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  • Edo 2020: Imasuagbon, Ogbeide-Ihama adamant, refuse to step down for Obaseki

    Kenneth Imasuagbon and Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama are still very much in the race to prove a point that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State is not for the highest bidder.

    Imasuagbon had repeatedly explained in various interviews that the voice of God told him that he is the next Governor of Edo State.

    Meanwhile Gideon Ikhine had stepped down from the PDP primary guber race for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that in a colourful ceremony attended by Edo critical stakeholders, the Edo Central politician threw in the towel to pave way for Obaseki.

    Initially, Ikhine had insisted he wanted to run to the end but major stakeholders after consultations advised him to step aside.

    Ikhine announced his decision to step down for the Governor on Monday at a ceremony in Benin, capital of the State.

    Gov. Obaseki, Edo State PDP chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi and other party leaders from across the State were in attendance.

    Announcing the decision, the aspirant said that there was no progress without a sacrifice, adding that the Governor’s defection to the party was God’s great answer to the party and his aspiration.

    He noted that two persons could have the same vision but the means of approaching them different.

    Ikhine stressed that he was not actually stepping down, but “stepping behind the man who would lead the party to glory come September 19”.

    He said he and his supporters had resolved to work with the Governor to ensure that a better tomorrow is achieved in the State.

    Responding, Obaseki said that with the political situation in the State, history was being made in the country.

    He noted that 21 years later in the present republic, democracy was taking a new turn as intellects were coming into the political process to redirect political processes and situation in the State.

    The Governor said that he joined the PDP because he realised that PDP was Edo and Edo was PDP.

    He commended the aspirant for reconciling with the party by identifying the lapses in Edo PDP and ensuring that the lapses were addressed.

    Obaseki noted that governance ought to be about the people and not about a few individuals .

    He stressed that deceit could not be part of political structure, but about leadership.

  • PTF to decide on 2nd phase of lockdown by June ending, says Mustapha

    PTF to decide on 2nd phase of lockdown by June ending, says Mustapha

    The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19) continue to monitor developments nationwide in order to take informed decisions by the end of June, on the second phase of the lockdown.

    Mr Boss Mustapha, the chairman of PTF on COVID-19 and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said this at the daily press briefing on Monday in Abuja.

    Early June, the PTF announced a one-month period for the implementation of the second phase of the easing of lockdown.

    Mustapha said that while pursuing that line of action, the PTF would like to re-echo the World Health Organisation (WHO), advisory to countries and their citizens not to equate any slow-down in numbers accompanied by loosening of restrictive measures to translate to a reduction in the dangers faced by humanity.

    “Yesterday,June 21, 2020, Nigeria crossed the threshold of 20, 000, with our total number rising to 20, 244 confirmed cases.

    “This signified to the PTF that more testing has been carried out in recent weeks.

    “However, we are not deluded that we are getting enough samples to test. I wish to remind all our citizens that the best strategy remains to test, detect, isolate and treat.

    “That has accounted for the massive expansion in the laboratory network and testing centers,” he stated.

    The SGF said that the PTF has also continued to watch developments from other jurisdictions especially those that have similar climatic and demographics with us.

    “Here Brazil is of particular interest. You would have observed that the number of confirmed cases in Brazil have risen to 1,084,833 thus becoming the second highest in the whole world and reporting over 50,000 deaths.

    “In Africa, WHO has reported that South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana have proportionately been the most affected countries on the continent of Africa.

    “All these combined, represent a serious wake up call for us all to be responsive and to take full responsibility.

    “Our failure to take responsibility threatens the gains we have recorded which is not good for our large population.

    “Let me give you a vivid picture of how this virus has spread across our nation by timelines:

    “April 16 2020: 442 cases, May 16, 2020: 5,621 cases, June 16, 2020:17, 148 cases

    “We really have a choice to make and there is an urgency of yesterday,” he explained.

    According to him, as part of the collaboration with the States, the PTF team made up of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), and the WHO Representative visited Plateau, Edo, Lagos and Akwa Ibom to assess the state of preparedness and control.

    The PTF chairman said that the visit further gives Nigerians confidence that sub-national levels of governments were also taking the necessary actions to ensure that this fight was speedily won.

    Meanwhile, he announced that on June, 20 2020, the PTF received the first batch of equipment supplies under the One-UN Basket fund and the European Union.

    “These supplies included Personal Protection Equipment, testing kits and laboratory equipment.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the partners of the One UN Basket and look forward to receiving the second batch of these supplies.

    “Their commitment greatly shows that partnership is the most important ingredient needed to overcome this pandemic globally.

