Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Author: B.O.B Echoload

  • Buhari Constitutes UNILAG Visitation Panel, Suspends Babalakin, Ogundipe

    Buhari Constitutes UNILAG Visitation Panel, Suspends Babalakin, Ogundipe

    President Muhammadu Buhari Friday constituted a Visitation Panel to look into the crisis at University of Lagos, NTA News has reported.

    The President, who is the Visitor to the university, among other decisions mandated the panel to submit its report within two weeks.

    Sacked UNILAG VC Withdraws Court Case Against Babalakin, Others

    Members of the panel include: Prof. Tukur Sa’ad as the Chairman; Barrister Victor Onuoha as a member, Prof. Ikenna Oyindo member, Prof. Ekanem Braide, member, Prof. Adamu Usman, member, Chief Jimoh Bankole, member; and Barrister Grace Ekanem as Secretary.

    NTA report added the Pro-Chancellor, Wale Babalakin, SAN and the Vice Chancellor, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, have been “suspended” from office as they are both to recuse themselves from performing their functions in office during the period of the visitation.

    Unilag VC’s removal lacks due process – Vice Chancellors tell Babalakin-led council

    Buhari also directed the Senate to convene an urgent meeting and appoint an Acting Vice Chancellor for the university, a directive which practically sacked the Acting Vice Chancellor, Theophilus Soyombo, who was appointed by the Babalakin-led Governing Council.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Sacked UNILAG VC Withdraws Court Case Against Babalakin, Others

    Sacked UNILAG VC Withdraws Court Case Against Babalakin, Others

    Embattled Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Friday withdrew the lawsuit filed at the National Industrial Court to challenge his sacking by the Wale Babalakin-led Governing Council.

    Ogundipe had filed an action at the National Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/LA/D18/2020 dated August 14, where he joined University of Lagos, Council, Senate, Wale Babalakin, Registrar, and Acting Vice Chancellor appointed by the Council, Theophilus Soyombo, as defendants in the suit.

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    The embattled vice chancellor, in a statement by a member of his legal team, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, said he was no longer going ahead with the legal process which he initiated at the National Industrial Court.

    According to him, “Contrary to the falsehood being peddled by mischief makers, the National Industrial Court has never sat or conduct any proceedings in respect of the court case filed by the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Professor Oluwole Ogundipe.

    “No court proceedings ever took place at all and so no decision or ruling has been rendered by the court.

    Babalakin-led Governing Council sacks UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ogundipe

    “Indeed, upon detailed consultation with all stakeholders and his supporters in and outside the university, Professor Ogundipe directed his lawyer’s to file a notice of discontinuance of the suit and this has been done on August 21, 2020.

    “This is to defer to the authority of the President as the Visitor of the university as Professor Ogundipe has enough time to challenge his purported removal.

    “This falsehood is being spread to malign the court and blackmail the judiciary by enemies of the rule of law and due process.

    UNILAG VC spent unapproved N120m, his sack legal –  says Babalakin

    “The general public is therefore advised to discountenance these mindless fabrications as the handiwork of those who are afraid of subjecting their illegal acts to the true test of probity and to be wary of fake news being peddled in place of truth, especially as they relate to deliberate manipulation of court proceedings.

    “There was no time that the court sat to fix any date for the case.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Withdrawal of Invitation to Kaduna Gov: NBA President Writes NGF, Tenders Unreserved Apologies

    Withdrawal of Invitation to Kaduna Gov: NBA President Writes NGF, Tenders Unreserved Apologies

    Outgoing President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro, Friday tendered unreserved apologies to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over the association’s decision to withdraw an invite to the governor as a guest speaker at the forthcoming NBA Annual General Conference.

    Usoro, in a letter titled: “Nigerian Bar Association 2020 Annual General Conference: Invitation to H.E. Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State” and addressed to the Director General,
    Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Asishana Okauru, said he took full responsibility for the unintended embarrassment and tender his regrets and apologies.

