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Showing posts from December, 2020

Kinsolo closes 2020 with new album ‘Grooveland’

Kinsolo put in a lot work in 2020 with the release of two projects. Burgeoning Nigerian singer, Kinsolo has ended 2020 with a new 10-tract album titled ’Grooveland’. Kinsolo says the album is an experience of a promised land; “A land of vibes where there is no worry.” The album is a compendium of the Naija party rhythm. The album cover also depicts the vibrant, colourful and zesty nature of the African youth, lost in the drums, melodies and jubilation, typical of a Kinsolo party. Kinsolo' s Grooveland In the lead up to the album which features, Spaceship signee, Buju , and other talented singers DNA and Maka on the project, Kinsolo had released three singles ‘Kom Kom’, ‘Bruk Up’ and ‘All mine’. Production credits go to Eli De Great who is solely responsible for crafting its sonic direction. Kinsolo put our two projects in 2020; ‘Kinsolo 2’ EP and now ‘ Grooveland ’. The singer plans to drop videos off the album, collaborate heavily, and network harder to conquer new fro...

COVID-19: Nigeria records 1,031 new infections, 11 deaths

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 1,031 new infections of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Thursday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has so far tested 948,048 persons since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in Feb. 27, 2020. The public health agency said that the total number of infections in the country was now at 87,510. It also reported 11 additional new deaths and 391 recoveries in the last 24 hours in the country. The agency said that 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recorded the new infection in the country. “Our discharges today include 53 community recoveries in Lagos State managed in line with guidelines,” it said. The NCDC said that 570 came from Lagos, followed by FCT with 117 and Kaduna 109. Other states were Nasarawa-34, Bauchi-31, Kano-28, Plateau-26, Sokoto-26, Ogun-25, Edo-18, Rivers-16, Abia-10, I...

New Year: Gov Akeredolu grants amnesty to 11 inmates

Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has granted amnesty to 11 inmates serving various jail terms in correctional centres in the state to mark the beginning of 2021. Mr Olusegun Ajiboye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Akure. According to him, Akeredolu also extended the grace to four condemned inmates, by commuting their death sentences to years of imprisonment. “The directive was in accordance with the power conferred on the Governor by paragraph (d) of sub-section (1) of section 212 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), ” Ajiboye said. He said the inmates were released due to their good conducts based on the recommendation of the state Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by Mr Charles Titiloye , Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. ridoola.blogspot.com.ng

Gov. Mohammed decries high level of poverty in Bauchi

Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, on Thursday, expressed concern over the high level of poverty among residents of the state. Mohammed, who made his concerns known in Bauchi at the swearing-in of eight appointees into various positions, said a lot had to be done by the state’s poverty alleviation programmes in 2021 to address the challenge. He noted that there were lots of residents of villages and towns who looked up to government for assistance, and they must be provided with ‘ palliatives ’. “For poverty alleviation, we have to do so much next year because there are so many people in the villages, in the towns, in the nooks and crannies of Bauchi state that require some palliatives and assistance from the government. “We have told the Nigerian people, especially our electorate in Bauchi that we will not just be building roads, renovating hospitals, schools and doing agriculture. We must combine that with recognition that poverty is a recurring decimal in Bauchi. “We have to d...

Military kills 2,403 criminals, rescues 864 kidnapped victims 10 months

The military neutralised 2,403 suspected criminal elements in various operations across the country between March 18 and Dec. 30, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, the Coordinator Defence Media Operations, has said. Enenche gave the figure on Thursday, while giving update on operations conducted to check criminality in the country during the period. “This is in addition to scores of other terrorists and armed bandits killed during air strikes,’’ Enenche added. He also said that during the period under review, troops rescued 864 kidnapped victims across the country. The coordinator said that 9, 684,797 litres of stolen AGO (diesel) and 33,516,000 litres of DPK (kerosene) were recovered. “Equally, 1, 910 criminal elements were arrested and large cache of arms, ammunition and equipment were recovered during the period. “Furthermore, a total of 46, 581.8 barrels of stolen crude oil and 22, 881, 257 litres of stolen PMS (petrol) were recovered by the troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria,’ ’...

