The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 917 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 80,080.
The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Sunday.
“On the 3rd of January 2021, 917 new confirmed cases and 9 deaths were recorded in Nigeria,
“Till date, 90080 cases have been confirmed, 75044 cases have been discharged and 1311 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The 917 new cases are reported from 17 states- FCT (222), Lagos (214), Kaduna (119), Plateau (92), Nasarawa (50), Oyo (41), Adamawa (33), Ondo (32), Abia (28), Ogun (19), Rivers (17), Kano (16), Yobe (14), Edo (8), Anambra (6), Ekiti (5) and Jigawa (1).
“Our discharges today includes 59 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines.,” the NCDC said.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has suspended the Commissioner for Environment, Abiodun Abudu-Balogun for alleged s3xual harassment of a 16-year old girl.
A 16-year-old girl, Barakat Melojuekun, in a Facebook video post that has now gone viral alleged that the commissioner connived with her uncle and a teacher from another secondary school to lure her to his house, where he s3xually harassed her by touching her breasts.
The commissioner, however, denied the allegations in a statement he issued, describing the video as “teleguided” and “political blackmail by my adversaries.”
But a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, on Sunday said the suspension of Abudu-Balogun was to allow for thorough investigation of the matter.
According to the statement, while taking cognizance of the principle of a suspect being presumed innocent until proven guilty and the public statement issued by Hon. Abudu-Balogun denying the allegation, as a government with zero tolerance for gender-based violence and indeed any criminality, the suspension of the commissioner is a further demonstration of the commitment of Abiodun administration to fairness, equity, justice and the rule of law, no matter who is involved.
It added that the government assured the public that it would do everything to ensure that justice was served in this case.
The statement said the suspended Commissioner had been directed to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has prayed that Nigeria will never see another year like 2020 again.
He also predicted good tidings for Nigerians and residents of Lagos State in particular in the year 2021.
Adeboye made the declaration on Sunday at the 2021 Hybrid Edition of the Lagos State Annual Thanksgiving Service, held at Lagos House Ground, Ikeja.
It had its theme as: “In Everything Give Thanks” taken from the Holy Bible, Psalms 50: 23.
The event, which was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Home Affairs, was attended also by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dr Femi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; government functionaries, religious leaders and other guests.
Reading from Psalm 67 Verse 3-7, the General Overseer who joined the Thanksgiving Service virtually, prayed for the leaders, followers, young and the old.
He prayed that everything they touched in year 2021 should prosper and there would be good news.
“I pray a year like 2020 will never come our way again. And year 2021 will be better, a year of rejoicing, of good news.
“2021 will attract miracles, signs and wonder. It will be far more successful than year 2020.
“I pray as you have praised God this year, He will bless you all. I decree in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, everything you touch this year shall prosper.
“There will be no famine and fruitless efforts. God will bless you fearfully. Bless you with signs and wonder.
“He will fill your mouth with laughter. A year of singing, dancing, rejoicing for all of you. It shall be a year of good news,” Adeboye prayed.
The Nigerian military has announced that it conducted additional air interdiction missions against Boko Haram at the weekend.
Major General John Enenche, Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, in a statement on Sunday, said the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE took out many hideouts.
He noted that a number of terrorists were eliminated at Kote Kura and Bulama Isamari, both in Borno State.
Fighter jets and helicopter gunships flew to the area on credible intelligence about recently established Boko Haram camps.
Enenche disclosed that the sect used the locations to stow weapons, equipment, and launch attacks.
“Overhead Kote Kura, a settlement in Bama area, NAF attack aircraft engaged scores of terrorists, leading to the neutralization of several of them as well as the destruction of structures and logistics stores”, he said.
At Bulama Isamari, within the Timbuktu Traingle, NAF aircraft took turns engaging the target.
The statement added that accurate hits resulted in the neutralisation of insurgents.
A commissioner with the Anambra State government, Dr Christian Madubuko has resigned his appointment, alleging threat to life and sabotage.
Madubuko who last worked as the Commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism turned in his resignation letter, saying that the sabotage he has seen while working as Commissioner in Anambra is the reason it is difficult for Nigeria to develop.
Madubuko, a Canadian trained Nigerian was first appointed as Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Commerce, the Commissioner for Road, Rail and Water Transportation and finally as Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism.
He was known to have had a running battle with a fellow Commissioner, Mr Uche Okafor of the transport ministry, a battle which many believed he was bound to lose as Okafor was related to the wife of the governor, who is believed to be in charge of the state.
In his resignation letter, Madubuko charged Governor Obiano to quickly wake up and take charge of the government.
Harry Potter actor Devon Murray has become a dad for the first time after his partner gave birth to a baby boy.
The 32-year-old actor, best known for playing Seamus in the wizarding franchise, announced the joyful news on Sunday with a photo of a cupcake and congratulatory card with their baby boy in the background.
It’s the first child for Devon and his girlfriend Shannon McCaffrey, who announced her pregnancy in July.
