Okowa writes from isolation, says covid-19 is not a hoax

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, on Saturday, wrote from where he was isolated from his family, deploring the increasing cases of covid-19 in the state.

He said it had become obvious that community transmission of the virus had reached an alarming and frightening proportion in the State.

Okowa in a statement he personally signed, lamented that many persons still think that the Coronavirus disease was a hoax, saying: “It cannot be a hoax when over 20 persons have died including some prominent citizens.

“Therefore, I want to make a passionate appeal to all Deltans to please realise that the coronavirus disease is real.


As of Saturday, the number of confirmed cases of the virus in the state was 781.

“On Thursday, June 25, 2020, Delta State recorded 106 cases, coming only behind Lagos, the epicentre of the pandemic. The latest figure from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) shows that on Friday, June 26, Delta recorded 66 additional cases.

“This brings the total number of infected persons in the State so far to 781. The local governments mostly affected are Oshimili South (181), Warri South (128), Uvwie (112), Oshimili North (79), Ughelli North (74), Ethiope West (41), and Sapele (66).

“The State Government allowed normal business activities to go on in essential sectors of the economy to enable citizens to take care of their families. It does not in any way suggest that the danger is over

“We made this decision with all sense of responsibility while counting on your partnership with the Government to defeat this virus. Regrettably, it does appear our people have not taken this matter as seriously as they should.

“Our isolation centres are currently overwhelmed with the number of cases and unless we proactively and collectively take drastic actions to reverse the trend, we stand the risk of becoming another epicentre for the pandemic.

“In the absence of a specific curative drug, the only way to check the transmission of the virus is for all of us to adhere strictly to the NCDC-issued guidelines and safety protocols, which are as follows; stay at home as much as possible. Only go out if it is essential for you to do so.

“If you must go out, please ensure that you maintain about six feet distance from other persons. This is because the virus is transmitted through droplets – either due to coughing, sneezing, or talking – of an infected person.

“Wear face masks once you are outside your home. This will shield you from droplets from a carrier. Avoid crowds and large gatherings as much as possible.

“Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds as often as possible. If this is not readily available, make sure you have a potable alcohol-based hand sanitizer to rub your hands.

“Refrain from touching your face with unwashed hands, especially outside your home. Avoid hugs and handshakes. My dear Deltans, this is a clarion call to arms. We must brace up and take responsibility for our collective health and safety now.

“It is very worrisome that many of our people still walk the streets without wearing a face mask or even observing physical/social distancing.

“Henceforth, banks, supermarkets, malls, stores, salons, and motorists must admit limited persons per time and strictly enforce the physical/social distancing rule.

“In addition to providing hand wash stations/alcohol-based sanitizers, banks, salons, supermarkets, stores, and malls must deny entry to patrons without facemasks. Where there is more than one person, occupants of private vehicles must also wear face masks.

“The number of guests at social events – weddings, funerals, traditional marriages – should not exceed 50 with appropriate physical distance set in place. People without face masks must be turned back. I also implore our religious houses to implement all the safety protocols as agreed.

“Residents in the most affected local governments; Oshimili South, Warri South, Uvwie, Oshimili North, Ughelli North, Ethiope West, and Sapele, are particularly advised to be on red alert.

“Let me emphasise once again that the coronavirus disease is real, and anybody can contact it. It is neither a rich man nor a poor man’s disease. Anybody can be affected.

“I call on every resident in the State to act responsibly to protect yourself and others and do not forget to continue praying for God’s merciful intervention to stop this raging pandemic. Together we shall beat this virus”.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/okowa-writes-from-isolation-says-covid.html

Mother of two attempts suicide in Abule-Egba

A woman who lives in Abule-Egba area of Lagos known as Mrs Bukola Agboola on Thursday was rescued by neighbours after attempting suicide.

The mother of two was said to have attempted suicide on Thursday night, in her residence at No. 2 Kuburat Lawal Street, Abule-Egba in Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area of Lagos.

Bukola reportedly drank sniper on the basis of being frustrated by the complexities of life coupled with lack of basic care. She was however rushed to Ile Epo General Hospital by her husband’s brother who was living nearby.


Speaking on the hospital bed, Bukola, revealed that she was tired about life and maltreatment by her husband, Mr Wasiu Agboola, who she said, used to beat and inflict her with pain.

She also claimed that her husband forced her on Thursday night to break into her improvised save to buy foodstuffs for her children who barely ate any food days back.

According to her, “Receiving all forms of maltreatment from my husband, who often beats me up any time of the day got to me and I decided to rent an apartment just to safe myself from untimely death.

“Having reported to his father who did not subscribe to his attitude he advised me not to leave my children with him so as to suffer as no adequate care will be given to them.

