Obaseki presents nomination form to Buhari

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has presented his nomination form for re-election under the All Progressives Congress to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Obaseki made the presentation during a visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ahead of the APC governorship primary election scheduled for this month.

The governor, who addressed State House Correspondents on the purpose of the visit, said, 

“Even though Buhari is a father, it would be wrong to assume or take things for granted, so I have to formally inform (him).”

The governor also said over 300,000 Edo indigenes had been screened for COVID-19 out of the 500,000 targeted by the government.

He also vowed to ensure that the killers of the 100-level student of the University of Benin, Uwaila Omozuwa, were tracked and brought to justice, describing the crime as heinous.

COVID-19 shouldn't determine how churches worship - Chris Okotie

Rev Chris Okotie of the Household of God Church, says social distancing in the wake of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, should not be brought anywhere near the Church of God.

Religious places of worship, alongside schools, pubs, nightclubs and entertainment spots have been shut down by state and federal governments since March, as one of the measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Last Thursday, CAN issued a 10-point guideline which it intends to present to the federal government for approval.

CAN President, Rev Samson Ayokunle said the guidelines, drafted in compliance with the government’s efforts to tackle COVID-19, would determine the operations of churches when they reopen.

In his reaction, Okotie wonders why anyone should wear a face mask in church and why social distancing should be observed in places of worship.

He considers the protocols non-scriptural.

"Social distancing in the Church of Jesus Christ is tantamount to blasphemous infidelity and an impeachment of the integrity of the word of God,” Okotie said in a statement addressed to Ayokunle.

“Healing is fundamental to the redemptive work of Jesus. To allow the idol of coronavirus to determine the scope of congregational worship in the house of God is an abomination of gargantuan proportions,” he said.

“No true minister of the gospel will succumb to such travesty of the faith. This is a summary of my objections. I have sent this message hoping that you would respond as one who bears the burden of the cross of Jesus.

I have restrained myself from making a public outcry of this desecration and profanation out of respect for you and the CAN hierarchy. But be assured that this position is transient.”

President Buhari is clueless - Wizkid

In a series of tweets posted on his Twitter page today, Monday, June 1, 2020, Wizkid insinuated that Buhari is clueless.

The music star compared Buhari to his counterpart in the United States, Donald Trump. He tweeted,

"Buhari/Trump same person lol only difference be say one sabi use twitter pass the other. Clueless!".

The tweets of Wizkid may be connected to the recent protests in the United States of America and the rape and murder of a young student in Nigeria.

Derek Chauvin moved to one of the most secure prisons in the US

Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis cop charged with murdering George Floyd has been moved to one of the most secure prisons in the US that accepts most hated and high-risk inmates.

We confirmed in a report that Chauvin was transferred late Sunday to Oak Park Heights Prison, Minnesota's only Level Five maximum security facility. 

The 407-inmate prison boasts of never having had an escape and is also regarded as one of the country’s safest, having only had one homicide in its history.

The prison is located on the border with Wisconsin, between the cities of Bayport and Stillwater. Chauvin was due to appear in court on Monday but his appearance has been pushed back until June 8, due to the ongoing protests over George Floyd's death.

According to recent data released by the Minnesota Department of Corrections, the Oak Park Heights Prison currently houses 297 murderers, 69 sexual predators, and eight kidnappers. Some 46 percent of the prison population is black.

Majek Fashek passes away

Music legend, Majek Fashek gave up the ghost early in the morning of yesterday. May his soul find rest.

Italy: Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 3 months

The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy has reopened for the first time in more than three months.

To celebrate, doctors and nurses from local hospitals led a flashmob at the iconic sloping building!

They danced while wearing face masks and keeping social distance.

They wanted to commemorate those who had lost their lives to coronavirus and encourage visitors to the attraction once again.

Queen Elizabeth makes her first appearance since lockdown began

The Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth has made her first public appearance since lockdown in the UK began, on horseback.

The 94-year-old took Balmoral Fern, a 14-year-old fell pony, for a ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle, where she and the Duke of Edinburgh have been isolating.

She hasn’t stopped with official duties and delivered her message to the nation on VE Day last month, encouraging the country to “never give up, never despair”.

Curfew time changes as FG further eases restrictions

The federal government has further eased coronavirus induced restrictions which first kicked off on March 31.

Churches and mosques are now allowed to open their doors for worship in accordance with guidelines or protocols handed by state governments.

According to the president's new media aide, Tolu Ogunlesi, the following will now apply:

"Nationwide curfew remains in place, timing now 10pm—4am. (No longer 8pm to 6am).

Full opening of financial sector. That is, banks and the likes will now open all through normal working hours.

Restricted opening of places of worship, (regular church and mosque services ONLY), to be based on state govt protocols.

Interstate travel remains prohibited except for goods and essential travel.

Gathering of more than 20 persons remains prohibited; outside of workplaces and religious services.

The aviation industry has been requested to start developing protocols for domestic flights to possibly resume from June 21.

Schools are still shut."

During the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 briefing of Monday, Boss Mustapha, who is Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the PTF, announced that President Buhari had approved the relaxation of the ban for four weeks.

“The PTF submitted its recommendations and the president has approved the following for implementation over the next four weeks spanning 2nd – 29th June, 2020, subject to review.

Domestic flights to resume operations on June 21

Nigeria’s domestic airspace, shut in March in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is now set for a re-opening.

The federal government has asked the aviation sector to begin developing protocols that will lead to the resumption of domestic flights from June 21.

National coordinator of the presidential task force on COVID-19, Sani Aliyu, said during a briefing on Monday, June 1, that “the aviation industry is requested to start developing protocols to allow for domestic flights to resume anytime from the 21st of June onwards.

“Airlines must ensure physical distancing by reducing passenger capacity and ensure the provision of sanitisers and personal protective equipment as well as carrying out temperature checks at the point of entry and departure and ensuring that airports are not congested by either travelers or airports staff.”

Rights activist submits bank documents

Rights activist, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has submitted bank documents to expose the involvement of the Delta State Judiciary and Ministry of Women Affairs in child trafficking and illegal adoption.

The evidence was submitted at the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission where the matter is being investigated.

It can be recalled that we reported how some officials of the ministry and Delta State Judiciary were accused in a petition of trafficking thousands of children from the state without following the adoption procedure.

The two government establishments were said to have connived in running a cartel in the sale and illegal adoption of children in the state in gross violation of the Child’s Right Act 2003 vis-a-vis the Delta State Child Right law 2008 and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015.

The documents obtained include the account details belonging to and currently being operated by the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs for the alleged illegal adoption of children in the state.

The bank accounts said to be used for the transaction in the child adoption process include ECO Bank 2152023855, Zenith Bank 1011047631.

Other evidence sighted include an ECO Bank deposit slip dated 20/3/2020, transaction number A57CHDP200802006 with same ECO Bank account details 2152023855 used in transactions for the adoption.

When we contacted officer in charge of the investigation of the case for reaction, he asked our correspondent to come down to the office because he was not permitted to speak on phone on official matter.

When we reached out to the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas for reaction on the evidence, she admitted that the ministry always issued application forms to prospective adopters after obtaining a court order.

She also admitted that money was paid into the ministry's accounts to process adoption but said she cannot authenticate the teller and bank account numbers, that only the Director of Finance and Account was in best position to do that.

Head of Protocol, High court of Justice, Asaba, Agbaragu Timothy, could not be reached for comments on the issue.