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    According to him, “Further to our telcon (Okauru/Usoro) this morning on the above subject matter, let me once again, through your good offices, tender my unreserved apologies to His Excellency, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, for the unintended embarrassment that may have been caused him by the decision of the Nigerian Bar Association (“NBA” or the (“Association”) National Executive Committee (“NEC”) decision at its meeting that was held yesterday, 20 August 2020, to dis-invite him as a Panelist in one of the Sessions scheduled for the upcoming NBA Annual General Conference (“AGC”).

    “As the NBA President, I take full responsibility for the unintended embarrassment and tender my regrets and apologies.”

    He explained that the initial decision to invite El-Rufai was made by the AGC’s Technical Committee for Conference Planning without any input from NEC as a body.

    “The TCCP is itself an organ of NEC and was constituted by NEC at its meeting in December 2019. It is in all respects answerable to NEC and has a mandatory duty to report its activities to NEC at NEC’s quarterly meetings one of which was held yesterday. As an elected National Officer of the Association, I am personally answerable to NEC and cannot overrule its decisions even if I have totally different viewpoints and positions in regard thereto. TCCP, as an NBA organ, is in precisely the same position and the same applies to all other Committees of the NBA.

    “Indeed, I need to mention that a standard agenda item for the Quarterly NEC Meeting is the Report from the various NBA Sections, Forums and Committees. To the extent that the NBA Committees’ works, and activities are on the NEC Agenda, NEC members are at liberty to raise questions, demand clarifications, discuss and give mandatory directives and directions on those works and activities and the Committees are bound by those directives and directions of NEC.

    “As I also explained to you, the statutory membership of NEC is made up of all Past Presidents and General Secretaries and three members each from each of our 125 Branches. There are also about 120 co-opted members. NEC was deliberately made that large by the framers of the Association’s Constitution to accommodate all shades of opinion and thoughts.

    “As I further mentioned to you during our telcon, the invitation of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was brought up by NEC members at yesterday’s meeting when the TCCP’s arrangements for the 2020 AGC was placed on the agenda for discussions and the preponderance of opinion was that His Excellency should be dis-invited. There was indeed a motion that was moved and seconded to that effect. Those who spoke in favor of his attendance, including me, were in the minority. I was personally placed in a very difficult and problematic position. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is a friend that I have known as long ago as the early 1980s and we do have some other very close mutual friends. And yet, I am bound, as an elected President of the NBA, by decisions and directives of NEC to whom I am answerable in my official capacity. There truly was nothing that I or the TCCP could do in the face of NEC’s decision of yesterday.

    “In concluding, I must clarify two critical issues. First, NEC’s decision yesterday had no ethnic or religious coloration or connotation howsoever and whatsoever. In discussing the issue at NEC, nobody talked about religion or ethnicity. As I recall, there were no more than 3 (three) advocates for retaining the invitation of the NBA to H.E. Nasir El-Rufai (not including me) and two of these three gentlemen are from the South of Nigeria and one is a reverend gentleman. Conversely, some of those who spoke against his attendance share the same faith with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and some others come from the Northern part of Nigeria.

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    “The second point that I must clarify is that, NBA NEC, by its decision was not passing any judgment on Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. NBA NEC is not in a position to pass such judgments without having all the facts and hearing from all the sides and it did not set out to pass any such judgment. NEC merely made a judgment that it was not in the best interest of the Association to be engulfed in the controversy that trailed the invitation of Mallam el-Rufai for the Conference and that it was best if the safety-valve of dis-inviting the Governor was applied. Indeed, NEC did not howsoever or at all discuss the substance of the issues that have been raised against the Governor by the different groups and persons who clamored for his being dis-invited – and there was very considerable clamor in that regard. I perhaps need to mention that, prior to the NEC meeting I had personally taken urgent and strident steps, working with the TCCP, to douse the clamor, but we had no success.

    “I truly would appreciate your bringing this letter to the attention not just of HE Nasir el-Rufai but also to all the other members of the esteemed Nigerian Governors’ Forum and in particular, the Chairman of the Forum, H.E. (Dr) Kayode Fayemi. Please, assure Their Excellencies that the Nigerian Bar Association holds all our Governors, including HE Nasir el-Rufai, in the highest esteem and would do nothing intentionally to embarrass them collectively or individually. Once again, I offer my sincere and deepest apologies and regrets for the unintended embarrassment that may have been caused to H.E. Nasir el-Rufai by the afore-referenced decision of the NBA NEC and would appreciate your passing on my regrets and apologies to him personally,” Usoro said.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

    Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have expressed sadness over the death of a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of Lagos State APC, Lanre Razaq, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74 after a brief illness.

