Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 2nd June 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 02/06/20
Read also
Lagos Records Nine New COVID-19 Deaths
Nine more patients have died from Coronavirus in Lagos State.
Commissioner for Health in the state, Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on Monday via Twitter.
This brings the total number of deaths from COVID-19 in Lagos to 59.
The tweet reads, “#COVID19Lagos update as at 31st of May, 2020. 188 new #COVID19 infection confirmed in Lagos.
“Total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases in Lagos is now 4959.”Nine COVID19 related deaths were recorded bringing total #COVID19 related deaths in Lagos to 59.”
PUBLIC HEALTH
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
COVID-19: Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello, Asked To Apologise For Misleading Residents
National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Kola Ologbodiyan, has asked Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to apologise to the people of the state for misleading them on COVID-19.
In a statement on Monday, Ologbodiyan said Bello did not show the required seriousness in leadership in the fight against the pandemic in the state.
He said the Kogi governor needed to apologise to the people for also not funding the committee he set up to fight the pandemic and for not providing palliatives to the people like was done in other states.
Ologbodiyan, who is from the state, urged residents not to panic as Coronavirus was not a death sentence, adding that the disease shall soon be a thing of the past.
Following a reported case of COVID-19 in Kogi State, Governor Bello on Monday ordered a 14-day lockdown of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area effective from 12am June 2. He said the lockdown was aimed at identifying those, who may have had contacts with the alleged index case. The move was in contrast to where the Kogi Government stood a few weeks back when it insisted that there was no case of the virus in the state despite confirmation by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.
PUBLIC HEALTH
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Implementing Revised 2020 Budget Will Be A Miracle, Ex-CIBN President Says
Immediate-past President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Prof Segun Ajibola, has said that it will be a miracle for government to realise the estimates in its revised budget.
President Muhammadu Buhari had last Thursday reviewed the budget he passed in December 2019 down by N84.70bn.
The new spending plan presented is higher than the N1.5trn cut the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said government would make in March.
Prof Ajibola told SaharaReporters in an interview that the government was only making ‘educated guesses’ and the fortunes of oil has since improved, giving the government room to be more optimistic than it was two to three months back.
The academic feels “it will be miraculous if they meet them” – the new spending estimates.
Ajibola, who teaches economics at Babcock University, said all Nigerians need from any appropriation right now was a budget of survival.
“I don’t expect budget 2020 to offer much hope. If there is anything we can strive to achieve, it is a survivor. All we need in 2020 is budget of survival,” he said.
The revised spending plan increases recurrent expenditure by an estimated N85.55bn or 1.77 per cent, from the N4.84trn approved last December to N4.92trn.
The size of the money Nigeria will be using to service its domestic and foreign loans was also raised by 8.30 per cent or N226.21bn from the previously approved N2.73trn to N2.95trn.
The professor notes that although the cost of governance and debt servicing are burdens on Nigeria’s finances, salaries needed to be paid.
He described the envelope meant for developmental purposes, which was reduced by 9.51 per cent or N234.50bn from the N2.47trn signed in December to N2.30trn, as a balancing item, saying it could be toiled with or even deferred.
He added, “Capital expenditure is usually a balancing item. You hardly can control recurrent expenditure. Capital spending is always a problem in the planning process.
“Some even suggested that for 2020 we should cancel capital expenditure all together, and ascribe that to COVID-19, then start afresh in 2021 as far as capital expenditure is concerned.”
The possibility that Nigeria would match either its approved budget estimates is indeed a miracle.
The net oil and gas revenue that came into the Federation Account in the first quarter of 2020, was N940.91bn, a shortfall of N425.52bn or 31.1 per cent of the assumed amount.
Non-oil tax revenue tells a gloomier story, with earnings of N269.41bn at the end of the first quarter of 2020. This is a shortfall of about 40 per cent of the hoped-for non-oil revenue income for 2020.
While the shortfalls are above 30 per cent, the proposed revision to the budget is less than one per cent.
“We will still have enough energy to take us through this challenging moment and navigate into a new year,” Ajibola said.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Female Lawyers Ask Security Agents To Fish Out Killers Of UNIBEN Undergraduate Raped, Murdered Inside Church
The International Federation of Women Lawyers, Edo State chapter, has called on security agents in the country to carry out investigation into the rape and killing of Miss. Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100level student of the Department of Microbiology, University of Benin. The group urged the police and Department of State Services to do everything within their powers to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and ensure that they are brought to book irrespective of their status in the society.
