FRESH FM TOP NEWS THIS WEEK

The hottest and most trending news articles for this week in all categories are captured in one shot. Find articles ranging from News to Sports, to Politics, to Entertainment, to Economy, to Metro plus, and many other categories. See below the top news for the week:

News

• Ban on open grazing starts April 27, says IPOB

The Indigenous People of Biafra has stated that from April 27, 2022, it will start enforcing its ban on Fulani cows outside ranching places. The Media and Publicity Secretary, IPOB, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement on Monday. The group had earlier in January, issued a ban on the consumption and sale of Fulani cows in the South-East region. The group had said the ban would take effect by April.

Powerful said the clarification became necessary so as to reiterate its ban on open grazing in the South-East region, which had also since been outlawed by the governors of the region. He pointed out that from the said date, no cow should be seen roaming the streets of Biafra land. He added that anybody interested in cow business anywhere in Biafra land, must have a ranch, and properly mark the cows.

• Security agents aiding bandits, allege Reps, demand NSA, minister’s sacking

The House of Representatives has condemned the rising insecurity in the country, especially the recent killings in Benue, Taraba and Plateau states. The lawmakers, who stated this at the plenary on Wednesday, demanded the removal of the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.) and the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.).

The legislators also alleged that security agents were aiding bandits and other criminals, adding that huge security funds were not being justified. They also alleged that the security chiefs were benefitting from insecurity in the country because of the huge funds being allocated to the defence sector.

On Sunday, no fewer than 70 people were killed when gunmen attacked Kanam and Wase communities in Plateau State. On Monday, 25 people were killed in Guma and Tiortyu local government areas of Benue State. Disturbed by the killings, the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, Yusuf Gagdi, moved a motion of urgent public importance titled ‘Terrorist Attacks on Kanam and Wase Communities of Plateau State,’ while Messrs Bem Mzondu and John Dyegh moved a separate motion of urgent public importance on killings in Benue State. Gagdi noted that the first responsibility of any government was the security of lives and the welfare of the people.

• Insecurity: US approves $1bn attack helicopters, others for Nigeria, Buhari meets service chiefs

The United States State Department has cleared the sale of 12 AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria worth nearly $1bn, apparently after US lawmakers lifted objections over human rights concerns. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Thursday announced the sale of the helicopters and related defence systems to the Nigerian military. The package includes $25m for human rights-related training, according to YahooNews.

The sale includes the Bell-made Cobras; 28 General Electric-made T700-401C engines; 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems used to convert unguided missiles into precision-guided missiles; and night vision, targeting and navigation systems. The case highlights the Biden administration’s attempts to balance human rights concerns in the arms sale process.

Foreign Policy had reported in July that the top Democrat and Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed the sale amid concerns Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was drifting toward authoritarianism. The country is facing multiple security challenges, including terrorism.

• National Assembly approves N4tn for petrol subsidy

The National Assembly has passed amendments to the 2022 Appropriation Act which raised the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) by N442.72bn, from N3.557tn to N4tn. The Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, considered and adopted reports on the amendment bills at the plenary on Thursday based on the request by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The federal parliament approved a new oil price benchmark of $73 per barrel, a new oil production volume of 1.600 million per day, and a PMS subsidy of N4tn. The Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, considered and adopted reports on the amendment bills at the plenary on Thursday based on the request by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The federal parliament approved a new oil price benchmark of $73 per barrel, a new oil production volume of 1.600 million per day, and a PMS subsidy of N4tn. Provision for federally-funded upstream projects being implemented was cut by N200bn from N352.80bn, while the projection for Federal Government independent revenue was raised by N400bn.

• Senate Asks Police To Investigate Death Of Gospel Singer Osinachi

The Senate has asked the police to investigate the death of gospel singer, Mrs. Osinachi Nwachukwu. The death of the 42-year-old singer has sparked controversy as many accused her husband of abusing her leading to her demise. But the husband has denied the claims. Days after her death, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah presented the matter to the upper chamber during Thursday’s plenary session.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said this is one death too many and the lives of every citizen must matter. Several Nigerians have been calling for the arrest of the late singer’s husband who is now in custody some days after she died in a hospital in Abuja.

Recently, her pastor, Paul Enneche of Dunamis International Gospel Church, claimed that he was not aware of her suffering from domestic violence but rather she complained of chest pain when she visited him for counseling with her husband. Pastor Enneche, who stated on his Youtube channel that the late singer did not open up on her ordeal with him, insisted that his church does not tolerate domestic violence or any form of battery on women.

Meanwhile, the spokeswoman of the Abuja police command, Josephine Adeh has confirmed that the husband of the late singer is in their custody. “He is now in our custody. The younger brother of the deceased reported the matter and we have commenced an investigation”. Fellow gospel artistes who had worked with the late singer also accused her husband of domestic violence.

