Chief Judge Of Kogi State Dies In Coronavirus Isolation

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Nasir Ajanah, has died at the Abuja COVID-19 isolation centre.

A source, who confirmed the death, said Ajanah was moved from Lokoja into the isolation centre some days ago where he died.



He was born in 1956 to the family of MJ Fari Ajanah in Okene Local Government Area.

He studied law at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and was called to the Nigerian bar as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court.

Ajanah later set up his private firm, Nasiru Ajanah & Co in Okene where he practised law between 1985 and 1989.

He also served as chairman, Election Petitions Tribunal in Akwa Ibom State (2007) and chairman, Election Petitions Tribunal in Rivers State (2008).

Ajanah will be buried in Abuja on Sunday.

Married Woman Attempts Suicide In Abule-Egba, Lagos, Rescued By Neighbours

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, 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's action 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.

Iya Idris, as she is fondly called by her neighbours, was said to have suffered so much in the relationship.

Her neighbours who pleaded anonymity, confirm that her’s was an unending case of wife battering.

According to the neighbours, the husband, Agboola, often resorts to beating her up anytime they had disagreement especially when he is demanding for s*x from a woman who barely had anything to eat, most times she gets thrown out on the street in the cold by her husband.

The husband, an Okada Rider around Abule Egba axis, most times reportedly desert his home for days leaving the family with nothing to eat.

The neighbours, according to Vanguard, noted further that whoever intervened to give succour to the family gets a fight from him.

They further pleaded with government agencies in charge and human rights group to come to the rescue of Mrs Agboola and her children.

Bukola was discharged from the hospital and referred to Psychiatric hospital Yaba, for counselling so as to forestall a repeat of the suicide attempt and was taken to her home with no adherence to medical referral.

Black Lives Matter protest turns deadly in US state of Kentucky

One person was killed and another wounded in a shooting at a Black Lives Matter rally in the US state of Kentucky, police said.

The incident Saturday took place at Jefferson Square Park in the center of Louisville where protestors have gathered for weeks over the killing of African American woman Breonna Taylor.

Her death in March helped fuel a campaign against racism and police brutality in the United States that has since spread across the globe.

Louisville Metro Police Department said officers were called to the park at around 9:00 pm.

“Calls then came in that Sheriff’s Department personnel were in the park performing life-saving measures on a male who eventually died at the scene,” the department said on Twitter.

Soon after another person was shot across the street at the city’s Hall of Justice, police added.

It was unclear if there was more than one shooter and authorities have yet to release any details of the victims.

Louisville mayor Greg Fischer said he was “deeply saddened by the violence.”

Before the shooting, Fischer had urged counter-protesters to stay away from the park, after local newspaper Louisville Courier-Journal reported that “armed patriot groups” were planning on confronting the demonstrators.

Louisville has seen especially passionate Black Lives Matter protests due to the police killing Taylor in her own apartment.

The 26-year-old emergency room technician was shot dead after police barged into her home, alleging that drug dealers had used the apartment to receive packages.

The case helped trigger fresh waves of anger in the United States over racial injustice and police brutality.

Those protests expanded dramatically after the May 25 killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis after a white police officer pinned his knee to Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/black-lives-matter-protest-turns-deadly.html

COVID-19: 1.3 million UTME candidates can’t seek admission over delayed WAEC, NECO exams

No fewer than 1,300,000 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination candidates may lose their admission into universities and polytechnics in 2020 over the delay in the Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is the category of candidates who used awaiting results to sit the 2020 UTME, which held between March 14 and March 22 – a few weeks into the COVID-19 crisis.

Both the West African Examinations Council and the National Examinations Council, which should have conducted their examinations in April and May 2020, have yet to do so due to schools closure since March due to COVID-19.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board at its policy meeting with heads of tertiary institutions in the country on Tuesday announced 120 and 160 cut-off marks for admission into polytechnics and universities respectively for the 2020/2021 academic session.

