Petrol Should Sell For N60, PDP Tackles FG

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May 8, 2020

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Following the slide in crude oil prices to as low as $20 per barrel at the international oil market, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said petrol must now be sold to Nigerians at N70 per litre, instead of the N108 recommended by the federal government.

The Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had on Thursday pegged the new ex-depot price of fuel at N108 per litre.

But the PDP said the federal government must announce a new pricing template that accommodates a pump price of between N60 and N70 per liter.

Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP National Publicity Secretary said in a statement that the N108 depot price is fraudulent, not a reflection of the current situation.

According to him “The PDP notes that the N108 ex-depot price with a projected additional N9 per litre Expected Open Market price is therefore completely unacceptable to Nigerians.

Moreover, the Federal Government has continued to shroud the indices and parameters it is using in determining domestic prices of petroleum products in secrecy. Such parameters obviously cannot be in tandem with the appropriate situation in the global industry.”

PDP said market forces should be allowed to determine the price of petroleum products.

The party “lament that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government has continued to shortchange unsuspecting Nigerians since the beginning of the year by refusing to end its corrupt interference and allow market forces to determine pump price of fuel to reflect current global prices.

Our party insists that the Federal Government has no reason to continue to fleece Nigerians particularly in the face of worsening economic crisis occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic which it had also failed to effectively handle.”

PDP therefore “demands that the APC Federal Government should immediately reduce both the ex-depot and pump price as well as surrender the billions of naira accruable as overcharge from the inappropriate fuel pricing since the crash in crude oil price and channel the funds as palliatives to Nigerians.”

Gov. Wike Accuses DCP Abubakar Of Corruption

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The Source

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May 8, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

Not one to pull punches, the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has accused a serving Deputy Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abubakar of bribery.

He also accused the Police of sabotage.

Abubakar is the DCP Operations, Rivers State Command.

Governor Wike spoke in PH on Thursday while monitoring the level of the 24-hour lockdown of PH and Obiakpo LGAs which he ordered.

On personally apprehending defaulters, Wike thundered: “It is unfortunate to see the level of sabotage that we get from the Police, particularly, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Rivers State Command.

“The Deputy Commissioner of Police will sign approvals for companies because he wants to collect money. I am the Governor of this state, and there cannot be two Governors.”

The Governor dismissed as illegal, any approvals issued by the Police to anybody, outside his office.

Wike: “The Deputy Commissioner of Police has no powers to issue approvals when the state government has locked down the state. After the State Security Council met and agreed on the lockdown, the DCP went ahead to issue illegal letters to companies to operate. I have never seen that in my life.”

Such allegations fall squarely in the Governor’s territory.

He had, in 2019, accused a serving Army GOC, of engaging in oil bunkering because he was angling to be the next Chief of Army Staff.

The allegation was made publicly at the Government House, PH, before the GOC and other Military top brass, who had gone on a courtesy call on the Governor.

Kashamu Wins Again As Judge Berates Malami

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Bayo Bernard

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May 8, 2020

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By Fola James

Senator Buruji Kashamu, a chieftain of the peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP can be compared to the thespian cat with nine lives, after successfully fighting off attempts by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration from extraditing him to the United States of America, USA to face trial on drug related issues.

Based on the request from the US governments, the administration tried unsuccessfully to send him back to the US through legal means in 2014.

Obviously, the same scenario appears to be playing out with the Muhammadu Buhari administration which, after coming to power in 2015 continued with the legal process to extradite the Ijebu-Ogun state born politician to the United States.

Kashamu, again got another respite yesterday after a federal high court in Abuja, restrained the federal government from taking fresh steps to extradite the former lawmaker to the US.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Okon Abang, who presided over the fresh suit, ruled that as much as a January 6, 2014 judgment of the federal high court in Lagos remained subsisting and had not been set aside, no fresh extradition application could be made against the former senator

Justice Abang said he stopped the extradition of Kashamu, who once represented Ogun-East Senatorial District, Buruji Kashamu at the Senate because the federal government has failed to follow due process.

He said the federal government must first vacate previous judgments of the federal high court in Abuja and Lagos prohibiting Kashamu’s extradition.

