The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 464 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 156,963.
The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Wednesday.
“On the 3rd of March 2021, 464 new confirmed cases and 16 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.
“Till date, 156963 cases have been confirmed, 135831 cases have been discharged and 1939 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The 464 new cases are reported from 22 states- Lagos (131), Kaduna (69), Akwa Ibom (33), Imo (31), Katsina (30), Kano (26), Ondo (23), Yobe (20), FCT (18), Ogun (13), Rivers (12), Kebbi (11), Ekiti (9), Osun (6), Oyo (6), Borno (5), Gombe (5), Plateau (5), Edo (4), Abia (3), Delta (3) and Zamfara (1),” the NCDC said.
Workers and visitors to the Ogun Government Secretariat’s Complex at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta are now confronted with filthy sight of faeces and the accompanying stinking odour as a result of the collapse of the sewage system of the Ministry of Environment.
As a result, passers-by at the facility who are majorly civil servants and visitors alike have to cover their noses and mouths to avoid inhaling the putrid smell oozing out from the collapsed facility.
Some government’s workers who spoke with our correspondent in Abeokuta, the state capital, expressed fears that the leakage from the collapsed sewage system could result in an outbreak of cholera and other diseases if not quickly attended to by the State Government, especially the Ministry of Environment.
The Ministry of Environment currently lacks a political head as the commissioner, Hon. Abiodun Abudu-Balogun, has been on suspension following his alleged involvement in a rape case.
However, civil servants who spoke to PM NEWS condemned the carefree attitude of their counterparts in the Ministry of Environment, especially, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Olabode Ojetola over neglect of the collapsed sewage system.
The sewage system started collapsing about two years ago without any attention from the Ministry of Environment.
A Sokoto State High Court sitting in Sokoto today March 3, 2021, convicted and sentenced one Abdulrashid Isa Aliyu to seven years imprisonment for falsely representing himself as an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
Aliyu who falsely represented himself as an NSCDC officer and testified in the assumed capacity in a criminal charge bagged seven years imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N250,000) fine.
The one-count charge brought against the convict by the Sokoto Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, reads, “That you Abdulrashid Isa Aliyu, adult, male, on the 26th day of October 2020 at Sokoto within the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice, Sokoto State did
give false evidence when you testified under oath in charge No. SS/38C/2018 before the High Court of Justice No. 3 of Sokoto State by presenting yourself as a staff of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) employed in 2014 with Force Number 65155, which you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 121 of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019 and punishable under Section 123 of the same Law”.
The defendant pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge. Consequently, the prosecuting counsel, S.H Sa’ad asked the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
Justice Malami Dogondaji thereafter, convicted and sentenced Aliyu to 7 years in prison, with the option of N250,000 fine.
Two brothers from Kaniga Makome Village in North East Kano, Muhoroni Sub-County in Kisumu County, Kenya have died following a vicious fight between them.
Joseph Othoro, 37, and Kennedy Otieno, 36, physically assaulted each other on Sunday, February 28 after their wives quarreled on Saturday, with each woman reporting to her husband that her peace had been breached.
After receiving the reports from their respective spouses, Othoro and Otieno, who are neighbours, confronted each other, resulting in a nasty physical war, which ended in the machete-wielding brothers slashing one another.
Otieno succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening while being taken to Ahero Sub-County Hospital. His body was moved to the facility’s morgue.
Othoro, on the hand, died on Monday morning while receiving treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu. His body has been preserved at the facility.
The brothers’ fatal conflict was reported at Masogo Police Station.
Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abeokuta, on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, convicted Komolafe Ololade Olajide and Olaniyi Joshua Omobolaji for fraudulent impersonation.
The offence runs contrary to Section 22(2) (b) (i) and is punishable under Section 22(2) (b) (iv) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
They were convicted on separate one-count charge of fraudulent impersonation preferred against them by the Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Komolafe, 30, who claims to be a graduate of computer science from Osun State University was arrested on January 22, 2021.