• 8 Years After Chibok Attack, Over 1,500 Students Have Been Kidnapped In Nigeria – Amnesty Int’l

Since the abduction of about 276 Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram, over 1,500 school children have been kidnapped by armed groups in Nigeria. This is according to an investigation by the human rights group, Amnesty International.

“Nigerian is failing to protect vulnerable children. By refusing to respond to alerts of impending attacks on schools across the north of the country, the Nigerian authorities have failed to prevent mass abductions of thousands of school children,” Amnesty International’s Nigeria Director, Osai Ojigho.

A statement by the organisation on Thursday faulted Nigerian authorities for failing to learn from the Chibok incident and preventing further crimes.

• Gunmen kill INEC official during voter registration in Imo

Gunmen on Thursday killed an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission at Isinweke, the headquarters of the Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area of Imo state. Newsmen gathered that the deceased, Anthony Nwokorie, was in charge of the polling unit where the gunmen attacked.

The Continuous Voter Registration was ongoing when the gunmen numbering over 10 stormed the scene, killing one person and dispersing the crowd.

They were said to be angry with the ongoing exercise by the residents of the area ahead of 2023 general election. The deceased was shot in his chest and he died on the spot.

• FG pardons ex-Govs Dariye, Nyame convicted for stealing N2.7bn

The Council of State led by President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the pardon of 159 convicts including a former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye; and ex-Governor Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, who were both imprisoned for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn respectively. Confirming Dariye’s pardon, the Commissioner for Information, Dan Manjang, told newsmen that the ex-governor had been given a second chance.

Dariye and Nyame were convicted by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2018. Dariye, who was governor from 1999 to 2007, was jailed for laundering public funds to the tune of N1.162bn and was sentenced to 14 years in prison by Justice Banjoko who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal.

Dariye’s prison term was later reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal in Abuja while his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court. For Rev Nyame, who was governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing N1.6bn from the state’s treasury, a judgment which was also upheld by the Supreme Court.

• Presidential pardon: How EFCC spent 11 years, millions to prosecute Dariye, Nyame

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission spent hundreds of millions of naira prosecuting the pardoned former governors of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye; and Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame, newsmen have confirmed. Several EFCC operatives, some of whom were involved in the handling of the two cases, told newsmen that huge sums of money were spent on investigation and prosecution between 2007 and 2018.

Dariye’s case in particular was said to have cost a lot more as it emanated from London and the star witness, Peter Clark, who was a policeman, had to be flown from the United Kingdom on several occasions and lodged in hotels while the case dragged on. Dariye and Nyame were jailed for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn, respectively.

An EFCC operative, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the press, told newsmen “The pardon for Dariye is demoralising. Peter Clark, a UK officer, was the star witness. He was the one who first arrested Dariye in 2004. “Clark was the one who revealed how Dariye bought a pen for £7,000 and was found with over £40,000, while his aide had about £50,000 on her.
We spent hundreds of millions on this case.

Politics

• 2023: I’ve no son grown enough for presidency —Tinubu

National Leader of ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has feigned ignorance of yesterday’s presidential declaration of his erstwhile ‘political godson’, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, saying he has no son grown enough to have made such declaration. The development came as governors of the APC said they would meet soon to discuss the presidential aspiration of Tinubu, a Third Republic senator and two-time governor of Lagos State.

The governors, however, denied speculations that the aspirations of Tinubu and Osinbajo had caused a division among them. Tinubu spoke in Abuja shortly after meeting with about 12 APC governors. The meeting came a few hours after Osinbajo declared his interest in the 2023 presidential election.

Osinbajo, a protegè of Tinubu, had on Sunday night met with APC governors to inform them of his ambition. Those who met with the VP Sunday night were Governors Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Babagana Umara Zulum (Borno) and Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos).

• 2023: Tinubu, Osinbajo groups clash, Aregbesola may back VP

Support groups loyal to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on the one hand and those backing the All Progressives Congress national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the other, on Monday, engaged in a war of words on social media, television and radio following Osinbajo’s formal declaration of his presidential ambition. This is just as newsmen learnt that the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, might support the Vice-President’s ambition.

After months of speculations, Osinbajo released a pre-recorded video on social media on Monday where he informed Nigerians of his desire to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. The declaration was a sequel to a meeting with the APC governors at the Presidential Villa late on Sunday to seek their support ahead of the party’s primary which is expected to take place next month.

In the video, Osinbajo said he believed that God endowed him with many experiences as the country’s number two citizen to enable him to serve better as President in 2023 and beyond.

