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Senate Asks Buhari To Present 2021 Budget Before End Of September President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, urged the Executive arm of Government to work on the estimates for the 2021 budget to ensure its timely presentation to the National Assembly by the end of September this year. Lawan stated this in his remarks after referring President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2021 – 2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper request to the Senate Committees on Finance; and National Planning for further legislative work. The Senate President while charging both Committees to engage the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning on the MTEF/FSP request, stressed the need for the panel to lend its support where necessary to Revenue Generating Agencies towards meeting expected revenue targets. READ ALSO:  Senate Asks Service Chiefs To Step Aside The Committees were given four weeks to report back to the Senate. “The request of Mr. President C-in-C i...

Commission seals 10 clubs, religious centres in Lagos over non-compliance of COVID-19 protocols The Lagos State Safety Commission has sealed over 10 social and religious centres over non-compliance with the directive on social distancing and ban on the social and religious gathering. ADVERTISING The enforcement team, led by the Director-General of the commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, disclosed that the commission sealed the Harvest Lagos, Bay Lounge, The Heavens Suites, Angle Villa Bar,  Ehi Guest House and Gardens Egbeda,  Mountain Top Hotels and Suites Ojodu. Also read: Inaugurate NDDC board now to avoid further plundering of the common wealth of the Niger Deltans The Technical Adviser to the Commission, Mr Seun Awojobi, explained that while carrying out the enforcement on Friday night, the team was allegedly attacked and shot at Osigold Hotels and Bar in Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos.  He said the hotel had over 100 people clubbing and dancing within its premises, flouting the s...

COVID-19: Increasing evidence virus now airborne, says Virlogist Dr Solomon Chollom, a Jos based Virologist, says that there is increasing evidence to the fact that Coronavirus is also airborne, not just droplet infection as claimed by over 230 scientists across the world. ADVERTISING Chollom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja, that the World Health Organisation(WHO) is considering the veracity of several research claims and was beginning to consider making pronouncement in this regard.  Also read: WHO announces independent evaluation of global COVID-19 response NAN reports that WHO formally recognised that coronavirus can be transmitted indoors by droplets in the air, marking a reversal for the United Nations agency. The WHO said in a scientific brief that people, who spend time in crowded settings with poor ventilation, run the risk of being infected by the coronavirus as the droplets circulate throughout the air in indoor gatherings...

Relax, don’t be anxious about COVID-19 – LASG advises citizens The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has advised citizens against anxiety, saying COVID-19 will eventually be contained in the state and Nigeria. Abayomi, through his Twitter account on Wednesday, expressed optimism that everyone would survive and enjoy a healthy Lagos together. Also read: Spike in COVID-19 cases in Kwara stalls continuation of Offa bank robbery trial “Relax, do not be anxious, COVID-19 will eventually be contained. We will all survive and enjoy a healthy Lagos together. “COVID-19 will pass #ForAGreaterLagos, we can #BeatCOVID-19,” he tweeted.  He advised those having challenges coping with COVID-19 to speak out, and seek attention with the state healthcare professionals. “We are ready to support you through your healing process. “Don’t give up! The #ForAGreaterLagos spirit is the spirit of resilience and hope. Keep calm, Lagos loves you,” he said. The commissioner urged them...

South African anti-apartheid icon, Andrew Mlangeni, dies at 95 South African anti-apartheid figure, Andrew Mlangeni, who stood trial alongside Nelson Mandela in the 1963-64 Rivonia Trial, has died at the age of 95, the presidency announced on Wednesday. Mlangeni, 95, was the last surviving Rivonia trialist, spending more than quarter of a century imprisoned on Cape Town’s notorious Robben island before his release in 1989. “President Cyril Ramaphosa has learnt with deep sadness of the passing away overnight of the last remaining Rivonia Trialist,” the presidency said in a tweet. His death “signifies the end of a generational history and places our future squarely in our hands,” he declared.  Mlangeni was admitted to a military hospital in the capital Pretoria on Tuesday with an abdominal complaint, the presidency said. Born in the Johannesburg township of Soweto, he joined the youth wing of the National African Congress (ANC) in the early 1950s. In the early 1960s, he was ...

COVID-19: FG repatriates 6,317 Nigerians from 19 countries – Abike By Victoria Ojeme and Fortune Eromosele ABUJA: The federal government yesterday disclosed that it has repatriated over 6,317 Nigerians from 19 countries respectively. Addressing newsmen in Abuja, Chairman and Chief executive officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said with the support of Air Peace Nigeria Ltd, there has been multiple evacuations from some countries.  According to her, majority of the evacuees, comprising 1,405 Nigerians were evacuated from Dubai; followed by the United Kingdom, with 831 Nigerians; while 806 Nigerians were evacuated from the United States.  READ ALSO:COVID-19: Increasing evidence virus now airborne, says Virlogist In addition, she stated that from India, Egypt and Sudan, 540 Nigerians, 372 and 365 Nigerians were evacuated respectively. The remaining are France, 70;  Saudi Arabia, 117; Turkey, 324; Uganda and Kenya, 172; Senegal, 1...

Police arraign 3 for alleged attempted culpable homicide in Benue Benue Police Command on Wednesday arraigned Terkimbi Weghwase, 30, Fater Apechian, 35, and Alfred Weghwase, 22, before a Makurdi Upper Area Court for alleged criminal conspiracy, intimidation and attempted culpable homicide. ADVERTISING Also read: Akapson’s murder : Alleged killer cop docked, secures N50m bail The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Veronica Shaagee told the court that E.T. Tor & Associates on behalf of one Daniel Ornguga on June 22, filed a petition to the Benue Police Command which was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, Makurdi. The petitioner alleged that the complainant’s son was attacked by the accused persons and others on the farm. “Sometime in the month of June 2020 at about 0800hrs, his son Solomon Ornguga went to the farm and was attacked by the following persons:  Alfred Weghwase, Terkimbi Weghwase, Fater Apechian, Ortery Orhumbuga, Ushahemba Ancha and Aondoaseer Mv...

