Meet the NAF all female ISR crew. On May 28, 2020, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) performed Its First All-Female crew Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission using Beechcraft KingAir aircraft. https:///cxJzzHuHM1

Enugu COVID-19 Update:

The Enugu State Ministry of Health has confirmed 3 new cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the state. They all have travel history.

Two of the new cases are male patients admitted for other severe underlying conditions. They are being treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, and who on a high index of suspicion were transferred to the hospital's holding area while the State’s rapid response team was contacted for sample collection.

The other case is also a male patient who developed symptoms and contacted the COVID-19 emergency number. He was assessed and subsequently invited for sample collection.

The results came out positive today. On a sad note, one of the patients in UNTH with severe underlying conditions had died before the results returned.

Two of these cases hail from Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State and the other from Enugu North LGA.

Two of them came into Enugu State from Lagos while the other person came in from Rivers State.

On a positive note, 3 more cases have tested negative and consequently discharged from the isolation and treatment centres.

Thus, the current state of COVID-19 cases in Enugu State is as follows: 30 reported cases, 13 active, 16 discharged and 1 death.

To avoid COVID-19, do not forget to;

Stay home when it is not absolutely necessary to go out
Wear a facemask/covering whenever you must go out
Keep a safe distance from other people at all times, which is social/physical distancing and avoid crowded places
Practice good respiratory hygiene (when coughing or sneezing)
Clean surfaces with a 1 in 6 concentration of bleach and water
Wash your hands with soap for 20 seconds under running water as often as possible
And when facilities for handwashing are unavailable, sanitize your hands as often as possible using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

When You do these, you protect me, and when I do these, I protect you.

If despite your efforts, however, you develop symptoms or know anyone who may have developed symptoms, please call the following numbers;

08182555550 or 0902233383 or the NCDC number 080097000010

Someone will speak with you and get your details.

Stay Safe!

Signed
Dr. Obi Emmanuel Ikechukwu
Commissioner for Health, Enugu State.

Enugu State is in the hands of God! ##

The Premier League has this afternoon released a statement confirming that for the rest of the 2019/20 campaign, each team will be allowed up to five substitutions in a match and team benches will increase to nine players.

The rule change was proposed by Chelsea and was agreed among Premier League shareholders by a vote of 16-4. 

The full statement reads:

Premier League Shareholders today agreed temporary changes to the rules relating to substitute players.

For the remainder of the 2019/20 season, the number of substitutes that can be used during a match will increase from three to five players.

This is in line with the temporary law amendment made by the International Football Association Board last month. 

Shareholders also approved for Clubs to increase the maximum number of substitute players on the bench from seven to nine for the rest of the 2019/20 season.
 

The Premier League season is due to recommence on 17 June, with a full round of fixtures involving Chelsea to take place across the weekend beginning 19 June.

The Lagos State Government has revealed that if the state continues to record over 200 to 300 positive cases on a daily basis, it will soon run out of isolation centers. It added that with the increasing number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state, only moderate to severe cases will be managed at the isolation centers while the asymptomatic and mild cases will be managed at home.

In a chat with journalists in the state on Friday, the Commissioner for health, Prof Akin Abayomi insisted the modalities for the community based/home-based care will be defined as to who qualifies to be managed at home and who will be managed at the isolation facility. He noted that if Lagos continues to record over 200 to 300 positive cases on a daily basis, the State will soon run out of isolation centers.

Hence, the need for introducing the home-based care within a week or two. He said the community/home-based management will be introduced to Lagos to reserve the isolation center for the critically ill. “We will be operating from the primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and that is where we will decide who qualifies to be managed at home or at isolation center.

“Part of the condition for being managed at home will be; is the home adequate? “Is the person feeling unwell or having pre-existing medical condition or having difficulty breathing?

“The answers to these and more will determine where the person will be treated for COVID-19”

The Commissioner stated that though there are plans to recruit more manpower, there are volunteers who are being trained at the moment and will be deployed for the home care management within a week or two.

“For the mild/asymptomatic cases who will be managed at home, we will call them, our volunteers/PHC workers deployed for that purpose will visit them, we will ensure they have regular consultation through our telemedicine online care, and we will monitor their progress too.

“At the same time, they will be given care packs and medications which includes pain killers and vitamins.

“We will also give enough information to the masses on their safety as well as that of their families and neighbors during the home management period.”

The health Commissioner further disclosed that there are plans by the state government to increase the capacity of daily test from 1,000 to 3,000 daily.