    Sanwo-Olu, who described late Razaq’s death as a rude shock, said the deceased was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes.

    Tinubu also described the passing of prominent politician, businessman and APC chieftain in Lagos State as a big loss to the state.

    Razaq, Balogun of Epe, died on Saturday at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after a brief illness.

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    Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, said the deceased, in his lifetime stood for what is right, always championing policies that would lift the lot of the poor masses.

    The governor added that late Razaq, popularly called KLM did not hide his love and support of his administration especially the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

    “I am saddened by the death of one of our political leaders in Lagos APC, Chief Lanre Razaq. He was a loyal party man and committed democrat, with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He was an extremely loyal politician, who did his best for our party, the All Progressives Congress.

    “Chief Razaq served his people and Lagos State passionately as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and Commissioner of Public Transportation. He brought a lot of development to Epe as a council boss and also made a lot of positive contributions to turn around public transportation in Lagos during his tenure as member of the State Executive Council.

    “Chief Razaq was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes. His support for our T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda was exemplary. He always propelled us to do more for the people of Lagos State.

    “There is no doubting the fact that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the people of Epe, the Lagos East Senatorial District and the atate as a whole,” Sanwo-Olu said.

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    The governor also condoled with the immediate family of the departed, Tinubu, other GAC members, Lagos State APC and the entire people of Epe, praying God to grant the soul of the beloved Razaq eternal rest in Aljannah firdaus.

    On his part, Tinubu said Rasaq was a grassroots politician, party loyalist and believer in the progressive cause.

    Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Media Office and signed by his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Lanre Rasaq, a grassroots politician, well-known ally and a defender of the progressive cause.

    “A member of our Governor’s Advisory Council in Lagos and one of the apex leaders in Lagos East, Chief Rasaq is an important part of our political movement.

    “He was a loyal and energetic party man who did a lot for APC, Lagos State and his Epe hometown.

    “Since he joined politics to meaningfully contribute his quota to the development of the people and betterment of the society, Chief Rasaq had had his hand on the plough and never to look back.

    “He served Epe and Lagos State in various capacities including as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and later Commissioner for Public Transportation in the state.

    “So influential is Rasaq in his hometown that he was gifted the traditional title of Balogun of Epe. His death is a big loss to Lagos and Epe town. Lagos APC and members of the progressive family across the country will deeply miss him.

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    “I mourn with his wife and children and the entire Rasaq family. May Almighty Allah give them the strength to live after their father and patriarch.

    “I commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of the state, particularly the entire people of Epe for the loss of an illustrious son.

    “May Almighty Allah forgive the late politician of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. Amin.”

  • Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

    Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

    Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have expressed sadness over the death of a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of Lagos State APC, Lanre Razaq, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 74 after a brief illness.

    Sanwo-Olu, who described late Razaq’s death as a rude shock, said the deceased was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes.

    Tinubu also described the passing of prominent politician, businessman and APC chieftain in Lagos State as a big loss to the state.

    Razaq, Balogun of Epe, died on Saturday at Reddington Hospital in Lagos after a brief illness.

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    Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, said the deceased, in his lifetime stood for what is right, always championing policies that would lift the lot of the poor masses.

    The governor added that late Razaq, popularly called KLM did not hide his love and support of his administration especially the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.

    “I am saddened by the death of one of our political leaders in Lagos APC, Chief Lanre Razaq. He was a loyal party man and committed democrat, with a deep understanding of the state’s political landscape. He was an extremely loyal politician, who did his best for our party, the All Progressives Congress.

    “Chief Razaq served his people and Lagos State passionately as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and Commissioner of Public Transportation. He brought a lot of development to Epe as a council boss and also made a lot of positive contributions to turn around public transportation in Lagos during his tenure as member of the State Executive Council.