In a statement on Monday by its spokeperson, Florence Okundaye, the group condemned all forms of sexual abuse and violence against women and girls.The group said it would not relent until the case was brought to a logical conclusion and justice prevailed.The statement reads, “We received with great shock and sadness the news of the despicable and heinous act of rape which led to the death of Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa.”We therefore call on all security agencies to wit; the police and State Security Service to thoroughly investigate the case and do the needful in ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book very quickly.”FIDA Edo decries all forms of sexual abuse and violence against women and girls and states that they are serious and widespread problems that have lasting impacts on individuals, families, communities and burdens our society with major health and safety issues.”
CRIME
Legal
S**
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
CALL FOR APPLICATION: Investigative Journalists, Activists, Law Enforcement Officers, Others Invited To Apply For Training On Tracking, Recovery Of Illicit Funds And Assets
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda in partnership with Corner House, Finance Uncovered, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism and the University of Kent Law School, with the support of Transparency and Accountability Initiative of MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundation, and Open Society Initiative for West Africa is calling for applications from United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates based anti-corruption organisations, accountability actors (anti-corruption activists, investigative journalists, law enforcement officers, and potential whistleblowers) for training on “Experts’ Advocacy on Tracking and Recovery of Illicit assets Funds and Assets”.
Eligibility requirements
Only applicants who are able to demonstrate evidence of investigative experience or capacity for investigation should download and fill the investigation planner via the links below.
United Kingdom br />
United Arab Emirates (UAE) br />
Applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom or United Arab Emirates.
The deadline for submission of application is Friday, 27 June, 2020.
For further information, please email asset-tracing@hedang.org
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%94all-you-need-know-about-nigeria UPDATE: Schools To Remain Shut, Public Gatherings Prohibited —All You Need To Know About Nigeria’s Latest Lockdown Easing
The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Nigeria on Monday announced new directives for reopening the economy and social activities in the country.
According to the Task Force, a nationwide curfew remains in place even the timing was changed from 8pm-8am to 10pm-4am.
Under the new arrangement, banks and all financial institutions would commence full operations, resuming normal working hours.
The task force also announced the lifting of the ban on places of worship – churches and mosques would now commence regular services with guidelines to be provided by states where they operate.
Inter-state travel according to the committee remains prohibited while essential workers and agricultural goods transporters are exempted from the restriction.
However, gatherings of more than 20 persons in public especially outside of workplaces and religious services remain banned.
Domestic flight operations will commence from June 21 and would adhere strictly to protocols developed for same purpose to be approved by Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika.
See Also
PUBLIC HEALTH
Nigerian Government Lifts Ban On Religious Gatherings, Reduces Curfew Hours
0 Comments
4 Hours Ago
The new directive gave hotels the nod to reopen but pointed that bars, gyms, cinemas, nightclubs, parks are to remain closed until further evaluation.
The task force also stated that restaurants outside of hotels must remain closed for eat-in and must only offer take-away services.
All schools are expected to remain closed until further evaluation, according to the latest directive by the Nigerian Government.
PUBLIC HEALTH
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
BREAKING: APC Chairman, Oshiomhole, Insists On Direct Primary In Edo After Meeting With Governors
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, has insisted that the party will use the direct primary system to select its governorship candidate in Edo State.
He revealed this in Abuja on Monday shortly after a meeting with some serving governors elected on the party’s platform.
He said Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo did not reject the direct primary officially.
However, a source, who spoke with SaharaReporters, said that the decision on the mode of primary did not go down well with Obaseki as claimed by Oshiomhole.
He added that the party may summon another meeting before the primary election in the state.
Politics
Breaking News
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
“I’m APC Leader In Adamawa”, Senator Binani Tells Aisha Buhari, Boss Mustapha
Senator Aisha Binani representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly has told Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and wife of Nigeria’s President, Aisha Buhari, that she controls the All Progressives Congress in the state.
Binani, the only female senator from Nigeria’s Northern region, also told other party stalwarts in Adamawa that she was leader of the APC in the state.
The lawmaker’s position followed accusations that she was undermining Mustapha, Mrs Buhari, former governor, Jibrilla Bindo, Nuhu Ribadu, and other top party members in a bid to control the APC in the state.
Speaking on her behalf, one of Binani’s aides, Mauludu Usman Ibrahim, said, “She is second to none in the hierarchy of our party given her current status as the only APC senator in the state.