He said Lagos has so far done over 22,000 tests, adding that, the more tests are done, the more cases will be recorded, hence the need to quickly plan for more cases.

Nigeria’s chances of getting a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke extradited home to face charges may have dimmed following her alleged citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Diezani is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with an alleged N23.29billion poll bribery scam.

The EFCC also wants the ex-Minister to account for N47.2 billion; $487.5million; N23,446,300,000 and $5milion (about N1.5billion) in various Nigerian banks.

Top among her assets, either placed on permanent or temporary forfeiture, is the $37.5million Banana Island property.

She is also expected to account for alleged spending of $6.9 million to buy three 40-feet mobile stages for use during mass public speaking events.

But despite judgments and rulings by some Nigerian courts, the EFCC is said to be facing an uphill task to extradite the ex-Minister since her interrogation by the International Corruption Unit (ICU) of NCA on October 2, 2015.

The NCA is yet to disclose the four other suspects who were arrested and quizzed with the ex-Minister.

Investigation however revealed that her case, including extradition process, is getting complicated after laying claim to citizenship of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Diezani was issued a diplomatic passport, DP0000445 by the Dominican Government on May 21.2015 shortly before the handover to President Muhammadu Buhari by ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

Her citizenship was confirmed by a May 29, 2015 approval letter by the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Kerry.

She was also appointed as a Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The Prime Minister’s letter to Diezani reads in part “I am pleased to confirm your appointment as Trade and Investment Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Dominica.

“Please note that this posting does not attract a remunerative package. In that respect, I am particularly encouraged by your willingness to serve.

“The appointment of a Trade and Investment Commissioner is consistent with my Government’s declared intention to have a permanent and active presence in the global business and financial sector operations. We believe that Dominica can benefit immeasurably from your illustrious record and profession success, and knowledge of investments and business operations.

“As Trade and Investment Commissioner, your scope of operation would revolve around the direct promotion and marketing of Dominica as a trade and investment domicile, as well as an emerging and unique tourist destination in the Caribbean.

“I encourage you playing an active role in the coordination of road shows and trade and investment expositions, as well as providing facilitator services to businessmen interested in investing or doing business with the Caribbean region. Dominica is ideally placed and equipped to serve as the perfect hub for such commercial activities in this region.

“Additionally, we would wish for you also to avail yourself and be of assistance to any Dominican citizen who may be keen on exploring business, trading or investment relations with the region or who may otherwise need assistance in the event of any distress.”

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Diezani is fully taking advantage of the system in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Dominica where she is a citizen.

“We cannot successfully repatriate her without the involvement of the two countries. She has really set hurdles against her extradition. While the National Crime Agency (NCA) claimed that it is still investigating our allegations against Diezani, the Commonwealth of Dominica has not shown any interest in the return of her citizen to Nigeria.

“What we have done so far is to present a comprehensive report of our findings to the NCA.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “As it is now, Diezani has dual citizenship and the UK Government would have to consult with all the affected countries.

“The prospect of extraditing Diezani is cumbersome. There had been issues on the actual treaty upon which she can be extradited. Yet she cannot be tried in foreign jurisdiction.”

The Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Magu in February said: “I was in London this year, we did investigation together with the United Kingdom team, and anywhere I go I always call for the extradition of corrupt Nigerians to return back the money.

“This woman stole so much, not less than $2.5 billion. But unfortunately, she has a generation of looters who are supporting her. This is not good.

“We are in touch with the international community, she is under protective custody, otherwise, we would have arrested her and return her to Nigeria.”

Happy Birthday to Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, The General superintendent of Deeper Christian life ministries worldwide.

Dairy of his birth,
Date of Birth: June 6, 1941
Current Age: 79 years.
Country of Birth: Nigeria

William Folorunso Kumuyi was born on June 6, 1941 into a Christian family in Erin-Ijesha, Osun State, Nigeria. He was born into an Anglican family that knew the Bible was very important as the word of God; they would rise up early in the morning to sing hymns, read the Bible, and pray.

However, it was not until he left home to attend high school in another part of the region that young W.F. Kumuyi got an experiential knowledge of who Jesus Christ was, and what radical changes He could effect in lives surrendered to His lordship.

While teaching mathematics at his alma mater in 1962, after graduating from high school in 1961, Pastor Kumuyi was introduced to the Apostolic Faith Church. He heard the Gospel, and believed the word of God on righteousness, temperance, judgment to come, and salvation from sin: Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi became born again on Sunday, April 5, 1964.