• 2023: PDP concensus build-up is working, says Saraki

Former President of the Senate, BukolaSaraki; Sokoto State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Aminu Tambuwal; and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, on Monday, held a consultative meeting with the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

Saraki while speaking with journalists at the end of the meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, confirmed the consensus-building on who will emerge as the party’s flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election was working.

The immediate past Senate president who is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the PDP said they were also working to hold consultations with other aspirants from the party.

• I’ll be courageous as Nigeria’s president, says Tinubu

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said that he will be the courageous leader that Nigeria needs to tackle its challenges. Tinubu, who is a presidential aspirant, stated this on Wednesday during a one-day forum organised by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, for serving Speakers and former Speakers and deputies in Ikeja GRA.

At the event themed, ‘The legislature, changing times and Nigeria’s democratic journey,’ which was attended by 15 serving House of Assembly Speakers from APC-governed states, the presidential aspirant noted that he was the first state governor to grant autonomy to the House.

He said, “We have the brilliance, the resources and the focus. We do not just know how to run the race and take care of the gear of progress. Just as I need Nigeria, Nigeria needs me. Nigeria needs drastic courageous changes that will bring revenue and I am that courageous one it needs. I was raised to be courageous and this has been working for me. I want to bring same to bear as president of Nigeria.”

• 2023: Wike visits Edo, shuns Obaseki, party secretariat

There are strong indications that the political difference/rivalry between Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Edo State counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, may not have abated as the former shunned the Edo State Government House while in the state, on Thursday, to fan his presidential ambition.

Wike was in Benin as part of his meetings with delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the party’s convention to pick its presidential candidate for the 2023 presidential elections.

He also did not visit the state party secretariat but was at the palace of the Oba of Benin and then met with the party’s delegates at the residence of the late former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

At the palace of the Oba of Benin, Wike said if elected as president, he would focus on checking insecurity with massive investment in intelligence gathering. He noted that it is only in a secured environment that economic activities, agriculture and investment in infrastructure can thrive.

Economy

• Over 5,000 debtors owe 10 FG agencies N4.67tn – Finance minister

The Federal Government has disclosed that over 5,000 debtors currently owe its agencies about N4.67tn. The Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who made the disclosure on Monday, said the government had in the past 18 months recovered N53.8bn out of the N5.2tn owed 10 ministries, departments and agencies.

The minister made the disclosure during the launch of the Project Lighthouse Debt Analytics and Reporting platform in Abuja. She credited the project lighthouse and the collaborative efforts of the Office of the Account General for the discovery and recovery of the outstanding debts

Ahmed noted that in a bid to optimise revenue, the ministry had in 2017 introduced the ‘Project Lighthouse’ to mine data from multiple sources to support the implementation of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme.

• National grid collapsed twice to 10MW, 33MW last week – FG report

The collapse of Nigeria’s electricity grid actually occurred twice – on Friday and Saturday last week despite concerted efforts to stabilise the power system, a Federal Government report seen in Abuja on Monday showed. Data in the report, which was obtained from the Federal Ministry of Power, showed that the quantum of electricity on the grid crashed from over 3,000 megawatts on Friday, April 8, 2022, to as low as 10MW around 21.00 hours same day.

Also, another collapse of the national grid occurred on Saturday, April 9, 2022, as the nation’s power system collapsed to 33MW around 01.00 hours, after it had earlier posted a peak generation of 3,281.50MW at 00.00 hours the same day. The report, however, indicated that power generation on the grid moved up on Sunday, April 10, 2022, as the off-peak on that day was put at 3,117.40MW, while the peak generation was 3,658.80MW.

Power distribution companies had confirmed the recent grid collapse, as they explained that it was what triggered the widespread blackout in Nigeria at the weekend.

BUSINESS

• Elon Musk Offers To Buy Twitter For $43.4 Billion

Tesla chief Elon Musk has launched a hostile takeover bid for Twitter, insisting it was a “best and final offer” and that he was the only person capable of unlocking the full potential of the platform. Musk offered $54.20 a share, which values the social media firm at $43.4 billion, in a filing dated Wednesday, April 13 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Twitter’s board said it would carefully review what it termed Musk’s “unsolicited, non-binding” offer and decide on a course of action that was “in the best interest of the Company and all Twitter stockholders.” Musk’s latest move toward Twitter comes just days after he turned down a seat on the board following his acquisition of a 9.2 percent stake in the microblogging platform.

Health

• FG receives three million doses of COVID-19 vaccine

The Federal Government has received 3,002,400 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine donated by the government of Italy. The Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Faisal Shuaib, while acknowledging receipt of the donated vaccine doses in Abuja on Monday, applauded the Italian government for the donation.

He said, “Today, we took delivery of 3,002,400 doses of the Johnson and Johnson brand of the COVID-19 vaccines, a generous donation from the Government of Italy. “We appreciate the sincerity and commitment of the Government of Italy and European delegates to the global efforts in halting this pandemic for nations of the world to return to their normal way of life.

