The Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Governor Heads to Appeal Court over Tribunal Ruling
The election was nullified based on a petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, which argued that it was unlawfully excluded from participating in the election.
Police in Oyo State says a 19-year old suspect accused of rape and murder of some female residents of Akinyẹle Local Government Area of Ibadan, has escaped from custody.
The accused, identified as Sunday Shodipe, was on Sunday reported to have escaped in a statement by the spokesperson, Oyo State Police Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi.
According to Fadeyi, the suspect, who was arrested and paraded along with two others at the Oyo State Police Command on July 17 escaped from police custody on August 11.
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Lagos to Residents: You’ll Experience More Heavy Rainfalls from End of August
“Consequent upon this, the CP wishes to implore the general public to be on the lookout, arrest and immediately inform the officers and men of the command when sighted for immediate handing over for further action”, Fadeyi stated.
Fadeyi’s statement, which came about five days after the suspect escaped from Police custody, did not explain the circumstances surrounding the escape nor clarify if officers of the police in Oyo State could be complicit.
However, the police urged that no one should take laws into their hands or engage in jungle justice, but hand over suspects to the police.
READ ALSO: Video: Another ‘Trade War’ is Brewing Between Nigeria and Ghana
Recall Akinyele Local Government Area of Ibadan was in the news for various rape incidents some months ago.
These incidents include the rape and murder of Barakat Bello and Grace Oshiagwu.
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government has alerted residents that the state would experience more heavy rainfalls from the end of this month, saying it’s intensifying measures to minimise the effects.
This was disclosed by Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, at a press conference in Lagos.
Relying on data from the Nigerian Hydrological Services, Bello said the months of July, August, September and October also known as JASO months signify heavy rainfall, flooding and flood disasters in most parts of the country.
He reiterated that while states like Ogun and Ekiti suffer from urban and river flooding, Lagos is at the receiving end of three types: coastal, urban and river flooding, because of the peculiarity of its location.
Bello said the management of Ogun Osun River Basin Authority has also commenced staggered release of water from Oyan Dam, with eight to 10 million cubic meters being released in August. It would increase to 18 million in September and 23 million cubic meters in October which is the peak.
He appealed to residents of low lying areas that are contiguous to Ogun River to be alert to the possibility of their homes being flooded as water is released from the dam.
He urged residents to adopt an attitudinal change of not dumping refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments, vowing to prosecute offenders.
The commissioner explained that work is ongoing on more than 200 secondary channels with over 80 per cent in various stages of completion just as 46 primary channels are presently receiving various forms of attention.
According to him, “This is in addition to the gigantic efforts of our Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) that are being deployed round the state to undertake quick fix to free manholes or clogged up drains manually.”
He added that one of the new measures put in place to combat flash flooding is the provision of pumping stations with a pilot one being planned for Ilubirin in Lagos Island.
The commissioner noted that the pumping stations would ensure quick pumping out of water from flooded neighbourhoods and reduce risk of damages to properties.
Bello said major flood prone areas in the state that are natural buffers to the lagoon like Isheri and its environs, Owode, Agboyi-Ketu would also benefit.
“For a coastal city like Lagos, once it rains consistently for a minimum of eight hours, we are bound to have flash flood caused by increasing inability of effective discharge into the lagoon which is brought about by a rise of the ocean level.
“This will automatically lock up all our drainages and until the water level goes down, the drainages would be unable to discharge.
“This is the new wave in most coastal cities around the world including those who have adopted the best of technological advancements to curtail flooding,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion, Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, maintained that effort to contain flood was the responsibility of everyone and not left to government alone.
He enjoined Lagosians to collaborate with the government by cleaning the drainages in their frontages and desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places.
“I would like to appeal to Lagosians to always play their part in cleaning of the environment. This must be a collective effort, so residents should ensure they take responsibility of what is going on around them,” he said.
He warned those engaging in these unwholesome acts to desist, saying the ministry has empowered its environmental enforcement agents to arrest and prosecute sanitation offenders in the state.
Igbokwe thereafter enjoined residents to report all cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to the appropriate authority, adding that by so doing they would be complementing the Sanwo-Olu administration’s efforts to tackle flooding in Lagos State.
Idowu Sowunmi
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.
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.
Order EFCC to Unseal Our Properties in Abia Now, Trademore Tells Court
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.
“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.”
President Muhammadu Buhari Sunday sent warm felicitations to former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), on his 79th birthday, August 17, 2020, joining family, friends and associates to celebrate with the elder statesman.
READ ALSO: Trump Loses Younger Brother, Robert, at 71 after Brief Illness
Buhari said as the former military leader turns a new age, his “services to the country will always be remembered.”
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, prayed God to continually strengthen Babangida, grant him good health and longer life.
Idowu Sowunmi
Donald Trump’s brother, Robert, has died at the age of 71, the United States President has announced.
“It is with heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother, Robert, peacefully passed away tonight,” Trump said in a statement.
“He was not just my brother, he was my best friend. He will be greatly missed, but we will meet again.
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“His memory will live on in my heart forever. Robert, I love you. Rest in peace,” the President added.
Donald Trump had reportedly visited his younger brother in hospital on Friday, after it was revealed he had been “very ill.”
SkyNews says cause of death has not been disclosed, however the businessman reportedly spent at least 10 days in June in the neurosciences intensive care unit at Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.