In his early Christian days, as he still does many good writers, Pastor Kumuyi read John Wesley, Charles Finney, and Charles Spurgeon, among others. He got involved with the Scripture Union (SU), and he grew spiritually.

Education
Formal education for Pastor William Kumuyi started in his home town; he went on to attend Mayflower School in Ikenne, near Ijebu-ode, whence he graduated with a high school diploma in 1961. After teaching at his alma mater for a brief period, Pastor Kumuyi gained admission to study mathematics at Nigeria’s premier institution of higher education, the University of Ibadan, obtaining a first class degree in 1967.

Pastor Kumuyi went back to teaching mathematics at Mayflower School, Ikenne, before going for a postgraduate course in education at the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. On the completion of his postgraduate study program, Pastor Kumuyi became a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Lagos in 1973.

Ministry
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry along with its church arm, the Deeper Life Bible Church, which now has over one million members in more than sixty countries around the world, started as a fifteen-member Bible Study group in Pastor William Kumuyi’s official quarters (Flat 2) at the University of Lagos in August, 1973.

“The history of Deeper Life is very much the personal story of W.F. Kumuyi. He is a gifted man, clear-thinking and humble. He is a dedicated Christian and deserves the title ‘the man of God,' which his followers have given him. Since he was a young man, Kumuyi has devoted his time to reading and studying the Bible. He knows the Scriptures inside out, and has deep love for the word of God, so people have been drawn to him for advice, or simply to listen. When he preaches, his message is clear, simple, and profound. Poor street traders who can barely read sit next to university professors, all equally captivated by the way Scripture becomes suddenly relevant to them.

Pastor Kumuyi's own Christian life developed because he took the Bible so seriously, and so the Deeper Christian Life Ministry has developed in the same way.

His sermons were captivating. In fact, "I would classify him as one of the greatest living preachers, giving a straightforward Bible-based message, his sermons thorough, and always personally challenging. He always gave a wide range of cross-references which were read in their context, supporting, clarifying and expanding his main points. He spoke clearly and authoritatively to the Nigerian situation.

A Man With a Great Heart For God!
He is not tall, and does not have a larger-than-life character. He does not dominate, nor has he accrued power to himself. He walks slowly, is relaxed, and has a gentle sense of humour with a warm smile and a twinkle in his eyes. He dresses simply, eats simply... and... could have assumed titles to himself.

With all the above stories of his life we pray that GOD will continued to keep him strong and healthy in Jesus name, Amen.

Once again happy birthday to our father in the Lord.

A woman in Diobu, Port Harcourt on Thursday stirred public intervention over excessive sex demands of her husband, a trader confined to his home by Rivers State Government’s COVID-19 market closure order.

The couple had got into an open fight, attracting public attention, after the 42-year-old husband simply identified as Moses, bit her wife, Rose’s fingers she had employed in obstructing another move to her husband to satisfy his conjugal right.

Moses reportedly told bemused neighbours that his wife has been denying him sex, angered that he has not been meeting his financial obligation to his family.

Rose, who reportedly admitted the allegation, was quoted as saying, “Since the lockdown, I have not rested from my husband’s frequent sex demands on an empty stomach.

“Even if the market where he sells is under lockdown, his mates are out there hustling, doing other things to feed their families, but my husband sits at home all day and wait for me to struggle and still demands sex excessively. We have three children looking for food but he wants to eat sex, I am tired.”

Summary of #COVID19FCT as at June 6th, 2020

Total number of confirmed cases: 862

Total number of active cases: 595

Total discharged: 245

Deaths recorded: 22

Residents are urged to take preventive measures seriously. #StaySafe https:///RPo6kC5rDq

These are not the best of times for an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as the camp he is relying upon to achieve his political aim, is said to have switched support away from him. However, the situation seems a blessing in disguise for another aspirant, Hon. Osaro Obazee, whom sources within the APC said is now enjoying the support of the group loyal to the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Finding by Saturday Telegraph revealed that Oshiomhole and many of the party faithful were not comfortable with the idea of dumping the man popularly called POI, but the plethora of court cases against the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, had become an albatross.

Top placed sources within the Oshiomhole faction of the APC in Edo State explained that it was tough taking the decision but the leaders of the party had no choice, so as not to run into crisis, as such they advised Oshiomhole not to plunge the state into another Bayelsa State debacle.

