Eid El Fitri : FG declares Monday and Tuesday public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark Eldi Fitri Celebration. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in Abuja.

Aregbesola congratulated all Muslim faithful for successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

A statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mohammed Manga, quoted Aregbesola as calling on Muslim faithful to replicate the life of kindness, love, tolerance, peace and good neighbourliness as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

The Minister however expressed his concern about the spate of ethnic conflicts that has resurfaced in some parts of Northern Nigeria in recent times.

He advised Nigerians to see themselves as a single entity and learn to tolerate one another despite their ethnic and religious differences.

Aregbesola further assured Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was fully committed to battling COVID-19.

While commending the security agencies for the successes so far recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, he advised Nigerians to take responsibility against the spread of the COVID-19.

The Minister reminded Muslims to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.

Davido, Burna Boy to feature in Idris Elba’s Africa Day Benefit Concert

Nigeria’s A-list musicians, Davido and Burna Boy, are lining up alongside other African music stars to perform at an online concert to be hosted by Hollywood actor, Idris Elba.

Tagged ‘African Day Benefit Concert at Home,’ the concert is being held to celebrate the African Union which was established on May 25, 1963 to fight colonialism.

It is also a humanitarian effort to raise funds for those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The concert will be streamed on Africa’s giant music channel, MTV Base Africa, and YouTube on Monday, a statement by organisers said on Wednesday.

“The two-hour special will raise funds to support food and health needs for children and families in Africa affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the World Food Programme and UNICEF who are supporting COVID-affected communities across Africa,” the statement read.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the potential impact of COVID -19 on food security in Africa is likely to exacerbate the already existing burden of malnutrition.

As of Thursday morning, more than 95,000 people have been infected with the virus in Africa with 2,995 deaths resulting from it.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, in a press statement said the impact of the disease is expected to be greater among those grappling with food scarcity and malnutrition.

The World Food Programme (WFP) director for Southern Africa,Lola Castro, was also quoted in the statement as saying: 

“We are concerned about the prospect of COVID-19 causing a hunger catastrophe.”

Buoyed by this fear, the humanitarian concert seeks to tackle challenges of food shortage and health.

All funds raised will go to the World Food Program and the UNICEF who are supporting coronavirus-affected communities across Africa, according to the statement from YouTube and ViacomCBS Network Africa.

The concert will feature musical performances from Nigeria’s Burna boy, Davido, Adekunle Gold,Niniola, Tiwa Savage,Teni, Yemi Alade and Ricardo Banks, Benin’s Angelique Kidjo, Kenya’s Sauti Sol, South Africa’s Sho Madjozi.

Other African stars to be featured are Toofan, AKA, Diamond Platnumz, Fally Ipupa, Nasty C, Sho Madjozi, StoneBwoy, Bebe Cool, Busiswa, C4 Pedro, M.anifest, Salif Keita, DJ Maphorisa & KABZA De Small.

South African comedian Trevor Noah, reigning Miss Universe, Zozibini Tunzi are part of the concert’s line up presenters.

It will also feature messages from renowned personalities like Omari Hardwick, Ludacris, Sean Paul, Anthony Hamilton, Nomzamo Mbatha, Fat Joe, and Winston Duke, according to the organizers.

Rema calls Wizkid a legend, talks about his love life

On May 19, 2020, Nigerian singer, Rema took to his Instagram page to have a questions and answers session with his fans, The Ravers. During the session, he spoke about Wizkid, being broke and many more topics.

When a fan asked Rema that, “Does Wizkid inspire you? Do you like his sound?” 

Rema replied that, “A Legend, yes. Many legends have inspired this generation and part of our goal is to inspire the next. It's the only way our legacy can be preserved.” 

Another fan asked Rema for his advice to broke n*ggas and the singer replied that, “Change your mindset, change the laws that guide this realm, Watch your friends, believe in your vision, listen more, mind your business, sow your seeds, prepare for sacrifices to be made, stay patient, and most of all, act a fool and pray.” 

