1. The Federal Government, yesterday, promised to provide necessary equipment for the ongoing war against Boko Haram in the northeast. Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi stated this yesterday when he led service Chiefs on a visit to Maiduguri, theatre of military operation against Boko Haram.
2. Former Anambra State governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, on Sunday said support has been coming from the North and South towards the realisation of Igbo presidency in 2023. He spoke at a grand reception organised by Igbo leaders in 19 northern states and FCT for Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, George Obiozor, in Abuja.
3. Following the alleged link to Taliban and Al-Qaeda, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami. The party made the call in a tweet yesterday.
4. Mobile policemen in Niger State, on Sunday, killed six bandits during a gun battle in Garkogo, Shiroro local government area of the State. The officers were stationed at Garkogo town after persistent attacks on the people by the bandits in recent times.
5. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), yesterday, condemned the reaction of the army to the killing of 12 soldiers allegedly by bandits in Koshinsha Local Government Area of Benue State. National Chairman of the forum, Chief Audu Ogbe stated this in a statement, on Sunday.
6. The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, yesterday, accused their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterparts under the Progressive Governors forum (PGF) of being partisan in their response to Governor Godwin Obaseki’s claim that the FG printed N60 billion to support allocations. The forum stated this in a statement by its Director General, Cyril Maduabum.
7. The Federal Government on Sunday, said it is working hard to improve national security and prevent all secession tendencies. Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed spoke in Lagos when he appeared on a radio programme.
8. Tanker explosion in Oshigbudu, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, yesterday, claimed the lives of many residents of the community, just as shops and houses were also razed by the inferno.
9. Two suspected drug traffickers have excreted 191 pellets of heroin and cocaine while under observation at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, made this known yesterday.
10. Defence Minister Bashir Magashi on Sunday challenged troops to step up the fight against terrorists by becoming more daring and should not be afraid of “the bullet.” He spoke during a morale-boosting visit to the troops in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
11. You’re A Pathetic Liar, Not To Be Taken Seriously – Jonathan Camp Replies Babangida
The camp of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has lambasted the ex-governor o Niger state, Babangida Aliyu, for claiming he had an agreement with northern Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors not to run in 2015.
Jonathan challenged the former Niger governor to name witnesses that witnessed the said agreement.
It will be recalled as earlier reported that Aliyu while reacting to his suspension by the PDP in Chachanga Local Government Area of Niger, said the North would have lost out completely if Jonathan got reelected.
Aliyu who was the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum said after northern governors supported Jonathan to complete the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the former president was still allowed to contest in 2011.
He said PDP governors in northern states opposed Jonathan’s bid for a second term because he reneged on their agreement not to seek another tenure.
“Since this was against the grain of our earlier agreement in the party, and which we the governors in the north felt the North would have been shortchanged if Jonathan had succeeded, we rose stoutly to insist on the agreement we all had,” he had said.
But reacting in a statement on behalf of Jonathan sent to THISDAY, Reno Omokri, said there was no agreement whether oral or written between Jonathan and PDP northern governors.
12. Buhari Tolerating Rubbish From Some Nigerians – Bello Masari
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has said President Muhammadu Buhari has been tolerating rubbish from some people.
In an interview with Television Continental (TVC), Masari said while some other leaders could not stand harsh criticisms, Buhari has been tolerant.
However, Masari, who is the governor of Buhari’s home state of Katsina, did not name the people the president is tolerating their ‘rubbish’.
While insisting that Buhari has not reneged on his campaign promises, the Katsina governor stated that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remains Nigeria’s most reliable party.
13. Drama As PDP NWC Rejects Musa Kwankwaso’s Suspension
The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the suspension of a former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Earlier reported that a faction of the Kano PDP loyal to a former foreign affairs minister, Aminu Wali, had suspended Kwankwaso for allegedly disrupting the party’s recent northwest congress.
But in a statement on Sunday, PDP national spokesman, Kola Ologbodiyan, dismissed the suspension which he described as “mere fabrication.”
14. 774,000 Jobs: FG Begins Payment Of Stipends
The Federal Government has begun the partial payment of the N20,000 monthly stipend to the 774,000 beneficiaries of the Special Public Works programme.
The Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), disclosed this in a statement on Sunday titled, ‘NDE commences partial payment of SPW stipends.’
Recall that workers had complained about the delayed payment of their stipends which the government attributed to the mismatch of Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and other details supplied by the beneficiaries.
But in his Twitter handle, Festus Keyamo said Access Bank has verified accounts for payment while the National Directorate of Employment has commenced payment into accounts with the bank.
According to him, the government was waiting for Zenith, UBA, FCMB, Fidelity, Heritage, and Yobe Micro-finance Banks to settle their issues.