“I managed to raise some fund through the sale of bottled engine oil, but when my husband left no money for us to feed, I had to break my save to buy them some foodstuffs.

“I decided to commit suicide when I gave it a thought that I cannot go any further in that kind of situation so I drank sniper out of frustration.

“I am tired of the relationship and have reported the issue to the person who is left as my mother since my biological parents died.

“Unfortunately, she is visually impaired and could not prevail on my husband. I am in a tight corner and just need a break”, she lamented.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/mother-of-two-attempts-suicide-in-abule.html

Lagos, Osun threaten fresh lockdown as cases hit 23,298

Lagos and Osun state governments have threatened fresh lockdowns amid increasing covid-19 cases in the states and the country.

Fresh 684 Covid-19 cases were recorded in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory on Friday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, bringing the total number of cases to 23,298.

While 8,253 discharged patients had recovered, 554 deaths were recorded.

Lagos, Oyo, and Katsina had the highest number of cases at 259, 76 and 69, respectively. Delta, Rivers had 46; Ogun, 23; Edo, 22; Osun, 22; and Ebonyi, 21.

FCT had 20; Kaduna, 16; Ondo, 10; Imo, 9; and Abia, 9. Gombe had 5; Plateau, 4; Bauchi, 4; Ekiti, 2; and Anambra, 1.

Due to the rising number of cases each day, Lagos and Osun state governments have threatened fresh lockdowns if the people failed to abide by government protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks in the public.

Speaking at a media briefing, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said even though the state had been able to draw a balance between the public health crisis and ensuring livelihoods were not in jeopardy, the government would not hesitate to impose another lockdown if the things (cases) got out of hands.

“We believe we are managing a delicate balance between the public health crisis and the economic livelihood of Lagosians. If things are getting out of hand, we will certainly consider another lockdown,” he said.

The commissioner added that the state had yet to reach the peak, noting that cases would continue to rise in the next one or two months.

Abayomi said, “We are in the middle of the outbreak and we have not even peaked yet, and so the cases are still rising. We still expect to see a lot more cases in the next one month or two. I would use this platform to remind Lagosians that we have not yet peaked and Lagos is still going through the active community transmission of Covid-19.

“I think what may be giving you a false sense of security or confidence is that we say most people have mild to moderate disease. While that may be so, between three and five per cent of Lagosians that catch this infection have an extremely severe to critical form of Covid-19 and the risk of dying in that percentage is extremely high.

“Two to five per cent may seem like a small percentage, but even one per cent of 25 million people is a lot of Lagosians. We are not prepared to lose 250,000 Lagosians and we certainly will not even like to contemplate that number.

“So I appeal to Lagosians, particularly people who we believe are in the vulnerable category; anybody over the age of 50 or 55 with underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity or any other medical condition that interferes with their immune system, they are extremely vulnerable to Covid-19.

“And the young people may be going out there with mild to moderate disease but they certainly go home in the evening and expose their parents and grandparents to the vulnerabilities.

 “So I appeal to Lagosians, keep practising the social distancing measures and I hope these practices will help to flatten the curve and protect certain vulnerable members of the community.”

Abayomi stated that local government areas with the highest number of cases were Eti-Osa, Alimosho, Kosofe, Ikeja, Oshodi, Surulere and Lagos Mainland.

With new cases being recorded daily, Osun State Government on Friday said it might impose another lockdown.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Rafiu Isamotu, in a statement, said residents had continued to flout the government guidelines.

“On Thursday, we announced the discovery of 17 new cases in our dear state. Sadly, today (Friday) again, we have 22 new cases. Considering where we are coming from, this is worrisome. We must, therefore, take responsibility. The battle against coronavirus is not over yet.

“Government may be forced to impose another lockdown on the State if residents and citizens continue to flout the lockdown relaxation guidelines.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/lagos-osun-threaten-fresh-lockdown-as.html

Peter Okoye, wife, daughter battle COVID-19 for three weeks

Popular Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye, has revealed how his nuclear family tested positive for the novel Coronavirus and battled it for three weeks.

The former Psquare member who now goes by the name Mr P made this known on his verified Instagram account via videos.

In one of the videos, Peter said he was the one who first tested positive for the virus.

He said ”For the past three weeks, I have been ill and most people didn’t even know what was wrong with me. I kept it to myself. It has been three weeks of hell for me and my family.

“I had COVID-19 for about three weeks and it happened to me. I was sick and I tested positive.

“The reason why I came out to say it is because I am going to encourage a lot of people concerning this whole social distancing, getting used to sanitizing your hands, disinfecting your environment, wearing your face mask and all that.

“It’s been hell for this family in this house. Not just me. Even two of my domestic staff.

“After a week, my daughter caught the virus as well. It was sad that when she caught it, the doctor insisted that she has to be self-isolated in her own room but my wife did something very courageous. She said no.