    “Chief Razaq was a great politician, a strong party man and an advocate of masses oriented programmes. His support for our T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda was exemplary. He always propelled us to do more for the people of Lagos State.

    “There is no doubting the fact that he would be missed by the entire political class, particularly the people of Epe, the Lagos East Senatorial District and the atate as a whole,” Sanwo-Olu said.

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    The governor also condoled with the immediate family of the departed, Tinubu, other GAC members, Lagos State APC and the entire people of Epe, praying God to grant the soul of the beloved Razaq eternal rest in Aljannah firdaus.

    On his part, Tinubu said Rasaq was a grassroots politician, party loyalist and believer in the progressive cause.

    Tinubu, in a condolence message issued by his Media Office and signed by his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, said: “I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Lanre Rasaq, a grassroots politician, well-known ally and a defender of the progressive cause.

    “A member of our Governor’s Advisory Council in Lagos and one of the apex leaders in Lagos East, Chief Rasaq is an important part of our political movement.

    “He was a loyal and energetic party man who did a lot for APC, Lagos State and his Epe hometown.

    “Since he joined politics to meaningfully contribute his quota to the development of the people and betterment of the society, Chief Rasaq had had his hand on the plough and never to look back.

    “He served Epe and Lagos State in various capacities including as Chairman of Epe Local Government Area and later Commissioner for Public Transportation in the state.

    “So influential is Rasaq in his hometown that he was gifted the traditional title of Balogun of Epe. His death is a big loss to Lagos and Epe town. Lagos APC and members of the progressive family across the country will deeply miss him.

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    “I mourn with his wife and children and the entire Rasaq family. May Almighty Allah give them the strength to live after their father and patriarch.

    “I commiserate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the government and people of the state, particularly the entire people of Epe for the loss of an illustrious son.

    “May Almighty Allah forgive the late politician of his shortcomings, reward his good deeds and grant him Aljanna Fridaus. Amin.”

  • Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Tests Positive for COVID-19

    Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Tests Positive for COVID-19

    Screen goddess, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The Nollywood actress, who is also a singer, Saturday announced that she recently contracted COVID-19 but did not disclose how and where.

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    According to her, “Hello all, I know most of you have been wondering where I’ve been.

    “Well, I contracted COVID-19. I have been ill and now getting better. More on the details of this soon.”

    She, however, took out time to also make comments on recent deaths in the country, most especially that of an Assistant Manager at Cold Stone Creamery, Immaculate Okochu, who was reportedly crushed to death by a truck in Lagos.

    Jalade-Ekeinde said: “I have been reading on the devastating news of how our youths are needlessly dying getting crushed by trailers/containers! This is disheartening and has made my heart really troubled!

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    “This can happen to anyone and enforcements can’t be taken lightly on this. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, please do something!!!”

  • Ohuabunwa at 70: Buhari Praises His Contributions to Transform Nigerian Economy

    Ohuabunwa at 70: Buhari Praises His Contributions to Transform Nigerian Economy

    President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly felicitated with former Chairman of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Sam Ohuabunwa, on his 70th birthday on August 16, joining friends and family members to celebrate the visionary leader, whose competence and influence have greatly impacted on the Nigerian economy and beyond.

    Buhari congratulated Ohuabunwa, who is currently President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, for many years of service to the nation, starting out early as staff of Pfizer, and phenomenally rising to become Chairman/CEO of the pharmaceutical company within 15 years, and leading a management team to buy over Pfizer Inc shares after four years at the helm of affairs.

    The President believed “Ohuabunwa’s contributions in the private sector greatly shaped and transformed the Nigerian economy, especially the leading role he played as NESG Chairman, a think-tank that periodically sets development targets for the private and public sectors, and works diligently to harmonise their energy for measurable results.”

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    Buhari affirmed that “the recognitions and awards given to the entrepreneur over the years, home and abroad, are well deserved, commending his pivotal leadership in the country, which include President, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association; Chairman, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Ikeja; President of the Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce and founding of Sam Ohuabunwa Foundation for Economic Empowerment.”

