PDP Visit Oba Of Benin Monarch Warns Against Godfatherism
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Tuesday urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to guide against the enthronement of godfatherism in the state.
The monarch made the call when five PDP governors paid him a courtesy visit at his palace in Benin.
He advised the governors not to let unscrupulous persons kill the party.
The governors that made the trip to the Oba’s palace were – Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Aminu Tanbuwal (Sokoto), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).
Obaseki was re-elected for another term of four years on September 19.
The monarch said: “I want to on this occasion plead with the PDP to guide against godfatherism and not to allow unscrupulous members kill your party. I will tell the PDP governors not to become hidden godfathers that will be controlling Governor Obaseki.
“All hands should be on deck to work for Edo State and Edo people everywhere they may be. This is where everybody will be proud to belong to. I said the whole world is watching Edo State and I thank God and our ancestors that the election came without any violence.â€
In his response, Governor Obaseki thanked the Oba and promised to rededicate himself to the service of Edo people.
Covid 19 Lagos State Govt Cancels Independence Day Parade
The government of Lagos State led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has cancelled an earlier scheduled parade for the Independence Day celebration.
This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso.
The statement further informed that other activities that would involve the gathering of more than 50 people were cancelled also.
The statement also quoted Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as urging Lagosians not to relax their vigilance against COVID-19.
It reads thus in part, “The Lagos State Government opted for a low key celebration of the 60th Independence Anniversary due to the ravaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still with us.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu directed that the planned parade and other activities that involve the gathering of more than 50 people should be cancelled.
“He congratulates Lagosians on this auspicious occasion and strongly advises that they should celebrate quietly at home and pray for the country. They should also observe the COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of face masks to protect themselves and their loved ones.
“The Governor urges Lagosians not to relax their vigilance against COVID-19 so as not to reverse the gains that the state has made in fighting the disease. They are to keep embracing physical distancing and washing of hands with soap and water. Anybody who feels unwell should stay indoors and contact health authorities.
“The police and other security agencies have been directed to ensure that nobody flouts these directives in the interest of all of us, especially now that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is warning that a second wave of the deadly disease could occur,†the statement added.
Court Sentence First Bank Staff To 98yrs In Prison For Stealing
A former staff of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Oreoluwa Adesakin, has been handed a cumulative 98 years in prison by Justice Muniru Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court for fraud.
Adesakin, female, was found to have committed financial fraud against her employers to the tune of N49.3 million and an additional $368,203 belonging to the bank which she converted to her personal use.
A statement by Wilson Uwujaren, Head Media and Publicity, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, said the woman was handed the jail term on Monday, September 28.
He said the convict was prosecuted by the Ibadan zonal office of the EFCC on 14-count charges, bordering on stealing, forgery and fraudulent accounting.
One of the charges read: “That you Oreoluwa Adesakin sometime between the months of May, 2013 and November, 2013, at Ibadan within the Ibadan Judicial Division, whilst being a staff of First Bank PLC stole the sum of N25,974,116.13 (Twenty Five Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Four Thousand, One Hundred and Sixteen Naira, Thirteen Kobo) from First Bank PLC MoneyGram Payment Naira Account, property of First bank PLC.â€
She pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which necessitated her trial.
Prosecution counsel, Usman Murtala in arguing his case, presented documents and witnesses which nailed the convict.
The judge noted that the EFCC amassed a pool of incontrovertible evidence against the convict and did a diligent investigation and prosecution. He pronounced Adesakin guilty of all the charges, sentencing her to seven years in prison without an option of fine on each of the 14 counts, which will run concurrently.
Apart from the jail term, the convict is also to restitute First Bank, through the EFCC, all the money she stole.
The convict was first arraigned on April 4, 2014 by the EFCC following conclusion of investigations against her which arose from a petition from her former employer, dated December 18, 2013.
The bank alleged in the petition that Adesakin, as its Money Transfer Operator, saddled with the responsibility of effecting payments through Western Union Money Transfer and Money Gram platforms, fraudulently manipulated accounting and withdrew the total sums of N49,320,652.32 and another $368,203.00 for herself, which the bank only uncovered while reviewing its internal account.
The EFCC was also able to establish that the convict used part of the proceeds of her crime to acquire landed properties in different parts of Oyo State.
80 Passengers Test Positive To Covid 19
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday said 80 international travellers tested positive when a repeat test was conducted on them after their arrival in the country.