“I was sick and I was being self-isolated in my guest room. I couldn’t even see my sick daughter and I was feeling so bad. I felt so bad because I felt that I am the one who actually brought the virus to the house. It was so bad that I had to be calling her on video, checking on her.

“The next day, my wife did something very courageous. She picked our daughter from her room, held her and took her to the master bedroom and she called me and she started crying. I asked her what happened and she said I cannot live this girl alone. I would rather be infected and be with her.

“Five or six days later, my daughter was pronounced negative. When she was pronounced negative, we knew it wasn’t going to end there. The next day, Lola became positive. It has been hell but we had a bad experience.

“I just want to tell everybody that this COVID19 is real. Don’t take it for granted.

“I am happy to announce that my wife, myself, our daughter and two of our domestic staff all of us are now negative,” he said”,

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/peter-okoye-wife-daughter-battle-covid.html

Liverpool FC condemn night of chaos and violence as fans celebrate Premier League win

Liverpool FC and authorities have spoken out against last night’s Premier League title celebrations which saw multiple people injured and the famous Liver Building catching on fire.

Chaos swept the city centre as glass bottles were reportedly lobbed at officers trying to contain disorder at Pier Head. Videos of the aftermath shared on social media this morning show the streets lined with plastic bags, cardboard boxes and beer cans.

Footage shows crowds cheering as a firework is launched straight into the Grade-1 listed Liver Building on the city’s waterfront. A number of people have been arrested and a section 34 dispersal order has been issued – allowing officers to break up groups of two or more people until tomorrow.

As many as 20 ambulances were sent to the area after several people were injured and a police helicopter was heard circling over the city centre until around 2am. In a joint statement this morning, Liverpool FC, Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council said they had been working to ‘consistently remind people that the region is still disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic’.

It is the first time the club has won the title in 30 years, but the club, authorities and unofficial supporters union Spirit of Shankley had urged fans to celebrate ‘safely’.

The statement added: ‘Several thousand people turned up at the Pier Head on Friday 26 June and some chose to ignore the social distancing guidance and risk public safety. Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.

‘The potential danger of a second peak of COVID-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don’t undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown.

‘When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate. Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number one priority.’

The extent of the damage on the Liver Building is still not known, but four fire engines were sent to the scene and extinguished a blaze on a balcony.

This morning Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson tweeted: ‘More in sorrow than anger, like most LFC fans & residents, I condemn those that brought a negative focus on LFC and our city.

Hitting back at suggestions he failed to address concerns of Covid-19 transmission in relation to recent Black Lives Matter protests, he added: ‘I asked BLM organisers not to arrange demos, I also asked people not to go, I joined a virtual demo instead.

‘I have asked people to leave the City tonight over safety. I have condemned people urinating in doorways and causing anti social behaviour. Get your facts right.

‘Those demos were well managed and well behaved, there are images of people drunk, urinating in the streets, completely different.’

Last night the city’s Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham tweeted: ‘Nobody is more made up than me to see LFC champions again but this is dangerous.

‘We’re not saying this to be party poopers but hundreds of people have already died in our region because of Coronavirus. Until it’s safe for us to come together to, please celebrate at home.’

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/liverpool-fc-condemn-night-of-chaos-and.html

Ogun bans street begging, violators to sweep market for two weeks when caught

Ogun State government has warned street beggars to desist from the act of street begging or face punitive measures of sweeping market square for two weeks.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Mrs. Funmi Efuwape gave the warning while addressing destitute caught roaming the street of the state capital at Women
Development Centre, Oke Ilewo, Abeokuta.

Efuwape said she observed that most times many able-bodied men and women were seen loitering around, begging for money within Ibara Housing Estate, Panseke, Iyana Mortuary, and major bus stops within the state capital.


She went further to state that she expected people to be more vigilant and concerned with their health, especially during this pandemic period, adding that they should rather focus on decent livelihood as able-bodied people instead of street begging.

“I observed that every morning, most of you are always loitering about, especially within Ibara Housing Estate begging for money, and you are able-bodied, sane, and sound.

“Some of you have been empowered financially at one time or the other and you have diverted the money to unprofitable ventures.

“This is just a warning, after this, any street beggar caught, will be made to sweep market for two consecutive weeks as well as wash the public toilets” she warned.

The Director, Rehabilitation Services, in the Ministry, Prince Adetoye Adeshina said there was a shed built by the state government for the destitute, where they could stay during the day before retiring to their various homes at night. He emphasised that after this warning, any beggar caught loitering along the streets in the state capital would be severally dealt with.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/ogun-bans-street-begging-violators-to.html

Peter Okoye, His Wife & Daughter Tested Positive For COVID-19

Musician Mr P (PSquare's Peter Okoye) has come out to reveal how he probably took Coronavirus to his house and his daughter also got infected, probably through him.

