News & Announcements

Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned countries that COVID-19 is not over. The top UN official said the reports of the decline in cases and deaths do not mean the end of the pandemic. Ghebreyesus spoke on Sunday in Geneva at the opening of the World Health Assembly.
The Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, has 194 member countries.
At the meeting, the first in-person since 2019, Ghebreyesus advised health ministers not to relax.
“Is COVID-19 over? No. I know that’s not the message you want to hear, and it’s definitely not the message I want to deliver,” he said.

The DG expressed concern about increasing cases in nearly 70 countries in all regions with testing rates reduced.
Ghebreyesus added that reported deaths are also rising in Africa, the continent with the lowest vaccination coverage.
“It’s not over anywhere until it’s over everywhere. Only 57 countries have vaccinated 70 percent of their population, almost all of them high-income countries,” he noted.

Denrele Edun, a popular TV host, and entertainment personality says he still has bruises on his waist from the ‘unusual’ outfit he wore to the recently held Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Speaking on what inspired the outfit which contained several light bulbs, Denrele said, “I wanted something that would not only be red-carpet-worthy but  as well that people would not forget in a hurry.”

“I remember that in 2015 or 2016, I wore a backless dress to the AMVCA with a mask. Many people thought I was a South African nominee. They did not know I was the one. It was funny and I enjoyed it.”
“At the after-party, when I took my mask off, people screamed.”

“But, this latest outfit was not just about arresting attention. I wanted to wear something very unconventional that had never been worn before. I wanted something that would be wearable and still be art, and Toyin (fashion designer and stylist) got the idea.”

“I did fittings for the outfit but my waist was small, so they had to fix it. My waist is still bruised as I speak. It was made with metal and we had to construct inverter batteries. For me, it was the fashion with art.”
Asked how he felt when he had to end his relationship with a former lover simply identified as Yvonne because her family was not comfortable with his lifestyle, he said, “That was back in the day and it was not necessarily leading to marriage. It (marriage) was just in the works and to be very candid, I felt I was going to alter my identity and essence because of her.”
“ I truly loved her but I think it (the relationship) just wasn’t meant to be. At that point, I was not really settled. I was still in my family’s house. I was still trying to get myself on track, so I thought it could be a distraction. We are still friends though”.
“She got married two years ago but I did not attend the wedding. I have not really been lucky with love. As a matter of fact, I am currently dealing with heartbreak. Another ex-lover met her future husband at my birthday party. I introduced them to each other and they are now married.”
“ I am also still friends with the other one who is married. I don’t keep enemies. The most recent ‘breakfast’ (heartbreak) I had was on the last Valentine’s Day. She told me she could not love me as I loved her, and at that time, I was ready for it (break up). I told her I loved her but I could still let her go.”

The abducted Anambra State House of Assembly member, Okechukwu Okoye, who was abducted by unknown gunmen, was on Saturday found gruesomely murdered information has it that the member Representing Aguata 2 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Okechukwu Okoye has been gruesomely murdered by his captors. He was beheaded with the head-mounted at Chisco park Amichi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Late Hon. Okechukwu Okoye was a sitting House member, was also aspiring for another term to represent Aguata 2 Constituency, and was successfully cleared by his party All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to participate in the scheduled primary election coming up on Tuesday 24th of May, 2022.

There was palpable tension in Bauchi State over alleged blasphemy by one Mrs. Roda Jatau, who was said to have shared a video in a WhatsApp group in which a convert ‘insulted’ the Prophet of Islam.
According to a source, Mrs. Jatau works with the Bauchi State Primary Health Care and is originally from Gombe, but married in Warji local government area.

Reports from the area indicated that Muslim youths mounted a search for the lady immediately after Jumat prayers, but could not find her because she had been whisked away to safety.
Consequently, the irate Muslim youths destroyed properties belonging to Christians in the area and set a few buildings ablaze.

However, a Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) leader in the state said he has informed the Commissioner of Police and the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Bala Mohammed of the development.

He also called on the Christian community in the state not to allow the situation to degenerate, even though they have to protect themselves from the attackers.
The police are yet to issue a statement at the time of filing this report.
This is coming a few days after Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was lynched and set ablaze by her colleagues over alleged blasphemy.