The judge ruled that while the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation successfully obtained a judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, delivered on May 4, 2018, dismissing the restraining order in the suit marked 508/2015, the AGF failed to appeal the other judgment in the suit marked 49/2010.

Abang said “The fact that the restraining order in the judgment in suit 49/2010 dated January 6, 2014, is still valid and subsisting, it is not a matter of sentiment,” the judge ruled.

To appeal the judgment is the lawful step to take. To take any other steps against the judgment order than appealing is unlawful, and an exercise of executive lawlessness.”

He said the AGF, the nation’s chief law officer has acted with ignorance.

“I hope that the AGF, an office created by the constitution, the Chief Law Officer of the federation, who is also the chief minister in the temple of justice, the conscience of the society, should toe the path of the law and should not violate the laws of the land,” PUNCH quoted the judge to have said,” Justice Abang said.

Mohammed Adoke, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice had in May 28, 2015 filed an extradition application in the federal high court, Abuja, on the request by the United States of America demanding that the federal government to surrender Kashamu to face trial on one count charge of illicit drugs pending against him before the United States District Court for the Northern Illinois, Eastern Division.

Covid-19: British-Nigerian Rapper, TY Dies Of Coronavirus

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The Source

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May 8, 2020

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Benedict Chijioke, popularly known as TY

By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria continues to lose its best and finest hands in their craft around the world from the deadly Coronavirus rocking the world.

The nation was dealt another blow by the Virus as British-Nigerian born rapper, Benedict Chijioke, popularly known as TY died after contracting the virus.

The 47 year old Mercury prize nominee died after he was hospitalized, and placed in a medically-induced coma following complications from the virus.

His death was confirmed by his team on Thursday night.

The late TY rose from obscurity to prominence with ‘The Awkward’ album released in 2001, becoming the rave of the moment.

In 2004, his second album, Upwards, was nominated for the Mercury Prize, alongside Amy Winehouse, The Streets and eventual winner, Franz Ferdinand.

He released three more albums with his last being A Work Of Heart in 2018.

TY was hospitalized in April after contracting the deadly virus.

A fund-raising page explained TY was admitted to the hospital with medical complications related to the coronavirus.

The star was then placed into a medically-induced coma, and later put on a ventilator, but was moved out of intensive care after his condition improved.

In the fund-raisers’ last post on April 19, friend Diane Laidlow said: “Hey guys. Just to update you that TY is now out of the intensive care unit and is on a normal ward. He is doing much better. Super excited.

Sadly, the rapper gave up the ghost, succumbing to the call of his Maker.

He will be solely missed by his fans, friends and families in the United Kingdom and back home in Nigeria.

Breaking: Judge Who Annulled Abiola’s Election Dies

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Uche Mbah

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May 8, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

Retired Justice Muhammad Dahiru Saleh, who annulled the June 12, 1993 presidential election, is dead. He was a former Chief judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

His death was announced by one of his grandsons, Arymayau Abubakar Liman. His death was also confirmed by the deputy governor of Bauchi state.

Saleh was said to have died in Azare, his home town, headquarters of Katagun Council of Bauchi State. He was related to the Deputy Governor of Bauchi state, Baba Tela.

June 12, 1993 presidential elections remained a landmark election in the history of Nigeria. The election was generally acclaimed to be won by the late business mogul, Moshood Abiola. It was adjudged the freest and fairest election conducted in Nigeria till date.

The electoral Umpire, Humphry Nwosu, introduced what he called option A4, a semi-secret ballot method that requires electorates to queue behind the candidate of their choice. Abiola’s vote cut across states in the whole of the country. A group, Association of Better Nigeria went to court to ask for the cancellation of the election. It fell on Justice Saleh’s lot to rule on the case.

He annulled the election.

This sparked off riots and labor actions that grounded the country and the then Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, was forced to step aside.

It was said by critics of the annulment that the underlying reason for the annulment was because it showed that the number of voters in the North was half of the number of voters in the South. “That is why option A4 will never be revisited in Nigeria”, a source said yesterday. “That was also why Humphry Nwosu was not mentioned when June 12 was declared Democracy day”.

He has since been buried according to Islamic rights, according to reports.