    “I similarly wish to thank the WHO for the donation of Oxygen concentrators, which has become very vital for case management,” he said.

    He added that over the weekend, the Rotary Cub International District 9125, a long standing partner in the fight against polio disease, made a donation of essential materials worth over ten million naira to support the fight against COVID-19.

    Mustapha said that the gesture was also very much appreciated.

    He, however said that PTF was pleased to express its appreciation to the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), for demonstrating the spirit of patriotism and understanding by calling off the industrial action its members embarked upon.

    “Abiding by The Hippocratic Oath further gives us comfort that we would win this fight.

    “On the part of government, we would continue to ensure the welfare and safety of all workers will never be neglected,” he said.

    The SGF said that as the nation pursue the Community engagement and Risk Communication Strategy, PTF had identified lack of information about case definition protocols, location of testing centres, inability to reach call centers, as obstacles to getting needed help.

    He said that PTF has therefore directed that more awareness be created on the location of test centers and how to get tested especially when you fit the case definition.

    “The call centres are also being re-energized for responsiveness. Our messaging on risk communication and compliance by the public will also receive very strong attention.

    “We must develop a national wave of awareness creation to drive home our objectives,” he said.

    Mustapha called on Nigerians to make use of these facilities and get tested.

    “Similarly, I implore us not to be afraid of undertaking the COVID-19 test.

    “Testing positive for COVID-19 is not a death sentence, but failure to test, especially when symptoms are evident could result to death as it may be too late once the symptoms become full blown,” he said.

    The SGF said that the death of any Nigerian was not only painful, but most avoidable provided they seek help early.

    He said that PTF was also not unmindful of the possibility of imports especially through the land borders.

    “For this reason, our men and women of the Nigerian Immigration Service remain vigilant.

    “This has resulted in the apprehension of two foreigners who tried to enter the country illegally over the week-end. This commendable effort is appreciated,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the SGF said that the declaration of Nigeria as Polio free nation last week was a welcome development and congratulate all those that participated in the long-drawn battle to rid Nigeria of the disease.

    “This declaration is a signal that overcoming COVID-19 and indeed any other infectious disease is possible and shall be achieved.

    “We use this opportunity to renew our call to the medical practitioners and hospitals not to neglect other diseases and ailments because of COVID-19,” he said.

    Mustapha reminded Nigerians that wearing their mask properly, observing social distancing, washing their hands and avoiding large gatherings were critical to saving lives, including Nigerians.

    “Observe them religiously,” the SGF said.

  • NDDC clarifies N2 trillion debts

    NDDC clarifies N2 trillion debts

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has clarified N2 trillion debts, owed vendors and contractors on projects executed in the region.

    The NDDC Deputy Director of Corporate Communications, Charles Odili, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, that the commission incurred the debts mainly from emergency projects.

    He said that past management of the commission resorted to emergency projects due to failure of the National Assembly at the time, to come up with budget for NDDC.

    “So, a large percentage of the N2 trillion debts were for emergency projects because NDDC budget did not come on time as at when due.

    “In this situation, past managements took to emergency projects as line of action to solve emergency situations.

    “It is unfortunate that often times when the budget is not available, the emergency projects runs for a long time,” he said.

    Odili said that current Interim Management Committee (IMC) led by Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, had decided against continuing with such tradition.

    He denied allegations of missing funds, insisting that only N33 billion was paid to vendors owed lesser sums out of NDDC’s N2 trillion debt portfolio.

    According to him, the IMC did not pay other categories of contractors as the National Assembly instructed against payments for road projects.

    “Unfortunately, many of NDDC contractors that are being owed are mostly those who have done road projects and they are complaining.

    “So, when people say that we are paying so much, what they don’t know is that we are paying very little from the avalanche of debts that we owe as an organisation.

    “So far, the N33 billion payments which we describe as ‘historical debt,’ were paid to vendors since inception of the IMC on February 20.

    “The payments were intended to save lives and livelihood of people of the Niger Delta, as some vendors were owed N1 million to N3 million over eight years,” he added.

    The NDDC spokesman described as unfortunate, the several delays encountered in the passage of NDDC budgets in recent years.

    Odili said the delays had impacted negatively on the commission’s quest to achieving its set goals and objectives.

    “In addition, the NDDC 2019 budget was never implemented, simply because the final budget got to the commission six weeks before its expiration.

    “So, it was virtually impossible to do anything about its implementation,” he pointed out.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, set up the NDDC IMC to help create an enabling environment for ongoing forensic audit of the commission’s finances.