Gbajabiamila urges Nigerians to keep hope alive in 2021

Speaker of House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila has urged Nigerians to keep hope alive in 2021. In a New Year message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Lanre Lasisi, he congratulated Nigerians for witnessing the New Year in spite of the challenges of 2020. Gbajabiamila said that Nigerians should use the experiences of 2020, which he described as ` very challenging’ , to work towards a better 2021. The speaker expressed optimism that 2021 holds a lot of positives things for Nigeria and Nigerians, hence, the need for the citizens to remain positive. Gbajabiamila called for continuous unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians. “We have no other country than Nigeria; this is the only country we can call ours. “It is my hope and prayer that the year 2021 will be better than all the preceding years of our nation’s history. “In this New Year, let’s remain resolute and determined in our nationhood. “Yes, we may be going through challenges as a nation, but with o...

Kwara govt okays employment of 4,701 teachers

The Kwara Government has okayed the employment of 4,701 teachers in the state. This is contained in a statement issued by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, Mr Yakub Aliagan. Applicants, the ministry said, must have a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) with at least five O’ Level Credit passes in Mathematics, English, and three other relevant subjects in not more than two sittings. The ministry said that out of the number, government advertised placements for 2,000 teachers in some specific subjects in the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) based on needs-assessment conducted in the commission. ”Applicants for the TESCOM jobs must have bachelor’s degrees in relevant subjects and teaching qualification in strict compliance with the National Policy of Education and Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). ”Applicants must also have at least five O’ level credit passes at not more than two sittings, including Mathematics and Englis...

NDLEA arrests 61 suspected drug traffickers in Niger

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Niger Command, says it arrested 61 suspected drug traffickers in different parts of the state from January to date. The acting Commander of the agency in the state, Mr Isaac Aloye, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Thursday. Aloye said that the command also secured the conviction of 28 suspects, at the Federal High Court Minna, to different jail terms for being in possession of and trafficking in drugs. He said that drugs seized from the suspects include 3,066.9334 kg of cannabis sativa (hemp), 0.014 kg of cocaine, 0.001 kg of methamphetamine and 62.05kg of psychotropic substances. “The command also secured the final forfeiture of 10 vehicles used from convicted drug dealers and temporary forfeiture of 20 others. “This is a great feat in the history of the command and a great disincentive to drug dealers and would-be dealers alike that drug doesn’t pay,’’ the commander said. Aloye said that the quant...

Late Amb. Nsofor departs U.S. on final journey back home

The remains of the late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, Nigeria’s immediate-past ambassador to the United States (U.S.) on Wednesday left the U.S. on the final journey back home for burial. The casket carrying his body, draped in the Nigerian flag, departed the Dulles International Airport, Washington, on board a Delta Airlines plane. At the airport to bid him farewell were officials of the U.S. Department of State, and Nigerian embassy officials led by the Charge D’Affaires, Mrs Jane Adams-Abanulo . A brief departure ceremony for the deceased included a guard of honour mounted by U.S. military service members at the cargo section of the airport. Nsofor’s wife, Jean , and son, Cross , are accompanying the body, expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Thursday morning. Representatives of the U.S. consulate in Lagos and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will receive the body on arrival in Nigeria. The 85-year-old retired justice of Nigeria’s...

Plateau govt shifts date for opening of tertiary schools

The Plateau Government has directed tertiary institutions to resume on Jan. 18, as against the Jan. 4 date earlier announced. Mr Kakmena Audu, the Plateau Commissioner for Higher Education gave the directive in a statement on Thursday in Jos. He said the decision to shift the resumption date was in line with the directive of the Federal Government and the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19. The commissioner directed all heads of tertiary institutions in the state to comply strictly to the directive and also ensure that they adhere strictly to the safety protocols against COVID-19. In the same vein, Mr John Istifanus , the Director of Schools in the state Ministry of Secondary Education, has directed all secondary schools in the state to resume as directed. He directed all Zonal and Area directors of schools to ensure strict compliance to the new date. Istifanus also urged principals and proprietors of schools to adhere strictly to the safety protocols put in place to avert...