After he left hospital he sued his and the President’s niece, Mary Trump, over her plan to publish a book about the Trump family.
However, Robert failed in several court actions to stop publication of the book, which is called Too Much And Never Enough: How My Family Created The World’s Most Dangerous Man.
Robert argued that Mary Trump had violated a non-disclosure agreement she signed with him, the president and their sister, retired federal appeals court judge Maryanne Trump Barry.
Mary Trump and her brother allegedly signed the agreement with their uncles and aunt over their share of the estate of Fred Trump Senior, the president and Robert Trump’s father, and Mary’s grandfather.
Mary’s father, the late Fred Trump Junior, died in 1981.
Despite their different personalities, the president was said to be very close to Robert, calling him “much quieter and easy-going than I am” and “the only guy in my life whom I ever call ‘honey.'”
Robert had run some of Mr Trump’s projects in the 1980s, and managed his family’s real estate portfolio. He was also part of New York’s social scene.
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Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq
However, during his brother’s presidency, Robert stepped away from the limelight and retired to the Hudson Valley.
He said he supported his brother’s White House run “1,000%” during an interview in 2016.
Idowu Sowunmi
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.
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.
Order EFCC to Unseal Our Properties in Abia Now, Trademore Tells Court
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.
“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.”
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.
COVID-19: President Buhari donates N67M PPEs to Sao Tome and Principe
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!
“This can happen to anyone and enforcements can’t be taken lightly on this. Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, please do something!!!”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is concerned about the tendency for voter apathy during the forthcoming Edo and Ondo states governorship elections.
This concern was expressed by INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, during a virtual workshop on the commission’s communication policy.
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The National commissioner noted that INEC fears that there might be difficulties to get voters focus on electoral matters due to uncertainty surrounding Coronavirus pandemic.
Okoye stated further that the fears of the electoral commission is that the nation is at a time when the dominant issues people are paying attention to is the Coronavirus and the protocols on how to manage it.
“It is difficult communicating internally and externally, when individuals and groups are facing existential challenges occasioned by a pandemic. It is difficult getting individuals, groups and organisations to focus on the conduct and management of elections in a period of fear, anxiety or worse.
“It is difficult getting people to focus on elections and electoral matters, when there is looming danger that they may be out of job or already out of work or are in Internally Displaced Persons Camps or in a period of uncertainty. Communicating what people may see as non-essential service in a period of a pandemic or uncertainty requires a new form of capacity and skill. It requires new thinking and new methodologies and strategy”, he said.
Okoye however assured that INEC is committed to deepening the use of technology in the electoral process, which is why the commission introduced the INEC party nomination portal; election observer accreditation portal and media accreditation portal.
He explained further that that with a view on transparency as per result transmission process, the commission has developed and deployed the INEC result-viewing portal containing Forms EC8A uploaded for the public to view.
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Amaechi gives contractor 5months to complete Nigeria’s $1.6b Lagos-Ibadan rail
“We at the Commission will continue to deepen our knowledge of global trends in election management and communication. We will continue to enhance our knowledge of electoral issues and processes. We urge the media, civil society groups and relevant stakeholders to join in deepening the use of technology in the electoral process,” Okoye added.
Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has assured that the delay in the competition of the $1.6 billion Lagos-Ibadan rail project was not due to a challenge of fund.
According to a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Transportation, Eric Ojiekwe, Amaechi gave this explanation on Saturday during an inspection tour of the project, in company of Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed.
stating that the delay was rather due to lack of workers on site.
Amaechi clarified that rather than a fund problem, the delay was due to lack of workers on site.
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Edo/Ondo Election: INEC fears COVID-19 may cause voter apathy
Echotitbits gathered from the Ministry’s statement that the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria caused the over one billion dollar project to pause.
The minister, was however said to have tasked the contractor handling the -Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail, Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), to complete the project within five months.
The minister, who reckoned that COVID-19 had come to stay, urged the contractor to develop measures such as making personal protective equipment for their workers so as to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.
He added that safety measures such as compulsory use of masks and safety shields should be provided for the workers across the sites of the project.
Also stated was the reason why the Ibadan-Kano $5.6 billion rail was yet to commence. The minister, assuring that the project remained a priority of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, stated that a loan facility from China Export-Import Bank, meant to commence the project was yet to be processed by the Federal Government.
Ameachi’s co-minister in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mohammed, commended efforts made so far on the project: “I am very impressed. This is the reason why we are borrowing the money so that Nigerians can travel in dignity and comfort”.
Reacting to public outcry over government’s borrowings over the months, Mohammed explained that monies borrowed were not for grandiose display nor for overhead or running costs for the nation but rather for capital projects which on completion would create jobs and provide needed infrastructure for Nigerians.
Mohammed added that borrowing for infrastructure and improved service delivery for the people isn’t bad.
While also urging the contractor, CCECC not to disappoint on the project, Mohammed commended Amaechi for driving the project with passion.
Also, the Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, revealed that the corporation was already working out modalities so as to commence operations on the Lagos-Ibadan and the Itakpe-Warri rail corridor in September.
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Other government functionaries who participated in the inspection tour are the inspection tour included Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, the Board Chairman, NRC, Mr Ibrahim Alhassan Musa, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, among others.
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