In the course of the investigation, a number of incriminating documents were recovered from his email.
Upon arraignment on an amended charge after a plea agreement, he pleaded ‘guilty’.
Justice Abubakar thereafter convicted and sentenced Komolafe to six months imprisonment with an option of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
Apart from his conviction, Komolafe was also ordered to restitute a total sum of N1,319,708.85k (One Million, Three Hundred and Nineteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eight Naira Eighty-five kobo).
The Court equally ordered the forfeiture of his iPhone 12, Samsung S5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 mobile phones; one MacBook, one Toyota Corolla 2008 model, one Toyota Venza 2013 model, and one Toyota Camry 2013 model cars; and a 4 bedroom bungalow.
Similarly, Justice Mohammed Abubakar convicted and sentenced Olaniyi to four months imprisonment with an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) fine.
He was equally ordered to forfeit a Samsung A51mobile phone and a Lexus ES 330 car to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Buckingham Palace said it was “very concerned” about reports in the Times newspaper on Wednesday that assistants working for Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, had been bullied by her.
The report comes days before the broadcast of an interview that Meghan and her husband Prince Harry have given to U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey spelling out why they quit their official roles. Some commentators have suggested they may also criticise their treatment by the royal family.
Harry and Meghan issued a statement denying that she had bullied anyone.
The Times cited unnamed sources as saying an aide to the couple had raised a complaint in October 2018 alleging that Meghan had reduced some of her assistants to tears and treated others so badly that they had quit.
The paper said Harry had urged the aide, who has now left their staff, to drop the complaint, and it never progressed.
The Times said it had been contacted by former staff members who wanted the public to gain insight before the Winfrey interview aired - and that lawyers for the couple had labelled the allegations a smear orchestrated by the Palace.
“We are clearly very concerned about allegations in The Times following claims made by former staff of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
The Royal Household “does not and will not tolerate bullying or harassment in the workplace”, it added.
It said its HR team would look into the allegations, and that members of staff involved at the time would be invited to participate.
Pastor Bulus Yakuru of the Church of the Brethren (EYN) has been freed by Boko Haram.
He is with the Department of State Services (DSS).
It was gathered that the agency and the Kalthum Foundation for Peace negotiated his release.
The cleric regained freedom on the day he was to be executed.
Yakuru was abducted on Christmas Eve, when insurgents attacked Pemi village in Borno State. No fewer than six people were murdered.
Last Wednesday, the Abubakar Shekau-led faction of Boko Haram issued a one-week ultimatum to the government to meet its demands.
Yakuru, in a video, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Babagana Zulum and the Christian leadership to intervene.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), several organizations and individuals called for his rescue.
CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, stated that Yakuru’s case was a litmus test for the new Service Chiefs. Ayokunle said he should not end like Rev. Lawan Andimi.
In January 2020, Boko Haram murdered Andimi. He was District Chairman of the EYN and CAN Chairman of Michika LGA in Adamawa State.
Rapper CDQ has claimed in a video that Burna Boy's crew are the ones behind the wounds and blood all over him.
He says the singer's boys stabbed him many places at a club, but later apologised and treated him.
In the just released video, CDQ himself was seen explaining the scene.
This is coming after the rapper accused Burna Boy of disrespecting Obafemi Martins. CDQ had explained Martins is not in anyway Burna Boy's mate and that he was disappointed in the singer.
The nation’s 36 Governors are to meet on Thursday to strategise on the handling and distribution of the coronavirus vaccines just received in the country.
According to a statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the virtual meeting is scheduled to commence by 5 pm.
“The NGF will tomorrow hold an emergency virtual meeting tomorrow Thursday 4th March 2021.
“The meeting is of a single-item agenda, which will discuss the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccines and their distribution in the country.
“The meeting commences at 5 pm according to the invitation to governors issued this evening by the Director-General of the forum Mr Asishana B Okauru. Governors are to begin to join at 4 pm,” he said.