“We wish to also seize this opportunity to call on eligible Nigerians who are yet to be vaccinated or who are due for their second or booster dose to please avail themselves of current opportunities to receive their COVID-19 vaccines”.

• Why Women Stay In Abusive Marriages – Psychologist

A Consultant Clinical Psychologist, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Dr. Charles Umeh says emotional attachment is one main reason why some women endure abusive relationships and domestic violence in marriage. The psychologists pointed this out while highlighting reasons women stay in abusive unions even at the detriment of their lives and the long-term psychological effects it could have on the children.

Dr. Umeh further said that culture, religion and financial dependence are strong factors why women find it difficult to leave abusive relationships and marriages. Lack of support and blame from family members and religious bodies, he stressed, make women more helpless in deciding to leave.

According to the World Health Organisation, violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights.
Estimates published by the WHO indicate that globally, about one in three (30 per cent) of women worldwide have been subjected to physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

“Most of this is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one-third (27 per cent) of women aged 15-49 years, who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner. Violence can negatively affect women’s physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health, and may increase the risk of acquiring HIV in some settings. Violence against women is preventable. The health sector has an important role to play to provide comprehensive health care to women subjected to violence, and as an entry point for referring women to other support services, they may need,” WHO stated.

• Early antenatal care can prevent pregnancy, childbirth complications – Gynaecologist

A Gynaecologist, Dr. Femi Olawore, has advised pregnant women to initiate early antenatal care to reduce complications and maternal mortality. He gave the advice in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria. According to him, early initiation of antenatal care is very important as it allows early detection, management and prevention of problems that may occur during pregnancy and childbirth.

He said, “Pregnancy and childbirth are leading causes of death among Nigerian women. Antenatal care serves as a key entry point for pregnant women to receive adequate professional healthcare services for themselves and their unborn babies. Antenatal care is the medical attention provided to improve the health of the mother and unborn baby. The World Health Organisation recommends that antenatal care should start in the first trimester or 12 weeks of gestation.”

Dr. Olawore, however, said many pregnant women in Nigeria place low value on antenatal care and have limited access to maternal care, noting that this makes many of them to deliver their babies in places that are not healthcare facilities. “WHO data shows that Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate is 814 per 100,000 live births,” he added.

Education

• FG faults UTAS, ASUU accuses govt of misplaced priority

The Federal Government has said the non-acceptance of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution by the National Information Technology Development Agency is not a tangible reason for the Academic Staff Union of Universities to embark on strike.

Speaking in an interview with one of our correspondents, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, said the priority of ASUU leaders should be the welfare of their members and not on the choice of payment platform that government should use.

ASUU had declared that its ongoing strike would not be suspended until the government adopted UTAS as its payment platform, implemented the renegotiated agreement, and paid all outstanding allowances.

The minister explained that the government and ASUU had been going back and forth on the creation of UTAS, adding that NITDA was also involved and consultations had been ongoing.

• No resumption without meeting our demands, ASUU tells FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Abuja zone says there will be no resumption in public universities until the renegotiated 2009 agreement is signed, implemented and the University Transparency and Accountability Solution deployed. The ASUU zonal coordinator, Dr Salawu Lawal, made this known during a press conference at the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada on Monday. According to him, members are ready to return to their duty posts as soon as their demands are met by the Federal Government.

ASUU, Benin Zone, also on Monday pleaded with Nigerians to join the union in rescuing what it described as dying university system. The union’s Zonal Coordinator, Prof Fred Esumeh, in a press briefing at the ASUU Secretariat, University of Benin, Edo State, said the union called on well-meaning Nigerians to rise up and join it in repositioning the nation’s universities to a globally competitive level that would be able to produce the manpower required to jump-start the re-emergence of a country driven by technology.

• Strike: NLC Asks FG To Resolve Impasse With ASUU, NASU, Others In 21 Days

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has intervened in the lingering disagreement between the Federal Government and unions in the tertiary institutions that has crippled activities in the nation’s universities. As a result, the congress issued a 21-one day ultimatum to the government to resolve the issues with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), and National Association of Academic Technologist (NAAT).

This was contained in a communique jointly signed on Wednesday in Abuja by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, and the congress’ General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja.

Following a meeting with the leaders of the affected unions, Wabba expressed serious concerns over the failure of the government to honour its 2009 re-negotiated agreement with them. He stated that after the expiration of the ultimatum, the NLC would decide on the next line of action should the government fail to resolve the impasse within the period.

• NASU, SSANU Threaten Indefinite Strike Nationwide

Another major setback looms in the nation’s education sector as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) threaten a total and indefinite strike. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of NASU and SSANU announced this in a communique on Wednesday, amid the ongoing warning strike by the unions.