“We saw what happened in Bayelsa, we don’t want that to happen here. If the chairman continues to support POI, he may regret it because the court cases against him are too many. So, it is better we take the decision now. “It would soon become an open thing, but I am telling you now that it is the decision we have taken.

We are going with Obazee, we cannot afford to run into court cases that will take the state back into the hands of the PDP”, he said. Fresh facts however revealed that there was an earlier agreement by the party leaders to pick POI and that led to the mock primary held in Abuja where Ize-Iyamu was chosen as a consensus candidate.

But no sooner had the mock primary held than things started falling apart. A competent source within the party informed our correspondent that the dream of POI becoming the party’s candidate first got a blow after the visit of some governors to the National Leader of the party Bola Tinubu.

In that meeting, according to our sources, one of the governors presented Ize- Iyamu’s case files to Tinubu while noting that the party cannot risk given its ticket to POI. Tinubu and other leaders present at the meeting were said to have asked for some time to study the files and consult some lawyers. However, the revelation that came back showed that it was not a risk worth taking. This made the party leaders turn their back against POI. But further consultation within the top echelon narrowed the race to Obazee, as such; they decided to back the new horse.

“If a prophet had told Obaseki that Obazee, whom he denied ticket to House of Representatives would be the man that would replace him as governor of the state, who knows what he would have done to that prophet. “Or if an oracle had told Obazee that he would be the one to be favoured to wear APC big crown, he won’t have also believed, but today in Edo State there is a dramatic U-turn on the issue. When we contacted the powers that be in APC, the lot fell on Obazee. Another top member of the group confided in our correspondent that the ticket of the party had been decided by the political heavyweights in the APC, including Tinubu, Oshiomhole, some financiers of the election, and top leaders of the party in the state.

Saturday Telegraph gathered that three names were suggested to the financiers of the election; Barrister Henry Idahagbon, Dr. Pius Odubu, and Hon. Osaro Obazee. But they were more comfortable with Obaze. “They have all put their weights behind Obazee to pick the APC ticket.

The financier said he can spend his money on him being a young man he has worked with and that he can be trusted. That ended the dream of Ize-Iyamu. “Though he is still fighting hard for the ticket, APC cannot risk giving him the governorship ticket as a result of the series of court cases against him because they do not want what happened in Zamfara and Bayelsa states to happen in Edo”, the source said. However, Ize-Iyamu’s media director, John Mayaki denied that his principal is out of the race. Issuing a press release that his principal is still very much in the race, he said the support for the one popuilarly called POI remains very high.

“The baseless court case being bandied around by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his agents are targeted at him because they are also aware of the fact that across the 18 LGAs of Edo state, party members in large numbers have adopted Ize-Iyamu.

“Rather than deter his supporters or dissuade others from signing up to the SIMPLE agenda, the court case only serves as a reveal of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu’s prime position and the growing despair of the incumbent governor and his diminished group. “APC members and Edo people are wondering why Obaseki who claims to be popular and better loved is asking the courts not to allow Iyamu join the contest. They have asked repeatedly to no coherent answer from the incumbent that: if you are so sure of victory, why are you trying to tilt the contest one way by barring others from participating?

“The tactic is already obvious and as such, defeated. They know that a proper court hearing involving all sides will expose the emptiness of their suit so they want to manipulate the judicial process to gain an unfair advantage”, he said. We believe in the integrity of the judiciary. The court case is a non-issue. Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu is a bonafide member of the APC and is within his rights to contest for office on its platform. There is no doubt about this fact and the members are fully aware.

I don't like doing this but this shit has gone way beyond my patience (Angry face), I just have to say it out. Myself and One of your Nigerian Twitter influencers, Ralph @OmoIyaDammy have known ourselves for sometime now. We met on Twitter & talked everyday. The energy was massive & undeniable.

We got into a relationship and it was all nice & good. We grew closer everyday. Video calls, texts, late night chats. We agreed to see in December and that made us happy.
We came up with the agreement to split the billing 50-50 as it would be too much on him to carry.

Ralph arrived Uganda on 18th December, 2019. I received him from the airport and we were fucking excited to meet like expected, we went to the hotel that I paid for with my money. This guy was ordering for expensive shit only but I paid and that was where this story began.

I noticed he didn't come with money at least his 50% as we previously agreed, I was stunned and couldn't believe it but being an actor & all he has always had his way with words and promised he was gonna refund half of whatever I would spend on him during his stay in Uganda.

I agreed and obviously wanted to please him and get the relationship moving. We had fun. Did some sight seeing and had quality time together. One week quickly passed and he traveled back to Nigeria. I paid for his ticket back home.

