Badminton star decries poor facilities

Nigeria’s number one badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, has said that he respects Mauritian foe and Africa’s number one, Georges Julien Paul, but believes he can give him a run for his money if he also trains in world-class facilities like the world’s number 78.

African number two Opeyori, silver medalist at the 2020 African Badminton Championship in Egypt, insists Paul has an edge over him because of his exposure to top-class training facilities in Malaysia.

“The edge he has is the facility, training in a world class facility in Malaysia. It is a challenge for me but, I am dedicated to what I do. And the federation too is trying a lot.

George trains in Malaysia, and he is exposed. You know, training in Malaysia and playing against the former number one, who is a Malaysian, will definitely give him the edge.

They still ask us how we did it, training in Africa and still rising in the world rankings. I just laugh, it is something of pride, we’re built for this and we have talents,” he told reporters.

Badminton’s fortune has risen in the country in recent times and Opeyori expects it to continue, recounting the promises made by sports minister, Sunday Dare, towards other sports in the country.

“In his statement, he said he is there to make all sports equal, there is going to be equal attention and, so we stand by what the Minister said. He knows what is going on in the sports world and he is ready to make it right.”

Cross River State Medical Association warns against resumption of religious gatherings

Earlier, Governor Ben Ayade had announced the lifting of ban on religious gatherings after about two months due to COVID-19 outbreak.

The Nigerian Medical Association, Cross River State branch, has warned the state government against the opening of religious activities. The association also called for more testing of suspected persons in the state.

Governor Ben Ayade had announced the lifting of ban on religious gatherings after about two months due to COVID-19 outbreak. Ayade said he made the decision after plea from religious leaders.

Reacting to the lifting of the ban, the medical association urged the state government to review its policy, saying the guideline for the reopening of worship centres goes against the social distance guideline. The group said,

“Our concern is that the order stipulates the number of worshippers to be limited to the sitting capacity of the church/mosque.

The usual sitting capacity of most worship centres does not allow for physical distancing of at least one metre that reduces the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

We advise that this policy should be reviewed, taking into cognisance physical distancing and local peculiarities of various worship centres.”

Frowning against the low number of tests carried out in the state, the medical association said the Cross River State Government currently had no listed NCDC designated Molecular Laboratory Testing Centre in progress or completed on the NCDC Molecular Laboratory Network.

It added that the only available NCDC Laboratory catchment for Coronavirus testing for Cross River State is at Irrua, Edo State. It added,

“Irrua is about 447.9km (7h 50min) from Calabar when compared to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, another testing centre that is 188.9km (3h 17min) from Calabar, which also shares a boundary with Cross River State.

The present situation makes sample transportation very expensive and cumbersome occasioned by restrictions in interstate movement.

We use this medium to call on NCDC to change the testing centre of Cross River State from Irrua to Abakaliki."

Journalist arrested, charged to court for allegedly criticising Lai Mohammed

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned a journalist, Rotimi Jolayemi, also known as Oba Akewi, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

Jolayemi was arrested on May 6 over a poem, which was considered critical of Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Before the journalist turned himself in to the police, the minister ordered the arrest of his wife, Mrs Dorcas Jolayemi, and two of the media practitioner’s brothers, John and Joseph, who were all locked up for eight, nine and two days respectively.

We gathered that the police filed a one-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/104/2020 against the journalist on May 22, 16 days after he was detained.

The offence, according to the police, was contrary to section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015. The charge sheet reads,

“That you Jolayemi Oba Akewi ‘m’ aged 43 years on or another the 14th day of April, 2020 at Osola compound Ekan nka, Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court did send a audio message through your android phone device to a group WhatsApp platform known as “Ekan Sons and Daughters” and which went viral immediately after it was posted for the purpose of causing annoyance, insult, hatred and ill will go the current Hon. Minister of Information and Culture, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Culture committed an offense contrary to section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.”

Lagos State discharges 45 COVID-19 patients

The Lagos State Government has discharged 45 COVID-19 patients from its isolation facilities to reunite with the society after making full recovery and testing negative twice.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known in a statement on Saturday.

Sanwo-Olu said 19 of the patients were discharged from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba, three from Onikan, eight from Agidingbi, seven from Lekki, one from Eti-Osa and seven from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH Isolation Centre.

He said the latest figures brings the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from the state’s isolation facilities to 707. He said,

“19 are from the Mainland Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba; three from Onikan; eight from Agidingbi; seven from Lekki; one from Eti-Osa (LandMark) and seven from Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Isolation Centres.