Egypt kills 18 Islamist militants in Sinai operation ― Army Egypt’s military said it killed 18 suspected Islamist militants in aerial and ground operations in the restive North Sinai region on Tuesday, as part of its battle to quell a long-running insurgency. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING The army said in a statement that its forces succeeded in foiling “an attack by takfiri terrorist elements on one of the security complexes” in the town of Bir al-Abd. Egyptian security officials use the term “takfiri” to designate extremist Islamist militants. “In cooperation with the air force, security forces managed to chase the takfiri elements across a farm and in abandoned houses killing 18, including one wearing an explosive belt,” the statement said. Two military personnel were killed and four others wounded in Tuesday’s operations in Bir al-Abd. Troops also destroyed four cars including three that were packed with explosives.  ALSO READ: Egypt’s parliament approves military interven...

Gunmen kill policeman, kidnap 4 expatriates in Cross River By Ike Uchechukwu – Calabar There was pandemonium late Tuesday night when Gunmen stormed premises of Danatrite Construction Company in Oban, Akampka LGA of Cross River killing a police sergeant, Ifere Samson, and while abducting four foreign Nationals. Vanguard learnt that kan Jinxi, Hujinchang, Jiang Jijun, and Cheng Qing, were all kidnapped at the premises of Danatrite Construction Company in Oban, Akamkpa LGA. ADVERTISING ADVERTISING Vanguard further learnt that the gunmen who stormed the Cross River company at night killed Sgt. Ifere Sampson who was the security on guard at the company. In this same vein, one Mrs. Udosen whose husband was kidnapped and killed in 2018 in Calabar was also kidnapped yesterday night in Calabar South LGA.  Although details are still sketchy as findings show that security agents are already on the trail of the gang who carried out the kidnapping. ALSO READ: Gunmen kill 11 persons i...

GTBank Marks 10 Years of Autism Advocacy, Holds Annual Autism Conference July 27th- 28th For the past 10 years, Guaranty Trust Bank plc has been at the forefront of the advocacy for people living with autism. The Bank’s Orange Ribbon Initiative has also become a major rallying point for driving awareness about Autism, campaigning against the social stigma associated with developmental disorders and helping people with autism live a full and productive life. ADVERTISING This year, as part of its Orange Ribbon Initiative, GTBank will hold its 10th Annual Autism Conference via live stream on Monday, July 27 and Tuesday July 28, 2020 so that anyone, anywhere can interact and learn from globally renowned medical experts, caregivers and health practitioners about supporting children and adults living with Autism.  Themed, “Autism: Focusing on similarities rather than differences,” the two-day conference will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions and Q&A sessions faci...

BREAKING: NLC, ULC settle crisis By Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA — THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the United Labour Congress, ULC, have settled their lingering crisis that weakened the labour struggle in the country. President of NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba disclosed this at a joint meeting of the two Labour centres in Abuja on Thursday. The briefing was attended by the President of the ULC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and the executive members of the center. Comrade Ajaero was announced as the new Deputy President of the NLC.

COVID-19: Give us bones of our king for proper burial, family begs Rivers govt By Davies Iheamnachor PORT HARCOURT: The immediate family of the Late King of Akpor Kingdom, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Anele Orlu Oriebe, who was alleged to have died of Covid-19 has pleaded with the government of the state to release bones of the late king for proper burial in his kingdom. It was reported that the state Ministry of Health in line with the Covid-19 protocol had buried the king at the cemetery without knowledge of the kingdom on the grounds that he was Covid-19 positive.  However, the family regretted that their father was buried by the government at the cemetery without their consent, adding that the king did not die of Covid-19 as claimed by the state government, rather as a result of accident complications. Speaking, Elder Kingsley Kinika Orlu, head of the family and immediate elder brother to the late king, condemned the state g...

Two feared dead as flood renders Oyo residents homeless Ola Ajayi – Ibadan Several residents of Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State were rendered homeless when their areas were flooded during a downpour that lasted many hours on Tuesday. Except for the casualty figure that was minimal, the flooding was similar to the deadly one that happened in 2011. Though two riders on motorcycles were said to have been swept away, it could not yet be confirmed as of the time of filing this story. The heavy rain which started at about 3.30 pm did not stop till late in the evening. READ ALSO: Video: Aftermath heavy downpour, Flood takes over Lagos At Olodo area, some people were reportedly trapped as the raging flood entered their homes. They were heard calling for help in a recorded video.  Also affected were areas like  Oke-Ado, Gbekuba, Apata, and Omi-Adio. At Omi Adio, farmlands and fish-ponds were submerged. Earlier, the state government had dredged some rivers and streams i...

FG cautions against job racketeering By Emmanuel Elebeke President Muhammadu Buhari has again warned political appointees and other government officials against using their positions to bestow undue advantage on anyone seeking government jobs and other favours, saying this is antithetical to the character of the Administration. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday that Mr. President’s repeated warning followed persistent reports of fraudsters using the business cards and purported referral letters from presidential aides and other government officials to solicit employment, contract, and other favours. READ ALSO: Ghost Workers’ Probe:  Kwara suspends Permanent Secretary, others He advised Ministries, Departments and Agencies should disregard any purported request from government officials aiming to confer undue advantage on anyone seeking such favours. He said the administration has put in place a systema...