Mudasiru Obasa Faces Panel Over Corruption

Mr Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly Alleged for embezzlement of funds, the matter seem to be close but the matter has gotten to the house, though it was through an online medium
The speaker denied the allegation of and called it false and rendered it to be the work of enemies.
According to the allegations made by online medium
reports that an online medium had reported on May 23 that at least 64 bank accounts have been discovered and linked to the Bank Verification Number of the speaker.
The online medium, said that its discovered that the accounts registered with various names, are being used to siphon public funds and many other allegations against the speaker.
The speaker responded well to the allegation
“We bought land cruisers for Principal Officers of the House. The cars we bought for them are always higher than those of other members and we followed the due process in the purchase.
“We went through the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) and others and the vehicles were distributed appropriately.
“It was agreed at the parliamentary meetings on about four occasions and the Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, is the Secretary.
“Also, it is not true that my wife collects N10 million monthly from the House. Anyone who says she does should come with proofs and evidences.
“My approval limit as the Speaker is N100 million and anything above that would have to be approved by the Fund Management Committee.
Obasa also debunked an allegation that N258 million was spent for the printing of invitation cards for the inauguration of the 9th Assembly.
He said that the whole event cost N61 million and that N1.1 million was spent on printing of the invitation cards.
“It is not possible to spend N258 million to print invitation cards. We are not involved in such a frivolous expenditure,” he said.
Obasa, while explaining on the expenditure of N80 million as estacode for the training of women in Dubai, said that wives of the 20 lawmakers attended the event and that he was there to declare the event open.
“We gave N4 million to each of the participants for air ticket, hotels, feedings and local travel.
“Air ticket to Dubai alone is about N2 million. Some of these allegations were raised for a crusade to get the speaker out of office.
“The House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence and we have to train people, and this comes with a cost. Learning is not cheap and I have never collected N80 million for estacode at a go before,”
“On the issue of awarding contracts to companies belonging to me, they should come and show evidence of where I awarded contracts to myself,” he told the panel.
On the report that he tricked former Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, to spend N350 million for hosting a meeting of Conference of Speakers, Obasa, told the committee that this was not possible.
The speaker said such situation was not possible since Ambode was an accountant, who rose to be the Chief Accountant of the State.
“There was no way I could have tricked Ambode to release such money, we had a meeting of the Conference of Speakers, who came with three members each and we had sub-committees who were given two million naira each.
“We paid for the tickets of each speaker, we pay for their hotel accommodation, feeding and souvenirs. We also provided local transportation for them.
“All these allegations are deliberate actions of my enemies to achieve their aims that they could not achieve in the House to remove me as the Speaker of the House, which was why they came up with such reports,” he said.
The speaker denied spending N60 million for social influences.
Obasa said he did not know the companies they were talking about.
“The BVN they were flying about was not correct.
“Whatever I have done as a Speaker, all the approvals I gave as Speaker were given based on collective approval of the members of the House,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, who also appeared before the panel denied attending meeting in Dubai as against the report of online medium.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr Tunde Braimoh, said he didn’t know how much was spent on the hosting of Conference of Speakers since different people handled different aspects of the event.
“We provided hospitality for the few the people that came. The event involved other things, there were catering and others that were given to other people to handle.
“It is most uncharitable to say we spent N47.5 million for social media influencers. We spend money on publicity and public relations.
“We have programmes that we pay for, on TVC and LTV 8. We have a magazine that we produce and we print 40,000 copies quarterly and distribute to schools and other places and we pay for the content, design and production,”

Anthony Joshua hobbles on crutches as he joins Black Lives Matter protest in Watford

Anthony Joshua joined protesters in Watford, north London, during a demonstration to call for an end to racial injustice.

The professional boxer was seen attending the protest while hobbling on crutches. He wore a black jumper emblazoned with the words “Black Lives Matter”. He also had on a leg brace.

See photos below.

Schools should still be closed — Varsity chancellor

Against the continuous spread of coronavirous disease in Nigeria, the Chancellor of the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State,  Dr. Ramon  Adedoyin, has advised the government not to reopen  schools, churches, mosques and similar institutions until a permanent solution is found to the problem.

According to him, the reopening of schools and religious gatherings without having a cure or vaccine for coronavirus would bring about problems for the country.

Adedoyin said there were certain posers to be answered by teachers, school owners, parents as well as those at the helms before the thought of opening schools.

He said: “Teachers should ask themselves if they are ready to unnecessarily put themselves at risk in their daily interactions with students, while teaching and even while marking scripts without any risk allowances or compensations to their families in case they die from contracting Covid-19 from work.”

He also raised some challenges likely to be faced by school owners, if schools were to be reopened as being clamoured for.