15. EFCC Warns Nigerians Over Fake Bawa’s Twitter Handles
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has warned the public of the emergence of fake Twitter accounts, linked to its chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa by criminal elements.
The EFCC disclosed this in a statement signed by the commission’s head of media and publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, on Sunday.
According to the anti-graft agency, some of the fake Twitter accounts include @AbdurasheedBawa, @AbdulrBawa, @AbdulRashidBaw1 and @AbdulRashidBawa1.
The EFCC pointed out that the @AbdulRashidBaw1 handle has witnessed a steady stream of followers, an indication that many have been hoodwinked into believing they were dealing with the EFCC chair.
16. Army Arrests Boko Haram Informant That Helped Terrorists Attack Military Base
The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of a Boko Haram informant that gave out information to terrorists which assisted them in attacking a military base in Yobe State.
The spokesperson of the Army, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima in a statement made available on Sunday gave the name of the informant as Modu Ari.
The statement added that Ari was arrested by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade attached to Operation Lafiya Dole.
The Army statement confirmed an earlier report by this online news platform that ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kumuya military base in Yobe State.
The terrorists attacked when some special forces of the 27 Task Force Brigade, deployed at Buni Gari had gone out on clearing Patrol in the axis.
17. Wike Reveals Why Obaseki Is Right That FG Printed N60bn
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki knows what he’s saying about the alleged printing of N60 billion by the federal government to augment the March allocation to states.
Wike while declaring his position on the matter, called on the federal government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to tell Nigerians the truth about what happened.
He accused the CBN of failing to address the allegation made by Obaseki, but rather beating around the bush to confuse Nigerians.
Wike noted that Obaseki was an insider within the All Progressives Congress (APC) who understands how the party operates and therefore couldn’t have gone public with his allegations without having facts.
The Rivers State Governor made his views known on Sunday at the dedication of Senator Rochas Okorocha’s grandson.
18. BBOG Release Names Of 112 Chibok Schoolgirls Still In Boko Haram Captivity
112 Chibok schoolgirls still remain in the captivity of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents after their school was attacked on April 14, 2014.
Recall that Boko Haram insurgents invaded Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state and abducted 276 schoolgirls preparing for their final year examination.
Among them, 164 have either escaped, been released or found — but seven years down the line, 112 girls still remain in the custody of the insurgents.
On Saturday, the Lagos arm of Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) which has been at the forefront of the campaign for the return of the abducted students held a sit-out in the Ikoyi area of the state to mark the seventh anniversary of the abduction.
During the sit-out, the group provided the names of the 112 Chibok girls still in Boko Haram custody.
19. Boko Haram: UN Suspends Operations In Dikwa, Damasak
The United Nations (UN) has announced that it will temporarily suspend its humanitarian operations in Dikwa and Damasak in Borno state following consistent Boko Haram attacks in those areas.
This was made known in a statement to newsmen on Saturday by the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon.
Giving reasons for the suspension, Kallon stated that the UN wants to safely relocate its humanitarian staff to other locations.
20. Oil Companies Can’t Relocate Headquarters To Niger Delta Because….. – FG Declares
The federal government of Nigeria has declared that multinational oil companies can’t move their headquarters to the Niger Delta except peace can be guaranteed in the area.
This position was declared on Sunday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva who noted that the oil companies need assurance that their investments would be safe before they can be compelled to move their headquarters as been demanded by the oil-producing states.
Sylva was reported to have said this in his speech obtained by journalists on Sunday in Abuja delivered after his induction as patron and conferment of the peace ambassadors award on him by the Niger Delta Non-Violence Agitators Forum.
The Minister, therefore, enjoined all stakeholders to work towards achieving and sustaining peace in the oil-producing Niger-Delta areas.
21. 12 Top European Football Clubs Agree To Found New Super League
Twelve top European football clubs have agreed to found a Super League as soon as possible, the clubs announced in a joint statement late on Sunday.
The founding clubs of the mid-week league were listed to include English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.
22. FA Cup: Iheanacho Sends Leicester Into Final To Face Chelsea (VIDEO)
Leicester reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 52 years as Kelechi Iheanacho's solitary goal earned a 1-0 win over Southampton in front of 4,000 fans at Wembley on Sunday.
The biggest crowd for a football match in England for 13 months was made up of key workers and local residents as part of a test event for the return of fans in bigger numbers in the coming weeks.
23. Policemen ‘Took Turns To Beat Me’, Mr Macaroni Narrates Ordeals In Custody
Popular comedian Debo Adebayo popularly known as Mr. Macaroni has recounted his ordeals in the hands of the Nigerian police after he was arrested alongside some protesters during the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest in February.
The entertainer had joined hundreds of protesters who kicked against the proposed reopening of the Lekki Toll Gate after the shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters on October 20, 2020.