He said he was isolated in a guest room in his house and the doctor insisted his daughter be isolated in her room, but his wife took courage and went and carried their daughter and nursed her in their master's bedroom until she recovered.

But his wife also probably caught the virus from either him or their daughter and also tested positive.

According to him, in a video released on social media, two of their domestic staff also caught the dreaded COVID19.

Thankful, Peter Okoye added, himself, his wife, their daughter and the two domestic staff have all recovered from the virus. They have all tested Negative.

UN condemns video of couple reportedly having s*x inside its official car

The United Nations (UN) says it has launched an investigation into a viral video showing a couple apparently having s.e.x in one of its official cars in Israel.

Spokesman of the Secretary-General, Mr Stephane Dujarric, told UN correspondents in New York on Friday that the organisation was “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the footage.

Dujarric confirmed that the video featured a 4×4 vehicle, containing personnel “likely assigned to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)”.

The short video shows a woman in a red dress straddling a man in the back seat of the white SUV bearing the “UN” inscription.

With them in the moving vehicle are the driver and a bald-head man sitting on the passenger side in front.

Media reports say the footage was recorded on HaYarkon Street, a major thoroughfare in Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital, although the UN said its authenticity had not been confirmed.

Dujarric said: “We are shocked and deeply disturbed by what is seen on the video.

“The behaviour seen in it is abhorrent and goes against everything that we stand for and have been working to achieve in terms of fighting misconduct by UN staff.

“We became aware of the video a little bit more than two days ago and our colleagues in the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) were immediately activated.

“Their investigation I know is moving very quickly. We know the location of the incident and the identification of individuals in the video, who are likely assigned to the UNTSO, is close to being completed.

“As part of the UN’s commitment to transparency, the UN will provide updates on the conclusion of the investigation, and any further action.”

According to the organisation, UNTSO, headquartered in Jerusalem, is the first ever peacekeeping mission established by the UN in 1948.

It says the mission comprises military observers to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements and prevent military escalation.

In a statement, UNTSO said it was committed to the UN’s zero-tolerance policy against any kind of misconduct, including s.e.x.u.a.l exploitation and abuse.

It reminded its personnel of their obligations to the UN Code of Conduct.

The BBC quoted Ms Heather Barr, Co-director of the women’s rights division of Human Rights Watch’s, as saying the video did not come to her as a surprise.

Barr, who according to the news outlet had worked for the UN in Burundi and Afghanistan, said the UN had a bigger problem than the video.

“That problem is about allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by staff members of the UN,’’ she told the medium.

NAN recalls that the UN received and investigated 175 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against its staff in 2019.

Out of the total, 16 were substantiated, 15 were unsubstantiated and all others were still being investigated.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/un-condemns-video-of-couple-reportedly.html

Meet the Designer clothing the High and Mighty in Nigeria for donkey years - Vivid Imagination [photos]

This is Vivid Imagination. We grew up hearing musicians sing his praises. With very little advert and none in the last years, Vivid Imagination has stayed on top of the fashion game clothing top Nigerians, raging from Government officials, high profile personalities, corporate big boys, celebrities and more.

He went to visit Dele Momodu alongside another friend, Mike Effiong and Uncle Dele proudly shared photos of them saying '' My own designer since 1991''.

Good to see his FACE!!! The almighty Vivid Imagination that has not been advertising and has all the top names as clients 😄😄.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/meet-designer-clothing-high-and-mighty.html

Another member of Makinde’s cabinet tests positive for Covid

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed that another member of his cabinet has tested positive for Covid-19.

This latest new case brings to four those who have contacted the pandemic in the Oyo State cabinet.

The governor had written on his Facebook account some days ago that three members of his cabinet had tested positive while two other results were inconclusive.

The governor on his FB page said one of the inconclusive results returned positive.

Oyo State now has state 76 new cases. He further hinted that 169 cases of COVID-19 which had tested positive were returned negative twice and have now been discharged. This brings the number of discharged cases in Oyo State to 508.

“The cases are from Ibadan Southwest (35), Oluyole (12), Ibadan North (12), Egbeda (4), Ibadan North West (3), Lagelu (2), Ibadan South East (2), Ibadan North East (2), Akinyele (1), Saki West (1), Ona Ara (1) and Ido (1) Local Government Areas,” he said.

“So, the total number of confirmed cases in Oyo State today is 1,264.”

Governor Makinde added that “Of the two inconclusive results for members of the Oyo State Executive Council, one retest came back positive.

“Sadly, we had one COVID-19 related death. So, the number of deaths in Oyo State is 10.”

The governor urged residents to keep following the guidelines of the COVID-19 Task Force to ensure that the spread of coronavirus was reduced in the state.

“Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, wear face masks in public places”, he said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/another-makindes-cabinet-member-tests.html

APC: Oshiomhole bows out, thanks Buhari for his support

Immediate-past National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said he has accepted the decision of the National Executive Committee NEC to dissolve the National Working Committee NWC which he chaired until Thursday.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had two years ago invited him to come and reposition the APC and that since the president in his wisdom has also agreed to the dissolution of the NWC, he is bound to obey him as the leader of the party.





source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/apc-oshiomhole-bows-out-thanks-buhari.html

Schools Re-opening On Monday In Oyo State; As Parents, Teachers Panic

Many parents and teachers in Oyo State are in a dilemma over the decision of the state government to reopen schools on July 6, this year, amidst rising incidences of COVID-19 cases in the state and in the country. During the week, three Commissioners in the state and a number of medical experts tested positive for the virus.

Presently, Ibadan is not a city where many wear facemask or observe social distancing. Hustling and bustling in the major markets remain unchecked, as locals still believe that coronavirus “can infect only rich and powerful individuals who spend longer hours in air-conditioned rooms.”



The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, had while speaking during the meeting of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, described the plan by the state government to re-open schools as insensitive.

“For you to decide to unleash this in the public in the face of the pandemic is to be insensitive. Nigeria has not gotten to optimal testing, so we cannot forecast where this epidemic is most positioned. The least we can do is to keep our children under lock and key until we are sure it’s safe.”

For Mrs. Omotayo Mala-Adebayo, a mother and public affairs analyst, “to be sincere with you, my kids are going nowhere, except I am fully convinced that certain things are put in place for their safety. They have to be sure that two teachers will be available for each class, one teacher for monitoring and one for teaching. And do we have testing materials available? We need maximum prevention and protection in schools. These are the conditions that could make me release my children.”

Speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Busayo Oyewumi, said: “I can’t allow my children to go to school now. No proper provision has been made. Nobody knows what may happen on the way. It is not safe for them now because they use items like face masks together. Do the teachers have materials to test them? It is wrong at this period to let them go to school.”

Lady Ifeoma Patricia Amaechi-Obi, who is a mother of two, said:” I am a poor widow. I can’t allow my kids to go to any school. It is not safe to do so. Taking them to school now is not safe. They are too young, pliable and malleable. They are ignorant of what they do. Kids will definitely exchange facemasks. They don’t understand the implications. Even my kids exchange facemasks at home. My son even said we could pray not to catch COVID-19. Can you see how children think?

Also bothered about the decision of the state government to reopen schools were some teachers, who are expected to return to work on Monday, June 29. A teacher in one of the public primary schools in Ibadan, who pleaded anonymity, warned the state government not to play politics with the lives of innocent children who are supposed to be under the care of their parents during this pandemic.

The female teacher said: “We don’t know what the government wants to achieve with this decision. If all schools in the country, including universities with adults are closed, why should primary and secondary schools in Oyo State be in a hurry to reopen? I am sure the government took a wrong advise on this matter and it would be held responsible if any untoward spike happens in any school. We saw one firm in Ibadan with over 70 victims."

Speaking on the matter, the state chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), said their position on the safety of their members and pupils remains unchanged.

The state Chairman of the NUT, Mr. Tojuade Adedoyin, who spoke through Mr. Afolabi Oladele, said the union had demanded a safe working and learning environment for teachers and pupils from the government.

Last Wednesday, the federal Ministry of Education released the guidelines for the re-opening of schools following the announcement by the Oyo State government that all terminal classes, including Primary Six, Junior Secondary School Three (JSS3) and Senior Secondary School Three (SSS3) should resume on Monday, July 6.

Rotimi Akeredolu mourns late Ajimobi with pictures

Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has mourned the immediate past Governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi who gave up the ghost on Thursday at a Lagos hospital.

Sharing just photos of them together when the ex-Governor was alive, Akeredolu simply wrote; ''Rest well Egbon''

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/rotimi-akeredolu-mourns-late-ajimobi.html

Criminality now the order of the day and insecurity a common issue now in Nigeria - Obasanjo

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has said criminality is the order of the day and insecurity is one issue common to Nigerians, regardless of tribe, language, religion, location, gender, age, or social position.

He noted that restructuring is the solution, adding that without it Nigeria would remain insecure, unstable, unprogressive, stagnated, and at worst, disintegrate.

Obasanjo made this known while speaking on Friday at the year’s edition of the Sobo Sowemimo annual lecture organized by Abeokuta Club.


He said: “Let me lay more emphasis on the issue of security, which in itself is serious enough to make restructuring imperative. The south-west governors cried out and devised Amotekun as a solution or part-solution.

