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  • Rapes, violence against girls, women is a disgraceful act – Osinbajo

    The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has described every sort of sexual assault as a blemish on humanity and the dignity of Nigerians.

    The Vice President noted this on Friday, during a virtual meeting organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the Scourge of Rape, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria.

    He said the federal government was working with the states, as well as other stakeholders to deal decisively with the problem of rape and gender-based violence in Nigeria, because every form of sexual assault.

    According to him rape and other forms of gender-based violent “are blemishes on the collective humanity and dignity of Nigerians as a people and a Nation.”

    The Vice President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, said “we will work with all actors to detect and punish the perpetrators of these sickening acts and work even harder to prevent their occurrence”

    Specifically, the Vice President further said the fight against rape and gender violence would be driven down to the States through the National Economic Council (NEC), which he chairs.

    “We will continue to use the platform of the National Economic Council to encourage States yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 and the Child Rights Act of 2003 to do so.

    “Gender-based violence, rape and sexual assaults are a blemish on our collective humanity and dignity as a people and a Nation,” he added.

    “While violence against women has always been a challenge in Nigeria, the COVID-19 lockdown has occasioned a steep increase in sexual and gender-based violence across the country.

    “I am told that between March 23, 2020 – May 29, 2020, the FCT Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Team received an overwhelming 105 incidents; an average of 13 incidents per week, up from the usual 5 to 6 incidents per week, pre-COVID-19.

    “Also, a few days ago the Inspector-General of Police disclosed that the police had recorded about 717 rape incidents across the country between January and May 2020.

    “And that 799 suspects had so far been arrested, 631 cases conclusively investigated and charged to court while 52 cases are still under investigation.

    “What these figures show is an escalation of an already disgraceful trend of violence against women and girls in the country, ” Prof. Osinbajo observed.

    He referenced the rapes and murders of Mrs Queen Igbinevbo, a pregnant woman in her home in Edo State on May 20, 2020, and Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 22-year old student of University of Benin on May 27, 2020.

    According to the VP, there is also the case of Barakat Bello, an 18-year old female student of Federal College of Animal Health and Production in Ibadan on June 1, 2020, among others, saying these assaults “should never have happened and must not be allowed to continue.”

    Prof. Osinbajo reassured that President Muhammadu Buhari and State Governors recently undertook to take drastic actions against gender-based violence.

    “On June 11, State Governors, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), agreed to declare a state of emergency on rape and gender-based violence against women and children, while renewing their commitment to ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.

    “Similarly, the President, in his June 12 address to Nigerians, reiterated government’s determination to fight gender-based violence through the instrumentality of the law and awareness creation,’’ he said.

    According to him, there is need to look beyond just legislation to fix the problem, but rather, interrogate the deeply dysfunctional cultures, the systemic flaws in our institutions and the perverse social norms which enable sexual and gender-based violence.

    Prof. Osinbajo also acknowledged that the Women Affairs Ministry, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, the International Community and several Civil Society Organizations had also been at the forefront of finding solutions and transformative strategies to address the root causes of gender-based violence.

    Present at the virtual meeting was the Women Affairs Minister, Dame Paullen Tallen, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, representatives of the United Nations and Civil Society Organizations.

  • 98 more COVID-19 patients recover in Lagos

    98 more COVID-19 patients recover in Lagos

    Ninety-eight more COVID-19 patients have recovered from the deadly virus in Lagos State.

    The discharged patients consist of 71 males and 27 females.

    This was disclosed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Friday.

    Giving a breakdown of the figures, Sanwo-Olu said 23 were from Onikan, 22 from LUTH, 17 from Gbagada, and another 17 from Eti-Osa areas of the state.

    While 14 patients came from Agidingbi, 4 were from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, and 1 from Paelon Centre, an accredited private facility respectively.

    This brings to 1283 the total number of discharged Covid-19 patients in the state.

  • EDO 2020: PDP reopens screening of governorship aspirants

    EDO 2020: PDP reopens screening of governorship aspirants

    The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP said it has approved that the party’s screening committee should continue the screening exercise for its aspirants for the Edo State governorship election.

    Colonel Austin Akobundu (retd), the PDP National Organising Secretary, made this known on Friday.

    Akobundu said the exercise would continue on Saturday (today) at the NWC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja from 10am.

    He said: “The committee is mandated to screen all aspirants for the upcoming 2020 governorship election in Edo.”

    Members of the screening committee include Kingsley Chinda as Chairman, Boyele Debekeme as Secretary, Chief Oladimeji Fabiyi, Senator Joy Emordi and Hajiya Aishat Hasindu as members.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the party had on June 5 conducted a screening exercise for its aspirants.

    The party also on Friday granted waiver to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his Deputy, Philip Shuaibu, while it also shifted its primaries from June 23 to June 25.