24. #PantamiResignsNow Gains Momentum Over Minister’s Comment On Al-Qaeda, Taliban
Nigerians are mounting pressure on the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, to resign his ministerial position over controversial comments he was reported to have made in the past in support of global terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban
The Minister had earlier renounced his past controversial comments on terrorist groups, including Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
25. Buhari Celebrates Former IG At 75
President Muhammdu Buhari has congratulated the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Musiliu Smith, on his 75th birthday.
The president, in a congratulatory message issued by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday, described Smith as an outstanding officer who had served Nigeria with great zeal.
26. Only Guinea Pigs Take COVID-19 Vaccine — Oyedepo
The founder and presiding Bishop of the megachurch Faith Tabernacle, Bishop David Oyedepo has said only guinea pigs take COVID-19 vaccine.
Oyedepo, who spoke during the church’s Covenant Hour of Prayer programme on Sunday, said he is not a guinea pig, hence would not take the vaccine.
27. Edo 2020: Highs And Lows Of 20th National Sports Festival
The 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) tagged Edo 2020 in Benin City ended last Wednesday after 12 days of fierce competition in 39 events. Delta State emerged the overall winner, extending their dominance in Nigeria's mini-Olympic games.
It’s the third consecutive time Delta State, who first won the festival in 2004, would be champion in the competition.
28. COVID-19 Infections In India Soar, Over 200,000 Latest Cases Reported
261,500 new cases of the coronavirus were reported in India on Sunday, the fourth consecutive day of over 200,000 infections, the highest since the outbreak of the pandemic.
The latest tally comes from a CNN report and was revealed by the Indian Ministry of Health, with 1,501 deaths (the highest number in almost ten months).
29. Hip Hop Star Black Rob Passes Away At 51
Just about a week after the passing of rapper DMX, the American hip hop community has again been thrown into mourning following the death of Black Rob.
The sad news was shared by close friends of the Black Rob who posted about his passing on social media, roughly a week after a video clip surfaced showing him in a hospital bed.
30. IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu Vows To Sacrifice Anything For Biafra Freedom
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has vowed never to back down on the struggle for Biafra freedom.
The IPOB leader said he had sacrificed his parents for the Biafran agitation and was ready to do more for the struggle.
31. ‘Obaseki was in APC. He understands them,’ Wike defends Edo gov on N60bn controversy
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday leapt to the defence of his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, on the N60 billion controversy.
2. Sanwo-Olu blames Yar’Adua, Jonathan for delay in Lagos light-rail project
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, blamed the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua’ and ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administrations for the delayed take-off of the state’s light rail project.
33. Nigerian govt to recruit more soldiers to tackle insurgency, banditry
The Federal Government on Sunday declared its intention to commence the recruitment of more soldiers to fight the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry in the country.
34. IPOB threatens to launch ESN in northern Nigeria, reaffirms rejection of new South-East outfit
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday threatened to launch its security outfit, the Eastern Security Network in the Northern part of Nigeria soon.
35. APC, PDP govs disagree as controversy over alleged printing of N60bn by Nigerian govt rages
The Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) has reacted to the allegation that the Federal Government mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria to print between N60 billion to bridge the shortfall in revenue allocation to the three tiers of government in March.
36. Nigerians to pay more for fuel as govt moves to fulfill World Bank’s terms for $3.4bn loan
Nigerians are now expected to pay more for petrol after the Federal Government resolved to end fuel subsidy in a bid to secure the World Bank’s approval for a $3.4 billion loan.
37. Mobile network operators demand payment of USSD charges by banks
MTN Nigeria, Airtel and other telecommunications companies in Nigeria on Sunday accused commercial banks in the country of charging their customers for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) usage without remitting commission to the network providers.
38. Two suspected drug traffickers excrete 191 pellets of cocaine, heroin at Lagos airport
Two suspected drug traffickers arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, have excreted 191 pellets of cocaine, heroin.
39. UN suspends humanitarian operations in Borno communities
The United Nations has suspended humanitarian operations in Damasak and Dikwa areas of Borno State over incessant terror attacks targeting its workers and volunteers.
40. Iheanacho fires Leicester to first FA Cup final since 1969
Super Eagles forward, Kelechi Iheanacho scored the decisive goal as Leicester City pipped Southampton to reach the FA Cup final.
*PLS. BE INFORMED..*
*26 new cases of # COVID19Nigeria ;*
Ebonyi-10
Lagos-9
FCT-2
Kano-2
Osun-2
Oyo-1
164,233 confirmed
154,332 discharged
2,061 deaths
A breakdown of cases by state can be found via
http://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng
#TakeResponsibility
Compiled by Abdurrahman Ahmad Katsina.
08036958490.