He said: “What approaches would adopted, if it was discovered that a student shows COVID-19 symptoms during learning. Are they to quarantine the teachers, the whole class or the whole school? How often should the temperature of teachers and students be tested? How easy will it be to test the whole school before lessons? Is the teaching and learning going to continue if the school, runs out of sanitizer? And if the teacher is in self-quarantine, who will take his/her course load? “

42 percent of Nigerians lost their jobs due to Coronavirus: NBS

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced that its recent survey revealed that 42 percent of Nigerians have lost their jobs due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Bureau said the study was conducted between April to May 2020, during the time when the index case was identified in the country. It was further gathered that the impact of COVID-19 has been most strongly felt in the commerce, service and agriculture sectors.

While seventy-nine percent of households surveyed reported that their households’ total income have decreased since mid- March, NBS added that the economic shock experienced by Nigerians after the outbreak of Coronavirus far exceeds shocks experienced between 2017 and 2019.

In its report titled “COVID-19 IMPACT MONITORING”, the NBS said; 

“IN ORDER TO TRACK THE IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC, THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS IMPLEMENTED THE NIGERIA COVID-19 NATIONAL LONGITUDINAL PHONE SURVEY (COVID-19 NLPS) ON A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF 1,950 HOUSEHOLDS. 

“THE MOST WIDELY REPORTED SHOCK EXPERIENCED BY HOUSEHOLDS WAS AN INCREASE IN PRICES OF MAJOR FOOD ITEMS FACED BY 85 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS SINCE THE OUTBREAK COMPARED TO ONLY 19 PERCENT BETWEEN JANUARY 2017 AND JANUARY 2019.”

The coping mechanism for 51 percent of households interviewed was reducing and it was also learnt that many households are now drawing down their savings (29 percent of the households falls into this category). 

A  total of 26 percentage of interviewed households who needed medical treatment reported not being able to access treatment, while 38 percent of households with children who attended school prior to school closures due to the pandemic reported that their children did not engage in any learning or education activities.

The report added; 

“MANY HOUSEHOLDS HAVE STRUGGLED TO COPE WITH THESE WIDESPREAD SHOCKS WITH 51 PERCENT OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS RESORTING TO REDUCING FOOD CONSUMPTION.”

COVID-19: No new confirmed or suspected case in Hubei, all patients discharged

All COVID-19 patients have been discharged from hospitals in Hubei, China’s epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to local health authorities on Friday.  

There were no new confirmed or suspected cases in the province on Thursday.

So far, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Hubei stands at 68,135. 63,623 patients recovered and 4,512 died from the virus.

I don’t believe President Buhari is in charge: Soyinka

This is coming days after a retired colonel and former military administrator of Kaduna, Umar Dangiwa, wrote an open letter to Buhari over the president’s habit of appointing people from his section of the country into office.

Reacting to this in an interview on PlusTv Africa’s ‘One-On-One’ on Thursday, the playwright and political activist said the answer to the nation’s problem is decentralisation.

The renowned writer commended the former military administrator who has a tendency to hit the nail hard and go straight to the point factually without self-interest.

He said: “Umar Dangiwa is one of the really serious letter writers without self-interest and when I saw this I was appalled but I shouldn’t have been appalled in the first place. I was appalled by the silence that followed this revelation. I think those who are responsible for this criminal lopsidedness should be punished. It is not sufficient just to discuss it. It’s criminal.

“I have said this before. I don’t believe there is really anybody in charge in Aso Rock. I’m sorry to say this. I’ve been studying the trend over the past year and a half and I believe this president is not in charge of this nation, in so many aspects and directions.

“I’m convinced he’s not really and totally with it.

“It’s so serious. It is not the fact alone, we know the history of this. We know what it has caused the nation, and we know it isn’t over yet. And you say are launching an enquiry. That’s not enough. This man is not in charge.”

FG Officially Started Preparation for School resumption

In attempt to curb and control the novel virus and ease the lock down totally after the second phase, the Federal Government began to disinfect public schools, airports ahead of resumption while the private sector, school should decide and get a contractor or should register there school.
According to Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, on Thursday to mark world environmental day
“We have started disinfection of schools. We have our presence in all the six geopolitical zones of the country. We are waiting for the additional response to accelerate the disinfection of schools,”
” We will continue the disinfection exercise”, saying, ” I know many will hire people to do their decontamination and disinfection.”
“We are very okay with that but the only caveat is that they have to hire people that are registered and licensed by the Federal Ministry of Environment under the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria.”
For the airport to resume… He stated
“For the airports, we have just concluded arrangements with the aircraft owners. Why we took that step is that aviation is a very sensitive sector where everything must be 100 percent,200 percent, and even 400 percent before aviation people can function. That is why you see some aircraft that have up to four engines so that when one stops, the others can function because up there, there is no parking space”.
” So we are working with them and they have chosen the chemicals that they believe can work well and not cause any safety breaches if the chemicals are applied to the aircraft and other certain areas.”

PHOTONEWS: #TakeItBack Group Take Protest To Lagos Streets

Busola Dakolo gives update on her rape case against clergyman Biodun Fatoyinbo

Busola Dakolo, wife of singer, Timi Dakolo, has given an update on her rape case against clergyman, Biodun Fatoyinbo.