A Nigerian man has reportedly died a day after his wedding.
The man is identified as Ango Adamu and he got married to his heartthrob on Friday, February 26 in Matumbi, Niger State, however, he didn’t live to enjoy his marriage as he died the following Saturday, February 27.
His death was made known by one of his friends in a recent Facebook post which reads;
“Indeed, death is the destroyer of pleasures. The first frame is the face of late Adamu and his beautiful Bride; he died a day after his wedding. The second picture was taken during his Janaiza prayer
May Jannah be his final abode and may Allah give his new wife ( Now Widow) and the entire family members fortitude to bear this shocking loss.” she wrote
Gun wielding men suspected to be bandits have reportedly kidnapped a sister in law and brother to Bashir Gorau, Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development in Sokoto.
The incident occurred in Gorau town during the wee hours of Wednesday, Mr. Gorau said on his Facebook page.
The 32-year-old commissioner disclosed that the victims were abducted at gunpoint when the brigands invaded their family house.
“Innalillahi wa Inna wa innalillahi Rajiuun!!!
“It’s about 12:45 a.m. that, bandits attacked our house in Gorau town, abduct wife of our elder brother Alh Lawali Gorau and one of our brother Hassan Manya.
“May God protect and return them to us Amin. In need of your prayers fellow Muslims,” Mr. Gorau said.
The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has said the state will not provide land for ranching as it believes it is a private business.
Makinde said this to clarify a tweet in which he revealed that Oyo State will adopt the National Livestock Transformation Plan which is already being implemented in Kwara State.
The Governor, after a meeting with his Kwara State counterpart, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had said on Twitter, “We also agreed that the National Livestock Transformation Plan which is already being implemented in Kwara State would be implemented in Oyo State leading to further collaborations between both states on economy and security.”
His tweet was taken by many to mean an implementation of Rural Grazing Area settlements which many Nigerians had in the past kicked against.
One Twitter user, @olufunkeajibul1, said, “I hope the National Livestock Transformation Plan is not the same RUGA. If yes, Mr Governor please tread with caution. But no, please fire on all salvos.”
@Itee_esq said, “Your Excellency Sir, hope you are not bringing RUGA to Oyo State through the back door.”
@Carol-Ukoha said, “They changed RUGA to National Livestock Transformation Plan, can’t you read between the lines? I hope you have a rethink. You cannot afford to fail your people. This decision is unintelligent please.”
The attention of the Governor was drawn to the reactions of his tweet, resulting in a clarification on his decision to implement the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
According to him, the state will not implement the whole of the National Livestock Transformation Plan, only the aspects it finds beneficial.
Makinde said, “My attention has been drawn to this tweet regarding the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan during the joint security meeting, yesterday. For the avoidance of doubt, when I said we would implement the plan, I didn’t mean a wholesale implementation.
“We will be taking aspects which are beneficial for our state. As I have stated on several occasions, our position in Oyo State is that ranching is a private business and should be carried out as such. Our admin won’t be providing land for free to private investors for ranching.”
Babcock University has reacted to a now-viral video which showed one of its 100-level students being assaulted by a colleague over slippers.
In a statement on Wednesday by Joshua Suleiman, Babcock’s marketing and communications director, the institution stated it has carried out a preliminary investigation into the development, which it also condemned.
Describing the conduct of the students as abominable, the university management also frowned at witnesses who filmed the fight rather than help quell the dispute.
“Investigations reveal that the fight resulted from lack of restraint by a student who alleged his roommate of using his pair of slippers without his permission/consent,” the statement read.
“With our zero tolerance for bullying and physical violence of any kind, the university administration finds this conduct abominable and most unacceptable and is, therefore, taking appropriate steps to address it accordingly.
“The university also condemns the conduct of the student who, rather than separating the two students fighting, and or reporting same to the authorities immediately, instead, concentrated on video-recording the incident.