It also said admission processes would begin in August 2020, with candidates who already had their O-Level results.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, noted that candidates who used awaiting results would only be considered when the results were uploaded on the board’s website.

From the JAMB Policy Guidelines presentation by Oloyede, obtained by punch correspondent, the figures of awaiting results candidates, who, however, met the cut-offs for universities and polytechnics are over 1.3 million.

Yet the inability of WAEC and NECO to hold their SSCE as a result of the closure of schools may likely jeopardise the admission chances of the UTME candidates, our correspondent learnt.

On page 144 of the presentation, the registrar said, “On the 2020 UTME cumulative performance statistics, 1,889,801 candidates got 120 and above; the total number of candidates with Ordinary Level results uploaded are 536,813 while 1,352,988 are candidates with awaiting results.

“Of the 1,889,801, a total number of 1,329,289 got 160 and above; of the 1,329,289, a total number of 398,984 candidates uploaded their O-Level results and 930,305 is the number of candidates awaiting results.

“No admission can be initiated from JAMB; it must come from the institutions using the Central Admission Processing System process. In this process, the institution’s Admission Officer proposes a candidate; then, the Head of Institution recommends the candidate; furthermore, the JAMB Desk Officer approves recommendation and finally, the candidate accepts or rejects.

“After the uploading of o’Level by a candidate, any admission to be done must consider him or her. If any institution requests for opening of change for programme or institution, it must consider all the candidates who have uploaded.”

The board instructed institutions to notify it if they were having “COVID-19 — induced delay or no Ordinary Level results from many candidates.”

When contacted, the NECO Head of Information, Azeez Sanni, said the council was waiting for a directive from the government as “different stakeholders are also deliberating on the matter and will come up with a solution.”

The WAEC Head of Public Affairs, Damian Ojijeogu, said the council was prepared to conduct the o’Level examination.

“We were already prepared to conduct the examination before the lockdown,” he said in a text message.

In his remarks on Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, directed JAMB and tertiary institutions to proceed with the conduct of 2020/2021 admissions.

He noted that admission processes are expected to commence in August based on the guidelines released by JAMB.

“As major stakeholders, we must jointly come up with reactions that would realign our programmes to these new realities. Whatever arrangement that the country comes up with in the long run, it will surely accommodate those who will be taking the examination when the opportunity to do so is worked out,” the minister had said.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/covid-19-13-million-utme-candidates.html

Russia paid Taliban-linked militants to kill US soldiers ― Report

US intelligence has concluded that a Russian unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported Friday.

The purported bounties gave incentives to the guerrillas to target US forces, just as President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops and end America’s longest war.

The newspaper, citing anonymous officials, said that Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond.

It said that militants were believed to have collected bounty money, but that it was unclear whether specific killings of US troops were under suspicion.

The newspaper quoted a Kremlin spokesman saying only that Russia was unaware of the accusations.

Russia has a tortured history in Afghanistan, where the former Soviet Union in its final years was bogged down in a devastating fight against Islamic guerrillas, then backed by Washington.

But Russia has more recently been accused by the United States of quietly providing small arms to the Taliban.

The New York Times said there were different theories on why Russia would support Taliban attacks, including a desire to keep the United States bogged down in war.

It said that the Russian unit may also be seeking revenge over the US killing of Russian mercenaries in Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad.

According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by a unit known as the G.R.U., which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal.

US intelligence concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election in a bid to assist Trump, including through manipulation of social media.

Trump has scoffed at the findings and sought a warmer relationship with President Vladimir Putin, even as his administration keeps imposing sanctions over Russia over its actions on Ukraine.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/russia-paid-taliban-linked-militants-to.html

Atiku Deploys Massive 150 Groups To Help Obaseki Win Edo

Ahead of the Sept. 19 governorship poll, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has donated his 150 support groups to Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s governorship campaign organisation in Edo.