President Buhari signs 2021 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja signed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N13,588,027,886,175 into law. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the president’s action followed the earlier passing of the bill by the National Assembly on Dec. 21 during an emergency session convened for the purpose of passing the budget. NAN observed that the signing of the budget is also in line with the president’s promise to return the nation to the January to December Budget circle. NAN reports the budget estimate was increased by the sum of N505, 607,317,942 from the estimate of N13, 082, 420, 568,233 presented to the joint sitting of National Assembly by President Buhari on Oct. 8, 2020. NAN reports that the signed budget comprises total Capital Supplementation of N1,060,751,051,650. Statutory Transfer stands at N496,528,471,273; recurrent Expenditure of N5,641,970,060,680 and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of 3.00 Per cent. It also provides N3,324,380,000 trillion ...

Senator Ishaku Abbo contests for Adamawa Governor's seat in 2023

The lawmaker says he will take a shot at the governor's seat after serving only one term in the National Assembly. Senator Ishaku Abbo (Adamawa North - APC) says he will contest in the 2023 Adamawa governorship election. The first term lawmaker has been a vocal critic of the administration of incumbent Adamawa governor, Ahmadu Fintiri , a feud he said forced him out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. Abbo revealed during a trip to Ganye local government area of Adamawa on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 that he will challenge Fintiri who will be seeking re-election in 2023. He also noted that he dumped the PDP for the APC because the party was dead. Abbo has had a controversial stay in the National Assembly after he was embroiled in two incidents of assault. The emergence of a video that captured the lawmaker assaulting Osimibibra Warmate in May 2019 led to widespread outrage. twitter.com He was subsequently charged ...

Actor Rotimi proposes to girlfriend Vanessa Mdee

The couple will hopefully walk down the aisle in 2021. Nigerian American actor Rotimi has proposed to his girlfriend and singer Vanessa Mdee. In a video shared on Instagram by the handle @Paislib , Rotimi went down on his knees as he asked the Tanzanian born singer to marry him. He got a big YES from Mdee. www.instagram.com Rotimi and Mdee made their relationship public back in 2019. The 'Power' actor hinted to everyone about their relationship after he posted a photo of himself and Mdee all loved up. Interestingly, after the photo went viral, Mdee confirmed their relationship during an interview. www.instagram.com " It took me just two days for me to know that he was my husband," she said. "You know when you are in love with somebody. Yes, I'm in love with him," she added. Congratulations to Rotimi and Mdee from all of us at Pulse. ridoola.blogspot.com

Burna Boy gushes about his girlfriend Stefflon Don as they holiday in Ghana

The music star and his girlfriend are currently in Ghana for the holidays. Nigerian singer Burna Boy is presently in Ghana with his bae Stefflon Don, as they holiday together. In a video, that has seen gone viral. the two were spotted at a beach in the West African country having a swell time. The music star gushed as his girlfriend rode on a horse as they took a walk along the beach. www.instagram.com This is probably the first time Burna Boy and Stefflon Don will be spotted in public since the cheating allegation levelled against him . It would be recalled that a few weeks ago, a young lady based in the United Kingdom, Jo Pearl , alleged that she has been in a relationship with the music star for two years. Stefflon Don, her boyfriend, Burna Boy and the alleged side chic, Jo Pearl [Instagram/StefflonDon] [Instagram/BurnaBoyGram] [Instagram/JoPearl] In two videos on her Instagram page, the 23-year-old narrated how she met and fell in love with Burna Boy before he started d...

Don’t allow Arewa community in Lagos to split, AYCF urges Sanwo-Olu

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) on Wednesday cautioned against the gang up to split the Arewa community in Lagos State over chieftaincy matters. Alhaji Yerima Shettima, the National President of AYCF, in a statement in Lagos, urged the State Government not to fold its hands and think all is well with the community. He said that the dangerous move against the unity and brotherhood that had held the Arewa Community together for decades must be checked. “Our attention has been drawn to the subtle attempt to deliberately create division amongst the Arewa Community in Lagos, through the backdoor, using the office of Alh. Kabiru Ahmed , the Waterfront Commissioner for Lagos State. “This avoidable friction amongst the Arewa Community is obviously engineered by anti-peace and unity elements. “We cannot fathom what is the business of a Waterfront Commissioner with the unity, recognition and respect of the monarch in the Arewa Community in Lagos. “We are worried that the Arewa C...

