Biggest News Today Sunday 26 July 2020

Just 438 new cases of COVID-19 were announced in Nigeria on Saturday, a significant drop compared to 500 plus figures released in the past week.













The NCDC did not explain the import of the low number.




Till date, 39977 cases have been confirmed, 16948 cases have been discharged and 856 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.







1. N- Power beneficiaries disown Abuja protest, welcome launch of scheme Batch C




At least 300,000 beneficiaries of the N-Power scheme across the country on Saturday distanced themselves from a protest over the winding down of the programme’s Batch A and B streams.
Hundreds of N-Power volunteers had on Thursday in Abuja protested the non-payment of their stipends and sudden disengagement by the Federal Government without a substantial exit package.

The protesters besieged the National Assembly in large numbers and chanted anti-government songs.

The volunteers demanded permanent employment or payment of N600,000 to each of them before disengagement.
They also asked for the removal of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouk, for allegedly frustrating the programme.




2. Obasanjo’s silence in midst of corruption in Buhari’s govt worrisome – Fayose




Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has questioned the silence of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo in the midst of high level insecurity and corruption in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

He wondered why Obasanjo was curiously silent unlike before when he would have blown hot

Fayose, in tweets, accused Obasanjo of teaming up with others to foist Buhari on Nigeria on the basis of alleged corruption and insecurity.

According him, It is either Baba is tired, timid, afraid or he is no longer the Obasanjo that they used to know.

“With the level of corruption and insecurity that we are seeing in Nigeria under this APC govt, former President Obasanjo is curiously silent.
“And it was because of alleged corruption and insecurity that Obasanjo teamed up with others to foist Buhari on Nigeria,” he tweeted.

Fayose then mocked Obasanjo by asking: “Isn’t Obasanjo’s silence worrisome? It is either Baba is tired, timid, afraid or he is no longer the Obasanjo that we used to know.

“Will he keep silent while the entire country is being looted away and Nigerians anywhere in the country can’t sleep with their two eyes closed?”



3. Death toll in Suleja rainstorm hits 10



Three more copses have been recovered from the scenes of the rainstorm disaster that wrecked havoc in Rafin Sanyi in Suleja Local Government Area of Niger, bringing the death toll to ten.
The Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Abdullahi Maje, disclosed this on Saturday.

Seven dead bodies had earlier been recovered following the torrential rains which occurred on Friday night in the area.
Maje said the search operation was being conducted by a combined team of the police, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, among others.

He said the three corpses had already been deposited at the Sabon Wuse General Hospital.



4. Magu’s probe for alleged graft ‘a plus’ for Buhari’s govt —Malami



The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said on Friday night the investigation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) leadership for alleged graft was a plus for the current administration.

Malami, who stated this when he appeared on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA)’s “One-on-One” programme, added that the probe of the suspended EFCC acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, was evidence that no one was above the law.
He also dismissed insinuations that he tried to settle personal scores with the probe, saying it was the presidency that set up a panel to investigate the commission.

The Justice Ayo Salami-led presidential panel investigated the anti-graft czar for alleged financial malfeasance.
The presidency alleged that Magu re-looted assets recovered by the commission from treasury looters.




5. Nigerians React As Imam Of Peace Demands Buhari’s Arrest




Mohammad Tawhidi, popularly known as Imam of Peace, has led a social media campaign for the arrest of President Muhammadu Buhari over the rising insecurity in the country and the government’s decision to free repentant Boko Haram terrorists.
The Muslim influencer and reformist Imam is leading the campaign with the hashtag #ArrestBuhari now trending on number one on Twitter.
Naijapadi reported earlier that the Nigerian military had reintegrated 601 ex-Boko Haram terrorists into the society.



6. Insecurity has made Nigeria unattractive to investors, says Gbajabiamila




Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, says the current state of insecurity in the country has made Nigeria uninhabitable for citizens and unattractive to investors.

Speaking on Saturday at the public presentation of the updated legislative agenda of the house of representatives tagged ‘our contract with Nigerians’, Gbajabiamila said the war against insurgents has contributed to the many difficulties the country faces.

