Entertainment, World News

Star Trek’ star, Nichelle Nichols, dies at 89.

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Nichelle Nichols, a groundbreaking Black actress who played communications officer Nyota Uhura with cool authority on the popular 1960s series “Star Trek,” has died at 89.Her son, Kyle Johnson, announced the death on the official uhura.com website, saying, “Last night, my mother, Nichelle Nichols, succumbed to natural causes and passed away. Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain.”A family spokesman said Nichols died in Silver City, New Mexico, where she had been living with her son.Tributes poured in quickly, including from a long list of devoted “Trekkies.”

William Shatner, who played the USS Enterprise’s Captain James T. Kirk, sent his condolences to Nichols’ family.“She was a beautiful woman & played an admirable character that did so much for redefining social issues both here in the US & throughout the world. I will certainly miss her.”

George Takei, who as helmsman Sulu shared the bridge with Lieutenant Uhura, called her “trailblazing and incomparable.

”And US President Joe Biden said Nichols “redefined what is possible for Black Americans and women.”“Our nation is forever indebted to inspiring artists like Nichelle Nichols, who shows us a future where unity, dignity, and respect are cornerstones of every society,” he said in a statement.Nichols made history with one of the first interracial kisses on US television — a 1968 embrace shared with Shatner (a kiss deemed worthy of a separate entry in Wikipedia).Martin Luther King Jr. himself once praised Nichols, who broke ground with her powerful performance at a time when Black actors more often were cast as servants or criminals.

World News

Former LASU Vice Chancellor, Hussein, Dies.

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The former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Lateef Akanni Hussein is dead. According to a statement on the official LASU page on Facebook on Monday, Hussein died after a brief illness on Sunday, 31st July, 2022 aged 75.

Prof. Hussein, a professor of Physics was the sixth Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University; he served between 2005 and 2011. Hussein will be buried on Monday according to Islamic rites.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

NeYo Calls For Privacy As Wife Dumps Him.

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American singer, NeYo, has called on his fans to respect him and give his family the privacy to work through the breakdown of his marriage.

NeYo’s wife, Crystal, has alleged that he cheated on her with multiple women in an emotional statement. “8 years of life and deception. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous women who sell their bodies to him unprotected…every last one of them,” the model, 36, said in a statement on her Instagram page.

Reacting NeYo took to his Twitter handle to say, “For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors. Personal matters are not meant tobe addressed and dissected in public forums. I simply ask that you please respect me and my family’s privacy at this time.”

Business, Politics, World News

CBN won’t devalue naira.

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Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is unlikely to devalue the naira, despite rising demand for the dollar at both official and parallel markets, The Nation has learnt.

A report by Augusto & Co. titled: “2022: The Story So Far & What Lies Ahead”, said the naira, which started this year at N567/$ at the parallel market, now exchanges at N707/$. It is N416.37/$ at the official market.”The report added that the declining value of the local currency “has pushed up the exchange rate premium between the official and parallel markets to N290.63/$.

”The last devaluation of the naira was in May 2021, when the CBN adopted the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Rate (NAFEX), also known as the Investor and Exporter (I&E) forex window rate, as its official exchange rate to the dollar.The report read in part: “We do not expect the CBN to officially devalue the exchange rate despite sustained pressure. At the official market, we expect the naira to hover between N419/$ and N425/$ through the end of 2022.The persistent swings and volatility of the naira exchange rate have worsened in recent time. It began a wild race on July 19, depreciating by 16 per cent to N717/$ on July 28 before appreciating to N707 on July 29.

”The report explained that election-related uncertainty will severely limit capital inflows in the remaining months of 2022, even if domestic interest rates rise further.The Agusto & Co. report noted that long-term inflation is one of the exchange rate stoking factors, adding that the differential between two countries’ long-term inflation rates would be mirrored in the exchange rate depreciation between both nations.In other words, the long-term rate of inflation of the naira compared to that of the US Dollar plays a significant role in what the value of the Naira would be relative to the dollar.This, it predicted, will also impair CBN’s ability to intervene in the foreign exchange market, hence, the reserves level will stabilise at about $41 billion by the end of 2022.Since the Naira has a higher long-term rate of inflation (12 per cent) compared to the US Dollar (two per cent), it is a weaker currency and will depreciate by approximately 10 per cent,” it said.The report enumerated three major mechanisms for exchange rate determination, namely, pegged exchange rate system, floating currency, and a crawling peg.It explained that although each of the options has its own shortcomings, a crawling peg option is more suitable for Nigeria.