“We have yet to see how successfully that will be operated. Other zones are clamouring for a solution because in no state and in no geopolitical zone is life and property safe and secure.

“Criminality is the order of the day. And it cuts across the entire nation. Insecurity is one issue of commonality among Nigerians, no matter their tribe, language, religion, geographical location, gender, age or social position.

“I leave out economy which is in the doldrums and fighting corruption where you see more heat than light and which is festering like a bad sore.

“That, to me, is what reform of federating units and restructuring is all about and not about break-up or disintegration.

“I remain firmly convinced that without reform of federating units, as I will like to satisfy those who may not like the word ‘restructuring’, Nigeria will remain insecure, unstable, non-progressive and stagnated at best or disintegrated at the worst.”

The former president said disintegration is not the solution to the crisis in Nigeria, but that being silent about the problem also makes everyone culpable.

“Papering over the obvious cracks in Nigeria’s polity is not the answer, tearing up or seeking disintegration is also not the solution, remaining silent makes us accomplices and irresponsibly so,” he said.

Obasanjo added that the current security architecture cannot assure Nigerians of safety, he called on citizens to come together, take initiatives that will bring solutions to the crisis.

He said: “I am, of course, discounting invidious and irredeemable Fulani fundamentalists and hegemonists. Federal security architecture, as organised and operated by the present government, cannot give any individual or group hope, let alone assurance of security within Nigeria.

“We are all challenged to put our thinking caps on, join hands and seek solutions together, otherwise, we will be destroyed piecemeal.

“There is no time to stand and stare or just to continue to call on governments that are ineffective. Let us take initiative and spearhead actions that will involve governments and the governed and will devolve security architecture, apparatus, arrangement, and responsibility in subsidiarity.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/criminality-now-order-of-day-and.html

Stop glorifying fraud! A thief is a thief!! Layole Oyatogun chastises Nigerians

Media personality, Layole Oyatogun has chastised Nigerians over glorification of fraud. She took to social media to write about how she was defrauded and all the money in her bank account wiped off in far away china. She also spoke about how the bank was unable to do anything about it, and warned Nigerians supporting Hushpuppi that what goes round comes round. Her words....

''I find it appalling and disheartening that in this day and age, people continue to glorify and justify cyber fraud (yahoo-yahoo). Where did our morals flee to? How did we get to this level of moral decadence?

It is so mind boggling reading the barrage of comments in the wake of the recent arrest, people chastising him for not keeping a low profile and also defending his cyber crimes. Really? A Thief is a Thief whether high or low profile.


The consequences of cyber fraud on people is enormous. Victims have lost their lives and livelihood, because of the atrocities of the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. It has put a smear on the image of hardworking Nigerians with legit businesses and career.

I have been a victim of cyber crime , I was at home in Lagos Nigeria, when my bank account was hacked in faraway China and my money withdrawn. It was a very sad time for me. The bank did nothing. My savings, sweat and hard work gone because of someone's insatiable greed for easy money and life. Cyber fraud is not something I wish on anybody but for the Nigerians glorifying and justifying yahoo-yahoo , what goes round comes round.''

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/stop-glorifying-fraud-thief-is-thief.html

Shameful! Elderly woman calls police on 9-year old girl after she wrote "Black Lives Matter" outside her home

A pensioner called police on a nine-year-old girl after she wrote "Black Lives Matter" in chalk outside her home, it has been reported.

The woman accused little Mira Acklin of vandalising the street where they live in Ohio and called 911 to report her.

Mira's mum, Jenna Acklin, said she was "proud of her kind heart" and added their neighbour was "nasty".

She took to Facebook to recount the series of events that happened after Mira wrote the message in the street.


Jenna said their neighbour called police, reporting people yelling and painting in the street.

However, the mum said: "Mira was chalking by herself and I was reading on the porch swing."

She said she was happy at the police officers' reaction, because they did not blame the girl, but encouraged her to write it even larger.

Jenna explained: "The deputies looked at the neighbor and said, 'It's chalk.'

"They also told us they agree with the statement 'Black Lives Matter' and encouraged us to write it larger!"

Mira told WSYX: "I wrote 'Black Lives Matter. I think that black and white people, they should be treated the same, and I wanted to show my support and how much I really care about black people."

Her mum said Mira was "upset and scared" after their neighbour called police.

She claimed the elderly woman, named Billie, even screamed multiple times, saying: "This neighbourhood is going to hell".

Despite this, Jenna has told her daughter not to give up and continue speaking up against racism.

The proud mum said: "Mira couldn't understand why people would hate someone just because of their skin colour.

"I explained Billie is an example of why we must speak up.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/shameful-elderly-woman-calls-police-on.html

How Buhari Rescued Himself From APC Godfathers

Director-General of the forum of APC Governors,  Salihu Lukman has described Thursday dissolution of the National Working Committee instigated by President Muhammadu Buhari as a masterstroke by the latter.