NLC appeals for reinstatement of 2,414 teachers sacked in Kwara 

The Kwara branch of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed shock over the decision of the state government to disengage 2,414 teachers employed by the immediate past administration. In a statement on Wednesday, signed by its chairman, Alhaji Issa Ore, the union said that the decision to sack that large number of workers was too harsh on the affected people, their families and dependents. It said the situation would make life unbearable for them and their families; more so that their sack had already created a vacuum in the classrooms, which is also not good for the development of education. “We wish to stress further that a decision that government will have to re-engage new hands with shallow field experience, may have a big setback on the students. “We are pleading with His Excellency and the Government of Kwara to please rescind their decision on this issue, so that these teachers can be re-absorbed to continue with their jobs,” it said. The union argued that by resc...

Over 10m children in Nigeria, 6 others may face acute malnutrition in 2021

An estimated 10.4 million children in seven countries, including Nigeria, will suffer from acute malnutrition in 2021, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a statement on Wednesday., “As 2021 approaches, UNICEF is deeply concerned for the health and well-being of 10.4 million children projected to suffer from acute malnutrition next year in those countries,” the statement said, citing the affected countries as Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen. UNICEF said ongoing insecurity in the DRC, socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic and limited access to essential services will result in an estimated 3.3 million children, under five, who will suffer from acute malnutrition next year. In Northeast Nigeria, more than 800,000 children are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition, including almost 300,000 who are estimated to be at imminent risk of death. According to UNICEF, the highest number of children since ...

Two months post-release, Wizkid's 'Made In Lagos' remains in the top 10 of UK charts

In the same vein, his 2019 EP, Soundman Vol. 1 also hit 90 million streams across all streaming platforms. On October 30, 2020, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid released his fourth studio album, 'Made In Lagos' was released. On December 20, 2020, Twitter account, Album Talks HQ reported that Made In Lagos had spent the last two months of its release in the top 10 of the UK albums charts of streaming platform, Apple Music. By so doing, it became the first African album to ever achieve the feat. twitter.com The platform also wrote that, " @wizkidayo 's "Made in Lagos" album still sits in the Top 10 of the UK Apple Music Albums Chart at #7, 2 months after release — This is wild considering there's no other album by an African act in the Top 60 ." www.instagram.com In the same vein, his 2019 EP, Soundman Vol. 1 also hit 90 million streams across all streaming platforms. This was announced by Wizkid aggregated news platform, Wizkid News. ridoo...

Here are the top 10 Nigerian rappers of 2020

This year, Nigerian rappers have been stupendous at their craft, producing storybooks and worthwhile concepts in form of raps. In Q2 2020, Facts Only by Pulse featured an episode of how Nigerian Hip-Hop was having a good year. That run has continued for the rest of the year as Nigerian Hip-Hop has continued to produce the goods; one quality body of work after another. As revealed in the Pulse Picks for ‘Albums of the year,’ COVID-19 has had a role to play in Nigeria’s continued race back to being an album market. Why Nigerian Hip-hop is having a great year | Facts Only with Motolani Alake This year, Nigerian rappers have been stupendous at their craft, producing storybooks and worthwhile concepts in form of raps. The music has been dense and resonant, and their words are forever etched on the sands of time. Either they are talking about love, women, society, politics, business or family, the dedication has been the same. This was the hardest list to make - even harder than the l...

Gov Ayade signs 2021 appropriation bill of N281.9bn into law

Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Wednesday signed the state’s 2021 budget of N281.9 billion into law. The budget has N192.5 billion representing 67 per cent earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while the sum of N88.196 billion representing 33 per cent was for capital spending. Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Governor’s office, Calabar, Ayade said that there was provision for the establishment of a state polytechnic in the budget. He added that the budget also had provisions for social welfare schemes like grants and other financial benefits to help cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the people. The governor explained that his administration had decided to reduce the financial commitments of the state in key projects such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport and the 275km superhighway to five per cent. According to him, these projects are now to be built on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. “For the budget of 2021, the budget of “ Blush and Bliss ” the gro...

Troops rescue 23 victims, arrest bandits’ collaborator in Katsina

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji have rescued 23 kidnapped victims comprising 18 women and five children in Katsina State, the Defence Headquarters has said. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, in a statement on Wednesday, said the rescue operation took place on Tuesday at Wurma Village in Kurfi Local Government Area of the state. Enenche said the troop also recovered 75 rustled livestock during the operation. He said troops in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force swiftly mobilised to the location following credible information on the bandits activities in the village. According to him, the troops engaged the bandits who had kidnapped some locals and rustled some livestock from Kwayawa Village in Safana Local Government Area. “With superior firepower and support by Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship, the armed bandits were forced to abandon the kidnapped victims. “Consequently, troops rescued 18 women and five children as well ...