They explained that the decision has become necessary following the government’s failure to address the issues that led to the warning strike. “We had written no less than 10 letters or reminders to the government to no avail, not even an acknowledgement,” the communique read. “It was at the end of all these reminders with no acknowledgement by the government that we were left with no other resort but to embark on a two-week warning strike.

Some of the issues that led to the industrial action, according to the unions, include problems of inconsistencies in payment with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS), non-payment of earned allowances, and non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage and consequential adjustment, among others. NASU and SSANU faulted the government for failing to implement an agreement it freely entered into with the unions.

WORLD

• Protests In US City After Video Shows Police Shooting Of Black Man

Dozens of protestors gathered Wednesday evening in Grand Rapids, Michigan after police released videos related to the fatal shooting of a young Black man by a white police officer. One of four videos from the April 4 incident shows the officer lying on the back of 26-year-old Patrick Lyoya as the two scuffled after a traffic stop and then appearing to shoot him in the head.

Prior to the shooting, the men appear to be wrestling on the ground for control of the officer’s taser. The officer has not been named.
TV footage showed some 50 to 100 protesters convened in downtown Grand Rapids, a city of around 200,000 people. They carried “Black Lives Matter” placards and chanted “no justice, no peace.”

“I view it as a tragedy,” Grand Rapids police chief Eric Winstrom said of the shooting at a press conference Wednesday, at which the videos were released. It was just a progression of sadness for me. The loss of life in any circumstance is sad and I know that it’s going to impact our city,” he added. Police killings of Black Americans have drawn acute national attention in recent years, particularly after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on the neck of George Floyd until he died in 2020.

• ‘Everything Is Gone’: South Africa’s Flood Victims Search For Shelter

Disoriented and in disbelief but alive, a crowd of people who watched their homes wash away amid devastating floods in South Africa’s coastal city of Durban queued to register for temporary shelter Wednesday. “Everything is gone,” repeated Sinethemba Duka, 31, over and over, sporting a grey floppy hat and a salmon coloured golf shirt — having salvaged only a few pieces of clothing.

More than 300 people have been killed since rains, the heaviest in six decades, wreaked havoc on the city and surrounding region at the weekend, destroying homes and infrastructure. Officials have declared it “one of the worst weather storms in the history of our country”.

At the storm’s peak, the South African Weather Service said more than 300 mm of rain fell within a 24-hour period in some regions.
Duka and dozens of others crowded around him Wednesday evening, were residents of the Mega Village informal settlement, or shack dwellings,south of Durban’s central business district. Residents said most homes in the area were made of corrugated iron and wooden boards — not nearly strong enough to withstand rushing waters.

• Pfizer Eyes COVID-19 Vaccine For All Variants Before 2023

A Covid-19 vaccine effective against multiple variants is possible before the end of 2022, the head of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer said Wednesday. Chairman Albert Bourla said the firm was also working on producing a vaccine that could provide good protection for a whole year, meaning people would come back annually for boosters, as with influenza shots.

“I hope, clearly by autumn… that we could have a vaccine” that worked against not only the dominant Omicron but all known variants, he said. It is a possibility that we have it by then. It is not a certainty,” he told a media briefing organised by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) big pharma lobby group.

The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is one of the most effective against Covid-19. Though, like other jabs, it has seen waning effectiveness against the now-dominant Omicron variant of the virus, it still offers strong protection against serious disease, hospitalisation and death. IFPMA director general Thomas Cueni said the world had to learn to live with the virus that causes Covid-19 disease, saying: “We are beyond the time when you can eradicate SARS-CoV-2.”

• British PM Johnson, Sunak Fined Over COVID-19 Lockdown Parties

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson offered a “full apology” on Tuesday after being fined for breaching Covid-19 lockdown laws in the so-called “Partygate” scandal, but looked set to defy calls for his resignation.

Embattled finance minister Rishi Sunak and Johnson’s wife Carrie will also be fined, as the political storm following revelations of a swathe of lockdown-busting parties in and around Downing Street threatens to engulf Johnson once more.

“Let me say immediately that I’ve paid the fine and I once again offer a full apology,” Johnson said during televised remarks.
Johnson’s office said his fine was for attending a surprise birthday gathering in his honour on the afternoon of June 19, 2020 in the Cabinet Room at Number 10.

The prime minister said the event lasted around 10 minutes, and denied that he had lied about not knowingly breaking the law, saying: “In all frankness at that time, it did not occur to me that this might have been a breach of the rules.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Wife, FG, others mourn Orlando Julius

Tributes have continued to pour in for veteran highlife musician, Julius Ekemode, popularly known as Orlando Julius, who died on Friday, April 15, 2022, at his home in Ilesa, Osun State, after a brief illness. He was aged 79.

