Headlines News Today Thursday, 25th of June 2020

Nigeria has recorded 649 new COVID-19 cases in the country as total infections from the virus rose to 22, 020.

Nigeria in the last 24 hours bringing total of successfully treated cases to 7,613.




1. Buhari says Giadom is APC's authentic acting chairman












Buhari says Giadom's claim to be acting national chairman is backed by the law.




President Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind Victor Giadom as the authentic acting national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).




Giadom has been at the centre of a leadership crisis in the party that kicked off when a Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as national chairman.




A majority of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) ratified the appointment of former Oyo governor, Abiola Ajimobi, who's also the party's deputy national chairman (South), as its acting national chairman.




Buhari backing illegality, NWC members vow boycott of APC NEC meeting.




2. Isolation spaces, fully equipped clinics’, govt unveils guidelines for schools












The Federal Government on Wednesday proposed that schools must create isolation spaces before reopening the learning facilities.




The Ministry of Education disclosed this in a document titled: “Guidelines for schools and learning facilities reopening after COVID-19 pandemic closure,” submitted to the National Assembly on Tuesday.




Each school, according to the federal government, is required to create temporary isolation spaces and fully-equipped clinics before reopening.




3. FEC approves N2.3trn economic stimulus package












The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N2.3 trillion stimulus package to support the Nigerian economy in the face of the disruptions and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.




The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting in Abuja, said the package was part of the Nigeria Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP) recommended by the Economic Sustainability Committee led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.




According to the minister, the goals of the NESP was to create jobs, put money into the economy, stop the economy from slipping into recession, support small businesses and prioritize local content (Made-in-Nigeria




She said: “The total package that we presented today is in the sum of N2.3 trillion, N500 billion of this is a stimulus package that is already provided for in the amended 2020 Appropriations Act. These are funds that we have sourced from special accounts.




“We also have N1.2 trillion of these funds to be sourced as structured low-cost loans which are interventionary from the Central Bank of Nigeria as well as other development partners and institutions.




“We have N344 billion that will be sourced from bilateral and external sources and also additional funds that we can sourced locally.




“There is a strategy that has been adopted and this whole plan is to enable us respond to the triple problem of low exchange rate, youth unemployment as well as negative growth which is facing us now.




4. CSJ charges Buhari to caution govt. agencies on embezzlement of funds












The Centre for Social Justice, CSJ, has charged President Muhammadu Buhari, to call on heads of different government agencies to order following reports of unaccountability and lack of transparency in the utilization of public funds.




The lead director of the Centre, Eze Onyekpere, declared that it has already filed about 16 different charges bordering on freedom of information, public finance management, and due process as well as recovery of mismanaged public funds before different courts.




He alleged that government agencies failed to declare or remit to the Federation Account the sum over N1.5 trillion while Nigeria suffer under huge foreign loan burden, and revenues which ought to be deployed towards financing annual budgets and other key projects are mismanaged




Among the suits said to have been filed is the suit against Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, over alleged non-remittance of over two billion naira representing 25 per cent of the internally generated revenue realized in 2015 and 2016.




5. World Bank approves $750 million loan for Nigeria’s power sector












The World Bank has approved $750 million loans to Nigeria’s power sector after years of negotiations over long term reforms in the sector.




The loan which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Bretton Eood Institution, was for Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO) to improve the reliability of electricity supply, achieve financial and fiscal sustainability, and enhance accountability in the power sector in Nigeria.




About 47% of Nigerians do not have access to grid electricity, and those who do have access, face regular power cuts. In addition, the economic cost of power shortages in Nigeria is estimated at around $28 billion which is equivalent to 2% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).




According to the ease of doing business report 2020, lack of power has been one of the major challenges facing the private sector. Hence, improving power sector performance, particularly in the non-oil sectors of manufacturing and services, will be central to unlocking economic growth post-COVID-19




6. Ondo Deputy Governor cries out, says his police escort has been withdrawn












The Deputy Governor's spokesperson says the withdrawal of the escort will make Ajayi vulnerable to attack.




Agboola Ajayi, Ondo State Deputy Governor has cried out over the withdrawal of his police escort days after defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party.




Ajayi, in a statement by Babatope Okeowo, his Chief Press Secretary on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, accused the state commissioner of police, Bolaji Salami of stripping him of his security aides.




7. N-Power Batch C enrolment commences on June 26 - FG declares












The federal government has declared that the enrolment for the new batch of N-Power beneficiaries would commence on Friday, June 26. Legit.ng reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the deputy director (information) of the federal ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development, Rhoda Iliya, on Tuesday, June 23, in Abuja.




This week, the N-Power portal will re-open for registration. 400,000 beneficiaries will be taken from the application pool.