It's been 5 months now & I haven't seen my money. I see him balling tho. All I want is my cash because asides blogging, Twitter and school, I'm my own woman. Ralph had the nerve to block me on Whatsapp. Nigerians ask
@OmoIyaDammy Ralph to please refund my money!!!

Majek dabbled into spiritism and it affected him terribly –Ex-bandmate, McRoy

Only a few people knew the late music icon Majek Fashek better than his cousin and former band mate Amos McRoy, who is now a pastor at Seed of Abraham International Christian Centre. As cousins, McCoy and Majek started their music careers together and were part of the group called Jastix along with Black Rice who was the lead singer. One of the main gigs of the band was to play at music show ‘Music Panorama’ which aired on NTA Benin – a gig facilitated by Orits Wiliki. When the Jastix disbanded, McRoy and Majek focused on their solo careers but also remained very close.

In a 2013 interview by Musa Jibril for the defunct Entertainment Express newspaper, McRoy gave a detailed revelation of the mysterious fall of Majek who at that time had already hit rock bottom and how his adventure into Spiritism affected his craft and person.

Spiritism

“Many people think Majek’s problem is drug-related. Truth is Majek’s problem is spiritual. Majek strayed into spiritism. Once, while on stage, Majek said, ‘Oh, Fela is my boy. Bob Marley is my boy’. “He made that statement during a Rothmans Show at Tafawa Balewa Square and Dede Mabiaku, Fela’s protégé, went berserk. It took the intervention of Eddie Lawani to calm him. Dede didn’t quite understand what Majek was talking about. He was taking it from the physical sense, whereas Majek was talking spiritual. “Majek went into spiritism at a lightning speed – like jumping from kindergarten straight to the university. Without a linking bridge, he was not properly schooled. So he couldn’t keep the rules. “Majek totally ‘crossed the line’ after the release of Prisoner of Conscience. Those days, we were sharing the same duplex at Anthony Village. I would see the Guru Maharaji people come to visit him. The same Guru Maharaji we all know, just starting out at the time. The Hare Krishna people also came. I thought ‘oh, this guy is popular, that’s why they are coming to him for one favour or another’. I didn’t know that it was deeper than that.”

Success of Send Down the Rain

“Majek released his album in April 1988. I released mine a year after. We were under the same management. We rehearsed at the same place, using the same band as back up. One day, we were coming from rehearsal; he was driving his Peugeot 505 car. One of our backup singers, Monica Omorodion (who now lives in the US), said ‘Bros Amos, why is your record not making waves like Majek’s, or The Mandators, or Kimono?’ Majek looked at me in the rear mirror and said, ‘Don’t mind Amos. He doesn’t want to ask me the road I passed to become a star. He thinks it is good record that makes someone a star’. When he made that statement, I gave him a knock from behind. ‘My friend shut up there! What are you doing that I am not doing?’ I said. He switched to Benin language. ‘This is not the Majek you grew up with’, he said. Still I did not understand. “It took me 10 years to connect the dots. Not until we went to Cote d’Ivoire in 1998 that Majek told me certain things, that I became aware, in hindsight that ‘Okay, that is what my brother was talking about back then’. “The song ‘Send Down The Rain’ had a spiritual force behind it. That was one of the things he told me in Cote d’Ivoire. Based on what he told me, I think he ‘crossed the line’ before he released the album. “In Cote d’Ivoire, I asked him certain questions. His reply was: ‘Amos, are you that naive? I released Send Down The Rain, everywhere that song was played, rain must fall. Even in summer while we were on US tour, I played Send Down The Rain and rain fell. I released Free Mandela and that month Mandela was released. I did fire (Majek Beware) the week that record was released was the week the Rodney King incident happened. That song, Fire o! Fire o! was played for almost two months in all the TV and radio stations in Los Angeles during that Rodney King episode. So, are you that naive? Don’t you reason? “He started mentioning spiritual books. Then he told me: ‘You don’t know, I have got to the level of de Lawrence’. That was when I understood from which perspective he was talking when he said Fela and Bob Marley are his boys.” “While we were growing up in the church, we were competing spiritually by fasting. There were three of us – myself, Majek and Friday Omagbon, who is now late. If Majek fasted for three days, Friday and I would go for seven days dry fasting. That was how we grew up. We were competing spiritually. “Once in a while, God revealed things to him which he shared with us. And those things came to pass as they were revealed to him. If he had not gone into music, he would most definitely become a minister of God. If you listen to most of his songs, like Holy Spirit, or Righteousness Take Over The Earth, he was more or less a gospel artiste.”