Abubakar announced this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday in Benin, the state capital.



The statement was signed by Mr Oladimeji Fabiyi, Deputy Director of the defunct Atiku Support Group/Mobilization Presidential Campaign Organisation.

It quoted Abubakar as directing that the 150 independent support groups in Edo be immediately activated in support of Obaseki, PDP’s flag bearer in the election.

It stated further: “The former Vice President, as a major stakeholder of the PDP, considers it expedient to put in place winning structures and machinery that will guarantee total victory for the party in Edo.

“We need to complete the circle in the south-south region that naturally and originally belonged the PDP.

“Having received the directive with joy and enthusiasm, I have no doubt that all our support groups in Edo will be very glad to receive this news and run with the directive of Atiku Abubakar for the benefit of Obaseki and the PDP,” it stated.

Oyo shuts five clinics in Ibadan, Saki for unethical practices

Oyo State Government has shut five private health facilities in Saki and Ibadan allegedly for contravention and unethical practices.

The state task force on private health facilities, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Basiru Bello, shut down the facilities for engaging  quacks, using unapproved premises; and failing to adhere to other rules guiding the practice.

The commissioner, who expressed concern over the attitude of the proprietors of private health facilities in the state, said government would not tolerate quackery in the sector.

He said the state would promote good practices with a view to ensuring quality health care delivery.


The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Secondary Health Care and Training in the ministry, Dr Wale Falana, said the exercise was imperative for the team to evaluate the compliance level of operators to health laws.

According to him, most of the facilities visited by the task force operated without qualified personnel and the right orientation.

Three facilities were sealed up in Ibadan and two in Saki, while preference was given to some facilities that have  commenced registrations.

He said, “These people are practising quackery and they are killing people. They are not qualified. The environment is not good, no scientific orientation; they are just doing what they like and people’s lives are in danger.

“When we went to Saki the other time, one of them used a room where people live. As we know that one of the pillars of this present administration is health, we are not compromising this. We need to move and make sure our people are well taken care of by qualified personnel, with good facilities.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/oyo-shuts-five-clinics-in-ibadan-saki.html

Obaseki receives PDP certificate of return

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, on Saturday presented the party’s certificate of return to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

He said the party was delighted to have the governor who he said has seen firsthand how the system and processes work within the PDP.

Secondus also presented the INEC nomination form to the governor.

In response, Obaseki said, “All that is left for one this afternoon is to tell you how I and my deputy are grateful to this great  party.


“In our hours of tribulation when we were pushed out in the raging storm you gave us the umbrella.

“By the grace of God, victory is going to be ours at the end of the day.

“I want Mr Chairman for you to thank my co-aspirants for being gracious enough to take the painful decision to step down after committing so much.”

Obaseki also announced that he was running with his deputy governor, Philip Shuaibu.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/obaseki-receives-pdp-certificate-of.html

Family, Oyo government clash over Ajimobi’s burial site

Facts emerged on Saturday that a lingering cold war between the family of the former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Oyo State Government was largely responsible for the delay in his burial.

According to Islamic injunction, the former governor was supposed to have been buried immediately or the next day after his demise.

However, it was gathered on Saturday that the late Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress was not buried three days after his death because conclusion had yet to be reached on his final resting place.

A reliable source close to the family alleged that the burial had been delayed due to some impediments by the state government to the burial plans by the family.


Speaking in strict confidence with punch  correspondent, the source said, “The family of the late Acting Chairman of the All Progressives Congress had made plans for the burial the following day after the death of their patriarch. They had got in touch with the state government for necessary burial approval; they were however rebuffed.

“The government official that the family got in touch with said they could not take action on the matter without approval from the governor, Seyi Makinde. The official also informed us that it has been difficult to pin down the governor for the approval.”

The source also disclosed that when the family eventually informed the governor of the burial plans in line with the laws of the land, “Makinde completely refused to oblige the family on their preferred choice of their father’s burial ground.