Here are some tips to get ready




1. Get your BVN ready.




2. Ensure you are are not an existing employee in any organization.




3. Application is online.




8.APC NEC meeting forces Osinbajo to postpone National Economic Council meeting












Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday postponed the virtual meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) earlier slated for Thursday.




The NEC comprise of 36 state governors and a few ministers whose responsibilities have to with the management of the country’s economy.




The NEC meeting postponement follows confirmation of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.




The Secretary of NEC, Olusola Idowu, announced the postponement of the meeting in a memo titled: “Notice of postponement of the 105th (5th in 2020) meeting of the National Economic Council,” and addressed to all the state governors.


OTHER HEADLINES FROM MAJOR NEWS PAPERS IN NIGERIA


*Punch News*

42-year-old woman hacked to death in Ibadan




Bhari will attend Giadoms NEC meeting -Presidency

Ghana to arraign two over demolition of Nigerian High Commission


Police parade arms dealers, robbers in Abuja

How LUTH doctors fear of COVID-19 claimed our fathers life -Family

Zambia health minister arrested for alleged graft

Gunmen kidnap Delta youth president, demand N30m ransom

NUC accredits 15 courses at Calabar varsity

COVID-19: Five doctors, three other health workers test positive in Benue

Ondo: INEC rejects APCs primary election notice

Rivers court strikes out suit against Obaseki

Bandits attack Katsina village, abduct heads daughter

13,000 applyfor Amotekun jobs in Osun

Demolition: Nigeria wont engage in street fight with Ghana -Presidency

Akwa Ibom pastor arrested for attempted rape

NWC alleges plot to set APC secretariat ablaze

NEC meeting necessary to reset APC -PGF DG

Tony Elumelu surprises wife on her 50th birthday

Ukraine floods kill three, render hundreds homeless

Unpaid salaries: LAWMA street cleaners, others dump uniforms in protest

Edo 2020: NWC members not tax collectors, PDP replies Wike

APC crisis: Fayemi, Giadom visit Aso Villa, fail to meet Buhari

We didnt receive N118m COVID-19 donation from Oyo UCH

Why we demolished church building Akwa Ibom govt

Kogi lawmaker, John Abah, is dead

DBanj not our ambassador, says UN

EPL: David Luiz agrees Arsenal contract extension

World Bank okays $750m for Nigerias power sector

Akeredolu plans to remove me illegally, deputy alleges

Why we deployed policemen in APC secretariat Force PRO

Ondo doctors begin strike Wednesday

As Predicted, the Rains and Flooding are here!

Naira Marley: Court unseals Jabi mall

Insecurity: NAF deploys five helicopters in Katsina

*Vanguard News*

Okowa hails Gbajabiamila at 58

COVID-19: We won't tolerate sack, salary cut in Maritime industry'Labour

Passing of Catherine Ilolo, sad, tragic ' Okowa

Shareholders okay NB's N16.1 bn dividend for 2019

COVID-19: NNPC recorded N9.53bn trading deficit in March

FG urged to revisit South Korean 100 million dollars loan deal on Ikere Gorge Dam

Abia acting governor assures quick resolution of Lekwesi-Obiagu, Amata-Ishiagu land dispute

FG deploys firefighting trucks to Oyo to combat fire outbreaks

Correctional service partners police to tackle crime in Enugu

Flood renders residents homeless in Aba

Breaking: APC crisis: President Buhari backs Victor Giadom

TETFund: Buhari approves N7.5 billion research grants for 2020

Rape allegation: D'banj's accuser releases statement

Bayelsa govt laments exclusion from FG social security programmes

Reps member extols Gbajabiamila at 58

Comedian, Broda Shaggi kicks off music career with new EP, 'Fine Boy Agbero

James Rodriguez reveals Madrid blocked move to LaLiga rivals

2023: Igbo group tackles Arewa youth leader of over shift

Ijaw youths protest appointment of market master in Warri

He doesn't know I've fallen out of love with him

My girl can't let go of her ex

Magu's detractors out to reverse gains of anti-corruption war ' Nwanyanwu

Embassy demolition: Why Nigeria won't fight Ghana ' Presidency

Imo contracts: Company denies receiving N3.5bn, says didn't work on Owerri flyovers

CBN to eliminate multiple exchange rates regime- Emefiele

COVID-19: Recovered patients may be left with permanent lung damage- Experts warn