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    The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to greatly increase the wisdom of Ohuabunwa, who is also a Knight of Saint Christopher of the Anglican Communion, and bless his family.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • APC Chieftain in Lagos, Lanre Rasak, Dies of Coronavirus

    APC Chieftain in Lagos, Lanre Rasak, Dies of Coronavirus

    A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Lanre Razak, and a member of Governor’s Advisory Committee (GAC), the highest decision-making body in Lagos State, has died of complications arising from the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    Razaq, sources said, died early Saturday morning.

    The Epe-born politician was said to have taken ill some days ago now.

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    Information had it that he was already recovering only for him to pass on today at the age of 74.

    Announcing his obituary, Bayo Osiyemi said Razaq died of COVID-19.

    Osiyemi wrote: “Lagos State boisterous politician and the Balogun of Epe, Chief Lanre Rasaq is dead.

    “He succumbed to the coronavirus pandemic on Lagos after a long battle with it.

    “Chief Rasaq was a member of the state’s Governors Advisory Council (GAC) and was a one-time chairman of Epe local government before he was elevated to becoming the state commissioner for transportation in the military administration of Col Olagunsòyè Oyinlola.

    “Bìg and burly, KLM, as he was widely known, was a member of several social organisations.

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    “He ran a flourishing construction company which was involved in many housing programs of govt on private-pinlic partnership basis.”

    Razak had his political base in Epe where he earned the title of Balogun of Epeland. He was also honoured with the title of Fiwagbade of Lagos.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Bayern Humiliate Barca 8-2 as Pique Says Catalan Club Needs Lots of Changes

    Bayern Humiliate Barca 8-2 as Pique Says Catalan Club Needs Lots of Changes

    Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said radical changes were needed from top to bottom after his side were annihilated 8-2 by Bayern Munich on Friday to exit the Champions League in one of the Catalan side’s darkest ever nights, Reuters has reported.

    “We feel devastated, although shame is the real word I’m looking for. We cannot afford to compete like this because it’s not the first, the second or the third time that something like this has happened,” a tearful Pique told reporters after the quarter-final drubbing, their worst ever result in Europe.

    “This is very painful but I hope it serves some purpose.”

    Pique, one of the surviving members of the team who won the Champions League in 2009 under Pep Guardiola to begin a golden era for the Catalans, said he was ready to leave the club in order to ensure they improve.

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    He also appeared to blame the Barca hierarchy, which includes president Josep Maria Bartomeu, for the team’s predicament as he called for changes at the very top.

    “We all need to reflect deeply, the club needs lots of changes, I’m not talking about the coach, players – I don’t want to point the finger at anyone but the club needs changes on a structural level,” he said.

    “If new blood needs to come for the club to change course then I’m not untouchable and I’ll be the first to leave if needs be, because it seems as if we’ve hit rock bottom.

    “We all have to reflect about what is the best thing for the club and for Barca.”

    Barca coach Quique Setien is unlikely to survive overseeing such a debacle, although he did not say whether or not he saw himself continuing in charge of the team.

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    “I’m not going to go into all that as I’ve only been here for six months but seeing as this is Pique, surely some of what he said is true,” said the coach.

    “Right now we feel enormous frustration and all we can do is make conclusions and think about the future. Barca is a club that is so great that this will cause us a lot of damage and obviously some things will have to change.

    “The truth is this is a tremendously painful defeat.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Putin: World’s First Vaccine against COVID-19 to Be Registered in Russia

    Putin: World’s First Vaccine against COVID-19 to Be Registered in Russia

    Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday disclosed that the world’s first vaccine against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) would be registered in his country in a few days.

    Putin, who stated this on his Facebook page, explained that Russian scientists have passed necessary test stages and proved the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

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    According to him, “The world’s first vaccine against coronavirus will be registered in Russia in a few days.

    “Russian scientists passed necessary test stages and proved the safety and effectiveness of the drug.

    “Our medicine has adequately coped with the epidemic and now gives hope not only to our country, but to the whole world.

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    “Once the Soviet satellite paved the way for humanity into space, now the Russian vaccine will pave the way to the future without COVID-19, masks and social isolation.”