“Furthermore, it must also be said that Governor Makinde’s refusal comes after repeated pleas from top government officials and statesmen from federal and legislative arms of government.”

The source further claimed that the governor had not called any member of the family either by phone or made physical contact.

He said, “Imagine that since this man died, a former governor of the state that served two terms, that achieved so much for the state, Governor Makinde has yet to even call the wife nor any member of the family. That is quite unfortunate. Even if you have issues with him, he is gone now; you should drop that as a mark of respect for the deceased.”

However, in a telephone interview with punch correspondent on Saturday, Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, described the allegation as grossly mischievous, saying, the Ajimobi family was trying to make flimsy excuses to score cheap points.

Adisa explained that the family had indicated plan to bury the body at his Oluyole Estate residence but later said he would be buried at Oke Ado.

He disclosed that the family later said the deceased would be buried on the land which has a pending litigation between the state government and the former senator.

Adisa said, “We don’t want the issue to become controversial. We have been seeing all the allegations going around. Why would the governor be blamed for delaying the burial arrangements? Why would the governor say they should not bury their dead?

“Why would the man die and they would say it is at the place that is under controversy that they would bury him? Why is it that it is that place that they want to bury him? Is it the state government that said they should take the matter to court? Why would they bury someone at a place that has not been confirmed as his own?

“The government has already gazetted that the property is not his own. Why would they begin to make overtures to the government that it is at the place that they want to bury him?

“Governor Makinde gave them a waiver to bury him at Oluyole. It is against the law that the dead be buried in a Government Reserved Area in Oyo State but they were given a waiver based on the claim that former Governor Lam Adesina had given a waiver in the past to someone. The governor gave the permit in Oluyole and now they are changing the venue.”

A statement signed and made available to journalists in Ibadan, on Saturday evening titled, ‘Ajimobi’s burial: This wicked lie must stop, read in parts, “The Oyo State Government has strongly denied insinuations that it is responsible for the delay in burying the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who died on Thursday.

“In view of the intense enquiries from news media organisations regarding the perceived delay in burying the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Government wishes to place on record that there is no truth in the rumour making the rounds that the burial is being delayed by the state government.

“The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation.

“Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action. Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice but to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

“Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence. It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/family-oyo-govt-clash-over-ajimobis.html

Family in pains as 20-year old daughter is abducted... Kidnappers tell them not to bother looking for her

The family of Emmanuel Kushi has been distraught over the kidnap of their daughter, Patience, which occurred four days ago.

Their fears were further raised by bizarre messages from suspected cultists who kidnapped the 20-year-old undergraduate in Bauchi State.

One of the messages stated that they didn’t need money but the victim’s virginity.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, the victim’s father, Emmanuel Kushi, said his daughter, a 100 level Pharmacology student at the Bauchi State University, Gadau, left the house on Wednesday and was abducted on her way home after visiting his younger brother.


He said, “On Wednesday, June 24, around 2 pm, she left my younger brother’s house in Rafin Zurfi and told him she was coming to my house at Kafin Tafawa (a distance of about four kilometers) to pick something and he gave her permission to come.

“By evening my younger brother’s wife kept calling her mobile to know if she had arrived but there was no response. They thought she was already in my house working.

“Later on, they tried again but the number was switched off. The next day (Thursday) around 1pm, my younger brother’s wife called me and asked why I delayed Patience and didn’t let her come back. She asked if there was any problem.

“I told her that I didn’t see Patience because she had not come to my house. She expressed shock about what I told her and said she would call her friend to confirm.”

He further explained that his brother’s wife told him that when she called Patience’s friend, he told her that he also tried calling her on Wednesday but her phone rang out.

The father added, “So he sent a text message to her mobile. Then, a reply came in. The response read, ‘Do you think you will ever see her again? Fool.’”

Kushi said he came back from the farm and also saw a text message in his phone sent by the abductors through his daughter’s number.