Breaking: Panic At Lagos State House, As Over 10 Aides Of Gov. Sanwo-Olu Test Positive To Covid-19

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The Source

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May 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

There is panic and pandemonium at the Lagos State Government State House, Marina, Lagos, over the Coronavirus Pandemic, in which more than 10 aides of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu have tested positive for COVID-19.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, disclosed on Thursday afternoon on his verified twitter handle.

He said the development forced Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his wife, Joke to undergo another test.

The tests, he however revealed, returned negative.

“I am glad to announce that #COVID19 Incident Commander Governor of Lagos State @jidesanwoolu and the First Lady of Lagos @jokesanwoolu have consistently tested negative to #COVID19 following three consecutive tests conducted on them recently,” the tweet read.

“However, 10 persons associated with Lagos State House in Marina have tested positive to #COVID19. On behalf of @followlasg, I therefore implore you all to continue to embrace the #MaskUpLagos initiative and observe all precautionary measures.”

Man Who Mocked Abba Kyari is COVID-19 Positive

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The Source

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May 7, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Wherever Mallam Abba Kyari, the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari is, he must be having a good laugh at the media war over his tenure in office. He must be wondering how larger than life he is in death.

But, particularly, Kyari must be having a good laugh at the man who mocked and celebrated his death.

Kyari had died of COVID-19. As soon as his death was confirmed, Muazu Magaji, Kano State’s Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, hit his Facebook page. He celebrated his passing, asking the President to reduce the powers attached to the office of the CoS.

Infuriated and embarrassed, Abdullahi Ghanduje, Kano state Governor, fired him from office.

Even though he later said his post was misunderstood, the wordings were clear and, the damage done.

Now, Magaji has caught the disease for which he mocked Kyari. He has tested positive for Coronavirus.

In a post announcing his status on Thursday, Magaji wrote:

“Dear All, I do truly apologise to you not getting across to me on phone or messages.

“I have been indisposed due to on-going health challenges some of us are going through in Kano. In sha Allah, it will be well.

“This morning, my NCDC test is out. I have been confirmed COVID-19 positive, and have been moved to one of the State facilities…..pray for us.

Kano state is being ravaged by the Virus. A number of deaths have been reported in the state, which is now second in infection cases only to Lagos state.

In the past two weeks, more than 700 deaths (more than Lagos) have occurred in the state, most of them from what the Governor attributed, shockingly, attributed to malaria and cerebral meningitis. The cause of the deaths is still being investigated by the NCDC.

CBN: Foreign Reserves Spike Amidst Rise In Oil Prices

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Bayo Bernard

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May 7, 2020

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Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor — Godwin Emefiele

By Fola James

The Central bank of Nigeria, CBN has revealed a rise in the nation’s foreign reserves by $449.5 million after several months of consistent dip.Figures from the apex bank indicate that the reserves rose from $33.44bn in April to $33.89bn in May.

The reserves had slipped into $33.89bn by the end of April.

The decline in the nation’s foreign reserves has been caused by the reclining oil revenue.

The price of crude oil had dipped to as low as $20 per barrel in the international oil market.

Besides, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, said last week that vessels loaded with Nigerian crude are currently stranded on the high seas looking for buyers.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund, has warned that a further decline in oil revenue could further compound the nation’s fiscal policies.

“The country’s oil exports are expected to fall by more than $26bn,” it stated, IMF stated, adding that “With the decline in economic activity, large fiscal and external financing gaps have emerged. Our baseline scenario is uncertain and subject to heightened risks.

These are mostly linked to a further collapse in oil revenue—due to persistent low oil prices, an inability to sell oil because of depressed global demand, or declining production because of additional OPEC-agreed cuts,” the world’s financial body said.

Meanwhile, financial analysts told the magazine that oil prices are likely to rebound as major economies such as the US, China and Europe open back their economies after weeks of shut down due to the corona virus pandemic.

According to them this could lead to a gradual rise in Nigeria’s foreign reserves depending on fiscal policy direction of the federal government.

Eight Years After: Sports Ministry Places Rashidi Yekini’s Mother On Monthly Stipend

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The Source

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May 7, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Eight Years After Nigeria’s all time highest goal scorer, Rashidi Yekini passed on, the cause of his death remains a mystery.