In an instagram post, the actor detailed Shannon’s labour writing: ‘Yesterday 2/1/21 my life changed forever. Shannon delivered our beautiful little boy “Cooper Michael Murray” weighing 6lbs 10oz. Both are doing amazing now after a very long labour and a scary few minutes at the end. It still hasn’t sunk in just yet that we have our very own little boy.
‘I can’t wait to make the most amazing memories with Shannon and Cooper as we begin our little family. I’m so amazed by Shannon and she is now my Hero. I’m so proud of her for everything she has gone through.’
He added: ‘I can’t wait to have you both home. It’s so hard having to leave you both. I will love you both forever until my last breathe ❤️🍼👶🏻.’
It seems baby boy Cooper arrived a little early as Devon previously revealed the due date to be January 14.
Hundreds of birds were found dead in the Italian capital on New Year's Eve after many people burst fireworks to celebrate the new year. They are said to have suffered from heart attacks as a result of the fireworks.
The footage and pictures from the streets near the main train station and several other locations in Rome showed bodies of hundreds of these little birds. The animal rights groups came forth to call it a massacre and blamed it on the fireworks.
Though the cause of their death was not apparent, the International Organisation for the Protection of Animals (OIPA) said that it was related to the loud display of fireworks in the leafy locality of the city where the birds roosted.
A supposed day of joy turned sorrow as Fatima Hassan Fari, a bride-to-be died three hours to her wedding in Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State.
According to reports, the lady died in the morning around 7am on Saturday while the wedding was scheduled to kick off 10am on the said day.
She was buried at 2:pm same Saturday, according to Islamic rites.
Friends and family members have taken to Facebook to mourn her death.
The Caretaker Management Committee of Balogun market, Lagos Trade Fair Complex, has shifted its resumption, earlier scheduled for Jan. 4, till Jan. 11, for security reasons.
Mr Leonard Ogbonnia, the Secretary of the committee, said in a statement on Sunday, in Lagos, that it would be risky to reopen the market, earlier closed on Dec. 24 for the Christmas holidays, on the stated date because of the security situation in the market.
A committee, led by Mr Anslem Dunu, was inaugurated to manage the affairs of the multi-billion-Naira market for three months; pending an election that would usher in new executives.
Ogbonnia noted that reopening the complex, as earlier scheduled, may endanger the lives and property of members, and hence the shift in dates.
“Regrettably, I wish to inform us that the security reports reaching the office of the caretaker committee on a daily basis are threatening, alarming and unpalatable to the original plans to reopen on Jan. 4, 2021.
“Obviously, non-opening of other neighbouring markets within the trade fair complex until Jan. 11, will equally add to security porosity of our own complex, if opened.
“The committee having weighed all options, merits and demerits, therefore, came to a decision to reopen the market on Jan. 11, to enable it to address the lurking dangers.
“We passionately regret all inconveniences this change may cause some individuals and humbly appeal to such individuals to also consider the importance of taking preventive security measures,” he said.
He said that the committee wished to reassure the market community of its readiness to serve and make the place better for business to thrive.
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, has vowed to sensitise, rehabilitate, and turn youths particularly those that are socially tagged as thugs in Iwoland to positive agents of the society.
The popular monarch also charged the repentant thugs to channel their strength and wisdom to sustain peace in Nigeria.
According to Oluwo, efforts are in top gear to commit a special fund for proper rehabilitation and reintegration of the youths in the community.
He noted that most of them involve in criminality because they either feel not being catered for or being used and abandoned by politicians.
The monarch, while addressing the repentant thugs and their leaders who are from the Iwo community and its environs in his palace, advocated for peace, saying: “The society that bred miscreants over the years has the responsibility to refine them and make them useful for themselves.
“I consider youth engagement as part of my social contribution to ensure that youths, particularly those that are socially tagged as thugs, are sensitised, rehabilitated, and turned to positive agents of the society.
“We are going to give them scholarships. If they want to learn trades, we will empower them. The era of raising thugs for destructive purposes is gone. The era is dead. I want to give promoters of thuggery in Iwoland a red card.
“Most of them thrive in criminality because they either feel not being catered for, some leaders in the past disappointed them. I believe they can still be useful, especially for the security of this country. We have to change and rehabilitate the people we tag as thugs.
“It is the society that bred them. The problem did not just start now. So we have to dialogue with them, and we have made up our mind to invest in them. We want to change those bad eggs to become good eggs.
“We have to avert what happened during the #EndSARS protests when property belonging to people was destroyed. You can imagine, one of the illustrious sons of this town, his property that was built over the years, even before he ventured into politics was destroyed. We don’t want that to happen again,” Oluwo said.
The new-look of Ogun state Governor, Dapo Abiodun has generated mixed reactions on social media especially Twitter.
Abiodun through his official Twitter page @dabiodunMFR, shared his new year message unveiling his new look.