  • Edo 2020: ‘Come back to APC, work with me,’ Ize-Iyamu begs Obaseki

    Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Edo State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has appealed to Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, to return to the party.

    Ize-Iyamu made the appeal in his acceptance speech after he was declared winner of the Edo APC governorship primary on Monday.

    Governor Obaseki defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday after he was disqualified from seeking the APC ticket for the 19 September governorship election.

    The APC candidate advised the governor to return to the party he “originally belong” to and not make the same mistake he did when he (Ize-Iyamu) defected to the PDP to become the party’s candidate in the 2016 governorship election.

    Ize-Iyamu said he is willing to work with Obaseki if he returns to the APC.

    He said: “By this process we just completed, the party is now on its step to full recovery. I also salute Governor Obaseki, and I will appeal to him to return to the party.

    “In every party we have disagreement but I don’t want it that it is this disagreement that would push him out. I once made that mistake. It might be nice for him to come back, and certainly, I’m going to work with him.

    “We’ve shown the example today in APC as we are determined to be law-abiding. The few months we have for campaign, let’s do it in a law-abiding manner. I’m pledging on behalf of my party that we will be peaceful and respectful.

    “I’m naturally happy and humbled by the overwhelming support from the 18 local government areas. I’m so elated that there was no incident of violence as this has been my prayer point. The election went on with strict adherence to the state’s government COVID-19 regulations.”

    Ize-Iyamu said if he wins the September governorship election, he will be working with everyone to move the state forward.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Adams Oshiomhole, the suspended APC National Chairman; and the security agencies for their support in the primary election.

  • Ex-minister, Dalung tackles Buhari: ‘Human life cheaper in the north than chicken’

    Ex-minister, Dalung tackles Buhari: ‘Human life cheaper in the north than chicken’

    Former Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, has lamented the growing killings in northern Nigeria and asked President Buhari to sack his service chiefs.

    In a video done in Hausa and posted on his Facebook page, Dalung, bemoaned the killings despite huge security expenditure.

    “Mr President, you have given these people more money, yet we continue to lose more lives”, Dalung said, according to a Hausa translation.

    “These people are only enriching themselves with public money Mr President.

    “Sadly, you have once mentioned that they were disobeying your orders; I mean orders of the Commander-In-Chief, so why are you still tolerating them?

    “Mr President, it’s high time you let go of them because their continued stay is only rubbishing your administration.

    “I’m not a prophet but I can predict (that) if no action is taken on these traitors within your government, you’ll bitterly regret it by 2021.

    Dalung said more Nigerians residing in the North were being killed under his watch than at any time other time in history.

    “From Borno to Kwara and from Plateau to Sokoto, human life has become cheaper than that of a chicken.

    “Take for example, how innocent souls are perishing, and needlessly so, in your own home state of Katsina,”he said.

    Dalung was minister of sports between 2015 and 2019.

    Watch the video, but get your Hausa translator:

  • Final assets forfeiture: Court rejects EFCC’s request on Maina’s plea for extension of time

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, declined to grant the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s request to dismiss a motion asking the court for an extension of time in a case involving Abdulrasheed Maina, ex-Chairman, Pension Reformed Task Team (PRTT).

    Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo struck out the EFCC’s prayer on the ground that the defendants in the suit were not served with the hearing notice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court had, on Oct. 22, 2019, granted an interim forfeiture order of 23 assets linked to Maina, following a motion filed by counsel to the EFCC, Mohammed Abubakar.

