Majek Fashek was married to Rita, from whom she was divorced, long before his passing, and they had children.

Oyo: You Are Wicked For Abandoning Retirees, Makinde Indicts Predecessor

By

Bayo Bernard

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June 2, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The governor of Oyo state has indicted his predecessor, Abiola Ajimobi for abandoning retirees in the state and not paying them entitlements due to them as senior citizens.

Makinde on Monday disclosed that his government met unpaid gratuities totalling N26 billion.

The governor raised the allegation in his official Facebook page where he also said in which his administration has brought happiness to the retiree after cleared backlogs of gratuities from 2012 to 2013.

According to Makinde “This afternoon, I presented cheques to a few of the 82 retirees who retired from the civil service in 2013. Our administration met a backlog of N26 billion in unpaid gratuities for 6,274 pensioners in the state.

So far, we have cleared the backlog of arrears from the year 2012 to April 2013.

“As I said during my one year in office broadcast, we have paid more in gratuities and entitlements in one year than the previous administration did in eight years.

This was possible because we increased the monthly allocation for gratuities from N100 million to N180 million with effect from June 2019.”

Ajimobi has often described himself as the architect of modern Oyo state.

But Governor Makinde’s shocking revelation, watchers of the Pacesetters politics say may have cast a big slur on the former governor’s claims that he touched all sector of the state during his eight year tenure as governor.

The former governor’s camp has yet to respond to the allegation.

Edo: Obaseki Down Again, Oshiomhole Plots His Final Fall

By

Bayo Bernard

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June 2, 2020

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By Fola James

Embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki of Ed has failed again in his quest to cage the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC Adams Oshiomhole.

A federal high court in Abuja, on Monday stopped the state government from prosecuting the APC boss and former helmsman of the state for corruption.

A Justice J.U Oyomire panel of inquiry set up by the state government last year had indicted the former governor and recommended his arrest for prosecution.

The two former allies fell out over who control the soul of the state and the APC chairman has vowed to stop the governor from being reelected.

Last week, a faction of the party led by the APC chairman elected Pastor Ize-Iyamu, a former PDP governorship candidate as APC candidate in the election coming up later in September.

The governor has kicked insisting that nobody can stop him from being re-elected governor.

But Justice Oyomire, while ruling on a matter brought by the APC strongman challenging his indictment by the state, has stopped the state government from prosecuting Oshiomhole. a development, close watchers of the state’s politics say is a set-back for the governor in his quest to rubbish his predecessor.

On the other, the magazine learnt that the camp of the APC chairman has been engulfed with jubilation, plotting the next move to finally deal a decisive blow against the governor.

Ruling on the matter the judge granted ”An interim order is hereby made restraining the prosecution of the applicant pursuant to the report submitted to the 1st to 3rd respondents or any white paper, pending the determination of the issue of jurisdiction raised in the 1st to 4th respondents’ notice of preliminary objection.”

Justice Oyomire had in a white paper indicted Oshiomhole and recommended that criminal proceedings be commenced against him.

But Oshiomhole, in an Ex parte motion, through his counsel, Ehiogie West- Idahosa, asked the court to stop his arrest and prosecution on account of the report.

Apart from the governor other respondents in the suit are the Attorney- General and Commissioner of Justice for Edo, Justice J.U Oyomire, Inspector-General of Police, IGP and the Department of State Services, DSS.

The matter has now been adjourned until June 17 for substantive hearing .

Work To resume At Akanu Ibiam Internatonal Airport Despite Lockdown, Says Sirika

By

Uche Mbah

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June 2, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

After a long lull due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic, the Federal Government is mobilizing workers back to the site to continue with the rehabilitation of the runway of the Airport.

At the heat of reactions over the weekend on the commemoration of the Biafran war, pictures were released of escalators completed at the Airport, which was fact-checked to be false. The escalators were said to be actually that of the Port Harcourt International airport. This has fuelled controversies over social media. This was because the renovations that have been ongoing at the Airport involve mostly the extension of the runway which has necessitated the relocation of markets around the airport by the state government.

Minister of Aviation, however, tweeted Monday that work is about to resume at the runway that was suspended due to COVID 19.

“We announce our full remobilization to Enugu despite COVID lockdown. Even with challenges like heavy rains, opening up of quarries, and bitumen sources we should complete this procurement in a few weeks. A definite date of completion will be announced at my next site visit”, he said.

Before the pandemic, the Minister had sworn that the runway will be finished and the Airport reopened by last April during Easter Holidays. But that is not to be.

With COVID 19, workers had to abandon the site to be with their families due to social distancing. With the gradual relaxation of the lockdown, the coast is now clear for the workers to return to the site.

The federal government had released the amount of N10 billion for the completion of the project. Flights coming to the Southeast has been diverted to either the Portharcourt International Airport or the Owerri airport.

Three months ago, the minister had lamented the inability of his ministry to complete work as scheduled.

“Considering that the construction workers have downed tools owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government, hereby, officially announces suspension of procurement. The work would have been completed in six to seven days, but the workers left to be with their families in view of the social distancing,” he had said.

Ighalo Remains A Red Devil

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The Source

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June 1, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

After months of tussle and uncertainty over the future of former Super Eagles and Watford Football Club of England striker, Odion Jude Ighalo, his parent Club, Shanghai Shenhua Football Club of China and Manchester United Football Club of England have reached an agreement.

Ighalo will not be returning to China as Shanghai Shenhua and the Red Devils are reported to have finally reached an agreement to extend the loan of the 30 year old to January, 2021.

The deal is now awaiting English FA approval.

Ighalo arrived the Old Trafford club on deadline deal in January during the transfer window on a six-month loan and billed to expire on May 31, 2020.

Both clubs had been in talks for days over a new loan deal, some reports even claimed that they couldn’t reach an agreement.

Ighalo’s agent, Atta Aneke, had hinted earlier that both clubs had discussed a loan extension until the end of January 2021, when he would return to Shanghai due to the restrictions of foreign players.

Ighalo will discuss a new contract with Shanghai Shenhua once he returns in 2021.

Why FG Slashed Fuel Pump Price To N121

By

The Source

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June 1, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has slashed the Petrol Pump Price to N121.50 from N123.50.

The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) announced a new pump price band of N121.50 to N123.50 per litre for Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol following the fall of Oil prices Worldwide.

The PPPRA disclosed this in a circular to fuel marketers dated May 31, 2020 and implemented today.

The consistent drop in crude oil prices on the back of the spread of coronavirus saw the landing cost of petrol hitting a record low in March, wiping off subsidy on the product.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had said earlier that the petrol pump price will read N125/litre from Thursday, March 19.

The magazine gathered that the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari said the corporation followed a directive by the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

“In compliance with the directives of the honourable minister of state for petroleum resources on PMS pricing, the corporation has reviewed its ex-coastal, ex-depot and NNPC retail pump prices accordingly,” the statement had read.

“Effective March 19, 2020, NNPC ex-coastal price for PMS has been reviewed downwards from N117.6/litre to N99.44/litre while the ex-depot price is reduced from N133.28/litre to N113.28/litre.

“These reductions will, therefore, translate to N125/litre retail pump price,” the statement added.

Two months after, the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency has, again, reduced the petrol pump price to N121.50 per litre.