There are different accounts of his death. While some people say he died of depression, some insist he was poisoned, while another account allege he was assassinated by his friends over his properties.

Sadly, the Striker’s Mother has been languishing in abject poverty since his demise.

But now, the Sports Ministry, through the Minister for Sport, Sunday Dare, has indicated interest to assist Yekini’s mother, Alhaji Sikiratu Yekini.

The Federal Ministry has however placed her on a monthly stipend of N10,000.

Olaitan Shittu, a representative of the Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, disclosed this at Ijagbo, near Offa in Kwara on Wednesday, when he donated Ramadan gifts on behalf of the minister to the aged mother.

The minister donated the sum of N50,000 as part of the Ramadan gifts to Yekini’s mother to sustain her during the period.

Some of the items donated with the cash included a 50 kg bag of rice, 10 kg bag of wheat and six tins of Milo beverage drink.

Shittu explained that it was not the first time the minister was reaching out to Alhaja Yekini as he was also at her residence in September, 2019.

He said that the Ministry would also be extending the same gesture to the mother of late Super Eagles player, Samuel Okwaraji.

Responding, Alhaja Yekini, who spoke in her local dialect (Yoruba), thanked the minister and prayed fervently for him.

“I have been abandoned for a long time and have not seen any help from anyone.

“I was hospitalised for few days some months ago and I catered for myself despite scarce resources: even last month, I received treatment from the hospital.

“I need help from Nigerians, but this minister has done very well, especially remembering me in this holy month of Ramadan.

“Since my son died, it has been very tough for me because I do not have any help from people.

“Rashidi’s siblings are not doing well too, so, I was left to struggle for life everyday,” she said.

It would be recalled that the late Victoria Setubal Football Club of Portugal Striker died eight years ago in Ibadan after retiring from active football.

His professional career spanned more than two decades and was mainly associated with Vitória de Setúbal in Portugal.

Besides playing for Nigeria, Yekini also played in six other countries including Ivory Coast.

Yekini scored 37 goals as a Nigerian international from 58 games and represented the nation in five major tournaments, including two World Cups (USA 1994 and France 1998) where he scored the country’s first-ever goal in the competition against Bulgaria in the USA ’94 World Cup, and also won the 1994 African Cup of Nations tournament in Tunisia.

He was also named the African Footballer of the Year in 1993.

FG To Spend Abacha Loot Feeding School Kids At Home, Parents Kick

By

Bayo Bernard

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May 7, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has disclosed that the federal government will still go ahead with the school feeding policy in spite of the fact that public school are not in session.

The policy is a cardinal one in the APC led government and billion of naira have been allocated to it in the last three years.

The Buhari presidency has two days ago said more funds have been allocated to the programme from the $311 million Abacha loot recently repatriated from the US government.

Both public and private schools have been locked due to the corona virus pandemic, therefore, many analysts have questioned the possibility of feeding children who are now at home with their parents.

But while speaking on the issue on Wednesday during the daily briefing of the Presidential Task Force in Abuja, Umar-Farouq said the government had overhauled the school feeding programme in a way to ensure that schoolchildren were fed at home despite the lockdown.

Unlike in the past when children are fed in school, the food allocation will now be carried out door-to-door, the minister said.

According to her “We have made progress in the overhauling of the homegrown school feeding programme and sensitisation has already begun in the three frontline states of Ogun, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory for implementation.

The overhauling was sequel to a March 29, 2020 directive by Mr President to identify modalities and continuation of the school feeding programme during the COVID-19 pandemic in the lockdown states as of then.”

She explained that the programme is being done this time with the cooperation of state governments.

The minister further stated that “The plan has been adopted, with implementation now set to begin.

The programme will therefore be carried out based on data provided and structures put in place by participating states with support from partners that include the World Food Programme.”

Meanwhile, experts have slammed the door-to-door feeding policy insisting that such is meant to fail in a country where logistic is a problem.

Some parents who spoke with the magazine said their wards have never benefited from the policy, insisting that the prospect of more children being fed at home is even more difficult now that they are not in school.

Therefore, analysts insist that billions of public funds are likely to be siphoned through this policy, which they say has been doomed to fail from the beginning.