At the virtual meeting of the National Executive Committee held at the Presidential Villa, the APC NWC was dissolved and a 13 man caretaker/ special convention committee with Yobe state governor, Mallam Mai Mala Buni as chairman was sworn in.

The DG of the Progressive Governors Forum in a statement on Friday declared that by that singular action, President Buhari has finally succeeded in rescuing himself from certain leaders of the party whom he noted have claimed in recent past that they have a grip on President Buhari.

Lukman further argued that with the resolution of the NEC, President Buhari has faulted claim in certain quarters that he was indifferent to the crises tearing the ruling party apart.

He said: “The fact is, the President was able to discharge his responsibility as the moral authority of the party because he freed himself from all the leaders who were the problem. It is only because of that he was able to see the true picture and accordingly make recommendations that can solve the problem.

These were recommendations that didn’t defeat anyone but favour everyone, which confirms the President’s status as ‘belonging to everybody and belonging to no one’.

This is one attribute that can be said to be unique to this President. Somehow, this is one attribute that all APC leaders must seek to imbibe especially those positioning themselves as potential 2023 successors.

If the APC leadership crisis is anything to go by, it highlights the danger of the shortage of leaders with this unique attribute.Therefore, part of the challenge before every APC leader is to develop this attribute.”

In a veiled reference to claim that the governors have taken control of the party, the Director-General of the Forum faulted it as he maintained that only President Buhari took the position to dissolve and constitute the caretaker committee without consultations with the governors.

“Beyond the recommendations, the ability of the President to keep these recommendations to himself until the meeting is a critical success factor.

Were the President to have leaked it to any of the parties in the leadership conflict, the outcome would have been different, which may include lobbies to dominate the Convention Working Committee with loyalists and benefactors to the crisis.

This could even lead to another dispute that may block the emergency NEC from holding.The element of surprise experienced by members of the APC-NEC when they received these proposals from President Buhari would have been a source of relief and therefore made approvals very easy.”

He further urged the newly constituted care-taker committee to be firm in taking disciplinary against certain members of the dissolved national working committee who were threatening to institute legal actions against Thursday resolution of the NEC meeting.

What Ex-Governor Ajimobi Said Before His Death

The Media Aide to the late former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, has revealed what his late principal said before travelling to Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The former Deputy Vice Chairman (South-West) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) died in Lagos on Thursday from complications arising from COVID-19.



In a tribute to his late boss on his Facebook Page on Friday morning, Bolaji Tunji said Ajimobi left Ibadan, the Oyo state capital for Abuja to assume duty as one of the leaders of the party.

Tunji noted that it was during that travelling that the former governor fell sick and was not transferred to a private hospital in Lagos.

He revealed that Ajimobi had told his staff to prepare to move to Abuja since he had been appointed the Vice Chairman of the party.

Read the tribute below:
It was just like yesterday. He had received a call to come to Abuja. It was to discuss party matters. He was not sure of who would follow him. Because it was a private flight, he had limited options. He only went with his security aide.

He had told us earlier in our office in his Oluyole home that we would talk about the movement to Abuja since he had become the Deputy National Chairman. Our office had to shift to Abuja. He was in his usual caftan and cap, always impeccably dressed even at home except when he does his exercise every morning in his blue track down and blue stripe Tee-shirt and branded cap. With his earpiece and phone in hand, he would walk around the building several times to exercise.

“We will leave by 2.00 pm,” he said that fateful day. A special private flight had been arranged for him.

He radiated good health and we still marvelled that he still looked so good for his 70 years. Being 70 meant a lot to him and would jokingly call himself Baba 70. As he left our wing of the house to the other side, a few of us in our usual manner trailed him. He spoke with a few people in the courtyard before he left to prepare for that trip. I never knew it was going to be the last time I would see him.

But in his usual organised manner, there was no pending issue. He had taken care of everything. He had signed all the letters of appointment for the peace and reconciliation committee.

I still can’t wrap my head around what happened. He was so healthy, he was neat, he took all the necessary precautions even while he sat with us in our open office he was always with his face mask, we always observe social distancing. We were always quick to give him hands sanitizer anytime he touched something. We were conscious of his age and did all we could to ensure safety. We had three spots where you had to wash hands before entering the premises. One at each of the main entrance gates and another by the entrance to our office. We observed all due protocols. So what happened? How did it happen? None of us was sick. So where did this come from? I am still trying to find answers.

He never wanted anything else after the general ok the positions because he felt it would benefit his people. ‘I have done my bit. There is nothing I set out to achieve that I did not, I cannot be governor again, but I can not leave you people', he would say.