As a result, external reserves accretion, which has been ostensibly triggered by the CBN’s interest rate hike, is expected to be constrained.An Economist and Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, said the naira surprised speculators and market watchers by appreciating by 1.5 per cent from N718/$ to N707/$ on Friday.“Most analysts were fearing that an N1000/$ was within shouting distance. As unpalatable as N707/$ may sound, some Nigerians are breathing a sigh of relief. The reason for this respite is mainly because of a naira crunch,” he explained.

He said there is temporary resistance at N718/$ and a market correction which means the naira may appreciate N695/$ before falling again.These are technical movements which do not address the fundamental weaknesses in the Nigerian forex market and the short supply of dollars from the CBN and exporters. That means, there is a limit to how much naira is available in the system,” Rewane said.

Politics, World News

Umahi emerges Ebonyi south senatorial candidate.

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Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, on Sunday, defeated his immediate younger brother, Chief Austin Umahi, and three others to emerge the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the rescheduled senatorial primary election for Ebonyi South.Umahi scored 250 votes to defeat his closest rival, Austin, who scored 10 votes to come second.Other contestants who stood for the primary, according to the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Prof. Emmanuel Adebayo, included Ann Ago-Eze, who he said got no vote; Nwakaego Chukwu, who scored five votes; and Mrs Ibiam Margaret, who got three votes.However, our correspondent observed that Agom-Eze did not participate in the primary.

Announcing the result of the election, which took place at the Afikpo North Local Council headquarters on Sunday, Adebayo declared Umahi the winner of the election.He said, “I, Prof. Adebayo, by the powers bestowed on me by the National Working Committee of the party, declare as follows: total number of voters, 285, accredited votes, 270 votes; votes cast, 275; number of valid votes, 268; while invalid votes is seven votes.

“I do hereby declare that Mr David Umahi, having scored the highest votes, is hereby the winner of the primary election for Ebonyi South Senatorial zone.”

In his acceptance speech, Umahi commended the electoral committee for the peaceful and transparent conduct of the primary.He also commended the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, assuring them that the APC would emerge victorious at the forthcoming general elections in the state come 2023.

Entertainment, Football, World News

Liverpool beat Man City to win Community Shield

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Liverpool left it late to secure a 3-1 win over Manchester City in the 100th Community Shield at the King Power Stadium.

New boy Julian Alvarez had initially cancelled out a stunning opener from Trent Alexander-Arnold, but Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez struck in the dying embers in front of the Reds faithful.

Liverpool looked the much fresher of the two sides in the early exchanges, and it only took 21 minutes for their dominance to pay off courtesy of Alexander-Arnold’s sublime first-time finish into the far corner from a good 20 yards.

With Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher sidelined, Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper was called into action to save from Erling Braut Haaland before the Norwegian’s acrobatic attempt from close range failed to come off.

Fans got to see a glimpse of Nunez and Alvarez on the King Power turf in the second half, and Liverpool fans wanted a penalty when the former went over following a challenge from Ederson, who got just enough of the ball.

However, it was City’s South American who would have the bigger impact, as Alvarez followed up on Phil Foden’s saved effort to poke home a 70th-minute equaliser, which was initially disallowed before a lengthy VAR check allowed those in sky blue to celebrate.10 minutes later, Liverpool fans were the ones demanding the intervention of VAR after Nunez’s header struck Ruben Dias on the arm, and Craig Pawson awarded a penalty after checking the monitor. Salah stepped up and found the bottom corner to put Liverpool 2-1 ahead, despite Ederson going the right way.

Nunez missed a good chance to make it three for Liverpool in the 87th minute after heading wide from James Milner’s cross, but the Uruguay international made no mistake in second-half injury time, as his diving header nestled into the back of the net to wrap up an emphatic Liverpool win.

The new strikers were taking centre stage all afternoon, and there was time for Haaland to crash a late effort against the bar from only a few yards out before the celebrations started for Liverpool.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

May Yul Edochie shows love to Georgina Onuoha days after she dragged her husband

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May Yul Edochie has taken to Georgina Onuoha’s recent post to show love to the former actress just days after she dragged her husband.

