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  • COVID-19: UCH denies receiving N118m from Oyo govt.

    COVID-19: UCH denies receiving N118m from Oyo govt.

    The University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has debunked the claim by the Oyo State Government that it gave the hospital N118 million to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The spokesman of UCH, Mr Toye Akinrinlola, refuted the claim in a statement issued on Tuesday in Ibadan.

    “The attention of the management of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has been drawn to the content of a press release from the Oyo State Government that the sum of N118 million was given to the hospital to fight against the COVID 19 pandemic.

    “The press release quoted the Oyo State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Akinola Ojo, as saying the said amount was released to UCH.

    “We contacted some officials of Oyo State for a clarification on this, but it seems there is a misunderstanding in the difference between the College of Medicine of the University of Ibadan and the University College Hospital Ibadan.

    “It therefore behoves the management of the UCH to put the record straight.

    “We hereby state emphatically that the University College Hospital, Ibadan, did not and has not received any monetary donation from the Oyo State Government,” he said.

    Akinrinlola said that the only aid the hospital had received from the state government in the fight against the pandemic was 250 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    He said that all services rendered by the hospital against the dreaded virus were strictly humanitarian.

    “The Chief Medical Director of the UCH is a member of the Oyo State COVID 19 Taskforce.

    “He should know if any money was given to UCH outside the 250 pieces of the PPE given to the hospital.

    “All other services rendered to Oyo State by UCH have been strictly humanitarian and no financial benefits have accrued to the hospital.

    “The UCH has been able to cope with the rigours of the pandemic through donations from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) which is an organ of the Federal Government; some corporate bodies, well meaning Nigerians, alumni associations of the hospital, staff and students of the hospital.

    “I therefore wish to say once again that the UCH is not in receipt of any N118million as claimed by the Oyo State Government,” the spokesman said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Oyo State Government had on Monday told newsmen that it had spent N2.77 billion in the ongoing fight against the pandemic.

  • PSG confirm three players tests positive for coronavirus

    PSG confirm three players tests positive for coronavirus

    Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed three players and one member of staff have tested positive for coronavirus.

    The Ligue 1 champions, who were crowned in April after the remainder of season was cancelled and positions decided on a points-per-game basis because of the coronavirus pandemic, are due to return to training ahead of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue finals and the resumption of the Champions League.

    Thomas Tuchel’s men are through to the last eight of the Champions League, which will be finished in a tournament in Lisbon in August.

  • James Rodriguez speaks on Madrid battle

    James Rodriguez speaks on Madrid battle

    James Rodriguez has been able to joke about his lack of action at Real Madrid.

    The midfielder has found a way back into the first team since the LaLiga restart.

    The Colombia international, who just started against Real Sociedad for his first LaLiga minutes since October, explained that he needs more minutes on the pitch to show off his quality.

    “[Why don’t I play] is a good question and I would also like to know,” he told Gol Caracol when asked that question in an interview, laughing as he did so.

    “When you win important titles with players you have trusted and when you have the core, it is difficult to change.

    “Also, it is complicated when your coach does not give you minutes permanently, it becomes difficult.

    “It is complex to show your abilities in a few minutes, you cannot do everything you know.

    “Those who are in the world of football know what I am talking about.”

    James has been criticised by many in the last few months for his professionalism at Los Blancos, but he disputed this.

    “A lot of things are said about me and almost all are lies,” he continued.

    “What bothers me most is that my professionalism is doubted.

    “I do not accept that.

    “I am very professional, that is why I have gotten to where I am.

    “People who are next to me and have worked with me know what I am talking about.

    “I take care of myself like no one else.

    “I train a lot in my day-to-day life.

    “I always want to improve.”

    The Colombia international went on to discuss his relationship with Zinedine Zidane, his current role and what the future holds for him.

    “There was never any problem [with Zidane],” he added.

    “Every coach has their tastes.

    “We have a normal working relationship.

    “I don’t have a central role, but I am training and working for when it is my turn, so I can do well.

    “I am also thinking about the future, that wherever I am I have to perform at my highest level.

    “I don’t know what will happen in the future, but if they give me a choice then I would choose a club where I could show my abilities and my potential.”

  • EDO 2020: Wike blasts PDP NWC, denies masterminding plot against Obaseki’s governorship bid

    EDO 2020: Wike blasts PDP NWC, denies masterminding plot against Obaseki’s governorship bid

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said he did not influence the decision of a Federal High Court in State that blocked Governor Godwin Obaseki from participating in the Peoples Democratic Party’s Edo State governorship primary.

    Wike’s denial was made public by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, who quoted the governor in a statement as also describing some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as tax collectors.

    Nsirim said Wike has decided to pull out of the ongoing moves to reconcile aspirants of the party in Edo State insisting that he’s been blackmailed with lies by “sycophants” in the NWC.

    He said instead of the NWC to carry everybody along in Edo state, they resorted to using the media to blackmail him.

    Wike said: “I told them that in Edo State, we must handle the issue carefully and carry everybody along. They must respect human beings and not behave like tax collectors.

    “They said because an order was obtained from a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, then I am responsible.

    “I have had sleepless nights to resolve the issue in Edo state. The Governors of Edo, Adamawa, and Delta states, know what I have done to resolve the issues in Edo state.

    “As a result of this senseless accusation, I have pulled out of Edo State settlement. My integrity matters. I have also directed my lawyer to write Thisday Newspaper on the publication they made against me in their Tuesday, 23rd June, 2020 edition.

    “I know the members of the National Working Committee of PDP who connived with Thisday. They are tax collectors. Let them challenge me and I will come out with more facts. Nobody will rubbish me by raising false accusations against me. I will fight back,” the Governor said in the statement.