But what went wrong? I am at a loss. I was so sure he would get up the sickbed. I was so sure because there were unfinished businesses. There were so many tasks that he had planned ahead to better the lot of the people. So I was convinced he would come to complete those tasks, those plans. I never knew it would end this way.

A legend is born with the death of a hero. You will forever remain in my heart, in our heart. I have learnt so much from you. You were a willing teacher. You would deliberately sit with us and tell us about life experiences. The idea was to learn from you. And we learnt. You would have been surprised if we had not learnt. As you were quick to point out, you never had an academic PhD, but you had a PhD in experiences and what life had to teach.

I can go on and on reminiscing about you. About that other side that people never saw. That soft part of you that people never knew existed.

This is cathartic for me because I am still in shock. Am at a loss. Everything within a month.

Did we see this coming? No. Not this. Not that you would go so soon.

Were there signs? Yes. From the most unlikeliest of sources. But not like this. Not to death…

Though the music stopped, the melody continues. You will forever be remembered. Good night Sir. Just the way I always text you.

Oshiomhole-led APC NWC Changes Position On Their Sack

The dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may no longer be challenged in court by aggrieved members after all.

The former NWC members have jettisoned their initial threat to go to court and have now resolved to work for the rebuilding of the party, the immediate past National Secretary of the party, Mallam Waziri Bulama, said yesterday.

He attributed the crisis to the ambitions of some leaders.



He also said the failure of all organs of the party to function effectively affected the party. But he was optimistic that the APC would not break up despite the crisis at hand.

Also on Friday, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, declared that alleged threats by some members of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to challenge the dissolution in court were created by the media.

The chairman of the Caretaker/Convention committee of the party, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, is understood to have commenced efforts to reach out to stakeholders of the party to bury their hatchets and rally round his committee to rebuild the party.

Reviewing the events of the last few days including the NWC dissolution and reactions of some party members, Bulama said the sacked NWC has already accepted the Thursday decisions of the National Executive Committee, would not go to court and would defer to Buhari.

Bulama spoke to some correspondents in Abuja. He said: “Following consultations with our leaders all the stakeholders, we have accepted the decision of the President on the dissolution of NWC and the setting up of a Caretaker Committee headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni.

“We are respecting the President. We are not antagonistic. All the views we expressed were in the light of the constitution of the party.”

Asked of plans to go to court, he said: “Consulting our leaders and stakeholders does not mean going to court. We have no such plans.

“We are putting aside all constitutional and legal processes in the overall interest of the party. We have respect for authority, we appeal to all the stakeholders not to escalate the crisis in the party. We will cooperate with Buni’s committee which will organize a convention in the next six months.”

Tracing the origin of the crisis, Bulama said all the organs of the APC collapsed giving rise to problems of all sorts.

“This is what is propelling some segments of the party in struggling to take control of the party because some elements within the Nigerian political elite see the political party as only within the limited scope of a function of a party as a special purpose vehicle for elections; thinking that if they seize control of the party and without Buhari, they can steer the party in one direction or the other,” he said.

“And this, actually and truly, is one of the philosophical and political issues and tensions we are facing in the party. There is no doubt about that. But certainly, the party can withstand this.

“The court cases were triggered by some of these interests some of which are political, some personal. For instance, political ambition, someone thinks that if he takes over the party, he can use it for this purpose or that. He or she wants to secure election in the local government, state, or the national level and use it to his own advantage. This can trigger agitation within the party.

“And this can make people to mobilize, lead to demonstration. They may even go to court or release information to the media direct. All these are interests; some of which are political, economic and even personal are the things that derive agitation and conflict within the party. But the party’s constitution has already provided for conflict resolution.”

He said APC would not break up contrary to the expectations in some quarters.

His words: “There are various people and groups in the party with different needs and aspirations. There are some who want power; there are people who only want empowerment; there are those who want influence, employment; some want respect and acknowledgement. The interests in a party are very diverse and varied

“And when I say these pressures, interests and demands within the 16 million registered members cause no threat to the survival of the party, I am talking with authority.

“I have not seen threats of breakup of this party. But I have seen pressures, tensions to occupy one post or the other especially calls for why is there no NEC, why is there no this and that? I am saying that all the 14 organs had been in comatose.”

684 New Cases Of Coronavirus In Nigeria, Total Now 23,298

In the last 24 hours, 684 new cases of COVID19 were reported in Nigeria; Lagos-259, Oyo-76, Katsina-69, Delta-66, Rivers-46, Ogun-23, Edo-22, Osun-22, Ebonyi-21, FCT-20, Kaduna-16, Ondo-10, Imo-9, Abia-9, Gombe-5, Plateau-4, Bauchi-4, Ekiti-2, Anambra-1.

A total of 23,298 confirmed cases in Nigeria. The breakdown;