Georgina called Yul Edochie out after he mocked Nigerian actresses accused of affair with Apostle Johnson Suleman (read here).

Just days after, Georgina shared new photos of herself and May commented with multiple love emojis.

Georgina also responded to her comment by hailing her with sweet words.

World News

Update: Russian tank commander has life sentence for killing 62-year-old civilian reduced to 15 years by Ukrainian appeals court.

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A Russian tank commander who became the first Vladimir Putin’s soldier to be jailed for war crimes in Ukraine has seen his life sentence reduced to 15 years on appeal.


During the opening days of the war, Vadim Shishimarin, 21, shot dead 62-year-old Oleksandr Shelipov in cold blood in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region.

He was later captured and brought to Kyiv for trial, where he pleaded guilty to war crimes charges back in May.

But his lawyers were able to appeal, saying the sentence was unduly harsh given he had admitted wrongdoing and was acting on the orders of a superior.


Today, an appeals court in the Ukrainian capital agreed and cut the penalty to 15 years. Viktor Ovsyannikov, Shishimarin’s lawyer, had been asking for 10 years.

Ovsyannikov said it is highly likely that Shishimarin will at some point be traded back to Russia in a prisoner swap.

Mr. Shelipov had been pushing his bike along a road in the Ukrainian village of Chupakhivka when he encountered Shishimarin and men from his unit, who were riding in a stolen civilian car.

Fearing that Mr. Shelipov, a veteran of the Soviet military – was going to report their location to Ukrainian forces, Shishimarin’s superiors ordered him to kill the man.

He fired several shots at Mr. Shelipov’s head from an automatic rifle, killing him.

Russia has denied targeting civilians or involvement in war crimes.


During the trial, Shishimarin told the court that he shot Oleksandr as he and several other Russian soldiers were retreating and trying to rejoin their units in Russia.

The soldiers found a civilian car, a Volkswagen, which they hijacked. ‘We wanted to get to where our army was and go back to Russia,’ Shishimarin said.

‘On our way as we were driving, we saw a man. He was talking on the phone. He said he would give us up.’


Shishimarin said another Russian soldier in the car, who he said was not his commander and who he called an ‘unknown’ soldier, ‘told me to shoot.’


‘He started to say in a forceful tone that I should shoot,’ he told the court. He said that I make up a danger if I don’t. I shot him at short range. It killed him.’


Oleksandr’s wife Kateryna Shelypova had confronted Shishimarin in the Kyiv court and asked him what he felt when he killed her husband.


‘Tell me what did you feel when you killed my husband? Do you repent of this crime,’ Kateryna asked the former soldier on Thursday as he stood in the dock, looking straight ahead.


‘I admit my guilt. I understand you can’t forgive me. I ask forgiveness,’ he said.


Kateryna added: ‘Tell me please, why did you come here? To protect us? From whom? From my husband who you killed?’

Kateryna told the court that her husband was a tractor driver who was not carrying a weapon and was dressed in civilian clothes, according to quotes from Ukrainian journalist Daria Sipigina.

Kateryna said she was in her garden when she heard shots being fired, and ran out calling for her husband before seeing Shishimarin with a Kalashnikov.

He drove away with the rest of his squad, leaving her to discover her husband’s dead body lying on the side of the road.


‘The loss of my husband is everything for me. He was my protector,’ she said.

Politics, World News

APC Senator backs call to impeach President Buhari over insecurity.

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A serving senator of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Elisha Abbo, has allegedly backed the move by the PDP Senators to impeach President Buhari over the alarming rate of insecurity across the country.

According to Channels, Senator Abbo in an interview with its TV station, said he is in full support of the impeachment move against the President. He stated that the Nigerian leader has failed in his fundamental responsibility to secure the lives and property of the people.

Recently, there are reports of renewed attacks by terrorists and other armed non-state actors at various locations in the country, with security operatives being killed in some cases.

On Wednesday, July 27, PDP Senators staged a walkout following a call to impeach President Buhari.

The Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Philip Aduda, had raised a point of order asking the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to discuss the country’s security situation and President Buhari’s impeachment. But the Senate President who presided over the plenary declined the request of the minority leader, saying the point of order raised fell flat on its face.