Weird manifestations

“I started noticing weird manifestations in him at about 1991-2. We had a show at Eko Le’Meriden Hotel in Victo- ria Island, Lagos. To my surprise my brother came on stage fully dressed in a native doctor’s attire instead of his regular outfit. By that time, we were not living together anymore. “Majek’s problem is not drug-related. He took to alcoholism to get over his real problem. Failing to keep the rules of whatever he delved into, he started to hallucinate. He started seeing things. “For instance, if he was in a room, he would tell you ‘open the door, open the window’. If you tell him the air condition is on, he would say ‘Can’t you see them spirits; you want to trap the spirits. Men, let the spirits move around’. “He felt he could stop seeing those things by getting drunk. Till date, he has not been able to liberate himself from those spirits. Before we went to Cote d’Ivoire, we had few shows here – First at Waterparks in Ikeja, then at MUSON Centre on Lagos Island, thereafter, the eastern part of the country. By then Majek’s behaviour had become erratic. He would come on stage, unzipped his fly and started saying ‘Let me show you my d**k. I used to f**k American P***y’.

‘He broke the rules’

“The event we went for in Cote d’Ivoire was like Nigeria’s Festac 77. Black artistes from all over the world were there for one week at the Félix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. The Marley family came, so was every big reggae artiste. “I was determined not to let him disgrace himself the way he had been doing lately in Nigeria. We got to our hotel and after allocating rooms, I stayed with him in his suite. As soon as he called room service and ordered for a bottle of brandy, I would pick the intercom immediately and cancel the order. We would begin to quarrel. For three days, I gave him close marking. He couldn’t drink alcohol. I forced him to eat. “On the third night, around 2 a.m., while we were watching a movie in his suite, he looked at me and shook his head. He said: ‘Amos I envy you, men’. I said ‘What do you mean? How can you envy me, you are the star’. He said: ‘You won’t understand. Just hold on to Christ, the way you are, he would reward you at last.’ “I started probing him. One of the questions I asked was: “All these reports about you reading the Seven Books of Moses, are you really reading them? His reply: “Seven Books of Moses? Those are kindergarten books’. He started mentioning books that I have never heard of in my life. He mentioned names too. That was how he came up with the line that he is getting to the level of de Lawrence. He told me many things. He told me he couldn’t keep the rules. He broke the rules. But he failed to tell me what the rules were. “It was in Lagos he mixed up with the wrong crowd, but his case worsened in the US. The circle he fell into in America complicated his problem, especially when he met a promoter called Paul (surname withheld). “When he was signed on to Interscope Records, they brought in the producer of U2 to work on his album. That man also spiritually influenced him negatively. Those two guys were steep in spiritism. There is no difference in spiritism here in Nigeria and over there in America. The devil is the same everywhere. “This is the irony: once Majek gets on stage, the spirit steps aside for him to perform; once he finished performing, the spirit comes back to start the torment.

‘Postgraduate student died of physical attack, not rape’

Shomuyiwa Azeezat, a female postgraduate student of the University of Ibadan was not raped to death as widely reported, the Students’ Union of the Premier university has stated.

Rather, she was hit with heavy-stone on the head, which led to her death, the union further clarified.

The body’s president, Akeju Olusegun, in a statement, explained: “During a visit to the deceased’s residence this afternoon by the Students’ Union leaders, it was confirmed by neighbors that she was hit with heavy stone on the head and no confirmation of any incidence of rape.

“However, investigations are on already by the Nigerian Police force, Oyo state command. The Commissioner of Police in the state also paid a visit to the venue of the incident.”.

It was further disclosed that Azeezat was seven-month pregnant before her death.

She was met in a pool of blood on Friday morning in her rented apartment at Aba Ijefun, Akinyele local government, Ibadan.

However, some co-tenants have been arrested for prompt investigation.

…Reject notion that North is dependent on the South

…It’s a stupid notion, agric sustains Nigeria — Ango Abdullahi

…Debate can affect Nigeria’s unity — John Hayab
…South shouldn’t inflame our fault lines, we produce bulk of the food — Sani

…North never dependent on South! — Mamman Dan Musa

NORTHERN political and opinion leaders have strongly faulted the suggestion that the North owes its continued existence to the South given the perceived total dependence of Northerners on Southerners for survival.