    EFCC had said that the property (houses, estates and companies) were allegedly acquired through corrupt practices of Maina and his associates.
    Justice Giwa-Ogunbajo had also ordered that the assets be placed on newspaper publications for 14 days “for interested parties to show cause why a final order of forfeiture to the Federal Government of the assets and properties should not be made.”
    However, Maina (1st defendant) and others had, on March 5, after the expiration of the 14 days, filed applications to show cause why the final forfeiture order should not be made.
    Other interested applicants include Laila Maina (2nd defendant), Bimatec Nigeria Ltd (3rd defendant); Faisal Maina , Abdullahi Aliu and Yagaji Aliu (all as 4th defendant) and Estate of Late Alhaji M. Usman (5th defendant).
    NAN recalls that the applicants, through their lawyers, Evelyn Dele and Anayo Adide, had filed an application for extension of time on the interim order.
    In her argument, Maina’s lawyer, Dele, had argued that her client was in detention when the forfeiture order was granted and that by the time he got the information in the dailies, the 14-day period had elapsed.
    Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, in her ruling, had granted the motion for the extension of time regarding forfeiture of the assets linked to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants.
    The judge, however, struck out the 5th defendant’s application because the process was filed in the name of estate of late Alhaji Usman.
    She upheld the EFCC’s argument that the estate of a deceased person had no legal capacity to file an action before the court.
    Giwa-Ogunbanjo then adjourned till April 1 to hear the substantive matters, but the case could not come up due to the lockdown, following the coronavirus outbreak.
    At the resumed hearing on Monday, the EFCC counsel, Halima Alhaji-Shehu, informed the court that there was another motion for extension of time of the earlier order for interested parties to show cause dated Dec. 2 and filed Dec. 3 by one of the claimants, Uwani Alhaji Usman, on behalf of the Estate of late Alhaji Usman.
    The lawyer, who reminded the judge that the first application by the claimant was rejected by the court, urged Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo to strike out the second motion since the defendants failed to appear in court.
    However, Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo turned down the anti-graft agency’s request on the grounds that the defendants were not served with the hearing notice and as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
    “It will not serve justice to strike out this application today because of the issue of coronavirus.
    “We have to give them benefit of doubt why they were not in court because everybody knows there is still lockdown.
    “Besides, they were not even served with the hearing notice, so why should I strike it out?” she said.

    The judge, who adjourned the matter until June 26, ordered that the defendants should be served with hearing notices.

  • Filipino lady searches for love to Nigeria, ends up in tatters in Enugu

    Filipino lady searches for love to Nigeria, ends up in tatters in Enugu

    The Police in Enugu State have rescued a Filipino lady, who searched for love to Nigeria, from the hands of her abductor, one Chukwudi Odo.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Filipino lady, identified as Irene Torento Panas, was rescued by police operatives attached to the Unity Police Division, Ibegwa Nike in Enugu.

    Irene, 40-year-old, was rescued six months after she arrived in Nigeria from the Philippines in an apparent but unsuccessful search for love.

    According to findings, the Filipino lady, who arrived in Nigeria on November 22, 2019, is an accountant by profession and a native of Manila in the Philippines.

    She met 54-year-old Odo, who is from Enugu Ezike in Igbo-Eze North LGA of Enugu, on Facebook on 8th March, 2017.

    The visit which was originally intended to be for 10-days, however, turned out to be a full case of abduction following Odo’s refusal to allow her return to her country against her will.

    She was held incommunicado by the suspect, Odo, and was critically ill at the time of rescue, TNG learnt.

    The Police have arrested the suspect in a raid led by the DPO, SP Siga Malgwi, following a tip-off from some members of the public in the area.

    Irene was immediately taken to the hospital for medical attention where she was admitted from 5th June to 16th June.

    Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, Odo deliberately lured the victim into the country with the aim of confining her, sexually abusing, and extorting money from her.

    Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M. A. Adamu has advised on a more cautious use of social media by members of the public.

    The IGP, while enjoining members of the public to tread cautiously in their use of the social media, warned against any abuse of the cyberspace noting that such criminal acts will not go undetected and unpunished by the Force.

    Meanwhile, the Force said it was already in contact with the Embassy of the Philippines in Nigeria so as to reunite the victim with members of her family.

  • BREAKING: Frontline PDP aspirant steps down for Obaseki

    BREAKING: Frontline PDP aspirant steps down for Obaseki

    Ahead of Friday’s governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, a frontline aspirant of the party, Mr Gideon Ikhine, has stepped down from the race for Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

    Ikhine announced his decision to step down for the Governor on Monday at a ceremony in Benin, capital of the State.

    Gov. Obaseki, Edo State PDP chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi and other party leaders from across the State were in attendance.

    Announcing the decision, the aspirant said that there was no progress without a sacrifice, adding that the Governor’s defection to the party was God’s great answer to the party and his aspiration.

    He noted that two persons could have the same vision but the means of approaching them different.

    Ikhine stressed that he was not actually stepping down, but “stepping behind the man who would lead the party to glory come September 19”.

    He said he and his supporters had resolved to work with the Governor to ensure that a better tomorrow is achieved in the State.

    Responding, Obaseki said that with the political situation in the State, history was being made in the country.

    He noted that 21 years later in the present republic, democracy was taking a new turn as intellects were coming into the political process to redirect political processes and situation in the State.

    The Governor said that he joined the PDP because he realised that PDP was Edo and Edo was PDP.

    He commended the aspirant for reconciling with the party by identifying the lapses in Edo PDP and ensuring that the lapses were addressed.

    Obaseki noted that governance ought to be about the people and not about a few individuals .