Angered by the action of the Senate President, all the lawmakers elected on the platforms of all political parties other than the All Progressives Congress (APC) walked out of the legislative chamber while the plenary was ongoing.

They later handed a six-week ultimatum to President Buhari to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country, saying they would commence impeachment proceedings against him should he fail to address the issue within the period.

World News

Union crisis: MC Oluomo, Istijabah end rift.

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Two transport union leaders in Lagos State, Azeez Ajibola, aka Istijabah; and Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo; appeared to have sheathed their swords and have agreed to work together, The PUNCH has learnt.

Istijabah is known as the Chairman of the Tricycle Owners and Operators Association of Nigeria in Lagos State whilst MC Oluomo is the newly appointed Chairman of the Lagos State Parks and Garages Management Committee.

The two leaders have been at loggerheads for months over the control of motor parks and garages in the state and their lieutenants have repeatedly engaged in violent clashes in many parts of the state.

However, our correspondent gathered from sources familiar with the matter that the two union leaders were invited to a reconciliation meeting at the Ministry of Transportation in Alausa this week.

The meeting was attended by MC Oluomo; Istijabah; the Government Liaison Officer of the state’s parks management committee, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd.); officials of the transport ministry, amongst others.

In a video released to his Facebook page and confirmed to The PUNCH, Istijabah said the squabble was over.

Istijabah, who spoke in Yoruba, said, “God has settled the disagreement between myself and MC Oluomo. I said everything I said about him in anger and they were untrue. The people at the Ministry of Transportation have settled the whole matter.

“Presently now, from myself as the Zonal Chairman of Zone C and all the excos and all branch chairman, we have joined the Park and Garages established by the Lagos State Government. The progress of Lagos is our responsibility.”

Also, the spokesperson for MC Oluomo, Jimoh Buhari, in a telephone chat with The PUNCH on Friday, confirmed the development.

He said, “MC Oluomo has agreed to work with Istijabah following the intervention of the state government. They have worked together before and he is ready to work with him again.”

Lagos State Commissioner of Transport, Frederic Oladeinde, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday confirmed that the parks management committee had been working on resolving the union crisis in the state. “I don’t see why other unions won’t come under the Parks Committee,” he told The PUNCH.

Also, an aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who chose anonymity, welcomed the development and said it is in the interest of peace and stability of the state.

Back story

MC Oluomo, formerly the chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, had been embroiled in a protracted conflict with Istijabah over the control of parks and ticket sales and lives had been reportedly lost while some persons were injured during their numerous fracas.

MC Oluomo had rejected Istijabah as TOOAN chairman in the state and the national body of NURTW in Abuja had suspended him (MC Oluomo) which led to his withdrawal from the union and the suspension of the NURTW by the Sanwo-Olu government.

The governor subsequently appointed MC Oluomo as the parks management committee chairman whilst the NURTW National President, Tajudeen Baruwa, appointed Fatai Adeshina, aka Akeweje, as the NURTW Caretaker Committee Chairman in the state but Akeweje faction had not taken over as it accused MC Oluomo of seizing the NURTW secretariat in the abattoir area of Agege in Lagos.

The NURTW under the leadership of Baruwa has lost about three states in the South-West including Lagos and the governors have replaced the transport union with parks management committee.

According to a 2021 report by the International Centre for Investigative Report, the Lagos chapter of NURTW generates about N123.08bn annually, which could service the annual budget of Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe states put together.

Politics, World News

Don’t vote Muslim-Muslim ticket – Northern APC Christians.

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Northern Christian leaders in the All Progressives Congress on Friday called on Nigerians not to vote for any ticket that was not mixed between Christians and Muslims during the 2023 elections.

According to them, since the Muslim-Muslim ticket for the presidency was divisive, it must be rejected by all patriotic Nigerians.

They bared their minds during the APC Northern Christian Leaders Summit, with a declaration that the insinuation that Northern Muslims would not support a Christian running made was untrue and divisive.

Among the leaders who spoke during the event were a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung; Senator Ishaku Abbo (Adamawa North) and several other Christian leaders in Northern Nigeria.

Lawal, who was also the chairman of the occasion, said colleagues within and outside the APC expressed shock over their reaction to the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 general election, saying it was a grand conspiracy against the Northern Christians.