They dismissed as untenable the argument in some quarters that the strident opposition to calls for the restructuring of Nigeria by Northern leaders was informed by the realisation that the North cannot do without the resources of the South which remain the economic mainstay of the country.

Prominent Northern leaders interviewed by Arewa Voice posited that Nigeria as a federal state must subsist on the basis of equal existence.

It would be recalled that Professor Ango Abdullahi, leader of the Northern Elders Forum, had in an interview described as “stupidity” the notion that the Northern region is dependent on the South for its survival. The former Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu  Bello University, ABU, Zaria, had said that although most of the foreign exchange came from the sale of oil, agriculture, majorly done in the North, still remained the sustainer of the country.

Stupid notion — Ango Abdullahi

He said: “No, no, no! That is stupidity because up to this point as I speak to you, it is the North that is sustaining this country because agriculture is still the sustainer of this country. Agriculture contributes …at least 45 percent (of GDP) as I speak to you now, while oil contributes about 13 percent.

“So if you are talking about foreign exchange, money that is earned from outside, most of the foreign exchange comes from the sale of crude oil but the social fabric of Nigeria is sustained by agriculture as I speak to you now.

“So it is sheer stupidity or ignorance, as it were, for people to think that the North is parasitic to the Nigerian state. In fact, it is the state that is today parasitic to the North because without the effort of the peasant farmer in the North, the crisis in Nigeria would have probably taken us to the level of disintegration at this particular point in time.”

Don’t inflame fault lines — Sani

For Anthony Sani, immediate past Secretary-General of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and one time National Publicity Secretary of the forum: “When some people posit that the North depends on the South, I see that as inflaming our fault lines, and wonder the basis and the wisdom of such position. I do not share such views. This is because we are expected to live a symbiotic livelihood.

“Analysis of distribution of access to national resources by way of projects, appointments, employment and major contracts would hardly avoid the conclusion that distribution of access to national resources are skewed against the North. For example, go to any of the federal universities in the North and see how the lecturers and workers are mostly from the South.

“Because of poor level of education, most Northerners are farmers, and in fact, produce the bulk of the foods and meat for the country, while Southerners who have the edge in education have more access to the national resources than their Northern counterparts. The oil wealth which is not as a result of hard work accounts for most of the nation’s foreign exchange needed for importation of goods and services that are undertaken mostly by the Southerners who are the importers.

“Also, the 13 per cent derivation to ameliorate the effects of environmental degradation makes it possible for one oil-producing state to cart home what a whole non oil-producing geopolitical zone collects from the federation account. And when you consider the fact that even though oil has been producing most of the revenues for running of governments, its contribution to GDP is less than that by agriculture mostly undertaken by the North”.

Sani who was also the spokesman of Northern delegates in the 2014 Confab, explained that: “Nigerians should know that nation building is a continuous process, and the fact that in the history of nations, the powerful and the powerless, the rich and the poor, often change places. Jericho did not last forever.”

Sani, currently a member of the governing council of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation and a member of Northern Media Forum, also said: “So Nigerians come together and unleash their synergistic potential against collective challenges for larger interest. Mechanism of community living should not be zero-sum game where winners take all. I say this because it is possible for the nation to make the most of the differences with respect and dignity by working hard to overcome what divides the people. No nation thrives through victory of its faction but by ultimate reconciliation.”

Unholy debate — Hayab

On his own part, Rev John Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in Kaduna State said that the provision of the Nigerian Constitution and the current practice in Nigeria do not give a region the power to say the other region was depending on her. He told Arewa Voice that “economically, we all get our funds from the federal allocation, even though some other regions get some more percentage of the derivation from the federal allocation, but it is from the same source and on the same day.

“Every part of Nigeria has something she brings to the table for others to benefit. The regions may not bring an equal amount to the central treasury but that is why we are a federation. Discussing if the North was dependent on the South for survival if not done from a mature mind, carefully, can only add to the unholy debates which have served to destroy our unity as a nation.

Selfish regional champions

“Some questions that may beg for answers will include: before Nigeria found oil, what was Nigeria’s source of income? Has the North or other regions ever contributed to the national economy and are they still contributing to the national economy? Mishandling of such a subject by many selfish regional champions has made them use it to create unnecessary tension in their region about who owns this nation and who is feeding who.

“The simple answer here is that ‘yes the North is not dependent on the South and as a unit in this federation, the North is contributing power supply, food, through agriculture, and most importantly her human resources which is the greatest strength for the survival of our national assets and the stability of our economy.