Recall that in June 2019, she publicly accused the clergyman of violently raping her when she was a teenager and was worshipping in his church in Kwara state. She filed a suit against him but it was thrown out by the court. 

In an update posted this afternoon on her Instagram page, Busola shared a copy of the letter she received from the police stating they have completed investigations into the case and have forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPP) for legal advice and further necessary action. 

She alleged the Ministry of Justice has since received the case file for Fatoyinbo’s prosecution but has remained silent.  She said her team has sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice over a month ago but no response yet.

Read the letter from the police sent to her and her post below

”IT IS NOW OFFICIALLY ONE YEAR AFTER SINCE I CAME OUT AND TOLD THE MOST IMPORTANT STORY OF MY LIFE UP UNTIL THIS POINT. THAT WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER, BIODUN FATOYINBO VIOLENTLY RAPED ME. IT WASN’T JUST ME. IN THE MEDIA, ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS AND IN PRIVATE, WOMEN HAVE BEEN SHARING STORIES OF HOW THIS MAN EITHER DESTROYED THEIR LIVES OR TRIED TO.

A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN THAT TIME: AND MY HEART IS GLAD THAT CONSCIOUSNESS CONTINUES TO BE RAISED ABOUT THE GREAT EVIL THAT SEXUAL ABUSE IS, AND HOW WIDESPREAD IT IS, AND HOW MUCH WOMEN ARE AT RISK, AND WHY WE NEED TO ENSURE JUSTICE FOR THOSE WHO FIND THE STRENGTH TO SPEAK OUT.

AWARENESS IS VICTORY. BUT WE ARE PUSHING TO ANOTHER EVEN GREAT VICTORY: JUSTICE.

WHEN THE COURTS LAST YEAR DECIDED TO RULE IN FAVOUR OF THE MAN WHO ASSAULTED ME, PEOPLE WERE CRESTFALLEN. I UNDERSTOOD.
WHAT THEY DIDN’T KNOW HOWEVER IS THAT BEFORE WE EVEN BEGAN, WE HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR A LONG HAUL BATTLE THAT MAY TAKE YEARS BECAUSE THE NIGERIAN LEGAL SYSTEM ISN’T WIRED TO HELP SEXUAL ABUSE VICTIMS GET JUSTICE.
 

TODAY, I HAVE A MAJOR UPDATE. THE POLICE HAS CONCLUDED ITS INVESTIGATION. AND HANDED OVER ITS REPORT TO THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IN ABUJA FOR ONWARD PROSECUTION OF BIODUN FATOYINBO. HE CLEARLY HAS A CASE TO ANSWER.
BUT THERE HAS BEEN SILENCE FROM THE MINISTRY. SILENCE. A LOUD SILENCE!

WE HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER BUT FOR OVER A MONTH WE HAVE NO RESPONSE.
 

INSTEAD, MY LAWYERS AND MY FAMILY HAVE HEARD ABOUT ALL MANNER OF MANIPULATION AND FOUL PLAY BEING ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE MINISTRY FROM BEGINNING PROSECUTION IMMEDIATELY.
OR EVEN TO GET THE POLICE REPORT MANIPULATED.

MY NAME IS BUSOLA DAKOLO, A SURVIVOR OF ONE OF THE MOST HORRIFIC ACTS -RAPE. MY VOICE WILL NOT BE SHUT DOWN. MY CASE WILL NOT BE SILENCED. I AM THANKFUL TO THOSE IN AND OUT OF THE POLICE, THE MINISTRY AND THE CORRIDORS OF POWER WHO HAVE CALLED IN SOLIDARITY AND TO REASSURE ME THAT THEY ARE MONITORING THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE AND THAT THIS PRESSURE TO BURY THE CASE WILL NOT SUCCEED.

I AM UPDATING THE NIGERIAN PUBLIC BECAUSE YOU ALL MADE MY STORY MATTER. YOU JOINED ME TO SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. WITH YOU, THIS HAS BEEN AN EASIER PROCESS.” SHE WROTE

Sanwo-Olu Okays June 19 For Reopening Of Worship Centres

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced that worship centres would be allowed to function from 19th and 21st of June, 2020.
The development is coming two days after the State Commisioner for Home Affairs, Anofiu Elegushi, said churches and mosques would remain closed in the state.
The Federal Government had on Monday, June 1, lifted the ban on mosques and churches in the country, based on guidelines and protocols agreed with state governments.
Mr Elegushi said the reopening of the worship centres was not possible soon, as the state was the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic.
”Even before the pronouncement by Federal Government, we have been having meetings with the religious leaders, we even had one with Safety Commission, looking at the possibility of reopening of religious houses.
”We also had one with the leaders of the two faiths and I want to tell you categorically that at that meeting, possibility of reopening religious houses was ruled out totally.
”They claimed that they cannot take such responsibility of ensuring that only 20 or 50 people are praying behind them,” he said.