The former SGF said, “Our opposition has some historical basis. There were times in the past when Christians produced the Deputy Governors in Kebbi, Niger and Kaduna states. Now, it is wholly Muslim-Muslim tickets.

“It is worth noting that all these are happening in the APC-controlled states. They are threatening to do likewise in Gombe, Kogi and Adamawa states.

“It is also now a recurring practice in the North whereby any Christian traditional ruler that dies is replaced with a Muslim Prince, albeit from the ruling family even if the most qualified and preferred prince is a Christian. The recent case of Billiri Chiefdom in Gombe State is still fresh in our minds.

“Proof of its anti-Christian agenda is that our party itself has completely eliminated Northern Christians from its NWC (National Working Committee) and NEC (National Executive Committee). All our protestations as party members have been completely ignored by the party leadership.

“But as members of the APC, we have the right to continue to express our indignation at these happenings and will not give up until we secure the justice that is due us.

“The main purpose of this historical narrative is to let you know that for the APC, a Muslim-Muslim ticket has been a long-term political strategy and not a one-off decision. Thus, all this talk of competence as the reason for the choice of the Muslim VP are balderdash and diversionary. This is a calculated anti-Christian exclusion agenda that is being implemented.

“We see this ticket as an assent to the current and continuing educational, economic and political marginalisation of the Northern Nigerian Christians.

“Christians all over the country see this MM ticket as a deliberate and premeditated attempt to introduce and firmly entrench religion into the politics of this country. This, of course, will lead to further disharmony in the hitherto fragile coexistence of the Nigerian society, disrupt peace and hamper both social and economic development of the country.

“Christians, and indeed most enlightened Nigerians are at a loss as to why people that intend to govern a country with our kind of diversity would choose this path to power. This is very divisive and must be rejected by all patriotic Nigerians.

“Implied in this ticket is the insinuation that Northern Muslims are not willing to vote for a ticket that has a Christian on it and on which they are not represented. It is our belief that northern Muslims would have seen the justice in a Muslim-Christian ticket and would have given it their overwhelming support had the party been inclined to do so.

“A corollary to this mindset is that Christians should also not vote for a ticket in which they are not accommodated. Unfortunately, this is the message we get loud and clear from this MM ticket. This is truly a wake-up call for all Nigerian Christians. We didn’t start this religious politics, the APC and its candidates did; so, all of us should take note and act as appropriate.”

While advising his APC colleagues to spare them the sanctimonious lectures on “competence” and the cliché “religion of the candidates does not matter”, Lawal added that, “The truth is that the 2023 presidential election will be all about religion, and sadly, you started it; religion does matter in this context; so be ready for the consequences”.

Lawal said, “It is important to reiterate that we Nigerian Christians want to live in peace and harmony with all practitioners of other religions. We want to enjoy social and economic developments like other parts of the world but without peace, justice and religious harmony, this is not possible.

“On our part, we neither seek to oppress nor dominate anyone or any religion. But we will also resist anyone trying to discriminate against us and our religion. We were not the ones that started this fight. The APC started it and must be ready to carry the cross it has created. Blaming Christians and heaping insults on CAN will take them nowhere.

“For, how do they expect Christians to keep silent when a northern state governor publicly states that they pressured (Bola) Tinubu to get a northern Muslim VP because they did not believe him to be a good Muslim? Is the VP going to be the National Deputy Imam? How do they expect us to keep silent when another northern state governor goes to Osun State and urges them to vote for someone just because he is a Muslim? Was he there for the election campaign or “dawah”? What can be a better example of religion in politics than demonstrated by these governors?

“Clearly, there is an agenda to politically, religiously, and economically suppress and oppress the Northern Christian. But we are up to the task. We will protect ourselves. The PVC and our prayers will be our weapons of choice and we will massively deploy them in 2023.

“But while we are ready to battle this politics of exclusion and oppression, we are open to discussions with any one who wants to engage with us in good faith.”

Dogara, on his part, said with the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, Nigeria was going the way of the Nazi Germany.

The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, who said the APC wanted to disintegrate Nigeria like USSR and Yugoslavia, added that the party looked like a “janjaweed” party.

According to him, Nigeria of 2022 is not the Nigeria of 1993 adding that the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made a fatal error of judgment.