His wife, Latoya, confirmed his death to newsmen. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria and Tribune Newspaper she said, “Yes, my husband passed on late last night. There was no indication that death was coming. He was not ill; he only slept and died in his sleep.” She added, “He died in my arms at night. I thank the Lord,”

• Osinachi: It Is Better To Be Alive Without Marriage Than Die In It – Pastor Enenche

Pastor Paul Enenche has broken his silence following the passing of a member of his church and popular gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, insisting that his church does not tolerate domestic violence. Osinachi died last week in Abuja with her death sparking some controversy and the deceased family formally filing a complaint of culpable homicide against one Mr Peter Nwachukwu who is her husband.

Days after the “Ekwueme” singer’s death, the founder of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre maintained that his church doesn’t condone any form of assault and battery on women. Enenche claimed he was unaware of the supposed violence suffered by his deceased church member, maintaining that the claims sounded odd to him

“If there was domestic violence that led to or coincided with those symptoms that she came with two and half months or three months ago, there is no way I would know and if there had been perennial domestic violence, there is no way I would have known,” he said.

Meanwhile, Osinachi’s Nwachukwu’s husband has been arrested days after her death in hospital in Abuja. “He is now in our custody. The younger brother of the deceased reported the matter and we have commenced an investigation,” Abuja police command spokeswoman Josephine Adeh said.

• Osinachi: Church unaware of abuse, minister says husband married to another woman

The lead pastor of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre Wordwide, Abuja, Pastor Paul Enenche, has said he had no idea that the late popular gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, was being abused by her husband, Peter Nwachukwu. Until her death last Friday, the 42-year-old artiste who died after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, a lead singer in Enenche’s church. Her colleagues accused her husband of beating her.

In a recorded video broadcast posted across all his social media handles and on the church’s Facebook Page, Dunamis TV on Wednesday, Enenche said all he knew was that the late Osinachi and her husband, Peter, came to him for prayers when the former complained of chest pain over two months ago.

He said, “Over two-and-a-half months to three months ago, she came to see me with her husband with complaints of chest pain and respiratory distress. I prayed for her and prayed again. “When the symptoms did not abate, I counselled that they went to the hospital to help us know exactly what we were dealing with and they asked if I could help them facilitate that process. I called our head of medical team, Dr Osang, who is a consultant paediatrician with the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (Nasarawa State) to assist to handle their situation. The pastor said the late artiste was later admitted and was responding to treatment before he heard about her death.

Enenche further said he asked Osinachi’s first son of what transpired between his mom and dad and he confirmed the stories. He quoted the son as saying that he refused to speak up in order not to attract his father’s anger.

• Tiwa Savage, others join Rick Ross to thrill Lagosians

Popular singers, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Mayorkun, Patoranking and Rema, were among the headliners who thrilled music lovers at the ‘Rick Ross Live in Lagos’ concert which took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Thursday, April 14, 2022.

The show’s major act was American rapper, Rick Ross, who performed many of his old songs which got the audience singing along with him. Tiwa Savage was also on top of her game as she performed some of her hit songs.

It was a memorable moment for fans of Ross who first visited the country in 2012 for the ‘Summer Jam Fest’, also in Lagos. During that earlier visit, he had shot the video for his song, ‘Hold Me Back’.

• Davido, Reekado Banks thrill fans in match against Clarence Seedorf

Singers, David Adeleke, aka Davido; and Ayoleyi Solomon, popularly known as Reekado Banks, entertained fans as they played against Dutch football legend and UEFA ambassador, Clarence Seedorf, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos during the week.

The match, which was sponsored by premium beer brand, Heineken, also involved football heavyweights such as Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha and Daniel Amokachi, as well as top officials of Nigeria Breweries. Speaking before the match, Davido stated that he wanted to showcase his other talent aside from making music. A total of 14 goals were scored during the match, with Okocha scoring five of the goals.

SPORTS

• NFF appoints coach banned for bribery, others to head national teams

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Salisu Yusuf as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles B (otherwise known as the CHAN team) as well as the U23 (Olympics) team.

Yusuf was previously banned for collecting bribes as an Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles after he was caught on camera in August 2018 accepting cash from men who posed as football agents to select two players for his Morocco 2018 African Nations Championship squad.

He was subsequently banned for one year and ordered to pay a fine of $5,000 by the federation following the NFF Ethics and Fair Play Committee ruling that the coach received $1,000 from the men. The NFF reinstated the coach in 2019 after serving his punishment and later approved his return as Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles and Head Coach of the Super Eagles B team, with effect from November 1, 2021

Salisu’s appointment was contained in a statement on Thursday by the NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, titled, ‘NFF appoints Salisu, Bosso, Ugbade, Bassey to head male National Teams’.