The Federal Government has also expressed fears that there might be a spike in COVID-19 positive cases as schools and businesses reopen in the country.
The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr. Sani Aliyu disclosed this on Tuesday at the briefing of the PTF, while justifying the repeat COVID-19 test being conducted on international travellers after seven days of their arrival to the country.
According to him, a significant number of 80 out of the 2,403 tests carried out when the exercise began turned out to be positive, adding that this was despite the fact that the travelers who tested positive arrived in the country with a negative PCR test.
“Of the 2,403 passengers that were tested in Lagos when we started the exercise, 80 were positive. Meanwhile, they had negative COVID-19 PCR test,†he said.
He further said that the repeat test would have been unnecessary if the country had “a system of enforcement of isolation such that everybody coming into the country self-isolated effectively for two weeks.â€
He however warned foreign travelers to pay to only laboratories on the travel portal of the government for their repeat tests.
Read also: COVID-19: NCDC warns against virus explosion, decries inadequate testing
“No Federal Government agency is receiving these funds. The negotiation for the cost is between the state governments and the private labs themselves.
“The charges range between N35,600 for the Kano portal which we are just about to operationalise to N50,400 for Lagos.â€
Also, on Tuesday at the PTF briefing, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, raised fears about a possible surge in the number of COVID-19 cases unless there would be a scale-up surveillance and review of its response plan to integrate new ways to deal with the disease.
He however said the number of active cases had continued to drop as it revised the discharge criteria in line with new knowledge of the disease.
Ehanire said: “As business and schools begin to open and as travels begin to pick up, we fear that we may have a surge in the number of cases unless we scale up surveillance and review our response plan to integrate new ways to deal with the disease.â€
The minister also appealed to state governments “to continue to ensure that we step up case findings, sample collection and testing.
“A total of 58,460 confirmed cases have been recorded as of today, September 29, 2020 with 49,895 cases treated and discharged. This result is from a total of 509,555 persons tested for COVID-19.
“Sadly, the number of deaths as a result of the disease has since crossed the 1,100 mark with 1,111 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory..â€
The Ozone ship promises to sail for long as Ozo linked up with the family of his love interest, Nengi, after the Big Brother Naija show was over.
A few hours ago, Nengi was captured blowing Ozo kisses in a live video session to confirm that they have made up hours Nengi vowed to end her friendship with Ozo for ignoring her at the last BBNaija housemates party.
Photos that surfaced from their camp indicated that Ozo was introduced to Nengi’s aunt and some relatives of her at it is clear, Nengi’s family would want to have a man like Ozo in their family.
10 Gunmen Invade Church Fatally Shoots Elder In Akwa Ibom
Gunmen in Inen Ikot Esse village, Oruk Anam local government area, Akwa Ibom state have invaded a Church and fatally shot one member.
The victim, Elder Friday Ufenang, said to be the secretary of his church (name withheld) was shot during the attack and is in critical state in hospital.
It was gathered that on Sunday, the gunmen alleged to be cultists stormed the church premises at about 7:05 am and went straight to the vestry where church officers were praying before the commencement of service.
A witness, Mr Sunday Ibanga told our correspondent on Tuesday in Uyo that the elder was accosted and shot severally in the head, and afterwards was left to die.
The shooting forced other members to flee for safety, while some had to lay low as the assailants continued to shoot.
Narrating the incident, Ibanga said the new pastor posted to the church to assume duty that Sunday was the one who evacuated the victim to the hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, the wife of the victim identified as Mrs Iniobong Ufenang said the victim left for church early in the morning to attend to his duties, and left her and the children at home.
She said while preparing to join her husband in the church, she heard screams outside their compound from people who informed her that her husband has been shot.
Nigeria At 60 Govt To Close All Roads Leading To Eagle Square
The statement read: “Ahead of the parade to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary on Thursday, 1 October 2020, measures have been put in place to further enhance security in and around the venue, Eagle Square, Abuja.
“From midnight on Wednesday, 30 September 2020, all routes leading to the Eagle Square will be blocked.
“Consequently, Shehu Shagari Way, Ahmadu Bello Way, outward and inward-bound Airport Roads and adjoining roads will be blocked to traffic.
“Also, the Federal Secretariat Complex will be evacuated by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 30 September 2020, which means all workers within the precinct of the Eagle Square are expected to vacate their offices from that time.â€
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