Dogara also supported the position of other Christian leaders on the Muslim-Muslim ticket, with a call on Christians to seek for an alternative platform in the 2023 elections.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Truth must be told that anyone who is not bringing us together is consciously tearing us apart”, Dogara added.

Senator Abbo said no Northerner would fight his brother because he is a Muslim, adding that they were fighting injustice.

He called on Nigerians to reject every divisive tendency of individuals to divide the people.

World News

NCDC reports 857 Lassa fever cases, 164 deaths

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A total of 164 people have so far died of Lassa fever in Nigeria in 2022.

The latest Lassa fever situation report for week 29, obtained from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Friday, showed that there are 857 confirmed cases of the disease in the country.

The confirmed cases are said to be distributed across 24 states and 99 local government areas in the country. The report also noted that 54 healthcare workers had been infected with the disease.

The NCDC also confirmed a total of 5,890 suspected cases in 2022.

Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease associated with high morbidity and mortality, and it has both economic and health security implications.

A breakdown indicated that of all confirmed cases, Ondo has (30%); Edo, (26%); and Bauchi (14%) states.

The report read in part, “In week 29, the number of new confirmed cases increased from5 in week28, 2022to10 cases. These were reported from Edo and Ondo States.

“Cumulatively from week 1 to week 29, 2022, 164 deaths have been reported with case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.1% which is lower than the CFR for the sameperiodin2021 (23.7%).

“In total for 2022, 24 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 99 Local Government Areas.

“Of all confirmed cases, 70% are from Ondo (30%), Edo (26%), and Bauchi (14%) States.

“The predominant age group affected is 21-30 years (Range: 0 to 90 years, MedianAge:30 years). The male-to-female ratio for confirmed cases is 1:0.8

“The number of suspected cases has increased compared to that reported for the same period in 2021

“One new Healthcare worker was affected in Ondo State.”

A former chairman of the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Dr. Tunji Akintade, called for continued advocacy and sensitisation of communities in the country.

“There is a need to strengthen the surveillance system for early detection, isolation, and confirmation of cases. People must also learn to maintain good environmental and personal hygiene to discourage rodents from entering homes and having access to foodstuff,” Akintade said.

World News

Court remands bizman over alleged N11m fraud.

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A businessman, Olaitan Aina, who allegedly received the sum of a million on Christmas Eve, was on Friday, remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Services Centre by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo made the order after the arraignment of the defendant by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The defendant was arraigned on one count bordering on money laundering, preferred against him by the EFCC.

EFCC counsel Ebuke Okongwu told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 24, 2012, in Lagos.

The charge reads, “That you AINA OLAITAN CHRISTOPHER on or about the 24th December 2012, accepted cash payment of N11,000,000 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2) (a) of the same Act”.

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge against him.

Following his plea, his counsel Kolapo Gbadamosi informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail dated July 18, and served the EFCC on July 20.

But the Commission opposed the bail application.

Okongwu prayed the court to refuse the application for bail or in the alternative impose terms and conditions that will ensure the defendant is present for trial.

After listening to the arguments of both counsels, Justice Oweibo in a bench ruling, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5million with one surety in like sum.

He ordered that the surety must be a landed property owner within Lagos and have evidence of tax payment for the last three years.

The judge adjourned the case till November 29 for trial.

Politics, World News

Peter Obi group seeks voter registration deadline extension.

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The Peter Obi Support Network on Friday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to extend the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise until at least, November 2022.

The POSN said that it might “be left with no other option than to seek redress in court since all entreaties to INEC to continue the CVR have fallen on deaf ears.”

The POSN Director (Legal/Election Monitoring), Modupe Olufemi-Akodu, issued the threat in a statement in Abuja.

She said, “We have made several appeals to INEC to stick to the Electoral Law which stipulates that voter registration should stop 90 days before the general elections. But all our entreaties seem to have fallen on deaf ears as INEC is going ahead with its plans to suspend the exercise on July 31.

“This is suspected to be a trick to disenfranchise millions of young potential voters who have not been able to register or transfer their cards within this period.”

Olufemi-Akodu raised the alarm that INEC’s action amounts to voter suppression, which it hopes will favour a particular political party against the other.

World News

Craftsman accuses Rivers cops of assault, demands justice.