• Sunday Dare Receives UEFA Trophy Tour Ambassador Clarence Seedorf In Abuja

Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare was present on Wednesday to receive the UEFA Champions League trophy from the Trophy Tour Ambassador Clarence Seedorf at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja. Seedorf has been in the country since Tuesday as part of a two-day Heineken UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour.

Seedorf is a four-time winner of the Champions League and also the first player to win the title with three different clubs: Ajax (1995) Real Madrid (1998) and AC Milan (2003, 2007). Also present at the reception were the former assistant coach of the Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, and PSG and Bolton legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.

The former coach of Cameroon also paid a cordial visit to the Nigerian female U-17 team, the Flamingoes, as they prepared for Sunday’s meeting with Egypt in the first leg, final round of the African qualifiers leading to the U-17 Women’s World Cup in India.

• NFF President, Amaju Pinnick Gets New FIFA Role

President of the Nigeria Football Federation and member of the FIFA Council, Amaju Pinnick, has been appointed into a new role within the working group of the world football governing body. The General Secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Véron Mosengo-Omba, confirmed Pinnick’s appointment in a letter dated 11 April, the NFF said.

According to the federation, Pinnick was informed that he had been nominated by CAF President, Dr Joseph Motsepe, to be part of the newly established Working Group on Normalisation Committees.

“We are confident that your nomination to this working group will positively contribute to the pertinent, and often essential, role played by Normalisation Committees in support of federations and towards the fulfillment of good governance practices.”

• Man Utd Face Backlash Over Pogba’s Contract Offer – Reports

Paul Pogba’s stay at Old Trafford is set to take a dramatic turn as Manchester United are set to make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League with a mouth-watering contract offer. But the move is getting a backlash from players. With a few months left on his contract, there are reports that the Frenchman will extend his contract with the English giants.

The 2018 World Cup winner, who earns £290,000-per-week, is set to be offered a bumper package that starts off with a basic salary of £400,000 with add-ons reaching half-a-million pounds, according to reports.

These terms, if accepted, would see him surpass Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo (£450,000-per-week), David De Gea (£375,000-per-week), Jadon Sancho, and Raphael Varane (both £300,000-per-week) in the club’s wage’s structure. This offer has left members of the squad discontent over the 28-year-old’s on-pitch mediocre performances as well as his non-committal stance.

Metro plus

• Osinachi: Church unaware of abuse, minister says husband married to another woman

The lead pastor of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre Wordwide, Abuja, Pastor Paul Enenche, has said he had no idea that the late popular gospel artiste, Osinachi Nwachukwu, was being abused by her husband, Peter Nwachukwu. Until her death last Friday, the 42-year-old artiste who died after spending days at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja, a lead singer in Enenche’s church. Her colleagues accused her husband of beating her.

In a recorded video broadcast posted across all his social media handles and on the church’s Facebook Page, Dunamis TV on Wednesday, Enenche said all he knew was that the late Osinachi and her husband, Peter, came to him for prayers when the former complained of chest pain over two months ago.

He said, “Over two-and-a-half months to three months ago, she came to see me with her husband with complaints of chest pain and respiratory distress. I prayed for her and prayed again. “When the symptoms did not abate, I counselled that they went to the hospital to help us know exactly what we were dealing with and they asked if I could help them facilitate that process. I called our head of medical team, Dr Osang, who is a consultant paediatrician with the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi (Nasarawa State) to assist to handle their situation. The pastor said the late artiste was later admitted and was responding to treatment before he heard about her death.

Enenche further said he asked Osinachi’s first son of what transpired between his mom and dad and he confirmed the stories. He quoted the son as saying that he refused to speak up in order not to attract his father’s anger.

• Akeredolu’s wife seeks justice as man bathes wife with hot water

The wife of the Ondo State Governor, Betty Akeredolu, has vowed to get justice for a housewife, Iyanu Oluwaseun, whose husband poured hot water on her. It was gathered that the incident happened while the couple engaged in an argument which led to a fight at their residence in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The husband was said to have been arrested by the men of the state police command while the victim was taken to a hospital for treatment. The wife of the governor condemned the alleged act, describing it as bestial and intolerable.

Akeredolu, in a statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media and Archives, Debo Akinbami, said the act was shameful and could not be justified under any guise. According to the statement, the Ondo State Agency Against Gender-Based Violence was already handling the case to ensure justice was served.

• Lalong says no room for terrorists in Plateau

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, while reacting to terrorist attacks on some communities in Kanam and Wase Local Government Areas on Monday, disclosed that his administration will not allow terrorists settle in any part of the state and use same to launch attacks on unsuspecting innocent citizens.