Rema then went on to state his take on negative side talks from the music industry, “The son of God was crucified even after the love he showed the people of this world. It didn’t stop him from fulfilling his promise. In fact, it was part of the purpose today that his legacy remains. Our new generation’s crucifixion takes place on the internet or in the gatherings of many men with envy in disguise. That won’t stop me from fulfilling my purpose.

I know of many legends who swarm in the rivers of love only to be hated today because of the life they lived behind closed doors. Fame can not make me pose on social media to be who I’m not just to be loved. I grew up different and it shared my personality for I will not succumb to the will of men for there will be no happiness to feed their thirst. We all sin but fame has made us even more vulnerable to the extent that sinners now count our sins, I guess it's part of the price.”

When a fan asked the 20-year-old Rema if he has ever had a girlfriend, Rema replied that he has, but he didn’t deserve her.

Lagos Doctors call off strike

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has asked its members in Lagos to return to work with effect from Thursday, May 21, 2020.

The NMA had asked its members to down tools following alleged police harassment of doctors as they commuted to and from work during a night curfew.

The curfew had been put in place to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, the NMA had said the curfew had left doctors confused because they were being harassed by police during curfew hours even though they should be exempt as ‘essential workers.’

That has now been cleared up after the police issued a statement late Wednesday.

The union of doctors says it has now received assurances that healthcare workers would be exempt from the curfew and would be allowed to move freely.

In a statement, the NMA Lagos branch said the industrial action “is hereby reversed and our members are hereby directed to resume work from 6 p.m. today”.

"Coronavirus cannot survive in Nigeria's hellfire temperature" - Ayade

Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade, says the coronavirus pandemic has become a business venture, and is being used to exploit Nigeria and other African countries..

While speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, May 21, Ayade said the test method lacks responsibility and reliability. He said,

"As a professor of science, I know that we're not customising the action plan that reflects our situation and originality. As a nation, you can't just throw money in the hands of manufacturers of test reagents just because you want to test. You only test when there's a suspicion that calls for concern."

The governor, elected for a second term last year, cast further doubt on the spread of the disease in Nigeria, repeating an already-disproved claim that the novel disease cannot survive in hot weather.

"Indeed, even our own temperature here is such that when you sneeze, if a virus escapes, it's escaping into hell fire because it can't stand the temperature of 32 degrees centigrade. Sometimes in Nigeria, we do up to 42 degrees," he said.

IK Osakioduwa celebrates birthday in style

Media personality, IK Osakioduwa turned 41 today and he turned up virtually. Posting some cute photos of himself, he wrote,

"41! And looking to do so much more than what I’ve already achieved. The future is looking lovely. Just wait. You’ll see. I’m prepped and ready to blow your minds. Thanks for all the love. The calls, texts, posts and presents. (I would thank those who called to sing, but some of those voices... it is well) No party, but I’m accepting presents. So let me know if you need my address for delivery of the cars, house papers, tickets and other humble gifts."

Teenage wife kills husband for trying to have sex with her

A 17-year old Bauchi teenager who confessed to Vanguard why she killed her husband said she didn’t know that sex is a marital obligation.

Salma Hassan, a resident of Itas-Gadau who was paraded at the Bauchi Police Command on Tuesday, revealed that she stabbed her husband when he wanted to make love to her, adding that she thought he wanted to defile her.

“I never knew that sex is a marital obligation. On that fateful night when he approached me for sex, I refused him because I have never been involved in it. I honestly thought he wanted to defile me. He later got angry and was trying to force himself on me with slaps and beating, then I picked up a knife to scare him away but he kept coming. I didn’t know when I stabbed him with the knife in his chest.

I have already given my statement. I don’t know what will happen to me now. But I wouldn’t have done what I did if I knew better,” she said.

According to a Police statement, a knife was recovered when they arrested Salma for culpable homicide at her home in Itas-Gadau.