    Wike said he would no longer participate in any reconciliation and wondered why the NWC wanted to consult governors of the party.

    He questioned why the NWC did not consult with governors in the case of Bayelsa State.

    The governor warned that if PDP was not careful, the crisis in the All Progressive Congress (APC) would be a child’s play.

    “I am brought up not to accept injustice, and that is why I keep speaking out on national issues. Nobody in PDP can intimidate Rivers State.

    “Nobody can threaten me because I said things must be done constitutionally. I will always continue to satisfy my conscience.

    “From now on, I want to concentrate on the development of Rivers State.”

  • Ghanaian President, Akufo-Addo calls Buhari, apologises over mission demolition

    The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday apologised to the President Muhammadu Buhari over the demolition of a building on the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra.

    Akufo-Ado in a phone call informed Buhari that he had directed a full investigation of the unfortunate incident.

    He hinted that some suspects had been arrested and will be arraigned in court.

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Ferdinand Nwonye, disclosed this in a statement.

    It read, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo called President Muhammadu Buhari, on June 23, on the phone, to express his sincere regrets and apology for the demolition of a building on the premises of the Nigerian High Commission in Accra, Ghana.

    “He informed President Buhari that he had directed a full investigation of the unfortunate incident.”

    The ministry called on Nigerians to remain calm “despite the highly provocative attack on the High Commission of Nigeria in Accra, Ghana, and to reassure Nigerians that the Federal Government is engaging the Ghanaian Authorities at the highest level.”

    According to reports, a Ghanaian businessman led the team which demolished the building which was under construction last Friday.

    The structure which was meant for the accommodation of the mission staff and visiting diplomats to the High Commission was partially demolished by the businessman who claimed that the mission encroached on his land.

    The gunmen who accompanied him reportedly threatened to shoot the staff of the embassy if they interfered.

  • Ex-NLC chief Akele dies in America

    Ex-NLC chief Akele dies in America

    A human rights activist and former labour leader, Comrade Ayodele Akele, is dead.

    The former chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos state chapter died on Tuesday morning.

    He was said to have been ill for some time.

    National Conscience Party (NCP) National Chairman Tanko Yusuf confirmed the incident to The Nation.

    Yusuf said he died in the United States where he was receiving treatment.

    “Ayodele Akele has been sick for a while. He later suffered a stroke and was flown to America for treatment.

    “I received a call from his today that he has died. It is unfortunate that we lost him. He was a committed activist, ” he said.

  • Juve agree £72.5m deal for Barca midfielder

    Juve agree £72.5m deal for Barca midfielder

    Serie A giant Juventus have struck an agreement with Barcelona to sign Brazil international Arthur, according to Sky Sports.

    The Catalans accepted a bid worth £72.5 million ($91m) for the midfielder, while talks continue over Juve star Miralem Pjanic, who is wanted at Camp Nou.

  • Transfer: Flamengo announce Mari sale to Arsenal

    Brazilian club Flamengo have announced they’ve sold Pablo Mari to Arsenal.

    Fla vice-president Marcos Braz has confirmed that Mari has been sold to Arsenal for a fee believed to be in the region of £14million, reports The Sun.

    Since joining from Flamengo in January, the 26-year-old has featured in just three games in all competitions, as he arrived at the club lacking match fitness.

    And his season has already been cut short after he suffered an ankle injury in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City last week, leaving him out of action for up to five months.

    Mikel Arteta revealed after the loss to City that Mari’s signing remains a priority, despite his ankle knock.

    Asked whether the club will still press ahead with a move, he said: “Yes.

    “This cannot be affected just because a player gets injured doing his job and defending our club.”

  • Ondo senator welcomes Deputy Governor, Ajayi to PDP

    Ondo senator welcomes Deputy Governor, Ajayi to PDP

    Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo (PDP-Ondo) has formally welcomed the state Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajayi on June 21 decamped from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to PDP and received his PDP membership card at his Apoi Ward 2 in Ese Odo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Tofowomo in a statement by his media aide, Mr Olumide Akinrinlola on Tuesday in Okitipupa said that the deputy governor has joined the moving train of PDP from the APC.

    “Let me join my voice in welcoming the state deputy governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi into the moving train of the PDP from the APC,” he said.

    Tofowomo commended the national leadership of PDP under Prince Uche Secondus for providing a level plain ground to all governorship aspirants in the state ahead of the party’s primaries.

    “As a Senator of the Federal Republic, I owe it a responsibility to commend the national leadership of PDP under Secondus, over its commitment to provide a level plain ground to all the governorship aspirants for the primaries.

    ”There is no doubt that the statement made by Secondus during the reception of the deputy governor into our party, has cleared the air over unnecessary insinuation about a possible automatic ticket,” Tofowomo said.

  • Coronavirus scare hits Kaduna Assembly, massive testing of members, workforce begins

    Coronavirus scare hits Kaduna Assembly, massive testing of members, workforce begins

    The Speaker of Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Zailani has directed all workers of the Assembly, including the lawmakers to submit themselves for compulsory coronavirus test.

    This was made known to journalists by the Deputy Chairman House Committee on Health, Mr Ali Kalat on Tuesday in Kaduna.

    Kalat said the directive became necessary after a staff of the Assembly tested positive to the virus. He, however, said that non of the lawmakers had tested positive.

    “But going forward, we have to surrender ourselves for testing so that we will be sure that the entire members of the assembly and its workforce are COVID-19 negative.

    “The speaker has given directives that the entire workforce of the assembly should be subjected to coronavirus tests and the exercise is still going on at the assembly. All staff have converged for the exercise and it is ongoing,” he said.

    Kalat said subsequently, all members would also submit themselves for the test.

    “After the exercise we will close and wait for further directives from the executive,” he stated.