The terrorists were said to have killed over 70 persons in several communities and burnt several houses belonging to the natives during the attacks which occurred on Sunday.

The governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut, in a press statement issued on Monday revealed that the governor, who condemned the attacks, described it as an irresponsible act and vowed that those behind it will be made to pay a heavy price.

• Train attack: Terrorists demand detained 16 commanders’ exchange for over 100 abductees

The bandits, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train, are demanding the release of 16 top commanders and sponsors in government custody in exchange for the release of the over 100 individuals abducted from the derailed train on March 28. Dependable security sources said the bandits carried out the violent attack on the train just to abduct passengers who could be used to bargain for the release of their commanders and sponsors in detention.

Newsmen gathered on Monday that the arrest of the suspects had severely hampered the deadly activities of the bandits who are collaborating with the Boko Haram terrorist group to unleash malevolent attacks across the country. The terrorists had on March 28 at Katari, Kaduna State, attacked the train which was heading for Kaduna from Kaduna.

• Lagos youth kills girlfriend, sleeps with corpse six days

A man, Ifeanyi Njoku, has been arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend, Precious Okeke, 24, in an estate at Badore, in the Ajah area of Lagos State. Newsmen gathered that the live-in lovers stayed on Oke Street, where Njoku allegedly killed his girlfriend for ritual purposes. It was learnt that a native doctor, who was assisting the suspect, instructed him to have sex with Okeke’s corpse.

Njoku was said to have engaged in the illicit act with the corpse for six days, as the stench emanating from his apartment prompted his neighbours to inform the management of the estate. A source, Elizabeth John, said during a search of the apartment, Okeke’s decomposing corpse was found.

She said, “The boy killed his girlfriend about six days ago, and he confessed that he wanted to use the girl for money rituals. He said he was told that he should have sex with his girlfriend’s corpse for seven days, but he was caught on the sixth day. Today (Monday) is supposed to make it the seventh day.

“The smell of the corpse had been disturbing neighbours in the compound and other residents. So, they called the estate chairman to help in confirming what was going on in the apartment and while searching the apartment, they found the girl’s body.

• Lagos girl detained for false rape, kidnap alarm on Twitter

A girl, Toyosi Adesegun, has been detained by men of the Lagos State Police Command for raising false alarm on Twitter on being kidnapped and raped. The tweet, which went viral on Thursday, generated diverse reactions from social media users, who were worried about her safety. Adesegun, however, revealed in a follow-up tweet that her statement was false, and subsequently apologized.

The 20-year-old also released a video clip to confirm that she was safe. “I was not kidnapped or raped. I am fine and I am not making this video under duress or anything. I am very okay. I am in my house. Please stop calling or threatening those numbers. Thank you very much,” she said in the clip. Many social media users condemned her action as some called for her arrest.

• Teenage robbers nicknamed Anini, Oyenusi list mothers as loot beneficiaries

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 19 suspected criminals in different parts of the state. Among the suspects were two teenagers, Timilehin (12), aka Anini, and Sunday (16), aka Oyenusi; and 20-year-old Odeyemi Ayodele, aka Osumbo.

Timilehin, Sunday and Ayodele were arrested for robbery at Ijare community in the Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State.
Parading the suspects on Thursday at the command headquarters in Akure, the state capital, the Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeyeye, said the three boys specialised in armed robbery.

Adeyeye said, “One of the three juveniles (Oyenusi) was arrested last year, taken to a rehabilitation centre and was later released because of his age. “His mother was arrested too because ‘Oyenusi’ confessed to us that his mother was the one preparing charms for him to prevent his downfall and arrest by security agents and his mother has been a beneficiary of the crime proceeds.

• Lagos accountant allegedly sets wife, brother-in-law ablaze, calls for help

The Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, paraded a chartered accountant, identified as Benjamin, for allegedly setting his wife, Chinyere, and brother-in-law, Ifeanyi, ablaze in the Abule Ado area of the state. Newsmen gathered that Chinyere and Ifeanyi were at a guest house in the couple’s residence when Benjamin allegedly set them on fire.

After perpetrating the crime, the suspect allegedly locked the duo in the guest house and went to call for help. A source told newsmen that Ifeanyi’s dying declaration implicated him.

The source said, “His brother-in-law was a contract worker at Chevron. He was also the only son of the family. He didn’t die immediately; he made a dying declaration that Benjamin opened the door while he and his sister, Chinyere, who was Benjamin’s wife, were in the guest house, poured petrol on them, set them ablaze and locked them inside.

“Ifeanyi struggled to come outside, but the woman couldn’t. Benjamin ran outside and started shouting that fire was burning. There may be some underlying reasons for him to have done that. The house he stays in belonged to his wife and she wanted to sell it because she heard he wanted to sell the house without her consent.