FG to rely on digitization, automation for transparency

Airports concession: Minister receives certificates of compliance from ICRC

UNHCR appoints Innocent Idibia as goodwill ambassador

Court remands Indian in prison for 'illegal bunkering

Kano leads in out-of-school children with 1.5m ' UNICEF

*The Nation News*

FEC approves construction works worth over N137bn

Ghana vows for security of Nigerians

Man United defeat Sheffield Utd 3-0 to keep champions league hope alive

Man Uniteds Martial nets hattrick

Osun ready to release maiden edition of sexual offenders register- Oyetola

FEC approves N2.3trn stimulus plan

INEC rejects Ondo APC notice of primary election

Controversy as NLC withdraws 9 affiliate members from FCTA/FCDA

Giadom NEC meeting iIllegal -APC scribe

Flooding: Edo assures on timely completion of water detention pond project

Four murder suspects test positive for COVID-19 in Bauchi

Sanwo-Olu stops congratulatory birthday adverts

Omo-Agege hails Gbajabiamila at 58

Group petitions Buhari over Permanent Secs appointment

Nigerias GDP to decline to -5.2%- IMF

APC felicitates with Speaker Gbajabiamila at 58

NUT suspends Kwara NUT chair, secretary for alleged fraud

UPDATED: Isolation centres mandatory for reopening of schools FG

Free pads, conditional cash transfer rescue women, teenage girls

BREAKING: Buhari backs Giadom on APC crisis

Cleric tasks FG on insecurity

Emeka Offors brother joins Anambra 2021 race

COVID-19: Edo tests 5771 residents, decontaminates 797 homes

Isolation centres mandatory for reopening of schools FG

Ekiti raises alarm over possible community spread of COVID-19

Buhari increases research grants to N7.5bn

Alleged $9.8m fraud: Court refuses to halt Ex-NNPC GMD Yakubus trial

Nigeria exonerates Ghana on demolished high commission

Appeal Court affirms N5.9b judgment against Multichoice Nigeria

Enter Justice Dongban-Mensem as President Court of Appeal

Anambra traders arrest police officers wife over face mask violation

NDLEA: pandemic has worsened drug abuse

Saudi limits Hajj to residents in kingdom

FG repurposes Primary Healthcare Centres for COVID-19

*Thisday News*

EU, UN Deliver $22m Essential Medical Supplies to FG

All-Share Index Falls 0.02% on Continuing Bearish Trading

The Challenge of Distance Spacing in an Election Season

La Liga: Atletico Move up Third on the Log, Win at...

Falode NWFL Set to Evolve into a Global League Brand

Kallon: Nigeria Remains Critical Economic Hub in Africa

In Search of Nigerias Voice

Premier League Likely to Keep Summer Transfer Window Beyond Oct.

LMC, Club Owners to Decide How to End NPFL Season Today

Ndidi Dreams UEFA Champions League Spot Despite Draw with Brighton

Fasuba Surprised His 14 Years Old African Sprint Record Yet to be Erased

Barcelona Open Contract Renewal Talks with Messi

Taxtech Seeks Data Protection for Public Institutions

NIMASA to Push for Fleet Expansion to Support Economic Growth

Smart: Technology Will Improve Service Delivery in Insurance Sector

ITF to Establish Demonstration Farms to Boost Agric Training

Akwa Ibom Cocoa Farmers Receive Seedlings, Farm Inputs

Lagos Pays N1.157bn Accrued Pension

Polaris SurePadi Impacts Households

Facebook Launches Messenger Kids

Old Mutual Partners Lagos on e-Learning for Schools

COVID-19: NDIC Shuts Head Office for Decontamination Exercise

Ogilvy Africa Unveils FEED Regions First Real-Time Marketing Product

Andrew Skipper Awarded Lifetime Award

Governance Beyond COVID-19: Back to Kwara

A Memorable Week for Obaseki

Dealing With the Challenge of Distance Spacing During Political Party Campaign

APC Expresses Worries over Ondo Deputy Govs Defection

Ize-Iyamu Emerges Edo APC Guber Candidate

Boms Takes over as Ag. Deputy National Secretary of APC

*Guardian News*

Brazil starts testing Oxford coronavirus vaccine

African Development Bank ranks 4th on global index of transparency

Police have withdrawn my escort, Ondo deputy governor cries out

Buhari backs Giadom as APC acting national chairman, aide says

Malawi calls for calm as it tallies presidential re-run votes

Pompeo says annexation up to Israel amid condemnation

South Africa says economy to shrink 7.2% in 90-year low

Court remands 2 cousins over alleged murder of Maersk MD's wife

EU racism pledge clouded by 'blackface' controversy

Appeals court orders charges dropped against ex-Trump aide Flynn

NSCDC arrests man, 27, over alleged defilement of 4 babies in Nasarawa State

IMF sharply cuts Saudi forecast as oil, virus hit economy

Guardiola prioritising FA Cup, Champions League return

Iran Arrests 3 For Trying To Sell Babies On Instagram

Man's Bladder Explodes After Holding Pee For 18 Hours

Zimbabwe increases fuel price by 150 percent

Lampard focused on finishing third rather than crowning Liverpool

COVID-19: UCH denies receiving N118m from Oyo govt.

