Reps summon PTF over COVID-19 funds

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 is appearing before the House of Representatives to account for the funds allocated and donated to the fight against the pandemic. A joint committee of the House is handling the “engagement”.

Chairman of the PTF and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; and the Minister of Health, Prof Osagie Ehanire, were represented by permanent secretaries.

Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu; and the National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, are in attendance.

Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and leader of the joint committees, Mr Wole Oke, said the engagement was to monitor the expenditure by the PTF‎ and clear the air on “insinuations” about COVID-19 funds.

‎The Permanent Secretary, Office of the SGF, Olusegun Adekunle, said a total sum of N22,163,130,411‎ had so far been released to the PTF’s operations account‎.

“Out of this, what has been utilised is N164,929,475 to cater for the management of the affairs of returnees (evacuees) from different parts of the world,” he said.

He also said the balance remains in the account, opened‎ by the Accountant-General of the Federation with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

2020 UTME : JAMB meet over cut-off marks

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board and Heads of Tertiary Institutions are expected to meet June 16 over cut-off marks and other guidelines for the 2020/2021 Admission exercise.

The exam body announced the 2020 Policy Meeting of tertiary institutions in its weekly bulletin obtained by our correspondent on Monday.

According to the bulletin, the policy meeting, which is expected to hold online, will be chaired by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu. The bulletin read in part, 

“Part of the protocols put in place by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 requires that no gathering of persons exceeding the prescribed number.

Compliance with this directive has become imperative as no fewer than 4,000 Heads of Tertiary Institutions comprising Degree, Diploma, NCE, and NID-awarding institutions and other stakeholders would normally be expected to congregate at a location but because of extant protocols, they would now be expected to participate in the virtual meeting.

The meeting will discuss critical issues bordering on the advances made in the educational sector in the last one year in addition to setting the tone for the 2020/2021 Admission exercise.

The meeting will also chart policy directions for the nation’s tertiary institutions, set admission guidelines, and make a holistic review of application statistics, performance as well as evaluate the 2019 admissions exercise.

The meeting, in addition to other deliberations, would take a stand on concessional and acceptable minimum admissions standards to be applied in all admissions to be undertaken by all tertiary institutions in Nigeria."

Court orders forfeiture of N827.6m to FG

The Federal High Court in Lagos has  ordered the temporary forfeiture of a total of N827.6m recovered from one Matthew Edevbie by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The anti-graft agency told the court that it was investigating an intelligence report against Edevbie, said to be the owner of Flank Power Resources.

It said the funds were suspected to have been diverted from the coffers of the Federal Government.

Counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, told Justice C. J. Aneke that the application was urgent, adding that delay could lead to the funds being dissipated.

The judge granted the forfeiture request and told the anti-graft agency to publish same in a national newspaper.

He adjourned till June 29 for anyone interested in the funds to appear in court and convince him why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

SERAP takes Buhari, Osinbajo to Appeal court over assets declaration

ANTI-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has taken its asset declaration case against the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to the Court of Appeal.

The group is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the Code of Conduct Bureau to make public contents of the assets declaration forms filed by Buhari, Osinbajo, as well as the 36 state governors and their deputies.

SERAP had recently met a setback after the Federal High Court in Lagos threw out its suit.

But displeased with the judgment delivered by Justice Muslim Hassan, SERAP, according to a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare, has now gone on appeal.

The group is contending that Justice Hassan misinterpreted the law and “failed to consider that the Freedom of Information Act was enacted by the National Assembly in 2011 to grant public access to public documents.” It said, 

“The learned trial judge erred in law by holding that the Freedom of Information Act is a legislation of general nature in relation to public access to asset declaration forms of public officers. The judge erred in law when he held that SERAP’s application ‘is unmeritorious and it is accordingly dismissed’.

The learned trial judge failed to apply the provisions of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, which allows access to public documents to the facts of this case.

The failure or refusal by the CCB to provide the information requested by SERAP constitutes a violation of their right to freedom of information guaranteed by Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.”

Breaking News! Hushpuppi, others arrested by Interpol in UAE

News reaching us right now has it that Nigerian big boy, Ray Hushpuppi and some of his friends have been picked up by Interpol in Dubai.

Our source, Kemi Olunloyo of Kemi Talks made this revelation few hours ago. She disclosed that Hushpuppi and Woodberry were arrested by Interpol.

This is in connection with a $35million  fraud. More details coming soon.