With this, the number of patients successfully managed and discharged from our Isolation facilities has risen to 707.

As we look forward to more great news in the coming days, I urge you all to take responsibility and play your part for a #COVID19FreeLagos #ForAGreaterLagos.”

Activist exposes Chief Judge's involvement in child trafficking

Human rights activist, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has accused the Chief Judge of Delta State, Marshal Umukoro, of victimisation by evicting him from his house over child trafficking allegation he levelled against him.

Aghogho alleged that he was unlawfully evicted from his rented apartment on Friday in the Abraka area of the state by court baliffs, members of Abraka vigilante and Divisional Police Officer of Abraka Police Station, Hassan Jimoh, on the orders of Justice Umukoro.

Reports uncovered how the Chief Judge was working in conjunction with Emmanuel Dolor in trafficking children from the state.

He said in a bid to silence him and sweep the allegation under the carpet, the Chief Judge decided to hijack his case with suit number UNACC/384T/18, which bordered on tenancy matter at Ughelli North Area Customary Court in the state.

The activist alleged that Justice Umukoro forwarded all his petitions calling for the probe of child trafficking allegations by the National Judicial Commission to Chairman of the Area Customary Court, Attienie Harrison, and Department of State Service in Asaba. He said,

"The case upon which the unlawful eviction of 22/5/2020 was relied upon is still pending at NJC with a petition dated 7/10/19 and another dated 26/11/19 at the Code of Conduct, Abuja, with the said Ughelli North Area Customary Court Chairman among the subjects.

Same case is still pending at the High Court of Justice, Ughelli, with suit number UHC/63/2020 where both the CJN and Delta State CJ are parties.

This is a ploy by the CJN/NJC to silence me in order to permanently kill the allegation of child trafficking levelled against the CJN/NJC and Delta State Chief Judge."

Aghogho alleged that all adoption procedures in the state were in gross violation of the Child Right Act 2003 vis-a-vis the Delta State Child Right law 2008 and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.

He added that the Ministry of Women Affairs in the state under the supervision of the Delta State Judiciary headed by Umukoro was using the following bank accounts: ECO Bank 2152023855, Zenith Bank 1011047631, for the purpose of child trafficking/illegal adoption of children in the state.

The activist also said that his life was in danger as he had been threatened with arrest. He therefore called on Nigerians and international community to come to his aid in safeguarding the life of innocent children being sold by government officials.

Breaking : 64 bank accounts linked to BVN of Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly

At least 64 bank accounts have been discovered to be linked to the Bank Verification Number of Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa.

We discovered that the accounts registered with various names, are being used to siphon public funds in Lagos.

The BVN: 2296663231, reveals that Obasa operates accounts with multiple names in Polaris Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank and Wema Bank.

To conceal his identity, the Speaker changed his name and date of birth in some of the accounts.

Aside from using Ajayi Mudashiru Obasa, he also used Obasa Abdulrahman Gbadunola and Gabriel Adedoyin Savage to register some of the bank accounts.

Some of the companies linked to the BVN include Adesav International Ventures, Fabric Splash Ventures, Swifthill international Ventures and Quick Solution International.

Others are Quick solution International Ventures, White Honey Enterprises, Cream on Ice Services, A.B DELCO Nigeria Company, and Fabric Splash Ventures, Skye-Macosh Company, Swifthill International Ventures, Silver Section Global, Davedab Global Ventures and Jose-Macosh Company and De Kingrun.

In a series of reports in recent weeks, we found out how Obasa awarded contracts to himself using different companies owned by him and how he got the Assembly to approve N258m for printing of invitation cards for the inauguration of lawmakers two months after the event held.

The online publication also exposed how he approved various sums running into several millions of through various guises.

UN Sec-Gen hails Africa's response to COVID-19

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has described Africa’s response to the Coronavirus outbreak as remarkable.

Guterres in a statement said most African countries have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures as measures to tackle the virus. The statement said,

“The African continent’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable lessons for the rest of the world in meeting this challenge. Most African countries have moved rapidly to deepen regional coordination, deploy health workers and enforce quarantines, lockdowns and border closures.

Governments and health authorities are also drawing on the experience of HIV/AIDS and Ebola to debunk rumours and overcome mistrust of officials, security forces and health workers.

Nonetheless, continued vigilance and preparedness are critical as the virus remains a threat to life, livelihoods and health across the continent.

Many countries across the continent have enjoyed strong economic growth in recent years. Standards of living have risen; the digital revolution has taken hold; and the African Continental Free Trade Area is moving from vision to reality.