“On the 24/04/2020 at about 0900hrs, one Haruna Musa ‘m’ of Itas-Gadau reported at Itas-Gadau Division, that one Salma Hassan ‘f’ 18yrs of the same address stabbed her husband, one Mohammed Mustapha on the chest. As a result, he sustained serious injury and was rushed to General hospital Itas–Gadau for treatment where he was certified dead. The suspect was arrested and has confessed to the crime. Exhibit recovered from the suspect was one knife,” the statement reads.

Youths protest over the murder of an only son

Youths of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State have gone on rampage following the death of one of their colleagues on Wednesday night.

They burnt fires at the old Onitsha -Enugu road, alleging Policemen killed their colleague while trying to enforce the curfew order.

The protest forced commuters to avoid the route as the State Police Command deployed its men to quell the situation.

The Enugwu-Ukwu axis of Ezi Elias was blocked by the angry youths in their numbers, stretching to Nimo community axis in the same Council Area.

The youths overwhelmed the policemen, which forced them to shooting sporadically in the air to disperse the adamant crowd.

The Nation gathered the victim was a barbing apprentice and an only son from Adagbe Avomimi village of Enugwu-Ukwu.

A source, who spoke with The Nation, said the young man was heading home from work around few minutes after 8pm when he was killed. According to him:

”As he was walking along Nimo road, he saw some policemen from Nimo station running after him to arrest him and he took to his heels.

In the cause of the drama, an oncoming shuttle bus knocked him down and instead of the police to rush him to the hospital, they took him to the station where he died.

We have lost about three youths in Anambra State in the name of enforcing lockdown and it’s related policies.

Officially, we have not recorded any coronavirus related death in Anambra State but we have had about three deaths from police enforcement concerning lockdown and Curfew directives in the state,” the source lamented

The Police Public Relations officer, Mohammed Haruna, confirmed the death. However, he said it was a case of fatal accident involving an old man, who according to him, was trying to run away from the presence of police because of the curfew but unfortunately ran into a moving vehicle.

He said not only the Command had deployed its men to maintain peace and order.

"We have uncovered plots to impose emergency rule on Rivers" - State Government

On Wednesday, the Rivers State Government said it uncovered plots by some ''disgruntled elements'' to impose an emergency rule on the state.

The government said some citizens of the state residing in Abuja were planning to cause a breakdown of law and order in the state to force the declaration of a state of emergency.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, in a statement released today May 20, said such persons started making such attempts from 2015.

Read the statement below:

“The Rivers State Government has uncovered plans by some citizens of the State who reside in Abuja to cause a breakdown of law and order in order to declare a State of Emergency. These persons whose attempts to declare State of Emergency in the State since 2015 have never succeeded because of God's intervention.

They did everything within their powers to ensure that the 2019 Governorship Election results were not announced but also failed. As the build up for the 2023 elections and jostle for Presidential and Vice-Presidential tickets is gathering momentum, they want to use COVID-19 to create a crisis as if the State is at war with the Federal Government.

They have decided to create unnecessary tension as if indigenes of Ahoada, Eleme and Port Harcourt are fighting with Northerners not to carry out their legitimate businesses".

Gregory Tyree Boyce and girlfriend used cocaine and meth to their death - Police

Twilight actor, Gregory Tyree Boyce who was known to use “cocaine and meth,” as a “white powder” was found at the death scene, police has claimed.

The American actor, 30, and his Nigerian girlfriend, Natalie Adepoju, 28, were “deceased for some time” when their roommate found them “beyond help” in the bedroom of their Las Vegas condo on May 13, a police report exclusively obtained by The Sun revealed.

According to the police report, officers found an unknown white powder substance on a nightstand, in addition to a straw and a plastic card next to their bodies.

The report continued that there was "no obvious signs of trauma to either subject” and that the bedroom was “not disturbed.”

According to the report, both Gregory and Natalie who were found lying naked on their backs in bed were "known to do harder drugs,” such as “cocaine and meth,” their roommate and Gregory’s mom told police.

Investigators said each body showed signs of rigor mortis and blood pooling.

The Public Information Officer for the Las Vegas Police Department told The Sun that there is no criminal investigation, but the Coroner’s Office will officially determine the cause and manner of death.