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An iron bender identified as Promise Nwosi has accused officers of the Anti-cultism Unit of the Rivers State Police Command of assaulting him for refusing to get hold of a man who ran pass him while being chased by the policemen along SARS road, in Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Nwosi, who had a swollen face and injuries, cried as he narrated the incident to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

The man said he left home to work at an estate along SARS road on Thursday morning when the policemen who were hunting a man got to him and started beating him.

Nwosi said the officers accosted him for refusing to catch the fleeing man when he ran past him.

“I went to work this morning. It was raining. So, I went to have my hair cut. When I was done, I came out of the barbing salon (barber’s shop) to buy a recharge card.

“I started hearing noise saying ‘catch him, catch him. As I looked outside, it was the anti-cultism pursuing someone. The boy just ran past.

“The man (an officer) walked up to me where I stood and asked me why I didn’t get hold of the person they were pursuing?

“I responded that I don’t know what happened when I came to buy a card.

“He started beating me. I managed to ask what I did. He said I refused to catch the person they were after. I said I didn’t know what was going on.

“They used a gun to hit my eye and my body. My teeth are even hurting me too. I didn’t commit any offence,” he said.

The distraught man said when he reported the matter to the leader of the team, the officer threw a N1000 note at him to go get treatment, saying he even lost his smart phone while he was being brutalised.

While insisting on justice, Nwosi said he wanted the policemen identified and made to face the law, pointing that he was having pains all over his body.

When contacted, spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, asked if the man reported the incident to the police.

She, however, promised to find out from the commander of the anti-cultism unit and get back to our correspondent.

World News

Nasarawa police probe alleged rape of teenager.

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The Nasarawa State Police Command said it had begun investigation into the case of an alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl by her uncle, who is a police Inspector in the state.

The state Chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Rabiatu Addra, had alleged that the personnel attached to the State Intelligence Bureau of the Police Command had been repeatedly raping the victim, who was his niece and lived with him.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lafia on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said the command received a complaint about the matter on July 18, 2022, and had been following up on it, to ensure that justice was served.

He narrated that the complaint received was that the personnel, an Inspector attached to the State Intelligence Bureau, had been in the habit of having unlawful carnal knowledge of his 15 years old niece who resided with him and his family.

He said, “Upon the receipt of the complaints, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi, ordered the arrest of the suspect.

“The CP also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, DCP Shettima Jauro-Mohammed, to carry out a diligent investigation into the matter.

“Experts were also brought and obtained DNA samples in order to prove further the perpetrator of the act.”

Nansel noted that the outcome of the DNA test was still being awaited to unravel the culprit and urged residents of the state to be patient and not pre-empt the result.

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined organisation and will not condone or cover up any act that is contrary to the law and capable of bringing the Force to disrepute.

“The public is hereby assured of a comprehensive investigation into the case as the outcome of the investigation will be made public, and anyone found wanting in the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law,” he added.

Politics, World News

Atiku lied during interview, says Wike.

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The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday, claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, allegedly made false statements during his recent interview on Arise TV.

This is as he also confirmed that contrary to reports, the former Vice president was yet to begin a reconciliation move despite claims on pages of newspapers that a committee had been set up to meet with him.

Wike stated this while briefing journalists at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

“He (Atiku) appeared on Arise Television, see the statement he made. So many lies were told and you said I should not react to some of those issues. That would not be fair,” Wike claimed.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

Beyoncé breaks her silence on forgiving Jay Z after he cheated and the lift fight in explosive Renaissance album.

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Beyoncé’s long-awaited and highly-anticipated album was released today July 29, and it has created quite a buzz already.

While there’s quite a lot to be discussed following the album release, it was also noticed that the singer referenced her husband Jay-Z‘s past cheating, which were focal themes of her last album Lemonade and his project 4:44. 

Bey also referenced the infamous lift incident which saw her sister, Solange physically attack Jay.

Appearing to refer to the criticism around their relationship over the past six years on Plastic Off The Sofa, Beyonce sings: 

Beyonce and JayZ

“We don’t need the world’s acceptance.

“They’re too hard on me, they’re too hard on you, boy.”

She also appears to show a softer side towards Jay, who she married in a top-secret intimate wedding on April 4, 2008 — the fourth day of the fourth month, in honour of their favourite number

Bey added; 

“Boy, I know you can’t help but to be yourself around me, yourself around me.

