DONALD OTITO

   Buhari and Oshiomhole …NEC dissolves NWC; Yobe Gov, Mai Buni now Caretaker/Convention C’ttee chair …Party members to withdraw pending litigations; ratifies Ize-Iyamu for guber polls …NWC dissolution not targeted at Tinubu—Buni; ex-NWC members mull legal options …APC govs, founding groups, other power blocs battle for APC’s soul ahead 2023 By Clifford Ndujihe, Dapo Akinrefon, Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Omeiza Ajayi, Ozioruva Aliu Reasons President Muhammadu Buhari moved against the suspended National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, emerged last night, as the  National Executive Committee, NEC, wielded the big stick to check the crisis ravaging the party and avert what the President described as self-destruction. At an emergency meeting in Abuja, the NEC dissolved the factionalized National Working Committee, NWC, and set up a caretaker/national convention committee headed by Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, a former national secretary of the party. The e...

N-Power is a social intervention programme of the Nigerian government. Photo: Twitter@npower_ng     The Federal Government’s social investment scheme, N-Power has said its application portal for registration of the June 2020 Batch C intakes will open today.   This is according to series of tweets on the N-Power handle which noted that the portal for intending beneficiaries, will open later today, 26th June, 2020. “Dear Intending N-Power 2020 Applicants, here is how to prepare for the N-Power application,” the N-Power scheme had tweeted. “Remember 1. Portal opens 11.45 pm, June 26th, 2020. 2. Application is FREE. Do NOT pay anyone to apply on the N-Power portal. 3. Get a printout or accurate details of your BVN.” N-Power @npower_ng Dear Intending N-Power 2020 Applicants, Here is how to prepare for the N-Power application. Remember 1. Portal opens 11.45pm, June 26th, 2020. 2. Application is FREE. Do NOT pay anyone to apply on the N-Power portal. 3. Get a printout or ac...

File Photo of Abike Dabiri-Erewa   Nearly 40 Nigerians living in the diaspora have died as a result of complications from COVID-19, the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said on Friday. Dabiri-Erewa disclosed this on Channels Television’s special COVID-19 programme while explaining some of the efforts of government regarding the welfare of Nigerians outside the country. According to her, the government is in touch with Nigerians in diaspora in various parts of the world even as efforts are on to evacuate them. Meanwhile, she also noted that “Nigerians in the diaspora are coming together to raise funds to help frontline workers in Nigeria and very soon, this initiative by the Nigerians in the diaspora will be presented to the PTF”. As for evacuations, the NIDCOM boss said about 18 more Nigerians are expected to return from France over the weekend. “As I speak to you, we are expecting about 18 from France and the France case is a chartered plane arra...

         Late ex Governor Ajimobi      Governor Okowa Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has commiserated with the Ajimobi family, the people and Government of Oyo State on the passing of former Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi. Ajimobi, who ruled Oyo State from 2011 to 2019 died at the First Cardiologist and Cardiovascular Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, from complications arising from lung surgery and COVID-19. He was 70. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa said the passing of Ajimobi at this critical time of the country’s political history was painful and regrettable. READ ALSO: IBEDC to implement tariff review He said that Ajimobi contributed immensely to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum while he was Governor of Oyo State. “The late Ajimobi was a patriot and a political icon whose life-long dedication and indefatigable commitment to serving the people will be unforgettable. “He made history when he was re-e...

Thousands of Liverpool fans at the club’s Anfield ground to celebrating title win. PHOTO: BBC British Police have criticised Liverpool fans after thousands poured into the streets around Anfield to celebrate their Premier League triumph, urging them to show caution during the coronavirus pandemic. Jubilant supporters thronged the area after Chelsea beat Manchester City in London, guaranteeing an end to Liverpool’s 30-year wait to win the English top-flight crown. Assistant chief constable Rob Carden said Merseyside had been “disproportionately affected” by the coronavirus crisis and people had a responsibility to prevent further cases. There have been claims the Champions League match between Liverpool and Spanish side Atletico Madrid on March 11 — the last major football fixture played in England before the coronavirus lockdown — played a part in that. “The overwhelming majority of fans have recognised the fact that now is not the time to gather together to celebrate, and chose to mar...

Jurgen Klopp was seen in a footage dancing himself away as his side are confirmed champions of the 2019/2020 English Premier League season with seven games left [Legit.ng]

Jurgen Klopp has praised Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard after his side were named Premier League champions for 2019/20 season after Chelsea beat Man City. [Legit.ng]

…tells government to adopt educational technologies By Ike Uchechukwu – Calabar The Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State Chapter has kicked against plans by government to commence a trial resumption of three public schools in the state. Vanguard learned that each of the three public schools will open in three Senatorial Districts across the state on June 16, 2020. The association gave the warning in a press release jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr Agam Ayuk and the Secretary, Dr Ezoke Epoke on Saturday in Calabar and made available to Vanguard. The release stated that to the medical community, there was a lack of evidence to ascertain the actual Covid-19 status and disease burden in the state due to the unacceptable low number of tests carried out. The Association insists that the quick resumption of schools, despite genuine reasons, has the potential of significant disease outbreak among students. They however, advocates for the adoption of educat...

