Author: Chief Editor

The festering crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State deepened further at the weekend, as the Caretaker Committee Chairman loyal to the Transport Minister, Chibuke Amaechi, Isaac Ogbobula, suspended Senator Magnus Abe, Igo Aguma and his media assistant, Livingstone Wechie, and former Attorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Wogu Boms, over alleged anti-party activities. A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had on June 9, 2020, declared the Ogbobula-led committee illegal and confirmed Aguma, a former member of the House of Representatives, chairman of the party. Crisis in the party began in 2015, when two factions emerged…

The relief that followed the release of 340 students captured two days earlier in Katsina State could not have adequately compensated for the distressing, agonising, and traumatic experience they went through when the students were captured. For the third time in about six years, Nigerians were subjected to the insufferably embarrassing experience of young innocent pupils kidnapped by the extremist Boko Haram religious insurgents. And even before the dust of the release settled, another set of about 80 students of Quaranic School, still in Katsina, was again abducted for some hours before, mercifully, they were rescued by what appeared to…

• Russian vaccine already available in the country The Federal Government is planning to have vaccinated 149.9 million Nigerians (about 70 per cent) with two doses of $4 (N2000) for each COVID-19 vaccine by the end of 2022. It was also gathered that the country may not be able to afford the vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna because their cost average of $18 per dose would require Nigeria to upgrade her vaccine storage infrastructure from minus 11 to minus 70 degree Celsius. Pfizer and BioNTech have set the initial price at $19.50 a dose, which comes to $39 per patient (since…

• Govt orders workers to stay home Worried about the surge in infections, President Muhammadu Buhari has extended the mandate of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 till March 31, 2021. He said Nigeria could not afford to lose the gains of the past nine months. “The nation is clearly in a perilous situation given the virulent nature of this second wave, and we must act decisively to protect our people. I, therefore, urge all sub-national entities, traditional rulers, religious and leaders of thought to collaborate with the PTF by taking up the responsibility for risk communication and community engagement…

•Says repentant outlaws helped in rescue operations •Faults allegations FG stage-managed kidnapping The presidency yesterday shed more light on how the Katsina and Zamfara State governments, in collaboration with the federal government, were able to secure the release of 344 pupils of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, a week after their abduction. Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said on a breakfast television programme that repentant bandits assisted in securing the release of the pupils. He also dismissed claims that the federal government stage-managed the abduction of the pupils to create the impression that the Buhari administration was up to the…

•Extends PTF mandate till March, calls for vigilance at Yuletide •FG: No fresh lockdown •NCDC cites increased travels, disregard for safety measures for resurgence President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday charged Nigerians to brace up for the inconveniences of measures being introduced by the government to protect them in the aftermath of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the country. The president, who received a report from the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, to keep him updated on efforts by various stakeholders to combat the pandemic, said Nigeria is in a perilous situation and urgent measures are needed to stop the spread of…

•To intensify collaboration with FG to defeat criminals Governors of the 36 states under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday expressed worries over the deteriorating security challenges bedeviling the country, particularly in the North-west. To stem the tide, they have, however, committed themselves to upping the ante in the war against bandits, kidnappers and other criminals. NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, told journalists in Katsina that they were concerned that killings, kidnapping and other nefarious activities have become a daily occurrence in the country. Fayemi, who was accompanied by the Governor of Kebbi…

Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that Govenor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is disheartened by the overwhelming non-compliance with COVID-19 guidelines meant to keep Lagosians safe The Incident Commander of the fight against Coronavirus and Governor, Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a passionate appeal to residents of the state to have a change of attitude and turn away from the unfortunate public perception that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. This, he warned, is absolutely wrong and dangerous. The Governor who is in isolation, having tested positive for the virus, reassured the people that he is getting better by the day,…

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is returning to the club to take up a role within its foundation, the 13-times European champions announced in a statement on Tuesday. Casillas came through the club’s youth ranks and went on to play in the first team from 1999 to 2015, winning 19 titles including three Champions Leagues and five Spanish championships. “Real Madrid CF have announced that Iker Casillas has joined the Real Madrid Foundation as assistant to the general director,” the club announced without detailing the extent of Casillas’ new role. “Iker Casillas is a Real Madrid legend who represents…

Jose Mourinho says he and his Tottenham Hotspur players will not take second-tier Stoke for granted when they clash in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final. The Portuguese boss is keen to succeed where several of his predecessors have fallen short in delivering silverware to the club for the first time since the 2008 League Cup. However, he says the gap between the Premier League and the Championship is narrower than it was and seventh-placed Stoke will be a tricky opponent to beat. “Everybody wants the same (to win a trophy),” said Mourinho at Tuesday’s press conference. “Even the Championship from the…