“Therefore, to attempt to subjugate her to someone else is simply laughable; meaning she is naturally the leader of the party.”
Reacting on the issue, Mohammed Bappare, speaking on behalf of the Mustapha/Bindo group said, “Binani wants to be governor in 2023, that is why she is fuelling the leadership crisis.”
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Nigerian Police Officer Verbally Dismissed In 1994 Yet To Be Recalled Despite Acquittal
Amos Olaniyan
The Nigeria Police Force has continued to ignore all directives to recall Sergeant Amos Olaniyan, an officer, who was verbally dismissed from service in 1994.
The police had ignored directives from the Nigerian Senate and a series of petitions demanding his recall into the force.
It was gathered that those, who were indicted alongside Olaniyan were back in the police.
Amos Olaniyan
On October 11, 1994, Olaniyan was on duty with Inspector David Oloyede and others, who were under the command of ASP Abiodun Asabi.
They were posted on crime prevention patrol duties along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and Ogere Toll Gate.
The team met the then Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, who asked his escort to search their patrol van.
The sum of N1,075 was found in the front seat of the van and they were taken to Zone II Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, where they underwent orderly room trial on the allegation of corrupt practice and discreditable conduct.
The panel acquitted them of the allegations and asked them to return to service.
However, while others returned to service, Olaniyan was verbally dismissed from the Force.
All efforts by Olaniyan to be recalled proved abortive as the outcome of the investigation, following a petition to the Police Service Commission, was swept under the carpet.
A letter from the Ogun State Police Command sighted by SaharaReporters showed that Olaniyan was to have been recalled back to the Force as he was pronounced innocent of the allegations against him.
It was gathered that leader of the team that Olaniyan was attached to was not suspended from the Force.
“Even though the team leader of the ugly incident is still in the Force, he was not suspended for one day and he is now a Divisional Police Officer,” a letter from the Ogun State Police Command to the Police Service Commission partly reads.
DCP Patrick Dokumor of Ogun State Police Command in 2010 had recommended the recall of Olaniyan to the Force.
The Nigerian Senate had also in 2015 ordered that Olaniyan should be immediately recalled in a letter to the police.
In a letter to the police in 2011, Prof Itse Sagay described Olaniyan’s dismissal as not only a miscarriage of justice, but also condemnation and punishment of an innocent man by default.
Olaniyan presently sleeps in a church and has no means of sustaining himself, said one of his four children, who spoke with SaharaReporters.
The daughter said, “Life has been difficult for him. After his ordeal, he went to work as a security man with a company around Isolo where he was attacked by armed robbers who came to rob the company.
“Since then, he has been feeding from what people give him. As for we, the children (four of us), we suffered. I had admission twice but was unable to go for studies due to funds.
“Presently, he sleeps in the church. He does not have a house and to even feed himself is hell for him.
“The Police Service Commission discharged and acquitted him and was waiting for signal to call him back to work which he did not see till today.”
Olaniyan urged the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; as well as the Police Service Commission to revisit his case and recall him to the Nigeria Police Force.
Police
News
AddThis
:
Featured Image
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Be Prepared For Your Independence Happening Soon, Nnamdi Kanu Tells Biafrans
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has asked members agitating for a new country to be prepared for their sovereignty, which will be realised soon.
Kanu made the comments in a statement signed by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
He added that the organisation was working to free all those arrested by the Nigerian Army and police in Eleme, Rivers State.
The statement reads, “IPOB is totally ready and doing much to ensure that Biafra independence and sovereignty comes in our life time.
“Therefore, every Biafran must be prepared to welcome the sovereignty and independence of Biafra in no distance future.”
Kanu hailed Biafrans for a successful commemoration of the victims of the Nigerian Civil War, which took place from 1967 to 1970.
The statement added, “This year’s celebration of the epoch event went successfully well across Biafraland without any hinderance. All Biafrans around the globe celebrated this event in their respective countries of abode.
“We equally thank Biafrans of Ijaw (Izon), Annang, Ibibio, Igbo, Uhrobo, Isoko, ltsekiri, Efik, Igede, Igala, Igbanke (Igbo Akira), Igodomigodo, Esan, Ogoni and others who contributed immensely for the huge success recorded in this year’s exercise.
“IPOB is working the clock round both locally and internationally to ensure that those illegally arrested by the Nigerian Army and police at Eleme during their candle procession are released without further delay.”
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
Saharareporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
Read also
You can also check