This is now at risk, as COVID-19 aggravates long-standing inequalities and deepens hunger, malnutrition and vulnerability to disease. Millions could be pushed into extreme poverty. Tourism, remittances and demand for Africa’s commodities are already declining, and the opening of the trade zone has been delayed.

The United Nations, and I personally, stand in total solidarity with the people and governments of Africa, and with the African Union, in tackling COVID-19. UN agencies, country teams, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian workers are providing training, expertise and other support. United Nations solidarity flights have delivered millions of test kits, respirators and other supplies.

The policy brief just issued by the United Nations calls for urgent international action to strengthen Africa’s health systems, maintain food supplies, support education, protect jobs, keep households and businesses afloat, and cushion the continent against lost income and export earnings”.

The UN Chief said since the start of the pandemic, he has called for a global response package amounting to at least 10 per cent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product. In his words,

“For Africa, that means more than $200 billion as additional support from the international community. I also continue to advocate a comprehensive debt framework -- starting with an across-the-board debt standstill for countries unable to service their debt, followed by targeted debt relief and a comprehensive approach to structural issues in the international debt architecture to prevent defaults.

It will also be essential for African countries to sustain their efforts to silence the guns and address violent extremism – and I welcome African support for my call for a global ceasefire. Political processes and elections in the coming months offer potential milestones for stability and peace.

And African countries, like all countries, must have quick, equal and affordable access to any eventual vaccine and treatment for COVID-19. These must be considered global public goods.

Women will be central to every aspect of the response. Stimulus packages must prioritize putting cash in the hands of women, increasing social protection and targeting them for grants and loans. Creating jobs, training and educational opportunities for Africa’s young people must be another central goal.

Many difficult decisions will need to be taken as the pandemic unfolds; it will be essential for governments and health authorities to build and retain the trust and participation of their citizens. The response to this pandemic must be based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and the dignity and equality of all.

These are still early days for the pandemic in Africa, and disruption could escalate quickly and spread uncontrollably. Global solidarity with Africa is an imperative – now, and for recovering better.”

Davido splashes N1m on boy who edited his picture with Wizkid

Davido has sent the sum of N1million to Ayo Africa, the boy who edited the controversial photo of Wizkid and himself.

In a video shared via his Instagram page on Saturday May 23, 2020, the young man in question couldn't hide his joy as he was flanked by his relatives who thanked the music star for the kind gesture.

Davido went on to shower praises on the young man who edited the now-controversial photo.

"Your glory will shine because of the awesome, GRACE, and POWER of OLORUN OBA! May you continue to enjoy IFOKANBALE, In Jesus' Name. Amen. @ayofrica," he wrote.

It would be recalled that on Friday May 22, 2020, AyoAfrica had posted the edited photo of Wizkid and Davido on social media.

The photo soon gained a lot of attention after Davido reposted it via his social media pages.

The music star went on to tag the photo with the caption ''The 2 greatest of all time! No Cap."

Angry Lady Storms Church Of Popular Nigerian Pastor Who Raped her sister

An angry lady has called out a popular Nigerian Pastor who raped her younger sister till she became unconscious in Delta State.

According to Debbie who is the elder sister of the victim, the pastor, Bishop Elijah Orhonigbe of victory revival fasting and prayers ministry based in Okumagba street in warri, is now on the run after committing the dastardly act.

Debbie who took to her Instagram page to share the heartbreaking story, also revealed that her sister is still currently hospitalized and recovering from the ordeal.

"Lockdown won't go longer than necessary" – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the lockdown put in place to reduce the spread of coronavirus in the country would not go longer than necessary.

The president said this in a statement issued ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

In his Sallah message, the president told the Muslim faithful to keep their spirits up in spite of the challenges. He said,

“The lockdown measures would not go on longer than necessary because they would be reviewed from time to time to ease the increasing hardships on the people.

I am well aware of the inconveniences these tough measures have brought on the lives of Nigerians, including limiting religious activities and gatherings in large numbers.

No government would intentionally impose these tough and demanding measures on its citizens if it had a choice.”

Buhari also appealed to Nigerian whose businesses and means of livelihoods were badly affected by the prolonged lockdown measures for their understanding and cooperation. He said,

“For the first time in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the people’s spiritual, social, and economic lives.

This year’s fasting period was particularly challenging for Muslims because they had to forgo many important aspects of their daily worship, including the routine congregations for prayer and the recitation and interpretation of the Holy Qur’an as well as travelling for the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah.

It is not easy to give up many of these important duties and activities, but it became imperative to do so in order to control or limit the spread of this deadly disease.”