“Before now, the extent of our difficulties was well known to us. We have population growth that far outpaces the rate of economic growth. Insecurity has made vast swathes of our country uninhabitable for citizens and unattractive to investment,” he said.

“We are at war, fighting insurgents in the North-east who want to remake our world in the image of a medieval theocracy. Our education system is producing graduates who cannot compete in the 21st-century knowledge economy.

The speaker also said the updated legislative agenda highlights new strategies with which the house plans to help Nigerians deal with the new realities imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This updated legislative agenda and the implementation plan which we have tagged ‘our contract with Nigerians’ sets out the new priorities of this 9th house of representatives and commits us to a plan of action over the next year, and for the rest of our tenure,” Gbajabiamila said.

“We have called this document a contract because that is what it is; a written account of what we owe the people and how we intend to meet our obligations within the shortest possible time.

“These documents represent our intention to be held accountable based on what we have freely committed to achieving, and which I am confident we will realize to the glory of God and the edification of our people.

“Our gathering here today is first to present this document to the public. More importantly, this gathering is intended as a convenient space for us to have frank conversations about how we will go about achieving the objectives we have


8 Adele had posted her leg in cast in the WhatsApp group her children created years ago so they could be in touch with her. They named the group, Mum’s Room. In there, they talked about everything, from a kiss to academic challenge. They laughed, cried, fought, aligned and realigned. Above all, they discussed family …



9. Buhari’s government lacks direction, says Odinkalu


Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, in this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE dissects some national issues including governance, current probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), the antigraft war and sundry matters Recently, President Buhari chided service chiefs over insecurity, but chose to retain …


10. The colour code luxury suits


Its a colour coded frenzy from Alancruzer’s formal luxury suits collection. The fashion designer, Damola Cruz and founder of Alancruzer men’s line channels an ultra-sophisticated yet urban design for the spring-summer 2021 season. The suit collection is packed with colourful monochromatic number. Created with bright colours men rarely think of, like soft pink, vibrant …
Akeredolu ready to battle Jegede as Ajayi loses all

Following the outcome of the primaries of the two major political parties in Ondo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Party (APC), the battle is now set as the candidates are ready for a showdown in the October 20, 2020 governorship poll, writes ADEWALE MOMOH With the conclusion of …
Southern Kaduna killings genocide, says SOKAPU President

The Southern Kaduna region has been under siege for many years, resulting in endless killings, sacking of communities and forceful displacement of the people. In this interview, President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Hon Jonathan Asake, a former member of House of Representatives, tells ONWUKA NZESHI that the unprovoked attacks were part of …
Ekhomu warns on seizure of more aid workers

Security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has advised humanitarian/aid agencies operating in the North-East to conduct vulnerability assessments of their operations to avert the seizure of more aid workers by Boko Haram. He warned that the insurgents are now targeting aid workers and may seize more to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the …

Ize-Iyamu’s burden in Edo poll

Edo poll and Ize-Iyamu’s burden Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu is haunted by past comments made against him, four years ago, by former National Chairman of his party, Adams Oshiomhole, whom he helped to win re-election in 2012. It is …


Down to the wire as curtains fall on COVID-19 ravaged Premier League

The curtains today fall on a Premier League that will go down in history for being overshadowed not by events on the field of play but rather by an unseen enemy off it. Until March 13, the 2019/20 season was on course to conclude on its scheduled day of May 17, until the coronavirus …
NIMASA, Customs to check temporary import permit abuse

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have agreed to join forces to close loopholes in the Temporary Importation Permit (TIP) system that importers often exploit to avoid levies due to the government. Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, stated this in Abuja this week, when 

…
Hope rises for Ibom Deep Seaport as FEC approves construction

There is high hopes that construction work would soon start on the proposed Ibom Deep seaport which have long been in the works as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has given its nod to the project. The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Economic Development and Ibom Deep Seaport, Mr. Akan Okon said having secured …