FG vows to rescue Nigerian death row inmate in Saudi Arabia

The family of Sulaimon Olufemi, a Nigerian sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, in Lagos approached the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) seeking its intervention to save him. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sulaimon was sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia in 2002, for reportedly being part of a mob that killed a Saudi Arabian police officer. The head of the Olufemi family, Mr Olabode Olufemi , at a meeting with NIDCOM chairperson, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa , said that before his departure for Saudi Arabia, Sulaimon was never a trouble maker. “Sulaimon is a child of peace and gentle spirit. We appeal to the Government of Saudi Arabia to spare the life of our son. “We also appeal to NIDCOM, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Association of Nigerians in Diaspora in Saudi Arabia to come to our rescue,” Olabode pleaded. Responding, Dabiri-Erewa pledged that the commission would do its best in getting clemency for Sulaimon. “The Association of Nigerians ...

The 10 most Influential Nigerian celebrities of the year [Pulse Picks 2020]

These celebrities made so much impact in 2020. Celebrity comes with a lot of influence which comes with exceptionality in a craft, likeable personality, and other factors. For 2020, we pick out the 10 most influential Nigerian celebrities of the year. Laycon (BB Naija) Laycon won the 2020 edition of Big Brother Naija [Twitter/@bbnaija] Icons get in here; Laycon in 2020 rode on an incredible fandom called the Icons to win the fifth edition of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show . His initial buzz in the house came with his love drama with fellow housemates Erica, but he moved on from it to garner incredible support that propelled him to win the show. It didn't stop there; a record (Fierce) he had released before going into the BB Naija house became a sleeper hit while he has continued to enjoy the support of his stans Icon. More is coming from this dude; his music career has a lot of promise while a reality show around him is coming in early 2021. Olamilekan Moshood Agb...

Stonebwoy’s wife says CJ was so small everyone was worried, drops rare photo on her birthday

Catherine-Jidula, daughter of afro-dancehall star Stonebwoy and Louisa Ansong, is getting some birthday pampering from dad and mum. While her father shared just her birthday photos with sweet message, her mother went the extra mile to dig out some never-seen photos of the two. Today (December 30) marks Catherine-Jidula ’s – who is affectionately called CJ by her father – third birthday anniversary. And as a proud mother, she used the moment to share a rare photo with her daughter and accompanied with a hilarious, yet sweet message. According to Louisa, CJ was so small when she gave birth to her. She said ‘everyone was worried about how little she was when she was born’. She also revealed that a dictionary is needed sometimes to understand CJ – implying that she is brilliant or eloquent. She shared the rare photo with her and captioned: “Happy birthday to my C-Mama! Oh how time flies!!It feels like just yesterday when I had this little angel. Everyone was worried about how little ...

NCDC announces 1,016 new COVID-19 cases as total rises to 86,576

The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) has announced 1,016 new infections of COVID-19(COVID-19) in the country. The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Wednesday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the country has so far tested 938,602 persons since the first confirmed case relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was announced in Feb. 27. The agency said that the total number of infections in the country was now 86,576 while 1,385 recoveries were recorded in the last 24 hours. It noted that the discharges included 537 community recoveries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 459 in Lagos State and 78 in Plateau managed in line with guidelines. The public health agency said 11 additional new deaths were registered in the country in the last 24 hours. The NCDC said that the new cases were recorded in 20 states and the FCT. It stated that Lagos State recorded the highest number of cases with 434; FCT, 155; Plateau, 94; Kaduna and Rivers States, 56 each; ...

OAP Toolz says people who falsely accuse others of sexual assault should face harsher penalties

Toolz says downright evil to falsely accuse someone of such a barbaric crime out of revenge Nigerian On-Air personality Tolu 'Toolz' Demuren has said people who falsely accuse others of sexual assault face harsher penalties. The mother of two made this known via her Twitter page on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. "As someone who is deeply against sexual assault in any form, (in fact I would gladly vote for rapists to be castrated with no anesthetic) I think it's time to make sure people who falsely accuse others of sexual assault face harsher penalties," she tweeted. twitter.com It's disgusting and downright evil to falsely accuse someone of such a barbaric crime out of revenge or anIt'sther reason. Its also a huge slap in the face for real victims." twitter.com "When these situations hit social media or the blogs, the noise after the initial accusation is so much louder than when the accusation is proven to be false. Unfortunately the ...