“Accordingly, our federal system supports and allows rich people to build factories and industries in every part of this country. Rich Northerners have factories everywhere, giving citizens job opportunities without sectional biases and that builds and sustains the economy.”

Hayab said given the above points, “no part of the federation should be seen as being dependent on the other, instead, citizens should see themselves as people with equal rights and opportunities, building a verile and endurable nation”.

Second Republic Deputy Senate President and a founding member of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Senator Mamman Dan Musa, also lambasted those proposing or supporting the notion that the North can’t survive if Nigeria is restructured.The elder statesman and veteran lawyer declared that contrary to the belief that the North is dependent on the South, the North is equally endowed as the South.

Dan Musa said: “For us, really it is nonsense for anybody to think that the North can’t survive without the oil (from in the South). No! It’s false; there are so many things in favour of the North. It’s only a question of responsible leadership but we have so many things that if we are focused, hardworking and have visionary leadership, certainly it will not be a question of dependence. No! They should know that we have resources, we have land; we have so many things in our favour.”

‘North, South depend on each other’

In his reaction, former Executive Secretary, Petroleum Tax Development Fund, PTDF, Dr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, said that no particular region, society or even individual is an island unto itself that it can survive on its own and not interact with others.

“The North and South are interconnected, interdependent on one another; but on the other hand, if you’re talking about if there is no South, for example, the North cannot survive, then I will tell you no; it’s capital NO!” he further explained.

There’s symbiotic relationship — Abu

Chief Joshua Abu, an elder statesman and former Executive Director with the National Orientation Agency, NOA, in Abuja said the relationship between the North and South in terms of resources is symbiotic. He stated that first and foremost, it is even wrong to generalise the entire South as there are South-East, South-West and the South-South that produces the oil.

“If the South-South is claiming the North is a parasite on the region, that region should ask itself what were the sources of Nigeria’s revenue before the discovery of oil at Oloibiri in the present Bayelsa State in 1965? What was the significance of oil before its discovery & exploration by the Shell Oil? What revenue did Nigeria use to fund oil exploration?” Chief Abu quipped.

He explained that before the discovery of oil, groundnut, hides and skin, cotton, among other products, were the major revenue earners for the country. While stressing that oil discovery and exploration has been the major bane of Nigeria’s under- development Abu maintained that all the regions of the country complement each other in terms resources.

‘It’s derogatory to call North parasite’

Another respondent, Dr. Stephen Manza, the Catholic Bishop of Yola opined that to say the North is a parasite on the South is more or less derogatory as Nigeria is made-up of states and regions and all the resources belong to all. He said regions or states cannot have equal endowment of resources, but that it is left for the leaders to ensure that the resources are harnessed for the benefit of all.

Mamza, who doubles as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN Adamawa State Chapter, was quick to add that what the North is getting from the South is commensurate with what is going out of the North to the region. “So, if you are talking of parasites, both regions are parasites of each other”.

‘Develop agric and wipe away the notion’

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Taraba State, Andeta’rang Irammae said: “There are several arguments about the distribution of national wealth, and I am sure the South-South is part of Nigeria. Before the discovery of oil, the country had relied on several national endowments from different parts of the country.

Earlier today I joined @realwarripikin and others amazing NGO’s to hold a PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST GENDER BASES VOILENCE, RAPE AND MURDER OF OUR YOUNG GIRLS AND WOMEN..
.
TODAY WE SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

#RIPUWA AND ALL THE thousands of VICTIMS THAT WE HAVE LOST DUE TO RAPE....
#Wearesorry
#JusticeforTINA

#standtoendrape #stateofemergencyNG #protectthegirlchild #endrape

328 new cases of #COVID19;

Lagos-121
FCT-70
Bauchi-25
Rivers-18
Oyo-16
Kaduna-15
Gombe-14
Edo-13
Ogun-13
Jigawa-8
Enugu-6
Kano-5
Osun-2
Ondo-2

Highlights
On the 5th of June 2020, 328 new confirmed cases and 10 deaths were recorded in Nigeria
No new state has reported a case in the last 24 hours.
Till date, 11844 cases have been confirmed, 3696 cases have been discharged and 333 deaths have been recorded in 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory
The 328 new cases are reported from 14 states- Lagos(121), FCT(70),Bauchi(25), Rivers(18), Oyo(16), Kaduna(15), Gombe(14), Edo(13),Ogun(13), Jigawa(, Enugu(6), Kano(5), Osun(2), Ondo(2)