“And I know nobody’s perfect so I’ll let you be, I’ll let you be

“It’s the way that you wear your emotions on both of your sleeves, til the face you make when I tell you that I had to leave.”

She then confidently reminded Jay that she’s the “only” one. “I’m one of one, I’m number one, I’m the only one,” she sang. “Don’t even waste your time trying to compete with me. No one else in this world can think like me. I’m twisted, contradicted, keep him addicted.”

Protecting her husband, who she met when she was 18 and in girl band ­Destiny’s Child, she sings:

“I’ll always be your secret weapon in your arsenal.

“And I know you had it rough growing up, but that’s OK, I like it rough. Baby when you let your feelings get in the way. I still like it, baby, oh I like it, baby.”

Referring to the 2014 fight between her sister Solange and Jay-Z in a New York hotel lift, she sings; 

“Jay and Solange have apologised to each other and we have moved forward as a united family.

“They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that has played out in public.”

In the album’s second song, Cozy, Beyonce appears to hint at the incident, singing: “She’s a god, she’s a hero, she survived, all she been through, confident and she lethal.

“Might I suggest you don’t f*** with my sis, because she ­comfortable. Comfortable in my skin, cozy with who I am.”

Security camera footage at the time, showed Solange throwing punches at her brother-in-law before a bodyguard dragged her off the rapper.

In the 58-second clip Beyonce was seen frozen in the corner of the lift.

Renaissance marks Beyoncé’s first solo studio album since 2016’s Lemonade. Since then, she released Everything Is Love, a 2018 joint album with her husband, Jay-Z. In 2019, she put out Homecoming, essential the live album of her 2018 headlining Coachella performance, before releasing The Lion King: The Gift, a companion album to the live-action movie. The Gift featured several new Beyoncé songs, but none of these projects had the same weight as a solo album.

While Lemonade currently stands at certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA, Everything Is Love has only reached Gold status, and the other projects haven’t crossed that threshold. Lemonade remains one of Beyoncé’s best-selling albums, matching 2006’s B’Day in Platinum status (3x). Only her 2003 album, Dangerously In Love, has sold more.

Entertainment, Football, World News

Barcelona chief, Joan Laporta vows to do everything he can to re-sign Lionel Messi next summer when his PSG contract expires.

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Barcelona president, Joan Laporta has vowed to do all he can to re-sign Lionel Messi next summer when the PSG star’s contract expires.


The Argentine playmaker, 35, exited the Nou Camp to join the French giants on a free transfer in 2021, ending his 21-year Barcelona career.

Laporta, who admitted he feels ‘indebted’ to the Argentine superstar, is set to do everything to bring him back to the Catalan club next year.


‘I would like him to end his career in a Barca shirt, and be applauded at all the stadiums.

‘I feel partially responsible for how things ended, and I feel that this is a temporary end and that we will make this dream a reality. At least that is the dream.’


Recall it was a bitter end for Messi after he submitted a transfer request via burofax after Barca were thumped 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League back in 2020.

The playmaker almost made a U-turn to remain at the club, but the ongoing financial problems worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic prevented Barcelona from offering Messi a new deal, paving the way for him to join PSG.


Messi notched 670 goals and 302 assists in 776 games during his two-decade spell with the LaLiga giants.

World News

Guard dog lies down next to its drug gang owners during police raid.

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A dog has been described as the “world’s most useless guard dog” after being spotted lying down beside its owners during a drug raid. 

A footage shared online showed cops arresting the three men yesterday July 28, on a ranch in Hortolandia, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. Three suspects were seen lying face-down on the floor with their hands cuffed behind their backs.

Their massive Rottweiler decided that it’s best to be compliant with officers and laid down beside them. 

Officers seized 1,176 bricks containing 1.1 tonnes of cannabis from the property. Narcotics Police said the drugs was shipped to the house in Hortolandia from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul state.

It is believed the drugs were to be sold in and around Campinas, Sao Paulo state.

While the men, one of whom owns the house, were taken to the Narcotics Police headquarters in nearby Americana, the dog remained in the property with the woman who owns the land around the house, who police say is not involved in drug trafficking.

It was also revealed that cops will return to the ranch today to check on the Rottweiler and two other dogs to see if animal protection services are needed.

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