  • Fernandes earn Man Utd draw at Tottenham

    Fernandes earn Man Utd draw at Tottenham

    A late penalty from Bruno Fernandes secured a 1-1 draw for Manchester United against Tottenham on Friday .

    Fernandes struck from the spot in the 81st minute after Paul Pogba was brought down by Eric Dier, the goal cancelling out Steven Bergwijn’s superb first-half opener.

    A woeful David de Gea error from Bergwijn’s first-half strike (27) looked like it would end United’s unbeaten streak on their Premier League return, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were hugely improved after the break with the introduction of fit-again Pogba, and Spurs could not withstand the onslaught as it ended 1-1.

    Paul Pogba returned to action for first time since 26 December.

     

  • 487 killed as Nigeria Covid-19 cases exceed 19,000

    487 killed as Nigeria Covid-19 cases exceed 19,000

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 667 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 19, 147.

    Twelve deaths were recorded from the virus on Friday bringing the total number of confirmed deaths from the virus to 487.

    There was a drop in the number of confirmed cases reported Thursday evening (745) compared to what was reported on Friday.

    The health agency in a tweet Friday evening said the new cases were reported in 18 states.

    These are Lagos, Abia, Oyo, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , Ogun, Enugu Ondo, Plateau, Edo, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa , Akwa Ibom, Kaduna, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Osun, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Ekiti, and Borno

    All the reporting states already had at least a case of the virus.

    As of the time of reporting, 35 states and the FCT have recorded at least a case of the disease. Only one state, Cross River, is yet to report any case of the virus.

    According to the NCDC, the 667 new cases are reported from 23 states- Lagos – 281, Abia – 48, Oyo – 45, FCT – 38, Ogun – 37, Enugu – 31, Ondo – 23, , Plateau – 21, Edo – 19, Delta – 18, Rivers – 18, Bayelsa – 17, Akwa Ibom – 17, Kaduna – 14, Kano – 12, Bauchi – 9Gombe – 4, Osun – 3, Benue – 3, Nasarawa – 3, Kwara – 3, Ekiti – 2, and Borno – 1

  • COVID-19 treatment centres in Delta already full – Gov. Okowa

    COVID-19 treatment centres in Delta already full – Gov. Okowa

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday said Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment centres in the State were already full of patients, emphasising that caution was needed to manage the alarming rate of infection and transmission.

    Governor Okowa stated this while speaking with Government House Correspondents on the level of infection of the dreaded disease in the state and other parts of the country.

    He urged Deltans and other residents of the State to always observe all precautionary measures against COVID-19 in order to checkmate community transmission.

    The governor noted that the level of infection was on the rise due to the lackadaisical attitude of people who erroneously believe that the pandemic was a fluke.

    He said Delta recorded 83 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in two days due to community transmission and failure of people to observe prescribed protocols such as wearing of face mask in public places, social and physical distancing and other measures to keep the virus in check.

    He advocated the need for everybody to be at alert as the level of immunity of people differs, pointing out that those with symptoms of the disease should go to the hospital for treatment before they become a big risk to their family members, friends and colleagues.

    While saying that his administration would do everything possible to manage the situation, Governor Okowa appealed to residents of the state to avoid large congregation of people so as to mitigate the spread of the disease.

    He reiterated that the 400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded in the state as at June 18, 2020 was largely due to the failure of people to obey stipulated guidelines for the containment of the disease.

    “As at today we have lost 18 persons to COVID-19 pandemic in Delta including very prominent persons and people are still telling us that there is no COVID-19.

    “In just two days (Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18, 2020), we had 83 confirmed cases of corona virus disease in the state; in spite of this obvious fact, some Deltans are still doubting the reality of COVID-19.

    “I want to plead with all Deltans that it is time for us to realise that there is community transmission of the disease which can affect anybody if adequate care was not taken,” Okowa said.

    The governor expressed worry that some states in the country would surpass the figures recorded in Lagos State due to the failure of most Nigerians to comply with all the laid down rules.

    Governor Okowa opined that the dreaded COVID-19 could only be eliminated with behavioural change of the entire citizens of the country.

  • Malami’s memo exposed corruption in Buhari’s govt, Magu’s EFCC -PDP

    Malami’s memo exposed corruption in Buhari’s govt, Magu’s EFCC -PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party has said the memo written to President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, recommending the sack of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, over financial impropriety has further exposed the Buhari’-led govt.

    National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbodiyan, in a statement in Abuja, on Friday, said, Malami’s memo has exposed the regime’s “abysmal corruption, deception, and hypocrisy.”

    The party said “the scandal is the worst national embarrassment in the history of Nigeria”.

    Ologbodiyan noted that “there is nothing more embarrassing than the head of the anti-corruption agency in an administration that prides itself as having zero tolerance for corruption, is being dragged on allegation of diversion of recovered funds and fraudulent sale of assets seized by the agency”.