The text message, which was forwarded read, “Father, your daughter is with us (BLACK AXE CONFRETANITY (sic)). We don’t need your money what we need is her virginity. Don’t bother looking for her.”

He said that he got another text from the abductors on Saturday morning informing him that she was dead.

“This morning, at exactly 10.25 am, they sent me another text message and said ‘she is dead’.

He said the family had reported the matter to the Yelwa Divisional Police Headquarters.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident.

He added that the police were investigating the matter.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/family-in-pains-as-20-year-old-daughter.html

FG asks stranded Nigerians in Turkey to pay $1,300 for flight ticket

The federal government has asked Nigerians stranded in Turkey to pay $1,300 for one-way flight ticket.

In a statement on its website, the Nigerian embassy in Turkey said those returning home are expected to pay $1,300 for economy class while business class passengers will pay $1,800.

According to the statement, Air Peace has been contracted for the flight scheduled for July 5.

“Consequently, all prospective evacuees, duly registered with the Embassy, should purchase their own tickets through the account detail detached at the cost of $1,300.00USD for Economy class for adult/child fare and $1,800.00USD for Business Class Passengers,” the statement read.

It said that all prospective evacuees who have purchased tickets should forward them for confirmation, adding that flight seats will be done on a “first come, first served basis.”

The statement also said that only those who fully comply with federal government’s directive on COVID-19 would be allowed to board the flight.

“Any intending evacuees without the stipulated test result, or body temperature above 38 degrees centigrade, or any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, will not be allowed to check in,” it added.

Reacting to the development, Bulama Bukarti, an analyst and human rights lawyer, described the federal government’s directive as “exploitative and inhuman.”

In a thread on his Twitter page, Bukarti wondered why the federal government could not contract Turkish Air to evacuate those stranded at a cheaper rate.

“The FG has scheduled the evacuation of Nigerian students stranded in Turkey, but they’re asked to pay quadruple the airfare. They’re required to pay $1300 for a one-way flight when return-ticket on Turkish Air is presently $620. But FG won’t allow Turkish Air to land,” he wrote.

The FG has scheduled the evacuation of Nigerian students stranded in Turkey, but they’re asked to pay quadruple the airfare.

They’re required to pay $1300 for a oneway flight when return-ticket on Turkish Air is presently $620. But FG won’t allow Turkish Air to land. pic.twitter.com/8PYDP84EdE

— Bulama Bukarti (@bulamabukarti) June 27, 2020

“This is exploitative and inhuman. The students say they’re stranded as the FG itself admits. Why would they then be charged such an outrageous sum? Why would the FG insist on Air Peace when there’s a much cheaper option that’s safer and more efficient? This smells rat.

“Please join me to urge the FG to review this injustice. Since Air Peace’s flight will be going empty, it’s fair to pay for return which is $620. Otherwise, Turkish Air should be allowed to convey our brothers and sisters. They’d of course be required to comply with health measures.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/fg-asks-stranded-nigerians-in-turkey-to.html

4,625 graduates apply for Amotekun job in Osun

About 4,625 university and polytechnic graduates representing 35 per cent have applied for recruitment into Amotekun Corps in Osun, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.

Twenty per cent of the applicants are university graduates from various disciplines, while 15 per cent have Higher National Diploma.

Application for job in Amotekun Corps in the state ended on Tuesday, June 27 with about 13,000 applying for placements.

However, data obtained from the office of the corps on Friday revealed that the majority of the 13,216 applicants were married men.

Further analysis of the applicants indicates that 1,891 single females also applied for recruitment.

According to other details obtained by punch correspondent, male applicants are 9,214 out of which 8, 615 are married.

The data reveals that 4,002 females out of which 2,011 are married also applied for placements.

Further breakdown of the educational qualifications of the applicants shows that “10 per cent of them possess Ordinary National Diploma, while five per cent of them have National Certificate of Education.