From left — Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu; Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Deputy Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, during a solidarity visit to the Chief Whip after his release from the Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja. Senator Kalu (left) and President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan. From left: Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu; President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan; Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege; and Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi during the solidarity visit. Vanguard

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 168,464, and at least 4,700 people have died, statistics from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) office for the African Region showed on Friday. “Over 168,464 confirmed #COVID19 cases on the African continent – with more than 73,000 recoveries & 4,700 deaths,” the office wrote on Twitter. Most cases in the region were detected in South Africa with 40,792, Egypt with 28,615, and Nigeria with 11,516. READ ALSO Barca confident Messi can face Mallorca, despite thigh injury Egypt, South Africa, and Algeria account for the highest number of related fatalities with 1,088, 848, and 681 deaths, respectively. In May, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that Africa was the least affected region in the world in terms of COVID-19 cases and deaths. He noted that the continent had 1.5 percent of the world’s reported infections and less than 0.1 percent of the global deaths from the infection. [The po...

Gareth Bale. PHOTO: Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images Gareth Bale’s agent says the Real Madrid forward is unlikely to return to the Premier League because he wants to finish his career at the Bernabeu. Bale is believed to have a difficult relationship with Real manager Zinedine Zidane and was almost sold to Chinese Super League club Jiangsu Suning last year. The former Tottenham star has been linked with a move back to the Premier League on several occasions, with Newcastle the latest club to be mentioned as suitors for the Wales international. But Bale’s agent Jonathan Barnett said the 30-year-old would happily remain in Spain. “He has a very nice lifestyle. I don’t see why he doesn’t see his career out at Madrid, probably,” Barnett told the BBC on Thursday. “As I’ve always said, he’s quite happy in Madrid. It’s his life that he wants to lead. Financially, he will want for nothing the rest of his life, and his children and grandchildren.” Bale has won a host of meda...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi …Donates motorized fumigators to fight COVID-19 The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunlusi, Ojaja II, has extolled the leadership qualities of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, describing him as a “wonderful” leader whose hospitality is second to none. The Ooni spoke through his delegation who represented him at the Government House, Enugu, to deliver four modular motorized fumigators donated by him to the Enugu State government, as part of his contributions to contain the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the country. Presenting the equipment, leader of the delegation, Princess Fadekemi Fadojutimi, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi “for the hospitality he has shown to us”, disclosing that the Imperial Majesty’s decision to donate the fumigators was borne out of his selfless service for the country. Stressing that “COVID-19 is real”, Princess Fadojutimi maintained that the Ooni of Ife is committed to joining hands wit...

KADPOLY …Decries lack of Funding for Research …Says TETFUND only cares for University Research By Ibrahim HassanWuyo The Kaduna Polytechnic, KADPOLY, has locally developed technologies that can support a sustainable action against COVID-19. Rector of the Kadpoly, Prof. Idris Bugaje, said at a news conference on Thursday, that Covid-19 Pandemic had exposed Nigeria’s many shortcomings in terms of preparedness, medications and equipment in the fight against this novel virus. He said to address these challenges, many Institutions of Higher Learning, especially Polytechnics and Universities, have made some contributions in design and local development of Respirators, Manual and Automated Hand Washing Machines, Ethanol-Based Sanitizers Production, Herbal Remedies Against Covid-19, etc. According to him, “Kaduna Polytechnic Management equally decided to set up a ‘Technology Response Team to COVID-19’ domiciled at the Centre for Technology Development (CTD) of the Polytechnic t...

Former US President Barack Obama Former US president Barack Obama on Wednesday applauded the “profound” protests by Americans demanding racial justice and said demonstrations over last week’s killing of a black man in police custody could spark nationwide reforms. In his first video comments since George Floyd’s death on May 25 in Minneapolis triggered unrest across the country, President Donald Trump’s predecessor also urged state and local authorities to review their policies on use of force. Obama directed his comments at young black men and women who he says have often witnessed or experienced too much violence. “Too often some of that violence has come from folks who were supposed to be serving and protecting you,” Obama said in a webcast with activists. “I want you to know that you matter. I want you to know that your lives matter, your dreams matter.” He also said that in the last few weeks, Americans have witnessed “the kinds of epic changes and events in our co...

Imo Task Force Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu By Chidi Nkwopara – Owerri Imo State Task Force on Prevention and Control of coronavirus says it is working towards testing 100 persons daily, as part of its efforts to control and prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic in the state. The Task Force Chairman, Professor Maurice Iwu, who disclosed this, while addressing newsmen in Owerri, also encouraged Imolites to make themselves available for the test to ascertain their status regarding COVID-19 pandemic. “Imo State has recorded 42 cases, but 25 of them are not from the state. Seven of the cases are active. Three of them are from a family of four, where a three-year-old tested positive and has been moved to the Isolation Centre”, Iwu said. Answering a question, the Imo Covid-19 Task Force boss said that contact tracing of other persons who tested positive is ongoing and advised on the need for people to willingly submit themselves for testing. ALSO READ: ...

…nine LGAs in metropolitan worst hit, males mostly affected Kano state By Bashir Bello KANO – Officials of the Kano State Task Force Committee on COVID-19 has on Thursday said the number of positive cases in the state is spread across 30 out of 44 Local government areas of the state. The Technical Coordinator, Dr. Tijjani Hussain who disclosed this during the Committee’s press briefing in Kano, said of the 30 LGAs affected, nine LGAs has the highest number of cases which accounts for 90 per cent of the cases. Dr. Hussaini also said 76 per cent of confirmed cases recorded so far in the State were male patients. According to him, “As at Wednesday, 970 COVID-19 cases were recorded, out of which 607 were active and 318 have been discharged. “The cases were spread across 30 LGAs. Nine LGAs has highest number of cases representing 90 per cent of the cases in the state. “The nine LGAs include Tarauni LGA with 28.5%, Warawa LGA with 19.7%, Gwale LGA with 7.8%, Dala LGA with ...