    He stressed that deceit could not be part of political structure, but about leadership.

  • Bakassi refugees narrate nasty ordeal, commend Gov Ayade for respite

    Bakassi refugees narrate nasty ordeal, commend Gov Ayade for respite

    The displaced persons of Bakassi in Cross River state have commended Governor Ben Ayade for keeping his promise and coming to their aid by providing a befitting accomodation for them and their families.

    The IDPs who lost their ancestral homes and land 18 years ago following the ceding of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon in compliance with the ruling of the International Court of Justice in the Hague were recently resettled in 52 units of two- bedroom flats built and furnished by governor Ayade.

    Speaking during the celebration of world refugee Day at the newly built Bakassi IDP estate, the camp leader of the Bakassi refugees, Chief Etim Ene Okon lamented the neglect the IDPs had suffered through the years before Ayade came to their rescue.

    “For several years we have been living in very inhuman conditions and our Governor has indeed come to our rescue and he has restored back our dignity, he has restored back our name. We are very proud and we are so grateful for the opportunity to live a good life in good condition with our families. ”

    Continuing he said, ” before now we have been sleeping in the primary schools, sleeping in churches, turned to beggars in our own land, our livelihood totally lost but our Governor came to see us and made a promise and today he has kept that promise giving us a befitting accomodation, we are very happy about that”.

    While thanking Governor Ayade for being their only saviour in recent times, Chief Ene appealed to the federal government to complement the efforts of the state government by providing for the IDPs adding that they are still Nigerians no matter the situation they have found themselves.

    “We plead with our dear president not to allow this burden on the state government alone, our Governor has done his best for us by providing this housing units with the lean resources at his disposal with a promise to do even more to help kickstart our livelihood, but we still have a lot of challenges and we call on President Buhari to come and assist us. ”

    On his part, the secretary of the Bakassi IDPs, Mr Okon Etim Effiom, debunked the rumour that the houses have not been allocated to them and advised Cross Riverians not to listen to those who he said have chosen to play politics with the good intentions of Governor Ayade.

    “We are delighted beyond measure to have been alive to see this dream come true. For us as IDPs we cannot thank our Governor enough for standing by us and keeping his promise of resettling us with a befitting accomodation. As you can see for yourself we have moved in here over a week now with our families and we are very happy. So for those who are carrying rumours that we are not the real beneficiaries of this housing scheme my advise to them is to desist from playing politics with the good works of our Governor”, Etim Effiong said.

    He called on the federal government to step in and support the efforts of the state government towards the Bakassi IDP especially in the area of economic resettlement.

  • Crisis: APC Governors seek presidential intervention

    Crisis: APC Governors seek presidential intervention

    The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, has said that all contentious issues surrounding the leadership crisis confronting the All Progressives Congress (APC) will soon be reconciled.

    Bagudu stated this when he addressed State House correspondents at the end of a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bagudu was accompanied to the State House by Governors Simon Lalong of Plateau and Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa.

    He said the governors were in the State House to share with the president the Progressive Governors’ position on how best to address the lingering crisis facing the APC.

    “Today, my brothers the Governor of Plateau State Simon Lalong and the Governor of Jigawa State Abubakar Badaru and myself visited President Muhammadu Buhari as our party leader, as the leader that millions of Nigerian trust, to discuss party issues and the position of the Progressive Governors to support all steps to unify and bring about peaceful resolution in our party the All Progressives Congress.

    “The President listened to us attentively and discussed with us as a father, as a party leader and gave us all the assurance needed to know that resolution of contentious issues will soon be arrived at.”

    Bagudu, who is the governor of Kebbi, described President Buhari as a democrat that allows all arms of the party to function according to the provisions of the party’s constitution.

    “At all times the President has shown that he is a democrat. He is not running the party; yes, he is the party leader but he allows the party’s organs to do and decide what should be done.

    “He is very hesitant to use his standing even as party leader talk less of his authority as President of the country to direct things,’’ he added.

    According to the governor, in any political assembly, there are bound to be recurring issues because a political party is never a perfect assembly.

    Bagudu agreed that it was necessary for the National Executive Committee of the party to meet as part of steps towards resolving the crisis.

    “I believe that whatever needs to be done including the possibility of calling any of the organs of the party that is necessary for the resolution of lingering issues will be done immediately.

    “Let me again say that the party is never a perfect assembly.

    “There will always be issues and that is why we talk, but yes certainly, organs of the party needs to meet and Mr President without directing is always supporting the necessity of party organs meeting appropriately,’’ he said.