Senior School Certificate Examination holders make up 40 per cent of the applicants, with six per cent of them having Primary School Leaving Certificate.

Those in the category of non-education constitute four per cent of the total number of the applicants.

The Director-General of Amotekun Corps in Osun, Mr Amitolu Shittu, in a chat, assured that “the applicants will be properly screened and subjected to various tests."

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/4625-graduates-apply-for-amotekun-job.html

World covid-19 cases top 10 million, death toll over 500,000

The confirmed cases of Covid-19 around the world surpassed 10 million last night, with the United States ad Brazil posting huge figures.

The death toll has also surpassed 500,000, according to the latest figures by worldometers.info.

United States and Brazil are largely responsible for the huge caseload.

In a resurgence of cases, the United States posted 40,521 cases, more than 25% of the 166,410 cases recorded by 23:00 GMT.

U.S. death toll also increased to 128,132, again more than a quarter of the world’s.


Brazil also garnered high figure on Saturday night, with 33,613 cases and death toll of 57,070.

Overall, the U.S. has reported 2,589,188 cases.

Global figures are 10,052,539 confirmed cases and 500,162 deaths.

Brazil’s share in confirmed cases was 1,313,667.

Russia and India are the two other countries with cases above 500,000.

While Russia has a cumulative total of 627,646 cases by Saturday, India has 529,577.

However, both countries have been able to keep their death tolls below 20,000.

Russia’s death toll was 8,969 and India’s 16,103.

The death toll was only worse in Britain( 43,514), Italy(34,716) and Spain 28,341.

Outside of Europe, Mexico and Iran have also reported high number of deaths.

Mexico has 25,779 and Iran 10,364.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/world-covid-19-cases-top-10-million.html

Buhari To APC Governors: We Must Not Lose Edo

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday told the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors to ensure that the party reclaims Edo State in the September governorship elections.

President Buhari gave the marching order when the APC Governors on the platform of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, led by its Chairman, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State led some members of the forum and the Chairman, Caretaker/Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni paid a ‘thank you’ visit to him at the State House, Abuja.



It was reliably gathered that the President told the governors to mobilize themselves to do all that is necessary to make sure that Edo does not remain in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He also said that Ondo state must be retained by the governing party in the forthcoming election.

President Buhari was said to have been disappointed that a serving APC governor could be driven to the point of leaving the party and aligning with the opposition.

It will be recalled that Governor Obaseki of Edo state recently dumped the APC to the PDP as a result of his protracted differences with the former national Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The irreconcilable dispute between the two culminated in the disqualification of the governor from contesting the party’s primaries and seeking re-election on the platform of the APC.

Governor Obaseki, however, defected to the PDP which gave him the waiver to contest the party’s primaries and he emerged as the governorship candidate of the party in a role reversal with APC’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who he beat in the 2016 election as the candidate of the then opposition party.

Sources privy to the meeting hinted that President Buhari was critical about the crises in the governing party and was said to have reiterated his warning that the APC may disintegrate if the crises in it are allowed to fester.

The President told the governors that loyalty should be to the party rather than individuals.

Seyi Makinde Opens Up On Reason For Delay Of Ajimobi's Burial

The Oyo State Government has strongly denied insinuations that it is responsible for the delay in burying the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who died on Thursday.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the insinuations amounted to a wicked lie.



The statement read: “In view of the intense enquiries from news media organisations regarding the perceived delay in burying the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Government wishes to place on record that there is no truth in the rumour making the rounds that the burial is being delayed by the state govenrment.

“The rumour, which is being deliberately spread to give the state government a bad name and to play undue politics with the dead, initially came by the way of social media gossips, which gained traction to attract the attention of traditional media outfits.

“Several media outfits reached out to the Media Office of the Governor of Oyo State to make enquiries on this barefaced lie on Saturday.