    He said, “Malami’s memo has also exposed the credentials of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption architecture, rubbished his standing as Africa Union Anti-Corruption Champion and shattered our national integrity in the international arena.

    “The world can now see that the much-hyped anti-corruption fight of the Buhari administration, has been nothing but a huge fraud and a racket by certain persons in the APC administration to harass political opponents, intimidate and extort money from innocent Nigerians and steal public funds.

    “Nigerians and the world have further seen why corruption has worsened under the Buhari administration, as copiously documented by a credible international organisation, including the Transparency International.”

  • BREAKING: PDP grants Obaseki, Deputy waiver to contest

    BREAKING: PDP grants Obaseki, Deputy waiver to contest

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has granted Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu a waiver to contest the Edo governorship election primary on its platform.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Uche Secondus, National Chairman of the PDP presented the letter of waiver to Governor Obaseki and Shaibu on Friday at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

    The party said the action was pursuant to Section 29(2)(b) of the PDP constitution and in exercise of the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under Section (50)(3)(b) of the PDP constitution.

    “The NWC in exercise of the above powers has ratified the application for waiver by the ward, local government and state executives of the party in Edo state and accordingly grants waiver to His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki to enable him contest the gubernatorial primary of the PDP.

    “Also the NWC has further shifted the Edo state governorship primary from an earlier slated date of Tuesday, June 23 to a new date of Thursday June 25, 2020. The shift is again predicated on exigencies of party activities,” a statement by the party reads.

    The PDP had welcomed the Edo State Governor, and all returning and new members accompanying Obaseki into its fold, describing the Governor’s decision as courageous and patriotic.

    The party praised the commitment, dedication and sacrifices of PDP leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members in Edo state, who had continued to work hard to keep the party alive and made it attractive to the people of Edo State.

    The party stressed that Edo has always been home to the PDP adding that a PDP government will always put the interest of the people first in line with the party’s manifesto and guiding principles.

    The PDP reassures all members of strict adherence to the principles of internal democracy in all its activities.

  • BREAKING: Popular Lord of the Rings actor, Ian Holm is dead

    Ian Holm, actor of the Lord of Rings died on Friday at the aged 88, his agents told British media.

    Holm is best known for playing Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

    He also starred in dozens of other film and television roles.

    “Sir Ian Holm passed away this morning at the age of 88,’’ Holm’s agents, Markham, Froggatt and Irwin, told The Guardian.

    The agents said that Holm died peacefully in a hospital in the presence of his family members and carer.

    “Charming, kind and ferociously talented, we will miss him hugely,’’ they added.

  • BREAKING: Nigerian scientists discover breakthrough COVID-19 vaccine

    BREAKING: Nigerian scientists discover breakthrough COVID-19 vaccine

    Nigerian Universities’ Scientists, under the aegis of COVID-19 Research Group, on Friday announced the discovery of a vaccine for the prevention of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

    Addressing a news conference on Friday at Adeleke University, Ede, in Osun, Dr Oladipo Kolawole, Leader of the team, said the vaccine was being developed locally in Africa for Africans.

    Kolawole, a Specialist in Medical Virology, Immunology and Bioinformatics, at Adeleke University, Ede, however, said the vaccine would also work for other continent when unveiled.

    He said the study, which led to the discovery of the vaccine, had enjoyed initial funding by the Trinity Immunodeficient Laboratory and Helix Biogen Consult, Ogbomosho, to the tune of about N7.8 million.

    Kolawole said the group had been working extensively by exploring the SARS-CoV-2 genome from African countries to select the best possible potential vaccine candidates.

    He said after trying out some selected processes of vaccine development, the researchers had been able to choose the best potential vaccine candidates for the SARS-CoV-2 and had made the possible latent vaccine constructs.

    On how soon the unnamed vaccine would be unveiled to the public, Kolawole said that it would take a minimum of 18 months.

    According to him, this is because a lot of analysis and studies as well as approvals by medical authorities were still required.

    Also, Prof. Solomon Adebola, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the university was poised to assist in the funding of the research with a view to bringing the vaccine to limelight.

    “We are glad that a vaccine that will provide solution to a global problem like Coronavirus pandemic is coming from the garden.

    “It is our passion to be a solution provider to such a global pandemic, and we are ready to throw our weights behind the team and make the vaccine a reality,” Adebola said.

    Commenting, Prof. Julius Oloke, the Head, Coordinating Unit of the Research Group and Vice-Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, said the vaccine was real.

    He said, “It’s a pleasure that we have come together to produce a vaccine at a time that the world is in need of solution to a ravaging pandemic.

    “It’s a proof that we are working and not folding our hands or looking away from the problem.

    “The vaccine is real. We have validated it severally. It is targeted at Africans, but will also work for other races.

    “It will work. It cannot be faked. This is a result of determination. It took a lot of scientific efforts.

    “The population of those that need vaccines is more than those that need drugs. That is why the research focussed on vaccine.”