Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Obaseki officially dumps APC after meeting Buhari


   

   Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has formally resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  The governor announced this on Tuesday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

His resignation, as expected, came days after the All Progressives Congress disqualified him from contesting in next week’s primary election – jeopardizing his bid to win a second term in the September 19 governorship election.

He was disqualified on the basis of his certificates – a reason believed to be widely influenced by Adams Oshiomhole, the APC’s national chairman, Obaseki’s political ally turned adversary.

However, Governor Obaseki had met high-ranking personalities of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the past few days and believed to be headed to the main opposition party ahead of the September election.

Lagos stops planned reopening of worship centers

 

  The Lagos State Government has stopped the planned reopening of worship centers (mosques and churches ) on Friday, June 19 and Sunday, June 21.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced the decision at a press briefing minutes ago. According to him, the development is as a result of the rising cases of Covid-19 in the state.

Suspend NYSC camps for 2 years, Osinbajo committee tells Federal Government

 

  The Economic Sustainability Committee (ESC) led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on the federal government to consider suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp exercises for two years.

  In its report presented to President Muhammadu Buhari last week and seen by TheCable, the committee recommended the consideration of suspension of NYSC camps for 24 months. “The immediate focus in the Education sector is to address the disruptions caused by the pandemic and ensuing social distancing measures at all levels of education,” the report read.


“Practical steps will be taken to minimise disruption to learning, utilising technology as appropriate. Specifically, virtual learning will be implemented (either online or through broadcast), virtual convocation ceremonies or issuance of certificates (with postponed ceremonies) should be implemented to continue educational progression.

  “In similar context, consideration will be given to suspending the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Orientation Camp Exercises for at least 24 months while allowing deployment to places of primary assignment. “This will ensure that there is no backlog in the National Service placement pipeline.”

Executive Jet apologises for referring to Naira Marley, team as bunch of useless people

  
 
The management of Executive Jet Tuesday apologised for referring to Naira Marley and his team that flew the company’s chartered flight to Abuja as ” a bunch of useless people ”

Reacting to the response of Naira Marley who said his followers, who are more than two million, will not patronize Executive Jet again, Mr Babatunde Olonade, Public Relations Manager, Executive Jets said: ” The management of Executive Jets Services has been apprised of the mix up in the operation of its flight on Saturday, 13 June 2020″.

” We have since realised the mistake made by our ground crew and a full-scale investigation has been launched to determine what transpired with a view to avoid such mistakes going forward”.

“We have also sent a letter of apology to the Honourable Minister of Aviation who had graciously granted us a permit ref: FMA/ATMD/0175/v/v/1268 dated 11th June 2020”.

“It is necessary however to state as follows:

“The flight was originally billed to ferry Judge Adefope Okojie to Abuja on Sunday 14th, 2020 as requested and a permit was granted based on the application. Early on Saturday, 13 June, 2020, we got information that owing to exigencies of duty, the Honourable Justice Okojie had departed Lagos for Abuja by another flight”.

“A few moments later, our airport staff reported that there is a charter flight to Abuja and that the passengers were already at the lounge. The passenger manifest had 10 names, including FASHOLA, BABATUNDE, which name bears resemblance to that of the Honourable Minister of Works. The Minister is a Lagosian and our staff reasonably assumed he was going to Abuja along with his aides and officials”.

“With the benefit of hindsight, we were too eager to fly a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, apparently without strictly observing all necessary protocols”. “We express sincere apology for this oversight as we promise that this would not happen again”.

“The management of Executive Jets has no issues with Naira Marley and his team. Indeed, we hold all our fliers in very high esteem at all times. The seemingly disparaging reference in the letter to the Minister was inadvertent and regrettable”, Olonade added.

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi dies at the age of 55 after suffering a heart attack

   Burundi's President Pierre Nkurunziza has died at the age of 55 after suffering a heart attack.  The Burundian Government confirmed the sudden death of President Pierre Nkurunziza in a statement published on its official twitter page.

 "The Government of the Republic of Burundi announces with great sadness the unexpected death of His Excellency Pierre Nkurunziza, President of the Republic of Burundi... following heart failure on June 8, 2020," the post said.

 URGENT: Le Gouvernement de la République du Burundi annonce avec une très grande tristesse le décès inopiné de Son Excellence Pierre Nkurunziza, Président de la République du Burundi, survenu à l’Hôpital du Cinquantenaire de Karusi suite à un arrêt cardiaque ce 8 juin 2020. pic.twitter.com/PP46kKzAM5

— Burundi Government (@BurundiGov) June 9, 2020