“Let it be stated clearly that the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has played no role at all in causing any delay whatsoever regarding the burial of his immediate predecessor, Senator Ajimobi.
“The truth of the matter is that the family, through a proxy, approached the state government and sought approval to bury the late governor on a plot of land at Agodi GRA, which is currently under litigation.
“Incidentally, it was the same former Governor Ajimobi who instituted the legal action.

“Governor Seyi Makinde had no choice than to state the facts as they are to the emissaries and turn down the request.

“Governor Makinde, however, against the established land use rule in Oyo State, gave approval that the family can bury the late governor in his Oluyole Estate residence.

“It is to be noted that the rules guiding land use in Government Reservation Areas (GRA) forbid the burial of bodies in such locations as Oluyole Estate and Agodi GRA.

“Let us also put on record that whereas the family did not follow the laid down protocols in passing information on the sickness and eventual demise of Senator Ajimobi, Governor Makinde overlooked all that and directed the full cooperation of the government with the family on this matter.

“It can only amount to a wicked lie to insinuate that the incumbent government in Oyo State attempted to obstruct the burial of the immediate past governor.”

779 New Cases Of Coronavirus In Nigeria, Total Now 24,077

In the last 24 hours, 779 new cases of COVID19 were reported in Nigeria; Lagos-285, Rivers-68, FCT-60, Edo-60, Enugu-56, Delta-47, Ebonyi-42, Oyo-41, Kaduna-19, Ogun-18, Ondo-16, Imo-12, Sokoto-11, Borno-9, Nasarawa-8, Abia-5, Gombe-5, Kebbi-5, Kano-4, Yobe-3, Ekiti-3, Osun-2.

A total of 24,077 confirmed cases in Nigeria. The breakdown;

COVID-19: Nigeria records highest daily toll

Exactly four months since the first COVID-19 case was confirmed on February 27, 2020, Nigeria has recorded its highest daily toll of new infections with 779 cases.

The new cases were confirmed for 21 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) at 11:42pm on Saturday.

A total of 390 patients were discharged on Saturday, increasing the number of recoveries from 8,235 to 8,625, while fatalities rose from 554 to 558.

Over the past four months, the cases have increased significantly, especially between May and June — the figures moved from one confirmed case on February 27 to 81 cases on March 27, and from 1,337 cases on April 31 to 8,733 cases on May 27.

One month after recording less than 9,000 confirmed COVID-19 infections in May, as of June 27, well over 20,000 cases have now been confirmed in 35 states and the FCT.

Out of Nigeria’s current total of 24,077 people who have been confirmed positive, 14,894 cases are still active.

779 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-285
Rivers-68
FCT-60
Edo-60
Enugu-56
Delta-47
Ebonyi-42
Oyo-41
Kaduna-19
Ogun-18
Ondo-16
Imo-12
Sokoto-11
Borno-9
Nasarawa-8
Abia-5
Gombe-5
Kebbi-5
Kano-4
Yobe-3
Ekiti-3
Osun-2

24,077 confirmed
8,625 discharged
558 deaths pic.twitter.com/JsOtNeFSDx

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) June 27, 2020

Meanwhile, the NCDC has cautioned on the use of face shields in place of face masks as protection against contracting the coronavirus.

In an advisory published on Saturday, the agency maintained that there isn’t enough evidence to show that using face shields without masks will offer significant protection against COVID-19.

“For effective protection, face shields are used in combination with an appropriate face mask in healthcare settings,” it read.

“There is currently limited to no evidence on the effectiveness of face shields to prevent COVID-19 when used alone by the general public in non-healthcare settings.

“There is currently no guidance provided by the WHO or other relevant public health authority that recommends the use of face shields in non-healthcare settings to prevent COVID-19.

“Given the limited evidence on the effectiveness of face shields in protecting people from COVID-19 infection in community settings, and the absence of recommendations on their use, by the WHO and other public health authorities, face shields alone should not be used in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 infection. When used, it should be done in combination with an appropriate face mask.”