“Babcock University will continue to create a safe environment, as well as uphold its values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among our students.
“We are committed to pursuing our goal to nurture and raise God-fearing leaders for Nigeria and beyond.”
A loving mother who struggled with lockdown took her own life as she was haunted by flashbacks of a gang r*pe.
Nicola McIntyre, 32, had suffered from mental health issues since she was a child, but an inquest heard how lockdown and a 'betrayal,' by a work friend had an adverse effect on her wellbeing.
The shop worker, described as 'kind, loving and so much fun' by her two sisters, was found at her home in Anson Road, East Hull, on August 29 after taking a number of prescribed medications.
Hull Coroner's Court heard how the mother-of-one became 'deeply depressed,' after discovering her partner had slept with her friend.
The inquest heard how Ms McIntyre had struggled with her mental health after her parents split up when she was four-years-old.
The split 'changed her world,' according to her sister Sarah.
After leaving school aged 16 to become an apprentice hairdresser, Nicola went on to have a number of difficult relationships beginning aged 19.
The court heard how Nicola had a son, but the relationship with his father broke down.
She moved out of their flat and moved into a council house. She later moved into a house in Anson Road after meeting her latest partner.
After securing a new job, Nicola became friends with a colleague who she suspected was 'conspiring with' her partner. The court heard claims the friend later admitted to sleeping with him.
Around the same time, she started experiencing 'vivid memories and flashbacks' of a gang r*pe involving a group of men.
Sister Hayley Todd told the court: 'I could see that she was changing and becoming deeply depressed.
'She told me that she went to get help from multiple mental health charities. She told me that she felt that no one was helping and that she was failing.'
The court heard that Nicola was trying to get professional help to help with her problems but felt she was not getting the right care.
In the final month of her life, Nicola was unwell and frightened 'she would go nuts', according to Hayley.
She said the coronavirus lockdown also had an adverse effect on Nicola's mental health while difficulties in her circle of friends 'made her feel more anxious'.
On August 27, Hayley said Nicola seemed 'very happy' when the three sisters took part in a three-hour WhatsApp video call.
The call ended at 6pm and after making plans to meet up with sister Sarah for dinner the following week.
'I text "I love you" and she said it back and that was the last I heard from her,' Sarah said.
Sadly, both sisters were informed of Nicola's death just over a day later after she was discovered unresponsive in her home before being transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary where she was later pronounced dead.
Coroner Rosemary Baxter concluded Nicola had died as a result of suicide.
Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, the Presiding Bishop, Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, has been elected as the new National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) for a four-year tenure.
A statement by Kayode Oladeji, media aide to Mr. Wale-Oke, on Wednesday in Ibadan, said the cleric was unanimously elected by PFN National Advisory Council, on Tuesday, in Enugu.
Mr. Oladeji said Mr. Wale-Oke, who was the National Deputy President of the fellowship before his election, would take over from Rev. Felix Omobude, the General Superintendent of New Covenant Gospel Church, who had completed his tenure.
He added that Mr. Wale-Oke, who is also the proprietor of the Precious Cornerstone University, Ibadan, was elected as the seventh helmsman of the fellowship.
According to the statement, other elected officers of the fellowship are Archbishop John Praise Daniel of Dominion Chapel, Abuja, National Deputy President, Rev. Cosmas Ilechukwu of Charismatic Renewal Ministry, Owerri, National Secretary.
Rev. Sam Aboyeji of the Foursquare Gospel Church was elected as the National Treasurer. At the same time, Pastor John Ayodele of the Redeemed Christian Church of God emerged as the National Auditor.
Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu on Wednesday disclosed that the #EndSARS protesters who stormed his palace last year stole his $2 million and N17 million.
He spoke at the Glover Hall Memorial Commissioning, Lagos on Wednesday.
