Category: Top Stories

AfDB board bows to U.S. as Adesina faces fresh probe

Correspondents

The African Development Bank Board (AfDB) yesterday disclosed that it has commissioned an independent inquiry into allegations of corruption against its head, Mr. Akinwumi Adesina. The former Nigerian agriculture minister, who is seeking re-election in August, had denied any wrongdoing and was initially cleared of all the allegations by an internal investigation. However, the United States rejected the internal probe committee and called for an independent probe panel. At the end of its meeting on Thursday, the Bureau of Board of Governors issued a communiqué agreeing with the U.S and…

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Buhari observes Juma’at prayer in Aso Rock

Lawrence Olaoye

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday observed the first Ju’mat prayer at the State House Mosque since the outbreak of coronavirus global pandemic (COVID-19) after the new guidelines on religious gathering were released. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Tuesday released new guidelines to ease the lockdown, saying worship centres will only be permitted to operate for a maximum of one hour each time they meet. The coordinator of the Task Force, Sani Aliyu, had said churches and mosques are only allowed to operate between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily.…

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USAID offers $234.5m assistance to Nigeria

Correspondents

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced an additional $234.5 million in development assistance to Nigeria. The fresh offer is a continuation of the support for the goals outlined in the 2015 bilateral Development Objectives Assistance Agreement (DOAG) between the United State and Nigeria. USAID Mission Director, Mr. Stephen Haykin, stated that about $160 million of the new funds would be dedicated to financing new and existing activities to improve public health in Nigeria. In addition, the sum of $34 million will help improve agriculture and water…

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FATHER OF MURDERED UNIBEN STUDENT: My daughter wasn’t troublesome, she was loved by everybody

Ojieva Ehiosun

Sorrow, tears, and agony enveloped the family of Elder and Mrs. Johnson Omozuwa of 3, Michael Avenue, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City, Edo State, a few days ago. This followed the brutal rape and eventual murder of their daughter, Miss Vera Uwaila, a 100 level student of the University of Benin in Edo State. According to the bereaved father, who spoke with our correspondent in his Ikpoba Hill residence in Benin City, Uwaila was such that liked to study her books. Since this lockdown, as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic,…

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Ondo APC primary: Akeredolu gives contracts, jobs to save self

Olalekan Osiade and Adewale Momoh

•Last-ditch effort won’t help governor –APC aspirants •Allegations are baseless, says government   Ahead of the July 22 governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, there are indications that the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, may have perfected plans to outrun his opponents in the race. Information circulating within the party has it that Akeredolu, who had been facing opposition within his party, had lately adopted government patronages as a measure to win the election, peradventure the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC gives nod for…

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Oshiomhole’s camp switches support from Ize-Iyamu to Obazee

Olalekan Osiade
Ize-Iyamu

•Backing for Ize-Iyamu growing even stronger –Campaign Organisation •APC to publish aspirants’ credentials       These are not the best of times for an All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as the camp he is relying upon to achieve his political aim, is said to have switched support away from him. However, the situation seems a blessing in disguise for another aspirant, Hon. Osaro Obazee, whom sources within the APC said is now enjoying the support of the group loyal to the APC…

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CBN debits banks another N459.7bn for CRR default

Tony Chukwunyem

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debited 26 banks, including merchant banks, to the tune of N459.7 billion for failing to meet CRR (Cash Reserve Ratio) targets, Saturday Telegraph learnt yesterday. The CRR is the minimum amount banks are expected to retain with the CBN from customer deposits. In April, the apex bank debited 28 commercial and merchant banks N1.4trillion for failing to meet their CRR obligations. The CBN’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) had in January this year increased the CRR by 5 per cent from 22.5 per cent…

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Soyinka: Buhari not in charge at Aso Villa

Ndubuisi Ugah

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is still not in charge of presiding over the affairs of Nigeria. In similar vein, Latter Rain Assembly President, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has said he is still an active politician. Speaking during an interview on PlusTv Africa, while reacting to an open letter written by a retired colonel and former Military Administrator of Kaduna State, Umar Dangiwa, Soyinka said his fears about Buhari’s style of leadership had been confirmed by Umar. Umar had accused the president of only appointing…

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Edo guber: APC to publish aspirants’ credentials

Johnchuks Onuanyim

National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to publish the credentials of the aspirants of the party for its governorship ticket in Edo State. The party stated this in a statement issued yesterday by the National Publicity Secretariat, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu. According to him, the display of aspirants’ credentials would be done at the party’s National Secretariat and the state Secretariat of the party in Edo State. Six aspirants: Governor Godwin Obaseki, former Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, former Minister, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Hon. Osaro Obazee, Hon. Matthew…

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COVID-19: Nigeria records 350 new cases as 205 recover

Correspondents

  Nigeria recorded a significant increase in its recovery rate with 206 people discharged on Thursday. This was contained in the update of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Thursday. The agency announced that 350 new cases were recorded in 19 states and the federal capital territory (FCT). The figure recorded for Thursday is the highest number of people discharged in a single day since the country recorded its index case on February 27, 2020. The first recovery was recorded on March 13, 2020. The number of recoveries…

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