Deji Adeyanju, an Abuja-based human rights activist, has identified three top presidential aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

 Adeyanju explained although Peter Obi is the most popular candidate in the country, the three main candidates in the PDP by delegates power are Atiku Abubakar, Nyesome Wike, and Aminu Tambuwal.
He further disclosed that the PDP Governors are torn between supporting Wike and Tambuwal, but there are indications that they might unite to oppose Atiku.’

 ”The 3 main candidates in the PDP by delegates power are Atiku, Wike, Tambuwal. One of these 3 will be the candidate.
”But Peter Obi is the party’s best option and most popular candidate in the country. I think Peter Obi should leave PDP and join a party he can run on their platform.
”The PDP Govs want one of their own as the party’s candid

The Lagos State Police Command has paraded six suspects linked to the death of David Sunday, the sound engineer who was allegedly lynched by suspected motorcyclists in the Lekki area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said the suspects killed David who was called to mediate in a crisis.

Alabi said the suspects would be charged in court.
“On May 12, 2022, around 6:30 pm, at Studio 24, Lekki, Lagos, an Okada rider identified as Dahiru had a quarrel with his passengers, Frank Olatunji and Philip Balogun, over the bike fare.
“In the heat of the argument, Frank Olatunji and Philip Balogun invited one David Sunday to mediate only for Dahiru and his cohorts to violently attack, kill him, and set him ablaze.

“A total of six suspects – Dahiru Ayuba, Susan Moses, Christopher Dauda, Joseph Tella, Chigozie Anthony, and Sunday Azi, have been arrested. Suspects will be charged to court after the investigation,” he added.
Meanwhile, a yet-to-be-identified driver has delivered arms to a man, Aji Augustine, who was expecting to receive food items sent by his mother to him in Lagos.

It was learned that Augustine’s mother, who lives in Cross River State, sent the food items to her son through the driver but on getting to the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos, the driver was said to have mistakenly handed a sack belonging to another person to Augustine.
Augustine was said to have rushed to the nearest police station to report and hand over the guns to policemen for investigation after he opened the sack and reportedly saw seven guns in it.
The Commissioner of Police, while addressing journalists on Friday, said a thorough investigation led to the arrest of one Joseph Ashiwobel, who dispatched the sack from Calabar to Lagos.

He noted that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, and led policemen to arrest two of his buyers, Rasheed Ogunbade, 39, and Aladeokin Ahmad, 38.
Alabi added, “During interrogation, he confessed that he had sold many guns to his customers in Lagos and he led operatives to arrest two of his buyers, Rasheed Ogunbade, 39, and Aladeokin Ahmad, 38. Also, one locally-made shotgun bought from Joseph Ashiwobel was recovered. An investigation is still ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects to recover more of the guns he had sold to people in Lagos.”

Top two Nigerian Idol Season 7 contestants for the grand finale, Progress, and Zadok, at the Bigi Lounge with the 13 Bigi variants microphones, during the Week 9 show in Lagos, powered by the Bigi carbonated soft drink brand of Rite Foods.

It has been a frenzied musical competition for the contestants on the Bigi-backed Nigerian Idol Season 7 and as it gets to almost the end of the show, with the grand finale on Sunday, 22 May 2022, Progress and Zadok, the frontline contenders for the Idol crown, battles each other, trying to outwit one another as they perform exhilaratingly with three songs each, to the admiration of the judges and audience.
The two contestants showcased their musical talent in the songs performed, comprising their favourite, a song selected for them by the judges, and the last with the 121 Selah choir, a musical gospel group, which added colour to the evening performance.

But it was a moment Banty exited the musical platform, due to low votes, from the over 34 million recorded for the week, leaving Progress and Zadok to compete at the final, where one of them will smile home with N100, 000, 000 worth of prizes, including a recording deal from a label, a brand-new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), cash prizes, and other exciting gifts.

Progress, who was the first to appear on the music stage, thrilled the judges and the audience electrifyingly with his favourite song “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, which led to a standing ovation, with IK Osakioduwa, the host, stating “that was amazing.” And on what prompted his choice of song, Progress avowed that it is what the society needs at the moment, the change that would make things better for all and sundry.