Kilishi is the research breakthrough of RMRDC - Prof Ibrahim

Kilishi technology has been named by the RMRDC Boss, Prof. Hussain Ibrahim, as top on the list of the research breakthrough of the organisation.

Prof. Ibrahim said that the development of Kilishi technology for commercial use is its major breakthrough since the creation of the agency 33 years ago.

This statement caused some drama in the Senate house yesterday. The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Professor Hussain Ibrahim, had appeared before the Senate Committee on Science and Technology to brief the senators on the activities of his agency.

Kilishi is a locally spiced roasted meat made of beef, and it is very popular in the northern part of Nigeria.

The Chairman of the Senate panel, Senator Uche Ekwunife, had asked the DG to tell Nigerians what specific raw material the agency had successfully produced in the country in partnership with other research institutes.

Ekwunife said, “Your core mandate is to develop local materials. Can you tell us the local raw materials you have developed in the areas of health, brewery, construction, science, and technology, or agriculture?

Just give us the synopsis of what you have developed or generated for local industries. Tell us about your breakthrough.” 

An elated Ibrahim proudly told the panel that despite its lack of laboratory, the 33-year-old agency had succeeded in producing the local meat delicacy for commercial production as part of the agency’s breakthrough.

His submission led to prolonged laughter from the audience but drew the anger of the lawmakers. A member of the panel, Senator Clifford Ordia said, 

“is this the success story that you are going to tell us after 33 years?“

Regina Daniels releases more photos from her maternity shoot

Regina Daniels has released more beautiful pictures from her maternity shoot. The Nollywood actress and her husband, Ned Nwoko made the big revelation on May 30. 

After many months of rumours and speculations by the online community, the couple announced that they are expecting a baby.

Born on 10th of October 2000, the 19 year old beauty is studying mass communication in Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State. 

She began to act at the age of seven and has some awards to her name. She recently launched the maiden edition of her magazine in an elaborate and star studded ceremony in Abuja. 

Owing to the fact that the mother of Regina, Rita Daniels is also a Nollywood actress, the teen actress can be said to be one of the most successful teen actresses in the Nollywood industry.

The 'forever 16' actress got married traditionally to Ned Nwoko in 2019. It can be recalled that she posted some pictures before and gave it a caption about the joys of motherhood.

She has posted more. See them below 

Tonto Dikeh shares adorable photos to mark her 35th birthday

Controversial Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh is celebrating her birthday today. The beautiful woman was born on 9th June, 1985. She clocks 35 today.

To celebrate her birthday, she shared very lovely pictures of herself. She also showed off her gigantic birthday cakes.

Tonto took to her Instagram page to write,

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME..

I’M GRATEFUL 💜💜

#35 NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

.

.

#KINGTONTO #MAMAKING #TONTODIKEH #KINGTONTOLUXURYBIRTHDAYGIVRAEAY #HAPPYWOMAN #MRSD"

"Please Join me in Thanking God for his Goodness and Mercies..

.

.

#KINGTONTO #JUNE9th #GEMINI #BIRTHDAYGIRL #10inA35YEAROLD #CHILDHEART #GRATEFUL #HIGHLYFULFILLED"

"HOW DO YOU SAY “I LOVE GOD” in your Dialet?

.

.

#KINGTONTO #MAMAKING #35 #HBD #SUPERBLESSED"

New Zealand to lift all restrictions and resume normal life

New Zealand is set to lift almost all its restrictions put in place to check coronavirus. It was reported that there are no active cases in the country. 

People will be able to return to work, school, sports events and domestic travel without constraints. However, borders will remain closed. 

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters that she did "a little dance" when she was told that the country no longer had any active virus cases. She said,

"While the job is not done, there is no denying this is a milestone. So can I finish with a very simple Thank you, New Zealand".

See dashing new photos of Ebuka Obi-Uchendu

Media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu is our fashion inspiration for the week. The lawyer who is well known for being the host of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show has always shown that he has impeccable taste in fashion. 

He hails from Okija, Anambra State and is the third child of four children. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Cynthia since 2016. Their union is blessed with two lovely children. Having been in the entertainment industry long enough, he has some awards and award nominations to his name.

Ebuka has the penchant for looking dashing effortlessly. He reportedly stole the show at the Banky W and Adesua Etomi-Wellington's wedding themed #BaAd2017. He turned up for their wedding in an agbada that went to Harvard and since then as they say, the rest is history. 

The 37 year old has kept fascinating us with his excellent fashion choices. Check out the new photos he shared.