Saraki: 'It was always about Nigeria'

When the senate refused to confirm certain nominees from the executive, it was about Nigeria, Saraki says. Former President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has stated that the decisions he took during his spell as the 13th Senate President of Nigeria, were in the best interest of the nation. Saraki of the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) was President of the 8th Senate from 2015 to 2019. He lost his re-election battle to the All Progressives Congress (APC) backed Ibrahim Oloriegbe in February of 2019. In a response to a tweet by Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine, who stated that Saraki was one of the “most intelligent, courageous and urbane leaders in Nigeria” and also that “Many now appreciate his unprecedented interventions in the 8th National Assembly,” Saraki responded by saying that the decisions taken by the upper chamber of Nigeria’s legislative branch were never about a personal agenda. He tweeted: twitter.com “Thanks @DeleMomodu! Complime...

Pulse Person of the Year: #EndSARS Protester

They carried the hopes of a nation in their lungs for two weeks and stared down the barrels of guns while at it. Young Nigerians who make up a chunk of the country’s population, have always been dismissed and derided for caring more about reality TV shows and football than they do about civics, governance and politics. In October of 2020 however, young Nigerians revolted against entrenched injustice and a rigged political system in a way this nation has never quite seen before. Reports that yet another young man had been brutalized by police officers in Delta State, sparked nationwide protests that were first spearheaded by celebrities before they were seized on by an army of young Nigerians desperate for change. For decades, the notorious police unit, SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) cemented a reputation for extra-judicial killings, extortion, profiling and a slew of human rights abuses, with young Nigerians as their main fodder. When the #EndSARS protesters took to the street...

Ooni alerts Nigerians on Second Wave of COVID-19

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has alerted Nigerians on the second wave of COVID-19, adding it is deadlier than the first. The Ooni , who is the Co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), issued the alert in his Christmas/New Year message. ”The pandemic is very much around. It is erroneous to think that the rampaging virus has gone after the first wave. “The wave of coronavirus we are dealing with now is deadlier than what we had in the first two quarters of the concluding year 2020, so I want to appeal to our people that it is not yet over. ”We must not loose our guards as we can hear in the news that more people are now testing positive to the virus. “Imagine the strange strain of the disease in some parts of the world, making some people blind while others are losing vital organs which is absolutely new. While it is heartwarming that we now have vaccines coming up, the best way to cure this virus is not to get it at all.” “Let us cont...

COVID-19 self-medication can cause organ damage - FG warns Nigerians

The Federal Government has advised Nigerians against self medication for COVID-19, saying it could lead to body organs damage. Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, Director of Hospital Services, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Wednesday in Abuja. NAN reports that articles about various home remedies and ways to prevent COVID-19 have been circulating on social and conventional media since the onset of coronavirus pandemic. Theories such as gargling hot salt water, drinking lots of water and taking various vitamins and antibiotics, are a few that are believed to cure the disease. Adebiyi emphasised that, while there might be some “ rationale ” behind these theories, they could however, pose serious dangers to the body and cause health complications. “Be careful what you read on social media and send to your friends and loved ones, there are all sorts of inaccurate information out there. “The best thing we can do is maint...

Remains of former Nigerian ambassador to U.S. set for repatriation

The body of Late Justice Sylvanus Nsofor, immediate-past Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., is set to be flown back home on Wednesday for burial. Nsofor, a retired justice of the Court of Appeal, died in the U.S. on Dec. 10 after a brief illness. He was 85 years old. Ahead of the repatriation, the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C. hosted a service of songs in his honour on Tuesday evening. The hybrid ceremony, held at the embassy in Washington, attracted dignitaries from the diplomatic community in the U.S., Nigerian officials, embassy staff and family members of the late envoy. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person attendance was limited to 10, while other guests, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended remotely. Different speakers, including Ms Cam Henderson , Chief of Protocol at the U.S. Department of State, and Barfuor Adjei-Barwuah , Ghanaian ambassador to the U.S., eulogised Nsofor ’s exemplary life. Henderson said the former ambassador was a g...