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/covid-19-nigeria-records-highest-daily.html

Ondo sacks striking Resident doctors

Ondo state government has sacked the striking Residents doctors at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMETH).

Their sacking was contained in a letter announcing the suspension of the institution residency training programme from August 1st, 2020.

The letter urged “all Resident doctors directly employed by the hospital to seek continuation of their programme in other institutions where there are ongoing training programs.

The letter which was dated June 23 and signed by Director of Administration of UNIMETH, Adeeyo Babatunde, said it was to allow the hospital focus on service delivery in order to combat COVID-19 outbreak without distraction of agitation from the Resident Doctors.

It however pointed out that some Resident doctors might be considered for re-admission when the programme recommences.

Recall that the Resident doctors last week embarked on strike action over their demands to include provision of PPE and other security measures to save their members from COVID-19, payment of outstanding arrears from September 2019 to May 2020, payment of 50 per cent COVID-19 allowance amongst others.

Reacting to the development at the commissioning of the first dialysis centre in Akure, the Chief Medical Director of UNIMEDTH, Dr. Oluwole Ige, blasted the Residents doctors saying they were more interested in unionism than commitment to work.

Dr. Ige said the Residents doctors were the most disruptive group to the growth of the hospital despite earning the best pay package among other group of doctors in the hospital.

Dr. Ige stated that the good things happening at the hospital were being overshadowed by the constant agitation of the resident doctors.

According to him, “The Resident doctors earn the best pay package among the four groups of doctors in the hospital with additional benefit of training and advancing to be consultant. That has been the most disruptive group to the growth of the hospital.

“They have exaggerated and deliberately distorted the issues of their wage to the extent of putting the hospital management and government into disrepute.

“The training programme might be suspended until such a time that it will be conducive to train without rancour.”

But in a swift response, spokesman of the Ondo ARD, Taiwo Olagbe described their sacking as a joke that cannot hold any water and could crumble health sector in the state.

Olagbe said comments from the CMD were regrettable and unfortunate stating that their agitations were genuine because of non-payment of saláries and arrears.

He said plans were on to slash their salaries from June.

The state government through the information and Orientation commissioner Donald Ojogo in a statement denied the sack of the doctors.

Ojogo said that ” whatever issues that led to the strike action by the Doctors under the Residency Programme and the reprimand by the Management of UNIMED Teaching Hospital are currently being looked into. Such shall be resolved by Monday, hopefully.

“We wish to, therefore, emphasize that at no time did the State Government sack Doctors as the public is being made to erroneously believe.

” It should be noted that the UNIMED Residency arrangement is the first since the establishment of the Nation’s premier medical University. It is mostly undertaken by the Federal Government as many States do not find financial space for such.

“Nonetheless, it is pertinent to clarify that there is a wide difference between Doctors employed by the State Government and those under a Residency Programme.

Ojogo noted that “The Residency is a Post Graduate Programme usually sponsored by Governments even as such beneficiaries render services for a specific period. In effect, Doctors under the Residency Programme are more or less, temporary Staff members who qualify as Consultants after their period of training.

source https://www.ladunliadinews.com/2020/06/ondo-sacks-striking-resident-doctors.html

Abuja Airport Opens With Strict COVID19 Safety Protocols

The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Saturday, re-opened for business with passengers duly screened, in line with safety protocols following the Coronavirus pandemic.

The airport also witnessed strict compliance to other safety measures, aimed at curtailing the spread of the virus.



Provisions were made for hand wash and alcohol-based sanitisers, there were temperature checks, as well as strict compliance to social distancing of about one metre.

Journalists covering the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 were led on dry run test from Lagos to Abuja to witness firsthand, reopening of the aviation sector.

NAN reports that checks for COVID-19 safety protocols and screening were carried out on passengers at the departure lounge.

The seats, which were usually crowded, have been rearranged in compliance with the social distancing rule.

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