Tunisia protesters, police clash anew in deprived south

Drama as father disappears with alleged raped daughter in Kwara court

Mueller welcomes Dortmund challenge to Bayern's league domination

Iran's Rouhani says UN watchdog risks losing independence

Biden leads Trump by 14 points in NYT poll

Human error caused Pakistan plane crash that killed 97: initial report

COVID-19: Army organises low key passing out parade for 79 RRI

Another 42-year-old woman macheted to death in Ibadan

Probe demanded over Latino police shooting death in Los Angeles

Djokovic mauled over coronavirus 'horror show

Israeli police say Palestinian shot dead at checkpoint

Actor Ron Jeremy Charged With Rape Of Three Women

COVID-19: Delta records 532 cases, orders offices decontamination

Oyo State postpones school resumption by one week

PDP wants judge sanctioned for order against Obaseki

Police deny sealing APC national secretariat

*Tribune News*

CBN will unify exchange rate

Fayemi denies taking Giadom to Buhari

Nigerian High Commission showed us land documents, says Ghanaian Foreign Minister

Suspected Nigerian pirates kidnap five Korean, one Ghanaian off Cotonou waters

COVID-19: Osun records seven new cases

Osinbajo postpones NEC meeting

COVID-19: FEC okays N2.3trn economic stimulus plan

Buhari congratulates Kingibe at 75

BREAKING: Three Oyo executive members test positive for coronavirus, two others inconclusive

Obaseki's fate hangs on decision of 2,229 delegates

NNPC records N9.53bn crude oil trading deficit in March 2020

3 female suspects arrested over 818 rounds of live ammunition

Bowen University sacks over 100 workers

COVID-19: We've spent N118m to support UCH, Virology Dept, Oyo govt insists

EKEDC warns customers to shun illegal connection

OAU partners FRSC to establish driving school, licensing office

Bureau of Public Enterprises begins NIPOST break into three companies

COVID-19: We won't tolerate sack, salary cut in maritime industry ' Labour

COVID-19: FG calls for synergy with states to cushion effects on food security

FG gives Oyo farmers agricultural inputs to avert food scarcity

BREAKING: Buhari backs Victor Giadom as APC acting national chairman

NANS wants schools reopen for academic activities

Trouble brewing over FG airport concession plans

High Commission building demolition: We won't fight dirty with Ghana ' Presidency

Ekiti govt raises alarm over possible community spread of COVID-19

COVID-19: Alake of Egba land supports CA-COVID on sensitization

School feeding, conditional cash transfer programs yet to commence in Bayelsa

Alleged pension fraud: EFCC opposes Maina's plea for bail as Ndume stands as surety

Education ministry presents proposal to NASS on Schools reopening

Minister tasks Immigration Service on patriotism, discipline

Sokoto CP inaugurates community policing advisory committee in two LGAs

Reps demand reciprocity over recurring attack on Nigerian embassy, staff

We've spent N2.8bn on fighting COVID-19 so far ' Oyo govt

Commission accepts 47 African region countries polio-free status ' WHO

COVID-19: National Council on Health approves Health Response Action Plans

*Sports News*

#TwitchBlackOut trends on Twitter as gamers call for service to stamp out 'sexual harrassment and racism - Yahoo

2020/21 Borussia Dortmund Home Shirt Featuring New Sponsor Is Leaked - FTBpro

33 Lionel Messi Records on the Barcelona Legend's 33rd Birthday - FTBpro

5 Best Ways To Boost Sports Recovery - Complete Sports

7 West Ham Players Heading for the Exit Door if Club Are Relegated - FTBpro

A closer look at Harry Kane after his 137th Premier League goal in 200th game - Yahoo

A constant thorn in Liverpool's side who peaked with Crystanbul - Yahoo

Adepoju relishes Eagles' famous World Cup debut memory - Daily Trust

Adult film star Ron Jeremy charged with rape and sexual assault - Yahoo

After three years, a month and a day, Bruno Soriano is a footballer again - Yahoo

Aguero gets knee surgery in quick time - Yahoo

Aguero to see knee specialist in Spain - Punch

Anthony Martial plunders maiden Manchester United hat-trick to blunt Blades - Yahoo

Apocalyptic' London captured on film as capital nears end of unprecedented lockdown - Yahoo

Arsenal given Leno boost but lose Martinelli to injury - Guardian

Arsenal receive injury boost with Leno to return in a month - Vanguard

Arsenal tie down David Luiz, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares and Dani Ceballos to new contracts - Yahoo

Arthur, Barcelona and the Authoring of an Unprecedented Financial Shambles - FTBpro

As Burnley condemns 'White Lives Matter' banner, social media comments suggest some fans still miss the point - CNN

Atalanta vs Lazio: Europe's Must-Watch Game of the Season So Far