“The past year came with its own challenges, but we are grateful we have renewed hopes for a better New Year 2021. The Ogun State Government remains committed to good governance and productive investments in critical sectors.” He tweeted.
In 2020, Abiodun adorned different face masks to occasions with many not suspecting his new look.
The past year came with its own challenges, but we are grateful we have renewed hopes for a better New Year 2021.
The Ogun State Government remains committed to good governance and productive investments in critical sectors. pic.twitter.com/glpFLVAryj
— Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun - MFR (@dabiodunMFR) January 1, 2021
Lionel Messi, has reportedly clashed with goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the crisis in the club’s dressing room reaches a boiling point, according to Diaro Gol.
This is not the first time Messi and the German shot-stopper have fallen out at Barcelona as they have had issues in the past as well.
According to the newspaper, the Argentine superstar and the goalkeeper have had a massive bust-up that has seen their relationship falling out completely.
The Spanish newspaper said that the reason for their fight is because Messi had opted for Keylor Navas as his first choice during the voting for the FIFA The Best awards.
Messi went on to choose Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak as his second and third choices.
This was rather seen as quite a shocking choice of votes from the South American superstar who generally always voted for his teammates.
And his decision of snubbing Marc-Andre ter has not gone down well with the goalkeeper.
Diaro Gol reports that Ter Stegen has even reconsidered his future at the club despite renewing his contract with the club recently.
Ter Stegen has now reportedly put a hold on his autobiography movie, with the reason being that he wants his movie to be made next season when Messi is expected to leave Camp Nou.
It is certain that Messi will leave the club next summer, however, as of now, there seems to be no offer.
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen may be facing a fine of up to two weeks’ wages by his club Napoli after a video of his birthday emerged on social media.
Osimhen tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, a few days after attending a birthday party organized in his honor.
According to an Italian newspaper, Italy24news, the Super Eagles forward was seen in a video dancing without a mask, while his guests also broke Covid-19 protocols.
The said video angered the Napoli manager Gennaro Gattuso and the Napoli fans who believed he acted irresponsibly.
Napoli is not happy with the footballer who has now tested positive for Covid 19 after failing to comply with the rules imposed by the club.
Meanwhile, the club also confirmed that Osimhen was not in contact with the rest of his team mates and was asymptomatic.
The United States on Saturday saw its highest number yet of coronavirus cases recorded in one day, with more than 277,000 infections.
The hardest-hit country in the world by the pandemic, the United States has marked 20.4 million cases overall and just under 350,000 deaths.
Infections have been surging in recent months, with top US government scientist Anthony Fauci warning just days after Christmas that the worst of the pandemic may be yet to come, driving the country to a "critical point" as holiday travel spreads the virus.
The country has floundered in its efforts to quell Covid-19, with its vaccination programme beset by logistical problems and overstretched hospitals.
More than 4.2 million people in the US have already received their first jabs, with 13 million doses distributed, but that falls well behind the 20 million inoculations that President Donald Trump's administration promised by the end of 2020.
Tosin Ogunbodede, the Chief of Protocol to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, has died in an auto crash along the Ilesha-Akure Expressway.
It was gathered that the accident that occurred on Saturday night also claimed the life of his driver.
The duo were rushed to the Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa where they were said to have been confirmed dead.
Another occupant of the car whose identity is not known yet was said to be in a critical condition.
Ogunbodede, a lawyer and former staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, was appointed as Chief of Protocol, COP, by Ondo Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on assumption of office in 2017.
Ogunbodede’s death has shocked many people, who have flooded his Facebook page to pour lamentations.
Wrote Folake Bambgboye: “Nooo, tell me it’s a dream. Tomisin it’s not true. Pls Someone to wake up from my dream. Ooh Death where is thy Sting.
“This is too much for me to bear o.
“God help me, keep and protect the family he left behind.
“Am dazed.,Jeeeeesusss, have Mercy.”
“It isn’t true. Or is it?”, asked a dazed Tunde imolehin.
Samson Arekete also lamented:”We are deeply shocked and saddened!”.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 576 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 89,163.
The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Saturday.
“On the 2nd of January 2021, 576 new confirmed cases and 8 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.
“Till date, 89163 cases have been confirmed, 74789 cases have been discharged and 1302 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The 576 new cases are reported from 15 states- Lagos (277), FCT (90), Oyo (51), Nasarawa (49), Sokoto (23), Anambra (14), Bauchi (11), Imo (11), Kano (11), Edo (10), Plateau (10), Ogun (9), Osun (5), Jigawa (3), and Rivers (2).
“Our discharges today include 287 community recoveries in Lagos State and 60 community recoveries in Plateau State managed in line with guidelines.,” the NCDC said.
The Board of First City Monument Bank, on Saturday, says it is investigating its Managing Director, Mr Adam Nuru, over allegations of unethical conduct involving a former employee, Ms Moyo Thomas.
The bank made this known in a statement released on Saturday titled, ‘Official Statement -Media Stories Regarding Our Managing Director’.