His second song ‘Joy’ released by Wizkid, picked for him by one of the judges, D’Banj, was also wonderfully done, with Ik Osakioduwa saying “that was very nice,” while the third song, Jon Ogah’s ‘Uncle Zuru’ performed with the 121 Selah choir was fantastic met with applause and a standing ovation.
Progress’ rendition of ‘Uncle Zuru’ led to a good commendation from Obi Asika, saying ‘your confidence is impressive, you are already a winner,’ while Simi affirmed “your performance is incredible, l wants to be like you,” and D’Banj “you have done well, keep progressing.”

Zadok, who said he is a preacher of love, did ‘When a man loves a woman’ by Michael Bolton, with IK Osakioduwa saying “this is what you know how to do best,” and the second act, Michael Bolton’s ‘Soul provider’ selected for him by Simi, one of the judges, was a fascinating performance that led to a flower gift from an excited lady fan, cheering him for the grand finale.

His third gig with Timi Dakolo’s ‘Wish me well,’ got Simi excited, saying “that was astonishing, an excellent rendition” while D’Banj stated “you have a proper voice for the song, you are someone whom others would like to watch in a show,” and Asika “I love the way you perform.”
Proudly powered by the Bigi carbonated soft drink brand of Rite Foods, Nigerian Idol Season 7 is aired on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 151), Africa Magic Urban (DStv channel 153, and GOtv Supa channel 6), and Africa Magic Family (DStv channel 154 & GOtv channel 2).

The Nigerian Communication Commission in partnership with stakeholders celebrated World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTSID).
The WTSID is an annual event that helps to create awareness about the benefits of telecommunications. The commemoration also aimed at bridging the digital divide.

According to NCC, the objective of this year’s celebration, “Digital Technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”, is to ensure technology remains socially inclusive for the elderly and the aging.
It also aims at ensuring that older people utilize digital technologies to maintain healthy and productive lives.

The slogan-Join the NCC in celebrating the 2022 World Telecommunications and Information Society Day was marked with fanfare at its Corporate head office in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Against the backdrop of the growing menace and nuisance constituted by commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, Lagos State Government has imposed a fresh ban to curtail the unruly activities of the riders.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced a total ban on Okada on all highways across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) and nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State.
Effective from June 1, 2022, the Governor directed security operatives to enforce the proscription order across the listed councils. The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.
The total ban order extends to all LCDAs under the listed councils.
The Governor gave out the directive at a meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the State House in Alausa.
The fresh Okada ban followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of commercial motorcycles.
Sanwo-Olu said the Government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and menace created by the operations of Okada in the listed areas.
Sanwo-Olu told the police to enforce the order without compromise, sternly warning that the State Government would not condone any security formation that relaxes the new ban in its jurisdiction.
He said: “After a critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six Local Government and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.
“This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do. We have given the notice now and we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement begins. The enforcement will be total,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu advised residents patronising Okada riders on highways to embrace the alternative transport schemes already provided by the Government to plan their journey. He said the Government had provided Last-Mile Buses, medium-capacity and high-capacity buses in the affected areas for the convenience of commuters.
The Governor insisted that Okada riding on the highways remained unsafe and would no longer be tolerated. He said the State Government had been ramping up construction work on its two rail line projects to further increase the choices of commuting for residents.
He said: “We have provided Last-Mile buses in the affected areas; they are working and effective. We also have medium-capacity buses and high-capacity buses working in these areas. Before the end of the year, we are also bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals. We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives.
“We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use that mode of transportation (motorcycles) to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws. The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.”
Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, directed his men to ensure complete enforcement of the Governor’s order in the listed councils and areas.

The Chief Missioner of the Nasrul-Lahi-I-Fathi (NASFAT), Abdul-Azeez Onike, has condemned the killing of Deborah Samuel that happened on Thursday at the Shehu Shagari college of education, Sokoto state. Deborah, However, was stoned to death and subsequently burnt by her schoolmates who alleged her to have blasphemed.

Speaking on the issue, Onike opined that the act was barbaric therefore, the culprits should be arrested and brought to book with immediate effect.

 Furthermore, he retreated that extra-judicial punishment that takes place in the form of jungle justice is unacceptable in Islam. To buttress his points, he used the Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) as an example of how to react to certain annoying situations in Islam. 

Finally, he beseeched everyone never to take laws into their hands and also emulate the Prophet ( SAW) by living the kind of life that he lived during his time.