Akiolu told the people present at the event that he wanted to say it publicly that #EndSARS protesters stole $2 million and N17 million in his palace.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the completion and formal commissioning of the remodeled Glover Memorial Hall reflected government’s determination to rebuild Lagos, revamp historic/public assets and also develop the Entertainment, Creative, and Tourism Sector, which is one of the pillars of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
He said his administration was mindful of the fact that the tourism and entertainment sector is an integral part of socio-economic development, and the overall wellbeing of the citizens, which is why the sector would not be neglected in government’s drive to make Lagos a mega city.
Sanwo-Olu said although, the coronavirus pandemic and the mindless destruction which followed the EndSARS protests had a shattering impact on the economy, “we are Lagosians with the resilience, tenacity, strength and courage needed to overcome challenges and other vicissitudes. We are consolidating the gains of the past and charting fresh development trajectories for the future, with our focus on socio-economic gains that will outlive this administration.”
He said it was in line with this that government was providing the needed support for the entertainment and tourism sector to recover from the pandemic even as government provided the institutional framework for creative practitioners to excel and prosper.
“Today’s event signals a gradual return of activities within the tourism and entertainment sector. It is a boost for our creative practitioners and entertainers as well as the necessary catalyst for economic growth because if we properly harness our human and capital resources, tourism and entertainment will become major contributors to socio-economic growth and development.
“One of the ways in which we have been engendering economic growth is by channeling resources to productive sectors like the entertainment and tourism industry. We have, therefore, initiated several deliberate efforts and interventions to ensure that our creative practitioners are able to find their feet in the Post COVID-19 era.
“We have disbursed N1 billion to practitioners in the tourism, hospitality and entertainment sector as a financial stimulus to get the sector moving again and to overcome the challenges caused by the pandemic,” he disclosed.
Sanwo-Olu assured that the remodeled Glover Memorial Hall would not only boost activities in the entertainment and creative sector, but would also restore the glorious days when it served as a relaxation point for Lagosians, including those who live and work on the Island.
“It is a testament to a splendid past and an indicator of a more glorious future in which Lagosians have the jobs and opportunities that they require to flourish. On our part, we will not relent in fostering collaborative investments for the advancement of our shared prosperity,” he said.
Socio-political activist and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Aisha Yesufu has reacted to Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore’s appearance in court on Tuesday.
Sowore stormed the premises of a magistrate court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja with a supporter dressed as a native doctor.
The #RevolutionNow convener shared pictures of his arrival in court on Twitter with the title of Ola Rotimi’s book The Gods are Not to Blame as caption.
Reacting in a Twitter post of her own, Yesufu said Sowore is mad man and asking him what he was doing.
Court workers, journalists, policemen, and other visitors were stunned at the presence of Sowore’s ‘native doctor’, with many breaking out in laughter.
Sowore is standing trial along with others over allegation of unlawful assembly and incitement, following a protest in the Abuja.
Men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested four men who specialised in stealing mobile phones at ceremonies.
The four suspects were arrested last week during the inauguration ceremony of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu second term ceremony in Akure, Ondo State capital.
The four suspects who include Ojo Femi aged 30, Abiodun Adewale aged 45, Kayode Olarewaju aged 45 years, and Aiwole Kola aged 25, admitted to have stolen seven handset phones at the International Event and Cultural Centre known as the Dome.
The suspects who had escaped from the scene of the crime were apprehended by men of the Operation Scorpion Squad attached to the Ondo State government along the Ilesha-Akure road.
The four suspects were said to be heading to their various base in Oyo, Osun and Kwara states while all phones were recovered from them by the security operatives.
One of the suspects, Ojo, from Ibadan, Oyo State capital, who was found with six phones confessed to the crime and said it was one of his friend that gave him the phones, while Adewale claimed he picked the phone on the ground.
Ojo admitted that being a specialist in picking phones at parties and said he used to sell the phones from N8000 and above.
The Ondo State Police spokesman, Mr Tee-Leo Ikoro, said the suspects would soon be charged to court.
